back to … Yohji …’ Aya thinks as he stumbles on blindly as he uses his katana as a cane. A slight dip in the floor causes him to stumble and crash into the wall. He groans as he hits the wall, but uses it as a support none the less, as he tries to find his way out of the complex.

‘Yohji … where are you …? … How could I be so careless …?”

*Flashback – 1 hour ago*

Aya walks up behind his target, using all the stealth he posses as he approaches the back of the high-backed chair. He can just see the top of his targets head over the back of the chair, but knows it is his target from the reflection in the window, and from the light from the lamp on the desk. He cannot be seen in the window as the rest of the office is shrouded in darkness as the guy has not been bothered to turn on the lights. Aya is grateful for this as it will not give away his position. As he approaches the chair the guy in it says,

“So I guess you’re the assassin Persia sent to kill me then?”

Aya is slightly taken aback by the fact that his target knows of Persia, but replies with in a monotonous voice,

“Your guess would be right, killer of the innocent.”
“What sort of man are you that kills on command?”
“I am neither man, nor monster; I am just a murderer.”
“How can you live with so much blood on your hands?”

Aya arrives behind the guy at this point and he slices the guy’s throat as he says,

“Who says I am living?”
“Good question …” Aya hears from right behind him, and as he spins he feels the bite of steel in his side. He stumbles from shock and pain, but brings his kitana up in a large arc, catching the guy behind him on the right arm. “Who the hell do you think you are?” the man asks.
“I am a hunter… of evil men.”
“What right do you have to call anyone evil?”
“I have the backing of the Police force.”
“The backing of the Police force?”
“Yes. Now is your time to die…”

Aya stands, his left arm round his side, his kitana held out in his right hand. He runs at the guy bringing his kitana round and slashing sideways he kills the guy who has barely had time to defend himself. The man slumps to the floor, sword clattering to the ground in the already growing pool of blood. Aya feels his side and gasps aloud as he touches the edges of the extensive wound in his side. The sword managed to cut through his coat, and deeply up into his side.

“Careless.” Aya says aloud to himself as he uses his kitana as a staff. He stumbles out the office heading left to what he hopes though the pain is the exit. His left arm is wrapped round his right side, trying to stench the flow of blood slightly.

*End Flashback*

‘So careless …’

Hurt and alone, Aya stumbles onward unsure of how long he has been moving, lost in his pain and the fever heat in his side. He leaves a clear trail of blood behind him as he stumbles further and further into the complex … intent on finding one thing … Yohji …

*~*~*~*~

Yohji hears a crackling in his ear before his com bursts into life,

“Balinese.”
“Go ahead Bombay.”
“Siberian and I are out. How about you and Abyssinian?”
“I’m good. I’ll just check with Abyssinian.”

Yohji flips a small switch on the com unit before he speaks into it,

“Abyssinian, you out?”

Upon getting no intelligible response from Aya he tries once more.

“Abyssinian, come in.”

Yohji hears a loud thump come over the com, followed by a loud groan, and some scuffling noise. He flips the little switch back to Omi and says into it,

“Bombay, I think Abyssinian has encountered some difficulties. You and Siberian head on out, take the Seven, I’ll give Abyssinian a hand. See you later. Balinese out.”

Yohji looks up at the sky as he feels the first few drops of rain fall onto him.

‘Great. Rain. And just when I told Omi and Ken to take my Super seven. I guess Aya and I are going to get a little wet…’

Yohji flips his come back to receive only before he heads back across the car park to the back door Aya entered through. He slides through the door into the very dimly lit corridor. One of the lights in the corridor is flickering, creating dancing patterns and shadows on the walls. Yohji pulls out a length of wire from his watch as he begins to silently walk down the corridor to where he knows Aya’s target was supposed to be. He walks past several sword mutilated bodies as he walks.

‘Guess Aya wasn’t having any problems here. Wonder what was keeping him and preventing him from answering me over the comm. …’

He walks on, further into the complex as he hunts for the room Aya’s target was meant to be located in, and for Aya at the same time. After walking for five minutes past many dark offices, he comes to one with a light visible through the frosted glass door, and a thin trail of blood leaving the room, splattered here and there.

‘Hmmm curious, did Aya follow a witness …?’

Yohji opens the door to the office to check the target is dead, not for one moment doubting Aya’s skill, just to reassure himself. The sight that meets his eyes is a horrific one of blood and mutilated bodies, but it is nothing new to Yohji.

‘Good the target is dead, and I guess a body guard. Nothing was said about that in the briefing. Why do I now get a sinking feeling about this …’

Yohji walks on from the office following the trail of blood and the gouged line in the carpet tiles, both leading in the same direction and further into the heart of the complex. He notes the way the trail goes in a wavering line sometimes near the walls, and when a corridor breaks the walls, in a staggering manner to the next wall. Near the new part of the walls, the blotches of blood often appear bigger than before them and the ones after smaller as if the person paused after each unaided walk.

