Chapter 14
Spine Tingling Absence
DivineAngel
_________________________________Friday__________________________________
"Trick of the trade. Trick of the trade. Every business has to have one and we have to have one too." Yohji said with a grin.
"Oh yeah." He grunt. "And what's ours going to be?"
Yohji's grin got wider. "Me of course. In ten minutes an entire stream line of girls will be coming to see me because I work here, and I'll tell them…buy flowers. Buy them! As it was written, so shall it be done."
He was quiet for moment….what? But Yohji just kept grinning. "What the hell are you talking about written? Done?"
"It was an Egyptian phrase Ken." Aya said rolling his eyes at Yohji's speech. All of them watching the entrance to the shop from the counter by the cash register. Supposedly they were going to get business, until then, they were free to lounge.
"That's right. Aya and I watched the history channel last night Ken." He groaned at Yohji's sly grin before turning to the door as Omi came in. "Hey Omi." They all said in unison, watching the blue eyes smile at them. Omi had loosened up some since Wednesday, though the boy was carefully keeping tabs on Mr. Brine since no punishment ever came for telling them off. They figured the guy forgot, but he was bound to remember sometime. "Omi! Are there any girls coming this way!" Yohji grinned as Omi started upstairs to ditch his school stuff.
"Yup!" Omi called back happily.
"All for me." Yohji chuckled hugging himself for a moment. "But, my policy is eighteen and over so, help yourself to everyone under eighteen Ken. But you Aya…" Yohji turned to the red head who's eyebrows raised. "Your competition."
Aya frowned. "Shut up you imbecile. Your going to work this shift, or I am telling Mr. Brine." Yohji made a face before grinning as the doors opened and a few girls came in exclaiming -Yohji-San!- It was only a group of four, but there was bound to be more. So much for a trick of the trade.
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"Undeniably the best color will always be black." Yohji grinned, lounging into his bed next to him as Omi kept pressing his luck staying up later than they were told consumed in his crap at the desk.. "Black will always be…so sexy on any woman."
"It's red. Red is the sexiest." Aya frowned his comment out.
"Your just saying that because you're a red head Aya-kun." Omi turned to them smiling. "A little vain huh."
"Shut up." Aya smiled, walking over and looking at the do-dads Omi was playing with "And just what color do you think is the sexiest?"
"Black!" Yohji yelled over, and Omi blushed slightly saying nothing.
"I like them both." He shrugged, watching both Aya and Yohji turn to him with a glare like he better choose or the world as he knew would end.
"Ridiculous." Aya scoffed.
"Yeah Ken. Your whimp-ing out! Either you like black panties, or red panties." Yohji gave him a look before glancing at the clock and hopping up. "Well this is my stop boys. I gotta meet Azuka."
"Ohhh Yohji-kun." Omi groaned immediately, turning to look at Yohji who walked over and opened their window. "I don't like you using our window Yohji-kun! Your going to get us all in trouble."
"Bye Yohji." Aya said waving and he imitated. Omi only growled louder before turning off the lamp as Yohji disappeared. Closing the window after the blonde and coming towards the bed tired. "Night." Aya got up with a smile and slipped out into the dark hall as they both sighed. His smiling face glad Omi was giving up for the night and crawling into bed. A thin hand roaming to his shoulder and shoving him away for more room before rolling over with a smile and falling asleep.
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Aya swung his arm at the alarm with intent to kill, instead the small sleep button just jammed down. Slowly popping up with a -click- as he opened his eyes and frowned at the empty side of the bed. "Dick face, get up here now." He frowned, closing his eyes again and waiting for Yohji to get back in bed from where the blonde either couldn't get into it drunk, or had fallen out of it drunk. Either way, when nothing happened Aya slowly cracked an eye as a deep frown form. "Now Yohji."
A heavy silence fell over the room when nothing happened and Aya sat up. Glancing around the relatively clean room before moving forward and looking over the edge of the bed. …Yohji wasn't there. Aya's violet eyes squint slightly, getting up and trudging out into the hall in his t-shirt and boxers. Opening up the second bedroom door and frowning as only Ken and Omi looked over. Both boys full awake and chatting since they didn't have to get up right away.
"Mourning Aya-kun." Omi smiled at him and he frowned harder. So they thought they could play games did they. He glanced around the room but he didn't see Yohji anywhere. The bathroom door he passed was open, and it was way too early for Yohji to be downstairs. That concept was simply laughable.
His violet eyes shift to the right and left before landing on the closed closet door as Ken sat up giving him a weird look. "Alright Yohji out of the closet. I found you." He sighed annoyed, but Ken and Omi were both giving him retarded looks.
"Are you sleep walking Aya-kun?"
"Aya! Get out! Yohji's not in here moron." He spit, throwing a pillow at the frowning red head.
Aya frowned lightened when he spoke because he didn't look guilty when he said that. You could always read off him where Yohji was hiding, but now he only looked thoroughly annoyed. "He's not in here?" Aya finally asked.
He watched Aya frown at them before leaving. Omi sat up next to him and sighed before flopping back into the sheets for fun. "I'll miss you when you go Ken-kun. Only for four days right?"
