Make a Wish

Make a Wish Part 6

He was still dreaming. His dreams held the secrets to how this world worked. How he was involved with the people in it.

Due to spending a night in Amagai's room to avoid sleeping on the streets, he'd been forced into a contract under Aoe Shougo. A man he was now only too glad was dead in his own world.

The contract literally bound him to whatever Seme was top at the B&B. He'd started under Seiichi. It had been his sempai's way to protect him from Aoe Shougo. But somehow - his dreams had yet to show him how - Seiichi had fallen in love with a client and run away from the B&B. He'd ended up bound to Jinnai Kuniaki instead. In his own world, Jin was his lover. In this one, Shougo had apparently forbidden Jin to take him. Or something. He hadn't gotten that far either.

What his dreams had revealed was that he'd become close friend with the No. 1 Uke of the B&B, Izumi. And that he'd apparently met - and been attracted to - both Jinnai Kuniaki and Akechi Imura. He had no idea who this self had chosen.

Apparently things had come to a surprising face-off while he was still under Seiichi. Izumi had suffered an attack, and Kiichi had left him alone with Jin. Jin had wasted no time taking advantage of the situation, only for Akechi to show up - apparently having decided to invite himself to dinner with Izumi and him again. What he'd found instead was Jin in the room, and he himself showing clear signs of the act of passion he'd just shared with the other host. The shocked look on his face was heartbreaking.

"What are you doing here, Jester?" Jin crossed his arms, not moving from the doorway.

Akechi's shock became something more calculating before he replaced it with his usual grin. "I could ask the same of you, No. 2." He'd stressed Jin's placement at the B&B.

Jin's eyes narrowed. "Izumi suffered an attack. He had to rest."

"And they put you in charge of the King's Page? Talk about a misplace of trust." Looking past him at Katsuki, he offered him a grin - but his eyes were heated. "Hungry at all, Katsuki? Maybe you'd like something different?"

The obvious sexual reference made him flush. In the state he was in, his other self was probably ready to curl up somewhere and hide.

"Feel free to leave the food." Jin told him. "But your services aren't needed, Jester."

"And you no longer reign at the B&B, my dear ex-King." Akechi's smile was fierce.

Jin chuckled darkly. "Cowards shouldn't pick fights, Imura."

"Maybe not. But dethroned kings clearly can't be trusted with the new one's property."

"Stop it!" He was surprised by his own outburts. Akechi and Jin both turned to him. "I"m not Seiichi's property! I'm not anyone's property! No matter what some paper Shougo has says. People aren't objects to buy and trade! They aren't prizes to be handed out for a job well done!"

Silence reigned for a moment, then Jin spoke. "That's how it is in the regular world, maybe. But not here at the B&B. Not so long as Aoe Shougo lives. That paper binds you here. More than any chain could. After all, you signed it of your own free will, didn't you?"

Something in his tone made Katsuki pause. Though taken at face value the words seemed like a lecture aimed at him, something about the way he said it hinted that it wasn't so simple. He had a feeling the words were aimed inward, not outward. Reminding himself of how he, too, was bound to Aoe Shougo.

There was a moment before his dream-self spoke again. "That's no excuse to play his games. And that's exactly what you two are doing right now. Just like Feiyai and Nami were, too. This is exactly the amusement he wants out of my being here. I'm a scrap of meat to dangle before the wolves of the B&B."

"...well, don't sell yourself too short. I'd say you're a side of Kobe Beef, not a scrap of meat." Akechi gave a teasing grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. Jin snorted at the reference. "But I guess what you're saying is that Jin and I need to stop acting like a couple of dogs around a female in heat?"

He wondered if it was possible to get a sunburn from blushing. "Something like that, yes."

"Well, I have three meals on here." Akechi gestured to the cart. "Anyone for a game of cards?" He winked. "Jester's wild."

The wishing charm chimed.

"Marudo-san!" Izumi was laughing as the three of them entered Seiichi's room.

"I swear it's the truth!" Marudo had said, smirking in a way that made the statement questionable.

"I don't believe you for a moment!" He'd told him. "Would you like..." He'd trailed off when he spotted Seiichi in the room. He was at the window with what looked like a drink in his hand. "Oh, Amagai-sempai. I didn't know you'd be back today."

Seiichi didn't move from the window. "Time was up." He replied.

He'd stared for a moment, confused by the response. "Marudo, Izumi, and I just ate. But if you want anything-"

"I'm not really hungry. I'm sorry." He still hadn't moved.

He'd glanced at Izumi, who'd looked a bit baffled himself, then at Marudo. Marudo was giving Seiichi a pained, knowing look. "Izumi and I should head out, Katsuki." The older host told him, taking Izumi's arm gently. "Have a peaceful afternoon."

'Peaceful.' Not 'Good' or 'Happy'. Just 'Peaceful'. The words felt like a bad omen as Marudo led Izumi out.

