Travel to Paradise
Disclaimers: I don't own Weiss Kreuz, or any merchandise that have been made just for the anime. Clear? Cool.
Warnings: Okay, I know that I have been saying that there are supposed to be Yaoi, but so far, there aren't any. Wait for the final chaps. I'll retaliate then. =) in the mean time, you guys will have to settle for the cursing and shounen-ai content. =)
GA: Hehehe, chap 7! What do you think is gonna happen now? =) read and see people. Btw, I would like to apologize for the late posting. I have been busy these past few . . . months . . . , that I haven't found the time to upload the new chap. And to those who reviewed, thank you sooooo much. =) you guys have no idea how much it means to me. =)
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"There has to be a reason as to why Ms. Yuriko's clothes are not, well, supposed to be as you say they are." The young Weiss hacker said as he stared into the picture his Schwartz counterpart provided.
"I agree. Something in this doesn't check out." The chocolate haired telekinetic said in return. "If Yuriko was thrown at the designated time Doctor Nagoi said, then her clothes should at least have some evidence stating this."
"Do you think it's possible that the doctor was also in on this? I mean, he would have had to lie either the time of death of the singer or the time her body was thrown into the water." the German said as he too tried to make sense of the situation.
"I'm not quite sure yet, but so far, I have gotten this much." The younger redhead said. "Yuriko Kataza, with out a doubt, was killed at the appointed time. The Rigor Mortis is enough to prove that. But what puts the whole thing off is that she was either really thrown into the sea and found not soon after, or if she was never thrown in there in the first place."
"Huh? Then that has too mean Yutaro lied about finding the body around the time we arrived." Omi said with a shocked expression.
"Why chibi? Can't accept that the stable boy is hiding something?" the telepath with a grin.
"Wha-? NO!!!!!" a blush forming on the young sharpshooters cheeks as he shook his head vigorously. He should remember to be careful when it came to his thoughts around Schuldich. It was true that the older assassin was temporarily unable to read thoroughly through his mind, but he was sure that he had let that idea slip even for the tiniest instant. He had been thinking of how Yutaro, the stable boy, could have lied about finding the body. He was just a year younger and didn't really seem like the type to keep things like these important to the investigation.
Aya's smooth voice brought him out of his daze as he caught the last phrases.
"We might as well get some rest for tonight. We won't be able to solve anything if we're dead tired tomorrow. We'll just leave it as it is for now. Nagi, Omi, I want both of you to visit Yutaro again tomorrow and confirm the time he found the body."
"Or if he ever found it in the first place." The telekinetic said with a hint of distrust for the young stable boy.
Giving a nod, Aya continued. "Schuldich and I can ask around a little more tomorrow as well."
"Okay. Then I guess this is goodnight for now, ne chibis?" a sadistic grin came over the German as he began ushering the two younger assassins through the connecting bathroom when the younger redhead stopped him.
"Um, Omi, if it isn't any trouble........."
--
"I can't believe this!!!!!" Schuldich said as he slipped out of his regular outfit into more comfortable night clothes consisting mainly of a pair of boxers. "The nerve of that man asking the little brat to switch rooms with me tonight. I swear it's as if he doesn't want me near him."
"Well maybe it's because you tried to molest him a couple of times tonight. That may be it." The chocolate haired hacker answered in sarcasm to his complaining companion. "You should really learn to respect someone's personal space you know. Even I wouldn't want to stay with you after that."
"But I do respect his personal space. It's just that the man is an irresistible treat. Can you blame me?" the telepath said as he put on his most innocent look.
"Kami-sama, save me........." the telekinetic said in exasperation while he climbed into the cold sheets that lay on the bed.
"Hey Nagi." The voice of the older Schwartz whispered as the telekinetic positioned himself on his pillow.
"Nani Schuldich?" came the stern reply from the younger assassin as he threw a glance to the former leaning on the headboard with a sly smile. Something in that grin was just not right.
"You're jealous of that stable boy, aren't you?"
"NA-NANI?!?!?!?!" the telekinetic all but screamed the questioned out as he sat bolt up on the bed with a bright red blush on his face. Wide awake for the second time that night thanks to the German. "Schuldich, how on earth can you presume that?!"
With a soft chuckle the telepath replied. "Ah, young love......... It's just sweet ne?"
"German, I am warning you." The tone in Nagi's voice was not one of playfulness.
"C'mon kid, I can read right through you. You're jealous coz that Yutaro is getting too close to your koi."
"He is NOT my KOI!" the anger with a mix of embarrassment was clearly shown on the gifted assassin's face.
"Mm-Hmm, if you say so lover-boy."
Nagi was about to say something else in his defense but thought otherwise. He had better things to do than argue with his teammate as to what Omi's stand in all this was. Pulling the sheets to himself, he turned his back to the telepath and tried to get some sleep before the sun came up when he heard yet again,
"Nagi."
"What Schuldich." This time around he didn't leave any indication in his tone of voice that he approved of this childish behavior.
"You should be careful with that stable hand." The words that came from the German's lips were like that of a foreboding omen. "I wouldn't trust him with my life if I were you."
For the first instance in their time working together, Nagi has never seen Schuldich this concerned for others. He was always thinking of himself and how he would benefit in each situation, which is why seeing the solemnity in the usually sadistic jade eyes held the telekinetic speechless. Fortunately, he needn't reply as Schuldich quickly reverted back to being his playful annoying self within seconds as he noticed his Schwartz companion awestruck.
"Ne, forget I ever said anything tonight." The grin returned as he shook his hands in the air trying to snap Nagi out of it. "It may be just me and my overactive imagination." The German then tucked himself neatly into his side of the blanket and turned his back to the boy. "Oyasumi, Nagi. And close the lights when you're ready to go to sleep." He said, followed shortly by soft snoring.
Nagi sat on his side of the bed for a few more minutes brooding over what just happened. "Overactive imagination, huh?" he said with a forced smile. Closing his eyes and lying down, he promptly clicked the lights off with his power and slowly drifted off to sleep.
