8This is rebelyell59 and unknown2, and we would like to invite all of you to read our first joint effort together. We have everyone's favorite good guys and not so good guys, as well as new characters. There is intrigue, murder, and everything else you've come to love in a Weiss Kruez fan fiction. We have posted the first two chapters and look forward to reading your comments and other suggestions. We will not mind constructive advice as long as you are respectful in the way you present it. So please continue reading and we hope you like…"Where the Past and Present Meet"
Prologue
The four children stood together looking at the graves. None of them spoke a word, the oldest looked at the rest, the youngest a three year old girl, started crying and he bent down and picked her up. He wondered how long he was going to keep them together. Already Social Services had been sniffing around.
They had been together all their lives, their parents had been friends since college, and had ended up living in the same town and becoming neighbors. So of course, their children had been best friends even with the age difference.
As Wren stood there, he knew that Social Services had been after the younger three already. At 18, he knew he was old enough to take care of the younger three, plus he knew he would have more than enough money to support them, but he also knew someone was pushing Social Services hard. The four of them were known to be "The Four Musketeers" and had sworn to be together forever.
Looking ahead of him, he could see the caskets of all of the parents. It had been decided they had all lived together, so they would be buried together. Wren had chosen this spot for the burial. The lake behind and the flowers and trees all around made this a beautiful place.
Looking down again at the other three, Robin had stopped crying and was trying to get to Wren. Wren reached down and picked her up. She cuddled in his arms and whispered to him "I wuv you, Wwen". Wren smiled at her and said "I love you, too Robin Bobbin." Wren started looking around again, and thought to himself "God, they won't even give us peace at our parents' funerals."
Two Social Services women had come to get Rayven, Lark, and Robin away. Robin had fallen asleep in his arms. "Rayven" he said quietly to the girl next to him. "We have to get you, Lark and Robin to my house." "That thing is so big; I can hide you guys until we get this straight." Rayven looked around and spotted the two women from Social Services. "I am not going with them, I've told you before." "I've told you before; I am not letting them take you three and separating us." Wren told her.
After they got away to Wren's home, the two women from Social Services arrived. "We've come for the children, where are they?" one of the women said. "They are not here. Rayven, Lark, and Robin have had a hard time dealing with this and the doctors told us not to push them." Wren replied.
"You did not answer our question" said the second woman. "Where are the children?"
"I've told you, the doctors said not to push them, so they are at home under a doctor's care." Wren told the women.
"Then we will just have to go to the home and pick them up." the first woman said. Wren looked at the women and told them," You will not do anything that will hurt them." "They don't need strangers coming in and taking them from the only friends and family they've known."
"Won't allow it?" replied the second woman, "Who do you think you are? It is our duty and our job to take those children and we will."
Wren looked at the women with a small smile on his face, "And I am telling you, you will not have them, so go away and never come back."
"Fine, we will just call the police and have them forcibly removed." was the answer shot back by the first woman.
"You will have to find them first, and then remember who our parents were, you will never have them." was the biting reply from Wren.
Then Wren did something that froze everyone around them.
He smiled.
Chapter 1:
"Put that over there." Ran ordered.
Ken glared at him with hazel eyes, trying as hard as he could to make his beautiful eyes look threatening, but he knew he had lost.
He sighed, "Yes, sir…" he muttered as he put up the fresh batches of Lillies on the other side of the flower shop.
Ran sighed as he sat down, he drummed his fingers along the table as the chattering girls roamed around the place trying to get at least one of theirs attention. His gaze moved to Yohji who was shamelessly flirting with some high schoolers by the window. He looked to his left to see Omi trying to get some clinging girls off his arms as he called for help.
Annoying girls, Ran muttered, how can we run a business if these girls won't leave us in peace, he thought slightly annoyed.
Omi frowned and looked at Ken, "Boy, Aya sure is grumpy today."
Ken grinned, "You know that's how Ran is." Was the reply, "He's grumpy because Aya is going on her first date and he is having a hard time with it."
Omi's mouth formed an o and he smiled, "Typical."
"Yes." Ken agreed.
Ran stood up sighing, "Alright that's enough girls, could we please have some peace, so we can get some work done!" he demanded.
