Chapter Six
Still no title. I should ponder that at work or something…
Announcement: I've finally cracked. I will now proclaim openly that this story with be Imai/Atsushi. The plot itself is so far removed from reality…so why not add that extra spice?
Watching them in reality I see them as great friends only. But, hey, this is fiction! So there. *sticks out tongue*
Too lazy to fully proofread the last part of this chapter tonight. Should have been in bed an hour ago. So, you'll get it as is. ^^
Note: the idea of "spiritual powers" isn't really based on anything in particular. The details just sprang to my mind and I wrote them. So don't go looking for deep theories here. xD
Chapter Six
Atsushi woke to the sound of voices. He cracked open one dry, sleep-encrusted eyelid, moving his head just enough so that he could see over the edge of the pillow he'd buried his face in. No one was there, so he let his head fall back down.
Atsushi lay spread over the bed, his dull, tired limbs taking up as much room as possible. He felt like a semi-coherent rock--and he was too feeble to try and move himself. In fact, he was sure that if he moved an inch more than he already had, either his head or bladder would explode. He wasn't sure which would come first.
He heard the voices again. Right, people. Somewhere. He tried to concentrate on listening, which was harder than it had ever been before because his brain felt full of cotton…
It sounded like Imai was talking. Atsushi frowned slightly, confused. Why was Imai there? He sounded somewhat annoyed too…
Another voice spoke up then. It took Atsushi a moment to recognize Ariwara. "Sakurai-san is sleeping, Imai-san. I assure you he's fine. I checked on him off and on all night."
"Let me in, Ariwara," Imai grumbled, his voice a bit garbled by the door and most likely drink.
"Imai-san, you really should go to bed--we should all go to bed. We have to leave in the afternoon--"
"Open the door."
There was some more arguing, but Atsushi ignored it, allowing his eyes to fall closed again. He knew Imai was going to win, and he didn't want to be awake for it.
He was drifting in the space between sleep and wakefulness when the door opened, Ariwara protesting in hissing whispers. Atsushi could feel the presence of someone leaning over him, but he remained still and limp, not really caring that Imai was staring at him. Imai did smell of booze though, a pale, lingering scent that was just enough for Atsushi's stomach to make itself known again. Thankfully it wasn't so much as to make Atsushi have to move… but it did make him really wish that Imai would go away.
Imai didn't leave though. The bed dipped to the side as he sat down…and then there was silence. Ariwara cleared his throat after a while. "Imai-san…."
"Just…wait a minute." Fingers smoothed over the ends of Atsushi's hair, where it lay spread over the pillow.
That was the last Atsushi remembered.
When he woke up some time later, everyone was gone. His head did feel a great deal lighter though, and his limbs sort of moved when he wanted them to. That was good, since he really needed to get up and into the bathroom.
Atsushi grumbled about traitorous bodies as he dragged himself to the edge of the bed. It took a few times until he could get up on his feet properly, but he made it. His head was killing him, and his mouth was dry enough to be sandpaper.
Once he'd gotten rid of the most pressing need, he moved on to the second. This involved digging in his travel bag for aspirin. It was harder to move all the little things around than he'd thought it would be, and he had half a mind to just spill it all out on the floor. But then he would have to pick it up, and that involved bending over…
Damn it, he'd just had the damn things--oh. They were sitting right on the sink.
Filling a glass full of water, he swallowed the pills, but of course nothing happened right away. The only immediate result was that he was now staring at himself in the mirror. He looked a mess. Pale as the dead, skin waxy, large dark circles under his bleary eyes, and, worst than all that, he had the world's most terrible bed head.
It was so bad his hair was frizzy. Frizzy!
"What the hell," he sighed, setting the glass back down with a sharp clack. He winced at the sound. "What time is it anyway?"
No one was there to answer of course, so he had to stumble back out into the main room, where the carpet was damp against his bare feet. The air in the room was cold and moist, perfect for sleeping piled under covers, but not for walking around in just underwear and a T-shirt. It was time for bed again then.
Atsushi climbed back into bed and pulled the blankets over his head, forgetting about the clock completely.
Someone cleared their throat. "Uh, Sakurai-san?"
Atsushi groaned quietly into his pillow. Why did people keep bothering him? Didn't they know he was hung over? So inconsiderate…
"What?" he grumbled, not even bothering to move.
"…Well, this can't be good for your security," the man--the voice was too deep for a woman-- said dryly.
That got Atsushi's attention. He sat up, turning towards the speaker. The light-haired shinigami from the other night stood at the foot of his bed, dressed very much like he had been before except that his shirt was a pale yellow.
Atsushi's first reaction? "Don't you know how to knock?"
Adam blinked, his handsome face blank in surprise. "You aren't surprised to see me?"
"…actually, no." And he wasn't. It just seemed to be the natural course for the past few miserable days. Atsushi bunched the blankets up around his mostly bare legs self consciously. He wasn't too keen on someone he didn't know at all seeing him in his underwear. It was rather embarrassing.
A robe was tangled up the bed sheets, and Atsushi idly wondered where that had come from… He remembered a great deal about the night before--very much to his regret --but some of the details were lost… Hadn't Hide given him that?
Atsushi had just started to fish the robe free when Adam cleared his throat again. "I did stop by for a reason."
"Oh. Right." Atsushi smiled sheepishly, realizing how scatterbrained he must appear. He looked up at Adam, trying to show that the other man had his completely attention. Adam was openly staring at him, eyes wide in wonder. Atsushi fought down the urge to squirm, feeling a bit uncomfortable…but know quite knowing why. Something about the way the other man was looking at him…
Diverting his mind from such confusing and headache inducing thoughts, Atsushi took a guess at what Adam's problem was. "Does my hair look that horrific?"
"Your wha---No! No, you look fine…err…good…err…Not horrific at all!" Adam looked strangely panicked for such a simple question. Atsushi snorted a laugh, and regretted it after. But it was funny. What, did Adam think Atsushi was a girl or something?
Adam adjusted his collar and cleared his throat again. That was kind of annoying. "Well, I did want to sleep some more today," Atsushi commented, gently.
"Ah, right, right. Actually, I wanted to see how you were doing. That was some news we told you, and, well…"
"You wanted to see if I freaked or not?" Atsushi replied calmly. He bent his blanketed knees and wrapped his arms around them. The haziness in his mind from the hangover made everything he'd gone through so far seem rather…distant. So it was easy to rest his chin on his knees and look up at Adam with just a hint of a quirked eyebrow. "I didn't. I just got drunk."
"Oh…I see." Adam still looked a little nervous. "So, what, you're…recovering now?"
"I have a hangover, yes." Atsushi never would have pinned Adam for being such a prude…Sure, he'd had issue with Imai climbing in Atsushi's lap (even Atsushi had some issue with that…) but, why get so squeamish over a hangover?
"Ah…so maybe I should leave then…"
Atsushi almost agreed to that…except he was suddenly bitten by the insane urge to ask questions. Maybe he was much more lonely and needy than he'd thought last night if he wanted to talk to a dead man. But this seemed to be a good enough time as any to get information. Atsushi might have the headache from hell, but he'd worked through that before.
Besides, the medication should kick in soon enough.
"Fujiwara-san--"
"Adam," the man correct automatically.
