Tour Guide to the Underworld - Chapter 7: Ganbatte!

[yoru-no-hikaru.livejournal.com]

Pairing: KinKi Kids
Characters: Nishikido Ryo, Uchi Hiroki, Nagase Tomoya, Takizawa Hideaki, Okada Junichi (and others)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Don't own the JE boys (duh!), but OCs are mine and I created the story
Setting: AU
Warnings: Creepy, language, situations of character death
Multi-Chapter


Notes: Yes, I know, it's totally unbelievable, but I'm updating. ^^ Minna, I've been so busy. My place is getting renovated and everything is just a total mess. Right now I only have a bed and a desk. Starting Tuesday, I won't have anything of my own for 3 days. So I'm afraid I'll be away for a while this time too. But I'll try to be quicker with my next update. I hope you'll enjoy this one. It's very Koichi centred. Please see it as a kind of biography. Tsuyoshi will get something similar later. Okay, now. Enjoy. ^^


Intro: After Koichi got caught in Tackey's office, things seem to smooth out again slowly - althought Tsuyoshi is worried for his position. Ryo has to face yet another job and he's also confronted with the bratty guy who used to be trained by Tackey before. ^^





“What are you babbling?” the young man demanded. “And will you please answer the question? What are you doing in here?”
“I was looking for Takizawa,” Koichi shrugged. “I don’t really know what’s wrong with Shigeaki-kun, but he wasn’t much of a help when I asked him.”
The man eyed him sceptically. “So you just went in?”



“Shigeaki was basically out,” Koichi explained. “And there’s a hunter on the loose, one who could only too easily slip in here and do what not. I was worried.” When the other still stared him down, he decided he just had to bluff and hope the boy would fall for it. “It seems, though, that everything is alright. The data is still here,” Koichi stated, nodding towards the desk.
The young man glanced at the desk and then finally relaxed visibly.
“You could have called someone else, you know,” the man told him.



“As I said, I was going to see Takizawa in person,” Koichi explained. “But when I arrived he wasn’t here.”
“He’s out with the head of the Element enforcement group,” the man explained.
“Ah,” Koichi nodded. “And what exactly are you doing here?”
The young man glared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean? I was called in for help. It seems Tackey is quite obsessed with that hunter. Isn’t it only natural to call someone in, who has the same power?”



“That is certainly only natural,” Koichi agreed. “It’s just… well, it’s you,” he shrugged. “Everybody has been wondering why Takizawa is acting so weird lately and now I see you here.”
“I really think you’re misinterpreting,” the man muttered.
“Yamashita-kun,” Koichi said sympathetically, “of all the youngsters you are the one he never got over. When you left for balancing education he was devastated. He didn’t eat for an entire week. And now you’re back…”
“If it makes you feel more at ease, once this is over I’ll go back to my department,” Yamapi scoffed.



“It’s not that I don’t want you here,” Koichi assured him. “I just don’t know if it’s good… for him. Even though I’m pretty sure it was him who invited you.”
“It was,” Yamapi confirmed.
“Well, at least try to be professional,” Koichi requested.
“Nothing but that,” the younger man assured him.
“That’s good, then,” Koichi nodded. “Well, I’ll better take my leave now. It seems everything is okay, after all.”
“Please, take care,” Yamapi said, bowing slightly as the older man left.

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________

“You stole it from the desk of your boss?” Tsuyoshi gasped. “Are you mad?”
“Well, I can’t let him have so much information,” Koichi said sternly. “If they catch you…” He shook his head and flung the pages onto the table. “They won’t miss a few stray sheets. I’m sure it’ll be okay.”
“Still,” Tsuyoshi muttered, “to do something like that.”
“Well, I’m doing it for you,” Koichi bit at him. “For us.”
“I never asked you to do such a thing,” Tsuyoshi opposed. “I’ve told you before, I’m well-aware of what I’m doing and of the consequences it might have.”



“Well, maybe it’s okay for you, but it’s certainly not okay for me,” Koichi insisted. “I am not willing to get dissolved over this. And I won’t let them have you either.”
“But Koichi,” Tsuyoshi tried to reason, “if you keep this up, you’ll soon be a criminal yourself.”
“I am already a criminal,” Koichi sighed. “And all I can do now is to try and cover everything up.”
“This is really bad,” Tsuyoshi stated, shaking his head.



