When I Don't Remember

By: Atsureki

Disclaimers : I've just bought Weiss Kreuz *nods proudly* Oh okay so I don't own them but I can dream can't I?

Warnings : Yaoi, Lemon (future chapters), OCC, angst (as usual), probably should be more warning but we'll leave it at this

Notes : Stuff written in Italic are thoughts or letters, //No Italic// are flashbacks while awake.

A note to a review I got… The warning says OOC, my warnings always says that simply because I'm not the one who created the original characters which means that it's almost impossible for me to keep them completely in character. And to Ran being OOC… In the series Ran is Aya, in here Ran is Ran or a mix of them. Ran has lost the one person he had left and even if he's not an emotinal person I can assure you that it would affect him deeply. And to the others, I've already said that I suck at Yoji's character, I just don't get him very good. Not much I can do about it. Ken on the other hand doesn't really know who he is and therefor of course is OOC. The way I let my readers know exactly what Ran is feeling is the only way for me to really show what he is feeling. I can't just assume that my readers see it the same way as I do. Without that information the story dies. I'm sorry if you don't like it but it's the way I write.

And to the whole Yakuza thing this story has plenty of chapters left…

Wow that sounded harsh and bitchy *sighs* I'll blame the heat… *nods* Now on to the next chapter…

Chapter 7. Cowboys And Weiss

There was something fishy about their trip to Montana, Aya could feel it in his bones. The first thing that had tipped him of was the trip itself, it had been arranged way too quickly. The second thing was the fact that he had seen Omi pack his darts, bow and arrows. Yoji had said that they were staying at a ranch so why would the genki blonde need his weapons? Besides, no one had stopped them at the airport even though Aya knew that along with Omi's things they also had his katana with them. The whole thing smelled Kritiker. At the moment Yoji was flirting with anyone he could get close to and Omi was asleep. Aya scowled at the lanky playboy who he was sure was behind the whole mess. The plane-ride had been long and boring but they would land in about two hours, which in Aya's head was two hours too much. A blonde stewardess approached him with a smile.
"Yes?" he asked flatly in english and glared at her.
"You rang for me Sir," she smiled at him.
"No I didn't," Aya grunted and really wanted her to just go away and leave him alone.
"Miss." Yoji smiled at the stewardess and sank down on his seat. "Excuse my grumpy friend here but he's right he didn't call for you, I did." Aya scowled again and muttered to himself.
"Well then Sir what can I do for you?" she asked softly and blushed a little.
"Oh I just couldn't end this flight without having a word with such a lovely lady as yourself," Yoji flirted and laced his voice with silk. Oh please! Aya groaned inside. He was already annoyed enough without having to listen to that crap.
"Kudou, knock it off!" the redhead snarled in japanese and glared at his team-mate.
"Not in this lifetime Fujimiya," Yoji grinned and turned his attention to the sweet stewardess.
"You know he can't help himself," Omi yawned and opened his big blue eyes.
"If he was a dog I'd have him castrated," Aya muttered sourly and turned his back to the playboy. Omi giggled and rubbed his eyes.
"I heard that," Yoji pouted at the redhead. "Don't even joke about things like that. The shear thought makes my skin crawl!"
"Your flirting makes my skin crawl so I guess we're even then," Aya huffed and closed his eyes. "And when are you two going to tell me the real reason we're on our way to Montana?"
"What do you mean?" Omi asked with his voice completely innocent.
"Knock off the innocent act Omi, I'm not buying it!"
"But I…"
"Let me handle this Omi," Yoji interrupted the younger blonde. "Aya what makes you think we're hiding something from you?" The redhead opened his eyes a little and glanced at the playboy.
"This whole thing smells Kritiker and I saw Omi pack his bow."
"So?"
"You rope cattle you don't use a bow and arrows Yoji!" Aya answered with annoyance.
"You're not gonna have anything much to do with the cattle Aya, you're gonna be way to busy with trying to catch Ken. You might need a lasso for that though," the blonde snickered and poked the redhead. Aya sighed deeply and wished he was back at the Koneko instead of on a stupid plane on his way to Montana. He wanted to see Ken again of course but he was scared and unsure of how the brunette would react.