--
Schuldich gave a loud yelp as he felt the blanket covering his half naked body being pulled from him exposing his skin to the cool morning air and bringing him out of his pleasant slumber.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Abyssinian?!" the German practically shouted as he sat up and glared at the younger redhead standing beside him holding the silken blanket in his arms.
"Getting you out of bed." The Weiss counterpart said as he placed the blanket on the foot of the bed. "Nagi and Omi are already working on their part and I suggest we get going to before the trail gets cold."
"I don't care even if it freezes up! I need my beauty sleep you know........." he said as he rolled over to his stomach and hugged his pillow tightly as he rested his head on it, reddish-orange hair spilling over.
"Yeah, I agree with you there........."
"Mm-hmm. HEY!" The telepath protested as the insult sank in but didn't move from his comfortable position.
"Schuldich come on." the katana master said as he crossed his arms on his chest in frustration. "I'm not joking here. If you don't get up now I'll-!" the younger redhead's statement was cut off as he was unexpectedly pulled by the waist by the older assassin and brought down onto the bed. Now the Weiss sword wielder found himself pulled tightly against the telepathic German; the later already nuzzling his neck with a smirk, unable to protest.
"You know, it's pretty rude to wake someone up the way you did." Schuldich said as a skillful hand traveled under the younger man's shirt to graze the soft and smooth white skin beneath.
"One would consider it uncouth even." The hand continued its path to massage the muscles on the Weiss assassin's back causing the younger man to gasp. "The least you could have done was to give me a morning kiss to start the day off."
"What-?" Aya tried to protest at the statement but was completely brought to a halt as the German's lips caught his and held him. It was a chaste kiss but Aya could find it in himself to push the man away. Even if his mind screamed to reject the feeling of uncertainty inside of him, his body responded otherwise. All he could do was stare into the sly jade eyes of the man in front of him, not even able to fight the rising blush. Schuldich soon broke the kiss as he suddenly let go of the kitten and bounced into the bathroom. In the blink of an eye, the telepath was dressed and ready to go. Now it was Aya's turn to look up from his reclined position at the German, who just smirked and said,
"Ne, kitten, don't you think it's time to go after the criminal before the trail gets cold?"
--
Schuldich shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked along side the redheaded Japanese man. After eating a hearty breakfast, the young katana master started to ask around for more clues on the three currently deceased members of the household and so far they have found nothing to give them any hints or clues to help shed light to the case. His irritation was wearing down on him and he could somehow feel that this fruitless search was also weighing down on his kitten.
They had spent almost the whole morning asking the helpers about what they know and what they had to offer was nothing short of what they already knew. That Yuriko was using her manager and boyfriend, that her sister was angry because she always flirted with the men and never actually got down to doing real business, her best friend and companion was a bit jealous of her popularity since the fans always put Yuriko in the lime light and never her, and her ex-boyfriend still hates her for dumping him in order to fulfill her acting career. The father was also on the list of suspects because it seems that he was not happy with the idea of his eldest daughter running off and performing when their family-inherited job was already on the line. Doctor Nagoi also said that he had a dislike for the young singer but they weren't able to find out what. It seems that whatever it was, it was too trivial to catch anybody's attention.
Now, their one and only witness and main suspect has gone off to the other world leaving the pair of redhead assassins baffled and bewildered as to who could have done this.
The German slumped with defeat on the bench-like swing situated on the veranda looking out towards the scenic view of the ocean. With the soothing sound of the waves coming in contact with the sand and the wind blowing softly, Schuldich ran a hand through his long hair. Walking around the compound with Aya was not recommended for people who have weak psychical stamina. They had not been able to stop even for a moment to try and catch their breath as the sword wielder insisted that they continue their search.
"Ne, Aya, why don't you sit down for a moment?" the German said as he looked up to the man who insisted on standing and pondering deeper into the mystery. "You know that it is a proven fact that too much standing is bad for you, especially if we walked for five hours straight."
"No thank you Schuldich." The Weiss assassin said in reply as he stared out into the view presented to him, not really taking in the scene but focusing more on what he has yet to work with in regards to the case.
Giving a snort, accompanied with his assassin-fast reflexes, the telepath gently took hold of the katana master's wrist and tugged him down, successfully making the man sit beside him on the bench.
"You are tired." The German said as he slipped a hand around the younger redhead's waist.
"No I'm not." the younger assassin replied in his defense.
"Yes you are. If you weren't, I wouldn't have been able to get you to sit so easily. Now stop resisting and enjoy the scenery for a while. Breathe in the refreshing morning air. We may never know when we'll get another chance like this, kitten." The older man then allowed a stray hand to descend on the younger man's leg to run up and down the tired muscles, slowly massaging them while his head bent down to nuzzle the neck of his kitten allowing a soft kiss to be placed there.
Aya, feeling the other man's touches and was about to push him aside but thought better. The German was right, although he feared to admit it, that he was tired and in need of relaxation. Breathing a sigh, he in turn leaned his head on the German telepath's shoulder and closed his eyes, all the while enjoying the heat of the sun and the smell of the ocean, along with the German's body warmth and the mixture of nicotine. Although he disapproved of smoking, when he inhaled it from the older assassin, it created a fuzzy sort of feeling inside of him he could not describe.
Pushing the thought aside for now, he felt the other assassin pull him closer into his embrace, which Aya did not resist.
"Ne, Aya," Schuldich broke through his reverie. "You shouldn't over work yourself. Take time to enjoy the finer things in life. Living the life we have now, we may never know if this would last........." for the first time in his occupation, working against the German, Aya had never seen this side of the man. Always so sadistic and an inconsiderate bastard, Aya never thought he would live to see the day Schuldich would be this.........sincere, nor poetic.
