Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ A Heart Two Sizes too Small ❯ Part 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Part 1.

It was the near same routine every year. The difference this year lying in one key factor, there was a new member of Weiß to shop for and that was were the problem lay. He didn't believe in Christmas for the religious reasons per say, neither did Omi and Ken-ken as far as he could tell. Christmas for him was a chance to be with his 'family', to be surounded by friendship and well, love. To know that those whom he cared for were all safe and happy at least one day a year.

Up until a few years ago Yohji Kudou did not particulary celebrate, nor believe in Christmas. But when he came to join WeiB he had found himself taking pleasure in the western holiday. Omi's wide-eyed eagerness and Ken's enthusiastic innocence combined with the magic of the holiday itself could warm anyone's heart. Maybe even the frozen heart of their newly christianed leader, Fujimiya Aya.

Every year the morning after Thanksgiving, Omi would rise extra early and decorate the shop and home with decorations galore. Rows and rows of garland were wrapped down the banister and hung down from the ceilings and around the room. Out came the yards and yards of flashing lights, and even musical ones that blinked in time with music. Hardly an inch of the shop and home was not covered in fake snow or tinsel. And then came the tree. Each year it seemed new ornaments were placed on it and more lights were wrapped around it. And of course the tree could not be snythetic, it had to be fresh and full with plenty of places for hooks. Each year the tree seemed to get bigger and bigger and Yohji began to dread lugging the tree down to the basement. But to see the joy on Omi and Ken's faces when it was decorated and lit up made the cumbersome trip well worth it. So many decorations were placed thoughout in fact that one found themselves questioning the decorator's sanity.

Ken still seamed to opertate on the belief that neither of the two would know what to get him and so sport's catalogs found themselves lying about, conviently opened to the page of intrest. While small ads and directions to the local sporting goods store were tacked up to the bulletin board and the refridgerator.

Yohji had found himself wondering what Aya's reaction to the anual festivites would be; and the redhead's reaction he had noted to his dismay had been, well none. The Christmas-trio had stood in shock as Aya came down the stairs one morning; idly stepped over and around the various boxes of decorations, through the kitchen filled with the lucious scent of baking cookies and straight into the shop to begin going over the books before the shop opened. As fangirls stormed in everyday ordering arrangements consisting of roses, baby's breath, pointsettas, holly berries, and mistletoe Aya simply continued to create stunning arangements without the blink of an eye. The man didn't even seem to take notice when said arrangements found themselves on his doorstep or in his mailbox with cards signed by girls wishing him well. As the big day aproached Yohji found himself wondering if they were really living with the Grinch himself, heart two sizes too small and all.

And now with Christmas only three days away Yohji Kudou found himself once again braving the insanity that was the crowded mall. Everywhere he turned shoppers scurried about in search of the perfect gift, and finding it with seemingly ease. He had returned to this mall five times within the past month, none of those times sadly, had been for his own enjoyment. The first trip proved successful when he had acquired a blue sports bag, similar to those featured in Ken's magazines, and had it emboised with Ken's initials. He had then managed to purchase a few mangas and a new computer game for little Omittchi. Along with these gifts he had also managed to purchase a few gag gifts, as were his custom, and a few choice selections for his beautiful admirers. Satisfied with the day's acheivements he had returned home only to find a forlorn and pouting Bombay sitting in the mission room along with a very bewildered Ken.

As it turned out Aya had received a solo mission earlier that day and had already departed. This according to Omi was the perfect oppurtunity to discuss what each was, or had gotten Aya. Oops Yohji had thought ruefully, I'd forgotten about him. With the obvious avoidance of the holiday on Aya's behalf he had naturally assumed the man held no wish to partake in the festivites what-so-ever.

