Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ The Lives We Lead ❯ House of Dark mystery ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13 Weiß

 

The members of Weiß walked up the steps of the great dark building that stretched into the sky like a horrific black castle. Aya reached out to knock when Youji grabbed his hand, “Wait!”

Aya gripped his Katana, ready for any danger, “What?”

“Well, lets see if she knows we're here. Since she's a pre-cog and all.”

To get things moving the Abyssinian explained, “She won't foresee me knocking if I don't knock.” He reached out and rapped on the large oak door. With a creak and whine the door slid open.

Ken marched right in, Aya waited, sneering, “Idiot, there could have been a trap.” After waiting he went in as well. Youji followed as well as Arashi. Omi spent at least a minute at the door wiping off his shoes though.

Inside the house was filled with glass and mirrors, it made the entire place look much larger, and because it was already a considerable size, it came off appearing magnanimous.

(In the picture: Omi is obviously flexible… to a questionable point… sure, great catch for Nagi, but we're still confused.)

A crack of thunder sounded outside and Omi jumped, slipping on the smooth granite floor because of his rain soaked sneakers. When the boy got back onto his feet he searched the dimly lit room but couldn't see anyone.

He dug his fingers into his dark jacket and slowly started making his way through the mansion, quivering from the cold and the lightening.

~*~

Aya wandered through the mansion, assuming the others were following him. After a long period of silence he flicked his gaze back over his shoulder to insure they were still there.

All he saw was his own reflection in a wall of mirrors. He slowly made his way towards the wall, a confused look on his face, when his fingers reached out to touch one, the entire wall spun, leaving him in a room filled with television screens.

On each of them was a different view of the same house, his. His eyes widened as he stared at the home, still in tact. The American of Schwarz's face came on one of the screens, it explained, “The Mastermind and Berserker have already infiltrated the home. Its only a matter of time until the Fujimiya children see their dead parents and confront the members of Schwarz.”

A voice that could only be the late Reiji Takitori grated through a speaker or communicator, “Good work Crawford-san. This is one of your most brilliant ideas yet.”

Nagi's voice corrected, “Not yet. It's just a theory. We'll see what makes him tick. And if everything works out according to plan, you'll have another strong assassin on your side.”

Takatori asked, “And if it doesn't work out?”

Crawford chuckled, “It doesn't matter to us any. At least this `guinea pig' didn't cost us anything.”

Schuldig's voice came over a communicator, “Any rules before we begin?”

Crawford replied, “Do whatever the hell you want. They're just an experiment, us playing God or whatever you will. Just don't kill either one. And don't leave the boy handicapped.”

Farfarello's voice questioned, “Anything?” the voice dripped with malice and sick sadism.

Crawford chuckled, “I don't care if you rape her with your swords or tear her limbs and face off. Just don't kill her, the boy needs some pathetic sense of motivation.”

Farfarello cackled, “God will cry when I slaughter his lamb.”

The assassin turned to see a wall of screens from inside the house. (In this description I'm using the kid's real names. Aya's name was originally Ran. And his little sister is Aya.)

The red headed boy ran into the room, he screamed, “Okassan! Otoussan!” he ran over to them and started to shake them.

Farfarello's eye gleamed in the background and he watched the blood dripping from the dead parents. Schuldig chuckled, “You must be Ran Fujimiya.”

Ran glared, “I'll kill you for this!” He charged the young, 19ish Schuldig with raised fists. The German easily grabbed his hand right out of the air. The slightly older man smirked then slowly bent back each of Ran's fingers till they snapped back with a sickening crunch.

In the back of the screen, Aya gasped and ran for the doorway, she was soon followed by Farfarello, moving quickly and quietly. The assassin dropped his sword and felt sick but couldn't stop watching.

Behind him Aya heard Schuldig's voice, he turned to see more screens, in these, however, he lay unconscious in a hospital bed. Schuldig turned the frequency on a radio on the table. Crawford's voice came through, “You've found him, yes?”

“Ja. He's right here.”

“Good, now erase his memory and replace it. Make him think its all Takatori's fault.”

