"Hidaka-san, could you come with me, please?", Dr. Kobayashi motioned to Ken, frowning.
"What's the matter?", Ken whispered, once he had walked over to the doctor.
"Do you remember what I told you? That Ran may never be able to walk again?"
Ken sighed, looking down. "I remember. He...he can't walk, can he?"
"I'm afraid it's much worse than that", the doctor answered, leading Ken through the double doors. "Yes, as expected, he can not walk. Unfortunately, he also has very little strength in his arms and hands as well. I am fairly certain that he will get that strength back but...it will take a long time."
"What about walking?", Ken asked, wiping his eyes.
Dr. Kobayashi shook his head.
"I...I see", Ken sighed, his voice quivering. "How is Ran taking it?"
"That's why I asked you back here to see him. You're the only one he wants to talk to right now", the doctor told Ken, as they approached the room where Ran was sitting. "I'll give you some time alone to talk."
"Arigato", Ken nodded, walking into the room.
Ran was sitting facing the window, his back to Ken. Ken gently approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I am a waste."
"Nani?" Ken spun Ran's wheelchair around so that the redhead was facing him. "Why do you say that? If you were such a waste, why would all of us-"
"I can't walk and I...I...look!" Ran nodded down towards his hands, which were resting on his lap. His right pinky came up no less than a centimeter, the rest of his hand and the connecting arm shaking. "I'm useless! Why did I have to be such a failure at suicide? I could have jumped from someplace higher, or stabbed myself or-"
"Shh! I don't want to hear any of that from you." Ken wrapped the redhead in the warmth of his arms, rocking him back and forth. "You are NOT useless, koi. The doctor said that you will get the strength in your arms and hands back. Just be patient with yourself. We don't mind taking care of you. And I am sure that nurse Yazaki would be glad to stay on a little longer. We all love you very much, Ran. I love you."
"How can you stand to look at me?", Ran whispered into Ken's shoulder.
"Are you crazy?! There's no way I could not look at you", Ken laughed, wiping away Ran's tears. " You're so damn sexy! Come on, now. Everyone is anxious to see you."
Ran nodded, a forced smile crossing his lips. "Let's go."
~~~~~~~~~~
The week that followed was a trying one for all concerned. Ran, ashamed and frustrated at his condition, refused to see or accept assistance from anyone but Ken. Then, one morning, Ken attempted to bring nurse Yazaki up to help. When Ran saw her, he hung his head down low.
"There you go again", he muttered softly. "Making decisions for me, because I'm too weak to do anything about it."
With that statement, Ken let out a defeated sigh. "We'll try again in a few days", he told the nurse, escorting her out of the room.
"Not so fast!" Aya stood before the two, hands on her hips. In her eyes was a glare that could rival even that of her brother. "I'm going in there!" Aya stomped into the bedroom angrily, standing directly in front of Ran.
"Go away", he ordered, simply and softly.
"Like hell I am!" Aya shot back. "Why are you acting like such a baby? Ken loves you, and that's what makes him foolish enough to play your games! He'd give his very life for you, and he practically has! He's running himself ragged because you demand so much of him! I would be more than happy to help you out. We have a nurse here that is getting PAID to take care of you! Yet here you sit HIDING from us! What's gotten into you?! Why are you so ashamed now?! It didn't seem to be an issue before! And, believe me, you looked pretty ridiculous in that body cast! So-"
Aya cut herself off, getting down on her knees to look into her brother's eyes. They were moist with tears, and he was whimpering, though it was barely audible.
"Ran, I'm sorry that I raised my voice, but-"
"I thought things would be better", Ran whispered. "I didn't want to believe the doctor. I tricked myself into thinking that I would get out if the cast and be able to walk again. But now...I can't do anything. It's my own fault. You must all think I'm pathetic. Laughable. I was so ready to make my grand exit from the world...and I failed. That attempt to escape my pain only caused me greater pain. I can't deal with this, Aya", he cried. "I don't want to be helpless."
"Then let others help you", Aya begged, embracing Ran. "Work with the physical therapist and nurse Yazaki. Let us see you and talk to you. Let us be here for you as much as we are able. It hurts more than you can know that you are shutting us out like this."
Ran looked up into his sister's eyes. He had never seen them so intense. "I...I never meant to hurt you."
"I know", Aya smiled, taking her brother's hands into her own. "And I won't be hurt anymore...if only you'll let us in."
"I will", Ran nodded.
"Oh, Ran! It makes me so happy to hear you say that!" Aya exclaimed, hugging her brother with all her strength. Ran toppled over on top of Aya, and the two siblings lay laughing in a heap on the floor for a moment.
"Gomen", Aya giggled. "I forgot you didn't have the strength..." the laughter ended there. "Never mind", she finished, looking away.
"It's really okay", Ran reassured his sister. "It's about time I learned to laugh at myself."
"True enough", Aya grunted, attempting to lift Ran back up into the wheelchair. "You know, you're pretty heavy for such a skinny guy", she panted. "I'm going to get the nurse to help, if that's okay."
"No. I kind of like it here on the floor. I think I'll stay awhile", Ran joked.
"Baka!" Aya giggled, walking out of the room.
*
"So, you've finally decided to let me do my job?" nurse Yazaki teased, coming back into the room with Aya.
"Well, I realized I wasn't being fair to Ken, so..."
The nurse nodded as she successfully lifted Ran into his wheelchair. She looked him over for a moment, then sighed. "You're still in your pajamas?"
"Ken fed him a couple hours ago, but didn't have a chance to shower or dress him yet", Aya explained.
"Well, that simplifies things for me", nurse Yazaki chuckled, wheeling Ran out of the room. "I suppose the first order of business is to get you cleaned up."
"Do you need anything else from me?" Aya asked once they had reached the bathroom.
"Oh, no, dear", the nurse smiled, shooing Aya away with her hand. "I have plenty of experience with this."
Aya bowed slightly, then scurried off, obviously relieved that she wouldn't have to touch her brother's naked body.
"You've healed well", nurse Yazaki commented once she had removed Ran's shirt. "I was afraid of aggravating the damage when I bathed you before. But now, I can feel safe that no damage will be done to this beautiful body."
