Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ The Hope Diamond ❯ Fujimiya - 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Name: Androgene

Website: http://www.angelfire.com/space/noir13

Email: androgene@lycos.com

Title: The Hope Diamond: Fujimiya - Nine to Eleven, and Interlude (Two of Two)

Summary: It was said that certain gems are cursed and brings only misfortunes. What if these cursed gems are creatures of magic? Can one love a cursed gem and live happily ever after? YohjixAya/Ran, TakatorixAya/Ran.

Date of completion: 29 April 2002

Category: AU, fantasy, drama, angst, action, yaoi, shounen-ai

Rating: NC-17

Warning: Yaoi!!! Lime warning!

Notes: //…// telepathic speech

Author's comments:

I'm going to take this opportunity to point out some mistakes in the previous chapters, which have been kindly pointed out to me. Due to my absolute ignorance of golf, Takatori's golf course has only 8 holes instead of the usual 9 or 18 holes. Thanks to Jacque Koh for pointing this out. Also thanks to Debbie who helped corrected Yohji's Latin. Contego, concremo and dissimulo mean 'I shield, I burn, I ignore' which doesn't really work in the way I intended. So the proper command verbs should be 'contega, concrema and dissimula', which accurately reflect the meanings 'Shield. Burn. Ignore.' Lastly, Thank you all for the wonderful feedback! Gee, don't I sound like I'm making an Oscar speech.

Dedication: This story arc is dedicated to Little Orchid. Thanks for the encouragement and I love your fan arts.

Disclaimer:

All characters belong to their creators. WeiB Kreuz™ is created by Takehito Koyasu and Project WeiB. I don't own them and I don't profit from using these characters.

Fujimiya

In a country half a world away from Magnopolis, there once lived an ordinary and normal family. Fujimiya senior was a banker at a respectable global bank, a hardworking and friendly man with a good heart and deep love for his family. His wife of twenty years was a capable homemaker, a quiet solid support in his stressful career.

The Fujimiyas had two children, a son and a daughter. The son was the firstborn and his birth was a difficult one. When he was finally brought into this world after much difficulty, both parents were overjoyed and yet startled. For their son had red hair and his eyes were a startling shade of purple. They found it odd, since both parents were Asian, but they paid it no heed. He was their son and that was that.

They named their son Ran, for the orchid color of his eyes.

Ran was a joy to the parents. He was gentle-natured and shy but when provoked he threw tantrums that made even storms paled by comparison. Even at a young age, he proved to be quick with his learning.

As Ran grew older, his looks became more striking and no matter how much he tanned, he remained fair of skin. With his crimson hair and violet eyes, he was the most breathtaking youth in his neighborhood. When he smiled or laughed, his merriment only made him more captivating. In studies, he was at the top of his class and he was the finest in his kendo dojo. Though his demeanor grew more reserved as he took on more responsibilities as was expected of the firstborn, he still remained a warm and shy lad, very much like his father in his youth.

Ran's younger sister was born two years after his birth. She was named Aya, for there was a rainbow on the day she was born. Aya was born with black hair that had a subtle purplish hue and dark eyes constantly filled with laughter. Unlike Ran, she was blessed with a sunny and sparkling nature, bringing cheer to all who knew her, a fitting foil to her brother's shy quietness.

Both siblings were the pride of their neighborhood. And for many years, the Fujimiya family's life was blissful.

On the day Ran turned sixteen, Fujimiya senior's bank received a new business client. His name was Reiji Takatori, head of the distinguished Takatori clan in Magnopolis and President and CEO of the Takatori Incorporation…

"Tell me again, why do I have to go?" Ran asked for the countless time as he fidgeted in his black tie suit.

"Because Mr. Takatori invited the whole family," his father answered patiently.

"So why isn't Aya going too?"

"She's still too young. The party will bore her." His father gestured for him to raise his chin. "Your tie's loose, son."

Ran winced as his father tightened his tie firmly.

"Mr. Takatori is a very important client to my bank and it's crucial for us to make a good impression at this dinner party he's hosting. So -"

"Remember to be on my best behavior," Ran finished for him. "Yes, I know."

His father gently chafed him across his head. "Imp."

