Disclaimer: I do not own any of the SM or WK characters. *chains up Aya-kun for herself* MINE you hear me? Mine! *minna sweatdrops*
Tenshi's notes: Minna! I'm surprised that that many people are interested in this fic so far. I know it's a quick update, but call it a reward for the positive response I've been having. I have this much to say about what I have so far… Plot twists galore!! Most of it won't occur early on (like the WK series itself). The writing gets better I swear it! So be patient with it. If I get enough responses again, I'll post the next chapter as soon as possible! Again, any confusion or problems, just email me or leave your email in your review. If you're enjoying the fic so far, let me know! That's it really! Ja for now! ^-^
Warning: Slight spoilers for the WK series. Do NOT think for a moment that Usagi is perfect (re the Mary-Sue discussion) just based on this chapter. She is NOT, as you will find out in the upcoming chapters. She will be considerably different from the Usagi you know in SM because she isn't that girl.
Oh oh! Forgot to thank all my chans (including chibi-self), and imoutos. Thank Kat-imouto for her persistence, otherwise this chapter wouldn't be out so soon! ^-^ Also big hugs to Ivory-imouto for always making me laugh so hard each time she reviews. I personally vote her as my "Make Tenshi laugh at work so she gets fired" imouto. *GLOMPS*
Translations: I highly recommend reading Eternal SailorM's list of Japanese translations if you need more than what I've provided.
Saa – Okay, all right, well
Yare yare – well, well
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Chapter 1
It seemed as if time stood still, if only momentarily. Breaths were suspended as gazes caressed each other, the longing so deep it scorched their souls. Neither were prepared, but perhaps it made the words that much sweeter because it wasn't. There was a powerful tug of attraction, combined with a soul-haunting quality existing between them that only they were aware of. For the others, time had raced by, and it was a moment like any other, meant to be forgotten as soon as it was passed. For them, it was as if an eternity was caught in the web of time as soon as the words had been released from captivity. There was freedom in such an action, but such consequences had their price, as they were soon about to find out.
"Surely no flower in here could ever equal your beauty."
The moment was snapped, one fragment in time forever lost. Both heads turned around slowly, and one flinty gaze took in the tall brown-haired man whose smooth delivery screamed "Playboy Alert". The girl was more amused by the comment than anything else.
"Usagi-san?"
She whirled around, golden hair reflecting the sunshine that had streaked in through the window. A merry expression appeared on her face as she smiled at the shorter boy who had approached.
"Omi-kun!"
This time, two annoyed looks greeted the newcomer, and another man just lounged behind, content just to take in the vision who had just stepped into the flower shop. She surely was grace personified. Her exquisite features were almost thoughtfully put together, the pert nose, the sparkling blue eyes, the soft lips, the rosy cheeks, and the luscious figure that added up to the woman who stood before them.
The playboy spoke up, irritated that Omi should know this fine beauty who stood before him.
"Don't tell me she's under 18, although for her, I might be willing to overlook such a tiny flaw."
"Yohji-kun! Gomen nasai, Usagi-san. You've never met any of my co-workers, right?"
She nodded, and her eyes were still drawn to the redhead who now radiated a cold fire. She didn't miss how confused his gaze had been for one moment as their world spun crazily around them nor the spark of attraction that had once again leapt between them as their eyes locked upon each other. Then her mind snapped back to what he had said earlier. He had called her Usagi, long before Omi had even said anything.
Simultaneously, their eyes flashed as they spoke.
"How do you know my name?"
Nothing but silence echoed in the room as they both exchanged accusing glances. Yohji merely quirked his brow, and Omi was scratching his head in confusion. The third still hung in the back with a thoughtful look on his face. Though none of the men said anything, they knew that their comrade, for as long as they had known him, only went by one name, a tribute to his sister. Fujimiya Aya. In their own minds, they wondered the implications of such an occurrence as well as the type of hold this woman would have over him.
"I asked the hospital," Usagi said, her gaze defiant and steady. "What's your excuse?"
"I wanted to make sure you were taking care of my sister properly" was his curt answer.
A flash of pain darted across her face and was gone so quickly that they all thought they had imagined it.
"It doesn't matter anymore, does it?" she said softly. Whirling around to face Omi, the cheerful expression had once again slid back into place.
"Omi-kun, I need some flowers for somebody special."
Yohji's dark green eyes shone with disappointment. "What a pity. Though if you ever become single again…"
Usagi laughed in response, a sparkling sound that lingered in the air, captivating all the men present.
"Saa, you're such a flirt, but I never said it was a he, did I?" Her eyes somehow became softer for a moment. "I've never laughed on this day…" she said almost absently. Remembering where she was, she shook her head and smiled once again.
