Unchained Memories *complete*

Author: JadeHeart
Fandom: Gravitation
Warnings: a little bad language
Summary:. The bonds that tie Tohma and Jim Harris together - and introducing Kumagoro. (Side story to ‘The Key to My Heart’)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, apart from Jim Harris; the rest belong to the creators of ‘Gravitation’.


Unchained memories: Chapter 7


Tohma stood in silence, unable to do anything at all, feeling completely helpless as he watched the tears run down the smooth cheeks of the woman standing before him. His heart broke in two at this sight, the ache physical.

He reached out a hand to lay it gently against the tear streaked face and watched as Noriko closed her watery eyes briefly and lean into his touch. The action made Tohma fight back his own tears, desperately trying to keep control of his own emotions, trying to be strong but feeling his own resolve crumbling rapidly.

Suddenly the previously silent Noriko let out a pitiful wail and threw herself against his chest, burrowing into the crook of his neck, hands clutching the lapels of his jacket in a death grip and sobbing as though her own heart was breaking.

This completely undid Tohma and he felt his own cheeks become wet with tears and sobs begin to catch in his throat as his arms automatically wrapped around the petite figure and held her tightly, desperately holding onto his only friend left him now.

He had phoned Noriko the following day. She had only just returned to Japan to be with Tetsuya for a time before coming back to New York. Tohma and Ryuichi hadn’t intended returning till some time later which had given them the perfect opportunity to go on the hunt for the perfect wedding gift before her return. Afterwards, Tohma planned on taking a short trip home himself. He had been wanting to see Mika again, to learn how Eiri was doing. Mika’s conversation about her brother’s changed behaviour worried him. He couldn’t picture the joyful child he once knew acting like street punk, no matter how hard he tried. Surely Mika was exaggerating. But then, Mika never exaggerated. That is what worried him more than anything. So he no longer intended to put off his trip home, it was long overdue.

But now….well, now he couldn’t even think about his planed trip, he had something far more critical to deal with. He had considered for a moment of keeping Ryuichi’s disappearance a secret from Noriko, not wishing to worry her, but then he remembered how he had felt when he had found out that she and Ryuichi had kept secrets from him and he realized he couldn’t do it.

So he had made the call, with no idea of what to even say as the phone rang in his ear, dread mounting with every second. When the familiar voice finally answered he was saved the trouble of trying to find the words, as after only saying her name, Noriko’s response had been, “What’s wrong?”.

He had had to fight back the tears to get the next word out which was “Ryuichi,”, and that was greeted with silence before he was finally able to say, “He’s disappeared”. Although there was still only silence, he could almost feel the tension emanating through the phone line, then she had said only, “I’m on my way.”.

He had opened his mouth to tell her not to, that that wasn’t why he was calling, but she had already hung up. He had looked at the silent phone for some time after, feeling guilty because of the relief and pleasure of knowing she would soon be with him. Just that thought was enough to give him a sense of comfort that he hadn’t had since realizing he had lost Ryuichi.

True to her word, Noriko had arrived in record time. She must have caught the very next available flight and paid for first class no less, and soon was at the airport where he had met her. They had not hugged upon meeting there. Anyone seeing them would have thought they were strangers meeting for the first time perhaps, not lifelong friends. Both had stood stiffly and not spoken. The drive back to his apartment had also been in silence, no words being uttered until they were both safely ensconced in his home.

They had stood in the centre of his lounge room facing each other. Noriko had remained impassive as Tohma began to quietly explain the sequence of events that had lead to this point in time, in a voice that was just above a whisper and strained. She had said nothing, her features reflecting none of her inner thoughts, just listening.

Until this point when finally she allowed her emotions to come to the surface, and now clung to him with a strength born of despair. And so they cried together, their anguish calling to each other.

Finally Noriko’s weeping lessened and she raised her head to look up at him. He dredged up a wane smile for her benefit and reached up to carefully wipe a few tears from her blotchy face.

She grimaced. “I must look a sight,” she said as she wriggled out of his clasp, pushing her straggly hair back. “Give me a minute to clean up.”

