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Shades of Grey Note: Being relatively new at this, I want to apologize for the major inconsistencies that may occur in the characterizations; most of what I know about the series comes from reading others fanfics, so I'm still learning. Also, as probably everyone is aware, these characters belong to their respective owners. Other than that, enjoy! part 1 Tranquility wasn't all it was made out to be. The soothing silence, while appreciated by some, didn't work in their favor tonight, especially when any sound would be carried miles away. And that was not to mention the full moon, which illuminated the world in a pale imitation of the sun. Not a good night for murder at all. Ken looked over at the silent form of his stakeout partner. Good thing they weren't doing any killing though. Aya Fujimiya stared stoically at their target, not a corrupt human this time, but a building. Hiding in the shrubbery surrounding the factory, Weiss had been assigned to destroy the so-called equipment supplier after all the personnel had left. According to the mission brief, the manufacturer had been supplying parts and equipment to laboratories conducting very questionable research. And thus, Youji and Omi staked out the front entrance while the remaining two watched the back, preparing to move in once both groups had confirmed that the building was empty. Ken sighed inwardly. Another night, another mission, destroying a little more of the evil that permeated this world. But first, he had his own little demon to get rid of. Nervously clearing his throat, Ken broke the silence. "Umm...Aya..." The words didn't seem to want to come. Trying again, "About last night..." The redhead still stared straight ahead, his face set in its usual expressionless façade. But Ken knew he was listening; Aya always listened to those around him, even when it looked like he didn't care. "About last night," Ken continued. "I was wondering if we could just..." The brunette found himself getting a little warmer. Damn, why was this so difficult? "It never happened." Aya's monotone words, spoken without his eyes leaving their target, caused Ken to breathe a sigh of relief. "Yes. It never happened," Ken concurred, smiling now and feeling emotionally lighter. Aya briefly glanced over at his partner before turning back to the target, and though his serious expression betrayed nothing, Ken caught a hint of sadness in the older man's eyes. Uncomfortable once more, Ken turned his attention back to the building as well, trying to forget about the previous night, the night that never happened... The night before... The deep rumble of thunder reverberated through the flower shop, causing the glass counters to rattle in their metal casing. The store was empty, save for the two young men cleaning up the remnants of another busy day. They had closed early tonight, deferring to Mother Nature's approaching storm. Working in silence, one swept the floors while the other wiped the counters. "It's going to be a pretty bad storm, isn't it?" asked Ken as he stopped his sweeping, and looked over at the redhead across the room. True to his silent nature, Aya just nodded. Ken sighed inwardly. So much for trying to fill the silence with casual conversation. Sometimes he felt uncomfortable around Aya, the calmness of the Weiss leader's personality contrasted a little too much with Ken's usual exuberant self. Or so Ken thought since he occasionally felt this uneasiness when they were alone. "We'd better hurry. Omi said there's to be a mission briefing tonight," Ken said to break the silence. Aya merely grunted, concentrating intently on his own task. Both men went through their motions as efficiently and methodically as they performed their more serious duties. Within fifteen minutes, they were ready to leave. With Aya turning off the lights, Ken did one last check of the locks before heading out. But the moments following passed in a blur for the brunette. Darkness engulfed the store as he heard the power turn off. Lightning flashed through the windows, briefly illuminating the contents of the shop. Soft lips pressed up against to his own, warm, gentle, persistent, and gone too soon. Too stunned to react, Ken stared at the redhead who stood a few feet from him. Eyes glittered back at him in the darkness, intense yet unfathomable in their emotions. The tableau froze for a minute, perhaps two, or perhaps more; Ken didn't really know. He was still processing what had just occurred, the unreality of it not truly penetrating his mind. After what may have been an eternity, Ken finally found his voice. "I...I...I'm sorry, Aya." He looked away from his friend. "I - I don't think... I mean..." Ken wasn't an eloquent speaker at the best of times and this was definitely not one of those. Just what exactly was he trying to say? Taking a slow breath, he tried again. "I'm sorry. I'm not like that. It's not right." The words came out in a rush, and with them said, Ken ran away, away from the store, away from his confusion, and away from his friend. "It's all clear." Omi's voice broke the thick silence through Ken's earpiece. Startled back to the present, the soccer player glanced over at his surveillance partner, looking for the orders. An almost imperceptible nod from Aya and Ken was off, stealthily making his way into the quiet building. Each of them had their assigned sections, planned out strategically by Omi. The execution of the plan, thought Ken as he entered one of the labs, was going too perfectly. No blood, no killing, it was almost abnormal. Ken smiled to himself. "Are you wanting trouble, Hidaka," he murmured as he surveyed the lab. The room was dark, as expected, but having studied the floor plan beforehand, he had a good idea where to go. The moonlight filtering through the windows illuminated various pieces of machinery that made Ken pause. "I do not want to know what those things are for." Morbid thoughts danced through his head, prompting him to quickly set the charges he had brought. Yes, by blowing these things up, no more images of inhumane experimentations. Steering clear of the windows and the tell-all light, Ken made his way to the back of the room and set up a bomb near what looked like an incubator. Working methodically, he planted the rest of his supply. Within minutes, all but one remained. "I'm clear," Youji's voice came from his earpiece.
