A/N: Hey, hey. I'm alive. Hehehe, didn't go abroad… but I did get really lazy and had a semi-writer's block. And trying to get into the emotional angle of "Locked"… Dammit, I'm so stuck there… I wanna finish it! Grrr…

Well, anyway, I bring you an update. At last, sorry… I tried to make this as long as it allows me to… It's vacation and relaxing is my first priority. Hehehe… well, enough stalling. I hope you like this chap. Sorry again for the long wait. But then, I decided to answer reviews! Yay!

Thank you so very much for the following people who reviewed, I am so very grateful:

Bloodrose 'Valentine' Foxxstar (hehe, good to know… I sometimes have issues with writing those things.)

LoneCayt (Schu evil isn't that bad, is he? Hehe… and I'll keep writing, stalling is not a rare occasion though. And please update your fic too!)

elvengirl-girl10 (Hehe, reading fics in school… A fine sin. Let's say you're not alone with that one. –cackle-)

RuByMoOn17 (Most especially to you. You always review and I really appreciate that. I could give you a hug but that just isn't my thing. Hehehe. Thanks.)

Flame (hehe, sorry if I offended you… didn't mean to, honest. And yes I agree with you, Schu does own Ran… His every fiber, Mwahahaha…)

WildHeartz (Hehehe… well, that's good to hear. But I doubt Ran's answer will be here for you in this chap, I hope it will be in the next though. I'm debating with my muses on the answer… Might take awhile. Sadly.)

DaredevilX (Another very loyal reviewer, thanks. And yeah, actually that song is pretty new to me. It just kept coming in the radio commercials and gave me an idea… lucky me. –smile-)

Random Person (I'm glad you think it's funny and interesting. –smile- I like my cliffies, evil is part of me. Thanks for reading and reviewing.)

And… to those who Read and Run… Thanks too. But it would be so much better if you reviewed.

Disclaimer: I think you all know this… That I don't own Weiss Kreuz and wouldn't be writing fanfics if I did…

Claimer: Yeah, but just the dysfunctional plot, although I came across a similar storyline that I think is Youji/Ken but of course this is different and the OC's… But I don't own Weiss Kreuz.

Warning: OOC-ness, randomness, mentions of dirty things, and mild-profanity, and duh, SLASH

And yes, I have a beta! Yay! Big thanks to Sadazen! But she isn't perfect and I'm not either so if you wanna complain about grammar with profanities, after I did declare my UNWORTHINESS to you, if you checked the Author's Notes. (you know who you are…) Go straight to hell, but thanks for pointing it out. No thanks for being a jerk.

Constructive criticism is permitted. (be nice –smile-)

Different

I won't say sorry for wanting you.

He couldn't sleep. He was lying down on his bed, where there wasonly light from streetlights and the stars from outside his lone window. His eyes remained closed but he knew he wouldn'tbe able to sleep tonight….

maybe because it was only 7:00 pm…

He could hear his sister chatting on the phone. Ran guessed she was talking to Ken because he was the only one he actually gave his number to and that it couldn't possibly be a friend of Aya's because she said words like 'how have you been?' and 'where do you live now?' or something along the lines.

When he saw Ken earlier he really looked different. Back then he wasn't anywhere near athletic and not only that but also underweight. But he had a wonderful voice even when they were kids but the other kids picked on him. And then around the 5th grade Ken told him he had to move away to Canada.

When Ken said goodbye the young brunette looked sad and lonely and then Aya-chan gave him a big hug for a thanks and a goodbye. There was a little flash of something but they were too young to see it then. Puppy love, is that what they call it? But Ran was never too sure; he thought about it sometimes but then it wasn't a great matter of importance and was easily dismissed.

Years passed. Ken never wrote or called so then it was a sign that he was too busy. And then life got a little worse each year… Ran's father became obsessed with money, power and people. People who have different accents and hidden intentions of his father's demise…

He cringed and held the covers closer. He decided to think happy thoughts now… happy thoughts make people feel better. But he couldn'tthink of any…

Schuldig.

Dammit. He cursed in his head. He was still being haunted by the encounter and the memory was still fresh in his head. The thoughts of warm lips, the almost dream-like feeling of flying, and so much more emotions he couldn't explain. He couldn't tell if he was angry or if he was thankful for that encounter.

After that, he had sat on the ground with a severe mental block and then he walked home. And once he got there he called Gabriel and said he couldn't go and his excuse for not being able to go: because he had to study for a long quiz… lousy excuse… but his mind was numb. How can you think when your brain refuses to function?

