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Once A Thief	By : Kali Category: Beyblade > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 9119 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Kali notes: I�m just going to quit being optimistic when it comes to my
time.� I think I keep jinxing myself when
I say I can finally do more writing.�
Anyway, I give you another chapter!�
We�re getting into the fun stuff now�� And how about some
more Tala/Hilary?� Yep.� I agree.

Disclaimer: Don�t own it.� Don�t sue.

Warnings: Yaoi (unless you�re on ffnet; then you
get shounen-ai), language, dramatic angst, and other adult content. Don�t
like it, don�t read it!

Pairing: TyKa; others include Tala/Hilary, mentioned Rei/Mariah

~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 15: Thick As Thieves � Part IV

�� That�was extremely hard on my
nerves.�� Tala complained with a huff as
he flopped into an oversized armchair in the living room of Kai and Takao�s
guest house.� �I never thought that
concealing the truth would ever be this hard.�

�� You�re telling me?�� Kai just gave him a look and settled down
next to Takao on the sofa, draping an arm around the bluenette�s
shoulders.� Hilary sat down next to Takao
on his other side and smothered a yawn.

�� It was certainly nerve-wracking �
for all of us.�� She tried diffusing the
tension level diplomatically.� �I think
we did fine, though.� We didn�t reveal
anything we shouldn�t, and it seems like my performance was at least
believable��

�� You did great, Hilary.�� Takao smiled at her.� �You�re a much better actress than I�d have
thought.�

�� She blinked at him, not sure if she
should be insulted or feel complimented.�
�Um�thanks.�

�� Well, we got through the initial
hours smoothly, but now comes the hard part � doing
what we came here to do and getting away with it.�� Tala sat up and leaned forward, resting his
elbows on his knees.� His ice blue eyes
flicked over each of them, lingering on his �girlfriend� surreptitiously as he
continued.� He was trying to ignore the
weird feeling that tickled the back of his mind and made his chest ache a
little at the idea that Hilary was only acting and didn�t really feel a
thing toward him.� �How long should we
stay for?� It�ll be easier to plan if we
have a time frame to work with.�

�� I think it�ll be best if we take it
the night before we leave.�� Takao
stated.� �That way, the chances of
someone finding that it�s gone before we get away with it are much lower, and
I�m sure if Kai�s parents do find out it�s gone,
they�ll be calling Kai immediately to come in and investigate, right?�

�� Yeah, probably.�� Kai had to agree with that.� �Then Tala and I would have to come back and
make a show of investigating.�� He
frowned, sighing.� �I really don�t
want to have to do that.�

�� If we�re lucky, we won�t
have to.� We just need to do this
right.�� Tala pulled out his laptop
computer from its bag and turned it on.�
�Hilary and I need to go over the blueprints and the layout of the
security system a couple more times, just to be safe, before we go ahead with
the plan.�� He glanced at his
partner.� �Kai, you need to find out for
sure if the Egg is where it�s supposed to be.�

�� Please.�� Takao agreed fervently.� �I don�t want a repeat of the manuscript
incident, thank you very much.�

�� Oh�right.�� Tala nodded, remembering Takao�s statement
detailing that particular item.� �Yes,
let�s not repeat that.�

�� Kai ran his fingers through his hair
and decided enough was enough for one day.�
�We�ll discuss it more tomorrow.�
For now, I�m tired, and Takao needs to rest, so pack it up, Tala.�

�� Takao let his head fall against
Kai�s shoulder and snuggled in with a sigh.

�� But�� Tala frowned in protest, though he didn�t
finish the complaint.� �Okay.� Let�s leave these two, Hilary.�� He put the computer away and got up, Hilary
following him.

