Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ The Lives We Lead ❯ Goose Chase ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10 Weiß

 

Omi walked through the mall, constantly looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was following him. He kept asking himself whom it could have been to ask him to the mall like this, but he continually came up with a blank.

He finally made his way to the arcade, it was open and there was already a crowd of boys and girls playing on the games. He decided to walk in and make his presence known so who ever he was there to see would notice him.

The Japanese blonde continued through the dimly lit room, enjoying the atmosphere, he saw it as the innocent, child's version of a club. What with the loud music, throngs of people, and neon lighting.

“Ohayo Tsukiyono-kun. Came a cool, and stoic voice.

Omi's head shot up. Right ahead of him was the Prodigy, leaning against a DDR machine. Omi gasped and pointed, “You! You were the one?”

Nagi chuckled, “Who else would have `World Prodigy' as an SN?”

Omi shrugged, a bit nervous that his archenemy was standing so casually close, “You can't blame me for not expecting you to IM me though.”

Nagi laughed, “Yes I can. I didn't imagine the Weiß techno-geek would be that dense.”

“Hey! Who are calling `techno-geek', cyber-dork? Ah, forget this, I'm out of here, I have business to tend to.” The flustered boy retaliated.

“Your job was to find me and find out where we're keeping Aya. You've found me, so I wouldn't think it part of your job to walk away.” The brunette responded.

Omi stopped and turned around, “Then where are you keeping Aya?”

Nagi laughed, “Wouldn't you like to know.” He got up onto the DDR platform and smirked, “Play me a game of DDR, if you win, then I'll tell you where he is.”

Omi contemplated inside his mind, `Pretty cocky. He must not think himself likely to loose.' Then he accused, “I'm not challenging you to anything! You're just going to use your powers. A lot of fun it'll be explaining to Persia why I challenged you to DDR.”

“Don't be silly. This is a competition, I'm not going to use my powers for something as minimal as this.” Nagi stared back.

“Then what happens if you win?” Omi asked earnestly.

“You will become my personal slave.” Nagi replied.

“W-What? You're kidding me!” Omi choked out.

“Of course I am. If you I win, then we play another game.” Nagi responded, diverting his attention to the DDR machine.

Omi watched him for a while before nodding, “Fine. I take you up on your offer. But I'll warn you, I'm a pretty good DDR player.”

“Heh, I'm sure you are Tsukiyono-kun. The question is, are you good enough to beat me?” Nagi asked with a slight smirk.

~*~

Farfarello tapped his foot as he sat on the side walk, a police man came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder with his night stick, “Hey, buddy.”

“Tap me with that thing again and I'll turn your brains to pulp with it, got that `buddy'?” he replied, staring out at the congested traffic.

The policeman growled, “Who the hell do you think you are! I could kick your ass for that kind of treatment to an officer of the law! Now move your ass of the sidewalk, pedestrians aren't allowed to be there.”

Farfarello turned his head and glared with his one eye, “Just. Try. And. Make. Me.” He ground out.

The officer took in his appearance and stepped back a little. He reached for his utility belt, probably just out of reflex. Farfarello `hissed' at the man for a reaction, the thin needles from his gums protruding. The policeman gasped and turned to waddle away quickly.

Schuldig joined him soon and made his presence known by nudging his back with his shoe. “Hey, Farfarello. You ditched me back there.”

“Perceptive aren't we?” Farfarello said as he got up and followed Schuldig down the sidewalk.

“Why'd you leave?”

“People were… touching… me.” Farfarello answered quietly.

Schuldig threw his head back and laughed, “That's the point of the those places. How could you leave just at that?”

Farfarello paused before answering, “It was pissing me off. I guess I don't enjoy that… contact, as much as you apparently do.”

Schuldig shrugged, “I'm actually surprised anyone went for you, especially with me there. Kind of like scraping the bottom of the barrel, you know?”

Farfarello's eye narrowed before he swung and hit the German's arm, “You shut the hell up, Bastard!”

The colorful haired man held his arm and grimaced but continued with a smirk, “Jeeze. What's your problem? Not like you care about your appearance.”

Farfarello continued to glare, “Just shut up.” After a pause he asked, “Do you think we're easy enough to spot in this crowd?”

