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These characters do not belong to me! They are the property of the WeiB Project and Takehito Koyasu. One day I'll get the rights to these suckers though. Anyway, don't sue me for this. It was meant to be entertaining, just like WeiB, so... don't send them to kill me.
WATCH OUT!
This story contains Shonen-ai aspects. Don't know what that is? I created a handy page just for that. Please refe to it here. This is to prepare you for anything you're not accustomed to.
Another thing. This was an offshoot fic to the second half of 'The Newest Member', also written by the High Priestess. The second half, entitled 'Flowers for the Sick', has not yet been posted. All you need to know is that Kaoru (who was made up by me) and Yoji have gotten together (big surprise, if you've read the first one). I think that's all you need to know now... Enjoy!
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Kaoru had noticed. Ken found that amazing. He hadn't told
anyone of the hidden feelings that he held in his heart. He barely
even let himself acknowledge their presence. It was something
that he didn't like thinking about. It made his face flush just
thinking of it. How could he have these kinds of feelings? Should
he? They weren't normal, he knew that much.
He couldn't help it though. Whenever he thought of that certain
redhead, his heart flooded with feelings and yet his face flushed
with embarrassment. He knew it was wrong to think of him in that
way, but it happened every time.
At first, the feelings were bearable, but now they weren't. Every
time he saw the red head, every time he thought of him, hell,
whenever he saw a flash of red that reminded him of Aya's hair...
It didn't matter when or what was happening at the time, it would
always happen. Most times his face flushed and he would have to
find an excuse to tell the other boys when they noticed. How could
he explain the feelings in his heart, the feelings he himself
didn't quite understand?
But Kaoru had noticed. She saw through him. She saw the reason
that made him blush. Maybe because she was a woman in love, she
understood him better. He had the inkling that she liked Yoji
more than she said long before the others noticed because he saw
in her himself. They both struggled to be noticed by the people
they loved.
Kaoru had long ago realized and accepted her feelings for Yoji.
Ken saw that and wished he could be in her situation. Yoji and
Kaoru were so close to getting together. All it needed was a small
push from either of them. Ken wished that his predicament were
that easy.
He still needed to accept his feelings. That was the hardest
part. Aya would never respond to him, which is one reason why
Ken felt so attracted to him. That cold, aloofness particularly
lead Ken on. He didn't like the fact that he was attracted to
Aya. Aya was a man, and these feelings in his heart disgusted
him. But still, he wondered what it would feel like if he kissed
Aya. Would his lips be cold like his personality, but still caressing
and sweet?
Ken blushed horribly and looked up. He was standing at the counter
in Koneko no Sumi Ie. His eyes had unconsciously strayed to Aya
who stood watering plants in the front of the store by the door.
His thoughts had wandered once more, and that wasn't good. A girl
stood near him, holding up a pot of flowers for him to ring up.
"Ahh, sorry," he said, blushing his embarrassment.
The girl smiled at him sweetly.
"That's okay, Ken! I'd stay here forever until you waited
on me." Again she smiled that sickeningly sweet smile at
him.
He could only laugh nervously. He rang the girl up as fast as
he could, just to get her out of his way. She was blocking his
view of Aya. All these girls, they distracted him from what he
really wanted to look at.
At long last, the day ended and they could close shop. Omi had
left early to catch a movie with his friends and Yoji and Kaoru
had gone to their separate rooms. It left only Aya and Ken to
clean the shop and set it in order for the next day.
Ken gulped nervously. It was getting harder to control. He wanted
to throw himself at Aya so badly. He watched as the redhead reached
to his full length to pull down the shutter. Ken watched the muscles
in his back move against the tight shirt he wore. Before he knew
it, Aya was in front of him, handing him the crow bar.
"Here," he said in that dead, flat monotone he affected
most times. Ken stared at him as if he didn't know what he was
talking about. Aya frowned sharply, and thrust the bar at him
again. "Put it away under the counter," he instructed
slowly, like he was talking to a child. Ken shook his head out
of his daydream, blushed horribly, and followed Aya's order.
"Sorry, I got side tracked," he apologized. Aya gave
him a curt nod before walking away to start moving plants. He
tried not to watch as Aya picked up a large heavy plant to put
on one of the shelves that lined the wall.
Aya was stretched to his full height as he tried to push the
heavy plant onto a shelf. Aya was not quite tall enough to push
it onto the shelf, so half of it still hung over his head. His
face had turned red with the exertion of pushing the heavy pot.
"Ken!" he gasped. "Help me push this up."
Ken hurried over, eager to help his friend. He stood close behind
Aya and reached up to push the pot. His chest was pressing hard
against Aya's back. His vision swam as the feeling of their bodies
pressed together reached his brain. This overwhelming feeling
he felt. He didn't want the pleasant sensation to stop. His hand
pushed the pot up onto the shelf, and they both relaxed with a
sigh. Ken noticed that they still pressed together since he hadn't
taken a step back.
"Move Ken," Aya commanded without turning to look at
him. Ken, blushing and stuttering a 'sorry', took a shaky step
backwards. Everything after that happened in slow motion it seemed.
