Title: Encoded
Content: shonen ai, some angst, some drama, I hope there's not OOC, but there probably will be… - -;
Disclaimer: I don't own Weiss Kreuz… That belongs to that lucky Koyasu Takehito!
~Chapter One~
It was one of those days where the weather simply urged everyone to throw away their cares and enjoy life for what it was. The season being on the cusp of autumn, yet clinging to the summer's warmth giving the weather a crisp, warm feeling. In short, these days were perfect. And this was exactly what Ken attempted to explain to the object of his affection.
"How many days do you get that are like this?" the brunette asked the pale redhead that walked beside him. Ken lazily stretched his arms over his head, and, shielding his eyes, cast a fleeting glance at the sun above them. "You can't tell me you don't enjoy it," Ran shrugged his shoulders absently, amethyst eyes looking over his companion warily.
"It's…nice," the redhead settled. Ken sighed deeply, more of a groan of exasperation. Though even he had to admit, the stoic redhead had come a long way since the first years he'd known him. And there were times when his impassive mask was completely gone, and those were the times Ken loved him most. However, something still compelled Ran to draw back from expressing his emotions with no strings attached. But Ken was sure he could fix that.
After all, it had been his idea that they take a walk through the park. And Ran had agreed to come, after some pushing from his dark haired lover. Ken had used the "the fresh air will be good for you excuse". However, Ran knew better. But he complied, and that was what mattered to Ken.
The brunette sat down on a bench, casually looking over at a group of kids playing soccer. Ken sighed wistfully, memories of his J-league days flooding back into his mind, most unwanted. It wasn't as though he regretted those days; they were some of the best in his life. Right up there with the day he and Ran, or back then he was known as Aya, confessed their love for each other. But most of those memories contained betrayal, and deeply embedded pain that still brandished scars.
Ken felt the weight of an arm wrapped around his shoulder, and he smiled, leaning into Ran, who had taken a seat next to him. If there was anything that gave him complete insurance and protection, it was Ran. He continued to watch the children play, and Ran seemed to fall in with his intent, even though Ken knew well Ran had no eye for the game, not compared to him. But he smiled to himself at how Ran tried to show full interest in what Ken liked. Watching the children lulled Ken's mind into a semi-unconscious state, or a trance. Soon, words began spilling out of his mouth, barely noticed by himself until they were out in the open.
"I wish I had one," he murmured. He felt Ran stiffen against him. That was when he was knocked from his trance. Ran looked down at him with skeptical violet eyes.
"One what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Ken scowled. This would lead to something bad…
"Oh….nothing," he replied, brushing off the subject. Of course, he knew full well Ran wouldn't accept that for an answer.
"One what?" the redhead repeated, this time more forcefully. Ken made an attempt at a poor joke.
"One Ran…Oh! Look! I have one already!" he laughed hesitantly, and received an annoyed glare from his lover.
"We don't keep secrets, Ken," he told the brunette with a tone overlaid with a slight pleading. Ken sighed, looking helplessly down at his hands. He examined them with a vague, feigned interest. Ran moved his hand along Ken's chin, tilting the brunette's head towards his own. He looked into Ken's gray-blue eyes searchingly, and Ken began to feel his wards crack. He found himself giving in to the pleading open eyes of his lover.
"A…child," he answered softly. Ken looked up into Ran's face, and couldn't decide whether to be disappointed or scared. Ran's face was completely devoid of color and expression, which was normal, had it not been that his eyes were round and wide with shock. Ken winced inwardly. He dropped a pretty big bomb on Ran just then, it was expected that he'd be…well…surprised. Once Ran had semi-composed himself, he ran a hand through his red mop of hair, it becoming stuck in the mass with his obvious display of stress. Irritated, he tore his hand from the mass, a few strands coming with it. He grumbled angrily, rubbing the sore spot from which he'd torn the hair, Ken all the while staring in awe. If this was what stressed out Ran was, he was glad he'd never seen him before. Ran straightened, taking in a breath, and turned his attention back to Ken. He placed the semblance of a smile of his face.
"I can't do that," he replied, seeming to want to take the announcement as a joke. Ken frowned slightly.
"You don't have to," he replied in all seriousness. Even if Ran wanted to pretend this was a joke, he wasn't about to. Ran raised an eyebrow.
"Is there something your not telling me?" he asked, no amusement in his tone, but the statement meant to be taken that way. That pushed Ken too far. The brunette jumped up from his seat, pushing Ran aside.