Schuldig laughed, “Of course. I mean, look.” He gestured out towards the rest of Japan. They both paused for a while to stare. Schuldig shivered, “Europe was never like this. Ja?”

Farfarello shook his head, “No. Japan is the world leading industrial freak show.”

Schuldig chuckled as some of the Japanese people thought `Look who's talking'.

~*~

Arashi leaned on a column outside a building unnoticed. She waited, with a glare hid only by her sunglasses.

She gave an irritated sigh before pushing off the granite and walking down the street.

She was pretty sure that Crawford's car would be coming through here soon, considering that it was in the general area of the Esset tower.

Crawford, mean while, was driving with Malvagita in the car. Malvagita groaned, “This is stupid. Do you know how redundant we appear? We kidnap Arashi, we let her go, so we can kidnap Aya. Is there even a point?”

Brad nodded, “Esset had the opportunity to get us Arashi. So we traded her for Aya.”

Malvagita clicked her lighter angrily, “And what can Aya do that Arashi could not?”

“Esset foresaw it. Aya is very work oriented; he'd postpone searching for Arashi for an important assignment. Arashi however, will lead the team on a search for Aya, delaying any missions that get in their way.”

“Or so says Esset.” Malvagita said, showing her dislike for the leaders with her sharp voice.

“With Aya in our possession, she will lead Weiß, and they won't interfere.”

Malvagita chuckled and even smiled a bit when she got the flame to light her cigarette. Crawford suddenly put on his blinker and swung into a tight space on the curb. Mal looked around, “What have we stopped for?”

“Don't look around. She's watching, act like we came to this destination with a purpose, we want her to follow us remember?”

“Who's watching?” Mal asked as she turned her head.

Crawford's hand suddenly found its place cradling the back of her neck, hindering her head from movement. Mal's eyes widened but before she could protest, she was pulled closer to him. His nose nuzzled the hair behind her ear as his warm breath ghosted across her neck, “Play along Mal. She doesn't know we expect to be followed.”

He breathed against her bared neck as he paused. When she made no response he asked, “Understand?” the vibrations of his deep voice rippled over her neck to tingle at her smooth skin.

Mal gave a heavy sigh, “Uh-huh.” Then his hand and mouth were gone. She stared out his open door then growled, “Bastard.” Before getting out her own door.

She glared over at him where he leaned against the car. He grinned at her smugly and removed his glasses before pocketing them. “You know Mal, when you're angry, you get the cutest little vein that pokes out of your forehead. It reminds me of the angry little Italians in the pizza shop back home.”

Mal shot him a deadly glare and when they started walking together she growled, “That's one hell of a mood swing, think of trying the pill? I hear it helps women during their mood swings when they hit medopause.”

He chuckled and ruffled the hair on her head, “Silly little Italian. Get over it, I was using it as a discreet was to give you the news without making her suspect anything.” He put his hand gently on her shoulder, pulling her slightly closer, “Play the part, and we'll get through today just fine.”

Mal glared, “Just because I'm playing the part now doesn't mean I don't plan on killing you later.”

Arashi glared at the couple and leaned into the shadows as they passed. When they were further ahead, she stepped out into the early morning crowds and followed them. She smiled coyly to herself at how they so blindly continued with out a clue she was there.

~*~

Ken stopped and looked around. “Youji, I don't see them. Maybe they're not even in this part of town… Think we should try somewhere else?”

Youji growled, “Great idea Ken. How about not in the middle of the cross walk.”

The dark haired brunette looked over his shoulder to see all the angry business people honking, “Oh, Gomen.” He ran to the side of the street and grinned sheepishly.

“Wrong side of the street, idiot!” Youji yelled over the cars, “Come on! You've done this twice already. This side! And don't stop!”

“Sorry Youji!” Ken yelled back as he started to walk across the street again, “I can't hear you over the cars. You'll have to wait till I get over there.”

Youji groaned, “Whatever, just get over here.”

Ken stopped, “What?” cars began to honk, and the entire thing began again.

In time, Ken finally got across the street. Youji was rubbing his temples, “You know, I'm going to quit this job if I end up being required to hold your hand when ever we cross the street.”

Ken laughed, “Don't be silly. I was just distracted.”

Youji grumbled, “Being distracted should take that many tries.”

Ken suddenly punched Youji in the arm, “Look!”

“Ah! Damn it!” he grabbed his arm and glared at the other boy, “You're too damn violent. I'm right here, you don't have to hit me!”

