The shopping trip had been successful and their easily recognised mission clothes, Aya’s orange sweater and several other items that each of them had bought were safely packed into new luggage.
Schuldig had been restrained and actually helpful with opinions on things to buy during their trip. He had persuaded Kai that punk goth was not the way to go if he wanted to remain anonymous, although some clothes of that style had found their way into Bengal’s suitcase. Schuldig’s ‘present’ had turned out to be a pile of j-rock CD’s. Nothing that would piss Crawford off too much.
Aya was stoic but nervous as they left the suite. He and the others might escape but Kritiker, and Rosenkreuz were bound to use his sister against him sooner or later. Although Aya-chan was innocent they would use her as a tool with which to get him back. He wasn’t sure which organisation he dreaded reaching her most.
He wouldn’t burden the others with his thoughts though. Time enough to do something about his sister if she was actually threatened. He wondered if Crawford had seen any threat to her but would not ask.
All questions about that were forestalled when they met with Crawford in the lobby of the hotel. There was a young woman at his side. One that Aya recognized immediately.
Aya-chan.
The American looked totally smug and far too pleased with himself as he pointed the girl in her brother's direction.
Aya-chan threw herself into her startled brother’s arms. “Brother, oh Ran, where have you been?”
Aya stood motionless with shock until he remembered to hug her in return. His eyes met Crawford’s over her shoulder, the expression in them angry. He’d wanted her to be kept out of the mess his life had become. Then Aya-chan surprised him once again.
“I know, Ran. Sakura-chan told me everything. Did you really kill the monster that killed our parents?”
All Aya could do was nod. Now she would be disgusted with him. Instead, she hugged him even closer.
“Arigatou,” she whispered. “Had I been able to, I would have helped you.”
Aya was now to stunned to even think straight and it took Yohji’s gentle touch to his shoulder to bring him back to the reality of leaving Japan.
Crawford's smile was tight as he joined the siblings. "No loose ends," he told the red-head. "She already knew everything, and what do you think would have happened to her?"
To Schuldig he said, *Tell Abyssinian I was too late to keep Kritiker from taking Sakura and as it was I had to shoot four of the Takatori's thugs. Sakura, the little fool, decided to masquerade as Aya-chan again and when they find out she isn't Aya they are going to kill her, nor can we risk saving her. Not with Rosenkreuz about to come pay us a very unpleasant visit.*
Yohji gave the girl a smile and found himself wondering how her presence was going to change things between Aya and himself. He had a sinking feeling that their already unsteady relationship was about come to an abrupt stop.
"Let's get going," Crawford ordered. "You can talk on the plane." He took Aya-chan gently by the arm, "She's going to ride in the car with me," he told Abyssinian. "I can keep her safer than you can right now."
Aya slowly let his sister go and nodded at Crawford in agreement. As the precog led Aya-chan away his hand reached out automatically for Yohji’s and squeezed it.
Schuldig wandered across the lobby to join Aya and Yohji, motioning to Ken and Nagi to join him. Crawford, Farfarello, Kai, Zeshin and Aya-chan would go in the other car.
They climbed into two large, chauffer-driven Mercedes and headed out of the centre of Sapporo and towards the airport. It seemed strange to be leaving Japan from here instead of Tokyo, but Aya realised that they were not even remotely safe until they were in the air.
Yohji leaned back and closed his eyes. He hated the idea of leaving Japan, and his life-- such as it was-- behind. He hated the thought of losing his car too. It had been one of the few real pleasures in his life, that Super Seven and it wasn't as if he'd ever come by the money to purchase another one. Not when there were no prospects of employment in their futures.
He slipped his hand into Aya's and held on, hoping he wasn't going to lose what he had with the younger man.
Ken watched Yohji, frowning at how pale the lanky blond appeared. He'd seen Yohji drunk, hung-over and shot, but he'd never looked so worn as he did now and it bothered him.
Why had Omi-- Mamoru-- done the things he'd done? Telling Ken that the older Weiss were dead, pretending to be dead and not telling Aya and Yohji the two of them were alive? Nothing made any sense, until he brought in the idea that Mamoru had feared them for being 'freaks.' An idea that hurt because Ken couldn't think of the other two that way. He owed them so much, how was it possible to turn on them? He didn't understand it. But he hadn't understood Kase's betrayal either.
Ken rubbed his face as if he could erase the last moments he'd spent with 'Persia' from his mind. That hadn't been his friend, his lover. That had been a total stranger, someone incapable of feeling for others. Incapable of love or kindness. That had been a Takatori, someone who'd betrayed everyone for his own ambitions and ideals, his own goals.
Someone who'd died for betraying the people who'd trusted him.
It was all so ironic. He'd killed Mamoru and joined forces with Schwarz. What did that say about them all? They'd fought Schwarz tooth and nail and now they'd just climbed in bed with them acting for all the world as if they were going to suddenly become friends.
