PART FOURTEEN

"Well then, young Shioshiro...convince us."

The room so dead and still, the scent of blood so near and pungent-it all lends a stage to the spotlighted brunette that may be a venue too much for him to perform on. But he knows he must; nine pairs of eyes are watching him, waiting for his response.

Weiss and Nagi stand at one end of the large room facing the four members of the long-lost former Weiss. As Shion moves back to his companions, Shioshiro is left alone in the center to be the bridge that crosses the gap.

"I'll get straight to the point then," Shioshiro states simply, relaxing now that he is no longer being held at sword-point. He looks at each member of the old Weiss carefully, focusing finally on Shion. "Our final goal is to eradicate Estet and the institution, Rosenkreuz. To reach that goal we must first-well, next-stop the growth of an Estet controlled school, the creation of others like it, and we must also shut down certain aspects of Kritiker."

"Certain aspects?" Rindou restates with a sneer. He is especially wary of the young brunette now, since Shioshiro dared make him look like a fool. "Meaning you still got some idiotic ideals about being the world's watchdog, controlled by a family that cares more about internal feuding than killing the bad guys."

Omi's ears perk and his fists clench. He knows Rindou's accusations are marginally, if not completely, correct, but what kind of person would he be if he didn't get at least a little upset over his family being ridiculed.

The others, and Omi as well, are occupied with what Shioshiro has just described. The youth has mentioned nothing to them thus far about a school or messing with Kritiker, at least no more than telling Persia to go home to his wife and child. Step by step, Shioshiro has only told them what comes next as it comes. It unnerves and comforts them to have the whole plan laid out at last.

Of course, they also know that the cooperation of this older generation Weiss may very well determine how these other parts come into play.

"Actually...I was thinking of leaving Kritiker to you." Shioshiro shrugs, smiling slyly and clearly directing his words solely at Rindou. "You are of sound mind, if I understand correctly, and have a better vision than most anyone could hope for concerning how Kritiker's operations should be run. If you are willing, Rindou-san, I have already discussed with leading agents, Manx and Birman, the possibility of you taking over Kritiker."

'Who the fuck decided this?' Youji thinks with an internal smirk, since none of them were aware Shioshiro had been plotting any of this, or that he had discussed it with Manx and Birman.

To Nagi's extreme dismay Omi is twitching and fidgeting almost erratically, the young telekinetic unable to keep from watching his companion, and not liking how agitated the blonde is becoming.

Ken darts his eyes to the side, catching Ran's gaze and lifting a single, brunette eyebrow as if to ask, 'Did you know any of this?' Ran's answering look clearly states he did not. Shioshiro is running this show, and has been from the very beginning.

"You...you're really being serious, aren't you?" Rindou says in disbelief, failing in an attempt to curb a rather pleased grin.

Stepping the slightest bit forward, Ayame smiles wickedly, far removed from the grin of his teammate. "Tempting offer, young one, but tell me...what's in this for the rest of us? Goodness, we don't even know what the trade off is."

"I think he means..." Shion translates with a tilt of his head. "What do you want from us, and what can ALL of us expect in return?"

Shioshiro nods. "Of course." He gestures momentarily back at the waiting members of his team. "We...need your help. We have had the opportunity to gather strong allies, but...haven't been as successful as we may have liked. To accomplish all we need to...we need you to back us up. We can handle the schools on our own since they are in their earlier stages at this point in time, but...when it comes to Rosenkreuz and Estet itself...we're going to need more than what we have now. What we offer in return...for the rest of you...is the opportunity to start a new life. If Rindou accepts my offer and you wish to work with him, by all means. If you, Azami-san, Ayame-san, wish to merely continue life with your bar, so be it. Do what you will, but cease this reckless killing, as my father put it. It can gain you nothing." Satisfied with the thoughtful looks on the older Weiss' faces, Shioshiro draws in a deep breath before finishing. "Maybe it isn't enough. Maybe the most we should be asking of you is for your help in stopping THE villain of our time and then give our promise that you can come back to the lives you are living now. But...I am asking what I must ask, and pleading-honestly-for your help, however you might give it."

They have faced much up to this point. Weiss has had to deal with an unknown son, the American military, Farblos, Schwartz, welcoming Nagi, many personal demons and painful developments, and now...this.

'My own problems don't seem so bad...' Youji smiles sadly, thinking very briefly back to the night before when Shioshiro's warm embrace was all that kept him from falling apart at what he may be becoming.

The road ahead is long, with complications never-ending. For all.

'Geez...and all I want from this is Aya...'

