Author’s notes and warnings:  This chapter will be set in modern day Los Angeles and the past will be mentioned here and there but not in great detail.  Originally, I had wanted to finish the story with this chapter but then I realized that it would take time to reestablish the bonds between the men and for Zach to change his views on love.  Please bear with me and let me know what you think!  I really hope I can deliver the story in a believable manner.  I meant in the emotional sense.  I mean, really, how believable is a guy looking for his love for the past 1000 years…

You may notice that I switch from using the name Zach and Tasuki.  To Chichiri, he will always be Tasuki so when Chichiri is thinking or when it’s written in his view, I will use Tasuki.  Was that clear?  Okay…

Some lime contents, nothing hardcore…Tasuki language…

Disclaimers:  “…...”  What’s there to say?  <sighs>

By Moonraven

**Modern day – Los Angeles**  Two months after Chichiri moved in…

“Awww, Chiri, please?  Ya gotta!  Please?”  Zach was on his hands and knees in Chichiri’s bedroom, pleading with his roommate. 

Chichiri had to swallow the lump in this throat at the achingly familiar scene.  Hadn’t they done this before?

“No, Zach.  I am NOT going to lie to your parents for you.”  Chichiri told him firmly. 

“But they love you!  They think you’re, like, the greatest thing since…indoor plumbing!”  Zach blinked appealingly at his friend.

Chichiri glared at his friend.  Indoor plumbing?  Couldn’t he have been compared to something else?

“NO, Zach.  I’m glad that they like me and that’s why I can’t break that trust.  You’re going to have to go to the party like they had planned.”  He crossed his arms and continued to glare at his friend.

“But you wouldn’t even come with me and I can’t take the guys.”  Zach whined piteously.

Chichiri chewed on his lower lips.  He hated to see Tasuki so aggravated, but then again, he really didn’t like to be around a whole lot of people.  Never had. 

Zach saw his friend’s hesitation and milked it for all it was worth.  “It’s my birthday, Chiri, it’ll be your present for me, please?  Please?”

No, not the injured puppy dog look!  Chichiri groaned inwardly as the said look appeared on Zach’s face.

“You’re too old for that look!  It won’t work; I’ve seen it too many times before.  Besides, I’ve already given you your present.”  Chichiri stood firm.

“Okay…what look would work, then?”  Zach asked.  The gleam in his eyes switched from innocence to seductive in matter of seconds.  Chichiri gaped as he hastily backed away from the predatory gait of his friend.

Tasuki smirked and winked playfully at Chichiri.  The sexual tension between them had been intense since day one.  Neither one of them had done anything about it, however.  Zach was determine to stick to his ‘no-fucking-roommates’ rule and Chichiri…well Chichiri fell back on his iron will and meditative state of mind that had helped him live through this past millennium.  He had resolved that nothing would happen between him and the former bandit until Tasuki had forgiven him.

“Definitely not THAT look.”   Chichiri found himself cornered again.  Damn, how did Tasuki do that?  “I have an idea.”  Chichiri offered quickly before Tasuki could get too close.  Chichiri found thinking to be close to impossible when Tasuki’s chi was radiating so much desire. 

“Yeah?”  Zach stopped a couple of feet from the older man.  “Do tell.”

“Well, I could call you when you’re at your parents…and…er…you could pretend that it’s…um…an emergency or something, right?”  Chichiri smacked his forehead mentally.  When did he become such a bumbling idiot?

“But that’s what I suggested to begin with.”  Zach protested.

“No…you said that I should tell your parents that I needed your help at the Y.  What I’M suggesting is that YOU tell your parents that I need you.  This way I won’t be lying to your nice parents.”

“Will you really need me, Chiri?”  Zach moved a tiny bit closer.  He loved teasing Chichiri.  The man was so uptight about sex.

“Stop that!”  Chichiri squeaked.  How could he maintain control over his hormones when Tasuki kept teasing him like this?  “You want me to help you or not?”

“You drive a hard bargain, Chiri, but I concede.”  Zach laughed at the relieved on his roommate’s face.  Chichiri was such a hoot!  “Now promise me no later than 9 o’clock, okay?  Promise?”

“Promise.  Now get out of here before your mom starts calling.”  He gently nudged the younger man towards the door.

