Chapter Seven:
Schuldich was sitting on a plush sofa with his feet propped on a table in front of him. He had his eyes closed and his whole being concentrated on searching one stream of thought alone. His sweat beaded on his forehead and his brows knotted. His fingers, which held each other, tensed because of his intense concentration, but still he failed to find her mind stream. The tall German dropped his feet on the floor and slammed his fist on the table in frustration.
Why can't he read that girl's mind?! It was impossible! She wasn't psychic, that much he could tell. So how come she could protect her mind from him?! He didn't like this. He didn't like this one bit!
No one, either by accident or design has anyone ever evaded the power of his telepathy. He was proud of his powers. It gave him something weak people didn't have. Power. He grew up thinking power is the only thing that mattered. The only thing man ever desired! At a young age, he heard thoughts that disgusted and reviled him and made him believe that this world should die. What will he do if that power was stripped from him? His fist tightened.
Damn her! She made him feel an emotion he had never felt before, not since entering Rosenkreuz. Fear... Debilitating, mind boggling, paralyzing fear. He had to find her. He had to find her and eliminate her. Immediately! But not before he made her pay for making him suffer like this.
"You failed." said the familiar formal voice behind him.
Schuldich didn't have to turn to see who it was. "Would I be looking like this if I didn't?"
Crawford frowned and adjusted his glasses. "This was not what I saw of the future. At first."
"Exactly what did you see?" Schuldich snapped at the other man. "And what did you mean, at first?"
Crawford glared at him coldly and glanced outside the mansion they were living in. The night has drawn in and the world was once again covered in darkness. It was as though... God just turned over and slept. Leaving the night at the mercy of people of twisted minds and even more twisted desires. He loved the night. Somehow took comfort from it though no one ever knew. But tonight he was troubled. All because of a vision of a single, insignificant, blond haired girl.
"I saw the girl. What was your problem with her?" he returned formally.
Schuldich scowled. He hated answering to anyone but Brad has his respect. They share the same view of this fake, miserable, pathetic world and he knew, that if anyone can carry out their ideals, it would be Crawford. So, like it as not, however embarrassing it might be, he had to tell him the truth. Besides, he'd know sooner or later. Sometimes he wondered if Brad was telepathic, too. "I couldn't read her mind."
Crawford's brows knotted but did not turn away from the window. It was just as he had suspected. "Why? Is she psychic, too?"
Schuldich blew out an exasperated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. "No. If she were then she could have countered from the attack I threw her. She took it bad but I still can't get through her mind even when she was unconscious then. Oh, yeah, and Siberian came in all of a sudden too. He called her name. If I took her he'd hunt us."
Crawford turned towards him then. His brows knotted. "He knows her, then?"
Schuldich shrugged. "It seems so."
Crawford was alarmed but nothing in his demeanor showed it. He turned back to the window. He had to concentrate on what's more important. Even he didn't know why the premonition he had suddenly changed.
At first, he saw Schuldich and Farfarello retrieving the films and photographs and killing Tsukino and Siberian. But, sometime that day, the premonition changed...
"Hey! Brad!?"
Crawford scowled at the orange haired gaijin when he heard him use his first name. "We'll deal with her later. What we have to concentrate on right now is our mission with Takatori."
Schuldich just scowled and leaned his head back against the sofa. He had plans for the girl. She'll pay for having the ability to evade him like that. He'll make her pay for this panic, these emotions that he didn't want! He'd make sure she suffered for making him doubt himself...
"Uncle Shuichi?!"
Usagi's gasp echoed throughout the whole room like a shout though her voice was but a strangled whisper. The man standing behind the desk turned and stared at her. The haunted blue eyes of his family reminding her of what had happened. Realization flashed before her as her mother's warning recalled itself in her brain. She instantly became wary.
"Usagi-chan." He greeted her casually, offering her a light smile. Her heart melted. For as long as she could remember Shuichi Takatori, that sad, almost self mocking smile, always made her want to hug him. He caught her as she ran to him with open arms. "I'm sorry about Kenji. I just heard about the incident and so I sent Manx to hire some people to look for you. Are you alright?"
She nodded. "Hai. Some friends of mine took care of me and brought me straight to their place. Demo.. Chibi Chibi... I don't know where she is. When I came home and saw those men she wasn't there anymore."
"Don't worry, we found her and she's safe here with me." The older man answered before his face turned confused. "Oddly enough, we found her sleeping in your house when we came."
