Angels in Heaven
Part Four- Ran & Sake
"You still owe me an explanation." Sake said from where he laid waiting for Ran to wake up. Ran wrinkled his nose tiredly stretching as he woke blinking sleepily in the early morning light.
"'bout wot?" he asked voice think from sleep.
"About how you know my brother when he died four years ago." Sake said lifting a hand to brush blood red locks from Ran's face.
That got Ran to wake as he sat up not wishing to go there, but need to as the same time. "He didn't die four years ago." He said softly. "He faked his death and became an assassin while trying to kill him. You see he got too close to the truth and it wasn't safe to be alive anymore."
"So he became an assassin?" Sake asked a little unbelieving. "By choice?"
"I don't know if it was really a choice or just the fastest means to get what he wanted. I know he didn't always like it, but he knew why he did. He never killed an innocent, every target had to be stopped, and the law couldn't do it." Ran drew up his knees and glanced at the other bed, it was currently empty.
"I take it you were an assassin as well?" Sake asked following the redhead's gaze; Ran nodded solemnly. "By choice?"
"Not really," Ran said looking over his shoulder at the brunette. "I wanted revenge for what happened to be and my sister. I didn't really know what I was getting into; I was only thirteen. I didn't want to kill anyone, but I had to. Ken understood, Yohji and Omi did too. But Ken…he understood the most."
"Will you tell me what happened?" Sake asked raising a hand to caress Ran's shoulder. "How did he die?"
Ran bit his lip a single tear sliding down his face onto the bed. He closed his eyes briefly envisioning that day like it had happened only hours before, when he was gift-less and fifteen. "They were going to sacrifice my sister to raise some chaos god. She was in a coma for three years and they thought she hadn't aged 'cause she still looked the same, but you don't change that much when your eighteen. They mixed up our ages; they all thought I was eighteen, and Ken didn't want that to change. When we got to the place the ritual had already begun so we had to move fast. Only we didn't know a rival group was also there to stop the ritual. In the end the bad guy was stopped, the rival got out; but we didn't. The building fell into the water and we fell with it.
"You survived." Sake said slowly.
The redhead nodded tears running freely down his face. "He grabbed me. Ken grabbed me as the floor started to give way. He held on as we slid down seven levels until we reached a semi level spot. He threw me out a window away from most of the falling debris, but he didn't follow. He knew he was going to die because he said 'goodbye' before he threw me." He wiped the tears away harshly. "I was the only one to make it. My sister, who we tried so hard to save, died. They died and I lived. It's my fault, I should have insisted Ken jump with me; I should have done something. I should have died with them!"
Sake enveloped the teen in his arms holding him tightly against his chest. "It wasn't your fault." He said tears in his own eyes. "Ken was like that. He would have sacrificed himself to save anyone he cared about. I don't blame you for my brother's death. You shouldn't blame yourself for something you couldn't control.
"It's hard." Ran cried.
"I know," Sake assured him rubbing his back soothingly. "What happened to the rival group?"
"Most of them are in the living room." Ran said half smiling at the irony. "Jei took me in after the others died, and Nagi and Schu kinda followed."
Sake leaned back to give the redhead a soft smile. "Well see, there was a reason you lived. We both lost something dear to us, that being the same person not withstanding." He sighed his smile turning sad. "You have to let go, it will kill your soul if you don't. I know when my parents died so shortly after we thought Ken did. I had nothing but grief and guilt. You learn a lot of things on the streets; and one is you can dwell on a past you can't change, or you can keep on loving. Will you live for me Ran?"
The redhead nodded letting the rest of his grief show, finally admitting to himself they weren't coming back. "That's the first time you've called me by my name."
Sake smirked. "Don't get used to it Red." He said earning the desired small laugh. "Now what do you say we make our appearances before Pops thinks we're doing the horizontal." He leered for a moment. "Unless you want to do the horizontal?"
Ran rolled his eyes playfully pushing Sake away and got out of bed. "I don't feel like losing someone else I care about just yet and dad would kill you."
