Fallen Angels
by Kandy
~~~~~
Bijou opened her apartment door to come face to face with Kandy.
"What's up, Danger Girl," greeted Kandy.
Bijou let her friend in and closed the door. "Hi, Kandy. What are you doing here so early in the morning?"
Kandy sat down on one of her extra fluffy chairs. "I came over so you could get out today. It's not healthy to stay couped up in here for so long."
"You let me 'stay couped up in here' all day yesterday," Bijou replied flatly while taking a seat on the kitchen counter, "Why should it matter now? I've only got one more day left, I've explained to Kritiker and my parents and luckily they aren't going to kill me."
Kandy asked Bijou shifting to face her, "Kritiker or your parents?"
The light brunette gave her the evil eye. Kandy cringed and looked away, "Nevermind."
"Look, Kandy. I'm not going anywhere."
The taller and older woman got up and spun around. "Ohhhhh yes, you are."
Bijou slid from the counter top, "Ohhhhh no, I'm not. And your not going to make me!"
*~*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile Ken looked out of the window impatiently, ignoring the bussle of customers. Omi and Yoji thought about throwing something at him to get him to get back to work. They knew that was what Aya would do; who was still upstairs for the time being.
Yoji knew why he was taking so long to come down, but Omi didn't, which was a good thing. Yoji had found out about their little flings and late night sexcapades some months ago. He'd -accidently- forced the truth out of Ken after hearing some descent foreplay one night.
But Yoji had also noticed that Omi's nerves were shot. He must of spent all last night yelling at Ouka over the phone. That or going to Bijou's to apologize to her for Ouka's behavior. Yoji'd only know Bijou for a second but he knew from instinct that Bijou wasn't having it. Poor little Omi had a real dilemma going, and their first week with their partners was only halfway done.
The brunette sighed. He just couldn't be around all these depressed people! He went over to Ken and slapped him on the back to get him out of that crazy trance. "Yo, soccer boy, you're still on the job."
Ken jumped when Yoji hit him and he looked over his shoulder furiously. Yoji didn't let it phase him, "Quit being depressed and get back to work before 'Sunshine' comes down here fussin' again."
The younger man turned back to the window, waiting, "I ain't depressed, Yoji, I'm waiting for Vita. She said she'd be here early so we could get started."
"I thought you two already got started last night?," pondered Yoji.
"Yeah, we did, but I sorta asked her to come."
"And would you mind telling me why, when you don't get off until 4-?"
"About that! I'm going to have to take off early today, you understand."
"WHAT!?"
The back door closed shut. That only meant one thing, Aya had fixed himself where no one could tell he'd had a 'good night'. 'Not that anyone would be able to tell if he didn't,' thought Yoji with a cross between a smile and a smirk on his face. Ken looked across the store to see that the last of 11 customers was leaving the counter with an arm full of violets. Omi waved at the middle-aged business woman as she exited the shop. Before the door could close again with it's violent jangle of bells another person walked in. Aya frowned when he saw who it was.
Vita had stepped in wearing a powder blue t-shirt and some stonewashed baggy jeans with a pair of white on baby blue Air Force One's. She smiled and greeted Omi behind the counter. He responded the kind gesture. But when she tried the same with Aya all she got was a cold stare. Vita continued to radiate happiness, despite his nasty attitude, and walked over to Yoji and Ken.
Vita faced the taller man, "Hey, Yoji."
"Morning."
"You ready to go?," Vita asked Ken turning her head.
"Yeah, let me get something first."
Before Vita could respond Ken was in the back and he returned with a soccer ball in his hand.
Yoji, Aya and Omi; stunned. Vita; confused.
"Soccer?!," the guys questioned.
"Soccer...," Vita trailed off, pretty amused.
Aya turned to Ken who was hanging up his apron. "You can't be serious."
"And why not?"
"You're still on the job Ken-kun, You don't get off until 4," Omi reminded him.
"So?"
"So, you just got here an hour ago!," Yoji exploded.
'He's gonna challenge me to a soccer match? Oh, this is gonna be -too- good,' thought Vita hiding a smirk.
Ken sighed, shaking his head. "Were not gonna be gone long," he winked when Vita was looking away. There was a moment of silence until Omi and Yoji both went "Oooohhhhh..." Aya, distugsted, grabbed his apron and went into the green house in the back.
Ken rolled his eyes and went over to the door. "I'm ready."
"Good," Vita said accepting the held open door, "Cause this won't be a long one..."
Yoji looked over his shoulder to see that the two of them were gone. Gone to the soccer field down the street, where Ken coached the little kids every other day of the week.
"He's gonna get enough of that one day," Omi told Yoji who watched them walk down the street.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"I can't believe you made me," Bijou mumbled in the passengers seat of Kandy's Escalade truck.
"Oh, lighten up, kid. Omi, Yoji and I pulled together and we got a surprise for you."
