FANFIC: "Tiger Tamer" Ch 10: Hunting & Finding I" (The GazettE- Aoi & Uruha)
Title: Tiger Tamer: Ch 10: Hunting & Finding I
Pairings: Aoi x Uruha, Reita x Aoi (friendship), Reita x Uruha (friendship), Aoi x Kai (flirtation), Ruki x Kai (Roommates & friends), (More to come?)
Writer: black_prophet (Midsummer_Slave)
Genre: AU, Sci-Fi with Angst & Smut
Rating: PG13 (For Now)
Warning: Shifters, Occasional Cursing, Mentions of Alcohol, Future BoyLove.
A/N: Well, I know I said things for Ch 9, about lots of Ruki then and more Aoi here... And that was sort of true? AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVES SHOTA? I want to squish him. owo; So, this is my first Chapter in like FOREVER and I'm SORRY but I hope this soothes you guys until I can really 'come back'. Because of reasons, this is dedicated to: wp_wolfpaws & my new friend xadowangel, welcome to the madness!!
Summary: Kouyou has settled into his life, he has an apartment and a killer roommate, as well as another great friend who's always over. Akira is his best friend as well as his roommate, and just happens to be waiting for his past to catch up with him. Unfortunately, it's about to catch up with Kouyou as well.
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor will I ever, claim to own The GazettE (though I do have several CDs & Concert DVDs and a LOT of pictures). They belong to themselves and each other. This fic and the world it is set in is completely the product of my imagination. I do all my own stunts writing. Please do not attempt these techniques at home. Please do not repost this whole or in part anywhere, do not steal the location or plot, do not write a sequel/side-fic etc. No Beta (sorry for mistakes, I try to spare you).
Previous Ch: "Summary & Bios" "Ch 1: Unlikely Beginnings" "Ch 2: The Unwanted" "Ch 3: An Ominous Feeling" "Ch 4: Strange Affections" "Ch 5: Regretful Necessities" "Ch 6: Unclear Paths" "Ch 7: Clouded Judgements" "Ch 8: Inconvenient Worries" "Ch 9: Unusual Friendships"
***
Aoi lost count of the various public places he used to lose tails, muddle his trail, and conceal his scent. The fifth -or so- bar left his nose slightly stuffed with a mix of colognes, sweat and cigarette smoke, but gave him hope of anonymity in his hunting. Another few browsing stops later and he hesitated on the street, leaning on the corner of a building and taking a moment to drink in his surroundings.
Alert in spite of his deceptively lazy pose, Aoi watched the crowd that thronged along the sidewalks through lowered lashes. Now and then a woman considered him and offered an inviting smile, but he ignored them. He wasn’t looking for a date, but waiting for the scent of another Shifter. He wasn’t admiring long-lashed eyes, but looking for the tell-tale reflective flash of animal eyes in a human face. On the whole, he thought less of females than males, so it made sense that they would send female Shifters after him.
Moments ticked by, lost in the rush of the crowd and the hum of traffic. Aoi waited, letting time pass as he searched with all his senses. Still, no WTA officials leapt out of the alley, no SUVs with black-out tint came cruising up the street, no scent or sight of other Shifters caught his attention. Perhaps he had done it; perhaps he had managed to lose them, for now.
‘They’ll know where to find him, even if you don’t.’ He rationalized as he pushed away from the wall and disappeared into the crowd again. ‘And if they don’t know, while they’re hunting you they’re also figuring out where he’s gone. If they can’t catch you while you hunt for the Artist, they’ll catch him in order to bait you back out of hiding… Even if they don’t know why you haven’t gone for him yet, they’ll be planning how to catch you when you do.’
Which made him want to rush to his Tamer, to take and protect what was his, but for the moment he resisted. It would do no good to race off without a thought, like an animal seeking to evade the trap. Categorically, that was when said animal got caught, forging head-first into a cage hidden right in front of its nose. Aoi would not be that startled, wild thing, herded into a metal box and hauled back to captivity.