Usagi's eyes brightened with relief. "Oh thank God! I was so worried!"
"Where have you been, Usagi?" Shuichi asked again.
Usagi bit her lip before answering. The sudden happiness in her eyes evaporating at his tone of voice. "I- I guess I was rescued by Ken-kun. I kinda woke up in his place. I met Manx-san there."
His brow knotted all of a sudden. "So Manx told me. What happened, Usa? Who did this?"
Usagi pushed away a little and Shuichi could see her lower lip trembling. "T- Takatori Reiji's bodyguards..."
A worried frown crossed the man's lips. "How do you know they were Takatori Reiji's bodyguards?"
Usagi bent her head. She knew she was going to get in trouble for doing what she was doing these past few days.
"Usagi..." He was using that tone of voice that told her she can't hide anything from him. Shuichi took hold of her shoulders and shook her a little. "Usagi, look at me. What were you up to?"
Usagi wrung her hands as she nervously spoke up. "I- I kinda convinced one of my friends to help me find out more about Takatori Reiji and—"
"YOU WHAT?!"
"Well I couldn't wait around doing nothing while Shingo's out there! No one seems to care about my brother! Not even the police can—" Remembering that she was talking to the Chief of Police, Usagi abruptly held a hand over her mouth when she saw her uncle stiffen a little. A tense silence followed for a while until Usagi found the strength to break it again. "Gomen, Uncle Shuichi. I know you are doing everything you can demo... I'm so afraid..." Usagi embraced herself as though trying to keep out the cold from a mysterious breeze. "I couldn't stand by and just wait for something to happen and regret that I didn't do anything afterwards..."
Shuichi fell silent. He knew exactly what she was going through. Gentle, little Usagi always had a knack for getting into trouble especially when the ones concerned are the people she cared about. He sighed a bit. She was a lot like his Kikuko, before she was forced to marry Reiji. But the gentleness stayed with her, even though her soul was neatly crushed by Reiji's ice cold heart.
He sighed and turned towards the open window of his office.
"You've placed yourself in grave danger, Usagi. Once Reiji discovers your connection with your father, he'll stop at nothing to get you in order to force him to produce the items he's looking for. For now, you're a prime target. Your life, as we speak, is now in grave danger." He said grimly.
Usagi looked up at his back wide eyed. "You mean they'll use me to get tousan's pictures?"
"That and make you reveal who helped you dig into his personal database which may put your friend in trouble too."
"Oh, Kami no!" the fear in her sapphire eyes turned to anger. "I won't let them touch my friends!"
"But what can you do? You're only one defenseless girl against the most powerful politician in Japan." He said bluntly.
You'd be surprised if you found out what one defenseless girl can do... there are things about me that you won't believe. Secrets that you can never comprehend, Uncle Shuichi..., she thought as she continued to stare at her godfather's back. "Then what do you want me to do?" she asked instead.
There was a slight pause before she heard his voice again. "I understand that Manx found you in the company of Ken Hideka and his... friends."
Usagi couldn't help feeling confused at what her uncle said. "H-hai."
"I assume, from what you just told me, that you met them while you were looking for Hideka-san so you can ask him about Shingo." He continued.
"H-hai." Usagi blushed guiltily. There was no use denying that anymore. "W- what are you getting at, Uncle Shuichi?"
Shuichi scowled at himself. He didn't want to deepen Usagi's involvement in this darkness he was living in but he had to protect her. For Kenji. For himself. And right now he can trust no one with her but Weiss.
He finally faced the lovely, wide eyed girl. "Usagi, I'm sending you and Chibi Chibi to live with them for a while. I will also arrange your enrollment to Omi's school so you wouldn't have to get in contact with anyone you may know for a while."
To say she was surprised was a blatant understatement. "Nani?! We'll be living with Ken-kun and the others?!" An image of Aya holding his katana out and at her made Usagi shake her head violently before facing her uncle again. "You can't be serious, Uncle Shuichi! Why can't I just live with one of my friends? My fiancée is out in America and he's left his apartment key to me, I can use that for the time being!"
"No, Usagi, it's too dangerous to let you stay anywhere else. If you stay with your friends, you could put them in danger and if you stay in an apartment alone you won't be able to get any help if they decide to drop by and pay you a visit like what they did to Kenji." Shuichi stated calmly.
Usagi bit her lip. "D-demo, won't they be mad at me?"
