Fallen Angels
by Kandy
~~~~~
Ken knew he was behind. All the guys were scoring information on their students except him. Vita hadn't crossed his mind much, which was a big slap on the head for Ken. Yoji and Kandy were getting along pretty well from what he could tell. Although Omi was having regular life problems with Ouka, he and Bijou were getting closer every moment that they spent together. And tonight Aya-kun would learn about his mysterious student, Devin.
'Strange name for a girl,' Ken thought as he strolled along down the empty sidewalk, 'Wonder if she'll tell Aya anything?'
Ken stopped and looked across the street. His eyes slowly marveled upwards into the star decorated skyline. The Hamazuki Tower was even more elegant at night than when he'd passed it occasionally, like Omi, during the day. He smiled. His ears picked up the gentle sound of children laughing as they played somewhere from across the street.
He crossed the street and wondered into a garden. It was hugely beautiful, lit with fireflies and candles. Spring flowers of every kind graced the garden. He pushed back some tree limbs and continued his walk onto the stone path. Ken then came to a huge water fountain where a beautiful stone mermaid sat above it. The many children which he'd heard we all around the fountain. Running from flower patch to water fountain to manicured grass. Some chasing fireflys, some playing with friends, some enjoying the company of their parents and siblings.
"Ken-kun?"
Ken looked around and on the other side of the fountain stood Vita. Dressed in jeans, canvas sneakers, and a black zippered hoodie, she walked around to make sure it was him.
"Vita! I was just looking for you," exclaimed Ken.
Vita smiled warmly back at him, "I knew it was you, Ken. What are you doing here? Do you live in the tower too?"
"No, I was across the street when I heard the children playing and I came to this garden. And since your here, you must live in the tower."
"Yep. This is the Hamazuki Tower Courtyard. As soon as night falls the children gather here to play and such, with permission from their parents of course. I only come down here to get out of my room."
Ken took a seat on the thick railing of the fountain. "I'm so glad I found you over here then. We need to talk."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Aya stepped from the apartment building that he shared with Omi, Ken, Yoji, and Koneko no Sumu Ie. It was 8:50. He wanted to be early for two reasons; one: Koneko and The Bridge were a good piece from each other; two: she might be late or worse - a no show. The redhead shoved his hands in his pockets after smoothing down his black t-shirt. He slid into his car and took off towards the bridge.
'She better be there, and she better be in a good mood'
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Hm? Talk? About what," Vita asked cocking her head to the side with big brown eyes that reminded him of a kitten's.
"As me being your teacher, from now until who knows when, Kritiker requires that the teachers learn about their students past."
"So, basically, all you need to know is my life before Kritiker, how I ended up with Kritiker, and why I chose to go along with Kritiker...right?"
Ken blinked, "Uh...right. How about we get started now?"
"Alright...now let me see...I used to reside in Okinawa. I was a little girl then; still in high school. My mother was a muay thai master and teacher. My father was a professional hitman. He was in close affiliation with a mastermind politic back in the day, named Reiji Takatori."
Ken jumped, "Takatori!"
"A bastard, I already know. Anyway, my dad worked for Kritiker as a double agent going into Takatori headquarters. His mission was to shut down Takatori's Okinawa chain bombing operation that was getting no attention from the police at all. He completed it sucessfully and revealed who he was really working for to Takatori some weeks later after the operation had gone into complete flames.
"Takatori was pissed and sent some assassins after him. They failed, which only made him more infuriated with my father. But when he discovered that dad had a family that he was carefully keeping behind closed doors, Takatori decided he wanted to put an end to it. Sending a lone assassin to do the job as clean as possible, he poisioned my mother to death in a hospital. Takatori made it plain and simple that he was going to kill me next just to get to him for being a double-crosser.
"I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life - trying to kill Takatori on my own. Kritiker got to me first and put my plan on ice."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Aya parked his car at the end of the bridge. He carefully removed himself from the vehicle and walked on the bridge. In the distance Aya spotted Devin, arms propped onto the concrete railing. Her hair was tied back into a low bun with a black ribbon, while she dressed simply in jeans, sandals, and a blue jean jacket.
As he approached she saw him from the corner of her midnight blue eyes. "I didn't expect to see you so soon," noticing that he was now 3 minutes early. Aya stood beside her watching her admire the waters under them. The moon reflected eerily on the chill liquid. He turned and propped his arms as well. They silently stared out into the river...
~Flashback~
Two girls, one of 7; the other of 5, ran gleefully down the sidewalk of a bridge. Once they reached the top the 7 year old rested her palms upon her knees as she stopped to catch her breath. The younger girl, realizing that her happiness was now singled turn around and ran back to the other.
"Why'd you stop, 'Meter-chan," the bubbly child asked.
Panting she replied, "Demeter is tired," she smiled, "Let's take a brake, okay?"
"Okay!"
