Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Second Calling ❯ Memories and The Band: Part I ( Chapter 4 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: MissyIrene 
This chapter is the first of three parts called Memories and The Band. In it we find out how Omi and Hiro first met, Enjoy. ^_^
Anime/Manga: Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 04.29.2004 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 356 | Status: Completed
This chapter is the first of three parts called Memories and The Band. In it we find out how Omi and Hiro first met, Enjoy. ^_^
Anime/Manga: Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 04.29.2004 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 356 | Status: Completed
I'm back everybody! I've been working on this chapter off and on while working on my update for Alternate Yesterday. ^_^ Due to the fact that I'm busy I have decided to break the chapter into two pieces, this is the first half and the second one will be coming soon so keep your eye out for it; this is what I have written so far so I hope you like it. ^_^ There are two large flashbacks between the two parts of the chapter, the first is from Hiro's POV the second is from Omi's POV; one is in part I and the other will be in part II. Well on with the story and if you have any comments or questions please review, it will make me smile. ^_^
(Author's Note): In this chapter we find Hiro and Omi moving in to their new apartment and starting up their band. Also Hiro takes a trip down memory lane and it's a bumpy road, but it's all good. ^_^ Oh and please forgive me if Hiro is a bit OOC in this chapter during the flashback; believe me it's for a good reason.
Disclaimer: I don't own Weiss Kreuz or Gravitation, just borrowing the characters for a bit of fun.
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Chapter 3: Memories and The Band: Part I
The crashing sound of toppled boxes and the colorful language that followed met Omi's ears as he entered the apartment that he and his new partner were to share for the next several months. After eating and some more shopping for new wardrobes, as Hiro claimed they needed; the young musicians slash assassins decided to set up their new accommodations. The apartment itself was only a short train ride from the Nittle Grasper building, where their meeting with owner Tohma Seguchi was scheduled for the next morning.
"Are you OK in there Hiro?" Omi called to his friend over the boxes that he held in his grasp that were now blocking his view of the room he was in. Dropping the boxes on the floor to free up his hands, he stepped around the mess and headed into the kitchen to where he could still hear Hiro's choice vocabulary coming from.
"Yah I'm fine, just dropped a box on my foot is all!" The irritate exclamation was followed by the scene of Hiro hopping on one foot across the kitchen toward Omi, a displeased grimace on his face. "I'm going down to the truck to get what's left there, you can mess with the stuff in the kitchen, because I'm afraid that I might break something at this rate." Growling in annoyance Hiro limped past a giggling Omi as he stormed into the hallway and out the door.
Giggling at the ridiculous scene he had just witnessed Omi resigned himself to finishing the job that Hiro had started, 'I guess unpacking boxes isn't 't Hiro's best talent, but better he carry those remaining boxes up the stairs then me; I can't believe all the stuff we need just for a few months.' Sighing at that thought Omi proceeded to continue unpacking the "evil box" that had landed on Hiro's foot, and was a little more sympathetic when he realized it had been filled with dishes and utensils. "Ouch that must have hurt!"
After he parked the truck behind the building where Kritiker agents could pick it up, Hiro made his way upstairs with the remaining box to the third story apartment that he and Omi now shared. With the physical pain from his foot long forgotten Hiro's mind drifted to a sense of deja vu he had been feeling ever since he had seen his old partner again. Even though Omi had moved on and was presently working on another team, Hiro himself had remained a loner agent and preferred working alone. He had only made an exception to his solitary existence once before, and the person he had made such an exception for was again his partner. Smiling fondly at the feelings that registered in his mind and heart at the knowledge that Omi was again going to be working with him for the next few months; Hiro entered the apartment and his ears immediately picked up on the music playing from a radio in the kitchen.
Walking into the "domain of the evil box" Hiro was met with a scene that made a fond grin spread across his face like wild fire. The kitchen was almost completely set up and the bubble gum pink singer was holding a ladle in his hand while singing cheerfully to a pop song playing on the radio. Omi's swaying hips and wonderful voice accompanied Hiro as he entered and added his own voice to a song he knew all to well. At hearing his friend's voice the pink headed assassin abruptly turned around and flushed a deep crimson color in embarrassment at being caught singing to the radio.
"Hey Omi if you get this embarrassed at a friend catching you singing in the kitchen to a radio, what are you going to do tomorrow when we have to sing in front of a sound crew at Nittle Grasper?" Pouting at Hiro's friendly banter Omi swatted at the hand trying to ruffle his pink locks and handed the annoying guitarist a bottle of water. "Here drink this and take a break, I am going to start unpacking in my room, and you can work on the living room."
