My Brother's Keeper By Cheeky

Disclaimer: Ayashi no Ceres belongs to Watase Yuu. Don't own so don't sue.

Warnings: This fic contains spoilers as the foundation of my fic is based loosely on the anime/manga. Nevertheless, the content will become dissimilar in future chapters to come.

Notes: *author distributes Tooya x Aki banners to everyone reading this fic* Nyahahahahah… feel free to ask for more, plenty stocked up in my closet!! Thanks lots for reading and reviewing, I can hardly believe that there are so many Tooya x Aki devotees out there. *snorts* Heeeey, why aren't there more fics of this pairing then?? Write too!!

To:

Iron Mouse ~ Awesome?? *blush blush* No lah… just a freaky fan of yaoi. ^^

KIM!!! ~  Nyahahahahaha… I honestly thought I would do a Sanzo x Hakkai fic first, but this pairing was too cute for words. ^^ And since there aren't any TxA written… *laughs* Temptation, temptation. ^______^

Rhapsody ~ Not brave either. *still blushing* Just a mad yaoi fan. ^________^ Ehehe, you wanna write a TxA too?? To quote, 'we need more yaoi fanfiction'!! Nyahahahahah… Neways, changes from anime/manga starts in this chapter. A tad angst-like, but not too tragic. Ah, the power that is true love. *smirk smirk* Oooh, if I do get flamed, I'm depending on readers like to you to save me from turning into a charcoal fox!! ^^

EeGuaNa ~ Nyahahahahaha, I like iguanas too!! Neways, no need to shout. I get your point. ^________^

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Chapter Three ~ An Unexpected Confession

Aya emerged from the bathroom refreshed after a clean wash. Her eyes softened considerably upon seeing Tooya's head lolling forward as he slouched against the sofa, hands stuffed inside his jeans pockets. The drive to Tooya's apartment had been intense with an indescribable tension hanging heavily in the air. Tooya had remained sullen as he kept his eyes steady on the road and Aya was led to believe that it was because he was angry with her. Truth be told, Tooya's mind was actually filled with thoughts of Aki. The redhead didn't trust Kagami anymore than the celestial angel would trust Shiso, but Tooya knew better than to argue. At least Kagami would make sure of Aki's welfare.

Tooya's head abruptly snapped up as Aya gingerly took up a seat adjacent to the man. With a small smile, Aya asked as she leaned forward slightly, "You said you would tell me everything."

Tooya didn't smile back as he answered stiffly, "I will tell you what I know. It's not much, given that my memory had been wiped out by Kagami."

"Kagami?" echoed Aya in confusion.

Tooya nodded, "That cousin of yours. Aki is under his custody now."

"Aki… Why did they take him?" voiced out Aya with deep concerned.

The redhead sighed with resignation, "To keep him away from you of course."

Aya expressed her thoughts tentatively, "Ceres tried to kill him again, didn't she?"

Tooya offered a wordless nod to which Aya added sadly, "I don't understand. Why must these things happen to me, and to Aki? What have we done to deserve it?"

Rubbing his eyes tiredly over his eyes, Tooya leaned forward in his seat as he exhaled deeply, "As direct descendants of the celestial angel, you really don't have much say in the manner. Your paths have already been decided since generations ago."

Aya looked steadily at Tooya as she asked, "What about you? What role do you play in this?"

Tooya offered a mirthless laugh as he answered, "Me? I am nothing more than just a hired bodyguard for your brother."

"So why didn't you try to kill me?" questioned Aya with unmasked curiosity.

Tooya snorted as he stood up to face the balcony. Sliding open the glass doors, Tooya breathed in deeply as the wind played with his red locks.

"Aki would be unhappy if you died."

The redhead suddenly lunged forward as a pair of warm arms engulfed him from behind in a bear hug. With her cheek pressed against the wide shoulders, Aya shakily asked, "And you, will you be unhappy if I died?"

Tooya gently disengaged the girl's arms as he turned to face Aya. There was a hint of gentleness in his voice as he replied, "My feelings are irrelevant. You still have that boy, Yuuhi. I can tell he genuinely cares for you."

Aya cried out passionately, "But it's you I love!"

The man started shaking his head as he held up a finger against the pair of rosy lips to silent the choking sob.

"No. My priorities lie with Aki."

Aya couldn't help but complain in frustration, "It's always Aki this, Aki that. Why won't you acknowledge my feelings for you?"

"Because…"

Tooya bit back his words as he abruptly turned away before stepping out into the balcony. Leaning his arms against the railing, the man paid no heed to the look of utter misery on Aya's face. Placing her hand on Tooya's sleeve, Aya added softly, "Why? If you didn't love me, why did you save my life? Why did you kiss me?"

Ten fingers gripped the railing as Tooya hissed out, "Stop. I've already told you. I saved your life because I didn't want Aki to be sad. I kissed you because, because… I wanted you to shut up."

Aya screamed back loudly, "Liar! I don't believe you!"

Tooya whirled round sharply to face the crying girl as he shouted back heatedly, "How many times must I repeat myself? I don't love you. I love your brother."

With a stricken look on his face, Tooya suddenly dropped to the floor as he drew his knees against his chest. Biting down hard on his lower lip, he ran his hands through his dark hair before looking helplessly upwards at Aya, "Do you understand what I'm trying to say? I love Aki. Not you."

Aya weakly fell to her knees as she stared at the man before her. After several moment of silence, Aya finally spit out harshly, "What a fool I must have been to you."

Tooya merely hung his head wordlessly as he stared at his feet. Unable to stay in the same room as Tooya, Aya's fists clenched tightly as she abruptly stood up, "I need some time to think."

A muffled voice escaped from beneath, "You can sleep in my bed tonight. We'll talk again tomorrow."

Aya stiffly nodded as she reentered the living room. It was all too much for the sixteen-year-old to absorb. It had never once crossed the girl's mind that her male twin would be the one to compete for her first love's affection. Damn it, but she saw Tooya first. Aki had absolutely no right to take him away from her. Why must life be so bloody unfair? Being the firstborn, Aki had always been the favourite of the family. Whenever a choice came up, it was Aki who ultimately made the final decisions.

"But he didn't choose for this to happen," a quiet voice mused inside Aya's mind. Tiredly, Aya fell against the bed as she stared desolately upwards. She admitted that she was jealous of her brother. Aki was undoubtedly smarter and much more popular than she was. And funnily enough, Aya had always had the opinion that Aki was actually the more beautiful twin of the two.

No wonder Tooya fell for him…

Aya smacked her forehead with the base of her palm as she chided herself for her shallowness. This was not the time to think about love. Her brother who had always been there for her, her brother who had always put Aya before himself, was now absent from her life. She still had her freedom, while Aki had been forcefully taken away.

The girl bit down on the back of her palm to stop the tears threatening to fall. She missed Aki's infectious laughter, missed his cheerful voice and his jovial presence. Aya wanted him back, more than anything in the world.

The true extent of Aya's feelings for her brother came crashing down when she realized that she wanted her brother back even more than earning Tooya's love.

After all, blood was thicker than water…

t.b.c.