Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters in this story. Except little Jarrod.

A/N: Shounen Ai; This is a Gundam/Weiss crossover. Wasn't sure where to post it after looking at the crossover, Gundam and Weiss section, so I hope this location is ok.

Death and the Assassin

Chapter 1

Ken sat there, hands clutching fistfuls of hair, trying not to get sick. He knew the redhead was still standing there, unwilling to accept his decision, but it had to be done. It wasn't working. It was unhealthy for both of them and it had to stop.

"Stop staring at me Aya. I'm not going to change my mind." He looked up to see hard amethyst eyes fixed on him. Anger was good. He could handle anger. "I can't do this anymore. This relationship is one-sided. I want someone who wants to be my partner, not my convenient fuck buddy."

Ken wasn't fast enough to dodge the fist Aya threw at his jaw.

"God damn it Ken I told you going into this that I couldn't give you everything you wanted!"

The brunette spit the small amount of blood onto the ground and rubbed his jaw. He didn't bother to look up at the seething redhead. He knew Aya's looks well. Especially his furious ones.

"I know, and I'm sorry. But I want more. I deserve more. You deserve more."

He stood up and started to walk down the stone path, letting the darkness of the night swallow him. Aya stood there, fists clenched, body rigid with anger, unable to move. He wanted to go after Ken, hold him in his arms and convince him that he was making a big mistake. Ken was wrong. He did care about the brunette as more than a convenient lay. But every time he tried to say something, his throat would constrict or he'd look into those blue eyes and lose his nerve. And this just served to make Aya angry at himself and he would pull away even further from Ken.

Aya looked around the dark park. He needed an outlet for his anger. He didn't want to go home on the chance that he'd see Ken. Bar? Maybe. He began to walk towards the main street, noticing a vagrant passed out on a park bench, clutching an empty liquor bottle to his chest. Ok, so maybe the bar was a bad idea. If there was one thing Aya couldn't tolerate, it was not being in control, and tonight, if he drank, he would most certainly end up losing control.

And what's so wrong with that? Maybe if I wasn't in control all the time, I could tell Ken how I feel and then he would come back. Aya looked up at the neon sign before him and growled.

"Cheers."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ken had considered going to a bar, a club, the gym. Anywhere that would help him push aside the pain and frustration of the evening. But ultimately, he went home knowing that was the one place he could be miserable in peace.

"Hey, Kenken! Come on down and watch some TV."

He made sure to be very quiet, wanting to be alone tonight, but somehow, that bastard sensed him. How does he do that? Ken went downstairs to find Yohji and Omi in the basement watching TV.

"Hey guys. What's going on?"

He stood at the bottom of the stairs, hand still on the railing, hoping to give his friend a hint that he didn't want to hang out.

"Have a seat." He patted the empty cushion next to him on the sofa and looked over at Omi who was curled up in the chair. "Hey chibi, do you mind giving us some privacy please? Grown up talk."

Omi glared at the blonde but Ken couldn't help but think how damn adorable he looked, even when annoyed. The youngest Weiss member grumbled under his breath as he stomped upstairs.

"See if I help you the next time your ass needs saving on a mission!"

Yohji just chuckled at the outburst. "He's a good kid."

"Yeah." Ken sat down next to his best friend and waited for the inevitable. He knew he was going to break it off with Aya tonight, and no doubt he wanted the gory details. "Look Yohji, I really don't--"

"I found something very interesting while I was out shopping today."

Ken blinked and looked over at Yohji, confused. "Huh? Shopping?"

"Yeah, shopping. You know, you go to the store, exchange money for merchandise?" Yohji reached for the remote control and turned on a tape. "Ah, there we go."

Ken looked at the TV and gaped. "Where did you--?"

The program was a J-League production, chronicling his then team's championship season. He saw faces of former teammates and friends and clips of games long forgotten.