Saluting his "superior" Hiro took a swig from the water bottle and watched Omi as he grabbed the radio and headed down the hall towards the two bedrooms. Smiling affectionately at the younger assassin, Hiro took a seat at the kitchen table and let his mind momentarily wander. While his thoughts wandered Hiro found himself remembering how he had first met Omi, and the first time he himself had decided that taking on a partner may not be such a bad idea.
~*~
Flashback
~*~
Hiro's mind buzzed at the implications of what Manx's message to him had said. He was going to have a partner; he the lone agent Wolf of Kritiker was going to be working with another agent. Not that he particularly cared of course.
Hiro had been an agent at Kritiker since he was thirteen, having been picked up by Manx while on his way to juvenile hall. She had given him a deal, either join her organization or go to jail. It wasn't that hard of a choice to make. It had been almost 5 years since he had joined Kritiker; up until now he had never had a partner and had never particularly wanted one.
Before Kritiker had seemed to respect his desire to stay a lone agent, so when Manx had contacted him last night in regards to a new mission, which included him working with another agent, he had been less then pleased. Now he found himself following the redheaded bombshell down the dimly lit hallways of some long lost corridor in the bowels of Kritiker's headquarters in search of the illustrious hacker that was supposed to be his new partner, or was it his first partner, whatever.
Smirking at the typical images that the word hacker brought to his mind, Hiro tried to pay attention to Manx's drawling speech as the pair went to meet his new comrade.
"Now Hiro don't let their attitudes or eccentric personalities intimidate you, these people are the best hackers that Kritiker could ever hope to have. We just don't let them out often enough I guess. Smirking at some private joke Manx continued to lead them down the dim corridors.
Entering a dimly lit and fairly large room at the end of the hall Hiro and Manx were met with black walls and no windows; the walls were covered in the warm glow of Christmas lights and the contrasting eerie glow of computer monitors scattered throughout the room. Plush couches and beanbag chairs littered the large space and gave the environment a comfortable feel. There was a pinball machine in one corner and a small refrigerator in another. Bottles of soft drinks and energy drinks along with half empty coffee cups were scattered around the room, on tables or computer desks. Hiro spotted a half full bowl of popcorn on one table while a bag of chocolates rested on another, with a small pile of discarded pizza boxes beside them.
Looking up from the room's decor Hiro observed as Manx cleared her throat in a futile attempt to gain the attention of the five young people who represented the best hackers that Kritiker had. Of course her attempt failed and Hiro had to stifle a snort as he took in the occupants of the room.
His attention was first drawn to a howl of victory to his left where a small blond boy dressed in a gray sleeveless hoodie over a black T-shirt and black jeans was playing an intense game of foosball with a pale faced girl who looked to be about Hiro's age, this made the blond boy look even younger.
Hiro couldn't see the blonde's face since the boy's back was facing him, but the girl had waist length black hair that was highlighted with streaks of crimson. She was outfitted in what could be described as all black and crimson clothing, and her face was decorated with black lipstick and dark eye make-up which made her complexion all the more pale. Both his and Manx's presence seemed lost on the pair or gladiators as they battled for supremacy in the universe of foosball.
In another corner a pair of young men who looked to be in their early twenties were seated in separate bean bag chairs battling in a video game on the wide screen TV that Hiro had not really been paying attention to up until now.
The sound of keys clicking and the chime of an instant message clued Hiro into the whereabouts of the fifth hacker. She looked to be the oldest, probably in her mid-twenties and she was seated on a plush sofa with a laptop. Taking a moment to brush her brightly dyed purple hair out of her onyx colored eyes she went back to her online conversation, any indication that she cared about either Manx's or his presence was not seen in her outward appearance or actions.
One solitary thought wove its way through Hiro's mind as he watched the spectacle before him; 'how the hell could I have been with Kritiker for almost five years and not have seen any of these people or this room until today!'
Seemingly annoyed at being deliberately ignored Manx brushed passed the still shell shocked Hiro and walked to a stereo system that up until that moment had been booming with earsplitting music, that was until she calmly turned the racket off successfully plunging the room into a silence that was only broken by the bling of an instant messenger and the sounds of the video and foosball games.
The resounding silence had it's desired affect, as collective moans of displeasure and strings of colorful language wove their way between the young occupants of the room; Manx knew she now had everyone's undivided attention. This was proven when five not completely thrilled but genuinely curious pairs of eyes met Hiro and Manx's gazes.
Once the protests died away Manx began to speak to the disgruntled youths. "OK people you can go back to WORK and I do mean WORK, after you meet your new colleague here." She smiled knowingly as eyes rolled and snickers filtered throughout the room.
