Disclaimer: see chapter 1.

Breaking Free

Chapter 2

The next day, Yohji was too tired to antagonize Aya. He'd barely slept a wink and it was all the redhead's fault. This would normally make him Yohji's primary target for the day, but he didn't want to get into an argument with Aya the day of a mission. Plus, Yohji was becoming worried about Aya. The more he thought about Aya and his behavior the more concerned he became for the assassin's mental well being. Nobody should be that closed off. Everyone needs an outlet, and as far as he could tell, Aya had no outlets other than killing. Definitely not healthy.

So Yohji had decided he would make a concerted effort to not argue with Aya and maybe even be nice to the man. Things had changed since they met over two years ago. Maybe Aya would be more receptive to friendly gestures now. He had to try something. He had a feeling Aya was heading for a meltdown.

Aya watched Yohji out of the corner of his eye all day. The lanky assassin had been suspiciously quiet all day. Normally he was thankful for the peace and quiet, but without Yohji's normal banter, annoying as it may be at times, the day dragged and Aya found himself actually wanting the blonde to open his mouth and say something.

He sat there at the worktable and continued to create the arrangement that had been ordered when his thoughts wandered to the mission. He had to go to a club tonight and try to lure some creep into picking him up. How the hell am I supposed to do that? It's not as if he didn't know how the game was played, he'd just never played before. I don't even have appropriate clothing. I could ask Ken…no, he's too short. Aya snorted. That leaves Yohji. Oh gods help me I have to ask him for help. I hope he doesn't make me regret this any more than I already do.

Aya took a deep calming breath and made his way over to the cash register where Yohji was leaning on the counter reading a magazine.

"Yohji."

Green eyes gazed at him over sunglasses. Aya noticed his eyes looked a little red. Did he not sleep well? Wait! Why do I care? Aya shook his head and cleared his throat.

"I need to ask a favor. It's for the mission tonight."

"Really?" Yohji couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his lips. "Do you want to borrow some wire as a weapon?"

"No. I need to borrow some clothes. I don't have any club clothes."

Yohji looked Aya up and down, openly appraising the man's body but not showing his overwhelming approval. As a matter of fact, he made sure to frown a little.

"I guess we are about the same size. Sure. Meet me in my room later and I'll find you something."

Aya nodded and walked back to the worktable, grateful that Yohji hadn't made a big scene about the favor. Yohji stayed leaning by the register returning his attention to the magazine he was reading. This is the perfect opportunity to show Aya I can be a friend. I'll thaw out that ice prince in no time. Nobody can resist Yohji.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Alright, so you've got the line up. Ken, you arrive at the club first. Omi will find a spot outside the club for surveillance.Yohji will arrive an hour later, then I'll arrive an hour after him. Everyone stay sharp and make sure to check in with Omi periodically."

All nodded their understanding and Ken and Omi headed out while Yohji dragged Aya upstairs. "Ok, let's go find you something to wear."

Aya pulled his hand out of Yohji's grasp and followed the assassin to his room. He walked through the door and was surprised to find the room neat and orderly, if a little cluttered.

Yohji saw the surprised look on his face and chuckled. "What did you expect? Pig sty? Bedlam?"

"Well…yes."

"There's more to me than you realize Aya."

Aya just looked at the smiling green eyes and couldn't help but feel like he was walking into a trap. Yohji's gaze was becoming unnerving and Aya looked away, seemingly interested in a scroll hanging on the wall.

"Ok, let's see what I have for you to wear."

"Don't go crazy. Nothing flashy or anything that's going to make me look like a man whore."

Yohji's eyes narrowed and he looked over his shoulder at Aya, and the redhead got the message right away.

"Sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I just meant keep in mind that I'm not you."

"Hmph. No problem there." Yohji sifted through his overstuffed closet throwing several pieces of clothing on the bed. "Oh! I haven't worn this in ages!" Aya turned as Yohji stripped right in front of him and put on a dark blue silk shirt. Yohji ran his hands over his chest and let out a little moan. "Oh I love this shirt so much. Hey Aya, start going through that stuff on the bed and pick out something to wear." Yohji continued to search his closet and Aya went over to the bed and began to sort through the clothes. I can't wear this! Doesn't he own anything that covers his torso? Oh my god, how low do these pants hang? I can't do this. This was a mistake.

"How about this?"

Aya turned to see Yohji holding up a black vest that laced up on the sides. He glared at the questioning blonde.

"Ok. This?"

"Too bright."

"This?"

"It's see through."

"Not entirely. This?"

"I don't wear white."

Yohji raised an eyebrow at this remark and Aya just waved his hand, dismissing the silent question. There was no way in hell Yohji needed to know he thought wearing white only invited his own death.

"Look Aya, you need to wear something appropriate and I'm sorry if you find my wardrobe distasteful, but that's what people wear. So just stop being such a prude and pick something!"

Yohji was becoming agitated, and a little insulted, truth be told. He knew Aya wasn't the clubbing type, but that didn't mean he had to look down his nose at Yohji. He threw himself onto the bed with a huff and reached for his cigarettes.

"Go. You'll be late."

"Huh? What about you?"

"I'll find something, don't worry about it."

"But Aya--"

"Now Kudoh. You have a mission."

"Fine. But don't hurt yourself thinking too much. We both know that you'll be the last one the target will go for."

Yohji got up and headed for the door, grabbing his keys and trademark sunglasses.

"Excuse me?"

Yohji looked at his leader over his glasses, devilish smile in place.

"Face it Aya. You're just not the type. You may have the looks, but you don't have the moves and you exude 'stay the hell away from me' and no amount of clothes is going to change that." Yohji stepped back in the room, hands on his hips, head cocked to the side. Screw this being nice thing. I owe him for the man whore comment. "Hell Aya, have you even had sex?"

Yohji wasn't sure which happened faster. Aya's cheeks flaming up or Aya's fist connecting with his stomach. He fell backward against the wall, doubled over.

"I'll take that as a 'no'."

"Out! Now!"

Yohji ducked out the door and Aya heard his heavy footsteps descending to the main level. He glared at the stack of clothes Yohji had piled on his bed for him to peruse. It was a mountain of leather, silk and mesh.

"Arrogant bastard."

Aya started sifting through the clothes, his anger turning into indignation the more Yohji's words echoed through his head. I'll show him he's not the only one who can attract attention.

To be continued….