Disclaimer: Aya is red, Ken's goggles are blue, I don't own Weiss Kreuz, and neither do you.

A/N: Yay! Next chapter! It's a transition mission . . . into the now existent plot! Enjoy. ::glomps reviewers:: I love you all!!!

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The lonely streetlight flickered off, fooled by false daylight as an unwelcome hand shined a flashlight on the sensor. A smirk could be seen creeping across a half-lit face as the culprit secured his trick in place and slipped into the darkness provided by the forest surrounding the scene. There wasn't nearly enough light to see around the sharp turn in the slippery, snow-covered road.

Light from a pair of foreseen headlights was the only source of sight before two daggers thrown from the shadows shattered them. The screech of tires sounded in the silence of the night, followed by the crash and resounding 'beep' of a broken horn. There was laughter of one, and four figures stepped from the darkness.

The one laughing took back his light and the streetlight flickered on, revealing four shadows and the figures they belonged to standing in the road. New snow began to drift around them.

"Another one down," the redhead twirled the flashlight in hand, catching it gracefully in a fist and staring snakelike into the darkness, ". . . you know I'd do anything for the one I love."

The tallest stepped forward, now, "Now, now, don't be selfish," he pushed in his glasses, "You're not the only one with a reason for doing this. I think all of us want a piece of Weiss."

The man with the eyepatch licked his dagger in agreement.

Schuldig turned calmly, "But we'll have them find us separately. Suspicion travels in numbers, as do flies."

The smallest huffed, speaking up, arms still crossed, "Yes, but they all are Weiss. Does it matter who we individually target?"

The redhead looked back at the young one, smirking slightly, "No, not particularly. Just leave Siberian to me."

"But you WILL take care of him," Crawford narrowed his eyes underneath thin glasses at the disobedient member, both in questioning and threat.

