Thank you for waiting for the 14th chapter of this story! I really love updating because of all of you! Once again, hontou ni domo arigatou gozaimasu! Oh yes, this will be long because of some very important details. On with the fic!
LEGEND/S: "…" is for dialogues; '…' is for mind dialogues.
Getting A Life 14
'How dare you!'
Schuldich was holding her by the nape with one hand then pushing her towards the bed with another.
"Hn! I have no interest in you whatsoever… oh actually, I just want to finish you life for (whispers) good riddance, as they say in America."
'Che!' (grunt, grunt)
With one loud THUD, she was down on the bed with Schuldich panting on the side.
"Ms. Yoji's-little-girl, if you'll excuse me, I need to make a phone call to a fat bastard down by the HQ."
Before he could stand up, Kimi jumped on the ceiling and attacked him but since Schu was really fast and well, he had new tricks as a superhuman being, he caught her with one arm and slammed her hard back on the bed.
'Ittai!' ('Ouch!')
She screamed in pure pain as her backbone had a close contact with the bed's wood supporters.
"Now you, child, will not try and do that again. It's not that I'm forbidding you (grin) it's just that you might be dead before Crawford gets here. Now, excuse me."
Bruised and a bit bleeding, she tried to get up but she just couldn't. Lying there was all she could do and so she just did! She tried to keep quiet to hear the conversation that Schuldich was currently having. She could hear words like "yes, I've got 1202…" and "fine, fine, I won't mess her up." Actually, enough to make her shiver but she still listened carefully.
"Crawford, I know!"
"O really! Then why did you make a deal with her!"
"Why are you so-… (calms down) why are you angry again? Didn't it lure her here… now?"
"Schuldich, when you made a deal with that monster, you just sold your soul to the devil."
"Haven't I've done that already among other things?"
"This time, it's not JUST half of your soul."
"Shut up! Look okay, I know what I'm doing."
"Oh really? Then what were the exact same words you used in that so-called deal of yours?"
"I told her that if she comes my way, Yoji and the rest can have their lives back. Their OTHER life back."
"Oh yes… the 'happy' life. I see… and?"
"Are you being sarcastic with my brilliant plan?"
"No. (tries not to laugh) I'm not. Now go on…"
(curses) "Well anyway, there. Then she said yes and now she's here."
"And you think Yoji will give up his oh I don't know, daughter THAT easily?"
"I knew it! Mock! Mock! Mock and more mock! You know what, Crawford, I'll deal with her my own way."
And he slams the phone thrice before putting it down permanently.
"Che. Crawford! Son of a b-… ggrrrr! Trying to help here bloody hell…"
He stopped his mimicking and grinned again as he saw his prey on the bed – silent and still. He walks nearer to the bed, checks if she's up to no good then he rests on the side, beside her.
"Well?"
'What do you want?'
"Tsk, tsk. I told you, I have no inter-…"
'Sure thing! No interest in me… just interest in a knife stuck on me.'
"Hmmm, so much negativity. Would you want me to put a truth on your vision?"
She didn't answer.
"Well then, child, wh-…"
'I'M NOT A CHILD!'
"Ohhh… feisty aren't we? Okay then, let's talk."
'Uh, earth to you! I can't.'
"That's why I'm using my mouth and you replying via your mind so I can read it and-… ahhh. Is that why you're here so early than expected? Because you can't talk to-…"
'Shut up.'
"Gosh… being more like Fujimiya day-by-day? I see now. Don't worry, Kimi-wimmy… you'll be safe here… (grins) as long as I want to, anyway."
He leans for a kiss but she pushed him hard as to make him land on the same ground he kept grumbling on because of Crawford.
"Touchy."
He stood up, gave a forbidden wink then went to the kitchen for 'something'.
'And…and what 'something' would that be, Mastermind?'
"You'll see."
She was sweating hard at the thought of Schuldich stabbing her to death with no means of fighting back.
'I have to… get up.'
"But you can't, can you?" (grin)
'Stop reading me!'
"I can't do that."
He was back with something hidden behind his back as he smirked his way back to the girl.
'You broke my back. Can you at least let me rest n-…not forever, though.'
Kimi's juvenile fear was the very scent of the room but Schuldich was having fun smelling it rather than doing something about it.
"Oi, what do you think I have here?" (points towards his back)
She opened her eyes to look at Schuldich's lower body because she can't lift her head to see him grinning or smirking; she closed her eyes again and pretended she didn't hear him.
"Tsk, tsk… trying to defy me eh?"
She knew she heard a swishing sound and she closed her eyes tighter for the effect that she was waiting for was hard enough to take. She counted '3…2…1' but the terrifying pain that she was waiting for never came instead; she smelled a sweet scent that's common for the human nose. She opened her eyes.
"…coffee?"
Schuldich was holding a cup of warm coffee just above her neck.
'Uh…um.'
"Hmm, don't worry. There's no poison."
She tried to stand sideways but the bruising was still there.
"Hooboy. Look, what I'm about to do is painful but it'll help you. So brace yourself."
With one quick motion, he pushed her to her side, and pressed at least three bones on her back just enough to make them crackle. She shouted in pain but of course to Schuldich, that was already normal.
"Done."
He moved away from her and she pressed her back on the soft mattress again – painless.
'How…how…'
"If I made another bone crack, you don't have a spine by now."
She sat upright without feeling anything wrong with her back though her cheek was a little bruised, so did her neck and her arm because of how Schu tackled her. She got the cup of coffee from Schu's hand and even thanked him for it –to Schu's surprise.
"Now tell me. Are you really going to do this?"
'I came as far as to go to an enemy's lair. What more have I got to lose.'
"Brave answer…but not brave enough. You were almost in tears when I threw you up and down. You expect Crawford to handle you more carefully?"
'No.'
"Hn! Well for your information, Cymric, I'm not going to pass you to Crawford."
'Why… you-…'
"Hai. I'm going to kill you. Well, that didn't sound quite realistic because I just healed your back ne? But rest assured… I will do the job within this week." (sips coffee)
Kimi looked at him intensely as he stared back.
