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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
- 21
- 22
Kali Notes:� I know, I know�� It only took
me forever to finish this!� Bad Kali.� I had all
these great plans for a couple more chapters (though there doesn�t seem to be
anyone interested anymore), and I even had a couple typed, but then I re-read
them and decided to cut it down to this, the final chapter (Kali had fun with the
c/p�).� That�s right, folks!� We�re at the end�� 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 22: Thief of Hearts

�� The new job status didn�t really
sink in until Kai and Takao were alone at Kai�s flat a few hours later.� Tala and Hilary were out seeing a movie, and
Kenny left the couple under the pretence of making travel arrangements for
himself back to Japan,
and to pack up his things from the hotel.

�� Takao was happily lounging on the
floor in front of Kai�s fireplace while Kai made up a shopping list.� Having spent nearly all his time at the UNA
with Takao for weeks on end meant his fridge and cupboards were bare.

�� We don�t need much, love.�� Takao pointed out, staring up at the ceiling
as he spoke.� �I mean, we�ll have to
leave in a couple days anyway.� We need
to�I need to give the Egg back to your parents before we go back to Japan,
and��

�� Um�yeah.� About that�� Kai set his pen down carefully,
setting aside the list.� �I got called
into Director Dickenson�s office before we left today��

�� Oh?�
Does he want you to come back to work now that I�m gone?�

�� No.�
He actually gave Tala and I an unspecified amount of personal
leave.� Said he didn�t want us to use up
our vacation time when we didn�t need to.�

�� Really?� That�s really nice of him.�� Takao rolled onto his side to face Kai, who
sat near him at his coffee table.� �What
else did he say?�

�� Well�I had a brief conversation
with Tala just before,� Kai frowned to himself, still unable to believe the
day�s events, �And that partner of mine somehow managed to get ahead of me �
either he�s smarter than I give him credit for, or he�s learned to read minds.�

�� The bluenette chuckled.� �I think he probably just knows you well
enough to make accurate, educated guesses.�
What�d he do?�

�� He already knew I was planning on
leaving � either a transfer or full retirement.�
He had the transfer request forms all ready, too.� But not just for me��

�� Takao raised an eyebrow.� �Him, too, huh?� Let me guess: Hilary.�

�� Yeah.� That�s half the reason he gave.� The other half is that he can�t work with
others like he does me.� He�d be less
effective partnered with someone else or operating as a lone agent � which
would be a loss of a good agent�s skills to the UNA.�� Kai shrugged.�
�Whatever.� He decided to go where
I go, and the fact that he�s totally gone on Hilary only makes him more eager
to do so.�

�� Love does that to a guy.�� Takao mused, idly grasping Kai�s hand and
studying their linked fingers.� �I�m glad
for them.� Hilary deserves a good guy,
and Tala deserves Hilary.�

�� Kai grinned.� �Oh yes.�
That wolf needs to settle down and I think the lady is the perfect one
to do it.�� He moved, stretching out on
his stomach beside Takao.� �Anyway, we
got called to the boss� office so we went, intending to hand over our requests
for transfer.�

�� Which you did.�

�� Yes.� Only to watch the old man
dump them in the trash.�

�� What?!�� Outraged, Takao sat up abruptly.� �That�that�s��

�� Easy, lover.�� Kai soothed, tugging him back down.� �That�s what he did�right before he promoted
the both of us and gave us new assignments to look over and decide if we want
them during our leave.�

�� Storm blue eyes lost some of their
ire and went wide.� �Promotion?� To what?� And what new assignments?�

�� To promotions,
technically.� One
as a field agent � I�m now a Special Agent � and one for position.� I�m also an Assistant Director.� So is Tala.� �Kai smiled at the pleased, proud look on
Takao�s face.� �As for the new
assignments, well��

�� Japan?�� Takao asked eagerly, almost bouncing with
happiness at the prospect.� It would
solve a lot of their issues, after all.

�� Yeah.� There�s been restructuring in Asia, and three
new branch offices opened, so there are now administrative holes that need
filling in Japan.� Specifically�Kyoto.�

�� Letting out a
whoop of glee, Takao glomped his lover with a joyous laugh.� �Yes!� Ohhh�I�m so proud of you, Kai!� So proud to be able to love
you!�

�� Flushing,
Kai wrapped his arms around Takao snugly.�
�Now who�s a sap?� he grumbled, though with no real annoyance.� Then he wasn�t able to think about anything �
couldn�t � because all his brain cells died instantly as the happily wriggling
bluenette on top of him claimed his mouth in a feisty, fiery kiss and rubbed
his body against Kai�s with unabashed, wanton abandon.� After they�d run out of air Takao abruptly
sat up again and stared down at his lover with storm-blue eyes gone nearly
black with lust.

�� Kai�� his voice worshipped the name
as his hands made like lightning and began unbuttoning the older man�s shirt �
which he didn�t bother to remove, just shove out of his way to bare Kai�s chest
and stomach � before making quick work of his belt, button, and zipper.� The agent�s hips arched up into Takao�s touch
when his hand brushed the growing bulge under the soft cotton material of Kai�s
underwear as Takao yanked and pulled and generally tore the offending garment
off Kai.