He turned to Omi with a grin "Yeah. You'll be alright though, I'll call."
"Hmm." Omi nodded with a smile before looking at Aya whom quickly came in and shut the door behind him. "What now Aya-kun?" Omi droned.
"Yohji's not here." Aya deadpanned, and Omi sat up immediately.
"What!?" He choked a hard whisper. "What do you mean he's not here!?"
"Ken, are you deaf!" Aya snapped at him in the stress. "I mean he's *not* here. I can't find him, he never came home."
"Never came home!?" Omi repeated concerned, before glancing at him for help. "What should we do?" They were all silent for a moment before he looked at Aya and the red head frowned. There was only one thing to do. Yohji had said he would be back.
"Come on Omi." Aya motioned towards the door, and Omi got up and followed as they all went directly downstairs and to Mr. Brine whom was enjoying a cup of coffee, newspaper, and peace and quiet. Mr. Brine looked up more baffled then ever when they all appeared downstairs. Like thee most logical explanation for their early hour appearance was the man had just entered the twilight zone.
However Mr. Brine took one look at their faces and knew something was wrong. "What is it?" Mr. Brine asked quickly sitting his coffee down.
They were all silent for a moment before he spoke. "Yohji's missing." Mr. Brine put the paper down immediately, giving them full attention. "He snuck out last night and he isn't here now…We don't think he came home at all sir."
"Where did he go?" Mr. Brine demanded quickly getting to his feet.
"Um, to see Azuka." Omi answered.
"He left at about…midnight." Aya added, and Mr. Brine got up, went straight to the phone and started dialing before slamming it down and turning to them.
"You all knew he left?" Mr. Brine asked suddenly and they all nodded. "And you didn't say anything!?" The man exclaimed, and they didn't move as Mr. Brine's expression grew dark. "All three of you, march up these stairs and get dressed." Mr. Brine hissed, and they started moving immediately because Mr. Brine looked pissed. "I am SO Mad At you Right Now Boys!"
"Damnt!" He scowled his whisper to Aya whom looked thoroughly annoyed this was happening.
"When I get my hands on Yohji-kun he's going to be so dead!" Omi was growling as he came up behind them. "We're all in so much trouble I can feel it already!"
"Just get dressed." Aya nodded at them both as he started towards his room. "We'll worry about this when I figure out what to do."
He nodded with Omi rushing to his room. "Ken-kun, what should I do? Should I go to school?"
"I don't know! Should I pack! Ahhh! Yohji's such a jack ass. Just wait till I…." He trailed shaking his fists for a moment and envisioning how he was going to pummel Yohji with them.
"We can both get him Ken-kun." Omi gave him a strong nod before the boy ripped his shirt off as he pulled one on. Both of them stopped dead as Mr. Brine came in and confusion and worry swept over them with how fast the man had come upstairs.
"You two." Mr. Brine began. "Are both in very real trouble." he cringed, and so did Omi when Mr. Brine shot a scolding finger at them. Nodding with the words *very* and *real* before relaxing. "…But we found Kudou. Go get in the car."
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"Oh Yohji-kun!" Omi cried, and his own mouth literally fell open when he saw the blonde. The nurse had let them all in as long as they could be quiet, and in they went. Stunned at the sight of Yohji's pale and weak form inside the hospital bed. Tired green eyes opening to them as they quickly pushed each other out of the way to see while Mr. Brine stood by the doorway.
"What happened?" Aya demanded immediately, as Omi took Yohji's hand and squeeze it gently when the blonde didn't say anything.
"Yohji! Can you hear us!?" he shot panicked, and Aya shook the blonde's shoulders slightly before they glanced at the second empty hospital bed in the room when Yohji turned to it. "Yohji no one else is here, tell us what happened." He whispered slightly before Omi began leanomg closer to Yohji as the pale hand tugged him down. Grabbing the boy's neck and holding Omi still while whispering to him. All of them were anxious to hear and know what Yohji was saying as Omi looked up at them.
"Umm…Azuka...Where is she?" Omi asked softly, watching them all frown before glancing at Mr. Brine. The man simply dropped his eyes and quietly left the room. His face tightened, that didn't mean she was dead did it!? The doctors had said that Yohji lost a lot of blood! That he almost died, and that he could have easily slipped away but…but Yohji didn't die. Yohji couldn't have died. Azuka...she couldn't have died either.
"Augh." Yohji saw Mr. Brine's reaction and choked immediately, yanking Omi downward by his wrist, eyes rushing with tears and choking quickly since he couldn't speak well.
"It's ok Yohji-kun." Omi hushed immediately, trying to pry his wrist back. "We'll find her, and have her moved back in here." Omi reassured.
"Omi." Aya spoke and Omi looked up at the red head whom gently shook his head, but that didn't seem to mean anything to Omi. The boy just stared back vacantly, as though waiting for Aya to say something. Omi wasn't getting the message at all, the idea that Azuka could have died hadn't even peaked in Omi's mind. "Take him out of here Ken." Aya suddenly spit, waving at Omi to go.