Shuichi held her shoulders gently. "Don't worry, they work for me. Just as long as I pay them, they'll do as I say."
Usagi's eyes grew as wide as platters but she said nothing. Looks like she wasn't the only one who had secrets. "Alright, I'll stay with them, but only if you promise not to stop me from looking for Shingo."
"Usagi—"
"I know I can find him, uncle!" Usagi cried, her eyes softly pleading. "I have to..."
Shuichi suspected that Kenji could never deny Usagi anything. Not if she used this kind of persuasion. He sighed in defeat but used a last ditch effort to keep her within bounds. "Alright, I'll even supply you with information but only if you promise not to be reckless and that you'll tell Manx everything you find out, alright?"
"Oh arigato, Uncle Shuichi!" Usagi cried as she threw herself at the older man. "You're the bestest uncle ever!"
Shuichi smiled warmly. What is it with Usagi that can provoke a measure of light in even the darkest of hearts? Only a man who didn't see her as human can ever resist the power she seemed to hold over anyone near her...
And for that, he hoped he was doing the right thing...
"Say WHAT?!"
The words echoed inside the Weiss mission room like a boom of thunder as Yohji gaped at Manx like a beached fish on a hook. He was stark horrified at what he just heard.
Manx remained unfazed by Yohji's outburst. She smiled smugly at his handsomely shocked face. "Why, Kudou, I never took you as deaf aside from being dumb too! Need a hearing aid? Kritiker would gladly provide you with one."
"Ha! Bloody ha ha, Manx." Yohji shot back sarcastically. "You know what the hell it is I mean. You can't stick that angel in here with us just like that! It isn't right! She's not like us! Why can't she stay with you?!"
"Because I have too much to do as it is and you guys can protect her better. Besides, Persia ordered this." Manx casually shot back as she sat on the sofa, the four Weiss members surrounding her.
As she predicted when she received orders from Persia, Aya would remain coldly silent, Yohji annoyingly loud, Ken torn, and Omi, puzzled.
Manx sighed deeply as she fought for the words she needed. She'd always been honest to the guys. At least as much as possible. And normally she wouldn't agree with Yohji except this time... she doubted Persia's judgment. Usagi's conversation with the head of Kritiker was a mysterious one and even she wasn't privileged to hear anything. "Look, privately, I didn't like this either demo this is what Persia wanted. From now on she will be a temporary member of Weiss."
"But why?!" Omi exclaimed. He was just as shocked as Yohji about the whole announcement. Imagining the blonde girl accompanying them in those bloody missions was unthinkable! Although he knew there was something strange about the blond girl. "Why would Persia send Usagi-san here to accompany us in missions? Does she know something that we don't?"
"I'm not really sure." Manx said before she could stop herself. She didn't know why but she liked Usagi very much despite their frequent meetings. She has this quality that made people feel good and pure even if they aren't. There was nothing fake about her and she arouses this feeling of protectiveness in people Manx could not deny. Right now she was torn between the good of the missions in the future and the girl's safety. Either way she can do nothing about it. She must obey Persia. "Usagi-san hasn't even heard about Kritiker till a few hours ago and she has no plans of joining Weiss for long. For all I know she's only interested in getting her brother back."
"Since when did Kritiker condone the use of its resources for personal vendettas of perfect strangers?" Aya asked suddenly. He was trying very hard not to yell at Manx for getting the girl embroiled in this mess that was their lives. Silently, he wondered how the blond pestilence got the elusive Persia to do as she asked. She had to have used magic to get to the good side of Kritiker's obscure leader.
Manx glanced at Aya with a raised brow. "Since we started to take all of you in for just the same reason."
Aya frowned and looked away. She was right. All of them in this room had a case one way or another. But he couldn't get over the feeling that they were violating some sort of natural law by allowing Usagi Tsukino into their world of blood and sin.
"But look on the bright side, guys!" Ken said all of a sudden, trying to lighten things up. "At least this way we'll know how she managed to kill that monster she destroyed a few nights ago."
"I know what you're thinking, Ken, and no, I still don't think it's a good idea." Yohji caught him. "You just want to protect the girl and glue her close to you."
Ken flushed. It was amazing how perceptive Yohji can be despite all his slutty and careless behavior.
"Do you people know something I don't know?" Manx eyed the four suspiciously.
The four exchanged glances before Aya finally spoke. "She killed a monster a few days back."
Manx's eyes widened then looked at Omi who was fidgeting uncomfortably. "This wasn't a part of your report."
