Disclaimer: Koyasu's...not mine Warnings: Darkness, angst
Schuldig awoke to find himself in his bed and ow, he had a huge bruise on his head. Schuldig was completely confused; he had no memory of what had happened. Just then Nagi came in with an icepack for the German "Oh Schuldig, you're finally awake."
"Yeah," he said trying to sit up. "What happened last night?" Nagi handed him the icepack which Schuldig took graciously then sat down on the bed next to him.
"Schuldig, when I teleported to you guys I saw you attack Abyssinian bare handed. Man, I've never seen you fight like that before; you even bit him in the neck. You fought just like a..."
"Madman?" Schuldig suggested.
"Um, I guess..." Nagi didn't like where this conversation was going and quickly left. Rushing through the hall, Nagi ran into Crawford. "Crawford, what's wrong with Schuldig? He's acting just like a..."
"I know, Nagi." Crawford interrupted. "I'll go in there and find out what happened between him and Weiß."
What was wrong with me? Schuldig thought, I've never acted like that before. It was creepy, but felt kinda...good. Now I understand why Farfarello was one. The door creaked open and Crawford stepped in with a frown on his face. "Schuldig, I need some answers. What happened between you and Weiß?"
Schuldig was afraid he would ask that but he smirked anyway. "Nothing, I just made a compromise with them. It's not like I actually helped them or anything."
Crawford nodded, "And Farfarello?"
Schuldig froze the smirk now gone. "He's...dead O.K.? It doesn't matter how." Crawford stayed; he didn't accept that for an answer. Schuldig was getting edgy. Why couldn't Crawford just leave it? Did he have to know? Edgy evolved into angst as dark shadows filled the German's mind.
Crawford aware of Schuldig's change looked at him anxiously. "Schuldig?" he asked quietly. Schuldig turned to him and Crawford got the full extent of his change. His eyes seemed darker and his skin seemed much paler. He also noticed that the German had bitten his lip so hard a thin line of blood dribbled down his chin. He looked as if the Berserker himself had somehow possessed him and taken over his mind.
The German stared at the floor. "Just leave it alone," he murmured. He began to shiver uncontrollably. "LEAVE!" The American didn't need to be told again and he quickly left the room. He didn't have all of his information but he wasn't sure he wanted it now.
With the American gone, Schuldig's body involuntarily relaxed. He collapsed in his bed and was unconscious within seconds. Someone quietly stepped up to his bed; Schuldig immediately awoke. The person had white hair and golden eyes. "Farfarello!" he cried running to and then embracing the Irishman. "Farfarello, you're alive! Please stay here!"
Farfarello gently pushed the German back. "No I'm not, Schuldig. You know that I died..." He said, pointing to the still bloody hole in his chest. "But...that doesn't mean I won't always be there for you."
"Farfarello..." He embraced the Irishman tightly, so he would never leave. Schuldig couldn't describe the emotions he felt; Farfarello was really here. He tightened his embrace. "My friend, I'll never let you go. Never. Never. Never..."
Schuldig awoke to his empty room. Had it all been a dream? He gazed down at his pillow and smiled. No, it hadn't; lying on the pillow was the ivory dagger from so long ago. It still glowed from its pallor. Schuldig tenderly licked it; he would keep the dagger forever.
Nagi nervously ate his breakfast before turning to Crawford. "What should we do?" he asked quietly. Crawford put down the newspaper he was reading. "I don't know," he stated plainly. The situation wasn't good. Something happened between Schuldig and Farfarello but he wasn't sure what. What kind of incident could cause the German to go so insane?
Crawford noticed Nagi staring wide-eyed behind him; he quickly turned around. There was Schuldig but...there was something different about him. The German walked right past them, without even acknowledging there presence, and out the door. He had to see Michel.
Free saw the German coming and quickly opened the door. Schuldig stepped in and waited for Michel. Michel practically ran down the stairs to him. "What is it, Schuldig?" Schuldig silently took out the ivory dagger showing it to the Irishman. He looked up at the German questionably, "What is it?"
"Your brother gave it to me...last night." Michel, wide-eyed, reached out and stroked the blade of the dagger. "My...brother?" How could this be? Could he see Jei too?
Free stepped up behind Michel, "If you want me to, I can..." Michel nodded and Free walked upstairs. Schuldig, confused, looked into Free's mind see what he was going to do: a...séance?
Free returned with Tarot cards and his shingake blades; Schuldig had no clue what those were for though. Free sat down on the floor next to the table. He then took out the cards and spread them out in intricate patterns. Michel and Schuldig stepped back as he began to chant incoherently. He shuddered once, and then became silent.
Free's eyes slowly opened and he glanced at the German, "Is that you, Schuldig?" Schuldig was too shocked to speak and nodded. Michel's eyes became watery and he walked up to Free. "Is that really you, Jei? It's me, Michel....your brother."
Farfarello/Free smiled. "Michel you have a very loyal friend. Free would do anything for you. He is your brother; cherish that." He then turned to Schuldig. "Schuldig, I..." His eyes closed, "Good bye."
Free collapsed to the floor. "Free!" Michel kneeled down next to him. "Are you alright?" No answer. Schuldig dropped kneeling down and checked for a pulse; there wasn't one. Knowing it was the only way, Schuldig sent a psychic jolt into the pale man. A few seconds later his heart slowly began to beat again. Free flinched then gazed up at Michel.
