Forgive me...

Part Twenty-Five
"You've been expecting…me?" Shioshiro asks with halting words. The last thing he imagined he would face in this final room was a smiling woman who knows him by name. Somehow, it makes the whole situation feel even more disconcerting. "How…how do you--"

"How do we know you?" the woman in charge asks. She has hair so black it almost takes on a sheen of blue, and her eyes match, staring out from behind strangely shaped glasses that give her the look of some ravenous cat. Her smile remains sickly sweet. "We know you, Shioshiro, because we have been watching you from the beginning. Did you really think you could come to this time, plot all you have plotted, and not attract our attention? Really, child. There are precogs among us with more power than dear Mr. Crawford. Far more power…indeed."

Shioshiro feels his throat begin to close. A sudden wave of panic makes him want to turn and find the comforting faces of his fathers, but he cannot look away from the table. He knows that Weiss and Sally are on his right and Alpha Weiss is on his left, leaving him to remain the figurehead. Which seems to be exactly what these people were expecting.

"You will find we know all about…all of you." A man seated next to the woman speaks. He too has black hair, but his eyes are a frightening shade of green. "I hope our little diversions weren't too much for you all. We had thought you would reach this room ages ago."

Taking a small step forward, the oldest of the gathered group speaks. "You would have us believe we made it this far only because you allowed it." Shion states with little emotion, remaining outwardly even and calm. His sword hangs at his side, ever ready to be put back into use. "You must have reason for that then."

Ran, feeling as if he is indeed on the opposite side of the room from his old master despite there only being Ken, Shioshiro, and Rindou between them, tries to gather strength from the sound of Shion's familiar voice.

He had not been the one to go over to Alpha Weiss' base the night before; Youji and Shioshiro had done that after turning their watch-shift over to Omi and Nagi. Ran has not seen nor heard Shion since their encounter some time ago at Tsukiyono Castle.

For all the strength he is trying to gather, however, he finds himself coming up short. Even Ken beside him is not enough. Ran does not like that these people are focusing on Shioshiro. It frightens him more than he dare say.

"Yes, we allowed for you to make it this far." the woman speaks again, smiling a little wider, just as most of the table has broken into equal grins. "How much easier is it to be rid of one's enemies if we do so with all of them in one place, after all. The rest of your team will be arriving shortly, but by then it will be far too late to offer you help…I am afraid."

Shioshiro's throat is tighter still, closing of its own accord almost. He feels his chest constricting, and realizes suddenly that it isn't merely because of nerves.

Choking aloud, the brunette clutches at his throat with both hands, his vision flashing with patches of black as he realizes his air has been completely cut off. He stumbles, the room slowly spinning as he gasps for air he cannot breathe in.

"Stop it! What are you doing to him?" Ken cries, falling to the ground beside his struggling son. He is almost afraid to touch Shioshiro for fear of only making things worse.

"Cowardly, I think, to attack in such a way." comes Ayame's silken voice, speaking ridiculously calm amongst the now very tangible panic coursing through most of the others. Casually flicking a long strand of dark brown from in front of his deep, indigo eyes, the older man tilts his head slightly as he turns to address his nearest companion. "Do you not agree, Azami, that these people are cowards? Perhaps we should…"

"…cue the violin." Azami finishes with a small smile of his own. The taller man lifts his instrument to his chin and takes a stroke. For a moment, a lovely note hangs in the air, drowning out the continued gasps of the brunette still struggling on the ground with now both fathers at his side. Then…a backstroke…and darts are sent flying towards the center of the table.

The woman never stops smiling. The darts stop a few inches from her face. "You truly do not know with whom you are dealing…do you?"

Azami calls out as he is lifted into the air, sent propelling backwards to the far end of the room where he remains pinned to the wall a few feet above the ground. The others do not dare move, but Ayame's eyes have become wild. The problem with this enemy is with so many of them, there is no way to be sure which of them is utilizing which power. Even if they thought they knew, such as choosing the woman who has spoken most, it is almost as if those at the table are working collectively.

One can push open a door; one cannot push over a wall.

Shioshiro lets out a loud gasp, swallowing air like water when his throat finally opens again. He remains on the ground, shaking, his vision still hazy from having come so close to passing out. Ran and Ken help him to his feet, and he is glaring when his head lifts up to look again at the table before them.

And again, the woman is smiling. "You have tasted death, young Shioshiro. Now…watch as those you have led…die because you have led them here. And know…that you will only join them…when the last has fallen to the ground."

The anger in Shioshiro's eyes is washed away and replaced with unfettered fear as all those with him rise up into the air like Azami had and sail back towards that far wall.

The woman is truly beaming now as she speaks. "Did you really think you could win?"

"It is not a question of winning…Madame Stork."

Shioshiro had honestly not known what to do next until that voice broke in. He turns now with a shock of relief flooding into him at the welcome sight of the former Schwartz walking through the door.