“Look!” he continued, “It's them!”

Youji growled, “Who?” he looked up and gasped to see the Berserker and Mastermind of Schwarz. He suddenly grabbed Ken's shoulder, “It's them!”

Ken nodded, “Lets follow them.”

Schuldig elbowed the Berserker with a grin. Farfarello glared but moved a little farther away to avoid the `accidental contact' from happening. “Looks like we've picked up some stray cats.” The German announced.

Farfarello asked, “How close?” His gold eye widened in shock when he saw himself and the German about 20 feet ahead. He realized it was one of the kitten's visions, meaning they were 20 feet behind. He blinked his eyes and the vision was gone.

“Still freaks you out? Seeing your self through someone else eyes? It scared me the first time I saw myself that way.”

“Of course.” Farfarello asked, “So what do we do now?”

Schuldig replied casually, “Just keep walking for now. If we make any sudden changes like splitting up, they'll suspect something.”

Farfarello pursed his eyebrows, “Then we just… talk?”

“Not like there's anything wrong with it… hey, you were in the back room for a while. What were you doing with that chick?”

He replied, “I was getting another piercing.”

“Really? I don't see a new one… So…”

Farfarello ended, “That points to the piercing being somewhere you can't see. Obviously.”

“Then… where did you get pierced?”

Farfarello smirked and sent him the image mentally. Schuldig's eyes widened and he replaced his smirk with a frown. Schuldig dug the heels of his hands into his eyes and ground out, “I think we can split up now.”

Farfarello nodded and ducked into an alley.

Youji had an incredibly pensive look on his face, as he responded to the conversation he'd just had with Ken, “So, using the relevant points of this theory, one can trace those facts and… then… oh! So that's the right religion?”

Ken nodded, “Of course. And the proof is infallible.”

Youji agreed, “And the logic, my God Ken, its genius. Oh wait, huh? They're splitting up!”

Ken motioned, “You take the Mastermind, I'll take the Berserker.”

“Call me~.” The dirty blonde winked as he headed off quickly into the crowd.

~*~

Chikaru sat at the low table dealing out cards, “Do you like old maid?”

Aya glared, “No.”

“Do you like hearts?”

“No.”

“Do you like poker?”

“No.”

“Do you like StRiP PoKeR?”

“N-no.”

“Do you like solitaire?”

“No.”

“Do you like go fish?”

“N- what?”

“Go fish?”

“… I love that game.” Aya blinked with a stoic face to see what she'd do.

Chikaru grinned, “That's weird. Do you like crazy eights?”

Aya rolled his eyes, “Sorry, go fish.”

~*~

Youji was soon able to hi-jack a mustang. Schuldig was driving a black cobra, after telling the former driver, “I deserve this car.” Youji didn't have to hear the conversation to know the German used his telepathy to get his way.

They shot down streets and alleyways and through parks, and killed at least 6 members of the Democratic Party.

(Rules of the game: Democrats- 10 points. Pedestrians- 20 points. Lost Children- 50 points. Tourists- 45 points. Fat people- 5 points since they're hard to miss.)

~*~

Omi leaned back on the protective bar, gasping for breath. His score came up “Double A, again.”

Nagi was breathing heavily as well; he unzipped his shirt and tossed it. “Double A, same as you.” He smirked. He looked a lot different in his more casual, and rather nice fitting thin undershirt.

The people all around them yelled and screamed congratulations. Omi sighed, “Another tie. That means we have to do this again.”

Nagi asked almost sympathetically, “You don't like this game?”

Omi put a hand behind his head and laughed, “I love DDR, but we've been playing for almost an hour and we haven't missed a single step on any song. It's kind of making me tired.”

Nagi gave a partial grin, “You're tired now?”

He instantly pushed himself off the bar and stood up straight, “Of course not!”

“Then you're ready for another game?”

Omi gave a smile, “Have the manager turn up the volume and I'm ready.” The crowd cheered their appreciation at the continuation.

The younger Japanese looked pensively at the screen and said to himself, “Wow, you're right, we haven't missed one step yet.”

Omi nodded, “Then lets find a faster song.” Nagi smiled at the enthusiasm and made the machine start another game.

