Tour Guide to the Underworld - Chapter 12 - Choices *FINAL* (part 2 of 3)

[yoru_no_hikaru]

Pairing: KinKi Kids
Characters: Nishikido Ryo, Uchi Hiroki, Nagase Tomoya, Takizawa Hideaki, Okada Junichi (and others)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Don't own the JE boys (duh!), but OCs are mine and I created the story
Setting: AU
Warnings: Creepy, language
Multi-Chapter

Notes: Next update Sorry to everybody who is waiting for Lucky Charm. The next one is ALMOST finished and will be following within the next few days. For now I decided to post this. Because it's finished and because I want to wrap it all up now. I really hope you'll like it. ^_^

Intro: Koichi has made a life-changing decision and he's dashing forward. At the same time Uchi finds himself torn, Ryo confused, and Tackey lost. Where are they goingto go?


*~Uchi~*

“So I take it you’d act in Koichi’s favour, Nagase-san?” Uchi bit at the intruder.
“It’s not really my business, so I keep out of it,” Nagase shrugged.
The younger man merely sighed. “What is it that you want?”
“Ah, there is someone here for you,” Nagase mumbled warily. “I’m not sure, though…”
“Make a point already,” Uchi said exasperatedly.
To make a point Nagase swished the door open wide to reveal a shivering slight body next to his person, skin white as the snow, except for ugly looking bruises that covered it in several places.
“Yuri-kun!” Ryo burst out, alarmed at the sight.
He rushed right over to the boy to huddle him into his arms. Uchi, on the other hand, went rigid, staring at the pair.

“Yuri… my god what happened to you?” Ryo asked, rubbing the boy’s back reassuringly.
“I was incautious,” the dragon muttered in a tiny voice.
“What - she caught you eating?”
Yuri bit his lip. He shook his head slightly, a blush covering his face.
“I…” the boy explained quite shamefully, “I was being greedy. I stole pleasure.”
Ryo merely tilted his head, blinking, while Nagase grinned.
“Jerked off, did you?”
The boy blushed furiously, biting his lip as he hid his face.
“I know it’s not right,” he muttered miserably. “I don’t usually…”
Uchi sighed exasperatedly. “Yuri-kun, where is your mistress? If she finds you gone, you’ll be in even more trouble.”

“I know,” the boy mumbled, straightening himself a bit. Then he turned to look at Ryo. “Ne… Ryo-kun. Can’t I stay with you?”
All eyes were on the boy with most different reactions. While Nagase’s eyes glittered in amusement, Uchi stared in disbelief and Ryo merely blinked in surprise.
“Eh?” Ryo finally made.
“What?!” Uchi burst out, shaking his head.
“I promise I won’t bother you at all,” Yuri offered. “So… can’t I stay with you?”
Uchi almost flew at the boy. “What do you think you’re doing here?!” he demanded. “The fact alone that you are here means trouble. Get out already.”

“Uchi-kun,” Ryo shot out in an accusing voice. “Stop scaring him.” He instinctively cuddled the boy even tighter into his arms, crouching down as if to protect the boy even from view. His fingers stroked the soft hair on the boy’s head reassuringly. “Of course,” he whispered to the dragon. “If you want to, you can stay.”
“And… you’ll take care of me?” Yuri asked, snuggling into the warm embrace.
“Always,” Ryo promised.
“What do you know,” Nagase grinned, leaning against the door frame. “Boy caught himself a dragon.”
Ryo blinked up at him. “Huh?”
“Well, it seems this one is yours now,” the taller man explained, gesturing with his head at the boy.
“M-mine?!”