Aya whirled, an angry look on his features. As he turned, his
balance failed him and he fell towards Ken. Ken opened his arms
and caught Aya, taking a step back as the weight pressed upon
him. A stray flowerpot stood behind him, and he tripped over it,
falling backwards himself. They both plummeted to the ground.
Ken landed hard, bumping his head against the tile floor. He
groaned in pain, and his hand went to his head. On it's way up,
it brushed something soft. Ken opened his eyes to see what it
was.
To his surprise, he opened his eyes and was greeted by a field
of red. His eyes widened. Aya lay on top of him. The soft feeling
he had felt on his wrist had been the long strands of Aya's bright
red hair. Aya's head lay on Ken's chest, Aya's ear right above
Ken's heart. Ken blushed when he realized that Aya must know how
fast his heart was beating with just the feel of the older boy
on top of him. Their bodies were pressed in all the right places,
and Ken fought hard to control his body's normal reaction.
Slowly, Aya put a hand on either side of Ken and pushed himself
up. Violet eyes stared into equally surprised brown ones. Faint
blushes appeared on their cheeks. Aya placed more weight on his
hands in preparation to stand up.
Before he knew what was happening, Ken had reached up and grabbed
the front of Aya's shirt. They looked at each other, surprise
and embarrassment mingling in their eyes. In shock, they both
felt their bodies responding. They were pressed together in the
ways that made them feel good, and their bodies were painfully
aware of that. The blushes on their cheeks reddened.
"Let go," Aya softly commanded. He tried to push upwards
again, but Ken hung onto Aya's shirt. Aya frowned darkly. "Let
go, I said!"
Ken gulped hard, but shook his head. He averted his gaze. He
couldn't look at Aya, but he couldn't let go either. "N-
no," he said softly. "I won't let go... until you hear
me out..."
"Hear you out?" Aya questioned. He lessened the weight
on his hands by lowering himself back onto Ken.
Ken bit his lip, trying hard to ignore the fact that Aya's leg
was brushing him in just the right place. He closed his eyes to
center his thoughts. This was foolish! Why was he doing this?
Why had he said that? Why couldn't he just laugh it off and then
forget it had ever happened? What was his problem today?
Aya stared down at him with his penetrating violet eyes. "What
is it, Ken? Why are you keeping me like this?"
Ken's eyes flashed open. He couldn't stand it anymore! The dam
in his heart broke and all the feelings flooded out. "I love
you, Aya!" he cried. Aya's face didn't change except his
eyes widened a fraction. "I can't stand it anymore! I have
to tell you! I love you Aya! I have for the longest time! I can't
keep silent anymore! It's too much!"
Aya watched him in the tense silence that followed. Ken flushed
horribly and turned his head away. "Will you let go of me
now?" Aya asked softly.
Reluctantly, Ken let go of the tight hold he had on Aya's shirt.
Aya took that opportunity to roll off of Ken and sit beside him.
Ken took his hands and put them over his face, too shamed to say
anything.
"Why... didn't you say anything before?"
Ken looked through his fingers in surprise. "Wh...?"
Aya turned his violet eyes on Ken again, making the younger boy
practically squirm on the floor. "I asked why you didn't
tell me this before? If you couldn't hold it in anymore, why didn't
you tell me sooner?"
Ken sat up in a huff. He turned angry eyes on Aya. "You
think this is easy to admit? You think this is just a walk in
the park for me? You don't know how much it hurts!"
Aya looked a little surprised. "Hurts...?" Now he looked
slightly curious. "Why?"
Angry tears leapt to Ken's eyes. "You idiot!" He flung
himself to his feet and walked over to a stand of flowers, to
look at anything that wasn't Aya. "It hurts! Haven't you
ever been in love? It hurts... because I'm not supposed to love
you. This isn't supposed to happen!"
Aya also stood, but didn't come near him. "What's supposed
to happen?"
Ken wiped tears away with the back of his hand. "I'm supposed
to fall in love with a beautiful girl and we're supposed to get
married and have lot of kids that I can teach soccer to. Not this...
I'm not supposed to fall in love with a man who has no emotions,
who's not even human..."
He heard Aya make a soft sound. "Is that what I am? Not
even human...?"
"You have no emotions. You weren't even affected when I
told you that... that I love you! You don't care about anyone
except for yourself. You could care less if all of WeiB, if the
whole world died around you. I hate that! I hate you! I hate myself
for loving you!" With no further words, Ken ran out of the
shop and all the way to his apartment where he slammed the door
behind him.
How dare he! Aya hadn't even responded. He had just questioned
him with those stupid questions that showed that he didn't even
understand Ken's feelings. He couldn't understand! He had never
loved a person in his whole life, so how would he ever understand
Ken's feelings? Aya was just a cold-hearted man with no one to
love and no one to love him. Ken sighed to himself as he leaned
his back against his door.
He cared about Aya.
He left early the next morning. He didn't want to stay around
the flower shop today. He couldn't stand seeing Aya. Of all days,
not today. He snuck out quietly, leaving a note to Omi on his
door. He'd be back later, much later.
He drove his motorcycle recklessly on the highway. He didn't
care if the police caught him. He just wanted to be out with the
wind. His anger at Aya fueled him on for hours and he drove away
from Aya as fast as he could.
