------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a Fanfic so obviously these Characters do not belong to me. They belong to whoever owns the rights to the anime Weiss Kreuz. All yaoi implications towards the characters are works of my own and have little to no relation with the actual characters in
the anime.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribulation: 5
Aya seated on the couch with Omi in his arms, as Youji rummage through the fridge looking for something to eat. The three waited in the basement patiently for Manx to arrive with an urgent message from Persia. Their previous mission had been postponed for the time being till further notice. Aya sat, slowly curling his fingers through Omi's hair under the soft glow of the television. Youji still uneasy of the "New Aya" as he'd like to put it, kept his distance incase the two decided to have a lip locking competition again. Neither of the two had brought up the case between Ken and Omi, afraid the boy would have another nervous break down. There was no doubt in Aya's or Youji's mind that the new mission involved Kens where about. He had been missing now for the entire day, and the sun was just beginning to set. The familiar sound of high heels descending the stairs took Youji's attention as he watched Manx appear with a video tape in her hand.
"Finally the right type of pussy"
Aya grunted at Youji's remark as Manx slid a finger across Youji's chin and smiled at him teasingly. Manx proceeded to the TV where she placed the tape into the VCR. The usual blurred image of a man sitting in an arm chair appeared; his face masked as it always was.
"Five hours ago Hidaka Ken, codename: Siberian, was apprehended by members of Schwarz."
Omi winced in Aya's arms as the news was delivered. Aya held on to him tighter.
"The group has been located hidden in an abandoned observation station located on a wild life reserve. Your target is to retrieve Hidaka Ken, and to eliminate the members of Schwarz, excluding member Brad Crawford, who will be taken alive and handed over to US Special Forces to face charges in his own country."
As the TV went black, silence remained in the room. Omi was now shaking in Aya's arms as Aya comforted the boy as best he could. Youji had opened a can of beer as Manx walked to the front to face the three.
"This is the first mission that is joint with US military officials. It is agreed that Weiss will apprehend Crawford and hold him till the Special Forces will take over. Keeping Crawford alive may prove useful in the future incase we need to call in a favor from our friends over seas. So who will accept this mission?"
For the first time none of Weiss spoke up when asked this question. Youji unable to bare the awkwardness spoke:
"What happen to Persia's catch phrase?"
Omi, Aya and Manx turned to look at him.
"What..?"
Aya let go of Omi and got up. He looked at Manx and gave a resounding no. Manx taken back by Aya's abruptness looked to Omi and was about to ask him if he would take it when Aya stopped her.
"Don't look at him".
"Oi oi Aya calm down".
"No, Youji, I nor Omi will do this, if you wish to then go, but we won't."
Youji put down his beer. He did not want to go up against Aya on his decision for a part of him agreed. What Ken did to Omi was unforgivable and now to ask the men he betrayed to come and save him was incomprehensible.
"Even if we don't save Ken we still have to deal with Schwarz."
Youji was right and Aya could not deny that fact. He and Crawford had their share of fights and both knew sooner or latter the final confrontation would occur. Aya looked at Manx.
"We will deal with Schwarz, but to me, Ken is already dead".
Aya turned his back to them and started to head back up the stairs, but was stop by Omi's soft voice.
"No..."
Aya remained at the bottom of the stairs frozen.
"We...we have to save Ken. He's...he's our friend".
Omi kept repeating it. Over and over again. Aya didn't understand why. He loved Omi and Omi loved him. So why, why did he still want to save Ken. Youji, also hearing enough, approached Omi to try and calm him down, but could not think of the right words to say. Aya unable to control himself anymore pushed Youji aside and slapped Omi across the face. The boy sat quietly now, shock and pain stunning him. Youji grab Aya and swung a right that caught him square in the jaw sending him to the floor. Manx rushed to Omi's side to see the damage dealt to the boy. Omi looked at Aya tears free flowing from his eyes. Aya turned, lifted himself of the floor and ran up the stairs and out of the shop. Omi unable to steady himself fell into Manx's arms and cried.
Aya, ounce again was in his car and driving. And as before, he did not know where he was driving to. He decided it would be wise not to head in the same direction as the bar he had an unfortunate incident at the previous night and to head in the opposite direction. Aya was furious with himself. He had struck Omi. He wanted to take out his sword and to cut the hand that had committed the deed. How could he or even more so Omi forgive him?