Uchi cursed under his breath. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked. “If his mistress finds out, we’ll be in trouble.”
“I’ll protect my mate,” Yuri announced.
“What’s there to discuss?” Ryo asked, shaking his head in disbelief. “Look at him, he’s totally bruised up. I’m not letting him go back to that… woman.”
Uchi bit his lip. The situation got quite out of control. Instead of getting Ryo back on track that bratty newbie now had a dragon by his side. There was no knowing what that would do, seeing how Ryo was obviously quite clueless. Tackey was certainly not going to like it. Although he might find appeal in the idea of getting to order a dragon. If he did it right, maybe he could convince Tackey that once the kid was all in their game it would definitely be to their advantage. Uchi didn’t want any harm done to Ryo. The boy had already suffered quite some and it seriously bothered him. Most of all because he knew what kind of trauma lay in what Ryo had experienced. While he had never personally felt the pain and humiliation, he had witnessed it a lot - and that did things to you too.

“Fine,” Uchi finally pressed out. “Keep him, then.”
“Thank you,” Yuri muttered out, still clinging to Ryo tightly.
“You stay here,” Uchi ordered. “I’ll go and inform Tackey.”
Ryo’s eyes widened slightly in fear. “Eh? Why? Do you have to?”
“Believe me,” Uchi told him with a dirty grin, “you don’t want to upset the boss. When something like this happens, you better inform him and right away. He’ll have quite some explaining to do.”
Ryo merely blinked at that.

Uchi sighed. “Do you think that woman is going to just give up on her valuable pet? It’s not easy to catch a dragon. Even more difficult to tame one. The moment she learns about this she’ll be bursting into Tackey’s office, since he’s the person in charge. So I’ll better tell him, don’t you think?”
“Oh,” Ryo muttered, blushing a bit. “Oh er… yeah.”
“See. You stay here,” Uchi repeated. “I’ll be right back.”
And so Uchi left, leaving Ryo with Yuri, who still clung to him insistently.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Uchi felt his stomach twisting slightly as he knocked on the door to Tackey’s office.
“Come on in,” he heard a familiar voice calling out.
He stepped inside, bowed his head slightly and closed the door behind him.
“Oh, Hiro,” Tackey blinked in surprise. “Do you need anything?”
“I er…” Uchi stuttered. “We… we had a kind of situation.”
“Koichi?” Tackey asked immediately.
“No,” Uchi replied, shaking his head. “No, that’s not what I mean. I… I don’t really know how to say this. Yuri seems to have escaped Hatori(fdgrfnjklneri)-san. He fled and he came here.”
“I see, he’s here to find Koichi.”

“No,” Uchi said again. “He came for Nishikido. It seems the boy has chosen him as a mate.”
“WHAT?!?!?!?” But… how? When did that happen?” Tackey burst out.
“I don’t know,” Uchi shrugged. “I’ve seen them together once, or twice, in secret. But I had no idea Yuri had established such a bond between them.”
“This is bad,” Tackey muttered. “If Hatori finds the boy here…”
“It’s too late,” Uchi informed him. “Nishikido has already accepted him. Yuri is not going to go back to Hatori.”
“Oh, fuck!” Tackey cursed, slamming a few random items from his desk to the floor.
“Well, the damage is done now,” Uchi told him. “I just thought I should inform you as quickly as possible.”

“Yes,” Tackey sighed, giving Uchi a tender smile. “Thank you.” He moved over to the younger man, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him close. “You are the only person I trust, you know,” he whispered.
His hand stroked Uchi’s cheek lovingly, then cupped his chin to pull him into a chaste kiss. Uchi did not resist. His own hands snaked around the other’s neck as their kiss grew deeper and more intimate.
“I love you,” Tackey mumbled around plush, wet lips.
A little chill went through Uchi at those words. He tried to distract himself, sighing into the kiss as he picked up the pace. In a way he felt like a rotten person. But then, wasn’t it okay for him to claim some love for himself, when it was being offered so willingly? Even when he could not return the feeling… Well, he loved Tackey. In a way. Their kiss lasted, both of them enjoying the closeness.