Just as promised they were picked up from the airport by the owner of the ranch. The stocky man who greeted them looked like he had stepped right out from an episode of Bonanza and introduced himself as Hank. His teeth were brown from chewing tobacco and he smelled like he had gone a few years without showers.
"Well let's get this show on the road," Hank grinned at them and nodded to his car. "It's a long drive to the ranch from here. You're lucky it's summer, during winter we can barely get the front door open." Aya sighed deeply and glanced at the car. It looked like it would fall apart at any moment. "It'll be dark when we get there but May promised to keep dinner warm." With a deadly headache Aya got in and tried to find room enough to sit down. The whole car was packed with tools, boots, reins and ropes. It was going to be an uncomfortable drive and the redhead was fed up with it before they had even left the airport.
"Will we get to work with the cattle?" Omi asked and beamed at Hank.
"You sure will. We'll be moving them down from the mountains later this week. Most of our guests stay at the ranch though. Herding cattle is hard work especially since we have to do it by horse. But we have some help from an airplane these days. Used to take us forever to find the strays," Hank explained and allowed the car to roll away from the airport. "My boys will help you get settled and pick out horses for you tomorrow. Just let me warn you, in a few days your rumps will be tender." The cowboy chuckled and his belly bounced up and down.
"Any ladies around?" Yoji wondered and grinned from ear to ear.
"Not on the ranch, except for May of course, but there's a bar in town. Most of my boys goes there for a beer or two and to chase some skirts." Satisfied with the answer Yoji leaned back and closed his eyes. "You guys should have a talk with one of my neighbours I think he's japanese too," Hank nodded. "He's a great guy, trains the local soccer-team and he's a real devil when it comes to breaking yearlings. But he has been acting a little strange these past three months since he got back from his trip." Aya swallowed. That guy had to be Ken, or should that be Yuki? Maybe this thing was a bad idea. The redhead chewed on his lower lip and frowned. What right did he have to come barging into Ken's life again? Hadn't the brunette made it perfectly clear that he wanted nothing more to do with his old life? Aya rubbed his aching head and sighed.

Hank had said it had been dark when they had reached the Ranch and he had been correct. The cowboy's wife had had dinner ready for them but Aya had been too tired and kranky to eat anything. A night of exhausted sleep hadn't done much to change his mood. Scowling at everything the redhead waited for one of Hank's men to appear. Yoji didn't look much happier since he had been forced into a pair of jeans and a shirt that did nothing to show off his body. Omi on the other hand looked like he was in heaven. The genki youth had gone into full cowboy-mode and could barely restrain himself from bouncing up and down.
"Howdy boys," a lazy voice said and a tall lanky cowboy walked towards them. "I'm Dez." Aya glared at him.
"Howdy Dez," Omi grinned. "I'm Omi and this is Yoji and Ran." Dez nodded to them and fiddled with the belt on his jeans.
"Hank wants me to pick out some horses for you. Has anyone of you ridden before?" Yoji and Omi shook their heads while Aya nodded. His little sister had liked horses so he had been forced to go with her a few times.
"I suppose you've been doing it the english way huh?" Dez asked and eyed the tall redhead up and down.
"Excuse me?"
"I'll take that as a yes," Dez muttered and lit a cigarette. "Follow me boys." They all headed towards a paddock containing about 10 horses. Dez eyed each one of the three young men carefully and then turned to the horses. "Hm, we'll try this for now and change if needs be. Okay you boys head over to the barn and I'll get the horses." Aya frowned and took the lead. He was so not in the mood for riding or doing anything else for that matter. Why did they have to play tourists anyway? Couldn't they just go see Ken and get it over with?
"This is gonna be so much fun," Omi chirped and almost bounced beside Aya.
"If anyone sees me in this outfit it'll ruin my reputation completely," the lanky blonde complained. Aya huffed at them both and crossed his arms. It didn't take long before Dez joined them leading four horses.
"We'll start with… Omi," he said with his lazy voice and pointed to the smallest one of the horses. "This is Butter, she's a pearl. Takes real good care of you." The mare was a warm almost yellow color and had friendly eyes. "And for… what was your name Blondie?" Dez asked and looked at the lanky playboy.
"Yoji."
"Ah Yoji." Dez handed the blonde a rope. "This is Suzy, you'll have to charm her into working for you but I don't think that'll be a problem for you." Yoji grinned and patted the large bay mare.
"I know my way around the ladies."
"So I thought. And for um Red we have Buck. Stubborn and a bit grumpy but you'll manage him."
"Stubborn and a bit grumpy?" Yoji asked and smirked at Aya. "Did you mean the horse or him?" The redhead snarled something under his breath and turned to his horse. Buck was huge and almost black.
"His name's Ran!" Omi objected.
"No it's Aya!" the redhead muttered. Just because his passport said Ran it didn't mean he wanted others to call him that.
"Which one is it?" Dez asked in confusion and lead the last horse into the barn gesturing to the others to follow him.
"Red's fine," Aya sighed. It was going to be a long stay. It took a while for them to get the horses ready but Dez was patience.
"We'll start slow with a tour around the ranch so mount up." Aya had to admitt that there was something majestic about sitting on an animal made out of pure muscles and power. Buck was big and just as Dez had said not very friendly. He glanced at his team-mates. Omi had fallen in love with Butter who was just as sweet and kind as the blonde and Yoji seemed to have charmed Suzy just as he did with all females. "Is everybody ready?" Dez asked and lit another cigarette. The cowboy looked more at home on his horse than he had on the ground.
"Ready!" Omi beamed and patted Butter.
"Ready," the lanky blonde nodded.
"Aa." The four of them rode past the paddock and towards a large field. Aya relaxed and absently took in the view. The place was beautiful and it was pretty nice to be back on a horse again.