Hiro suddenly felt uncomfortable as the five pairs of eyes that only a moment ago had given Manx their full attention and had not spared him a glance, were now suddenly fixed only on him.
"Everyone this is agent Wolf and he is here to meet his new partner." At this revelation Hiro was surprised again when a new string of sniggers and barely contained chuckles spread throughout the room coming mainly from the two young men seated in front of the TV, while the girl on the sofa giggled openly not bothering to hide whatever amusement she seemed to find in Manx's statement.
Hiro noticed that the only members of this group who didn't seem amused by Manx's words were the pair of younger teens standing side by side with the now forgotten foosball table behind them. For the first time since he had entered the room Hiro came face to face with the blond youth that had before been playing foosball with the pale-faced girl; the same girl who was now frowning as she racked over his form with a disapproving gaze. The gaze he received from the boy was her direct opposite, as Hiro found himself drowning in a sea of cerulean as smiling eyes and a kind grin graced him as a response to Manx's introduction.
Finding himself frozen in the boy's bewitching gaze Hiro was startled when Manx responded to the situation with an abrupt snort. Turning to her he found the redhead smirking at him in an infuriatingly knowing way.
Manx had noticed Hiro's stunned reaction and the small blonde's distinctly different welcome, this helped to reinforce her feeling that she had made the right choice in who she had decided to pair with her anti-social agent.
"Agent Wolf..."
When he heard his code name Hiro snapped out of the powerful gaze that the blond youth had trapped him in, and turned to a surprisingly amused looking Manx.
"This is Star and she is the leader of this group of misfit prodigies; at this remark the group broke out into howls of pride and laughter. The cheers were halted as the before mentioned leader stood and bowed to Hiro. When her greeting was finished she turned to her group and proceeded with introductions.
"Those two by the TV are brothers and besides me they have been here the longest, this was said with a proud and protective gleam in her eyes. This made Hiro realize that this group was close, like a family. He immediately began to feel like an intruder in their group, here they were a family and he was about to take one of their own away to be his new partner. This realization made the already uncomfortable feelings he was experiencing all the more unpleasant.
Hiro's dark thoughts were chased away momentarily when the brothers decided to introduce themselves as Fox and Torch. Both had fiery red hair that was short and spiked. They looked more like twins then just merely brothers, but that was impossible when Hiro noticed that Fox had brilliant turquoise eyes and some well groomed chin hair while Torch had warm brown eyes and was cleanly shaven with no evidence of a goatee. When they stood up it was clearer to see that Fox was older and at least a head taller then his brother, which helped to dispel the twin theory that Hiro had first thought of.
Smiling at the young men he bowed to them in greeting and turned to meet the gazes of the pair standing by the foosball table. The girl with her pale features, onyx hair and bright amethyst eyes, stood next to the smaller blond boy with a protective air about her as she studied Hiro; the intensity of her penetrating gaze began to make him feel restless and Hiro found himself shifting in his position next to Manx.
Suddenly as if to break the tension she was creating the girl spoke, "I'm Raven". Turning to the boy next to her she introduced him, "this is Bombay."
Hiro couldn't help but feel a little perturbed that she had introduced the blond herself, he had wanted the boy to speak to him since the moment he had first laid eyes on him. The silence that reigned after her blunt introductions was finally shattered by warm giggles that erupted from the blond boy, he playfully swatted Raven on the arm while his warm voice quickly painted Hiro's world in a bright array of colors.
"Oh cut it out Birdie, your scaring him," turning to Hiro the blond continued "don't mind her she's just like that around strangers, she's really nothing more then a big softy once she gets used to you..." The blonde's exclamation was quickly halted as the girl took him into a head lock and started to rub her knuckles into his hair causing the blond to squeal and giggle harder, this was quickly joined by the laughter of the two brothers and the rolling of eyes on the part of Manx and Star.
Her torture of Bombay administered Raven let go of the now disheveled blond, turning to lock eyes again with Hiro she said, "and you little kitty are too trusting for your own good, I'm just testing him, seeing how he would react. Personally I don't see why Manx had to pair you with him, Star or Fox could have easily taken the mission."
While the blond and his overprotective companion bantered back and fourth Hiro's mind spun at the realization of what the pale girl's words brought fourth. Until this moment Hiro had been completely in the dark as to who in this eccentric group was going to be his partner, surprisingly the answer that he had received to this question had not been an unwelcome one.
Hiro found himself smiling at the idea of him and Bombay on a mission together, the genki boy was going to be his first partner, and for the first time since the idea had been suggested to him, Hiro found it to be to his liking.
