Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Sanity Forgotten ❯ Chapter 2

Title: Sanity Forgotten

Authors: Makoto Sagara and Skeren Dreamera

Archive: www.afallenangel.net/makotosagara/frames/fanfiction.html

Category: Shonen ai, Drama

Rating: R

Pairings: Farfarello + Schu, Schu + Brad

Contact: SagaraMakoto@aol.com and Mickeofas@yahoo.com

Warnings: Shonen ai, OOC, angst, blood, BDMS, language, Farfarello

Disclaimers: Neither of us own Weiß Kreuz nor make any money from this collaboration. Suing is so pointless… We're both broke. Praise be to Koyasu Takehito!

A/N: Now it's time to play with Weiß... Oh, Yo-tan!!! Oh, and for those people who want to argue, we are referring to the sport American folks call Soccer. It's only here that they call it soccer. Everywhere else, it's football.

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Part Two -

"Ken-ken! You were supposed to be back out here an hour ago! Where did you go?" Omi had left the front area under the cold violet gaze of Aya when he ducked into the back to search for Ken.

Ken blinked, looking up from his motorcycle, which he was in the middle of fixing. "What time is it, Omi-kun?"

"It's two in the afternoon, Ken! You know how busy it gets on Saturdays!"

Ken stood up, cursing. "SHIT!! YOUJI!!" He dropped the wrench in his hand. "He was supposed to let me know when his shift was over so I could come out there. Aya... Man, Aya's gonna kill me."

Omi immediately nodded, watching Ken with sympathy. "He got tired of waiting and sent me to come find you."

Ken looked at his bike, shaking his head sadly. "Omi, could you find a sheet to put over this. I don't want dust or water to get in the engine. I'd rather face Aya, on his way to Taketori..." He walked into the shop, stopping to wash his hands from the grease and put on an apron. "Gomen nasai, Aya-san."

Omi did as asked while Aya gave Ken a glare to rival any that he'd shown an enemy. This indicated just how angry he was at his teammate. Aya gestured at the flock of fawning girls, and the action brought attention of Ken's own admirers right to them.

Ken smiled vaguely at the girls. "Konban wa, minna," he said, moving around to begin water the plants in the windows. The girls followed his every move, asking him all sorts of questions and making his daily routine stretch from five minutes to nearly half an hour.

Aya nodded in satisfaction. He'd yell at Ken later, but for now, he had to deal with the girls. Omi quickly moved out from the back, plants in hand.

Ken looked up, smiled at the smaller boy, and went back to his work. He knew that Aya was upset, and as soon as Aya chopped his head off, Ken was determined to come back and get Youji for forgetting.

Omi beamed back, getting cornered by a few of his school companions before he could put the plant down. This was how things carried on for the next few hours, with Aya glaring any girls, who dared get too close, away and the other two being sweetly discouraging.

Youji strolled through the door, his honey blond hair pulled back. He smiled at the girls. "Hello, ladies, and gents." He added the last bit as he saw Aya scowling and the almost sweet smiles across the other two's faces. The girls then set him upon. "No dates until you're eighteen." He winked and tried to move to the back, but to no avail.

Omi laughed quietly, making his escape while he could. His shift was over until it came to be closing time. He got while the getting was good.

Ken's smile faded as Youji walked in, and decided to ignore the girls surrounding him. Yes, he had more than a few words for the taller man.

"What's going on, Ken-ken?" Youji's deep voice nearly purred.

"I'm gonna get you for forgetting to come get me at noon. Aya's about to shit kittens," Ken spat.

"Oh, um, yeah, sorry about that."

"Go away."

Aya saw the interaction and nearly smirked, though he was able to hold it back. He rarely ever saw Ken get annoyed.

Youji shook his head, and managed to drag nearly half the girls along with him to the back room. He needed to get ready to start his shift. Bad enough he'd forgotten about Ken, but he didn't want Aya upset with him. Fujimiya Ran was not someone Youji really wanted to cross. Reluctantly, he opened the door again, and came out smiling. "Got any orders today, Aya?"

Aya inclined his head then handed Youji a list. "You have two hours to get these ready."

"Hello to you too. At least I was on time," he said, taking the list from Aya and beginning to fulfill the orders.

Aya shook his head a bit. He refused to be amused, instead bringing up a mild glare.

Ken finally managed to get the plants watered, and he walked, with his gaggle of cackling girls, over to the counter. "Any deliveries?"

"As soon at Youji finishes them." Aya gestured towards the back.

