Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Stalking the Wolf ❯ Passive Aggressive ( Chapter 6 )

Stalking the Wolf

 

By: Yahnkehy

 

A/N: This is the edited version of the same chapter that was posted a few days ago. There is more content in this version as I was unhappy with how things had gone with pace and flow last version. I do hope that the revisions and additions will give you a better idea as to why the things in the next chapter happen.

 

Chapter Warnings: Language, slightly suggestive banter.

 

Disclaimer: Again, I refute the claims that have been brought against me; I am not Watase-sama and shall never have even an ounce of her talent, but I do borrow her creations and meddle in their lives a bit.

 

Chapter 5: Passive Aggressive

 

00

“And I'm telling <i>you</i> that I will not make you live another four hundred years alone just because I've got a crush on someone who is no longer alive!” Miaka stomped her tiny foot in anger, glaring up into a set of fiery golden eyes that had, in the past, sent her running for her mother. Nose tip to nose tip, fists planted firmly on her hips, Miaka was the epitome of resolution and determination.

 

Tasuki, however, was never known to back down. “An' I'm tellin' you that I ain't gonna go gettin' in the way of your feelin's for Tamahome! I'm a seishi first an' foremost, and damnit, what I say goes, little lady.”

 

Keisuke wearily watched the by-play with little interest. The same argument had been going on for over an hour and no one was any closer to winning. “Why don't you both get to know him and let him choose?” He offered quietly, putting his thoughts into one of the many pauses that allowed the two windbags to gasp in a breath to continue their rants.

 

It was as if cold water had been dropped on the pair -twin shocked expressions turned on Keisuke who immediately wished he hadn't spoken. “I'm just saying that you both are arguing over something that has little to do with you.” Before they could start in on him, Keisuke continued. “I mean that no matter what either of you feels for whom, that in the end it's up to Taka to decide what he wants. Miaka may end up with him simply because he might not be gay. Tasuki might get him because he might be -Tasuki, are you gay? Out of all of the arguing, that hasn't been put up as a defense.”

 

Eyes wide and looking a little cornered, Tasuki backed up a step. “Hey now, don't go getting' no ideas that I'm gay. I had no problems with Nuriko -when he was Nuriko -an' I got nothin' against guys who like guys; but I ain't gay.” <i>That you two need to know about, anyway...</i>

 

“Then why is it that you're only now saying that?” Miaka piped up, a sly grin on her lips. “I've known you my whole life and I've never seen you even with a casual date. Not even a receipt for a love hotel in your pants pockets. You can't have been celibate for four hundred and three years, Tasuki-kun.”

 

Tasuki set his jaw and crossed his arms, “An' why can't I have? It's perfectly normal for a guy to not just wanna fuck anything that'll spread its legs, Mi-chan.” <i>Though, that's not quite accurate…</i>

 

Keisuke stared at Tasuki wide-eyed; “You're shitting me. I get itchy when I go four weeks without visiting my girlfriend, but four <i>hundred years</i>?! Are you some kind of god of chastity? What the hell, man?”

 

Tasuki delicately changed the subject. “What the fuck were ya doin' lookin' through my pants pockets, Mi-chan?”

 

“Oh no, you're not getting out of this that easily, Tasuki. Why in Suzaku's name would you spend that long without making love to at least one person?” Keisuke latched onto the subject, much like a dog with an especially meaty bone.

 

“C'mon Mi-chan, we gotta go meet your reincarnated boyfriend.” Tasuki grabbed Miaka's arm and dragged her to the door, ignoring her arguments to the fact of which one Tamahome belonged to. He paused before the door shut and grinned darkly back at Keisuke, “Oh, an' Keisuke-kun, one last thing.” He extended his middle finger, flashing it in Keisuke's direction. “Fuck off.”

 

Keisuke, for all of the fact that he saw Tasuki as a surrogate father, had to laugh at that.

 

00

Miaka and Tasuki argued during the entire walk to the café. Tasuki was a little more than slightly thrown that Miaka seemed to be taking the idea of not only Tamahome being with someone else, but a male someone else who just happened to be her best friend so well. But, he mused while he listened to her growl and fuss, it shouldn't confuse him. He knew the story. He knew about Miaka trying to give Tamahome to Yui to make her friend happy even though it was tearing her apart. That aside, though, he knew Miaka. Once she decided to love someone, their happiness came above all else in Miaka's book. Though how in the hell she could stand to be so self-sacrificing was beyond understanding.

 

“Oh, Terry-san, you've come back.” Taka's voice startled Tasuki out of his thoughts and he glanced up. "I suppose I should have expected it after the impression our coffee had on you." The boy smiled and raised the glass pot he just happened to have in his hands.

 

Tasuki gave a short laugh, eyes closed and shaking his head. "Yeah, you c'n say that. I hadda bring Mi-chan in to try some a your fantastic java." He grinned and patted Miaka on the shoulder, trying to draw Taka's gaze to her.

 

Miaka elbowed Tasuki in the ribs then smiled up at Taka, "I'm Miaka Yuki, this idiot," she elbowed Tasuki again. "Says that your coffee is the best he's ever had so I had to try it for myself."

 

Taka glanced down at the brunette with a faltering smile, "Nice to meet you," he stated, formally, bowing a little before shifting his gaze back to Tasuki. "You're over reacting a little, but... I'll seat you and your… Friend?"

 

Tasuki rubbed his abused ribs and opened his mouth to answer, but Miaka beat him to it. "Yes, we're just friends. Neighbors, actually."

 

Tasuki rolled his eyes but grinned at the top of Miaka's head. Even if she had said that she was going to make Taka choose him, it was obvious that she couldn't help but draw Taka's attention to herself. "She's weird like that. Alla those gushy romance novels she reads." He was elbowed again for his comment.

 

Taka laughed at the joke, keeping his eyes on Tasuki as his smile grew. "Well, I'm about to get off work, but I'll seat you. Anything for our number one spoke's person." Taka brushed past Tasuki as he leaned over to pull two menus from the booth the cafe had set up outside. "Follow me."

 

Tasuki felt his spine stiffen slightly, a fragrance drifted past his nose when Taka had leaned around him. That scent was familiar but he shook off the notion. "You're welcome to sit an' join us if ya want when ya get off the clock, Taka-san." He pulled Miaka along behind Taka, deciding that if he was going to make sure that they got together in this life too, he needed to make sure that they spent a little time together. He could conveniently slip out once they got wrapped up in making googley eyes at each other.

 

Miaka gave Tasuki a grin as Taka turned away, her eyes sparkling. "He's good looking," she whispered, nudging Tasuki. She then returned her attention to Taka's back.

 

Taka smiled over his shoulder as Tasuki. "I make it a habit not to eat here any more often than I already do. Here you go." Taka slid the menus on to a small wrought iron table decorated with leaves and flowers of metal. "But, save room and we could get some pizza, Terry-san," he smiled at Tasuki, nodded at Miaka and then turned, already untying the bow in the back of his work apron.

 

Tasuki took his seat and frowned, how was he supposed to get out of ordering something now that they were seated but Taka wasn't going to join them? He glanced at Miaka who was shaking her head and shrugging. "Uh, well..." Taka was already walking away, so he couldn't just blurt anything out. Instead, he leaned across the table and spoke quietly to Miaka. "I'll get us a couple a cups to-go an' you c'n go out for pizza with him, you two need time together." He sat back and waved for the waiter.

 

"No!" Miaka hissed across the table, "I told you that I wasn't-" she broke off and sat up as the waiter came up, waiting patiently while Tasuki ordered two cups to-go before returning to her sentence. "I said I wasn't going to let you do it."