"Oh, but what a way to go." The brunette said sliding out of bed himself following the redhead. Reaching out he snagged Ran's arm turning the teen into his arms kissing him passionately. Soft violet eyes fluttered closed as delicate arms slid around the brunettes shoulder and neck. One moaned softly into the other mouth, tongues dueling lazily for another taste.
Someone cleared their throat behind them.
Both boys jumped apart breathing hard. Ran blushed scarlet as he found Schuldich standing in the bedroom doorway watching the teens in amusement.
"If you boys are interested in devouring something other then each other." He said smirking wider when Ran turned four new shades of red with Sake quickly following. "There is still some breakfast left." He wagged a finger mockingly. "And Ran no more groping the boyfriend until after we've settled the pressing problem of people trying to molest or kill you."
Ran's jaw dropped. "That could be years!" he exclaimed.
"Exactly," Schuldich said.
"That's not fair!" Ran continued following the German down the hall leaving Sake behind.
"No one ever said life if fair." Schuldich answered.
Sake shook his head making to follow when he felt an invisible force holding him in place. He opened his mouth to call for help when Nagi stepped into the room an unfocused cast to his eyes.
"I'm only going to warn you once, that only because Ran likes you." Nagi said stopping inches from Sake's face. "If you hurt him, if you play him, they will be finding parts of you for years. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Sake said not daring to piss off the teenager.
"Good," Nagi said turning to walk out of the room. A moment later Sake felt himself being released. When he entered the kitchen Ran smiled at him from where he sat at the kitchen table Nagi beside him.
"Are you ok Sake?" Ran asked around a mouthful of toast.
Sake forced himself to smile. "Just fine Red." He assured the teen and sat down at the table.
"We'll have to move in a few hours." Jei said standing in the kitchen doorway. "Crawford will be looking for us and I'm sure he knows by now Sake isn't dead. So you're going to behave while you're here."
"Got it pops." Sake said absently buttering his toast.
"And stop calling me pops." Jei growled. "I'm neither old nor your father."
"Sure pops." the teen answered, over buttering his toast.
The Irishmen rolled his eyes and gave an exasperated sigh. "You are definitely your brother's sibling."
Sake snorted showing he wasn't completely oblivious. "I'm nothing like my brother. I'm worse then he was and better looking."
Across from him Ran giggled earning a genuine smile from the brunette and a scowl from Nagi. The redhead caught the scowl and wiggled gloved fingers at the telekinetic who merely looked annoyed at the other teen.
"Hey Red." Sake said remembering that Ran had his gloves even when he finally calmed down enough to go to bed. "Why do you wear those gloves even when you sleep?"
The redhead set down his piece of toast. "Because if I were to touch something bare handed I'd see everything about the person or object from its past to its future." He frowned deeply. "There's a lot of death in the world and that seems to be all I see." He shrugged. "But its ok, the gloves dampen the gift and make seeing a little more controllable."
"Oh," Sake said looked down at his toast to find it soggy from the amount of butter he spread over its surface. "My toast is limp…."
"That's not all that should be limp." Nagi muttered.
"Behave brat." Schuldich said pouring himself another cup of coffee.
"You two can shower and change once you've finished eating." Jei said then glared at the startled expressions the four gave him. "Secretly."
"Dibs!" Ran called already racing out of the kitchen for the nearest bathroom.
Schuldich blinked faintly. "I swear I gave him no sugar." He said dumping several spoonfuls in his coffee.
"I think it was because Sake was touching him with him foot." Nagi said seeming bound and determined to get him in trouble.
"I'm sitting on my feet." Sake said maneuvering to get his legs out from under him to show them. "Maybe you were playing footsies."
Nagi narrowed his eyes but looked away when Jei cleared his throat. The teen sighed, "You know what really sucks about all this?" he asked looking directly at Sake.
"What?" Sake asked half expecting the answer to be 'you'.
