THE FIFTH by flori-dono
DISCLAIMERS: Weiß  Kreuz is @1997 Koyasu Takehito and Project Wei .
 


CHAPTER 3a

"So, here's the place!" Aya said. "Hope it suits you fine."

"It does already, thank you," Yuukio said as she stepped inside the apartment.

Aya took hold of Yuukio's hand and led her to a quick tour of their abode.

"So here's the living room... the kitchen..."

Ran smiled despite himself. Trust his sister to be the whole welcoming 
committee. When the two got back to the living room, he decided to butt in.

"Yuukio, you may give me your car key if you want so I can unload your things," 
he asked. 

"Oh no," Yuukio said. "That's too much. I can unload my things myself. There 
aren't much anyway."

Aya giggled. 

"Come on, let Ran get your things. He seldom gets gentlemanly so let him!" she 
said.

"No offense Mr. Fujimiya, but I'd rather take care of them myself," Yuukio said 
quietly.

"No need to be formal," Aya interjected once again. "He's just plain Ran."

"Aya-chan!" Ran said a little sharply. "I can speak for myself, thank you."

"Gomen," Aya apologized meekly, after that she shut up.

"Look, you can call me Ran," he said with a sigh. "And no offense taken. I'm 
sorry if I can't show you the place myself, but it's my turn to do the 
deliveries. I have to go. Aya, I'm sure, is capable enough of filling you in 
about stuff, and if it's about the work you can ask me later when I get home."

He then turned to his sister.

"Hey kid, behave!" he said.

Aya rolled her eyes but nodded just the same. 

"Ja!"

And Ran got back outside. Once the girls heard his car backed up the driveway, 
Aya then resumed her tour.

"So come on up, I'll show you your room!"

Yuukio followed the girl upstairs. She noticed that the place was obviously 
decorated by a man from the decors and furnitures. Everything was in earth tone 
and were chosen for their practicality. It sort of reflected Ran's personality, 
very serious and practical. Nevertheless, she liked it. It had a homey feel to 
it.

"Was it your brother who decorated the place?" she asked.

Aya nodded.

"Yeah. It's obvious right?" she said with a shrug." It's okay really. I don't 
know much about decorating and stuff, all I'm great for are disorder and 
clutter. You should see my room! And speaking of rooms, here's yours..."

Yuukio stepped inside the room that was to be hers. It wasn't really large, just 
enough for a bed, a vanity, a desk, and a cabinet. 

"I convinced Ran to let me arrange the room," Aya offered. "I hope you liked 
it."

Unlike the parts of the house which she had seen, the room was a cool green and 
most of the colors were also in the shades of that color.

"I would've chosen pink," Aya added. "My room is pink, but then I thought you 
are one of those who hates pink so I chose my next favorite color."

"This is fine thank you," Yuukio said, genuinely liking the room. "And you're 
right, I am one of those people."

"Well, guess I'm right!" she said. 

Then she pointed at the door to her right. "Uhm, that door there is a walk-in 
closet and the other one beside it is the bathroom. Actually, it adjoins with 
the room on the left which is Ran's room. But don't you worry, he'll be using 
the bathroom downstairs. The room to your right is my room."

Yuukio shrugged. 

"Aya-chan, I'll get my things first then I want to ask some questions, is that 
okay?"

"Sure, no prob."

The two got down again and went back outside where Yuukio retrieved her things.

"Wow, are these all there are?" Aya asked as she eyed the two suitcases and two 
separate boxes.

Yuukio nodded, "I don't own much."

As they both went back to Yuukio's room, Aya helped her with unpacking. 

"Yuukio oneechan, where's your costume?"

Yuukio blinked her eyes. 

"Pardon?"

"I mean the thing you wear when there's a mission," Aya explained. "The guys 
have their special get-up, goodness knows how they got them. Ran and Yoji's are 
okay but Omi and Ken need a good fashion consultant. I think Omi should let go 
of his red sneakers and Ken should  donate that orange sweater of his... you'll 
know when you'll see them."

Yuukio smiled. 

"Aren't you scared about your brother's work?" she asked suddenly.

Aya looked at her and it was a while before she could speak. 

"Well...yeah, I guess so. I mean he could die any moment, right? But I've gotten 
used to the dangerous side of your business and besides, I'm proud of him for 
being a sort of hero. I just pray to God that he finishes each of his missions 
alive."

