A/N: Oh my Gawd. I finished high school. It's so scary, adult life is knocking on my door and I just don't want to grow up yet. TT I'm 18 already and I wished I was younger. Anyway, sorry for the delay again, but finishing high school forced me to go on a internet/computer hiatus. And I'm not done with all the tests yet. -cries- BUT you people are just wonderful. 86 reviews. Every single reader of this fic r o c k s! Remember the Side B warnings? They're for real now. Be careful with SPOILERS.
Language: Basic translation into English done by me, revision by Ladye Black, who is my amazing beta. She's in college and she still helps me!
Pairings: Farfie is the only one who's safe from love trouble here.

Reviews! About the answers: Due to the site's recent policy, I am not allowed to reply to each review here, in the chapter anymore. I can reply to the signed ones using a new feature, but I cannot do that if whoever commented isn't a registered user. So please, if you don't have an account and wish to have your review answered and/or commented, please leave an e-mail address! I'll write to you, okay?

Disclaimer: Weiß Kreuz is not mine. If it was, why would I write fanfiction? Everything would be original. Ne?


Missing
Chapter 09


The brunette blinked several times, staring at the tall figure outlined by the sunlight which came from outside the church. Without really paying attention to what he was doing, Ken got up from the bench, not noticing Farfarello's eyes on him and that Schuldig didn't look exactly thrilled with the news.
His footsteps were calm and self-controlled, but the former Weiß member had the feeling that his heart was beating louder than ever and that Aya could easily hear it from the door, if the swordsman's attention hadn't been brought to him already by his footsteps.
When the ex-soccer player was near the entrance, he found amethyst eyes; so familiar and yet so strange. During the past days, Ken had gotten used to laughing blues instead of cold violet. He felt his body halting, a few metres away from Aya.
The redhead had his form outlined by the sunlight, while Ken stood in the shadows. That made a rather strange analogy pop into Ken's head, since he was in the company of two former Schwarz members, had traveled for a good time with one of them and somewhat trusted both.
Suddenly, the ex-soccer player realized that there was much more between him and Aya than simple physical distance.
Aya blinked for a few times, without saying a word, and took a few steps forward. Still not close enough to be touched by his former teammate, Ken felt amethyst eyes soften, his initial suspicious expression gone. They also analyzed the ex-soccer player cautiously, noticing the clothes which clung to Ken's body and not being able to fit them in with the classic way the other boy used to dress himself.
Brushing a chocolate strand of hair out of his eyes, two turquoises sparkled in the church's shadows, and this time, the younger assassin took a few bold steps forward too, Aya within reach of his hands if he wished to touch him. The church was still empty, only Schuldig, Farfarello and themselves inside the holy place. But right at that moment, both Schwarz were completely forgotten by Ken.
- ...Aya?
The brunette's voice was the first one to echo in the great empty space. A small nod followed, and Ken noticed that probably, the long braid Aya used to wear wouldn't be seen anytime soon, his hair still as short as he remembered when they had said their goodbyes at the airport, in the most strangest way.
Goodbyes that still hurt the younger assassin. Painful memories.
- Ken.
It wasn't a question; it wasn't a doubt of any sort. It was a simple affirmation, and there was no surprise in Aya's voice. As if the redhead already knew that sooner or later, he'd be found by his former teammate. It was impossible to know, as Fujimiya Ran never let his emotions show that easily.
The brunette opened his mouth to say something, but the redhead's next move shut him up in seconds. Before Ken could register what was going on, he was pulled into Aya's arms, being quickly pressed to the redhead's body. Turquoises went wide before returning to their normal size, while hesitant hands slid by the other man's waist and fingers laced themselves, completing the embrace. Aya's head suddenly sank into Ken's shoulder.
- ...Ken.
A confession.


A playful smile graced the Irishman lips, who was looking at the altar and seemed to ignore the events at the back of the church. He didn't need to turn his head to the right to know that the telepath had an extremely acid and dangerous expression on his face.

"Schuldig. Your thoughts are amusing."
"Farfie. GET OUT."
"Mastermind... You're so disturbed by recent events that you even forgot to end the telepathic link between us."