Ken couldn't trust the situation. He doubted the other two did either.
Schwarz was doing what was best for Schwarz, and right now that just included them. He glanced at Nagi and wondered how much the telekinetic really knew.
Schuldig sat quietly. He had passed on the news about Sakura to Abyssinian and had been a little surprised by his reaction. The Weiss redhead had looked a little sad but the emotion seemed mixed with relief.
He had a peek into Siberian’s mind to see what he might know. On a certain level Ken’s thoughts amused him, on another they saddened him. When were Weiss going to realise that Schwarz had had no choices either? Even Crawford had been forced to follow orders. Didn’t Weiss realise that they were really on the same side, fugitives from powerful organisations that would stop at nothing to either kill them or break them and use their powers? No, judging by Hidaka’s thoughts they didn’t.
He turned his attention to Yohji. Ah yes, obsessing over Abyssinian and his car. Well cars could be replaced, the powerful kitty could not. He almost smiled as he realised just how little Fujimiya knew about his gift. Yes, he could use it in small ways when the need arose, but he was capable of so much more than that. Still it was probably just as well, really. If the redhead had really used his power Rosenkreuz would have wanted him. He wondered if the powerful organisation even knew what Aya was. They had some suspicions about his sister but seemingly not him.
The object of his thoughts was, as ever, unreadable as was Nagi, which would make for a boring journey if there wasn’t going to be an attack.
Crawford's mental alert interrupted the German's musings. *Get ready for it. Rosenkruez agents are just up ahead. They have the road blocked.* The feeling coming from Crawford was full of amusement, like a cat that had just discovered a mouse rather than the tension the telepath was more used to feeling from the American in the last few months.
*Schuldig, stick close to Kudoh and Fujimiya,* and this time Schuldig could feel actual elation, a sense of fierce joy coming from his leader as if the man were actually eager for the coming events.
And knowing Crawford's moods, something big was about to happen.
Farfarello's mind touched his, *Should I wonder why Brad is smiling the way he did the day the Elders died?*
*Roadblock ahead, manned by Rosenkreuz. For some reason Brad’s thrilled to bits about it. Keep your wits about you, Farf. I don’t want to lose you.*
In reply the Irishman gave his team-mate a derisive snort, *You know better than to worry about me. Take care of yourself. If it comes down to it, fuck the kittens and keep yourself safe. Understand?*
Crawford's mind broke in over what Farfarello was telling his lover, *Be ready Schuldig. They have a telepath with them that you need to educate.*
The cars stopped, the road ahead blocked off by a cluster of people and a trio of dark coloured sedans.
Yohji opened his eyes, "Why are we stopped?"
Ken was trying to see out the window, "Don't know."
*Crawford, Crawford, why do you turn against your own kind?* The telepathic voice was warm yet sad. *You know that your home is with us.*
*Shit! They’ve sent Gruber, The Voice! I’ve never gone up against him before but they say he’s the best.* Schuldig’s mental voice showed the telepath’s panic.
The drivers of both cars abruptly slumped in their seats, eyes blank and staring, the breath shuddering from stilled lungs.
Crawford's mental contact was soothing, like a hand laid gently on Schuldig’s arm as he got out of the car. *If he were the best I wouldn't have chosen you for my team, Schuldig. Keep that in mind.* The precog made no move that would lead to physical confrontations, which meant he didn't reach for the gun snuggled under his left arm. There were other preliminaries to the game before the gunfire started.
*Our kind? I hardly think any of you are 'our kind' Gruber.* Crawford's mental voice was cool, emotionless as he replied to the Rosenkruez lackey.
Farfarello got out of the car with him, standing at Crawford's elbow as they faced off against six of Rosenkreuz's brightest and best.
Singapura opened the door on his side, pausing to whisper to Bengal, "We can't let anyone get near Abyssinian's sister."
Ken opened the car door and got out, facing the weird looking group blocking their way. Six of them. "I think we've got some trouble on our proverbial doorstep," he told the others.
Yohji frowned, "What should do we do?" he asked Nagi as he pulled a pair of gloves on just in case he found a use for his harigane in the next few minutes.
“It rather depends on who they’ve sent,” Nagi said, “but we can deal with them no matter who or what they are.”
Aya climbed out of his side of the car, eyes narrowed and katana drawn although he wasn’t sure how much use it would be against these people. “You seem very confident, Naoe.”
“Just follow Crawford’s lead. He saw this coming and knows the outcome.”
Gruber, meanwhile had stepped to one side, and a woman stepped forward. Nagi sighed. “Don’t try to duck,” he said cryptically.
“What do we need to…oh shit!” Aya watched in horror as fireballs left the woman’s hands to head straight towards them. Nagi raised his hands and the fireballs fell harmless to the ground.
