Author's Notes-- ( 10:37 PM 2/3/03 ) This chapter is not Ken-centric, and really doesn't seem to fit in, but I am putting it here anyway. So far I've limited the perspective of the story to what happens where Ken is, when there's actually a lot more going on that is -important- that is not happening around Ken. This one is mainly Aya and Ran centric, and the second part is really Youji centric. The Youji part of the fic may really be skipped, if you do not wish to read it, but I just had to put it in there for all of the comments about Schu/Youji-dom I keep receiving. So, here it is, the second scene of act two. Next time, we'll be back on Ken centric, and I'll probably go back and forth between Ran and Ken. Is anyone even reading this? Hm...
# I can feel my heart beating in my toes.
Challenge-- Those of you who guessed on Ken's phobia were mostly correct. Ken's fear is 'claustrophobia', the fear of small or closed in spaces. A great big HOY! to all of those who successfully guessed it: Kuro, Karyx, and Heather. (If I left you out please notify me so that I may correct the mistake and then hit myself into atleast mild brain trauma.)
Disclaimer-- I own nothing. Except for this Feng Shui coffee mug. And you can't have it.
Warnings-- Shounen ai (mentions: SchuxYouji), Silly Schu-ness (^_^), OOC (possibly everyone)
//blah// -- Thoughts (ex: //What should I say, now?//)
"blah" -- Dialogue (ex: "Your mom.")
„blah" -- Visably Foreign Dialogue (ex: „Wie ghet's?")
‡blah‡ -- Song Lyrics (ex: ‡Utsukushii wakare o tsugeru daro‡)
* * * * *
Somewhat Damaged * Seph Lorraine
Act II: Scene II: He Shall Be Mine
* * * * *
Fujimiya Ran walked briskly from the library Sunday afternoon. //Maybe Hidaka -is- just some kid from Japan...// He sighed quietly, following the stoned path to the dormotories, //If that was the case, then why could he hear me in that tree? I know I had been still as soon as I saw him come into sight on the walkway. I was even breathing as quietly as I could. He was obviously on his guard about something, that's the only reason he could have spotted me-- Ugh, I hate orange. Why are all the flowers at this damn school -orange-? But it isn't custom for Japanese families to send their children to foreign countries-- Damn those buttons! I am not a God! --with no experience in the language; so that they can receive a less advanced education for more money. It just doesn't make sense-- If I were, indeed, a God, I would ban the organization of fan clubs at this school.//
"You can't go in there! Young man come back here immediately!"
Ran halted midstep as he entered the female dormitories. He silently sent a glare over his shoulder at the plump woman in pastel green who had commanded that he stop. Surely his few months away from this school had not led the woman to forget who he was.
The woman paused, then sighed, "Oh, it's you, Fujimiya. Sorry, I had forgotten you--"
Then again, maybe it had.
"--Go on in. Aya told me to expect you."
The redhead hadn't waited to hear the rest of her sentence, already halfway up the first flight of stairs to dorm D63.
"Ran niichan!" Aya squealed as soon as the door was open. She threw herself onto her brother in a fierce bear hug, "Aw! I've missed you -so- much, RaRa!"
The redhead sighed, "Don't call me RaRa."
The girl huffed in mock-offense before giggling and pulling her brother into the room and closing the door. She pushed him into a spare chair, seating herself on the bed, and practically beginning to bounce with joy.
"I've missed you so much, Ran niichan! That was the second time you've been to the alternative academy-- you must stop!"
The redhead sighed, seating himself more comfortably in the chair, and hesitantly removing the silky violet bra that was draped over the arm rest, "Er... I know, Aya chan. I'm sorry."
Suddenly, the darkhaired girl gasped quite loudly, "RAN FUJIMIYA! WHERE IS YOUR SWEATER!?"
Slightly wincing from the pressure of the extremely loud and high-pitched voice, Ran covered his ears, "I wore it yesterday! Are you happy!?"
She paused, "Yes, but I didn't get to -see- you in it! I made it just especially for you, and you were supposed to wear it for me when you got back." She began to pout childishly.
"I did wear it. It's not my fault you were gone... wherever you were all of yesterday." The redhead grumbled.
"O! We, the girls swim team and I, had a meet yesterday in Kiel! It was so cool, Ran. We even got our own cheerleaders this time! And we won!" [2] She squealed, beginning to bounce again before remembering there topic, "Though, I want you to wear it for me tomorrow."
"Aya!" Ran frowned, sighing deeply, "I have red hair, orange is not a good colour for people like me. I can't--"
"Raaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" She began to whine, "You wear too much black. I want to see you in some colour!"
"Fine! Why can't you make another colour sweater, though? Like red, green, or blue? Just not -orange-."
"But I like orange!" She whined again, "Wear it for me, Ran!"
"Fine." He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and sighing, and muttering, "Only for you, Aya chan. Only for you."
"So! How was the alternative school?" Aya began to bounce on the bed with energy.
The redhead narrowed his eyes, "Lovely."
"Aw!" She smiled, "What did you do on Saturday, Ran niichan? Find yourself a new girlfriend? You know, your fan club is really excited that you came back. They had a big campaigne to get you out of A-school right after you left. They even had posters!"
Ran shook his head, „Baka onnanokotachi..." [trans: "Stupid girls..."]
"O! You reminded me!" Aya bounced at once, "I met a guy the other day!"
An inquistive red brow arched eloquently in question as two violet eyes narrowed, "A guy?"
„Aa, hai. Kare wa kawaii desu." [trans: "Ah, yes. He is cute!"] The darkhaired girl leaned back on her bed, sighing somewhat dreamily, "You should meet him, Ran niichan. He's wondeful!"
