Whispers in the Dark, Part 2 A Side Story by MokonaChiirushia and Hokuto Kuzuki *It has been several days since Sailor Bob turned up on the steps of the restaurant. He has been working very hard at the restaurant and getting a decent amount of money, but not yet enough to have his own place; he is still staying at Tetsuya's, still talking in his sleep. Tetsuya has not mentioned this to anyone. It is now early afternoon, and Sailor Bob is taking a small package to a prearranged meeting place in order to drop it off.* Sailor Bob: *walks along with package, humming* ^__# *At the arranged meeting spot, two small but very dangerous-looking Hispanic gang members are waiting.* Sailor Bob: *was told to expect something much different* ?.# Gangster 1: *in quiet voice to other gangster* Think this one's the right dope? Gangster 2: *equally quiet* Looks right to me. Sailor Bob: ?.# Gangster 1: Well, then. *steps up and in front of Sailor Bob* Now, me and my pal here had heard as there was supposed to be a package brought here about this time - right, pal? Gangster 2: Yeah. Right. Sailor Bob: Yes... Gangster 1: So, why don't you just hand it over? And the whole world'll be a happier place, because you was so generous and helpful and you'd still be fuckin' alive. Sailor Bob: O.# *clutches package to his chest* I cannot do that. Gangster 2: *grins unpleasantly* You sure, girlie? *thinks that Sailor Bob is a girl because he's so pretty and has long hair* Sailor Bob: *doesn't like being called a girl, glares* -.# I am perfectly sure. Gangster 1: Too bad for you, then. *pulls out a knife* Hand the fucking thing over. Sailor Bob: *backs away* O.# No! Sailor Bob: *is not about to betray Tetsuya, since he was so kind* Gangster 1: *grabs him by the front of his shirt and pulls him back, placing the tip of the knife against his chest* Give it! Sailor Bob: *clutches the package even tighter* NO! Gangster 2: *pulls out his own knife and puts it next to his friend's* Do what he says. *pushes the knife a little bit into Sailor Bob's chest, just enough to draw a thin trickle of blood* Sailor Bob: *winces, but does not waver* No! Gangster 1: Fine. *smirks, then quickly slashes down the center of Bob's chest and grabs the package* Sailor Bob: *gasps, falls backward, blood splashing - not a whole lot, but a little - over the gangsters as they run away* *fade to an hour or so later* Joker: *has been sent out by Tetsuya because Sailor Bob hasn't returned and the people who were supposed to get the package called and complained; is walking along the street, cursing under his breath* Joker: *sees Sailor Bob's bloody body* !.! SHIT! Just what we fucking needed! Sailor Bob: *is unconscious, of course* Joker: Shit... *sighs, kneels down beside him, and feels for a pulse* At least he's still alive, the lucky little bugger... Sailor Bob: *shifts slightly at being touched* Joker: *starts trying to drag him to a doctor's office while simultaneously keeping one hand over the chest wound; doesn't do a great job of either* Joker: *gives up on the wound, just picks him up and carries him to the same doctor's office as before* Sailor Bob: *When he's picked up, he opens his eye, but it looks rather cloudy. He looks up at Joker.* Neechan... Tasukete... Joker: 0.0 First mommy, now I'm your big sister - make up your mind... Sailor Bob: Nee... chan... *falls back into unconsciousness, looks extremely pitiful and heartbreaking* Joker: *gets a twinge in his heart, wishes he hadn't made such a stupid comment; hurries to the office* Joker: *gets to the office, does the same two-knock signal* Doctor: *opens the door, sees Bob all bloody and Joker covered with his blood* !.! Come inside, quickly! Joker: NOT a problem. *brings Bob inside* Doctor: *leads him over to an operating table* Put him down here. Joker: *does so* I dunno what happened - he didn't come back when we sent him out, and then some people complained that they didn't get what they were supposed to, so the boss sent