I'm back!!! And hereby I have to say that Weiß Kreuz, Weiß Kreuz Glühen and Weiß Side B belongs to me not. I'm not doing this for money, so please don't sue me. I have no money, even to buy a USB drive to work my final assignment.... ;_;

Thanks to Kearoru, Sunao, and Kasra for the suggestions....

3rd Piece : [Mamoru/Omi, Nagi] Through the Looking Glass Part 2


Nagi stepped into the room quietly and headed straight to the computer desk. He sat on the chocolate colored chair and started to work. He pulled out his notebook and connected it to the tower and began to hack into the system. Omi had given him the permission to get into his computer, but it didn't mean without any effort. The young hacker would not simply submit his passwords and security systems. Nagi would have to crack them up by himself.

It took him about thirty minutes to open the system and to get into the file he wanted to erase. Off course it would take him longer if that Persia was not lying weakly in hospital. Nagi admitted that Omi had improved a lot since their first meeting on the net. His system was secured and it was not an easy one to break. Perhaps the Takatori heir should think about selling security for some big companies. But off course Omi didn't have to do it, he was an heir to one of the top rank families in Japanese politics. And he was already stepping his steps inside the scheme.

The Epitaph file was put inside a hidden folder, compressed into about seventy percent of its actual size. Omi's computer might look like an ordinary enhanced computer, but it was more complicated if one should look inside the casing. The file was still very big, containing countless data from each of Eszet's researches. Nagi's file and also those of the rest of Schwarz could be found among the countless binary codes inside it. And in order to save his friends' shoes, Nagi needed to delete them all.

The hazel eyes studied the file for a couple of moments. There was a feeling of curiosity creeping from under his mind. He was eager to know what was actually inside the big three pillared computer that was once installed at Koua. He tried to fight the curiosity but it failed him. He decided to uncompress the file and study its contents.
He knew he had to be very careful. Epitaph did not only contain data, it was also a program. A program to control the mind, that is. But Nagi did not have to fear that. He could not be programmed; at least every attempt Eszet did to play with his mind has failed. His power exceeded beyond the organization's knowledge and they would never know his limits. He only needed to make sure that the program would not take over Omi's system. That would surely be tasteless. But all in all, Omi's simple virus could destroy the whole computer. The more complicated the thing – though being more modern and said to be secure – the easier to break.

There were lots of combat data in every sort of ways. He found complete data about all members of Weiß, Crashers, and Schwarz. He knew though, that the Schwarz data was not yet up to date. It was the data from the time they were in Rosenkreuz. It didn't have any records that Nagi had succeeded to resurrect a dead person. Or that he could manipulate the nature to his fortune. There wasn't any data that mention about Schwarz ability to talk to each other within mind, although they weren't all telepathist.

The interesting thing was that he found about a list of persons under the name of Kryptonbrand. It surprised him that the group somehow connected with Takatori Shuichi. A woman called Mihirogi, who acted out as the group's go-between, was once the man's secretary. It must be a very long time ago when she left. Nagi never heard about her mentioned by Reiji.

The group worked in England, which was a good thing, so he didn't have to think about having to face two kinds of Weiß. The bad thing was that Crawford and Schuldig might be somewhere in Europe. The two decided to leave Japan after the Koua incident, leaving this country behind and start something together. Nagi wondered what the two were doing, some part of him regretted that he turned down their offer.

Perhaps he must warn Schuldig and Crawford. A little effort for old friends would not be such a burden for him. Perhaps he should not. Nagi knew well that the two older Schwarz would not be happy to see that someone was meddling in their lives. Besides, he remembered that Schuldig was definitely not happy when he told the German he would not follow the two anymore; especially due to the fact that now he worked for Tsukiyono Omi alias Takatori Mamoru, an ex Weiß member.

Nagi decided to keep the file for his own good. Just to play things safe. In case someday he had to face those people, he would be ready to attack, knowing about the enemy's data. The other files would go straight out of the computer, without bothering to be compiled at the recycle bin. He selected the folder and pressed shift+del.
He knew well that Omi might have memorized most of the important files. Persia's brain was like a piece of dried sponge, it would absorb whatever information he could gather. It was good for Omi that he did not have supernatural ability. Supernatural abilities took a lot of space in the head and it was actually not too good for the brain cells. Brain cells do not regenerate that fast and if one used his ability too much he would have to suffer some consequences. The lightest consequence was a constant headache, and then nosebleeds or fainting spells, and then there was some kind of crash in the brain – just like a computer when it was used more than its capacity and of course Nagi would not forget the worst, death.