Already in big brother mode, Ran pounced on the topic at once, "Yes, I should meet him--"
"No, on second thought, maybe you shouldn't. You always scare away the ones I like--" Aya began.
"Aya!" Ran cut in again, "I'm willing to bet you don't even know this guy, do you?"
There was a small silence.
"But I want to get to know him, Ran!" Aya sat up again, to face her brother correctly, "That's why I need your help."
Again with the arching eyebrow, "Help? With what?"
"I need you to teach me Japanese!" She squealed, pouncing to bear hug her brother on the chair.
Ran's eyes went wide. Why did he get the strange feeling he knew exactly who this mystery guy was? He wasn't liking this at all.
"It would be so wonderful! I mean, I already know above novice level, but not enough to really communicate with him. He doesn't speak hardly any English; but he's so cute! He's got this dreamy smile, and these wonderful lips! So kissable! I just want to tackle him and rip off all of his--"
"Aya!" The redhead cut in before his sister could continue on about her latest fancy. He really didn't need to hear such things about -him- from -her-. //This is wrong on -so- many different levels.// The redhead wanted to bang his head against something hard.
"Aw, it's ok, Ran niichan. You don't have to be so protective of me anymore. I -am- a freshman, now." She rolled her fourteen year old eyes as if to say 'nah duh!' and continued, "Ken is a really nice guy. When I see him he looks so lonely, by himself. No one can really talk to him, so he's usually alone, looking sad... And yet so sexy at the same time. I just want to take him right in the hallway sometimes--"
Now Ran was redfaced to the point of matching his hair, though it was hard to tell whether it was anger that Hidaka had somehow defiled his precious imouto or embarassment at exactly what his 'precious imouto' was speaking of. It must have been both. Believe it or not, straight males do -not- like to hear about other -males- in such a fashion as the way Aya spoke.
"Urusai! Would you stop it!?" He nearly yelled.
Aya put on her innocently hurt face, moving away from her brother to sit on the bed again.
"You're on a first name basis with this guy?" He began quickly. He really hoped he could prevent Aya's crush from progressing. If she said 'no', then that would be a good thing. A very good thing.
"Of course!" She smiled, "I also have the tele number to his dorm room; though I had to look that up. I really think he might like me, too--"
Ran wanted to ram his fist through a wall. He had his suspisions about Hidaka Ken. The last thing he needed was some psycho wooing his sister. Though, then again, half of Aya's crushes hardly knew she existed. //Ken might be just another case like the rest.//
"His name is Hidaka, ne?" He questioned again.
Aya blinked, slightly surprised, "Hai... How did you know?"
Ran narrowed his eyes, "I know him." He said quickly, "I have my doubts about him, Aya. I would advise you to find someone worth your time."
The darkhaired girl sat in silence for a moment, digesting this. "No."
"What?" Ran looked up puzzled. Since when did his sister outright dishonour him as such.
"I said no." She repeated, crossing her arms, she narrowed her own gaze-- not nearly as threatening, but still..., "I think you're acting infantile, Ran. You always say there's something wrong with the guys I like, and I have had -enough- of it! Just so you see how right I am, I will win Ken kun! You will see just how good of a person he is, and he -is- the right guy for me!"
The redhead narrowed his eyes. Aya had the same determination that coursed in his own blood, and probably once in the blood of their parents. It was the Fujimiya Will (Wheel) Of Steel™, and it was practically indestructable. (Not too mention extremely corny.)
Sighing heavily, Ran angrily stood himself, "Fine, then, Aya. I can see I am not needed here, I shall let myself out." He calmly supressed his fury and opened the door with a delicate hand.
"Ran niichan! You're acting foolish!" She called back, standing too.
He spun around, suddenly, "No, Aya. -You- are acting foolish. I have met Hidaka, and I don't think he's the guy you make him out to be. I tell you this for your own precaution."
"Do you even know Ken?" She asked suddenly. "You said you did, but I doubt you really do."
Ran's eyes remained narrowed, "No, but I have a bad feeling about him, Aya."
Aya frowned. She knew about her brother's intuition. He was rarely wrong when it came down to those -feelings- he held. She remembered how he had had them even as a child. On that last day he had had one. A very bad one.
* * * * *
"Ran niichan!" There was giggling from the tiny darkhaired girl as she saw her brother enter the room. She bounded up to him as quickly as she could, but he stopped her by the shoulders, suddenly, laying a finger over his lips quietly.
"Shh! Aya chan, there men down... stairs." The small redheaded boy stumbled over his words. At nine years old, Ran had lived in a primarily Japanese environment all of his life and still found it difficult to speak the English Aya was learning. In fact, Aya was the only one who could speak the rough English language and make any real sense. There parents (with the exception of their father, who knew some) were also unfamiliar with the language.
"Who are they?" She asked curiously.
"Some men." He answered again.
"Why?"
"I don't know..." he glanced at her, confused.
"Why?"
"Because no one said to me."
"Why?"
"Oh no. Not again..."
"Why?"
"Urusai! Stop it, Aya! Not now!" He demanded.
"Why?" Her four year old smile shown no less brightly than any other day.
"This not time!" He spoke urgently, his small face worried over something. No... Distressed over something.
"What's wrong, 'niichan?" Now, she was getting worried.
"I have a bad feeling, Aya..."
"'Bout what, 'niichan?" She moved closer to her brother.
"Some men down stairs." He spoke choppily.
"Will something bad happen?"
"..." Ran took her hand and guided her to the closet on the other side of the room.
* * * * *
Aya didn't remember much about the incident; but she did remember that Ran had been right. Something bad had happened; something that neither of the Fujimiya children allowed themselves to dwell on anymore. She quickly snapped out of it, to face her brother again, only to see that he had already left.
