here's the next chapter...

Chapter 3

The next morning word of the rescue had reached the newspapers and spread around the area. The phone rang here and there with congratulations and reports. Some even went to Takayama for personal interview with Tezuka and the other rescuers.

Tezuka fought off a grimace as yet another reporter snapped a photo of him. His small office was full of newspeople along with city officials who wanted to be in newspapers and television.

"Who found him?"

"A volunteer search and rescue dog and his trainer, Fuji Syusuke, they're the best rescue team I've ever seen." In fact, he and his dog were poetry in motion. For all his prickly attitude with him, Fuji was different to the little boy. He was gentle and reassuring to the frightened child. Far different from how he treated adults.

Yes Fuji was different. He's an interesting man.

"Is Fuji-san available for an interview?" one of the reporters asked.

Somehow Tezuka was sure he would not be. "Not to my knowledge."

Last night when the boy was reunited with his family, Fuji and Hunter just disappeared without a word. He tried to look around for him to thank him only to find out he was gone. He even went outside and found the space where he parked his truck empty.

A man had to admire someone like that. He wasn't in it for glory. That's for sure. Once the rescue operation was done, he just vanished.

After another thirty minutes of questions and answers,the newspeople and the city officials, disappeared . He was used to working non-stop, but a few minutes of peace and quiet after such a night was more than welcome right now.

But before he could sit down at his chair , the telephone rang again. Being the only person left at that moment,he answered the call. It was the governor, congratulating him for the success of the previous night's operation.

Good. If the governor was happy, then it might make the program move forward increased exponentially.

"Yes, sir,"he said. "Thank you,sir. The credits goes to Fuji-kun and his dog. They found the boy."

As he hung up the phone, Deputy Sheriff Akutsu Jin sauntered into his office.

"You're becoming quite the celebrity, aren't you, Tezuka?"

What was this all about? Tezuka pushed back in his chair. "Small towns like big news."

"Guess that's why you tagged along with the dog man." Akutsu's face,though smiling, doesn't look friendly at all. if he had something to say, he better spit it out.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you do. The dog has the greater chance to find the boy and that put you right to the glory land." Before Tezuka could react, Akutsu added. "Or was it his trainer you were interested in? Or are you also captivated with those weird witch-like eyes?"

Tezuka didn't let the deputy ruffle his composure, although the insult to both him and Fuji were clear. "Are you intentionally trying to annoy me, Akutsu?"

"Just kidding man, just kidding." Akutsu laugh, then take his leave.

Sheriff Inoue Mamoru waved him inside as the sheriff ended a call. "Come in here, Tezuka.

"What's going on with Akutsu Jin?" Tezuka asked.

"Getting under your skin?"

"Sort of. We were friends during high school but he seems to resent me for some reason."

"That's a fact."

"Why?"

"Figured you knew. Akutsu wanted you job. A couple of years ago, when the city officials first came up with the notion, Akutsu put in his application."

"Why did they turn him down?"

"That I don't know. But governor seemed more interested in men like you with your experience and all. Akutsu's good deputy, not a bad sort. We give him a bump in pay, sort of a "medicine" for his wounded ego. But that's the problem. Pride. Don't think about. Just do the job this city is paying you to do."

But Tezuka could hear the words the sheriff wasn't saying about the the deputy. Watch your back and don't screw up. "I guess I have a lot to prove to everyone, not just to Akutsu then."

"Yes, you do, which is actually the reason why I wanted to talk to you."He tossed a sheaf of papers on the desk. "I have ideas to improve the system, starting with a new grid around all the campground and trailheads."

Newer computerized satellite maps were helpful but not precise enough for a search and rescue use.

"Some a lot older." The sheriff said.

"Exactly. To do that I need a manpower."

"Don't have it. You need to recruit your own."

"That's where I want your advice." Tezuka said,"I need a list of people who know these mountains and trails. People have time and willingness without much in the way of compensation."

He was setting out a monumental task, and both he and Inoue knew it.

"Couple of people come to my mind. Banda Mikaya (Banji), for one, but he's getting up on years. Too old for it. Might not have the stamina anymore." (-_-)"

"Who else?"

"Fuji Syusuke."

Tezuka shook his head."I don't think he likes me that much."

"Fuji Syusuke doesn't like anybody that I know of unless they have four legs and a tail, but no one knows these mountains better. He spend days on end tracking and working with his dogs, exploring the trail. Since he volunteer for the search and rescue, he might be willing. He's for sure your best bet and he danged good at his job."

"Can't argue that." Last night,he and Hunter had been like one mind with two bodies.

"A handsome young rogue such as yourself can surely find a way to convince Syu to give a hand."

Tezuka answered with a grunt. "Don't bet on it."

"Then, give Banji a call and then talk to Fuji. Doesn't hurt if you try."

"Will do. Thank you."

Rummaging in the stack of papers on his desk, he took a notepad and made his usual list for the day. He was still making the rounds of all the towns, getting personally acquainted with emergency personnel that he might have call upon.

Then there was the ongoing worry of gathering accurate data, resources, maps and other tools to make rescue operations function smoothly. As of today, that was priority one.

He shuddered to think what might happened last night if Fuji had not known the grid map was inaccurate.

Resolutely, he found Banji's phone number, only to hear that the man was in the hospital having hip replaced.

"One down and one to go."He muttered as he rustled papers looking for Fuji Syusuke's phone number. Finding the number, he started to dial then changed his mind. A job offer to a prickly being should be presented in person. He grabbed his coat from the rack by the door.

He was probably going to turn him down, but he would have to do it to his face.

~O~X~O~

Fuji cradled the telephone against his ear and gnawed on the side of his thumbnail while the veterinarian in the Boulder told him what to do for Chase's aching knees. The dog was so stiff this morning, Fuji had cried to see him trying to walk to his feed.

