Disclaimer: I do not own Weiss.
A/N: Oh my god! Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry! You would not believe how busy I am! I'll try my best to update when I can! I am so sorry! Gah, gotta pick up the pace. Yeah, well, getting on with it, Omi is coming back! So expect a lot of your questions to be answered in the next few chapters.
Chapter 9: There's no place like home
Soft, warm, water, filled with bubbles lapped against the white tub sides. JT reclined, his body covered in a blanket of white fluff. His Uncle Ken sat on the toilet beside him, watching him carefully. Opening one aqua eye the teen groaned.
"You know, Uncle Ken, I'm not 5 anymore, I can bathe myself alone. Why are you watching me so closely?"
Ken frowned. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay, you've had an exciting night. Do you want to talk about anything? I'll tell you anything, just ask. It's all right to be afraid."
"I didn't say I was afraid. I'm just tired and want to take a bath."
"Of course you do, I was just worried."
JT sat up and leaned against the side, staring at his uncle. "Why do you worry so much about me? I am old enough to take care of myself. Why do all three of you watch me so much?"
Ken faltered, he wasn't aware of the fact he was over bearing, nor the other two elders of the family were.
"I, uhm, well, I just worry is all. We saw what happened to Omi and after that we figured we had to keep a close eye on you to make sure nothing happened to you. Maybe someday you'll understand that the rules we make and instill are meant for your safety, but I'm sure right now at your age all you want to do is run wild, right?"
He nodded, sinking back into the tub. Ken knelt down beside him and gently put his hand on the boy's head.
"JT, it may not seem like it, but to us you are more than a 'nephew' or the son of a friend, to all of us you are as close to a son that we will ever have. When we thought Omi had died we took you in and promised to give you all of the love that you deserve, the love a son deserved. We all knew none of us would ever have children, but you were special to us, you gave us a chance to make amends for all the bad we had done. So please don't ever think that you aren't important to us or that we don't care."
JT looked up at his uncle. "What happened to you to make you do these things in the first place?"
The sudden change of expression on his uncle's face warned the boy not to push further. Looking down into the bubbly water he was surprised when his uncle began to speak again.
"I used to be a professional soccer player. I was headed for the big times, I was a star on the field. Unfortunately I was double-crossed by someone I trusted more than anyone else in the world. He gave me a drink that was spiked with drugs. When I failed in that one game everything I had worked for shattered. After awhile I gave up hope on my career and began to coach little kids, on the side, since after a year I had become part of Weiss. ...We all have pasts, JT, just make sure you don't pry too deep. You may find that you can't take the truth."
The ex-professional soccer player rose to his feet and turned his back to the teen and walked to the door.
"I'll leave you alone for now. I'll come and check on you when you go to bed, okay?"
"Uh, yes Uncle Ken, I'll see you in a few minutes."
When the room was successfully empty, beside him, JT sighed loudly and fell back into the water, letting it cover up every inch of his body. As he lay on his back, staring at the ripples the water above him made, he wondered about the rest of his uncles. He figured Aya's secret had to do with his sister and her getting hit by a car and revenge and the sort, but Youji he simply couldn't figure out.
Sitting up, letting the water run off his body, the youth grabbed the laid out towel and wrapped it securely around his body. He quickly and quietly made his way down to his uncle's room, making sure Ken didn't hear or see him. When he arrived at the door he hesitantly knocked, waiting to be let in. After a moment Youji appeared, slightly surprised to see him.
"JT, this is a surprise, what do you need? Isn't it time for you to go to bed."
"I want to know why you joined Weiss, uncle. Tell me, please."
The older man was surprised by the boy's firm tone. He was acting maturer than he ever had. Bending his head in defeat Youji nodded.
"All right, go back to your room and change, I'll be there in a minute."
Nodding as well the boy ran off to get ready for bed. Standing in his doorway Youji watched him run off, thinking of things he hadn't for years. Curling his hand into a fist he frowned then made his way down the hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JT pulled on his nightshirt and soft pants and jumped into bed. He pulled the blankets onto his lap and waited for his uncle to come. After a five- minute lapse the blonde playboy entered, apparently after a few drinks.
