A/N: Hello! Hehehe… alright! Another day, another fic so let's start! Okay, Schuldich's sexual tendencies are ehem… his to keep and for me to exploit nyaknyak! Just kidding… but hey! A 15-year-old girl especially Kimi, isn't actually THAT innocent well, hello! Who's her father? Who? Of course! Resident playboy himself. So see the point? Ayt! Good! Just a note demo hai! Let us begin, shall we?
IMPORTANT NOTE: I will not be able to narrate or add part #3 (Kimi's Capabilities) anymore because the story had a slight twist. So, chapter 12 will include part #3, which should've inserted here in chapter 11. Sorry!
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Getting A Life 11 BunjyGuMBoy
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"Honey, wake up dear…Kimi, please wake up now. It's almost lunch time!"
To Yoji, her unusual behavior was not irritating… it was alarming.
"W-What…" [groggy]
"Baby, sit upright will yeh?" [helps her sit down]
"Toosan, [yawns] what time is it?" [rubs eyes]
"I said, it's almost lunch time! What went wrong with you last night, huh? [eyes her and waves a finger like a mother] I told you to sleep early! Remember what I said? BEFORE 10! Or exactly 10 p.m.! Kimi… Kimi! You're not listening to me! Tsk, tsk, tsk! You're sleep is valuable for it regenerates and rejuvenates you're-… STOP RUBBING YOUR EYES!"
Yoji sat down on her bed and caught both her hands.
"Were you even listening to a word I said?"
Kimi was actually hearing 'BLAH…BLAH' all over as her father spoke.
[glare] "Yes, dad. I was listening. First, rejuvenate and regenerate is the same. Second, I DID sleep before 10 p.m. Third, don't wave your finger while one hand is on your waist…not unless you want me to call you Kaasan-Toosan. [Yoji glares back] And lastly, [glares harder] why are YOU in your mission clothes… STILL in your mission clothes?"
[icy glare] "FIRST, who told you to have the right to glare at me? SECOND, Kaasan-Toosan is…[shrugs] not such a bad idea. THIRD, if you slept before 10, then I think you're SICK, my dear. AND LASTLY, we just got-…rather, I just got home this morning."
Yoji stood up, poked a cigar from his pocket, got it and lit it. To his surprise, Kimi didn't grab it from him even before…
"Toosan… smoke near the window, will you?"
"Uh… you-… won't stop me?"
"Ha! I saw it." [grins]
"Saw what?" [puff…]
"Your eyes, papa. You have a major problem and you don't wanna share it because it has ME in it. I'm your problem… again."
The girl stood up, got on her slippers and went straight to her bathroom… banging the door. Yoji looked at bed then silently averting his eyes towards the bathroom door.
"Damn. I forgot…"
Yoji moved towards the bed, flipped the sheets and… sighed.
"I thought it's THAT time of the month. Ah, chotto matte!"
After his hypothesis, he just had to sit on the bed but knowing Yoji, he can't sit still. He was trying to wait patiently for her, however he couldn't.
"Kimi, please come out there! Baby, come on! I'm not… mad or angry or anything! Honey please! You are not my problem!"
[from inside] "Yah right, dad! As if…" [pouts]
"Kimi Kudou! How many times should I tell you NEVER use your 'as ifs' when talking with me!"
"Then here! WHATEVER!!!" [sniffs]
"Kimi! Come out, NOW!"
His arms folded on his chest, a foot tapping and his eyes in a fixed stare; Yoji was seriously pissed.
"Kudou…"
"Not now, Fujimiya. I'm trying… [kicks bathroom door] to make [POUND! POUND!] her get [POUND! KICK! POUND!] out of there!!!"
[] "Can I… try?"
"Ha! Suit yourself!" [gets another cigar]
Ran paused, looked at Yoji then knocked on the door three times.
"Kimi, what's wrong?"
"Don't wanna talk. And I ain't bein' a bitch!" [kicks door from inside]
"Ah! [glares at Yoji] You really have to straighten your tongue when you're speaking in English...look at what she's learning from you."
"CHÉ! Whu'eveh Ran… whu'eveh."
"Tsk. [Looks back at door] Kimi, come out here please. We need a word with you."
"No."
"Just me and Yoji, come on."
"No."
"I won't feed you if you don't come out."
"I'll buy my own food, thank you very much."
"Miamatsu… [glares and uses a cruel voice] I'll strangle your dolls if you won't come out."
"You gave them to me… you're like wasting your money if you 'kill' ALL of them."
Yoji snorted while Ran kept his glaring eyes on the door.
"Fine. Then I just have to settle with getting your PINK diary and start reading it in front of Ken, Omi and Yoji… that is, if you don't come out."
Yoji's eyes widened, which similarly happened to his kid inside the bathroom.
[smirks] "With that kind of expression, Yoji… I think I won, ne?" [arches a brow]
The door made a clicking sound from inside, signifying that it was unlocked already.
[from inside] "Fine… open it."
"Uh, Yoji? Would you like to…"
"Yah, thanks Ran."
He walked towards the door and opened it gently.
"Ki-Kimi?"
All her clothes were on the floor; she was inside the tub.
"How did you… open the door, dear?"
"Using THAT." [points to the back scrubber]
"Ah… I see."
He knelt down to meet her eyes.
"You cried?"
[nods a no]
"Honey… I don't hate you."