�� Hilary?�� Takao called her back for a moment.� �Are you sure you�re alright staying next
door with Tala?� Alone?�

�� She smiled at the genuine concern in
his voice.� �Yes.� I know he�ll be a gentleman, Takao.� But I appreciate you asking.�� Hilary gave him a small hug.� �Get some rest, Takao.� We�ll see you in the morning, okay?�

�� I will.� Good night, Hilary.�

�� That goes for you, too, Kai.�� The brunette admonished.� �You need the rest just as much.�� She waved over her shoulder.� �Good night, guys.� She said as she closed
the door behind her, leaving them alone in the guest house.

�� Silence fell over the room like a blanket,
and Takao smiled to himself, cuddling Kai like an oversized pillow.� The fire-eyed agent smothered a yawn and
lazily ran fingers through Takao�s hair.

�� Let�s go to bed, lover.�� Takao pushed himself up and away from Kai,
and got to his feet.� �I don�t think I
can keep my eyes open much longer.�

�� Right behind you,
Taka.�� Kai got up and moved to
lock the door and turn off the lights before he followed his lover into the
bedroom.

~*~*~*~*~

�� In
the other guest house, Tala was busily setting up his computer equipment
again.� Hilary sat on the sofa, watching
him amusedly.

�� I
take it you�re not ready to go to sleep yet, Agent Ivanov?�� She observed, resigning herself to the
upcoming late night.

�� Not yet, no.�� Tala
answered, plugging several cables into the laptop, and then plugging directly
into the phone jack nearby.� �I want to
be ready for this.� I want to be as
familiar as possible with the security here as I can get before Takao and Kai
do their part.� You�re going to need to
do the same, Hilary.�� He stated
decisively, finally looking up at her.�
�Between the two of us, we should be able to handle everything well
enough that our partners can do what needs to be done with ease and little
worry.�

�� Of course, Tala.��
Hilary nodded in agreement.� �I
understand that.� I�m just thinking we
need our sleep, too.�

�� We
will.� But now, this time of night, is
the only real opportunity we�ll have to practice and scope out the
situation.� During the day we�re going to
be busy playing the happy couple and socializing with one or both of Kai�s
parents.�� Tala explained.� He sat down beside Hilary and turned on the
laptop.

�� Alright.� So what do
we do first?�� Hilary couldn�t really
argue that point, so she gave in gracefully and watched the screen intently to
study what Tala did.

�� We�ll
use the phone line to hack into the system.�
Get those scans of the layout of the interior Kenny gave us, would you?�

�� Okay.�� Hilary dug through the carry case for the
laptop until she came up with several pages.�
�What am I looking for?�

�� Hmm�can
you see which route would be the fastest, easiest way to get in and out,
without a security system to deal with?�

�� Well��
the brunette traced a path on the first page with a finger.� �If they leave from their guest house, and go
this way, enter here�� she paused, turned the map and frowned.� �Actually, I�m wondering if climbing up to
his second story window that opens to the room next to that library wouldn�t be
easier than trying to sneak upstairs from the inside.�

�� How so?�

�� Less
likely that they�d accidentally run into Kai�s parents, or a staff member, or
whatever.�

�� Ah.� We�ll run it by Kai and Takao later.�� Tala looked back at his screen and began
trying to hack the system.� �Now let�s
see��

�� For
the next three hours they plotted, experimented, and worked out a tentative
plan of action for their counterparts next door.

�� The
redheaded agent smothered a yawn and finished saving the data they�d collected,
shutting the laptop down for the night.�
He blinked and glanced down when he felt a soft, warm body suddenly fall
against his side and saw Hilary�s mahogany hair spill across his shoulder as
her head dropped to rest there.� His lips quirked upward in a small smile.� She�d fallen asleep on him.

�� Tala reached over and turned off the table lamp, tossing the room
into darkness, then carefully, in an effort not to displace or jar Hilary and
wake her, slid down onto the sofa onto his back and pulled her with him
so that she lay atop him comfortably.�
Her head pillowed on his chest, and he draped an arm around her to keep
her from falling off the sofa to the floor.