"Am I going to like it?," answered Bijou, sitting up and putting on her seatbelt.
Kandy rubbed the back of her neck as she exited the Hamazuki Tower Parking Lot, "You tell us, Danger Girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin grabbed the piece of paper, fresh from the printer. She'd found all the background info she could on Vita's teacher, last night, mentally bookmarked how she got it, and retired for the night. And this morning she admired her edited handywork:
Hidaka Ken
Age: 19; Nationality: Japanese; Hair: Brunette; Eyes: Hazel; Date of Birth: December 23; Height: 175 cm; Place of Birth: Niigata, Japan; Current Occupation: Assassin; Team: Weiss; Code Name: Siberian; Blood Type: B; Caution?: Bad Temper
Past: used to play in the J-league as a goal-keeper. Was expelled after being falsely accused of gambling and doping.
Undercover job: works at the flower shop "Koneko no Sumu Ie", with three other Weiss members.
Weapons used: "bugnuk" (steal claws concealed inside a leather glove)
Drivers License: Yes
Further considerations: motives for joining Weiss still inconsistent. At start, the individual seemed to have a want to leave the group. Lately, a change as been observed concerning this individual: he displays considerable anticipation prior to each mission. This might indicate, first, a superior involvement with a successful accomplishment of each mission and, second, a mental downfall.
Mission performance: tends to act rather impetuously during most of the missions. But, his overall performance in missions is fairly acceptable, since he allegedly puts down the targets, regardless of any association he might have had with them in the past. Usually battles against Farfarello, from Shwarz, and against Shoen, from Schreient, in wish he inflected a face wound, once again unthinkingly.
Devin was ready to roll. She would of changed from her blue sundress, blue canvas' and ponytail, but she felt comfortable - even if she looked kinda juvenille. She grabbed her small black purse and headed out of the door. She wasn't going to give her information to Vita yet, nor was she going to Aya yet, although she hadn't forgotten. There was something much more important that she needed to do for a couple of hours...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Vita slid down the hill to the soccer field below. The rays of the sun left fresh morning dew of the blades of grass beneath their feet. Ken tossed the ball into the air and caught it again. Vita looked at the field from left to right. The woman then turned on her heel and faced the man behind her.
"Okay...what's the deal?," she asked, believing the 'let's play soccer' thing was a cover for some type of rigerous acceptance training.
Ken, confused, caught the ball from mid air, once again. "What are you talkin about? What deal?"
Ken threw her the ball. Vita caught it by reflex, not hand eye coornation. "That's what I'd like to know."
"I'm a big soccer fan," Ken explained, "And if you want me to teach you to everything I know, your gonna have to at least know how to play."
Vita smirked at the goofy expression at his face, "So you can teach me how to play soccer AND be an assassin?"
"So I can beat you at how to play soccer."
"Well, your on!" exclaimed Vita and she ran out into the field ready to play.
'I knew that'd get her to play with me,' thought Ken as he ran out to the other side of the field taking position.
"My first!" she claimed and kicked the ball just as quickly as she dropped it on the ground. Ken wasn't even sure if he saw her drop it, all he knew was that she was off towards his goal.
Over her shoulder, Vita teased, "Catch me if you can!"
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin clutched the strap of her small purse. She was looking down on the mansion again. Her obsession with these people and this place made herself wanna hurl. Something good must of happened last night. She could tell. Expensive cars in personalized colors and with exotic add-ons, like shiny rims and tinted windows were constantly pulling in and out of the driveway. And every one who got in and out of the cars either had countless shopping bags or were putting them away. Not to mention credit cards were being passed to every possible person in every possible direction.
Yet, it all looked so animated.
It was common. What they were doing. To her, of course. To the public, it would cause a riot. To the police, it was worth life in prison. To Kritiker, instant annilation.
Devin was sure she'd freed herself from that lifestyle. But she wasn't. A part of her still yearned to drive those expensive cars and carry those countless shopping bags and pass those credit cards. Dev knew she wasn't. What else could power her to keep coming back to that mansion everyday - checking on those people. On the ways they were able to carry on. On those expensive cars. On the shopping bags. On the credit cards. She just didn't know.
Whatever gave her this hopeless drive, she wanted to loose it...so bad.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Omi wasn't the slightest bit surprised when Kandy and Bijou pulled up. Neither was Yoji. They were having a nice little conversation in shop and the girls would occasionally help them out since Aya was in the back fixing their numerous morning arrangements.
Omi was beginning to rethink being a teacher to Bijou. She actually was a nice girl. A nice girl with little tolerance. But a nice girl nontheless who could prove to be valuable to Kritiker with his teachings.
The bells on the door jangled to introduce a new customer. Bijou's eyes got narrow. Omi looked as if he'd just swallowed something nasty.
Ouka.
"Hey, Ouka," Yoji greeted with a grin.
Ouka replied with a solemn, "Morning." Kandy greeted her as well, "Morning to you too."
