Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Time of Your LIfe ❯ Cellar Door ( Chapter 3 )

Hey! Here's just a quick apology for my chapter being late. SORRY! I'll try to stay on time from now on! Ja!

Chapter 3

Cellar Door

DivineAngel

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"Have you ever seen it?" Yohji asked.

Ken sighed running his paintbrush down the wall before flicking his bristles towards Omi. "Seen what?"

"The movie Hidaka." Yohji turned to him with a sigh, and he stopped painting. The living room would be a tope color, and a very nice one he thought. "You would have known if you've seen it. How about you Omi?"

"Of course he hasn't seen it." He shot before Omi could answer. "What makes you think I've seen it?"

Yohji stopped painting with that comment. "Come on Ken. I *know* why you would have seen it." He blushed slightly, but only because Omi was looking at him.

"I never watched that much porn Kudou. Porn is for people who don't have the real thing." He stated with a grin.

Yohji put a hand over his heart, and stuck out his bottom lip. "Ohhh that was low Hidaka. Ouch." Yohji said with a fake pout before laughing and turning back to the wall. "You didn't answer me though."

"Yeah I saw that one." He finally gave in.

"What was your favorite part?"

"Oh my god." He chuckled into the paint can as he dipped his brush in for more. "I don't know."

"So you like it all?" Yohji stated stopping to wink at him. "You're an animal Hidaka."

"The bus scene then!" He shrugged adding a few more strokes. "What was yours?"

"I liked it all."

"HAHAH!" He couldn't help but laugh, especially because this entire game was about a movie they had made up just to see what Omi would say about it. As much as he liked the kid, the boy was still fun to mess with. There was no such tape, but man he couldn't wait to see Omi's face when they were done. "Well Haha did you ever Hahaha buy a copy?" He asked laughing.

"Are you kidding?" Yohji shot and it was clear the guy was having a harder time keeping a straight face now that he was laughing. "It's upstairs in my dresser. You want to watch Omi?"

"Sure." Omi answered calmly and he stopped dead to turn to the boy whom continued pleasantly painting.

There was a moment of silence that fell through the room as Omi continued and he and Yohji exchanged looks. "You do know.." Yohji began glancing at him again before continuing. "That there are…naked people on that video right Omi?"

"Whatever's on there couldn't be worse than looking at you two." Omi answer and the smile fell right off his face. What? Yohji's smile disappeared too, and the blonde's mouth was in the process of opening to say, god only knows what in defense when Omi turned around laughing. "HAHAHAHAHHA!" The boy had a beautiful laugh. "HOW dumb do you think I Am!" Omi exclaimed flicking some paint at Yohji who jumped sky high to get out of the way. "Hahah."

"I guess I should have suspected you after that photo answer yesterday in the green house." Yohji stated a little annoyed the joke didn't go over. All that build up for nothing!

"It's photosynthesis porn boy." Omi answered and he laughed. This was it. This was the real side he knew was behind Omi's facade. Finally! Maybe he wouldn't have to shove the kid over the edge to get it. Maybe he could just coax it out. "Besides-" Omi stopped talking as the front shop door opened.

"Hey." He whispered dropping his paintbrush. "It's that pretty girl from the police building." He said pointing to her and sending a glance to Omi and Yohji whom both nodded. "The one who likes to ogle our waterworks."

Yohji nodded again. "She wants me."

"In your dreams." Omi snort.

"Yeah. Your wet ones!" he laughed.

"Shut up Hidaka!" Yohji snapped taking a swipe at him with the paint brush. From where they were in the living room she couldn't see them. So they watched her walk in and past the kitchen into the back room. "Where do you think she's going?" Yohji asked.

"Well she's…" He trailed.

"She's probably looking for you since she wants you so bad!" Omi answered, the boy's laughter starting up again before Yohji grabbed him and gave him a hard nuggy. Scolding the boy that he was to keep his mouth shut when referring to grown up conversations before stopping as Omi's protesting started to whine a little with pain.

"Remember that Omi." Yohji grinned, pushing his paintbrush into the little face. "Or next time I'll paint provocative phrases all over you. And we'll see who she looks for." Yohji threatened.

"Woo won't she be relieved to have a step up from you." He stated before laughing his butt off. "Hahhahah!"

"Alright Hidaka!" Yohji's patience was wearing down and he jumped away when the guy made a move for him. Omi just started laughing.

"BOYS!" Mr. Brine barked and they all jumped, quickly lining up and dropping their paintbrushes. "Good." Mr. Brine smiled pleased with their immediate response. "We have a guest." Mr. Brine explained and he suppressed a burst of laughter with Omi as the pretty girl stepped up next to Mr. Brine. "She has some lucky news for you."

"Did we win?!" Yohji spoke right up and he looked down to hide his smile.

"Yes and no." She answered, her tone running from her smile with a sly pinch. He made a face, and all three of them were dumbfounded.

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"We've been monitoring the progress of all five groups Mr. Brine, and we're especially pleased with yours." She stated one they had a moment to themselves and the boys were on their way downstairs.

Mr. Brine nodded proud. "To the outsider, they don't get it. But I knew you would appreciate my underlined messages. I use annoyance and humiliation to bring them together, and it always works." Mr. Brine explained giving her a chuckle.

She gave Mr. Brine a weird smile and frown at the same time before nodding. Continuing into the downstairs basement room where the boys all sat perfectly quiet waiting for them. "It's good to see you all again." She suppressed her smile as Kudou gave her a large grin. "I have some very big news for you. Your are the second excel group of the five. As of now that group, and yours will be given an extra bonus assignment, and the other three will carry out their six month sentences. You are not eligible to be the winner yet, because the other team is tying with you.

"Who are they?" Aya suddenly spoke, and the woman silenced for a moment. Almost surprised with the question, and the immediate way it flew from Aya's mouth.

"Yeeeah." He grinned. "Are we allowed to…go *find* them. Maybe we can stop them from tying with us?" He asked, punching his hand into his open palm and Yohji slapped his shoulder approvingly while Aya and Omi nodded.

"Just tell us who they are." Yohji added grinning. "Then you'll only have *one* winning team to worry about Miss." Yohji smiled standing up and taking a step towards her.

The instant Yohji moved the surprise, and almost the patience dropped from the woman's beautiful face. She was like a preditor, with a male moving in on her turf, scary to see up close. "Sit down and shut up." She snapped pinching her gorgeous eyes to a dangerous squint, and Yohji dropped back into his seat with a sigh. "That is out of the question. We only want the stronger of the two."

"For what?" He asked.

"None of your concern." She quickly answered. "I just stopped to give you the news, and let you know of your current standing. Good luck boys. Don't think it's going to get any easier, just because your nearing the top." She laughed, and they all watched her start up the stairs and leave. Her heels clicking on their very awesome set of metal spiral stairs thee entire way.

The minute she was gone Yohji exhale slouching back into their couch. "ahh She's so hot." Yohji moaned before looking up with a grin when Aya let out a humored snort. "Don't you agree Mr. Brine?" Yohji asked turning to the man and Mr. Brine smiled.

"I do." Mr. Brine answered with a grin and they all laughed. " BUT! You heard the LADY! She's a real ball buster Kudou, so it looks like I am going to be pressing you boys even further. Your all going to be encouraged and allowed to pick up one thing you like. A hobby so to speak. You will be given time for it, and whatever it is will have all expenses paid." Mr. Brine explained as Omi's hand slowly went up. "What Tsukiyono?" Mr. Brine sighed like he wished for once he could tie Omi's hands down and save himself a few more years of life.

