Ahay! As always… did this come in late? Sorry, I had to fix a lot of things… [my room actually ^] First off, I would like to thank Gunning Angel, Misura, RFujimiya, Ran, Misty Eyes, Tagi, BeautifulEmotions, Susie Lady Dragon, marsy, Omi-chan, slyfiant, Jenny/Vault 713, Hamrio Musica, Arabella Silverbell, and Ana-chan for reviewing Getting A Life! I appreciate your comments, suggestions, corrections, opinions etc… because you guys are friends and close to me!!! Thank you again, dudes and dudettes! I really am grateful and honored! : )
Disclaimer: You got it! [wink] Now, on with the fiction!X!
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Getting A Life 9 BunjyGuM_Boy
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Legends:
For Weiss characters: The same!
For Shwartz characters:
SHU = Shuldich = Guilty [bec. Shuldich means guilty in German, k?]
FARF/FARFIE = Farfarello
Rosenkreuz = the school/institution where these 'special' dudes came from. Except for Farfarello.
~ " " ~ = mind talking… of course it involves Shuldich.
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It was dark outside that crappy apartment; the so-called 'night lamps' wasn't doing its job properly. To top it all of, the supposedly 'dine out for everyone' was called of just because Crawford had a very, very important vision.
"Friggin' mind of his! He can't even tell if it's Sunday or Tuesday today."
[out of nowhere] "I heard that, GUILTY!"
Cursing inwardly, he swallowed the remaining Vodka inside his glass. The sudden rush of warmth made him forget his retort for Brad but it also gave him a thought of mental surrender.
"Shuldich, it's past midnight! Why are you awake? [eyes the empty glass] I see…"
"Shouldn't YOU be the one in bed, Naoe? You have a quiz tomorrow, ne?"
"First! My name is Nagi… Naoe is my surname… unless you want me to abide with Brad in calling you Guilty? [Shu scowls] Second! It's not a simple quiz, it's a special exam because I always get late… ehem… you know, missions." [drinks water]
"You know, I really should stop your one on one lessons with Crawford. You're becoming just like him, damnit!"
"Shu… [sits beside him] I don't like to be Brad but-…"
Nagi lowered his gaze then looked intently at Shuldich. He knew that Shu can read his mind, but the glare he gave Nagi made the kid explain himself.
"After this 'big event' Crawford told us, I'm… I'll-… Shu, you know exact-…"
… Nagi, please don't do it." [looks at him stubbornly]
"Shuldich, I never expected to fit in with Shwartz simply because we are all different. Our point in life are all different. But as we do more together, the four of us… we get bonded… our closeness! It's irritatingly… well, bitter-sweet if I may say so." [smiles]
"But Nagi-…"
"Shuldich, Weiss doesn't even have the bond we have. They don't know anything! They just think that we're a bunch of misfits that needs to get a life and-…"
"Stop changing the topic and tell me the truth, NAGI! Look at you! Every night I know that you spend more time thinking about your doubtfully called 'purpose', rather than sleeping and preparing for the next morning!"
"What's going on there?!"
[both] "NOTHING!"
After shouting at Crawford, both men of Shwartz just stopped. No noise, no movement, no nothing.
Nagi stood up, ready to go back to bed, but a hand pulled him almost instantly, that even a telekinetic didn't avoid it. The pull turned out to be a hug from the older German to the younger Japanese.
"Ay, kiddo… it's okay. Just… don't give in."
At this, the boy disrupted into tears. He hugged Shuldich back as he tried to tell him everything he was feeling in between sobs. Shuldich tried hard to make him calm down but Nagi sobbed more, to his dismay.
[archs a brow]
And of course, the resident evil -not to mention almighty leader- came into view and gave both teammates a misjudging look accompanied with a very mischievous grin.
"Nagi, no matter how hard you push yourself into Guilty, male to male relationship isn't really safe nowadays, especially between teammates." [smirks]
"Bitch! Can't you see he has a problem?!"
"Huh! Talk about problem! I've seen THIS coming!"
"You always see this coming but you're just too bloody blind to dodge it, ne?!" [makes Nagi sit]
"Shuldich, enough of this nonsense! Naoe chose his path. It's his duty to be responsible now."
"Jerk! YOU chose his path! What's the kid suppose to do? Disobey you?! Crawford, you moron! He, of all people, will NEVER disobey you!"
"Nagi, go up your room now!"
With a wave of Crawford's hand, Nagi ran up the stairs.
"I'll talk to you later, Nagi!"
Before entering his room, Nagi gave Shuldich a smile then banged his door. That was the signal for another heated argument between the two hot-headed residents of the team.
"Nagi will be the next leader of the Russian team, and that's final!" {*}
"Haven't you ever realized that those people were the ones locked-up inside Rosenkreuz for more than 3 years? I will not let Nagi lead those people who reminds him so much of his past!"
"Shuldich, you have no say in this!"
"I HAVE A SAY IN THIS! NAGI IS MY BROTHER!"
"He is NOT your brother by blood!"
[breaks everything on the table with his mind] "I CARE! YOU DON'T!" [breaks more]
Crawford, though firm, inched away from the table. He looked at Shuldich as he adjusted his glasses.
"W-when did you learn to do that, Shuldich?"
"What do you care?"
"I don't care. I want to know." [moves closer again]
"Hn." [sits on one of the chairs]
"It seems to me that all our powers advanced. Share your new found technique with me, Shuldich. It's my responsibility to have a report on each member of this team as-…"
"…family"
"Excuse me? What did you just say?"