"Amagai-sempai?" He'd approached him slowly.

"I didn't mean to make them leave. I'm sorry." Seiichi had run a hand through his hair.

"Why do you keep apologizing? Hey, is everything alright? You're not acting like yourself."

Seiichi had moved to a nearby seat, sinking down into it bonelessly. He gave a mirthless laugh. "I'm not much feeling like myself either." He'd confessed.

"Does this have to do with your last client?"

"Tomoki." The name was spoken in a painfully quiet tone. "His name is Tomoki."

The wishing charm chimed.

He awoke alone. He stared around Jin's room at the B&B, for a moment hoping he was back where he belonged. But then he realized he wasn't in his tuxedo. No such luck.

Jin had been sent to a client the previous evening. He wondered what he did when Jin was with a client. Izumi apparently did not stay with him in Jin's room the way he had seemed to in Seiichi's. Jin's choice or his?

Still, the dreams had hinted that there was a way for him to leave the B&B's grounds. In the company of Izumi or Marudo. It was obvious at this point he wasn't simply going to wake up in his regular world. He needed to do something to get there. And - if the constant sound of it haunting his dreams was anything to go by - it had to do with the wishing charm.

He had a vague plan, he just needed to figure out the best way and time to implement it.

"You didn't have to pick us up yourself." Reiji said gruffly as Takamiya and he settled into the back of the limousine across from Kiichi.

"Really, you think you could atleast greet me with an "I missed you" and a hug." Kiichi grinned at him.

"You're the same as ever." Reiji crossed his arms, sitting back.

"Hello, Kiichi-san." Takamiya greeted pleasantly.

"Welcome back to Japan, Takamiya-kun." Kiichi gave him a bright smile. "See? You should take lessons in manners from Takamiya." He lectured Reiji.

"We have reservations at a hotel." Reiji ignored his comment, though his eye was twitching.

"I...have to make one quick stop." Kiichi admitted, his manner seemed subdued.

Reiji studied him, a frown darkening his features. "What has father done now?"

"Oh, nothing. In fact, for once he was caught off guard. Of course, so was I." He smiled sadly.

"You didn't have to make breakfast." Izumi told Naoya.

"It's the least I could do, with you letting me stay here." His friend disagreed.

"You don't owe me anything for letting you stay here. This is what friend's are for."

"Even so, letting me stay here is alot."

"Remember when my apartment was broken into and my computer got trashed? You loaned me your laptop for three days and you never even let me give you a cent for the trouble."

"I didn't need any money." Naoya told him, looking a bit embarrassed about his own good deed being brought up.

"And I don't need anyone to make me breakfast. But...this is really good, so thanks." Izumi offered a grin.

Naoya smiled back, but it quickly faded. "I am a bit worried I'm going to get you in trouble by staying here."

"Hey, don't borrow trouble. I'm sure nothing will happen."

The doorbell rang. In fact, is seemed like someone was leaning on the bell. The two stared blankly for a moment before Izumi got up.

"Hey, what gives? I thought that was your trick." He headed for the door, but Naoya grabbed his arm.

"Wait, maybe you shouldn't open it." He told him, seeming nervous.

"Huh? I can't just ignore it. And they're making a racket."

"Maybe it's better to pretend you aren't home. I mean, you don't know who it might be."

"That's why you answer it." Izumi replied blandly, but quickly grew serious. "If you know who it is, and it's someone you don't want to talk to, I'll send them away."

"I-"

The bell suddenly cut off, but it was followed by several bangs and the door hitting the wall.

"Hey, what the-?" Izumi stormed out into the main room, pausing when he saw the group in the room.

"Reiji, you didn't have to break the door." Takamiya lectured. He was still in the doorframe. Kiichi and Haruomi had already entered, along with Reiji, who was in front.

Izumi paused, a bit nervous, until he saw his doorknob in Reiji's hand. Then his own eyes narrowed. "Hey! What' the big idea of breaking my door?!" Reiji ignored him, watching as Naoya exited the kitchen behind him. "Hey! Are you listening to me? I've got security on speed dial."

"Here." Reiji handed him the broken doorknob, striding past him to face Naoya.

"Huh?" Izumi stared at the doorknob for a moment, before he began to twitch angrily. "Why, you..."

"What do you have to say for yourself?" Aoe demanded of Naoya. "Running away, worrying Kiichi, involving others in your troubles. Those are the actions of a child, not a man!"

Naoya looked down at the floor, flinching at his words. "I...I don't see why he should come now. And why should I feel obligated to see him when he's never shown any feeling of obligation to me? Where was he after my parents died? Where was he then??"

"Ask him that, not me." Reiji told him. "Face him like a man, don't hide out somewhere when you know it'll cause other people trouble."

The doorknob slammed into the wall next to Reiji's head. He turned, startled. "Izumi!" Naoya was startled by his friend's behaviour.