All the girls stood still, looking very surprised.
"Ahem." came a voice from the door.
Everybody turned and spotted a beautiful tall red head standing by the door, her arms were crossed, "Open for business, boys?" she asked playfully.
"Manx, darling, welcome." Yohji smiled as he walked towards her.
"Sorry ladies, but we have to close." Omi spoke shooing them out.
Ken locked up the place after him.
"Let's go downstairs." Ran ordered.
"This is boring." Schuldig muttered tossing an apple in the air, as he sat on the couch.
Nagi had his hands on his lap in deep thought ignoring his surroundings.
They were in a lavish hotel room, waiting for their next assignment. Schuldig truly enjoyed every assignment to its core, but the waiting would literally kill him, that's why he wasted most of his time playing with the staff's mind as he pleased.
"That idiot of a boss, Takatori!" Schuldig muttered, angered by the notion of being locked in, "Locking us in here like we were animals."
"Calm down, Schuldig." Crawford said, "You know he has no hold over us."
"It is not our time to leave." he stated confidently
"I don't think he locked us in anyway," Farfarello spoke, licking one of his swords, "It is to keep his paranoid mind from panicking."
Crawford's lips curved upwards in a smile, "Patience is a virtue, my assassin friends."
Schuldig was going to retort back when the door unlocked, and in came Takatori. His eyes trailed to those in the room, "Gentlemen."
"Listen to me, you basta…" Schuldig began, but suddenly stopped. Behind Takatori stood a beautiful young girl, who seemed to be around the age of 20. She was slender and tall, with beautiful long black hair that went down her back, with astonishing grey eyes.
Crawford stood up, his eyes on Takatori, "I was told that you have no wish of our services anymore."
"I was wrong." Takatori spoke, "This is my niece." Pushing the girl towards them, "She will need surveillance; I want you guys to protect her at all cost."
Nagi stood up, "I do not understand why your niece would be needing surveillance," he spoke, "Isn't she Persia's daughter?"
That caught Crawford and Schuldigs attention, "Persia's daughter?" Schuldig began, "Why would we need to protect her."
Takatori smiled evilly, "Because I kidnapped her."
Lark was not happy, he had no idea what had happened earlier, but he was clearly not happy.
Somehow in the midst of the events this morning, Wren had managed to lose it, again. "Oh Wren," he muttered smacking his forehead, "You're supposed to be the older one." he said shaking his head.
He sat down crossing his arms on his bent knee and looked outside at the city of Japan, his eyes trailed to the mass of people walking along the streets as if their lives depended on it. His thoughts were at ease, when suddenly his ears prickled and felt someone behind him…
"Your guard is down." said the soft feminine voice, "It's only me."
Lark didn't turn around, "Is he calm?"
Her beautiful lavender eyes somehow sparkled, "Wren is always calm."
Lark snorted.
The young girl of eighteen sat next to him, "What's on your mind?"
"Nosey Rayven." He muttered, knowing she hated his nickname for her.
She crossed her arms, "Lark." She said firmly.
"Nothing." He said firmly, "Nothing." His voice quiet and distant.
"What are we having?" asked a young teen of 13, to the taller man as he chopping vegetables.
Wren's eyes trailed to her, "Vegetables." He muttered.
She crinkled her nose, "Again?"
He poked her nose, "I feed you vegetables so you can grow up healthy."
"But I'm grown." She began, "See? I'm as tall as Rayven! and my boobs are bigger than hers…" she spoke.
Wren almost choked on the last sentence, "Excuse me…" he began.
"Bye Uncle Wren." She had heard the phone start ringing, so she started running out of the door.
"Sheesh!" was heard from Wren as he busied himself in the kitchen. His mind was not into it; every time he went into the kitchen meant his mind was occupied. He knew why, it was Lark, they had gotten into one their silly arguments again and he knew he had lost it this morning.
Looking towards the room where Lark and Rayven were sitting, Wren thought about their argument this morning. Lark had been asking questions about their parents' deaths and Wren had wanted him to stop asking. Lark had just pushed and pushed until Wren had snapped.