Seeing as how neither of them knew much about the katana-weilder or his past, let alone hobbies and intrests the discussion had ended shortly. The trio promising to do their upmost best to pull the stoic redhead out of his depression and into the Christmas cheer. For all their effort they had only uncovered new ways of setting off Aya's volatile temper and even little Omitchi had found a pair of gardening shears aimed a little to close to his vital organs than was healthy. Needless to say the situation did not bode well.

Five trips to the over-populated mall and still no gift ideas were forthcoming. Close to four hundred stores where located within the mall and already Yohji had visited three hundred and forty-nine of them. There were roughly thirty stores left to peruse through, and seeing as how the remaining stores were mostly feminine apparel and beauty shops; Yohji sincerly doubted today would be the lucky day he found a gift that would manage to bring a small smile to the red head's lips. Well a small smile that did not involve his untimely demise.

At his wit's end Yohji made his way to an empty bench and sat down. Absolutely nothing came to mind when he pictured himself handing a gift to Aya. What did the man like? Did he have any intrests, or hobbies besides yelling "Shi Ne!" and hacking people to bits with his nice sharp, pointy katana? Nothing came to mind. Oh sure his fearless leader always seemed to have a book in hand: when he wasn't working, or on a mission that is. But one would hardly be thrilled to receive a book for Christmas. And that had been Omi's whole point, make him happy.

"We have to make Aya-kun realize we care, we're a family and he's a part of it!"

Easier said then done he thought bitterly. With a sigh of regret Yohji came to a sad conclusion, for all his bickering at the red head to accept them as teamates and friends he had never really bothered to learn anything about him. Rousing himself from his rather gloomy thoughts Yohji was able to catch a glimpse of none other than Ken ducking into a nearbye bookstore. Apparently he wasn't the only one who found shopping for Aya difficult. As funny a thought that was, it sadly checked off one more gift idea on Yohji's already dwindling mental gift list.

If Ken-ken was going to present Aya with texts then a similar gift would probably be a bad idea he mused. Glancing down at his watch Yohji noted that although the crowds had not thinned out, the majority of the day had already passed him by. Deciding to call it a day and in desperate need of a cigeratte Yohji rose and made his way towards the nearest exit.





He should have been at his family's mountain retreat; returning back from the woods, arms laden with freshly chopped wood his 'tousan right beside him, axe in hand. Aya-chan would have come bounding down the steps and leapt at them, hugging them dearly as though she had not seen them in years instead of a mere half hour. Kaasan would have been in the kitchen happily putting the finishing touches to that evening's meal. Tousan would have left all work behind in the city and for once they would have seen him smile putting a merry twinkly in his eyes.

Those days had been his fondest memories and it was always the joy of winter vacation that he looked forward to. The time of the year that they would leave the big sprawling home with its pompus air and hired help behind, and be a family.

But those days were long gone, they had been gone now for three years. The pain though never went away. Instead of sitting in front of a warm fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa and Aya-chan talking animatedly by his side, he Ran Fujimiya found himself catering to the needs of rabid fangirls clamouring about the Koneko No Sume Ie, filling it with their loud squeals.

The differences between the two scenarios made his stomach clench. Tousan and Kaasan were dead and his sister comatose. The man responsible for for all his misery was very much alive and roaming free. He was tired of dealing with screaching girls, of living a false life, of killing; all he wanted was to have his family back. But he would just have to settle for Takatori Reiji's death and his siter's awakening instead.

Guilt and sorrow had spurred him into purchasing gifts for his fellow co-workers. It was what was expected this time of year, not that he cared about them or anything. Besides, Aya-chan would have been displeased if he had not thought of them in some small way. It had always been his favorite holiday, along with Aya-chan's, now though it felt like just another day to him.

As the last customers left and Omi began locking up he felt the sorrow wrapped around his heart clench tighter as old memories threatened to overwhelm him. Without the day's distractions there was nothing to keep the grief at bay. Tossing his apron onto the counter Aya picked up the newly crafted arrangement and headed for the door. It would not do to break down infront of little Bombay.

TBC

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