Wednesday 1.15

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

After taking a few deep breaths and calming herself down, Aya-Chan found herself feeling unsettled in her room. There wasn't really any homework to be done, and no meal to be cooked... Aya-Chan felt oddly out of place without having something at hand to accomplish... especially after all that information she'd just attained. Sighing to herself, - but putting on a smile nontheless - she stepped out of her room and into the hallway, hoping to find someone to interact with or some task to complete.

Comments

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Funny, his previous state of near immobility was so easily forgotten in a fit of cold resentment. Yohji stormed out of the bathroom, not seeing anything and practically plowing into an innocent bystander, recognized after the fact as Aya-chan.

"Don't grow up to be like your brother," he snapped, before catching himself in horror. Holy crap he did NOT just talk like that to Aya-chan. Except...he did. Shit. "I'm sorry," he back peddled, "another thing you shouldn't do is listen to me."

He awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair, not sure whether he should continue on his way to the kitchen, or if he should stay and attempt to salvage his manners. He was suddenly very tired.

...and still shirtless, he noticed, a little too late.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Don't grow up to be like your brother... Now there was a greeting. Aya-Chan blinked, staring blankly at Yohji, not quite sure what he meant by that. Bits and pieces of the previous night's conversation flashed through her mind.

"Do you trust me?" ... "I killed him, Aya!"

And despite the brother-sister moment they had just shared a few moments ago, the confusion and frustration began resurfacing. Despite everything, she still really didn't know anything at all.

"Trust me," she said coolly and almost 'Ran-like', letting her frustration get the better of her. "I don't plan on it."

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered that Yohji had apologized. And that pulled her back to reality and the present. It really wasn't his fault. It wasn't any of their faults. She took a deep breath to calm down and found her attention instead averted - unfortunately - to Yohji's lack of clothing. She blushed.

"Aaah... S-sorry..." Now this was awkward.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Smart girl, he couldn’t help thinking to himself.

Yohji followed her gaze and noticed her blush. Oh well. It would hardly be more polite to barge past her with the pretense of retrieving a shirt. And it was certainly nothing she hadn’t already seen before.

He shrugged and decided the best thing to do was divert her attention by talking. “I’m feeling much better,” he said cheerfully, “your rice was virtually medicinal.”

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

The abrupt change in topic was a bit strange, but not altogether unwelcomed. It made Aya-Chan relax a little. "I'm glad," she said, giving Yohji a smile. She glanced at Yohji's bandages and couldn't help thinking to herself, you seem well enough to storm around the place... but kept that thought internal. Though, what Ran had done to piss Yohji off was something of great curiosity.

Not that she'd flat out ask... that'd be rude.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

He was having a hell of a time grasping for another conversation topic.

There was only one topic at the forefront of his mind, for obvious reasons, and there was no way in hell he was going to breach it. The knowledge that Aya-chan was standing and casually (ignorantly) chatting with someone who'd only seconds ago made some sort of...business pact...to be her brother's...well...he wasn't fond of the term, but had to admit that he'd just degraded himself into Ran's fuck buddy.... As he was thinking, it was an awkward bit of information to keep to oneself.

His morbid curiosity was intrigued. He suspected that she might actually take that revelation in a bit more stride than he'd initially be inclined to assume. She probably wasn't surprised by anything, anymore.

"So...ah," on any given day Yohji felt a small degree uncomfortable around Ran's sister. Right now that was tenfold. "Whatcha up to?" Not headed to the bathroom, he hoped. Although he knew there'd be no quicker way to get her in there than to advise that she avoid it. So he stayed silent on the matter.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

"I actually didn't have much to do," Aya-Chan replied, stating the truth. "I was just wandering around hoping to find something." It was a little too blunt for the usual Aya-Chan chatter, but she was too tired to come up with an excuse. "What are you up to?" It was incredibly hard avoiding a glance in the direction Yohji came from, which looked like the general direction of the bathroom, but she wasn't going to ask. She wasn't going to ask...

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

"What are you up to?"

Ha. Now there was a question Yohji wasn’t about to truthfully answer.

