Wed 1.33

[plotbunnytiff.livejournal.com]

Ken parked the car in the garage while Omi and Aya took Ran inside to be taken care of. If things weren’t as dire as they were (and his head didn’t feel like a split melon) he would find a great deal of humor in watching Ran getting laid out by his little sister.

 

Ken quietly made his way upstairs, shutting himself away in the bathroom with the first aid kit. As he went, he could hear the sound of Aya-chan’s voice. It was clear that she was furious at her older brother, but only because she cared about him so deeply. He was still a bit shocked that she had that fire in her. Then again, when he stopped to think about it, she’d gone though a *lot* and still managed to survive. Maybe she was a lot tougher than any of them gave her credit for. She was Ran’s sister, after all.

 

Ran was a lot of things, and tough bastard was high on the list. Who would know better than his teammate, right? Ken turned on the faucet, soaking a cloth in warm water. After a few careful swabs, he managed to wash away a majority of the blood. He had a nasty gash, but nothing a bit of ointment and a bandage wouldn’t fix. Yohji was going to laugh hysterically when he told him about the expression on Ran’s face when Aya-chan reared back and…

 

His hands hurt. Ken looked down and noticed the white knuckled grip he had on the cloth. It was wrung so tightly that the material was beginning to irritate his skin. He gave it a dark scowl and let go, shaking out the pins and needles sensation that came with it. He quickly bandaged himself and made his way downstairs, even though he wasn’t sure what their next move would be.

 

He just couldn’t think very far ahead or mull over what went wrong for very long before he felt the keen edge of blinding panic or white-hot rage skulking at the edge of his perception. It was too dangerous, and he simply could not go under now. Getting Yohji back was a moral imperative, a mission he intended to complete now matter what the consequences.
 

Comments

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan opened her mouth to ask Ran if it'd be worth it for him to die. But footsteps deterred her. She glanced up at Ken's entrance.

Now was not the time to argue... as much as Aya-Chan wanted to, now just wasn't the time. She chose, instead, not to answer Ran at all. No promising anything for the time being... she had to think long and hard about all of this before making any promises.

"Ken-Kun!" A change in subject would be nice. But there was no way that'd happen with Yohji's disappearance looming over everyone. The kitchen felt less lively without the blond's presence...

"Are you doing alright...?" What else was there to ask...?

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran followed his sister's gaze to where Ken was standing. He leaned against the counter, holding his weight on his good leg and bracing himself with his hand.

He stared at the back of her head for a moment, concerned that she hadn't answered him. At her question, though, he moved his gaze back to Ken's.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi looked up from where he was cleaning the floor when he heard Ken come in. He made a mental note that he should talk to Ken at some point. Maybe when life stopped demanding his attention other places and slowed down a bit. Omi sighed and cleaned up the rest of the mess, throwing the towels away since he didn't feel like washing them when they were now stained with blood.

[plotbunnytiff.livejournal.com]

Ken’s words escaped him as soon as the attention in the room landed on him. He felt like he walked in front of a class completely unprepared. Mirroring Ran’s position, he leaned against the opposite wall and looked down at the floor.

“I don’t know what game they’re trying to play,” he began, skipping directly to the subject they were all most concerned with. “but the ball’s in their court for the moment, and that means we have to see what the next move is.” He looked up, his eyes darkened with worry.

“That doesn’t mean we have to be idle. We can prepare what we’ve got until the next play’s made. Like I said before, Omi, I got a couple numbers from the plate, and Ran and I can give a good description of the car model.” He swallowed.

“Aya-chan.” He inhaled, forcing the question out before he lost his nerve. “How well…what I mean is, do you know how to defend yourself?”

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Ken's bluntness caught Aya-Chan off-guard. Up until now, everyone had been avoiding saying much of anything to her as if it were the plague. But now, to have these words spoken in such a blunt manner... she didn't really know how to answer.

How well could she defend herself...? She didn't really know. It wasn't as if she'd ever been put in a situation where she'd had to. Still... if she admitted her fear... and admitted the fact that she really just wanted someone to stay with her - preferably Ran - then... she'd just be a burden.

How could she answer that question?

"I can defend myself just fine." It was surprising how good of a liar she could be. Especially since, up until now... she'd never had to lie before. "Don't worry about me." She kept eye-contact with Ken.

If she looked at Ran, her lies would all crumble...

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran gave Ken an assessing look. He crossed his arms as he weighed his sister's response. What Ken was suggesting was more than simply fending off a street robber.

"Not well enough." Ran finally said. He found Ken's eyes, approving, then looked at Aya.

Later, there were things that needed to be said to her. Apologies for not providing a life where she didn't need defense training. A discussion about everything that had happened. A reevalution of what staying with him would mean. But regardless, what Ken was suggesting might help.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi watched the three in silence for a moment or two. It would be a good idea if Aya-chan could protect herself. But Omi thought that was nearly impossible when it came to schwartz. Even Weiss couldn't defend themselves against the other assassin team, if you went by how well they protected themselves when Yohji was kidnapped.

