GB Comm

GB Doujin!

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:10:15 GMT

I think many of you had already seen this, but just in case...

The wonderful otakupink community has an awesome Ban/Ginji doujinshi available for downloading. If you haven't seen it yet, please go there, download it and comment on their post, give them a warm GB fans thank you! *A*

The doujin is a MUST SEE, it has wonderful artwork and the story is total win!

Here's a link to their page: link

This was x-posted at getbackers_yaoi

5 Ban icons~

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:14:55 GMT

[07] Avatar: The Last Airbender
[05] Get Backers
[07] Hikaru No Go
[03] Katekyo Hitman Reborn
[05] Ouran Highschool Host Club
[23] Shugo Chara
[28] Soul Eater
[09] Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann

Rest @ soulsgathering

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:48:02 GMT

Hehehe see I did post in the weekend . actually quite please with how this turned out. Need some comments here people. Do you need more to this story - which would be actual and not implied stuff or can i stop here? Since I have now two seperate arch going would appreciate some feedback on what you want to read - else I am not sure myself waht I will do next.
Really hoping for feedback
SunHawk

Chapter 2

“

What are you doing here Akabane-san? You are not welcome.”

“Hehehe.. Ginji-kun, yes I understand you want to be alone with your partner, however seeing that you are going to be busy and distracted, I am offering my services as protector and a doctor, this one occasion.” Akabane said seriously.

“Oh and what would be your fee?”

“To bear witness... this night will be very interesting, no? And I have a vested interest in Midou-kun, don't you agree?”

“Hmmm... Okay, huh there may be an added benefit here, after tonight neither you nor Ban-chan will have and doubts as to whom Ban Midou belongs to. Anyway he woke up for a little bit earlier, he was very groggy. I made him eat and he went back to sleep immediately. You can wait in the hall”

Ban woke from sleep a couple of hours later, feeling surprisingly refreshed. He lay with his eyes closed as the memory of Akabane's words replayed in his brain, finally registering. “Shit, I think I prefer their anger over pity... It'll be harder for Ginji to accept my leaving now” he thought.

“Ban-chan, you're awake, and just so you know, you are not going anywhere.”

Ban's eyes flew open, “Dammit Ginji, for an idiot – you have good intuition.”

“Ban-chan,” putting most of his weight on his knees, Ginji saddled Ban's chest. “I need to ask you something, important” (Ginji you can't simply sit on me)

“Ban-chan you'd give me anything I needed wouldn't you? If there was something I had no peace without, I couldn't sleep without – and you had it. You'd give it to me wouldn't you Ban-chan. Because you are so strong, you would give me what I need to feel strong too – wouldn't you Ban-chan?”

“Ginji!! What's wrong? I sense Akabane nearby, is he threatening you?”

“No Ban-chan, Akabane is protecting us tonight so we don't need to worry about being attacked. Answer me Ban-chan – would you give me what I needed?” There was real distress and a strange seriousness in Ginji that worried Ban.

“Gin, of course I would. We're partners, anything I have is yours you know that. What do ya need so bad Gin, if you lost something I'd get it back for you.”

Ginji's fingers played with the color of Ban's shirt. “You see Ban-chan, with your magic, you hold the bond between the two of us, outside of the Limitless Fortress. That used to be enough – you could hear my call from anywhere, but – outside the Limitless Fortress,I couldn't hear yours Ban-chan. I can't hear your cry. I can't stand that anymore Ban-chan. I need to be able to hear your call, I need to have a stronger bond with you.”

“Ginji we have an unbreakable bond between us. Even if I go to Germany for a while to settle this magic thing, our bond will still be there. We are partners, brothers even.”

“See Ban-chan, there's the problem. You thinking of us as brothers, we are not brothers. I have never seen us as brothers, I have seen us as true-partners, and because we are partners in all ways - except one, because you persist in seeing us as brothers. The bond between us is not strong enough for me to sense you. So what I need Ban-chan (Ginji was now nose to nose with his partner) what I need from you is your surrender. Will you surrender to me Ban-chan?” Ginji lips brushed against Ban's as he asked the question.

Ban moved his his head, away from Ginji but otherwise didn't try to throw off his partner. “Ginji stop that, you know I like women, can't you accept we are brothers?”

“Really Ban-chan?” Ginji said amused by his partners obstinacy. “Tell me we have been partners for 5 years now, how many women have you been with? How many times have you had sex?”

Ban colored a little, but determined to settle the matter soldiered on. “You know I like my sex life simple, Ginji. We never usually had enough money for me to indulge, so I've only managed to indulge three times.”

Ginji's smile was pure evil, “Yes it was rather convenient how I managed to crash the car, get sick or break stuff, just when you were prepared to indulge.” Ban's eyes widened in shock.”Ban-chan, you are a genius in all ways except this. I didn't figure out that you were paying for sex until that second time, so I figured out the signs, of when you wanted to indulge, and made sure you couldn't. Grrrr.. I only slipped up once in the last 3 years.” Ginji said that with a low growl. Ginji smile was absolutely beautiful as he totally ignored his partner's shock and being fair - disclosed his sex life.

“Me, I initially had quite a bit of sex. It was my big secret from you – when we first got together. You seemed so in control, so knowledgeable, so perfect, that I needed a secret, something I knew you had totally wrong about. You thought I was a virgin, but truthfully in the Limitless Fortress sex with males and females was the hobby of choice - after fighting. It was a way we had fun, renewed friendships and forged bonds.” Ginji watched fondly as the Jagan users eyes almost popped out and his jaw was unhinged.

Ban felt as if he was in a Jagan, “You had sex with all of them? Really?”

“Yessss, Ban-chan” Ginji purred smugly. “Most of them who was around my age, Shido, Kazuki, Emishi, Jubei, Sakura, Kauro, and some others. Except MakubeX – who was too young and Masaki who reminded me of Teshimine, so it would have been wrong.

"I did have sex every now and then after we partnered up, the last time though was during the mission to get back the arms of the Venus. Somehow after I saw your face while we rode on the whale, you wanted the Miroku's to be happy even though they wanted to kill you. Lying there, looking at the stars, you were so beautiful Ban-chan, I sat on you then – but you were so blind as well.

"I knew what you would do if we had too much money, so I kindda accidentally-on-purpose let the arms fall in the water. (WHY YOU!!) That was the last time I had sex with anyone else Ban-chan. It felt I would have been betraying you, and I couldn't do that. I fell in love with you in every way possible then, but you just ignored all my signals.” Ginji said pouting a little

For the second time that day Ban Midou felt his whole world shake. But Ginji was not done pulling the cotton from in front of Ban's eyes.

'For all your arrogance Ban-chan the the area where you are really blind to is your own attractiveness. Sure people like me, but people obsess about you. People want to be my friend, but people can't stop themselves from thinking about you, from watching you. And because the only time you notice people is in battle, they all want to fight with you. They believe they can have you if they defeat you in battle, then you would surrender, you would be theirs.”

“Ginji you are talking nonsense”

“Oh really Ban-Chan, shall I list them? Takama Fudou (Ban : Sheesh he was a nut), Lucifer, actually more so that kid Sariel – he was desperate for your attention, Dokubachi-san wanted to 'teach' you, Kagami spent a lot more time watching you and making scenarios about battling you that he ever did Himiko or myself, even Masaki spent a great deal of time watching you. Clayman admires your artistic sense, Kazuki watches you so much and is so sensitive to your teasing that Jubei is hair trigger around you, that Toshiki – who I can never find ANYTHING good about, whydidyoukisshim – he tries to pretend to get mad, but you are the only person who he goes red around and then cant look at -- Ibethedreamsaboutthatkiss, grrrr. Then there's Shido – as much as he loves Madoka,- you confuse, frustrate and fascinate him, he is a beast master defeated by a snake-man so he cant help being drawn to the snake. Himiko – lets not talk about her.

And finally there is Akabane-san, I dazzled Akabane-san sure but its you he wanted to consume. I was scared of him, did you ever wonder why Ban-chan I was so obvious about being scared of him? Because it drew your attention from him, to me. You would be focused on protecting me and not fighting him. I always knew he was jealous of the way you always saw me first, of our connection that distracted you from fighting him and now from that fight he has put a part of him inside you.”

