Dislclaimer: not mine.

a/n: was that a cliff hanger? I tried. *sighs*. Anyway, you may find that Nagi-kun's childhood is similar to Hisoka-kun's. (yami no Matsuei) this chapter will somewhat be concentrated on his past. This chapter's style is kindda of like artful, beautiful. Trying different. Being inconsistent, may make people hate my fics, but we write to please ourselves ne? sorry, shor chapt. Tis is sora like a filler chapter, no real point to it.

Misura: Personally, I prefer 'Bradley', it sounds so much cuter! And about the dedication, suggestions, even if u think ya didn't mean to make one, are VERY useful when ya have a writers' block *grins* you should know how that feels ne?

Bulma Greenleaf: thanks for the reviews, self-esteem was pretty low, and inspiration was lacking.

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Chapter 5: The Proposal

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Dark Ebony Eyes Searched for any unvoiced thoughts as to the question posed.

"Do you agree?" Nagi's first thought as 'to what?' then the second was 'oh yeah, to hear them out ne?'

"Hai… I would be honoured." years as a street orphan had yet to wash away the knowledge of polite and graceful speech from his mind. Truly, his parents, of noble blood, had taught him well. Although their later actions had caused young Naoe to abhor the relationship he shared with his biological parents, it did not make him forgo the gracious manner in which he held himself. Besides, being with this man, who had an air formality seemed to bring back the tone of voice from years ago.

The American nodded to Schuldig. Features most often set in a smirk looked almost… solemn more than anything. If one would think that this expression in of itself is strange, they would be even more surprised at the later words.

" My name is Schuldig, and that is Brad Crawford ;" indicating the oracle which had led the telepath to the young lad. Naoe, thought.

"Naoe Nagi, pleased to meet you." there was a hint of hesitation at the beginning of he formal introduction. It was needless, but merely ceremonial, to signal the starting of an unasked ritual, performed almost subconsciously, for appearances sake, nothing more, nothing less. It was what came after all these that makes the difference.



A proposal, an idea, foreseen, but still, not sure of the result, for the future is not preordained. It would take the truly gifted to decipher he many possibilities, for even a difference of a nanosecond could change the future. One reason why precognitive were rare.

" we want you to join Schwarz. We are a group of gifted people working for Esset. Our job encases assassinations and protecting whoever engages in our services." said Schuldig.

" and what do I get?" midnight eyes narrowed. It seemed like he was going to do killing. It just would NOT do to kill someone, end a life, if here were nothing good to be gained. Not so much as for himself, than the for the good of humanity. He used to be a Christian. Used to.

"save the world, prevent hell from breaking loose. A nice home, an education, being fed, training to control your gift. All in all, a better life to be led than what you are living now." a slight shrug of the shoulders showed that the German was not very enthusiastic about the 'save the world' part.

Nagi pondered. The idea 'save the world, prevent hell from breaking loose' seemed ludicrous. In fact, it was practically impossible. Yet, what did he have to lose? His innocence? That was long gone when he had killed his parents. A part of his soul? No, he was already condemned so what did he have to lose? Nothing. Nothing really, nothing really important.

"time?" he asked. Nagi waned to be given time to think. A better life, no doubt, but at what cost? He had to think.

" a week." said Brad. Schuldig looked incredulous. He stared at the oracle uncertainly. Do they have that much time to spare.

"a week." echoed Nagi. He nodded thoughtfully. That would be sufficient time.

A/N: a another very short chapter. Sorry guys. And I'll be going on holiday, so no updates for a while. Here's a poem to ponder about while I'm gone *grins* a side-fic, for a fan-fic. Ok, I didn't have this fic in mind while writing it, but just posting it here to showcase. Tel ya whose POV is it from ja, mata mite ne?

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High Cost of Living

Life, an insufferable thing,

Plaguing me day in and out,

If it would just leave me alone,

I would joyously shout.

For all the pain that life brings,

Despite the high cost of living,

why would life be popular?

To even mindless beings?

Troubles and pain, when will it end?

Send me for judgement,

I would happily be hanged,

For a one-way trip of which angels send.

Will one day bring only joy,

I cannot even perceive,

That part and parcel,

Would let go and let live.

I may be cynic, I may a pessimist,

But at least I do not end up dead,

I've though about it,

No doubt of that,

But who knows if there is life after death?

If there is, I'm better off here,

Of which I know the dangers of.

Instead of diving into the unknown,

Where I'll reap the seeds I sow.

Will there be darkness?

Will there is light?

If there is either,

I would certainly delight.

There world is no clean-cut,

No difference between good or bad,

I would rejoice,

If I knew the difference between this and that.

It would probably be the diversity

Why the world is like this,

I want no fame or fortune,

Just aspirin and water to down it.

I'm having a headache, a migraine,

That nobody can cure,

thinking of life

And it's secrets secured.