At noon, he was deeper into the maze of Tokyo. He parked his
bike and decided to get some lunch. As luck would have it, he
left without his wallet. He searched through his pockets and found
no money on him. He sighed and rested his head on his arms and
motorcycle bars. Now what? He was heart broken and hungry.
Suddenly, something close smelled really good. Ken lifted his
head and sniffed. Food... It was near too. He opened his eyes
to see a young woman holding an onigiri out to him. She smiled
brightly at him.
"Want some?" she asked. "You look hungry."
Ken smiled and took the offered onigiri. "Hunger is only
the minor problem right now."
The girl stood next to him and leaned against his bike. They
were silent as they both munched on their food. The comfortable
silence lay between them after they ate, neither one seeing a
reason to break it.
"So, what's your other problems?" the girl finally
asked.
Ken looked sideways at her. He bit his lip as he wondered if
he could trust her.
She saw him eyeing her. She turned and offered him a big smile.
"Oh come on! You can trust me! You don't even know me, and
advice from strangers can sometimes be the best."
Ken smiled and looked away from her at the people who passed
each other on the sidewalk. They all were in a hurry, bustling
back and forth without even noticing the two standing there.
Ken hopped back onto his motorcycle. "Get on," he said.
"Let's go somewhere else to talk."
The girl nodded and clambered up behind him. Her hands encircled
his waist and held on tight as he gently eased his cycle back
out into traffic. They rode for many minutes in silence.
"Kayuri," she suddenly yelled over the wind in Ken's
ear.
He turned his head. "Huh?"
"My name's Kayuri," she repeated.
Ken smiled. "Ken," he replied.
Kayuri flashed him a big smile and held a bit tighter to his
waist. "Nice to meet you!"
They reached the high way and traveled a few miles on the deserted
road. Finally, Ken pulled over. There was a large field filled
with flowers here. If they looked out far enough, they could see
the glimmer of the sun on the ocean. It was nice and quiet, a
place where they could talk.
They dismounted and settled into the flowers. Again the comfortable
silence reigned between them. As Ken lay down in the tall grass,
he couldn't but think that he knew this girl from somewhere. She
didn't look familiar...
She seemed oblivious to his stare. She pushed her long, light
brown hair back from her shoulders. She wore a short skirt and
a low blouse, both of which hugged her figure. She wore an abundance
of jewelry, from bracelets to chains to rings and earrings. Ken
smiled. She seemed like a seedy type girl, but her smile was like
that of a child's.
She turned to look at him. Her bright blue eyes were startling
to him, and it looked as if they reached into his soul.
"So," she began. "What's your problem?"
Ken sighed. He looked out over the field of flowers, trying to
find the ocean that he knew was out there. "There's... this
person I like..."
The girl smiled. She plucked a flower from the grass and stuck
it behind her ear. "I see. It's always love with people,
isn't it?"
Ken laughed shortly. "I suppose so."
"So what's your problem with her?"
"Umm... I love... her. But, when I told her that last night,
she didn't seem to care at all. In fact, I think she has no feelings
at all!"
Kayuri looked at him curiously. "No feelings?"
"She doesn't seem to care about anyone except himself!"
Ken didn't realize that he had switched back to the male form.
"He's such an asshole! He's so aloof and cold. He thinks
he's the leader of us all. He doesn't even acknowledge us, and
we're trying to be his friends! And now... and now, he knows how
I feel."
Kayuri watched him, her eyes understanding. "You should
have said it was a guy from the start."
Ken suddenly realized what he had said. He blushed horribly.
"It's... not right. I don't want anyone to know. I don't
want to love him..."
Kayuri reached over and touched his hand. "It's not wrong
to love a guy. It's all right. Love takes all forms."
Ken shook his head. He still didn't think it was right. Kayuri
saw that in his eyes.
"What did he say when you told him that you love him? Ahh,
what's his name anyway, huh, Ken?"
"A... Aya..."
"So what did Aya say?"
"At first... he asked why I hadn't told him sooner. Then
he didn't understand how it could hurt me so much to keep it inside.
And then... then he was just an idiot!" Tears came once more
to Ken's eyes at the memory.
Kayuri lay down on the grass next to him, cuddling up against
his arm. "It's hard, isn't it?" she asked. Ken turned
to look at her in surprise. She smiled, although it was sad. "It's
hard to love someone when you don't think that they love you back.
And it's even harder when it's a love that society doesn't accept."
As she spoke, her eyes became heavy lidded and the pain she felt
was reflected in her face. Ken understood. She understood. It
was a common bond that brought them together. She had seen right
away the pain that he felt and how closely it mirrored her own.
"You...," Ken began softly. Kayuri shook her head.
"No. I love someone that doesn't answer me. I can't figure
him out. He won't answer me when I beg him. I want to know how
he feels, but he just won't answer me!" Her hands clenched
on Ken's sleeve.
Smiling softly, he put a gentle hand on the side of her face.
His fingers brushed her fine hair away from her cheek. She looked
up, and their understanding was seen in each other's eyes. She
smiled against his hand.
"Give him time. If he questioned you at first, it means
that he's curious. Maybe he will find the same emotions locked
inside his cold heart. There's nothing to do but hope." She
let go of his shirt and placed a hand on his heart.
Ken smiled. "Talking to you... has made me feel better."