~*~

Arashi followed Crawford and Mal down the street. Crawford paused outside a small restaurant; he said, “Go find a seat, I'm going to use a pay phone to make a call.”

Mal huffed, not particularly fond of escorting herself. Crawford put a hand on her shoulder, she looked back at him. He said in a genuine voice, “If the waiter comes, try not to order me carbon monoxide or sulfuric acid.”

“The temptation will be hard to resist.” She stated.

He sighed, “How unfortunate that I know you aren't joking.” Arashi stepped behind a bush as Crawford turned and walked by. She continued to watch, deciding that they'd probably be having a conference with someone at this restaurant.

The Italian woman sat down at a table and started reading the menu. “Hey sugar.” Said a man as he sat down across the table from her. She stared at him, before continuing down the menu, responding with, “Keep quiet, I'm trying to find the most expensive thing on this menu.”

A waitress was watching, and noticed the man suddenly slid down under the table and Mal was unfazed. The waitress walked up, Mal asked, “Are you here to take my order?”

The waitress answered, “No… Mam? Is he okay?”

Mal asked, “Who?”

“You're partner just slid under the table.” She answered.

“No, he just walked in through the door.” Mal replied. The waitress blinked, then blushed and hurried off. Crawford sat down in the chair where a man had been sitting.

Mal leaned onto the table, “Some cover your pulling off. Leaving your `date' here alone.” Crawford rolled his eyes and put a hand on hers. She asked sarcastically, “Aren't you going to whisper sweet nothings in my ear?”

Crawford growled, “Quiet. Your talking is making it harder for me to pretend I'm here with a beautiful woman.”

Mal sighed, “I love you too you uncouth bucket of sloppy llama spit.”

Crawford made a fake smile, “Oh you beautiful grotesque crock of festering sinus clots.”

The woman's eyes narrowed, silently declaring war, “Your words make me blush! You predictable toilet-full of maggot infested donkey vomit.”

“Oh don't be so modest. You deeply disturbed loaf of recycled vulture gizzards.”

“You know just what to say, you insignificant bowl of revolting sewer seepage.”

“You are the lump of coal in my stockings, you sleazy assortment of fermenting swamp mud.”

Mal continued the charade, “And you are the nauseating bunch of mildewed cow pies in my garden.”

“You are the bane of my existence, you dear sickening accumulation of infected naval lint.”

Mal scoffed, “Oh how clever of you, you malodorous bucket of synthetic cigar butts. Where are the batteries to the new brain you've implanted?”

Crawford replied, “The same place the ventriloquist puts his hand in you, dummy.”

“Agh! Have you just insulted me?”

“No, no dear. That outfit insults you. I merely mock you.”

Malvagita glared, and responded. Arashi groaned and decided this wasn't going anywhere. She turned and snuck off to Crawford's car. The two in the restraunt were so absorbed in their display of affection; they didn't even notice her leaving.

Arashi made her way to the car. She fiddled with the lock for a moment before easily getting it open. She started looking through the glove box and papers when she came to a small address book. She opened it up and looked through the numbers, she finally came to `Home'. She smiled, “Bingo.”

She read the address, “67362… what? That's it?” she cursed, “What street! Kuso!” she looked at the phone number and wondered about calling, she instantly decided that was a bad idea. She stared at the number though; feeling like it could assist her somehow. “The area code!” she smirked maliciously when she found she now knew the general location of the home.

She hot-wired the car and pulled into traffic, took off down the street excitedly and was gone in no time. A few miles north Schuldig was zipping down the street when he noticed Crawford's car.

He waved, assuming he was going to be picked up. The car blasted by him and he realized what had happened. He pulled out his cell and called Crawford.

The American pulled out his phone reluctantly, glaring at Mal he answered, “Moshi, moshi.”

The German yelled into the phone, “Schlampenschlepper. Arashi boosted your car!” he paused and answered Crawford's question, “Boosted you car… you know, boost… your car… she jacked your car… jacked… SHE STOLE YOUR DAMN CAR CRAWFORD!”

Youji saw the car and noticed Arashi, she winked a him. He realized she must have a lead. He floored it, off to find Ken then follow Arashi's communicator signal.

~*~

Crawford pushed back his seat and grabbed Mal, “Come on, we have to go.”

Mal pulled her hand back, “Don't be so pushy! What do you want?”

“Arashi `boosted' my car.”

“She what your car?”

