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WHO: [Bad username or site: fuckingshogun title= @ livejournal.com] and OPEN
WHERE: Random City park #159
WHEN: Late Wednesday evening.
WARNINGS: Wordyness?
SUMMARY: Well porting back didn't have a good start like Saitou hoped it would, so he's gone off to mull a bit and get away to collect himself. Maybe be homesick, who knows.
FORMAT: Para

He'd actually gotten to go home.

At first, he was very skeptical when feeling that familiar pull of being dragged away from this reality. The last time it had happened, he'd been gone less than two days, at most. So this last time going home he'd figured it would be a repeat situation. Though, as he now knew, the Porter (since he had yet to find out about her real moniker) had actually granted him some sort of clemency and some extended time home with his family. It still bothered him, now back in the City, that he couldn't remember certain moments of being home... but there was nothing he could do here about it. That feeling of powerlessness against something so infallible bothered him more than he wanted it to.

And Elisa had had to see his video, of course. He scowled even now at the thought. Should have remembered enough when coming back in to filter his entries. But it was too late now. She was furious with him, as she should have been, and there was nothing he could do about that. Smoke an extra pack of cigarettes, maybe, to put his mind off it, but not much more than that. He had the sneaking feeling he was back on the police's Wanted List, because she'd been unusually quiet since then. Either that or she liked filtering things from him personally...

He groaned again as he sat down at a park bench, crossing his arms behind his neck and staring up at the streetlight nearby. Not the best of circumstances to arrive back to, at all. That and he still was unemployed and that made him pace restlessly like no other.

Too many problems, he thought to himself, letting out a sigh. At least for the moment he had some peace and quiet.

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Peace and quiet never lasted very long, naturally. Even in a peaceful place like the park, someone was always out to cause mischief.

In this case, it was the master of mischief himself, Hiruma Youichi. Had he followed Saitou or had he simply stumbled upon him in the park? In the end, it didn't matter, because the annoying twerp of a boy was there now.

Well, not so much a twerp of a boy as he was a twerp of a bat. The small (and strangely black colored) bat winged around above Saitou before landing on the bench beside Saitou and just sitting there, staring ahead and twitching his ears and tail as if it were the most normal thing in the world. He wouldn't make a move until Saitou noticed him.

If he noticed him. Hell, Saitou might be so accustomed to this sort of thing that Hiruma'd be ignored.

What in the world--

... Ah. Someone had stumbled upon him, but at least it was someone he knew. There was no way he wouldn't sense something flying around his head. Saitou smirked just vaguely at the bat before resuming staring ahead. "Evening, bathead."

Hiruma chirruped happily at being noticed and climbed up on Saitou's shoulder, nuzzling his cheek affectionately. He was far more cuddly in this form; bats were social critters, after all. In response to Saitou's words he chirruped again, a small, cute sound.

He sat there for a moment before flapping off and landing back on the bench. He shifted quickly, mostly painlessly (practice makes perfect) and leaned against the bench. Indeed, his hair, like his fur had been, was dyed back to it's natural black color. His clothes were simple and tight, as they needed to be for shapeshifting. He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a small cardboard box.

Hiruma might not have approved of Saitou's habit, but it made him happy. Plus, he knew Saitou's favorite brand. He handed the box over to the other man. "Here. A welcome back gift for the fucking old wolf."

N-not that Saitou was cuddly in the slightest. So sorry Hiruma but he's probably going to twitch in annoyance a few seconds while you're doing that. But at least it didn't last too long. Otherwise he might have been realll tempted to flick him away with his finger. Maybe. If he were someone else.

The hair color change was definitely new, though. Saitou almost had to wonder to himself just how much had gone on while he was away. It certainly hadn't taken long for Kiryu's hair to grow out (which he was still getting used to). Though he couldn't help but smirk a little at what exactly Hiruma handed over. At least this was better than an arrest warrant, for welcoming back. He'd rather not dwell on that right now, though.

"I'm touched." And yeah like hell was he not lighting a new cigarette now that his bad habit was being promoted, of sorts. He'll try not to smoke it in your direction, however. He could at least do that much.

"Eh, ya know I hate it. But it makes you happy, fucking old wolf, so." He shrugs nonchalantly, pulling another small box out of his pocket. This one isn't cigarettes, of course. but pack of Hiruma's favorite peppermint bubblegum. He takes a stick out and puts it in his pointy mouth.

"It's been a while," he cocks an eyebrow, turning his face toward his friend, "How long was it for you, back in fuckin' Japanese prehistory?" A wry grin to go along with his joke of sorts. "And I think you've got the fucking record on portins and portouts."

Edited 2010-08-19 22:00 (UTC)

Yeah, he was about to ask about that packet. But it didn't look anything like what Saitou was holding, so there were no questions asked. Why Hiruma chose such an artificial sweet he'd never know. But he wasn't sure he agreed on the 'record' part, at least. Surely there were some who had shown up time and time again before. He just... couldn't think of one right this second. No matter he'd think of one later. Probably. Maybe.