His mother came down the stairs in her black evening gown. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," his father sighed dreamily.

Ran rolled his eyes. "Dad, spare me the mush."

"Wait till you fall in love, young man. Then we'll see just how mushy you will get."

Leaving Aya at home with a babysitter, they left for Takatori's dinner party at the most exclusive restaurant in the city. It was all Ran could do not to gawk at the throng of the rich and famous mingling in the restaurant. He suddenly felt completely out-of-place, plain and very small in this crowd of 'Who's who'.

"Good evening, Mr. Takatori." His father shook the older man's hand. "Thank you for inviting us."

Takatori beamed at Ran's father. "I should thank you for coming, Fujimiya-san. Is this your family?"

"Yes. My wife Ayumi and my son Ran."

"Pleased to meet you sir," Ran greeted nervously.

"The pleasure's mine." Takator's smile widened. "What a fine young man your son is, Fujimiya-san."

Reiji Takatori hired Ran's father as his personal banker and he quickly became a friend of the Fujimiya family. Many of Fujimiya senior's friends advised him against the friendship, for there was stories abound that Takatori was not as honest a businessman-politician as he seemed to be. But Fujimiya senior dismissed such talks as malicious gossip.

For the next two years, Ran continued his blissful life, unaware of the dark clouds gathering at the horizon.

Then tragedy struck the Fujimiya family on Aya's sixteenth birthday.

On that day, Ran took Aya out shopping for a birthday present, an exhaustive business for a teenaged boy with a hyperactive sister. They spent the whole day in the mall searching until Aya finally settled on a pair of earrings - long and slim, the gold finish shining under the light.

But when they got home, they found their parents brutally murdered and a bomb just about to go off. Ran managed to push his sister clear of the blast but was hurt by the blast himself. Pinned down by debris and injured by the explosion, he could only to watch in helpless horror as a car knocked his beloved sister down before passing out...

Ran sat by the side of the hospital bed, his eyes fixed on the composed still face of his sister. He held one of her limp hands in his own, and his other hand was curled in a tight fist in his lap. Though Ran's expression was calm, his eyes betrayed his emotions. Sorrow, rage, guilt and fear, all these and more swirled in the purplish depths of his eyes.

"Aya…" he whispered her name. "The doctor tells me you will never wake up. But I don't believe him. You will wake up, open your eyes once more to look at me."

His grip on her hand tightened. "Tousan and 'kasan are dead, Aya. The police don't know why they were killed. No one knows anything. But Takatori-san said he would launch his own investigation. And I believe him. I believe he would find the truth. He has the power and wealth to do what no one else can."

Ran lowered his gaze to his fist. In his palm, he held Aya's birthday gift. The pair of gold earrings gleamed brightly under the hospital light - an artificial gem of hope.

"He also told me he would care for us both. He told me he would search for a cure for you. All I have to do is to bind myself to him. He wants me to become his Gem, Aya. And everyone knows what a Gem is."

Brave, frightened orchid eyes traveled back to Aya's still face.

"But I'll do it. I won't give up on you, I promise. No matter the price, I will see you awake again."

He took one half of the earrings and placed it in Aya's hand, curling her fingers around it, and the other half, he wore it on his ear.

"Aya, I wear this to remember my promise to you. I will wait for the day you will open your eyes again."

The deal, when Ran thought about it, was simple but terrifying. Takatori intended to create a Gem and had spent years searching the world for a suitable sacrifice. In exchange for his sister's cure, all Ran had to do was to willingly consent to be his sacrifice.

And Ran, without hesitation, agreed. For his beloved sister, he was more than willing to walk through hell and sell his soul.

In secret, both Ran and his sister were taken back to Takatori's home, the city-country of Magnopolis. Alone in an alien country, both legally dead in their own homeland, Ran's life gradually became a prison. For three years, he was kept isolated from the world. Though he was treated well, he was never let out of Takatori's estate, always guarded and forbidden to make contact with any outsiders.

Takatori told him it was to keep him safe from his enemies and Ran never questioned further, focused on carrying out his part of the deal.

On his twentieth birthday, Ran was finally ready for the Forging.

