Chapter 9
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DivineAngel
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One Week Later
"Wieeee hadddva beanceaping tall of deeem."
Someone was talking. Or mumbling. He couldn't tell. The sounds were smooshing together, the words weren't making sense. All he could understand was that, it was a voice, and it was above him. Wait…there were two of them. A second was now speaking, while the other continued mumbling along. He tried to move his eyes, tried to open them. To understand where he was. He could already hear the water, his body drifting slightly from side to side…he was in a boat. Or…more like a canoe. He could feel the sides very close to him, so he must be in a canoe.
Slowly the light came to him as he opened his eyes. It was so bright. Hard to see, but he had to. Had to know where he was. He forced them open just a little, taking in the light with a sharp breath and pushing through it. His features scrunching as he came back to reality and finally, he frowned at the flamingo near the base of his canoe. Its bright pink features, and beady eyes looking at him. Gargling at him with noises or words he couldn't make out or understand. Its thin body gracefully sliding with the water it sat on. Floating along side his canoe before turning towards the next animal. A fat white duck, quickly pumping its feet under the waves and swimming to him. Its bright yellow beak almost pointing at him as it cocked its head a few times and quaked.
He closed his eyes again ignoring how retarded this all was, and allowing the soft sound of the water to sooth him. It was almost lulling him to sleep, and when he opened his eyes. Both birds were still there, so he glanced away. Over to his left. Nothing but rocks. Soft moist rocks climbing up the side of what looked like a mountain where the light was beading into white color around him. He turned back to the birds…they were still there…then to the right. His face mustering another breath when he caught sight of Yohji.
The blonde was casually lounging in his own canoe. Hands behind his head smoking with a grin. "Hi Ken." Yohji winked at him and he smiled. "Sit up. Don't let the sun go to waste Ken." Yohji said and he gave a light chuckle, but his body was so tired he didn't even have the strength to laugh. He was so out of it, everything was so relaxing. He was going back to sleep again his will. He was-OW! He jumped at the sudden stinging in his leg. That stupid big fat white duck had just pecked him! He frowned, trying to shove it off, but the damn thing pecked him again!
"Ahhhh." He moaned, somehow the sun here was so sedating. He didn't understand how Yohji could just lounge in it. "Stoooop." He moaned again, and the flamingo got closer to him before squawking once. "Ow!" He yelled when the duck pecked him again. His hands surrendering. He couldn't get the damn thing off him. He closed his eyes. Maybe he could just escape and go to sleep. Maybe he would just fall so dead asleep he wouldn't feel it anymore! "oW!" He screamed louder this time. His eyes instinctively opening. This was the hardest sting yet! He jumped as the flamingo pushed the duck aside and moved right into his face. It's soft pink features ruffling, almost cooing at him as he blinked.
The sun's light was getting intense, making it hard to see. It was eating up the water, and the rocks, bleeding everything over with the white color as the bird ruffled again. Like it would soon try to peck the nose off his face and eat it. He closed his eyes, just for a second. He could still feel the soft feathers brushing against his cheek as the mumbling came back to him. Stronger than before. The incoherent noise blaring at him as he opened his eyes. Watching the bird begin to melt, its features morphing to a dark red color, its small beady eyes becoming larger. Its beak sinking away to thin red lines. Until Manx was staring down into his face, with large green eyes and red hair.
"I saaaid dddo yooouheeaarrmmm." He frowned at the mumbling coming from her mouth. Why the hell couldn't this woman ever give him a break! "Key keey keeey Keeeen Ken!" He jumped when he registered his name, and she looked satisfied as she stood back with her hands on her hips. "I think he heeeaarsssmmm."
"Yo.." She came back to his face when he tried to speak. His lips seemed so dry, his throat flat. "Yoh.."
"Yohji." She repeated for him, and he nodded. Watching her stand up and turn to his right. He looked over and blinked. There was Yohji, in much of the same spot as he had seen the guy before. Only this time, he was lying still, sleeping in a white hospital bed.
"YOhji!" He jerked slightly, trying to get up and reach for the blonde but his hands were stuck.
"Relax Ken." Manx laid a hand on his shoulder, and he watched a pudgy nurse appear at her side. Gently sticking his thigh with a needle, and things started to clear up further. Manx's voice was becoming easier to understand, her face not so fuzzy. "Do you understand mmmmKey."
"Yes." He nodded, if by that slur she meant Do you understand me Ken. She smiled at him, just a soft nod before turning back to the nurse with a heavy frown.
"I don't care. I have given you our order now coconut dish suavely what adklfjsdlfkjsadf." He watched the pudgy nurse shake no and began repeating a something scolding to Manx who looked annoyed. He could only guess the woman wasn't talked back to a lot. "Now." wow, he understood that loud and clear. "Do it Now." Yup understood that too, Manx was getting mad and those words were the only ones escaping her babbling slurs. The pudgy nurse seemed annoyed having to acknowledge them as well because she quickly left, and Manx turned back to him. "Do you understand me Ken?"
"Yes." He answered again, his voice still raw and chalky. "Where…"
"Your in a hospital." she informed and he frowned instantly concerned. A Hospital!? "Relax." Manx laid another hand on him as he jerked. Trying to get up and raise his hands but they were stuck. He looked down, studying the small Velcro wraps keeping his hands restrained.
"What's going on…here." He frowned up at her and she gave him a soft smile.
"They are simply for precaution Ken. You are fine. You've suffered some blood loss, we've restored. Some heavy blows to your head, but several cat scans show none of the damage to be serious. You need only to rest and recuperate now.
"Everyone's ok?" He frowned watching her nod.
"Yes Ken. Yohji is right here." He turned to the blonde who like him was restrained in his bed. "He woke up about three hours ago. He is sleeping now. He suffered a greater loss of blood than you, but seems to be doing fine."
"Aya!?"
She gave him a small shh look before pointing past Yohji. Sure enough there was the red head. Sleeping in his bed. Only Aya still had an IV connected, and his heart rate was being monitored. "Aya was wounded badly Ken. He's recuperating but he may need more time here than the rest of you. We were unable to stop the obstacle until it was complete. Aya was wounded first, bled the longest and only furthered his own injuries when he used himself to shield Omi." Manx said and he sighed towards the red head peacefully sleeping in the bed. Yup, that sounded like Aya only…Omi. He glanced around. Omi! Where was he!?
"Where's! Where!?" He jerked trying to get up again, but Manx only tightened her gently grip on his shoulder.
"Omi will be here shortly. We've had some disputes with the nursing staff here. This wing of the hospital is under our jurisdiction, however as soon as we're not here to reinforce it. They move Omi back downstairs." She explained, her tone dreadfully annoyed before catching his confused expression. "For age purposes. Had he been a normal resident he would still be placed in a portion of the children's ward." He made a face and she smiled. "But I have ordered for him to be *brought* back. I'll will also leave some threats, so he shouldn't be moved again." He watched her take a step back and survey Yohji and Aya. "I don't take well to my orders not being followed." She muttered, as though she were speaking to herself before glancing at him with a corner mouth smile.
"I-I…"He licked his lips. He wanted to know how they did. Wanted his progress now! He didn't want to wait for it! That was unfair! Usually he got it immediately! Mr. Brine stood there and summed stuff up, and continued going over their faults no matter how bad they were bleeding, or needed to piss. No matter how many times Yohji griped, or Omi threw up. The man continued until the assessment was over and then they were dismissed. This didn't seem right, keeping it from them. "I--I…"
"Rest Ken." Manx only nodded at him, dismissing him in her own way. She wasn't going to talk about this anymore, and his eyes left her and went to the nurse coming in the door. She was young carefully guiding the front of Omi's bed as the pudgy nurse Manx had been arguing with brought up the rear. He tried to sit up to see better, apparently the nurses were annoyed with Manx's orders. His Yohji's and Aya's bed all had their own light, nightstand and curtain that could be pulled around it. The room was only made for three beds.
He laid back as the pudgy nurse came over to the side of his bed and started moving things. Ignoring him as she disassembled some of the wires attached to his stuff and moved his night stand and bed over. Now he only had a small portion of his light over him. His nightstand was moved to the right side of the bed, and Omi's bed was put in the space his shove-over had provided.