"You're brave," Yuukio commented.

"On no, shucks!" Aya said. "Just being practical. That one I got from him... so 
where's the costume?"

"Here," Yuukio said, taking the black clothing from the box.

"Wow!" she said. "A catsuit, and a trenchcoat... gads, you are all fond of that! 
So how did you get this?"

"A former uniform, couldn't part with it," she answered.

Aya would've wanted to question her about that remark but thought better of it 
when she saw Yuukio's eyes darken a bit. She then let the older girl put it back 
in the box before speaking yet again.

"So fire up with your questions," she said.

"Oh actually there is only one," Yuukio remarked. "What are the house rules and 
schedules?"

"Well, there are none really..."

"What do you mean? I mean, I have to do my part."

"Well, I can't think of anything and I'm sure Ran won't really care."

"Okay," Yuukio offered. "What if we make an itinerary?"

"Fine by me!"

And the two planned for the biggest change that will ever take place in the 
Fujimiya household.
***
Ran got back to the flower shop.

"So how's Yuukio?" Omi asked.

"Fine. Aya's with her," he said, putting on his apron. "Where's Yoji?"

"Out," Ken said. "Took a girl out for lunch."

"Again?"

"Hey, Birman!" Omi greeted the woman who came in. "So, how's life been going? 
Long time no see..."

"Fine, I came from a vacation," she answered.

Ken folded his arms across his chest.

"At least YOU get a vacation!" he complained.

Birman ignored this. 

"So how's Yuukio?"

"That's the second time it's been asked," Ken said.

"Fine," Ran answered.

"What I meant was how did you find her?"

"Beautiful!"

Birman turned.

"Just what I was expecting to hear from you, Yoji."

Yoji smiled.

"Well, what can I say?"

"She's nice," Omi said. "But quiet."

"Sort of like Ran," Ken commented.

"And that's why I want to know what will happen with those two living under one 
roof... oops, I meant three, I forgot Aya-chan... but then again she can be the 
daughter!"

"Funny Yoji," Ran said. "So is there a next mission?"

"Yep," she said. "But it can wait. I'll be back tomorrow evening. Just tell 
Yuukio I'll be around."

"Hey sweetheart," Yoji said, putting his arms around her shoulders. "Leaving so 
soon?"

Birman elbowed him.

"Ouch!"

"Ja!" she said and went off.

"What is it with this week?" Yoji said, rubbing his side. "All the women are 
being grouchy."

"It's just you, Yoji..." Ken muttered.

"What do you think the mission is this time?" Omi said aloud. 

"Been wondering about that too," Ken said. "I mean, it's the first time the 
Kritiker's not in a hurry. Usually, they would almost kick our butts to get 
things started."

"What do you think, Ran?" Yoji asked.

Ran shrugged his shoulders.

"A mission is a mission," he said and walked again to the back.

"He will never change..." Ken remarked.'

Yoji smiled. 

"Oh, but he will," he said. "Trust me..."
***
Ran drove back home. He was really tired. Who could've guessed being a florist 
wasn't an easy job?

Ran found the apartment quiet.

Then there was a loud crash.

"No," Ran thought and wandered off to the kitchen were the noise came from.

"Gomen nasai!" 

He heard Aya's voice. Ran stood at the doorway and almost gaped at the scene. 
Aya was picking up the pot she must have accidentally dropped. Loved her as he 
might, he must admit that under the fragile and graceful appearance of his 
sister lies an undeniable klutz. Yuukio was trying hard not to chuckle. It was 
actually quite a touching scene, and it would have warmed his heart if not for 
the fact that he felt a sudden bout of jealousy. It felt like his sister 
betrayed him for being close with Yuukio. He knew that it was unfair to get 
angry with the new member of Weiá but the feeling persisted. And it only made 
him angrier because it defied his rational side. 

Yuukio looked up and did not miss the anger in Ran's eyes. She instantly knew 
what he was thinking.

"Konbanwa," she greeted him quietly.

Aya turned her head.

"Hi-ya, big brother! I made spaghetti!" she said, giving her brother a hug. 
"Well, of course Yuukio made the sauce, I just boiled the pasta!"

Ran plainly nodded, returning his sister's hug with an affectionate squeeze. 
Yuukio's eyes met his. He saw her raise one eyebrow, as if challenging him to 
speak his thoughts aloud. Yuukio broke the gaze and started to set the table.

