The Kidnapping

Heavy footsteps walked up the decorated path, surrounded by flowers of all sorts. Only a well trained gardener could arrange such delicate plants. But it didn't matter to this shadow. He'd rather see them burned away with the building they lead to. Why HE wanted this man, Ludwig had no clue, but he was apparently the perfect person to fetch him. Especially now that he had Gilbert's body. And it took every muscle in his body to keep still when they fixed his hair to how Gilbert had it, not Ludwig. It drove him crazy now. How could he keep his hair a mess? And his attitude, Ludwig just barely had it down, even though he had at least a week of practice by now. So, with a heavy sigh, Ludwig stood at the doorsteps of the manor, rapping on the door.

The door opened, revealing a rather tired Roderich Edelstein.

"Gilbert?" With a heavy groan, Roderich placed his hands on his hips and stared up at the man. "What on earth could you want? Can't I ever get a day off from you?"

With this all well thought out, "Gilbert" played his act, a wide smirk coming upon his lips. "Yo, Roderich! What, I can't come and see you once in a while?"

"Why can't you be normal and call like everyone else?"

"That wouldn't be fun at all."

Roderich sighed, opening his door more for "Gilbert", adjusting his glasses. "Alright, come in. But I want you gone in an hour."

"Yeah, sure," the shadow said. This is working out too well, he thought, walking right on into the manor. He looked around. He remembered seeing this place in dreams, but he never actually stepped foot in it until now. This was a house that held many memories for the real Ludwig. More then he even remembered. It was almost surreal to feel a hard surface when his hand rested on a wooden table. So surreal, he shuddered a bit, dropping his "Gilbert" act to look around. Roderich shut the door and stared at him for a moment.

Gilbert's acting so strange, he though, raising an eyebrow. Well, stranger then USUAL. "Is there something you needed?"

"Ah, yes," the shadow said, returning as "Gilbert" and turning to look at Roderich. "I wanted to warn you about something. I'm not sure if Ludwig told you yet."

Roderich blinked for a moment. "Yes. Ludwig." He stepped away for a moment and sat in his chair. "Told me WHAT?"

"These beings. Shadows, they're called."

"Yes. He did call about it. A week and a half ago. Apparently, these shadows think that they can take over our being as countries." Roderich looked up at "Gilbert", staring from above his glasses. "Rather… STUPID, aren't they?"

"Gilbert" flinched, eyeing the Austrian man. But, he had to play this game. "Yes, extremely."

Roderich folded his hands. "So… How is he, anyway? Is he safe?"

"Ludwig's fine," the phony replied. Roderich's eye seemed to twitch a little when "Ludwig" was said. Because, how could anyone forget? Roderich stood and paced over by his window, staring out, his hand hidden behind the curtain.

"That's good. We wouldn't want him hurt, would we now?"

"No, we wouldn't." Slowly pacing forward to the Austrian, he did his best to remain soundless. But Roderich was quick as he spun around, his hidden hand revealed with a shining sword a centimeter away from the fake's neck. Caught by surprise, the fake's eyes widened. He'd been caught in his act.

"Who the hell are you?" Roderich lifted the sword to it just brushed the shadow's neck. "Gilbert always calls Ludwig 'West', not by his actual name. Work on your acting skills, you amateur."

"Amateur? I fooled you-"

"At first!" Roderich did all in his power to not stab, slowing inching his body closer and keeping the sword in place. "And I asked a question. I demand it be answered."

"Suit yourself," came the cruel chuckle, the shadow jolting back and ducking before the sharp blade could pierce him. He ran forward and knocked the Austrian over, pinning him down with his own sword as he snatched it out of his hand and stabbed the collar of Roderich's shirt to keep him down. "You'll find out, Mr. Edelstein. Soon enough." A hand covered the Austrian's mouth and nose, whom began to struggle, trying to get away, but making sure his neck didn't touch that cold blade. He was running out of air, and finally, his eyes fluttered shut. Ludwig removed his hand, allowing him to breathe. "I need you alive," he said to himself, pulling out the sword and tossing it to the side, picking up the unconscious Roderich over his shoulder and leaving the house.

"Do you have him?"

"Well, obviously, he's only on my shoulder."

"Let me see!" Heat overcame Roderich's face, and he heard a chuckle of pleasure. "Yes, perfect. Now he'll work with us!"

"That damn man is so picky, I don't know who he bloody thinks he is."

"Shut up, Arthur. No one cares what YOU think either."

A snarl was heard from the one called Arthur. Roderich's mind tried to process what was all going on, but all he recalled were unfamiliar red eyes last. It was pitch black now, and he tried to open his eyes.

"I think he's waking," a monotone voice said.

"Quick! Bound him!"

What? Before Roderich could even try to open his eyes and react, strong hands threw him to the ground and he felt his hands being tightened to his back, and glasses we removed from his face. So even if he could open his eyes, he couldn't see well enough. That's not what really ticked him off, though.

