Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Walking on Hell ❯ Beg ( Chapter 2 )

Walking on Hell
Scribblemoose

Never forget:
We walk on hell
Gazing at flowers

Issa

Chapter 2: Beg

"Did you get anything?"

"Hello to you too, Aya," Yohji strode across the shop to where Aya stood counting the day's takings into neat piles by the cash register. "I had a great day, how about you?"

Aya glared at him with his eyes, but let the tiniest of smiles play on his lips. "Well? Any news on where we can find Koga?"

Yohji sighed, standing behind Aya and sliding his arms easily around his narrow waist. "Work, work, work. Is that all you ever think about?" He nuzzled the soft patch of skin where Aya's shoulder met his neck, a thrill shooting up his spine as he spotted the fading bruise his own mouth had put there just a day or two ago.

"One of us has to," Aya murmured, entering totals to the little cash book in his small, neat handwriting. "We do have a mission, after all."

"For your information," Yohji nibbled gently at Aya's earlobe, taking huge pleasure in the way it made Aya's body nestle back into his, "I've been a very busy Balinese. I even went to the gym."

Aya snorted. "Why, exactly? I presume you weren't planning on working out yourself?"

"It's the place Koga goes. You did read the contents of that lovely envelope Manx gave us yesterday, I presume? It said he's well-built, fit, for a guy his age. So he must build himself somewhere. And I found out where. Only he has bodyguards with him the whole time. Still. Nothing we couldn't deal with. Mmmm… you smell good. Have you been doing those jasmine arrangements again?"

"They sell well. So, where's this gym?"

"See, you're interested now," Yohji nudged at the neckline of Aya's lace-up shirt with his nose, pushing it out of the way to expose more of the ivory shoulder underneath. "It's not far from their offices. It has an underground car park that should do for our purposes. Lots of shadows, that kind of thing. I have his schedule."

"You have been busy." There was rare approval in Aya's voice, among other things.

"See, I told you. There was this really cute redhead at the gym. She was very helpful."

Aya stiffened slightly. "I'm sure she was," he said, gruffly.

"I've always had a way with redheads," Yohji whispered, running his tongue over Aya's shoulder and towards his neck.

"Hn." Aya made as if to escape from Yohji's arms, but gave up rather feebly as soon as Yohji tightened his hold. "We can work on the mission plan tonight, then," he said.

"Hey," Yohji protested, "no fair. I did all that hard detective stuff and I still have to do more work? Can't Omi do it?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Aya snorted, still smarting a little from Yohji's provocation, "of course not. He has homework."

"Well, at least you didn't want to do it right now," Yohji drawled, "I have something else in mind for right now."

"I'm glad you've got something to occupy you, then," said Aya. "I might be able to finish cashing up."

"Don't be silly," husked Yohji, kissing softly up Aya's neck and behind his ear. "Come to bed with me, Aya."

"Yohji…"

"Don't give me any of that 'work to do' crap. I know you want me."

"I have to…"

"Come to bed, love. Or I'm going to have to make you take me right here, bent over the counter, where Omi could find us any minute. I think that would definitely put him off his homework, don't you?"

Aya leaned back into Yohji's body, relishing the feeling of Yohji's hardness pressing against him. "Alright, but I have to put the takings away first," he said. "You go on up. I won't be long."

"Promise?" Yohji teased at Aya's belt with dextrous fingers. "Only if you're not up in ten minutes I'll just come down and drag you away from all this exciting accountancy by force."

"I'll be there. Go on. I can't count while you're doing that."

Yohji smirked triumphantly at the admission, reluctantly withdrawing his arms and dragging himself from the delicious warmth of the other man's body. "Ten minutes," he reminded, as he walked away. "I mean it."

Aya smiled to himself, and resumed his task with faintly trembling hands.

* * * * * * *

He'd just finished when Ken returned.

"Sorry I'm late," he said. "Thanks for taking my shift."

"I didn't," said Aya, matter-of-factly, locking the till and putting the cash book neatly on its shelf under the counter. "Omi did. I just cashed up so he could get to school in time to hand in an assignment."

"Damn. I'm sorry. He had to miss school? Again?"

"Yes. Have you decided what you want to do about the mission?"