The Forging was the worst trial in Ran's short life. He was 'purified' by wild magic, 'burning' so bad that he knew nothing but pain. The agony felt like an eternity to him and when it was finally over, it was almost a week before he regained consciousness…

With shaking fingers, Ran fearfully touched his face. His skin felt smooth and soft like it always did but instead of being warm like a human's, it was cool to his touch. In the mirror, he looked the same but there was a subtle glow to his appearance, giving him a frighteningly inhuman beauty. And Ran could feel the wild magic coursing within him, a fierce untamed power waiting for the slightest chance to break free. The energy frightened him with its bludgeoning ferocity; he was almost afraid to move at all for fear of accidentally releasing it.

The full magnitude of what he had done crashed upon him like a tsunami wave. He had given up his humanity, his soul to become this unnatural vessel of power. Ran covered his face with his hands, battling his rising panic and despair. He had become a freak, something so monstrous he was sure even the world would not abide with his existence.

For Aya-chan, he told himself over and over. For her, nothing is too much.

Ran jumped when Takatori suddenly loomed up behind him. The older man pulled his hands away from his face, examining his reflection with pleased satisfaction. Ran swallowed hard as Takatori stroked his cheek with deceptive gentleness. There was a look in Takatori's eyes that Ran had never seen before, a look that made him feel very exposed and vulnerable.

Ran remained still like a statue, watching in mute apprehension, as Takatori reached around his waist and briskly undid the sash of his yukata, sliding the linen garment off his pale shoulders. He closed his eyes as the fabric pooled around his feet, unwilling to look at the reflection of his nude form in the mirror, shamed and exposed. He tried to cover himself with his hands but Takatori peeled his limbs away with an insistent strength.

"Beautiful…" Takatori murmured close to his ear.

"No…I'm not…"

"This is you now and it's best for you to be aware of your looks. Beauty is meant to be appreciated after all, Ran. But you're much too stunning for your own good."

Ran shuddered when he felt the fingers stroking his neck, wondering in rising panic just what he had gotten himself into.

"I'll never allow anyone to look upon your true face, or hear your voice. That is my exclusive privilege, for you are mine and mine only."

"No…" Ran's faltering plea fell upon deaf ears as Takatori greedily nuzzled his neck. "Please…don't."

Takatori seized his hair in one hand, tilting his face to a painful angle. "First rule as a Gem, Ran, is that you never say 'no' to your master. Never. Do you understand?"

"H-hai."

Tears began to leak from Ran's tightly closed eyes as he felt the unwanted touch lingering at his private parts, hungrily caressing and cupping him. He bit his lower lip, hands fisted so tightly that his nails dig painfully into his skin as Takatori trapped him within his arms, rubbing his clothed hardness against his bare bottom.

Ran had naively thought binding himself to Takatori simply meant becoming a life-long servant to the man, carrying out his biddings and orders. He had taken for granted that he still had some rights of his own. It had never occurred to him that when Takatori said 'possessing him', it literally meant possession, sexually as well.

For Aya, Ran told himself repeatedly. For Aya.

"Forget the past, Ran. Forget everything. Only remember who you belong to now." Takatori looked thoughtfully at their reflection. "You will need a new name when I introduce you to the world."

He grasped Ran's chin firmly, forcibly lifting his head. "Look at yourself in the mirror."

Still shaking, Ran did as he was told. Tear-bright amethyst eyes locked with triumphant black eyes.

"Blood Diamond, that is your new name."

As days became weeks, and months became years, Ran retreated into himself. His smiles had all but disappeared, and there was nothing left of the gentle and shy lad named for a flower. Instead there was only the Blood Diamond, icy and aloof, hard-eyed and sharp-edged like the world's most precious gem.

The Blood Diamond served his master with unwavering loyalty in every way. And all who met him were content to just admire his unearthly beauty from afar, refusing to befriend him for fear of inviting retaliation from Takatori. Visiting his sister in disguise was the only respite he got from his cold lonely life.

For ten years, Ran existed in this empty manner, clinging to the slim dying hope that Takatori would do what he promised, that his sister would wake from her coma.

It was a difficult faith to keep and eventually Ran began to despair.