�� Hey,
he wasn�t about to pass up an opportunity like this if he could help it.� No matter that he was supposed to be pretending to be dating the pretty young
brunette, but he actually did like her and respect her.� He wouldn�t have minded much if she returned
the sentiment and interest.

�� Relaxed
and comfortable, Tala allowed his eyes to close and for sleep to claim him.

~*~*~*~*~

�� When
Hilary woke up the following morning, she remained as still as possible the
second she realized where she was and with whom.

�� Or on whom.� Whichever one prefers.

�� Pulse
racing a mile a minute, she wondered if she should move � and risk waking Tala
up � or if she should pretend to be still asleep and wait until he woke up on
his own.

�� She
didn�t have to make the decision.� Tala�s
voice, rough and low with sleep, interrupted her thoughts.

�� Relax,
sweetheart.� You�re perfectly safe with
me.�� An arm draped itself over the back
of her shoulders and effectively pinned her to his chest, which moved in a deep
sigh.� �Go back to sleep.�

�� Ur�Tala�I�� Hilary
blushed furiously and wiggled, trying to escape.

�� Damn,
girl.� I�m not going to jump you.� I just want a few more minutes of sleep.� Is it really so bad to want you here with
me?�� Tala grumbled, cracking open one
eye to stare at her.� �Besides�I already
owe you one very nice, romantic date since we slept together last night, and if
we did anything else I�d have to marry you.��
He grinned at her horrified expression.�
�Since neither of us are ready for that stage of the relationship yet, how
about we just go back to sleep and settle for that date.�

�� Giving
up � and giggling a little � Hilary let herself fall back into the relaxed
position she�d been in when she woke up.�
For a moment, she listened to his heart beating strong and steady before
she finally curled an arm around him in return.

�� Are
you always this persistent and sure of yourself?�� She asked.�
�And what date?� Don�t I get a say
in this?�

�� Me?� Persistent?�� Tala�s tone was full of amusement.� �I suppose.�
When I find someone worth the pursuit, I usually do everything I can.� As for the date�well, I usually date a girl
before I sleep with her � or anything else for that matter � so since we�re
doing this all backward, I owe you a date.�

�� Oddly
enough, Hilary found that to be quite logical.

�� Alright.�� She said
softly after a moment of silence.� �When
everything�s over with, I�ll hold you to that.��
She hid her blush by snuggling against him.

�� Tala
smiled to himself.� Score.

~*~*~*~*~

�� The
afternoon found the four young professionals enjoying the Hiwatari swimming
pool.� It was sweltering hot, for a
nearly autumn day, and since both of Kai�s parents were unavailable that day they
were left to their own devices.

�� Takao
was perfectly content in the water.� He
frolicked, he paddled, he splashed and generally had a
blast.� Kai, for the most part, just sat
on the edge of the pool and watched him with a small, tell-tale
smile of indulgence and amusement.

�� On
the one side of the pool, Tala spent some time swimming leisurely laps � away from
Takao so as not to accidentally run into him.�
He didn�t like the heat so much, so he
preferred staying in the relative coolness of the waters of the outdoor pool.

�� Hilary,
on the other hard, was soaking up the rare opportunity to relax and do absolutely
nothing � not to mention the sun�s rays.�
She lounged on a chair in her two-piece, dark green bathing suit, a pair
of dark, delicate sunglasses protecting her eyes as she let the sun give her
pale skin a much � desired bronzing.

�� To
top off their paradise, the Hiwatari staff kept them supplied with icy cool
drinks, snacks to nibble on, and necessities like sunscreen and towels.

�� The
sun was high overhead and beating down on the poor humans below when a dripping
wet Takao heaved himself liquidly out of the deep end of the pool, a mischievous,
wicked glint on his blue eyes, and made his way toward an unsuspecting
Hilary.� Kai shook his head, watching,
and debating whether he should attempt to be gallant and warn the girl or
pretend he wasn�t paying attention.

