Ch3

Faithful was curled on the boy's sleeping chest, waiting. Hours ago the brunet named Ken had left and with him gone, the small blond that Faithful had chosen had fallen asleep, his doubts and fears pushed aside because Faithful had wished it so. The kitten gave a small sigh.

So far, not one single part of the Goddess' plan had gone right. And that worried him. He licked at his front paw before bringing it up and back over his ear. After all goddess' plans used to be pretty much fool proof. Used to was the key word. Ever since Chaos had managed to escape once again, more powerful than even in Alanna's day… nothing had been going according to anybody's plans. Humans who had long lost their magical powers were randomly in handfuls gaining the knowledge back… but differently. Very differently than before.

Still, the plan… Alanna's descendent, Aya or Ran, was the one who had been supposed to make the deliveries tonight, Faithful was supposed to have gone to him but Omi had come instead. The kitten licked at his paw again a bit more viciously than before. No one was supposed to have been hurt either. The black velvet like ears flattened to rest on the cat's skull. He hadn't meant to hurt anyone.

He could only imagine what Alanna's reaction would be when she'd hear… the cat shook itself and decided it was time to clean between his toes. He no longer had to answer to Alanna, though his first mistress would always be one of his favorites. He now answered to Omi.

He wondered how that would go over as well.

After all it was Aya he was supposed to advise…

Not that the redhead would listen to anyone.

Let alone a small black fur-ball. Right. He was much better off with Omi.

But the Goddess…

"Thinking so hard isn't going to solve anything you know…" Omi whispered softly, his hand smoothing the black fur down which had stood up the minute his voice had broken the silence. He had fallen asleep for the first few minutes but then he'd felt like someone was hurting inside and he'd woken up only to find the cat furiously working at cleaning himself. He hadn't understood at first but then it clicked. And after all, why not? After having faced Schwartz, nothing surprised him much anymore. Faithful turned to face Omi, his large unblinking violet eyes seemed to say… 'Oh really? Well good for you boy… 'cause you really haven't seen anything yet!' But that look changed into a glare. "Sorry." Omi apologized quickly, understanding coming into his eyes. No one liked bring startled after all. Faithful sniffed. This boy was smarter than Alanna had been. And had better manners.

He would like this one, Faithful decided. He gave one last forceful lick between the stretched out toes before letting the foot drop. The hand that had been soothing him only a few second ago had dropped to the boy's side listless. Faithful blinked at it and then turned to look at the boy's face. The meaning was so obvious and clear, Omi could only obey.

"I didn't know how right I was when I told Ken-kun you left me with no choice." Omi smiled, moving slowly. No one, not even Ken had told him what his injuries were. He figured they were pretty bad and that he probably wasn't a sight to see. He took the time now to find out. One arm, thank god not the one he used for dart throwing, was in a sling. But not in a cast. That probably meant that he'd taken his shoulder out the socket. At the thought of that Omi was thankful for the painkillers that he'd been re-administered hours ago. He continued making his mental observations. He was wrapped up almost like a mummy on that one side, his arm as well and he had a sickening feeling that he was probably just raw meat there. With gravel in there to give a finishing touch.

Faithful snorted. The gravel had been there. Now it wasn't. Omi blinked at him and made a face. He'd have to get used to the unwanted side comments every so often, he supposed. The cat bristled. So maybe the boy wasn't as polite as he'd originally thought.

But then the young fingers made its way to the right spot, right under the chin and Faithful decided this was quite forgivable. For now anyway.

Sprained wrist. Bruised if not broken ribs. Broken leg. He wondered how badly. Omi had continued making his mental checklist once he'd seen Faithful close his eyes with pleasure. The boy sighed. If he escaped physical therapy he'd be very lucky.

As much as it pains me…Faithful started, pulling away from Omi's hand. You should get to sleep. And without giving the young assassin any time to react, the kitten started to glimmer the color of his own eyes. And then everything went black as Omi fell into a deep sleep.

Ken found Aya sitting on the step, phone in hand looking as if he was about to kill. Which, the brunet had to admit; Aya almost always had that look. It was his alone. No one would dare try to copy it. The guy probably had a patent on it by now anyway.

"What the hell are you doing?" He asked not caring in the least if his voice was a bit hostile. Aya had been an ass and he wanted to let the redhead know. An ever darkening look was sent his way. Ken glared back.

"Trying to find Yoji." The voice was clipped. "The ass has…" The redhead made a motion in the air that probably meant the blond had somehow disappeared.