“I can't live with that Ban-chan. (Ginji still looking into blue eyes, now whispered). I can't stand even the idea that there is another human on earth closer to you, who has done more for you than me.” Ginji's hands now framed Ban's face, his fingers thumbs caressing Ban's cheeks, fingers playing with soft hair. He stretched his body out on top of Ban's, forcing the Jagan users knees apart, Ginji nestled their lower bodies close. Ban's hands were curled around Ginji's forearms, they trembled as Ban could not seem to find the will to push his partner away. Ginji's electricity was sparking between them. Ginji's words, his scent, his eyes, his feel - was casting a spell on Ban and Ban's head spun.

Ginji's eyes burned fiercely. “I need to, be inside you Ban-chan. I need to be so deep inside you, that you don't know where you stop and I start. To have a part of me inside you that makes us partners in the truest sense. You are so strong Ban-chan. (Ginji's eyes never left Ban's – now his lips brushed Ban's each word tricking Ban's sensitive lips.) You are so very strong. And I need you to give me the one thing you will give no other person, surrender Ban-chan. (One of Ginji's hand now cupped Ban's neck, and the other stroked down his ribs.)

“You like women Ban-chan, but you like me more. You love me, don't you? Do you want me to be a woman? Would you love who I am more if I was born a woman, Ban-chan?” (Ginji's eyes were pleading, hurt even.)

“Ginji,” Ban choked out “There is no being in this universe – man or woman that I love more than you. But Ginji I..”

Ginji's lips closed the minuscule space between them, the kiss was soft, reverent, warm and contained the deep love Ginji had for Ban. The depth of love conveyed in the kiss, overwhelmed Ban, he could fight put aside his own needs, but he could never fight Ginji.

“You are so strong Ban-chan, so much stronger than me. Please surrender anyway. Give yourself to me. There is no half-ways Ban-chan I am too greedy, know that what ever you surrender I will take, then I will take more and more. Every single bit of you I will claim (Ginji's hands now roamed possessively around the Jagan user)

"You are my master in every way Ban-chan, I have been yours without you ever asking of it, let me be your Master in this one way. Physically, sexually Ban-chan let me be your Master, with every cell of your body, deep into your bones. Be mine.” Ginji's earnest eyes looked deep imto Ban.. begging for a surrender.

Ban's hands shook visibly, he laid a palm gently on Ginji's cheek, stroked it. The low lever tension that surrounded him since the discussion began, drained away, his entire body softened. He lifted his head and kissed his partner softly, sweetly, comfortingly.

Looking deep into Ginji's eyes, Ban said softly his smile that of an Angel's “What ever you need Ginji, I will give you”

Ban's eyes closed, his head fell back, cradled in Ginji's hand, for the first time, Ban Midou exposed his neck, and surrendered, to the love that blanketed him.

New Story : If no-one knows your Gone... Who gets you back

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:39:58 GMT

Hey Act 1 : Parts 2 - 8 of the Time is the Enemy Arc is complete - swing by my live journal for all of it. Since I started posting here after I had written those: i dont wanna crowd this space by cluttering it with 7 new Posts - unless you want me to cof course,,,, - *grin thought not. This is NOT Relasted to the TiThE enemy story line. Comes from all the people who want Ban and Ginji...

Once I get a story in my head I cant leave well enough alone. This story got me so freaking involved I'll probably end up doing Part 2 before the weekend is up. The is BAN & GINJI. Ginji is Seme. was thinking about why Ban was so against the witches that he would run away when he was 9 or 10 years old from Maria - who is actually a pretty neat woman. This got the story rolling. Again based on English Manga and stuff I have inadvertantly picked up from the net - so spoilers alert. Another warning - it actually hurt writing part one. And if I managed to touch your emotions in any way please tell..

Here we go...

The Honky Tonk quaked.

Himiko, Akabane, Shido, Emishi, Kazuki and Hevn all sprinted across the city towards their unofficial 'club house". The four had been returning from a mission when they had felt enormous spiritual pressure followed by an explosion of energy that had come from the direction of the Cafe.

It had been four weeks since the Brain Trust had been defeated, and while nobody had talked about it, something was very very wrong with the GetBackers. After the initial euphoria of winning, the Urchin headed GetBacker had seemed to withdraw. He had encouraged Ginji to increasingly go on missions with his friends - saying that Ginji needed to bond with his friends after all the stress. The missions that Ban himself had gone on had been simple ones, requiring little skills, and amazingly they actually got paid. Then came that part that really began to worry everyone, Hevn had noticed it first. While Ginji spent his money on food and stuff, Ban no longer paid parking fines, and wasn't splurging on expensive foods as he normally would have. He seemed to be saving his part of the money, and THAT had everyone questioning what was going on.

This last mission they had gone on, had required them to leave town for a couple of nights. Ban had wanted Ginji to go with them - without him-.Ginji who had been getting more and more agitated at the distance Ban was putting between them, had flatly refused. Ginji had been bugging, nagging, asking and whinging at Ban to find out what was wrong, but Ban would just smile, ruffle his hair and tell Ginji he was just tired from the Brain Trust battles. There was enough truth in that to shut his partner up at first, but now the situation was getting out of hand.

Fearing the Raitei's return, the 5 sprinted to the Cafe, and almost tripped over each other in shock at the sight that greeted them. Natsumi and Rena were hiding under a table, Paul was working the wind to minimize the damage to his Cafe, Ginji was absorbing electricity for electrical equipment gone mad. And Ban, Ban was the source of the madness. Floating almost to the ceiling of the Cafe, his eyes rolled back, his body hyper extended and twisting, he mouth open in a silent scream. Dark blue and red lights emitting from his body, seemed to be at war. Spoons, knives, cups, plates, chairs, were flying around the room, flying clock-wise around Ban caught in a vortex of energy and magic. Most terrifying was the semi transparent figure of a snake, writhing in pain, twisting helplessly around its host.

Though comprising of some of the most powerful individuals on Earth, the group at the door, Froze, Ban literally looked as if he was expanding at the seams getting ready to explode. adding any power, or energy into the vortex was unthinkable.

Ban seemed to try to pull the Vortex into himself, the scream that he released was that of one whose soul was being ripped apart. The sound was so piercing that in spite of themselves, hands went around their ears to block the blood chilling scream that echoed through the room. (Hevn : BAN-kun please stop!!!; Himiko : Nii-san- nooo;)

"BAN-CHAN!!" Ginji's yell countered the scream, and despite of the Danger (Kazuki : Ginji NO!!) the blond leapt towards his partner, catching him in a huge hug. The room flashed, and the forces dissipated leaving a crying, shaking Ginji, cradling his unconscious partner in his arms. (Ban-Chan, Ban-chan~sob~ please be all right, please)

Akabane went swiftly forward, checking the vital signs of the unconscious man. The blade he had gifted to Ban, vibrated assuring the transported that the GetBacker was at least physically not too badly damaged. "Ginji-kun, Midou-kun's blood feels a bit thin, his muscles are warn and drained, but I believe that physically he is alright, just tired."

"Take him to the back, and let him sleep, Ginji." Paul instructed. He looked around at the people in the room who were all looking at Ban with various levels of concern. "I doubt anyone is going to leave without explanations, so I'll have help cleaning up. Stay with him."

"Thanks Paul-san." Ginji, gently picked up his partner and took him to the back room.

"So" Emishi said breaking the silence that had filled the room after Ginji had disappeared with Ban into the back room. "The snake-bastard has finally gone rabid. Damn him, Ginji is going to be heartbroken if we have to put that dangerous bastard down. Whhhhattt!"

A killing aura, had deepened around the Jackal, but before he could say anything.

"Stupid Emishi!" Natsumi furious stormed up to the blood joker at kicked him hard on his shin. (OOOWWWW) Rena, broke a bottle over his head. "How dare you even say that."

"Hey you all saw.." Emishi looked around and was met with cold, disgusted eyes all around, "heh okay so I'm an idiot." Emishi said softly.

"You are lucky that you are too stupid to even kill" Akabane said softly, "Look around, see the destruction to the room (it was in shambles) now look at Natsumi and Rena, see any cuts on them? Any bruises even" The two girls looked messy but otherwise totally unharmed.

"That's right" Natsumi said, "If Ginji-kun had gone Reitai here, we would definitely have been hurt, but Ban - just now - when he started to shake and lose, just before it hit him real hard, he sort of looked at us, and not a thing actually hit us. We went under the table to get out of the way, but even when the hot water splashed not a drop landed on us."