Sighing, she threw herself back onto the bed behind her. She would get to know Ken, and talk to him in Japanese; maybe even help him with his English. He would be hers, most definately.
A serpent's smile slithered across her lips.
Outside, Ran frowned as he headed back to his own dormitory. Maybe Ken really was an OK guy; maybe he was just one of those people with extremely sensitive hearing or sense of sight. //Whatever.// Ran sighed, shaking his head, glaring at the world, not a care in mind about the path before him.
He absentmindedly slowed his pace, watching the lawns, buildings and paths of the academy stretch out before him. He watched narrowly as some boy, stopped in from of the male dormitories, coming back from a run or something. His violet eyes observed as the form stumbled on one of the steps clumbsily and dropped his waterbottle. Then he watched as the form chased the rolling object back down the steps and along the path to pick it up.
He even watched as the form averted it's dark chocolate eyes to look straight at him. //Hidaka san, konbanwa.// The redhead's thoughts offered silently, they hung as he watched the figure back pedal into the steps, and fall, then scramble up quickly and disappear into the building. He noted the strange darkness in the Japanese boy's deep brown eyes and resisted the urge to bite his lip.
Many people bit their lips when thinking, but Fujimiya Ran was -not- a lip biter.
The boy had very nice eyes. He narrowed his own violets, //There is definately something wrong about him. Maybe he's not the epitome of evil, but there's definately something wrong about him. And I'm going to know what it is.//
After a moment, he began walking into the dormitory building towards his own room, //Aya chan must have nothing to do with him. I must stop it at all costs.// [1]
* * * * * (Optional chapter addition...)
Kudou Youji stepped out of the locker room shower, drying off with an already damp towel. He hated his personal fitness class. He was only a physical person in one manner-- and that did not involve sprinting for two hours straight. Apparently detention on Thursday and Friday hadn't been enough punishment from his teacher; she had to make him attend a Sunday class for sprinting. Stupid woman.
Sighing, he entered the lonely locker room, searching for his bag, only to be caught off guard by...
"Schuldig." He narrowed his green eyes, reaching his bag and glaring at the redhead, who carelessly leaned against the lockers smoking a thin white cigerette.
The two were still on non-speaking turns. It was the fourth day he had been without the German, and he was surprised that they had gone so long without going back 'on', again. It was a new record for the most famous couple in school.
"Youji." The German acknowledged, puffing smoke out of his lips as he said the name. The cigerette was balanced delicately within two of his fingers as he flicked off the ashes at the tip, onto the rather filthy floor below him.
"What are you doing here?" The blond asked quietly, looking around for his shirt.
"Having a smoke..." The redhead chuckled softly, "Would you care for one, yourself, Kudou?"
The blond's glare increased in degree, "Don't. I'm trying to stop."
"You mean you actually plan to go through with that--?!"
"I made a promise to my brother..." Youji cut in, "I should at least -try- to keep it."
Schuldig's smirk only widened, "Suit yourself, kitten."
The blond merely rolled his eyes, "Why don't you just go find Crawford, if you're going to be like that. Or that other kid, whoever he was. I think you've already made the point that I don't meet your 'requirements' there anymore." He pulled on the green muscle-T with ease, beginning to search for his pants now.
The cigerette was dropped, suddenly, into the trash can, and within moments a good sized flame was being spat out over the rim of the trash. [3]
"I feel like a homo." The redhead laughed, watching the fire with some odd amusement, "Oh! Did I just -say- that?!" He gasped, placing a pale hand over his opened mouth in mock surprise. "I meant -hobo-!"
Youji faced the opposite wall, pulling on his slacks, to hide his smile from the German. He could never really be angry at the redhead, he was just too... Schuldig.
As if on cue, two arms were suddenly wrapped around Youji's thin waist as he buttoned his black slacks. The hands traveled teasingly across the fabric of the shirt, finally finding the hem and lifting it to reach a hand up under the material and brush across the blond's smooth flat stomach. The hands traveled back out from under the shirt, finally grabbing hold of Youji's fore arms and spinning him around to peer into green eyes, not too unlike his own.
Youji smirked simply, "Surely you don't think I'm that easy."
The German frowned, "I won't joke around anymore, if it means that much to you."
The blond crossed his arms, smirk gaining width, "And...?"
"And..." The redhead sighed, "I'll take you out on Saturday."
Youji nodded after a moments thought, "Alrighty, then." He turned around, slipping his shades on, about to finish packing his gym things when the redhead stopped him.
"Just leave it there." He winked seductively, beginning to drag the blond with him, "Come, Youji... We must find a place. A very public place..."
"To -discreetly- show our... affections." The blond finished, smirking.
The redhead jumped, suddenly dragging Youji faster, "Let's go defile the freshmen!"
* * * * *
Notes--
[1] Ho-ho! How far do you think Ran will go to prevent a 'friendship' between Ken and his sister? ^_~ No, I did not just wink suggestively at you. *Nudge, nudge* Nope, I didn't do that either. *Walks away whistling*
[2] The pain about having friends who are on a swim team is that I consistantly hear all about how 'OMG! We got cheerleaders for our swim meet! It was so cool!' x_x I hate swimming, personally, and hearing about those blasted swim meets irks me... Yea, but that's where I got that. I didn't just pull that out of my ear.
[3] If you didn't read the last part, or you did or whatever, this is probably the only thing worth remembering in this part of the scene. It's merely there for the Sch/Youji fans who keep askinging about the couple in their reviews. :P
* * * * *
Thank you to my reviewers:
xxkurenaixx: I'm glad your enjoying it; or so it seems you are. :) Thanks for your comments.