After one hour by horse Aya had to admitt that he had been enjoying himself. They had seen most of the ranch and Dez had explained what they would be doing during their stay. When they returned Yoji borrowed on of the trucks and said he was going to check out the town. Omi had gone with him which left Aya with Dez. The lanky cowboy was silence and never smiled but he was all the company the redhead could stand at the moment. Dez took him to the barn and together they started feeding the horses.
"I have to check some fences later today so if you feel up to spending a few more hours by horse you're welcome to tag along," Dez said when they were done. Aya sighed. He might as well since Yoji and Omi probably would be gone for most of the day.
"Sure."
"How come you came all the way to Montana?" The redhead winced at the question. How was he suppose to answer that?
"I don't really know Yoji and Omi dragged me along," he finally said and shrugged. Dez looked at him for a while and nodded.
"Trying to cheer you up huh?" At that Aya almost had to smile.
"Yeah."
"Sounds like good friends you got there."
"Hm," was the only thing Aya commented that with. "By the way Hank said something about a japanese neighbour."
"Ah yes. Nice kid but he is rather strange. Showed up almost two years ago, out of nowhere. He works at the horse ranch on the other side of the river but he keeps to himself most of the time now," Dez answered and shrugged. "He's my son's soccer coach." Sounded like Ken alright.
"What do you mean showed up out of nowhere?" Aya asked and tried to sound like he was just curious.
"A hiker found him up in the mountains. Appearently he doesn't remember who he is. At first he was real open and stuff but after he got back from Japan he just closed himself up. Doesn't even open up to his girlfriend anymore," Dez answered and shrugged again. Girlfriend? Aya sighed deeply. "You'll probably see him toworrow when we help Kate bring down the horses. Yuki usually helps her too." Oh great, Aya thought and sighed again. He was going to meet his former lover again along with his girlfriend.
"I see." Dez looked at him for a while and raised an eyebrow.
"Well it's time for lunch." The redhead nodded and followed Dez to the main building.