"Today's July first." Nagi said turning his gaze on the adults, Schuldich cursed and Jei sighed.
"What so important about today?" Sake asked confused, was there a holiday he didn't know about?
"Its not today." Schuldich said. "The fourth is his birthday. He'll be missing another birthday because of this."
"What happened last year?" Sake asked.
"He was in a coma." Jei said, "It was just after the others died, it would be another few weeks before he woke."
"Can't we still do something for him?" the brunette teen asked looking around at the dejected faces.
"Like what? Give him a head start when we have to leave again?" Nagi asked sarcastically. "In case you haven't noticed we aren't really in the position to go shopping."
Sake rolled his eyes. "Birthdays aren't just about presets." He said in exasperation. "They are about being with loved ones and friends. And if push comes to shove there's always birthday toast."
Nagi glared at the teen out of hate unwilling to give him the benefit of the doubt. He wanted Sake gone because he was no good for Ran; but he couldn't do anything about it because for some reason the redhead liked the teen.
/Nagi/ Schuldich's soft mind voice caressed the teens mind. /give him a chance will you/
/Why should I/ Nagi sent back. /Wasn't it you that told Ran to stay away from him/
/it was, when he was nothing more then a little punk/ Schuldich conceded. /but that was before he proved himself/
/Well he hasn't proven himself to me/ Nagi answered. /all this started when he appeared. I for one don't trust him/
"Showers free." Schuldich told Sake following Ran's thoughts as well as Nagi's
"Thanks," Sake said getting up from the table to search for the bathroom.
A shriek followed. "Sake!" Ran cried followed by a door slamming.
"Sorry Ran, they said the shower was free!" Sake called appearing in the kitchen doorway blushing beet red.
"Schuldich!" Ran yelled storming into the kitchen, his hair dripping wet, wrapped in a bathrobe. He stopped in front of the German and poked him in the chest, hard. "Are you trying to make me die of embarrassment?"
Schuldich smiled innocently. "Not in months." He said sweetly.
The teenager narrowed his eyes then turned on his heel gripping Sake's arm and dragged him down the hall. "If anyone needs me I'll be losing my virginity to my boyfriend." Ran called slamming the bedroom door shut behind them.
Sake looked positively dumbfounded. "It's that easy?" he asked then lit up. "Boyfriend? Really?"
Ran rolled his eyes already tugging on a pair of boxers then shed the robe to put on the rest of his cloths. "Of course it's not that easy Baka! Its pay back on them." He said buttoning his jeans and secured it with a belt. "And yes you're my boyfriend. Why don't you want to be?"
"Are you kidding?" Sake asked, "Any guy would fall over himself for the honor of dating you. Kami- Sama your beautiful Red, intelligent, not one to take any crap. You're family's a little paranoid, but who's isn't?"
Ran shook his head and smiled running a towel through his hair. "I'll show you where the shower is, you can borrow my cloths, you're just as lean as me, and as you can see I have to wear a belt."
"I still think you're too thin." Sake said. "One-five is not a healthy weight."
Ran shrugged. "I wasn't very big to begin with then with the coma and therapy I kinda lost my body fat, plus I'm not that into fatty foods." He shrugged again. "Schu can get me to eat a fatty stake once in a while. He keeps threatening a reverse liposuction."
Sake shook his head with a smile. "So they really do care."
"Sometimes too much," Ran said smiling fondly. "Once they take someone into their fold they do everything in their power to make sure they are safe. I mean if Crawford hadn't of hurt Nagi he's probably still be welcome. As it is I'm sure he has some Esset cronies helping him now."
Sake frowned. "Why would he be involved with Esset?" he asked.
"Because he used to work for Esset, before the Elders were killed." Ran explained.
"Did you work for Esset?" Sake asked suddenly very interested.
"The redhead shook his head. " No, I was with Kritiker." He frowned, "What dose it matter Sake?"
The brunette narrowed his eyes. "Do you know Fujimiya Aya?"
