Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ the rescue ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Main Pairings: Nagi/Omi, Schuldig/Yohji

Timeline: Set a year or so after Gluhen

Disclaimer: I don't own them

Author's Note: Again, huge thanks to everyone who have been reading this story so far! ^_^ This chapter is a surprise for you readers! I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Eight

It was only a few minutes before lunch time when Hidaka Ken found himself ringing up the last few purchases for the girls whom Chloe and Aya had actually managed to bicker into buying. The latter can be found at the work table, trying to rush a bouquet for a customer while sneaking glances at the tall, German blonde who tried his best to usher the people out with his charm. The scene in front of him reminded him of the old times, when Aya would growl at the girls to 'buy something or get out' and Yohji would flirt with the customers, thus succeeding in attracting more "bystanders". Ken smiled at the thought as he thanked the last customer with Aya's bouquet. It was finally break time as Chloe shut the door and flipped the sign over. "Yo - um Chloe, you buying lunch this time, right?"

"Hold your horses. Let me get my coat." The older man flashed him a smirk as he made his way toward the storage room.

Aya stood up and approached the counter. Leaning over it he arched a brow at the puzzled brunette. "I could have sworn you stopped yourself just in time before you called him with another name."

"Aa." Ken smiled sheepishly, watching a small grin tug at the corners of Aya's mouth.

"I get this from the man who once told me he no longer has any relation to his past."

"Says the man who wants to get rid of his just the same." Ken shot back with a mischievious gleam in his eyes; but he was guilty of the fact that he almost slipped. The hair, height and demeanor of the guy screamed Kudou Yohji. Why else could he not forget the guy? His smile faded as he dwelt on the man further...

Old remnants of the Estet building came back to him like the crash of debris that had rained on them that fateful day. Aya had offered to stay behind and look for Yohji, who was trying to catch his breath after having fought with Tsuji. Ken's own hands were full enough to break down and worry for the older man. Besides, he had Omi to do the crying for him. Amidst all the younger assassin's prayers, Aya came back empty-handed that day. When Ken saw Yohji again, he was returning Aya's katana. He didn't recognize Ken at all, though he carried Aya's sword like his life depended upon it. After their meeting, the once 'Balinese' of Weiss was never seen again.

"Ken." Chloe's low nasal chuckle lanced through his thoughts and made him jump. Aya was stiffling a laugh himself. "What do you want?"

"Oh. Um, whatever Aya's having." Ken answered automatically. He never got to call the redhead by his real name. To Kripton Brand and even back then with Weiss, 'Ran' had always been called after his sister's name, 'Aya'.

Aya eyed him questioningly. "Are you sure?"

"You uh, suddenly a converted vegetarian?"

Ken frowned at Chloe, then turned to Aya. "Since when did you like vegetables?"

"Since when did you learn to eat salad?" The redhead grinned.

The brunette snorted. "I'll have a burger."

"Veggie?"

"No, thank you." Ken snapped at the laughing German as he saw him waltz out of the shop. The same laid back, annoying attitude. Ken marveled at the thought that he was able to put up with him. "How can you stand that baka?" He asked Aya after Chloe had gone.

The older man shrugged, tracing circles and curves on the counter. "Same way I had put up with Yohji."

Ken watched as Aya's index finger move across the polished wood, tracing its dark patterns. "I'd say Chloe's having an easier time with you than Yohji did - I mean, when you first joined Weiss with your sister's condition in mind and all that." He glanced up at Aya's almost stoic, downcast gaze. Automatically his eyes rested upon the door where he expected Yohji to be leaning against, looking out into the streets waiting for...what? More fan girls, a cigarette break or simply the end of the day. The tall blonde would smoke a stick or two whenever Aya or Omi were away, same as Chloe did when Ken was the only one besides him in the shop with the German teasing him every now and then. He frowned at the memory of Chloe's laugh just before he left - there was a familiar ring to it, and it reminded him of someone else. He removed his gaze from the door and onto his companion, taking in Aya's almost unnatural, dark red hair, which never failed to amaze him. So different from someone whose mane possessed the shade of rust and whose voice was low and nasal, dripping with mischief almost like -

"Ken."

The brunette mentally winced at having been caught off-guard twice. He failed to notice that he had been staring at his teammate. Aya regarded him with a look of concern in his face. "You've never been this absent-minded."