"I didn't say you hate me." [averts her gaze to the soap]
"Yes but I know that that's what you're thinking, Kimi. Hey girl, look. [ sits beside the tub even though it was wet] Playing the role of a father is a serious, 24/7 job. And see, I enjoy being your dad! And mind you, I'm also not playing the role… I AM the role. I'm like the founder. [faces her] Kimi, do you think I'm a lousy Otoosan?" [smiles]
[sniffs] "N-no… pa, you're not a lousy dad." [cries a little]
[smiles] "Then what's all this, now, honey?" [holds her wet face]
"Toosan… [smile] who am I? [tears] If…if you're really enjoying being my dad, then why is it that I'm always the problem? [sniff] Why do I-… he-… he said-…"
[holds her face with both hands] "Whoa, whoa, shhh… baby… have you seen any parent who doesn't regard their children as part of their gifts? And having a gift… has it's ups and downs, dear. You are a very special GIFT to me because you are mine. [sits on the rim of the tub and hugs her head] You are the one person, which makes my life complete. Ran, Omi, Ken, Manx, Birman, Aya, Sakura all of them! They will always be my friends but you… [looks at her eyes] YOU will ALWAYS be my Kimi. And hey, you do know that you're special, ne? Very, very, very, very, very special." {}
Yoji looked at Kimi's sparkling eyes and he knew instantly that everything was alright now. But…
"Honey, hold on… you said a while ago, 'he said'… who's he?"
There it was again. Can't help but say the truth for Yoji will always see truth.
"S-…Schu…"
"Ah… sou…"
She was confused! Yoji didn't even react when he heard his name.
"T-Toosan, di-did you hear me?"
"Hai. Loud and clear. You said Schu… Schuldich, ne?"
[eyes him] "Ye-yes bu-…"
"It's okay Kimi… ahm…I'll explain...rather, we'll explain later. [looks at time] If you're done taking a bath, let's eat ne? You and me, coz I'm starved!" [smiles]
Apparently, Ran was at the door the whole time.
"Uh, Ranners! What's for lunch?" [grins]
"Eh? Oh… Omi and Ken bought some stuff."
"Ken-nii? Ken-nii's home?!" [smiles widely]
"Yes dear but still… be very, very cautious of what you say to him. He still is… you know."
"Hai."
"Okay! Now don't forget to scrub very well! [winks] Ne, Ran! Let's… meet the food, ne?"
"Uh… Kudou! Fine…"
Yoji and Ran started walking out but Yoji just had a thought that Kimi might want to know.
"Psst! [whispers] Did you really imagine Ran holding your PINK diary and grinning from ear to ear?"
Kimi blushed as she gestured to throw the soap at Yoji if he doesn't go out.
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"Ne, Ran! Did you really… you know… know?"
"Kudou, straighten that tongue will you?! You sounded senseless!"
"Gee, ice queen! [smirks] You know! You knew about a PINK diary… her pink diary did you ever-…"
"I gave her the diary. Just like what I gave to Aya on her 14th birthday…" [bitter look]
"Ah… okay. But did you really… I mean, ever plan on-…" [starts opening the wrapped food]
"I have read my sister's diary once… [blush] do you remember the small scar I have in my knee?"
"Er-yah! So?" [starts getting the chopsticks]
"She chased me while I still had the diary. And when she got me, she made kneel on a muddy pond… where toosan dumps all the broken nails."
[#] "Are you saying-…"
"Yes, Kudou. I do not want THAT to happen to me again…[gulps] even as a trained assassin now, I don't want to hurt Kimi."
"…or see her HURTING you." [grins, Ran scowls]
"Oy, oy! You two! Can we eat now! I'm starving, goodness sake!"
"Well, Ken… you have to wait." [sticks out tongue]
"No fair, Yoji! I bought the food with my money!"
"That's because you just got here so… you're the man!" [winks]
"Shut up, Yoji! [looks at clock] Chotto, is Kimi planning to be a prune?! She's been in the tub for almost 1 hour now!"
"Hidaka… she'll get her ass down here if she wants to." [gets bowl]
"Fujimiya, Ran! [points at him] Did you just say ass?!!!"
"Gee, Ken… my bad." [glares]
"KEN-NII!!!!!"
Ken looked from behind and saw Kimi with one of her grins and her arms wide open.
"Kimi!" [runs towards her and hugs her]
"Oniichan! I missed you!"
"Oy, same here, girl! Same here…"
"Alright! Let's eat!" [ties his hair]
"Er- toosan… don't use that rubber band for your hair!"
"Oy, Kimi! I want food! No hair thingies as of now, ne? ITADAKIMASU!!!"
[ALL] "Itadakimasu!!!"
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[Weiss Meeting room; 3:20 pm]
"Well, do you even have a plan, Ran?"
"I'm not…actually sure." [closes his eyes]
"You mean to tell me that… you're agreeing with Schw-…"
"Yoji, if ever we have to help or cooperate with them, I will shred Crawford to pieces first." [glares in no particular direction]
"…Schuldich… he will pay." [breathes deeply while holding his wire]
"Ay guys… I may not have been there but I seem to observe that THIS is very…very serious?"
"Ken, it's more that serious… I don't even know how to start this."
"But Ran! I thought it was between Weiss and Schwartz!"
"Hidaka, I'm not promoting anything here but Crawford, as an Oracle…he cannot even stop what's about to come. Sure, he has foreseen it. But he doesn't know how to stop it… and this time, I really don't want to be part of them but I do think we have to cooperate and-…shit!" [punches the cushion]
For Yoji, Ken and Omi, seeing their leader do things repulsively and say violently was out of the question.
"Ran-kun! Calm down! We can settle this. I'm…I'm not gonna see another girl die! Ouka died for me! Kimi will-…"
"Oh shit… please don't tell me that-…"
Ken looked at Omi to Ran then to Yoji's lowered head as he said this…
"She's… is it meant to be? We really have to give her to Schwartz?"