‘Curious, what makes a line in floor tiles like that? And what was that thump I just heard? And a deep groan that sounded like … please no …’

Yohji pulls out slightly more wire to give him a better reach, before he rounds the corner … and his eyes widen as he stops dead in his tracks. His gaze falls on the stumbling form of the red head, leaning on his kitana, and the wall. He is crouched over, one knee on the floor, as if he has just stumbled over. He is breathing hard as he tries to get up again and stumble onwards. Yohji lets go of the end of his wire, which snaps back into his watch, as he stares in disbelief at Aya as he stumbles and falls again, hitting the floor hard, both hands splayed in front of him supporting him, his kitana beneath his left, which had been on the wall. He stays on the floor as he breaths deeply before attempting to get up again. The groans that escape Aya’s lips are enough to snap Yohji out of his daze and rush to Aya’s side. He touches Aya’s right shoulder prompting Aya to lift his arm as if to punch Yohji in the face, but the move is lethargic and slow so Yohji easily blocks the attack, not noticing that the hand is covered in blood, as he is intently looking at Aya’s face.

“Abyssinian … Aya, it’s me Balinese, Yohji.”
“Yoh … ji?” Aya manages round heavy breathing.

Aya looks up at Yohji, pain clearly written in his violet eyes. His forehead is covered in sweat and his skin looks a slightly sickly color from his efforts to surpass the pain and continue walking. His hair is plastered to his face due to the sweat. He breathing has calmed somewhat to a harsh, ragged, shallow breaths.

“Come on Aya, you’re going the wrong way. Let’s get you out of here and safe.”

Yohji wraps his left arm around Aya’s back and under Aya’s left arm and starts to lift Aya, only to promptly stop at Aya’s uncharacteristic scream of pain. He quickly withdraws his arm to fins his hand covered in something dark, wet, and rather sticky. After taking a quick glance at his glove he says,

“Shit Aya. What happened to you? Actually, never mind that now. Let’s get you out of here first and to medical attention.”

He helps Aya up again, lifting Aya using Aya’s right arm this time, trying to ignore the groans and gasps that ensue from Aya. As soon as Aya is standing he pulls his right arm from Yohji’s grasp and wraps it round his side as he leans on the wall again, kitana under his hand. Pulling the kitana from Aya, Yohji sheaths it by Aya’s side, before he pulls Aya’s left arm over his shoulders and ignoring the protests from the semi unconscious red head, he hooks his left arm under Aya’s legs and picks him up. Aya groans aloud as his side hits Yohji’s front, but he does not move his arm from the wound. Yohji carefully adjusts his hold on Aya so that he is fully supported before he retraces his steps out of the complex. Aya’s head rolls onto Yohji’s right shoulder as he relaxes against Yohji, and into the steady steps Yohji is trying to take so he doesn’t jar Aya’s wounded body.

“It’s ok Aya, you’ll be fine. I’ll get you out of here, and home. Or maybe the Magic Bus hospital would be a better bet. I’ll make sure you get better, just don’t leave me, not yet. You can’t leave yet, I wont’ let you,” Yohji mutters to Aya in attempt to keep the red head conscious.

As Yohji finally approaches the outer door of the complex again he hears a curious pattering noise which he can’t place until he kicks open the door and remembers the rain.

‘Damn I forgot about that. And heavy rain too, just what I need right now. Especially seeing as Ken and Omi will have taken my car.’

“Sorry Aya love, but we’re gonna get wet.”

Aya moans in response to this statement but Yohji steps out into the rain regardless. They are both soaked in a matter of minutes; water running off them both in red rivers, but Yohji doesn’t notice this as he continues through the rain. Aya grips Yohji’s front with his left hand, trying to bury himself against Yohji’s front as the rain beats heavily on his exposed wound.

Yohji is walking through the park just opposite the complex when he stumbles, tripping as he foot catches in a pot hole, concealed in the darkness, and he fall to his knees. He instinctively curls round Aya best he can in an attempt to protect him from the fall. As they hit the ground Aya lets out a low groan. Yohji quickly releases Aya from the grip he had Aya in to protect him, and kneels next to Aya, looking down at him, his hair hanging in rats-tails as he looks down at Aya. He gently moves some of Aya’s hair aside so it is no longer in his eyes, and is about to say something, Aya begins to cough. Deep spasms wrack Aya’s body and he grips his side tighter as he rolls to the right in an attempt to control the coughing. As he gets his coughing under control, he rolls onto his back again, and Yohji notices the blood coming from Aya’s mouth and can just see the pool of blood round Aya, getting ever weakened by the rain.

