What If?
Chapter 14- Spilled Milk
The cabin was finally in view. It had been so long since Ken had been back to the place where he and his childhood friend Kase had grown up together. If someone had told him all those years ago that this would have happened, he would have laughed and asked to share some of whatever that person was sniffing. Even now, it just didn't seem real, especially at this place. Unfortunately, it was real, and that childhood friend had turned on him in the worst possible way. Ken suddenly felt a surge of disbelief, bordering anger. How dare Kase desecrate this place with his hatred and psychosis?! But, now… that was immaterial. The only thing that mattered right now was Mamoru.
Mamoru would be inside that cabin somewhere. Probably in the cellar, away from prying ears and eyes. Ken wondered what Kase had in mind for him, more than ever now that he didn't bring Aya like had been requested- no- ordered. Screwing up his courage, the J-Leaguer stepped cautiously forward, in fear of booby traps set up around the grounds of the cabin. When Ken reached the door unharmed, he was almost disappointed. After all of the hell that Kase had put him through, it almost seemed he didn't want to be serious and take the initiative to sabotage Ken at every chance he got. He quickly dismissed these thoughts. It was a damn good thing Kase hadn't set up ambushes. It made everything that much easier to carry on with.
Soon… One way or another, it would soon be all over with.
Yohji's car skid to a stop at the edge of the woods, looking dark and foreboding even in the sparkling daylight. The trees crowded about one another were so thick and full of leaves that it turned the interior of the forest into a darkened night. For a few moments, no one moved or spoke.
"Well," Aya-chan began, interrupting the quiet. "I guess we should get going. We've gotta find this place, and it doesn't look like it's going to be easy in there." Nods of agreement followed, and the three figures stepped out of the vehicle, eyes washing over the ominous-looking forest before entering it.
Aya glanced at her brother, whose eyes were fixed ahead of him, following Yohji through the thick bramble. She reached out and took his hand quickly in hers. The redhead turned to her, eyebrow arched quizzically.
"J- just to make sure we don't get lost, you know?" The apprehensive look in her indigo eyes betrayed her weak bravado. Ran smiled.
"I know," he answered, squeezing her hand gently. Ahead of them came a gagging sound. Two pairs of eyes moved to the source of the noise, which just happened to be Yohji.
"Excuse me while I vomit," he muttered, feeling the glare that was undoubtedly coming from a certain flame-haired florist. The lanky detective stopped a moment later, turning on the siblings. "So… any theories?"
"E= MC²." Ran and Yohji groaned. Aya pouted.
"If this place was used for camping, it would most likely be situated deep in the woods, as far away from civilization as possible," Ran offered. "We need to make sure we're headed in one direction so we don't end up in circles."
"Anyone got a compass?" Aya asked hopefully.
"We don't need one."
Yohji quirked an eyebrow. "Explain…?" Ran grinned. Being a botanist definitely paid off in times like this. He let go of Aya-chan's hand and walked to a nearby oak. A slender, pale finger pointed to a green substance on the bark.
"Moss always grows on the north side of trees, or whatever it is growing on. Because this forest is in such disrepair, we should have no problem keeping track of direction."
"Way to go, Ran-nii!" Aya chirped. Yohji allowed a smirk. The guy was handy in a tight squeeze. "What're we waiting for? Let's go! If the forest opening is that way-" she pointed behind them, West by tree-calculations- "than all we have to do is keep the moss to the left of us!"
"Sounds like a plan," the honey-haired man proclaimed. "It'll get us to the heart of this damnable forest, and with some luck, to Ken and Mamoru." The trio started off again, a little faster and more confident now that they had a quasi-map to guide them through the inhospitable terrain.
After a long, and rather awkward, silence, Aya-chan spoke again.
"You guys don't think… Ken is going to try to rescue Mamoru-kun all by himself… do you?" Jade eyes met with violet ones, both knowing the answer to the question, but not knowing whether to lie to the girl or not.
"Of… Of course not, Aya-chan," Ran assured her. "If he wanted to do this alone, he wouldn't have left notes." His answer seemed good enough to satisfy her, as she did not attempt to push the topic any further.
As they continued on their way, no one seemed to hear the occasional out-of-step crunch on the forest floor, sense anything out of place, nor feel the hidden eyes watching them with evil intent.
Ken reached out and gingerly touched the doorknob. It was cool to the touch and seemed to be untampered with. Ken slowly opened the door, his senses keen and raised to the slightest motion or sound that could mean harm befalling him. There was nothing. 'Oh God… What if this isn't the place he meant…?' Ken glanced around worriedly, but caught sight of recently used dishes in the kitchen adjoining the den at the front of the cabin. Kase was here. Just where, exactly?
"The cellar…" the brunette thought aloud. Slowly, stealthily, he made his way through the large cabin, skipping over the squeaky floorboards he remembered so well. He opened the door to the cellar and started downward. Suddenly, he wished he'd remembered to grab something to use as a weapon. He would more than likely need it against his former best friend…
Upon first appearances, the basement seemed to be empty. That was, until Ken spotted a familiar figure against the far wall.
"Mamoru!" The boy looked like hell twice over. His blonde hair was mussed and unkempt, his clothing blood stained, his skin paler than it should ever be. It would be amazing if the wound in his shoulder wasn't infected considering the way Mamoru was being hung. It was probable that Kase hadn't attempted to clean or dress it. He hadn't seemed to make an effort to do much of anything for the boy. "Mamoru, open your eyes! Wake up, come on!" Eyes wavered gently under longish blonde bangs as he tried to lift his head.
"K… Ken….?" He nodded, unable to fight the smile that came to his lips. Gods above, they were going to be okay. "Ii….ya… Go… Ken…" Mamoru managed to raise his head enough to look Ken in the eye, azure orbs sparkling with a mixture of surprise, fear, exhaustion, pain… so much.
"Mamoru…"
"Get out of here, Ken! It's a trap!!" Russet eyes glowed with determination as Ken shook his head.
"I'm not leaving without you!" He reached up to the bindings that held the injured boy captive, pulling a release. Mamoru immediately fell forward into Ken's arms, his entire body flaccid and devoid of all strength.