Ran froze at that statement, quivering as the nurse slightly lifted Ran to take off his pajama bottoms. Once they were down to his knees, she gave his bottom a good squeeze before sitting him back down.
"Don't worry, young one", the woman cooed. "You're in experienced hands now." With that, she tranferred Ran from the wheelchair to the shower chair. "Such a beautiful young man. Very feminine, aren't you?" the nurse observed, scrubbing Ran's thin, pale body. She started with the face, slowly working her way down to the neck, chest and stomach. She stopped once she had reached Ran's thighs, grabbing them playfully.
"S-stop that", Ran choked out. 'I was right', he thought, suddenly terrified of the woman. 'She is trouble!'
"Oh, you don't mean that, do you? I mean, really, when was the last time you felt this kind of pleasure?" Nurse Yazaki lifted Ran's chin with one hand, looking deep into his violet eyes. She used her spare hand to grab forcefully at his limp penis.
Ran yelped.
"Silence!", nurse Yazaki ordered, shoving the bar of soap deep into Ran's mouth. Her soft brown eyes now burned with a fiery intensity that horrified her helpless patient. "I'll make you come for me yet!"
Ran couldn't even cry aloud, so deep was the soap lodged in his mouth. So he suffered silently as the nurse reached under, roughly massaging his smooth, firm buttocks. She then took her finger, already wet from the shower, shoving it up deep into Ran's opening. Terrified, Ran lost control, relieving his bowels all over nurse Yazaki's hand. The nurse slapped him forcefully on the hip.
"How dare you!" she hissed through gritted teeth.
Ran looked up, flushed and tearful, at the nurse. The fear and shame were evident in his eyes.
"I'm doing this for you as a favor. To give you pleasure. And what thanks do I get? You shit all over me, like a baby! But then, that's really all that you are anymore, isn't it?"
Ran shook his head violently, whimpering.
"Yes. Yes, it is", nurse Yazaki told Ran, turning him over onto his stomach. "Now see what you've done, baby? You're even dirtier than before." She sighed, shaking her head. "I suppose I have to start over now."
~~~~~~~~~~
Aya walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Ken was helping Omi with the cooking, which was a danger in and of itself.
"Ken, can we talk?"
"Sure." Ken said, looking back at the girl. "Can you grab down the dishes?"
Nodding, she walked over to the cabinets to pull down the dishes. "Have you noticed that Ran is acting
different?"
That made the brunette pause. "Kinda, yeah."
"So have I."
Both Ken and Aya looked over at the blond.
"He is more quiet than he was when Aya was in her coma", Omi observed, chopping vegetables.
"Yeah. I wonder why?" Ken scratched his head.
Setting the plates on the table, Aya sighed. "I don't know, but I went to give him a hug and he had this look…almost like he didn't want me to touch him."
"Who did?"
All three looked over at Yoji as he closed the door.
"What?"
"You have this habit of walking in half way though a conversation", Omi replied, looking back at the food he was preparing. "We are talking about Ran…"
Yoji frowned. "Yeah, what's up with him?" He watched the three. Aya sat down at the table and Ken sighed as he leaned back against the counter.
"Have you noticed that Ran's been acting different at all?"
Yoji shrugged, taking a seat at the table beside Aya. "Yeah, ever since nurse Yazaki started caring for him again. I just figured
he was still pissed about that."
"That is very true, ever since she came back…" Omi paused, looking over at Ken. "But she's so nice! Why would Ran hate her?"
The brunette frowned, looking away from Yoji to Omi. " Something isn't right! I knew it at the beginning when I first saw her but I let it go!"
"I can't believe that this mood has something to do with that woman!" Aya shook her head incredulously.
"Then why is he acting like this, Aya? You said yourself that he is acting odd, and I have noticed it too." Ken paused. "He acts like he has to force himself to be touched by people."
"So what do you want to do?" Yoji asked.
"I don't know, but I'm going to figure out what is happening." Ken answered, frowning. "I gave nurse Yazaki the evening off. Let's find out all that we can in her absence. Right now, though, I better go check and see how Mikage is doing with Ran."
"Who's Mikage", Yoji inquired, looking up blankly from the box of Pocky he was in the process of devouring.
"You need to pay more attention", Aya teased, smacking Yoji on the back of the head. "Mikage is Ran's physical therapist."
"Ah." Yoji rubbed his head, frowning. "I bet the poor girl is making zero progress with Mr. No-Touch."
"Well, she's only been at it a few days, but..." Ken looked down, clutching nervously at the outer seams of his pants. "Yeah. So far, Ran has been a bit of a challenge for her."
"That's an understatement." Aya rolled her eyes, standing up. "He's practically resisting in his body's healing."
Ken shook his head, walking for the door. Stopping in his tracks, he turned to Aya. "Would you come up with me, please?"
~~~~~~~~~~
"How is the patient?", Ken asked, forcing a smile as he and Aya walked into the bedroom.
Mikage gave Ken a helpless look. "See for yourself." She reached over, grabbing Ran's hand.
Ran's eyes grew fearful, yet his wrist bent obediently; not so much cooperating with the physical therapist as surrendering to the fact that he was being handled. "Puppet..." he murmured.
"Nani?" Aya leaned over, straining to hear her brother.
"Just a puppet...can not stop it...", Ran muttered to himself, seemingly oblivious that anyone was listening to him.
"Ran, is something wrong?", Ken asked, placing his hand on Ran's leg in an attempt to comfort him.
"ITAII!!!" Ran wept loudly at the touch.
"I-I barely touched you", Ken stammered. "Why does it hurt?"
Ran sat silently in an almost catotonic state, and Ken quickly realized that he wouldn't be getting an answer. Not today, at any rate.
"He's been like this all day", Mikage sighed, placing a hand to her forehead. "I touch him, he babbles nonsense to himself, and then goes silent."
"You did your best, Mikage", Aya sighed, smiling at the physical therapist. "We'll see you tomorrow?"
"H-hai", Mikage stammered, looking down.