He swallowed, trying to sit up more and see Omi. The boy looked as though he were sleeping too, and he had to admit his soft honey strains of hair fit perfectly with the colors in his bed. His bed had all white sheets, as did Yohji's and Aya's. Yohji was topless, but he could see a pair of what looked like white pants. Aya was completely covered so he couldn't tell what the guy was wearing, and from what he could feel all he had on was his underwear. Omi on the other hand had a pair of cream pants with small little giraffes printed on them, and a very light sea green t-shirt that loosely hung around his body. His restraints were different from his too. Instead of Velcro, they were bound together with snaps. They were slightly tighter on Omi's wrists so the thin body couldn't wiggle free, but they linked to the metal upraised sides on either side of the boy. So Omi could slid his hands up by his head, but not pull them upward. His were stuck where they were, and he was guessing it was the same for Aya and Yohji. Considering Yohji's hands were exactly where his were, and Aya's he couldn't see.
He looked up at the nurse who moved over him, messing with some of the pillows and buttons in his bed. "Um…he. Is he conscious? Can I talk to him?" She glanced at his questions, nodding slightly as she picked up a needle.
"He's fine Mr. Hidaka. Now rest."
"Wait." He frowned as she quickly injected his arm with whatever she had. "Wait! I wanted to talk to him!" The room was getting blurry fast, and the nurse ignored him. "Waaaait." He breathed out his soft moan. His eyelids getting heavy, before locking shut on him and he was out.
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The muttering was around him again when he started coming to. His eyes forcing themselves open, as fast as possible. Stupid nurse…inject him with….something, he'd show her. If she'd be kind enough to untie him…seeing as…he couldn't really move. He jerked his arms again, but they were still stuck. Stupid nurse…strap him to the bed…he'd…he'd show-his musings stopped when he heard something. To his right he could see Yohji. The guy had moved slightly since last time he'd seen him but still looked asleep.
Another small noise came and he turned to his left where it came from. Frowning at the white curtain that was drawn so he couldn't see anything.
"Mm no." he heard a voice on the other side.
"Good. Swallow this for me." It was a nurse. Either that or some really happy woman bearing something yummy. "Good. Mr. Tsukiyono hold still while I move your arm." Yes definitely a nurse, talking to Omi.
"Can you untie me please?" Omi asked.
"I am sorry young man, but I haven't been given orders to yet. Hold still." The nurse answered, voice like she'd said that line for the hundred time and was forcing herself to remain pleasant.
"Please? I won't…do anything. Where am I?" Omi's voice sounded very nervous, and concerned.
"Your in the hospital, and you need to rest." the nurse replied dully, as though she were concentrating on something.
"Ow." He heard Omi cringe slightly and he struggled to get up, but his damn arms kept him down. "How-how long have I been here?"
"A week. Let's get this off you now."
A Week! His mind screamed. A wEEK! They had been there for a WEEK! OH my god! He turned his head to the side to get a look at Yohji! Did Yohji know they were there for a week? "Yohji." He whispered to the blonde as Omi made another small uncomfortable noise and he could hear stuff being moved around to his left. "Yohji." He whispered slightly louder, but Yohji wasn't even moving. Damnt. If he had his hands undone he could have thrown something at the blonde.
"Where is my team?" Omi suddenly asked.
"Who?" He turned back to his left so he could ease drop better. It didn't sound like Omi was talking to the pudgy nurse, good thing too. He didn't like her already, if she had the gall to argue with Manx, she'd probably be a pain in the ass for them, and he shuddered thinking about how that could become a literal statement.
"My ah…who brought me here?" Omi asked.
"I don't know that information off hand."
"Can you find out?"
"Yes I can, relax now…Don't tense up."
"Can you find out now?"
"No. I need to finish this up, and then check on your room mates."
"There are more people in here?" Omi sounded alarmed with his question, and he heard Omi move as though trying to see, but the curtain was impossible. "I am uncomfortable with you doing this." Omi quickly spit , as though reluctant to say it and he heard some of the moment stop. "Will you undo my hands?"
"Now Mr. Tuskiyono please try to understand." The nurse began, tired. "I can *not* unsnap your hands until I have an order to do so. Please cooperate with me, I won't make this harder than it has to be for you."
"Leave me alone." Omi's voice suddenly firmed up, and he heard more sounds of moment. "NO. Leave me alone." Omi snapped a bit louder.
"Mr. Tsukiyono." the nurse was sighing, exhausted with this. "Please relax while I heat up this water." He heard Omi grunt at the woman and he smiled. She sounded pleasant, but tired and he jumped as someone suddenly came through the curtain towards him.
"Well good afternoon." It was another nurse, maybe late thirties and she smiled at him immediately. "I wasn't expecting to see you so awake." she greeted, and he didn't know what to say, so he said nothing. She didn't seem to mind, he mused watching her walk to his night and open it slightly. "Is there anything I can get you?" He shook his head, he didn't think she had any lip balm in her pocket for him. "Wonderful." She stood up with a smile, shining a light in his eye before nodding at him. "Do you have any questions for me?"
"Have I…really been here for a week?" She nodded and he closed his eyes in a cringe.
"Yes it appears that way doesn't it. He opened his eyes as the nurse gently pulled the covers off him and piled them into a small bin. He moved slightly, wishing he could get his hands free since he was now only lying there in his underwear. But it was probably pointless to ask, if Omi's nurse continually gave soft refusals to the whining requests to be untied. Omi was still talking, he didn't sound very drugged, and he tried to talk at the same time as the boy. So Omi wouldn't hear him until he could understand what was going on. "Are you hungry Mr. Hidaka?"
He thought about that for a moment. Was he hungry….no. "No." He shook his head and she nodded, slipping her fingers into his velcroed straps and taking his pulse.
"Excellent. You've been improving wonderfully. Now we'll just get you cleaned up, and change your bedding and you'll feel much better." He watched the happy lady crouch down to the underneath of his bed. There were apparently some drawers there or something, because she pulled out a small dish, washcloth, and a few towels before standing back up and clearing his night stand of some medical do-dads
"What are you doing." He gave her a look. She ignored him and continued, picking up his chart and reading through it. "Miss? What are you doing?" He gave her a more stern tone and she glanced at him.
"Now don't worry yourself Mr. Hidaka." she smiled pouring some water into the small dish and placing it on a hot plate. "We'll just heat up this water for you, so it's nice and warm and get you cleaned up." He tried to sit up as he heard another voice in the room. Aside from his nurse, the one with Omi, and Omi's constant questions burning the poor girls mind there was suddenly another. "Hi Patty, I didn't know your shift was on." He blushed as a young nurse walked over to them with a smile. Stopping to look at him for a moment before giving him a smile too. As soon as he got his hands untied, he was going to show all these women what for.
"I know, I switched shifts with May." His nurse replied happily. "Poor girl had to take her cat to the vet." He sighed as the young nurse started towards Yohji nodding. Shining a light into the blondes eye before taking his pulse. "Said the poor thing got hit by a car." His nurse, Patty apparently placed a towel over his waist and another over his stomach as he lay listening to all of this. He heard Omi's nurse say something before Omi gave a fast annoyed rebuttal and he smiled again.
"Ken." the second he heard Yohji's voice he whirled his head towards the sound and the blonde's lop sided grin and soft mumble. He grinned immediately. "Bout time you woke up."
"I am the one who's been waiting for you." He gave Yohji a look as his nurse started messing with the warm water. Frowning at Yohji, who was already flirting away with the young girl slowly taking his sheets from the bed. God what a ladies man Yohji was! The guy never quit! "Um can you move this curtain?" His nurse glanced at him, and he jumped as she gently ran the washcloth onto his arm and started wiping it off. "The one to my left. And I am perfectly capable of doing this myself." He yanked his arm from her as much as he could and she frowned.
"There's no reason to have an attitude Mr. Hidaka." He watched her pout her hands to her hips with her reprimanding expression. "I'll go and ask the doctor if I can release your hands. In the mean time, I suggest you think about how we can get alone. It will make things smoother for you." He jumped as she tossed the washcloth back into the small tin with a look before heading out the door. He watched her go frowning, before glancing at Yohji's chuckle.
"Such a ladies man Ken."
"Shut up." He frowned looking away towards the curtain blocking Omi from him. He wanted it gone so he could see Omi. They obviously hadn't told the boy much, but having Omi hear him on the other side would only upset him further if they were being separated, or the nurses were going to move him back downstairs. So he resort to frowning up to the ceiling waiting for that stupid nurse to come back. She was going to be the first one he gave his what-for to.
