Author: Max Ikari
Pairings: Yohji/Aya, Schuldich/Aya
Warnings: NC-17, Lemon, non-consensual sex, violence,
adult language, etc.
[] Inner thoughts
/Mind talking/
The Devil’s Own
Chapter 15
Love you seek for, presupposes
Summer heat and sunny glow.
Tell me, do you find moss roses
Budding, blooming in the snow?
Snow might kill the rose tree’s root—
Shake it quickly from your foot,
Lest it harm you as you go.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Richard had been thinking about Vienna a lot. That
place would signify his freedom from Scott and winning
the affections of Aya. However, now he doubted if the
latter would ever come to be. Aya was too closed off,
he didn’t let anybody see his emotions. Richard
couldn’t blame the redhead, Aya needed to be closed
off in order to survive. The redhead had already
accepted the mission and was on his way to Vienna to
check the hotel. Richard missed him. Strangely
enough it was also a comfort not having Aya around
because he couldn’t think straight when the redhead
was around. Richard was due to leave for Vienna in
about three days, time enough for Aya to have
completed surveying the hotel. Aside from that
Richard didn’t know how everything would go from
there. Hopefully everything would go fine.
# Flight 1964 has arrived to the Vienna International
Airport. Please remain seated until the plane has
reached a complete stop. The temperature is 50
degrees with partly cloudy skies. Luggage claim is at
the first floor, please go there directly to avoid any
inconveniences. Thank you for choosing American
Airlines. We hope to have you with us again. #
Aya was looking out the window ever since the
beginning of his flight. Seeing how insignificant the
world below looked from such an altitude soothed him.
Made him realize that maybe his problems weren’t as
big as he thought them to be. It gave him a sense of
hope and completion. A sense of utter calmness he had
not felt since he saw Aya-chan die. It still baffled
him how calm he had been when his sister died. Just
seeing Aya-chan breathe her last breath had brought an
inner calm. As if she was finally free from the shell
she had become, and as much as he hated to admit it he
no longer felt chained to the hospital. He was
allowed to take a walk, he was free from that
restraint. Still, Aya wanted to be restrained, he
wanted to remember what his weakness had caused. What
his sin was.
" Well were here," said a young guy to no one in
general. " I never thought it would take so long to
get here."
Aya smiled at the comment. At the utter happiness the
guy showed, something he had lost long ago. Walking
to the luggage claim, Aya kept thinking on what he was
doing here. He had accepted the mission but truth of
the fact was that he didn’t want to. He wanted to be
as far away of Richard as he could. As far away from
Weib and Schwartz which meant as far away from Europe
and Asia as he could. Yet, here he was in Austria.
Getting his bags from luggage claim, Aya called a cab
to take him to the Drei Kronen Hotel. The hotel was
nicely furnished in a Victorian style. Taking a deep
breath, Aya allowed himself to collapse on the bed.
The trip had been exhausting, however after a long
shower Aya felt considerably better. Better to
starting looking up the hotel where Scott Smith was
going to stay. The ANA Grand Hotel Wien [okay lets
see…Address…Karnter Ring 9. A-1010, Vienna, Austria,
not far from here]
With that done Aya got up to look out his window. It
faced to the inner hotel gardens. Now at dusk it
looked breathtaking almost magical. It brought back
memories, demons that he had spent the last six years
trying to outrun. Lifting a hand to rub the bridge of
his nose, he rubbed at the ache that was blossoming
there. One day, just one day he hoped not to have a
headache. [Shit] Taking an aspirin, Aya went ahead to
become dead to this world.
The ringing of the phone brought Richard back to
awareness. His thoughts tended to go scatter when he
dwelled too much on Aya.
" Hello," answered Richard putting his forgotten drink
on the oak table of his study.
* I see you have done a good job, *
" Oh, it’s you. I have done what you told me. Soooo,
do I get to play with him?" purred Richard
suggestively.
* We will have to see. However, I believe an
arrangement can be reached…. * and the line went dead.
"Hn,"
Aya woke up feeling refreshed after having a good
nights sleep. Odd, that he didn’t have any of the
nightmares that usually plagued him. He quickly took
a shower and got dressed wanting to have an n early
start on the day. Today he had to go and check out
the hotel, see where he would hide, etc.
However, he was having second thoughts about doing
this job. Almost like a bad feeling about it, which
was ridiculous, because this job was easier than
others he had done. Of course it could always be that
he still had a conscience and killing a man just for
power was bothering him.
Giving himself a last look in the mirror he was
satisfied with the result. He looked like a tourist.
The blue pair of jeans with a white t-shirt and a blue
fisher’s hat and blue glasses let him achieve that.
Grabbing his black backpack and camera he walked out
of his room.
