Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Talking To The Dead ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2

"Hey Omi."

Ken knelt down and placed a spray of zinnias across the foot of the grave marker, overlapping the roses and periwinkles from the previous day. He fumbled with his lighter, and after a moment's effort, managed to light the incense stick at the base. A thin stream of India rose-scented smoke swirled languidly up into the cloudless sky.

Ken remaining kneeling, but did not close his eyes. He had not come here to pray.

"I came back, like I promised, Omi. Promises were always important between us, and I, at least, intend to keep it that way." He paused for a moment and looked around the graveyard. It was early in the day, and the only other visitor in the area was a young woman taking her dog for a walk about ten rows away. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for his next words.

"I decided to return to Weiss." He exhaled; somehow, speaking the words aloud made the weight he had been feeling in his chest dissolve. He continued, "Right now it's only for one mission. I... I want closure, Omi."

The grave marker stared mutely back at him. A middle-aged man jogged past, panting heavily. Ken waited until the man was long gone before speaking again.

"This mission - I guess - it has to be related somehow to the last one." He shook his head. "I don't know how yet, but I will find out. I will avenge you, Omi, I promise."

Tendrils of smoke curled in on themselves, forming a small cloud of incense that hung in the air for a moment before dissipating.

"I don't know about this new Weiss. I think you'd like them - especially Sena," he smiled, "but with half of the team made up of newbies, I don't know how we're going to pull off this mission. Aya's still around, at least, but..."

...But Yohji isn't, he finished silent. And I haven't decided yet how I feel about that.

"...I guess I'll just have to wait and see how it goes. The mission isn't for another two days, so I'll have some time to check them out. See what they're capable of..."

He broke off, fighting the lump in his throat. He still could not help the feeling that Kritiker was using Sena and Kyou to replace Omi (and Yohji, he presumed); he had tried not to hold it against them, but every time he tried thinking about the team as "Weiss," he was reminded instead of his old teammates, of the empty void left by the loss of their former leader...

Ken swallowed, forcing his voice to work. It came out in a croaked whisper. "I'd have a lot more faith in this mission if it were you in charge of it."

He laughed bitterly. "But I guess there's no helping that, is there?" He looked around the graveyard. It was completely empty. "For that matter, there really isn't much you can do, now, is there?"

The incense burned out. Ken leaned forward and lit a new stick.

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't expect so much; I guess I just... nevermind." He stood up. "I need to get going now, Omi. I promised to do some research for the mission today, and I have a feeling that Sena will have my hide if I don't get there soon."

He smiled fondly. "I promise I'll do my best to get along with them."

But no one will ever replace you in my heart.

He bowed his head briefly, turned around, and exited the graveyard.

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zinnia (mixed) - Thinking (or in Memory) Of An Absent Friend