From his right Yohji's sweet talking was making it to his ears. Telling the nurse what lovely eyes she had, and then asking if she would just bend down enough for him to smell her hair. Geez, he sighed, before listening to his left. Omi's nurse was quiet, so she might not even be there anymore. All he could hear were light shuffles every few seconds. Omi moving around in the bed, and he smiled slightly. Maybe he should say something now, when he would have a moment to talk to Omi alone. He licked his lips.
"Mr. Tsukiyono." He jumped. The nurse was still there! He thought she had left! "Please cooperate with me." He pulled at his arms, trying to get closer to the left side of his bed and listen. Omi's nurse was whispering a scolding that was hard to make out, and Omi's whisper back was even harder to make out. He learned closer, as far as he could go pulling on his arms.
"No!" He jumped at Omi's yell. "I am…I am having a hard time with this and…I…can I have my clothes back? Please? And whhyy can't you gooo check ooon the-" The nurse silenced the whining with a second scolding whisper. His face frowning slightly as he heard Omi just whine a frustrated response at her before moving around in the sheets.
His nurse came back to him with a heavy sigh. "Your lucky that woman here with you is so…influential." He grinned as his nurse started un-velcring him. It looked like she wanted to say something else but thought better of it.
He sat up immediately, and the pain hit him just as fast. "Ahhmm." He groaned with the intense bruises he could suddenly feel.
"Easy Mr. Hidaka. Just relax, try not to move so fast. You have several harsh bruises around your back and chest." He looked down at himself now that he finally could. He did, and lots of scratches too. The cuts he had taken had been smeared over with a globby clear cream, and then again with a gloss. He touched it slightly. Wow it was weird. Like glue that dried on your hand, it was a light protective covering over his wounds. So bandages weren't necessary, air could get to it, they could be easily seen and as far as he could tell nothing could touch it. Not even his fingers which were busy poking it to make sure. "I'll find you a robe Mr. Hidaka, your to shower and wash your hair." He nodded. "I'll change your bed in the mean time." He nodded again, watching her head across the room to get something before looking over towards Yohji. The nurse was hardly rubbing the strong arm with the sponge as Yohji spoke to her. Holding her hand and gently caressing the top with his thumb.
Man, he sighed again, turning towards the sheet blocking him from Omi and grabbing it.
"Mr. Hidaka!" His nurse grabbed his hand immediately. Quickly closing the curtain the small three inches he had opened it. "Please there is another patient in there."
"I know." He nodded taking the robe as she started ushering him from the bed and away from the left side of his little area. "I know him I-"
"-that's irrelevant. Hospital policy you never open a curtain unless you are the patients doctor, or have permission to do so. One more move like that and you'll be velcroed back in that bad so fast you won't know what happened to you."
"But-"
"-No buts." He stumbled slightly as he got up, he hadn't stood in a week and his legs felt shaky. "Now that door there is the bathroom. Do not disturb the other patient Mr. Hidaka, he's being washed down now." he followed her nod towards Yohji who was an example. The blonde was smiling up at the nurse he was still flirting with as the girl gently ran a sponge over his chest.
Ok. Yohji was an exception for all of them, with the fact the guy had hardly any modesty and wasn't even modest about declaring he had no modesty! For Yohji this looked and sounded like a enjoyable event, and the blonde even made it look good. But for him, he grimaced looking back at the wash cloth, good thing he got out of that. Or for Omi, this wouldn't be pleasant, he was blushing just thinking about it. "Get going Mr. Hidaka." He wrapped the robe around himself as he started towards the bathroom. Watching his nurse start changing his sheets before quickly dashing over to Omi's curtain so the woman couldn't see him anymore.
"Omi?" He whispered into the curtain as much as he could. Hopefully his nurse wouldn't hear him and Omi would. He jumped as he heard Omi make a small noise, as though unsure if he heard him or not before the curtain opened in front of him.
"Mr. Hidaka?" the nurse there looked confused. "Your supposed to be in bed I-"
"-I know." He gently shoved her hand off glancing to the open room door. "But some guy in the hall said…" He just trailed, watching her look at the door before back at him. Shutting the curtain behind her as she started for it with a confused look on her face.
His smile and slip into Omi's spot took all of three seconds. His grin ready for the bright blue eyes and honey colored hair before stopping at the sight. Omi's hands were tightly snapped into the gentle cuffs up by his head and he was laying slightly on his side with his legs drawn together and loosely pulled up towards his chest. He had a thin towel laid over his waist, but because Omi had been moving it was extremely low and wasn't really helping to give the thin cloth-less body any privacy. Omi didn't look up at him when he started over, his thin hands just remained over his head, arms up by his face which was ducked down chin to chest. Omi was aware he was there though, even he could hear himself walking. "I…" He stopped with Omi's mumble from the bed. "I ah…don't understand why-I should be like this." Omi muttered before gently tugging on the restrains and he started for them immediately. Quickly ripping the snaps apart and Omi looked up at his wrists surprised before up at him. "Ken!"
Omi looked more than relieved to see him. "Hi." He smiled at the desperate yell that pulled at his other arm. Quickly yanking both his wrists and arms to his chest as he unsnapped them. "Come on Omi get up before your nurse gets back. She's going to be so pissed at me." He grabbed Omi's arm, helping the body up. Omi was deeply bruised and scraped like him. His stab wounds had also been glossed over, but they looked gross and he grimaced slightly. "Here." He pulled his robe off and gave it to Omi's thin figure clutching the towel to just enough of his front as he cringed. "Hey Yohji!" He called upward and he heard Yohji answer him. "Can you get up!? Lets take a shower!" He yelled before silencing, he was going to need Yohji's brilliant persuasive nature. Any second some nurse was going to attack him for touching the forbidden curtain, tie Omi back in his bed, and probably him too and there wasn't going to be much he could do about it. "Come on." He pulled Omi along with him to the curtains edge as Omi wrapped himself in his robe. He wrapped the towel around his waist as he walked out and Omi followed.
Yohji was already getting up, the young nurse had no problem un-velcroing the sweet talker. Yohji was cringing slightly as he started gingerly walking towards them with nothing but loose white pants hanging from below his hip bones. "Omi." Yohji smiled at the pained blue eyes. "I had no idea you were even in here." Yohji laughed slapping Omi in the shoulder and the boy winced stumbling a bit.
"Mr. Hidaka!" A nurse suddenly yelled and he jumped elbowing Yohji as the young nurse he had tricked into going into the hall started coming back. Omi immediately moved behind him, the boy didn't want to go back with her. "Just what do you think you are doing." She demanded stomping right up to him and frowning.
"Uh…taking a shower?" He managed before offering a weak smile and she squint.
"You are going to find yourself in a lot of trouble Mr. Hidaka if you can't fallow Hospital rules." He moved in front of part of Omi as she made a move to grab the boy. "Mr. Hidaka." She shoved him aside and grabbed Omi's arm.
"Um Miss." Yohji quickly snapped her hand off and cupped it between his own while petting it gently. "I do believe that…if a patient is fully capable of cleaning himself one should be given that, am I right?" He nodded, but the nurse looked more than shocked with Yohji's behavior. "As you can see he's standing on his own two feet, and I'll look after him for you, if you don't mind. He doesn't have much experience with the ladies." Yohji explained winking, before dropping the woman's hand with another grin. "That is hospital policy isn't it?" Yohji finished, on a more blunt level.
"Always the comfort of the patient." He nodded immediately. "That's what's most important." He took a step back, shuffling Omi along with him as the shocked expression wore off her face.
"If you three so much as step out of line while your on my shift, I'll have you all strapped in your beds. Now get." He grinned turning around as Omi shot for the bathroom. Yohji right behind him as they all limped in and fumbled for the lights. Flicking it on they took a moment to just glance around. The bathroom was really big, completely tiled with a toilet, three sinks, and small seven inch rise of title outline surrounding a row of shower heads.
Yohji started for them immediately and he followed with Omi. "What a witch." He sighed tossing his towel and underwear to a small tiled bench as he turned on one of the shower heads. "You should have heard what she said to me about touching the curtains. Woo I thought she was going to cut my hand off." He spit sarcastically and Yohji chuckled while making use of the provided soap.