"Oh, I'll take care of him, alright," Schuldig smirked (again), retreating back whence he came with a huffy cloud of white, frost-tipped air, so he wasn't sure if anyone heard his next statement, "But I do it MY way."

~~~~~~~~

"No! Right! He's gonna- the right, damnnit!" I slumped back in the couch, sighing and grabbing a handful of popcorn, popping a kernel into my mouth, "Idiot. You should have gone to the right."

"Ken-kun. You're doing it again." Omi said, looking over his shoulder at me.

"What?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"Talking to the T.V. . ."

". . . But he should have gone to the right!" I protested.

"Hmm?" He looked closer at the television screen, "Isn't that last week's soccer game?"

"Yeah! How'd you know? I taped it." I smiled, he sweat-dropped. It was the cutest thing, but I guess you had to be there, "It's certainly too cold to be outside in this blizzard. Did you see that snow? It's coming down like crazy . . . but it's alright. . ."

He watched me as I went up to get the tape from the VCR, and opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off, ". . . I can watch it later."

He averted his eyes sorrowfully to the side, almost as if he was disappointed that I wasn't watching it anymore.

"What's wrong?" I asked, walking over to Omi instead of leaving the room, "Is it something I did?"

"Well, no, I mean, thank you! It's just. . ." He looked up at me with this hopeful look in his eyes and I think I had to catch my breath, almost missing what he had to say next, "Would you mind staying in here?"

I flushed. Omi actually asked me if I would stay with him. . . Me! I know it's probably just because he doesn't like being alone. If Aya or Youji had been in the room he probably would have asked the same of them, but still, it seems too many coincidences, don't you think?

I mean, at the club we seemed to have a lot of fun, and although I was pretty zoned out during the entire thing because of all my emotions began to take the best of me, Omi did ask me to dance . . . and he did smile . . . and he did put his arms around my neck. That was just a friendly thing to do, right? And when mastermind pulled me away (man, that was freaky) Omi made a face. Whether it was shock, fear, or jealousy I didn't have the time to figure out, but he definitely made a face. Could it be . . . nah. I'm just imagining things. . . I must really be an idiot to have thought that Omi asking if I could stay in here suggested anything.

Still, I was planning on staying in here, anyway. I enjoy just being by him. On other occasions, I would usually just leave because I was frightened of what I felt, but now I'm comfortable with it, and so long as I can see him, nothing else matters.

"No problem," I said, "I like being with yo-" I choked. Shit, "I-I mean I have . . . work - that I could do here." Smooth, Ken. Real smooth. What the hell? What was I talking about? Work? The only work any of us have is either at the Koneko, (which is closed today due to Youji's hangover and Aya's motherly instinct. Go figure . . . besides the fact that the blizzard isn't really doing the flowers a favor), and our assassin work, (but we haven't had a mission in weeks).

"Hmm" Omi asked, puzzled, and frowning. He can always tell when I'm lying.

"I erm. . ."

"I'm sorry, you really don't have to stay here," he turned back to his papers, looking a little hurt.

"No! That's not it at all! I really want to stay!" if all else fails, tell the truth, "I enjoy your company!"

He was taken aback at my openness, and a smiling blush crossed his cheeks, "Thanks. I- I enjoy your company too."

He went back to his work, a slight smile on his face (though I don't know why, it made me happy to see). I think that's as close to a love confession as I'll really ever come. I just don't have the guts for this type of thing. I'm such a wimp, but I have to admit, even though I understand it's only in friendship, hearing Omi say that he enjoys my company made me smile too.

"Hey! Kenken! Omiitchi!" we both looked up to hear Youji hollering from upstairs as he burst open the basement door, "Our favorite pair of legs is here."

"Manx!?" Omi exclaimed in disbelief, though I was just as surprised. A new mission is the last thing I need right now. Youji and Manx walked down the stairs.

I was about to look around for our favorite redhead to see if someone needed to go get him from upstairs, but Aya seemed to mysteriously have appeared leaning against the wall. That's really odd. He wasn't there a second ago. . . Youji closed the door and collapsed on the couch.

"Weiss," She paused, looking at each one of us to make sure we all were present, "You have a mission."

"So what else is new- Owww!" Youji jabbed me in the stomach with his elbow. Manx sighed slightly, a bit amused (I can tell), and handed out the mission write-up and a booming voice sounded as several images appeared on the screen.

"Weiss; you have a new mission. Several strange car accidents have occurred near the next town. The consistency of the incidents and the pattern in which they were executed suggest that they were no accident. The victims seem unplanned, but their have been no fatalities. Even so, if they continue, there is a possibility. Your mission is to find these evil beasts. I would like you to wait for further instruction to deny them their tomorrows. Investigation is our objective." The screen dimmed off.