"Ken, please, save yourself," the blonde pleaded. "It doesn't make any sense for both of us to die." Ken gently laid the broken boy on the ground, locking glances with him.
"I won't leave you! I can't stand to lose anyone else!"
"How endearing." Ken jerked up at the sound of Kase's voice behind him. The older man was sneering darkly, his usually laidback expression contorted into a twisted, cruel mockery of a smile. The soccer player drew back from his boyfriend and stood full facing his former friend, saying nothing. "Well? Where is she?"
"Safe." Kase's smirk turned to a scowl. "With others so you'll never get your filthy hands on her." Cold dark eyes reflected fathoms of anger behind them.
"I'm… disappointed, Ken," he spoke detachedly. It almost seemed as if someone else was speaking through his mouth. "You went back on our deal. No Aya, no Mamoru." He glanced at Mamoru on the floor, leaning against the wall for support. "I daresay you were going to cheat and take him without giving your old friend Kase anything in return." Ken bristled.
"How dare you use that word with me," he hissed. "You betrayed me, Kochiro. As far as I'm concerned, we are long since over. I'm taking Mamoru, and I'm leaving. You… You need to get help." Kase was stunned. This, however, quickly subsided, his face darkening.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Ken turned to Mamoru, not bothering to look at Kase any longer.
"Watch me." He bent to gather Mamoru up in his arms as if there wasn't a homicidal person behind him. Kase was fuming.
"You…. You…!" A shot rang through the musty air, everything falling deathly silent afterward. Ken stood rigid before Mamoru, who was flinching from the sound. "You aren't going anywhere," Kase's voice, warped and frozen, growled as he lowered the gun, taking aim at Ken. The dust floating around slowly began to settle, visible by a tiny stream of light that somehow managed to break through the trees and the bullet hole in the ceiling. "Turn around." Ken complied, slowly revolving to face his addressor. The scene grew still.
"Well?" Ken asked softly. "What are you waiting for? This is your big moment, isn't it?" Kase didn't answer. He merely scowled darkly at his target. "You know what, Kase? You're a coward. You always have been. Listening to your story before, I realized it. You were too scared of me to try out for the league, too scared to tell me how you truly felt, both when you loved me and when you hated me. You are such a coward that you have to hide behind a fifteen-year-old just to get nerve enough to confront me." Kase listened deafly, too stunned to do anything. He had never expected Ken to develop such a backbone against him, and… he was… right. Kase shook his head hard, as if shaking his doubts from him. Indeed, when he grew still once more, the twisted expression was eminent on his visage.
"You're one to speak, Ken," he retorted harshly. "You nearly wet your pants at the thought of having to deal with me as an enemy. I controlled you. You were my puppet, Ken, my weak little marionette, waiting patiently to let me jerk your strings."
"Was, Kase, was. Not now, not ever again. We were friends once, that can't be denied. That's why I'm going to give you a chance… Put the gun down and walk away, Kase, and forget about everything. We both walk away, and the whole thing ends. This has gone on long enough." The older man wavered, his eyebrows knotted together in concentration. He seemed to be seriously considering Ken's advice. "What do you say?"
The silence stretched on lingeringly, seeming it would never end. Kase's features softened, giving way to the man Ken had once known and called his friend. The younger brunette sighed lightly, relief flooding his body. Kase's arm rose again, leveling perpendicular to his body.
"No."
Aya-chan let out a shriek at the sudden sound of a gunshot muffled through the distance of trees. All three stopped short, their ears listening intently to the reverberations.
"Shit," Yohji whispered. "That was bad…" Jade eyes wrenched over to the siblings behind him. Aya had a very tight grip on her brother, large blue eyes threatening to burst into tears.
"Ran-nii…" she whimpered. The redhead looked at her, bewildered.
"Aya-chan, I… I…" For once, he knew not what to say to comfort his sister. He simply put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. To their sides, Yohji shifted uncomfortably, jade eyes glancing about, catching Ran's attention. "What is it?"
"It feels like we're being watched." Aya looked up at the lanky detective, her shocked eyes full to the brim with tears. "Maa…" he shrugged uncertainly. "Probably just my imagination…" He ran a hand through honey hair and turned back in the direction they were traveling in. "We'd better hurry if we want to find anyone left alive." Aya whimpered again. Maybe it was a bad idea, bringing her along…
Tension was high as the three got going once more, mental and emotional exhaustion weighing everyone down in the overgrown forest. Everything was so horribly wrong, yet… it felt like… destiny. Some sordid, callous plan nature had set out for them to have just for shits and giggles. Murphy's Law: If it can go wrong, it will go wrong. Given a choice of circumstances that can go wrong, the one that will wreak the most havoc will be the one to go wrong. Mother nature's a bitch.
Out of the still forest, from behind the party, came a rustling of leaves. Yohji jerked around, grabbing Ran's attention as he did the same, but too late. The shadow-shrouded figure that seemed to fall from the sky itself landed right behind Aya. She never stood a chance as the blade thrust out through her chest, crimson droplets of blood blossoming out over the forest floor. Blue eyes widened with sheer shock, then rolled back as her lifeless body fell to the ground, flaccid and unmoving. Dark water seeped out, pooling around her fallen form surrounded by vibrant leaves, as if in some grotesque painting. Terror hit the two men staring devastated at the felled girl. No… not terror. Fear. Terror is one part fear, one part confusion, and two parts adrenaline, the feeling that hits you in waves. True fear creeps up on you, seeping through your entire being, into your bones, gripping at your heart with icy fingers until it completely takes you over.
Two pairs of eyes traveled upward at the crouched attacked, bloody knife still in hand. There was something unsettling familiar about that blue hair, longish and wild, unkempt… The figure stood. A woman, undeniably. She lifted her head.
