Author's Notes: Thanks so much for reviewing, everyone. No, German is not
our first language, so danke for the pointers. As for the ages of Brad and
Schu, we realize that they are five years apart, but we needed them in a
class together for the story so we accomplished that on the premise of them
having an advanced class together. Again, thank you for the reviews and
criticism; it's appreciated! Keep reading and enjoying, everyone!
Chapter Three: Water Wars, Rosenkreuz style
Schuldig laughed as he watched Brad struggling against one of the more powerful of the second graders. He received a glare from the American.
Julia sat on the diving board, watching over her brood and her two volunteers. She grinned as she watched them work. She'd only asked them to help this morning, but Brad had already known. The oracle was making a sharp reply to Schuldig when he was sucked under by a telekinetic tidal wave.
Schuldig grinned broadly. "Go, Abby!" he called to the small girl who was sitting by the side of the pool.
Brad came up sputtering water. "What was that for?" he exclaimed. A dark haired little boy came to his aid and soon had Schuldig drenched with several blasts of water.
The German sputtered and laughed, holding his aching ribs. He looked up through now drenched bangs and grinned.
"Play nice!" Julia called with a laugh from her perch.
"I dare you to get in here and fight me, Herr Telepath," Brad challenged, still offended by the last assault. The kids cheered.
Schuldig frowned. He really didn't feel like getting in and getting wet, but he also didn't want to turn down a challenge. "Sure thing," he answered with a grin. "Chose sides, kiddos!" he called.
The children scrambled to pick a volunteer; either Brad in the deep end or Schuldig in the shallow end. "Please don't drown anyone." Julia said.
Abby tugged on the German's half soaked t-shirt. "I'm on your side, Schu!" she announced proudly.
He grinned. "Good. I'm going to need ya, kiddo."
Brad looked down at the dark haired boy who had saved him earlier. "What's your name?" he asked.
The boy looked up at him with guarded blue eyes. "Nagi Naoe." he said softly.
"He's very powerful," the young telekinetic girl told the telepath.
"Gives Braddy a chance then against us, ne, Abby?"
"I told you not to call me that!" Brad shouted across the pool. A small smile tugged on the corners of Nagi's mouth. "All right kids, get ready." Brad said quietly.
Abby closed her eyes and focused her mind. Schuldig looked down at her and grinned. /Get ready, Brad. You're in trouble with this little girl on my side./
Brad put a hand on Nagi's shoulder. /We can take you./ He replied. The boy was already focusing as well, his eyes shining.
The water came up in a tidal wave and clashed into each other. Julia sighed as she wondered if any of the water would make stay in the pool.
All the children on both teams ducked as water rained down around them. Julia blew her now wet bangs out of her face. And this was just the beginning of the period. Nagi focused his force on the water around Schuldig.
The young German felt it come crashing around him and he took a deep breath. He did his best not to gasp as the water came down upon him and white-hot pain ran through his battered rib cage.
Abby realized what the young boy was doing and focused on the water around Brad. The American was sucked under by a whirlpool before he could comprehend the swirling water.
Schuldig came up gasping. Each breath hurt. "Where's Brad?" he asked, pain evident.
"Underwater." One of the students said. Nagi was trying to find him, but the water was swirling around him too.
Schuldig grinned. "Let him up before ya drown him," he said lightly. Abby frowned slightly, and then complied.
Julia watched with narrowed eyes as the American floated to the surface, face down. Then she realized what happened, and grinned. She shielded his mind from anyone else reading it. The children stared at him, waiting for something to move.
"Brad?" Schuldig called out. "Hey! Get up! Fun's over."
Nothing from the oracle. Not the slightest trace of brain activity. Nagi looked up at Julia, and he was the only one who saw her wink slightly at him.
Fear raced through the telepath as he made his way over to his friend, "Brad?" he asked as he touched his shoulder.
Julia released her shield, and Brad jumped up in the water with a fantastic yell, sending all the kids shrieking backwards with laughter.
Schuldig fell back into the water. "YOU IDIOT!! YOU SCARED ME!" he yelled.
Brad floated smugly in the water. "That was the entire point."
Schuldig glared and started for the side of the pool, holding his ribs gingerly. /That wasn't nice./
Brad smiled. /I know./
Julia looked at the clock and picked up her bullhorn. "Period's over. Dismissed. If any of the stronger telekinetics would like to put the water back *in* the pool...."
Schuldig heaved himself out and sat on the edge, still glaring.
