Acknowledgements: Jacque for the reminder that I still had this fic hanging around. ^^; Crem-san for the wonderful beta, complete with the fun comments. ^__^ *glomps and huggles Crem*
 
 

As It Is, As It Was…
WEIß KREUZ FANFICTION

4. Why do I seem to be caught up inside a dream…
 

Why do I seem to be caught up inside a dream.
All my life, it's always been my shadow and me.
Over my shoulder there's always a voice somewhere
saying I never should try to set my heart free. "Lonely Won't Leave Me Alone"
by Jermaine Jackson Crawford stared into space as he typed on the keyboard of his laptop. It had been three days since Kritiker rescued Ran. He missed the redhead's presence and wondered when he would be able to see the man again. Outside battle that is. Schwartz and Weiß had little cause to clash these days. With Estet's resources at their command, Schwartz had no need to continue their original function. They had changed the terrorist organization into their vision of a mercenary company, willing to do anything for the correct price, of course, and had made quite a profit in the past few years. So much, in fact, that if they did take the infrequent job, it was only out of boredom and not necessity.

Weiß however…After their small stint as a mobile unit, Weiß remained the way it had always been: a small vigilante assassin squad based in Tokyo. Those days in Kyoto had not been a very good time for the Weiß kittens, cramped as they were in their little trailer and moved from place to place. While Schwarz grew in power and influence, Weiß and Kritiker remained much the same, and that made Crawford wonder…

I wonder if I should have played on that point. Maybe I could have enticed Ran to stay had I pointed out that we could give his sister a better life than Kritiker could. While his paycheck might be generous, there certainly isn't any job security being a mere assassin… No that would have turned him off…

Crawford knew that the redhead had an overblown sense of justice; the man wouldn't have been chosen to be in Weiß otherwise. His Ran would never agree to living on the earnings of the current incarnation of Schwartz. Yes, his strategy had been sound. He had offered Ran tenderness and promises of forever. The promises were true; he knew that he couldn’t do without the kitten now that he had a taste of the him.

My kitten, mine. No one's going to take him away from me. I'll kill anyone who tries.

Then Crawford's mind turned to the blond he had fought, the one who held Ran, his Ran, with such care, carrying the redhead to "freedom". His blood seethed with possessive jealousy.

You told me there was no one who had any claim on you Ran, no one at all, who is he? Is he a suitor of yours that you hadn't yet taken to your bed? Tough luck, I was your first, I will be your last.

***

19^th Century Scotland

"May I have this dance, Lady Deirdre?" Rory asked under the prickly gaze of Deirdre's chaperone. The venerable lady gave him a baneful glare but didn't interfere with her charge's assent. The chaperone was a maiden aunt who had raised Deirdre from childhood and doted on her. Though as a Kierney the woman didn't approve of Rory, she wouldn't interfere with her niece's choice. And so Rory managed to purloin Deirdre off to the ballroom floor…

"What is this I hear about you and your cousin Lachlan?" Rory questioned as soon as they were in privacy of the garden.

"There are rumors and there are rumors. What have you heard?" Deirdre said.

"That you are more than cousins." Rory watched his beloved's face with a great care. Some of the rumors made him uneasy. They made him want to challenge his fellow Scotsman to a duel.

"Oh that. They grossly misjudge our childhood friendship. We were very close when we were children and still are, actually. He'll defend my choice, I think, when my family finds out about us." They had already talked of a betrothal between them, albeit informally something Rory was about to remedy now…

Even if Lachlan was your first, my darling lass, I will be your last, and the one else will have the right over you...

The thought of that blond, burly man touching his beloved Deirdre made his teeth clench with a rabid jealousy that would not be quelled. What made the jealousy worse was the knowledge that Lachlan was acceptable to the Kierney clan as Rory was not. This fanned the almost instantaneous hatred he felt for the man.

"Lady Deirdre Kierney, will you marry me?" Rory asked, kneeling and presenting a small token of his affection. As he had hoped, the lady didn’t refuse his offer.

There, see?! Your cousin accepted me. That's for your high and mighty ways, Lachlan Kierney. You don't own her. I do.

Rory McDuff gloated over the victory he had garnered from his rival, but a small portion of his mind wondered at his own tenacity.

