Second Chance
Disclaimer: Nope don't own them, but darn it if I did, I'd share with everyone
Warnings: New charas, AU, cursing
Rated: PG-13 Just to be on the safe side
Archive: Here, that's about it. If any one wants to, they can put my story up on their site, as long as you e-mail and tell me, so I can visit and check it out.
*Notes* An AU that takes place after the series and Aya's sister has not awaken from her coma yet.
Feedback: Most definitely welcome, flames will be looked at, laughed at, and kept for those long cold winter nights with Aya and Omi (Gets that far away look) *Giggles*
blah blah' - indicating thought
~^~ * ~^~ - indicating a memory or dream
Sunlight pried Yoshi's eyes open and she waved a hand as if to get rid of the pesky annoyance, trying to pull the blanket tighter around her body. Finding nothing to grab she twisted to her back and stretched an arm out, coming on contact with the mattress that had been recently slept on by another occupant.
Bolting up, Yoshi remembered last night and she blushed. How could I have done that. Asking him to stay with me, what did I do fall asleep in his arms. What did he do? Fall asleep holding me. Oh I am such an idiot!' Alone with her thoughts she didn't feel quite so abashed and she scooted to the end of the bed. She ran her hand over the dwindling warmth that Aya's body had created against the cool mattress and drew away from it as if she was burnt.
She then touched the orange turtleneck shirt that she wore. This is his.' Suddenly feeling repulsive and that she was invading space, the woman in a violent manner, tore the shirt off and flung it across the room. She bent down and retrieved a forest green long sleeved shirt from her pack and slipped it over her head.
To hide my past,' she thought making sure the long sleeves were straight. Discarding the shorts, she pulled yesterdays jeans on and barely finished buttoning them when Omi rushed in, not even bothering to knock. Yoshi calmly made sure she was fully dressed before reacting.
she yelled in a scolding manner.
The teen blushed furiously and covered his eyes, even though Yoshi was fully dressed. Oops, sorry about that Yoshi.
Yoshi managed a smile. It's okay, what did you want?
With his eyes still closed, Omi replied excitedly, I found you a job.
the woman said, her moment of embarrassment of the previous night forgotten.
Omi said opening his eyes. But I think all of us want to tell you. He grabbed Yoshi's wrist gently and pulled her to the kitchen. Yoshi ran her fingers through her hair, trying to look semi presentable despite just waking up. Everyone except Aya was there, breakfast already made and set out. Yoji and Ken sat at the table, one half asleep and the other enjoying the paper and cup of coffee. As soon as the two entered Yoji brought his head and smiled.
Hello pretty lady, welcome to your first day of hell, he said stealing Ken's cup of coffee.
The brown haired man set the paper he was reading down. Today, you work with us. Where'd my coffee- Yoji!
You get to be a florist, Omi explained at the confused expression Yoshi gave them.
A brief empty smile flashed across the silver haired woman's face and she sat in one of the chairs in an almost blind state. She took Ken's coffee cup and took a sip, wrinkling her nose at the strong flavor and passed it back to Yoji. She turned her sapphire gaze to each man.
Thank you guys, she said, tears springing to her eyes. You have no idea how much this means to me.
Don't thank us, Ken said. Even though Omi suggested it, Aya was the one who gave it the final okay.
The woman turned in her seat to see the red haired man standing beside her, rubbing a towel through his hair one last time. He then draped it across his shoulders.
Thank you Aya, Yoshi said standing to her feet. She didn't look him fully in the eye but rather at his chin.
The man grunted softly. It was Omi who wanted you to have a job. He sidestepped the woman and poured himself a cup of brewing coffee. Bringing it to his lips, he paused. You better get ready. We open exactly at eight and it's a Saturday.
Yoji groaned as if he was dying. Oh man as if it wasn't bad on a school day.
Whats the the matter Yoji, Ken asked innocently, I thought you liked all that attention.
Yeah but from woman.
Omi looked at him funny, while Aya raised an eyebrow.
