"Sum of the Parts"

Disclaimer : Don't own, so don't sue. Wish I did, though. You can't imagine what twisted things I'd have these characters do. Hee!

A.N. : My first attempt at fan-fiction, so please be nice. Of course, the usual reviews and con crits will be highly appreciated and dare I say, expected? Part-character study, part-fluff and part-action, the story takes a while to develop – but I promise, it all leads somewhere (somehow). Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I am writing it.

Chapter 1 : Wrong Side of the Car Seat

Paul furrowed his brow and abruptly glanced up from the newspaper he was buried in. Straining his ears in the direction of the bathroom, Paul could swear he heard Ban warble a few bars of some candy-coated J-pop ditty. Heh. Paul chuckled. Busted.

He continued to listen intently as the rumble of water passed through the Honky Tonk's rusty pipes followed by the soft patter of the shower hitting the bathtub porcelain. Paul wondered how on earth he got suckered into letting those two boys park their toiletries, industrial-strength hair products – and in Ginji's case, a rubber ducky – inside his tiny bathroom when he himself had been hard pressed in the past to invite girlfriends to stay for breakfast, let alone leave a toothbrush.

For the GetBackers, the Honky Tonk was the closest thing they had to having a home, with the Ladybug serving as some sort of mobile bedroom. Paul taxed his logic trying to figure out what positive returns he was getting from Ban and Ginji's freeloading. So far, nada. What he got was a tab worth half a mil, a twenty-five percent increase in operating expenses, short-circuited appliances, a cluttered bathroom, and distorted reliefs on the wall in the shape of chibi-Ginji (courtesy of Ban using Ginji as a wrecking ball during his frequent fits of frustration at the blond's imbecility).

However, Ban and Ginji and their perilous adventures did make Paul feel nostalgic for that kind of life he, too, used to live. He couldn't deny those two knuckleheads amused him a great deal.

Amusement. Yes, that must be it. Paul sighed. That was as good a reason as any – for now.

While Paul nonchalantly sidled nearer to the bathroom to hear Ban sing some more, the tall, strapping man sitting alone in his usual booth next to the window had his keen bestial ears perked from the start.

Fuyuki Shido heard everything that echoed from the bathroom, from the rustle of carelessly flung-off clothes to the gentle clink of sunglasses sliding into the sink. And just as Ban hit a sour note while shampooing his hair (Shido could even smell its distinct anise scent. It was the same expensive brand that Madoka used. Vain snake bastard.), Shido rolled his eyes in disbelief at how far-reaching Ban's assault on his senses was.

By now, Shido was getting used to working with the hebi-yarou on big, coordinated retrieval missions. And although he would never tolerate Ban's loud mouth and insufferable arrogance, Shido grudgingly admitted that they usually got the job done and that they'd also saved each other's ass at some time or another.

So, if that meant trading barbs and fists with that sea-urchin head, well, he was willing to live with that. After all, he had Madoka, his animals – and Ginji – to think of.

Besides, Shido realized, both of them were kindred beastly spirits, understanding each other better than they'd like to admit. And underneath that thick reptilian veneer, Ban wasn't as cold-blooded as he endeavored to be.

Shido stared wistfully at the swirls in his coffee, took a sip, and smiled slightly at the irony.

"Monkey Trainer! You sonofabitch!"

Paul scampered back behind the bar and Shido growled.

Mido Ban was doing a second lather, rinse, and repeat cycle o his hair when from out of the corner of his eye he noticed a sparrow land on the sill of the tiny bathroom window. Paying no heed to it, Ban continued to languorously wash his hair, grateful he need not shower underneath a public fountain today and risk getting arrested for indecent exposure.

Besides, he thought, he had earned a hot bath after pulling an all-nighter and saving himself a few thousand yen by fixing the Ladybug's leaky transmission all by his lonesome.

Ginji played his part, of course, by charging the car battery and powering the halogen lamp while Ban tinkered and Ginji "Ban-chaaan-ed" endlessly throughout the night. Sure, the activity drained Ginji out, but the dimwit had to learn how to appreciate the value of cutting a few corners. In Mugenjou, Raitei's power was used as hard currency. In the real world, Ginji would hardly survive if he didn't at least use some of his gifts for more practical purposes.

Like fixing my car. Our car, Ban pouted. He picked up the shampoo bottle and gave it a few shakes. Damn. If he could only make his shampoo stretch out a little longer. Ban knew if was highly uncharacteristic of him to be spending an inhumane sum of money on a measly bottle of pricey shampoo when he could barely feed himself, but it was the only thing that got the gunk out of his hair. And if Ban could be vain about just one thing, it was his trademark spikes.