They both walked over to the railing and peered into the water below. They were very high above.
"That's a long drop, 'Meter-chan."
"Yes, it is."
Then the one named Demeter reached down and picked the younger girl up. They looked down into their reflections.
"Look 'Meter-chan! There's another me!"
Demeter laughed, "No, silly. That's your reflection. These waters give the most accurate of reflections in all the island."
Looking up into the elder girls eyes, "Is that why you said this river is special?"
"Not just that," placing the girl back on the ground, "This river; this bridge; they are told to have a memory."
"Bridges can't member, 'Meter-chan!," the little child said shaking her head in disbelief.
"But this one can. If you tell something or do something on this bridge you can always remember and feel its presense here...for years and years to come...never forgeting what you did on this very bridge."
There is a long moment of tender silence. The child spoke again, "Will the bridge remember us, 'Meter-chan? Today?"
Demeter bent down to pick the little girl up, "The bridge will. Today and tomorrow and the day after that and until the end of time!"
With a raised eyebrow she pondered, "Is that a long time?"
"Yes. A long time...a very long time," she replied laughing and shaking her head.
~End of Flashback~
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken was leaning forward now. "And then Kritiker offered you a job as an assassin?"
"After telling me that Takatori was planning on me to barge in and make a scene. I was a little hesitant at first...but with some careful thought I accepted. Kritiker moved me from Okinawa to Tokyo about 8 month's ago. I've been under their rule ever since."
"And what about your father? Takatori still wants him dead, doesn't he?"
Vita reclined foward with her elbows on her knees, "Kritiker offered me a job as my father's protection, being one of the perks."
"Count on Kritiker to give you choices," mumbled Ken rolling his eyes at nothing in particular. A bouncy blue ball rolled in between Vita and Ken's feet. Vita beamed as she picked it up.
A very tiny female child, no older than 2 or 3, ran over to Vita. The child had long curly black hair and hazel eyes. Her skin, like Vita's, was slightly tanned to perfection. She handed the ball to the child. They shared a brief moment of glee before the child ran back to play with the other children.
The corners of Ken's mouth turned upward, "She's cute."
"Isn't she?," Vita turned to Ken, "You like kids?"
"I adore them. You?"
She grinned, "Same here."
'Wow, Birman said pairings were based upon similarities, but I'd never have guessed this close,' thought Ken.
"Back to questioning, though. I'm sure your dad could take care of himself since he's a professional hitman and all, so is a particular reason, like you said, why you chose to go along with Kritiker?," he asked.
"Takatori killed my mother, and although I'm sure my father could take quite good care of himself, I'm still worried sick." Ken watched as the glint in her eyes wavered a bit before going back to normal. Something about what she'd just said either touched a nerve or told of exageratted truth. Which one? Only time would tell.
The young man stood, "Well, thanks a lot. I guess Kritiker I'll let me pass with your information."
Vita stood as well, "No prob. You can stop by my apartment, Room 1020, whenever you like."
Ken spun around to face the beauty, "I'm not leaving yet, Vita. There's something I wanna ask you before I go."
"Ehh?"
He smirked to himself.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin exhaled deeply putting a damper on the quiet mindset.
"My sister and I...visited this bridge a lot when I was much younger," Devin started up in a low mellow tone, "Everytime we happened to come on this bridge, something happened to one of us. Some month's ago she was killed on this bridge and this is the first time I've been back ever since."
Aya felt a twinge of compassion at his heart. Did she just say, her sister died on this very bridge? Yes, she did. There was silence, just in case Aya wanted to say something, before Devin plowed on.
"We were very much alike, mentally and physically. But our family...they weren't normal. Nowhere near normal. The things they did we disagreed with. Especially when they tried to pull us into it. My elder brother's were already victims of how they had to power to turn us against each other. For them it was too late, and we both knew it.
"I didn't want to end up the same way. I loved my brothers and sister. So I devised a plan to exclude myself from the family. When my sister found out what I was doing she agreed quite strongly and helped me on my plan. We were halfway through until it backfired. Someone had figured me out, turned me in, and my sister ended up laying in cold blood for me."
Pain and sympathy overcame him. The redhead had become open and soft to the confessions of her past. Before Aya realized what he was doing, words came flying from mouth.
"How'd it happen?"
Devin glanced at him, her sensitive side showing plainer than the clothes on her back. "Our parents, refused to let us get away from them so easily, especially with the route we chose...so they sent their squad to find us. We were so close...so close from being rid of them..."
She fought back the tears that were trying to stop her from talking. "She went ahead of me without consulting me first. My escape route had been transformed overnight to a scandal. She was posing as me, got mistaken as me, and took the death that was planned for me," There was silence and she chuckled as her eyes began to water, "In a way...it really -is- all my fault..."
Aya, still staring into the waters below, spoke to her, "Not really. I mean, how were you suppose to know she'd do something like that? How were you suppose to know you'd been set up?"