Yohji felt the entire world jerk away from him, a sudden wave of dizziness slamming into him, sending his mid reeling. It wasn't. It couldn't be. It was. There was no way he couldn't identify that face, despite the specks of blood flecked across it, and those inhuman, animalistic eyes…
"A… Asuka…"
Ken slammed onto the ground as the gun went off for the second time, arm grazed, but narrowly escaping a certain death had his reflexes not kicked in. He kicked out, catching Kase around the knee. The older man went down as well, dropping the gun. It slid across the wooden floor, away from Ken, but, more importantly, away from Kase. The soccer player threw himself onto his aggressor with a growl. They grappled, Kase slowly gaining the advantage. So, Ken did something he was naturally good at. Raising his torso, he used what little momentum he could gather, and slammed his head against Kase's the way he would with a soccer ball. There was a loud thunk, followed by a sharp, jolting pain. Ken's vision wavered for a moment, but his ears, which were intact, heard the crack of bone breaking they'd been listening for. Kase yelled in pain, his hands forgetting their intended target, and flying to his broken nose, which was bleeding profusely.
"FUCK!" he screeched, rolling away. Ken took the opportunity to pull himself up, glancing frantically about for a weapon. He spotted a kitchen knife on a nearby table. With a burst of speed he rarely had on even his best of days, Ken leapt for the table. Unfortunately, Kase had seen that move coming, and made it to the knife before him. The younger crashed unceremoniously into the table, knocking the wind out of him. He looked weakly up at a proud, gloating Kase. He didn't look like he had much to be gloating about; dark bruises were already forming on his face and blood was streaming from his nose like a waterfall. But he did have the knife. Shit.
"Tsk tsk, Ken," he scolded haughtily. "Fast, but not fast enough." The J-Leaguer stood, painfully, holding his middle, chestnut eyes fixed on his old friend. "Though I must commend you… you weren't always one to use your head. Congrats for finally figuring out how." Ken bristled, but moved not, being unarmed and winded. His only hope was to rush the sick bastard and try to wrestle the knife from him.
"Ne… Kase…" he started, pushing himself slightly from the table. "I think the real reason you didn't try out for the J-League… isn't that you were afraid of beating me… You were afraid of succeeding. You skipped it just so you'd have a reason to be a bitch." That did it. Kase's pupils constricted and Ken darted forward, barreling into the older man. His hand held desperately onto Kase's to keep the knife out of harm's way as the two struggled for one to gain the upper hand. Ken grimaced. Kase wasn't as weak as he appeared, and was winning the current battle. The brunette let out a pained scream as cold metal bit into his flesh, a sudden searing kiss pressing against his shoulder. The wind was knocked out of him for the second time as Kase kneed him, knocking the J-Leaguer a good ten feet away, landing hard on his back.
"You lose again, Ken. Can't you just accept that you'll never beat me? Not so afraid of success, am I?" He giggled softly to himself, cold, evil brown eyes regarding the blood dripping from the knife with great sadistic pleasure before falling back on Ken's felled form.
"Get… away… from Ken-kun." Both pairs of russet eyes looked back to the voice standing behind the aggressor. Mamoru was glaring, half in seething hatred, half in seething pain. His hand was over the spot on his shoulder the bullet had punctured. Even though wounded, the youth seemed a force to be reckoned with. Kase was completely unperturbed by it.
"Don't be in such a rush to die. You can be next."
"Get away from him!" Kase whipped around just as Mamoru launched himself at the older man. The younger was thrown against the wall, the knife automatically flying after it.
Shock. Yohji could feel nothing but. His body was numb, his mind was numb; his stomach felt like it had dropped out of his body. His Asuka. His beloved Asuka, who'd been missing for nearly a week, had finally turned up. And she was holding the knife that had just killed Ran's little sister. Oh God, Ran… The redhead had completely blanched, going paler than had previously been thought possible.
"Aya……" he whispered almost inaudibly. He collapsed haphazardly to the ground, while Asuka had completely straightened, those unearthly eyes fixed on the fallen florist. Yohji stepped forward, taking the huntress's attention.
"Ran…"
"Why…? Oh, God, she was all I had left… Aya…"
"Ran, get out of here, now, or you'll be the next to die." The redhead didn't move.
"I don't care. Let her kill me, too." The aberrant Asuka crouched back in an attack stance. Yohji dashed in front of his unprotected friend defensively. Just what the HELL was going on?! This wasn't Asuka, for God's sake! But… but he knew that it was…
"Ran, get the hell out of here!"
"No." Asuka leapt at the moment, ramming right into Yohji, knocking the detective to the ground, leaving Ran completely open. She turned, doubling back, preparing to hurdle out again. She pushed off with her legs, but was stopped by Yohji grabbing her tightly around the waist, bringing them both crashing back to the ground. Using this to his advantage, the detective scrambled up to pin his captive to the ground. He stared into those unfeeling, alien eyes and a chill went down his spine.
"Asuka, talk to me! What happened to you?!" The blue-haired woman answered not, nor did she move. She simply stared hatefully into the eyes of the man above her. Green eyes flickered away from hers for a second, looking to the wedding ring still on her finger… "What the hell's going on…?" His eyes met hers once more.
"Get off," she spoke. Strong hands, stronger than Asuka's had ever been, grabbed her husband, a knee wedging up to his stomach. Using her support against the ground, she threw his body head-over-heels. Yohji landed hard on his back with an emphatic thump as Asuka used the leverage to pull herself back up to her feet. She turned to Ran, who was still on the ground beside the dead body of his sister, oblivious to the world. The killer barely took a step forward before the sound of a gun cocking stopped her. Dark, cruel, animal-esque eyes narrowed at the sight of Yohji holding his gun out at her.
"Asuka…" he began, a bit breathlessly. Whether it was from exertion or from sheer emotion was unknown. "Back away from him or…" He took a shaky breath. "Don't make me shoot you. Stand down, Asuka." She didn't move. "Please," he added. The moment seemed to stretch for far longer than it should have but finally, and unexpectedly, the blood-stained woman took a slight step backward. Yohji felt his entire being lighten. Maybe, just maybe, whatever was wrong was beginning to clear up! Everything would be okay!
The horrible, malevolent look rose onto her face once more, contorting her beauty of old to a twisted mask of pure evil and hatred. She pounced toward Yohji, hands extended to attack. Thunder pierced the air, the very fabric of time itself as the world froze in an eternal moment. Through the mask of malice registered a look of sheer surprise. The bullet sliced through her easily, swiftly, almost painlessly at first. Asuka's lithe body bounced as it impacted with the ground, the surprise still apparent on her face as her life dwindled, speedily escaping her.