To be honest it was also a relief; when Manx had first told him that he was to have a partner who had been with Kritiker for more years than he had been, and was an experienced hacker, Hiro's mind had conjured up images far different from the boy he now found himself paired with. In fact before he had stepped through the door into this room his mind had envisioned some thirty something agent who had been locked away in a dark room for too long, and was as a result anti social and more interested in his computer then the rest of the world in general.
To Hiro's eternal relief Bombay was the direct opposite to his fears, while his companions seemed a bit strange, he realized that all of them himself included were not exactly normal people to begin with, and anyway normal had always seemed overrated as far as he was concerned.
With a loud clearing of her throat Manx was surprisingly able to gain the attention of the rowdy group of assassins. "Bombay, you and agent Wolf are going to be partners for the duration of your mission, although I know that neither of you have had partners before, with the exception of your friends here Bombay..." she gestured to the other hackers in the room who were now quietly watching Hiro and looking at Bombay with silent concern. It was clear to anyone that Bombay's friends were not thrilled with the idea of letting Manx partner him with someone they did not yet trust and was no more to them then a perfect stranger. However their trust in Manx and their trust in Bombay's decision to accept the mission kept all further comments and concerns unvoiced among the group.
Bombay broke out into an infectious smile at Manx's statement and proceeded to detach Raven's protective grasp on his arm, then walked up to Hiro to continue the introductions personally.
Hiro was startled when the smiling blond detached the girl's grip on his arm and walked right up to him and proceeded to grab Hiro by his hand and drag him over to the couch that Star had previously occupied. Once they were seated on the soft leather sofa Bombay introduced himself as Omi and began to ask Hiro a torrent of different questions ranging from what his real name was to what his favorite musical group was.
Hiro found himself laughing at the brilliant enthusiasm of his young friend, 'whoa did I just think friend' Hiro's mind buzzed with this thought, he had never made friends with anyone as quickly as he seemed to be doing know with Omi. Breaking into a brilliant smile of his own to match his partner's. 'Yah, Omi is my partner now, and I think this next mission we go on is going to be the most interesting assignment I have ever been on.' After this thought Hiro returned his full attention to his partner seated next to him.
~*~
End of Flashback
~*~
Someone shaking his shoulder awoke Hiro from his memories as the soft voice of his partner bade him to wake up. Hiro pushed himself up from the table where he had been sleeping for how long he didn't know, but as he turned to Omi he noticed the boy was bathed in the light of the setting sun that was pouring through the kitchen window behind his partner. This told Hiro that he must have slept at least an hour or so to be waking near sunset.
"Hey Hiro I'm getting hungry and we still haven't gone grocery shopping yet, so why don't we get some take out then afterwards make a quick trip to the grocery store down the street." This said Omi turned to the phone book on the counter looking for the number of a local pizzeria.
Smiling his partner's healthy appetite and the growling of his own stomach Hiro nodded his consent for pizza and waited for Omi to make the order.
After they ate the two undercover assassins and soon to be rock stars headed out to do some last minute grocery shopping, since they knew they couldn't survive on pizza or takeout alone, no matter how tempting it was.
"Hiro are you sure that this Tohma guy is actually going to agree to let us record at Nittle Grasper, I mean he's never even heard us play before and has never met us.... wait, is he in on our undercover assignment?!?!" Smirking at the revelation that Omi had made Hiro nodded to the pink haired wonder.
"Yup, supposedly this Tohma guy was a former Kritiker agent years ago and when he retired from his position in our line of work he became a rock star, then later the head of his own corporation, pretty ambitious guy don't you think."
The look on Omi's face was something between a gold fish and a stunned deer, either way it was an adorably ridiculous expression of shock and dumfounded surprise. "Wow I never thought that an agent could have that kind of future after what we do for a living, its like he started over or something..." Omi's eyes shined like stars as he gave Hiro an excited laugh and turned to continue speaking, "I hope I can do something like that one day you know, just leave this life behind and start over, maybe be in a real band and not just pretending like we are now, what do you think huh Hiro, do you want to do something like that one day?"
His eyebrows had steadily rose as his friend spoke of his future ambitions and dreams in such honest abandon and eagerness that it made Hiro truly believe that maybe someday he too could have a better life, one that didn't revolve around killing and assassinations, a real life.
"Yah kid I do, and if you ever do decide to start a real band count me in OK."
Smiling up at his friend and partner Omi nodded in response before grasping Hiro by the hand and leading him into the grocery store, "sure Hiro just you and me, we will make a great band someday, and for now we can use this chance with Nittle Grasper to prepare us for the future."
And as the pink haired boy expected his friend's response was to ruffle his bubble gum locks and simply nods his head, "yah Shuichi that sounds great."