Omi looked up guiltily. "How can I report something I don't even understand, Manx? I didn't even know her name back then!"
"Besides, I think Tsukino-san would like to keep her own secrets." Ken defended the girl.
Aya gave him an annoyed little sidelong glance. "I still don't understand how she'll be able to help us."
Manx turned evasive. "Because Persia said you need her."
Aya couldn't resist an irritated retort. "And we need her with us because—?"
"Because you do."
Everyone glanced up the stairs leading up to the flower shop and saw the subject of their discussion. Soft, haunted blue eyes scanned everyone in the room before fully climbing down the stairs. She was wearing a white knitted dress with blue lacings. To say she looked completely out of place in the room was a definite understatement. Everybody stared at her silently and Usagi fought back a blush. Whoever her uncle ordered to shop for her really had a thing for feminine stuff. Even she would have bought the dress, but it seemed so uncharacteristic in this place.
She turned her eyes on the four men before her. Manx warned her they were all going to make this difficult for her, but if she won't get through these guys now, she never will. And after her 'talk' with her Uncle Shuichi, she knew she can trust no one else to find her brother other than these guys. At least they have a better information network than what she and the senshi can possibly possess. They may be extraordinary when fighting youmas but deadly mortals and political intrigues are way beyond them except maybe for Setsuna.
Aya crossed his arms over his chest and faced the blond angel as though trying to contain the wild beating of his heart at the sight of her. What was happening to him now?! "We're Weiss. We don't need anyone."
Usagi unconsciously raised her chin at that. "It didn't look like that to me a few nights ago."
Aya glared at her silently. She hit a bulls eye there.
Yohji really tried to contain himself but he couldn't help adding a smug comment at Aya's expense. It wasn't often that the silent redhead was corrected like that. "Want some salt to go with that foot, Aya-kun?"
Aya turned his glare on the blond playboy. Nevertheless, she had a point. They still needed to find out about those mutations. She may still be of help...
Just then, his musings were again interrupted but this time, the interruption came from a little body glomping his right leg like a very persistent tick.
"Chibi!" came the cheerful little greeting of the persistent little tick.
Aya glared at it coldly. Scowling at the huge, innocent brown eyes staring up at him. What now?
Yohji couldn't help giving out an amused smile at Aya's expense. He crouched down so he was eye level with the little girl and spoke. "Hey there, chibi tenshi! Where'd you come from?"
"How did she get in here?!" Omi exclaimed, looking alarmed.
"Don't worry, she's with me." Usagi said, pulling all eyes back to her once more. "This is Chibi Chibi. My little sister."
The wheels in Aya's brain clicked into place as he scowled first at the blond, and then at the little tick. His scowl turned darker when Chibi Chibi attempted to climb up his leg but failed and slid back down on top of his foot.
"No." he calmly and coldly said.
"Gomen?" Usagi asked in confusion.
"No this is not staying here." Aya announced.
Usagi narrowed her eyes at the red head. "For your information, that's a she, not an it. And much as I would like to leave her with my friends so she'll be safer, I was told that it would be in both of our best interests if I took her with me. So yes, she stays with me. Here."
"No." Aya said again, almost growling this time. Chibi Chibi, mindless of the murderous glint on a pair of amethyst hard eyes, proceeded to climb up Aya's leg again, this time, reaching his knee, only to slide back down Aya's feet on her little bottom. Aya's glare intensified and Ken, with cautious foresight, quickly snatched the little girl away. Yohji was trying to suppress a laugh and Omi was trying hard not to smile. Smiling at Aya's expense was not good for one's health especially when there's a very sharp katana within easy reach on the premises. "She isn't staying."
"Sorry, Aya-san, Persia's orders." Manx told him, almost apologetically. She could feel the corner of her mouth twitching. "The package includes both Usagi and Chibi Chibi. It was all direct and specific. Perfectly unchangeable."
Aya muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like 'Fuck' and Usagi glared at him angrily. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't say those words in front of my sister."
Aya just glared at her and leaned against a wall, glaring at the little girl sulkily.
"Alright, so all's settled then. I'll leave you guys to do some... er, bonding. Ciao!" Manx left and as soon as she was out of Aya's sight, she let her mouth break into a smile. That scene back there with the little girl just made her day. Life was about to get a bit more interesting with Usagi and Chibi Chibi staying here. Oh to be a fly on the wall when all hell breaks loose...