'It's Thursday today, Schuldich.'
"Yes, 2 more days before Sunday. By Sunday morning, you're gone."
'I see. Can you at least tell me, if you're going to keep your side of the bargain?'
"Yes, Kimi. I will."
She looked at him again with determination in her eyes.
"Yes, Kudou, Kimi. Your father and your brothers will never hear from Schwartz again."
'I may have been stupid enough to do this kind of deal but I'm smart enough to know that your team will not stop until Weiss is dead.'
She placed her cup on top of the side table as she walked and stood before Schuldich.
'I will fight if I have to. Please, don't bother my family anymore. I'm the reason for your agitation. Kill me then it'll all be over. No need for more blood-spill. Please, let them have their peace Schu I be-…'
He stood up abruptly, making her halt with her speech. For a minute, he was gazing deep into her eyes, then another; he was holding her bruised cheek while smiling.
"Does this hurt?"
She was too frightened to answer but her whole body was expressing the fact that, that part of her face DOES hurt.
"I'll get some bandages for you. Stay here."
His eyes were hurt and guilty when he withdrew his hand from her wound and turned around ever so slowly.
'Schu!'
But he kept on walking to and fro with a medicine kit in his hands.
"Sit down."
'I-…'
"Go on. Sit down."
She obliged blindly as he started to patch a cold compress on her cheek.
"Look, this wasn't an original plan. We wanted you for ourselves. See, you have powers that can ruin the whole world heck even another dimension! So let's cut the crap and be civilized human beings right now. All I have to do is end your life… damn!"
His sudden mood swing made the compress break into pieces.
'E!'
"Uh… I'm, I'm sorry. Here…" (offered a tissue to her)
'Schuldich, you-…'
"It's hard! Kimi, it's very hard! I-… I don't need to do this but I want to and I have to! Can't you see! Crawford! He's been so deranged more than ever because of you! Nagi! He's so stuck up now and Farfarello… hell, doesn't want to talk about it but he cares! I know he cares!"
'Then why do this! Why end it here? You think your 'family' will be fine after I die? Sure thing, you can promise me that you won't deal with toosan and the others anymore but do you think killing me will end every single thing?'
"YES!"
'WHY!'
"BECAUSE!"
'WHAT?'
Schu's raged eyes turned to guilt again as he faced Kimi's blurry eyes.
"See what I mean. How dare you come here trying to fulfill your deal but you can't even argue with me without shedding any tear. Hn. If you're so afraid of death, I'll make it painless. But I will kill you clone 1202. Tomorrow, let's end it."
He gave her a last glimpse as she wiped her tears away.
"Painless, I promise."
And he left.
"What are we going to do now? How did this happen!"
"Omi, calm down!"
"Yoji-kun! How could you!"
"DON'T BLAME ME FOR THIS!"
"I'M NOT BLAMING YOU!"
Omi was bawling at Yoji's crying face while Ken and Britain watched the scene from a near distance.
"Look guys, especially you Omi. Yoji didn't make that decision. Kimi did! She wanted to be independent so we let her."
Ken, now fully understanding the situation, sided with Yoji when Omi went back home the following day.
"She's with Schwartz! I know she's with Schwartz!"
"Omi, she can't be with them. Crawford's not even in Japan. Nagi and Ran talked last month and he respected Ran's wish to never lay a finger on Kimi…it was his repayment for saving his ass back in the building."
"And Schu! Schu!"
"He's not going to touch my lady, Kimi."
"Britain-tenshii…"
"I've… I've seen Schuldich. He has this tensioned aura that stops and reverts to good light whenever Kimi shows up."
"Wh-what? What are you saying, Brit?"
"Young Hidaka, he does not have the capability to harm Kimi-san."
"What!"
"Well young Kudou, if you've noticed back at the building, every time he tried to hit my lady, he would recent his move and cover his emotions by denial and anger then he reverts his attention to you and the others except for Kimi-san."
"And you've notice all these by?"
"By observation, young Hidaka. (smiles) When the fighting between Schwartz and Weiss begun back there in the ruins, my attention was caught by Schuldich's fluctuating deepened characteristic. He came right through as a Schwartz member but when my lady came, he became one of you… a protector rather than a perpetrator."
"Still! I don't want Kimi to be in the hands of anyone else!"
"Omi, hush now please! It's okay!"
"No! No!"
Yoji was cradling him now but still his traumatic experiences seem to surface whenever he is worried about a certain situation.
"Please Omittchi… it's okay. Kimi will be safe… shhh… it's okay."
(Omi cries harder)
"Young Kudou, may I?"
Britain excused himself as he chanted another incantation.
"By the providence of time and space, I cast upon you, 'SIESTA'."
He placed his right hand on Omi's head and instantly, the boy snuggled up to Yoji's chest with his last tear tainted on his cheek.
"Uhm, tenshii, are you sure that all your magic stuff has no side effect?"
"Hai, Ken-san. No side effects at all!"
"Hehe… well at least one problem down."
"What's the OTHER problem, Ken?"
"Well see…Yoji, who's telling Ran about all this?"
No one in the mission room wanted to answer that question.
9:45 PM; Thursday – Schuldich's apartment.
"Damn, I can't take this!"
With a half empty bottle of red wine at hand, the Mandarin-haired German stumbled on the couch as he kicked the nearby couch out of his way.
"Kimi… damn!"
He closed his eyes and squinted and squinted until he shrieked in the top of his voice.
(sigh) "I cannot do this… please, I really can't."
He tried to stand up from his sloth position but he felt himself dragged to snooze land instead.
Ignite dream sequence
It was Kimi's room when she was a toddler. It was like the day Schu came for her… to get her and for Schwartz to experiment on her.
"Are you papa's friend?"
He sat there and smiled at the dark-green haired 4 year-old.
"Yes, I'm one of your papa's best friend. Now come with me, ne?"
"But papa said I should sleep now. I need to sleep until morning."
"Oh don't worry about that, little one. You can sleep forever if you want."
