Disclaimer: I don't own Weib or the hot guys in it...though i wouldn't mind owning a certain redheaded, katana-weilding assassin. Neither do I own familiar X-men characters. But, Nemo/Anya Malenkov/Kasumi Minamoto belongs to me.
Characters:
Japan:
Weib, assassin group out to rid Japan of its scum -
Aya Fujimaya, aka Abyssinian - sword-weilding redhead
Youji Kudou, aka Balinese - wire-handling blonde with green eyes
Ken Hidaka, aka Siberian - tiger-claw user with brown hair and eyes
Omi Tsukiyono, aka Bombay - arrows/bow gun/darts user with blonde hair and blue eyes
Persia - leader of Weib
Birman - Persia's secretary
Tanya Chekov, aka Anya Malenkov and Kasumi Minamoto: acrobatic assassin who uses a stiletto and twin admantium fans
Retribution
Youji sauntered over to the young dark-haired woman at the bar. Jet-black hair pulled back in a
French twist to reveal a delicate profile of pale skin devoid of make-up. A simple dress the
color of her azure eyes showed off her long legs, which ended in strappy black stilettos. Coming
up beside her, he told the bartender.
"I'll have what she's having."
The barkeeper handed him a glass of clear liquid.
"What's this? Water?" Youji joked as he gulped it down. He ended up choking on it, much to the
amusement of the bartender.
"Vodka," the girl said dryly without even a hint of a smile.
"What?"
"Vodka," the bartender said obligingly. Youji glared at him as he went after the departing woman.
"Wait! What's your name?"
"You've never gotten a brush-off, have you?" The girl asked with a raised eyebrow as she spun on
her heel to face him. "Well, you've just gotten one. I...am...not...interested... Is that clear
enough for you?"
She turned her back on him again as she headed for the door. Youji grinned. She was playing hard
to get, huh...
"So, will you give me the name of the girl who's given me my first brush-off?"
"Nemo."
She easily made her way through the throng of people at the dance floor. Youji smiled as the door
shut behind her. He was sure he'd be seeing her around. Women just kept on coming back to him.
"Nemo...huh..." He smiled to himself. Before the night was over, he'd know everything about her
from her full name to her shoe size. Good thing he had Omi for things like that.
"So, what's her name?" Omi asked with a sigh as he settled himself in front of the computer. "You
owe me one, you know that?"
"Yeah...yeah... Nemo. Her name's Nemo." Omi frowned. "What?"
"The name sounds familiar."
"I don't think you'd know this woman, Omi."
Omi just shrugged and typed in the name. Leaning back to wait for the results, he tried to ignore
the hovering man behind him.
"What's up?" Ken asked, coing down the stairs of the basement. He frowned when he saw Omi at the
computer. "I thought you went to bed. Don't you have finals tomorrow?"
"Youji wanted me to look up a girl for him."
Ken rolled his eyes.
"So, what's her name?"
"Nemo," Youji said.
"Nemo? Isn't that..."
"The name of the Nautilus captain in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne?" Omi cut in
with a smirk as he loked up from the computer screen. "I told you the name sounded familiar. It's
Latin for 'Nobody'."
"What?!?" Youji gasped.
Aya walked into the basement the next morning to find Youji at the computer.
"I didn't know you knew how to use that."
"Omi taught me the basics last night..." Youji muttered as he scanned the webpage that had come
up on the computer screen.
"What are you looking for?"
"A girl named Nobody."
Aya gave him a strange look. He looked up the stairs as he heard footsteps descending. Birman
followed by Ken and Omi, who'd just returned from school, came down the stairs.
"I have a mission for you."
Birman left after awhile to let Weib make plans on their own.
"Yakuza, huh?" Youji said, slouched on the couch with Ken next to him.
"Better then searching for Nobody, right?" Omi grinned as his fingers flew on the computer
keyboard. He easily dodged the pillow Youji threw his way.
"Who's Nobody?" Aya asked, getting annoyed.
"Youji's new girlfriend." Ken laughed.
Aya scowled, considering the information worthless. He went to stand behind Omi.
"Did you get the information we needed?"
"Yup. Here's the blueprints of the building." He printed it out and showed it to the others. "So,
what's our plan?"
Aya rushed up the stairs, fast at the heels of the escaping yakuza known as Kamikaze. Having
reached the top of the stairs leading to the helipad, Kamikaze slammed the door shut in Aya's face. Aya scowled in irritation as he kicked it open. In the dim light, he could barely make out the center of the helipad. A dim outline of a person emerged from the shadows, slowly making its way towards Kamikaze. The figure stopped at the edge of the lighted part of the helipad, something gleaming in his left hand.
Aya cautiously approached Kamikaze from behind, both men eyeing the black-clad figure warily. Then, before he could do anything, the figure sent the object in his hand flying. Like a boomerang, it silently cut through the air, viciously slashing the yakuza's throat before flying back into its owner's waiting hand.
Kamikaze was dead before his body even touched the ground.
The figure looked up at the sky as the yakuza's helicopter finally arrived, shining its bright
light down at him. From his hiding place at the staircase's doorway, Aya saw the slim figure dressed completely in black except for his white mask. From it, omnious black holes stared out as eyes. The rest of it was a plain, smooth surface but for the single bloodred tear that ran down its right cheek.
The enigmatic figure leaped like a diver from the edge of the roof. As the helicopter went after the figure, Aya slipped away to join his waiting team.
"Did you get him?" Youji asked.
"No." The others looked at him in surprise. "Someone got to him before I did."
The others looked at him disbelievingly. Ignoring their looks, Aya looked up from their spot
across the building they'd just left. He saw the helicopter still circling the building,
searching for the figure that had killed Kamikaze.
"So, they didn't catch him."
"Catch who?" Youji asked in annoyance.
"Nobody we know."
Aya leaned silently against the wall of the basement as the other three competed with each other
in talking to Birman.
"Enough," she told them. Then, she turned to face Aya. "Describe the person you saw."
"All-black outfit. White mask with black holes as eyes. Rest of it was plain white except
for a red tear down the right cheek. About my height. Slim build."
"Nobody we know," Youji repeated Aya's words sullenly. "Who's this guy on our turf?"
Aya stared. Ken and Omi rolled their eyes. Even Birman barely repressed a smile.
"You sound like a yakuza. ...our turf... Please!" Ken said with a laugh.
"See what you can dig up on this person, Omi," Birman said as she went up the stairs. "I'll talk
to my sources."
