written 23-Mar-2004
archived 24-Sept-2004
Title: Same Time Next Year?
Fandom: GetBackers
Genre: random insanity
Author: bonnejeanne and Nixers
Contact: bonnejeanne@yahoo.com and nixerchan@aol.com
Spoilers: Manga, Card Arc?
Pairings: more implied than anything
Warnings: None? Random silliness?
Notes: Inspired by hearsay of a famous incident in the Card Arc. Probably way off base but this is just for fun, so come on, suspend disbelief! ;)
Same Time Next Year?
It was an event that only happened once in a blue moon. An event so powerful, it could shake that empathic bond the GetBackers had into fearsome rivalry.
They'd managed to beg a full pizza from Master.
Such events were never peaceful.
"Ban-channn! That was on my side."
"Urasai! You're just complaining because it was bigger than the rest."
A petulant frown before the resident electric eel snagged not one, but two pieces of pizza from Ban's side of the tray and was doing his best to shove both pieces in his mouth at once.
Mid-dustball fight for what had become shreds and scraps of pizza, somehow a low cough from Master carried over the ruckus. Customer, incoming.
The bell chimed, followed by the softer ring of smaller bells as the 'customer' stepped in. Ban gave him his best beady eyes. "Your timing's off, we don't have a job for you to butt into."
"I need a favor." Kazuki said quietly. Oddly, his eyes weren't on Ginji as would have been expected, but Ban. It gave the darker Retrieval agent shivers up his spine. Oh, no. Things like this were never good.
"Not interested..."
"But Ban-chan..."
"Nope."
"You haven't even listened..."
"And I'm not gonna."
"I'll buy lunch..." Kazuki's eyebrows twitched, that unusual frown deepening as he was argued over. He took a deep breath. "I'll BUY LUNCH!"
Dead silence as both GetBackers froze.
"Master! Three more pizzas!"
"Master! Sandwiches!"
"Bring on the coffee!"
Kazuki sighed. Well... if it worked, it would be worth it.
Kazuki watched in some bemused fascination at the sheer amount they could snarf down in such a short amount of time (there actually WAS enough on the table to keep them from bickering), and left him more than a little thankful that he HAD just finished a job. This was going to be expensive.
Ginji literally got smaller the more he... expanded. By the time the table was cleared, he was a little contented ball of Ginji rolling around on his little space of the bench.
While Ban didn't seem to have any reservations about speed in devouring the rare free meal, he never quite took a suspicious eye off of their guest.
"Kay. Whatcha want?" Ban grumped finally, trying to ignore the sparkles from Ginji's direction.
"Ano..." Kazuki finally looked away, his fingers lacing and unlacing. He could have sworn he had figured out a way to ask this... all those rational and calm things seemed to have flitted away. "The witches blood... has Maria-san told you anything else about it?"
Ban froze, eyes narrowing to just glimmers of blue, "Why would she tell me anything?" He crossed his arms. "She thinks it's more fun to leave me in the dark."
"Nothing then..." The hands that fidgeted had stilled, clenching over themselves enough for white to be around the knuckles. "I need to know if what you did can wear off."
Ban's expression darkened for a moment, thoughts bridging into places about the curse and power that he never liked. For only a moment. "Of course it'd last! It's strong, powerful... virile!" And I'm sure as hell not doing that again! he added silently, willing the heat away from the tips of his ears. Damned babba.
Natsumi's light and undeniably airy voice broke in, big wide eyes as she cleaned up the veritable tower of empty dishes. "Are you all right Kazuki-san?"
"Aa," the young man brightened up immediately, waving off the concern. He beamed at Ban. "So if it's nothing, you don't mind just coming along, maybe taking a look?"
"Eh...." That didn't look good.... neither did the expectant looks from all around him.
Kazuki took that moment to pick up the bill and smile oh so sweetly. "I'm sure it's worth that 300 dollars worth of food." He nikoed, Ban could have sworn he did. "Ne?"
Ban deflated. Trapped, expertly, and no way to weasel out with Paul watching. "Fine!"
"Yatta!" The little bonzai flags were out. The other knew it was something serious, he really did, and was just as concerned... but it had been a while since they had gotten to play with Kazuki-chan.
