Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Zerbrechliche Seele (Fragile Soul) ❯ ZERO ( Prologue )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Zerbrechliche Seele
(Fragile Soul)

ZERO

Quietly Aya stepped around the trunk of the huge beech, fingers of one hand almost lovingly trailing over the smooth bark. His auburn hair was ruffled gently by the mid-summer breeze and he unconsciously raised his other hand to push the long strand back that had blown over his eyes. Violet gaze fixed on the girls on the volleyball field, Aya then stood motionlessly, just watching.

Suddenly one of the girls halted in her move after she had glanced over briefly. "Ran-kun!" Long dark brown braids went flying when she whirled around and ran toward Aya. "Ran-kun! You came!"

"Ugh!" Aya staggered back when he was tackled mercilessly and together they tumbled into the grass. Gently pushing the girl off a bit, Aya managed to sit up, holding her at arm's length. A soft smile curved the lips that were usually pressed to a thin line. One long, pale finger traced the girl's cheek in a loving gesture. "Of course I did, I promised," he said and she smiled broadly and hugged him tight.

"I'm so glad. We don't get together enough."

"I agree," Aya replied and his expression turned dark again. "But it can't be helped." Sometimes he cursed the circumstances. But he knew he was right. It couldn't be helped. He had to do his 'job' in order to keep them both going. Aya-chan was just finishing high school and she turned out to be too good to waste her talent on work. She had the potential to win a scholarship and Aya didn't want her to lose this chance just because she didn't have sufficient time for her studies.

"Hey! You wanna play with us? See, Kumiko's brother is in her team. You could be in mine. To even out the chances, you know." She beamed at him, then winked. "Besides... the girls keep asking me about my handsome, mysterious, secretive brother... They're fascinated by you."

Aya stared at her incredulously for a long moment, then he burst out laughing. Calming himself quickly he then shook his head. "Nah.. You go ahead and finish your training. I'll just sit here and watch. And later we go out. How's that?"

His sister pouted adorably, then shrugged. "Fine. But I get to choose the place!"

He opened his mouth to protest and closed it again at Aya-chan's raised eyebrow. "Okay, okay..." he then said in defeat.

A brilliant smile spread on the girl's face. "Great! We're going to the 'Jade Gardens' (as of my definition a very nice, very expensive restaurant J)!" And in a flash she was up and running back to her team mates, leaving her brother sitting open mouthed. He could hear her laughter and muttered something about a spoiled brat, but then he smiled leniently.

Brad stared darkly at the computer screen, hacking wildly on the keyboard. Suddenly his fist crashed down on the desktop. "Fuck!" In that moment the phone rang and Brad shot it a scathing glare. Finally he picked up. "What?!"

"I found one of them." Nagi's voice sounded thin through the telephone line.

Brad leaned back. "Finally. Took you long enough."

"We'd have to move quick though. I'm sure he won't stay long."

"And? Why do you call? You know what to do." He was ready to slam the receiver on the cradle.

"Wait! Brad, wait!"

"WHAT?!"

Nagi audibly swallowed. "I...kinda...stumbled across him..."

"So?"

"I'm not prepared..."

"Oh for Chrissakes!" Brad retorted irritably. "Which one is it anyway? Ah... don't tell me... that red-head... wonderful..." A thin, evil smile crept across his handsome features. "Then we're sure to get them all..." A moment of dwelling on the possibilities, then the hard business expression was back. Quickly he got the youngest Schwarz member's position. "Sit tight. We're coming."

Cross legged Aya sat beneath the canopy of the beech, sun rays scattered by the rustling leaves painting an ever moving pattern of violet shade and golden light on his ivory skin. He was deep in thought while watching his sister and her friends contentedly, otherwise he would have heard that there were leaves rustling behind him although the breeze had died down, he would have smelled the faintest scent of chemicals, he would have sensed the sheer presence of evil making his skin crawl. But he did not.