�� Crimson eyes followed the movements
of his own hands as they returned the favour of ridding Takao of his clothes,
taking in the sight of every bared inch of skin and the soft, eager moans and sighs his efforts and touch evoked.� As he helped the bluenette struggle out of
his pants and boxers, Kai�s head had cleared enough to remember Dr. Maison�s
orders and make the token protest to their activities.� �Weren�t you supposed to be taking it easy?�� He grunted as his breath was knocked out of
him when Takao � now gloriously naked � shoved him back to the floor and
proceeded to get Kai�s underwear off him.�
�Resting?� No strenuous activity?�

�� Huffing impatiently, Takao tossed
the briefs over his shoulder and slid up Kai�s body, stretching himself out
alongside him.� �I�ll nap later.� Right now�I missed you, lover.� Missed this�� his mouth descended on Kai�s,
tongue invading but being welcomed by its counterpart without hesitation.� Pulling back just enough, Takao�s hands
carded through Kai�s mane of dual-shaded hair and he gasped, �Need this�need you!�

�� Smirking, but no less needy, Kai
tucked his hands under his head and gave his lover his best smouldering,
lust-filled gaze.� �Well, it certainly
looks like you�ve got me, gorgeous.�
What�re you going to do with me?�

�� You are such a tease,
Hiwatari!�� Takao growled but grinning at
the playfulness in his lover that no one else ever got to see.� He wriggled downward, insinuating himself
comfortably between Kai�s legs.� He
pressed an open kiss to Kai�s navel and rimmed it with his tongue lightly,
flicking across it once and was rewarded by a low groan followed by a quick
inhalation of breath on a gasp.� Smiling,
Takao ran a palm slowly down and up Kai�s side from waist to knee and back
while the other hand gripped Kai�s hip as he rained teasing, tender kisses and
bites all over Kai�s abdomen.� The
bluenette himself was already hard and eager, just from the foreplay � though
it had been so long since he�d been able to do any of this, so being
primed so quickly was understandable.

�� Taka!� God, so good�� Kai moaned, pulling his hands
from beneath his head to shove his fingers through the silky, soft strands of
Takao�s hair as he was taken deep into the younger man�s mouth.� His cock buried so deeply, surrounded by heat
and wetness, coupled with the clever tongue and strong suction was almost too
much for Kai to stand.� Pushing on
Takao�s shoulders, he drew the bluenette away, pulse racing and breath coming
fast and hard.� �Stop,
love!� Won�t�fuck!� Won�t last long if you keep
that up.�

�� Takao pouted.� �Maybe I didn�t want you to.�� He whined, but crawled up to kiss Kai
passionately anyway.� The older man�s
hands roamed all over Takao, wherever he could conveniently reach, as the kiss
passed from passion to pure, unadulterated lust and need.� Takao gasped loudly when Kai released his
mouth to bury his face in Takao�s neck and rolled them over suddenly.� Their legs tangled and Kai, now lying on top
of Takao, began to move with slow, deliberate, thrusts.� Hazily, Takao realized this wasn�t going to
take long (for either of them) as his own body responded to the controlled
movements and moved in sync with Kai.�
Their erections, lubricated with sweat and Takao�s earlier oral
ministrations, slid perfectly against one another with glorious friction that
caused a familiar burning ache to begin the journey from Takao�s stomach, down
to his toes, then suddenly rush back up to his balls and groin, where
everything coiled tightly like wire in imminent release.

�� Kai pushed himself up far enough
that he could see Takao�s blue eyes go obsidian with desire, then blank as
orgasm crashed into him.� With a rough
yell of Kai�s name, the bluenette jerked under him and Kai lost the last
threads of control of his movements, giving into his body�s demands.� The pulses of Takao�s cum smoothed his way
further and the hands that suddenly grabbed onto his ass and kneaded
encouragingly were enough to make the crimson-eyed man cry out and come wildly.

�� Still a bit dazed from his own
ecstatic moment of bliss, Takao managed to keep Kai mostly above him, in his
arms, while his body continued to twitch and shiver in aftershocks.� He stroked Kai�s back soothingly with one
hand while he waited with sated patience for coherency from his lover.

�� After a few moments, he gave Kai a
sleepy, fond grin and brushed the damp strands of hair out of Kai�s eyes.� �Oh my, that was a good one.� I think you needed that more than I did,
lover.�

�� Grunting in a way that could have
meant agreement (or not), Kai nuzzled his lover�s collarbone lethargically and
shifted more of himself off Takao to the side so he wasn�t crushing the younger
man.� Glancing down at the sticky mess
they�d made, he sighed contentedly.� �I
think we were saving up for just such an occasion.�� He drew a finger through the mixture of their
essences then snuggled up to Takao.� �Rather impressive, really.�

�� Startled, Takao burst into
laughter.� �I�m so glad your ego is in
tact, Kai.�

�� Smiling in smug satisfaction, Kai
kissed Takao firmly.