“You should go back,” Tackey finally whispered against Uchi’s lips. “Nishikido will be waiting for you.”
“Yes,” Uchi nodded.
“Be sure to keep a very close eye on him,” Tackey told him.
“Of course,” the younger man assured him.
He licked his lips as he left the office to get back to Ryo. His thoughts were mainly on the dragon, what to do with him, whether it would be wise to take him along to work, or if it would be better to leave him somewhere around here to keep him safe, at least for a while. Suddenly he was ripped from his train of thoughts as he heard rummaging around the transformation area. He frowned. The noise didn’t stop - it even sounded like there was some kind of music. As he neared the area silence spread through the air. But even so he moved closer and with a determined pull opened the door. The picture in front of him made him freeze.
“Koichi,” he gasped out.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

*~Tackey~*

It was finally growing close to lunch time and Tackey stretched a bit on his seat. Then he blinked when there was a knock on the door.
“Yes,” he stated simply.
In came Uchi, with a worried look on his face. Tackey immediately went into alert mode. Still, he waited for Uchi to finish his story. What - a situation?
“Koichi?”

Tackey sighed in relief when Uchi shook his head. Somehow he didn’t feel ready to face Koichi again. Their last encounter had left him embarrassingly paralyzed. He wouldn’t know what to do if he met the other in that situation… Tackey blinked, quickly collecting himself to fully follow Uchi’s relation again. So the dragon had escaped from Hatori - and much to his surprise he hadn’t come to see Koichi, but that kid, Nishikido. Seriously, what was it about that newbie? He’d been involved in more stories and reports that went over his desk in the few weeks he’d been in the office than others were during their entire career. Somehow that boy was really strange. Maybe someone else to keep an eye on? In the entire office Uchi was the only person he truly trusted and felt connected with. While the young man wasn’t madly in love with him, he was willing and happy to answer to his call, whenever Tackey voiced. Just as he did right there. A hug, a kiss, sometimes shared intimacies. Uchi would accept him. Even when he didn’t really love him, he allowed Tackey close to him, something he had never experienced before.

Nobody had ever wanted him. Not just Yamapi. Not just the countless people, who would either ignore him, or merely seek his presence for some kind of personal advantage before leaving him behind once he wasn’t of any use for them anymore. Most of the people despised him anyway. Being the boss, you took the blame. For everything. When the working hours were too long, or the shifts were arranged in an unpleasant way, same as when something went wrong, or the budget got over-strained. It wasn’t like he minded any of it. Not really. But he had lacked somebody to turn to when he was feeling down. First, there had been Koichi. Koichi was different from everybody else. It had been something that fascinated Tackey about him - before he got that off feeling about the man. Their time together had been pleasant, though. There were many happy memories. Even so, in the end it didn’t work out and Tackey suffered a lot from the break-up. Many years later Uchi joined their department and after some time they started to grow close. It was never something people would call a relationship, but they had some kind of “agreement” that gave Tackey the feeling of being accepted. The kiss was pleasant and for a moment he thought about taking it further, but then he remembered that there were a lot of things going on and so he reluctantly ended their little private session and sent Uchi back to work.

Once Uchi was gone again, Tackey pondered whether he should contact Hatori-san, or wait for her to visit him. Both options had advantages and disadvantages. In the end he had just decided to simply get it over with and call Hatori, when surprisingly his office door flew open again. Even more surprising was the fact that Uchi was storming in again. Tackey frowned.
“There’s… there’s… Takeuchi… the transformation area,” he panted out.
Tackey only blinked at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Takeuchi,” Uchi repeated, “he’s… he’s in there. I…”
Finally Uchi collapsed, totally exhausted, his face white.
Tackey’s eyes grew wide in shock. He rushed to Uchi’s side.
“What is it?” he demanded, checking Uchi’s condition.
“I’m okay,” the younger man mumbled. “You’ve got to go…”

Tackey bit his lip. But then he nodded at the young man in front of him. “You stay right here,” he instructed before he got up and stormed off towards the transformation area.
As he arrived in the area, the picture in front of him almost took his breath away.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

*~Nagase~*

Uchi glared furiously at him, once he recognized him in the door. “So I take it you’d act in Koichi’s favour, Nagase-san?”
“It’s not really my business, so I keep out of it,” Nagase shrugged.
The younger man merely sighed. “What is it that you want?”
“Ah, there is someone here for you,” Nagase mumbled warily. “I’m not sure, though…”
“Make a point already,” Uchi said exasperatedly.