me out and I found him like this... Joker: How bad is it? Doctor: *examines him* It's not very deep... but it's very long. Joker: Is that bad? Doctor: I'm going to need to operate. *shoos him out* Joker: *shooed out* Hmph. *decides to call Tetsuya* Doctor: *operates with neat high-tech laser thingies that won't leave a scar* Joker: *calls restaurant, gets hold of Tetsuya, and gives him a brief summary of what happened; does not mention the "neechan" bit* *Fade to that night in the apartment; Sailor Bob is on the bed, but unable to sleep - too worried remembering what happened earlier, and also wondering why that kind of thing would happen.* Tetsuya: *in his usual position, sitting across from the door* Tetsuya: *actually is asleep, with his head resting on his knees* Sailor Bob: *is curled up in a little ball, thinking* Tetsuya: *shifts a little in his sleep, mutters something virtually inaudible* Sailor Bob: ?.? Sailor Bob: *looks over at Tetsuya, realizes he's asleep* Sailor Bob: *hasn't actually seen Tetsuya sleep since he first met him* Tetsuya: *mutters again, slightly louder but still incomprehensible* Sailor Bob: ?.# Sailor Bob: *carefully gets up, still feeling the wound, even though it's completely healed, and goes over to Tetsuya* Tetsuya: *quietly, pretty much emotionlessly* ... otousama... shindeiru... Tetsuya: ... koroshimashita... shindeiru... Sailor Bob: !.# Tetsuya: ... satte... satte... shindeiru yo... Tetsuya: ... yamete... shindeiru... Sailor Bob: *feels several twinges in his own heart, softly places one hand on Tetsuya's head* Daijoubu... Tetsuya: *wakes up instantly, grabbing Sailor Bob's wrist and moving so they both end up standing, Tetsuya holding Sailor Bob's arm twisted behind his back* Sailor Bob: *eyes widen in pain and shock, but he doesn't cry out* Tetsuya: *relaxes slightly, but doesn't let go of Sailor Bob's arm; does allow him to turn around so his arm isn't twisted any more* Tetsuya: *cold voice* What were you doing? Sailor Bob: I - I was just... You were talking in your sleep, I... Sailor Bob: *voice drops to embarrassed whisper* I just wanted to comfort you... Tetsuya: *frozen* Sailor Bob: *looking at his feet* Sailor Bob: I - I'm sorry... Tetsuya: *lets go of Sailor Bob's wrist and sits down again* This did not happen. Ever. Tetsuya: Nothing happened. Nothing at all. Tetsuya: *sounds like he's trying to convince himself* Sailor Bob: *nods, a little scared* Tetsuya: Go back to sleep. You have a lot of work tomorrow. *conveniently ignoring the fact that he himself has even more work* Sailor Bob: *goes back over to the bed and curls up into a little ball again, not saying anything* Tetsuya: *keeps watching the door; does not fall asleep again for the rest of the night* Sailor Bob: *does not sleep either, thinking* *Fade to tomorrow. In the kitchen at the restaurant, Sailor Bob is busy washing dishes and brooding; not doing a very good job at either, since he didn't sleep. Joker is in the kitchen also, mooching food; Tetsuya is just outside the kitchen, monitoring the lunchtime crowd for no reason at all and also brooding.* Joker: *eating a mooched rice ball* Sailor Bob: *suddenly thinks of something, gives the head cook a quick excuse and stops washing dishes, goes over to Joker* Joker-san... Joker: Yeah? What is it? *affecting unconcern* Wound not acting up somehow, is it? Sailor Bob: *bows* Please forgive me for yesterday... *gives him a sweet, heartfelt smile* I forgot to thank you for saving me. Joker: *blushes only slightly* Eh, it's not a big deal. I get to see a lot of that kind of thing - been on the receiving end, too. Just glad I got there in time. Sailor Bob: *bows again* Really, I mean it. Thank you very much. *goes back to washing dishes after giving him that unnervingly sweet smile again* Joker: *pats his chest* Christian Jesus, be still my effing heart. What the hell is that kid doing here? Joker: He's too damn nice for this business. Sailor Bob: *really, really hopes