"Ken-kun makes really nice gentian arrangements," Omi offered helpfully.
"Or perhaps roses are more your type?" Yohji threw in, still refusing to give up hope that such a delectable female had crossed his path, and was apparently immune to his charms.
"I think gentians sound wonderful, if you don't mind Ken-san?"
Ken looked up, startled by the attention that had been drawn upon him. Yohji's slightly jealous gaze nearly made him laugh though Aya was giving him a cold, unreadable stare.
"Sure. Just give me a second, Usagi-san."
She smiled sunnily, waving a finger back and forth as if to chide them.
"You're all sounding like Omi-kun. Just plain Usagi will do fine. I don't need such formalities. You make me feel like an old lady or something."
Yohji grinned at her, playboy charms at full wattage. Strolling over, he leaned casually against the counter and bestowed a winning smile (the one that never failed) upon her.
"And how old are you?"
"I just turned 18." Her eyes were downcast for a moment before fluttering shut.
"Perfect," he said staring at the silky blond curls that obstructed the view of her face. His fingers fairly itched to move forward to brush it aside; however, it was far too soon, and he had no wish to earn a slap in the face (which he was sure this young lady would deliver). Despite having met her mere moments ago, he determined one thing really quickly. Though she was undeniably attractive, there was an air of mysteriousness about her that was intriguing. He wanted to know more about this female. He made a note to himself to give Omi the grand inquisition once she had left. Not before he wrangled a phone number out of her of course.
Ken moved up to her, and she spun around with lightning reflexes, a move not lost on the men at hand. Her stance relaxed slightly, and her eyes widened in awe at the beautiful arrangement that was now in her hands.
"Ken-san, it's lovely." The genuine appreciation and the pleasure that lit up her face made him turn red and he shuffled his feet, not really knowing what to say.
"Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu." She held the pot carefully in her hand, while reaching into her purse with remarkable dexterity and balance.
"Don't worry about it, Usagi-sa… Usagi."
She only gave him another of her breathtaking smiles, and placed some bills on the counter.
"I have to… besides, I think those girls out there will lynch me if they find out I didn't pay ne?"
With a wave, she called out her goodbyes, unknowingly drawing the eyes of four men upon her graceful and lovely figure as she departed. Yohji let out a deep sigh, startling the silence that had fallen.
"What a beautiful girl…" he commented, a hint of a smile on his face.
"Too bad she has secrets," Ken added.
"Yohji-kun, Ken-kun, she's a really nice girl. At school, the guys are constantly after her, demo she never gives them the time of day."
"Don't tell me she's interested in girls… THAT would be such a waste for mankind indeed. A flower as marvelous as her was born to be appreciated."
A noise came from the corner, and the three men spied Aya gripping the pot he was holding unusually tight. They nearly grinned to themselves. So, the ice king wasn't as immune to her as he pretended to be. They watched him set the pot down, and nearly rip his apron off in his irritation.
"Going to visit Aya-chan?" Omi called out, only to have a sound as a form of response.
"I think that was a yes," Yohji said, as if giving the sound great consideration and thought. They heard a loud slam of the backdoor and Omi winced at the damage the hinges must've taken at that force.
Ken was unusually silent as he stared at the front entrance, the normal crowd of school girls once again pouring in. He was oblivious to them as Yohji immediately switched his attention to the females swarming around him, and Omi struggled to keep up with the orders that had come in. In his mind, only laughing blue eyes and hair like spun gold had captured his attention. Fully. Though her sheer physical beauty was enough to warrant a second glance, there was something about her that made him want to know more. Whether it was the devastating combination of looks and personality, the sad look that had flitted across her face, or the strange display of skills that she had presented, all he knew was that at the moment, he had to know more.
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He didn't know why he followed her. He just had to. He tried to tell himself that he was really on his way to see Aya, though his heart screamed at him for being a damned liar. He wanted to see who those flowers were for. Her keen senses threw him off a little though after the display that he had seen in the flower shop, so he made sure to keep a considerable distance away. Her steps had faltered once or twice, and he noted that her steps were becoming increasingly leaden with each stride she made. The golden aura that he had noticed earlier was now cast with dark clouds, sunshine lost momentarily. The pain was palpable, and eerily similar to what he felt in his own heart.