"No."
"But Yoji, Omi just-…"
"No matter what happens, my daughter will not be for Schwartz to handle."
"Ran! What are we going to do?"
"Ken, giving her to Schwartz is the LEAST of our situation here."
"WHAT?!" [stands up]
"Calm down, Ken-kun!"
"Omi! Yoji! Ran! I have the right to know!"
"Ken… [sighs and looks at him in a none glaring way] are you up to it?"
"Fujimiya, as long as it's risking someone else's life, I'm on it."
Ran looked at Yoji as if to find some reassurance.
"Kudou, shall I start?"
"Yes."
"Omi?"
"Go ahead, Ran-kun."
"The place was a building. Should've been more descent but Crawford opted for the 'simple' place. The rule was to each his own; counterparts speak with each other. One on one; one chair from our side…one chair for them. Two will stand behind the ones seated…no one has to right to butt in. Each member was given 1 hour or less to speak up to his counterpart. And since you were not around, I was given the go signal to handle Crawford and give Nagi to Yoji. [looks at Omi] Omi wanted to face Farfarello… to give him a piece of his mind." [Omi's eyes became bitter]
"That was our plan… the first plan was me and Nagi and Farfarello and Yoji-kun."
"Wait… where was Schuldich?"
"He was dispatched by Crawford, Ken-kun…so we've heard."
"Okay…. so then, um-…what's the catch?"
Ran closed his eyes… remembering each detail…
[FLASHBACK: Weiss and Schwartz meeting]
(RAN'S POV)
Dim lights were scattered all over the ruined edifice; Crawford was already seated at the other end of the wooden table. Usual… he was wearing his business suit. I looked at each corner, just to be sure.
"No need to be hasty and aggravated, Fujimiya. We are all alone just as how we informed Kritiker."
No shit, of course he knew what I was about to-… wait a minute. Mastermind was the one who could read minds.
"I've seen this… but you, Fujimiya… said it all out loud. This setting is different."
I really didn't bite back to that but I kept on walking… Yoji by my left and Omi by my right.
"Welcome. Please… both leaders shall start with this."
I sat the chair… apprehensive as I felt like shifting, but just didn't. I glanced at Yoji… he was looking straight at Prodigy. I looked at Omi, and I saw his sharp eyes piercing towards Farfarello's sadistic ones.
"One moment, please. Since you lack one member, and the same goes for us. I would like Balinese to face Bombay's counterpart. As Bombay faces Siberian's counterpart."
Crawford looked at me eagerly as he gave a courteous nod to my petition.
"Well then, shall we start?"
I gave him a nod…and so he did start.
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(OMI'S POV)
As we entered the whole place, I knew that I was going to see his face again. Even if Ken-kun's his opponent most of the time, I really want to kill him by myself.
"Ouka…"
Oops! I think Yoji-kun heard me!
"Hey, chibi… if you really want to tick him off, I'll switch places with you, whadda'ya say?"
"Uh… Yoji-kun!"
[grins] "I'll take that as a yes."
Wow… [sighs] mental note: thank Yoji if I get to tick Farfarello off anyway… okay! We're here…
[walks and stays on Ran's right]
Damn that Farfarello… I will get my hands on you… someday, freak!
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(YOJI'S POV)
Okay, what the hell… Ran and Omi really did wait for me! I told them to start without me… but guess, Ran's 'politeness' stuck with him again… hmm… Kimi's sleeping now [checks watch] and I do hope she's dreaming… and not worrying!
Eh? Omi said… 'Ouka?' [grins] Get it!
After Omi and Yoji's talk, he looks straight and finds Crawford seated already.
Gee shit! Wooden tables and chairs! Is this a council meeting?! Talk about formality from both sides of killers! Guess that's what you get from a prim and proper leader, ne? [looks at Ran…but he was serious]
Okay…. Nagi… I'm looking at you… because… [noticed that Ran looked at him] ah yes… I remember that little first kiss you had, hehe… nice! {}
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[The real meeting begins…]
"Mr. Fujimiya, I take it that you have no information about the topic for this meeting."
"Nor the reason behind the meeting, Mr. Crawford."
"Ah yes… [looks at Nagi from behind] well then. I shall start by asking you… you have applied the humanizing pill to clone 1202? Yes?"
[glares] "The humanizing pill has been activated after you have taken her so that seems to be an applicable reason as to why we do not call her by her clone name but by her given name, which is… familiar [glares again] to all of you, I presume?"
[twitch] "Why yes. Kudou, Kimi Miamatsu." [looks at Yoji who was… … … smiling]
"Well then, what is it with Kimi?"
[puts elbows on table as he clasped both hands] "I do not wish to be straightforward, but it seems I have no other reason to prolong this meeting."
Ran didn't move from where he was but his face showed more interest.
"Kimi Kudou must die."
Yoji's heart was at place but the rhythm was not. Omi eyed him as if to say, 'calm down!' but he wasn't being noticed by the older blonde.
Ran, on the other hand, was still using neither his perfect monotonic voice, even his eyes didn't avert nor his emotions changed.
"What is your reason behind this, Oracle?"
"I have foreseen the greatest abomination this world could've wished for."
Ran paused for Yoji's emotions were starting to heat up and flare right in their midst.
"I call for the next pair, if you do not mind."
Ran arched a brow and suggested for Balinese to continue… this time Crawford gave in almost automatically.
Nagi sat opposite Yoji.
"Kudou-san, I am not sorry for everything that Schwartz did to Weiss. But I feel for your confusion as of now."
