Title: Karmesinrot Rache
Mission: 07 Spiegel – Mirror (Reflected Soul)
Time: Kapitel, AU
Date: 04-07-04
Nanami was woken up by someone holding onto her hand tightly. She opened her eyes meet Jade's concerned eyes. Jade gave her a weak smile and released her hand. "You look tired," Jade whispered hoarsely. "Go back to your own room."
"I can't believe you're telling me what to do," Nanami joked. "You're such a mother hen."
"Stop calling me that," Jade ordered, mildly amused. "I don't need two nurses. Kirei is doing fine as it is. I'm sleeping twenty hours a day."
"I wan-wanted to say," Nanami started off but Jade silenced her with a small shake of her head.
"It's okay," Jade said. "I heard the first time."
"I'm still sorry," Nanami said meekly. "Because I know it's my fault that everything happened the way it did."
Jade felt the need to confess about Crawford, "I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" Nanami asked her.
Jade averted her eyes guiltily. "I met Brad at the Jigen party. I didn't know he was your...brother. But I knew he was dangerous. And then that day I saw Schuldig outside of Koneko No Sume Ie, I met Brad again. Schuldig's attack weakened me. Brad took care of me until I came home. But he didn't kill me then. So I'm confused..."
"Jade, I think," Nanami paused, it was hard to say his name. "…Brad probably wanted information about us."
"I know that now. But he took good care of me," Jade said. Uncertainty entered her mind. He took really good care of me despite his bastardly ways. Brad Crawford hadn't made their lives easy since their meeting. Nobody knew what he wanted. He hid everything behind those thin glasses, a shield over his face and thoughts.
"Are you defending him?" Nanami was shocked.
"Fuck no!" Jade said, outraged at the thought. "I hate him!" Nanami gave her a hurt look and Jade's eyes softened. "I mean, you're my best friend. Family like him doesn't matter." From the worsening expression on Nanami's face, Jade knew she said the wrong thing. Jade winced, chastised. "I'm sorry. It didn't come out the right way."
"I need to settle things with him," Nanami said softly but steadily. "I need to know why and how much he knows about me."
"What about Karmesinrot Rache?" Jade asked, shocked. "You're not thinking of leaving us, are you?" Would Chimera even allow that? None of the girls ever thought about it.
"I'm not leaving the team," Nanami answered quickly. She pulled away. She couldn't meet Jade's gaze. She was too afraid of her leader's answer even though she wasn't asking. "I just need to do this too."
Jade's mouth twitched, somewhere between a frown and a smile. Meeting Brad Crawford put more questions in her life than she thought possible. If her friend didn't find the answers to those countless questions, she wouldn't be able to concentrate. She would be a liability to the team. "I understand," Jade replied finally. "I'll help any way I can."
"I know," Nanami responded with a tiny smile. A knock on the door drew their attention. Kirei and Kayla walked into the room. Kirei bore a dinner tray in her hands. Those two are taking care of us. Nanami smiled fondly at the younger girls. She needed to thank them for overseeing the household and most importantly, the team.
"Can we come in?" Kayla, the braver one, asked. Kirei lingered behind her slightly taller friend, balancing the heavy tray perfectly.
"Of course," Jade answered, weakly gesturing to the empty space around her bed. Kirei brought the tray to the desk before she helped Jade shift her body to a seated position.
Jade slowly ate the meal with three pairs of eyes on her. She placed her spoon in the bowl. "Can you not watch me eat?" she asked bluntly. It made her self-conscious. Kayla chuckled and Kirei giggled.
"Nanami." Kirei stopped, covering her mouth. Nanami looked at her. From the expression of solemn curiosity, Nanami knew what she wanted to know.
"Go ahead," she whispered in a strained voice.
"Why didn't you trust us enough to tell us your real name?" Kirei asked gently. It was a sacred question. She didn't want Nanami to shut them out anymore. Nanami was her mentor. The others knew about Kirei's prosthetics but Nanami was the first to embrace the girl's unique structure without prejudice.
Nanami gave her a depressed look, one also full of hunger for the truth. "I've almost forgotten it was even my name," she admitted.
"I think the person who named you must have been really special and loving to give you the name Naitsuusha," Kirei said earnestly. "Can we call you by your real name? Can we call you Naitsuusha or…Tsuu?"
The question struck her hard. Her mother gave the name, hoping her first daughter would be someone different, someone destined to change the world for the better like her father. She grasped the past to sort the lies from the truths. She replied in a pained voice, "It's about time I stopped living a lie." A more sincere smile stole across her face. "I like…Tsuu." The chain holding her memories captive broke its first link.
