Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own Weiβ and Gravitation, I don't make money with this fanfiction and I don't want to be sued.
Chapter III. C: Himalayan
Omi stared with consternation at the towering brown boxes blocking his way towards his apartment. A new occupant? he said to himself. Who could it be? The apartment beside Ken's had been empty. And now someone was moving in. I wonder who–
"Omi, watch out!" a feminine voice shouted.
"Huh?" Omi looked up to see a brown box toppling towards his direction. Not wanting to repeat his recent accident, Omi quickly jumped away. The box landed with a dull thud, spilling its contents all over the floor.
"Are you all right?" the feminine voice asked. To Omi's amazement, Patricia peered out from between the boxes. She was wearing an apron over her clothes and a bandanna on her head. "Did the box hit you?"
Omi shook his head.
With an audible grunt, Patricia knelt on the floor to pick up the spilled contents. Omi also bent down to help her. "Uh…um," Omi began, unsure on what to call her. He couldn't very well call her 'auntie', could he?
"Yes?" she asked, turning to face him.
"What are you doing here?" he blurted out, face reddening with embarrassment.
Patricia gave him a puzzled look. "Don't you remember? Manx wanted me to be accessible to you guys, so she made me live in the apartment where you live. I'm just moving in." She gestured towards the stack of boxes.
"Oh." Omi remembered it now. Patricia was now one of them, a member of Weiβ Kreuz.
Her acceptance hadn't been all that smooth, to say the very least. Aya protested by giving Manx and Patricia several death glares, but he basically kept his opinion to himself. The others were not as reticent as Aya. Omi grimaced as he recalled the conversation that ensued after Manx made that astonishing announcement.
"Are you insane?!?" Youji had demanded to Manx as he sprang to his feet, green eyes wide.
"No, I'm not."
Omi had glanced from Aya to Patricia. They were both silent and expressionless. "But–but–" Omi sputtered, suddenly at a loss for words.
"But what, Omi?" Manx inquired archly.
"Well, uh…you know that–" Omi cast Aya another discreet glance. Aya obviously still had a lot of unresolved issues with Takatoris, having one of them–although Aya had somehow disregarded the fact that Omi is a Takatori–was difficult enough for Aya, to have two of them in the team might be a little too much for him.
"Aya wouldn't mind, would he?" Manx asked the unspoken leader of Weiβ Kreuz, turning to him with challenging eyes. Aya gave her a level stare but said nothing. Patricia gave a derisive laugh. Manx then faced the others, whose mouths hung open. "It's settled then. She's in the team."
"Wait a minute, Manx! We haven't agreed yet!" Ken protested, standing up as well. He cast Patricia an apologetic glance. "It's not that we have any doubts on her abilities as a, uh–"
"Assassin," Patricia supplied with great aplomb, arching her eyebrows at Ken, an amused look on her face.
Ken blushed faintly for a moment. "She's good, I mean but–but–"
"I happen to be a Takatori, so therefore, I am not to be trusted," Patricia cut in.
"Well…not exactly, but–"
"But what, Ken?" Manx put her hands on her hips. "Unless you can come up with a good reason why she shouldn't join Weiβ, she stays with you."
The others then turned to Aya for guidance, waiting for his opinion. "As long as she follows my rules, she's in the team," Aya said in an icy voice.
Everyone was stunned by his announcement, except for Patricia. She was staring at Aya, her eyes narrowed. Aya looked straight at her. Then they both looked away.
"And I have absolutely no say in this?" Patricia wanted to know.
"No," Manx replied in a firm voice.
"Then I am not going to waste my breath arguing. When do I start?"
Manx tossed Patricia a set of keys which Patricia caught easily. "This is the keys to your apartment."
"Her apartment?" Ken's eyes widened. "You mean, she's going to be staying at–"
A small smile touched Manx's lips. "Yes, Ken. She's going to be your new neighbor."
And that was what brought Patricia Deschanel here in their apartment building.