Sleep doesn't exist for the delusional and they probably won't even know if they are asleep or in any other state for that matter….

He has no idea how all of that was related… But this thought was better than anything related to the freaking German.

And from the neighbors, he could hear a slow song with a mix of drums and stringed instruments and a rather hypnotic beat and the gentle voice of a woman… The area was still for a moment and his sister's voice faded and he could clearly hear the song…

It's like you're a drug
It's like you're a demon I can't face down
It's like I'm stuck
It's like I'm running from you all the time
And I know I let you have all the power
It's like the only company I seek is misery all around
It's like you're a leech
Sucking the life from me
It's like I can't breathe
Without you inside of me

Dear gods… Ran thought as the song continued and he couldn't shut off the sound…


And I know I let you have all the power
And I realize I'm never gonna quit you over time

It's like I can't breathe
It's like I can't see anything
Nothing but you
I'm addicted to you
It's like I can't think
Without you interrupting me
In my thoughts
In my dreams
You've taken over me
It's like I'm not me
It's like I'm not me…

His eyes were wide open now and the song was in full blast, echoing in his thoughts. He pondered on what (well specifically who) was bothering him. Lance, alias Schuldig, a man with fire red hair, an unusual grin, whom he was both angry and attracted to for no real known reason and had given Ran an offer that was appealing (because of the mention of money) yet frightening. He needed the money no doubt and it would be easier if he…

No, the evil German is still an evil German. It some kind of scam… and he kissed him, he was an evil homosexual asshole with bad, no, evil intentions. But…

Something in Ran couldn't resist to at least think about it…

He continued his inner debate until finally he was tired enough to drift to a dreamless sleep.

llllll

He was mad. No, mad was an underestimation but he always appeared too cool to go beyond mad because in truth he was enraged, furious, angered beyond hell. "Lance, you will open this door right now," he said sternly, hand balled into a fist and ready to pound on the door annoyingly out of sheer will. But no reply came. He was obviously getting even madder but resisted the urge to destroy the door. He backed away and started to think of a solution.

Schuldig had locked himself up for a day… a whole freaking day. It was Monday morning and in its usual cheer during the summer. Obviously it wasvery unusual for a man like him who liked to roam and was probably considered claustrophobic. And by doing this had missed 3 very important meetings. And when Crawford said it was very important it was something one cannot live without…

(A perfectionist has a strange view of things.)

Since the day Schuldig had left the manor of his family and decided to run away he had been sharing one of the biggest and richest of condominiums, a.k.a., where Brad Crawford lived. This only happened the day of the strange request in finding a redhead Japanese man and if he knew, until now the German was still trying to be found…

But Crawford wasn'ta normal secretary. No, he was slippery and slick when it came to hiding; leaving traces was one of his hated things and nonetheless, by doing this Schuldig appeared to have disappeared and his pay was tripled. (Brad Crawford asked for nothing less, no doubt)

What about the people who saw him in school and rendezvous that concerned his career, parties, and the like?

A secret, a skill and a gift only the American was able to use and know.

He grinned at the thought that came to mind and folded his arms across his chest, feeling a little proud, although slightly upset that he had not thought of it sooner.

"Schuldig, would you like me to call your mother?"

With that the door was open revealing a messy haired man who looked half disgusted and half asleep in blue pajamas. "Aren't you dressed for the biggest ball in history…"

"… Go away…"

"Why? Am I busy interrupting your ritual? The ritual of the idiots, the illiterates and the bums?" he replied to the German's grumpy retort coolly, pushing past him with a few quick strides and he was in the room. He shifted his eyes around the area, studying it with calm, keen eyes.

The room was clean, spotless. The furniture well-arranged, the bed fixed and untouched, nothing was broken…

An omen no doubt. A very bad omen.

He heard the door close behind him and he turned back to meet the man's gaze. "Were you even in here?"

"I was hanging out on the floor…" With that he slumped down, sulkily. Crawford frowned at the sight and sat on the edge of the bed, in front of the man leaning on the doorframe.

"You want to talk about it?" With that he crossed his legs, not in anyway 'girly-ly' nor did it make look rebellious but sexily sophisticated. He wasn't much of an adviser but he could listen at times like these. They barely happened but he knew that when they did he was a lot better than a wall or a stuffed bunny. "This isn't about how you molested that Fujimiya the other day, is it?"

"I didn't molest him. I simply asked if he could model for me for a few thousand yen…" He tried to defend himself. "And no, it's not. And no, I won't talk about it."