Brad got out of the pool and helped the kids out of the deep end. He grabbed two towels and headed over to Schuldig. He handed one to the pouting German. /It was just a joke./ he thought softly.
/You really did have me scared, you moron./ The tone of his thoughts were harsh. He coughed and shuddered slightly. "Are we done here?"
Brad dropped the towel in his lap and picked up his bag that was next to Schuldig. As he was close to Schuldig's ear he murmured a quick, "I'm sorry," in German and left.
"So who won?" Abby asked from his side.
Nagi picked up his stuff, which was also there. "Crawford and Schuldig won." he said quietly. "We're going to be late for next period." he added.
Schuldig leaned against the locker next to Brad's as the older boy was getting his books. He'd been there the past few moments without saying a word. "I'm sorry about being so short with you earlier," he said suddenly.
"No reason. It was my joke." Brad replied. He shut the locker and looked at the younger boy.
"I'm still sorry," the smaller boy said. His shoulders slumped and he met the other's gaze.
"Why?" Brad asked. "I shouldn't have done it. I usually don't."
Schuldig flashed him a wide grin. "You're headin' to the same class as me, ne?"
"Hai. Maybe we'll actually get to be *in* class today."
Schuldig laughed. "Yeah... That would be a change."
Geheim watched the two from down the hallway. He couldn't let them get close; he couldn't have this older American protecting the younger German, or he the game wouldn't be fun anymore. He had to get rid of one of them, somehow.
Schuldig stopped suddenly, staring strait ahead.
Brad glanced back at him. "What is it?"
"Geheim."
The oracle's countenance instantly darkened. "Come on, let's go." he said firmly.
Schuldig nodded. He glanced behind him one last time before he felt Brad take his wrist and pull him down the hall.
"Good for nothing power freak," Brad muttered to himself, dragging Schuldig behind him. It was only a few more feet to the safety of the English classroom...
/Don't pull so hard,/ Schuldig pleaded. /Do I have to remind you that my ribs are cracked?/
/You want all of them broken?/ Brad replied. He did slow his pace a little.
The German stumbled slightly. Normally he could match and go past anyone's speed, but not now. Now it was all he could do to keep up and stay on his feet at the same time.
Brad pulled them into the English classroom and shut the door behind them. Julia looked up from her grade work. There were only three or four other students in the room. "You're early gentlemen. Daijoubu?"
Schuldig doubled over and dropped to the floor, thankful for to rest.
Julia sorted out the emotions emanating from the two young men. Schuldig was a mix of worry, pain, relief, and tension, while Crawford was a mix of hate, concern, anger and foreboding. "Do you need help, Schuldig?" she asked, rising from her desk.
"I'm fine," he whispered.
The other students watched as Brad pulled him to his feet and set him in a seat near the front. The American slid into the seat next to him and watched the door.
/He won't follow us in here. He never has before anyway.../
/Things can change./
/What do you see?/
/Nothing. That's what worries me./
Schuldig laid his head on his desk and cringed. Everything hurt now.
Brad gently nudged his mind, asking for permission to take the pain again.
Schuldig nodded slightly. He felt some relief and sat up. /Thanks./
The warning bell rang and Crawford felt something in his mind snap, and a vision flooded over his sight. He tensed slightly, but did not let any pain go back to Schuldig.
/Brad?/
/Shut up,/ he thought blindly. He bit his lip. Geheim had been blocking his sight. /He's going to rip.../ Brad closed his eyes.
/Going to rip? What?/ Schuldig asked, thoroughly confused now,
Brad cleared his mind and looked at Julia. "Frauline?" he asked. She had been watching him.
"Yes, Brad?"
"May I be excused from class?" The young woman blinked.
"Is there a good reason for it?"
"What's going on?" the German telepath demanded. He began to probe the older boy's mind.
Brad blocked him with a low snarl. "Do *not* do that without invitation." To Julia he nodded.
She glanced between the two. "I'll permit it. Please see me later for your assignments."
Schuldig grabbed Brad's sleeve. "What the heck is going on?" he demanded.
"He wants to have a chat. I'm going. I'll be back." Brad pulled away from the German's grasp.
Schuldig watched after him with fear filled gold eyes. "No! Brad! His chats are NOT something you'll like!"
The rest of the students began pouring into the room as Brad slipped out. /I'll be back. I promise./
Schuldig collapsed back into his chair.
Outside, Geheim was waiting. "Hello there, Mr. Crawford."
"Herr Geheim. You wanted to talk?" Brad said monotone. He wasn't going to let this man win.
"Where's your shadow, Mr. Crawford?" the man asked with a smile.