"Tsuu," Kayla began calmly, "are you feeling better?"
"I'm taking the news one day at a time," Nanami—now Naitsuusha admitted tentatively. "But don't worry about me."
At her words, everyone looked at Jade expectantly. Swiftly, Jade hid the troubled look on her face under a strained mask of exaggerated impatience. "I'm fine," she growled, sounding almost normal. "I'm done. There's no use in trying to eat when everyone's staring," she said irritably. She placed the bowl on the adjacent table to hide her trembling hands. Kirei and Naitsuusha exchanged concerned glances. It wasn't the first time Jade was relieved she was the only telepathist because like the others, she wanted her skeletons to remain in the closet…or smashed to dust since it was safer that way.
Kirei pouted suddenly, slender finger pointing to the half-full bowl. "It makes me worry more when you don't eat!"
"I'm finished," Jade said forcefully. "Once I heal, we'll be able to take missions again," The girls worked best with a full team but they could do things as they were if need be.
"What do you think about Weiß?" asked Kayla, shifting into a better position on the ground. "Fujimiya Aya was kidnapped."
"That's their problem," Jade said out of habit. She didn't like Weiß and she wasn't about to go help them when she had other things to do. "We have our own priorities."
"But I feel bad," Kayla said, turning slightly to face Naitsuusha. "I know you do even though you try to hide it."
"I don't feel bad about anything concerning Weiß," scoffed Naitsuusha, turning back into her usual self. "The only way I'd help Weiß get Abyssinian's sister back is if Chimera ordered it." She paused and then amended her words. "No, that won't work either. I'll help when Abyssinian politely asks me for my assistance...which will never happen knowing him."
"How well do you know him?" Kirei teased slyly.
"Not well enough like you girls know Bombay and Siberian, you traitors," Naitsuusha replied crossly. The two younger girls made faces at her words. Getting to her feet to prevent further discussions about florist/assassins, Naitsuusha ushered the younger girls out. "Now Kirei, you go back to your own room and sleep," she ordered. "You look like you need it more than me."
Kirei obeyed, going to nap in comfort before she returned to her futon beside Jade's bed for the night. Just a few days, Naitsuusha thought in the hallway outside of Jade's bedroom door, gripping her past tightly. That's all I need to find Brad again.
Jade listened to Naitsuusha's departing footsteps with relief. Jade couldn't go back to sleep after her conversation with her friend about Brad and Schwarz. She wondered if Karmesinrot Rache would receive orders to go against the powerful team. Jade remembered Schuldig's mind from their private battle. She recalled the murders he participated in while in service to Eszet. Jade wondered what part of her memory he managed to see. They were all killers with secrets. Jade felt incredibly vulnerable to have a part of her mind stolen away.
"Fucking Schwarz," Jade growled. She knew for a fact now she hated them more than she hated Weiß. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, however fitful it may be.
Merache was not above drumming his fingers impatiently on the clean tablecloth. He waited at a table reserved for two men for a business meeting. The second party insisted to see him at his earliest convenience. It didn't help that the man, Tokizo Masaya, was over twenty minutes late, a factor plus a busy week at the office and other unethical places contributing to Merache's dour mood.
Merache sipped a glass of chardonnay freely, killing time until he saw Tokizo being led to his table by a waiter. Tokizo sat, apologizing for his tardiness. Merache waved it off. "What is so important that we can't talk over the phone, Tokizo-san?" Merache wanted to know.
"I wanted to talk about Reiji-san's old position as Prime Minister," Tokizo admitted, sensing the foreigner was not prepared to stay longer than five minutes at most. "I was wondering if you heard of anyone who was interested in filling his shoes."
"I haven't been paying attention to anything on the political front of late," said Merache bluntly. He drained half of his drink to help suppress a glower and then replied, "I've been preoccupied with other business."
"I see," said Tokizo, deeply disappointed. "Are you planning on supporting a new candidate for office?"
"I see no one worth supporting," Merache said while looking directly at Tokizo. "If this is everything you wanted to say to me, I need to return home. I still have some work to do."
"I thank you for your time," Tokizo said coldly as Merache stood.
The black haired American looked down at Tokizo, meeting that glacial stare without flinching. "You forgot what I said before," he said curtly. "We are not friends and we are not enemies."
"I understand, Merache-san." Tokizo stood to bow to the man. Merache bowed to him in return before he strode out of the restaurant towards his car. Tokizo turned to the menu and read the entrees listed without registering the names of the dishes. Another man with blonde hair and sea-green eyes joined Tokizo at his table when Merache left the restaurant floor. Tokizo looked up at his subordinate.