"What? Why?" Omi looked concerned and upset suddenly, like he had done something wrong as they started gently prying Yohji's grip off the boy while hushing the blonde whom was sobbing without sound.
"Get a nurse too." Aya ordered as he left, pulling Omi along with him out into the hall and walking towards Mr. Brine immediately.
"Mr. Brine, Yohji probably needs a nurse." He nodded at the man whom looked over towards the nurses, and they seemed to get the message.
"Where is Azuka?" Omi asked immediately, yanking his wrist from him and looking at Mr. Brine for an answer.
"She's…" He turned to the soft blue eyes that were annoyed with them for not answering faster. "She's dead Omi." Omi's eyes widened.
"The girl couldn't be saved." Mr. Brine suddenly spoke, and he felt his heart fall with the man's words. "She was shot in the back, bullet went through her lung Tsukiyono. What happens when something pierces your lung."
"Ahh no." Omi whined slightly, before looking away to hid his tears. Omi knew what happened, your lungs filled with your own blood and you drowned if you didn't die first.
"Does…does Yohji know?" He turned to Mr. Brine verge of tears himself, but the man shook his head.
"We're telling him, she slowly bled to death in a soft state of shock. She didn't feel anything, and it would have been much like falling asleep." Mr. Brine replied solemnly.
"But." He reached out and grabbed Mr. Brine's arm, he couldn't take this. They could just be like...oh she died and that was it. People couldn't die that easily! That fast! "But! But why were they shot at!? Who would shoot at them!?"
"Kudou was investigating one of his police files on his own time Hidaka." His eyes widened, Yohji had told him about this. Told him! "He was performing a stake out with the young girl, when they apparently saw an opportunity and went for it." Mr. Brine said, and the man's voice was a mixture of severe frustration and annoyance Yohji could be so stupid, combined with severe guilt for being thee one whom introduced Yohji to his hobby.
"No." He shook his head quickly backing up. Yohji had told him and he did nothing! He didn't even think about the stake out as being dangerous! Just fun! And not just that! Yohji was in trouble! Bleeding! Shot! Dying! And he didn't even know! Didn't feel a thing! No premonition, no spine tingling, no nothing to tell him that someone so important was slipping away!
"Weee never should have let hiimmm gooo." Omi cried breaking through his thoughts and patting his shoulder because he was getting upset.. "If we didn't let him go none of this would have happened." Omi muttered and he closed his eyes, forcing his tears back as he started towards Yohji's door. Looking in at the blonde who was bawling so hard he looked like he was in pain while Aya spoke to him. A nurse frantically injecting things into his IV, to calm him down, or knock him out.
"Hidaka." he turned to Mr. Brine who called him. "Later today, you still have to perform the switch. Do you need to talk to anyone before? Counselors or such?"
"Sir." he cringed, he didn't want to go now. "Can't we…wait. Yohji shouldn't…I would like to stay until he heals." He pleaded, ignoring Omi who took hold of his arm now.
Mr. Brine shook his head. "No. I can't move the date, maybe the time back a few hours but not the date. Tsukiyono will go with you, because Fujimiya seems to have a way with Kudou." He shook his head but Mr. Brine ignored him. "You both have to pack, and I'll drive you over in a few hours. That should be long enough to be sufficient for everything I have planned for both of you."
"Ahaaaa." Omi shot a louder cry to protest, but just continued hugging his arm as he thought about all of this.
"Both of you get in the car. I'll tell Fujimiya the news, and he'll get the same as you so don't worry about it." Mr. Brine said, pointing towards the door they should exit through.
He started towards the car with Omi sniveling along with him. "Where…Where are we going Ken-kun?" Omi looked up at him as they walked into the parking lot and across to the van. Watching him punch in the small number code and unlock the doors climbing in.
"To the other team."
"ahhwhat?" Omi sniffled climbing in after him. Sitting down next to him and watching his face as he settled down. "Don't you feel so bad for Yohji-kun? He's going to be so sad without her. That's all he ever talked about Ken-kun."
"Yeah." He nodded slightly, silently dealing with this in his own way which didn't involve crying in public hospitals. That sort of thing might not have bothered Omi when he became too upset, but it was something he wasn't willing to do.
"I can't imagine loosing someone I care so much about Ken-kun. I've never had someone I could loose. That must be the most horrible thing in the wooorrlld!" Omi exclaimed and he closed his eyes with the very thought, that must be horrible. He remotely understood it from loosing his mother, but than again she wasn't dead, and if she was, he could still pretend she was alive. It wasn't the same as loosing someone you cared for, and loved right in front of you…Yohji even talked about marriage with this girl! Marriage and babies! And this was Yohji! Tom cat prowler that could turn any girl he wanted into an Amazon woman in heat! That Yohji ready to settle down??! Ready for marriage already??! "Are you ok Ken-kun?" Omi broke through his thoughts agan, and it was then he realized he was crying. Hastily he wiped his tears away before turning to Omi whom had completely stopped sniveling in shock of seeing him become so upset.