That didn't sound right, did it, Yoji asked.
Ken said.
I thought so, but I'm too tired to care.
Late night at the clubs?
Yoji choose not to answer Aya. He glanced at the wall mounted clock. Oh shit! I've only got fifthteen minutes to take a shower and get dressed. The blond man jumped to his feet and with the aid of Ken's newly refilled coffee cup he was off.
Ken looked down at his wrist watch. An audible sound of disgust and cursing that would make a sailor blush was heard from the bathroom. Salt. Not just for cooking. The man stood and headed downstairs, laughing all the way.
Yoshi managed a expression that could only be a mix of horror and amusement before Omi was at her side, asking her something.
Are you ready?
What? No, er yes. I don't know, the woman's voice seemed flustered. I have no idea how to be a florist.
It's okay, Omi said in a reassuring tone. I'll show you, it's not that hard.
The woman nodded her head. I have to change. I'll be right back. Yoshi disappeared into the back.
You like her, don't you. Omi jumped at Aya's voice. He had forgotten the assassin was even in the room. He turned to stare at the man with a demeaning attitude.
I make her feel appreciated and that she's welcome here. Omi didn't have to continue for the other man to understand what he was saying. The teenager left in search of shoes leaving Aya to himself.
Abyssian sighed and leaned wearily against the counter. Damn that woman.'
+~+~+~+
Good God, Yoji said, halting on the last step of the Flower shop. It's like a wave of rampaging hormones. His comment was of course directed at the group of giggling school girls who were waiting outside the Koneko. It was still five to eight and already a hoard of girls had gathered. One of them had their face plastered to the window, leaving a design of mist from her breath.
Ken looked up from one of the tables he was sitting at and watched the girl write something in the fogged glass. She smiled and winked. Ken flushed a deep scarlet and Yoji craned his neck to read the love letter.
Snorting with laughter, Yoji shook his head and grabbed the keys to unlock the door. He passed by Omi who ducked quickly behind the counter.
Hiding Omi?
A thump followed by a low curse answered him. The teenager appeared rubbing his head while winching. he said placing the small flowerpot he found on the grained surface of the counter and glared at the tall man.
My, Aya would be so proud of the progress of your glare, Yoji teased continuing to the door.
The giggling mass moved closer while the blond man unlocked the door. Before he could open it, the sea of hormones pushed through almost sweeping Yoji away. He dramatically clung to the door but the onrush of moving bodies proved too much. As a last minute attempt to save himself, he made a swim for it but was sucked into the under tow.
Yoji knock it off, Aya's voice said sternly as he appeared, glaring at the man who stood at least a foot taller then the sea of girls.
Sheesh, ruin all my fun why don't ya.
The red haired man said nothing as he tied the brown smock around his waist.
Look, they're all here, one of the girls squealed.
Oh Omi could you help me.
No, I saw him first.
Ken, what are these called again.
Those are Lilies, Ken answered the voice, not knowing where it had come from the group that had surrounded him.
Oh of course, how silly of me.
Yoji, can you help me then.
It's like being in cute guy Heaven.
An elderly lady sat in a rocking chair, smiling and petting her cat. No one bothered her unless it was of the utmost importance.
The elderly woman looked up into the face of a young woman. She smiled and sat next to her. My names Yoshi.
Hello dear, my name is Momoe, the elderly woman replied, giving a slight bow of her head. May I help you with something.
Oh no thanks. I'm just waiting for Omi to show me how to do this. Yoshi paused at the older woman's look of questioning. Yoshi smiled oddly before continuing. It's kind of a long story but what it all boils down to is your florists gave me a second chance at life.
Isn't that just like them, Momoe replied, absentmindedly petting the orange and white cat on her lap. Always taking care of others and not thinking about themselves.
What do you mean?, Yoshi asked shifting to face the elderly woman.
You see some of these boys act like they don't have a heart, but if you watch them carefully. She trailed off, leaving the rest for Yoshi. Momoe patted the silver haired woman on the knee. You better get going, it looks like our young fellow has a break.
