Adult-FanFiction.org : Gundam, Beyblade, DBZ, FMA

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
- 20
- 21
- 22
Kali Notes:� Hmm�I think it�s time for the denouement phase of
this fic, don�t you?�
Just a few loose ends to begin tying up!�
Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don�t own it.�
Kali & muses are just borrowing the wonderful characters and all
that goes with them from their creator.

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 21: Den of Thieves
� Part V

�� Tala walked into the lounge to find
his partner still sitting on the sofa where he�d left Kai a few minutes
earlier.� The dual-haired man sat forward
on his seat bent over his legs with his head in his hands, forearms resting on
his knees.� Tala paused in the doorway
and considered him, trying to decide how to deal with Kai.� After a moment, with no acknowledgement of
his presence from Kai, the Russian wandered into the room and dropped down next
to him, sitting on the edge of the cushion and mirrored Kai�s posture � though
he stared across the room at nothing instead.

�� So�� he nudged Kai�s knee with his
own.� �Anything you want to get off your
chest now that everyone else is gone?��
Tala glanced over when he got no answer, and frowned when he noticed the
visible tremors shivering through Kai�s form.�
�Kai?� Hey, man, don�t you break
down on me��

�� S-sorry.�� Kai�s voice shuddered with barely leashed
emotions.� �I just�he almost died. I
almost lost him�again.� And now he�s
going to be okay, he�s not going to prison, my parents accept him�� A sob
escaped and the tidal wave broke.

�� Tala sighed and dropped an arm
across Kai�s shoulders in a supportive, friendly show of comfort.� He didn�t try to hug the guy or pat him
consolingly, knowing such affections were not Kai�s thing and wouldn�t be
welcome.� But he understood his partner,
probably better than Kai realized, and he knew the younger agent was finally
giving into all the stress, emotions, and worries that had been piling up on
him.� It was a desperately needed
release, and Tala simply did what he could to allow his friend and partner this
moment of catharsis.� Later, it would be
up to Takao to help Kai � and vice-versa � but for now, he�d have to do.

�� So the wolf simply sat and waited
Kai out, ignoring the shudders and quiet sounds of weeping until they
stopped.� Then he gave the spot between
Kai�s shoulder blades a rough rub and got up to go to the kitchenette along one
wall and get a glass of water, which he handed to Kai as he sat down next to
him again.

�� Here.� Catch your breath, drink this, and let�s blow
this popsicle stand.� I�m taking you
home.�

�� Kai scowled into the water glass,
but had no energy to argue.� He didn�t
want to leave Takao all alone, but he was just about ready to let himself fall
over comatose.� Finishing his water, he
stood up, swaying a bit.� Tala�s grip on
his elbow steadied him, then let go when Kai nodded.

�� You look like hell.� Splash some cold water on your face,
Kai.� Need anything from your desk or
locker?�

�� No.�
Yes�jacket.�� Kai washed his face
in the sink, drying off with paper towels.�
�My keys and wallet are in the pockets.�
And I want to stop by Takao�s room on the way out.�

�� Uh huh.� Look, you go see him and I�ll get your jacket.� Desk?�

�� Yeah.�

�� Tala walked as far as the elevators
with Kai, then split of to go up and get their jackets from their �office�
upstairs.

�� Kai walked into Takao�s room and
stopped beside the bed.� He reached down
and stroked the bluenette�s brow and cheek gently.� �Takao�love, can you hear me?�

�� Somewhat surprisingly, he stirred
and murmured, �Kai?�

�� Yeah.� Sorry to wake you up, Taka, but I just wanted
you to know I�m going home for the night.��
Kai rubbed the pad of his thumb across Takao�s bottom lip.

�� Huh?� Home�� Takao pried open his eyes and blinked
hazily up at his lover.� �Leaving?�

�� Shh�just
for the night, love.� Promise.� I�ll be back.�
But if you need me, tell the nurses and they�ll call for me, okay?�

�� Takao nodded, his eyes drooping sleepily.� �You okay?�
You look�wretched.�� He frowned in
concern as he took in Kai�s exhausted appearance.

�� Kai raised an eyebrow, a grin
flashing briefly.� �Well, you must be
getting better if you can come up with a word like that.�� At the worry in the bluenette�s storm-blue
eyes, he shook his head.� �I�m okay,
Takao.� Just wiped out.� Tala�s taking me home to pass out for a few
hours, then I�ll be fine.�

�� Takao nodded, then yawned
himself.� �Good.� Don�t you go getting sick, too.�

�� I�ll try not to.�� Kai agreed wryly, bending down to kiss his
lover tenderly.� �Go back to sleep
yourself, gorgeous.� I love you.�

�� Love you, Kai.�� Takao latched on before Kai could pull back,
kissing him quite enthusiastically a couple of times more before letting him go
again.� �Okay.� I�m good now.�
Good night, love.�

�� Kai chuckled and tucked the younger
man in.� �Good night.� See you tomorrow.�� He promised, slipping from the room quietly
after Takao�s eyes closed and his yet raspy breathing evened out.