In order to show Uchi what he meant, he simply opened the door and immediately Yuri rushed in and to Ryo’s side. To say Nagase was surprised would have been an understatement. He never would have thought that the dragon would go right for Ryo as a mate. It was definitely a clever move, though. If Ryo accepted him, he’d have a mate to watch out for him, rather than a mistress to rule him. Nagase watched the scene with quite some amusement. It was rather unusual that dragons would mate with males. And, of course, Uchi did not like the idea. Well, it was true, he had to confront Tackey, who would absolutely not be amused. Koichi left only a few days ago and the last thing he needed was… well, this. All the more Nagase was surprised at how easily Uchi was convinced and made to report to Tackey. Even so, he thought it was a good thing. He’d always felt sorry for Yuri. This would definitely be good for the boy. Nagase was glad to see that Ryo instantly took such good care of Yuri.

“You two make quite the couple,” Nagase commented with a grin.
“Nagase-san,” Ryo addressed him evenly, “about Koichi… you don’t think he did anything bad?”
“It might well be that I’m just in love with that guy,” the taller man joked, “but I don’t think he’d do anything bad, meaning something bad. Know what I mean?”
“I guess,” Ryo mused. “But really… He lied to me. He said he wouldn’t meet with that guy again, but he did. And… I think they were a lot of things he didn’t tell me.”
“If that should be true,” Nagase told him, “then he was keeping things from you that might have been bad for you. Or things that trouble him personally. He’s a very uptight person, you know, and doesn’t like to share his thoughts and feelings.”
“Hm…”

“Why don’t you get your new pet cleaned up?” the taller man suggested.
“He is no pet,” Ryo glared at him. “We’re… companions now.”
“Well, then, get your companion cleaned up,” Nagase suggested with a wink.
“I will,” Ryo nodded, getting up from the floor. “Yuri-kun, let’s go see the nurse.”
“Uhn…” Yuri made, sounding wary.
“Not to worry,” Ryo assured him. “It’s okay.”
“Alright,” the boy finally agreed.
He smiled after the pair of them as he watched them heading towards the nurse’s office. Just as the two guys were out of sight, Nagase felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Tomo.”
WAAAHHHHH!!!!!!”
“Sssssshhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!” Koichi made, covering his lips with his index finger.
Nagase’s eyes grew wide. Koichi. What was he doing here? If anybody saw him, he would get in serious trouble. It seemed, though, that Koichi did not mind.
“I… Tomo, I need you to do me a favour,” Koichi pleaded.
“Are you mad?!” Nagase demanded. “This is insane. You should already be away as far as you can possibly get. It’s been three days already, why are you still in the area?”
“Yes well,” Koichi grinned sheepishly, “I’m trying to go with the `they’re not gonna expect you right here´ effect while I still can. Of course, I can’t know if you don’t want to turn me in as well.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Nagase waved him off.

“I committed a crime,” the smaller man admitted. “In my opinion I didn’t do anything wrong, but…”
“Yeah, Tackey’s been all over you,” Nagase told him. “He gave order to everybody to report to him should they see you.”
“That’s not gonna make things easier,” Koichi sighed. “I was hoping if I were quick enough.”
“You should run,” the taller man advised him.
“Not just yet,” Koichi shook his head. “There’s something I have to do.”
“Eh?”
“Tomo,” Koichi addressed him, looking right into his eyes, his face plain, his voice low. “Clear the transformation area for me?”
The other merely stared at him. “What?!”
“Just for five minutes,” Koichi requested. “Please.”