A man with pale violet hair stepped forward, the trees on both sides of the road starting to whip around, leaves skittering in front of a blast of wind that drove Crawford back a step and sent a tree branch flying toward him. The American sidestepped and the branch sailed harmlessly by.
Another member of the Rosenkreuz team leapt forward, a long bladed knife in his hand. He was going for the boy beside the Mercedes as Gruber had instructed. He was to get the girl.
They expected Berserker to abandon his place by Crawford, but he remained where he was, the boy taking on the Rosenkruez killer armed with no weapon they could see.
"Bullshit," Ken growled and took a step forward, his hair rippling in no physical wind as flames started to lick across his fingers and his gaze became ruddy embers. Farfarello might not help Zeshin, but he wasn't going to let the kid go up against the older man alone.
*Schuldig, show them what you can do with a little help from our supercharger,* Crawford instructed.
Schuldig gathered his power and let his shields drop. He sent a mental wave of pure fury straight at Gruber who staggered then fell, bleeding from the ears.
The remaining five agents rushed forward bent on avenging their fallen comrade only to come up against Nagi’s barrier.
Zeshin leapt, taking one of the Rosen agents to the ground, a blade appearing as if by some type of magic. He struggled with the larger man, a feral grin baring not quite human teeth as they rolled across the pavement.
"YAIYAIYAI!" ripped the air as Farfarello joined in the fight, singling out another of the agents at the same time Ken, moving like someone in a trance, tossed a small burst of seething red light at another of the Rosenkruez agents.
The man ducked behind one of the sedans blocking the road and fire hit it instead, melting the steel and glass instantly, the ball not stopping until it impacted with the car's engine block, which oozed molten droplets to the ground.
Yohji felt a shiver go through him and he grabbed for the car door to steady himself. He felt as if something were sucking the life out of him, as if he was bleeding out from a fatal wound and he gasped and wilted to the ground.
“Yohji!” Aya was by his side in a second, lifting him and getting him into the car. As he touched him he felt a flare of energy. Leaving him in the car he turned to face the fight knowing exactly what he had to do.
With a gesture he sent this strange energy towards the surviving agents and watched with a mixture of satisfaction and amazement as they disappeared as if they’d never been there. Only Gruber’s body and the agent that Zeshin and Farfarello had killed remained.
Aya stared at his hand. “What the hell did I do?”
“You used your power,” Schuldig told him. “You sent them either back or forward in time, I’m not sure which.”
Ken turned to look at Aya, "What the hell?"
"Let's get moving," Crawford commanded sharply. "We aren't out of Japan yet."
*Schuldig, drive your car, I'll handle driving this one.*
He handed something to Farfarello, "For Kudoh. You ride with them now."
The Irishman frowned not liking the idea of their leader left with a pair of boys for protection.
"Nagi, Hidaka, you two ride with me," the American said loudly as he pulled the dead man out of the driver's seat and dumped him to the ground.
"Aya..." Yohji groaned from the back of the car. He felt cold and tired as if he'd been awake for days instead of only hours.
Schuldig dumped the second dead driver and smiled at Farfarello as he joined him in the front.
*Brad was right. The kittens are worth the trouble,* he said as he leaned back in the seat, a hand resting on his lover's thigh. *Have you noticed that Zeshin has the same colour hair and eyes that I do? I find that interesting, don't you?*
Aya climbed in next to Yohji and hugged him close. “What’s happened to him?” he demanded as Schuldig started the car and drove through the block after Crawford. “What did you do to him?”
“I borrowed his energy,” Schuldig said calmly, “so did you and Hidaka.” He shrugged. “Nagi may have tapped in too, but then he’s always been that strong so it’s hard to tell.”
Yohji was shivering and pale, a few beads of sweat dampening his hairline. "I haven't felt this bad since I had that flu bug last year," the blonde complained softly to the man holding him.
Farfarello turned in the seat and held out an energy bar through the window, "Crawford wants Kudoh to eat this. It will help him I guess."
Aya took the bar and unwrapped it, holding it to Yohji’s lips. “Eat it,” he urged gently. As Yohji took a bite, Aya turned angry eyes on Farfarello. “I don’t care how interesting you find any of us,” he snapped, “you stay away from Yohji, Singapura and my sister.”
The Irishman grinned, "I didn't say that out loud, Abyssinian. Stop eavesdropping on telepathic communications you weren't included in."
He turned around in the seat, a smirk on his mouth. "Yes, this is going to be fun."
Yohji sighed as he finished the energy bar off. It had tasted of chocolate and hadn't bothered him, even though normally he loathed anything that looked like something Ken might purchase.
