Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction / Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Devil's Playground ❯ Haunted ( Chapter 4 )

"Do you think Ken-kun's feeling better today?" Omi played with the food on his plate and didn't bother looking up at the redhead.

From his position by the stove, Aya grunted. "How would I know?"

Shrugging, the youngster answered, "I thought you would have gone to check on him sometime last night."

"No, I'm not his keeper."

"Oh. Do you think Yotan did?" Again he heard Aya grunt. Figuring that this conversation was going no where, Omi let it drop and took a bite of his breakfast. He would have to leave soon for school, but couldn't help but wonder if his friend would be alright.

Right on time, the brunette yawned his way into the kitchen. "Morning, fellas."

"Ken-kun!"

"Omi." He acknowledged. Yanking open the fridge, he grabbed the carton of orange juice then went to get a glass.

"So you are feeling better then?"

"Yup. Told you I just needed to get some rest. So stop worrying ok?" Ken guzzled his OJ and poured himself another glass before getting breakfast from Aya, which had been prepared for him.

The redhead had been watching him silently. For some reason something didn't seem right. Despite Ken's cheery mood, he could hear a hint of weariness beneath it. And the bags under the chocolate gaze hadn't fully disappeared. But on top of all that, there was a stiffness in the otherwise fluid movements. Still, he couldn't bring himself to question the younger man and decided to let it go. It was possible that whatever ailed Ken the day before had not fully worked through his system.

The conversation continued during the redhead's musing. "I'm glad to hear it." Omi had happily grabbed on to any assurances he could. He was desperate to know that everything was back to normal and didn't even notice the oddities that their leader dutifully categorized. "I guess that means you'll be coaching like normal tonight?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, we have a game this weekend and we need to go over some plays before hand." Their idle chatter continued through the morning. Aya had taken a plate for himself and sat and ate while the other two babbled on.

Finally, Omi deposited his dishes in the sink and picked up his bag. "Well, I'll see you guys later." Then he bounced away toward school.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Ken was picking at the remains of his breakfast. He could feel the violet gaze watching his every movement and couldn't bring himself to meet the man's stare. Instead, he pushed around his food and seemed to sink into himself.

Now that they were alone, Aya wanted to ask the brunette what was wrong. His warrior instincts told him that the matter wasn't fully settled and he wanted it out in the open so they could tackle it. He was going to wait until he could look the brunette in the eyes, that way he could read the boy's thoughts. Ken always had a hard time lying when someone was looking right at him. And he wanted to be sure of the truth. But Ken hadn't looked up yet. He soon realized that Ken was avoiding him probably for that very reason. He would just have to say something anyway, but before he could the tall blonde stumbled his way into the kitchen.

Not bothering with greetings, Yoji walked straight up to Ken. Reaching out, he grabbed the youth's chin and forced him to look up. For a brief moment they stared at each other. Finally, Yoji nodded. "You are looking better, but I still think you need some more rest. Afterall, you don't want to disappoint all your adoring fans by looking too exhausted. Besides, the moment you don't look like you're in peak health, they fall all over you trying to find a way to make you feel better." He released the brunette's chin and went to get a plate for himself.

Aya couldn't help but sit in shocked silence when he saw those tanned cheeks flush. As soon as he was freed, Ken hid his face by looking down at his plate and his hands fell into his lap. For that moment, Ken looked like an innocent child and Aya wanted to hold onto that image for as long as possible. But it was soon disturbed when Ken mumbled an embarrassed, "Yotan."

"Don't go telling me that you don't have any fans, because you know that would be a lie. Not only do you have those school girls in the shop but all those lonely soccer moms too."

"Yotan…." The pinkish hue deepened.

"I've driven by a couple of times during practice and games and I can tell you, they aren't watching their kids playing. Their eyes are glued to the coach."

"Would you stop it already?" The feeble plea fell on deaf ears.

"Sometimes you can be so naïve, Kenken." In that instant the temperature in the room dropped dramatically. A chair was pushed hastily back as someone stood. Confused, Yoji turned around just in time to see the frown on the young brunette's lips.

Aya watched as Ken tensed then abruptly stood. Cocoa strands hid the dark eyes beneath. "I'll go open the shop," Ken announced curtly then walked out without putting his dishes away.

Yoji called after the retreating form, "Hey, Ken! Sorry about the Kenken thing….." But it was too late. The figure vanished before he could fully apologize. Sighing, he shook his head. A grunt at the table reminded him he wasn't alone and glanced back at the redhead. Hard violet eyes bore into him along with a sharp scowl framed by scarlet bangs. "What?" He snapped.

"Sometimes, you don't know when to quit." With that, Aya stood, grabbed his and Ken's plate and dropped them in the sink. He said as he walked past the blonde heading for the shop, "It's your turn to do dishes." And then he was gone too.

When Aya arrived, Ken had already opened the gate and was moving some of the flower bins outside. Some of the school girls were already waiting outside and Aya knew he wouldn't get a chance to talk with Ken for quite some time. So he went about his morning duties without a second thought. Shortly after, Yoji joined them and they worked through the day.

It was actually going quite smoothly. They made it through the throngs of fangirls and the midday lull. Enjoyed a quick lunch and had just finished the afternoon rush. Now Ken was happily watering the various potted plants, one of his chores, practically humming to himself. Aya was busying himself with the day's totals and inventories while Yoji finished up a couple of arrangements.