Ken looked away, folding his arms across his chest, hugging his hands under his armpits. "No," he said. "I just need more time. Just another day, or…"

"You have twenty four hours," said Aya, "that's all Manx will tolerate. You know the rules."

"But Manx doesn't understand…"

"Can you finish locking up?" Aya interrupted. "I've got things to do upstairs."

"'Course." Ken shrugged off his jacket, searching the pockets for his shop keys. "Is Yohji back?"

"Yes," said Aya.

"It means a lot to me," Ken said as he crossed to the window shutters, tossing his keys in the air and catching them neatly, "that you and Yohji supported me in this."

"You must be committed to the mission," said Aya. "We all must."

Ken turned thoughtfully to him, a question on his lips, but Aya had already gone.

* * * * * * *

Yohji lay fully dressed on his bed, legs crossed at the ankles, one arm behind his head, the other holding his cigarette.

He was grinning.

"Glad you could make it," he said.

"Ken just got back," said Aya.

"Oh. That's nice. Come here." He patted the patch of bed beside him.

"Kase is an old friend of his," Aya continued, pulling his top over his head as he approached the bed. "I think maybe more than a friend."

Yohji raised an eyebrow, curiosity twinkling in his eyes. "Really? Our Ken?"

"Just a hunch," Aya shrugged, undoing his belt slowly.

"My, there's a surprise." Yohji put out his cigarette, not taking his eyes off Aya for a moment. "What's he like?"

"Kase? Kase is a target," said Aya. "You've seen the photos."

"Yes, but what's he like?"

"I thought you didn't want to work." Aya joined Yohji on the bed, rolling onto his side as Yohji slipped an arm around his shoulders.

"I don't, love, but I'm curious as to what hot young stud might seduce our Kenken, and, frankly, Kase didn't look very studly."

"Less talk," Aya started to unbutton Yohji's shirt, "more sex."

"My, but someone's horny today," Yohji drawled, teasing his fingertips along the outline of Aya's bare shoulder blade. "Is it the thought of our Ken gettin' all naked and steamy with a potential target…"

"No." Aya said firmly, putting the image Yohji had just planted in his mind firmly to one side. "Not Ken. Just you. You're damn hot." He pushed the soft cotton vest away from Yohji's lean chest and stomach, and darted out his tongue to assault one nipple.

Yohji purred with satisfaction, at the sentiment as well as the touch. Aya rarely paid compliments of any kind, which he knew made them all the more precious to Yohji, who got effusive flattery all too readily elsewhere.

Aya licked his way across to the other nipple, tweaking the one he'd just left gently between thumb and forefinger, and sliding his other hand down Yohji's belly to flip open the buttons of his jeans. The tight, black jeans, that fit him perfectly, sitting low on his hips to reveal flat stomach and a tempting hint of hipbone... Yohji slid his arms out of his shirt and pulled his vest over his head, raising himself off the bed to help Aya peel his jeans and underwear off, holding his breath as Aya straddled his thighs, looking down at him and licking his lips.

"Fuck, Aya…"

Aya consumed the sight of Yohji, naked and beautiful under him, with hungry eyes. Golden skin, rapid pulse-beat at throat and chest, a tiny freckle at the top of one thigh, his cock rising rock-hard from it's nest of dark blonde curls. It was more than inspiring, this vision of Yohji wanting him so blatantly, and the constriction of his own jeans was getting uncomfortable around his throbbing erection, but for a moment he couldn't move, bound by delicious anticipation.

Yohji looked up at him, eyes darkened to emerald with lust. "Oh God, Aya. You're so…"

Aya inclined his head to one side, a faint smile on his lips. "So.. what?"

"Sexy," Yohji ran his eyes down Aya's body, "sexy, and hot and… too damn dressed."

"Hn." Aya started to undo his jeans, stopping after the first button, teasing. He took satisfaction in the way Yohji groaned and arched under him, reaching out to finish the job himself. Aya held himself just out of range, shuffling back a little and taking hold of Yohji's hips to keep him still. He bent his head to kiss that lone freckle, one of his favourite landmarks on the lean body beneath him, inhaling the musky scent of Yohji's arousal. Aya's hair fell forwards, striping pale flesh crimson, tickling already-quivering skin as he brushed kisses from thigh to belly, and finally to Yohji's erection. With moist lips and tongue he moved Yohji's foreskin back from the leaking head of his cock, licking carefully around the sensitive ridges and sweeping his tongue over the slit at the end to relish the taste of his juices.