Brad, who had been the one to speak, leads the others as they come to stand next to Shioshiro. He pays little mind to the many contorted figures pinned behind him, and instead offers the table a bow. "It will be my pleasure to aide in your undoing, Madame." He is smiling, but not sweetly as the woman Shioshiro now knows to be Madame Stork had been. Brad's smile is pure wickedness and cruel intentions. He speaks now without turning his head. "Bring our fellows back to Earth, will you, Nagi."

The small telekinetic quickly does as asked, looking to be in no strain whatsoever as he lowers Weiss and the others back to the ground. Released, the crew quickly makes their way back to join the rest, a few not faring too well in remaining collected.

Youji's wire would very well be cutting into his hands if not for the gloves he wears. Ayame's grip on his boomerang would most likely be cutting his hand as well, if not for the help of similar protection. And Ken and Rindou could very well compete for whose face is redder with anger.

"You four have grown quite powerful, Schwartz, but you are not powerful enough to take on the whole of the council. You know this. Why help these fools when you are sure to fail?"

Brad, ever-calm and collected in even the most hopeless of situations, takes a moment to reposition his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "Madame…I think you may be surprised just what awaits you…when the future you think you see…is not the one you get." Brad does not look at nor acknowledge Schuldig's smirk.

'Why, Bradley…could you mean me?'

Brad does not respond. "Your opponents are all of us, Madame, members of the council. All fourteen of us…with many more on the way. More than even you may realize are coming."

For a moment, the smile on Madame Stork's face falters. "Do you have the gall to suggest that you can see a clearer future than I, Crawford? I taught you how to use your gift, after all."

With Madame Stork's smile faded, Brad's finds itself renewed. He takes his time and looks to each of the many gathered with him, whom he has joined for the sake of something…he is honestly happy he is fighting for.

'Told ya so.'

'Shut up, Schuldig.'

"What you fail to understand, Madame." he finishes, pulling his gun in a grand gesture that signals each of the others to ready their weapons as well. "Is that unlike you…I have learned I am not infallible. And…to be honest…the future is much brighter…when you don't know what's coming."

"What do you say to that…everyone?"

Ran's head is the first to dart up towards the third and somewhat hidden entrance, placed just behind the table of council members. How could he not be the first, when he knows this voice better than any of the others gathered?

Yuushi.

Not only has Knight appeared, with the other members of Crashers flanking him in the doorway, but it seems this white room is littered with doors they had not noticed as those doors now open, one after the other, with more than a few figures standing behind each one. Some are members of Kritiker—Birman and Manx to the right of Crashers, for instance—while many…most, to be honest…are people unrecognizable.

Though not unrecognizable to the people at the table.

"Impossible." the man beside Madame Stork says in a loud, disbelieving voice as he stands like most of the council has begun to stand. "We knew the security had been compromised, but…but--"

"But you didn't think they'd bite the hand that feeds 'em, right?" Schuldig puts in, finding more than one familiar face in the crowd of Rosenkreuz prisoners. Most students are prisoners, after all. At least until they swear allegiance. One would think an organization based on hate and deceit would know better than to trust its creations. "Sorry, folks." Schuldig adds. "But I don't think you've given a single one of us jack shit. And when you've got this many angry psychics…it gets pretty hard figuring out which future you're seeing is the real one. Doesn't it?"

To put it kindly, the members of the council look scared out of their holy fucking minds.

And Shioshiro is finally breathing normal again.

The young brunette is practically beaming as he takes a few confident steps closer to the table. He looks out at the many people waiting to back him up, and even though many of the faces are of people he does not know, he feels no fear. Surely there are people of Rosenkreuz and Estet who do sympathize with the council, but those people are currently…unavailable.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, since you know so much of me…Madame." Shioshiro sneers. No need for pleasantries, false or otherwise. He revels in his words sounding like poison. "But I am afraid…you have some business with these people. And I wouldn't dream of coming between that. Everyone…welcome to your new futures. They begin right…now."

And those words are all the signal any of the prisoners need to hear.

If asked later what they saw that night, the members of Weiss and Alpha Weiss would not know what to say. They found themselves holding back for most of the fight, offering a helping hand only if the need truly arose, which was usually only carried out as a final, killing blow. The prisoners, made up of people like Schwartz and Sally, had powers that were familiar looking, and some not. Ken decided quickly that if he had such a power he would want it to be like the guy he saw with bluish hair who could throw fire from his fingertips, because 'that was just cool.'

As for the rest…it wasn't much of a battle with so many wills strong enough to fight their captors. Schuldig and Brad, for one, never felt more purposeful. And they were not alone.