Youji stumbled his way over to the boy in bed, then plopped himself onto the chair kept beside the bed. He took a moment to glance around his surroundings then stared at the teen.
"Whassup?"
"Uh..." JT stared at his wasted uncle. Shaking his head aggravated he shook his fists. "You're drunk, Uncle Youji! We were supposed to have a heart to heart talk! Now look at you!"
"I'm not drunk, I just need a few drinks to get my nerves down."
The slurred manner of his voice and his rising and falling tone did nothing to help his argument. With a loud burp he continued.
"You wanted to know why I joined Weiss, right? Lesse...I used to be a PI but when my partner died I joined Weiss, end of story."
JT rolled his eyes. "That's good enough for me, Uncle. Do I need to walk you to your room or can you make it yourself?"
The blonde puffed himself up. "I can do it myself!"
Walking from the room he stumbled carelessly over some scattered clothes, commenting on how they weren't there when he had walked in. Smiling the young teen laid himself down to bed, letting the lessons of the day swirl in his mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What did he mean "I'll return when you're ready'? We've waited for years, we are ready!"
Aya glanced over at Ken, who was working himself up into a frenzy. He knew JT was in bed and Youji should be up there was well, keeping an eye on him. Giving a half smile he opened his mouth to speak.
"Omi isn't waiting for us to be ready, he's waiting for JT. He hasn't been around for the boy, ever, he needs to get used to the idea first, rather than have his long lost father walk into his life in one day. It's for him."
Ken frowned. "I suppose, but how do you think he'll know? JT will adjust quickly, I think."
"I'm sure he'll just sense it. I've heard that parents have a great sense of knowledge when it comes to their children."
"Let's hope, I don't want him to be running around for too long, Schwartz might find him again."
Violet eyes closed, as if in pain. "At least we know that Kritiker was wrong; he is still alive."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.Dull aqua eyes stared up at the ceiling. The crack was still there, still the same as always. Rolling over on his side JT stared blankly at his floor, scattered with papers, clothes and anything else that made its way into his room and never made its way back out.
His uncles were down in the basement, as usual, blaming him, he guessed, for the lack of their former team member. It wasn't fair, life just isn't fair. Why did all of these things have to happen? He didn't want anything more from life than to be happy with his family.
When there was a soft knock on the door JT perked up.
"Who is it?" He called.
"Ken, Can I come in?"
"Yes!"
The soccer teacher walked in and, by habit, went to the chair by the bed. Sitting down he sighed. In all the years he had spent with his uncles the teen knew exactly when he was going to be lectured.
"I didn't do it." He responded quickly.
"What?"
"I didn't ask him to stay away, he just did."
The confusion subsided and left Ken a bit struck, the kid knew more about reading them than he let on. Smiling dully he nodded.
"Yes, I know you didn't. I was just wondering if you missed him at all. Do you want him back?"
JT frowned, turning his gaze to his green bed cover. He hadn't really thought about wanting him back, he just thought of him being back. In all of his absence over the years he supposed that yes he did miss him and yes he did want him back.
"Yes, I do want him to come back. Then we can be a family again, right Uncle Ken?"
Ken smiled. "Yes, then we'll be a family. A rather odd family with a few skeletons in the closet, but a family."
JT laughed shortly. "I have a drunk uncle, an over protective mother hen figure, a cold-trying-to-be-nice uncle and a father that's been missing for 13 years, what a family."
"Who was it that started calling me a 'mother hen'? It isn't funny! Stop it! I just worry, okay!"
JT began to laugh full heartedly. Shaking his head he waved his hand about. When he regained the ability to speak again it was in between giggles.
"I think the description just fit you. But, any ways, I'm sure father will return soon. I can sense him, I always have, he's eager to come home as well."
Ken gave the youth an odd look. "What do you mean you can 'sense him'?"