"Give me those," a man said, and he heard his glasses drop and smash. If that wasn't enough, an extra crunch came and a cruel chuckle as what seemed to be a foot stepped all over his glasses. Roderich growled, his eyes opening slowly, and finally after so long. He looked around, everything being a blur, but he could make out the familiar boots "Gilbert" wore right at his face.

"Put him to a chair," the voice from before said, and the foot moved as Roderich was picked up and sat into a chair, and rather roughly. Scratchy rope wrapped around him tightly, as if to make sure he didn't escape. Squirming a bit only made the rope tighter, so Roderich gave up and looked around, trying to make out who people were. He knew about the so called "Gilbert", and two more heads of blonde were noticeable, one shorter then the other. One of the blondes wore green, and the other tan with a brown sort of cover. One head of raven black hair was still, and his clothes were a pure white.

"Well, looks like Roderich's ours now." The tan-wearing blonde chuckled, walking up closer, face an inch from his. Roderich could make out blue eyes, and stared into them as harsh as he could. "That stubborn man better work with us, or I'm offing this one."

"Alfred, you murdered several people already today," the other blonde said, rather exasperated. "Take a break."

"But they weren't important at all! Small fry no one cares about. 'Cept some little RUNT managed to run away. Stupid kid, too. He knows he can't run for long." Alfred looked over at the other blonde ,standing and going to Roderich's side. "He kinda looked like ya. If he DID die, that would have been such fun. I could pretend it was YOU. But, sadly, I need you. Even though you're useless. I let you borrow my power and you can't do it right. Yet Kiku could. Something must be wrong with you, Arthur."

The other blonde, called Arthur, growled. "Listen, you-"

"All of you shut the HELL up."

Roderich blinked. That voice…

"I'm sick of your bickering. This is why I don't want to work with you."

"Shuddup already, you ain't the leader. I AM."

"And YOU need ME." This man, blonde again, wearing a more evergreen then the other, came into Roderich's blurred view. "So you have him. Good."

"What do you need this for anyway?" The fake Gilbert had his arms crossed. "He can't be important."

"He is to someone," came the reply. "And if that someone is on our side, we'll be invincible, practically."

"I get it, I get it." Alfred groaned and shoved Roderich forward in the chair. "What do you want with the damn kid?"

"I'm not a kid!" Roderich glared back at Alfred, who kicked over his chair.

"Shut up! Do you KNOW what your position is right now?"

"Alfred." The darker green blonde stepped forward, and Alfred groaned, storming off outside. The raven haired one, Kiku, followed after him. The darker green blonde sat the chair back up, lifting the chin looking into Roderich's features. "So, it's the real thing. Not some fake like us. Perfect."

"Vash…?" Roderich winced a bit, looking up at him.

"Close. You wanted answers, right? Ludwig. I leave that to you." The supposed Vash walked out, leaving Arthur and the fake Gilbert, wait, Ludwig? Roderich was confused.

"Fine," Gilbert's familiar voice had said, though Roderich knew it wasn't him. He looked at Roderich, who didn't look back at all. He only sat there. "We're those shadows the REAL Ludwig told you about."

"…and what do you want with me?" Roderich looked at the doorway, which remained empty.

"We need you to get the real Vash."

Roderich knit his eyebrows. "And you're going to use him to win…"

"Cruel world, isn't it?"

"We should call Roderich," Gilbert said, looking at his brother. "West, he DOES know about the shadows and stuff, right?"

"Yeah, I called him a while back ago." Ludwig continued to clean the dishes from the morning's breakfast and Feliciano helped to load them into the dishwasher. "But he should know about this, too, now."

"Right." Gilbert nodded, reaching for the phone and calling. And calling. And calling. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. But still no answer. Gilbert looked worried suddenly each time he reached voicemail. Ludwig and Feliciano stared at Gilbert in worry. Roderich always answered his phone the second it rang. "…hey, Roddy. Um, it's Gilbert. It's a really long story on why I sound like West. It's the shadows. Be careful, okay? …Call back soon." With that, Gilbert hung up, staring at the phone. Maybe he was just out, right…?

"…call again in an hour. If he doesn't answer, we'll head over to his house." Ludwig paused on his dishes for a moment to go over to his brother and give him a reassuring pat in the shoulder. "…He's okay."

Gilbert winced. Those were only words to comfort him, and all three of them knew it. Feliciano fiddles with a plate before setting it down gently.

"I need to call Lovino," he said, looking over. "He should know about this, too."

Gilbert gave a nod and held up the phone, his gut upsetting him only more as it gave a pang of even more worry.

"Lovino! Thank God you answered!"

"Of course I answered, why wouldn't I?" Lovino's finger's drummed on the table. Feliciano had just called, for some reason, in a whole worry. Lovino figured WHY, though. "Is it those shadows?"

"Si. Ah... Well, one of them can switch bodies."

Lovino blinked. "Huh? Well, yes, you told me this already. Feliciano, I swear, I'm fine. So is Antonio."

"I just get so worried. Sorry."