“Oh Gods, I’ve got to get you back Aya, now.”

He reaches down to pick up Aya again, but Aya only shakes his head at Yohji.

“What Aya?”
“No time … Yohji … I … don’t have long.”
“Don’t talk like that Aya,” Yohji says, his throat constricting, “of course there’s time. I’ll bring you back to health yet. There is always time.”
“No Yohji … I’m dying … I can feel it coming.”
“Damnit Aya. You aren’t dying. I won’t let you,” Yohji says through clenched teeth as tears start to fall from his eyes, only just distinguishable in the rain.
“Shhh Yohji … I … I love you … I just wanted to say that before …” he is cut off by coughing and more blood trickles from the corner of his mouth.
“No Aya, no. Don’t leave me, please. I love you, I need you. Don’t go, please …” he takes Aya’s free hand in his and holds it against his cheek. Aya gently wipes the tears from Yohji’s cheek with his thumb.
“We can’t stop this … Yohji. Just wanted … you to know … I love you uncon…ditionally,” he shudders as his back arches in pain.
“Aya, no, what’s the point without you? I love you more that life, and what’s the point. I can’t live without you.”
“Yes you can Yohji … it’ll be hard but … ungh … you can, promise me … promise me Yohji,” he looks at Yohji through water soaked bangs, water falling onto his pale face. His lips visibly taking on a slightly blue tinge in the white streetlight.
“Aya please, don’t make me do this, don’t leave me …” Yohji begs.
“Yohji, promise me?”
“Oh Aya, I can’t; I won’t; I just,” he looks down at Aya, into his violet eyes and seeing the pain there and the spark of life become paler, he sighs before saying, “I promise Ran,” in a low voice.
“Thank you Yohji. As I said years ago; I don’t deserve to be loved by anyone.”
“I love you Ran.”

Yohji kisses the palm of Aya’s hand before Aya pulls his hand back down to kiss the back of Yohji’s hand.

“I love you Yohji … don’t ever forget … that I love you.”
“I won’t Ran, I love you to,” Yohji says with a shaking voice.
“Take … care … Goodbye … Yoh …” Aya trails of as his eyes glaze over and his head rolls to the side. A flash of lightning illuminates the area as Aya dies.
“NO, RAN, COME BACK, PLEASE,” Yohji screams as he looks up at the sky. “RAN.”

“Why?” he sobs as he collapses down onto Aya’s still chest, noting the complete absence of a heart beat and letting go he weeps openly for the fallen assassin.

*~*~*~*~

“Ken, I’m really worried.” Omi says as he walks into the mission room where Ken is sitting watching TV.
“Hn, wha? What about?” Ken says absently, his eyes never leaving the TV screen.
“Aya and Yohji. They should have been back hours ago, plus it’s raining really heavily. I just don’t like the fact that they aren’t back.”
“I’m sure they’re fine Chibi, plus they are on foot remember,” Ken says glancing round as Omi finally. Omi is stood by the stairs, wringing his hands together.
“Even so, they should be back by now. Plus neither Yohji nor Aya will answer their phones.”
“You tried?”
“Only a few times. Please can we go look for them?”
“You get their location of the trackers in their cells. Then we’ll at least have something to go on. I’ll get the car round.”
“Get Aya’s, it’s bigger, in case …”
“Just get the location,” Ken says as he mounts the stairs heading for ground level.

Omi moves over to the computer, which he boots up and opens a program, which contains a map with four small red flashing lights on it. He places his finger on two, which are in the Konneka, and then looks at the other two. His eyes widen as they take in where the other two lights are before he jumps up from the computer, and leaving it switched on, he runs out to the Porsche that Ken has waiting at the front of the shop.

“Where to then?” Ken asks as Omi jumps into the car.
“Jisenko park. And hurry please Ken. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Jisenko park? What’re they doing there? They haven’t gotten far …” Ken says as he spins the car round in the street, and races through the dark, quite city.

Neither of them speaks as they drive through the night, flashing past shops and nightclubs alike, intent only on getting to the park. Omi stares out the side window as they drive on, his face illuminated momentarily by every streetlight, showing his worried features.

As Ken comes to a skidding halt due to the rain outside the park, Omi jumps out the car and starts running through the heavy rain into the park, Ken hard on his heels. As Omi turns a corner he comes to an abrupt halt and Ken crashes into him and they end up in a tangled heap on the soaking wet ground. Neither of them notice the extra water as Ken says,

“Omi, why’d you …” but he stops mid sentence as he sees the shock in the younger assassins eyes. He follows Omi’s gaze and exclaims after a sharp intake of breath, “Oh my God …”

Omi Quickly disentangles himself from Ken and runs over to the form of Yohji lying on the floor, resting on Aya’s chest. He stops just short of Yohji and Aya, and says, “Yohji?” Upon getting no response he walks over to Yohji and after kneeling down next to Yohji he says,

“Yohji-kun?”