Just as Aya had thought Yoji and Omi were gone most of the day and didn't return until it was dark. There was something strange with the two blondes when they got back. Omi seemed concerned and Yoji was very quiet.
"So did you boys enjoy yourselves?" Hank asked them when they sat down to have supper.
"Um yes," Omi mumbled and concentrated on his food.
"What did you two do in town exactly?" Aya asked his friends in japanese and glared at them.
"Nothing much," Yoji answered and refused to look at the redhead.
"Spill it Kudou!" Aya demanded and glared even harder.
"We might as well tell him Yoji," Omi said quietly and glanced at the taller blonde.
"You were asking questions about Ken weren't you?" Aya asked flatly. Yoji looked at him and sighed.
"Not exactly. Listen Aya, we'll talk about this later okay, this is not the time nor the place."
"Yoji's right," Omi agreed softly. "Besides, it's very rude of us to speak japanese." Aya huffed but nodded reluctlently and glanced at the other people around the table. They might not be able to understand what the three men were saying but it hadn't escaped them that the conversation wasn't very friendly.
"When we get out of here you two better tell me what the hell is going on here!" the redhead muttered and turned his attention to the food.
"We will Ran," Yoji sighed in english. They finished their supper in silence and then excused themselves.

"You were right all along Aya, Kritiker arranged this trip," Omi said when they had settled down in their room.
"Manx wants us to see if we can figure out what happened to Fukunishi and Ken once they got here. It seems like Hattori is getting restless back in Tokyo."
"What do you mean Yoji?" Aya asked and frowned.
"His men were spotted watching the Koneko and Manx told us that Ken was followed when he left for the airport," the lanky blonde answered slowly. "The freelance yakuza are having problems with the clan yakuza in Tokyo. Hattori needs to wipe out some of the competition and to do that he needs the information in that folder you were talking about."
"But I destroyed it."
"So Manx said but Hattori probably doesn't know that. Kritiker is worried that they're going after either us or Ken. We have no way of knowing if Ken said anything about us when Fukunishi grabbed him or if any information got through to Hattori," Omi sighed. "When we were in town earlier we asked around for Fukunishi but no one seems to have seen or had any contact with him. I think Ken killed him before he lost his memory and if I'm right we have to make sure no one has found his body. Because if they have they'll arrest Ken for it." Aya growled to himself. Omi was right. "We don't know where Fukunishi took Ken, all we have is the location where he was found. That's why we wanted to tag along when Hank and the others bring down the cattle. It gives us a great excuse to snoop around."
"The bad news is that we're going to get some horses tomorrow and Dez told me that we'll probably run into Yuki," Aya sighed.
"Since when did you go back to calling him Yuki?" Yoji asked and raised an eyebrow.
"This was a bad idea! Yuki made it clear that he didn't want anything to do with us and now thanks to you two we're barging into his life again," Aya growled and ignored the question.
"Are you stupid?" Yoji snapped and glared at his team-mate. "Don't you understand that Ken's in danger?! If Hattori was desperate enough to send his best man and Ken all the way over here to get the information two years ago what makes you think he isn't desperate enough to send someone over here to kill Ken now?"
"Yoji is right. Manx has a real problem with locating Hattori but even worse is that it seems like he has a new guy working for him. Fukunishi was bad enough but this new guy is worse," Omi nodded. "His name is Dean Walker and not only is he an ex Marine but he's also a former FBI-agent. Dean's smart, powerfull and has enough connections over here to really mess things up and… Manx can't find him." Aya rubbed his temples and cursed. Hattori and his damn yakuza was becoming a real bother and they weren't acting the way they should. They weren't a real clan yakuza so they shouldn't have enough money or power to cause so much problems.
"Ken is in some deep shit here Aya. If Dean gets to him he'll try to get the information but Ken doesn't have it, he can't even remember ever having it! You do understand what that means don't you?" Yoji sighed.
"He'll kill him," Aya said and forced his voice to sound bland.
"Yes. I suggest you try to talk to Ken, make him understand how dangerous this is and get him out of sight."
"How am I suppose to do that Yoji?"
"We'll figure something out Aya-kun," Omi said softly. "Let's just see how Ken reacts tomorrow and go from there."

~TBC~

Note: Hank is a copy of a relative of mine who's a farmer *chuckles* Trust me cows smell *wrinkles nose* I should know I've worked with both cows and pigs *eak* Messy bussiness. Does Ran know how to ride? Now he does at least. *laffs* There is nothing more sexy than a good-looking bloke on a horse *drools*

This chapter is a bit babblin and I'm sorry 'bout that but I needed to set up a background ne? And btw I have never been anywhere near Montana *pouts* So please forgive me if I'm making it sound completely wrong *sighs* I couldn't very well send them to Sweden now could I???/Atsureki