Disclaimers: I do not own any Weiss character. If I did I would make it an implied RanKen and NagiOmi (yes, I'm a NagiOmi fan, but Youji seemed the more appropriate pairing for Omi at this story). I would take away Tomoe? Sakura and –dances away from Ran's katana- any other threat to this pairing. Unfortunately I do not –sobs and hides from Sakura fans-.

Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama

Pairing: RanKen, YoujiOmi

WK: -ahem ahem- I said I won't be updating this but due to the reason that I do not want to disappoint all those wonderful RanKen fan reviewers of Chapter 1 (thanks, guys! Love you all!) And why this update went earlier than the other fic (I don't know either) chapter 2 arrived much earlier than supposed to. Hopefully the quality of the story wasn't damaged by it... heh heh. Argh! I haven't been able to watch Gluhen yet –cries- so I have no idea what happened in that part so I'm pretty ignorant –glares at herself- I was told that it was nice, but I don't really know so all the reference I have comes from the series and OVA. Anyway, Persia is still alive in this story, ok? Ok! So enjoy! –whines- excuse the poor tenses... -swoons at all RanKen doujinshi-

Atsureki and darkreaperkuroi, for introducing me to this pairing, thank you. To ELLIE thanks for giving permission to use your fic as inspiration for this one.

Roles On Men

- I Don't Want To -

Crackle

Moving to local news, a body was once again found dead on the outskirts of the city. Lacerated to an unrecognizable form the police are now trying to obtain information about the body and the person who is responsible for the murder. Moving on to weather,

Crackle...

A solemn ambiance filled the small shop. Azure eyes glanced back and forth at emerald and amethyst. The crimson haired had his eyebrows furrowed. Ran was already over watering the plants but he didn't seem to notice it. Another murder had occurred in just a span of a few days. Seemingly, they had an idea as to what they would have, or be asked, to do. Even more, the person responsible for these things has to have connections, and there's only one person that the four knows of to be both influential and evil.

Takatori.

-----------

The vast building stood in magnificence in it's own splendor. Darkness envelops its frame, as if to hide it from world.

Loud footsteps echoed across the hallway. Flowing red hair was scattered as Manx burst the large white door open, revealing an all-too white room with minor sunlight begging to pass through the window shades.

"Another murder!" she exclaimed, placing a stack of folders on the man's desk. Eyes frowned as they peered at her from large eyeglasses. Persia closed his eyes, sighed and shook his head.

"I wouldn't want to do this if I couldn't, those boys hadn't had a mission for quite some time and I was hoping the police would act. That seemed to be a hopeless case. We have no other choice, call in the boys to stop this killing madness."

----------

Pale skin radiated his well-built body, making up for the eternal markings brought about by years of training and missions. Flaming crimson hair flows down in captivating manner over his intense amethyst eyes that might make even Narcissus jealous. A few paces behind him stood a slouched, equally handsome boy. Unlike Ran, he had chocolate brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. They both watched as their tall lanky blonde friend flirted his way with the judges. There was a hushed murmur as the judges huddled. In a few moments Youji would have his role...

It wasn't a surprise when the judges declared Youji would have the role of the male lead's bestfriend. The role he had auditioned for fit everything about him, seemingly like a rich playboy who has a lot of hidden surprises.

The research on the target says that he would be present that night on the opening show of the theater. They had to play along the entire thing and wait for the chance to be able to abduct their target. Manx hadn't given specific instructions yet except they must make it in the cast and crew. Their identities on the bio data they submitted were altered by the connections of Kritiker to avoid too much exposure.

They had all auditioned for the MALE role, all at least except Omi, who was lucky enough to be qualified as just a part of the crew. His knack for tinkering with computers was enough to make the crew baffled.

It was Ran's turn next. He hadn't even acted that long yet when the judges already were eyeing him up and down in praise and awe. After a few lines and actions the judges huddled together, this time taking much longer than Youji's had been.

Ran was finished. He was chosen for the role of the male lead, not to any of the other three's surprise. His voice and actions was perfect for the icy male lead, the only thing they should work about was Ran's lack of being 'affectionate' which is crucial for the latter part of the story. All that leaves now that doesn't have a role was Ken. Two more boys till it was the brunette's turn. He waited, a little impatiently. When the first boy's role was getting announced, what the judges said made Ken's heart stand still.

"Very good, very good indeed. You deserve the last male role. Alright then, since all male roles have all been cast, the remaining would have to vie for the roles of the female counterparts."

He wanted to die right then and there.

--------

"Oh no!"

Ken was being stubborn, he knew that, but he just can't stand the idea. He had just finished doing some stints for the judges and prayerfully hoping they would give him a male extra role but he wasn't that lucky.