Crawford wasn't convinced. "Ah yes, you asked after you molested him… of course, I understand," he said and grinned. And Schuldig glared, not really frightening since he was dressed like a bum. "You should apologize for doing that…"

"Oh yeah, sure," he said with sarcasm. "I'll just walk up to him and go, 'Hey Ran, I'm sorry about the other day for intentionally molesting you. I just wasn't being myself and got carried away. I hope you still consider my offer. Oh and by the way, you're certainly looking as hot as usual.'" He raised a fine eyebrow. "Sorry Crawf, but apologizing isn't in my system." He sniffed. "Why does he have to be such a god?..."

The older man sighed. His patron and maybe dysfunctional friend sounded like a rabid fan maiden. (why maiden, you may ask? It just sounded new, that's all) "Yeah. Practically your whole family can't do that kind of thing… And isn't that the reason why you want him to model in the first place?" He looked at Schu straight in the eyes and Schuldig looked back, not as seriously though. "I've been wanting to tell you this for sometime now though… Do you remember the day we started stalking Fujimiya?"

The German blinked. "Yeah? What about it? "

"… Gabriel met up with Ran. It was simply a coincidence. I didn't want to tell you because you were going to act brash and it was my rebelling for a larger salary." Cool once again in tone. "Maybe, in a way, it was a joke. But I don't do jokes."

They were welcomed by the sound of silence…

"…"

"Schu… are you all right?"

"What time is it?" He spoke, his weak voice was replaced by a strong German accent. With that he stood up and walked towards his large closet near the white curtain draped windows, opening it and fishing out something to wear.

The American looked at his watch. "8:04 am." He looked at the other man with a calm gaze. "Where are we heading to?"

Schuldig grinned. "I don't know…"

Crawford almost laughed. Then he thought for awhile. "You're not saying…"

"Oh yes I am. He'd be there; he'll think I'd be there as well… I can feel it in my bones…"

"That's a weird thing to say, Lance." With that he stood up and walked toward the door and opened it slowly. "Take a shower. I think you forgot to do that yesterday." And with that he was gone, leaving Schuldig mock-hurt.

llllll

And the rest of the world died as the soft gentle sound of the violin stirred in the air of a large music room, half of which was for a different class. The door was slightly ajar, which let the sweet harmony of strings echo through the hallway in a hymn that sounded like the love of a lover. (And I know that makes sense…)

Students crowded around in front of the classroom, afraid to peek inside in fear that it was some kind of supernatural phenomenon of sorts. They whispered amongst themselves about how beautiful the hymn was… but how freaky it was that there was probably no one in that room.

"What's going on? Class started 14 minutes ago" Youji called out. He walked toward the crowd and they made way for him to get closer to the door. He glanced at his wrist watch again. He wore a good casual outfit and had his sunglasses on as well and his backpack slung on his right shoulder. "And what's with the violin in the background?"

"We don't know, Youji-kun" one of the students answered. "There doesn't seem to be anyone inside either…"

Youji snorted. "Oh please, you have to be kidding me… You're not implying that there's a ghost in there?" With his remark they all gave him a nervous look. He sighed. "And people believe you're all college…"

"What's everyone doing outside?" a baritone voice spoke. The students turned look at the owner to find Ran, slightly pissed off. He walked through the crowd that, too, parted for him.

"Fujimiya… you're late." Youji remarked slyly. "And you're usually here early… Overslept?" Ran rolled his eyes, knowing that the blond was implying something rather dirty.

"Nightmares…" he drawled out lazily, too tired to even glare. That wasn't entirely true; it was more like insomnia but if he said that to this damn Youji he might think he was talking about 'wet dreams' so nightmares were better. Youji began to speak again but he was unable to hear him when he noticed that there was a violin being played. (He's that tired.) He looked at the half opened door and raised an eyebrow and turned to Youji. "Who's playing the violin?"

"We don't know, Fujimiya-san…" a girl this time remarked shyly. "And it doesn't seem to stop playing either, this is the third song from what I've been hearing…"

"Been hearing?" the red head answered and turned to look at the pink haired woman. "You've been out here that long and didn't bother to check?"

"Well, I did try to peek but I didn't see anything and I was afraid to look since... I've never heard a violin played so well…" Everyone except for the two men who came earlier nodded in agreement.

Silence…

Ran turned to the rest of his classmates with a small grin. "Are you sure you all are college students?"

"Yes!" they answered, slightly offended.