“What…?” Nagase shook his head. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing you would have to worry about,” Koichi assured him. “Nobody could connect you to it.”
“What is it that you want to do, Koichi?” Nagase insisted.
“Before I go, I want to do something significant,” Koichi stated mysteriously. “I still have this thing to do - because nobody else can.”
“Koichi…”
“Don’t you understand?” Koichi demanded. “I am already an outlaw now. There’s nothing more to lose. The reason they want to do me in is ridiculous. Let me do something that will actually make a difference.”
Nagase looked at his friend skeptically. “Koichi, your eyes are scaring me. Whatever you’re up to…”

“Tomo, I don’t have too much time,” Koichi impressed on him. “Just please… I’m asking for your support. No matter what you say, or do, I’ll do this. With your help, I might have a chance to get away with it. I’ll do it, though, even if I die trying.”
Nagase bit his lip. He could see it right in Koichi’s eyes that whatever he had planned, it was not a mere prank, but something dead serious. Koichi’s words hit him, of course, but then, whatever it was, was it worth risking his own head? Because no matter what Koichi said, he was pretty sure that he could get in some serious trouble. If nobody else, Tackey would know that Nagase met Koichi. He would certainly make the connection. But then, he was pretty sure that Koichi had thought about it thoroughly and that whatever it was wouldn’t leave him alone. Koichi was determined, he could tell. And in the end he was his friend. So he agreed. Clearing the transformation area. In about ten minutes. Nagase made his way right to the huge hall. He opened the door and went right over to the day’s supervisor, which, as a pleasant surprise, happened to be Joshima Shigeru, who was an easy-going guy.

“Hey, there,” Nagase greeted the other.
“Good afternoon,” Shigeru greeted him back. “How may I help you?”
“If it’s not too much of an inconvenience, can we do today’s report and analysis now?” Nagase requested.
“What - right now?” Shigeru asked, not exactly sounding thrilled.
“Yes, well,” Nagase mumbled, “I have to finish some outdoor business today and I would appreciate if I could finish here first. It won’t take long, I promise.”
Shigeru sighed deeply, but then nodded. “Okay, fine. I’ll make the announcement. We’ll be fully present in about five minutes. Your office?”
“Yes,” Nagase nodded. “Just knock on the door. Thank you so much for helping me,” he smiled and, with a bow, he left.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

*~Ryo~*

Ryo was totally stunned to see Nagase standing in their door. Apparently he had overheard a bigger part of their conversation. Curiously, he didn’t seem nearly as worked up about everything that had happened than Uchi. The latter seemed even more worked up over Nagase’s appearance, but fortunately Uchi was obviously not out for a fight and asked Nagase right what he wanted. And as the other man revealed the reason for his visit, Ryo’s eyes grew wide. Opening the door, Nagase revealed the small figure of Yuri. The sight was shocking. The boy was pale and covered in bruises.
“Yuri-kun!” Ryo burst out, alarmed at the sight.

He quickly hugged the boy to his body, trying to soothe him as best he could. The world seemed to fade out around him. All he could think about was that he had to protect his little friend and he swore to himself that he would protect him, no matter what. So, naturally, when Yuri asked him if he could stay, he agreed without a second’s hesitation. He didn’t really understand Uchi’s harsh reactions, but eventually he did understand that Uchi would have to explain to Tackey, which would definitely be tough. All the more Ryo was happy when Uchi agreed to inform their boss and told him and Yuri to stay close. After Uchi had left Ryo took the opportunity to talk to Nagase.
“Nagase-san,” Ryo addressed him evenly, “about Koichi… you don’t think he did anything bad?”
“It might well be that I’m just in love with that guy,” the taller man joked, “but I don’t think he’d do anything bad, meaning something bad. Know what I mean?”

