Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction / Yami No Matsuei Fan Fiction ❯ Red Shaman ❯ So Far, So Good ( Chapter 45 )

 

Their arrivals were staggered so it didn't look suspicious with the youngest members set to arrive first. Blaze and Crawford were planning on getting there last, fashionably late and all since they would be the ones playing with the seriously high rollers. Ghost and the boys had been hugged by the members of Red Shaman before they had left and reassured that any one of them was only a mental call away if they were needed. Star had opened everyone up to connections with each other on a common wavelength. Inducing the proper neurological changes needed for all of them to effectively communicate on both a more public as well as the private wavelengths.

 

Ghost was still a little nervous as she looked at the people entering the club. This would be the first time she had ever been on a mission without any of the older members of Red Shaman directly behind her. Or in front of her if the need arose. She couldn't count the number of times Sunny, Star, Skye or Blaze had physically put her behind one of them to protect her. She had learned from the very best and knew she had been trained well enough to take care of herself and anyone else who happened to be with her if the need arose. It was still strange to her to be without them.

 

We're with you, baby doll. Any one of us can be there in an instant if you need us, came Star's voice into her head.

 

I know, it's just . . .

 

Different.

 

Yeah. I trust Farf and the boys though. I'll be okay with them.

 

Did you think we'd let you go if we didn't think that as well?

 

Not for a second.

 

“When do we go in, Farf?” Nagi asked.

 

“They're supposed to send someone out here to get us. So, we wait.”

 

“You okay, Ghost,” Omi asked, noticing how pale she was.

 

“I'm fine. It's just kind of weird is all.”

 

“I know. At least Nagi is used to working with Farf,” Omi said, smiling at the other two.

 

“As much as anyone works with him at any rate. I think this may be our escort,” Nagi said, nodding toward the man making his way through the maze of cars to them.

 

“Are you here as the side entertainment?” the man asked when he had reached them.

 

“That's us,” Omi said cheerfully, putting an arm around Nagi then Ghost.

 

He turned to Farf. “Why are you with them?”

 

“I'm here to make sure things don't get too entertaining,” Farf said, smiling menacingly.

 

“That's probably a good thing,” the man muttered then motioned them to follow him.

 

He hates this, Ghost said in wonder. This whole set up makes him sick.

 

Why is he here then? Omi asked.

 

Because they're holding his daughter and son hostage so to speak. They've made it very clear that they know where the kids are at all times and could have them in a heartbeat, Farf said. If he doesn't work for them, they put his kids into rotation.

 

Why doesn't he just take them and run? Was Omi's question.

 

You know better than that, kiddo. Then they'd all be dead. Fear is one of the most powerful motivators in the known universe. You never know what lengths you'll go to in order to protect someone you love until you're put into that kind of situation.

 

Is that why you keep coming back to Blaze lifetime after lifetime? Ghost asked, curious.

 

No. I've never had to protect her. It was always the other way around. I come back to her because she's my mother. She kept me safe when everyone else around me would have let me die.

 

They let the mental conversation drop as they neared the rear entrance of the building.

 

“Look, I'm supposed to search you for weapons,” the man said somewhat uneasily. “Just a standard pat down, you understand.”

 

Farf smiled at him. “Quite alright,” he said, raising his arms level with his shoulders. “Search away.”

 

The man patted them all down. Barely touching any of them at the waist and upper arms before declaring it was good enough. The younger ones looked at Farf curiously. There was something odd about it all.

 

He really doesn't care if we have weapons. I think he's wishing someone would take this operation out completely.

 

He's about to get his wish then, Ghost said solemnly.

 

Too true. I've seen how Edana handles those who harm children.

 

So have I, Ghost said.

 

Farf smiled a little. No, you really haven't seen what she's fully capable of. You've only seen her toy with some of the higher demons. You haven't seen her flame half of an army at one time, then physically take apart most of the rest. You haven't seen her turn someone's blood and bones to ice then shatter them.

 

Jeirn!

 

Farf smiled a little at Blaze's mental warning.

 

Why haven't I seen her do those things, Farf? I've been with the Red Shaman team for most of my life. I've seen her use the fire and I know how physically strong she is. But the rest . . .

 

Only a fool shows off that much power, little one. Surely you know that by now. Her abilities are second only to the gods.

 

Ghost suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe very well but shook it off. Blaze, along with Skye and Star, had effectively been her mother the last ten years. She knew how protective she had always been of them all. But it had never really registered how much power was contained in such a small body.

 

Dynamite comes in a small package, Farf said, smiling.

 

Is Blaze akin to dynamite then?

 

Nope. Edana is nitroglycerin.

 

“Wait here,” the man said as they got just inside the doors. “I'll go tell them that you're here and then take you somewhere that you'll be more comfortable before the “show” starts.”