Amethyst eyes rose to face the telepath, but only to find themselves looking into deep pools of jade. They were not that of his usually cruel self but that of a man who understood things with a hidden meaning. Though the moment was treasured by both of them, Schuldich gave the younger man a quick kiss on the forehead and forced them both to stand up.
"Let's get going."
"Where to? We asked every one already, right?" the young sword wielder said.
"Yeah, but we have yet to check Mira's room." The telepath said with a smile.
The katana master in turn just replied with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Schuldich asked as he titled his head. "Is it a wrong move to do so?"
"No, not really." The younger man said as he shook his head. "I was just slightly puzzled that I actually agree with you. That's all."
"Baka." The German said as he started to steer the younger man to the maids' quarters. "Now, hurry. I hear that the maids there are made to wear the attire used in France. In other words, French maid outfits!" with this, the German threw his head back and went into a lustful laughing fit.
"Hentai." Aya said with a large sweat drop on his head as he allowed the telepath to continue on with his laughing. Suddenly, Aya narrowed his eyes as he swirled around to face the garden shed a few meters away, hands already in a defensive position. The younger man's actions brought the German's laughter to a stop as he followed the sword master's line of sight.
"What is it Aya?" the German said as he felt the agitation of the other man pour forth.
After a few minutes of not giving a reply, Aya's body softened and turned back to face the telepath. "It's nothing. Maybe it was just my imagination."
"Could be." Schuldich remarked. "With the way you over work yourself anything is possible." That earned the older man a smack in the head.
"Now, let's go before you get another idea about the maids and we'll never get things done."
The older redhead gave a snort to this statement as he accompanied it with a chuckle before following his younger companion to the other parts of the island.
Unbeknownst to the two, a shady silhouette of a person stood behind the said garden shed with a sly smile plastered on his face. The figure then picked up a cellular phone and quickly dialed a number. Placing the receiving end to his ear, the figure then spoke in a hush tone.
"Hello, yeah it's me. Listen very carefully; I need you to proceed with the next part of our plan though there is a slight change. We have a few loose ends we need to take care of and this is what I want you to do........."
--
"Omi." The young telekinetic said as he glanced to where his Weiss counterpart walked alongside him.
"Nani Nagi?" the older person replied.
"Well........." the telekinetic began but found himself unable to continue speaking to the young blonde.
"What is it Nagi?" the Weiss sharpshooter asked as he stopped walking in order to face the younger assassin, blue eyes scanning the Schwartz's face for any clues. Nagi, in turn, looked at Omi; which was a wrong move on his part. The moment his chocolate brown eyes stared into blue, he could bring himself to tear away from them. The innocence accompanied by the in- depth understanding and compassion he himself had possessed and lost was so clear in them. Omi was like a part of him that he had lost and could never retrieve. Omi was the perfect example of the happiness and playfulness of people their age, always optimistic and buoyant about anything and everything life brings them.
This may be exactly the reason why he was attracted to the boy. Attracted? Did Schuldich really get to him last night? Maybe, but as of the moment he knew that the young Weiss hacker may be the missing link in his life. The only person who ever touched his soul and showed him the meaning of how to live. Nagi let out a chuckle at the thought. A soul? Him? Nah, it's impossible.
He broke eye contact with the blonde and replied, "Do you have a hunch as to what Yutaro's role in this whole thing is?"
"Not a clue. But he doesn't seem the type to lie."
"How are you so sure?" the telekinetic said as he continued walking down the path forcing the older boy to catch up with him.
"I'm not sure, but the look in his eyes seems to speak the truth." He said as he caught up with the other hacker and said in the most earnest of tones.
"You know what your problem is? You're too trusting Omi." Nagi pointed out.
"And that's bad?" the blonde haired assassin questioned in return, temper slightly rising.
"It is when in this business." Brown eyes glared into blue as if to show the gravity of the situation. "I.........I just don't want you to get mixed up with him. There's something about him that I can't put my finger on, but I don't want you to get dragged in." the stern look softened as Nagi lowered his head and continued. "I don't want to see you get hurt Omi, that's all. Just promise me you won't scratch Yutaro out of the suspects' list just yet. Okay?" the look Nagi gave him brought a charming smile to Omi's lips, in which he curtly replied.
"Of course not Nagi."
--
As both of the younger assassins arrived at the stable house, they weren't surprised to find Yutaro tending to the horses residing there. Omi let a small smile slip as he made his way to the younger man who was busy brushing the white mare's mane, leaving a slightly cursing telekinetic behind.
"Hey Yutaro." The Weiss sharpshooter said with a cheerful tone as he took a position behind the stable help.
"Mr. Morabe, what a pleasant surprise." The azure eyes of the boy mirrored the happiness his smile portrayed. "What brings you to my humble stables today?"
"Well, we were wondering-" Omi started but was cut off by the stable boy. "We?"
"Yes." The blonde said as he gestured to his companion. "Nagi and I," the blue narrowed towards the telekinetic at the mention of his name, which apparently went unnoticed by the Weiss hacker. "We were wondering if we could ask you a few more questions regarding the late singer."
"I would love to Morabe-san, but I need to take Clair out for her midday walk around the compound. She gets a bit edgy if I don't." the saddened expression on Omi's face accompanied with the soft 'oh' that escaped his lips was enough to give the stable boy a slight change of plans.
"I know; why don't you come with me? I'll gladly answer any and all your questions and I'm sure Clair wouldn't mind, right Clair?" the younger boy said as he patted the white horse on the neck who in turn replied with a shake of its head.
"Really?" the excitement apparent on Omi's cherub face.
"Mm." Yutaro said with a nod and a smile. "Demo, I don't think Clair would be all that happy to have Nagi tag along."
"Eh," Omi said with a puzzled look while Nagi just glared, mentally thinking, 'Clair or you?'
"Daijoubu." Omi continued. "We can take Clair for a walk while Nagi stays here. I'm sure you can find something else to do ne, Nagi?" the blue eyed sharpshooter said with a smile as he looked at a speechless and visibly shocked telekinetic.
