Once A Thief

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>Kali
notes:  Wow…I’m sure people have
forgotten about this fic by now.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> *sweatdrops*style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Thanks so much for all the reviews, class=SpellE>minna-san! I had no
idea this would go over that well… *snifflesclass=GramE>* I call this chapter
the “chapter of revelations…” or “Takao’s monologue…”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'> lang=EN-CA style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>Disclaimer:lang=EN-CA style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:
EN-CA'>  No own!
No sue!style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'> lang=EN-CA style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>Warnings:lang=EN-CA style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:
EN-CA'>  Yaoi (unless you’re
on ffnet; then you get shounen-ai)
- eventually, language, dramatic angst, and other adult content.  class=GramE>Don’t like it, don’t read it!style='mso-spacerun:yes'> This
chapter: angst, angst, and more angst – which you’ll
understand the reason for once you start reading it.style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'> lang=EN-CA style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>Pairing:lang=EN-CA style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:
EN-CA'>  TyKa; others include Tala/Hilary,
mentioned Rei/Mariahstyle='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'> lang=EN-CA style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>~*~*~*~*~lang=EN-CA style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'> 

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>Chapter
08: Honour Among Thieves – Part II

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> 

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> The silence in the room was so thick,
one could have sliced it up into sections and served it on a plate.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But for the ticking
of the clock on the wall, the barely audible breathing of the people in the
room, and the soft shuffling of papers, it was quiet.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Too quiet.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The kind of quiet that
weighed heavily on Takao’s nerves and made him fidget in his seat.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> He sat in a conference room at one end of a long table,
Kenny and Hilary on his right, Max and Judy on his left.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> At the opposite end of the table sat Director
Dickenson, with Kai on his left and Tala on his right.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Dr. Angelique Maison
was also in attendance, standing near the Director
with Takao’s medical file tucked under her arm.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Takao stared at his hands on the tabletop, fingers linked
tightly to keep them from any restless movements that would betray how insecure
and nervous he was at that moment. He
felt very out of place sitting among everyone with their
business-like appearances, and semi-formal attire.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The bluenette was still only in his cotton
pyjamas, consisting of a long sleeved, buttoned shirt and drawstring jogging
pants. At least he still had his shoes
on, though.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Director Dickenson’s voice startled him out of his
reverie and broke the deep silence effectively, making Takao jump slightly.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “Alright.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Let’s get
started. For the record, Dr. Angelique class=SpellE>Maison will giver her opinion of
one, Kinomiya Takao of Japan,
and the state of his health.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> The doctor cleared her throat and stepped forward,
placing the file on the table at the Director’s elbow.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “As Mr. Kinomiya’s
physician in the past few days, I have had the opportunity to examine and treat
him for what I have concluded is an ulcer, most probably brought on by poor
diet, lack of beneficial sleep, and extreme stress.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The other tests I conducted were to rule out
the possibility of some malfunction of his unique talent to manipulate
electricity. Such unique individuals class=GramE>have been known at times to develop health problems due to
their abilities, as their bodies are unused to dealing with the extra stress on
them. Mr. Kinomiya, however, is quite
lucky to not be one of those.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “Thank you, Dr. Maison.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Director Dickenson nodded.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “And your opinion of his
health at this time?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “He is capable of participating in this…interview.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> However, had this not been insisted upon as necessary,”
she gave the two UNA agents and the Director a disgruntled glare.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “I would have preferred that Mr. Kinomiya had
at least one week of bed-rest with no stressful situations or discussions.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> His condition remains stable, treatable, and
manageable, but he is nearing his body’s limit to just how much it can
stand.” Angelique planted her hands on
her hips and gave everyone in the room a solid stare.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “That said, I strongly advise that, if this
interview should take a while, breaks be taken and he is given a chance to
relax and have something to drink, maybe even eat.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Takao sighed and looked dolefully at the tabletop.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Just another reason he avoided doctors and
hospitals as much as he could – they all thought they knew his body better than
he did.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “We will keep that in mind, Doctor.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Director Dickenson agreed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> With a final nod, Angelique walked briskly
out. “Now, Agent Hiwatari, please state
the charges that we are here to discuss.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Kai looked like he’d much rather
be elsewhere, thank you, but stood and pulled a paper from the case-file he had
on the table in front of him. In a voice
as neutral as he could make it, he proceeded to read off the long list of laws
his former boyfriend had already confessed to breaking.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> He would never admit that each one caused a pang in his
chest – it physically hurt Kai to voice each one.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> It was the same for the bluenette.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Each crime and offence listed, in Kai’s
semi-monotonous voice, was a blow to both his heart and his conscious.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> By the time Kai came to the last one,
trailing off in obvious relief and nearly collapsing back into his chair, Takao
was gripping the arms of his chair so hard his knuckles were white.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “Thank you, Agent.”