Twitch. Ban got up to leave... and realized he had no idea where the damned crawfish hunter had been staying all this time. "Where to?"
"Ah, we took him to Mugenjou to get looked over. It seemed like the best place."
Ginji... quite noticeably deflated into a little puddle, fans pattering to the floor.
"Eh... Mr. Enthusiasm?" The Jagan couldn't have created such a gleefully evil look on Ban's face. He grabbed his partner by the collar of his jacket and started dragging for the door. "Ready to go?"
"Yaaaddddddddaaaaaaaaaa."
~ * ~
The blond Hell Knight looked almost sweet on one of the beds in the Pharmacy. Well, sweet with a bit of cranky thrown in, frowning even with his eyes closed. He'd been sleeping an awful lot, which was good, it made things easier for Juubei, who had been assigned to keep him there. And not to stick too many needle holes in him in the process.
Juubei, for his part, was leaning back in the chair set at the Hell Knight's bedside, arms crossed and expression stony. While he and the other man had come to an agreement over a few issues, there were some other things that had yet to clear the air.
Notably about five needles hovering two or three feet above the mattress just in case a little short of 'too many needle holes' might have been needed as a deterrent.
The thing that had been unsettling Juubei from the very start of things a week ago.. was that the deterrent had been largely unnecessary to the point of feeling a little silly. Normally, the stubborn, proud man would have fought him life or death over that keep-him-in-bed order (after Kazuki left... and after they both made sure there weren't any strings left in the room). It was getting to the point where he'd occasionally strain every last of his remaining senses to make sure the fighter was still in the room.
Not a fuss at all.
It certainly wasn't fitting into the world properly. It was almost a relief when he heard the other man stir from sleep. "Kazuki should be back in a bit," he said, fulfilling one of Kazuki's requests as soon as possible.
The frown was one of the only outward signs of certain horrific nightmares that had become a part of the draining illness Uryuu Toshiki had been suffering from. The frown persisted as the blond blinked awake, the low sound that had alerted Juubei being the other sign. It was possible to force oneself awake to escape a lucid dream... but not usually pleasant.
Swallowing through a dry throat, he managed a truly unimpressive ghost of a glare at the blind man, who couldn't see it in any case.
"Get rid of those damn needles," Toshiki muttered, batting the air vaguely. "...need to take care of something..."
The glowing globe appeared in Juubei's hands, but the needles didn't waver. Made it very hard to tell if it was a threat or a leaning towards compliance. "You're supposed to stay in bed," he insisted quietly.
Toshiki's cheeks reddened slightly.
"Damn you, Kakei." The rest devolved into a mutter as he pushed himself to a sitting position preparatory to getting up. Among the mutters, "...*not* using... bedpan..."
Even the hum of the slivers of metal seemed to still as Juubei listened. The needles slid back in the air to their master, settling into his palm and disappearing.
There were some matters of simple pride that he understood quite well. There was little in the way of wires or tubes to clear for Uryuu, they had quite simply had found nothing wrong yet with the other man to treat.
He knew better than to ask if the other needed help, but got ready to stand himself if needed.
Toshiki made it to his feet, though there was a slight swaying to his posture that couldn't be passed off as the grace of the man who's fighting style was described by Kazuki as his "dance".
The distance was short to the curtained doorway that provided private facilities. Even so it was odd to see the proud man reach for the support of the doorframe before he disappeared behind the curtain.
But Juubei had little or no warning when, on the return trip, Toshiki suddenly clutched at his chest before his legs folded under him, several feet short of the bed.
Only Toshiki's knees hit the floor, as a pair of hands was steadying him before he could finish the collapse. It was amazing, how fast and sure the blind man could move when in Mugenjou, and served well enough for the moment.
He didn't bother with the call button, he was sure at least one of the three were watching right now. He could feel the faint tremors of pain in Uryuu's frame, and his hand brushed over his rival's face, feeling the dusting of eyelashes. Conscious.
He picked up the other man, even knowing he'd hear about it after the attack subsided.
Toshiki grit his teeth and didn't protest or try to push the blind man away, though his eyes averted and his pallor increased, then went the opposite direction into a flush.
