FANFIC: "Tiger Tamer" (Ch 8: Inconvenient Worries) (The GazettE- Aoi & Uruha)
Title: Tiger Tamer: Ch 8: Inconvenient Worries
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: Here we are, an update! Chapter 8 has arrived at last! Smile and wave at the grumpy roommate! XD
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"
***
Nervous as to the status of his missing roommate, Takanori found himself pacing around their shared apartment. It was stupid to be worried about Kai -Takanori didn’t ever worry about anyone, he kept people at a distance for a reason!- but he couldn’t change the fact that the dryness in his mouth and the tension in his shoulders were most likely symptoms of that very thing. Perhaps he was even afraid.
He scoffed to himself. ‘Afraid.’
There were shadows in his past that had taught him to be afraid. The same dark things that taught him to keep people at a distance. But he had gotten careless as of late, had relaxed enough to let a roommate in… He let someone close to him -closer than anyone had been since his childhood- and now he regretted it.
What if something has happened? ‘Should I just go ahead and run again?’
There were escape plans in place… He could cut and dye his hair again, move to one of the different safe houses he kept should they be needed. Hell, he could even sleep at the gallery, as there was a small apartment upstairs. It would be all too easy to pack the essentials and walk out of the apartment and away from this life. A new phone and he would be ready to go, the gallery managers were used to hearing a different name every time they were contacted about his work.
But he didn’t really want to leave Kai. The clueless, puppy-like, eager-to-please music enthusiast was as close to a friend as Takanori had ever had.
‘A friend… A weakness.’ He shook his head. ‘You know better than that, Takanori.’
After the fifth or so lap of the apartment he halted, glaring at the wall he faced. This was stupid, stupid and pointless and a waste of his energy. Fine, let Kai come home when he would! His two hours were almost up; no doubt he’d be there soon. He was probably just distracted by his two best friends, that was just fine.
He’d be along shortly, and his artist-roommate would be gone. That should upset him properly.
Gathering his keys and jacket, Takanori smiled viciously as he sailed out of the room. That would teach his negligent little roommate. No doubt mother-hen Kai would flip when he came home to an empty apartment.
’Serves him right… making me wait like this.’ The artist consoled himself as he pulled the jacket on and stalked to the stairs, as he had no patience for the elevator. ‘I’ll go do something useful at the gallery or something, and he can flail around and worry. That will teach him to be out so late, and make me wait on him!’
*
‘Whatever else Aoi might need to get done in order to ensure that remains true, he will; and then yes, he’ll be here for our Princess.’
Kai nodded, his throat closing on anything he might have said in reply to those words.
Akira tilted his head, scenting Kai’s distress and utter feeling of confusion, but not remarking on it. It was just one more thing, right now. And if he was honest -completely and totally honest- the fact that the little ‘human’ was confused was the least of their problems. Akira would much rather worry about how to keep Kai alive -because of course hunting teams would be coming- than think about handling feelings.
The lion shifter was not so good with ‘feelings’. The mere idea made him shudder. Kai could cry at the drop of a hat. And what was worse? He could make Akira actually feel bad while he did it. The Shifter avoided it whenever possible.
But right now, he was wondering if running Kai off was best… Or if he should just go ahead and attempt to extract the helpless human from his lifestyle and drag him into hiding with Kouyou and -at some point no doubt- Aoi.
This was why he had gone rogue, so he didn’t have to handle people. If he was away from his fellows at the WTA, he didn’t have to worry about keeping them safe. It became their responsibility, not his.
Protecting Kouyou was one thing. Kai? Kai was a complication. Complications were a hazard of ‘normal lives’, the Shifter was learning. But just because he was learning didn’t mean he had to like it.
“Akira?” Kai’s lost voice cut through the lion’s musings, making him tilt his head in question.
Akira sighed. The real bitch was, he already did like Kai. “Yes Kai?”
“Is it going to be alright?”
“Of course.” With a reassuring smile that wasn’t completely honest and a gentle nudge, Akira eased Kai toward the door. “I’ll be back inside soon, ok? Go back to whatever magic you’re working in the kitchen, Den Mother.”
Kai managed a faint smile, thankful when Akira ignored the fact that it trembled around the edges. Distracted by the new information that was now racing around inside his head; he nodded and then stepped through the open sliding door, easing it closed behind him. His thoughts raced around in his head, kicked to dizzying speed at the other man’s words. Unsure what else to do, he moved back through the apartment and to the kitchen, his mind set on what he had learned in the last few moments.