"I am fine." He immediately reassured straightening his face and leaning back in his seat with a heavy sigh to calm himself. Omi nodded gently and let the topic go, shut up, and just gently touched his arm for support.
Both of them sat still and quiet until Mr. Brine appeared and got in the car. "Are you boys both informed where your going? Tsukiyono?" Mr. Brine asked.
"To the other team sir?" Omi answered a bit unsure.
"That's right. Originally it was supposed to be Hidaka and Kudou going, and I had much confidence that they were a perfect match to send. Both of them work wonderfully together, and are strong. I will admit I have my doubts sending you Tsukiyono, so I am giving you this time to assure me, and lay my mind to rest."
Omi looked dumb founded, and shift slightly as they started driving back to the Koneko. "I-I am not really sure how sir." Omi muttered.
"Excellent!" Mr. Brine grinned. "I am feeling better about sending you already Tsukiyono." Mr. Brine laughed sarcastically and Omi made a face.
"I guess you should just remain confident in my past training and testing times Sir." Omi stated, trying to create a good answer.
"Just stick with Hidaka." Mr. Brine said, ignoring it. "Neither of you leave each others sight. Now the man in charge there is Mr. Clarke." Oh yeah, that rang a bell with them immediately, he was the friend who went out to buy a dog. "You will obey him just as you obey me or you will pay the consequences. Do you understand my meaning?"
"Yes sir." They both answered.
"Good. Mr. Clarke is used to handling the other team, so make sure you let him know your nice, so he goes easier on you." Mr. Brine glanced at them through the rear view mirror. "If you think your discipline is bad, you have no idea what the other team endures." They both started looking concerned immediately. They didn't sign up to get the shit kicked out of them! "Don't you worry though, I've let Manx know Clarke is to change his punishment while your there to corporal like I use. Don't let him forget, and don't worry about defining the lines, if he starts getting too harsh you'll know right away. Those boys have way surpassed you as far as needing something to keep them in line. Luckily for me, I've never had to change my tactics. You all respond perfectly to corporal, Clarke was not so lucky." Mr. Brine said sighing.
They both must have looked pretty freaked when they finally pulled to the Koneko because Mr. Brine gave them both reassuring smiles and swats knocking them forward as they started in. "You'll both do fine, I'll give you the number here and you can call anytime. At least not sending Kudou I don't have to worry about you goofing off as much Hidaka. Though it would have been good for the boy. Tsukiyono is much more down to Earth for this sort of thing." They walked through the flower shop, briefly waving to the old woman who hardly ever spoke or did more than sit around with her cat and sell things while they were out. That was for the best though, as Mr. Brine explained she was hired because she was simply too old to know there was more going on there than met the eye. On top of that she was a nice old woman who didn't care to know their business. Perfect for the job was how she was described. "Now pack whatever you need, you'll only be there for four days so don't bring the house. Tsukiyono, only half of your bag better be filled with computer things, and if it looks like more I'll have you leaving here with only clean underwear understand?" Omi nodded while following him up the stairs to their room.
_____________________________One Hour later ______________________________
He leaned closer to the sink, wishing he could will the cool feeling of the enamel into his body as he quickly turned on the water. He just couldn't stop his tears from coming, he had never cried so hard in his life. It was like, it wasn't even him anymore, some thing had taken over his chest and kept theses bawling sobs just choking from his throat. No matter what he did, he couldn't get himself to relax, or be quiet, it just stung too bad! When Mr. Brine said they had to pack and everything right away, even though they weren't leaving for another three hours it seemed a little…stretched but fine… better to lay around and watch TV without having to then go and do t. They weren't expecting Mr. Brine to come in and give a full blown lecture about the danger they put their team and Yohji in with their silence, and how lies were unacceptable. It didn't seem like Yohji snuck out a lot, but when Mr. Brine got the phone call he was waiting for, with the list of times and dates Yohji had snuck out. It was astonishing for them, and infuriating for Mr. Brine.
The guy said it was fitting, went and got the monster paddle and came back and gave him thirteen, a thirteenth of how many times Yohji had snuck out. After the first four he was crying, it was nothing like he had ever felt. Like it wasn't his own skin he was wearing, but a hot plate. He always held still for Mr. Brine. Took it like a man, but this time after eight he tried to get up. It took every ounce of strength in him to keep him bent over the bed until the man was finished, and though he wouldn't admit it, it was probably just the threat if he moved again, he'd get four more. At the time that was terrifying. Now it was confusing, because he heard Mr. Brine threaten Omi he'd get more a few seconds ago, and he was pretty sure the boy had just tried to get up again.
When Mr. Brine started lecturing, he yelled at them together, but at one point he had kicked Omi out and customized part of what he said for him. The part about trust and better judgment. How he didn't want to loose peoples trust with peer pressure, and had to use his better judgment to make his own decisions and then gracefully put them into play. Then he got the shit beat out of him. By the time Mr. Brine was done and yelled at Omi to come in so he could customize his next lecture, Omi looked like he was going to die. Horrified beyond belief and already begging to be let off the hook as Mr. Brine pulled Omi in the room and told him he could go.
