Two Times a Detective Stop by for Tea
Title: Two Times a Detective Stop by for Tea
Crossover: Samurai Sentai Shinkengers/Kamen Rider W
Characters: Shoutarou, Philip, Takeru
Summary: Takeru finds that conversation over tea with detectives always manage to surprise him.
Note: " Counting Down" Writing Style was shamelessly stolen from
mayhem_madness who by the way is responsible for this massively huge plunny. Part of the Duct Tape Pieces Series
2. Shoutarou
“How is Ryuu-niisan doing?”
Takeru looked up from his tea at his lunchmate for the day. It was one of the few days that the Shinkengers had decided to spend apart. Mako and Kotoha went to see a museum exhibit that was in town for a few brief weeks. Genta was manning his sushi cart. Takeru wasn’t exactly sure where Ryuunosuke and Chiaki went but Chiaki mentioned he needed a new jacket after it was torn in the last fight and it was most likely that Ryuunosuke went to see a kabuki play.
“He’s fine,” Takeru answered. “I’m surprised you asked to have lunch with me instead of with your brother.”
Sitting across from him was Ikenami Shoutarou. They had met once before over a year ago. Instead of the desperate but determined young man, Takeru could see that the man had grown during the time. The young man seemed… more confident, more responsible. Takeru could see the shades of family resemblance to Ryuunosuke and the subtle ways they were related from the way they acted and did things.
For starters Takeru didn’t think he would be sitting down for an informal tea ceremony in the middle of the park. But since Shoutarou was an Ikenami, it really wasn’t too surprising. Actually if he recalled correctly those few short days that Shoutarou and Philip had stayed in the mansion, nearly all the tea making had been done by Shoutarou.
“I know the rules,” Shoutarou muttered. “Family should stay away from personally interacting with the Shinkengers because it could put them at risk, especially when the Gendoshuu have resurfaced.”
He pulled a newspaper clipping from his vest pocket. The headline read: “Shinkengers save the day!” with a picture of the Shinkengers defeating a Gendoshuu in black and white. “However doesn’t say I can’t pay a social visit to you, Tono,” Shoutarou said with a grin.
Takeru rolled his eyes. “That’s still putting yourself in danger,” he pointed out.
“I can take care of myself.” There was no overconfidence in Shoutarou’s voice, just a simple stating of fact.
“I suppose you can,” Takeru agreed. “How is the fight against Dopants and the organization going?”
“Well,” Shoutarou started. “We’re finally making leeway on who is behind it. Philip is doing fine too before you ask. We gained a new ally.” Shoutarou then twitched slightly. “He’s a bit like Ryuu-niisan: relentless stubborn.”
Takeru chuckled. “Yes, your brother is like that isn’t he?”
“You have no idea what it was like growing up with Ryuu-niisan.”
“I can imagine.”
Shoutarou tilted his head. “You’ve changed,” he said. There was something different about the Takeru. It was as if… Takeru was nicer, softer. When he first met Takeru, the Shiba Head was stern and stoic. Seeing a smile was… rare. Now Shoutarou could tell Takeru was… more relaxed, more comfortable.
Takeru looked up from his teacup. “Hmm?”
“You’re half-boiled.”
“What?”
Shoutarou grinned. “That’s a good thing. You’re not as aloof like you were the first time we met. More friendlier if I say so myself. It’s nice to see you smile more.”
Instantly Takeru’s mood soured. “I see…” he said frigidly.
Shoutarou’s eyebrow rose. Why… Oh. Yes that. He really needed to stop and think things through. It was starting to become a bad habit that he would say something insensitive. He should work on that.
“You know, just because you’re a shadow doesn’t make you any less of a lord.”
Takeru’s eyes widened in shock. “H-how?” No one was supposed to know about that. How… was it possible that Shoutarou knew about it?
