Author's Disclaimer:

GetBackers is the trademark of TokyoPop. The characters are the creation of Auya Aoki and Rando Ayamine. The storyline and Captain Jaiden DarkRiver are of my own creation. Please, read and enjoy the misadventures of the GetBackers. Remember constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

-Azteka

Erste Kapitel: Herzliche Glueck wuensche zum Geburtstag

*Jingle. Jingle*

A little copper chime rang; announcing the entry of a new customer.

The little café was a quant and homey place, where one could easily relax and enjoy a homemade meal and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. On this day, the café was unusually crowded, but then again despite it being sunny outside and a bit warmer than it had been in a past couple of days, it was still the middle of winter. Couples and professionals found themselves huddled in various booths as they attempted to stay warm and enjoy their lunch hour without disruption. In the farthest corner and the farthest booth sat a group of mix-matched friends. Two brunettes and a blonde sat together and chatted about events that where taking place in their former home. As they chatted away, occasionally the blonde teen would steal glances of the lone brunette at the bar.

The lone brunette sat quietly at the bar; drinking his cup of coffee and leisurely smoking his cigarette. It appeared that the brunette was not paying attention to anything around him but that was a rouse. Even though the teen brunette was lethargic, due to the winter season, he was at his most attentiveness. The brunette knew that his blonde companion was looking at his direction, and the brunette knew that his blonde friend was both concerned and bursting with excitement, which baffled the brunette.

Of course, the brunette knew why his energetic companion was bursting with excitement, but it still baffled the younger teen. The brunette casually glanced at his friend and locked gaze with a pair of wide and expressive brown eyes. The lone teen wrinkled his nose in warning; knowing that despite the threat of no more chocolate pudding for a year, the blonde really, really wanted to shout out a cheer for the brunette.

The brunette understood that a certain celebration was of great importance to the blonde teen, but the brunette did not care for it. Well, that was not true.

Even though he kept his grandmother's cultural traditions a secret, he still practiced them, and one of those traditions was the celebration of the 'zeros'. He even explained it to the blonde one night when the younger teen discovered that his blonde partner had been planning a party for him. Hence, the threat of no more chocolate pudding for a year!

"Good Afternoon, Friend." Commented the calm voice of the café owner, "And welcome to the Honky Tonk. What can I get you?"

The café owner was a healthy and youthful young man despite being in his forties. His wavy chestnut brown hair was held back by a handkerchief, and his eyes were hidden behind blue-tinted shades.

"Actually I have a delivery for a Midou Beni." Replied the young man at the door.

Suddenly the young brunette began choking on his coffee.

"Ban-chan!" Cried the blonde teen as he climbed over his friends and the table to reach his choking friend.

"Ban-chan! Ban-chan!" The blonde cried again as he gently rubbed circles on the brunette's back to calm his friend and himself.

"Eh… Ban?" The café owner called as he looked with concern at the young man, who finally regained his composure.

The young man snapped his attention onto the unfortunate carrier, and at that moment, he looked every bit like an agitated serpent about to strike. The brunette's serpentine sapphire blue orbs glowed against his European pale complexion; making the poor carrier even more frighten at the sight of those unholy blues.

"Was…" The brunette's voice growled out, "Was haben Sie gesagt?!"

At that moment, the brunette forgot where he was, for that name that the unsuspecting carrier had used brought forth one of the few precious and happy memories the brunette had of his childhood to the foreground of his mind. There was only one person in the world who could get away with calling him by that name.

"Ban-chan?" A soft voice whispered huskily; drawing the teen to the present.

The blonde found himself fighting an inappropriate blush as he heard his agitated friend speak in his native language. There have been only a few occasions when the blonde heard the guttural language of the foreign people, whom his friend shared blood with. Those occasions were when the brunette was really, really, really, really drunk or when he was really, really, really, really tired as in having-been-awake-for-four-days-straight-and-running-on-only-maybe-an-half-an-hour-of-sleep-tired. While others have looked at the brunette with extreme suspicion and caution when they heard a few words of that foreign guttural tongue, the hyperactive blonde, however, was completely fascinated by the language. The guttural rumblings reminded the blonde of a dragon, and right now it would seem that his dragon was about to attack.

"Ban-chan." The blonde whispered again as he cautiously placed his hands around the brunette's clutched fist.

The brunette stiffened for a brief second at the sudden intrusion to his personal space but knew instinctively by the warmth and gentle zaps of electricity that it was only his blonde electric eel with the personality and energy of a puppy, who dare to invade the brunette's personal space. The brunette took a deep breathe; returning his own hold on his blonde puppy's hand, but continued to glare at the frighten carrier.

