Transaction

Disclaimer: We own nothing but the characters of the band Opium.

Author’s Notes: Here we go again!
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Transaction
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Chapter Four
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Fond of. History. The hand that was beneath the table fisted, and it took much of Taki's concentration to keep himself from interrupting. If he couldn't keep a face up for the meeting, he couldn't possibly handle being in the company again.

But that offer.

Taki's eyes narrowed, and his fingertips pressed hard into his palm.

He and the band had agreed before hand that if Tohma made an offer, they'd accept it... But this! Glancing at the other three, he felt disgust rise at how thrilled they looked.

No. He didn't want to get into this again. He had to be crazy...

That sickening, fake smile was back on his face. "Of course. We'd be happy to sign your contract, and I'm more then confident that the CDs will sell. I'm sure we'll all thrive in such a set up."

He was going to die.

If Tohma didn't kill him, he'd do it himself.

His smile grew wider. "Wonderful! I'm so happy to have you back, Aizawa-san."

Inside, the gears were turning. What had he missed out on in the last two years? And how, exactly, would he find out? The little game of cat and mouse would begin again. How else could he... torture? No, too strong a word... how else could Tohma... extract a few unsettling moments during Taki's two year stay?

"Now, you may have this looked over by a lawyer, though I assure you I am a man of my word," Tohma said, holding up a hand as if in surrender as he handed over a thick contract. "I do need it back and signed within the week. Is this suitable?"

He already knew though it would be more than enough. The blond smiled at Taki knowingly, giving him a slightly... thoughtful look.

He really didn't like that look. Taki's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "I'm sure we'll have it into you before the deadline." Taking the contract, he didn't bother flipping through it.

Taki stood, and the band did as well. "We'll send it to you as soon as we have it signed, Seguchi-san." He was all but gritting his words out, now. Giving another short bow, one that was practically a nod, he turned to Kenji and the others.

"Downstairs. I'll meet you down in a moment."

He handed Haido the contract on his way out.

Tohma rose, respectfully bowing to the rest of the band, though his was close to Taki's. Once they had left, Tohma took his seat up again. He removed his bowler, setting it on the table, resting his hands on the armrests of the chair.

"Taki," the blond said, smiling fading as he dropped the pretense of formalities. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Of course it had been. He motioned for Taki to sit again. He could refuse if he liked. Technically, Taki wasn't as much under his control as he had been as a singer.

"Sure." Taki stayed standing, hands in his pockets and suit jacket open. His face was blank now, no anger, and certainly no forced smile. Then his eyes narrowed, and he shook his head.

"You know... I don't care what game you're playing with me, but you don't hurt that band because I'm their manager. They've got what it takes to make it, and I don't want that dwarfed because of something that happened years ago."

For once, he wanted something of his to succeed. If he couldn't be the one behind the microphone, he wanted to be behind the entire band. That driving force that sent them places and made sure they got what they needed.

If he could do that, it would be almost as good as succeeding. He had his problems with the band members themselves, but that band would hit number one, with or without NG.

Tohma, to say the least, was shocked. It was practically written in his widened eyes and how his face changed subtly, ever so slightly, to express it.

"Taki," the blond said, short and sharp. "You can hate me all you want for doing what I did. But you will not insult the way I do business. You can hand the contract right back to my secretary if you even think for one second that's how I work."

Yes, the ex singer had struck a nerve.

"Think, Taki. Think. Why did I do what I did?" he asked, now easing back into pleasant. "I didn't do it because I cared for BAD LUCK. They were money, of which I have enough. I did it because you deserved it."

The cold hard truth written in a smile.

"Now, I would suggest you rethink how you'll be speaking to me. I also suggest you get rid of any thoughts that involve me doing anything to... our band," he said, drawing out the word 'our'. "Because... if I have a problem with you, you can be sure I'll take it up with you. Managers are quite expendable. A good band? Well, it's quite a different story."

The blond sat back, taking in the man standing before him. Something had changed. Something was different. New.