"I said, 'family.' Nagi, Farf, you and me ARE family….or should be… [bitter smirk] bet you didn't see THAT coming, huh?" [breaks the light bulb with his mind]
As the Mandarin-haired youth took himself towards Nagi's room, Brad Crawford was left contemplating inside the pitch black room, equally dark and empty as the streets outside.
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CRING!CRING!CRING!CRING!CRING!CRING!CRING!CRING!CRING!
"Oy, shit!"
The brand new alarm clock was now smashed and pounded hard on the floor. It was hard to tell if he did that mentally or physically this time.
Shu turned his head to face upward. He looked straight for a while then turned his gaze at the figure standing at his doorway.
"Nagi… what's up?"
"Shu, domo for last night. But hey, I won't jerk out of this path I'm heading to coz well,… I have to do it."
[nods] "But hey, if those pieces of crap hurt you, give me a holler and let's pound 'em dead… together." [winks]
[smiles] "No problem, Shu… no problem! [checks time] Eh, gotta go now! I'll be late!" [runs]
[sits up] "Good luck with your quiz!"
"Exam! It's an exam!" [shouts from behind as Shuldich laughs]
After laughing at thinking about what Nagi just said before he left, Mastermind {*} got up and decided to start his day early, just this once.
"Good morning, Farfarello!"
[looks at him, smirks] "You're such in a good mood, Shuldich… but I could smell fear."
"Eh? Such big words in the morning… is that the effect of eating Frosty® constantly, Farfie?" [smirks back]
"Che! The glucose in it helps the loss of blood…"
[bewildered] "Er-… are you ammm… [looks at Farfarello's bleeding hand] oh, nevermind! I thought you suddenly thought of reverting yourself to good."
[eyes Shu] "When I said loss of blood, I meant the taste. Sugar helps it to get thicker… I hate it when my blood tastes 'thin'… there's no excitement." [laughs maniacally]
"HHHoooookkkkaaaayyyy, Farf! Well, good day!" [enters the kitchen, sees Crawford reading the newspaper]
[Crawford: Arches a brow at him]
[Shu: Pouts and reaches for a cup]
[Crawford: makes a noise]
[Shu: twitch…twitch…]
"For evil's sake, Guilty! Stop the silent treatment, will you?"
"HA! I won! You gave in! I won! I won!" [sticks tongue out]
"Hn! Now what, wanna play childish? Missing your little pet, once?"
"Eh? Okay stop… didn't get that, can you repeat?"
"Nothing."
[thinks…shrugs] "Fine."
The two gentlemen sat across each other. One eating toast and the other sipping on his coffee silently.
"Hey come on, that's disturbing! What did you mean, missing my pet?"
"Ha! That's the problem with you, Mastermind. Your curiosity level is higher than your control."
"Aw, come on, Oracle! Tell me! Tell me!" [puts down toast]
"No."
"Please."
"No." ^
"I'll give you a cookie!" ^_^
"No." -_-#
"I'll tell you my new power…?" ^____^
"N-… wait… deal." _#
"HA! I knew you'd bargain with something…"
"You first. What's with you now."
"Wait, you first because I bargained with you and you bargained back so I go first."
"Oh cut the crap and say what new you have!"
@_@ "Fine! So… well, started last month. When I try to enter a strong-minded person, I end up hurting myself." [sips coffee now]
"What? Expound on that." [folds newspaper neatly and listens]
"See, after I break his/her brain barrier, and when I return to my own senses, my head starts to hurt… as if splitting. Then I've noticed that when I'm enraged, I tend to think of something breaking then the nearest object suddenly bursts! Well, yah… like last night." [evades Crawford's glance]
[adjusts glasses] "Ah… what level are you now?"
"Er- I think… III."
"Level 3?! ONLY?!"
"I try to slow my systems down." [grins]
"Stupid fool! May I remind you of your purpose for being a Shwartz?"
"I know Crawford."
"Then do you mind if you say it to me?" [twitch…twitch…]
"I'm with Shwartz because I am to be trained up to advanced level to lead the other members of Rosenkreuz."
"Yes. Precisely. So what the hell are you doing? You should be level V by now!!!"
"Woah! Hold your horses, Mr. Smartass! Not all of us wants to be YOU!"
"Lookie here, Guilty. By the end of this biggest mission, which we're going to have, you… alongside with Nagi, will lead bases from different parts of the world. that's why we are of different races!"
"Please Crawford! Then if you care even just a bit for Nagi, why give not give him to Japan base? Why Russia?"
"Because Russia base is specially trained with telekinesis. And German base will not be handled by you!"
"Excuse me?! Like, even if I want to, why not my people?"
"SIMPLE Shu… because Nagi's the only one who could… in short, he'll be the only one who will be able to live."
Shocked and mislead by Crawford's story, Shuldich stood up immediately. His blood rushed up to his head… he clutched it then sat down but his heart was pounding too fast, which paved the way for him to start seeing double.
[moved towards him] "See now, Shu. Do you now understand the consequences we all face if we do not reach level 5 or higher? All of this assassin business was a hindrance to my deepest desire. But now, I've seen what's about to happen… and I love Nagi. Yes, I really do. That kid has a future. And even though I have given him the most worse fate I could, I believe that he could change the course of that path. However… [laughs] I also saw that we ended… we all ended but Nagi was separated from us. Makes you wonder, ne?"
"Crawford… [still holding his head] why didn't you tell me… sooner?"
"Shuldich… it has nothing to do with all of us being lower than level 5 nor you and your stubborn antics. You think it's fun to discuss all our deaths and hide it from Naoe?"
"Then me! Try me! Now! as in, now! Tell me… what's this massive abomination that'll kill the 3 of us?"
As if he didn't hear, Brad walked towards the living room window. He opened one side of it and let the cool air slap into his face. He inhaled, exhaled, inhaled then exhaled… and he really didn't stop until his hair was a little roughed up already.