The old man reached out and pushed a button on the console of the
recording system that sat on the table between them.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Before we proceed, was there anything that
anyone wanted to say off the record?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Takao shook his head.
He’d have his say – but only on record.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kenny and Hilary shook their heads, too,
since they would have their as the bluenette’s legal counsel.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Max didn’t say
anything either, simply reaching over to pry Takao’s fingers loose from the
chair arm and pat his hand reassuringly.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Judy remained silent also – for now.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> She had already spoken to Director Dickenson
about her presence and her opinion of the evidence that had
been gathered.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Surprisingly, it was Tala who
leaned forward and spoke up. “I do.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Everyone looked at him in question, and the Director
waved a hand, indicating for him to continue.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “I release that any unique talents I possess, being part
wolf as I am, are far from admissible evidence – for the defence or prosecution
for the case. I only recognized Kinomiya
as the thief we were looking for by his scent, after all, and while I
know the difference between one person and another by scent alone, others
usually do not.” Tala shrugged.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “But that’s not what I wanted to say.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “You are unusually long-winded Ivanov.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Get to it, already.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kai scowled in impatience, and Tala just
stared back impassively.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “It’s my opinion that he’s been telling the truth – so
far as events have proven, at least.
There is definitely something bigger – more – going on than just
your average (though unique) string of thefts.
Kinomiya is being followed, and it does seem that there is
someone else pulling the strings.” Tala
folded his arms on the table top and looked down the
expanse of it at the bluenette. “I
believe him. And if he is being
blackmailed with the lives of his family as he says, then I want the blackmailer.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Ice-blue wolf eyes sharpened and
glinted. “I will hunt him down and throw
his ass in prison.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Takao gaped in shock.
He was not expecting support like that so quickly and easily from Kai’s
formidable partner – even though, he was sure, it probably hadn’t
been easy for Tala.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Director Dickenson coughed and gave his agent a mild
frown. “Alright, Agent
Ivanov.
Duly noted.
Anyone else?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Kai, who had been staring at the open case-file in
silence, glanced down the table at his only love.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “What the wolf said.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Only it’s a promise.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> His crimson eyes flared slightly and met
stormy blue-grey solidly.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Takao gave him a short nod, expression grim.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He heard what Kai wasn’t saying aloud;
no matter what the Director decided, Kai was going to help the bluenette in
anyway he could, despite what could happen to himself.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “Well, it’s nice that the two of you have such instincts
and believe you can afford to indulge in getting emotionally entangled in this
case,” the old man frowned at the two agents in reproach.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “But I can’t afford such a luxury.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I must have some concrete proof upon which to
base my decision, even if I, personally, would agree.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> That is what we are here for – to get Mr. class=SpellE>Kinomiya’s statement and use it to try and find some
of that proof.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Sniffling a bit, and rubbing his eyes wearily, Takao
graced the room with a smile that was a shadowed hint of the smile class=GramE>he’d once worn all the time.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “Thank you, sir.