"Nagi-kun… I do not need your compassion for my daughter will not give in to you."
"Yes…however, we are not acting for the Takatori clan [looks at Omi who suddenly glared] ever since Reiji died. We are still Schwartz for the sake of Rosenkreuz."
"I get that."
"Then now, I shall explain to you."
"Oh yes, please do." [serious]
[closes his eyes] "I would like to start by saying that Mastermind did not leave us…[choked] he was on a mission by himself. [opens eyes and looks at Crawford… he gives him a nod] We have supernatural powers and we need to level up. As of now, Weiss, I am the strongest one of Schwartz. [Yoji looked at him intently] And with that, Crawford's visions are not of foreseeing only… they are now reality."
"Astral Projection."
Nagi and Crawford exchanged glances.
"Don't be surprised, Schwartz. I was an ex-investigator. I know how you guys can level up, what powers and well… sometimes, Omi can translate and predict on when you will have it. [Crawford glared] We all know." [grins]
"Ve-very well, Kudou-san. Crawford-san saw the end of the world…that is the simple explanation as to why Kimi must die."
"Oh? Have you got any proof? She's human NOW. She cannot kill. She's not even a Weiss member, get me?"
"Yes, I do understand you…and your emotion toward this situation; however, Kudou-san. Reality is not something we can always mess with. Kimi still has her powers… I'm sure you are not that blind not to see some manifestations of her powers, right?"
"We cannot deny that, so yes. However, can't we all go back to that future and see what really ticked her off?"
"No, Kudou-san…Crawford's visions can be seen once, especially now that he's also in the situation."
[looks at Crawford then Omi and Ran]"Fine, fine. But hey, Naoe-san. Kimi was brought up to be a good woman. I will not let her do this to the whole human race…which includes us, your family…[smiles] Tot…"
Nagi's face was almost red and his eyes were starting to get filled by tears.
[stands up] "IF IT WAS UP TO ME TO KILL KIMI, I'LL DO IT!"
Yoji also stood up but he wasn't angry… he was alarmed.
"Schu-… I love him! He's like a brother to me! And-and… Crawford! He's like a dad to me! If they will die just because of that girl, I will not hesitate!"
"We both feel the same way for our loved ones, Nagi-kun… but our purpose will hurt each other. I will not hesitate too… if I have to die for my daughter… then so be it."
[cries] "She will die, Yoji-san. And I will see to it."
[moves closer to Nagi, Crawford was cautious…Ran too] "Each of us has been torn. Our future has been predicted by some so-called supernatural powers you [addressed to Crawford] possess. But cannot you think that there's more to it?"
"I do not understand, Kudou-san… and just a reminder, I'm your counterpart today."
"My apologies…however, to explain further, [sighs…looks at Omi and Ran then smiles] I took Kimi as a part of my responsibility because I know that I can change my life because of her. [looks at Nagi] Kid, you can do it too. [smiles] I'm trying to change who I am because she gave me the inspiration to do so. In return, she is being a wonderful person. Wait! [sees Nagi's scowl] I do not wish to interfere with the entire 'world-is-in-danger' thing here! Sure! Our point is to give justice… good deeds in our hands, etc… [serious again] but my daughter is being brought up…to be a good citizen. My life is all about change… but not for me. It's for her. [sighs] Gentlemen, how can a father like me, agree to the fact that I will give Kimi to some sort of freaky world for her to die? What will become of me? What kind of a man will I turn to be if I even once… think of that possibility…to kill MY OWN… MY ONLY daughter…"
"She's not yours, Kudou-san."
"Maybe not by blood… but by heart she is. And well, her DNA codes are mine now."
Nagi and the rest fell silent after all that was happening. To Crawford and Nagi… they were fighting for their 'family'… not caring for the world, actually. For Weiss… it was more of -of course- Kimi's situation and the burden they must handle for what she can do the world was shocking…"
"Shall…we [breathes] switch now. Last members of each team, please take your seats."
Yoji stood up and gave Omi a smile… but he didn't return it, to Yoji's alarm. Farfarello sat opposite him… his tongue licking his bleeding lips… apparently; he has been biting his lower lip since the meeting started.
"That brat will die. I won't let her kill Nagi or any of the two hot-headed jerks in our team."
"I will not allow you to kill the woman I love now…not again, jackass."
"Woman you love, ay? Young Mr. Takatori… if you pushed her to the side… Ms. Takatori would still be alive by now… [laughs hysterically] and you won't be suff-…
And there it was. Omi's hatred-filled eyes was not enough to put Farfarello down… and now, as his fist connected with Farfarello's face, Omi's eyes turned weaker but the determination to make Farf pay was still there… forever there.
"You slime bag! You killed my cousin!" [Yoji holding him back]
[licks blood] "Hihihi… cousin, ay? More like LOVER, ne?"
"I'll kill you…I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
"STOP THIS NONESENSE! We are here to discuss the present. Not the past!"
"Aw yeah Crawford! Like I care!"
"Omi, enough!"
Ran's majestic voice made Omi stop. Both Yoji and Omi's breathing was heavy…same goes for Crawford.
[sits down] "Is this the end of what you wish to say, Schwartz?"
"Actually, we're just about to-…"
"Oh no, Crawford. We're about to end. And I suggest you tell us your real point. It's very vague to tell us that YOU care about the world."
"Fujimiya… sometimes, I cannot tell whether you or Weiss is weird. However, you are correct. I don't care about the world… I care about us. US! Schwartz will succeed… as long as she's gone, we will remain… she lives, we die."