"Crawford… please. Stop the shit and tell me. It's MY death. At least let me think too."
Crawford opened his eyes and closed the window neatly. He walked past the disturbed German and settled himself on the chair beside Shu.
"Are you done with dramatics? Or are you listing up a fake story?"
"Shuldich… have you forgotten the bargain?"
"Shit man! forget about that! THIS is way to interesting and not to mention, it concerns MY life!"
"Hn. Fine! Actually… your bargain was right on time. As if planned, Shuldich. Honestly." [stands up and walks away]
"Hallur! Were you even listening to anything I just said?! I'm not up to any game here, Bradley! I'm panicking!!!" [stood up too, ready to follow]
"…Kudou."
[stops dead] "W-what did you say? Was that a name? What?!"
"…Kudou, Kimi Miamatsu."
"Ah… yes, yes. So she was the 'missing your pet' thing, fine, fine I get that! now what about this last mission we have?"
"Tsk… now you're the one who didn't listen. I already told you… [faces him] your bargain was right on time… perfect timing."
"Soooo sorry now, but I don't get it."
"See, Shuldich…with her, it's not a future anymore… it's a disaster. OUR disaster, to be exact."
"Wait, wait a minute here, mkay? Are you saying that Kimi is… your big trouble?!"
[nods]
"What the fu-… Crawford! That kid is NOT human, sure thing! But she's Kudou's daughter… a kid!"
"Tell me, when exactly were you born, Shuldich? Yesterday?! [slaps hand on head] Do you mean to tell me that since we kidnapped her last, last, last month, you NEVER knew our agenda?" [flushed]
"Don't hurt me… but the answer is NO, I never understood anything because you NEVER told us!"
"ARGH!!! Shuldich you stupid sonofabitch!" [walks up to the sofa and kicks it]
"Fine, okay! swearing and bitching with me won't help right now, Crawford! Just tell me the story!"
"You know what, YOU FIGURE IT OUT YOURSELF!" [kicks the sofa again and rages up to his room]
"Shhessh! Damn that hotheaded scowl of a pig! Fine! I'll find out for myself! [checks watch] That flower shop of theirs is still open. Hn. As if I'll understand anything after I see that 4 year old kid today! Che! Crawford will have to explain it to me sooner or later." [grabbed his coat and car keys and drove out]
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[Kitten in the house flowershop, 1 p.m. Thursday]
"Hai! Arigatou for buying! Ja matta! Come back soon!" [smiles]
Omi was at it again; his bright smile gave warmth to the shop and his voice was fluttering now and then to say 'Welcome!' or 'Come back soon, please!' to everyone.
"Kimi-chan! Can you please go down the stock room and get more Star Gazers. Er- make that a dozen more."
"Hai! Yoji-niichan."
Yoji frowned at how his own daughter smiled through the lie they had to come up with every time they were selling in the shop. Ran gazed at Yoji's frown and made a 'tsk' sound just to assure his disapproval of the on-going act.
"Yoji, that's your 5th frown today."
"Eh, Ran… let's try to add the 6 frowns I did last Monday, the 9 last Tuesday, the 8 yesterday, and the er- guess, 4 more for today, ne?" [sarcastic grin]
"Total of 32… [Yoji glares at him] but that's not the point. *sigh* Kudou, why can't you just tell the people about her."
"And what? Lose our profits, make Kimi a target of glares, out casting, gossips and fights in school, not to mention ruin our reputation, her reputation and our relationship as father and daughter hmm… guess my answer is NO Ran!"
[glare] "Sooner or later, Yoji. Your public will include all the women you had."
Yoji stopped his scowling and gulped slowly but painfully instead. He tried to brush off all the image he conjured up on his mind. Like being slapped, tortured, punched, pinched and worst of all… lose his most treasured silky hair because he has no choice but to fight back… 'cat' fight back.
"Irashaimase, sir! Please be-…"
Omi's words failed him. The sudden stop of the cheerful voice and the unexpected face fault of the young blonde alarmed the three assassins. Ken, who was the nearest one to Omi, came forward, and to Ran and Yoji's surprise, he had the same altered expression on his face.
"What the hell?"
~ "Now, now Siberian. You don't want the other buys to think that you have no manners." ~
~ "Get out of my head, Shuldich!" ~
[looks at the other 2 buyers] "Er- emergency, minna-san. We have to close the shop now. I am very, very sorry bu-…"
"No, er-… it's all fixed, Omi. The shop is not closed. You may continue your purchase or your rummage in the shop."
After saying this, Ran faced Shuldich and looked at him straight in they eyes.
"What do you want, [whispers] Shwartz." [super glare]
[lowers his voice too] "Well, well, Fujimiya. Nice to see you too. [smiles and pretends to be a customer] Ah! What beautiful lilies! How much are these, kind sirs?"
[plays along] "Those are 100 yen per stem, sir."
Ken almost spit his words after getting reminded of Shu that he just respected him by calling him 'sir'.
"Ah… actually, I've heard that you have a cute little friend who live with you here, Yoji." [Yoji almost charged him… Ran pulled him back]
Woman 1: Oh sir! Yes… Mr. Kudou's younger sister is very pretty indeed. Helpful, cheerful and pretty.
Woman 2: Ah, Kimi-chan is very helpful, indeed! She's a blessed soul. [smiles along with woman 1]
Shuldich saw Ran's eyes twitch, Yoji frown, Ken panicked and Omi eyeing him.
"Ah, Kimi-chan is… last time I saw her… she was very young… a couple mon-… no, sorry, years [eyes Yoji] ago."
