-Part 3-

Requiem for a Dead Love

 

 

It wasn't a matter of staying or going. It was that she couldn't plead her case in the their presence. She needed to be alone so that Aya was her focus. So that she could answer his questions. Without fear of judgement from his companions.

 

She wasn't angry with him. But it had been more then any of them had been prepared for. Then the whispers. She heard the accusatory whispers..and they stabbed at the fleshy remains of her heart. And Ken...

 

"NO!" Ken cried, covering his ears. "NO! Aya's mine, Aya's mine, Aya's... "

 

She had kept going, afraid to look at Aya. Afraid to have to fight for what was once hers..for what is still hers..

 

She got to the door and opened it, physically, emotionally..and mentally exhausted. The aura of the apartment threatening to swell and close in on her..Aren had to reel in the psychi aether so it wouldn't shatter her mind.

 

"Aren, don't you DARE walk out on me again!!" The redhead shouted, turning back to the door as he stood. Angry amethyst eyes turned into neat Japanese slits, trembling hands slowly turned into clenched fists as the final proclamation was to be announced.

 

Aren stopped dead in her tracks, releasing the door. She turned round to Aya. Now it was her time to recognize, that he was frail..fragile..and angry.  She had a look of total and utter confusion.." Aya..nani -"

 

She was cut short as he utter his last proclamation.

 

"Don't you leave. I love you, dammit. Don't you leave me again." he said quietly.

 

Her world began to spin. Before she knew it she was walking toward him.

 

I love you..don't leave me again.

 

She had her arms around him before her mind caught up with her body. Aren hugged Aya tightly, as if her life depended on his existence.. " I won't, Aya! Never again! I love you too! " she sobbed into the crook of his neck.

Held him tightly..cause she still loved him...and she did need him.

 

Arms swept tightly around the redhead, and Aya found himself feeling that little bit of ecstasy from so long ago. Arms tightening around her back, he buried his face against her neck, warm tears sliding down his face in a lovesick manner. "Aren.." he whimpered, holding her as he felt his knees go weak and he clung to her for support, sighing deeply when his grip began to loosen and he slid to his knees, taking him with her.

 

But the happiness was not to last as three pairs of burning eyes appeared at the end of the hallway, and a very pissed off Ken was in the lead.

 

"RAN!" Ken hissed, seething as he marched down the hallway. A very bold stunt indeed, he grabbed Aya, hoisting him up from his spot on the floor, and punching him across the face. "You son of a bitch! How could you!" He screamed, tears streaking his cheeks.

 

"Ken.." Aya whispered, holding his reddened cheek. "I..."

 

Ken shook his head, chocolate locks hanging to his face in a childish manner. "You nothing, Ran. You used me. You used me because I reminded you of her, didn't I, Ran.. DIDN'T I?"

 

Yohji grabbed Ken's arm, shaking his head. "No Ken! That's enough!"

 

Ken shrugged the hand off his arm, taking a step forward towards Aya. "Iie! It's not!"

 

Aya's eyes widened, the amethyst gaze full of confusion as he stared into the brown pool of accusion.  "I... No... Ken...I..."

 

Ken folded his arms, hatred sitting on his shoulders as he stared, glancing back and forth between the two. "What is it, Ran. Spit it out." he hissed.

 

Is that what I did? No.. I loved him...

 

Just like I loved Aren.....

 

I genuinely loved him....

 

"NO KEN! I loved you.." Aya pleaded, dropping to his knees. "It's not fair.." he whispered.

 

Ken scowled angrily, kicking at the small rug. "You loved me?"

 

Aya shook his head, punching his hand into the hardwood floor. "Iie! I loved you.. I still love you.."

 

Why do I feel this way?

 

Is it okay to love two people?

 

"Ran. Come here." Ken commanded, holding his tanned hand out to the redhead. Those mocha eyes softened immediately, and Ken knelt down onto one knee, beckoning the redhead come to him.

 

This isn't right..

 

Who will I choose?

 

Aya looked back at Aren for a minute, his eyes sorrowful, a promise kept without words that this would all be cleared soon. Standing, he walked over to Ken, kneeling down in front of him, and allowed himself to be enveloped into the brunette's embrace.

 

This isn't right...

 

Why must I choose?

 

Ken's eyes burned as he glanced to Aren, a small smile crept over his face, one again mocking her because he won. Hugging Aya tightly, he placed a kiss on the redhead's forehead. "Ran-chan..?"

 

Aya looked up, amethyst eyes full of childish wariness, as he paused, before responding. "...hai?"

 

Ken kissed Aya softly, pulling Aya into his arms, picking him up. Though Ken was smaller, Aya was such a little lightweight, something like this wasn't really much. "You need to sleep. Sleep all this off, and think about it later.."

 

Aya shook his head, wiggling in Ken's arms to get free. "Demo--"

 

"Iie." Yohji cut in, folding his arms. "Look at you, Aya. You are a mess. For once, this blockhead is right. Get some sleep. You too Ken. And you, Aren. All of you. Get some rest. You and Aren can go out tomorrow and discuss all of this. You are sick, and sickness leads to days off, days off leads to no money. You know that Aya."

 

The redhead lowered his head, nodding. "Hai.." he said glumly.

 

Yohji turned back to Aren. "There is a small bed and a couch downstairs. Feel free to use it, or go home. But if you disappear and Aya doesn't see you tomorrow, don't think you will ever show up in his presence again and make it back home alive."

 

Aya's eyes widened at the last words coolly spoken by Yohji. So quickly that the eldest decided to jump in and protect his comrade. Looking back at Aren, alligator tears springing in the corners of his eyes, he looked at her sadly from his little cradle in Ken's arms.

 

Gomen nasai.

 

The arms tightened around his body, and Aya was snuggled down against Ken's chest, sliding his amethyst eyes shut after taking once last look at Aren. As soon as that gaze was cut off, the redhead fell into a deep slumber in the brunette's arms, showing his obvious tiredness, even before they reached the bedroom.

 

Gomen nasai, Aren.

 

I still love you.