The whole room changed its setting. The floors melted in rigid flames that touched up to the ceiling. Little Kimi was crying and Schu… Schu grabbed her and stabbed her many times but then-…
(smile) "Schu…"
He freaked out…staring at the child's bloody face. He screamed in sheer agony and hate.
End dream sequence
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
He fell off the couch and landed hard on his face.
"Fuckin' piece of-…"
He looked at his surrounding. It was quiet but chaotic, unruly but exciting, lavish but spoiled. He kept silent for a while then he sat down on the floor and thought to himself.
"Kimi is… hope for me. I-I kept denying it because Crawford says it's wrong but I-… (sigh) At an early age, she showed me love and I couldn't help but respond. Sure thing! Killing women and children were easy for me but guilt free? Never. Then having to get her was a real messed up plan. I volunteered for that because it will give me a chance to get back at Yoji but then, the moment her eyes met mine, I sensed something different. She, she was a burst of laughter, a bundle of joy, a sacred creation. And now, now! What the hell am I supposed to do? (slams fist on floor) I want her to love because I know Yoji did the right thing… every single thing for her! But my own family… Nagi, Farfie, and Brad… they're all in trouble because of her. Bu-but… I can't. For me to kill her, then I should kill myself too! For her to kill the only known family that I have… I can't do it. I know I have to, but my heart says I shouldn't."
He stood up perplexed both physically and mentally. He went straight to where he left Kimi. The lights were off and so he carefully opened the door not just because she might be sleeping but also because she's an assassin too and she might be up to something.
"Ki-…Kimi?"
No answer. He went passed the door and locked it from inside. He walked silently as how he was trained to do and caught the rested girl on the bed but the sheets were not covering her. 'She must have fallen asleep, literally.' Schu looked up at the ceiling then turned his gaze at the windows checking every little option that Kimi could have in escaping.
"Looks like she… doesn't want to escape."
He sat beside the sleeping girl and watched her innocent face with awe as the moonlight illuminated her sleeping form. Schuldich was too tired to do something unbecoming to a minor so he settled himself beside her and slept.
"W-what?"
"Ran, I'm… we're sorry."
All three boys plus Britain went to visit Ran and tell him about the ugly truth.
"Yoji! How could this happen?"
"Young Fujimiya, please do not blame young Kudou for this. It was my lady's verdict to cast off on her own."
Ran was silent and shocked while glaring his way to the four men.
"This is not helping my healing process."
"We know, we know, that's why were sorry. But we can't do anything as of now. If Kimi finds out that we're on her track, she'll burst!"
"Ken, the only thing that will burst right now is my dextrose inserted in my vain, which has boiling blood that.can.kill."
(Ken gulps and inches away) "At least we know that Ran can still be Abyssinian anytime, ne?"
No one really liked that comment of his.
"Ran-kun, we're really sorry."
(sighs and let's go of the anger) "Very well, as if I could've stopped her hard-headedness if I was there."
"Y-you mean that?"
"Yes Yoji. I do." (smirks)
"Holy shit! What have they been feeding you here?" (grins)
"Actually, I don't know. I can't taste it."
For that one chance, all of them were light-hearted again even though at the back of their minds, they were worried sick.
8:32 AM; Friday – Schuldich's apartment.
"H-huh?"
He woke up with a blanket covering him; his body was centered on the bed without sharing it to anybody.
"Kimi?"
He rubbed his eyes and looked directly at the edge of the bed where he found a longhaired girl adjacent to his position.
'I've been waiting for you to get up. (faces him and smiles) Shall we finish this?'
At that instant, Schu's dream – actually, a nightmare – came back to him as he saw Kimi's undying smile after 13 years. He thought to himself about 'why did she sleep so soundly last night if she knew she was going to die?' and 'How come I slept soundly too beside an enemy… beside Kimi.'
She was still smiling at him. He was the frightened one right now but all he could do was mesmerize at that face.
'Schuldich?'
"Yo. Stop the act."
'Uh.'
He stood up, yawned and stretched. Went to the washroom and came back all freshened up. He walked towards Kimi while carrying a slutty face with him. Pushed her towards the bed then climbs up and rules above her.
"Let me tell you something that will work for the both of us, ready to listen?"
'I sure will if you get down from me.' (slight blush)
"Hmm, I'm quite comfortable with this stature, thank you very much. Now listen. Change of plans –I'm not going to kill you. Not now, not ever BUT…"
He leans forward more as to make his nose touch hers.
"You'll live with me…forever."
'What!'
"Hai, Kimi-chan. (grins) That way, I can monitor you and my family's safe and your family too. You told me that killing you won't make that much of a different, ne? Then cool. We isolate ourselves from our families and live together. I monitor you, you have your life back. Simple and clean."
He tries to lean more but Kimi ledged her right arm on his chest to stop him.
(grins) "Now what do you say?"
'I-…'
"No more deal. The deal's off. No more life taken, no more family wars, nothing at all. Well, you just have to learn how to cook and you have to find yourself a job, that's the biggest pain in the ass that you'll get."
Kimi's eyes wondered from him to the door to the window to him again to his lips to his eyes and well, it settled on Schu's lips as she blushed.
'I…I can live with that.'
He felt like he won! He was having someone who 'amused' live with him and he was sure he was going to get something out of this.
'Demo, Schu…'
"E?" (still trying to kiss her)
'My studies…'
"Don't worry. I'll reproduce a legal copy that states that I'll be your legal guardian from now on. Ok?"
'Okay… uh, Schu…'
"What?"
'Get off me now?'
"Ehehe… nope. I still like it here."
'Uhm, pl-please…'
"Say, you've never… ahhh, never kissed before ne?"
'Schu, pissing me off…really please. Get off…now.'
"Aha! Not even Fujimiya e? Awww, how cruel. But I guess…(smirks and smiles) I can be a good replacement."
'Stop it!'
She tried to push him harder but he was too strong of a man. With one hand, he took her pushing arm and pressed it down on the bed.
'N-no! Don't!'
He was craving now. All too much, her scent was flooding his mind. And so he had his way and kissed her deep and thorough – right on her left cheek.
'Uh!'