Omi looked at Ken. "I might be able to track the car with only a couple numbers, if you have a good description of the car. And there's a couple other things I might be able to try."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"It was a red sports car," Ran said shortly, cutting into the question. There was an edge to his voice.

The painkillers he'd taken earlier were beginning to wear off, even as strong as they had been. The throbbing was returning to a searing pain. Had Aya not been there, he would have already retreated to his room.

(Edited for inaccuracy...thanx Schu XD)

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

It hadn't taken Farfarello long to get to the Koneko, but finding a place where he could watch the kittens without being spotted was difficult, especially since one couldn't well stand in the middle of the street staring into a window. He had to be invisible both to pedestrians and to Weiss.

He found a place where he could see into the kitchen, barely, lone eye focused on the kittens and the kitten's sister. So many years in Rosenkreuz had taught him to read lips to a point, enough that he at least was getting the gist of what was being said. He wasn't a telepath and couldn't pluck it out of their heads, and there weren't exactly bugs in the house that he could access to hear them. Unfortunately.

It was a pity that Schuldig wasn't there, if they were going to try and look for the car, but he didn't doubt that the information on their vehicle in whatever databases it was in was entirely false, so it was really a non-issue.

[plotbunnytiff.livejournal.com]

Ken nodded in agreement, but he gave Ran a critical once-over.

"C'mon Omi. let's see what we can dig up while Ran *sits down* with his sister and goes over what Schwartz is capable of." His emphasis was about as subtle as a white elephant.

"We may not be able to do much, but it's always a good idea to know what your opponent can do. Ounce of prevention, and whatever." Ken bounced to his feet and started heading off towards Omi's computer.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran's lips thinned a bit at the implication. He was well enough to operate, especially since Omi had bandaged him. Ken's suggestion was still valid, though Ran crossed his arms and watched the other two leave while he was still standing.

He eyed his sister. It wasn't something he examined often, but his explanation was going to sound ludicrous. Schwartz had been an established obstacle for so long he had gotten over the shock of their surreal abilities, but he was not sure he would even be able to make Aya believe him. He gave her a short nod, asking with it if she wanted to follow Ken's advice and sit.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

What was there to know about a bunch of crazy psycho killers...? Aya-Chan bit back a frustrated sigh. She gave a pointed glare at the chair she had pulled up for Ran previously and promptly sat down in her own.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

To Ran's chagrin, he realized it was going to put a lot more strain on his leg to walk to the chair than to simply remain standing as he was. Unwilling to admit that he actually hurt, especially when it would only make his sister worry more, he uncrossed his arms and braced a hand on the counter again nonchalantly.

"They aren't...usual, Aya." Ran made eye contact with her from across the room. He failed to find an easy entrance to the topic. He scavenged for the right words. "They have powers." He searched her face. What he was about to say sounded ridiculous even in his head, even when he had memory to reinforce his descriptions. "The redhead is a telepath. He reads minds. I don't know how, Aya...but somehow they've been trained..." He trailed off, unwanted images replaying. "Their leader...it's...he seems to know the future." Ran's face twisted with disgust.

It was unjust that out of all humanity on earth, those were the ones awarded extraordinary power.

"And there's a younger one, with dark hair. He can move things. Without touching them...Aya, they're unbelievably strong."

Ran's jaw clenched. He hated what they represented, what they'd done against him and his team.

But yet every time so far, we've walked away alive...

Until today. Yohji.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya gave Ran a blank stare. Powers? Telepath...? She glanced at Omi and Ken. Was this some kind of joke?

But no, she was met with serious gazes. ... Which just made the whole situation worse.

"Stop it!" She couldn't remember when she stood up. But she was standing now, and... screaming. "Stop jerking me around!"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran didn't have a response for her. He stared at her, eyes level, face dark with the memory of what the other team could do. His mouth was set into a grim line. "It's not a joke, Aya." His voice was quiet.

[celtic-kitsune.livejournal.com]

Omi followed Ken quickly stopping momentarily to look back at Aya and Ran. He knew it would be hard for Aya-chan to believe the truth about Schwartz, and he also knew he wasn't the only one that hoped that she would never find out first hand how much damage Schwartz could do. He looked back at Ken.

"Come on. I think I left my computer on downstairs." He said deciding it would be best to let Ran and Aya-chan talk.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Ran was never really that good at lying to her.

... Then again, she didn't know this Ran. This... Aya-Kun.

Aya seated herself and stared expectantly at Ran. "Okay," she said finally. "And how exactly does this come about?" She couldn't help the sarcasm coating her voice. "Do you happen to be able to walk on water as well?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"I don't know how." Ran's voice was taut.

A headache was slowly claiming its throne beside the piercing pain from the gunshot. Stubbornly, he fought down the accompanying nausea.

"And I don't know how to fight them. They're human, I've seen them bleed. But..." His gaze remained unflinching on hers. "Throwing rocks will not take them down."

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Throwing rocks will not take them down... the words made Aya's head throb.

She sighed, and stared at Ran. How was any of this possible...?

"And what do you expect me to do then?"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

"I don't know. Taking Ken's suggestion can't hurt, but it won't do anything against those people. But you need to understand what they are. Don't trust them, don't get near them."