Even being willing to listen to me is more than I had ever hoped for.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “I abhor injustice, Mr. Kinomiya, and everything about
this case lights up all kinds of warning bells.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Director Dickenson waved the gratitude
aside. “Moving on, as we don’t all want
to be here all night, I welcome my North American counterpart, Director Judy
Tate, to this interview.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Kai (and Tala) started and stared at Max’s mother in
surprise. “Say what?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I knew she was your mother, Max, but…a UNA
Director?” Kai’s gaze flicked back and
forth between the two blondes and Takao.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “Eh heh…well, when Kenny came
over to tell me what was happening, Mom was on vacation, visiting me in w:st="on">Japan.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> And when she heard the story, she insisted on
coming along, so…” Max grinned disarmingly.
“I can hardly tell my mother ‘no’ can I?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “I am not here to influence UNA policy, just to support
and counsel my son’s best friend and a young man whom I have grown to admire
and respect. Nothing
more.” Judy squeezed Max’s
shoulder.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> “Of course you aren’t.”
Director Dickenson reached for the console again.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Was there anything further?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> At everyone’s silence, he nodded and said,
“Alright then, Mr. Kinomiya. Let’s
begin.” He turned on the recorder once
more.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'> Takao took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and began
his sad and sorry tale in a steady voice.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>~*~*~*~*~

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “It started, I guess, a few years
ago. Max and I had only been in business
for…three or four years. By that class=GramE>time we had already expanded a great deal, and I had been
spending more and more time away from home – mostly in Europe, though
occasionally I went to places like India,
Australia, and even w:st="on">South America once or twice.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> My Dad, and usually my older brother, class=SpellE>Hiro, were gone most of the time also.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Hiro had finished
his Masters degree in archaeology by then, and he went on digs with our dad all
the time. He was just starting work on
his PhD.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Anyway, since we were all off
running around the globe, that left my grandfather
home by himself a lot. He had always
been so healthy and, uh, energetic,” Takao sweatdropped
and Max, Kenny, and Hilary smiled at their memories of Gramps.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kai just rolled his eyes.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “…that we didn’t really
think much about how often he was alone.
We also trusted him to tell us if he wasn’t
feeling well or needed help around the dojo or something.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> In retrospect, we should have known
better.” The bluenette sighed, looking
down cast. “Gramps was a proud man –
with good reason, I suppose. class=GramE>And even at the end of his life he never considered himself
‘old.’ He always used to thwack me with
his training sword if I used that term to describe him.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “But he was getting up there in
years, and I wish I’d paid more attention to things then.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It was my responsibility, after all, to look
after the dojo, and Gramps, and…hell my whole family, really.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Takao said, his
voice tinged with regret and bitterness.
“I did notice the odd strange thing Gramps would do, but I just shrugged
those off as Gramps being Gramps. You
see, he began to forget things – just little things, and only class=GramE>once in a while.
Stuff like training appointments with his kendo students, watering his bonsai
trees, making himself dinner…that kind of thing.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I don’t think Dad or Hiro
noticed anything either because it all seemed like a pretty big shock to them
when they found out, too.” Takao
stopped, staring at the table top with a small sigh.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Business began to pick up, and it
became more practical for me to live part of the year – at least – here in w:st="on">Europe, rather than always flying back and forth and all
the expenses we’d incur with hotels and stuff.
I talked it over with my family, and Gramps was adamant that everything
was fine, that he could handle it all on his own.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> So Dad and class=SpellE>Hiro went off to Central America to dig up some Mayan
ruins, and I went to Belgium.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I didn’t stay there
long, though, and ended up here in Paris.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We – Max and I – also began leasing the
business suite at that hotel in London,
and I divided my time between the two.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “But while I was gone, Gramps’
memory loss got worse. I class=GramE>didn’t know about it until he was already gone, but he had
stopped taking on students and giving lessons.
And without the income from that, he was having
a hard time keeping up the dojo and the house.