"My nurse was nice." Yohji beamed. "If it wasn't for all the spectators…I think I could have easily hit it off with her. I-"
"-Well my nurse was horrible!" Yohji frowned at Omi's fast interruption as the boy stood directly under his shower head frowning between them. "She was dumb." Omi muttered bitterly before closing his eyes and leaning back into the water. "She didn't even follow policy correctly." Omi continued and he grinned, closing his eyes as he moved his head under the water pressure. It was so strong he couldn't hear anything but the rushing water. So relaxing he had a sleepy smile on his face when he pulled out from under it to grab some soap and scrub his hair. God it never felt so good to take a shower.
"Ken." He turned to Yohji's frowning question. "Did you hear that?" He shook his head, and Omi stopped washing his hair for a moment listening.
"I don't hear anything." He shrugged, grabbing some of the body wash provided and scrubbing the musky smell together in his hands.
"Boys!" he jumped, ok maybe Yohji was hearing something. He turned towards the door and almost choking at Manx's frown looking in at them.
"Hey! Haven't you ever heard of knocking first! Get out!" He yelled giving her a look and she raised her eyebrows. Yohji was just calmly watching his outburst from next to him. The guy still washing his hair, probably not a modest bone in his body, while Omi shrunk behind them both for cover.
"Ken." She spit his name and he swallowed when she started in and directly over to where they were before frowning right at him. "Do not ever yell at me again. Understood?" He nodded immediately, watching her sharp expression move from him, to Yohji who only smiled, and then to Omi whom sunk further behind them with a horrible blush. "Now turn off the water and get back to yours beds…I have something to tell you." she ordered continuing her frown as he nodded before muttering an 'Ok' to appease her.
She left then, with all three of them watching her go before sighing as the door shut. "What a witch." He growled turning off his water. Omi immediately shut his off and started squeezing droplets from his short strains of hair. "Lets go Yohji." He gave the blonde a look when Yohji casually started rinsing.
"Come on Ken. What's she going to do. Come *back* in?" Yohji gave him a wink as he dried off with a towel. Omi doing the same before wrapping back up in his robe as Yohji got out. Three minutes later all of them left the bathroom, and looked around their now empty room frowning. "That little…" He trailed before he said anything else. Manx would probably suddenly appear if he ever cursed her.
"She's not even here." Omi frowned yanking the curtain from around his bed with disgust before glancing up with a loud "Aya-kun!" Omi quickly ran past them and to the red head who's eyes were open. "Aya-kun, I haven't seen you in a week!" Omi exclaimed happily and he smiled as he walked over to Aya and looked down at him. Aya was still attached to the IV, but several of the other wires had thankfully been pulled off him.
"Hey Aya." He watched Aya frown as Yohji sat on his bed grinning. "How are you feeling? You look like hell." Yohji stated and they waited for a response, but Aya's thin and pale face just tensed.
"Aya-kun, I wanted to thank you for defending me." Omi smiled and spoke instead, brushing some of Aya's hair back before frowning as he caught the glimmer around Aya's eyes. Aya was crying. "Aya-kun? Are you ok?" Omi asked suddenly concerned.
"Hey Aya." Yohji shoved Omi aside, getting closer to the red head and gently taking his shoulders. "What is it? Are you in pain?" Yohji looked up at him immediately. "Ken get a nurse."
He shot for the door. "No." Aya barked, his voice just as commanding as ever, and he turned around and watched Aya close his eyes and lick his lips. "I…we…we failed." Aya rasped quietly and he blinked…they what? "We failed. All of us. Failed." Aya whispered.
"What." Omi choked, wide eyed. "What-what do you mean? What do you mean we failed!? Aya-kun?!"
"Aya." Yohji shook Aya's bandaged shoulders slightly, but the violet eyes just closed and looked away. "Aya! Who said that! Who!? Aya!" Yohji demanded.
He shook his head backing up a step. No way. No way they failed no way! They were better than that! They were! It was an accident. "Assassins don't make accidents." he muttered to himself and Omi turned to him confused before looking past him and he followed the gaze.
"Yohji-kun." Omi quietly murmured Yohji's name and the green eyes snapped up and immediately shot to Manx whom now stood in the room.
"You." Yohji growled slightly, fixing his green eyes to a squint for the woman. "You did this." Yohji hissed.
"No you did this." She corrected immediately. "I see you've all heard the news. I was hoping to break it to you calmly but it seems that was out of my control."
"Is it true?" Omi asked fearfully.
"Yes. It's true. You all failed. Horribly. You did fine for the first five minutes. Excellent strategy, your split well thought. Youngest with oldest…but five minutes is not supposed to be the life of an assassin. Within fifteen minutes you had lost two teammates. Within twenty five you lost the entire obstacle." She frowned at them. "You didn't even last half an hour."
"But! But!" Omi immediately began to protest. "You didn't tell us…You didn't tell us there would be other people to fight! I didn't know what I was supposed to do!" Omi turned to them, as if for support or confirmation they were equally confused, and they all nodded.
"Tell me boys…" Manx began "Do you find the word, assassin confusing?" They were all silent. "Did we or did we not train you boys to kill."
"No." He frowned immediately, stepping forward. "Not in the obstacles. You didn't train us to kill in the obstacles! How were we supposed to define what lines could be crossed!?" He demanded
"They were set for you." Manx stated calmly. "Your teammates were dying. Abyssinian was seriously wounded within the first seven minutes. If I hadn't cheated and had an employee go in an inject him with a serum for his blood he would have bled to death. I find it hard to believe you would or should have had confusion when your team was being murdered." Manx finished, tone both scolding and disappointed
They were all dead silent. Manx made it sound so simple. Made it sound so easily. Like they all had to be so dumb not see it. But she was wrong. She wasn't there, she wasn't them. It was one thing to know how to kill, it was another to use your talent. They were in a practice obstacle! The thought of killing the opponents they were practicing on had never crossed their minds! The thought of seriously *wounding* their opponents had never crossed their minds!
"There.." Yohji growled, and they all turned to him. "…There is a fine line between murderer, and assassin Miss. Manx." Yohji hissed and Manx cocked an eyebrow at them. "You did not specify which kind we were supposed to be." Yohji stated.
For once she was silent, calmly thinking about what Yohji said. Hell they were all thinking about what Yohji said. This was one of those times when a word of wisdom, or philosophical revelation would slip past those lanky lips and save Yohji every time they were all so sure the guy was an ass. Every time he was so sure he never wanted to team up, or work together, or even be in the same room as Yohji! Something the guy said would come flying back to him, and force him to reconsider the blonde.
"I am sorry boys." Manx finally spoke, and in more ways than one they all felt as though they went spiraling to a crash. Shot down. "I will admit you were my favorite group. You have the talent, you really do. I am sorry things worked out this way." She turned to leave, and he felt his breath hitch in his throat.
"Sorry." Yohji growled again, green eyes welling with tears. "Sorry! If your so DAmN SORRY! Then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!" He grabbed Yohji's arm as the blonde took an aggressive step forward. "You KNOW we can fight! You KNOW we're good! Don't! DON't!" He pulled back to hang onto Yohji and Omi came forward and latched on to help as well. Yohji was physically shaking with his injustice. "Don't throw us away." Yohji breathed locking eyes with Manx, and watching that tight ball-busting expression soften. "Don't throw me away." Yohji whispered and she almost looked comforting now. Like a mother, looking at her child whom had just skinned his knee. She was soft, reassuring, and beautiful before her eyes dropped to the floor. The expression disappeared. She became the ball-buster once again. Resumed her job once again.
"You'll all be released in an hour. You will go back to the shop for the last night." Yohji's body went slack in his arms. That was it. The key thing he couldn't figure out. Why Aya and Yohji were so upset they had failed. They had both already figured it out, and now it hit him like a ton of bricks. The fact that if they had failed, they were useless. They wouldn't be kept.
He heard Omi choke a small noise, as his mouth dropped open. "It will be your…*last* night in the shop boys. Tomorrow mourning you will all leave. Don't look back to us for anything, because we won't look back to you. What you've learned, take it with you, but what we've offered you is over. I am sorry to be so blunt but understand. You were never here. We never saw you. We never knew you. You will leave, and regain the lives you had before."
"NO!" Yohji's screamed and Manx jumped startled before her eyes once again dropped to the floor for just the smallest moment.
"I am sorry Weiss." She answered, her thin figure and swaying walk heading for the door as his chest started picking up. Go back!?