After stuffing all the spilled contents back into the box, Patricia picked up the box quite easily and headed for the door, pausing for a moment to ask Omi, "Is there something you wanted to see me for?"
Omi started. Here was his chance to ask her about his forgotten past. He nodded.
"Then come inside. It's still a mess, but I bet we can handle it."
"We?" Omi asked, confused. Then his eyes widened when he saw the room. It was bigger than his apartment; heck, it's probably the biggest apartment in the building. It was also filled with a lot of dust and cobwebs. White sheets still covered some of the furniture. "You mean, I'm going to help you clean up?"
"Naturally. You're here anyway, so why waste the opportunity?" She smiled at him, a girlish sort of smile, dimples deepening. "You wouldn't mind, would you?" she asked in an imploring voice.
Omi glanced at the room then at Patricia's sweet, pleading face. It was going to take a long while to clean up her apartment. With a sinking feeling inside his stomach, he said, "Not really."
As if by magic, Patricia handed him a facemask, an apron, a bandanna and a duster. "Thanks. I appreciate it." Putting the box down at a nearby table, she looked around and pursed her lips. "We better start dusting the living room." Then she turned to Omi. "So, what do you want to know? You can ask me as we clean up the house, so we don't waste any time. Is that OK with you?"
Omi shrugged. "All right." He headed for the window blinds. "So, um, how did you know that I'm Mamoru?"
Patricia picked up what appeared to be a long pole with a broom on its end and began sweeping the cobwebs off the ceiling. "You look like him. Besides, Shuuichi-niisan told me that you were alive, working for Kritiker and a member of Weiβ Kreuz."
"How long have you known?"
"For several years now."
There was a sudden, tense silence between them. "Why didn't my father pay for the ransom?" Omi finally asked in a quiet voice.
Patricia stopped sweeping the cobwebs and turned to him. She closed her eyes. "I don't know, Omi," she replied slowly. "I was about thirteen when you were kidnapped. I remember that during that time Reiji-niisan was making a name for himself in politics as a staunch adversary of any form of terrorism–kidnap for ransom, bombings–you know, the whole lot of it." An ironic smile twisted her lips. "When the kidnappers asked for ransom, he flatly refused to pay for it. I never found out why he did that–maybe to enhance his political image or whatever. He just didn't pay."
"What happened after Oto–Reiji didn't pay?"
"We panicked. We were so worried about you, especially Oneesan–Reiji's wife, your mother. We begged him to pay the ransom but he wouldn't listen." She clenched her fists tightly, obviously trying to control her emotions.
"How did Shuuichi–Oji-san find me?" Omi sat down on one of the covered chairs, his knees suddenly weak.
"During that time, Shuuichi was working with the police, I think, and was busy trying to figure out where the hell you were. When he found out Reiji wouldn't pay the ransom, Shuuichi-niisan took matters into his own hands. He asked the help of Kritiker–he was sort of a member by that time–to locate you. He found you and well–"
"He raised me as a killer," Omi interrupted bitterly.
"Actually, I didn't find out you were alive until when I was fifteen years old." She shook her head. "I really don't know what the hell possessed Shuuichi-niisan to train you to be an assassin. Perhaps it was his form of revenge."
Suddenly bewildered, Omi queried sharply "Revenge?"
Patricia shrugged and returned to sweeping off the cobwebs. "Your mother and Shuuichi-niisan were sweethearts. Unfortunately, Reiji–I don't know how he did it– married her instead."
"He wanted to avenge that?" Somehow, Omi didn't think that was reason enough.
Patricia took a deep breath. "Not exactly." She gave Omi a thoughtful but nonetheless sad look. "You're still very young, Omi. You still don't understand how emotions affect a person. Shuuichi-niisan loved Oneesan very much. It was for her sake that he looked so frantically for you. Unfortunately," she paused, voice suddenly tight. "Oneesan killed herself before you could be found. It was Shuuichi-niisan who found her body."