" Good morning Mr. Krish, how may I help you today?"
asked the receptionist with a smile.
Aya smiled back. " Good morning. I just need to know
if I have any messages."
" Of course." The receptionist turned to look if he
had any messages.
Aya knew he had none but it was a good way to make
people remember you in a different way. Aya would be
remembered as Charles Krish a young man who was very
friendly. People tended to notice your eccentricities
when you were quiet.
" No you have none," said the receptionist smiling.
Aya knew it had to do a little with the way he looked.
" Thank you. Have a good day," said Aya smiling.
" You are welcome Mr. Krish," said the receptionist
blushing slightly.
Aya walked into the street breathing the city air. He
loved cities that still held their ancestry even after
it was invaded by new buildings. He felt relaxed
here. It made him remember when his family had taken
a trip to the Niagara Falls. He had been so
astonished at the beauty of the place, at the inner
peace even though it was full of tourists. This place
reminded him of that trip, of how beautiful places
could be.
Checking his map he saw that the ANA Grand Hotel Wien
was about six blocks east of the city. Walking as if
he had no other purpose other than see around, Aya
arrived to his destination in fifteen minutes.
The hotel lived up to its name. It was designed in
the style used during the Austro-Hungarian Empire,
which reminded Aya how wealthy some people are. The
façade of the building was huge, almost looked like a
castle. The interior with its chandeliers and
marble floors was breathtaking. It hurt Aya that he
had to damage part of it, materialism at its worst.
Taking some pictures of the hotel Aya left thinking
how he was going to get the ground plans. [Well I
will just have to hack my way in]
With that decided, Aya went ahead to look for a
restaurant since his stomach was reminding him that he
had no breakfast.
Yohji decided that he hated women, at least just for
today. However, he should be grateful that he had
something to do but it still angered him. He should
have realized when that man came to see him two days
ago that he would get the job of tailing the wife. It
was pathetic, really how many rich men got conned into
marriage with a young pretty thing that was only
attracted to their wallet. The weird thing is that it
always happened. Yohji could remember how many
similar cases he had when he was a PI in which women
where killed or battered by husbands that were
extremely jealous and had people following them.
Still he needed the money. [Getting out of bed this
early should be a crime]
Walking to the bathroom to take a shower, Yohji saw
how depressing the sight was. He looked sick and so
thin that a mere wind would blow him away. No wonder
Omi and Ken were worried. Walking out of the shower,
Yohji started feeling the effects of sleeping too
late. He was exhausted. After getting dressed he
walked to the kitchen to get some coffee and saw that
Omi and Ken were having breakfast.
" You’re up early. Someone die?" said Ken not looking
up from the newspaper he was reading. The sports
section to be exact.
" Shut up," said Yohji walking to the kitchen cabinet
to get a mug for coffee. "I have the job I told you
about."
" Oh, the one tailing that guy’s wife?" said Ken
looking up at Yohji.
" Yeah, I real bitch if you ask me. Usually I feel
sorry for those girls but this time I feel sorry for
the guy," said Yohji grinning wryly. " She really got
the poor man good."
" Maybe she hates him," said Omi seriously. " You
know most women do."
Yohji shrugged brushing a blond strand out of his
face, " I don’t know. All the women I know are nice
to me. Guess you would know more about that."
Omi flipped him off, which made Yohji’s eyebrows shoot
up.
" Omi! What is Ken teaching you?!"
Ken glared darkly at Yohji before resuming his
reading.
" Well ladies I am off. Don’t misbehave and remember
don’t have sex in the kitchen table," said Yohji
running out the door before Omi could find something
to throw at him.
Aya finally settled for a little café that faced a
park sitting there sipping tea was soothing. Aya felt
at peace, he wished he could just stay this way
forever. Sadly, forever is a long time. Not a person
had the luxury of feeling happy and in peace forever.
It’s like the gods love having human suffering, maybe
they think that makes humankind more human. The
waiter arrived with the order Aya had given him,
pasta. It’s funny that when we have the opportunity
to experience something else we cling stubbornly to
what we know. What’s safe.
" Here you go sir," said the waiter placing the plate
in front of Aya. Aya managed a small smile for him
before turning to contemplate the park again.
He was so close to Japan he could just go and visit
his family’s graves…[and Weib]
Deciding the best course was to stop thinking about
what would never happen, Aya ate in silence.
Yohji was tired of following the wife all around town.
She wasn’t very interesting and sadly no affair to
prickle Yohji’s attention. Katrina Kahn was just
trying to help one of her brothers with some money, of
course she spent a lot of time with him but it wasn’t
anything incestuous. Stopping at a corner he took out
his cell phone to contact Mr. Kahn.