Thank the gods Kazuki wasn't here to see this...
Juubei paused, a little relieved to hear footsteps. Gen, finally, the old man would know what to do. A moment before the door opened, he realized the cadence was far to light and quick to be Gen's.
"Juubei! Toshiki!" Kazuki's voice, with all the tones of good news, wasn't quite what either of them wanted to hear at that exact moment. Juubei, suddenly realizing his hands were on bare skin under that half gown nearly dropped Toshiki in his haste to straighten up. "Oh... Gomen ne!" Kazuki, eyes wide made to close the door, notably before the two men accompanying him got there.
The soft words muttered by Toshiki hinted at an up-to-that-point undiscovered talent for obscure and descriptive profanity possibly developed while working in the service of the so-called fallen angel.
"Put me the [deleted] down, you bastard!" was added at the end to clarify.
"Kazuki... iie..." Juubei, ducking his head a little, returned to his normal expression with amazing speed. He frowned a little at the little collection of obscenity rising up from the other man, then... found it very easy to follow that particular order. He made something of a show of this time, actually dropping him that short distance. "Ouji-san should be on his way. This one was a little too fast."
Ban, still with a hand on Ginji, no longer to keep him from escaping, the former thunder emperor was following without protest now that he actually was back again. It was just a lot easier to keep him from wandering off this way and getting miserably lost. "What's too fast?" he said, refusing to be any less suspicious, or any more cooperative now that it really looked like there was something to the concerns.
Kazuki walked forward quietly, settling a hand on the blond's chest, and putting himself in the way of any brewing fight. "Heart problems again?" he murmured, to Toshiki, as if there was any other answer.
Ginji looked up at Ban, frowning. "I thought you fixed that..."
Toshiki stilled instantly at Kazuki's touch, his fierce expression fading to slightly sullen and even a touch cute in a scolded, little-boy way.
"It's nothing. I'll take a nap." He managed a brief glare at the two other visitors - no fair bringing them in when he was dressed like this. "What are they doing here?"
Kazuki smiled down at Toshiki, nodding as if he serenely accepted the dismissive words about the condition. "Ah, I brought them just in case they might be able to help. Do you mind terribly much?"
Kazuki reached out with his other hand, settling it on Juubei's arm. The results weren't quite so visible, but he could feel the muscles relax a little under his fingers.
"I don't see how they could help." It wasn't exactly an argument. "I don't need dakkanya to get my pants, just make Kakei give them back."
Ban pushed the shades up his nose and shrugged widely. "Well, you heard it, job refused, nothing we can do right now." The walk right back out the door was paused at feeling the whisper of a string at his neck.
Kazuki looked positively angelic. "That was a really expensive bill."
"Ban-chan..." Ginji tugged on Ban's arm. His voice was remarkably soft, though. "Something's wrong... can you help?"
It seemed to be more the tug than the half-hearted threat that caused Ban to sigh, shoulders falling fully. The thread loosened as he stepped forward, enough for him to yank it loose and throw aside.
He walked up to the bedside, feeling more than a little awkward under the bravado.
"So.... now what?"
"I was... hoping you would know." Kazuki answered, a little aware of the stare of the man in the bed, and the phantom weight of attention from his sworn bodyguard.
"I told you she didn't tell me anything!"
"Maybe..."
I'm so not doing that again. But they weren't going to let him leave until he came up with something concrete. Whatever, he'd satisfy the crossdresser and get back to... another step and he actually felt it. Ginji hadn't been off, something was wrong.
Toshiki glared from the bed, annoyed to be stared at by this man, who was always disrespectful to Kazuki. He respected Ban as a fighter, but that only made it more annoying to have him here, now.
"Why did you bring him here, Kazuki?"
"Well... it was quite a bit more serious at the time, but... he may have helped you with this before."
"Oh that?" Toshiki made it sound off-handed even though he didn't remember much about what had happened when he'd been struck down by his master at the time for treason. "I never heard he was a doctor. Anyway it wasn't so serious. Neither is this."
He knew better. He knew the flow of his own ki was ebbing away in some fashion he didn't understand. As if leaking through a hole in nowhere.