Kayuri laughed and sat up. "People who understand each other
always make each other feel better."
Ken stood and held a hand out to her to help her stand up. "Come
on, I'll take you back."
They mounted his motorcycle once more and drove slowly through
the streets of Tokyo. "Where do you want me to take you?"
Ken yelled over the rushing wind.
"I don't care! Where are you going?"
"Uhh... to the flower shop where I work...," he said
hesitantly.
She smiled over his shoulder. "Then take me there, too."
Ken nodded and navigated his way back to Koneko no Sumi Ie. He
parked out front and they both dismounted. The small chimes above
the door tinkled as they entered. Yoji, Aya, and Omi all manned
the store. All three turned as they entered, each offering their
'Welcome'.
The three looked curiously at Ken, who was followed closely by
a girl who held tight to his arm. Ken looked nervously back at
his friends, wondering what to tell them.
Omi walked past them carrying a vase of flowers. He looked closely
at Kayuri, and then smiled. "What are you doing, Kaoru?"
Kayuri looked as if she had been slapped. Ken pulled away in
shock and looked at her. "K- Kaoru?" he asked in surprise.
Omi nodded and kept walking. "Of course it's Kaoru. You
couldn't tell?"
Kayuri and Ken stared at each other. Yoji walked up and peered
closely at Kayuri. "Yep," he agreed, his chin cupped
in his hand as he nodded. "It's her all right." He reached
out and touched her hair. "What's with the get-up? Are you
working a night club now?" He grinned cheekily at her as
she flushed.
Ken pushed away from her and stalked out of the flower shop.
Kaoru bit her lip in frustration as the other boys could only
watch in stunned silence. Yoji turned a frown on Kaoru.
"Are you two going out now? Is there something you need
to tell me?"
Kaoru laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck. "Ahh,
no! Ken had some things he needed to talk about, and I doubted
that he would have talked to one of us. So, I met him as a stranger.
I convinced him that the advice of a stranger might be better
than a friend. And... I just wanted to talk to him. He looked
like he needed a friend..."
Yoji smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. He lowered his
head so that his mouth was near her ear. "I love your outfit.
Why don't you dress up like that for me sometime?"
Blushing horribly, Kaoru shoved him away. She swung her gaze
around the shop, looking at all of them, but Aya in particular.
He ignored her gaze and kept at watering the plants.
Turning in a huff, she walked out of the shop and followed Ken
up to his room. She knocked softly on his door.
"Ken?" No answer. "I'm sorry, Ken. I didn't mean
to deceive you. I just wanted to talk to you. You needed someone
to talk to, and I knew that you wouldn't talk to one of us."
The door cracked a little and she saw a timid Ken standing behind
the door. He had been betrayed too many times in his life, and
now all that pain came to the surface. Kaoru stepped through the
narrow gap and faced him.
He leaned up against the closed door, his eyes averted to the
floor. "I would have talked to you... You shouldn't have
had to dress up to talk to me. I'll talk to you... I don't feel
comfortable with the others though. And now you know about Aya..."
"You need to confront him about this sometime. You have
to ask for an answer. I had to ask one of Yoji, and now you need
to ask one of Aya." She smiled knowingly at him. "You
need to be prepared for both answers though."
Ken gulped and shut his eyes tight. "Y- yeah. I can handle
the pain... I think."
Kaoru smiled. "Just let me know when you want to talk to
him. I'll take care of Yoji and Omi. We won't be in your way."
Ken smiled. "Thanks... I should have known that I could
trust you."
Kaoru smiled back. "Always."
"I'm ready now."
Kaoru turned. Ken stood behind her, his face slightly flushed.
Kaoru didn't say anything, but merely nodded. "I'll have
them out by tonight. We'll go out to dinner and we'll be late
coming back. You'll have plenty of time. And here." She took
Ken's hand in hers and placed a key into it.
"What's this to?" Ken asked in confusion.
"Aya's room. If he locks himself in tonight, you still have
a way to get to him. If you chose this night, then everything
should be in your favor." She smiled warmly. "Good luck."
He smiled and held the key close. "Thanks." His heart
beat fast with the expectations of tonight. He knew that he would
have to 'prepare for the worst, but expect the best,' as Yoji
loved to say.
He watched as Kaoru walked away from him and the corner of the
store. Yoji stood manning the counter, as usual. Kaoru batted
her eyes at him.
"Say, Yoji."
"Hmm?" he asked, busy reading an order.
"Take me out tonight."
"Done." He hadn't looked up once, and Ken could see
that this irritated Kaoru. She reached out and took his chin in
her hand, pulling his face towards hers.
"Take me out tonight," she repeated.
He smiled and took her face in his hands. "Done," he
also repeated. "I'll take you out for a night on the town.
We'll celebrate like no other!"
Omi walked by, tying his apron on. "Wish I could come,"
he remarked.
Kaoru turned, pulling away from Yoji. "Come with us, Omi!"
Omi looked at her in surprise. "Me? But I'd just be in the
way of your date."
"Exactly," Yoji agreed, trying to pull Kaoru back to
him.
"No, really! Come with us, Omi! You won't be in the way!
It'll be more fun with more people!" She turned her smile
on Yoji. "Right, Yoji?"