"What if we don't have a hobby?" Omi asked.

"You Don't hAve A Hobby!" Yohji shot suddenly sitting up interested. "How Can you NOT have a Hobby!?"

"Shut up! Yohji! It's not like we all sit around watching Porn in our free time!" Omi shot back frowning.

"HAHAH!" He broke down laughing and Yohji twitched. Aya and Mr. Brine only looked confused and patient. "Ig-Ignore us. Continue!" He grinned waving his hand in a circle for more info.

"Ok." Mr. Brine sighed again, dismissing that. "You will ALL Find a hobby. You all have to have one. Then you will develop it! I am going to get your BOYS In shape! YOUR GOING TO LEARN SOME SELF DEFENSE! And we're going to find You aLL A WEAPON!"

"Alright!" He stood up immediately, and Yohji was grinning. "That's awesome! When!?"

"TODAY! IF YOU ALL GET YOUR JOBS DONE!"

"What do we have to do?" Aya asked just as excited as they were.

"There is a truck in the alley way. UNLOAD IT! PAINT THE LIVING ROOM, SET UP THe FURNITURE, DINNER HAS TO BE MADE, POTS NEED TO BE FILLED WITH DIRT, AND SEEDS NEED TO BE PLANTED! THEN! SOMEONE PICK OUT A MOVIE FOR TONIGHT, BECAUSE WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE SO DEAD TIRED, YOUR ALL GOING TO WISH I HAD KILLED YOU THE FIRST DAAY!" Mr. Brine clasped his hands when he was finally done with his directions and they all laughed eager to begin.

"ALRIGHT!" Yohji declared, and they were all on their feet in an instant. Damn that was a lot of stuff to do

"Who plants the best?" Aya took command immediately, but he didn't complain. The guy was the best at it, and in a second they were all almost performing a football huddle near the red head for directions.

"You do." He answered, and Omi and Yohji nodded to back him up.

"Alright. I will pot and plant. Ken and Omi, finish painting the living room. Yohji, start unloading the truck. As soon as I am done I'll come help you. Then we'll help Omi and Ken set up the living room." Aya stated before nodding as though it were finished.

"Who's going to make dinner?" Omi asked making a face.

"Well I am picking out the movie." Yohji gave them all a sly grin, and Aya sighed.

"Dinners a problem." Aya stated, and they all nodded. They only had some five hours! They'd never fit this all in! "Alright. Ken, you and Omi plant and seed. I will unload the truck myself, Yohji you finish painting the living room. Then Ken you and Omi make dinner while Yohji and I set up the living room."

"And I'll pick out the video!" Yohji quickly shot in and they all nodded.

"Understand?" Aya confirmed and they all nodded again. "Ok go." He took off towards the greenhouse with Omi right behind him.

"What kind of weapon do you think they'll give us?!" He exclaimed sending Omi a grin as he ripped his plastic apron off the hook in the wall and over his head. He could hardly stand still. Awesome! A weapon! For free! How cool! And a paid hobby! This was too good!

He started to the long wooden table in the middle of the room more excited than he could ever remember being. "Why do you think they're bothering to give us them at all?!" Omi exclaimed smiling as he slid a pot over. Slowly to make sure it wouldn't break, before pulling the box of dirt up to the table.

"Beats the hell out of me." He shrugged and Omi smiled, spooning dirt into his pot slowly. "Go faster Omi."

"It will take longer if we have to clean up after Ken." Omi stated before looking up at him. "Your getting dirt everywhere! We're the ones that have to cook you know." Omi exclaimed stopping for a moment to give him a scolding expression.

"Oh yeah." He grinned, cleaning up the dirt he had slopped all over the table. "What are we going to make? I don't know how to cook."

"I don't know. What food we have?" Omi stopped again and looked up at him from across the table, but he only shrugged and started taking each dirt filled pot and making a hole. Adding a few seeds and then some fertilizer before covering with more dirt and sliding the pot towards the other end of the table.

"I guess we'll wing it then." He finally answered when he couldn't come up with anything. Omi nodded and continued working. He was a fast pot filler, and already had about four ready for him to plant. "Ok now slow down, your going too fast for me."

"The sooner they're filled, the sooner I can help you seed and we're done." Omi stated and he smiled, Omi was right.

"Your pretty sharp you know that." He said.

"You have to be." Omi muttered and he looked up with a frown watching Omi immediately shut up. It looked like the boy was going to say more before clamping his mouth and holding back.

"What do you mean? Have to be?" he asked slowly.

"I don't really want to talk about it." Omi quickly answered, shaking his head for a moment before sliding another filled pot to the pile.

He nodded. "Here take those down there, and put them on the cart so we can pull them outside." Omi nodded, leaving the pot he was in the midst of filling and starting toward the cart. He watched, before turning back to the pot. "OMI!" He yelled. The pot rocked slightly, before slowly tipping as his hand reached across the table for it, and Omi shot back to catch it, but it fell and smashed. Into a thousand tiny pieces just like Mr. Brine said.

"Oh my god." Omi gasped, sinking to his knees to pick it up. "I am sorry Ken!"

"Forget that!" He sent a harsh whisper as he rushed around the table. "Lets just hurry and clean it up! No one has to know! Omi. I won't tell." He whispered and Omi's eyes looked so grateful, as the boy ripped up the shards of terracotta with shaky hands. He started doing the same before suddenly stopping with the odd sensation he was being watched. He looked up slowly and sure enough over Omi's crouched form was Mr. Brine just standing there. "Crap." He spit and Omi looked up at him before following his gaze and spinning around.

"So Tsukiyono." Mr. Brine stated and Omi winced when his name was spoken. "Finally." Mr. Brine sighed. "I thought your day would never arrive." Mr. Brine muttered and Omi stood up as Mr. Brine motioned for him to come. Standing still and almost frozen in the broken glass. A pile of it in the boys hand.

"It-It was an accident. I didn't mean to break it S-Sir." Omi muttered.

"I envisioned it no other way." Mr. Brine stated before motioning for Omi to come again, and he watched Omi carefully put the glass down with shaky hands and walk over. "Palms down on the table Tsukiyono, and turn around." Mr. Brine ordered casually and Omi inhaled for a moment before slowly following the orders. Walking directly to Mr. Brine and turning around to face the end of the table while slowly sliding shaky hands onto the top with a braced, upset expression sinking all over his face. "How'd you drop the pot?"

"It…r-rocked and fell off the edge when I left it S-sir." Omi answered and Mr. Brine nodded, pulling the cane to the side slightly, as Omi stared down at the table.

"Tsukiyono, let me ask you something." Mr. Brine began and he watched, standing wide eyed and frozen in the glass. Mr. Brines tones so far had been ones he had never heard. Reassuring and friendly, almost comforting as they spoke to Omi. "Do I give you special treatment?"

"No sir." Omi shook his head staring down at the table and his hands.

"I don't?"

"No sir." the answer came a little louder.

"A huh." Mr. Brine grunt for a moment before shifting slightly behind Omi. "Then why are your pants still on son?" Mr. Brine asked and Omi twitched with the comment, but didn't move. "LET'S GO TSUKIYONO!"