Ran recognized this feeling. It was the numbness that had characterized him while he'd worn Aya's name. He didn't want to be that person around her. But those traits that made him different than the brother Aya had known had kept him alive.

He wished that he could send her away, far away, and that he'd know she'd be happy there. He knew too well that it wouldn't work like that though. He was all she had, she was his world. She would never forgive him.

Looking profoundly unhappy, he struggled to look less haggard. The cut on his neck left a thin strip of red, however, and the bandage on his leg was bared and spotting slightly with blood. He was paler than he should be and the circles beneath his eyes were dark.

He voiced his thoughts anyway. "My employer may be able to find you a safe house, Aya."

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Aw, look, the blood-kitten was having a heart-to-heart about them to his little sister. How cute.

Somehow, he didn't think she would be too keen on the idea of being forced to go to a safe house; not if she was anything like her brother was at least. Even he could see how stubborn the girl would be; she did decide to try and nail them in the head with a rock, after all. It was cute.

He debated for a long moment calling his team mates, but there was little point; Schu and Nagi were..busy at home, and Crawford would come along whenever he got there. There was little he could do but catch Crawford up on what was happening when he got there.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Finding another place far away from all this sounded like a really good idea... She gave Ran a dejected look. "I'll go..." she paused. "... if you'll go with me."

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran's mouth twisted downward. He should have been able to give her that. That day, however, was no where close. Not with Yohji gone, not with the probability of his demons following them both to a place outside of Kritiker's protective eye. He knew well that there would be no help for either of them if he left his employment.

He was meant to fight off the people worth hiding from, not to hide himself.

"I can't. But you have that option, Aya."

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

Farfarello snorted and grinned, amused by the girl's reaction. He couldn't read their lips entirely, but got the gist of what both of them said. She wouldn't go without him, and he couldn't go without further endangering her. Which means, she'd be staying most likely.

He grumbled a little then; this was getting dull, and he wished that at least someone else was here.. Damnit, it was boring watching this, especially on his own. At least with Schu, it was more entertaining.. Damn.

"C'mon Crawford, hurry yer ass up already.." He glared in the direction he'd come from, since he didn't know where Crawford actually was.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

"Then, I'm not going anywhere." There was a finality in her words. She gave Ran a 'don't argue with me' look. "There's no point without you." Not that she really knew the person she was talking to all that well anymore...

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

Ran stared at her face carefully, looking for an opening in her expression for an argument. Her features were resolute.

There was a long moment of silence as Ran prepared orders in his head, and one by one they fell apart.

Ran's voice was quiet. "There will be nothing left for me if I lose you, Aya."

No purpose, no reason, no motivation. A fractured relationship with Yohji would not be enough to keep him intact even if he was still alive, even if he still wanted Ran, even if there had been something to build from, or validate what he'd gone through to avenge their family.

[bloodyfarfie.livejournal.com]

((Moved to Wednesday 1.34))

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

Aya-Chan blinked, hearing the bell to the flower shop jingle. ... twice. She glanced at the clock, then back at Ran. She was the only one who wasn't bleeding or busy. And it was a good excuse to leave the conversation.

"I'm going to go see who's here." She gave Ran a challenging glare. "Don't you move, okay? You'll scare the customers away." Before he could give her an answer, she rushed off.

(Moved to Wed. 1.34)

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

((From Wed 1.34))

"RAAAAN!" Aya-Chan burst into the kitchen, feeling completely out of breath.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

[Lol!!! *cue heart attack*]

Ran literally jumped. He'd been staring at the door his sister had gone through a minute or so before, and had not expected her sudden reappearance. From the way she looked alone, he grabbed a knife from the drawer by his hip, concealing it with his arm, and strode like he wasn't injured toward the shop. "Who?" He flung at her quickly, before he reached the doorway.

It had to be someone that had scared her, a simple mishap wouldn't have caused that.

[kuchren.livejournal.com]

((Lol... it'd be like, "hey guys... sorry but Ran actually isn't here anymore... I accidentally gave him a heart attack and killed him..."))

Aya-Chan stopped herself at Ran's sudden appearance, barely keeping herself from crashing into him. She opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of footsteps from behind stopped her. She whirled around to stare at the two men. Dammnit! She should've thought everything through before bolting out like that. Now they're here and... - here, she glanced back nervously at Ran - ... Ran was definitely injured and not up for a fight.

"I thought I told you to stay outside!"

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

There was a fraction of a second where Ran looked in horror at his sister's bravery, but the moment was over when he caught himself just before using the makeshift weapon by his side. Schwartz was here; his sister was okay. It was lucky he managed to think logically before acting - his training winning out after all.

Ran managed to quickly position himself between the intruders and Aya-chan without limping. He was not happy to see the dark-haired leader with Farfarello; it was simply too difficult to hold his ground against him even uninjured.

Hopefully Aya-chan's cry had alerted the others.

But she was safe. Attacking out of anger was not going to gain them ground, or protect anyone.

"Where is our teammate?" Ran bit out.

[genuinelie.livejournal.com]

[Whoever posts next - please start a new thread, Wednesday1.37 - thanks!]