Aqua eyes shut, then opened again with strain in them. "I've always felt him. Through his wanderings, his toils, through everything I've felt him, thinking of me, of you, his hopes for our future. We're bound by something. I can't explain it well, but I just know."
The ex-J leaguer frowned a bit. "Yes, I see. Well, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. Remember, if you need anything I'm only a yell away."
The dirty blonde turned to smile at his uncle. "I know, thank you Uncle Ken."
With a smile and a pat on the head the over protective but well meaning Ken left the room and the teen who was currently mentally debating what to do on his day off, sleep in or sleep in and then take a nap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a late Sunday night when things began to pick up again. Aya and JT were down in the mission room, sitting on the couch, doing algebra. JT was rolling on the ground by now, tearing his hair out and yelling while Aya rolled his eyes and shouted at him to concentrate and not get discouraged.
"Okay, this is easy, JT, what is X+X?"
"Uhm...X squared?"
Aya slammed his head onto the thick textbook. Trying to teach this kid was like trying to get a cockroach to sing and dance to Madonna. Sighing agitatedly he shook his head.
"No, its 2X, what is so hard about that!?"
JT frowned, getting up from the floor he pulled his bangs in front of his eyes. "I need to take a walk, I need to clear my head, okay? I'll be back in a bit."
Before the red head could answer the youth was up the stairs, out the door and down the street. Youji and Ken had seen him leave and came down to see Aya.
"What was that all about? Isn't it a bit late for him to be going out?" the playboy asked, hands on hips.
Again Aya shook his head. "He's just frustrated since he can't get his math. He's doing okay in history and science but he's terrible in math. I'm sure he just needed a break and some fresh air."
Ken looked up the stairs wearily. "I hope..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The air was a crisp, cool wave that washed over him. JT walked slowly along side of the bay. There were few people and the boats were scarce. Normally he would have been weary of deserted dark places but he felt no danger, or at least he wasn't trying to sense it. As he walked he began to feel funny, a new feeling was nestling into his heart, it felt odd to him, but he knew he had felt it before.
As he walked further away from his safe haven the feeling got stronger and he soon realized he was being drawn to something. When he reached a specifically dark corner of the walkway he changed direction and pace and ran head long into the forest. As he ran branches hit him in the face and tried desperately to trip him, but he wouldn't let them prevail.
Soon the teen was out of breath and had to stop. As he walked slowly in the dark woods he felt a feeling of well being wash over him. What ever he was being taken to meant him no harm and wanted him to come. Soon the dark began to glow in a strange golden glow. When he looked closer he saw a small thicket of wooded area emanating a great deal of light. As he entered he smiled instantly and looked about.
What looked like hundreds of fireflies were buzzing around the small area. A few came to him and wiped around his head. Following them with his gaze he began to laugh happily, spinning around in the glow fest. As he was spinning around he could tell someone was with him, smiling at him, he could see the figure out of the corner of his eyes, he had no doubt as to whom it was.
Slowing down to a halt he greeted the figure with a laugh and extended his arms. His father came over and took his hands and soon they were both spinning in the glowing beauty. The lights began to glow brighter as they spun around until finally they fell to the ground and stared up at the bright cloud forming above them.
"Aren't they beautiful, they're a gift for you."
JT looked over to his father, who stared back at him with soft blue eyes. He smiled and turned back to the orbs. They were beautiful. He smiled again. "Thank you."
For a long while they just lay there and looked above them at the fiery cloud of light. JT nudged himself over so he was rested on his father's side. Omi didn't seem to mind at all; in fact he wrapped his arm around the child and held him close. One time he even kissed the boy's soft hair and smiled down at him.
~~~~~~~~
Ken paced back and forth in front of the door leading to the apartments. JT had run out over an hour and a half ago. Okay, so maybe he hadn't 'run out' but he had left and he wasn't back yet. Aya was sitting in a chair and Youji was standing near him, sipping a hot cup of cider.
The PI remembered how, on cool autumn nights, he and JT would share a cup of hot cider by the fire and talk about the funny things that had happened to them recently. He enjoyed the child's company, the only adults he knew were either uptight (cough, Aya and Ken, cough) or thinking of other things like sex (all his dates).