Shoutarou leaned forward and poured more tea into Takeru’s teacup. “Philip has done a lookup on you. Don’t worry he’s done it to everyone, nothing to be offended about.” Then he looked Takeru in the eye. “Regardless of the truth, you are the lord now and you make a good one at that. If the truth ever comes out, they won’t leave you behind, despite of duty. At least Ryuu-niisan won’t. ”
Takeru didn’t say anything. His shoulders just sag and Shoutarou saw a glimmer of the heavy burden that was placed on Takeru’s shoulders. It must be hard lying to your vassals, pretending to be someone worthy of their loyalty and knowing that they were putting their lives at risk for a shadow. Shoutarou can’t even being to imagine how Takeru felt.
“Right or wrong,” Shoutarou mumbled. “You are the one that they, as have I, entrusted our lives to. They will stand by your side. I will stand by your side if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
1. Philip
While Shoutarou might have a reason to stop by and visit, Philip didn’t. So Takeru didn’t quite understand why Philip wanted to meet for tea. Unlike Shoutarou who took a step forward in growth, Philip seemed to have taken… a side step somewhere. Instead of the calm but socially awkward man Takeru remembered, this Philip seemed… distraught. There is a sense of lingering happiness but overall, there seemed to be an extreme amount of sadness.
“You… seem different,” Takeru started. Something about this meeting filled him with uneasiness.
Philip’s lips tugged upward into a small grin. “I can say the same for you Tono,” he lightly teased.
Takeru winced at those words. While… he had resolved to deal with issue when it came into light, knowing that Philip and Shoutarou knew of the secret was… unsettling. Philip tilted his head, interpreting Takeru’s actions as worry.
“I’m sure they will stay by your side, regardless of what happens,” Philip stated. “It might take some time, but they will come back to you. I have found that the bonds you make with people are stronger than most think. I choose Shoutarou after all.”
Takeru frowned, confused by Philip’s words. “You… choose Shoutarou?” he repeated.
Philip cut into his slice of red velvet cake with his fork. “Hmm,” he said. “I had learned that Shoutarou was not my intended partner for W. For a brief while we couldn’t transform into W. I had been convinced that Shoutarou wouldn’t be able to keep up and… considered switching to the person who intended to be my partner.” Philip looked downcast. The cold hard truth was a bitter pill to swallow and there was a part of Philip was still kicking himself for letting himself doubt Shoutarou so much like that.
Then he brightened. “Then a wise person left behind the message that nobody’s perfect. I needed Shoutarou as much as he needed me. We are two detectives in one after all.” Philip smiled. “I’m sure your vassals feel the same way.”
Takeru felt his throat tightened. Even if that turned out not to be case, it hear such confident reassurances gave him comfort.
Philip then pulled out two boxes from his bag. “This one is for you and this one for Ryuunosuke-san,” Philip explained. “They’re just a small thank you gift for everything you’ve done.”
The uneasiness returned as Takeru accepted the boxes. “I haven’t done much,” he said.
“You’ve done more than enough,” Philip confirmed. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped before the words left his mouth.
Be wisdom or samurai instinct, Takeru couldn’t shake the feeling that something is about to go horribly wrong. “Philip?”
Shoulders shaking, Philip looked Takeru in the eye. “Please take care of Shoutarou,” he pleaded. “I know as the Shinkengers you are dealing with your own problems and that Ryuunosuke isn’t supposed to see Shoutarou, but… after this... Shoutarou will need all the support he can get.”
Takeru leaned forward, hand outstretched to touch Philip. “Philip,” he started.
Philip quickly stood up, moving away from Takeru’s hand. His chair slid backward away from the table. “I’m sorry,” Philip said. His long bangs hid the expression on his face. “I have to return to Fuuto. Thank you for listening to me, Tono-sama.”
Not giving Takeru a chance to say anything, Philip gave a bow. “I will entrust Shoutarou to you,” he said. Then he turned around and left, leaving Takeru behind with a half-eaten slice of cake and two cold cups of tea.
Takeru looked at Philip’s retreating back. He withdrew back his hand, clenching it into a fist. Why did it feel like it was the last time he was going to see that boy?