Schuldig grinned, “Sabotage is what I do best.” He put out his hand and placed it on Ran's forehead. “And with his hatred for Takatori, the man will die, and we'll be relinquished of his hold.”

~*~

In some other part of the building Crawford wandered through the dark corridors. Schuldig and Nagi had already gotten separated from the group long ago. He insured he stayed close to Mal, so as not to get separated from her in the darkness.

When a near by strike of lightening erupted, Crawford took the chance to glance over and see how Mal was doing, what he saw was a ghostly white being, with straight white hair flowing behind it and flawless white features. The only contrasts in all the white were the black eyes and blood stained teeth.

Crawford instantly jumped back and stared, the figure disappeared as the light of the lightening went away. He readjusted his glasses and stepped forward with an outstretched hand, it touched the smooth surface of dark granite walls.

With dismay and a tinge of fear, he realized that the figure he'd felt his arm brush against wasn't Mal, just the wall. It meant that Malvagita and the others had been separated for him some time ago.

~*~

“Jei~”

Farfarello paused, just for a second, then he kept walking deciding he wanted to blame it on the wind and lightening.

“Jei~” the voice drifted down the hall like an unearthly echo. Farfarello growled but continued to walk, “Jei~ help me!”

Farfarello yelled, “Get away!”

“Jei~ how can you say that to your sister.”

“Your not my sister.”

“Why do you say that Jei? I still love you, even though you killed me, I still love you, like a brother.” Farfarello refused to pay any attention to the voice. Instead he kept walking down the corridor at a brisk pace.

A deep, abrasive voice resonated from behind him, “Murrrrrdurrrrerrrrrr.”

Farfarello looked over his shoulder with a widened eye. His sister, with mottled gray skin and dried black blood, stood in the hallway. She wore a wicked grin which contrasted with the youthful voice, “Jei~” beneath it was the deep, satanic voice.

She stepped forward slowly, reaching out her hand, “Jei~ come to me.”

Farfarello pulled out his swords; “I will kill you where you stand!”

“You can't kill me brother. You already have. You killed me Jei, you are a murderer.” She spoke, the dark voice still dripping beneath hers. He attacked, sinking the long blade into the ghostly figures chest; he pulled the sword down, shredding the body.

The girl put her hands together, “Let us pray! Pray for forgiveness Jei. You have sinned in the eyes of our father in heaven. Pray with me Jei~” the figure crumbled to dust but her voice and the deep voice underlying it chanted, “Our Father,
who art in Heaven,”

“Stop this.” Farfarello growled.

“Hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done…”

“Damn it! Stop this! Now!” Farfarello demanded, dropping one of his swords to hold his head.

The voice continued, ignoring his screams, “On earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,” Farfarello slashed madly at obscure images of her as she appeared momentarily in the light provided by flashes of lightening before fading away.

“Stop this! Leave me alone! Leave me and don't return! You aren't my sister!” Farfarello screamed as he continued attacks.

One of the figures reached out and cupped his face in her hands and spoke, “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Farfarello fought to get away, but her hold remained strong, only the deep voice escalating in volume, “Lead us to temptation. Deliver us to evil. Amen.”

~*~

Ken found himself watching a small screen; he recognized the date as the day he fell from fame as a pro soccer player. Kase was standing in the locker rooms putting on his jersey when the Mastermind came in.

Kase appeared to be startled, Schuldig spoke and as he continued, Kase's uneasy features grew. Schuldig held out a bottle, Ken recognized it as the bottle he usually drank from. He held it out to Kase and the boy slapped it away, angrily yelling out, “… poison? Was that the poisoned bottle?” Ken asked himself.

The boy's eyes widened, “That's where he got the poison? Damn it Kase! You got a friggen assassin to bring you poison for me?”

As he watched and studied the video he noticed Kase kept refusing the bottle. Eventually the Mastermind threw back his head in laughter and held out his hand. Kase's hand shot up and he held his head and shook it but eventually, with a horrified look on his face, he took the bottle.

Ken gasped, “Mind control? Oh God! Kase never meant to poison me, that damned German did it!” he looked horrified, “Oh God… what have I done? I killed my best friend. And… he didn't even do it. I bet all those things he said, and when he shot at me… he was being controlled.”