He didn’t try to stop her as she fled to the bathroom, knowing that she would be feeling a little embarrassed now by her breakdown. Noriko was a naturally strong person so to show any sign of weakness was unusual for her, even in front of him. Even though he felt that she could be more than excused under these circumstances.

He made his way into the kitchen, opening the fridge and drawing out some juice. He had realized that he had to stop turning to solace of alcohol. It may help deaden the pain that tore at his heart but it never made it go away completely. Nothing would do that - except the safe return of his friend. He refused to accept that he would not get Ryuichi back. He was not prepared to accept that as a possibility in any way and he intended to do everything to make his belief a reality. So the alcohol had to go as he could not afford to have his senses dulled with drink.

“Can I have one of those?” The quiet voice brought him back to the present. He smiled warmly and poured another glass, passing it to Noriko, who took it and raised it to her lips. Tohma noticed that her features no longer appeared as blotchy and puffy as before, although her eyes were still red.

“So,” she said, moving quite briskly to the other side of the counter and perching on one of the stools there. “What do we do next?”

She looked at him expectantly and he felt two conflicting emotions; pride that she had such faith in him, fear that he would fail her because he really didn’t know. His uncertainly must have shown because she reached across and squeezed one of his hands resting on the counter. “We’ll do it together, just like we always do.” she said reassuringly, sharing her strength with him. “So just think for a moment and let’s see what we should we do first.”

Tohma pursed his lips, trying to switch his brain back into gear, pushing his pain to one side as obviously Noriko was doing.

“Well,” He quickly felt his mind fall into the calm, analytical plane that it usually functioned on when he was working a deal, and his thoughts began to collect. “The police are already on it.” Noriko raised an eyebrow questioning. “I called Jim Harris and asked him to look into it,” he explained.

“Ah,” she answered, looking quite satisfied with that, although also a little concerned. “That’s good, but do you think it is entirely wise?” He had finally told her and Ryuichi of his previous involvement with the detective and they had all agreed that it was obvious the man still harboured some doubts as to Tohma’s involvement in the Kitazawa incident. Tohma really didn’t mind if Jim thought he was responsible. His only concern was if the detective’s attention strayed towards Eiri.

He gave a small shrug, “I think it will be fine.” He hoped. He looked seriously at Noriko. “I really didn’t think I had a choice at the time. He already knew about the letters because I had asked him to discreetly follow-up on that problem. He was the most logical person to contact now this had happened.”

“Okay,” she concurred, not pressing the issue any further so he continued. “I’ll run interference if need be. I’m sure we’ll do okay.” She grinned at him. “After all, he’s not going to want to upset his fiancée by hounding her favourite idols is he?”

Tohma smiled at that, “No, I don’t think he would so we might just be safe.” Noriko continued to smirk. “Anyway,” Tohma continued, “That means that the investigation has already begun, I don’t see Jim as any slouch so I think we can assume that processes have been put in motion.” He played with the empty glass in his hand. “I don’t know how this is going to play out. I’ve already spoken with Jim and told him everything I could at the time. There will no doubt be a number of further questions they will require from us so I think we can expect that. Hopefully it will still only be Jim or just a select few, I don’t particular fancy the idea of speaking of Ryuichi’s more personal nature to more complete strangers.”

Noriko screwed her nose up attractively. “I doubt too many people would exactly understand his…..quirks.” she said.

“Exactly,” Tohma agreed. “So I don’t want them just thinking of him as some weird celebrity and thus brush this incident aside or not treat it seriously. I will not allow that to happen.”

A hint of steel edged into his voice as he uttered the last and Noriko saw the gleam beginning to shine once more in his eyes, hardening them. She felt herself relaxing a little, the tension easing, the iron band around her chest that had been constricting her breathing and squeezing her heart since he had first called her began to loosen. Seeing Tohma returning to his usual strong, fully in control mode made her feel safe, it made her feel that everything would be all right. She had hated seeing Tohma looking so broken, so wrung out. She had been completely shocked into silence when she had seen him at the airport. All the subtle signs that probably only she and Ryuichi, and probably Mika, could see that showed that Tohma Seguchi was suffering were there. Something that she never thought she would see. Tohma had always been the strongest of them all, the calm rational balance in the triad that was Nittle Grasper. They had relied on him for that and he had never let them down. Seeing him looking so….destroyed had nearly brought her to her knees and she had felt so afraid. For if Tohma couldn’t bear it, how could she?

