Chapter 2

Summary: Ken's becoming more disturbed by the assassin lifestyle and has gone out to a club to try and forget about his life for the night. He's just been found by Aya. What happens next?

Author's Note: I'm following the anime, in that Ken doesn't know about Aya-chan. Because if he had known, like in the manga (which is beautiful - you should get it!) then Omi should've know at the beginning too, and he didn't.

I honestly love all you wonderful reviewers for your kind comments! All of you who said you loved my fic, I feel so humbled and happy! Arigatou gozaimasu! bows to all

05.07.04 - Really sorry for the slow repost (RL and all that...)

And now on with the story...

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I return to my table.

Keisuke looks at me. "Weren't you getting a drink?" he asks.

Oops. Forgot that after my encounter with Aya. "I wasn't as thirsty as I thought," I lie.

"So who's the redhead?" my partner for the night asks.

"No one, just a co-worker. Let's go." I've had enough of the club. It's time for some real action.

My blonde friend stands up and stretches. "Sure thing."

Suddenly there's a hand on my arm. Again.

"Ken. I can't let you do this."

Damn! I wasn't fast enough to get away from Aya.

Keisuke is glaring belligerently at Aya. "Find your own partner, buddy."

Aya ignores him and looks only at me. "Ken, let's go home. We can work this out together. I don't want you to do something you'll regret later. Please come home with me now."

I can't move my eyes away from Aya's face. I'm hypnotised by those amethyst orbs.

The look on Keisuke's face as he looks at us both is surprise, annoyance and acceptance, all at once.

"Ken, I didn't realise you were in a relationship. If your partner," he looks at Aya here, "cares this much about you, you should at least talk about it and see if you can work it out."

"Thank you for your understanding." Aya says without breaking eye contact with me.

"Maybe I'll see you around sometime Ken. Ja ne!" And Keisuke leaves, just like that.

Damn! Aya's gotten rid of my potential bed partner. And it doesn't look like I'll be able to find another one if Aya's around and pulls this trick again.

I concede with ill grace.

"Fine. Let's go home."

I stomp over to the exit, grab my coat and depart into the cool night air, Aya on my heels.

I see Aya's Porsche parked close to my bike. Damn again! If his car was further away I could try to slip away and go to another club.

"I'd still follow you," Aya's deep voice cuts into my thoughts, "I put a tracking device on your bike."

I stare at my red-haired leader. "WHAT?"

"I couldn't chance you running away again. After that mission with that girl, you just took off for a few days. I thought you might do it again." Aya shrugs his shoulders.

We stand on the street looking at each other.

It's checkmate. Aya's covered all exits.

But in a way, it doesn't feel like defeat for me. How long has it been since someone took this much effort for me? I feel a surge of adrenalin. I'm gonna make Aya work for his victory.

"Let's go then." I'm pulling my helmet on as I speak and zipping up my jacket.

Aya gives me an appraising look then nods as he heads across the street to his car.

He thinks he has all the aces. Someone should've told him that jokers are wild and his luck's about to change.

I gun my engine and I'm off before Aya has the chance to even start his car.

I'm flying down the highway, laughing to myself when I notice a familiar white car in my rear view mirrors. So he wants to play, huh? I'll oblige him.

I decide to take the long way home. And I do mean long. This so-called long trip will include several rather small alleys and as many side streets as I can manage.

I speed up and begin cutting through traffic. This is what I love about my bike. The sound of the engine at high revs, the wind in my face pulling at my clothes and the responsiveness of the engine to my command for speed.

I look in my mirrors and I can still see the Porsche. It's time to go even harder and faster. The white car slowly gets smaller in my view.

I'm grinning like an idiot when I pull up the Koneko. Ha! That'll teach that guy to try to follow me.

I run up to my room and pull off my clothes. I throw them in my clothes hamper and grab a towel for the shower. I should have enough time for another shower before Aya gets back.

As I exit my room, I'm grabbed by the shoulder and pinned against the wall. It's a furious Aya. Damn! He's faster than I thought he would be.

"You fucking idiot!" Aya growls. "Do you have a death wish or something?"

I start to shake my head in denial, but I've taken too long. Aya has caught my split-second hesitation. He releases me with a small sigh.

"Ken. Take your shower. I'll be waiting for you when you're done."