"I know you've tried to bury your past Kenken, but you should be proud of what you did. It made you who you are today and will always be a part of you. So it didn't work out the way you planned. You survived, moved on and were lucky enough to find a best friend like me. What more could a guy ask for?"

Ken kept his eyes on the TV screen, mesmerized by the young, naïve brunette smiling at him, shyly speaking to a reporter about his fifth consecutive shutout of the season. Gods, I had no clue back then. I was so happy and unaware and life was so simple.

He looked over to Yohji who was smiling at the TV. "Thank you." The blonde just gave him a wink and a smile before returning his attention to the screen. "How do you always know exactly what I need to hear Yohji?"

"You're my best friend Kenken. It comes with the job."

The two men sat there and watched the program, Ken interjecting details and stories, his eyes alive with memories of his shortened J-League experience. He understood what Yohji was telling him. Yeah, things didn't work out with Aya, but he enjoyed it while it lasted and it was just one more experience that made him who he was. He knew this video and Yohji's pep talk wouldn't completely wash away the hurt, but it helped to lessen it and remind him that he would survive to love again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Four months later

"Ok guys today we're going to scrimmage so divide up and Taylor, your team can wear the blue jerseys this time."

Ken went over the bench and grabbed his clipboard, looking over his current roster, wondering where he could make any changes. They won their last game, but not by much and he still felt they could stand some shuffling.

He blew the whistle and the game began. He watched the game carefully, looking for the answers he was seeking when he heard someone yelling in the distance.

"Coach! Coach Ken! I'm sorry I'm late! Please let me still play!"

Ken looked over to see one of his best players hauling ass followed by some older guy who didn't seem to be in a hurry at all. When the boy stopped in front of him, Ken was happy to see that he wasn't breathless despite the top speed and distance he had just run.

"I'm sorry! It wasn't my fault! My big brother had to work late and we tried to get here on time and I'm not really that late so please don't bench me!"

"Jarrod, calm down. It's ok. Practice just started and you've never been late before. Just get into gear and get in the game, ok?"

"Thanks Coach!"

Ken continued his observation of the scrimmage when someone walked up next to him.

"You know, you shouldn't let him off so easy. The real reason we're late is because he couldn't get his hair to look just right."

"Shut up you jerk! He's lying Coach!"

Ken laughed and turned to look into the most captivating eyes he'd ever seen. They were a deep purple, but they sparkled with life and warmth. They were nothing like the hard and cold amethyst eyes he was accustomed to being aimed at him.

"Hi. I'm Duo, Jarrod's big brother."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ken."

"Thanks for letting him play. It really was my fault."

"No problem. I think the few extra minutes you spent on your hair really paid off. Looks good. And that braid looks like it takes a lot of time."

Duo self consciously ran his fingers through his bangs, flashing Ken a smile before returning his attention to the game. "Thanks." The two continued to watch the kids play in silence and Duo noticed that the brunette kept stealing glances at him. "It's ok, you can say it."

Ken turned to the man, "You look nothing like Jarrod. You're not even the same race."

"You got me there. But I am Jarrod's big brother. As in the Big Brother/Big Sister Foundation." He saw Ken's face light up and he felt a little bit of pride swell within him at the smile. "Yeah, his foster parents thought it would be a good idea if he had someone he could hang out with that was a little closer to his own age. I mean, they're the sweetest people, but have you met them? They're pretty old to be raising a kid Jarrod's age and trying to relate, you know?"

"Yeah, I guess so. But he has a good home and that's important." Ken turned his attention back to the game. "Jarrod's a good kid, and a damn good player."

"He says the same about you. Well, without the profanity of course."

The two men stand there and watch the scrimmage for awhile until Duo decides to speak up again. "I don't see any parents here."

"No, they typically don't show up until the games. We usually don't scrimmage during practice but I'm looking to make a few line changes so I needed to see the kids play."

"Oh."

"Do you know anything about soccer?"