Somewhere, Kouyou was waiting… And if it took finding the Artist to ensure their future safety, the Shifter would do that. Hunting for a dead man to ensure a future with his Tamer was a small thing, when stacked against the shining weight of their potential future together.
If Aoi was honest with himself -something he refused to do was lie to his own mind- he would raze the city to the ground if it meant he and his Tamer had a chance at freedom. Reluctant to categorize that possible method as ‘inadvisable’, Aoi instead filed it under a ‘pending possibility’ and pressed onward, losing himself in the hunt.
With his trail thoroughly muddled, he took the opportunity to act on the teacher’s information, seeking out a number of ‘underground’ posts. The first two were clubs, but both turned out to be dead-ends. In the third, a quiet restaurant, he had some luck, accepting a slim envelope of information from the manager after a quick discussion. Inclining his head in a bow, he slipped back into the night, hiding himself in an alley before he dared to read the contents.
A slim stack of cash, a few credit cards, a key and a card directing him to where the motorcycle it belonged to was parked… And a business card for La Galleria with a note on the back: See Shota, attached to a laminated ‘One-Time Access’ card.
Aoi permitted a predatory smile to steal across his features, eyes glittering in the darkness. “Found you.”
*
“So other than the news that ‘it’s getting warmer’, what brings you to my door so late, Runt?” Shota murmured as he finished off his cigarette and sipped at his wine again, his dark eyes serious as they rested on Ruki’s sprawled form.
“Do I need a reason?” The shorter male returned, gnawing at his lower lip when the manager didn’t seem dissuaded in the least. “To see my best friend?”
Shota shook his black bangs out of his eyes, and narrowed his gaze in a mock-glare, his tone taking on an edge of warning. “Runt.”
“Well, Kai sort of annoyed me.” The artist hedged, when it seemed the discussion couldn’t be avoided. “So rather than give into the pressing urge I had to completely wreck-and-redecorate his room… I thought I’d step out for a bit.”
“Moderately closer to the truth, I think.” Shota mused. “I guess I’ll accept that explanation, since it is all the elusive Ruki will give me.”
“How gracious of you.” Ruki retorted dryly, his wine-glass half-way to his lips when the phone on Shota’s desk chimed.
“Hold that thought, precious one.” Shota winked, standing and planting a hip on the surface of the desk as he pressed one of the buttons. “Shota here.”
“Sir?” The female voice that had welcomed Ruki to La Galleria sounded again, this time somewhat hesitant. “There is a guest here to see you, with a One-Shot Pass.”
Shota frowned, brows drawing together as he glanced to Ruki, and then back to the phone. “Where is the One-Shot from?”
“The file left at the Black Lotus Restaurant has apparently been retrieved.” The woman replied smoothly. “He is waiting… Sir?”
“Escort him to my office, Mika, but please do so quietly.” Shota instructed reluctantly. “One-Shot guests are not the sort we want attention drawn to, if it can be helped.”
“I will use the staff hallway, Sir.” She replied efficiently, and the phone clicked again.
Ruki shifted in his seat, nerves sparking and muscles gone taunt beneath too-tight skin. When Shota glanced back to the artist he was met with an utterly blank face, any secrets hidden from view behind the pale gray lenses. Ruki toyed with his glass for a moment before lifting it to his lips and draining it, standing with a nearly predatory grace.
“Did it just get hot?” Shota demanded, accepting the glass as he moved around the desk and tucked it out of sight.
“It might have.” Ruki replied reluctantly.
“How bad?”
“Just a little warm.” The artist hedged, shifting on his feet as he debated his options. “Black Lotus had a double failsafe set-up.”
“Failsafe!?” Shota demanded with the faintest squeak. “What are you saying?”
“That in order to pick up the One-Shot Pass at Black Lotus, someone had to be cleared and re-directed from the Blue Koi, and Dragon and Phoenix.”
“You have friends at Blue Koi and Dragon and Phoenix?” Shota shook his head. “Inside the clubs or just at the doors?”
“Inside.” Ruki replied distractedly.
Shota cursed under his breath, whistling in appreciation all the same. “Remind me to call you the next time I want to have a party there.”