Harrison reported, "He despises you."
"The feeling is mutual," Tokizo said in disgust. "But he can influence the swing votes."
"We can find other ways for financial support," Harrison suggested. "There are others in Japan who would help you gain what you desire."
"You're a bodyguard. Who do you know that would help me?" Tokizo asked suspiciously. Harrison looked at him calmly after he removed his sunglasses to look into Tokizo's eyes.
"You should trust me," he urged the politician in a strong firm voice. "I am helping you."
Tokizo blinked like he just remembered something, He nodded finally. "I trust you."
Harrison smiled grimly and replaced his sunglasses on his face. "Then let us return back to your house. I have news about Schreient you will be interested in."
Harrison waited for his charge to stand up. He led his employer to his waiting car. After they were seated comfortably in luxury, Harrison studied his employer. Tokizo was very docile now. It was a state Harrison liked his puppets to be. After Harrison implanted the feeling of trust into his mind, Harrison knew Tokizo would be beneficial to keep alive in order to unfold the next step of Eszet's plans.
Schreient succeeded in getting Eszet their Kundalini sacrifice. Harrison already received a request for funding for Schreient's laboratory where they would house the sacrifice. Harrison planned on removing the money from Tokizo's banks. Eszet had billions at their disposal but since Tokizo worked for Eszet, whether he knew it or not, his money was Eszet's money.
The drive back to Tokizo's mansion in the secluded town of Morioka took about two hours. Harrison was not bored during the quiet trip as he spent his time planning the next stage for Eszet to succeed the world as its God. When they finally arrived, Harrison stepped out first to ensure the estate was in order. He turned back to Tokizo who was almost back to his usual self. "It is late, Tokizo-san," Harrison said. "You should go inside. I will get the security guards to lock up for the night."
"That is a good idea," Masaya agreed wholeheartedly, climbing out of the car. Harrison witnessed the front gates locking together before he travelled to his office.
The mansion was modeled after the great manors of England. Lacking the rolling expanses of the moors, Masaya made bought the surrounding homes and demolished them. The money was not spent needlessly in his opinion to build a humble home to his liking after being impressed by the English countryside. Tall black wrought-iron gates fenced in the lands, propping cameras and securing lasers on its bars. The manicured green lawn stretched from the gates to the base of the house.
Harrison lived with his employer, learning of and then controlling his businesses on Eszet's orders. Schwarz did the same with Takatori Reiji. Tokizo was not deemed important enough for a full team of bodyguards until now. Harrison smiled at a well-dressed woman standing stiffly in his office because it was not a social visit or a pleasant experience to be there.
"Hell-san," Harrison said graciously as he walked towards her. He ignored her aloof manner.
"We did not receive the funds yet," Hell said angrily. "Your secretary would not forward my calls to you. I don't understand why he wouldn't."
"He is not Eszet's secretary but Tokizo's," Harrison explained. "I apologize for any inconvenience I have caused you."
"Just pay us and any inconvenience will be forgotten," Hell said impatiently. "I have the laboratory set up for Eszet like they wanted but I refuse to work as bodyguards for Tokizo."
"Why not?" Harrison asked even though he knew the answer. He suspected they were still strongly allied to their old master. He was right.
"We will only protect Takatori Masufumi," said Hell forcefully. "Tokizo can die for all we care."
"The same applies to Takatori's son," Harrison said evenly. "But Eszet ordered your team to work for Tokizo now."
"I won't do it," Hell said, shaking her head. "You can't threaten me with killing Masufumi either. We have the sacrifice!"
"I understand," Harrison said soothingly after he removed his sunglasses for the second time that evening. His forest green eyes met Hell's bright emerald eyes. He held them while he spoke in a strong firm voice. Hell wavered, her mind being filled with Harrison's patronizing words. "But if you would reconsider, I would be eternally grateful for your assistance. Perhaps you can send two ladies here instead of all four?"
Hell stood still without blinking until Harrison looked away, breaking his hold over her. "Yes. I can send Neu and Schön tomorrow morning."
"Thank you for your cooperation," Harrison said. "Then tomorrow I will have rooms arranged for the both of them. Now please, good night." Hell turned to leave, feeling strangely calm and dazed. "Please allow Hell-san to leave without any disturbances and escort her to the gate," Harrison ordered one of the guards using his desk phone.
He sent Hell her damned money. He greatly enjoyed being an empath. His mind, his voice, and his eyes were his prized tools to use against his enemies. Harrison could bend anyone's will with a spoken word, turning them from enemies into allies. It helped greatly with interrogations. Eszet's men discovered him in his youth and he worked for them since one did not have the option to refuse. Eventually, he agreed with Eszet's methodology about how the world should be entrusted into their care.