Ken smiled wanly, taking his eyes off the older man. "It's probably because of what was said at the debriefing yesterday...I'm worried for Omi, but then again he has that Schwarz kid with him. Having heard of them makes me go back to those times when we were still together." Ken bit his lip. "Even though I say I'm through with the past I still wish things had stayed the same, not that I don't like Chloe and the others, but...well, I'm babbling. Don't mind me."

"I worry about them, too." Aya said after Ken had turned his back on him to fiddle with the flowers on a vase near the cashier.

"Something tells me there's more to their case than they let on. You should have stayed a little while longer, so you can tell me what you think."

"I didn't like to hang around to hear the rest of the bad news. Besides, I can tell you what I think. It looks more dangerous than they let us believe." Aya placed his elbow on the dark wood and cradled his chin with his hand.

"I think so, too." Ken turned to him with a thoughtful frown. "Because if it wasn't serious, why would they mention it?"

"They might have different principles and beliefs from Kritiker but Kripton Brand is still an ally somehow. It may have been mentioned at the debriefing for standard procedure reasons. Allies work that way, I guess."

Ken snorted softly. 'A mere announcement.'

Aya read it all in his face. Ken wanted to help. "It's not our call. We cannot be deployed to Japan without orders from the organization."

The brunette crossed his arms defiantly. "He was with Naoe, for crying out loud. They should have escaped easily. Doesn't that bother you enough to give you second thoughts about following rules? Besides, you were never one to follow everything KR or Mihirogi says."

Yuki entered the back door and instantly heard them at the shop. An argument seemed to be going on, with Aya's calm voice trying to hush Ken's rising tenor. He peered through the door, catching the last few exchanges of the two older men. They were discussing matters at Kritiker, something that he too, find intriguing and suspicious.

"They have the Crashers." Aya was saying. He looked tired sitting on the work table, arms crossed and brows slightly creased. His eyes that always looked alert now seemed to droop a little.

"I'd hate to give Naoe too much credit, but the kid's kinetic. And Omi has more experience compared to the Crashers. Those newbies won't stand a chance against Weiss." Ken recalled their mission at Koua once more, and balked at the memory of having fought with Todou and others of his kind.

"We cannot go back there without KR's permission."

"I have a feeling that's not the only reason you don't want to go there." Ken's eyes narrowed at the redhead. "If this is about your working issues with the Takatoris -"

"That's not fair. Omi's my friend."

Ken snorted. "How about Mamoru?"

Aya veered away from Ken, keeping his own temper down.

Yuki bit his lip as Aya swiveled his head and saw him by the door. The redhead particularly looked at him with a piercing gaze, as if he was trying to warn him about something. The raven-haired boy entered, pasting a wan smile on his face. "Has Chloe come back yet?"

Ken regarded him with a silent gaze then answered. "He left a few moments ago to buy lunch." He made his way around the counter, ignoring Aya as he passed his way. "I'll be going someplace anyway so I guess I'll take a quick shower. I'll be done by the time Chloe's back."

Aya stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it too much. I'm sure they will find a way."

Ken turned and offered the older man a tight smile then left. Aya let out a small sigh. "Thanks for distracting us."

"I know you're concerned, but if I were Ken, I would prefer knowing the truth."

The older man shook his head slowly. "It's quite a long story." He leaned back on the work table, hands gripping its edges. "What would you have done if you were him?"

"I'd go." Yuki answered softly. "Ken's always like that. He'll do whatever it takes to help people, if he sees there is nothing wrong with helping."

Aya nodded. "His life has always revolved around others."

"It will be better for you to be there if he decides to go."

The older man returned Yuki's faint smile with one of his own. The chimes by their door announced Chloe's arrival as the German beamed at them with two paper bags in his hands. "Ah, Yuki. You came at a wrong time, I didn't know you'll be here or I'd have bought you some lunch as well."

"I already had lunch."

Chloe nodded absently as he unloaded the bags on the work table beside Aya. "Where's veggie boy?"

"Veggie boy?"

Aya let out a small laugh. "Long story."

'Long story, huh?' Yuki pasted a grin on his face as he watched his friends eat and chat. 'Everything's a long story to you, Fujimiya Aya.'

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