"Then let's get it over now. [unsheathes katana] Whoever lives? [Crawford nodded] Omi, Yoji…ready!"
"More than ever!" [eyes Farfarello as he gets his dart]
"Kid… you can change this… I'm telling you." [readies wire apprehensively]
"Don't tell me what to do, Balinese!"
"I'm not telling you… I have faith in you already." [smiles as he…attacks]
Weiss was attacking Schwartz… everyone was having fun indeed, however…
"How do you expect to win against 2 of me… Fujimiya?"
[cuts…grunts…cut..cut] "Shut-up!"
"AH!"
"Kudou-san…. I can do teleportation and attack you at the same time… do not continue anymor-…AH!"
"Nagi… stop this. You can-…"
"STOP TALKING TO ME!"
[throws darts all over] "DIE!!!!DIE!!DIE!!!!!!!"
However… Farfarello was not hurt at all, even if his body caught all the darts, which were thrown at him.
At full count, the fight lasted for 10 minutes before Nagi shielded the whole building… Schwartz side only. The 3 Weiss assassins were off and to their dismay; Crawford added a little teaser for them.
"Ah… Weiss… I must say, you guys are the biggest fools here!"
"We've been stalling you for 10 minutes now, yet you didn't notice."
"I pity the three of you."
Crawford was almost going to chuckle till he saw Ran smirking, Yoji whistling and Omi smiling a mischievous one.
"Now what?! Still ashamed to figure defeat?"
"Ayii… you guys were stalling us?! WE were stalling you!"
"It's Schuldich, right? Apparently… even if Crawford and Schuldich cannot get along, it's really stupid that one of our members and one of your members can get away so easily, ne?" [fixes wire]
[keeps katana] "Siberian's really on vacation… but he's home by now… and Schuldich can never…"
"Oh but he can, Fujimiya. [grins] I do think he already has."
[idles with one dart] "I don't think so, Crawford."
"Ah, young Takatori… [Omi almost threw the dart at him] what makes you so sure."
"Well I guess, you hav'ta ask me, right?"
Schuldich came from the main entrance of the building. His hair all messed up, suit a little dirty and his eyes… full of emotions he cannot even control.
"Schu-Schuldich!"
"Ay Nagi… Crawford… Farfarello."
[glares]"You're… on our side, Schuldich."
"What did you do to my daughter?!" [almost assaulting him]
"Whoa! Whoa! Nothing!!! Cool it will yah! Sonofa-…" [clutches his head]
"Schuldich… [licks his bloody hand] you're drunk."
"Go on… smite me for all I care!" [enters the shield Nagi made]
"We will meet again, Abyssinian… and that day, Kimi will have to face her death."
"Spare me the words, Oracle."
And with that, they left.
[END FLASHBACK]
"Uhm… okay… but I didn't get home till midnight, guys! You risked her?"
"In layman's term… yes, we risked Kimi."
"Yoji! Of all people, you agreed?!"
"Ken… Kimi can take care of herself. You've seen what she can do, ne?"
"Bu-bu-but…"
"Hidaka, she may be human NOW…but her strength did not deteriorate when the humanizing pill kicked in."
"Ran! I-… [Ken paused to think] Damnit! But how were you sure that Schuldich-…"
"See Ken-kun…Schuldich was the one reason why we got Kimi back when she was young."
"And you guys relied on THAT event?! Kimi was cute! Babyish cute when she was young!!! Hallur! EARTH TO YOU GUYS!!?!! She's not a CHILD anymore!!!"
"HIDAKA!"
"FUJIMIYA, RAN!"
"STOP IT!"
Yoji's voice echoed inside that small room… Ran and Ken wasn't used to Yoji getting upset so they really did shut-up.
"Ken, listen… Schuldich's my counterpart because of a basic thing. [eyes Ken] We like women."
"But Yoji! He had fun beating Sakura up when he used her to kill Ran!" [Ran's eyes softened]
"That's a different story, Ken! Sakura was-…"
"…also 15 or 16 years old when he did that!"
"SHE'S NOT SUPERHUMAN, KEN! That's my point." [fumbles back on the couch]
"But you were talking about the attraction, Yoji! You said 'women'! You were hoping that he'll just get attracted to Kimi and make him fall?!!"
"Ken, Yoji, this is pointless. Fine! We bargained with Kimi's life. In that way, Schwartz cannot tell that we were lying. But upon Schuldich's arrival, Yoji didn't get to hold himself and knocked off his cool."
"That's why I came home late… " [pushed his shades up]
"Ken-kun… if you were there with us, you had no choice but to play along… but since you were our excuse, Schwartz was really thinking it through. They thought you were there already… waiting for Schuldich."
"So when he came along… and Yoji lost his cool-…"
"Crawford and the rest saw through us. But when they looked at Schuldich's face… he also has his own story to tell… and thus, they fled."
"Jeepers… you guys are lousy, I tell you! [all made a grim face towards Ken] So how did Kimi react to this?"
"Er-… we are not going to tell her."
"EXCUSE ME, Ran?!"
"Ken, listen! Once she gets it, she won't stop reacting."
"What do you mean, Yoji?!"
"Kimi's a little er-…depressed now."
"And?"
"Dude, you're like adding insult to injury now!"
"Fine…shit…fine. But I'll never forgive myself for this!" [stares at Ran]
[stares back] "Same goes for the rest, Ken." [stands up along with the others]
------------------------------
Ken wasn't up to the fact that they had to tell another story to Kimi, but as they went up from the mission room, Kimi was at the door, smiling o so impishly.