"What?" Omi was stunned. "But she died of sick–"
"That was what Reiji said and put on the official reports. Mustn't damage his political reputation," she mimicked in a harsh voice. "Needless to say, Reiji-niisan won the elections, thanks to public sympathy and all that nonsense." There was bitterness in her voice as she spoke. "After that, Shuuichi-niisan became a full-fledged and very devoted member of Kritiker and raised and trained you to be…Omi."
Omi was silent for a moment. "Did he love me?" he asked in a broken voice. You're not wanted, a jeering voice said. Your father didn't want you. And because of you, your mother killed herself. That's why your uncle turned you into a killer.
She dropped the broom and went to his side. She put an arm around his trembling shoulders. "Reiji doesn't know what love really is. All he knows is power. I wouldn't shed any tears for him. He's not worth it," she told him firmly. "As for your mother, her demise was not, in anyway, your fault. Reiji is the one to blame here, not, and never, you. As for Shuuichi, I think he did genuinely care for you."
"Did you care for him?" Omi asked curiously. "Reiji, I mean?"
Her face hardened for a moment. "He's my brother," she said simply. Smiling comfortingly, Patricia gave him a tight hug. "I'm very happy to see you again. I missed you. You were my favorite nephew, you see."
"Really?" Omi found her touch strangely comforting.
"Of course. You were the most fun among the four Takatori siblings." She released her grip on him. "Come on. Let's finish cleaning my apartment. It'll take your mind off things." She handed him his duster. "After this, I'll whip up something nice for both of us, ne?"
Omi smiled. "Yeah, uh–"
"Try Patti. Don't call me auntie, please."
His smile turned into a grin. "Hai, Patti-san!"
*******
Youji parked his car–a classic racecar-style Super 7–into the garage carefully. He loved this baby of his and didn't want any scratches on it. As soon as he turned off the engine, he stepped off the car and headed for his apartment.
Normally, he would have a girl with him, but today, he didn't bring anyone with him. He didn't know why, but he just simply didn't feel like sleeping with a girl right now. I really must be tired, he mused. Slowly, he headed for his apartment. As he was climbing up the stairs, he heard the sound of laughter.
Looking around, he saw that the door of the apartment beside Ken's was thrown open. Why–oh, yeah, Deschanel's moving in today, he remembered with a slight frown.
Youji hadn't been all that enthusiastic at the prospect of working with her. It wasn't because she was a Takatori, but because she was a woman.
He had worked with a woman before–the only woman he had ever truly loved–and she was dead. Asuka. She had been Youji's partner back when he was still a private detective. He had loved her, but never got around to telling her. Fate had brought them together once again, this time as enemies. Youji nearly had her in his grasp but she was snatched away by death once more, this time by Youji's own hands.
He still had nightmares about it, nights when he would wake up shouting soundlessly, his body drenched with sweat. Asuka's face haunted him almost wherever he went, even in his sleep.
Having Patricia on the team would most probably bring back memories of Asuka. The two women were different, of course. Patricia had more delicate-looking features while Asuka was a bit tougher looking. What they had in common was something Youji couldn't exactly nail down. Perhaps it was the similarity of their jobs. Or maybe because they obviously had strong wills. Whatever it was, it was sure to haunt Youji.
Unable to restrain his curiosity, Youji peeked inside Patricia's apartment.
She and Omi were sitting comfortably in the couch, drinking and eating. They were talking animatedly. For a moment, Youji studied them. There was no doubt that they were related. They both had the same delicate look about them, making them look younger than their age. Youji's gaze shifted to Omi. Omi was laughing–Omi always was–but Youji noticed something different in Omi's eyes, a strange sparkle in them. Without knowing why, a smile lifted the corners of Youji's mouth.
"What are you doing, Youji-kun?" Ken asked, appearing from behind Youji suddenly.
Youji gave a slight jump. "Ken, don't do that. You nearly scared the hell out of me." Youji gave Ken a dark look.
