An Assassin, a Thief, and Yaoi, Oh My! [Old Version]

Chapter 3

I pressed the knife closer to the intruder's neck, drawing a few more beads of blood, my body tense.

"Tell me now what you know, or I will simply assume you have nothing of particular interest and end your life right here, right now. That, for me, would be no hardship." I could tell me words had affected him, for his body had begun to tremble in fear. Fear because we both knew he had no information of what he spoke of.

"I-" I didn't even bother to try and let him make excuses, or offers, I simply slashed his throat, and got up from his cooling body, turning towards Kisuke. He looked startled for some reason.

"What's that look for Kisuke? Has your iron gut weakened since you stopped going out on jobs to become a ring leader?" I'm sure he could detect the teasing in my tone, but it did nothing to ease the tension that has built in the room.

"Ichigo, I know you are a world class assassin, but despite that you've always had a kind heart. It is one of the things that baffles me about you Ichigo. Despite all you've been though, your heart is still warm, and despite your job, you care about human lives. But what I just witnessed... Ichigo, that man's only crime that we know of was approaching the shop in a suspicious way, and mentioning your family to try and save his life. It hardly warranted slashing his throat. Plus, if he was indeed a bad guy, we could have at least got more information out of him." Kisuke's eyes had gone a bit sad as he gave his mini lecture. I knew he was right, of course, but my stubbornness wouldn't allow me to admit it... or at least verbally, for my body seemed to betray my mind. Because before I had realized it, I had sunk to my knees, my whole body shaking, and my cheeks becoming steadily damper. God, I must be crying. And what a sight I must make. Me, Ichigo, the world's best assassin, shaking and crying because I just killed a man. Kisuke, bless the man, didn't say a word, just helped me up and led me to a guest room, only leaving to make us some tea.

Kisuke, after settling Ichigo into the guest room's bed, closed the door quietly, and padded down the hall into the kitchen to put some water on to boil. After that was done, he went into the main entry way to dispose of the body. When he got there though, he was surprised to say the least when he spotted Jack, their own blue haired thief kneeling down by the unknown man. He cleared his throat to get the man's attention, but knowing his skills, he probably already knew Kisuke had stepped into the room.

"Who's this poor bloke?" Kisuke sighed and shook his head, eyes tierd and sad. He suddenly looked much older than he had the last time Jack had seen the eccentric man.

"I don't know, he triggered the intruder alarm, and Alex took care of him when he entered." Jack could tell that wasn't all that had happened from the unease that had crept into his eyes as he gave the least amount of information he could possibly give while still explaining why there was a body lying there. He decided not to pry though, for he assumed, and quite rightly so, that it was personal. Kisuke could sense Jack wanted to ask what was bothering him, and was more than relieved when the thief had not mentioned it, and simply got up from where he was still crouching at the body and walked causally over to the blonde shop keeper. Jack decided it was best to change the subject from the dead man... well at least a little bit.

"So, Alex is here?" Kisuke shifted a bit, uncomfortable, but answered anyway.

"Yeah, he's just in a guest room resting. We've been trying to gain more information about the hōgyoku." Again, Jack noted the vagueness and how Kisuke carefully chose his words. "So, you must be here for a reason... I suppose you've gathered some new information?" At Jack's nod of confirmation, Kisuke continued to speak. "Okay, well first things first, we've got to clean up that body." As soon as the words had left Kisuke's mouth, the kettle let off a high pitched whine, signaling the hot water was ready. Both men jumped slightly at the loud noise in the quiet house, before they grinned at each other in amusement.

"You go take care of that kettle, I'll take care of the body. Then as payment for my good deeds, you can make me a cup of tea." Kisuke nodded and went to make three cups of tea, but made a quick stop off at the room Ichigo was in to warn him that Jack was here with information, and they'd be discussing it in the kitchen if he felt like joining them. He only received a grunt as a reply, and unable to determine its meaning, he simply left for the kitchen.

By the time Jack had entered the kitchen, there were three steaming cups of tea sitting on the table, and even a little plate of snacks. He had just sat down when Ichigo entered the room looking to be in a bad mood, and instead of sitting down, he grabbed his cup of tea and stood leaning against the counter, sipping the hot liquid tentatively, his whole body seemed to relax a bit as he did so. Kisuke, relived it seemed to see Ichigo in the room. Sat down across from Jack and folded his hands in his lap, ignoring his tea for now.

"So Jack, what do you have for us?"