Now Ran looked really confused. "That was my sister…how did you know her name?"
"Fujimiya Ran…." Sake muttered. "I get it now. I know who wants you dead."
"How do you know that?" Ran asked put on guard.
"Because I used to work for them." Sake admitted.
Ran's eyes widened and he backed away a step. "What?" he whispered.
"I worked for Lenix Corp. for two years, until the former director died." Sake explained making no move to comfort the redhead. "Then some psycho took over. He started talking about sacrificing some scared child to the Nine Gods. I told my contact, an agent placed in Kritiker under the old director; he told me they were moving to stop it. So I left and went into hiding. I never heard from my contact again, but the world didn't end so I assumed everything was alright…."
"Who was your contact?" Ran asked dreading the answer.
"A guy named Kudou." Sake answered.
"Kudou Yohji?" Ran asked wearily.
The brunette nodded.
"Look Ran, I don't work for them anymore. There weren't any pictures so I didn't know who you were. My brother really is Hidaka Ken and if I had my bag I would prove it." Sake sighed leaning heavily on the wall. "I'm sorry your sister died, I'm even sorrier to have worked for the man who wants you dead, but I swear I didn't know who you were when I met you and I didn't lie when I said I love you."
"You never said you love me." Ran said looking a little less skeptical.
"Oh," Sake said softly. "That must have been only in my head. Please tell me what I can do to make you believe me?"
The redhead contemplated that for a moment then carefully slid off a glove. He rubbed his fingers together to ease the sensitivity of his nerves then walked up to the brunette slowly. Lifting his gloveless hands he lightly brushed his fingers from the brunette's temple down the side of his face until his hand cupped Sake's chin. He held still breathing in and out with deliberate slowness to keep calm. His mind filled with images; pictures of the brunette with an older boy teaching him soccer. Family gathering and other childhood things. Here and there was a fight at school or a parent's fight. Ken's betrayal that nearly destroyed the family, Ken's first death, their parents death in an accident he was apart of. The time on the streets; being picked up by Lenix Corp. and the elderly director that only wanted a better Japan. Talking to Yohji about nothing over the phone and computer when all he needed was someone to talk to close to his age. The director that follow and his plans to destroy the world hidden in a plan to make it better. Sake's defect and life on the streets. Seeing Ran for the first time and the strange voice in his ear telling him to stop the beautiful redhead. His encounter with Crawford and escaped only to be captured again. The flask of protectiveness and love for Ran when Sake figured out Lenix Corp. wanted to kill him.
The willingness to sacrifice himself to prevent that.
Ran slowly let go backing away a step to catch his bearings. He stalled himself long enough to put back on the glove then met the brunette's eyes. "I believe you." he said softly.
Sake nodded then tackled the redhead to the floor. A moment later the window shattered sending glass shrapnel flying everywhere. Ran lay under Sake's body shield from the debris and able to see the heavily armed man step into the room.
/Schuldich they found us/ Ran called out squirming under the body on top of him. Sake had been hit by a piece of the window ceil presumably knocked out and dead weight Ran couldn't lift.
"And I was just going to kill him." The man said aiming his weapon at the back of Sake's head. "But he just landed in my good graces. Though I'm sure his intentions were to save you."
Ran stared at the man wide eyes still struggling to at least wake the brunette and wondering why no one was coming to his rescue.
"Don't worry about your friends little one, they are being dispatched as we speak." The man said kicking Sake off of the frightened teenager. "And don't try to burn me brat, we know what gifts you have."
Ran sat up itching to do something in retaliation but knew the gifts weren't as reliable as he wished they were yet and the man might hurt Sake. "Swear you wont hurt them and I will come compliantly."
"I don't negotiate with targets." The man said aiming a different weapon at the redhead. "Get up,"
"Promise you won't hurt them," Ran insisted. "If you kill them there's no reason for me to cooperate."
The man growled and took out a walkie-talkie. "Dispatch but don't kill, I have the sacrifice." He ordered, "Now get your ass up. No more negotiations."