Almost an hour after the last of Estet's leaders have been eliminated, with the night far into ridiculous hours, the compound is still buzzing. Those who had been freed and chose to help Weiss and the others in the fight have been helping to round up those who chose to remain loyal. The building proved to be littered with possibly dangerous persons, but they are being found quickly with the extra help. Though many of the prisoners are questionable as 'good guys,' their desire to be free of Estet's control has certainly given them a new perspective, and while many are merely looking forward to returning to their families, some…have started to consider Rindou's insistent job offers.

Shioshiro has put up with more than one telepath who came up to him to ask if he really is from the future since they had caught that from the boy's mind, and he has told everyone who asked the truth.

'Yes. But I have to go home soon.'

The problem with putting up with it, however, is that each time he says those words, they sting a little more. They…frighten him more than anything…because he has no idea what to expect. He has already been through the compound and found the experiments and technology that can be used to…well…make his life possible, so that is a relief, but…there are so many unanswered questions…until he takes the plunge…and goes home.

"Kid…you think way too much."

Shioshiro looks up from where he is sitting on the floor of the white room. He isn't tired or even physically fatigued, considering the fight hadn't been nearly as much as he expected. At least not for him. Smiling at his uncle as the blonde sits down next to him, he is happy to see that the same is true for Youji. "I won't deny it, Yotan, but that doesn't mean I am going to change. There's a lot on my mind right now."

"What? We won. We kicked. Well…the psychos kicked, but we were here to see it through, and none of it would have happened if not for you, remember."

"They're psychics, Youji. Don't anger the people with superpowers, please."

Youji just laughs. Sitting rather close to the other man, he throws an arm around Shioshiro and pulls the brunette in for a sudden, chaste kiss on the cheek.

Face suddenly wearing the cutest look of bemused shock, Shioshiro doesn't know if he wants to laugh, or rub his cheek raw.

"That was for luck." Youji explains simply.

Shioshiro hates that his face feels so warm now. "Aren't you supposed to do that before we face mortal danger?"

"Well, I tried." Youji says with mock indignation.

Really, the pair has to share another laugh.

Soon after, Youji pulls away somewhat, though he keeps his arm where it is. They are barely even acknowledging the commotion around them. "I didn't mean luck for tonight." Youji says at long last, looking straight ahead rather than at the boy next to him. "Luck for tomorrow, kid. Luck for all of 'em." He looks down and reaches with his non-occupied hand to smooth a finger over Shioshiro's ring. "You deserve…fifty plus years…with this daughter of mine."

If he didn't know better, Shioshiro would swear that dreadful woman was closing up his throat again. He barely even chokes out his words. "How…how did you…?"

Youji shrugs. "I figured. Plus…Ken's a shitty liar."

Remembering well the talk Omi had had with him before he left those months ago, Shioshiro fears for a moment what this knowledge might do, but…at this point…he figures to hell with playing it safe. He just changed history. And he has no regrets.

Except maybe for not having told Yue anything about this mission, other than that he would be away for a while. And that he never actually told Ran, either. But he isn't about to admit that.

"I look forward to having yet another father then…Yotan." Shioshiro smiles, happily deciding to forget thoughts about his past, when he is much more concerned with a brand new future. "That is…if you're willing to have me as a son-in-law?"

For a split second, Youji actually feigns deep thought. "Hmmm…saved the world at great risk to himself and helped introduce me to my future wife, and the future mother of his future wife…hmm…is that good enough for my daughter? I don't know, kid, tough call." The blonde grins wide, turning his half-hug on Shioshiro's shoulders into a friendly headlock. "What do you think? After all this, you better marry her. I'll be counting on it."

Shioshiro is nothing but smiles, especially once Youji has released his head. "Thanks."

"You know, the reason I came over here actually…was because I was hoping you might know where your parents ran off to."

"Oran and Kento disappeared?" Shioshiro questions, only slightly concerned considering how big the compound is.

Youji fails miserably at suppressing a naughty little smirk. "More like…made themselves scarce. I thought maybe you knew where they went. I'd go looking…but I sure as hell don't wanna be the one to walk in on them."

"Youji!" Shioshiro groans, covering his ears as if the thought of what the blonde is implying could not be more offensive. "I did not need to think that!" Though to be honest, it really is all he can do to keep from smiling.

'I won't grudge them it if it's true…' he thinks, grinning internally if not outwardly to betray his delight. 'After these past few months…they deserve whatever time they can get…'

-----

At the moment, the time they are taking for themselves is not yet what Youji assumed. But it is sure as hell going to get there.

"Errr…Ran? Why are we in a closet?"

"I wanted to speak to you in private."

"But…this place is huge. There are plenty of places for privacy. I doubt anyone would even notice if we were having an intimate conversation in the middle of a room. So…again…closet? Why exactly?"

The corners of Ran's mouth twitch up in a near-smirk. He pushes Ken back against the storeroom wall suddenly, pinning him with a hand on either side of the brunette's head.