The GetBackers were nothing if not very easy on the eyes. While Ginji could naturally charm even the stoniest of clients with his bubbly demeanor and sweet, open boyish face, Ban always made a maddeningly abrasive first impression the moment he opened his mouth. So it satisfied him to no end that not a few times Ban could rely solely on his rakish good looks and one sultry gaze of his striking electric-blue eyes to pull him through the first pitch.

Pleased as a peach at himself, Ban stepped under the pulsating cascade of the shower and closed his eyes contentedly. After a few minutes, he opened them and, to his annoyance, realized the sparrow was still perched on the window sill. But this time, it was hopping back and forth and puffing out its wings. Ban watched this go on for a while when suddenly, the bird made a half-turn and chirped towards his direction – mockingly, it seemed.

Ban took a moment to let this sink in. In a flash, his eyes narrowed and he instinctively grabbed a towel to cover himself. With a quick flick of his wrist, he picked up a wet washcloth and hurled it at the sparrow, who screeched and flew off in a flurry of feathers.

'Monkey trainer! You sonofabitch!"

The door of the bathroom swung open and out stormed Ban, dripping wet and with a skimpy towel wrapped around his waist. Making a beeline for Shido, he was appalled to discover the sparrow outside the window, flapping wildly and chirping animatedly while Shido nodded sympathetically. The nerve…

Meanwhile, a beleaguered Paul traced the wet trail down the corridor from the bathroom and into the dining hall, pushing a mop in front of him. Abjectly, he mentally calculated how much damage Ban would cost him this time.

As Ban strode over to the booth, the bird stopped flapping and violently tapped its beak on the window pane. Then with a shrill cry, it flew off.

Shido leaned back into the booth and took a sip of his coffee. As usual, he wouldn't be baited into initiating the shouting match that was to come.

Without meeting Ban's infuriated stare, Shido coolly warned, "You better watch yourself when you go outside. They're threatening to drop all sorts of nasty things on your thick skull."

Of course, Ban exploded first. He landed his fist on the wood table, rattling the dishes and sending the utensils flying.

"What did that bird tell you, huh, monkey face?"

"Heh! You paranoid moron! That sparrow was merely performing a mating ritual for a female in a nearby tree. It was minding its own business when you sent a flying washcloth its way!" Shido's deep voice boomed as he crashed his coffee cup into its saucer, cracking it.

Oh crap. Paul froze in mid-mop. Now, even Shido is racking up a tab. Wonderful.

"Excuses, excuses." Ban grunted. "Admit it. You sent that chicken to spy on me."

"Idiot! Why would I want to do that?" Their eyes locked in a heated gaze. "It's not as if I want to see or know more of you than I already do, dammit!"

Ban's eyes shifted and looked down at Shido superciliously. "You tell me. A lot of people have attempted to blackmail me before with stuff they think they know about me. Why should you be different?"

It took a few seconds for Shido to process Ban's ridiculous accusation, finally letting out a big guffaw.

"You think blackmail is funny?" Ban leaned forward and shook a fist at Shido's face.

"No, but you are," he smiled. "Blackmail? Blackmail you with what? Your singing? I don't need my animal friends to tell me your singing sucks. We all heard you." Shido glanced at Paul. "Right?"

Bewilderment spread quickly across Ban's face. With a jerk of his head, he shot a glare back at Paul. Feigning ignorance, he dropped the mop and put his hands in the air, struggling to contain a chuckle from escaping his lips.

"Tch!" Ban shrugged and moved to lean on the bar. He lit a cigarette, took a long drag and blew the smoke up to the ceiling.

"Okay, wise-guy. If your ears are that sharp, tell me what exactly I was singing."

"Hell if I know, you poser." Shido propped an elbow on the table and cradled his chin on his hand. "I was surprised a snob like you was even capable of listening to anything other than concertos."

"Who-ahh!" Ban clapped his hands derisively. "Bravo, monkey trainer! I'm surprised a backwoods hick like you even knew the meaning of 'concerto'. I'm impressed. Madoka has trained you well."

"Nani!"

Shido was about ready to claw at the smug jerk when he was interrupted by the soft creak of the Honky Tonk's door opening followed by the melodious tinkling of cat-bells.

"Konnichiwa!" Fuchoin Kazuki greeted warmly. He entered as if the mild summer zephyr that followed him in had floated Kazuki into the threshold, whipping the queues of his long chestnut hair away from his willowy frame like silk ribbons dancing around a maypole.

