A/N: I'm sorry, the keyboard is HIGHLY messed up, so this chapter might be a little off. The number keys don't work more than half the time. Sooo annoying. To boot, the period key continues sticking, so this is taking quite a while to type. I'm no longer going to use songs for the fic, because it's too hard to find one that fits with where it's going.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I'm not old enough. Kuso. I realized that I'm going to have to up the rating on this fic. Too much cursing. Rats…
Annakas, for Unwell: I'm sorry -insert exclamation point- It will get better from here on out-insert another one- I just have to work through this pile of angst I have loaded on my plate. I'm just writing as I go along. Please don't hate Yohji-insert exclamation point- I swear that he'll redeem himself-insert exclamation point- You'll survive. You'll have to.
Annakas, for The Red: I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for your praise. I wasn't really sure how that would go over with you guys. Hmmm….That really helps me out with this chapter. Should Aya see reason…or not? -evil laugh, then is distracted by Full Metal Alchemist-
Metal Girl: Congratulations -insert exclamation point- I can't get the pic to you yet, but just you wait -insert another one- The at symbol won't work, either, so I can't log in to see your email address. Merry Christmas -insert exclamation point- It was short because I couldn't figure out how to draw out what I was writing. Don't worry, this one is much longer. Thank you for the compliments -insert exclamation point-
Ranma: Now, you KNOW that there's no way I can answer that. You'll just have to stick around and see, ne?
RyuichiFreak, for Unwell: Thank you for your review-insert exclamation point- I LOVE your name -insert exclamation point- I'm glad to see a fellow Gravi lover reading my story. Brightened my day. You have no idea what kind of praise it is that you're reading this story as the first Yohji/Ran pairing. -teary eyed-
-glomps- Here's an Aya plushie for you to glomp. -forks over plushie-
RyuichiFreak, for The Red: I wish, but I can't write lemons. Plus, I'd have to open an aff net account. Hehe. That's definitely a good idea, though. Maybe I'll imply it….Enjoy this chapter-insert exclamation point- I did make Yotan rather dense, didn't I? -shrugs- Oh well.
HeeroDuo4Eva: Here you go. The answers to all of your questions………………Back to Ronin Warriors. Who's your favorite? Please, IM me if you want. MSN: MischaandMikel at hot mail com. AIM: elfelorin
Bloodrose 'Valentine' Foxxstar: Back again, I see. Glad to see you. Err, read you. Don't worry, I don't like reading death fics, so I refuse to write them. Not when it comes to MY Ran-kun. -scratches his head, like a cat's-
Violletegal35: Wow-insert exclamation point- -gushes- Thank you-insert three exclamation points- Angst does rock. As for the happy ending, you'll get the same answer as the others. Stick around and see.
Evelyn: Wow-insert exclamation point- Another newbie-insert exclamation point- Welcome to the BEA-U-TIFUL world of Yohji/Ran-insert exclamation point- I hope you enjoy this installment greatly. -laughs- I love that word. Installment.
?burning?: Wow. You're the only person that left the ACTUAL email address. Just for that, you get a pic, too. I'll send you a link to the website I got it from, to boot. Thank you-insert exclamation point- As to why that's the only thing you can think of, is beyond me. Maybe all the angst was too much? According to other reviewers, I wouldn't be surprised. That's a high compliment indeed.
Ceo Shinji: I'm soooooooooooooo sorry about last night. There were two discs of it, and since it starred Errol Flynn, I couldn't STOP myself-insert exclamation point- Once I finished with the bonus material on the second disc, I went to Liz's room and played Man Bites Dog. I forgot about the im. At around three am Dorian popped up and I remembered that I was talking to you. Gomen ne-insert several exclamation points- -bows and gives her pepper spray- Hit me-insert exclamation point-
DarkRoseBlood: Yay-exclamation point- A new reviewer-exclamation point- Thank you for your review. Sorry for the mixed feelings, but hey, it's intended. -wink- I'll do my best to make things right. I was planning to make this chapter lighter on the angst, but I'm not sure if I can.
It's awesome to see so much support from you guys -insert exclamation point- I love you all to death. Here's the latest installment. I was having too much fun with Christmas. IT ACTUALLY SNOWED HERE IN HOUSTON-insert many exclamation points- We have a snowman in our freezer, and two snowballs. Sorry for the wait, and see you after it's over.