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TBC in Part II
Wow that's taken me longer to write than I thought it would. Now don't worry this is just part I of the chapter, I decided that instead of waiting to finish the chapter and add more to it I would post what I had so far and keep you guys from having to wait too long. The second half will be posted in the near future so be patient. ^_^
Oh and just in case you're wondering, from now on Hiro will refer to Omi as Shuichi when they are around others who are not in on their true identities. Just wanted to clear that up so nobody is lost, let me know what you think, and thanks for reading. ^_^
(Author's Note): In this chapter we find Hiro and Omi moving in to their new apartment and starting up their band. Also Hiro takes a trip down memory lane and it's a bumpy road, but it's all good. ^_^ Oh and please forgive me if Hiro is a bit OOC in this chapter during the flashback; believe me it's for a good reason.
Disclaimer: I don't own Weiss Kreuz or Gravitation, just borrowing the characters for a bit of fun.
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Chapter 3: Memories and The Band: Part I
The crashing sound of toppled boxes and the colorful language that followed met Omi's ears as he entered the apartment that he and his new partner were to share for the next several months. After eating and some more shopping for new wardrobes, as Hiro claimed they needed; the young musicians slash assassins decided to set up their new accommodations. The apartment itself was only a short train ride from the Nittle Grasper building, where their meeting with owner Tohma Seguchi was scheduled for the next morning.
"Are you OK in there Hiro?" Omi called to his friend over the boxes that he held in his grasp that were now blocking his view of the room he was in. Dropping the boxes on the floor to free up his hands, he stepped around the mess and headed into the kitchen to where he could still hear Hiro's choice vocabulary coming from.
"Yah I'm fine, just dropped a box on my foot is all!" The irritate exclamation was followed by the scene of Hiro hopping on one foot across the kitchen toward Omi, a displeased grimace on his face. "I'm going down to the truck to get what's left there, you can mess with the stuff in the kitchen, because I'm afraid that I might break something at this rate." Growling in annoyance Hiro limped past a giggling Omi as he stormed into the hallway and out the door.
Giggling at the ridiculous scene he had just witnessed Omi resigned himself to finishing the job that Hiro had started, 'I guess unpacking boxes isn't 't Hiro's best talent, but better he carry those remaining boxes up the stairs then me; I can't believe all the stuff we need just for a few months.' Sighing at that thought Omi proceeded to continue unpacking the "evil box" that had landed on Hiro's foot, and was a little more sympathetic when he realized it had been filled with dishes and utensils. "Ouch that must have hurt!"
After he parked the truck behind the building where Kritiker agents could pick it up, Hiro made his way upstairs with the remaining box to the third story apartment that he and Omi now shared. With the physical pain from his foot long forgotten Hiro's mind drifted to a sense of deja vu he had been feeling ever since he had seen his old partner again. Even though Omi had moved on and was presently working on another team, Hiro himself had remained a loner agent and preferred working alone. He had only made an exception to his solitary existence once before, and the person he had made such an exception for was again his partner. Smiling fondly at the feelings that registered in his mind and heart at the knowledge that Omi was again going to be working with him for the next few months; Hiro entered the apartment and his ears immediately picked up on the music playing from a radio in the kitchen.
Walking into the "domain of the evil box" Hiro was met with a scene that made a fond grin spread across his face like wild fire. The kitchen was almost completely set up and the bubble gum pink singer was holding a ladle in his hand while singing cheerfully to a pop song playing on the radio. Omi's swaying hips and wonderful voice accompanied Hiro as he entered and added his own voice to a song he knew all to well. At hearing his friend's voice the pink headed assassin abruptly turned around and flushed a deep crimson color in embarrassment at being caught singing to the radio.
"Hey Omi if you get this embarrassed at a friend catching you singing in the kitchen to a radio, what are you going to do tomorrow when we have to sing in front of a sound crew at Nittle Grasper?" Pouting at Hiro's friendly banter Omi swatted at the hand trying to ruffle his pink locks and handed the annoying guitarist a bottle of water. "Here drink this and take a break, I am going to start unpacking in my room, and you can work on the living room."
Saluting his "superior" Hiro took a swig from the water bottle and watched Omi as he grabbed the radio and headed down the hall towards the two bedrooms. Smiling affectionately at the younger assassin, Hiro took a seat at the kitchen table and let his mind momentarily wander. While his thoughts wandered Hiro found himself remembering how he had first met Omi, and the first time he himself had decided that taking on a partner may not be such a bad idea.
~*~
Flashback
~*~
Hiro's mind buzzed at the implications of what Manx's message to him had said. He was going to have a partner; he the lone agent Wolf of Kritiker was going to be working with another agent. Not that he particularly cared of course.