Schuldich was sitting on a plush sofa with his feet propped on a table in front of him. He had his eyes closed and his whole being concentrated on searching one stream of thought alone. His sweat beaded on his forehead and his brows knotted. His fingers, which held each other, tensed because of his intense concentration, but still he failed to find her mind stream. The tall German dropped his feet on the floor and slammed his fist on the table in frustration.
Why can't he read that girl's mind?! It was impossible! She wasn't psychic, that much he could tell. So how come she could protect her mind from him?! He didn't like this. He didn't like this one bit!
No one, either by accident or design has anyone ever evaded the power of his telepathy. He was proud of his powers. It gave him something weak people didn't have. Power. He grew up thinking power is the only thing that mattered. The only thing man ever desired! At a young age, he heard thoughts that disgusted and reviled him and made him believe that this world should die. What will he do if that power was stripped from him? His fist tightened.
Damn her! She made him feel an emotion he had never felt before, not since entering Rosenkreuz. Fear... Debilitating, mind boggling, paralyzing fear. He had to find her. He had to find her and eliminate her. Immediately! But not before he made her pay for making him suffer like this.
"You failed." said the familiar formal voice behind him.
Schuldich didn't have to turn to see who it was. "Would I be looking like this if I didn't?"
Crawford frowned and adjusted his glasses. "This was not what I saw of the future. At first."
"Exactly what did you see?" Schuldich snapped at the other man. "And what did you mean, at first?"
Crawford glared at him coldly and glanced outside the mansion they were living in. The night has drawn in and the world was once again covered in darkness. It was as though... God just turned over and slept. Leaving the night at the mercy of people of twisted minds and even more twisted desires. He loved the night. Somehow took comfort from it though no one ever knew. But tonight he was troubled. All because of a vision of a single, insignificant, blond haired girl.
"I saw the girl. What was your problem with her?" he returned formally.
Schuldich scowled. He hated answering to anyone but Brad has his respect. They share the same view of this fake, miserable, pathetic world and he knew, that if anyone can carry out their ideals, it would be Crawford. So, like it as not, however embarrassing it might be, he had to tell him the truth. Besides, he'd know sooner or later. Sometimes he wondered if Brad was telepathic, too. "I couldn't read her mind."
Crawford's brows knotted but did not turn away from the window. It was just as he had suspected. "Why? Is she psychic, too?"
Schuldich blew out an exasperated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. "No. If she were then she could have countered from the attack I threw her. She took it bad but I still can't get through her mind even when she was unconscious then. Oh, yeah, and Siberian came in all of a sudden too. He called her name. If I took her he'd hunt us."
Crawford turned towards him then. His brows knotted. "He knows her, then?"
Schuldich shrugged. "It seems so."
Crawford was alarmed but nothing in his demeanor showed it. He turned back to the window. He had to concentrate on what's more important. Even he didn't know why the premonition he had suddenly changed.
At first, he saw Schuldich and Farfarello retrieving the films and photographs and killing Tsukino and Siberian. But, sometime that day, the premonition changed...
"Hey! Brad!?"
Crawford scowled at the orange haired gaijin when he heard him use his first name. "We'll deal with her later. What we have to concentrate on right now is our mission with Takatori."
Schuldich just scowled and leaned his head back against the sofa. He had plans for the girl. She'll pay for having the ability to evade him like that. He'll make her pay for this panic, these emotions that he didn't want! He'd make sure she suffered for making him doubt himself...
"Uncle Shuichi?!"
Usagi's gasp echoed throughout the whole room like a shout though her voice was but a strangled whisper. The man standing behind the desk turned and stared at her. The haunted blue eyes of his family reminding her of what had happened. Realization flashed before her as her mother's warning recalled itself in her brain. She instantly became wary.
"Usagi-chan." He greeted her casually, offering her a light smile. Her heart melted. For as long as she could remember Shuichi Takatori, that sad, almost self mocking smile, always made her want to hug him. He caught her as she ran to him with open arms. "I'm sorry about Kenji. I just heard about the incident and so I sent Manx to hire some people to look for you. Are you alright?"
She nodded. "Hai. Some friends of mine took care of me and brought me straight to their place. Demo.. Chibi Chibi... I don't know where she is. When I came home and saw those men she wasn't there anymore."
"Don't worry, we found her and she's safe here with me." The older man answered before his face turned confused. "Oddly enough, we found her sleeping in your house when we came."