When finally they heard the click of the knob they all jumped up and prepared to yell at the teen, but that's not who they saw first.
Omi walked in, looking around the sights, trying to evaluate his familiar territory.
"JT you are so-" Youji stopped in mid lecture when he saw that JT was not the one standing before him, but was behind who ever he was yelling at. As he looked closer his mouth fell open.
"No, Omi. JT is behind me."
For a mere moment the player was dumb founded, then he wrestled his old companion into a bear hug. "OMI!!!" He screeched.
Omi struggled to free himself from his old teammate's grip, only to fail. JT looked at his flailing father and smiled.
"I didn't know Uncle Youji did that to dad too." He thought.
When he was finally released Omi was ruffled and in no hurry to be hugged again, but he had no choice. Quickly Ken and Aya came over and hugged him tightly. He swore he could hear his spine snapping. When he was released again all he could do was slump on spot and say 'ow'.
"Daddy came home." JT chirped, stepping out from behind his father.
Ken took instant notice of him and glared. "JT! You know better than to stay out this late! You know darn well that there are bad people out there and who knows what they would do to you! Bad! You're grounded!"
The other three adults, as well as the teen, sweat dropped. Ken wasn't exactly the best when it came to word choices, as was evident when he named JT. The boy shook his head and began to jump around.
"No, no, no! Daddy and I spent time together! We're all Weiss! We're gonna share our room and we'll share the workload! And he's gonna take my shift at the store so I can sleep!"
Aya looked at him with a mischievous glint. "If Omi is taking over your shift and you're not working and you're only doing half of the work then you can go back to school. I'll call the principal tomorrow."
JT 'eep'ed then waved his arms about. "I changed my mind! I'll have my shift and I'll do most of the work! Come on dad, lets go see my room!"
Before anyone could reply JT had dragged Omi up the flight of stairs and both were now entering the scattered mess of a room.
~~~~~~~
Ken looked over to Aya, who was smiling. "How'd you know that would work?" He asked.
Violet eyes shut. "I know how a kids mind works, they hate school, that threat would send anyone over the edge."
Youji rubbed the back of his head and smiled. "I guess, now that we have Omi back, we're a successful team again."
"And a family. "Ken added.
All three stopped upon that last sentence. The word was so soft and gentle it was something. They had all wanted a family, but they only had each other, but now that seemed okay. Yes, they were a family, a dysfunctional one, but a family. And now that they were all together again nothing could ever come between them, they would all be okay.
~~~~~~~
"And this is our bed."
JT crawled onto the covers of his small bed and sat on his knees, looking at his father; they were both dressed for bed.
Omi looked himself over. His son's clothes were baggy, even for him, but that was fine. They had about the same fashion sense as well. Like father like son. He went over to the small bed and put his hands on it, looking to the small frame to his son.
"Its rather small, I'll sleep on the couch tonight, okay? Tomorrow we can go out and buy another mattress to put on the ground. How's that sound?"
JT stood up on the bed and waved his arm wildly. "No! You have to sleep in here tonight! We have to share the bed! We'll get a bigger bed that we can share! You can't go downstairs!"
Omi stared at his son. "I have been away all his life, children always crawl into their parents bed when they're young, I'm sure he never did that. Maybe his mind is making up for the lost time by putting forth a childish nature? I suppose it won't hurt."
He smiled. "Okay, you win, scootch over, time for bed."
JT smiled, pressing himself against the wall designating it as his side of the bed. His father crawled into the bed as well and lay down. From the expression on his face he hadn't felt the comfort of a bed for awhile. Smiling, he shut his eyes and went to bed.
~TBC
Ah! That took awhile! Actually, I had the first part written, I just got swamped, sorry guys. Hmm, I just watched some of Weiss, the part where Ouka dies. I was wondering...should I kill JT off? It would hurt poor Omi, I know, and all of them. Gotta think. I probably won't but it's a perhaps in my book. Again, sorry for the really long delay.