"I hope you haven't eaten," Aya said. "I'll just go up and change. I smell of 
garlic!"

Ran gazed after his sister as she bolted out of the kitchen. He turned around 
and observed the small room. His eyes went over everything, not missing a thing. 
For the first time, he saw it cluttered and it looked like it was actually being 
used. He fought the urge to clean everything up. She was there for only less 
than a day and she had disrupted the household, and he hated it. He stopped at 
the paper taped on the refrigerator door.

"What's this?" he asked as he strode over and took it.

"A plan," Yuukio answered, transferring the spaghetti noodles on a plate. "I 
figured I have to do some things around here and I mean to pay my share of the 
bills. Is half of everything okay?" 

Ran frowned. First it was his sister, and then it was his kitchen, now it was 
the bills. What was next?

"You pay a third," he said. "And do whatever you want as long as you don't 
bother me."

"Oh," she answered softly but firmly. "You wouldn't have to worry about that!"

Ran stared at her, this time not hiding his slight contempt of her. Yuukio held 
his gaze as if defying him.   

Yuukio was never impulsive. Everything she said and did was thought of and 
planned. She knew when to get angry and she knew when to laugh. She had only let 
her emotions took over once that day when she agreed to be Aya-chan's older 
sister. Now, she was getting angry with the girl's older brother. She didn't 
mind him being distant. In fact it suited her fine. She didn't have to bother 
for herself getting chummy with another person she didn't like in the first 
place. Ever since she arrived here, she had a feeling that she wasn't welcome to 
him. The other guys weren't perhaps too hot on the idea of having a girl on the 
team but they didn't radiate the same animosity he had despite his nonchalant 
demeanor. Or was it just her imagination?

"Oy, I'm back!" 

Dinner was not very comfortable for both Ran and Yuukio. Aya as usual was the 
one chattering and tried as she might to include both in the conversation, she 
only managed to talk with them one at a time. Yuukio offered to do the dishes 
after and Ran just shrugged and left the table.

"Oh yeah, we leave at six in the morning tomorrow, and Birman said hi."

Aya helped Yuukio with the task.

"Gomen nasai," she said.

"For what?" Yuukio asked.

"For my brother's behavior," Aya explained. "I don't know what got into him. I 
guess, he's just isn't comfortable with the situation. He's just used to having 
me around. Don't worry, he'll warm up to you in no time."

Yuukio shrugged.

"He just has to learn to live with it," she answered coldly. 

"Yuukio," Aya asked quietly. "Do you hate my brother?"

Yuukio wanted to laugh aloud. Hate Ran? She didn't exactly hate him. How can you 
hate a person whom you knew for only a few hours? If he doesn't like her, then 
okay. She didn't want to waste time worrying over the issue.

"No," she answered.

Aya was silent even after they secured the place for the night. 

"Oyasumi, Yuukio-neechan," she said as Yuukio went to her room.

"Oyasumi Aya," Yuukio replied.

Aya would usually fall asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow, but 
tonight she couldn't. Yuukio's arrival was almost like a dream come true for 
her. Now she not only had a brother, but a sister as well. And she really liked 
Yuukio despite her being reserved. Aya giggled. Come to think of it, Yuukio was 
a lot like Ran. 

"And like poles repel," she said to herself. Her Physics teacher should give her 
an A. "She said she didn't hate him but I know she doesn't like him, but there 
is still a chance. Now, if only I can convince that big oaf of a brother of mine 
to like her..."

Aya's eyes widened. 

"Fujimiya Aya," she said in the dark. "You're a genius!"

***
Ran woke up. He didn't get much sleep last night. For some reason his conscience 
was berating him and it irked him. What was with Takana Yuukio? 

He got up from bed and took his towel. He went straight to the bathroom. Ran 
gaped as he saw a pair of women's underwear hanging on the rack. It was too late 
when he realized that it was Yuukio's bathroom now. The other connecting door 
opened and there emerged a nightshirt clad Yuukio, a towel in hand.

Before she could say anything, Ran apologized curtly and closed his door. But 
not before she noticed that he was staring at her change of underwear on the 
rack. She almost laughed aloud. It was the one of the nicest payback she had 
ever done, and it was accidental at that.

Ran could feel himself perspiring. 