Ken shot a look at Youji. "Kudou."

Youji resisted the urge to snort at the pinched tone Ken was using. "Hidaka?"

"Are you done with anything?"

"Perhaps. Ready to leave these beautiful girls already?" His comment was followed by more giggles and a few sighs from the girls.

"Give me what's ready. And the keys to your jeep."

Youji gave him a 'are you fucking insane?' look before shoving the paper and pointing to the end of the counter. "What's wrong with your bike?"

"I need to finish working on it." Ken took he paper and a few of the bouquets. "Keys?" He said, putting his one available hand out.

Aya glared down another girl and grimaced as he saw one particular girl come skipping into the store. He thought she went with her parents on vacation...

Sakura beamed as she saw Aya. "Aya! I'm so glad to see you on shift right now!"

Aya backed a step, though he nodded to Sakura, immediately causing some of the other girls to glare at the girl.

Youji looked up, noticing the irritated look in Aya's eyes. "Your little girlfriend is here, Aya."

Aya turned a deadly glare on Youji and then looked back to Sakura, barely fending off a hug. "Not my girlfriend."

"Really? I doubt she sees it that way," Youji said cheekily, winking to the girls in front of him, who all sighed in turn.

Aya maneuvered the starry eyed girl from behind the counter as she grinned at him. "Don't care."

Sakura pouted as she heard Aya's flat tone. "Aya! I thought you liked me!" To this, he just gave her a hard to understand look.

"No."

Youji frowned. "No need to be so nasty about it, Aya. Sorry missy, he's as adamant as I am about legal ages. Come back in two years," he said gently.

Sakura sniffled a couple times and gave watery eyes to Aya, who just glanced away, and then she looked back to Youji. "I'll come back later." Then, she left.

Youji shook his head. "First, Ken is mad at me. Then, he demands my jeep. And now, you're being as ass to a sweet kid. This day sucks," he said, jamming the last flower into the vase of his last order. "Be back, need a cigarette."

Aya sighed, once, and then glared back at those girls who were glaring on behalf of Sakura.

Youji frowned. "No need to be so nasty about it, Aya. Sorry missy, he's as adamant as I am about legal ages. Come back in two years," he said gently.

Sakura sniffled a couple times and gave watery eyes to Aya who just glanced away, and then she looked back to Youji. "I'll come back later." Then, she left.

Youji shook his head. "First, Ken is mad at me. Then, he demands my jeep. And now, you're being as ass to a sweet kid. This day sucks," he said, jamming the last flower into the vase of his last order. "Be back, need a cigarette."

Youji stood outside in the alley beside the shop. He couldn't believe how nice it was to have those girls not all over him. He then looked at the sheet-covered motorcycle and scowled. "Where the hell is Ken with my jeep?"

Sakura had been sulking out by the side of the shop, and spotted Youji. "Youji?"

Youji's head snapped up, and he forgot to light the cigarette between his fingers. "Sakura? What's up? You alright?"

She gave a little laugh then sighed. "No. Why doesn't he like me?"

Youji smiled a little, lighting the cigarette and taking a drag before answering. "Have you ever seen his kid sister?"

Sakura looked more than a bit stunned. "I... I didn't realize he had a sister."

Youji gave her a weak smile. "You look just like her. From what I've gathered, she's in the hospital. It probably irks him to no end." He took another drag from his cigarette. "Her name's Aya too."

Sakura ducked her head, shoulders slumping. "I see."

"Don't worry about it. He's got that stick jammed so far up his ass... No one could make him happy," he said, scowling again.

Sakura, while dissuaded, would never cease to be a defender of Aya's honor. "That can't be so, he likely just hurts if you are right about his sister."

Youji smiled, shaking his head. "Sakura, I've seen people in pain. Hell, I've been there, but with Fujimiya... It's different."

Sakura just shook her head. "I'm not about to give up on him. It just won't hurt so much when he tries to make me go away."

"Suit yourself, Princess. Just watch yourself, and don't get your hopes up too high." He dropped his cigarette and stepped on it to put it out. "One of these days, I'm gonna remember to bring out an ashtray. Ken's always complaining about the cigarette butts."

"With good reason. That habit really isn't good for you." Sakura peered at him for a long moment then ducked forward to hug him. "Thanks Youji-san!

Youji blinked before carefully returning the embrace. He pulled back and ruffled his hair. "You're a good kid, Sakura-chan. I just don't like seeing pretty girls cry."