Seeing somebody die merely because they were using too much of their special ability was no longer something new. Toudo was the last one he saw, though. It was some kind of evidence that always reminded him that special power was not meant for fun. It could also serve as a sadistic self-executioner.

Nagi erased his traces, and disconnected his computer. He drew out a sigh and looked around the room. The apartment was barren. It was much like his own. With a personality like Omi's, the apartment should have been a little bit cheerful, with a kettle on the stove, comfortable sofas, fluffy carpet, and flower arrangement – the man had loved flowers then. But it wasn't Omi, it was Takatori Mamoru who lived here, and Takatori Mamoru was a cold person. No, Takatori Mamoru was just Omi's mask to face his destiny. The real personality still lived behind the face. He wouldn't want to serve the deceitful personality Omi tried to show the world. If he just didn't need to be that cold….



Nagi opened his eyes. He must have fallen asleep. His head rested on the keyboard which was the reason why his neck felt stiff. He had searched for the interesting founding he read in the Koua data – The Kryptonbrand. There was not much to find. The group was also working in the shades of secrecy, not wanting their existence to be known to the world. Assassins by any other name would still be outlaws.

One thing that he could add to his knowledge from his search was that Mihirogi left his former employer because several disagreements about the way they saw justice. The little detail were definitely not known but Nagi could think several alternative thoughts. He knew the way Takatori worked. All for the sake of the Takatori family. The woman must have had done with that.

Nagi found the facts rather amusing. It seemed that all these kill-for-justice groups were related to one another. It wouldn't surprise him if one day he found that Richard Krypton and Takatori Saijou were preschool mates. Nagi smirked at his remark.

The team consisted of three people, two European and one American. The American was simply called "Free", no real names found. The data showed that he had an interesting weapon, a mere set of tarot cards and a strange looking crescent shaped blade. His look somewhat made Nagi shivered. All the strange tattoo on his face and the white silvery hair remained him of Farfarello.

The first European was a tall good looking man named "Chloe". His real name was Edward R. Kreuznic, a Rumanian raised in Germany, probably the first to join the team. The second European was named Michel E. Conrad. Nagi was not sure if the person was a boy or a girl. The stature was somewhat convincing for both gender, unlike the first two who could easily be identified as males. Michel was from Ireland and the weapon reminded him of Schön's.

Nagi sighed and looked at his flickering monitor. The clock now showed 10:38. The sun was already high but the room remained dark because the heavy curtains hanging at the window were all closed. He didn't turn the lights on either. Slowly he emerged from his seat and headed for the kitchen. He busied himself with a cup of coffee and some toast. He had to make some reports to Persia soon.



The hands on his wristwatch showed 13.15 when he reached the hospital. The sun was shining at its highest point. Nagi put on his sunglasses before getting out of the car. He was a night person and he despised the sun. Anyhow, the big yellow circle was glaring at him at that moment.

As he reached the hospital door he noticed a very familiar man going out. The hair was ash-blond and his stature was somewhat small. "Isn't that…!" he exclaimed a suppressed tone.

"Aren't you suppose to stay longer?" he asked as he had the man level with him.

"I can't just lie there all the time," the other answer sternly, "Somebody has to fill Persia's chair, and it has to be me."

Nagi eyed the man closely and realized that whatever he said would not change his mind. Those wide eyes had already been filled with determination. He finally nodded, "Whatever's to your liking, Persia-sama." He then offered to drive the man to wherever he was heading.

"Fine then, you can take me to the office."



Driving was slow in the middle of the heavy traffic jam. Mamoru said no words at all. He seemed to be lost in his own thought. The silence eerily made Nagi feel uncomfortable. He knew that the man beside him was not a person with many words anymore but to remember that he was once full of life, it somehow made the brown haired man uneasy. Finally he decided to break the silence.

"I have erased the Epitaph data from your computer. You have no other copies with you, haven't you?" Nagi asked in accusing voice he didn't intend.

"No. I don't think I need one."

Nagi smirked, "Then you must have memorized the ones you think you'd need."