Flashback to that morning
"So you really want to know what happened that night." Wren had asked, "Are you sure you can handle the truth? Have you never wondered why I never discussed our parents except in just general terms or memories?"
Lark had just stared at Wren. What was wrong with him, all Lark had done was ask about his parents death. He had been so upset at the time to really remember what had happened. So he had asked Wren about it. "What is your problem?" was Lark's reply. "All I did was ask about my parents, there is no need to go completely in orbit."
Wren, by this time completely lost it. He had for the last ten years, tried so hard to keep the facts surrounding all of the parents' deaths from the younger ones. He did not want them to know all of the gory details, he wanted them to keep the wonderful memories they had of them. Lark was asking too much from him, to relive that time, that place, and all of the horrible memories.
"Why can't you just leave it alone?" Wren asked Lark. "Why is it so important to you?" Lark looked at him, "You can remember them all, Wren, and I can barely remember my parents' faces." "As first, I could remember every little detail, places we went, things we did, even their faces. Now, all I have is a vague memory that is why I asked" was Lark's reply. "Now I have a question for you, why all the hostility?" "It's not like you to get so hyper about a simple question." Lark looked at Wren.
Wren stood there just looking at him, wondering how to answer. Wren knew he had overreacted, but how else was he suppose to act, knowing all of the disgusting details.
"You have to know? All you need to know is right there on the tapes and in the photo albums. You do not need to know anything more." Wren yelled at Lark, knowing all the time he was in the wrong but couldn't stop himself.
"Fine" yelled back Lark, "I guess if I want answers, I'll have to get them on my own."
End of Flashback
Wren turned around and finished fixing dinner while still thinking about the argument. Robin came back in to the room after her phone call, "That was Cindy; she wanted to know if I could spend this weekend with her. She and her parents' are going to Tokyo Disney and want me to go with them. Pleeease."
Wren looked over at Robin, who had gotten on her knees, looking up at Wren with big eyes begging.
"Hmm, so you want to go to Tokyo Disney with Cindy this weekend? I guess I could say yes, but there is just one little problem." was Wren's reply.
"What? What?" asked Robin? "Well I remember asking a certain person to clean her room about two days ago, and you know what? I went by that room tonight, and guess what I found?" replied Wren.
"I know, room's dirty." was the forlorn reply.
"Well, I might change my answer if whoever's room is cleaned and the dishes are done tonight." Wren said smiling.
"I swear that my room will be spotless and the dishes will be done for the next two days if you say yes." was heard from the pleading girl.
Laughing at her, Wren looked down at Robin and said "Alright, after dinner you can call Cindy and tell her it is OK for this weekend."
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" came the squealing voice of the young girl.
"I'll remember that the next time you tell me I'm mean and you hate me and will never speak to me again." was the reply that came back.
Wren started putting dinner on the table. As well as the vegetables, there was rice, and sushi. "Go call Lark and Rayven for dinner, Robin Bobbin" Wren asked.
"OK, oh great one, your wish is my command." was the smart answer from Robin.
Wren swatted her on the butt with the tea towel he held in his hand.
Lark and Rayven came into the dining room followed by Robin. "Guess what, guys." asked the excited girl. "What?" was the reply from Lark and Rayven.
"I get to go with Cindy and her parents to Tokyo Disney and spend the weekend." Robin said.
"Oh, I see how it is, some people get what they want, when they do what you say. Right, Wren?" Lark said angrily.
Wren looked at Lark and said, "We will discuss this later when we are alone and both of us have calmed down."
"What if I don't want to wait, what if I want to have it out now, what will happen then?" was the smart reply from the younger boy.
Robin looked at both guys and was starting to get upset.
"Lark, I won't go if you do not want me to, I can spend it with you instead." Robin told Lark.
"I don't need your pity, little girl; you can go to hell for all I care." was the angry reply from Lark.
Robin left the table crying, while Rayven and Wren looked at him.
"I can accept that you are mad at me" Wren told Lark, "but, that doesn't give you the right to take it out on Robin. All she wanted to do was share her good news with you like she has done so many times before. So I suggest you get your ass out of that chair and go apologize to her.