He fell to his knees and put his head in his hands, “Oh Kase, why didn't I see it? I'm so sorry…” he lifted his head and made the claws of his glove protrude, “You're death will not go un-avenged Kase. I will kill every one on Schwarz!”

~*~

Omi was trying to find his way to where ever everyone else had gone, but found himself getting more and more lost every moment. Down a hallway he suddenly say Nagi appear.

Overwhelmed with joy, he was about to call out to his friend when the tall American leader of the group stepped up to the boy. The tall man asked in his brisk voice, “Are they here?”

Nagi nodded, “Yes, they've gotten themselves lost and have been wandering around since about an hour ago.”

The Prophet asked, “Do you know where they are?”

The young Japanese boy nodded, “I know where Bombay is, I have an idea anyways, I've been watching him closely like you ordered.”

“Good, I want you to kill him.”

Nagi bowed, “It will be my pleasure.”

The American turned and walked down the hall he came out of, and Nagi disappeared back into the corridor he came from.

Omi stared in shock; he couldn't believe what he'd just watched. Nagi wanted to kill him?

~*~

Chikaru and Malvagita were also wandering around some part of the house. Malvagita glanced back at Chikaru, the girls true height could hardly be seen given the way she cowered and trembled or how she presented herself so meekly.

Malvagita sighed and leaned against the railing of a great banister and looked out a magnanimous stained glass window. Chikaru whispered, “Is there something wrong Padrone?”

“Aside from us being completely lost? I can't believe I came, Crawford said it was a bad idea, I should have stayed home.” Mal groaned, as the blonde stayed completely still, not sure how to react. The Italian spelled it out, “Its okay my pet, I'll tell you if I need anything.”

The young blonde was still unsure, and still wore a pensive look, watching her master's face. The woman sighed and smiled somewhat reassuringly. Chikaru smiled as well and was once again at ease.

(BTW: I know I made a bad picture, this is just… kinda what she looks like.)

~*~

Schuldig found himself staring in a mirror, utterly bored. He'd decided a while ago that if he stayed in

one place meant that someone would come across him sooner or later… however, the only person that had walked by him within the last half hour was Ken, the boy who was particularly boring and incredibly unfun to tease.

The German got up and decided he'd go find someone he wanted to talk to, or rather terrorize. Instantly the young blonde came to mind, a wicked grin spread across his face and he left to go in search of Chikaru.

~*~

Farfarello was stumbling down hallways, slashing at anything in his way. At the moment, he could hardly focus on a thing, but every figure around him was a target that seemed to be crying out to him with his sister's voice.

He stumbled out into a much larger room where the sound of his sister's voice reciting the Hail Mary was only amplified. The Irish man knelt for a moment to hold his head as the sound of church bells rang through the room.

Suddenly, a figure appeared before him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He growled and lunged forward with his knife. The person shouted at him as they jumped back. Still in a haze of fury with the voice and noise surrounding him, Farfarello lunged again with his knife.

~*~

“Padrone!” Chikaru cried out as Farfarello continued to attack her.

Malvagita watched through her exposed eye in shock as the man continually attacked that which he had held dear for almost the past year.

Chikaru continued to dodge the attacks, calling out to him, “Farfarello! What are you doing! Stop this, please. Why do you want to hurt me?”

Mal pulled herself together and commanded, “Chikaru, stop him. He's irrational!”

The lithe blonde dodged another attack, looking over her shoulder at her master. She returned her gaze to the white haired assassin before her and wrapped her arms around him.

He came to a dead stop and began to tremble before growling. That was the only warning before he flung her off him, screaming in Gaelic. He raised his sword once more and aimed to stab her.

Mal yelled, “Chikaru! Use your power!”

She looked over her shoulder and replied, “I tried. He has nothing I can take.”

~*~

Farfarello stabbed at the figure again, it stepped away and reached a hand out towards him. He practically hissed, determined to not let his `sister' get a hold on him again.

The Irish man clawed at the hand, which quickly moved. He then averted his attention from the hand to her arm.