"Sure, Birman."
"Really, Youji! What's wrong with you? You're suddenly attracted to Nobody and talk like a
yakuza. Are you on drugs?" Ken joked.
Youji glared at him before he stormed out of the basement. Ken and Omi stopped laughing, puzzled
by Youji's reaction. Why was he being so sensitive? They'd just been joking. Aya followed Youji's
ascending form up the stairs with his eyes.
"What's wrong with him? I was just kidding around," Ken said defensively, while Omi frowned in
worry.
Aya didn't answer as he too left the room.
Youji buried his head under his pillow at the sound of knocking at his door. After awhile, the
knocking stopped and he sighed in relief. He wanted to be alone. ...Didn't he? Maybe that's what
was wrong. He felt so alone even with Omi, Ken, and Aya. Sure, they were his friends, but they
couldn't replace Asuka anymore then the many girls he flirted with could.
He tensed up as he felt another presence enter the room.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Aya asked in the dark.
Youji didn't answer. Why couldn't they just leave him alone? It was a foolish question. He knew
why. They were friends. They trusted each other with their lives. Stood by each other. Kept an
eye out for each other. Even Aya had warmed up to the them recently. He and Youji were now close friends because there were some things that the younger guys couldn't understand.
"Youji?"
He still refused to answer, but Aya knew that he was awake. Aya neared the bed and stopped at the night table. Picking up a bottle of sleeping pills, he shook it.
"Didn't you just buy this last week? It's already half-empty. Damnit, Kudou! Talk to me!" Aya said angrily as he yanked the pillow away.
Youji sat up and leant against the headboard of his bed. He shakily lit himself a cigarette from the pack on the table. He looked at Aya, a look of resignation and defeat on his face. That scared Aya. He'd never seen the confident older man like that.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He repeated in a calmer voice.
Youji turned away to look out the window, eyes glazed over. Aya sighed softly and headed for the door.
"I miss her..." Aya stopped at Youji's softly-spoken words and turned back. "...and I know that no matter how hard I try, I can never replace her."
"Then don't." Youji turned to look at a solemn-faced Aya. "Don't." He repeated. "There'll always be just one Asuka. But maybe...just maybe...there's another woman out there who can make you happy again. Don't destroy yourself like this. Do you think..." Aya stopped abruptly.
Youji smiled sadly. He knew what Aya had been planning to say.
"No. She wouldn't have wanted me to be this way."
He then put out the cigarette and settled down to sleep. Before Aya could shut the door behind him, Youji called out.
"Aya..."
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
Aya sat silently in his seat, wishing that his sister could be here with him. She'd have loved it. The cheering crowd. The shouting people selling popcorn, cotton candy, and soda. And best of all, the dazzling performers in their sparkling costumes underneath the bright spotlights.
He looked over at Ken, Omi, and Youji, who were obviously enjoying the show. He must have looked depressed. Catching Youji's eye, Youji flashed him a big smile, which he weakly returned. Then, he looked back at the ring to watch the new act, trying to enjoy the show. This was the last night the Russian Circus was performing here and Birman had given them tickets for it. She said that they deserved it after taking down a serial killer who'd eluded the police for months.
A solo figure stood at the center of the ring dressed in a dark blue bodysuit with streaks of a lighter blue on it like brushstrokes. Her dark blue eyes sparkled from her white-painted face.
He was so intent on the young woman that he didn't hear Youji gasp.
The woman, announced as The Amazing Anya, opened the black paper fan she held in her left hand with a flick of her wrist. Another flick and the fan grew into a much thinner and almost completely circular fan except for where she held it. Then, the fan split into two. Holding one in each hand, she began her acrobatic act. It was a graceful dance with flips and somersaults. Her flexible body moved in time to the fast music while her fans, like extensions of herself, added to the beauty of it.
When she'd finished, he rose with the others to applaud. She snapped the two back into one and closed it, holding it in her left hand as she raised the other in salute.
Yes, there was no doubt about it. She was Kamikaze's killer.
Glad for the backstage passages Omi'd insisted on buying, Aya and Youji left behind the protesting Ken and Omi, headed in different directions.
Aya silently entered the acrobat's trailer, but she looked up as soon as he entered. With her face half-cleaned of its make-up, he realized how young she really was. Her face was young and unlined, but her eyes said otherwise. They'd lost the sparkle she'd had while performing. Now, they were dead and expressionless blue orbs.
"Amazing Anya...or should I say Kamikaze's Killer?" He said, stopping behind her seat at the dressing table. His voice was not accusing, merely curious. What had made her kill a man in cold blood - never mind that he deserved it? She didn't look like a killer...but then again neither did any of his friends.
She went back to cleaning her face, no reaction at all to his query.
"What do you want?" As she reached into a drawer, he was so intent on studying her blank face with its lifeless eyes that he did not notice the stiletto blade she slipped into the sleeve of her black silk robe.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you kill him?"
"Why were YOU planning to kill him?" Aya did not answer. After an uneasy pause, she spoke again. "Vengeance."
"Revenge?"
"Vengeance," she repeated firmly. "Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged. Joseph Joubert."
Before he could question her further, the door slammed open behind him, causing him to whirl around and reach for a sword that wasn't there. He relaxed when he saw who it was, then frowned. What did Youji want with her?
"Nemo..." He gasped. Aya looked back at her in surprise.
"YOU'RE Nemo?"
She got up and turned to face them as another person entered the already cramped trailer.
"I seem to be quite popular tonight," she commented dryly.
"So, it would seem," the newcomer said as the men looked back and forth at them in surprise. "Does this..." Gesturing at the two men. "...mean that you accept?"
"No. But, I do accept, Birman."
"I refuse to dress up as a girl again!" Omi protested loudly.
"We're not asking you to!" Youji shouted just as loudly in irritation.
"You don't need to shout!"
"You're the one who's shouting!"
"Will you two shut up!" Ken shouted, trying to be heard above the other two's noise.
"You shut up!" The two shouted.
Aya calmly took this all in, while an increasingly annoyed Birman stood next to the stairs.
"Enough!" She finally said in a no-nonsense voice. She was quickly losing any doubt of adding a new member to Weib. Maybe the newcomer could make these guys toe the line. "No one is going to dress up as a girl."
"Then, how're we going to get info on the drug deals in a private GIRLS school?" Omi pouted cutely.
"That's my job." A disembodied voice spoke from the top of the dark staircase.