“Boosted.”

“Boosted your what?”

“My car.”

“Boosted your car?”

“She jacked the car.”

“Jacked?”

“She stole the damn car!”

“Shut your mouth! I know that! I couldn't understand why in the hell you were saying `boosted' instead of stole. Jeeze Crawford, don't be so…”

Crawford stared at her, “So what?”

Mal waved her hand as if brushing it off, “Whatever word fits.”

~*~

Arashi swiftly maneuvered the car, eyes searching the area for 67362. He communicator beeped from the seat beside her, she picked it up and answered, “Moshi moshi.”

Youji responded, “Hey, I found Siberian, he was in some alleyway on his ass. I've got a lock on you, what address are you trying to get to.”

“67362. I'm almost there.”

“Do you know who is patrolling the house? If any one, that is.”

Arashi paused then answered, “Well, I saw the Prophet and Malvagita, so they wouldn't be at the home.”

Youji replied, “I saw both the Mastermind and the Berserker. That just leaves the Prodigy.”

Arashi asked, “Have you had any news from Bombay?”

Youji shook his head, then realized she couldn't see him and responded, “No, but if I know him he's working hard. He's probably got the Prodigy right where he wants him.” (Oh, now that's just begging for a crude comment.)

~*~

Farfarello glanced at the mirror on a car and rolled his eye when he saw Ken less than 5 steps back from him. The white haired man was beginning to get incredibly bored. He briefly wondered how many circles he'd walked around the 4 buildings he selected.

He finally turned down a thin alleyway, knowing the ignorant kitten would follow him. When Ken got to the end of the alleyway and was about to take a right into the next opening Farfarello suddenly greeted him.

“Are you stalking me?” he glared.

Ken choked and fell back onto the ground, “N-yes. I mean, no. Uh… Siberian is. I'm Siberian. I'm stalking you. No I'm not. It's my job… To not be here. It's coincidence… That I found you and stalked you…”

Farfarello blinked, calmly waiting for an answer. Ken suddenly cried out, “I'm not Rorouni.”

Farfarello watched with a blank expression. Ken stared for a moment before putting out a hand, “Could you help me up?”

“… I could… but I wont.” With that he turned and jumped up onto a fire escape ladder, pulling himself up the iron bars till he got to a plat form. He made his way up the fire escape before disappearing over the building.

~*~

“Please Nagi-kun. More, more…”

“Just a moment, I'm coming.”

“Faster, please.”

“I can't go any faster Omi-kun.”

“Then push harder. Harder Nagi!”

“I'm coming, quiet, we are in public you know.” Nagi pushed the soda button harder, filling the cup up quickly before bringing it back to Omi. “That's your third cup, you're still thirsty?”

Omi panted, “Yup, still can't catch my breath either.”

Nagi's lips quirked, “Have you considered taking your face out of the drink and breathing like a normal human?”

Omi laughed quietly, not really able to spare the breath. Nagi floated over a hamburger and some greasy French fries while the manager wasn't looking. Omi saw the food and was instantly delighted. He reached forward and picked up one French fry, before nibbling on it cautiously and eventually eating it. “I love French fries!”

Nagi watched with mild amusement, every so often levitating a few French fries to his mouth.

~*~

Schuldig quickly found Brad and Mal. Crawford of course shoved Malvagita into the back and commandeered the front seat for himself. “Get us home, and get us there fast.”

Schuldig laughed, “Die schlampenschlepper! I can't believe you got it stolen out from under you.”

Crawford remained silent. Mal kicked the back of his chair, “What did he say?”

Brad shrugged, “I think he's talking about my car… but that's not the word for car.”

“That's because you didn't have a car, silly American.” The German replied, “You have a schlampenschlepper.” He winked over his shoulder, “It means slut dragger.”

Mal paused for a while before cracking up, “Oh, that's right, Crawford had a very `pimped' car.” (To the Germans, all American cars are pimp cars.)

Malvagita laughed at the plunder of her American `friend', oh, I think I'd suspect I was in heaven if this day got any better.

“And you, of course, fail to see the big picture.” Crawford ground out.

“What would that be?” Mal chuckled.

“That Aya, back in Weiß's hands, spells your death.”

“… Damn it you bastard! Stop driving like a pussy and get us back home!” She began pulling on the German's hair.