All right then. "Adam-san, could I ask you why your…department was interested in contacting me in the first place? Couldn't this have been taken care of without me knowing?" And without me worrying, Atsushi added silently. He wasn't sure if he'd rather it had been that way…but it was still worth it to ask.
Adam tugged at his open collar again. "Well, to be honest…" he stopped and then gestured towards a nearby chair. "Can I sit? I have the feeling this won't be your only question."
Atsushi nodded. Instead of just pulling out the chair, Adam dragged it over next to Atsushi's bed and then sat down. His knees were almost touching the bed. This move seemed to comfort Adam enough that he stopped his nervous movements. He leaned forward, hands on his knees. He was rather close, but Atsushi didn't move.
"You see, Sakurai-san, we were still deciding which route to take--to tell you or not--when you saw us that night. We didn't intend for that to happen. It was just a surveillance mission on our part, but you looked right at us…and, well, that sort of decided it."
"Well, you were there, of course I would see you… You weren't being very discreet."
"We normally don't need to be. You see, shinigami are usually only seen when they want to be seen."
Atsushi lifted his head up from his knees to peer at Adam directly. "You mean…you're invisible?"
"Yeah, something like that. Makes our job easier." Adam grinned sheepishly. "Right now, if someone was to walk in, they'd only see an empty chair."
Atsushi's eyes widened and his eyes darted towards the door without thinking. Then he mentally scolded himself. But that movement did seem to amuse Adam, whose grin broadened. Atsushi lips twitched up a bit in rueful smile.
"Why can I see you?" Atsushi asked after a time.
Adam's grin faded a little as he became thoughtful. "Well, there are times when people with very high spiritual powers can see a shinigami..."
"I don't have spiritual powers." Atsushi refuted that possibility immediately. He wasn't tied into any of this paranormal world… he was just a member of a band that was trying to make its way through the world. Nothing special about him besides the fact that some crazy vampire thought he was pretty and undead.
Atsushi hunched down over his bent up knees at that thought, his arms tightening. So it wasn't as distant as he'd thought…
A large, warm hand covered one of his. Atsushi's head snapped up, pain flashing behind his eyes at the sudden movement, and stared at Adam. The man didn't look at all embarrassed now. In fact, he looked downright earnest. He remained leaning forward, hand tight on Atsushi's. "Don't say that. There's no use denying it. Anyone can see it from a mile away--you shine so brightly."
"I do not shine." Atsushi knew he sounded petulant --kind of like Imai on a bad day-- but, damn it, what was it with these people?
"You do. It's what draws people to you." Adam's eyes were huge as he stared up at Atsushi. Atsushi shifted a bit, discreetly.
"So the fact that I'm essentially a giant light bulb turns people on?"
Adam's face turned red with alarming speed. For a moment Atsushi feared the man would die of asphyxiation…but then remembered the man was already dead. Atsushi chose that moment to pull his hand free from Adam's grip. At least Tsukino had been alive. Creepy…but alive.
"Not…not like that! Not…not sexually!" Adam's hand dropped back into his lap, but he was too flustered to notice. "No…no, Sakurai-san, I'm talking about your friends. And, well, maybe even your fans."
"So only friends like light bulbs…" Imai must be rubbing off on him…
Adam looked somewhat annoyed. "You're not a light bulb!" Adam sighed then, shoving a hand through his short hair. "You're being contrary on purpose, aren't you?"
"Not exactly, no," Atsushi answered honestly.
Adam sighed again. "Okay, let me try again then. This shine I mentioned is expressed in your charisma."
"So…the only reason anyone likes me is because I'm…shiny?"
Adam shook his head in defeat. "No. Not at all. But it is your…shininess that draws them to you. It's like…how to explain it…"
"Moth to the flame?" Atsushi supplied.
"Hmm… the overall concept, yes. But to explain the heart of the phenomenon to you… I guess you could say that your spiritual energy is warm, so it radiates as a pleasant, comforting feeling."
Atsushi laughed a little. "I've been told I'm quite scary many times. That seems contrary to your idea…"
Adam looked serious. "No, not really. You're not scary so much as…intense. That frightens people."
"Are you going to say I'm intense because my shine is intense?" Atsushi didn't mean to sound mocking, but this conversation was ridiculous. He must have been dreaming now… a drunk's hallucination…
Adam seemed to have accepted Atsushi's terminology by now. "No. The shine is part of your personality, not the foundation of it. Spiritual power doesn't take you over; it's an addition to what you already have."
Atsushi was intrigued despite himself. "Where did I get this…shine from then?"
"I can't quite say. I don't know enough about you to pinpoint it. Even then I might not be able to… But the most probable guess is that you were born with it. Some people are just special like that." Adam smiled. Atsushi looked away.
Adam cleared his throat after a moment. "Some people are born with a great deal of spiritual energy, enough that they can manipulate it to their own ends. But, most others, like you, just have that little extra bit that makes you sensitive to spiritual things around you. Like shinigami."
Atsushi felt Adam's eyes on him as the other man asked, delicately. "Did any…strange things happen to you as a child? Anything that you couldn't find an explanation for?"
Atsushi chuckled darkly, fingers digging into the blanket around his legs. "Sure. Lots of things." His whole childhood, for one thing…
"Did anything seem magical? Otherworldly?"
Atsushi closed his eyes. "I don't want to talk about this now," he said calmly but with an edge of finality. [1]
A tense, strained silence fell over them then. Atsushi could hear Adam shift in his chair. It was Atsushi's turn to clear his throat, but at least he had dehydration as a reason.
Atsushi was mildly surprised when Adam jerked to expectant attention. He must have still been hoping Atsushi would answer. Atsushi felt strangely guilty to be disappointing him. "Could you please get me a glass of water from the bathroom?"
Adam's look of surprise wasn't at all unexpected. What was unexpected was how eagerly he jumped to his feet after the shock wore off and disappeared into the other room. It didn't take any whining or subtly prodding. The other man just got up and did it.
Atsushi stared at the empty chair, brain trying to compute the proper emotion to feel --but failing. All he could think of suddenly was that he wanted a cigarette.
Turning around on the bed as he searched first one side of the hotel room then the other, Atsushi finally located his nearly full pack of cigarettes on the desk across from the bed. He was going to have to get up to get them. Damn.
He thought about waiting for Adam to come back, it wouldn't take too long, but that man wasn't his maid. Besides, all Atsushi had to do was crawl to the other end and he could maybe reach them…
It just happened that he was in mid-reach when Adam returned. He only knew the other man was back when there was a high-pitched strangled squeak behind him.
Atsushi whipped around, still in mid stretch with only one wobbly hand keeping him from falling off the bed, and saw Adam standing in the bathroom doorway, mouth open and eyes wide.
That was when Atsushi remember he was only in his underwear still. And there he was, bent so that his ass was in the air. Too bad his hair wasn't long enough to cover everything…all it did now was cling to his upper body and fall around his face. Atsushi could just see the picture he must have made.
AV actor wasn't a career he was interested in.
"Er. Sorry... I just wanted my cigarettes." Damn it, he knew he was blushing.
Adam, already rather ghastly white, paled even further when Atsushi spoke….only to flush an almost apple red in the next instant. "Euh…no problem. Smoke doesn’t bother me, and umm…do you want me to get that for you? You can sit down and…euh…sit down…"
"No, I'm almost there. Just a little…more…" The pack was just scant millimeters away if he stretched a little bit further. He was almost falling off the bed by the end, but he got them. Now if only he knew where the lighter was…
"Is there a lighter on the bedside table?"