Ran slowly stood glancing down at Sake. The man grabbed his arm leading him from the room toward the front door. Other armed men were in the main apartment, Jei was in the hall slumped down with a dart in his neck, Nagi was in the kitchen bruised but breathing Schuldich was being held in place by a man threatening to kill Nagi if he moved. The German gave Ran an apologetic look before he was struck knocking him unconscious.
"This is wrong." Another man said from the open door way his demeanor and casual outlook contradicting his statement.
Ran's eyes widened recognizing the man instantly. "Yohji?"
"Hey chibi," the blond said glaring at the redheads captor.
"Mr. Farlion doesn't care what you think Kudou." The other man snapped. "You're only alive because he needs a place holder with the Board."
"I'm not a place holder asshole." Yohji growled. "But you wouldn't know that being a lowly retriever."
"Fuck off; what are you doing here anyway?" the man asked squeezing Ran's arm until the teen cried out.
"I'm here to escort the sacrifice." The blond said taking a drag un-holstering his gun as he did so. "Mr. Farlion can't afford another stall in his plans. It's been a year since the first attempt, he can't wait another."
"Fine," the man said pushing Ran into Yohji arms. "Take the brat."
"Thank you." Yohji said casually taking a drag with one hand and shot the man between the eyes with the other. "Your services are no longer needed."
Ran squeezed his eyes shut wrapping his arms around the blond despite the obvious betrayal.
"Don't worry Chibi." Yohji said wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders. "You don't have to die." he turned to another armed man. "Go get Sake and Nagi, they will be joining us."
"Yes sir." The man said with a smart salute barking orders to the others.
Yohji nodded grounding out his cigarette with his boot. "Come on Chibi, I have orders."
Ran followed subdued. Sake and Nagi were placed in the car with them on either side of the redhead with Yohji sitting across from them in the limo seat. Ran curled next to Sake resting his head on the brunette's chest.
"You know I never know how much he looks like Ken." Yohji said sitting back leisurely. "You know Aya, I'd let you go; but I don't have the power to at the moment. Farlion is bent on sacrificing you before the fourth, before your birthday."
"Why?" Ran asked softly.
"Because if he doesn't I get seniority on the board and his plans will be stopped." Yohji said. "Bit since I can't stall now that they have you he'll probably make sure the sacrifice is tonight."
"I don't want to die." the teen said softly curling around Sake hoping for protection.
"I'm sorry Aya; there is nothing I can do." Yohji said.
"Then who can?" Ran asked feeling the brunette rouse.
"No one except Farlion." The blond answered.
"Farlion what?" Sake asked shaking his head as he wrapped arms around Ran. He blinked several times and focused on the blond. "Oh the sacrifice."
"How long have you known Sake?" Yohji asked not liking one bit how the redhead was clutching to the former top agent.
"Well I knew Ran here is the sacrifice about thirty seconds before I was knocked out." Sake said shifting to touch the back of his head. "Which brings me to the valid question Kudou, betrayal, or simply no choice in the matter?"
"Well let's see." Yohji said tipping his head back in thought. "I was betrayed and as I was telling Aya, if Farlion had just found him three days later I could do something. But I cant until after he's seventeen."
"Well doesn't that just suck?" Sake said sarcastically. "So what do we do to still as long as possible?"
"You could escape but Farlion would kill you and Nagi." Yohji said. "You could claim your seat on the board but you'd have to be eighteen and that only works for so long."
"I am eighteen." Sake said. "My birthday was last month."
"That would give up at least a day." Yohji said taping out another cigarette.
"What about purity?" Ran asked a soft blush shading his features. "Dose it matter if I'm a virgin or not?"
"No idea," Yohji said searching for his lighter. "It would only matter on which spell is used, but it might not."
Ran leaned over touching his finger to the tip of the cigarette. A second later it lit faring to life and letting off a toxic smoke.
