Part One
No one in their right mind begins a road trip after dark, unless of course it is a possibly permanent trek with the travelers' very lives at stake. In such a case, the cover of darkness is a most welcome thing. A mercy. A prayer on the verge of being answered, though completion comes only at the end of the road.
"No smoking. I've told you already."
"Ch'. You're such a hard-ass, Aya."
The stale scent of cigarette smoke diminishes with the sudden crush of unused ashes. Youji grudgingly pockets his lighter, but pulls out a fresh cigarette to rest unlit between his lips.
"At least allow me this. I haven't had a decent smoke since this morning."
Ran rolls his eyes, casting Youji a sidelong glance of disapproval. "If you must, but it will not be lit as long as I am in this vehicle. Addiction is a hindrance, Kudo. And yours is revolting."
Youji snickers. "You have your vices, I have mine. I'll have you know my addiction makes me a much nicer person. What do yours do for you?"
No response. Ran is content to say nothing, and turns his head to watch the quickly passing line of shadowed trees if only to avoid a certain emerald gaze. Youji smirks, but continues driving in silence.
The two of them are alone in the front cab of their mobile home. Their comrades, Ken and Omi, ride in the back, at the moment unseen. Within the vehicle, they have everything they will need to survive for as long as is necessary, and the only uncertainty they allow themselves to dwell on is that of where they will finally park and set up shop.
It is the only safe uncertainty left.
"Hey, Aya?"
"Aa?"
"We're being followed."
Violet eyes pull away from the blurred scenery as Ran once again faces Youji, discovering that his companion is focused on the side-mirror just off his door. Ran then turns to his, catching sight of a single, blinding headlight that slowly begins to take form as his eyes adjust.
A motorcycle.
"How long?"
"Almost half an hour now."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. He's the only other thing on the road."
Ran nods. "I want to be certain." And he is out of his seat and heading for the back before Youji can even question or comment on his teammate's sudden retreat.
Slipping from the cab into the main quarters of the RV, Ran is unfairly affronted by the reality that this 'car' is indeed their home. It is far too cramped, meant to be set up unfolded out from itself, making it large enough for a small flower shop and a place for four grown men to live. On the road, however, it is cramped. On the road...it can be suffocating.
Diligently typing at a computer by the wall, Omi sits entranced, not noticing Ran's arrival. Ken, on the other hand, had been lying nonchalantly on the couch at the back, thoroughly bored, and takes immediate notice of his leader's presence. He raises an eyebrow questioningly, and Ran meets that soft brown gaze just long enough for acknowledgement before clearing his throat to capture Omi's attention as well. Omi turns and smiles, putting all focus suddenly on Ran.
He has never cared much for the spotlight.
He clears his throat again. "Still adamant about a pit stop?" he asks, characteristically stoic. "We'll be pulling off in a few minutes. There isn't time for pleasure spending, so get what you need and get back in the vehicle. I want us to be a safe distance before we park for the night. Understand?"
His exit is as swift and informal as his entrance, leaving Ken and Omi to share a look of mildly humored, mildly irritated, lack of surprise.
Ran leaves his companions and rejoins Youji up front, settling himself back into his seat. "Take the next exit." He instructs, looking straight ahead into the open road before them. "If he follows, we'll investigate further. If not, we'll leave it alone. You can have yourself a smoke then, as long as you keep your distance from me."
A mock-indignant huff signals Youji's understanding and agreement. The next exit is only a couple of minutes away; that will set things straight concerning their stalker.
Ran watches the figure following so closely behind them with well-concealed interest, only casting his eyes to the mirror in seemingly uncaring glances. Whoever is on that motorcycle must certainly have guts if they are indeed following Weiss on a night like this.
The exit comes into sight and Youji takes it, following a path that leads brilliantly to 'food', 'gas,' and 'rest'. Such signs of hope fail to offer things like 'assurance', however.
"...he's not there. He didn't take the exit."
"Don't sound so disappointed." Ran scolds, folding his arms stiffly. Any disappointment on his end is well hidden. "We'll do well not to have any disturbances. He was probably some drifter hoping for better cover at night...much like ourselves. Let's just stop, reload a few supplies, and get back on the road. I want to be--"
"A safe distance." Youji finishes. "I know, Aya. That's like the millionth time you've said that. We'll get somewhere safe, we'll park, and we'll move on. Relax."
"Hn."
"And loosen up a little, will ya? You're such a mood killer."