Ken audibly gulps. The small space is dark, giving Ran's eyes an eerily indigo shade that almost seems to shimmer against his pale skin. For some reason, Ken has the fleeting thought that Ran has never looked so beautiful before, even with the faint smell of lemon floating all around them inside what he now assumes to be some sort of cleaning supply closet. But still…something about Ran seems so…Ken gulps again. He knows the reason. Ran looks beautiful…because he looks so strangely…dangerous.

"Ahhh…should I be scared at all. Ya know…calling for help and--"

"I have something for you."

"Ha…yeah…I can, uhh…tell…"

Ran pulls himself in a little closer, his breath tickling the tip of Ken's nose as he speaks. "I have something else for you…first." he explains, and Ken is sure to make note of that added 'first'.

Nodding carefully, Ken watches the redhead pull just enough away to reach into his long white trench coat. Now Ken's curiosity has been perked. Ran really does have something for him.

As Ran pulls out the small box, a few stubborn butterflies offer a couple lingering flutters in his stomach. He knows this moment isn't so maudlin as a 'will you marry me, Ken,' but still. He already regrets that he waited this long to carry out his master's wish, and considering what Shion had said to him after the mission ended…

'So…you still haven't given it to him.'

Ran had reacted with well due shock that the subject was brought up so casually. He knew exactly what Shion was talking about. 'I…haven't found the right moment with which to--'

'Please do not patronize me, Ran. I have known you too long.'

The pair was alone, in a sense, with others running all about to do this or that, but none of their own men were around, and thus…no one was paying them very careful mind. Ran moved to sit in a chair amongst a few others. The room they were in must have been some sort of waiting area, he assumed. 'Shion…it isn't that I do not wish to pass your ring on to Ken…as I know you are hoping. But…it isn't as though we can…marry.'

The older man had joined Ran in an adjacent chair, his near gold-colored eyes full of laughter. 'Clearly. But does that really matter?' He had paused then for a long time. 'Ran…do you love him?'

And Ran had taken almost as long of a pause to answer honestly. 'Almost desperately. I have…for much longer than I admitted…loved him very much. I could not accept my feelings for…far too long. I never thought I would deserve someone's love again.'

'That was your first mistake.'

It was then, when Shion had reached boldly into the folds of Ran's jacket only to find the ring exactly where he expected that Ran realized how foolish he was being.

Shion had found it rather quaint that Ran kept the ring in such a box, but teased only slightly before pushing the item firmly into Ran's hand, closing the redhead's fist over it and saying, 'Ran…though I dearly hope it isn't the case for you…any one of us could die tomorrow. Do you really want to take that chance when you have already accepted your fate?'

No. He does not.

"Ken…" Ran speaks, having already taken the ring from the box for fear of this playing out any more like a proposal than it feels. "…you see this ring?"

It is a simple band; the only kind of jewelry Ken would ever think to wear. He nods. He imagines that every girl who ever had a man drop to one knee in front of her must have felt what he is feeling now.

Ran does not kneel. "This…belonged to Shion. He…passed it on to me…telling me to go out and make better use of it than he was able to." He pauses, his eyes locked on the ring. The danger about him is gone for now, though the beauty remains. "I cannot…marry you, Ken. If such a thing were possible, I don't even know if I would be ready for that. But…I know…I never want to leave you. I never want you out of my life. And that scares me. I have already lost…much. I swore to never love, that I…had no right to. But…I know now how deeply I love you. So…knowing that…I…would like very much…for you to wear this ring."

'Not gonna cry…not gonna cry…' But Ken knows his lip is quivering

"Shit, Ran…don't look so worried. You actually think I'd say no?"

A small twitch at Ran's mouth signals how close he is to laughing, smiling…and breaking into tears all at once. He feels so foolish for some reason. Like a school age, love-sick fool. He has no regrets, but he wants this feeling gone and quickly. He takes Ken's hand…the left, for all its symbolism…and slips the ring on, moving in to capture Ken's lips as he does so.

While Ken might be basking in the beauty of such a picturesque moment between him and his beloved, Ran has had enough of the overly sappy for one night.

The kiss is transformed from slow and loving…to demanding. Wanting.

Within the kiss Ran grasps both Ken's wrists and nearly slams them back into the wall as he presses his body forward. What he had lost while within their 'moment' has quickly been regained. And Ken feels it…pressing firmly into his hips.

The brunette gasps. Even the slight pain in his wrists from the force of Ran's hold on them only adds to how intensely…sexy this is. It was one thing for Ran to take the initiative in pleasuring Ken; it is a whole new story for Ran to be aggressive like this for his own sake.

"Now…about my other gift…" Ran purrs, moving his mouth to Ken's now arching neck. He rolls his hips to further explain his point.

'…holy…fuck…maybe Knight and I went a little too far the other night…'

"Uhhh…Ran…is…this going to be like my birthday present, by any chance…?"

