Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Borderline ❯ The Truth about redhead ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: Like the previous chapters… how I wished I owned them.

Chapter 11 - The truth about the redhead

"No" It was all she got for an answer.

"Ran. You can't stay here with them."

"Why not?"

"Do you even know them?"

"No."

"Then?"

"I don't know the Tomoes either and I… I like it here. They really care about me... I can't follow you. I just can't!"

"Why are you being stubborn?" Aya sat beside her brother. "Who knows; out of your craziness, you might attack one of them. Or worst, you might accidentally kill or hurt them, is that what you want?" Her voice was cold without any sign of compassion.

Ran paled at this statement. "THAT'S NOT TRUE!!" he began to shout, before covering his face with his hands. "It's not true. You know that!" His voice faltered.

"You think they will let you stay when they know. Hmm?"

"Please, Aya. "

Aya let out a dramatic sigh, "If you chose to stay here, there's nothing I can say. I could no longer help you and there will be no one for you either. No one. Hope you realize that! These people are strangers Ran, they could throw you out anytime!" Aya gave her brother a last glance before walking out grumbling about her brother's stubbornness.

For the first time in his life, Ran truly felt like he was alone. He sat quietly at the edge of his bed, contemplating his sister's words. Should he or shouldn't he agree with her suggestion? She might be right. Crawford was a stranger but then so was the Tomoes. The American might offered him his roof for now but what about later?

Would he still want to protect him? Or, would the older man send him away…

May be it's better to give everything up. Maybe he could just use one of Crawford's blades to cut himself. He would only lead Crawford to trouble. Like he led his parents to their deaths. Only trouble.

He could hear faint noises of an argument coming from the hall. Somehow, the sound of it upset him. It made him remember things that he couldn't grasp… or maybe something that he badly wanted to forget. They made it hard to breathe.

He felt a sudden stab of pain in his chest, gasping for breath, something flickered in his mind, images from his memory… blood… a grin… knife.. something about…

That fateful night.

Voices.

Argument from downstairs.

"Where is he?" the voice demanded.

"He's not here!" His mother's voice.

"Ch.. ch..ch… Stop lying. Where is he?" the man demanded again, this time his voice was threatening.

He was crouching under the table, trying to find a perfect place to hide. He heard a disturbing sound coming from downstairs followed by a pained yelp. Quickly, he crawled to the curb of the stairs peering down through the steely bars of the stairway. He couldn't see the man but knew from their voices that they were not welcome.

He could see his mother falling down on the floor, clutching her stomach in pain; the man must have hit her hard. Then came another voice, his father's.

"Stop it! What do you think you're doing?" His father ran towards his mother, and then held her head in his lapFrom his angle, he could clearly see the fear in his father's eyes. Fear for his safety, his wife and for him.

"I'm asking a simple question here. Where is your son?"

"He's not here!!"

"Stop playing stupid, Fujimiya. One last time. Where is he? I'm getting bored here!"

"Are you deaf? He's not here!"

He heard a loud thud, like a heavy object was crashed down on something and ran out from where he was hiding to stand at top of the stairs.

"Ah! There you are… Come here little one." One of the intruders was grinning wickedly, pulling his mother's hair. "No wonder he wants you badly. You are beautiful. Now, be a good boy and come down, or I will cut your mother open."

Ran gasped and watched as his mother scrunched in pain, while his father was on the floor with the other man's shoe pressing on his face.

"Go! Run!" He heard his mother whisper loudly.

He shook his head violently, unconsciously his feet were moving back a little.

And somehow, he accidentally saw a girl in the guest room. The door was open and she was holding a gun. She turned. He recognized her. He gasped. She aimed the gun at the person lying in bed. A second later, he saw blood splattering. Panicked, his gaze turned back to his mother. She was soaked in blood. Terrified, he turned on his heels and ran off to his room.

He reached his room and quickly locked the door, releasing the knob like as if it was on fire. He heard footsteps approaching. He backed away. His mind was frantic when he saw the doorknob twisting like someone trying to force it open. Turning, he opened the window and peered down. If he jumped, he might twist his ankle. As the doorknob began turning furiously, he made up his mind. He climbed out of the window.

The images were gone. His eyes were wide as he began to shake uncontrollably.

--------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

Crawford regarded Ran's sister coldly and said nothing to her request. She wanted him to let go of the young man and put him under the Tomoe's care instead.

"So?" she asked again impatiently.

"No! He's not going anywhere. That's final!"

"You can't keep him here. Schu tell him that!" Aya turned to Schu.

"I am the doctor. I will release him when I am satisfied with his condition." Crawford glared at Schuldig warning him not to interfere. He folded his arms over his chest and his jaws were clenching.

`Uh… that's a bad sign,' Schuldig thought to himself.

Aya couldn't stop herself from flinching and quickly moved to stand beside Takatori. She took a breath to speak but before she could utter a word, Schuldig stopped her.

"He's right, Aya." He tried to reason with the stubborn girl. "I agree with him this time. We can't just move him around in his current state of mind, it will worsen his condition."