"Then later, we will have a discussion on your behavior." Lark looked over at Rayven for support and Rayven told him, "I have to agree with Wren on this one Lark, I think you should apologize to Robin, she had nothing to do with your mood."
Lark stood up and went upstairs and stood outside of Robin's room. After knocking on her door, Lark went in and found Robin lying on her bed crying. Looking around her room, you could tell that it was a typical young girl's room.
Decorated in pastel colors of blues, pinks and greens, there were posters of pop stars, as well as posters of mythical creatures. Lark walked over to the bed, and sat down.
"Robin" Lark said, reaching for the younger girl. Pulling away from him, Robin told Lark to go away.
"No. I'm not leaving until you look and listen to me." Lark said. Robin rolled over and looked at Lark with tears streaking down her face.
Reaching over to gently wipe the tears from her face, Lark said quietly, "Robin, it wasn't your fault what happened at the table. I'm glad that you are going to have this special weekend. I envy you; you are going to have such a great time. I was mad at Wren over an argument we had earlier, and I took it out on you. You know how much I love you and would never talk to you like that. Please forgive me and tell your friend yes you are going."
Robin looked up at Lark and said quietly, "You hurt me by what you said. I'm not sure if I can forgive you right now, because I'm still upset. I will probably forgive you later after I have calmed down." "Alright, I accept that, so come on, we are waiting dinner for you." Lark replied. Going downstairs, both of them went to the dining room where Rayven and Wren were waiting for them.
Wren looked up at Robin and said, "Are you OK, Robin Bobbin?" "Not now, but I will be. Can I still go this weekend?" was Robin's reply. "What was the agreement between us earlier?" Wren asked Robin. "I'm suppose to clean my room and do the dishes." was the answer given.
"That's right, you said you were going to do the dishes for the next two days. "Wasn't that right, little girl?" Wren asked looking at Robin.
"Did I say that? I don't remember saying anything like that? I must have amnesia." was the smart reply from Robin.
Wren started laughing at her and held his arms open, Robin went flying into them and gave Wren a great big hug and kiss. "I love you Wren, thank you for letting me go."
Wren swatted her butt and sent her back to her seat. "Let's eat before everything is ruined." Wren said and then looked at Lark, "I will talk to you later."
"Fine" was the reply from Lark
Schuldig studied the young woman quietly, her beauty was dazzling and he was trying to understand her, but couldn't focus. Its like every time he tried reading her mind, his mind scrambled.
"Stop it." She said softly sitting next to Nagi.
Schuldig looked up, "What…"
"Stop reading my mind."
Crawford adjusted his glasses and looked at her, "Interesting." Standing up, he crossed his arms standing in front of her, "Why were you kidnapped?"
She looked down, "I don't know." She admitted.
Farfarello sat close to her, watching her with a threatening gaze, "Interesting."
"Don't come near me." Fay said, as a slight force pushed Farfarello away.
Nagi looked at her, "You're not an ordinary woman." He observed.
Schuldig rubbed his jaw, "Looks like Uncle Takatori had made some plans."
She sighed leaning back onto the sofa; "I really don't care." was the reply as she crossed her legs.
Crawford watched the young woman; any other woman in her position would be terrified by now. But there stood Fay and looking calm and composed, he admired her as well, it had been a while since he had met anyone with so much poise and elegance.
"Why did he kidnap his own niece?" Schuldig spoke leaning on one knee in front of her, his face on the same line as hers, "What is he thinking of?" he repeated softly.
She stood up ignoring his gaze, "The question is why you are here? All locked up?"
"Locked up?" Crawford chuckled; "Hardly, my dear." was the answer given as he stood next to her.
Nagi twitched his eye and the door unlocked, "Never."
Farfarello stood up, "Let's go."
They all stood up.
"Wait…" she began, "Where are you guys going?" she began.
"We leaving this place, missy, whether you like it or not." Schuldig grinned.
Crawford walked towards the door, but she held his arm, "You can't leave me here with that monster." she told him. Crawford adjusted his glasses and looked at her, "Well…" as she held onto his arm, "You can't guarantee that we aren't monsters either." He said softly.
She looked taken aback.
"You can always follow us." Schuldig hinted as he walked out the door.