"Which means he's too drunk to even comprehend his cell is ringing or too drunk to even understand the message we left on his cell." Ken sighed. "Have you been trying to reach him ever since you left?" Aya didn't bother replying. Apparently he figured he'd already said enough because the pale man just rose from where he sat, leaving the phone in his place instead. Than with a slight shrug, the man walked up the stairs into his room where he no doubt closed the door behind him. Ken winced slightly at the not so subtle hint of 'leave me the hell alone, it's not like I care' Aya routine. Oh well, its not like he was overly fond of the man's company himself. He looked at the phone and cursed.

Yoji was gonna be hell to deal with when he did crawl his sorry ass back here.

As if there wasn't already enough going on.

Ken hated dealing with drunks. It was Omi's forte. The kid had the magical touch when it came to dealing with drunks, with bad tempers… well with any person really. He could comfort someone just by giving them one of his smiles that seem to say to the world… 'I know. It's really tough. But I'm here now and I'll listen.' Ken let himself fall onto the steps, his arms coming to lean on his knees. He could almost picture that smile right now… but the image faded as it was replaced by the bruised and swollen face he's seen at the hospital.

It had scared the living shit out of him to know how easily they could have lost Omi. Actually screw the 'they'. It had scared him how close he had been about to lose Omi. He loved the kid. Saw him as his own little brother to tease and protect. And he'd almost lost him to a car accident. That's what got to him. A sigh managed to make its way out of his lips and a slight tremor ran up and down his body. He leaned forward until his chin was resting on his knee as well. He hadn't lost him that was the key. And the little if that was dancing in his mind could kiss his ass and dance its merry way down to hell.

There was a thump at the door that wasn't quite a knock and not quite a 'I fainted onto the door' noise. Whatever it was, it snapped Ken out of his thoughts and made him get up in one fluid motion. "Yoji? You pick one hell of a time to get drunk and come back so late…" He grumbled towards the door as he walked down the few steps. Another thump against the door resounded. "I'm coming, I'm coming…" He muttered in a louder tone. Upstairs, a door opened and Aya poked his head out before making his way down as well. Ken opened the door and blinked at the sight of the empty street. Aya pushed the door further open right from Ken's hand and then the redhead walked out and looked around. Nothing. Confused, he muttered a curse. Or started to until he felt like something was watching him. More than just watching… stalking… like a predator does when he's chosen his perfect prey. Aya's eyes turned to slits as he focused into the shadows. He couldn't see anything but a chill ran down his back. Another sign, another warning. Something wasn't right. Scowling now, he waved Ken back.

"Get back inside." He ordered and didn't care how the words came out. Ken did as he was told not even fighting it a little, his assassin senses probably warning him away too.

"What is that?" Ken asked. "It's…" His voice sounded at first troubled and then shocked.

"You can see it?" Aya hissed. "Where is it? What is it?"

"Its not so much that I can see it…" Ken said, knowing that he made no sense. "It's just glowing." Aya snapped his head towards him so fast that his own red strands slapped him in the face.

"Glowing?"

"Shut the door, Aya." The brunet sounded scared. "Just shut the fucking door." And the fear was infectious. It was Aya's turn to follow blindly without questioning.

"…?" The door slammed shut and he locked it before turning around and facing the pale Ken, shivering. "Wh…" Aya took a step forward. "What was it? Ken?" The younger man was falling backwards until he hit the wall. His eyes were wide and wild and there was something there that Aya had never once seen in those dark colored eyes. The voice that answered him wasn't quite Ken's and yet it was.

"I don't know! But whatever it was it isn't supposed to be here. Not here… not ever. They were locked away! Locked away I tell you…"

"What! Ken you're not making any sense!"

"Locked away…" Ken straightened from the half crouch that he'd been slowly cowering into. "The door between both realms is breaking but…why?"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Aya finally shouted, the last of his patience gone. He took the last few steps that would take him directly into Ken's face and there, the redhead grabbed the brunet's arms, shaking him. Shaking him until the man could get a hold on sanity once more… until his colleague came back and that damn creepy shadow of him left…

"Aya stop. Stop it Aya… STOP IT!" Aya let go of the younger man abruptly, leaving him to fall into a graceless heap on the floor. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

Mission accomplished. This was his partner. Ken jumped back up, glaring at him with full intensity.

"You weren't behaving rationally… it was the only solution." Aya stated calmly. "Now what was that outside? And what door and what two realms?" Perhaps he needed to be shaken as well… he sounded almost… worried? Hysterical?

