In Black and White
By: Libitina


Disclaimer: I do not own the characters depicted here. I am just borrowing them to have a little fun with my imagination.

Warnings: Shonen-ai content (in later chapters). This chapter contains some mild cursing.

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"The fact that he can use his powers again is worrisome. The mission perimeters will be modified." Omi sighed as he watched Ken and Yohji play with the computer. Things had returned to a semi-normal state since receiving their new orders. The only difference being the still unconscious boy who lay just down the hall, and the absence of a certain stoic redhead. Nagi hadn't woken since passing out three days earlier. The doctor's Kritiker had sent over said it was because of the mental trauma. Aya had left hours earlier, after two days of preparation. The new mission orders put Aya Fujimiya in a precarious position. But it was a position Aya was the best suited for.

Yohji let out a cry of defeat and Omi smiled a little. Yohji always lost when he and Ken played their racing games. Ken simply had faster reflexes, or maybe he had more practice when it came to computer games. Omi looked back down at the paper on the table before him. He was supposed to writing a report on a subject of his choice. He hadn't started, in fact he hadn't thought of a fitting topic.

His thoughts drifted to Shaylee, his current girlfriend. All his worries over their mission and guilt flew away as he pictured her pretty face. He loved her. So much so that thinking about her made him feel dizzy and light hearted. He had lost his virginity to her just a short month ago. He bit his lip, smiling as he thought about it. He couldn't wait to see her again.

"You cheated!" Yohji accused loudly, jerking Omi out of his thoughts.

He looked back at his friends, laughing softly. Somehow he couldn't go back to his earlier melancholy mood. There were too many things to be cheerful about. Like the reminder that tonight he would be with Shaylee.

Chapter Five -Mutiny-

'What the hell am I doing here?' Aya stood before the ornate door and glared at it as if somehow was responsible for his current situation. His mission orders were clear, and he wasn't happy. He was starting to build more respect for Nagi Naoe for walking up to their door three weeks ago. Especially now that he was about to do, essentially, the same thing. Role reversal was a bitch.

Taking a moment to sort his emotions and tuck them neatly aside, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. Three, sharp, rhythmic raps. Then he waited.

His bangs, which had grown too long since he hadn't bothered to get his hair cut for several weeks, fell into his eyes, but he ignored them. What he wanted was to be back home. Watching Ken and making sure his partner didn't do anything stupid. Like fall for Nagi Naoe. It was probably too late for that, as Yohji had been all too quick to point out.

'You notice something, Aya-luv?' He remembered Yohji's silky words two nights ago, 'You notice the way Ken can't seem to keep his eyes off Nagi, or the way he's insisted on staying with the boy? I think our little Ken-ken has a crush.' Sometimes he hated Yohji. Because he knew Yohji knew too much.

The door swung open and he found himself staring at the redheaded version of Yohji Kudou. To the jut of the hips, to the cocky smile, Schuldich was as identical to Yohji as he could be. With, or without the long red hair. "Well! What a surprise! Bradley, Jei! We have a guest!" Schuldich said cheerfully, apparently unsurprised to see Aya.

He wouldn't be surprised. Aya knew Kritiker had sent someone to inform Schwarz of the new 'evaluation' guidelines. "Mastermind." Aya said shortly.

"Schuldich. Call me Schuldich, or Schu, if you want to get intimate." Schuldich said with a grin. He stepped back, "Come on in, lovely. We've been waiting eagerly for you."

Just like Yohji. Just as irritating, just as smug, and oozing just as much sex appeal. Fortunately Aya was not the least bit attracted to the kind of sex appeal Schuldich was dripping. He strode into the hotel room, not surprised at the rich, spectacular room he stepped into. The carpet was white, the walls a bizarre and bright yellow. The furniture was all white, and leather. And if not leather, then expensive. The walls were bare except for a few large paintings. Everything screamed of money.

It was a suite with four rooms, one for each member of Schwarz, including Nagi who was not staying here, obviously. The main room was a living/dining area and quite large. The south wall was complete glass, overlooking the city. The north side of the room had a kitchen area that joined to the dining area.

The living area, near the center and extending into the north side of the room was currently occupied by Bradley Crawford and Farfarello. The crazy Irish man was currently not wearing his eyepatch and his scarred left eye was painful to look at. Across the west wall were four doors, spaced a good six feet apart. The door closed behind Aya as he look around and he forced himself not to flinch.

"I do believe you know everyone. Oracle, or Bradley Crawford. Call him Bradley if you'd like to see him growl. Crawford if you want to be civil with him. And Jei." Schuldich waved his hand at Crawford and then Farfarello. He moved into the living area, plopping onto the couch beside Crawford and stretching his long legs out.