Crawford's mental voice filled Aya's mind, *Abyssinian, try and get Kudoh to sleep until we reach the airport. We'll need him again before the day is over and he needs the sleep. Also, in view of the fact your sister is now with us, I think a name change might be in order.*
Aya didn’t answer Crawford or Farfarello. Instead his shields almost audibly clanged back into place. How could he possibly be what he was and yet be Ran again? He shook his head, pushing the subject to the back of his mind. He could worry about that once they were safely on the plane.
“Get some sleep, Yohji,” he said. “Apparently they haven’t finished with you yet.” The thought made him angry but he knew that this was Yohji’s power and that he couldn’t help but use it. He’d found that out the hard way with his own power.
The blond rested his head on the smaller man's shoulder and closed his eyes. He was asleep almost instantly.
* * * * * * *
Ken frowned at Nagi, "So Yohji's power is that he makes the rest of us stronger." He shook his head, "But it takes a lot out of him. Could it kill him?"
“Without proper training, yes,” Nagi said softly. “Even with training, if we all drained him at the same time we could kill him. That’s why I didn’t use any of his power back there. You, Schuldig and Aya had to use him.”
He half expected Abyssinian’s sister to say something like, but I’m Aya. She didn’t, however. What she did say was, “It might save confusion if you refer to my brother by his real name. He’s Ran.”
Ken smiled at his team mate's sister, "You know, all this time he never told me his real name. I don't know if he told Yohji or not. I doubt it. He's always been Aya to us. It'll be weird calling him anything else."
Crawford's voice came to them from the front of the car, "At the airport your job will be to make sure no one hurts her. We won't be able to use weapons, and any use of power has to be subtle. They are going to pretend to be police and try to arrest us."
"Stupid," Zeshin stated. "There are real police at the airport, and they have to know we're with you now."
“Not that stupid,” Nagi argued. “The real police will probably be told that the Kritiker agents are part of the Tokyo force. They won’t know any different and will probably help them.” He shrugged. “It’s not as if they want any of us alive.”
Zeshin thought about that for a moment, then he nodded his understanding. "You're right. They're more likely to just shoot us."
"That's their plan," Crawford stated. "And they may shoot at us. That's something that can, at this point, go either way depending on our actions, which is why I'm giving you advance warning. You have to be careful that Aya-chan isn't hurt."
He glanced back to meet Zeshin's gaze for a moment, making sure the boy fully understood what he was saying.
The boy gave a tight nod and glanced at Kai, "We're on it, right Bengal?"
Kai nodded but was thinking, we are? This was the guy who’d tried to kill Yohji and Aya and was now being trusted with Aya’s sister? Kai was getting whiplash when it came to Singapura. He preferred to know where he stood with people.
It was like Schwarz. Despite all he’d heard about them, they had been consistent in their treatment of him. Right now he found that comforting. He met Crawford’s eyes in the rear view mirror. “I’ll do the best I can,” he promised.
"Good."
Ken found himself watching Nagi, trying to decide on a few things. More to the point he was analyzing his feelings and the situation. Nagi had kissed him and left no doubt in Ken's rollercoaster thoughts that the kiss hadn't been something he'd been instructed to do.
There'd been too much genuine feeling behind it and since Prodigy was as emotionally controlled as both Crawford and Aya... Ran.. were then it stood to reason that any display was to be believed.
But he couldn't help wondering why him?
Nagi’s dark eyes turned to fasten on Ken, admiration and something deeper swimming in their depths. “It’ll be alright, Ken,” he said uietly. “Kritiker will be too busy fighting for their own existence to bother much about any of us once we clear the airport.”
A hand reached out and gave Ken’s hand a quick squeeze that had nothing to do with telekinesis.
"Just in case something happens to me, I um..." Blushing Ken leaned closer and placed a gentle kiss on Nagi's lips.
Zeshin carefully looked out of the window so he didn't see the older assassin kissing the other boy.
Nagi blushed becomingly but continued to hold Ken’s hand as if both their lives depended on it.
For her part, Aya-chan was still a little confused. Crawford-san had explained that they needed to leave Japan if they were to survive but had not told her any further details. She knew that she would get nothing out of Ran. Even before their parents had been killed he had kept his own council.
Although it should bother her to just drop her new life and go with her brother and his friends, somehow it didn’t.
Zeshin gave Aya-chan a little smile. He wasn't used to being around any girls but his own sister, and they made him a bit nervous. He didn't know how to talk to them all that well, but she looked both lonely and sad. The way he himself felt.
"Everything will be fine, really it will," he said wondering who he was trying to convince, the girl or himself.
She smiled back at him. “Of course it will,” she said, “Ran knows what he’s doing.”
The boy nodded remembering a brutal kiss. "Yes, I suppose he does," Zeshin replied softly.
* * * * * * *
The airport parking lot was trouble free, which surprised Aya as it was the perfect place for an ambush. Check-in was also without incident and it wasn’t until they set foot in the passenger lounge that the trouble began.