She stopped walking when her eyes fell on Omi and Bijou again. Ouka nervously, yet slightly vexed eyed Yoji and Kandy.
Kandy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Go on." Ouka looked over at Yoji who nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Do I have to...?," she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Go," they both replied sternly. Ouka rubbed the back of her neck as she approached the two, who awaited to see what was going on.
"Good Morning, Ouka," Omi said admiring the cute, yet frustrated beauty of his girlfriend.
Ouka was uneasy with what she was about to do, but gave Omi a slight smile anyway. She really didn't want to do it, but Kandy and Yoji had forced her to, so she didn't have a choice.
Greeting Ouka was the last on Bijou's list of things to do to her. She held her nerves for the simple fact the Kandy was giving her a mean look. As if to say: 'Don't you dare go off before she does this or, so help me...'
Bijou folded her arms over her chest in a huff. Ouka cleared her throat and looked down at the ground. "Bijou, I...uh...I-I'm," she sighed and looked up through her bangs, "I apologize."
She spun around to face the 'wardens' and clapped her hands together, "There I said it! Can I go home now?"
Omi and Bijou were in temporary shock. "Did she just say...she was sorry?," Bijou stammered.
Yoji said, "Your not going anywhere, yet. Bijou, we're waiting."
"Your sorry for what?," Bijou stated with her hands on her hips and a smirk on her lips.
Everyone almost fell out from the french girl's nerve. Yoji mouthed to Bijou, "What are you doing?"
Omi leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Don't mess this up. Normally, she would of never agreed to apologize to you."
Bijou ignored them both and walked over to Ouka. Surprisingly they were the same height. Ouka moved her lips, but no sound came out. Bijou frowned kinda comically, "What did you say?"
Ouka looked her nemisis in the eyes. "I said I was sorry for picking a fight."
Bijou took a balanced step backwards and pulled both her ears out and forward, "I can't heeaaaarrrr yoooouuuu!"
"I said...I was sorry for picking a fight with you! And if you don't accept my apology right now, I'll slam my fist in your big mouth!!," Ouka yelled.
There was silence.
There was a strange stare.
There was waiting.
"Okay," Bijou shrugged and stuck out her hand. "I accept your apology."
Ouka blinked and took her hand. They shaked a firm shake.
Kandy, Yoji, and Omi all sighed. Omi leaned into Bijou, "Why'd you do that if you'd decided that you were going to accept her apology from the beginning?"
"I just like messing with her head," Bijou replied with a grin. Omi pretended as if he didn't hear that.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken ran after his student in the soccer field. He ran beside her before he was able to kick the ball from her feet. Vita chased Ken back down the field. Ken bounced the ball onto his knee and prepared for a killer kick into her unguarded goal.
Vita held her breath and the ball went in. She stopped mid-run. As Ken retrived the ball from her goal he smiled.
"One to nuthin'," he said as he tossed her the ball.
'Don't expect it to stay that way,' Vita thought as she kicked the ball in mid-throw. Ken was shocked, because he expected her to catch the ball with her hands and ruin her turn.
The ball flew over Ken's head as Vita shouldered him out of the way of a victory. Ken stumbled backwards for a little bit before regaining his balance. He took after the girl but was too late.
The ball was slamming into the net.
Ken frowned at himself for getting cocky so early in the game.
Vita retrived the ball to Ken with a small grin. She tossed it lightly to him and he caught like an obedient puppy.
"One to one."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Time Above: 4:00 pm
Time Below: 6:00 pm
*~*~*~*~*~*
*beep*
Aya looked at his watch. Nowhere near 8:00 pm. Time had flown while he was the finishing arrangements. It was now 6:00 on the dot. Aya wanted to talk to Devin, ahead of time. He pushed that thought to the back of his mind. That could wait. He wasn't off yet, there was work to do, and he didn't need to talk to Devin.
He was done.
The redhead held up a spring bouqet of flowers a man ordered for his pregant wife...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken had his hands on his knees. Panting. Sweat dripping from his brunette bangs.
Vita had her hands on her knees. Panting. Sweat dripping from her raven bangs.
Hazel eyes stared into brown eyes.
Brown eyes stared into hazel eyes.
"Ken...let's call it quits. I won," Vita whispered to the young man across from her. The wind pushed the dirty soccer ball across the grass. No more dew...the sun was going down now.
Ken fell out onto the ground below him. Poor KenKen was exhausted. When he heard Vita say she was going to give him a worthwhile challenge, he had no idea she meant a two-hour soccer match. Hell, Ken didn't even expect it to last that long. He figured that in about 40...maybe 50 minutes she'd have want to call it quits, because she was losing.
Instead, in 40 minutes their scores were tied and Vita was a ball of energy. Now they were half an hour from sunset and Vita had beat him by 3 points. If he'd had the slightest bit of energy left in him he'd win this brawl, but...he was so tired!