Ran doesn't reply. Youji is used to silence and cold stares from the redhead, so he smiles back anyway, happy enough to be pulling into a gas station with the hope of stealing a quick smoke outside.
Just as Youji is putting the RV into park, Ken pops his head into the cab. "How long you giving us, oh mighty Aya-sama? Two minutes? Thirty seconds?"
Ken's grin carries its usual lopsided charm. Youji stifles a laugh. Ran grimaces.
But before anyone has the chance to reply, Omi speaks from just outside, calling up at Youji's window. "Hurry up, minna!" he chides. "If we have to be fast, we better be productive!"
A lilting chuckle. "Dear Omi..." Youji begins, dropping out of the vehicle to land just in front of the slighter young man. "...that is a personal motto of mine."
Omi tilts his head, not quite understanding, but is willingly pulled away from the RV as he and Youji head inside the small rest stop.
Ken and Ran have yet to move, Ran shaking his head at Youji's antics, and Ken...not in much of a mood to leave Ran quite yet. The brunette finds a certain calm in watching his leader, even when all Ran is doing is sitting with a scowl on his face.
A master of perception, Ran notices Ken's lingering stare and turns to look back at him. He does not return Ken's smile. "Unless you plan on sitting in here for the next fifteen minutes—not thirty seconds—I suggest you head inside and get what you want. We won't be stopping again."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't bite my head off, huh? I was just giving you a hard time." Ken replies, slipping up front to claim Youji's now vacated spot. "You're still sitting here. Don't you want anything?"
Now that is a loaded question.
Ran turns away, looking out his window at the night progressing so consistently beyond the little stop. "We seldom get what we want..." he whispers, almost like a breath, not consciously meaning to speak and clearly not wanting to be heard.
"Hm?"
"Nothing." he says quickly, sounding angrier than necessary. "Go inside already." he barks, peering over at Ken with that same old glare, one Ken has grown used to, one he has acclimated himself to after years of endurance.
And so Ken simply smiles, adding a small wink before jumping down out of the RV. "I'll grab you something to drink, okay?" he adds, instantly speeding off so Ran can't tell him not to.
Soon, Ken is a suddenly distant figure, lost through the doors of the building. Youji reappears a moment later with a small bag and nods to Ran before pulling out a cigarette he will savor like it is his first of the day. In some ways, it is, since this day never really began and certainly won't be ending for hours to come.
A slow sigh falls from Ran's lips as he watches the smoke from Youji's cigarette waft up towards the lights above the building's overhang. He had almost hoped that motorcyclist would prove to be following them if only to interrupt the monotony of running away.
Running away. That is indeed what they are doing, no question or compromise or way around it. They are running from lives that no longer exist. For him, it is losing a life that had for a moment been right in front of his eyes, begging him to be taken back.
Aya is awake. And now...Aya is alone. Again.
Ran has never felt like more of coward.
Omi and Ken exit the store laughing, carrying two bags each. Youji drops his cigarette with great hesitance, crushing it beneath his heal, but soon moves to catch up with them and return to the RV. Ran attempts to avoid watching them, but ends up following their approaching forms regardless. He feels his jaw tighten when Ken suddenly gestures for Youji to go with Omi, meaning he must intend to take over as driver. Such a possibility almost makes Ran want to climb into the back with the others.
It isn't that Ken is a poor driver—not at all—but Ken is very different company compared to Youji. Ken likes to talk. In all fairness, Youji too enjoys a good conversation, but will usually silence when Ran stops supplying replies. Ken, however, can talk forever about anything and not give a damn whether Ran even grunts acknowledgements.
"My turn, oh fearless leader." Ken says with a small salute, climbing into the cab with one of his bags under tow, the other having been given to Omi and Youji, who have already disappeared into the back. "I got you this." He adds, pulling out a can of iced coffee and holding it for Ran to take.
Having a great weakness for iced coffee is one of Ran's naughty little secrets. As far as anyone is concerned, he drinks hot coffee, black, or tea. Chilled coffee adds just enough indulgence for him to feel strangely guilty every time he has some, so he usually doesn't indulge at all.
How is it Ken knows...?
"It's not drugged." Ken laughs, still holding the drink in a very steady, tan hand. "What's with the look of horror? I said I was going to get you something. I don't know, I guess I thought you'd like this stuff. It's my favorite."
Chance. Coincidence. That's all it had been, Ran reasons. He feels marginally better about the situation, and accepts the drink with a quickly composed nod of thanks.
Ken pulls out another drink for himself, the same as what he handed Ran, and also a package of mochi—his own little indulgence. "You can steal some of these if you want, too." He mentions offhandedly, beginning to carefully back up from the rest stop.