"The glowing thing? I don't know what that was... and I don't know what you mean by door and realms… I have a headache…" Ken looked dazed, the anger gone. "Aya… what the hell is going on?" Aya leaned back until he touched the nearby wall, comforted by the silent support. He shrugged his answer. "Is…is Yoji gonna be all right out there… with that thing?" A trembling hand came up and was run through thick brown hair. Ken was pale again. "Aya…" His voice was small. "I really… have a headache…I don't…feel quite…well." And in the darkness, with his eyes wide and scared, Ken almost looked a like a small child. And one who needed comforting. Aya closed his eyes.

He could feel a headache growing within his own temples that would either match or rival Ken's. Aya sighed and then struck his hand out

"Come on Ken." The athlete blinked at the hand offered with confusion plainly written on his face. "Let's get you to bed." He moved the hand slightly, beckoning the other to accept whatever Aya could or would offer. It had been really long since he'd comforted anyone. Or maybe… it had been a long time since any one had realized that Aya still could offer comfort. Ken suddenly grasped Aya's hand with his own, a bit shaky and yet strong. The redhead sighed with relief and found strangely that the simple touch had a calming affect on him as well.

"…Aya…do we have to go upstairs?" The voice was meek. The brunet's face was partly hidden with the slightly wild bangs that was shadowing the younger man's face. "It…I'd rather stay…in the den. B-but not alone."

"Ok." Aya nodded. He was too tired to argue. So hand in hand, both feeling quite younger than they had in awhile they made their way there.

…

Ken blinked groggily, wondering what time it was and why the hell he was sleeping curled up on the couch. It wasn't like he'd fallen asleep here while watching something… the t.v. wasn't on. He yawned and then froze as more of his surroundings came through to his still sleep-foggy brained. The pillow his head had been resting on had suddenly tensed… and moved. With a slight yelp of surprise, Ken rolled off the couch and got into a fighting stance only to see Aya glaring at him before yawning. The yawning redhead broke the illusion of danger and the threat that had been in his eyes seconds before.

The brunet blinked, mouth opening as he gaped while his brain tried to wrap itself around everything.

"Aya?" The voice was incredulous. "What the hell?" Had he just been sleeping on Aya? On Aya? Aya? He pinched himself and yelped as the pain brought tears to his eyes. Things were way too fucked up to be real. Had to be a dream and yet he'd felt pain.

"Tell me about it." Aya muttered. Again even the comment was uncharacteristic of the Aya he knew. Though it was a bit assy and it was still… The violet eyes glared at him, that glare that he knew so well and promised long painful deaths. And then the redhead stretched and grimaced. Sleeping on a couch was never the best for the back. Ken blinked and got up from his fighting stance slowly.

"I'm so…confused." The brunet blinked again. "Were we drunk last night?" For a moment the violet eyes that looked at him almost seemed amused but then they darkened.

"Yoji…"

"Huh?" Ken was even more lost at the mention of the other assassin's name. Yoji drunk was not a reason for Aya and him to be sleeping together on the couch! Aya sighed.

"He didn't come home last night."

"And?" What Aya was saying still didn't explain anything at all! The redhead looked exasperated.

"Do you remember anything from last night? At all?" Ken frowned and opened his mouth to close it again. He was having a hard time trying to think of anything other than what had just taken place. Still, he tried and found himself frowning.

"Omi got into an accident. A bad one." The brunet's voice started to sound more awake and also…scared. Ken rubbed at one of his arms, in a weak attempt to not hold himself. "You were…an ass to him and I got angry… and then when I got home, you were waiting for Yoji and then that …thing." Ken snapped his head up to face Aya with wide eyes. "Holy shit… that's why!" Ken ran a hand in his hair. "Shit shit shit shit!" Aya blinked at the expletives that were leaving the brunet's mouth. "God damn Yoji where the hell is he? And Omi… Omi… I promised Omi to come back at 10! Shit!" It was past 11 already. How the hell could he have slept in that late? How could Aya have? He was always up at 6!

"This is amusing…" A voice broke in behind them, making both men jump. Yoji stood, back leaning on the nearest wall. "I got your messages last night." The tall blond lifted his cell in the air as proof. "I was too far gone last night to get to the hospital or go home. My lady friend brought me to the hospital this morning. Omi's doing well. He was worried when you didn't show up Ken-kun. So he sent me back to check up on you two. Good thing I did. You guys were sooo cute…" The voice was tinged with barely hidden amusement and mockery. An eyebrow waggled above the dark sunglasses.

"Die Kudou." Aya said simply and turned his back on the taller man. Yoji bowed to the redhead and then shrugged to Ken before placing a hand to his heart.