A hand flew up to her face to dry unchecked tears. "Kritiker knew what happened and why all to well. They asked me kindly did I want to join them. I told them I'd sleep on it. A week after that was her funeral. Once I was home and I'd calmed myself, I went out. It was well almost 3 weeks and Kritiker had finally come back, that night, to get my final answer. I accepted and basically, I started my life over."
Shocked, "They didn't threathen you?"
"No," she looked over at him her eyes young and slightly red, "Why would they threathen me?"
Realizing that he'd just done something stupid he bit his tongue, "Nothing."
Aya noticed that her eyes were red...and that they held pure innocence. The sensitive innocence of a young child. He tried to look away but he couldn't. Their eyes were stuck in a visual wrestling match.
"Maybe...I should be going now." Aya stood straight breaking the stronghold she had on his violet eyes.
He headed over for his car. Devin smoothed a lock of cranberry hair against her head.
"Wait!"
Aya stopped, not bothering to reply.
"Can we talk again...soon?"
"Tomorrow. 8:00 pm. Outside of Koneko. We'll walk and talk then."
Devin smiled warmly although he couldn't see her from behind, "Thank you."
Aya walked on to his car. He got inside and cranked it up. He couldn't help but look back at Devin. She was leaning with her arms propped again. He drove off.
'What the hell just happened to me...?'
*~*~*~*~*~*
"You remember when Birman said that the pairings were picked based on similarities...right?," Ken said.
"Yeah, she did."
"Are you athletic?"
"You could say that...why?"
"Good. Just meet me at my apartment above the shop tomorrow," Ken said exiting through the grass and bushes the same way he came in.
Vita yelled after him, "But, why? Tell me something!"
Now across the street Ken yelled back, "Just do it! And be sure your dressed in clothes you can get dirty in. It's all for Kritiker!"
Vita threw her arms in the air giving up. The she suddenly understood what he was planning for them tomorrow.
'Am I athletic?', she thought, 'All right, then. I'll be at your apartment. Bright and early...dressed in clothes I can get dirty in...and you better do the same, Ken."
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was late night now, around 11:50 pm, as Devin swung her Infinity around into the back parking lot of the Hamazuki Tower. She got out of her luxury car and walked over to the building. Devin had to go through the courtyard to get to the building's back entrance. Smoothing her hair down and back again, as she walked through.
Although it was late night, quite a few children and their parents were still out. Chasing the fireflies and such. She was almost at the door when she heard a familiar voice call out to her from across the garden like courtyard.
"Devin, wait!"
She looked around as the voice drew in closer to her, "Oh, Nijito. How are you?"
Vita stopped, panting, to greet the woman. "I'm fine. But there's something I have to ask of you."
With raised eyebrows, Devin questioned her, "About what?"
"About Hidaka Ken."
"Your teacher?"
"Of course."
"What could you possibly what to know about him that I could find for you, that you don't already know? Or that Kritiker doesn't know? Or for that matter, what has been erased from files about him?"
"There's something I need to know about his background. You know, before Kritiker claimed him to Weiss. It's quite small and simple really. I might already have an idea of what I need, but I can't be sure until I've looked for myself and stated the facts."
There was silence. Devin was really worn out by what she'd just revealed to Aya about herself and her past, although what she told were only snippets of the whole story. Right what she needed was a nice warm bath to soak in, a nice hot shower to bathe in, and a big glass of wine to rock her to sleep and make her forget about what was history.
Now Vita was at her side asking for favors of her. Devin realized that the girls had already nominated her as the leader from the test at the Palledium. She didn't mind being leader or being there for Vita, for they all knew of each other's past from the nice little night out they'd had together a week before the test.
Kritiker had given them each money and directions for where the four of them would meet for the first time. They'd automatically clicked from the hours of shopping to the late dinner at the fancy restuarant. Despite her and Kandy argued and insulted each other half of the time, Devin had made it a night to remember. She would of never guessed she'd things would start out this deep with the girls and her teacher and her new life.
Dev scratched her head, "Why me? You know la Salle'd be happy to deal with finding information for any of us."
"I know that," Vita replied shifting her weight, "But I talked with her when she got home early today from school. Bijou is really stressed out with Omi, her teacher, and his girlfriend. Her name's Ouka, and she's been giving the girl hell. I don't want to put any more work on baby girl, especially when she has to deal with her parents about getting a suspension."
"A suspension? la Salle got a suspension today?"
The raven haired woman nodded, "A three day suspension. Her, Omi and his girlfriend were fighting, supposedly."
"Hmm..."
"Will you do it for me, Devin? Just this once, and I'll never ask you for anything ever again."
There was silence again before she spoke up, "Alright. Stop by early tomorrow morning once I'm energized for my day and I'll help you find whatever it is you need about this Hidaka, guy."