"Only what Jarrod tries to tell me. But honestly, I find it pretty boring. Sorry."

Ken smiled at the man with the apologetic smile and long chestnut hair. "Don't be sorry. No offense to Jarrod, but he's probably not the best teacher. If you had the right person teaching you, I bet you'd like soccer."

A big smile and raised eyebrows were aimed at Ken now and he had to look away as he felt the heat rising to his cheeks. "The right person, huh? You offering to teach me about soccer?"

Ken chuckled and kept his eyes on the game in front of him, feeling a little flutter in his stomach at the thought of those purple eyes watching him.

"Yeah, I guess I am. I am the coach after all."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Duo and Ken talked off and on during the practice, but mostly Duo sat back and let the coach do his job. Ken stopped the game a few times to make some position changes or to demonstrate a certain skill, all the while purple eyes watched him in appreciation. Now he had his team in a huddle in the middle of the field, practice coming to an end.

"Ok guys, you did a great job and I think this new line up is going to work for us this weekend. So go home and I'll see you Saturday morning."

He waved as the kids shouted their goodbyes en route to picking up their bags and racing for the parking lot where parents waited for their children. By the time he got to the bench Jarrod and Duo were the only two left.

"Do you need some help with those bags?"

Duo nodded over to the four khaki canvas bags full of balls and equipment.

"No, that's ok. You guys go home, I'll be fine."

Duo looked down at Jarrod who nodded. The man with the long chestnut hair walked over and grabbed two bags, Ken following. "Just accept the help…coach."

Ken smiled and grabbed the other two bags and the threesome walked over to the store house and locked the bags up, then headed for the parking lot.

"Thanks guys. I'll see you Saturday Jarrod."

Duo feigned insult. "And what about me? Don't you want to see me on Saturday?"

Ken felt the warmth of his cheeks instantly and he silently cursed himself. "I'm sorry?"

"I thought I'd come to the game. Is that ok?"

Ken smiled and scratched the back of his head, "Sure. It's ok with me. What about you Jarrod?"

"If he can get there on time." The older man ruffled the boy's hair and a slight pushing match ensued.

Ken teased, "If you're going to start trouble with my players Duo then I'm going to have to ask that you not come to the game." Duo immediately placed his hands behind his back and gave Ken the guiltiest, innocent look he'd ever seen and he couldn't help but laugh. "I'll see you both by 10a.m. on Saturday."

"See ya coach!"

Ken waved as he drove away on his motorcycle, suddenly looking forward to Saturday's game with a small flutter in his stomach and a smile on his face.

After that day's practice, Duo still thought soccer was kind of boring. But he was finding it did have some very intriguing aspects to it and he was most interested in learning more about them.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Saturday

By the time the game ended on Saturday, Ken was flying high. Not only did the team do really well, winning with a shutout, but a certain someone with a long chestnut braid and purple eyes was now waiting for him at the player's bench.

"Hi there. Good game coach."

"Thanks. The boys did really well." He tossed his whistle in his bag and crossed his arms, fixing the smiling man with a lopsided smirk. "I don't recall seeing you before the opening whistle blew. Do you Jarrod?"

The young boy walked up behind Duo and slapped him on the back. "Nope. I told you he wouldn't make it on time."

"That you did. I should have listened to you."

"If I'm going to get ganged up on, I'm leaving. I'll take my invitation of ice cream elsewhere."

Duo started to walk away but Jarrod ran after him and tackled him to the ground. "I forgive you! Ice cream please!"

Ken laughed as he watched the two wrestle on the ground. "Nobody's getting ice cream if you two get dirty rolling around on the ground. No place will let you in."

The twosome broke it up and brushed themselves off, mumbling apologies then flashing Ken with winning smiles. "That's better. We'll go to the Sunday Café a couple miles down the street. It's on the corner of K Street and 45th."

"Yeah, I know the place. C'mon kid, let's get moving." The highly motivated boy ran to get his bag and headed for the car.