Why am I so sure he wants to take my Deirdre away from me? She did say that they were only childhood friends…

***

Thebes, Greece*

"Lysandros and I are going off to spar," Aris said as he went out the door of their house, positively bounding with joy.

To spar? A likely story. Does he have to rub it in like that?

Eutokles had seen Aristaios kiss the younger man in the sparring yard.

It was understandable how his brother had fallen in love with Lysandros. After all, who wouldn't?

Lys was everything Eutokles dreamt of. He was clever and sweet. He had the patience to coach those slower than he was. He had the kindness to tolerate just about anyone, with a ready jest on his lips and perception to leave well enough alone. He remembered…

~*~

Makheon slashed at Eutokles, nearly bruising him on the arm; he parried with less than satisfactory results.

"Eu, will you let me tell you what is wrong with your technique?" Lysandros asked diffidently on the sidelines. It had been the second afternoon Lys had decided to oversee their practice.

"Aye, in the break afterwards," Eutokles said. Sweat streamed over his face from the amount of effort he gave. He and Makhi were equals in fighting ability. Most of their mock fights ended up in draws.

They traded some more blows and then took a break.

"Eu, try parrying that blow in this angle. Let me show you, how," Lys said, guiding Eutokles' sword arm by putting his own over the brunette's. Their eyes met briefly over his shoulder; he wanted to gaze at those dark eyes for eternity, but Lys averted his eyes shyly.

Lys had continued intervening more times that and the following afternoons, making out points out to both Eutokles and Makheon. Eutokles found himself making more mistakes just to have those muscular arms around him.
 
 

~*~

And I could have sworn he liked me too…but…but…I must have been mistaken since he did kiss my brother so. Besides, with the way I've been acting, he'd lose respect for my fighting skills. If it were anybody else, I would have tried to try to fight for Lys' affection. But it's Aris… There no way…

Aris was Eutokles' beloved brother, and he wouldn't betray him.

Not now, not ever…But this situation is just so unfair…

In spite of himself, a hint of jealousy began to seep into his consciousness.

***

"Ran, damn it, speak to me. I know you and your damned pride, but you can't keep your feelings bottled up like this. Not if you want to remain sane, that is."

"Hn."

"Talk to me." Yuushi said his voice coming as close to pleading as he could manage. He was certain that whoever "owned" the redhead that week in the bordello had done terrible things to the latter. Ever since his friend came back from the whorehouse, Yuushi had been aware that something indefinable had changed with the Weiß member.

Ran was quieter, if that was possible, less prone to speech. It wasn't a surly silence, though. Instead he seemed distracted, wearing a thoughtful look on his face when he thought no one was watching. Subdued as if even his normal quiet ways were too much for him to maintain.

As if he had his spirit broken out of him…

"Hn." Ran said though his voice lacked conviction that time around.

Good, he's going to give in and let it all out. If he doesn't he'll brood himself into neurosis…

Yuushi was so accustomed to their usual dance of reluctance and confidence that what happened next was totally unexpected. Ran just gave him a careful once over and turned to go.

Damned. And I thought I had him there for a second.

"Fine, be that way." Yuushi winced involuntarily at how petulant he sounded.

There must be a way to break through into that impenetrable reserve… Hmmm, I know…

"Okay, okay… How about coming around my place, Saturday night?"

"Hn, just don't try to get me drunk again."

Yuushi started guiltily.

Damned, got caught…

"I thought so." Ran's lips started to quirk into one of his small smiles.

The smile was so much like the Ran of old that the memory of that time, surfaced unbidden to tease Yuushi once more…

***

They had been on a mission in a gay bar, waiting for a buy-bust target. It was one of those steamy clubs where couples and what-have-you made out. It made a wonderful cover for the illicit meetings that took place. Bishop was posing as the big time buyer, and Yuushi and Ran were there to back him up in case things got ugly. The mission had gone on without a hitch. However, the two backup operatives had to leave a bit later than Bishop had to avoid suspicion.

"Umm." Ran murmured uncertainly as Yuushi licked at his neck and started to trail down to his nipples through the filmy fabric of the shirt he wore. They were in one of the alcoves in an isolated corner. They had moved their pseudo-make out session there upon Ran's blushing insistence.

"Ran…do you want to go home with me tonight?" The make out session might have been for the mission, but damned was Ran hot in those leather pants and that filmy shirt.