She pulled back, giving him a slightly embarrassed smile. "Thanks. I'll just be going now." She took a few steps back, before turning and running off.

Youji shook his head again. "What was I thinking? She's only sixteen..." He turned around to head in through the side door, and ran into Omi. "Hey, Small Fry, what's going on?"

Omi looked up at Youji with the oddest look. It was like he was trying to solve a puzzle. "Hiya, Yo-tan."

"What's turning through that too smart head of yours? You look confused," he said, moving inside and shutting the door.

"Am I seeing things?" Omi looked up at Youji. "Or were you hugging Sakura?"

"No, she was hugging me. I found her crying. Aya was... himself again."

Omi grimaced and nodded, well aware of how he was even more vicious to that girl than the others. "Ohh, I see."

"You know, one of these days, I'm gonna buy that guy a personality."

Omi shook his head. "You know that wouldn't work."

Youji laughed. "You're right. Well, I gotta get back before his Highness tries to yell at me." He walked into the shop, much to the joy and satisfaction of the girls.

Omi just shook his head. "One of these days he's gonna let that go to his head."

"Hello, ladies, back now. A man has to do his work," Youji replied, snatching up another set of orders to work on.

Aya glanced up at Youji and shook his head. "Did you finish the list?"

Youji rolled his eyes. "Of course, Aya. I just act like a lazy lay-about." He pointed to the end of the counter, where the rest of his first set were awaiting delivery or pick up.

Aya just nodded his satisfaction. "Good. As it should have been."

Youji snorted, and noticed the screams started again when the door opened. Ken made his way back to the counter. "These ready, Youji?"

"Yes, Ken."

"Great," he said, winded, but grabbing the last of the deliveries and heading out again.

Aya watched the interaction then shook his head, starting to glare off the people hovering around the store. They'd be closing in an hour.

Youji sighed in relief as the number of girls started to thin out. While he enjoyed the attention, it became too much after a while. He dreaded the weekends and when school got out. He shuffled the last of the hangers-on out of the door with a smile and a few kind words, and then happily locked the door and sighed. "Another day... another headache."

Omi was sweeping up when Youji turned around, and Aya was nowhere in sight. "At least you don't go to school with any of them!"

"No, I remember high school. I rather liked it except for the whole older male teachers part."

"But Youji! They follow me home, and they can because of the shop!" Omi gestured widely with his broom.

Youji snickered, picking up the dropped items from some of the girls before tossing them into a box he'd come to refer to as 'Unwanted Gifts', and looked back up. "But, Omi, you're cute. Can you blame them?"

"Yes. I blame them so much. Did you see? There were a couple boys in here today too! It used to be just girls!" Omi went back to sweeping once he realized he was throttling the broom.

Youji couldn't help himself, and he just laughed at the boy. "Omi-chan... How else are the guys gonna get the girls if they don't check out the competition?" He left the shop, heading upstairs to the apartment. He stopped off at Ken's room, where the former J-leaguer shoved the keys to his jeep at him, and went to throw himself on his bed. "I'm gonna stay home tonight," he muttered, closing his eyes.

Omi stood downstairs, looking out the door Youji just left through. "But why would one of them pinch my butt if I was competition for them?"

Ken came out of his room, and slumped in a chair in the kitchen with a can of soda. He didn't even bother to look up when he heard footsteps in the room.

Aya looked over Ken's slumped form and shook his head. "Why were you late?"

"Because I asked Youji to let me know when it was one. I wanted to take apart the engine of my bike. It's been making these funny noises," he replied, sitting up to drink his soda.

Aya nodded once, then got himself some tea. "And you trusted Youji to help you be on time?" His tone made it clear that he should know better.

"Temporary insanity. I was, and still am, worried about my bike. There's nothing wrong with the engine, from what I can tell, and the only option left is the exhaust system," he said, slumping forward with a sigh. "It's gonna cost a small fortune to fix, even if I do the work myself."

"You can afford it." Aya's voice was flat, a clear dismissal of his worry.

"It's not the price I'm worried about. It's the parts." He looked up, and smiled a little. "And I'm sure I'm boring the hell out of you. What do you care about my problems?" he said, staring out the window and at the cloudy sky.

"I didn't say I did." But he also hadn't told him to shut up.

"Do you have something that you worry about? Like... an old friend? That's how I see my bike. It's the only thing I got to keep after coming here and joining Weiß," he said, his voice lowering.

"I have something to worry about, yes. I can't fix it though." Aya's tone was chilly.