"Ken put a hand on the young woman's shoulder, walking her out of the room. "Something is wrong with Ran", he whispered, once they were out of earshot. "I don't know what happened to him. Not yet. But..."
"Well, for starters, he attempted suicide, did time in a body cast, and now he can't even point at something he wants. I think it's safe to say he is simply depressed and frustrated. Who wouldn't be?"
"Yeah, I guess that explains it", Ken nodded, helping Mikage put on her coat. "Have a nice evening, okay?"
Ken watched the physical therapist walk to her car, taking a forced breath. 'No. It's more than you think, Mikage. I'm sure of this.'
~~~~~~~~~~
"I think he's manipulating us", Yoji concluded, helping himself to some salad. "Ran-"
"-will be joining us for dinner shortly", Aya warned, shushing Yoji with an icy look. "Ken will be bringing him down soon, so-"
"ITAII!!!"
Omi jumped up from his seat. "Was that Ran?"
Aya bit her lip, a cloud of worry darkening her usually cheery features. "We'd better see what's the matter."
Yoji and Omi nodded, following her up to the bedroom. When they got there, they found Ken laying Ran down on the bed. Ran continued to cry out in pain the entire time, until he was finally put down.
"Ran and I will be eating in here tonight", Ken told his friends. "Aya, would you please-"
"Bring your dinners up? Sure", Aya agreed. "But before I go, would you mind telling me what's the matter, Ran?"
"N-nothing", Ran answered quickly.
"Fine", Aya threw up her hands and sighed, walking out of the room. Yoji and Omi followed, looking back suspiciously at Ran.
"Ran, are you-"
"I'm just tired"
"Oh, well, if that's the case, I should get you into some pajamas", Ken decided, gently pulling off Ran's shirt.
"No!" Ran looked away. "I mean...I'm okay sleeping in my clothes."
"Something's up, Ran." Ken's brow creased as he eyed his lover suspiciously. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to keep changing you."
"No! Ken...AAAAIIIII!!!" Ken was taking off Ran's pants now, and the pain was unbearable.
Ran's face flushed red with shame as Ken looked, horrified, at his body. His left hip, leg and inner thigh were black and blue. Turning Ran over, Ken noticed that his left upper leg and buttocks were just as badly bruised.
"Ran...Is this why you cried before?"
Ran nodded.
"What happened?"
"I...I fell. When nurse Yazaki was transferring me from the bed to the wheelchair this morning, she...she dropped me. It's not her fault. It's mine", Ran explained, avoiding Ken's eyes.
"Is that really what happened?" Ken wasn't buying the story.
'No. That sweet old nurse that everyone loves so much has been physically, sexually and verbally abusing me. I can't tell Ken that. It's..it's...' Ran choked back a sob, angry with himself for being so weak and helpless.
"Ran?"
"I told you that's what happened!" Ran snapped.
Just then, Aya walked in with a tray of food. She nearly dropped it when she saw her brother's bruised body.
"Ran!" She rushed over, carefully examining him.
"Please don't look at me", Ran blushed, embarrassed to have his sister see him in such a state. "I just fell."
"He just fell", Ken nodded to Aya, the look he gave her communicating something different altogether. "Let me feed Ran and get him ready for bed. He's pretty tired. I'll be down before too long."
*
"Is it really as bad as Aya says?", Yoji asked as Ken entered the living room.
Ken nodded solemnly. "Omi."
The blond looked up. "Nani?"
"I need you to do something for me."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Don't be mad, koi", Ken begged as he laced up his shoes. "If I had it my way, I wouldn't be working today. But we have a big order to fill, and I have to be at the shop early.
Ran said nothing. He just closed his eyes, wishing he could somehow will Ken to change his mind and stay. Ken was supposed to have the day off, and Ran welcomed any respite from Yazaki Reina that was offered. But he wouldn't be getting that today. In a short time, Ken would leave, and he would be left alone to suffer at the hands of that dreadful woman. He learned the previous day to just let her do as she pleased with him. After biting an offending hand in self-defense, he received the beating that now colored his left leg, hip, thigh and buttocks. Ran suspected that the nurse would have continued, had it not been for Ken. She knew that he was a dangerously protective lover. Ran was confident that his ordeal would end if he would only speak up and tell Ken what was happening. But his pride was in the way. He would simply have to endure the abuse of he wanted to be able to look Ken in the eye.
"Ran?"
Ran opened his eyes, looking at his lover with hurt and disappointment. "Yes?"
"I have to leave now. Nurse Yazaki will be here in a few minutes. You going to be okay?"
"How much trouble do you really think I can get into?", Ran asked through a forced laugh.
"True enough," Ken chuckled, bending over to lightly kiss Ran on the forehead. Ran's body stiffened, his eyes grew wide, and his breath caught in his throat. Ken looked down, hurt and puzzled by his lover's reaction.
"Ran...?"
"Just leave."
Clentching his fists, Ken spun around quickly so Ran wouldn't see the tears forming in his eyes. "I'll see you tonight, koi."
*
"Are you hungry, baby?" nurse Yazaki chimed, bringing in a tray of rice and soup.
Ran shuddered. He was hoping he could be alone for just awhile longer. He had pretended to be sleeping when the nurse arrived, and she just sat quietly for a minute, finally walking out of the room. Ran's heart jumped when he heard her return. Why couldn't she just leave him be?
"Stop calling me 'baby'. And no, I am not hungry. I just want to be left alone."
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Yazaki Reina began unfastening her pants. "Truth is, I've come to like our little arrangement. I take care of you...and you satisfy my desires."
"You repulse me", Ran scowled.
"Brave words for someone in your position, baby", the nurse spat, roughly pulling off Ran's pajama bottoms. Ran let out a deafening scream, to which Yazaki Reina simply laughed.
"Scream all you like. No one is around to hear you." Nurse Yazaki brought the tray of food over to Ran, straddled him with her naked body and began feeding him.
"I told you-"
"You'll need the stamina, baby" , the nurse interrupted.
"But-"
"EAT!!! Or I'll find a whole new use for these chopsticks!" She paused. "Actually, that's not a bad idea."
