Yohji could get used to this, a first class seat on the plane, twelve solid hours of sleep in a comfortable bed and now shopping in all the best stores that London had to offer. Of course, he knew that all this came at a price and that sooner or later he would have to start paying, but for now he was enjoying himself.
He also found himself liking Chloe. At first he'd been prepared to look on the cool blonde as a rival for Aya's affections and had treated him with some coolness. Then Chloe had suggested he accompany him on this shopping trip and had taken him first to some very trendy menswear stores and now to Camden Market. When he had protested his lack of cash, Chloe had actually laughed.
"KR arranged for the bulk of your money to be transferred to an English bank account. It seems Mr Takatori held the majority of your earnings back so as not to make you too suspicious of your wealth."
Yohji nodded. It made sense. "And once my memory came back I assumed that I'd spent it all."
"I think he expected you to look for Aya sooner or later. So he kept the money in reserve for you."
"I still find it hard to believe just how manipulative our little Omitchi became."
Something flickered across Chloe's features much too quickly to read. "Power does that to people," he said with a shrug.
"Yeah, I guess so." He lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. "Are you and Aya...?"
"Lovers? We have been. But, since Ken came back with his sword, he's only really thought about you."
Yohji gazed at the glowing tip of his cigarette, waiting for jealousy that didn't actually come. He sighed. "What a mess."
Chloe shook his head. "It doesn't have to be. You love him enough to come half way round the world and resume a life you wanted to forget just to be with him. He loves you enough to go to Japan to see you. He wouldn't do that for me."
"And when you get lonely in the night?"
"Don't worry about it, Yohji."
He finished his cigarette taking a good, long look at Chloe as he did so. There was no getting away from the man's beauty. He was almost as drop dead gorgeous as Aya was with his pale blonde hair and those icy blue eyes. Yohji found his body responding to the aesthetic pleasure alone. He was still hedonistic enough to have some very interesting thoughts about what the three of them could do together. Yeah, right Yohji, in your dreams! Aya would kill him for even suggesting such a thing.
He turned his attention back to the clothing stalls and picked up some soft leather pants and a selection of shirts and tops for a very reasonable price. He added some intriguing accessories from another stall and professed himself satisfied with his day's shopping. He offered to buy Chloe a meal as thanks for his patience.
The offer was accepted and they were soon eating at an excellent Indian restaurant. According to Chloe, if he was going to live in England he'd better get used to curry as it was practically the national dish now.
"I've really enjoyed today," he said over his lamb biriyani. "Aya would have been whining to go home hours ago."
Chloe smiled. "Why do you think I'm here and not him? I actually enjoy shopping and have had almost as productive a day as you." That was certainly true, there were almost as many bags surrounding Chloe's feet as Yohji's.
"So, when does the play stop and the work begin?"
"KR has asked that you visit him in Kent tomorrow. That's where you'll do your training."
Yohji nodded. Tomorrow he would start paying the price for being with Aya again.
* * * * * * *
What the hell had he been thinking? He'd gone to Japan to check that Yohji was happy and, instead of leaving him to his comfortable life, had dragged him back into a life of killing and guilt. Luckily Chloe had taken Yohji shopping so he didn't have the constant reminder that he was here. His hand clenched round the stem of a carnation and snapped it into uselessness.
"Calm down, Aya," Ken said as he appeared from the kitchen with a mug of coffee for him. "Yohji made his own choice. He's happy, why shouldn't you be?"
"I should have left well alone," Aya growled. "I should never have let Chloe talk me into going to Japan."
Ken stared at him then snorted in derision. "You were a mess, Aya. You needed to go. You always did care more about the rest of us than yourself."
"No, it was selfish of me to go to Japan. I didn't think it through. All I've succeeded in doing is dragging Yohji back into the life that drove him mad and what about Chloe?"
"Chloe was the one who talked you into going so don't worry about him."
Aya frowned. "Yes, and why the hell did he do that?"
Ken shrugged. "To stop you moping around perhaps?"
"Yes, but.."
"Chloe actually went to Japan with KR to make sure you succeeded so he's fine with it. He's even taken Yohji shopping."
Aya looked up at that. It was true that Chloe had taken to Yohji almost immediately, exceptional in itself, and that Yohji seemed to like Chloe. He frowned at Ken. "You don't think...?"
Ken looked confused. "What?"