Ken looked up. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't know," he mumbled.

"Anyone who does, I didn't tell." Aya turned away, adding his additions to his tea.

Ken continued to look out of the window. "Sometimes, I wished I'd gone to Australia with Yukou."

"It's a good thing you didn't. You fit in this team." The quiet, and unexpected compliment was made just before Aya left the room.

Ken blinked, trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Aya may have just complimented someone for the first time since he'd met the redhead. "What the hell..."

There was no answer from Aya, who had already headed in to turn on the Television.

Ken heard Omi come upstairs and followed the boy to his room. "Ne, Omi, you've known Aya the longest, right?"

Omi nodded a bit, and turned to look at Ken. "Yeah, why?"

"I think he just gave me a compliment," he said, sounding as confused as he felt.

Omi blinked a couple times. "What did he say?"

"I said that sometimes I wished I'd gone to Australia, and he said that it was good that I didn't. I fit the team. What in the hell?"

Omi shook his head. "I don't know what to say to that Ken-ken."

Ken shrugged. "Neither do I. Do you know what's up with him? I was pretty sure he was gonna run me through with that sword of his, but he was rather... nice."

Omi shook his head. "I don't know. But Sakura was here today, that might have to do with it."

"Yeah, but that always makes him even pissier. Not nice."

Omi nodded, then shook his head as he pulled Ken further in so he could shut his door. "I don't know, he just seems off today.

"Yeah, he does... Youji was off today too."

"Yeah? Did you see him hugging Sakura too?"

"N-nani?"

"Anou... Youji said that the guys that were here were scoping me for competition, but one of them pinched me."

Ken snickered. "You got hit on by a guy? And I thought the girls were bad enough."

"He was from school..." Omi immediately started getting worked up again. "Ken-kun! They are following me home from school!"

Ken frowned, sitting on Omi's bed. "Well, you could always.... Hmm... You didn't seem to mind the girls so much. Why the guys?"

Omi opened his mouth to answer, and then closed it again, making a distressed sound. "I don't know why."

"Did you like it?" Ken asked, watching the youngest member intently.

"Maybe." Omi looked down, a faint blush on his face. This was so embarrassing.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Omi-kun," Ken said softly. "Not like it was Yo-tan or something."

"You won't tell will you?" Omi turned a pleading glance on Ken.

Ken just looked at Omi. "Who am I gonna tell? Yo-tan?" he asked, a look of 'are you crazy' written all over his face.

Omi grinned, just imagining the look that would get them. "Good point."

Ken laughed. "So, what are you working on tonight?"

"A paper on the old Samurai's. We had to pick a cultural warrior and write a report about them. I picked mine first." Omi eyed his books warily.

"Sounds like fun. Anything I can help with?"

Omi got that gleam in his eyes and handed Ken a pile of books. "Tag all pages that have information on the Samurai."

Ken groaned. "What did I just set myself up for? And what are you going to be doing?"

"Twenty page report, no double spacing, front and back, size ten font New Times Roman."

"Holy crap! What kind of classes are you taking at that school?"

"It's the final term paper for my writing class. It's an advanced class, so they are making sure we know our subject. Get to it." Omi sighed, knowing he had a lot of work ahead of him.

Ken groaned. He wasn't dumb, but research papers were hardly his favorite things to do in school. Quietly, he thumbed through the first book, adding the little neon green tag things on every page he thought Omi could use, not just the ones that had the word Samurai on them.

Omi nodded to Ken and gave him a sheepish smile. "Thanks for helping."

"It's ok... I offered."

"I know." Omi then delved into research land.

They passed the time quietly, but a knock on the door interrupted the serene atmosphere. The portal opened to reveal Youji there. "Ah, there you are, Chibi, and you have the footballer with you. Good." He shut the door behind him. "What's up with Aya now?"

Omi blinked up at Youji in confusion. "You too?"

"Yeah, me too. He's sitting in the living room... Dear God, he's smiling." Youji shuddered.

Omi's eyes grew wide. "What?"

Ken blinked. "He's... smiling? Omi, hold me," he mock-whimpered, throwing himself at the small blond.

Omi yelped and toppled right over onto the floor.

Youji laughed. "You two..." he shook his head. "Seriously though... It's the scariest thing I've seen in my life. I'd rather go play with the crazy German than go back in that living room."

Omi pushed Ken off and got to his feet. "I have to see!"

Ken let out a low 'oomph' as he was pushed to the floor. "Me too!" He jumped up and followed the smaller boy. Aya was sitting on the couch, not really watching the TV, and smiling.