"But wouldn't you feel sort of uneasy knowing that your bodyguard is left here while you're of riding with me and Clair?" the soft taunting tone in the stable hand's voice seemed only noticeable to the Schwartz assassin.
"No, actually," Omi then leaned closer to the boy and whispered into his ear. "Don't tell this to Nagi, but I feel constricted when I'm with him. It's as if he watches my every move. This would be the perfect time to get some independence from him."
"That's good to hear Mr. Morabe." Yutaro said with another smile. "I'll saddle Clair up and you can take her for a ride. I'll meet you outside the stable." With that the light haired boy left.
"Omi." Nagi started but was cut off by the young Weiss staring at him with a smile. "Daijoubu Nagi. He doesn't seem to want to answer our questions. The best we can do now is for me to go with him and ask all I can while you stay here. Probably help Schuldich and Aya with their investigation."
"But you'll be left all alone with him." The young telekinetic said in a soft tone as he tried to dissuade him from going.
"I thank you for your concern Nagi, but I can take care of myself you know." The smile turned comforting as Omi reached out a hand and brushed it across the chocolate haired boy's cheek making a faint blush emerge. A soft smile crept to Omi's lips as he cupped Nagi's face with both hands. "Trust me Nagi."
The Schwartz hacker in turn replied as he held the two hands in his own, taking them down from his face accompanied with a caring smile. "I always have."
"Thank you." Omi said as he pulled away. "Take care." The young blonde waved goodbye to his counterpart and ran off to join the stable boy outside, leaving Nagi to give a sigh and walk the opposite direction.
--
Schuldich gave a loud sigh as he sat up from his crouched position on the floor and gave a languid stretch. They had started looking for clues, if any, in Mira's room and he had been assigned to search through her personal belongings. Both of the red-haired assassins arrived just in time to stop the other maids from cleaning up and disposing of the other's possessions and they hurriedly went to work, searching for anything that would link Mira to all of this.
"Aya," he said calling the younger assassin's attention. "Nothing in here." He said as he pointed to the cabinet the house help used. "Only her clothes."
The katana master then walked towards the said cabinet and took a look over for himself. "Yes," he said. "Only clothes." Amethyst eyes then narrowed as he noticed an obscured silver silken dress that screamed *class* hidden behind other plain looking clothes. Reaching to the outfit, he took it out of the cabinet for closer inspection.
"Wow." The German said as he held a part of the article of clothing. "I didn't know Mira had that kind of wealth to buy this. This is nice. Silk even."
Aya only responded by putting the dress back and closing the cabinet. "Don't you think it's weird?"
"What is kitten?" the telepath asked.
"I found this while I was looking in her jewelry kit." Aya then raised his hand to reveal a silver necklace with a diamond studded pendants consisting of a lovely flower, crosses, and others.
"Swarovski." The German whispered as he knew the authenticity of the charms. Giving a nod, Aya pocketed the necklace and said, "Makes you wonder how a low salary maid gets to own such luxuries. Come on, let's continue searching."
The two assassins then worked around the room looking for more leads on this mystery when the door slowly opened, to reveal a familiar brown haired telekinetic standing there.
"Hey, Nagi! I see you decided to join us and dump Bombay. Congratulations! Didn't think you'd have the nerve to do so." That earned the German two pairs of scowls from the two other assassins.
"For your information Schuldich, Omi has decided to question Yutaro by himself since the brat didn't seem to want me around." Nagi tried to brush the telepath off. "He said I might as well help here."
Aya gave a nod and told the telekinetic to search the bathroom as he and the gaijin continued with their work in the bedroom.
"Ne, Aya," the older assassin started but he needn't finish for the katana master to get the message. "Daijoubu. Omi can take care of himself."
"You sure?"
"Yes." As he said that, he then spotted a pink notebook tucked under the feather pillow on the late maid's bed. Schuldich, seeming to sense what the younger redhead was up to, stood behind him as Aya took the item from under it. Gently flipping the notebook open, they later realized that it was actually,
"A diary." The telepath said as he skimmed through the words. "It's Mira's diary. Yes." A smile was allowed on his face. "Finally, this could help solve our case."
"What's all the commotion out here?" Nagi asked ask he stepped out of the comfort room after finding nothing that would help whatsoever.
"We found Mira's diary." The German said as he gave a thumbs up to his Schwartz comrade while Aya flipped through the pages, searching for the last entry, but as he was about to read the first line a loud scream accompanied with the crashing of glass resonated through the whole house causing all three assassin's head to turn to the direction. It seems that it came from the second floor.
With out any hesitation, all three assassins made their way to the epicenter of it all and Aya could not help suppress a fearful feeling bubbling inside of him as they reached the designated room. It was a scene Aya had feared he would be greeted with yet again as he took in the image.
Sakura stood near the door with her hands in front of her mouth as she tried not to cry but failing miserably, beside her stood Jintarou; the lawyer, who seems to be trying to comfort the grieving secretary all the while trying to calm himself down. The shards of glass that lay shattered on the floor were the cause of the crashing sound. But it were not these trivial things that made the German curse in his native tongue and the young hacker to gasp in surprise, but rather what lay in the middle of it all.
There, lying in a prone position was a girl of near thirty. Her chestnut hair was in a state of disarray as it spread out her frame covering the body and familiar pink irises only pinpricks in her once cheerful eyes. It was a sight Aya knew to mean only one thing as he narrowed calculating amethyst eyes at the body before him.
Lilika Mayu was dead.
Iie, murdered.
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WAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!! Thank God!! I finally got to update this chapter!!!! Sorry again minna for the atrociously long wait. Three and a half months sure go by fast ne? ehehehehe. Eherm. Anyway, thank you again to all those reviews. Keep 'em coming. ^_^ hontou ni gomen again minna-san. Hope you guys will find it in your hearts to forgive me. =)
-Gunning Angel-
Disclaimers: I don't own Weiss Kreuz, or any merchandise that have been made just for the anime. Clear? Cool.