 

"Aw, come on, Miaka, I got eyes. I saw how ya reacted when ya realized who it was. You ain't gettin' me in the middle a that and screwin' it all up." Tasuki crossed his arms over his chest, a motion Miaka knew meant that the subject was closed.

 

Miaka gritted her teeth. "He invited <i>you</i>, Tasuki."

 

Taka came back with two to-go mugs in his hands and an envelope he held precariously in two fingers as he carried out his apron, work clothes and their order.

 

"Two cups to-go," he said as he shuffled over and bent to put them on the table. "You guys must really be hungry," he joked.

 

Tasuki reached up to help with the cups but it was such an awkward angle that he couldn't help. "Yeah, starved," he answered lamely then gave Miaka a smirk.

 

Taka set the cups on the table and straightened but dropped the envelope as he shifted his folded clothes in his hands. "Ah!"

 

Miaka gave Tasuki a snotty look back but then she lunged, reaching out to help grab the envelope as it fluttered out of Taka's grip.

 

Tasuki was faster and caught it before it hit the ground, "Clumsy," he teased, a grin on his lips. "Pay back for that spoke's person comment." He tapped the envelope on his chin then held it out to Taka.

 

Taka reached out with a smile on his face. "Thanks, but I think I have an excuse this time," he assured Tasuki. His fingers brushed against Tasuki's hands as he took the envelope from him. "It's my first pay week since I got here." he explained, touching the envelope to his lips a second before putting it carefully away in his pocket. "I'm guessing I'm getting stood up for pizza if this is all you were hungry for," he said, indicating the coffee. He spoke directly to Tasuki, a half smile at the corner of his mouth. "Maybe I can catch you another time?"

 

Miaka watched the exchange quietly; her eyebrows rising as Taka's fingers casually slid against Tasuki's hand. A sad smile curved her lips. “Well, we were going to order more, but once you mentioned pizza, Ta-Terry said that he wanted that instead.”

 

Tasuki turned his head to give her a grin for coming up with such a great idea, “Yeah, pizza sounds better.” He smiled up at Taka.

 

Miaka deliberately tipped her coffee into her lap then stood up, gasping, “Oh no! My new skirt! Oh it's ruined.”

 

"Oh no!" Taka gasped, turning immediately to the girl at the table. "Here." He produced a towel out of his pile of clothes, patting at Miaka's lap for a second before his face turned red. "I…I'm sorry, " he said stuttering and handing her over the towel and looking away. "Uh, use this." He was so used to wiping up spills he hadn't bothered to check where it was.

 

Tasuki was out of his seat a moment later, moving his own coffee aside so that it didn't add to the mess. “I'll go get some more towels.” He put a hand to Taka's back and scooted by him, rushing up to the counter and just grabbing a handful of towels before hurrying back. He set them on the table and took one to help clean her up. “Clumsy little baka,” he grumbled, irritated that she had clutzed out just when she was going to get to spend time with Taka. He looked over his shoulder at Taka with an apologetic smile; “Looks like we'll hafta skip-“

 

“No!” Miaka blurted out then bit her lip. “I mean that there is no reason for you two to skip dinner just because I messed up my skirt. You guys can go ahead to the pizza place and I'll go get changed and meet you there. Sound good?”

 

Taka looked back to Miaka. "That sounds fine, if you're ok with that, Terry." He stood up and folded the towel, now browned with the coffee. "Miaka, will you be ok getting home? You're not burned are you?"

 

Miaka smiled wide and waved a hand at his worrying, "I'm fine, thank you. We only live a few blocks away, I should only be gone a few minutes." She stood and patted Tasuki's hair and tied her sweater over her skirt to hide the stain until she could get home.

 

Tasuki sighed, finally getting what Miaka was doing. "Fine, but you better have your skinny little ass at the pizza place in thirty minutes or I'm comin' lookin' for ya." He frowned at her, the look in his eyes, though, was mixed with uncertainty.

 

"Hai hai," Miaka agreed airily, gracing both men with a grin and a wink. "See you two later," she called over her shoulder, striding purposefully from the cafe.

 

"Well, she seemed ok. I was worried she might have scalded herself," Taka said, holding out his hand to Tasuki. "But now I don't feel guilty not having her along." Taka's smile was warm and ambiguous though his words suggested otherwise.

 

Tasuki took the offered hand and stood, then dried his sticky fingers on a clean rag. "Okay," he said, tossing the rag on the table. "What do ya mean, 'guilty'?" He grabbed his coat and slid it on, a curious eye on Taka.

 

Taka glanced down at his hand and laughed. "I was asking for the used towels, but ok." He turned and bunched up the towels in a wad, placing his clothing in a pile on the seat. "I'll be right back." He was clearly avoiding giving an answer.

 

Tasuki opened his mouth then sighed, shaking his head. He still didn't get people, even after all this time. While Taka was gone he took the opportunity to go to the bathroom to wash his sticky fingers. Once in the empty room, he leaned against the counter and looked into the mirror. "Okay, gotta make sure I get him talkin' about Mi-chan." He nodded to his reflection and washed his hands, then returned to the dining area to wait for Taka to return.

 

Taka smiled brightly as Tasuki entered the room. "Ah, there you are. I thought you had up and left. Ready?" He had grabbed his coat while Tasuki was in the bathroom, a nice grey-blue, fingertip-length jacket, perfect for the spring.

 

Tasuki nodded, swallowing back his nerves. "Yeah, all set. I hadda wash the coffee offa my hands. So, which pizza place... shit. Miaka don't know what pizza place to meet us at." He slapped a hand to his forehead, silently calling himself fifty shades of an idiot. He was well and truly set up. "Aw, fuck it. Let's just go get some pizza. I'll bitch her out when I get home." He gestured for Taka to lead the way.

 

Taka just smiled at Tasuki's display, clearly getting a joke no one else in the room comprehended, including Tasuki. "Ok," he said simply and opened the door for him. "I'm happy, actually," he admitted a few blocks in. "If she would have come along, I would have felt left out. You two certainly have chemistry between you. Good to know you're not dating, but are you sure you're not interested?

 

Tasuki raised a brow, "Chemistry? Oh, that's just gross. I was there when she was born, for fuck's sake. It would be like datin' my kid. Ew, no." He stuck his tongue out, showing his distaste for that mental image. "Someone like you datin' her, though, wouldn't be so bad. Not me. I hate girls." He shivered with the memory of his sisters. Sad, but even after four hundred years, they were the main reason he stayed away from females. Aside from that little run in with Alana back a couple hundred years ago, of course.

 

"Someone like me?" Taka asked surprised. "No, no. I think that'd only end in tragedy for her. I'm not big into beards," he laughed. "Wait a minute, how old are you two?" he gawked, finally realizing the math didn't add up.

 

Tasuki stared at Taka, lost. "Beards?" He scratched his chin while he tried to figure out what facial hair had to do with dating a girl. Did he think that Miaka liked men with a little scruff on their faces? "Hmm?" He glanced up from his contemplation, eyes wide and questioning. "Our ages? Oh, Mi-chan's sixteen an' I'm twenty." <i>Four hundred and twenty, to be exact,</i> he thought wryly. "How old are you?"

 

Taka gave Tasuki a strange look, but shook his head and answered. "I'm nineteen. I go to the university down near the park."

 

They had walked a few blocks when they came upon a small little pizza shop. It was barely a hole in the wall, short brick walls and one glass door that simply read, "Pizza".