Lovino gave a sigh. "...Look, don't be. Just look out for YOURSELF, okay? You matter, too."

"Okay... Thank you, Lovino."

"Of course. Ciao."

"Ciao."

With that, Lovino waited until his little brother hung up. It was about a moment before he heard a click, followed by a long tone. Lovino clicked "end" and sighed, setting down his cell and staring out for a moment. It never seemed like he cared about Feliciano, but he really was worried. They were brothers, after all.

"Lovino? Who was that?" Lovino blinked and looked up at Antonio, who stood in the door frame with a worried expression.

"Feliciano. He's worried."

"Is it those shadow things again?"

Lovino nodded. "I keep telling him we're fine, but he gets so worked up." Lovino rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and putting on his uncaring attitude act. "He should worry about himself more."

Antonio couldn't help but to smile. "Don't worry, Lovino." He walked over and sat beside the young man he had raised. "He'll be okay, too."

Lovino looked down and sighed. Antonio was used to seeing Lovino's act, so it never really worked on him much anymore. "I know. I just hope they don't get him, too."

Elizabeta walked up the beautiful walkway. She couldn't help but to frown a bit, though, for some on the flowers that decorated it had been stepped on. Must be Gilbert, she thought, shaking her head as she knocked on Roderich's door. But when she knocked, the door opened and she blinke

"Roderich?" She looked around, stepping inside. "Roderich, are you here?" Closing the door gently behind her, Elizabeta took a glance around. It was odd for Roderich not to at least greet her. Unless, maybe, he was bathing, but his door wouldn't have been left unlocked, let alone ajar. She looked over and blinked. Roderich's sword? She walke up and felt the cold blade. Why is it out? Looking around on the floor, Elizabeta came across something that made her heart stop. A small fragment of Roderich's shirt. Then, something else caught her attention as a long beep came from the phone. Voicemail. Taking the cloth, she picked up the phone and began to listen.

"…hey, Roddy. Um, it's Gilbert. It's a really long story on why I sound like West. It's the shadows. Be careful, okay? …Call back soon."

Elizabeta stared at the receiver as the message replied over and over in her head. That was Gilbert? But he... Shadows? She, too, had heard about the shadows. But she had only been told to not trust anyone, and Roderich had told her that a few days ago. And now he was missing. This call... Elizabeta didn't have time to call back, that would be pointless. She wanted to hear it from Gilbert directly.

...At least, that WAS Gilbert talking, right?

"...Ludwig, he still hasn't called back." Gilbert's foot began tapping. But it wasn't impatiantly. His leg always jittered whenever he was worried about something. Or in this case, someone. He looked over at his younger brother, who had been sitting restlessly in the arm chair close to Gilbert and Feliciano.

"...call him again." Ludwig looked at Feliciano, who nodded and held up the phone for Gilbert. "If he doesn't answer, we'll drive over there as quick as po-" His voice was cut off by a banging on the door. Deja vu, Ludwig thought as he stared at the door.

"Gilbert? Gilbert, are you there? Answer this door immediately!" Gilbert's head perked up in surprise.

"Elizabeta?"

"HOPEFULLY it's her." Ludwig stood and grabbed his gun, tucking it in the back of his pants. Feliciano stiffened and stayed on the couch with Gilbert, who stared at the door. Inching up, Ludwig looked through the peak hole. It LOOKED like her. Ludwig, cautiously, unlocked the door and opened it just a bit, peering to look at her. "Elizabeta?"

"Gilbert?"

"Erm... No, Ludwig." Then he blinked, hand reaching back. "How do you know about that?"

"Roderich's voicemail. I went to visit him today, as usual, and... Well, THIS!" Elizabeta showed Ludwig the cloth. His eyes widened and he reached out to touch it, his hand relaxing a bit. "He wasn't there at all! His sword was out, too. I went to knock and the door was slightly open!" Elizabeta trembled a bit, looking down. "What could have happened to him...? Where could he be...?"

"..." Ludwig opened the door more to allow her in. "Come in. We'll have to make yet another call to the others." With a nod, Elizabeta held the cloth close to her chest at walked in, sitting on a kitchen chair by the living room. Feliciano stood up and went by her, squatting down by her side and resting a hand on hers.

"I'm sure he's okay," Feliciano cooed to her, hugging the girl who he spent most of his childhood with. Elizabeta couldn't help but to smile and hug him back.

"I hope you're right." She shut her eyes and sighed heavily, worried out of her mind. Gilbert looked over at them both and sighed. As Ludwig began to dial for Kiku, he went over to Elizabeta and sat down.

"...I'M Gilbert, Elizabeta." The Hungarian looked over at him and blinked. Looking at the real Ludwig, then back at Gilbert, she knit her eyebrows. As if reading her mind, Gilbert went on. "I'll explain what's going on."

Gilbert told her everything his little brother had told him, Feliciano helping out with whatever details he missed. As they told the story of the white void, Elizabeta listened closely, eyes curious and wide and she clutched onto the cloth she had of Roderich. Now he was missing, and those shadows would pay.