"He he! So even when the dam that curbed his magic broke, the Heir to the Blood of the Pure Witch sought to protect those weakest around him." the bountiful Maria, the witch who had cared for a young Ban- for a little while, strolled into the Cafe. "Hello everyone, its good to see all of you survived the Brain Trust. I felt the magical upheaval and looks like its a good thing I decided to investigate." Maria said with a huge smile. "Well we all have to wait for Ban to wake up, so why don't you young people cleanup this mess huh."

---

Ginji carefully placed Ban on the Futon, covering him with a blanket, he stroked his partners hair. (whisper : Ban-Chan!!) After a few moments Ginji, turned around to get some cloth to wipe Ban down, when there was a flash of bright light.

Ginji spun around. His urchin headed partner had disappeared. In his place was a small boy, not more then 4 or 5 years old. The boy was pale, and painfully thin. He was wearing only a pair of torn and tattered shorts.

The boy stood pressed against the wall, his body was covered with bruises and what looked like paper thin cuts, the side of his neck was torn, deep cuts and bruises formed a grotesque necklace around a the slim neck. Limp hair framed a bruised face. The boys lips trembled, in fact his whole being trembled, and big blue irises ringed in crimson, looked in fear at the blond man. The blue was unmistakable. "Baaannn?" Ginji whispered in shock.

The word seemed to spur the small figure into action. His eyes scanned the room frantically, looking for a way out. "Please!!" The boy's voice was cracked and raw. "Please let me go!"

Ginji stared uncomprehendingly at the boy, he reached out a hand. "Ban-Chan"

The boy seeing the action as a threat, feinted to the side, Ginji automatically moved to catch the boy, the boy pivoted and scrambled the other way out of the door.

11 pairs of eyes, turned at the sound and widened in shock.

"Noooo!! so many" the boy whispered to himself, his eyes - that of a trapped animal, darted frantically around the room, looking for a way out. For a second they landed on the single scalpel that Akabane had been playing with and the boy seemed to shrink, a whimper escaped him. He shifted his weight readying himself to jump for the window, the only viable escape from the room. Only to have Paul, who had ripped off his glasses, move quickly - blocking that exit. Ginji emerged from the room, surrounding the little figure completely.

The little light in the blue eyes died, even the fear seemed to drain away, and the boys head dropped. He seemed to shrink even smaller, all the skin on the boy that was visible was either covered in bruises or those long thin paper cuts – dozens even hundreds of cuts.

"I.. I.. I'm sorry I was bad," The boy said in a broken voice, "I.. I.. pprromise I won't scream when you punish me." The voice shook with the force of the boys trembling. The words tore a hole, in Ginji's heart.

Maria and Himiko, both came forward. "Ban what happen.." Maria began

The boys head snapped up, and the little control that the child had snapped. He threw himself backwards, "NO!! No!! PLeeease NO! YOU CANT TAKE ANY MORE BLOOD..PLEASE NO!!." His eyes seemed to flash, and a scream similar to the one they had heard earlier emerged from the boy and small hands covered eyes that had begun to bleed. The boy flashed again, and the body of an unconscious Ban was now huddled under a table of the Honky Tonk.

Ginji shaking as much as the boy had been, scrambled to his parter, once again cradling him in his arms.

Maria came forward to check on Ban. Electricity sizzled, stinging the witch. "YOU!! Stay away!" Ginji's eyes while, filled with tears, were now sparking, fierce and furious. His hand stroked and cradled his partner, gently, protectively. But his eyes were like that of the Raitei, unforgiving, hard, and burning with anger. "Ban-chan was scared of you, no one is touching him. Stay back all of you. Until Ban-Chan wakes up nobody is coming near him." Having delivered his order, Ginji buried his head on his partner's chest, to listen to the beating of a beloved heart.

"Maria-san" Akabane's voice was deadly full of steel. "I find absolutely nothing amusing in what I just witnessed. The marks on that boy, those cuts. They were deliberate slices, not deep enough to bleed, not deep enough to scar, just deep enough to be excruciatingly painful. That boy, BAN MIDOU he could not have been more then 5 years old, had been tortured systematically. (the words were bitten out cold and hard. Gasps of horror, disgust and pain echoed in the room). You claim he is the descendant of your royalty, you WILL explain what we just saw. And you will explain NOW.." Scalpels gleamed in long fingers.

"Ching" A bell pealed as Kazuki moved to stand beside Akabane. Shido's fingers flexed and he deliberately blocked Maria's path to the door, Himiko drew out her puppet perfume. All had hard unforgiving eyes, if Akabane had chosen to carry out his unspoken threat, no hand in the Cafe that night would have been raised to defend Maria.

Maria looked around the room, sighed and sank into the chair, tears filled her eyes, and her shoulders shook as she cried. "I didn't realize. Good lord, I swear I had not realized, none of us realized how much they had hurt him. Those cuts, by the time he was found they had disappeared. He never spoke of it. GOD!!! We never even knew they tortured him, that much." She cried. "I'll tell you. I'll tell you our shame, the shame of all witches, why Ban rejects us, I swear I never knew the extent of it." Maria's voice was heavy with guilt and pain.

The people in the room, were silent, watching, holding their judgment until they got the whole story from the witch.

"When Ban was born, his grandmother was very disappointed. He was a boy, the strongest wielders of magic were women. And no male has had the ability to use the Jagan in over 2000 years. She assumed that he would be like his father, and would not have the thick blood of a true Witch Heir in his veins. She had no interest in the boy, and left him to be brought up by that crazy mother of his. She never even bothered to test his blood." Maria sighed.

"Our Witch Clan, since our Queen had shown no interest in the boy, simply ignored the baby, and since he would be raised in the human world had no further concern for him. However we later, very much later realized what a mistake that was. Ban had magic. From what we can gather, he was reacting to magic, making things float and doing other things from the time he was about 3 years old. His father had disappeared and his mother freaked. She was in depression and when she wasn't cussing her son, she basically ignored his existence.

"Unfortunately, while our clan had failed to pay attention, another Clan of blood witches, heretics by any standards, had been paying attention. They kidnapped Ban a couple of months before his 5th birthday."

"God.." Ginji whimpered. "Did you get Ban-chan back Maria-san." Ginji looked up with hopeful eyes.

Maria stared into the large brown eyes, and bowed her head. "Gin-kun I am so tempted to lie, you have no idea how much I want to say, we stormed the kidnappers hideout and got Ban back."

SLAM!! Paul's hand slammed onto the counter. "THIS IS BULLSHIT MARIA!!! What the FUCK do you mean that Ban was kidnapped. We NEVER, the Kaiser and I NEVER heard anything about Ban being kidnapped. Why didn't that Crazy Bitch tell us and who the hell got him back?"

"Paul, you never knew because by the time we found out it was moot point." Maria continued painfully.

"Ginji you see we didn't get Ban back, Ban's mother was so deep in depression when he was taken, she never even noticed he was gone. And our clan never checked up on him. You can't get back something no one notices is gone Ginji. (Tears filled Maria's eyes)

“The kidnappers had Ban for anywhere between two to three weeks, and no one tried to get him back, Ginji. No one even knew he was gone. You cant get back someone no one even knows is gone. Ginji"

The dawning horror in the room was palatable. All remembered the frantic look in beaten eyes of a child desperately trying to escape. Shido was the first to say it, his voice thick as he held back tears. "My god, he got himself back didn't he. Four years old, he was so.. so tiny, cut, beaten, abused and you freaks forced him to save himself did you. Shit!!"

"Damn you witches," Paul swore"I thought it was a good thing when he put aside his pride to ask you for help, I am a fool. We had no right to ask him to pay such a price."

"Ah but you never had to ask him to pay such a price did you." Maria said in a misplaced attempt to lighten the mood.

CHING!! Battle aura emitted from Kazuki, "Maria-san, it may be best for your continued good health to just continue the story, none here are impressed by any attempt that you might make at humor." No one saw fit to comment on the unusual, yet appropriate reaction by the string master.

Maria accepting the reprimand continued the horror story. " The witches who took him, systematically took blood from him. Those are the marks on his neck, those were the only visible signs of abuse that marked him when he was found. All the other marks had healed over, we had no idea (Maria's voice caught in guilt and pain. she took a breathe and continued) We thought that was all they had done. -God even I hate how that sounds."

"Anyway how Ban escaped is based on what we could piece together. Ban never talked about the kidnapping, he refused to even acknowledge it. The police discovered that 3 people had been involved. Asclepius had not yet partnered with Ban at that point, he was too young. The Jagan usually develops in our children at around puberty to ensure their safety and have them mentally prepared for the consequences of it, and his magic was hindered by the draining of his blood at such high levels."