Yohji plucked the cigarette from his lips staring at the redhead in shock. "That however might make a big difference."
Ran raised an eyebrow. "Why would that make a difference?"
"They have to test your blood first." Yohji said. "Where here."
Sake already knew what was there but leaned over so Ran could see the compound. The redhead swallowed hard. "That's a fortress."
888
Crawford casually walked into the apartment gun drawn least someone try to surprise him. He knew Jei and Schuldich were still here franticly searching for some clue as to where the teenagers were taken.
"You won't find them." Crawford said from the kitchen doorway. "He will be dead before you find them."
"Fuck off Crawfish." Schuldich said looking over the map laid out on the table.
"I know where they are." Crawford continued calmly cleaning his glasses.
Two sets of eyes turned to look at him. "And you're what? Going to tell us out of the goodness of your heart?"
"Of course not." Crawford said replacing his glasses. "You know what I want."
Jei narrowed his eyes. "You aren't getting any of them."
The American shrugged. "Have it your way then." He said turning to leave. "The sacrifice is in two hours."
From the hall he listened to the two argue, first over giving in, then over which one to let him have though they know which one he wanted. Crawford smiled, he knew there was a reason he always wanted the redhead kitten.
888
"Ah Yohji, you have brought me my sacrifice, and here I thought you'd betrayed me." Farlion greeted with a smile. He hugged the blond in a brotherly manner. "And you brought me the traitor and a new pet how joyous."
"Farlion," Yohji said neutrally regarding the man with hostility. "Sake is here to claim his seat on the board; he is still entitled to it."
"Oh," Farlion said running his hand over short black hair. "You haven't heard the board doesn't exist anymore."
"What do you mean?" Yohji asked narrowing his eyes.
"The board had been eliminated," Farlion said pleasantly. "Aren't you glad you weren't on the board?"
"What?" Yohji exclaimed in surprise. "You can't just do that! The board was made so no one person could have absolute power!"
"Exactly," Farlion said nodding. "Can you believe they were going to vote against me? And here you are bringing me my sacrifice, I'm so happy I didn't kill you!"
Yohji frowned glancing at the three teens, Nagi and Sake looked about ready to try something even at the cost of their lives; Ran merely had given up.
"Now," Farlion said clapping his hands. "Escort those two somewhere they can watch the sacrifice is in an hour." He said grabbing the redhead's upper arm and dragged him away.
"Sorry guys." Yohji said to the remaining teens.
"How did you stop the sacrifice the first time?" Sake asked softly.
Yohji took a deep breath. "We didn't really, the girl was switched with another, and then we died."
"That's comforting." Sake answered.
"Yohji this isn't the same ritual, why dose he still need Ran?" Nagi asked softly.
"There was some prophecy having to do with Ran's birth." Yohji said. "I don't know the details."
"How could we find out?" Sake asked not looking forward to seeing his boyfriend die.
"There should be something in the database." The blond answer already starting to head for the elevators. "Let's go find out."
88
Ran squirmed uselessly as he was tied to the Alter, his arms above his head and his bare feet to the other side. Thankfully he was still clothed only Schuldich's jacket had been removed leaving him in gloves, shirt, and jeans. A thin band around his wrist prevented him from using his gifts and made him feel funny. The thin cord that bound him hummed with power stretching only enough to allow slight movement.
"Don't struggle too much little one." Farlion said patting the teen on the head. "I need you awake and strong for the ritual."
"Why?" Ran asked testing the bindings on his feet. "You're just going to kill me anyway."
Farlion laughed "Who told you that?" he asked giving into the urge to run his fingers through the soft red hair. "I need you alive with a functioning mind for the ritual. The nine gods need a body and they will need your gifts to rule. They will be very happy with your body, you are very beautiful. Maybe too thin, but that can be changed easily."
Ran cringed away from the hand that moved to skim over his body. "You're insane; you're going to summon this god and expect to live? You're going to destroy this world and everyone in it including yourself!"