"Thanks, Dev. I owe you one."
She didn't respond. Devin went inside of the building instead. Vita shrugged and went back into the courtyard.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was 12:01 pm. Ken panted in the darkness of the room. The corners of his mouth turned upwards into a smile.
Aya panted above him. Mouth slowly going into a smile. He took the younger man into his arms and changed positions. Ken pressed his forehead against Aya's. He couldn't help but smile when he felt their bare bodies pressed together once again. Aya, slightly aggresive, pulled Ken into an embrace. He rested his cheek against the top of the brunette's head.
They were both sweating and exausted from their previous actions, but still found a way to cuddle whenever they could. They usually just enjoyed the moment, the only sound in the room being their own breaths. Not to mention Aya wasn't big on noise after sex, something Ken found out early in the business. But Ken couldn't keep quiet this time, so he decided to ease his way into a conversation.
He exhaled in a airy voice, "Your a miracle worker."
"If you think that."
"No...really...you are."
Ken shut his eyes and caught a chill. Aya felt it and some seconds later he caught one. He rubbed his back with his palm, sensing his mood.
"Something's on your mind."
Forcing down a blush, Ken responded, "Oh...that. Well, it's nothing...just that I found Vita today...that's all."
"I talked to Devin, too."
"What'd she say? Any mystery at all?"
Aya took a while before answering. He had to form a reply into words before he could tell him, "She's hiding something. Something big. I can tell."
Ken looked up into violet eyes, "Maybe it's just your imagination. I mean, nobody can tell from just one night."
Upon hearing his last statement, Aya returned Ken's innocent look with a piercing glare, "- I - can. Her story was skipping over some deadly information."
Ken felt his blood begin to rush a bit. Aya was pissing him off again over something trivial...or at least what he considered to be trivial. "It's a strong possibility that she isn't skipping over information, Aya. Kuso, she just met you some days ago. I wouldn't pour out my past to someone I'd just met, either. If you'd stop being so cold and give Devin a chance, she might tell that 'deadly information' that you just need to know so fucking bad."
Aya's stare became more and more cold, while Ken was nearly screaming. He knew what it was like to be a judged book cover. While Aya only saw Devin and all the other girls as a project he was -going- to overthrow. If he had his way, none of them would become assassins for Kritiker. He didn't need Devin in his life, and he was pretty sure she thought the same.
He also didn't need a bunch a chicks around him or Ken. For all the insecure reasons.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was early the next morning when Vita came running down the hallway and stopped to knock on Devin's apartment door. Seconds later Devin swung the door open. She was barefoot in a blue sundress that brought out her eyes, and hair in a ponytail.
Vita stepped in. Sporting a mid-drift citrus tanktop, blue jean capris and citrus canvas shoes. She was jogging in place which was beginning to annoy Devin.
"One: stop jogging. Two: your late. Three: You better have a good reason," stated Devin while closing the door.
Vita continued to jog while she replied, "I can't stop jogging, Dev. I have to stay active all morning to warm my body up. Ken is preparing something physical for us to compete at and I want to be ready no matter what."
Devin accepted this answer, "And number two?"
"Personal, Dev," Vita forced down a flinch when Devin gave her the evil eye. She wasn't going for that. "Come on! You know how those things are."
The cranberry haired woman sighed, "Fine!"
Devin walked off to get to the computer.
"What about three?," Vita said, stopping her jogging in place to go after her. Annoyed Devin put a hand to her temple. "Just be happy that I'm not kicking you out, Nijito."
Getting behind the computer screen, Devin opened a window. The background of it proudly sported a Japanese Governement Seal. "Now what exactly are you looking for?"
"Background information on Hidaka Ken."
Dev frowned after realizing she couldn't find anything. 'But it can't be, could it?'
"Uhh...this might take a while. Give me an hour...and I'll have something...hopefully."
Vita cringed, "I can't wait that long, Dev! I gotta meet my teach, soon."
"You told me that. Just go. By the time you comeback I'll something worth your while, alright?"
Vita placed her hands on her hips, then threw her arms into the air. "Okay. I'll be back."
"Yeah, yeah," Devin mumbled as she began another search in a new area.
From the apartment door, Vita yelled back, "Thanks Devin! Remind me of this the next time you need something."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Okay, done. And it didn't take me nearly as long as it did for Pimptress. Although it's longer than my regular chapters, I had to squeeze all this stuff in. Chapter 5: Our Families; status done. Chapter 6: Stronger Boundries; coming soon. I know there had to be an awful lot of OOC in this one. I can just feel it. Go ahead - tell me! I won't get mad :] The next chapter is going to have all of the characters in them; Aya, Devin, Yoji, Kandy, Ken, Vita, Omi, Bijou, and *sigh* yes, Ouka. I'm gonna find a way to stop including her, soon :] No footnotes. Reviews are welcome ---------------------
by Kandy
~~~~~
Ken knew he was behind. All the guys were scoring information on their students except him. Vita hadn't crossed his mind much, which was a big slap on the head for Ken. Yoji and Kandy were getting along pretty well from what he could tell. Although Omi was having regular life problems with Ouka, he and Bijou were getting closer every moment that they spent together. And tonight Aya-kun would learn about his mysterious student, Devin.