“But what will you do?”  Zach asked over his shoulder as he was being pushed through their apartment.

“Read.”  Chichiri said pointing to the book on the kitchen counter.

“Oh, man.  Not again.  You’ve read that, like, a hundred times.”  Zach rolled his eyes at ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

“Ten.”  Chichiri said as he shoved Zach’s keys into the younger man’s hand.  “I’ve only read it ten times.”

“I can’t even finish it once.”  Zach grumbled.  “It’s too damn long and it’s got fucking weird names.”

“I love those names and it’s not too long.  If you think that’s long, you should try Tolstoy sometimes.”  Chichiri opened the front door and resisted the urge to kiss Tasuki goodbye. 

“Okay, okay, I’m going.”  Zach sighed.  “Now remember, 9 o’clock!”  He reminded his hermit of a roommate.

“Hai, hai.  TRY to have fun, please.  And Behave.”  Chichiri said as he watched Tasuki walked towards the elevator.  The younger man waved absently, not bothering to look back.

Chichiri closed the door and leaned his back against it.  Living with Tasuki was easier than Chichiri had thought it would be…well in certain ways.  It was almost the same as the time they were traveling together.  He had loved the bandit then and had hid the fact quite well.  Chichiri was even better at that now.  A thousand years of living could teach you a few things.  Patience was one of them.  Not that HE needed patience; he had almost perfected that before he was done with his third life.  But then again…this is Tasuki we’re talking about.  One could never have enough patience when dealing with Tasuki.

The past two months were bittersweet at best.  He loved to be near his love again and make Tasuki smile and laugh.  It lightened his heart to hear the familiar voice and laughter, but it was also agonizing to not be able to touch and hold Tasuki as he so wanted.  Tasuki’s weekly activities with his buddies and…others had also been hard on the former monk.  Meditation can only do so much when shouts of ecstasy coming from Tasuki’s room can be heard in the next town. 

Chichiri was glad about one thing though; Tasuki seemed to be unconsciously seeking out the older man’s company.  Despite their busy schedules, they managed to spend whatever free time they have together.  Chichiri didn’t know why Tasuki preferred his company but he was sure glad of it.  He just wished that the weekend escapades would end soon and that it wouldn’t be too late.  Dealing with them was drawing more from his life force than he thought it would.  He could feel the fatigue and weariness deep in his soul.  He wondered sadly if he could give Tasuki back his heart in time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chichiri looked up from his book as he heard the front door closed.  Tasuki.  His vibrant chi was unmistakable.  Chichiri glanced at the clock on his nightstand and was surprised to find that it was only 9:32 p.m., half an hour after he had called the younger man.  Tasuki must have come straight from his parent’s house to get back so soon.  But why?  Chichiri got off his bed and padded over to his bedroom door.  As he opened it, one tuxedo clad redhead fell in, clashing right into Chichiri.  The older man steadied his friend and raised one delicate brow in silent inquiry.

Zach’s cheeks flamed.  He had been standing there with his cheeks pressed to the door wondering what his roommate was doing.  He certainly didn’t expect the man to open the door.

“Heh, heh.”  Zach started rather lamely.  “I just wanted to see if you were asleep.”  Zach would have rolled his eyes at himself had he been someone else.

Chichiri allowed another arched of his brow.  “At 9:30?”

Zach had absolutely no intelligent reply so he shrugged.  After an awkward moment, he looked up at the older man.

“Chiri…”  Zach pursed his lips trying to find a way to ask Chichiri out without sounding like he was asking him out.  O.O

“Weren’t you supposed to meet your friends some where?”  Chichiri asked curious.  Then his eye widen apprehensively.  “You’re…NOT having them come here, are you?”  He had tried to get along with Tasuki’s friends even though they were much more raunchy than the bandits at Mt. Reikaku but the last time they were at the apartment, Chichiri had walked in on three of them having sex on the kitchen counter.  At 3 o’clock in the morning.  Tasuki himself was busy in his bedroom with two others.  Needless to say, Chichiri was NOT a happy camper even though he knew that to Tasuki, it was just sex, a way to gratify certain bodily needs.  Hearing his former lover moaned and cried out in pleasure dealt by someone else was pure torture to Chichiri.

