Disclaimer: Don't own the boys. Gundam, Weiss or otherwise.

A/N: Yohji is such an awesome friend. We should all have one just like him.

Happy Crossover

Chapter 10

Ken sat there staring at his beer. He hadn't meant to ruin the evening, but he had to talk to somebody and Yohji was his best friend. They'd gone out for a night on the town, Duo convalescing at home from one of his migraine attacks. Ken had hoped that his best friend would immediately counter his logic and ease his mind, and that's exactly what the blonde did. Unfortunately, hearing what he wanted to hear only reinforced his determination.

"I think you're making a big mistake Kenken. Duo loves you, makes you happy and there's no need to bring this up now. You're out. Keep your damn mouth shut."

"I won't start our marriage with a lie. He deserves to know who he's marrying."

"He does know who he's marrying damn it! Don't turn into Aya." That last comment earned him the brunette's fiercest look but he didn't care. His friend was being stupid. He was going to risk his future happiness over something that didn't matter anymore. "If you haven't told him about your past by now, forget it."

Ken drained his beer and stared at the empty bottle. His vision was starting to go fuzzy along the outer edges. He'd been so uptight about whether or not to tell Duo about his past that he really hadn't eaten in a couple days. That fact hadn't occurred to him when he agreed to go drinking with Yohji. And now, four beers later, it was too late. Shit. I can't drive like this.

"Yohji..."

He looked up to see his friend looking intently just to the right of his head. He turned around and followed the man's gaze to see a beautiful brunette smiling back at him. Ken turned back around with an evil smile on his face.

"Oh no you don't. You're taking me to get something to eat."

Ken stood up and crossed over to Yohji's side. He leaned in, one hand resting on the table in front of the man, the other lovingly stroking the blonde hair. Ken nuzzled Yohji's ear, then let his tongue trace the outer curve, stopping at the stud in his lobe. His voice was a seductive whisper.

"I'm ready to go now Yohji."

Yohji prided himself on his ability to adapt to any situation without cause or alarm. But his soon-to-be-ex best friend had gotten the best of him. He felt his face flush even as his body shuddered from the attention. The woman was frowning at him now and with good reason, but he didn't care. His attention was focused entirely on how to get even with Ken. And suddenly an idea came to mind.

"Kenken, you really should try my drink before we go."

Yohji took another sip of the amber liquor and turned to face the man whose mouth was caressing his ear. He put his hand on the back of the brunette's neck, prohibiting him from pulling away and kissed the man deeply, delivering the last bit of liquor with his tongue.

Ken heard the statement and knew he was in trouble, but his reflexes were slowed by the alcohol and Yohji grabbed him firmly. His eyes flew open when Yohji's mouth captured his but he quickly closed them, deciding to enjoy the ride while it lasted.

When Yohji broke the kiss both men were flushed. They just stared at each other for awhile, until finally they both broke out into peals of laughter.

"You bastard!"

"Me! You just cost me what was probably going to be a very memorable night."

"I can't believe you were going to pick up a woman while we were out together."

"Gods you sound like a woman yourself! Lighten up Kenken."

"Whatever. Let's go get something to eat. I'm lightheaded and can't drive in this condition."

Yohji adopted a very smug smile, his voice playful and seductive. "I have that affect on women."

Ken just chuckled as Yohji put his arm around his shoulders and led him out to the car.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It had been two days since Ken and Yohji had argued over whether or not he should tell Duo the truth about his past. And in the past two days Ken had barely eaten or slept and his masquerade of happiness that he projected for Duo was crumbling.

"Alright Ken, what's wrong?"

"Huh? Hey, I was watching that."

Ken looked up from the TV to see Duo standing on the other side of the sofa table, arms crossed over his chest. He hadn't really been watching TV but he figured it was an easy escape for a few hours from having to face Duo and squash his guilt.

"You were not. Since when do you watch soap operas?"

Busted. Ken sighed as he leaned forward and ran his fingers through his hair. I can't keep this up. I have to tell him. "Alright. There is something I have to tell you."

Duo sat down next to Ken and brought one hand up to rub gentle circles on his fiancée's back. "What's wrong?"

Ken let out a frustrated groan and kept his face hidden in his hands. "I need to tell you something. About me."

"You can tell me anything, you know that."

"Yeah. Well, I need to tell you about my past. I want you to know who I am before we get married. It's only fair."

Duo put a finger under Ken's chin and forced the man to face him. He smiled despite the sense of dread that was creeping into his heart. "I know who I'm marrying. I love you Ken and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Whatever you have to tell me won't change that."