"I was touched to see how worried you were for my wellbeing." Ken growled.

"Shut up Yoji."
"9 voice mails…" The cell phone was still in the air. "About 20 text messages…" Yoji cocked his head to the side. "And to think I thought you guys didn't care." Aya looked at him with a raised eyebrow and then sighed a weary sigh while running a hand through his disheveled red hair. "Well anyway. On to another subject. What were you two doing?" There was a little pause. "Anything I should know about? Any dark little secret you've been keeping from me?"

"Fuck you." Ken snarled, already he regretted even being worried for the prick. He started making his way out of the room. "I'm going to see Omi." He muttered darkly before Yoji could even continue his incessant teasing. And in a stance that stated loud and clear that no one was to mess with him, Ken was gone.

"Oh for god's…" Aya hissed. "That idiot." Yoji blinked and had to close his wide open mouth. "Kudou go bring Hidaka back. He can't just go waltzing out of here with that thing loose on the street."

"What thing?" Yoji asked but was answered with a glare. "All right! All right! I'm going! But you better answer my questions when I come back. All of them!"

It was only a few minutes later when Yoji and Ken made their way back into the den, primly followed by Manx, Birman, and another man. The look on Ken's face left a lot to be desired and by Manx's almost irritated frown it seemed there had been an argument between the ex-soccer player and the redheaded women. Aya made his way to his usual spot near the wall and was left alone long enough to be able to look the newcomer over. His face seemed young but yet he held himself with a certain confidence that was only developed with age. It made it hard for Aya to decide how old the other was. Manx cleared her throat to get his attention and Aya found himself looking at her for a moment before going back to looking at the man who was probably here to replace Omi. He was tall and well muscled with black-ish hair and eyes a muddy color of brown. The stranger sat next to Yoji probably sensing very well the negative feelings coming off of Ken. No doubt that he would not be welcomed by the 20 year old.

"Omi seems to be recuperating at a faster pace than even the doctors believe is possible. But still it'll be awhile before it will be safe for him to accompany you on your missions…" Manx paused and looked at Ken directly. "I must tell you that even when Omi has fully recuperated that he will be not allowed to rejoin your forces straight away. His actions were careless and needs to be investigated."

"He did NOT try to commit suicide damn it! Omi wouldn't do that. There was a fucking cat on the road!" Ken erupted and even Aya and Yoji straightened as the meaning behind Manx's words made themselves clear. "Are you all fucking crazy? I refuse to…"

"There is no room for discussion at this moment." Birman stated calmly, interrupting Ken's rant. "For the present… Hidaka bequiet… just know that this is the man who will be replacing Omi." The woman motioned for the other man to stand. He did in one fluid motion. Clearly, he wasn't at all shocked by the others reactions and had probably been briefed about all of them and their personalities before hand. It made Aya uneasy and he felt an unpleasant emotion rise from within him. "Yusa Ryuichi…" He sat down on the couch silently. "…is a hacker taught by Omi. He is proficient in the use of many weapons and is trained in hand combat." Birman paused and regarded the three Weiss men. "I hope that all will go well and that there will be no further problems."

"He can't stay here." Ken growled. "We've got no room for him. And we don't need him. You and your fucking investigation can go to hell…" Aya moved away from the wall he'd been leaning on and grabbed the younger's man shoulder. "And you too Aya… Fuck off! Are you just gonna let them take Omi away from us? You probably don't fucking care but…"

"It's temporary Hidaka. Calm down." Aya hissed through gritted teeth.

"That's not what they're saying!"

"Yusa Ryuichi will be staying here." Manx replied. "Omi's belongings will be removed for the moment so that he can move in."

"SEE!" Ken shoved the hand away. "You can't do this. It was a fucking accident! What the hell…" Aya looked at the two women in surprise. Yoji stood up.

"Now wait a minute…" He started.

"Bombay will understand." Birman snapped, finally looking irritated. She slapped a mission envelope down on the table. "This is your new mission Weiss whether you like it or not. You have no choice in this matter." The use of Omi's weiss name seemed inappropriate somehow. The two women left the way they had come in, ignoring the yells that were coming from Ken and now Yoji even. And all through this the newcomer sat there, observing them. His eyes were taking each of them in and calculating something…Aya could see it.

He couldn't imagine that this was even taking place.

It couldn't be.

But it was.

Bombay… Tsukiyono Omi was no longer part of Weiss.

A/N- I'm srry its been taking me long to update. I've been bad. --. But I offer this chapter in forgiveness. For those who have reviewed… thank you so much. It means a lot to me and it keeps me writing. Cheers!