"Ran! I'm not joking about this!" Ran remained silent, staring at Ken, not daring to say anymore. Ken sighed deeply, letting his hands drop to his sides. "Ran…I'm sorry…it's just, I've always liked children, you know?" Ran nodded slowly.
"Ken, I know…" Ken sighed.
"And now that I have you…I want one even more. But I know you don't, and I've tried to keep it to myself. I hoped that it would go away, but…it's not. I'm sorry," Ran hesitated, then stood, folding his arms around Ken, who stood limp in Ran's embrace.
"I know how you must feel," the redhead began. He pulled away from Ken, laying his hands on the brunette's shoulders, searching for the right words. "But, I don't think I'm ready for that. I wouldn't want to do anything I'm not sure of…and I'm not a…children person," he finished weakly. Ken nodded sadly.
"I know. That's why we don't have to…" he stated in disappointment. Ran smiled softly, hugging Ken once more.
"Thank you for understanding," he whispered into Ken's ear before pulling away. He stood looking at Ken, expecting for them to return home. Ken waved a dismissive hand at Ran.
"You can go ahead. I think I'll stay here. I kind of wanna think, if that's ok," Ken stated lacklusterly. Ran tilted his head slightly, but nodded.
"That's fine. I'll see you later, then," the redhead took his leave then, and Ken slumped down onto the bench again, burying his face in his hands.
"This is going to be harder than I thought," he groaned to himself.
"So, you told him," Omi stated rather then questioned the brunette. He's been watching Ken mull over the same batch of magnolias for a good twenty minutes, and all he had to do was water them. Ken didn't even raise his head to acknowledge the younger boy's presence. Well, now it was safe to say man, though none of them did. Omi was well into his eighteenth year of life, yet he still retained that air of innocence about him. Yet all of them happened to know just how innocent the boy actually was. Omi sighed, placing his hands on Ken's shoulders and turned the boy to face him. "Come on Ken. I'm your friend, here," Ken seemed to break slightly out of his trance, and he left his shoulders drop in despair.
"Yeah," he replied sullenly. Omi's blue eyes stared searchingly into Ken's, trying to find a reason for the boy to have fallen into this solemn slump. With his child-like intuition, and hopeful nature, he raised his chin to try and level himself to Ken's height, which was impossible.
"So? If he said no, try again. He loves you, and you love him. And that means commitments, sacrifices, and eventually achievements. If you want something, then he'll have to see that." Ken looked away disheartened shrugging off Omi's rant as some dreamy fantasy speech that couldn't possibly be achieved.
"It's not that simple, Omi…" the brunette. Omi frowned, trying his best to put a threatening glare on his angelic face.
"No? Didn't you say that about telling Ran you love him? I swear Ken, you are so pessimistic…It's driving me nuts!" the youngest florist exploded in a nearly childish tantrum. At first, Ken snickered behind closed lips, and then allowed himself to laugh full out. Omi, finding no humor in this, glared at Ken. "What's so funny? A moment ago, you were wallowing in self-pity! What is the matter with you?" Ken, tears in his eyes and gasping for breath, laid a hand on Omi's shoulder.
"I'm fine, Omichi," he told the younger boy with a warm smile. "And I think you're right. I'm gonna convince Ran to want a child as much as I do; if not, more so." Omi sighed, but smiled.
"Hey, if you can't do it…" he trailed off, knowing Ken could fill in the rest anyway.
"If anyone can do what?" a casual voice came up to them, and raising their heads, Omi and Ken confirmed it was Yoji who'd joined their conversation. He crossed his arms over his chest casually, letting his presence slip into the discussion.
"Ken's gonna convince Ran," Omi stated simply. Yoji nodded, pushing the bridge of his sunglasses up onto his nose with his index finger, giving a nod.
"That again, eh? Well, I could understand where Ran's comin' from…kids are a big responsibility, after all. I, personally, am not the type to sit around an' watch the little rugrat when I could be out having a good time…" Yoji saw the disapproving look on Omi's face, and the discouraged one on Ken's, and rushed in an addition to his statement. "Of course, I could see you…and maybe Ran. So you'll have no problem, I'll bet," he gave Ken a grin, and looked over them to observe an attractive young lady walking into the shop. "Heh, duty calls," and he bowed out of the conversation, sauntering up to the woman. Omi rolled his large blue eyes, and turned his attention back to Ken.