"Three months, maybe four," he replied vaguely. He hadn't kept much track of time, at home. Why should he have? It wasn't like he remembered the City while he was back in the Meiji era. Saitou was more than certain something like that would upset every timeline that existed. It had been a very nice break, he wasn't going to complain about that. Coming back here hadn't been part of the plan, but by this time, Saitou had learned to adapt fairly well.

Hiruma listened, both to Saitou and to the sounds of a late summer evening. Cicadas, crickets, frogs from the pond. He blew and popped a bubble before speaking again.

"Not a bad stint." Hiruma stroked his chin thoughtfully, then pushed an errant strand of black hair behind his pointy ear. "Which do you prefer, anyway? This fucking city or your real time? Kekeke, and don't be afraid to say the latter. You won't hurt my feelings."

Truth be told, it probably would sting a little. But not everyone was as perfectly comfortable here as Hiruma was.

Yeah, sorry, he didn't believe that for a second, Hiruma. If Hiruma was anything like Kiryu, he probably wanted Saitou there just as much. He could tell, in a way, anyhow.

Though that question was becoming harder and harder to answer over time. So much time had passed. He'd been here roughly... a year and a few months? So much longer than some who'd come in recently. He had to scoff every now and then at the network of newer residents complaining about something chaotic going on in the City, or the like. It was simply a fact of nature, here. They would have to adapt to it if they wanted to survive. No use complaining to an infallible entity that controlled your every step.

... Which, thinking on that, was one of the major reasons Saitou remained silent a few more seconds. At home, he had his family. He had his time period and his outdated technology and his language. Here, well... he didn't even have to list the various comparisons. There were too many to count. Too many he didn't like to remember.

But there were important people here, too. Some he would rather not forget. Or not have in his life anymore. Which maybe included the bat boy sitting next to him.

"I couldn't say."

Hiruma knew all that very well. Zombies, robots, super villains, evil clowns... they were all old hat by now. Commonplace. Something you just had to get used to or else you just wouldn't make it.

At a year and a half, the spiky boy was an old pro.

"Ne. It's hard to compare. Even my home, fucking modern as this place, is totally different, you know? But this isn't the worst fucking place we could be. Speaking of which.." Another bubble. No point in approaching this with tact. Just go for it.

"Are the cops still on your ass?"

Well. That certainly killed his mood, sure. Hell, more like what was left of it. His mouth formed a line before Hiruma had even finished his question. And while he would have loved to shove Elisa's rants out of his head again, there they were, popped back up and echoing irritably over and over again. He sighed somewhat aggravated and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Of course."

Hiruma gave an apologetic little smile. He didn't want to bring it up, but it was kind of important.

Considering what he said next.

"We'll need to be careful. Two cops lives on the 9th floor, now."

... What.

... Which he then voiced aloud. All this time of moving about the building and on the elevator and in the lobby and two policemen were here with them. He hadn't even noticed. Then again Saitou hadn't been back very long, but still. His brow twitched in annoyance at the idea but said nothing on it.

"I assume they're already aware of my status." Then again Saitou wasn't sure which police were here. If they were new, and had been recruited within the month, perhaps not. He might actually go by unnoticed. Who knew.

Hiruma shrugged, "No idea. I don't know what they know, and I don't talk about you with them." he grins and taps his fingers on the bench.

This could prove to be very interesting, if nothing else.

"They are Jack Bauer and Cole McGrath. Even if you were here, I wouldn't have denied them a fucking room, you know." He blows a bubble, "I'll look suspicious if I say, 'Nah, no cops allowed here', you get me?"

Hiruma pauses, patting Saitou on the shoulder, "Ne! No fucking worries though! I'm an expert."

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Kiryu had been finding himself more and more prone to wondering since coming back from his trip. He did miss the open spaces he'd been able to explore and the stars and the freedom. But it was probably because of those who had been killed or sent away while he'd been gone.

Well, at least one of those people was back. The most important one, at that. But it did nothing to quell the rage he felt when he thought about Starscream and Soundwave and the fact that he couldn't do a damn thing about either of their murderers (for now).

And he always did his best thinking in parks. And he had decided that maybe it would be better to use his powers exclusively outdoors.

So here he was. Wandering out here when he probably should have been helping with Dancitron. Looking like enough of a threat that no one decided to bother him.

And of course the bench ahead was already occupied. Damn.

...By a certain someone. Not so damn.

Not that he was going to say a word before he got there. Saitou liked his peace and quiet. Far be it from him to ruin that too quickly.

Saitou was almost about to scowl out of habit when sensing the presence of someone else, but he knew who was there. And he couldn't help but smile a little when he was approached. Company was all right. He could still think while someone was nearby (unless it was that stupid ahou back home who couldn't shut up) and, like Hiruma, found bouncing off ideas with Kiryu was actually beneficial at times. He's silent for the moment as well, pausing a few seconds before leaning forward and lighting a new cigarette.

"Like minds, hm?"

Kiryu had to smile too. Of course Saitou would know he was there before he said a word. There was no point in trying to hide from Saitou anymore. Sometimes he wondered if the man could even tell what he was doing across the city.