Laurel-Crowned: Schuldig's good for something, ne? ^_^ I'm happy to see you like the conversations between brad and Schu. Those are fun to write. *Plans to have more after Schu and Youji break up -again-* Ran might end up being a lot nicer to Ken a lot sooner than expected. I'm not even sure at this point. The fic seems to be straying from my original layout, and I think it's due to the fact that Ran seems so OOC to me... But, to whatever happens! *Lifts wine glass* Thanks for your comments; they are a pleasure to read.
Mikoto the Gnome Girl: You liked the pencil lesson? Yay! I really worked to get that right, I'm glad it paid off. :) My updating pace on this fic is unusually quick... I wish I could update this fast with my other fics. *Has spent 3 hours on trying to correct this one chapter* Thanks for your comments!
Shime: Thanks for reading!
kaen-chan: Wai! Yes, they are very genki! ^___^ I hope you like how the story is turning out; I'm really trying on it. O! And Happy New Year to you as well! *Chinese instrumentals play in the background* Thank you for your review.
Ru-chan: I'm glad to see you're enjoying the fic! Thanks for your comments.
Astralkitten: Yus! Brad and Schu-ness! *Peace signs* I'm glad you liked that part... I didn't ever really think about that. I'm very happy you are enjoying this (or you appear to be), and I'm happy you liked the interaction between Ran and Ken especially. I have this horrible feeling that they are all just supremely OOC and I think I'm about to go psychotic. Especially in this chapter where Ran actually has to show -emotions- around his sister. Yes, they both have somewhat mysterious pasts; but completely opposite, I think. Hm... I can't wait to reveal the stories behind them both. ^^ Oh well, I'm babbling. Thanks for reading! I love your reviews, you always have interesting things to say. It's very encouraging.
Kuro: Yep, yep, I updated. ^_^ The joy of getting school work over with. And congratulations on your guess! It's correct! Thanks for reading!
siberian: Arg. The pains of the cliffhanger. Well, this chapter is nice and cliffhanger free... Unfortunately. ^^;; Yes! Another fan of the Brad and Schu convos. As for the man in Ken's past, no. It's not Yotan. I'm pretty sure I already mentioned the man's name; you might try looking back again, it's there several places. Thanks for reviewing, though. It's much appreciated! :)
hyperventilator: Aa! What's wrong with the Takatori School of Excellence? :( Yay for Schuldig! I'm happy you like him. He's turning into one of my favourite characters to write. The orange sweater part, I'm happy you liked that, too. ^_^ It seems it gave off the right affect. As for Ran revealing some sort of secret identity. I went bak and read over the library scene and realized that it did sound that way. Well, it's not really a formal thing, as in a sort of training he's had or anything, but... I'll get into later in the story. :) I'm very happy to see that you are enjoying the story so far. Thanks for your review!
marsupial: Aa! So happy to see you're enjoying the fic! Thanks for reviewing! :)
Evan: WILL WRITE MORE!
Shinigami: "Are u certain this isn't a ghost story?" Yep, yep. That I am. ^_^ That part was in the dream, though, wasn't it? Yes, and about Kase, I'm trying to change the plot for what I had originally set out for Kase... I feel so cliche having him as the bad guy, but I think I'm going to give it a kind of twist. Maybe he'll just be innocently ignorant... Or maybe he'll be one of those guys who you end up feeling more sorry for than angry at... Like the Phantom of the Opera! Ne? ^^;; Or something... As for your YoujiSchu request about making up in public, there will be a lot of it. The way I see it; they're going to break up and get back together at -least- two more times. :D Or something like that. Heh heh. Thanks for your review!
Faraway4Today: Indeed you are correct "Alles Gute". *Slaps herself* I think it's obvious I'm not an expert on German, ne? Deutsch ist mir lieber nicht. Ich habe ein hundert probleme in Deutsch. Ich bin nicht sehr gut. I have the vocabulary of a first grader. ;_; Thank you for pointing that out for me; I shall change it when I next mention the "Alles Gute" buch in the fic. Thank you for reviewing. :)
Karyx: Yes! You are correct! That is Ken's phobia. *Shamelessly plugs a fic she wrote about Ken and his claustrophobia somewhere in her profile* I thank you for your comments on my uses of foreign language. It is good to know someone thinks well of them. ^_^ On speaking them, I've worked with Japanese for four years now, and I am simply a first year German student in the area of Deutsch. I have done some assisting in a Japanese to English program in the area where I live. There is a car company (Honda, I think) that opened up not far from here, and there are Japanese people now living around here that speak no English. I got to help out with a lot with that, so... Kind of. Blah. I'm babbling, and I must stop. Thank you for your review it is very much appreciated.
Heather: I'm happy you're enjoying the fic and yes! he is claustrophobic. ^_^ Good guess. Your first guess about Kase being a ghost is off, but your second is pretty good. You'll see later, though, ne? *Is becoming predictable* Thanks for your comments they are very much appreciated!
(My computer is, again, doing the 'you-can-not-see-all-of-your-reviews-because-I-hate-you-Seph-die-thing' again, so if I didn't get to your review; I shall next time. ^_^)
* * * * * (Meanwhile, in a near by DAYS INN™...)
Schu: Was it as good for you, as it was for me? *Smokes a cigerette, sitting half naked with damp sheets covering his nether-regions on a large bed* ^_^
Youji: *Straightens his shades, lifting himself to sit behind the covers, like Schu* It could have been better...
Schu: *Sighs* I already -told- you. Position 31 is hard on my legs.
Youji: *Snaps head angrily* Just because last time we got stuck for a few minutes, does NOT mean--
Schu: FEW MINUTES!? *Drops cigerette carelessly* TRY THREE HOURS, YOJ! THREE HOURS! I couldn't walk for a week!
Youji: You liar! We went seven times the night after that! _
Schu: I said WALK, Youji. *Shakes head* I'm never too down for -that-. ^_^
Bed: *Burns from Schu's forgotten cigerette* Sssss!