Aya thought it was a bit odd that he introduced Crawford using both the man's code name and real name, but then introduced Farfarello as simply Jei. Was Jei Farfarello's real name then? It hadn't been in the notes he'd been sent by Kritiker. No one knew Schuldich's real name, and as far as they knew Farfarello was Berserker's real name. But Jei... He made a mental note as he kicked his boots off and entered the room.

He kicked the boots of instinctively, not comfortable wearing dirty shoes in such a sterile environment. He walked to where the others were, sitting down in the chair farthest from the three Schwarz members.

"So, Kritiker wants us to teach you how to access your gift, huh." It was hardly the most appropriate way to start a conversation, but coming from Schuldich Aya was not surprised.

"NO!" Nagi awoke with a startled cry. He sat up, grabbing his head with his hands and looking around wildly. He was alone, and soon he calmed enough to gather his thoughts. He had just remembered where he was when the door flung open and he found himself staring into the warm brown eyes of Ken Hidaka.

"You're awake." Ken said, sounding strangely breathless.

Nagi didn't feel the need to answer. Didn't really feel like answering at all, so he just stared at Ken, hands still pressed to the sides of his head. Ken stepped closer to the bed, and Nagi got a glimpse of bright blue eyes behind him. Omi. But the boy turned and was gone, closing the door softly as he hurried back down the hall.

"How do you feel?"

"What happened?"

"You used your power, but your mind wasn't ready for the stress. So you passed out, and you've been out for a few days. It was your body's way of making sure you let your mind rest." Ken explained, crawling onto the bed and kneeling before Nagi.

Nagi watched him warily, not quite as scared of Ken as he had been. He remembered dimly Ken's apology, but it seemed so far away. Like something that had happened years and years ago. What he remembered more than Ken's apology was the kiss. He would never forget the kiss. "Um... about, about earlier..."

Nagi knew before Ken finished speaking what the other man wanted to talk about, so he jerked forward and pressed his hand against Ken's mouth. They stared at each other, startled brown gazing into wide blue. It was in that moment that Nagi realized something that scared him more than anything ever had. He pulled his hand away slowly, surprised when Ken reached up and grabbed it. He stared at their joined hands, but didn't pull away.

"Let's try and forget it all and start anew." Ken said quietly, "All right?"

Nagi nodded slowly, not daring to look up. He didn't want to look at Ken's face. A face he liked more now than he ever did before. "Hi, I'm Ken Hidaka." Ken said, squeezing Nagi's fingers slightly, "And who are you?"

Nagi realized that in his own way Ken was trying to make things better. He looked up, daring a glance at Ken's face. The smile and warmth he saw there made his heart jerk. He returned the smile as best he could, "Nagi Naoe." He said softly.

"It's a pleasure... would you like to join me for dinner? Nagi Naoe?"

Nagi flushed, his mind working in overtime. Did Ken mean that the way it sounded? Like a date. He studied Ken silently, mulling everything over in his mind carefully before slowly nodding, "Yes."

"Before we can start working together, we need to get to know each other better." Schuldich said, licking his bottom lip, "If you can't trust us, we can't help you see if you have a gift."

The redheaded Weiss, Aya Fujimiya, was nervous. Jei could see it in the way the redhead held himself. He was stiff, eyes quick and wary. Nervous probably wasn't the right word, but it was the only one Jei could think of at the moment. He noticed the looks he was getting, and knew that Fujimiya was aware that something was different.

Fujimiya was intelligent. He could see that clearly and he respected that. He had the same look in his eyes as Crawford, and because of this Jei liked him. He knew just from looking at Fujimiya that trust would not be happening anytime soon. Fujimiya wasn't the type to trust, anyone. He probably only minimally trusted his own teammates.

"First off, that is Jei. Not Farfarello." Schuldich motioned at Jei, he had noticed the looks Fujimiya had been giving Jei. Considering it was Schuldich, he could probably also hear the redhead's thoughts. //He's wondering why I called you Jei, and not Farfarello.// Schuldich's voice echoed strangely in his mind, and he tried not to flinch away from it. That would explain why Schuldich was currently explaining things. "Jei is one of Farfarello's personalities. We believe he is the founder. Farfarello, as I'm sure you have now realized has DID. He has two personalities that we know of, but there's no telling if there are more."

"Does Jei have the gift as well?" Fujimiya asked and Schuldich looked amused by the question. //Quick little kitten, isn't he?//

"No."

"Farfarello is the gift." Jei said shortly. He didn't want questions.

Fujimiya nodded, "If Naoe continues to try accessing his power, what will happen?"