"N-nani?" Ran didn't like where this was going at all.
"You'll see", the nurse teased in a sing-song voice, violently tossing Ran over onto his stomach.
Ran screamed again. He couldn't help it. After the beating he'd received before, even the slightest touch brought tremendous pain.
"What are you going to do to me?", he managed to choke out.
"Miso soup is so delicious, and versatile, too. Wouldn't you agree, baby?" The nurse parted Ran's cheeks with one hand, pouring hot miso soup into him with the other.
"STOP!!!", Ran wailed. He couldn't control it; he cried. Cried at the helplessness and shame that he felt. Cried that he had been unfortunate enough to survive the jump that was meant to end his life. Cried that he, a once strong assassin, was now reduced to being the play thing of a sick old woman.
"Would you shut the hell up?!" Nurse Yazaki reached into her bag, pulled out a ball gag and placed it into Ran's mouth. "You're giving me a headache."
Tears streaked down Ran's face in a flood as he bit down hard into the gag. He felt something sharp enter him. 'Chopsticks?'
"I'm glad I thought of this", nurse Yazaki smiled to herself as she slid the chopsticks in and out of Ran. Getting creative, she parted the two, manipulating and probing the redhead.
"I'd better stop here", the nurse decided. "You're starting to bleed, and I don't want to raise any suspicions. I'd say now is a good time for your shower."
'As long as you bathe me, I'll never be clean', Ran thought tearfully as the nurse carried him out of the room.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ken tiptoed into the bedroom. It was late, and he could hear Ran crying in his sleep. Ken held his breath, trying to remain silent as he walked over to an old, broken light fixture, taking out a small camera hidden there.
'I hope this provides some answers', he thought, tiptoeing out of the room. 'Ran's suffering is killing me inside.'
*
Ken walked down the stairs into the mission room, tape in hand. As he reached the floor, a blond walked up to him.
"This is the tape."
"Thank you", Omi whispered, walking over to his system. "You look upset. What's wrong?"
"I don't know." Ken answered honestly. "When I went up to get the tape, I heard Ran crying. It broke my heart to hear that.
Something is happening, Omi. Something that he doesn't want me to know about!" Ken's fist connected with the
table, as chocolate eyes squeezed closed. "I'll be damned if I'm going to let this go on any longer!"
Omi could only smile sympathetically, slipping the tape into the system. "It's going to take a minute or two for it to rewind. Then we will be able to find out what is happening."
"Thanks for all the help, Omi. I don't think I could have done this without you." He saw the blond; once again smile up at him. "I mean that, this means a lot to me. I just want to take care of Ran, but I can't if he won't tell me what's happening."
Blue eyes met his as the youngest Weiss smiled, taking Ken's hand. "Don't worry about it, Ken-kun. The four of us, we are family and we take care of one another! "
"I'm so glad that I have you guys."
He nodded, looking down at the system. "Ok, it's done." There was a pause. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I will ever be, Omi."
The blond nodded, pressing "play." They watched the tape, seeing the nurse come into the field of view. After a few minutes nothing happened, and it seemed like Ken's suspicions about the woman were unfounded.
"I swear it involved her!" he whispered under his breath, turning away from the TV to walk across the room.
Omi turned, looking over at the pacing brunette.
"Maybe we were wrong?" He answered, knowing that this was pissing off the man to no end. But then again, anything involving his lover and any harm that could come to him tended to piss off the brunette. "Or maybe she just didn't do anything today…maybe we should keep recording?"
Ken flopped down onto the couch. "Maybe I was just wrong, Omi. What if this is the way Ran is going to be from now on, and I just want to blame it on her? But...the change was to sudden. All of it started when she came back into our home after Ran got out of the body cast." Ken could see Omi nodding out of the corner of his eye. "Maybe he just doesn't like women?"
"Aya-chan?"
Ken laughed. "That is his sister. She doesn't count." Leaning back onto the couch, he shrugged. "I guess just rewind the tape and I'll pop it back up there, we can try again tomorrow."
Omi nodded in agreement. "We will figure all of this out…" The boy's voice faltered, a whimper coming out
instead of words. "Ken-kun!"
He jumped up, looking from the startled blond to the small TV screen. At first he was shocked, not wanting to believe what he was seeing. But it was real, too real. He could feel the anger building up in him.
"She is…she did…" Ken couldn't even find the words to express what he was feeling. All he knew was that she had to die. Arms around his waist pulled him from the murderous thoughts that ran though his head. He looked down at the blond who had hidden his face in Ken's chest.
"H-how could she…" Omi cried, looking up at the taller assassin. "Ken-kun, how could she do that to Ran-kun?!"
Chocolate eyes narrowed, a look crossing his features that Omi had never seen before. It frightened him, but he knew that Ken would never harm him. No, someone had hurt his lover, and that was the worst mistake anyone could have ever made.
"Ken-kun?" Omi whispered, feeling the man pull away from him.
Reaching forwards, Ken practically punched the eject button and grabbed the tape. "I need to go talk to Manx." he said, and Omi could hear the underlying tone in his voice. He knew Ken would kill the nurse for what she had done.
"B-but, what about the others?" Omi whispered. "What do I tell them?"
"Nothing." Ken answered. "Don't worry about anything, Omi. I'm going to take care of this." With that, the tanned assassin disappeared, leaving a very confused blond behind.
~~~~~~~~~~
Note: You may be asking yourself what the motivation is for this turn of events. Well, this is actually what we were working towards anyway. You see, someone I know had an accident, and was in a situation where he was helpless, much like Ran. He never jumped from a building, and he wasn't in a body cast. I changed that because I didn't want the story to be an exact retelling of his story. However, he was also subjected to abuse from a sick old nurse. I don't know all the specifics, but I know that it was practically rape. This made me so angry! I was just so sickened by what had happened that I had to write about it. So there you go. That's the motivation.
Koyasu
P.S. I'd like to extend a big thanks to Isa for writing this with me. I know that we'd planned to write together for awhile, but I bet you didn't bargain on it being the fic where I blow off steam. Thanks for tolerating my rants about the evil woman.