�� Tala was waiting out in the hall for
him.� He handed Kai his jacket and led
the way to the elevators.� �He�s
sleeping?�

�� Yeah.� Let�s get out of here before something else
happens.�

�� I hear that.�

~*~*~*~*~

�� Hilary glanced down at the key in
her hand for the millionth time hat evening, then gathered herself together and
actually used it.� Opening the apartment
door tentatively, she was assaulted by the smells of something cooking and
called out hesitantly, �Tala?� Um�it�s
Hilary��

�� The agent�s red-haired head popped
out from around a corner down the short hall with a welcoming smile on his
face.� He waved her inside then waggled
his cell phone at her as he disappeared again.�
As Hilary moved inside, dropping her suitcase and purse to take her coat
and shoes off, she could hear him talking � though it wasn�t in a language she
understood.� Trying not to make too much
noise while Tala was on the phone, she padded into the flat and began to look
around curiously.

�� He had one very tall book case that
was over flowing with books of all kinds � novels to reference texts to great
literary works � and a smaller, longer bookcase that held an extensive
collection of DVDs and CDs.� Eyeing the
music, she decided to inspect that�s closer later.� After all, one could learn so much about a
guy by his taste in music.

�� Bah.� Idiot junior agents!�� Tala groused, dropping his cell on the
counter and checking his pot on the stove before going into the living room.

�� Problems?�� Hilary inquired, sitting on his rather comfy,
old, and worn sofa when he gestured at it.�
He shook his head.

�� Nah.� They just haven�t figured out that initiative
is encouraged and they don�t have to ask for orders for every little
thing they do.�� Ice-blue eyes rolled in
mild annoyance.� Tala grinned, leaned
down, and kissed the petty brunette softly in greeting.� �That�s better.� How was dinner in Paris, sweetheart?�

�� Divine.� But I�m sure you expected that.�� She smiled up at him, blushing a bit at the
attention.� �Kai�s safely tucked away at
home?�

�� Yep.� Stuffed some food into him before we left the
UNA, then took him home.� I expect he�ll
sleep for quite a few hours with how wiped out he is.�� The wolf sighed, shaking his head.� �I don�t suppose you�re hungry, but can I get
you something to drink?� Coffee, tea,
water, wine�milk?�

�� Hilary laughed.� �No, thanks.�
I had enough at dinner.� Anything
more and I won�t sleep.�

�� Can�t have that.�� Tala agreed, heading back to the
kitchen.� �Don�t mind me.� I just made some soup for myself.�� Ladling a bowlful for himself, Tala sat at
the counter facing the living room to eat.�
�Everyone else get settled at the hotel?�

�� Yes.� Mariah wants to go shopping with me
sometime.� She and Rei don�t know how
long they�ll stay in Paris, but Kenny and Max have both decided to stay until Takao
is released from the medical ward.��
Hilary said, tucking her legs to the side so she could lean comfortably
on the arm of the sofa.

�� And you?�� Tala asked, watching the expressions run
across her face.� �You�re absolutely
welcome to stay with me for as long as you want.�

�� Hilary frowned a little.� Did that mean he wanted her to stay or was he
just being hospitable?� Whenever she did
return to Japan, was that it for them?�
�Well, I work for Kenny, and so long as he�s here, I will be, too.�

�� Tala nodded, chewing thoughtfully
for a moment.� He had no idea how to go
about this very important conversation.�
He�d never felt this way about anyone before, and really wasn�t sure how
she would take a confession like that after one night and zero dates.� Then again�

�� Good.� As long as you�re here, I can live up to my
promise of that date I owe you, and I think we could find the time to add a few
more dates in.�� He gave her his
most charming smile and stood to put his dishes in the sink.

�� Oh!�� Hilary blinked in surprise, having not really
expected him to go through with that.�
�Um�Tala�� she fingered the hem of her skirt.

�� The wolf wandered into the living
room and joined her on the sofa, sprawling out with a sigh.� �Hilary.�
Listen, I know it�s all a little fuzzy at the moment, and that we need
to talk about�well, us.� But you need to
know�I really do care about you.� This
isn�t just something short term � or at least, I don�t want it to be.� I�m not sure how this whole thing is going to
work out, but�I want to wait and see, you know?�� He held out a hand to her and she accepted
it, letting him pull her down into his arms so that she was lying half on top
of him and half on the sofa.� �And in the
meantime, enjoy my time with you.�

�� His serious tone and the affection
and earnestness of his gaze calmed her fears easily.� Snuggling against his chest, she smiled and
closed her eyes.� �Me, too.�� She said softly.� �I think�it�s the same with me, too, Tala.�

�� Relief poured through him.� �Good.�
I�m glad.�� Tala relaxed into the
cushions and draped one arm low over Hilary�s back, his fingers slowly tracing
up and down her spine.� �Start thinking
about those dates, sweetheart.� Whatever
you want, just say the word and I�ll get planning.�

�� Grinning, she opened her eyes and
propped her chin on the back of one hand on his chest to look at him.� �My, my, that�s dangerous, Tala.� Giving a girl carte blanche for a date in
Paris!�

�� Well, I did promise.� I�m a gentleman!�

�� Still grinning, she slid up until
she was nose to nose with him.� �You did,
and you are.� If you weren�t, I wouldn�t
do this.�� Hilary pressed her lips to his
in a very demanding, yet playful kiss.