Usagi's eyes brightened with relief. "Oh thank God! I was so worried!"
"Where have you been, Usagi?" Shuichi asked again.
Usagi bit her lip before answering. The sudden happiness in her eyes evaporating at his tone of voice. "I- I guess I was rescued by Ken-kun. I kinda woke up in his place. I met Manx-san there."
His brow knotted all of a sudden. "So Manx told me. What happened, Usa? Who did this?"
Usagi pushed away a little and Shuichi could see her lower lip trembling. "T- Takatori Reiji's bodyguards..."
A worried frown crossed the man's lips. "How do you know they were Takatori Reiji's bodyguards?"
Usagi bent her head. She knew she was going to get in trouble for doing what she was doing these past few days.
"Usagi..." He was using that tone of voice that told her she can't hide anything from him. Shuichi took hold of her shoulders and shook her a little. "Usagi, look at me. What were you up to?"
Usagi wrung her hands as she nervously spoke up. "I- I kinda convinced one of my friends to help me find out more about Takatori Reiji and—"
"YOU WHAT?!"
"Well I couldn't wait around doing nothing while Shingo's out there! No one seems to care about my brother! Not even the police can—" Remembering that she was talking to the Chief of Police, Usagi abruptly held a hand over her mouth when she saw her uncle stiffen a little. A tense silence followed for a while until Usagi found the strength to break it again. "Gomen, Uncle Shuichi. I know you are doing everything you can demo... I'm so afraid..." Usagi embraced herself as though trying to keep out the cold from a mysterious breeze. "I couldn't stand by and just wait for something to happen and regret that I didn't do anything afterwards..."
Shuichi fell silent. He knew exactly what she was going through. Gentle, little Usagi always had a knack for getting into trouble especially when the ones concerned are the people she cared about. He sighed a bit. She was a lot like his Kikuko, before she was forced to marry Reiji. But the gentleness stayed with her, even though her soul was neatly crushed by Reiji's ice cold heart.
He sighed and turned towards the open window of his office.
"You've placed yourself in grave danger, Usagi. Once Reiji discovers your connection with your father, he'll stop at nothing to get you in order to force him to produce the items he's looking for. For now, you're a prime target. Your life, as we speak, is now in grave danger." He said grimly.
Usagi looked up at his back wide eyed. "You mean they'll use me to get tousan's pictures?"
"That and make you reveal who helped you dig into his personal database which may put your friend in trouble too."
"Oh, Kami no!" the fear in her sapphire eyes turned to anger. "I won't let them touch my friends!"
"But what can you do? You're only one defenseless girl against the most powerful politician in Japan." He said bluntly.
You'd be surprised if you found out what one defenseless girl can do... there are things about me that you won't believe. Secrets that you can never comprehend, Uncle Shuichi..., she thought as she continued to stare at her godfather's back. "Then what do you want me to do?" she asked instead.
There was a slight pause before she heard his voice again. "I understand that Manx found you in the company of Ken Hideka and his... friends."
Usagi couldn't help feeling confused at what her uncle said. "H-hai."
"I assume, from what you just told me, that you met them while you were looking for Hideka-san so you can ask him about Shingo." He continued.
"H-hai." Usagi blushed guiltily. There was no use denying that anymore. "W- what are you getting at, Uncle Shuichi?"
Shuichi scowled at himself. He didn't want to deepen Usagi's involvement in this darkness he was living in but he had to protect her. For Kenji. For himself. And right now he can trust no one with her but Weiss.
He finally faced the lovely, wide eyed girl. "Usagi, I'm sending you and Chibi Chibi to live with them for a while. I will also arrange your enrollment to Omi's school so you wouldn't have to get in contact with anyone you may know for a while."
To say she was surprised was a blatant understatement. "Nani?! We'll be living with Ken-kun and the others?!" An image of Aya holding his katana out and at her made Usagi shake her head violently before facing her uncle again. "You can't be serious, Uncle Shuichi! Why can't I just live with one of my friends? My fiancée is out in America and he's left his apartment key to me, I can use that for the time being!"
"No, Usagi, it's too dangerous to let you stay anywhere else. If you stay with your friends, you could put them in danger and if you stay in an apartment alone you won't be able to get any help if they decide to drop by and pay you a visit like what they did to Kenji." Shuichi stated calmly.
Usagi bit her lip. "D-demo, won't they be mad at me?"