~*~*~*~*~

�� For the next three days, Kai and
Takao stayed closed up in Kai�s flat after their one foray into the markets for
supplies enough to last for the duration.�
On the forth day, they were up at the crack of dawn and out the door
with all their luggage.� They stopped by Tala�s to pick up the wolf
and Hilary (and their baggage), then made one final stop to pick up Kenny from
the hotel.

�� I can�t thank you enough, Chief,
for all you�ve done.� I swear, if you
need anything at all, you just say the word.��
Takao said fervently, squeezing the life out of the petit lawyer with a
giant hug.

�� Ta-ka-o!� Breathe!��
Kenny gasped out.

�� Ooops!�
Sorry.�� Takao released him
quickly.

�� It�s okay.�� Kenny fixed his glasses and straightened his
clothes.� �And it was nothing I couldn�t
handle, Takao.� You don�t owe me a
thing.�

�� Maybe he doesn�t, but I do.�� Kai stated from where he was leaning casually
against a pillar.� They were seeing Kenny
off, and were at the last security point in the Charles de Gaulle airport that
they could go to as non-travellers.

�� What?� No you don�t.�� Kenny turned to look up at him in
confusion.� �I�m just glad you�ve found
each other again, and put things right � the way things are supposed to
be.� You�re my friends, and I�d do
whatever I could to help a friend in trouble.�

�� Kai gave a precise nod of his head,
and though he agreed (he really was starting to get the hang of the whole
friendship thing) he also didn�t because in his mind he owed Kenny for taking
care of his lover, protecting him, when Kai hadn�t been able to.

�� Long flights home, Kenny.�� Hilary reminded her boss, fussing over him
and rechecking his carry-on bag for the tenth time.� �Are you sure you have all your stuff?� Snacks?� Water?�

�� Yes, Hilary.� I�ll be fine.�
I�ll see you all in less than a couple of weeks, you know.� I can function just fine without my assistant
for that long.�

�� Takao hid a snicker as Hilary
floundered.� �Have a safe trip,
Chief.� I�ll let you know when our flight
gets in.�

�� You bet, Takao!� Bye, Kai!��
Kenny waved at his friends and turned to leave, picking up his
carry-on.� As he passed by Tala, leaning
up against another pillar while he watched and waited patiently, the
mild-mannered, seemingly meek young lawyer paused and looked up at the
intimidating Russian.

�� It was a pleasure to meet you,
Agent Ivanov.� Thank you for helping
Takao and Kai as you have.�� Kenny held
out his hand, which Tala accepted (though with a raised eyebrow, as if to say,
�and why are you thanking me?�) and shook vigorously.� Kenny didn�t even flinch at the strength of
Tala�s grip, and retracted his hand easily.�
�However, I wish to warn you.�

�� About?�� The other eyebrow went up curiously.

�� I may not be as�scary as Kai or
in-your-face powerful like Takao, but if you should hurt Hilary�� Well, let�s just say you�ll find I�m much
more dangerous than they are, and leave it at that.�� With a blinding flash of a smile, Kenny
straightened and moved along.� �See you
in Japan,
Agent.�

�� Tala watched him walk away, a
surprised look of stupefaction on his face.�
Hilary�s hand slipped into his and his partner and Takao came up beside
him on his other side.

�� What�d he say, Tala?� I didn�t hear.�� Hilary asked, made infinitely curious by his
expression.

�� Just warned me
not to hurt you.�� He huffed out a
self-conscious breath.� �Who knew the kid
had guts?�

�� Takao burst out laughing � drawing
the attention of most everyone around them with the joyousness of it.� Even Kai had an uncharacteristically wide
grin on his face.

�� What?�� Tala demanded, embarrassment causing a flush
to rise up his neck.� �And would you
please cut that out?�

�� Never mind,
Ivanov.�� Kai clapped him on the
back.� �Let�s just get on with our own
travel plans, shall we?� Mother is expecting
us for dinner tonight.�

�� Grumbling, Tala kept Hilary�s hand
in his and allowed his partner and Takao to lead the way through the airport
toward the private boarding areas, where one of Hiwatari Enterprises� Lear jets
was awaiting them.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Twenty minutes from landing in Naples found Kai watching
Takao change his clothes from comfortable casual to sort of comfortable formal
in the small separate compartment of the jet�s main cabin.� The bluenette was standing in front of a
full-length mirror, adjusting his collar and the sash at his waist that doubled
as a belt � thanks to this weight-loss over the past several months,
many of his clothes were now too large.�
He wore a pair of soft, grey chinos that had an almost metallic sheen to
them, making them appear to be silver-like, and a crisp, white, buttoned-down
shirt.� He also wore a deep blue tie and
the sash was a similar shade of blue.�
All in all, it was his modern, business-like version of formal attire
(even if he rarely wore it), and Kai thought he looked rather�powerful in it,
as if he�d just walked off Wall Street or some other high-powered financial
area.� Except for the
sash.� That was just Takao�s way
of making a personal statement, as it was embroidered with his family�s name
and a small, silver-threaded insignia of Dragoon.

