Chapter 4... enjoy ! ^.^

Chapter 4

Water roared over Takayama . The spring thaws has begun.

Tezuka made a note of his location on his handheld computer,jotting down the coordinates and details, then hitched his small knapsack and started back to the main trail. At this rate, the mapping project would be done right before his retirement party in twenty years. Maybe.

As he picked his way over the fallen limbs and thick melting snow, he absorbed the sights and smells of the woods. This was the kind of environment in which he missed. After all those years serving in every known climate and terrain as a Ranger, the outdoors was in his blood. He loved being out here in the cold or rain or heat or whatever.

Maybe that's why Fuji Syusuke intrigued him so much. He could relate to his solitude. He (Tezuka) liked being alone in the wilderness, but he also liked being around with people. That's where he and the guy with the fascinating eyes differed. He (Fuji) walked away and left him standing in his (Fuji's) yard as though he didn't exist.

He knew he's startled Fuji, walking up on him that way. But when he'd arrived at his cabin after a long, bumpy drive, he'd heard his laughter coming from behind the house. Sounds carry forever in the thin mountain air and his laughter was so beautiful and free, he'd had to know what caused it. As he'd rounded the house , he'd seen him there, rolling in the snow with ten big dogs, laughing for all he's worth.

For a moment, he'd stood there in the sunshine listening and watching, an odd sensation swelling his chest. He was very beautiful and lovely when he laughed.

The previous night, he'd been bundled from head to toe. That morning the dogs had wrestled away his stocking cap and his hair fell around his face in disarray. He had a brown-colored interesting hair and it matched perfectly his captivating blue-colored eyes.

There was something about him, all right. He (Tezuka) couldn't get him out of his head. If only he would agree to help out with the mapping project, he could spend enough time with him to figure out why he fascinated him so much.

But he'd turned him down. Flat. So had everyone else. He's called and visited every possible candidate for the project. Mostly, they'd laughed him off. (T_T)

By now, he's reached his truck. Tezuka tossed his knapsack into the seat and climbed inside. He wished he had more progress to report, although he felt pretty good about all that had been done in a short time.

On the way back to the courthouse, he stopped for lunch at one of the cafes in the main street. The cafe's occupants greeted him. When he finally ordered his coffee, Akutsu Jin came through the door. Dressed in uniform, the man took a few admiring looks from the local ladies.

"Tezuka," he said. "Mind if I join you?"

"Pull up a chair." Tezuka pushed the menu towards the other man.

"So how's the program coming along? I heard you had an appointment with the governor."

"Friday. I think he'll be pleased."

"Any luck with that special project of yours?"

"Some. I'm still looking for volunteer to help."

The waitress brought his and Akutsu's order."I thought that spooky dog man was going to help you?"

Tezuka put some pepper on his burger. "Turned me down."

"Told you he was weird."

"You turned me down too. Does that make you weird?" Tezuka bit into his burger.

" Ha. Good one. I have a job. He doesn't. He has time. All he does is train those dogs and traipse the wilderness anyway. He's always out there. I don't know why he won't make make himself useful."

"How do you know as much about his activities?"

Akutsu shifted uncomfortably. "Never said I did. Just a guess."

The waitress brought Akutsu's order.

"Money talks," Akutsu went on. "You're the governor's pal. Can't you squeeze a little money out from him?"

"I've already tried."

Akutsu laugh. "Guess the governor doesn't love you as much as you thought."

Suddenly, a thought hit him. His pay was more than adequate and his needs are simple. Why not pay Fuii out of his pocket? Funds might be tight for a while, but he can manage. On the heels of that, another thought came to his mind. Fuji Syusuke didn't like him, or at least seemed not to. He might be insulted or suspicious if the offer of pay appeared to come from his account.

Fair enough. A ranger needed to do what it takes to accomplish his mission. He'll present the offer as temporary employment to the Department of Emergency Management. Fuji doesn't need to know that the money come from him. He just hope Fuji would cooperate.

As the sheriff said, it wouldn't hurt to ask. He needed Fuji's knowledge of the mountains. He also needed something from him, though he hadn't figured out what was that yet. But he would.

~X~O~X~

Fuji walked the Australian shepherd, Sam, around the wooden slide letting him explore the new obstacle before taking him up. The slide was one of several pieces of training equipment he'd built behind the kennels. After a minute, he guided the dog onto the slide and urged him upward, using his squeaky toy a lure. Crouched down and nervous, he crept along at a snail's pace.

When he reached the top of the slide, he gave him the toy and lifted him down. He was trembling. Not good. Because of his timidity, he was almost sure that Sam would not make a good SAR dog. He would, however, be a wonderful and obedient pet to his family.

"Sit. Stay," he commanded, using a kind but firm voice while holding his palm down and out a signal. When the dog obeyed, he rewarded him with a praise. His trainees started on treats and were gradually weaned to enjoy only praise or toy. Sam loved praise best of all.

"Good boy. Good Sam. Time to go in." The dog went to his pen.

Feeling successful and positive, he hummed a tune as he let himself in through the back door of the cabin. Hanging his jacket by the door, he went through the kitchen and toward the bathroom to wash up.

A soft whine stopped him in the hallway. "Hunter what's wrong?"

