Kibou (Hope) by Vanessa S. Quest
Aya's eyes filled with glass beads that fell like diamonds into Omi's golden head.
"Omi, wake up! Damn it, Takatori, this joke isn't funny. Wake up NOW! That's an ORDER!" He caught himself scream into the boy's ear. He shook him slightly then smacked him once across the face. "You treacherous bastard! I told you to wake up!"
Omi groaned. Aya's eyes sparkled. He carried Omi out of the basement in a stilted sprint to the car. "Balinese, get the car, Siberian. finish off this place. I want it to burn."
Ken took in a gasp, Aya was known for having fury, but .to actually SAY something that revealed his emotions so much. shocked was a vapor of what he felt. So much that Aya seemed to have to repeat himself; which he seldom would bother with, the order came back, singing in Ken's sensitive ears.
"Siberian! Now!"
Ken jumped at the vehement in Abyssinian's voice. He hadn't predicting hearing that same voice ever again, but apparently he was wrong. Thinking back, he could say he felt the same thing towards the place. they shot OMI.
***WK***
Cold drops of water fell onto his forehead.
That was the first and only thing he could remember as his eyes opened. That's when the searing pain took hold of his body. First his chest and stomach, that felts bruised, broken, and on fire. Second came the writhing feeling in his wrists and elbows. His ear angrily ringing, and finally his body felt that tingling electric pain he was used to associating with being so cold that numbness is trying to set in. He wiggled his toes, his legs had at least gone without the betrayal, he noted and yet that numbness was starting to reach down through them, too. His eyes narrowed. He focused his eyes.
Another drip of cold water fell onto his forehead.
"Where am I?" He moaned frustrated at the feelings his body expressed. He started to contemplate what he might feel like if that almost-numb feeling wasn't there. He shuttered.
"Omi. you're awake." Aya noted, he put the washcloth down his hands looked strained Omi noted.
'Was Aya. trying to take care of me?' Omi looked up at the red head. "Where am I?" He asked a second time, just as soft but the accents changing to show warmth.
"A hospital of course."
Omi knew that would be all he'd find out. You weren't supposed to know WHICH hospital they took you to, it was a Kritiker safe house most likely. 'Too bad, I wanted to believe it was heaven.' Omi smiled at Aya, "May I be forward and ask what you're doing?"
Aya blushed. That is far more direct then the young blonde's usual comments. Aya sobered immediately the sorrow sinking in, the fear, and the pain. "It's my fault you're in here. It's only fit that I make sure you're alright."
Omi's eyes glanced away at that. "Oh." He returned with a smile and eyes tightly closed, Aya only wished that had been sincere. "You don't need to fuss about me, I was careless and you shouldn't feel guilty. I was supposed to keep the room clear, and I neglected to rearm myself with my darts." His smile furthered across his cheeks making it quite clear it was a painful pose, "If anything you should be hitting my head and calling me a baka. or telling me about how my errors could have cost someone's life. maybe ignoring me and brooding is more your style. I know that's what Ken-kun and Yoji-kun would do that." Omi blushed, but his large white smile hid that with its uncanny brightness. "Not like I object to special treatment, mind you, especially from ." Omi bit his tongue, his teeth covered by his own hands and lips realizing what he almost admitted. "I mean to say, I don't mind getting spoiled, but I don't deserve any special treatment-- well not the positive kind."
Aya nodded, "You want me to leave then? I was disturbing you. I should go and let you rest. Gomen."
Omi's ears perked, "Aya, why are you apologizing? Do you think I'm kicking you out? You aren't bothering me. but if you have something better to do I understand completely." Omi pondered for a moment, Aya leaned against the door, looking rather set upon staying. "Do you know when I can go back home. to work. to school. to Weiss?"
Aya flinched. "This all started because of that work ethic of yours. Don't you ever think about stopping, taking some time to look around? You're the only person out of the four of us to never take a break."
Omi looked down, "I'm sorry. I didn't plan to get sick. I mean, you didn't see me. and I left my keys in your car. and then. you're right I was pushing myself too hard. Forgive me, I jeopardized the entire mission and Wei--"
"Shizuka na! Damare! How can you dare blame yourself? Are you so afraid about the repercussions if you don't do EXACTLY as you are told? Do you only smile because you are told to look happy? Do you even HAVE a soul behind your eyes anymore?"