Vita walked over and leaned over him. Ken whispered a response to her first statement, "It's not over yet...," Vita's eyes widened in shock, "Let's make it 2 out of 3."
Upset, the young woman picked him up by the shoulders and shook him, tirelessly.
"Quit it," he said feeling his brain go to mush inside his skull.
"No! I won your little challenge, Ken. 34 to 31 should be enough! When all the kids started going home around 5, that should of told you it's over."
Ken propped himself up with his palms. "Alright, alright. I good enough of a sport to admit that I lost."
Vita offered him her hand and he accepted. Ken got the ball, while rubbing absentmindly at the bright green grass-stains...
*~*~*~*~*~*
"I better go now," Ouka announced after a long - peaceful - day at the shop.
Yoji forced himself upward from the stool he was sitting on. "You can stay longer, but if you have to leave..." It was hard to believe that Bijou and Ouka could stand each other for a few hours. What was even harder to believe was that he stayed at the shop all day...even longer than his applied shift.
"No, I have to go now," she looked over at Yoji. "It was nice this time, Bijou." Referring to her former rival.
Bijou tilted her head to the side. "Likewise, sistah."
She bid her farewells to the remaining team members and left the shop. Kandy patted the french girl on the shoulder. She looked up into the blondes eyes and sighed heavily.
"Here's to a day done well, Danger Girl," Kandy complimented.
Bijou quickly made a sour face, "Don't get comfy, Marilyn Monroe."
"You mean you were faking it the whole time!" exclaimed Yoji getting angry.
Bijou shrugged off both Yoji and his partner student.
The door opened and enter Ken and Vita. Both shiny in the stores lights, dripping with sweat and exhausted.
"Your back," Omi stated, still perched behind the register.
"Eww...you two seriously need to dry off or sumthin," frowned Kandy.
Ken was now just wearing his muscle shirt - the light bouncing off his wet chest and arms. While Vita was soaked completly.
Ken shuffled his way past Yoji.
Yoji stretched his arm out in front of Ken, "Do I really wanna to hear this?"
"I won," Vita stated still out of breath.
Ken collasped on the floor.
Suddenly the back door leading from the shop into the green house opens. Aya has his apron in his hand and hangs it up without missing a beat. He was taking his little break much earlier than he expected. He turned to see Omi dissapointed, Yoji confused, Kandy frowning, Bijou amused, Vita exhausted, and Ken passed out in the middle of the floor in his muscle shirt.
Then all eyes were turned to him.
"I -don't- wanna know."
And with that Aya left the shop. His shift would be over soon and in a few the shop would be closing anyway.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin exhaled deeply. She decided she'd be early for her and Aya's rendevous like on their last meeting...it was nicer that way. Her Infiniti sped down the streets, zipping through the normal Tokyo evening traffic. There was japanese rock on her speakers and her second conversation with Aya on her mind...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Manx pushed open the door once she got her proper commands.
"Good evening," she addressed the darkness.
"Good evening to you too, Manx. I'm hoping you have a successful status on PFA."
Manx raised a package to his eyesight. "It's as successful as a student/teacher project can get. I have a written reports from both Kudou and Tsukiyono, on Lawless and la Salle. While Hidaka and Fujimiya are steadily collecting data."
"Steadily collecting data...? Then what does that say about Yoji and Omi. Are they the slackers or the over-achivers?"
"Only time will tell, sir."
Manx placed the package on the table. A hand reached out and retrived them. A light came on and pages flipped.
"Very nice. Some sections are fewer than what we have in our records, but this still quite impressive. I should of expected that one. But several things I fear, Manx."
Manx's eyebrows raised, "Severeal fears? What are they, sir? I could easily get Weiss to take care of it. Or maybe a practice mission for PFA?"
"No...not that. Neither of that, Manx. My first concern is of Little Bijou. Omi's girlfriend is quite jealous of her."
"I know how to handle that, sir."
"Good. Problem number two. Candy is american."
"That's a problem, sir?"
"Not a problem potentially, but for her teacher, yes."
"..."
"Are you catching on, Manx?"
"I think so. Yoji will have to deal with that on his free time. And I will inform him of this."
"Nice answer. Onward to problem four-"
"Excuse me, sir. But I should be checking in on our Weiss, now."
"That's quite alright. I will write up my fears. I expect you to take care of them, Manx. For every fear and order of business you handle a bonus will be in your paycheck - especially from my heart."
"I'll get right on it, asap, sir - and thank you," Manx gave a low bow of respect to her employer.
"No, thank you, Manx. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, sir."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Finally! I though I'd never get through with this one. I should put up a mild yaoi note for the love between Ken and Aya in the description, huh? ...naaahhhhh! :D And what about Manx, Persia, and his fears? Next chapter coming up - especially since I'm feeling back into the writing mood. I haven't thought of a title yet. I think I'ma gonna name it, Down to Business(???) I dunno. Holla.
by Kandy
~~~~~
Bijou opened her apartment door to come face to face with Kandy.