�� Tala
reached the end of the pool where his partner had his feet dangling in the
water and ceased his laps, ready for a break.�
He tread water a moment to push his sopping red
hair out of his eyes before moving to the stairs and climbing out.� Grabbing a towel, he began drying himself off
and plopped down with a squelching sound next to Kai.

�� Aren�t
you going to swim, Kai?� Take advantage,
partner.�� He suggested, draping the
towel around his shoulders.

�� Maybe.� At the
moment, I�m waiting for the hurricane to hit.��
Kai gestured toward a still oblivious Hilary and the expertly creeping
Takao.� ��10 says he manages to get her
in the water before she realizes what�s happening.�� Tala blinked then smothered a laugh.� He was male enough to appreciate what the
bluenette intended to do, but on the other hand, he really should be defending
her as her�could be, one day soon, boyfriend.

�� Shouldn�t he?

�� Then again he was a
wolf, with that trickster�s mischievousness that his fellow wolves � human and
animal � often displayed.

�� 20
says he gets his ass handed to him.�
Royally.�� Tala responded after a
minute.� There.� That was defence, in a round-about way.

�� Deal.�

�� Two
minutes, a loud splash, and vehement cursing of Takao in full voice later, Kai
was smugly and proudly watching his lover make a life-or-death run for it as
the infuriated brunette chased him down, promising a world of pain for getting
her hair wet.

�� You
owe me, Ivanov.�

�� Shut
up.� Now if you�ll excuse me, it�s my cue
to go a be a knight in�well, white bathing trunks, and
go rescue the princess from the dragon.��
Tala rose and padded off, waiting nearby until Takao dashed past with a
laughing squeal, closely followed by Hilary.�
The wolf snagged her around the waist as she passed and ended the chase
neatly by handing her a clean, fluffy towel.

�� Here
you go, sweetheart, dry yourself.�� He
smiled benignly at her scowl, unfazed by her attempts to free herself and
murder Takao.� �Would you like some help
re-applying your sunscreen, Hilary?�

�� Hilary
gave Takao (who had ducked down beside his lover to hide from her wrath) a
final death glare then smiled up at Tala with a nod.� �Thank you, Tala.� I always miss a few places on my back when I
put it on myself.�� Then she blushed and
tilted her head at him.� �Sweetheart?�

�� Tala
winked and led her back to her chair, but didn�t say
another word.

�� My,
my�aren�t you brave.�� Kai drawled,
tossing a towel at Takao�s head.� �You
could have had your eyes clawed out for that.�

�� Nah.� She knows I�d never hurt her.�
It was just a bit of fun, Kai.� And
she�ll forgive me.�� Takao grinned and
wrung out his hair before towelling it dry.�
�Someday.�

�� Kai
rolled his eyes again, taking the towel from him to do it himself.� Takao�s grin was replaced
by a happy smile, his eyes closing to enjoy his lover�s touch and
treatment.� Then Kai threw the towel to
the side and pulled the bluenette closer to sit between his legs and proceeded
to gently finger-comb the tangles out, earning an approving purr of sound from
Takao.� After a few blissful moments,
Takao abruptly twisted in Kai�s arms and ran his fingers through Kai�s own
hair.

�� Kiss
me, Kai�� He murmured
just before Kai, already leaning in the second he�d turned, did just that.

�� Tala
slowly rubbed the sunscreen lotion over Hilary�s pale, smooth skin, taking care
not to miss any spots on her back.� He was mesmerized by the sight of that ivory flesh that (other than
the slight sun-kissed tone of it) was nearly as pale as his own skin.

�� Hilary
sat in front of him on the deck chair, eyes closed and a faint blush painting
her cheeks.� Even though he was being a
perfect gentleman and not trying to cop a feel (as
most would have done, she believed), it was still a very new experience for her
to be touched this way.� Truthfully, the
entire strange relationship that was developing between them was new to
her.� She�d
dated, but none of those had ever lasted very long.� Then, too, his
silence was unnerving her the longer it went on.