“Halt!”
Well, Birman’s involvement came as no surprise. He took in the details of all the other gun-toting agents and found he knew none of them. He was relieved to find neither Crashers nor Manx involved in this. There was nobody here that he cared about.
Zeshin immediately placed himself between his former employers and Aya-chan while Ken stepped closer to Abyssinian.
Yohji gave the woman a lazy smile, "Come to say goodbye?"
Crawford regarded the woman with a faint smirk quirking one side of his mouth. "You're quite ambitious aren't you, Birman?" His hard gaze swept across the group of agents. "But don't you think you're a bit understaffed for something like this?"
Berserker grinned and set his carry on bag down, slipping an arm around Schuldig's waist. "Aren't they cute?" he asked snidely. "All dressed up to play a game of killers and victims."
Schuldig smirked. “They’ll make lovely corpses,” he agreed.
Kai stepped up to help Zeshin protect Aya-chan, his expression bleak. He never had wanted to work for these assholes anyway.
Nagi stood quietly, gathering his power to shield them all if it became necessary. He felt the shield lock into place and awaited Kritiker’s next move.
Aya stared coldly at Birman. “Come to retrieve your dogs or simply to put them down?” he asked bitterly.
The woman motioned to her men and took a step forward. "There are two ways this can be done. You can come along peacefully and go back to your jobs, or we can terminate your employment."
Crawford's smirk didn't waver, "I believe you will find they've taken employment elsewhere."
Birman's eyes narrowed, "With you?"
"Something like that, yes," the American agreed. He glanced at his watch, "And I'm afraid that we don't really have time for chit chat, so if you'll excuse us..." the man took a bold step forward.
Guns were fired at them almost immediately, causing other passengers in the area to scream and duck for cover. The bullets bounced harmlessly off Nagi’s shield.
“You’ll have to do better than that,” Schuldig sneered.
At that moment there was a slight commotion at the entrance and another group appeared, this time headed by Manx and Queen.
“This operation has been terminated,” Manx stated firmly. “You are to let these people go, Birman.”
"Manx, Queen! You have no authority here, either of you. These orders come directly from Persia. I'm to bring our employees back for new assignments," she argued. "If you don't believe me, call him yourself." But she was watching the other women, frowning at the presence of Crashers. "They shouldn't be here either," she added in anger.
"You can't do this, Birman," Queen informed her gently. "Look at them. This is Schwarz. All you'll accomplish is getting people killed. People who we need."
"We need Weiss!" Birman snapped.
"Yes," Queen agreed, "we do. But they aren't Weiss anymore. And we are also in a very public place. Think about that."
"Let's go," Crawford said to his team He felt a faint glow of warm pride at the thought. Not only Schwarz but Weiss were his now. His. And no one tried to take what belonged to him. No one.
"You can all sort this out on your own. We have a plane to catch," he stated as he took another step forward, menacing Birman. "Unless you want a public bloodbath you might want to get out of our way."
“Do as he says, Birman,” Manx ordered. “They are of far more use to the world alive than dead. Kritiker needs to return to its original concept without the interference of political ambitions.”
Aya snorted mockingly at that. He knew the redheaded woman meant well but Kritiker would always be taken over by politics. It was the very nature of the organisation. He wondered if Birman would have the sense to stand down and eyed her suspiciously. He’d never forgotten nor forgiven being called her dog.
"You've never understood the true purpose of Kritiker, Manx. That's been your problem, you were blinded by your master and never stopped to look at what we really are and what we really do," Birman replied.
Crawford was face to face with the woman now, the tall American looking down at her in more ways than the obvious, "Move or find out how many ways your men can die," he warned, his tone gentle but chilly.
Schwarz knew that tone of voice. They'd heard the man use it often enough. It meant people were going to die.
And the people who did the dying were never Schwarz.
“If we are to talk of blindness, Birman, what about yours when you chose Takatori over Kritiker. Saitou is NOT Persia, nor will he ever be. Now move!”
The other agents with Birman looked a little uncomfortable and started lowering their weapons. Nagi kept his shield firmly in place, however. The situation was far too volatile to drop it yet.
Both Weiss and Schwartz stepped towards the gate, prepared to go through Birman if necessary.
Birman met Crawford's stare, "This isn't over. I promise you that."
Brad gave her a mocking smile, "Of course not. Not for us at least." And on that final enigmatic reply he pushed past her and her agents.
Aya might not trust Crawford but he was beginning to have a grudging respect for the man and his team. So he moved forward with the others and through the gate to the plane and the first stirrings of hope.