Yohji’s shaking form does not move or acknowledge Omi’s presence, so Omi gently removes the sunglasses that are not needed due to the fact it is night. Ken comes up behind Yohji, next to Aya’s head, and feels for a pulse. After a few moments he looks up at Omi through rain soaked hair and shakes his head, flicking water with every shake. Omi looks back to Yohji, whose eyes are still shut, and gently brushes back the hair, which has fallen over Yohji’s face. Omi places a hand on Yohji’s cold, colourless cheek before he says,

“Yohji, Yohji-kun, open your eyes, it’s me, Omi, and Ken’s here too.”
“O-Omi?” Yohji asks as he opens his eyes, tears cascading from his emerald eyes, “O-Omi he’s-he’s dead. He died, in my arms. Omi, I loved, him, love his so much, and now …, now he’s-he’s dead. H-how am I meant to g-go on. How?”
“Come on Yohji, we need to get you back to the Konneka, you’re freezing, and risking illness like this,” Omi says tenderly to Yohji.

Omi helps Yohji get up, Yohji resting on Omi’s shoulders, his sunglasses in Omi’s hand, and they begin a slow walk back to the Porsche.

“Hang o-on,” Yohji says as he stops, “Aya, I-I can’t leave him here, we have to take h-him back with us. He can’t be left here.”
“Calm down Yohji-kun, we weren’t going to leave him. You can’t help bring him back to the car, you’re too weak. Ken-kun, can you manage him alone, or do you want me to come back and help in a few minutes?”
“I’ll try to bring him on my own, I mean I’m stronger since using the Bugnuk …” He bands over Aya and awkwardly picks him up.
“You ok Ken-kun?”
“Yeah, let’s hurry though.”

Ken leads the way back to the car with Aya, followed by Omi, supporting a shaking Yohji, weak from crying and being out in the rain so long.

Yohji and Omi get back to the car obviously quite a while after Ken got back with Aya, as they find Ken sitting in the car, Aya laid out carefully on the back seat of the Seven. Omi starts to help Yohji get into the front of the car, when Yohji says,

“I want to-to be with him, one last time …”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea Yohji-kun?”
“One last time Chibi, it’s the last time I’ll get to be … close to him.”

Yohji gets into the back of the car after carefully lifting Aya’s head from the seat. He places it onto his lap and gently strokes the red heads hair. Omi shuts the door after Yohji and gets into the front of the car.

“Lets go shall we Ken,” Omi says quietly.
“Sure,” Ken replies.

They sit in silence as they return to the Konneka, except for the snuffling that comes from Yohji in the back of the car. Ken drives back to the Konneka more slowly than he drove to the park, giving the car a more relaxed feeling. On returning to the shop, Omi and Ken get out of the car leaving Yohji alone for a minute.

“What do you think we should do?” asks Ken.
“Get Aya into his apartment, I’ll see to Yohji then contact Kritiker to sort out what we should do with Aya.”
“Ok, you gonna get Yohji out first?”
“Yeah, it’ll probably be easiest that way.”

Omi opens the back door of the car and after crouching down he looks up at Yohji and begins to talk to him gently.

“Yohji; lets get you inside and upstairs. You’re freezing, shaking and soaking wet. We all are. Let’s go get you dried off and warm again.”
“Ran …”
“We’re gonna get him into his apartment, then see what Kritiker wants to do.”
“O-ok then …”

Yohji stiffly gets out of the car and leans on Omi while Ken sets about getting Aya out.

“Be careful with him please Ken.”
“No probs Yohji.”

Omi leads Yohji upstairs and into his apartment. Omi runs out and grabs some towels before he returns to Yohji in his apartment.

“Here, you should get out of those wet clothes Yohji. I’ll turn on your heater.”

Omi walks over to the heater, and turns it onto full. He lingers a few moments in front of it before he turns back to Yohji. Yohji is still sat on the chair, his head in his hands, the towels still on the floor in front of him where Omi left them.

‘Oh Yohji …’

Omi walks over to Yohji and crouching in front of Yohji, Omi says, “Please Yohji. You need to keep going, or grief will consume you whole. Here Yohji, lets get you undressed and dry and into bed. You’ll feel better after that, and it’ll help stop you getting ill.”

‘I hope.’