"What's the matter?", Ken whispered, once he had walked over to the doctor.
"Do you remember what I told you? That Ran may never be able to walk again?"
Ken sighed, looking down. "I remember. He...he can't walk, can he?"
"I'm afraid it's much worse than that", the doctor answered, leading Ken through the double doors. "Yes, as expected, he can not walk. Unfortunately, he also has very little strength in his arms and hands as well. I am fairly certain that he will get that strength back but...it will take a long time."
"What about walking?", Ken asked, wiping his eyes.
Dr. Kobayashi shook his head.
"I...I see", Ken sighed, his voice quivering. "How is Ran taking it?"
"That's why I asked you back here to see him. You're the only one he wants to talk to right now", the doctor told Ken, as they approached the room where Ran was sitting. "I'll give you some time alone to talk."
"Arigato", Ken nodded, walking into the room.
Ran was sitting facing the window, his back to Ken. Ken gently approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I am a waste."
"Nani?" Ken spun Ran's wheelchair around so that the redhead was facing him. "Why do you say that? If you were such a waste, why would all of us-"
"I can't walk and I...I...look!" Ran nodded down towards his hands, which were resting on his lap. His right pinky came up no less than a centimeter, the rest of his hand and the connecting arm shaking. "I'm useless! Why did I have to be such a failure at suicide? I could have jumped from someplace higher, or stabbed myself or-"
"Shh! I don't want to hear any of that from you." Ken wrapped the redhead in the warmth of his arms, rocking him back and forth. "You are NOT useless, koi. The doctor said that you will get the strength in your arms and hands back. Just be patient with yourself. We don't mind taking care of you. And I am sure that nurse Yazaki would be glad to stay on a little longer. We all love you very much, Ran. I love you."
"How can you stand to look at me?", Ran whispered into Ken's shoulder.
"Are you crazy?! There's no way I could not look at you", Ken laughed, wiping away Ran's tears. " You're so damn sexy! Come on, now. Everyone is anxious to see you."
Ran nodded, a forced smile crossing his lips. "Let's go."
~~~~~~~~~~
The week that followed was a trying one for all concerned. Ran, ashamed and frustrated at his condition, refused to see or accept assistance from anyone but Ken. Then, one morning, Ken attempted to bring nurse Yazaki up to help. When Ran saw her, he hung his head down low.
"There you go again", he muttered softly. "Making decisions for me, because I'm too weak to do anything about it."
With that statement, Ken let out a defeated sigh. "We'll try again in a few days", he told the nurse, escorting her out of the room.
"Not so fast!" Aya stood before the two, hands on her hips. In her eyes was a glare that could rival even that of her brother. "I'm going in there!" Aya stomped into the bedroom angrily, standing directly in front of Ran.
"Go away", he ordered, simply and softly.
"Like hell I am!" Aya shot back. "Why are you acting like such a baby? Ken loves you, and that's what makes him foolish enough to play your games! He'd give his very life for you, and he practically has! He's running himself ragged because you demand so much of him! I would be more than happy to help you out. We have a nurse here that is getting PAID to take care of you! Yet here you sit HIDING from us! What's gotten into you?! Why are you so ashamed now?! It didn't seem to be an issue before! And, believe me, you looked pretty ridiculous in that body cast! So-"
Aya cut herself off, getting down on her knees to look into her brother's eyes. They were moist with tears, and he was whimpering, though it was barely audible.
"Ran, I'm sorry that I raised my voice, but-"
"I thought things would be better", Ran whispered. "I didn't want to believe the doctor. I tricked myself into thinking that I would get out if the cast and be able to walk again. But now...I can't do anything. It's my own fault. You must all think I'm pathetic. Laughable. I was so ready to make my grand exit from the world...and I failed. That attempt to escape my pain only caused me greater pain. I can't deal with this, Aya", he cried. "I don't want to be helpless."
"Then let others help you", Aya begged, embracing Ran. "Work with the physical therapist and nurse Yazaki. Let us see you and talk to you. Let us be here for you as much as we are able. It hurts more than you can know that you are shutting us out like this."
Ran looked up into his sister's eyes. He had never seen them so intense. "I...I never meant to hurt you."
"I know", Aya smiled, taking her brother's hands into her own. "And I won't be hurt anymore...if only you'll let us in."
"I will", Ran nodded.
"Oh, Ran! It makes me so happy to hear you say that!" Aya exclaimed, hugging her brother with all her strength. Ran toppled over on top of Aya, and the two siblings lay laughing in a heap on the floor for a moment.
"Gomen", Aya giggled. "I forgot you didn't have the strength..." the laughter ended there. "Never mind", she finished, looking away.
"It's really okay", Ran reassured his sister. "It's about time I learned to laugh at myself."
"True enough", Aya grunted, attempting to lift Ran back up into the wheelchair. "You know, you're pretty heavy for such a skinny guy", she panted. "I'm going to get the nurse to help, if that's okay."
"No. I kind of like it here on the floor. I think I'll stay awhile", Ran joked.
"Baka!" Aya giggled, walking out of the room.
*
"So, you've finally decided to let me do my job?" nurse Yazaki teased, coming back into the room with Aya.
"Well, I realized I wasn't being fair to Ken, so..."
The nurse nodded as she successfully lifted Ran into his wheelchair. She looked him over for a moment, then sighed. "You're still in your pajamas?"
"Ken fed him a couple hours ago, but didn't have a chance to shower or dress him yet", Aya explained.
"Well, that simplifies things for me", nurse Yazaki chuckled, wheeling Ran out of the room. "I suppose the first order of business is to get you cleaned up."
"Do you need anything else from me?" Aya asked once they had reached the bathroom.
"Oh, no, dear", the nurse smiled, shooing Aya away with her hand. "I have plenty of experience with this."
Aya bowed slightly, then scurried off, obviously relieved that she wouldn't have to touch her brother's naked body.
"You've healed well", nurse Yazaki commented once she had removed Ran's shirt. "I was afraid of aggravating the damage when I bathed you before. But now, I can feel safe that no damage will be done to this beautiful body."