"O-ok-okay now… don't scream…don't fight the tears…. Please say something, baby." [sweatdrop]
"Ki-Kimi… it's okay… whatever you've heard… we will explain it to you." [looks at Ran, Omi and Yoji]
"Actually, Ken-nii, otoosan… I've heard every single thing."
Ran paused, Yoji held his chest, Ken looked down and Omi frowned.
"Ne, why so sad?"
All four of them didn't want to look at her… guilt, pity, anger, love, patience, honesty, greed, revenge... all were mixed!
"Otoosan! Ran-nii! Ken-nii! Omi-nii! It's okay!"
"Kimi, come on! How can it be okay?! We were prepared to lie to you. We were going to hide everything from you! And now… now-…"
"Ken-nii, lying to me..is like, lying for me. My own strength, I should keep. However, it didn't stop from revolting it's not going to stop, actually. Because that's who I am…that's who I should have been, right?"
"Kimi, we just don't want you to react violently… we're actually afraid of what you can do."
"But Ran-nii! I was trained! [gets a nod from Yoji] Manx and Birman trained me to hold a gun! You taught me how to handle a sword… though I cannot perfect it, I-…I did prove my discipline, didn't I…Ran-nii! [Ran doesn't react] Abyssinian!"
Ran looked at her. Her eyes… there it goes again! The 'Kudou trademark' was all over her.
"Kodomo, anger can trigger anything. Sometimes, you get the feeling that you need to let go…and so there! We have to know what will make you burst in the end. However-…"
"…you..don't trust me?" [eyes Yoji]
"Kimi, I trust you. I've been giving you the biggest freedom a dad can give to his child and hey, Ran, Ken and Omi are hating me for that! But look…no matter what happens, you have to learn to control."
[nods]
"Kimi, even if you see anyone of us suffer or get hurt… you have to control. YOU MUST."
"Hai, Ran-nii."
"And never, ever be intimidated by anyone!"
"Yes, Ken-nii."
"I don't wanna lose anyone anymore, Kimi. [smiles] Even with my dying breathe, I will not give you to Schwartz or Rosenkreuz."
"Omi-nii…"
"…same goes for Kritiker or any other freak school!" [grabs soccer ball forcibly as if it was Kritiker]
"Ay! Yare-yare! [hugs Kimi] As long as you are here, no one can get you!"
[hugs Yoji back]
"Er- hate to be the sentimental-breaker but [grins] I've got a very interesting story to tell all of you."
"Ken, are…you sure you want to talk about your journey?"
"Ay! My mom was tough… dying alone and stuff… [eyes softened] but hey! She'll smack me right down if she sees me crying and all! Hehe… [no one laughed with him] Ay, guys… I'm okay now. I can't blame myself if she didn't want to get a check-up… I also forgot that my beautiful mother is also aging so… [no one still wanted to react] Oh stop it! I'm okay! Actually, my mother didn't die alone." [smiles solemnly]
"Ken-nii, what do you mean?"
"Aha! You had a step-dad, didn't you?! Ata boy!" [ruffles his hair]
"NO, Yoji. My mom didn't get married again…actually, she was never married."
"Okay… so what's the grinning all about, Ken?"
"Ran! I found something in meh mum's house! And I'm kinda freaked out coz well… it's a living thing but it's out of this world!"
"Hoooooooboy… let's see this." [flips red hair and sits beside Yoji]
"Okay. wait here guys…er- prepare yourself!"
Ken excitedly climbed up the stairs. Everyone heard him talking with his childish voice. Gently, he was picking something up from his bed and trying very hard to close his door with no sound at all.
[whispers] "Gee shit! He has a baby!"
"Aw, toosan! I hope it's not a clone anymore! At least we're really gonna have a baby around!"
[Ran started computing the added expenses while Omi listed the things a baby needs]
"Shhh…. Everyone! He's coming down!"
Ken was annoyingly slow as he went down the stairs. Added to that, he kept on peering from the last step as if he was playing hide and seek… but his face was serious.
"Hidaka, Ken! Get your ass do-…"
"Shhh! You're gonna wake it up, Ran! Hold your horses! Ne, ne… are you guys ready?" [smiles]
[ALL: YES!!!!!!!!!]
"Fine… here!"
[Ken looked at everyone]
[Everyone stared back]
[SILENCE…]
[Ken smiled]
[Everyone looked at each other… Sweatdrop]
"Hey now, c'mon! isn't it cute?!"
"Er-… are you talking about THAT pillow you're holding, Siberian?" [glares]
[puts shades on head] "I'm really not sure, Ken… I think you need a doctor."
[TRIES to smile] "Ah…it's fat Ken-nii." [sweatdrop]
"Ken-kun, as your best friend… I'm recommending the best psychiatrist we have here in Tokyo."
Ken's lower lip made its way into a pout as his eyes started to bubble and form into what some call, 'puppy eyes.'
"Oy for heaven's sake, Kenken! What's THAT?!"
[puppy eyes] "You promise not to call me stupid and weird?"
[doesn't know if he can glare] "We didn't call you we-… fine!"
[puppy eyes sniffing] "Promise not to scream and take it away from me?"
[All: "FINE!"]
[smile] "Yoshi! Chotto matte… hai!"
Ken hugged the pillow as tight as he could… soon, the pillow started to quiver in a very odd way.
"Holy cow…"
"Yoji, shh!"
The pillow stopped shaking.
"Okay guys…. Come closer!"
Ran was making Yoji go first… but he was really pushing Kimi first…in the end, Ken was the one who moved towards them.
"Now, as I've said… DO NOT SCREAM or FREAK OUT because once this baby cries, I'm gonna kick y'er asses!"