He lunged forward, reaching out a groping hand for the figure's arm. Once he latched onto it, he pulled the person closer in a quick and harsh movement. His `sister' struggled, unable to get very far considering how close she was.

Farfarello noticed the other hand rising, but was slightly surprised when instead of it latching onto him, it punched him. He definitely hadn't expected that, but it didn't stop him in his plans.

He gripped his blade, the tip hardly extended; he gripped it and aimed for the figure's stomach. Farfarello extended the knife on impact, recognizing the familiar `smack, pop' sound that a knife sinking into skin made.

Blood spilled into the air, following the movement of his weapon. Warm blood seeped down the blade from the stomach, dripping over the handle and onto his hand. He licked his lips reflexively noticing the blood on them.

He paused, his maniacal grin slowly disappearing. He started blocking out the voice of his sister and the chime of church bells; the haze that clouded his vision seemed to lift.

Farfarello realized that the blood was warm and sweeter than the dry coppery blood of a corpse. He slowly turned his head to look at the girl beside him, “Ch- Chikaru.”

Before he could explain himself a cold and needle like feeling spread into his mind. It pricked up his spine in harsh spikes, he felt it ghost over the front of his mind before it went cold and numb.

He was able to register parts of his mind going numb, one by one, before his sight left, then his hearing, then all was gone. Chikaru was trembling, slightly leaning over due to the long sharp pole sticking through her stomach.

Farfarello started falling forward, and Chikaru found herself unable to support him. She fell on her back, arching violently due to the blade running through her, Farfarello landed on top of her.

Chikaru, gasping painfully for air, rolled the Irish man off her. She craned back her head and pursed her brows together as she tried to relax as much as she could, he back sliding down the shaft to the ground as the blood streaked blade slowly slid out.

It finally fell to the ground and Chikaru sat up. Arashi was standing before her, a hand outstretched, fingers flexing, “Well? What do you think of my new attack?”

Chikaru flicked her gaze towards the unconscious man next to her, “You did that?”

Arashi laughed, “Of course I did. You just hugged him then punched him once, what did you expect that to do?” she grinned and her eyes narrowed, “I can take down any one of Schwarz in one hit. What do you have to say to that?”

“I'd say that I'm still exempt from being affected by any of your attacks.” Stated Schuldig as he walked in with a smug grin.

The Japanese woman glared at him, “Perhaps so. But after all of your team is subdued, you'll hardly be a match for the combined forces of everyone on Weiß. “

“Don't flatter yourself.” Schuldig smirked, “Besides, you're still new to this power. You don't have the power to subdue more that two of us at a time.”

Malvagita glanced at Schuldig and asked, “Why can't she attack you with her power?”

Schuldig answered, keeping an eye on his opponent, “It only makes sense, my powers are what made her power what it is now, so I can suppress it.”

Chikaru pushed herself up to her feet, stumbling slightly, she glared at Arashi and stated in a soft but firm voice, “Leave.”

Arashi stared back with an equally fierce glare, “Not until every one of you is dead.” She raised her line of vision to Malvagita, “Especially you Malvagita.”

Malvagita's eyes widened and she stepped back, a small attempt to avoid Arashi's reach. Chikaru stepped in between their line of view of each other and stated, “No.” she raised her fists, “I'm not going to let you kill anyone.”

“How can you protect this… this… this evil thing? After everything she's done? To you and me?” Arashi demanded.

“What are you talking about?” asked Chikaru, still not letting her guard down.

“You don't even remember what they did. Its because Schuldig brain washed both me and you!” The raven-haired girl accused.

Schuldig pursed his brows, “Brain washed? Where the hell did you get that idea? Why would I brain wash any of you?”

Arashi flicked her glare towards him, “Don't play innocent you bastard! You're as guilty as can be.” She straightened slightly, “I saw it on a document, someone must have stupidly recorded the entire event.”

The man looked confused, “Video?”

“Didn't think I'd ever end up seeing it did you?” Arashi snapped.

“I'm afraid you're mistaken, see, I never brainwashed anybody.” Schuldig explained.

Arashi sneered something under her breath then stomped on a piece of debris from Farfarello's rampage, sending it into her hand.