"Duo, wait."

Ken walked up to the man and picked out a few pieces of grass from the chestnut bangs.

"Thanks."

"Well, I can't be seen with someone who has grass in his hair."

"Actually, I meant for believing in me."

"What?"

"You believed I would get here on time."

"I hoped you would."

Duo shrugged. "Same difference."

"So why were you late?" Ken saw the blush on the man's cheeks and it made his chest tighten.

Ok, here's my chance. Say something to let him know that I'm interested. Something that will give him the hint and he can either accept it, or not. "I wanted to look my best…for you."

Ken took a step back and chuckled as he let his head drop for a moment, hoping to hide the blush he knew was coloring his cheeks. When he did look up, having gotten his blushing under control, he let his eyes roam up from the man's shoes all the way to his face, admiring everything he saw. When he met the purple eyes again, his smile broadened.

"You're forgiven. But I have a feeling this isn't your best."

"Just tell me when and where."

Just as Ken was about to say something, Jarrod came bounding up, a bit breathless.

"Ok! I've loaded all the bags and I'm ready to go! C'mon Duo! We'll see you there coach!"

Duo shrugged and offered up a helpless grin as he was dragged off by the enthusiastic boy. Ken just chuckled and shook his head as he walked for his motorcycle. So Duo is interested in me. Life is definitely looking up.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The threesome had been sitting in the café long enough for Jarrod to have a sandwich, sundae and now was helping Duo finish his sundae.

Ken had opted for a sandwich and milkshake which he still hadn't finished because he had been too busy talking with Duo and Jarrod to eat.

"Where are you putting it kid?"

Jarrod just glared at the man as he shoved another spoonful of ice cream in his mouth. Duo looked over to say something to Ken but the words died in his throat when he met the sparkling blue eyes. Ken's mouth began to turn up at one corner and Duo sighed as he looked out the large window they were sitting next to. Thank the gods Jarrod is here. Heaven knows what kind of fool I would have made of myself by now. I can't believe how much he affects me. We just met! But every time I look at him, or get near him I just want to…

"Hello! Earth to braid boy!"

Duo blinked away the NC-17 images floating through his mind to see Jarrod waving a spoon in his face and Ken smiling around his straw as he drank his shake.

"Where were you man?"

Duo pulled his sundae closer to him, "Someplace where there are no annoying little boys to eat my ice cream."

"Hey!"

Jarrod reached out with his spoon to scoop up some ice cream but Duo picked it up and held it above his head, an evil smile on his face.

"Duo, please? C'mon! I take the braid boy comment back. You're the best big brother ever!"

"Hmph." Duo handed the sundae over to the grinning boy and turned his attention back to Ken. "So what are your plans for the rest of the day coach?"

Ken shrugged and sat back in his chair. "Not much. I'm getting together with some friends of mine later today. But I don't have to meet them until 5p.m."

"Well, it's 4p.m. now. How far do you have to go?"

Ken bolted upright and grabbed Duo's wrist, twisting it around to check his watch. "Four! Oh shit! I have to go." He stood up and offered Duo an apologetic look. "I wasn't paying attention. I have to go Duo, I'm sorry."

Duo followed Ken out to the street as the man got on his motorcycle and put his helmet on.

"So these friends of yours….they're really big on the punctual thing, huh?"

Ken sighed and gripped the handlebars tight. "Something like that, yeah. I am sorry about running out like this Duo."

"It's ok. I know where to find you."

"So…."

Duo placed his hand over Ken's and leaned in, a playful smile on his lips. "So I'll find you Ken."

Duo's hand slowly slipped away and he stepped back offering a little wave before walking back in to join Jarrod. As Ken raced back to the Koneko, his heart was pounding. Not because he might be late for a mission, but because of the lingering touch of Duo's hand and the deep purple eyes that promised so much. I know where to find you….

To be continued…..

811374.doc

5/23/2005

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