Schu was laughing hysterically even before he could get his lips to part with her cheek. She was red as Ran's hair and her eyes were glaring at him.
"Oi Kimi! You naughty girl! What were thinking about eh?" (laughs more)
'Bakaeru!' (profanity)
As he laughed and stared at Kimi's cute, roughed up face he knew he just made the best decision of his life and a decision that would save the life of his loved ones.
"Omi, how's it?"
"I'm… starting to get close to the match. But for sure, this blood is not from a normal human being."
"Eh?"
"I mean come on Yoji-kun! More than a year?"
"Fine, fine, whatever you say."
Apparently, Omi and Yoji were busy digging for the match of the blood that Omi found back in the ruined building. After 3 months, they start to open up to their own curiosity.
"Wazzup guys?"
"Ken-kun! If you're hungry, please order some food. I can't (clicks keys on keyboard) attend to you (presses the 'Enter' key thrice) now."
"Eh? Uhm, alright. But hey, what's all the concentration about."
(eyes glued on the monitor) "We're searching for the match of the blood sample Omi brought home. (grin) We just hacked in the Japanese database."
"Yoji! Omi! That's trouble!"
"We know Ke-kun but… (smiles) we need to."
"Tsk, so any luck on the person?"
"Actually, we've been searching here for hours and hours. Omi didn't sleep."
"Why?" (takes off his sneakers)
"…because the information here might win Kimi back. And well, stop Schwartz in their advances."
(claps hands) "That's it! Omi! Try Schwartz!"
"Huh?"
"You said that the blood belongs to other types of creatures (Ken snorts) so there! Schwartz! And you really won't be able to find the match because Nagi's the only Japanese…hell, he's not even listed!"
"Well, okay. Well first, gotta hack away to the foreign database (clicks away…) there! Got it! Now, I have to go deeper… underground…(click click click) Yosh! Now… there! Searching through Rosenkreuz."
(blink, blink) "Weren't we just talking? I mean, uhm… okay."
"So what now?"
"Ken-kun, Yoji-kun, in any moment, this search is going to stop at a perhaps, a familiar face, or not."
Yoji looked at Omi and Ken with a serious face as he thought hard for a minute.
"Omi, what exactly are we going to find out after knowing the guy who has that blood?"
"That you have someone to share Kimi with."
All three heads shot up and looked in one direction – Manx.
"What, Manx-san?"
"Omi. I know you're a clever boy but your father taught the 'hiding-a-sample-in-my-ear' thing to all trained assassins. I just didn't get the sample from you because I want you to search for yourself."
(Omi blushed) "So what's with the sharing thing?"
"Yoji, would you like to sit down first before I tell you."
"You said the exact same thing before you explained the humanizing pill to me, Manx. Basing from that, this new news will add up to my misery… so fire away."
"Yoji, you've been through a lot with Kimi and no one has the right to tell you what to do regarding the woman you've accepted as a child."
"Manx, can you please shoot me right through the heart. Now."
Manx looked at him with a heavy heart as she took a piece of paper and showed it to Yoji.
"Scientific explanation… I can't read this. Can I have Japanese or English?"
(Manx gets it again) "I really wish I could've discussed this to you sooner but I was waiting for Fujimiya to come back. And now that Kimi's gone, (all three looked at each other; Manx smirked) I think it's about time to explain. And yes, I knew Kimi was gone because she also sent a letter addressed to me and Doc. Austria to not follow her. So now, here I am. May I? (all three nods) The blood sample came from clone 1202's open tube am I right, Omi? (Omi: "Hai.") Now, we all know that Yoji's genes went into Kimi that's why she was released from the tube – the cloning was completed."
"Yah, but I still don't know why Yotan's genes got into her!"
"Ken, I-I think it was because of the jump, am I right?"
"Jump? Yoji? What!"
"Siberian, on that same day, Schwartz and Weiss had an encounter. Balinese was fighting with Mastermind. And so… what happened, Yoji?"
"I jumped through the tube. I wasn't even paying attention to the tube or to whatever it was! Schuldich and I jumped over it. Then we landed on the ground… then Dr. Ashton broke his finger then boom! The place collapsed."
Everyone was in serious thinking at the moment but the silence was too much for Yoji to accept.
"Manx, I told you –right through the heart! Now what is it? I know you know something!"
"Yoji, the collapsing of the building was because of Dr. Ashton's self-exploding device however, he wasn't responsible for the unleashing of the clones."
"I-… that can't be possible! Are you saying that-…"
"Yes. Because of you, Kimi awakened. You were already wounded when you jumped on the tube therefore; your blood was all she needed to be completed. That is why, in reality, you are still part of her –you're her father."
With that, Omi suddenly stood up flabbergasted. Yoji and Ken were perplexed by his sudden reaction but Manx wasn't. Only to say that he understood the next revelation Manx has to say.
"No… no! Manx that's the impossible thing!"
(Yoji and Ken: clueless)
"Bombay, you of all know very well that what I have to say is true."
"So say it already so we can understand and react like him!"
"Ken you stupid fool! (faces Manx) I bet that, that information will hurt me?"
"I'm… yes, Yoji, I'm afraid so."
(cries) "Manx! Don't! let me explain to them! Please!"
"Omi. You have done enough, thank you."
"No don't!" (falls on the floor, still confused)
"Omi! Uh, Manx! Damnit! Say it!"
(points a finger to Yoji) "You're not the only father, Yoji. Remember, you didn't jump on that tube alone."
With those words, Yoji fell flat on his bum as he stared wide-eyed to nothing in particular.
"Iie! N-no…no!"
Ken backed away from everyone. The disgust he felt was too much for him to take.
CLING CLING CLING
Everyone looked at the computer from where he or she were seated or standing.
"See, the match is correct."
"Oh my god, it's true… the blood. It- it belongs to-…"
'Schuldich!'
"Aw! Excuse me, Kimi but see, SHOUTING BY MIND IS LOUDER THAN SHOUTING EXTERNALLY! Now what is it?"
The high-blood German psychic was currently making dinner up until he burned his hand as his new 'roommate' invaded his privacy.