Woman 2: [looks at Shuldich] Oh no sir, she's I think… 15 now, is that right, Yoji-kun? Your sister is 15 years old?"
"Y-yes, ma'am." [looks at his feet]
"Ah… your SISTER? 15 years of age… I see…" [Shu grins, Ran scowls]
The role play went on for 15 minutes. Ran directed the others to keep it cool, go back to work but of course, all was keeping an eye on the unwanted visitor. Shuldich was not going to leave until he has the Weiss boys all there with no other people, and of course, he wanted to see Kimi for he was intrigued.
"Thank you Mrs. Marusei! Mrs. Takamori! Please do come back again!" [both woman waves back]
Right after Omi waved back and flipped the 'open' sign to 'closed', all four cornered Shuldich as he leaned back on the counter as if to say that he was relaxed and felt that he was at home with the atmosphere.
"Now, talk."
"Aw come on Ran! Give me a break. I'm here to see all of you, missed me?"
"I bet you missed my punch, Shuldich! Now TALK!" [readies wire]
"What's all the yelling about, Yoji-niichan?"
"Drop the nichan… we're all alone."
"… with an enemy, that is."
Shuldich's lips went from a mild grin to the most evil curve of all. He readied himself and looked back."
"Ah… behold. She's not 4 years old!"
Puzzled, Kimi looked at Shuldich who tried to smile but couldn't.
"Shuldich, get the hell out of the shop! NOW!"
"Explain first, why is she not a toddler anymore!"
"GET OUT!"
"Otoosan, matte!"
Yoji gaped at Kimi who was glancing at Shuldich as if she had never seen a man before.
"Now, what Kimi? This is a member of Shwartz!"
"Kimi-chan! Don't go near him!" [Omi holds her but she breaks free]
"Wait, what took you so long down in the stock room?" [Ran eyed her]
[points a finger] "Otoosan tricked me! He was using 'Star Gazer' as a code! I was too slow to decode until I saw that we didn't have any Star Gazers anymore!" [pouts]
"Shuldich, now that you've seen her. Get.Out.Now." [glare]
"Hn. I want a n explanation as to why she isn't a 4 year old kid anymore!"
"…because?" [Ken reached for a pot again]
"Shouldn't I be surprised?" [eyes the pot and waves a finger signaling a 'no'.]
"Why should we say anything? It's enough for us to know that you really had the guts to go here noticed and all. Just to get that information… but see, we aren't stupid!"
"Gee, Yoji. I knew that!"
"Excuse me sir but I really agree that you should get out-…"
"I cannot believe my ears. [faces Yoji] Your daughter is mild, feminine, graceful and polite, Kudou. [faces Kimi] I guess your dad isn't your role model, ne Kimi-chan? [looks at her eyes]Oh look! You look like your dad too much but… [touches her face then his hair] my hair matches your eyes. Isn't THAT perfect?" [grins]
Right about now, Ran was pissed. He can't even believe himself that he waited for 25 minutes before acting as a leader now. he grabbed Shu by the collar, pushed him out of the store and grabbed Yoji's watch from him.
[directing the weapon at Shu] "I don't care if people are watching, Shuldich. But right now I swear… I can kill you. DON'T COME BACK!"
"Ha! How many times have I heard that Aby-… Fujimiya! You can't! you won't!"
"But I can!"
And with that, Ken punched Shuldich right on his nose bridge. The German fell back again but he immediately stood up and punched Hidaka's face too.
"Fuck it! To think that you have super speed!"
"Ken! Enough! Come in here, NOW!"
"I'm not listening to you now, Ran! AHHH!"
"Holy shit!" [Shu ducks]
Ken jumped on Shuldich; punching and kicking was the present agenda between them. Yoji had to come between then because of the number of teenager's attentions being caught.
"Ken! Ken! Yameru! Come…ON!"
Upon Yoji's pull, a squirming Ken was dragged away from a bleeding Shuldich.
"Well, [spits blood] Hidaka. Body heat is good… but be sure that next time we rough it up, we're on a bed and we're having SEX! GET IT?" [winks and laughs]
"!#$%^&*()(*&^%$#@%!!!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!!!! YOU SONOFAB-$%^&**&^%!!!!! [kick…kick…]
"Ken! Oy, Ken! Hold it! cool it! Argh! [tries to hold him still] Omi! A little help here, will yah?!"
"Ay!" [runs to Yoji]
Ran looked at Kimi, she was still looking at Shuldich from inside the shop. His amethyst orbs swayed from Kimi to Shuldich who was still laughing as Ken went berserk.
~ "Shuldich." ~
~ [looks at Ran]"Ah, Ran. don't worry… Hidaka's not gay, promise!" ~
~ "Thank you for the reassurance but that is not my point. What do you want from Kimi, Mastermind. Or rather, what does SHWARTZ want from her?" ~
~ "I'm not here in the name of Shwartz, Abyssinian. I came here because I couldn't believe Crawford when he told me that Yoji's little girl is not 4 years old anymore. As simple as that!" ~ [winks]
~ "I do not abide with that." ~
~ "Suit yourslef. Well, off I go." ~
~ "Remember not to come back, will you? I will prepare and strike you even if I get caught." ~ [icy glare]
"As always… well! Ta-tah!" [walks towards his car and drives off]
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"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING KEN?!" [slams hand on table]
"WHAT? AND JUST LET HIM PICK ON KIMI LIKE THAT?!" [slams hand too]
Ran and Ken's quarrel has always been the worst out of all the four. Whenever they confront each other, it always turns out to have bad words, beating, silent treatments and not to mention it has to run all the way up to a week.
"Er-… bet this will take a month."
"No, Kimi… this will take [sees Ran slap Ken's face] let's say 3 months."