Youji: ^_^ Are you ready for round 4, then?
Schu: o_O Do you ever stop!?
Youji: *Shakes head*
Schu: Okkei! ^_^
Bed: *Continues to burn* Ssssss!
Review Button: *Puppy dog eyes* Don't you love me!? Please! Click!
# I can feel my heart beating in my toes.
Challenge-- Those of you who guessed on Ken's phobia were mostly correct. Ken's fear is 'claustrophobia', the fear of small or closed in spaces. A great big HOY! to all of those who successfully guessed it: Kuro, Karyx, and Heather. (If I left you out please notify me so that I may correct the mistake and then hit myself into atleast mild brain trauma.)
Disclaimer-- I own nothing. Except for this Feng Shui coffee mug. And you can't have it.
Warnings-- Shounen ai (mentions: SchuxYouji), Silly Schu-ness (^_^), OOC (possibly everyone)
//blah// -- Thoughts (ex: //What should I say, now?//)
"blah" -- Dialogue (ex: "Your mom.")
„blah" -- Visably Foreign Dialogue (ex: „Wie ghet's?")
‡blah‡ -- Song Lyrics (ex: ‡Utsukushii wakare o tsugeru daro‡)
* * * * *
Somewhat Damaged * Seph Lorraine
Act II: Scene II: He Shall Be Mine
* * * * *
Fujimiya Ran walked briskly from the library Sunday afternoon. //Maybe Hidaka -is- just some kid from Japan...// He sighed quietly, following the stoned path to the dormotories, //If that was the case, then why could he hear me in that tree? I know I had been still as soon as I saw him come into sight on the walkway. I was even breathing as quietly as I could. He was obviously on his guard about something, that's the only reason he could have spotted me-- Ugh, I hate orange. Why are all the flowers at this damn school -orange-? But it isn't custom for Japanese families to send their children to foreign countries-- Damn those buttons! I am not a God! --with no experience in the language; so that they can receive a less advanced education for more money. It just doesn't make sense-- If I were, indeed, a God, I would ban the organization of fan clubs at this school.//
"You can't go in there! Young man come back here immediately!"
Ran halted midstep as he entered the female dormitories. He silently sent a glare over his shoulder at the plump woman in pastel green who had commanded that he stop. Surely his few months away from this school had not led the woman to forget who he was.
The woman paused, then sighed, "Oh, it's you, Fujimiya. Sorry, I had forgotten you--"
Then again, maybe it had.
"--Go on in. Aya told me to expect you."
The redhead hadn't waited to hear the rest of her sentence, already halfway up the first flight of stairs to dorm D63.
"Ran niichan!" Aya squealed as soon as the door was open. She threw herself onto her brother in a fierce bear hug, "Aw! I've missed you -so- much, RaRa!"
The redhead sighed, "Don't call me RaRa."
The girl huffed in mock-offense before giggling and pulling her brother into the room and closing the door. She pushed him into a spare chair, seating herself on the bed, and practically beginning to bounce with joy.
"I've missed you so much, Ran niichan! That was the second time you've been to the alternative academy-- you must stop!"
The redhead sighed, seating himself more comfortably in the chair, and hesitantly removing the silky violet bra that was draped over the arm rest, "Er... I know, Aya chan. I'm sorry."
Suddenly, the darkhaired girl gasped quite loudly, "RAN FUJIMIYA! WHERE IS YOUR SWEATER!?"
Slightly wincing from the pressure of the extremely loud and high-pitched voice, Ran covered his ears, "I wore it yesterday! Are you happy!?"
She paused, "Yes, but I didn't get to -see- you in it! I made it just especially for you, and you were supposed to wear it for me when you got back." She began to pout childishly.
"I did wear it. It's not my fault you were gone... wherever you were all of yesterday." The redhead grumbled.
"O! We, the girls swim team and I, had a meet yesterday in Kiel! It was so cool, Ran. We even got our own cheerleaders this time! And we won!" [2] She squealed, beginning to bounce again before remembering there topic, "Though, I want you to wear it for me tomorrow."
"Aya!" Ran frowned, sighing deeply, "I have red hair, orange is not a good colour for people like me. I can't--"
"Raaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" She began to whine, "You wear too much black. I want to see you in some colour!"
"Fine! Why can't you make another colour sweater, though? Like red, green, or blue? Just not -orange-."
"But I like orange!" She whined again, "Wear it for me, Ran!"
"Fine." He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest and sighing, and muttering, "Only for you, Aya chan. Only for you."
"So! How was the alternative school?" Aya began to bounce on the bed with energy.
The redhead narrowed his eyes, "Lovely."
"Aw!" She smiled, "What did you do on Saturday, Ran niichan? Find yourself a new girlfriend? You know, your fan club is really excited that you came back. They had a big campaigne to get you out of A-school right after you left. They even had posters!"
Ran shook his head, „Baka onnanokotachi..." [trans: "Stupid girls..."]
"O! You reminded me!" Aya bounced at once, "I met a guy the other day!"
An inquistive red brow arched eloquently in question as two violet eyes narrowed, "A guy?"
„Aa, hai. Kare wa kawaii desu." [trans: "Ah, yes. He is cute!"] The darkhaired girl leaned back on her bed, sighing somewhat dreamily, "You should meet him, Ran niichan. He's wondeful!"
Already in big brother mode, Ran pounced on the topic at once, "Yes, I should meet him--"
"No, on second thought, maybe you shouldn't. You always scare away the ones I like--" Aya began.
"Aya!" Ran cut in again, "I'm willing to bet you don't even know this guy, do you?"
There was a small silence.
"But I want to get to know him, Ran!" Aya sat up again, to face her brother correctly, "That's why I need your help."