"Yes it was!" Ginji burst out. "You were dead! And Ban-chan kissed...mphglk!" he stopped abruptly as he found Ban's hand covering his mouth and none too gently.
The room seemed to pause a moment after the loud denial. Kazuki seemed to be the first to decide that might not have been enough for an explosion. "No, he's not a doctor," he agreed, words just a little hurried. They sharpened a little with concern as he continued. "But Juubei is... so is Gen-san... and MakubeX searched every archive he could get into..." It wasn't said, but something in the tone, even the way he stood that said he thought it was more than serious enough.
"Might still be something else," Juubei spoke up, a frown visible on his brow.
Toshiki hadn't lain down fully, from when Juubei dropped him on the cot, propping himself up on his elbows and then sitting. The concern coming from Kazuki... he wanted to make it go away, but there wasn't any way he could do that.
"I know what it is," he said, his voice low. "At least I can guess. There are prices for some choices. I don't regret this one, so don't make a big deal about it. Take me home... or if not, then let me go and I'll find a peaceful place..."
Kazuki's expression fell entirely. There were no tears but it looked like for all the world that he wanted there to be. "Those aren't options yet." He was clinging to it, he really was.
Ban swore, looking away. Kami-sama this was miserable. He wouldn't admit to liking any of the loonies... but..
"You," Ban spoke up finally, pointing at Toshiki. "I want you to understand before hand, that it's absolutely, totally, and completely nothing personal. Got it?"
Ginji's eyes widened. "Ban-chan! Are you going to ki-"
"URASAI! Kono baka!"
Toshiki's eyes narrowed. He didn't know what was going on but he sensed he wasn't going to like it.
Juubei's eyebrows rose above his shades. The second time was a little too... "Is that what he d..."
"Not now." The strings were very useful transmitting words Kazuki didn't want heard to a single person.
"Oh hell." Ban bit hard on his lip, mentally cursing out that witch. She had to have done this. Laughing her head off right now. Not waiting for the yes or no from the patient, he grabbed Toshiki roughly by the shirt, hauling him up into a bloodied kiss.
The 'shirt' however was a patient's gown and not made for rough treatment. It tore under Ban's grip, revealing beautifully developed musculature beneath, under smooth, golden skin.
Toshiki's eyes widened at the last moment as Ban's mouth met his, too stunned for several moments to react. And just when he was about to do so, muscles tensing, a sudden flash of something, a memory, clear and bright, from his dreams, or, no from somewhere... looking down on a body, himself, from above, the man bending over him, the sudden pull *down* and *back* and slammed into his body again in time to taste copper and feel the ghost of something withdrawing...
Then a vertigo spin whirled around him and something inside seemed to react, to stitch back together like a raveling reversed.
He wasn't aware of his own hand, splendid reflexes even with this, clutching Ban's shoulder, fingers digging in...
Then the clutch became a push, the gap widened between them, as fury and an almost unwelcome sensed of wellness surged through.
"Ba...Ban-chan..." Ginji's breathless, almost mournful voice broke the sudden breath-held silence.
Ban broke out of the mildly dazed state he was in at that voice. He blinked, a visible shiver through his body and the gap more than widened by two hurried steps. He scrubbed at his mouth a little bit. "Nothing personal," he insisted again.
Juubei frowned. He certainly didn't remember the sound of clothes ripping the last time. Certainly Kazuki would have mentioned it to him if it was anything like that... well, most likely anyway. Still, whatever happened that he couldn't see, he could feel something centering.
Toshiki's eyes narrowed, but his expression was a study in conflict. He really, really wanted to ream out Ban for the liberty, and probably challenge him to a fight for the insult to his honor. However it was very evident that whatever - that - was, it had caused a change in his body. As ridiculous as it seemed, the - thing - had helped him, therefore Ban had done him a service and one for which he was practically honor bound to offer some kind of recompense or at the least grateful thanks, and that would be...
Ginji was watching Ban with an uncharacteristically serious expression and for a few moments looked a little like the younger Raitei during a thoughtful moment.
"That was a good thing for you to do, Ban-chan," he said softly.