Kazuki closed the door behind him, prematurely ending that breezy vision. "Nice weather we're having today, hai?" he said to no one in particular, walking down towards the far corner of the bar. Turning towards his fellow retrieval agents, he inquired, "Hevn-san? She not here… ugh."

Kazuki choked on his last word. To his right sat a visibly peeved Shido who held his cup in a vice-like grip. And next to him leaning jauntily with both elbows on the counter, a cigarette dangling precariously from his lips, stood Ban - wet, practically naked and his hair free of those ridiculous porcupine spikes.

Kazuki was stunned to realize his heart skipped a beat.

It seemed like an agonizing eternity as his dark brown eyes unwillingly scanned the figure from head to toe, finally engaging them on Ban's hand as it pushed up his glasses and tucked the towel tighter around his waist.

"Oi. Thread-spool," Ban lazily acknowledged Kazuki's presence. "This is the third time this month you and monkey boy have horned-in on our jobs. What? No juicy gossip to sell to the rags lately?"

"Take it up with Hevn. She asked us to be here." Kazuki slid into the booth opposite Shido. To regain his composure, he met Ban's accusing look head on. Except, from his vantage point, Kazuki's eyes unintentionally strayed from Ban's indifferent face and lingered a tad too long on his torso.

Damn! He cringed inwardly, concern belied by his serene features. Ban had an innate gift for reading a person's every move, and Kazuki wasn't immune. He wanted to slap himself. Never had he ogled Toshiki, or even Jubei, in such a manner. At least not like that brief leering moment he just sent Ban's way. Of all people, why that cocky, obnoxious, lecherous buffoon? And yet…

Snap out of it! Kazuki thought deliriously. Despite not moving an inch, the bells in his hair quivered.

Too late. Ban wasted no time in picking up his discomfort. "Hey. What have you been staring at anyway?" If I didn't know better, I'd think you actually want a piece of me." Wickedly grinning, Ban punctuated his taunt by blowing a cloud of smoke in Kazuki's direction.

No point in being diplomatic with a snake, he sighed. "Oh please. If I wanted a piece of anyone it certainly won't be you. Now, Shido? From what I heard… maybe."

Kazuki smiled sweetly, a gold fire lit within his deep eyes. Meanwhile, Shido blushed profusely, embarrassed he'd been used as a punch-line but not quite yet grasping the meaning behind it.

Momentarily dumbfounded, Ban's pupils narrowed into vertical black slits radiated by a corona of brilliant blue. "Very funny string-bean. Be thankful your brand of humour would've sailed way above Jubei's clueless head." Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Ban snuffed out his cig and started walking back down the corridor towards the backroom.

"Natsumi! Are my clothes dry yet?"

Mizuki Natsumi popped her pretty head out of the storeroom. "Hai, Ban-san, I just got them out of the dryer. I'll have them ironed and ready for you in a while."

Ban nodded and grunted his acknowledgement. Natsumi knew that was all the thanks she was going to get from the moody GetBacker. Which was perfectly fine with her since Ginji more than made up for Ban's share with his sincere, exuberant and sometimes over-zealous appreciation for her good-will.

Natsumi closed the storeroom door behind her and smiled wistfully, inhaling the crisp scent of Ginji's freshly-laundered white shirt which she clutched in her hands.

Ban turned to head back into the bathroom to fix his hair. Ginji, you stupid blabbermouth! Did you have to tell everyone what we saw at Madoka's hot spring? Well, at least that was the only thing Shido had one up on him. That, and the fact he had a nice roof over his head, a semblance of a love-life, and probably even a bank account.

"Shit." Ban rolled his eyes in frustration. Making a mental note to drop-kick Ginji into the Honky Tonk ceiling later, he slammed the bathroom door shut.

Shido's eyes went wide with a sudden realization.

"Anou, Kazuki…" His eyes looked down into his lap. "You didn't mean… You were talking about…"

Kazuki raised his coffee cup at Shido with a knowing smile. "Shut him up good, didn't it?"

Shido grimaced and hit his forehead with his palm.

"Ohayo!" Amano Ginji called out cheerfully. His entrance had permeated the air with a pleasant, prickly charge that was his unmistakable herald.

"Ginji-san" Kazuki greeted brightly. Shido waved.

"What's for breakfast?" Ginji sat at the bar and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"Sorry, but I've got bills due this week," Paul's voice came from behind the newspaper. "So, unless you two are going to pay at least a quarter of your tab today, coffee's all you're getting."

"Not even one sunny-side-up egg?" he implored, big, liquid brown eyes pleading hopefully. Silence. Ginji gave out a small whimper. "Make it black then."