Hiro had been an agent at Kritiker since he was thirteen, having been picked up by Manx while on his way to juvenile hall. She had given him a deal, either join her organization or go to jail. It wasn't that hard of a choice to make. It had been almost 5 years since he had joined Kritiker; up until now he had never had a partner and had never particularly wanted one.
Before Kritiker had seemed to respect his desire to stay a lone agent, so when Manx had contacted him last night in regards to a new mission, which included him working with another agent, he had been less then pleased. Now he found himself following the redheaded bombshell down the dimly lit hallways of some long lost corridor in the bowels of Kritiker's headquarters in search of the illustrious hacker that was supposed to be his new partner, or was it his first partner, whatever.
Smirking at the typical images that the word hacker brought to his mind, Hiro tried to pay attention to Manx's drawling speech as the pair went to meet his new comrade.
"Now Hiro don't let their attitudes or eccentric personalities intimidate you, these people are the best hackers that Kritiker could ever hope to have. We just don't let them out often enough I guess. Smirking at some private joke Manx continued to lead them down the dim corridors.
Entering a dimly lit and fairly large room at the end of the hall Hiro and Manx were met with black walls and no windows; the walls were covered in the warm glow of Christmas lights and the contrasting eerie glow of computer monitors scattered throughout the room. Plush couches and beanbag chairs littered the large space and gave the environment a comfortable feel. There was a pinball machine in one corner and a small refrigerator in another. Bottles of soft drinks and energy drinks along with half empty coffee cups were scattered around the room, on tables or computer desks. Hiro spotted a half full bowl of popcorn on one table while a bag of chocolates rested on another, with a small pile of discarded pizza boxes beside them.
Looking up from the room's decor Hiro observed as Manx cleared her throat in a futile attempt to gain the attention of the five young people who represented the best hackers that Kritiker had. Of course her attempt failed and Hiro had to stifle a snort as he took in the occupants of the room.
His attention was first drawn to a howl of victory to his left where a small blond boy dressed in a gray sleeveless hoodie over a black T-shirt and black jeans was playing an intense game of foosball with a pale faced girl who looked to be about Hiro's age, this made the blond boy look even younger.
Hiro couldn't see the blonde's face since the boy's back was facing him, but the girl had waist length black hair that was highlighted with streaks of crimson. She was outfitted in what could be described as all black and crimson clothing, and her face was decorated with black lipstick and dark eye make-up which made her complexion all the more pale. Both his and Manx's presence seemed lost on the pair or gladiators as they battled for supremacy in the universe of foosball.
In another corner a pair of young men who looked to be in their early twenties were seated in separate bean bag chairs battling in a video game on the wide screen TV that Hiro had not really been paying attention to up until now.
The sound of keys clicking and the chime of an instant message clued Hiro into the whereabouts of the fifth hacker. She looked to be the oldest, probably in her mid-twenties and she was seated on a plush sofa with a laptop. Taking a moment to brush her brightly dyed purple hair out of her onyx colored eyes she went back to her online conversation, any indication that she cared about either Manx's or his presence was not seen in her outward appearance or actions.
One solitary thought wove its way through Hiro's mind as he watched the spectacle before him; 'how the hell could I have been with Kritiker for almost five years and not have seen any of these people or this room until today!'
Seemingly annoyed at being deliberately ignored Manx brushed passed the still shell shocked Hiro and walked to a stereo system that up until that moment had been booming with earsplitting music, that was until she calmly turned the racket off successfully plunging the room into a silence that was only broken by the bling of an instant messenger and the sounds of the video and foosball games.
The resounding silence had it's desired affect, as collective moans of displeasure and strings of colorful language wove their way between the young occupants of the room; Manx knew she now had everyone's undivided attention. This was proven when five not completely thrilled but genuinely curious pairs of eyes met Hiro and Manx's gazes.
Once the protests died away Manx began to speak to the disgruntled youths. "OK people you can go back to WORK and I do mean WORK, after you meet your new colleague here." She smiled knowingly as eyes rolled and snickers filtered throughout the room.
Hiro suddenly felt uncomfortable as the five pairs of eyes that only a moment ago had given Manx their full attention and had not spared him a glance, were now suddenly fixed only on him.
"Everyone this is agent Wolf and he is here to meet his new partner." At this revelation Hiro was surprised again when a new string of sniggers and barely contained chuckles spread throughout the room coming mainly from the two young men seated in front of the TV, while the girl on the sofa giggled openly not bothering to hide whatever amusement she seemed to find in Manx's statement.
