enjoy...~

Chapter 5

The trouble began on the very first day out.

The loud roar of the motor was Fuji's first clue.

Tezuka, climbed out of the ATV.

One, single ATV that he need's to share with this handsome yet dangerous military man.

With him.

The thought, again, made his insides tremble with fear. He worried that he might not do his job properly. Somehow, he don't want to disappoint the military man.

"I prefer to hike." Fuji said.

"We ride." Tezuka simply said.

"The dogs-"

"They run." He patted the seat behind him.

Fuji wanted to protest but Chase was already in the hospital. His long awaited surgery scheduled today.

~X~O~X~

The sun was bright, but Fuji knew not to trust the weather in this place. A wind or a storm might come at any moment. That's what he learned living in this mountain.

"Don't trust anyone except yourself" and "Be ware".

Those are Fuji's motto ever since he woke up from his coma.

He tossed his backpack onto the rear rack of the machine. Then ignoring Tezuka's grinning face,he swung his leg over the straddle to seat behind Tezuka.

Tezuka bring the machine to life and laughed when Fuji jumped behind him. Fuji didn't hold on Tezuka.

Don't touch him and don't let him touch you. That's what on his mind.

But Tezuka's of another mindset.

"Hold on, I don't bite."

Fuji grabbed the sides of the seat. He couldn't risk the contact and the intimacy. After a few miles of ride,since he's grabbing the sides of the seat, avoiding contact with Tezuka's body,his neck and shoulders cried for relief.

"As I said, I don't bite, so hold on."

Yeah right.

But hiking required all the strength and energy he he involuntarily gripped on Tezuka's sides. One bump and his fingers slipped. Impatiently, Tezuka grabbed his fisted hand and placed it securely around his waist.

'Hold on." he said again.

Stiffly, Fuji tried to maintain that little space between his chest and Tezuka's back. He's shoulder ached from the effort till, defeated, he leaned in.

Every alarm screamed red alert. Tezuka's back muscles were hard and fit and masculine. A source of power that had Fuji shivering, though whether from fear or admiration, he couldn't tell.

Being a dog man who lived his life according to the scent of his trainees, his own sense of smell was strong. And Tezuka Kunimitsu smelled earthly and hot. Even in the cold, his skin radiated heat. The dogs would have an easy time of tracking Tezuka. So would he.

As ATV started down, Fuji was thrust forward, touching Tezuka's back. He just hope the other didn't notice it.

Water splashed as the ATV traveled the narrow span. Fuji relented and rested his cheek against Tezuka's back. That's when he (Fuji) realized he'd (Tezuka) placed one of his hands over his, trapping his fingers against his belly.

Fuji swallowed a lump of anxiety. Alone in the wilderness with Tezuka Kunimitsu. What had he been thinking?

Chase.

Yeah. Right. He'd promised him.

~X~O~X~

Today is the fifth day. Fuji thought.

So far, Tezuka had been the gentleman, bossy but professional. Making him believe that he might be one of the good guys.

But Fuji had stopped believing in good guys a long time ago.

On the first day, they'd ridden the ATV as far as possible and hiked the rest all the way. This had become their modus operandi. Today was the same. He'd (Fuji) almost become accustomed to having his body pressed close to Tezuka's on the ATV. To having his senses heighten. To noticing him too much.

If he think of Tezuka Kunimitsu too much. He consider the action self-preservation, not attraction. He wouldn't fall for Tezuka's trap.

As he had every day, Fuji was careful to keep Tezuka in his sight all the times. As long as he could see him, he could protect himself. Keeping his track on the military man was more exhausting than the work they were doing.

He (Fuji) yawned. The last nights that passed, he'd slept little. And of course, he blamed Tezuka Kunimitsu for that.

In his (Tezuka's) quiet yet authoritative way, he'd invaded Fuji's world. And Fuji resented him for that too. Though he'd allowed that for his own reasons, he would see to it that he would not penetrate his well-build barrier around him. He would watch his every move. Oh, yes, he would.

Hunter and Cud, a cheerful border and his trainee,moved to his side. This is not their job but, with them along, Fuji didn't have to interact as much with the scary military man.

He never said that he was a military and he didn't ask but he knew.

Normally when he was hiking he would make noises to warn the other wild animals about his presence but now he's silent.

His gloved hands fidgeted on the tiny portable computer Tezuka had given him. He knew little of computers, considering the fact that he couldn't afford one. Considering the difficulty that he in have taking the new map, he's sure his or rather their work can help many lives.