Chikaru reached out and touched Schuldig's hand, he looked down at her. Chikaru slid her hand into his own, squeezing his palm slightly before saying, “Please, go help Padrone.”

Schuldig shook his head, “I'm going to stay here and fight off this kitten.” He looked at her stomach, “Besides, your injured.”

Chikaru growled, “Its nothing!” as she let go of his hand to catch the large pipe heading towards her. Schuldig looked up at Mal who appeared to be especially vulnerable up on the landing by herself.

Arashi growled, “I will kill that woman, even if I have to go through you to do it.”

Chikaru practically threw herself at her opponent, having to jump to the side quickly as the other slammed down her sickle into the ground.

Schuldig and Malvagita both watched, unable to tear themselves away from the fight as blood continued to spill from the younger blonde's stomach.

The German suddenly whispered, “I can't hear anyone's thoughts. I would have told you telepathically, but I can't send anything.”

Malvagita nodded, “Of course you can't. Chikaru stole it from you temporarily, so that she'd be safe from the affects of Arashi's darkness spell.”

At that moment Aya ran into the room, apparently having heard what Mal had said, “Luna! Don't get near her! She'll steal your power!” (Wow, any idea how long its' been since I used Arashi's code name? 10 chapters I believe. Do any of you even remember Chikaru's code name?)

Arashi grunted, holding off the blonde, “No, she can't handle it. Isn't that right Chikaru? All you can do is suppress it, huh.”

At that moment Ken and Nagi entered the rooms on opposite sides. Ken gasped then ran forward with his clawed glove raised. Chikaru jumped back from him and turned towards Arashi, “This battle is between you and me alone.”

With that, she jumped up, landing on the thin decorative railing around the columns. Arashi jumped up as well, on another column, then jumped towards her. In the air, jumping and leaping from place to place, the two dueled.

On the floor, Crawford now fought Aya, as always. Ken and Nagi fought each other while Schuldig tried to get Farfarello to wake up. Malvagita found herself standing alone on the balcony inside, watching the fighting before her.

The mass that was Chikaru and Arashi fell from the roof onto the ground where they continued fighting without the distraction of their teammates, who were occupied in their own battles.

The two girls were well matched, every time Arashi leapt towards Mal, Chikaru pulled her back and the fight continued. Malvagita finally pulled out her gun and aimed at the two quarreling figures.

She was breathing heavily, nervous sweat appearing on her forehead. She stepped back a little, trying to get further away from the girl dead set on killing her. She cocked her gun and had to close her eyes.

The two were fighting intensely, continually rolling over each other; it would be impossible to aim for either considering how they were rolling around. So she stared wide-eyed and fired three bullets.

Chikaru's back suddenly arched and the room went still. Her arms trembled, and she looked down. There were three large round red blood marks that dripped. The large bullets had apparently ripped through her body, leaving great damage in their wake before shallowly embedding themselves into Arashi.

Arashi groaned in pain and Chikaru rolled off, laying flat on her back with her eyes closed, bringing a hand up to touch the bleeding holes.

There was a shocked silence for some time before Aya ran across the room and took Arashi into his arms. He had tears threatening to fall as he looked at the shallow bullet wounds. The assassin lifted her into his arms and ran from the room.

Almost as soon as he left, the building quivered and pieces of dirt fell from the ceiling. There was the sound of breaking objects in several rooms, and in that room, some statues fell. Quickly, the other members of Weiß ran from the room.

Schuldig turned away from Farfarello, who was slowly regaining consciousness. He ran over to the young blonde and put a hand on her shoulder and shook her slightly, begging for a response.

The girl opened her crystal eyes and blinked slowly, she lifted a hand slightly so he gathered her into his arms, holding her close. She turned her head slowly towards Malvagita and whispered in a weak voice, “I'm sorry.”

Malvagita came to her side and asked, “For what my pet?”

“I can't protect you any more.”

The Italian women brushed her fingers over the girls hair, “Don't say that. You're going to live; Nagi is going to help you.” She said in an assuring voice, though she was very sure of the outcome of this.

Chikaru weakly shook her head, “I know I'm dieing. I can feel it.” She opened her eyes after a moment, “I didn't mean to die. I'm sorry.” And then she closed her eyes, with a soft smile on her face.