Farlion laughed again. "Oh, my dear boy, the nine gods want humans to live. How better to rule them?"
"I'll fight you." Ran said weakly.
Farlion smiled leaning in close to the teen. "Go ahead and try, once the ritual starts you won't be able to fight me anymore."
Ran spat in his face then turned on his side as the bindings allowed that much movement. Farlion wiped his face and walked away leaving the teen in the dim room unguarded. He didn't need guards no one would be able to free the boy now.
88
'Child of power, born of change, mistaken to lead the way
Child of death, born to live, revived to make them pay
Child of hope, born of youth, chosen from that which lay
Child of life, born too pure, given to the world today.'
"What dose that mean?" Nagi asked making a print out for later study.
"It's what Farlion used to determine Ran is the one to sacrifice." Yohji said searching for other files on the subject. "Most of it doesn't make sense, but prophecies tend to be subject to interpretation."
"How can you see that referring to Red?" Sake asked looking over Nagi's shoulder to read the lines.
"Break the lines down," Yohji said taking the paper and pointed out each phrase. "'Child of power', that could be Ran or Nagi; 'born of change', Ran is an albino that's a first generation mutation. ' Mistaken to lead the way' he was mistaken for an adult and order to lead Weiss."
"'Child of death' an assassin again that could be me or Ran," Nagi said taking the paper once again. "Hmm…'born to live,' again both of us, we survived things we shouldn't have. ' revived to make them pay' I don't understand that one."
"Little known fact," Yohji said turning to the computer. "Ran died in the hospital for thirty seconds when his house exploded. He was quickly revived and a week later he was a Kritiker agent."
"'Child of hope?'" Sake questioned.
"Ran held onto the hope his sister would wake I kept him going." Yohji supplied. 'Born of youth' the Elders mistook her for unageing since they got the ages wrong. 'chosen from that which lay' she was in a coma until she died."
"Then the last line?" Sake asked. "'Child of life', Ran survived the fall; 'born too pure', well he's a virgin and think he's pretty innocent for all that he's been through."
"I agree," Yohji said. "The last phrase, 'given to the world today' must mean the sacrifice. He'll be sacrificed which will bring the end of the world."
"That doesn't seem right." Nagi said frowning. "Why go through the trouble just to end the world?"
"Because they aren't." Sake said pushing Yohji aside to type a series of commands. "The ritual the Elders were doing wasn't ending the world. It was a summoning spell. Ran's gifted, he would be easily possessed. Farlion isn't going to kill him, the sacrifice isn't of the body; it's of the soul."
"Rituals like that are irreversible." Yohji said sadly. "Once it's completed we'll have to kill the body."
"Let's not have to shale we?" Sake said stopping his typing. "That's odd."
"What is?" Nagi asked leaning over the brunettes shoulder to see.
"This is a movement order from Moscow." Sake said printing the page. "According to this Farlion ordered two subjects shipped to Moscow yesterday."
"Who are the subjects?" Yohji asked.
"Tsukiyono Omi and Hidaka Ken, both alive." Sake said eyes wide.
"But that's impossible!" Nagi blurted. "There were bodies found, both of them were reported dead!"
"I was reported dead as well." Yohji pointed out. "I'm alive; it goes to show they would be too."
"But-" Nagi started to protest biting his lip.
"But what?" Yohji asked turning his full attention on the teen. "If it's important we need to know."
Nagi bit his lip. "Ran's been hearing Ken, and Jei saw him. Both of them show symptoms of being able to commune with the dead."
"I've heard him too." Sake said worriedly. "He let me to Ran."
"Then he's in a coma or you haven't been talking to Ken at all but something that they want you to think it's him." Yohji said logically.
"Oh, but they have been talking to me." A familiar voice said from behind them.
888
Ran woke from a light doze to the sound of people entering the small chamber. Once again on his back he turned enough to see the robed figures all with candles in their hands. They first row began chanting followed a moment later by the next then the rest as the rows settled. He could feel the rising of power and started struggling with his bonds first tugging one limb then another.