'Gee, sorry ehehe. Need some help?'
"No. I can do this on m-… shit!"
'Now what?'
"Stop talking to me for a while will you? Shit! 3rd burn in one day! Tell me, have you got yourself bad luck?"
'Bad luck would be spelled beside your name, not mine.'
"You know what, why don't you ju-…"
He was stunned. He just had to shut up at the sight. He turned tilted his head but still she was beautiful in that angle too.
'What!'
"Hn. Nothing!"
He immediately turned his back on her as not to reveal his red face.
'Schu, what?'
"Well, nothing! I-… hmmm, (by mind: 'compose yourself! She'll notice!) Do you really wear things like that around?"
'Why? Oh, I'm sorry! Are you offended?'
Her pouting face wasn't helping Schu either. Instead, he almost cut himself.
'Schu, I'm sorry. I'll change, I'm really so-…'
"Look, hon, I've had countless of women on my bed –naked, legs wide open and well, (grin) you know what!"
'So what the hell are you saying, Mastermind! That I look like a bit-…'
"Ops! I didn't say that! (archs brow) You, my dear, are wearing a short skirt with a spaghetti strapped blouse that has a print of a very delicious man on it. Why?"
Kimi was puzzled as to why Schu would question what she was wearing.
'I thought we've passed the 'i'm-your-enemy' stage?'
"Yes, we have. So what's with the get up?"
'Schuldich, it's summer. Do you want me to wear a jacket and a vinyl pants instead?'
"Won't hurt to try, ne?" (smirk)
'Uh! I don't get you?'
"It's just that, Kimi… (moves towards her and suddenly hugs her) you're not trying to get my attention now are you? (hugs tighter) Because if you are, (whisper) it's working pretty well."
(pushes him) 'Eww Schu! Too old for me!'
"Ah! You might regret that someday!"
'Cook. Hayaku!' ('Cook. Hurry up!')
"Yes ma'am! Hn!"
It has been a week since Kimi came. Schu couldn't even believe himself that they were so comfortable with each other! It was as if that they were related; he couldn't even lay a hand on her and all of her petty wound –even though he wasn't responsible- Schu felt hurt for her as well.
"Finally! Damn this stupid cuts!"
'Schu! I'm hungry!'
"Uh! Patience, will you!"
'Now! Now! Now! Now! Now!'
"Hn."
Every night since Kimi came, that was a ritual for them. Schu cooks, she nags, they fight then they have a good time.
"Here!"
'Smells nice. What is it called?'
"Sukiyaki… er-, German style." (smiles proudly)
'Aha! Dig in! Itadakimasu! (bites) Ay Schu! Cool enough!'
"Well, ahaha! (bites) Hmm, pleasing."
He looks at Kimi's bright smile and once again, he thanked himself for making a wise decision of isolation. But then one thing still bothers him.
"Kimi, (much, swallow) you still can't speak?"
She stops, looks at Schu with cheerless eyes.
"Uh, I'm…I'm sorry. I-…"
"A-…"
"Huh? Wait, wait… try more. Come on."
"A-…" (sighs) 'Gomen ne, air's all I have to say.' (smile)
(smile) "Don't worry, you'll get that. Hey, uh…"
'Hm?'
"Kimi Kudou, I'm sorry for everything I've done to you. And to Yoji, for that matter. I guess you really are a blessing in disguise." (smile)
(blush) 'It's okay, Schuldich-san. I forgive you.'
"I'm… ehehe, I'm glad. Thank you, by the way. Thank you too."
BANG BANG BANG
"Huh?"
BANG BANG BANG
'Schu!'
"Kimi, hide under the table."
'Hai.'
The loud thuds on his door didn't sound so welcoming; to think that they were enjoying a rightful meal.
"Who is it?"
BANG BANG BANG
"I won't open until you tell me who you-…"
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Persistent, aren't we. Hn. We'll see about that."
Schu grabbed his gun from one wooden base on the floor; he readied it as he moved closer to the door.
BANG! BANG!
'3…2…1' He opened the door hastily, only to freeze at his actions.
"Yo-Yoji…"
He raised his head as to have a good look at Schuldich.
"May I… come in?"
"Y-yah."
Yoji immediately searched for another familiar face. He looked at doors to every room and up the ceiling. He even printed his finger on a dusty table near the sofa.
"Yoji, can we… I mean, what-…"
"Hey Schu. It's been two weeks of agony back in our place, well, not that you should care but see, we need to talk."
"Aren't we talking yet, Balinese?"
"Back in our place. Now."
Schu lifted both his hands in the air.
"I don't want to die young, Kudou! We can talk here. Bring your side over here."
"Look, you've done it once. You can surely do it again."
Yoji's eyes never did melt to his lanky playboy side after the building incident. His whole life seemed to crush him every time problems arise… especially when it's about Kimi.
"Yo. You don't expect me to be hurt that easily."
"We want to talk. Not even in the mission room. We just want to talk… about something important."
"Oh?"
"Yes."
There was silence between them. One was very serious… the other was in question.
"By the way, where's she?"
"Uh…"
"I know she's here. Where is she?"
He knew that he wouldn't be forgiven if he deliberately gave his houseguest to the seeker in front of him, and so he asked her by mind.
'Miamatsu, your dad…'
'I know… I-… well, give me a minute. I'm not ready to see him.'
"Call me stupid but I know that stall was to contact her by mind."
(grins) "Hn. Your detective days can't seem to leave you alone ne?"
"Schuldich, we need to go now and talk. All of us."
"Da-…"
Yoji turned his head towards the dining table. His eyes were full of grief and contentment.
"Kimi, we have to go back."
(nods sideways)
"Even just for a day."
Having to hear that, Schu jerked away from Yoji.
"What?"
"What do you mean, what! You-… you gave in?"
"Is there anything else I could do, Mastermind?"
Yoji was seriously about to cry but Kimi and Schu does not know the specific reason.
"Fine. Kimi, let's go."
'Schu!'