"Well, have you ever tried to act, play or take in the role of a girl?" One judge asked harshly. Ken had all but gaped at them and it was wasting their time.

The brunette swallowed. He closed his brown eyes; not wanting to believe whatever is happening and hoping that when he opens them he'll be safe at his bed curled up. He straightened his v-necked t-shirt. Ok, so his top was too tight for him to be draped in his pajamas, but it didn't stop him from wishing.

His memories traveled as he remembered the first time he had to act as a girl. It was one of those times when the village where he lived held a dress-up play and he was forced to be on the role. Shivering he remembered that he liked playing the role of the supporting girl. Shaking that idea off his mind the next thing that he remembered was that mission with the girl who was good with computers. He had to pretend to be her to lure the thugs out to the forest to avoid the girl being hurt. He swallowed again. Hidaka Ken was not a person who lies. His eyes darted back and forth and they landed at amethyst, which was gazing at him silently.

Without even realizing it, he had muttered, "Er...yeah"

As soon as the words came out he covered his mouth and fought the urge to kick himself. All eyes were on him.

"Well then, you're pretty good. You deserve nonetheless the role of the girl's best friend. Next!"

--------

"Oh come on Ken, I thought you were gay, it won't be hard anymore, you know." Youji grinned in this I'm-older-than-you-so-I-already-know-a-lot-about-this-things voice.

"I'm NOT gay!" Ken replied hotly. Youji smirked; the blonde was obviously enjoying Ken's irritation. Ken growled and shook his head. Why me?!

"Ah, you're getting defensive, my friend."

"Fine then! If I survive this thing just to prove to you that I am a genuine straight person I have no choice than do it!" the brunette glared.

Youji blinked, a little taken aback, but then grinned. "You're on, Kenken!" his grin grew wider as Ken's face grew more annoyed. "I wonder what your name will be, hmm, ah, Kay!"

Ken went rigid. "You're not funny, you know that, Yohri."

"Yohri?! Hah, that's not even a name!" Youji exclaimed. "You know, there's nothing wrong with being feminine sometimes, you have always looked like an adorable uke, Kay."

Ken scowled back at him and stormed all the way outside, forgetting to take with him his coat. He stomped off, not looking back even though Youji practically tried to get him back in regret for his words.

Omi sighed. Youji can just get out of hand sometimes. Yet he couldn't help notice Ken's flustered face get red when Youji had mentioned that he looked like an adorable uke. That expression seemed vaguely familiar...

The blue-eyed blonde's ears suddenly turned red as he realized that it was –himself- that he was thinking about. He would always get all annoyed and red whenever the lanky blonde would call him like that. Flustered himself Omi blinked and suddenly noticed that the water on the potted plant was overflowing already. He suddenly let go of it as if it was on fire. Looking around he saw Youji sighing as the blonde called one of his dates for another night out to chill and at Aya, who had not spoken a word at all. He was taking his coat off the rack by the door. Omi watched with curiosity as Aya took Ken's coat as well, he didn't hear Youji asking the redhead to go after Ken in exchange for money and Aya's morning shift.

----------

A small tin can rolled on the pavement sending a smooth clatter of sounds as it clanged against cement. The brunette kicked the small poor thing as he poured out all his pent up anger. He definitely did NOT want to play the role of a girl in front of hundreds of people especially not when his partner is someone as obnoxious as the blonde.

Actually, he was pretty glad that he was paired with Youji, he would have died if it was any other person. At least the green eyed was a good partner, hell any girl would want the blonde, who wouldn't want to be paired with a person who knows how to please others? And yet...

A flash of beautiful bloody crimson paired with intense amethyst floated through his mind, and moment it did he blushed and frantically shoved the thought away. What the hell am I thinking?!

Ken shivered, bringing his arms up to rub them against his freezing shoulders. He had forgotten to get his coat. Great, the perfect time, right before winter starts to fall he had to forget to bring his coat. Dratted life.

"I'm so cursed, aren't I?! What did I do to deserve this?! Am I really that wretched?!" when no one answered him he growled and leaned against the railing overlooking the vast river. He sighed and shivered, a puff of cold air escaped his lips as he rubbed his shoulders to get more warmth. He cursed himself for wearing short-sleeved tops. The air was really getting colder, and if he doesn't go back he'll freeze to death. He wished he would.

"You're not the only one." A deep baritone muttered behind him, almost making him jump 20 feet in the air in fright. Speak of timing, just when you're thinking of the person, he pops up suddenly.

Ken flinched, and looked back behind him to see Aya. The redhead was watching him with deep violet eyes that would have made anyone drown in it.