 

"Best pizza in town," Taka said and he held open the door again. "Do you go to school around here?" he asked as they stepped in, the aroma of sauce and garlic hanging heavy in the air.

 

Tasuki followed Taka into the little pizza parlor and he instantly liked the place. It wasn't ritzy or dressed up; bare booths, red checkered real table cloths that had been stained beyond repair, freshly swept floors, and a homey atmosphere. "I'm not in school anymore," he answered distractedly, following his nose to the counter. "I arready have my degree."

 

Tasuki reached back and gripped Taka's arm, pulling him along to make sure that they stayed together in the crowded little room. "Gods, if I wasn't hungry before, I'm starvin' now."

 

"Yeah, this place will do that to you," Taka agreed. "So, wow, are you a genius? Kid prodigy?" The crowd shifted and the man at the counter called out for whom was next. "Ahh! We are." Taka took the initiative. "What are you getting?"

 

Tasuki blinked and looked over his shoulder at Taka, "What? Me? Nah, just benefited from home schoolin' an' went to university early. No big deal." He licked his lips as he looked up at the menu, his stomach was growling and everything smelled so good. "Damn, I dunno. What do you feel like havin'? We'll get a medium an' split it. I'll buy half." He grinned and rubbed his belly, "But I hope they cook it quick or I'm gonna hafta gnaw on your arm until they feed me."

 

Taka gave Tasuki a wry smile; "You might live to regret leaving this up to me. One no name," he said to the man behind the counter, "And two plates."

 

The man nodded, repeated the order and Taka turned back around to Tasuki with his arm out. "Here. They're busy," he said with a grin.

 

Tasuki laughed and swatted at Taka's arm. It was so easy to fall into the same friendly banter that he and Tamahome used to share and it made Tasuki smile nostalgically. "You might regret offerin' to let me chew on ya." He flashed his fangs in a toothy grin. "I leave marks."

 

Tasuki took Taka's wrist and dragged him over to a small table near the back, "I've gotta get offa my feet or I'll be tempted to go back there an' make 'em hurry it up. I get antsy when I'm hungry."

 

Taka raised his eyebrows with a sly grin at the comment, but allowed himself to be dragged off and plopped at a table. "So, genius vampire boy, anything else I should know about you before I invite you over?"

 

Tasuki turned his chair backwards and straddled it, resting his arms on the back of the chair. "Yeah, I ain't no genius and I ain't no vampire. I'll have ya know that I don't drink the blood of my victims, I just gobble 'em up an' pick my teeth with their bones. Bwahaha," he faked an evil laugh, drawing the collar of his coat over his lower face and narrowing his eyes. "I vant to bite your neck!" he mimicked.

 

Tasuki dropped the act and laughed at his absurd behavior, settling his chin on his folded hands. "So, what did ya mean, 'before ya invite me over'? Over where?"

 

Taka shared the laughter and leaned back in his seat, relaxing again in Tasuki's presence. "I mean over to my house. Vampires aren't allowed in unless you invite them over, right?" he explained a hint of laughter still in his eyes.

 

Tasuki snickered and lay his head over on his hands. "I think ya askin' me about it is the same as askin' me over. You're not safe now, Taka-chan! Big-bad Tasuki's gonna swoop in an' make himself a meal of ya." His grin slipped as his brain caught up to his words and he sat up, making a big production of looking for the pizza so that he would have time to cool his blush.

 

Tasuki conveniently missed the darker shaded smirk that Taka gave him from across the table.

 

"Here you go." A large man in a white apron announced, bringing the pizza to the table on a wooden board. "One no name."

 

Taka thanked him. The pizza looked more than delicious; sizzling cheese and piled high with everything they had in the back room it looked like. "Anything to drink?" he asked Tasuki as he got up to get himself something.

 

"Whatever you're havin' will be fine, thanks."

 

Pizza on the table and smelling like a dream, Tasuki was more than willing to forget about his little slip. He lifted a slice onto his plate, hurriedly, sucking his burnt finger. "Ow," he muttered, picking off one of the toppings and popping it into his mouth.

 

"Lemonade," Taka announced as he came back to the table. "Oh, did you burn yourself?" he asked, reaching out, concern tightening his features.

 

Tasuki grinned, swallowing down the hot bite of sausage. "Thanks, Taka-chan. Yeah, but I'm arright." He sucked the burnt tip of his finger then happily went about snagging toppings and popping them into his mouth. The pizza was too hot to pick up just yet, so he settled for picking at it until it cooled. "So, Taka, you're a nineteen year old university student who works at my favorite café. That all there is to know about ya or is there more hidin' under that nice smile?"

 

The comment made Taka smile wider, blushing a little at the compliment. "There's more." he said the smile turning to a sly smirk as he reached out a plucked a pepper off of the pie. "You'll just have to stay tuned to find out."

 

Tasuki raised his brows, munching on a piece of mushroom. "Oh, so I got commercial breaks to sit through?" he teased. He noted the light blush and looked away, "Did I say somethin' weird?"

 

Taka shook his head, eyes trained on Tasuki. "Nothing weird, but I guess it's up to you if you want to learn more about me." He took out a piece of paper and a pen from his pocket. "Here." He scribbled his number down and handed the slip of paper to Tasuki. "Just in case you're interested." He gave Tasuki a wink and then grinned wide. "Now, pizza. I'm starving." Taka carefully picked up a slice, balancing the massive amount of toppings as he slid it to his plate.

 

Tasuki eyed the slip of paper, trying to decide if he should ask what that meant or to take it as what it looked like -though that wink had sort of pushed the idea that it was the latter of the two. It was a little unsettling, really, to see Tamahome's reincarnation sitting across from him, winking and lightly flirting with him instead of Miaka.

 

The memory of seeing Taka's face in the flames, though, gave him a little bit of confidence. "I'd like that, Taka," he answered, taking his phone from his pocket and programming in the number. He slipped the phone back in his pocket, along with the scrap of paper, then grabbed a fork and cut into his overflowing piece of pizza.

 

Taka must have not been lying, he plowed through three slices before slowing down and just staring at his fourth. "Ahh, thank god for sauce and bread," he sighed happily, taking a long swig of his -until now- unopened lemonade. "I work so early in the morning that I never eat breakfast and they had me running ragged today. I barely got a chance to sit let alone eat anything."

 

Taka poked at the toppings on his last slice, picking up a mushroom, nibbling it and then putting it back. "I think if I eat any more I might explode. I'm not that big of a guy."

 

Tasuki barely got through two pieces before pushing his plate away -he'd eaten before first finding his reincarnated friend, anyway. He sat back in his chair, rubbing his full belly with a grin on his lips. "Yeah, you're downright scrawny from what I c'n tell. Skippin' meals isn't good," he heard himself say then winced. "Sorry, habit. I'm always on Mi-chan an' Keisuke about eatin' normal meals -though with Mi-chan it's more of me tellin' her to slow down." He chuckled at that then realized that Taka hadn't ever seen Miaka eat.

 

"With Mi-chan," Tasuki explained, "she would've been done with the whole pizza before we even got a slice." A memory of the first time he had seen Miaka eat flicked behind his eyes and he laughed. "First time I saw it, I was sure she was gonna choke."

 

Taka nodded, smiling politely at Tasuki and wiping his fingers on a bit of paper napkin. "I'm sure she's a sweet girl even if she eats like there's no tomorrow. After all, you're enamoured with her."