'To fight beside Shion...with the sword he gave me...am I truly up to that task?'

'Sometimes I wish I had never been born...since it meant being a Takatori...'

'Is it so much to ask for a second chance in life...?'

They all have their questions and meditations, Shioshiro included, but as the leader of this day, and those that must follow it, the young brunette cannot afford to be distracted by his own desires.

"You are right, child..." Shion speaks at long last, looking strangely conceding, but still with a few tricks up his sleeve. "You are right...that it is not enough. A new life? Do you think such a thought never crossed our minds? And you think you can give it to us? What lives do we have to go back to? We are killers...just like your father and his friends." A wicked smile, nearly rivaling Ayame's. "Forgive me...fathers, of course. Hahaha..."

"Perhaps a truce then?" Shioshiro braves on, unflinching. "You agree only to allow us to try and persuade you, and perhaps you will discover what new lives might mean, just as I am trying to help my fathers and their friends do."

Shion stops his gentle laughter. He looks honestly contemplative now, and his companions watch him closely with looks that betray their own assumptions on what he is thinking.

He is considering the offer, no doubt about it.

Azami steps forward now, having been the only remaining member still left back. "These children do not know what they ask. Shion, you are not seriously thinking of"

"I have a condition I would like to add." Shion breaks in loudly, overpowering Azami's ever-smooth voice. He glances at the tallest of his companions with a look of genuine sympathy. "I think you will like this condition, Azami, if you will listen. The rest of you, too." he adds in addressing the other members of his team. Then, turning back to Shioshiro, he raises an elegant eyebrow, his long, dark hair all too still about his shoulders. "Are you open to amendments, child?"

A small tilt of his head and half-smile answers. "Always." Shioshiro assures.

Ken's eyes widen; since when is his son so giving when it comes to the bad guys? Or to potentially very dangerous and deadly allies at least.

Ran tenses as well, but all of them are on edge, on both sides. This conversation has run its course and a decision must be reached, or itching trigger fingers will begin to pull back regardless of truces made.

"We will agree to listen to your persuasions...IF..." Shion says with a purposely drawn out pause. "...you accompany us on a mission first."

If Shion expected Shioshiro to deflate at this request, the older swordsman is in for a disappointment. "Gladly." Shioshiro replies, already having a pretty good idea what the mission will be.

"Hmph. As arrogant as your father. My request then...is for your help in ensuring the collapse of Kritiker as it stands now-whether or not Rindou decides to accept your offer in rebuilding it anew-and aide us in the assassination of the last of the Takatori clan."

Nearly a dozen pairs of eyes dart suddenly to poor Omi who has dropped his crossbow to the ground with a load clatter. It simply slipped out of his hand and lays now at his feet. He is trembling, more and more so with so many eyes watching him, but not because of fear.

He trembles because he believes he deserves any act of vengeance taken upon him for the acts of his family.

"Hahahaha..." Ayame laughs, the sound eerily ricocheting over the high ceilings of the room, and echoing too loudly when everyone else is being so silent. "Don't tell me that frail little boy is the lost son? Oh, this is too much!"

Nagi moves to block Omi from the other's line of sight, glaring protectively.

Ran, Ken, and Youji have moved their eyes to Shioshiro, however, all very close to wondering if this isn't some masterful betrayal since the brunette looks so calm.

"The boy is not our concern." Shion addresses his still laughing companion, easing the room slightly, and speaking just as Shioshiro knew he would. "He WAS Takatori Mamoru, if my sources are correct, but...he is someone else today. The only true remaining member of the family, the man still controlling all of Kritiker from behind the scenes...is Takatori Saijou. But then...you already knew that, didn't you...Shioshiro-kun?"

'Saijou...?' Omi plays over in his mind.

Does he want to know? Does he care...?

"Yes, I knew. And I would be more than happy to kill him for you."

Breathe. Breathe. Should Omi speak up? Should he be against this? But Shioshiro is so kind and has done so much for their sakes. If he is willing-gladly willing-to kill this final Takatori...shouldn't Omi be ready to back him up? Isn't his loyalty as Tsukiyono Omi first and foremost to Weiss? Not to the institution, but to the men?

"This is a mission I had planned to undertake all along, though I had thought to handle it alone." Shioshiro continues, very clearly keeping Weiss at his back, locking eyes with Shion and the other members of the former Weiss. "However, I realize how much help will be appreciated since all of Tsukiyono Castle needs to be wiped out."

A nearly audible gasp sounds at the utterance of that castle's name. Omi doesn't want to know. He doesn't.

