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All Hollow's Eve, 1:00 p.m. Manx perched gracefully on the corner of Omi's desk, red hair tumbling across her shoulders. She briefed them on current developments, sounding almost cross the assassins had chosen to sleep rather than continue to surveil the club and gather more information on Yuki. Youji and Aya sat on the couch, listening intently while Ken rewound the tape from their overnight observation of Yuki in her private room. He looked up at the assistant's voice. "Birman is preparing the things you will need when you pose as a victim tonight, Ken, and Omi as well." Ken groaned. All this infiltration stuff was getting on his nerves. He was more of a face to face kind of guy. Plus the idea of being forced to wear the same kinds of clothing that he had seen the club kids wear...he shuddered and rubbed his arms to dispel the chill. He carried the recording equipment to Omi's desk, smiling as Manx stepped out of the way. He tapped a button and the tape deck gave a small chirrup. Manx and the other two assassins clustered around the dark haired boy as the screen brightened with an image. Apparently Yuki had learned a thing or two from movie villains. She did not speak much, and when she did, it was to give orders to the thin, pale girl who attended her. Youji had identified her as the girl they had seen on the balcony, shaking his head as if to ward off the strange feeling of her heavy gaze. Ken stifled a yawn as five minutes of footage dragged by. He could see the others' eyes glazing with boredom as well. A sudden flash of orange caught his eye. "Oi, minna. Look at this." Following Ken's guiding finger, the four assassins watched with trepidation as a shadowed figure moved into the circle of Yuki's light. Aya's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Schuldich. Schwarz." The silence was dreadful as the realization that their enemies had survived the destruction of the temple as well hit the group. White and Black were at odds once more. Ken felt himself go cold at the implication that they might have to face the inhuman team...he was still haunted by the terrible beating he had gotten from the Irish madman... Omi turned up the audio feed, staring with fascination as Schuldich stepped forward, his body stiff as if he were fighting something ::It was an unnatural feeling that crept up on him. Omi found his arm raising of it's own accord, power gathered at the center of his palm, ready to strike at Ken's vulnerable back. "No," Omi whispered, suddenly sure that his body was no longer his own...:: Omi hissed in pain as the thoughts and images flashed through his brain, almost too fast to register. Youji looked over in concern. "Daijoubu, chibi?" The youth just nodded and turned back to his study of the screen. He could just make out Schuldich's words, the German's voice strained with effort. Yuki rose from her throne and stalked towards the helpless Schwarz with feral grace, pale frame starkly beautiful in her dark gown. Ken stumbled back from the desk with a startled whimper as the witch grabbed either side of Schuldich's head, lips moving in an unintelligible whisper. He could feel the malignant power behind the words, hear the German's mind cry in pain as his personality was beaten down... ::Ken turned at Omi's whisper, watching as his lover raised a sphere of power...aimed for his heart. The dark haired warlock froze in mid-motion, trying not to spook the other boy. He could see the struggle in Omi's body as he fought to lower his hand. "Omi? What's wrong?" The tears in the young boy's eyes tore at Ken's heart. "She's in my mind, Ken. Kami help me...she has my soul..." The power flared brightly in his hand, and his palm turned towards the taller boy. Ken's eyes widened as he realized that Omi was fighting one of the witches' influence...and she was trying to kill him... Ken stood quickly as Omi screamed in pain, forcing his hand to turn from Ken towards his own chest. "Omi! No!" He could do nothing but watch as Omi sent the magic through his own body, tearing a bloody hole in his chest. Ken caught the boy as he fell, cradling the still form to his chest. His own eyes misted with tears, overwhelmed with the knowledge that the responsibility had become his alone:: Warm hands on his shoulders brought him back from his shock. "Breathe, Ken!" With a shuddering breath, Ken drew in the precious air he didn't even realize he had been missing. He fell hard to his knees, head lowered as he fought to calm his heart. Aya's concerned