A/N: Oh my god! Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry! You would not believe how busy I am! I'll try my best to update when I can! I am so sorry! Gah, gotta pick up the pace. Yeah, well, getting on with it, Omi is coming back! So expect a lot of your questions to be answered in the next few chapters.
Chapter 9: There's no place like home
Soft, warm, water, filled with bubbles lapped against the white tub sides. JT reclined, his body covered in a blanket of white fluff. His Uncle Ken sat on the toilet beside him, watching him carefully. Opening one aqua eye the teen groaned.
"You know, Uncle Ken, I'm not 5 anymore, I can bathe myself alone. Why are you watching me so closely?"
Ken frowned. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay, you've had an exciting night. Do you want to talk about anything? I'll tell you anything, just ask. It's all right to be afraid."
"I didn't say I was afraid. I'm just tired and want to take a bath."
"Of course you do, I was just worried."
JT sat up and leaned against the side, staring at his uncle. "Why do you worry so much about me? I am old enough to take care of myself. Why do all three of you watch me so much?"
Ken faltered, he wasn't aware of the fact he was over bearing, nor the other two elders of the family were.
"I, uhm, well, I just worry is all. We saw what happened to Omi and after that we figured we had to keep a close eye on you to make sure nothing happened to you. Maybe someday you'll understand that the rules we make and instill are meant for your safety, but I'm sure right now at your age all you want to do is run wild, right?"
He nodded, sinking back into the tub. Ken knelt down beside him and gently put his hand on the boy's head.
"JT, it may not seem like it, but to us you are more than a 'nephew' or the son of a friend, to all of us you are as close to a son that we will ever have. When we thought Omi had died we took you in and promised to give you all of the love that you deserve, the love a son deserved. We all knew none of us would ever have children, but you were special to us, you gave us a chance to make amends for all the bad we had done. So please don't ever think that you aren't important to us or that we don't care."
JT looked up at his uncle. "What happened to you to make you do these things in the first place?"
The sudden change of expression on his uncle's face warned the boy not to push further. Looking down into the bubbly water he was surprised when his uncle began to speak again.
"I used to be a professional soccer player. I was headed for the big times, I was a star on the field. Unfortunately I was double-crossed by someone I trusted more than anyone else in the world. He gave me a drink that was spiked with drugs. When I failed in that one game everything I had worked for shattered. After awhile I gave up hope on my career and began to coach little kids, on the side, since after a year I had become part of Weiss. ...We all have pasts, JT, just make sure you don't pry too deep. You may find that you can't take the truth."
The ex-professional soccer player rose to his feet and turned his back to the teen and walked to the door.
"I'll leave you alone for now. I'll come and check on you when you go to bed, okay?"
"Uh, yes Uncle Ken, I'll see you in a few minutes."
When the room was successfully empty, beside him, JT sighed loudly and fell back into the water, letting it cover up every inch of his body. As he lay on his back, staring at the ripples the water above him made, he wondered about the rest of his uncles. He figured Aya's secret had to do with his sister and her getting hit by a car and revenge and the sort, but Youji he simply couldn't figure out.
Sitting up, letting the water run off his body, the youth grabbed the laid out towel and wrapped it securely around his body. He quickly and quietly made his way down to his uncle's room, making sure Ken didn't hear or see him. When he arrived at the door he hesitantly knocked, waiting to be let in. After a moment Youji appeared, slightly surprised to see him.
"JT, this is a surprise, what do you need? Isn't it time for you to go to bed."
"I want to know why you joined Weiss, uncle. Tell me, please."
The older man was surprised by the boy's firm tone. He was acting maturer than he ever had. Bending his head in defeat Youji nodded.
"All right, go back to your room and change, I'll be there in a minute."
Nodding as well the boy ran off to get ready for bed. Standing in his doorway Youji watched him run off, thinking of things he hadn't for years. Curling his hand into a fist he frowned then made his way down the hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JT pulled on his nightshirt and soft pants and jumped into bed. He pulled the blankets onto his lap and waited for his uncle to come. After a five- minute lapse the blonde playboy entered, apparently after a few drinks.