 

Tasuki blinked, "What? No, I'm not," he protested, crossing his arms over his chest. "What the hell gave ya that idea?" Enamoured with Miaka? That was disgusting, he used to change her diapers for fuck's sake! Taka didn't know that, but still.

 

"Well, you talk about her with a lot of pride," Taka said with a shrug. "I didn't mean anything by it. It's ok if you like her. It's kind of expected." He looked down at the slice with a blank frown for a moment. "Well, I'm done. If you want, I don't have anything to do tonight. We could just hang out. No pressure, bring Miaka if you want," he suggested, getting up out of his seat and grabbing his spring jacket. "I've been here for almost six months now and I'm still short on friends."

 

Tasuki opened his mouth to explain then snapped it shut. Yeah, that would have gone over really well. 'It's not like that, Taka, I'm four hundred and twenty years old. Miaka's like my kid.' Oh, that would get Taka to run for it even faster. Instead, he stood and dropped a tip on the table. "I'll go pay for our meal, you decide where we're goin'." He patted Taka's shoulder, grinning widely, then sauntered off to the counter with the check in hand.

 

"What about bowling?" Taka suggested as Tasuki came on back. "I haven't done that in a while. Might be fun. Though, last I remember I'm not so great at it."

 

Tasuki nodded, taking a last sip of his drink. "Sounds good to me. We'll be even, though, cause I've never played. Ya might hafta show me." He held a hand out indicating that Taka should precede him to the door, a teasing grin on his lips, "After you."

 

Taka looked at the hand extended and then back to Tasuki. He wasn't smiling, but it wasn't something resembling a frown either. "Sure," he nodded, keeping his tone light and friendly. "I'll pay you back by buying your shoes then. Thanks for the pizza."

 

Tasuki followed Taka to the door and out onto the street. He'd seen bowling before but playing it had never appealed to him. Now, though, he found himself looking forward to a possible challenge with Taka over strikes or something. A rivalry would make him more comfortable than the almost imperceptible flirting, actually. "Oh, I forgot, lemme see your phone so's I can put my number in it. It wouldn't be fair for me to have yours an' ya not have mine, ne?"

 

Taka looked over to Tasuki and nodded. He had become a lot more silent. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he produced a slim phone coincidentally the same dark teal color Tamahome's hair used to be. "Ignore the picture." he said, a little blush coloring his cheeks as he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked on.

 

Tasuki cocked a brow, curious about Taka's sudden change in attitude, but remained silent as he flipped open the phone. He blinked at the picture for a moment then cut a short glance in Taka's direction. The two men in the picture were adorable; Taka had a carefree, loving look on his face and the man across from him looked as if he were about to burst with happiness. Their arms linked around each other, foreheads touching while they stared at the camera. It was obvious that the two were in love.

 

A little uncertain, Tasuki opened the phonebook and put his name and number in, saved it and snapped the phone shut then handed it back. "You two are a cute couple. He gonna be pissed that you're out with me or somethin'?"

 

Taka cast a sad smile down to his shoes. "Nope. Not a couple." he said curtly, taking his phone back and flipping it open again. "I should change it. I keep meaning to." Taka sighed, slipping his phone back into his pocket without doing anything to the background. "The ally's down the next block and up two. You want to give Miaka a ring?"

 

Tasuki thought about it for a moment before shaking his head, "Nah, maybe another time. Don't want ya out numbered." He winked and grinned, reminding Taka of his earlier comment. "Besides, it's fun to go out without Mi-chan. It has been ages since I've gone anywhere without her -but I ain't enamoured. She's like my little sister or my kid. It's a big-brother thing," he finished lamely.

 

Tasuki supposed he should just say that he wanted to get to know Taka without Miaka taking Taka's attention away, but that would be a moot point now that he had seen that picture. Ignoring the little prick of some strange emotion, he tossed an arm over Taka's shoulders. "Guy's night out, Taka-chan. No girls allowed."

 

Taka smiled warily over to Tasuki. "You sure?" he asked both questions at once. "You're not going to regret this later when I have to comfort you over your complete and utter loss?" His smile grew wrier as he spoke, the little spark dancing to life in his eyes again.

 

"Loss?! Ha! I learn fast, Taka-chan, you'll be beggin' me to go easy on ya!" Tasuki's smile was nearly splitting his face, glad to see that little spark back in Taka's eyes. He messed up Taka's hair with his free hand, but left the arm slung over Taka's shoulders.

 

His smile toning down to a smirk, Tasuki tightened his arm around Taka's neck briefly. "Thanks for offerin' to go out with me tonight. All I had planned was loungin' on the couch in my pajamas. This is much better."

 

Taka gave him a look as if he wanted to say something more, but just smirked and shook his head. "Glad I could get you out of your dull life for a change."

 

"Hey! I ain't dull!" Tasuki protested and messed Taka's hair up a little more, "Well," he said after a moment, "I might be just a little dull. Arright, so I'd bore ya to tears."

 

Tasuki released his grip on Taka's shoulders and shoved his hands into his pockets, "I arready did everything I wanted to do, so mostly I just lay around when I ain't chasin' after idiot kids to make sure they've got their bento."

 

Taka turned a corner; "You've done everything you wanted to do? As in, you're retired?" he wrinkled his brow, more than a little confused. "Or are you independently wealthy and bored with life?"

 

Tasuki shrugged, "I'm comfortable," he answered vaguely, "Just not much in the world I haven't done, ya know?" A bell tolled and Tasuki realized that it was getting towards late afternoon. <i>Heh, time flies indeed</i>, he thought.

 

Bored with life. That would just about cover it, though Tasuki had to admit that the last few hours had been rather fun and a little exciting. It wasn't every day that he found his past best friend.

 

"Comfortable." Taka repeated. "That's just something rich people say to make themselves not seem haughty, but ok. I get it. You're 'comfortable', so that means you're paying for bowling, too," he laughed, skipping ahead of Tasuki just in case he decided to whack him in the back of the head.

 

Tasuki snickered at Taka's interpretation, <i>If ya only knew, Taka,</i> he thought, jogging mildly after his errant friend. "I didn't say it like that so that I wouldn't come off haughty -I do live in an apartment."

 

Catching up, Tasuki playfully pushed Taka aside and bounced ahead. "Last one there buys," he called, already knowing that Taka would win the impromptu little race. He wasn't exactly sure how fast normal people could run, so he made sure to always stay just behind them.

 

Taka flashed an impish grin at Tasuki and jetted ahead, pushing playfully at Tasuki as he passed him. "You'll regret that! 'Cause the loser buys drinks, too."

 

Tasuki laughed and ran after him, "Then you're definitely gonna lose!" He pulled up beside Taka, making sure to seem as if he was pushing himself to keep up, and growled, playfully.

 

They ran past a number of people on the street. Two glared at the men as they passed by, one shouted out something about kids having no respect. Taka was laughing, running and slowly pulling ahead. The bowling ally came into view and they jetted for it.

 

Taka was the one whose feet crossed the threshold first though. "HAHA! My win!" he said, flinging his arms up in victory. "Drinks on you, Tasuki," he giggled, dancing in the doorway until a couple excused themselves through him. "Sorry." he said, bowing low and letting them pass.

 

Tasuki laughed along with Taka, though he choked at the use of 'Tasuki' rather than 'Terry'. It was a good thing that people interrupted because he wouldn't have been able to explain his sudden lack of laughter.

 

Scooting aside to let the other couple through, Tasuki slung an arm around Taka's neck and walked into the bowling alley. "Arright, arright, we'll get a couple of lanes an' shoes then I'll buy us a round. But don't think that ya winnin' the race means you're gonna win against me while we're playin'. I intend to make ya beg before it's over."