"Look, I isolated myself from 'you-know-who' but you have no bust whatsoever in isolating yourself from them (looks at Yoji) just because you think it's the best."
"Honestly, kodomo, (child) I never considered 'leaving your family behind' the best thing."
Heart-fallen, Yoji went out of the room first before Kimi or Schu could utter one more word for what he just said.
"What are you waiting for, luv, come along now."
"My lady!"
Britain was the first one to envelope his arms around Kimi. Followed by Ken, with a little anger in his voice as he scolded her, and Omi as he smiled and told her not to listen to whatever Ken said. Schu, on the other hand, laid his eyes on Britain for a while –trying to figure out if he was a he or a she as the angel smiled at him and gave him a hug too.
"Schuldich. Welcome."
"Th-thank you…"
Everyone, including himself, was surprised that the resident bitch of Schwartz could utter such pleasant words.
"Kimi."
Everyone silenced as the familiar, powerful voice fluttered its way to the commotion in the hall.
"Weeeeell, I guess you're up and about now." (grin)
(smirk) "it's nice to see you too, Schuldich."
"Hn."
"Onn…"
She didn't know what to do. After almost four months, she finds herself drowning in those mesmerizing amethyst eyes. She was in the verge of crying but she couldn't. She was scared of how Ran would react. Will she be accepted? Rejected? Disowned for good this time?
He was walking straight now. As if nothing of any serious matter dawned upon his healthy body. As if she wasn't there when his heart motion went to a flat sign on the monitor. As if… as if… she'd ever confess her whole-hearted love for him.
"Hehe, we forgot to mention this first."
"Ken-kun's right. We should've explained this first. Ne, Schu, we really needed you to be here instead of us going to your place. Ran's a little weak…just a little."
"Eh? And why are you explaining this to me? (smirk) Aren't you afraid that I can now contact the others and tell them that your leader is vulnerable as a little hare?"
"No need for frights, Mastermind. (usual glare) We know that you haven't been in touch with Schwartz for the past few days."
"And how, may I ask?"
"Watashi…" ("I")
Schu tilted his head to see the new comer… much to his surprise.
"Na-Nagi!"
"Hey."
"What…what's this all about?"
"Schu matte! Don't…don't conclude please. I-…I was the one who asked for Weiss' help. I-… I couldn't find you…you really (bitter tears) went away from-…"
"Nagi! How could you do this? Does Crawford knows?"
"NO! I'm not that stupid to let him know!"
"How long have you been here?"
"He comes here once a week, Schu. But I've talked to him last weekend."
Omi interfered with the heated argument as to not heighten it further.
"Omi, Nagi, Schuldich… everyone, please. Let's sit and talk about this."
Ran was near Kimi now. Her heart was pounding very, very fast as she looked at her mentor/idol with guilty eyes. he lead the way for everyone to go straight to the living room; and now, they're alone together.
(not looking at her) "I know you still can't speak, Kimi. So later, it's okay if you pass your sentences to Schu so he ca say what you wanted to say."
(she nods)
By that time, Kimi was expecting Ran to hug her as what everyone else did. But the twisted fate of guilt and antagonism reached its peak as Ran smiled and extended his hand for a shake rather than to hug her solemnly. With bitterness, Kimi took it. As how she took the fact that her father and her beloved Ran let go of her all at once.
"Let's get this over with."
Schu was in a bad mood now. Having his best friend betray him by reaching out to the enemy.
"Hai. First thing's first. Schuldich, don't be angry at Nagi-kun. I was the one who called him up and asked his assistance to search for Kimi."
"Didn't she specifically say that she didn't want to be found?"
"Yes, however. The circumstance that we have here is an urgent 'must-know'."
"Young Takatori, should be explain it first?"
"Yes, Britain-tenshi… uh, call me Mamoru instead of using my surname, onegaishimasu." (smile)
"Hai, hai. Forgive me." (bows)
"It's okay. (faces everyone again with seriousness) Now, Weiss knows an important fact that Schu and well, since Nagi is a confidante, you two must know."
"Okay, wait a darn minute here! How can you be sure that I'm not going to spill to Schwartz, e? Or-or Nagi here!"
"Schuldich, trust me. After hearing this, you'd look at yourself before telling anyone."
"Yoji-kun's right, Schuldich. Even Nagi-kun trusts us on this one."
"Huh! Suit yourselves… now what?"
Omi looked from Ken's agitated face to Britain's sad ones as Ran's voice, calling his name, fluttered his eyes towards him and he lands his gaze on Yoji's heartbreaking sight.
"Yoji-kun… please, one more strength."
(smile) "Omittchi, I have no more reason to fight for this."
Upon hearing this, Kimi secretly covered her face with her hair as tears kept flowing silently.
(Omi's mind: 'Well shit. Here goes nothing.') "Schuldich, I'm warning you now. Listen to what I have to say before reacting to anything. I will not tolerate anyone who will butt in on my speech."
Everyone nods; Schu gulps.
(sighs) "Back in the ruined building, before you and Nagi came in on us, I just scraped a sample of blood from the open tube where clone 1202, (looks at Kimi then sighs) came from. After almost 2 years, no human blood could be that elemental, we all know that. that is why, after recuperating, we struggled to find a match for that blood. And Schuldich, it belonged to you."
He paused, tried to see if Schu wanted to say anything. But his eyes were glued on Omi, sternly.
"Now, our interpreter form Estet came and told us the hidden tale about your blood. You and Yoji-kun were fighting before Dr. Ashton set his self-exploding trick that concluded to the ruins we found 3 months ago. Now that explosion didn't trigger the noise that you, yourself, noticed. (He eyes Schu's confused eyes) You heard a certain sound that alarmed you. And you knew exactly what it was."
"Yes, the clones were activated."
"Right. And then you left Yoji and staggered down stairs towards Crawford and the rest, right?"
"Yes."
"And then Yoji pressed different kinds of buttons that only released Kimi from the tube instead of annihilating the clones. (Schu and Yoji nods) Now let's rewind this. Back when you and Yoji were fighting. Isn't it that Yoji-kun jumped over the tube and you followed him?"