"Shadows thrive in light, not dark, if you hadn't heard."
Just around the corner, Schuldig stood listening. He'd be there if his friend needed him, but decided he wouldn't get in the way.
Julia kept track of both young men's emotions from in her classroom. If she had too, she could stop any more damage from coming to the two of them.
Geheim frowned. "Yes, so I heard. Shadows do fade and vanish when the sun goes down."
Schuldig kept a guard up so that Geheim wouldn't notice his presence...hopefully...
Julia was blocking the presence of Schuldig's mind for Brad's sake. Brad looked up at the older man. "What do you want, Geheim?"
"I want you to leave my toy alone," the man said simply. "Leave him alone and it will be less painful for you both."
"Let me get one thing straight with you. Schuldig is *not* your toy anymore. *You* leave *him* alone, and maybe you'll still be running this place come next semester." Crawford hissed.
Schuldig looked on from the shadows. A smile crossed his lips. He'd have to remember to thank his friend later.
"Defiant brat, aren't you? What are you possibly going to gain by protecting him? He isn't worth anything." Geheim sneered.
Crawford looked at him darkly. "How would you know? You wouldn't recognize something of value if it hit you in the face."
Geheim reached back and struck the American across the face.
"Sticks and stones, Herr Geheim. Sticks and stones." Brad said.
Geheim paused. "I want to show you something." he said. "Follow me."
Schuldig growled under his breath. This was going to be difficult.
Geheim led the American down the hall before unlocking a stairwell door that was usually inaccessible. Brad followed the man down it, unsure of what he was going to see, exactly.
Schuldig stopped when reached the door, looking after them. This couldn't be good...
They came to a halt in a large sized room. It was nicely decorated in a hunting theme. Brad thought it was a little ironic. There were three more doors on one side of the room, but Geheim didn't appear to have a purpose to open them. He went to the desk in the room and pulled out what looked to be a photo album. He motioned the boy over.
Crawford walked over hesitantly, glancing at the photo.
"You see this bus?" Geheim asked. "Twenty students went on a field trip. This was several years ago, before Schuldig was even at the school. There were two boys like you, only one was a telekinetic and the other an empath. Only one of them went on that field trip."
The young German huddled in the corner listened carefully. What was this?
"The empath was like Schuldig. Fun to torment. He was the one that stayed behind because he had a headache that day. Those two were very close and had become very protective of one another. The telekinetic was like you, stronger, older. No one came back from that field trip, Mr. Crawford."
Chapter Three: Water Wars, Rosenkreuz style
Schuldig laughed as he watched Brad struggling against one of the more powerful of the second graders. He received a glare from the American.
Julia sat on the diving board, watching over her brood and her two volunteers. She grinned as she watched them work. She'd only asked them to help this morning, but Brad had already known. The oracle was making a sharp reply to Schuldig when he was sucked under by a telekinetic tidal wave.
Schuldig grinned broadly. "Go, Abby!" he called to the small girl who was sitting by the side of the pool.
Brad came up sputtering water. "What was that for?" he exclaimed. A dark haired little boy came to his aid and soon had Schuldig drenched with several blasts of water.
The German sputtered and laughed, holding his aching ribs. He looked up through now drenched bangs and grinned.
"Play nice!" Julia called with a laugh from her perch.
"I dare you to get in here and fight me, Herr Telepath," Brad challenged, still offended by the last assault. The kids cheered.
Schuldig frowned. He really didn't feel like getting in and getting wet, but he also didn't want to turn down a challenge. "Sure thing," he answered with a grin. "Chose sides, kiddos!" he called.
The children scrambled to pick a volunteer; either Brad in the deep end or Schuldig in the shallow end. "Please don't drown anyone." Julia said.
Abby tugged on the German's half soaked t-shirt. "I'm on your side, Schu!" she announced proudly.
He grinned. "Good. I'm going to need ya, kiddo."
Brad looked down at the dark haired boy who had saved him earlier. "What's your name?" he asked.
The boy looked up at him with guarded blue eyes. "Nagi Naoe." he said softly.
"He's very powerful," the young telekinetic girl told the telepath.
"Gives Braddy a chance then against us, ne, Abby?"
"I told you not to call me that!" Brad shouted across the pool. A small smile tugged on the corners of Nagi's mouth. "All right kids, get ready." Brad said quietly.
Abby closed her eyes and focused her mind. Schuldig looked down at her and grinned. /Get ready, Brad. You're in trouble with this little girl on my side./
Brad put a hand on Nagi's shoulder. /We can take you./ He replied. The boy was already focusing as well, his eyes shining.