As Paul poured the coffee, Kazuki stared forlornly at his former Emperor. He felt guilty at having to draw the line of his loyalty at a plate of breakfast. Normally, he could be counted on to share a sandwich with Ginji when need be, but there was a reason why both he and Shido were at the Honky Tonk today. And it wasn't for the coffee.

Shido's thoughts mirrored those of Kazuki. The Four Kings and the Volts had pretty much accepted the fact that Ginji was better off with Ban and out of Mugenjou. But geez, must that snake's rotten luck with money rub off on everyone?

"Are you sure you're okay, Ginji?" Shido asked gently.

"Ah. Hehe… I'm fine. Just a little hungry, as usual."

It was the truth. It had been more than 24-hours since Ginji had anything substantial to eat. Ordinarily, he could make do with little food in three days. But charging the Ladybug's car battery and powering up a halogen lamp a couple of hours straight took a lot more out of him than he thought. He hoped Hevn's new assignment for them wouldn't require the use of his electricity. Knowing Hevn, though, Ginji doubted it.

For good measure, he tore open a couple of sugar packets and dumped them into his coffee. He also hid a handful in his pockets while Paul wasn't looking.

Shido noticed this and shook his head.

"Ginji. If you want, you and Mido – " he almost gagged at the mention of the rascal's name. " – can join me for lunch at Madoka's later. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

Ginji jumped off the stool and glomped onto Shido's arm. "Wow! Arigato, Shido! That's so nice of you – " He suddenly hesitated and sheepishly scratched his tousled blond head. "Um… Madoka. She's not doing the cooking, is she?"

"Huh? Uh, no. Of course not. Not anymore," Shido laughed. Kazuki chuckled, his long, graceful fingers lightly - and innocently - grazing Shido's hand in appreciation of his gesture. He nodded in return. Both were in unspoken agreement that whatever made the former Thunder Emperor smile was always worth it.

"That's good. Wait, let me tell Ban-chan." Ginji bounded off happily to the bathroom, knowing exactly where his partner was without question. He knocked frantically on the door.

"Ban-chan! Ban-chaaan!"

"Go away! Wait your turn!" came the garbled reply.

"But Ban-chan, Shido just invited us over for lunch."

The door immediately swung open. Ban had been brushing his teeth. "Is this some kind of joke?" He demanded, sputtering toothpaste suds all over Ginji's face.

"Uh-uh."

Ban barged out to confront Shido. Meanwhile, Ginji took advantage of the departure and locked himself inside the bathroom.

"Wha- Hey! Ginji!" Ban turned and banged on the door. Realizing the futility of this, he marched back towards the Beast Master and pointed his toothbrush at him.

"What prank are you trying to pull now, huh?"

"You ungrateful fool! Are you calling me a liar?"

"If the shoe fits…"

Kazuki resignedly threw his arms between the battling beastie boys.

As always, it took the opening of the Honky Tonk's door to interrupt the argument. And boy, was it interrupted.

Emishi Haruki came in first. He staggered through the door as if in a trance, a huge, silly grin plastered on his face. Seeing the first bar stool in front of him, Emishi collapsed on it, practically panting and muttering incoherently.

"Joker!" Ban yelled. "What the hell –"

A female voice sing-songed. "Hello! Sorry I'm late. Everyone's here I hope?"

Five sets of gaping eyes lay transfixed on the voluptuous figure that stood in the doorway. Even the bright mid-morning sun that filtered through the entrance did nothing to blind them from the sight.

Hevn's every appearance at the Honky Tonk was somewhat treated like a mini-strip show – all with kinky anticipation and jacked-up testosterone levels from the boys (Kazuki's calm front was a little harder to read, though) – and disdain from Himiko. They always marveled at the miraculous contraptions that barely restrained Hevn's bosom from completely taking lives of their own.

Her latest feat of fashion engineering defied explanation. It being summer, she wore pink hot pants and diaphanous white chiffon cowl-necked halter thingy that was tied around the waist with a slip of ribbon. She finished the airy look by plaiting her long golden hair in a thick braid down her bare back.

As Hevn walked down towards the front counter, the guys noted every bounce and sway, chancing the odds that something – anything – would pop out. To their dismay, the wisp of fabric seemed determined to cling on.

Hevn stopped suddenly in her tracks on seeing Ban. Her eyes fixed first on his foamy mouth and then slid down to the towel around his waist. She pushed her sunglasses up on her head and placed a hand on her hip.

"Ban-kun! Down boy! I didn't expect you to be this happy to see me," she laughed hysterically.