A growl of pure annoyance followed and the orange-haired man turned his head to Farfarello's opposite side. The gesture, however, didn't stop the Irishman from breaking the silence.
- Why are you so annoyed by this?
- I am not annoyed.
- Of course not. - the blond Irishman nodded, the small smile still on his lips - The fact that Abyssinian and Siberian are hugging each other at the back of the church is completely irrelevant.
- Farfarello. - the telepath turned his head to stare straight at the man beside him, a dangerous gleam in his eyes - If you already know what annoys me, why do you even bother asking?
- Moments like these are rare, Schuldig.
Incoherent growls, which the astral traveler supposed to be German curses escaped the redhead's lips. Who would predict something like that to happen..?
- What is Siberian thinking about?
- I don't give a damn.
Farfarello looked at the redhead.
- Schuldig. I bet you didn't leave your new toy's mind alone for a second during your trip. You knew that this was bound to happen when he faced Abyssinian again.
- ...Farfie. - the redhead's voice was practically a threat. But threats didn't affect the Irishman at all, especially when physical damage was involved.
- You didn't think it would happen so soon? Or you can't take the idea of losing your kitten to someone else?
Without any more words, Schuldig quickly stood up and made his way out, trailing after Ken's earlier steps. In Farfarello's head, more offensive words echoed, pretty loudly.


Ken opened his eyes, which he didn't recall having closed at all, when furious footsteps echoed inside the church. He felt Aya's body detaching from his seconds before a really pissed looking Schuldig walked past both of them. The telepath's bright orange hair brushed against the brunette's arm, and the German stopped right at the church's entrance.
- I hope you know the way back to the hotel, mein Kätzchen.
Violet eyes went wide while the brunette tried to understand whatever had happened, and almost jumped when he heard the Irishman's calm voice behind him.
- I think you shouldn't leave him alone, Siberian.
Giving Aya an apologetic look, Ken dashed out of the church. He didn't know why he was running after someone who had fooled him and turned the past three days of his life into hell, but he followed Farfarello's advice anyway.
Why he had listened to what the Irishman had said was another mystery.
As soon as Ken was gone, Aya instinctively shifted his body into a defensive position, staring at the ex-Schwarz golden eyes with a contained ferocity. The astral traveler merely smiled back, his lips curving up so lightly that the smile was barely visible.
- As soon as they're back, we have a lot to talk about, Abyssinian.
The calm tone in which the Irishman was speaking didn't help to change the weird sensation that the swordsman was feeling. Not to mention that Schuldig had been with them just a while ago, and he had seen the unfriendly expression in the telepath's face when he had left the church.
- If you don't mind, I'd rather wait outside. Churches make me uncomfortable.
The redhead dropped his arms to his sides, giving the other man a small nod and both left the holy place, returning to the streets. He hoped that Ken could get back soon and explain what was going on, because the fact that the brunette trusted or had a temporary alliance with his former enemies was the only reason which had stopped Aya from attacking Farfarello.


The ex-soccer player ran to the streets, halting his movement after having climbed the church's small stair steps and looking around, trying to figure out to where Schuldig could have gone. Looking at the people who were in the streets, he noticed that most of them were gazing at the same direction, whispering among themselves.
Of course, the telepath had orange hair. Somebody pissed, and with such a indiscreet hair colour must have drawn some attention.
Following the direction people were looking in, Ken trailed after his traveling companion's steps, noticing that they were leading him to the park they had been to earlier, to meet with Farfarello. In fact, he could make a mop of flaming hair out from the vegetation, and the brunette found Schuldig, who was sitting down at a bench. The very same bench they had been sitting on before.
The ex-Weiß member didn't even try to hide his presence; the German should have noticed that he was being followed already, and that Ken was there. Sighing, the brunette made his way to the bench, stopping right in front of the redhead, looking down at him.
- Schuldig.
The telepath merely got up and walked away from the other boy, leaving the younger assassin perplexed.
- Schuldig, I am talking to you!
Without answers again, the brunette went after the other man and grabbed one of his wrists, forcing Schuldig to turn around and look at him. Ken almost stepped back when he saw such anger in blue eyes.
- What now?
- Let's go back. We need to talk.
- What do you mean by "we need"? - a cynical smirk tugged the corners of the telepath's lips up - I think your conversation with Abyssinian was going fairly well, and that we weren't needed. Or I wasn't needed.
- Schuldig... Are you jealous?
- Of course not. - the other man answered shortly but way too quickly, trying to get away from Ken but failing.
- Listen to me, let's go back.
- Why did you even bother to come after me, Ken?
- Schu...
- Answer.
The brunette released his grip on the telepath's wrist, sighing deeply.
- Because Farfarello asked me to.
Schuldig's cerulean eyes flashed an unreadable emotion.
- Oh, he asked you to? And since when you do whatever he tells you to do?
- Schuldig! Stop that already! Would you please behave like an adult?
- Look who's talking, Mr. Maturity.
That made Ken lose his patience, holding Schuldig in place by his shoulders.
- Now you will listen to me, Schuldig. I've come after you because Farfarello asked, yes. But I also came because I don't know if you remember or if I'm suddenly the smart one, but we both are in danger. - the brunette spoke quickly and in a low tone, so unusual that it was scary - And I think you don't want to go back to Rosenkreuz, and I don't wish to get acquainted with that place.
The mention of the name "Rosenkreuz" calmed the ex-Schwarz down. He looked to the side, gazing at a lake before looking at Ken again.
- So those are the reasons which brought you here?
The brunette felt like tearing his hair out. What else did Schuldig want to hear?
- Yes. But if you want to know if there's something else deep inside, I'll tell you that yes, there is. I worry about you. You... - the younger assassin raised one hand, his index finger poking the redhead's chest lightly, as if accusing him of something - Somewhat gained my trust.
A short period of silence followed.