He watched Omi jump panicked and start undoing his shorts immediately. Shoving the back down quickly, and slamming his hands back onto the table. "Should I give you more because you were so Stupid Tsukiyono!?"

Omi jumped harder when his name was yelled. "I-I do-don't know S-Sir." The boy muttered.

"YOU DON'T KNOW!?" Mr. Brine repeated as though that were the stupidest thing Omi could have said.

"Pra-Probably S-SIR!" Omi cried

"YOUR DAMN RIGHT PROBABLY! TWO HAS NOW BECOME FOUR TSUKIYONO! WHAT DO YOU SAY!" There was a silence. "WHAT DO YOU SAY!!?"

"YES SIR!" Omi yelled.

"GOOD!" (Crack!) Omi jumped a foot up with the first crack. The boy's palms ripped up from the table, and his body straightened up with a loud gasp.

"HANDS ON THE TABLE!" Mr. Brine gabbed Omi's hands and pushed them back to the wood.

(Crack) "AHH!" He jumped when Omi screamed slightly with the impact. Omi was shocked to be hit with something that hurt so bad. (Crack!) Omi silenced this time, some of the surprise gone. (Crack!) "Mmm I am sorry siiir." He swallowed as Omi leaned downward toward the table shakily pulling his pants back up as Mr. Brine stepped back with a nod.

"Your fine now son." Mr. Brine reassured, while gently running a hand onto Omi's shoulder. "Just go clean it up." Mr. Brine nodded once, before leaving the room and he watched Omi snap a fast shaky glance at him while wiping his eyes before avoiding eye contact all together. Standing still for a moment with a shaky inhale before slowly walking back to the glass where he was, and silently dropping down to his knees to clean it up.

"I can do this." He offered crouching down as well and pulling some of the glass closer to himself.

"No I can do it." Omi answered, and he started picking the glass up faster to protest.

"Really it's ok." He reassured and Omi stopped moving. Head still down away from him before nodding and standing up slowly. "Do you want to…take a break? We've been going really fast so far." He looked up, but Omi only shook his head while silently bringing a pot over, and filled it with dirt. Working slowly so as not to spill a drop with his trembling hands, and as he stood up, he realized Omi's entire body was trembling. He quietly sat the glass on the table, trying to think of what to say. "It's….it's ok Omi." He slowly touched the boy's shoulder with his fingertips before running his hand onto it. "Not so bad right?"

"Ken." He couldn't see Omi's face from where he stood. It remained turned to the side, no longer moving dirt now, just shaking. "The-the others I…well…."

"I won't tell them Omi. We just won't say anything." He muttered and Omi's blue eyes slowly turn to him. The boy needed to see his face to know if he were lying, and would tell later. But he wasn't. Omi's blue orbs were filled with tears that hadn't yet fallen as they locked on his. "No one has to know." He nodded gently, bracing as Omi's hand slowly came to his shoulder and gently touched him.

"I just-just don't want them to know I acted this-this way." He frowned at the soft whisper. "I-I just can't stand people hitting me."

"Yeah…I know." He nodded softly, that was apparent. "No one likes getting it around here. Don't feel like you're the only one." He quickly reassured but Omi turned away from him and slowly started back with the dirt.

"But I am the only one like this." Omi whispered and he was quiet with the soft sad tone that slowly shoved dirt into another pot. "I didn't meant to break the pot, I should have been more careful." He didn't say anything again, just quietly took the pot and drilled a little hole into it with his fingers. "Where did you-you live? Before this Ken?" Omi asked quietly.

"No where." He frowned down at the pot under him. "Doesn't matter anyway. I don't have anywhere I am supposed to be after this thing." He spit and Omi glanced at him before wiping his eyes with the back of his hand again. "Why? Where did you live before this?"

"A…Catholic school." Omi answered and he stopped and looked up. A catholic school. That meant, a private school. A catholic Private School. Omi had money.

"Are you rich? Jesus Christ you must be swimming with money to have been in a Private Catholic School!" He exclaimed. Damnt it was good to finally meet someone with money, everyone he knew was dirt poor. Omi just shrugged lightly with his outburst.

"I don't know." Omi answered calmly.

"I thought they ah…" He composed himself quickly. "Didn't have schools where you lived all year round, around here, anymore though." He fumbled slightly with his words, for all he knew the rich people did.

"They don't." Omi answered monotone.

"But I thought you just said-"

"-I was an exception." Omi quickly cut him off. eyes still buried in his work, tone next to nothing if not more than slightly disgusted and slowly getting quieter. "I-I don't have…any family. Cause I…." Omi trail quiet and motionless, and he hadn't done a thing since his rich outburst. "Cause I…don't-"

"-Are they all dead?" he interrupted quietly.

"I don't-can't talk about this oookkk." Omi choked, the boy's head falling forward and he felt bad when he heard a small sob escape through his words and then muffle under the hand Omi brought to his mouth. "I am sorry." Omi quickly sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand again. "I am just…really lonely Ken."

"Lonely?" he repeat and Omi looked up and nodded. Quickly licking his lips as he sniffled, and he truly felt bad for the boy. What he could see inside the Omi was beautiful, and yet it was such a mess, and so upset. "Uh…I think we should take a break." He shoved his pot away. He had no idea what he was supposed to be saying to all of this. What the hell do you say!? Omi looked a little hurt, like he was interrupting what they were supposed to be getting accomplished, but he didn't care. "I think…you should…tell Aya and Yohji what you told me." Omi's eyes flew away immediately. "Omi." He reached out and grabbed the thin arm across the table from him. "Where are you going after this program?"

"I don't know. To the school I guess." Omi whispered and he nodded.

"Well I am going nowhere. So I'll go with you." Omi's eyes shot up immediately. "That way you won't be so lonely." He shrugged, offering a smile to the cautious expression studying him to see if this could be true.

"You'd do that?…Ken?" Omi seemed shocked, and relieved all in one.

"Why not?" He shrugged.

"Well I don't think you'd…like…my school." Omi quickly started filling more pots now that he was beginning to feel better, and he kept his strong smile on his face.

"Why not?" he asked casually.

"Well…cause it's….really strict and…the students, aren't so nice….and…."

"You didn't really fit in there did you?" He asked and Omi looked up startled.

"Why would you say that?" Omi quickly spit, shaken with his conclusion and insight.

"Because one minute you want me to come, so your not lonely, and the next you don't cause I would hate it." Omi frowned. "Your good intention is stabbing you in the back. Did you notice that?" Omi looked even more conflicted now. "I have an ever better idea than your school." He leaned into the table and dirt with a smile. "How about after this. You come with me." Omi's eyes were like saucers now. Like he had never considered not going back to the school if that's where he was to be sent.

"Where?" Omi asked slowly, as though in awe with his proposition.

"How should I know." He shrugged standing back up and sighing. "I was just inviting you along."

"Oh, well…thanks." Omi muttered before smiling when he looked up, the smile made him stop and for a moment he just stood there smiling back.

"HEY! What the hell are you guys doing!?" Yohji's yelled coming in panting and startling them both.. "You (pant pant) lazy bastards! I have been killing myself! (pant) Killing! (pant) Look at me! LooK! Ken." He sighed and looked up annoyed with Yohji's shove. "Ken look." Yohji demanded opening his arms and he gave the guy a look. "Killing Myself! with that living room! And I come in here, and your both standing around smiling!? Do you, or do you not want to watch *thee* best movie tonight? Hmm?" Yohji teased leaning into him and wiggling his eyebrows.