Ruki shrugged. “If you’re so inclined, arrangements can be made.”
“Let’s stick to the current issue, shall we?” Shota flicked nervously at an appointment book on his desk. “He -whoever he is- passed your double failsafe, and retrieved a package you stashed -presumably with this sort of situation in mind- that led him here, to me?”
“There is a card in the file directing the holder to find Shota, yes.” Ruki admitted. “To be fair, I should have asked you, or at least told you, that such a thing was a possibility… But at the time I was preparing for the water to heat, and I didn’t even think to hesitate with you… You’re the only one I can trust with something like this, Shota.”
“So what do you need me to do?”
“For starters, let him in the door.” Ruki gave a weak smile.
“Even though he might be a danger to you?” Shota demanded, looking more reluctant all the time.
Ruki hesitated at the sound of someone knocking, and then gave a firm nod. “Especially then, Shota, since he most likely is a danger to me.”
“I’m sure you meant for that to be comforting.”
“I meant it to be honest, Sho-ah.”
“Ahh, now the nickname returns.” Shota feigned disgust. “Very well, let us see how this goes before I demand compensation for the strain you’re causing my poor heart. Mika! Allow my guest in, please.”
Ruki settled himself in a relaxed pose in his newly-turned chair, feigning nonchalance as he fixed his gaze on the door and waited. No matter who stalked in, he would not react, his life depended on that.
The door opened, and a Shifter stepped into the room.
The black-eyed male hesitated like a cat in a new place, tension thrumming through him as he tilted his head in consideration. He drew a deep breath and held it, making no move as the door closed behind him.
Eyes coasting over the manager standing behind his desk, Aoi then turned his attention to other occupant of the room, a man lounging in one of the guest chairs.
“So then, this is The Artist that all Rogues hope to find.” He murmured in a tone that was less questioning and more triumphant. Watching the seated male shudder, he grinned. “Delightful. We have much to speak of, you and I.”
***
DUN, DUN DUUUUUN!! Right? A little? Anyone? Well I hope you guys liked, and more soon, so tell me you're still around and still love like me a little bit? Chu!
Pairings: Aoi x Uruha, Reita x Aoi (friendship), Reita x Uruha (friendship), Aoi x Kai (flirtation), Ruki x Kai (Roommates & friends), (More to come?)
Writer: black_prophet (Midsummer_Slave)
Genre: AU, Sci-Fi with Angst & Smut
Rating: PG13 (For Now)
Warning: Shifters, Occasional Cursing, Mentions of Alcohol, Future BoyLove.
A/N: Well, I know I said things for Ch 9, about lots of Ruki then and more Aoi here... And that was sort of true? AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVES SHOTA? I want to squish him. owo; So, this is my first Chapter in like FOREVER and I'm SORRY but I hope this soothes you guys until I can really 'come back'. Because of reasons, this is dedicated to: wp_wolfpaws & my new friend xadowangel, welcome to the madness!!
Summary: Kouyou has settled into his life, he has an apartment and a killer roommate, as well as another great friend who's always over. Akira is his best friend as well as his roommate, and just happens to be waiting for his past to catch up with him. Unfortunately, it's about to catch up with Kouyou as well.
Disclaimer: I do not now, nor will I ever, claim to own The GazettE (though I do have several CDs & Concert DVDs and a LOT of pictures). They belong to themselves and each other. This fic and the world it is set in is completely the product of my imagination. I do all my own stunts writing. Please do not attempt these techniques at home. Please do not repost this whole or in part anywhere, do not steal the location or plot, do not write a sequel/side-fic etc. No Beta (sorry for mistakes, I try to spare you).
Previous Ch: "Summary & Bios" "Ch 1: Unlikely Beginnings" "Ch 2: The Unwanted" "Ch 3: An Ominous Feeling" "Ch 4: Strange Affections" "Ch 5: Regretful Necessities" "Ch 6: Unclear Paths" "Ch 7: Clouded Judgements" "Ch 8: Inconvenient Worries" "Ch 9: Unusual Friendships"
***
Aoi lost count of the various public places he used to lose tails, muddle his trail, and conceal his scent. The fifth -or so- bar left his nose slightly stuffed with a mix of colognes, sweat and cigarette smoke, but gave him hope of anonymity in his hunting. Another few browsing stops later and he hesitated on the street, leaning on the corner of a building and taking a moment to drink in his surroundings.