Omi and Ken took a step back in surprise as the owner of the voice came down to reveal the dark-haired acrobat. Aya's face remained expressionless, whereas the strange expression on Youji's face was unreadable.
"Aren't you Anya Malenkov, the Russian acrobat?" Ken finally managed to say.
"I'm Kasumi Minamoto," she said, her voice free of any European accent.
*Minamoto was the name of the businessman Kamikaze killed a month ago...* Aya thought.
"If you're Japanese, why did you take on a Russian name and join a Russian circus?" Omi asked curiously.
"I never said I was Japanese."
"Ohhh...right."
*But then...* Aya unconciously frowned, then snapped out of it when Birman cut in.
"Seeing that her room is not yet ready, she'll have to stay with one of you guys for a few days."
All the Weib members slept in rooms above the flowershop and the only spare room was being used as a storage room. They'd have to clear it before Kasumi could use it. "Any volunteers?" Birman raised an eyebrow in surprise when Youji didn't immediately volunteer - not that she'd have let Kasumi stay with him in the first place.
"She can stay with me," Aya finally said. This time she raised both eyebrows in surprise. Since when did the aloof swordsman, welcome strangers to share his room. Something strange was definitely going on here.
Still, she nodded in acceptance of the offer, although the he wasn't her first choice, he'd do. But, why hadn't Youji voluteered or even make a pass at Kasumi? As a matter of fact, what had he been doing in her trailer the previous night? She knew why Aya'd been there - he'd discovered like Kritiker had that Kasumi was Kamikaze's killer - but she hadn't been able to talk to Youji. She didn't have time to speak to him now but she seriously hoped that there was nothing going on between the two. Last thing, she needed was two fighting lovebirds in the team.
After Birman had left, Aya went up to his room with Kasumi behind him. He opened the door and let her enter. She dumped her only piece of luggage, a big old duffel bag, on the floor next to the couch.
"I'll take the couch," she immediately said. He nodded, not protesting. Pointing towards the small bathroom, he said.
"If you want to clean up, the bathroom's there. It'll be dinner soon. We eat in the kitchen downstairs in the back of the shop."
She nodded. Before she closed the bathroom door, she said.
"Fujimiya..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Dinner was unusually quiet that night. Kasumi sat in between Aya, who sat on one end of the table, and Omi. Youji sat next to Omi on the other end, while Ken sat directly in front of her, beside Aya. She ate quickly, then excused herself. As soon as she ascended the steps to the second floor, she heard the soft murmur of voices.
"What do you think of her, Youji?" Omi asked. Obviously, the others with the exception of Aya were wondering why Youji hadn't flirted with her at all.
"She's alright." Omi shifted uncomfortably at the unexpected reply, while Ken looked at Aya in worry. Aya didn't speak, so Ken spoke to Youji instead.
"Aren't you interested in her, Youji?"
"What's the use if she's not interested in me?" Youji said in the same strange soft voice he'd used ever since Kasumi came.
"What makes you think that?"
"She's Nemo," Youji said flatly. "She wasn't interested then and she still isn't now."
Ken and Omi exchanged worried looks. They'd never seen Youji so down, especially over a girl who'd rejected him. There'd been a few in the past, but it hadn't affected him at all. He'd just gone off after another girl.
Aya knew what was wrong, but he wasn't speaking. Youji's pent-up negative emotions and the piling stressful missions were finally affecting the happy-go-lucky, playboy exterior that he kept up for the world to see. After Kasumi's rejection, it wouldn't take much for Youji to fall apart. Although Aya knew that being Youji's friend he should be mad at Kasumi - it was illogical, but hey, that's how a friend should act, right? - he couldn't.
He couldn't help but like her despite her stoic manner. Hell...she reminded him of himself. And now that he thought he knew why she'd done what she did, he sympathized with her. They were alike, the two of them. Both had become what they were now because of revenge...no matter that she'd said that hers was a case of vengeance. It was revenge to him, no matter how hard she'd try to dress it up with nice words. What they did was a bloody business and she'd have to accept it in time. And he was sure that she would, just as he had.
Kasumi took a deep breath and looked behind where Aya nodded encouragingly by his Porsche. He'd volunteered to drop her off for her first day as a senior in The Yashida Private School for Young Ladies. She looked back at the impressive building with its tall iron gates.
It looked like a prison.
She entered the gates without looking back again, dressed in a short plaid skirt with a dark blazer and starched white blouse. Slinging her book bag over her shoulder, she climbed up the school's stone steps flanked by stone dragons. Her job was simple. Act like an ordinary student and sneak around for information on the shady drug deals that went on in the school.
She was not unfamiliar with the background of the school. Even before she'd joined Weib, she'd known the founder of the school Shingen Yashida as well as his daughter Mariko. She'd never known until recently that Yashida had been a yakuza crimelord and used institutions like the school as fronts. Mariko had been different, however, she'd been as good as her father'd been evil. Although Mariko had been older, they'd been good friends. But now, she was dead. And all because of the yakuza. Damn them. She would not rest until she'd crushed the last of them. That or she'd die trying. She stifled a grim smile, she probably would die for her cause. But that was life...or rather death...for you.
She ignored the practically senile teacher, who babbled on about the laws of physics at the front of the room. Instead, she intently listened to the whispered murmurs of those around her.
...new girl...you think we should ask her to join us for lunch...looks like a snob...as if you aren't...whatever...hey, did you hear that Keiko is dating the english teacher...no kidding!...uhuh...her parents will kill her...they've got a new shipment of heroin...cool...
She nonchalantly flipped her hair over her shoulder as she tried to look for the owner of the last voice. But before she could, the school bell rang for lunch. Damnit...
As she picked up her books, three tall, slim girls approached her. She repressed a smirk. They looked like clones of each other. Perfectly styled long black hair, not a strand out of place. Light blush and a touch of lip gloss. Identical hot pink pencil cases and notebooks, casually balanced on their right arm. Impeccable uniforms with identical cherry blossom pins and outrageously high stilettos.
"Hello, you're the new girl Kasumi, right?" The one she assumed was the leader asked.
She nodded coolly as they looked her over.
"Well, I'm Keiko, she's Aiko and she's Maiko."
"It's a pleasure to make you're acquaintance," she said in what she hoped was a demure voice. She could bearly restrain her sarcasm. These girls were obviously the top clique in the school, if anyone knew anything about the drug deals going on, they would.