~*~*~*~*~

�� A week and a half passed by
unhurriedly.� Kai took a leave of absence
from work simply so that he could spend all his waking hours with Takao, though
the bluenette spent most of that time sleeping.�
Hilary spent most of her time visiting Takao, too, but she split her
time with Tala and with the rest of her friends exploring Paris and some of the
surrounding countryside as well.� She and
Mariah got their Paris shopping excursion done before Mariah and Rei finally
decided to return to China and their daughter, now that they were satisfied
Takao was getting better and would be well soon.

�� Judy only stayed an extra couple of
days, as she had to return to America to get back to work.� Max stayed a full two weeks � and would have
stayed longer if Takao hadn�t insisted he go home to Japan and get back to the
business.

�� Besides, I need you to look after my
Dad and Hiro for me, Max.�� The bluenette
insisted, battling his beguiling blue-grey eyes at the blonde.� �I know Kenny�s been keeping in touch with
them, but I�d feel better knowing there�s someone actually there.�

�� Kai had refrained from mentioning
that the elder Kinomiya men were under UNA protection and surveillance out of
his own desire (a selfish one, not that he could) to have Takao more or less to
himself.

�� Max gave in and left the next
evening amid many promises regarding his friend�s family, the dojo, the
gallery, and keeping in touch through the Chief and Hilary.

�� Kenny had most of his current case
files archived on his laptop, and Kai set him up with an internet connection
and a phone line at the UNA so that he could continue to work on his other
cases at work, now that the bulk of his attention had eased away from Takao�s
case.� This way he could get work done
and still visit his best friend.

�� One quiet afternoon approximately
another week after Max had left, Kai and Takao were eyeing one another
competitively across a chessboard while Hilary sat in a chair by the windows
with a novel, and Kenny sat in the corner with his laptop and some work.� Kai had just made a decisive move with his
rook when Tala strolled in wearing a smile and gleaming ice-blue eyes.

�� We�ve conducted a rather successful
raid on one of the last of Gideon�s secret hideaways�� He declared, stopping at the foot of Takao�s
bed.� �The asshole is so going to
prison and never ever coming out.�

�� What was found?�� Kai asked, not taking his eyes from the board
as Takao moved a knight.� �Are you sure
you want to do that, Taka?�

�� The younger man frowned, eyeing the
board, hand hovering over his knight.

�� Well, other than a stockpile of
illegal weapons and a small but impressive grow operation�� Tala rubbed his
hands together gleefully.� �Files,
financial records, bank account numbers�all kinds of wonderful things.�

�� Sweet.�� Kai nodded and Takao took his hand away.

�� Your move, Kai.�

�� They did find some things that the
Director wants you to take a look at, though.�
So when you have a few moments�� the wolf glanced at Kenny.� �He wants to see you, too, Kid.�

�� When Kenny didn�t look up from his
laptop, Hilary tossed a pencil at him.�
�Chief!� He means you.�

�� The lawyer pushed his glasses up and
looked at Tala, startled.� �Me?�

�� Kai frowned at the board, slid a
bishop into place, and leaned away to stretch languidly.� �Check.�

�� What?!�� Takao glared at the board.� Hard.

�� What�s he want the Chief for,
Tala?�� Kai glanced over at his partner,
secure in the knowledge there was only one way for Takao to save his King, but
even then would still end up losing it the turn after that.

�� No idea.�� Tala shrugged.

�� With a heavy sigh, Takao flicked his
King over, signalling his defeat.�
�Fine.� You win, Kai.�� He held out a hand to his lover, who shook
it.� �Good game, though.�

�� You had one last move, Taka.�� Kai felt obliged to point out.� The bluenette made a face.

�� Sure.� But then you�d take my rook, which would end
up with me in checkmate anyway.�� Takao
grumbled as he collected the chess pieces.�
�There has to be some game I can beat you at.�

�� Hilary smiled.� �I saw a Go board in the cupboard,
Takao.� Want to try that?�� She grinned at the grimace on Kai�s face and at
the way the younger man brightened considerably.

�� When I get back.�� Kai gave in to the pouting look his lover
gave him.� �It shouldn�t take long to see
this stuff the Director wants to show me.�

�� Okay.� I�ll be ready when you get back!�� Takao rubbed his hands together eagerly.� �Then I�ll kick your butt, Kai!�

�� Rolling his eyes, Kai got up and put
his shoes back on.� �You�ll try.� He
replied.� �Come on, Kenny.� Let�s go see what�s up.�

�� The Chief closed his laptop and
nodded, waving at Hilary and Takao as he followed Kai out the door.

�� We�ll be back bearing snacks!�� Tala promised before disappearing after his
partner.� �Later!�

~*~*~*~*~

�� Ten minutes later, Kai was staring
at the object on the table in front of him in wonder and confusion.� �I don�t understand��

�� It can�t be!�� Kenny agreed, leaning in for a closer look.