I’m thinking about screwing your brother until that irritatingly reserved, self-depriving attitude of his is completely shattered.

I’m wallowing in self-disgust for so readily accepting Ran’s terms, not even an hour after giving Omi that hypocritical speech about how you shouldn’t have emotionally one-sided sex.

I’m deciding that there’s no way in Hell that I’m letting Ran wait till I’m ‘better.’ In spite of the above, I’m not willing to give him time to change his mind about this.

“I’m looking for Omi,” he finally announced, after pausing for what he was pretty sure must have been an uncomfortable silence, “he offered to fix me dinner.”

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

"Are you sure?" Aya-Chan blurted out the question before thinking about it, and immediately regretted doing so. "Ah..." Now what...?

Wonderful... the one time when she needed to think fast, and nothing was coming to mind. At all.

"... you're okay to walk around in all those bandages?" It was really lame, and incredibly late, but still better than leaving it at 'are you sure'?

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji blinked in confusion. Was he sure about what? That he wanted dinner? Yeah, he could say with certainty that he intended to partake of Omi’s ramen. If he ever found it….

Aya-chan speedily expanded her question.

“Darling,” the words came before Yohji could keep himself in check, he was apparently some sort of verbal train wreck this evening, “I intend to be participating in some much more strenuous activities than just walking. I'd say I'm fine.” He ended with a suggestive wink.

Well. At least he could take comfort in knowing that Ran wasn’t the only asshole around here.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

"Mmm..." she was pretty sure she knew exactly what kind of 'activities' Yohji was talking about. Aya-Chan gave Yohji a joking smile. "Like working and delivering some flowers?" Most likely not. Still, it was interesting to imagine Yohji jumping at work first opportunity he got.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji was rather pleased to discover that Aya-chan apparently had a much better sense of humor than her brother. It momentarily occurred to him that maybe this was a glimpse into how Ran might have been, had certain extenuating circumstances not killed his… that thought was too depressing for Yohji to dwell on. He ignored it in favor of cheering himself up via more meaningless banter.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” he grinned, “but you could say I have some very important business meetings on my itinerary.”

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

"Well, don't overdo it. You have some pretty serious resting to do as well." It occurred to her that she never really found out how Yohji received his injury, or how bad exactly it was. Not that she was sure she really wanted to know...

"I'm sorry my reaction wasn't so wonderful last night." Aya would have given anything to just continue the banter. But for some reason, she felt like this needed to be said. "I... was going to check up on your last night," half of it was a lie... she was really more concerned about Ran. "But you and my brother were talking, and I didn't think I should interrupt." She made her best attempt at being bright, despite the awkward conversational topic. "But it looks like you're doing better."

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji could feel the color rapidly draining out of his face.

Aya-chan had seen his talking to Ran. Heard him? How much.

For the first time it occurred to Yohji that the girl’s newly gleaned knowledge concerning their state of affairs might entail a significantly greater depth of info than just the nitty gritty assassin details. This wouldn’t concern him at all if it weren’t for the obvious fact that Ran would have a very, very big problem with it.

How much did she know?

“Your reaction was entirely appropriate,” Yohji put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it encouragingly. “I wish you hadn’t had to see me like that.”

He ignored the comment about seeming better; the constant repetitions of that particular sentiment were starting to wear him out.

“I know you can’t help worrying about your brother,” Yohji added softly, “but I don’t think it’s an especially good idea for you to wait up on nights like those.”

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

The response was completely un-Yohji-like. Not that Aya really knew what 'Yohji-like', was... She stared at Yohji for a second, at a complete loss for words. "That's what everyone keeps telling me," she said finally. "Honestly? Half of me doesn't even want to stay up and wait like that. But the other part of me worries. And I'm not sure I could go to sleep even if I tried."

Yohji's hand felt so warm and comforting. "I just... feel like a burden."

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

"Heh, Well," the way she was staring at him made him want to fidget, but he forced himself to appear unruffled, "in truth I rather doubt that I'd be able to follow my own advice. Not many people would be able to sleep through that. Not sure what it would say about a person if they actually could...."