"GO BACK!?" He screamed as well, dropping Yohji's arm and turning to the blonde. "GO BACK!?" Yohji started around him to the door. Slamming it loudly before locking it and calmly coming back to them to leaning into the wall near Aya's bed.
"NO! I don't want to GO Baaaack." Omi cried immediately, covering his face for a moment before running his hands into his hair. "I hate it there. I hate IT THERE! I don't want to go back! It's! We! I don't want to go bacK!"
"Well forget this!" Yohji growled shoving the plastic contents off Aya's nightstand and making Omi jump. "I'll never go back. I'll…I can't go back to that Ken!" Yohji shot and he nodded when Yohji choked a silent sob. "It's….never what I wanted, it's only what I am good at! But…how else am I going to make money I…how else I can't make enough just working in a normal job."
"This entire thing has been one big fucking joke!" Aya growled painfully and he felt tears rush to his eyes with the words. His sight blurred slightly but he didn't let the tears slip like Yohji who openly sat there crying, or Omi who sat on Yohji's empty bed with his head in his lap sobbing.
"Ahhh I wish I neeeeveeer caaame heeere!" Omi looked up crying with Aya's growl. "Theeen I…theeen it wouldn't beee sooo harrd fooor meee to goo baaaack. I-I.." He quickly sat down next to Omi. Wrapping his arm around the boys thin form which ignored him and continued crying.
"What are we going to do." He frowned out his shaky question. He was on the verge of crying, any second he wasn't going to be able to stay strong like Aya anymore. "I…I'll go back to the streets. I don't want to live with my uncle! And I said I would never live with him again! Then I...then I am going back to the streets." He felt some tears leak out to his cheeks as Yohji nodded, sniffling slightly.
"What section Ken?"
"I a…well I don't know…where ever I wander." He made a disgusted expression as a few more tears ran down his face.
"Well I am…going….downtown probably I…well want to stick together? For…a while maybe?" Yohji asked wiping a few tears away and he sniffled.
"Yeah…ok." He nodded quickly. A small rush of relief flooding over him. At least he wouldn't be completely alone.
"ahhhhNOO!" Omi threw his arms around him immediately. Hugging the life out of him as he sniffled some more. "Keeeen will You come and visit meee too? I don't want to beee so looneely."
He nodded quickly, fighting back the tears in his eyes and the rough scratchy feeling in the back of his throat. "Sure I will." He lied, quickly running a hand through Omi's hair for reassurance. "Yohji will come with me. We'll both visit you." He smiled and nod as Omi looked up at him before glancing at Yohji. The blonde didn't bother to lie and nod though, he just gave a weak smile.
Omi understood and his body pressed into him harder, because he knew they were lying. There was no way they'd ever get near Omi's school looking the way they'd soon look. Dirty, maybe smelly, hungry, homeless. But they could still pretend. He nodded again when Omi just crumpled into him further, he knew they were lying too. But Omi could still pretend. "It will…work out." he nodded softly glancing at Yohji who had an exhausted blank expression on his face. Vacant tears still on his cheeks, but he wasn't crying anymore. "It will work out guys."
(Knock knock) The sound startled them, before they all looked towards the door. "Boys? It's me." Mr. Brine said through the wood, and Yohji threw a death glare that way. "Open the door boys."
"Fuck off!" He yelled, and Yohji faltered with his mouth open seconds from spitting that exact phrase before giving him an approving salute.
Mr. Brine was quiet for a moment before the shadow beneath the door shifted slightly. "Boys…you were my own team. I was your captain and...I…feel this as much as you do." He felt his heart wrench with the concerned words on the other side of the door. This was what all the solemn looks were for. For the chance they didn't make it. For the chance Mr. Brine would have to give them up after spending month living with them, getting to know them, watching tv, talking about girls, teaching them everything they knew. Offering them all a better life. He wanted to open the door, wanted to get up and let the man in but….he wasn't so sure he could keep from crying if he did. So he sat still, didn't make a move and Yohji wouldn't even look at the door. "Boys please." There was another soft comment, and he felt Omi shift in his arms to look towards the door and shadow underneath it. "Tsukiyono open the door please." Mr. Brine said and Omi's body stiffened before quickly glancing at him for direction but his face revealed nothing. "Tsukiyono." Omi looked towards the door with the second call. "Now." Mr. Brine ordered softly and Omi got up and started for the door while he started wiping his face. Yohji was doing the same trying to be more presentable as Omi slowly unlocked the door and let Mr. Brine inside.
The man smiled at the wet blue eyes and pink nose immediately. Gently laying a hand on the thin shoulder with a smile. "How are we Tsukiyono. Wounds ok?" He watched Omi nod. "Good, your head ok?" The boy nodded again. "Good. It's good to see you awake son." He watched Omi muster a smile before Mr. Brine looked towards them and calmly began walking over with a heavy sigh. "You alright Hidaka?" Mr. Brine asked and he nodded. "Good…Kudou? Stab wound ok?" Yohji just waved the comment off, and Mr. Brine looked towards Aya. "Fujimiya I was most worried about you."
Aya frowned immediately. "Don't be sir." Aya ordered and Mr. Brine nodded once, as Omi came back over and sat next to him while a long still silence passed before he spoke.
"We didn't know…" he began, and everyone looked at him. "…That we were supposed to be…brutal sir…I thought it was a game…Practice. No one said we were supposed to hurt them." He stated.
Mr. Brine closed his eyes for a moment, sighing heavily with his statement. It was what they were all thinking. What they were all feeling. It wasn't right, the test was wrong, and they weren't given sufficient directions. "Hidaka a…a man went out and bought a dog. Mr. Brine began. His name was Mr. Clarke, he went out and…got himself some puppies." Mr. Brine said glancing at all of them, to make sure they were listening to his tale. They all were, even though Yohji looked disgusted. "Mr. Clarke is…well Mr. Clarke is my friend…I went out an got a animal too. I got some…some kittens. Now…pets are fickle creatures because they can sense what…what you sense. So your pets, gets to know you. They knows when your pleased and proud, and they knows when your mad, and more likely to punish them. It is from you, your pet learns many things. You can teach your pets to react to signals, to memorize tricks to play dead and…your pet will become smarter. You can teach your pet discipline by administering schedules…you can teach your pet to…be tough and take on great things with discipline and reprimanding. But…animals are fickle creatures, and if you hit your pets too much they will become vicious…but if you don't hit enough…they will becomes soft." Mr. Brine said before taking a moment to sigh again. "I thought and know I did the very best job I could do with you boys. I will never by like…my friend Mr. Clarke because….I am not him. I could never treat you like Mr. Clarke would…treat his boys because…well because you're my kittens…and in a lot of ways we're the same. You boys have grown on me…with all your filthy, annoying, stupid habits. Your all excellent fighters, and your all excellent people. Your not soft…but your not vicious either…you're a perfect medium. I can't make them understand what you are…because it's simply…what you are. I can't tell them that…on a number of occasions…you've shown teamwork beyond direction. That you do it instinctively…You constantly double up, and watch out for the weakest link at all times. When you work on the ceiling, none of you leave Hidaka's side." Mr. Brine threw him a soft smile and he turned away to hide his tears. "Not that I ever would, Hidaka you're a klutz." He choked a laugh and Yohji smiled. "When you work in the shop, one of you always watch Kudou because you know I'll tan his ass red if he spends more than five minutes with each girl, and doesn't fill his quota." Mr. Brine chuckled and Yohji snort slightly humored. "When you split up, or span great distances from each other…I find you…cautiously watch Fujimiya…because he's prone to be the most stubborn of you all." Mr. Brine threw Yohji and Aya soft chuckles before turning to all of them again. "And no matter what you idiots are doing you never fail to try and corrupt Tsukiyono's mind with it." Mr. Brine laughed. "On the other hand, that ensures he's never left out." Mr. Brine sighed. "These are qualities I can't write down in speeds, or times, or feats boys. These are talents that would have made you wonderful assassins. That allow you to far outstretch your opposing team in quality but unfortunately…not in time. They do kill faster than you, I have seen tapes of them in action. They are…efficient to put their talents as blunt, and almost as kind as possible. You are more…cautious."
"Cautious." Yohji spit the word back out with a frown, watching Mr. Brine calmly glance at him. "We're not scared sir."
"Assassins aren't afraid." Omi immediately added and Mr. Brine nodded with both comments.