 

Taka didn't seem phased by the slip, he straightened up and strut into the ally with a grin still plastered on his face. He shrugged. "Don't be jealous, Terry. Not every one can be as wonderful as me," he joked, "And I doubt you'll ever get me to beg." Taka elbowed Tasuki in the ribs. "I'll go get us a lane and some shoes."

 

Taka peered around to find the front desk and where the shoe rental was. "Alight. You pick out two good balls," he said with a sly grin. "What size are you?"

 

Tasuki shrugged, not entirely sure what that little question was supposed to have meant. "I dunno, never measured," he replied just as vaguely, watching Taka's expression and swallowing hard. The fact that Taka had had a boyfriend before was still niggling in the back of his mind and making him take everything in the wrong way, but he couldn't be sure that that wasn't what was meant. "What size are you?" He almost blushed after asking that question, but barely managed to keep heat from flooding his face.

 

Taka eyed him with a raised eyebrow. "You'd rather pick up our shoes? Ok, then sign us up too. The lines are in the same spot for that. Either twenty-five-and-a-half or twenty-six for me, whichever they have." Taka smiled at Tasuki. "What weight?"

 

<i>Aha, I got the wrong idea,</i> Tasuki thought, laughing at himself. "Same weight as yours, I guess." He grinned then turned and looked around for the desk. Spotting it, he went to stand in line.

 

It didn't really take that long but long enough for Tasuki's temper to start wearing thin. He growled out shoe sizes, just barely managed to ask for a lane rather than demanding one, and all but slammed his money down on the desk.

 

Two sets of shoes under his arm and a plaque in his grip, Tasuki finally was able to return. He struggled to hide his irritation, pasting on a smile as he handed over the shoes. "Lines are nuts," he muttered under his breath.

 

"More like ridiculous," Taka agreed, handing him a score card that was left behind by the previous occupants. "You were gone for an hour!" Taka took his shoes, thanked Tasuki and slipped off his own. "Oh well, just have to stay out later is all. Do you have work tomorrow? Or your yacht club meeting?" He asked, tying off his laces with a laugh.

 

Tasuki laughed, "Not workin' yet, but... Do I look like the type a guy who would own a yacht?" Then without giving Taka a chance to answer, he continued. "Hell no. Oceans and lakes can keep their asses away from me. The only water that's worth anythin' is for bathin' or drinkin'. Other'n that, you'd hafta knock me out to get me in the water or else over power me."

 

Tasuki kicked his shoes off then slid them under the bench, "Ugh, these shoes are ugly," he grumbled, snarling his nose up at the brown and red loafers.

 

Taka agreed full-heartedly, "They do seem to strive for the worst combinations of colors imaginable," he said with a burst of laughter. "You want to go first or second?" He got up and started typing in their information to the keypad at the center island. "Team name?" he asked the machine curiously, then swiveled to glance back at Tasuki. "You want to do a team or individual? Individual right?"

 

"Which ever way lets me kick your ass, Taka-chan," Tasuki teased, lips curled into a smirk.

 

Tasuki finished tying his shoes and stood, curiously looking down at what Taka was typing in. "Uh, yeah, I'll let you handle that. I've never played before so, yeah, you do it."

 

"Individual it is. I don't think we need a team name. You're going first," Taka stepped aside and waved to the balls in the rack. "Hope you like the one I picked out for you."

 

The game started the screen displaying Tasuki's name first next to a little grid. A cute icon popped up next to Tasuki's name, a little girl with freckles and bright pink hair. The pins were set up and Taka took a seat. "You don't need me to teach you, do you?"

 

Tasuki glared at the little icon, wondering why he had to get the pink haired girl. "Ya roll the ball down the lane, ne? Can't be that damn difficult, right?" His glare smoothed and he glanced over at Taka, looking at him silently for a moment before moving to the ball return and hefting a dark blue bowling ball.

 

"It's gonna take a few minutes to get used to this, so no laughin' or I'll put ya over my knee," Tasuki growled, but a grin curved his lips. Then, his attention turned to the slim white pins.

 

Fingers in the little holes, Tasuki focused on the pins at the end of the lane, swung the ball back and let it roll. Four pins went down and he frowned. "Harder than it looks," he grumbled.

 

Taka nodded. "You get one more shot, make it worth it." He crossed his legs at the ankle and smirked, keeping an eye on Tasuki's hands and how he stood.

 

Tasuki perked up at that. He still had another shot. His ball rolled up the return and he hefted it again, staring down the lane. He was a seishi and, damnit he could pick a route in the blink of an eye to run in without the first hint of missing his target. He could roll a stupid ball down a lane and hit the remaining pins.

 

Eyes narrowed on the left side of the pins that were still standing, Tasuki swung his arm back and sent the ball down the lane. He crouched down and watched as the ball closed in on the pins, a smile lifted his lips but then they fell again. The ball had gone off course and hit only four more pins. "Damnit. Arright, your turn, Taka-can." The pins were swept away and new ones set up in their place. "You'll hafta deal with the scoring 'cause I got no idea how to do that."

 

Taka put a hand on Tasuki's shoulder, having already gotten up as the ball was rolling down the lane. "Don't have to," he pointed up to the screen where the little girl was putting up sparkly numbers on a scoreboard. "You'll get better. Next set I'll show you the basics if you want. I'm not that much better, but I'll tell you what I know."

 

Taka picked up a shiny red ball and held it to his chest as he lined himself up in front of the pins. He held out his arm, swung back and ended in a little almost pose as he watched the ball curve dangerously close to the edge. Taka leaned backward as if his body could pull the ball towards him and the ball obeyed. It arced gracefully and hit the front pin back into seven others. He frowned, "Stupid splits I always get em."

 

The machine lifted the pins and brushed aside the fallen ones waiting for his next shot. One went down and a rather confused-looking cat tallied his score.

 

Tasuki watched Taka bowl the ball down the lane, trying to see how the different stance affected the results. His brow furrowed, curious. "That's gonna be hard to finish off," he noted, moving to stand beside Taka and frowning at the pins that refused to fall.

 

"So, ya hold your body a certain way an' the ball goes that way?" Tasuki rubbed his jaw then glanced over at the lane beside theirs where a couple was in a similar situation to theirs; bowling against each other. They looked much happier and looked like the prizes for getting strikes were kisses.

 

Tasuki snorted and shook his head. He couldn't offer that kind of incentive, he'd only just met Taka and hadn't noticed any sort of interest of that sort anyway. "Looks like we ain't the only ones in a match," he said, nodding towards the couple.

 

Taka glanced up at the two who had just finished a little spin around peck on the lips. "Cute," he said, hardly looking at the couple and picking up Tasuki's ball and handing it over. "Here." Taka held the ball out and waited for Tasuki to take it, then he arranged his hands in a better position. "Hold it like this, then when you release it, put a little spin on it."

 

Taka slid Tasuki's arm down and arced it out in front of him, still holding the ball's weight and twisting Tasuki's hands to give him a feel for the bowl. "Try that."

 

"Show me that again?" Tasuki had found himself paying attention to the heat of Taka's hand rather than the technique and it threw him for a moment. "I wanna make sure I've got it right before I bowl it," he added, trying to cover his lack of attention.

 

Tasuki tried to mimic whatever Taka had been doing, but was sure that it wasn't exactly right. Of course, it should give credit to his request. "That twist thing -here, stand behind me an' show me what ya mean. I can't really see what ya did with your hand in the way."