Shuichi held her shoulders gently. "Don't worry, they work for me. Just as long as I pay them, they'll do as I say."
Usagi's eyes grew as wide as platters but she said nothing. Looks like she wasn't the only one who had secrets. "Alright, I'll stay with them, but only if you promise not to stop me from looking for Shingo."
"Usagi—"
"I know I can find him, uncle!" Usagi cried, her eyes softly pleading. "I have to..."
Shuichi suspected that Kenji could never deny Usagi anything. Not if she used this kind of persuasion. He sighed in defeat but used a last ditch effort to keep her within bounds. "Alright, I'll even supply you with information but only if you promise not to be reckless and that you'll tell Manx everything you find out, alright?"
"Oh arigato, Uncle Shuichi!" Usagi cried as she threw herself at the older man. "You're the bestest uncle ever!"
Shuichi smiled warmly. What is it with Usagi that can provoke a measure of light in even the darkest of hearts? Only a man who didn't see her as human can ever resist the power she seemed to hold over anyone near her...
And for that, he hoped he was doing the right thing...
"Say WHAT?!"
The words echoed inside the Weiss mission room like a boom of thunder as Yohji gaped at Manx like a beached fish on a hook. He was stark horrified at what he just heard.
Manx remained unfazed by Yohji's outburst. She smiled smugly at his handsomely shocked face. "Why, Kudou, I never took you as deaf aside from being dumb too! Need a hearing aid? Kritiker would gladly provide you with one."
"Ha! Bloody ha ha, Manx." Yohji shot back sarcastically. "You know what the hell it is I mean. You can't stick that angel in here with us just like that! It isn't right! She's not like us! Why can't she stay with you?!"
"Because I have too much to do as it is and you guys can protect her better. Besides, Persia ordered this." Manx casually shot back as she sat on the sofa, the four Weiss members surrounding her.
As she predicted when she received orders from Persia, Aya would remain coldly silent, Yohji annoyingly loud, Ken torn, and Omi, puzzled.
Manx sighed deeply as she fought for the words she needed. She'd always been honest to the guys. At least as much as possible. And normally she wouldn't agree with Yohji except this time... she doubted Persia's judgment. Usagi's conversation with the head of Kritiker was a mysterious one and even she wasn't privileged to hear anything. "Look, privately, I didn't like this either demo this is what Persia wanted. From now on she will be a temporary member of Weiss."
"But why?!" Omi exclaimed. He was just as shocked as Yohji about the whole announcement. Imagining the blonde girl accompanying them in those bloody missions was unthinkable! Although he knew there was something strange about the blond girl. "Why would Persia send Usagi-san here to accompany us in missions? Does she know something that we don't?"
"I'm not really sure." Manx said before she could stop herself. She didn't know why but she liked Usagi very much despite their frequent meetings. She has this quality that made people feel good and pure even if they aren't. There was nothing fake about her and she arouses this feeling of protectiveness in people Manx could not deny. Right now she was torn between the good of the missions in the future and the girl's safety. Either way she can do nothing about it. She must obey Persia. "Usagi-san hasn't even heard about Kritiker till a few hours ago and she has no plans of joining Weiss for long. For all I know she's only interested in getting her brother back."
"Since when did Kritiker condone the use of its resources for personal vendettas of perfect strangers?" Aya asked suddenly. He was trying very hard not to yell at Manx for getting the girl embroiled in this mess that was their lives. Silently, he wondered how the blond pestilence got the elusive Persia to do as she asked. She had to have used magic to get to the good side of Kritiker's obscure leader.
Manx glanced at Aya with a raised brow. "Since we started to take all of you in for just the same reason."
Aya frowned and looked away. She was right. All of them in this room had a case one way or another. But he couldn't get over the feeling that they were violating some sort of natural law by allowing Usagi Tsukino into their world of blood and sin.
"But look on the bright side, guys!" Ken said all of a sudden, trying to lighten things up. "At least this way we'll know how she managed to kill that monster she destroyed a few nights ago."
"I know what you're thinking, Ken, and no, I still don't think it's a good idea." Yohji caught him. "You just want to protect the girl and glue her close to you."
Ken flushed. It was amazing how perceptive Yohji can be despite all his slutty and careless behavior.
"Do you people know something I don't know?" Manx eyed the four suspiciously.
The four exchanged glances before Aya finally spoke. "She killed a monster a few days back."
Manx's eyes widened then looked at Omi who was fidgeting uncomfortably. "This wasn't a part of your report."
