Time of Your Life

by EdenEight

ch24:White Hunters of the Dark!UP!The final chapter has come, watch as it all comes together&the boys find out whether or not they're really ready.All loose ends tied&biggest question is answered-Why is Omi there?.This fic is guaranteed to make you smile.

23. Friends Never Say Goodbye

Chapter 23

Friends Never Say Goodbye

DivineAngel

"Aya will you hand me that screw driver." He asked pointing across the workshop bench to the small screwdriver, and Aya looked at him before the tool.

"Getting into this Ken?" Aya asked almost chuckling as he eagerly took the screwdriver and started adjusting the screws in the little wooden birdhouse he was building.

"Shut up Aya." He grinned, screwing away and grinning as the thing became a little wooden box. "Your just jealous." he chuckled, glancing up at Aya's poor excuse for a birdhouse.

"Yeah." Aya sighed but his face wasn't at all humored, or even pleasant. He knew the red head was thinking about his sister, but he just couldn't think of what to say about that. He glanced behind him to Yohji. Ironically he was going to call upon the blonde for the same talent he cursed.

The cops in their large workshop were all lazily strolling around with their guns as he sighed watching Yohji build his birdhouse with little know how or luck. The thing looked like crap. Omi was across the room, working away with a pretty decent house and he glanced back down to his just to make sure his was better. "Yohji!" He called over to the blonde, watching him glance over and come when he nodded towards Aya.

He quickly traded places with the blonde and began attempting to patch up Yohji's crap house. "Idiot." He muttered under his breath as he glanced back at Yohji and Aya. Aside from looking pleased with his new bird house, Yohji had started a conversation with the red head and he knew Aya would be better talking to someone.

"What ARE yoU DoING!" The cop across the room suddenly yelled, glaring at some idiot whom had an even more pathetic house than Yohji. "Weren't YOU PAYING ATTENTION!" The cop screamed again before sighing heavily and stomping back to the big desk in the front of their room. "I'll ShOw YoU All AGAIN!" The guy yelled, pulling up the spare pieces they were all given and glancing out at them. "You!" The cop pointed to him. "GEt Up here AND ASSIST!"

He stood for a second glancing over at Yohji and Aya before Yohji gave him a small thumbs up and he started walking. Everyone watching him stroll to the front of the room and stand behind the desk with the cop who picked up his pieces. "Begin By Nailing These TWO Pieces TOGETHER!" The cop instructed, and he was handed the two pieces as well. He quickly nailed them together efficiently, and even faster than the cop which made the guy stop and frowned at his birdhouse before at him. "THen!" The cop shrugged it off and picked up more pieces. "Remember to Hold Them STURDY While You Nail the NEXT TWO ON!" The cop instructed, a lining his next two pieces while holding his others sturdy and he imitated. Carefully holding on to his others, before quickly nailing the other ones down. His pieces went together well, and his nailing was superb. He smiled when he was done, glancing from his to his cops. Hmm…the cops wasn't as well put together and the guy was really frowning at him. "EXCUSE ME!" The cop screamed at him and he jumped slightly. "You think that's pretty funny don't you." The guy frowned, shoving over his little wooden house and he made a face.

"Think what's funny?" he asked, frowning as the guy

"Don't play dumb with me you little shit." the cop sneered at him and he took a step back confused. "Think that's really funny? I'll show you something funny." the guy frowned picking up his intercom and he glanced at Yohji and Aya a bit concerned before jumping as a pair of cops came in and right to him.

"Hey!" He yelled when he was roughly grabbed and cuffed. "Hey what'd I do!?" He yelled, before tripping as he was roughly pulled backwards towards the door. "HEY! What the hell!" He screamed before jumping as he was pulled out quickly with no explanation. His eyes just catching Yohji and Aya as he was ripped from the room. The short fast -Ken-kun!- Omi had been holding back just making it to his ears before the room disappeared completely.

Time??

"Ken." Yohji snagged his arm instantly. Yanking him closer to the blonde and right into line with the rest of the walking inmates. "Where the fuck have you been?" Yohji whispered to him, keeping an iron grip on his arm so he wouldn't stumble away. "What's wrong with you?" Yohji growled when he tripped.

"I can't see well. What's going on?" He rasped, his voice weak and raw. His eyes killed, the light was just too intense, too much. "Yohji. Yohji, how long was…Yohji." He broke his sentence when Yohji jerked him closer. Steering away from a few inmates a little nervously, and he gripped the blonde's clothes like a life line. "Yohji?"

"Ken. Where the hell have you been? I've been freaking out. You've been gone for three days!" Yohji whispered harshly, yanking him even closer when he tripped again.

"I dooon't know." He groaned, rubbing his eyes with his hands. "Those bastard cops. They…those bastard cops." He growled rubbing his eyes until there were little specks floating through his blurry vision. "They threw me in this hole! A god damn hole! I couldn't see a thing! It was like, so dark, those bastards!" he growled under his breath and Yohji just jerked his arm reassuringly, but to everyone else it probably just looked like Yohji was jerking him around.

"It's alright…" Yohji trailed as they all filed into the cafeteria and Yohji started scanning for Aya. "Aya!" Yohji called to the red head instantly, and he felt himself being tugged with meaning.

"Ken where the hell have you been!?" Aya frowned pushing into his face instantly. "Jesus we thought you were kicked out or something!"

"We didn't know what to think." Yohji grunt, shoving him into a seat and Aya sat down next to him as Yohji left to get food.

"What time is it?" He rasped, watching Aya just study him skeptically.

"It's dinner time. You've been gone for three days. Did you know that?" Aya asked, almost concerned that he didn't seemed overly freaked. He knew time was going by. He knew it when he was sitting in the dark. When he sat there for hours alone, in silence. When he sat there and cried over all that had happened. When he sat there and wondered if Yohji, and Omi, and Aya were doing alright, and if Mr. Brine had actually come back with that good news. He knew time was going by then. He knew it.

