Sept 19 2006: I apologize for the long delay in the release of this chapter. I don't have many readers so I wanna really suck up (I mean show my appreciation) to the ones I have ; ). Real life has been really tough and I'm moving this weekend, at that point I'm hoping things will slow down but at the moment I can't expect it. I do plan to continue this fiction for a while though yet so thanks for the support I've been given. It helps me continue.

-Aura

Disclaimer: Getbackers is not mine, nor are it's characters. (however much I'd like otherwise;) ) Constantina is mine. In this chapter I'm starting to take more liberties with the story that's already in the manga and show to extend it into more of my own fiction but I will try to keep with the universe as best as possible.

Chapter 15: Diamonds Aren't A Girls Best Friend.

It wasn't too long a wait before the familiar white suited, blond haired man appeared nearby, leaning on a wall in his usual relaxed stance, unconcerned with the power of the men before him -or at least very good at acting like it-. He ignored when Ban narrowed his eyes, speaking kindly.

"I didn't know the great Ban Midou would be joining us here as well Dr. Jackal. I wasn't aware he was a part of the deal." Kagami totally ignored the Getbackers as he spoke with the doctor, "Or that you would bring a lost little girl back to us."

His eyes focused more when he watched Constantina, though she stood as cold and emotionless as ever at the attention, unconcerned with what this lesser man had to say to her.

"I believe Ms. Delphine would like to stay lost mmm?" Akabane answered with a grin on his face, "and it was never discusssed that it was my job to keep Ban Midou away. However I wouldn't be argumentative to a second enjoyable experience, so far my work for you has been quite the evening of entertainment."

"...you..." Ban muttered in annoyance at the black-clad psychopath before shaking his head and looking to Kagami, "what do you want with Ginji?"

"Yeah!" Ginji exclaimed, repeating, "what do you want?"

"Well, I wished to speak to you alone if possible. Thats why we were hoping to bring you in sleeping, so much less whining that way," he observed, almost bored. "but if you insist we want to see if we can figure out that odd little power of yours. Just what is it that makes the Lightning Emperor such a enigmatic soul if you were. You are invited too of course Mr. Midou, but we figured you would be a little resistant, and that gift of your eyes probably wouldn't be found even if we cut them open. The offer extends to you as well Dr. Jackal, as well as...your assistant."

"Sick bastards," Ban scoffed, "you aren't going to cut me open anywhere."

"Me either," Ginji agreed, "I don't want to be in Babylon city, and the idea of getting cut apart doesn't sound like a lot of fun...you shouldn't try to kidnap people. It's against the law."

"Should have known it wouldn't be that easy Kagami," A woman's voice echoed down the hall as a petite wisp of a girl slid out of the shadows to look at them with empty pink eyes. She had brilliant white hair and equally pasty skin, not the most beautiful in her almost vampiric appearance the albino wore a gray dress which somehow added to the nearly colorless quality to her. "This is the great Lightning emperor? He seems a little malnourished and...well...daft."

The girl appeared next to Ginji as she made the observation, no particular respect for personal bubbles as she looked him right in the eyes and then picked up his vest to sniff at it. Ignoring Ginji's frightened glance between her and his partner. Ban rolled his eyes.

"He's not what we want...why did you bother to bring him?" she demanded, voice raising just slightly with her irritation, "I don't like wasting my time."

"Keep looking," Kagami's lips curled slightly as he was berated.

"This one smells of power," she observed as she appeared next to Mr. Midou and poked him in the arm. Drawing her fingers back and rubbing them together as if she could see something no one else could. "but he's a little translucent, illusions can be broken. The best mages in the world fall if the key to their tricks are played...nontheless I suppose he could possibly do."

She raised a hand to block the swipe of his hand that had threatened to knock her aside, while her feet scrapped from the impact about an inch on the ground her smile widened far enough that it seemed impossible for her to be human. Pointed teeth shimmering in the illumination from the walls as she took his fist and rubbed it against her cheek intimately, closing her eyes and nearly purring before he pulled his hand back.

"Look freak, we're leaving," Ban snapped, digging out his cigarettes as he started to walk toward the still cringing Ginji.

"I think she might be scarier than Akabane," Ginji confided nervously when Ban reached him, hiding behind him.

"Why Ginji," Akabane chimed happily to the comment, "That's the best thing I've heard all day. I knew you'd warm up to me. Mister Kagami, as plesant as your promises sound, I'm afraid that, I too, must decline your generous offer."

"Why me." Ginji whimered, chibi-form as he hid on Ban's shoulder.

The sharp intake of breath drew all the attention back to the particular woman that was now lifting Akabane's hat from a place floating nearby him.

"Dr. Jackal?" She seemed to recognize him, which didn't do anything for her reputation with the getbackers. Then she threw the hat at him and moved back toward Kagami, hissing, "You fool, you hired this traitor? He's not what I want, he failed last time...he'll destroy us...the disease that he is...never allow him near here again!"

The shot took everyone by surprise yet again...a high pitched scream was followed by the girl falling to the floor then pulling herself back toward Kagami. Constantina took the second shot as all eyes gathered on her, the third missed as the pale woman had dissapeared by then.

switch

"Hevn, we need to find out what they want with Ginji." Kazuki said, sitting with a small group in the hospital's parking lot, "none of us will be much aid against anyone otherwise. As much as we all dislike Dr. Jackal, he was hired by someone else. The key is finding that out."

"I asked Paul to work on it but he hasn't been able to do much yet," she answered, "he still hasn't managed to recieve a responce from Makubex after the first transmission. All we know is that Ban and Ginji went up to the beltline and that they had been walking with Akabane. It's a matter of time at this point."

"Do what you can," Shido answered, smiling a little as Madoka stayed close to him. He appreciated the support even if he didn't voice it. "We all will help whenever we find out what we need."

"Thank you," Hevn smiled gently, "I think for now we all need to get some sleep and I'll contact you when Paul contacts me. I'm going to go make sure he's alright before going to bed myself."

"Stay well Ms. Hevn," Kazuki wished before walking toward where Jubei had parked with the car they were using. "this extends past Dr. Jackal for now."

"Agreed," Shido muttered as he started walking with Madoka. Smiling at the dog as he relayed what was going on to him.

A shadow grinned to itself as it watched the exchange, wild laughter threatening to erupt as it twirled in place and hopped after the well-endowed blonde.

End Chapter

I know they are still a little short but I'm working on it. Sorry there isn't too much Akabane in this chapter but I needed to do some more developement to the story before I started back on more specific character interaction. I'll do my best to add more of my favorite villian next time.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

stela - Heh, working on that still myself. I have a lot of general ideas, but I really enjoy the relationship they have at current - sick and twisted as it is.

XsuicuneX - The bloody sword technique from the show and the manga (I watch and read both). And sadly, I don't have as much time as I did. I wish I had more to work on it. I'm throwing in a lot more of the plot now yes. Thanks for the support.