"Surgery is the only real solution, Fuji-kun," the doctor said.

"I know. I'm working on it."

"If it's helpful, we take credit cards."

That had to be repaid. "I'll get back to you. Thanks, Dr. Saeki."

After ringing off, Fuji heated cloths in the microwave and wrapped them around Chase's aching knees. Once Chase was situated , he slipped on his coat to take care of the kennel dogs. Hunter stood and stretched, eager to go with him.

"Not this time, Hunter. You need to rest." he'd fed him his favorite treat, a hamburger patty,when they arrived home last night. they were both exhausted, but the success that they have is enough to get them going.

"You were magnificent boy." he said,stroking the soft fur. He looked up at him with all the confidence and joy a dog could have.

Leaving his dogs inside, he stepped put into the cold morning. The sun was out. The earth smelled fresh. And the spring was around the corner.

He opened the kennel and went in, greeted by ten excited dogs of various breeds. Each day, he worked each of them according to his or her level, teaching obedience or taking them a step further to trailing and tracking. But first, they got to run and play for pure joy of life. Then he opened the gate wide and let them out. They bounded forth, running in circles and barking, powdery snow spraying up around them.

Fuji absorbed their pleasure and laughed, spinning slowly in circle, arms wide to his sides. This was his refuge and he loved being here alone on top of the world with all of nature spread out before him.

His little cabin sat in a small clearing at the end of a two-mile driveway that was really more of a rail. Only a four-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV could manage the rugged climb. Around the cabin were miles and miles of wilderness.

A German shepherd, still learning his manners, leaped at him from behind and knocked him to the ground. He corrected him, watching his intelligent face take in the message that this was not a good thing. And then, he rubbed the thick fur around his neck and laughed. As if the action was a signal, the other nine dogs bounded up, eager to play.

In the next moment, he was on the ground wrestling and rolling in the snow with ten, excited dogs. Laughter bubbled up and spilled over, echoing out across the pristine snow.

There was nothing like a warm, wiggling, furry dog to make him forget.

Suddenly, the air changed and a voice broke through his laughter.

A male voice.

"Looks like you're having fun."

The sharp surge of adrenaline fear burned his nerve. Fuji thrashed against the bundles of fur and leaped to his feet. His heart thundered in his ears like a wild, spring storm.

He spun towards the intruder. Tall,dark,military.

"Fuji-kun? Remember me? Tzuka Kunimitsu." He (Fuji) must have looked terrified because he (Tezuka) held both his hands out of his sides as if to indicate he carried no harm.

Fuji didn't care if he meant harm or not. He was dangerous. He swallowed the thick taste of fear. No use letting him see how much his presence disturbed him."What are you doing here?"

"I've come to talk to you about something."

"I'm not interested." He said before calling all the dogs and headed towards the kennel.

Tezuka fell in step beside him. "How would you know without hearing me out?"

Why wouldn't the man go away?

"I just know." he signaled the dogs into the kennel and headed towards their feed barrel. "How did you find me?"

He took the filled bucket from her. "I have maps."

"Inaccurate ones." he huffed and reached for the bucket. "Let me have that. I can take care of this animals myself."

"I have no doubt of that."But Tezuka didn't return the bucket. Instead he shook the kibble into the dishes, patting the dogs head as he went. Tezuka liked dogs. That much was in his favor.

Fuji went inside the heated area of the kennel for fresh water. "So what do you want?"

"I need a favor."

"No."

Tezuka laugh. Fuji liked it. He also liked the little laugh crinkles around his mouth.

"You're a hard case." Tezuka said.

"Don't forget that."

Fuji completed the task of feeding and watering the dogs. All the while, Tezuka remained by his side, helping without being asked, and generally making Fuji feel uncomfortable.

"The inaccurate maps are why I'm here."

Fuji ignored him.

Tezuka stood against one corner of the chain-like fence talking anyway. "One of my goals as director of emergency management is to create a more effective streamlined system. "

"Here." He thrust him a shovel. "If you want to be of help, you can shovel manure."

The crinkles reappeared around the his mouth. He took the shovel anyway and get to work. "I've done worse. You're not going to run me off until you hear me out."

"Maybe you're the hard case."

"And don't forget that," he said, echoing his words. "I need your help. You know these woods and mountains better than anyone. I want to remap and re-grid a five-mile radius around all the main areas of entrance into the wilderness."

"Big job." But a good idea. Fuji stopped looking at the maps of the sheriff's office, relying instead on his memories. They were THAT out dated. If Tezuka Kunimitsu could accomplish such task, then, more power to him. "Why are you telling me?"

"Because I need your help. We can do it."

Fuji's gaze flew to meet his. "We?"

Snapping brown eyes, too smart for their own good, stared back. "Yup. You and me. By foot or snowmobile, whatever it takes. We'll reconcile the old maps and newer satellite images with hands-on reality." then he dropped the shovel against the fence and crossed his arms. "So, what do you think?"

Fuji seldom noticed the cold but suddenly he was chilled to the bone. Spend months traipsing the wilderness with Tezuka Kunimitsu, a man with military oozing out of him? A man who had been trained to kill?

Not a snowball's chance, buddy! That's what he thought.

Fuji stored the shovel and bucket and led the way out of the kennel. The dogs looked at him, bewildered. He'll come back later for their training session, once he's rid of Tezuka Kunimitsu.

"I'm sorry, Tezuka-kun. You'll have to find someone else. I'm not interested."

And before Tezuka could say another word and MAKE him feel guilty, Fuji stalked into the house and locked the door.

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

so what do you think? Fuji's pretty mean...yes? :)

anyway, hope you like it...

thanks for reading and for the reviews .. :)

our 2nd semester started last Nov. 16 :( but I'll try to update again next week...

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