Ran chuckles. He actually chuckles, and the sound…is more than a little evil. "Another time? Of course. But tonight…we don't really have much time, do we? Everyone is finishing up. They'll be wondering where we've gone."

When Ken unwittingly throws his head back at Ran's continued attentions on his neck, he strikes the wall with enough force to have him gritting his teeth against the pain. Ran really is very talented with his mouth, Ken thinks, as the redhead begins sucking on his earlobe.

And those hips seem to be constantly rocking now.

"Umm…wouldn't that be a good reason not to keep up with the…groping in the closet thing here?"

Ken has a sudden flashback to his own words when they were on that mission at Koua Gakuen. A while til we're groping in closets? Did Ken inadvertently ask for this?

Shit.

"Groping is all well and good, Ken…but I'm thinking of something a little…bigger…"

Judging by the size of the firm bulge pressing again and again against Ken's own building erection, what Ran is most likely really planning…finally hits home.

Double Shit.

"Ran…uhh…you know…Yuushi and I weren't trying to make you mad or anything when we were--"

"Questioning my manhood?"

Shit, shit, shit. "No! I would never question your…ah!" Ken's mouth opens in a cry as that 'manhood' brushes his own after a rather unbearable roll of the redhead's hips. Hell, that wasn't a roll. That was a grind. "I…I'm sorry…I'm really, really sorry…"

Ran rather likes how easily he is making the brunette squirm. "So you weren't questioning my manhood--"

"No!"

"Just my ability to…take control of a situation…such as this."

'I am so dead…' Ken thinks, unable to speak as another groan escapes his lips—loudly.

Ran is grinding him back into the wall now, that teasing mouth slowly following a trail along his collarbone, up one side of his neck, to his ear, to the other side for the same. Ken would be in ecstasy…if it wasn't for those hips and the grip Ran still has on his wrists, telling of just what kind of punishment he might be in for.

Well, if Ran is going to torture him, at least it will be one hell of a ride.

"Now, as I said…we don't have much time…"

"Ran…someone could walk in, ya know?"

"I highly doubt that."

"They could."

"I don't care."

"You did say you loved me, right…?"

"I do. But I think you have a few things…you need to learn."

Ken's eyes have never been wider as he suddenly finds his pants and boxers have both been dropped to the floor, though he has no idea how Ran managed it with such skill and speed. He doesn't want to meet Ran's eyes right now, because he knows the look in them will scare him. And that…is just way too pathetic.

He is Hidaka Ken. He has bedded feisty partners. He has bedded Ran. More than once. But….but it's Ran. And…Ken always had this image in his head of what Ran would be like in bed. He liked discovering that Ran was actually a caring and giving lover who enjoyed being bottom. But…now…it seems Ken's earlier dreams might be proving a little too real.

"You don't mind things getting a little rough…do you, Ken?"

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

"Considering we really should be out of this room and back to join the others shortly, things might get a little…out of hand." He presses Ken's wrists back into the wall a little further, causing the brunette to hiss. "Is that…all right?"

For maybe a split second Ken debates what might happen to him if he says no. But to be honest…he's just too damn curious to want to say no. "Do your worst…" he says, bold enough even to attempt a smile. "…seme-sama." he adds, and when his eyes finally do meet Ran's, for all the fear he feels with the heat of those violets, he wants to get burned.

Ran grinds his hips again, the first time doing so with Ken completely bare. The feeling of leather against his heated skin nearly sends Ken into convulsions. Though not nearly as much as when Ran has undone his own pants and briefs for the contact to be pure skin. And that is not nearly as thrilling…as when Ran grips Ken by the hips and lifts him up, pressing the brunette's back into the wall so that he is at a better advantage for when he…

Yep, even before the fun has begun, the prospect nearly undoes Ken right then and there.

When Ran pulls something out of the opposite pocket the ring had been in, however, Ken suddenly comes back to his senses. "You brought that stuff along on a mission?"

Ran replies even as he is opening the tube and applying the contents to his still-gloved fingers. "…Youji gave it to me." he answers casually.

Ken is definitely back to his senses. "Youji gave you lube for a mission!"

"He said…just in case. Well…I completely rebuked him for such a fowl idea. But I still took it. Be grateful. Whether I had this with me or not…you would still be in this position."

As Ran allows the tube to fall to the ground, a good amount coating his length and his fingers now, Ken takes a fleeting moment to wonder what it will feel like to have leather preparing him. He could always ask Ran to take his gloves off. But again…that damn curiosity.

What is it they say about curiosity and cats?

Ken flinches at the feeling of that cool, wet leather touching him. "You…know what you're doing, right?" he asks without thinking. That leather-clad finger…pushes in all the way to the knuckle, and Ken lets out a sharp cry.