Omi helps Yohji into a standing position and unbuttons the long navy coat. He walks round so that he is behind Yohji and sets about removing the dripping garment from Yohji’s body. He hangs it up to dry before returning to Yohji. Yohji has sat back down on the chair, which makes it easier for Omi to remove Yohji’s tight top which he wears under his coat when on am mission.

“Yohji-kun, you need to remove your trousers,” Omi says quietly.

Yohji looks up at Omi in surprise.

“You still here Chibi?”
“Yes, Yohji, yes. I’ve been helping you, erm your trousers?”
“Oh right, sorry Chibi.”

Yohji stands up and after toeing off his boots and socks, Yohji unbuckles the belt and pulls the hip hugging trousers off. He stands there shivering as Omi gently begins to towel him down. Once dry Omi takes Yohji by the hand and pulls him over to the bed. Once there Yohji sits on the futon as Omi gently rubs Yohji’s hair, trying to dry it as best as he can. Upon finishing he gently tucks Yohji into bed before saying,

“Relax Yohji, sleep. I’ll put the heater closer to warm you.”

With that Omi picks up the damp towels and moves the heater closer to the futon before he quietly leaves the room. He leans on the door as he shuts it, all the while looking at the floor. He lets the damp towels fall from his hand as he sinks to the floor, his face covered by his hands.

*~*~*~*~

‘Strange. What was that dull thump?’

Ken drops the towel he has been using to dry his hair, which is rather dishevelled and fluffy due to the vigorous rubbing he’s been giving it. He grabs a dry jumper and pulls it on top of his t-shirt to keep him warm in the cold corridor between the apartments. Upon stepping outside his room he exclaims,

“Omi,” as he runs the short distance between his apartment and Yohji’s. He drops down next to Omi who moves his hands from his face as he hears Ken’s voice, and the sound s of Ken’s foot steps. Ken notices the tear stained face as Omi moves his hands and the water dripping from Omi’s hair and clothes as he sits on the floor. More tears run down his face as Ken approaches.

“Omi, you’re still dripping wet …”
“I-I can’t believe it Ken, I c-can’t believe it. He’s-he’s dead, Aya-kun’s dead …” He hides his face in his hands again, his shoulders shaking as he cries.
“Shhh, Omi, Shhh,” Ken says as he crouches down next to Omi, wrapping his arms round the younger man. “We’ve always known this could happen. There was no guarantee all of us would come back from our missions …”

This seems to prompt Omi to cry harder. ‘Oh great, I’m really not helping.’

“Omi, let’s get you back to your apartment, your cold and wet and need to sleep.”
“Ken-kun, can I … I mean … no never mind,” Omi says as he looks up at Ken.
“What is it Omi?” Ken asks gently.
“It’s just that, my apartment is next to Aya’s, and he’s well erm …”
“You’re freaked about being next to him?”

Omi doesn’t say anything just nods as he buries his hand in his hands again. Ken gives Omi a quick squeeze before saying,

“It’s fine Omi, come on, come back to my apartment. I have a sofa I can sleep on.”

Ken gets up and reaches down for Omi’s hand, which soon finds its way into Ken’s as he pulls himself up. They walk into Ken’s room where Omi sees the sofa and says,

“I’ll take the sofa, it’s only right. Have you got anymore towels Ken-kun?”
“No Omi, you have the bad. You deserve it, seeing as I left you to deal with Yohji. And I’ll go get some towels for you to use.”

Ken leaves the room as Omi sits down on the bed.

*~*~*~*~

‘Ken-kun’s bed is so comfy. And I’m so very tired. Looking after Yohji was tiring. And emotionally draining. I can’t be bothered to change, and get dried, or even just change …’

Omi crawls further up the bad and collapses face down on the pillows. He curls up on Ken’s bed as his eyes close due to tiredness.

‘Mmmm … so comfy … I was right …’

*~*~*~*~

“Omi, I have …” Ken begins to say as he returns with some towels.

‘Oh, he fell asleep. I guess he was more tired that I thought he was. Yet he must be cold in those wet clothes. Erm, I know, the blanket in my wardrobe, I’ll double that and wrap in over him. That should hopefully warm him up …’

Ken quietly gets the blanket from the wardrobe and wraps it gently round Omi.

‘I hope that keeps him warm. I don’t want him or Yohji getting ill. I guess it will be up to me and Omi to keep him going now. If we don’t then we could lose another of our group. I mean one is bad enough, … Aya …, but loosing another, I don’t think the Chibi or I could take it …”

Ken walks out of his apartment and downstairs to Omi and Aya’s appointments. He walks straight past Omi’s and into Aya’s apartment and over to the bed. He left Aya on his bed, head on the pillows, and clothes still on. He looks paler now in death than normal, and his lips are blue tinged, but other than that he could just be asleep. On the right side there is a slight red tinge to the bed clothes as the last of Aya’s blood drained out of him onto them. Ken moves slowly and silently over to Aya where he carefully unbuckles the deep maroon long coat and removes it and the katana. The katana he replaces on the stand on the table and the coat he hangs up. He looks at the tear in the coat as he thinks,

‘My Gods, if this is what the coat looks like then what about … definitely beyond repair.’