Ken bit his bottom lip, hoping to god that Duo was right. He kept looking into those lavender eyes and he was beginning to loose his nerve. I can't look at him. Oh god, but I have to do this.

Ken abruptly got up and started pacing the floor and Duo listened as his lover divulged his past. Playing in the J-League, being set-up and almost killed by his best friend and lover Kase. His subsequent rescue by someone named Persia and his decision to become involved in an organization known as Weiss.

Ken stopped, desperate watery-blue eyes fixed on his love. "I was given a job at the Koneko and a place to stay above the shop. But the flower shop…it's just a cover."

Duo had been listening very intently and had remained calm through Ken's whole speech. But now that the brunette had stopped and locked eyes with him, he felt the fear and dread take over his heart. His stomach was tied in knots and his heart was pounding in his ears. Ken looked terrified. He wasn't sure if the man was going to be able to speak anymore he looked so scared.

"Ken?"

The sound of Duo's voice shocked Ken from his frozen state. "Weiss…they…me…I'm an assassin. I get orders from Manx. She delivers them and we go out on these missions….we kill the targets…they're felons…I kill….killed so many….oh god…."

Ken fell to his knees and began to cry, his head hanging in shame and fear.

"I couldn't let you marry me without knowing. I wanted you to know what I am….what I was…." He looked up to see Duo's face frozen in shock. "Duo…I love you so much. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life making you happy. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I'm sorry…."

"Are you still…part of Weiss?"

"No! No." Ken shook his head furiously. "I quit because I wanted to move in with you. I knew that as long I was a part of Weiss, I would never be able to live my life with you. Completely."

Duo just studied the kneeling man before him. He loved Ken more than he had ever loved anyone. Even Heero. But how could he accept such a complete lack of faith from him? Ken had kept something very important from him. He'd kept the truth about himself secreted away. He didn't trust in Duo's love for him, he didn't trust Duo to accept him. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He could feel the anger and hurt of Ken's mistrust darkening his heart.

"Ken…." Hurt purple eyes bore into the brunette and Duo saw the kneeling man flinch. "I will not judge you for your past. You know enough about mine to know that I was barely more than a government sanctioned terrorist. And as for Kase….I am truly sorry you had to experience such a thing. It's a testament to your strength of character that you were able to put your life back together." Duo swallowed hard and clenched his fists. "But you are obviously not ready for mar-----"

"No, Duo! I do---"

"Shut up."

The voice was controlled anger and it hit Ken like a fist to the stomach. The brunette sat there, scared, eyes wide, hands clenching fistfuls of his pants.

"You didn't trust in me and my love for you. And for as angry as it makes me, it hurts ten times as much."

He couldn't look at the brunette anymore. He stood up, looking down the hallway to the bedroom he knew would be empty tonight.

"I think that you should leave."

Leave…That word sent the tears spilling down Ken's cheeks. He stayed there on the floor, gazing up at his love, trying to find the right words to plead his case. He'd say anything, do anything, to stay with Duo.

"Please don't make me leave. I know you're angry and that I've hurt you. But don't send me away Duo."

Duo didn't acknowledge Ken's pleas. He started to walk down the hallway and Ken knew there would be no persuading the man to let him stay. Ken wasn't sure how long he sat on the floor, staring down the empty hallway. Duo had gone in the bathroom and now he could hear the sound of water running which Ken took as his final hint to leave. He stood up, his body feeling tremendously heavy, and he made his way over to the door where he slipped on his shoes, grabbed his keys, jacket and helmet and left.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Duo knew that if he looked at Ken right now, he would cave and let him stay. This was Ken's home now and he only felt the slightest twinge of guilt at kicking him out. This was his apartment for years before Ken moved in and there was no way in hell Duo was going to leave.

He noticed Ken wasn't moving so he decided to make it easier for him. He walked down the hallway and went into the bathroom, careful not to slam the door. He stood there in the blue and white tiled room and stared at the image in the mirror. The person in the mirror was calm, with no real signs of stress.

I think Wufei's anger management lessons worked a little too well. As he gazed closer at the image staring back at him, he suddenly realized that Ken wouldn't be lying next to him tonight. Or tomorrow, or the next. I'm alone again. Duo tore his eyes away from the mirror and turned on the shower. He didn't bother to take his clothes off before placing his body under the running water. He just stood in the shower letting the water soak him through. When Duo heard what he was sure was the front door closing, the dam broke. The calm demeanor fell away and Duo sank to the shower floor, face hidden in his hands, crying.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey Duo, what's going on?"