"You forgot your coat." Aya scoffed, as if he'd rather be not seen with the brunette. At that moment Ken didn't mind it, he could hug Aya right then and there for saving him from an ice-cold death. On second thought, he'd rather die an ice-cold death than have the ice-cold prince slice him for teeny tiny pieces for getting physically close to him.

"Thanks" Ken sighed, wrapping the coat around himself. His breath flowed out in rather a chattered way. Aya's eyebrows furrowed.

"You're cold." He snorted.

Ken sighed again, "not really." he was getting tired of sighing. They both stood in silence for quite some time. "Er, actually, yeah I am freezing..." he grinned apologetically. "How about some hot choco? I know a place where they sell delicious cups of those."

Aya frowned. "No, I'm not really in the mood. Make sure you'll come back." And with that, he walked off, leaving a blinking brunette behind.

Ken stared after the pale redhead as Aya made his way off. The stoic man was annoyed but he was sure he had seen worry in those amethyst eyes when he had first turned to look at him. Oftentimes he sees a flash of that during missions when one of the team gets injured. Aya was admirable in so many ways. He shook his head and stared off at the setting sunset.

Maybe I should give this whole acting thing a chance, besides, it's just all an act, how bad can it be? The brunette snickered; after all, Aya would kill me if I said no.

--------

Ken squinted. The lights were blinding him and he felt embarrassed. He had gone through the lines and there were certain intimate scenes between him and Youji. He was NOT ready for that. Suddenly his attention was diverted as a sudden still silence filled the room.

"What kissing?!" Came Aya's and his blonde partner's voices. Ken couldn't help notice the angry growl in Aya's voice. All of a sudden the boy with blonde hair, Shuichi, as Ken remembers, walked, or rather stomped, off.

"You! Brunette over the back!" Ken blinked, was he talking about him? Sure enough, the director was. "You're also playing the role of a girl right? To the front!" Ken hesitated in confusion. "Go NOW!" the brunette flinched, and stumbled beside the redhead, trying to hide his flustered face. He tried to reason Youji out, but the blonde was paired up with Omi.

Kissing scene meant kissing Aya.

Oh God.

"Main characters, in here please!" the director called out, and Ran, Ken, Youji and Omi made their way to the theatre seats. "Remember to memorize the lines. I want you to spend some time with your partners. Get to know each other, memorize together. If one fails, the partner would be blamed as well. Is that understood?!"

The four, all-frowning slightly, nodded.

The director's face softened. "Sorry if I had to force you four, but the all the people who are going to be watching are very demanding. You do know what they expect, don't you?"

The four nodded again. They knew, knew all too well.

-----

"Ouch!"

It was late that night. The brunette was feeling cozy sprawled on Aya's bed in the redhead's own room, much too cozy that he felt he could fall asleep there any moment, had Ran not whacked him in the head with the script.

"We're here to memorize, not lounge about"

Ken frowned up at him. "You're so stuck-up"

"It's MY room." Aya pointed out with a glare.

Ken pouted and looked down at his own script. They had just finished another scene and they were already on the last chapter. After five hours of practicing lines of sweet nothings, petty arguments, a brief hug here and there and cheesy liners. His eyes ran over the lines they have finished and all of a sudden he felt his heart froze.

Oh God, this can't be... The next scene to practice was the...

-----

The kiss. Ran was battling with himself whether to go through it or just tell Ken that they'll skip it. Ran had NEVER as much kiss anyone not belonging to his family even on the cheek. First kiss, in other words. He had dreamed it to be with some girl who's just like Aya-chan, but Ran has his principles, at least as Aya. He was not the one to run away from these things. After all, he wouldn't die in doing that; it's just physical contact, nothing more, at least for him. Suddenly his brows furrowed.

The redhead studied Ken's stupefied face and shrugged. Might as well get it over with. At least it was Ken. He'd rather die than do it with Youji, the blonde would never let him hear the end of it, and with Omi it would have been too uncomfortable due to the younger blonde's age. Ran snickered, like he's ever going to be able to face the brunette after this. Hmm... he might even like it in the end, he never really knows. Annoyed at himself for thinking along these lines he decided to just let the brunette decide whether he was ok with it.

-----

"Are you up for it?"

Ken gulped and looked at Aya who was leaning casually against the chair beside his bed. The brunette squirmed a little and fumbled with the sheets on the redhead's bed as he pondered what to answer, staring blankly at the redhead's golden earring.

"We don't have to do it, you know, we can just skip it." Aya shrugged and crossed his arms as if it was nothing.

Well, it would be ten times worse if they just did it on the spot up there on the stage. Might as well have a go at it now, how bad can it be? Ken snickered at the last five words he used; he always doesn't seem to have a choice, does he? But that wasn't exactly what he was uncomfortable about.