"Who's it from?" The brunette barked; causing the scared carrier to jump.

"Jeez, Ban-kun, give the guy some slack." Muttered the café owner as he resumed reading his paper; knowing that neither harm nor danger was present. It always amazed the middle-aged man at how easily a goofball like the blonde could calm a raging storm like the brunette with a simple word or touch.

"Y-y-you Midou Beni?" The carrier stuttered.

"It's Ban. Midou Ban." Ban correctly stressed.

"Uhmm… Th-th-the package is f-fr-from a… a…" The carrier stuttered as he fumbled through his paperwork. "J. Dar-dar-dark --"

"DarkRiver?!" Ban gasped in utter shock and surprise as he instantly leapt at the terrified carrier, who let out a high-pitched girly scream before disappearing out the door.

Ban immediately tore at a simple white envelope that was taped on top of the medium-sized package all the while gently cradling package underneath his arm. He ignored the curious stares at his direction, but immediately stilled when he felt his package being lifted. He looked up into a pair of large, wide pools of chocolate brown orbs that could warm even the coldest of coldest hearts. Ban faithfully entrusted his package with his best friend as he continued to open the letter. By now, he was conscious of the little gathering surrounding himself and his blonde partner. However, he did not care.

"Zu meinem Bruederlein." The letter began. "Herzliche Glueck wuensche zum 19sten Geburtstag! Und hoffenlich das du einanderen 19sten Geburtstagen mehr sehen wirdst!

"Ich weiss, dass es eine lange, lange Zeit war als wir bei einanderen gehoeren hatten. Und ich weiss dass… da gibt eine Gelegenheit, dass du mich nicht vergession hast und du musst wissen, dass ich dich niemals vergessen hatte. Du bist immer noch meiner Bruederlein.

"Also irgendwann du die Zeit hast, vielliecht wir koennen mit einanderen treffen? Hier gibt meine Nummer. Du darfst mich irgendwie Zeit anrufen. Ich hoffe dass du willst. Ich werd' das gleich lieben… also… deine Geshenken!

"Ich habe keine Ahnung um was du gleichen moechtest also ich machte ein kleinen Packet um eine wenige Sachen. Die sind eine wenige Sachen von Deutschland dass ich glaub' du verlieben wirdst… Zum Beispiel… Schokoladen und Kaffee --"

Ban's head snapped up in time to see his blonde electric puppy about to open the package. Like hell, I'm gonna share with them! He thought.

"GINJI!" The brunette snapped; startling his sunny partner into cradling the package protectively against his chest. Without warning, Ban grabbed his partner's arm and dragged the protesting teen out of the Honky Tonk. "Time to go!"

"But… Ba~an-chan!" Ginji's voice could be heard as the duo disappeared down the street.

"Eh… what was that all about?" Asked one of the two brunettes.

^_^

Ban had not slowed down his pace until he and his partner were safe in the confines of their motel room they called home. It was a small place, but it was large enough for two teen males to live comfortably. Originally, the room was furbished with two beds, but for more space, the boys asked the manager to remove one of the beds. Normally the manager would not have granted the request, but the little old lady saw no harm, especially since another tenant had requested for an extra bed.

A faux living room was created by a mini-wall, which separated the sleeping area and the pseudo-living room, and next to the supposed living room was a kitchenette. It consisted mainly of a sink, a mini-fridge and a few cabinets; above and below the sink. Then a hallway led to the "front door". As one immediately entered their little home, the bathroom with a shower and toilette was to the left and a walk-in closet was on the right.

Even though the duo often joked about moving out and often times could be found sleeping in Ms. LadyBug, they would never truly leave their little motel room. Small as it was; it was theirs. The first real place that accepted them with open arms and made them feel a bit 'normal'.

Ban immediately seated himself in his corner of the sofa while Ginji watched his deadly companion curiously before accepting his behavior as Ban being just Ban. As Ginji watched the brunette being completely engrossed in his letter, the blonde Lightening Emperor took his secondary spot by his partner's feet. Shyly glancing back at the European brunette, Ginji nibbled at his lower lip before taking the initiative in opening the package. With meticulous care, since it was Ban's package, Ginji opened the package then gasped at the contents.

"BAN-CHAN!" Ginji gasped; drawing Ban's attention. "BAN-CHAN! IT'S FOOD! SOMEONE SEND YOU FOOD!" The blonde cheered in awe.