“I guess,” Ryo mused. “But really… He lied to me. He said he wouldn’t meet with that guy again, but he did. And… I think they were a lot of things he didn’t tell me.”
“If that should be true,” Nagase told him, “then he was keeping things from you that might have been bad for you. Or things that trouble him personally. He’s a very uptight person, you know, and doesn’t like to share his thoughts and feelings.”
“Hm…”
Ryo felt slightly relieved. Just the fact that there was someone else who seemed to have perceived Koichi the same way he did already meant that he hadn’t simply imagined everything about the other man. He was thankful that Nagase had talked openly with him. When the taller man then suggested he should get Yuri cleaned up, he thought it would definitely be a good idea and thus rushed off with the little one.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Sorry,” Ryo called out. “I have someone here with severe injury.”
The second later a young man in a white gown appeared from behind a curtain. Ryo was already thinking how to explain their showing up, but luckily, the moment the young man saw Yuri, he rushed to his side, checking him instantly.
“Oh my gosh,” he gasped out. “Dear, what happened to you.”
“Got into a fight,” Ryo stated vaguely. “Can you… patch him up?”
“Sure,” the nurse nodded. “Just… stay here for a second, I’ll get antiseptics and patches.”
“Okay, thank you,” Ryo nodded.
Yuri looked around nervously. Obviously, he didn’t like the surroundings.
“Not to worry,” Ryo smiled at him. “You’ll get some treatment and then we’ll get you something to eat, okay?”
At that the dragon smiled, nodding enthusiastically. Ryo smiled back. Somehow he really gave the feeling of a kid. He was a young dragon, but for a human he seemed even younger - at least when going by his appearance. About two minutes later the nurse returned, a number of small packages in hand, which he placed neatly on the small table at the wall.

“Come here, honey,” the nurse said to Yuri, patting on the seat right in front of him.
Ryo thought he treated Yuri like he was some kind of stupid animal, but he didn’t say anything. Yuri did not move, though.
“Yuri-kun,” Ryo sighed. “Let him treat you. You’ll feel better, okay?”
Yuri bit his lip, but nodded. “Okay.”
“There now,” the nurse nodded with a smile.
He quickly went to work, cleaning Yuri’s wounds and cuts.
“Sorry,” Ryo apologized, “for barging in like that.”
“Never worry, that’s what I’m here for, after all. Ah, I don’t think we’ve met before.”
“Oh yeah,” Ryo nodded. “Sorry. I’m Nishikido Ryo. I started out only a few weeks ago.”
“Nishikido-kun,” the young man nodded. “Okay. I’m Maruyama Ryuhei,” introduced himself. “Just call me Maru, though. I’ve been working in here for quite a while now. You’re new, huh? Who’s your trainer?”

“Ah,” Ryo muttered nervously. “U-uchi-kun,” he finally answered.
“Oh,” Maru made, his eyes growing wider. “You are… the one who started out with Koichi.”
“That’s right,” Ryo nodded.
“Must have been quite a shock,” Maru commented. “To learn your trainer did such things…”
“Ah, I’ve had worse,” Ryo waved him off.
“Seriously?!” Maru burst out ins surprise. “That doesn’t sound like you’ve been too lucky.”
“Probably not,” the smaller man admitted.
“Well, if you need anything, you can seek me out at any time,” Maru offered with a kind smile.
“Thank you,” Ryo smiled back. “That’s much appreciated.”
“It’s okay,” the nurse assured him. “An inexperienced young guy like yourself. Gotta help young people out, ne? Okay, honey, there you go,” he announced, patting Yuri’s shoulder. “This should do. You’ve been a brave little kid, really. How about a candy?” he suggested.

Yuri beamed at the man immediately, but then he turned to look at Ryo.
“Ah… is it okay?” the boy asked timidly.
Ryo smiled genuinely at him. “Sure, Yuri-kun.”
“Yays!” the dragon cheered and Maru presented him with a piece of candy.
“There you go, love,” the nurse said kindly.
“Is there anything else I can do?” Ryo asked, still sounding a bit worried.
“He’s going to be okay,” Maru assured him. “Just make sure to watch out for him so he won’t get into fights anymore,” he advised.
“I’ll definitely watch out for him. Thank you so much,” Ryo said, bowing deeply to show his gratitude.
“Hey, that’s my job,” Maru smiled at him. “Oh dear, you’re really a little cutie. Better get going now before I embarrass myself by asking you out,” he winked.

