Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ To Those About To Die ❯ Chapter 16 - Descent ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter Sixteen - Descent

 

The three of us sat in the common room of our suite, waiting for a call that likely would not come. We were there as a show of power in the pissing match between Epitaph and Project: Toudou, nothing more. But I refused to allow the aggravation this caused to renew my headache.

 

Talk turned from our current assignment to the difficulty of the language, and then once more to Schwarz. The Girl snorted derisively as she pointed out, “We have been taken off the hunt to sit here and rot, while Esset wastes time and money on the whole damn thing! This is ridiculous!”

 

“Not like you're ready if they walked in that door,” Kiko growled, picking a little piece of vinyl off the arm of his chair and flinging it across the room.

 

“Oh, I'm ready,” she purred, a cold gleam in her eye. “Problem is, we're here, and they aren't. If I knew where they were, believe me, gentlemen, I would complete our mission with glory.”

 

“Or you'd get smacked in the head, trying to seduce the wrong guy,” Kiko jeered, his mood turning visibly nasty. “Or maybe you'd just fall on your ass and they'd walk right on past without even noticing your sorry self.”

 

“Children,” I grumbled, “not now. We have to maintain a professional demeanor for this assignment. We can go back to infantile name-calling later.”

 

“But Berger,” the Girl snarled, “he's making a big joke of this! True, I don't think we have a chance in hell of ever finding those traitors, but if we did, I at least would be ready for it.”

 

“Would you?” My eyes narrowed as I regarded her more closely. “Do you even remember our plan?”

 

She glared at me, then said, “You want me to take out the telepath, Kiko gets the precog, and that would leave the boy for you.” Something about the way she said it suggested insult, but I chose to ignore it.

 

“That's right. And if the lunatic is with them, we hope to hell he's flammable,” Kiko added.

 

I nodded. “On the off chance that they do put in an appearance, I want it by the drill,” I stated, with a sidelong glare at the Girl. “That means no games, Mädchen. You do your assignment, and leave Naoe to me.”

 

She pouted, but granted me a short nod.

 

“Ooh, that means I get the handsome one,” Kiko chortled. “So sorry, sweetie, you get stuck with the one that don't like women.”

 

“Idiot.” The Girl stormed out of the room, slamming her door behind her.

 

“You just had to say something,” I chided, only slightly meaning it.

 

“I'm sorry, Berger,” Kiko said, trying to stifle his laughter at her reaction. “But you know she won't do it. If they show up, or when we ever do run into them, or whatever, she's going after Nagi.”

 

“I know. And that's what worries me.” Again the dream warning echoed through my head.

 

“Hey, Berger?”

 

Kiko's voice had softened. When I glanced over at him, he tapped his temple. I realized my shields had been up to full while She was in the room. ::Sorry, Kiko. What is it?::

 

::You've got me paranoid, you know that? Maybe it's because of that dream of yours, but I keep wondering, what if they do show up here? I mean, it would be like the ultimate ironic bad luck if they did, right? So why not?::

 

I sighed, and nodded. ::I know what you mean, my friend. If there's a worst possible time for it to happen, if it is to happen at all, that's when it will be.::

 

::So, Berger…:: He looked down, plucked at a stray thread on his sleeve.

 

::What is it, Kiko?:: Worry colored my mental speech, and was matched in his eyes as he looked back up at me.

 

::Berger, if they do… I mean, if we ever find them…:: An unguarded thought crept through - Can't we just go away with them? Kiko didn't seem to notice what his heart had so loudly wished; instead he merely asked, ::What do you want me to do?::

 

“Will you take us with you?” “You know the answer already.”

 

Kiko's words found answer in my dreams, not surprising but enough to make me wish that we had never come to Japan.

 

::I mean, Berger,:: he went on, ::you know what I can do.:: He stared into my eyes as he asked, ::Will you make me do it?::

 

His memories flowed through him, bringing sorrow and pain in their wake before moving on to me. The gift of fire is a terrible thing, and Kiko's gift was stronger than most. Through his eyes, through the eyes of memory, I again saw the startled face of the young man he had first lain with, his expression one of confusion as Kiko lost control of his power and turned his partner's breath to flame with one lethal kiss. Again I wept for my friend, as I had when first I learned of the accident. At least it had been too quick for suffering, and they were only casual friends; the thought of slaying one beloved in such fashion was beyond horrific.

 

I knew what he was asking: if we did encounter Schwarz, should he unleash the full force of his power, or give them a chance? Years ago, I had been given the order to attack the renegades with full prejudice. Years ago, I had seen no other way. But now… :: Kiko, I would not command you to do that if the fate of the world were at stake. Follow your own conscience, it will not betray you.::

 

Tears gleamed on his cheeks as he whispered, “Thank you, Berger. I won't forget this.”

 

The intercom buzzed. A hollow female voice announced, “Team Rosenkreuz, your presence is required.” Our door slid open, and beyond it stood two of Shimojima's students, waiting to escort us to our destination. I glanced at my watch. It was nearly ten at night. Kiko shrugged into his jacket and gestured for me to go first. The Girl joined us with a glare, and the three of us followed the students in silence.