�� Cuff-links, do you think?�� The Kinomiya asked, fiddling with his shirt
sleeves and glancing at Kai in the mirror over his shoulder.

�� Takao, I told you that you didn�t
need to do any of this, and I told you the tie was probably overkill,
so�no.�� Kai replied with a slight roll
of his eyes.� �They know the whole story
now, love, and they�re not angry or anything.�
I don�t get why you�re putting yourself through unnecessary stress.�

�� It�s not about that.�� Takao looked away and focused on folding up
his old clothes and stuffing them into his suitcase.� �I�m trying to regain my honour, Kai.� For me.� You can scoff all you want, but I need
to do this my way so I can stop feeling guilty.�
And I know your father is less than pleased with your choice of me
over�whoever else he might have though was more appropriate, so I�m also doing
this to try and show him I am at least a little bit worthy of you and deserving
of his respect.� I�m trying not to look
weak, Kai.� Can�t you understand that?�

�� Kai sighed.� Unfortunately, he did understand.� All too well.� He just didn�t like that Takao felt it was
necessary, and didn�t see things as Kai did.�
Because to Kai, Takao had an overabundance of honour, and he already
knew that his father had accepted Takao completely, as well as had a great deal
of respect for him.� But if this was
something his lover had to do to feel better and begin to put all of this
behind himself, to be able to move forward, then Kai
wouldn�t stand in his way.

�� Do what you have to, then.�� He said, reaching out and snagging Takao
around the waist, pulling him over and down onto his lap.� �Hey, look at me, Kinomiya.�

�� Blue eyes looked directly into Kai�s
own crimson set and blinked.� �I know you
don�t want me to, but��

�� Taka, I want you to be happy.� That�s all.��
Kai leaned in and kissed him slowly, soothing frazzled nerves with his
deepest affections.� �I love you.� Mother and Father have been just as worried
about you as any of your friends.� So
you�ll give the Egg back, and we�ll spend a couple days enjoying the Mediterranean sea air and
sun.�� A wicked glint lit up the agent�s
eyes. �And the nights�I�ll make such love to you��

�� Takao shivered at the promise in his
voice and kissed his lover back, deeply and passionately.� �I�ll hold you to that, beloved.�� He smiled as Kai�s hand slid down his back,
over his hips, and gripped his butt possessively.� He sighed happily as those hands kneaded and
grasped.� �Hmm�yes, that�s yours, Kai.�

�� Damn right.�� Kai smirked and nibbled at Takao�s neck,
contemplating whether or not he wanted to mark that golden-hued skin now or
later.� Takao decided for him, wriggling
away and right off his lap.

�� Flushed, Takao straightened himself
out and brushed out his pants to smooth any wrinkles.� �Okay.�
Enough for now.�
I just put on my clothes and I don�t want to have to do it again so
soon.�

�� Kai just gave him a smug, satisfied
smirk and watched the bluenette with sultry, flaming eyes.� �Too bad.� I have such fun watching you take them off.�

�� Laughing, Takao pulled Kai to his
feet.� �Come on, tease.� We should be landing pretty soon.�

~*~*~*~*~

�� Stepping off the jet, the two
couples gathered their luggage and made their way to the harbour to take the Hiwatari
�ferry� to the Isle of Fire.

�� As they climbed the steps to the
main house from the docks, Kai paused and opened up the case containing the
Egg.� He gently passed it to Takao.

�� There you go, love.� You ready?�

�� As ever.�� Takao looked very pained, a slightly pinched
look around his eyes and mouth, and he held the Faberge Egg gingerly.� He took a very deep breath, held it for a
minute, then let it out slowly as he turned and started up the remainder of the
steps.� Kai smiled, proud of his lover,
and hurried to catch up, falling into step beside him.� Tala and Hilary were right behind them.

�� At the top, they were met by Kai�s
parents.� Masumi had suspiciously bright,
wet eyes and she stood beside her more composed, stoic husband with her hands
clasped in front of herself.� When Takao
stepped forward, she moved toward him anxiously.

�� Oh Takao!� Welcome, son.�
You look so much better than you did in the medical ward � or even than
when you were here last!�

�� The bluenette stopped, colour
seeping into his cheeks.� He bowed deeply
at the waist, missing the look Kai gave his parents that warned them to just
let him do what he needed to do.

�� Masumi-san.�� Takao greeted the kind woman softly.� �Hiwatari-sama.�� He
also greeted Kai�s father, still bent over. �Takao held out the Egg, respectfully refusing
to straighten until he�d said what he needed to and returned the damn thing.