~*~

Chikaru pushed more cards towards Aya, which he pushed away. She pushed them towards him again, and he pushed them away.

“Don't make me staple the damn things to you!” there was a pause, then she pushed the cards towards Aya and he allowed it… he tolerated it anyways.

“Good.” She sighed, “Now we can play cards.”

“I do not like to play cards Damn! I do not! Do not! Sam-ai-chan! I will not play them in a boat, I will not even in a moat.”

“Will you play cards neatly filed? Or maybe after we run a mile?”

“I do not like to play cards Damn! I will not play them neatly filed. Or even after running a mile! I will not play cards made of lead. I will not play cards in a bed. I do not like playing cards! Damn! I do not! Do not! Sam-ai-chan!”

“Will you play cards if I say please? Will you play cards if I bring you cheese?”

“I do not like to play cards Damn! I will not play them if you say please. I will not play them if you bring cheese-”

“…What the hell?”

Aya whipped his head around to see Arashi, “Oh thank Kami, I thought I was going to go insane.”

Arashi couldn't help but snicker, “And your songs were the intelligent words of a sane man?”

Aya groaned as he stood up, “I blame her.” He gestured to the blonde waving from the couch. He stood up and headed for the door, grabbing Arashi's hand, “Someone will be here soon.”

“Duh, I can only imagine it would take seconds for the Prophet to notice his car is missing.” Arashi replied, her communicator gave a small beep and she added, “Youji and Ken should be close, in fact, I'm sure they'll be here any moment.”

Aya gave a firm nod, “Good, if Schwarz gets here before we can escape, then we're going to need their help.”

They stepped outside and heard a deep thunderous noise that could only be identified as the ride Youji had decided on. Both assassins sighed and waited as the automobile rounded the corner, with both the Siberian, and the Balinese inside and… an unexpected follower on top.

Farfarello had both of his knives dug shallowly into the roof of the car, he knelt waiting for the destination. Aya's eyes widened, he reached to his side, he realized he didn't have his sword, he cursed under his breath.

“Missing something.” Arashi asked as she slipped his Katana into his hands. She pulled out her sickle and started forward. Youji and Ken's eyes both grew wide and they leapt out of the car.

Arashi ran up the hood and onto the roof, where Farfarello dislodged his knives in time to block the attack and throw her over himself. Arashi flipped over him from well planted feet to her own stomach, but was able to land gracefully.

The Irish man continued his heels over head motion and rolled off the back of the car, facing away from Arashi. Aya seemed to appear suddenly appear over the car, with his sword high over head.

Arashi leapt forward to sever the man's spine with her blade. Farfarello seemed to have his attention on Aya, but clashed weapons with the man and spun him around to face Arashi's wrath.

The Abyssinian ducked beneath the wide swing, pulling Farfarello down. Chikaru came out and was instantly occupied with Youji and Ken.

It didn't take long until another car screeched into the driveway. Schuldig and Crawford simultaneously got out. Crawford put his arms over the roof of the car with a thud. Schuldig looked back and gasped to come face to face with a gun, he ducked and Crawford began to fire at the stolen car Youji and Ken had come in.

Schuldig slinked off to Crawford's car; in order to prevent the Weiß assassins from attempting to take it again while the American immobilized their other car.

Arashi realized this and yelled for everyone to crowd back into the car. Aya slid into the car, quickly followed by the others, he put the car into gear and floored it. He glared at Crawford, telling himself next time he saw that face it would be on a corpse.

“Look out!” Ken yelled.

Aya looked back in front to see that Chikaru had was in the path of the car, ready with a gun. Aya's eyes narrowed, he quickly determined, “This car can take it.” And pressed the gas harder, ready to roll her over.

Farfarello suddenly appeared in front of Chikaru, facing her. Aya caught the movement of him grabbing her wrists and glaring over his shoulder at the on coming `traffic' then the red haired assassin closed his eyes, grimacing, as he sped over them.

Chikaru gasped, as her arms were lifter over her head, instantaneously she felt herself falling backwards, soon pressed between the ground and the body above her. Farfarello pressed against her, placing his head over her shoulder to keep it down, his own shoulder preventing her from sitting up, which was impulse.

The blonde girl noticed the car and tried to bring down her arms, but they were kept above her head, out of the way of tires or other harm. The car passed over her as she squinted her eyes shut.