Omi's eyes watered, his lips quivered. "Aya-kun. is that what you. think of me." Tears fell quietly and silently. Bravely he mustered up his voice, "A.Aya. get out. GET OUT!" He screamed with a voice that was more devastated then angry.
Aya was taken aback. "I'll send Kudou and Hidaka to check on you later. I guess that leaves me to fill out the report." He glared at Omi, "I assume the form is in your computer?"
".Get out." Omi sobbed, his hands clenched around the sheets making the IVs and tubes particularly painful.
Aya stepped outside of the door then turned back seeing the boy. He swore at himself for hurting the boy again. Contemplating how he would try living with himself if he just left, and finding no answers Aya turned back into the room, shut and locked the door and glared at him. "Iia!"
Omi looked up at him, not with vehement but distraught in its stead. "What do you mean no?"
"I won't leave with you upset at me. Not for something like that."
"I don't remember making a request."
"And you assume I care all the same? See! Simple acts of defiance, I have never seen you do that. Not once. Now, I want you to tell me WHY. Right this second. And not for the report, and not as your leader. I'm asking you as Aya-kun, as Ran. as your friend. If only I deserved that title."
Omi's eyes widened with shock, they bore deeply back into Aya's. A boy who normally avoided Aya's judging eyes now stared into them, as if they each saw each other for the first time without any veils, just as who they were. The cold boy who lost it all and built a wall to keep anyone from piercing his fragile heart ever again, and the sadder still boy who was thrown away by everyone he loved only to love everyone he could just to gain acceptance and mend his broken eyes.
Aya sat down next to Omi.
Omi sat up; he looked into Aya's violet calming waters. Rivers ran from his opaque sapphires. The turmoil burnt Aya affecting him in ways he never dreamed he would get to express or see again. It was like Aya was with him again, when she was sad and hurt and how he would comfort her. The pain of causing that hurt in Omi finally set in.
Omi's head flopped into Aya's chest as he began to bawl. Aya warily put his arm onto Omi's opposing shoulder.
"Aya-kun. I. I."
***WK***
Yoji looked into the hospital room, Omi just lying there exhausted. Twenty stitches, one blood transplant and countless tests leaving its mark on the youngest of Weiss and even through it all, the chibi still looks innocent and still acts naïve and still is pure.
Yoji looked at the boy with a longing gaze. Not towards Omi's physical being, but for such a clean soul. After everything, all he went through, he and Ken were two people that never belonged to this world, Aya- he was a cold hearted bastard, and Yoji, a broken and disillusioned fool with the taste for blood as well as revenge. Ken. the most he had for his reasoning was revenge, but his hunger was filled upon the concept of what Weiss really was, instead the sparkling idealistic view of a vigilante replaced Ken. Omi was no better, maybe even worse. That boy who saw so much killing and pain, and it really was all behind his eyes, kidnapped, abandoned, and then rescued only to kill and fear being killed if his identity was ever assured. Killing his brothers and father only to watch his sister and uncle die before him without a way to stop it, and through all this all he wanted were friends that could relate to him, to understand him. What did he receive for these good intentions? A road to hell as far as Yoji was concerned. Omi, who tried to befriend the disenfranchised, Omi who tried to befriend the damaged, the invalids who could never again look at something so pure as him in the eyes. Aya was the only smart one. Ken and he fools for playing along with the boy's wishes in truth never meaning it. To them that reaction of friendship was just a farce, it was better to live in mutual terms versus utter hatred.
Aya was right. He distanced everyone so that the only hurt he caused was the distance and after a while, they could look back and lay fault in Aya instead of themselves, and then they were still desired.
Not a one of them deserved to be around Omi, around someone so naïve and pure. Not Ken, not Aya, and most definitely not himself. And Omi in turn didn't deserve to be around them, he deserved better than that- he deserved a life.