"The pleasure is ours," Keiko replied with a plastic cheery smile, a mirror image of the smiles on her two friends. "So, would you like to have lunch with us?"
"I'd love to," she gushed, inwardly wincing. She was glad that her father had taught her well in controlling her emotions. She resisted the urge to wipe the plastic smiles on their faces and followed them to the cafeteria.
All in all, it was an uneventful day. She'd made friends with the right people, but it would take time to get them to trust her and let her in on the drug deals. but it was obvious that there were deals going on. She couldn't help but notice the dazed girls with glazed-over eyes who'd lounge about in the bathroom couches. The smell of drugs faintly perfumed the air as a few smoked a cleverly diguised joint.
She cheerily chatted with her new-made 'friends' on the step, while she waited for Aya to pick her up. She could've walked or ridden her motorcycle, but she knew that it wouldn't go with the image she was trying to present. She heard him call her name, and before she turned around to face him she noticed her 'friends' plastic smiles replaced by real ones. She looked back to see Aya by his car with Youji and Ken in the back seat. Well, well. It must be your lucky day, girls.
"Do you know does guys, Kasumi?" Keiko casually asked as the two others eyed the guys from under lowered lashes.
"They're friends of mine."
"Oh...I see...."
"Would you like me to introduce you to them?"
"Well...why not?" Keiko shrugged with false reluctance. "But, I already have a boyfriend."
Oh, yes. The english teacher...
Kasumi walked up to the car and stopped next to Aya.
"This is Aya, Youji, and Ken," she said, pointing at each guy in turn. She slightly raised an eyebrow at Youji's disinterest as well as his intent look on her. Finally, he looked at the three girls, and getting out of the car, he kissed the hand of each. Keiko coolly eyed him like a cat playing with a mouse while Aiko and Maiko smiled brightly.
Kasumi noticed Aya frown slightly at Youji's lack of zeal in flirting. It seemed almost prefunctory for him. The frown was gone in an instant, and noticing the nervous-looking Ken, he spoke.
"It was a...pleasure...meeting you. But, we really must be going."
"Yes, we really should. My apologies," Youji said with a forced smile.
"Well, we hope to see you again...soon," Maiko said eyeing Youji, while Aiko nodded in agreement, looking in Ken's direction. They obviously thought that Kasumi and Aya were together. She wasn't sure what to make of that idea.
She said goodbye before getting into the passenger seat. Aya turned on the car, while Youji got back in.
"We might as well pick up Omi on the way back."
"Too bad, he wasn't around for the vultures," Kasumi said drily as they turned around a corner.
She caught Aya's brief smile out of the corner of her eye. So, he did smile.
"Vultures, huh?"
"Did you find out anything?" Youji asked bluntly, almost rudely, from the back.
She looked at him by the rearview mirror and frowned.
"No, I did not. You can't really expect me to find out everything we need in one day. These things take time." She cut him off and continued as he began to open his mouth to speak. "If you think you can do better, why don't YOU dress up as a girl and try dealing with those plastic, back-stabbing piranhas? Women aren't entirely soft and sweet, you know?"
"So, I've found out in you," Youji retorted.
She flushed angrily, but kept silent. It was useless talking to him when he was obviously on her case. You'd think a guy could take rejection better. The jerk. She looked out of the car, ignoring Aya's questioning look.
When they reached Omi's school, Aya cursed softly. There wasn't a vacant parking space in sight.
"Why don't you drop me off in the front so I can get him, while you turn around?" Kasumi offered.
Aya nodded in agreement, while she ignored Youji's rude mutterings about pushy women who thought they were too good for anyone. She rolled her eyes. Men could really act like children at times, especially when they didn't get what they want. Both didn't notice Aya's strange smile. And Ken was too scared of the moody Youji to do anything but eye the man warily from his seat pressed against the cardoor.
When Aya got back from turning around, Kasumi stood, arms crossed in front of her and a trace of a smile on her face, with a blushing red Omi next to her. She took her seat next to Aya, then turned when she heard Ken's yelp of surprise. He'd been so close to the edge and so intent on keeping away from Youji that he hadn't noticed that they'd stopped again. Omi, on the other hand, was so embarrassed by the teasing about his 'girlfriend' that he'd just opened the door unthinkingly, causing Ken to fall out on his back. Both flushed boys got into the car, dying to get away from the staring people. It was a very silent ride back.
That night, Kasumi left the table after arranging to take an afternoon shift in the flowershop every other day after school. After all she had to earn her keep, as she so aptly put it. Even after she left there wasn't much conversation. Omi left soon after to do some research on the computer in the basement. Ken kept away from the glowering Youji and near the blank-faced Aya, while picking at his food.
Then, they heard it. The music from above. It started out soft and slow, reminiscent of a weeping mourner at a loved one's funeral. Then, the music changed it became wild and angry like a raging wounded beast or the fatal fury of a tempest. As suddenly and smoothly as it had changed, it changed again, becoming as heart-wrenching as before.
Aya looked away before the other's could see the tear that ran down his cheek, while Ken merely looked down in silence at his plate, pale face drawn. When the music slowly faded into silence, they realized that the sound of typing below had died long before. Then, the sound of a slamming door finally broke the tense silence as Youji left.
After Aya'd helped Ken clean up, he went to his room and hesitated at his door. Finally, he quickly opened it to find a pitch-black room. He made his way to the bathroom in the dark, knowing that Kasumi wasn't one to leave things lying around on the floor for him to trip on. Switching on the lights of the bathroom, he turned to look at her still form on the couch and noticed the violin case carefully laid on the coffee table. After he'd shut the door close behind him, watery blue eyes opened and the dark head buried itself on the pillow to weep once more.
The next morning, Kasumi was unexpectedly cheerful. At least for her. Dressed neatly in her school uniform, she fixed breakfast and made coffee for them. Aya, Ken, and Omi, that is. Youji hadn't come home since he'd left the previous night.
"So, it'll be another day with the vultures for me," she said, her voice tinged with grim amusement. "Could you pick me up as well as drop me off, Fujimaya?"
"I could do that." They all looked up to see a worn-out Youji dressed in the rumpled suit of clothes he'd worn the previous night. She eyed him warily for a moment before asking.
"Are you up to it?"
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?"
"I seriously hope you aren't suffering from a hangover. Last thing I need is to end up in an ICU ward from driving with you," she said as she brushed past him on her way out the door. "Well, are you coming or not?" She called back in irritation when he didn't move. He nodded at the three and went after her, shutting the door behind him.