"What's up, Manx." Yohji spoke, "You haven't graced us with your beautiful self for a long time." he said holding her waist lightly.
She pushed him away, "Whatever…" she muttered picking out a file from her bag, "This is your next assignment." Handing Ran the file.
"Name, Lark Lee Wren." Ran read. "Former gang member for the syndicate, joined for a year than left for unknown reasons." He read out loud, "Whereabouts are unknown." He muttered.
Ken took the file from him, "Jesus! He's just a kid, just twenty."
"We never question a target." Yohji reminded him.
Ran frowned, "I have to admit I am not comfortable about this either."
"Why are we targeting him?" he asked.
Manx crossed her arms, "I am surprised the name Wren didn't ring a bell."
Ran's eyes widened in surprised, he got certain flashbacks, and then stopped. "Are you telling me this kid is his son?" he demanded.
"Brother." She finished.
Ken was quiet as well, "This is bad." He muttered.
"This is getting very personal." Yohji agreed.
Omi had no idea what they were talking about.
"They did what?" Reiji demanded from his desk.
The man in a suit looked at him through dark glasses, "Escaped." He repeated firmly.
"And why are you standing here? After them! Bring them back to me." He ordered, "Dead or alive."
The man hesitated, "And the girl?"
"I don't care." He said evilly.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"And you guys are supposed to be assassins?" Fay snapped as she ran alongside Schwartz, through the Takatori building.
Schuldig held her hand as he dodged bullets, was heard to ask, "Why are we running?"
"This building has a lock down system, if we take the time to stay and fight, they can lock us in; and we would not be able to break out until morning." Crawford explained as they stood by a wall.
"But Nagi…" she began.
"It will take me time." Nagi told her, "By then there's no telling what would happen."
She frowned.
"Uh-oh." Farfarello spoke as a grenade was thrown where they were.
"Take cover!" Schuldig yelled as something exploded and he heard gun shots as well.
Hours Later
Nagi was breathing heavily as he tried to calm himself down. Somehow in the midst of the smoke, he had managed to escape and stay in one piece. He checked himself out and found he had no major injuries. He looked to his side and found Farfarello sitting next to him as they sat on the street corner. "Where are the others?" Nagi asked.
"It will take more than an explosion to bring them down." Farfarello answered.
Nagi sighed knowing his was right, "We'll need to rest and meet everyone in 48 hours at the meeting place."
"Correct." Farfarello answered. The Schwartz always had a code, if in a battle and they got separated, they were to lay low, rest themselves, and then regroup at their meeting place in 48 hours.
"Let's go to my place." Nagi offered, "No one knows about it."
Farfarello nodded.
Schuldig coughed up the smoke he had inhaled, plus the water, he had swallowed, after he had somehow gotten thrown into a lake. He had managed to hold his breath so as not to try to inhale any smoke, but had inhaled some anyway. He finally crawled over to the pavement and sat down. That idiot Takatori! He swore, one minute we are protecting him, and the next minute he tries to kill us, his eyes said raging. "You have officially made an enemy out of us, Mr. Takatori." he thought angrily, "You will pay for your betrayal." was another thought going through his mind as his green eyes flashed wildly.
"You're hurt." Fay spoke softly watching Crawford. He was on his knees on the floor trying to catch his breath; one of his hands was on his rib where he had been shot. Somehow in the midst of the madness, he had managed to throw Fay off guard as the explosion hit and the bullets started flying and pulled her with him out of the building. He didn't know why he did it, but something had told him this girl was to be protected, even from someone like Reiji.
"I'll be fine." He spoke standing up, but winced and almost fell. Fay held him up by holding him by the waist, "Men can be so stubborn." She muttered and commanded, "Put your arm around my shoulder."
He swore softly and did so.
"Any idea where to go?" she asked.
"Not really, we're to meet the others in 48 hours." he answered as they walked.
"Then I know just the place to go." Fay said smiling.
Walking up to the flower shop, Crawford felt like this place was familiar. Looking around, all he could see from his vantage point was a sea of girls.
How could anyone that works here stand all that squealing and screaming all day long? was Crawford's thought as he stood there.
Fay stood by his side and leaned over to talk to him. "I know the guys that work here, and they will let us stay here until we need to meet the others."