He was honestly surprised Omi didn't bolt again, seeing as though he couldn't keep from crying and had literally screamed through the last five or six hits. That was something he'd never done before, and it must have scared the life out of Omi because the minute Mr. Brine touched him, the boy threw up.
Now he could hear Omi screaming and sobbing top of his lungs constantly, and only louder as he was hit. Begging to be let up and for Mr. Brine to stop, and he sighed when he heard Mr. Brine stop with an especially heart wrenching -PLEASE SIIIR! aHhhDOOON'T HIT ME ANNYMORE! I AM SORRY! SO SORRYAHHH I WOOON'T EVER LIE AGAIN! Omi had only gotten eight, five less than him, even though it didn't sound like it.
He turned the water back on and splashed some up to his face. Trying to quiet his crying but he couldn't so he grabbed a small towel and pressed it to his mouth before wetting it. Then as gently as he could, pressed it to his burning skin. It stung so bad he couldn't do it, and he jumped when Mr. Brine walked in next to him with a soft pat to his shoulder and opened one of the cabinets and gave him a small container before walking out with a kind word and letting him read the label. It was some kind of something that would supposedly make his skin feel better, and god willing he would try it, if he could only bare touching himself long enough to administer it. "Ahha" He choked a small sob before wiping his face again and opening the jar. "AmmAHh!" He cringed as long as he could before admitting a yell as he smeared some on as fast as possible. Growling into the sink for a good three minutes as he wiped his face. Mad as hell he did something to cause more pain than relief before blinking as some of the worst stinging started to disappear. Damnt! He wished Yohji were there, the guy would probably have some neat idea or trick to getting that on him without having it feel half as bad, but there was nothing he could do. So he bit his tongue, until he thought it was going to sever in half, smeared it on, and cussed out the rest before starting back to the bedroom. Omi was still crying into the bed with intent to dehydrate himself. His thin fingers yanking at the bedspread before shoving it away. Squirming around where he knelt with a rush of blushing cherry red skin that looked as painful as he knew it felt, being as he looked the same if not worse.
"Nooo! PLEASE! I ammasshhhhahhh Ahhhh!" Omi's sobs got harder as he came in before the boy realized it was him and not Mr. Brine and paused for a moment of rapid blinking before sobbing a hard. "KEEEeeeennnn! OOwWww(hiccup)Why Did HE Haaave to Hiittt Us Sooo Maaany Tiiimeess!? This huuuurrts SO BAAAD!" He simply walked over and knelt down next to Omi's bawling figure still flexing his fingers into the sheets for some type of relief with jammed eyes. He took Omi's hand and the boy looked at him as he dipped Omi's fingers into the open jar he held.
"Put this on you." He sniffled, watching Omi cough a few times before shaking his head.
"NoOOO!"
"It feels better come on. I put it on me and I feel better." He offered in a very corny convincing tone. Trying to reassure Omi's crying blue eyes that couldn't think straight enough to understand he had something on his fingers that might make him feel better. "Come on." He stood up, grabbing Omi's arms and shoulders and pulling the boy up as well. Omi would probably think better standing, he figured. Instead Omi just bent forward, tugging his t-shirt down in front when his pants slid to his knees and cried harder. He sighed and sniffled, offering the boy a sheet. Omi took it and covered himself while ringing the corner to hell shuffling where he stood.
"Do you think Mr. Brine knnnows I am soooory I lied Keeen-Kuun?" Omi kept turning to face him as he walked around. Picked up the blankets Omi had racked off the bed while enduring his punishment, and sighing heavily as he wiped his face with the back of his hand.
"I don't (hiccup) know what he thinks." he growled with grit teeth, watching Omi just sniffle a few times discouraged.
"Yeeeah but I didn't get as maaaany as yooou. Do-do you think-do you think he's taaaaking a a breeeak? Is he goooing to give me mooore?" Omi cried.
"I don't know." He spit, sinking back down to the bed and rubbing his face a few times. God why couldn't he just get a hold of himself. It wasn't so bad. He'd taken punishment before, so what!?
"Keeen-kuun is this whaaat happens to the ootthheerr teeaaam?"
He looked up at Omi's whine watching the blue eyes just rest on his, thoroughly exhausted, but unable to sit down, and unwilling to move and pull his own pants up so he could walk. Omi wouldn't risk the possibly of making his skin anymore uncomfortable than it already was. "Omi want to put this on yooou? It makes your skin feel (hiccup) better?" Omi took the small jar he extended, and looked at it with an expression he couldn't read because it was too scrunched up with sniffles.
"Nooot really Ken-kun." Omi handed it back and he sighed, before looking up at Mr. Brine whom came in and Omi went rigid and pale before the man raised his hands.
"Your both done. Nothing to be afraid of Tsukiyono." Mr. Brine reassured and Omi relaxed slightly as Mr. Brine walked over with a smile. Humored with the thin fifteen year old crying his eyes out where he stood half dressed. "Tsukiyono, put this ointment on you, you'll feel better." Mr. Brine reassured taking the jar from him and handing it back to Omi whom simply took it while continuing to make eye contact with Mr. Brine.