He was rambling because he didn't know what to say to Aya-chan's other statement. "I just... feel like a burden." A line like that is supposed to cue immediate reassurance, automatic denials that such a thing could even be considered. He was meant to answer, don't be ridiculous. How can you think that for even a second? You're anything but.

Aya-chan wasn't stupid though. She'd be able to see through the awkward politeness. And the thing was, Yohji wasn't even so sure anymore that she was. A week ago he would have been eager to agree, would have been the first to reminisce about the 'good old days' when Ran's attention wasn't so severely monopolized by someone whom he'd very readily label as 'burdensome.' But his point of view seemed to be rapidly shifting.

Their lives were just too messed up and complicated though, to ignore those kinds of realities. There were burdens everywhere. It didn't mean some weren't worth their trouble though.

That would sound horribly wrong if he tried to explain it.

"Everyone feels like a burden some time or another," he looked at her seriously, "it's a lot better than feeling like a murderer." He was crossing a line by saying that, just because she knew didn't mean he had a license to remind her of their dubious employment. Ran would not approve. "And it helps to have someone to come home to," he added, although he was mostly speaking for Ran now.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

it's a lot better than feeling like a murderer. Aya froze. This was definitely different from the 'you're not a burden' she'd been getting lately. In a way, it was a relief to know that not everyone was trying to cover it up with sugar-coated responses. Still... And it helps to have someone to come home to.

Aya remained silent.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yep, that had definitely been the wrong thing to say. Yohji seemed to be building up a rather impressive repertoire of foot-in-mouth moments these days. Aya-chan's silence had a condemning somberness to it.

"Ah..." his mind searched for some way to convincingly take back what he'd said, but came up blank. He was starting to see the virtue in Ran's frequent bouts of quietude. It was something he'd have to start practicing.

"You were paying attention when I told you not to listen to anything I said, right?" He fumbled backwards a step, the need to escape this particular social interaction overriding his conscious attempts at politeness, "I've been operating under the assumption that your brother explained to you that I'm the resident jerk."

He smiled awkwardly.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi made his way up the stairs. He felt bad for having made Yohji wait so long for ramen. But it hadn't helped that he had to cook some twice. He stopped when he saw Yohji in the hallway.

"Yohji-kun." Omi said, then realized that Yohji was talking to Aya-chan. "Oh, Aya-chan. Ran-kun wanted me to let you know he was going out for a while."

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji started at the sound of another voice, but felt a faint wash of relief as he realized that his conversation-of-fail was being intercepted by Omi. Great. Omi was much better at talking to Aya-chan.

Maybe a little too much better....

The feeling of reprieve was short lived as the ex-detective now found himself uncomfortably sandwiched between his former assumptions about his two youngest housemates, and the...things Omi had just confided in him. One of these things did not belong. And it's name was Kudoh.

So Ran had already hit flight mode.... Yohji opened his mouth to ask Omi "where", only to cut himself off and turn the question into an unconvincing cough. It was probably in his best interest not to act like a stalker in from of Aya-chan. And it's not really like he was in any kind of shape to trail Ran through the city.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya opened her mouth to tell Yohji that she sincerely did not think he was a jerk, but bit back her comment at the appearance of Omi. Unconsciously, she brightened a little when she saw him, a bit relieved that she wouldn't have to continue making awkward conversation with Yohji (Honestly, she wasn't sure why, but she didn't think she'd ever talk to him normally without feeling completely awkward...)

Oh, Aya-chan. Ran-kun wanted me to let you know he was going out for a while.

She nodded, giving Omi a smile, and then turned her attention back to Yohji. "Now would be a really good time to get some of that rest. Important business meetings can wait."

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji frowned at the ten billionth reminder that he needed rest. Not that he'd dispute the validity of that.

He sighed and took the warm bowl out of Omi's hands. It smelled good, and he couldn't deny that he was hungry. He supposed he ought to appreciate that the others actually wanted to take care of him.