I feel the weight of Aya's stare as I walk to the bathroom. Why should I feel bad? I've done nothing wrong. Except wanting to get away from everyone and everything, my conscience tells me. Worrying those whom I live and work with.

I take as long as I can in the shower. Maybe Aya will get pissed off with waiting and leave. It's a long shot I know.

I wrap the towel around my waist. I forgot to bring dry clothes.

I sneak back to my room. The lights are not on. I breathe a sigh of relief as I enter and lock the door. Ha! Even Aya can't get through a locked door.

I pad over to the wardrobe and by touch, pull out a clean T-shirt and shorts for bed.

I'm already in bed when there's a knock on the door.

"Ken?" It's Aya.

"Let's talk tomorrow Aya. I'm tired now." I say in my best sleepy voice.

There's silence from outside my door.

Eventually there's a "Fine" and the sound of soft footsteps walking away.

I smirk as I pull the covers up.

Tomorrow I'll find that tracking device and I'll stick it somewhere else. Yohji's car maybe? Or should it be Omi's bike? Or on a random car I find in the street?

I'm giggling to myself at what Aya's face is gonna look like when he finds out.

So far it's Icicles 1, Jocks 0. But I'm eager to even the score.

I'm lying on my back looking at the ceiling. The after effect of my night race is a hyped up and awake Ken. Not quite what I wanted to achieve when I left the house earlier this evening.

Now I'm alone with my thoughts. The events of the day replay themselves in my mind. I remember the faces of the girl and her mother. I remember the spray of blood and the final cries of pain from those that I killed today. Most people plead for their lives when they realise they aren't going to beat me. I turn my deaf ears to them and continue my work. It's too late for them to confess now.

Sometimes I wonder whether Persia ever gets his information wrong. Maybe I've killed innocent people. My mood sinks even lower.

Either guilty or innocent, what right does Ken Hidaka have to take someone else's life? I'm no better than those that we hunt down. My guilt hangs over me like a fog cloud, obscuring my vision. I'm guilty no matter which way I turn.

Even here in my room, I am reminded of my occupation by the bugnuks on the floor, the mission files on my desk, the bloodstained clothes in a pile in the corner. I can almost smell the blood on myself, staining my skin, drowning me in its cloying thickness.

This blood staining my hands, it's infiltrating my life, gradually taking over my mind. Where I once saw joy and happy people, I am now suspicious and guarded. The only people I can truly relax with are the kids I train in soccer. Their expressions are so open, they accept me unconditionally as their 'Ken-nichan'.

I want to scream at the top of my lungs about the unfairness of life. I'm so young. I'll probably die young. Else the other alternate case is I'll die old and alone. Either way, I'm screwed.

I'm just lying in bed, tossing and turning. There's no way I'm going to be able to fall asleep in my current state.

I get out of bed and change to workout clothes. Since that damn Aya removed my planned source of tension relief for the night, I'm gonna have to find another way to release the strain building inside of me.

I briefly consider marching over to Aya's room next door and demanding he fix my problem, after all he had to come and ruin my plan. The idea makes me smirk even as I dismiss it.

I wonder if Aya would even know how to fix my problem? But damn, he was so hot when he was pissed off before. The feel of his angry body against mine as he slammed me against the wall. I squirm uncomfortably as I readjust my shorts.

But there's no point dwelling on useless dreams. Instead I'm reaching automatically for my favourite much loved and abused soccer ball. It will once again have to bear the brunt of my frustrations and inner turmoil.

I open my door cautiously. I gotta be careful in case Aya is still up. I sneak quietly down the stairs and I'm away.

I jog to the nearby park where I play with the neighbourhood kids. I toss the ball onto the ground and as in days long gone, I am again one with the ball. I give my entire concentration to my task. I don't notice the coated figure that stands watching me for some time.

I play until I am dripping with sweat and exhaustion. I stumble home in the early hours of the morning and drop like a stone onto my bed. This time sleep comes within seconds.

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The new day dawns and my alarm clock rings.

I open bleary eyes only to hit the Off button.

I don't have morning shift today so I'm gonna sleep in.

Ken Hidaka is NOT a morning person.

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I finally stumble out of bed at nine thirty. A fairly decent hour to rise and I'll have missed the morning schoolgirls. That thought makes me smile.