Ken and Omi exchanged surprised looks, then turned to find Aya with a mysterious smile on his face.
Characters:
Japan:
Weib, assassin group out to rid Japan of its scum -
Aya Fujimaya, aka Abyssinian - sword-weilding redhead
Youji Kudou, aka Balinese - wire-handling blonde with green eyes
Ken Hidaka, aka Siberian - tiger-claw user with brown hair and eyes
Omi Tsukiyono, aka Bombay - arrows/bow gun/darts user with blonde hair and blue eyes
Persia - leader of Weib
Birman - Persia's secretary
Tanya Chekov, aka Anya Malenkov and Kasumi Minamoto: acrobatic assassin who uses a stiletto and twin admantium fans
Retribution
Youji sauntered over to the young dark-haired woman at the bar. Jet-black hair pulled back in a
French twist to reveal a delicate profile of pale skin devoid of make-up. A simple dress the
color of her azure eyes showed off her long legs, which ended in strappy black stilettos. Coming
up beside her, he told the bartender.
"I'll have what she's having."
The barkeeper handed him a glass of clear liquid.
"What's this? Water?" Youji joked as he gulped it down. He ended up choking on it, much to the
amusement of the bartender.
"Vodka," the girl said dryly without even a hint of a smile.
"What?"
"Vodka," the bartender said obligingly. Youji glared at him as he went after the departing woman.
"Wait! What's your name?"
"You've never gotten a brush-off, have you?" The girl asked with a raised eyebrow as she spun on
her heel to face him. "Well, you've just gotten one. I...am...not...interested... Is that clear
enough for you?"
She turned her back on him again as she headed for the door. Youji grinned. She was playing hard
to get, huh...
"So, will you give me the name of the girl who's given me my first brush-off?"
"Nemo."
She easily made her way through the throng of people at the dance floor. Youji smiled as the door
shut behind her. He was sure he'd be seeing her around. Women just kept on coming back to him.
"Nemo...huh..." He smiled to himself. Before the night was over, he'd know everything about her
from her full name to her shoe size. Good thing he had Omi for things like that.
"So, what's her name?" Omi asked with a sigh as he settled himself in front of the computer. "You
owe me one, you know that?"
"Yeah...yeah... Nemo. Her name's Nemo." Omi frowned. "What?"
"The name sounds familiar."
"I don't think you'd know this woman, Omi."
Omi just shrugged and typed in the name. Leaning back to wait for the results, he tried to ignore
the hovering man behind him.
"What's up?" Ken asked, coing down the stairs of the basement. He frowned when he saw Omi at the
computer. "I thought you went to bed. Don't you have finals tomorrow?"
"Youji wanted me to look up a girl for him."
Ken rolled his eyes.
"So, what's her name?"
"Nemo," Youji said.
"Nemo? Isn't that..."
"The name of the Nautilus captain in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne?" Omi cut in
with a smirk as he loked up from the computer screen. "I told you the name sounded familiar. It's
Latin for 'Nobody'."
"What?!?" Youji gasped.
Aya walked into the basement the next morning to find Youji at the computer.
"I didn't know you knew how to use that."
"Omi taught me the basics last night..." Youji muttered as he scanned the webpage that had come
up on the computer screen.
"What are you looking for?"
"A girl named Nobody."
Aya gave him a strange look. He looked up the stairs as he heard footsteps descending. Birman
followed by Ken and Omi, who'd just returned from school, came down the stairs.
"I have a mission for you."
Birman left after awhile to let Weib make plans on their own.
"Yakuza, huh?" Youji said, slouched on the couch with Ken next to him.
"Better then searching for Nobody, right?" Omi grinned as his fingers flew on the computer
keyboard. He easily dodged the pillow Youji threw his way.
"Who's Nobody?" Aya asked, getting annoyed.
"Youji's new girlfriend." Ken laughed.
Aya scowled, considering the information worthless. He went to stand behind Omi.
"Did you get the information we needed?"
"Yup. Here's the blueprints of the building." He printed it out and showed it to the others. "So,
what's our plan?"
Aya rushed up the stairs, fast at the heels of the escaping yakuza known as Kamikaze. Having
reached the top of the stairs leading to the helipad, Kamikaze slammed the door shut in Aya's face. Aya scowled in irritation as he kicked it open. In the dim light, he could barely make out the center of the helipad. A dim outline of a person emerged from the shadows, slowly making its way towards Kamikaze. The figure stopped at the edge of the lighted part of the helipad, something gleaming in his left hand.
Aya cautiously approached Kamikaze from behind, both men eyeing the black-clad figure warily. Then, before he could do anything, the figure sent the object in his hand flying. Like a boomerang, it silently cut through the air, viciously slashing the yakuza's throat before flying back into its owner's waiting hand.
Kamikaze was dead before his body even touched the ground.
The figure looked up at the sky as the yakuza's helicopter finally arrived, shining its bright
light down at him. From his hiding place at the staircase's doorway, Aya saw the slim figure dressed completely in black except for his white mask. From it, omnious black holes stared out as eyes. The rest of it was a plain, smooth surface but for the single bloodred tear that ran down its right cheek.
The enigmatic figure leaped like a diver from the edge of the roof. As the helicopter went after the figure, Aya slipped away to join his waiting team.
"Did you get him?" Youji asked.
"No." The others looked at him in surprise. "Someone got to him before I did."
The others looked at him disbelievingly. Ignoring their looks, Aya looked up from their spot
across the building they'd just left. He saw the helicopter still circling the building,
searching for the figure that had killed Kamikaze.
"So, they didn't catch him."
"Catch who?" Youji asked in annoyance.
"Nobody we know."
Aya leaned silently against the wall of the basement as the other three competed with each other
in talking to Birman.
"Enough," she told them. Then, she turned to face Aya. "Describe the person you saw."
"All-black outfit. White mask with black holes as eyes. Rest of it was plain white except
for a red tear down the right cheek. About my height. Slim build."
"Nobody we know," Youji repeated Aya's words sullenly. "Who's this guy on our turf?"
Aya stared. Ken and Omi rolled their eyes. Even Birman barely repressed a smile.
"You sound like a yakuza. ...our turf... Please!" Ken said with a laugh.
"See what you can dig up on this person, Omi," Birman said as she went up the stairs. "I'll talk
to my sources."
"Sure, Birman."