Warnings: Okay, I know that I have been saying that there are supposed to be Yaoi, but so far, there aren't any. Wait for the final chaps. I'll retaliate then. =) in the mean time, you guys will have to settle for the cursing and shounen-ai content. =)
GA: Hehehe, chap 7! What do you think is gonna happen now? =) read and see people. Btw, I would like to apologize for the late posting. I have been busy these past few . . . months . . . , that I haven't found the time to upload the new chap. And to those who reviewed, thank you sooooo much. =) you guys have no idea how much it means to me. =)
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"There has to be a reason as to why Ms. Yuriko's clothes are not, well, supposed to be as you say they are." The young Weiss hacker said as he stared into the picture his Schwartz counterpart provided.
"I agree. Something in this doesn't check out." The chocolate haired telekinetic said in return. "If Yuriko was thrown at the designated time Doctor Nagoi said, then her clothes should at least have some evidence stating this."
"Do you think it's possible that the doctor was also in on this? I mean, he would have had to lie either the time of death of the singer or the time her body was thrown into the water." the German said as he too tried to make sense of the situation.
"I'm not quite sure yet, but so far, I have gotten this much." The younger redhead said. "Yuriko Kataza, with out a doubt, was killed at the appointed time. The Rigor Mortis is enough to prove that. But what puts the whole thing off is that she was either really thrown into the sea and found not soon after, or if she was never thrown in there in the first place."
"Huh? Then that has too mean Yutaro lied about finding the body around the time we arrived." Omi said with a shocked expression.
"Why chibi? Can't accept that the stable boy is hiding something?" the telepath with a grin.
"Wha-? NO!!!!!" a blush forming on the young sharpshooters cheeks as he shook his head vigorously. He should remember to be careful when it came to his thoughts around Schuldich. It was true that the older assassin was temporarily unable to read thoroughly through his mind, but he was sure that he had let that idea slip even for the tiniest instant. He had been thinking of how Yutaro, the stable boy, could have lied about finding the body. He was just a year younger and didn't really seem like the type to keep things like these important to the investigation.
Aya's smooth voice brought him out of his daze as he caught the last phrases.
"We might as well get some rest for tonight. We won't be able to solve anything if we're dead tired tomorrow. We'll just leave it as it is for now. Nagi, Omi, I want both of you to visit Yutaro again tomorrow and confirm the time he found the body."
"Or if he ever found it in the first place." The telekinetic said with a hint of distrust for the young stable boy.
Giving a nod, Aya continued. "Schuldich and I can ask around a little more tomorrow as well."
"Okay. Then I guess this is goodnight for now, ne chibis?" a sadistic grin came over the German as he began ushering the two younger assassins through the connecting bathroom when the younger redhead stopped him.
"Um, Omi, if it isn't any trouble........."
--
"I can't believe this!!!!!" Schuldich said as he slipped out of his regular outfit into more comfortable night clothes consisting mainly of a pair of boxers. "The nerve of that man asking the little brat to switch rooms with me tonight. I swear it's as if he doesn't want me near him."
"Well maybe it's because you tried to molest him a couple of times tonight. That may be it." The chocolate haired hacker answered in sarcasm to his complaining companion. "You should really learn to respect someone's personal space you know. Even I wouldn't want to stay with you after that."
"But I do respect his personal space. It's just that the man is an irresistible treat. Can you blame me?" the telepath said as he put on his most innocent look.
"Kami-sama, save me........." the telekinetic said in exasperation while he climbed into the cold sheets that lay on the bed.
"Hey Nagi." The voice of the older Schwartz whispered as the telekinetic positioned himself on his pillow.
"Nani Schuldich?" came the stern reply from the younger assassin as he threw a glance to the former leaning on the headboard with a sly smile. Something in that grin was just not right.
"You're jealous of that stable boy, aren't you?"
"NA-NANI?!?!?!?!" the telekinetic all but screamed the questioned out as he sat bolt up on the bed with a bright red blush on his face. Wide awake for the second time that night thanks to the German. "Schuldich, how on earth can you presume that?!"
With a soft chuckle the telepath replied. "Ah, young love......... It's just sweet ne?"
"German, I am warning you." The tone in Nagi's voice was not one of playfulness.
"C'mon kid, I can read right through you. You're jealous coz that Yutaro is getting too close to your koi."
"He is NOT my KOI!" the anger with a mix of embarrassment was clearly shown on the gifted assassin's face.
"Mm-Hmm, if you say so lover-boy."
Nagi was about to say something else in his defense but thought otherwise. He had better things to do than argue with his teammate as to what Omi's stand in all this was. Pulling the sheets to himself, he turned his back to the telepath and tried to get some sleep before the sun came up when he heard yet again,
"Nagi."
"What Schuldich." This time around he didn't leave any indication in his tone of voice that he approved of this childish behavior.
"You should be careful with that stable hand." The words that came from the German's lips were like that of a foreboding omen. "I wouldn't trust him with my life if I were you."
For the first instance in their time working together, Nagi has never seen Schuldich this concerned for others. He was always thinking of himself and how he would benefit in each situation, which is why seeing the solemnity in the usually sadistic jade eyes held the telekinetic speechless. Fortunately, he needn't reply as Schuldich quickly reverted back to being his playful annoying self within seconds as he noticed his Schwartz companion awestruck.
"Ne, forget I ever said anything tonight." The grin returned as he shook his hands in the air trying to snap Nagi out of it. "It may be just me and my overactive imagination." The German then tucked himself neatly into his side of the blanket and turned his back to the boy. "Oyasumi, Nagi. And close the lights when you're ready to go to sleep." He said, followed shortly by soft snoring.
Nagi sat on his side of the bed for a few more minutes brooding over what just happened. "Overactive imagination, huh?" he said with a forced smile. Closing his eyes and lying down, he promptly clicked the lights off with his power and slowly drifted off to sleep.