Youji stumbled his way over to the boy in bed, then plopped himself onto the chair kept beside the bed. He took a moment to glance around his surroundings then stared at the teen.
"Whassup?"
"Uh..." JT stared at his wasted uncle. Shaking his head aggravated he shook his fists. "You're drunk, Uncle Youji! We were supposed to have a heart to heart talk! Now look at you!"
"I'm not drunk, I just need a few drinks to get my nerves down."
The slurred manner of his voice and his rising and falling tone did nothing to help his argument. With a loud burp he continued.
"You wanted to know why I joined Weiss, right? Lesse...I used to be a PI but when my partner died I joined Weiss, end of story."
JT rolled his eyes. "That's good enough for me, Uncle. Do I need to walk you to your room or can you make it yourself?"
The blonde puffed himself up. "I can do it myself!"
Walking from the room he stumbled carelessly over some scattered clothes, commenting on how they weren't there when he had walked in. Smiling the young teen laid himself down to bed, letting the lessons of the day swirl in his mind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What did he mean "I'll return when you're ready'? We've waited for years, we are ready!"
Aya glanced over at Ken, who was working himself up into a frenzy. He knew JT was in bed and Youji should be up there was well, keeping an eye on him. Giving a half smile he opened his mouth to speak.
"Omi isn't waiting for us to be ready, he's waiting for JT. He hasn't been around for the boy, ever, he needs to get used to the idea first, rather than have his long lost father walk into his life in one day. It's for him."
Ken frowned. "I suppose, but how do you think he'll know? JT will adjust quickly, I think."
"I'm sure he'll just sense it. I've heard that parents have a great sense of knowledge when it comes to their children."
"Let's hope, I don't want him to be running around for too long, Schwartz might find him again."
Violet eyes closed, as if in pain. "At least we know that Kritiker was wrong; he is still alive."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
.Dull aqua eyes stared up at the ceiling. The crack was still there, still the same as always. Rolling over on his side JT stared blankly at his floor, scattered with papers, clothes and anything else that made its way into his room and never made its way back out.
His uncles were down in the basement, as usual, blaming him, he guessed, for the lack of their former team member. It wasn't fair, life just isn't fair. Why did all of these things have to happen? He didn't want anything more from life than to be happy with his family.
When there was a soft knock on the door JT perked up.
"Who is it?" He called.
"Ken, Can I come in?"
"Yes!"
The soccer teacher walked in and, by habit, went to the chair by the bed. Sitting down he sighed. In all the years he had spent with his uncles the teen knew exactly when he was going to be lectured.
"I didn't do it." He responded quickly.
"What?"
"I didn't ask him to stay away, he just did."
The confusion subsided and left Ken a bit struck, the kid knew more about reading them than he let on. Smiling dully he nodded.
"Yes, I know you didn't. I was just wondering if you missed him at all. Do you want him back?"
JT frowned, turning his gaze to his green bed cover. He hadn't really thought about wanting him back, he just thought of him being back. In all of his absence over the years he supposed that yes he did miss him and yes he did want him back.
"Yes, I do want him to come back. Then we can be a family again, right Uncle Ken?"
Ken smiled. "Yes, then we'll be a family. A rather odd family with a few skeletons in the closet, but a family."
JT laughed shortly. "I have a drunk uncle, an over protective mother hen figure, a cold-trying-to-be-nice uncle and a father that's been missing for 13 years, what a family."
"Who was it that started calling me a 'mother hen'? It isn't funny! Stop it! I just worry, okay!"
JT began to laugh full heartedly. Shaking his head he waved his hand about. When he regained the ability to speak again it was in between giggles.
"I think the description just fit you. But, any ways, I'm sure father will return soon. I can sense him, I always have, he's eager to come home as well."
Ken gave the youth an odd look. "What do you mean you can 'sense him'?"