Simple drill. You guys know it already. :txt: mind speech 'txt' thoughts
Mick
A Real Happy Ending
By Minerva
Long-lashed eyes fluttered open, registering the various beeps of medical equipment. He turned his head to look at the window, and was surprised to see sunlight slanting in as the sun began to set. 'What woke me up?'
:That would be me, katzen.:
Aya growled and jerked himself upright, automatically regretting it. Stars burst in his vision and his head exploded in pain. Yohji appeared at his side in a second, albeit warily. The blonde gently pushed him down, and held him there.
"What's wrong?" Worried green eyes scoured his face, trying to figure out what was wrong. Aya couldn't work up the anger to growl through the pain. God, his head hurt. He clenched his eyes shut.
A cool pair of hands started rubbing his temples and the pain faded, a bit. Enough for him to growl. The hands didn't stop because of the growl, so after a few moments he gave in and relaxed. That was when it hit him. WORRIED green eyes? He cracked his eyes open, and sure enough, there they were. He opened his eyes fully and glared at Yohji, not sure of what was going on.
He didn't have a chance to think on it anymore, as Ken and Omi came in, as noisy as ever. He winced at the pain caused by the loud voices, and pulled his pillow over his head, effectively knocking Yohji away at the same time.
Yohji glared at the invaders with all he was worth, and they froze. He left the redhead's side and stalked over to them.
"He's awake, so turn the noise DOWN," he hissed. That said he went back and sat in the chair he occupied before Aya woke up. Omi rushed over to Aya's bedside and crouched so his eyes were on a level with Aya's.
"Aya-kun, how are you feeling?" A corner of the pillow was lifted by a pale hand to reveal a glaring lavender eye. Once he was sure Omi had gotten the message he lowered it again.The petite blonde sighed and stood up. Ken settled against the wall cross-legged.
"At least he's awake, Omi-kun," Ken pointed out. Omi sighed again and slid down to sit next to him. Yohji stood and stretched.
"I'm going to go grab some coffee. Either of you want any?" Ken made a face of disgust.
"Hospital poison?" Omi asked. "No thanks."
Yohji shrugged and left, pulling out his pack of cigarettes as he went.
Aya listened for the closed door and then pulled the pillow off a bit. His head hurt less now, so he could think coherently. 'What was that? Concern? What the hell is he playing at?' He rolled onto his back, carefully, and pulled the pillow back over his face, deciding that he didn't care. Whatever it was, Yohji could shove it.
Of course, Yohji chose that moment to enter the room again. He look frustrated and tired. He jerked a thumb towards the door.
"The nurses here are BUZZARDS. The moment I left the room they jumped on me, asking if Aya was awake. When I told them yes, they turned me around and told me to kick you two out." He sighed and raked a hand through his mop of hair. "I guess that means we have to go." He shot a last worried look at the bed. "See ya, Ayan."
"Hn."
Omi smiled at that, and tugged Ken out of the room. "At least we know that no permament damage has been done if he still grunts, Yohji," the petite blonde pointed out.
"True, that," Ken laughed.
It had been several days since Aya had been checked into the Kritiker hospital, and they were finally ready to release him. The rest of Weiss had shown up in Seven at sunset, and Omi was mothering him. Finally, it was too much.
"Enough!" He shot Omi his best death glare and ripped his shirt sleeve out of the blonde's hand. They had considerately--and painfully--brought him his favorite orange sweater and a pair of blue jeans. "I'll walk!" That said, he stalked down the street, ignoring Omi's hurt look and the irritated faces Ken and Yohji pulled. The little blonde's hurt look faded and was replaced by raw determination. He grabbed Ken's arm and dragged him after Aya.
"Oh no you don't! You have just gotten out of the hospital, and you are GOING to ride in that car! And when we get home, you are going to bed and STAYING there until I say that you can move!" He and Ken grabbed hold of the stubborn redhead and dragged him back to the car. Aya snarled and tried to struggle, but even with all of his strength, they got him in the seat and buckled down. Yohji smothered a laugh and climbed in on the driver's side while Omi and Ken settled down in the backseat next to Aya.