"See?" Youji hissed. "I told you."

Omi was stunned. "What's he doing?"

Youji shrugged. "Hell if I know... Why don't you ask him?"

Omi looked horrified, instead choosing to inch into the room.

Aya turned, catching the three in then door and Omi working his way over to them, and he just froze, smile vanishing immediately. "What?"

Ken blinked, almost relieved to have the normal Aya back, but said nothing.

"Aya, you do know that you were nearly grinning like an idiot, don't you?" Youji said, moving fully into the room.

Aya's look turned hostile. "I wasn't."

"Yeah, you were," Youji replied.

Ken moved back, pulling Omi with him, not wanting to get involved in any fight between them.

Omi let himself be pulled as Aya answered again. "No, I wasn't."

Youji sighed. "You were smiling... and I don't mean a smirk. I have two witnesses, Fujimiya."

"I. Was. Not. Smiling!" Aya growled it.

"Yes. You. Were." Youji stated his sentence calmly, knowing it would irk the redhead.

Aya got to his feet and advanced on Youji. "I wasn't!"

"You were." His voice was very nonchalant. "I don't know why you're making a big deal out of it. We just thought it was unusual."

Aya scowled, shaking his head as he turned away.

"Whatever," Youji said, leaving and going to find the little ones, or a beer, whichever came first.

Omi saw Youji leave the living room and called over to him. "No fistfight?"

"Nah, that's below us both. He just growled at me..."

"You've fought before." Omi poked at it.

"Maybe we have... But this time, it's different." He leaned against the wall. "He's... acting weird, but.... Not a bastard. Not really."

"So, what is it?" Omi had an innocently pleading expression on his face.

"I'm not sure... If I didn't now any better, I'd swear he likes someone. But it's not Sakura-chan."

Omi had the decency to look shocked. "What?"

"Shhh," Youji hissed. "I don't know if it's concrete, but even Aya is human."

Omi blushed. "Yeah, well, you are the person who keeps saying he isn't."

Youji waved a hand. "I just call him Ice Prince. Never said he wasn't human. If you chose to take it that way, then so be it."

Omi nodded a little, muttering something and hurrying off.

Youji shook his head, going into the kitchen for that drink, and to think about what he'd said to Omi. It was true that Aya was behaving like someone with a crush, but whom would the Ice Prince himself fall for?

Aya himself moved into the kitchen a little later, blinking as he saw Youji just standing there.

Youji turned around, can in hand, and blinked. 'Think and he appears.' He started laughing and sat at the table. "Do you like Ken-ken?"

Aya stared at him in mild shock. "What?"

"Well? Do you?"

"How did you get that idea?" Aya blinked at him again, and then it faded into his normal glare.

"I'd like to consider myself a student of human behavior. You, Ran," he used the other's real name for emphasis. "Are acting like someone with a crush, but you don't want to tell them. I know it's not me. And well... It's not Omi or Sakura either. If it's anyone from Schwartz, you'd have killed something by now. Only option is Manx and Ken."

"How did you get that name?" Aya ignore the rest, instead going for what he deemed important. He hadn't told them that name!

"You think I'm dumb? I can do research, you know," Youji said with a snort. "Now, tell me if I'm right or not."

"You are wrong." Aya looked him in the eyes as he said this, voice frosty.

Youji blinked. "Anyone but that creepy Crawford or his German menace," he pleaded, taking a drink of beer.

"You cannot dictate who I am interested in." Aya lifted his chin.

"Whatever... I was just curious, but do what you want," Youji said, draining the can. "Bleh."

"Be more... Circumspect in your questions. Now, how did you find out my real name?"

"Manx. She's a fountain of information after a few drinks."

Aya looked suitably angry. "She shouldn't even know that!"

"Please... The woman works for Persia... You worked in the Crashers group before you became our fearless leader. She knew. He knew. I found out."

"Useless in keeping secrets, clearly." Aya let out a breath. "What else do you know about me?"

"I know about your sister, but that's because I followed you to the hospital." Youji said with a shrug. "It was a slow day."

Aya moved to the table and sat, trying to untangle that thought.

"Look, I'm sick of fighting with you. I don't hate you, and I don't care about your past. Just... lighten up some time, man," Youji said, standing and leaving the room. Maybe staying home hadn't been such a good idea after all.

"There is no reason to lighten up Youji." Aya said quietly as he glanced after him.

To be continued.