Wednesday1.17 - Visitors

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Outside the koneko, voices snaked out to the sidewalk, words unintelligable. It didn't bother Sato - he knew who was in the alleyway. Interrupting the men's conversation would only earn him their ire - and he doubted Hidaka would be telling him anything he wanted to know afterwards.

He had considered Omi's report. It had seemed inconsequential at the time - but as he'd made his way home, he felt a check-in was in order. The team, he'd decided, needed to know he was looking in on them after all.

His briefcase was back in his hand, and with the other he adjusted his tie, brushing against the disk stored on the inside of his dress jacket.

He came around to the front of the koneko, and knocked properly on the door.

Comments

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

The kitchen really wasn't as much of a mess as Omi had made it out to be. She had just finished when there was a knock on the door. Visitors? Today? This day was just getting more and more interesting... if that was really the word for it.

When Aya-Chan opened the door, she found herself face-to-face with a man dressed in a very nice dress suit and carrying a briefcase. Her first thought was, he must be lost. "Hi~. Can I help you with anything?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato beamed at the young girl before him.

So this was Abysinnian's sister.

It was amazing, the things he'd been briefed on. Whether or not she'd been a willing participant - this girl had done many things to further Kritiker's objectives.

And look how neatly she'd brought Weiss together. Though he had to wonder at the team, leaving her to open doors to strangers on her own.

He extended a hand. "You must be Aya. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm - ah."

The older Fujimiya's instructions had been fairly implicit on how much his sister was allowed to know.

"I'm a...friend of your brother's. Ran Fujimiya. And your housemates, Omi Tsukiyono, Yohji Kudoh and Ken Hidaka. Do you mind if I come in?"

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

A 'friend'? Aya-Chan realized only a few minutes too late that she'd been giving the man a questioning, suspicious and probably rude look ever since he said that word. What kind of 'friend' was he, and how come she'd never seen him around before?

Not that she'd seen a lot of things in this house before... And he did know her name.

She took his hand and shook it rather awkwardly. "Ah... yes, come on in." Despite the little voice in the back of her head telling her not to blindly let strangers in, Aya-Chan was a little too tired to think things through. Not to mention the fact that it'd be incredibly rude to just let him stand outside.

"I'm afraid though... that everyone's either a little busy at the moment or out." She made an effort to not allow the man to step further into the hall. "Perhaps it would be better if you returned another day?" Okay, so screw trying not to sound rude... there just wasn't another alternative.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato's pleasant face smoothed into a smile again as he was let inside. Aya stood in front of the doorway, but he was more than happy to slide into a seat at the kitchen table. He placed the briefcase on the floor by his leg.

"It is quiet, isn't it," he commented, almost as if he hadn't heard her. "I suppose Yohji is resting..." it was said almost as if to himself, "I suppose Ken is resting too, then?"

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan frowned at the man sitting in front of her. How did he know that out of the four men who lived at this house, Yohji in particular would be the one most likely to be resting? Yohji... who, if it hadn't been her badgering and probably the uncomfortable conversation they'd just shared, would be running around in his bandages causing all sorts of trouble.

"Yes," she said slowly. "As a matter of fact, they are resting. They've had a long day." And night...

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato nodded. "So, Ken is still not feeling well," he mused out loud.

He intertwined his fingers on the tabletop, a thoughtful expression crossing his features.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

As a matter of fact, she had no idea what Ken was feeling. Not that Aya-Chan was going to let that on. "They've had a long day," she repeated. "Perhaps it'd be better if you came back another day."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato appeared apologetic. "Ah, I must be keeping you from something. Is it important? I'm afraid I've been very busy these days and don't want to forget to stop by again." He suddenly looked worried. "They aren't sick, are they? Should we be wearing a mouth-covering?"

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan wanted to bang her head against the wall, but she kept herself composed. "They're just tired." And 'slightly' injured... "I'm sorry, but I don't think today will be a very good day."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

So it seems as if she either doesn't know about Weiss, or she might make a good Kritiker recruit.

The last part was laced with a touch of humor. He had no intention to breach Weiss' trust, and the last thing Kritiker wanted was for the older Fujimiya to become an enemy. Or any of them, since it seemed the other boys had become attached to this girl.

"I see," Sato mused out loud.

He lifted his suitcase and stood, fumbling with the chair a bit before shoving it beneath the table. "To be honest, I thought I heard Ken in the alley - I was hoping he would come inside. Perhaps I'll run into him at least on my way out."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

He'd heard Ken outside...? Not that she'd actually seen Ken or knew where the man was. Aya-Chan frowned, not really sure what to do in the situation she had somehow just buried herself in. "Pardon my asking, but how exactly do you know my brother?" She paused, realizing that she didn't even know this man's name. "And how do you know me?" What was it with these random men she'd never met before and knowing who she was?

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato adjusted his grip on the suitcase, the only indication he was uncomfortable with the question. "I suppose you could say a friend of both of ours introduced us. It'd be best to ask your brother or one of the boys." He gave her an apologetic smile. "Nothing to worry about. I am sorry I didn't get to see them, though."