Farfarello grunted when he pressed hard against her for a moment, then grew still again.

Aya had reopened his eyes; he spun his head over his shoulders to see the white and gold haired assassins on the ground, seemingly uninjured. He growled, disappointed that they weren't dead, but sped off nonetheless.

Crawford slammed his fist against the hood of his car, “Damn it!”

Malvagita got out, “You let them get away? Why? They were in the car damn it! You could have blown their assess to bloody hell!”

Crawford rubbed his temples; “I'm just trying to keep them apart and unable to perform their tasks. I don't want them dead yet.”

The angered Italian crossed her arms, “Why not? You realize they do want to kill me right? Are you going to let them kill me? You bastard!”

“No. I'm not trying to get them to kill you. On the contrary, they're going to kill-” he paused as he looked at Mal's face, and wondered if he should tell her his prediction, telling people did tend to screw up stuff, and this was one future he did not want to lose.

“Kill who?” Mal asked curtly.

“They're going to kill someone who was going to kill you.” He responded, he thought to himself, `Great save Crawford, she doesn't know, not yet anyways.'

`Perhaps, but I do know you're lying~.' The German smirked telepathically.

Crawford shot back, `It is no great ability to know when I'm lying, if you still can't find out what the truth is.'

Schuldig didn't respond, he was walking towards Farfarello and Chikaru. “Hey, you can get off her now.”

Farfarello rotated his head, as he pushed himself to the side weakly, “The gears hit by back.”

The German looked at the Irishman's back and noticed rips in the dark fabric between the shoulder blades, surrounded by a much darker tint in the fabric. “Jeeze, you're bleeding a lot.” He reached forward enough for his fingers to ghost over the back, “It clipped the top of some vertebrate between your shoulder blades. Knowing you, you'll be back to terrorizing God in no time.”

Crawford by this time was at their side; he examined Farfarello's back, “You'll be fine in time. No need to worry yet. Just have Nagi dress your… where the hell is Nagi?”

~*~

Back at the flower shop Aya stretched his hands far over his head, his back popped and he groaned.

“Still tired?” Ken questioned?

Aya stretched again, letting another muscle and bone pop before settling back into the large chair.

Ken replied as though the movement had been a statement, “Well try to snap out of it. Manx or Birman should be coming by with a mission soon.”

Aya stared at him quizzically, “Why? They didn't think I'd be home did they? If that's the case, then their predictions are irritatingly precise.”

“Aya? Is that you?” Manx squealed in a shrill voice. The boys turned to see Manx hobble down the stairs waving around a video, “Oh your back, this is wonderful, now you can participate in the mission too!”

“…I'm overwhelmed with joy.” Aya uttered as he turned around in his seat to face the television.

Youji slid next to Manx and laughed, “Jeeze Aya, I'm depressed, you shot her and she's already on her feet again.”

Manx responded to this by elbowing the blonde in his gut and calling him a bastard.

Omi asked Aya quietly, “How did she get here on her own?”

Arashi answered, “She didn't, Birman came as well. Manx found a way in, but I was successfully able to lock Birman out.”

Aya rested his head on the back of his chair and sighed, “Thank God. I don't think I could stand both of them. Some day there will be an easier way of getting the information to us, not involving them.”

~*~

`Nagi~ where art though oh sweet Nagi~'

`You sound like a pedophile, stop that.'

`Crawford's looking for you. Where have you been all day anyways? There was just a brawl back at the mansion.'

`Crawford is home? Kuso! Are all of you guys home?'

`…'

`Schuldig!'

`What? I'm busy kid.'

`You contacted me first bakayarou! Is everyone home?'

`Ja, ja.'

“Nagi-kun?” Omi asked, “You look upset. What's wrong?”

“Damn it! Why did you tell me you guys were going home? I wasn't planning on you guys getting back first! Crawford's going to tear me a new one! Shit!” Nagi yelled before replying to the telepathic conversation, `Oh don't worry about it. I just remembered something.'

There was an utter silence, in the mental plane as well as in the real world. The German started to snicker, `Who are you talking to? I think you go the messages mixed up.'

Omi stared curiously at Nagi before asking, “What?”

Nagi sweat dropped, now came the awkward situation, “Schuldig, he said something to me, I… said it verbally instead of mentally… gomen.”