voice made him look up in surprise. "He's not ready for this." With a grunt, Ken pulled himself to his feet. He smiled, trying to play off his weakness. "Ne, Aya, I'm fine." The words belied his confusion. He had no idea why he had reacted the way he had. And he couldn't be sure that it wouldn't happen again. Manx had no sympathy as she watched the exchange between the two assassins. "He must be ready. There is no one else." Aya's eyes hardened at her words, even though he knew that what she said was true, just as it had been for every mission in their short lives. A flash of pain arced through his head for a strange instant, come and gone quickly. ::Ken's voice drifted to him, a memory of a life past. "We are all that is left. There is no one else...":: Ken stepped forward, cutting off further protest from Aya. He fought to control his trembling limbs as he spoke with far more confidence than he felt. "Let's do this." §*§*§*§*§ Nagi found Schuldich sitting on the balcony, cigarette burning between his slim fingers. The German was eerily silent as he stared out over the rooftops of Tokyo, a sight that would generally amuse him as he studied the snatches of thought that drifted up to him from the crowded streets below. He wore an old sweater of soft gray and khakis that were rumpled and far from his usual fastidious appearance. He had spent hours in the shower as if trying to wash something away. He didn't even flinch as a passing breeze blew the silk strands of his hair onto the burning end of his cigarette, the singed ends burning brightly for an instant before putting themselves out. "Schuldich!" Nagi stepped forward, gently pulling the copious mane from further danger. There was a disinterested grunt from his teammate. ::Schuldich...please, talk to me.:: Deep blue eyes turned to the younger Schwarz. Nagi saw a haunting there that surprised and terrified him. Something had broken through the German's tough exterior and touched something within him. ::Do you believe in evil, Nagi?:: The question caught Nagi by surprise. He swept his dark hair out of his eyes, following his companion's gaze across the cityscape. He had an unfortunate understanding that good and evil were not black and white, not clear cut or easily identifiable. Weiß was considered good and yet they murdered their fellow man, hoping that the ends would justify the means. Schwarz lived outside the laws of man, being shunned by the human race for most of their natural lives. They did what they did for money or personal gain. But they did not murder just for the sake of the killing, the joy of watching someone die. Nagi himself often found himself hesitant to take unnecessary life in the course of his missions. ::Of a sort. The Triad was evil, I guess.:: A soft mental snort accompanied Schuldich's reply. ::Believe me, bishounen. If you ever met evil, you'd know it...to the depths of your soul.:: Nagi was concerned by the desolate tone of his companion's mind. Out loud, he asked, "Schuldich, what happened with Yuki?" There was no other explanation for the German's behavior. He had been his usual cocky self before his visit to the Clavicula Nox and now he was withdrawn and almost scared. "I don't remember." With unusual kindness, Nagi touched the red head's shoulder . He was not prepared for Schuldich's response and watched helplessly as silent tears slipped down the stoic boy's face. "I can't shake the feeling that all this is wrong. Everything. Aste. Yuki. Schwarz. Something incredibly sinister is going on here and I think we are just stepping into the middle of it. We are all going to die." The dark haired kinetic hadn't the time to blink before Schuldich jumped from the roof, nothing but a flash of orange and gray as he disappeared across the city. Nagi stared after his passing, biting back the sudden tears burning in his eyes. "I think so too. God save us all." §*§*§*§*§ All Hallow's Eve 11:00 p.m. "Ken! Don't be such a sissy! Get your ass down here!" The dark haired assassin shook his head vehemently, sending a cascade of glitter to the floor. The gesture made him feel like he has some control, even though he knew Youji couldn't see him. "I think there's a law against this shit!" Youji sighed, taking the cigarette from his darkly painted lips. He felt comfortable in the revealing clothing, skin tight shirt and pants he would have to peel off when he got home. Nightclubs such as the Clavicula Nox were his escape from the life he led and he reveled in the unbridled sexuality such a life presented. Even though he