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

He'd tried to rest, he really had. Yohji had dutifully eaten all of Omi's ramen, despite the nauseating queasiness that had been building in his stomach ever since talking to Ran. He'd even laid down and shut his eyes with every intention of trying to sleep.

It didn't take too much trying for it to become glaringly obvious that he wasn't going to be able to rest. Ran's parting comments were stuck in his head on a broken loop.

When you're better.

It really bothered him that he hadn't challenged that.

He grudgingly got up, promising himself that he just needed to talk to Ran again. He needed to solidify whatever it was that they'd loosely agreed to, because it sure as hell didn't seem real, and it wasn't sitting right with him. He'd just have a more final word with Ran and then he'd be able to properly relax. It'd only take a few minutes; hopefully Ran was still around, regardless of what Omi had said.

That Aya-chan was lingering in the kitchen hardly surprised Yohji. Her company however, was a significantly nasty shock. His hand tightened around the doorknob until his knuckles went white.

He most definitely did not appreciate hearing himself referred to as one of the boys, by someone who was rapidly climbing the ranks of Yohji's 'least favorite person' list.

"Excuse me," his voice was unintentionally bordering on a growl, "Just what exactly is she supposed to ask us?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"Mr. Kudoh!" Sato broke into a smile, despite the obvious frostiness in the other man's tone. "I told Aya here that she would be better asking one of you how we met - my memory isn't always the best, I'm afraid."

He tried connecting with blonde Weiss' eyes, to make sure he understood his motivation.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji missed the contact with Sato’s eyes, as he was rapidly scanning the room for the nearest available weapon. He really ought to stop removing his watch after missions, sick-leave be damned. He knew he was being overly dramatic, but much as he told himself that Kritiker agents should be trusted, something about this particular man put him particularly on edge. Perhaps it was just the latent detective in him looking for trouble…. It didn’t matter to him if he was being unnecessarily confrontational though, he always gave his gut feelings precedence, much trouble as that often caused him.

There was an unfortunate lack of knives present in the kitchen; Aya-chan had been a little too thorough in cleaning up. He nervously fingered the dirty chopsticks in his empty ramen bowl.

“It must be terribly inconvenient to you having such a short term memory,” Yohji said dryly. He didn’t move to answer the question though; he didn’t feel together enough just yet to invent a benign explanation for Aya-Chan.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"It certainly can be," Sato crinkled his eyes at Aya before looking down at his hand fidgeting on his briefcase handle, concealing the frown that passed across his face. He looked up a moment later. "But it's good to see you're up and about, Aby-Ran's sister here told me you weren't feeling well. Or Ken, for that matter. I do hope something isn't going around."

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Ken wasn't sick.

There was no reason whatsoever to prompt Aya-Chan to make such a comment to Sato.

As Ken wasn't sick, and his injuries from the mission were too minor to be worth mentioning, Yohji could not help but conclude that the man was referring to Ken's mental health. It was nothing short of a politely veiled threat.

How the hell did Sato even know about that?!

Yohji set down his dishes and strode over to Aya-chan, compulsively putting his arm around her in a protective gesture.

"I'm as well as could be expected," he addressed Sato curtly, "and Ken is perfectly fine." There was perhaps, a little too much emphasis on that last assertion. "There's nothing wrong with any of us which we are not perfectly capable of handling ourselves. You need not be concerned."

He eyed the briefcase suspiciously; he didn't like the way Sato kept shifting the handle in his grip. His body language oozed urgency, and Yohji was not inclined to press him for details with Aya-Chan present and the others absent.

"If you wish to speak about a flower arrangement I'd suggest you come back later, when Ran," the near codename slip had not been lost on Yohji, and it'd served to deepen his irritation at the unwelcome visitor's appearance, "and Omi are available." He nodded towards the door, hoping Sato would take a hint.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato just nodded amicably at Yohji's outburst. "I'm probably disturbing your rest," he agreed. He turned a smile tinged with apology at Aya. "It was nice to finally meet you, I've heard so much." He turned back to Yohji. "As I'd just mentioned, I believe I heard Mr. Hidaka outside. I was going to see if I could catch him on my way out." He nodded at Yohji before turning toward the door.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

There was no way in Hell that Yohji intended to allow Sato to talk to Ken alone. He didn't trust the man not to try to take his team mate away. And he didn't like to admit it, but he didn't trust Ken not to accidentally say something damaging, and justify whatever Sato was scheming.

He opened his mouth to object and then closed it again. Being uncooperative didn't seem like the smartest choice just now. He had probably already made things more difficult for Weiss with the quantity of open hostility he'd shown towards Sato. It was probably in his best interest to act agreeable...and simply trail Sato outside.

Yohji smiled stiffly. "I could certainly use some more rest," he answered in a flat tone.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi had tried to relax in his room for a bit. But he couldn't seem to settle down, so he decided he might as well go help Aya-chan pick up the kitchen. //it is my mess after all// he thought to himself as he headed out of his room.