"Yuushi, no." Ran said softly into his ear, trying to keep his voice down. They had come in looking like an established couple. It would be suspicious if they behaved otherwise. The drug supplier might have more men within the club.

"Why not?" Yuushi said in the same tone of voice as he lapped at Ran's nipples, wondering what was the problem. He could feel the hard heat of the other man from where he was straddled on the redhead's lap.

"Because it's just a physical reaction; I don't love you and I don't really want to sleep with you."

"This says you do." Yuushi said, pulling himself closer to rub his crotch against Ran's.

"Stop it." Ran was getting aggravated, his voice rising in panic.

Rook had problems from the onset of the mission. Yuushi had seen a subtle tension in the redhead since Queen had assigned them to play boyfriends. He had ignored it, chalking it up to Ran's shyness when the topic of sex was brought up. However, judging from the way Ran's eyes had turned wild when he had pressed the matter, he could see it was more. He barely managed to get the redhead out of the club without incident.

***

Thebes, Greece*

"Lys!" Aristaios screamed. He caught his fighting mate as the latter fell, pierced through by the spear of a Macedonian soldier. His brown eyes were wide with surprised, staring into the face of death. Lysandros' death had been quick; he didn't even have time to utter a word.

"Don't bother with him; he's dead, and you'd better keep up with the line." Eutokles shouted amidst the chaos of the strategic retreat as he savagely ran his sword through the Macedonian responsible.

"I'm not leaving him." Aristaios said.

"Come on, brother, we can only spare you a moment." Eutokles said frantically fighting off the rest of the Macedonians in the unit.

How can I? We swore to fight together, and I failed him, I failed to guard his back…

"Aristaios, nooo…" Someone, his friend Makhaon, shouted from the distance as he felt something pierce his armor a moment later.

One of enemy must have taken advantage of my distraction… Was this what Lys felt when he died…

Aristaios' world blurred into red darkness. But his last thoughts were unexpectedly not of the love they had shared all those years, but of guilt…and regret…

~*~

Two years earlier…

"Lys, why aren't you with Makhi and Eu?" Aristaios asked Lysandros.

Not that I'm complaining that you aren't drooling over my little brother, but you look like you had your world kicked out from under you.

"Eu told me off. He told me he didn't need someone trying to pick at his flaws every so often when he practices." Lysandros said in a deflated tone.

"There's more isn't there?" It was evident from the boy's voice that it wasn't the end of it.

"Um, nothing." Lys said, continuing to look at the floor.

"Oh come on you can tell me. I'm your sparring partner, and, more importantly, your friend." I wouldn't help you woo my brother, though. Since I want you for myself…

"Well…um…I-saw-Makhi-and-Eu-making-out-in-the-back-of-the-armory." It came out in a rush of words and almost tangible hurt.

"I was afraid of that. I hinted but Eu didn't seem to be interested." Hinting my interest in you that is…

"Well, that's that." Lysandros said with finality. From that time on Lys had been more receptive to Aristaios' courting.

Six months after, they were recruited into the Sacred Band. At that moment, Aristaios felt vindicated.

Yes, I am better for you, Lys. I will protect you better than my oaf of a brother. I can make you happier than he ever could.

***

"Ran, what is wrong?" Yuushi questioned. Confronting the redhead wasn't really the best way to get anything out of the man, but it was Knight's nature. They were in his car, and he was driving them to Ran's apartment. He had to drive the redhead home since they could hardly go in separate cars.

"Hn. Mind your own business."

"How about telling me about it?"

"Hn."

"Oh well, if you don't want to… How about going to my house to get something to drink instead?"

"You're not trying to seduce me are you?" Even then, Aya's death glare was strong enough to give Yuushi pause.

"Not if you don't want to, no."

The silence stretched out so long that Yuushi thought the redhead wasn't going to answer.

"Aa."

***

After a lot of beers…

"Rook, don't you trust me?"

"I trust you, Knight. I depend on you every mission, don't I?"

"Mission's different. I mean as a person."

"Ran?" Yuushi asked when the quiet threatened to stretch into eternity.

"Aa. I trust you."

"Then why don't you tell me what's wrong? You've been tense since the start of the mission."

"Hn."

"Are you still there?"

"Hai, I'm just thinking. Do you have anyone you would do anything for, Yuushi? And I mean anything, sacrifice your life, give up anything and everything just to see them happy…"

"You know of my sister..."