“What is going on?”
Crossover: Samurai Sentai Shinkengers/Kamen Rider W
Characters: Shoutarou, Philip, Takeru
Summary: Takeru finds that conversation over tea with detectives always manage to surprise him.
Note: " Counting Down" Writing Style was shamelessly stolen from
mayhem_madness who by the way is responsible for this massively huge plunny. Part of the Duct Tape Pieces Series
2. Shoutarou
“How is Ryuu-niisan doing?”
Takeru looked up from his tea at his lunchmate for the day. It was one of the few days that the Shinkengers had decided to spend apart. Mako and Kotoha went to see a museum exhibit that was in town for a few brief weeks. Genta was manning his sushi cart. Takeru wasn’t exactly sure where Ryuunosuke and Chiaki went but Chiaki mentioned he needed a new jacket after it was torn in the last fight and it was most likely that Ryuunosuke went to see a kabuki play.
“He’s fine,” Takeru answered. “I’m surprised you asked to have lunch with me instead of with your brother.”
Sitting across from him was Ikenami Shoutarou. They had met once before over a year ago. Instead of the desperate but determined young man, Takeru could see that the man had grown during the time. The young man seemed… more confident, more responsible. Takeru could see the shades of family resemblance to Ryuunosuke and the subtle ways they were related from the way they acted and did things.
For starters Takeru didn’t think he would be sitting down for an informal tea ceremony in the middle of the park. But since Shoutarou was an Ikenami, it really wasn’t too surprising. Actually if he recalled correctly those few short days that Shoutarou and Philip had stayed in the mansion, nearly all the tea making had been done by Shoutarou.
“I know the rules,” Shoutarou muttered. “Family should stay away from personally interacting with the Shinkengers because it could put them at risk, especially when the Gendoshuu have resurfaced.”
He pulled a newspaper clipping from his vest pocket. The headline read: “Shinkengers save the day!” with a picture of the Shinkengers defeating a Gendoshuu in black and white. “However doesn’t say I can’t pay a social visit to you, Tono,” Shoutarou said with a grin.
Takeru rolled his eyes. “That’s still putting yourself in danger,” he pointed out.
“I can take care of myself.” There was no overconfidence in Shoutarou’s voice, just a simple stating of fact.
“I suppose you can,” Takeru agreed. “How is the fight against Dopants and the organization going?”
“Well,” Shoutarou started. “We’re finally making leeway on who is behind it. Philip is doing fine too before you ask. We gained a new ally.” Shoutarou then twitched slightly. “He’s a bit like Ryuu-niisan: relentless stubborn.”
Takeru chuckled. “Yes, your brother is like that isn’t he?”
“You have no idea what it was like growing up with Ryuu-niisan.”
“I can imagine.”
Shoutarou tilted his head. “You’ve changed,” he said. There was something different about the Takeru. It was as if… Takeru was nicer, softer. When he first met Takeru, the Shiba Head was stern and stoic. Seeing a smile was… rare. Now Shoutarou could tell Takeru was… more relaxed, more comfortable.
Takeru looked up from his teacup. “Hmm?”
“You’re half-boiled.”
“What?”
Shoutarou grinned. “That’s a good thing. You’re not as aloof like you were the first time we met. More friendlier if I say so myself. It’s nice to see you smile more.”
Instantly Takeru’s mood soured. “I see…” he said frigidly.
Shoutarou’s eyebrow rose. Why… Oh. Yes that. He really needed to stop and think things through. It was starting to become a bad habit that he would say something insensitive. He should work on that.
“You know, just because you’re a shadow doesn’t make you any less of a lord.”
Takeru’s eyes widened in shock. “H-how?” No one was supposed to know about that. How… was it possible that Shoutarou knew about it?