And tonight, they almost all squandered that. Omi. The purest thing on the face of the earth and they almost destroyed that. That boy just couldn't BE dirtied, and don't knock Persia one for trying, they all tried, almost like a game. No, it WAS a game. not any more though. Yoji would give up corrupting something so undeserving. Omi was a thing- IS a thing of beauty. This time, he'd be true to Omi, he wouldn't pretend a friendship and keep an arm up to keep him away; he would let Omi in for as long as he'd want. Insincerity would die tonight, in Omi's place. Omi's place that made Yoji shutter, Omi didn't HAVE that sort of place as far as big-brother Yotan was concerned, Omi would die with the sun and the moon and not a moment sooner.
***WK***
Ken looked past Yoji, into Omi's room. Omi's eyes looked puffy. At least from there they did.
He walked past Yoji who seemed off in his own world, granted everyone did, even Aya. Aya had come out of the room half an hour ago, last Ken saw of him he was in the bathroom, saying when he came out he'd pick up some dinner.
When Ken asked what, Aya didn't answer for five minutes, that conversation still fresh in his mind.
/I'll pick up dinner. I doubt anyone will be going home tonight./
/Really? What're you getting?/
A five minute pause transformed in his mind as a long, awkward silence and then his indignant question, that only for Omi he had toned softly so not to have anyone more upset then they already were, that way Omi could get all the attention he deserved.
/Aya, I asked you what you plan on getting? Chinese? American? Italian? Hibachi or Steak? Sushi? What?/
/Hn? Oh. I guess I'll get American, it's the quickest./
/You're seriously going to force feed Omi that crap? He wouldn't eat it normally. oh. is he allowed to eat or is the hospital providing a balanced meal.?/
/You think he won't like it? Fine, I'll get Hibachi, I don't want anything else about Omi on my conscience tonight./
Ken smiled softly to himself, 'Since when did AYA have a conscience? And since when did he care if he hurt Omi?' Ken scoffed at that last thought, Aya. A conscience. Ha! But at least he was willing to be kind to Omi in his time of need, however uncharacteristic that was of Aya. unless. Ken's grin grew into a sneering half-sadistic smile. 'I think I should meddle in this. Aya has a crush!'
TBC
^_^ Thank you everyone who has reviewed so far. This should warm all of your taste buds. It was getting a bit long, so I paused here. I'll pick it up in a day or so. well, I'll have it posted before Thanksgiving at least, I swear! R&R! I love feedback.
Aya's eyes filled with glass beads that fell like diamonds into Omi's golden head.
"Omi, wake up! Damn it, Takatori, this joke isn't funny. Wake up NOW! That's an ORDER!" He caught himself scream into the boy's ear. He shook him slightly then smacked him once across the face. "You treacherous bastard! I told you to wake up!"
Omi groaned. Aya's eyes sparkled. He carried Omi out of the basement in a stilted sprint to the car. "Balinese, get the car, Siberian. finish off this place. I want it to burn."
Ken took in a gasp, Aya was known for having fury, but .to actually SAY something that revealed his emotions so much. shocked was a vapor of what he felt. So much that Aya seemed to have to repeat himself; which he seldom would bother with, the order came back, singing in Ken's sensitive ears.
"Siberian! Now!"
Ken jumped at the vehement in Abyssinian's voice. He hadn't predicting hearing that same voice ever again, but apparently he was wrong. Thinking back, he could say he felt the same thing towards the place. they shot OMI.
***WK***
Cold drops of water fell onto his forehead.
That was the first and only thing he could remember as his eyes opened. That's when the searing pain took hold of his body. First his chest and stomach, that felts bruised, broken, and on fire. Second came the writhing feeling in his wrists and elbows. His ear angrily ringing, and finally his body felt that tingling electric pain he was used to associating with being so cold that numbness is trying to set in. He wiggled his toes, his legs had at least gone without the betrayal, he noted and yet that numbness was starting to reach down through them, too. His eyes narrowed. He focused his eyes.
Another drip of cold water fell onto his forehead.
"Where am I?" He moaned frustrated at the feelings his body expressed. He started to contemplate what he might feel like if that almost-numb feeling wasn't there. He shuttered.
"Omi. you're awake." Aya noted, he put the washcloth down his hands looked strained Omi noted.
'Was Aya. trying to take care of me?' Omi looked up at the red head. "Where am I?" He asked a second time, just as soft but the accents changing to show warmth.
"A hospital of course."