"If his mind isn't fully healed, he could cause permanent damage." Schuldich said, mood darkening visibly. Schuldich wore his emotions on his sleeves at times, and now was one of those times because he wanted Fujimiya to trust him. He needed Fujimiya to like him.

Kritiker's change of plans caused Schwarz to alter their plans as well. However, it was for the good. Having Fujimiya as they now had him could only make their mission easier.

"What would that entail?" Fujimiya persisted. Obviously he was either genuinely curious, or he had been given orders to ask.

"Several things, it all depends on the little one. Coma, being one option. Insanity, death... it varies with each person." Schuldich shrugged.

"This has happened before?"

"With others who access their gifts, yes. Some who have no control push their limits and often snap their limits. It's not uncommon."

"And you? Have you regained control of your powers?" Fujimiya asked pointedly.

"Bits of it." Schuldich said with an easy smile. There were times when Jei envied Schuldich's easy charm and ability to lie. "At times I hear a whisper or two of thought." He turned his head, looking pointedly at Crawford.

"I have had no visions." Crawford said, very dead pan and cool.

"Farfarello continues to sleep." Jei said when Crawford finished, feeling somehow that Fujimiya's question had been pointed to them all, not just Schuldich. He was the only one not lying. Though he could feel Farfarello stirring slightly. It made him uneasy. The crazed one would not rest long. He never did.

"So you are all regaining your powers." Fujimiya murmured, though he sounded as if he was speaking more to himself than them. "It's only a matter of time."

"No need to be afraid, the collective will not take us back, even if our powers return." Crawford murmured.

"You don't need the collective if you have your powers." Fujimiya pointed out.

"Indeed." Schuldich laughed, looking very amused now. To him it was a game of cat and mouse, or at least that was the impression Jei got. Schuldich enjoyed baiting Weiss, he always had.

The silence that followed Fujimiya's questions was unpleasant to Jei. He hated tension. After a few moments he got to his feet and walked towards his room. "Jei? Leaving us already?"

"I have better things to do than sit around all day. Call me when you need me." Jei said shortly.

"Tch, no fun." Schuldich murmured, his tone teasing but his gaze serious.

Nagi was nervous. Ken could feel the boy's tension from across the table. To their side Yohji was sitting on the couch, legs propped up on the cushions as he watched the television. Omi had left for his date, and Nagi and Ken were eating together, quietly, at the table. Ken had tried to coax Nagi into a conversation, but the boy's responses were less than encouraging.

Ken sighed, putting his fork down and giving up the pretense of eating. "What is your fondest memory?"

Nagi looked up, and it was clear from his expression that Ken's question startled him. Ken smiled, trying to help Nagi feel at ease. "My... fondest memory?"

"Yeah."

Nagi looked down at his food and his answer was so long in coming Ken figured he wouldn't answer. But then, much to his delight, Nagi spoke, "Before the gift came to me, I remember... the way my mother used to look at me."

"That's your fondest memory?" Ken asked quietly.

Nagi nodded, then looked up and pinned Ken with his gaze, "And yours?"

//Kissing you.// Ken pushed the thought aside and smiled, "Kase. Before he betrayed me. Pretty much everything we did together is in that category. Although now the memories are tainted, now that I know who he really was."

"Kase?"

"My... he was my best friend."

"How did he betray you?"

Ken would have liked not to answer the question, but this was Nagi asking, and the fact that Nagi was asking, and showing interest, kept him from holding his tongue. "I trusted him, and he tried to kill me."

Nagi finished eating and put his own fork down. He folded his hands in his lap. There was silence, broken only by the sounds of the television, before Yohji spoke up, "Why don't you two join me? There's a good movie on."

"Sure." Ken grinned and got to his feet. He held his hand out without really thinking, and didn't really realize what he had done until Nagi's small, cold hand rested in his. He helped the boy to his feet, and for a moment they stood, toe to toe, just staring at each other.

Ken blushed, looking away and stepping back to give Nagi room. The boy moved past him and sat on the couch beside Yohji. Yohji swung his legs down to give Ken room and then slid over so that Ken would have to sit between him and Nagi. The movie blurred from his view as all his senses were trained on the small boy to his side.

Nagi Naoe. He realized, as they sat there, that he was falling head over heels for the delicate and deadly boy.

-End of Chapter Five-
TBC

Notes: I debated over this for a while. From chapter four the story could go two ways, and I had to decide which way I wanted to try. The chapter is short because of how much I struggled with it. Finally I just said screw it and decided to post what I had as I work on completing the next chapter. I have little time and less energy, but I do want to continue this story, even though I'm getting the sneaky suspicion it's in the; Fair but not great, section of fanfiction.