Zach was recalling the same incident and his cheeks reddened as Chichiri’s paled.

“Nah.  I just didn’t feel like boozing and…well…other stuff tonight.”  He sneaked a glance at Chichiri and found his roommate regarding him curiously.

“Why?  You love spending time with your friends.”  Chichiri put a cool hand to Zach’s forehead.  “Are you feeling alright?”  Chichiri frown at the strange mixture of confusion and longing in Tasuki’s chi; it was as if the younger man wanted something but wasn’t sure what it was.

“Zach?”  Chichiri prompted the fidgeting redhead gently.  “What is it?”

“I don’t know Chiri.”  Zach said with a sigh.  “It’s like everyone wanted something form me.  I hated it at my parents because they just wanted to show me off.  It was more their party than mine.  And my friends…sometimes I just don’t feel like…I don’t know…it’s like they don’t even know me.  We don’t really talk about anything…nothing that’s important any way.”  He ran his hand through his fiery hair and gave another frustrated sigh.  “It’s all so superficial, I don’t want any of that tonight.  I don’t want…I...I want…” he trailed off not sure of anything anymore.  Zach shook his head almost angrily and gave his silent roommate a weak smile.  “Never mind, I’ll just go to bed.”  He ran his hand over tired eyes and turn to go.

“Wait.”  Chichiri called.  “How about we go for a cup of coffee or something?  Unless you’re too tired?”  Chichiri felt the younger man could use a quiet evening and staying home is hardly something to do on your birthday.  “We’ll toast your birthday.  What do you say?”  Chichiri gave Zach one of his rare smiles. 

Zach could never get used to how gorgeous his roommate looked especially when he smiled like that.  How could he deny Chichiri anything?  “Yeah, I’ll like that.  Give me a few minutes to change, okay?”

“Got it.”  Chichiri nodded, relieved to find more peace in Tasuki’s aura.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This was the quietest Saturday night for Zach in a long time.  It was nice.  It was fantastic.  He was with Chichiri and they were talking about anything and everything.  It felt great!  He had never talked to anyone nor had he ever wanted to talk to anyone like he was talking to Chichiri.  The older man seemed to be a databank full of knowledge it was amazing.  It seemed to Zach that he was much, much older than his 26 years.  Currently they were on the subject of literature, Shakespeare to be precise.  Zach didn’t know how they got there but after 2 hours of non-stop talking, he supposed that wasn’t so surprising.

“Romeo was a wuss!”  Zach said, grimacing at he thought of the tragic young man.  That statement earned him several frowns and raised eyebrows from the women at a nearby table.

Chichiri laughed and shook his head.  “He was young and in love.  I think it’s very romantic.  Love can give you the greatest strength yet when taken away…it can be your deadliest enemy.”  Chichiri voice trailed off and the happy laughter earlier turned to uncomfortable silence.

“Shit!  Why do we always end up talking about shit like love?”  Zach shook his head in disgust.  “See?  Do you still wanna be the poster boy for love?”  He asked his friend seriously.  “Even YOU admit it’s lethal.  Why bother?” 

Chichiri looked up and studied the former bandit gravely.  Why bother?  Because I love you.  He wanted to tell Tasuki that so badly but he couldn’t.  Chichiri knew that Zach would be happy to hear it even if he said he did not believe in love.  The former monk knew very well that Zach was attracted to him.  But Tasuki had not forgiven him.  Tasuki still hadn’t recognized him…hadn’t acknowledged him.  Which meant that the bandit was still hurt enough to lock away the memories of his former lover.  Chichiri was not forgiven yet, not by a long shot.  And he was running out of time.

“I don’t know why I still believe in love or why you should believe me since I don’t even have a love life.”  Chichiri smiled weakly at Tasuki.  “But when you do find that special someone, everything changes; it’s like a whole new world is open to you.  You’ll notice things you’ve never noticed before; the color of the turning leaves, the smell of spring flowers, the feel of silky skin...  You’ll feel things you’ve never felt…  Your whole being rejoices and there is nothing on this earth that can compare to that feeling.  I would not trade one moment of that feeling for a thousand years of loveless sexual pleasures.  I really don’t know how to explain love; all I can say is that I wish everyone can experience it.  When you do find love, don’t let go for any reason, Zach.  Never let go.”  Chichiri sighed sadly into his Café latte and looked up guiltily at his friend.