Crawford regarded Schuldig, the smirk almost becoming an ever present expression on the American's lips. *You've done well, Schuldig. I think they are beginning to trust us.*
He opened the carry-on that Farfarello had brought on the plane and passed another of the chocolate flavoured energy bars to the German. *Go play nice with Kudoh and give him this. Remember, every action we take around them must be taken with the idea of gaining their cooperation. Without it we'll likely die at the hands of Rosenkruez, and that is not a fate I'll willingly accept.*
Schuldig waited until the plane had taken off before crossing the aisle to hand the energy bar to Yohji. “Vater says you’re to eat this.” He was careful not to actually touch Yohji as Abyssinian was glaring at him for his close proximity. He didn’t think there was a great deal of trust in that corner just yet.
The blonde assassin took the energy bar and nodded his thanks to Crawford across the aisle before he unwrapped it. He was hungry for once, naturally when there wouldn't be any food in sight for the first few hours of the flight.
Aya turned his attention to Crawford, feeling it was time for some answers. “We probably owe you our lives,” he said grudgingly, “and the safety of my sister. What I want to know is what exactly do you expect from us in return. I know you didn’t do any of this out of the kindness of your heart.”
"Co-operation," Crawford replied. "I want my team to survive, and that will take at least you and Kudoh to accomplish. The others," he gave the ex-Weiss a hard smile, "are just frosting on the cake."
“I’ll warn you now, Crawford, I’m growing tired of being used. I am prepared to help you fight against Rosenkreuz, having seen their methods, but only on an equal footing. I am not prepared to be anyone’s lackey ever again. If I think you are manipulating any of us, including my sister, for your own ends, I’ll walk away.”
Kai had heard enough about Abyssinian to know that he was quite capable of walking away. He’d done it to Kritiker on at least three occasions. It showed something else too. He had enough trust in Crawford not to threaten to kill him.
Crawford's smile didn't waver in the least, "Yes I'm using you. I'm telling you this flat out. Surprised?" The American shook his head, "I'm being honest with you. Totally honest. If I didn't need you and Kudoh you wouldn't be here. Not you, not him, and certainly not the rest of the baggage you've brought along."
He glanced at Schuldig, "But the point of fact is that I need you or we die. All of us. Schwarz. Weiss. Your sister. All of us. That's the blunt and brutal truth and nothing I see changes about that until we are all together. Us and the pair of you. Adding them," he gestured to Aya-chan, Ken, Zeshin and Kai, "Actually improves our odds marginally. And against Rosenkruez any edge is worth having."
Aya sat back in his seat, satisfied for now. He had never cared much about his own life, but he couldn’t let Yohji, Aya-chan or even Ken and the two new Weiss die if he could help to save them. “Continue to be honest and forthcoming and I’m prepared to fight by your side,” he said, “double cross us and you’ll be the first to die.”
At those words Crawford's smile only widened. "That's what I've always liked about you, Fujimiya. You keep your promises."
Laughing softly he pulled a financial magazine out of the bag and passed the small duffle to Farfarello who hauled out a ragged copy of Swiss Family Robinson. "I like this book. It's giving me ideas."
Aya relaxed then and closed his eyes, not wanting to see his sister’s horrified gaze. They flew open again when Aya-chan added, “and if he doesn’t kill you, I will. I haven’t forgotten that you worked for the bastard who killed our parents.” He gazed across at her in awe but she was watching Crawford, her dark-blue gaze determined.
Crawford glanced up from his reading, "Don't confuse us with him. You will recall," he said looking at Aya, "that when it came time for your vengeance we stepped aside and did nothing to assist him. Had it been up to any of us," he motioned to the rest of Schwarz, "he wouldn't have lived as long as he did."
*I'd have gleefully killed him the day he struck you with that golf club,* he told the telepath silently.
Which brought his mind to another point he wanted to clarify, "And before you bring up the incident with his beloved daughter Ouka..." he began, "she died at my orders to Schuldig and Farfarello. Think of what she would have become with her father's power plus that of her cousin and lover Mamoru at her disposal had she still lived once he became Persia."
Aya actually shuddered at that thought. He hadn’t cared at all when Omi’s sister, cousin, whatever she was had died. Omi’s suffering had bothered him, but that was over now, also. Omi had died at the Ani Museum.
“I don’t care about that,” he said. “All I care about is on this plane. As long as they remain safe, I’ll play along.”
Brad nodded. He already knew this, but it was always good to have confirmation of his visions. Even now he found that seeing his visions validated by time was pleasing. It was one of the few pleasures he had to enjoy.
“I have one last question. Why am I so important? I can see Yohji’s use as he enhances your powers, but my power seems minimal.”
"Do you always look at a book and decide from the cover if you want to purchase it?" the American asked. There was an odd glitter in his gaze as he added, "Fortunately for you I like to look below the surface." He pushed his glasses up and asked, "Tell me what you think your power is, Aya."
Aya frowned slightly as he thought about it. “I assumed I had a very minor version of your power which kicks in when I fight. I seem to be able to move a little faster than normal when in trouble, like the time you and Farfarello attacked me.”