He is a motorcyclist at heart and has a little trouble maneuvering such a large vehicle. It doesn't keep him from wanting to drive, though. Anything to avoid boredom.
Ran eyes the sweets between them with vague interest. Maybe later. Maybe when he can grab one while Ken is decidedly distracted, thus avoiding having to hear Ken mention something like 'I knew you had a sweet tooth deep down', or 'So you really are human', and other such phrases the brunette seems to think are so terribly funny and clever.
They are back on the main road after a few quick turns and signals, speeding down the empty highway towards...somewhere. Somewhere safe. Somewhere far enough away for them to feel at least some semblance of safety, even if it is only false reassurance.
And, being on the road in a variable straight shot towards wherever, Ken begins to speak...
"It was boring as hell sitting back there. I'm just happy to be doing something." He grins, taking a quick drink of his coffee and then snatching up a piece of mochi to nibble on. "How much farther are you going to make us go, anyway? An hour maybe? Two? I hate this traveling by cover of nightfall shit. Driving in the dark can be a blast—one of my favorite things—but I just feel so...I don't know...like we're being followed by something we cant even see, ya know? Say...do ya think Schwartz could really be on our tail already? I know they're still alive. I mean, we survived that mess and we're just...normal."
Ran reaches up a finely sculpted, pale hand to begin rubbing at his temples. "An hour will be plenty long for us to stop and park for the night." He mentions in way of bringing Ken back to a single thread of thought. "In the morning we can think more seriously about where we plan to go. If Manx contacts us before then, she may have somewhere in mind, though I doubt it really matters as long as we are away from Tokyo."
"But what about--"
"And as far as Schwartz is concerned, don't worry about them. I don't doubt they're alive, but they have their own rebuilding to accomplish after extricating themselves from Estet."
"I guess so."
"Mm."
A beat of pregnant silence. Ran loves silence on principle, but Ken always manages to make it feel awkward. In that sense, it is very much a blessing that he almost always breaks such silences.
"Hey, Aya..."
"What?"
"You know how I just said it feels like we're being followed by something we can't even see?"
"What of it?"
"Well...I think I can see it now."
Ran's eyes dart instantly to the side mirror next to him. He is silently thankful; their stalker seems to have returned.
"He got on our tail almost right after we made it back onto the main road." Ken continues. "Wild guess: he was following us before now. That's why we pulled over, right?"
That familiar, single headlight forms into its true form as a motorcyclist, and Ran turns to peer over at Ken with a short nod. "He's smart, but not smart enough. Being the only thing on the road, it would be impossible for us not to notice him."
"So what do we do?"
"I had wanted to get further away, but I know an area up ahead where we can park. We'll let him come to us."
"And if it's someone from Schwartz or Estet or...shit, whoever else is after us...then what?"
Ran' eyes narrow, trained on the road ahead with sharp, unnerving scrutiny. "We take care of it."
Naturally. At least, natural for Weiss. Death is a part of life after all.
Ken doesn't have to reply; he knows Ran is right. And so he drives on, leaving the silence heavy between them, the way Ran hates it, though at least the redhead no longer has to put up with Ken's usually persistent mouth.
There is a short moment when Ran slips back to inform Youji and Omi of their plan, and then he is back, waiting to signal Ken to pull off at the right spot. Their stalker follows them all the while, never too close, but never far behind.
"Here. Take this road and cut into the clearing." Ran instructs, pointing down a side road that leads to what looks like a forest.
As Ken takes it and eventually turns into the trees, he sees that there is indeed a small clearing right in the heart of it, perfect for them to set up camp. Naturally, the motorcyclist has not followed them, but time will soon tell who he is and what it is he wants. There is little doubt of that.
Ken sighs deeply after shifting into park, looking at Ran and then down at their drinks beside his barely touched package of mochi. "So much for a pleasant drive." He says, not really up for unfolding the camper into its true form. "We turning this thing into a home, or just sleeping in it like this?"
Ran is looking straight ahead still, into the thick trees around them. "I doubt we will get much sleep either way. We will leave things as they are and wait. Eventually...he will come."
"Yeah...I guess so."
It has only been a few days since their battle with Schwartz, a battle that could have very easily left all of them dead. Ken is not in the mood to fight. As of late, he has become increasingly more prone to want to fight in any situation, but not tonight. Not yet.
"Well...we might as well head into the back then, huh?" Ken smiles, scooping up his drink and sweets.