"Ken-kun." Omi suddenly sunk down next to him, pulling his chin towards himself and studying his face. "Where were you Ken-kun? What's-what's wrong with your eyes? Why do they look so funny?" He could vaguely see Omi frowning through his blurred vision. A smeared skin color and murky blue blotches he knew were those big eyes looking at him. "Ken-kun you look terrible? Where were you?" Omi asked again, but the boy's voice had gone from excited to see him to sympathetic.

He sighed heavily, he just got through explaining all this to Yohji. "I don't know where I was." he sighed rubbing his eyes again. "They just threw me in this dark room, and it was so small I could hardly move." He stopped there, he didn't want to explain how scary it initially was because he didn't know what was happening. That the cops just drug him there, took his clothes, and threw him in. That he sat there, lonely and silent for three days.

"A dark room?" Omi sounded concerned with this idea. "But you didn't do anything wrong Ken-kun."

"Stupid self absorbed prick. You have to watch out for that cop Ken. Yohji almost got beat up a few days ago for laughing while that ass was doing something." Aya growled watching Yohji start back with two trays, and the blonde must have gone through hell arguing to get it for them. "He's a real bastard Ken. When he's around, just pretend your not there and don't do a thing."

"That's what I do." Omi nodded, backing Aya up before looking down at the food Yohji slid them.

"One of you are up next. I am not getting anymore food." Yohji frowned, slumping down at the table exhausted and Omi started getting up. "Not you Omi." Aya ordered and Omi sat back down as Aya sighed knowing he now had to get food. He chuckled when Omi didn't even frown after being ordered to sit. He could only imagine what had happened in the few days he had missed to have caused this type of group behavior. Suddenly they all listened to each other without question? Now that was a switch.

"Omi, where's your friend?" Aya whispered, leaning closer to the tray as he spoke and he heard Omi sigh next to him.

"A table away, probably still staring at me." Omi's voice frowned. "And Yohji's were following him a few people behind." Omi growled a little disgusted, but the emotion was hardly evident on his face.

"It's dinner time?" He rasped confused, getting a blurred view of the cafeteria room. "What day is today?"

"It's Friday." Aya stated, but his voice was dull and almost upset.

"Friday?" he repeated frowning. "I was really gone for three days?" He just couldn't believe it. Three days of his life just gone! And used up in that black nothing!

"Ken." Aya stated his name serious and he squint his eyes over to the red head. Trying to decipher some of Aya's face from the fire red smear that seemed to be Aya. "There's no good time for this but…Omi's still be transferred. So just say goodbye to him now and get it over with."

"Transferred?" he frowned again, but Omi said nothing. "Well What about Mr. Brine!? Didn't he have…any good news? Didn't he have anything to say!?…about…that!?"

"No he didn't." Aya answered, in the same stressed and droned tone.

"Your leaving Omi?" He turned to the blurry skin and blue color because the boy hadn't said anything. "Tonight?" The colors moved slightly. "Are you nodding? I can't see well." He choked a lop sided grin and he heard Omi groan slightly.

"Yes Ken-kun. I am nodding." Omi sighed down to the table, and he was quiet for a moment.

"Geez. Well…what has Mr. Brine said?" He muttered, discreetly moving his hand so he could touch what he hoped was Omi's. To say the least it was skin color, so it must have been a hand, or arm.

"That he's trying, and if everything goes ok. He can have us out by the end of…next week or maybe the week after because our trials been moved till next month." Aya stated, but his jaw was on the floor. "So…being that our trail was moved, it's harder to get any attention our way. He…just says he's trying Ken."

"Trying." He repeated, almost whispering the word. A week, or maybe two. What kind of hopeful news was that! And a month till their trial! "Well…what happens if he can't get us out by those times?" He asked and Aya and Omi were silent before Aya shrugged.

"We just wait."

His head slumped forward a little bit and Omi's fingers pat his hand slightly. So it was the boys hand he'd found after all, how's that for being half blind he thought triumphantly. "What do you think of your transfer Omi?" He asked quietly, taking the fork Aya handed him so he could eat some dinner.

"I didn't wanna be transferred, you know that." Omi almost snapped, annoyed with his question.

"Yeah but, what do you think about it. You going to be…" He trailed.

"I am going to be fine by myself." Omi spit. "I am going to kick anyone's ass that comes near me." Omi growled, and he heard the boys fork viciously stab his food before eating. He was quiet, trying to decipher what hidden message was encoded in Omi's words. As far as he could tell, the boy was just very angry about something, and obviously a little nervous.

"Good." He could hear Aya's approving smile. "Do that. No matter what the consequences Omi. If you need to fight do it, the respect from your peers is what you need. Not the respect from the staff." Aya stated, and Omi's colors started moving so he figured the boy was nodding.

"I really am going to be ok Ken-kun. You don't have to worry about me." Omi suddenly stated, and he could tell from Omi's tone this was a line the boy had practiced in his head before speaking out loud. Omi was almost fifty percent, seventy percent sure this statement was true, but wanted to reassure him. To allay his fear and worry. That was so stereotypically Omi.

"Never thought otherwise." He smiled, in what he hoped was the direction of the boy and Omi laughed slightly. Whether the laugh was because he said the right thing, or he was totally looking in the wrong direction, Omi never corrected him. "Just remember though, if anything goes wrong. That's understandable, not shameful." he nodded, and Yohji imitated.