"Your help will be welcomed. I request only...that Saijou himself be left to me." On these next words Shioshiro turns slowly to look past the small brunette guarding a certain blonde in order to look that blonde in the eye. "I made a promise I intend to keep. Personally." He turns back, questions unanswered, and awaits the verdict.

Along with everyone else.

Smile still firmly planted on Shion's face, he eyes Shioshiro a moment, glancing occasionally to look over his former pupil and the short-haired brunette next to him. Slowly, he turns to his teammates for confirmation, though it is clear his own mind is already made up.

Ayame looks rather amused with the situation, Rindou shrugs, feeling honestly intrigued, and Azami, though skeptical, can find no words to argue against what Shioshiro is proposing.

Shion turns back to Shioshiro grandly after tossing Ran and Ken a rather odd wink. "Lead the way then, Shioshiro-kun. We have a mission to plan."

Having followed the RV in their own vehicle, the old and current Weiss are now all back at that ever-loved parking spot. The ride had been less than an hour, but tiresome. Tiresome for all, wondering what there will be to face once reaching a destination where all are meant to live and work together peacefully for as long as this truce lasts.

The older Weiss has no intention of staying in the RV, of course-it is crowded enough as it is, even if the possibility weren't ludicrous-and they have acquired rooms at a motel in town.

Now, a few hours after the group's heated confrontation, both sides have agreed to call it a night and leave one another be until morning, when tempers will hopefully be more soothed and any wounds gained in the fight will be healed.

Of course, not everyone is good at keeping promises.

Shion watches Ran with practiced eyes, remaining hidden in the shadows of the trees as he tails his once treasured pupil.

Though the others have since gone to bed despite the early hour, Ran cannot sleep and has chosen instead to breathe in a little night air and ease his nerves with a walk through the trees. Having no intention of getting himself lost in the dark, Ran is only so far as across that nearby bridge and into the wood that is so sparse it can barely be called a wood at all. Out of habit he has brought his katana along, unseen inside his long white coat. He is still dressed in his mission attire, though his gloves have been forgotten somewhere inside the RV.

Against the increasing cold, he now regrets having left them, but is preoccupied much more with the knowledge that he is most definitely not alone. In truth, Ran has felt this...presence...for quite some time now, but has been biding his time.

His stalker's identity suddenly dawns on him, however, and he stops his aimless trek through the trees, calling out to his surroundings. "Enough. If you wish to speak, show yourself. If you have come to kill me...then draw your sword in the open. I am in no mood for your games...Shion."

A low laugh sounds within the wind, reminding Ran far too much of his recently reoccurring dream...of his master haunting him.

The 'ghost' steps out from behind his hiding place to lean casually against the tree there, his silhouette relaxed and at ease in the moonlight.

"I'm unarmed. You needn't fear betrayal." the older man speaks simply, not fearing the sword Ran has instinctively brought out into the open. "I only thought...well...I knew you would be out here...and I have so missed watching the grace with which you move. That, at least, you have not lost, Ran-kun."

"What do you want?" Ran asks shortly, katana harmless at his side now but held tightly in his naked hand.

Shion smiles, pushing from his tree to step more fully into the light. "Ran, do you remember what I told you when I gave you that sword?"

How could he not; it has haunted him right along with those dreams. "You said... 'if you must draw it, only draw it to let others live'..."

"Oh, so you do remember?" Shion says teasingly. "Nonetheless, you disregarded it."

"And what about you?" Ran cries suddenly, temper right on the surface, as always. "I... I believed you were the last man to be a murderer"
The scorn in Shion's face fades and his voice is no longer taunting. "A sword that kills others IS a sword that lets others live...in the right circumstances." he explains carefully, almost as if he is in the role of teacher once more. "You must see this first to understand."

"Semantics. Doesn't that still make you a murderer? You accuse me but you have led the same life. I've no interest in listening to your wordplay. You've deceived me enough already."

Now it is Shion's temper that flares. "The one who deceived you was Takatori Shuuichi." he nearly growls, his anger moving him another foot closer to Ran. "I had already been called to join Weiss when you arrived in Sendai. You were dispatched to fill in my vacancy, but...as you were the colt still running too wild for Kritiker, I thought my place better served there...with you. The first Weiss was created without me, and...there was that half a year spent training you. I never meant to grow so fond of my pupil..."

Ran flinches back when Shion lifts a hand as if to reach out towards the redhead's pale face.

At this reaction, Shion lowers his arm almost immediately, a somber smile touching his lips. "I gave you the sword...as a final gift...before beginning preparations to cover my tracks."