"Yah."
"Okay… then Schu, please listen more attentively to this. And I hope, you'll be able to take this easily. (Schu stiffens on his seat as Yoji bowed his head lower) You hit Yoji and he hit you. Your blood that was on the edge of the tube was caused by that slash by Yoji and-…"
Omi paused as he saw Yoji's fatal expression.
"…t-the slash you gave made Yoji bleed and of course, that also hit Kimi's tube. Now after you landed on safe ground, wasn't that the time the clone was activated?"
"Y-yes…"
Omi could see that Schu was getting this and he was just waiting for the trick explanation.
"Yes, Schu. It was activated because the missing ingredient to make the clone whole was blood. Blood that you and Yoji gave when you jumped on that tube."
Everyone wanted to see how Schu would react to this. Even Yoji faced him.
"I-… (falls on seat) I-… (looks at Kimi) no."
"Schu, calm down, please. I-I know this is a tough thing to handle."
"Na-Nagi… I'm…"
Kimi was shocked beyond the literal meaning of the word! He met Schuldich's stare but it only made everything worse by heart and mind.
"Hn… hn. (confused smirk) Explains the color of her eyes, huh?"
With that, Yoji stood up even as Ran told him not to, reached for his car keys on the door and zoomed away from it all.
"Ot-…oto-…ahhhh…"
Kimi cried and cried until she couldn't breath anymore. No one wanted to stop her, no one wanted her to cry that hard too but as they see it, Yoji and Kimi's relationship was starting to flatten. And for Schu, they know that he had a special reason why this situation was very much in his 'never-wanna-hear' list.
"Is this proven?"
"Yes, Schu, it is."
"You! Nagi! How long have you known!"
"A day or two earlier that you."
Schu stood up and cringed on his hair. He noticed the Mandarin color and immediately frizzled his scalp.
"Schuldich, if it's hard for you to accept, I hope, even just this once, make it easier for you to have more respect for Kimi and Yoji's relationship. (Schu faced Ran) As you can see, Yo-…"
"Damn, Fujimiya! I can see that clearly! I can also see the tremendous amount of salvation I have to give to this person (points at Kimi) now that I know that I'm her (scowls) father! How do you friggin' think I can save her from Crawford's sudden twisted ideas! And look, with all due respect for this bond, it doesn't take a genius to know that Yoji's heart is broken."
Ran was taken aback by how Schuldich stood up for Yoji and Kimi like that.
"Hn! Think whatever you want but yah, (looks at the sniffling Kimi) she's got the best of me now."
He helps Kimi up as Omi lead them to the kitchen.
8:49 PM; The same day – Weiss household
KNOCK
She gave a clap-that was a signal that someone can come in.
"Hey."
(nod, smile)
Schuldich sat beside her on the bed but he wasn't looking at her – he couldn't.
"Kimi, I don't know what to do."
He lowers his head as he sighs.
"Ki-…"
'Remember this afternoon? (smile) When you said sorry to me?'
(perplexed) "Ye-yes?"
'Schu, (faces him) I accept you for whoever you are and for whatever part you have in my life. That, I assure you. So please, accept me as your-…'
Without warning he hugged her tightly.
'Schu!'
"Please… anything but that. Anything! I-… I know I felt something different when I first saw you but Kimi please! I don't want to be-…"
Kimi broke the hug.
"I can't be your father. Hell! Yoji's a better dad than me!"
'I know that! In all my years, he's the best father a girl could ever have! But Schu, you must accept this. We can't be just friends because you're apparently my dad too. And we (slight blush) we can't exceed to father-daughter relationship. We must stabilize it this way.'
Schu was lost in his own thoughts. He wanted to blurt something intelligent but he just couldn't. He wanted to erase what Kimi just said.
(breath in and out) "Who are you going to live with?"
'Well, for now, you.' (saddens)
"Eh?"
'Otoosan and Ran-niichan well, they… they lost their trust in me already. And it would be hard to talk to anyone of them because well, I can't express myself.'
"Kimi, wouldn't it be better if you stay here?"
'Schu?'
"Lookie here, miss. (smiles) I know I've changed… and it's because of you! Now if you don't fix your problem with your (scowls) 'other-real' dad, I won't be able to support you."
'Na-nani? I don't understand you.'
"See here, luv, Yoji loves you. Now c'mon! As if THAT wasn't obvious. Ran, and the others… it's impossible that they just give up on you. Heck, assassins here. No chances to just give up. (Kimi grins) Now see, I don't know why you think that they don't well, Yoji… he-…"
'Does this mean you care for otoosan?' (gringringrin)
"Oi! There goes your yaoi fantasy again! No! Well, I care for you. But yah, I feel what he feels… maybe (saddens) that's how it goes. Other father feeling what the other feels."
Schu immediately remembered the day when Yoji saved the 4-year-old Kimi and he… he literally gave way for him to save his child.
"…child."
'Eh?'
"Uh, nothing. Hey, (yawns) Nagi and I'll be out of here by tomorrow. I'll just send your things, ok?"
'Schu! Don't!'
(smiles) "Fix this family first before jumping to another family, mien lieb."
'Then… you'll do the same?'
"Ha! That family's already dysfunctional, Kimi. The more you fix it, the more you get destroyed. But nonetheless, I like it there."
(inward smile) 'Hey Schu…'
"Hm?"
'This family isn't dysfunctional.' (smile)
"Thank you, Kimi."
'Promise you'll visit, Schuschu?'
"Yeah, yeah. (glare, smile) Ditch the name!"
'Goodnight!'
"Ayt."
Schu was different now. But it was a difference that had been in him from the time clone 1202 became Kimi until forever.
KNOCK
Kimi energetically went to the door, thinking that Schu forgot to say something to her, however…
"Hi…"
Her facial expression was surprised but she directly changed it to a smile.
"May I?"
He stepped inside the room, as if it was the first time. He pulled a chair and sat on it as he looked directly into his daughter's face. Realizing that she was going to get a serious lecture in a serious discussion, she sat opposite him on the edge of her bed.
"Schu was here?"