Then one day, he met, quite by chance, a blond playboy who would bring hope back to him.

Chapter Nine

I didn't sleep very well that night.

The search was called off hours ago and I got back safely to my room. I feel guilty for not worrying about Omi and Ken more but my mind is still reeling with the unexpected discovery I made tonight.

The lonely unhappy Aya is the cold fierce Blood Diamond who kills for his master. No matter how much I try, I can't seem to reconcile the two completely different sides of him.

It's ironic actually.

Just yesterday, I still hold the opinion that I'm not worth Aya's attraction, that my secret life in Weiss will always be the obstacle between us. Now it is the knowledge of his secret that is the obstacle. I don't know if I can overlook the fact that he is Weiss' enemy, a danger because he recognized us. I don't know if I can forgive him for killing Jun at the Human Chess club. Yet on the other hand, I can't forget how he had broken down and cried in my arms, or the air of unhappiness and hurt he wears like a second skin.

What am I going to do?

"…Yohji. Yohji. Get up."

"Can't…run, Asuka. Get away. Leave me…behind."

"No!"

"You have to. No point…getting the both of us…killed."

"…"

"Go…"

"Wakatta."

"Asuka!" I bolt straight up in bed. For a confused moment, I do not recognize my surroundings. Then everything comes rushing back. I am still on Takatori's private island, alone in my room, having somehow fallen asleep during the night. Sunlight creeps in through the gap in the drawn curtains, telling me that it is morning again.

I slump forward, closing my eyes in shaky relief and deep pain.

A nightmare, the same nightmare that haunted me in the months after she died for me. I finally stop dreaming about that day two years ago. But it is back now with a vengeance.

I rake a hand through my hair, shivering as sweat dry on my skin.

Why am I dreaming of her now?

Unbidden, the memory of Aya standing alone in his room, sad and resigned, hits me again. I shake my head to rid the image. Aya - the Blood Diamond is my enemy. I mustn't forget that. But he saved my life last night. Would an enemy do that?

"I don't know," I whisper aloud. "What do I know of him?"

Frustrated, I get out of bed, heading for the bathroom for my morning shower. I won't think about this, at least not now. Not when I am still deep in enemy's territory and should be concentrating on getting out of this mission alive.

When I emerge again from the bathroom, fresh and wearing just a towel wrapped around my waist, Omi has already arrived in his role as my personal butler. The kid looks tired but still genki.

"Ohayo, Shinichiro-san."

"You got back safe last night?"

Omi nods. "I have hidden the disk too. All we have to do now is survive the party till we leave tomorrow."

"And Siberian? Did he find out anything useful?"

"Plenty. He followed them to a little cove at the beach and witnessed them making some kind of pact."

"Pact? For what?"

"Siberian didn't know. He didn't understand a single thing they were doing. But he told me the ritual spooked him."

"They didn't spot him, did they?"

"He didn't think so." Omi pauses. "Takatori is going to make an announcement at breakfast. He asks for every guest to be present in the front hall."

"Got it." I quickly change into a white shirt and khakis pants. "If you see Ken, tell him to meet me at the Glade Fountain at eleven. It's far enough and secluded so I can do a memory-scry."

"Right. Oh by the way, I still couldn't find out anything about that redhead you know."

I pause in mid-dressing, flashing back to last night. "It's all right, Omi." I tell him quietly. "I don't need to know anymore."

There is a buzz of nervous anxiety when I arrive in the front hall. The guests all stand huddled in small groups, talking excitedly. Putting on a nonchalant and puzzled air, I join the nearest huddle. "Ohayo. What's going on?"

"Haven't you hear, Shinichiro-san?" a rather vapid blond says with feminine gusto. "There was a break-in last night!"

I put on an appropriately shocked expression. "Really?"

"You must have heard the security running about the grounds," says another man. "We can even hear them from our, um," here, he gives a furtive embarrassed glance at the blond woman, "'after-dinner' party."

"I was down with an upset stomach last night," I explain. "The doctor's medication knocked me out completely. I'm afraid I didn't hear a single thing."

"That is a pity."

I can't help stiffening when I hear that sarcastic nasal voice behind me. I turn, playing it cool, to look at Schuldich casually leaning against the wall.