"Just what do you think you're doing, you damned brat?" Reiji demanded.

"Just who do you think you are? Breaking and entering a guy's apartment and yelling at his guest? I invited Naoya to stay here and he can stay as long as he wants! I don't give a damn about what kind of trouble it causes."

"You don't even know what sort of trouble he could bring you. You obviously don't have a clue what's going on. So just stay out of it."

"So far the only one making any trouble is you!" Izumi snapped. "I don't have to know everything. Because I already know what's important. Naoya is my friend. And he needed my help."

"Izumi-san..." Naoya looked at him, eyes wide.

Izumi offered him a smile. "That's what friends are for, right?"

Reiji strode away, lighting up a cigarette. "How naive."

"I think it's rather touching." Takamiya opinioned, he was watching Izumi closely.

"And who are you?" Izumi asked him.

Takamiya broke into a smile. "Takamiya Katsura. You are?"

"Sakashita Izumi. And isn't it a weird time to be getting acquainted? You being here means you're aiding and abetting the felon over there."

"Felon?" Reiji muttered, his eye twitching.

"Please excuse Reiji's behaviour. He's actually very concerned." Takamiya told him.

Izumi crossed his arms. "He sure has a funny way of showing it."

"Naoya." Kiichi's face was unusually serious. "Can we talk in private?"

Naoya's eyes were sad, but he nodded.

"This is really something." Marudo glanced around the street fair. "How did you hear about this?"

"Newspaper." Katsuki excused. He was trying not to make it obvious he was looking for someone specific. It was hard, because all he wanted to do was find the street vendor and shake him until he promised to send him home.

"Really? I wonder how I missed it." Marudo stopped to study a stand. "I haven't been to a street fair in forever."

Katsuki was glad that something was distracting Marudo's attention when he spotted the stand he'd been looking for. "Ah, I see something I want to check out." He told him.

"Don't go far." Marudo replied, busy with his own shopping.

"Would you like a wind chime?" The teenager was asking a passerby, but they kept walking. In fact, nobody was browsing the small stand.

"Hey." Katsuki's eyes narrowed.

The teenager turned, offering him a smile. "Would you care for a wind chime?"

Katsuki scowled. Something about the way the boy was looking at him told him he recognized him. "No, but I would be interested in a wishing charm."

"A wishing charm?" The teenager's smile was smug. "I sold my last one on christmas eve."

Katsuki barely resisted the urge to shake the teenager until his teeth rattled. "Where can I get one?"

"I wouldn't know. I'm only here until the New Year." He told him. "Wished aren't all they're cracked up to be."

"I noticed!" Katsuki snapped, surprised to see no one turned to look at him. It was like no one else could see them all of a sudden.

"Then you know better than to rely on wishes. A wish can't set thing to right."

"Then what can?"

"Time can always fix things. Our actions set things right."

"You aren't honestly telling me to fix the fucked up world."

The boy flashed him a grin. "Noone can fix the world alone. But one can make amends with those around them."

"You can't make amends for something you don't remember doing."

"Then you'll have to remember first, then make amends. One should always pay off old debts before the new year starts."

"That doesn't answer anything!" Katsuki snapped.

"Katsuki? Katsuki?" Marudo walked right by him.

Katsuki felt chilled to realize he honestly couldn't see him. He glanced back to the street vendor, but he was gone. The stand was gone. "Crap." He cursed, then turned back to follow the host. "Marudo!"

"Ah, Katsuki! I lost you in the crowd." Marudo turned back. "There's some food stands down at the end. Hungry?"

Not in the slightest, but he nodded anyway.

"I understand why you don't want to go to Haitana's." Kiichi told Naoya.

"Then why are you asking me to go?" Naoya wasn't looking at him.

"I had no choice. I can't protect you from my father, if he chose to involve himself. I can't say what Haitana's like, but I do know my father."

"...I never meant to cause problems. I was happy with you and Haruomi. Why does everything get taken away from me?"

Kiichi pulled him into a hug, resting his head on top of his gently. "No one can take me and Haruomi away from you. Not my father, and not Haitana. We'll always be here if you need us."

Naoya's shoulders began to shake as he began to cry. "I don't want to be alone again."

Kiichi's eyes were sad as he let the younger man cry out his pain. H couldn't think of any words of comfort that wouldn't ring hollow.

To Be Continued...

Reasons I love this chapter:

I got to show off the fact that I'm a food geek with Akechi's reference to Kobe Beef!

I actually wrote Naoya sympathetically even though he's my least favorite character in Love Mode! (He really is...)

But I introduced Takamiy and Izumi... ^-^' I couldn't resist. Here I was good and made them not know eachother, but with Naoya running to Izumi timing with Reiji and Takamiya's arrival in Japan...my TakamiyaxIzumi fangirl came out. I have no excuses. LOL