�� But it�s what Gideon�s goons
described as being the right one.�� Tala
informed them.� �What�s wrong with it?�

�� They were in the evidence vaults,
standing around a table in an exam room, with Director Dickenson looking
on.� Displayed on the table was a very
fine example of Japanese sword-making ability.�
The katana was long and polished to a bright gleam, sharpened perfectly,
and resting delicately on a bamboo-wood pedestal.

�� The Kinomiya clan sword wasn�t a
useable blade like this.�� Kenny
explained.� �It was completely
ceremonial.� More importantly, it was
made of stone.� Crumbling in places, yes,
since it is quite ancient, but still��

�� Tala exchanged frowns with Mr.
Dickenson.

�� There were no such swords found
amongst the other blades in the collection.��
Stanley said, fingering his moustache thoughtfully.

�� Kai moved closer and knelt to get a
better look.� At the top of the blade,
just beneath the hilt and guard, he spotted an engraving, very intricately
etched right into the steel in what appeared to be silver and some sort of blue
metal.� It was a fierce-looking dragon
that looked like it was about to leap out of the sword and attack.� �Hey, Kenny�look at this.�� He pointed it out to the brunette.� �That looks exactly like the one that was on
the Kinomiya sword � from what I remember, anyway.�

�� Kenny bent down and studied it.� �Huh.�
You�re right, Kai.� It does look
the same.�

�� Exactly how old was the Kinomiya
sword supposed to be?�� Tala asked,
glancing down at the report in his hands.�
�Because according to this, that sword,� he gestured at the one
on the table, �is apparently over 500 years old.�

�� Kai straightened and shrugged.� �This could have been inside the stone one we
always saw, I guess.�� He exchanged looks
with Kenny.� �The Kinomiya clan is a very
old family.� One of the few pure Japanese
families left, these days.�

�� Yes.� That�s certainly true.� Unfortunately, such records are rare, and not
always reliable.�� Kenny adjusted his
glasses.� �I�ll see what I can find out,
but if this really is the Kinomiya sword��

�� Well, we can�t bring Takao down
here.�� Kenny pointed out.� �Would we be allowed to take this up to him?�
he asked the Director.� �If he identifies
it, then I can have it shipped home immediately.�

�� I don�t see why not.�� The Director agreed easily.� �I�ll have to leave this matter to you,
Agents.� I have a meeting in ten
minutes.� The old man made his way to the door.�
�Let me know what you discover, Kenny, and I�ll expect a memo from you,
Agent Ivanov.�

�� Yes, sir.�� Tala acknowledged.� Kenny echoed that and went back to studying
the blade with great interest.

�� Kai frowned thoughtfully.� �We need some kind of soft, clean cloth to
wrap it in to take it upstairs.�

�� I�ll go find something.�� Tala let quickly to do so, leaving Kai and
Kenny to continue pondering the mysteries of the katana sword.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Storm blue eyes stared in wide-eyed
wonder at the gleaming blade in his lover�s hands.� They flicked upward to meet Kai�s briefly
before returning to the sword.� �Kami�where did you find that?�� He asked in a whisper that was nearly reverent.

�� Kai held the sword out to Takao,
nodding to indicate he could take it from him.�
�It was found in a collection of swords and other weapons among the
stuff seized from Gideon�s warehouse hideaway.�
It was the only one that came close to matching the description of your
family�s sword.�

�� But�mine is stone.� It�s not a real blade like this is.�� Takao very carefully took the katana and
studied it.� �No matter how fantastic and
beautiful this is � and exquisite craftsmanship, too.� I�ve never seen anything�� Takao paused as he
turned it over in his hands, and frowned at something that caught his eye.� �Wait�what the hell?�

�� The report we�ve got says it�s old,
Kinomiya.� Really old.�� Tala said, raising an eyebrow at the sceptical
shock on the bluenette�s face. �What?�

�� It�s�this engraving at the base of
the blade�there�s no mistaking this.��
Takao looked up, hands dropping to his lap as they shook still cradling
the blade carefully.� �It�s Dragoon.� I don�t know how, but this is my
family�s sword!�

�� Are you sure?�� Hilary came closer to see the etched
dragon.� �I can�t tell.�

�� Takao shook his head.� �It is.�
There�s no way anyone could forge that�emblem, for lack of a better word.� Only a Kinomiya clan member would know that
design, and there are only three of us left.�
It�s not something you can find in books or on the internet and then
copy.�

�� Like I said, that sword is
old.� Several centuries, according to the
tests that were done for this report.��
Tala reiterated gravely.� �Kai
thinks if it is your sword, then it may have been inside the stone one you
always knew of all along.�

�� Takao stared down at the sword,
touching a finger to the blue outlined dragon in wonder.� �If that�s true�I don�t know.� I guess it is possible.�

�� Would either your father or brother
know?�� Kenny asked.� The bluenette shrugged.