"Nope. Both of you are wrong. [lights a cigar and sees Ken crying] this will end today."
[cries] "What am I, a freak? You KNOW that I don't do stupid stuff on purpose! I was protecting Yoji and Kimi back there!"
"Ken, you let go of your emotions again! I always forbade you! Check your actions when words are being thrown at you! You have been like this for a week now! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!" [grabs him and looks at him]
"NOTHING!"
[slaps him again] "I'm listening! YOU TELL ME!"
"I HAVE NOTHING!!!!" [pushes Ran]
"Itai!" [falls back…]
[cries harder…]
"Ran-nii! Ken-nii!"
Kimi went to Ran first.
"Omi-nii… his wound is bleeding!"
"Ken! Ken, snap out of it. Shh…it's okay. don't cry anymore, kiddo. It's okay. [cradles him]
Yoji sat on the floor while making Ken shush, while Omi held Ran as he changed his bandages.
"Ran-kun. Please lay low on the shouting and harsh movements first. It been only a week since your release from the hospital. Kudasai… the wound near your heart is still soar."
"Ken, is he… alright. Shit! It hurts!"
"Ran-nii! Calm down, kudasai!" [puts his head on her lap]
"Ran-kun! If you're not going to follow me this time, I'll have to tell Kritiker to make you stay here for more than a month!"
Omi's words were austere; Ran looked at him and saw the makings of a Takatori in him. Worst of all, it made Ran shut-up and nod.
"Good. Now go up, Ran-kun. Kimi-chan, can you please accompany him? Yoji-kun and I will talk with Ken."
"Omi-niichan, do you think it has something to do with-…"
"…his mother's death? Possible."
"Tsk! It's not Doc. Austria's fault though."
"Ken is shocked, confused and weary. Remember, the only strength he has comes from the fact that he knows that he can return to his mom, someday. It's not doc. Austria's fault that she had to tell Ken. But well… why now, of all time?!" [ties the last knot on Ran's bandage]
Kimi looked at Ken for a short while. His face was buried on Yoji's chest as her dad hugged him tight and rocking both of them slowly.
"Kimi-chan…Kimi-chan! Go, go up now."
"H-hai. Ran-nii, could you stand up?"
"I'm fine, Kimi… just assist."
"Okay." [smile]
Ran stood up and walked passed Omi and Yoji. He gave them both a pout but Yoji gave Ran a thumb's up while Omi gave him a court smile. Kimi walked behind him, as like a waiting maiden did for a princess only… this case is different. [ehem ^] Upon entering the room, Ran almost fainted but he held on the door knob.
"Ran-nii… can I help you now?" [sarcastic tune]
"What do you think, Kudou?" [glare in her direction]
"Fine."
It was amazing how she grabbed Ran's arm and managed to sling it over her shoulders. A little dazed, Ran shook his head and tried to support himself too by not putting too much weight on the teenager. She is, frail and fragile according to Yoji.
"Kimi, over the bed is fine."
"Hai."
As usual, the determination and precise accuracy plastered on her eyes came as an inspiration to make Ran smile solemnly. He never did fail to realize that every time Yoji or Omi would give her a heavy task because it was part of the training. They just didn't know how to tell Kimi so they planned that it will all go through her normal pace but more hefty every day.
"There!"
With a minimal bounce, Kimi helped Ran sit down on his bed.
*sigh* "Okay Ran-nii! If you need anything, I'll be in my room, ne?" [starts walking out]
"Matte, Kimi-chan."
"Eh?"
"Stay with me here for a while."
"Er- is that an order, Ran-nii?"
"No dear, it's not. I just want to talk to you." [smiles and pats the bed]
Kimi smiled. She knew that Ran was back on tract and she was going to have a chance to speak to him again like before… before the accident. She was about to sit down on the bed when he remembered what the other three asked her before. "Do you have a crush on Ran?"
She stopped walking towards Ran, to his surprise but she still smiled as if she wasn't worried about something.
"D-Daijobu ka?"
"Hehehe…" [twitch…twitch…]
"Kimi?"
Her heart was pounding and she was starting to sweat. She was looking at his room, just to evade his curious glances.
"Oi, what's wrong?"
"No-nothing!"
Finally, she decides to sit next to Ran; however, she really can't relax. Ran looked at her clammy hands. She tried to hide her face in the dim room but Ran was following her every move.
"Kimi, you're weird."
Looking up at him, she saw Ran's arched brow and his arms flat on the bed for support.
"I- er-… well… weird?!"
"Ha!"
To make things worst, Ran made his all time favorite maneuver on her - - a hug.
Ran, as we all know, never showed his sweet side ever since he joined Weiss. But when she came, every single one of them relived their childhood memories with her and to think that the icy cold leader bent down to her level of childishness too.
[hug] "Ne, how's school?"
[swaeting] "Er-… good."
[hugs tighter] "You're grades?" [smile]
[totally perspiring] "Ahh… perfect."
"Kimi, why are you so stiff? Are you uncomfortable? Here… move closer." [pulls her, to her dread]
She just couldn't help but blush as she felt Ran's chin on her shoulder and his arms were all around her waist, groping her into a tighter hug. But then a question entered her mind… " If I tell Ran-nii, then all of these will end? Then what if… I ask him about the situation then?" Kimi looked at Ran by means of looking sideways. Giving him a light peck on his right cheek, she broke free from his hug and faced him.
"Ran-nii, I have a question. Is it okay?"
"Sure." [smile]
"Here, a situation: I have a crush [Ran's eyes stared at her] in school… yah, in school. And well, he-…"
"What's the boy's name?" [crosses his arms on his chest]
"Er-… Sam! Yeah… well, that's his nickname…anyway…" [swaetdrop]
"I'm listening, go on."