[ALL: "0.o nod…nod…"]
Ken took the pillow away from his chest and made it face Yoji, Ran, Omi and Kimi. The pillow suddenly opened its eyes [yes, it has eyes]; bubbly gold orbs were staring straight at them…with its fat face and blushing cheeks…
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
"Boo."
Though it spoke in a baby manner, Yoji freaked but forgot to scream, Ran's eyes were twitching, Omi didn't know whether to smile or frown, and Kimi…
"Boo-boo!"
"Mamow…"
The so-called 'pillow' slipped from Ken's arms… bounced on the floor and jumped on Kimi.
"Okay, holy shit! Whadahellizgoinonhere?!!!!!!!"
"Yoji, Yoji… calm down! Look at me! Calm down…"
"Getthatfuurrystuffouttamehdaughter uh-…"
And he faints.
"Lord almighty… how did he even become an assassin?"
"Aw, Boo-boo! I missed you!!!"
[clings] "Mamow."
"Why does she call you 'Mamow?' "
"I really don't know."
"Okay… I thought I had the explanation… but say, Kimi…explain. Now."
"Hehehe… is your mom's house near Doctor Ashton's factory?"
"Doc. Ashton? Factory? My mom's house is near a candy store."
"Well… then, YOU explain first." [cuddles Boo-boo]
"Yes, Ken. [dusted himself] Please DO explain."
"Yoji! Fine… see, it's like this…"
[FLASHBACK: Ken's journey]
"The following day after Schuldich's appearance, Manx spoke with me and told me that she wasn't going to make me leave Weiss just because of this. She wanted me to visit my place… just to get reflective and stuff. She offered me a private ride but I preferred a bus ride just to feel everything. I was thankful that I took the last bus ride… the night helped me cover my face as I cried…trying hard not to choke, though."
[Ran and the rest pouted]
"6 a.m. the following day, I arrived at my mother's house. A house I don't even remember…I was brought up in an orphanage. So there! I went inside the house…feeling a little dizzy, I tried my best not to ruin anything that reminded me of her… but I just sat there and cried all morning erm- till the afternoon. [sigh] Soon, I realized that I needed to do something… I went to the cemetery and stopped by my grandma's tomb, my uncle's then now… my mom. [sniffs] Gee, um… see, she was this type of woman who'd reserve and all that so…the last slot beside her tomb was for me. [Omi's eyes widened] You don't know how hard it was for me to not scrape the land with my bugnuks, jump on the slot beside my mom and bury myself alive… shit, man. it was so painful."
[Ken didn't get to cry because he saw Boo-boo listening…and his cute face made him smile instead]
"The care taker in that cemetery told me that when she was being buried, everyone in that place came to weep and mourn. So I asked, 'why?' and he said, 'many fell in love with her… her beauty was of gold and her heart was platinum.' I was touched with what he said. So then he continued, 'Boy, do you happen to know her son?' Since I didn't want any fuss I just said no. Then he said, 'Too bad! She wanted to give him this.' I saw my mother's journal… but since I lied, I didn't know how to get it from him."
"And then, Ken-nii?"
"Well, I think he noticed that I lied coz he said, 'Ken… you're her son, right? My… you've got your mother's good looks!' I didn't get to smile because I really didn't trust him however…'Son, don't you remember me?' I replied a no. 'Ken! It's me! Uncle Vince!'… that made me laugh!"
[Yoji arched a brow]
"See, Uncle Vince was the weirdest and not to mention youngest sibling of my mom. He was mentally retarded but he was very kind to one and all. My mother loved him very much. [smiled] Ah, so I started to hug him then he cried and made me all choked up to so we were just crying there and he was telling me how he was so pissed at my mom for not going to her doctor's appointments, check-ups, x-rays etc! I gave my mom a glare there. [Ran smiled] But there… everything was proven… she wasn't murdered or anything… she really had a heart failure and Doc. Austria was the first to know because she didn't show up for her monthly check-up… hehe."
"Boo…"
"Ah, yes! After a cup of tea with Uncle Vince, I went straight back to my mom's house and started reading the journal. I read everything! From the first page to the last… of course I had a whole box of Kleenex® beside me. [sniffs again] Ah, all her memorable times with me, the painful separation she had to make… she even had a note of how I was born and a picture of her 18 year-old self… with me… Markensaux {} hospital." [chokes]
"Ken-kun!"
"Ne, it's okay Omittchi! I'm okay… so, ah… yah…as I reached the middle, I found a very interesting entry she made. Ah, oh yeah! Boo-boo… [looks at the baby alien] can Ken-nii have my mom's diary, please." [smiles sweetly]
"Boo!"
He jumped from Kimi's lap, bounced towards Ken and took a small book from god-knows-where, then he bounced back to Kimi again.
"Thank you, Boo-boo. [smile; Ran and Yoji freaked] Okay! Here…where is it [flips through the book]… aha!"
Entry #28974
02 December 2001
I miss my Ken. 22 days to go, it's gonna be his er- I think, 20th birthday? Oh so sue me! A mother taken away from her son for so long cannot remember… whatever! Ah, yesterday, I had a lot of excitement… I think I made my heart upset again. I heeded my senses yesterday and found out that I was right all along! That chocolate store wasn't at all a chocolate shop! It was a factory of doom! A beast was running a dirty play there. Good thing I saved one of his experiments… though I'm afraid I'm too late. Ha! Ken's not the only one with adventure in his life!
"I don't get it, Ken."
"Matte, Yoji!"
… I happen to enter that shop yesterday morning because I was hearing a strange noise from inside it. Sure thing! The sign said 'CLOSED' but I just had to see! The nice man…the vendor...what was his name again? O yes, Mr. Ashton...ha! He was a dirt bag after all!