"Well, if they like each other so much..."
"Aya! Yohji came here for you, not Chloe!" Then he grinned. "But if you all like each other..."
Aya felt his face burn. "Ken!"
"What? Don�t tell me you haven�t considered it, at least. You haven�t, have you?"
"No, of course I haven�t!"
"Well maybe you should." Ken took a sip of his coffee. "Live a little, Aya."
Aya took a couple of gulps of his own coffee. This conversation couldn�t be happening and especially not with Ken of all people. He decided to attack rather than go any further down this strange and extremely rocky road. "What about you? Are you ready to move on?"
Ken sighed slightly but nodded. "Having had Naoe Nagi flaunted in front of me at every opportunity when I collected your sword, yes, I am. I just feel stupid for wasting so many years on him."
Aya relented at the pain in Ken�s voice. "It wasn�t stupid. Omi cared about you. Mamoru lost out."
Ken took another drink from his mug. "What did you make of him when you saw him?"
Aya leaned forward over the work table and rested his chin on his hands as he thought about the question. "I think he�s changed beyond recognition," he said eventually, "whether that is down to Naoe or his grandfather is anyone�s guess though. He always was manipulative but that side of his nature has got more pronounced. Ironic to think he�s become what he once hated."
Ken shrugged and put his mug down on the counter. "He doesn�t seem to hate it now."
Aya finished his own coffee thoughtfully. "No he doesn't," he agreed eventually. "He's enjoying the power, I think. Underneath, though, I think he still cares about his 'other' family." He glanced over at Ken and smiled. "At least three of us are still together."
Ken nodded and smirked back at him. "And that means two of us are complete again."
He was about to make some scathing comment when the door opened admitting a small group of girls. He could only be thankful that English girls were a lot less loud in their adoration of the florists than their Japanese sisters had been. Of course, apart from Yuki and Michel, they were all a lot older than the four young men at the Koneko had been. This particular group seemed to be Chloe fans, as their faces fell when they realised he wasn't in the shop. Smirking slightly, Aya picked up the coffee mugs and left Ken to field the inevitable questions.
* * * * * * *
Chloe replaced the phone and turned to find Aya watching him from the doorway. He smiled somewhat ruefully. "Well, it's confirmed. Yohji starts his training tomorrow."
Aya simply nodded in response but didn't make any move to leave.
"Something wrong?"
"I...I suppose I wanted to apologise."
"For what, exactly?"
"For bringing Yohji here and upsetting the apple-cart by so doing. For...replacing you..."
Chloe shook his head. "I was the replacement for Yohji and, having spent the day with him, I can understand why you were so unhappy without him. He's quite something."
Aya sighed but nodded. "Yes, he is. He's too good for this life."
"Aren't we all. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it."
"I'm not joking, Chloe."
"Neither am I. But we both know there is no other choice. Yohji knows that too." He studied his nails for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. "From what Mihirogi said, he's good at what we do, or he was." Oh, somebody was not happy with that thought.
Aya showed his displeasure by turning away, his back stiff. Then he relaxed again. "He was an artist," he said softly, "both in his use of his wire and with paints and pastels."
"A useful man to have around then," Chloe said easily. "I didn't realise he had artistic talent though."
Aya chuckled softly. "I didn't know for years. Through most of Weiss' life span he neither drew nor painted. Then, on our last mission he posed as the new art teacher at Koua Academy. He was falling apart at the seams but he was still brilliant." He sighed slightly.
Chloe had a sudden insight. "You've never quite forgiven Takatori Mamoru for that last mission, have you?"
Aya shook his head. "He did what he had to do and we were the best he had at the time. I just wish..."
"What?"
Another shake of Aya's head. "I just wish I really was a florist."
He knew that had not been what Aya had intended to say. He also knew better than to try pushing the issue. Aya would speak when ready and not before. Contenting himself with a wry smile, he changed the subject. "So, who's taking Yohji down to Kent?"
"I will. You had the dubious pleasure of shopping with him today."
"It wasn't a chore, Aya. I think we both enjoyed it. And stop looking at me as if I've lost my mind!"
Aya actually laughed at that. "I'm sure you both had a wonderful day spending a great deal of money. I'll take Yohji. I need to explain myself to KR anyway."
"I think you'll find he's quite happy with the situation."
"Yes, of course he is. He's got another assassin."
"You really think he's that cold?"