"My friends are teasing me about saying the truth to him but [imagines Yoji and the rest] Sam's really sweet and kawaii to me… I'm afraid that if I tell him, we're going to be-… you know… he might ignore me because he feels uncomfortable already."
[thinks] "Kimi, don't you think you're overreacting?"
"Eh? How?"
"See, if Sam is good to you, then you have to see first or rather, make sure that he likes you for being a friend… or he want you to be more than friends, get me?"
"Hai…demo-…"
"…demo?" ("…but?")
Kimi looked up at the room's ceiling. She can't think of an excuse or more stories to tell Ran just to sway the thought and hear an answer from him.
"Ah, I get your woe."
"Ne, you- you do, Ran-nii?" [sweatdrop]
"Yes. You're afraid that when you ask him, you'll get the answer you want, right?"
She was struck! It was as if Ran knew that she was talking about him.
"You… you're correct." [head shot down]
"Kimi-chan… what will be wrong with that? don't you think it's perfect if you get the right answer from him?"
"Oi, Ran-nii… if he answers my question correctly, I'LL BE the one who'll feel uncomfortable because… because… see, I won't be able to be cute with him or act sweetly with him anymore because our relationship stepped up to a whole new level."
Ran paused and took her words into consideration. He suddenly lied down on the bed and gave a short chuckle.
"Ne, ne, what's so funny now, Ran-nii?"
"Kimi, lie down here, will you?"
"Ah, okay." [so she did]
"Look, look at the flat ceiling. What's the color?"
"Er-…white…?"
"Ah! But right about NOW, what's the color?"
"Beige?"
"True. Just like your concern, imouto."
"Er- don't get it…" [looks at him]
[still looking at the ceiling] "Miamatsu, if he really likes you, his intentions, let's compare it to the color white… when that white turns to beige, it doesn't mean that his intentions changed thoroughly. It just shows that he changed a little because face it… the only permanent thing/event that occurs here is change. So see, beige…if you tell him and he responded accordingly, then both of you will have another relationship but the friendship -white- will always be there."
"Still Ran-nii… tomorrow morning, that beige will be white again… and beige only shows when it's dark already… what if he also fluctuates like that?"
"You told me you like him… and if he likes you too, that beige and that white will blend in perfectly." [smile]
"So, you're saying that I should tell him… what I feel about him?" [blush]
[looks at her intently] "If you think your own white and beige is perfectly mixed inside you, then why not?" [smile]
She was stunned, but her heart was now complacent. She never thought that the same boy would help her with her problems but now, she thinks that Ran's 'white' was only for the benefit of their brother-sister relationship. And her 'white' and 'beige'… was of course, not perfectly blended.
"Domo arigatou, Seki-niichan." [grins]
"Ha! How'd you know that?" [archs a brow]
"D' Ja Ai told me." [winks]
"Ah, Austria-sensei. I'm really impressed with her story about you, Cymric."
"It was part of Manx's training so… I guess I was intrigued and I just let out my curiosity."
"Good for you, imouto. Oh and by the way…"
"Eh?"
"Have more patience with the 'Yoji-niichan' thing, mkay?"
[saddens] "Oh, yah… I-…"
"Yoji pouts whenever he hears it. he doesn't like it too."
"But it just shows that he's not proud of me, Ran-nii! He's not proud that his daughter is 6 years younger than him."
"…because it's not possible."
"I know… but why can't he make up some story…"
"Honey, he's taking it step by step. Don't worry, Yoji'll make it."
"Ha! Hopefully… well, ja matta, Ran-nii! I have to finish my art project. And thanks again, ne?" [smile]
"Hai. Gambatte ne?" ("Yes. Good luck, ne?")
"Yappers!" [runs out of the room]
Silence was his visitor, now that the teenager got out. But it made him think more… about her story about the 'Sam' guy… but he shrugged the thought and averted his mind to Yoji.
"Oi, Kudou… you're daughter will never forgive you if you continue this fraud situation."
----------------------------------
"Ah, I see you're back."
It was almost past 6 p.m. when Shuldich came back to their apartment. Not to mention he was-…
"… drunk? You're drunk?! Ha! Is this your solution to find the answers you want, Guilty?" [puts down glasses and clutches his nose bridge]
"You know very well that I went to see the supposedly 'kid', Crawford."
"Did you get your answers then?"
"You know the answer!" [tuned]
"If you won't start acting nice, Guilty… I might as well not say anything you want to hear."
"Try doing that and we'll all be screwed, Bradley."
"Don't call me by my real name!"
"Don't call me by the English translation of my name!"
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
"HEY!"
Brad and Shu's head turned towards the main door, only to see Farf in their midst… bleeding, of course.
"If you two will brat again about almost itsy-bitsy thing, mind doing it in the morning while I blend my hand so that I WON'T HEAR IT?!" [licks bleeding arm]
"Go back to your ro-… er, chamber, Farfarello."
"No."
"I beg your pardon?"
"I said I won't almighty leader… [sarcastic] not until you two brat-beaked humans shut up."
"Fine, fine… Farf. I'll go up my room. See yah!"
"Thank you, Shuldich. And you?"
"Hn."
"Suits me fine." [goes down his chamber]
~ "Brad, hear me?" ~
~ "No need to use that on me, Gu-… Shuldich. I'm coming up there."
~
~ "Ayt!" ~
And so he did. one knock on Shu's door meant that 'the cost is clear'. Second knock means 'let me in now.', and the third is a personalized knock made by each one to signify their persona.
"Okay, spill."
"Ehem… will you not let me in first?"
"Oh, oops… sorry."