"It was the only bit of excitement in this otherwise boring trip," Schuldich continues.

"I hardly think a break-in can be considered exciting," I reply.

"No?" Schuldich walks over to my side, glittering green eyes never leaving me. "Adrenaline rush is always exciting, no matter the cause, wouldn't you say?"

I look him in the eye. "If you have something to say, Schuldich, say it. You're beginning to bore me."

"Am I? All I'm saying is that it's a pity that you were asleep," Schuldich leans close to murmur into my ear, "that is, you were actually asleep?"

A chill runs down my spine. Grinning, Schuldich walks off, leaving me to glare at his disappearing back. I discreetly strengthen my mental shields. If that conversation was anything to go by, I can safely bet that Schwartz suspects my cover.

I look up when Takatori comes down the stairs from the second level, his expression pleasant and decidedly noncommittal. All the conversations stop as the guests become aware of his arrival. In the brief lull, I spy a movement from the corner of my eye.

Aya, no, the Blood Diamond, stands at the balcony near one of the staircases, nearly hidden behind the tied-up heavy drapes. He is dressed plainly and his face masked. Our eyes meet for a second and he looks away, concentrating on his master instead. It is clear he isn't supposed to attend this morning gathering but he comes anyway.

"Good morning to all," Takatori begins genially. "I trust you have all slept well last night."

"As well as we could with all the noise, Mr. Takatori," someone reply. "What happened?"

"A minor theft problem."

"Was anything stolen?"

"A vase from China's Tang Dynasty, I'm afraid. My security staff is looking into the problem even as we speak. By tomorrow we should get some answers. Rest assured, none of you or your property are in any danger."

Antique vase? How strange. We didn't steal any antiques last night.

"Actually we wouldn't know even if we were robbed," someone quips wryly. "Your 'after-dinner' party last night was engrossing."

Laughter greets that statement.

"Glad you enjoyed yourself, Tanaka-san." Takatori grins. "On a more cheerful note, tonight's masked ball is the highlight of the party. I hope everyone comes prepared. If not, I have some masks made especially for tonight's event. If you need one, your personal butler can make the necessary arrangement to loan a mask. That's all I have to say."

The crowd begins to disperse, the guests relaxed and the incident during the night forgotten. I look up to the balcony again but Aya is no longer there.

"Shinichiro-san," Takatori calls as he comes over to me. "I'm glad to see you are up and about. Feeling better, I hope?"

"Yes. I tend to forget I have a delicate stomach."

Takatori makes some sympathetic noises. "I hope the same thing won't happen tonight either."

"I hope so too," I answers sincerely. The masked ball may be my last chance to meet Aya face-to-face before the weekend is over.

* * *

Close to eleven, I excuse myself from the merry-making on the pretense of taking a nature walk. Alert for signs of tailing, I casually make my way through the dense forest to the Glade Fountain. Ken is already there, waiting patiently for me.

"Anyone saw you coming?"

He shakes his head. "It's my lunch break. Here."

My brows quirk up when I see the empty basin in his hands. "You certainly come prepared."

"Hey, I've done this enough times to know what you need." Ken scoops up some water and places the filled basin on the edge of the stone fountain between us. "Ready whenever you are."

I murmur a quick spell, gesturing briefly over the basin of water. "Now, Ken."

Very gently, Ken lightly dips his fingertips into the water, eyes closed in concentration. I bend over, gazing intently into the basin, as images begin to form on the water surface.

I am seeing the events of last night as through Siberian's point-of-view. I can't hear anything, just images from Ken's memory but that is enough.

It was a dark night. The scenery of dense forest shifts rapidly to a coastal line. I recognize it as that of the beach. In the distance, I can see the cliff jutting out and at the base a dim light spills onto the waves breaking on the shore.

The scenery shifts again, this time to the interior of the cove. The images are glimpsed through between two boulders, obviously Siberian's hiding place. Towards the back of the cove, four figures stand around a stone table, round and smoothened, within a circle of candles. On the stone table are a large clay bowl and a strangely designed knife resting across it. The Three Elders wear robes of white and Takatori wear a robe of red.

I look closer, trying to make out what they are doing.