Shuffling across the kitchen to stare unseeingly at the pot of water he had started for tea, Kai waited for it to boil as he mulled things over. Once again a frown overtook his usually cheerful expression, his brows furrowing as he reviewed what he knew.
Granted, everyone knew about the WTA… Or at least, Kai believed that almost everyone knew. The high-tech facility was impressive and imposing, and acknowledged to be a center for pioneering technology and science. Most people even knew there was an elite force of Shifters at the beck-and-call of the organization, trained to do whatever they were ordered. The government occasionally hired out the Shifter-Tamer teams, when in need of specialists that they didn’t otherwise have access to.
The WTA was probably the most powerful organization in the country. Soon enough it would be a world-wide name, rather than simply country-wide. That was, of course, if things didn’t go drastically wrong.
The way Aoi’s freedom threatened they could.
And it was only Aoi’s freedom -and threat- that made Akira tell him the truth. It was only because of Aoi that Kai even knew Akira was a Shifter and Kouyou a Tamer. His friends had kept their secrets well.
When Kai had first met Kouyou and Akira, the two were already the best of friends, and roommates on top of it all. He had accepted -then and there- that the pair would probably always share secrets, secrets he might never know. It wasn’t to hurt him; of that much he knew with absolute certainty. There was just an air of exclusivity to the pair, as though they had been through trials together. As though they had been through some unspeakable nightmare and it gave them a bond he could not intrude on.
And whatever it was -Kai had never asked- was not something he could understand. He knew it was not to be infringed upon, but he had accepted it… Or perhaps he only thought he had.
The more time the three had spent together, the more relaxed the other two became towards Kai, eventually explaining a few of their secrets. Kai knew that in their own way, both Kouyou and Akira were running from the WTA. He didn’t ask for the specifics, since it didn’t matter. He knew who his friends were, he trusted them, and if half of what they said about the WTA was true, then of course they were right to run away.
But then, he had thought he had known his friends… And now? Now he wasn’t so sure.
Each of us has only one Tamer, Kai. Akira had said. Said it like he knew what it was like to have a Tamer.
So then, Akira was a Shifter, free of the WTA and in hiding. Kouyou was a Tamer, also in hiding. And Kai had been dancing with his friend’s Shifter, never knowing the world they were all hiding from him.
What a mess this was turning out to be.
Glancing at the clock on the stove, Kai closed his eyes with a groan. His two hours were up, and he was now late. His roommate was -no doubt- having kittens…
‘Well… puppies, at the very least.’ Kai corrected. Takanori wasn’t much of a fan of cats. Something about a scare when he was young.
‘Having puppies…’ Kai’s mind repeated as he nodded to himself. ‘And remodeling my room.’
He blinked, his eyes going wide as horror set in. ‘NOT MY ROOM!’
*
Kai whined under his breath as he watched the tea steep and listened to the phone ring. The apartment number trilled, again and again, giving no sign of being answered. Either Takanori was too busy painting to answer, too mad, or not home.
Muttering under his breath, Kai hung up and then searched for Takanori’s cell phone number, listening again as the phone rang. Again. Again.
‘What?’ Takanori’s tone was short with annoyance.
‘Takanori-kun?’ Kai murmured, caution in his tone.
‘Eh?’ The artist grunted. ‘If this is my roommate calling to say he’ll be late, he can save it. And if he’s calling to ask if I’m mad, he obviously doesn’t know me at all.’
‘Takanori-’
‘If this is anyone else, I don’t care right now. Leave a message, maybe I’ll call you back.’
Listening to the click and then beep that indicated he should leave a message, Kai blinked in confusion. Understanding set in slowly, and he winced. His roommate had changed the message on his cellphone just to remark on his ‘sin’. He was in so much trouble.
So. Much. Trouble.
***
Holy Kai-centric chapter Batman! But at least there's a lot of Ruki-kun too, huh? Anyone missing him yet? Anyone glad to see him? Anyone here at all? An update to prove that I'm alive! I was in a car accident yesterday (someone rear-ended us), and am feeling a little sore, but I'm ok. The new job is going well. Yes I am still writing stuff and I am still thinking of you guys and I know that I have stories to continue. Thank you all so much for staying with me! I love you all.