Ken glanced at the clock and noted that he only had an hour before practice. As soon as he finished this he would grab a quick bite and head out. Soccer had always been his first love, always offering him that mind numbing solace that he so desperately needed. It was his only constant, no matter what happened he could always go back to her welcome arms. There were so many times he longed for arms to embrace him, love him, cradle him, make him feel safe. But every time he would get close to that kind of relationship with anyone it would fall apart and he would be alone again.

I would hold you, Kenken. That vacant whisper hissed in his ear. His entire body went rigid in response. I've been wanting to hold you, feel you. All you have to do is let me. Let me Kenken.

No, this can't be happening! I'm awake! Ken's mind argued. How can I be dreaming now?

You're not. I'm here. Relax, Kenken and I will show you just how much I love you. Ken felt an ice cold gust dance across his neck that sent shivers down his spine. His heart raced and he gasped for breath. He then felt a hand work its way under the hem of his shirt and snake its way up his back. The sensation made his flesh crawl yet tingle at the same time. In a way the caressing touch was exactly what his heart desired but he knew this was wrong, so incredibly wrong and he felt so ashamed. The gentle prick of nails trailed across the tender skin causing his breath to hitch.

The hose he had been holding slipped from virtually useless fingers. A soft sob escaped him. His body wanted to indulge itself while his mind fervently fought against it. Disgusted with himself, he forced himself to break away from the touch. The next thing he knew he was kneeling in a puddle with his arms wrapped tightly around him.

The other two assassins' snapped their heads up at the clank from the metal nozzle hitting the floor. Then they watched as the figure of their friend crumbled to the ground. Even some odd feet away, they could see the brunette's shoulders trembling. Both immediately stopped what they were doing and were moving to Ken's side. However, their approach was abruptly stopped when they heard the door fly open.

Two figures walked in. A tall man with dark hair and crisp violet eyes. The other, a younger blonde with bright emerald gems. A warm gust of wind followed them in and swept the shop. Suddenly, the room seemed to lose its oppressive feel. A sharp sob reminded them of their friend's turmoil and they quickly went to assist. Once again, their efforts deferred.

As quickly as the sensation of Kase came, it vanished with the breeze. Torn from the waking nightmare, Ken glanced down through blurry vision and realized the mess he made. Aya's going to be mad. Was the only thought he permitted his mind to form solidly. Unaware of the customers, Ken got to his feet. "I'll clean this up." Then he hurried from the shop.

The remaining Weiß stood dumbfounded. In the midst of the turmoil they didn't get the chance to ask what happened. It was only when the deep voice of the dark-haired stranger spoke were they released from their stupor. "Have we come at a bad time?"

Recovering, Yoji straightened himself up. "No, it's just that we were about to close the shop. Is there anything we can get for you?"

"This shouldn't take long, we were looking for some help on an arrangement. We heard that this was one of the best flower shops in the city." The tall stranger smiled broadly. Soon all four were deep in discussion about flowers and occasions and meanings and preferences. Every time one of the assassins tried to excuse himself, one of the customers would ask a question that would pull them back in. It was amazing how they knew which questions to ask to keep the pair tied up.

It didn't escape either Weiß member that the situation was not all that it seemed. Specifically, when the brunette returned to mop up the water, all four kept the young man in their peripheral vision. And it was only when Ken finished and hurried out of the shop once more that the strange pair settled on a previously made arrangement, paid and left hastily.

Ken entered the shop one last time, changed into his soccer gear and hauling his bag of equipment on his back. Yoji called over to him, "Hey Ken, do you think you should be going out?"

Ken stopped but didn't turn to face them. He could feel the slight tremors that raged through him. All he wanted at that moment was to be out in the open air with the grass under his feet. "I'm going to be late, Yoji," was all he offered in response.

The redhead cut in, "What happened, Ken?"

"Nothing, it was… I …." There was no way to explain it. Not in any way that they would understand or believe anyway. Frustrated, his mind kept repeating that he needed to get away. He just didn't want to talk about these occurrences, not without understanding them yet himself. "Nothing. I'll be back later." And Ken ran from them.

Yoji turned to his companion. "Should we go after him?"

"Help me close up first. Then we'll meet him at the field." Not entirely happy with that decision, Yoji complied reluctantly. But he knew that confronting the hothead too soon would only make it harder to get him out of his shell.

**

The taller of the pair stood breathing in the fragrant bouquet they had just purchased. "These smell wonderful," he commented absently.

Rolling his eyes at his companion, the young blonde asked, "Do you think this was wise?" They were now waiting on the opposite side of the street, watching for their target to emerge.

The smile on his face faded but his eyes still looked down at the colourful array. "What choice do we have? We need to draw him out or else we'll never be able to catch him." Sighing, black lashes concealed the troubled gaze.

The blonde looked back at the shop as the flustered brunette hurried out. "And what if this back fires?"

"We'll have to face that pass when we come to it."

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I'm sure you can guess who the two strange visitors were, but it's always fun to add a little suspense to the story, ne? Well, I'm hoping next chap will be a little more interesting. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!! I would really appreciate it!! Domo! Danke!

Ari-kun :D