He then returns to Aya’s body to look at the wound that caused him to die.

‘Oh my Gods. No wonder he died. This wound really is … extensive. Aya, how could you let this happen to you? How could you be so careless as to let this happen? Were you distracted? And Yohji; how is this going to affect him?’

Ken sits down on Aya’s bed, carefully, trying his best not to disturb Aya’s body. Ken carefully crosses Aya’s arms over his chest,

‘You look so peaceful Aya. Why’d you leave? You were like our leader, and in some ways an older brother. We’re gonna miss you … more than you think …’

Ken gets up from Aya’s bed and quietly shuts the door on Aya’s apartment and returns to his room to his sofa to get some sleep.

*~*~*~*~

“Ken-kun, it’s been three days,” Omi says quietly as he fiddles with the flowers.
“Hmmm, what Omi?”
“I said it’s been three days. I’m worried about him.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.”
“He hasn’t been out of his room in three days. I think that one of us should check on him.”
“He’ll come out when he’s ready Chibi,” Ken says in an off hand way.
“Ken-kun, are you ok?”
“Why’d you ask Omi-kun?”
“You seem distracted …”
“It just feels surreal. Aya’s gone, but it doesn’t feel like it. We’ve lost one of our team, yet Kritiker is still sending us on missions, as if nothing has happened.”
“I know Ken-kun, I know. But he has gone. And I think that Yohji is taking it badly, well actually I know he is taking it badly, and I’m worried about him.”
“Ok Omi-kun. We’ll close the shop early. I don’t really feel like working right now.”
“Thanks Ken-kun, you sure you’re ok?”
“Yeah Omi-kun, I’ll be fine,” Ken says, but he can’t meet Omi’s gaze. “You go on up, I’ll close the shop up.”

Omi walks over to Ken, who is sat behind the cash register. He gently lifts Ken’s head, with his finger under Ken’s chin, so he can see into Ken’s eyes again, and notices the tears Ken is trying to blink back.

“Ken-kun, you’re not ok are you?”

Ken doesn’t answer, just tries to look away from Omi again. Omi won’t let him though, and he sees the single tear that Ken fails to hold back. Omi pulls Ken into an embrace, resting his chin on top of Ken’s head.

“Ken-kun, it’s ok. Let it out, I’m here to help.”
“It’s fine Omi-kun, it’s fine. I’ll be fine. It’s Yohji that really needs help. I’ll sort the shop and close up. Go see Yohji. He needs it more.”
“You sure Ken-kun?” Omi asks as he releases Ken from the embrace. Ken need as he wipes the tear from his cheek. “I’ll be back later if you want to talk Ken-kun.”
“Thanks Omi-kun, now go see Yohji.”

Omi nods once before he heads out the back of the shop and up the stairs to Yohji’s apartment.

*~*~*~*~

Yohji is in his apartment, lying on his bed. The room is darkened as his curtains are closed. His eyes are trained on a silver cross which is on a black leather thong which he is holding so it is hanging above his chest. The cross is large, and very plain. It is just a thin piece of silver, shaped as a cross, with pointed ends, which is shining in the small bit of light which is coming through the curtains.

‘Aya, why’d you leave? I can’t do with out you. Don’t you see how badly I’m not coping? I want you back. I can see why you couldn’t stay though, that wound was dreadful. How did it happen Aya? How did you let it happen? I miss having you to hold, having you hold me. I love curling up in your arms, especially after, well you what after Aya. After we’d had sex and cleaned up, it was just relaxing in your arms. I felt, … safe. Did you feel the same? I didn’t mind not having a cigarette, as long as you held me.’

‘I remember how you looked when you came, buried deep inside me, how at peace you looked. As if we had no worries, you just gave in, let me love you, and I think you loved me back. Actually I’m fairly sure you did, I mean you said to me, ‘I love you unconditionally, just don’t forget it,” so I’m sure you loved me. Why wouldn’t you let me join you? I can’t now, I promised I wouldn’t but it’s hard. I want to be with you … please Aya, let me join you …. Please, Ran …”

His thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door to his apartment making him jump. The cross ends up spinning, making the small amount of light reflected on the cross dance on the walls. Yohji ignores the knock and keeps staring at the cross.

“Yohji-kun … Yohji-kun let me in please … it’s Omi,” comes the muffled voice.