had been told over and over that it was necessary for the mission, Ken was still fighting it. His urge to protect Omi in any way was finding it hard to fight against his discomfort with what was required of him. The blonde assassin knew that Ken was much more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. The boy just didn't realize his own sexual potential. Youji knew that his teammate could be incredibly sexy...just the way he toweled himself off after a workout was enough to send Youji to his room for a little five-fingered therapy "Can we go now?" Youji was startled from his daydream as Omi gave a low whistle. Ken blushed deeply, his cheeks coloring to match the red eye shadow that had been painted around his eyes. Red glitter had been applied liberally to his hair and cheeks, giving him an otherworldly aura. Even Aya turned his head and stared. "Nani? Stop staring, dammit!" Omi dutifully looked away, trying not to embarrass his friend further. Youji made no such motions as he studied the boy before him with burning jade eyes. Since it was Halloween, the last chance Weiß would have to kill their targets before the dark coven found their final sacrifice, they were going to the club dressed to kill, letting Birman work her magic to make their two "victims" irresistible to the coven. Omi looked good in shades of silver and blue, but Ken...Ken was devastating. Red was definitely Ken's color. They had found him a silk shirt of the deepest red, so near blood that Ken shuddered when he saw it. Birman forbid him to button the loose article more than three buttons from his navel, exposing his slim, hairless chest. His long legs had been encased in soft leather that flared slightly at his knees. His protests had been given into when they obtained a pair of black sneakers that finished the outfit without taking away any more of his agility. Ken unabashedly adjusted the crotch of his pants, groaning in pain as he fought to find some measure of comfort in the leather that was practically second skin. The pants were tight enough to prevent his ability to have kids. "God, I can't even hide a knife on me. I may as well be naked." Youji chuckled. "Yakusoku, yakusoku, bishounen." Ken's returning glare promised death for his teammate. "Aya and I will be carrying your weapons should you need them." Aya moved forward, startling the uncomfortable boy. "Birman gave me this. Tracer." Youji smiled as he watched Aya's careful movements. The redheaded leader placed a silver cross about Ken's neck, long fingers brushing the other boy's skin tenderly. Violet eyes stared intently into blue gray, hands resting for a long moment on Ken's shoulders. Youji cleared his throat noisily. "Should we leave you two alone?" The comment didn't help with Ken's embarrassment. If anything, he turned a shade to match his silk shirt and ducked away from Aya's touch. He left the room without looking back, heading down into the mission area. Aya looked almost hurt for a moment before glaring icily at Youji. The blonde assassin smiled sympathetically. As much as he enjoyed watching Ken and Aya deny the feelings that were obviously blossoming between them, they had a mission to complete. Besides, if they out and admitted they liked each other, Youji wouldn't have half as much fun picking on them. "Our very own Romeo and Juliet, ne, Omittchi?" Omi frowned, giving his teammate a dubious look. "Ne, Youji-kun?" Youji shook his head, taking a long drag from the cigarette in his mouth. He smiled gently. "Never mind, chibi. Never mind." §*§*§*§*§ Aya gripped the wheel of his car angrily, not sure who he was madder at: himself for showing a moment of weakness in his struggle to hide his feelings from Ken or Youji for interrupting a perfect instant between him and the object of his affection. The more he thought on it, the more it seemed likely that Youji was winning. And Aya hadn't liked the sympathetic look he had gotten from the blonde man. Perhaps he wasn't hiding his feelings as well as he thought he was. Ken had hidden himself in the back of the car, begging Youji's long black duster off of him until they reached the club. He grumbled something about making Omi share some of his copious clothing, but it was only a token protest. He would rather that he was chosen as a victim if anyone had to be. Though Omi could be dangerous, Ken still thought of him as an otouto that needed looking after. Omi had a chance at some kind of life if they ever got out of Weiß; his future hadn't been steeped in blood. The car ride was eerily quiet; even