"We're all failures in one way or another." Yohji shrugged, and even through the blur that was his eyesight he could see Aya turn to the blonde with a frown that said. What the hell are you talking about? I most certainly am not a failure at all, you on the other hand… He smiled, not only with Aya's stubborn attitude and expression, but Yohji's insight. It was a good thing to say, and nicely put. Omi wouldn't be a failure to them if he went to his new prison and tripped over things and dropped his stuff like usual. Or even if he put up a poor front and got the shit beat out of him…often. They'd welcome Omi back in the blink of an eye, and without a single question.

"Omi?" He muttered the boys name worried when Omi didn't say anything at all, but when the blurry skin tones and large blue eyes turned to him he realized Omi was smiling.

Friday 11:00 PM

"Yohji?" He muttered the blonde's name when he heard another growled -Stay the fuck away from me- emerge from his cell. "Yohji?" He repeated a little louder, and Yohji didn't answer him. That was never a good sign.

He rolled over where he lay, looking towards the other side of his cell where Omi's fingers had been last night. The boy was gone now though. Three hours ago their prick of a block cop, and two other cops in different uniforms came to pick him up. Their goodbyes were well handled, and everyone there must have thought they were hardly acquainted. Still, no matter how cool they played things, he and Yohji had made sure they were lounging in comfortable easy access positions. Just when Omi had gone by him, he was able to stick his hand through the bars and brush it to the boys. Like a weak, slide high-five that entertained down by Omi's thigh, and the boy didn't even look at them, only the corner of his mouth smiled slightly.

Now the other side of his cell was frightfully dull, and Aya so far away. He couldn't even call the red head and hope he could enact his demon voice all the way to Yohji's cell. "Yohji!" he sat up when he heard a sudden thud from the other cell and wrestling. "Yohji?" He pulled himself to the bars, preying Yohji would answer him, but instead all he heard were small grunts from the blonde which testified to his struggling, or fighting before the wrestling suddenly stopped. He was quiet, the still stagnant air of the prison hanging around him with his anticipation before Yohji grumbled a -What?- back to him. He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh as he sunk back to his cot and relaxed.

"Nothing." He muttered closing his eyes again, and holding out half asleep as long as he could. Just incase anymore wrestling started and his voice would be useful. As far as he knew, non did, at least not for an additional forty minutes.

8:40AM Tuesday

"Walk slowly to the end and sit down. One chair for each of you. Don't move, or touch anything until you hear us say so over the loud speaker." the cop said, slowly un-cuffing them and pointing down their side of the visitors room. Again they followed Aya slowly down to the last chair and glared ahead.

"If this isn't good news…" Yohji growled, letting his threat trail as the entrance doorknob twist slowly. All of the sighing, expecting Mr. Brine or maybe even Manx again since she had shown up once. Blasting everyone with her ball buster look and not at all abashed to be strutting around their prison looking as delicious as always. He wasn't the only one who hid his face for the first second they saw her. They hadn't seen a real woman in a week, and even when they saw girls everyday, Manx was always special.

"What the HELL!?" Aya choked, leaning closer to his glass as the doorknob turned and the figure walked in. Yet, instead of Mr. Brine standing there trying to ease their concerns and describe all the things that were being done to try and get them out. Or Manx whom simply walked in, sat down, and told them what was going on; saying nothing more than -people are working on it- conveying condolences and strolling out. None of them in their wildest dreams imaged they'd see the smiling face that stood before them.

"OMI!?" Yohji yelled confused and Omi came right to them ripping the phone up quickly before smiling a -Hi you guys!- into his receiver while he sat. "What the hell is going on!?" Yohji choked out confused while Aya slowly sunk to a threatening glare. Aya definitely wasn't going to be locked in prison if Omi was out frolicking free with the butterflies and fuzzy bunnies.

"Mr. Brine's here guys. He's getting you all out, isn't that great!?" Omi smiled, standing up and motioning for them to do the same. They all did, slowly and a little confused. "Come on hang up, your leaving. Go to the cops." Omi pointed over to the cops whom were lazily watching them. "I'll talk to you in a few minutes. Bye you guys!" Omi smiled, hanging up and pointing again when they all stood there holding their phones like Omi had just clobbered them with a bat. "GO!" They heard the boy yell, loud enough so some of his voice made it through the glass and they slowly hung up and walked to the cops.

8:58AM

"Yes could you be a little gentler please?" Yohji smiled, watching as the cop at the prison entrance/exit unsnapped his cuffs. "Remember I am free man, treat me nice." Yohji sung before frowning and rubbing his wrists when the guy was done and shoved him towards Mr. Brine. Yohji snort at the guy slightly, grinning at the large parking lot he was so happy to see before extending his arms to either side and inhaling. "YEs SiR!" Yohji announced turning back to the prison, the cops, Aya and him who stood rubbing their wrists. "I am Very happy to be out!" Yohji grinned. "And I won't be missing You or You or You." Yohji laughed, pointing to each cop before stopping on the one. "Ohhh ho ho and I defiantly won't be missing you." Yohji sung twirling his pointed finger while Aya gave the guy a long, hard glare.

"Come on Boys." Mr. Brine grinned, beckoning them back to the van they were so sure was burned and smashed and helped to incriminate them with a life sentence.

"Omi." Yohji grinned, throwing his arm around the boys neck. "Oh man you have some explaining to do and if it's not super good chibi, Aya and I are going to pound you. Understand?" Yohji stated with a no-grudge like tone. The kind Aya used before he beat any of them.

"I know Yohji-kun." Omi grumbled, frowning slightly as he was hugged tighter and a little harder to get the point across. "I figured as much so Mr. Brine can explain. He explained to me." Omi stated.

"Oh he did." Yohji looked up interested, suddenly fixing his dangerous smile on Mr. Brine and Aya adjusted his glare as well.