Ran froze at that statement, quivering as the nurse slightly lifted Ran to take off his pajama bottoms. Once they were down to his knees, she gave his bottom a good squeeze before sitting him back down.
"Don't worry, young one", the woman cooed. "You're in experienced hands now." With that, she tranferred Ran from the wheelchair to the shower chair. "Such a beautiful young man. Very feminine, aren't you?" the nurse observed, scrubbing Ran's thin, pale body. She started with the face, slowly working her way down to the neck, chest and stomach. She stopped once she had reached Ran's thighs, grabbing them playfully.
"S-stop that", Ran choked out. 'I was right', he thought, suddenly terrified of the woman. 'She is trouble!'
"Oh, you don't mean that, do you? I mean, really, when was the last time you felt this kind of pleasure?" Nurse Yazaki lifted Ran's chin with one hand, looking deep into his violet eyes. She used her spare hand to grab forcefully at his limp penis.
Ran yelped.
"Silence!", nurse Yazaki ordered, shoving the bar of soap deep into Ran's mouth. Her soft brown eyes now burned with a fiery intensity that horrified her helpless patient. "I'll make you come for me yet!"
Ran couldn't even cry aloud, so deep was the soap lodged in his mouth. So he suffered silently as the nurse reached under, roughly massaging his smooth, firm buttocks. She then took her finger, already wet from the shower, shoving it up deep into Ran's opening. Terrified, Ran lost control, relieving his bowels all over nurse Yazaki's hand. The nurse slapped him forcefully on the hip.
"How dare you!" she hissed through gritted teeth.
Ran looked up, flushed and tearful, at the nurse. The fear and shame were evident in his eyes.
"I'm doing this for you as a favor. To give you pleasure. And what thanks do I get? You shit all over me, like a baby! But then, that's really all that you are anymore, isn't it?"
Ran shook his head violently, whimpering.
"Yes. Yes, it is", nurse Yazaki told Ran, turning him over onto his stomach. "Now see what you've done, baby? You're even dirtier than before." She sighed, shaking her head. "I suppose I have to start over now."
~~~~~~~~~~
Aya walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Ken was helping Omi with the cooking, which was a danger in and of itself.
"Ken, can we talk?"
"Sure." Ken said, looking back at the girl. "Can you grab down the dishes?"
Nodding, she walked over to the cabinets to pull down the dishes. "Have you noticed that Ran is acting
different?"
That made the brunette pause. "Kinda, yeah."
"So have I."
Both Ken and Aya looked over at the blond.
"He is more quiet than he was when Aya was in her coma", Omi observed, chopping vegetables.
"Yeah. I wonder why?" Ken scratched his head.
Setting the plates on the table, Aya sighed. "I don't know, but I went to give him a hug and he had this look…almost like he didn't want me to touch him."
"Who did?"
All three looked over at Yoji as he closed the door.
"What?"
"You have this habit of walking in half way though a conversation", Omi replied, looking back at the food he was preparing. "We are talking about Ran…"
Yoji frowned. "Yeah, what's up with him?" He watched the three. Aya sat down at the table and Ken sighed as he leaned back against the counter.
"Have you noticed that Ran's been acting different at all?"
Yoji shrugged, taking a seat at the table beside Aya. "Yeah, ever since nurse Yazaki started caring for him again. I just figured
he was still pissed about that."
"That is very true, ever since she came back…" Omi paused, looking over at Ken. "But she's so nice! Why would Ran hate her?"
The brunette frowned, looking away from Yoji to Omi. " Something isn't right! I knew it at the beginning when I first saw her but I let it go!"
"I can't believe that this mood has something to do with that woman!" Aya shook her head incredulously.
"Then why is he acting like this, Aya? You said yourself that he is acting odd, and I have noticed it too." Ken paused. "He acts like he has to force himself to be touched by people."
"So what do you want to do?" Yoji asked.
"I don't know, but I'm going to figure out what is happening." Ken answered, frowning. "I gave nurse Yazaki the evening off. Let's find out all that we can in her absence. Right now, though, I better go check and see how Mikage is doing with Ran."
"Who's Mikage", Yoji inquired, looking up blankly from the box of Pocky he was in the process of devouring.
"You need to pay more attention", Aya teased, smacking Yoji on the back of the head. "Mikage is Ran's physical therapist."
"Ah." Yoji rubbed his head, frowning. "I bet the poor girl is making zero progress with Mr. No-Touch."
"Well, she's only been at it a few days, but..." Ken looked down, clutching nervously at the outer seams of his pants. "Yeah. So far, Ran has been a bit of a challenge for her."
"That's an understatement." Aya rolled her eyes, standing up. "He's practically resisting in his body's healing."
Ken shook his head, walking for the door. Stopping in his tracks, he turned to Aya. "Would you come up with me, please?"
~~~~~~~~~~
"How is the patient?", Ken asked, forcing a smile as he and Aya walked into the bedroom.
Mikage gave Ken a helpless look. "See for yourself." She reached over, grabbing Ran's hand.
Ran's eyes grew fearful, yet his wrist bent obediently; not so much cooperating with the physical therapist as surrendering to the fact that he was being handled. "Puppet..." he murmured.
"Nani?" Aya leaned over, straining to hear her brother.
"Just a puppet...can not stop it...", Ran muttered to himself, seemingly oblivious that anyone was listening to him.
"Ran, is something wrong?", Ken asked, placing his hand on Ran's leg in an attempt to comfort him.
"ITAII!!!" Ran wept loudly at the touch.
"I-I barely touched you", Ken stammered. "Why does it hurt?"
Ran sat silently in an almost catotonic state, and Ken quickly realized that he wouldn't be getting an answer. Not today, at any rate.
"He's been like this all day", Mikage sighed, placing a hand to her forehead. "I touch him, he babbles nonsense to himself, and then goes silent."
"You did your best, Mikage", Aya sighed, smiling at the physical therapist. "We'll see you tomorrow?"
"H-hai", Mikage stammered, looking down.