Crawford grunted in agreement. There was nothing to discuss. How could he just release the boy to these people? It didn't matter if they were well known public figures, he couldn't care less about it. The young man had begun communicating with him, not much, but it was a healthy start.

Tomoe Akida who had remained silent, suddenly spoke. "It's her brother, she know what's best for him. Besides you are not his family members."

"And you are, Tomoe-San?" Crawford glared at the older man before he directed his gaze to Aya. "Stranger? Tomoe is no less stranger than I am to him. If you're worried about him, why don't you come and stay here?"

Aya let out a frustrated sigh. She couldn't win this argument. "Tomoe-san, Takatori-san…" She looked at both of them for support.

"Why don't we let Ran decide!"? Schuldig finally suggested.

"He wouldn't know what is best for him," Aya interjected.

"He is not a child, Fujimiya. He can decide for himself," Crawford interfered.

"No, he cannot!" Aya yelled at the older man. In her anger, she blurted out, "He's crazy!"

"What do you mean by that?" Crawford asked, his voice remained calm despite the outburst from the girl.

"Do you even know where he came from? A nuthouse! That's where he was. He was stuffed in there because he tried to kill my boss. We caught him with a knife in his hands trying to… " She began to shake, unable to complete the sentence.

Schuldig and Yohji were both at a loss of words at Aya's outburst. The German looked at Crawford and if the older man was surprised he didn't show it, he merely looked at Ran's sister impassively. "The answer is still no."

"Don't you understand what I said? He might kill you! All of you!" she shouted angrily at the American.

"I'll take my chance." Crawford answered coldly. "And, if you would excuse me, the night is late and I need to rest," he added before calling out. "Farfello!"

"Yes?" The Irishman, who had been staying quietly listening to the argument with Ken in the kitchen, popped his face out.

"Show these distinguished guests the way out once they decide to leave." He said without looking at the occupants in his hall.

"Brad!" Schuldig called out.

"Shut up!" He stalked away and headed upstairs. Schuldig swallowed. Crawford was pissed.

--------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

Seriously, Ran knew he was not a weak person. His appearance might be fragile and feminine, but he was well respected as one of the most prominent kendo opponents in his school for crying out loud. But, look at him now. What happened to him had affected his life and had turned his world upside down and he was no longer the strong person that he had been.

He watched quietly as Crawford entered his room, still shaking from his recent memories. He wanted to tell Crawford or Schu about it but would they believe him? Or would they just dismiss it by thinking he had made it up? He had to prove to Crawford that he wasn't crazy.

"Did your sister suggest anything?"

Ran nodded, head downcast, his fingers fiddling with the edge of the bed cover nervously.

"Do you want to leave?"

`There's the line,' he thought grimly. He gave no reply; instead he kept on tugging at the bed cover.

"I am not going to force you to stay here if you want to be with your sister."

Silence.

"Is that what you truly want?"

Seeing that the younger man did not reply, Crawford sat down beside him and watched as the redhead busily tugged and fiddled with the bed cover, creating a loop around his fingers.

"Ran, you need to speak. I cannot decide for you. You have to tell me what you want."

A few more minutes of silence, Ran closed his eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. "Am I a burden to you?" His voice was low but enough for the older man to hear it.

Crawford was surprised, where the hell did this boy get that idea? If Ran was a burden, then he was the welcome one. "Who told you that?" he asked. Annoyed with the cover tugging he pulled the shaking fingers that was now interlaced with the cover, holding them in his own hands. "Your hands are cold."

"No one," Ran lied and blushed as he felt the warmth of the other man's hands on his. "I thought… because… you… I…" He couldn't make himself look straight into Crawford's eyes; instead he looked fascinatingly at the American's fingers. He liked the way the American touched him. He might look scary sometimes, well, when he was angry that is, but he could also be gentle, not the way… the rubbery fingers squeezing… nibbling, he began to shudder.

"Were strangers?" Crawford finished for him.

He nodded again.

"Are you cold?" Crawford voice was filled with concern when he could feel the tremors; he quickly let go of the hands and pulled the blanket to cover the now visibly shaking redhead. He could hear a soft sound of protest as he withdrew his hands.

Ran shook his head.

"How long you have been here?" Crawford asked gently.

"Over a month," Ran answered slowly.

"And you still consider me a stranger?"

The redhead did not answer, merely shook his head.

"Then why are you worried? You are welcome to stay here as long as you like. Even with your sister."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Even if you know the truth about me?"

"Yes," Crawford answered without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"…"

"I'd like to know what had happened to you Ran, no doubt about that. And, I do care about you. I like to see you back on your feet again, the old you, before all this."

"The old me…" Ran whispered the words so softly that Crawford almost missed it.

"You don't even know the old me and if you did…" `You'll hate me and send me away' This time he braved himself to look Crawford straight in the eyes.

Crawford decided not to bring up that he knew, instead he sat silently regarding the young man beside him; waiting for him to end his speech.

"I wish… I wish to be the old me again…but…" he looked away again, running his eyes towards the door. "Is there someone standing there or am I paranoid?"

"But what? What's stopping you?" Crawford asked as he gently held the chin and turned younger man's face to look at him.

Ran shrugged. "I don't know…" he whispered.