"Alright alright." Mr. Brine sighed, opening the van door and motioning for them all to get in. "I guess we can't wait till we get back to the shop huh. It has to be in the car?" the man sighed/smiled as they all shook their head. NO way were they waiting! He was thrown in a hole! Yohji was constantly harassed! Aya mine as well have had a stroke over his sister! Wait?…Yeah right. They'd wait…on a cold day in hell.

"Boys!" Mr. Brine announced grinning back at them through the mirror. "You've just underwent one of your toughest and most stressful obstacles! I am more than proud of you." All three of them grit their teeth with looks to kill. OBSTACLE!?

"OBSTACLE!?" Aya screamed, threatening to get up. "SiR! WITh all do respect, I'd say that type of explanation is more than inadequate!" Aya growled and he smiled. Aya was always so polite when evil.

"That was Not an obstacLE that was a PRISON!" Yohji yelled pointing back to the prison fading behind their car. "PRISON! Mr. Brine! Ohgrrr." the blonde growled, slamming his fist down for a second. "This was the ball busters idea. I just know it was her!"

"I don't care who's idea it was." Aya snarled disgusted. "My Sister!? Where is she!? What's happened while I was in there!?"

"Nothing Fujimiya she's fine." Mr. Brine quickly reassured. "I saw her this afternoon myself. She's absolutely fine. Everything we've told you boys is a fake. Ok?" Omi started nodding, he had already been briefed. "The obstacles was a stressor. It was meant to test your will and see if you'd break. Your interrogations were fake. The pictures fake. The murders…fake." Mr. Brine explained and Yohji closed his eyes to calm himself down. He couldn't blame him though, he was Pissed too! "Your interrogations they were brutal yes?"

"What! You didn't watch them!?" Yohji screamed mad.

"Sir." He growled, more mad that he knew what to do with.

"Of course I watched them." Mr. Brine nodded calmly driving and speaking along, unaffected by how mad they were. "Kudou you were quiet a smart ass. I wasn't aware you knew such a variety of profanity." Mr. Brine chuckled slightly. "Fujimiya you had an excellent tactic of pissing your cop off. Afterwards when I spoke to the man he said you were thee most annoying." Aya smiled, pleased that all the time the man screamed, and shoved him, and he had ignored him that the man really was mad. "Hidaka, and Tsukiyono my apologies are to you. You were assumed to be the easier to break being that you were the youngest. However, I am also most pleased with you two for neither of you broke." He smiled instantly, not only proud for himself but for Omi. He always wondered if the boy had broken, but never found the courage to ask. He remembered what it was like to have that man literally shoving papers in his face, and shoving him around, pushing his head into the table and smacking him lightly with the folders and packets. He was afraid of the man for a good ten or fifteen minutes, but after that, he just wanted to kill him. If Omi ever broke, he knew it would have been against the boys wishes, and so if the answer was yes he never wanted to seem disappointed.

"I can't believe this." Aya growled, bringing him back to life and he suddenly remembered how mad and insulted he was.

"Your Instatement was another test as well. Having your mug shots, finger prints, issued clothing-All these aspects target direct psychological weaknesses. We were testing you boys. Testing to see how strong you really were, how well you could hold out. No one was in on this except for the Prison ward, who was aware you were innocent and had the necessary paperwork. Everyone else, was uninformed. The officers whom kept your block, whom watched you exercise, work shop, labor-None of them were informed. The prison mates you encountered, the ones in your cells, uninformed. You were completely abandoned in that Prison boys, and while we cheated just a hair, and had your cells recorded, and beakers tagged to your clothing to keep an eye on you. I am pleased to say…I never once saw any crying that surpassed the first night, or the time I visited. You never became suicidal, or turned on each other, and you never threatened to abandon me, or your training. Withstanding everything we forced you to face, you never once broke apart, individually, or as a team." The car pulled to the side slightly, so Mr. Brine could turn around to look at them. "I am so proud of you boys. You have no idea how your shape up and success brings me joy." Mr. Brine smiled ignoring the tears in their eyes. It was hard to hear things like that to your face, especially when you always wished to hear it, and never did. No matter how hard he tried, or all of them tried the tears came. Omi, the only exception because he had already heard it and coped.

"What…what about." Aya got rid of his tears the fastest, pointing to Omi.

"Yes." Mr. Brine nodded, starting the car again. "Had this been real, Tsukiyono would have been transferred to the Juvenile Correctional Home for Boys because of his age. You all would have been trailed as adults, and Tsukiyono would have been trailed as a child. That's just how it works. Fear not Fujimiya you were not being gypped." Mr. Brine chuckled for a second, he already knew Aya was mad that Omi may have gotten out before them. "Tsukiyono was transferred to the Correctional Institute as if he were a criminal. We had him instated and set up and he spent six hours there…until we pulled him out." Mr. Brine muttered and they all frowned.

"Why?" He asked turning to Omi whom looked a bit nervous.

"I ah…I got into a fight." Omi muttered and Mr. Brine nodded.

"A fight?" Yohji made a face, grinning. "Way to go Omi!" Yohji exclaimed smacking the boy in the shoulder while nodding happy. "How?"

"Some boy there, said something." Omi shrugged a little, obviously editing. "and…demanded I do something so I…" Omi shrugged a little again and just trailed.

"The boy's in the hospital with a broken nose, fractured arm, and two black eyes." Mr. Brine shot in, and they were all dead silent before turning to Omi whom sat quietly fiddling with his fingers.

"That's...so…" He trailed and Omi looked up at him slowly. "AWEsomE!" He laughed.

"Broke His NOSE!" Yohji laughed, slapping Omi again and the boy smiled. "That's great. How?"

"I just punched him." Omi answered and Yohji started shaking his head before nudging Aya.

"Our little chibi is growing up Aya." Yohji smiled. "Beating the shit out of Real Life Prisoners! …Omi." Yohji gave the boy a small salute, and Omi beamed but looked away almost bashful with the attention. "We weren't so lucky Omi. We didn't get to beat up our prisoners." Yohji snort making a face for a second.