He couldn't resist long under that smile. His stern gaze melted
to a smile. "Yeah. Whatever you say, Kaoru."
Aya, who stood on the other side of the store arranging a flower
display, shot a look at the three crowded around the counter.
Then his gaze wandered to Ken, and their eyes met. Ken flushed
slightly, but kept his gaze steady. Aya only stared back with
unreadable violet eyes.
"Okaaaaaay!" Ken poked his head out of his door
and saw Yoji, Kaoru and Omi standing in the tiny courtyard between
the shop and the apartments. "We're leaving now! Have a nice
night, Ken!" She smiled, winked and waved.
Ken waved back and then went back into his apartment. He sat
down on his bed because his shaking legs wouldn't hold him. He
was so nervous. What would happen tonight? Aya was so unpredictable.
Ken was scared to even think about what might happen. He knew
what he was going to say, but what would he say after Aya gave
him his answer?
The past two weeks for Ken had been hell. He had seen Aya every
day. Every day he relived his love confession. The violet eyes
that met his every day never said anything. The expression on
Aya's face didn't tell Ken anything. Ken couldn't figure out what
Aya was thinking, and therefore had no idea what Aya would say
to him tonight.
He knew Aya was in his room. An hour after Kaoru had left, Ken
summoned up the courage to open his door. He traveled down the
hall one door and stood before Aya's door. Raising a hand, he
hesitated. He bit his lip hard. Should he...?
Something inside of him took over and he knocked three short
times on the door. There was no answer for several minutes. Ken
tried again, an unsettling fear growing within him. Was this a
bad omen for tonight? Should he give up and try another night?
No! His heart wouldn't let him. It wouldn't let him back down
now. It was do or die! He had to have an answer tonight!
No one answered at all. Ken had stood there knocking for over
five minutes. He reached down and tried toe doorknob. Locked.
He thanked the heavens and Kaoru that he had Aya's key. Pulling
it out, he put it into the slot and turned. The bolt slid back
and the door opened silently.
Ken proceeded quietly. He passed the small kitchen and living
room, but no one was there. He silently padded down the hall and
turned into the bedroom. There was Aya.
Aya lay on his bed, fast asleep. His still wet red hair trailed
gently down his cheek and lay on the bed sheets. Aya was sprawled
at an odd angle, as if he had just collapsed onto the bed. His
breathing came in a controlled, regular rhythm.
Ken stood and watched him silently. How beautiful he was. His
face was peaceful as he slumbered. No longer did he have that
tight, serious look on his face. His pale face was relaxed, and
to Ken it made him even more gorgeous. Ken felt his heart beat
painfully within him. His eyes centered on Aya's deeply red, slightly
parted lips. He wanted to kiss those so much. Would they be cool
and dry? He wanted to find out.
Without thinking, he began to take steps across the floor. Soon
he stood next to the red head's bed, gazing down at his slumbering
love. He reached out and brushed a few of the strands away. He
quietly drew a chair up alongside the bed and settled himself
in it. He would wait until Aya woke up. He would wait all night
if he had to.
Sunlight poured over his face and into his eyes. The bright
light woke him. Yawning he stretched out his body while still
laying. He lay on his stomach with his arms and legs hanging off
into the space as he stretched. Finished, he laid himself back,
ready to curl back up and go back to sleep.
A loud noise startled him. He tensed his body. Someone was in
the room with him. He lay quietly to try to identify the noise.
It sounded like... snoring.
Slowly, Aya opened his violet eyes. To his utter surprise, Ken
sat in a nearby chair, snoring away loudly. His head was tossed
back, his mouth wide open as he snored loudly.
Aya sat up in disbelief. What was Ken doing in his room? And
why was he asleep in the chair by this bed? Aya frowned darkly
as he sat there and watched the sleeping boy. He had locked his
door last night, like he always did. So how did Ken get in?
He reached over to shake the boy awake. 'I love you!' Aya blinked
in surprise. Why did he hear Ken's voice in his head now? Why
was he remembering that moment? With a soft sigh, he dropped his
hand. He wouldn't wake him.
Aya opened his apartment door as he walked back from his shower.
On the level below, he could hear Kaoru yelling at Yoji to wake
up. She must have woken him up because Aya could hear his grumblings.
He walked into his apartment and shut the door to block the sounds.
He stood in the entranceway wearing his pajamas. His shirt was
open and unbuttoned, and he held a towel over his wet hair. He
padded quietly down the hall to his bedroom where Ken still slept.
As he pulled out his clothes for the day, he noticed that Ken
began to stir.
"Unnngh," Ken moaned as he sat up. He put his hand
over his face and leaned forward. He shook his head violently
and looked up blearily. His eyes snapped open wide when he realized
that he wasn't in his room. "Where...?"
Aya turned to look at him. "You're in my room," he
said briefly for an explanation.
Ken started to stand, pushing himself out of the chair. On his
feet, he traveled over to the window. Aya stood on the other side
of the panes of glass and they both looked out onto the city that
was dappled in sunlight.
"What were you doing in my room last night?" Aya asked
abruptly.
Ken scratched his head before remembering what he had come to
do. His face flushed bright red and he began to stutter. "Uhh..."
Aya turned his cold violet eyes on him. They demanded an answer.