"Well, then I guess you do.  I have a sister, also.  The only one I have left of my family.  She's in a coma because of Takatori.  He's also the reason my parents are dead because of him."   The anger came through clearly even through the alcohol the redhead had drunk.

"Hmmm." Yuushi said, exhibiting an amount of perception that he normally didn't have. Though he was bursting with impatience and curiosity, he knew that Ran was on the edge of confiding and didn't want to ruin the mood.

"I needed money, lots of it for her care…more than I'd possibly earn as a waiter so I… So that first year, I succumbed to temptation, and I… I went into 'modeling'…"

Surely he doesn't mean…

"I let them take pictures of me naked and in provocative poses. I had women and men make passes and even touch me as a result. Those photo-shoots were nightmares of sexual harassment, but I had to bear them. It was the price of keeping her alive. That's why…"

"So is that why you're shy of sex, and you can't bear to be touched?" Yuushi marveled at the courage of Ran's act. I could never match that…

"Aa."

"Did someone ever made love to you?"

"Sex? No, I never allowed that. They could touch but not…"

"No I mean 'made love to', appreciated for being you. Made to appreciate your body and sexuality."

"Then…no."

"Then, as a friend, let me show you how to appreciate your body and your sexuality."

"No. It's not that I don't appreciate the offer, you understand, but it wouldn't be right. I want the first time to be with…someone special."

"If you insist then. Rest assured that none of our other teammates will find out about this."

"I didn't think they would." Ran had said, smiling that small smile that got an answering smile from Yuushi. That was when the true scope of Ran's trust in him crashed down on him. Ran had confided without extracting a promise from Yuushi first because the latter trusted in his honor.

Ran you are truly a marvel…

From then on, the sexual tension had drained out of their relationship. They had become the best of friends, almost brothers. Yuushi never regretted letting that moment of weakness pass him by.

***

What happened to those ideals now, Ran? And what happened to your mind in the process…That's what I'd like to know. How am I going to help you back to them? Those dreams were such an integral part of you that I can't see you live without them… I could rage at the man who took your innocence and left you so silent and sad, but…not now. You need me to be impartial and unaffected by this; you need that too much. I won't fail you. And though I'd like to wring the neck of that wretch who…

***

Aya wondered if going to Yuushi's pad was such a good idea. Yuushi had a tendency to push. He claimed it was all for Aya's own good, and in most cases Aya thought that a fine thing, but… He knew what the blond operative would say about his feelings with Crawford: Stockholm syndrome. It was the reaction of a kidnapped victim to an intolerable situation. Aya, he would argue, was in one of the most intolerable: rape and sex slavery. Why else could he feel so much for the enemy he had fought against for so long? No, Yuushi just wouldn't understand.

His last day in captivity echoed in his memory like a fly trapped eternally in amber…

***

Aya couldn't figure the man out. Crawford hadn't insisted on his right as "Master" over Aya. He slept in the same bed, but never asked that Aya submit to him. He had been gentle and considerate of Aya's needs and he talked to Aya like he was a guest instead a prisoner.

"Ran, what do you think of Schwartz?"

"Hn."

"I know I haven't been all that nice to you. We did take your sister away from you and all that…"

"Hn."

"Er, don't you have anything to say other than 'hn'?"

"Hn." Aya said glaring at Crawford.

"That too."

If Aya could have risen off the bed with any sort of speed, he would have tried to choke the life out of the insufferable man. Crawford sighed.

"Look I don't really want a sex slave."

"Why did you buy me then?"

"You know why." Crawford had tried explaining the dream to Aya several times but the redhead had only snorted his disbelief.

"It’s crazy dream."

"Is it any crazier than knowing the future, or believing there's that one special person out there for you?" Crawford asked.

"Yes, it is. It's crazy. It's nonsense. Are you telling me that you saw 'us' as a couple?! That's impossible."

"No, when I was younger I believed that that person was the one for me. My soul mate, so to speak. I'm less prone to believe that these days but still..."

"That's even crazier!"

"Well, it's the truth." Crawford said, his hand gently tracing a line down Aya's cheek.

"Stop that." Aya said, striking the hand away.

"You are mine, Aya." The tender intensity of Crawford's gaze was more frightening than hateful. It expected a lot from him, things that he didn't think he could give. And it bothered him that it could come from an enemy.