Yohji smiled at the young girl behind the counter as he browsed through the store. He was shopping for a new outfit for tonight. A new club was opening and he wanted something special for the occasion. Something very tight and revealing ought to do the trick.

"What do you mean you can't reach Ken? Don't you two live together?...You what!"

All eyes within a ten foot radius focused on him but he didn't care. He hung up the shirt he was looking at and stomped out of the store.

"What do you mean he left? How long ago?...Three days! What the hell happened?...Oh, I see."

That stupid bastard! I told him not to say anything. But I must admit, I expected more of Duo. I didn't think he'd kick him out.

"So where is he now?...No, he didn't come back to the Koneko. Did you try his cell?...Well, if I see him I'll give him the message."

Yohji glared at the car in front of him. He'd known Duo long enough now that he felt comfortable saying anything to the man. But he wasn't sure that Ken would want him involved. Fuck it.

"I consider myself a very good judge of character Duo, but you had me fooled. Congratulations. I'll admit I told Kenken not to tell you about Weiss. But my reasoning was more along the lines of why bother now. I didn't try too hard to stop him because he felt so strongly about telling you and I never thought for one moment that you'd throw him out. Why did you do that to him?"

Duo was wondering if Yohji was going to get involved. He was Ken's best friend after all.

"I'm not judging what he did Yohji. I'm hurt he didn't trust me."

"Do you know what he risked getting involved with you to begin with? How much he agonized over your safety and whether or not he should just end things with you to keep both of you from getting hurt? Do you have any idea how much trust it took for him to quit Weiss and be with you? They could have just killed him right there and then Duo! He knows too much. And so now, he bares his soul to the man he loves and wants to be with for the rest of his life and what do you do? You kick him out!"

"Go to hell Yohji! I can appreciate more than you realize how hard Ken's life has been and the things he risked getting involved with me. He's not the only one who took a chance on this relationship. I realize you care for him and I'm glad he has someone like you looking out for him. So instead of yelling at me, why don't you go find him? I bet he could really use a friend right now."

And just like that, the line went dead. Yohji flipped the phone shut and looked around for something to hit or kick. He settled for the brick wall and then instantly regretted it. As he tried not to limp back to his car, he started thinking of all the places Ken might be hiding.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Duo slammed the phone and slumped down in the sofa. Why didn't Ken go back to the Koneko? Or at the very least call Yohji? Duo was getting worried now

"You can't blame him for being angry Maxwell. Ken is his best friend." The dark haired man sat down next to his friend, placing two cups of tea on the table.

"I know. He just sounded so judgmental and so…."

"Right?" Wufei met the purple glare without flinching. "How long are you going to hide here?"

Dou had shown up on Wufei's doorstep late last night, his eyes red and puffy with dark circles under them. He'd collapsed on the sofa and poured out his heart to Wufei as the other man sat silently and listened. He finally passed out on the sofa a few hours later and that's where Wu Fei had found him this morning.

Even with the five or so hours of sleep Duo managed to get, he still looked tired. Had he truly not slept in three days? How did he manage to drive here? Then Wufei thought back on all the impossible things he'd seen the former Special Ops officer do and he realized that Duo Maxwell could do anything he set his mind to. Unfortunately it was fixated on Ken right now, not sleeping, eating or anything else his body needed.

"I just needed to get out of the apartment. I couldn't sleep in our bed. Or even the sofa." Duo let his body fall into his friend, his head resting on the man's shoulder. "You're much more comfortable than the floor 'Fei."

"Thank you."

Duo closed his eyes and tried not to worry about Ken's whereabouts. Where could he have possibly gone? I hope to god he's alright. If anything happened to him… He sighed and Wufei heard the sadness in the exhaled breath.

"You'll be leaving in the morning, right?"

Duo chuckled. The quiet novelist always could read him like a book. "Nobody's heard from Ken in three days. Yohji didn't even know anything was wrong." He slid his head into the man's lap, clenching a fistful of pants. "If anything has happened to him I'll never forgive myself 'Fei."

Wufei lightly stroked the chestnut hair in his lap. It was rare to see the long hair loose from its braided state and he couldn't help but admire the shiny locks. "I'm sure Ken is fine. He's probably hoping you would have called him by now and then he wouldn't have to tell his friends."

"But I tried calling him. His phone isn't on and he has it set up to not accept messages."

"I'll go pack you some snacks for the ride. You'll be leaving tonight, right?"