Tetsuya happened to notice that* Tetsuya: *did indeed hear; files it away in the back of his mind, not sure how it should be taken but certain that it's important somehow* Sailor Bob: *for the rest of the day, randomly pops up and talks to Joker; not about anything in particular, just kind of friendly chatting* Joker: *slightly confused by it, but certainly enjoying the attention and chatting back happily* Sailor Bob: *makes sure every time they talk that Tetsuya's nearby* Tetsuya: *notes down each conversation in the back of his mind, begins to feel another unwanted heart twinge coming on* Sailor Bob: *is finished with his chores for the day, goes up to Joker again* Joker: Hey again. *smiles at him* Sailor Bob: *smiles back* Joker-san, can I ask you something? Joker: Go ahead. Tetsuya: *is nearby again, waiting for Sailor Bob to finish* Sailor Bob: *starts with something that may seem kind of stupid* What's the Boss's favorite drink? *says it nonchalantly, as if he's just kind of wondering* Joker: Hmmmm... *thinks* Y'know, it's funny - I almost never see him drink anything. Or eat, either, the silly bastard... *sounds slightly worried about that* Joker: Probably green tea, though. Tetsuya: *listening and taking notes, is slightly confused* Tetsuya: *does indeed like green tea* Joker: Why do you ask? Sailor Bob: *shrugs cheerfully* Just wondering! Sailor Bob: Do you know his favorite color? Sailor Bob: *is still asking innocently* Joker: 0.0 Tetsuya: ?.? Joker: Er - no. I don't think he's the kind of guy who has one. *feels like he's at some summer camp where you have to do corny meet-other-people games* Sailor Bob: Oh... *looks kind of crestfallen* Tetsuya: *rather confused; likes dark blue and black* Tetsuya: *also jade green* Joker: *is also slightly jealous that Bob is interested in “his” boss* Sailor Bob: *senses this, switches to a polite goodbye, another sweet smile, then leaves* Joker: *shakes his head wonderingly, then heads for some clubbing since he has the night off* Tetsuya: *walks back to the apartment with Sailor Bob as usual, making plans* Sailor Bob: *hums to himself, something that sounds quite a bit like the song* Tetsuya: *at the apartment, sits down in his usual place with a piece of paper and a pencil; starts drawing something* Sailor Bob: *takes shower, goes to bed, curls into little ball and closes his eyes, but doesn't sleep* Tetsuya: *still working on the paper; does not fall asleep yet* Sailor Bob: *sighs and thinks about how little he know about his benefactor* Sailor Bob: *Decides to do something about that. Sits up.* Anou... Tetsuya: *looks up briefly* Yes? Sailor Bob: I never did learn your name... How can I thank you formally if I do not know your name? Tetsuya: I see. Tetsuya: *opens mouth, preparing to say "Akira Nakamura," the name on the restaurant deed; hesitates* Tetsuya: I - my name is Tetsuya. Tetsuya: *does not give a family name* Sailor Bob: *smiles his sweet, unnerving smile, thinks that is enough* Thank you, Tetsuya-san. For all you have done for me. Sailor Bob: *lies back down and curls back into little ball* Tetsuya: *unaccustomed to thanks* You - are welcome... Sleep well. Tetsuya: *goes back to paper* Sailor Bob: *Is much more content, now. Sleeps.* *Fade to the apartment, next morning. Tetsuya is not there; the paper he was working on is sitting in his place, weighed down with a book because of the drafts.* Sailor Bob: *Wakes up, immediately notices the absence of Tetsuya, notices paper and book. Gets up and goes over, picking up book and paper.* Sailor Bob: *looks book over, then looks at paper* Paper: *is a neatly hand-drawn map showing the way from the restaurant to the apartment; includes the combination to the lock and the words, "It will be much more convenient for both of us if we do not need to follow each other constantly."* Sailor Bob: *is shocked, drops paper and book* Sailor Bob: *Shakes himself, then picks up paper again, tucking it away for later reference. Picks up book and neatly puts on the bed, after neatly making it, which he does every morning. Then goes off to work, a new little gleam in his eye.