Ryo chuckled lightly, but even so he took Yuri by the hand and made to leave. As they went back out into the hallway Ryo sighed.
“Why does every guy in here seem to fall for me instantly?” he wondered.
“You’re sweet,” Yuri chirped. “I think that’s what Uchi-kun likes in you too.”
Ryo laughed nervously. “You think Uchi likes me too?”
“I think so,” the dragon nodded. “Although he’s pretty hard to read,” he admitted.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before,” Ryo sighed. “What is it about this guy anyway? It’s not like I really dislike him. Well, not anymore, anyway. But still… he seems a bit strange.”
“I think he’s too much under Tackey’s spell,” Yuri commented.
“Eh?”

“Well, he’s the one Tackey always turns to when things get tricky,” Yuri shrugged.
“You know a lot of things that are going on around here,” Ryo analyzed.
“You know, people tend to ignore you, when they know you’re not allowed to talk randomly to everybody. It’s like they think I don’t even see them. But I take everything in.”
“Nice,” Ryo grinned. “What do you think of Uchi-kun generally?”

“He’s a nice guy, I think,” Yuri mused. “But he’s too easily influenced. It seems he’s afraid of making his own decisions.”
“Well, people can still grow,” Ryo stated.
“True,” the dragon nodded. “When they have a good motivation.”
“And where do you think he’d find such motivation?”
“Hm… in you, probably?”
Ryo stared at that. “What - me?!”
“Why not?” Yuri shrugged. “Don’t you like him?”
“What…” Ryo gasped. He shook his head. “Well, I’ve revised my first impression of him.”
“So you don’t like him?” the boy asked.
“What do you mean, `like´ him?” Ryo asked back agitatedly.
“Why does he get you so worked up?” Yuri asked, blinking.
“I’m not worked up,” Ryo demanded.

Then he halted, shocked. He was worked up. He was totally worked up. About what? What was it? Uchi? Could it be? Did he actually like the other somehow? He shook his head strongly to clear it.
“Let’s get back to the office,” he decided. “Uchi-kun will be back soon.”
“Okay,” Yuri chirped. “Ne, Ryo-kun?”
“Hm?”
“I’m hungry…”

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

*~Koichi~*

“Tomo.”
WAAAHHHHH!!!!!!”
“Sssssshhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!” Koichi made, covering his lips with his index finger.
He took a quick look around. Against his hopes he was standing in a corridor. Nagase didn’t leave his office a lot, so he had been Koichi’s safest guess when it was about getting in unnoticed. Gotsob was a fantastic technique, but it had one major flaw. It was connected to places, or people you knew. It was impossible to simply transfer to a place you had never been to, or find people you didn’t know. As it was Koichi tried to make the best of the situation.

“Koichi,” Nagase gasped. “What are you doing here?!”
“I… Tomo, I need you to do me a favour,” Koichi pleaded.
“Are you mad?!” his friend demanded. “This is insane. You should already be away as far as you can possibly get. It’s been three days already, why are you still in the area?”
“Yes well,” Koichi grinned sheepishly, “I’m trying to go with the `they’re not gonna expect you right here´ effect while I still can. Of course, I can’t know if you don’t want to turn me in as well.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Nagase waved him off.

“I committed a crime,” Koichi admitted. “In my opinion I didn’t do anything wrong, but…”
“Yeah, Tackey’s been all over you,” Nagase told him. “He gave order to everybody to report to him should they see you.”
“That’s not gonna make things easier,” Koichi sighed. “I was hoping if I were quick enough.”
“You should run,” Nagase advised him.
“Not just yet,” Koichi shook his head. “There’s something I have to do.”
“Eh?”
“Tomo,” Koichi addressed his friend, looking right into his eyes, his face plain, his voice low. “Clear the transformation area for me?”
The other merely stared at him. “What?!”
“Just for five minutes,” Koichi requested. “Please.”
“What…?” Nagase shook his head. “What are you planning?”
“Nothing you would have to worry about,” Koichi assured him. “Nobody could connect you to it.”