The water came up in a tidal wave and clashed into each other. Julia sighed as she wondered if any of the water would make stay in the pool.
All the children on both teams ducked as water rained down around them. Julia blew her now wet bangs out of her face. And this was just the beginning of the period. Nagi focused his force on the water around Schuldig.
The young German felt it come crashing around him and he took a deep breath. He did his best not to gasp as the water came down upon him and white-hot pain ran through his battered rib cage.
Abby realized what the young boy was doing and focused on the water around Brad. The American was sucked under by a whirlpool before he could comprehend the swirling water.
Schuldig came up gasping. Each breath hurt. "Where's Brad?" he asked, pain evident.
"Underwater." One of the students said. Nagi was trying to find him, but the water was swirling around him too.
Schuldig grinned. "Let him up before ya drown him," he said lightly. Abby frowned slightly, and then complied.
Julia watched with narrowed eyes as the American floated to the surface, face down. Then she realized what happened, and grinned. She shielded his mind from anyone else reading it. The children stared at him, waiting for something to move.
"Brad?" Schuldig called out. "Hey! Get up! Fun's over."
Nothing from the oracle. Not the slightest trace of brain activity. Nagi looked up at Julia, and he was the only one who saw her wink slightly at him.
Fear raced through the telepath as he made his way over to his friend, "Brad?" he asked as he touched his shoulder.
Julia released her shield, and Brad jumped up in the water with a fantastic yell, sending all the kids shrieking backwards with laughter.
Schuldig fell back into the water. "YOU IDIOT!! YOU SCARED ME!" he yelled.
Brad floated smugly in the water. "That was the entire point."
Schuldig glared and started for the side of the pool, holding his ribs gingerly. /That wasn't nice./
Brad smiled. /I know./
Julia looked at the clock and picked up her bullhorn. "Period's over. Dismissed. If any of the stronger telekinetics would like to put the water back *in* the pool...."
Schuldig heaved himself out and sat on the edge, still glaring.
Brad got out of the pool and helped the kids out of the deep end. He grabbed two towels and headed over to Schuldig. He handed one to the pouting German. /It was just a joke./ he thought softly.
/You really did have me scared, you moron./ The tone of his thoughts were harsh. He coughed and shuddered slightly. "Are we done here?"
Brad dropped the towel in his lap and picked up his bag that was next to Schuldig. As he was close to Schuldig's ear he murmured a quick, "I'm sorry," in German and left.
"So who won?" Abby asked from his side.
Nagi picked up his stuff, which was also there. "Crawford and Schuldig won." he said quietly. "We're going to be late for next period." he added.
Schuldig leaned against the locker next to Brad's as the older boy was getting his books. He'd been there the past few moments without saying a word. "I'm sorry about being so short with you earlier," he said suddenly.
"No reason. It was my joke." Brad replied. He shut the locker and looked at the younger boy.
"I'm still sorry," the smaller boy said. His shoulders slumped and he met the other's gaze.
"Why?" Brad asked. "I shouldn't have done it. I usually don't."
Schuldig flashed him a wide grin. "You're headin' to the same class as me, ne?"
"Hai. Maybe we'll actually get to be *in* class today."
Schuldig laughed. "Yeah... That would be a change."
Geheim watched the two from down the hallway. He couldn't let them get close; he couldn't have this older American protecting the younger German, or he the game wouldn't be fun anymore. He had to get rid of one of them, somehow.
Schuldig stopped suddenly, staring strait ahead.
Brad glanced back at him. "What is it?"
"Geheim."
The oracle's countenance instantly darkened. "Come on, let's go." he said firmly.
Schuldig nodded. He glanced behind him one last time before he felt Brad take his wrist and pull him down the hall.
"Good for nothing power freak," Brad muttered to himself, dragging Schuldig behind him. It was only a few more feet to the safety of the English classroom...
/Don't pull so hard,/ Schuldig pleaded. /Do I have to remind you that my ribs are cracked?/
/You want all of them broken?/ Brad replied. He did slow his pace a little.
The German stumbled slightly. Normally he could match and go past anyone's speed, but not now. Now it was all he could do to keep up and stay on his feet at the same time.
Brad pulled them into the English classroom and shut the door behind them. Julia looked up from her grade work. There were only three or four other students in the room. "You're early gentlemen. Daijoubu?"
Schuldig doubled over and dropped to the floor, thankful for to rest.