“It’s not all that bad,” Koichi told him. He moved closer to Tsuyoshi, sitting next to him on the couch. “So long as I’m with you, it’s gonna be okay.”
Tsuyoshi wanted to reason with him, but the tempting smell of the other engulfed him and soft lips were daring him for play. Whenever Koichi advanced him, he simply couldn’t resist. There was something about him that made Tsuyoshi go weak in the most dangerous ways. Yet he let himself fall prey to the intoxicating creature that was Koichi without a second’s hesitation, devouring all of his lover’s special features.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

“Good morning, Takizawa-kun,” Yamapi greeted his colleague.
“Please,” Tackey waved him off, “no need for such formalities.”
“There most certainly is,” the other man insisted still politely, but firmly.
Tackey twitched slightly at that. “I’m sorry,” he muttered quickly. “It’s not like… I’m trying to be casual, or something.”
“Well, just wanted to make sure,” Yamapi told him. “We’ve talked about that kind of thing, after all.”



“We have indeed,” Tackey agreed. “Well, it’s not like I called you in for fun.”
“And yet we’re stuck,” Yamapi sighed. “The information we’ve collected is… well, it’s just not detailed enough to really get anywhere. Even though Koichi-kun seems very determined too.”
“Why is it that such a thought would cross your mind?” Tackey asked, frowning slightly.
“Oh,” Yamapi said quickly, “he came in last night, looking for you.”
“I don’t remember seeing him…”



“You were out already,” Yamapi explained.
“And yet…” Tackey mused, “he was sent to my office?”
“Er… no. It seems that Shige wasn’t at the reception and Koichi… well, you know him,” Yamapi shrugged, “he didn’t feel like waiting and walked right through. You weren’t here anymore, though. I ran into him by accident.”
“I see,” Tackey nodded, his face clearing again. “Well, it’s only natural that Koichi is very intent on this case. He was the one who reported that guy first, after all.”



“Still,” Yamapi muttered, “to make such a fuss over just one single hunter. I think that’s really exaggerating. It’s not like he’ll deal huge damage.”
“He is the first one we have a detailed description of in ages,” Tackey explained. “And we might find others when we find him too. It seems that an entire group has established.”
“Ah, I see,” Yamapi mused. “So you hope to get a hold of more than just one person.”
“Exactly,” Tackey confirmed. “Well, maybe Koichi found something new as well. I’d like to know why he came to visit.”



Just as he made to turn around and leave the room Yamapi called him back.
“He’s out already,” the younger man stated. “They left about an hour ago.”
“Pity,” Tackey sighed.
“I don’t think they’ll be long today,” Yamapi told him. “It’s been very calm as of last night, so I reduced their share.”
“Who gave you permission to do that?” Tackey bit at him.



“Nobody,” the other sighed. “It seems, though, that your policy isn’t the wisest. You won’t have many friends if you keep this going. I’ve checked Koichi’s schedule of last month and really… Aren’t you going a bit hard on him?”
“That is nothing you can decide by yourself,” the older man told him. “Well, for today I guess it’s okay.”
“It’s also not easy to have a trainee with you,” Yamapi added.
“Yes, yes, it’s fine already,” Tackey waved him off agitatedly


.
“How is that guy doing anyway?” Yamapi asked.
“I don’t really know,” Tackey admitted. “He hasn’t been around for too long. Most probably he hasn’t even finished an entire job yet.”
“I remember back when I was collecting,” Yamapi said with a smile. “It’s very thrilling.”
“You can always come back,” Tackey offered.
“No, thanks,” Yamapi grinned. “It was nice, but I’m very happy where I am now. Just saying… I still remember the excitement of my first job…”

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Ryo took a deep breath. Then he put on a determined face and walked towards a young girl, who was standing at a red light.
“Hey,” he said softly.
The girl made to turn around and see who addressed her, but Ryo stopped her quickly.
“No, no, don’t turn around,” he requested. “Just keep checking the light.” He bit his lip slightly. “I know why you are here,” he finally stated.
The girl’s eyes grew wide and she made to turn around again.



“Don’t look at me now,” Ryo demanded. “I am neither here to judge you, nor to stop you,” he explained. “It is your fate to die here. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone, okay? I’ll be waiting right here and then we will move on together and I’ll take you to a better life.”
“Who are you?” the girl whispered.
“Don’t talk to me,” Ryo whispered back. “Nobody else can see or hear that I am here. I came especially for you. So you won’t be alone. I know you’re scared, but don’t worry. It’s gonna be okay. I’m right here.”
“You will take me away from here?” the girl asked, her voice slightly husky.
“Yes,” Ryo confirmed.