"Hmmm" Akabane interrupted at that point. "He had already developed a part of his battle genius hadn't he, I could see the eyes of the boy just now, evaluating strengths, seeking and identifying a way to escape. But he was a child – physically there is no way -did someone help him escape?"

"No" Maria said softly. "Didn't you notice his eyes? They must have done something, finally pushed him to the brink, I think. Pushed him so far that the ability that should have remained dormant for another 10 years was triggered - brutally. We believed he used the Jagan on them and escaped. He escaped and as much as the police could trace, he had gotten on the back of a truck on the Autobahn which took him some 100 kilometers from the site he had been held. Three days after he had used the Jagan, he was found starving and half frozen in an alley in backwater Germany.

"We know the time-line, because the Witch Queen had sensed the triggering of the Jagan. She was actually confronting her daughter-in-law when the police came knocking to inform that a young boy had been found. Not once, never in our history has a four year old been able to use the Jagan. But other then the Jagan and Asclepius that developed later, Ban never used his magic again, we believe he himself sealed it up. And nothing his Grandmother or I did could get him to use his ability until he needed it to save his friends from the divine design. For some reason the barrier he built around his powers broke tonight and they went a little crazy, I suspect, the magical side-effect of the release was to revert him for a short period to the time when the barrier was first built when he escaped the Blood witches."

There was a lull in the Cafe as Maria paused and they processed the story, a horrific realization began to overtake Ginji.

Holding his partner to him, he yelled at Maria. "Did you tell him? Did he know? (Huh? Gin-chan?) Did you tell a 4-year-old that no one bothered to get back, that if Ban-chan used the Jagan, he would disappear and no one would remember him?" Uncontrolled electricity swept around Ginji, but not a spark touched the unconscious man in his arms.

The look in Maria's eyes was all the answer Ginji needed. Awe at his partner, pain and guilt filled the blond man, he understood now, so much better. But it hurt, he hurt for Ban-chan from his hair to his fingertips he hurt. (I'm so sorry Ban-chan wake-up please.)

"Ginji, his Grand-mother had to tell him. he could have accidentally used it. She had to tell him... (deep breathe) Anyway we identified, found and punished one of the witches responsible for the kidnapping, we had divined that she was the only one alive of the triad that had taken Ban. The other two were found dead by the police who suspect that they had had a falling out when Ban escaped and killed each other.

"The only other thing relevant to this story is.. is well what probably triggered the disintegration of Ban's magic barrier. When the Jagan is used 4 times, a curse is triggered and the person is wiped from the psychical world and from the memories of those around them. There is a book an ancient text, called "Heaven's Pride" that stands in the vaults of the witches. Legend has it the book would magically record the name of one who used the Jagan for the 4^th time, to stand as the only record of that individual on the earth. To wipe out your very existence, to have none, even those who profess to love you, have no memory of your existence, is not a price that humans are willing to pay. In spite of the witch hunts, the deaths of our people, the world wars, till four weeks ago, the book remained empty, silent."

Remembering Amon's death Emishi blurted out "Don't blame em, to just be gone, I couldn't even consider doing it...wow...." he trialled off, and a silence of consent filled the room.

“Yes Ban used the Jagan for the 4^th time, saving those around him. Nobody has ever had to ask him to, but he willing would have paid the ultimate price, and we would never have even known it, we would not even remember that he ever was a part of our lives.”

"But he is not gone." Akabane said

"No he is not gone – thanks to your little trick" Maria said, her smile now sad. "But it does not reduce his action in any way – his name is now the only name recorded in Heaven's Pride - the first person in human history – to sacrifice so much - in exchange for nothing. Fate is not done with him, for it to allow Ban Midou to live... I fear the magic potential he showed just now is exponentially more than the level he should have. My guess is that something more is coming."

"Fine, wonderful, whatever.. we will handle the future as it comes" Paul said curtly. " What I want to know is why is this the first I have ever heard of Ban being kidnapped, does HIS FATHER even know what happened."

"Paul, no. It was not my decision to make. The Witch Queen when she saw Ban was never going to mention it or talk about the kidnapping, she decided that it was best for everyone if the kidnapping was never mentioned again and.."

"Fuck Maria.." A tired but irritated voice cut her off. "What the hell are you bringing up ancient history for." Blue eyes ringed with exhaustion narrowed on the Witch.

"Ban-Chan your awake,"

"Awwwkkk Ginji, Human here not a pillow. Ease up already"

Even as he hugged his partner, a sense of dread grew in Ban. His eyes swept the troubled faces before him, "Why are you talking about that crap Maria, clue me in somebody."

Before anyone could stop her Rena burst out, "Your Magic Ban, it made you a 4-year -old again and we saw... we saw.." She trailed off when Natsumi kicked her and she saw the disapproval in the eyes around her.

"Oh" Ban said slowly taking in the faces before him. Unfortunately, their horror, disgust and anger were still apparent in their eyes from Maria's story. And Ban conditioned to accept hatred and blame from those closest to him, was just relieved that Ginji was behind so he was spared the same look in brown eyers. "What? So you finally got to see the monster, the demon spawn huh?" Ban sneered.

Ban's defenses went up, he pulled away from Ginji, to protect himself from their judgment, that he just knew was coming. That he knew he had earned – by the blood on his hands. Ban had stopped asking for mercy, expecting miracles when he was 4. He was so tired, but he would not – could not surrender. So as he had then, he attacked. His sardonic mask slammed in place as he challenged mockingly "When was the first time you killed Akabane? Bet I got you beat, huh? So that's what got you pathetic lot so tense. Which kill did you see. Huh? Did you see a 4-year-old devil repeatedly slid a bloody knife into the stomach of an old man and perhaps you saw the demon spawn bury the same knife in the throat of a woman – younger then Hevn. Did you see the little monster continue to stab them long after they were dead?"

Himiko felt her knees give out, and she sank shaking to the floor, Rena, Natsumi and Hevn followed suit. Paul's fist smashed the counter. The others except Akabane looked away, overwhelmed - unable to meet the eyes of the Jagan user. Ginji moaned like a beast under torture.

The moan tore at Ban more than anything else could. He shut his eyes for a second, his lips twisted in an empty smile, accepting condemnation, totally misunderstanding their reactions. "Oh well" he thought, his eyes opened taking in the carnage, HIS loss of control had caused. “I'm really losing it, I will not put them in danger”, Maybe he thought his worst secret coming out now was probably a blessing, they would want him gone now. And since he had already put plans to leave into motion, so that he would not hurt anyone else, their condemnation would make his disappearance a lot easier – on them. For himself – well – he had, had more in the last 5 years, than he had ever expected to get in his life. So he would go to fight this demon, and as this was his personal battle, he would fight it as he had always fought his battles since he was 4 – alone.

"Paul" Ban said not wanting the man who had been like a father to him to totally write him off, "I'm sorry, this damage its on me, not Ginji – I did this. I swear Paul. I wont do it again, and I'll find a way to send you the money for this." Ban promised, his voice thinning, his head swam with exhaustion, with the burden of his decisions.

Only tone person understood the meaning behind those words.

"Ban-kun" Akabane said in a voice unlike any had ever heard him use. "We did not see any monster, we saw a child. A small boy , beautiful beyond words, pushed to the edge and fighting with all his strength to survive. We did not see a devil, we saw an Angel Ban- kun – we saw the birth of Heaven's Pride."

Ban blinked, his pain overwhelming him, he could hardly hear let alone understand Akabane's words. Exhaustion overcome him, wanting to escape his reality just for a minute, to stall having to see the disappointment in his partners eyes, Ban allowed himself to sink into an exhausted sleep. As he slumped forward, he felt Ginji's arms go around him, holding him, and knew for a little while more he could sleep safe. For a little while more he could pretend that he was a good person, that there was a place for him in the world. He could pretend that someone would notice when he finally disappeared and would maybe try to get him back. A single tear – just one – ran down the porcelain pale cheek.