Aya shook his head. "I find it hard to believe otherwise. It's what I'm used to after all."
He thought about that for a moment or two. Kritiker, it seemed, was quite convinced it owned its agents body and soul. Luckily Richard Krypton had always treated them as human beings and even expected them to retire when they felt they were ready. That alone must seem strange to both Aya and Ken. He supposed Yohji would be much the same. "I think you need to have a long talk with KR tomorrow. Get a few things straightened out."
Aya nodded. "You could be right. I also want Yohji to be reassured."
"From what I've seen today, Yohji is fine. You're the one who seems to need positive reinforcement."
That produced one of Aya's rare smiles, even if it was a little on the wry side. "I'll talk to KR don't worry."
Chloe returned the smile, glad to see Aya more like he'd been before Ken had brought the katana back from Japan. He knew he loved Aya but also knew that Aya loved Yohji. He just hoped the Japanese blonde felt the same way about Aya.
* * * * * * *
Mihirogi was not entirely pleased with the idea of Kudoh Yohji joining Krypton Brand. All the other members of Side B had been carefully vetted before joining yet KR had considered this man important enough to go to Japan to see him for himself. His history was not reassuring. A mental breakdown prior to an amnesia-inducing injury and an abandoned wife. Today she would finally get to meet the Japanese assassin and see for herself what the fuss was about.
As soon as the lanky blonde unfolded himself gracefully from Aya's car, she could see the potential. The man moved like a predator and, she had to admit, was extremely attractive. No wonder Aya had wanted to check on this particular lover. But where did that leave his blossoming relationship with Chloe, and what effect would that have on the team as a whole?
She sighed slightly and went to the front door to admit both men. "Aya, KR wishes to see you in his study." She turned to stare at Yohji only to be met by a pair of twinkling green eyes that were full of understanding. "Yohji, I'm pleased to meet you. I'll show you around while Aya talks to KR and then take you to get reacquainted with him. Please follow me."
She turned away, expecting the blonde to follow immediately. She was somewhat surprised when Yohji gave Aya's hand a reassuring squeeze before joining her. "You seem close," she remarked as she led the way to the dojo.
"When you've spent as many years as we have both living and killing together you do tend to form stronger bonds than most people are capable of." His tone, though pleasant enough, suggested that she might well be incapable of finer feelings.
"Yet you made no effort to come here under your own steam."
"Until Aya came to Japan and brought Chloe and your boss after him, I had no idea where he was."
That made sense, she supposed. She opened the door to the dojo and a low, appreciative whistle issued from between Yohji's lips.
"Later you can show KR and I exactly what we've invested in," she said.
"There is one small problem. When I woke up in the hospital I had no watch, which means no weapon."
She nodded, pleased at his candour. "We have your watch, Yohji. Takatori Mamoru gave it to KR when it was decided that you would come here."
Yohji's eyes widened. "So that's where it was. Interfering little bastard!"
Her brows rose at Yohji�s description of Takatori Mamoru until she remembered he'd been the fourth member of Weiss. She contented herself with saying mildly, "He probably thought he was acting in your best interests."
"He may even have been right," Yohji said after a moment's thought. "I'll be honest with you, Mihirogi. On that last mission I was a mess. I actually wanted to forget my past and live normally. Well, I tried living normally, only I missed Aya and, truth be told, I missed the killing or the adrenaline rush that goes with it at least. That doesn't mean I'm a psycho. It just means I need to be here."
"You're very honest, Yohji. We do, however, expect you to think about the future and what you might wish to do when your body starts to slow down too much for our line of work."
Yohji chuckled softly. "Knowing Aya, I'll probably end up helping to run a garden centre or market garden somewhere. That man does love his plants."
Almost against her wishes she found herself wondering what Yohji would wish for himself. Hadn't he been a very promising detective when younger? "Is that what you would want?"
"If Aya wanted me there, I could live in an igloo at the North Pole to please him. I've had what I thought I wanted. Now it's much simpler, I go where he goes for as long as he's prepared to put up with me. Though� I might take up painting again."
Her eyes widened fractionally before she smiled. She was beginning to like Kudoh Yohji and to believe he might well fit right in with Side B. He'd already worked with both Aya and Ken after all. "A simple view indeed. Now, KR expects you all to treat the castle as a second home so let me show you the living areas and swimming pool before we go and join them."
~TBC~