"Ken put a hand on the young woman's shoulder, walking her out of the room. "Something is wrong with Ran", he whispered, once they were out of earshot. "I don't know what happened to him. Not yet. But..."
"Well, for starters, he attempted suicide, did time in a body cast, and now he can't even point at something he wants. I think it's safe to say he is simply depressed and frustrated. Who wouldn't be?"
"Yeah, I guess that explains it", Ken nodded, helping Mikage put on her coat. "Have a nice evening, okay?"
Ken watched the physical therapist walk to her car, taking a forced breath. 'No. It's more than you think, Mikage. I'm sure of this.'
~~~~~~~~~~
"I think he's manipulating us", Yoji concluded, helping himself to some salad. "Ran-"
"-will be joining us for dinner shortly", Aya warned, shushing Yoji with an icy look. "Ken will be bringing him down soon, so-"
"ITAII!!!"
Omi jumped up from his seat. "Was that Ran?"
Aya bit her lip, a cloud of worry darkening her usually cheery features. "We'd better see what's the matter."
Yoji and Omi nodded, following her up to the bedroom. When they got there, they found Ken laying Ran down on the bed. Ran continued to cry out in pain the entire time, until he was finally put down.
"Ran and I will be eating in here tonight", Ken told his friends. "Aya, would you please-"
"Bring your dinners up? Sure", Aya agreed. "But before I go, would you mind telling me what's the matter, Ran?"
"N-nothing", Ran answered quickly.
"Fine", Aya threw up her hands and sighed, walking out of the room. Yoji and Omi followed, looking back suspiciously at Ran.
"Ran, are you-"
"I'm just tired"
"Oh, well, if that's the case, I should get you into some pajamas", Ken decided, gently pulling off Ran's shirt.
"No!" Ran looked away. "I mean...I'm okay sleeping in my clothes."
"Something's up, Ran." Ken's brow creased as he eyed his lover suspiciously. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to keep changing you."
"No! Ken...AAAAIIIII!!!" Ken was taking off Ran's pants now, and the pain was unbearable.
Ran's face flushed red with shame as Ken looked, horrified, at his body. His left hip, leg and inner thigh were black and blue. Turning Ran over, Ken noticed that his left upper leg and buttocks were just as badly bruised.
"Ran...Is this why you cried before?"
Ran nodded.
"What happened?"
"I...I fell. When nurse Yazaki was transferring me from the bed to the wheelchair this morning, she...she dropped me. It's not her fault. It's mine", Ran explained, avoiding Ken's eyes.
"Is that really what happened?" Ken wasn't buying the story.
'No. That sweet old nurse that everyone loves so much has been physically, sexually and verbally abusing me. I can't tell Ken that. It's..it's...' Ran choked back a sob, angry with himself for being so weak and helpless.
"Ran?"
"I told you that's what happened!" Ran snapped.
Just then, Aya walked in with a tray of food. She nearly dropped it when she saw her brother's bruised body.
"Ran!" She rushed over, carefully examining him.
"Please don't look at me", Ran blushed, embarrassed to have his sister see him in such a state. "I just fell."
"He just fell", Ken nodded to Aya, the look he gave her communicating something different altogether. "Let me feed Ran and get him ready for bed. He's pretty tired. I'll be down before too long."
*
"Is it really as bad as Aya says?", Yoji asked as Ken entered the living room.
Ken nodded solemnly. "Omi."
The blond looked up. "Nani?"
"I need you to do something for me."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Don't be mad, koi", Ken begged as he laced up his shoes. "If I had it my way, I wouldn't be working today. But we have a big order to fill, and I have to be at the shop early.
Ran said nothing. He just closed his eyes, wishing he could somehow will Ken to change his mind and stay. Ken was supposed to have the day off, and Ran welcomed any respite from Yazaki Reina that was offered. But he wouldn't be getting that today. In a short time, Ken would leave, and he would be left alone to suffer at the hands of that dreadful woman. He learned the previous day to just let her do as she pleased with him. After biting an offending hand in self-defense, he received the beating that now colored his left leg, hip, thigh and buttocks. Ran suspected that the nurse would have continued, had it not been for Ken. She knew that he was a dangerously protective lover. Ran was confident that his ordeal would end if he would only speak up and tell Ken what was happening. But his pride was in the way. He would simply have to endure the abuse of he wanted to be able to look Ken in the eye.
"Ran?"
Ran opened his eyes, looking at his lover with hurt and disappointment. "Yes?"
"I have to leave now. Nurse Yazaki will be here in a few minutes. You going to be okay?"
"How much trouble do you really think I can get into?", Ran asked through a forced laugh.
"True enough," Ken chuckled, bending over to lightly kiss Ran on the forehead. Ran's body stiffened, his eyes grew wide, and his breath caught in his throat. Ken looked down, hurt and puzzled by his lover's reaction.
"Ran...?"
"Just leave."
Clentching his fists, Ken spun around quickly so Ran wouldn't see the tears forming in his eyes. "I'll see you tonight, koi."
*
"Are you hungry, baby?" nurse Yazaki chimed, bringing in a tray of rice and soup.
Ran shuddered. He was hoping he could be alone for just awhile longer. He had pretended to be sleeping when the nurse arrived, and she just sat quietly for a minute, finally walking out of the room. Ran's heart jumped when he heard her return. Why couldn't she just leave him be?
"Stop calling me 'baby'. And no, I am not hungry. I just want to be left alone."
"I'm afraid I can't do that." Yazaki Reina began unfastening her pants. "Truth is, I've come to like our little arrangement. I take care of you...and you satisfy my desires."
"You repulse me", Ran scowled.
"Brave words for someone in your position, baby", the nurse spat, roughly pulling off Ran's pajama bottoms. Ran let out a deafening scream, to which Yazaki Reina simply laughed.
"Scream all you like. No one is around to hear you." Nurse Yazaki brought the tray of food over to Ran, straddled him with her naked body and began feeding him.
"I told you-"
"You'll need the stamina, baby" , the nurse interrupted.
"But-"
"EAT!!! Or I'll find a whole new use for these chopsticks!" She paused. "Actually, that's not a bad idea."