�� I wish to return this�valuable
family heirloom that I recently�borrowed without your permission.� I know you already know of the circumstances
of why I did it, but the fact is that I have wronged the Hiwatari family,
betrayed your trust and hospitality, and dragged your only son into my
mess.� I apologize for my actions and any
harm I must have caused.� Please accept
this,� Takao held up the Egg a little higher, �and I hope I can someday make up
for my misdeeds and that I might be found worthy of Kai.�

�� All through his speech (not one he�d
practiced, though it did have that sort of tone to it, for all his sincerity
and remorse) Masumi had tears trickling down her face and Susumu had a mixture
of admiration and mild exasperation on his face as they listened.� It was Susumu who plucked the Egg out of
Takao�s hands � with very little regard for its fragility � and dropped a heavy
hand on Takao�s shoulder.

�� Consider the slate clean, Kinomiya
Takao.� Now please, straighten up and let
Masumi fuss over you.� She�s been
worrying about you for weeks.�� Susumu
stated gruffly, awkwardly patting the young ex-thief on the shoulder
consolingly.

�� Takao stood up just in time to catch
the small, elegant woman as she flung her arms around him and held him
tightly.� The bluenette looked a tad
stunned and completely out of place, but he hugged her back, never able to turn
away affection when freely given. �He
gave Kai a helpless look, but Kai just smiled and mouthed, �She likes you.�
with a shrug.

�� Susumu snagged a passing staff
person and dumped the Egg unceremoniously into her hands with instructions to
put it in his office on his desk.� With a
nonplused �Yes, sir!� she hurried off with the treasure in her hands.

�� Well, son, your mother has ordered
the chef to prepare one hell of a feast and I believe it should be on the table
any minute.� Why don�t you all go freshen
up and come in to join us as soon as you�re ready.�� The elder Hiwatari suggested in a kind voice
Kai had rarely heard.

�� Nodding, Kai extracted his lover
from Masumi and steered him in the direction of the guest houses.� �We�ll see you both in a few minutes.�� He waved over his shoulder and led Takao
away.� He heard Tala and Hilary greeting
his parents behind them, but he didn�t wait for the couple to follow.� �Hey,� Kai hooked an arm around Takao�s
waist.� �It�s done.� Feel better now?�

�� Leaning into his lover, Takao
nodded.� �Much.�� He stopped abruptly, turned to Kai, and
pulled him into a searing kiss that left Kai�s head spinning.

�� Not that I�m complaining, but
what�s that for?�� Kai licked his lips
and nuzzled the younger man�s temple contentedly.

�� For being so supportive and
understanding � which is code for putting up with my
weirdness and the annoying shit that I do.�� Takao captured his mouth again, kissing Kai�s
breath away.� A little breathless
himself, he pulled back and murmured against Kai�s lips, �And that was because
I love you.�

�� Hmm.� You really are a sap.�� Kai grinned.�
�Love you, too, Takao.� Shall we?�� He pulled Takao along the rest of the way to
their guest house.

~*~*~*~*~

�� They stayed for five days, and Kai�s
parents even took the time off from their usual busy schedules to spend time
with their son and his lifemate.� Masumi spoiled Takao at every opportunity
(much to his exasperated embarrassment), and Susumu had the chance to really
get to know the man who was, effectively, his son-in-law.

�� The evening of their second-to-last
night, Kai, Takao, and Tala sat in Susumu�s study with the Hiwatari
patriarch.� Hilary was off with Masumi in
Naples, having
yet to return from their �Girl�s day of shopping,� as Hilary put it.

�� It was a �guy�s night� of sorts,
then, for the males.� The drinks flowed
freely � sake and vodka for Susumu and Tala, Sencha
green tea for Takao and Kai (out of sympathy for his lover�s inability to have alcohol).� At first their conversations revolved around
mundane topics such as business anecdotes, the weather, current affairs,
etc.� But soon Kai brought up the subject
of his (and Tala�s) dual promotions and their decision to move to Japan.

�� Father, Tala and I have some good
news to share.�� Kai spoke up during a
lull in the conversation.

�� Oh?�� Susumu raised an eyebrow curiously.� �What might that be?�

�� Tala raised his glass of the finest
of Russian vodkas.� �We are the newest
Special Agents of the UNA.�� He declared
grandly, winking slyly at both his partner and Takao conspiratorially.� Takao hide a grin with his teacup.

�� Really?� Well, that�s fine news, boys!� Congratulations!�� Susumu raised his own glass of sake in
salute.

�� Kai smiled slightly, adding, �We�re
also the newest Assistant Directors of the UNA.�� His grin widened at the surprise on his father�s
face.