"And rightly so Kudou!" Mr. Brine shot in. "The only reason Tsukiyono was pulled out soon, was that his brawl would have landed him a week in solitary confinement! And at the Juvenile Correctional Institute solitary Confinement is no fun." Mr. Brine frowned, and Omi resumed the finger fiddling. "But…when we asked him to explain himself, his reasoning was found logical."

He grinned instantly. "You made the call right Mr. Brine?" He asked feeling good Mr. Brine pulled Omi out. He would have wanted the man to pull any of them out.

"No." Mr. Brine answered, and his face fell confused. "Manx did."

They were all silent before Yohji muttered a skeptical "The ball buster?"

Omi nodded turning to them. "She said my course of action was appropriate, and she considered it self defense. So…she made them give me my clothes back and let me out and they released me." Omi explained but they were still all frowning.

"What was the institute like?" Yohji asked and Omi frowned.

"It sucked."

"Sucked?" He repeated and Omi nodded annoyed.

"It sucked ass big time." Omi growled, before glancing at Me. Brine whom only sighed. The man was willing to let their profanities go for a day, or maybe two. Considering they had heard the F word, every other word, while they were tortured. "They took me there in this bus blindfolded! Like I would have known where I was anyway. Then they took me inside and fingerprinted and pictured me all over again." Omi looked thoroughly annoyed and they had to agree this sounded crappy. "Instatement was embarrassing I don't want to talk about it." Omi shook his head at them before continuing. "Everyone there was older than me, hardly anyone was my age. Our rooms weren't cells like yours. It was just…a really big room and we all had really crap ass metal bunks that sucked too. Everything there was really shitty. We were outside a lot more though, but it was really strict." Omi sighed, finished with his explanation and Yohji was grinning ear to ear with all the use of profanities. "Sorry I swore sir." Omi said turning to Mr. Brine but the man only sighed, and waved his hand dismissing it.

"Why would they bother to finger print you and take your pictures again if you just did that?" he frowned. "Are they stupid or what?"

"It was probably for show." Aya stated shrugging slightly. "To make him feel like he belonged there."

"That's ridiculous." Yohji made a face. "They did that to us, and I felt like shoving those papers up their ass. I didn't feel owned. Omi, did you feel owned?" Omi was quiet and Yohji made a face. "No you didn't." Yohji spit frowning accusingly and Omi guiltily shook his head to say he didn't. "You did?" -No- Omi spit and Yohji's eyes widened. "Why the hell! Why didn't you tell them to go fuck themselves!" Yohji frowned and Omi shrugged.

"I don't know!" Omi yelled defensive.

"You don't know!?" the blonde frowned, leaning to the edge of his seat and Omi backed further into his own to get away. "Omi. When people do shit like that, you tell them to go fuck themselves!" Yohji instructed and he was quiet. He had learned that this was true from just being with Yohji on the streets. Anyone who tried head games with them were up to No good, and eventually they started telling people to go Fuck themselves even when they only assumed that's what they were doing.

"I told them to fuck off and they hit me for it!" Omi frowned, shoving Yohji away when the blonde got too close.

"Did you hit them back?" Yohji cocked a patient eyebrow and Omi growled at him.

"NO! I couldn't I was cuffed down!"

"They hit you when you were cuffed?" He asked making a face as he spoke and Omi turned to him with his frustrated defensive glare for Yohji and nodded. "That's so unfair."

"Everything there was unfair!" Omi yelled at him, before turning back to Yohji. "You didn't come with me so don't tell me what I should have done! You don't know what it was like and you don't know what they were doing to me!" Omi growled at the blonde before shoving him back again. "So shut up! Next time if you want to come down and join me I'll consider what you have to say! But until you do, Just Shut up!" Omi yelled, and Yohji was quiet. His patient cocked eyebrow still leaning into Omi's mad face before silently sitting back in his chair with a grin and giving Omi another solute. "Thank you." Omi muttered, nodding because he knew he deserved that. He smiled chuckling to himself as he slapped the boy in the shoulder and Omi just gave him a "Thank you." too.

A soft silence fell over the car for a few seconds before Yohji snort and nudged Aya before mumbling a "Yup. Our little chibi is growing up."

Three Months later

"That's….that's it?" Aya made a face, and for being the one of them who cared for Mr. Brine's constant directions the least…even the red head looked stumped. Pushing him a little more as he tried to see into the man's bedroom since the door was open.

"Yes that's it Fujimiya." Mr. Brine sighed, folding the last of his shirts and depositing it into his full suitcase before turning to them. "Are there any other ridiculous questions that I have not addressed?" Mr. Brine asked with a smile, watching them all stand there like cheeping birds when the mother leaves the nest for food. Wide eyes and mouths, just watching Mr. Brine pack up because the man was leaving.

"But!…But will I ever see you again sir!?" Omi shot, weaseling in between them to the front so the boy could finally see.

Mr. Brine smiled for a moment, before picking his suitcase up and shaking his head. "Probably not Tsukiyono, you'll be very busy in your line of work but…I'll still be around." Mr. Brine replied casually.

"Where." He quickly shot and Mr. Brine turned to him, walking over to them and watching all their stances lean back…but none of them actually moved. That would have meant clearing Mr. Brine's doorway, and they still wanted some answers.

"At the police station of course. Perhaps, training more boys, or maybe I'll be able to take some leave and see my family a little while. That's usually what I do after making one of these runs." Mr. Brine explained.

"These runs?" Yohji made a face.

"Yes. Has it not occurred to any of you that I have been with you for almost three years now? In your sight almost every hour of the day, to watch your blundering hides?" Mr. Brine laughed and they all frowned a little. "I haven't really seen my family in three years boys. Aside from a weekend here or there, a few hours when you were training or working at your obstacles. Your hospital time, your imprisonment. But really…it's been a long time." Mr. Brine nodded firmly, almost telling them to move.