"What's up, Danger Girl," greeted Kandy.
Bijou let her friend in and closed the door. "Hi, Kandy. What are you doing here so early in the morning?"
Kandy sat down on one of her extra fluffy chairs. "I came over so you could get out today. It's not healthy to stay couped up in here for so long."
"You let me 'stay couped up in here' all day yesterday," Bijou replied flatly while taking a seat on the kitchen counter, "Why should it matter now? I've only got one more day left, I've explained to Kritiker and my parents and luckily they aren't going to kill me."
Kandy asked Bijou shifting to face her, "Kritiker or your parents?"
The light brunette gave her the evil eye. Kandy cringed and looked away, "Nevermind."
"Look, Kandy. I'm not going anywhere."
The taller and older woman got up and spun around. "Ohhhhh yes, you are."
Bijou slid from the counter top, "Ohhhhh no, I'm not. And your not going to make me!"
*~*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile Ken looked out of the window impatiently, ignoring the bussle of customers. Omi and Yoji thought about throwing something at him to get him to get back to work. They knew that was what Aya would do; who was still upstairs for the time being.
Yoji knew why he was taking so long to come down, but Omi didn't, which was a good thing. Yoji had found out about their little flings and late night sexcapades some months ago. He'd -accidently- forced the truth out of Ken after hearing some descent foreplay one night.
But Yoji had also noticed that Omi's nerves were shot. He must of spent all last night yelling at Ouka over the phone. That or going to Bijou's to apologize to her for Ouka's behavior. Yoji'd only know Bijou for a second but he knew from instinct that Bijou wasn't having it. Poor little Omi had a real dilemma going, and their first week with their partners was only halfway done.
The brunette sighed. He just couldn't be around all these depressed people! He went over to Ken and slapped him on the back to get him out of that crazy trance. "Yo, soccer boy, you're still on the job."
Ken jumped when Yoji hit him and he looked over his shoulder furiously. Yoji didn't let it phase him, "Quit being depressed and get back to work before 'Sunshine' comes down here fussin' again."
The younger man turned back to the window, waiting, "I ain't depressed, Yoji, I'm waiting for Vita. She said she'd be here early so we could get started."
"I thought you two already got started last night?," pondered Yoji.
"Yeah, we did, but I sorta asked her to come."
"And would you mind telling me why, when you don't get off until 4-?"
"About that! I'm going to have to take off early today, you understand."
"WHAT!?"
The back door closed shut. That only meant one thing, Aya had fixed himself where no one could tell he'd had a 'good night'. 'Not that anyone would be able to tell if he didn't,' thought Yoji with a cross between a smile and a smirk on his face. Ken looked across the store to see that the last of 11 customers was leaving the counter with an arm full of violets. Omi waved at the middle-aged business woman as she exited the shop. Before the door could close again with it's violent jangle of bells another person walked in. Aya frowned when he saw who it was.
Vita had stepped in wearing a powder blue t-shirt and some stonewashed baggy jeans with a pair of white on baby blue Air Force One's. She smiled and greeted Omi behind the counter. He responded the kind gesture. But when she tried the same with Aya all she got was a cold stare. Vita continued to radiate happiness, despite his nasty attitude, and walked over to Yoji and Ken.
Vita faced the taller man, "Hey, Yoji."
"Morning."
"You ready to go?," Vita asked Ken turning her head.
"Yeah, let me get something first."
Before Vita could respond Ken was in the back and he returned with a soccer ball in his hand.
Yoji, Aya and Omi; stunned. Vita; confused.
"Soccer?!," the guys questioned.
"Soccer...," Vita trailed off, pretty amused.
Aya turned to Ken who was hanging up his apron. "You can't be serious."
"And why not?"
"You're still on the job Ken-kun, You don't get off until 4," Omi reminded him.
"So?"
"So, you just got here an hour ago!," Yoji exploded.
'He's gonna challenge me to a soccer match? Oh, this is gonna be -too- good,' thought Vita hiding a smirk.
Ken sighed, shaking his head. "Were not gonna be gone long," he winked when Vita was looking away. There was a moment of silence until Omi and Yoji both went "Oooohhhhh..." Aya, distugsted, grabbed his apron and went into the green house in the back.
Ken rolled his eyes and went over to the door. "I'm ready."
"Good," Vita said accepting the held open door, "Cause this won't be a long one..."
Yoji looked over his shoulder to see that the two of them were gone. Gone to the soccer field down the street, where Ken coached the little kids every other day of the week.
"He's gonna get enough of that one day," Omi told Yoji who watched them walk down the street.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"I can't believe you made me," Bijou mumbled in the passengers seat of Kandy's Escalade truck.
"Oh, lighten up, kid. Omi, Yoji and I pulled together and we got a surprise for you."
"Am I going to like it?," answered Bijou, sitting up and putting on her seatbelt.