Hiro noticed that the only members of this group who didn't seem amused by Manx's words were the pair of younger teens standing side by side with the now forgotten foosball table behind them. For the first time since he had entered the room Hiro came face to face with the blond youth that had before been playing foosball with the pale-faced girl; the same girl who was now frowning as she racked over his form with a disapproving gaze. The gaze he received from the boy was her direct opposite, as Hiro found himself drowning in a sea of cerulean as smiling eyes and a kind grin graced him as a response to Manx's introduction.
Finding himself frozen in the boy's bewitching gaze Hiro was startled when Manx responded to the situation with an abrupt snort. Turning to her he found the redhead smirking at him in an infuriatingly knowing way.
Manx had noticed Hiro's stunned reaction and the small blonde's distinctly different welcome, this helped to reinforce her feeling that she had made the right choice in who she had decided to pair with her anti-social agent.
"Agent Wolf..."
When he heard his code name Hiro snapped out of the powerful gaze that the blond youth had trapped him in, and turned to a surprisingly amused looking Manx.
"This is Star and she is the leader of this group of misfit prodigies; at this remark the group broke out into howls of pride and laughter. The cheers were halted as the before mentioned leader stood and bowed to Hiro. When her greeting was finished she turned to her group and proceeded with introductions.
"Those two by the TV are brothers and besides me they have been here the longest, this was said with a proud and protective gleam in her eyes. This made Hiro realize that this group was close, like a family. He immediately began to feel like an intruder in their group, here they were a family and he was about to take one of their own away to be his new partner. This realization made the already uncomfortable feelings he was experiencing all the more unpleasant.
Hiro's dark thoughts were chased away momentarily when the brothers decided to introduce themselves as Fox and Torch. Both had fiery red hair that was short and spiked. They looked more like twins then just merely brothers, but that was impossible when Hiro noticed that Fox had brilliant turquoise eyes and some well groomed chin hair while Torch had warm brown eyes and was cleanly shaven with no evidence of a goatee. When they stood up it was clearer to see that Fox was older and at least a head taller then his brother, which helped to dispel the twin theory that Hiro had first thought of.
Smiling at the young men he bowed to them in greeting and turned to meet the gazes of the pair standing by the foosball table. The girl with her pale features, onyx hair and bright amethyst eyes, stood next to the smaller blond boy with a protective air about her as she studied Hiro; the intensity of her penetrating gaze began to make him feel restless and Hiro found himself shifting in his position next to Manx.
Suddenly as if to break the tension she was creating the girl spoke, "I'm Raven". Turning to the boy next to her she introduced him, "this is Bombay."
Hiro couldn't help but feel a little perturbed that she had introduced the blond herself, he had wanted the boy to speak to him since the moment he had first laid eyes on him. The silence that reigned after her blunt introductions was finally shattered by warm giggles that erupted from the blond boy, he playfully swatted Raven on the arm while his warm voice quickly painted Hiro's world in a bright array of colors.
"Oh cut it out Birdie, your scaring him," turning to Hiro the blond continued "don't mind her she's just like that around strangers, she's really nothing more then a big softy once she gets used to you..." The blonde's exclamation was quickly halted as the girl took him into a head lock and started to rub her knuckles into his hair causing the blond to squeal and giggle harder, this was quickly joined by the laughter of the two brothers and the rolling of eyes on the part of Manx and Star.
Her torture of Bombay administered Raven let go of the now disheveled blond, turning to lock eyes again with Hiro she said, "and you little kitty are too trusting for your own good, I'm just testing him, seeing how he would react. Personally I don't see why Manx had to pair you with him, Star or Fox could have easily taken the mission."
While the blond and his overprotective companion bantered back and fourth Hiro's mind spun at the realization of what the pale girl's words brought fourth. Until this moment Hiro had been completely in the dark as to who in this eccentric group was going to be his partner, surprisingly the answer that he had received to this question had not been an unwelcome one.
Hiro found himself smiling at the idea of him and Bombay on a mission together, the genki boy was going to be his first partner, and for the first time since the idea had been suggested to him, Hiro found it to be to his liking.
To be honest it was also a relief; when Manx had first told him that he was to have a partner who had been with Kritiker for more years than he had been, and was an experienced hacker, Hiro's mind had conjured up images far different from the boy he now found himself paired with. In fact before he had stepped through the door into this room his mind had envisioned some thirty something agent who had been locked away in a dark room for too long, and was as a result anti social and more interested in his computer then the rest of the world in general.
To Hiro's eternal relief Bombay was the direct opposite to his fears, while his companions seemed a bit strange, he realized that all of them himself included were not exactly normal people to begin with, and anyway normal had always seemed overrated as far as he was concerned.