"You see? If Yoji thinks its possible…well, what Yoji thinks is kinda irrelevant. But really, I know it'll happen someday. Just remember to give Ran some time," Ken nodded, giving Omi a small smile, which Omi returned on a greater scale.
"Yoji, if she's not buying anything, tell her to leave!" Ran snapped at the taller man, who was leaning against the counter flirtatiously, chatting up the young woman who clearly didn't have any business with flowers anymore. Omi and Ken raised their heads to look at the annoyed redhead, and both exchanged knowing glances. Yoji face faulted as the girl snickered at him. She smiled.
"I guess your boss doesn't like you hitting on the customers. I don't want to get you in trouble," she stated in a soft, nearly seductive voice, before turning and exiting the store. Yoji stared after her in disbelief, then whirled angrily on Ran, who stood staring angrily at Yoji with arms folded across his chest in an unfriendly manner.
"Ran! And you wonder why I don't get dates anymore!" Angrily, the tall man shoved a hand into his pocket pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He removed his apron, tossing it at Ran, who caught it easily. Yoji pushed open the door, not even bothering to look back at his companions. "I'm taking a break," he stated flatly before leaving. Ran glared at the spot Yoji had been standing in prior.
"You're always on break," he muttered to no one in particular. Omi nudged Ken with his shoulder, giving the brunette a knowing nod of his head. Ken walked over Ran, snaking his arms around the man's shoulders in a comforting manner.
"Don't worry about him Ran. Why don't you and I go somewhere and have some coffee or something? You deserve a break, and it's a slow day. Omi'll be able to handle it, right Omi?" Omi smiled broadly.
"Of course. You two go. Enjoy each other's company." The blonde insisted. Ran looked skeptical, but Ken gave him a gentle shove towards the door. Reluctantly, Ran caved in, as usual.
"All right. But only for a half hour. We still have work to do," Ken smiled.
"Right,"
The element of surprise was on his side. That, and his quick wit and ability to pull off any maneuver at random when it came to movement. A sly smirk crossed his face as he approached his quarry from behind, knowing in a matter of seconds, the other man would be dazed to the point he'd have no idea what had struck him. And it would be enjoyable.
His slow, silent steps brought him nearer to the object of his desire, and the gap between them would be closed very soon. His features became alight as victory hung thick in the air. There wasn't anything separating them now. And then…
And then the taller man whirled about, sending a flying kick into his abdomen, causing him to sprawl out on the ground. The words Game Over flashed across the screen.
Angered, Schuldig stood up abruptly, deftly pounding on the buttons of the remote. A string of curses, a mix of German, English, and Japanese, left his mouth as he through the controller down onto the floor in aggravation. He condemned the machine to hell several times over.
From a corner of the room, a snickering was heard coming from a pale young man with short white hair. He had golden eyes, one hidden by a black patch and scars branded his face. He watched the flame-haired man rebuke the small black console with sardonic glee.
"That's right; God doesn't like technology," he drawled. The redhead glared at him with angry jade eyes.
"Shut up Farf," he stated in a dangerous tone. He then picked up on his tirade against the machine. "Stupid Duragon! This game is so screwed! I should've beaten his ass…!" The man referred to as Farf chuckled. Schuldig ignored him completely. Another man entered the room, this one older and taller than the other two. He was dressed in an immaculate white suit and had black hair that fell somewhat into his face. His golden hazel eyes covered by a set of glasses were cold an impassive as he surveyed the situation. With a slight frown, he directed his attention at the German, who had now taken to blaming the game for his troubles.
"Schuldig," his voice pierced the room with an intensity highly disturbing for a voice that wasn't loud at all. Schuldig rolled his eyes, stopping mid-tantrum to look at the man.
"What?" he snapped irritably at the older man. The latter frowned.
"Would you stop playing that game? And possibly focus your attention on something more important for once?" Schuldig scoffed, rolling his jade eyes at the man and then glaring at him with rebellion written on his features.
"Oh, I'm sorry, your Bitchy-ness, did I disturb you?" That earned him an ice cold glare from the dark-haired man.
"Yes." He replied with the same ice in his tone. Schuldig sighed.
"Brad, you amaze me," he sighed, his temper seeming to burn up. "Not only do you manage to be the most up-tight prick in the world, you still find the effort to be the most boring as well!" Schuldig gave the man a grin. Brad however, remained stone still.