Yohji's hand was shaking uncontrollably, deadened fingers dropping the gun to the ground. He had just killed his wife. She looked so peaceful…
"ASUKA!!!"
The knife was stuck almost to its hilt into the wall right beside Mamoru's face. After the initial jolt of having a knife nearly stab him, the youth realized what had happened. He was now fastened to the wall, unable to free his shirt from the blade in the wood.
"Be a good boy, now, and wait," Kase calmly instructed. Mamoru wished in vain that the wood had been Kase's face… He struggled in vain to release himself, but his shirt would not rip, the knife wouldn't budge, and there was no way he could lift his wounded arm to escape. The older man made his way to a shelf, unlocking a hidden drawer, and producing another blade. Kase paused, smiling at the boy's futile attempts. "Watch carefully, kid. You might learn something."
Ken was lying stationary on the ground, his dark brown jacket stained lightly with blood. The brunette pulled his good arm behind him, propping himself up. Kase strolled over to him and stood over the fallen soccer- player, brandishing the knife victoriously.
"Now, I'm not an unreasonable man, Ken, you know that." He grinned his horrible grin and tightened his grip on the handle. "Any last requests?"
"Just… just one… It's a question, actually…" Kase quirked an eyebrow, grinning wider still at Ken's words.
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"If a tree fell in the forest, and no one was around to hear it, did it really make a sound?" Kase glowered, all traces of amusement vanished from his cold visage. Ken hissed in pain as his attacker's boot connected with his side, sharp pain flashing through his body. The knife was raised into the air, poised and ready for its last use.
"Don't be rude. Say goodbye, Ken."
"Goodbye, Kase." Crimson blood splattered everywhere as Kase's neck exploded, the knife dropping from his hands. It clattered harmlessly against the floor as Kase fell over backwards, landing hard on his back. A last choking, gurgling sound escaped to man, and then he was dead. Shakily, Ken dropped the gun that he had landed on when Kase knocked him to the far side of the room, the gun Kase had, himself, dropped after trying to use it on the soccer player. Ken sat still, his eyes staring blankly at the felled body, his lungs breathing deeply and quickly.
"K- Ken-kun!" The brunette was snapped from his trance at Mamoru's voice. He stood up slowly, wavering a little as if he were about to fall over, and made his way to the still captive boy. "Ken-kun… Thank… thank God… I thought you were going to die…" Tears were streaming down his pale, youthful face, his crystalline blue eyes puffy and reddened from crying and stress. Ken grasped the knife handle and jerked. After a few rough tugs, it came flying from the wall. This, too, was dropped uncaringly to the floor. Mamoru pushed himself immediately into his boyfriend's arms, heaving a sob of relief. Ken folded his arms across the blonde, holding him tightly.
"Shh… It's going to be okay, Mamo-chan," he whispered soothingly.
/So much hatred…/
"It's over."
/So much pain…/
"It's finally over."
/So much death…/
"Omi…"
/What if?/
"Omi? Hey, Omi!" Blue eyes blinked with surprise at Ken's voice. He looked at his addresser, shrouded in the darkness of night. The stars shone brilliantly behind him on the inky black canvas of night. The brunette smiled kindly at his comrade. "You spaced out on me there for a sec. Everything all right?"
"K- Ken-kun! Don't you- Didn't we- It wasn't just-!"
"Whoa, hold on there!" Ken half chuckled. "What's going on? Are you feeling okay?" Omi seemed not to have heard him.
"But… all that.. that's what would've… If we weren't… Oh my God…" He finally glanced back up at the feeling of Ken's hand on his shoulder. Chocolate eyes were staring straight into his own azure ones, his face set in a serious expression.
"Omi, what's happening?" The blonde took a deep breath and began to explain everything about his vision of his wish come true, how the tragedies that brought Weiß into existence never happened, how things had gone wrong, and how everyone had gone through the same things despite all efforts. After Omi had finished, silence settled over the two assassins as Ken chewed over the story he'd just heard.
"You… You believe me, don't you Ken-kun…?" Ken looked at Omi with soft eyes and a gentle smile.
"Of course I do, Omi. I told you wishes could come true, didn't I? Besides," he added, running a hand through russet hair. "That story was too crazy to be a lie." The blonde boy smiled gratefully, allowing himself to fall back into the silence of the night.
"Ne, Omi," Ken's voice broke the silence after a few moments.
"Hn?"
"In that vision, even though our heartbreaks still happened, we spent most of our lives happy."
"Yeah? And?"
"Well, in our reality, we were hurt so much earlier in life. I was wondering… Do you think it was worth it?" Sapphire eyes regarded the bugnuk- wielding assassin, who was looking at the blonde with an expression he didn't often see. A smile graced Omi's features as he reached out his hand towards Ken. He stopped as he heard Yohji's shout reach through the trees from the house.
"Oooiiyyeee! Omittchi! KenKen! Come quick! Aya's got his hand stuck in the toaster!!!" And then, the even more muffled sound of Aya's voice wafted through the air.
"Yohji, I am going to KILL YOU!"
Omi giggled mirthfully while Ken sighed heavily and shook his head. The two stood and started making their way back to see the spectacle. Upon reaching the tree line, Omi reached out, securing Ken's hand in his own. The brunette looked inquisitively down at him, only to be met by that sweet, affectionate smile that was used only with Ken.
"As for your question…" Omi began softly. "'Was it worth it'?" He gave a little squeeze to the other boy's hand upon seeing the warmth and love and caring in his russet eyes. "Absolutely."
Author's comments: *scratches head* Wow. Just… wow. I'm so proud of myself. This is the first time I've ever finished a series of fics, and I must say I'm so very pleased about the way it came out. So much special thanks goes to Kimmy-chan. I wouldn't have written this, let alone finished it without you. Thanks for being my beta reader, my commentator, and my inspiration. I owe you so much for this. Um, thanks to Koyasu Takehito and Project Weiß for creating this wonderful show. A big ol' thank-you goes out to Sailor Mac just because she writes such great fanfics. Thanks to all of the Pixy Stix, ice-cream sandwiches, and Nuttella for helping me stay awake and come up with kooky caffeine-induced ideas.
Special thanks to Za, just 'cause. Love you, honeybear.
See you later, Space Cowboy.