With a loud clearing of her throat Manx was surprisingly able to gain the attention of the rowdy group of assassins. "Bombay, you and agent Wolf are going to be partners for the duration of your mission, although I know that neither of you have had partners before, with the exception of your friends here Bombay..." she gestured to the other hackers in the room who were now quietly watching Hiro and looking at Bombay with silent concern. It was clear to anyone that Bombay's friends were not thrilled with the idea of letting Manx partner him with someone they did not yet trust and was no more to them then a perfect stranger. However their trust in Manx and their trust in Bombay's decision to accept the mission kept all further comments and concerns unvoiced among the group.
Bombay broke out into an infectious smile at Manx's statement and proceeded to detach Raven's protective grasp on his arm, then walked up to Hiro to continue the introductions personally.
Hiro was startled when the smiling blond detached the girl's grip on his arm and walked right up to him and proceeded to grab Hiro by his hand and drag him over to the couch that Star had previously occupied. Once they were seated on the soft leather sofa Bombay introduced himself as Omi and began to ask Hiro a torrent of different questions ranging from what his real name was to what his favorite musical group was.
Hiro found himself laughing at the brilliant enthusiasm of his young friend, 'whoa did I just think friend' Hiro's mind buzzed with this thought, he had never made friends with anyone as quickly as he seemed to be doing know with Omi. Breaking into a brilliant smile of his own to match his partner's. 'Yah, Omi is my partner now, and I think this next mission we go on is going to be the most interesting assignment I have ever been on.' After this thought Hiro returned his full attention to his partner seated next to him.
~*~
End of Flashback
~*~
Someone shaking his shoulder awoke Hiro from his memories as the soft voice of his partner bade him to wake up. Hiro pushed himself up from the table where he had been sleeping for how long he didn't know, but as he turned to Omi he noticed the boy was bathed in the light of the setting sun that was pouring through the kitchen window behind his partner. This told Hiro that he must have slept at least an hour or so to be waking near sunset.
"Hey Hiro I'm getting hungry and we still haven't gone grocery shopping yet, so why don't we get some take out then afterwards make a quick trip to the grocery store down the street." This said Omi turned to the phone book on the counter looking for the number of a local pizzeria.
Smiling his partner's healthy appetite and the growling of his own stomach Hiro nodded his consent for pizza and waited for Omi to make the order.
After they ate the two undercover assassins and soon to be rock stars headed out to do some last minute grocery shopping, since they knew they couldn't survive on pizza or takeout alone, no matter how tempting it was.
"Hiro are you sure that this Tohma guy is actually going to agree to let us record at Nittle Grasper, I mean he's never even heard us play before and has never met us.... wait, is he in on our undercover assignment?!?!" Smirking at the revelation that Omi had made Hiro nodded to the pink haired wonder.
"Yup, supposedly this Tohma guy was a former Kritiker agent years ago and when he retired from his position in our line of work he became a rock star, then later the head of his own corporation, pretty ambitious guy don't you think."
The look on Omi's face was something between a gold fish and a stunned deer, either way it was an adorably ridiculous expression of shock and dumfounded surprise. "Wow I never thought that an agent could have that kind of future after what we do for a living, its like he started over or something..." Omi's eyes shined like stars as he gave Hiro an excited laugh and turned to continue speaking, "I hope I can do something like that one day you know, just leave this life behind and start over, maybe be in a real band and not just pretending like we are now, what do you think huh Hiro, do you want to do something like that one day?"
His eyebrows had steadily rose as his friend spoke of his future ambitions and dreams in such honest abandon and eagerness that it made Hiro truly believe that maybe someday he too could have a better life, one that didn't revolve around killing and assassinations, a real life.
"Yah kid I do, and if you ever do decide to start a real band count me in OK."
Smiling up at his friend and partner Omi nodded in response before grasping Hiro by the hand and leading him into the grocery store, "sure Hiro just you and me, we will make a great band someday, and for now we can use this chance with Nittle Grasper to prepare us for the future."
And as the pink haired boy expected his friend's response was to ruffle his bubble gum locks and simply nods his head, "yah Shuichi that sounds great."
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TBC in Part II
Wow that's taken me longer to write than I thought it would. Now don't worry this is just part I of the chapter, I decided that instead of waiting to finish the chapter and add more to it I would post what I had so far and keep you guys from having to wait too long. The second half will be posted in the near future so be patient. ^_^
Oh and just in case you're wondering, from now on Hiro will refer to Omi as Shuichi when they are around others who are not in on their true identities. Just wanted to clear that up so nobody is lost, let me know what you think, and thanks for reading. ^_^