"I can't remember the last time I saw ramen that looked this good," he exaggerated, shooting Omi a warm smile, "Thanks."

Aya-chan was giving Omi a strangely rapturic look that told Yohji he was becoming less and less welcome here. Fine, rest it would be. Or television, he was making no promises.

"I'm going to my room," he stated obviously, nodding at Aya-chan. "When Ran comes back, let him know that I'm feeling much better." He snorted at himself and turned down the hall.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi smiled back at Aya-chan before turning his attention to Yohji letting him take the bowl from him. "Sorry that took so long. I had a clumsy moment in the kitchen and spilled the first bowl." Omi said rubbing the back of his head.

He nodded his agreement with Aya-chan that Yohji should get some rest now, though he didn't know what 'Important business meetings' she was talking about. But something told Omi he really didn't want to know.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji gave a flippant wave to acknowledge his departure, but didn't turn around. Without Ran or Ken's company as a current option, he was actually finding himself eager to shut himself back in his room. He rapidly ducked out of sight.

[Yohji exits]

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi watched Yohji go before turning back to Aya-chan. He hadn't seen her since she'd helped him put the ointment on his burns that morning. He smiled at her trying to think of something to say to brake the silence that seemed to have fallen over them now what Yohji had left.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Nothing at all came to mind... perhaps it was easier making small talk with Yohji. Aya-Chan cursed herself silently for running out of things to say so early into the conversation.

"Aaah... did you go to school today?" Lame... but better than standing in silence and awkwardly staring.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." Omi said as he nodded. "I thought it would be better then missing two days. I have enough home work as it is. I don't want to even think of how much I'd have if I skipped another day."

"Did you sleep in today? You were up pretty late last night..."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan nodded. "Yeah, I got to sleep in." She paused, giving Omi a worried glance. "You must be so tired... you were up pretty late too."

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. But I'm kind of used to it by now. There have been nights were I just couldn't sleep and staid on the computer all night. You think I'd have back problems by now with how many times I've actually fallen asleep at my desk." Omi couldn't help but think of the old phrase he'd heard more then once. 'I'll sleep when I'm dead', though Omi himself had refrained from ever using it, for obvious reasons.

"I always manage to get enough sleep though."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Having never experienced falling asleep sitting up, Aya-Chan was awed by the ability to simply be able to do such a thing. She glanced down at her watch. "You should go and take a nap or something," she said finally, giving Omi a worried look. "It can't be healthy to run on such little sleep... I could stay and hold down the fort. There's probably not much to be done around anyways right now, with Yohji-Kun resting" - at least, she hoped Yohji was resting... - "and Ran out and Ken-kun..." she paused. "Where is Ken-Kun?"

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

A nap sounded very good right about then. But Omi knew he still had a lot of homework that needed to be done before he could even think about sleeping.

'where is Ken-kun?'

Omi blinked frowning. "...I haven't seen him actually. Then I gain I haven't been looking for him either. Maybe he's in his room."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan nodded, doing some quick calculations in her head. With Ran out, Yohji resting, and Ken around somewhere... the good news was at least nothing over the top was going to happen. The bad news though, was that the house would be pretty quiet. And right now, Aya almost wished there was some sort of wild commotion.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Boy... she felt like a broken record.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

"There really isn't much to do...Though I should probably go down stairs and finish cleaning up the mess I made." Omi said making a slight face. "Other wise the kitchen will smell like Ramen for a while."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

"I can do that!" Great, something to do. Maybe cleaning will help her clear her mind a little. Or, at least keep it off of everything that's been happening. "You go get some rest. I'll take care of the cleaning."

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi was going to tell her that he could help, after all it was HIS mess.

"Alright." but a little extra rest couldn't hurt. And Aya-chan seemed to really want something to do.

"If you need anything I'll be in my room."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

[bleh... sorry for the long lag...]

Aya-Chan lingered a little upstairs until Omi entered his room. The house seemed... quiet. Before, it would have been welcomed. But now, it just seemed unusual and strange.

Sighing, she made her way downstairs and towards the kitchen.

[Aya-Chan exits]