Thank you miss Momoe, Yoshi said standing. It was nice talking to you.
My pleasure dear. I'm always here if you need to talk.
Omi hopped onto the counter and sighed. Finally,' he said to himself. I get a break.'
The teen jumped at the voice in his ear and almost lost his balance, he turned to see Yoshi smirking at him. Hey yourself Omi's eyes widened and he didn't mean to stare but when he saw the sapphire dress she wore, all the goofy emotions came back and he felt himself blushing.
Do you think this is appropriate to wear to work, she asked looking back down at her clothing as she was wearing rags to a ball.
It looks great Yoshi, Omi managed to say without trying to trip over himself as he jumped off the counter.
Hot damn Yosh!, Yoji's voice called across the room making the woman duck her head as everyone of the giggling schoolgirls stopped what they were doing and turned to see who Yoji was yelling at. It was if the room's temperature raised fifteen degrees at all the death, destruction, die' looks that were projected at the silver haired woman who shifted uncomfortably. Angry mummers rose from the collection of females.
Who's that?, a voice sneered.
I didn't know they were hiring, another one said dreamily.
Who does she think she is?, one snapped.
Look at the way she's dressed.
I know, what rags.
Pay no attention to them, a voice whispered next to Yoshi's ear and she turned already knowing who it was.
She gave a slight nod of her head and the man went back to sweeping.
All right, Omi said smiling. I'll show you how to be a florist. The first thing you need to know is your type of flowers that you can use for different arrangements. This is a Chrysanthemum and this is a Tiger Lily, these over here are daisies.
I know what those are, Yoshi said. She pointed a slim finger at a flowerpot filled with purple flowers. Those are violets and those are roses, Holly berries, Snap Dragons, Bird of Paradise, Peace Lilies, and Angel's Trumpet.
Ken's voice behind them, made them turn. That's amazing, you know all those flowers. How do you know them?
I spent a night in a library and couldn't sleep, the silver haired woman answered.
Ken trailed off, unsure of what to say.
It's okay, it was snowing and I was glad to get out of the cold. Of course, I did get into trouble with the Liberian but she was a nice woman and she let me go with a free meal. I can't help but think about her, every time it snows.
Omi couldn't help the sad look he gave the woman. She had, had a tough life and to have just a little bit of help made her cherish every bit of it.
Yeah Yoshi.
I'm not Yoshi, a girl with black pigtails answered crossly. I'm Amy.
Oh, I'm sorry, how may I help-, Omi's voice was cut off when the girl grabbed his arm and pulled him to some flowers. The teenager looked helplessly back at Yoshi. Just give me a few minutes.
He's not coming back any time soon, Ken said chuckling. So if you want, I'll show you, unless you want Omi to.
Yoshi cast a glance at the preoccupied teen. No, that's okay, I don't want to bother Omi. I'm all your's Ken.
Well knowing flowers is pretty much a major step in being a florist. The next thing is to know how to arrange the flowers and what the customers wan- Yoshi couldn't help but sigh as the brown haired man was drug off by three demanding girls.
This seems to be a little redundant.
Happens all the time Yosh.
The silver haired woman turned to Yoji who was watering some nearby Geraniums. Really Yoj.
There is an I' at the end of my name pretty lady.
As well as mine.
Yoji grinned and titled his sunglasses up. Brains and Beauty, is there anything you can't do?
Be a florist.
The blond man chuckled. That's where I come in. Now lets do this before I too get sucked away. The important thing in being a florist is understanding flowers. Now before you start thinking I'm crazy, just listen. Anyone can know the names of flowers, but it's a florist who understands how certain colors blend harmonically and others that clash . . . like Aya's hair and his orange shirt for example.
The man never paused in sweeping, except to avoid colliding with the giggling schoolgirls feet that surrounded him.
These two colors together hurt my eyes. Now your dress and eyes go perfectly together. Your eyes match your dress and makes your hair pale slightly but accentuates your ivory skin.