Atsushi had to repeat himself. Adam was too busy staring resolutely at the distant wall to hear him at first. "Uh…no, I don't see one."
"Damn." He scanned the desk. There had to be one near the cigarettes somewhere…
He found it at last, hiding under his room key. Ariwara must have cleaned out his pockets last night and tossed everything on the desk. He could possibly get it from here. It was just another stretching game.
Atsushi was just about the start again when Adam appeared in his peripheral vision. "Let me," the other man insisted, sounding a tad harried. Atsushi sat back on his heels as Adam grab the lighter and then ran back to his chair, completely forgetting to give it to Atsushi. Atsushi remained seated at the end of the bed while Adam looked down at the lighter and suddenly realized the step he'd forgotten. He handed it over sheepishly. Atsushi overlooked the gaffe for the sake of his own sanity.
Atsushi titled a cigarette out of the package and into his palm. "You don't smoke do you?"
Atsushi's voice seemed to wake Adam from some internal thoughts. "Uh…no. Never did. It's not like I can't…but I just don't."
"That would make sense, I guess. Smoking is a habit that's hard to break alive. Why break it if you're dead?" Atsushi shrugged. "So my smoking won't bother you?"
Adam shook his head mutely. So Atsushi stuck the cigarette between his lips and lit up. He took a long drag and then let the smoke seep out slowly, shoulders slumping along with the exhale.
Atsushi felt eyes on him, but Adam was steadfastly not looking when Atsushi turned towards him.
"I have one question for you," Atsushi said, in all seriousness. It had been bugging him for a while now.
"Yes?" Adam looked somewhat uneasy.
Atsushi paused, glancing around for an ashtray. Adam handed over the one from the bedside table. Atsushi thanked him with a nod before continuing. "You deal with people who are either dead or dying, isn't that right?"
Adam nodded.
"So, why are you so concerned with someone who is alive? How can keeping me safe possibly stop this…man from doing what he's doing?"
Adam's face was hard as granite. He appeared almost angry at Atsushi's question. "We hope to catch him and kill him, not just keep him away from you."
Atsushi frowned, cigarette hanging in limp fingers over the ashtray. He was a tad disturbed about the whole killing idea. Sure, Baum was a vampire and preyed on others, but…kill him? Atsushi didn't like the thought of killing anyone.
Adam continued in the same driven tone. "Just because he's obsessed with you now doesn't mean that he won't move on if anything happened to you. He'd just find the next gorge--" Adam stopped abruptly. "The next person to fit his imagine of the perfect vampire."
Something twisted in Atsushi's heart. He felt disgusted…and disappointed. He was just a tool then. Not a big surprise. "So you're just here for when he eventually shows up?"
"We hope to get him before he does, but yes," Adam answered truthful, meeting Atsushi's eyes squarely. It was Atsushi who looked away, staring down.
Then why the fuck are you here ogling me in my boxers? Atsushi wanted to snarl at him…but he didn't. He just sat there smoking as tears prickled against his eyelids. He was pathetic. He was so damn frustrated --hell maybe even angry-- but he couldn’t do anything but start crying like a weepy child. What could he say? Thanks for trying to save my life, but go away?
Had he expected Adam a…a shinigami to care that someone was alive? What did it matter to him? He was dead but still acting like he was alive. So what difference would it make if he was talking to a living or a dead Atsushi?
But certainly there couldn't be an undead Atsushi. That was a big no-no. Everyone had their own hypocrisy, their own bigotry. Even Atsushi--he wasn't too fond of undead vampires at the moment since one was turning his life all the way fucking upside down.
Atsushi smashed his cigarette down with enough force that some of the ashes in the tray spilled out on the bedspread. He didn't care. He closed his eyes tight, trying to keep the tears back, but either he cried or he threw something. He decided to cry instead. It was a really nice ashtray.
"Sakurai-san?" Adam sounded alarmed. The bed moved just slightly, as if Adam was about to climb on, but Atsushi held up a hand.
"No."
The weight disappeared. "What's the matter? What's wrong?" Why the hell did that man sound so panicky all of a sudden? Where was the hard-ass detective that was in his place just two seconds ago?
"I want to go back to bed. Good night." Atsushi replied, stonily.
"Sakurai-san, its morning…" Adam stated, hesitantly.
"Not for me it's not."
Apparently the dismissal in Atsushi's voice finally got through. Not that Atsushi was very good as dismissals, but he could at least handle this in the mood he was in.
The chair creaked as Adam stood up. "I'm going…but before I do, please tell me what's wrong…"
He was starting to sound like a scorned lover pleading. Atsushi felt sick. He knew that tone. And he didn't want to hear it now. "Nothing. I'm a hung over drunk who needs sleep. Good bye."
There was silence. Then more silence, but this was different. It was freer, less oppressive. It was suddenly lonely. Atsushi opened his eyes and glanced around the room. Adam was no where to be seen, and now Atsushi had the knowledge that if he was there, Atsushi would be able to see him. That is, if Adam told the truth. He'd been more than willing to tell Atsushi all about their plans for Baum…but that had been something Atsushi had basically figured out himself. He knew nothing about a shinigami's true nature, really, besides what he'd been told.
At least he didn't right now.
Atsushi swung his legs off the end of the bed and then reached for the business card on the desk. Why he hadn't done that earlier he couldn't quite say. Almost falling off the bed had made sense earlier…
He was such a moron…
Atsushi stared down at the little white card in his hands, flipping it around idly between his fingers. Coming to a decision, he glanced at the clock. It was only six o'clock in the morning. If he called now no one would be there. But if he didn't call now, he knew he'd never do it. He could just leave a message or…something.
Hell, what did it matter? The whole morning had been shitty so far. Why not just pile it on?
Crawling across the bed Atsushi plopped down by the bedside phone. His knee hit the chair Adam had been sitting in and he shoved it away with his foot angrily. It didn't move far, but it was just far enough that he couldn't kick it again. He tried, though.
The water that Adam had brought out was still on the table. Atsushi took a moment to drink it all down, taking the time to cool off. It would be rather rude to rant to some completely stranger on the phone (not to mention embarrassing later.)
Taking one last calming breath, Atsushi picked up the phone. He hesitated a moment, the dial tone buzzing in his ear…and then he dialed in a rush.
One ring…two…three…
"Tsukino." The voice came through quick and loud. It was oddly terse and not at all friendly like most shopkeepers would be to customers, no matter the hour. In fact, he sounded somewhat annoyed.
Atsushi almost dropped the earpiece in surprise. His other hand shot up to keep it from falling. Both hands clutched the plastic as he tried to decide what to say. He had no idea. He really should not have called so early, and he almost hung up. But he didn't. "Err…Tsukino-san, it's Sakurai--"
"Hold on a moment please," the man suddenly singsonged into the phone, cutting Atsushi off. "I have a customer at the present moment so if you could kindly remain on the line I will be with you shortly." There was a slight clunk as the phone was set down on something hard.
Atsushi frowned, confused. A customer now? It was 6AM right? Atsushi looked at the clock again. He'd read it right. The AM light was lit up. He looked back down at the business card. No hours were written. But why would a shop like that be open twenty four hours a day?
As the silence on the other end continued, Atsushi started to get nervous. This was stupid. He could just hang up the phone and go back to sleep--
"Ah, good morning!"