"Sir I-I wanted to tell you-I want you to know that I-I am reeeaaalllyy sorry about...not saying anything about Yohji-kun." Omi managed and Mr. Brine smiled warmly with the sniveling apologies Omi choked while desperately taking a broken step to the man to better plead his case. "Thiss ahhhwas *not* my ideeeaa Sir. I never wanted you to be angry in-of meeee, I'll make theDisapointmentUpToYouSirahhamm…." Omi silenced as Mr. Brine gently hugged hm, now that Omi stood directly in front of him. He could see Omi's shocked and almost confused-as-what-to-do expression over the top of Mr. Brine's elbow.
"It's alright Tsukiyono." Mr. Brine smiled, gently patting the small back and loose t-shirt the boy wore. "Your no disappointment to me, in fact you remind me in a lot of ways of my son." Omi's eyes were turning to saucers as Mr. Brine gently took his arms away with a step back. Omi had never made a move to hug back, in fact the boy hadn't moved at all. "All you have to do is call here, and say I want to come home and…it's done." Mr. Brine nodded at Omi's startled expression staring up firmly. "You just call me, you don't need a reason on the phone. Maybe one when your back, but not on the phone. Do you understand?"
"You-" he choked slightly. "You have a son Sir?" He asked blinking as though this were impossible. Mr. Brine's sole purpose in life had never been to say, get married, or have children, or hold a normal occupation. To him it were as if the had man dropped from the sky, for the sole purpose of keeping him, and his team in line. Mr. Brine was never born to a family, never got together with relatives for barbeques or Christmas parties, he was Mr. Brine. The man who lived with them, taught them, made him wish he could live up to every kind word the man uttered, and sometimes to climb out of his skin or curse his anger away.
"Yes." Mr. Brine smiled immediately. "He's about Tsukiyono's age, only a little taller." Mr. Brine informed happily before turning to Omi whom looked just as blown away with the concept of Mr. Brine being a real person as he was. Mr. Brine's smile widened slightly when he caught the vacant expression Omi had. "I never really thought about it till right now Tsukiyono, but your getting short for your age. Are you eating enough son?" Mr. Brine asked and Omi just stared for a moment before slowly nodding. "Good." Mr. Brine slapped Omi's shoulder, and Omi's skinny body almost fell over with his pants holding his legs together like they were. "Haha, make sure you do. Now get dressed." Mr. Brine laughed warmly, before stopping to point a finger at both of them with his order.
"Whaaat?" He groaned. "Can't I lay down for a moment-while sir?"
"Dooo I haaave to Siiiir?" Omi cringed, whining where he stood with dread.
"Yes." Mr. Brine barked. "If I could have, I would have bent those damn indecent exposure laws years ago, but as I have been informed…I can't. So put clothes on now! And get downstairs in three minutes. I am going to pick up Fujimiya because the hospital called and said I have to bring him back."
"Ahhhaa ahhaaa" Omi started crying again, watching him hobble to his dresser and slowly start pulling things out. Taking his pair of biggest, loosest sweatpants and turning to Omi with them.
"Put them on."
"Ahhhaaa." Omi shook his head, shoving the pants back.
"Omi do it." He threw the loose pants at the bed before shuffling into the hall with discomfort. His pants were barely up, but there, and he was wishing he could take them off too as he walked into Aya and Yohji's room. Opened one of the dresser draws and pulled out the biggest pair of wind pants he could find. He recognized them as Aya's but the red head wouldn't bitch at him after seeing his war-red ass.
Alright he had the pants in hand which meant he had an excuse to get out of the jeans he was wearing-and out of them he went as fast as he could. Rolling in the not-so-great-but-definitely-better-than-wearing-fitting-blue-jeans feeling that swept over his skin. Moaning as much of this relief as he could all the way back to his bedroom to frown at Omi who still hadn't moved. Blue eyes simply sniveling and hiccupping as the boy watched him pack a duffle bag for himself, and then Omi's as well. "ohhKen-kun! Put that in there!" He sighed grabbing some funny looking computer stuff and cramming it into Omi's bag. "And the book! Bring my book please." He shoved the closest text book in too. "I said books Ken-kun, put them all in."
"Omi." He looked up glaring at the scrunched features, and Rudolph nose watching him. "You said book, and they won't all fit."
Omi shift his weight for a second, looking at the bag. "Take something out."
"What?" He frowned.
"Some of my clothes."
"No." He stood up, taking one of the text books and zipping the bag. "You can read them when you come back."
"I might want to read them then! Ken-kun just make them fit! Give me my bag, I'll take something out." Omi's hand extended to him but he shook his head starting to the hall with it. "Uh. Ken-kun!? Where are you going!?"
"Downstairs."
"What!?"
He smiled at the choked surprise he left in the room. "Put your pants on now! Then come down with the books if you think they can fit." He called back, because he didn't care what possession attachment problems Omi had. Mr. Brine had said that the reason Omi had a tendency to horde, or clutter things away was because he never had any. Living at the school apparently left Omi with nothing to really call his own, and now, as Mr. Brine had put it, the boy was simply making up for loss time.