"Well?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Ken lowered his face to the floor. He clutched at his arms, as
if seeking warmth from them. "I... I wanted to know... I
couldn't wait any longer!" he cried, looking up desperately
at Aya. "I need to know how you feel about me!"
"About...?" Aya looked shocked, dropping his arms from
his chest.
Ken took a bold step forward. "I told you how I feel. I
need to know now how you feel about me! I need to know now!"
Aya turned a cold shoulder on Ken and walked over to his clothes.
He sat down next to them on the bed. He pointed to the door. "Leave,"
he commanded.
Ken's anger came through. He raised a fist at Aya. "I'm
sick of taking orders from you! You're not the leader when it
comes to personal matters like this! You can't command me here!
Tell me now!"
Aya stood up, rage shining in his purple eyes. "And you
can't command me either!" He pointed again at the door. "Now
leave!"
Aya's anger canceled out Ken's and tears leapt to his eyes in
place of rage. He ran down the hall towards the door. "I
want an answer from you soon!" he called back. All Aya heard
after that was the slam of the door.
Aya frowned at the space where Ken had stood. He didn't understand
himself. What was he going to do now? Why did... Why was he feeling
so strange? He didn't want to like Ken, not like that. He thought
of them as friends, but more? No, he shook his head. That was
wrong. He dressed and grabbed his jacket. He needed some fresh
air.
He left his apartment and walked down the hall towards the steps.
Ken stood outside his own door, his eyes locked on the floor.
Aya had to pass him on his way. Ken didn't say anything until
Aya had passed him.
"If you don't give me an answer later today," he began.
Aya turned to look at him and Ken let their eyes lock. "If
you don't give me an answer two hours from now... I'm leaving!
I don't care about anything else! I'll leave!"
Aya turned and kept walking. "Suit yourself."
He made his way to the roof. He leaned his arms on the railing
and looked out over the city. He thought of nothing except for
how blue the sky was and beautiful the day was. There was nothing
else to think about.
"Ahh, Yoji!"
Aya turned his face from the sky to the tiny courtyard that was
nestled between the shop and the apartment building. Kaoru was
walking across the grass with Yoji in hot pursuit.
"Kaoru! I said I'm sorry!"
Kaoru turned and put her hands on her hips. "Really, Yoji!
I was right there! And you started to flirt with her!"
He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Ahh, you know
it didn't mean anything! Old habits die hard, I guess."
"But you swore you'd stop!" In a huff, Kaoru turned
and kept walking.
Yoji caught up to her and stopped her by putting his arms around
her waist. His mouth found her ear, but Aya, a few stories up,
could still hear them in the silence that amplified the sound.
"Ahh, Kaoru," he said. "It's a promise I mean
to keep. You'll see. I'm just yours now, no one else's."
Kaoru smiled and rested her head back on his shoulder. "You'd
better be all mine. I don't want to share you with anyone."
Yoji started to kiss her neck softly, and Aya watched in a tense
wonderment as Yoji's hands strayed to her shirt and began to unbutton
it. Kaoru finally noticed and shoved him away.
"Really, Yoji!" she exclaimed. Squaring her shoulders,
she marched away from him. "I'm going to break up with you!"
"Ahh, Kaoru! Come on, Kaoru!" Yoji cried as he chased
her into the flower shop.
Aya, intrigued by this public display, made his way down to the
shop. Kaoru stood in the front of the shop, busily watering the
plants to ignore Yoji. Yoji stood behind the counter, his chin
in his hand as he watched Kaoru desolately.
"Yoji," Aya said. Yoji's eyes moved from Kaoru to Aya.
"Hmm?" he asked in a bored manor.
Aya's cheeks flushed slightly. "Wh... I saw you... in the
courtyard. Why... aren't you afraid that she'll break up with
you?"
Yoji lifted his head, staring at Aya intensely. He reached out
and touched Aya's forehead. "Are you feeling okay?"
Aya drew away quickly. "I'm fine!" he snapped. "I
was just... wondering."
Yoji smiled and leaned closer to Aya. "Finally, you're becoming
human. I'm not afraid because I know she won't break up with me.
She just says that to get her own way. I let her do what she wants,
and she thinks she won."
"So... you do that to make her feel better about herself?"
Yoji winked. "Yeah, now you're getting it. It makes her
feel important, like she has power over me. She probably knows
its a silly game, but we play it anyway."
Aya considered that for a moment. So, when Ken said he would
move out, was he also just playing around? Was he just trying
to get his own way?
"So, who is she?"
"Huh?" Aya looked up, his violet eyes surprised.
Yoji grinned. "This girl that you're interested in. Who
is she?"
Aya shook his head. "But... why her?"
Yoji's eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to say something about
her?"
Aya shook his head violently, his face flushing. "N- no!
I just wanted to know... why her? Why Kaoru of all people?"
Yoji smiled, albeit a bit dreamily. "For one, she understands."
"Understands?"
Yoji nodded, his hand going to his chin. "Yes, yes. She
understands this way of life. I can't have a relationship with
other girls because of the secrets I hold." His face became
serious as he looked at Aya. "She understands my predicament
because she too goes through the same things. That was one of
the things that first attracted me to her."