"Oh God, Aya, you know, you always know…"

Aya replied by engulfing Yohji's entire length in liquid heat, taking him all the way down his throat, inch by inch, until his nose nestled in the tight angle where Yohji's cock met his groin. He settled his tongue against the underside of Yohji's erection and started to move his head, giving a few complete strokes before settling for just a mouthful, taking the root in one strong fist, giving himself room to taste and lick and suck.

Yohji's long fingers tangled in the hair that haunted his every waking dream, moaning softly, rolling his hips to thrust gently into Aya's mouth.

There was a knock on the door.

Aya froze, listening, unwilling to give up the pleasure of a mouth full of Yohji. He looked up at his lover through ragged bangs, absently sliding his tongue back and forth, but at the same time hoping Yohji still had the presence of mind to remember that they were in the middle of a mission, and should answer the knock.

There was another rap on the door, even as Yohji slowly slid his eyes half open.

"What!" he yelled, holding Aya's unresisting head in place, the quivering of his belly at odds with the steadiness of his voice.

"Is Aya in there?" came Ken's voice. "I've got Manx on the phone, she wants him."

"I bet she does," Yohji muttered, "and she's not alone. " He raised his voice: "what for?"

"I don't know," said Ken, impatiently. "For goodness' sake, Yohji, can he come to the phone or not?"

Um…" Yohji's eyes went wide as Aya shook his head, for a number of reasons. "No, um… I'll get him to call her back. He's… er…"

"It's alright, I can imagine, not that I really want to…" Ken's voice faded, followed by the sound of footsteps retreating down the steps.

Yohji looked at Aya for a moment. "Him and Kase?"

Aya shrugged, holding Yohji's eyes with his own as his tongue continued to move firmly over the underside of Yohji's cock, and started to suck.

Yohji gasped, his head thumping back onto pillows, Ken forgotten again. Aya cupped Yohji's balls gently in one hand, softly stroking the sensitive skin behind them with his fingertips. He lost himself for a while, working with the rhythm of Yohji's body, responding to the familiar rise and fall of hips and the slowly thrusting heat in his mouth.

"Aya, love, stop, please… I want you inside me… please…"

Aya released Yohji from his mouth, moving lower to nuzzle his way down the side of his balls and beneath, pressing his tongue firmly into the flesh he'd been tickling with his fingers and licking in a clean sweep down to his anus. He reached one hand up Yohji's body in a broad, firm stroke, then turned it palm uppermost. He raised his head, briefly, to say "lube" before he resumed the soft, teasing licks that made it almost impossible for Yohji to think, let alone do anything. Nonetheless, he managed to retrieve a fat tube from under the pillow and slap it in Aya's hand with a grunt.

Aya prepared him quickly, warming the gel a little in his palm before spreading it around Yohji's entrance, pushing just inside with strong fingers. His own breath was coming fast now, his heart thudding in his chest. He swiftly undid the remaining buttons of his jeans, but lacked the patience to do more than push them down his hips far enough to free his own erection, slathering it with lube, hissing air between his teeth at the combined shock of touch and cold on his neglected flesh.

Yohji was watching him, coming up to sitting, magnetically drawn by the sight of Aya's blatant desire. Aya knelt between his legs, eartails brushing his shoulders, stroking himself luxuriously, and more than was strictly necessary to slick his cock. "Come here," he growled, and held out one hand to pull Yohji into his lap. Yohji came eagerly, settling his legs comfortably astride Aya's, supporting himself with firm hands clasping Aya's knees. Aya surveyed him critically for a moment, then reached out to rip his hair tie off, letting out a grunt of approval as Yohji shook his head, soft dirty-blond locks settling to frame his face.

"Better," said Aya, and captured Yohji's gaze with his own as he guided him with gentle hands on his hips, slowly impaling him. He paused just past the first resistant ring of muscle to give his lover time to adjust, but Yohji had other ideas: his mouth curled into a grin as he slid himself down the rest of the way in one go, lazily draping his arms over Aya's shoulders as he squirmed to the very root of Aya's cock. Then he stopped, with a satisfied sigh, and waited, eyes steady on Aya's, only the slightest tremble of his body and the bead of precome dripping down his erection giving away the intensity of his desire.