Manx stepped forward.

"For the purposes of this assignment, Persia has seen to it that you will NOT be staying in the cabin you once used as a safehouse in another mission, but in a larger facility which will be more convenient due to the location of the crimes, and so that you blend in better with the crowd and will not be held in suspicion," she paused, looking at each of us individually as we waited for the line we knew was coming, "Are you all in?"

We all looked at each other. This is a strange mission. Just investigation, huh? I would have shrugged but everyone else seemed so damn serious about it. It's a free vacation! I tried my hardest stifling excitement. I love skiing.

"Wait," Youji stopped her, "It's just investigation, right?"

"Right."

"Free vacation." Youji grinned. hah. You see, I'm not the only one, "But you don't really need all of us for this assignment, do you?" Manx looked at him thoughtfully.

All three of us looked at Youji in amazement. What was he implying? Omi opened his mouth a little to say something, looking incredulously. I'm not sure how I look, but I'm really confused. I actually think Aya's raising an eyebrow. Now, that's an accomplishment.

"I was just thinking about the shop. We're getting a new shipment of flowers in tomorrow, and someone has to make sure that they don't freeze out there in the snow." Youji looked from Manx to Aya, "Isn't that right?"

There were a few minutes of silence as unspoken words passed between Aya and Youji. I don't know if they're telepathic or what, but slowly Aya's raised eyebrow returned to its normal position as he perhaps came to realize something.

"I agree." He said finally, turning to Manx, "I'll stay here to help with the flowers as well."

We all widened our eyes in amazement. This wasn't like Youji. Not like him AT ALL to WANT to work. It was even stranger that Aya didn't find this the least bit strange after their little staring competition.

This isn't about the flowers. The flower order could be cancelled . . . so then why are they using that as a cover? Why are they leaving me in the dark here? Is this mission some sort of dirty work that I don't know about? I looked over at Omi, who seemed to think his shoes were very interesting at the moment.

Wait, but if they're not going then. . .

"Fine, then," Manx turned to Omi and me, "I trust that you two will do an excellent job. I'll be coming up to the resort to check on you in one week." She handed me an envelope, "The reservation is under 'Fujimiya', so one of you will have to take on that name for the time being."

We both looked at her like deer hit by headlights, and I'm sure I was blushing because my face turned hot all of a sudden.

One week alone with Omi. It was almost too much to take in. If he makes me feel the same way he made me feel last night. . . I mean, it's hard enough as it is to keep my distance when we're living in the same house . . . but spending every minute of an entire week. . . I mean, I don't have that much self control! I don't think it's humanly possible.

But it has to be. I don't want to lose my friendship with him. That's what scares me the most.

"Good luck." And with that, she ascended the stairs and left. The sound of the shutting of the door echoed in my ears for what seemed like minutes. I hope she really meant it because I'm going to really need as much luck as I can get. . . If Omi finds out how I really feel about him it's all over.

He'll never look at me again.

"I. . ." I picked up my US vs France tape shakily, ". . . I guess I'll go pack."

Youji winked at me as I was leaving. 'I was just thinking about the shop' my ass.

Remind me to wring his neck later.

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As it turns out Manx had given us four two-way train tickets in the envelope along with the directions to the ski resort and a check to pay for the room. I pawned Aya and Youji's for souvenir money before we got into the train car.

Omi's hardly said a thing since we got on and I feel terrible. I really blew up in Youji's face after our meeting with Manx. I skipped dinner and came into his room afterwards. He kept saying that he was sorry and he didn't know it would make me this angry, so I eventually calmed down and sat down with him to eat dinner. He's a real good friend to still be kind to me after I said all those horrible things. . . I just have a horrible temper, and I love Omi so much I don't want anything to change between us.

. . . But I have a feeling Omi might have heard me getting mad at Youji and that's why he's not talking to me. I might have given the impression that I didn't want to go because of him. Oh, God, I hope that's not what he thinks.

"Omi?" I turned to him. He was staring out the window, and I could see his reflection against the white blur of snow we passed by. He picked his chin up off his hand and his blue eyes looked quizzically at me.

"It's. . . I mean, I'm sorry about earlier. I really am glad that Aya and Youji decided to stay home . . . L-Let's have fun this week, ne?" I said finally, smiling and swallowing my fears. Omi looked back at me, a little surprised at my apology, but he smiled and went back to looking out the window.

