Chapter 5

While Yohji was gone, Ken stood up and looked around the room again. He stepped over to a bookshelf full of videos and games and a few books. A finger drifted over the titles of the movies and stopped at a homemade tape. He drew it out and pulled the video out of the sleeve to read the title written there, "J-League". He glanced at the TV and VCR in the room then popped it in and started to watch the game recorded on it.

Someone kept focusing the camera on the goalie, most obviously Ken himself. No ball got past this young man at all. Ken sighed as he tried to understand the penalties and everything that was going on, but he finally got frustrated enough to pull a book from the same shelf and look up the penalties inside it.

He didn't notice that he was being watched by someone standing in the doorway with sad violet eyes. Just the fact that Ken had to look into a book to find out the rules of what was once his greatest passion depressed the older man to no ends. He remembered when the brunette would throw things at the screen, yelling obscenities at the refs for a bad call or at the players for being stupid or even at the fans for holding up a sign for the wrong team.

Ken looked back over his shoulder at the red head as he came into the room to sit beside him on the bed. The brunette sighed and looked down at the book again, "It's not fair that I remember how to drive and how to make a sandwich when I can't even remember what was the most important to me."

Aya nodded, understanding the truth of that statement more than Ken at the moment, "Aa. but perhaps all you need is to get into it again." He shrugged, obviously a man of few words.

Ken looked up at him and nodded, then looked back at the TV again, "Tell me. about me."

Aya glanced at him, then looked down at his long fingers uncharacteristically fidgeting with the edge of the comforter and sighed, "You were. are passionate about a lot of things. You love soccer and riding your motorcycle. You like all sports, in fact, from ping-pong to motor-cross, and are highly competitive. You're a black belt in Karate and Judo, pride yourself on your fighting skills, yet you have the gentlest heart I know. Your smile can.." He glanced at him again then watched the game on the screen when he realized he was being watched intently by those bright green eyes.

Aya cleared his throat, "I came to tell you that it's your turn to cook. But I shall take over for you. Dinner will be done in an hour or so. Come down then." He stood up and exited the room in the same silent manner he came in, reminding Ken of a cat.

Ken watched the man go, then looked back at the game and finished watching it, thoughts of the man swirling through his brain even as he read the soccer book at the same time. At least now he knew he was good at multi- tasking.

* * * *

Ken came down the stairs about an hour later to the smells of pasta and garlic bread. Omi was no where to be seen and Yohji was out on the deck smoking. The blond motioned for Ken to join him and as he came closer asked "How's the remembering going?" as if he's supposed to remember things when no one's looking.

Ken sighed, "Not so good, I guess. I don't remember anything about soccer, or working in the shop." He leaned against the railing, arms folded over the top and chin resting on them.

Yohji patted him on the back, "Don't blame you for not remembering the shop. I wouldn't, either." He winked.

Ken stood up again and turned to go back inside without a word. The taller man likes to irritate him, that's obvious. It seemed good-natured enough, but Ken wasn't in the mood for it. Yohji watched him go, then shrugged and finished off his smoke.

Ken went into the kitchen and looked around for something to do then started to set the table. Aya glanced at him, noting that he remembered where all the plates and cups were without a thought. He didn't say anything except a 'thank you' and went on cooking.

* * * * * After supper, Rex stopped by again. Ken was doing the dishes by himself when the doorbell rang. The guys disappeared with her down the steps to the smaller living room type room, leaving Ken to his own devices. He finished up the dishes and put them all away, then looked around the common room for anything to give him a spark of a memory.

He pulled out each and every photo album he saw, flipped through them then threw each one onto the ground with a frustrated growl. He didn't know these guys in the pictures and they obviously didn't know him anymore. Ken stood up and paced the room, kicking the books away from his path and knocking some things over in a childish fit of frustration and sadness.

Wasn't there anyone who could tell him how to get his memories back? Someone with a way to get into his head and unlock all the doors so closed to him at the moment. There has to be someone or someway to help him! The doctors didn't know and all their science couldn't help him anymore. The guys didn't know what to say to him or how to help him. They just sat with him and talked with him as if nothing had happened, but they all know something did. It only made things more uncomfortable between them all. The only one who really tried to let him know the way things used to be was Aya. But the man was so closed up that Ken didn't want to ask him for more and make him mad or close up even more.

He sighed and looked around. The room was a mess. He rubbed his face and sniffled, wiped his nose onto his sleeve, then snuck towards the door to downstairs. They must be talking about him down there. What else could be taking so long?

He heard the woman's voice, "We've decided to keep him here in your care. Obviously, you're the only one's who can bring his memories back. Persia has put in a request for a Kritiker telepath to come and see if he can help."

Omi's voice floated up the steps next, "But he should just go back home. if he never remembers. I don't want him in this life if he doesn't have to be."

There was silence for a few moments, but Rex answered, "I understand that, Omi. We all do. But if he does remember, then what? If he's home with his parents and he suddenly remembers everything, it's a major breach in security, not to mention life threatening to all of us." Ken's eyes widened and he raised a hand to cover his gasp. Life threatening?? He thought they were only florists! How could a job like that be life threatening??

The silence from below must have been for that opinion to sink into everyone's heads. It became heavy and oppressive until the smiling Yohji spoke up to lighten the mood, "I hope he remembers soon. This new Ken is too sober and somber. I miss the old Ken!!" There were sighs and a rustling or two as people shifted.

Ken backed away from the door and wiped his nose once more onto his sleeve. He turned on his heel and picked up the brown leather jacket he had in the hospital, slipped it on and went out the door to take a long walk.

Once he hit the sidewalk, he stepped back into the alley as a sob tore through his body. He turned to lean his forearm onto the wall and his eyes against that arm to soak up the tears. He kept the sobs as quiet as he could, not wanting to draw attention to himself.