�� I don�t know, Chief.� Probably not.�
Neither of them were��groomed� to be the Kinomiya like I was.�� Takao sighed heavily, gently and
professionally re-wrapping the sword.� �They
don�t know everything of our history or how things were done, necessarily.� Gramps always intended for me to take over as
head of the family someday.� He said my
Dad was to interested in other cultures � other people�s pasts � to take on the
responsibility of our own, and Hiro was too much a free spirit.� My brother would never settle to one place
long enough, particularly home � the dojo.��
Takao smiled sadly.� �Crazy old
man believed from the moment I was born that I was destined to be the
Kinomiya.� Dad said Gramps had everything
changed in his will the day after I was brought home so that everything would
be left to me when Gramps died.�

�� Tala raised an eyebrow yet
again.� �And your brother and father didn�t
mind?� I mean�it�s unusual for such
things to skip a generation entirely, let alone to be passed on to a younger
son, isn�t it?�

�� Takao shrugged.� �That�s the Kinomiya way.� It isn�t what order you�re born, it�s your
spirit that counts � or something.�� He
chuckled.� �Gramps told me this crazy
legend about the sword � or rather our clan�s guardian spirit, Dragoon �
choosing the next Kinomiya somehow, but I never really believed it.�

�� Well, I�ll keep this safe at my
place until we go back to Japan, Takao.��
Kai took the sword from the bluenette.�
�I�m no expert, and certainly not related to you, but I�m inclined to
believe it�s the right sword.�� He stared
down at the well-wrapped blade, strangely.�
�It�s weird but something tells me it is.�

�� Takao tilted his head at his lover
curiously and smiled.� �Your intuition is
normally correct, so that�s enough for me.�

�� Cool.� The last mystery solved.�� Tala grinned wolfishly and dusted his hands
dramatically.� �I love it when that
happens.�

~*~*~*~*~

�� It was a right, sunny morning the
day Dr. Maison finally decided Takao was well enough to be released from her
care.� She breezed into the room in the
middle of the lovers� quiet breakfast � a ritual that had formed out of a need
for some quality �alone time,� as the others tended to be around most of the
rest of the day.

�� Good morning!� How are you feeling today, Takao?� �Angelique inquired (her standard greeting
first thing in the morning).� �Sleep
well?�

�� Mmm hmm��
the bluenette mumbled around a mouthful of toast.

�� Excellent.�� After studying his chars and the last test
results, the doctor planted her hands on her hips and smiled at him from the
end of the bed.� �I�m about to make your
day even better!�

�� Swallowing a quick swig of juice,
Takao turned a wide-eyed blue gaze on her.�
�What?� I�m off the meds?� he
asked hopefully.

�� Angelique shook her head
ruefully.� �No, not that.� I�m afraid you�ll be on them for a while
yet.� However,� she held up a hand when
he opened his mouth to protest.� �You don�t
have to be here to continue taking them.�

�� That brought Kai�s head up with a
carefully hopeful expression on his face.� �Pardon?�
I thought I just heard you say � however obliquely � that he could go
home.�� If possible, Takao�s eyes widened
even more.

�� Too subtle for you?� How�s this: be one with the wind and blow
this joint, young man!�

�� Home�Kai?�� Takao looked at Kai, who looked back, and
reached out to grab the older man�s hand tightly.� �Home!�

�� That�s what the lady said.�� Kai squeezed his hand then leaned in and
planted a hard, slightly sloppy kiss on Takao�s mouth.� �How fast do you think we can back you up?�

�� Well�� Takao, dazed at the
knowledge that he was finally free, that he could truly move on with his
life now, struggled to answer his lover without simply bursting into tears and
emotions all over Kai in his joy and relief.�
�We do have all those slaves�I mean friends to help us out.�

�� A wicked glint in his eyes, Kai
nodded in mock-solemnity.� �Yes, we do,
and I fully intend to use them.�

�� Dr. Maison shook her head and
dropped some papers on the blankets at the foot of Takao�s bed.� �I�ll leave you gentlemen to scheme, then,
but here�s a few things for you to read over, Takao.� There�s a prescription for your meds and
instructions for taking them, a new list of �dos and don�ts� for food and
beverages that I expect you to follow for at least another four months,�
Angelique waggled a finger at Kai, �and that I expect you, Agent, to
make sure he does follow it.�

�� Yes, ma�am.�� They chorused obediently.

�� There�s also a list of doctors I
know in Japan that I want you to pick from and schedule a check-up in a
month.� They�re all either exclusively
UNA doctors or consulting for the UNA on a regular basis, and they have
experience and knowledge of people with special talents such as yourself.� Once you�ve picked one, there�s a referral
form in there that you just need to fill in the name and they�ll pull you r
records from the system.�

�� Takao nodded, sighing a bit.� He�d half-seriously hoped he would be done
with doctors and tests once he got out of here, but that wasn�t particularly
realistic.

�� Any more questions?�� Angelique wanted to know, glancing back and
forth between the two.� Kai shook his
head �no.�

�� Feeling his ears burn, Takao cleared
his throat and chose his words carefully � hoping to minimize the
embarrassment.� �Um�any restrictions or
recommendations on�ah�physical activity?�

�� Kai blinked slowly, then shot the
bluenette a dark glare � even though he realized it was a good question.