Now…..seeing him slowly transform back into what he had always been, the rock, the strong foundation that she knew relieved her immensely. She had complete and utter faith in Tohma, especially when he was like this. He would get Ryuichi back - she just knew it.

Tohma pushed back his hair from his forehead, the lank strands snagging on his fingers but he ignored it. “I will be insisting that we be kept abreast on every aspect of this investigation.” he said. “We need to know everything that they learn because we are the only ones who might be able to interpret anything they may find to do with Ryu.” He half smiled at Noriko. “You know how he can be. He might try and leave us a clue which makes perfect sense to him, but no-one else would have any idea what it would be about except us.”

“That’s so true,” Noriko agreed, nodding her head before tilting it to one side. “Do you think they’ll let us know what is going on?”

Tohma just met her eyes calmly. “I can guarantee it.” he said evenly and Noriko felt a delighted shiver run up her spine. Yes, she couldn’t help thinking, Tohma’s back!

She absently played with a pen near her hand. “So if that end of it is under control, what else do we need to be doing?”

Tohma came round the kitchen counter to sit beside her. “I’ve asked Jim to keep it as quiet as possible, though I don’t know how effective that will be. We don’t want a lot of media activity on this if we can help it. If the abductor is doing this to promote their own fame and sense of glory, the more media attention the more they’ll enjoy it and they may try to play to it further.”

Noriko shot him a sharp glance. “You mean they might try to….” Her voice choked off as she couldn’t continue the original thought.

Tohma hurriedly stepped in to try and reassure her a little. “I’m just saying we don’t want to give them any fuel for whatever fantasies they may have regarding Ryuichi. If it is the same person who wrote those letters they are obviously fixated on him, and have been for some time.”

“Is it the same person?” Noriko asked.

Tohma shrugged. “Jim seems to think it is quite likely. At least that is the initial path they are taking. I really hope that is the case.”

“Why?” Noriko demanded, glaring at him. “That’s just horrible if it is!”

Tohma held up a placating hand. “I know it is, and I’m not saying that it’s not. But at least if it is the same person we’ve already got some possible clues in the form of the letters that may help us find Ryu. The police already have something they can be working on. If it is not the same person but someone completely different what do we have to work with?”

Noriko chewed on her lower lip as she considered the grim picture Tohma had just presented. “Oh, gods,” she moaned, “You’re right. It would then be like looking for a needle in a haystack. There wouldn’t even be a place to start!”

“Precisely,” Tohma said. “Which is why I do hope that the perpetrator of this crime is the same person. We will be so much further along than if it is not.”

Noriko gave a visible shiver. “It’s all just so freaky.” she almost whispered.

Tohma smiled sympathetically for he felt exactly the same way, although he was now better at hiding it.

She took a deep breath, obviously trying to gain her calm perspective on the case once more. “Okay, so the main thing we’ve got to do whilst the police are investigating is to try and stop the press getting a hold of this.” She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Got any ideas on how are we going to do that? Ryu is pretty noticeable.”

Tohma grimaced, and not for the first time, wished his missing friend wasn’t such a larger than life personality. “I don’t know yet,” he replied honestly. “We need to find a way to keep the media’s attention away from the fact that Ryu isn’t around at the moment. At least we’re not touring at the moment, nor have we any personal appearances booked since we’ve just completed a tour so that is definitely working in our favour.”

“Can’t we just say he went back home?” she asked meaning back to Japan.

Tohma shook his head. “Far too easy to verify, and then there would just be speculation in two countries.”

Noriko crinkled her nose in response to that answer. “You’re right. Not an option. So what else?”

Tohma pulled absently at the lobe of his ear as he thought. “We need a distraction,” he pondered thinking out load.

“A distraction?”

“Something to keep the attention of the media focused way from whether Ryu is present or not.”

“A distraction,” Noriko murmured.

They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in thought.

“Look,” Noriko suddenly said briskly, springing off the stool and to her feet. “That’s enough for the moment. We’re both dead tired and probably not even thinking straight right now. So you go and get some sleep, you look like you really need it.”