"I hardly mean to imply such boys...sadly…these qualities will do you no good in an efficiency test and…there is nothing I can do about the verdict. I was only your coach, your boss, is mine and….what he says goes I am afraid."
"Sir but…but Sir!" Omi looked stabbed with the words.
"I know Tsukiyono, I will do all I can to make your remaining stay and leave as easy as I can but….there is nothing I can do boys. You are all leaving, and I can't go with you. This is the last time I will see you." He felt the tears rush back to his eyes, and for a moment. Just the slightest moment he thought he saw Mr. Brine get misty too, but the man quickly turned. "I'll leave you to rest then." Mr. Brine said starting for the door as Omi leaned back into him. Watching the man glance back with a kind smile before firming up. "What is this…a park! Get in YOUR OWN BEDS AND REST NOW!" He scrambled up with Omi, quickly heading to his bed and getting in as Mr. Brine watched. "I WANT YOU COMPLETELY HEALTHY IN AN HOUR! WHAT DO WE SAY!"
"Yes Sir!" The all answered, Omi yanking the covers up, as Yohji jumped into his bed grinning. Mr. Brine only noded a -god damn right that's what we say- and closed the door behind him.
He exhaled heavily, staring up to the ceiling as the door clicked shut and Mr. Brine walked down the hall. So they had an hour…an hour until they…went back to the shop…and after that well…he wasn't going to think about after that. He just couldn't. He wouldn't. He quickly rolled over as he felt the pressure of what was happening just slam into him. Almost knocking the wind out, but definitely making his breath hitch for a moment. His eyes immediately met with Yohji's when he was settled on his side, and the blonde slowly looked up at him from where he lay relaxed into the sheets, eyes welled with tears and he swallowed. Closing his eyes with the small -ah haaa- choked sob Omi let escape from behind him.
________________________________________________________________________
Two Hours Later
"YOhji! Yohji grab my bag!" He frowned yelling up the stairs to the blonde whom was on his way down. Yohji stopped, sighed, and turn around to get his bag. "Thank you!" He sighed starting back to the kitchen, and pushing past the few work men whom were currently packing all the dishes and kitchen utensils away. As fast as he had helped to put this entire place together, it was being taken apart again. Maybe faster too, since more people were working on it. People whom worked with Mr. Brine and showed up to carry away the furniture, the plants, the pictures, the silverware, the soap. To carry away the home he had lived in for four months, the life he had just begun to taste.
"Ken!" He jumped with Yohji's bark from behind him, and Yohji shoved his bag at him when he turned around surprised. "I have been talking to you for at least a minute, wake up will you." Yohji spit and he nodded turning to the stairs and looking up at Omi whom was coming down with a duffel bag of his own. He mustered a smile and threw it up to the boy but Omi quickly looked away and hurried past him. Leaving him to smile at Aya whom came down the stairs, bag in hand and stopped next to him.
"Well I.." He sighed a soft shaky smile at the red head whom turned to him. "I guess this is…goodbye Aya." He said and Aya mustered a weak smile and gave it back. "It's been nice knowing you, you stupid annoying stubborn son of a bitch." He said and Aya's smile widened with his comment. Smacking his shoulder as he walked towards the kitchen counter and dumped his bag on the floor next to his and Yohji's. Omi was up by the door, leaning into the wall with his bag waiting for his ride.
"Aya." He watched Yohji pull out a cigarette and light it before pulling out a piece of paper, and scanning the empty drawers for a pen. Frowning as every single one he pulled out was empty before opening some near by boxes and pulling one out. "Here this is…where you can leave messages for Ken and I….we'll get them." He watched Yohji scribble something onto the piece of paper before handing it to Aya and Aya took it while slowly locking eyes with Yohji.
They were all quiet for a moment, as Aya and Yohji stared at each other saying more than they could ever say with words. "See you around Yohji Kudou." Aya finally spoke with a small smile.
"Hmp." Yohji smirked a grunt. "Not likely Fujimiya." Aya smiled slightly as Yohji inhaled before grabbing the blonde for a hug. Both of them quickly patting each others backs as Omi came over, interested in the piece of paper Aya held. "Want one squirt?" Yohji asked.
"Bite me Yohji-kun." Omi smiled at the blonde whom pulled another scrap of paper from his pocket and started scribbling the same bar address. Omi eagerly took the paper and ever so gently ripped a piece off. "Can I…" Yohji extended the pen and he walked over and looked over Omi's shoulder as the small hand wrote a tiny neat address. The school, wing, and room number for them. Omi's pen stopping on his last number and hovering for a moment. Looking down at the address with a sadness that was his fait before offering it up slowly.
"I got it." He snatched the paper before Yohji could. The blonde would only loose it anyway, and he sure as hell didn't want to. Even if he never wrote the kid, which he probably wouldn't…at least he'd have something to remember him by.
"Will you guys write me?….sometime?" Omi looked doubtful as he asked the question but he and Yohji smiled. As if on queue, they immediately nod…they could all pretend very well.
They jumped at the sudden sound of a car horn out front and Omi's eyes rushed with tears. "Well that's…probably for me so." He watched the blue eyes quickly wipe the tears away with a small smile and start for the door.
"Bye Omi." Aya smiled as he passed, his body frozen next to Yohji. This was thee last time he would ever see Omi again…in his life.
"Omi!" the boy stopped and turned around at his yell. Stepping back as he started right for him and pulled him into a tight hug. "Bye Omi." He muttered squeezing the boy whom hugged back immediately.
"Bye Ken-kun." He felt his heart wrench. He had never been Ken-kun to anyone other than Omi. Now he'd never be Ken-kun again. "I'll miss you Ken-kun."
"Oh ah." He sniffled pulling back and straightening up so he wouldn't cry. "Well." He shrugged. " I'll ah…definitely miss you too." He said mustering a smile and giving Omi's shoulder a strong swat and nod before watching him turn for the door and disappear. His watched the door close with a solemn face before slowly turning around and glancing at Aya and Yohji.
Yohji cracked a weak smile. "One down." both of them turned to Aya. They didn't have anywhere to go, and he guessed Yohji would be good company on the streets. Having someone you could trust was extremely important. "Hi Omi." Yohji waved as the door opened and Omi walked back in.
"What?" He gave the boy a confused look as Omi just point over his shoulder slowly.
"It's not my ride." Omi muttered and they all turned to Aya, watching the red head pick up his bag and sling it over his shoulder. Giving Yohji a grin as the blonde smacked him in the back before coming to him.
"Bye…asshole." He grinned at the strong hand he took and gently shook before yanking Aya in for a fast hug and back-swat. "See you later." He grinned at the red head whom took a step back and snort.
"Yea. Right." Aya smiled a fast laugh as Omi threw his arms around the tall figure. Squeezing hard before mumbling a -bye Aya-kun- into the strong shoulder. "See you Omi." Aya said waving as he left, and the violet eyes didn't crack up and break down like he almost did as the guy started towards the door and disappeared. Aya was a class act, thee most stubborn of them all.
All of them watched the door close with a gentle click, before looking down at the floor. That was it. One by one they would all file out that door and disappear. Never see each other again, aside from him and Yohji…but who knew how long that would actually carry. He glanced at Omi when he heard the small sniffle. Omi wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeves before walking over to the door and silently leaning back into the wall. "If I only get…one…really crappy letter out." He spoke and Omi turned to him when he started talking. Looking down at his hands and fingers. "I'll….at least try to send something." He glanced up, but Omi's face looked so grateful, like he would just cave right there with his words.
"I've never gotten a letter in my life Ken-kun." Omi said and he frowned, watching the blue eyes smile and wipe away some more tears. "Never had anyone who…knew me and would write."
He felt his heart crumble, and when he glanced at Yohji, the guys jaw was tight and upset. "Well then we'll definitely send you something Omi. Even if it's written on a cocktail napkin." Yohji said taking a long drag as Omi cracked a smile. "I wasn't joking, it probably will be." Yohji grunt and Omi's smile brightened, while Yohji only sighed at the reality of the situation. Taking another long drag as he walked over to the door and leaned into the wall next to Omi.
"Your going to stay with Yohji-kun then? Ken-kun?" Omi turned to him, his face still shaky and upset, though trying to stay bright.