Kandy rubbed the back of her neck as she exited the Hamazuki Tower Parking Lot, "You tell us, Danger Girl."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin grabbed the piece of paper, fresh from the printer. She'd found all the background info she could on Vita's teacher, last night, mentally bookmarked how she got it, and retired for the night. And this morning she admired her edited handywork:
Hidaka Ken
Age: 19; Nationality: Japanese; Hair: Brunette; Eyes: Hazel; Date of Birth: December 23; Height: 175 cm; Place of Birth: Niigata, Japan; Current Occupation: Assassin; Team: Weiss; Code Name: Siberian; Blood Type: B; Caution?: Bad Temper
Past: used to play in the J-league as a goal-keeper. Was expelled after being falsely accused of gambling and doping.
Undercover job: works at the flower shop "Koneko no Sumu Ie", with three other Weiss members.
Weapons used: "bugnuk" (steal claws concealed inside a leather glove)
Drivers License: Yes
Further considerations: motives for joining Weiss still inconsistent. At start, the individual seemed to have a want to leave the group. Lately, a change as been observed concerning this individual: he displays considerable anticipation prior to each mission. This might indicate, first, a superior involvement with a successful accomplishment of each mission and, second, a mental downfall.
Mission performance: tends to act rather impetuously during most of the missions. But, his overall performance in missions is fairly acceptable, since he allegedly puts down the targets, regardless of any association he might have had with them in the past. Usually battles against Farfarello, from Shwarz, and against Shoen, from Schreient, in wish he inflected a face wound, once again unthinkingly.
Devin was ready to roll. She would of changed from her blue sundress, blue canvas' and ponytail, but she felt comfortable - even if she looked kinda juvenille. She grabbed her small black purse and headed out of the door. She wasn't going to give her information to Vita yet, nor was she going to Aya yet, although she hadn't forgotten. There was something much more important that she needed to do for a couple of hours...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Vita slid down the hill to the soccer field below. The rays of the sun left fresh morning dew of the blades of grass beneath their feet. Ken tossed the ball into the air and caught it again. Vita looked at the field from left to right. The woman then turned on her heel and faced the man behind her.
"Okay...what's the deal?," she asked, believing the 'let's play soccer' thing was a cover for some type of rigerous acceptance training.
Ken, confused, caught the ball from mid air, once again. "What are you talkin about? What deal?"
Ken threw her the ball. Vita caught it by reflex, not hand eye coornation. "That's what I'd like to know."
"I'm a big soccer fan," Ken explained, "And if you want me to teach you to everything I know, your gonna have to at least know how to play."
Vita smirked at the goofy expression at his face, "So you can teach me how to play soccer AND be an assassin?"
"So I can beat you at how to play soccer."
"Well, your on!" exclaimed Vita and she ran out into the field ready to play.
'I knew that'd get her to play with me,' thought Ken as he ran out to the other side of the field taking position.
"My first!" she claimed and kicked the ball just as quickly as she dropped it on the ground. Ken wasn't even sure if he saw her drop it, all he knew was that she was off towards his goal.
Over her shoulder, Vita teased, "Catch me if you can!"
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin clutched the strap of her small purse. She was looking down on the mansion again. Her obsession with these people and this place made herself wanna hurl. Something good must of happened last night. She could tell. Expensive cars in personalized colors and with exotic add-ons, like shiny rims and tinted windows were constantly pulling in and out of the driveway. And every one who got in and out of the cars either had countless shopping bags or were putting them away. Not to mention credit cards were being passed to every possible person in every possible direction.
Yet, it all looked so animated.
It was common. What they were doing. To her, of course. To the public, it would cause a riot. To the police, it was worth life in prison. To Kritiker, instant annilation.
Devin was sure she'd freed herself from that lifestyle. But she wasn't. A part of her still yearned to drive those expensive cars and carry those countless shopping bags and pass those credit cards. Dev knew she wasn't. What else could power her to keep coming back to that mansion everyday - checking on those people. On the ways they were able to carry on. On those expensive cars. On the shopping bags. On the credit cards. She just didn't know.
Whatever gave her this hopeless drive, she wanted to loose it...so bad.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Omi wasn't the slightest bit surprised when Kandy and Bijou pulled up. Neither was Yoji. They were having a nice little conversation in shop and the girls would occasionally help them out since Aya was in the back fixing their numerous morning arrangements.
Omi was beginning to rethink being a teacher to Bijou. She actually was a nice girl. A nice girl with little tolerance. But a nice girl nontheless who could prove to be valuable to Kritiker with his teachings.
The bells on the door jangled to introduce a new customer. Bijou's eyes got narrow. Omi looked as if he'd just swallowed something nasty.
Ouka.
"Hey, Ouka," Yoji greeted with a grin.
Ouka replied with a solemn, "Morning." Kandy greeted her as well, "Morning to you too."