So he acquired a mortgage and used the money to
hire various contractors and such to make repairs and bring certain things up
to code – like the faulty electrical system in the place.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “A few months later, and he’d
forgotten about the mortgage.” Takao’s
hands clenched tightly, remembering what the lawyer had told him, class=SpellE>Hiro, and their father shortly after Gramps’ funeral.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “So when the bank came around wanting
payment, Gramps was confused and extremely embarrassed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But somehow he
managed to work out something that kept them off his back for a little
longer. I found out later that class=GramE>he’d sold the only truck he’d ever owned – and he got ripped
off on that, by the way. He used that
money to make payment. And that’s pretty
much how it continued until I cam home almost seven months later.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The bluenette paused, swallowing hard and
glancing at Hilary. “Hil,
could you get me a glass of water, please?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Of course.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The brunette quietly
rose and went to a sideboard to pour a glass of water for him from the pitcher
that had been set there. She came back
and set it in front of him. “There you
go.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Takao sipped gratefully and thanked
her. “Thanks, Hil.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> After drinking half the glass, he set it
aside and gathered his thoughts to continue.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I was in w:st="on">London when I got the phone call from my Dad.
He told me to come home because Gramps was in the hospital and it didn’t look
like he’d last much longer.” Tears
pricked his eyes and he stared blankly at the far wall behind Director
Dickenson. “I got on the next plane I
could get, but I still got back too late.
He had passed away before I had the chance to see him and say goodbye.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Kenny, prepared as always, pulled
out a small box of tissues from his briefcase and gave them to Takao. Grabbing
a couple, Takao sniffled and blew his nose, composing himself.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Thank you, Chief.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He took a steadying breath and kept on
talking. He wanted to get this out and
over with. “Hiro
told me what had happened when I got to the dojo.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’d already noticed
how badly the place had gotten run down.
Floorboards needed replacing, there were shingles that were falling off
the roof, the windows were cracked and even some of the boards of the walkway
outside that goes all around the entire building were warped, broken, or just
plain missing. I didn’t
know what to think, already upset at losing Gramps but now feeling mega-guilty
on top of it.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “See, the contractors Gramps had
hired before hadn’t done very good work.
And Gramps…well, he forgot he’d hired someone
to do repairs once already. class=SpellE>Hiro told me that there was a stack of letters in the
kitchen on the counter from the bank. I
went through them and discovered Gramps had taken a second mortgage – this time
on the land itself. I didn’t know about
the first mortgage on the dojo and house until the lawyer told me after Gramps’
funeral.” Takao took another fortifying
sip of water. “Dad and class=SpellE>Hiro had no idea about it either.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> And since Gramps had left it all to me –
which we’d all known and agreed on a long time ago – he had
also left me holding the bag, as it were.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Dad and Hiro
wanted to help. And
between the three of us, we managed to pay off most of the second mortgage on
the land with what little savings we had.
My father gets paid fairly well for his field
work, but Hiro doesn’t get much at all, being a
student and a junior archaeologist still.
And I didn’t have very much of my own left
after university and then what I’d funnelled into the business.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Most of what I made there went right back
into it.” Takao sighed and brushed hair
out of his face. “Gramps hadn’t left us
with much to sell off, either. Most of the
furniture was gone, except for a few bare necessities – and my own room.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I guess Gramps didn’t
feel good about selling my bedroom furniture or something.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Hiro and Dad class=GramE>didn’t have anything, really.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Their person al belongings were all boxed up
and in the storage room for safe keeping.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> They tend to live out of their luggage.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> As Takao talked, Kai found it
extremely difficult not to get up, go over and wrap his arms around his
lover. He couldn’t
believe how much the bluenette had gone through in these last few years –
alone, for the most part – and he wanted so much to be able to hold Takao and
assure hi that everything would be all right.