Malvagita was quiet for a moment; she dropped her head down and made a cross over her chest. She reached for Chikaru's neck and removed the collar there, as if in a way, allowing Chikaru to be free.

Schuldig ran forward to pick the girl up as she fell out of Mal's arms. He shook her slightly and whispered, “Chikaru, come on, wake up.”

There was no response, he closed his eyes and lay his warm cheek against her forehead, “Come on liebechen. Smile for me.”

There was still no response and his chin almost seemed to quiver, he kissed her lips, hoping she'd smile like she always did in her sleep.

Malvagita stated, “She's gone.”

Schuldig tried to pull the body a little closer to his chest, it was a reflexive move that had little purpose, but it looked as though he felt, if he pulled the body close enough, he could bring it back to life with his own beating heart.

Crawford looked up, “This building is going to crumble in less than two minutes. We need to get out right now.”

It appeared that no one had heard him. Nagi was completely quiet, as was Farfarello, though the older man was watching the scene in front of him with a wide eye.

Schuldig looked down at Chikaru again, trying to catch any though that could possibly come from her, but there was nothing. He shook his head, not ready to accept it. Crawford stated again, “We need to get out right now!”

(Please excuse the fact that Chikaru is no longer wearing what she was before. I made this long before I had this chapter planned so precisely… and she has ears and a tail, because I simply couldn't resist… but the ears are like… mechanical communicator things, so now, she just has a tail. Sorry the gradations are so poor, but there's a better version of it, if I sent it through e-mail.)

~*~

Aya was running down the narrow corridors of the mansion as quickly as he could, holding Arashi in his arms, her face was drawn into a look of pain.

“Its okay, don't worry, you'll be alright. I'm going to get you to the nearest hospital and I dare someone to try and get in my way.”

Arashi briefly took in the image of Aya attacking a nurse that was saying the rooms were full. She took in a deep breath, which instantly made her gasp in pain.

“What's wrong?” Aya demanded.

“Nothing Aya, I just-”

“Don't talk.” Aya demanded in a surprisingly soft voice.

There were yelling behind them, Aya recognized it as the rest of Weiß. Arashi groaned, “You might want to wait up for them.”

Aya chastised, “Don't talk, save your energy.”

Arashi pulled at his clothes, “But Aya, I-”

Aya lifted her head a little more and leaned down to kiss her deeply, effectively silencing her.

~*~

Schuldig moved to lift up Chikaru; Mal stopped him, “Don't.”

The German looked up at her, “I have to get her out of the building.”

Mal shook her head, “Don't touch her.” Schuldig seemed to be contemplating this, Mal snapped, “Its an order! Leave her where she is, its bad luck for them to touch a dead person.”

Schuldig looked down at the girl in his arms, “I can't leave her here.”

Crawford came by and grabbed his arm; “Get out now unless you want to be buried alive. She's dead, so don't move her.”

Nagi helped up the Irish man who didn't have the strength to make his way over to the blonde, but he was trying. The young Japanese boy led him down the hallway.

Schuldig was practically being slid down the hallway, heels first as he refused to leave Chikaru behind. Once they reached the front doors, the building began to crumble; they had just enough time to make it out of the building.

When the building collapsed Schuldig fell to the ground, staring at the crumbling building with a hopeless expression on his face. He tried to put a sentence together, “I… I…” the moment of stress finally resulted in him being unable to even speak in English at the moment, “Ich… sie ist… sie wird gegangen. Dieses kann nicht sein. Sie kann nicht gegangen werden. Sie ist...” ran his fingers through his hair, fisting them into balls and staring at the building horrified, “Nein! Sie kann nicht sein! Dieses ist nicht recht! Dieses ist, nicht wie es geschehen sollte! Nein! Gott! Dieses ist eine Nachtstute! Stoppen Sie es allen jetzt!”

Translated: (I… she is…she's gone. This cannot be. She can't be gone. She's... No! She can't be! This isn't right! This isn't how it was supposed to happen! No! God! This is a nightmare! Stop it all now!)

