Disclaimer: Getbackers does not belong to me.

The Tear

Ch. 1

"AWWWW Ban-chan, how come we can't get any dinner?" A whiney Ginji protested.

"Look eel, we had to get our car out in case there is another mission coming up. And whatever else of the funds we had YOU already ate."

"Hey, don't make it sound like it was just me…"

"Maybe not, but you were the one that was all "oh Ban-chan we should really celebrate at that cheap looking all you can eat restaurant…" that was not at ALL so cheap or even mildly affordable. And in a dangerous moment of feeling secure after getting paid, I was stupid enough to actually let YOU make the decision. So genius whatever we ate there is just going to have to hold us for as many meals as it should have bought!"

"Ban-chan…I already said I was sorry…"

"Yes, well saying sorry isn't going to fill our stomachs."

The two habitually money-frustrated getbackers had been arguing their way into the small café they called their business headquarters. Much to Paul's chagrin his once quitecafé was once again invaded by the ranting of Ban Midou. Not, that he wasn't used to it by now. Paul quickly assed what he could of the situation to prepare for what would inventively come next. Either Ban was about to break something or Ginji was going to use his puppy eyes to ask for food.

"Master…."

And there were the deep chocolate brown puppy eyes. Paul sighed. It was better than Ban tearing up the café absentmindedly, and yet almost harder to deal with. Dark glasses or not Paul quickly looked away. But, before he could even say anything Ban but in.

"Geese Ginji, don't even bother. We have an astronomical tab at this point."

" A ast..er…what?"

"Don't hurt your head Gin. Get some water and we will wait here out of the heat for Hevn. She said she had some info on a job coming up this week. Maybe we can get a head start."

Ginji nodded but slumped down on the counter. Ban was in one of his particularly bad moods today. Even if he was used to Ban's attitude when they were lacking in funds, he couldn't help but begin to feel his feelings be hurt a little. But, he would do as he was told and wait it out. He could only hope Hevn had a decent job this time. Though that was hoping a little too much even for Ginji. Ginji's thoughts were interrupted by Ban's cell phone ringing.

Ban gave Ginji a sly smile as he answered the phone in a proud tone. "Hello, you have reached the famous Getbackers. Ready to retrieve any of your precious lost of stolen goods, how can I help you?"

Ginji couldn't help but let out a small giggle at Ban's over the top business tone, but quickly halted when he saw Ban's expression drop. Whatever the caller on the other end had said, had not made Ban very happy.

"Look buddy, I don't know how you happened to get this number but, I don't…." Ban stopped suddenly.

Ban swore and looked at Ginji. "Hey, stay put a moment I'll be right back."

With that Ban stepped outside the Honky Tonk to continue the phone call.

"What was that about?" Paul questioned raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know, but I have a feeling it's not going to put Ban-chan in a better mood." Ginji sighed slumping back to his moping position on the counter.

"Heh, I know how that can be. You want a coffee?" Paul asked giving in a bit.

"Thanks Master." Ginji managed to smile.

Ginji sipped his coffee and watched Ban outside of the Honky Tonk's windows. He hadn't gone far, that Ginji was glad for, but whatever the conversation was about it sure was taking a long time and a lot of Ban's characteristic ruffling his hand through his long spikes as he was trying to think hard about something. Then Ginji saw Ban put the phone away and lean his back against the glass. He drew out a cigarette and stayed outside a while longer.

Feeling some tension Paul looked up from his newspaper. "Well?"

"I don't know." Ginji answered timidly, "I guess I'll go see what's up."

As if on cue, Ban then flicked out his cigarette and reentered the Honky Tonk. Looking down at the floor and then up at Ginji he started to speak as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

"Well, Ginji looks like Hevn will be taking a while longer to get to us with that job."

"You talked to Hevn-san too?" Ginji asked questionably.

Ban looked away casually. "Eh, well I heard it fell through. So we have some free time for a bit."

"Ban-chan we always have free time." Ginji looked puzzled at Ban's suddenly odd actions. It was hard for Ban to lie to Ginji and if this was where Ban was going he was off to a shakey start, that much he could tell.

"Yeah, baka. But what I mean is, no job, no food money, so we might as well make the best out of it. You could go hang out with some of your friends for a bit. Of course I am sure you could get a meal out of it." Ban snickered.

Ginji was not fooled. "And you're coming along?"

"Well, actually I got an old friend in town. He suggested we meet up for drinks. So we both go out and have some fun and get some food out of it. Not a bad idea eh?"

Ginji looked at Ban a bit sheepishly. "Uhhh, Ban-chan I really didn't think you had old friends."

Ban huffed. "Well what about Himiko."

"That's what I mean…"

"Aw, Ginj. You can't comepare Himiko to other peole. You've seen how she acts. This guy…he's really just an old acquaintance."

"Fine. Then I'll go with you."

Ban glared at the suddenly very stubborn eel. Normally Ginji would go along with even the craziest of Ban's plans. But then again, normally such plansalways had included the two of them, and Ginji knew how to pick his battles. Fortunately Ban did too.

"No."

Ginji looked at Ban with hurt eyes. Shit, Ban would rather fight Fodou with one hand tied behind his back and blindfolded than have to look into those pleading eyes. Backed into a corner Ban's anger with himself lashed out at Ginji.

"Shit, Ginji. We don't have to go freaking everywhere together!"

There was a sudden silence as Ginji looked at Ban with a bit of shock that quickly clouded over into some emotion that Ban couldn't even place. Ginji looked down and gave a soft sad smile.

"Ah, you're right Ban-chan. Gomen."

Ban came over to tussle Ginji's hair but Ginji wouldn't look at him.

"Yeah. It'll be fine Ginji. We'll both go out for some fun and meet up tonight in the ladybug by park. Eh?"

"Sure Ban-chan," was Ginji's weak reply.

Ban mentally cursed himself. This would have to do for now. He didn't have time to waste at the moment. He knew he would just have to make it up to Ginji later. Though looking at Ginji now, he began to wonder if his cause was really worth it. He'd much rather had Ginji be just excited to go out with his friends. But, he knew Ginji was not that daft. Hell, he'd even preferred Ginji to be pissed at him right now. Anything othrer than the dull numbness that Ginji was giving off now. Looking at him now reminded Ban of the lost boy he once knew in the Limitless Fortress.. He pushed the thought away. He'd make it up to Ginji once he got back for sure.

"Okay Ginji. I'm off, use the phone here at the Honky Tonk to call Thread Spinner or something. I'll see ya tonight ok."

"Sure Ban."

Ban halted in his steps out the door a bit at the lack of the familiar "chan" Ginji usually attached to his name. He turned to Ginji giving a pensive half smile.

"Hey, try to stay out of trouble too, ok." He tried to joke.

"You too." Was all Ginji said stoically.

"Right. Eh, see ya Paul."

Paul waved as Ban left the Honky Tonk that was followed by a barely audible groan as he looked at Ginji.

"So what's the plan now?" Paul asked looking at Ginji.

Ginij sat stiff and quietly for a bit. Paul could not tell if he was thinking or concentrating. Concentrating on suppressing something. Paul gave a worried look and placed a hand on Ginji's shoulder shaking him lightly.

Ginji looked up and responded simply. "Hevn-san is here."

"What?" Paul asked looking up and around the café seeing no one. Then outside the windows he saw Hevn turn the corner and enter the Honky Tonk.

Paul looked at Ginji questionably. Had he felt her presence before…

"AH, Gin-chan! So good to see you. I have got a job for you." Hevn happily announced.

To be continued…

Thanks for reading and thank you to my splendid Beta Iksugui.T