"Your singer? He's quite like you, you know," he said conversationally. "We won't be having any mistakes will we? Because if you think we will, I do suggest you keep him on a short leash."

And a choke collar, too, after he cut that stupid hair.

"They aren't your band." Taki was gritting his teeth, eyes still narrowed. He had never realized the full extent to which he really hated this man. It was surprising even him. "Not while I'm around."

Deserved it! Expendable! Ha! Taki would show him just how expendable he was. Ooh, he had no idea. None!

Taki's hands fisted in his pockets.

A short leash matched a short fuse. They both ran out too quickly.

That calm was back, though. The calm that had been keeping him sane for a little too long. It covered his anger, and masked his face. Before he realized it, he was smiling again. All business. "I do believe I'm wasting your time. We'll be back next week."
Of course, the 'we' only meant 'him.'

"Of course, Aizawa-san," Tohma said with a slight nod, switching back to a formal name.

They would meet as business partners and leave as business partners. But my, what a temper still! The blond noticed he had far better control these days though, which certainly was an improvement.

He only hoped there would be no repeats as last time though. No running out when he was having a bad day, no cursing profusely at everyone in sight. Tohma certainly wouldn't tolerate it a second time.

Though, he was still a little irked at the comment on the band. Having his practices questioned. The nerve! He had only punished Taki, not ASK in its entirety, had he not?

"I can't wait to see you next week."

There was no response save for the door closely behind him, and Taki was moving down the hall at a swift place. He took the elevator only because he didn't want to turn the corner to reach the stairs, glaring at the floor numbers as they passed.

Disgusting. He couldn't believe he'd resigned himself with this company.

On his way out the front door, he nearly stopped dead when he saw the secretary. Eyes narrowed, he glanced back toward the elevator, as if Tohma would pop out of it at any second just to laugh at him.

Smug bastard. What game did he think he was playing?

"Yo! Manager man, let's go! I'm bored." Kenji's voice carried easily over the hall, and Taki turned back without bothering to wipe the glare off his face.

Kenji's voice died off as Taki walked past him, and they were out of the building within seconds.

Bastard.
~x~
Again the blond found himself waiting patiently in the same meeting room. Today was the day that Taki had specified coming in with the contract. Tohma usually knew if a contract signing would go well or not. If Taki showed up with a lawyer in tow, there were problems. Of course, Tohma doubted that would happen, seeing as the blonde had made a more than fair offer.

Yes, he had heard Opium was good, but he had also heard that the lead singer was notorious for having to continually re-record, being late, throwing a few fits, being immature...

So it was the same risk as signing Taki all over again.

If said manager showed up to seal the deal. He officially had ten minutes left until it was exactly 4:30, when their meeting had been planned for.

4:25.

Shit. He was going to be late.

Taki cursed, picking up the contract from the passenger seat as he left the parked car on the wrong side of the parking lot. Where was the side entrance? He couldn't remember. Two years was a long time. Somewhere... Somewhere close to here, right?

His fingers were too tight on the paper. It was starting to hurt.

There! Yes, there. He remembered, now. He was almost running toward it, jerking the door open (always unlocked, he was relieved to remember) and stepping through.

Checking his watch, he cursed again.

4:27.

Damn that parking lot.

Elevator. Glancing around, Taki shook his head. Fuck. Too far away, he'd never make it.

That left the stairs. Four flights of stairs.

He had to wonder if he'd live through it, but there was nothing else.

He started up them with determination, skipping as many steps as his sore leg would allow. Even after two years, he was sure it hadn't healed right.

Well, too damn bad.

He pushed himself up another flight, wincing.

4:29.

He was dead.

Up. And up again... The door. He knew that door.

Idiot! Taki forced himself to stop. Of course he knew that door! That WAS the door!

He backtracked and pulled it open, just in time to see the clock change to 4:31.
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Author's Notes: Good morning one and all! I decided since I have work today, I'd put up chapter four early instead of waiting until tonight. I'm sure no one will mind!

Anyways, stay tuned for the next chapter! We've got the start of some good plot. Mmm, plot.

~Subby