__________________________Twenty Minutes Later____________________________
"This is my favorite part of the movie." He muttered with a cringe, lying delicately stomach down on the couch watching Halloween with Omi who had taken the liberty of laying on part of him as well. "Watch this kill scene."
"Ken-kun, how come we always see this girl running…but the guy catches her anyway when he's walking." Omi asked.
He smiled at the small muttered question, that kept soaking him with tears where Omi lay. But Omi wasn't making any noise as he cried so, he'd settle for just being wet and being able to hear the movie. "Makes it scarier."
"But it's not possible."
"Yeah well….you think he can actually see out of that mask? Look how small the eye holes are." He said pointing to the TV and he felt Omi smile into his shoulder. He was lying towards the edge of the couch with his head on the pillow his arm was under; and Omi was laying behind him using his shoulder and back as a pillow so the boy could see the TV. "I bet they shot this a million times, cause he kept falling over." Omi chest choked slightly now, and he could tell it was a silent laugh. It was much harder than the small choking sobs he had been feeling that were slow and released gently so they would be quiet. "He wouldn't be so scary if he were blind."
Omi looked up as the shop door opened and closed, but he didn't. Who ever just got home would make themselves known soon enough, and it was probably Mr. Brine and Aya. "Hi Aya-kun." Omi greeted Aya the second he walked in.
He smiled into his pillow, sometimes it felt so good to be right. "What are you watching?" Aya said walking in and looking at the tv before frowning at his kill scene. "Halloween?"
"I've never seen it." Omi said sniffling slightly as he just lay back onto his shoulder.
"Nor will you finish it Tsukiyono!" he looked up with Mr. Brine's bark. "I am taking you both now, so get your stuff." He groaned as he started to get up. Aya was watching both him and Omi at this time. Probably a little concerned because both of their faces were such give always they'd been crying. "Get ready to get in the car, I am just going to make a quick phone call and we're off." They watched Mr. Brine head into the kitchen as he continued his small speech before Aya turned to him.
"Are those my pants?" Aya asked.
"…Yes." He reluctantly admit and Aya frowned. "Sorry, I didn't have anything looser Aya, my stuff was all to tight, and Omi is wearing my loosest pair." He explained with a tone of desperation, and Aya's frown got a little more annoyed with himself for having to let this go. Seeing as he needed the pants and generously gave his loosest to Omi.
Aya simply shift his weight annoyed before squinting at him. "Are you wearing underwear under them?" Aya demanded.
"No." Aya's frown got a little darker. "I'll wash them before I give them to you!" He yelled, a little insulted Aya thought he wouldn't.
"It's fine, I am not mad. I just don't like you going through my drawers." Aya said, grit teeth holding down the frustration.
"I didn't! I just went in to get the pants!" He frowned, getting annoyed himself.
"I didn't say you did….I am just saying…" Aya trailed, letting the annoyed look dissipate to a focused serious one. "Just. Don't. Ken." Aya said glaring at the small -Okay geez- he mumbled at the intimidating red head.
"How is Yohji-kun Aya-kun?" Omi suddenly asked, breaking their frustration completely.
Aya's face fell immediately, to the point where he had to look a way for a moment before looking back at them. "Upset." They let that understatement go. Aya didn't look as though he could muster a better answer for them. If he wasn't mistaken, it looked as though Aya had been crying too. "What happened to you two?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Omi turned away immediately, like he might leave the room until Aya grabbed his arms. Pulling Omi's thin body to stand in front of his chest, and almost hugging him with the close contact, but doing just not-enough to fail. Aya was a slick guy.
"We got our asses beat." He frowned disgusted.
"I said I don't want to talk about it." Omi snapped giving him a look.
"Your not talking. So butt out or join the conversation Omi." Aya said, gently running his hand over Omi's mouth for a moment and smiling as the boy quickly shoved it off. "Was it bad Ken?"
He glanced at Omi for a moment, but the blue eyes were looking off to the side still upset. Still crying slow enough he had to wipe his face every two minutes, but had a cheery voice. He was crying slow enough he didn't have to wipe his till ever four. "It was…" Omi looked up at him, but he just turned to Aya and grunt a "Thorough." Aya looked annoyed with has answer, and seemed even more annoyed he was looking forward to the same fait because of Yohji. "Did they say when Yohji could come back?"
"They didn't want to release him….but." Aya shrugged. "Mr. Brine argued with everyone for a long time, said that…we were capable of dealing with him." He was quiet for a moment, and so was Aya. Both of them just basking in the sentence for a glow of a second. Mr. Brine thought they were capable of handling Yohji's life…it was a compliment he couldn't compare to his existence. "Said Yohji deserved to be here…cause he's so…so…upset." With the word upset, Omi turned around and hugged Aya. The red head ignored this, until Omi started squeezing and Aya laid his hand on Omi's thin shoulder to shut him up. "They're going to let him back this Monday."