Aya fought to keep his eyes open, determined not to be the first to give in to complete abandonment, wanting to keep focused on Yohji, not just the tight heat of his insides, but the look of him, the flush of his cheeks, his lips moist and slightly parted, long lashes fluttering as he moved closer to cover Aya's mouth with his own. Aya twined his tongue around Yohji's, revelling in the familiar flavours, and started to move his hips in the rhythm of their kiss. Yohji threw himself back then, trusting Aya to catch him neatly round the waist and support him as he writhed against him. Aya slid steadily in and out, transfixed by the wanton, sensual creature in front of him. Yohji crossed his legs behind Aya's back, using the leverage to match his thrusts, eyes closed, head thrown back.

He looked so, so beautiful.

Aya held him in place with his sword arm, freeing the other to circle his cock with warm fingers and stroke firmly. Yohji groaned and arched, soft hair falling back from his face, completely abandoned.

Still, Aya couldn't close his eyes. He wanted to remember Yohji, like this, forever. Aya was a man who appreciated details, and so he drank in the way Yohji's breath fluttered in his chest; the sweat-soaked curls that clung to his flushed cheeks, the subtle counter-rhythm of his hips that meant he met Aya's thrusts and took his own pleasure at the same time; the exact words that spilled from his mouth, the way he pronounced his name.

"That's it, love… oh, Aya, you're so good, so good, so hard inside me, so big and hard… feels so good… oh fuck, oh God, oh fuck, Aya…"

"Come for me, Yohji," said Aya, softly.

Yohji made a little whine of protest. "No, want more, more…"

"Really? You want me to stop for a while?" Aya froze, his hand firm but immobile around Yohji's desperate erection, his own cock buried deep inside Yohji's body. He twitched it once, devilishly.

"Oh God…"

"Changed your mind, Yohji?"

"But… oh, fuck, Aya…"

"I can wait all day if you want."

Yohji thrashed his head from side, eyes tightly shut. "Oh, no, love, no, please, I'll come for you, I promise, just move and don't stop, please don't stop…"

Aya smiled to himself, and started to move again, more urgently now, eager to see his lover reach his climax, knowing that the only thing more beautiful than this vision of Yohji was Yohji in the throes of orgasm.

"Aya… fuck… oh… that's it… you feel so… oh," his voice dropped almost an octave, "fuck yes, yes, yes…"

Yohji's sleek body stretched back, and he spurted thick ropes of come, the first few hitting his neck, then his chest and finally his belly, his legs clamped around Aya's waist almost painfully.

Aya's eyes slowly slid shut; he gripped Yohji's hip and gave three final thrusts before he let himself go, his hot seed rushing from his body and into Yohji's, his whole body convulsing with blinding pleasure. After the first rush he kept thrusting with every pulse of his cock, pulling Yohji onto him to get as deep as he possibly could each time.

Eventually he stopped moving, his breathing slowing, sweat cooling on his skin, and his eyes shuttered open. Yohji was watching him, propped up on his elbows, a huge grin on his face. Aya let out a long breath, and reached out his hand, dabbling his fingers tenderly through the pools of come cooling on Yohji's skin. "You always come so much," said Aya, admiringly, even faintly envious. "I don't know where you keep it all."

Yohji resisted the urge to laugh; it was such a deliciously un-Aya-like thing for Aya to say. "It's all yours," he said.

Aya sighed, but didn't argue. He continued to trace patterns through the wetness, ignoring the faint cramping in his folded legs.

"It's good," he said, distantly, and brought his slick fingers to his mouth to taste. "Very good," he confirmed, with a sly smile.

"God, Aya, …" Yohji's cock twitched, already half-hard again.

"Want some?" Aya scooped up some more with his index finger and offered it to Yohji, groaning softly as Yohji sucked it into his wet mouth, tormenting the pad of Aya's fingertip with his tongue.

Finally, Aya's leg cramped enough to convince the rest of his body that it had to move, and he slid gently out of Yohji and stretched out beside him, kicking tangled jeans and underwear off his feet.

Yohji curled into Aya's side, one hand fisted loosely over his chest.

"Don't go to sleep, Kudoh," said Aya, gruffly. "I've got to call Manx, remember?"

"Hn. Let her wait," said Yohji, unrealistically, snuggling into Aya's neck.