"We are too working." He shoved Yohji away, before looking at the table when Omi came up next to him. Man! The kid had finished filling the pots with dirt already! Now he was seeding with him!. "I am the only one going slow, he filled all those pots." He motioned towards the pots, but Omi ignored the praise and kept seeding.

"Really." Yohji cocked an approvingly eyebrow before frowning at him. "Well what's taking you." Yohji scolded with a sly tone.

"I dropped a pot." He muttered and Yohji's frown disappear. "It's fine." He assured shoving Yohji away as it looked like the guy might say something. "Are you going to help us seed or what?"

"Can't. I gotta go help Aya set up the living room." Yohji groaned and he nodded as the blonde leaned around him to look at Omi. "You alright Tsukiyono?" Yohji asked.

"Fine." Omi answered monotone, and for some reason it hurt him to hear it, because he knew how un-fine the kid really was.

"Alright, then hurry up because you two need to cook." Yohji called back while leaving. The blonde obviously found nothing strange with Omi's comment, or simply decided to let it slide.

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"You know first I was trying to decide if you were a moody bastard, but now I am pretty sure your just a stubborn son of a bitch!" He spit annoyed.

Aya just growled at him and shoved the moist towel away. "Ken your not helping anyone." Yohji said, almost scolding him with the tone before moving closer to Aya who was sobbing as quiet as he'd ever heard it done. "You two missed one hell of a show. Didn't I tell you he was a murderer?" Yohji said and he stood up and backed away from Aya and the bed. Yohji just moved to where he was and sat at the end of it, watching Aya burrow father into a pillow and choke a harder sob.

They were all sentenced to their room. Without dinner, the living room undone, and no movie. What a bunch of shit. "Did I tell you what happened?" Yohji asked again and he shook his head while Aya's hand came up giving them all the finger. "He threw something at him." Yohji explained.

"At Mr. Brine!?" Omi exclaimed shocked, finally tearing his eyes away from where he was watching Aya's face with compassion.

"Yeah. A…chair, cabinet thing." Yohji said.

"Yohji it's either a chair, or a cabinet, it can't be both." He sighed, but Yohji just gave him a look that made him sigh harder. He wasn't even going to *bother* asking again.

Aya was lying on his bed, pants around the guys strong thighs. The burning was just to bad to get them up. Aya had taken the paddle. "Well how many times was he hit?" He finally asked.

Yohji said nothing for a moment and just continued watching Aya cry as though lost in thought before looking over. "I was there for the first five, but after that…." Yohji trailed, shaking his head a little. "After that I got the hell out of there." Yohji's honesty made him frown. Yohji ran? That must have been a sight, just the thought made him shiver a little. "Maybe fifteen." Yohji finally found an approximate.

"FIFTEEN!?" Omi yelled both shocked and worried. "Mr. Brine hit him fifteen times!? Why!? That's not fair! You said the thing didn't even hit him!" Omi yelled, backing up from Aya while talking.

"It's to make a point Omi." He explained, sighing at the young boy who just backed up a little further, clearly upset with this. He turned to Aya, the guy was just hogging his bed. "Aya is it alright if I take your bunk then?" He asked patiently waiting for an answer and then frowning as Aya's hand just gave him the finger while the guy's head was buried in his pillow choking rough noises. "Jesus." He swore, glancing back at the red blistering skin. "I am glad that's not me."

"Are you kidding!?" Yohji exclaimed, and the outburst made him jump. "What this means is, it could be any of us! The guy just decides what to do! Depending on how mad he is! It's all bullshit!"

"Keep it down Yohji." He threw the blonde a look. "I don't know about you, but I know Omi and I don't want our assess burning." He whispered harshly and Yohji gave him a look as he climbed up to his bunk. He slowly climbed into Aya's, watching Omi curl up on his own watching Aya.

"Can I get you anything Aya?" Omi whispered, and the sweet gesture made him smile. Even though the only response Omi got was Aya's hand which rose and gave the boy the finger. Omi didn't seem hurt though, instead the boy continued to watch the red head for a good five minutes with the same caring gaze before slowly rolling over.

He sighed and rolled over too, staring ahead at the wall before closing his eyes. What a bust this night was. God he wanted sleep.

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"WHO SAID PLAY WITH THe KNIVES!?" Mr. Brine demanded.

"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" Yohji screamed, as though in this time of panic, they needed to worry about such stupid questions. "oK!" Yohji yelled again, laying a hand on his back to steady him as he held his bleeding arm with a grip of steel and wide eyes that wouldn't budge from the wound and blood. "JESUS CHRIST!"

"WATCH YOUR MOUTH KUDOU!" Mr. Brine snapped

"Mr. Brine!" Omi called while grabbing his arm to help keep pressure around the crease and elbow, so the long red slit trickling blood down his arm would ease. "I think we should take him to the hospital!"

"No can do Tsukiyono." Mr. Brine stated calmly. All agitation, or even real interest in his bleeding seeming to drain from the mans face. "You boys have to learn to take care of yourselves."

"WHAT!?" He screamed, his eyes snapped up from his cut to Mr. Brine. The man had to be insane! He didn't know any first aid! And he had a good hunch neither Aya, Omi or Yohji knew any either! He wasn't letting those imbeciles touch him!

"You heard me right." Mr. Brine nodded, confirming this was so. "And if WE HAVE TO CUT OFF YOUR ARM HIDAKA! YOUR GOING TO HAVE YOUR FRIENDS TO BLAME!" Mr. Brine exclaimed, with a soft smile which seemed humored with their sudden horrified expressions.

"NO WAY!" He screamed before jumping as Aya touched his arm. "GET OFF ME! YOU GUYS ARE DUMB AS HELL! I NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL! SIR!!" He yelled, trying to steady his voice and demand aid, but even he could tell his tone was desperate, and worried.

"You know Ken." Yohji gave him a frown as Aya took the medical book from Mr. Brine. "You're the one bleeding, I wouldn't be the one insulting *us* right now." The blonde gave him a look.

"BITE ME YOHJI!" He snapped. "OW OMI!" He screamed at the soft finger that touched his cut. Omi jumped with he yelled and snapped his hand away mumbling an apology,

"Ok first we, disinfect it, and then bandage it with one of these." Aya explained before flipping the book around, and pointing at the picture of a bandage. (there was a silence, where the only thing that could be heard was his heavy breathing) "…Do we have any?" Aya asked calmly.

"HOW SHOULD I KNOW!" He screamed as three pairs of eyes turned to him.

"No more talking for you Hidaka, or I am just going to let you bleed." Yohji threatened slapping him in the back of the head and he growled.

"Ummm there's a first aid kid upstairs." Omi said thoughtfully, and seconds later he felt Aya grab his shoulder, as Yohji grabbed his other. Helping him through the halls and upstairs to the bathroom. Omi took up the slack as Aya dropped him and ripped the bathroom cabinets open.

Then they were all silent…staring at the contents until Yohji gave a long whistle. Their bathroom cabinets suddenly had some of the most expensive and complicated medical utensils and bandages they had ever seen, and he knew for *sure* they never unloaded that!