"Things might not be like before. But that doesn't mean you could not start a new life, a better one."

"With you?" he asked innocently.

Crawford was caught off guard by the question. A simple query but one he had difficulties to answer and Ran was now looking at him expectantly. What is Ran implying? Or maybe he was referring me as a guardian? "Yes, with me, Omi, Nagi and Farfello."

"… and Persia" Ran added.

"And Persia," Crawford nodded as he stared at the black kitten that was sleeping peacefully in its basket. He couldn't remember when he began to like the cat. He had thought of sending it away but somehow he didn't until it was too late. Ran was too attached to it now and he found himself feeling the same. And him… the cat had even slept on his bed more than once. Of course, he didn't tell anyone about it, especially not Schuldig; there would be no end to the teasing from his friend if he knew about it.

"The other guy, the brown haired one… who…?" Ran began to speak again. He had to ask the older man; he had been seeing that guy quite often and he felt uncomfortable whenever he was near the other young man. The brunette always gave him sharp pointy annoyed looks. He wondered what his problem though and found that it was disturbing.

It was not his business to ask and he didn't mean to spy on them, but he had seen Crawford kiss the young man once or was it twice? .... Or what the hell; he lost count and now he was wondering what was so great about kissing, especially when he saw that every time Crawford kissed the brunet, he glowed in happiness. And now, he himself wondered if Crawford could kiss him like he kissed that young man. Maybe it was a gesture of friendship? And if that was the case… His thoughts were disrupted when he heard the older man speak.

"Ken?" Crawford smiled. "That's Yohji's brother. The blond."

"The detective…"

"Yes."

"He is…"

Sensing what Ran is going to ask him. "A friend," he replied.

"Friend?"

"Yes."

"Is that why you kiss him?"

"Uh?"

"Do you kiss all your friends?"

"…"

"Would you kiss me then?"

Crawford face went blank, this was not what he had expected. The only person that could make him, the man with a cool and collected reputation baffled was this young man and of course Schuldig, but Schuldig merely annoyed him rather than surprising him. The others… they angered him.

The older man took a sharp breath to calm himself. The redhead was looking at him innocently waiting for answer. His mind was reeling on how to give the boy a rational answer and on how to react. In the end Crawford made up his mind that the boy's mind was still in a fragile state and he had to act carefully; one wrong move and the younger man would interpret it as anything. Rejection. Hatred. Disgust. And that would mean he would lose the redhead before he could even help him. `I can't have that…'

Though he didn't say it out loud he had given his heart to Ken, but then again… Had he? Actually... Yes… That's what he thought… then again… not really…No… Damn! Okay! Now I am confused… Double Damn!

Breathe. Stay Calm. That's the key.

Ran was still gazing at him with his magnificent violet eyes. He found them irresistible.

Another deep breath.

Another.

And….

Another.

He pulled the younger man into his arms.

--------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

"I don't want him to stay here."

"Don't worry Aya, one way or another, we will get your brother out from there," Sakura added almost chirpily.

Aya nodded. "I don't understand why he want to keep him here. Really."

The two older men walking beside them nodded in agreement and one of them was thinking… soon!

AN: Nyaa….. One question! Who think that Crawford kissed Ran? ^___^ Because I don't even know, only my muse knew and he didn't want to tell me that. He said let the readers decide. Perhaps he did kiss Ran and perhaps he only embraced him… *eying my muse warily* I kept fighting with my muse saying that we are at Chapter 11 and Crawford had yet to do anything to Ran… I mean just kiss the boy, for goodness sake. Anyway, thanks for reading…. *hugs readers and reviewers before running off to watch Full Metal Alchemist*

Okay… now to reply to my reviewers:

Mini-san *hugs again and again* Thank you for the beta again. You are the best^^

Pandora *also hugs* Thank you for helping me posting it in ff.net… hontoni arigatou… Love you for that^^

For my reader at ff.net :

lys() And this is the installment as requested^^ This fic will be B/R but not all the way, there are what you call obstacles> I hope to read your fic on B/R too^^

groundling Hmm… This is the next chapter as requested^^ Just one question though.. I have been receiving review alert from you for 25 times… and I was wondering…

Hele Hmm.. *ponders… since you are very sick send Gandalf to heal you and called Aragorn and Legolas back.. hehehehehe.. enjoy Gandalf^^* Here is the next chapter.. not much.. but I hope you like it.

For my readers at Mediaminer:

Jaded08 Threesome??hmm…hmmm…hmmm… My muse will decide as he feed me with his bright ideas^^ Thank you for liking the chapter^^

Tygrrlyli578 My muse is in tip top shape but I am not… hehehe… I was overloaded with works. Hmm.. How I wished I won million dollars of lottery and then I could sit down and only write fiction… *grin* Thank you for liking Chapter 10 and I hope you like this Chapter too.

Koji-chan Ahah… and here is Chapter 11… I work slow I know… *hugs* and I hope I could see the smile on your face when you see the mail for Chapter 11 ^^

kato-chan Thank you for waiting patiently and I try to work harder to make you like it more…. hehehehe

And also to other readers… thank you for reading and please if you have time do review^^