Omi shrugged, “I'm sure I'd get confused all the time. I guess it would be comical on some sense if you suddenly yelled out your plans to assassinate right into your victim's face.”

Nagi gave a small smile, “I think I have to go now.”

Omi stood up suddenly, “Wait! You haven't told me where Aya is.”

“You haven't won yet.”

“Neither have you, though.” Omi then smirked, “If you leave now then your breaking our deal.”

Nagi gave a shallow chuckle, “We're keeping him at our residence.”

“I knew that!” Omi objected, “We just don't know where your house is.”

The brunette considered this, “Well, then follow me home, I'm walking the whole way.” He turned and left the arcade, Omi followed about 10 feet back with a scowl. Once they got to the opening of the mall Nagi stated, “You know, considering how obvious it is that your following me, why don't you just walk next to me.”

Omi glared but quickened his pace to be in step with Nagi. Omi huffed, “You know, if you try to trick me or something, that means we're just going to have a rematch tomorrow.”

Nagi sighed, “As it turns out, I'll be busy.”

The blonde was silent for a moment before smiling again, “Okay then. I'll find you.”

“I'm going to be on a mission.” Nagi said more bluntly.

“Well, if you're protecting someone, then you're in need of an assassin to attack that someone. I'll find you.” Omi grinned.

The slightly taller boy gazed at the other for a moment before shaking his head, “I can't believe I'm doing this. I'll tell you where it is, but you better not think about me telling you, or Crawford will find out and-”

“Yeah, yeah. Just tell me.”

“Okay.” Nagi began, he opened his mouth to answer when his eyes widened. Omi watched, waiting for the answer. “Oh shit.”

“What? What's wrong?” Omi questioned.

Nagi demanded, “Fight me!”

“What?”

“Now!”

Slightly jostled by the demand, Omi reached into his pocket when he suddenly felt himself levitating. “Whoa! Nagi-kun! Put me down! What are you doing!” he flew against the wall in the opening of an alley before sliding up.

His sneakers sliding on the scummy bricks, “Nagi-kun! Stop it!” he landed on top of the Japanese style building.

Nagi landed on the roof gracefully, thought they were in plain sight, not hidden by hardly anything, the only way someone would notice them is if they looked up. (Which people do surprisingly rarely.)

Omi scrambled to get to his feet, reflexively armed with his darts, “What are you doing!”

The brunette whispered in a hushed voice, “Fight me, he's coming.”

“Who's coming?”

“He'll hear my thoughts if I say his name.”

“Oh, The Mastermi- ahhh!” Omi was cut off when he had to dodge roof tiles suddenly shooting towards him.

Omi threw his darts, each of them hitting the ceramic tiles and cracking them. The `fight' continued at a less than stressful level until a car beeped.

Both teenagers glanced down to see a red car on the sidewalk, angering the startled people who had been walking there. Nagi said goodbye with a silent wink before jumping off the wooden bar to slide down the sloped roof before landing on the ground. He jumped into Schuldig's car and was off, without even a glance back at the Weiß kitten.

~*~

Youji shed fake tears, “I thought our encounter with the evil French was over! I did not understand anything in that video.”

Ken shook his head, “Me neither. Weird.”

Arashi explained, “It's a ball, tomorrow, we go, and kill as many people as we can… by the way, except for the names, the entire video was in Japanese.”

Aya clarified for the blank faces, “That's your first language, you were raised in Japan…” Did I mention Aya hates his job?

~*~

Crawford massaged his temples; “I could almost thank Nagi for giving me an excuse to rid myself of Schuldig for a while.”

Mal was sipping her wine, feeling like she was wandering around blindly given how she was unable to see her own future, “So… does this set back change anything?”

Brad nodded, “We have to attend the La Boule Des Rêves en Soie on business rather than pleasure.”

Mal translated what she could from the French title, “The something of something is something… what is it?”

The American shrugged, “Some French title, you have to be drunk to understand any of their titles. They're all cracked, I swear it.”

“The Ball of Silk Dreams.”

Both turned to see Farfarello. He continued, “That's what it means. I'm sure they were on an acid trip to think up that one.”

The Italian thought about the title before shrugging, “In my experience, those titles usually make some sense by the end of the party.”

Crawford remained silent; he'd just foreseen his reason for why this title was going to be incredibly fitting.