--
Schuldich gave a loud yelp as he felt the blanket covering his half naked body being pulled from him exposing his skin to the cool morning air and bringing him out of his pleasant slumber.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Abyssinian?!" the German practically shouted as he sat up and glared at the younger redhead standing beside him holding the silken blanket in his arms.
"Getting you out of bed." The Weiss counterpart said as he placed the blanket on the foot of the bed. "Nagi and Omi are already working on their part and I suggest we get going to before the trail gets cold."
"I don't care even if it freezes up! I need my beauty sleep you know........." he said as he rolled over to his stomach and hugged his pillow tightly as he rested his head on it, reddish-orange hair spilling over.
"Yeah, I agree with you there........."
"Mm-hmm. HEY!" The telepath protested as the insult sank in but didn't move from his comfortable position.
"Schuldich come on." the katana master said as he crossed his arms on his chest in frustration. "I'm not joking here. If you don't get up now I'll-!" the younger redhead's statement was cut off as he was unexpectedly pulled by the waist by the older assassin and brought down onto the bed. Now the Weiss sword wielder found himself pulled tightly against the telepathic German; the later already nuzzling his neck with a smirk, unable to protest.
"You know, it's pretty rude to wake someone up the way you did." Schuldich said as a skillful hand traveled under the younger man's shirt to graze the soft and smooth white skin beneath.
"One would consider it uncouth even." The hand continued its path to massage the muscles on the Weiss assassin's back causing the younger man to gasp. "The least you could have done was to give me a morning kiss to start the day off."
"What-?" Aya tried to protest at the statement but was completely brought to a halt as the German's lips caught his and held him. It was a chaste kiss but Aya could find it in himself to push the man away. Even if his mind screamed to reject the feeling of uncertainty inside of him, his body responded otherwise. All he could do was stare into the sly jade eyes of the man in front of him, not even able to fight the rising blush. Schuldich soon broke the kiss as he suddenly let go of the kitten and bounced into the bathroom. In the blink of an eye, the telepath was dressed and ready to go. Now it was Aya's turn to look up from his reclined position at the German, who just smirked and said,
"Ne, kitten, don't you think it's time to go after the criminal before the trail gets cold?"
--
Schuldich shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked along side the redheaded Japanese man. After eating a hearty breakfast, the young katana master started to ask around for more clues on the three currently deceased members of the household and so far they have found nothing to give them any hints or clues to help shed light to the case. His irritation was wearing down on him and he could somehow feel that this fruitless search was also weighing down on his kitten.
They had spent almost the whole morning asking the helpers about what they know and what they had to offer was nothing short of what they already knew. That Yuriko was using her manager and boyfriend, that her sister was angry because she always flirted with the men and never actually got down to doing real business, her best friend and companion was a bit jealous of her popularity since the fans always put Yuriko in the lime light and never her, and her ex-boyfriend still hates her for dumping him in order to fulfill her acting career. The father was also on the list of suspects because it seems that he was not happy with the idea of his eldest daughter running off and performing when their family-inherited job was already on the line. Doctor Nagoi also said that he had a dislike for the young singer but they weren't able to find out what. It seems that whatever it was, it was too trivial to catch anybody's attention.
Now, their one and only witness and main suspect has gone off to the other world leaving the pair of redhead assassins baffled and bewildered as to who could have done this.
The German slumped with defeat on the bench-like swing situated on the veranda looking out towards the scenic view of the ocean. With the soothing sound of the waves coming in contact with the sand and the wind blowing softly, Schuldich ran a hand through his long hair. Walking around the compound with Aya was not recommended for people who have weak psychical stamina. They had not been able to stop even for a moment to try and catch their breath as the sword wielder insisted that they continue their search.
"Ne, Aya, why don't you sit down for a moment?" the German said as he looked up to the man who insisted on standing and pondering deeper into the mystery. "You know that it is a proven fact that too much standing is bad for you, especially if we walked for five hours straight."
"No thank you Schuldich." The Weiss assassin said in reply as he stared out into the view presented to him, not really taking in the scene but focusing more on what he has yet to work with in regards to the case.
Giving a snort, accompanied with his assassin-fast reflexes, the telepath gently took hold of the katana master's wrist and tugged him down, successfully making the man sit beside him on the bench.
"You are tired." The German said as he slipped a hand around the younger redhead's waist.
"No I'm not." the younger assassin replied in his defense.
"Yes you are. If you weren't, I wouldn't have been able to get you to sit so easily. Now stop resisting and enjoy the scenery for a while. Breathe in the refreshing morning air. We may never know when we'll get another chance like this, kitten." The older man then allowed a stray hand to descend on the younger man's leg to run up and down the tired muscles, slowly massaging them while his head bent down to nuzzle the neck of his kitten allowing a soft kiss to be placed there.
Aya, feeling the other man's touches and was about to push him aside but thought better. The German was right, although he feared to admit it, that he was tired and in need of relaxation. Breathing a sigh, he in turn leaned his head on the German telepath's shoulder and closed his eyes, all the while enjoying the heat of the sun and the smell of the ocean, along with the German's body warmth and the mixture of nicotine. Although he disapproved of smoking, when he inhaled it from the older assassin, it created a fuzzy sort of feeling inside of him he could not describe.
Pushing the thought aside for now, he felt the other assassin pull him closer into his embrace, which Aya did not resist.
"Ne, Aya," Schuldich broke through his reverie. "You shouldn't over work yourself. Take time to enjoy the finer things in life. Living the life we have now, we may never know if this would last........." for the first time in his occupation, working against the German, Aya had never seen this side of the man. Always so sadistic and an inconsiderate bastard, Aya never thought he would live to see the day Schuldich would be this.........sincere, nor poetic.