A small and yet shy smile graced the brunette's face as he too looked inside his package. Even though Ban already knew the contents of the simple care package, the brunette was still deeply touched and awed at the items. The present was filled with non-perishable items; items that Ban knew were impossible to find in the average stores of Shinjuku without spending a huge fortune. However, above all else that caught Ban's attention was two simple green packages with pictures of coffee beans and a cup of coffee. His blue orbs grew comically wide… one hundred percent imported German coffee!

"Oh! Gottseidank!" Ban moaned.

"Ban-chan!" Ginji cried; never had he heard such a lust filled moan come from his usually reserved partner. The sound send a funny wave of nervous warmth to the pits of his stomach; causing the blonde to shift nervously. "Ban-chan! Is this stuff good?!"

"Oh yeah, Gin'. This stuff is good! I'd give up my right arm for a cup of this!… Jacob's! It's fuckin' Jacob's!" Ban moaned again.

Pools of warm, rich chocolate brown widen to the size of twin seas at the Strong-Man's proclamation. To give up his right arm, the same arm that housed his unnatural strength, this stuff had to be good!

"Wow!" Ginji finally whispered then without warning tore into the package for more magical items.

"ACK! GINJI! WATCH IT!" Ban yelped as he dove here and there to save the items from crashing onto the floor. As he saved each precious item from his homeland, Ban automatically made a mental inventory of each item.

Schwartzbrot, Ryebrot, Pumperknickelbrot, Lebkuechen, Hitz cookie-sandwiches, cheese wheels covered in red casings, marmalade of nearly every fruit imaginable… hmm… Boysenberry… Kinderschokoladen und Kindereier! Gin' gonna love those! Ooo! Tarboro! Five of them! Sweet! Ah mensch! Gummies!…

"Hey!" Ginji chirped happily, which caused the brunette to look at his blonde, who was holding a jar.

"Nu-nu-nut-nut-el-la…"

"Nutella?!" Ban's eyes were wide once again in surprise. Where did Jai find all of this?!

"Nutella?!" Ginji questioned as he pronounced the delicacy properly. "Is it good?"

Before waiting for an answer, the blonde teen opened the small jar and peeled back the gold protective seal. Ginji immediately took in the exotic scent of chocolate and hazelnut. His mouth instantly watered at the sweet scent. Without hesitation or thought, Ginji dipped two of his fingers into the creamy, dark goo and watched in fascination as the dark substance stretched. Then he quickly hid his two digits into the cavern of his mouth… Immediately his eyes rolled heavenward as the creamy chocolate melted on his tongue. A low, passionate moan rumbled throatily as the blonde teen found himself in blissful rapture.

Ban had ignored his partner in favor of putting his birthday presents away until a low and yet deep throaty sound reached his ears. The brunette immediately snapped around. Ban felt his heart skip a beat then raced with the speed of a snow hare. He could also feel his blood heat up and gather at his neither regions at the sweet, innocent and very provocative sight that his beautiful Sun made.

There sat the object of his fantasies; sitting innocently with his legs on either side of him. His brown, bagging shorts had mysteriously rode high to reveal strong, lean tanned thighs; making Ban absently curious as to how it was possible for his blonde eel to be completely tanned with no tan lines. Ban swallowed thickly at the mental image of his partner happily naked as the day he was born.

Another deep, throaty moan caught the brunette's attention as he watched a pair of thickly coated chocolate fingers disappeared into the moist cavern known as Ginji's mouth. The erotic sight of his best friend and secret crush sucking on those digits was causing havoc on the brunette's sense of self-control. Blue eyes became drawn not only to the sight of Ginji unintentionally and yet seductively sucking on his fingers, but serpentine blue orbs were also drawn to the suddenly exposed shoulder, which Ban nightly fantasized would bare his mark.

His breath hitched as he helplessly watched his blonde eel lick his finger clean of last remaining chocolate spread. Forcing his eyes closed, Ban tried to regain control of himself. He tried to calm his racing heart and blood while at the same time, he did not know on whether or not he should curse or bless his dear Jai for sending that delectable evil called Nutella because he knew… He just knew that he would be tormented by vision of Ginji and chocolate… Preferably Gin' covered in chocolate… Mensch! Ban mentally cursed with a growl.

Ginji snapped from his chocolate induced pleasure when he heard his dark partner growl rather savagely. Fingers still trapped in his mouth, the blonde looked with worry at his partner. He watched with great concern as he noted the Serpent Heir trembled violently, breathing noisily through his nose and his fists clutched tightly, which the blonde did not doubt that the brunette's mini-claws had drawn blood. Cautiously and silently, Ginji stood up and approached his agitated dragon. The former Ruler of the Infinity Fortress' Lower Town lightly approached his best friend and placed a calming hand on the brunette's arm.