Aqua eyes shut, then opened again with strain in them. "I've always felt him. Through his wanderings, his toils, through everything I've felt him, thinking of me, of you, his hopes for our future. We're bound by something. I can't explain it well, but I just know."
The ex-J leaguer frowned a bit. "Yes, I see. Well, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. Remember, if you need anything I'm only a yell away."
The dirty blonde turned to smile at his uncle. "I know, thank you Uncle Ken."
With a smile and a pat on the head the over protective but well meaning Ken left the room and the teen who was currently mentally debating what to do on his day off, sleep in or sleep in and then take a nap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a late Sunday night when things began to pick up again. Aya and JT were down in the mission room, sitting on the couch, doing algebra. JT was rolling on the ground by now, tearing his hair out and yelling while Aya rolled his eyes and shouted at him to concentrate and not get discouraged.
"Okay, this is easy, JT, what is X+X?"
"Uhm...X squared?"
Aya slammed his head onto the thick textbook. Trying to teach this kid was like trying to get a cockroach to sing and dance to Madonna. Sighing agitatedly he shook his head.
"No, its 2X, what is so hard about that!?"
JT frowned, getting up from the floor he pulled his bangs in front of his eyes. "I need to take a walk, I need to clear my head, okay? I'll be back in a bit."
Before the red head could answer the youth was up the stairs, out the door and down the street. Youji and Ken had seen him leave and came down to see Aya.
"What was that all about? Isn't it a bit late for him to be going out?" the playboy asked, hands on hips.
Again Aya shook his head. "He's just frustrated since he can't get his math. He's doing okay in history and science but he's terrible in math. I'm sure he just needed a break and some fresh air."
Ken looked up the stairs wearily. "I hope..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The air was a crisp, cool wave that washed over him. JT walked slowly along side of the bay. There were few people and the boats were scarce. Normally he would have been weary of deserted dark places but he felt no danger, or at least he wasn't trying to sense it. As he walked he began to feel funny, a new feeling was nestling into his heart, it felt odd to him, but he knew he had felt it before.
As he walked further away from his safe haven the feeling got stronger and he soon realized he was being drawn to something. When he reached a specifically dark corner of the walkway he changed direction and pace and ran head long into the forest. As he ran branches hit him in the face and tried desperately to trip him, but he wouldn't let them prevail.
Soon the teen was out of breath and had to stop. As he walked slowly in the dark woods he felt a feeling of well being wash over him. What ever he was being taken to meant him no harm and wanted him to come. Soon the dark began to glow in a strange golden glow. When he looked closer he saw a small thicket of wooded area emanating a great deal of light. As he entered he smiled instantly and looked about.
What looked like hundreds of fireflies were buzzing around the small area. A few came to him and wiped around his head. Following them with his gaze he began to laugh happily, spinning around in the glow fest. As he was spinning around he could tell someone was with him, smiling at him, he could see the figure out of the corner of his eyes, he had no doubt as to whom it was.
Slowing down to a halt he greeted the figure with a laugh and extended his arms. His father came over and took his hands and soon they were both spinning in the glowing beauty. The lights began to glow brighter as they spun around until finally they fell to the ground and stared up at the bright cloud forming above them.
"Aren't they beautiful, they're a gift for you."
JT looked over to his father, who stared back at him with soft blue eyes. He smiled and turned back to the orbs. They were beautiful. He smiled again. "Thank you."
For a long while they just lay there and looked above them at the fiery cloud of light. JT nudged himself over so he was rested on his father's side. Omi didn't seem to mind at all; in fact he wrapped his arm around the child and held him close. One time he even kissed the boy's soft hair and smiled down at him.
~~~~~~~~
Ken paced back and forth in front of the door leading to the apartments. JT had run out over an hour and a half ago. Okay, so maybe he hadn't 'run out' but he had left and he wasn't back yet. Aya was sitting in a chair and Youji was standing near him, sipping a hot cup of cider.
The PI remembered how, on cool autumn nights, he and JT would share a cup of hot cider by the fire and talk about the funny things that had happened to them recently. He enjoyed the child's company, the only adults he knew were either uptight (cough, Aya and Ken, cough) or thinking of other things like sex (all his dates).