Atsushi almost dropped the phone again in surprise. He scowled at the man he couldn't see. "Good morning." It wasn't his fault if it didn't sound like a very good morning from his tone. He had a right to be pissy.
"I'm terribly sorry to have kept you waiting, but I needed to complete something else first. It was most pressing."
"That's…all right." Atsushi knew his manners. He could do this. "I'm sorry to call so early."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all! You picked a perfect day to do so--I had to open my shop a bit earlier today to accommodate a customer. I am nothing if not accommodating."
Atsushi noticed how Tsukino had been avoiding saying his name so far. It was normal to address people by name--especially shopkeepers who wanted to pretend some sort of connection with their customers. Being famous didn't help. Atsushi had been to stores where the employees had said "Sakurai Atsushi-san" ever other word it seemed.
Atsushi really hated to ask-- it was embarrassing for them all--but he had to know. "You...do know who this is, don't you Tsukino-san?"
"Oh yes, yes! Don't worry. I just prefer to keep my customer's names confidential. Confidentiality is a big part of my business."
Atsushi's brow furrowed in confusion. What? This wasn't the mafia. It was a little shop full of a bunch of junk. Tsukino really took himself seriously. Maybe even a bit too much. "Tsukino-san," Atsushi began, just wanting to get his business over with and leave the strange man alone. "I was wondering if you could tell me..." he trailed off, feeling stupid for what he was about to ask.
"Tell you what, Okyaku-san?" Okyaku-san, customer. Tsukino was really taking his claim of confidentiality seriously.
That, strangely enough, gave Atsushi some confidence. "Are shinigami really invisible?" he asked in a rush, his words coming out a bit jumbled.
Tsukino seemed to understand though. "Hmm… if I remember correctly, yes they are. Unless they don't want to be. I haven't read that book in a few years though. Maybe I ask why you wish to know?"
Atsushi's shoulders slumped in relief. "I was told they were," he answered, honestly.
"By whom?"
Atsushi paused. He didn't quite want to tell Tsukino that he'd seen one again. That was too much. "An acquaintance of mine."
"Ah…so you're finding out information from other sources?"
"Not exactly."
"Ah." A pause. "So, would you like me to send that book to you after all? I'm sure there is more information you would like to check."
"Uh…" Atsushi had no idea what to say. It would be a good idea, but… to have such a book laying around?
"Hmm…it seems to me like someone with your schedule wouldn't have time to read such a dry and lengthy volume. I will do the reading for you and send you my notes. And, of course, I will send the book as well, but that is only so you can check the facts. How does that sound?"
"Uh…" Damn it, how could he say no to that? But he really didn't want that book around… He would just have to deal with it though--he wasn't going to just take Tsukino's word on things. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you for offering. Although you really don't need to go through all that work…"
"It's my pleasure! I have to brush up anyway. I feel that a mystery is brewing…" Atsushi could just hear the grin that was most likely on the man's face. It was somewhat eerie, even through the telephone line.
"But Tsukino-san--"
Tsukino bulldozed right over him. "Do you want it sent to your hotel?"
"Ah…no, we're leaving today. And I don't know what hotel we're going to." Atsushi wasn't planning on telling him anyway. He hesitated a moment then said, "You can just send it to management and they'll get it to me. I'll tell them to expect it. You can just bill them for it too."
Tsukino didn't sound the least bit disappointed, as if he could care less how it got there. "All right. That will work. But you need not worry about paying me. I'm doing this merely for the enjoyment of reading an old book again."
"But--"
"I insist." The man's tone was so final Atsushi didn't dare protest again.
So he just sighed. "Very well."
After that Atsushi gave the man the address and then said goodbye. He half expected Tsukino to say something creepy before hanging up, but all he did was say a polite good bye and hang up.
Atsushi sat on the bed, phone still in his hand. It was only when the cute perky operator's voice started talking that he dropped the earpiece back into the cradle. Then he stared at the phone some more. He wasn't sure what he was looking for--did he expect Tsukino to appear suddenly from that little plastic electronic like some kind of ghost or something?
All he did know was that talking to that man always unsettled him. It didn't matter that he had been ten-times friendlier than Adam had been. There was just something…
Atsushi let his head drop into his hands. He rubbed at his temples, trying to stop the tumbling thoughts, but that didn't work. There wasn't any chance of him going to sleep now, not with his mind and emotions stirred up like this.
It was time to get up for the day then. The first move: get into the shower to tame his crazy hair. At least he could enjoy the hot water this time.
*
Atsushi happened to be dressed, hair completely straightened, all bags packed, and watching television when there was a quiet, tentative knock on his door some hours later. He looked up as he shook some ash off his cigarette. "Hold on a moment."
"You're up Sakurai-san?" the voice of the tour manager asked through the door, sounding absolutely bewildered.
Atsushi didn't answer. He crossed the room and unlocked the door. Chiba-san stood on the other side, his face just as shocked as his voice has indicated. He was dressed for the day, short dark hair combed neatly. That wouldn't last. "Come in," Atsushi told him kindly, gesturing with a hand.
Chiba walked in as if he was dreaming. "You do know that it's before noon don't you Sakurai-san?"
"I can tell time Chiba-san," Atsushi replied dryly, taking a seat on the bed again next to his ashtray.
"I…err…heard about what happened last night," Chiba remarked, not one for dancing around a subject. Especially not one that involved the men he was forced to baby-sit.
Atsushi said nothing. He just continued to smoke and watch the pretty female news anchor prattle on about some public interest story he'd missed the beginning of.
"Well, you seem awake and sober enough, despite reports. I guess coming home early does you good."
Atsushi ruthless pushed back all memories of the night before and focused on the present. "I take it no one else is up then?"
"No." Chiba didn't sound annoyed--only resigned. "We have to all be up and out by noon to get the train."
Atsushi checked the clock on the bottom of the TV screen. "It's nine."
"Yeah, well, I thought to start bugging you all early. Hopefully that way we can actually be out on time."
Atsushi smiled despite his still rather strained mood. "Good luck with that."
Chiba chuckled. "It's good that I only have four to deal with now."
"I could go back to bed if you'd prefer?"
"I would not prefer, thank you very much." Chiba replied firmly, but affectionately. "Don't tell me I have to come in here in an hour to make sure."
"No, I'll behave." Atsushi stubbed out his cigarette. "I'll just have room service sent up."
Chiba was quiet for a moment and Atsushi looked up to see the other man studying him, brows furrowed lightly. He spoke before Atsushi could comment. "You don't want to help wake up everyone else?"
"No," Atsushi said with false nonchalance. He shook out another cigarette. The pack was almost empty. "I'll just stay here."
Chiba raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. It wasn't the first time Atsushi was antisocial, so he shouldn't be surprised. "Can you order me a nice green tea when you call downstairs? I'll come by to get it later."
"Sure." That was it. Atsushi went back to smoking.
Chiba left shortly after and Atsushi was alone again. He sat crossed legged on the bed and stared at the television. He wasn't really seeing anything; neither his mind nor his eyes were focused enough to really make sense of anything there.
But at least the blurred movements were distracting. That was good enough for now.
Atsushi didn't want to think at all.
[1] I'm alluding to the "episodes" Atsushi mentioned having when he was younger in one of his interviews. I wasn't about to try to describe that--much too personal. I would point out the interview, but I'm not quite sure which one it was.