Ginji traced that single tear, brought it to his lips. He knew Ban would fight, his partner was the greatest protector around. There was nothing he wouldn't do to keep those around him safe, he guarded them – fought for them when they were hurt, and stood back, watched from the sidelines, when they fought their own battles. Battles Ban would have won with ease, but he let them fight, because he wanted them strong, because Ban had believed that he would not be around to protect them for long. The one thing Ban had never protected, that Ban held lightly, seeing it as having little value, was the one thing Ginji held dearest in the world. And Ban had never allowed him to strengthen the bond between them, for all the 'S” of the GetBackers – Ginji had never truly saved Ban, his ability to sense when Ban was in trouble, was minuscule. He got lost and Ban would find him – he had never actually been the one to find Ban.

In reality Akabane had saved Ban more than Ginji had. And Ginji would NOT allow this to continue. Ban-chan was NOT going to disappear. Ban-chan was HIS, and it was time that Ban Midou realized that. Ginji felt the deepest parts of himself stir, no longer a separate form, he accepted the part of himself that had once been the Raitei. He hugged his partner close and knew that he, Ginji Amano not the Raitei would fight for and would kill without hesitation any being who sought to separate Ban Midou from Ginji Amano.

He now understood Ban's confusing behavior these last few weeks. Ban would do what he had advised Shido to do when the Kiriudo were threatening Madoka's safety. Ginji knew now Ban was planning to leave, rather then endanger Ginji, Ban would leave and keep everyone else safe. He stroked his partner's hair “Silly Ban-chan, I came too close to losing you. It will never ever happen again” Ginji whispered softly, but with the absolute control, will and determination of the man who had forged the VOLTS and tamed the Limitless Fortress.

Cradling the sleeping man, securely in his arms, Ginji stood.

Akabane smiled, ever since he had saved Ban, the ex-Emperor had lost his fear of him. Now they shared a mission, to keep the Jagan user where he belonged – right where they could see him.

His friends made way as Ginji strode out, as he reached the door, Ginji said in a very un-Ginji-like voice. “Maria-san, I think that until Ban-chan calls you to visit, it will be best if you stay in your side of the City. While in my head I know that it is not truly your fault, in my heart, if you had been a man I think I might have killed you. So please Maria-san don't put yourself in danger by coming here again without Ban-chan's invitation to protect you.” With that Ginji left.

“Actually Maria, even with Ban's permission, I suggest you find another place to meet up. Unless you are directly saving their lives (Paul had lived too long not to have this as a clause) Maria, I never want to see you in the Honky Tonk again. Ban may forgive you, but I sure as hell don't and you had better stay away from the Limitless Fortress too, because I doubt the Kaiser will be as forgiving as his son once I tell him about this.”

Maria's smile was bitter, “ I cant say I blame you” and with a flourish she walked out of the Honky Tonk, none sought to bid her farewell.

“Well at least Ginji will look after Ban-kun. “ Hevn said with a sigh. “He really was a beautiful child – huh – he still is I guess.”

“Heh” Kazuki said, “I think that we may need to reconsider our actions here, is letting Ginji and Ban go off alone a good idea?”

“Kazuki” Shido said with a grin, “ You saw that look in Ginji's eyes, huh! After 5 years the Emperor is finally going to claim his surprisingly oblivious mate, he will tear us apart if we interfere now.”

“Huh! We all know Ginji was hoping Ban-san would make the first move, I think he finally understands why Ban seemed so oblivious. (Kazuki said with a faint smile) however that is not what I meant. Didn't you feel it?”

“Feel what Kazuki-kun?” Akabane asked for all of them.

“Just before Ginji broke through the vortex around Ban, there was another force here, subtle, but hostile, and it was definitely watching Ban.” Kazuki said.

“It takes a spy to find a spy I guess” Hevn muttered

“Now that you mention it.” Himiko chimed in,”there was definitely something here, I felt it trying on lock on to Ban, then Ginji hugged Ban and the force disappeared when Ban collapsed. I was going to mention it.. but the kid came in and...” Himiko trailed off not really knowing how to finish the sentence. “ I think I'll go and help Ginji watch over Ban.”

“Himiko-san” Akabane stopped her. “You are about the last few people Ginji would allow near Ban at the moment.”

“Huh! Look I have almost as much a claim on Ban as Ginji has.” Himiko asserted.

“Yes and my dear, that is exactly why, Ginji-kun is not going to let you anywhere near Ban, until he successfully redefines their relationship. And you are right Kazuki-chan they will most definitely be distracted during the process. I will guard them. Ginji-kun knows that I know my place when it comes to the GetBackers, so he will accept my presence better then anyone else's here. (There was a mutter of descent at that – Kazuki and Shido were both inclined to argue. Akabane's next words stopped them) ”Hehehe Would you really be able to accept what Ginji plans to do without interfering at all? Especially after what we just witnessed? - hehehe- no I didn't think so, Midou-kun is amazingly appealing is he not?”

With that black leather swished as the transporter walked off.

Fic: The Keeper's Watch, ch. 7

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:36:55 GMT

Title: The Keeper’s Watch (ch. 7)
Author: Amethyst Hunter
Rating: R (violence, adult content)
Warnings/Spoilers: See above.
Notes: I’m not quite sure where this one came from, but I like the idea so I’m going with it.
According to Wikipedia, per the language of roses, a purple rose is said to mean protection.
Also, the name Mathilda (sometimes spelled Matilda) is of Teutonic derivation, from words meaning "might, strength" and "battle" (alternatively, “strength in battle”) – and as we all know, our darling Kuroudo has a fondness for such attributes..!
Disclaimer: GB and its loverly transporters sadly aren’t mine.
Summary: Akabane has his hands full chasing after a battle prospect, and when a mysterious visitor appears on his doorstep, he’s left to play sitter while trying to stay one step ahead of a deadly adversary.

--

The purple rose was waiting on the nightstand for him when he entered Mathilda's room, and it was not a happy plant. Several of the leaves had withered and dropped off, and the thing appeared droopier than it had the previous night, the edges of its flowers darkening with decay and curling back upon themselves. Akabane pressed a finger into the soil. It was dry but not terribly so. Still, he brought it a cup of water from the bathroom, thinking that once he got back tomorrow morning he would set aside some time to give it a good pruning and fertilization to perk it up. He spared it little further thought while he gathered the items for an overnight bag for himself and Mathilda.

Despite his earlier admonition that they be punctual, Akabane wasn't worried about keeping time. One of the cardinal rules of any business meeting was that if you were important enough, they would wait for you, so long as you weren't horribly overdue – and even then they would still be reluctant to abandon the meeting. Those who did business with him were well aware of his tendency towards fashionably late entrances, much though it might irritate some of them. They tolerated it simply because they had little choice, and it always amused Akabane whenever those people tried to take him to task for it. As if anyone could ever compel Doctor Jackal to heel.

The drive to the city was relatively without hassle, as most of the heavy rush traffic had already dispersed. Along the way Akabane placed a call to Tetsuro Sakaguri to confirm acceptance of a delivery run to the Haneda airport. They arrived at the Magurumas' house an hour before Akabane was due to meet with his contact. Suzume Maguruma, a petite and somewhat buxom woman with perpetual sunshine for a smile, was there to welcome them inside.

“Come in, come in, before this cold turns you all into icicles! So this is the little cutie-pie I've heard about! Hello there, Mathilda-chan!” Suzume's lighthearted disposition seldom failed to cheer anyone she met, but she was not yet aware of the little girl's ironclad resistance to socialization. Mathilda, in her new winter coat and black hat, granted her the same response with which she held the rest of the world in regard: utter indifference.

Suzume, like her husband, bore no ill will towards the slight. Having two children of her own she was well accustomed to the idiosyncrasies of parenting. “Oh, isn't that precious, Gouzou? She's shy. Poor little thing.” She favored Akabane with a semi-stern glare. They knew each other well enough to be on friendly terms; it was Akabane who had originally encouraged Maguruma to pursue her romantic interest when Gouzou, in the early days of their association, had once expressed attraction to a pretty waitress he'd met. Suzume had since worked her way up to becoming part owner of a popular restaurant, and divided her time between managing it and her rough-and-tumble brood of little Magurumas. Gouzou was utterly devoted to her and vice versa.

“Now, Akabane-san, you haven't been reading her bedtime stories from any of those dreadful medical journals Gouzou says you keep, have you?” she affectionately chided as she led them into the living room after they'd hung up their outdoor garments. “Why, the descriptions of some of those diseases sound fit for a horror movie!”