Since the beginning of this seemingly impossible task,he and his partner had logged dozens of changes. Like closing one trail and putting up warning signs.

Pushing his sunglasses up over his cap, Fuji paused to enter data in the computer.

Aware that he'd stopped,though he didn't made any sound, Tezuka whirled around. That was one of the many things about the military man that kept his gourd on edge. Tezuka has extraordinary senses,better than his, though he wouldn't tell him that.

"Might as well make camp. Have lunch." Tezuka said, returning to where he stood.

At some point,he removed his jacket and now wore a black shirt. But the camo shirt was what made him(Fuji) stop. He hated camo.

He shifted back a step.

"Do you want a fire?" Fuji asked to cover his nerves. His eyes flicked to Tezuka and then away. There was something about the man. It was like Tezuka could read his soul.

"Wouldn't hurt to rest a bit and have something hot." He tossed his bag beside a boulder,then added:"Your nose is red."

Fuji's hand automatically went to his face. He seldom considered his looks and the fact that Tezuka made him do so annoyed him.

"How's your office?" he blurted.

While gathering twigs for fire,he answered without looking up. "Very enjoyable."He held a hand four feet off the ground."Paperwork. About this high. Being out here in the woods, I hardly have time to finish those papers."

A man without sleep was a danger to everyone. Fuji knew that."How much sleep did you get?"

Brown eyes drifted over his face. "About the same as you, I guess."

He glared at him. "Was that an insult?"

"No. Hand me some more dry woods." It was an order softly given.

Fingers stinging from the cold, Fuji stripped of his gloves and knelt to the fire. The dogs move closer to the fire too. Both sat near the campfire,tongues lolling, waiting for lunch.

Then Tezuka sat next to Hunter and lifted his paws, examining them." like the pad is getting raw. You better get a bootie on him."

Fuji prickled."I take care of my dogs."

Tezuka gently lowered Hunters paws and stared at him.

A seed of guilt took rot in Fuji's gut. He hated this feeling. That's why he didn't like people. They always made him feel things.

"Thanks," he said grudgingly and turn around to to his bag to get the bootie. Hunter watched with a smiling eyes as Fuji slipped the paw protectors over his feet. Fuji ruffled his head and kissed his forehead.

After doing that, Fuji poured a cup of hot tomato soup and then as peace offering, handed it to Tezuka.

"Thanks." Tezuka said while watching him,expression mild as though he recognized his attempt to apologize."How's Chase?"

Tezuka had been there the day he'd taken Chase to the vet for surgery.

"The surgery went well."

'When is he coming home?"

"A couple of days more."

"I guess you'll need some time of to drive him back home."

"I guess." Fuji found a good spot that's far away from Tezuka.

"Take whatever time you dog is important."

Fuji notice the way his mouth uncomfortable,he forced his gaze to the dogs.

"Chase is a special dog."

Tezuka sipped the brown eye watching him.

"You missed him."It was a statement,not a question.

Fuji swallowed, then brushed an imaginary hair from his eyes."Yes."

"How did he get hurt?"

Fuji ran a finger around the rim of his cap.

"An avalanche rescue. Chase fell into the a crevice." his mouth twisted, remembering that day."But he found the father and son in time. I was so proud of him. Though badly injured, he didn't leave the victims till they're safe."

"How does that work when the dog is injured? Is he airlifted with the victims?"

"Usually, but Chase was so distraught. I couldn't let them take him away from me."

"What did you do?" his fingers fidgeted on a twig but his focus still on him.

Fuji twitched a shoulder."I carried him."

"But he weighs seventy or seventy-five pounds,easy."

"Eighty." a proud smile formed on his lips. His strength and stamina surprised Tezuka. Good. He needed to know that his strong."I'd do that again to save one of my dogs."

"Pretty special animals you got here."

"They are. At least to me."

"Will Chase be able to work again?"

"We're optimistic."

"He deserves a chance."

Fuji tilted his head in agreement. This was the first real conversation Fuji had with the military man. And he found the experience, if not pleasant, at least not awful.

Fuji was contemplating that curious turn of events, distracted enough to take his eyes away off him for a second.

It was a mistake.

In an instant,Tezuka Kunimitsu was around the fire and had his hand over his mouth before he could scream.

~O~X~O~

There you go.. :) hope you liked it.

What do you thinks is Tezuka had in mind for doing that to Fuji?

btw, sorry I kinda update this chapter a little bit late. ^_^"

Thanks for reading...

review please...!