Ie, I want it too much… Ran just because he is your first doesn't mean that you need to feel something for him. That you're going to stay with him forever… But I want to…

"You're as insane as the that one-eyed psycho." Aya said, ignoring his thoughts.

"Maybe."

"You take it so calmly." Aya whispered, startled that the man hadn't shown his sadistic streak at the suggestion. Even he would have erupted in temper by now, and he knew he had a fair amount of control.

"Perhaps it's because I have argued with myself too many times over this issue. I want you and I intend to have you. That is that. Is there somebody else?"

"No one." Aya answered. He knew that lying would have far graver consequences. Crawford looked ready to take on any man who had even a ghost of a claim to Aya. If he tried to lie, the precog might try to take Weiß apart to find "the One".

Besides, I don't want him to get the idea that I am fast. What am I thinking? This is Crawford we're talking about…

"So I have a chance." Crawford said, smiling again. Cuddling him. Not demanding anything. Just…being close. It was something the Schwartz member did all the time. Aya fought not to flinch. It wasn't that the soft cuddle reminded him of that first night Crawford all but forced him to have sex. No, it was…the very opposite. The tenderness and caring the other had exhibited all week long had slowly and insidiously seeped through Aya's defenses until they aroused responses that Aya couldn't control and wasn't he wanted to. It ate at the hurt and distrust that came from that first night until Aya could barely remember it. Heat rose up to his face, making him blush, and rushing into his loins making him hard, his erection bulging in the silken underpants, that was his only piece of clothing in that place. It didn't help that he noticed that the American's sleek muscled abdomen and legs fit so well against his own.

It's just a physical response. It has to be. What else could it be when he…he's doesn't even he love me, he's just obsessed with the man in his dreams. He doesn't feel for me…only for himself…

"Shall we do more than cuddle?" Crawford purred into his ear, hands caressing his back. It was all too much for Aya; he moaned softly.

"Not if you don't want to." Crawford said again.

Aya couldn't help himself he snuggled close, rubbing as much of his body as he could against Crawford. A week of lying with a desirable body just a touch away had taken its toll on his resistance. And the precog's control made the latter more attractive than ever.

Besides, we've already had sex, what more harm is there?

"Are you really sure about this?" Crawford asked, gently running his hand into Aya's underpants.

Aya could only moan in response.

"Yes or no?"

"Kuso, are you trying to make me beg?" Aya said, moaning again.

"I'm only making sure that you want it." Crawford replied, managing to sound hurt enough to make Aya feel guilty about doubting him.

Well, just a bit guilty…

"Hn." Aya grunted in apology, and Crawford leisurely kissed him and continue to touch him, caressing his cock through the smooth cloth.

"What do you want?" Crawford asked a while later.

"Whatever…you want?" Aya panted breathless. He thought he could never feel this hard again in his life.

Shows what you know about sex…

"Hmmm. So I can do anything I want with you?" Crawford purred.

"Hnnn." Aya was beginning to think that Crawford should have the cat code name.

The guy was so damn controlled!

"What if I want to fuck you?"

Aya just bucked against Crawford. He didn't care. All he wanted was for something, anything to relieve the rising tide of passion in his blood.

"What if I want you to fuck me?"

Aya just moaned.

"Ah!" Crawford's hand left him bereft for a moment. Then he felt a cold touch of something slick on his cock.

Aya's eyes flew wide open.

"Yes." Crawford was inserting his fingers in his own anus, panting, his head thrown back in abandon.

"Ungh!" Aya moaned as he felt Crawford's hot opening just beyond his reach.

"Slowly, sweet." Crawford whispered in Aya's ear, as he lowered the shorts down.

"Tease." Aya grunted.

"That, too." Crawford murmured, smiling. He lowered his body onto Aya. The slow pace he set made the redhead mad with desire. The extreme tightness surprised Aya.

"This is my first time with a man." Crawford confirmed as he slowly engulfed Aya with his warmth.

"Why?" Aya had only wit enough to ask before he lost himself in the sensations that were taking over his mind.

Crawford just shook his head and continued to lower himself until Aya was buried completely in him.

Though Aya wanted to move so very much, he was afraid to move lest he hurt the precog. A strange thought…he hurt me that first time…but I have no intention of avenging myself?