"I guess this would be the best, as we will not be safe on the streets, and I really don't know of any other place we can go." was Crawford's reply.
Looking around, Fay started smiling as she spotted someone.
"Who is she looking at?" wondered Crawford.
Telling him not to move, she ran inside and Crawford could hear her squealing with delight.
Coming to door, Fay hollered to Crawford, "Come inside, I have some people I want you to meet."
Slowly walking to the door, Crawford went inside and spotted Fay with a group of guys. Now he wasn't very happy about that, but really couldn't figure out why.
"Crawford, I want you to meet some friends of mine…Guys, this is Crawford, I think you could call him my jailer."
As the guys turned around, everyone recognized each other at the same time. "Oh, hell no, there is no way I'm staying here with these jackasses."
"Well guess what, dumbass, we don't want you here anyway, so just shag your happy ass out the door." was the angry reply heard from one of the guys.
"Fine with me, we will find some other place to stay for the next couple of days." Crawford said.
Now while the guys had been yelling at each other, Fay had been standing to the side trying to figure out just what the hell was going on. "Guys" yelled Fay over all of the commotion, "Guys"….. "
"What" was the comment heard from all five men, who all had extremely violent looks on their faces.
"Can you please tell me just what the hell is going on? All of you are acting like you are the worst enemies, and as far as I know you don't even know each other." was the comeback from Fay.
They all looked at each other and tried to decide how to handle this situation. Now they all knew that there were two ways they could handle this: One, admit they knew one another and hated each other guts, or Two, lie big time and make up some lame excuse why they had gone ballistic.
Now with option number one, that was a major no no, because they would have to explain how the knew each other and they couldn't tell Fay that Weiss were assassins, and rivals of Schwartz. Option two seemed to be the best bet, but how were they going to explain the blowup.
Fay looked at them, "OK, I am waiting for some one to tell me what is going on?"
After looking around at each other, it was Crawford who spoke up. "I must apologize, I thought they were some other people I knew and as you can tell by my reaction, I don't feel friendly towards them."
"Please excuse my horrible temper; I really thought for a moment all of you were the other people." Crawford gritted out between his teeth.
It was Yohji who answered him with a smirk on his face. "That's alright, pal, we guys understand things like that. Let's kiss and make up."
Fay almost choked at the reply from Yohji, and Crawford looked like he wanted to punch out Yohji.
"Look, let's go upstairs and you can tell us what is going on." Aya said. "Yohji, close up the shop."
After going upstairs, and cleaning and bandaging Crawford's gunshot wound, the guys looked to Fay and Crawford for an explanation.
"Earlier today, my boss brought Fay to my apartment and told me and the gentlemen I work with, that we were to guard Fay." Crawford was the first to say.
"Did he happen to say why Fay needed protecting?" was the response from Ken. "No not to us at the time." was the reply from Crawford.
Fay spoke up at this time, "I was walking down the street going to work, when this black car drove up next to me and this man leaned out of the window and told me to get into the car."
"Of course, my answer to that was, I didn't know him and it just wasn't going to happen. "He then told me he was from my uncle and my uncle wanted to see me."
As Fay was talking the Weiss guys were looking at Schwarz, trying to figure out where they fit in.
Crawford then noticed Fay holding her left side, "What is wrong with your side, why are you holding it?"
"Nothing, just a small scratch, nothing to worry about." was the fast reply from Fay.
By now, all of the guys were looking at her, and by their facial expressions, you could see they were not accepting any of her act.
"Alright then, since it's not such a big deal, you will take off your dress, and let us look at it." Crawford said.
"Are you nuts?" came the swift reply from the shocked girl. "Just take off my dress in front of five guys and then let them take their time staring at me…I don't think so." was the smart remark from Fay.
After looking at each other, Crawford and Omi held Fay down while the other three got Fay's dress off.
Now just picture this folks, five guys trying to take off the dress of one girl, while said girl, was trying to take their heads off.
They finally got the dress off, only to see a giant gash in Fay's side. "Where the hell did you get that?" yelled Crawford (he seemed to be doing a lot of that since he had met Fay, not being his usual cool, calm self.)