�� Ah�physical exertions should be
kept to a minimum far at least another month.� The doctor smiled and kept it
professional, despite how she wanted to giggle at their obvious
discomfort.� �Though small amounts of
regular exercise are encouraged, as long as they aren�t too intense.� So don�t go running any marathons or anything
like that!� As for�other pursuits, don�t
go wild, and no marathons there either!��
She winked at their beet red faces and turned on her high heels to march
for the door.� �That kind are encouraged,
also, boys!�� Stopping at the door,
Angelique raised a hand to give Takao a little wave.� �It�s been a pleasure, Takao.� Try not to land yourself back here again,
okay?�� With that, she left.

�� Takao sputtered helplessly with embarrassed
laughter, leaning back into his pillows.�
�Some doctors the UNA manages to pick��

�� Kai chugged the last of his coffee,
hiding his expression for long enough to clamp down on his flustered emotions,
not really responding to the younger man.

�� The silence stretched out between
them for a while, and, comfortable though it was, Takao realized it had to be broken
in favour of a serious discussion.� There
were a lot of things about their future that needed to be talked about.� They�d been putting it off for a long time
now � even though there was no uncertainty left to hinder their relationship.

�� Kai?�� The former thief questioned softly.� Kai looked up from his newspaper at the
hesitant quality of his lover�s voice.

�� Yeah?�

�� What happens next?�� Takao stared at the covers of his bed,
somehow unable to meet the agent�s gaze.�
�To us?�� He added after a slight
pause.

�� Kai sighed and began slowly folding
his newspaper back into neat folds.� �I
wondered when you would get around to asking.�
I was beginning to think maybe you wouldn�t want anything..long
term.� At least, not any longer.�

�� What?�� Surprise was swiftly followed by a dose of
panic.� �Of course I still want to be with
you!� I love you, Kai!� Do you not want�me, any longer?�� His voice cracked, and a hand shot out to
clutch at Kai�s arm.

�� Don�t be stupid, Kinomiya.�� Crimson eyes burned softly, gentling his
rebuke.� �I love you, too.� And I don�t think you�ve ever been this
insecure about anything in your life, so cut it out.�� Kai got off his chair and moved to sit on the
bed next to Takao, facing him, and lifting a palm to cup
the bluenette�s check tenderly.� �We�ve
got some life-situations to work out, but it�ll happen, and whatever we decide,
I�m not leaving you ever again.�

�� Storm blue eyes closed and Takao
held Kai�s hand to his face, nuzzling the rough skin before turning his head to
kiss the palm.� Kai�s breath hissed out
and the bluenette smiled.� �Okay.� Good!�
I�ah�had to check, you know.�

�� Kai rolled his eyes.

�� How are we going to make
this work?�� Takao wondered, bringing a
knee up to his chest and resting his arms across it.� �I mean�your life is here.� Your parents, your career��

�� Takao, my life is sitting right in
front of me.�� Kai stared at his lover
pointedly.� The younger man had the grace
to flush.

�� That was�sappy.�

�� Too much?�

�� Sounds ridiculous, coming from you.�

�� Ah.�
Well, the sentiment is still there.�
MY point being, Kinomiya, that I don�t plan on a long distance
relationship.� When I first joined the
UNA, I always know what I would do whenever I did find you and if you would
still have me.� As much as I hate to admit
to it, Tala was telling to truth about my reasons for signing up for this
career � you.� And now we have the chance
to have the life together we both wanted to back then and still want today.�

�� So�what?� You�re just going to tender your resignation and
move to Japan?�� Takao stared at him
incredulously.� �Kai�I have no doubt you�re
good at your job, and a valuable agent to the UNA.� They won�t just�let you go��

�� They can�t force me to stay, Takao.�

�� Well, no..but they won�t be happy
about it.� And do you really want to
alienate such a powerful and influential organization?� Not to mention leaving behind all your
friends and colleagues here?�

�� Kai snorted at that.� �Don�t really have any of those, Taka.� You know how anti-social I am.� Besides, Tala�s the only one crazy enough to
put up with me on a regular basis � other than you, of course � so it isn�t
like I have close working relationships either.�

�� You know, I don�t know whether to
laugh or cry about that.� How can you
stand being so�alone all the time?��
Takao searched Kai�s eyes sadly.

�� I always have been, love.�� Kai reminded him gently.� �And it�s just the way I am.� But I�m not �alone� any more, am I?�� He got a rather sappy, fond grin at that.

�� Are you really going to quit, Kai?�� What will you do with all your spare time?�

�� Kai shrugged.� �Didn�t think that far ahead, actually.� It isn�t like I actually need to work,
after all.�

�� Takao chuckled ruefully.� �Maybe not, but I do.� I have a business to run � two, if you
include the dojo.� So I can�t spend the
rest of my days in bed��

�� Or on the sofa, or in the kitchen,
or the bathroom, or the dojo�� the dual-haired man drawled his voice a
suggestive, husky tone.� Takao couldn�t
help laughing, scandalized but amused and admittedly quite interested in all
those possibilities.