�� My god!� A double promotion for the both of you!� That�s very good news, indeed.�� Susumu reached out, offering his hand first
to Tala � who shook it with a smug smile � and then to his son.� He held onto Kai�s hand a bit longer,
squeezing just a little.� �Congratulations
doesn�t seem enough, son.� But I will say
I�m proud of you.� Very
proud.�

�� Flushing
at the uncharacteristic praise and affection, Kai retracted his hand and
murmured, �Thank you, Father.�

�� You must tell your mother when she
and Hilary return.�� Susumu admonished
lightly.� �Why didn�t you tell us sooner?�

�� I didn�t want Mother to make too
big a deal about it.�� Kai confessed,
shrugging and picking up his teacup.� �She�d
want to throw a party or some such nonsense.�

�� Tala laughed, shaking his head.� �Oh, antisocial one��

�� Shut it, Wolf.� Like you�re a social
butterfly.�

�� Takao smiled.� �Compared to you, he is.�� The bluenette got a mild swat on the arm for
that.� �What?� It�s true!�

�� Hn.�

�� The Russian flicked a look at
Kai.� �Are you going to tell him the rest
of it, or shall I?�

�� Susumu�s greying eyebrow went up
once more.

�� Kai shifted in his seat, crossing
his legs and leaning back into the leather sofa, his expression becoming almost
defiant.� �With our promotions, the
Director offered us a transfer to Japan, in order to fill some new
administrative and field personnel positions that have become open recently.�

�� Due to the
opening of some new offices in Asia, and
subsequent shifting of currently employed agents.�� Tala added helpfully.

�� Susumu nodded in understanding.� �Ah.� I
see.�� He gazed back and forth between
the two agents.� �And what have you
decided?�

�� I decided that if Kai goes, I go �
which is not to say that I don�t want to go even if he decided not to
accept.� �Tala declared, sipping at his
vodka.� �Hilary is enough reason for me
to go.�

�� Takao rolled his eyes.

�� Then it�s safe to say we�re going
to accept.�� Kai stated, reaching for
Takao�s hand and clasping it firmly.� �Because
no matter what else, I�ve always planned to go back once I found Takao and we
worked things out.�

�� Susumu studied them a moment (long
enough for Takao to start sweating), then smiled in a fatherly way, getting to
his feet.� �Well, that�s certainly you
decision, son, and your mother and I will always support you with your
decisions.�� He moved over to an intercom
on the large desk in the room to call for a staff person.� �And I�m afraid we must do something to
celebrate all this wonderful news.�

�� Kai winced.� �Oh, no�Father��

�� Cake!�� The Hiwatari declared, sounding for all the world like a little boy.� �We at least need cake!�

�� Tala and Takao began to laugh while
Kai just groaned and gave in.

~*~*~*~*~

�� It came to pass that the couples
finally had to leave the Isle and return to Japan.� After a tearful farewell with Kai�s mother (and
a much less emotional one with Kai�s father), Takao, Kai, Tala, and Hilary
caught a flight bound for Hong Kong, then switched planes to continue to
Tokyo.� They arrived late in the evening,
too late to conclude their journey to Takao�s hometown.� They caught a cab from the airport into the
city, and checked into one of the many hotels owned by Hiwatari Enterprises.

�� By the time Kai and Takao reached
their room, Takao was so tired he didn�t even take off his clothes or shoes
before he crawled onto the bed and simply collapsed.

�� Kai followed him after drooping their bags on the wardrobe and quickly going through
his own night time toilette.� He gave his
lover a hard shake on the shoulder.

�� Come on, Taka.� Wake up for a couple of minutes.� You need to get out of your clothes, love.�� He proceeded to strip the practically
unconscious man of what he could until Takao complied enough to help get rid of
the rest of his clothes.� Shoes and socks
first, then Takao�s jacket.� With a whole
lot of grunting and huffing, the agent manhandled the bluenette (uncooperatively
limp as a ragdoll the entire time) to get his shirt and pants off.� And as much as Kai preferred sleeping naked �
as in both of them � he was too tired to bother fighting with a passed out
Takao to get his underwear off.� Instead,
he worked the covers down the bed from under Takao then joined his lover in bed, tucking the sheets around them loosely as he spooned up
to Takao�s back.

�� Takao slept on, oblivious.� Kai smiled and kissed the back of the
bluenette�s shoulder, snuggling in comfortably.�
Takao murmured something then fell silent again.

�� Sleep well, gorgeous.�

~*~*~*~*~

�� Mid-afternoon.� The Kinomiya dojo.

�� Kinomiya Hiro placed the load of
brand new floorboards onto the pile near his father, who knelt
pounding nails into the ones he had already cut to size to replace the ones
that had rotted out or were broken.

�� Thank you, Hiro.�� Kinomiya Tatsuya looked up at his oldest son
with a smile.� He set his hammer aside
and wiped at his very sweaty face with the hem of his work-shirt.� �Hard to believe this is nearly done.� We�ll have this place nearly good as new in
no time.�

�� Hiro looked around the dojo
proudly.� They�d already repaired the
walls, the ceiling didn�t leak anymore, though the contractors that Kenny had
found for them had yet to arrive to completely replace all the tiles on the
roof.� Once they were done with the
floor, the dojo itself would once again be as it was when Gramps still taught kendo.� Sure, there were still plenty of things that
needed doing outside � like the boardwalk that wrapped around the dojo and
residence � but this was a good start.