Ken raised his eyebrows. "OK. But what are you doing here?"
"Snooping, perhaps?" Patricia drawled. She gave a little giggle when both Ken and Youji jumped. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, a feigned stern look on her face.
"I wasn't snooping. I was admiring you," Youji said. "You look nice."
Patricia arched an eyebrow. "You can come up with a better excuse than that, Kudou-san." She gave Ken a slight smile. "I didn't mean to scare you, Hidaka-san."
"Hey, how come Ken gets an apology and I don't?" Youji complained.
"He's my neighbor. You're not," she pointed out. "Besides, he wasn't snooping like you were."
"I. Wasn't. Snooping."
She shrugged and rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She gave them another one of her charming smiles, the one that made her dimples stand out. "Do you want to come in? The apartment's still a mess, but we managed to get it cleaned up a little."
"Ah–sure," Ken agreed. "Yo, Omittchi!" Ken waved at the youngest member of Weiβ, who was busy eating a chocolate chip cookie. Omi nodded his head as a form of acknowledgement.
Ken looked around the room. Everything seemed to be in its proper place. The place was actually nicer and bigger than his apartment. Manx had to be biased to give her this unit, Ken mused to himself. "What a nice, big place."
"Do you want some chocolate chip cookies?" Patricia asked, holding out a tray filled with mouth-watering chocolate chip cookies. "I baked them myself."
"Is there no end to your talents, Deschanel-san?" Youji teased, taking a bite off a cookie. "It tastes great! Better than the ones bought at a store!" Ken could only nod in agreement, his mouth too full of cookies to reply.
"Thank you," she said a little girlishly. "I wanted to make some rice cakes but I don't have the proper tools and know-how, so I made these instead."
"You should ask Ken or Omi. They're the cooks in the group," Youji suggested. He looked around the room admiringly. "A mess? I don't think so. The room looks nice."
Patricia handed Youji a glass of juice, which he gratefully accepted. "Kudou-san, please stop teasing me."
"I'm not teasing you. I'm telling the plain truth," Youji defended as he winked at Omi.
"If that were the plain truth, I shudder to think what your compliments would sound like," Patricia retorted, as she patted Youji on the shoulder and gave him a knowing smile that left him completely baffled.
"Do you want any more cookies?" she asked them, looking pointedly at the empty tray.
"Uh, yeah," Ken said in a somewhat abashed voice. "Sorry. It tasted too good, I guess."
"It's OK, Hidaka-san. I made a lot of cookies anyway. I couldn't eat it all by myself, you know," she said with a slight laugh.
"Are you on a diet?" Youji asked, glancing pointedly at her body.
Patricia made a long face. "No. I've never been on a diet." She looked down at her body. "I'm thin enough already."
"Which probably means you have to fatten up," a familiar feminine voice said. They all turned to where the voice came from. A flame-haired woman stood in front of Patricia's door, holding a large envelope.
"Hello, Manx. Nice of you to drop by. Want some cookies?" Youji offered.
*******
Aya watched with narrowed eyes as Patricia sat demurely beside Omi, her hands clasped in front of her. He studied the two of them, noting their resemblance.
Aya didn't know what possessed him to even agree to have Patricia into their team. He didn't like her. He had a feeling she was hiding something, something Aya and the rest of them should know. She's a Takatori, all right, he said to himself. Deceptive.
"This would be your first mission with them, ne?" Manx was asking Patricia. "As a member of Weiβ, I mean." She paused a bit as Patricia nodded in response to her question. "By the way, how was the apartment?"
She glanced at Aya, a challenge in her gold-green eyes. But before Aya could react, she looked back at Manx. "The apartment was very nice. A bit too big for my needs, though," Patricia remarked.
"I'll trade you," Youji suggested. "I'll give my pad in exchange for yours. It's the one beside Aya's."
"Ah–no thanks, Kudou-san." Patricia gave Aya another swift glance. "But I more or less want to prolong my already shortened life span."