Amethyst eyes rose to face the telepath, but only to find themselves looking into deep pools of jade. They were not that of his usually cruel self but that of a man who understood things with a hidden meaning. Though the moment was treasured by both of them, Schuldich gave the younger man a quick kiss on the forehead and forced them both to stand up.
"Let's get going."
"Where to? We asked every one already, right?" the young sword wielder said.
"Yeah, but we have yet to check Mira's room." The telepath said with a smile.
The katana master in turn just replied with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Schuldich asked as he titled his head. "Is it a wrong move to do so?"
"No, not really." The younger man said as he shook his head. "I was just slightly puzzled that I actually agree with you. That's all."
"Baka." The German said as he started to steer the younger man to the maids' quarters. "Now, hurry. I hear that the maids there are made to wear the attire used in France. In other words, French maid outfits!" with this, the German threw his head back and went into a lustful laughing fit.
"Hentai." Aya said with a large sweat drop on his head as he allowed the telepath to continue on with his laughing. Suddenly, Aya narrowed his eyes as he swirled around to face the garden shed a few meters away, hands already in a defensive position. The younger man's actions brought the German's laughter to a stop as he followed the sword master's line of sight.
"What is it Aya?" the German said as he felt the agitation of the other man pour forth.
After a few minutes of not giving a reply, Aya's body softened and turned back to face the telepath. "It's nothing. Maybe it was just my imagination."
"Could be." Schuldich remarked. "With the way you over work yourself anything is possible." That earned the older man a smack in the head.
"Now, let's go before you get another idea about the maids and we'll never get things done."
The older redhead gave a snort to this statement as he accompanied it with a chuckle before following his younger companion to the other parts of the island.
Unbeknownst to the two, a shady silhouette of a person stood behind the said garden shed with a sly smile plastered on his face. The figure then picked up a cellular phone and quickly dialed a number. Placing the receiving end to his ear, the figure then spoke in a hush tone.
"Hello, yeah it's me. Listen very carefully; I need you to proceed with the next part of our plan though there is a slight change. We have a few loose ends we need to take care of and this is what I want you to do........."
--
"Omi." The young telekinetic said as he glanced to where his Weiss counterpart walked alongside him.
"Nani Nagi?" the older person replied.
"Well........." the telekinetic began but found himself unable to continue speaking to the young blonde.
"What is it Nagi?" the Weiss sharpshooter asked as he stopped walking in order to face the younger assassin, blue eyes scanning the Schwartz's face for any clues. Nagi, in turn, looked at Omi; which was a wrong move on his part. The moment his chocolate brown eyes stared into blue, he could bring himself to tear away from them. The innocence accompanied by the in- depth understanding and compassion he himself had possessed and lost was so clear in them. Omi was like a part of him that he had lost and could never retrieve. Omi was the perfect example of the happiness and playfulness of people their age, always optimistic and buoyant about anything and everything life brings them.
This may be exactly the reason why he was attracted to the boy. Attracted? Did Schuldich really get to him last night? Maybe, but as of the moment he knew that the young Weiss hacker may be the missing link in his life. The only person who ever touched his soul and showed him the meaning of how to live. Nagi let out a chuckle at the thought. A soul? Him? Nah, it's impossible.
He broke eye contact with the blonde and replied, "Do you have a hunch as to what Yutaro's role in this whole thing is?"
"Not a clue. But he doesn't seem the type to lie."
"How are you so sure?" the telekinetic said as he continued walking down the path forcing the older boy to catch up with him.
"I'm not sure, but the look in his eyes seems to speak the truth." He said as he caught up with the other hacker and said in the most earnest of tones.
"You know what your problem is? You're too trusting Omi." Nagi pointed out.
"And that's bad?" the blonde haired assassin questioned in return, temper slightly rising.
"It is when in this business." Brown eyes glared into blue as if to show the gravity of the situation. "I.........I just don't want you to get mixed up with him. There's something about him that I can't put my finger on, but I don't want you to get dragged in." the stern look softened as Nagi lowered his head and continued. "I don't want to see you get hurt Omi, that's all. Just promise me you won't scratch Yutaro out of the suspects' list just yet. Okay?" the look Nagi gave him brought a charming smile to Omi's lips, in which he curtly replied.
"Of course not Nagi."
--
As both of the younger assassins arrived at the stable house, they weren't surprised to find Yutaro tending to the horses residing there. Omi let a small smile slip as he made his way to the younger man who was busy brushing the white mare's mane, leaving a slightly cursing telekinetic behind.
"Hey Yutaro." The Weiss sharpshooter said with a cheerful tone as he took a position behind the stable help.
"Mr. Morabe, what a pleasant surprise." The azure eyes of the boy mirrored the happiness his smile portrayed. "What brings you to my humble stables today?"
"Well, we were wondering-" Omi started but was cut off by the stable boy. "We?"
"Yes." The blonde said as he gestured to his companion. "Nagi and I," the blue narrowed towards the telekinetic at the mention of his name, which apparently went unnoticed by the Weiss hacker. "We were wondering if we could ask you a few more questions regarding the late singer."
"I would love to Morabe-san, but I need to take Clair out for her midday walk around the compound. She gets a bit edgy if I don't." the saddened expression on Omi's face accompanied with the soft 'oh' that escaped his lips was enough to give the stable boy a slight change of plans.
"I know; why don't you come with me? I'll gladly answer any and all your questions and I'm sure Clair wouldn't mind, right Clair?" the younger boy said as he patted the white horse on the neck who in turn replied with a shake of its head.
"Really?" the excitement apparent on Omi's cherub face.
"Mm." Yutaro said with a nod and a smile. "Demo, I don't think Clair would be all that happy to have Nagi tag along."
"Eh," Omi said with a puzzled look while Nagi just glared, mentally thinking, 'Clair or you?'
"Daijoubu." Omi continued. "We can take Clair for a walk while Nagi stays here. I'm sure you can find something else to do ne, Nagi?" the blue eyed sharpshooter said with a smile as he looked at a speechless and visibly shocked telekinetic.
