New Beginnings

Kirito slammed the cash register closed and waved his arm in the air.

"Oi, Hakuei!"

The taller man scooped up the crumpled bills on the counter, making change out of a pouch around his waist, then turned towards the other man. "Eh?"

"I'm going to run to the bathroom real quick," Kirito said. "Think you can survive with out me for a minutes?" A wooden coaster narrowly missed his head as he laughed and ducked under the counter.

Hakuei leaned against the bar, briefly surveying the crowded room. He could see both Hide and Bou running around, taking orders and carrying out drinks as fast as they could. Until that night, he hadn't even realized that Hide even worked for his father, but evidently most of their friends did on occasion, whether they were really on the payroll or not. With a sigh, Hakuei grabbed the nearly empty liquer bottles, stacking carfully on the racks behind him.

"Excuse me."

Hakuei turned arund, then paused, eyes going wide at the creature addressing him. Dark eyes looked up at him through thick lashes, a slight smile across full, pink lips, enhanced by a small spiked labret stud. Shoulder length, jet black hair obscured half his face, but what Hakuei could see, was quite attractive indeed. He could not help but stare as the shorter man leaned forward on the bar.

"Would you happen to know," the young man asked in a soft, if slightly laybored breath," if Tsukasa is working tonight?"

"Eh?" Hakuei grinned. "Oh, no, he doesn't really work here often; his brother does." The other man's face fell to drastically that Hakuei felt compelled to bring back that addictive smile. "But wait, he is here!" He pointed to the back of the dining hall where Tsukasa sat with his back to them, sipping a beer with some of their friends.

The young man looked over his shoulder, then turned back around, grinning broadly. "thank you very much." He said. Suddenly, his smiled dropped and his hand flew to his head. A pained expression crossed his face.

"Hey, are you ok?" Hakuei asked, worried at how pale the other had suddenly become.

The young man closed his eyes for a moment and the color started to come back in his cheeks. With a small smile, he straitened up. "I'm fine, thank you." With a final glance, he turned away. Hakuei watched as he moved effertlessly through the crowd towards the back of the bar.

"Who was that hot guy you were talking to?" Kirito asked, appearing at his side. "I only got the barest of glimpses."

"I... don't know." Hakuei said, shrugging, puzzled. "He was looking for your brother."


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Tsukasa grinned, more at Kiyoharu's reaction than Rose's blatantly sexual comment. Toshiya laughed with him, slapping the slightly embarressed Kiyoharu on the back. With a chuckle, Tsukasa leaned back in his chair, then froze as he suddenly felt hot breath on his neck.

"I've finally found you."

Tsukasa's heart renched as that all to familar voice whispered, breathless in his ear, slim arms embraced him from behind. He could see his shocked face mirrored in his friend's expressions as he slowly turned around. But before he could say anything, the other man's head slumped forward, kness buckling under him. Tsukasa barely managed to catch his fall, wrapping both arms around the thin man. With a squeek, he shot a frightened look towards his friends. Kisaki was the first to react, jumping to his feet, kneeling beside the two men. He placed a hand under the newcomer's jaw, feeling for a pulse, then stood.

"I think he's just out cold," he said, his face trouvled, but we better call a doctor to be sure." He worked his way up to the bar as the others helped Tsukasa lay the other man down. Kisaki caught Hakuei's eye and waved him over.

"Where's Yoshiki?"

"In his office. Why, what's going on?"

"I think he fainted." Kisaki murmered, lost in thought for a moment.

"Who?"

"Tora." Kisaki looked up at him, an odd look on his face. "Tsukasa's old lover. He's come home."