That Kai would make it all
right, no matter what. It was making his
chest ache to sit there neutrally and listen to the fatigue, sorrow, guilt, and
anguish in Takao’s voice. It was then
Kai knew – without a shadow of doubt – that he still loved Takao enough to
throw away everything else for the
chance to be with him.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> If it meant quitting the UNA and
going into hiding with his one and only love, then so be it.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> But first they had
to see how everything else turned out.
Until then however, his mind began to plan and scheme.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “So what happened to your
grandfather that landed him in the hospital?”
Tala asked. Kai blinked and put
aside his ideas in favour of hearing the rest of Takao’s story.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Gramps foolishly tried fixing a
loose shingle himself. He set the ladder
on a not-so-stable part of the walkway, and climbed up on it – but the ladder
fell through the rotted boards and he fell off.
He hit his head, broke his leg and hip, and wasn’t
found for a couple of hours. class=GramE>It was one of our neighbours who found him and called 911.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> She’s a middle-aged lady who used to play Go
and chess with Gramps, and she’d started bringing him home-cooked meals every
now and then.” Takao frowned at the
nearly empty glass of water in front of him.
“The hospital somehow managed to get a hold of my Dad through the bad
connections and long distance to somewhere in the w:st="on">Yucatan via satellite phone.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Dad and Hiro came
home immediately but I couldn’t seem to get there in
time.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “So, like I said, we paid off most
of one mortgage. But
we still had the rest of it, and all of the other, to deal with.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Dad even managed through his connections to
museums and universities all over w:st="on">Japan, to get a small grant to pay
for the most dire of the repairs that were needed to
make the house, at least, liveable again.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “How?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I mean, a grant?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Tala interrupted.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “They don’t give out personal grants like
that.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “No.
It was because our family has owned that land for centuries, right back
to feudal times. And the dojo, if not
the house, also, is a historical building.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Except for the addition of water, sewer, and
electricity, the place hasn’t changed for hundreds of
years. It’s the only thing saving my ancestral
lands and home from being repossessed by the bank and sold off to some
developer.” Takao scowled at the class=GramE>very thought. “And even
with that grant, there’s still so much that needs fixing our outright replacing.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Dad came to the conclusion that
until the mortgages were paid off, it would be best if he retired from active
field work. So
he took a position at the university in Bay
City – as a professor.
He actually gets paid better there than he did for field work.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Takao leaned back in his chair wearily.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Hiro still class=GramE>had to keep going,
though, since he was still working on his doctorate.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> And as for me, I
went back to Paris
to pick up business where I’d left off.
Any extra money I made, I sent home to Dad for the mortgages.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> At that point, Kenny reached over
and laid a hand on Takao’s forearm, halting his tale.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “I think it’s time for a small break.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> My client could use a few minutes to relax
and I’m sure everyone could stand some tea or coffee.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’m fine, Kenny.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Takao protested.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He was summarily ignored
of course.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Very well.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> We will take fifteen to twenty minutes to
allow him to recuperate.” Director Dickenson
agreed, switching off the recorder. class=GramE>“Agent Hiwatari, would you call down to Oliver and request some
tea, coffee, and some sandwiches or something?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yes, sir.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kai, while not really wanting to leave, got
up and reluctantly left the room.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Kenny, you’re all tense.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> When will you learn to relax a little bit?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Hilary scolded the petit brunette
as he tried working out the kink in his neck.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’m not tense.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’m juststyle='mso-spacerun:yes'> a little sore from sitting so long on
the plane ride here.” He said plaintively.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Takao and Max rolled their eyes and tuned
them out, having heard them argue like siblings (with Hilary as the older sister)
so many times before they could almost predict exactly what each would say
next.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “How are you really, Takao?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Max asked quietly.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The bluenette shrugged and gave him a tiny
smile.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Of course I’ve been better, class=SpellE>Maxie. class=GramE>But I’m okay. It’s
late, I’m emotional, and I’m tired, but I feel better than I did yesterday.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Well, I’m glad.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Max smiled back, though concern was still
evident in his eyes.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Takao…” Director Dickenson came
over, leaning on an ornate walking stick as he stopped beside Takao’s
chair. “When you were speaking of your
father and brother, I couldn’t help having this nagging feeling that I should know
them.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> The bluenette blinked.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Sir?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I couldn’t tell
you. I hardly know of everyone that class=GramE>they know. I’m sure
my Dad has made contacts with the UNA before, through work and stuff, though.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Hmm…yes.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The old man stroked his moustache
thoughtfully. “I saw in your file that
you went to university in America,
with Max, here. Correct?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yes, sir.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Takao eyed him questioningly.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “And that you studied abroad under a
western name rather than your given name.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Yes…” Takao frowned in
confusion. Max piped up.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Oh!