Manx raised her eyebrows at her remark. Then, videotape in hand, she inserted the tape into the VCR. After a few minutes, Persia's image popped onto the screen.
"I don't know why you still keep on using Shuuichi-niisan's image, Manx," Patricia asked critically. "I mean, you do have a new Persia, as I recall."
"It's a tribute to him," Manx replied in a calm voice.
"I didn't know you had a sentimental streak, Manx." Patricia looked at Manx straight in the eye as she spoke. Manx returned her gaze coolly. Patricia smiled mysteriously, then turned back to the screen.
"White Assassins," Persia was saying. "Your new target is prominent businessman Raizo Tanaka." The screen showed a picture of a handsome raven-haired young man entering a black limousine, surrounded by numerous bodyguards.
"Raizo Tanaka? Doesn't he own a string of drug companies?" Ken asked aloud.
"He is the CEO of Tanaka Drug Corporation, one of Japan's leading producer of medicines and other drugs. However, most of the company's profits does not come from making medicines, but from the production and distribution of psychoactive drugs. Unknown to many, Tanaka is the leader of a charismatic cult, Shiro," Persia continued. "Shiro is a cult which has numerous members, most of them misguided teenagers. The cult doesn't seem to have any religious teachings, but its members spend its time trying out the latest psychoactive drug. Unknown to the members, they are being used by Tanaka as test subjects for his experimental drugs. Many teenagers have died or have become sick because of this. White Assassins, it is up to you to bring justice to Tanaka's victims. You must destroy his illegal drug laboratory. White hunters of evil, hunt the futures of these dark beasts." Then the screen went black.
Manx handed them several folders. "All you need to know about Tanaka are in those folders.
"How does he slip past the law so easily?" Omi asked as he scanned the contents of the folder.
"He's a major contributor of campaign funds." It was Patricia who answered his question. "The politicians who received money from him protect him."
Manx lifted her chin. "I take it that you know him."
She shrugged. "I've met him several times, usually at Reiji-niisan's parties. He's one of Reiji-niisan's staunchest supporter and campaign fund contributor. I doubt he remembers me."
"Make him remember," Manx told her calmly.
Patricia was silent for a moment, then she looked at Manx. "It's going to be an I'll-close-my-eyes-lie-back-and-think-of-Kritiker mission, isn't it?" she asked in a neutral voice.
Manx was just silent. Patricia managed a wry smile. "I'll see what I can do," Patricia said.
"By the way, how come Birman hasn't been showing her face around?" Ken asked.
Manx shrugged. "Birman got transferred a few days ago. I have no idea where she is."
"Where does Tanaka usually hang out?" Youji asked, looking up from his reading.
"He's usually spotted in a well-known club nearby. It's in the folder," Manx replied. "Payment is as usual. Just remember–"
"Yeah, yeah," Youji interrupted smoothly. "We'll die first before we fail a mission."
Manx gave him a withering glare, then left without a backward glance.
"That was smooth, Yotan," Ken said acidly. "You had to irritate her."
Youji shrugged rather carelessly. "It gives me something to do." Youji then turned to the other members of Weiβ. "So, what are we going to do?"
"I'll come up with a plan tomorrow. I still need to study the data in these folders," Omi replied. "Then I have to do some research on the Internet."
"For now, we should have some kind of surveillance on Tanaka's activities," Aya said in his deep voice.
"I'll handle that," Patricia volunteered. The rest looked at her. "We're sort of acquaintances anyway. Besides, I'm going to be in the club he frequents tonight."
"If you want to," Aya said curtly, eyes narrowed. Aya turned to Ken and Youji. "I want you to find out more about the cult." Youji and Ken nodded.
"Uh–I just want to warn you, anything you plan, please try to put into consideration that Tanaka has a lot of highly trained bodyguards," Patricia reminded them.
Youji gave her a rakish smile. "We've dealt with armed bodyguards before. This is going to be a piece of cake."