�� We�ve done a lot.� Takao will be so shocked.�� He replied after a moment.� Then his face fell, and he sat down next to
his father as a weariness that hand nothing to do with all their hard work
washed over him.� �Gods, Dad��

�� I know, son.�� Tatsuya dropped a heavy hand on Hiro�s
shoulder.� �We�ve been through a
lot.� But Takao�� shaking his head, the
Kinomiya elder laughed dryly.� �Your
grandfather would be so proud.� And absolutely insufferable with it.� Not that I blame him.�

�� Hiro smiled faintly at the memory of
the spunky old man.� �Takao is a true
Kinomiya, Dad.� Gramps knew it all
along.� You and I would never have lived
up to his expectations, but Takao has.�
And after all he�s done��

�� This is the least we can do.�� Tatsuya picked up his hammer and fiddled with
it.� �We�re really,
really lucky that the Historical Buildings Society decided the dojo was worth
the investment of restoration.� I don�t
know that we ever could have afforded it on our own.� Not so soon, at least.�

�� Yeah.�� Hiro frowned to himself.� He was a tad suspicious about that in
truth.� But�he wasn�t about to turn down
a good thing like this.� Shrugging off
his insecurities, Hiro got back to his feet.�
�Why don�t we take a break, Dad?� We
haven�t even had anything for lunch, yet.�

�� I just want to get these last
boards done.�� Tatsuya shook his head.� �I�ll eat later, but I could use a cold
drink.�

�� Sure.� I�ll just��
Hiro was interrupted by the sounds of someone entering the dojo and two
familiar voices.

�� I don�t know, Max.� Takao didn�t tell me.�� Kenny sounded exasperated.

�� The blonde rolled his eyes and
smiled at his friends family as he sauntered into the main
room.� �Hey,
Kinomiya-san!� Hiro!�

�� Hey, Max.� Kenny.��
Hiro greeted them.

�� Boys.�� Tatsuya added with a wave.� �Come to give your hands a work-out helping?�

�� Actually, we came to be the
welcoming party.�� Max said, grinning
sheepishly.

�� He�s coming home?� Today?�� Hiro asked, surprised.� They hadn�t expected Takao for a few more
days.

�� Apparently.�� Kenny looked vaguely annoyed.� �All he said was he�d be home today, and he wanted Max and I to be here.�

�� Tatsuya looked mournfully at he
unfinished floor.� �Damn.� I was hoping to have this done first.�� He looked back up at his son�s friends.� �How is he, guys?� I mean, his health?�

�� I believe he�s fine, sir.� The doctor overseeing his care at the UNA
wouldn�t have released him if he wasn�t, and...Kai wouldn�t let him do anything
to cause a setback or relapse, so�� Max glanced at Hiro anxiously, hesitating
slightly over Kai�s name.� Despite having
heard the entire story from Kenny and Max, Takao�s older brother was still more
on the angry, over-protective side than the forgiving one when it came to Hiwatari
Kai.

�� No, you�re right of course.�� Tatsuya agreed.� �Don�t mind me.� I�m just�� he waved a hand expressively.

�� It�s alright, Kinomiya-san.� We completely understand.�� Kenny assured him.

�� The dojo looks great!�� Max exclaimed brightly, hoping to lighten the
mood some.� �Takao will be absolutely thrilled.�

�� I was just about to grab some water
from the fridge.� Did either of you want��

�� Hiro was once again interrupted,
this time by a loud, yet hesitant knock at the dojo�s main doors.� Max reacted first.

�� I�ll see who it is.�� He said, hurrying out to answer the knock.

�� A moment later, he came back looking
uncharacteristically sombre.

�� Max?� What�s wrong?�� Kenny inquired.� It was unnatural to see the genki man so
serious.� Max just shook his head and
stepped aside.

�� A gasp and a startled, �Takao!� came
from the two Kinomiya men farthest from the door, for behind the blonde stood
their youngest, dressed in a traditional, formal Kinomiya clan kimono, all
white, with the only splash of colour being his hair and eyes.

�� He stood straight and tall, almost
stiffly, at attention, and his face was as blank as he could make it � though everyone
caught the thick swallow just as he stepped into the room at the sight of the
nearly fixed-up dojo.� Takao kept his
eyes focused directly ahead of himself, trained on the shrine at the opposite
end of the dojo where the Kinomiya sword had been displayed in state for
centuries, but was now sadly empty.

�� Taking another step into the room,
Takao stopped and waited as his companions filed in behind him quietly.� Hilary, with Tala in hand, slipped around her
friend to move over to where Kenny and Max stood watching.

�� Then one last figure moved around
the bluenette.� A low growl from Hiro
earned him a quelling look from Tatsuya and a fatherly hand of warning on the
arm.

�� Kai faced Takao and, crimson eyes
looked with emotion-filled stormy sapphire ones, he carefully unwrapped the
elegant blade in his hands and held it out to his lover, hilt first.