"Shut up…or I'll have you eating the wall."

Again, Ken wonders if he should be screaming for help about now, or just enjoying the ride. The truth is, he has always been a sucker for rough sex. The mixture of pain and pleasure…a major turn on. But he and Ran have yet to establish any set rules. What if the redhead is more of a sadist than Ken is willing to play masochist too?

Ken releases another cry. Two fingers. He tries his best to keep his voice softer in case Ran meant 'shut up' to all noises.

Apparently, Ran noticed the use of restraint in Ken's voice. "Don't hold back now…I just don't want you underestimating me, is all. You have done a little too much of that."

Three fingers. Ken allows his cry, but it is not one of pain. Oh, it hurt. But it felt too good to care. "I…I'll…whatever you want, Ran…"

Ran likes the sound of that. "I want you like this…" the redhead whispers, and then takes a few laps at the cartilage of Ken's ear. He positively relishes Ken's shudder. "…I want you…helpless at my touch…"

Oh yeah, definitely a seme. Ken's eyes have long since closed against the sensations he is under, and as those fingers retract, he actually dares smile, reveling in what he knows is on the way. "I always knew you had it in you…Ran…"

Ken's wrists are snapped up to directly above his head and he knows to leave them there when Ran's hands reach down to grab hold of his hips. The redhead rocks forward, slamming his way home in a single stroke. But that single stroke…hit its mark…and Ken's back arches into the feeling.

Taking only a moment to be sure Ken is all right and that the slightly smaller man has adjusted himself, Ran smoothes his thumb over the side of Ken's face…before returning that hand to Ken's hips.

"In me…Ken…?" Ran mocks.

Ken's smile is lopsided as he lulls in his euphoria at this delicious turn. "You wanna be rough…?" he taunts right back, leaning forward to take hold of Ran's bottom lip and bite down--hard. "…be rough."

No more words are needed. Ran may have been taking a chance that Ken would be up for this, but no true words of dissention were ever spoken, and that is more than enough of a go ahead for Ran.

Soon, Ran's hips are moving wildly and Ken's feet have been lifted from the floor as the brunette is continuously pounded back into the wall, with cries, moans, and unintelligible phrases fallling from his lips.

All in all…a successful campaign, to be sure.

-----

"Omiji, have you seen my parents?"

"Eh? Not for a while, Shio-kun? Did you lose them?"

Shioshiro cannot help breaking into a smile. "I think they lost me. On purpose. If you know what I mean."

For a moment, Omi blinks back at him, wholly oblivious.

"The disappeared together, Omi. No one has seen them for quite some time."

This time when Omi blinks, his eyes come out of it a few sizes larger. "You don't really think…"

"Well…" Shioshiro shrugs.

"Honestly, do those two ever do it on a bed like normal people!"

Shioshiro blanches—for several reasons. One being…he really never expects phrases like that to come out of Omi's mouth. "So…you haven't seen them?"

Omi shakes his head. "Sorry. I have to help Nagi with some of the younger students now, but…I'm sure they'll turn up. Keep looking. You'll find them. Just…knock on any doors before entering…okay?"

That thought was already very much a part of Shioshiro's searching tactics. No need to go through that again.

He waves as Omi rushes off to join Nagi, who had immediately attached himself to the under 15 unit of Rosenkreuz, which they discovered made up far too much of the school's population. Only a few 14 and 15 year olds had been a part of the raid, but they are finding more and more young students who had simply been hiding in their rooms. Not to mention all the older psychics around as well, many of whom were all to eager to aide in Estet's downfall.

But of course there are exceptions. Amongst the sad cases and bitter prisoners there are many loyalists. Most have been easily flushed out and are being taken into Kritiker custody, with promised help from some of the psychics should any of the loyalists prove to be more than a normal agent can handle. Still, everyone remains a little on guard, in case any hidden loyalists show themselves, or reveal themselves out of the ranks of their supposed new friends. So far, however, everything seems to be fine.

Continuing back into the main room where the council had once been, Shioshiro takes a quick survey of the room. Most of the action is happening here. Rindou is dictating orders to the Kritiker agents and trying his hardest to recruit any interested psychics. Youji has gone over to talk with Azami and Ayame, who Shioshiro's has not had the pleasure of speaking to yet, though he hears Ayame is doing well with the help Kritiker has offered him. Shion is speaking with Farfarello and Sally, the older man having instantly taken some fascination with Sally's powers, and now caught up in a heated discussion with the couple…concerning religion. Now there is a conversation Shioshiro would love to be a fly on the wall for. As for Brad and Schuldig…they do not appear to be in the main room anymore. They had been speaking with Nagi before the telekinetic went off to talk with some of the younger children, but they must have moved on to another room.