Aya stared at his hands in silent contemplation. Ken definitely
understood. Ken didn't totally understand Aya's situation, but
they understood each other because they were both killers.
"Then of course," Yoji continued smiling once more,
"There's her beauty and intelligence. And her..."
Aya turned and walked away before Yoji could finish. He suddenly
wanted to talk to Aya-chan. She could set things right for him.
She'd explain it to him.
He listened to the door close behind him. The nurses were
used to him by now. They knew he wanted to be left alone with
his sister.
He pulled up a chair and took her cool hand in his. "Aya-chan,"
he said softly. "I've missed you. I'm sorry I haven't come
lately, but I've been busy. There's something I want to talk to
you about..."
He imagined that Aya-chan sat up in bed, swinging her legs over
the side. What it, Ran? she asked. A smile lit up her face. You
know you can tell me anything.
Aya blushed and looked down at his hands. Slowly, hesitantly,
he told Aya-chan about Ken. He told of how Ken had confessed his
feelings, and how he had demanded an answer from Aya. He expressed
his uncertainty, his confusion about Ken. Aya was positive that
he didn't like Ken in that way.
Aya-chan listened patiently. Her legs never ceased to swing over
the side of the bed. Her large dark eyes were fixed on her brother.
She knew him better than anyone. She knew his anxiety over these
recent events. He didn't even have to tell her, she just knew.
Ran, she said. He looked up at her. She smiled warmly. Kiss him.
"Wh... What?" He looked up, his face turning bright
red to match his hair. "What should I do?"
Aya-chan laughed. She knew her brother would react like that.
He was so predictable. Kiss him, she repeated.
Aya frowned darkly. "What will that prove? It'd only be
giving into what he wants."
Aya-chan smiled patiently. Just kiss him once. If you're totally
repulsed by it, then obviously you'll never like him. But if you
like it, or even kinda like it... She smiled more brightly. Then
you two have a chance. She winked cheekily. I wonder what it'd
be like to have two brothers...
Aya stood angry shock. Aya-chan watched him with big serious
eyes. "I'm not going to do that!" He glowered at the
floor. "That's absurd. I'd never kiss a man! Especially not
Ken!" He shook his head in disgust. "And don't you be
talking about brothers or anything!"
Aya-chan smiled once more, this time more kindly. Oh, Ran. You
know I'm just teasing you. I think you should kiss him though.
You might regret not doing it later. Besides, all the boys are
my brothers.
Aya shook his head again. "I don't want them to be your
brothers. I'm your only brother, and I'm the only brother you'll
need." He leaned down to look her in the eye. "I'll
make you well again. Don't you worry. I'll have you healthy again!"
He watched in sadness as his Aya-chan faded. He once more saw
the bed-ridden, pale Aya-chan that he had been seeing for the
past... How long was it now? He sighed and turned. Too long.
The door to the flower shop was locked. He frowned, pulling
out his keys. The lights were on, the shop was fully functional.
Where was everyone? Yoji, Kaoru and Omi were supposed to be down
here. He walked through the store to the back. As he stood in
the courtyard, he saw everyone gathered on the apartment balcony.
He mounted the stairs and walked to the second floor of the apartments.
On this floor were his room and Ken's. Everyone was gathered around
Ken's room. He approached the group and looked over their heads.
"Ken! You can't do this!" Omi said. He wrung his hands
as he watched Ken pile box after box out in the hall.
Kaoru took a step forward, her hands on her hips. "Yeah!
You can't leave now!"
Ken glared at all of them. No had noticed Aya yet. "I can
leave if I want to, and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
He tugged at a large suitcase, trying to get it over his door's
threshold. He leaned against the strap he was pulling, moving
all of his weight forward. "I'll leave if I want to!"
he grunted.
Aya pushed through the group and stood before Ken. He faced Ken's
door, and his back to the railing that overlooked the courtyard.
Ken didn't see him, but everyone else became deathly silent as
he stepped forward.
"Ken," Aya said sternly.
At that moment, Ken had decided to pull his hardest on his suitcase.
The luggage bounced over the doorstep and Ken lost his hold on
it. He flew into Aya's arms, and they both fell back against the
railing that lined the edge. Ken could only watch as his suitcase
opened, spilling his clothes all over the hall.
Aya lay in a half-sitting position with Ken on top of him. He
grunted loudly when he felt a sharp pain shoot through his back.
He pushed at Ken. "Get off," he commanded.
Ken saw that it was Aya who had broken his fall. With an embarrassed
flush on his cheeks, he scrambled to his feet.
"A- Aya! I didn't know you were back...," he muttered
to the floor. Aya stood and towered over Ken.
Aya glared at the shorter boy, his violet eyes flashing. Then
he turned to the others that stood there, gaping in surprise.
"Leave us," he commanded. "I need to talk to Ken
alone."
Yoji and Omi nodded, being so used to accepting Aya's orders.
Kaoru took a step forward, her gray eyes flashing up a storm.
"Now look here...," she began. Before she could finish,
Yoji had clamped a hand over her mouth, and his other around her
waist. Bodily picking her up, he dragged her away down the hall
and around the corner.
Nodding to himself, Aya turned back to Ken. Ken was trying to
grab all his clothes and put them back into his suitcase. Aya
picked up the other boxes that lay in the hall and began putting
them back into Ken's apartment.