"Damn that woman!" he muttered through gritted teeth. He shook his head and went 
downstairs to have a nice cold bath.
***
Ran wasn't surprised to find out that breakfast was already prepared. He had 
expected it. Aya was downing a glass of milk, her plate showing the remnants of 
pancake and syrup. 

"Aya no baka!" Aya-chan suddenly exclaimed, much to the surprise of the other 
two. "Oniisan, I forgot I have a make-up test on Physics this morning!"

"So?" Ran asked already knowing what she wanted him to do.

"Can you take me to school now?"

Ran took his time drinking his mug of coffee. He didn't touch any of the food on 
the table, tempting they might be. In the first place, he wasn't used to heavy 
breakfasts and not eating was like a form of rebellion against the one who 
prepared it.

"I can take her to school so you can finish your breakfast," Yuukio offered.

Ran's eyes slanted.

"No, I'll take her to school," he said, standing up.

"Why don't you both take me to school?" Aya interjected, wanting her plan to 
work. 

"I don't think so," Yuukio said clearing the table. She knew Ran wouldn't eat 
what she cooked. So even if it annoyed her, she let it pass. Yuukio wouldn't let 
the little thing get into her system. "I'm sure your brother won't like to be 
bothered."

Ran cast her an icy look.

"But please, don't argue now," Aya pleaded, getting her things as she talked. "I 
only have ten more minutes. I think it will save both of you time if we all go 
now."

Ran looked at the beseeching look in his sister's eyes. He knew he'd never 
refuse her once she started to give him THAT look. He sighed. Though against his 
principles, he decided to agree.

"All right," Ran said, after which Aya-chan gave an excited 'whoopee.' "But I 
don't want this to happen again, Aya-chan. Just be more responsible next time."

Aya gave her oniisan one of her most dazzling smiles. She threw her arms around 
his neck. 

"You're the best!" she said, giving him a peck on the cheek.

Ran permitted himself to smile. He glanced up and saw a shadow pass over Yuukio.

Yuukio's throat was parched and it felt like there was a big rock lodged in it. 
Seeing the scene before her made her think of Keiko and what she would have been 
if not...

She looked at Ran and saw him looking at her. Mistaking curiosity for disdain, 
she turned her back and got her things.

Aya saw Yuukio pocketing her car keys.

"Yuukio-neechan, why don't you ride with us?" she suggested. "It would save gas 
and I would love to talk with you during the ride!"

She was falling under Aya's charm. She couldn't refuse the girl, especially when 
she would use that tone of voice. Aya just reminded her of her sister all the 
more.

"Okay," she simply agreed.

Much to the consternation of Ran. But he couldn't do anything about it. They 
were both subjected to Aya-chan's spell.

Ran sighed.

"Hai," he said. "Let's go!"
***
"Ohayou Aya-chan!"

"Ohayou!" Aya said, waving at her girl classmates who were coming her way. They 
were all giggling and excited, wanting to see Aya-chan's gorgeous odler brother.
They slowed down as they saw a sullen Yuukio at the front seat of the car.

Aya-chan had insisted on sitting at the back seat of the car. All of her things 
were littered there, each space was taken up by paper and notebooks. She 
pretended that she had to sort out her things. Ran had scolded her on the first 
half of their travel while Yuukio, was silent. But it was all worth it. She had 
the pleasure of watching the two sit, well, not exactly together but still close 
enough to each other. She sighed as she thought how well-suited they looked.

"It's just a matter of time," Aya thought, being the hopeless romantic she was. 
"And as they say, patience is a virtue."

"Ohayou, Ran!" the girls greeted the red-headed heartthrob. 

Ran gave them a mere nod.

"I can't pick you up later," Ran said as he started the car's engine. " But Yoji 
said he would. I think he told me he had an appointment with your teacher."

"Oh yeah," Aya said, smiling at the connoation of Ran's words. "And please 
remind Ken that we have soccer practice later, ne?"

"Hai, hai," Ran muttered.

"See you then," Aya waved to her brother. "And I hope you have a nice day at 
work oneechan!"

Yuukio smiled and waved back at Aya.

Aya's friends froze. Oneechan? And before Ran could drove off...

"Who is she?" one of her friends whispered loudly, both Ran and Yuukio heard it.

Aya grinned. 

"She's my new sister!"
*TSUZUKU*