There is something too heartbreaking in Shion's tone for Ran's liking. He wants to be angry. He wants to hate this man...who abandoned him. But what man can ever control the path of his heart? "...the explosion...I thought...how...how did you survive that...?"

Shion doesn't even try to hide his pleasure at Ran's worried tone, at last betraying that the redhead had indeed been surprised to learn he was still alive. "Because of my negligence, I took heavy wounds, but I managed to slip out during the chaos. I want you to know, Ran, that it was NOT my choice to leave you. Takatori Shuuichi made the decision to have you believe I was dead. After the deaths of many members of Kritiker, he believed it was necessary to enlist a powerful Weiss that would not be as easily eradicated as the first."

Ran's blood runs cold suddenly, his face growing even more pale than normal. "Persia...asked you to join Weiss? That's why you left me...?" Ran restates breathlessly, his sword hanging limply now, nearly slipping from his fingers. His guard has officially dropped.

"Supposedly, the Weiss called together before mine was annihilated during their first mission, making you and your group the third Weiss. I can only blame myself that you were called to this life." Shion's guard has officially dropped as well. This is a conversation long overdue. "Eventually, I realized that Takatori Shuuichi was really fighting Takatori Reiji more than striving to bring justice. Of course, we knew that the Takatori Group had well surpassed the limits of atrocity...but this was a feud between brothers. We would not risk our lives nor take others' for the sake of the Takatori clan's shameful infighting, so we broke away from Shuuichi. We went off on our own, forcing Shuuichi to continue Weiss by calling you-young, immature men around 20, ensuring he would never have to deal with a revolt again. Takatori Shuuichi is the man you should hate. It makes me sick to think he led you down this path at such a young age, robbing you of your future..."

As Shion raises his hand this time, having moved closer to his former student during his speech, Ran does not shy away, not even when that surprisingly warm hand makes contact with his cheek, holding the redhead's face affectionately.

Ran hates himself for the tears stinging at the corners of his eyes, hates himself for the lost grip on his katana as it falls to land in the dirt, hates himself for the pounding of his heart, hates himself...for missing the comfort he once found in this man.
"I...am content having my revenge." Ran breathes, backing out of Shion's gentle touch, his breathing labored as he stares back into those amber eyes, so nearly gold. "Persia allowed me to attain that...and I am thankful."

His hand lowering much more slowly this time, Shion sighs, only his eyes betraying his sorrow at the loss of something that can never truly be reclaimed. "Then now, after attaining your revenge, why are you still in Weiss?"

"I...I..."

"Why not live peacefully with your sister?"

"There's no way I can do that! I mean...I...didn't feel I could...now...but...maybe..."

"Maybe...?"

Ran clenches his eyes shut, knowing it is the only way to keep himself from becoming lost in those eyes all over again. "Maybe...I can now...when we have completed what Shioshiro has set out for us. I never thought I would be fit to hold her after all I've done, but...that boy has been trying so hard to show me...show all of us...how we are beyond this...death, and...I want to believe him. I do." Violet eyes open again, slowly, feeling renewed, though they still find themselves caught by gold.

"Perhaps myself and the others have... become numb to murder." Shion voices softly, his lips twitching up again, though into a smile much more bitter than before. "Heh, or perhaps this is a disease caught from our profession...and you believe you have found the cure. Whatever the case may by, Ran-kun, at least my group can scrutinize our orders and missions before acting upon them. We are controlled by no one"
Regaining much of his lost composure, Ran's face molds slowly into stone, unyielding to Shion's attempts to get the better of him. "Now...neither are we. Shioshiro told you everything, yes? About himself, about what we have done thus far? We are our own masters in this, too. We are not asking you to give that up."

Shion ponders this a moment, looking Ran over precisely-thoughtfully. "Perhaps not. Perhaps your son can bring about what he promises. Indeed, I hope he can. It is a nice dream, after all...don't you agree?" Suddenly, Shion has crossed the space between them, grabbed Ran about the waist, and pulled the redhead against him, fitting their bodies closely together.

Ran struggles at first, damning himself for being caught so unaware, but soon goes still, not knowing how to take the feel of the firm body against his, or the lips hovering so close to his own. He swallows hard as his eyes dart up and meet gold-brilliant now by being so dangerously near. Ran closes his eyes and waits. When nothing happens, he opens them again, and discovers Shion grinning at him.

"What makes you think I would do such a thing now when I didn't give in to you then?" he taunts, his voice low and whispering. "I was just curious...whether or not you still had feelings for me."

