The Healer

Disclaimer: I do not own Weiss Kreuz or any of it's wonderful characters.

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Ran tapped his fingers on the armrest as he glared out of the window of the train. He had traveled around the world and finally he is nearing his destination. Although it would seem that the world turned against him and has made time go still just to irk him.

Next to Ran, sits Yoji Kudou, his traveling companion. Ran does not know of Yoji's purpose of traveling with him nor does he care as long as it doesn't interfere with his business. Right now Yoji was smirking at him, probably amused to see Ran Fujimiya impatient and antsy.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Ran growled, "I'm pretty sure there are plenty of young ladies on this train without enough sense you can seduce!"

Yoji just laughed his remark off, "Ah, Ran, I can have a lady's company anytime I want, but right now, I just want to talk to you. Is that alright?" Yoji really wasn't asking for Ran's permission.

"Do I have choice?" Ran bit back icily.

Yoji smiled, "Ran, why are you so eager to find this healer? I know he healed your sister, but she's fine now, isn't she?"

Ran frowned at him, "I'm not eager to find him. Persia wants him and K...Hidaka is the most powerful healer in the world. So why wouldn't our employer want him?"

Yoji shrugged, "You're right, why wouldn't he want him, but you didn't answer my question, why do you want to find Hidaka so badly?"

"I did answer your question. Besides, I just want to get back to my sister. We haven't been able to spend much time together lately, that's all," Ran looked back out the window, signaling that this conversation was over.

Seeing through Ran's lie, Yoji said nothing, he picked up the file containing information on the man they were supposed to find and bring back (by force, if necessary, Yoji mused to himeself). He thumbed through the information and for the umpteenth time, looked at one Ken Hidaka's picture. Hidaka was handsome enough, came from a long line of healers. Yoji wondered why he ran though. Ran seemed to know why and has a personal stake in this. While Yoji had some ideas of what that could be, Ran made it abundantly clear he did not care what the other man thought, nor would he divulge any information.

Yoji just smirked and got up to find some lucky lady to keep him company until they reach their destination.

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Yoji groaned as he stepped out of the train after Ran, putting on his sunglasses.

"God damn it! It's too early!"

"Maybe you shouldn't drink so much you lush!" Ran snapped.

"Lay off, Ran!" Yoji groaned again, "Ugh, so where are we going next?"

"We're supposed to meet a guide here who'll take us to the village in the mountains."

"Huh, alright, so where is this guide?"

Ran looked around and spotted a young boy running towards them. The boy skidded to a halt and bowed quickly to them.

Yoji pushed up his sunglasses and sighed. Their guide is a kid? Ran gave him a warning look and picked up his bag and followed the child. Yoji sighed again and likewise picked up his bag and trailed after Ran. The boy took their bags and through them onto a wagon. Yoji paused.

"There's no way in hell you're getting me on that thing!"

Ran cast him a steely glare, "You're getting in unless you want to walk by yourself with no guide!"

"Fine! I'm getting in!" Yoji yelled.

The pony, to which the wagon was attached, twitched nervously. The boy spoke to the animal in soft tones and glared at the two men.

"Sorry," Yoji said sheepishly and glanced at Ran who was still glaring at him. "Ran, get that stick out of your ass and let's go."

Ran frowned at him, "Whatever," he muttered, not caring if he sounded childish.

Yoji grinned in triumph and jumped up into the wagon. The boy climbed into the wagon and looked at the two men warily and he prodded the pony to move. Ran could feel his stomach tighten in anticipation. Ken Hidaka was near, he could feel it.

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Ken Hidaka stepped out of the hut and stretched. He smiled at the parents of the child he took care of. He carefully washed his hands in a basin of water and dried his hands. The herbs Omi grew worked very well to break the little girl's fever.

"Little Nana is going to be just fine," he assured her parents, "Make sure she drinks plenty of water and give her this if she feels nauseous," he handed them the herbs.

"Thank you, Ken sensei," they bowed to him.

Ken blushed and grinned. He strode over to Omi, his seventeen year old companion with the blue eyes. "Hey, Omi. The little girl is going to be fine, your herbs worked great!"

Omi beamed, "That's great! You must be hungry, Ken."

Ken felt his stomach growl at the mention of food, "You bet I am." They headed over to the inn they were staying at.

They sat down for their meal and ate in silence for a while. It was Omi who first broke the silence. "I think we ought to moving on to the next village soon, I keep hearing rumors of war."

Ken nodded, "I agree. I just need about two weeks to wrap everything up. That ought to give you enough time as well." Ken than took out a leatherbound book he kept as a journal. He made a point to write in it every night, his father used to do the same thing. Ken smiled wistfully at the thought.

"Hey," Omi interrupted his thoughts, "It looks like there are visitors to the village."

Ken glanced out the window, "Hmm." The village did not get many visitors, in fact, when he and Omi arrived, the whole place was in an uproar.

They heard someone complaining loudly. "God damn it! That was so uncomfortable!"

"Yoji, will you just shut up?" another voice growled.

Ken and Omi both stood up as the door opened. Ken gasped in surprise, "Ran?"

Ran's eyes widen and he suddenly stopped, causing Yoji to nearly run him over.

"Give a signal, why don't you!" Yoji growled, he than realized that Ran wasn't saying anything and he noticed the other two men. He grinned, "Well, well. Isn't the two people we've been looking for."

Ran barely registered Yoji's use of the phrase 'two people,' he marched up to Ken and promptly punched him in the stomach.

Ken bent down in pain, "Ken!" Omi exclaimed and reached out for his friend.

Ken gave a bitter smile and straighten up, "Nice to see you again too, Ran," Ken punched him in the face.

The two glared at each other and fists began flying, again.

Yoji sighed as he took in the scene, somehow, he wasn't surprised. He glanced at Omi who was only looking slightly worried, "Hey, Omi, it's been a while."

Omi looked at him and gave a small smile, "Yes, it has been. Do you think we should break them up?"He nodded in Ken and Ran's direction.

"Nah, let them sort it out. Why don't we go for a drink and catch up?"

"Sure," and with that they left the other two men brawling.

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To Be Continued