I get it! He thinks he knows your
Dad and Hiro by their western names, Takao.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The blonde declared,
nodding sagely. “In w:st="on">America, Takao
adopted his dad’s western name as his own – Granger.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> And I’m the one who dubbed him ‘Tyson’…”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Tyson Granger…Granger!”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The Director nodded and chuckled.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Of course.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I have consulted with your father on many
different occasions, young man. I have
never known him by ‘Kinomiya’ however, and so did not recognize it until now.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Shaking his head in disbelief, Takao
couldn’t help smiling a little.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Small world, sir.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Indeed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I must admit that I had heard a prominent
Japanese archaeologist and his son had gone missing several months ago, but I
didn’t really pay enough attention to have made the connection since it would
have been handled by UNA Asia and perhaps by Director Judy’s North American UNA
section.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “We received a memo about it,
certainly. But we had no evidence to
suggest either had returned to the US
or Canada since the last
recorded date they’d flown back to w:st="on">Japan.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Judy gave Takao an apologetic look.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “I didn’t want to say anything before because
I had nothing to offer for hope – and I had hoped you would come to me on your
own for help.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Takao sighed and ran a hand through his
bangs, pushing the locks out of his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Judy. I didn’t tell
you or Max because I was so afraid that if I involved anyone else something bad
would happen to them like it had my dad and brother.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “As I said before, you always try to
take on the world by yourself and refuse help.”
Judy admonished lightly. Takao
looked abashed and sheepish at the same time.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Well, knowing what I do now,”
Director Dickenson sighed. “I am very
eager to hear the rest of this story. I’m
anxious to find out what has happened to you and to someone I quite respect.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You will, sir.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Takao assured him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “I want to get this all out and over with
just as much.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Director Dickenson nodded and looked
toward the conference room door as Kai returned, followed by a green-haired man
in a chef’s uniform, pushing a tea cart.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Excellent,
Oliver! Thank you for going through
this trouble before you left for the night.”
The old man greeted and thanked him, walking over.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “It was no trouble, sir.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Oliver smiled and pulled the cover off one of
the trays to reveal small sandwiches, and another that had more of the little
pastries Hilary had brought to Takao’s room, earlier.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Please enjoy these little morsels, everyone,
and do not worry about the cart. One of
my nit-staff shall remove it later.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Thank you, Oliver.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> The Director thanked the chef once more as he
was leaving. “Now, everyone get class=GramE>yourself something teat and drink, and we will continue this
interview shortly.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Takao eyed the cart with a small
sigh. He still wasn’t
hungry, and he didn’t know if his stomach would accept anything stronger than
water at that particular moment.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Can I bring you a sandwich, Takao?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Hilary asked kindly, hovering at his elbow
attentively.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Thanks, but no, class=SpellE>Hil. I don’t
know if..” he began to reply but abruptly stopped when a plate with sandwiches
was slid under his nose and a mug of steaming hot tea that smelled both mint-y
and flowery at the same time was set in front of him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He blinked at both for a moment then looked
up to his other side to meet Kai’s crimson eyes, which were silently commanding
him to eat or else. “Uh…”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You need to eat something.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> And the tea is a chamomile green tea that’s
really light and easy on the stomach.”