"We're on a…"

"… mission. Yeah, I know. Fucking Creepers and… hey, do you really think Ken and Kase…"

"I followed him, today. He met with Kase outside his office building, it was a bit of a reunion. There was… well, hugging. And tears."

"You followed him? But you said he should sort it out for himself…"

"If he's attached to a target I need to know why."

"But…"

"I don't think Kase was as pleased to see him as he seemed to be."

"Oh. What, a lover's tiff?"

"No, more than that. It was like Kase saw a ghost."

"Well, technically, I suppose he did… so what's Ken going to do?"

"I don't know," said Aya. "He'll have to decide soon, though, or Manx'll decide for him."

Yohji shivered.

"Which reminds me," Aya kissed the top of Yohji's head, taking a last breath of Yohji's scent: shampoo, cigarettes and sex. "I have to go call her."

Yohji grunted disapproval as Aya moved away but didn't follow, post-coital drowse finally catching up with him. He was only faintly aware of the comforter being pulled over his naked body, and by the time Aya left the room, clicking the door quietly shut behind him, Yohji was fast asleep.

* * * * * * *

"Aya-kun, you're back! I'm afraid Yohji has bad news…" Omi's huge eyes looked troubled; his fingers curled protectively on the mouse as he scanned the screen in front of him.

Aya raised an eyebrow at Yohji. "Really?"

"Someone spooked the target," Yohji smiled warmly at him, although he was plainly irritated. "And after we finished the mission plan and all."

"After who finished the mission plan?"

"You. Well… I would've helped, really I would, only I fell asleep," he smirked.

"Hn. Well, that's no surprise," said Aya.

"That I fell asleep?" Yohji looked shocked for a moment, before it sank in that Aya had intended no innuendo. "Oh. The target."

"We have to find him again," said Aya. "And Kase."

"But Aya-kun," Omi turned from the computer for a moment, "if Ken-kun… if he gets in the way of the mission..."

"Don't ask, Omi," said Aya. "You know what happens. We all do."

"We'll talk to him," promised Yohji. "He'll see sense. Don't worry, Omi. Let's just see if we can track down Koga, eh?"

Omi turned back to his search with a heavy heart.

* * * * * * *

"You never learn."

The door slammed as Ken rushed out into the night.

There was a heavy silence.

"Ken-kun…" Omi stared sadly at the space where Ken had just been.

"What now?" said Yohji, his voice flat. "Koga or Kase?"

Aya leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.

"Whichever we find first," he said.

"But Ken…" Yohji began.

"I suggest you both start looking," Aya interrupted, ignoring the way Yohji bristled at his brusque order. "We have a mission to complete."

"But Aya-kun…" Omi looked suddenly very young, tears welling in his eyes as he looked pleadingly at Aya.

"Omi, Ken is in danger," Aya said. "Kase knows. He'll try and kill Ken if we don't get to him first. Now, get to work."

Omi nodded, brushing his eyes with the back of his hand. "Yes, Aya-kun."

It was nearly two in the morning when they heard Ken's motorbike purring to its home in the garage.

By the time Ken got to the mission room, pulling off gloves and helmet and shaking out dark tousled hair, there was no-one else there.

He sank down on the couch, throwing his jacket over the back, and curled up into a ball, burying his face in his arms. His shoulders started to shake, and he sobbed quietly, tired and wretched, and hopeless.

In the shadows of the stairs, Aya stood silently, and watched Ken cry himself to sleep.

* * * * * * *

"Is he conscious yet?" Aya checked the back seat in his rear view mirror, where Ken was laid out with his head in Yohji's lap. " We need to know where Kase went, if he has any idea."

"No, he's still out cold. Trust Ken to hit his head when he fell. He needs kevlar for his brain, never mind the rest of him."

"Alright, we'll have to go back to the Koneko. Maybe Omi's found out something by now."

"He can't stay asleep forever," said Yohji. "Although maybe it would be better if he did. We could complete the mission and…"

"No… no, Yohji…" Ken murmured. His eyes flickered open at last. "I must complete the mission. It's my fault Kase got away. It was all my fault. Aya was right."

"Well, that happens," Yohji smiled at his younger team-mate, holding him down with one hand on his chest as he tried to get up. "It's annoying though, it's more fun when he's wrong, ne?"