'Strange name for a girl,' Ken thought as he strolled along down the empty sidewalk, 'Wonder if she'll tell Aya anything?'
Ken stopped and looked across the street. His eyes slowly marveled upwards into the star decorated skyline. The Hamazuki Tower was even more elegant at night than when he'd passed it occasionally, like Omi, during the day. He smiled. His ears picked up the gentle sound of children laughing as they played somewhere from across the street.
He crossed the street and wondered into a garden. It was hugely beautiful, lit with fireflies and candles. Spring flowers of every kind graced the garden. He pushed back some tree limbs and continued his walk onto the stone path. Ken then came to a huge water fountain where a beautiful stone mermaid sat above it. The many children which he'd heard we all around the fountain. Running from flower patch to water fountain to manicured grass. Some chasing fireflys, some playing with friends, some enjoying the company of their parents and siblings.
"Ken-kun?"
Ken looked around and on the other side of the fountain stood Vita. Dressed in jeans, canvas sneakers, and a black zippered hoodie, she walked around to make sure it was him.
"Vita! I was just looking for you," exclaimed Ken.
Vita smiled warmly back at him, "I knew it was you, Ken. What are you doing here? Do you live in the tower too?"
"No, I was across the street when I heard the children playing and I came to this garden. And since your here, you must live in the tower."
"Yep. This is the Hamazuki Tower Courtyard. As soon as night falls the children gather here to play and such, with permission from their parents of course. I only come down here to get out of my room."
Ken took a seat on the thick railing of the fountain. "I'm so glad I found you over here then. We need to talk."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Aya stepped from the apartment building that he shared with Omi, Ken, Yoji, and Koneko no Sumu Ie. It was 8:50. He wanted to be early for two reasons; one: Koneko and The Bridge were a good piece from each other; two: she might be late or worse - a no show. The redhead shoved his hands in his pockets after smoothing down his black t-shirt. He slid into his car and took off towards the bridge.
'She better be there, and she better be in a good mood'
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Hm? Talk? About what," Vita asked cocking her head to the side with big brown eyes that reminded him of a kitten's.
"As me being your teacher, from now until who knows when, Kritiker requires that the teachers learn about their students past."
"So, basically, all you need to know is my life before Kritiker, how I ended up with Kritiker, and why I chose to go along with Kritiker...right?"
Ken blinked, "Uh...right. How about we get started now?"
"Alright...now let me see...I used to reside in Okinawa. I was a little girl then; still in high school. My mother was a muay thai master and teacher. My father was a professional hitman. He was in close affiliation with a mastermind politic back in the day, named Reiji Takatori."
Ken jumped, "Takatori!"
"A bastard, I already know. Anyway, my dad worked for Kritiker as a double agent going into Takatori headquarters. His mission was to shut down Takatori's Okinawa chain bombing operation that was getting no attention from the police at all. He completed it sucessfully and revealed who he was really working for to Takatori some weeks later after the operation had gone into complete flames.
"Takatori was pissed and sent some assassins after him. They failed, which only made him more infuriated with my father. But when he discovered that dad had a family that he was carefully keeping behind closed doors, Takatori decided he wanted to put an end to it. Sending a lone assassin to do the job as clean as possible, he poisioned my mother to death in a hospital. Takatori made it plain and simple that he was going to kill me next just to get to him for being a double-crosser.
"I was about to make the biggest mistake of my life - trying to kill Takatori on my own. Kritiker got to me first and put my plan on ice."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Aya parked his car at the end of the bridge. He carefully removed himself from the vehicle and walked on the bridge. In the distance Aya spotted Devin, arms propped onto the concrete railing. Her hair was tied back into a low bun with a black ribbon, while she dressed simply in jeans, sandals, and a blue jean jacket.
As he approached she saw him from the corner of her midnight blue eyes. "I didn't expect to see you so soon," noticing that he was now 3 minutes early. Aya stood beside her watching her admire the waters under them. The moon reflected eerily on the chill liquid. He turned and propped his arms as well. They silently stared out into the river...
~Flashback~
Two girls, one of 7; the other of 5, ran gleefully down the sidewalk of a bridge. Once they reached the top the 7 year old rested her palms upon her knees as she stopped to catch her breath. The younger girl, realizing that her happiness was now singled turn around and ran back to the other.
"Why'd you stop, 'Meter-chan," the bubbly child asked.
Panting she replied, "Demeter is tired," she smiled, "Let's take a brake, okay?"
"Okay!"