Announcement: I've finally cracked. I will now proclaim openly that this story with be Imai/Atsushi. The plot itself is so far removed from reality…so why not add that extra spice?
Watching them in reality I see them as great friends only. But, hey, this is fiction! So there. *sticks out tongue*
Too lazy to fully proofread the last part of this chapter tonight. Should have been in bed an hour ago. So, you'll get it as is. ^^
Note: the idea of "spiritual powers" isn't really based on anything in particular. The details just sprang to my mind and I wrote them. So don't go looking for deep theories here. xD
Chapter Six
Atsushi woke to the sound of voices. He cracked open one dry, sleep-encrusted eyelid, moving his head just enough so that he could see over the edge of the pillow he'd buried his face in. No one was there, so he let his head fall back down.
Atsushi lay spread over the bed, his dull, tired limbs taking up as much room as possible. He felt like a semi-coherent rock--and he was too feeble to try and move himself. In fact, he was sure that if he moved an inch more than he already had, either his head or bladder would explode. He wasn't sure which would come first.
He heard the voices again. Right, people. Somewhere. He tried to concentrate on listening, which was harder than it had ever been before because his brain felt full of cotton…
It sounded like Imai was talking. Atsushi frowned slightly, confused. Why was Imai there? He sounded somewhat annoyed too…
Another voice spoke up then. It took Atsushi a moment to recognize Ariwara. "Sakurai-san is sleeping, Imai-san. I assure you he's fine. I checked on him off and on all night."
"Let me in, Ariwara," Imai grumbled, his voice a bit garbled by the door and most likely drink.
"Imai-san, you really should go to bed--we should all go to bed. We have to leave in the afternoon--"
"Open the door."
There was some more arguing, but Atsushi ignored it, allowing his eyes to fall closed again. He knew Imai was going to win, and he didn't want to be awake for it.
He was drifting in the space between sleep and wakefulness when the door opened, Ariwara protesting in hissing whispers. Atsushi could feel the presence of someone leaning over him, but he remained still and limp, not really caring that Imai was staring at him. Imai did smell of booze though, a pale, lingering scent that was just enough for Atsushi's stomach to make itself known again. Thankfully it wasn't so much as to make Atsushi have to move… but it did make him really wish that Imai would go away.
Imai didn't leave though. The bed dipped to the side as he sat down…and then there was silence. Ariwara cleared his throat after a while. "Imai-san…."
"Just…wait a minute." Fingers smoothed over the ends of Atsushi's hair, where it lay spread over the pillow.
That was the last Atsushi remembered.
When he woke up some time later, everyone was gone. His head did feel a great deal lighter though, and his limbs sort of moved when he wanted them to. That was good, since he really needed to get up and into the bathroom.
Atsushi grumbled about traitorous bodies as he dragged himself to the edge of the bed. It took a few times until he could get up on his feet properly, but he made it. His head was killing him, and his mouth was dry enough to be sandpaper.
Once he'd gotten rid of the most pressing need, he moved on to the second. This involved digging in his travel bag for aspirin. It was harder to move all the little things around than he'd thought it would be, and he had half a mind to just spill it all out on the floor. But then he would have to pick it up, and that involved bending over…
Damn it, he'd just had the damn things--oh. They were sitting right on the sink.
Filling a glass full of water, he swallowed the pills, but of course nothing happened right away. The only immediate result was that he was now staring at himself in the mirror. He looked a mess. Pale as the dead, skin waxy, large dark circles under his bleary eyes, and, worst than all that, he had the world's most terrible bed head.
It was so bad his hair was frizzy. Frizzy!
"What the hell," he sighed, setting the glass back down with a sharp clack. He winced at the sound. "What time is it anyway?"
No one was there to answer of course, so he had to stumble back out into the main room, where the carpet was damp against his bare feet. The air in the room was cold and moist, perfect for sleeping piled under covers, but not for walking around in just underwear and a T-shirt. It was time for bed again then.
Atsushi climbed back into bed and pulled the blankets over his head, forgetting about the clock completely.
Someone cleared their throat. "Uh, Sakurai-san?"
Atsushi groaned quietly into his pillow. Why did people keep bothering him? Didn't they know he was hung over? So inconsiderate…
"What?" he grumbled, not even bothering to move.
"…Well, this can't be good for your security," the man--the voice was too deep for a woman-- said dryly.
That got Atsushi's attention. He sat up, turning towards the speaker. The light-haired shinigami from the other night stood at the foot of his bed, dressed very much like he had been before except that his shirt was a pale yellow.
Atsushi's first reaction? "Don't you know how to knock?"
Adam blinked, his handsome face blank in surprise. "You aren't surprised to see me?"
"…actually, no." And he wasn't. It just seemed to be the natural course for the past few miserable days. Atsushi bunched the blankets up around his mostly bare legs self consciously. He wasn't too keen on someone he didn't know at all seeing him in his underwear. It was rather embarrassing.
A robe was tangled up the bed sheets, and Atsushi idly wondered where that had come from… He remembered a great deal about the night before--very much to his regret --but some of the details were lost… Hadn't Hide given him that?
Atsushi had just started to fish the robe free when Adam cleared his throat again. "I did stop by for a reason."
"Oh. Right." Atsushi smiled sheepishly, realizing how scatterbrained he must appear. He looked up at Adam, trying to show that the other man had his completely attention. Adam was openly staring at him, eyes wide in wonder. Atsushi fought down the urge to squirm, feeling a bit uncomfortable…but know quite knowing why. Something about the way the other man was looking at him…
Diverting his mind from such confusing and headache inducing thoughts, Atsushi took a guess at what Adam's problem was. "Does my hair look that horrific?"
"Your wha---No! No, you look fine…err…good…err…Not horrific at all!" Adam looked strangely panicked for such a simple question. Atsushi snorted a laugh, and regretted it after. But it was funny. What, did Adam think Atsushi was a girl or something?
Adam adjusted his collar and cleared his throat again. That was kind of annoying. "Well, I did want to sleep some more today," Atsushi commented, gently.
"Ah, right, right. Actually, I wanted to see how you were doing. That was some news we told you, and, well…"
"You wanted to see if I freaked or not?" Atsushi replied calmly. He bent his blanketed knees and wrapped his arms around them. The haziness in his mind from the hangover made everything he'd gone through so far seem rather…distant. So it was easy to rest his chin on his knees and look up at Adam with just a hint of a quirked eyebrow. "I didn't. I just got drunk."
"Oh…I see." Adam still looked a little nervous. "So, what, you're…recovering now?"
"I have a hangover, yes." Atsushi never would have pinned Adam for being such a prude…Sure, he'd had issue with Imai climbing in Atsushi's lap (even Atsushi had some issue with that…) but, why get so squeamish over a hangover?
"Ah…so maybe I should leave then…"
Atsushi almost agreed to that…except he was suddenly bitten by the insane urge to ask questions. Maybe he was much more lonely and needy than he'd thought last night if he wanted to talk to a dead man. But this seemed to be a good enough time as any to get information. Atsushi might have the headache from hell, but he'd worked through that before.
Besides, the medication should kick in soon enough.
"Fujiwara-san--"
"Adam," the man correct automatically.
All right then. "Adam-san, could I ask you why your…department was interested in contacting me in the first place? Couldn't this have been taken care of without me knowing?" And without me worrying, Atsushi added silently. He wasn't sure if he'd rather it had been that way…but it was still worth it to ask.