Yohji still doesn’t say anything, just twists slightly to ease a slight cramp.

“Yohji-kun, please. Let me in, or I’ll have to let myself in,” Omi begs Yohji through the door.

‘Well if you’re going to let yourself in what’s the point in me moving.’

He continues to lie on the bed watching the cross that is dangling from his hand. After a few moments he hears a grating noise as Omi unlocks his door by picking the lock. As the door opens the room is flooded with bright light and Yohji can just make out Omi’s silhouette behind the cross. Omi quickly shuts the door as he enters the room, not wishing to hurt Yohji’s eyes. He walks across the room and sits on the end of the futon.

“Yohji-kun, can I open the curtains please? I want to see you’re ok.”

Yohji continues to stare at the cross I his hand, so Omi gets up and opens the curtains slowly, giving him and more importantly Yohji’s eyes, time to adjust to the sudden light. Once the curtains are fully open, Omi looks down at Yohji who still hasn’t moved. His bed is laid out such that Yohji’s head is directly below the window.

“Oh my Gods … Yohji …” Omi exclaims as he sits down next to Yohji’s head. He sits cross legged on the bed and carefully he reaches out to move Yohji’s hair slightly so he can see more of Yohji’s face.

*~*~*~*~

‘Oh Yohji, you look dreadful, your eyes look so sunken and lifeless. And have you even slept these past few days, I mean the color under your eyes, it’s almost black. And you look so thin, you haven’t eaten I can tell that much, it’s amazing how quickly you’ve lost what little weight you had … and have you had anything to drink? You look slightly dehydrated … what do I mean slightly? Gods, I have to help him. I have to, for Aya …’

“Yohji-kun? Yohji-kun, I need you to answer a few questions for me, please?” Omi asks as he gently moves Yohji’s hair out of his eyes. “Have you eaten or drunk anything over the last three days?”

Yohji doesn’t reply, he just continues to watch the cross, set in motion by Omi sitting on the bed.

“Yohji-kun please,” Omi begs, “please let me help. Please.” And after he notices the look of concentration on Yohji’s face as he looks at the cross, “did Aya give you that?”

“Yes Chibi.”

‘Finally a response, now to work on it,’

“You really loved him didn’t you Yohji?”
“No … (‘Huh?’) I love him.”
“Well you have to keep going for him the don’t you?”
“I want to see him again.”
“But Yohji …”
“But I can’t. I promised him I’d live. But Omi, I really don’t want to. I want to be with him …” Yohji says as the tears begin to roll down his face.
“Yohji-kun …”
“And no I haven’t slept since …”
“Yohji-kun …”
“And I don’t know how to go on, how to live without him …”

Omi doesn’t say anything as he watches the older assassin hold the cross in his hand and bring it down to his chest. He wraps the other hand round the first and the sobs wrack his body as he curls up into the foetal position.

‘Yohji-kun, you look so vulnerable, I can’t bear it …’

Omi gently hooks his arms under Yohji’s and pulls Yohji up into his lap, where Yohji promptly wraps his arms round Omi’s waist and he buries his face in Omi’s front. Omi strokes Yohji’s hair away from his face so he can see the pain in Yohji’s face, in his screwed up eyes as he sobs.

‘What am I meant to do Yohji-kun? I don’t know how to help you … I’m sorry Yohji-kun, Aya-kun, I don’t know how to help.’

A quiet knock can just be heard over Yohji’s sobs.

“Come in Ken-kun,” Omi says not looking up from Yohji.

Ken slides quietly into the room and after taking in the scene he asks,

“You need anything Omi-kun?” Omi looks up before replying,
“Besides Aya-kun back? Well he hasn’t eaten or drunk anything since, well, you know, so water, a large jug of, with a glass and some food, fruit is probably the beast thing. Thanks Ken-kun,” he says smiling weakly at Ken.
“Ok, I’ll get them,” Ken says as he leaves the room.

Omi waits until the door is fully shut before he tries to talk to Yohji.

“Yohji-kun, listen please …” Omi says as Yohji buries his face further into Omi’s top to hide himself, “… you need to eat something, and drink, please? For Aya-kun, for the promise you made? Please let me, let us help. Me and Ken-kun, we want to help. Please let us?”

Yohji continues to hold onto Omi, needing the physical contact that has been denied from him since Aya died. His sobbing weakens as he continues to hold Omi.

“P-Please … h-help me …” Yohji whispers through sobs.
“We will, Yohji-kun, we will.”

‘Where’s Ken-kun with those things. I could really do with them now, since Yohji-kun has agreed to let me help him. I could use his help, I don’t think I can do this alone, Ken-kun and I need to support each other, and then both us support Yohji.’