Duo sat up and let his way-too-intuitive friend get up to pack his promised snack. "Thanks 'Fei. You're the best."

Wufei smiled at his friend. "I know. Now try to get some sleep Maxwell."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yohji spent the day looking for Ken without any success. He hadn't been to work in two days. The Assistant Coach said Ken was there on Tuesday and he looked terrible. Ken said he had the flu and wouldn't be in for a few days.

He looked at the soccer field, local gyms, and bars. He even checked the apartment and Duo's job to see if anyone had seen him. His last resort was to scour the city's motels, which was what he was doing right now. Gods this takes me back. And now that I'm doing it again, I can honestly say I don't miss it. Give me a flower shop full of adoring young girls by day, and a despicable criminal at night to kill and I'm happy.

Yohji had been to three motels already and was on his way to a fourth when he spotted a very familiar motorcycle parked along the street. He hung a u-turn and parked in front of the motorcycle. It was cold to the touch, so it had been parked there awhile. Yohji looked around and realized he was parked next to the Sakura Park.

Yohji wandered the dimly lit park for twenty minutes before he found the object of his search sitting under a large tree asleep. He looked down at his best friend and frowned. He looked like shit. If Yohji had to guess, he'd say the man hadn't bathed since being kicked out three days ago. His clothes, no doubt the ones he was wearing that night, showed signs of mud and, much to Yohji's displeasure, blood. As he crouched down to get a closer look, a wave of alcoholic vapors hit his nose.

"Ugh. Kenken, what have you been doing to yourself?"

Yohji reached out and slapped the brunette's cheek a few times. Nothing. After quickly checking for a pulse and getting the reassurance he was hoping for, Yohji shook Ken by the shoulders.

"Oi, sleeping beauty! Wake up! I've been looking for you all day and I'll be damned if you're going to sleep now that I've found you."

Ken began to moan as his alcohol soaked mind came alive. The first thing he was aware of was Yohji's demanding voice breaking through the drunken haze. An intense pain invaded his head and then his stomach joined in the fun, making him feel nauseous. He was trying to talk but his mouth was dry and the little bit of moisture that was there was acting as a paste, making it difficult to form proper words.

"Yoh…ji….back….up."

The blonde immediately did what he was told. He knew Ken was drunk and was probably going to get sick at any moment now that Yohji had so kindly shaken him awake. As expected, within minutes Ken scrambled on all fours for the bushes and wretched.

"Feel better?"

Ken fell back against the tree on the ground, his head tilted back to face his friend who was looking almost ethereal through his blurry, tired eyes.

"Not really."

"Well you sure as hell don't look any better." Yohji sat down across from Ken and lit a cigarette. "So have you been here for three days, or is this just where you collapsed tonight?"

"No. I went to school on…..Tuesday. And I've been doing most of my drinking in the bar…..And I had some noodles at a cart yesterday afternoon."

"Kenken…."

The voice was a sad reprimand and Ken tried to glare at Yohji, but he was so drunk and tired and his head hurt so much he just blinked once and then closed his eyes and sighed.

"How did you find out?"

"Duo called to relay a message from work."

"What was the message?"

"Your best friend is going to fucking kill you for not coming to him when you were kicked out asshole."

Ken managed a weak smile.

"Wow. Didn't know Head Master had such a foul mouth."

"Maybe you just bring it out in him."

The two men sat there in silence, each waiting for the other to make the next move. Yohji was waiting for Ken to explain himself and Ken was waiting for Yohji to yell at him.

"I'm waiting Kenken."

Ken winced at the tone of Yohji's voice. Shit. He's really pissed.

"I told him everything about Kase and Weiss." An image of Duo's calm face appeared in his mind's eye and Ken opened his eyes, not wanting to face that image. "He….he was hurt. I didn't trust him. I didn't trust in his love." Ken felt the tears sliding down his cheeks. He hadn't cried since that night. He'd spent the last three days too drunk to cry. "I've lost him Yohji. I should have listened to you. I should have kept my mouth shut."

Ken hugged his knees to his chest and rested his head on them, openly crying now. Yohji stamped his cigarette out and went to sit next to the crying man. He put his arms around Ken's shoulders and the brunette fell into his embrace. He let Ken cry for a few moments and then decided it was time to get him back to the Koneko.

"Alright, enough. Let's go." Yohji stood up and pulled Ken with him. "I'll take you back to the Koneko and we can come get your bike tomorrow."

Ken didn't protest as Yohji led him back to his car, arm around his shoulders to keep him steady. "So tell me one thing Kenken. Why this park? Why that tree?"