Again with the arching eyebrow, "Help? With what?"
"I need you to teach me Japanese!" She squealed, pouncing to bear hug her brother on the chair.
Ran's eyes went wide. Why did he get the strange feeling he knew exactly who this mystery guy was? He wasn't liking this at all.
"It would be so wonderful! I mean, I already know above novice level, but not enough to really communicate with him. He doesn't speak hardly any English; but he's so cute! He's got this dreamy smile, and these wonderful lips! So kissable! I just want to tackle him and rip off all of his--"
"Aya!" The redhead cut in before his sister could continue on about her latest fancy. He really didn't need to hear such things about -him- from -her-. //This is wrong on -so- many different levels.// The redhead wanted to bang his head against something hard.
"Aw, it's ok, Ran niichan. You don't have to be so protective of me anymore. I -am- a freshman, now." She rolled her fourteen year old eyes as if to say 'nah duh!' and continued, "Ken is a really nice guy. When I see him he looks so lonely, by himself. No one can really talk to him, so he's usually alone, looking sad... And yet so sexy at the same time. I just want to take him right in the hallway sometimes--"
Now Ran was redfaced to the point of matching his hair, though it was hard to tell whether it was anger that Hidaka had somehow defiled his precious imouto or embarassment at exactly what his 'precious imouto' was speaking of. It must have been both. Believe it or not, straight males do -not- like to hear about other -males- in such a fashion as the way Aya spoke.
"Urusai! Would you stop it!?" He nearly yelled.
Aya put on her innocently hurt face, moving away from her brother to sit on the bed again.
"You're on a first name basis with this guy?" He began quickly. He really hoped he could prevent Aya's crush from progressing. If she said 'no', then that would be a good thing. A very good thing.
"Of course!" She smiled, "I also have the tele number to his dorm room; though I had to look that up. I really think he might like me, too--"
Ran wanted to ram his fist through a wall. He had his suspisions about Hidaka Ken. The last thing he needed was some psycho wooing his sister. Though, then again, half of Aya's crushes hardly knew she existed. //Ken might be just another case like the rest.//
"His name is Hidaka, ne?" He questioned again.
Aya blinked, slightly surprised, "Hai... How did you know?"
Ran narrowed his eyes, "I know him." He said quickly, "I have my doubts about him, Aya. I would advise you to find someone worth your time."
The darkhaired girl sat in silence for a moment, digesting this. "No."
"What?" Ran looked up puzzled. Since when did his sister outright dishonour him as such.
"I said no." She repeated, crossing her arms, she narrowed her own gaze-- not nearly as threatening, but still..., "I think you're acting infantile, Ran. You always say there's something wrong with the guys I like, and I have had -enough- of it! Just so you see how right I am, I will win Ken kun! You will see just how good of a person he is, and he -is- the right guy for me!"
The redhead narrowed his eyes. Aya had the same determination that coursed in his own blood, and probably once in the blood of their parents. It was the Fujimiya Will (Wheel) Of Steel™, and it was practically indestructable. (Not too mention extremely corny.)
Sighing heavily, Ran angrily stood himself, "Fine, then, Aya. I can see I am not needed here, I shall let myself out." He calmly supressed his fury and opened the door with a delicate hand.
"Ran niichan! You're acting foolish!" She called back, standing too.
He spun around, suddenly, "No, Aya. -You- are acting foolish. I have met Hidaka, and I don't think he's the guy you make him out to be. I tell you this for your own precaution."
"Do you even know Ken?" She asked suddenly. "You said you did, but I doubt you really do."
Ran's eyes remained narrowed, "No, but I have a bad feeling about him, Aya."
Aya frowned. She knew about her brother's intuition. He was rarely wrong when it came down to those -feelings- he held. She remembered how he had had them even as a child. On that last day he had had one. A very bad one.
* * * * *
"Ran niichan!" There was giggling from the tiny darkhaired girl as she saw her brother enter the room. She bounded up to him as quickly as she could, but he stopped her by the shoulders, suddenly, laying a finger over his lips quietly.
"Shh! Aya chan, there men down... stairs." The small redheaded boy stumbled over his words. At nine years old, Ran had lived in a primarily Japanese environment all of his life and still found it difficult to speak the English Aya was learning. In fact, Aya was the only one who could speak the rough English language and make any real sense. There parents (with the exception of their father, who knew some) were also unfamiliar with the language.
"Who are they?" She asked curiously.
"Some men." He answered again.
"Why?"
"I don't know..." he glanced at her, confused.
"Why?"
"Because no one said to me."
"Why?"
"Oh no. Not again..."
"Why?"
"Urusai! Stop it, Aya! Not now!" He demanded.
"Why?" Her four year old smile shown no less brightly than any other day.
"This not time!" He spoke urgently, his small face worried over something. No... Distressed over something.
"What's wrong, 'niichan?" Now, she was getting worried.
"I have a bad feeling, Aya..."
"'Bout what, 'niichan?" She moved closer to her brother.
"Some men down stairs." He spoke choppily.
"Will something bad happen?"
"..." Ran took her hand and guided her to the closet on the other side of the room.
* * * * *
Aya didn't remember much about the incident; but she did remember that Ran had been right. Something bad had happened; something that neither of the Fujimiya children allowed themselves to dwell on anymore. She quickly snapped out of it, to face her brother again, only to see that he had already left.
Sighing, she threw herself back onto the bed behind her. She would get to know Ken, and talk to him in Japanese; maybe even help him with his English. He would be hers, most definately.
A serpent's smile slithered across her lips.
Outside, Ran frowned as he headed back to his own dormitory. Maybe Ken really was an OK guy; maybe he was just one of those people with extremely sensitive hearing or sense of sight. //Whatever.// Ran sighed, shaking his head, glaring at the world, not a care in mind about the path before him.