"Trust?"
"I can't help it. I just trust people that easily... Even when I know that they'll stab me in the back, eventually."
"Do you think I'd do that?"
"You've tried to stab me in the back before. Literally."
"I am serious."
"...I don't know."

Ken looked away, avoiding Schuldig's penetrating gaze. Right at that moment, he felt his hand being taken into the other man's.
- For a second, I thought you were going to say that you had come after me because I'm a good kisser.
- Schu...
There wasn't enough time for Ken to blush or protest, being thrown into the German's arms and pressed against his body. Although the same thing had happened just minutes ago, inside the church with Aya, this time it wasn't just a normal embrace, but one of the redhead's mind-blowing kisses.
Before Ken's mind could register what was going on, Schuldig already had him enlaced by his waist, their mouths locked and the younger assassin's lips parting almost by instinct when the German ran his tongue along Ken's lower lip, asking for entrance. Having Ken suddenly submissive like that helped to change the telepath's mood in seconds.
When both broke the kiss, Ken had a lovely shade of red colouring his cheeks, and he whispered:
- People are looking, Schuldig.
- I don't care. - he answered, quoting the brunette's earlier words, when the telepath had almost been strangled against the bench.
- Baka. - Ken scolded lowly, his blush fading - Let's go back?
- Let's.
They were back at the church in a few minutes, where both Aya and Farfarello were waiting for them outside, a very odd pair to be looked at in Ken's mind. The Irishman just looked at both of them and gave his former teammate a small smirk when he noticed that Schuldig's bad mood was completely gone.
Aya, on the other hand, didn't want to know how the sudden change had happened.


Unwillingly, Aya led the other three men through the streets to the place where the new assassin team lived. He didn't look pleased to walk side by side with two former enemies around London, but he knew that at this rate, the new flower shop location should be no news for one of them, and it was futile to refuse information.
As soon as they had gotten to the new place, a fairly short and cheerful boy came to Aya, looking at the other three men with curiosity. He smiled at them and went back inside the flower shop, calling other people's names.

"Mein Gott! They have a Tsukiyono clone!"
"Schu!"
"And he thinks in French!"

Ken gave the German a dirty look, who behaved temporarily until commenting:
- Koneko no Sumu Ie.
- Huh? - Ken turned his head to Schuldig, blinking.
- The flower shop name translated from English is Koneko no Sumu Ie.
The brunette swallowed hard. For some unknown reason to him, he didn't like to see a second flower shop with the same name.

To be continued...


A/N²: A bit of RanKen love and a fairly larger bit of SchuKen love. xD Ne, I finished reading Side B mangas and... I'm gonna use them in here. With Schwarz. o.o Aren't I crazy? Anyway, the way things happen in Side B and the way they WILL happen in Missing are different, okay?

If you want me to stop this madness or just keep going, review and I'll know. Telepathic messages also work, but I've been getting too much spam lately. And... Merry Christmas everyone!