"N-nani?" Ran didn't like where this was going at all.
"You'll see", the nurse teased in a sing-song voice, violently tossing Ran over onto his stomach.
Ran screamed again. He couldn't help it. After the beating he'd received before, even the slightest touch brought tremendous pain.
"What are you going to do to me?", he managed to choke out.
"Miso soup is so delicious, and versatile, too. Wouldn't you agree, baby?" The nurse parted Ran's cheeks with one hand, pouring hot miso soup into him with the other.
"STOP!!!", Ran wailed. He couldn't control it; he cried. Cried at the helplessness and shame that he felt. Cried that he had been unfortunate enough to survive the jump that was meant to end his life. Cried that he, a once strong assassin, was now reduced to being the play thing of a sick old woman.
"Would you shut the hell up?!" Nurse Yazaki reached into her bag, pulled out a ball gag and placed it into Ran's mouth. "You're giving me a headache."
Tears streaked down Ran's face in a flood as he bit down hard into the gag. He felt something sharp enter him. 'Chopsticks?'
"I'm glad I thought of this", nurse Yazaki smiled to herself as she slid the chopsticks in and out of Ran. Getting creative, she parted the two, manipulating and probing the redhead.
"I'd better stop here", the nurse decided. "You're starting to bleed, and I don't want to raise any suspicions. I'd say now is a good time for your shower."
'As long as you bathe me, I'll never be clean', Ran thought tearfully as the nurse carried him out of the room.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ken tiptoed into the bedroom. It was late, and he could hear Ran crying in his sleep. Ken held his breath, trying to remain silent as he walked over to an old, broken light fixture, taking out a small camera hidden there.
'I hope this provides some answers', he thought, tiptoeing out of the room. 'Ran's suffering is killing me inside.'
*
Ken walked down the stairs into the mission room, tape in hand. As he reached the floor, a blond walked up to him.
"This is the tape."
"Thank you", Omi whispered, walking over to his system. "You look upset. What's wrong?"
"I don't know." Ken answered honestly. "When I went up to get the tape, I heard Ran crying. It broke my heart to hear that.
Something is happening, Omi. Something that he doesn't want me to know about!" Ken's fist connected with the
table, as chocolate eyes squeezed closed. "I'll be damned if I'm going to let this go on any longer!"
Omi could only smile sympathetically, slipping the tape into the system. "It's going to take a minute or two for it to rewind. Then we will be able to find out what is happening."
"Thanks for all the help, Omi. I don't think I could have done this without you." He saw the blond; once again smile up at him. "I mean that, this means a lot to me. I just want to take care of Ran, but I can't if he won't tell me what's happening."
Blue eyes met his as the youngest Weiss smiled, taking Ken's hand. "Don't worry about it, Ken-kun. The four of us, we are family and we take care of one another! "
"I'm so glad that I have you guys."
He nodded, looking down at the system. "Ok, it's done." There was a pause. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I will ever be, Omi."
The blond nodded, pressing "play." They watched the tape, seeing the nurse come into the field of view. After a few minutes nothing happened, and it seemed like Ken's suspicions about the woman were unfounded.
"I swear it involved her!" he whispered under his breath, turning away from the TV to walk across the room.
Omi turned, looking over at the pacing brunette.
"Maybe we were wrong?" He answered, knowing that this was pissing off the man to no end. But then again, anything involving his lover and any harm that could come to him tended to piss off the brunette. "Or maybe she just didn't do anything today…maybe we should keep recording?"
Ken flopped down onto the couch. "Maybe I was just wrong, Omi. What if this is the way Ran is going to be from now on, and I just want to blame it on her? But...the change was to sudden. All of it started when she came back into our home after Ran got out of the body cast." Ken could see Omi nodding out of the corner of his eye. "Maybe he just doesn't like women?"
"Aya-chan?"
Ken laughed. "That is his sister. She doesn't count." Leaning back onto the couch, he shrugged. "I guess just rewind the tape and I'll pop it back up there, we can try again tomorrow."
Omi nodded in agreement. "We will figure all of this out…" The boy's voice faltered, a whimper coming out
instead of words. "Ken-kun!"
He jumped up, looking from the startled blond to the small TV screen. At first he was shocked, not wanting to believe what he was seeing. But it was real, too real. He could feel the anger building up in him.
"She is…she did…" Ken couldn't even find the words to express what he was feeling. All he knew was that she had to die. Arms around his waist pulled him from the murderous thoughts that ran though his head. He looked down at the blond who had hidden his face in Ken's chest.
"H-how could she…" Omi cried, looking up at the taller assassin. "Ken-kun, how could she do that to Ran-kun?!"
Chocolate eyes narrowed, a look crossing his features that Omi had never seen before. It frightened him, but he knew that Ken would never harm him. No, someone had hurt his lover, and that was the worst mistake anyone could have ever made.
"Ken-kun?" Omi whispered, feeling the man pull away from him.
Reaching forwards, Ken practically punched the eject button and grabbed the tape. "I need to go talk to Manx." he said, and Omi could hear the underlying tone in his voice. He knew Ken would kill the nurse for what she had done.
"B-but, what about the others?" Omi whispered. "What do I tell them?"
"Nothing." Ken answered. "Don't worry about anything, Omi. I'm going to take care of this." With that, the tanned assassin disappeared, leaving a very confused blond behind.
~~~~~~~~~~
Note: You may be asking yourself what the motivation is for this turn of events. Well, this is actually what we were working towards anyway. You see, someone I know had an accident, and was in a situation where he was helpless, much like Ran. He never jumped from a building, and he wasn't in a body cast. I changed that because I didn't want the story to be an exact retelling of his story. However, he was also subjected to abuse from a sick old nurse. I don't know all the specifics, but I know that it was practically rape. This made me so angry! I was just so sickened by what had happened that I had to write about it. So there you go. That's the motivation.
Koyasu
P.S. I'd like to extend a big thanks to Isa for writing this with me. I know that we'd planned to write together for awhile, but I bet you didn't bargain on it being the fic where I blow off steam. Thanks for tolerating my rants about the evil woman.