"That is a mere side-effect of your real power," the dark-haired man replied. "You are, in fact, a chronokinetic. Able to affect time. Or you will be once you're properly trained." He smirked, "What do you think happened to those Rosenkruez agents? You sent them elsewhen. And I have plans for you, Fujimiya. Your power can keep us safe from Rosenkruez once and for all time." There was a peculiar light in the man's eyes as he said the words 'all time.'
Aya was beginning to think he’d got lost in the pages of some weird science fiction novel. He was about to open his mouth to argue with Crawford when Nagi spoke up. “It’s true, Aya,” he said. “You stepped through time to breach my shield that time when I contained Ken and Yohji.”
Aya thought about the Rosenkreuz agents that had vanished. “I thought I manipulated time and space the way you do,” he told Crawford, “I didn’t realise it was physical. Where and when did I send those Rosenkreuz agents?”
Brad chuckled, "I have no clue, but I hope it was somewhere entertaining."
Farfarello snickered, "Maybe somewhere a little Jurassic Park and they are running from a T-Rex right now." The thought amused him and he sat there giggling softly, his mind playing out the images of the agents running from a dinosaur in almost cinematic quality for his telepathic lover.
Schuldig sniggered and put an arm round Farfarello. *Go on, let the poor beast eat them. He looks hungry enough.*
Yohji finished the energy bar and shoved the wrapper into the little bag provided. "So Aya warps time and I'm a walking battery?" He frowned, "Pretty apparent what he has planned don't you think?"
“It’s not a bad idea, Yohji,” Aya said slowly, “if I can do it. It would mean none of us ever having to run and hide again, never having to kill to order again. I can see the possibilities.”
He glanced at Crawford. “When in time did you want me to take us?”
The blonde thought about it. If they chose carefully and if they went backward they could elude pursuit completely by being in a time before Rosenkruez existed.
Then another thought crossed his mind and he turned to stare at Crawford who had started reading his magazine. Voice lowered to a bare whisper he leaned closer to Aya, "Here's a wild thought. What if your control of time is similar to whatever kept Aya-chan from aging. I mean..." he was frowning. "What if that makes you like she was and you don't get older?"
Aya stared at Yohji as if he’d gone mad. “Don’t be ridiculous, Kudoh,” he said, “I’m aging just the same as you are.”
"I know. But she stopped aging while she was in a coma. Think about it. There was nothing telling her body to get older so her power was in effect."
He glanced at Crawford and saw the smirk on the man's face. "And from the look on the all knowing and all seeing Oz over there, I'd say I'm right." He actually smiled slightly, "And my guess is you can share it too. Am I right?"
"Good-looking and brains. That's what I like in my men," Crawford replied, his words conveying genuine amusement. "You've got great taste in lovers, Fujimiya. Once we get him to stay sober and stop smoking he'll be a real prize."
Yohji snorted and gave the American a sour look, but thought better of saying anything that might antagonize their benefactor, such as Crawford was all things taken into consideration. What he did say was, "Well at least he's honest-- more or less-- about what we are to him."
Aya said nothing, still not prepared to believe that he or his sister could keep them all young. Immortality didn’t interest him in the least, especially if it was to be spent like the last few years of his life had been spent. Besides it still felt like a bad joke to consider his own power.
He closed his eyes and leaned against Yohji, trying to think his way through the whole goddamned mess. Not only did he have this power to deal with but he also had his sister in the hands of Schwarz. Something he’d been fighting to keep her out of. And then there was Zeshin. He was still angry at the boy and yet something in him responded to the boy’s submissiveness.
He sighed quietly. “It’s such a mess,” he muttered.
Yohji settled more comfortably, slipping an arm around his lover and kissing the top of his head, "We'll sort it out in Bangkok. Why don't you try and get some sleep? That's what I plan on doing."
Zeshin was seated beside Aya's sister, the boy doing his best to make Abyssinian happy by appointing himself her personal valet. He was rummaging through the stuffed shoulder bag he'd brought on the plane running down the list of snacks he'd stuffed into it. "Let's see, I've got fruity chews, chocolate and strawberry pocky, bubble gum, candy coated chocobites, three bottles of cola, two bottles of fruit punch, one bottle of cocoa drink, and two iced coffee things and some chips."
Ken peered into the carry on, "What, no cookies?"
Zeshin frowned, "Those are in the other bag in the compartment up there," he said pointing above his head at the luggage bin.
"Didn't you bring any fruit, anything that wasn't doused with sugar?"
"No," the boy replied. "You should have thought of that yourself, Ken-kun."
Aya-chan chuckled and requested a bottle of cola and some chips.
Kai was on his feet by this time and handed down the other bag to Ken. “Cookies are in that one,” he said, “plus some fresh fruit.”