"I wouldn't go that far. Youji-kun," Omi said diffidently. "The job's routine, Patti-san."
Patricia lifted her shoulders. She sighed. "Oh, well." She stood up and glanced at her watch. "I better leave if I were to go to the club. Bad Luck's playing and I really want to catch their performance."
Ken's eyes widened. "Bad Luck? I'm a big fan of that group. I met their singer, Shuuichi Shindou, on a concert. He's great. He looks a lot like Omi."
Patricia threw her surprised nephew a rueful glance. "You and Shuuichi both act and look like each other, though Shuuichi is a bit more genki than you are." She looked at her watch again, a frown on her face. "I'll see if I can renew old acquaintances with Tanaka. Right now, I have to go." With that promise spoken, she left.
"Why do I get the feeling that she knows a lot more than she's telling us?" Youji murmured to Aya.
Aya just narrowed his eyes. "Keep watch on her." Youji nodded in agreement.
*******
The club was already crowded when Patricia got there. She slowly pushed her way into the crowd, craning her neck a little as she scanned the room for familiar faces.
"Angélique-chan!" A familiar voice shouted. Patricia smiled ruefully. She knew without looking who the owner of the voice was. A fond smile lit her face as she watched a pink-haired boy fight his way through the screaming crowd. When he reached her, his clothes and hair were a mess. "You made it!" he exulted, grabbing her hand and dragging her towards the backstage. When they arrived backstage, the boy began to babble excitedly.
"Slow down, Shuuichi-kun," she said with a laugh. She smiled at the boy. Shuuichi Shindou was a rising star, with his band Bad Luck becoming increasingly popular with each passing day. He was a very hyperactive but at the same time a very lovable kid. She met the band when they were having a concert in New York. They hit it off almost immediately, perhaps because they were both admirers of Nittle Grasper.
"Yuki's going to watch today's show!" he told her in an excited voice. "I'm going to do my very best for him!"
Ah, Patricia said to herself, finally understanding why Shuuichi was so excited. 'Yuki' was none other than Shuuichi's koibito, the well-known novelist Yuki Eiri. The two have been living together for quite a while now. Their relationship had caused quite a stir a few months back, probably because they were both male.
"That's nice," she remarked. "Eiri doesn't usually show up in your shows, ne?" She scanned the room and immediately found Yuki Eiri leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. "I see he still hasn't kicked off that smoking habit of his," she observed in disapproving voice, the physician in her mightily offended.
Shuuichi made a face. "I've been trying to get him to quit but you know Yuki. He's so stubborn."
Patricia nodded absently. Actually, Patricia probably knew Eiri a little more than Shuuichi. She and Eiri met in a rather unorthodox manner. She had been briefly assigned in the New York branch of Kritiker. She had met Eiri while she was on a mission to kill a particularly troublesome professor. Eiri had beaten her to it.
Back to the present, Eiri had noticed her and he smiled slightly at her, a strange, mocking smile that was typically Eiri. She inclined her head as a form of acknowledgement. Eiri's amber eyes were penetrating as he looked at her, but she had long learned to ignore such gazes from him.
She studied Shuuichi for a moment. "You're thinner. Have you been eating lately?" Patricia observed critically. She also noticed Shuuichi had eye bags. The pupils of his eyes were tinged with red. "You shouldn't starve yourself– either with sleep or with food. You'll get sick if you keep this up," she chided.
Shuuichi laughed. "Don't worry, I've been taking some uh, medicine to help me."
Patricia's trained ear didn't miss the note of hesitation in his voice. "What medicine?" she asked pleasantly.
Shuuichi waved his hand dismissingly. "Oh, some vitamins," he remarked in a rather vague manner.
"Who gave you this medicine?"
"Why, it was Raizo Tanaka himself–the head of Tanaka Drug Corporation."
*******
She had caught his attention the moment she walked into the club.