"It's ok," the brunette shrugged. "Let's get it over with now."

The two stood up, and Aya went closer. "Forget this ever happened afterwards, understood?"

Ken stepped nearer as well, nodded and frowned a little, like he's ever going to forget about such an intimate contact, much more from their very own leader. Also since that wasn't the last time they would be doing it, and even considering his little crush on the Aya. Great, of all people to admire it had to be Mr.-I'll-kill-you-if-get-close-to-me redhead. Actually...

Ken was afraid. It was his first ever kiss, if ever he would go through it, but he didn't dare tell Aya that. Yet something was nagging him that he was actually excited and feeling fluttery about this. He swallowed and trembled a little, the brunette could sense the crimson ear tail coming closer, expecting it to slide against his cheek, could smell the familiar fresh scent of roses. Aya was close, so close that he could feel his own heart beating twice or even thrice as fast... couldn't take his eyes off the intense purple gaze. Aya was now a few centimeters from him. Their noses were already touching...

"Oy Aya!"

Ran automatically pulled back as if Ken's skin was on fire, which looked like it certainly does coz the brunette was red from blushing. Youji was leaning on Ran's doorway, smiling at the two of them and not knowing what he had just almost run into, and what he had just interrupted. He smirked and waltzed over to Ran and placed an arm over the redhead's shoulder.

"I was just wondering if I could borrow your CD?"

"Get out! Both of you! OUT!"

TBC

WK: I'm sorry if this chapter was bad, I had sort of rushed it a bit. Might be edited in the future. I'm getting confused about all the Ran to Aya and back jumping I've been doing, heh heh gomen, hope you aren't. Um, the part why Ran went to go find Ken was pretty lame, I know, but I'm having writer's block at that part so... eheh... -sweatdrop- There wasn't much RanKen action –glares at herself- the kiss was cut! –glares at Youji's wrong timing- But you'll get more of the AmethystChocolate action in the upcoming chapters.

LadyK Na-No-Da for being the first reviewer; thanks! Yes, RanKen rules! XD I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

Chitoshiya no Tohma I'll keep going as long as you support me, -hugs-

The AutumnRose Thanks for all the encouraging words, and for adding this story to your faves! Hope you keep with it till the end!

Unforgiven4220 thanks for saying it's good, hope you liked this chapter, and thanks also for adding this to your faves!

Manxsama –laughs- yeah, you'll be getting more dress up action in the upcoming chapters, heh heh watch out for it!

Yoshiki I hope this chapter answers your question, ) yeah me too it's not like me to write stuff like this, ahehehe... but I think this one's not that good enough...-sigh-

Bine thanks! Sorry I didn't change it to Yohji, I kind of got used to Youji in writing his name –sweatdrop- but I hope you won't mind and continue reading till the end.

kyria valkyrie yeah, yummy! XD –grins- thanks for adding this to your fave!

eBooeBoo2, Alaraine and amber hope - thanks for the compliments, info and the inspiration to update! –hugs-

Rie yeah, I'm imagining he would, -laughs- but we'll see, won't we? –can't wait to dress Ken up-

Murasaki-yanagi my great muse! A great RanKen fan too! XD and oh, it's actually not AU... me thinks... stay with me till the last chapter, ne?

Yoikiro yay I've updated! This is for you coz you demanded, –hugs- you made me want to update asap! XD thanks for the fave!

WK: -gets whomped on the head by a hose- ow! Hey!

Ran: you made those review answers so damn long, it's crazy.

WK: -sticks out tongue at Ran and hides behind Ken- ack! Heh you can't catch me!

Ran: -eyebrow twitching- Ken...

Ken: -gulps- yes, Aya?

Ran: Move out of the wa- WTF?!

–westkitsune has pushed Ken towards Ran and the two stumbles against each other. She is now currently grinning her head off while trying to duck from a katana and Ken's bugnuks from slicing her to pieces-. till next time, minna-sama! I'm off to show Omi and Youji these pics of RanKen I found, both with Ken on his cool motorcycle –rofl- and Ran beside him. I'm not sure if any of the two are originals, though. Yay! I am almost finished with my RanKen fanart! I'm all over their manga images, totally bishies! XD Ok, working till 12AM to finish two chapters of two different fics is a BAD idea. All, yes, ALL kind reviewers will receive RanKen images I have, just indicate your email. I'll try to send them asap! Gosh this is bribery –shakes head- don't worry guys I'll be updating 'One More Pose' soon enough. Flames will be laughed at, thank you.

Preview: Serendipity - All the late night memorizing is driving the four assassins mad (or crazy?). All of a sudden Ken seemed too busy doing other things to cope, and Ran gets madly annoyed. Will it all end in disaster for the two?!

- westkitsune –