"But wouldn't you feel sort of uneasy knowing that your bodyguard is left here while you're of riding with me and Clair?" the soft taunting tone in the stable hand's voice seemed only noticeable to the Schwartz assassin.
"No, actually," Omi then leaned closer to the boy and whispered into his ear. "Don't tell this to Nagi, but I feel constricted when I'm with him. It's as if he watches my every move. This would be the perfect time to get some independence from him."
"That's good to hear Mr. Morabe." Yutaro said with another smile. "I'll saddle Clair up and you can take her for a ride. I'll meet you outside the stable." With that the light haired boy left.
"Omi." Nagi started but was cut off by the young Weiss staring at him with a smile. "Daijoubu Nagi. He doesn't seem to want to answer our questions. The best we can do now is for me to go with him and ask all I can while you stay here. Probably help Schuldich and Aya with their investigation."
"But you'll be left all alone with him." The young telekinetic said in a soft tone as he tried to dissuade him from going.
"I thank you for your concern Nagi, but I can take care of myself you know." The smile turned comforting as Omi reached out a hand and brushed it across the chocolate haired boy's cheek making a faint blush emerge. A soft smile crept to Omi's lips as he cupped Nagi's face with both hands. "Trust me Nagi."
The Schwartz hacker in turn replied as he held the two hands in his own, taking them down from his face accompanied with a caring smile. "I always have."
"Thank you." Omi said as he pulled away. "Take care." The young blonde waved goodbye to his counterpart and ran off to join the stable boy outside, leaving Nagi to give a sigh and walk the opposite direction.
--
Schuldich gave a loud sigh as he sat up from his crouched position on the floor and gave a languid stretch. They had started looking for clues, if any, in Mira's room and he had been assigned to search through her personal belongings. Both of the red-haired assassins arrived just in time to stop the other maids from cleaning up and disposing of the other's possessions and they hurriedly went to work, searching for anything that would link Mira to all of this.
"Aya," he said calling the younger assassin's attention. "Nothing in here." He said as he pointed to the cabinet the house help used. "Only her clothes."
The katana master then walked towards the said cabinet and took a look over for himself. "Yes," he said. "Only clothes." Amethyst eyes then narrowed as he noticed an obscured silver silken dress that screamed *class* hidden behind other plain looking clothes. Reaching to the outfit, he took it out of the cabinet for closer inspection.
"Wow." The German said as he held a part of the article of clothing. "I didn't know Mira had that kind of wealth to buy this. This is nice. Silk even."
Aya only responded by putting the dress back and closing the cabinet. "Don't you think it's weird?"
"What is kitten?" the telepath asked.
"I found this while I was looking in her jewelry kit." Aya then raised his hand to reveal a silver necklace with a diamond studded pendants consisting of a lovely flower, crosses, and others.
"Swarovski." The German whispered as he knew the authenticity of the charms. Giving a nod, Aya pocketed the necklace and said, "Makes you wonder how a low salary maid gets to own such luxuries. Come on, let's continue searching."
The two assassins then worked around the room looking for more leads on this mystery when the door slowly opened, to reveal a familiar brown haired telekinetic standing there.
"Hey, Nagi! I see you decided to join us and dump Bombay. Congratulations! Didn't think you'd have the nerve to do so." That earned the German two pairs of scowls from the two other assassins.
"For your information Schuldich, Omi has decided to question Yutaro by himself since the brat didn't seem to want me around." Nagi tried to brush the telepath off. "He said I might as well help here."
Aya gave a nod and told the telekinetic to search the bathroom as he and the gaijin continued with their work in the bedroom.
"Ne, Aya," the older assassin started but he needn't finish for the katana master to get the message. "Daijoubu. Omi can take care of himself."
"You sure?"
"Yes." As he said that, he then spotted a pink notebook tucked under the feather pillow on the late maid's bed. Schuldich, seeming to sense what the younger redhead was up to, stood behind him as Aya took the item from under it. Gently flipping the notebook open, they later realized that it was actually,
"A diary." The telepath said as he skimmed through the words. "It's Mira's diary. Yes." A smile was allowed on his face. "Finally, this could help solve our case."
"What's all the commotion out here?" Nagi asked ask he stepped out of the comfort room after finding nothing that would help whatsoever.
"We found Mira's diary." The German said as he gave a thumbs up to his Schwartz comrade while Aya flipped through the pages, searching for the last entry, but as he was about to read the first line a loud scream accompanied with the crashing of glass resonated through the whole house causing all three assassin's head to turn to the direction. It seems that it came from the second floor.
With out any hesitation, all three assassins made their way to the epicenter of it all and Aya could not help suppress a fearful feeling bubbling inside of him as they reached the designated room. It was a scene Aya had feared he would be greeted with yet again as he took in the image.
Sakura stood near the door with her hands in front of her mouth as she tried not to cry but failing miserably, beside her stood Jintarou; the lawyer, who seems to be trying to comfort the grieving secretary all the while trying to calm himself down. The shards of glass that lay shattered on the floor were the cause of the crashing sound. But it were not these trivial things that made the German curse in his native tongue and the young hacker to gasp in surprise, but rather what lay in the middle of it all.
There, lying in a prone position was a girl of near thirty. Her chestnut hair was in a state of disarray as it spread out her frame covering the body and familiar pink irises only pinpricks in her once cheerful eyes. It was a sight Aya knew to mean only one thing as he narrowed calculating amethyst eyes at the body before him.
Lilika Mayu was dead.
Iie, murdered.
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WAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!! Thank God!! I finally got to update this chapter!!!! Sorry again minna for the atrociously long wait. Three and a half months sure go by fast ne? ehehehehe. Eherm. Anyway, thank you again to all those reviews. Keep 'em coming. ^_^ hontou ni gomen again minna-san. Hope you guys will find it in your hearts to forgive me. =)
-Gunning Angel-