"I never!" Ran starts, but cuts himself off at seeing Shion's skeptical look.

It is true he was infatuated with his teacher, and he often made rather obvious advances. Obvious at least for one so young, inexperienced, and downright shy and aloof.

The blush to the boy's cheeks was often enough out of character to tell Shion what Ran wanted, but the swordsman never furthered those advances anymore than a kind embrace, massage of sore muscles, or-alright, he'll admit it wasn't the smartest of things he's ever done-the occasional kiss to the cheek or forehead.

The one thing he would never do, however, is kiss the boy on the lips, or give him any true reason to believe anything could come out of them being together. It was a passing crush Ran needed to outgrow...for his own good.

"I never..." Ran starts again, this time having decided on an explanation he truly does believe. "...loved you...the way I thought I did. It was...foolish. A teenage infatuation for someone I...owed everything to."

Shion smiles, having pulled his head back enough to give them both their own breathing space, but still holding Ran close to his body. "I know. Why do you think I never allowed more than I did? Believe me..." he adds, trailing his eyes alluringly down the length of Ran's body and back up to stare into somewhat off-put violets. "...it was torture keeping my hands off of you." In an instant, Shion has released Ran and stepped back, nearly causing the redhead to topple over from the sudden loss of support.

"Bastard." Ran hisses, lunging down to reclaim his katana as if to guard his not quite violated body.

Laughing easily-though with a sadness in his eyes that Ran is too angry to notice-Shion begins heading down the path that goes further into the wood and eventually spills out into town. "Until tomorrow, Ran-kun. And as a word of advice, in honor of what your dear child has filled me in on, do consider being just as submissive to your future mate's advances as you were to mine tonight. If anyone deserves to exist, it is indeed that lovely boy."

As Shion's form disappears into the advancing night, Ran doesn't know who he wants to kill more right now-his former teacher or his son. Hell, he'd be happy to do Ken in, considering the brunette is half responsible for all this trouble, being half the DNA that made Shioshiro.

But, then again, if Ran starts thinking that way he may as well just kill himself.

Slipping his sword back into hiding, Ran turns back towards the direction of the RV. There have been enough distractions lately for him to very easily ignore the growing problem of...Ken...but soon that will no longer be true, and the brunette is growing increasingly more impatient for signs of...anything.

Ken won't be going down without a fight, not after Shioshiro, not after enough evidence to choke a cat, and...not after that damn kiss.

Ran has never felt so defeated, and he knows very well that he has been defeated by himself this time, and badly at that. Soon he will have to make the decisions that will mean the end or beginning of just about everything in his life.

"Oooh...Reiji...Reiji, you undutiful son. Shuuichi, you were, as well. How could you both die before your father? And Hirofumi...Masafumi...uuhh...my darling, darling boys...even you. And Ouka! Ouka, knowing no impurity, how one so pure as you have also died? I wanted Takatori children...I wanted the Takatori bloodline to survive long and prosperously. Oh, my mother, forgive me! The grand Takatori clan you had hoped for is doomed. Oh please...send Mamoru to me, mother. Mamoru...my lost grandchild. Mamoru! Come to me, Mamoru!"

tbc...

A/N: Please forgive me for the delay. At first I was a little put off by lack of response on the last part, and then life just got crazy and before I knew it, it had been over a month. Well, I hope you liked this chapter, and I plan to pick up the pace and get out another chapter this weekend.

Thanks everyone for your continued support and PLEASE REVIEW to let me know how things are going and to fill me in on any questions or ideas.

M-chan: Yes, the stuff with the girls was supposed to be at the same time, because the mission started earlier than normal, early evening right before closing. I hope it wasn't too out of place, but it happens in Dramatic Precious and I didn't want to leave it out since it reminds us that they exist. They'll be more, though not a lot, of the girls.

Grasshopper: Welcome! I swear I am usually not this slow. I usually post at least once a week when I'm going strong, and I swear I'll be better. As for the mpreg, my good friend EmperessRose is saying the same thing. Hmmm. I must have subconsciously made Hiro so much like Hiro, haha, having seen Gravitation and loved it. But, coloring is different, since Hiro is supposed to be more brunette with violet eyes. Oh, well, still pretty, ne, even if he has a near-twin. :-)

Thekatgirl: I wish I had made up those weapons, but nope, in the Drama CDs those weapons ARE what Alpha Weiss uses. Cool, huh?

And to you other faithful follower, I LOVE YOU TOO! blush This story owns my soul and I will pump out faster, I swear. Ja!

Crim