�� To
that effect, she cleared her throat and glanced over her shoulder at him.� �You�re very quiet, Tala.� Something on your mind?�

�� His
hands didn�t pause as he leaned forward just enough for her to feel his body
heat � even on a day like it was�though it could just be her mind playing
tricks on her.� A wicked grin spread over
his face.� �All kinds of things, sweetness.� But mostly you.�

�� The brunette blushed and hastily looked forward again with a
giggle.� Then she blinked and looked away
from the private moment going on across the pool between Kai and Takao.� �Oh my��

�� What?�� Tala sat up on his knees to peer over the top
of her head.� �Geez.� The
lovebirds are at it again, I see.�

�� Yes,
but leave them be.�� Hilary smiled to
herself, unconsciously leaning back into him.�
�They�ve got a lot of lost time to make up for.�� Then she spotted a garden hose lying on the
grass near a bunch of shrubbery.� �Of
course, payback�s a bitch��

�� Tala
looked down at her in confusion, hearing a note of steely vengeance in her
voice that he wondered if he should be concerned about.� �Huh?�
What are you�?�

�� Shh.�� Hilary slipped
over to the hose and picked up the business end with a particularly evil
grin.� �Turn this on, would you?�

�� Comprehension
dawned and Tala was all too happy to go looking for the switch.� He cranked it up and went back to Hilary with
an equally evil grin.

�� And
you don�t even have to get that close to them.�
Nice.�� He commented in
appreciation. This was a female with
a spirit of mischievousness to match his own.� �I think the heat needs to be turned down on
those two, don�t you?�

�� Amen.�� Hilary turned the hose in their direction and
let the forceful spray of cold water launch toward Kai
and Takao.

�� The
dual-haired agent was definitely feeling the heat � to the point where he was
about ready to pick his blue-haired lover up and cart him off to the guesthouse
� when he was abruptly interrupted and cooled down by a
startling spray of cold water.

�� Yelping,
Takao broke away from the addictive attentions of the older man and tried to
see what was causing the sudden torrential downpour.� He had a hard time, having to fend off the
hard spray of water, but he managed to see the hose � and then the person
holding it.

�� Ahh!� Hilary!�� He squawked.�
�Turn it � argh � off!�

�� After
a few more blasts for good measure to make sure they were completely soaked, Hilary
stopped the hose and set it down, dusting her hands off.

�� Ha!
And now we�re even, Takao!�� She declared
in satisfaction.� Tala laughed outright
at the sight of his soaked, bedraggled partner and the reluctant thief.

�� What
the hell did I do?!�� Kai complained, getting up to look for towels.

�� Sorry, Kai.�� Hilary
batted her eyes at him sweetly.� �You
were an innocent victim of friendly fire.�

�� Just
admit defeat quietly, Kinomiya.� You can�t
compete with the female mind.�� Tala
advised, still snickering.� One storm
blue pair of eyes and one pair of fiery crimson red pinned him with disgruntled
glares.

�� Traitor.�� Kai
accused, handing Takao a towel.

�� You
bet.�� Tala responded blithely.

�� Ah!� There all of you are!�� Kai�s mother appeared for the direction of
the main house.� �Have you had a good
day, children?�� Masumi asked as she
stopped next to Tala.

�� Hi, Mom!� Yeah, we
were just enjoying the pool.�� Tala bent
and gave the petite woman a kiss on the cheek.

�� How
are you today, Masumi-san?�� Takao asked,
smiling.� Kai�s arm draped around his
shoulder and he nodded.

�� Hello,
Mother.�

�� Masumi
smiled at them, pleased.� �I�m very well
today, thank you, Takao.� I actually came
out to let you all know that supper is at 6:30 tonight.�� Her eyes met her son�s.� �My husband will be joining us tonight, also.�

�� Takao
tensed up immediately, and Kai�s arm tightened protectively around him.