“Sorry, Zach.  I turned gloomy on you again and this is your birthday.  I was trying to cheer YOU up.  Did I end up making you more upset?”

“Nah.  You’re just you, man.  That’s what I like about you.  You really mean well.  You just want to help everybody, even a sick fuck like me.  I just wish…”  Zach colored slightly and looked away.

“You wish…what?”  Chichiri asked.

Zach didn’t look at his friend as he answer.  “I wish you would let go of this Tasuki and live again.”  He said softly.

Chichiri smiled faintly.  “Didn’t I just say ‘never let go’?”

“But he’s dead, Chiri, and you’re so sad.”  Zach protested.  “You’re so beautiful when you smile, the whole fucking room lights up.  I just want you to be happy and if he loved you, he’ll want you to be happy too.”

“Yes he would want me to be happy but I can’t until he’s forgiven me.”  Chichiri said softly, fidgeting with his napkins.

“He’s dead, Chiri.  How is he gonna forgive you?  You don’t believe in that life after death thing, do you?”  Tasuki asked, skeptical.

Believe it?  Not only did he believe it, he lived it – several times.

“Believe it or not, Zach.  There are millions of people out there who do believe that the soul lives on after death.  I’m one of them.  One day, somewhere, somehow, Tasuki and I will meet again and I will have to find the courage to ask for his forgiveness.” 

“You sound like you don’t think he’ll forgive you?”

“I don’t know if I deserved to be forgiven.”  Chichiri stared sadly at his hands.  “He was such an exuberant man; always full of life.  I took it all away.”

Zach wanted to ask Chichiri what had happened between the lovers but he was afraid to.  He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the heinous crime that made Chichiri so sad.  On the other hand, he was dying to know more about this Tasuki that Chichiri couldn’t forget.

“How did you guys meet?”  Zach asked, sipping his coffee casually.  First meetings are usually tame and safe, right?  Zach was pleasantly surprised when Chichiri smiled.

“It was through…friends and coworkers.  We actually didn’t hit it off right away.  He thought I was…strange and I thought he was rude.  Even with those first impressions, we both felt a strong…awareness, I guess you could say.  It was as if we…knew each other.”  He looked up and grimaced at Zach.  “I know you don’t believe in stuff like that but that’s the only way I can explain it.” 

“Well you know what they say, ‘opposite attracts’, right?  And I’ll bet that the sex was great too, right?  Right?”  Zach teased his friend, trying to maintain a light note on the topic.  He didn’t want to see Chichiri sad. 

Chichiri blushed and looked away again.  Some things can’t be denied.

“Yes, but contrary to your theory, sex was NOT the core of our relationship.”  Chichiri told the younger man.

“Okay, what WAS the core of your relationship?”  Zach leaned back, eyeing his inscrutable friend with interest.  Chichiri was usually closed and anything Zach could get from his friend would be greedily absorbed.

“Friendship.”  Chichiri turned one serious eye to Zach.  “We were always friends before lovers.  He was my best friend and I his.  You see your theory clearly doesn’t apply here.  You believe that love comes from the need for consistency, security and great sex.”  Chichiri made a face and rolled his eye.  “I fell in love with Tasuki long before we became lovers, and Tasuki felt the same way.  No need for sex to love.”  He smiled wryly at the younger man.  “It was all so long ago yet I can feel it like it was yesterday.”

Zach swallowed a growing lump in his throat.  During the two months of living with this man, Zach had thought that his interest in Tasuki was just his curiosity.  But as he store away the precious few information gathered, he realized something that nearly stopped his heart.   Tasuki could make Chichiri happy and Zach wanted to be this person, to be Tasuki, for Chichiri.  He wanted more than anything to erase all the sadness from this beautiful man’s life and give Chichiri back the joy of living. 

There was an uncomfortable silence and Zach didn’t want to see his friend any unhappier.

“Enough gloom on my birthday.  I know I started it so I’m gonna fix it.”  He gave his friend a mischievous grin, baring both his fangs.  “You need to take your mind off Tasuki for the rest of the night and I know just the place where we could do that.  Ravencroft.”  He announced as he stood up.