“Most certainly not, Suzume-san, I assure you,” Akabane chuckled. He intended to purchase some books for Mathilda at his earliest convenience, but in the meantime he'd chosen a few short volumes from his own library, which he'd made sure to pack with the overnight bag he'd loaded for her. “Mathilda-chan is a very special little girl, and though it might seem that she is a delicate flower unaware of the world around her she's quite observant and has a will of steel, I can promise you that.”

“Well, it certainly is kind of you to take the little one in while you search for her family,” Suzume said as she offered everyone refreshments. “Poor baby! The holidays are coming and I can't think of a sorrier situation to be in, lost so far away from home.”

“I'm sure we'll be able to find her parents before then,” Akabane said. “My sources have an excellent reputation for tracking information.”

“For a fee, I'm sure,” Maguruma snorted, helping himself to some crackers and cheese.

“If you are speaking of Midou-kun - “

“Actually I wasn't, but since you brought him up, are you going to tap him?” Maguruma wiggled bushy brows at Akabane. “He's a wild card but he's smart, that one, and he might have access to resources you hadn't considered.”

Akabane frowned. He'd tap Ban Midou all right, but not the way Maguruma was thinking of. Still, his associate had a point about Jackal's lover and sometime archrival possessing an uncanny hunting ability. But Akabane was reluctant to turn to this avenue because he knew he'd get raked over the coals, one way or the other, and he wasn't looking forward to that. The prospect of a fight between them might have been enough to get him to reconsider, but Midou had a knack for coasting through danger unscathed, and was more inclined to avoid such a duel if he could – mainly because hospital bills for his partner's occasional accidents ate up whatever money the Get Backers could manage to hang on to.

In exchange for his cooperation, Ban would almost certainly demand information from Akabane, information that he wasn't prepared to offer or could give at all, and he, much like Jackal, had no qualms about walking away from assignments he found displeasing or inconvenient. It was one of his many traits that Akabane both greatly admired and disliked.

“It depends on what I learn today,” Akabane finally said in answer to Maguruma's question. “You wouldn't want me to get sidetracked with other jaunts, would you?” Everyone who was anyone knew all about the bad blood between the Get Backers and Doctor Jackal.

“Good point.” Maguruma chuckled. “No pun intended.”

Akabane merely smiled vague amusement and turned the topic neatly to the care of his young charge. “Everything Mathilda will need is in that bag,” he said to Suzume, nodding at the duffel that had been placed discreetly aside until such time as its contents would be needed. “It would probably be best if you put her down when you send your children to bed. I've been trying to keep her on an even schedule as much as possible.”

“Not a problem,” Suzume agreed. “The kids have school tomorrow so they know not to fool with me when I say it's lights-out.”

“Mathilda's very well-behaved, I assure you, Suzume-san. You shouldn't have any trouble at all with her.” Akabane smiled, glancing at the little girl who sat at his side, quiet yet sharply observant, even though her unfocused gaze might have told otherwise. “I do appreciate your help with this matter.”

“Oh, that's all right, Akabane-san. Besides, Gouzou tells me that he'll be sure to collect on this favor,” she laughed.

Akabane chuckled. “I'm sure he will,” he murmured, casting a wry look at his fellow transporter. He reached inside his vest and pulled out a gold pocketwatch; it had been a past Christmas gift from the Magurumas. “Well. I have one more phone call I need to make. After that, I'd best be going, if I'm to make my appointments for today.” As he rose he smiled at Gouzou. “Shall I give Janus your regards?”

“Hell no,” Maguruma muttered. “I'd just as soon as she not remember I exist, frankly.”

“Gouzou, little ears, remember,” Suzume scolded with a gesture towards Mathilda. “Would you like us to see you out, Akabane-san?”

“That's quite all right, Suzume-san.” He nodded towards Maguruma. “I should be back no later than six, so we'll have time to eat dinner before we do the Haneda run.”

“Might be better to just eat on the fly,” Gouzou said. “Janus'll take up two hours easy, plus if you're going to go wandering you might have a good hike ahead of you. Give me a buzz when you're ready and I can come pick you up.”

“All right.”

Akabane left the room after bidding everyone goodbye. In the vestibule he withdrew his phone and dialed a number that never failed to make him smile, if only because this connection meant a special kind of pleasure.

A gruff voice on the other end warmed his insides when the owner of said number answered. “What the fuck do you want.”

The benefits of caller ID, Akabane thought with a silent chuckle. “You're lucky that I'm so forgiving of your profanity.”

“Heh. You like it when I talk dirty to you,” Ban Midou grunted. He sounded not quite into his cups of coffee yet; it must be a slow day in the world of retrieval service.

Akabane lowered his voice to a velvety murmur. “I like it even better when you talk bloody to me.”

“Forget it. My fight quota's booked solid for the month.” There was a gust of air directed close to the receiver. Seldom was Ban seen without his favorite cigarettes.

“Such a shame. I've missed you,” Akabane purred. “If I didn't know better, I'd think you didn't want to play with me.”

“Damn right I don't miss you. I could get used to these easy jobs real fast, trust me.”

“That's why you need me, Midou-kun. You need that stimulation, that excitement, that challenge. In order to be the best at what he does, a good retriever has to constantly review and improve upon his performance. I don't think you realize what a boon we transporters are to you and to Ginji-kun in that respect. You wouldn't want to become stale and boring, would you?”

Ban's laugh was nearly as sharp as one of Akabane's knives. “You couldn't bore me with a butcher knife if you tried. So what, you want a gold star sticker for your efforts? I'm not in the habit of rewarding people who try to pull a timber act and cut me down,” he grumbled. “You want slavish appreciation, buy a puppy.”

“I'm rather picky about who drools on my furniture and tears up my clothes. If I'm going to be stuck cleaning up a mess it will be because you assist me in creating one of my choosing,” Akabane chuckled. “Now, are you going to join me tomorrow evening so that I'm not left to start trouble by my lonesome self, or must I come to the Honky Tonk and call down Wan-san's wrath upon you by instigating a scene?”

There was a brief pause. “You wouldn't dare.”

“Try me, lover.” Akabane smirked, knowing well which of them was the one with the endless mountain of debt owed to the shopkeeper in question, and therefore much less likely to be excused from any repercussions stemming from post-fight damage.

An even longer pause ensued while Ban debated on calling Akabane's bluff. Both of them knew and played this game to its hilt, being the consummate professionals that they were. Ban Midou was one of the very few people who could thrill Akabane to his core, and Akabane liked to think that he gave the other man something just as important in return. Truly, they were made for each other, and no one else would ever be permitted to lay treacherous hands upon the endlessly fascinating man that Akabane called sometime companion and often rival. Middleman aside, the Get Backer was his foremost prized possession alone. Akabane simply wouldn't have it any other way.

“All right, fine, okay, you win, I'll come over,” Ban hiss-sighed into the phone. “Be prepared to get your ass smacked around though. Ginji's trying to get me to quit smoking again and lately I have a shorter fuse than one of computer boy's bombs, got it?”

“I wouldn't expect anything less of you, dearest,” Akabane said, smiling. “And you should listen to Ginji-kun. Smoking's not good for you and I ought to know.”

“Stuff the lecture,” Ban shot back. “There's a time and a place for you to play doctor on me, and it ain't this one. I gotta go. See you tomorrow night.”

“I'll see you then,” Akabane replied, amused by his lover's prickliness. “Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

Pondering how on earth Ban's sweetly innocent partner had managed to coerce him into even thinking of giving up those foul cancer-canes, Akabane went to the nearby closet and collected his coat and hat. Once attired for the weather, he began to step out the front door when a firm tug on the back of his coat stopped him. Thinking that he'd caught the tail of it in the door hinge – it had happened before, much to his chagrin – he turned and reached to unhook it, and paused when he saw what had really latched onto his coat.

Mathilda was standing planted like a rock, both hands fisted tightly around a clump of black coattail. She wasn't pulling on it, only holding it in a motionless pose. Nevertheless, her resistance had been enough to halt him in his tracks. Akabane frowned.

“Mathilda-chan, please let go of my coat. I have to go away on business.”

She didn't comply, but she did level a distinctly accusing gaze at him.

“Mathilda-chan. You needn't worry about the Magurumas. They're very good people, I assure you. They'll take excellent care of you. Now please let me go.”

Mathilda's expression never changed but the answer in her eyes was plain: No.

Akabane resisted the urge to sigh impatiently. He knelt and took her fists in his hands, carefully worked at prying her fingers from the fabric. But no sooner had he freed one little hand and begun on the other than the first hand immediately seized another part of the coat, every bit as tenacious as before.