Hunter came around the door from the bedroom, his eyes worried, body tense.

"What's wrong, buddy?"

Body language urgent, the dog "told" him something was amiss. Then he turned and hurried back into the bedroom. The whine came again. Chase's whine. Oh. No. With trepidation in the heart, Fuji followed the sound.

Chase lay on the floor beside his bed, distress showing on his face. "Chase? What's the matter, old chum?"

Fuji went down on his knees beside the dog. He'd been asleep earlier when he'd gone to train, but now struggled to stand up, clearly in pain. He made halfway up before collapsing with a yip.

Tears burned at the back of Fuii's eyes. His best friend's knees had finally frozen into position. He could no longer stand without a terrible pain. The vet had warned him this might happen if the surgery didn't take place soon.

He'd failed him. The tears came in earnest now as he buried his face against his fur.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry. We'll go to the vet today." no matter the cost, Chase was going to have that surgery. He'd take out a loan and fined a job,cleaning tables or whatever was available. He's been selfish too long and now, look what happened.

Gently, he lifted the dog and carried him into the living room and place him on the rug. When he was comfortable, he gave him one of the pills the vet had prescribed, then put his hot packs in the microwave.

He was watching the turntable spin round and round, teas blurring his vision. When someone banged on the front door, he jerked, startled as always. Visitors were a rare occurrence.

Chase immediately alerted, barking for all his worth. The protective sound brought more tears. The sweet dog would try to protect him no matter how badly he hurt himself. Reassuring the dog that he was safe, he dashed the tears and went to the door.

Tezuka Kunimitsu stood on his small wooden step. Maybe he wasn't safe at all.

Before he had the chance to ask him what he wanted now, he spoke."What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

He shook his head, not wanting to cry in his presence but unable to stop the tears.

"Are you all right?" when he didn't answer, he pushed past him into the living room and looked around. His stance was fierce and warrior-like, ready for battle. A shiver ran down his spine.

"I'm fine. Please." was all he can say. He wanted him to leave.

Instead, he took his shoulders and walked him to a chair."Can I do anything?"

He pushed right back out of the chair and went to Chase. Every hair of his back stood up. "My dog was sick. I've got it under control."

Tezuka was smart enough to keep his distance to the distressed animal. The man stood up, tall and straight, next to the chair he'd vacated. "What's wrong with him?"

Fuji explained the knee injury and the need for surgery, leaving out the budget problem.

"When is he scheduled?"

"I'm working on it." he pushed to his feet. "right now, he needs the hot packs I have in the microwave."

"Can I help?"

Only if you have few thousands on you. "No."

"Will he let me pet him?"

"He will now." he stroked Chase's face and said. "He's a friend, boy. It's okay."

True or not, he didn't want to upset the suffering dog.

Then he went to the kitchen for the warm packs.

When he returned, Chase appeared to have found a friend for life. His head rested on the man's lap and he looked more relaxed than he's seen him in days. "What did you do to him?"

Tezuka's mouth quirked. "An old military secret. If I tell you, I'll have to kill you."

The silly phrase made his insides tremble. He knew not to react to the words. People said them all the time. They just didn't realize what they were saying.

His shaky hand went to his forehead, touching the place where the bullet had penetrated. The scar was practically invisible to others, but not to him. Never to him.

He had to get a grip. Chase was the one in need here, not him.

To cover his nerves, he asked, "Would you like some coffee?

Tezuka's wide capable fingers gently stroked Chase's muzzle. The dog emitted a sigh of deep relaxation."Is that what smells so incredible?"

"That's stew."

He jacked an eyebrow and made a soft mmm sound. Fuji tempted to laugh. "Are you hinting?"

"A single guy gets hungry for home cooking."

"You're a troublesome man, Tezuka Kunimitsu." But his dog liked him.

"I came to make you an offer."

"For my stew? Five dollars a bowl."

Those crinkles appeared in the sides of his face. He liked those crinkles. He didn't liked him. He couldn't.

"To work for me on that mapping project."

"Sorry,I already said no."

"What if I were to pay you?"
His head jerked upward. "I thought it was a voluntary position."

"I need someone with your knowledge, so I juggled the budget. You're worth the money." He named a nice hourly wage.

He blinked. Stunned. "This is a joke right? Akutsu Jin sent you up here to torment me."

"Akutsu?" he frowned. "I run my own department, Fuji. And that department needs you. So what do you say?" Will you help me, and in the process save lives?"

The offer ping-ponged around his head. Could he do it? Could he spend day after day alone in the wilderness with a man who reminded him of an unspeakable past?

Chase tried to shift position to snuggle closer to the military man. The pain was too much. The whine became a groan.

That was all the convincing Fuji required.

No matter how much the man disturbed him, he'd promised Chase that surgery.

So for the next few months, he would work for Tezuka Kunimitsu and earn that money.

Even if it kill him.

He only hoped he didn't lose what was left of his mind.

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

next chapter... Fuji and Tezuka in the wilderness together.

maybe on chapter 13, Tezuka will know the reason why Fuji's like that.

And before I forgot, is the tittle good enough for the story? because I'm thinking of changing it cause somebody told me that the tittle's quite bad.

Any suggestion please?

hope you liked it ^.^

review please :)

thanks