"Yeah. I don't really know what we're going to do but.." He trailed as Yohji snort at his comment, and leaned into the counter nursing his cigarette. "And your…going back to…" He trailed avoiding the word school. He knew Omi hated it there.
"I hate my life Ken-kun." Omi whispered and he frowned a fast double blink when the sad blue eyes that fell to the floor. "I hate it. Hate my life…and I hate the school worst of all." Omi muttered and he felt a wild stampede of concern flooding into him. Even Yohji had stopped smoking to cock an eyebrow at Omi's statement. "I hate it there. The kids make fun of me. I…I am so lonely there Ken-kun. There is no one there like…you or like Yohji-kun…Aya-kun. Everyone is so…stuck up and…sometimes we're supposed to…bring people to school with us. And I never have anyone. I am the only one without…anyone I-" Omi stopped dead with the honk from outside and turned to him with a fast smile. "Have fun with Yohji-kun Ken-kun." Omi said and he nodded, quickly pushing his tears back as he grabbed Omi for one last hug. It took every drop of strength he had left in his body to hide the pink from his nose, and drips from his eyes when he pulled back. Omi still mustered a smile for him though, and slowly let his hands slip from the boys shoulders. "I hope you have fun with…everything you do Ken-kun. Bye Yohji-kun." Omi smiled and Yohji made a small half broken wave from where he was standing almost wide eyed before coming forward and hugging Omi. He swallowed fast when the thin arms pulled off him and wrapped around Yohji instead. Watching the blue eyes disappear for a moment before quickly resurfacing and smiling at him. "Bye Ken-kun, Yohji-kun…don't…forget to send me one letter." Omi said backing up and pushing the door out. "Ok?"
They both nodded immediately. "Yes. We won't forget." He said smiling at the shaky expression before it disappeared and both of them stood staring at the closing door. For his life he didn't want to forget that letter, didn't want to forget his friend.
"What the hell….was that." Yohji turned to him immediately, whispering to his shrug. "Jesus! I've never heard him talk like that before. Have you ever heard him talk like that before!?"
"Well I-"
"-Cause I sure as hell haven't heard him talk like that before." Yohji cut him off and he frowned. "Come on." Yohji said walking towards the counter and grabbing their bags. "Lets get the hell out of here. I am sick of all this shit, fucking broken promises." He took his bag following the blonde out the door. "I have enough people trying to fuck me over Ken." He nodded at the mumbled sentence that was smoking at the same time as they left out the same door. "And I mean that in the most literal sense imaginable." Yohji added bitterly. "I don't need them trying to blind me with a…house and…food and….nice people and shit on the side. That's just sick."
"I don't think that was the initial intent." He sighed pushing the crosswalk button as they reached the corner. "But…I do feel fucked over." He frowned, glancing down at his feet before back at the shop. Now all he owned was the small four outfits of clothes. Two jeans, two shirts. Six pairs of underwear and socks. Four wife beaters, and the sneakers on his feet, and work boots in his bag. That was it. He didn't have a dollar, didn't have a friend other than Yohji. "Ahh." He choked suddenly and Yohji turned to him as though expecting someone to be punching his stomach in. Only he was just standing there, staring back at the shop when it hit him hard. Tears suddenly running down his face. "Ahhaaa."
"Ken." Yohji grabbed him immediately, shaking him slightly. "Get a hold of yourself." Yohji hissed and he nodded, but cried harder. Watching Yohji's green eyes glance around as they started crossing the street while throwing an arm around him and pulling him into the nearest alley. "Come on Ken! I didn't think I'd ever say this but…Omi took this better than you." Yohji scold concerned as he simply sunk to his knees crying.
"I just ahh…I just never got to saaaaay goodbye I….I neeeever haaad a daadd and I…neeeevvveerr haaad a plaace like that Yoohji. Omi's right. OK! He's right!"
"Right about what?!" Yohji dropped next to him whispering. Keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, and trying to comfort him at the same time. "Ken right about what?" Yohji asked patting his shoulder.
"We *are* lonely! That's it. He figured it out. I am lonely ok. I just am so lonely." He watched Yohji's frown start getting tense as he kept crying. "I…I never had a home I liked…I…hated my uncle! But then again that bastard hated me…I neeeevvveeerr had a chaaance for any reaal friends Yohji I…neeever had a chaance with anything! and I was always so *busy!* trying to…get enough food and…get ahead and…get a place to sleep, and make sure No One Took Anything that was mine! I…I didn't get to stop. I tried not to think about it but…"
Yohji's eyes were slowly rushing with tears as the blonde started nodding. "I know Ken it's fine. I am lonely too. Everyone's lonely just try not to…not to think about it."
"But I haaaate being this way Yooohji." He whined at the blonde whom nodded again.
"Wow if.." Yohji sniffled wiping some tears away. "If Omi could only see us now." He choked a smile as Yohji motioned around the dirty alley they sat crying in. "I bet we'd…scare the shit out of him." He nodded, more tears streaming down his face as Yohji pulled him closer squeezing him for a hug.
"There just…I know it sounds so stupid but…Mr. Brine was like the dad I never had. Even though I was…so mad at him sometimes and…I…wanted to….throw things at him like Aya I…I don't know." He babbled and Yohji nod, telling him he understood what he was trying to say. "You understand?"
Yohji nodded again. "Yeah I do." Yohji said smiling with a sniffle before sitting down next to him, and his smile widened. "Look Ken when we're done here." He nodded with Yohji's hard sniffle and hiccup. "We just…run ok. And prey that no one recognizes us later." He choked a hard laugh with Yohji's plan. "I bet you a lot of people think we're gay now Hahahaa."
"Hahaha." He laughed at the sniffled comment, wiping tears from his face and leaning into the brick alley wall with Yohji as he sighed. He wasn't crying anymore but…he wasn't ready to leave the alley, and Yohji didn't say anything so he figured the blonde wasn't either.
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"Mr. Tsukiyono we honestly weren't expecting to have you back so soon. It really is a pleasure." The woman smiled and he gave his pudgy principal his best fake smile and sat up a little straighter.
"I really missed the school, I am really happy to be back." He lied and her soft smile widened, thrilled with his enthusiasm.
"Well that's just wonderful. We have everything ready for you Mr. Tsukiyono. I expect your old schedule and classes will be suitable?" His mouth fell open slowly. God no. He didn't want the same classes, the same kids. The ones that already knew him, the same horrible life he'd had before. "Well that's wonderful. I do however, trust this little holiday of yours will help to improve your behavior here. " She smiled again as he said nothing. "Well then I'll have your bags brought to your room, as well as your books…and I suppose." She glanced at the clock. "You can start your next class today?" He turned to the clock as well…that meant he had a half an hour. "Alright Mr. Tsukiyono?" He gave a hesitant nod. "Wonderful. I hope to see you up and about in your proper school clothes than." He nodded again, and left.
The school was as he left it. Boring, strict, to him a prison. Nothing of comfort, no one whom he could call a friend. He walked directly to his small room and walked in. Watching the same familiar roommate look up and crack a smile. "Well well. Look who's back." The kid stood up as he walked in and closed the door behind him. "I knew the school would probably fill the other bed with a loser but, I never though it'd be the *same* loser Haha." He ignored the kids comment as he walked to his twin bed and opened his suit case. Freezing as the kid came right to him. "You do realize Omi, that since your back…I'll have to haze you back in." He just glared at the brown eyes smirking at him. "Don't you." He frowned as the kid shoved his suitcase over and laughed into his face before walking back over to its twin bed and flopping onto it. "Better unpack Omi. Wouldn't want to go to your next class wearing that atrocity would you. Though you never much seemed to care you look like white trash. I am figuring…your mother was a whore…and your father a….plumber.. But not one of the kinds that make house calls. One of the kind that work in the sewer. Probably didn't even change before he pumped your mothers brains out either. Than you were an illegitimate bastard, and they probably tried to leave you on the streets, but when-" He shut the bathroom door to drown the kid out. Taking a moment to squeeze the door handle and close his eyes he forced himself to relax and ignore what the kid was saying. Sighing he turned to his school uniform and pulled his shirt over his head. Already. He missed everyone and everything he had left already.