�� Return this to its rightful place,
Kinomiya Takao.� Restore your name and
the honour of your family with this final act.��
Kai said in a commanding yet wholly compassionate tone of voice.� Then he added, �Even if there isn�t a soul
that would believe you�d ever lost that honour.�

�� Takao frowned at him for the ad-lib
and took the sword, eyes flashing warningly.�
Kai shrugged and stepped to one side, allowing the youngest Kinomiya to
move freely toward the shrine where he carefully replaced the sword.� It gleamed with polished steel in the light,
and the magnificent blue dragon etched into the blade so mysteriously seemed to
light up like blue fire for a split second.

�� Ignoring the room completely, Takao
backed away and went down on his knees before the shrine.� Staring at the blue dragon, Takao took a deep
breath before finally speaking.

�� It�s done, Gramps. �Dragoon is home.� I found Hiro and Dad, and they�re home now,
too � safe and sound.� I did many bad
things in my quest, tarnishing the family name and disgracing my own
honour.� I offer my most abject apologies
and, humbly, will work for the rest of my life to live up to your example as
the Kinomiya.�� Takao felt the tears fall
freely down his face, but he ignored those, too.� He bent right over, forehead meeting the
floor with one hand lying conversely over top the other in front of his head on
the floor.� After one brief moment of humility,
he raised his upper body again, repeating, �It�s done.�

�� Kai stood back, leaning against the
far wall, and watching as Tatsuya moved over to his younger son and knelt down
next to him, drawing the bluenette into a strong embrace.� He heard a strangled, �Dad�� from his lover,
and then Takao was a little boy all over again as he turned into his father�s
arms and cried.� Hiro joined his family
on the floor, reaching out to rub his little brother�s back soothingly while
their father rocked with him.

�� Motioning to the non-family in the
room, Kai signalled them to follow him outside to give the Kinomiya family a
chance at privacy.

�� Outside in the bright sunshine, he
took a deep lungful of fresh air, lifting his face to the warmth of the
sun.� It felt wonderful, and he was so
very glad to be back.� To
be home.

�� Max was sniffling as much as Hilary was
when they joined Kai outdoors.� Tala
solicitously offered his mate a handkerchief while Kenny merely handed Max a
tissue with a huff.

�� So that�s it then.�� The blonde declared, shoving his hands into
his pockets.� �Happy
ending, Kai?�

�� Yeah, Max.� Happy ending.�� Kai glanced over, a wry smile quirking at his
mouth.� �For now.� Life is unpredictable, after all.� But for now��

�� Happy ending.�� Max decided firmly.

�� Tala waltzed up to stand next to his
partner and looked up at the sky, mimicking Kai�s posture.� �I knew he was going to do something formal
again like he did at your parents�, Kai, but I wasn�t expecting all that.�

�� It was Hilary who answered quietly, �In
our culture, Tala, family honour is everything, particularly when one�s family
is as old and pure as Takao�s.�

�� It wasn�t that long ago that it was
possible only to reclaim that honour from the Emperor or something.�� Kenny added.�
�Things are different now, but as you saw�Takao still takes that part of
our history very seriously.�

�� Yeah, I did catch that, Kid.�� Tala drawled.

�� You�ll learn, Tala.�

�� Going to have to,
if I�m expected to work here.�

�� After several minutes, Takao emerged
from the dojo.� His eyes were red-rimmed
from crying but they were bright and shone with an inner peace Kai hadn�t seen
there since they�d been awkward teens.�
His smile out-shone the sun when his eyes landed on his lover.

�� Come back in, guys!� Dad and Hiro went to get cleaned up, and then
we�ll BBQ a feast!�� The former thief
beckoned his friends into the dojo.

�� Max thumped his friend happily on
the back as he passed.� �Sounds great!�
Welcome home, Takao!�

�� Yeah, welcome home.�� Kenny agreed as he followed Max.� Hilary bestowed a quick kiss on his cheek in
welcome as she passed, and Tala�just held up his hands and said, �I�m not
kissing you, Kinomiya.�

�� Takao made a face.� �I wouldn�t want you to!�

�� Laughing, Tala went after Hilary.

�� Alone and looking at Kai, the
bluenette held out a hand.� �We�re home,
Kai.� Finally.�

�� Finally.�� He agreed, not looking at the dojo at
all.� Instead, his eyes never left his
beloved�s face.� �I love you, Takao.�� He smirked mischievously.� �Thief of my heart.�

�� Takao chuckled, absurdly touched,
and leaned in for a kiss.� �I love you
too, Kai.�� He returned, brushing his
lips across his lover�s.� �And you know
what they say��

�� What?�

�� Blue eyes sparkled with love and
contentment.

�� Once a thief�always
a thief.�

~*~*~*~*~*~

FIN� ENDE� OWARI

Kali
Notes:� Whew!�
Well, thank you all so much for reading.�
I truly hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing
it.� Let me know how it was!� Good, bad, somewhere in between?� LOL� Thanks again, folks!� Until next time�� Please R/R!!!!

~ Yami FireKali ~
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Once A Thief