Kazuki watched a moment longer. Toshiki was certainly regaining color quickly, and to this point, hadn't even had the energy for that kind of conflict on his face. He sat down at the bedside behind the Hell Knight and wrapped his arms around bare chest, setting his chin on the blond's shoulder, looking for all the world extremely content.
He knew Juubei could sense it and wasn't fond of it... but he had plans on spoiling him later for being so good. "Thank you, I owe you for this." He said, voice nearly singing, easily taking Toshiki's debt off of him.
Ban, who had been floundering for a way to shake off the uncomfortable comment, rounded on Kazuki, eyes gleaming. "Damned straight you do!" The wheels turned. This was much easier than the quiet expression, or even taking a compliment. "I'm sure you know where all the good jobs are, Mr. Informer."
"Aa," Kazuki, if anything, smiled a little more. He never did quite answer, really.
Guilelessly, Ginji interrupted the moment. "We should go see MakubeX while we're here! Okay, Ban-chan?"
"Eh..." That certainly didn't sound like a bad idea... especially if he could talk Ginji out of it somewhere along the way. Mainly getting outta here would be a plus... somewhere where he could get to some soap would be even better. Bleh. The blood taste wasn't the thing, it was the heeby-jeebies... no other word for why he still kinda felt it, and a vague awareness of where Toshiki was...
"Eh, sure, why not?" Ban shrugged. He waved over his shoulder at the other group, as he led the way. No way on earth he was going to let Ginji lead. "Least we see what kinda world domination he's gotten into, before we get the job," he finished dryly.
"YAY!!" Ginji popped into tare-stature and began bouncing at Ban's side like a rubber ball. "Bye, Kazu-chan!! Come have lunch any time!" He seemed to forget that Kazuki had *bought* the lunch.
Toshiki grit his teeth, deciding that silence was the most dignified option and mentally willing the two to disappear even faster.
The door closed behind them, Ginji's excited chatter and Ban's loud, quick retorts faded off with their footsteps down the hall.
Kazuki's hands slid down, stroking Toshiki's back. "I'm sorry... I knew what would happen, but I couldn't think of anything else." He actually sounded a little mournful, drooping a little against his Knight's back.
"You...knew...." The two words weren't exactly angry, there was enough embarrassment left to keep them quiet and a bit stilted. However the feel of Kazuki against his skin was rather mollifying.. He cleared his throat. "You could have told me..." It was a remarkably soft complaint.
"It wouldn't have actually been helpful for anyone to know before this happened... then... I didn't want to consider that I could lose you again." The arms circled again. Tightening. "Neither of you. And I'll do whatever it takes, now that I have both of you back with me again." A few breaths, then he continued quietly. "I don't expect you to forgive me... but I can promise you, there are no other secrets... that I know of."
Somehow that was less reassuring that it ought to be but... it was too hard to hold anything against Kazuki now that the rift had been closed.
"...it's fine."
Kakei was being a little too quiet. Smirking probably. "Where are my pants?"
It wasn't visible under the collar, but there was a certain aura of smug radiating from Juubei. Not that he'd admit it under duress, any sort of concern, but now that the crisis was over, there were certain aspects to be enjoyed. He really didn't see why Toshiki was so upset, he'd had almost all of Kazuki's attention the past week. As quiet and serious as ever, "Ren asked if she could get them laundered a few hours ago."
"How long does it take?" Eyes narrowing, "You knew about this?"
"I didn't see a thing."
Eyes narrowed further. "Good answer." There was enough of a growl in it to communicate a secondary message. Something along the lines of, 'when I get my pants back, you better have a better answer or I'm going to kick your ass'.
If anything, the smug was laced with a little anticipation. Now the world was right again. He had absolutely no intentions on making any better answer.
Any answer that he had brewing to that little line got curtailed as Kazuki freed one hand and tugged at his sleeve.
He hesitated for a long moment before sitting down at the bedside too, noticeably a little stiff backed, or at least moreso than usual for him.
Kazuki laughed, arms still loosely around Toshiki, and leaning back against Juubei, brown eyes sparkling mischievously. "I don't want to hear it when no one can find their clothes next time we're at an onsen." Even if he had to steal both sets himself.
~ owari ~