Omi knew that would be all he'd find out. You weren't supposed to know WHICH hospital they took you to, it was a Kritiker safe house most likely. 'Too bad, I wanted to believe it was heaven.' Omi smiled at Aya, "May I be forward and ask what you're doing?"
Aya blushed. That is far more direct then the young blonde's usual comments. Aya sobered immediately the sorrow sinking in, the fear, and the pain. "It's my fault you're in here. It's only fit that I make sure you're alright."
Omi's eyes glanced away at that. "Oh." He returned with a smile and eyes tightly closed, Aya only wished that had been sincere. "You don't need to fuss about me, I was careless and you shouldn't feel guilty. I was supposed to keep the room clear, and I neglected to rearm myself with my darts." His smile furthered across his cheeks making it quite clear it was a painful pose, "If anything you should be hitting my head and calling me a baka. or telling me about how my errors could have cost someone's life. maybe ignoring me and brooding is more your style. I know that's what Ken-kun and Yoji-kun would do that." Omi blushed, but his large white smile hid that with its uncanny brightness. "Not like I object to special treatment, mind you, especially from ." Omi bit his tongue, his teeth covered by his own hands and lips realizing what he almost admitted. "I mean to say, I don't mind getting spoiled, but I don't deserve any special treatment-- well not the positive kind."
Aya nodded, "You want me to leave then? I was disturbing you. I should go and let you rest. Gomen."
Omi's ears perked, "Aya, why are you apologizing? Do you think I'm kicking you out? You aren't bothering me. but if you have something better to do I understand completely." Omi pondered for a moment, Aya leaned against the door, looking rather set upon staying. "Do you know when I can go back home. to work. to school. to Weiss?"
Aya flinched. "This all started because of that work ethic of yours. Don't you ever think about stopping, taking some time to look around? You're the only person out of the four of us to never take a break."
Omi looked down, "I'm sorry. I didn't plan to get sick. I mean, you didn't see me. and I left my keys in your car. and then. you're right I was pushing myself too hard. Forgive me, I jeopardized the entire mission and Wei--"
"Shizuka na! Damare! How can you dare blame yourself? Are you so afraid about the repercussions if you don't do EXACTLY as you are told? Do you only smile because you are told to look happy? Do you even HAVE a soul behind your eyes anymore?"
Omi's eyes watered, his lips quivered. "Aya-kun. is that what you. think of me." Tears fell quietly and silently. Bravely he mustered up his voice, "A.Aya. get out. GET OUT!" He screamed with a voice that was more devastated then angry.
Aya was taken aback. "I'll send Kudou and Hidaka to check on you later. I guess that leaves me to fill out the report." He glared at Omi, "I assume the form is in your computer?"
".Get out." Omi sobbed, his hands clenched around the sheets making the IVs and tubes particularly painful.
Aya stepped outside of the door then turned back seeing the boy. He swore at himself for hurting the boy again. Contemplating how he would try living with himself if he just left, and finding no answers Aya turned back into the room, shut and locked the door and glared at him. "Iia!"
Omi looked up at him, not with vehement but distraught in its stead. "What do you mean no?"
"I won't leave with you upset at me. Not for something like that."
"I don't remember making a request."
"And you assume I care all the same? See! Simple acts of defiance, I have never seen you do that. Not once. Now, I want you to tell me WHY. Right this second. And not for the report, and not as your leader. I'm asking you as Aya-kun, as Ran. as your friend. If only I deserved that title."
Omi's eyes widened with shock, they bore deeply back into Aya's. A boy who normally avoided Aya's judging eyes now stared into them, as if they each saw each other for the first time without any veils, just as who they were. The cold boy who lost it all and built a wall to keep anyone from piercing his fragile heart ever again, and the sadder still boy who was thrown away by everyone he loved only to love everyone he could just to gain acceptance and mend his broken eyes.
Aya sat down next to Omi.
Omi sat up; he looked into Aya's violet calming waters. Rivers ran from his opaque sapphires. The turmoil burnt Aya affecting him in ways he never dreamed he would get to express or see again. It was like Aya was with him again, when she was sad and hurt and how he would comfort her. The pain of causing that hurt in Omi finally set in.
Omi's head flopped into Aya's chest as he began to bawl. Aya warily put his arm onto Omi's opposing shoulder.
"Aya-kun. I. I."