He smiled wryly at her. “You always seem to be sending me to bed.” he said with laughter in his voice.

She tossed her head in a haughty gesture, flicking her hair out of her eyes. “That’s because you need someone to look after you. When are you going to hurry up and marry Mika? Then it can be her job to keep you in line.”

His smile saddened a little. “That will have to wait a little longer,” he replied, hoping that the incident with Eiri hadn’t completely destroyed any chance he might have had with fulfilling that dream.

“Still having trouble with the old man?” she asked with sympathy.

Tohma just inclined his head a little but didn’t actually answer. He didn’t really have to; Noriko was intimately familiar with his difficulties with Mika’s father so he really didn’t have to explain anything further.

“Go on,” she scolded. “I’m going to lie down myself. I haven’t had much chance to rest either.”

“You take the bed,” he gallantly offered.

“Don’t be silly,” she snorted, making shooing motions at him. “Your sofa is quite good enough. It’s not like it isn’t the first time I’ve slept on it!”

He knew there was no point in arguing further so followed her instructions with a warm smile. “Very well, we’ll talk more later.” he said, making his way to the bedroom.

“Sure!” Noriko replied, plumping some cushions and settling down. She smiled over at him, eyes sparkling. “Sleep tight.”

“You too,”

He didn’t think he would sleep. How could he sleep at a time like this? One of his dearest friends was missing, stolen away from him by some unknown person. He would make the person pay dearly for taking something so precious from him. What was Ryuichi going through? Where was he? Was he all right? Yes, Tohma told himself firmly, willing himself to believe it fully. Ryuichi was all right. He would remain unharmed until he found him. Because if so much as one single hair was harmed on that dark head Tohma would see that someone suffered for it.

So he hadn’t thought sleep would be possible under these circumstances so he was surprised when he woke many hours later to find dawn just breaking on the next day. He picked up his watch from the bedside table and saw that he had almost slept round the clock. Sitting up, he yawned widely, feeling his jaw crack at the stretch. He still felt a little weary, as though even that extended sleep hadn’t been enough to revitalize his flagging energies. Not surprising really; emotional trauma can tire the body just as much as physical exertion.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and went immediately to the shower. He luxuriated in the warmth of the water on his aching body, vigorously scrubbing his hair as he washed it thoroughly. As he stepped out and wrapped a towel around he felt one hundred times better, feeling far more like his normal self, feeling the fog that had seemed to cloud his mind beginning to lift. The shower had not only seemed to cleans his body but also cleared his mind. Now he felt that he could truly begin to find a way to get his friend back.

He quickly and efficiently dressed then made his way out to the main room where he found Noriko slumbering quietly on the couch curled up on her side, looking almost childlike. A soft smile curved his lips at the sight. She looked so endearing like that, so sweet and innocent. And so very, very precious to him.

He stepped into the kitchen, trying to keep the noise to a minimum so as not to wake the slumbering beauty in his lounge room. He intended to have breakfast ready for when she awoke, a small token of his appreciation for all the support she had given him. Now that there were the two of them together he felt so much more certain that they could find their missing third member. Nittle Grasper was a trio, and he would make certain they remained that way.

The pleasant aroma from his cooking began to fill the apartment. “That smells good,” A sleepy voice said from the lounge room.

He looked across the counter to see Noriko stretching like a waking cat before draping arms over the sofa arm with chin resting on it to look at him. She looked quite arresting, in a completely disheveled manner. Her hair was mussed and clung around her face, falling over her eyes. He held in a chuckle. She looked like a demented pixie.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Hmm, hmm,” she indicated, rolling over and stretching again, including her long legs, before sitting up and running fingers through her untamed mane of hair.

He quickly filled the bowls, carrying them to set down on the low coffee table. “Help yourself,” he said, continuing on his way to the door. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

He went down the stairs quickly to check his mailbox, almost hoping he would find a note from Ryuichi indicating it was all a joke and wasn’t it funny and he would be home soon, even though he knew just how unlikely that was. Clearing the box, there were only a few letters which he did no more than glance at as he collected the morning paper also. As he mounted the stairs on his way back to the apartment he opened the mail and found that none of them were important. Meaning there was nothing from his friend.