People started to move around them as the traffic light changed to green, but the girl didn’t move and neither did Ryo.
“How is it?” she asked in a low voice.
“How is what?” Ryo asked back.
“I don’t know… what do you call it – the after-life?”
Ryo chuckled. “Well, it’s… fun.”
At that the girl laughed slightly. “That’s nice to hear.” Then the second, the most-asked question. “Does it hurt?”



Ryo smiled kindly and used a very useful thing he’d already learned from Koichi.
“It’s no good, asking questions,” he answered simply. “It’s almost time.”
The girl simply nodded. She braced herself. Then a young man bumped into her.
“Sorry,” he apologised. “I didn’t quite see you there.”
“Not a problem,” she stated, not even looking at him.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked.



“Nothing that’ll kill me,” she answered simply.
“My, you’re a rather scary girl,” the man laughed.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.” She still didn’t look at him.
“Well, sorry anyways, okay?”
Just as he was about to make his leave, she suddenly swished her head around to look at him.
“Do you have someone you love?” she asked out of the blue.



The young man merely blinked at her. “Well… yes.” He smiled kindly. “Sorry, I can’t date you.”
“Have you told her today that you love her?”
Again the man inspected her awkwardly.
“Have you?” the girl repeated her question.
“Well, no, not yet,” the man shrugged. “Why?”



“Just… tell her,” the girl demanded. “No matter how. If you don’t see her today, call her. Or write to her. Tell her that you love her. You can never know what it might do to just let her know. Maybe you’ll make her gloomy day shine brighter, just telling her that.”
The guy still seemed a bit weirded out, but he nodded. “I guess there is a point.”
She merely nodded at him and turned around again to face the street. The guy merely shrugged and moved on. He pulled out his cell-phone, though. As he walked on, the traffic light switched back to red. A smile came to his lips as he talked into his phone just as he moved on around the corner.
“Hey, honey, how are you doing? … No, there isn’t any news. I just wanted to tell you…”



The cars on the road started to move again. The girl took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Then she started to run. It was over within a second. A car hit her full force and sent her a good way farther onto the street, where she hit the ground. Car horns could be heard and several cars screeched on the ground as the drivers hit the breaks full force. Fortunately, no further accidents happened, but everything came to a halt, people jumped out of their cars to see the girl’s body lying lifelessly on the ground. Ryo sighed deeply. Somehow his stomach twisted at the entire scene.
“That was an excellent job,” Koichi praised him.



“I didn’t tell her about the last interaction,” Ryo stated, eyes still glues to the scene in front of him.
“There was no need,” Koichi assured him. “You will learn what kind of information is important or relevant for which spirit. You really did well.”
“We’re not done yet,” Ryo muttered.
“True,” Koichi nodded. “Why, then, finish your job, collector.”
Ryo nodded and moved out onto the crossing where the entire traffic had come to a halt, people were running around and screaming, quite some trying to get a glimpse of the scene. In the midst of it stood a lone spirit, looking confused.



“You made it,” Ryo said with a smile.
The girl turned around to blink at him. “I remember you,” she mused, thinking.
“That’s right,” Ryo nodded. “Remember, I said I came to find you. We are here to guide you away from here and to a happy life.”
The girl blinked once more, then she smiled at him. “Really? You came just for me?”
“That’s right,” Ryo confirmed. “Come on, we will guide you from here.”



“We?”
“Ah, there is my… partner,” Ryo explained, pointing at Koichi.
“You come in pairs?” the girl asked.
“Well, he knows how to drive,” Ryo shrugged. “So, what do you say? Will you follow us?”
He offered his hand to her, still smiling. The girl smiled back and nodded firmly.
“Let’s go,” she said happily.



 ___________________________________________________________________________________________



Ryo yawned, stretching his arms as he finally closed the drawer he had gotten in the office desk. He had read in his book quite some, trying to learn as much as possible. He blinked in surprise when the door opened again, even though Koichi had already left.
“Ah, good evening,” Uchi greeted him with a smile.
“Good evening,” Ryo greeted back with a nod. “What are you doing here?” he asked right away.
Uchi laughed at that. “Do you think I’m spying, or something?”
Ryo merely shrugged.