"Why would we…need all of this?" Omi asked turning to them, but none of them answered. They could barely pull their eyes from the assets that seemed to have just appeared, let alone answer Omi, and after the boy's question it was silent again. Silent and still, until Aya slowly reached out, and took one roll of bandages from a bin, held it for a moment, as if to make sure it were real before quietly standing back up and firmly grabbing his arm while Yohji grabbed some alcohol.

"Don't you guys have anything BETTER!?" He growled as they pulled his arm over the sink and steadied it, before Yohji dumped the alcohol over his cut. "AH OW YOU BASTARDS!!" He felt Omi grab his free arm as he went to shove Yohji away. His bleeding limb shaking with the clamp of his muscles as Aya gently started bandaging while ignoring his low curses.

"So." Mr. Brine spoke from the doorway and they all turned to the man before swallowing as they're eyes instinctively traveled to the leather strap held in one strong hand. "Who was playing with the knives?"

"I was." He spoke through grit teeth. Glancing again at his wound before back to Mr. Brine. "With Yohji." He added and Yohji nodded as Mr. Brine slowly cocked an eyebrow.

"You cut yourself Hidaka?" Mr. Brine sounded baffled and he gave the man a sour face. "HAHAHA! You boys are HYSTERICAL! One of the best groups I have had in A LONG TIME! HAHAH!" Mr. Brine spoke through the strong booming laughter. "A Hahaaaa. Well." Mr. Brine stated gaining control over his laughter. "As soon as he's bandaged Hidaka and Kudou come out here and put your hands to the wall. Hidaka you can keep your one arm down." Mr. Brine directed, chuckling with a firm, wide grin as he was patched up with much struggling and inflicted pain. "I was trying to decide if I should teach your boys weapons and self defense, or first aid first. But you answered that one for me." Mr. Brine explained and he glanced away as Omi and Aya sent Yohji and him frowns. How boring, they all wanted weapons and fighting first. Apparently the fact he was cut, didn't even wager against their overall loss in Omi and Aya's book. He was still going to be blamed for making things boring.

He left the bathroom with Yohji as Omi and Aya cleaned up the blood he had smeared around, and all the stuff they had touched. Quickly lowering his pants a tad, he put his hand up next to Yohji's and sighed while he waited. Who the hell had stocked all that medical stuff in there? He thought through the pause where he was left standing. He knew they sure didn't.

Yohji suddenly jerked next to him, before he mimicked. They were getting better at keeping their confirmations of pain to themselves, but it didn't hurt any less. Aya shook his head while leaving the bathroom and started downstairs, and Omi steered way clear of them, and didn't even glance before disappearing. "Mm." Yohji grunt slightly, and he bit his lip. He wanted to stay quiet for the entire thing, then he wouldn't have to brag. Yohji would make the connection on his own. The guy was real observant, like Fujimiya…and…Tsukiyono. Now that he thought about it, they were all really observant in their own ways. "MM." He grinned as Yohji made another noise, to his jerk and Mr. Brine was done.

He started pulling his pants up immediately, ignoring the sting in his arm as Yohji turned to him. "Don't look so smug Hidaka." Yohji growled shifting his pants up as well. "Or I'll give you something you'll make noise too."

"Sure." he grinned, cringing as his pants made it up and he followed Yohji downstairs. Aya and Omi were in the kitchen sitting at the table that was stacked with books. Omi gave them both sympathetic looks before standing as they neared. Aya cocked an eyebrow when Omi stood before slowly imitating and he smiled. Wow, he congratulated himself for marking Omi down as one of thee observant ones. Omi had already figured out if they were all standing, he and Yohji wouldn't have to sit on their sensitive skin. That was nice. Definitely more foresight then he gave the boy credit for.

"BOYS! This stuff is for You!" Mr. Brine explained walking into the room, and they all looked at the books. "STARTING TOMORROW MOURNING! You'll get up at five and run four miles!" Instantly all their mouths opened for protest. "FOUR MILES ALL OF YOU!" Mr. Brine yelled, and instantly all their mouths closed. "YOU'LL HAVE ONE HOUR TO DO IT! Who ever comes back after the one hour mark….well pay for it. Now, these books are for your studies."

"Studies!?" Yohji shot, groaning.

"Yes. Studies." Mr. Brine nodded at them. "Your all going to learn basic First Aid and…more. It will be your entire lessen for the rest of today so pick up these books and follow me." He sighed grabbing a few books with his good arm and heading down stairs. "I have a surprise for you." he rolled his eyes, going down the spiral metal stairs and to the basement room before stopping dead as Mr. Brine walked up to a door he had never seen.

"OK!" Yohji yelled immediately. "That door was NOT there! How'd it get there!" They all watched Mr. Brine smile and chuckle as the man strolled up to the door. Yohji was right. The damn thing just appeared! He couldn't figure it out! His eyes were scanning the wall but, that looked the same. It was just…suddenly, there was a door.

They all leaned their heads to the side to try and see through the door as Mr. Brine turned the handle and flicked it in. "After you." Mr. Brine smiled, extending a hand into the open doorway and they all stood silent and cautious before Yohji spoke.

"Thank you." Kudou started for the door and strolled right in happy as a clown. The minute they watched the blonde walk through unharmed and stand glancing around inside Omi instantly started forward, and Aya and him quickly followed.

The first room they walked into was lengthwise, about ten feet in front of them was another door. Inside there was a big dry erase board running all around the wall on the left half. There were also two long desks. The kind where two people sat at each. To his right, was shelving, cabinets and a long fat table, maybe four by eight. The entire room was about ten by thirty. "This is where you will open your minds." Mr. Brine explained with a smile, and they all turned to the man and watched him walk up to the door in front of them. "And this." Mr. Brine began turning the knob and flicking that door in too. "Is where you will open your bodies."

Yohji dropped the books and started in right away. He followed stumbling slightly as Omi and Aya kept him going with anxious shoves.

"I am *Loving* this!" Yohji exclaimed with a grin as they stopped inside the large white room. It was a gym where they were, and further up some twenty feet it was all mats.

"This door closets. This door bathrooms and showers." Mr. Brine explained pointed to the two doors to their right. "Now, boys." They all watched the man turn to them and smile. "Do you want to know…what these rooms are for?" He nodded, and so did everyone else. "In order for me to tell you, you have to be willing to commit for maybe longer than four months if you win. Longer than six if you don't. Can you all commit?"

"I can." He spoke up immediately, he didn't have anywhere to go. "Omi too." Omi looked startled when he volunteered him so quickly, but slowly nodded.

"Well I am in." Yohji was all grins.

"Same here." Aya stated and he smiled at the red head who send a small one back before turning to Mr. Brine.

"Good." Mr. Brine clasped his hands for a moment, nodding at them. "That was just recorded." They're jaws fell to the floor shocked. "You'll be held to your word so Get BACK IN THAT ROOM AND PICK UP THOSE BOOKS!" Mr. Brine explained calmly before yelling with the finger a pointed to the door they all scrambled through, before grabbing a book and a seat as ordered. He was in front with Omi, and Aya and Yohji were behind them. "From now on you boys are going to learn to identify sickness, identify wounds. Identify medical instruments and bandages. Know when and how to use them. So FROM NOW ON! I DON'T WANT TO HERE ANY MORE -BANDAGE LIKE THIS- and poINT TO PICTURE TALK!" Mr. Brine yelled. "Your going to learn to give needles, take samples, and identify problems, and your going to be doing it to each other. So get ready, cause your going to learn fast, and your going to get to know the bodies of your team mates. This information is going to be very, *very* important during battle." Mr. Brine smiled at the end of his speech, and they were all silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

"Um." Yohji mumbled, slowly waving his hand and they all turned to the blonde. "What-what do you mean…What do you mean when you say -in battle- Mr. Brine?" Yohji asked slowly.