They both walked over to the railing and peered into the water below. They were very high above.
"That's a long drop, 'Meter-chan."
"Yes, it is."
Then the one named Demeter reached down and picked the younger girl up. They looked down into their reflections.
"Look 'Meter-chan! There's another me!"
Demeter laughed, "No, silly. That's your reflection. These waters give the most accurate of reflections in all the island."
Looking up into the elder girls eyes, "Is that why you said this river is special?"
"Not just that," placing the girl back on the ground, "This river; this bridge; they are told to have a memory."
"Bridges can't member, 'Meter-chan!," the little child said shaking her head in disbelief.
"But this one can. If you tell something or do something on this bridge you can always remember and feel its presense here...for years and years to come...never forgeting what you did on this very bridge."
There is a long moment of tender silence. The child spoke again, "Will the bridge remember us, 'Meter-chan? Today?"
Demeter bent down to pick the little girl up, "The bridge will. Today and tomorrow and the day after that and until the end of time!"
With a raised eyebrow she pondered, "Is that a long time?"
"Yes. A long time...a very long time," she replied laughing and shaking her head.
~End of Flashback~
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ken was leaning forward now. "And then Kritiker offered you a job as an assassin?"
"After telling me that Takatori was planning on me to barge in and make a scene. I was a little hesitant at first...but with some careful thought I accepted. Kritiker moved me from Okinawa to Tokyo about 8 month's ago. I've been under their rule ever since."
"And what about your father? Takatori still wants him dead, doesn't he?"
Vita reclined foward with her elbows on her knees, "Kritiker offered me a job as my father's protection, being one of the perks."
"Count on Kritiker to give you choices," mumbled Ken rolling his eyes at nothing in particular. A bouncy blue ball rolled in between Vita and Ken's feet. Vita beamed as she picked it up.
A very tiny female child, no older than 2 or 3, ran over to Vita. The child had long curly black hair and hazel eyes. Her skin, like Vita's, was slightly tanned to perfection. She handed the ball to the child. They shared a brief moment of glee before the child ran back to play with the other children.
The corners of Ken's mouth turned upward, "She's cute."
"Isn't she?," Vita turned to Ken, "You like kids?"
"I adore them. You?"
She grinned, "Same here."
'Wow, Birman said pairings were based upon similarities, but I'd never have guessed this close,' thought Ken.
"Back to questioning, though. I'm sure your dad could take care of himself since he's a professional hitman and all, so is a particular reason, like you said, why you chose to go along with Kritiker?," he asked.
"Takatori killed my mother, and although I'm sure my father could take quite good care of himself, I'm still worried sick." Ken watched as the glint in her eyes wavered a bit before going back to normal. Something about what she'd just said either touched a nerve or told of exageratted truth. Which one? Only time would tell.
The young man stood, "Well, thanks a lot. I guess Kritiker I'll let me pass with your information."
Vita stood as well, "No prob. You can stop by my apartment, Room 1020, whenever you like."
Ken spun around to face the beauty, "I'm not leaving yet, Vita. There's something I wanna ask you before I go."
"Ehh?"
He smirked to himself.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Devin exhaled deeply putting a damper on the quiet mindset.
"My sister and I...visited this bridge a lot when I was much younger," Devin started up in a low mellow tone, "Everytime we happened to come on this bridge, something happened to one of us. Some month's ago she was killed on this bridge and this is the first time I've been back ever since."
Aya felt a twinge of compassion at his heart. Did she just say, her sister died on this very bridge? Yes, she did. There was silence, just in case Aya wanted to say something, before Devin plowed on.
"We were very much alike, mentally and physically. But our family...they weren't normal. Nowhere near normal. The things they did we disagreed with. Especially when they tried to pull us into it. My elder brother's were already victims of how they had to power to turn us against each other. For them it was too late, and we both knew it.
"I didn't want to end up the same way. I loved my brothers and sister. So I devised a plan to exclude myself from the family. When my sister found out what I was doing she agreed quite strongly and helped me on my plan. We were halfway through until it backfired. Someone had figured me out, turned me in, and my sister ended up laying in cold blood for me."
Pain and sympathy overcame him. The redhead had become open and soft to the confessions of her past. Before Aya realized what he was doing, words came flying from mouth.
"How'd it happen?"
Devin glanced at him, her sensitive side showing plainer than the clothes on her back. "Our parents, refused to let us get away from them so easily, especially with the route we chose...so they sent their squad to find us. We were so close...so close from being rid of them..."
She fought back the tears that were trying to stop her from talking. "She went ahead of me without consulting me first. My escape route had been transformed overnight to a scandal. She was posing as me, got mistaken as me, and took the death that was planned for me," There was silence and she chuckled as her eyes began to water, "In a way...it really -is- all my fault..."
Aya, still staring into the waters below, spoke to her, "Not really. I mean, how were you suppose to know she'd do something like that? How were you suppose to know you'd been set up?"