 

Taka looked around the bowling ally, then nodded. "Ok." He stood behind Tasuki, shadowing his arms behind his. "Li-" he cleared his throat, "Like this." he said into Tasuki's ear. He repeated the movement, leaning in to show Tasuki how to extend his arm at the end.

 

Tasuki paid closer attention this time, though it was a little harder when Taka leaned close and was breathing in his ear. He fought off the urge to shiver, nodding instead. "Oh, I get it. Thanks, Taka," he turned his head to grin in appreciation but caught sight of Taka's blush and how close they were and turned his head quickly.

 

Tasuki licked his lips and swallowed, mimicking the movement again to make sure he had it right. "Like this?" His voice was a little shaky, but he hoped that Taka wouldn't notice. It would be too embarrassing.

 

Taka stepped back quickly, flicking a glancing around the ally again. "Yeah, yeah… that's it." He reached behind him and felt for the edge of the chair, sitting down with a huff of breath. "Do that and you're sure to get a split," he laughed, scratching his head and shrugging. "I'm not a bowling expert, but it's better than gutter balls."

 

The couple glanced at them, the girl smiling politely, the man giving them a cast off look.

 

Tasuki turned and laughed, "Oh, I see how ya are. I'll make sure not to split 'em, just watch me!" He smirked challengingly, but it dropped into a frown when he noticed the direction Taka was looking.

 

The disgusted glare the man in the other lane was giving them set Tasuki's teeth on edge. "What? Ya ain't never seen friends show each other how t'bowl before? Fuck off, jerk," he growled, one fisted hand on his hip while the other held the ball in the bend of his elbow.

 

The man curled his lip and dragged the girl away, leaving their lane open and their game unfinished. Tasuki just snorted, "Fuckers are too nosey. It ain't like we was doin' anything indecent, ne? Jerks."

 

Tasuki returned his glare to the lane and swung his arm back, letting the ball go with a little more force than he had intended. True to what Taka had said, the pins split right down the middle. "Damnit! Arright, we gotta work on a different technique. Maybe combine mine an' yours an' see what happens?"

 

Taka was watching the couple stalk out with a strange look on his face, when Tasuki addressed him, he turned though. "Oh yeah, sure. That way we're sure to win," he said his tone laden with sarcasm. He got up, slowly, casting a glance down to his lap before straightening. "I'll try it and see." He grinned at Tasuki, picking up his ball out of the return.

 

"Jerk," Tasuki muttered and stuck his tongue out at Taka, "I didn't gutter it all the time, just once. Maybe not so much twist an' it'll be good." He hadn't missed the odd look Taka had given his lap, but didn't notice any stains or anything on the pants so he shrugged it off.

 

"Oh, shit, what kinda drink did ya want? I was supposed to buy drinks 'cause of that little race you won, ne?" Tasuki dug his wallet out of his pocket and flipped through the bills then nodded. "Just can't get more'n about twelve rounds or so or I'll hafta go get more cash."

 

Taka shrugged with a smile on his lips. "I'm a light weight, don't worry. I'll have whatever."

 

Taka took aim and let the ball slide from his hand. It rolled down the lane and hit smack-dab in the correct spot. Taka waited and as the last pin dropped he jumped up. "Yes!" he hooted, turning around to Tasuki and giving him a wink. "Guess us in combo does work."

 

"Ha! I told ya it would work!" Tasuki patted Taka's shoulder, a wide grin on his lips. "Pick up your spare while I go get a couple a beers."

 

Tasuki sauntered over to the concession stand, his happy grin even wider. "Yeah, gimme two a your imports," he told the man behind the counter. Two slid across the counter and Tasuki tossed down the money for the drinks. The price was a little higher, but he was too psyched over Taka getting a strike with his idea to mind.

 

Tasuki set their beers on the small table between the benches, "How did ya do?" He looked up at the score board and frowned. "Hey! You can't go gettin' ahead a me! This means war, Taka-chan," he winked and grinned at his new friend.

 

Taka flashed a challenging grin back to him. "If you don't like it, do something about it." He walked back to the table, picked up the drink and guzzled down a swig. He finished with a nod, "I wanna see you beat me," he said, winking an eye and gesturing with the bottle.

 

"I arready told ya I was gonna make ya beg, ne? Now, we'll get to see it." Tasuki took a sip of his beer, set it down and went to grab his ball from the return. He snatched it up, swung back and whipped the ball forward, adding just the slightest spin.

 

Tasuki watched the ball critically as it rolled down the center of the lane and, with a clatter of wood and porcelain, he straightened. He looked back over his shoulder at Taka, a gleam in his eyes. "Strike," he grinned, fighting the urge to bounce like a happy kid in front of Taka.

 

Tasuki picked up his ball and rolled a second with his spare. This time he couldn't help his reaction. He leapt up, grinning madly, and let out a whoop. "Yeah! Two in a row! I'll be paddlin' your ass from here out!"

 

Taka stared bewildered at the second strike. "Oh god, is that's what we're betting on?" he shook his head, standing and gawking at Tasuki. "'I never bowled before' my ass. You're a hustler!"

 

Taka grabbed Tasuki's shoulders and turned him around. "You get one more shot, jerk, if I see any turkeys up there, I'll kick your ass."

 

Tasuki laughed and grabbed his ball from the return, "I swear! Beginners luck, but that don't mean I'm gonna let ya get away with that threat. I dare ya to kick my ass, we'll have it out once I hand yours to ya."

 

Tasuki hefted his ball up, looked behind him to make sure Taka wasn't going to mess him up, then sent his ball rolling down the lane. A third strike. "HA!" He spun and did a happy little dance then proudly walked over and flopped down beside Taka. "Tur-key!" he sang, then leaned over and grabbed his beer, tipping it back for a deep drink.

 

Taka glared at him playfully. "Yeah, yeah, beginner's luck. We'll just see how long that lasts." He fluffed Tasuki's hair in the back as he got up. Mumbling something under his breath and picked up his ball again. He centered himself, glancing at the dancing little turkey in the box and grimacing. Letting the ball go it went almost immediately into the gutter. "Damn, your bad luck rubbed off on me."

 

Tasuki laughed, setting his drink down, and moved to Taka's side. "I ain't rubbed anything on ya, you're just pissy because I figured out how to win. You were holdin' the ball all wrong, anyway."

 

Tasuki scooted around and stood behind Taka, "Your feet are too close together," he said, nudging Taka's feet apart with his own. "Now," he moved his hands to Taka's and shifted them to how he usually held the ball. "Instead a twistin' it that hard, sorta let it roll offa your fingers." He demonstrated, speaking softly in Taka's ear.

 

Taka shivered a little. "T-Terry… I think I got… I got it." He obviously didn't get it, he was holding it all wrong still and he had started leaning back.

 

Tasuki frowned and put an arm around Taka to steady him, "Hey, you okay?" He pulled Taka back to rest against his chest and pulled the ball from his hands. He set it in the ball return and helped Taka sit down on the bench. He took the space beside Taka and brushed his hair back, looking worriedly at the blush on Taka's face.

 

Tasuki brushed his thumb over Taka's cheek, a concerned frown on his face. "You need me to get ya some water? You look flushed."

 

Taka shook his head. "No, no, I'm fine," he cleared his throat. "Just... Get me the beer, it's hot in here." He sighed, reaching out for the bottle. He undid a button on his shirt, fanning himself a little. "Man, that's embarrassing." Taka took the beer and took a sip, then put the cold glass against his forehead. "Ahh, better."