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: Here we are, an update! Chapter 8 has arrived at last! Smile and wave at the grumpy roommate! XD
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"
***
Nervous as to the status of his missing roommate, Takanori found himself pacing around their shared apartment. It was stupid to be worried about Kai -Takanori didn’t ever worry about anyone, he kept people at a distance for a reason!- but he couldn’t change the fact that the dryness in his mouth and the tension in his shoulders were most likely symptoms of that very thing. Perhaps he was even afraid.
He scoffed to himself. ‘Afraid.’
There were shadows in his past that had taught him to be afraid. The same dark things that taught him to keep people at a distance. But he had gotten careless as of late, had relaxed enough to let a roommate in… He let someone close to him -closer than anyone had been since his childhood- and now he regretted it.
What if something has happened? ‘Should I just go ahead and run again?’
There were escape plans in place… He could cut and dye his hair again, move to one of the different safe houses he kept should they be needed. Hell, he could even sleep at the gallery, as there was a small apartment upstairs. It would be all too easy to pack the essentials and walk out of the apartment and away from this life. A new phone and he would be ready to go, the gallery managers were used to hearing a different name every time they were contacted about his work.
But he didn’t really want to leave Kai. The clueless, puppy-like, eager-to-please music enthusiast was as close to a friend as Takanori had ever had.
‘A friend… A weakness.’ He shook his head. ‘You know better than that, Takanori.’
After the fifth or so lap of the apartment he halted, glaring at the wall he faced. This was stupid, stupid and pointless and a waste of his energy. Fine, let Kai come home when he would! His two hours were almost up; no doubt he’d be there soon. He was probably just distracted by his two best friends, that was just fine.
He’d be along shortly, and his artist-roommate would be gone. That should upset him properly.
Gathering his keys and jacket, Takanori smiled viciously as he sailed out of the room. That would teach his negligent little roommate. No doubt mother-hen Kai would flip when he came home to an empty apartment.
’Serves him right… making me wait like this.’ The artist consoled himself as he pulled the jacket on and stalked to the stairs, as he had no patience for the elevator. ‘I’ll go do something useful at the gallery or something, and he can flail around and worry. That will teach him to be out so late, and make me wait on him!’
*
‘Whatever else Aoi might need to get done in order to ensure that remains true, he will; and then yes, he’ll be here for our Princess.’
Kai nodded, his throat closing on anything he might have said in reply to those words.
Akira tilted his head, scenting Kai’s distress and utter feeling of confusion, but not remarking on it. It was just one more thing, right now. And if he was honest -completely and totally honest- the fact that the little ‘human’ was confused was the least of their problems. Akira would much rather worry about how to keep Kai alive -because of course hunting teams would be coming- than think about handling feelings.
The lion shifter was not so good with ‘feelings’. The mere idea made him shudder. Kai could cry at the drop of a hat. And what was worse? He could make Akira actually feel bad while he did it. The Shifter avoided it whenever possible.
But right now, he was wondering if running Kai off was best… Or if he should just go ahead and attempt to extract the helpless human from his lifestyle and drag him into hiding with Kouyou and -at some point no doubt- Aoi.
This was why he had gone rogue, so he didn’t have to handle people. If he was away from his fellows at the WTA, he didn’t have to worry about keeping them safe. It became their responsibility, not his.
Protecting Kouyou was one thing. Kai? Kai was a complication. Complications were a hazard of ‘normal lives’, the Shifter was learning. But just because he was learning didn’t mean he had to like it.
“Akira?” Kai’s lost voice cut through the lion’s musings, making him tilt his head in question.
Akira sighed. The real bitch was, he already did like Kai. “Yes Kai?”
“Is it going to be alright?”
“Of course.” With a reassuring smile that wasn’t completely honest and a gentle nudge, Akira eased Kai toward the door. “I’ll be back inside soon, ok? Go back to whatever magic you’re working in the kitchen, Den Mother.”
Kai managed a faint smile, thankful when Akira ignored the fact that it trembled around the edges. Distracted by the new information that was now racing around inside his head; he nodded and then stepped through the open sliding door, easing it closed behind him. His thoughts raced around in his head, kicked to dizzying speed at the other man’s words. Unsure what else to do, he moved back through the apartment and to the kitchen, his mind set on what he had learned in the last few moments.