~Kourui~
Chapter 14- Spilled Milk
The cabin was finally in view. It had been so long since Ken had been back to the place where he and his childhood friend Kase had grown up together. If someone had told him all those years ago that this would have happened, he would have laughed and asked to share some of whatever that person was sniffing. Even now, it just didn't seem real, especially at this place. Unfortunately, it was real, and that childhood friend had turned on him in the worst possible way. Ken suddenly felt a surge of disbelief, bordering anger. How dare Kase desecrate this place with his hatred and psychosis?! But, now… that was immaterial. The only thing that mattered right now was Mamoru.
Mamoru would be inside that cabin somewhere. Probably in the cellar, away from prying ears and eyes. Ken wondered what Kase had in mind for him, more than ever now that he didn't bring Aya like had been requested- no- ordered. Screwing up his courage, the J-Leaguer stepped cautiously forward, in fear of booby traps set up around the grounds of the cabin. When Ken reached the door unharmed, he was almost disappointed. After all of the hell that Kase had put him through, it almost seemed he didn't want to be serious and take the initiative to sabotage Ken at every chance he got. He quickly dismissed these thoughts. It was a damn good thing Kase hadn't set up ambushes. It made everything that much easier to carry on with.
Soon… One way or another, it would soon be all over with.
Yohji's car skid to a stop at the edge of the woods, looking dark and foreboding even in the sparkling daylight. The trees crowded about one another were so thick and full of leaves that it turned the interior of the forest into a darkened night. For a few moments, no one moved or spoke.
"Well," Aya-chan began, interrupting the quiet. "I guess we should get going. We've gotta find this place, and it doesn't look like it's going to be easy in there." Nods of agreement followed, and the three figures stepped out of the vehicle, eyes washing over the ominous-looking forest before entering it.
Aya glanced at her brother, whose eyes were fixed ahead of him, following Yohji through the thick bramble. She reached out and took his hand quickly in hers. The redhead turned to her, eyebrow arched quizzically.
"J- just to make sure we don't get lost, you know?" The apprehensive look in her indigo eyes betrayed her weak bravado. Ran smiled.
"I know," he answered, squeezing her hand gently. Ahead of them came a gagging sound. Two pairs of eyes moved to the source of the noise, which just happened to be Yohji.
"Excuse me while I vomit," he muttered, feeling the glare that was undoubtedly coming from a certain flame-haired florist. The lanky detective stopped a moment later, turning on the siblings. "So… any theories?"
"E= MC²." Ran and Yohji groaned. Aya pouted.
"If this place was used for camping, it would most likely be situated deep in the woods, as far away from civilization as possible," Ran offered. "We need to make sure we're headed in one direction so we don't end up in circles."
"Anyone got a compass?" Aya asked hopefully.
"We don't need one."
Yohji quirked an eyebrow. "Explain…?" Ran grinned. Being a botanist definitely paid off in times like this. He let go of Aya-chan's hand and walked to a nearby oak. A slender, pale finger pointed to a green substance on the bark.
"Moss always grows on the north side of trees, or whatever it is growing on. Because this forest is in such disrepair, we should have no problem keeping track of direction."
"Way to go, Ran-nii!" Aya chirped. Yohji allowed a smirk. The guy was handy in a tight squeeze. "What're we waiting for? Let's go! If the forest opening is that way-" she pointed behind them, West by tree-calculations- "than all we have to do is keep the moss to the left of us!"
"Sounds like a plan," the honey-haired man proclaimed. "It'll get us to the heart of this damnable forest, and with some luck, to Ken and Mamoru." The trio started off again, a little faster and more confident now that they had a quasi-map to guide them through the inhospitable terrain.
After a long, and rather awkward, silence, Aya-chan spoke again.
"You guys don't think… Ken is going to try to rescue Mamoru-kun all by himself… do you?" Jade eyes met with violet ones, both knowing the answer to the question, but not knowing whether to lie to the girl or not.
"Of… Of course not, Aya-chan," Ran assured her. "If he wanted to do this alone, he wouldn't have left notes." His answer seemed good enough to satisfy her, as she did not attempt to push the topic any further.
As they continued on their way, no one seemed to hear the occasional out-of-step crunch on the forest floor, sense anything out of place, nor feel the hidden eyes watching them with evil intent.
Ken reached out and gingerly touched the doorknob. It was cool to the touch and seemed to be untampered with. Ken slowly opened the door, his senses keen and raised to the slightest motion or sound that could mean harm befalling him. There was nothing. 'Oh God… What if this isn't the place he meant…?' Ken glanced around worriedly, but caught sight of recently used dishes in the kitchen adjoining the den at the front of the cabin. Kase was here. Just where, exactly?
"The cellar…" the brunette thought aloud. Slowly, stealthily, he made his way through the large cabin, skipping over the squeaky floorboards he remembered so well. He opened the door to the cellar and started downward. Suddenly, he wished he'd remembered to grab something to use as a weapon. He would more than likely need it against his former best friend…
Upon first appearances, the basement seemed to be empty. That was, until Ken spotted a familiar figure against the far wall.
"Mamoru!" The boy looked like hell twice over. His blonde hair was mussed and unkempt, his clothing blood stained, his skin paler than it should ever be. It would be amazing if the wound in his shoulder wasn't infected considering the way Mamoru was being hung. It was probable that Kase hadn't attempted to clean or dress it. He hadn't seemed to make an effort to do much of anything for the boy. "Mamoru, open your eyes! Wake up, come on!" Eyes wavered gently under longish blonde bangs as he tried to lift his head.
"K… Ken….?" He nodded, unable to fight the smile that came to his lips. Gods above, they were going to be okay. "Ii….ya… Go… Ken…" Mamoru managed to raise his head enough to look Ken in the eye, azure orbs sparkling with a mixture of surprise, fear, exhaustion, pain… so much.
"Mamoru…"
"Get out of here, Ken! It's a trap!!" Russet eyes glowed with determination as Ken shook his head.
"I'm not leaving without you!" He reached up to the bindings that held the injured boy captive, pulling a release. Mamoru immediately fell forward into Ken's arms, his entire body flaccid and devoid of all strength.
"Ken, please, save yourself," the blonde pleaded. "It doesn't make any sense for both of us to die." Ken gently laid the broken boy on the ground, locking glances with him.