Considering Ran and Ken still appear to be no-shows, Shioshiro decides to take a break from wandering. He sits down at the end of the council table, happy to merely watch the commotion around him. The buzz of the different conversations is almost soothing. Soothing enough to rest his eyes…for just a moment. What can it hurt?

Curiously, the brunette's ears perk at the sound of a strange…click. Almost like…

Shioshiro's eyes spring open. He had not seen the man. No, this person had not been there a moment before, Shioshiro is sure of it. But now…as the young brunette looks up from his seat at the council table he finds himself staring into a familiar face…only a foot or so from his own.

The face would not be familiar to anyone else, but Shioshiro could never forget…the face of his father's killer.

The man's voice is low as he speaks. "You…it's all because of you…"

-----

Heading back to the main room where they know most of the others to be, Ran and Ken walk slowly. For Ken's sake. Their hearts are light, their faces both hold pleased smiles, even though Ken occasionally winces after taking a fresh step forward, and…there really isn't anything on their minds…but promises of tomorrow.

Which is exactly why the sight of Brad Crawford and Schuldig rushing towards them catches them a little off guard.

"Shit, he's not with them!" the German curses, coming to an ungraceful halt in front of the stunned pair. Ran and Ken exchange glances, but Brad does not give them the chance to question.

"Your son." He speaks shortly. "Where is he?"

It is surprising enough to hear the bespectacled man out of breath, but to hear concern in his voice. "Why? What's going on?" Ran asks, nearly jumping on Brad's words for fear of what the other pair's anxiety might mean.

Thankfully, Brad is no mood for stalling, either. "I finally had a clear vision concerning tonight's outcome. I thought it was going to happen in the main room, but when we looked for Shioshiro there, he was nowhere to be seen. We assumed he would be with you, but…it may be that we just missed him. Schuldig." he adds, glancing at the German. They say nothing else to Ran and Ken, but are suddenly sprinting back to where they came, in the direction of the council room.

Ran and Ken are instantly on their heels, though Schuldig's speed has him leagues ahead of them and Brad. "Spill already!" Ken yells as they run, not caring how much the speed is causing him to ache if it means reaching Shioshiro sooner.

Brad does not even turn his head. "I saw vengeance."

Ken could strangle the precog. "Fuck the cryptic shit! What does that mean?"

Though his speed does not even begin to dwindle, Brad manages to remain frighteningly calm, but the fact that he is deeply concerned is prominent. Apparently, even the precog has reason to owe Shioshiro.

For Ran and Ken, both would much rather his heart stop than believe the words that come from Brad's mouth next.

-----

'It…it can't be him…'

"You're the reason for all of this…"

Shioshiro shakes his head, but he does not do so to disagree with the man's accusations. "You…you can't be…him…"

"It's your fault Estet is in ruins. They would have changed everything. They would have changed this world."

But Shioshiro isn't really listening. His eyes are locked on that face, bringing him back ten years to a night…he wishes he could forget. With his gaze so focused, he does not see the gun, even though he had heard its hammer readied.

He does not even notice that the man is keeping his voice low to avoid attracting the others' attention. "If I were a telekinetic…I would rip your limbs from your body…" he growls, his voice indeed only loud enough for Shioshiro to hear him. He raises his arm. "But this…this'll do just fine."

"Hiro!"

"Shioshiro!"

To be honest, the poor boy feels the pain long before he hears that dreadful sound ringing in his ears.

BANG.

The close range sends him flying backwards in his chair to crumble onto the ground. When he tries to stand…he can't. He hears another gun go off, hears another body hit the ground, but he cannot see it. His eyes can only look up at the too white ceiling as he lies there on the ground, wondering if this is real…

"Hiro!"

'Am I dreaming…Kento…'

"Don't worry, you're gonna be okay! You're gonna be okay!"

'Am I…floating…'

"Shioshiro, look at me. Look into my eyes. Shioshiro!"

'I…I don't want to go home yet. I haven't said goodbye yet…'

"Shioshiro…please…"

"H-Hiro…"

Pushing into the view of white, Shioshiro forces himself to focus on…red…brown…violet…the faces of his fathers above him. He cannot feel Ran's grip on his hand, but he can see it, raised up near the redhead's chest.

He has to focus. Oran's face…he can see it…

"It was him…" his voice is ragged as it leaves his lips, almost too hoarse for him to recognize as his own.

Ran looks back at him, confused.

"It was…the man…the one…who killed…Kento…"

Too cruel. Ran almost forgets to gasp. Many emotions flash through his violets then. Shock. Horror. Anger. Fear…for Ken's reaction.

But Ken is not listening, not paying enough attention to care. His mind is only on whether or not Shioshiro is truly going to be okay.

"Hiro…hey…don't worry about that guy. Crawford got him. You don't have to worry. You're gonna be…you're gonna be just fine. Rindou, he's…calling for the medics to come back. They'll be here soon, okay…?"