"Why the runner up team of course. I thought you boys wanted to know who they were." Mr. Brine winked, and they all grinned immediately. "You do want to battle them don't you?" Mr. Brine chuckled cocking an eyebrow before exhaling and clasping his hands again. "SO! Open your books to the first page!

__________________________________________________________________ ______

He sighed heavily, running over the worksheet he had just completed. There was no clock in the room but Yohji had a watch, so he knew he had been there for five hours…learning. "So does anyone know where signs of infections would show?" He sighed as Omi's hand went up. "Yes Tsukiyono?"

"The throat and eyes." Omi answered.

Mr. Brine almost smirked when the answer was correct…Again. "Is anyone besides Tsukiyono learning anything?" Mr. Brine asked and he sent the man a dull look while listening to Aya yawn for the hundredth time behind him. "Alright." Mr. Brine sighed. "I can see we need more of a hands on approach, so get up!" He drug himself from his chair, which now felt like his bed, and over to the big long table. "Get on it Kudou." Mr. Brine directed.

"What?! Me? Why?!" Yohji shot, taking a step back from the table before quickly climbing on when Mr. Brine sent him a squint. "Alright now this card I am going to give Kudou here…Is a sickness, or wound." Mr. Brine explained. "You have it Kudou. The rest of you, his team members want to cure or fix it. If you don't your all one team member short, and he's the only one who makes decent food!"

"Thank you Mr. Brine." Yohji smiled.

"Shut up Kudou! You don't get to talk, only act out your card." Mr. Brine directed and Yohji gave a heavy sigh while stretching out on the table and folding his hands behind his head. "Take these cards boys!" He took his card, and so did Aya and Omi. "In a second, each of you will be on this table, and the rest will be curing you. I am preying for Tsukiyono, because his team is DUMB! AND YOU'LL BE ONE SMART TEAM MEMBER SHORT IF YOU LET HIM DIE! NOW GET GOING."

He sighed and walked up along side of the blonde. "Alright, what's wrong with you Yohji." He asked.

"WEll I-" Yohji began to answer before Mr. Brine yelled.

"-NO! IF YOUR TEAM MEMBER IS DYING, DO YOU SIGH YOUR WORDS AT HIM LIKE YOU'D RATHER BE WATCHING TV!? DO BETTER!" Mr. Brine giving him a scolding glare before sitting back down on one of their desks and watching.

He groaned and Omi shoved him out of the way to get closer to the table. "Hi Yohji." the boy smiled. "Tell us why your sick?" He started laughing, before quickly shutting up as Mr. Brine snapped him an even tighter expression.

"It's terrible you guys." Yohji groaned. "My head is killing me and…" Yohji lifted the card slightly and read it again. "And my vision is blurry. I feel like I just got punch out by the Terminator." He suppressed another laugh before turning to Omi.

"So what's wrong with him?" He asked.

"I don't know, those symptoms could mean anything." Omi answered shrugging, before turning back to Yohji with a sympathetic look. "Maybe it's just something you ate Yohji, get lots of fluids." Omi advised patting Yohji's shoulder.

"BOYS!" Mr. Brine barked causing them all to jump out of their skins. "THAT'S TERRIBLE! BOOM! KUDOU! YOUR DEAD! OFF THE TABLE! FUJIMIYA GET ON!" He sighed as Aya got on to Yohji's whining about them not carrying for him.

"Ok Aya, tell us why your sick." he smiled at the red head who frowned at him.

"My stomach has been hurting me for three days. I feel very grouchy, and depressed. My neighbor talked to me the other day and I ignored her, when I am normally a happy like to make conversation person. I have lost my appetite, and I have problems going to the bathroom."

"HAHAH!" Yohji broke down instantly.

"KUDOU! SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Mr. Brine screamed and he turned to Omi to hide his own laughter. Aya on the other hand, looked down right disgusted.

"Well…did it all start three days ago Aya?" Omi asked and Aya nodded. "What have you eaten since?"

"Nothing he said he lost his appetite Omi." Yohji shot in frowning.

"So." Omi gave Yohji a look before turning to Aya's -some toast- "Does your card say that Aya?" Omi whispered.

"I am improvising you ass holes." Aya growled at them, his body stiffening like he was holding in his desire to hurt them. He started chuckling but Omi backed up a little before glancing to Mr. Brine. He imitated, and Yohji was next causing the man sigh.

"Alright I'll give you a hint." Mr. Brine sighed and they watched the man walk over to one of the shelves, and cabinets and rip one open. Sighing harder as they looked at all the medical supplies inside. "You all know the correct blood pressure rate, heart rate, temperature exedra! Wouldn't you be able to narrow it DOWN BETTER IF YOU KNEW FUJIMIYA'S!" Mr. Brine asked while making a circle with his hand. "START TO IT!"

Yohji pulled some stuff out of the cabinet immediately, looking at the do-dad with a grin. "Say ahhh Aya." Yohji grinned opening and closing the thing with a grin.

"Fuck off Kudou." Aya sneered. "Touch me with that, and I'll shove it through your skull."

"Yohji!" Omi pulled the thing away from the blonde and put it back in the cabinet. "That's not for your mouth." Yohji just sighed and pulled one of the books from the shelves.

"Are we allowed to use these?" Yohji asked cocking an eyebrow at Mr. Brine who was seated again.

"Kudou the more questions you ask me the worse you boys do. Fujimiya is dying, do you even care?" Mr. Brine asked dully.

"If he dies, do I get his stuff?" Yohji grinned before bolting back as Aya sat up and made a swing at him. "OK! I was joking! Relax! Aya I love you." Yohji teased, but Aya only grit his teeth at them before throwing his card to the floor.

"I want a new one." Aya demanded. "They're going to kill me." Aya's distasteful frown turned directly to him with that comment and he slowly sat the funny claspy thing he had been squeezing open and closed down. With a wide innocent smile he took a step from the silvery tool and Mr. Brine handed Aya's still displeased expression a new card.

"What are your symptoms now Aya?" Omi asked still smiling at the red head whom leaned back with a deep sigh and read the card before dully looking up to the ceiling and raising his hand.

"I have a deep cut on my thumb." Omi looked disappointed.

"Oh cooome ooonnn." He turned to Mr. Brine with his groan. "Are we doing that bad?"

"He's bleeding to death Hidaka, and your talking to me?" Mr. Brine asked.

"Oh yeah. I really believe he's going to bleed to death through his thumb." He snort rolling his eyes and Yohji cracked a smile.

"Alright." Yohji shoved him to the side and slid a book onto Aya's stomach. "It says we need to control any bleeding by pressing clean gauze directly over the wound with the palm of our hands."

"Ok." He smiled as Omi gently took Aya's hand, as though it were cut. "Where? I squeeze his thumb?"

