Author: Sara Jo Wolfe (AKA Kioshi, slr_bug)
Anime: Weiss Kreuz
Main Character: Aya

Author's Notes: *coughs* Well, this part of the story came while I was writing a totally different story (currently - and pathetically - named; And Those Darts Man . . . They're Great). It's a bit short because I wasn't sure where to go with it, but I figured it was a start. Not only that but I've been busy so you'll have to forgive me there. *dodges any bricks nearing head* X_x;; One cannot be too careful . . . now, on to the main attraction.

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When the Hero Fell
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"Damn you, Youji. Damn you," Aya growled deep in his throat. The man's tears flowed so freely that he had no control over them at all. They were coming whether or not he wanted them to and it frustrated him to no end. He wanted to beat Youji for doing this to him, for making him feel weak, for making him feel like a fool, for being kind to him. He didn't want the empathy of others . . . least of all Youji. He never asked for Youji's concern or his comforting looks.

"Just let go of me," he yelled as he pushed Youji violently away.

"Gomen Aya-kun. I was just trying to hel -"

"I don't need your help!"

Aya embraced the counter trying to gather his balance and strength back. But when he tried to walk away he fell back into Youji's arms. His body tensed as he watched Omi and Ken walk into the kitchen. Both of them stopped in the doorway. Ken stared with his mouth gaping open, but Omi elbowed him before Aya saw Ken's face. Aya quickly turned his face from theirs. He clung to Youji for balance as he stood himself up again, trying to look normal. Youji tried to sport a calm grin, but it faultered. He couldn't act as if everything were normal, even if Aya would want him to try. Besides that fact, it was too late because they already knew something was wrong.

Omi ran and put his hand on Aya's shoulder. His young naive face bent down in worry. Though it didn't always seem like it, Omi had long looked up to Aya and his control over any situation; and seeing him like this worried the youngest Weiss member.

"Aya-kun . . .," he said in his soft, child-like voice, "are you ok?"

The red-haired man silently cleared his throat.

"I'm fine. Youji just scared the crap out of me."

"You're lying," Ken stated bluntly, "What's really wrong? Let us help."

"I don't need your pathetic help." He paused briefly, "In fact, I don't know why I'm still here. I can take care of my own problems myself!"

Aya pushed himself from Youji's grasp once again, wiped his eyes, and stormed passed Omi toward the door. Everyone stared at him not knowing what to say or what to do. Omi watched his hero deteriorate before his eyes. He watched as he ran away from his problems and leave them in the dust he kicked up in their face.

"A-yan," Omi said quietly.

His hero stopped, door in hand, almost completely out the door. He looked at the boy . . . his normal smile far from his face. The sparkle in his eye nonexistant.

"Please . . . don't leave."

The man stood still, but for only a minute, before he slammed the kitchen door behind him; leaving two angry men and one confused adoring fan.

Omi, now standing as if he were a defeated child, said nothing as he ran from the room. The tall blonde looked at Ken and nodded his consent before he ran after Omi, hoping the boy wouldn't do anything stupid before he found him. Ken quickly zipped up his leather jacket and ran out the door in pursuit of Aya.

The kitchen sat empty and silent. The warm American meal lay guiltily beneath the golden sun. It, in all of its perfection, lay warm and happily in the cozy room. It lay . . . untouched - and seemingly unnoticed - by the florists.

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TBC~ We'll see how long it takes to get the next part up...I'm sorry it was kind of short and, well I suppose there was a lot that happened here. It just doesn't seem like it, ne?! Gomen nasai!!!! I'm working on the next part. Arigato for your patience!