Disclaimer: not mine, belongs to Project Weiß/Koyasu Takehito-sama
Warnings: very AU Weiß Side B plot, angsted-out Schuldig, and über cute Michel (s/he freaks me out!)
Schuldig sighed like a bored teenager; he couldn't remember a longer flight. After cruising around Germany for a few weeks, Schuldig got an unexpected phone call from his American colleague. Crawford had called asking if he could meet him and Nagi in New York. For boredom's sake, Schuldig quickly agreed to his request. He had nothing better to do. Now he was just staring out his window trying not to die from anticipation.
Although he knew that Crawford had brought Nagi to America for his computer skills, Schuldig wasn't exactly sure what they were trying to do. He fidgeted in his seat. Curiosity was eating up the German; he wanted to get in on the spoils too. Schuldig hadn't really done anything constructive since...then.
After the agonizing eight hours, the plane finally reached New York. For some reason Crawford wouldn't meet him inside the airport; he had to go all the way to the other side of the parking lot. Schuldig stepped outside and was thankful he had his blazer on; it was freezing! He didn't remember it being this cold in America. Shivering he trudged all the way to the end of the parking lot.
Crawford, already knowing Schuldig was coming, had the engine on and was already to go when the frigid German arrived. Schuldig quickly jumped in and glared daggers at the American. He knew Schuldig hated to get cold. Nagi's curiosity overpowered his shyness and he quietly asked, "So um... Schuldig, where's Farfarello?"
Schuldig quit complaining about his coldness and gazed out the window. He answered bluntly, "He...was killed..." Nagi seemed stunned by the news and sat agape. Even Crawford glanced over at the German waiting for answers. Receiving none, he quickly changed the subject. "Schuldig, how much of your money do you still have with you?"
He snapped back into reality "Huh, around 300,000€ left...I guess." Crawford informed Schuldig that with Nagi's help they now had as much money as they ever had in Eszett; money wouldn't be a barrier. Nagi also added that they could work together just like before. Yes, Schuldig thought, almost...
Schuldig felt very odd standing outside a school. It had been years since he had gone to one. The only reason he was at one now was he was waiting to pick up Nagi. The bell rang and a flood of teenagers hurried out. Nagi wasn't there thought. That's just like Nagi, he thought, he always has to stay late to show the teachers what they did wrong. Stupid prodigy.
Having nothing else to do Schuldig decided to skin through minds. He went into a small blonde haired girls mind before realizing it was a guy. This particular boy named Michel had a surprisingly depressing childhood: living in a harsh Northern Ireland city with cruel stepparents and a really nasty big sister. He knew nothing about his real parents but he did seem to know he had an older brother. Michel noticed the German's gaze and smiled at him, "Um...Hi! My name is Michel. May I help you?"
Schuldig shied back from the chibi's friendliness but asked, "I'm looking for Noe Nagi. Do you know where I can find him?" Michel replied that he just saw Nagi in Mr. Johnson's classroom and that he would be happy to show him where it was. Wow, how could someone be so...genki.
Nagi looked up to see Schuldig walking in with one of his classmates. Michel waved to Nagi, "Hey Nagi, we've been looking for you. Are you busy?" Nagi nervously said no and quickly got his things ready to leave. Before exciting the building Schuldig and Nagi heard Michel's cheerful farewell, "Bye! Come visit me again!"
When they finally got to the car Schuldig let out a sigh, "Jeez Nagi, you have some genki classmates." Schuldig couldn't believe there were people that cheerful and friendly; it was almost sickening! When they got home Schuldig stayed in the car, "I'm gonna go finish some business. Tell Crawford I'll be back in a few hours." Nagi nodded and walked into the house.
Schuldig still wasn't sure why he was going to that house. There was just something about that little Ire. The house itself was fairly small but surrounded with lots of colourful flowers. Schuldig slowly rang the door bell and waited for a response.
The door opened and Schuldig was greeted by a very bizarre person. He was tall, as tall as Crawford (maybe even taller).His clothes looked just like that of an Indian's with his beaded leather vest and odd face markings. Actually, the only non Indian thing about him was his short silver hair.
The man, named Free, looked down at the German with indifference. "Who's at the door?" came a small voice from inside. Michel peeked out the door at the German. "Oh, it's you again. Would you like to come in?" Schuldig still wasn't sure why he was here but accepted the invitation.
The inside of the house, like the outside, looked normal...except for two sadistic looking blades lying in the corner. What were those for? Noticing that Free and Michel were staring at him, Schuldig decided to directly ask his question: "Michel, do you have any siblings?"
Michel was shocked by the question. "Well, I was told I had an older brother..."
This got Schuldig's attention, "What was his name!?"
"...Jei."
The answer hit the German hard; this boy was Farfarello's younger brother. He had living relatives. Still in disbelief Schuldig closely examined Michel's physical attributes. Yes, he had the same soft face and those golden eyes...
Michel noticed Schuldig's reaction to his response and knew this might be his chance, "Why, do you know where he is!?" he asked barely containing himself. Free looked at Schuldig too; still indifferently, but with a little more interest.
Schuldig halted his examination. "I used to work with your brother," he looked down. "He died saving a friend..."