"Ok, just making sure…" he answered back and Youji laughed. "Anyway, I'll just check then, whoever or whatever is in there." he answered impassively and glanced at the door. He walked toward it, suspiciously slow as every step he took seemed louder and louder, echoing and bouncing off the hallway walls, competing with the sound of the violin. With unhurried fluid grace he reached forward and put his hand on the door and pushed it gently. And it made an unbeautiful creak and opened for them to view the whole room.

The door halted. The scrape of offending rust was seized and the instrument was no longer singing.

"Good afternoon."

"… Gabriel?" Ran muttered, eyes wide in either happiness or horror. (Can't tell somehow…) "What are you-"

"Mr. Hall got into an accident… I heard about it from a friend of mine and I volunteered." The German smiled. He faced all the other dazed students and his smile widened even more. "Well, all of you are late. I doubt you get punished for that but you might as well all get in, yes?"

llllll

The class was smooth, quiet, and, to what Ran noticed, very well prepared. Gabriel was refreshing to hear. Unlike the predecessor, talking wasn't a problem and he taught it with the smile he could show off to the whole world and make the girls blush.

Weird, though… He felt there was something missing.

… Schuldig…

Oh. Oooohhh…

'Ah crap, ' was his only succeeding thought. The way that name came to mind's eye was really getting old.

All the students were listening, even the other German's class, except they were also trying to paint or thinking of that homework that was due till summer ended. Then he remembered the encounter yesterday and winced mentally. Damn prick… He even had the guts to give orders, kissed him, ask him to be a model, then give him an almost sleepless night. Although the last one was more in Ran's hands, he was the source so it was best to direct all the anger on the German.

His cursing and thoughts of killing the foreigner continued to hit him but stopped when the bell rang and people began leaving.

The red head sighed. The class ended quicker than he wished; he took some time to let the morbid ideas rest. He watched how the classroom slowly emptied and before he noticed it he was alone with Gabriel. He turned to look at the German, who sat on his desk and smiled at his red head companion who half smiled back. But then the German's smile was replaced by a look of worry.

"You look tired, Ran… You okay?"

'Is it that obvious I didn't sleep well?' "Yes. I'm fine. I Just had a few bad dreams. Nothing to worry about."

Gabriel's gaze softened. "I see." Pause. "Hey, Ran."

"Hm?" He looked at the German.

"Do you remember… that day when we met and we went to the park…" Pause. "Do you remember I asked you for advice?" he said and smiled again. Ran tried to recall, looking out the window. "Then someone called and I wasn't able to continue."

The red head looked back at the German who still kept beaming. "Yeah, I remember."

"… Do you mind… if I ask for it now?"

Ran smiled. "Shoot."

"I have a brother…" the German began, gaze locked on his companion, his voice, tainted by his accent but serious unlike the gentle tone he usually used. "We used to be really close… but now he's strayed away. He left the manor; I think it was for some girl. I remember he said she had red hair and violet eyes and that she will would be his inspiration… Since then, he doesn't talk to me and when we, by slim chance, see each other he ignores me. I'm not sure why he's ignoring the whole family for a girl but it worries me that I don't know what he's up to… And he got rid of all traces to find out where he lives…"

Ran looked at him for a moment and thought for awhile. His eyes narrowed suddenly. The German… in his head… "Hey… before I answer your question..."

"Yes?"

Pause. "Is your brother's name… Lance? Schuldig?"

Gabriel eyes widened. "His alias is Schuldig, yes. My real name is Gabriel Vilhem."

Ran seemed indifferent. "I see." He gave the German a sharp look. "So… you're older than Schuldig?" Gabriel nodded. "I see…" 'That's why he was so freaking familiar… Godsdammit… Damn it all…' he thought but his façade remained calm.

"Do you know Schuldig?" Gabriel asked but Ran didn't answer, signaling it only with his stare. The violinist examined it and gasped, his eyes wide, hand covering his mouth. "No… You're the…"

Silence…

"My brother is GAY!" Gabriel stood up, panicked and began to pace. "GAY! FRUIT! POOF!"

Ran blinked at the reaction. Never in his life had he seen this kind of emotional break down from someone as peaceful as Gabriel.

"And he DIDN'T tell anyone!" He yelled, more at himself. He stopped, gasped suddenly and turned to Ran. "I bet he's not even a VIRGIN!" He gasped again and covered his mouth with his hand. "And he had multiple partners!" He gasped again. "At the SAME TIME!"

