Chapter Two: Seducer

"Welcome to my parlor." said the spider to the fly.

Sighing idly, Gaignun Kukai leaned back in his chair, eyeing several folders piled in front of him. Being the Director of the Kukai Foundation wasn't as all cracked up as it was made to be, he dealt with the business and political ends while Jr. took care of their "other" ends, namely the ones that involved U-TIC and the Zohars. But his mind wasn't on work today; no it was on something else...a certain green-eyed, brown-haired female Vector employee, to be more specific.

I cannot shake this feeling... From their initial meeting in the Park to the bridge of the Durnadal where Shion had voiced her hearing the Song of Nephilim, Gaignun had been strongly suspicious of Shion, sensing the hidden power that she possessed. But Shion had said nothing of her having such abilities, and Gaignun wondered if she was a skilled actress, or was she simply clueless?

Whatever it is, it appears she knows more than she's letting on... His eyes darkened as he remembered Jr. telling him of Shion's unusual request to Tony as the Elsa flew towards the Song of Nephilim.

"I don't know what the hell got into her head for her to ask such a thing!" Jr.'s blue eyes lost their sparkle as a shadow came into them. "I think you might be right, Gaignun, there is something odd about her. I don't think she's a spy or anything, but it's just...weird!" Gaignun hissed underneath his breath and looked to the side. He could find out just what exactly Shion was or wasn't up to, but it was something he wasn't very proud of. Rather, he wished he'd never been cursed with it at all...

Although it did come in useful during that conversation with Albedo... Guilt pricked at him, but he pushed it to the side. Jr. had enough problems of his own, there wasn't any need to tell him that his younger brother could, if he wanted to, speak with his other self or even manipulate him like a puppet on a string.

No, don't go there. I threw away that a long time ago... Inhaling a cleansing breath, Gaignun got up. There was no need to go that far with Shion. In fact, getting her to do his bidding wouldn't require very much of his powers at all. Straightening his jacket, he headed outside his office in search of a little fresh air...

And ran into one very frustrated brunette standing outside his door.

"Oh!" Jumping at the hiss the door made when it opened, Shion dropped her communicator onto the floor as she turned around. "Director Kukai! Oh, I'm so sorry!"

"It's quite alright." Gaignun said, chuckling as he squatted down and picked up the small computer. "Having problems?"

"Yes. For some odd reason I can't access my e-mail on this thing and I just got something important from my boss!" Shion replied, taking the small computer as Gaignun offered it to her. "I need to send him some data right away, but this..." She started to smack the underside of the communicator in irritation. Gaignun cocked his head to the side.

What a perfect opportunity... "Would you like to step inside my office and use my computer?" He invited. Shion looked up from attacking her computer.

"Oh no, I couldn't..."

"Please, I insist." Gaignun said. "It's perfectly alright, I was getting bored anyway."

"Well...okay." Gaignun pressed the door switch to let Shion inside, following close behind her. As she headed for his desk, he paused briefly at the door, pressing the Door Lock button and making sure that they wouldn't be disturbed.

"Now..." He murmured softly. Turning around, he saw his prey seat herself at his desk, inserting a small disc into the computer before starting to type furiously.

"You didn't have your computer locked." She noted, her green eyes not rising to meet his.

"I normally leave it unlocked when I'm going out for a quick break." Gaignun answered. He moved toward her until he was standing to the side of his chair, his fingers idly brushing over some folders. "You don't mind if I stand here, do you?"

"Oh no, it's alright! I won't be that long." Shion answered. The raven-haired U.R.T.V. didn't reply, but simply turned around to prop a hip on the desk, watching the younger woman work. She was beautiful, not as striking as Shelly or as charming as Mary, but there was an air of innocence about her. It was as if she were an angel fallen down from heaven, and now was vulnerable to the desires of men. And the man who could claim her for his own, would surely find himself possessing a piece of paradise... Gaignun shook his head.

What am I thinking? I'm already in two relationships, I don't think I could handle a third. A smile crossed his lips. Shion wouldn't even submit herself to that type of relationship. She looked like the kind of woman who would demand that she be the only one in her chosen boyfriend's life, and woe be to any other female who tried to take her place! His eyes narrowed. If the rumors he had heard were true, then there had already been one man in Shion's life...

I'm not after that right now. First things first... Getting up, he moved silently until he was closer to Shion, still leaning against the desk. Lifting his right hand, he trailed his fingers gently along her upper arm and towards her neck, noticing the smoothness of her skin. Almost immediately Shion reacted, her fingers stilling.

"Director?" She drew back, and lifted her eyes to meet Gaignun's own. "What are you...?" Her voice faded, and the communicator slipped from her suddenly nerveless fingers to the floor. Those green eyes stared straight into her soul, pinning her in place, and robbing her of all free will...

"It's alright." Gaignun said softly, his voice black velvet and hypnotic. He moved forward, his left arm wrapping around Shion's waist while his right hand rested on her cheek. His eyes gleamed even brighter as he tightened his mental grip on the brunette's mind as he felt her arms lift and try to push him away. "You will answer all my questions, not hiding anything from me."