He entered the apartment to find Noriko heartily tucking into the meal, her hair now pulled back in a loose tie so it wouldn’t be in the way. She threw him a cheery smile as she continued to chew. “You cook like a dream, Tohma!” she exclaimed, bringing another mouthful to her lips. “You’re going to make a great wife!”

He smiled at the comment. It was pretty much a standard joke as out of them all he was recognized as having the best culinary skills. In truth, he liked it, and nothing pleased him more than seeing his friend sitting before him enjoying it so much.

He sat on the floor opposite her, folding his legs neatly under him, dropping the papers next to his knees before he reached out and filled a bowl for himself. He was hungry also. There was a time of silence as they both just enjoyed a great meal with pleasant company, and for a moment forgetting their current troubles.

As they sat savouring the hot mugs of tea Tohma pulled the morning paper closer to him, opening it up fully. He glanced over the headlines as he took a swallow of tea and then began to choke, liquid spluttering violently from between his lips as he coughed hard, gasping for breath simultaneously.

“Tohma! Are you okay?!” Noriko sounded extremely concerned but Tohma glared at her as he continued to cough, tears beginning to stream from his eyes. She gazed back at him, confused by the look of accusation. “What? What have I done?”

Tohma still couldn’t speak so could only hold the paper up, letting it hang from his fingers facing Noriko so she could read the first page.

“Oh,” she said in a small voice, her eyes growing wide. She flicked a quick glance to his still stern face. “Sorry?” she offered in placating voice, obviously hoping to soothe him

He gave her another of his patented glares as he stood to head for the kitchen to wipe his face down, finally getting his coughing spasm under control. Noriko lifted the paper to glance over the story as he took a drink of water, feeling the tightening in his chest easing. He then made his way back to where Noriko was still seated, sitting down next to her on the sofa.

His gaze dropped to the paper resting on her knees and he just shook his head before looking up at her. “What were you thinking?” he wanted to know, feeling a little bewildered.

She shrugged. “You said we needed a distraction.” She flicked the paper before her. “Isn’t this enough of one?”

He looked down at the headlines and had to admit that it would certainly serve as what they needed. The headlines read, “Nittle Grasper Wedding To Rock This Town!”.


**********

Jim knocked forcefully on the closed door before him again, harder this time to match the anger he was feeling.

“It won’t open any quicker by hitting it harder if there’s no one home.”

The quiet voice behind him made him spin around to see Tohma standing there, two carry bags in hand and head tipped slightly to one side

“Where the hell have you been?!” he snapped out, anger still bubbling inside.

Tohma raised one brow and made his way past him, transferring a bag into his other hand so he could slip the key in the lock, before entering and leaving the door open so Jim could follow, which he did.

“Is there something you’ve found out?” Tohma asked, setting the bags on the kitchen counter and opening the fridge to begin putting the shopping away. With Noriko staying with him indefinitely he wanted to be certain to stock up on things now.

“No, not yet,” Jim replied, sitting opposite and feeling a little calmer. “We’re working on it.”

“Then why this dramatic arrival?” Tohma questioned curiously. He had never seen Jim Harris looking agitated before. The man had always seemed to manage to maintain a fairly calm exterior. The only other time he had seen any change in this demeanour had been in response to Ryuichi’s teasing. But then anyone would lose their calm around Ryu!

“I wanted to know what you’re playing at!” Jim snapped out.

“Care to explain?” Tohma said calmly, refusing to rise to the bait.

“The paper!” Jim grated.

Tohma thought for a moment, wondering what Jim meant and then the penny dropped. “Oh, you mean the wedding.”

“Yeah! Just what the hell are you up to?”

“Actually,” Tohma replied, leaving the kitchen and making his way over to the drinks counter. “I had nothing to do with it.” Jim’s derisive snort clearly indicated his disbelief at that statement and Tohma flashed him a grin as he poured two drinks. “Truly,” He crossed the floor and held a glass out towards the other man. “That was all Noriko’s idea. I was as surprised as anyone.”