�� Kai!� You horny, kinky little asshole!� The dojo?�

�� What?� And I protest the �little� comment, lover.�

�� Takao stared up into glittering
crimson eyes as Kai propped himself up to loom above him, a wonderfully wicked
grin on his face.� �Fine.� I rescind my former statement � except for
the horny and kinky parts.� I�m quite
interested in exploring those sides of you.�
Thoroughly.�

�� Really now?� I look forward to that.�� Kai�s voice was a sultry purr.

�� See, now, it�s too bad we�re in a
medical facility and I�m still not quite up to playing yet.�� Takao mourned.� Making out with Kai would have made him even
happier than he already was at the moment.�
�They make these beds sturdy, after all.�

�� Kai laughed.

~*~*~*~*~

�� While Takao packed up his things in
preparation to leave the UNA, Kai went up to the �office� he shared with Tala
to let him know about Takao�s release.�
There was also the matter of telling his partner his intention to either
transfer or retire (a decision he hadn�t mentioned to his lover because he wasn�t
sure transferring was going to be an option until he�d talked with the
Director).

�� Tala looked up when a can of Coke
was placed on the file open in front of him on the desk�s surface.� �Hey.�
Thanks.� I was just thinking I
could go for something full of sugar and caffeine.�

�� Kai cracked his own Coke open and
took a healthy swig, dropping down into his chair across the expanse of their
desks, leaning back and propping his feet up on the corner of his desk.� �I figured.�
Where�s Kenny and Hilary?�

�� I believe Kenny actually found some
free time so Hilary dragged him out for some souvenir shopping for the kid�s
parents.� Something about Eiffel Tower
key chains.�

�� Kai�s eyes rolled once and he
nodded.� �Well, can�t blame him.� As far as I know, he�s the first member of
his family to ravel beyond Japan, let alone Asia or Europe.�

�� Ah.�� No offense to Kenny or his family, but Tala
couldn�t really find enough interest to care.�
�How�s Kinomiya?� Doc sick of him
yet?�

�� Apparently.�� Kai smiled and took another drink.� Tala blinked at him.� �She�s released him.� Said all his tests came back good enough to
satisfy her.� He�s got a whole bunch of
lists about dos and don�ts, a couple prescriptions, and such, but he�s back on
track.� He�s packing up right now.�

�� Cool.� That�s good news.�� Tala dropped his pen and sat back in his
chair, too.� With calculating ice-blue
eyes, he added simply.� �So.� You�re leaving
then.�

�� It wasn�t a question.

�� Well�I�m not entirely sure
yet.� I still have to talk to Director
Dickenson, but I�ll probably either transfer to Japan, or retire completely.�� Kai explained, not at all surprised that his
partner wasn�t surprised, either.� �After
I take some of my vacation time, I�ll have to see what happens.�

�� Tala nodded.� �You realize there�s no one else I�d ever be
able to work with here, right?�

�� Your point being?�

�� The wolf pulled out a few sheets of
paper from his desk drawer, sliding them across to Kai.� �I figure we have some concessions owed us
for all the hard work we put into this last case � and all our past ones � not to
mention our overwhelming success.� The
higher-ups shouldn�t have too many issues with a dual transfer to their Japan
branch.� There�s our transfer requests,
all ready to go.� Yours just needs a
signature.�

�� Now Kai was blinking looking down at
the forms, then back at Tala. Then the light bulb went on in his head, and Kai
gave Tala a shrewd, knowing look as he pulled a pen out to sign his forms.

�� You are so gone on her, aren�t
you?� I�m just the perfect excuse to
follow her to Japan.�� He signed his name
with quick and practiced ease before handing the papers back to Tala.� �Just give Takao and I enough notice before
the wedding so we can find an appropriate wedding gift, okay?�

�� Hey, hey!� Don�t go getting ahead of things!�� Tala stared at him, annoyed.� �And for the record, I�m not using you as a convenient
excuse to chase after Hilary.� You both
are two good reasons for me to move, and that�s it.�

�� Relax, Ivanov.� I�m pushing your buttons on purpose.�� Kai finished off his soda and smirked.� It quickly morphed into a more serious
expression, however.� �Seriously, though,
Tala.� You�re falling for her pretty
hard, aren�t you.�

�� Grunting, the Russian sipped his
Coke thoughtfully.� �Falling?� Nope.�
Already there.� Everything in me
screams �mate� at me about her.�� He
admitted quietly. Kai raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.� �We�ve talked.� She knows I�m not looking for short-term, and
neither is she.� She knows I really care
about her, that I want her, but I haven�t explained just how much yet.�� Tala�s grin was sardonic.� �Too soon for that, I think, even though I
know it�s real and true.�

�� Maybe.� Just�take my advice and don�t hoard how you
feel to yourself for too long.� I�learned
that lesson the hard way.�� Kai reminded
his friend.