"Really, Youji! What's wrong with you? You're suddenly attracted to Nobody and talk like a
yakuza. Are you on drugs?" Ken joked.
Youji glared at him before he stormed out of the basement. Ken and Omi stopped laughing, puzzled
by Youji's reaction. Why was he being so sensitive? They'd just been joking. Aya followed Youji's
ascending form up the stairs with his eyes.
"What's wrong with him? I was just kidding around," Ken said defensively, while Omi frowned in
worry.
Aya didn't answer as he too left the room.
Youji buried his head under his pillow at the sound of knocking at his door. After awhile, the
knocking stopped and he sighed in relief. He wanted to be alone. ...Didn't he? Maybe that's what
was wrong. He felt so alone even with Omi, Ken, and Aya. Sure, they were his friends, but they
couldn't replace Asuka anymore then the many girls he flirted with could.
He tensed up as he felt another presence enter the room.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Aya asked in the dark.
Youji didn't answer. Why couldn't they just leave him alone? It was a foolish question. He knew
why. They were friends. They trusted each other with their lives. Stood by each other. Kept an
eye out for each other. Even Aya had warmed up to the them recently. He and Youji were now close friends because there were some things that the younger guys couldn't understand.
"Youji?"
He still refused to answer, but Aya knew that he was awake. Aya neared the bed and stopped at the night table. Picking up a bottle of sleeping pills, he shook it.
"Didn't you just buy this last week? It's already half-empty. Damnit, Kudou! Talk to me!" Aya said angrily as he yanked the pillow away.
Youji sat up and leant against the headboard of his bed. He shakily lit himself a cigarette from the pack on the table. He looked at Aya, a look of resignation and defeat on his face. That scared Aya. He'd never seen the confident older man like that.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He repeated in a calmer voice.
Youji turned away to look out the window, eyes glazed over. Aya sighed softly and headed for the door.
"I miss her..." Aya stopped at Youji's softly-spoken words and turned back. "...and I know that no matter how hard I try, I can never replace her."
"Then don't." Youji turned to look at a solemn-faced Aya. "Don't." He repeated. "There'll always be just one Asuka. But maybe...just maybe...there's another woman out there who can make you happy again. Don't destroy yourself like this. Do you think..." Aya stopped abruptly.
Youji smiled sadly. He knew what Aya had been planning to say.
"No. She wouldn't have wanted me to be this way."
He then put out the cigarette and settled down to sleep. Before Aya could shut the door behind him, Youji called out.
"Aya..."
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
Aya sat silently in his seat, wishing that his sister could be here with him. She'd have loved it. The cheering crowd. The shouting people selling popcorn, cotton candy, and soda. And best of all, the dazzling performers in their sparkling costumes underneath the bright spotlights.
He looked over at Ken, Omi, and Youji, who were obviously enjoying the show. He must have looked depressed. Catching Youji's eye, Youji flashed him a big smile, which he weakly returned. Then, he looked back at the ring to watch the new act, trying to enjoy the show. This was the last night the Russian Circus was performing here and Birman had given them tickets for it. She said that they deserved it after taking down a serial killer who'd eluded the police for months.
A solo figure stood at the center of the ring dressed in a dark blue bodysuit with streaks of a lighter blue on it like brushstrokes. Her dark blue eyes sparkled from her white-painted face.
He was so intent on the young woman that he didn't hear Youji gasp.
The woman, announced as The Amazing Anya, opened the black paper fan she held in her left hand with a flick of her wrist. Another flick and the fan grew into a much thinner and almost completely circular fan except for where she held it. Then, the fan split into two. Holding one in each hand, she began her acrobatic act. It was a graceful dance with flips and somersaults. Her flexible body moved in time to the fast music while her fans, like extensions of herself, added to the beauty of it.
When she'd finished, he rose with the others to applaud. She snapped the two back into one and closed it, holding it in her left hand as she raised the other in salute.
Yes, there was no doubt about it. She was Kamikaze's killer.
Glad for the backstage passages Omi'd insisted on buying, Aya and Youji left behind the protesting Ken and Omi, headed in different directions.
Aya silently entered the acrobat's trailer, but she looked up as soon as he entered. With her face half-cleaned of its make-up, he realized how young she really was. Her face was young and unlined, but her eyes said otherwise. They'd lost the sparkle she'd had while performing. Now, they were dead and expressionless blue orbs.
"Amazing Anya...or should I say Kamikaze's Killer?" He said, stopping behind her seat at the dressing table. His voice was not accusing, merely curious. What had made her kill a man in cold blood - never mind that he deserved it? She didn't look like a killer...but then again neither did any of his friends.
She went back to cleaning her face, no reaction at all to his query.
"What do you want?" As she reached into a drawer, he was so intent on studying her blank face with its lifeless eyes that he did not notice the stiletto blade she slipped into the sleeve of her black silk robe.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you kill him?"
"Why were YOU planning to kill him?" Aya did not answer. After an uneasy pause, she spoke again. "Vengeance."
"Revenge?"
"Vengeance," she repeated firmly. "Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged. Joseph Joubert."
Before he could question her further, the door slammed open behind him, causing him to whirl around and reach for a sword that wasn't there. He relaxed when he saw who it was, then frowned. What did Youji want with her?
"Nemo..." He gasped. Aya looked back at her in surprise.
"YOU'RE Nemo?"
She got up and turned to face them as another person entered the already cramped trailer.
"I seem to be quite popular tonight," she commented dryly.
"So, it would seem," the newcomer said as the men looked back and forth at them in surprise. "Does this..." Gesturing at the two men. "...mean that you accept?"
"No. But, I do accept, Birman."
"I refuse to dress up as a girl again!" Omi protested loudly.
"We're not asking you to!" Youji shouted just as loudly in irritation.
"You don't need to shout!"
"You're the one who's shouting!"
"Will you two shut up!" Ken shouted, trying to be heard above the other two's noise.
"You shut up!" The two shouted.
Aya calmly took this all in, while an increasingly annoyed Birman stood next to the stairs.
"Enough!" She finally said in a no-nonsense voice. She was quickly losing any doubt of adding a new member to Weib. Maybe the newcomer could make these guys toe the line. "No one is going to dress up as a girl."
"Then, how're we going to get info on the drug deals in a private GIRLS school?" Omi pouted cutely.
"That's my job." A disembodied voice spoke from the top of the dark staircase.
Omi and Ken took a step back in surprise as the owner of the voice came down to reveal the dark-haired acrobat. Aya's face remained expressionless, whereas the strange expression on Youji's face was unreadable.