Youji had fallen into a funk. Ken clutched absently at the cross Aya had given him, his thoughts on the ethereal feelings that had haunted him for days. He tried to remember the warmth of Aya's touch, not nearly as cold as Ken had once thought it to be. The heated memories were constantly beaten away by the images from his dreams and a tense fear that he sensed in his teammates as well. Everything had been building up to tonight. Whatever they were waiting for...tonight was the night No one spoke as they pulled up to the club, staring at the crowd that had blocked most of the street in front of Clavicula Nox. A line of teenagers had formed early in the evening and had quickly snaked itself down the block and around the corner, some spilling out into traffic. There were hundreds in costumes, to celebrate the American tradition of Halloween. Some of the figures were gruesome headed beasts that glistened in the moonlight. Others were just kids dressed in their usual gothic garb, pretending to be as dark and mysterious as the unnatural creatures that they wished to be. Ken and Omi got out of the car, the dark haired assassin relinquishing his deathgrip on Youji's jacket. He couldn't even find the energy to speak to his teammates. It took all his concentration to fight past the sudden trepidation that threatened to paralyze his limbs. A few whistles of approval drifted from the crowd as Ken tried to ignore the biting cold that penetrated his outfit as if he were naked. Aya and Youji stood just at his shoulder, leaning menacingly against the car. Aya's heart was torn at the unfamiliar reluctance he saw in Ken. He wished he had been chosen for this mission, but even he found it hard to break past his cool exterior, even if someone's life depended on it. It was too firm a mask, too rooted in place to be acted away. It was, after all, an act in itself. Sensing the hesitation in the older boy, Omi smiled in encouragement and grabbed Ken's hand. Pulling his older teammate along, he walked up to the bouncer and winked, ignoring the cries of protest from the others that had waited hours in line. He handed the barrel-chested man a few particularly large yen bills and blew a kiss to the crowd as he was allowed inside, a reluctant Ken at his elbow. With a last look of desperation over his shoulder, Ken disappeared into the darkness of the Clavicula Nox. §*§*§*§*§ Yuki had shed her unconventional garments in favor of tight pleather pants and an emerald silk shirt that complimented her milky skin. Her dark hair was caught in silver clasps, pulling the silky mass away from her face. She stood watching the crowd at the railing, malignant smile on her painted lips. Halloween was always the best night of the year. Not only because the veil between worlds was thinnest, but also because of the energy that filled the walls of the club, given off by the hapless children who had stumbled through her doors. That energy had been slowly siphoned off by Yuki and her coven for years, all in preparation for this night...the summoning of the Key. "All mine for the taking, Wrash." The waifish girl merely nodded. Her mind was already on the ceremony that was due to take place in less than an hour; finally, the Coven would no longer hide in the darkness, fending the advances of the humankind who feared and hunted them. She looked up sharply as she felt Yuki stiffen beside her, pale hands wrapped painfully around the rail. "Weiß..." Wrash felt the boy before she saw him in the crowd, an incredibly stunning figure in red and black walking towards the bar. His body was surrounded by a stunning aura, pushing at Wrash's own consciousness. A White warlock. "Mistress?" Yuki licked her lips seductively. The throb of power below her aroused her as nothing of the human world could. Together, Weiß was a match for the Coven, but alone...She cast her magic about the Club, sure that if one warlock were within her grasp, the others would not be far behind. Omi's aura burned on the dance floor, with two more on the building across the street. Still, they were too far to do anything should she choose to take the warlock "Bring him to me." Wrash did not hide her shock at her mistress' words. "Weiß? Mistress, I do not think..." Yuki turned to her servant with a hiss and grabbed her hand in a crushing grip. "That is right. You do not think! The Weiß is alone. His companions are far from him. They are merely four. If we take him for the sacrifice...the Key would be ours for sure." Wrash bit back her tears, nodding when her words failed