Farlion appeared then carrying a ceremonial staff in one hand a jeweled sword in the other. The moment he stepped onto the platform where the alter was the chanting stopped. The man didn't waste any time with elaborate speeches or words to Ran, he simply began the ceremony.
Ran whimpered struggling fatally with the bonds; he could feel the air closing around him smothering him. As the power rose the chanting started again, the staff was raised above Farlion's head it's tip glowing with an eerie light. Then slowly it was lowered to Ran's head until the tip touched his lips. He gasped forcefully feeling something enter him taking place of something he knew was suppose to be there.
Again the staff was raised and lowered and again Ran felt something enter him and apart of him leave. By the seventh time his struggles had stopped his body too overwhelmed by the things taking possession of him. Slowly killing him.
The staff was lowered again and as Ran watched he knew he was already dead.
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Sake ran down the corridor four people right behind him, Jei, Schuldich, and Crawford meeting them halfway.
"Feels like old times." Yohji said running in step with the German. "How bout a kiss?"
"How about we save the world first." Jei asked sarcastically.
"I like you better when you were crazy." Yohji pouted.
Sake skidded to a halt in front of the doors to the antechamber and turned to glare for a moment then slipped inside. The ceremony had already started and from the looks of it was almost complete. They were only going to have one shot at this.
The brunette pulled the rifle from his shoulder, made sure safety was off and took aim; next to him Schuldich did the same. He followed the movement carefully as the staff was raised ready to be brought down again, and then fired systematically with the German.
The crystal tip of the staff exploded and Farlion went down. Ran screamed.
"Shit," his twin said from beside him. "That was the tenth stroke, to bind the gods." Then vaulted over the railing.
"Ken!" Omi shouted.
"What dose that mean?" Jei asked.
"It means we have one chance to banish them without killing the body." Sake said aiming another shot just in case.
"What about the soul?" Yohji asked.
"I don't know." Sake said putting his fingers on the trigger. "I'm sorry." He closed his eyes and fired.
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Ran blinked faintly turning to face the sound of a steady beeping that woke him vaguely he recognized the look of a heart monitor as his eyes focused, but couldn't remember why he was in a hospital. The last thing he remembered was feeling his soul being ripped from his body then a pain flared in his shoulder that jolted him back.
He assumed the ritual had failed since he was in full possession of his body. From the mild murmurs of other people's thoughts around him he also knew someone gifted had rescued him. But who? He really hadn't expected to be rescued.
The door opened. "Hey kiddo." Jei said smiling, a teddy bear half hidden behind his back. "We were beginning to wonder if you'd ever wake."
"Jei?" Ran asked coughing slightly when his throat protested.
The Irishmen sat the bear on the bed and poured Ran a glass of water. "The nurses are only letting me in for now, but the others will be able to stop by soon."
"What happened?" Ran asked gratefully taking the cool water and sat up a little to drink his shoulder protesting.
"Sake shot you?" Jei said. "He couldn't take the chance that you could come back if it meant the end of the world. Fortunately for you he couldn't look and missed. Now he won't stop morning that you won't went to be his boyfriend anymore."
The teen blinked. "Sake shot me? Intentionally?"
Jei nodded. "Look at it this way. He might have shot you but he saved your life in the process."
"Why do you say that?" Ran asked.
"Because when he shot you, you screamed which made Ken hesitate long enough for your soul to return and banish the nine gods." Jei explained happily. He picked up the teddy bear. "Look what I got you in this gift shop!"
The redhead took the toy and held it against his chest with his good arm. "Jei?" he asked wanting to know one important thing. "Did I miss my birthday again?"
End Part Four
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A/N: sorry this took so long, i kept forgetting to update. Just one more to go then one to the sequel which i'm not even half way finished with yet. maybe if you all ask nicely i'll add in a teaser!
please R&R, even if i dont get a chance to respond i always read my reviews