Professional Integrity

Darkness and Diners

She bought an RV the next day. It wasn't a large thing, nor top of the line, but it was convenient and easy. A small kitchen, a shower in the bathroom, a loft bed over the driver's cab, an extension to make the living room larger when parked, a pull out bed in the couch, and a fold down bed over that.

"Are you going to christen it?" Mitsuhide joked.

"What?" Her eyes were wide. "What do you mean?"

"Like a boat before a maiden voyage. You know." He mimicked breaking a bottle of champagne against the side. "It's bad luck if it doesn't have a name."

"Hm." The Princess patted her hand along the sides, obviously fond of it already. "I don't know yet. I think it'll name itself."

What a cute sentiment. He shrugged. "Your choice. Where are we going?"

At that, she laughed. "You're going to hate me."

"It doesn't matter much to me, Princess, I'm in contract to you for the next eight months either way."

"Aw." A long silence passed between them. "Well, I was thinking I'd just... find out where I'm going."

Laughing, he rubbed back some of his pale hair. "You're not much for planning, are you?"

"I am, but..." Her voice trailed off into nothing and finally, she eased her head to the side. "I dunno, I just think I'll find out where I'm going."

Well, at least one of them had faith in more abstract things.

Sasuke volunteered to come with them for the first leg of the journey. "We could drive out to Arizona. I have a friend in Tuscon, Yukimura."

"Yuki? From college?" Teasingly, the Princess hip checked him, dragging a duffle bag into the RV around the men. "That ass?"

"He's a good guy."

"I know, I'm just making fun. He's just not good at coming off like a good guy is all."

Sasuke didn't argue that, just shoved his glasses back up his nose. "And from Phoenix, I can fly back in to Los Angeles and get back to work."

"I wish you could come the whole time." The Princess settled down into the driver's seat, adjusting it to her specifications. "That would be a kick."

"From what I understand, you mean to be on the road a few months."

She sighed, smiling sweet and sad and gentle at Sasuke, and Mitsuhide wondered what it would be like to be on the receiving end of that himself. "Yeah. It just would be fun is all, if it were possible."

"We'll make the most of it." Sasuke's face didn't exactly move, but his enthusiasm was palpable nonetheless. "I think Yuki wants to throw a bit of a party when we get there."

"Oh, god." She laughed. "He's gonna get me tanked, isn't he?"

"Sounds like my kind of a party," Mitsuhide chuckled.

"Jesus, I'm sorry if you see me like that. I'm a mess when drunk."

He grinned lopsided at her, settling into the passenger seat. "That only makes me the more intrigued."

"Tsk." She settled a hand over his shoulder and squeezed it affectionately, and his heart thumped painfully. What the hell was that reaction? He did his best to shove it from his mind. "Don't be awful. Are we ready back there, Sasuke?"

"All clear."

They pulled out of the driveway into the sinking sun, beeping the horn to part the throng of fans from the gate. As it rattled shut behind them and they set onto the road, she flipped on Running On Empty by Jackson Browne.