Chichiri raised his eyebrow questioningly.  “Ravencroft?”

“Yeah!  C’mon.”  Zach grabbed Chichiri’s wrist and marched his friend out of Starbucks.

“Zach, it’s nearly midnight, who’s going to be welcoming guests at this hour?”  Chichiri protested as he was shoved into Zach’s Wrangler.

Zach didn’t reply but gave his friend another grin.  Boy, did Chichiri ever need a life, he thought.

“Zach…”  Chichiri narrowed his eye.  “I don’t like that look.  That’s the ‘Zach’s going to love this but Chichiri won’t’ look!”

“Chill, Chiri!  I know you and your PRUDE lifestyle but we’re not going to DO anything.  Just looking.”  Then he added as he thought better of it.  “Well, maybe not YOU but I might.”  Zach laughed maniacally as Chichiri cringed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ravencroft was a gay strip club.  Chichiri eeped rather unbecomingly and Zach nearly had to use a crowbar to pry the older man from the car.

“C’mon, Chiri.  You’re just keeping me company and out of trouble.”  Zach half dragged half carried the mortified man to the entrance.  “I guarantee that while you’re in here, you won’t think of Tasuki once.”

Chichiri groaned inwardly.  His current life with Tasuki was definitely going in the same cycle as his previous one.  Chichiri was once again accompanying his rash young friend into one of Tasuki’s ‘fun places’.

Once inside, Zach weaved them between crowds towards the stage on the other side of the room.  Chichiri groaned out loud though it was drowned out by the noise that Tasuki liked to call music.  Chichiri looked around, silently praying that he wouldn’t know anyone here.  When they got to the front of the stage, Zach found them seats and Chichiri promptly sank into his and covered his face with his hands.

Zach laughed at his friend and ordered two beers.  Louder ‘music’ started in front of them from the stage and Chichiri could hear the crowd cheered and hooted; Tasuki included.

“C’mon, Chiri.”  Tasuki’s voice sounded right next to his ear, his breath brushing Chichiri’s cheek.  “The Lone Ranger is the best act in this place.”  He gently pried Chichiri’s hands from his friend’s face and held on to them gently, refusing to let the former monk cover his face again. 

“For me, Chiri, please?  Just for tonight.  Have fun with me please?”  Zach pleaded with his friend, unaware that he had inadvertently clasped Chichiri’s hands to his heart.

Chichiri had stopped breathing when he felt Tasuki hands holding his.  Looking deep into the golden eyes of the person he loved more than anything, Chichiri could only nod; his voice refusing to work.

“Alright!”  Zach gave Chichiri a couple of enthusiastic thumps on the back and turned the reluctant man to face the near naked dancer on the stage. 

The ‘Lone Ranger’ was wearing a cowboy hat and a red thong, nothing else. 

Chichiri’s face turned the same shade as the dancer’s only covering.  The impossibly flexible and energetic man on the stage danced towards them and stopped to gyrate his scantily clad…er…little ranger right in front of Chichiri, who would have bolted if Zach didn’t have a firm hold of his hand.

Chichiri looked at his palm as Tasuki placed a dollar bill there.  He looked up at his young friend quizzically and Tasuki motioned to the dancer.  Chichiri hesitantly push the dollar in front of the swirling hips but the dancer made no move to take it from him.  Chichiri turned back to Tasuki, confused.  Tasuki laughed and leaned over to whisper something into the older man’s ear.  Chichiri reddened even more.  He looked up at the ‘Ranger’ and then back at Tasuki again, not sure he heard his friend right.

“How…?  Where…?”  Surely if the man had a pocket…

Zach laughed again and demonstrated.  Chichiri reluctantly follow his friend, face flaming.  He couldn’t believe the things he was willing to do for Tasuki.

When the act was over, Chichiri noticed the look that passed between Tasuki and the thong-clad man.  Well, he wasn’t clad anymore since he discarded that sometime ago.  Chichiri was still amazed at the string thing that remained to keep the bills in placed yet allowed the man to completely exposed himself.  A lot can be said about innovations.