Omi looked up guiltily. "How can I report something I don't even understand, Manx? I didn't even know her name back then!"
"Besides, I think Tsukino-san would like to keep her own secrets." Ken defended the girl.
Aya gave him an annoyed little sidelong glance. "I still don't understand how she'll be able to help us."
Manx turned evasive. "Because Persia said you need her."
Aya couldn't resist an irritated retort. "And we need her with us because—?"
"Because you do."
Everyone glanced up the stairs leading up to the flower shop and saw the subject of their discussion. Soft, haunted blue eyes scanned everyone in the room before fully climbing down the stairs. She was wearing a white knitted dress with blue lacings. To say she looked completely out of place in the room was a definite understatement. Everybody stared at her silently and Usagi fought back a blush. Whoever her uncle ordered to shop for her really had a thing for feminine stuff. Even she would have bought the dress, but it seemed so uncharacteristic in this place.
She turned her eyes on the four men before her. Manx warned her they were all going to make this difficult for her, but if she won't get through these guys now, she never will. And after her 'talk' with her Uncle Shuichi, she knew she can trust no one else to find her brother other than these guys. At least they have a better information network than what she and the senshi can possibly possess. They may be extraordinary when fighting youmas but deadly mortals and political intrigues are way beyond them except maybe for Setsuna.
Aya crossed his arms over his chest and faced the blond angel as though trying to contain the wild beating of his heart at the sight of her. What was happening to him now?! "We're Weiss. We don't need anyone."
Usagi unconsciously raised her chin at that. "It didn't look like that to me a few nights ago."
Aya glared at her silently. She hit a bulls eye there.
Yohji really tried to contain himself but he couldn't help adding a smug comment at Aya's expense. It wasn't often that the silent redhead was corrected like that. "Want some salt to go with that foot, Aya-kun?"
Aya turned his glare on the blond playboy. Nevertheless, she had a point. They still needed to find out about those mutations. She may still be of help...
Just then, his musings were again interrupted but this time, the interruption came from a little body glomping his right leg like a very persistent tick.
"Chibi!" came the cheerful little greeting of the persistent little tick.
Aya glared at it coldly. Scowling at the huge, innocent brown eyes staring up at him. What now?
Yohji couldn't help giving out an amused smile at Aya's expense. He crouched down so he was eye level with the little girl and spoke. "Hey there, chibi tenshi! Where'd you come from?"
"How did she get in here?!" Omi exclaimed, looking alarmed.
"Don't worry, she's with me." Usagi said, pulling all eyes back to her once more. "This is Chibi Chibi. My little sister."
The wheels in Aya's brain clicked into place as he scowled first at the blond, and then at the little tick. His scowl turned darker when Chibi Chibi attempted to climb up his leg but failed and slid back down on top of his foot.
"No." he calmly and coldly said.
"Gomen?" Usagi asked in confusion.
"No this is not staying here." Aya announced.
Usagi narrowed her eyes at the red head. "For your information, that's a she, not an it. And much as I would like to leave her with my friends so she'll be safer, I was told that it would be in both of our best interests if I took her with me. So yes, she stays with me. Here."
"No." Aya said again, almost growling this time. Chibi Chibi, mindless of the murderous glint on a pair of amethyst hard eyes, proceeded to climb up Aya's leg again, this time, reaching his knee, only to slide back down Aya's feet on her little bottom. Aya's glare intensified and Ken, with cautious foresight, quickly snatched the little girl away. Yohji was trying to suppress a laugh and Omi was trying hard not to smile. Smiling at Aya's expense was not good for one's health especially when there's a very sharp katana within easy reach on the premises. "She isn't staying."
"Sorry, Aya-san, Persia's orders." Manx told him, almost apologetically. She could feel the corner of her mouth twitching. "The package includes both Usagi and Chibi Chibi. It was all direct and specific. Perfectly unchangeable."
Aya muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like 'Fuck' and Usagi glared at him angrily. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't say those words in front of my sister."
Aya just glared at her and leaned against a wall, glaring at the little girl sulkily.
"Alright, so all's settled then. I'll leave you guys to do some... er, bonding. Ciao!" Manx left and as soon as she was out of Aya's sight, she let her mouth break into a smile. That scene back there with the little girl just made her day. Life was about to get a bit more interesting with Usagi and Chibi Chibi staying here. Oh to be a fly on the wall when all hell breaks loose...