"I'm clear." Omi.
He didn't know what stopped him exactly, but as he reached for the doorknob, Ken paused. Something didn't feel right here; he scanned the room, ensuring he paid close attention to the shadowed recesses that weren't basked in white light. In his mind, images of horror movies and screaming victims danced. Something...
"Clear." Aya's voice.
< I should get going> Ken turned back to leave but again, he stopped. Human curiosity was definitely not a good thing: he unsheathed his claws.
"But curiosity killed the cat - or so the cliché goes, I believe," came a voice.
"Who said that?" yelled Ken as he turned to scan the room once more.
A soft chuckle echoed in his head. "Who else can play around in your head, Ken?"
"Schuldich..." Ken mumbled as he tried to locate the Schwarz member. "Where are you? Show yourself!"
"Now why would I do that? It's been rather fun watching you run around the room." Ken could virtually hear the smirk in the German's voice.
"You're not playing fair."
"Fair? Since when was this ever about fair? You've an overblown sense of honor, Hidaka, and one day, it's going to get you killed." The lightness of that tone grated on Ken.
"Where are you?" Ken gritted through his teeth, eyes still searching the room, body readying to attack.
"I'm right in front of you, Ken. Not my fault you can't see me." A taunt if there ever was one. "Or maybe it is my fault." Schuldich's chuckle again.
"Siberian, progress?" Aya's disembodied voice rang in Ken's ear.
"Well, aren't you going to answer?"
There! A shadow, by the window! Ken lunged, claws slashing. Nothing.
"Not bad, Ken. But you still missed." Schuldich was playing with him, baiting and taunting for his own enjoyment. Common sense dictated that Ken should just leave, run and let the building collapse around this irritating bastard. But pride and frustration won, forcing Ken to stay and confront the German, though invisible. With a grunt, Ken lunged again, taking a guess at where his opponent may be.
"Siberian!" The moment Aya's voice could be heard through his earpiece, Ken felt the air being forced out of his lungs. Schuldich. His knees buckled and he felt the floor coming to meet him. Refusing to go down so easily, Ken put his arms out, managing to land on all fours.
Breathe. The Weiss member forced himself to take in a breath. One punch. How had one punch downed him so easily?
"You can't be serious?" It sounded like the German was right beside him. "I thought you'd be more of a challenge. Come on, Hidaka, you've got more than that, right?"
Ken could picture his tormentor sneering and gritted his teeth in frustration. Wildly, he lashed his right arm out, only to meet air.
"Siberian, report!" Aya again.
"But I'm not done having my fun." As those words entered his mind, Ken felt himself being punched again, this time on the side of his face. Shaking the ringing from his head, he tasted the metallic tang of blood where his teeth had inadvertently cut the inside of his mouth. However, Schuldich didn't give him time to recover; blow after blow forced Ken to retreat further into the room, away from the exit.
"Hmm, you're really pathetic, you know that? You with your mundane senses trying to save the world armed with nothing but your high ideals. What chance do you have?" Schuldich moved closer. "Look at you! Helpless." With that, Ken felt himself being hit on the side of his midsection, pushing him off the counter, onto broken glass and... Ken's eyes widened. The distinct, telltale electronic beep triggered a new injection of adrenaline through his body. Shit.
He scrambled to his feet. Heading for the window, he yelled to Schuldich, "We have to get out of here now! I just accidentally triggered one of the charges. It's gonna start a chain reaction if we don't..." Ken stopped as he saw his opponent stiffen and head towards the windows as well. Ken didn't remember much of what happened next. All he recalled was the intense heat, the sudden loss of control over his body and then darkness.
"Hey, wake up."
A voice. A boy's voice yet to reach the tone of adulthood. Omi?
"Hey, wake up."
"He's awake." The blunt statement came from a deeper voice this time, a voice he didn't recognize. "It was suppose to be a simple grab and run but he has to go and make it something more. Serves him right." A pause. "You're lucky you got away with only a few scratches. That Weiss guy took the worst of it."
Ken's ears perked up. Weiss?
"Who? Which guy?" Ken asked. His voice sounded different, flatter, its tone a little harsher than usual.
"Hidaka Ken," came the deep voice again.
Ken's eyes popped wide open.
To his left sat Nagi Naoe, behind him stood Brad Crawford, and without looking, Ken knew that Farfarello was in the room, sitting in the far corner. Struggling to an upright position, Ken glanced out the window to his right, into the night. But it wasn't the stars he was looking at. It was his reflection that he stared at, a reflection that stared right back at him, a reflection that looked exactly like the longhaired German, Schuldich.
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