A hand flew up to her face to dry unchecked tears. "Kritiker knew what happened and why all to well. They asked me kindly did I want to join them. I told them I'd sleep on it. A week after that was her funeral. Once I was home and I'd calmed myself, I went out. It was well almost 3 weeks and Kritiker had finally come back, that night, to get my final answer. I accepted and basically, I started my life over."
Shocked, "They didn't threathen you?"
"No," she looked over at him her eyes young and slightly red, "Why would they threathen me?"
Realizing that he'd just done something stupid he bit his tongue, "Nothing."
Aya noticed that her eyes were red...and that they held pure innocence. The sensitive innocence of a young child. He tried to look away but he couldn't. Their eyes were stuck in a visual wrestling match.
"Maybe...I should be going now." Aya stood straight breaking the stronghold she had on his violet eyes.
He headed over for his car. Devin smoothed a lock of cranberry hair against her head.
"Wait!"
Aya stopped, not bothering to reply.
"Can we talk again...soon?"
"Tomorrow. 8:00 pm. Outside of Koneko. We'll walk and talk then."
Devin smiled warmly although he couldn't see her from behind, "Thank you."
Aya walked on to his car. He got inside and cranked it up. He couldn't help but look back at Devin. She was leaning with her arms propped again. He drove off.
'What the hell just happened to me...?'
*~*~*~*~*~*
"You remember when Birman said that the pairings were picked based on similarities...right?," Ken said.
"Yeah, she did."
"Are you athletic?"
"You could say that...why?"
"Good. Just meet me at my apartment above the shop tomorrow," Ken said exiting through the grass and bushes the same way he came in.
Vita yelled after him, "But, why? Tell me something!"
Now across the street Ken yelled back, "Just do it! And be sure your dressed in clothes you can get dirty in. It's all for Kritiker!"
Vita threw her arms in the air giving up. The she suddenly understood what he was planning for them tomorrow.
'Am I athletic?', she thought, 'All right, then. I'll be at your apartment. Bright and early...dressed in clothes I can get dirty in...and you better do the same, Ken."
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was late night now, around 11:50 pm, as Devin swung her Infinity around into the back parking lot of the Hamazuki Tower. She got out of her luxury car and walked over to the building. Devin had to go through the courtyard to get to the building's back entrance. Smoothing her hair down and back again, as she walked through.
Although it was late night, quite a few children and their parents were still out. Chasing the fireflies and such. She was almost at the door when she heard a familiar voice call out to her from across the garden like courtyard.
"Devin, wait!"
She looked around as the voice drew in closer to her, "Oh, Nijito. How are you?"
Vita stopped, panting, to greet the woman. "I'm fine. But there's something I have to ask of you."
With raised eyebrows, Devin questioned her, "About what?"
"About Hidaka Ken."
"Your teacher?"
"Of course."
"What could you possibly what to know about him that I could find for you, that you don't already know? Or that Kritiker doesn't know? Or for that matter, what has been erased from files about him?"
"There's something I need to know about his background. You know, before Kritiker claimed him to Weiss. It's quite small and simple really. I might already have an idea of what I need, but I can't be sure until I've looked for myself and stated the facts."
There was silence. Devin was really worn out by what she'd just revealed to Aya about herself and her past, although what she told were only snippets of the whole story. Right what she needed was a nice warm bath to soak in, a nice hot shower to bathe in, and a big glass of wine to rock her to sleep and make her forget about what was history.
Now Vita was at her side asking for favors of her. Devin realized that the girls had already nominated her as the leader from the test at the Palledium. She didn't mind being leader or being there for Vita, for they all knew of each other's past from the nice little night out they'd had together a week before the test.
Kritiker had given them each money and directions for where the four of them would meet for the first time. They'd automatically clicked from the hours of shopping to the late dinner at the fancy restuarant. Despite her and Kandy argued and insulted each other half of the time, Devin had made it a night to remember. She would of never guessed she'd things would start out this deep with the girls and her teacher and her new life.
Dev scratched her head, "Why me? You know la Salle'd be happy to deal with finding information for any of us."
"I know that," Vita replied shifting her weight, "But I talked with her when she got home early today from school. Bijou is really stressed out with Omi, her teacher, and his girlfriend. Her name's Ouka, and she's been giving the girl hell. I don't want to put any more work on baby girl, especially when she has to deal with her parents about getting a suspension."
"A suspension? la Salle got a suspension today?"
The raven haired woman nodded, "A three day suspension. Her, Omi and his girlfriend were fighting, supposedly."
"Hmm..."
"Will you do it for me, Devin? Just this once, and I'll never ask you for anything ever again."
There was silence again before she spoke up, "Alright. Stop by early tomorrow morning once I'm energized for my day and I'll help you find whatever it is you need about this Hidaka, guy."