Jim took the drink but continued to eye him disbelievingly. “Are you trying to tell me that she deliberately made a spectacle of her wedding plans by inviting it to turn into a three-ring circus?”

Tohma nodded as he took a sip of his drink. “Yes.” he confirmed, turning to sit on the sofa. “She was trying to draw the media’s attention away from Ryuichi being missing. This should give the press something else to focus on.”

“I don’t believe you,” Jim said bluntly. :”No woman is going to possibly ruin her wedding day!”

Tohma met Jim’s eyes with a steady serious gaze. “Noriko would do anything for Ryuichi. He’s very important to her. To us.”

Jim tried to hold the gaze but was then forced to look away. He glanced down at the drink in his hand and then quickly tossed it all back in one gulp.

“So her husband-to-be went along with it?” He said, finding it difficult to believe that. He knew that he wouldn’t if it were his wedding.

Tohma gave a soft laugh. “Believe me when I say that Tetsuya Ukai would agree to anything if it was what Noriko wanted.”

Jim sighed. “Boy, is he whipped!”

“Completely,” Tohma grew somber for a minute. “Bt then if he wasn’t we wouldn’t have a chance of pulling this off.”

Jim watched him with narrowed eyes. “So, just what have you two been cooking up?” he wanted to know.

Tohma shrugged. “Nothing more than this.” He assured Jim though the other man didn’t look particularly reassured. “Noriko will continue to play things up to the fullest, which will give us the opportunity to find Ryuichi.”

“Us?” Now it was Jim’s turn to quirk an eyebrow in surprise.

“Yes,” Tohma replied. “Us.”

His tone brooked no argument but Jim still put his empty glass down to do so, brow furrowed. ‘Forget it,” he said flatly. “You’re a civilian. You’ve got no place in any of this. Leave it to the professionals.”

Tohma’s lips thinned and his steely gaze pinned Jim. “Ryuichi is my friend and I will find him.” He took another drink, not breaking eye contact with Jim. “With or without you.”

Jim was prepared to snap something back but then decided against it. Looking at the expression on Tohma’s face there was nothing he could say that would make any difference at all. It reminded him of his first glimpse of this man many months ago through the one-way mirror of an interrogation room. Back then his first impression had been of someone who truly stuck by their guns. However, he could not have this man interfering. An investigation was a delicate process and he didn’t need any rank amateurs in there messing things up and confusing the issue. He had to try and deter Tohma in some way without putting him completely offside.

“I’ll keep you informed,” he conceded. “But you’ve got to stay out of the way. Just leave it to us. We’ll get him back.”

“You don’t know Ryuichi as we do.” Tohma pointed out firmly.

“If we need anything, we’ll ask.” Jim replied just as firmly.

Tohma didn’t reply and his expression certainly didn’t indicate any agreement but Jim let it drop at this time. If he kept pushing the issue Tohma Seguchi would most likely just dig his heels in deeper. Jim had to try and avoid that at all costs. He could understand the man being upset about what had happened, being worried for the safety of his friend and wanting to help, Jim found it just as hard to sit idly on the side-lines, but he couldn’t let Tohma interfere. With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair tiredly.

“Tough night?” Tohma asked softly.

“Yeah,” Jim replied, thinking back on the long hours and the far to few snatched moments of sleep. He eyed the blond man before him. “How the hell you can look so perfect at the moment is beyond me!” He knew his voice sounded like he was whining but he couldn’t help it. Tohma did look damn good. It was an astounding transformation from the last time he had seen him.

Tohma smiled warmly. “Noriko is a great pick me up.”

Jim’s eyes widened a little as his brain kicked into overdrive. “You mean…. you and she….?”

Tohma’s hand made a decisive cutting motion, halting anything further Jim may have been going to say. “No!” was the emphatic answer, then his voice softened again. “No, not in that way. It is just a great relief to have her with me now.”

“Yeah, I guess it would be. Sorry, didn’t mean to make it seem sordid or anything.”

“No matter,” Tohma forgave him easily. “It is a common assumption. And certainly not the first time someone has made it. They don’t know how wrong they could be.”