Adam tugged at his open collar again. "Well, to be honest…" he stopped and then gestured towards a nearby chair. "Can I sit? I have the feeling this won't be your only question."
Atsushi nodded. Instead of just pulling out the chair, Adam dragged it over next to Atsushi's bed and then sat down. His knees were almost touching the bed. This move seemed to comfort Adam enough that he stopped his nervous movements. He leaned forward, hands on his knees. He was rather close, but Atsushi didn't move.
"You see, Sakurai-san, we were still deciding which route to take--to tell you or not--when you saw us that night. We didn't intend for that to happen. It was just a surveillance mission on our part, but you looked right at us…and, well, that sort of decided it."
"Well, you were there, of course I would see you… You weren't being very discreet."
"We normally don't need to be. You see, shinigami are usually only seen when they want to be seen."
Atsushi lifted his head up from his knees to peer at Adam directly. "You mean…you're invisible?"
"Yeah, something like that. Makes our job easier." Adam grinned sheepishly. "Right now, if someone was to walk in, they'd only see an empty chair."
Atsushi's eyes widened and his eyes darted towards the door without thinking. Then he mentally scolded himself. But that movement did seem to amuse Adam, whose grin broadened. Atsushi lips twitched up a bit in rueful smile.
"Why can I see you?" Atsushi asked after a time.
Adam's grin faded a little as he became thoughtful. "Well, there are times when people with very high spiritual powers can see a shinigami..."
"I don't have spiritual powers." Atsushi refuted that possibility immediately. He wasn't tied into any of this paranormal world… he was just a member of a band that was trying to make its way through the world. Nothing special about him besides the fact that some crazy vampire thought he was pretty and undead.
Atsushi hunched down over his bent up knees at that thought, his arms tightening. So it wasn't as distant as he'd thought…
A large, warm hand covered one of his. Atsushi's head snapped up, pain flashing behind his eyes at the sudden movement, and stared at Adam. The man didn't look at all embarrassed now. In fact, he looked downright earnest. He remained leaning forward, hand tight on Atsushi's. "Don't say that. There's no use denying it. Anyone can see it from a mile away--you shine so brightly."
"I do not shine." Atsushi knew he sounded petulant --kind of like Imai on a bad day-- but, damn it, what was it with these people?
"You do. It's what draws people to you." Adam's eyes were huge as he stared up at Atsushi. Atsushi shifted a bit, discreetly.
"So the fact that I'm essentially a giant light bulb turns people on?"
Adam's face turned red with alarming speed. For a moment Atsushi feared the man would die of asphyxiation…but then remembered the man was already dead. Atsushi chose that moment to pull his hand free from Adam's grip. At least Tsukino had been alive. Creepy…but alive.
"Not…not like that! Not…not sexually!" Adam's hand dropped back into his lap, but he was too flustered to notice. "No…no, Sakurai-san, I'm talking about your friends. And, well, maybe even your fans."
"So only friends like light bulbs…" Imai must be rubbing off on him…
Adam looked somewhat annoyed. "You're not a light bulb!" Adam sighed then, shoving a hand through his short hair. "You're being contrary on purpose, aren't you?"
"Not exactly, no," Atsushi answered honestly.
Adam sighed again. "Okay, let me try again then. This shine I mentioned is expressed in your charisma."
"So…the only reason anyone likes me is because I'm…shiny?"
Adam shook his head in defeat. "No. Not at all. But it is your…shininess that draws them to you. It's like…how to explain it…"
"Moth to the flame?" Atsushi supplied.
"Hmm… the overall concept, yes. But to explain the heart of the phenomenon to you… I guess you could say that your spiritual energy is warm, so it radiates as a pleasant, comforting feeling."
Atsushi laughed a little. "I've been told I'm quite scary many times. That seems contrary to your idea…"
Adam looked serious. "No, not really. You're not scary so much as…intense. That frightens people."
"Are you going to say I'm intense because my shine is intense?" Atsushi didn't mean to sound mocking, but this conversation was ridiculous. He must have been dreaming now… a drunk's hallucination…
Adam seemed to have accepted Atsushi's terminology by now. "No. The shine is part of your personality, not the foundation of it. Spiritual power doesn't take you over; it's an addition to what you already have."
Atsushi was intrigued despite himself. "Where did I get this…shine from then?"
"I can't quite say. I don't know enough about you to pinpoint it. Even then I might not be able to… But the most probable guess is that you were born with it. Some people are just special like that." Adam smiled. Atsushi looked away.
Adam cleared his throat after a moment. "Some people are born with a great deal of spiritual energy, enough that they can manipulate it to their own ends. But, most others, like you, just have that little extra bit that makes you sensitive to spiritual things around you. Like shinigami."
Atsushi felt Adam's eyes on him as the other man asked, delicately. "Did any…strange things happen to you as a child? Anything that you couldn't find an explanation for?"
Atsushi chuckled darkly, fingers digging into the blanket around his legs. "Sure. Lots of things." His whole childhood, for one thing…
"Did anything seem magical? Otherworldly?"
Atsushi closed his eyes. "I don't want to talk about this now," he said calmly but with an edge of finality. [1]
A tense, strained silence fell over them then. Atsushi could hear Adam shift in his chair. It was Atsushi's turn to clear his throat, but at least he had dehydration as a reason.
Atsushi was mildly surprised when Adam jerked to expectant attention. He must have still been hoping Atsushi would answer. Atsushi felt strangely guilty to be disappointing him. "Could you please get me a glass of water from the bathroom?"
Adam's look of surprise wasn't at all unexpected. What was unexpected was how eagerly he jumped to his feet after the shock wore off and disappeared into the other room. It didn't take any whining or subtly prodding. The other man just got up and did it.
Atsushi stared at the empty chair, brain trying to compute the proper emotion to feel --but failing. All he could think of suddenly was that he wanted a cigarette.
Turning around on the bed as he searched first one side of the hotel room then the other, Atsushi finally located his nearly full pack of cigarettes on the desk across from the bed. He was going to have to get up to get them. Damn.
He thought about waiting for Adam to come back, it wouldn't take too long, but that man wasn't his maid. Besides, all Atsushi had to do was crawl to the other end and he could maybe reach them…
It just happened that he was in mid-reach when Adam returned. He only knew the other man was back when there was a high-pitched strangled squeak behind him.
Atsushi whipped around, still in mid stretch with only one wobbly hand keeping him from falling off the bed, and saw Adam standing in the bathroom doorway, mouth open and eyes wide.
That was when Atsushi remember he was only in his underwear still. And there he was, bent so that his ass was in the air. Too bad his hair wasn't long enough to cover everything…all it did now was cling to his upper body and fall around his face. Atsushi could just see the picture he must have made.
AV actor wasn't a career he was interested in.
"Er. Sorry... I just wanted my cigarettes." Damn it, he knew he was blushing.
Adam, already rather ghastly white, paled even further when Atsushi spoke….only to flush an almost apple red in the next instant. "Euh…no problem. Smoke doesn’t bother me, and umm…do you want me to get that for you? You can sit down and…euh…sit down…"
"No, I'm almost there. Just a little…more…" The pack was just scant millimeters away if he stretched a little bit further. He was almost falling off the bed by the end, but he got them. Now if only he knew where the lighter was…
"Is there a lighter on the bedside table?"