 

Nagi, Omi and Farf were checking the layout of the place. Consciously mapping hallways that they could see and tracking possible escape routes. Ghost started tracking energy signatures. Finding close to thirty huddled closely together. Others were in various rooms scattered throughout the facility.

 

The vast majority are together, Ghost said. They're in the subbasement one floor down. The rest are scattered in other rooms on the same floor.

 

Well, at least that's convenient, Nagi said.

 

They pulled all of the kids since this is going to be such a big party. Got to have variety for the lovely, rich pedophiles, you know, Farf said in disgust.

 

The man who had led them in was walking back up the hallway. He stopped in front of them, pausing to look especially hard at Nagi.

 

You remind him of his boy, chibi, Farf said.

 

There's a creepy thought for him.

 

Indeed it must be.

 

“If you would, follow me. One of the rooms is set up as a waiting area for you. You can get comfortable in there. The “show” isn't due to start for another hour or so. There are drinks and food if you'd like them.”

 

“Thank you,” Nagi said.

 

The man opened one of the doors for them and allowed them all to walk inside. The door was closed and all four of them heard the unmistakable sound of a key being turned in a lock.

 

“We're locked in,” Omi said.

 

“Like that's a problem,” Farf said grinning. “I can pick locks or Nagi can just blow the door if need be.”

 

“I always knew I kind of liked you guys for some weird reason, even when we were all fighting,” Omi said.

 

“Ghost, can you line out a map of where the kids all are and how many?”

 

Ghost nodded. “That will take a few minutes to do.”

 

“Since we seem to be locked in, I think we have that time.”

 

Sunny, I need the full com links open so I can get a good lock on where all the kids are.

 

On it, baby. You okay?

 

Yeah. Just a little nervous is all.

 

You'll do fantastic. We all have faith in you. You're strong, you're well trained and you have the boys and Farf for immediate backup. I'm not worried. Aya, Yohji and I are in the building now as well.

 

Good. Can you give me the links for the visuals? I need to see where everyone is.

 

Opening the links now, you should be getting the visuals in just a few seconds.

 

Okay. I have them. Thanks, Sunny.

 

No problem.

 

Sunny.

 

Yeah.

 

Love you guys.

 

We love you too. Good luck.

 

She closed her eyes and could “see” the hallway. Following it down to the end of the corridor to the stairs. She tracked the energy signatures to a small room half way down the hall. Seeing the door to the room and feeling those inside. At least thirty children of varying ages ranging from the oldest at fifteen to the youngest at . . . gods, nine. Some were afraid and still others were just numb at that point. Not really caring what happened to them.

 

She went through and touched each of them. Sending those who needed it calm and the others hope. One child in particular though seemed to need medical help and knew she wasn't getting it. Some of her internal organs were bruised from where she had been beaten and the deep tissue bruises were just starting to rise to the surface of her skin.

 

Ghost's eyes popped open and she let out a low hiss.

 

“Ghost? What's wrong?” Omi asked, sitting next to her on the couch and putting his arm around her.

 

“This is just a little bit more emotionally draining than I thought it would be,” she said.

 

“It is for all of us,” Farf said.

 

Skye?

 

Yes, dear?

 

I need a note.

 

What variety?

 

A healer. Are you close enough?

 

We're in the parking lot. I'd say that's close enough.

 

Skye took a deep breath, shielded the mundanes from hearing it and sang one pure, high note. It seemed to make the air shimmer all around her. Those who could see had a visual of golden particles swirling around her and outward.

 

Ghost shivered slightly as Skye channeled the healing note through her to the child. But she felt the girl's bruising ease and her pain all but vanish. She breathed a relieved sigh.

 

Thank you, Skye. You're going to have to teach me that.

 

Any time, dear.

 

Schuldig blinked and stared at Skye. “Mein gott. You are amazing.”

 

Skye smiled a little. “It's only minor. It will ease any major discomfort the little one is having. She's bruised but nothing is broken that I can feel from Ghost's assessment. Otherwise, it would take quite a while to help her. Anything life threatening I couldn't immediately help with. I could stave off death temporarily but it would take days for me to heal someone on a level where they could survive under their own power.”

 

Schuldig smiled a little then took Skye's arm, leading her toward the doors of the club.

 

 

Aya shivered slightly, earning him an odd look from both Yohji and Sunny.

 

“What the hell was that?” he wondered out loud.

 

Sunny smiled a bit after he had gauged the initial energy. “That was Skye.”

 

Aya blinked, startled. “We aren't doing anything yet. What . . .”

 

Sunny shook his head. “It was healer's energy. I wonder why,” he said frowning slightly.

 

Skye, is everyone okay? Why the healer's note?

 

One of the children had some injuries. Ghost wanted me to help.

 

But everyone else is okay?

 

Yes. So far, so good.

 

*******************************Author's Notes*************************************

 

Thanks to everyone who's reviewed and everyone still reading. Especially the wonderful Assassin's Anonymous team. I appreciate all the support.