“Omi, Omi can you open the door?”
‘Ah, Ken-kun.’
“Erm not easily Ken-kun. Put something down, then well it’s kinda obvious Ken-kun!”

A few moments later Ken opens the door, precariously balancing a tray with fruit, water and a glass on one hand before he quickly steadies it with his other hand.

“I think I got everything. Plenty of water, fruit. There wasn’t anything else was there?”
“No that’s great. Thank you Ken-kun,” Omi says emphasizing the last sentence.
“You want me to stay?” Ken mouths to Omi.
“Please,” Omi mouths back.

Ken carefully sits down behind the shaking form of Yohji who is still clinging to Omi, face buried in Omi’s top.

“Yohji-kun, we have food and drink for you, so erm, can you …?” says Omi.
“We need you to sit up Yohji-kun,” Ken says gently.

Yohji opens his eyes to look up at Omi, a few tears still falling from his eyes. Omi nods his head and Yohji releases his grip on Omi and tries to push himself up only to fall back onto Omi.

“Erm a slight problem I think,” Yohji says.
“Yeah, here let me help Yohji-kun,” Omi says as he helps Yohji sit upright.
“I just need to get my energy back, nothing more, sorry,” Yohji says.
“Not a problem Yohji, we want to help you.”
“Thanks Ken-kun is that water? Can I …?”
“Oh right yeah …” Ken says as he pours some water into the glass.
“Drink it slow Yohji-kun. Remember your stomach isn’t used to, well anything, since you haven’t eaten or drunk in three days.”
“You really care, don’t you Chibi?” Yohji asks through sips of water.
“We both do Yohji-kun, here,” Ken says as he hands Yohji a sliced up apple.
“Yeah sorry Ken-kun, you both care. Thanks for this, both of you, for caring about me after I lost … After Aya-kun died in my arms.” A couple more tears roll down hid cheeks as he talks.
“Yohji it’s ok to grieve. We’re here to help you through it. So don’t push us away Yohji, we’re here to help and talk. Here to stay.”
Yohji nods before saying, “Can I have some more food?”
“Course you can Yohji-kun,” Omi says as he hugs him.

*~*~*~*~

‘Omi-kun can’t keep me here any longer. I mean I haven’t been out in the two days since he found me and saved me, him and Ken-kun. I guess in some ways they both do really care about me, enough to not let me die. But I still really miss you Aya-kun. You were pretty much my everything. And with that gone what am I meant to do? Well I’ll try go on Aya-kun, coz I promised you, but please forgive me if I fail.’

‘Such a miserable day; it reminds me of a few days ago, when you died in my arms Aya. Omi-kun can’t keep me here. I’ve eaten loads at his insistence, and look, with the standing for over and hour now. He can’t stop me now, can he …?’

Yohji sates out the window for a few minutes longer before he grabs the well mended deep maroon long coat that was hanging in his wardrobe. The massive tear in it is hardly noticeable now. He grabs the keys, which have the keys to the Super Seven, as well as the Porsche from the table as he passes headed for the door which he shuts behind him as he clatters down stairs pulling on the coat as he goes. He stops at the entrance to the garage for a few moments before he walks over to the Porsche.

‘I’m wearing your coat so I might as well drive your car, Aya. I like the small that clings to them both …’

He quickly backs the Porsche out of the garage and round to the front of the Konneka where he leaves it running, hurrying into the front of the shop, trying to avoid getting too wet. He strides straight over to the Roses, and after picking up a particularly beautiful one, which is red with black tipped petals, he starts to leave the shop again.

“Yohji-kun, where are you going?” asks Omi.
“And isn’t that Aya-kun’s coat?” asks Ken.

Yohji flips them both off with a wave of his hand before he carefully places the rose inside the coat and buckles it. He strides quickly back to the waiting Porsche which he turns round and drives back to Jisenko Park.

‘One last time, I can be close to you, and I can return there I think. I’ll hurt but I’m sure I can manage it for you, love. I hope I can.’

Once at the park, Yohji turns off the Porsche and pulls the keys out the ignition. He sits looking out at the darkened park for several minutes before he gets out of the Porsche and after locking it he walks slowly back to the place where Aya died. By the time he reaches it his blonde hair is soaked and plastered to his head. He carefully unbuckles the coat enough to pull out the rose. He looks at it for a moment before he kneels down on the spot he held Aya on five nights previously. He lays the rose down before he looks straight up at the sky and says,

“Aya I love you so much, and I won’t ever forget your dying wish. And that you said you love me. We should never have been separated, but we heave been, just wherever you are Aya, love, don’t forget me.”

Yohji sits there staring up at the sky as a tiny ray of light breaks through the black clouds, shining down on him and the rose.

“Thank you Aya,” Yohji whispers.

~Owari~

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