The Healer

Disclaimer: I do not own Weiss Kreuz .

Chapter 3

Ken trudged back to the inn warily. After breakfast, he had kept himself busy as to avoid seeing the others, especially Ran. Ken let out a weary sigh, he had said too much at breakfast and he knows the others will be demanding an explanation.

He went straight to his room, deciding to avoid the others for a while longer and skipping dinner. Ken opened his door and frowned at the figure sitting on his bed.

"Ran, get the hell out of my room."

"No. We need to talk."

"No, we don't. Don't make me kick your ass again, Ran!"

Ran raised an eyebrow, "Again? I don't think so, Ken. If I recall correctly, which I always do, our fights have always been even."

Ken sighed, he forget how annoyingly persistant Ran can be, "What do you want?"

Ran glared, "I told you, I want to talk," he softened his voice, "Come on, Ken, let's have some dinner and walk under the stars like we use to."

Ken felt his resolve break, he could never refuse Ran when he used that voice, "Alright. I do owe you an explanation, but..." Ken hesitated, "I'm afraid of how you'll react."

Ran looked at him curiously but held his tongue. He knew better than to push Ken before he was ready, "Alright, Ken, but first, let's have dinner with Omi and Yoji. I'll need at least the both of you to hold me back from killing Yoji."

For the first time that day, Ken laughed. "Yeah, he does seem to have a knack for pushing your buttons. I like that."

Ran frowned, "I though you're supposed to defend me, Ken," he muttered.

Ken chuckled, "Sorry, Ran," and he smiled.

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Dinner passed uneventfully and for that Ken was thankful. Yoji and Omi didn't ask him any questions about his earlier outburst and Ken had the feeling Ran instructed them not to. Ken glanced nervously at Ran as they walked under the approaching evening sky where the stars began to twinkle. Doing this brought back memories for both men, but Ken feared that the conversation they'll soon have will ruin any second chance he may have with Ran and any end any potential evening walks they may have. They wandered over to a conveniently placed bench (perhaps for sweethearts who want a romantic evening under the stars?). Ken laughed to himself, he and Ran were going to have anything but a romantic conversation.

They sat on the bench and were silent for a few moments. Ken was the first to break the silence, "Ran, I know I owe you an explanation and I'm going to give it to you. But I'm afraid that you're going to hate me..." Ken held up his hand at Ran's protest, "Ran, please, let me finish. But I'm going to tell you because you deserve to know why I left you two years ago and I want you to know that I didn't want to leave you. It terrifies me to know that you may walk out of my life after you hear the story, but nonetheless, it's a story you need to know."

Ran nodded, dreading yet eager to hear Ken's tale. He squeezed Ken's hand; Ken took a deep breath and began to speak.

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To Be Continued.

A/N: I just want to answer The Invisible Fan's question real quick. Yes, Ken does use magic, but his medicinal practice also include the use of herbs and such. Sorry for the confusion!

Thank you to everyone for the reviews, I always appreciate them! Hurricane Dennis didn't hit us, thankfully, but last year we learned a valuable lesson about weather. Which is you can project weather conditions all you want, but it doesn't mean it'll do what we think it will-so always be prepared! Anyway, that's my advice!

The next chapter I'll try to have out asap!