“What is it that you want to do, Koichi?” Nagase insisted.
“Before I go, I want to do something significant,” Koichi stated mysteriously. “I still have this thing to do - because nobody else can.”
“Koichi…”
“Don’t you understand?” Koichi demanded. “I am already an outlaw now. There’s nothing more to lose. The reason they want to do me in is ridiculous. Let me do something that will actually make a difference.”
Nagase looked at his friend skeptically. “Koichi, your eyes are scaring me. Whatever you’re up to…”
“Tomo, I don’t have too much time,” Koichi impressed on him. “Just please… I’m asking for your support. No matter what you say, or do, I’ll do this. With your help, I might have a chance to get away with it. I’ll do it, though, even if I die trying.”
Nagase bit his lip, still in doubt. But then he nodded at the other. “Okay, fine. I’ll call in for report.”
“Thank you,” Koichi smiled at him. “In about ten minutes should be fine?”

The other merely nodded back at him. The second later Koichi was gone again, using the stream while he could. As he slid out again, he stood in an area that had lots and lots of skyscrapers framing the broad street. Koichi set right off, moving along the street towards one of the huge buildings. He checked his watch. Ten minutes. While it wasn’t a long time, it felt like a small eternity as he waited for the time to pass. When he finally decided that it should be safe, he took one deep breath. Closing his eyes he gathered all his determination on what he planned to do. He’d gone through the scene millions of times these past few days. Once he was in there, he couldn’t doubt of waver. If he did, he would fail. If he failed, he would most probably die. But he had decided to do this. And it wasn’t revenge, he kept telling himself. The issue didn’t even concern him, so per definition it couldn’t be revenge. It was to protect the younger ones. Yes, that was what he was about to do… save people. And what did Tackey know anyway? His eyes were dark as Koichi reopened them. Soundlessly he vanished. Gotsob. He reappeared almost instantly in a huge bungalow. A man was sitting in an armchair, reading a kind of magazine, while the TV was running in the next room. Koichi was immediately in the other man’s view, which wasn’t perfect, although it didn’t really matter.

“Koichi,” the man burst out, jumping up from his chair. “Stay right where you are,” he demanded. “Guard is looking for you.”
“I know,” Koichi nodded. “I thought they wouldn’t expect me here.”
“And why would you think I won’t inform them?” the man scoffed. “You coming here results in your death.”
“No,” Koichi hissed out. He moved swiftly, grabbing the other’s arm and without warning dragged him along, using mixed techniques to finally take them to the transformation hall together. His eyes bore into the other’s, a sneer coming to his lips. “It results in yours,” he informed the man, who had only just enough time to realize what Koichi was about to do and give him one fearful look before Koichi forcefully threw him into the transformation stream.

The sight was almost beautiful. Or maybe it was truly beautiful, almost too much to bear. Koichi watched as the energy solving and the levelors latched onto the man forced on them, tearing and tugging, taking him apart, trying to put him back together, making him look like some grotesque portrait, before starting over, several times, before finally the parts started to dissolve, pouring energy, making sparks fly, creating a lovely melody. It took about two minutes, then the energies had either escaped, or been stored within the transformation crystals. Koichi stood in front of the scene a while longer, trying to digest what had just happened. As he heard the door opening, he jumped, turning around. His eyes grew wide as he saw a man standing in the door, staring at him.
“Koichi,” Uchi breathed out.
Koichi didn’t even acknowledge the young man, he simply vanished into thin air. When next he reappeared, he stood next to Tsuyoshi.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phew. Very intense. And with an evil cut. Gomen ne. ^_^ I wonder what kind of reactions I will get now. I really hope you like it. It's the beginning of a new road for everybody. Yuri has found his new place at Ryo's side. I think that's more than fit. Koichi... his choice is the msot delicate one. In the end, he's gotten rid of an evil problem, but still his means... Tsuyoshi will have to make hsi choice too and Tackey definitely has to get out of this bothersome siatuation. So, please stay tuned for the very past part. I'm already looking forward to it. :D

Chapter 12 (FINAL - Part 1)

Chapter 12 (FINAL - Part 3)