her. The head witch looked out again over the crowd before turning. "Schwarz will be here soon." Yuki stalked back into the shadows, leaving her servant with a painful reminder. ::Bring the Weiß to me.:: §*§*§*§*§ Nagi relinquished his death grip on the door handle, trying to hold onto the faith that Schuldich couldn't be trying to kill them. His companion had been acting strange all day, keeping mostly to himself. Crawford had merely raised an eyebrow when confronted by Nagi about the German, but told that Schuldich's mission was a vitally important to Aste. It was Schwarz's opportunity to make up for their part in the fall of the Triad. Nagi winced as he recalled when Aste agents had dragged them from the ocean and sent them back to Rosenkreuz for 'reconditioning'. Schuldich and Crawford had borne the brunt of the punishment, taking responsibility for the younger Schwarz and the mad Irishman. Neither had been quite the same, but all ideas of going against Aste again had apparently been beaten out of them, or laid to rest for a time. Now they were all headed to the Clavicula Nox where the deal with Yuki would be attempted again. He had gotten chills when Schuldich announced the need to return, his voice hollow and his eyes empty, as if it weren't his own choice to go. Brad had merely nodded at the excuse and ordered the group to go. Farfarello was excited at the chance to escape from their house arrest, knives sharpened to incredible edges. He commented to Nagi as they left the penthouse. "I miss playing with the Kittens, Nagi." Nagi was unsure how to react the Irishman's words. They hadn't even discussed the possibility of Weiß surviving as they had; what had brought this up? Then again, Farfarello lived half in this world and half in another...sometimes he mirrored the talents of his team. The young Schwarz was drawn to the present as Schuldich came to a screaming stop just in front of an alleyway. They exited the car without comment. Nagi could see the club just in back of them, a line of costumed people disappearing into the darkness beyond the glow of the neon sign. Schuldich led the way through the back alley, stepping through the refuse. He opened a rusted door on the side of the building, heat and music pouring from the sudden opening. He didn't even glance back at his teammates as he entered, letting them follow. Nagi inhaled sharply as he entered the thick air of the club. They were beneath a balcony, deep in the shadows of the club. The dance floor in front of them was filled with dancers, clothed in garish costumes. He had only a moment to observe them before they were moving again, the German taking sure steps into the darkest area. After his eyes adjusted, the youngest Schwarz could make out a stair leading up to the balcony itself. It was steep and short; a dark wooden door was shut at its end. The door opened with little effort and Schuldich stepped through to a dimly lit area. Words drifted down to him, the voice making his heart turn cold. "Schuldich. How nice to see you again." §*§*§*§*§ Ken perched uncomfortably on the padded stool, keeping himself half turned towards the dance floor. Omi was sidling easily through the crush of bodies, his cheeks flushed as he endured the hungry stares. He gave Ken a quick thumbs up before disappearing completely, his only contact with his teammate through their tiny earpieces. There was a startling thunk at Ken's elbow as the bartender set down a thick glass with a clear liquid in it. The unconstumed man smiled in apology and nodded down the bar. "With her complements." Ken stared in the indicated direction, half scared and half relieved as he recognized the girl from the tape and Aya's brief on their previous infiltration. Yuki's personal assistant. If she was interested in him...perhaps she was the one who chose the victims, rather than Yuki. If he could hold her attention, he could find out what was going on and prevent Yuki from committing another atrocity. He nodded in apology and took a sip of the mysterious liquid. He was no stranger to liquor, hell, Youji wasn't the only one who took to the bottle to forget. Still, the sweet taste surprised him. The drink went down easily. It occurred to him that it was drugged, but they had prepared for that instance as well. That was what the tracer on his necklace was for. He hated to be helpless but he would do what he must for the mission. Ken was so intent upon the drink that he hadn't even seen Wrash move so that she now sat at his elbow. He could feel his cheeks warming as the liquid