The pause seemed to drag on forever, but then Crawford started moving. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, until Aya begun to move with him in a rhythm as old as time. Then Aya reached out to touch Crawford's cock, instinctively pumping it in time to their thrusting. And as he felt the man's warm seed spill onto his hand, and then Aya found his own completion.

Much, much later…

"Crawford, why give yourself to me like that?" Aya asked the question again, as he looked sideways at the precog.

"Because you are who you are." The American said reaching out with one hand to play with Aya's ear-tail.

"That's not really an answer."

"You know why…"

Aya just shook his head. It simply didn’t make sense, and he didn’t think it ever would.

Then Yuushi came to rescue him and nothing had been quite the same ever since.

***

"Ran, why won't you tell me what's the matter?" Yuushi persisted, his voice sharp with impatience. He had been trying to wheedle, pester and yell the answer out of Aya.  He had more success breathing water.

You wouldn't understand it anyway, Yuushi.

"I wouldn't understand what?" Yuushi asked. Aya wasn't even aware that he had said it out loud.

Oh well, fat's in the fire already…

"What happened."

"Then explain to me; make me understand. You've changed. Don't you trust me anymore?"

Aya sighed. It was going to be one of those days…

"Of course I trust you. You're the only one I do trust outside of Weiß, Yuushi. You know that."

"Then why don't you tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong. I--It's just so complicated."

"Nothing's wrong? You're just saying that so you can push me away. Believe me Ran, even if I haven't got the experience, I know it can be world-shattering to be in the position you were in."

"Nothing happened." Aya said.

"Nothing?" Yuushi's voice was a challenge.

"Nothing."

"You're lying." Yuushi said with certainty and hurt.

"Okay, something did happen but…I rather not discuss it."

"Why not?"

"Because it's complicated."

"Then explain it till it isn't."

"You wouldn't understand."

"Oh I understand. I understand that my best friend wouldn't talk to me about possibly the most traumatizing experience in his life."

"It was nothing of that sort."

"Then tell me."

"Okay. I spent several evenings with an enemy who was polite and attentive, everything he shouldn’t have been. He seduced me into bed and tells me he’s finally found that special someone in me. Now how's that for confusing?"

"Oh."

"See why I didn't want to tell you?" Aya sighed, having the satisfaction of Yuushi's eyes narrowing to slits as he processed the information.

"You're suffering form Stockholm Syndrome." They both said at the same time.

"See, I even knew what you were going to say." Aya said with a grim satisfaction.

How can I make you understand that it was something other than that, when I'm not sure of it myself?

"I know that it must be upsetting to accept what he did to you, but you must realize…"

"He asked first, you know. He didn't jump me." Aya said leaving out their first encounter. Even then, Crawford had been so careful not to hurt him. He didn't want Yuushi to get the wrong idea.

Besides, he really did…

"He?"

"He. I'm not telling you his name. You'll probably get into more trouble trying to attack him."

***

"Well shit, Ran!" Yuushi said after hearing that tidbit.

Ran doesn't trust me anymore…or did he ever… No, he does, I know he did. But this man has come between us, our friendship. Well that's one more thing to hold against the bastard. How he persuaded Ran he was willing is beyond me… He managed to turn it around, didn't he? Somehow that bastard managed to turn Ran into a willing toy…well I'm not buying it. Soothe Ran now then get revenge later.

"It's okay Ran, I understand now." Yuushi consoled, letting the lie soothe his friend.

You thought you could play around with Ran's feelings did you… Let's just see about that…

***

18^th Century, Scotland

"He what?" Lachlan exclaimed so loudly that it was a miracle nobody heard them, even if the ballroom was extremely noisy and they were on an isolated balcony.

"He proposed, Rory proposed to me. Hush, don't be so loud, Lachlan-me-lad. Do you want the whole damned world to know?" Deirdre retorted.

"Deirdre! Watch yer language." Lachlan was very upset and wasn't trying to hide it.

My hi'lan' roots really shows when I'm truly annoyed. He's goin' to break her puir heart that's what he's goin' to do. Once a philanderer alwa's a philanderer… I'll have kilt him if it wasna' against the rulin' of the duke. Cool the feud he says. I wonder he’ll say the same thing if his grace knew what that scum McDuff's been up to with his own daughter no less…

"My apologies, but do you?"

"Yer father will kill ye if he finds out. He already tole ye to stay from McDuff."

An' right he was too…

"Then you're going to make sure he doesn't find out."