"Aren't you Anya Malenkov, the Russian acrobat?" Ken finally managed to say.
"I'm Kasumi Minamoto," she said, her voice free of any European accent.
*Minamoto was the name of the businessman Kamikaze killed a month ago...* Aya thought.
"If you're Japanese, why did you take on a Russian name and join a Russian circus?" Omi asked curiously.
"I never said I was Japanese."
"Ohhh...right."
*But then...* Aya unconciously frowned, then snapped out of it when Birman cut in.
"Seeing that her room is not yet ready, she'll have to stay with one of you guys for a few days."
All the Weib members slept in rooms above the flowershop and the only spare room was being used as a storage room. They'd have to clear it before Kasumi could use it. "Any volunteers?" Birman raised an eyebrow in surprise when Youji didn't immediately volunteer - not that she'd have let Kasumi stay with him in the first place.
"She can stay with me," Aya finally said. This time she raised both eyebrows in surprise. Since when did the aloof swordsman, welcome strangers to share his room. Something strange was definitely going on here.
Still, she nodded in acceptance of the offer, although the he wasn't her first choice, he'd do. But, why hadn't Youji voluteered or even make a pass at Kasumi? As a matter of fact, what had he been doing in her trailer the previous night? She knew why Aya'd been there - he'd discovered like Kritiker had that Kasumi was Kamikaze's killer - but she hadn't been able to talk to Youji. She didn't have time to speak to him now but she seriously hoped that there was nothing going on between the two. Last thing, she needed was two fighting lovebirds in the team.
After Birman had left, Aya went up to his room with Kasumi behind him. He opened the door and let her enter. She dumped her only piece of luggage, a big old duffel bag, on the floor next to the couch.
"I'll take the couch," she immediately said. He nodded, not protesting. Pointing towards the small bathroom, he said.
"If you want to clean up, the bathroom's there. It'll be dinner soon. We eat in the kitchen downstairs in the back of the shop."
She nodded. Before she closed the bathroom door, she said.
"Fujimiya..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Dinner was unusually quiet that night. Kasumi sat in between Aya, who sat on one end of the table, and Omi. Youji sat next to Omi on the other end, while Ken sat directly in front of her, beside Aya. She ate quickly, then excused herself. As soon as she ascended the steps to the second floor, she heard the soft murmur of voices.
"What do you think of her, Youji?" Omi asked. Obviously, the others with the exception of Aya were wondering why Youji hadn't flirted with her at all.
"She's alright." Omi shifted uncomfortably at the unexpected reply, while Ken looked at Aya in worry. Aya didn't speak, so Ken spoke to Youji instead.
"Aren't you interested in her, Youji?"
"What's the use if she's not interested in me?" Youji said in the same strange soft voice he'd used ever since Kasumi came.
"What makes you think that?"
"She's Nemo," Youji said flatly. "She wasn't interested then and she still isn't now."
Ken and Omi exchanged worried looks. They'd never seen Youji so down, especially over a girl who'd rejected him. There'd been a few in the past, but it hadn't affected him at all. He'd just gone off after another girl.
Aya knew what was wrong, but he wasn't speaking. Youji's pent-up negative emotions and the piling stressful missions were finally affecting the happy-go-lucky, playboy exterior that he kept up for the world to see. After Kasumi's rejection, it wouldn't take much for Youji to fall apart. Although Aya knew that being Youji's friend he should be mad at Kasumi - it was illogical, but hey, that's how a friend should act, right? - he couldn't.
He couldn't help but like her despite her stoic manner. Hell...she reminded him of himself. And now that he thought he knew why she'd done what she did, he sympathized with her. They were alike, the two of them. Both had become what they were now because of revenge...no matter that she'd said that hers was a case of vengeance. It was revenge to him, no matter how hard she'd try to dress it up with nice words. What they did was a bloody business and she'd have to accept it in time. And he was sure that she would, just as he had.
Kasumi took a deep breath and looked behind where Aya nodded encouragingly by his Porsche. He'd volunteered to drop her off for her first day as a senior in The Yashida Private School for Young Ladies. She looked back at the impressive building with its tall iron gates.
It looked like a prison.
She entered the gates without looking back again, dressed in a short plaid skirt with a dark blazer and starched white blouse. Slinging her book bag over her shoulder, she climbed up the school's stone steps flanked by stone dragons. Her job was simple. Act like an ordinary student and sneak around for information on the shady drug deals that went on in the school.
She was not unfamiliar with the background of the school. Even before she'd joined Weib, she'd known the founder of the school Shingen Yashida as well as his daughter Mariko. She'd never known until recently that Yashida had been a yakuza crimelord and used institutions like the school as fronts. Mariko had been different, however, she'd been as good as her father'd been evil. Although Mariko had been older, they'd been good friends. But now, she was dead. And all because of the yakuza. Damn them. She would not rest until she'd crushed the last of them. That or she'd die trying. She stifled a grim smile, she probably would die for her cause. But that was life...or rather death...for you.
She ignored the practically senile teacher, who babbled on about the laws of physics at the front of the room. Instead, she intently listened to the whispered murmurs of those around her.
...new girl...you think we should ask her to join us for lunch...looks like a snob...as if you aren't...whatever...hey, did you hear that Keiko is dating the english teacher...no kidding!...uhuh...her parents will kill her...they've got a new shipment of heroin...cool...
She nonchalantly flipped her hair over her shoulder as she tried to look for the owner of the last voice. But before she could, the school bell rang for lunch. Damnit...
As she picked up her books, three tall, slim girls approached her. She repressed a smirk. They looked like clones of each other. Perfectly styled long black hair, not a strand out of place. Light blush and a touch of lip gloss. Identical hot pink pencil cases and notebooks, casually balanced on their right arm. Impeccable uniforms with identical cherry blossom pins and outrageously high stilettos.
"Hello, you're the new girl Kasumi, right?" The one she assumed was the leader asked.
She nodded coolly as they looked her over.
"Well, I'm Keiko, she's Aiko and she's Maiko."
"It's a pleasure to make you're acquaintance," she said in what she hoped was a demure voice. She could bearly restrain her sarcasm. These girls were obviously the top clique in the school, if anyone knew anything about the drug deals going on, they would.
"The pleasure is ours," Keiko replied with a plastic cheery smile, a mirror image of the smiles on her two friends. "So, would you like to have lunch with us?"