The former bandit winked and gave the ‘lone ranger’ a lascivious leer.  Chichiri rolled his eye.  Oh well…so much for not wanting booze and other stuff tonight.

“Hey, Chiri.  The next act is supposed to be great.  A new kid, check him out and I’ll be back in a few.”  He gave Chichiri’s shoulder a quick squeeze.  “Give me 15 minutes.”  He winked and walked towards the curtained doorway leading somewhere Chichiri didn’t want to know.  Zach was so hard just from watching Chichiri he had to find release.  The accommodating ranger will do nicely.  Zach wistfully wish that it were his roommate he was going thrust into but he knew Chichiri wasn’t going to allow it.  He sighed in resignation and went off to look for someone who will.

Chichiri gaped in shock after his treacherous friend.  Another set of music started again and his attention was drawn to the stage.  He nearly fell off his chair when he saw the youth clad in a VERY small loincloth.

“ERIC?”  Chichiri shouted in disbelieve and bolted out of his chair.  Right there on the stage was one of his worst fears came true.  Not only did he find someone he knew here, it just HAD to be one of the kids he’s counseling.  Chichiri groaned at the injustice of it all. 

The youth who looked to be Tarzan, faltered in his steps as he heard his name called by a familiar voice.  He looked towards the crowd and saw his counselor gaping at him in horror.  The young man’s eyes widen in dismay and he ran back the way he came.  Protests and jeers thundered around Chichiri but he didn’t take notice as he climbed on the stage and ran after the retreating youth.  He caught up with Eric in the dressing room.

“Eric!  What on earth are you doing here?”  He turned the young man to face him.

Eric shrugged guiltily.  “Working?  What are YOU doing here?”

Chichiri ignored the question and start wrapping the boy with whatever clothing he could find.

“Work?  Here?”  He asked as he continued to pile clothes on Eric.  “You’re 16 years old.”  Chichiri hissed at the bundle that used to be Eric.  “You CAN’T work here!”

“Shh!  Not so loud, Mr. Ri.”  Eric looked around the near empty dressing room.  “No one knows how old I am here.”

“Ack!”  Chichiri croaked.  “They do now!  Eric, this is against the law!”  When he was sure that nothing of the boy showed except for his face, Chichiri pushed Eric ahead of him out the door.

“We have to find Zach and then we’re out of here.”  He told Eric firmly leading him along the dark corridor.

“But…”

“NO buts.”  Chichiri said sternly.  “Does you mom know what you’re doing?”

“No.”  Eric shook his head.  “She thought I’m with you.”

“WHAT!?!”  Chichiri shouted.  “Never mind, wait here.  DO NOT move from this spot.  I mean it Eric.  We’ll talk when we’re out of here.”  Chichiri gave one more piercing glare at the boy and walked towards Tasuki’s lusty chi.

Grunting noises were coming from one of the rooms to the right and Chichiri peered in cautiously.  There, pinned with his back against the wall moaning and begging, was the ‘lone ranger’.  Tasuki stood before the ecstatic man holding legs apart as he pounded relentlessly into him.  Pain lanced through his chest and Chichiri fell to his knees panting in agony.  Chichiri took several calming breath and gently gather energy from his surrounding to steady his own waning life force.  Times such as this drew heavily on his essence.  He wondered resignedly how many more of these could he take.

Once the wavering in his chi decreased, Chichiri struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on the wall.  There was no time for weakness; they need to get Eric out of there.  Chichiri swallowed hard and cleared his throat.  “Ahem.”

Zach abruptly turned around at the sound and froze.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Zach, but I…”

“YOU!”  Came a raspy voice from another door.

Chichiri turned to face the owner of the angry voice and groaned inwardly.  The man was easily over 6 feet tall and weighed anywhere in the neighborhood of one ton.

“What the hell did you do with Eric?”  The large man stomped towards Chichiri menacingly.  Chichiri stood his ground unflinchingly.  “I paid good money to see him dance and for some fun later.  Now bring him back!”

“Then it’s a good thing that I stopped you in time.  Do you know that Eric is a minor?”  Chichiri asked the enraged man calmly.

“Do I look like I give a fuck?”  The man bellowed at Chichiri. 