Aya drove for hours. It was well past midnight now and he had arrived at what seem to be a cliff edge that looked out into the ocean. He parked his car and got out. He ran to the edge of the cliff, looked into the night sky and screamed as if to let himself be taken away, and for his burden of love hatred and frustration to be gone from him ounce more. He fell on his knees. Raising a fist he slammed it into the ground continuously cursing.
"It's not your fault you know".
Aya turned around to see the last person in the world he'd wish to lay his eyes on at that moment. His sword was in the car and a good distance away from him. He could have tried to take him on hand to hand, but from past experiences knew it was a losing fight.
"What do you want, Crawford."
Crawford smiled, hands in pockets walked towards Aya.
"Nothing in particular, just wanted to see you one more time before you died."
Aya got up and was ready for the attack, when Crawford stopped and raised his right hand in a slow motion.
"I don't mean now Aya, or should I call you Ran?"
Aya stopped and eyed him. How could he have known? One name came to mind.
"Ken"
"Yes, Ken, he has filled us in on some very interesting information. And when I say we you have nothing to fear tonight. The we is back with Ken, guarding him. I don't expect you to believe me that we are alone, but I've come to say my peace and be gone"
Aya did not relax, but eased himself a little. He did not trust Crawford, but knew the man well enough to know that he was not looking for a fight, at least not tonight.
"As I was saying earlier, it's not your fault".
"What's not my fault?"
Crawford smirked at him, and walked casually towards the edge.
"Loving the person your heart belongs to."
Aya remained quiet.
"You may not believe me, but I know what it's like. Society may have its views, but unlike society we are above the law. We have our own law. No court in this world and no men can judge us for who and what we are. We may kill as easily as we breathe, but we are no different to the pains of love."
For a moment Aya saw himself in Crawford and for a moment he felt and saw Crawford's pain. Crawford calmed himself down and gave a slight laugh. Looking back into the night sky he closed his eyes. Aya was not sure what Crawford was saying now, for it was only a whisper escaping his lips.
"Nagi..."
Crawford sighed and walked towards Aya. Aya on any other given day, time and moment would have attacked him first or backed off, but he remained still, just staring. Crawford was now face to face with Aya. He placed a hand on Aya's shoulder and squeezed it gently.
"Whatever happened happened and you cannot change that, no matter how many men or women you kill. Go and be with him for it will be your last night. You can take that as a threat if you wish or take it as good advice. Just go and be with him."
Crawford let go of Aya's shoulder and walked back down the path he came. He stopped one last time and looked at Aya and towards the sky.
"It's going to snow".
"What?"
"Tomorrow, it's going to snow. It's pretty late in the season for snow, but better late then never".
He smiled at his remark and walked off disappearing into the night. Aya watched Crawford disappear and headed back towards his car. He started up the engine and headed back towards the flower shop.
Aya pulled up at the front of the shop. As he walked in Youji was drinking what seem a strange brew of cigarette smoke, coffee and beer. Aya looked at him, and nodded and proceeded to walk past him. Youji reached out as Aya was walking past and grabbed his arm. Not looking into Aya's eyes, but straight in front of him Youji simply stated in a stern voice.
"Never again".
He let go of Aya's arm and continued drinking his beer and puffing on the cigarette he had in his free hand. Aya walked upstairs and saw Manx sleeping in a chair outside Omi's door. Aya approached her and gently shook her shoulder. Manx opened her eyes as Aya told her she no longer needed to stand guard. She like Youji gave Aya the same look, but allowed him to pass as she disappeared downstairs. Aya gently opened the door and slid inside. He walked up to the bed and laid beside Omi, who had fallen asleep, tear stains still on his cheek. Aya gently hugged the boy and kissed him softly on his head. Omi opened his eyes and turned to look at Aya. Tears started forming in his eyes again as he opened his mouth to speak.
"I didn't want to Aya. He made me; he said it's what we both wanted. I believed him. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I only wanted you Aya. I only wanted you."
Aya held Omi tighter into his chest as the boy cried and let out all the pain he had been holding in.
"I won't let him hurt you again, never again".
Aya repeated the words to him as Omi cried himself to sleep in Aya's arms that night. In a few hours they would leave on their mission to face Schwarz and Crawford and to face Ken. Aya kissed Omi on his head again as he closed his eyes to sleep, as outside the window, under the light of the moon, the first snowflake fell.
To be Continued