Note: Continuation of the "Trust" Arc. Picks up where "Strength" left off. We consider this more the suspense-filled part of the Arc, so less sap and less angst than "Strength."

Broken Trust

Chapter 1 - Old lies and Kritiker

A story by ~Solaris~

Disclaimer: We don't own any characters in this fic.

Hands folded in his lap, his eyes staring straight ahead, even as light reflected off the glasses he wore. He kept his cool demeanor, but his insides were cold. He didn't like what he had just heard, not in the least. He looked up once more at the redhead.

"And you are certain of this?" Brad Crawford asked, voice leveled, ever the businessman. The redhead nodded slowly, trying to decipher some emotions from Crawford. But when even Schuldich cannot, how could anyone without telepathic capabilities?

"I am sure of it, Crawford." Manx replied, then sighed. "My own life is on the line, even as I tell you this. After all, Kritiker doesn't appreciate their secretaries handing out information to outside sources." Crawford raised an eyebrow.

He wouldn't exactly call this 'handing out information' considering the time and effort he put in to actually extract all this from Manx. Not to mention the fact that she had just called him 'outside sources' as if he didn't know the dirty tidbits about Kritiker, being employed by it for nearly two years now.

"What are they going to do about it?"

"What else? They can't exactly assassinate Hidaka, Tsukiyono and Kudou in the public eye, besides, Weiss was our best assassin team...they can easily kill anyone else Kritiker send for them."

"No one in Kritiker has the power and influence Weiss had, that I have to agree. You did fail to mention Fujimiya, however."

"I won't even start with him, he'd probably take out the entire team in one go if he ever found out Kritiker was trying to kill of Hidaka and his friends."

"I have no doubt."

"The problem is, Crawford, that they did break Kritiker's code. They failed to mention that they were covering up for Ran and even though Fujimiya should receive punishment for that, they think Weiss' act is more severe."

"What are we looking at, Manx?" Crawford asked, looking at her in the eye this time. There was no way she was going to lie to him now.

"I think they're pulling a broken trust on them, Crawford." Manx replied with a sigh and looked away. Crawford nodded and looked out the window to the Los Angeles skyline. He had been there for over two weeks, calling the whole thing a 'business trip.' In a way, it was, but it had started with something else.

He found out something was going on with Kritiker when he was still with Ken, he had stumbled upon the information almost by accident and would have dismissed it completely if it hadn't mentioned Weiss' name. It looked like an innocent file, possibly an old mission file.

Fortunately, Crawford noticed the date on the file. It was the date that Fujimiya had stormed through the Schreint hideout, not knowing that his teammates were fighting them just a few blocks away instead of finishing an assigned mission. Crawford's eyes narrowed as he opened the file, only for a feeling of dread to replace his usual business-like manner.

"Fuck." He swore in his native language, cursing himself again for his slip. He carefully stored the file away and his resolve was set. He had to leave Ken, let him start whatever it is that the brunet would like to start with Fujimiya and he had to extract information from Manx.

At the thought of Ken, Crawford closed his eyes. It had been the hardest thing he ever had to do, leaving the brunet behind. Crawford had left all that was left of his heart in Japan and he had to go back there soon, not to reclaim it, but to save the very person he was protecting, along with his teammates.

As much as he hated to admit it, the former members of Weiss had grown on him...well, besides Ken that is. The kid was alright and Kudou was too, to a tolerable degree. The playboy had Schuldich to distract him.

He stood up from his chair, causing Manx to look up. "I'm leaving for Japan." He said simply and headed for the door.

"Crawford," He paused in his tracks. "Keep them safe." Crawford nodded once and walked out of the room. The redhead secretary sat down on a nearby chair and buried her face in her hands. She had thought, a long time ago, that she was working for the 'good guys,' unfortunately for her, in this world...there are no 'good guys.'

The shop was full, as usual, when Crawford called. Ken was the closest to the phone, holding a vase of lavender in one hand and picking the phone up with the other.

"Koneko no sumu ie, how may I help you?"

"Ken." The brunet nearly dropped the vase he was holding, so he set it on the counter, face lighting up in recognition.

"Brad!" Heads turned and attention was drawn to the brunet. Schuldich walked over to where Ken was, eager to eavesdrop. "Haven't heard from you since you left! Where have you been?"

"I'm still in Los Angeles, but I'm heading back today." Ken paused, frowning. He noticed there was something different about Crawford's tone of voice.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, looking up at the others. They had gathered around Ken, by this time. "You sound a little weird."

"I can't explain. Whatever you do, tell the others not to accept any missions, is that clear?"

"Nani? Brad, what are you-"

"Just trust me on this, Ken." That feeling of dread was back and as much as Ken hated to admit it, something bad was going to happen. His instincts has never let him down before. He caught Omi's eyes and the younger assassin had the same look on his face.

"They found out, didn't they?" Ken asked in a low voice. The arm he hadn't realized had been wrapped around his waist tightened. He looked up at Ran's worried face.

There was a sigh on the other line. "Yes, they did." Ken closed his eyes and taking this as a confirmation, both Omi and Youji had grave looks on their faces. Even Schuldich looked a tad worried, but he realized that there was a shop full of teenage girls who were witnessing this scene. He quickly rushed to the other side, pretending to be eager to help them, dragging Nagi along with him.

"Now what?" Ken asked, more to Youji and Omi than to Crawford.

"We'll think of a plan. They're not getting their hands on the three of you. Ever." Crawford said harshly, his tone set as he hung up. Hearing the dial tone, Ken hung up as well and he looked up at Ran.

"Now what?" He asked again, voice softer. Not caring that they were in plain view, the redhead drew him in his arms.

"We'll fight this together." Murmured Ran, even though he was unsure himself. But it was his fault that they're in this mess and he'll fight to the death to get them back out. He knew, they all knew, if anyone dared to defy Kritiker...death is the price.

Yes, it's short. But it's really not worth all the effort of writing a whole series when no one wants to read it or review it. (As with the last chapter of "Strength," which was kind of disappointing, since it IS the first completed series we've ever written.)

- Aki

-_-;;; Sorry for any spelling mistakes, other than that...No comment.

- Wai