Shoutarou leaned forward and poured more tea into Takeru’s teacup. “Philip has done a lookup on you. Don’t worry he’s done it to everyone, nothing to be offended about.” Then he looked Takeru in the eye. “Regardless of the truth, you are the lord now and you make a good one at that. If the truth ever comes out, they won’t leave you behind, despite of duty. At least Ryuu-niisan won’t. ”
Takeru didn’t say anything. His shoulders just sag and Shoutarou saw a glimmer of the heavy burden that was placed on Takeru’s shoulders. It must be hard lying to your vassals, pretending to be someone worthy of their loyalty and knowing that they were putting their lives at risk for a shadow. Shoutarou can’t even being to imagine how Takeru felt.
“Right or wrong,” Shoutarou mumbled. “You are the one that they, as have I, entrusted our lives to. They will stand by your side. I will stand by your side if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
1. Philip
While Shoutarou might have a reason to stop by and visit, Philip didn’t. So Takeru didn’t quite understand why Philip wanted to meet for tea. Unlike Shoutarou who took a step forward in growth, Philip seemed to have taken… a side step somewhere. Instead of the calm but socially awkward man Takeru remembered, this Philip seemed… distraught. There is a sense of lingering happiness but overall, there seemed to be an extreme amount of sadness.
“You… seem different,” Takeru started. Something about this meeting filled him with uneasiness.
Philip’s lips tugged upward into a small grin. “I can say the same for you Tono,” he lightly teased.
Takeru winced at those words. While… he had resolved to deal with issue when it came into light, knowing that Philip and Shoutarou knew of the secret was… unsettling. Philip tilted his head, interpreting Takeru’s actions as worry.
“I’m sure they will stay by your side, regardless of what happens,” Philip stated. “It might take some time, but they will come back to you. I have found that the bonds you make with people are stronger than most think. I choose Shoutarou after all.”
Takeru frowned, confused by Philip’s words. “You… choose Shoutarou?” he repeated.
Philip cut into his slice of red velvet cake with his fork. “Hmm,” he said. “I had learned that Shoutarou was not my intended partner for W. For a brief while we couldn’t transform into W. I had been convinced that Shoutarou wouldn’t be able to keep up and… considered switching to the person who intended to be my partner.” Philip looked downcast. The cold hard truth was a bitter pill to swallow and there was a part of Philip was still kicking himself for letting himself doubt Shoutarou so much like that.
Then he brightened. “Then a wise person left behind the message that nobody’s perfect. I needed Shoutarou as much as he needed me. We are two detectives in one after all.” Philip smiled. “I’m sure your vassals feel the same way.”
Takeru felt his throat tightened. Even if that turned out not to be case, it hear such confident reassurances gave him comfort.
Philip then pulled out two boxes from his bag. “This one is for you and this one for Ryuunosuke-san,” Philip explained. “They’re just a small thank you gift for everything you’ve done.”
The uneasiness returned as Takeru accepted the boxes. “I haven’t done much,” he said.
“You’ve done more than enough,” Philip confirmed. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped before the words left his mouth.
Be wisdom or samurai instinct, Takeru couldn’t shake the feeling that something is about to go horribly wrong. “Philip?”
Shoulders shaking, Philip looked Takeru in the eye. “Please take care of Shoutarou,” he pleaded. “I know as the Shinkengers you are dealing with your own problems and that Ryuunosuke isn’t supposed to see Shoutarou, but… after this... Shoutarou will need all the support he can get.”
Takeru leaned forward, hand outstretched to touch Philip. “Philip,” he started.
Philip quickly stood up, moving away from Takeru’s hand. His chair slid backward away from the table. “I’m sorry,” Philip said. His long bangs hid the expression on his face. “I have to return to Fuuto. Thank you for listening to me, Tono-sama.”
Not giving Takeru a chance to say anything, Philip gave a bow. “I will entrust Shoutarou to you,” he said. Then he turned around and left, leaving Takeru behind with a half-eaten slice of cake and two cold cups of tea.
Takeru looked at Philip’s retreating back. He withdrew back his hand, clenching it into a fist. Why did it feel like it was the last time he was going to see that boy?
“What is going on?”