 

Taka took a few minutes to adjust slipping the bottle over his neck and collarbone, then he stood up again, reaching for the ball and bowling two inconsequential hits.

 

Tasuki watched Taka closely, then shook his head and took his turn. Another strike paired with a split. He finished his beer and threw the bottle away. "Ready for another or ya wanna get outta here?"

 

Tasuki worriedly eyed his friend, feeling a little unsure if he should ask to stay. If Taka could almost fall out from the heat -which wasn't that bad -then it was possible that he had pushed himself too much after working all day.

 

"Just finish this set and then we can go," Taka assured Tasuki with a wink. "I want to see who wins."

 

Tasuki offered a grin in return. "Arright, we'll finish up this set then we can go, but if ya feel faint again, lemme know an' I'll help ya outside where it's cooler."

 

Taka bowled the frame with a strike and turned to Tasuki with a grin. "I still have a chance."

 

Tasuki's brow rose and a small smirk lifted the corner of his lips. "Yeah, you've got a chance," he paused, his smirk widening. "To get your ass kicked."

 

Taka paused, downing the rest of his drink and putting it back on the table. "You know, you're one interesting person.”

 

“Interestin'?” Tasuki's brows furrowed into a confused frown. “What does that mean?” He leaned back slightly, a brow raised suspiciously. “You don't mean that in a bad way, right? Like, `interesting' meanin' `strange' or `weird', right? I dunno if I wanna seem like that to ya.”

 

Taka shook his head. "Not strange, more... mercurial, but not in a bad way." He gave Tasuki a wink and a shrug, "How many are left?"

 

Tasuki leaned back and settled his arms along the back of the seat, head tipped slightly to one side and looking up through the fringe of his bangs. “So ya don't mean it in a bad way," he asked, chewing his lower lip.

 

Tasuki nodded then looked up at the scoreboard. "Uh, I think about four or so? I'm not good at readin' that thing." His lips curved into a smirk, after a moment. "But, I know I'm kickin' your ass." Tasuki snickered and shook his head. "So, what kinda prize do I get when I win?" His eyes took a quick evaluation of Taka's body, but then he realized what that must look like and jerked his eyes back to the scoreboard.

 

"Ha, you got one lucky strike and now you're a master? I…" Taka glanced over his shoulder and paused with a sympathetic look over to Tasuki. "See? Interesting." He bowled his turn and came back to his seat.

 

Tasuki frowned and leaned his elbows on his knees. "Well, I just..." he trailed off and chewed his lip. "I'm not usually like this. Just with you, ya know? You kinda remind me a someone I used t'know. We had a real intense rivalry goin' because I hadda make sure he was good enough for Mi-chan an', well..."

 

Tasuki shrugged off the memories of his life before the curse and stood, forcing a grin back onto his lips. "He was, but Mi-chan hadda move away before they could have a real relationship. I guess it's why I'm kinda protective a her. She was real broken up about it, ya know?" Shrugging off the rather sad atmosphere, he took his turn and came back with another pair of strikes followed by a gutter ball. "Heh," he said, taking his seat.

 

Taka didn't move from his seat. He was watching Tasuki intently as he came back. "I remind you of someone who used to go out with Miaka?" he asked, an uncertain tone in his voice. "This whole thing isn't a set up, right? I just need to make sure."

 

Tasuki blinked and looked up at Taka, a look of confusion on his face. "What? Set up?" The light bulb went on and his eyes widened. "Ya mean tryin' to set ya up with Miaka? No, no, I was just tryin' to explain why I'm so...'interesting'."

 

Tasuki leaned back and settled his arms along the back of the seat once more, head tipped slightly to one side and looking up through the fringe of his bangs at the scoreboard so that Taka couldn't see his expression. “So, since I ain't `interesting' in a bad way, would ya mind comin' up to my place when we leave?” He asked, trying to steer the conversation away from Miaka and Tamahome. “I've got a few pretty good films we could watch, that way ya won't be hot an' almost faint again,” he realized what that sounded like and hurried to fix it. “Not that I mind helpin' ya, of course. Just don't want ya to pass out on me. I got no clue where ya live an' I kinda doubt you'd like wakin' up in my bed with no idea how ya got there.”

 

Taka just stared at Tasuki, blinking. "I… don't know what to say," he just looked down, smiling and laughing a little. "You're confusing as hell, but I'm not minding it." He looked down at his hands and over to the door with a mixed frown. "You know… I think I should pass for tonight. I'll walk you home, but you've got someone waiting there for you."

 

Tasuki nodded and stood again, “Well, since I've confused ya an' it's startin' to get late, wanna put our match on hold an' head back, then?” He offered Taka his hand, though he was still a little leery that the other man would fall or pass out. “You've got work tomorrow, ne? I guess it was a bad idea to ask ya up.” He wanted to say that there wasn't anyone waiting on him, but he didn't know for sure so he couldn't argue.

 

Taka looked over his shoulder at the few frames they had left. "Yeah, I guess I was just delaying the inevitable." he said with a shrug, "Ok. I'm off tomorrow, but it is getting late." He sat down and took off his shoes. "Do you have to be the one to return these?"

 

Tasuki didn't know how to reply to that little phrase. <i>Delayin' the inevitable? It kinda sounds like... no, that can't be it,</>i he thought, shaking his head to clear the thought from his mind.

 

Tasuki kicked off his own shoes then picked them up. "Nah, the number inside tells 'em which markers to remove. I'll walk up with ya, though, since I gotta return mine."

 

Taka walked over to the counter, gave his shoes over and waited for them to return his own. He said nothing, but kept glancing at Tasuki. At points it looked as if he were going to say something, but he would just sigh and shake his head instead, deciding at the last minute to stay silent. "Thank you." he nodded to the boy behind the counter and knelt to slip on his shoes again.

 

Tasuki dropped his rental-shoes on the counter and was given his own back, which he dropped on the floor and stepped into. His were easier to put on. Boots usually were. He had noticed Taka's false starts but hadn't pushed. Things were starting to feel a little awkward so he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Wanna go out tomorrow? There's a park not far from here an' I was hopin' you'd have some free time."

 

Taka looked up at him from the floor. "Hmm? Tomorrow?" He thought about it, standing and tapping his shoes on the ground to fit them in better. "Sure. Um, give me a call, as I said, I'm off."

 

They were tallied up, and Taka walked over to the door. "Ready?"

 

Tasuki paid the bill and followed Taka to the door, "Yeah, let's go," he answered, feeling a little unsure now that Taka's attitude seemed to be a little strained. He chewed his lip for a moment, walking down the street that they had raced on earlier, trying to decide how to get that friendly atmosphere back. "What's wrong? You're bein' awful quiet. Did I say somethin' that upset ya?"

 

Taka shifted his gaze over to Tasuki, silently weighing the question. "You said a lot of things,” he finally said. "But nothing upset me. It's just... hard to get a reading on you is all and I don't want to over step my boundaries."

 

Tasuki quirked his brows, shooting a weird look at Taka. "What?" He shook his head and tried again. "Look, I don't put boundaries up. If it feels weird, I'll let ya know. That's all we can really do, ne? Until we know each other better, we've gotta test things out."

 

Tasuki put a hand on Taka's shoulder, a grin on his lips. "We arready know a little, ne? We both like pizza that's been piled high with everything under the sun, we both like teasin' an' playin' around, we both suck at bowlin' though we work well together when we try. That's a pretty good start in my book." He offered a wink and slid his arm over Taka's shoulders, comfortable with the show of friendship.