Ran stood up and approached his friend. "Listen, Gab, maybe you should-"

"And you're one of them?" he broke in abruptly and Ran look scandalized. "Ok, sorry, I take that one back… but MY YOUNGER BROTHER IS GAY!" Once more he gasped. "I bet it was that damn secretary of his, that- damn Brad-American-Crawford-Gay-SHIT! Staring at Fredrich with those lust-filled eyes… I knew he should have gotten some man who doesn't prefer- Ran?" He looked around and saw he was alone… "Where'd he go?"

llllll

He stopped in the park, sitting under a tree near the lake and sighed.

He had out of there faster than he had thought he could. Gabriel was mental and he didn't want to be caught in the crossfire between himself and… himself. He cringed. Maybe it was better if he didn't think about it… Yeah, a lot better.

"Hey." A German accented tone breached through his thoughts. He knew full well who owned it and stiffened but did not reply.

Schuldig sat on the other side of the tree, gazing at a whole different view. Actually, you couldn't call it a view since they were just bushes. He had been driving around after skipping his classes today. He'll just tell his students he had an important meeting. Surely they'dunderstand that he had another job to take responsibility of. This was half true because he did attend some kind of small gathering but after, he dismissed Crawford so he could be alone. He wore his shades and walked about looking for something to entertain himself and by such wonderful luck, he spotted Ran running and decided to follow.

Although he wouldn't admit it, he had the hardest time following the red head. Adrenaline is indeed a wonder…

The older red head got comfortable. He leaned his forearm against his knee and looked up at the tree's leaves and sighed. "So what's…"

"Your brother… he's in the school. Is that why you didn't come today? Because you knew he was coming?" Ran broke into the German's speech.

"No point lying…" the other man sighed out. "Yeah. Figured he'd show up… He must have had some kind of spy out there… He probably caught me yesterday, when I was with you."

Ran shrugged, getting a little uncomfortable. He didn't want to reply but he felt obliged. "I see."

The German put on his trademark grin and even when the younger man couldn't see, he felt the scheming, calculating aura that came along with it. He gulped down the lump in his throat unconsciously and waited for whatever may come.

"Well, I'll be completely honest with you then. The reason why I became a teacher at that school was because I found out you were studying there." He paused. "I've also been having someone stalk you but I'm sure you already suspected that." Schuldig looked down and turned his head slightly, half-facing the tree.

No reply came.

"Well, I-"

"How much is the pay?" Ran drawled. The German looked surprised and moved a little to look at the Japanese man. He was hugging his right knee while the other leg lay flat on the grass. He was stunning; his eyes looked distant and appeared as if he was thinking of a good memory. His red silk hair swayed with the small summer breeze. (Great timing.) His white button-up shirt hugged his lean frame perfectly while the dark colored jeans gave away his slim waist and long legs. His skin was flawless and his lips full, (according to what Schu remembered) soft and hot.

The painter mentally shook his head. "Eh? Pay?"

"Yeah. How much would you pay me, if I took the job?" His lips moved, and his chest rose and fell as he breathed in and out. The rest of him didn't, much to the older red head's delight.

Schuldig smiled and inched a little closer. "How much do you want me to pay you?"

"Nine million yen a day," came the snappy reply and Schuldig thought he'd go bald.

" What! Are you insane! That's not even reasonable! I don't even get that much money for my paintings!" the older man complained.

"Wow… well, you must be really poor without your relatives then, huh?" he answered dully, which made it all the more insulting.

"Excuse me! I'm new in the business! I'm lucky that my paintings are getting fame! And that's too much money! 50,000 yen!"

"What!" Ran faced the man now, who was on all fours and closer than previously but it didn't register properly and he glared. "That can barely make up for hours and hours of posing! 7m!"

"Stop with the millions! I'm not Bill Gates you know!" the German shot back. "How about 150,000 yen?"

"No. 900,000 yen."

"200,000."

"No, 850,000 yen." His glare became sharper as he spoke those words.

Schuldig glared back but not as intimidating. "500,000 yen. Last offer." They glared on, the aura around them intense while silence gave them a soft embrace.

"Fine." Ran agreed and turned away. "550,000 yen, then." (Yes, he changed the price.)

The German sighed. "Fine, 550,00 yen."

With that the younger boy stood up and slung his bag on his shoulder. His gaze was still fixed somewhere else. "I'll think about it…" With that said, he began to walk away, unable to catch the very happy gaze of the German. He pondered on why he was even thinking about answering until he reached his apartment.

TBC…

Ahahaha… I hope to have the next chap up, and have Locked updated as well… I hope you enjoyed and I'm again sorry for the long wait. Pray I won't be too lazy…

Review, Please.