moved through his system. He was sure it was drugged now as the pale face before him fuzzed in and out of focus. "Hello, handsome," Wrash began, smiling at the idiotic grin on Ken's face. She couldn't help but sigh at his beauty. It was always a shame when Weiß had to be killed. They were all stunning creatures. Ken lurched forward, as if he were falling from the stool. Wrash caught him carefully, but didn't catch his hand dropping into her coat pocket. Even in his drugged state, Ken wanted to make sure that they would be able to track the coven, just in case they did not take the bait. It pained him to lose Aya's gift this way, but again, he would do what needed to be done. He was hardly aware of Wrash's voice as she distracted him with small talk, waiting patiently for the drug to completely incapacitate the beautiful assassin. Ken could barely keep his eyes open and he put his head on his arms. Within moments, he was deeply asleep. §*§*§*§*§ Yuki smiled coldly as she sensed the presence. It thought it had entered undetected, but it was not aware of the magic it exuded; an aura that only witches and warlocks could sense. The Schwarz did not remember his earlier experience with the mistress, nor the hidden suggestion to return later with his team; she had bound his soul to her own, tracking Aste's movements through their unsuspecting lackey. "Schuldich. How nice to see you again." "Yuki...m...mistress?" The German started in surprise as the words passed his lips, fighting the urge to bow before the witch whom stood before him. Nagi regarded his companion with surprised eyes, his earlier unease returning with a vengeance as he noticed Schuldich's physical struggle. "Schuldich. Please invite the rest of Schwarz into my chamber." Crawford grunted slightly as he climbed the stairs entering the room with Farfarello on his heels. Nagi trailed a bit, something inside him screaming in warning. Yuki's dark eyes widened slightly as she took in Nagi's presence, lips curling in hatred. "You." Nagi staggered at the vehemence behind the single word. His instincts kicked in, every fiber of his being screaming for him to run away, but his body refused to obey. ::Her eyes stole his will, her unspoken spell breaking down his carefully erected barriers. He was the only one this time...the only soul to be thrown into the physical world, alone in his responsibility...:: Yuki hissed as she saw the momentary recognition in his eyes. She gestured sharply, trapping his body within bonds of magic. Schuldich drew back in horror as Nagi stiffened unnaturally, falling to the floor with a painful thud. Yuki's pale body began to glow with cold fired, eyes ashen red as she twisted the spell about Nagi's body. Nagi found his vocal chords frozen as he tried to scream in agony; whatever was holding him felt like acid against his skin. As sudden as it came, the pain was gone, leaving him limp and gasping on the floor. Crawford knelt beside him with a confused Schuldich standing at his shoulder. Yuki had disappeared. But not for long, Nagi thought, allowing himself to drift into unconsciousness. §*§*§*§*§ Aya started sharply, hissing in sudden pain. Beside him, Youji fell to the rooftop, momentarily paralyzed. When the episode had passed, they looked at each other for a short moment before breaking for the stairs. They didn't know what in the hell had just happened, but they knew it meant trouble. §*§*§*§*§ Omi jumped back from his dance partner, crying out in agony. His skin felt like it was burning. The people around him stared in wonder as he took off to the bar, suddenly sure that his friends were in terrible danger. §*§*§*§*§ With a bang of displaced air, the head witch appeared just behind her servant at the bar. Yuki grabbed Wrash's arm, yanking the girl from the stool. "Our plans have changed. We can no longer hope to take this one." Wrash took one last glance back at the drugged Ken, his head resting on his folded arms on the bar. "Why" "I have seen the fifth soul of Weiß. If they should meet before we have summoned the Key, all will be undone and we will be cast into the Nether until our next incarnations." Yuki hissed in anger. She cursed her foolishness for believing that she could hope to take a soul of Weiß. Still, all was not lost. The others of her coven had recovered a young boy who would serve their purposes nicely. With a sharp gesture, the bartender nodded and opened a secret door behind the bar. Wrash followed her mistress into the dark, looking back with wistful eyes at the sleeping bishounen. |