"Maybe I followed you here," he teased, knowing Saitou would see right through that. He would have known if anyone had been following him.

Kiryu flopped down next to him and stared up through the light at the sky. Barely four or five stars. Pathetic.

"It's quieter out here."

He quirked an eyebrow for a split second at the idea of Kiryu following him undetected, but it's brief. Saitou was too familiar with his ki signature and the only person he'd known to sneak up on him was Hiruma - but that wasn't even when he was human. Sensing a bat wasn't easier, by far.

Though he smirked a moment later and laughed softly, taking a drag of his cigarette before looking back over. Saitou had to admit, society had certainly improved a number of things, in this time. Cigarettes being one of them. He didn't particularly mind the idea of air-conditioning, either - especially with this record summer.

"It can be." Then he followed Kiryu's stare to see where he was looking. He recalled a few times in Peru that Kiryu had done the same thing, stargazing. Saitou hadn't really been interested but was certain that the City sky was much less clearer than it was in South America.

... And although he had tried for the past few days not to ask about it, since he didn't want to bring anything unpleasant up right upon his porting back, he was still very curious. He hadn't exactly been keeping track of the date while on their trip, and he'd gotten to spend time at home for quite a while. It was relieving, of sorts. An adequate break before returning. But he knew Kiryu didn't see it that way.

"How long was I gone?"

Kiryu shrugged a little, trying to hide how tense he'd gotten just from that question. He wasn't really surprised that Saitou wanted to know, but how could he tell him that he didn't even know? That was what bothered him the most--that if he hadn't spoken to Alastair that time, he wouldn't have a had a clue until he came home.

They certainly weren't a team and even if they were, he wouldn't be the leader, but it was still the gut-wrenching feeling of failure he felt every time he remembered saving Yuusei's life.

"I don't know," he finally said. "I didn't even know you were gone 'til a few weeks ago. I guess...a month and a half? Alastair and I compared notes so...it seems like it was probably that long..."

Hm, he hadn't expected that. Saitou had been sure Kiryu would have remembered the exact date, but if neither Kiryu nor Alastair had realized... Well that was an odd thought. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. Like no one had even noticed.

"Well I'm here, now." What else was there to say? Though as Saitou examined Kiryu's body language for a bit, he was certainly thinking hard over something. He probably shouldn't have mentioned that now, then. Didn't want to bring anything bad up, still.

Kiryu would have felt a lot better if he knew an exact date too but...Saitou was right. He was there now. That was what mattered. Kiryu could make sure he did better from then on.

"Yeah..." What about next time? What if you don't come back...? He laughed a little, dragging his fingers through his hair. "I'm really glad you're here. What would I do without you around to keep me from doing something stupid?"

"Exactly." A smirk was paired with that, though, so he's not entirely serious. He was still going to keep an eye on Kiryu to make sure something like that didn't happen, but he at least knew Kiryu had some common sense. "Nothing too foolish has happened recently, though, right?" This look Kiryu was getting right now is one of minute scrutiny. At least no zombies had appeared this time he'd ported home, but the City was nevertheless always restless and always in chaos. There was no such thing as a quiet break in-between.

Kiryu fidgeted just enough at that to show that he'd at least been thinking about it. With Yuusei around, he couldn't imagine that Saitou would think he was completely at ease anyway. But he hadn't actually done anything yet, so he didn't really need to say anything, did he?

"Not that I've been a part of," he said, unable to keep all of the annoyance out of his voice. He still wished he had been.

That fidgeting in response made him wary, but only somewhat. It would read much more on Kiryu's face if something drastic had happened, and by the looks of things, that wasn't the case. Fine by him.

... Though the annoyance made him wary. Again. But he said nothing on it. "Like?"

"The robots." He shrugged awkwardly. "Seems like that was the only big event since...the government blew up the HIVE." And he looks decidedly annoyed about that for a moment, but it's gone quickly enough. He couldn't deny that the HIVE being gone was probably a good thing. Even if it was the government who'd gotten rid of it.

"But also--" he didn't have to mention he'd been working for them; Saitou knew they'd been his friends-- "two of my friends died while we--I was gone. They haven't come back yet." His fist clenched as he thought about it, about not being able to do a damn thing. "I know who killed one of them. The bastard already needed to die..."

Edited 2010-08-19 22:29 (UTC)

So much annoyance, he thought absentmindedly, but brushed that off. Saitou was sure that he was part of the reason, himself. Maybe in time that would dissipate.

Though any humor or amusement on his face disappears at the thought of Kiryu losing someone else. Two someones, even, in such a short timespan. Saitou not being around probably hadn't helped at all, there. Because like hell was he going to allow Kiryu to die again under any circumstances. Kiryu had probably had the same idea about these two individuals. Whoever they were. Saitou had some ideas, though. But needless to say he could imagine what Kiryu must have gone through when finding out. Death happening when you didn't want it to was a fact of life, but it didn't make it any less painful.

So he might distractedly put his hand on top of Kiryu's head for a second or two, but he said nothing. He understood that frustration and he knew there wasn't much he could do to make Kiryu feel any better.