“I suppose it would be in your industry.” Jim paused for a moment, watching Tohma, drink half-way to his mouth as another thought struck him. “You don’t mean…?” He trailed off and then continued manfully. “You and Ryuichi… that display on stage....do you mean you two..?” He just couldn’t go on.

Tohma’s smile just grew wider and mischief sparkled in his eyes. “I am a gentleman,” he said smoothly. “And a gentleman never tells.”

“But, but…..” Jim just couldn’t get even a full sentence out. Was Tohma indicating that there was a lot more to his relationship with Ryuichi Sakuma? “Are you trying to say you two are an…..item?” he finally blurted out although his voice almost squeaked at the thought it was trying to express.

“If I’m not going to tell, you’ll never know, will you?” Tohma said amicably, not at all ruffled by the conversation.

“How can you just sit there so calmly talking about this stuff?!” Jim scrubbed his hands through his hair feeling very much out of his depth. He had been pretty certain that Ryuichi Sakuma swung that way but up until now he had thought that Tohma Seguchi had been straight, despite his displays on stage with his bandmate. Had he been wrong all this time?

Tohma chuckled, finding great delight in the other man’s obvious discomfort and confusion and not inclined to put him out of his misery in any way. Jim could put up with this for the mind-games he had played at their first meeting. Payback’s a bitch – or at least it’s Tohma Seguchi.

“Well, the issue of our sexuality and preferences has come up from the very first time we played so it is quite normal for it to be discussed.” He smirked at Jim. “We just don’t see any reason to confirm or deny anything raised generally. Let the public think what they want.”

He leant forward on his chair so his shirt fell open and raising a hand to run one long finger down his neck, dipping into the hollow at the base of his throat and down the sternum until it was halted by the button holding the shirt together in the middle of his chest. “Besides,” he said in a low husky voice, maintaining eye contact with the man before him as he languidly played with the button, half undoing it and then redoing it over and over again. “Isn’t the imagination a wonderful thing? You never know what you might be missing out on.”

He could almost see Jim’s eyes glaze as his mind bent like a pretzel trying to assimilate this possible information, coupled with Tohma’s blatant display. He was certain the man was re-visualising Nittle Grasper’s last concert and his and Ryu’s little exhibition on stage. Although he was completely certain that Jim Harris was as heterosexual as they come and had absolutely no doubts about his own sexuality that didn’t mean that he couldn’t find himself unexpectedly surprised at finding…. stimulation at such images. Oh, yes, Ryuichi could certainly do that to any man.

Finally Jim seemed able to drag his mind from where ever it had taken him and he shook his head violently to dispel whatever thoughts he was having. He was looking more than a little pale, although there was also a slight flush on his cheeks. Tohma smirked, feeling pleased with himself. Ryuichi would have been proud of his performance!

He could stop the laugh that escaped him as he leant back once more in his chair, taking delight in watching the detective squirm before him.

Jim glared at him then stood and stalked over to the cupboard to pour himself another drink, tossing it down his throat so quickly he coughed a couple of times before gaining his equilibrium once more.

“You are fucking evil,” he snarled spinning around and glaring at Tohma. “The devil incarnate!”

Tohma swiveled in his chair so he could view the man somewhat behind him, a smile still on his face. “I don’t know what you mean.” He said, keeping his face controlled.

“Hmph!” Jim snorted making his way back to his seat. He threw himself into it the a deep sigh. “Oh, man,” he said, almost groaning. “I don’t know how much I can take of all this.”

“What’s that?” Tohma wanted to know.

“This male bonding thing you have with Ryuichi!”

Tohma shrugged again, taking a little pity on the man and bringing them back into a more serious frame of mind. “It’s always been that way,” he tried to explain. “Ryuichi, Noriko and I, we’ve always been together. The years before we met seemed to have no meaning, as though they were nothing more than a precursor of our time to come when we finally were together.”

“That’s just too weird for me.” Jim declared.

Tohma similed. “It’s simply because you haven’t someone like that, or you wouldn’t find it so strange.”

“Maybe.” Jim agreed.