~*~

Youji stumbled away from the wreckage. He looked down at the body he'd found and sneered, “Figures those ass holes would leave one of their own behind.” He checked again to make sure there wasn't any glass sticking out of him from the window he jumped through.

He sighed, examining the young girls body once more. He felt a pang of sadness that such an obviously young girl was apparently shot and killed by one of the few people with guns on Schwarz.

Making his way across the damp fields, Youji found a nice little garden behind where the mansion once stood. He looked both ways and stumbled into it, though everything dripped with fresh rain, and the flowers seemed to be untended to, it still held a quiet yet untamed sense of beauty.

Gently, the blonde lay down the young girl on a relatively dry stone bench. He propped her to the side, so she almost sat up, leaning softly on an overhanging ivy fence.

He looked at the dead body, and almost felt sick to his stomach for moving it around so much, treating it like a doll and laying it on a bench in a garden, treating it like it was alive. After studying it more, he decided the body actually looked pretty good there, and in exception to the pale skin and the redness on the front of her shirt, she looked very peaceful, like someone taking a nap in their garden.

Almost unconsciously, he smiled at the young girl, half expecting her to suddenly smile back at him, with her soft and amused smile, as always.

But she didn't, she remained utterly still, a fat drop of rain dripping through the ivy and landing on her cheek.

~*~

Crawford remained mostly silent, deciding in this awkward moment of… emotion, to remain silent. He knew he was sad, and he was angry and wanted to shoot something, but he wasn't about to let go of his control, so instead he remained motionless.

Nagi stated, “I hear sirens.”

Everyone was quiet, watching the fallen tower, so the Japanese boy offered, “I think we should go now.”

The silence remained; Schuldig probably didn't even hear the kid over his cries of denial. Nagi stated louder, “We have to go, or else the police are going to start talking to us and get in our way.”

Schuldig waved to them, “Go on, I need to stay here.”

Crawford grumbled and was about to start yelling orders, orders that the German would probably ignore, when Farfarello stepped forward.

The Irish man wrapped his arm around the slightly older man's bicep and pulled him up, “Stop being like that, we have to go.”

Schuldig fisted his hands and slapped his co-worker's hand away, “Get the hell away from me you inconsiderate ass!” he stepped back to gain himself some space, “Chikaru has just died right before my eyes! One of the few people to make me feel happy for more than 5 minutes at a time since…” he paused, breathing heavy, “since too long ago.”

Farfarello glared, “You're calling me inconsiderate?” he stepped forward and punched the other in the jaw, “Me? What about you? You act like you're the only one who cared for her! She was a part of all our lives!”

The German threw a punch back, “You have no idea what I'm feeling! How much she meant to me! You beast, you don't even know what I felt for her!”

The Irish man tackled the other to the ground, “How can you be so one sided? You aren't even observant enough to see how much I cared for her? You couldn't have possibly loved her, you lack feeling you cold hearted monster, you only lust!”

“Take that back you bastard!” the red head yelled, attacking the younger man violently.

The younger one continued, malice dripping from his voice, “You couldn't possibly know what I feel!”

“I know exactly what you feel.” The German stated, his eyes glowing white for a moment.

Farfarello sneered, and ground out just loud enough for the other to hear, “But you don't understand any of it.”

The two remained there for a moment, with a strong hold on each other, covered in mud and grass stains, breathing heavily. As trivial as their fighting may be, at the moment, it was their only way to stave off the stab of pain to their hearts from the death of Chikaru.

~*~

 

Here's a lullaby to close your eyes.

Goodbye.

It was always you that I despised.

 

I don't feel enough for you to cry.

Oh, well.

Here's a lullaby to close your eyes.

Goodbye.

 

you lie, silent there before me

your tears, they mean nothing to me

 

You will not hear me say 'I'm sorry'.

~*~

I have fanfics from other Anime, if you think I should post ANY of my fanfics from Wolfs Rain, Yu Yu Hakusho, Loveless, etc, then tell me at Chikaru-chan@socal.rr.com

Thankyou!

BTW: to check out the picture of Farfarello holding Chikaru as she dies, check out the fanart section (here at Mediaminer, duh!)

It's titled Loveles…Breathless