"I'd love to," she gushed, inwardly wincing. She was glad that her father had taught her well in controlling her emotions. She resisted the urge to wipe the plastic smiles on their faces and followed them to the cafeteria.
All in all, it was an uneventful day. She'd made friends with the right people, but it would take time to get them to trust her and let her in on the drug deals. but it was obvious that there were deals going on. She couldn't help but notice the dazed girls with glazed-over eyes who'd lounge about in the bathroom couches. The smell of drugs faintly perfumed the air as a few smoked a cleverly diguised joint.
She cheerily chatted with her new-made 'friends' on the step, while she waited for Aya to pick her up. She could've walked or ridden her motorcycle, but she knew that it wouldn't go with the image she was trying to present. She heard him call her name, and before she turned around to face him she noticed her 'friends' plastic smiles replaced by real ones. She looked back to see Aya by his car with Youji and Ken in the back seat. Well, well. It must be your lucky day, girls.
"Do you know does guys, Kasumi?" Keiko casually asked as the two others eyed the guys from under lowered lashes.
"They're friends of mine."
"Oh...I see...."
"Would you like me to introduce you to them?"
"Well...why not?" Keiko shrugged with false reluctance. "But, I already have a boyfriend."
Oh, yes. The english teacher...
Kasumi walked up to the car and stopped next to Aya.
"This is Aya, Youji, and Ken," she said, pointing at each guy in turn. She slightly raised an eyebrow at Youji's disinterest as well as his intent look on her. Finally, he looked at the three girls, and getting out of the car, he kissed the hand of each. Keiko coolly eyed him like a cat playing with a mouse while Aiko and Maiko smiled brightly.
Kasumi noticed Aya frown slightly at Youji's lack of zeal in flirting. It seemed almost prefunctory for him. The frown was gone in an instant, and noticing the nervous-looking Ken, he spoke.
"It was a...pleasure...meeting you. But, we really must be going."
"Yes, we really should. My apologies," Youji said with a forced smile.
"Well, we hope to see you again...soon," Maiko said eyeing Youji, while Aiko nodded in agreement, looking in Ken's direction. They obviously thought that Kasumi and Aya were together. She wasn't sure what to make of that idea.
She said goodbye before getting into the passenger seat. Aya turned on the car, while Youji got back in.
"We might as well pick up Omi on the way back."
"Too bad, he wasn't around for the vultures," Kasumi said drily as they turned around a corner.
She caught Aya's brief smile out of the corner of her eye. So, he did smile.
"Vultures, huh?"
"Did you find out anything?" Youji asked bluntly, almost rudely, from the back.
She looked at him by the rearview mirror and frowned.
"No, I did not. You can't really expect me to find out everything we need in one day. These things take time." She cut him off and continued as he began to open his mouth to speak. "If you think you can do better, why don't YOU dress up as a girl and try dealing with those plastic, back-stabbing piranhas? Women aren't entirely soft and sweet, you know?"
"So, I've found out in you," Youji retorted.
She flushed angrily, but kept silent. It was useless talking to him when he was obviously on her case. You'd think a guy could take rejection better. The jerk. She looked out of the car, ignoring Aya's questioning look.
When they reached Omi's school, Aya cursed softly. There wasn't a vacant parking space in sight.
"Why don't you drop me off in the front so I can get him, while you turn around?" Kasumi offered.
Aya nodded in agreement, while she ignored Youji's rude mutterings about pushy women who thought they were too good for anyone. She rolled her eyes. Men could really act like children at times, especially when they didn't get what they want. Both didn't notice Aya's strange smile. And Ken was too scared of the moody Youji to do anything but eye the man warily from his seat pressed against the cardoor.
When Aya got back from turning around, Kasumi stood, arms crossed in front of her and a trace of a smile on her face, with a blushing red Omi next to her. She took her seat next to Aya, then turned when she heard Ken's yelp of surprise. He'd been so close to the edge and so intent on keeping away from Youji that he hadn't noticed that they'd stopped again. Omi, on the other hand, was so embarrassed by the teasing about his 'girlfriend' that he'd just opened the door unthinkingly, causing Ken to fall out on his back. Both flushed boys got into the car, dying to get away from the staring people. It was a very silent ride back.
That night, Kasumi left the table after arranging to take an afternoon shift in the flowershop every other day after school. After all she had to earn her keep, as she so aptly put it. Even after she left there wasn't much conversation. Omi left soon after to do some research on the computer in the basement. Ken kept away from the glowering Youji and near the blank-faced Aya, while picking at his food.
Then, they heard it. The music from above. It started out soft and slow, reminiscent of a weeping mourner at a loved one's funeral. Then, the music changed it became wild and angry like a raging wounded beast or the fatal fury of a tempest. As suddenly and smoothly as it had changed, it changed again, becoming as heart-wrenching as before.
Aya looked away before the other's could see the tear that ran down his cheek, while Ken merely looked down in silence at his plate, pale face drawn. When the music slowly faded into silence, they realized that the sound of typing below had died long before. Then, the sound of a slamming door finally broke the tense silence as Youji left.
After Aya'd helped Ken clean up, he went to his room and hesitated at his door. Finally, he quickly opened it to find a pitch-black room. He made his way to the bathroom in the dark, knowing that Kasumi wasn't one to leave things lying around on the floor for him to trip on. Switching on the lights of the bathroom, he turned to look at her still form on the couch and noticed the violin case carefully laid on the coffee table. After he'd shut the door close behind him, watery blue eyes opened and the dark head buried itself on the pillow to weep once more.
The next morning, Kasumi was unexpectedly cheerful. At least for her. Dressed neatly in her school uniform, she fixed breakfast and made coffee for them. Aya, Ken, and Omi, that is. Youji hadn't come home since he'd left the previous night.
"So, it'll be another day with the vultures for me," she said, her voice tinged with grim amusement. "Could you pick me up as well as drop me off, Fujimaya?"
"I could do that." They all looked up to see a worn-out Youji dressed in the rumpled suit of clothes he'd worn the previous night. She eyed him warily for a moment before asking.
"Are you up to it?"
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?"
"I seriously hope you aren't suffering from a hangover. Last thing I need is to end up in an ICU ward from driving with you," she said as she brushed past him on her way out the door. "Well, are you coming or not?" She called back in irritation when he didn't move. He nodded at the three and went after her, shutting the door behind him.
Ken and Omi exchanged surprised looks, then turned to find Aya with a mysterious smile on his face.