Half way down the stairs however he stopped when he heard Sato and Yohji talking. Frowning Omi couldn't help but wonder why Sato was there. Omi walked down the rest of the way to the kitchen and saw Sato just getting ready to leave.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Great... there went the whole idea of keeping the others away from this stranger... Aya-Chan had completely gaped at Yohji as he conversed with the man in the suit; it definitely did not seem like they had much of a good relationship.

It felt a little like the grocery store all over again. Just... not as violent. She stayed silent, and watched the exchange.

[skyrat13.livejournal.com]

Yohji let out a sigh of relief as Omi appeared. Good. If Omi were talking to Sato, then he could slip off to “rest” and intercept Ken before the Kritiker agent got the chance to do so first.

He nodded, his agreeability much more sincere than it had been moments before. “Time to get back to the doctor’s orders,” he announced, with a glance at his bare wrist.

Yohji briskly strolled out the door without waiting for a response.

[Yohji exists to Wed 1.16]

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato's eyebrows raised in surprise. The expression turned a bit guilty when he caught sight of Tsukiyono/Takatori. He had, after all, informed the youngest Weiss earlier that he wouldn't be bothered with minor problems.

"Ah, Omi." He shifted into more informal speech. "I thought I'd give your...ah, earlier suggestion, some more thought, so I stopped by for a visit."

He hadn't expected this to be so difficult. A quick cup of tea, a chat with Hidaka. Not an interrogation by the oldest Weiss - and the girl. That had been a surprise. He supposed he should have known she wouldn't be trusting, after what she'd been through.

He nodded toward them both. "But please excuse me. I was on my way out and I don't intend to bother you."

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi watched Yohji go before turning his attention back to Sato giving him a suspicious look, but still managed his normal smile. "I see. Alright then, I'm sorry I wasn't down here when you first stopped by. Perhaps if you called next time?" Omi suggested. Had it been Manx Omi knew he wouldn't have minded her dropping by unannounced. But this man was nothing like her.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Sato looked happy again. Trust Weiss' leader to understand, the smart boy. "Perhaps I'll do that," he neared agreement. "If you'll excuse me."

[Sato exits for Wednesday1.16]

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan opened her mouth to let out a string of questions for Omi, but rethought it and decided not to. She stood there for a moment, staring at the door, feeling confused and almost... guilty...? For what, she wasn't sure.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi sighed sitting down in a chair as he put his head in his hands. He hoped that Sato just left without stopping to chat with any other members of Weiss. Lifting his head he looked over at Aya-chan.

"What were Sato-san and Yohji-kun talking about before I came down?" Omi asked. He doubted it would have been anything to serious, especially if Aya-chan had been standing there watching them.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Was Sato the man's name then? "Aah... well, Sato-San said that he didn't remember where he'd met you, and... he thought that Ken-kun was sick, only I never said he was..." Aya-Chan was feeling a little flustered now. She took a moment, composed herself, and then started over. "They didn't really talk all that much. Yohji-Kun just asked him to come back later, when you or Ran-niisan were around."

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

"I haven't known Sato-san that long." Omi said though he couldn't help but wish he had never met that man. Omi felt uneasy when it came to Sato though he couldn't really explain why.

Omi tilted his head to the side slightly as he watched Aya-chan. "Are you alright? You seem a bit...on edge?"

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya nodded. "Yeah... it's just... been a long day, that's all." She wondered how well this Sato person really knew the others, because it didn't seem like they liked each other too much.

"Is he... a customer...?"

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

"No, not a customer. In short, he's the person who gives us information we need." Omi explained, though he knew he was being as vague as possible. He didn't know if it was a good idea if Aya-chan knew to much about Sato. Not that Omi could tell her much more then what he just had, but at the same time it seemed like just one thing after another since Omi and the others had come in the night before.

"I wouldn't worry about him, he, hopefully, won't be coming around to often." Omi said smiling. "And I agree, it has been a long day. And it won't be over till I can at least finished my homework." Omi sighed his shoulders drooping a bit when he remembered how much homework he still had to do.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan glanced at the clock. Homework... something she hadn't even begun to think about. "I should probably get on that as well..."

"Too bad I can't skip another day of school..." horrible attempt at a joke... man... she needed more sleep.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

"Skipping another day isn't the problem, it's the homework they try and give you when you get back to school." Omi also glanced over at the clock.

"If you'd like help with your homework I can give you a hand." Omi said looking back at Aya-chan

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan shook her head. "No, there's not too much of it to do anyways. You should concentrate on your own homework. One's enough."

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi nodded. "Alright, I should go get some of my homework done then." Omi said and turned to head back up to his room but stopped before exiting the kitchen, he looked back at Aya-chan.

"If Sato-san ever stops by again and none of us are down here could you come upstairs and get me?"

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

"Okay." She felt a little bad for keeping Sato downstairs that long; Aya-Chan wasn't really sure anymore what had gotten into her. She sighed, watching Omi retreat back to his room. Then, she slowly got up and trudged along to her own room. That homework was starting to look pretty good right about now...

(Aya-Chan exits)