"None of your frickin' damn business, smart ass." Fay answered.
"Well guess what, we are all making it our frickin' damn business." was the reply from Yohji.
After several minutes of fighting between Fay and the guys, Omi finally patched up Fay's side and had given her a pain pill that fortunately put her to sleep.
"OK Schwartz, now tell us what the hell is going on?"
"All we know is this morning Takatori brought her to our apartment and told us to guard her. When we asked who she was, we were told she was his niece."
"Didn't any warning bells sound?" asked Aya.
"Not until after she had taunted us about being prisoners and not being able to leave the apartment." Crawford said.
"What do you mean by that?" Omi asked.
"We ran into a little trouble….like when we tried to leave, they tried to lock us in the building and tried to kill us." Crawford told them.
"Isn't that taking things a little far, even for Takatori?" Yohji said.
Crawford thought about the answer before he spoke in his normal cool tones. "We don't like the man, but we were hired to do a job, and that job was to protect him and follow his orders. It doesn't matter what our personal feelings were, we just did it." was the answer.
"Alright, we are not going to solve anything tonight, so let's just go to bed and we will think of something in the morning." Omi said. "We will put Fay in Ken's room, and he can bunk with me. Crawford, you can sleep here on the couch." were the next words from Omi.
After everyone had left, Crawford laid on the couch and thought of the rest of his team. I hope they got out alright and will be at the meeting place in two days.
Then he fell asleep.
Later that night
Ken sighed as he quietly watched Fay sleep soundly on his bed.
He reached to touch her cheeks, but restrained himself. Damn! WhyWhyWhy, did it have to be Crawford! What was he doing with her? Ken thought annoyingly.
He had met her several years ago by accident at a formal party when he was there to do a job and was immediately attracted to her. Throughout, he had noticed each member of Weiss had somehow managed to meet her as well throughout their assignments, and therefore she had become a friend to all.
Fay stirred and blinked lightly, she suddenly sat up, "Oh." She said softly, "Kenny, where am I?" she asked, then her eyes widened, "Oh my!" as she noticed that she was only in her underwear, she quickly held the blanket around her, her cheeks reddening in the process.
Even Ken was embarrassed and turned his head away, "Are you alright?" he asked absently.
"Yes." she muttered.
Ken stood up and pulled a shirt from his closet, "Put this on." he ordered throwing it at her.
She took it and slipped it on, "Thanks." she said quietly, then she looked around,
"Where's Crawford?"
Ken gritted his teeth, "He is…" he muttered, "In the room next to us."
She stood up, "I'm going to go and check on him."
He held her arm and as she stopped, asked "Do you think it's wise?"
"Excuse me?"
"That man…" he began, then he stopped and let go off her arm," Never mind."
Ran was quiet as he sat in his room, thinking of Aya and Sakura. Aya had been happy when she had gotten home earlier tonight, but later got annoyed with the guys because they had literally scared her date half to death by interrogating him.
"I'm old enough!" she had snapped at Ran.
He remembered how he had ignored her remark, and then had his thoughts turn to Wren.
Before Omi had been assigned to the Weiss, their fourth member had been Wren. He had been an assassin like them, but quit when he was reunited with his family.
Wren had been complicated, one minute he could be calm, cool, and collected, and then next he would lose his temper without any warning.
Back then, he had met Lark on several missions, but he was never felt threatened.
Ran knew he had to take on the job without any questions, but he wondered if just this once, Persia could've been wrong.
In Yohji's room, Yohji is speaking to Manx:
"She will be fine." Yohji spoke on his mobile. He was lying on his back on the bed and talking to Manx quietly.
"Persia was worried about her; apparently Takatori kidnapped her while she was shopping earlier." Manx explained.
"Say Manx." Yohji began, "What is so special about her?"
"Huh?"
Yohji took a drag off his cigarette, "Why all this fuss over one little girl?"
Manx chuckled, "She's hardly little, Yohji."
"Don't change the subject, Manx."
"Everything has its time." Manx replied hanging up.
"Weird," he muttered lying back down; closing his eyes, as he laid on his back facing the ceiling.
"It will definitely be a good day tomorrow." he thought trying to get some sleep.