The brunette smirked. "Your skill of deduction is fucking scary Yohji." Ken sighed and leaned his head on the blonde's shoulder. "It was where we had our first date."

"Gods you can be such a girl Kenken."

"Fuck you Yohji."

"Not with the way you look and smell. Take a shower, sober up and we'll talk."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yohji gave Ken ten minutes to take a shower. In that time, he prepared a tray with a pitcher of water, a glass, and a bottle of aspirin. He made Ken's old bed and when the brunette still hadn't emerged from the bathroom, he went in search of the recovering drunk.

"Kenken? You alive?" Yohji knocked as he entered and when he peeked his head in, he found Ken sitting in the shower. "Kenken?" He was a little alarmed when he didn't get a response, but he found that Ken had indeed washed up and just decided he didn't have any more energy and just sat down.

Yohji turned off the water, helped Ken stand up and gave him a towel. He guided him into his old bedroom where he made sure the brunette drank a full glass of water with four aspirin before letting him pass out. Before going to bed himself, Yohji left a sign on Ken's door that read:

This room currently occupied by Ken.

DO NOT DISTURB under penalty of death.

-Balinese

By the time Yohji cleaned up the bathroom and showered himself and got to bed, it was after midnight. He sank down gratefully into his bed and only worried about Ken for about an hour before falling asleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The shrill ring of his cell phone awoke Yohji from a beautiful dream. He flipped the phone open and focused bleary eyes on the backlit display. Duo. Oh great. What the hell does he want at this time of night?

"This better be good Duo……Yeah, I found him. He's here at the Koneko……He'll be fine. Look, I appreciate that you're worried about him but it's after 2a.m. and……you're where?"

Yohji got out of bed and looked out onto the street where he saw a dark figure waving at him.

"I'll be right down."

The blonde cursed as he threw on a robe and slippers and went downstairs to see Duo.

"What the hell are you doing here man?"

"I was worried when you didn't know anything about Ken. I've been driving all night. I was visiting 'Fei."

"So now you know he's ok. Go home and get some sleep. You almost look as bad as he does."

Yohji began to shut the door but Duo quickly stepped in the sleepy man's path, his dark eyes glittering even in the night.

"Let me stay Yohji."

He saw the hardness come to the jade eyes but there was no way he was going to back down, assassin or not. He wasn't without his own fighting skills.

"Why should I? You kicked him out! I found him drunk, smelly and bloody passed out under a tree in the park. All because you got your feelings hurt." Yohji shoved the shocked man out of the way and started to walk inside. "Go home Duo. I'll tell him you stopped by."

The lack of sleep and his desperation to see Ken took over Duo's normally rational mind. He grabbed Yohji's hands and pinned them behind his back then shoved him roughly against the wall, his body leaning against the taller man to ensure his position.

"You can't keep me from him! I love him and I won't let anyone, even you Yohji, stop me from being with him." He saw the anger ignite in the tall blonde and he tightened his grip on the assassin's hands. "I don't want to fight you." Duo rested his forehead against Yohji's shoulder and his grip and voice relaxed. "I just want to be with him Yohji."

Duo let Yohji go and backed up, head down. He just stood there waiting, knowing what Yohji was going to do. As the blonde came flying at him, Duo caught Yohji's fist with his own, not moving an inch or batting an eyelash. When he spoke to the surprised assassin, his voice was quiet.

"I told you I didn't want to fight you Yohji. I know what you are, but I'm pretty sure you don't know what I am."

He looked up, his purple eyes which were normally smiling and gentle, were hard and they glinted in the dim alley light. They told Yohji all he needed to know about the man standing before him. Duo was willing to fight for Ken and from the way he caught Yohji's fist blind, it was a fair assumption the man could hold his own.

Yohji pulled his fist back and stood there, studying the man with the boyish good looks and long chestnut braid. Ken had never mentioned that Duo was any sort of fighter. Did he even know? Duo had mentioned he wasn't judging Ken's past. Could it be he had a similar one?

"Yohji…please."

"He's passed out in his old room."

"Thank you." Duo started to walk past the tall blonde when something occurred to him. "You said before that he would be fine and that you found him a bit bloody. Anything I should know about?"

Yohji put his arm around the man as they walked back inside, his warm smile in place, his voice friendly but his eyes carrying a warning. "All you need to know is that Kenken is beloved of an organization of assassins who will not tolerate his heart being broken again."

Duo chuckled and threw an arm around the tall blonde's waist. "I'll keep that in mind."

To be continued….