I pull on some jeans and a sweatshirt. Comfortable, a little daggy but non-descript. Perfect for my mask of the scruffy boy-next-door.

I sneak down the stairs to the kitchen. Alright, maybe I didn't sneak, but I was walking very very quietly, for me anyway. I briefly consider eating breakfast but decide to get out of the house unseen instead. Away from the scene of the crime, so to speak.

My plan is foiled by the big blue eyes of our master tactician. Omi's sitting at the kitchen table, working on some plans, homework, accounts, who knows? Something with paper anyway.

"Ken-kun! Ohayo!"

"Hey Omi."

I wonder why he gives us all the –kun honorific? Isn't that supposed to be used for people younger than you? Is it a way of Omi saying we are his inferiors? Whatever, I'll think about it some other time.

"Did you want breakfast? I made onigiri and put some in the fridge for you." Omi fairly beams at me.

"Sure, sounds great." I do like the kid's cooking. I don't know why he bothers, but he does.

I ruffle his hair as I go past to show my appreciation.

"Ken-kun!"

Such an innocent laugh. Not for the first time, I wonder how he can still laugh like that.

I don't need to talk much as Omi chatters on about the shop, the latest incidents this morning, the headlines from the news, anything and everything. I nod occasionally and it seems that's enough for Omi.

I'm finishing up the riceballs when Yohji appears in the doorway, posing dramatically.

"Chibi, you gotta come and do the deliveries. Aya's getting narky." He straightens up and strolls into the room. "Hey Kenken, watcha doing?"

"Hey Yotan. I'm enjoying my breakfast made by Omi."

"Yeah Omi-chan is a great cook huh? Gonna make somebody a great wife."

I shake my head at Yohji as Omi jumps up and tries to hit him.

"Don't call me Omi-chan! I'm not a girl!"

These two make me smile. It's like watching a soap opera. Though I do think Omi isn't doing much to enhance his manly image with that girly shirt he's wearing.

Then a thought occurs to me.

"I thought you weren't working this morning Omi?" I look at the roster on the fridge and see only Yohji and Aya's names there.

"Oh I asked Aya-kun to swap with me this morning so I can go to cram school after classes finish today. I have a big test next week that I want to get some extra study in for. Aya-kun had to make up a special arrangement this morning so he came into the shop this morning anyway."

So I'm working with Aya this afternoon. Great. I sense a feeling of foreboding.

"Aa… well, I gotta go. Ja ne!" I wave to the guys, but before I can get out the door Aya enters the kitchen.

"Ken, wait."

Too slow. Again! It would be rude to just run off when everyone is there. Not at all like the usual Ken behaviour. So I wait until he finishes talking to Omi and Yohji and sends them back to the storefront.

"Where are you going?" Aya demands as he turns to me.

"Why do you want to know?" I don't deal well with demands.

Aya has a longsuffering look on his face. "Because we need to talk."

Oh great. It's a new day but I still don't want this deep and meaningful discussion. I don't want to justify my actions to anybody. And I'm resenting that look on Aya's face. Hey I didn't ask him to talk to me. There's no need for that sour look.

"I gotta go shopping this morning. I'm running low on some stuff." I improvise madly. "I'll be back later, we can talk then."

"I'll come with you," says Aya, "I want to pick up something from the mall too."

"Don't you have something to do in the Koneko? Omi mentioned something you were doing…" I'm grasping at straws again.

"I finished the special arrangement I needed to do this morning and I will be working the afternoon shift with you." Aya's looking impatient now.

"Fine," I grouch.

"We'll take my car then." Aya grabs his keys from the kitchen table. He must've planned this. Normally his keys are in his room.

I feel the perverse need to be annoying.

"Why can't we take my bike? It's easier to park."

"I've seen how you drive that thing. I'm amazed you managed to get a license at all."

"Yeah yeah. Dead people don't need a license anyway."

Aya raises an eyebrow at that one then he looks away. I wonder what he's thinking.

"Fine, we'll take your bike. I better put on a jacket. Wait here."

I consider doing a runner on Aya but he'll just chase me down. And I haven't had a chance to get rid of that bloody tracking device. Not quite what I planned for my morning off. I give the back door a big kick in frustration. It's immature but it makes me feel better.

Aya reappears wearing a black jacket and holding my brown leather jacket.