"Wh- what are you doing?" Ken asked, standing to challenge
Aya. "Don't put those away! I'm leaving, like I said I would!"
Aya went on calmly putting them back into Ken's room. Then he
returned, bent down and began collecting Ken's clothes from the
floor. When he was finished, he hefted the suitcase in his arms
and dumped it inside the apartment door. Dusting off his hands,
he walked into the apartment like he owned it.
Ken followed in an angry huff. He shut the door loudly behind
him. He stalked after Aya as the red head went to the kitchen.
"Aya!" Ken yelled. "Answer me! Why won't you let
me leave?"
Aya grabbed himself a soda from Ken's fridge and settled himself
in the sitting room. He looked at Ken with calm eyes. Ken began
to fidget under that unreadable gaze.
"I can't have members deserting WeiB," Aya said softly.
Ken frowned and threw his arm out in a gesture of defiance. "I'll
leave! I will! Right now!"
Aya shrugged. "You won't get far. Kritiker can easily track
you and bring you back. Or terminate you."
Ken's eyes widened. Aya said it so calmly, so easily. Did he
really want him out of the way? He clenched his fists and banged
them against his thighs. Now what was he going to do? Was he to
be stuck in this life, suffering forever? Suffering from guilt
of killing, suffering from his unrequited love?
He threw himself into a chair. "It's unfair," he moaned.
"It's hell..." He put his hand over his face.
He heard Aya get out of his chair and make his way across the
room. He felt the presence of the older man next to him and he
looked up between his fingers.
Aya stood there, towering above him. He stared at him with calm,
unreadable violet eyes. Eyes that penetrated into Ken and made
him feel uneasy.
"Wh- what?" he asked, uncomfortable. He couldn't stand
the stare anymore. He pushed himself out of his chair, intent
on leaving again. Even if he didn't make it very far, at least
he had tried.
Slender fingers wrapped around his wrist and held him tight.
He turned to look in surprise at Aya. With a tiny tug, Aya pulled
him back towards him. Unable to resist, Ken was pulled against
Aya.
Touching his chin gently, Aya quickly leaned down and kissed
Ken on the lips. Ken's eyes widened and Aya felt his intake of
breath. His body tensed at this unexpected event.
Aya stood before him, cool and composed. His pale face was close,
his eyes were closed, and his cool lips were pressed to Ken's.
Slowly, he let Ken go and leaned back, opening his eyes once more.
He still held onto Ken's wrist with one hand, his shoulder with
the other.
Ken blinked a few times. His mouth moved as if he wanted to say
something, but nothing came out. Then he stumbled a few paces
away, still staring in shock at Aya's face.
Aya turned and sat back down. Aya-chan had been right. She always
was, wasn't she? She always knew the solution to everything.
"I'm sorry," Aya finally said, breaking the silence.
"It was Aya-chan's idea."
Ken sat himself back down, still staring entranced at Aya. "A-
Aya-chan?" he asked in confusion.
Aya frowned slightly. "My... sister. She was put in a coma
by an explosion set by Takatori. She's been in a coma since I've
joined WeiB. She's the reason that I... that I take these missions."
He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "I went
and talked to her today..."
"Talked?" Ken questioned.
Aya smirked. "I talk, she listens. Although... sometimes
I can hear her voice..." He shook his head. "I told
her... about you. She told me that I should kiss you."
Ken blushed slightly at this. Aya continued. "If I didn't
like it, then it was obvious that I'd never like men. If I did
like it though..." A small flush crept onto his cheeks. "Then
she said there was hope..."
Ken leaned forward, a bit excited. "A- and...?" he
asked quietly, not louder than a whisper.
Aya raked a hand through his red hair and sat back with an explosive
sigh. "I..." He shook his head and closed his eyes.
"I... liked it..."
The next thing he knew, Ken was flinging himself onto him. Aya
sat back in surprise, staring at the excited boy in his arms.
Tears of joy were coming to Ken's face and dripping down his cheeks.
"Oh, Aya! You mean it? You really liked it?" He smiled,
and gently traced his fingers down Aya's cheek. His face was pleasantly
flushed. "I'll kiss you a million times if you liked it that
much."
Aya frowned and began to automatically shove at Ken. "Get..."
He stopped himself. Ken was snuggling up against him. It wasn't
all together unpleasant, he decided. He looked at Ken's face.
So peaceful and happy. Almost kind of... cute.
Aya realized in that moment that he liked Ken. He reached out
and stroked the dark hair that was pressed against his cheek.
He smiled, a rare emotion that ever graced his face. Ken looked
up in time to catch that smile.
Ken reached up and cradled Aya's face between his hands. "Aya,"
he whispered. He nervously licked his lips.
Aya's eyes smiled down at the boy on his lap. He gently tapped
Ken's chin up, and then leaned down and took his lips once more.
He tasted good. It was pleasant to kiss Ken. It was much better
than the few kisses he had ever had with girls. He smiled to himself.
He liked this. He liked it a lot.
He and Ken continued to keep kissing. They understood each other.
They knew that they could make this work. Their kisses became
deeper as the moment wore on. Omi came to pound at the door once,
threatening them. But neither could hear him, because they were
too far-gone, lost in each other.
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