Atsushi had to repeat himself. Adam was too busy staring resolutely at the distant wall to hear him at first. "Uh…no, I don't see one."
"Damn." He scanned the desk. There had to be one near the cigarettes somewhere…
He found it at last, hiding under his room key. Ariwara must have cleaned out his pockets last night and tossed everything on the desk. He could possibly get it from here. It was just another stretching game.
Atsushi was just about the start again when Adam appeared in his peripheral vision. "Let me," the other man insisted, sounding a tad harried. Atsushi sat back on his heels as Adam grab the lighter and then ran back to his chair, completely forgetting to give it to Atsushi. Atsushi remained seated at the end of the bed while Adam looked down at the lighter and suddenly realized the step he'd forgotten. He handed it over sheepishly. Atsushi overlooked the gaffe for the sake of his own sanity.
Atsushi titled a cigarette out of the package and into his palm. "You don't smoke do you?"
Atsushi's voice seemed to wake Adam from some internal thoughts. "Uh…no. Never did. It's not like I can't…but I just don't."
"That would make sense, I guess. Smoking is a habit that's hard to break alive. Why break it if you're dead?" Atsushi shrugged. "So my smoking won't bother you?"
Adam shook his head mutely. So Atsushi stuck the cigarette between his lips and lit up. He took a long drag and then let the smoke seep out slowly, shoulders slumping along with the exhale.
Atsushi felt eyes on him, but Adam was steadfastly not looking when Atsushi turned towards him.
"I have one question for you," Atsushi said, in all seriousness. It had been bugging him for a while now.
"Yes?" Adam looked somewhat uneasy.
Atsushi paused, glancing around for an ashtray. Adam handed over the one from the bedside table. Atsushi thanked him with a nod before continuing. "You deal with people who are either dead or dying, isn't that right?"
Adam nodded.
"So, why are you so concerned with someone who is alive? How can keeping me safe possibly stop this…man from doing what he's doing?"
Adam's face was hard as granite. He appeared almost angry at Atsushi's question. "We hope to catch him and kill him, not just keep him away from you."
Atsushi frowned, cigarette hanging in limp fingers over the ashtray. He was a tad disturbed about the whole killing idea. Sure, Baum was a vampire and preyed on others, but…kill him? Atsushi didn't like the thought of killing anyone.
Adam continued in the same driven tone. "Just because he's obsessed with you now doesn't mean that he won't move on if anything happened to you. He'd just find the next gorge--" Adam stopped abruptly. "The next person to fit his imagine of the perfect vampire."
Something twisted in Atsushi's heart. He felt disgusted…and disappointed. He was just a tool then. Not a big surprise. "So you're just here for when he eventually shows up?"
"We hope to get him before he does, but yes," Adam answered truthful, meeting Atsushi's eyes squarely. It was Atsushi who looked away, staring down.
Then why the fuck are you here ogling me in my boxers? Atsushi wanted to snarl at him…but he didn't. He just sat there smoking as tears prickled against his eyelids. He was pathetic. He was so damn frustrated --hell maybe even angry-- but he couldn’t do anything but start crying like a weepy child. What could he say? Thanks for trying to save my life, but go away?
Had he expected Adam a…a shinigami to care that someone was alive? What did it matter to him? He was dead but still acting like he was alive. So what difference would it make if he was talking to a living or a dead Atsushi?
But certainly there couldn't be an undead Atsushi. That was a big no-no. Everyone had their own hypocrisy, their own bigotry. Even Atsushi--he wasn't too fond of undead vampires at the moment since one was turning his life all the way fucking upside down.
Atsushi smashed his cigarette down with enough force that some of the ashes in the tray spilled out on the bedspread. He didn't care. He closed his eyes tight, trying to keep the tears back, but either he cried or he threw something. He decided to cry instead. It was a really nice ashtray.
"Sakurai-san?" Adam sounded alarmed. The bed moved just slightly, as if Adam was about to climb on, but Atsushi held up a hand.
"No."
The weight disappeared. "What's the matter? What's wrong?" Why the hell did that man sound so panicky all of a sudden? Where was the hard-ass detective that was in his place just two seconds ago?
"I want to go back to bed. Good night." Atsushi replied, stonily.
"Sakurai-san, its morning…" Adam stated, hesitantly.
"Not for me it's not."
Apparently the dismissal in Atsushi's voice finally got through. Not that Atsushi was very good as dismissals, but he could at least handle this in the mood he was in.
The chair creaked as Adam stood up. "I'm going…but before I do, please tell me what's wrong…"
He was starting to sound like a scorned lover pleading. Atsushi felt sick. He knew that tone. And he didn't want to hear it now. "Nothing. I'm a hung over drunk who needs sleep. Good bye."
There was silence. Then more silence, but this was different. It was freer, less oppressive. It was suddenly lonely. Atsushi opened his eyes and glanced around the room. Adam was no where to be seen, and now Atsushi had the knowledge that if he was there, Atsushi would be able to see him. That is, if Adam told the truth. He'd been more than willing to tell Atsushi all about their plans for Baum…but that had been something Atsushi had basically figured out himself. He knew nothing about a shinigami's true nature, really, besides what he'd been told.
At least he didn't right now.
Atsushi swung his legs off the end of the bed and then reached for the business card on the desk. Why he hadn't done that earlier he couldn't quite say. Almost falling off the bed had made sense earlier…
He was such a moron…
Atsushi stared down at the little white card in his hands, flipping it around idly between his fingers. Coming to a decision, he glanced at the clock. It was only six o'clock in the morning. If he called now no one would be there. But if he didn't call now, he knew he'd never do it. He could just leave a message or…something.
Hell, what did it matter? The whole morning had been shitty so far. Why not just pile it on?
Crawling across the bed Atsushi plopped down by the bedside phone. His knee hit the chair Adam had been sitting in and he shoved it away with his foot angrily. It didn't move far, but it was just far enough that he couldn't kick it again. He tried, though.
The water that Adam had brought out was still on the table. Atsushi took a moment to drink it all down, taking the time to cool off. It would be rather rude to rant to some completely stranger on the phone (not to mention embarrassing later.)
Taking one last calming breath, Atsushi picked up the phone. He hesitated a moment, the dial tone buzzing in his ear…and then he dialed in a rush.
One ring…two…three…
"Tsukino." The voice came through quick and loud. It was oddly terse and not at all friendly like most shopkeepers would be to customers, no matter the hour. In fact, he sounded somewhat annoyed.
Atsushi almost dropped the earpiece in surprise. His other hand shot up to keep it from falling. Both hands clutched the plastic as he tried to decide what to say. He had no idea. He really should not have called so early, and he almost hung up. But he didn't. "Err…Tsukino-san, it's Sakurai--"
"Hold on a moment please," the man suddenly singsonged into the phone, cutting Atsushi off. "I have a customer at the present moment so if you could kindly remain on the line I will be with you shortly." There was a slight clunk as the phone was set down on something hard.
Atsushi frowned, confused. A customer now? It was 6AM right? Atsushi looked at the clock again. He'd read it right. The AM light was lit up. He looked back down at the business card. No hours were written. But why would a shop like that be open twenty four hours a day?
As the silence on the other end continued, Atsushi started to get nervous. This was stupid. He could just hang up the phone and go back to sleep--
"Ah, good morning!"