The ritual they are performing is vaguely familiar and oddly ancient. I don't recognize a single aspect of the ritual, though something about it nags at me. What kind of pact ritual requires a clay bowl instead of the usual wooden or metal bowl? I watch closely as blood was collected from all parties in the bowl. Takatori spears a tightly rolled-up paper of some kind with the knife and holds it above the clay bowl, all four of them chanting in unison.

Flames suddenly flares up within the clay bowl, licking hungrily at the rolled-up paper. Swiftly, Takatori plunges the paper into the clay bowl and the flames extinguish at once. When he lifts the knife again, the paper is whole and dripping in blood, which evaporate quickly.

Having seen all I need to see, I end the memory-scry and straighten. Ken removes his fingers from the water, breaking the contact and looks at me expectedly.

"Well?"

"It's a blood pact of some kind."

"Blood pact?"

"Yeah, a contract sealed with the blood of the people involved, binding them to the agreement. A blood pact is only done when the agreement involves power or when the parties do not trust each other. In this case, I say both. If any of the parties try to break the pact, he will die an agonizing death and his soul eaten by whatever spirit or demon they have invoked to witness the pact."

"And the 'some kind' part means?"

"I don't recognize the Discipline used to make the blood pact," I admit. "It's not the Dark Arts, not Japanese Discipline either. I don't know what it is."

"Okay. So can we steal the pact?"

"I really wouldn't recommend it. Blood pacts are normally guarded. I do not want to get killed by a demon or a vicious spirit. And we do not know who keeps the blood pact. It can be with Takatori or with the Three Elders."

"But we have to know what they are up to."

"It's too dangerous, not worth the risks. Beside, we still have the information we stole last night," I remind him. "To be honest, I won't even try for the blood pact until I know exactly what I'm up against."

Siberian sighed glumly. "I guess you are right."

I empty the basin and hand it back to him. "We've been here long enough. Better go before they start to suspect."

"Yeah. Take care." With the basin in hand, Ken vanishes into the foliage.

I slowly walk back to the mansion and the merry-making, not exactly looking where I am going. I didn't say much to Ken but I'm actually pretty worried about the alien Discipline used to make the blood pact.

Every Techno-Mage is trained in one Discipline that best suits him. Usually it is the predominant Discipline in his own country or culture. There are some who use two Disciplines but very rarely. Every Discipline has different methods and ideologies; most of the Disciplines conflict with each other. Takatori practices the Japanese Discipline but what he did last night was clearly not Japanese. There's something familiar about that ritual though, something that speaks to my mage talent. But what the hell is it?

"Out for a stroll?"

My gaze jerk up, freezing in my path when I see Schuldich before me, a hand on his hip and a smirk on his lips. At once I double the strength of my mental shields.

Schuldich waves a finger, making a 'tsking' sound. "Really, that's very rude of you."

"And it is not rude of you to go traipsing in other people's minds uninvited?"

"I'm a telepath. It's in my nature."

"I've seen telepaths with better manners. What do you want?"

"Oh nothing," he replies airily. "I'm just out for a stroll myself."

I don't believe him.

"Well, enjoy your stroll then. On your own." I turn to leave in the opposite direction.

In a flash he is before me, moving faster than the eye can see. Startled, I take a step back, eyes narrowed as he leans close. There is something in his eyes that reminds me of a cat playing with its prey before eating.

"I know what you're up to," he sings softly.

I tense, instinctively gathering magic to myself. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Schuldich laughs, a mocking sound that grates on my nerves. "Still want to play, don't you? We'll see just how long you can play."

He walks away and I stand there on the path for a long moment, trying to soothe my shaken nerves. One thought keeps repeating itself over and over again in my mind. He knows…he knows about my false cover and what he knows, the rest of Schwartz will know. And what Schwartz knows, the Three Elders will know. Which means Takatori will know too.

"Shit," I swear softly. I take a deep breath and exhale, calming my thoughts.

I can't panic now. Now is not the time to panic.

Besides, Schuldich hasn't say anything definite that he knows about Weiss' mission. For all I know, he is just simply trying to spook me into making a mistake.

Well, Yohji Kudoh will not let him win.