Suddenly steely fingers closed around his throat, nearly crushing his windpipe. Aya jerked up, hands pulling at the arm as he struggled for air. He tried to wind out of the grip, slamming his elbows back, but more hands grabbed his arms and yanked them back painfully, pressing him back against someone's chest. Desperately the red-head writhed to catch a glimpse on his attackers, but his head was held brutally. Then a cloth lowered over his face and the grip on his throat was loosened. Instinctively Aya gulped for air - and deeply inhaled the chloroform the cloth was soaked with. Inwardly he cursed his stupidity and tried to hold his breath, but it was too late. Slowly a heavy tiredness descended on him, creeping into his body and mind and the world sunk into darkness.

Almost gently Schuldich held Aya, who had sunk against his chest, in his arms. The look on his face was almost loving - hadn't there been that evil glitter in his dark green eyes, or that sadistic touch to his smile. "Gotcha, baby..." He slunk back behind the trunk of the beech, out of sight, pulling the limp form of the red-head with him. "I'm kinda glad it's you," he whispered to the still face as he followed the others into the bushes. "You're gonna be fun..."

"Schuldich!" The hissed call from Nagi was barely heard over the rustle of the leaves and branches. "Come on! Brad's gonna be mad as it is!"

"Fuck Brad," Schuldich hissed back, but he didn't lose any more time, eager to put his thoughts to reality. When they emerged from the bushes onto a parking lot he straightened up and met Brad's dark gaze. Casually he wiped the twigs and dried leaves from his coat.

Brad stood tall, arms crossed over his chest. "What the hell took so long?" he demanded.

Schuldich plucked a twig from his hair, then spread his arms. "Oh ease up, man." His grin was infinitely provoking. Then he abruptly turned and heaved Aya up. Handing the limp body to a surprised looking Farfarello he said, "Here, I brought you a toy."

A wide grin spread on the scarred face, the golden eye gleaming. Wordlessly he cradled Aya and hurried to the car, an insane joy sounding in his mad chuckle.

Briefly Brad closed his eyes and took a deep breath, working hard on controlling his temper.

"Now who's dawdling?" Schuldich called back from the car.

"Fuck you all!" Brad hissed under his breath and once more cursed the necessity of working with those guys. Then he squared his shoulders, straightened the jacket of his spotless suit and turned. Stiffly he marched to the car and slipped behind the wheel. "One piece of advice: don't try my patience."

Schuldich grinned and made a gesture. "Yada yada." He snuggled deep into the passenger seat and described a rolling wave towards the windshield with his hand and arm. "Can we get going now, big boss?"

Jaw set tight Brad shot Schuldich a withering glance, but he decided against any further comments. That screwed up asshole was only out to provoke him. He heard soft chuckle beside him as he drove to their base.

"What do you think Aya is doing right now?" Omi asked.

"Who cares?" Ken retorted and stretched languidly. Hands crossed behind his head he had his eyes closed against the sun and absently chewed on a straw.

Omi looked at the young man and wrinkled his nose. "Right. Why didn't I expect anything else from you," he said.

Ken turned his head and gave Omi a sideways glance. "Oh come on. He's fine. Probably doing something with Aya-chan." "I couldn't imagine anything else anyway," he added muttering. The mere thought of the CCC (cool, calm, collected) guy with any other girl than his sister in any other function than as brother was simply.....unthinkable. The man was an icicle. Period.

Yohji blew a ring of smoke out into the summer air, leaning on the railing with his typical predatory grace. Aya... Even though he knew their team mate was miles away he could almost feel his dominant presence. With a sigh the tall young man stubbed out the cig on the railing and turned. "He'll call sooner or later," he said. "And if only to check on us to make sure we behave ourselves." He smirked.

Ken snorted. "I wouldn't put it past him. Slave driver." He leaned back again. "At least he had the decency to remove his ever miffed presence from this pleasant place." Grinning he closed his eyes. "Heaven... OUCH!" He jerked up and glared after Yohji, who had slapped him across the face while passing by to walk inside. "What the hell was that for?!"

"Go play some soccer," the older just replied and vanished in the house. He heard Ken swearing and Omi's laughter. They both didn't understand anything...