He follows his own advice, but pauses to be sure Ran is behind him. A small moment of thought passes before Ran grabs his drink as well and turns to join his comrade.
"I think we're being paranoid." Omi voices as the two assassins reach the back. Omi is at his computer but is facing Youji, who has taken Ken's spot on the couch. "It has to be a coincidence. Who could know we were leaving tonight?"
Youji nods, but looks uncertain. He and Omi turn to see that they are no longer alone, and Youji stands to address Ran. "What do you think? You sure it was the same guy?"
Ran and Ken take spots at a small table in the middle of the room. Ran looks troubled but very certain. "The night is dark, as are his clothing and bike, but his silhouette was...distinctive enough for me to have no doubts. It's not a coincidence and we are not being paranoid. It would be dangerous and foolish to think otherwise."
Omi draws back a little, but says nothing.
"Whoever it is, when he realizes we have parked, he will come. Then we will know what we are dealing with."
"But it could be hours till he figures out what happened." Ken puts in, sinking down in his chair. "I'm exhausted. Everything aches. Can't they just give us a break?"
What can be said against him when all of them are thinking the very same thing?
The cramped space of the RV is almost welcome, because despite the warm, recycled air pushing in on them, at least they are together. They have lived, fought, and been willing to die together for...years. But being willing doesn't mean they want to. Being willing doesn't mean they don't sometimes wish...everything could be different.
"I guess...I was kind of hoping this could be...like a vacation together...just us, you know?" Omi offers whimsically, speaking in soft tones, like a child who knows his words sound juvenile but who cannot help feeling the way he does. "A break. A breath. Something. Even just one day selling flowers without having to think about...a new mission. I know how you feel, Ken-kun."
And all of them know how Omi feels, because they feel the same. It hurts to say so, though, because recognizing your dreams when they cannot be fulfilled...is sometimes more painful than having none at all.
Enter that old, familiar silence, awkward and stifling. There is no room for masks or lies tonight. Honesty reigns, and honesty burns. Tonight it is burning them alive.
Ran and Ken both flinch in their seats, ears perked to a very soft but still audible sound from outside. Omi and Youji, further from the apparent source of the sound, tense in readiness, perceptive of their friends' shifts. They won't even be granted a moment to imagine what peace might be like.
"That was fast." Ken whispers with a suddenly more serious expression. He reaches up into the cabinet by his head and pulls out his gloves. Youji and Omi do the same. Somehow, Ran already has his katana.
"He's on foot, and we can assume he is alone, but he may be armed with something unexpected if Estet or Schwartz have anything to do with this." Ran warns, his voice hushed as Ken's had been.
Nodding to Omi and Youji to sneak out the back, and for Ken to go out the side, he turns himself to exit the RV through the front. Words are not necessary for understanding, and soon the assassins are split, outside in the darkness, armed, and ready to take on their attacker before he can take them.
Ken, having exited out the side, ducks behind a nearby tree and peers around to see if he can spot any of the others. He sees Omi and Youji come out the back, but then loses sight of them as they head around to the other side. Ran too must have gone right instead of left, for he is nowhere to be seen. And so the brunette waits, watching for movement up ahead where he and Ran had heard the soft shuffling.
As is true in most situations like this, though only moments pass, Ken feels them as if they are hours.
The moon hangs malformed in the too dark sky. Around him, the trees form shadows that seem to create more trees, making very little visible even for someone who is used to working in the dark. A part of him itches to be in his usual assassin gear, but that can never be again. They were destroyed beyond repair in the last battle, and something new will soon have to be created. Ken almost smiles at the thought; it is exciting to imagine remaking oneself.
He tenses. The same sound as before, just ahead, has clearly been heard. He watches closely, his breathing purposefully shallow. And then...out of the darkness...appears a form like darkness itself, black in the black of night, but surely human. Ken forces his eyes to adjust if only to see the stranger more clearly. He recognizes slightly longer hair, a trench coat, and that the man's hands are gloved, but that is all he can see.
The figure seems to be heading towards him, looking with interest at the parked RV. He moves to inspect it, peering in one of the front windows. Coming to a bold decision, Ken sees that he is about to try and open the passenger door. He grabs the handle...but then suddenly jumps back, just in time to miss being tackled by a seemingly flying figure with a katana.
Ran.
Ken wastes no time; he is out of his hiding spot in seconds, rushing up to aid his leader if at all necessary. But, as is so often the case, Ran does not require assistance. The redhead moves like water, liquid and agile. He soon has the stranger from behind, his weapon pressing into the man's throat.