She was still as devastatingly beautiful as ever, wreaking havoc to his senses with her mere presence. He tried to pretend he didn't care, but each time she talked to one of the other men instead of him, it was like his world had dropped out from beneath him. He knew that he had hurt her with his thoughtless remark about checking up on her abilities to take care of his sister. He had seen so many times the kindness she displayed to any number of patients, and he had nearly missed the wounded look that crossed her face as he had said those words. Why had he been so hurtful? All he had remembered was the way Yohji had been looking at her, and a burning rage had begun within him. HE had found her first. The burst of irrationality had upset his normally unemotional state, and he hadn't been pleased about it. So he had lashed out at her, the last person he wanted to ever hurt.
Ducking behind a building not too far away from the hospital, he bit back a growl as he spotted her head turning around to glance backwards. Kuso. He thought he had been so careful, but she had apparently been aware of him every step of the way. Logically, he knew she wouldn't be going to the hospital, but there had been something so tender about her voice when she had mentioned that "someone special" of hers, laced with melancholy undertones. Her normally bright blues were overcast, tinged with a hint of anger and pain. There was something off about her behaviour today. There was almost an edge to her that he couldn't quite explain. Her reflexes were like a cat, and her senses were unbelievably heightened. His own perceptive skills were honed to perfection, allowing him to see all that in her. However, it was the remarkable control in which she held everything together, as if the carefree young woman who had taken care of Aya had never existed.
It was curious. And exhilarating. He'd never met a woman who could affect his senses as powerfully as she had, and send his emotions into turmoil just by the few words they had exchanged or make such a mockery of the defenses that he had put up to guard his heart. He couldn't afford emotions when all he wanted to do was avenge what had been done to his family. He clenched his fists in anger as he relived the moment when he and Aya had discovered their parents' lifeless bodies, or the squeal of tires before the driver heartlessly ran her over. He could picture that moment frame by frame, for it all had happened as if in slow motion. He had been powerless, unable to control or stop any of it from happening. It was as if he were some casual onlooker, a witness to the events that would change him forever and shape him into the man he was. He wished for a moment that none of this had ever happened, and he wasn't bound by the ties of revenge that had frozen his heart.
Thinking and acting were apparently two different things as he began letting loose a stream of curses upon realising that during the time he had been denying his feelings for her, he had lost the one person he had sought to track.
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Despite the bustle of activity surrounding the shop, the three men found themselves unusually distracted. Thanking good fortune that they were not on a mission, it was with a sigh that they proceeded with their more mundane day job. The events of the past few weeks had unfolded, revealing secrets that none of them could've ever foretold. It affected each one of them in his own way although it was Omi would paid the highest price with unspeakable mental anguish and countless nightmares.
"What else can you tell us about Usagi?" Yohji asked slyly.
"She's a bright student, top of her class actually. She's also on a few sports teams as well as a track athlete. And she's been in the kendo club for a while," Omi responded in the brief lull that had taken place once the girls had gone back to class after lunch break.
Ken carefully digested the information. She was remarkably well-rounded from the sound of things being both academically brilliant and physically involved, yet there was something missing from the equation that they didn't know. She had her secrets, and for some unknown reason, he felt threatened by her. Iie. It was his peace of mind that was being trampled on at the moment. From the instant he set his eyes on her, he had known that he was powerfully aware of her, drawn to her in a way that hadn't happened since Yuriko.
"How do you know her anyway?"
Omi gave him a surprised look, as if shocked that he would even ask. Shrugging, he faked nonchalance as he resumed tidying up the pots that stood in front of him.
"Ano, her last name and mine are very similar. When she first transferred into my school, a lot of people mistook her for my sister."
"A lot of girls you mean." Yohji grinned as Omi became flustered.
"It was a bit of both," he responded with a flush. "A lot of guys wanted to know her better."
"Bakas. What type of moron would approach someone they thought to be their oniisan? If I were her brother, I'd be watching over her like a hawk. No telling what type of hentais there are out there."
Omi nearly spat out the drink he had been sipping, and Ken almost knocked over a row of plants at his comment as they both stared at him. Yohji merely snorted and waved his hand.
"Yare yare… not everyone is as honest about it as I am."
The other two guys just stared at him before shrugging it off. It was true. For all that he was a playboy, Yohji never made it a secret. They knew that his careless charms and demeanor hid a man who was no different from them. Pain. It was all they had ever known before Weiss was formed. Weiss gave the purpose, a sense of direction in life where they had otherwise been floundering. Though their backgrounds were vastly different, they were all bound together by a common bond that they could not even describe themselves.
"I sure wouldn't mind seeing her again," Yohji commented, unknowingly echoing the thoughts on each man's mind.
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Tenshi's blurb: You'd be surprised at how much research I had to do just for this ficcie. And a non-cliffie for a chapter too! *shakes head* Aya-kun thinks I'm being too nice… *giggles*