I suppose that was better than words. I don't know of anything that he could have said that would have made me feel better than that smile just did. He's so pure. . . untouchable. I don't deserve him. I. . . I. . .

That was the last thing I had time to think before I felt his head on my shoulder. I stiffened instinctively, and it took me awhile before I was able to choke out a single word.

"Omi, what are you. . .?" I looked closer and nearly melted.

He's asleep. Do you have any idea how cute Omi is when he's asleep? There were a couple times I found him asleep at his computer. I smiled. He can really sleep anywhere, can't he? He must have been really tired, though. Maybe that's why he wasn't talking to me. . .

God he's adorable, but I can't just leave him like this. Maybe if I just. . .

I took my sweater from my waist and placed it on the side of the train where Omi should have laid his head and shifted a bit to allow him space to tilt over to the other side. All that resulted in was a bit of a whiny noise and the adamant clinging of a chibi, sleeping Omi to my left arm. I shrunk as a train guard passing our seat gave me the coined 'disapproving- teacher-glare'.

"Your tickets please," he held out a hole-puncher. I know these guys are supposed to just be doing their job, but that looks really intimidating to me. I mean, one false move, they could jab the thing in your stomach and that'd hurt like hell.

He 'ahemed'. Oh, right; the tickets. I shuffled through my pockets. Tickets. . . tickets. . . where are you?. . . tickets. . . ah! No, that's gum. Tickets. . . tickets. . . There we go!

I pulled out the two crumpled tickets from my pocket and handed them to the man. He flattened them out and then punched them irritably, staring at me the whole time as if it were my face he was punching instead of those tickets. Scary.

"Thanks," I mumbled as he placed the stubs in the top of the seat to show we had been paid for. Omi squeezed my arm tighter. He really doesn't look this strong, but I think he's cutting off my circulation.

Not that I mind.

It was about ten more minutes before the trained pulled to a stop. The voice on the announcements told us to get off because it was their final destination, which makes sense. There isn't much beyond these mountains, and since they get a lot of snow it must be pretty hard to get by on the tracks up here.

I watched as the people all left through the doors as I shook Omi gently. He opened his eyes slowly.

"Omi," I exclaimed, happy to see he was awake, "we're here."

"Aaa," He yawned and was about to put his head back on my shoulder when he realized the position he was in and widened his eyes, removing his arms from me as if I were a hot iron.

"Come on," I said, missing his expression entirely, "we've got a ways to go before we can go to sleep just yet, you know."

"Y-yeah," Omi said, regaining his composure and fumbling through his pockets to find the directions, ". . . The ski resort is only a few miles away. We can take a taxi."

I nodded. I think he's a little shaken. It must be because he's just woken up. . .

We arrived at the ski lodge around eleven, so it only took twenty minutes in the taxi, but they charged me a fortune. The resort was huge. Well, not story-wise, but it still looked like a city hotel in the middle of the mountains. We walked in a little disoriented, but we found the desk straight away.

"Yes? May I help you?" The desk clerk came up to the counter, taking off her reading glasses to see us better.

"We have a reservation for one week. . ." I said first, watching her nod and type in a command on her computer. "'Fujimiya'" I told her and handed her the check Manx had given us from Persia. . . although I couldn't help but notice it was signed 'Takatori Shuichi' (whoever the heck he is). I hope that Persia hasn't been stealing money from other people's accounts, though I'd have to say I wouldn't be surprised, seeing as this person is a Takatori.

I watched as the clerk go over to the back of the desk area to retrieve a key from its nail. She came up to the front and handed it to me.

"Here you are." She said, "Room 29. I'll cut the price, so don't worry, you're only paying for the one room."

"W-wait. Only one room?" She turned back to us.

"Yes. The other half of your party called in just a little while ago, actually. They said that only one room would be necessary, so don't worry. I have it all taken care of." She smiled, "Enjoy your stay!"

I looked at her blankly. . . "Youji called to what?!"

"Thank you!" Omi answered cheerfully. Well, I guess since Omi's happy I won't let it get to me. He's my friend. We've shared rooms before . . . even though somehow this feels different.

I picked up my bag and offered to take Omi's, but he insisted on taking it himself, though he seemed grateful for the offer. I just can't stand how cute he is. It's driving me crazy . . . (eheh. It's a good thing Youji didn't hear that one.)

Somehow, I thought as I turned the key, this is going to turn out alright. We'll investigate the case, meet up with Manx, and then it'll be over; simple.

I paled as I opened the door . . . or it would be if there was more than one bed.

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A/N:

Transitive property of Fanfic authors: reviews= inspiration, inspiration= more story, reviews= more story. Enough said. ^^