Akabane didn't know whether to hiss in annoyance or smile with amusement. Stubbornness could be such an interesting quality. He reminded himself that he was dealing with a vulnerable child, not an obstinate opponent. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his composure. He opened his eyes and smiled at the little girl.

“Mathilda-chan. I have to go to work now. This is how I make my living. I know you don't want me to go, but the fact is that there is nothing you can do about it. I know you have better manners than this. It would please me greatly if you would release me and stay here tonight with the Magurumas. I will come back for you, you know. I'm not going to abandon you the way that whoever is supposed to look after you did. I give you my word on that. Promises are very important, Mathilda-chan, and I always keep mine. Always.” He lifted a hand and cupped the side of her face in it; even through the glove material he could feel the warmth of her skin. “Will you be a good girl for me, please, and let go now?”

Mathilda's focus continued to pierce him. She was not pleased, nor was she placated one bit by his vow to return and collect her. But she did – slowly, ever so slowly – uncurl her fingers from the folds of his coat and withdraw her grip.

“Thank you,” Akabane said.

She was no longer looking at him. Her stare had faded back into implacable ether. Only a close eye would have realized that it was the total absence of any awareness, not petulance at being denied.

“You'll have fun here,” Akabane said, rising. “Suzume-san and her children are very entertaining company. I'll see you later tonight when I return.”

Mathilda stood silent, arms at her sides, face devoid of any response. She didn't try to grab his coat again as he patted her on the head and swept out the door in a flurry of black fabric. The wind was picking up outside.

Akabane resisted the urge to look back.

--

Janus was not her real name. Almost no one in the underworld used their given names, unless one happened to be a figure of such notorious repute that secrecy wasn’t necessary. Akabane was one of the elite few who could share this rank. Janus chose not to, for whatever reasons of her own. She liked her privacy, she’d said.

She lived in the penthouse suite of a high-rise that was known for playing home to a multitude of wealthy patrons, some legitimate, others not so. Power was the name of the game here in this section of town, and Janus was queen of the mountain – a fact which she made sure no one revolving in her orbit ever forgot.

Akabane breezed through the security guards with nary a whisper. They understood that he was a regular guest of one of the dwellers here, and so paid him little heed when he entered and took the elevator up to Janus's suite after signing in at the reception desk.

The elevator ferried him to the topmost floor, where he stepped into an enclave upon exiting his ride. Ahead was a large red door. He approached it and knocked, waiting for leave to come inside. His answer was quick in forthcoming.

A woman easily over six feet tall with hard yellow eyes greeted him at the door's sharp opening and brusquely bade him follow her. Her black hair was even longer than his own, and it resembled the mane of a lioness goddess whose chiseled idol he'd once viewed at a museum. Indeed, if said goddess had ever taken a human form, it might look like that belonging to his escort. She even possessed a fearsome set of claws: her fingernails, painted dark purplish red to match her lips, were long and tipped at the ends with diamond studs deliberately cut and shaped for the express purpose of damaging an opponent's skin in a fight. Her muscles were cleanly defined beneath the black pantsuit and red leather jacket she was wearing, and her spiked black boots – the toes of which carried concealed knives that could be ejected without warning at an enemy – clacked purposefully along the tiled floor. She carried herself with an unmistakable authority and wouldn't have hesitated for a second to mow down anyone who got in her path. Akabane wondered what fury it must be like to face her in battle.

Not that either of them would entertain such a notion. They respected each other too much to risk their professional relationship.

Even so, Akabane couldn't deny that the temptation existed...

The woman made the basic polite inquiries to his health, inasmuch as she could tolerate having to voice them. Small talk was not her fancy; swiftness and efficiency were her style. Then she snapped her fingers and issued a blunt command. “Get naked, Kuroudo.”

He chuckled knowingly. “That’s not a very nice request.”

Janus grinned, the expression resembling a she-wolf’s hunger. “Get naked, please, Kuroudo?”

“That’s more like it,” he laughed softly. She had a bold sense of humor that he could appreciate in spite of her roughness; casual flirtation suited him just as well, but he often felt bored by the lack of spark in the cloying manner most women and some men used.

She led him into her bedroom, where they were promptly greeted by multiples of the two of them. Akabane didn’t care for the mirrors, and would have said as much except that he had no wish to offend his hostess. Mirrors reminded him of people he wasn’t terribly fond of. He tolerated it simply because he had little choice in the matter; besides, one person’s distaste was another’s kink, and who was he to argue someone else’s choice of pleasures?

Janus caught him looking at one of the panels, and cackled. “Cost me a pretty yen to have ‘em installed, but it’s been worth it. It’s like having your own private orgy.”

He never went to bed with a client. Messier that way, and he preferred to keep his dealings simple. Janus was special. She was a regular client, and he owed her for all the times she’d come through for him concerning past jobs. It was part of the arrangement they shared.

What she did exactly for a living she’d never told, and he hadn’t asked. However she earned her daily bread, she made quite a bit of it and in the process had access to information most citizens and even some underworld agents wouldn’t have been able to gain. Consequently she often recruited Akabane for assignments that had a high likelihood of turning bloody, knowing well of his predilections for a challenge.

He dutifully undressed, draping his clothes neatly across the back of a chair. Janus watched him like a hawk, unabashedly licking her lips while he shucked off his trousers and briefs.

“You been fucking your retriever boyfriend lately? Or maybe that biker with the magic potions finally decided to jump your skinny ass?”

“Our common interests are purely professional,” he answered, not knowing whether this was true in reality on the other person’s part. It was an option he could admit that he’d pondered out of sheer curiosity, but it wasn’t likely to happen, at least not any time soon. He had other personal rules concerning interactions among fellow agents. Himiko, too, was special in her own way.

Janus eyed him. “That’s what they all say, honey. I’ve seen the way she checks you out when she thinks nobody’s looking. She’d like to, believe you me.” She flicked a switch on the wall and subtle lighting illuminated the chamber. “You ever tell her I loved the job she pulled for me with the gems?”

“Indeed. Himiko-san was most pleased by your compliment.”

Akabane tactfully failed to mention that Himiko had also later told him in no uncertain terms what she’d thought of Janus after meeting the other woman. “I don’t trust her,” Lady Poison had growled with fire in her eye. “She’s sneaky about keeping pertinent information to herself. Reminds me way too much of you, Jackal. Only a lot less polite and charming about it.”

He’d found that highly amusing, and said so. Himiko’s only reply was an irritable huff, and from then on she’d tried to avoid taking any jobs from Janus unless she absolutely had to.

“You ought to take her out on a date sometime, a real one. Much as I admit that the retriever’s quite a piece of eye candy, he’s got the personality of a rattlesnake on PMS. At least Poison knows when to hold her temper and when to let it loose. Honestly, Kuroudo, I don’t get people who can’t make up their minds.”

“I don’t believe in limiting one’s avenues for pleasure,” he replied, reclining nude on the chaise lounge nearby as she directed him, on his side with his head propped on one hand.

Her laugh was husky as she set up her easel and equipment. “Neither do I.” She studied his form with a critical eye. “A little to the left, there. Yeah. Perfect.”

She brought over an apple, which he held in front of his groin the way she instructed. He lay patiently, permitting her to adjust his pose as she saw fit. “What made you decide to take up artwork?” he asked, to pass the time.

Janus combed a few strands of his hair into his face the way she wanted. “Needed a new hobby. Business only goes so far with entertainment, don’tcha know.” She lightly tapped the tip of his nose with one diamond-studded fingernail. “Don’t move.”

“This is true,” he replied as she returned to the easel and picked up her pencil. “Why do you think I worked so hard to find an employment niche that was halfway interesting?”

“Not all of us are as fortunate as you,” Janus said. She worked steadily, her hand moving the pencil over the paper as lightly and smoothly as a breeze through autumn leaves. From time to time she would pause, take a look at Akabane, and continue sketching. “And with the way things with this Middleman seem to be going, if I were you, I’d consider early retirement.”

Akabane raised a brow. “You do realize that only draws my interest all the more.”

Janus frowned. “I’m balls-on serious, Kuroudo. This killer’s chopped up transporters like a side of rare beef, and for what? Attention whores are a yen a dozen. I can appreciate skill as much as the next person, but a good fight is only worth so much before it becomes reckless. I like you. You’re professional, you’re smart, you’re easy on the eyes, and you’re one of the last true gentlemen in the world. I’d hate to have to go looking for a new agent because you were rude enough to get yourself killed by a maniac.”