Atsushi almost dropped the phone again in surprise. He scowled at the man he couldn't see. "Good morning." It wasn't his fault if it didn't sound like a very good morning from his tone. He had a right to be pissy.
"I'm terribly sorry to have kept you waiting, but I needed to complete something else first. It was most pressing."
"That's…all right." Atsushi knew his manners. He could do this. "I'm sorry to call so early."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all! You picked a perfect day to do so--I had to open my shop a bit earlier today to accommodate a customer. I am nothing if not accommodating."
Atsushi noticed how Tsukino had been avoiding saying his name so far. It was normal to address people by name--especially shopkeepers who wanted to pretend some sort of connection with their customers. Being famous didn't help. Atsushi had been to stores where the employees had said "Sakurai Atsushi-san" ever other word it seemed.
Atsushi really hated to ask-- it was embarrassing for them all--but he had to know. "You...do know who this is, don't you Tsukino-san?"
"Oh yes, yes! Don't worry. I just prefer to keep my customer's names confidential. Confidentiality is a big part of my business."
Atsushi's brow furrowed in confusion. What? This wasn't the mafia. It was a little shop full of a bunch of junk. Tsukino really took himself seriously. Maybe even a bit too much. "Tsukino-san," Atsushi began, just wanting to get his business over with and leave the strange man alone. "I was wondering if you could tell me..." he trailed off, feeling stupid for what he was about to ask.
"Tell you what, Okyaku-san?" Okyaku-san, customer. Tsukino was really taking his claim of confidentiality seriously.
That, strangely enough, gave Atsushi some confidence. "Are shinigami really invisible?" he asked in a rush, his words coming out a bit jumbled.
Tsukino seemed to understand though. "Hmm… if I remember correctly, yes they are. Unless they don't want to be. I haven't read that book in a few years though. Maybe I ask why you wish to know?"
Atsushi's shoulders slumped in relief. "I was told they were," he answered, honestly.
"By whom?"
Atsushi paused. He didn't quite want to tell Tsukino that he'd seen one again. That was too much. "An acquaintance of mine."
"Ah…so you're finding out information from other sources?"
"Not exactly."
"Ah." A pause. "So, would you like me to send that book to you after all? I'm sure there is more information you would like to check."
"Uh…" Atsushi had no idea what to say. It would be a good idea, but… to have such a book laying around?
"Hmm…it seems to me like someone with your schedule wouldn't have time to read such a dry and lengthy volume. I will do the reading for you and send you my notes. And, of course, I will send the book as well, but that is only so you can check the facts. How does that sound?"
"Uh…" Damn it, how could he say no to that? But he really didn't want that book around… He would just have to deal with it though--he wasn't going to just take Tsukino's word on things. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you for offering. Although you really don't need to go through all that work…"
"It's my pleasure! I have to brush up anyway. I feel that a mystery is brewing…" Atsushi could just hear the grin that was most likely on the man's face. It was somewhat eerie, even through the telephone line.
"But Tsukino-san--"
Tsukino bulldozed right over him. "Do you want it sent to your hotel?"
"Ah…no, we're leaving today. And I don't know what hotel we're going to." Atsushi wasn't planning on telling him anyway. He hesitated a moment then said, "You can just send it to management and they'll get it to me. I'll tell them to expect it. You can just bill them for it too."
Tsukino didn't sound the least bit disappointed, as if he could care less how it got there. "All right. That will work. But you need not worry about paying me. I'm doing this merely for the enjoyment of reading an old book again."
"But--"
"I insist." The man's tone was so final Atsushi didn't dare protest again.
So he just sighed. "Very well."
After that Atsushi gave the man the address and then said goodbye. He half expected Tsukino to say something creepy before hanging up, but all he did was say a polite good bye and hang up.
Atsushi sat on the bed, phone still in his hand. It was only when the cute perky operator's voice started talking that he dropped the earpiece back into the cradle. Then he stared at the phone some more. He wasn't sure what he was looking for--did he expect Tsukino to appear suddenly from that little plastic electronic like some kind of ghost or something?
All he did know was that talking to that man always unsettled him. It didn't matter that he had been ten-times friendlier than Adam had been. There was just something…
Atsushi let his head drop into his hands. He rubbed at his temples, trying to stop the tumbling thoughts, but that didn't work. There wasn't any chance of him going to sleep now, not with his mind and emotions stirred up like this.
It was time to get up for the day then. The first move: get into the shower to tame his crazy hair. At least he could enjoy the hot water this time.
*
Atsushi happened to be dressed, hair completely straightened, all bags packed, and watching television when there was a quiet, tentative knock on his door some hours later. He looked up as he shook some ash off his cigarette. "Hold on a moment."
"You're up Sakurai-san?" the voice of the tour manager asked through the door, sounding absolutely bewildered.
Atsushi didn't answer. He crossed the room and unlocked the door. Chiba-san stood on the other side, his face just as shocked as his voice has indicated. He was dressed for the day, short dark hair combed neatly. That wouldn't last. "Come in," Atsushi told him kindly, gesturing with a hand.
Chiba walked in as if he was dreaming. "You do know that it's before noon don't you Sakurai-san?"
"I can tell time Chiba-san," Atsushi replied dryly, taking a seat on the bed again next to his ashtray.
"I…err…heard about what happened last night," Chiba remarked, not one for dancing around a subject. Especially not one that involved the men he was forced to baby-sit.
Atsushi said nothing. He just continued to smoke and watch the pretty female news anchor prattle on about some public interest story he'd missed the beginning of.
"Well, you seem awake and sober enough, despite reports. I guess coming home early does you good."
Atsushi ruthless pushed back all memories of the night before and focused on the present. "I take it no one else is up then?"
"No." Chiba didn't sound annoyed--only resigned. "We have to all be up and out by noon to get the train."
Atsushi checked the clock on the bottom of the TV screen. "It's nine."
"Yeah, well, I thought to start bugging you all early. Hopefully that way we can actually be out on time."
Atsushi smiled despite his still rather strained mood. "Good luck with that."
Chiba chuckled. "It's good that I only have four to deal with now."
"I could go back to bed if you'd prefer?"
"I would not prefer, thank you very much." Chiba replied firmly, but affectionately. "Don't tell me I have to come in here in an hour to make sure."
"No, I'll behave." Atsushi stubbed out his cigarette. "I'll just have room service sent up."
Chiba was quiet for a moment and Atsushi looked up to see the other man studying him, brows furrowed lightly. He spoke before Atsushi could comment. "You don't want to help wake up everyone else?"
"No," Atsushi said with false nonchalance. He shook out another cigarette. The pack was almost empty. "I'll just stay here."
Chiba raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. It wasn't the first time Atsushi was antisocial, so he shouldn't be surprised. "Can you order me a nice green tea when you call downstairs? I'll come by to get it later."
"Sure." That was it. Atsushi went back to smoking.
Chiba left shortly after and Atsushi was alone again. He sat crossed legged on the bed and stared at the television. He wasn't really seeing anything; neither his mind nor his eyes were focused enough to really make sense of anything there.
But at least the blurred movements were distracting. That was good enough for now.
Atsushi didn't want to think at all.
[1] I'm alluding to the "episodes" Atsushi mentioned having when he was younger in one of his interviews. I wasn't about to try to describe that--much too personal. I would point out the interview, but I'm not quite sure which one it was.