�� Oh, I know.� I just think we should know each other longer
than a couple of months before I go declaring undying love and proposing
marriage.� Besides, there are a few other
things to take care of before I go off on that life-altering path.�

�� Good point.�

�� Excuse me, Agents.�� A voice interrupted their conversation.� They looked up to find the Director�s
secretary just outside their cubicle.� �Mr.
Dickenson is requesting you both in his office.�� She gave them a small head bow when they
nodded, then left.

�� Glancing at each other, they moved
as one to get to their feet and make their way to the Director�s office.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Well, Agents, thank you for coming
so promptly.� I hope I wasn�t
interrupting any of your work, Agent Ivanov?�

�� No, sir.� Kai had just come by to chat before he left
the building.�� Tala shook his head.

�� Stroking his moustache, Stanley
nodded sagely.� �Yes, of course.� I received notice that our young Kinomiya has
been released finally.� Please tell him
how glad I am he�s feeling better and I hope his recovery continues.� Agent Hiwatari.�

�� I will, sir.�

�� As for why I�ve asked you to join
me, today, there is a very special offer I have been authorized to make to you
on behalf of the European and Asian Chairpersons of the UNA.� The Director sat
forward, folding his hands before himself on the desk.� �As you may or may not be aware, there has
been a great deal of restructuring in the Asian branches in the last few
months.� Three new offices have recently
been created in China, Thailand, and Singapore, and some of the senior staff
and agents were pulled from existing positions to fill the new administrative
openings in these new offices.�

�� Kai and Tala slowly looked at each
other, understanding what the other was thinking because he probably was
thinking the same thing.� A transfer was
looking like a definite possibility after all.

�� As you can imagine, that left more
than a few holes to fill in our existing offices.� I�ve had several requests for suitable
transfers sitting on my desk for months.�
Until very recently, I couldn�t fulfill any of those requests from this
office because I didn�t have anyone with the experience or rank that I could afford
to lose.�� Stanley smiled a little.� �Thanks to Director Judy Tate, I now do.� Apparently we�re setting up a new �exchange
program� with the NA branches so that Agents have more options as to where they
want to be placed upon graduating from the Academies.� So we�ll be welcoming several new Agents in
the coming months, and this frees some of my first ranked Agents � including the
two of you � to pursue other paths in their UNA careers.�

�� I guess now would be an excellent
time to mention that we were planning on putting in transfer requests.�� Tala drawled, placing their forms on their
boss� desk.� �Right after we both take
some personal leave and vacation time.�

�� I see.�� Stanley accepted the forms, flipped through
them briefly, then gave them a highly amused smile as he unceremoniously dropped
them in the waste-basket.� �Unnecessary,
I believe, Agent Ivanov.� What I have to
offer you would mean a transfer anyway.�

�� Sir?�� Somewhat confused, Kai questioned their
superior.

�� You see, after reviewing your records
and personnel files, it was agreed that you are both due a promotion � one of
rank, and one of position within the UNA.�

�� Crimson red and winter blue eyes
went wide in surprise, and this time Tala was the one to issue a confused, �Sir?�
in question.

�� As I said, there are many holes to
be filled, particularly in Japan.� There
are, in fact, two open positions in the offices in Kyoto�which I believe in the
closest UNA branch office to the Kinomiya dojo?�
I understand the commute is reasonable.��
Stanley winked at Kai, whose jaw threatened to hit the carpeted floor if
it unhinged and dropped any farther.� �Therefore,
it is my pleasure to inform you that you are, firstly, promoted to the field
rank of Special Agent, and secondly, to the position of Assistant Director.�� He picked up two files from the corner of his
desk and handed one to each man.� �These
are your proposed assignments.� I�ve
already approved an undesignated amount of leave for you both.� I see no reason to use up your vacation time unnecessarily.� So please look those over on your leave,
think about it, and when you�ve decided let me know.�

�� I�you�how did you��

�� Know?�� The old man smiled, finishing Kai�s
question.� �Your relationship and the
true extent of it are quite evident, Kai.�
I�ve known for some time now that you were not likely to want to remain
here if Takao returned to Japan.� As for
your partner, here,� the Director nodded at Tala, �I�m perfectly aware that
Agent Ivanov is not easily partnered with other agents.�

�� Tala scowled but said nothing, since
it was perfectly true.

�� Other than that, the fact is you
are both excellent, clever agents and have proven yourself with skill, truth,
and just hearts.� You�ve earned the
promotion, Agents.� But for now, put the
job aside and go away on your leave.�
Relax!� Enjoy it and rest.� You deserve it.�

�� Exchanging glances, Kai and Tala
stood and reached across the desk to shake their boss� hand in gratitude.� After offering their thanks once more and
making promises to keep in touch, the two took their assignment folders and
left Director Dickenson�s office.

~*~*~*~*~

Kali
Notes:� Hey all!�
By the time I was done whipping this update up, I decided to make it a
Chaos Wave!� First of the new year.� I realize I�ve lost a whole lot of people at
this point, which is a shame, but I hope all you die-hard readers are still
enjoying this fic.�
Let me know what you think!� Please
R/R!!!!
- 20
- 21
- 22
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Once A Thief