Kai crossed his arms in a familiar, imperious stance, gazing down at the
bluenette watchfully.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Pouting, Takao grumbled.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “I’m not hungry, Kai, but thank you for the
effort.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Eat or I’ll have Dr. class=SpellE>Maison hook you up to an IV for the night.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Takao’s gaze whipped up to stare at
Kai in horror, his expression incredulous and his face paling
considerably. On this, however, Kai was
not going to budge, despite the flash that he just barely caught in Takao’s
stormy-blue eyes.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You wouldn’t.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Is that rhetorical?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You can’t!”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Don’t be stupid, Kinomiya.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I hate needles!style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Remember what happened last night?”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Eat and it won’t be an issue.”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “But Kai-i…”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Kami.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Don’t whine either!”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I’m really not hungry, though…”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Tough.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Unsympathetic (well, kind of), Kai pointed at
the plate and issued a final command. “Eat!”

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Without another word, Takao
reluctantly picked up one of the little sandwiches and cautiously nibbled,
watching his self-appointed meal enforcer out of the corner of his eye.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Neither noticed that the rest of the
room had gone silent and was watching them in amusement with strange
expressions on their faces.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Judy leaned over and whispered to
her son, “Are they always like this?” she asked with barely contained
laughter. The blonde stifled a giggle of
his own when Takao poked at a second sandwich unenthusiastically and Kai
pinched him on the shoulder in warning, watching him like a hawk – or over him
like a mother hen, depending on who’s point of view
one considered it from.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> “They were in high school, yeah.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Max managed to reply, swallowing down a
chuckle. “Sometimes the roles were
reversed, though.” He picked up a
sandwich of his own and nibbled, frowning thoughtfully as he watched his best
friend slowly eat a decent amount of food under Kai’s watchful
supervision. It wasn’t really Takao the class=GramE>blonde was considering, however.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It was Kai.
Even though he knew the whole tale, now, and had
basically given the dual-haired man a second chance at making Takao
happy, Max still had reservations and doubts – especially with Kai being the
UNA agent he was and Takao’s position.
That Kai cared for the younger man’s health and well-being class=GramE>wasn’t in question.
He obviously loved Takao a great deal.
But how was he going to handle being, in
essence, the enemy? Would Kai risk it
all and help Takao or would he hold his career and the UNA’s
ethics above his love and his own morals and ethics?style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Max didn’t know, and
he was going to make very sure Kai didn’t ruin this last chance for happiness
and life for Takao.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> As far as he was concerned, Kai was
going to have to prove himself – and it wouldn’t be
easy.

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style";mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>style='mso-tab-count:1'> Once Takao had consumed enough food
to satisfy everyone (particularly his former lover), everyone returned to their
seats with full mugs of coffee or cups of steaming tea, and Director Dickenson
nodded at Takao once as he turned the recorder on again, signalling the time to
continue. Taking a deep breath to settle
his nerves and the tiny ache of his stomach, Takao picked up where he left off.

****************style='mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>

Kali’sclass=GramE> Notes: style='mso-spacerun:yes'> style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>Blarghstyle='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>.style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'>style='mso-spacerun:yes'> *swirl-y
eyes* I’m
nearly comatose from this semester, but here’s the latest chapter, anyway!style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I…am just going to run away and hide from
people who will probably want to beat me to a pulp for Gramps… class=SpellE>X_ostyle='mso-spacerun:yes'> So sorry… Please R/R!!!!

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> 

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Due to ff.net’s dislike of
review replies in fics, and the fact that I haven’t
got time to go back and read all of them and make replies for them anymore,
there will not be any more of them from this chapter onward, with the possible
exceptions of the ones that ask a good question or something like that that I
feel the need to share. I will
try to reply with that new system on ff.net whenever I
can, though…just for giggles. Thanks
everyone for the reviews you’ve left so far!style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’m so class=SpellE>honoured by them all! – Kalistyle='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>