When finally they heard the click of the knob they all jumped up and prepared to yell at the teen, but that's not who they saw first.
Omi walked in, looking around the sights, trying to evaluate his familiar territory.
"JT you are so-" Youji stopped in mid lecture when he saw that JT was not the one standing before him, but was behind who ever he was yelling at. As he looked closer his mouth fell open.
"No, Omi. JT is behind me."
For a mere moment the player was dumb founded, then he wrestled his old companion into a bear hug. "OMI!!!" He screeched.
Omi struggled to free himself from his old teammate's grip, only to fail. JT looked at his flailing father and smiled.
"I didn't know Uncle Youji did that to dad too." He thought.
When he was finally released Omi was ruffled and in no hurry to be hugged again, but he had no choice. Quickly Ken and Aya came over and hugged him tightly. He swore he could hear his spine snapping. When he was released again all he could do was slump on spot and say 'ow'.
"Daddy came home." JT chirped, stepping out from behind his father.
Ken took instant notice of him and glared. "JT! You know better than to stay out this late! You know darn well that there are bad people out there and who knows what they would do to you! Bad! You're grounded!"
The other three adults, as well as the teen, sweat dropped. Ken wasn't exactly the best when it came to word choices, as was evident when he named JT. The boy shook his head and began to jump around.
"No, no, no! Daddy and I spent time together! We're all Weiss! We're gonna share our room and we'll share the workload! And he's gonna take my shift at the store so I can sleep!"
Aya looked at him with a mischievous glint. "If Omi is taking over your shift and you're not working and you're only doing half of the work then you can go back to school. I'll call the principal tomorrow."
JT 'eep'ed then waved his arms about. "I changed my mind! I'll have my shift and I'll do most of the work! Come on dad, lets go see my room!"
Before anyone could reply JT had dragged Omi up the flight of stairs and both were now entering the scattered mess of a room.
~~~~~~~
Ken looked over to Aya, who was smiling. "How'd you know that would work?" He asked.
Violet eyes shut. "I know how a kids mind works, they hate school, that threat would send anyone over the edge."
Youji rubbed the back of his head and smiled. "I guess, now that we have Omi back, we're a successful team again."
"And a family. "Ken added.
All three stopped upon that last sentence. The word was so soft and gentle it was something. They had all wanted a family, but they only had each other, but now that seemed okay. Yes, they were a family, a dysfunctional one, but a family. And now that they were all together again nothing could ever come between them, they would all be okay.
~~~~~~~
"And this is our bed."
JT crawled onto the covers of his small bed and sat on his knees, looking at his father; they were both dressed for bed.
Omi looked himself over. His son's clothes were baggy, even for him, but that was fine. They had about the same fashion sense as well. Like father like son. He went over to the small bed and put his hands on it, looking to the small frame to his son.
"Its rather small, I'll sleep on the couch tonight, okay? Tomorrow we can go out and buy another mattress to put on the ground. How's that sound?"
JT stood up on the bed and waved his arm wildly. "No! You have to sleep in here tonight! We have to share the bed! We'll get a bigger bed that we can share! You can't go downstairs!"
Omi stared at his son. "I have been away all his life, children always crawl into their parents bed when they're young, I'm sure he never did that. Maybe his mind is making up for the lost time by putting forth a childish nature? I suppose it won't hurt."
He smiled. "Okay, you win, scootch over, time for bed."
JT smiled, pressing himself against the wall designating it as his side of the bed. His father crawled into the bed as well and lay down. From the expression on his face he hadn't felt the comfort of a bed for awhile. Smiling, he shut his eyes and went to bed.
~TBC
Ah! That took awhile! Actually, I had the first part written, I just got swamped, sorry guys. Hmm, I just watched some of Weiss, the part where Ouka dies. I was wondering...should I kill JT off? It would hurt poor Omi, I know, and all of them. Gotta think. I probably won't but it's a perhaps in my book. Again, sorry for the really long delay.