"Ashton?"
"Apparently, the Ashton who made Kimi has a brother… a freakazoid too!"
I slipped right into his lair! I found myself inside this big underground mess with lots and lots of machines and monstrous sounds! I was very careful not to get caught… I knew that something was fishy…it was about time for me to act on it my own way!
"Gee… now I know where you got that stubbornness."
"Shut-up, Ran!" [sticks tongue out]
…I heard some babies! My god, how awful! How can he do this! I saw him standing near one…I just had to save…even just that one, poor little one! So I did! Since I saw him all alone, I pushed him towards one of the machines…grabbed the baby he was holding and made my exit.
"Oh my god Ken! Why didn't you recommend your mother to join Crashers! {}"
"Grr! Anyway!"
Alas! Though I saved this baby, the experiment on him or her must have triggered already. That beast made the baby look like a human pillow! I will kill that man or rather… I'll call Ken to help me. Ah, my-…
"Why'd you stop, Ken-nii?"
[blush] "She's talking about me already… I don't wanna-…"
"Oh for Pete's sake, Kenken! We know how much your mom loves you! Go on!" [grins]
"I hate you Yoji…"
"Love yeh too, Kenken…" [gringrin]
… my baby-waby Ken. I wish that one day I can make him go back to my stomach and give birth to him all over again just to make it fun haha!"
[blushblushblush] "That's all there is."
[grins] "Yah right, Ken! Go on! We're not laughing!"
"Yoji! That's all!" [flushed]
[smirk…chuckle] "Hahahaha!!! Fine, suit yourself."
"Okay…okay… that's it. Well at the end, I finally found Boo-boo crying upstairs… I didn't get to freak out because I felt pity! Gee man! Those Ashton dudes like to play it hard. Poor baby… he was like-… pillow-ized!" [pouts]
"Oniichan, you said December 2001, right?"
"Yap, Kimi. That's the time my mom got Boo-boo."
"Ken, we killed Doc. Ashton, or rather…he killed himself just a few month ago."
"Ah! I get it Ran! in short, that Doc. Ashton is the same doctor Ashton!"
"Yes, Ken-nii and besides… I know Boo-boo."
"Ah, now… YOUR turn, kodomo. Explain your side." [everyone faced her]
"Well, otoosan… it's like this. For every clone that Ashton made, she will have a corresponding guardian"
"Meaning, Kimi-chan?"
"Omi-nii, it means that when I, for example, reach the said state in which I can dominate the world or terrorize the people, my guardian is my guide. If I turn evil, he turns evil too. Doc. Ashton created the pillow scheme in order for me to bring it wherever I please without noticing that it has life. If I die, he dies."
"And you know all of this because…?"
"…because it was implanted in our system, Ran-nii. The humanizing pill made me human through toosan's DNA but my system as a clone is still within me…alongside with the capabilities."
"Kimi, are you saying that you still have the point where in you can turn…evil?"
"No, Ken-nii. Well, Ashton didn't raise me anymore. You guys raised me…well so see! I'm not bad." [smiles]
"And Boo-boo?"
"He's not bad too, toosan!"
"According to my observations, Boo-boo didn't die when Ken-kun's mom died because she wasn't the clone Boo-boo had to guide."
"Yes, Omi-nii, that's right! However, Ken-nii's mom saved him from turning into bad…but he's not my guardian. I'm supposed to have Rin-rin."
"So… how'd you know that too? And is he or are they really babies turned pillows, Kimi?"
"Ken-nii, it's also part of my program. I have to know who I am and what I'm supposed to do. But since you guys raised me up well and turned my physical, emotional and mental status to human form, my mission is clear to me but I face it with human approach and intellect, therefore… I can decide…free will, ne? [Ken nods] Boo-boo and the rest… I'm not sure what they really are. Ashton never said anything as to how he made them."
"…speaking of Doc. Ashton, ojoosan (daughter) what's his deal? I don't get him, see… like Rosenkreuz, they wanna take over the world, and?"
"Actaully, toosan… he doesn't want to take over the world."
"Eh? So what then?"
"I also don't know…"
"Kimi."
"Ne, Ran-nii?"
"A clone cannot be a clone without an original one existing. Who's your original persona?"
"Everyone of us… my sisters and me were made… but we do not know how we became us. The term 'clone' might just be a term to him. I'm really not sure, gomen ne."
"Hai, it's okay. [serious] Weiss, I'm calling a meeting with Schwartz again."
"WHAT? But Ran!"
"Yoji, they worked for Dr. Ashton! They must know something."
"Yes but, can't we do our own investigation first, Ran-kun?"
"By how, Omi?"
Omi serious face made everyone listen.
"By going back to the building where Kimi was found." [grins]
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TBC
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Okay… had fun? Too long? Yah, I guess. So… please review and tell me what you think! Thank you, everyone! And I hope I still feel your presence for chapter 12! Hehe!!! Ayt! Thanks!
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{} You must be wondering, "What?! Yoji sat there but he didn't even see ANYTHING from Kimi?! Wha-…?" Weeeeeeeelll, that is the power of BUBBLES! Yes, bubbles! : )
{}Yoji was the one who saw Nagi and Tot's first kiss.
{} Markensaux hospital – I came up with the name. If ever it's real, then I'm a genius. [grins]
{} Crashers – another team under Kritiker whose purpose is to capture and make them surrender; they cannot kill.
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Next on: "Getting a Life 12"
"Yoji! Get out of the way! She's going to kill you!!!"
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