***WK***
Yoji looked into the hospital room, Omi just lying there exhausted. Twenty stitches, one blood transplant and countless tests leaving its mark on the youngest of Weiss and even through it all, the chibi still looks innocent and still acts naïve and still is pure.
Yoji looked at the boy with a longing gaze. Not towards Omi's physical being, but for such a clean soul. After everything, all he went through, he and Ken were two people that never belonged to this world, Aya- he was a cold hearted bastard, and Yoji, a broken and disillusioned fool with the taste for blood as well as revenge. Ken. the most he had for his reasoning was revenge, but his hunger was filled upon the concept of what Weiss really was, instead the sparkling idealistic view of a vigilante replaced Ken. Omi was no better, maybe even worse. That boy who saw so much killing and pain, and it really was all behind his eyes, kidnapped, abandoned, and then rescued only to kill and fear being killed if his identity was ever assured. Killing his brothers and father only to watch his sister and uncle die before him without a way to stop it, and through all this all he wanted were friends that could relate to him, to understand him. What did he receive for these good intentions? A road to hell as far as Yoji was concerned. Omi, who tried to befriend the disenfranchised, Omi who tried to befriend the damaged, the invalids who could never again look at something so pure as him in the eyes. Aya was the only smart one. Ken and he fools for playing along with the boy's wishes in truth never meaning it. To them that reaction of friendship was just a farce, it was better to live in mutual terms versus utter hatred.
Aya was right. He distanced everyone so that the only hurt he caused was the distance and after a while, they could look back and lay fault in Aya instead of themselves, and then they were still desired.
Not a one of them deserved to be around Omi, around someone so naïve and pure. Not Ken, not Aya, and most definitely not himself. And Omi in turn didn't deserve to be around them, he deserved better than that- he deserved a life.
And tonight, they almost all squandered that. Omi. The purest thing on the face of the earth and they almost destroyed that. That boy just couldn't BE dirtied, and don't knock Persia one for trying, they all tried, almost like a game. No, it WAS a game. not any more though. Yoji would give up corrupting something so undeserving. Omi was a thing- IS a thing of beauty. This time, he'd be true to Omi, he wouldn't pretend a friendship and keep an arm up to keep him away; he would let Omi in for as long as he'd want. Insincerity would die tonight, in Omi's place. Omi's place that made Yoji shutter, Omi didn't HAVE that sort of place as far as big-brother Yotan was concerned, Omi would die with the sun and the moon and not a moment sooner.
***WK***
Ken looked past Yoji, into Omi's room. Omi's eyes looked puffy. At least from there they did.
He walked past Yoji who seemed off in his own world, granted everyone did, even Aya. Aya had come out of the room half an hour ago, last Ken saw of him he was in the bathroom, saying when he came out he'd pick up some dinner.
When Ken asked what, Aya didn't answer for five minutes, that conversation still fresh in his mind.
/I'll pick up dinner. I doubt anyone will be going home tonight./
/Really? What're you getting?/
A five minute pause transformed in his mind as a long, awkward silence and then his indignant question, that only for Omi he had toned softly so not to have anyone more upset then they already were, that way Omi could get all the attention he deserved.
/Aya, I asked you what you plan on getting? Chinese? American? Italian? Hibachi or Steak? Sushi? What?/
/Hn? Oh. I guess I'll get American, it's the quickest./
/You're seriously going to force feed Omi that crap? He wouldn't eat it normally. oh. is he allowed to eat or is the hospital providing a balanced meal.?/
/You think he won't like it? Fine, I'll get Hibachi, I don't want anything else about Omi on my conscience tonight./
Ken smiled softly to himself, 'Since when did AYA have a conscience? And since when did he care if he hurt Omi?' Ken scoffed at that last thought, Aya. A conscience. Ha! But at least he was willing to be kind to Omi in his time of need, however uncharacteristic that was of Aya. unless. Ken's grin grew into a sneering half-sadistic smile. 'I think I should meddle in this. Aya has a crush!'
TBC
^_^ Thank you everyone who has reviewed so far. This should warm all of your taste buds. It was getting a bit long, so I paused here. I'll pick it up in a day or so. well, I'll have it posted before Thanksgiving at least, I swear! R&R! I love feedback.