Alert in spite of his deceptively lazy pose, Aoi watched the crowd that thronged along the sidewalks through lowered lashes. Now and then a woman considered him and offered an inviting smile, but he ignored them. He wasn’t looking for a date, but waiting for the scent of another Shifter. He wasn’t admiring long-lashed eyes, but looking for the tell-tale reflective flash of animal eyes in a human face. On the whole, he thought less of females than males, so it made sense that they would send female Shifters after him.
Moments ticked by, lost in the rush of the crowd and the hum of traffic. Aoi waited, letting time pass as he searched with all his senses. Still, no WTA officials leapt out of the alley, no SUVs with black-out tint came cruising up the street, no scent or sight of other Shifters caught his attention. Perhaps he had done it; perhaps he had managed to lose them, for now.
‘They’ll know where to find him, even if you don’t.’ He rationalized as he pushed away from the wall and disappeared into the crowd again. ‘And if they don’t know, while they’re hunting you they’re also figuring out where he’s gone. If they can’t catch you while you hunt for the Artist, they’ll catch him in order to bait you back out of hiding… Even if they don’t know why you haven’t gone for him yet, they’ll be planning how to catch you when you do.’
Which made him want to rush to his Tamer, to take and protect what was his, but for the moment he resisted. It would do no good to race off without a thought, like an animal seeking to evade the trap. Categorically, that was when said animal got caught, forging head-first into a cage hidden right in front of its nose. Aoi would not be that startled, wild thing, herded into a metal box and hauled back to captivity.
Somewhere, Kouyou was waiting… And if it took finding the Artist to ensure their future safety, the Shifter would do that. Hunting for a dead man to ensure a future with his Tamer was a small thing, when stacked against the shining weight of their potential future together.
If Aoi was honest with himself -something he refused to do was lie to his own mind- he would raze the city to the ground if it meant he and his Tamer had a chance at freedom. Reluctant to categorize that possible method as ‘inadvisable’, Aoi instead filed it under a ‘pending possibility’ and pressed onward, losing himself in the hunt.
With his trail thoroughly muddled, he took the opportunity to act on the teacher’s information, seeking out a number of ‘underground’ posts. The first two were clubs, but both turned out to be dead-ends. In the third, a quiet restaurant, he had some luck, accepting a slim envelope of information from the manager after a quick discussion. Inclining his head in a bow, he slipped back into the night, hiding himself in an alley before he dared to read the contents.
A slim stack of cash, a few credit cards, a key and a card directing him to where the motorcycle it belonged to was parked… And a business card for La Galleria with a note on the back: See Shota, attached to a laminated ‘One-Time Access’ card.
Aoi permitted a predatory smile to steal across his features, eyes glittering in the darkness. “Found you.”
*
“So other than the news that ‘it’s getting warmer’, what brings you to my door so late, Runt?” Shota murmured as he finished off his cigarette and sipped at his wine again, his dark eyes serious as they rested on Ruki’s sprawled form.
“Do I need a reason?” The shorter male returned, gnawing at his lower lip when the manager didn’t seem dissuaded in the least. “To see my best friend?”
Shota shook his black bangs out of his eyes, and narrowed his gaze in a mock-glare, his tone taking on an edge of warning. “Runt.”
“Well, Kai sort of annoyed me.” The artist hedged, when it seemed the discussion couldn’t be avoided. “So rather than give into the pressing urge I had to completely wreck-and-redecorate his room… I thought I’d step out for a bit.”
“Moderately closer to the truth, I think.” Shota mused. “I guess I’ll accept that explanation, since it is all the elusive Ruki will give me.”
“How gracious of you.” Ruki retorted dryly, his wine-glass half-way to his lips when the phone on Shota’s desk chimed.