Zach faintly recall thinking that this was a scene straight out of David and Goliath.  Ignoring the protest of the man he was currently embedded in, Zach withdrew his softening member and zipped his pants.  NO ONE could hold an erection when faced with what he was facing at the moment.

Zach rushed to his friend’s side, making sure to stand between the man and Chichiri.  “What’s going on?”  Zach asked looking from his friend to the man.

“I’m sorry Zach, but I think we should leave now.”  Chichiri apologized to him again.

“Not until you bring back Eric.”  The man easily pushed pass Zach to loom in front of Chichiri.  “If not, YOU will have to do.”  He leered at the unruffled man in front of him.  “You’re a little older than I like but you’ll do.”  He smirked when he heard a choked cry from Zach.

Zach moved up next to Chichiri and pulled the man back a pace.  What the hell was wrong with his friend?  This man was large enough to do permanent damage.

“Whoa…hold on a minute buddy.  Just hold it a sec, k?”  Zach turned to Chichiri and whispered fiercely.  “C’mon, Chiri.  Just give the nice man back his Eric, okay?”

Chichiri looked at Zach gravely.  “Eric is one of the kids I’m working with, Zach, I will not turn him over to this…this…”  Chichiri pointed to the man.  “This Neanderthal.”  The man turned red at the insult and Zach groaned.  He was roughly pushed aside as the said Neanderthal grabbed Chichiri by the collar and lifted him off the ground.  Chichiri calmly gather his chi as he gripped the man’s shoulder and surreptitiously released the spell to render the man unconscious. 

Zach saw red as the man he was beginning to care about (more than he cared to admit) was being threatened.  He launched himself at the larger man and knocked him to the ground.  He scrambled back on his feet, prepared to face his doom.  He blinked in surprised as the man remained down and had apparently gone unconscious.  He smirked and gave Chichiri a self-satisfied nod.  Damn, he was good.

Chichiri humored the former bandit and did a good imitation of Tasuki’s “SUGOI!” exclamation but in English.  Then he grabbed Zach by his sleeve and dragged the younger man out to where he had left Eric.  The youth was waiting where Chichiri had left him and quirked an eyebrow at Chichiri when he saw Zach in tow.

“AHA!”  Eric said triumphantly.  “A night out with the boyfriend, huh?”  He winked at his counselor.  “Gee, Mr. Ri, I didn’t know you were gay.”

“Well now you do.”  Chichiri said absently as he pushed both younger men in front of him and herd them out the front door.

Once they were in the car and safely on their way back to their apartment, Chichiri turned to glare at Zach who was driving.

“I am NEVER going anywhere with you again!”  Chichiri said and smacked Zach over the head in emphasis. 

“OW!  What did I do?”   Zach batted at the hand that whacked him.  “How the hell was I suppose to…wait a minute!”  He turned and smirked at the fuming Chichiri.  “You should be thanking me, buddy.”

“Why on earth would I thank you for taking me to a seedy place like that?”  Chichiri was incredulous.  Tasuki, again, managed to twist the situation around to his own benefit.

“Two reasons.”  Zach grinned.  “One, I bet you didn’t think of Tasuki the whole time you were there.  And two, If I didn’t drag your ass in there,” Zach paused to point at the teen in the back seat.  “HIS ass would belong to that Neanderthal right about now.” 

“Whoa!”  Eric protested, leaning forward in between the two men.  “I would NEVER do THAT!”

“Sorry, kid.”  Zach said solemnly, glancing at the boy.  “Ya wouldn’t have any choice.”

Eric’s face blanched and he sat back in his seat looking sick.

“And you!”  Chichiri turned his raged on the poor teen.  “What in the world were you thinking?”

“Easy, Chiri.”  Zach rest his hand on his friend’s knees and jerked it away abruptly when he felt a familiar longing in his chest.  He took a deep breath and continued.  “Maybe we should just wait till we get home, the kid looks ready to hurl.”  Zach glanced back at Eric again and blinked. 

“Damn, do you think you have enough clothes on there?”

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Note: On the dollar bill thing for the stripper…I have NO idea how much people normally ‘tip’ the dancers…a dollar is just a good number at the time.  I have finished with the outline and most of the writing for the rest of the story.  It looks like two more chapters, folks.  Please bear with me. 

Next Chapter: Telling You