Crawford sat on Shu's desk armchair as he fancied himself with the room.
"Never thought you like 'pink' Shuldich."
"Tsk… shut up and stick with the topic. Now spill. What's with Kimi from the very beginning? And yes, you already told me she's a disaster… why?"
*sigh* "You and your bloody mind! Well anyway, see here. After the mission for Dr. Ashton, my powers acted up to level 4 already. I knew it was late, but at least it still came."
"Yes, I'm listening." [sits on the bed]
"Then I had all these visions…however, there was something different."
Crawford relaxed on the chair and closed his eyes.
"Shu, when you start seeing blurry objects, wake me up, okay?"
"Crawford-…"
"Just answer me, okay? wake me up, okay?"
"Yes."
"Okay… braise yourself."
Without warning, the Crawford sitting on the chair collapsed. Shuldich almost went up to him but then he terminated his idea when another Crawford was now standing in front of him.
"Whatthefu-… astral projection?!"
"Good! Yes, I do think this is astral projection. But then… see, after I see you I will get blurry…"
"Which means?"
"I'll get transferred to the future, courtesy of my fortune-telling ability."
An instant after he said that, Crawford's astral projected body started to blur.
"Shuldich! Wake me up! The future… I'm not permitted to see it! Hurry!"
Shu, with his superb agility, slapped Crawford's face at once.
"Ah… ouch! Damn you! That was a revenge!"
"Er… believe it or not.. I panicked, Brad. So wow… tell me about this! This is your new thing?!"
"Yes. Well, the worse part is, I had this when we came out from that building. You thought I was asleep but I wasn't."
"Ne, why didn't I see you back then?"
"Because astral projected beings can only be seen by level 3 and higher. You were not yet level 3 at that time and Nagi, being level 6-…"
"WHAT?! HE'S LEVEL 6 ALREADY?!"
"Er-…yes. Anyway, Nagi was also out cold, right? [Shu nods] So there… I was shouting… but no one heard. I saw the burning building… then suddenly, everything went hazy, then I saw myself inside the building again... showing me that Yoji got a clone from one of the tubes…and Weiss was waiting for him outside."
"Cool… as if you were really there, ne?"
"Actually, I was really there to witness it all happen… but then-…"
"Oh please! Don't make me panic again! You have another power?!"
"NO! [grim look] … I was transferred in this place where there was a very big riot. Weiss' Fujimiya, Hidaka, Kudou and Tsukiyono were crying their hearts out. To think that when I saw that, I thought that we won over them and we took something very valuable from them… say, Kimi, perhaps?"
"…but?"
"But when I tried to step forward, I seem to have stepped on something… but when I looked at it, it was a someone."
"…and?" [almost a whisper]
"See, an oracle/seer cannot foretell his/her own death. But I know that can never deceive my own eyes when I saw my OWN dead body lying on the ground." [looks up the ceiling]
"So… what did you do next? Were you transferred to another dimension or stuff?"
"No… but I sure did scream."
"Uh?"
"Shu, maybe that's the worst fate a person could see… or feel… what would you feel if you see your own body lying on the ground… ugly, cold, lifeless… and you see your eyes full of fright and surrender? Yes… maybe that's what triggered me. Surrender…submission… I saw it, Shuldich! Before I died, I submitted myself to surrender! And who… who would do that kind of thing? What was that fight that I dreaded?"
"…Crawford, look. You saw that because we can reverse the situation, right?"
"Wrong. [stands up] astral projection makes a person go to designated places that could tell him what'll happen. But since I'm an oracle, astral projection means a different thing."
"Which is?"
"…it permits me to see reality. If prophecies aren't accurate, astral projection makes it accurate."
"Isn't that the most powerful combination as an oracle, Crawford?"
"Yes… indeed I was given the most powerful combination. However…" [looks at Shuldich then smiles]
"…that accuracy includes my fate. In return for that beautiful combination of authority, my death will always haunt me. It is sealed with it… and it never fails."
"Bu-bu-but… why is my fate with it too?"
"Simple, Shuldich… you are a part of this. Same goes for Farfarello and Nagi… but by that time, Nagi is nowhere to be found. Maybe I already sent him to Russia for training."
Shuldich had mixed emotions inside him. He felt bitter that he was still going to die in that mission, perplexed that Kimi could do all these, depressed that he'll never be able to hit anyone who makes life harder for Nagi, and of course, guilty… guilty that he never imagined that to be in Crawford's place was a bitch.
"Crawford I-…"
"…and Kimi. When I finally came back to my body, still asleep though, mind you… I felt this sudden urge to get her! Just crush her while I still have time."
"But you just said that the prophecies were accurate now."
"That's why! If I kill her now, then I could wait for another death that would be suitable! In short, save me another dead, save you and Farf from dying with that abomination, and save Nagi's life for more frailties."
"…Nagi. Ah! So why did you wait for her to grow older-…"
"There! I was late in reviewing her data. So when I finally realized that Yoji Kudou did make her his daughter, and she has a DNA combination, which could make her age a year in one week, I just had to finish her."
"You wanted the humanizing pill, Brad! What's up with that?"
"The monster I saw in our midst was a teenager went ballistic, Mastermind…not a full grown woman. So there, if I got my hands on the pill, then they can never make her stop aging."
"er- earth to Crawford! They can just prepare another batch of pill, duh!"
"Ehem, asswipe. You think I was about to return the child to them? Of course not! I was going to kill her too! But aha! You… you made it impossible."
"I'm sorry! She was adorable! Admit it! you were afraid to kill her." [smirk]
"Shut-up, Shuldich."
"Ha! Well, anyway… then what now?"