"I thought you might want this." He passes it to me.

I slip my arms into the sleeves and try to think when was the last time someone cared about whether I was warm enough. I'm surprised that I can't remember when it was.

I toss the spare helmet to Aya. "Let's go."

I've never had Aya as a passenger on my bike before. It's an interesting experience. Aya seems to know what to do. He's wrapped his arms around my waist. It's a good thing he's sitting behind me, not in front of me.

I try to concentrate on the road in front of me, but I'm distracted by the feel of Aya's lean body against mine.

Somehow we make it to the shopping mall in one piece.

I park the bike and pull my helmet off.

Aya has a small smirk on his face as he hands me his helmet for storage.

"What?" I growl at my unwanted company.

"Your hair is all dishevelled."

Who the fuck uses words like dishevelled?

I rake my fingers through my hair. "Better now?" I ask in saccharin tones.

Aya walks over to me and lightly fixes several strands of my wayward brown hair.

"After all I have an image to maintain. If you're going to be seen with me, you should look good."

I think my mouth is open. Hold on, it IS open. Was that humour? From Aya?

"Let's go." He turns to the mall entrance and looks back at me like I'm a stupid child.

"What the?! I look just fine. No one asked you to come with me." I'm already pissed off with his attitude.

"Well I'm here now. What do you need to get?" It's Aya in demanding tones again.

"Let's get your stuff first. I got a whole pile of stuff to get." I give Aya a sickly sweet considerate smile. Besides I need some time to think of what I was supposedly coming here to buy.

Aya walks away and I trail him.

Aya stops at the bookstore. "Wait here. I'll only be one minute."

Hold on. Why doesn't he want me to come in with him?

"Nah. I'll just come with you." I'm getting really good at these insincere smiles today.

Aya may be a stubborn bastard, but I'm good at this game too.

"Fine," he says and stalks off.

I have to hurry to keep up with him. Ooh, what's with Aya's attitude? Have I hit a nerve here?

Aya's going to the fiction section. I never pegged him as a fiction reader. Though I guess I never really thought about what he does in his spare time. Sometimes he's in the room, sometimes he's gone to who knows where. He's not really a television person, so I only have to fight with Omi and Yohji about it. Though Omi is mostly on his computer or doing his homework and Yohji is out on a date most of the time.

Aya walks over to the Top 10 shelf. Oh my gosh! He's taking a copy of that pretty boy's new novel. What's his name again? That's right – Yuki Eiri. And if I remember correctly, Yuki writes romance novels! He's the beloved of many housewives and schoolgirls. He he! This IS an unexpected side of Aya. [1]

Aya looks back at me and his eyes are slightly narrowed as if daring me to say something. I make a show of picking up a copy myself and reading the back cover. It doesn't sound half bad, for a novel that is. Not my taste though.

I meet Aya at the registers where he pays for the book whilst ignoring the speculative glances from the sales clerks.

We're walking away from the store when Aya speaks.

"It's not for me." I'm surprised to hear a piece of freely divulged information from Aya.

"It's fine. I don't care what you read." I shrug indifferently.

"It's for… my imouto." The last words come out of Aya's voice in a rush.

I look at him. Did I hear that right? Aya has a little sister?

"Your imouto? You have an imouto?" I stare questioningly at the redhead.

Aya's pretty features take on a rather pinched look. "Yes I do."

And that's all he says. I wait for more information but none is forthcoming.

"What? That's all you're gonna say?" I'm nearly bursting with indignation.

"What do you want me to say Ken?" Aya turns tired eyes to me.

"I want to know why you haven't told any of us about her. Where is she? Why isn't she living with you? How can you be part of Weiss with a sister?" I've stopped in the middle of the crowded walkway to point accusingly at Aya.

"This is not the place Ken." Aya stops too.

But he's right. People are starting to look at us. And Aya already attracts enough attention from his exotic looks.

I start walking again. My minds full of questions. At the moment I'm resenting Aya. He just admitted to having a sister. He's not alone in the world. Not like me.

"So what do you need to buy Ken?" Aya catches up to me. I didn't realise I had walked away so fast.

I look at him. "Underwear."

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-tbc-

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[1] Sorry! Gratuitous Gravi reference! But it is funny to think of Aya buying one of Yuki's books!

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