Julia sorted out the emotions emanating from the two young men. Schuldig was a mix of worry, pain, relief, and tension, while Crawford was a mix of hate, concern, anger and foreboding. "Do you need help, Schuldig?" she asked, rising from her desk.
"I'm fine," he whispered.
The other students watched as Brad pulled him to his feet and set him in a seat near the front. The American slid into the seat next to him and watched the door.
/He won't follow us in here. He never has before anyway.../
/Things can change./
/What do you see?/
/Nothing. That's what worries me./
Schuldig laid his head on his desk and cringed. Everything hurt now.
Brad gently nudged his mind, asking for permission to take the pain again.
Schuldig nodded slightly. He felt some relief and sat up. /Thanks./
The warning bell rang and Crawford felt something in his mind snap, and a vision flooded over his sight. He tensed slightly, but did not let any pain go back to Schuldig.
/Brad?/
/Shut up,/ he thought blindly. He bit his lip. Geheim had been blocking his sight. /He's going to rip.../ Brad closed his eyes.
/Going to rip? What?/ Schuldig asked, thoroughly confused now,
Brad cleared his mind and looked at Julia. "Frauline?" he asked. She had been watching him.
"Yes, Brad?"
"May I be excused from class?" The young woman blinked.
"Is there a good reason for it?"
"What's going on?" the German telepath demanded. He began to probe the older boy's mind.
Brad blocked him with a low snarl. "Do *not* do that without invitation." To Julia he nodded.
She glanced between the two. "I'll permit it. Please see me later for your assignments."
Schuldig grabbed Brad's sleeve. "What the heck is going on?" he demanded.
"He wants to have a chat. I'm going. I'll be back." Brad pulled away from the German's grasp.
Schuldig watched after him with fear filled gold eyes. "No! Brad! His chats are NOT something you'll like!"
The rest of the students began pouring into the room as Brad slipped out. /I'll be back. I promise./
Schuldig collapsed back into his chair.
Outside, Geheim was waiting. "Hello there, Mr. Crawford."
"Herr Geheim. You wanted to talk?" Brad said monotone. He wasn't going to let this man win.
"Where's your shadow, Mr. Crawford?" the man asked with a smile.
"Shadows thrive in light, not dark, if you hadn't heard."
Just around the corner, Schuldig stood listening. He'd be there if his friend needed him, but decided he wouldn't get in the way.
Julia kept track of both young men's emotions from in her classroom. If she had too, she could stop any more damage from coming to the two of them.
Geheim frowned. "Yes, so I heard. Shadows do fade and vanish when the sun goes down."
Schuldig kept a guard up so that Geheim wouldn't notice his presence...hopefully...
Julia was blocking the presence of Schuldig's mind for Brad's sake. Brad looked up at the older man. "What do you want, Geheim?"
"I want you to leave my toy alone," the man said simply. "Leave him alone and it will be less painful for you both."
"Let me get one thing straight with you. Schuldig is *not* your toy anymore. *You* leave *him* alone, and maybe you'll still be running this place come next semester." Crawford hissed.
Schuldig looked on from the shadows. A smile crossed his lips. He'd have to remember to thank his friend later.
"Defiant brat, aren't you? What are you possibly going to gain by protecting him? He isn't worth anything." Geheim sneered.
Crawford looked at him darkly. "How would you know? You wouldn't recognize something of value if it hit you in the face."
Geheim reached back and struck the American across the face.
"Sticks and stones, Herr Geheim. Sticks and stones." Brad said.
Geheim paused. "I want to show you something." he said. "Follow me."
Schuldig growled under his breath. This was going to be difficult.
Geheim led the American down the hall before unlocking a stairwell door that was usually inaccessible. Brad followed the man down it, unsure of what he was going to see, exactly.
Schuldig stopped when reached the door, looking after them. This couldn't be good...
They came to a halt in a large sized room. It was nicely decorated in a hunting theme. Brad thought it was a little ironic. There were three more doors on one side of the room, but Geheim didn't appear to have a purpose to open them. He went to the desk in the room and pulled out what looked to be a photo album. He motioned the boy over.
Crawford walked over hesitantly, glancing at the photo.
"You see this bus?" Geheim asked. "Twenty students went on a field trip. This was several years ago, before Schuldig was even at the school. There were two boys like you, only one was a telekinetic and the other an empath. Only one of them went on that field trip."
The young German huddled in the corner listened carefully. What was this?
"The empath was like Schuldig. Fun to torment. He was the one that stayed behind because he had a headache that day. Those two were very close and had become very protective of one another. The telekinetic was like you, stronger, older. No one came back from that field trip, Mr. Crawford."