"You must miss them huh sir?" Omi asked sympathetically and Mr. Brine nodded laying a hand on his shoulder and moving him aside a little.

"I certainly do." the man answered starting down the hall and for the stairs as they all quickly followed. "Boys." Mr. Brine stopped dead on the landing and turned around to them with a heavy sigh. They were all quiet, and Mr. Brine didn't say anything at all. They all just looked at each other, this moment was so confusing. He didn't want Mr. Brine to leave! But at the same time, he understood the man couldn't stay. "Boy's you have completed your training, and therefore you have completed me. I was simply here to guide you and get you into shape. You're all going to be fine without me. Understand."

They were all dead silent before Yohji shift his weight a little. "Sir...if…if your not going to see Omi anymore…Am I every going to see you?"

He shoved Yohji with a -shut up idiot- look before turning to the man. His question was far more important. "Am I ever going to see you again?" He quickly asked.

Mr. Brine almost glared at them for a moment before reaching up and rubbing his temples. "Boys I have an appointment for a day spa in half an hour, and questions like these are not persuading me to miss my cab." Mr. Brine said starting for the front of the shop and they followed faster now. "Now." The man turned to them as they all stopped about three feet from him. "This is a number where you can reach me for the next four days." Mr. Brine extended a small index card and Omi snapped it up. "It's only for emergencies understand?" Mr. Brine clarified before sitting his suitcase down and sighing at them. "For instance, if Fujimiya decides to get a full body tattoo…you might want to call. Or if Kudou brings home a large, mass of females. I want a call. Or Hidaka, I don't want any, and I mean any soccer anywhere near the merchandize. I don't even like that damned ball in the house understand." He nodded before Mr. Brine turned to Omi. "Tsukiyono your in charge of tattle-tailing."

"What!?" Omi shot. "Why me sir!?"

"Because." Mr. Brine nodded. "I can trust you will make the necessary judgments. Kudou if I find you break my rule. I'll come back and tan you. Hidaka, you bust one thing with that ball…I'll be back here, and Tsukiyono…if you don't make the call and I get wind of it. I'll be back here for you understand?" they all nodded and Aya smirked a little since he hadn't been scolded. "Now in four days Manx will arrive. This is really supposed to be the end of it for you boys but really-"

"-It's another test." Yohji sighed and Mr. Brine nodded.

"Of course it is. Nothing we've done hasn't been a test. If all goes well these four days I won't be back. If all doesn't, I will most definitely be back and you'll all regret it for a few hours. I hope I make myself perfectly clear. I don't expect this place to turn into a hell hole just because I am not around. It better be well kept and presentable! for Manx when she gets here! Or believe me…I'll hear of it, and we'll continue as we are with my presence for the weekends alright?" Mr. Brine smiled extending his hand and they all looked at it for a second confused.

To them Mr. Brine had never been a god, or elaborated ruler. He had of course been in control that was obvious, and the man had become a father in more ways then they could understand, but…they were always more like ducklings, and kittens who followed behind. Now looking at the outstretched palm and strong fingers they all realized, that speech would probably be it, and Mr. Brine was retiring control so to speak. Allowing them to take their final step up, and manage everything they still didn't have their fingers on. "Goodbye boys." Mr. Brine smiled, still waiting confidently before Yohji reached out and shook his hand with a grin.

"Bye sir." He smiled too, quickly taking Mr. Brine's hand and shaking it as firmly as he could and the man laughed slightly before extending it to Omi.

"Bye!" Omi smiled taking Mr. Brines hand before stepping up and hugging the man. "Can Yohji be in control of tattle-tailing?" Omi asked raising to tippy toes and speaking over the man's shoulder.

Mr. Brine smiled, giving Omi a firm hug before letting the boy go. "No Tsukiyono, and I will come back and tan you." the man grinned, and Omi just stepped back with a small sigh and wave as Aya took Mr. Brine's hand and held it for a moment before shaking it.

"Aya." Yohji sighed the red heads name slapping his back as Aya slowly let go of Mr. Brine's hand while staring at the man. Somehow conversing everything they knew Aya wanted to say to the man through his eyes. "You ah…want me to get you a tissue?" Yohji grinned but Aya instantly frowned, yanking from Yohji's touch with a growled -No- as Mr. Brine picked his suitcase back up and opened the door.

"Call for emergencies and behave yourselves." Mr. Brine directed and they all nodded and mumbled obedient -Yes Sir's- "Boys, it has been a real pleasure knowing you, I'll stop in from time to time in the future. Good luck." With a small step to the street, and jingle of their shop bell Mr. Brine was gone and they were all left standing there.

It was a sinking feeling that ran over him now, before it was a patient excitement. He was excited he had made it to the point where Mr. Brine would leave, and he could take on for himself. He was anxious to see how the man would depart and more than grateful for the pride in the man's face, and warmth around his eyes when he smiled at them that last second and left. It was an expression, and moment, he didn't think he'd forget for his life. But now…Mr. Brine was gone…and they were on their own…for four days…alone.

"I-I can't believe he's gone." Omi suddenly shot, cringing slightly at the door like it was the frame itself that had made this so.

"He has to go. We all knew he was going to leave someday." Aya answered, staring at the door like Omi. "It's no surprise. We knew it was coming."

"Want a tissue Aya?" Yohji asked again.

"No." Aya's reminiscing expression of patience snapped to a glare instantly.

"Wow…four days." He muttered staring at the door himself. "I can't believe we have…four..days." He repeated and they were all quiet, staring ahead until Yohji made the smallest grunt possible and began a grin that swept ear to ear with all the mischief of the devil himself.