The usually apathetic Free gave Michel a look of sincere sympathy. Michel looked crushed though he didn't cry. He really wanted to meet his brother, but it was better if he could save a friend. Michel flinched and looked up to see Free with his hand on his shoulder. He looked down at the boy with compassion. He too knew what it was like to lose family members.
Schuldig was oddly starting to get very restless, and left his seat. "Sorry, but I really need to go," he stammered before stepping out the door. As soon as the German left, Free took out his special cards. Placing them on the table in individual patterns, he blocked out the outside world and began to decipher the cards' message.
Michel leaned back on the couch; too many surprises in such a short time. Someone knew his brother; his brother had died saving a friend. The shock still hadn't sunk in. What else did that guy know?
Free, now out of his trance, looked up at Michel. "I now know what happened to your brother and how it ties in with that man..." Michel scooted over next to Free, anxious to understand.
Still looking at his card, Free began, "Your brother worked with that man, Schuldig. They were attacked by assassins and your brother gave his life to save him. He must have been very special to him..."
Michel got up and slowly walked towards the stairs, "I'm going to bed, Free. Good Night." Michel dragged himself into his room slipped under the covers of his bed and tried to sleep.
Schuldig sleepily walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Nagi was at the table reading the newspaper and Crawford was at the stove cooking pancakes. Crawford looked up, "Schuldig, so you're finally awake." Schuldig responded with a grunt and flopped down in his chair. He was still half asleep; uncovering family secrets really takes it out of you. He felt like he was wasted really badly.
Crawford sat down handing Nagi and Schuldig plates. "Schuldig we need you back here by seven. We need to finish a project." Schuldig nodded and dug into his pancake. When he finally woke up Crawford had already taken Nagi to school. Schuldig once again had the house all to himself.
Aya went over the mission with the rest of the group. Krypton brand's target was a businessman and his associates. The group had taken large amounts of money from the American government and killed anyone in the way. K.B.'s mission was to intercept one of their shipments and take out the group.
Ken looked over at Michel, "Are you up for this?" he then added, "You don't have to take the mission if you don't feel up to it." Michel replied that he was fine and they started discussing their plan.
Schuldig had literally done nothing the whole day and was relieved when seven o' clock came. He drove up to where he was to meet Crawford. Crawford, of course, was already there and wasn't at all surprised when the German arrived. "The shipment will arrive in exactly two minutes. All I need of you is to secure the area incase I see something." Schuldig nodded and dashed off.
The shipment arrived and Crawford was loading it when he saw an image, an image of well-known assassins. He mental called out to Schuldig {Schuldig, Weiß is coming. Get down here now!} Literally a minute later the group of assassins attacked. Crawford, already prepared, fired his gun at the assassins.
Schuldig, on the roof of a nearby building, pulled out his gun trying to get a clear shot. Seeing a blur of movement behind him, Schuldig leaped away turning to see the weapon was some kind of whip. The whip swung again but Schuldig was ready and struck the whip back at its user.
The whip slashed at the welder causing him to cry out. From the cry, the assassin didn't sound older than sixteen. Feeling very strong and atypical anger, Schuldig put his gun back in its holster and clenched his fists. "Cowards, quit hiding in the shadows and fight me in the light!" Schuldig stepped into the brightest area of the roof, ready to take them on.
In the light Michel realized who he was fighting: Schuldig, the man Jei had considered his only friend. Why? Why did Schuldig have to be involved in this? Of all the criminals in the world... Free looked down at him waiting for instructions. Michel nodded to him and stepped into the light with a grim look on his face. "Why did you have to be in on this Schuldig? You are now my target."
Free stepped into the light too wielding those sadistic blades from before; Schuldig now knew what they were for. Even though it was a two-on-one fight, Schuldig knew he could take them on. The question was should he? It wasn't like he owed the kid or anything, but he was Far's brother...
Crawford, still without back up, shouted up to the German, {Schuldig get down here now!} Michel was surprised to see Schuldig simply jumped of the roof to aid the American. Schuldig landed only a meter from the American who glared at the telepath, {Schuldig, where were you!?} Schuldig simply replied that he was busy with some unfinished business.
Crawford frowned but turned back to the assassins. They were Weiß; he recognized Abyssinian and Siberian but they were accompanied with two others he hadn't known. Siberian roared and took a heavy swing of his bugnuks. Crawford simply stepped aside and struck him in the face. Siberian, stunned, crashed to the ground. "Ken!" Abyssinian cried. Resisting the urge to help his friend, Abyssinian glared at the German, "You! Why are you here?" Abyssinian demanded, pointing his katana at him. "Leave now or I won't keep my vow."
Crawford froze. Vow? Why would Abyssinian have made a vow to Schuldig? Did this tie in with Farfarello's death? Schuldig would have some explaining to do if they...no, when they get back.
Schuldig still remained where he was. This infuriated Abyssinian. Did he want to die!? Aya didn't want to break a vow... but the German gave him no choice. He lifted his katana, "This is your last chance...GO!"
A grin swept over the German's face. "Never!" he cried lunging at the assassin. Schuldig had no intentions of backing down against Weiß. They'll pay for what they did to his friend!
Whoa... Oo Could it be that there's a new Berserker?