"But we don't get back till this Tuesday Aya-kun." Omi pulled off the red head to frown and protest. "I wanted to be here when Yohji-kun came home."
"Me too." He nodded immediately, that was important to him. "Maybe we can move the date huh Omi?" Omi nodded eagerly.
"We can't." They all turned to Mr. Brine who came in a foot and stopped. "Four days is four days Boys." Mr. Brine said nodding towards the door. "Car. Fujimiya, upstairs, and answer the phone if it rings." Aya started for the stairs with a sour expression as he grabbed his bag and started to the garage. Climbing into the back of the van with Omi and freezing as it dawned on him he was supposed to sit.
"Sir?" Omi cringed turning towards Mr. Brine who climbed into the drivers seat. "Do-"
"-Sit down! Both of you!" They jumped at the bark but didn't move.
"-Siiiir can't-" Omi started again, before silencing as Mr. Brine turned around in his chair and frowned at them. The look was enough, he dropped his bag and sunk into his seat immediately, Omi did the same and Mr. Brine gave a nod and start the car before Omi started squirming uncontrollably. "Mmmmm" Whining small noises, as his thin fingers gripped the chair and shut his eyes before crying.
He closed his eyes so he wouldn't imitate, though that's exactly what he wanted to do. Squirm and tell someone how bad just sitting here was stinging. It was like taking a normal belting, and no one was even touching him! "Sir?" He held his voice as steady as he could as he called up to Mr. Brine. "If it takes us less than a half an hour sir…Can we please get up?"
"What?" Mr. Brine looked confused with his request, but Omi was nodding away. Unaware of what he asked, and only aware he said the words -Get Up- "What do you mean Hidaka?"
"Weeell Sir." He whined slightly, before quickly swallowing to steady his voice. "When we get there, we're…supposed to put up a good front for our team but…we're going to look like, well we'll look a little upset Sir." Mr. Brine was quiet for a moment before he saw a faint smile grow on the man's face.
"I suppose…if it's for the good of your team Hidaka?" Mr. Brine stated an he leaned forward in his chair quickly, hanging on the words. Mr. Brine didn't say yes yet.
"It is *deeefinitly* for the goood of the teeeam sir! Cause we dooon't really mind(hiccup) Thiiss." Omi whined nodding quickly, as he struggled to wipe all the tears off his face. His mouth still dipped open from where he was silently crying.
Mr. Brine glanced back at Omi's words with a smile before nodding. "Alright than. Go ahead."
"Uh!" He bolted from his chair immediately, sliding to the floor where he could kneel and Omi got up and turned around in his chair. Kneeling in the seat and leaning into the back sighing heavy as he started composing himself.
"I wouldn't want to drop you both off looking like I just tanned you red would I?" they both shook their heads quickly, and Mr. Brine chuckled. "Now. Boys, listen to me. I want you to behave yourselves, and remember that you *do* represent your entire team and my job while your there." They nodded and Omi slurred an -Okaaay- "But…if for any reason…you have a problem call and we'll talk about it."
"Can we-" Omi shot up in his chair to see Mr. Brine quickly like a light bulb had just gone off. "Can we call home for other reason too sir?!"
"What other reasons would those be Tsukiyono?" Mr. Brine asked calmly.
"To talk to Yohji-kun. When he comes home, Ken-kun and I won't be there when he comes home." Omi explaned, anxious for an answer.
"Yeah Mr. Brine." He muttered, wiping his face. "We want to talk to Yohji when he comes home."
"Of course." Mr. Brine nodded. "You can call whenever you want. I didn't mean to imply you could only call for help because that's certainly not the case." Mr. Brine glanced back at them. "Call whenever you want." The car stopped, and Mr. Brine gave them a smile as they took their bags and hopped out, before turning around to make sure they wouldn't miss any directions, but Mr. Brine only smiled and point a "Behave" finger at them before driving off.
"Well." He sighed turning towards the building they were dropped in front of. It had two stories, no one told them exactly where to go or what to say. "Guess we'll just go in and look around."
"Or buy some coffee."
"What?" He turned to Omi whom only point to the sign. They were in front of a coffee shop.
"Hey! Maybe this is like…our flower shop! Only they have a coffee shop." He grinned, excited he got this before sighing at Omi's -You think- look the boy held because he had also silently come to that obvious conclusion. "Shut up." He playfully shoved the skinny boy and walked by, so Omi would have to hurry to keep up with him, which he did with a smile. Opening the coffee shop door and walking in only a step before the smell hit him and he had to stop and smile. "Man I am thinking.."
"We got hosed Ken-kun." Omi finished his sentence and he nodded with a sleepy grin. This place looked worlds better than the dirt and crap they dealt with at home. However, the minute Omi said his name, two guys a little older than him looked up from behind the counter. "Ken-kun." Omi nudged him as though to point this out, but he just started forward.
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Hey thanks to all whom have been reading and reviewing! Sorry if this chapter was a little short, it *was* super long but I had to split it into two. Ohhhh wanna see thee other team? You will in the next chapter! Be prepared for some suspense!!! It's juicy.
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Hit the review button! : ) Arigato!