He absentmindedly slowed his pace, watching the lawns, buildings and paths of the academy stretch out before him. He watched narrowly as some boy, stopped in from of the male dormitories, coming back from a run or something. His violet eyes observed as the form stumbled on one of the steps clumbsily and dropped his waterbottle. Then he watched as the form chased the rolling object back down the steps and along the path to pick it up.
He even watched as the form averted it's dark chocolate eyes to look straight at him. //Hidaka san, konbanwa.// The redhead's thoughts offered silently, they hung as he watched the figure back pedal into the steps, and fall, then scramble up quickly and disappear into the building. He noted the strange darkness in the Japanese boy's deep brown eyes and resisted the urge to bite his lip.
Many people bit their lips when thinking, but Fujimiya Ran was -not- a lip biter.
The boy had very nice eyes. He narrowed his own violets, //There is definately something wrong about him. Maybe he's not the epitome of evil, but there's definately something wrong about him. And I'm going to know what it is.//
After a moment, he began walking into the dormitory building towards his own room, //Aya chan must have nothing to do with him. I must stop it at all costs.// [1]
* * * * * (Optional chapter addition...)
Kudou Youji stepped out of the locker room shower, drying off with an already damp towel. He hated his personal fitness class. He was only a physical person in one manner-- and that did not involve sprinting for two hours straight. Apparently detention on Thursday and Friday hadn't been enough punishment from his teacher; she had to make him attend a Sunday class for sprinting. Stupid woman.
Sighing, he entered the lonely locker room, searching for his bag, only to be caught off guard by...
"Schuldig." He narrowed his green eyes, reaching his bag and glaring at the redhead, who carelessly leaned against the lockers smoking a thin white cigerette.
The two were still on non-speaking turns. It was the fourth day he had been without the German, and he was surprised that they had gone so long without going back 'on', again. It was a new record for the most famous couple in school.
"Youji." The German acknowledged, puffing smoke out of his lips as he said the name. The cigerette was balanced delicately within two of his fingers as he flicked off the ashes at the tip, onto the rather filthy floor below him.
"What are you doing here?" The blond asked quietly, looking around for his shirt.
"Having a smoke..." The redhead chuckled softly, "Would you care for one, yourself, Kudou?"
The blond's glare increased in degree, "Don't. I'm trying to stop."
"You mean you actually plan to go through with that--?!"
"I made a promise to my brother..." Youji cut in, "I should at least -try- to keep it."
Schuldig's smirk only widened, "Suit yourself, kitten."
The blond merely rolled his eyes, "Why don't you just go find Crawford, if you're going to be like that. Or that other kid, whoever he was. I think you've already made the point that I don't meet your 'requirements' there anymore." He pulled on the green muscle-T with ease, beginning to search for his pants now.
The cigerette was dropped, suddenly, into the trash can, and within moments a good sized flame was being spat out over the rim of the trash. [3]
"I feel like a homo." The redhead laughed, watching the fire with some odd amusement, "Oh! Did I just -say- that?!" He gasped, placing a pale hand over his opened mouth in mock surprise. "I meant -hobo-!"
Youji faced the opposite wall, pulling on his slacks, to hide his smile from the German. He could never really be angry at the redhead, he was just too... Schuldig.
As if on cue, two arms were suddenly wrapped around Youji's thin waist as he buttoned his black slacks. The hands traveled teasingly across the fabric of the shirt, finally finding the hem and lifting it to reach a hand up under the material and brush across the blond's smooth flat stomach. The hands traveled back out from under the shirt, finally grabbing hold of Youji's fore arms and spinning him around to peer into green eyes, not too unlike his own.
Youji smirked simply, "Surely you don't think I'm that easy."
The German frowned, "I won't joke around anymore, if it means that much to you."
The blond crossed his arms, smirk gaining width, "And...?"
"And..." The redhead sighed, "I'll take you out on Saturday."
Youji nodded after a moments thought, "Alrighty, then." He turned around, slipping his shades on, about to finish packing his gym things when the redhead stopped him.
"Just leave it there." He winked seductively, beginning to drag the blond with him, "Come, Youji... We must find a place. A very public place..."
"To -discreetly- show our... affections." The blond finished, smirking.
The redhead jumped, suddenly dragging Youji faster, "Let's go defile the freshmen!"
* * * * *
Notes--
[1] Ho-ho! How far do you think Ran will go to prevent a 'friendship' between Ken and his sister? ^_~ No, I did not just wink suggestively at you. *Nudge, nudge* Nope, I didn't do that either. *Walks away whistling*
[2] The pain about having friends who are on a swim team is that I consistantly hear all about how 'OMG! We got cheerleaders for our swim meet! It was so cool!' x_x I hate swimming, personally, and hearing about those blasted swim meets irks me... Yea, but that's where I got that. I didn't just pull that out of my ear.
[3] If you didn't read the last part, or you did or whatever, this is probably the only thing worth remembering in this part of the scene. It's merely there for the Sch/Youji fans who keep askinging about the couple in their reviews. :P
* * * * *
Thank you to my reviewers:
xxkurenaixx: I'm glad your enjoying it; or so it seems you are. :) Thanks for your comments.
Laurel-Crowned: Schuldig's good for something, ne? ^_^ I'm happy to see you like the conversations between brad and Schu. Those are fun to write. *Plans to have more after Schu and Youji break up -again-* Ran might end up being a lot nicer to Ken a lot sooner than expected. I'm not even sure at this point. The fic seems to be straying from my original layout, and I think it's due to the fact that Ran seems so OOC to me... But, to whatever happens! *Lifts wine glass* Thanks for your comments; they are a pleasure to read.