Ken smiled weakly. "I wouldn't know," he said.

"I can hear you, you know" said Aya. "Where is he likely to go, Ken?"

"He'll turn up at the Creepers building again sooner or later," said Ken. "He doesn't know about Weiss, I don't think. He just wanted Koga's power."

Aya considered this for a moment. "It's up to you, then," he said. "It's your mission."

"Tonight," said Ken, sadly. "I'll go tonight. As soon as it gets dark. And wait for him."

"Good," said Yohji, "but this time we come too, right, Baka?"

"If you insist," said Ken, the faintest of smiles on his lips.

* * * * * * *

Sometimes the killing was the easy part.

Aya watched as Ken stood over Kase and listened to him beg for his life.

That man had been Ken's friend. His lover. His team-mate.

Aya could see the betrayal reflected in Ken's eyes, warring with compassion and the vestiges of love. Kase grovelled and cried and pleaded, and Aya could see Ken's pain. He knew how much he wanted to forgive Kase and love him again.

But he had learned.

For once, he had learned.

This time Ken wasn't surprised when Kase shot him. There was pain, but no surprise. There was no choice, then. The killing came easy.

Ken turned his face to Aya, cheeks wet with tears, hands wet with blood.

"This is Hell, too."

Sometimes the killing was the easy part. It was what came before, or after, that hurt.

They waited for as long as they dared, giving Ken the space he seemed to need, but eventually Omi reached out a hand to his team-mate's shoulder, and they slowly walked away.

* * * * * * *

Aya lay in Yohji's bed that night, as he often did after missions, holding his lover close to his sated body. He hated to admit it, but he knew they both needed the reassurance of another heartbeat on those dark nights.

"Ken's going to be a mess for a while," said Yohji, tracing a spiral across Aya's smooth chest.

"Hn."

"Do you think he knows we know? About him and Kase?"

"That they were lovers? I don't know."

"You think we should ask? I mean it's bad enough, to have an old friend betray you like that, but a lover… and to kill him… and have no-one to talk to…"

"He'll deal with it."

"Maybe." Yohji yawned. "I could always fix him up with someone to take his mind off things."

"I don't think Ken's going to be looking for anyone for a while," said Aya. "Leave him alone."

"Oh, you'd be surprised," Yohji snuggled into the warmth of Aya's body. "You never know when the right person might come along."

Aya snorted at this sudden outburst of romantic optimism. It sounded like the sort of thing Aya-chan used to say. "No, not that stupid sweater, oniichan, wear the blue shirt, you never know who you might meet."

Aya felt the sudden, familiar pain like a stab in the chest. Aya…

"Aya? You OK? You got goosebumps."

Aya took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady as he answered. "It's nothing, Yohji. Go to sleep."

"You sure, love? You're very tense all of a sudden."

"It's just … it's been a tense few days."

"Well, if it might help… I could think of some ways to relax you…" Yohji's hand started to snake down under the covers.

Aya moaned softly, kissing Yohji's hair.

"Yes. Oh, God," he sucked air in as he felt Yohji's fingers fluttering lightly over his rapidly hardening cock. "Yes…"

He surrendered himself to Yohji's touch, letting him wash away the hurt with his knowing hands, losing himself in sensation and the heat of Yohji's caresses.

"That's it, Aya love… you feel so good, so hard… does that feel good to you, when I do that… and that…"

Aya grunted in reply to Yohji's rhetorical questions, but it always turned him on so much, hearing Yohji talk to him, telling him how good it felt, as if it made it more real, not just fantasy. It told him that in this moment, at least, Yohji was here, and his.

He felt Yohji's own erection hard against his thigh, and rolled over to press his against it.

"Oh, God, that's just… oh God… oh yes, Yohji, please, Yohji, please…"

"Anything, love. You feel so good… so beautiful… oh Aya…"

Yohji took them both in his hands then, friction from all sides enflaming Aya's senses to the point where he came helplessly over both their cocks and Yohji's hands. Yohji continued to stroke their newly-slicked flesh until he came too, still murmuring in Aya's ear, barely coherent but making it perfectly clear just how good Aya made him feel. Gradually they stilled, and Aya realised he was listening to Yohji's sleeping breath.

Thought banished for once, Aya was soon breathing the same rhythm.

* * *