"Simple, Shuldich. The girl must die." [sits on the chair again]
"Die? As in… you are really going to kill…[gulp] her?"
"Ah, what is it with you, sir! Have you been listening that SHE is the DEVIL worse than Takatori's golf clubs?! She will KILL ALL OF US!"
"Look, fine.. [shivers at the thought of Takatori's golf clubs] I'll make you a deal, can you return to that vision again? Maybe this time, I could join."
"What?"
"As in… I'll enter your mind then we can both go freaky searching in that situation. Because Crawford, you might have this all wrong."
"…explain yourself." [crosses legs and puts both hands under his chin]
"See, you just saw her in the middle of a fierce situation where in Weiss was down-hearted, we were all dead hey! Get it? What happens when a person gets pissed?"
"Hmm… bolt up?"
"Precisely! See, there must've been something that ticked her off." [nods at Crawford]
"You… have a point. But my visions flashes once and never again."
"Eh? You had a dream that ran for more than a week!"
"Yes, but now that I could also be a celestial figure, I walk the path of the visions as if I was there that is why it flashes once because it is made sure that I remember it, get it?"
"…yah. So you cannot go back?"
"There is… a way though."
"Well?"
"You, my dearest. It's you."
"Eh?! Alone?"
"Yes. If you want to know it that badly… enter my mind and see for yourself. Search that situation then see for yourself."
"Bu-but…"
"You're scared, aren't you?"
"…duh!"
"Ha! If it's any consolation, I didn't see your body."
"That's what scares me more, actually. Maybe it was chopped up… scattered and stuff."
[almost at his door] "So, see Shu… strengthen yourself up."
"How? Now, I don't really want my powers to level up!"
"If you level up, Mastermind… you will be able to control… even your fear. Same goes for me." [goes out the door]
"Ne, then why were you able to astral project when a while ago?"
"Because I wanted to show it, Shuldich. I wanted to feel it again… but the future in which I should've transferred to… it might have been another shock of a lifetime."
"So you were also scared…"
"Oh yes. I didn't want to see the future with astral journey. It still freaks me out but… I really want to try it on Weiss. Let's see how Fujimiya will be able to beat me. Che!" [grins and goes down the stairs]
He lied down on his bed with his eyes shut. He really had know idea on how he should take all of what Crawford just said. In addition to that, his sentiments about everyone in the team disturbed him. And even as warm tears shot out from him eyes now, he still kept on thinking and thinking and imagining… life without everyone.
"Why… why her?"
Shu turned his head sideward and saw bright strands of Mandarin-colored hair. He touched it as if he wasn't born with such deep orange locks… and immediately, he recalled Kimi's eyes.
"You… will kill me? A child… will kill me? Preposterous!"
He waved his hair away from him, enchanted by the way it followed him… as to the disappearance of Kimi's image in his mind.
"Shuldich?"
His head shot up and saw Nagi on his door, as if reliving the morning's scenario.
"Ay kiddo! How'd your exam go?"
"Fine… 3 mistakes out of a hundred… [Shu winked] so, why are you crying? Something wrong?"
"No… I mean… yah, nothing's wrong. I was just… thinking."
"Aw… whenever you think, you tear up, Shu?" [grin]
"Ha! Shaddap! You… sleep now, or else Crawford will really scold you again." [laugh]
Nagi didn't reply. He also didn't move… instead, he floated himself, went over to Shuldich and gave him something that made him honored.
"Here. I just got the news today, so well… I hope you keep it, Shu."
In the youth's hand was a silver medal. Carved in the middle of it was a Nihon-go kana character. Shuldich looked at Nagi, the boy looked back with a grin.
"Er-… I don't understand it, Nagi… it's Japanese. Hehehe…"
"Oh… oops! Sorry! Hehe… I gave my diploma to Crawford, I think he's going to frame it tomorrow. And I gave my graduating pin to Farfarello… er- I guess he pinned it to his skin…he said he won't take it off.. ewww." [Shu laughed]
"So… this is because?" [arches a brow]
"Oh, I'm the Salutatorian. Apparently, my batch graduated last month while we were out for a little 'fun.' I should've been the Valedictorian but then my absences were really high so I got beaten by that."
"Nagi! You little devil! Congratulations! I'm so proud of you!!!"
Shuldich single handedly grabbed the boy and squeezed him into a tight hug. In return, Nagi hugged his so-called 'older brother'.
"Ne, this medal should've been placed on me by one of you so… here."
Instead of making Shu put the medal on him, he levitated the medal and placed it on Shuldich instead. Shu gave him a wink and a toothy grin as Nagi bowed down to him and floated his way to his room.
And now, while looking at the silver medal, Shu started to contemplate about everything again. But now, his eyes were full of passion… passion for life.
"Nagi… will live and I'll be there to see him."
Once again, he got hold of a few hair from the side of his forehead. With the use of his mind, he blew those pieces of hair into oblivion, leaving him a pleasant, sexy side bangs.
"Well now, Kimi-chan… if death will eat us wholly… [clutches medal] then I'm not letting you live either."
----------------------------------
TBC
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{*} = If you have watched Weiss Kreuz Gluhen, Nagi did become a leader for a group. But that certain group was not connected to Kritiker or Estet or Rosenkreuz etc... and I'm not sure whether it was a Russian or a German group. But he looked just like Trowa Barton ahaha!!! c",)
{*} = Mastermind is Shuldich's codename. Oracle - Brad Crawford, Prodigy - Nagi Naoe and Berserk[er] - Farfarello
Next on: "Getting A Life"
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"Shuldich… you're… I've met you, haven't I?" [scared]
"Yes dear… and I guess I'll be seeing you in the afterlife too." [strikes with a knife at hand]
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