"No Omi. Always squeeze the portion above the wound dummy. If you cut your thumb would you want us squeezing it?" His smile widened as Omi's hand slid from Aya's thumb to the skin under and between it. Squeezing gently but firmly, and he almost laughed when Omi asked Aya if it felt better, and Aya said the blood was drastically reducing. "OK! Next we…wait…you don't have an impaled object right?-No." Yohji turned the page. "Ok, I guess we just wrap it in gauze, whatever that is."

"It's bandages Yohji. You moron." He sighed, watching the blonde slam the book with his tone and Aya got annoyed, since the book was on his stomach. "I am sorry Yohji. I don't mean to snap, it's just…the thought of loosing Aya upsets me." He teased and Yohji laughed as he pulled some bandage from the cabinet and started gently wrapping them around and between Aya's thumb. "There, we did it." He said, and they all turned to Mr. Brine while Aya flashed his thumb up with an exhausted expression.

"Good. Tsukiyono, here's your new card." Mr. Brine directed and Omi took it and climbed onto the table reading it slowly before sighing. He took a step towards Omi, he wanted to be the doctor this time but Aya pushed him aside.

"Move Ken, I am not subjecting him to the same idiocy. Omi what are your symptoms?" Aya demanded, as though anxious to have this all be over.

"I have a bad fever Aya." Omi stated.

"OK!" He grinned as Yohji brought the book back and slid it onto Omi's stomach, flipping through the pages. "Don't worry guys, Omi." Yohji gave them all a grin. "Pretty soon we won't need the book."

"That's the idea Kudou." Mr. Brine sighed, sounding more exhausted than impressed with their slow drawn conclusion.

"Ok fevers!" Yohji exclaimed while he leaned over the guys shoulder to see too. "First we take it, then…place a cool cloth, or bag of some crushed ice on the patients, Omi's, forehead. Give him plenty of fluids." He nodded, as Yohji turned to the open cabinet. "Ok." The blonde pulled out the small tin labeled thermometers and picked a few up. "What the hell are all of these?"

"This one! You use that one!" Omi grabbed one from the blonde immediately, and gave it to Aya.

"Your loosing Points boys! Your patient is doctor-ing!" Mr. Brine shot in.

"Omi Shut up!" He scolded giving the boy a frown he imitated as Yohji continued to fiddle with the other thermometers before Aya shoved them back in the tin.

"He wants this because its oral, these are not." Aya explained

"Gross." Yohji gave them all a disgusted look before shoving the tin back into the cabinet like it was contaminated with un-fun. Aya gently slipped the thermometer into Omi's mouth and waited. "Wait three minutes Aya, did you shake it first?" Yohji asked and Aya's face dropped annoyed. "Well then do it, it says we need to make sure the mercury is shaken, and to give him lots of fluids."

"Hey have you guys ever broken one of those?" He grinned as Aya took the thermometer back, shook it, and gently slipped it back inside Omi small mouth. "The mercury is real neat outside."

"It's poisoness." Aya frowned at him, and Yohji started laughing at his uh-oh expression. "Don't play with mercury, any of you." They all nodded with Aya's firm order before the red head pulled the thermometer from Omi's mouth and read it. "98."

"Well now his temperature is 103, so what do we do boys?" Mr. Brine said, and he frowned the man was purposely making things difficult for them!

"Ahh…" Yohji trailed looking back into the book. "Lie the patient down on a waterproof sheet, and or empty bath and sponge the body down with lukewarm or cold water. Recheck the patients temperature every two to four hours until it has decreased." Omi was frowning, and so was he.

Aya turned the book around and re-read, before frowning when he didn't find anything Yohji didn't say. "We could just as easily have removed his shirt, and soaked his head. Moving him might not have been the best possible choice while he's felling ill."

"Why?" Yohji frowned.

"Because he'll puke on you." Aya stated and he laughed at Yohji's horrified expression. "It also would have been uncomfortable for Omi." Omi nodded immediately.

He turned to Mr. Brine with a grin. "We get serious points for this right?" .

The man nodded. "Yes you do. Excellent improvisation. Considering your teammates feelings is extremely important, and Fujimiya is one hundred percent right about moving an ill person Kudou….Hidaka, your next. Up on the table."

________________________________________________________________ ____

The Following Mourning

"Oh my goooood." He would have smiled at Yohji's groan, if he wasn't so out of breath. "I have never (huff) really believed I was going to die (huff) before in my life, but….I think (huff) this is it."

"Kudou (huff Puff) Will you (huff) Shut up!" He kept running, trying to make it all four miles, but Yohji was making it harder with all the talking. "God, you think (huff) He would have died already then (huff) Huh Omi?" He glanced to his right before frowning at the boys absence. "Aya!" He yelled up to the red head as he stopped. Crouching till his hands were resting on his knees and breathing hard as he looked back. Omi had apparently stopped about the same time Yohji had started talking. "Come on! (huff) OMI! Let's GO!" He called back to the boy who was doubled over resting like he was. Omi didn't look up with his yell, instead he watched the lithe form continue to stand slumped down breathing hard.

They were almost back, all on their forth mile, and Yohji and Omi were doing the worse.

"No! Stay there Omi!" Yohji yelled back before sucking in air and he frowned. "We need (huff) to rest!"

"Get up." He frowned as Yohji just sat down. Omi was walking towards them now, still breathing heavily and utterly exhausted. "Come on."

"We have to keep moving." Aya was back now, taking Omi's arm as the boy made it up to them. "You keep up with me, or I'll pull you." Aya threatened and Omi nodded as the red head turned to them. "No one gets left behind so take him Ken." Aya said pointing to Yohji and he grabbed the blonde's arm and started jogging slightly. Yohji wasn't doing so bad, but Omi was already dragging on Aya. "Come on!" Aya barked and he pushed himself to go faster. He wanted to make it. Aya really is a great leader he thought, if you had to pick one of them, and this sucked. His throat was dry and itchy from breathing so hard, his eyes just wanted to close on him. His face was red, and sweaty. His body filled with a fire, but cold and clammy with sweat. The air was beautiful though, saturated with the soft smell of pollen and moist beads of dew in the early mourning sun. Lovely weather, if they weren't forced to run.

"I need to stop." He opened his eyes slightly with Omi's plea. It was breathed down to sidewalk as Aya pulled on him a little to keep him going. "I need to stop! Please! (huff puff) Please! Just for (huff) a second!"

"Just keep going Omi." He said, shoving the thin body that was now fully behind Aya the length of it's arm. Omi was breathing heavily though his mouth, and didn't even open his eyes enough to look at him. "Come on! Omi! GO!" He yelled before tripping slightly when Yohji suddenly stopped. "Yohji!" he barked and Aya stopped with it and turned around to them while Omi sunk to the ground breathing hard.

"We have to stop for him." Yohji breathed.

"Ahh geeez." he groaned, before feeling bad as Omi's head sunk down a little ashamed he was holding them up. "How much farther and how much time?" He asked turning to Aya.

"Ten minutes." Aya seemed grim with his answer. "We need to keep going *now*. Or we won't make it."

"Leave me here." Omi's hand pulled from Aya's as the boys eyes stayed on the ground.

"Are you crazy." Yohji exclaimed. He was catching his breath as Yohji took a step forward and ripped Omi up. "You haven't gotten it once! I am not going to be responsible for your first time! Now, get on my back."

"What!? No." Omi shot, shaking his head and stumbling back with just the thought. That was so undignified, the boy'd rather be punished than have to ride on one of their backs in order to make it. "I-I can make it by myself." Omi spit defensively.