We're talking about flowers not me, Yoshi said, crossing her arms and trying to look annoyed without succeeding.
Yoji answered picking up a small vase of flowers. Ken almost finished these, now there's something missing. What is it?
Yoshi studied the vase of purple and blues and gave the man a blank look.
Okay, all right. I'll give you some clues. Every color matches perfectly, the heights fine, but what's wrong with it?
The woman's brow creased in thought. It seems too depressing.
What was that again.
It . . . doesn't seem to fit all together. It . . .
Go on.
Well . . . I was watching Ken earlier and his work doesn't seem to fit with this. This seems odd, like you said the colors match but there's no harmony to it, it's just there. Everything has a structure and if you take just one thing from it, it can either collapse or pull it together. I think Ken was preoccupied when he was working with this.
Yoji tilted his head and cast his emerald eyes over the bouquet of flowers. Well. . . um that's good but that's not what I was talking about.
Yoshi said. What were you talking about?
I was talking about-, Yoji's voice was cut off when one of the teenage girls attached herself onto his arm and batted her lashes.
Yoji, come and help me with something.
I'm very busy miss, perhaps one of the others can help you.
No Yoji, I want your help, the girl whined tugging on the man's arm.
Yoshi managed a small smile and held a hand up. The costumer's always right.
The blond man turned his gaze to the silver haired woman, it almost radiated the words, I hate you.'
Yoshi waved her fingers as the man was tugged away. She turned to the vase of flowers she was looking at and pulled a few violet colored flowers from it and replaced it with some tiny yellow ones.
What did you do?, a voice screeched from behind her. Yoshi whirled around at the harshness of the voice, knocking over the vase as she did so. It crashed on the tiled ground and shattered into pieces. Eyes widening she looked in the direction of the voice then back at the fallen flowers.
What a clumsy fool, the same voice said, coming from a blond haired woman. She frowned fiercely at Yoshi who began to breath heavily, her hands shaking she sank to her knees to pick up the broken pieces of the vase.
I can't believe she works here.
She's so clumsily.
Aya should fire her.
Yoshi's eye blurred as she gathered a few pieces of the glass vase, almost slicing herself. She trembled, as the feet around her kicked around. An old feeling of living the streets came back and her throat tightened.
Rising to her feet, she let the pieces of glass in her hands fall, shattering into smaller bits catching the attention of the florists.
Ken was the closet to the woman. He reached a hand out to place it on her shoulder when she whirled around, a hand coming up to block his arm.
I... I'm sorry, she whispered and fled to the back stock room. Closing the door behind her, she sank to the ground, her breath coming out little wisps of white as the cooler above her kept the cut flowers fresh. Yoshi dropped her head to her tucked up knees and sighed shakily. What am I doing. I can't do this.'
a deep soft voice came from above her. The woman ignored the man who kneeled next to her. Are you all right?
What do you care, the woman spat, not meaning to sound mean.
There was a long pause then a hand rested tentively on her shoulder. Stand up.
Yoshi lifted her head to stare into the violet gaze that burned fiercely, etching into her soul. Her own dark eyes silently challenged him to do something. The man brought his tall frame closer to the woman, extending his hand out. The woman glanced at the hand then back into the pools of violet.
I can't make you stand but I can help. The silver haired woman slowly reached her hand out and slid it into the man's. Her cold ivory skin warming at the touch of the man who hadn't spent the last few minutes in the cold stock room.
The red haired man easily pulled Yoshi to her feet, his sharp violet eyes locking once again with hers. The woman pulled away abruptly, keeping her eyes to the ground.
Come on, the man said finally breaking the silence. You look like you need some air.
(Staring off into space clutching a DVD in her hands)
Rae: OMWOS got the third arch in Weiss Kreuz, Lonely Hearts.
Ahhhh poor Omi.
Rae: (Pats OMWOS on the arm) There there.
Shudig's voice is so. . . sexy.
Rae: o_O
Farfie is so cool.
Rae: x_x;