Shuffling across the kitchen to stare unseeingly at the pot of water he had started for tea, Kai waited for it to boil as he mulled things over. Once again a frown overtook his usually cheerful expression, his brows furrowing as he reviewed what he knew.
Granted, everyone knew about the WTA… Or at least, Kai believed that almost everyone knew. The high-tech facility was impressive and imposing, and acknowledged to be a center for pioneering technology and science. Most people even knew there was an elite force of Shifters at the beck-and-call of the organization, trained to do whatever they were ordered. The government occasionally hired out the Shifter-Tamer teams, when in need of specialists that they didn’t otherwise have access to.
The WTA was probably the most powerful organization in the country. Soon enough it would be a world-wide name, rather than simply country-wide. That was, of course, if things didn’t go drastically wrong.
The way Aoi’s freedom threatened they could.
And it was only Aoi’s freedom -and threat- that made Akira tell him the truth. It was only because of Aoi that Kai even knew Akira was a Shifter and Kouyou a Tamer. His friends had kept their secrets well.
When Kai had first met Kouyou and Akira, the two were already the best of friends, and roommates on top of it all. He had accepted -then and there- that the pair would probably always share secrets, secrets he might never know. It wasn’t to hurt him; of that much he knew with absolute certainty. There was just an air of exclusivity to the pair, as though they had been through trials together. As though they had been through some unspeakable nightmare and it gave them a bond he could not intrude on.
And whatever it was -Kai had never asked- was not something he could understand. He knew it was not to be infringed upon, but he had accepted it… Or perhaps he only thought he had.
The more time the three had spent together, the more relaxed the other two became towards Kai, eventually explaining a few of their secrets. Kai knew that in their own way, both Kouyou and Akira were running from the WTA. He didn’t ask for the specifics, since it didn’t matter. He knew who his friends were, he trusted them, and if half of what they said about the WTA was true, then of course they were right to run away.
But then, he had thought he had known his friends… And now? Now he wasn’t so sure.
Each of us has only one Tamer, Kai. Akira had said. Said it like he knew what it was like to have a Tamer.
So then, Akira was a Shifter, free of the WTA and in hiding. Kouyou was a Tamer, also in hiding. And Kai had been dancing with his friend’s Shifter, never knowing the world they were all hiding from him.
What a mess this was turning out to be.
Glancing at the clock on the stove, Kai closed his eyes with a groan. His two hours were up, and he was now late. His roommate was -no doubt- having kittens…
‘Well… puppies, at the very least.’ Kai corrected. Takanori wasn’t much of a fan of cats. Something about a scare when he was young.
‘Having puppies…’ Kai’s mind repeated as he nodded to himself. ‘And remodeling my room.’
He blinked, his eyes going wide as horror set in. ‘NOT MY ROOM!’
*
Kai whined under his breath as he watched the tea steep and listened to the phone ring. The apartment number trilled, again and again, giving no sign of being answered. Either Takanori was too busy painting to answer, too mad, or not home.
Muttering under his breath, Kai hung up and then searched for Takanori’s cell phone number, listening again as the phone rang. Again. Again.
‘What?’ Takanori’s tone was short with annoyance.
‘Takanori-kun?’ Kai murmured, caution in his tone.
‘Eh?’ The artist grunted. ‘If this is my roommate calling to say he’ll be late, he can save it. And if he’s calling to ask if I’m mad, he obviously doesn’t know me at all.’
‘Takanori-’
‘If this is anyone else, I don’t care right now. Leave a message, maybe I’ll call you back.’
Listening to the click and then beep that indicated he should leave a message, Kai blinked in confusion. Understanding set in slowly, and he winced. His roommate had changed the message on his cellphone just to remark on his ‘sin’. He was in so much trouble.
So. Much. Trouble.
***
Holy Kai-centric chapter Batman! But at least there's a lot of Ruki-kun too, huh? Anyone missing him yet? Anyone glad to see him? Anyone here at all? An update to prove that I'm alive! I was in a car accident yesterday (someone rear-ended us), and am feeling a little sore, but I'm ok. The new job is going well. Yes I am still writing stuff and I am still thinking of you guys and I know that I have stories to continue. Thank you all so much for staying with me! I love you all.