"I won't leave you! I can't stand to lose anyone else!"
"How endearing." Ken jerked up at the sound of Kase's voice behind him. The older man was sneering darkly, his usually laidback expression contorted into a twisted, cruel mockery of a smile. The soccer player drew back from his boyfriend and stood full facing his former friend, saying nothing. "Well? Where is she?"
"Safe." Kase's smirk turned to a scowl. "With others so you'll never get your filthy hands on her." Cold dark eyes reflected fathoms of anger behind them.
"I'm… disappointed, Ken," he spoke detachedly. It almost seemed as if someone else was speaking through his mouth. "You went back on our deal. No Aya, no Mamoru." He glanced at Mamoru on the floor, leaning against the wall for support. "I daresay you were going to cheat and take him without giving your old friend Kase anything in return." Ken bristled.
"How dare you use that word with me," he hissed. "You betrayed me, Kochiro. As far as I'm concerned, we are long since over. I'm taking Mamoru, and I'm leaving. You… You need to get help." Kase was stunned. This, however, quickly subsided, his face darkening.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Ken turned to Mamoru, not bothering to look at Kase any longer.
"Watch me." He bent to gather Mamoru up in his arms as if there wasn't a homicidal person behind him. Kase was fuming.
"You…. You…!" A shot rang through the musty air, everything falling deathly silent afterward. Ken stood rigid before Mamoru, who was flinching from the sound. "You aren't going anywhere," Kase's voice, warped and frozen, growled as he lowered the gun, taking aim at Ken. The dust floating around slowly began to settle, visible by a tiny stream of light that somehow managed to break through the trees and the bullet hole in the ceiling. "Turn around." Ken complied, slowly revolving to face his addressor. The scene grew still.
"Well?" Ken asked softly. "What are you waiting for? This is your big moment, isn't it?" Kase didn't answer. He merely scowled darkly at his target. "You know what, Kase? You're a coward. You always have been. Listening to your story before, I realized it. You were too scared of me to try out for the league, too scared to tell me how you truly felt, both when you loved me and when you hated me. You are such a coward that you have to hide behind a fifteen-year-old just to get nerve enough to confront me." Kase listened deafly, too stunned to do anything. He had never expected Ken to develop such a backbone against him, and… he was… right. Kase shook his head hard, as if shaking his doubts from him. Indeed, when he grew still once more, the twisted expression was eminent on his visage.
"You're one to speak, Ken," he retorted harshly. "You nearly wet your pants at the thought of having to deal with me as an enemy. I controlled you. You were my puppet, Ken, my weak little marionette, waiting patiently to let me jerk your strings."
"Was, Kase, was. Not now, not ever again. We were friends once, that can't be denied. That's why I'm going to give you a chance… Put the gun down and walk away, Kase, and forget about everything. We both walk away, and the whole thing ends. This has gone on long enough." The older man wavered, his eyebrows knotted together in concentration. He seemed to be seriously considering Ken's advice. "What do you say?"
The silence stretched on lingeringly, seeming it would never end. Kase's features softened, giving way to the man Ken had once known and called his friend. The younger brunette sighed lightly, relief flooding his body. Kase's arm rose again, leveling perpendicular to his body.
"No."
Aya-chan let out a shriek at the sudden sound of a gunshot muffled through the distance of trees. All three stopped short, their ears listening intently to the reverberations.
"Shit," Yohji whispered. "That was bad…" Jade eyes wrenched over to the siblings behind him. Aya had a very tight grip on her brother, large blue eyes threatening to burst into tears.
"Ran-nii…" she whimpered. The redhead looked at her, bewildered.
"Aya-chan, I… I…" For once, he knew not what to say to comfort his sister. He simply put his hands on her shoulders to steady her. To their sides, Yohji shifted uncomfortably, jade eyes glancing about, catching Ran's attention. "What is it?"
"It feels like we're being watched." Aya looked up at the lanky detective, her shocked eyes full to the brim with tears. "Maa…" he shrugged uncertainly. "Probably just my imagination…" He ran a hand through honey hair and turned back in the direction they were traveling in. "We'd better hurry if we want to find anyone left alive." Aya whimpered again. Maybe it was a bad idea, bringing her along…
Tension was high as the three got going once more, mental and emotional exhaustion weighing everyone down in the overgrown forest. Everything was so horribly wrong, yet… it felt like… destiny. Some sordid, callous plan nature had set out for them to have just for shits and giggles. Murphy's Law: If it can go wrong, it will go wrong. Given a choice of circumstances that can go wrong, the one that will wreak the most havoc will be the one to go wrong. Mother nature's a bitch.
Out of the still forest, from behind the party, came a rustling of leaves. Yohji jerked around, grabbing Ran's attention as he did the same, but too late. The shadow-shrouded figure that seemed to fall from the sky itself landed right behind Aya. She never stood a chance as the blade thrust out through her chest, crimson droplets of blood blossoming out over the forest floor. Blue eyes widened with sheer shock, then rolled back as her lifeless body fell to the ground, flaccid and unmoving. Dark water seeped out, pooling around her fallen form surrounded by vibrant leaves, as if in some grotesque painting. Terror hit the two men staring devastated at the felled girl. No… not terror. Fear. Terror is one part fear, one part confusion, and two parts adrenaline, the feeling that hits you in waves. True fear creeps up on you, seeping through your entire being, into your bones, gripping at your heart with icy fingers until it completely takes you over.
Two pairs of eyes traveled upward at the crouched attacked, bloody knife still in hand. There was something unsettling familiar about that blue hair, longish and wild, unkempt… The figure stood. A woman, undeniably. She lifted her head.