"Thanks, Dev. I owe you one."
She didn't respond. Devin went inside of the building instead. Vita shrugged and went back into the courtyard.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was 12:01 pm. Ken panted in the darkness of the room. The corners of his mouth turned upwards into a smile.
Aya panted above him. Mouth slowly going into a smile. He took the younger man into his arms and changed positions. Ken pressed his forehead against Aya's. He couldn't help but smile when he felt their bare bodies pressed together once again. Aya, slightly aggresive, pulled Ken into an embrace. He rested his cheek against the top of the brunette's head.
They were both sweating and exausted from their previous actions, but still found a way to cuddle whenever they could. They usually just enjoyed the moment, the only sound in the room being their own breaths. Not to mention Aya wasn't big on noise after sex, something Ken found out early in the business. But Ken couldn't keep quiet this time, so he decided to ease his way into a conversation.
He exhaled in a airy voice, "Your a miracle worker."
"If you think that."
"No...really...you are."
Ken shut his eyes and caught a chill. Aya felt it and some seconds later he caught one. He rubbed his back with his palm, sensing his mood.
"Something's on your mind."
Forcing down a blush, Ken responded, "Oh...that. Well, it's nothing...just that I found Vita today...that's all."
"I talked to Devin, too."
"What'd she say? Any mystery at all?"
Aya took a while before answering. He had to form a reply into words before he could tell him, "She's hiding something. Something big. I can tell."
Ken looked up into violet eyes, "Maybe it's just your imagination. I mean, nobody can tell from just one night."
Upon hearing his last statement, Aya returned Ken's innocent look with a piercing glare, "- I - can. Her story was skipping over some deadly information."
Ken felt his blood begin to rush a bit. Aya was pissing him off again over something trivial...or at least what he considered to be trivial. "It's a strong possibility that she isn't skipping over information, Aya. Kuso, she just met you some days ago. I wouldn't pour out my past to someone I'd just met, either. If you'd stop being so cold and give Devin a chance, she might tell that 'deadly information' that you just need to know so fucking bad."
Aya's stare became more and more cold, while Ken was nearly screaming. He knew what it was like to be a judged book cover. While Aya only saw Devin and all the other girls as a project he was -going- to overthrow. If he had his way, none of them would become assassins for Kritiker. He didn't need Devin in his life, and he was pretty sure she thought the same.
He also didn't need a bunch a chicks around him or Ken. For all the insecure reasons.
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was early the next morning when Vita came running down the hallway and stopped to knock on Devin's apartment door. Seconds later Devin swung the door open. She was barefoot in a blue sundress that brought out her eyes, and hair in a ponytail.
Vita stepped in. Sporting a mid-drift citrus tanktop, blue jean capris and citrus canvas shoes. She was jogging in place which was beginning to annoy Devin.
"One: stop jogging. Two: your late. Three: You better have a good reason," stated Devin while closing the door.
Vita continued to jog while she replied, "I can't stop jogging, Dev. I have to stay active all morning to warm my body up. Ken is preparing something physical for us to compete at and I want to be ready no matter what."
Devin accepted this answer, "And number two?"
"Personal, Dev," Vita forced down a flinch when Devin gave her the evil eye. She wasn't going for that. "Come on! You know how those things are."
The cranberry haired woman sighed, "Fine!"
Devin walked off to get to the computer.
"What about three?," Vita said, stopping her jogging in place to go after her. Annoyed Devin put a hand to her temple. "Just be happy that I'm not kicking you out, Nijito."
Getting behind the computer screen, Devin opened a window. The background of it proudly sported a Japanese Governement Seal. "Now what exactly are you looking for?"
"Background information on Hidaka Ken."
Dev frowned after realizing she couldn't find anything. 'But it can't be, could it?'
"Uhh...this might take a while. Give me an hour...and I'll have something...hopefully."
Vita cringed, "I can't wait that long, Dev! I gotta meet my teach, soon."
"You told me that. Just go. By the time you comeback I'll something worth your while, alright?"
Vita placed her hands on her hips, then threw her arms into the air. "Okay. I'll be back."
"Yeah, yeah," Devin mumbled as she began another search in a new area.
From the apartment door, Vita yelled back, "Thanks Devin! Remind me of this the next time you need something."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Okay, done. And it didn't take me nearly as long as it did for Pimptress. Although it's longer than my regular chapters, I had to squeeze all this stuff in. Chapter 5: Our Families; status done. Chapter 6: Stronger Boundries; coming soon. I know there had to be an awful lot of OOC in this one. I can just feel it. Go ahead - tell me! I won't get mad :] The next chapter is going to have all of the characters in them; Aya, Devin, Yoji, Kandy, Ken, Vita, Omi, Bijou, and *sigh* yes, Ouka. I'm gonna find a way to stop including her, soon :] No footnotes. Reviews are welcome ---------------------