The drive home was a quiet one, Omi watching Aya's every move, Ken staring disinterestedly at the scenery flying by, Yohji smoking as he drove, and the redhead doing his version of sulking. Ken perked up when they reached the flower shop, and was about to leap out of the car when Omi's hand caught his elbow.
Catching the glare he received over Aya's head, he sighed and took hold of one arm after the redhead unbuckled himself. When they finally reached his bedroom after much tug-of-war, Aya refused to lay down on his bed.
"Lay!" Omi practically yelled, shoving him back onto the bed and glaring. Aya sighed and finally relented when he felt dizzy from the sudden change in positions. He threw Omi one last glare before flipping onto his side and staying that way. Ken sighed in relief and headed towards the door. He hadn't gone two steps before a slim hand grabbed the back of his shirt.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Ken chuckled nervously. "Nowhere…?" The blonde nodded and Ken's shoulders slumped in defeat. He pulled out the chair at Aya's desk and settled down, preparing for the long wait. Omi was mad at Aya, and it would be a while before he calmed down and set Ken free from this depressing prison.
The door slammed after Omi, leaving the redhead and brunette in absolute silence. After 5 minutes of boredom, Ken started fidgeting. The wooden desk chair was getting very uncomfortable. Aya pulled the pillow from the right side of his bed and sat up, finally tired of the scraping of the chair's legs. He threw it, nailing Ken in the face, and laid back down, this time covering his head with his other pillow.
Ken let the pillow slip off his face and stared at the bed in surprise. 'That was…odd.' He shrugged and stood up to set the pillow on the chair, then thought better of it and stretched out on the floor. Maybe Omi would take pity on him soon, rather than later.
Omi had been downstairs fuming for a couple of hours now, and still, Ken was stuck on Aya's floor. The blonde hadn't so much as sneaked a peek through the door. Aya had fallen asleep a long time ago, so Ken was stuck counting the bumps on the ceiling. He closed his eyes and sighed. 'I'll just have to face his wrath. I'm hungry.' He stood and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him, trying not to wake up the grouchy redhead.
The moment the door closed a narrow lavender eye opened. He stood up and grabbed his katana off the wall. Omi or Ken must have put it there after they came home from the hospital. He was too angry to even consider Yohji as an option. He growled at the thought of the blonde and gripped his katana so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Taking a breath to calm himself, he paced towards the door and peered out of it. The coast was clear, so he slipped out and headed for the roof. He needed to practice in order to clear his head. He was tired of thinking of the blonde, and had determined that the best medicine for it would be to get entirely over him.
Aya had barely closed the door leading to the stairs to the roof when Ken entered the hallway. The brunette silently eased the door open and froze when he saw the empty bed. 'Ohcrapohcrapohcrap!' He ran back out and checked all the rooms upstairs, even the bathroom. He tore downstairs without checking the rooftop, entirely forgetting about it.
"Omiiiiiiiii!"
Yohji watched the redhead come out onto the roof from his position facing Aya's back. There was no way the other man would see him or hear him, especially not after starting his practice. He was like that when he practiced; oblivious to the world.
The blonde watched as Aya began going through his moves, amazed, as always, by his innate grace. He grabbed a pack of cigarettes out of his shirt pocket and tapped one out. He lit it and drank in the first breath of smoke as purple eyes settled him and Aya stopped moving. Cool green met fiery purple across a dark roof as the redhead straightened, not yet sheathing his sword.
A/N: I am sooooo sorry for the late update, guys! I don't know why, but this chapter was really hard to write. Mischa, my muse, finally kicked into high gear at around 12:30, and it's now 1:00 AM. I'm going to die if I don't get some sleep soon, and I thought that I had come to the perfect stopping point. It took me so long to finish the chapter that the keys started working again, and I'm too lazy to go back and change all of my author's notes. I know this is pretty short, but the next one will definitely be longer. School is about to start up again, unfortunately, so I'll be writing more. My brain works better when I'm not multi-tasking for pleasure. If all goes well and Mischa retains his good mood, the next chapter should be up sometime tomorrow. I'm hoping to make the actual chapter at least ten pages long. It just might be the last chapter. I'm not quite sure at the moment. We'll see next time, ne? Thank you for reading. Please R&R. By the way, those of you whom I promised to give an email with a pic of Aya, you should receive it tomorrow. -revels in Ex Dream, having needed the loud rock- Jya, minna.
Fueisu