* Tetsuya: *is in his office, working* Joker: *in the anteroom, as usual; also working* Sailor Bob: *reports to duty in the kitchen, as usual* Sailor Bob: *spends the entire day as he did the day before, but completely refraining from asking any Tetsuya questions* Joker: *enjoys the attention again, but still rather confused* Sailor Bob: *every so often, gives Joker his sweet, unnerving smile, sometimes for seemingly no reason* Joker: *smiles back, usually* Sailor Bob: *is happy* Joker: *perfectly happy to spend time chatting with a cute young guy* Sailor Bob: *perfectly happy to spend time chatting with someone who's nice to him* Tetsuya: *notes down all conversations, just like the day before; firmly refrains from having any heart twinges* Tetsuya: *gets them once or twice anyway, despite his best efforts* Sailor Bob: *sometimes gets a strange, wistful look on his face when he talks, as if something is missing... usually just shakes it away and smiles* Joker: *notices these looks, but has no idea where they're coming from* Sailor Bob: *is pointedly avoiding any subject about anything in the past, too* Joker: *notices those, tactfully avoids subjects that might involve pasts* Tetsuya: *at the end of the day, when he would normally walk back with Sailor Bob, is still in his office working; has decided to return to his normal schedule of working nearly twenty-four hours a day and only disappearing for sleep when there's absolutely NOTHING going on* Sailor Bob: *Goes back to the apartment alone at the end of the day, misses Tetsuya's company. Especially misses his company when he opens the door to the apartment, which seems so big and lonely without Tetsuya there, even though it's not very big to begin with.* Sailor Bob: *Takes a shower, then lies down on the bed, but can't get to sleep. Is so used to having Tetsuya with him. Begins thinking about the last time he slept in a room without anyone... Begins having horrible flashbacks.* Sailor Bob: *Begins screaming around 9 p.m., and it gets worse from there...* *End Part 2.* Credits: Tetsuya: Hokuto Kuzuki Sailor Bob: MokonaChiirushia Joker: Hokuto Kuzuki Doctor: MokonaChiirushia Gangsters: Hokuto Kuzuki Paper: Hokuto Kuzuki Whispers in the Dark: (tune similar to "Breathing" by Lifehouse) I'm all alone until the dawn Working hard not to scream Out loud; I'm scared and All alone, please, help me. Then a hand appears from Nowhere, offering a chance At freedom, a chance at Healing my broken soul. Whispers in the dark I hear your voice I feel your presence There to comfort me Forever and forever. Whispers in the dark I feel your breath Upon my cheek, I hear you call my name Telling me you'll be there... But what of all my Nightmares, all my Sins, will you wash Them away for me? What about my screams And all my tears, can You keep them at bay? Waiting for the dawn... Whispers in the dark I hear your voice I feel your presence There to comfort me Forever and forever. Whispers in the dark I feel your breath Upon my cheek, I hear you call my name Telling me you'll be there... Though I am alone, I know you're there Helping me through All this pain. Kiss away my tears, Lead me back home Let me be yours And help me live... Whispers in the dark I hear your voice I feel your presence There to comfort me Forever and forever. Whispers in the dark I feel your breath Upon my cheek, I hear you call my name Telling me you'll be there... A voice of sanity In all this darkness Which engulfs me, Help me out again... Kiss away my tears, (I’m all alone) A hand appears (So all alone) Help me forget (My fears unfold) And lead me home... (Lead me back home...) Whispers in the dark I hear your voice I feel your presence There to comfort me Forever and forever. Whispers in the dark I feel your breath Upon my cheek, I hear you call my name Telling me you'll be there...