"And you amaze me, Schuldig. You must be the most careless, opinionated, lazy person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing," Schuldig narrowed his eyes at the man, and attempted to go through his thoughts. He was met with a wall. An impassible wall.
//The person whose thoughts I actually wouldn't mind seeing and their blocked down to the core. Figures.//
However, even if this sort of exchange was usual for them, Schuldig never did, and never would, enjoy it. It was simply a façade on his part, and no doubt there was something behind those shielded eyes of Crawford's. But then, maybe there wasn't. Every time this happened, it seemed more and more likely to be that way.
"Schuldig," The deep, oddly soothing voice, not that Schuldig would ever admit that, called him back to reality. The German looked up, an expectant look crossing his face. "I have a task for us to accomplish," he began. Schuldig nodded absently.
"What now?" he asked carelessly, as this was routine. Brad seated himself on an armchair in the room, and folded his hands together in thought. Schuldig frowned. It was never good when Brad had to think before telling them what to do. He raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Brad readjusted his glasses on his face before speaking.
"There have been some missing files discovered, from a while ago," he began. Schuldig watched the older man thoughtfully. "And it would greatly benefit us, not to mention keep us safe, if we got to those files before Weiss does." Schuldig's brow furrowed in concentration, and slight confusion.
"Why? What's there?" Brad sighed, shaking his head.
"I don't know. I just know it contains a lot about us, things we don't want revealed." Schuldig's eyes widened. No doubt it had information about the many killings they'd taken part in, not to mention a count on his own. He'd been trying desperately to block that part of his past from his memory; he didn't want to be that way anymore. But he knew if anyone else found out, they'd be in trouble for sure.
"So how do we get it?" he pursued quickly, edging away from the thoughts that swirled about in his head.
"That's the problem. The lock on the data is encrypted with a strange code. I think its some sort of pattern, like a graphic or something of that sort, but I have no idea what." He rubbed his temples with his forefingers. "Luckily, I don't think Weiss has any idea these documents exist, so we have a head start at any rate. But we need to work fast. Our fate depends on that," Schuldig nodded. "Nagi's already started on the decoding. He may be able to find out what it is we need," Brad continued. "And in the meantime, you and Farfello should be ready for whatever it is we may have to do." Hearing himself addressed, the Irishmen lifted his head in their direction.
"Aye, as long as it don't help God any," he stated dryly. Brad ignored him. He and his comrades had accustomed themselves to doing so often. Many of Farf's insane rants and cursings on God's behalf were nothing more than wasted breath and possibly the act of cutting. Schuldig, annoyed with simply listening and doing nothing, rolled his eyes.
"Well, if that's all…I'm out." He announced, strolling casually towards the door. Brad watched him go, and when he was a moment away from the door, his hand on the knob, the American bowed his head slightly.
"Remember what I said, Schuldig," he said, most likely meaning for the words to sound a command, but leaving his mouth as more of concern for Schuldig's safety. Schuldig hesitated, debating heavily on whether to ignore Brad's statement, or respond. Closing his eyes slowly, he sighed inwardly.
"I will, Brad,"
Author's Notes: Yay! Finally, I started it! I'm so happy…Anyway, this is actually my first Weiss Kreuz fic (chorus of cheers is heard). And I suppose you may have noted but at this point I've seen…oh, the first FIVE episodes alone. Though I've read enough info…and fics…*grin* Now for a few quick point-outs: This takes place about, oh, a year after everything? I'm not gonna make much reference to the series itself, but if I do, please don't pay mind to my slip-ups; or just let me know nicely and I'll fix 'em up. I chose to call Aya Ran for three reasons; 1) That IS his name. 2) Aya-chan will probably make a small appearance, and I'd rather that not be more confusing than it hasta be. 3) I have this thing about Aya from Ayashi no Ceres getting mixed up with my Aya so we'll leave him as Ran.
Pinku: That whole bit was really unnecessary, Lei-chan…
Lorelei: Oh well. And one more thing, Schuldig was playing The Bouncer on playstation 2 *grins* Great game, by the way, if you don't mind fighting games. And that's about it. Any other questions you may have will probably be answered in later chapters. Oh yes, and if the title doesn't make sense now, it will later on. Thanks for reading!
Pinku: That was a long author's note…
Lorelei: *raspberry* My public adores me!
Pinku: Riiiiight…