"You put it so elegantly Ken." Yohji turned to him with a smile. "But, what we really have here men is ninety-six hours of free do-whatever-you-want time." Yohji almost couldn't keep the grin from busting to his ears as he spoke before throwing Aya a glance to pull the red head in.

"Ninety-six hours." He repeated, astonished to hear exactly how much -do-whatever-he-wanted- time he really hand. "I guess we better plan stuff." He grinned getting excited and Yohji wiggled his eyebrows at him before looping an arm around Omi's neck and smooshing the boy a little.

"Omi darling, your not really going to call Mr. Brine on me are you?" Yohji grinned, jerking Omi a little so the boy stumbled and frowned.

"I don't know Yohji-kun, it doesn't look like I have much of choice. You know Mr. Brine will find out if I don't call." Omi whined his protest before Yohji frowned a little and Omi made a face meaning he was suddenly hugged harder with the displeasing response.

"Yeah but if you call and tell on me I am going to tan you myself." Yohji replied calmly.

"Yeah." Omi snorted, before making a meager attempt to get the blonde off. "Like I'd ever bend over for you." Omi spit.

"Aya's going to help me." Yohji threw a thumb at Aya and the red head nodded as he walked over to the counter and pulled out a paper and pen. Omi's eyes flew at him instantly and he made a face.

"Oh no." He shot raising his hands. "Don't drag me into this little charade." He frowned.

"But Ken-Kun! Aya-Kun's on Yohji-kun's Side!" Omi shot.

"I know but Yohji's not really going to invite any girls over Omi, you'll see." He sighed scratching a sloppy number 1 onto the paper.

"I am not?" Yohji suddenly sounded confused and instantly dropped Omi to walk over to where he was slouching into the counter with his head in a hand. After Yohji stood there for a moment completely silent and just staring at him he glanced up and cocked an eyebrow. "What?" Yohji asked again.

"You heard me." He sighed, scratching a sloppy number 2 on because he didn't have anything to write yet. "We can't have stuff going on like that here. It's bad for business right Aya?" He turned to the red head with a lazy facial slump. There was no way Aya couldn't agree with him and he knew it.

Aya made a face before glancing away to leave the conversation, and had it been any normal conversation he would have, but Aya wasn't getting off that easy today. He smiled and glared at the red head until Aya's eyes flung at him with a snapped -Yes- that was more annoyed with himself than him. "See Yohji." He turned to the blonde, he had single handedly turned everyone against the idea and Yohji made a face.

"Alright than Ken. If your so smart!" Yohji pulled back from the counter insulted. "What do you suggest we do!?"

"Well we have to do something, and we still have to keep this stupid shop running." he said, but Yohji just continued his casual glare oblivious to what his statement was implying.

"That means we have to sell the flowers Yohji-kun." Omi explained

"What!?" Yohji shot annoyed, hopping onto the counter and sitting there. "You can do that Omi."

"I can't do it alone Yohji-kun, idiot." Omi made a face. "We're all going to have to do it, like we do now." the boy scolded and Yohji squint a little.

"Which means." He continued. "We're going to have to have a plan. I think if we do this right we can have free time we never had before."

"If we do this right." Aya scoffed at his word choice before snapping the pen and paper from him. "Doing this right means you not doing it." Aya spit and he frowned.

"Shut up Aya! I don't see anyone naming you genius of the year!" He growled but Aya only snort at his come back.

"Number one, we all have to continue running." Aya stated, scrolling a -running 7-8am 4 days a week- next to number one.

"WHAT!?" they all shot.

"We do." Aya stated turning to them. "We can't afford to fall out of shape if we're going to be assassins. So we have to keep running. I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want any of you digging a bullet out of my ass because I was too slow." Aya shot pointing at them with the pen and they all grimaced a bit.

"I sure don't either." Omi agreed quickly and he gave a nod while Yohji just snort.

"Number 2 is we have to design shift schedules different from the ones we have now if we want significant free time or free time all, at the same time at all." Aya explained.

"Well actually Aya-kun we all do have free time now." Omi stated and they all turned to the boy. "Well…since we close shop at 5 and no longer have a bed time….that means we're off at five." Omi smiled and Yohji's face lit up immediately.

"Aya give Omi the pen. I like his style better." Yohji smiled yanking the pen from Aya whom made a face as Omi broke out in a wide grin. "Keep going Omi." Yohji encouraged.

"Well…also…our weekend shift can be altered too. If we open an hour earlier at nine on Saturday and continue closing at six. That means we can have from six on free, and delay our opening till ten on Sunday. That should give us a better Saturday night I think." Omi mused and they all grinned, including Aya whom was pouting over loosing the pen. "But other than that Yohji-kun we don't have that much open. We still need time to cook, and to work in the shop, and to keep things up here. Never mind basic gym time and calculating normal everyday stuff we do that wastes time." Yohji made a face and snapped the pen from Omi's hand dissatisfied. "I am not a miracle worker Yohji-kun!" Omi shot snapping it back. "There isn't anything I can do because this is what I have to work with!" Omi frowned insulted before writing a bubbly 3 next on the line. "So that's our plan. What about actual shifts. If we break it down two on two, then we should be able to have free time during every normal day as well ok." Omi explained annoyed while mapping out a small calendar of their week. "That means we can have two people from nine to one and two people from one to five." Omi explained.

"Well I'll take all the later shifts chibi." Yohji smiled patting Omi's back.

"Me too!" Aya and him shot instantly and Omi stopped writing.

"Wait a minute. I want a later shift too you guys." Omi looked up frowning a little and they all frowned back. "Well…we're going to have to…decide somehow." Omi pulled the pen from the paper with a heavy sigh.

"Ok. Rock paper scissor." He sighed extending his hand to Yohji. "First one out takes morning shifts." He grinned, Yohji always always picked rock.