Christopher Merache just received sad news. Takatori Shuuichi was dead. The Chief of Police perished in the burning Jigen building along with his older brother, Reiji. Whatever transpired between the two brothers died with them. He rubbed his temples and sighed heavily, taking comfort in the silence of his home where no one made any demands on him. Merache had known the righteous man for a few hours but he was still grief-stricken.
Taking his hands away from his temples, he pulled the stack of photographs on his desk closer to his face. The pile showcased a variety of events and places with only one thing in common: he suspected each one had a member of Karmesinrot Rache in it. He stared at the photograph of a young violinist with a short black bob haircut and round glasses in a backless, black dress. The image was stolen from a camera at Takatori Reiji's fundraising party. Yamada Michiko was the name she gave to the band but he suspected she was "one of his daughters."
Merache wasn't a stupid man. The amount of trust given to him only added up to just enough so he would remain silent and loyal. However, Merache wasn't a traitor either. He was loyal to the cause of Chimera's network but he did have questions as the public face of Chimera's enterprise.
"So what is your real name, my dear Michiko?" murmured Merache as he studied the disguised Panther. "Where would you be at this moment with your sisters?"
The file contained everything he knew about Karmesinrot Rache. One particular file took him the most effort to steal a copy without being caught. Lost lives, traded favors, and money passed through unknown hands resulted in the success of "Project Revolution." It was Chimera's personal project in the United States. Merache pressed his lips together in irritation at the situation. He was unable to decipher the information on the disc without help. He dared not to let anyone handle such delicate information. Project Revolution made Karmesinrot Rache the deadly force it was.
Brad Crawford haunted her, taking her into his world. She walked towards him, fascination tainting her heart, breaking her into brittle woke up, snarling in anger at her traitorous subconscious. That was the sixth dream with Brad fucking Crawford in it. She flung her blankets off, trying to cool down in the sweltering room. She leaked her thoughts all over the place. How many people in Tokyo could sense her fears? The possibility was terrifying. Her neighbors' mental monologues slammed unyielding against her shields. The strength used to hold her psyche intact stole the energy needed to heal of her body.
"What is wrong with me?" she asked the world in disgust. She turned around, causing the bed to creak under her moving weight until she was flat on her back again. She couldn't sleep in any position for long because of her wound. She hated staying in bed. She was becoming more restless with each passing hour. She wanted to walk, to run, and to fight in a mission.
How many days has it been since Persia died? Jade asked herself. Where's Chimera with our next mission so we could stop babysitting Weiß? I want to fight Schwarz and let them see how fun it is to be shot in the gut.
Jade placed a hand on her wound and pressed it gently. Jade knew she lost weight. Kirei scolded her every time she left more than half of her meal untouched. I don't know what I'll do without Kayla and Kirei, Jade thought, grateful for the two younger girls' assistance around the house.
Naitsuusha searched for any scrap of information about Tokizo Masaya. It was extremely easy since she knew his name and his prominent career; she was able to find his home address. It was in Morioka. Naitsuusha scanned a list of his permanent employees. Naitsuusha didn't recognize the name of Kyle Harrison. He was appointed to protect Tokizo Masaya by unknown sources.
Naitsuusha researched his financials next and was shocked to see a hefty transaction. She traced it to unmarked expense account. It was suspicious but not uncommon for a man who dealt with the criminal underground. She put it off for later, turning back to Tokizo's funds to find more oddities similar to her previous discovery.
Her mind drifted to the circumstances leading to seeing Crawford after so many years. After her meeting, fragments of memories surfaced but they confused her because she didn't know if there were of Brad or Gabriel. Had she ever been close to Brad at all?
Schwarz and Weiß. What fun, she thought with a bitter taste in her mouth. Kirei and Kayla are close to those Weiß boys too. That's just so…wrong. She rested her eyes from the glare of the computer monitor. What do they see in them? I bet Tsukiyono has been drugging her lunch at school! The thought was truth in her eyes. I hoped Kayla would have chosen someone else who's not well, Ken. And Fujimiya! Oh wait a minute…why in Hell am I thinking of him? The glares he gave her since his little sister's kidnapping included a different kind of determination. They each lived to avenge someone close to their hearts. She reminisced wistfully on her younger years with Gabriel. I guess Fujimiya's the same way with his little sister. He's a good brother despite his public mask of a human iceberg. Naitsuusha sat up straighter, trying to shove the violet eyed assassin from her mind. She locked her eyes back on the screen. It was much safer than thinking about Fujimiya Ran.