"Yes..." Shion replied, her eyes glazed over, her arms drooping as whatever fight remained left in her drained away. Gaignun's voice seemed to drop even lower, the tone almost seductive, a promise of attractive sin to those who could hear it.

"Good. Tell me...why did you ask Tony to pilot the Elsa over the Song?" Gaignun asked, watching her eyes.

"I had a suspicion...the markings looked familiar to something I'd seen a long time ago."

"Where?"

"Old...Miltia. When I used to visit my mother in her hospital room, I'd go over to the window and look out...the top of the Song of Nephilim was below, as if the entire structure fit into a hole in that area..." Shion replied. Gaignun's eyes narrowed.

That would mean that wherever her mother was, it was in close proximity to Mizarhi's lab... "You recognized the markings?" Shion nodded.

"Yes...but I didn't know it was the Song until then..." Gaignun's fingers moved from her cheek to underneath her chin, holding her face still.

"How are you able to hear the Song of Nephilim?" A frown flitted over Shion's face.

"I...I don't know." Unsatisfied with her answer, Gaignun tightened his mental hold on her even more.

"Do not lie to me." He ordered, his eyes now a blaze of green fire. Shion shook her head.

"I honestly don't! I just heard it...I don't know why anybody else didn't hear it!" She cried softly. Gaignun's hand dropped to her neck, hovering there for a moment before his fingers gently gripped soft flesh.

"Only URTVs and Realians can hear the Song. You are no Realian, and certainly not a U.R.T.V., so tell me why you were able to hear it!"

"I don't know!" Biting back his temper, Gaignun forced himself to relax before his fingers tightened around Shion's neck.

She is speaking the truth...she honestly does not know why she could hear the Song. What's even more puzzling is the fact that she did not go mad...when humans hear the Song, it produces fatal results... Gaignun considered his next question.

"Were you on Old Miltia 14 years ago?" At this, Shion's eyes darkened.

"Yes..." She whispered. "Don't...no, please..."

She does not want her memories of what happened to come back. Gaignun paused for a moment, looking down at her. But what if what happened gave her these powers? It would be useful to know, and would answer many questions... Shion started to struggle against the mental paralysis, tears forming in her eyes.

"No...please..."

"Ssshh..." Gaignun whispered, leaning close to her lips. "Everything will be fine." Guilt arose again, pricking at him. Would it be like this if he had to use this power on his brothers? To look in their eyes and watch the light in them fade until the glaze of death was all that remained, their flesh no longer warm but growing cold?

I am not that, I never was. I should not have let Albedo get to me that way...He returned his attention to the helpless woman in front of him, increasing the power of the paralyzing mind-lock. Perhaps I should...

ZING

Uttering a strangled cry, Gaignun grabbed his head as fire erupted in his skull. The pain caused the mind-link to shatter, and Shion fell out of the hair to the floor, soft sobs coming from her throat. Hissing in pain, the U.R.T.V. tried to get his bearings.

A mental barrier! But how...she doesn't even know how to build one! Electricity arced through his brain, his nerves screaming from the assault. On the floor, Shion moaned softly and then lay still, having passed out. As Gaignun kneeled next to her body, ignoring the screaming pain in his brain, a knock sounded on the door.

"Gaignun?"

It's Jr.! Using his powers to unlock the door and shield his thoughts, Gaignun looked up as the red-haired boy came in and then stopped still.

"Gaignun?!"

"Go get some help, Shion collapsed!" Gaignun snapped. Face pale, Jr. whirled around and tore out the door, his red cloak fluttering behind him. Gritting his teeth in pain, Gaignun picked up Shion in his arms and got her over to the couch, putting her down just in time as his own knees gave way.

I need to make sure she doesn't remember... Holding his hand over her head, he blocked any possible memory Shion might have of the events that had just happened. Then wrapping his own mental shields tightly around his mind like a blanket, he rose to his feet just as Jr., KOS-MOS, and a medical Realian came running in the room.

"I don't know what happened, I let her in to use my computer, and the next thing I know, she just had fainted." Stepping back to let KOS-MOS and the Realian access to Shion, he looked on.

There is much more to you than meets the eye eh, Shion? Looking to the side, he lifted an eyebrow as he noticed Jr. staring intently at him.

"What?"

"Are you sure that's all what happened?" His older brother asked. Gaignun eyed him coolly.

"Yes, I'm sure. Why, am I under suspicion for something?" Jr. relaxed slightly.

"No...It's just that Shion's normally so healthy..."

"It's probably the stress of all that's happened catching up to her, that's all." Gaignun answered. He ruffled Jr.'s hair. "She should be fine after she rests for a bit."

I will have to keep an even closer eye on her now...perhaps another opportunity will present itself. His green eyes passed over Shion's sleeping form. We will meet like this again, Shion.

AN: Next chapter...Albedo! That should be interesting, yes?