Uchi shook his head at that, but he still had an affectionate smile on his lips. “You’re a quite suspicious person,” he teased. “I just brought these,” he explained, setting a large pile of files down onto the table. “Koichi has to do his monthly statistics.”
“Tackey,” Ryo sighed deeply.
“Oh dear,” Uchi laughed. “Koichi must bitch quite some about him, if you react like that.”
“Well, I’ve seen our schedule,” Ryo shrugged. “And with this now…”



“Everybody has to work long hours right now,” Uchi explained. “Winter is coming and it’s a busy time for all of us. Koichi just likes to think he’s special,” Uchi grinned, winking.
“Three shifts in 72 hours?” Ryo asked sceptically.
At that Uchi blinked slightly. “Well… maybe that’s a bit above average,” he admitted. “I guess Tackey wants his best guys to work hard right now.”
“Well, whichever it is, it’s definitely tough,” Ryo shrugged.



“Collecting is tough business,” Uchi agreed. “How is it going for you?”
“Okay, I guess,” Ryo stated. “Today I finished my first job.”
“Really?” Uchi smiled. “Congratulations.”
Ryo blushed slightly at that. “Ah, thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll better…”
“Please, don’t tell me I’m interrupting something.”



Both men turned around in surprise to see Koichi standing in the door. While Uchi blushed slightly now, Ryo’s face turned rather white.
“Oh, no such thing,” Uchi waved the older man off. “We just kind of bumped into each other.” He blushed even more at the curious look Koichi gave him at his choice of words. “Ah, I mean… he just happened to be here when I brought these.” He pointed at the papers.
Koichi shifted his gaze into the according direction. Then he sighed slightly.
“Really, he could let me off just this once,” he complained. “We’re already working day and night.”



“Ah, Nishikido already pointed that out to me,” Uchi nodded. “It seems you’re passing on your disregard for the organisation system quite successfully.”
“He must have misunderstood something,” Koichi stated simply.
“I see,” Uchi grinned. “Well, then I shall leave now so you can put things right with him.” He bowed to Koichi. “Have a good night, Koichi-senpai.” To Ryo he merely waved. “Nishikido,” he said simply and with that left the room swiftly.
Koichi sighed. “Seems I’m in for a long night.”



“I can help,” Ryo offered right away.
“Thank you,” Koichi said with a smile, but at the same time started to shake his head. “But this is no work for you. Not yet, anyway. Plus, you’ve had a long and exhausting day.”
“So have you,” Ryo shrugged.
“I’m used to it,” Koichi insisted. “You go home and have a good rest. I’ll be guiding a bit again tomorrow, but you will practice some more as well, of course.”
Ryo bit his lip, considering his trainer. “Still…”



“It’s perfectly fine,” Koichi assured him. Then his eyes glinted, like he remembered something important. “Ah,” he made, rummaging his pocket before pulling something out. “I got something,” he said awkwardly. “I didn’t expect you were still here, so I had planned on giving it to you tomorrow… but I guess since you’re here…”
He offered Ryo a small book.
“I found this very handy when I started out,” he explained. “Well, it’s a new edition, of course.”



As Ryo moved closer to have a proper look, his eyes widened in surprise.
“A map,” he gasped.
Koichi nodded. “Second level travelling spots,” he confirmed. “It covers the entire city.”
Ryo looked at the item in wonder, accepting it carefully and feeling it up with deft fingers. Koichi smiled, watching how happy the other obviously was over receiving his gift. He felt his stomach making a little flip, his heart-beat increasing slightly as he smiled.
“Congratulations,” he said softly. “On your first successful guide,” he explained as Ryo merely blinked at him.



As their eyes met, time seemed to stop for just a second. There was a kind of feeling that tugged at Koichi’s heart. Ryo was really the most wonderful person he’d ever met and – he was pretty sure – he’d ever get to meet. Ryo felt his cheeks heating up again at the look Koichi gave him, but did not try to escape his gaze. And then, with the next blink, it was over again.
“Okay now,” Koichi said with a sigh, “go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Is it really okay?” Ryo asked sceptically.
Koichi merely waved his hand to tell him to leave already.
“Well, then,” Ryo said thankfully, “osaki ni.” He bowed politely, before turning to leave. “And… thank you,” he added, before he swept out the door.
Koichi smiled slightly to himself. Then he looked at the pile of files on his desk and sighed.
“Well, then, better get right to it,” he decided.

____________________________________________________________________________________________


Tadaa. New chapter done. ^^ I hope you liked it. I had a very hard ime putting the pieces together. The story is going to be more complex, several plot strings are going to run together. For now I'm glad that I can share this. ^^ Ryo-chan omedetou!!!! \^o^/ I'm so glad he did well on that job. :D Koichi seems to be very proud of him too. Next he will have to face Tackey again, of course, and he will guide again himself, which makes me very happy, because it's very smooth with him. ^^ Thanks a lot for reading! <3

Chapter 6

Chapter 8