There is a moment where Ken almost smiles at how easy it had been, but he changes his mind. Why had it been so easy...?
"Answer honestly and without hesitation or I will kill you." Ran hisses through clenched teeth, his voice taking on that rumbling lower register he utilizes so well. "Who are you?"
The man holds very still, his head down, causing his longer hair to veil his face. Ken can see more of him now—the trench coat covers a tight black shirt and black pants, and the man's hair is clearly brown—but he wishes he could see the man's face more than anything. Youji and Omi appear from behind the RV but hang back a little, a few feet yet behind Ken.
The stranger has not answered, so Ran tightens his hold, bringing his mouth closer to the man's ear to speak again. "If you think I have qualms about killing you, you are mistaken. Who. Are. You."
The man lifts his head the tiniest bit, revealing to the others a very odd smile. "I am not your enemy." He speaks, his smooth voice sliding through the air as if on silk. It is low, like Ran's, but not angry. He sounds calm. Too calm.
"Wit will not save your life." Ran growls. "Who sent you?"
"Someone who means to help."
"Help who?"
"You."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I have come here unarmed, have I not?"
"Hn." Ran scoffs. "If that is true, it merely means you are more of a fool than I first thought." He turns his eyes on Ken then, loosening his grip on the stranger only slightly. "Ken, check him."
Ken almost jumps at being suddenly brought into the conversation. But it makes sense; he is the closest, and Ran cannot afford to release the man just yet.
Collecting himself, Ken slowly walks forward, staring hard at the face he still cannot see save that smile. He does not like that smile. It feels...as if it is watching him, as he believes those hair-veiled eyes are watching him.
He reaches the pair and begins to pat the man down, his claws kept safely inside his gloves. He is happy to be able to size this man up, but feels more awkward than he ever remembers feeling towards an enemy before. The man is about an inch taller than him, thin, but firm and well-muscled. His clothing is impeccably clean for having been on the road all night, and his skin almost glows in the dark, very pale.
Looking up at the man after having trailed down long legs, Ken grudgingly realizing the man's hair is still veiling his face, even from this better angle. However, when he finally strands, the man suddenly tilts his chin up, looking Ken full in the face.
Ken holds back a gasp. Violet eyes...
"Well?"
Ken falters, even after Ran's prompting. Those eyes...they're drowning him.
"Ken."
"Uhhh...he's clean. No weapon." Ken manages to get out. He takes a step back, understandably shaken.
Seemingly pleased, the man smiles wider, right at Ken. "You see?" he speaks, his voice so oddly gentle, talking to Ran though the man's eyes never once leave Ken.
He is...to put it plainly...beautiful. The charming smile, the fine features, those eyes...
"I am speaking the truth. I am not your enemy." he continues. "I have no weapon, and no, since I know you are thinking it, I don't have any strange power to aide me instead. I only wish to talk. You will allow that, won't you?"
Omi and Youji are too far back to see the man's eyes, or to realize how he is so openly staring at Ken, and Ran is at the wrong advantage, having to look from behind.
"Please." The man implores, though his voice betrays that he is not one to beg. "If you don't like what I have to say, I give you full permission to kill me...Fujimiya-san."
Ken swallows; he doesn't like this. Behind him, Omi and Youji are exchanging very curious and somewhat worried looks. In front, right in the heat of the action, Ran's eyes narrow. The parallel of seeing Ran's eyes so vicious and the stranger's so alluring, forces Ken to swallow again.
This is wrong. Something about all of this is very, very wrong.
"A name. I asked you who you are." Ran speaks, his voice still dark, but more open than before.
The man laughs, very softly, his eyes darting down again for a brief moment, finally giving Ken a moment's reprieve. "My name..." he speaks. "...is Shioshiro. That will do for now."
"Hn. I'll allow you that...but not for long." Ran warns.
And a moment later, he is slipping his katana free and releasing the man from his grasp.
A/N:
Awesome. I really like how this first part turned out, and I hope you do, too. I can't tell you how excited I am to have gotten such wonderful responses so far, even on just the teaser. I am glad this topic interests so many of you.
Well, I assume most of you think you know who's son Shioshiro is, but I guarentee you aren't as correct as you think. Feel free to guess though. :-) Keep in mind I never said it had to be one of Weiss' or one of Schwartz' sons. But saying that isn't really a hint either. , and I know many of you will get a kick out of it once it's revealed.
I will post as often as is possible. Hope you all stick with me and thanks so much for any encouragement and critique.
Crim