�� Thanks
for the heads-up, Mother.�� Kai
responded, glancing at his watch.� �In
that case, we�d better all go get cleaned up and dressed.� It�s nearly 5 pm now.�

�� She
nodded and went to Takao, giving him a motherly pat.� �Don�t worry, my dear.� Susumu can be intimidating but he�s really a big teddy bear once you get to know him. He�s not that bad.�
And he�s quite anxious to meet you.�

�� Takao
didn�t really know what to say to that except, �I look
forward to meeting Kai�s father, Masumi-san.�

�� You�ll
be fine.�� Masumi clapped her hands
sharply together.� �Go on, now!� Time�s marching on!�� She shooed them off to get ready.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Kai
stepped out of the bathroom and stooped dead.�
Their bedroom was a disastrous whirlwind of various articles of
clothing.� Shaking his head, he stepped
gingerly over the ones on the floor and walked over to the mirror where the
midnight blue-haired thief stood studying his appearance.

�� Having
issues, Kinomiya?� Or did a tornado pass
through unexpectedly?�

�� Takao
glanced at him in the mirror�s reflection and glowered.� �Hardy har
har.� Is
this shirt alright, or should I wear a tie?� I brought ties��

�� Love,
you don�t have to wear a tie.� It�s not
formal�just a family dinner that we have to look presentable for, that�s all.�� Kai stood behind Takao and straightened the
collar of his dress shirt, smoothing the edges down and pulling the mass of
blue-black hair out of Takao�s face.� �Just
be yourself, Taka.� My father respects
those who are self-confident and comfortable with who
they are.�� Kai tied the hair back with
an elastic hair-band and let his hands rest on the bluenette�s shoulders.� �Let him see what I have always seen.�

�� A
weak smile passed over Takao�s features.�
�I�ll try.� Sorry I�m such a
wreck, love.�

�� You�re
not a wreck.� You�re
just nervous.� I was terrified when you
first introduced me to Gramps you know.�
And then when I met you father and brother at Grad�I was petrified.�� Kai admitted wryly.� Takao�s eyes were wide and he shook his head.

�� You?� No way.� If you were,
you sure hid it well, Kai.�

�� I
was.� And I don�t
think your brother approved of me, either.�
He kept staring at me all day like he wanted me to disappear or he�d make me.�

�� Takao
gave a startled laugh.� �Sounds like
Hiroshi.� He and I are going to have to
have a long chat when this is over with, I think.�

�� Kai
kissed him on the cheek and moved away.� �He�s
going to have to get used to me because I�m not going anywhere ever again.� Now, let�s get
going, love.� The sooner we get this over
with, the sooner you�ll feel better.�

�� Yeah��
Takao gave himself one final once-over then followed Kai from the room.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Entering
the dining room together, the four young conspirators were
greeted by Kai�s mother, holding a tray of champagne flutes filled with
sparkling, bubbly champagne.

�� Good
evening!� Have a glass of champagne, each
of you.� My husband will be down any
minute and we can sit down to dinner.�

�� Takao
took the glass, though he hesitated because he didn�t
know how to turn it down without insulting her.�
Kai came to the rescue, however, and plucked it from his fingers.

�� None for you.� No
alcohol, Kinomiya.�

�� Kai!�� Masumi
scolded.

�� Doctor�s orders, Mother.�
He�s got an ulcer, and his medication wouldn�t agree with the alcohol.�� Kai explained, sipping it himself.� �Do we have any of that non-alcoholic cider
around?�

�� Masumi
was immediately sympathetic and concerned.�
�Oh!� Yes, of course.� You poor young man.� It�s such a shame
that the youth of today must suffer such stress as to fall under such health
problems.� One moment and I�ll have the staff
fetch something more appropriate for you.��
She gracefully whisked away before Takao could say anything.� Instead, he whined at his lover in
embarrassment.