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Aya stared down at her limp hand, gently running his thumb over her smooth knuckles before glancing at her face. "The youngest one…ask me to write him….but I won't." His eyes dropped back to her hand. "I can't." He shook his head, taking a moment to rub his temples before looking up and around the small hospital room. "Just this morning I was in a room like this. Other side of town. The obstacle failure was my fault. I was careless, forgot to keep an eye on myself. The others can't be blamed for the failure when I took control. I assumed responsibility and I wasn't there to help." He paused, taking a moment to look back up at her face. "Aya please. Wake up, I miss you…nothing is the same this way. Everywhere I look I am reminded of…..everything makes me think about how things used to be." He paused, pressing his lips together tightly to escape the scratchy feeling climbing up the back of his throat asking him to cry. "At least…with them I…wasn't so lonely. I feel abandoned Aya. In…just abandoned. No one is here but you now. I thought for a moment…maybe where I was…with them I might have something but….it was a joke. One big fucking joke. I'll be damned if I fall for it again.
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Four Weeks Later
"Come on! Open the door! Come on Open it! God damnt! Open the god damn door." HE growled pounding against the thin wood in the back of the alley. Hopping slightly to help keep warm, Yohji calmly watching him from where he was leaning into the wall shivering.
"Ken."
"Open the door!"
"Ken!" He stopped. "Move. You've got to have….the waaay to get her to open." He growled backing up.
"I'll give her the way. Shove it right up her ass." He scowled snapping Yohji's cigarette as the blonde moved in front of the door and he backed up.
"Clarissa…it's Yohji." Yohji spoke to the door. "Come on Clarissa…open the door bebe. Just for a second." He watched Yohji sigh as she called a -Go Away Yohji!- from inside. "Clarrissaaaa…come on…it's cold out here…just for a-" Yohji stopped talking as the door opened and Clarissa stood frowning at them. Her hair pulled up but falling out from the days work. Her thin body in loose clothing, apron around her waist, restaurant kitchen behind her.
"Yohji I don't have any work for you I am sorry." She said.
"Cooome oooon Clarisssa." He groaned moving up along side of Yohji with his whine. "You've got to have something!"
"I don't. I don't boys I have *nothing* Now I had to let Louise off today and that's bad enough. I couldn't pay you to sweep the floors. Did you check the diner down the street?" they nodded. "Well then did you check with Mary?"
"Mary said she's got nothing." He answered.
"Well Jesus Christ what are you looking at me like that for. I have nothing. I *can't* pay you boys. We're falling on hard times as it is." She frowned as they continued to stand there giving the best puppy dog looks they could muster. "Fine. Get the hell inside...but *Only!* for a moment." she said stressed.
"I always said you were an angel Clarissa." Yohji grinned immediately gently touching her chin as he walked inside. He flicked the cigarette into the alley and followed.
"He has always said that Clare." He grinned at her rolling eyes.
"And I say, your both sweet talkers when your hungry." they both smiled. "There should be some leftovers in the way back." She's sighed, watching them quickly start for the back stove. "And don't steal anything! Or I won't ever feed you guys again!"
"Don't steal anything Ken." Yohji sent him a grin from over his shoulder as he hurried to the back room. He shoved Yohji forward with a grin walking around the stove and looking down at the food. Jamming some carrot sticks into his mouth immediately. "Mm look." Yohji pointed to some bacon and mash potatoes.
"I call bacon." He spoke, cheeks full of some left over salad, someone's soup and pizza crust.
Yohji turned to him, full cheeks as well. "The hell you do."
He shrugged. "Rock, paper, scissor." he dusted his hands before fisting into the air three times and grinning as he pulled out paper, and Yohji pulled out rock. "You always choose rock you dumb ass." He grabbed the bacon and crammed it into his mouth.
"Yeah well I won't next time." Yohji grunt as he started spooning up the mash potatoes. "Besides, rocks the strongest."
"But I beat you because you choose it." he chuckled chewing.
"Ok bite me Ken. You want to choose a-a. flimsy little piece of paper you're a-a limp noodle."
He chocked on the persons soup. Nearly spitting it out, but the hunger in his stomach would have literally climbed out his throat and tried to strangle him if he did so. "Excuse me?" He grinned turning to Yohji whom was cramming his pockets with food while chewing.
"You heard me." YOhji muttered, continuing his stock-up.
"A limp what?' He grinned shoving Yohji over a step and the blonde turned to him and flung a sting bean at him with a grin.
"Here." The bean smacked him in the face. "It loves you Ken."
"I should shove this up your ass." He grinned biting the bean in half and flicking the rotten end to the floor.
"You were meant to be!" Yohji laughed before looking at the part he threw at the floor. "Don't be so picky or you'll never find Miss. Right. Now, come on, load your pockets and lets get the hell out of here before she decides she's got work we can do for free."
"At least we'll be inside. You know…out of the cold." He started loading his pockets with what he could grab.
"Oh you shitting me, she'll kick us out before she locks up. Clarissa's been around you know." Yohji sent him a wink and he sighed, glancing up front to where the girl was working her ass off cleaning up. "Poor thing. If I could I'd buy her the world, but as it stands, I can't even afford to feed myself. Let alone you."
He grinned giving Yohji the finger. "I feed myself just find thank you."
"Yeah well, you get us a place to stay tonight than Mr. Millionaire."
"Fine then I will." He snort at the blonde finishing off someone's half a cup of coffee before stealing Clarissa's cigarettes. "Come on." He shrugged, pulling his jacket and sweatshirt closer before starting towards the front of the store. The minute they appeared Clarissa slammed her broom down with a glare and stopped them both dead in their tracks.
"Ok what'd ya steal." She demand squinting at them.
"Nothing." They both raised their hands and grinned.
"Nothing my ass." She gave them an even tighter squint but they only shook their heads. "Where you boys staying tonight?"
"Hey we don't like to give our spots away." Yohji gave her a fast grin shoving him towards the door."
"Yohji you sweet bastard." Clarissa smiled for a moment before pulling a large blanket out from under one of the restaurant back cabinets. "Here. I saved it for you two. Keep your noses out of trouble." She ordered and he waved as he snuck out the back door, while Yohji took the blanket and gave her cheek a quick peck before following..
He pulled his sweatshirt tighter once outside, it was so cold. "You think it's going to snow?" He asked.
Yohji shrugged. "With our luck it will rain. Lets get the hell out of here before someone smells the cuisine we're carting." Yohji said giving him a wink while tucking the blanket under his arm and starting for the street. Both of them kept their eyes out cautious and careful. That had been the first time they'd eaten in a day and a half. With the cold weather it was getting harder to find food, and people were becoming more violent. He knew Yohji would be carefully guarding his pockets and cigarettes.
"I say we go…left towards the abandoned fire station." He suggested, but Yohji made a face.
"Are you kidding. It'll be packed. We'll be robbed blind, or beat up. Lets go to the docks."
"Those will be full too." He frowned with equal reasoning.
"Fine." Yohji made a face pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "Then we stroll."
He nodded. "May I lead the way?" He asked and Yohji grinned.
"You shall." Yohji said opening an arm towards the busted up street and poor section of town with grace. He jammed his hands deep into the pockets not filled with food and started walking. Yohji tight to his side, both of them watching out for every surrounding angle, and every shadow. They had to be careful, or they'd get jumped.
After about forty minutes of strolling, to the point where he was shivering he stopped at the entrance of a deserted alley. It must have been at least three in the mourning by then. If no one was there yet, odds were it'd stay deserted till mourning. "Come on." He started in and Yohji followed looking around and watching him shove some crates over and examine an old door.
"Sure know how to pick em Ken." Yohji grunt as he kicked the door in and looked around. It was a small bricked up nothing, but…they'd probably be able to squeeze in and shut the door. "Nice." Yohji smiled, walking over and leaning into the doorframe as he crawled in.
"Shut the hell up and get in. Your letting in a draft." He sighed as he leaned back into the cold brick.
"Didn't know this was the Ritz, my apologies." Yohji snort squeezing in and shutting the door before dropping next to him and holding onto the blanket as he pulled it apart and covered up. "Damnt it's cold." Yohji shivered.
"Shh I want to sleep."
"Your lucky you don't just pass out." Yohji grunt and he sighed with the blonde's comment, but Yohji also sounded tired. In reality they were both exhausted. Thank god Clarissa gave them some food. They felt bad for hitting her up like that but…she was a last option, and they had to take it or else the cold would get too intense.
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Mm pobre Yohji and Ken. Hey! Leave me some reviews so I know what you thought. I'll have the next chap up soon! JA!
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Review please!!