She stopped walking when her eyes fell on Omi and Bijou again. Ouka nervously, yet slightly vexed eyed Yoji and Kandy.
Kandy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Go on." Ouka looked over at Yoji who nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Do I have to...?," she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Go," they both replied sternly. Ouka rubbed the back of her neck as she approached the two, who awaited to see what was going on.
"Good Morning, Ouka," Omi said admiring the cute, yet frustrated beauty of his girlfriend.
Ouka was uneasy with what she was about to do, but gave Omi a slight smile anyway. She really didn't want to do it, but Kandy and Yoji had forced her to, so she didn't have a choice.
Greeting Ouka was the last on Bijou's list of things to do to her. She held her nerves for the simple fact the Kandy was giving her a mean look. As if to say: 'Don't you dare go off before she does this or, so help me...'
Bijou folded her arms over her chest in a huff. Ouka cleared her throat and looked down at the ground. "Bijou, I...uh...I-I'm," she sighed and looked up through her bangs, "I apologize."
She spun around to face the 'wardens' and clapped her hands together, "There I said it! Can I go home now?"
Omi and Bijou were in temporary shock. "Did she just say...she was sorry?," Bijou stammered.
Yoji said, "Your not going anywhere, yet. Bijou, we're waiting."
"Your sorry for what?," Bijou stated with her hands on her hips and a smirk on her lips.
Everyone almost fell out from the french girl's nerve. Yoji mouthed to Bijou, "What are you doing?"
Omi leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Don't mess this up. Normally, she would of never agreed to apologize to you."
Bijou ignored them both and walked over to Ouka. Surprisingly they were the same height. Ouka moved her lips, but no sound came out. Bijou frowned kinda comically, "What did you say?"
Ouka looked her nemisis in the eyes. "I said I was sorry for picking a fight."
Bijou took a balanced step backwards and pulled both her ears out and forward, "I can't heeaaaarrrr yoooouuuu!"
"I said...I was sorry for picking a fight with you! And if you don't accept my apology right now, I'll slam my fist in your big mouth!!," Ouka yelled.
There was silence.
There was a strange stare.
There was waiting.
"Okay," Bijou shrugged and stuck out her hand. "I accept your apology."
Ouka blinked and took her hand. They shaked a firm shake.
Kandy, Yoji, and Omi all sighed. Omi leaned into Bijou, "Why'd you do that if you'd decided that you were going to accept her apology from the beginning?"
"I just like messing with her head," Bijou replied with a grin. Omi pretended as if he didn't hear that.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken ran after his student in the soccer field. He ran beside her before he was able to kick the ball from her feet. Vita chased Ken back down the field. Ken bounced the ball onto his knee and prepared for a killer kick into her unguarded goal.
Vita held her breath and the ball went in. She stopped mid-run. As Ken retrived the ball from her goal he smiled.
"One to nuthin'," he said as he tossed her the ball.
'Don't expect it to stay that way,' Vita thought as she kicked the ball in mid-throw. Ken was shocked, because he expected her to catch the ball with her hands and ruin her turn.
The ball flew over Ken's head as Vita shouldered him out of the way of a victory. Ken stumbled backwards for a little bit before regaining his balance. He took after the girl but was too late.
The ball was slamming into the net.
Ken frowned at himself for getting cocky so early in the game.
Vita retrived the ball to Ken with a small grin. She tossed it lightly to him and he caught like an obedient puppy.
"One to one."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Time Above: 4:00 pm
Time Below: 6:00 pm
*~*~*~*~*~*
*beep*
Aya looked at his watch. Nowhere near 8:00 pm. Time had flown while he was the finishing arrangements. It was now 6:00 on the dot. Aya wanted to talk to Devin, ahead of time. He pushed that thought to the back of his mind. That could wait. He wasn't off yet, there was work to do, and he didn't need to talk to Devin.
He was done.
The redhead held up a spring bouqet of flowers a man ordered for his pregant wife...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken had his hands on his knees. Panting. Sweat dripping from his brunette bangs.
Vita had her hands on her knees. Panting. Sweat dripping from her raven bangs.
Hazel eyes stared into brown eyes.
Brown eyes stared into hazel eyes.
"Ken...let's call it quits. I won," Vita whispered to the young man across from her. The wind pushed the dirty soccer ball across the grass. No more dew...the sun was going down now.
Ken fell out onto the ground below him. Poor KenKen was exhausted. When he heard Vita say she was going to give him a worthwhile challenge, he had no idea she meant a two-hour soccer match. Hell, Ken didn't even expect it to last that long. He figured that in about 40...maybe 50 minutes she'd have want to call it quits, because she was losing.
Instead, in 40 minutes their scores were tied and Vita was a ball of energy. Now they were half an hour from sunset and Vita had beat him by 3 points. If he'd had the slightest bit of energy left in him he'd win this brawl, but...he was so tired!