Yohji felt the entire world jerk away from him, a sudden wave of dizziness slamming into him, sending his mid reeling. It wasn't. It couldn't be. It was. There was no way he couldn't identify that face, despite the specks of blood flecked across it, and those inhuman, animalistic eyes…
"A… Asuka…"
Ken slammed onto the ground as the gun went off for the second time, arm grazed, but narrowly escaping a certain death had his reflexes not kicked in. He kicked out, catching Kase around the knee. The older man went down as well, dropping the gun. It slid across the wooden floor, away from Ken, but, more importantly, away from Kase. The soccer player threw himself onto his aggressor with a growl. They grappled, Kase slowly gaining the advantage. So, Ken did something he was naturally good at. Raising his torso, he used what little momentum he could gather, and slammed his head against Kase's the way he would with a soccer ball. There was a loud thunk, followed by a sharp, jolting pain. Ken's vision wavered for a moment, but his ears, which were intact, heard the crack of bone breaking they'd been listening for. Kase yelled in pain, his hands forgetting their intended target, and flying to his broken nose, which was bleeding profusely.
"FUCK!" he screeched, rolling away. Ken took the opportunity to pull himself up, glancing frantically about for a weapon. He spotted a kitchen knife on a nearby table. With a burst of speed he rarely had on even his best of days, Ken leapt for the table. Unfortunately, Kase had seen that move coming, and made it to the knife before him. The younger crashed unceremoniously into the table, knocking the wind out of him. He looked weakly up at a proud, gloating Kase. He didn't look like he had much to be gloating about; dark bruises were already forming on his face and blood was streaming from his nose like a waterfall. But he did have the knife. Shit.
"Tsk tsk, Ken," he scolded haughtily. "Fast, but not fast enough." The J-Leaguer stood, painfully, holding his middle, chestnut eyes fixed on his old friend. "Though I must commend you… you weren't always one to use your head. Congrats for finally figuring out how." Ken bristled, but moved not, being unarmed and winded. His only hope was to rush the sick bastard and try to wrestle the knife from him.
"Ne… Kase…" he started, pushing himself slightly from the table. "I think the real reason you didn't try out for the J-League… isn't that you were afraid of beating me… You were afraid of succeeding. You skipped it just so you'd have a reason to be a bitch." That did it. Kase's pupils constricted and Ken darted forward, barreling into the older man. His hand held desperately onto Kase's to keep the knife out of harm's way as the two struggled for one to gain the upper hand. Ken grimaced. Kase wasn't as weak as he appeared, and was winning the current battle. The brunette let out a pained scream as cold metal bit into his flesh, a sudden searing kiss pressing against his shoulder. The wind was knocked out of him for the second time as Kase kneed him, knocking the J-Leaguer a good ten feet away, landing hard on his back.
"You lose again, Ken. Can't you just accept that you'll never beat me? Not so afraid of success, am I?" He giggled softly to himself, cold, evil brown eyes regarding the blood dripping from the knife with great sadistic pleasure before falling back on Ken's felled form.
"Get… away… from Ken-kun." Both pairs of russet eyes looked back to the voice standing behind the aggressor. Mamoru was glaring, half in seething hatred, half in seething pain. His hand was over the spot on his shoulder the bullet had punctured. Even though wounded, the youth seemed a force to be reckoned with. Kase was completely unperturbed by it.
"Don't be in such a rush to die. You can be next."
"Get away from him!" Kase whipped around just as Mamoru launched himself at the older man. The younger was thrown against the wall, the knife automatically flying after it.
Shock. Yohji could feel nothing but. His body was numb, his mind was numb; his stomach felt like it had dropped out of his body. His Asuka. His beloved Asuka, who'd been missing for nearly a week, had finally turned up. And she was holding the knife that had just killed Ran's little sister. Oh God, Ran… The redhead had completely blanched, going paler than had previously been thought possible.
"Aya……" he whispered almost inaudibly. He collapsed haphazardly to the ground, while Asuka had completely straightened, those unearthly eyes fixed on the fallen florist. Yohji stepped forward, taking the huntress's attention.
"Ran…"
"Why…? Oh, God, she was all I had left… Aya…"
"Ran, get out of here, now, or you'll be the next to die." The redhead didn't move.
"I don't care. Let her kill me, too." The aberrant Asuka crouched back in an attack stance. Yohji dashed in front of his unprotected friend defensively. Just what the HELL was going on?! This wasn't Asuka, for God's sake! But… but he knew that it was…
"Ran, get the hell out of here!"
"No." Asuka leapt at the moment, ramming right into Yohji, knocking the detective to the ground, leaving Ran completely open. She turned, doubling back, preparing to hurdle out again. She pushed off with her legs, but was stopped by Yohji grabbing her tightly around the waist, bringing them both crashing back to the ground. Using this to his advantage, the detective scrambled up to pin his captive to the ground. He stared into those unfeeling, alien eyes and a chill went down his spine.
"Asuka, talk to me! What happened to you?!" The blue-haired woman answered not, nor did she move. She simply stared hatefully into the eyes of the man above her. Green eyes flickered away from hers for a second, looking to the wedding ring still on her finger… "What the hell's going on…?" His eyes met hers once more.
"Get off," she spoke. Strong hands, stronger than Asuka's had ever been, grabbed her husband, a knee wedging up to his stomach. Using her support against the ground, she threw his body head-over-heels. Yohji landed hard on his back with an emphatic thump as Asuka used the leverage to pull herself back up to her feet. She turned to Ran, who was still on the ground beside the dead body of his sister, oblivious to the world. The killer barely took a step forward before the sound of a gun cocking stopped her. Dark, cruel, animal-esque eyes narrowed at the sight of Yohji holding his gun out at her.
"Asuka…" he began, a bit breathlessly. Whether it was from exertion or from sheer emotion was unknown. "Back away from him or…" He took a shaky breath. "Don't make me shoot you. Stand down, Asuka." She didn't move. "Please," he added. The moment seemed to stretch for far longer than it should have but finally, and unexpectedly, the blood-stained woman took a slight step backward. Yohji felt his entire being lighten. Maybe, just maybe, whatever was wrong was beginning to clear up! Everything would be okay!
The horrible, malevolent look rose onto her face once more, contorting her beauty of old to a twisted mask of pure evil and hatred. She pounced toward Yohji, hands extended to attack. Thunder pierced the air, the very fabric of time itself as the world froze in an eternal moment. Through the mask of malice registered a look of sheer surprise. The bullet sliced through her easily, swiftly, almost painlessly at first. Asuka's lithe body bounced as it impacted with the ground, the surprise still apparent on her face as her life dwindled, speedily escaping her.