"Fine." Yohji frowned extending a fist and they counted to three while knocking on air before calling it.

"HAHAHAHH!" He died laughing when Yohji threw out rock and he threw paper.

"Yohji-kun you have nine to one on Monday, Wednesday and Friday." Omi stated bubbling in Yohji's name.

"What!?" Yohji yelled, hopping off the counter and frowning over Omi's shoulder. "Oh No! I want a re-due! Ken was cheating!"

"HAHAHH!" He just kept laughing through Yohji's protesting and Aya's sour face when Omi pointed out he still had school and therefore couldn't work mornings at all. He laughed the hardest then, because he was already in the clear after Yohji.

"Ok then, Yohji and Aya have mornings, Ken you have afternoons Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and I have after school everyday for two hours…but we have a glitch. Our Sunday morning shift isn't filled." Omi frowned down at the paper before glancing up a them. "And neither is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from one to five. That's almost another shift and I don't get home till three so-even if I pick up the second I get home, someone still needs to be minding the shop for two hours."

"Huh." Yohji snot. "Unless we close it."

"Ahhh." Aya scowled with that answer before frowning. "Alright I'll take Tuesday, Ken can have Thursday and Yohji can have Saturday." Everyone frowned as Omi bubbled that in, really there wasn't any other day.

"Ok." Omi continued looking back up. "Then what about our Sunday morning shift?"

"You should have it." Yohji quickly spit.

"You don't have any mornings Omi." Aya frowned, backing the blonde up.

"Well neither does Ken-kun!" Omi shot and he growled, he didn't want to be pulled back in. He was scott-free! "Besides! I was going to suggest we wing Sunday on how Saturday night goes and what's easier for all of us." Omi explained and they all smiled a little, that sounded good. Especially better than being assigned any more morning shifts. "Well good. And there's something else I want to bring up." Omi started bubbling in the rest of the information before looking up at Yohji a little timidly and then to him and Aya. "I-I need someone to finish teaching me how to drive."

"Oh no." Yohji made a face because he was the only one whom owned a car.

"I want to play soccer in the house!" He suddenly shot in. Hey, if they were making for wild demands, he mind as well get in while the gettin's good

"No!" Aya turned to him on a dime.

"I hope you all don't think I am going to bed so early anymore either." Omi continued. "And I want to say Fuck too."

"I am bringing girls in and that's the end of it." Yohji sighed, not even concerned he might have to debate.

"Oh NO your not!" He shot to Omi. "Your going to bed! And to bed at a logical time! Or I am going to take that laaaammmp." He started growling while tightening his hands in a twisting motion and Omi took a step back.

"No soccer in the house." Aya stated.

"No swearing chibi." Yohji ordered.

"Girls are bad for business Yohji-kun! Your definitely not having them! And why can't I swear!" Omi yelled.

"I am not going to break anything Aya!" He protested. "Last time it was a fluke! Those pots weren't supposed to be there! And wouldn't have been there if Yohji hadn't been out for a smoking break!"

"And your not smoking in the house either Yohji-kun. It turns everything white to nasty colors. And my sheets are white." Omi commented, nodding away matter o'factly.

"You think I am going to let you swear while your being so anal?" Yohji said to Omi while making a face and fiddling with a cigarette. Omi only growled a bit as a response and averted his eyes from the blonde.

Twenty-six minutes later they posted a piece of fairly crumpled, right edge torn away, cigarette burned piece of loose leaf to the fridge with the fallowing.

1. Running 7-8am four days a week

2.Flower Shop Shifts

Mon

9-1 Yohji

1-5 Ken

Tues

Aya all day

Wed

9-1 Yohji

1-5 Ken

Thurs

9-1 Aya

1-5 Ken

Fri

9-1 Yohji

1-5 Ken

Sat

9-1 Aya

1-5 Yohji

Sun

10:00 open, negotiable

1-5 Ken

3. Ken's soccer in basement (only)

4. Omi's driving (Thank you Yohji-kun!!)

5. Frequent Movie Rentals!!!!!

6. Girls allowed in downstairs living room, and personal bedrooms.

7. Things to Get

-More Ice cream, strawberry, Mocha Almond Fudge, grand Slam

-Invest in a cordless phone--several cordless phones

Shaving cream

Electric shock safety outlets for computer(s)

Yohji's Car tax

½ 5$

1hr 7$

With Girl

½ 10$

1hr (negotiable)

"Alright." He sighed looking at their piece of paper and smiling only because he was laughing at them. Everyone else was still frowning, especially Yohji whom was still mad about having to work mornings. "I guess that's it than." he turned to the group and there was a mixture of shrugs and sour looks.

"Fine than close the damn shop." Yohji spit leaning back into the counter and lettings his disgusted expression and attitude drain away.

"Close it?" He frowned slightly confused. "Why?"

"Well so we can run a labor day on ourselves of course." Yohji stated dumb founded he had to ask, and slowly retaining his suave tone. "Or were all you boy scouts actually going to carry on like Mr. Brine was here hmm?" Yohji asked cocking an eyebrow and Aya smiled with him. Yeah. Forget this. They at least disserved a day to themselves.

Hey thanks so much for reading! Sorry this ending is been so much work, and I am multitasking which I try not to do. I am already working on another Weiss story! it's very different from this one but I really like it. Though I am not sure if I will be able to post it on because it might have some whispers naughty parts. BUT! I will figure something out! Hehe. Anyway, Wow we're getting close to the end. The next chapter is the last chapter!! sniffles Will it be good? Oh you bet. Sure to make you laugh, as well as reveal some of Thee biggest questions. One of them being-Why Is OMI THERE!!

Get ready for Chapter 24-White Hunters of the Dark!!

Leave me a review please!!