Vita walked over and leaned over him. Ken whispered a response to her first statement, "It's not over yet...," Vita's eyes widened in shock, "Let's make it 2 out of 3."
Upset, the young woman picked him up by the shoulders and shook him, tirelessly.
"Quit it," he said feeling his brain go to mush inside his skull.
"No! I won your little challenge, Ken. 34 to 31 should be enough! When all the kids started going home around 5, that should of told you it's over."
Ken propped himself up with his palms. "Alright, alright. I good enough of a sport to admit that I lost."
Vita offered him her hand and he accepted. Ken got the ball, while rubbing absentmindly at the bright green grass-stains...
*~*~*~*~*~*
"I better go now," Ouka announced after a long - peaceful - day at the shop.
Yoji forced himself upward from the stool he was sitting on. "You can stay longer, but if you have to leave..." It was hard to believe that Bijou and Ouka could stand each other for a few hours. What was even harder to believe was that he stayed at the shop all day...even longer than his applied shift.
"No, I have to go now," she looked over at Yoji. "It was nice this time, Bijou." Referring to her former rival.
Bijou tilted her head to the side. "Likewise, sistah."
She bid her farewells to the remaining team members and left the shop. Kandy patted the french girl on the shoulder. She looked up into the blondes eyes and sighed heavily.
"Here's to a day done well, Danger Girl," Kandy complimented.
Bijou quickly made a sour face, "Don't get comfy, Marilyn Monroe."
"You mean you were faking it the whole time!" exclaimed Yoji getting angry.
Bijou shrugged off both Yoji and his partner student.
The door opened and enter Ken and Vita. Both shiny in the stores lights, dripping with sweat and exhausted.
"Your back," Omi stated, still perched behind the register.
"Eww...you two seriously need to dry off or sumthin," frowned Kandy.
Ken was now just wearing his muscle shirt - the light bouncing off his wet chest and arms. While Vita was soaked completly.
Ken shuffled his way past Yoji.
Yoji stretched his arm out in front of Ken, "Do I really wanna to hear this?"
"I won," Vita stated still out of breath.
Ken collasped on the floor.
Suddenly the back door leading from the shop into the green house opens. Aya has his apron in his hand and hangs it up without missing a beat. He was taking his little break much earlier than he expected. He turned to see Omi dissapointed, Yoji confused, Kandy frowning, Bijou amused, Vita exhausted, and Ken passed out in the middle of the floor in his muscle shirt.
Then all eyes were turned to him.
"I -don't- wanna know."
And with that Aya left the shop. His shift would be over soon and in a few the shop would be closing anyway.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin exhaled deeply. She decided she'd be early for her and Aya's rendevous like on their last meeting...it was nicer that way. Her Infiniti sped down the streets, zipping through the normal Tokyo evening traffic. There was japanese rock on her speakers and her second conversation with Aya on her mind...
*~*~*~*~*~*
Manx pushed open the door once she got her proper commands.
"Good evening," she addressed the darkness.
"Good evening to you too, Manx. I'm hoping you have a successful status on PFA."
Manx raised a package to his eyesight. "It's as successful as a student/teacher project can get. I have a written reports from both Kudou and Tsukiyono, on Lawless and la Salle. While Hidaka and Fujimiya are steadily collecting data."
"Steadily collecting data...? Then what does that say about Yoji and Omi. Are they the slackers or the over-achivers?"
"Only time will tell, sir."
Manx placed the package on the table. A hand reached out and retrived them. A light came on and pages flipped.
"Very nice. Some sections are fewer than what we have in our records, but this still quite impressive. I should of expected that one. But several things I fear, Manx."
Manx's eyebrows raised, "Severeal fears? What are they, sir? I could easily get Weiss to take care of it. Or maybe a practice mission for PFA?"
"No...not that. Neither of that, Manx. My first concern is of Little Bijou. Omi's girlfriend is quite jealous of her."
"I know how to handle that, sir."
"Good. Problem number two. Candy is american."
"That's a problem, sir?"
"Not a problem potentially, but for her teacher, yes."
"..."
"Are you catching on, Manx?"
"I think so. Yoji will have to deal with that on his free time. And I will inform him of this."
"Nice answer. Onward to problem four-"
"Excuse me, sir. But I should be checking in on our Weiss, now."
"That's quite alright. I will write up my fears. I expect you to take care of them, Manx. For every fear and order of business you handle a bonus will be in your paycheck - especially from my heart."
"I'll get right on it, asap, sir - and thank you," Manx gave a low bow of respect to her employer.
"No, thank you, Manx. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, sir."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Finally! I though I'd never get through with this one. I should put up a mild yaoi note for the love between Ken and Aya in the description, huh? ...naaahhhhh! :D And what about Manx, Persia, and his fears? Next chapter coming up - especially since I'm feeling back into the writing mood. I haven't thought of a title yet. I think I'ma gonna name it, Down to Business(???) I dunno. Holla.