 

Taka gave Tasuki a look, letting the words settle. "Ok, ok. Take it slow. I get you." He hesitantly put his arm around Tasuki's shoulders, mirroring him. "So Pizza, bad bowling and teasing. I like doodling, bad kung fu movies; the color red and long walks on the beach too. Hello my name's Taka, nice to meet you," he joked, mockingly bowing formally after his introduction.

 

Tasuki laughed and shook his head before deciding to tease as well. In the back of his mind, old Tibbs was coaching his words. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Taka." He shifted and executed a courtly bow that he had been trained to do by his trusty aged valet. "I am Terry and I've been known to bore people to death with my extensive knowledge of flowers and their meanin's, my ability to play cricket, my utter lack of formal manners and know just about every language there is," he answered.

 

"I find myself enjoyin' walks in the park, ancient stories, golden brown is my favorite color, and I really like foreign places." Tasuki finished, tucking his Regency era memories back before he could switch to English.

 

Taka lightened up almost immediately, laughing so hard that he had to clutch his belly in pain. "Oh god, that was great! You do the bow so well, so western!" He wiped tears from his eyes, but he was still laughing, catching his breath in hiccups and sputters.

 

Tasuki grinned and shrugged, "Tibbs was a good man an' taught me how t'be respectable, though I kinda did used to make an ass outta myself-" he broke off and swallowed, trying to change the direction of that sentence. "He was a damn good actin' coach," he finished lamely.

 

Tasuki found himself saddled with a strong wave of nostalgia as he listened to Taka laugh. His laugh and his scent reminded him of someone he knew a long time ago. Someone who used to stare at him with almost loving dark eyes and used to have a rather annoying habit of calling him -no, he couldn't think about that, not now. It had been almost three hundred years since he'd seen that particular face and it still ached.

 

When Taka finally managed to gather his breath, he was grinning from ear to ear again. No trace of the uncertainty in his manor, as if it hadn't ever existed. "Well, give Tibbs my regards. That was a great performance." Taka turned down a block on instinct, heading home in the direction he knew.

 

Tasuki paused, looking the opposite direction for a moment then caught up to Taka and pulled him to a stop. "I would be he's long gone. But, uhm, where are we goin'? My place is back the other way... but, yeah, um, I'll call ya tomorrow, then."

 

Tasuki patted Taka's shoulder but wasn't ready to go back home yet. Shaking his head at himself, he grinned. "Tomorrow, ne?" He turned and headed back towards his own home, though his steps were much slower than they had been all night.

 

"Oh, yeah. Sorry." Taka winced. "I was going on auto pilot. I'll hear from you tomorrow, then?" he called out to Tasuki as they parted ways.

 

Tasuki turned and grinned, but only half of his smile was good-natured, the other was rather unhappy. "Yeah, tomorrow," he said feeling a little uncomfortable now that they were going separate ways. He really liked Taka's company; he was funny and had an air about him that put Tasuki at ease.

00

 

By the time Tasuki got home that evening he was a little confused. Not once had Taka acted like anything other than a typical teenaged guy. Pizza had turned into a round of bowling in which their old rivalry was once again ignited.

 

Conversation was easy-going and fun, a couple of beers and a pizza split between them, a rousing game of one-on-one bowling for strikes, and a walk almost home filled with even more comfortable conversation that hadn't once slipped into territory that could be considered telling. All in all, it felt like a typical guy's night out.

 

Which was what confused him.

 

Keisuke and Miaka weren't there when he got home, and Taka had gone on to his own home, so Tasuki really didn't have anyone with which to muddle through what had happened. At the café, Taka had almost seemed to be coming on to him. Then, when they had been out, it was a typical night out with friends.

 

With a sigh, Tasuki plopped down on the couch and eyed the book sitting on his coffee table. He'd stolen it from the library not long after Miaka and Yui came out of it, but hadn't opened it. He had hoped that Miaka would read it and see how Tamahome was doing and put her heart at ease but she hadn't. When she had seen it, she had cried and said that it was too soon to open the book again.

 

Now, though, in the darkness of his living room, Tasuki leaned forward and picked up the book. It felt strange in his hands -worse now than when he had stolen it, and a tingle ran up his arm. Something was waiting for him to open it, so he dared not. He didn't know if he could ever come back out again and he had no intentions of living another four hundred years while he waited to get back to this point.

 

Instead, he put the book back down with a grumble and nearly jumped out of his skin when his cell phone jingled and vibrated in his pocket. Pulling the thin Razor out, he flipped it open and glanced at the caller I.D. It took a moment to decide if he was going to answer, but he did and held the phone to his ear. “Yeah?”

 

“Hey, Terry. Look, I know it's strange for me to call you now, especially since you just got home, but could you do me a favor?” Taka's smooth voice came over the line.

 

“Uh, what kinda favor? It's late an' I was gonna call ya in the mornin',” Tasuki answered carefully, not sure what he could possibly do.

 

“Go to the window.”

 

Curious and a little confused, Tasuki pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at it a moment then put it back, standing. “Okay. What does me goin' to the window do for you?” He asked, moving to the window and pushing the curtains aside and looking down only to stare in surprise. Taka was standing on the sidewalk, looking up.

 

“Gotcha.” Taka laughed into the phone, “Now I know where you live and I can come by after work -if that's okay with you, of course.”

 

Tasuki shook his head and hung up the phone. He opened the window and leaned against the sill, calling down to the boy on the sidewalk. “If ya wanted to know where I lived that damn bad, Taka, you could have accepted when I asked you to come up.”

 

Taka slipped his phone into his pocket, a smile in his voice and on his face. “But then if you had company, I would have had to share your attention. Now that I know no one is there, I might come up.”

 

Tasuki was glad of the late evening lack of light; the dark covered the light blush on his face. “Get your ass up here, an' ya better bring a damn good explanation with ya.”

 

“Number?”

 

“376, third floor, end of the hall on the left.”

 

“Then I and my explanations will be there in a few minutes.”

 

And with that, Taka was out of sight and Tasuki pulled the window down. “Shit, what the hell is happening?”

 

“Sounds to me like you've found him, Tasuki.”

 

“Oh come on, Grandma!” Tasuki growled and spun to face Taiitsukun who had resumed her scary basset hound looks. “We've been over this -“

 

“And I'm telling <i>you</i> that he is your One. Tamahome might not have been, but Taka is.” Taiitsukun cut in, a smug grin on her heavy jowls. “You must have felt it, Tasuki. You must have noticed that he only looked at you the entire time you were out together.”

 

“You were watching? What the fuck kinda perverted sick-o are ya?” Tasuki returned; a dangerous glint in amber colored eyes.

 

“The kind that has spent centuries trying to push you towards him! Every time I sent you near him, you ran away or got hung up on some stupid little technicality. He was on ship with you when you left China, but you were still too broken up about Chichiri to even notice him. He was there when you went to Cairo and tried out tomb raiding. He was the stable boy at Nuriko and Hotohori's uncle's home. He was your second in command during the First World War. You can't have missed him every time!” Taiitsukun crossed her chubby, age-spotted arms and glared right back. “I suggest that you get it right this time because Suzaku is tired of sending your One to you only to have you turn away.”

 

She then vanished in a pouf of smoke, leaving Tasuki standing in the middle of his living room, shell-shocked with his jaw hanging somewhere around his knees.

00

 

TBC…

So! I've set up a few things to happen which will really screw with canon in the next chapter. Hope you are all hanging on, because the next bit will be coming out rapid-fire and might lose you. Thank you so much for reading!