Ken dug out an apple and grabbed one of the fruit punch drinks as Zeshin handed Aya-chan the requested food and soda.
"Kai, did you get any of those dried fruit chips? I forgot to add them to my basket when we were at the store," Zeshin asked the other boy.
Ken smiled at Nagi, "You want anything from the travelling convenience store before I sit back down?"
Nagi smiled shyly at Ken and the two youngest ex-Weiss. “Some cookies and the cocoa drink would be good please. Unless someone else wants the cocoa.”
Kai selected a banana, one of the cookies and a bottle of cola before throwing a pack of dried fruit mix at Zeshin and sitting back down.
Zeshin caught the packet of dried fruit and offered it to Aya-chan, "Do you want some?"
The girl shook her head with a murmured ‘no thanks, I’m fine.’
Ken dug out another package of cookies and retrieved the drink for Nagi from the pale-haired boy before taking his seat beside Prodigy. He blushed slightly and said, "You can have them for a kiss."
Nagi also blushed but leaned forward and kissed Ken very willingly, his arm going round the athlete’s neck and his lips slightly parted in welcome.
The brunet's arms went around Nagi, holding him tightly, but not so tightly that he might hurt the slender telekinetic.
*Looks like the Nagling has a pet,* Farfarello remarked as he offered Schuldig some beef jerky.
*Or Siberian does,* Schuldig retorted as he grimaced at the beef jerky. He was saved by Kai passing him a packet of cookies.
*Possibly,* the Irishman replied as he stuffed the jerky into his own mouth. *I honestly can't see the boy on top, but he is Crawford's protégé so who can tell for sure?*
*Nagi is the type to top from the bottom anyway,* Schuldig said with a mental shrug. *You know I’m actually beginning to like this particular batch of kitties. The three best from Weiss and two definite assets thrown in for good measure, not to mention the very talented sister.*
*I'm still not sure about it. We'll see how much arguing there is before I decide. I just can't see them accepting orders from Brad. Not the way we do.*
*Perhaps Brad needs to find another way of doing things with them. Especially Abyssinian and Balinese. Siberian will follow Nagi, I think, whereas the others will follow Abyssinian’s lead. Vater needs to get the man on side rather than give him orders. He doesn’t take authority well at the best of times.*
*That's putting it mildly. Abyssinian's walked out on Kritiker, so he will walk out on us if Brad doesn't handle him just right. Or course he's got his power to help him, but,* Farfarello shrugged, *things don't always go exactly the way he thinks they will either.*
*As far as Nagi and Ken go, you might be right. Siberian sure seems to have latched on to Prodigy. I wonder why? Maybe he's turned on by younger boys but I'm worried he might be on the rebound. If he hurts Nagi, I'll turn him into hash.*
*He’s been hurt too badly himself to want to hurt Nagi. Besides, I can’t see the kid letting him get away. He’s a determined little bastard when he wants to be. No, Farf, we need to build up real trust. Weiss have been betrayed too many times.*
The Irishman nodded. *And unlike us, they didn't expect the betrayal. That's the sad thing really. All that killing they did was based on lies. Not that I'd ever tell them they were killing for people no better than those they killed. It would be more than I think they can handle, though,* he took a drink of the spring water he had, *I'd be willing to bet Kudoh and Fujimiya figured it out, or will soon.*
He offered the bottle to Schuldig and added, *I think Brad's disappointed that he won't have Abyssinian for himself.* His eye narrowed, *Which reminds me. Am I imagining things or is our fearless leader having chest pains?*
Schuldig took the bottle and a long gulp of its contents. *He’s exhausted himself trying to free us and the fight is not over yet. I’m very concerned about him, Farf. I think he has weakened his heart.*
*That's what worries me too. Without Brad we're screwed. I know it, you know it and I'd imagine the kittens know it too.*
He took the bottle back from Schuldig and put the cap back on. *We can't let him kill himself. For one, I don't think Nagi could handle the grief, and let's face it, he's the one holding this mess together.*
*So we do our best to put the kitties at their ease. I think Balinese has also picked up that all is not well with Vater. If he decides to make things worse…* Schuldig sighed audibly. *We really do need them on side, Farf. We need to make them feel that they’re part of this instead of just commodities for us to use.*
*I know, and I've been trying to find a way to make them see that. But damned if I can come up with anything that will seem genuine.*
He sighed and glanced out of the plane's window, *I hope we can relax once we get to Bangkok. At least we'll be out of Kritiker's reach there, which is something.*
"I want to try and make things as easy for Brad as we can because he needs to rest. We lose him, and we're all dead.*
Schuldig didn’t reply to that. There was nothing he could say or think that would change that particular truth. They all needed some rest, Brad most of all, but persuading the precog to take time out would be one of the hardest jobs any of them had to face.