Yohji's hand was shaking uncontrollably, deadened fingers dropping the gun to the ground. He had just killed his wife. She looked so peaceful…
"ASUKA!!!"
The knife was stuck almost to its hilt into the wall right beside Mamoru's face. After the initial jolt of having a knife nearly stab him, the youth realized what had happened. He was now fastened to the wall, unable to free his shirt from the blade in the wood.
"Be a good boy, now, and wait," Kase calmly instructed. Mamoru wished in vain that the wood had been Kase's face… He struggled in vain to release himself, but his shirt would not rip, the knife wouldn't budge, and there was no way he could lift his wounded arm to escape. The older man made his way to a shelf, unlocking a hidden drawer, and producing another blade. Kase paused, smiling at the boy's futile attempts. "Watch carefully, kid. You might learn something."
Ken was lying stationary on the ground, his dark brown jacket stained lightly with blood. The brunette pulled his good arm behind him, propping himself up. Kase strolled over to him and stood over the fallen soccer- player, brandishing the knife victoriously.
"Now, I'm not an unreasonable man, Ken, you know that." He grinned his horrible grin and tightened his grip on the handle. "Any last requests?"
"Just… just one… It's a question, actually…" Kase quirked an eyebrow, grinning wider still at Ken's words.
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"If a tree fell in the forest, and no one was around to hear it, did it really make a sound?" Kase glowered, all traces of amusement vanished from his cold visage. Ken hissed in pain as his attacker's boot connected with his side, sharp pain flashing through his body. The knife was raised into the air, poised and ready for its last use.
"Don't be rude. Say goodbye, Ken."
"Goodbye, Kase." Crimson blood splattered everywhere as Kase's neck exploded, the knife dropping from his hands. It clattered harmlessly against the floor as Kase fell over backwards, landing hard on his back. A last choking, gurgling sound escaped to man, and then he was dead. Shakily, Ken dropped the gun that he had landed on when Kase knocked him to the far side of the room, the gun Kase had, himself, dropped after trying to use it on the soccer player. Ken sat still, his eyes staring blankly at the felled body, his lungs breathing deeply and quickly.
"K- Ken-kun!" The brunette was snapped from his trance at Mamoru's voice. He stood up slowly, wavering a little as if he were about to fall over, and made his way to the still captive boy. "Ken-kun… Thank… thank God… I thought you were going to die…" Tears were streaming down his pale, youthful face, his crystalline blue eyes puffy and reddened from crying and stress. Ken grasped the knife handle and jerked. After a few rough tugs, it came flying from the wall. This, too, was dropped uncaringly to the floor. Mamoru pushed himself immediately into his boyfriend's arms, heaving a sob of relief. Ken folded his arms across the blonde, holding him tightly.
"Shh… It's going to be okay, Mamo-chan," he whispered soothingly.
/So much hatred…/
"It's over."
/So much pain…/
"It's finally over."
/So much death…/
"Omi…"
/What if?/
"Omi? Hey, Omi!" Blue eyes blinked with surprise at Ken's voice. He looked at his addresser, shrouded in the darkness of night. The stars shone brilliantly behind him on the inky black canvas of night. The brunette smiled kindly at his comrade. "You spaced out on me there for a sec. Everything all right?"
"K- Ken-kun! Don't you- Didn't we- It wasn't just-!"
"Whoa, hold on there!" Ken half chuckled. "What's going on? Are you feeling okay?" Omi seemed not to have heard him.
"But… all that.. that's what would've… If we weren't… Oh my God…" He finally glanced back up at the feeling of Ken's hand on his shoulder. Chocolate eyes were staring straight into his own azure ones, his face set in a serious expression.
"Omi, what's happening?" The blonde took a deep breath and began to explain everything about his vision of his wish come true, how the tragedies that brought Weiß into existence never happened, how things had gone wrong, and how everyone had gone through the same things despite all efforts. After Omi had finished, silence settled over the two assassins as Ken chewed over the story he'd just heard.
"You… You believe me, don't you Ken-kun…?" Ken looked at Omi with soft eyes and a gentle smile.
"Of course I do, Omi. I told you wishes could come true, didn't I? Besides," he added, running a hand through russet hair. "That story was too crazy to be a lie." The blonde boy smiled gratefully, allowing himself to fall back into the silence of the night.
"Ne, Omi," Ken's voice broke the silence after a few moments.
"Hn?"
"In that vision, even though our heartbreaks still happened, we spent most of our lives happy."
"Yeah? And?"
"Well, in our reality, we were hurt so much earlier in life. I was wondering… Do you think it was worth it?" Sapphire eyes regarded the bugnuk- wielding assassin, who was looking at the blonde with an expression he didn't often see. A smile graced Omi's features as he reached out his hand towards Ken. He stopped as he heard Yohji's shout reach through the trees from the house.
"Oooiiyyeee! Omittchi! KenKen! Come quick! Aya's got his hand stuck in the toaster!!!" And then, the even more muffled sound of Aya's voice wafted through the air.
"Yohji, I am going to KILL YOU!"
Omi giggled mirthfully while Ken sighed heavily and shook his head. The two stood and started making their way back to see the spectacle. Upon reaching the tree line, Omi reached out, securing Ken's hand in his own. The brunette looked inquisitively down at him, only to be met by that sweet, affectionate smile that was used only with Ken.
"As for your question…" Omi began softly. "'Was it worth it'?" He gave a little squeeze to the other boy's hand upon seeing the warmth and love and caring in his russet eyes. "Absolutely."
Author's comments: *scratches head* Wow. Just… wow. I'm so proud of myself. This is the first time I've ever finished a series of fics, and I must say I'm so very pleased about the way it came out. So much special thanks goes to Kimmy-chan. I wouldn't have written this, let alone finished it without you. Thanks for being my beta reader, my commentator, and my inspiration. I owe you so much for this. Um, thanks to Koyasu Takehito and Project Weiß for creating this wonderful show. A big ol' thank-you goes out to Sailor Mac just because she writes such great fanfics. Thanks to all of the Pixy Stix, ice-cream sandwiches, and Nuttella for helping me stay awake and come up with kooky caffeine-induced ideas.
Special thanks to Za, just 'cause. Love you, honeybear.
See you later, Space Cowboy.
~Kourui~