“That is why,” Tohma said seriously. “I need to be involved.” Jim opened his mouth to argue again but Tohma interrupted. “ I understand your concerns, I truly do.” He assured the detective. “But no-one, and I mean no-one, know Ryuichi like myself and Noriko. I would never place Noriko in any possible danger, and besides she is doing her part in keeping the media occupied so I won’t interfere with her plans. That leaves me to find Ryu. If there is anything out there, any clues or ideas or hunches about him, I’m the best person to see them, to be able to perhaps interpret them. Ryu will know I’ll be looking for him, he’ll do what he can to try and help me.”

He looked the other man directly in the eyes, letting him see just how serious he was. It seemed like Jim was actually truly listening to him so he continued. “Look, you’ve seen how the three of us are. We know each other so well that we can think alike, we can almost know what each other is thinking at times. We have a…..” he grappled for the right word to use which would not sound so outlandish that this pragmatic detective would dismiss him out of hand. “sense of each other. It’s not like we can track each other down but we can get inklings of what each other is doing and if we’re close to each other.”

Tohma shifted in his chair, placing his barely touched drink on the table. “I know you think that’s strange but it is the truth. I truly am the best person to help you find where Ryuichi is, and the sooner we find him the better.”

Jim couldn’t argue with that last statement. In such cases as this, time really was of the essence. Every day, every hour that went by compounded the situation, opened it up to more possibilities, allowed more time for the kidnapper to re-evaluate his plan and possibly begin to take it to extremes that he hadn’t previously considered. Time was their enemy, he knew that.

He also had to grudgingly admit that some of the other things Tohma mentioned had some validity, as much as he hated to think that. He had seen how close the three band members were, the way they worked so well together like a well-oiled machine. He couldn’t deny that they obviously had very close ties with each other and that insight into another person’s mind could be invaluable in determining how they would react to a situation and what they might try and do. Something there could sometimes be the breakthrough in any case.

But he still didn’t want a civilian involved. There was no-way he could justify it to his Chief in the first place, he could lose his badge for allowing it. As far as he knew, Tohma Seguchi had no idea about police investigations, apart from his involvement from the other side of the table. Jim still couldn’t help but wonder about that, for although the case had been closed to the satisfaction of apparently all concerned, he still felt niggling little doubts as to what had really gone down at that time. All he knew was that Tohma Seguchi had been in the midst of it all and there was far more to the story than they knew. And far more to Tohma than he could guess.

“Look, this I can do.” He finally said, coming to decision. “Like I said before, I’ll keep you informed on what is happening but I will require you to sign a declaration of confidentiality if you want to be in on this.”

“Agreed,” Tohma said quickly.

“I’ll also let you come into the station at times to sit in on the discussions of the task force where you can give any input if you think there’s something that might help.”

“Fine.” Tohma could hardly believe what he was hearing. He had thought he would have to continue to argue his point for some time to come before Jim Harris would have finally given in. Was there a catch here somewhere?

“You can be involved but,” now Jim pinned him with his hard gaze. “You will stay out of things you are told to and you will not withhold any information that is relevant to this case. If you do then I will arrest you for impediment of a police investigation and make damn sure they throw the book at you.”

Tohma was in no doubt that Jim meant it, well and truly. There was no weakness in his eyes as he said this and so Tohma bowed his head slightly. “Very well.” He agreed, though he didn’t know yet if he could really keep that promise yet until he was more involved in the search for Ryuichi. He didn’t want to deliberately obstruct Jim or cause him problems, but finding Ryu was his top priority and all else had to be secondary.

Jim then stood, holding out his hand. “Okay then,” he said, a smile coming to his previously blank face. “Welcome aboard.”

Tohma also stood and clasped the outstretched hand, shaking it. “Thank you,” he said sincerely, having some idea of just what Jim was offering him above and beyond his normal jurisdiction. “I truly do appreciate it.”

“Hey, no sweat,” Jim replied, falling back into his normal cheery self as he made his way to the door. “Why don’t you come round to the station about 9am tomorrow and meet the rest of the team and we’ll go through what we’ve got so far?”

“I’ll be there,” Tohma said, holding the door open.

“See ya then!” Jim called out as he made his way down the stairs, whistling.

Tohma carefully closed the door and leant on it for a moment with eyes closed. Hold on, Ryu, he thought, trying to send his feelings winging to wherever his friend was. Just hold on. I’ll find you.