“Hold that thought, precious one.” Shota winked, standing and planting a hip on the surface of the desk as he pressed one of the buttons. “Shota here.”
“Sir?” The female voice that had welcomed Ruki to La Galleria sounded again, this time somewhat hesitant. “There is a guest here to see you, with a One-Shot Pass.”
Shota frowned, brows drawing together as he glanced to Ruki, and then back to the phone. “Where is the One-Shot from?”
“The file left at the Black Lotus Restaurant has apparently been retrieved.” The woman replied smoothly. “He is waiting… Sir?”
“Escort him to my office, Mika, but please do so quietly.” Shota instructed reluctantly. “One-Shot guests are not the sort we want attention drawn to, if it can be helped.”
“I will use the staff hallway, Sir.” She replied efficiently, and the phone clicked again.
Ruki shifted in his seat, nerves sparking and muscles gone taunt beneath too-tight skin. When Shota glanced back to the artist he was met with an utterly blank face, any secrets hidden from view behind the pale gray lenses. Ruki toyed with his glass for a moment before lifting it to his lips and draining it, standing with a nearly predatory grace.
“Did it just get hot?” Shota demanded, accepting the glass as he moved around the desk and tucked it out of sight.
“It might have.” Ruki replied reluctantly.
“How bad?”
“Just a little warm.” The artist hedged, shifting on his feet as he debated his options. “Black Lotus had a double failsafe set-up.”
“Failsafe!?” Shota demanded with the faintest squeak. “What are you saying?”
“That in order to pick up the One-Shot Pass at Black Lotus, someone had to be cleared and re-directed from the Blue Koi, and Dragon and Phoenix.”
“You have friends at Blue Koi and Dragon and Phoenix?” Shota shook his head. “Inside the clubs or just at the doors?”
“Inside.” Ruki replied distractedly.
Shota cursed under his breath, whistling in appreciation all the same. “Remind me to call you the next time I want to have a party there.”
Ruki shrugged. “If you’re so inclined, arrangements can be made.”
“Let’s stick to the current issue, shall we?” Shota flicked nervously at an appointment book on his desk. “He -whoever he is- passed your double failsafe, and retrieved a package you stashed -presumably with this sort of situation in mind- that led him here, to me?”
“There is a card in the file directing the holder to find Shota, yes.” Ruki admitted. “To be fair, I should have asked you, or at least told you, that such a thing was a possibility… But at the time I was preparing for the water to heat, and I didn’t even think to hesitate with you… You’re the only one I can trust with something like this, Shota.”
“So what do you need me to do?”
“For starters, let him in the door.” Ruki gave a weak smile.
“Even though he might be a danger to you?” Shota demanded, looking more reluctant all the time.
Ruki hesitated at the sound of someone knocking, and then gave a firm nod. “Especially then, Shota, since he most likely is a danger to me.”
“I’m sure you meant for that to be comforting.”
“I meant it to be honest, Sho-ah.”
“Ahh, now the nickname returns.” Shota feigned disgust. “Very well, let us see how this goes before I demand compensation for the strain you’re causing my poor heart. Mika! Allow my guest in, please.”
Ruki settled himself in a relaxed pose in his newly-turned chair, feigning nonchalance as he fixed his gaze on the door and waited. No matter who stalked in, he would not react, his life depended on that.
The door opened, and a Shifter stepped into the room.
The black-eyed male hesitated like a cat in a new place, tension thrumming through him as he tilted his head in consideration. He drew a deep breath and held it, making no move as the door closed behind him.
Eyes coasting over the manager standing behind his desk, Aoi then turned his attention to other occupant of the room, a man lounging in one of the guest chairs.
“So then, this is The Artist that all Rogues hope to find.” He murmured in a tone that was less questioning and more triumphant. Watching the seated male shudder, he grinned. “Delightful. We have much to speak of, you and I.”
***
DUN, DUN DUUUUUN!! Right? A little? Anyone? Well I hope you guys liked, and more soon, so tell me you're still around and still love like me a little bit? Chu!