"How!?" Yohji gave the boy a dirty look. "By coming in late!? No way. I said get on my back if you can't run."

"I can run!" Omi firmed up, standing up to the tall blonde whom towered over him. Aya and him just watched as the two just stared each other down through the small lapse of silence.

"…Then, let's go." He finally spoke, giving Omi and Yohji a grin when they both turned to him. "No reason to stand here, if we can all run." Aya nodded with his comment, before gently taking Omi's hand and jogging again. He forced himself to follow, and make sure Yohji kept up too.

Their faces were all beat red, sweaty and exhausted from limb to limb when they saw the front of the shop. Just one hard bark from Aya kept them from slowing on sight of it, and they shoved that door open, and collapsed to the floor the instant they got there.

"Welcome back Boys." Mr. Brine was standing over them smiling before they knew it. Watching them all fight for air as Yohji stretched, and Omi laid down. Aya and him dropping to crouch on the floor panting. "Nice weather?" Mr. Brine asked. ".…Hahahaah. HAHAHA! GET UP! HAPPY DAY! TIME TO GET THINGS STARTED!" Mr. Brine exclaimed, filling the room with his hearty, warm laughter before there was a silent pause where they all kept panting and didn't move before Mr. Brine snapped the cane against the table. They all scrambled to their feet instantly when they heard that. "GOOD! HAHA!" Mr. Brine laughed again. "NOW! No NEED To SHOWER! Cause I have YARD WORK FOR YOU! Get OUTSIDE TO THE LAWN AND PLANT!…NOW!" He stumbled slightly as he started moving, following Aya and Omi through the store, kitchen, green house and then to the yard before collapsing to his knees when he got there..

"No way." he cringed at the cart filled with flowers that needed to be planted, and bags of dirt that needed to be unloaded.

"What?" Yohji came stumbling out behind him before stopping dead. "NOO! NO WAY! Mr. BRINE! I'd rather take ten then do this!"

"TO BAD KUDOU HAHAH!" Mr. Brine laughed and Yohji collapsed next to him with the reply. "IT'S NON NEGOTIABLE! ONE HOUR TO GET THIS ALL DONE! THEN IT'S PLANT STUDY! THEN MEDICAL STUDY! THEN YOU CAN ALL HAVE AN HOUR BREAK!" They were all staring at the cart like it was death as Mr. Brine listed out the day before the last part caught their attention, and they all turned to the man.

"A break?" Omi spoke up first, confused. "We can break Sir?"

"For one hour only Tsukiyono. "Mr. Brine clarified. "One MINUTE MORE AND I'LL BRAND YOU FOR IT! HAHAH!" Mr. Brine laughed, strolling back inside and he frowned, glaring ahead at the cart. At this time in his life, he couldn't think of one thing he hated more than that cart. _________________________________________________________________

They had completed the outdoor work, done their plant studies. Learned more about dirt, and seeding, then water techniques and why leaves were sensitive to it. Now they were back downstairs in one of the basement rooms learning more first aid crap. When he stopped to think about it, he couldn't believe they had found time to fit all that in. Really, the amazing part was, they were *Still* fitting stuff in! He'd never felt a longer day than this! He's never- "HIDAKA! What goes in a first aid box?" Mr. Brine suddenly asked, snapping him from his thoughts.

"Umm…Roll bandages…triangular bandages, adhesive bandages…antiseptic lotion….sterile-sterile dressings….scissors, safety pins, tweezers, and…" he trailed, crap… he couldn't remember! "And ah…" He glanced at Omi, watching the still hand raise one single finger. Crap! One thing, he was forgetting one thing! It was a aaa, a aaaa "And a flashlight!" He quickly burst out, watching Mr. Brine nod.

"And Kudou. What goes in *OUR* First Aid Kit." Mr. Brine asked turning to the blonde.

Yohji grinned, sighing heavily as he leaned into his desk for a moment. "All that stuff Ken said, plus…two needles of morphine…a cold compress, hot compress, communication back to the store, weapon for protection, small explosive, sedative, fake ids, and a hundred dollars emergency cash."

"And why is ours different Kudou?" Mr. Brine asked grinning with the correct answer.

"I honestly have no idea sir." Yohji shrugged and Mr. Brine's grin widened.

"Good. But your happy with that?" Mr. Brine asked.

"Yes I am sir." Yohji answered and Mr. Brine chuckled now. They were all happy with it. Who cared why they would need that stuff. This was cool.

__________________________________________________________________ ______

"I think they're training us for something." Aya stated, and he nodded from where he was lying on his bottom bunk.

"Like?" Yohji immediately sat up in his bed grinning.

"Like we're Secret Agents." Omi shot in with a smile.

"Like we're Secret Agents." Aya nodded. "Or something of that sort. Why else would they be teaching us this?" The red head leaned off his bunk to look down at him, and they locked eyes.

"I don't know but…Why would they let us be secret Agents?" He asked.

"Yeah. Mr. Brine won't even let us have the bathroom to ourselves. Why would they trust us with anything else." Yohji groaned and he sighed with the point the blonde brought up. It was a good point. "I mean face it guys." Yohji lay back with a sigh. "We aren't exactly…pick of the litter."

There was a still of silence, his eyes went back up to the bottom of Aya's bunk, and no one said anything because that was true. No way around it, they were all nobodies. "Would be neat if we *could* be secret agents though." Omi muttered and he smiled at the boy's soft comment. Turning to look towards Omi's bunk his smile widened at the boy who was playing with his fingers, covered up almost entirely as if he were cold. "Do you want to be a secret agent Ken?" Omi suddenly asked turning to him with a smile, and he had to smile back.

"Yeah, just like James Bond." He answered, his tone wishful.

"Ok if any one is any one, I am James Bond." Yohji was up in a flash, sending him a sly grin. "You have to be smooth, and know how to play it cool Hidaka. Your more of a…Robin."

"Ok I Am at least a Batman!" He snapped frowning and Yohji grinned. "And your more of a Dick Tracy, because…James Bond has too much class for you."

"Ouch." Kudou gave him a look and stuck out its bottom lip.

"No, Yohji seems like James Bond to me." Omi nodded, and Yohji leaned off his bunk enough to give the boy a wink.

"I see him as a Lone gun man myself." Aya stated, and he leaned off his bunk to look up at the red head.

"No Aya you're the lone gunman, Yohji's the James Bond and Omi your like…" Omi smiled the moment he looked over at the boy. Omi was anxious to hear what he'd say, but he found himself floundering for a super hero he knew of that was like Omi. He chuckled out loud with the first absurd thing to come to his mind. "Your like….Mighty Mouse." He blurt out.

"WHAT!?" Omi yelled sitting up with a frown, and Yohji started laughing. "That's not even a person Ken! Shut up!" He shrugged as a pillow was thrown at him before Omi laid down and rolled to look away from him.

"I was kidding!" He grinned, shoving the pillow off his face. 'Omi--"

"-BOYS! SHUT UP AND SLEEP OR YOU'LL ALL BE UP AT THREE RUNNING FOR TWO HOURS TOMORROW!" Mr. Brine yelled to the and he shut his mouth immediately. No way he was doing that. Laying back into his bunk and closing his eyes, he would force sleep somehow if necessary. He sure as hell wasn't going to be running at four o'clock, if Omi was mad at him that would have to wait.

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