(nod)
"Kimi, first thing's first. I did miss you." (smile)
(smiles)
(sigh) "Now, I think it's about time that I become a real man and play the father card rightfully. I want to be honest…(eyes her) about everything. And the more I keep the truth from myself and from you, the more I feel stuck up and down-right stupid inside."
She was attentive and open to that suggestion.
"Kimi, I don't blame you for anything that happened! I love you and you should know that! no matter if it's the last thing I say to you in front of your friends, your boyfriend, whoever and whatever the situation, I love you. (She swells inside) Now I can't forgive you for the riot you caused in that building… and I can never, NEVER forgive myself because you (tears) hate me."
She wanted to speak; she wanted to say something!
(quickly wipes tears away) "Look, you, as Kimi, might not hate me. I can sense you don't but Kimi, it hurts. Knowing that something or someone who's a part of your own child hates you… it's unforgivable. And I-… I don't know how to deal with that because, because, (cries more) I just don't."
Seeing the pain her father stood up for, for three whole months made her feel so weak inside. She went straight to Yoji and hugged him ever so tightly that he just wanted to cringe there and do nothing more.
"Wait, wait… you have to hear this. (pulls her away, holds her face) I want to know why you hate me. (Kimi signals a strong 'no, I don't hate you toosan!') Kimi, no! I cannot live like this anymore! I have to know why your clone side hates me. I-I have to! (wipes her tears) But please tell me, do YOU hate me? As Yoji or, or as your dad? Please…"
Kimi stand up, she knew she shouldn't be angry but for her, it hurts too. To be mistrusted by her own father….
"Kimi, I know it hurts to be asked this way… but it wouldn't hurt if you reassured me too."
Yoji smiled and stood up from the chair, ready to go out. But Kimi was able to surrender her anger and she kept Yoji from going out by hugging him from the back.
"Pa-…"
Yoji's tears were simultaneous with hers and both kept silent for a while, before Yoji let go of her and left.
6: 12 AM; The next day – Weiss household
"Schu, I hope we were understood."
He grabs his jacket from the holder.
"Sure thing, Fujimiya."
"Schu! We're not rubbing the fact, however; it would be nice if you can accept that."
"Look Bombay. I do accept it. I really do… the fact, I mean. But I don't like it. Oh well, yo Nagi! Let's go."
"Kudou-san, Fujimiya-san, Hidaka-san, Omi-kun, Britain-san, arigatou for the hospitality."
Everyone smiles while Omi bowed as Nagi bowed in front of him too.
"Wait, Nagi. How will you explain this to Crawford?"
"Crawford knows, Yoji-san. He can see the future, that is why I was afraid of this."
"Isn't it a dangerous deed if you went back to Young Mr. Crawford, young Naoe?"
"I guess so, Britain-san but… if I don't show my face there (eyes Schu) he'll be the target."
"Actually Nagi. You're not going back there alone."
"Schu! No!"
"Look everyone, if Crawford knows, then the more he'll hunt for Kimi especially when I'm away. If I was in the same place as he was, he won't be able to make a move. That's why, Nagi! C'mon! Before he traces us here. Let's go back."
"Uh, Young Schuldich, I thank you."
(as he turned his back on them) "Hn. I'm doing this for Kimi, so don't lift your head too high. (smirk) We still belong on opposite sides, Weiss."
And they left.
"K'so! That Schuldich! He really tends to have fast mood swings!"
"Ken-kun. I think that's for the best."
"Omi?"
"Ken, he's correct."
"Yo-Yoji…"
"He can't let his new discovery be in the way of having to deal with us. Besides, (smile) he won't kill us."
"How do you know that, Kudou?"
"Ran, it's like killing yourself. He's doing this for Kimi, then so be it."
"Yoji-kun, Ran-kun, Ken-kun, I wonder how Crawford will react to this."
"Crawford! I'm home."
Nagi looked at Schu but he just wasn't himself since they left Weiss' house.
"Crawford? Craw-…"
Missing him by an inch, Schu pulled Nagi to duck the other hits that came their way. Both started to use their special strengths but somehow, their agitators were even with them.
"What the fuck is going on here!"
Schu grunted as he tried to see the faces of the new enemy but because his oppressor was as fast as he was, he saw nothing but blur.
"Schu! Behind you!"
But he didn't escape that one. He was hit on the nape, it did hurt but his eyes were open as he fell on the floor. Hard.
"Wha-…wha?"
"Ahaha! HAHAHAH!"
"Crawford!"
"Well, I see you've met new friends?"
Schu lifted his head to see Crawford's bastard face but instead, he was met by-…
"Thi-this can't be!"
Schuldich felt like he was looking at the mirror when he saw someone staring back at him. Only, different eyes and different hair.
"Crawford! What's the meaning of this!"
"Well, Nagi. If I won't be able to make you do your part in killing that bitch, then why not make something who will eh?" (sadistic smile)
"What the hell do you mean by this!"
"I always think ahead, Guilty. And by that I mean, planning ahead."
He snaps his fingers and instantly, both Nagi and Schu's clones held them by the waist and squeezed their fragile bodies –well fragile compared to the androids.
"Craw-… don't… ah…"
"Does it hurt, Nagi? (again, sadistic smile) Well this wouldn't have happened if you repaid my kindness with loyalty, boy!"
"Crawford… AH! LET GO OF HIM!"
(smirk) "And you. You sonofab-… (breathes) Now you're the target's father, congratulations, Schuldich. But I'm afraid that, THAT won't stop me."
"Don't… touch her yo-… AHHHH!"
"Schuldich! AHH!"
All bones that make up the ribs were almost crushed but because they weren't all human, they still managed to stay whole.
"These counterparts will be the best replacement for you two… as of now. Hmm, and yes, Farfarello will have to come out now too."
His guffaw was far too much for the two. They were both leaning to good but this madness was too much for them.
"Well now, sleep for me for a while. (goes to Schu and whispers something) Wake up when I'm done with the girl you never killed… and now you've learned to love."
T-B-C
Next on: Getting A Life 15
"Otoosan! I love you!"