He smiled and chuckled quietly. “Much as I appreciate your concern, Janus-san, I assure you I have no intention of doing so.”

“Think you’re that good, eh?”

“There’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?” Akabane replied, eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Masochist,” she snorted.

He shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”

“Well, you can't say you weren't warned, sweetie.”

The sketching took about an hour, during which they discussed more of the serial killing spree that was plaguing the hakobiya community. Janus saw to it that he was kept continually comfortable despite his stationary pose. She brought him water when he requested it, even going so far as to offer him some fresh fruit as a snack. “Never let it be said that I don’t take good care of the pets in my harem.”

Akabane smiled, completely at ease with her banter. “Is that all I am to you, Janus-san? An entertaining toy?”

“A very entertaining toy. Don’t be modest,” she chuckled.

“That depends on what you consider modesty,” he rejoined.

She laughed, running her reptilian-gold eyes over his obvious lack of such. He'd oft-wondered if she wore specially-colored contacts, or if the color was real, but wasn't about to broach the rudeness of asking.

“True, that.” She frowned suddenly. “Are you cold?”

“A little, but it’s nothing I can’t deal with.”

“Bullshit. You’re getting goosebumps,” she pointed out, flicking her nails at the skin of his arm. “Get dressed. I’ve got enough for today, anyway.”

While he put his clothes back on Janus went to her easel and turned it around to show Akabane the semi-finished product. She’d taken up drawing several months ago and had needed a model for the pieces she wanted to make; Akabane had appeared at a convenient time. He occasionally posed for her, and she in turn sought out the most appealing assignments and paved the way for his recruitment. It was a satisfactory arrangement to both of them.

“Very nice,” he admitted as he studied the graceful lines of his own face rendered in black and white. She’d done an excellent job of capturing the seductive temptation she wanted to convey.

“It’s all in the model, honey. Why do you think I pick the best material to work with?”

“Not all of it,” he said. “You have genuine talent. What do you do with them once they’re completed?”

“Private exhibition. A few very select overseas clients I know who receive exclusive invitations. If they like, sometimes they buy. But the best ones I keep for myself. I was originally going to go with this quaint little gallery downtown, but the person running the joint thinks art needs to ‘breathe’ in the public eye, or some corny shit like that. Nice gal, that Clayman, but a little loopy, know what I mean? I prefer the people working for me to have their heads screwed on a little straighter.” She caught the minute frown creasing his brows as he looked at the portrait. “Don’t worry. I made you an anonymous model so you won’t have to wonder whether or not a bunch of horndogs are going to beat down your door and ravish your gorgeous bod.”

Akabane sniffed amusement. “I don’t care about that. I was only wondering who overseas would bother enough to want to purchase a portrait of me. Surely there are at least a few names you’ve run across who are familiar with the transport agent line.”

“You’d be surprised, babe. I’ve got one guy who says he’ll hook me up with my own damn gold mine if I draw him a picture of a penguin in a top hat and tropical shirt.” She shook her head. “Never can account for some people’s taste, can you?”

“So why don’t you take him up on the offer? It’s certainly an easy payoff.”

Janus scowled. “Please. I look for class. Ass comes in cheap supply. Doesn’t mean a thing unless you’ve got class to back it up.”

Akabane bowed. “I am flattered by your esteem, in that case.”

“Speaking of backing it up,” Janus said while she went to her dresser and picked up a gold-handled file, which she ran along the edges of her razor-nails, “what were you doing in Fujita's office yesterday? Don't tell me the biggest baddest transporter in the biz is getting cold feet and needs police protection to hold his gloved hand from now on.”

Akabane wasn't surprised by her mention of the detective whose dual function provided transporters with invaluable contacts. Janus had a talent for picking up on even the most obscure of news; it was partly how she'd made herself into such a successful businesswoman. “I thought you were warning me to avoid the Middleman,” he replied sweetly.

Janus stopped in her sharpening and flicked rigid yellow eyes at him. “I am,” she said without a trace of humor.

“And I appreciate your concern,” Akabane told her. “However, as you well know - “

“ - the challenge is what whets your appetite,” she finished impatiently, winging the file neatly across the room and into the wall, point-first. “For your sake, Kuroudo, I hope you aren't biting off more than you can gobble. Gluttony isn't pretty.”

Akabane shrugged. “That is what I am curious to see.”

Janus shook her head. “Masochist,” she repeated. “And Fujita?”

“Pawns seldom share our tastes in excitement,” Akabane said. “I had need of his services, so I felt like paying him an impromptu visit. It seems I've acquired, as you mentioned earlier, a fan following of sorts.” He briefly summarized the situation with Mathilda for her benefit. “Aside from having to juggle my engagements around a bit, really, it hasn't been as much trouble as I thought it would. She's a very keen and well-behaved child, exactly the sort you'd think would have a family desperate to find her.”

“Babysitting? That's not like you, Kuroudo,” Janus laughed, a cold sharp bark that could have frozen the innards of any man alive.

“Tell me about it. But it's not unpleasant,” Akabane mused, wondering to himself why this was so. “It's something different, anyway.”

“Bah. When you start making little scalpel-mobiles to hang over as-yet-nonexistent cribs, that's when you know it'll be time for you to hang up your hat.” Janus waved a hand in disgust. “If I want to hear the pitter-patter of little feet around my house I'll buy a cat and put tap-dancing shoes on it. The gods know I'd rather listen to that than one of Fujita's overblown sermons.”

“Now, now. He may be an easily twisted man, but he's not a bad one,” Akabane soothed. “He's rather quite useful, if one knows the proper techniques to apply in dealing with one such as him. If one must suffer the presence of bureaucracy, one ought to at least find ways to make it work in one's favor, no?”

“Baby, I only know one technique and it works wonders.” Grinning, Janus reached into a side of her jacket and pulled out a gleaming silver pistol. “Last thing I need is some cheap detective with a developing conscience sniffing around my tree because the wind blew him a stiff one. Face it, Kuroudo, we gotta protect ourselves in this bad 'ol underworld we deal in. There's oodles of folks out there who'd die to have a crack at me with the right information. You, too.”

“And this should worry either of us because...?” Akabane smirked knowingly. Anyone coming at Janus with felonious intent would get a final reminder of the foolishness of doing so plowed straight between their eyes; ditto for those attacking Doctor Jackal. “Besides, in spite of your claim that you're stingy with personal information, you obviously considered me trustworthy enough to provide me with some of that very same information on the Takahide job we completed over the summer in Nagasaki.”

“That's different. We play for the same team, and you're my all-star slugger. Giving you those goodies was literally the only way you could've pulled that one off.” Janus patted his cheek. “Besides, I know you're not stupid enough to cross me, not after I've gone to all the trouble of making sure you wind up in enough bloody fun up to your eyeballs. Right, sweetie?” she grinned as she raked her nails none too gently along the side of his neck. Akabane was vaguely amused by her boldness.

“You needn't worry about Fujita, Janus-san. He'll have his hands too full with my business to concern himself with any dealings of yours, I assure you.”

Janus nodded her swift approval. “That's what I wanna hear. Trust is trust only as long as it's trust, you know?”

“Of course.” Well did they both understand the law of the underground; which is to say there was no law except that of kings' rule, and even that was precarious at best. One was only as good as one's word.

The visit wrapped up with a tentative scheduling for the next modeling date. Janus tapped her nails on the brim of Akabane's hat with a flash of yellowed-eye fang and said, “Don't be a stranger, honey,” when she escorted him to the door.

Akabane smiled farewell, and left next to see a former boy king who ruled an empire that no one, criminal or otherwise, wanted to claim.

--

TBC

Just Add Alcohol.

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:01:57 GMT

Because of an extraordinary freak accident, the friend who stumbled onto my AFF account got ahold of chapter 3 ~~and I got teased some more~~ ~~and he got walloped on the leg~~. So it doesn't matter anymore. So I put chapter 3 up. It's not done yet, and it's an R rating so if you click the following link and you don't like what you find at the other end, don't say I didn't warn you.

Title: Just Add Alcohol
Characters: Akabane Kuroudo and Fuuchouin Kazuki (I'm sorry!!!!!!!)
Rating: R
Warning: er. It's on AFF. It's smut, or might be going past smut.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Get Backers. And, well, I don't dare lay claim to Doctor Jackal.

Chapter 3