There was something about her, a presence that made people sit up and take notice of her. It also helped that she was stunningly beautiful and attractively dressed in a red slip dress edged with black lace.
Raizo Tanaka watched through half-lidded eyes as she was dragged away by the singer of the band playing in the club. He knew her, of course. She was the late Reiji Takatori's little sister. If he were to remember correctly, her name would be Patricia Angélique. She was Reiji's old man's daughter by his second wife, a British citizen with a French heritage. He had seen her a couple of times, mostly at her older brother's parties but Raizo didn't pay all that much attention to her, since in his eyes, she was just a kid.
But now, as Raizo watched her saunter gracefully towards the bar, he realized the girl had grown up into a beautiful young woman. And he wanted her. With sudden purposefulness, he stood up and headed for the young woman.
She was ordering something to the bartender when he arrived. Raizo then brazenly tapped her shoulder. She whirled around to face him, a slightly offended look on her face. Raizo then said in a smooth voice, "Hello. I think we have met before." He secretly smiled to himself, a smile full of hidden meanings, when the girl smiled back. This should be easy.
*******
A few feet from them, a figure stood watch, unnoticed by many of the people in the club. Eyes drinking in every detail of the scene before the figure's very eyes, the figure smiled the same smile as well. This should be easy.
*******
If there were anything Youji did not like, it would be being saddled with the job of spying on someone. Especially if that someone were a member of his very own team. Me and my big mouth! Youji berated himself. Now I'm stuck with watching Deschanel's every move. Damn it! This job is not as easy as I thought!
Scowling, Youji proceeded to drink his brandy, eyes trained on their newest member. Patricia was talking animatedly to their target, Tanaka. Her face was a study of emotions. At first, she seemed to be amused. Then she frowned. She stood up, ready to leave. Tanaka grabbed her hand and began to say something to her. Her face was impassive as she listened to him. She abruptly yanked her hand from his gasp and stalked away. Tanaka hurriedly followed her, saying something Youji couldn't hear. Patricia seemed to consider Tanaka's word for a moment. Then she nodded. The two of them returned to their former seats.
Youji was completely fascinated by the sight in front of him. He almost believed Patricia was interested at Tanaka. She acted so naturally. Or was she acting? Was she betraying them to Tanaka?
Who are you, Himalayan? Youji asked Patricia silently. He stared at her once more. They knew very little about her. All they knew about her that she is a Takatori, a Kritiker agent and her codename is Himalayan. Other than that, they know virtually nothing about her.
Patricia had been working for Kritiker since she was twelve years old. A mere child when she started in the whole sordid assassination business. Youji felt a sudden chill rush up his spine. Omi was also a mere child when he joined Weiβ Kreuz and even know, after several years of working with Omi, the whole thought of Omi as a kid being trained to kill still seemed to somehow unnerve Youji.
Why did you join Kritiker at such a young age, Deschanel? He narrowed his eyes. A family tragedy? Or are you here to destroy us?
All of the sudden, Youji felt a tap on the back. He spun around, heart pounding. Much to his relief, a waiter with a wine bottle stood in front of him. The waiter handed him the bottle. Upon seeing the puzzled look on Youji's face, the waiter whispered, "Compliments of the lady in the red dress, sir."
By intuition, Youji turned to the direction where Patricia was standing. She was looking at him as she slowly drank a glass of what seemed to be wine. There was a slight smile on her lips.
Youji's heart pounded once again. She had known he was there all along.
~To Be Continued~
Yeah, I know…It's loong story.
My friends and I have long been speculating on how Shuuichi Shindou looks so much like Omi so I put them there. Besides, I did promise some yaoi, didn't I? This isn't the major yaoi paring though…
By the way, did you know Ken and Shuuichi's seiyuu (voice actor) is the same? Yeah, he's Seki Tomokazu.
Note: I got the name Raizo from Tom Clancy's novel Debt of Honor (it's the novel where a plane slams into the White House, killing the President of the USA and almost all his government officials. Yikes!), so I don't own it.