Michel hugging the psychic tightly began to cry. "Oh Free, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." He gripped the psychic even tighter. "You don't ever have to do that again." Wow, Schuldig thought. He cares about Free the same way I care about Farfarello. He groaned inwardly, now what am I supposed to do?
At K.B.'s headquarters, Aya and Ken were discussing about what had happened the night before. "I couldn't believe it... he attacked you like a madman." Ken pointed to the scare on Aya's neck with disbelief. "He even bit you."
Aya also couldn't believe what had happened either. It wasn't his fault. He had tried to keep his promise. He had given the German a chance to leave. But now..., he paused to rub the scar on his neck, it was over.
Schuldig sat on his bed with the dagger grasped in his hand. He winced only slightly as he gradually brought it down his arm leaving a thin trail of blood. He slowly brought the bloody dagger to his lips and licked it clean of the luscious blood. A flash of memory and he saw Farfarello doing the same thing to his rapier; this brought peace to the German's mind and he smiled. Back then he didn't understand the point of licking knives, but now...he knew why.
Crawford heard an inhuman cry come from Schuldig's room but did nothing to find out what had happened. He had long since given up on trying to figure out the German instead, he decided it would be best to just stay away from him until he controlled his demons. Nagi agreed too since he understood Schuldig was no longer the mastermind they had known; now...they didn't who or what he was.
They were eating their lunch when the German walked in with his familiar smirk, "So Crawford, what's our next mission?" Schuldig leaned against the wall with the same laid-back appearance he had before. He looked as if nothing had happened; as he had never been insane.
Crawford shrugged off his shock, "We will get rid of Weiß, of course. After that we'll leave the country. Does that work for you, Schuldig?" Schuldig gave a lazy "yeah" and sat down at the table. They finished their lunch and afterwards Crawford discussed their plan. It was simple and Schuldig liked it (especially Nagi being the bait). This could actually be fun.
Crawford stated that Weiß would be here in two minutes so they got into position. All poor Nagi was supposed to do was stand near the crates and appear laid-back (which was hard enough itself). Schuldig crouched on the roof could barely containing his eagerness. He would get Farfarello retribution. Too bad Omi wasn't coming.
"We're almost there," Aya stated. "Ken, I want you to circle around to the back. Yuki will stay here to keep radio contact and for getaway. And I'll take the direct route with Cholé. Since Michel and Free aren't here we will have to be extra cautious." Ken paused when he remembered the conversation he had with Michel:
Michel frowned, "Free and I can't accept this mission." Ken recoiled back, "But...Why not!?" Michel turned away from him. "We just...can't, O.K.?" Michel hurried out the room with Free. "Michel!" No answer. Had something happened between Michel and Schwarz? Being the friend he was Ken simply told Aya that Michel was really sick and Free was staying to take care of him. He did want answers when they got back though.
Weiß arrived right on time and the fight began. Crawford was taking on Abyssinian and some romantic egotist named Cholé. So far he was doing well against the two assassins. He managed to give Abyssinian a good beating. Since Nagi was just there for transportation, Schuldig got to take on Siberian.
He jumped from the roof landing next to Siberian and gave him a friendly smile. Ken seemed less than friendly. "You, how dare you bite my friend!" he snarled lunging at the German. Schuldig simply flipped out of the way and struck him in the face. "It's nice to see you again, Hidaka. How have you been doing?" Siberian paused to spit out the taste of blood in his mouth.
"Grarrrl!" He lunged claws barred aiming for the German's throat. Again the redhead simply dodged out of the way. But instead of punching he sunk his teeth into unprotected flesh. "Ah!" Ken cried, not expecting such an inhuman attack. He twisted forcing the German to let go. Siberian stroked his neck, feeling the crimson liquid stained his hand. No, this wasn't the Mastermind, this was the Berserker!
Aya, momentarily free, ran to help his friend. "Ken!" he cried staring at the bite mark. That beast had bitten Ken too. Schuldig turned to Aya and grinned. Aya pulled out his katana, wanting so badly to slash that grin in half. Ken glanced at Aya and he nodded back. They bared their weapons and attacked simultaneously, "Shine!"
Schuldig twirled around punching the katana away. Ken seeing his chance lunged thrusting his claws into the German's shoulder. "Gah!" Schuldig clutched his wounded shoulder. This wasn't good; he couldn't feel his right arm. For the first time in months Schuldig was actually worried about his life.
Aya lunged again knowing the German couldn't block it. Smack! Crawford punched the katana away before it could decapitate the German. Crawford practically screamed at him, "Schuldig, be more careful!" Schuldig was too stunned to respond; he had come so close to dying. But...was that so bad?
Still clutching his shoulder Schuldig staggered up to Siberian. He flashed his crimson stained teeth. "Fight me!" Ken's claws shot out; he was eager to butcher the German. Aya and Crawford understood the challenge and left the field. "You'll pay for all you hurt!" Ken roared. Schuldig simply smiled at the threat; either way he won.
In a blur of motion Schuldig lunged at Siberian and plunged Farfarello's dagger deep in his gut. Withdrawing it as quickly as he had thrust it, Schuldig then leaped back. Aya turned to see the bleeding Siberian. "Ken!" He cried in vain, knowing he couldn't help him. The German lunged again. Ken gritted his teeth; this time he was ready.
Free was reading his cards and slowly turning them over. He flipped over Schuldig's card and his eyes grew wide. He had been afraid of this outcome. "Michel, come here quickly!" Michel sprinted into the room. "What is it!?" Free frowned showing him Schuldig's card...death.