"Kento…you're crying…"

With his son's voice sounding so far away…so…fading…it only causes more tears to push free.

"Don't…cry…I…I did it…I saved you. It's…it's all okay now. He can't…hurt you now…"

Ken doesn't understand. "Hiro, what are you taking about? Forget it. It doesn't matter. You saved everyone, ya hear? Not just me. You pretty much saved the world tonight. You…you did great." Ken reaches a hand down to touch the pale young man's face, and his heart breaks even more at how much it feels like touching Ran. But it isn't Ran. It's his son. Their son…

"Kento…you…take good care…of Oran…now…okay…?" Hiro whispers. If Ran and Ken were not down on the ground with him, there is no way they would have been able to hear him. "I have to…go home…now…"

Ran clenches his eyes shut against his own tears, now so steadily falling. Ken keeps saying in hushed, soothing tones that Shioshiro will be all right, that everything will be all right once the medics come. But Ran knows as he looks down at the wound, that even if the medics were here now…

It isn't fair. This isn't how it is supposed to be.

"Shioshiro…you…you have done so well…so well…." Ran speaks, not knowing what else he can say, because chanting like Ken, that everything will somehow be all right, would break his heart even more.

It takes much effort for Shioshiro to move his head from gazing up at Ken to look back at Ran. He smiles, his violet eyes looking so disgustingly dim. "Oran…I…I only ever wanted…to make you proud…"

Ran knows he is shaking as he clings to Shioshiro's hand. He leans down, and lips that had so recently been kissing another in passion kiss the young man's forehead…in goodbye. "I am proud." Ran says, keeping the tremors out of his voice by will alone. "I could never be more proud…to call someone my son. I love you…Hiro."

And through it all, Shioshiro is still smiling. "I-I love you…Oran…I love…I…" he cringes in pain, his back arching up off the ground as his hand squeezes Ran's even though…he cannot feel that it is being squeezed back. When he has settled again, his eyes are no longer seeing. He is only looking up. "I never told…Yue." He says, his voice almost too dim even for Ran and Ken to hear now. His eyes close…but the smile is still there. "…she's going to be…so angry with me…"

Ran's free hand flies up to cover his mouth. It is the only thing keeping him from screaming.

Ken…is not so easily stilled. "Hiro…" he calls softly at first, his hand almost recoiling at how quickly the boy's skin is turning cold under his touch. "Hiro! You're gonna be okay…you're gonna be…okay…and…and…and you're gonna go home…and see us there waiting for you…and…and Yue…Yue—Hiro!"

Ran flinches at the sudden shrillness as Ken screams the name now. The redhead does not want to let go of Shioshiro's hand, cold now in his grasp, just as Ken cannot pull away and remove his hand from touching the boy's cheek.

Ken is still screaming when Ran reaches across to pull the brunette into his chest, and he accepts the abuse when Ken's fists pound his shoulders. He accepts that his white coat is now stained with too many tears. He accepts Ken's cursing and Ken's pleas.

But even he cannot accept…that this is how the story ends.

Brad had seen it, but it hadn't been enough. Rindou, so long ago, had also seen this outcome, but it had been ignored. There is a sense of irony that Ken's killer…killed the son instead, but not the type of irony that could bring forth even a mirthless laugh.

Holding Ken for many minutes, maybe near an hour, Ran never once says…it's okay, it'll be all right, we can make up for it, we can start over with our lives and make that wonderful boy all over again. Because…Ran knows as well as Ken does…that none of that is true. One day they will have their baby boy, and they will name him Shioshiro, but the man they met and knew these past months…can never exist as he did. Shioshiro himself saw to that.

All they can do now…is live their lives…as he hoped they would. As he sacrificed and died…to make certain they would. That…they can give him. The one thing he asked for.

'And this time…you can be proud of us…Hiro.'

THE END

A/N: But there will of course be an Epilogue. A LONG one. I won't leave you like this, but...this is how it had to end. So you know, the epilogue will begin with Ran and Ken at Shioshiro's grave, a few days later, but it will stretch to years after.. I was going to have that as part of the chapter, but...I wanted to leave you here instead. Call me evil, but...I just couldn't write much past his death.

I can't really think of questions to answer, since...I answered them all in the chapter. The ring, the ending. Be happy I gave you some fun sex before crashing your world around you. hehe...he. Damn. I really cried writing and rereading this one. That does not happen. So...I hope you can accept this. The Epilogue will make things much better, but...as was written, Shioshiro as he was...can never exist again. His future self will be different by design. He will look, sound, and act the same, but his memories, what he has known and lived through will be different, and that makes up a lot of a person. The epilogue will cap off everything for everyone, so don't worry about your fave character being neglected at the end. I hope...this accomplished what I wanted it to. I cannot say anymore right now, but...I honestly am so grateful to all of you who have stuck with this. See you soon...for the true end.

Crim