�� Kai��

�� What?� You know you can�t drink it!�

�� I
wasn�t going to!� I just didn�t know how to say �no thank you�
without insulting her!�

�� The
truth works, you know.�

�� Now
I feel bad for requiring special consideration like that.�

�� As
adorable as it is and as much as I would love
to kiss away that pout of yours, please turn the puppy look
off?�

�� You�re
the least sympathetic person on the planet, aren�t you?�

�� No.� That�s Tala.�

�� Hey!�� A scowl was directed
at Kai from his partner.� Hilary
smothered a giggle.

�� I
hate you, Kai.�� The bluenette pouted
more.

�� Kai
smiled and kissed him on the cheek before taking another sip of champagne.� �I love you, too, Taka.�

�� Takao
sighed, losing the inane argument to those three, most meaningful words.� �Yeah, yeah��

�� Still
frowning, Tala shook his head.� �Were
they like that in high school, too?�� He
asked Hilary.� She thought about it for a
moment.

�� Well,
in a way, I suppose.� Back then I didn�t know they were even dating each other,
though.� I just thought it was bickering
among friends.�

�� Tala
blinked.� �How could you not tell?�� He asked incredulously.� �They absolutely drip with �coupleness!��

�� Now.� Then they sure didn�t
act as most couples do.� They didn�t hold
hands al the time, they didn�t act affectionate in public � not so as to be
noticed, at least � and they were hardly ever seen together alone, without any of the others around,
so..� Hilary shrugged and sipped her champagne.

�� Odd.
�And yet�not.�

�� Exactly.�

�� Kai�s
mother returned with a member of the staff in tow who was carrying a bottle of
cider and an empty flute.

�� Here,
now, Takao.� It�s
non-alcoholic, but I wouldn�t drink too much anyway.� The acidity may not agree with your stomach.�� The staff person handed her a full flute of
the cider and Masumi handed it to the bluenette.

�� Thank
you, Masumi-san.� You really needn�t give
me any special consideration though�� Takao accepted it and obediently took a
small sip.� �This is very good, however!�

�� Masumi
laughed and gave him a mild scolding.� �Of
course I wouldn�t want you to ingest anything that might aggravate your
stomach, son.� I�ve made sure we have
plenty of tea for you instead of coffee, and if there�s anything else you
shouldn�t eat or drink, you can let me know later, alright?�

�� Yes, ma�am.�� Takao
bowed in acquiescence, not knowing what else to say at such acceptance by Kai�s
mother.

�� Kai
just smiled into his champagne, silently thanking his mother for the same
reason.

�� Ah
yes.� Here is everyone!�� A new, male voice declared as Hiwatari Susumu
appeared at the double doors of the dining room.� �Kai, you�ve finally come home, have you?�

�� Father.�� Kai nodded
in greeting.� �Yes, only for a visit, I�m
afraid.�

�� Still
working on catching that thief, are you?��
Susumu walked over to where Kai and Takao were, and Kai slid an arm
around the bluenette�s waist, giving him a nearly imperceptible squeeze of
reassurance.

�� Yes, sir.� He�s just
very clever, but we�ll get to the bottom of it.�

�� Good,
good.�� The Hiwatari patriarch looked at
Takao, his face revealing no sign of what he was thinking or feeling.� �You must be the Kinomiya. �Takao, was it?�

�� Nervously,
the bluenette cleared his throat and gave a deep bow from the waist.� �Yes, sir.� It is a great honour to
finally meet you, Hiwatari-sama.� I regret having missed the opportunity to do
so years ago before your family moved from Japan.�� He said in as steady a voice as he could with
a very formal tone, speaking his native Japanese.

~*~*~*~*~

Kali
Notes:� Yay for me!� Classes
are done for the semester and we�re into
holidays!� I�m
so happy�� Hope you enjoyed the
chapter!� Please R/R!!!!
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Once A Thief