"He'll just go and break yer heart lassie. He'll always be a'wandering about the fillies, never home when ye want him. Would he even be home at the birth of yer babes?"

"I can judge a man's worthiness, myself, thank you." Deirdre sniffed, rather annoyed at his presumption.

She's always been a feisty lass and left to run wild. I hope she's not takin' on mor'en she can handle… If that bastard breaks her heart I'll have his head for this…

"I'll trust your judgement then but if he steps one toe off th' line…"

"I know I can depend on you cousin." Deirdre answered, smiling softly.

Lachlan stood in the balcony long after Deirdre drifted off into the crowd. He stared up the heavens finding the constellations they had stared up in their childhood days, finding comfort in their constancy.

I still don't trust 'im…

***

"Reiichi, you've got high level access to Kritiker's database, right?" Yuushi asked his teammate as he came around the man's office.

"I might have more access than you do, but I wouldn't call it high level. Why?" Bishop said cautiously. He was tapping something into his desktop.

"I want to do a database check on all Weiß enemies. That's all." Yuushi tried to sound casual about it.

Tack-tick-tack.

"What are you looking for specifically?" Bishop finally asked.

"Someone who specializes in mind games and manipulation."

Tack-tick-tack.

"A potential match…" Bishop said, gesturing for Yuushi to take a look at his find.

"Schuldich…Member of Schwartz, an affiliate of Estet…code name - Mastermind. Interesting…special abilities - telepathy, super fast reflexes. Hmmm… Can I see the rest of the data on Schwartz?" Yuushi stared at the long-, orange-haired man with catlike green eyes.

Tack-tick-tack.

"There…"

"Naoe Nagi…code name - Prodigy…shit they recruit 'em young but so does Kritiker…special abilities - telekinesis. Farfarello…code name - Berserker…special abilities - psychotic, immune to pain…I wouldn't want to meet this one in a dark alley, looks like a nasty customer. Brad Crawford…code name - Oracle…special abilities - precognition." Yuushi paused slightly over the dark-haired man, staring past the glasses into those cruel sadistic brown eyes.

He's the one I saw. Damned, I was right. Ran is being manipulated into loving the bastard. It's probably that Schuldich character's doing. Come to think of it he might be the one Ran's talking about. Super fast reflexes and all. Ran probably thought I'd try and get myself skewered.

"…Schwartz is a four man assassin team. They were an affiliate of Estet but betrayed their employers. Currently they control Estet…" Yuushi murmured as he read the rest of the data concerning Schwartz.

So, now that I know who it was, what am I going to do with this information? Do I give it to Kritiker, to Weiß Kreuz, to Crashers? Or do I keep it to myself?

"Was it helpful?"

Yuushi silently cursed to himself for his slip. The source of information was staring at him curiously for his lapse.

Kuso, I have to make an excuse to Reiichi about this if I don't want it spread about. Ran will probably skewer me with that katana of his if he heard…

"I'm not so sure…Maybe."

Tack-tick-tack.

"This has something to do with what happened to Ran the other week, ne?"

Damned. And I thought I managed to sneak it by him…

"How…?"

"You're not as subtle as you think. What do you feel about Ran anyway?" Bishop asked, with concern on his face.

"That again. Honestly, you guys are such romantics…"

"So?"

Tack-tick-tack.

"We're just friends."

"But you wish it could be more?"

"No, I just protect him when I think it's necessary. Like an older brother would."

"So that's all?"

"Aa. Though I always felt the need to protect him even when I first met him, and we were arguing like cats and dogs…" Yuushi's voice trailed off.

"There I've erased traces of the search from the database. You don't have to tell me what that was about. But…Knight, if you or Ran get over your heads, you know you could always come to us, Crashers, right?" Bishop sighed.

"Right. Thanks, Reiichi."

"Don't mention it. That's what family is for." Bishop turned back to whatever it was he was doing before his younger teammate barged into his study.

Yeah, that's what family is for… Good 'ole Papa Reiichi, very discreet.

Yuushi was very grateful that the other man had been very understanding of his position. He didn't want to betray Ran's confidence, not yet. Not when he, himself, wasn't sure it was the right thing to do.

~TBC~

Author's Note:

I'm so happy I finally unscrambled these scenes, they've been hanging hard drive for so long they're growing mold. Three months is a long time for a chapter. ^^;

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