Mamoru simply nodded. He set his sight away to the buildings that towered on either sides of the street. The gapping distance in his eyes seemed even further and further. It was almost empty of life. Nagi felt that it somehow pained him to see those eyes wither away. Soon Omi would be like him, cold, far, and detached from others.

He knew he could do nothing but he didn't have the heart to let those eyes fail. Those eyes that once had reached him in Germany. The strange closeness that made him followed the man.

"You really don't have to do this." Nagi was surprised to hear his own voice saying. It somehow came out flat from his mouth. He noticed that he was not yet capable to show his feelings.

"Don't have to do what, Naoe-san?" Mamoru's answer came in a hushed, tired voice.

Nagi was about to explode about Omi being too kind and nice to stay behind as Persia while the other members of Weiß enjoyed their freedom at who knows where. He was going to ask why none of them showed any proper gratitude for such a big sacrifice when he realized that he was in no place to say so. Instead he said, "Going to work this soon? You'd better let your wounds heal first. Another day off will give you more benefit."

"Somebody has to fill Persia's seat, and it has to be me," Omi answered, "I cannot let anyone else take my place. Ken is still in jail and Youji still needs my help. I cannot let them down." He sighed, "I wonder where Aya be right now. Is he happy in America?"

The question was rhetorical but Nagi answered with an offer, "I can search for him if you want to."

Omi shook his head for answer. "No, it will be better if none of us look for his whereabouts. Even our attempt to find him can endanger his being. Besides," he continued, "If he finds trouble he can't cope up with someday, I'm sure he knows his way home."

Don't be so naïve, Nagi spat in his mind but his mouth was locked. To say such harsh words would only pierce him more. It was better to let him be contented with what he tried to give to his friends. Nagi decided to change topics.

"I read in the data about an assassin team called Kryptonbrand in England. Are you aware of their existence?"

"Yes."

"Wasn't one of them you father's ex-secretary?"

"Mihirogi-san. Yes. She left because of the Takatori policy, I suppose. My grandfather said nothing about her when I asked him."

"Don't you think it is better to 'transfer' Aya under their wings? The man would need some firm base for his action. I can give them some cracks about Aya in Weiß. After all he was considered Missing in Action."

Omi turned his face towards Nagi and looked at him deeply. "No, you can't do that. Just let Aya do what he wanted to do alone. Letting him fall into that kind of team would feel like feeding him into the lions once again." His eyes seemed like they were about to break into tears but they didn't. "Don't you understand what I'm doing, Nagi-kun? They need to break free from it all."

"Fine then," Nagi said, "I won't do anything about Aya."

"Thank you." Mamoru turned his face away from Nagi and went back to his quietness. He closed his eyes and leaned back.

"Mr. Takatori, would you me to wake you up when we reach the office?"

Omi gave a smile. He understood Nagi's effort to entertain him with the sentence. It was a play of an ironic dialog between Nagi's former leader and his legal father. "Yes, please," he said and he let himself sleep.

Nagi stole a glance towards the sleeping form. He looked so serene with both eyes closing, almost angelic. The young assassin smiled to himself, a smile he could only produce when he was by that man, when he was not looking. He reached out his hand to stroke the ash blond strands but he hesitated. Somehow touching him would not do anyone good. Just let him be, he said to himself.

He looked back to the traffic and continued to move slowly among the current of cars. "But if you let me, I would do anything to keep Tsukiyono Omi alive," he whispered, "Even to live up to his name…. Though I know I may not be worthy for it."

-to be continued -

OK, I only give slight hints of Mamoru/OmixNagi here... And don't you think the ending rather fluffy? Aaa, fluffy Nagi is really not like it... but it's already written and I like the way it is...... I'm still thinking about KnightxMamoru/Omi though. I fell in love with Knight the first time I saw him... and I thought he's a very potential pairing to Omi and/or Mamoru.... Man, I've already got the plot in my ehad for a darn long time but I haven't got the way to really writing it down.... ^____^()

Note to Moussy: the line you couldn't get was meant that because Aya has already sentenced dead, Nagi could give the Kryptonbrand some hints about him, considering that if under some circumstances Aya needed a team to work with; Nagi could link the two and let the assassin team to know about Aya's whereabouts….. Or something like that... but it's not going to happen because Omi declined.

Care to lift up my spirit a bit? A little review and suggestion is very much welcome.