Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Clips ❯ Clip 5 ( Chapter 5 )

- Clip Five: Shion -

 

“Aya, over here!” Ken called out when he spied the strolling figure of his long-time teammate.

The slim form paused and changed direction, each measured step taking the quiet redhead towards the balcony where Ken was.

“So they finally let you out of the bed,” Ken said. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” came the succinct reply. “I didn't expect to find you here.”

“You have to thank that guy back in Japan. He suggested London.”

“Hn.”

Ken sighed and propped his arms on the balcony railing. “It's certainly different without them,” he said softly. “I always wanted out of the game, yet look at me now. Still in, only the environment is different.”

“Not just the environment.”

Ken looked askance.

Aya gave him a long steady look. “You are different, Ken.”

Ken blinked, then laughed ruefully. “Guess being in jail did do me some good. I was so stuck in denial back in those days, wasn't I?”

Aya looked away. “It's good to see you like this.”

“Arigato.”

Resting his cheek against his propped-up arms, Ken studied his friend's pale handsome profile. He noted the distant sadness in those violet eyes and the subtle downward turn at the corner of his mouth. He could not help but notice Aya's firm grip on his katana.

“He gave it to me, you know.” He said quietly.

Aya's only reaction was a blink of his eyes. Otherwise, he remained as impassive and aloof as before.

“Just before I leave Japan, I decided to visit him. He looks good, you know. Healthier, calmer. Stable. He looked very much at peace, even contented. When he smiled at me…” Ken sighed, “I dunno…I wasn't worried about him anymore.”

Aya's gaze remained fixed on the gardens of KR's countryside manors, a motionless statue of silence.

Ken continued, “I introduced myself as someone who knew him in the past, a distant acquaintance. We spoke; I can't remember what we talked about. Guess I was too busy adjusting to the fact that he was living a rather wholesome life. He handed me Shion. Told me to say thank you to its owner.”

The redhead's jaws tightened.

“It had helped him when he was finding his footing, kept him anchored somehow. But he didn't need it anymore. In fact, he told me he had a feeling that its original owner would need it more and he ought to return it. How his life is now, he no longer needed a blade to help him.”

Ken abruptly straightened, his eyes widening when he spied the single tear rolling down Aya's pale cheek. “Aya! Oh God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to - I'm so sorry.”

“Not your fault,” Despite the tears, Aya's voice was rock steady. “You were just telling me what he said.”

“I could have been more tactful. I know what he meant to you.”

“How could you be more tactful when he doesn't remember?”

“Oh, Aya…” Ken reached out and clasped a sympathetic hand on a slumped shoulder. “These two years hadn't been easy for you, has it?”

Aya's smile was wan and resigned.

“If you ever need a listening ear-”

“I know where to look. Don't tell anyone about him, Ken. He's free, like he always wanted to be.”

“I won't,” Ken answered firmly.

They fell silent, relishing the companionship that had formed under the most extreme of situations.

“I'm glad you're here.”

Ken smiled. “I'm glad you're here too.”

In this foreign land, surrounded by so much newness, it was a comfort to have each other.