Mikoto the Gnome Girl: You liked the pencil lesson? Yay! I really worked to get that right, I'm glad it paid off. :) My updating pace on this fic is unusually quick... I wish I could update this fast with my other fics. *Has spent 3 hours on trying to correct this one chapter* Thanks for your comments!
Shime: Thanks for reading!
kaen-chan: Wai! Yes, they are very genki! ^___^ I hope you like how the story is turning out; I'm really trying on it. O! And Happy New Year to you as well! *Chinese instrumentals play in the background* Thank you for your review.
Ru-chan: I'm glad to see you're enjoying the fic! Thanks for your comments.
Astralkitten: Yus! Brad and Schu-ness! *Peace signs* I'm glad you liked that part... I didn't ever really think about that. I'm very happy you are enjoying this (or you appear to be), and I'm happy you liked the interaction between Ran and Ken especially. I have this horrible feeling that they are all just supremely OOC and I think I'm about to go psychotic. Especially in this chapter where Ran actually has to show -emotions- around his sister. Yes, they both have somewhat mysterious pasts; but completely opposite, I think. Hm... I can't wait to reveal the stories behind them both. ^^ Oh well, I'm babbling. Thanks for reading! I love your reviews, you always have interesting things to say. It's very encouraging.
Kuro: Yep, yep, I updated. ^_^ The joy of getting school work over with. And congratulations on your guess! It's correct! Thanks for reading!
siberian: Arg. The pains of the cliffhanger. Well, this chapter is nice and cliffhanger free... Unfortunately. ^^;; Yes! Another fan of the Brad and Schu convos. As for the man in Ken's past, no. It's not Yotan. I'm pretty sure I already mentioned the man's name; you might try looking back again, it's there several places. Thanks for reviewing, though. It's much appreciated! :)
hyperventilator: Aa! What's wrong with the Takatori School of Excellence? :( Yay for Schuldig! I'm happy you like him. He's turning into one of my favourite characters to write. The orange sweater part, I'm happy you liked that, too. ^_^ It seems it gave off the right affect. As for Ran revealing some sort of secret identity. I went bak and read over the library scene and realized that it did sound that way. Well, it's not really a formal thing, as in a sort of training he's had or anything, but... I'll get into later in the story. :) I'm very happy to see that you are enjoying the story so far. Thanks for your review!
marsupial: Aa! So happy to see you're enjoying the fic! Thanks for reviewing! :)
Evan: WILL WRITE MORE!
Shinigami: "Are u certain this isn't a ghost story?" Yep, yep. That I am. ^_^ That part was in the dream, though, wasn't it? Yes, and about Kase, I'm trying to change the plot for what I had originally set out for Kase... I feel so cliche having him as the bad guy, but I think I'm going to give it a kind of twist. Maybe he'll just be innocently ignorant... Or maybe he'll be one of those guys who you end up feeling more sorry for than angry at... Like the Phantom of the Opera! Ne? ^^;; Or something... As for your YoujiSchu request about making up in public, there will be a lot of it. The way I see it; they're going to break up and get back together at -least- two more times. :D Or something like that. Heh heh. Thanks for your review!
Faraway4Today: Indeed you are correct "Alles Gute". *Slaps herself* I think it's obvious I'm not an expert on German, ne? Deutsch ist mir lieber nicht. Ich habe ein hundert probleme in Deutsch. Ich bin nicht sehr gut. I have the vocabulary of a first grader. ;_; Thank you for pointing that out for me; I shall change it when I next mention the "Alles Gute" buch in the fic. Thank you for reviewing. :)
Karyx: Yes! You are correct! That is Ken's phobia. *Shamelessly plugs a fic she wrote about Ken and his claustrophobia somewhere in her profile* I thank you for your comments on my uses of foreign language. It is good to know someone thinks well of them. ^_^ On speaking them, I've worked with Japanese for four years now, and I am simply a first year German student in the area of Deutsch. I have done some assisting in a Japanese to English program in the area where I live. There is a car company (Honda, I think) that opened up not far from here, and there are Japanese people now living around here that speak no English. I got to help out with a lot with that, so... Kind of. Blah. I'm babbling, and I must stop. Thank you for your review it is very much appreciated.
Heather: I'm happy you're enjoying the fic and yes! he is claustrophobic. ^_^ Good guess. Your first guess about Kase being a ghost is off, but your second is pretty good. You'll see later, though, ne? *Is becoming predictable* Thanks for your comments they are very much appreciated!
(My computer is, again, doing the 'you-can-not-see-all-of-your-reviews-because-I-hate-you-Seph-die-thing' again, so if I didn't get to your review; I shall next time. ^_^)
* * * * * (Meanwhile, in a near by DAYS INN™...)
Schu: Was it as good for you, as it was for me? *Smokes a cigerette, sitting half naked with damp sheets covering his nether-regions on a large bed* ^_^
Youji: *Straightens his shades, lifting himself to sit behind the covers, like Schu* It could have been better...
Schu: *Sighs* I already -told- you. Position 31 is hard on my legs.
Youji: *Snaps head angrily* Just because last time we got stuck for a few minutes, does NOT mean--
Schu: FEW MINUTES!? *Drops cigerette carelessly* TRY THREE HOURS, YOJ! THREE HOURS! I couldn't walk for a week!
Youji: You liar! We went seven times the night after that! _
Schu: I said WALK, Youji. *Shakes head* I'm never too down for -that-. ^_^
Bed: *Burns from Schu's forgotten cigerette* Sssss!
Youji: ^_^ Are you ready for round 4, then?
Schu: o_O Do you ever stop!?
Youji: *Shakes head*
Schu: Okkei! ^_^
Bed: *Continues to burn* Ssssss!
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