Serpentine blue orbs snapped open; startling the blonde a bit. Chocolate brown eyes grew wide as he felt a strong grip get tangled in his hair and a not-so-gentle tug exposing his throat to the suddenly savage teen. Ginji gave a sharp gasp as he felt sharp teeth nip at his throat followed by a gentle, butterfly-soft kiss. The mix of rough and ghostly-soft touches caused the blonde teen to breathlessly moan and arch into the wall of pure destructive muscles.

As suddenly as the assault to his throat came, it ceased; leaving both teens panting breathlessly and clinging onto one another as if the other was a life-line.

"Weibe…" Ban cursed.

"B-Ban…" Ginji groaned as Ban nuzzled just below the junction of his jaw and neck.

"Ich werd' die ermoerden…" Ban murmured passionately.

"Ban-chan…" Ginji's voice whispered.

"Hm?" The other purred.

The portion of Ginji's mind, that was still coherent, wanted to know who Jay DarkRiver was, but that rational portion too was quickly overrun by happiness at the gentle nuzzling that his partner was performing. A normal person would have questioned Ban's sudden turn of attention and affection for the blonde male. After all, Ban was known as the biggest skirt-chaser among their friends; however, Ginji never really believed that about his partner. The blonde knew that the brunette wore many masks, and one of those masks was directed toward the opposite sex. Ginji knew in his heart that this felt right, that this was real and that this was purely Ban.

"Hn… Gin'." Ban murmured again after realizing that his partner was not answering.

Serpentine blue peered into hazy brown pools of chocolate. Ginji smiled brighter than the sun.

"Happy Birthday, Ban-chan!"

Ban too smiled.

Translations:

"Was…" The brunette's voice growled out, "Was haben Sie gesagt?!"

"What…" The brunette's voice growled out, "What did you say?!"

"Zu meinem Bruederlein." The letter began. "Herzliche Glueck wuensche zum 19sten Geburtstag! Und hoffenlich das du einanderen 19sten Geburtstagen mehr sehen wirdst!

"Ich weiss, dass es eine lange, lange Zeit war als wir bei einanderen gehoeren hatten. Und ich weiss dass… da gibt eine Gelegenheit, dass du mich nicht vergession hast und du musst wissen, dass ich dich niemals vergessen hatte. Du bist immer noch meiner Bruederlein.

"Also irgendwann du die Zeit hast, vielliecht wir koennen mit einanderen treffen? Hier gibt meine Nummer. Du darfst mich irgendwie Zeit anrufen. Ich hoffe dass du willst. Ich werd' das gleich lieben… also… deine Geshenken!

"Ich habe keine Ahnung um was du gleichen moechtest also ich machte ein kleinen Packet um eine wenige Sachen. Die sind eine wenige Sachen von Deutschland dass ich glaub' du verlieben wirdst… Zum Beispiel… Schokoladen und Kaffee --"

"To my little Brother." The letter began. "Happy 19th Birthday! And hopefully you'll see another 19 more birthdays!

"I know it has been a long, long time since we heard from one another. And I know that… there's a chance that you haven't forgotten me, and you must know, I have never forgotten you. You're always my little brother.

"So then whenever you have time, perhaps we can met one another? Here's my number. You can call any time. I hope that you will. I would really love that… so then… your presents!

"I have no idea on what you would like so I made a little package with little things. They're some stuff from Germany that I think you'll love… for example… chocolate and coffee --"

"Oh! Gottseidank!" Ban moaned.

"Oh! Thank God!" Ban moaned.

Schwartzbrot, Ryebrot, Pumperknickelbrot, Lebkuechen, Hitz cookie-sandwiches, cheese wheels covered in red casings, marmalade of nearly every fruit imaginable… hmm… Boysenberry… Kinderschokoladen und Kindereier! Gin' gonna love those! Ooo! Tarboro! Five of them! Sweet! Ah mensch! Gummies!…

Black bread, rye bread, pumperknickel bread, butter cookies, Hitz cookie-sandwiches, cheese wheels covered in red casings, marmalade of nearly every fruit imaginable… hmm… Boysenberry… Children's Chocolate and Children's Eggs! Gin' gonna love those! Ooo! Tarboro! Five of them! Sweet! Ah man! Gummies!…

Preferably Gin' covered in chocolate… Mensch! Ban mentally cursed with a growl.

Preferably Gin' covered in chocolate… Dammit! Ban mentally cursed with a growl.

"Weibe…" Ban cursed.

"Bitch…" Ban cursed.

"Ich werd' die ermoerden…" Ban murmured passionately.

"I'll kill her…" Ban murmured passionately.