" With Mr. Kahn please," said Yohji taking his
sunglasses off to rub of the beginnings of a headache.
* Mr. Kudou? *
" Yes, she is helping her brother. I will send a
package with the details. Please deposit the rest of
the money at the end of the day."
* Are you sure? *
" Mr. Kahn I never make mistakes. Good day," said
Yohji severing the connection. Yohji stood there
watching how Katrina tried to comfort her brother,
very protective of him. Almost like a certain redhead
he knew. Hearing the grumbling of his stomach he
remembered that he hadn’t eaten. He felt like eating
a whole house. He remembered how Asuka used to tease
him because he ate so much. [I am getting old]
Walking to the restaurant Rosettis where he was a
frequent eater, he finally sat down to get a smoke
before eating.
" Hello again Mr. Kudou," said a waiter. " What will
you like today?"
" Some red wine and some tortellini," said Yohji
smiling before turning his gaze to flirt with the
hostess.
Unknown to Yohji, Aya was sitting at the other end of
the room.
Scott Smith was at the airport waiting for the
limousine that was to take him to the ANA Grand Hotel
Wien where Richard would join him tomorrow. Scott had
feigned disinterest when Richard had told him about
his new crush but it did matter. It meant that his
position in the company was in jeopardy. The only
reason he had gotten that far in the company was
Richard’s constant lust for him, but lately Richard
had paid very little attention to him. Scott had
people investigating Richard’s new interest, but as
far as they knew the guy didn’t exist. Richard was
being very careful of not being followed or tapped.
This situation making Scott angrier with the little
whore. However, as far as his sources told him
Richard had not gone to visit anybody, gone straight
home after work. Either they got in a fight or
Richard had lost interest, Scott hoped it was the
latter. He desperately needed it to be the latter
because Scott was going to try and get Richard’s
attention back. This was partly the reason he had
wanted to come, the whole different continent and
romantic setting crap that everybody said helped their
relationships. Scott could care less on that bullshit
but if it achieved his goal he was willing to try
anything once.
Omi was worried about seeing Yohji again. He was sure
he had implanted a tracking virus on the redhead’s
computer. It had been quiet for about three days but
then yesterday out of the blue Aya had been hacking to
get information about a hotel. A hotel in Vienna.
Not that Omi managed to find Aya, the redhead had
learned how to cover his tracks but still…Vienna.
Maybe Aya was there and they ran into him or
something. From what Omi gathered of the hacking job,
Aya was looking at the blue prints, which meant that
maybe Aya was doing a job. Another reason why Omi
didn’t want to tell Yohji. The blonde might go look
for Aya and get the latter killed or something.
Stupid things happen when people are guided by their
emotions. For example what happened to Ouka. That
had been a problem when Ken and him had started their
relationship, his unwillingness to forget. But Ken
had helped him deal with it. They had all seen the
result of not forgetting, it had torn Aya apart. It
hurt all them, it hurt Omi. Every time Omi remembered
Aya he would see the shell of the person he knew, the
person Yohji had brought back from the park that
fateful day. He just hoped to the gods that Aya was
doing better. Yet, hoping never solved anything.
Aya looked at his watch 5:00pm, time to go. He had
been sitting at the restaurant for almost two hours.
However, he didn’t regret it. How could he when the
view soothed his nerves and helped him feel like he
belonged, which he knew he didn’t. He remembered how
much he had wanted to belong when he was little. He
had always stood out too much, but after a while he
stopped caring. After that he just stopped feeling.
Signaling the waiter to bring the check, Aya started
to get up deciding to go to his room before going back
to the ANA hotel and putting the charges.
Trying to shrug off the almost lethargy that crept on
him, he paid his tab and left the restaurant. Upon
coming out he collided with someone, he apologized to
the other person’s retreating back.
Americans thought Yohji with amusement, they were
always in a hurry. The kid had hit him hard with his
backpack, you would think he had bricks in it
Rubbing absentmindedly at the hurt on his arm, Yohji
was thinking about what he should do next. Well he
had to send that package to Mr. Kahn and maybe he
would get trashed tonight. Yes, that was a very good
idea, also getting laid would help a lot. Maybe he
should call Rita but scratched that notion as soon as
it came. Calling Rita again may be confused as an
interest, commitment. Yohji didn’t want that, he
wanted to be alone for a while. Alone in case…
Leaving that train of thought before it got confusing
one more time, Yohji decided to go home.
Aya arrived to his hotel room feeling extremely tired.
It baffled him this constant tiredness, he didn’t use
to get so tired. [I guess this is what burning out
feels like] He decided to go work out at the gym for
a while in an effort to regain some energy. Tomorrow
he would need all of it in case something happened.
It is a curse that every time you feel safe something
bad is bound to happen. Fucking irony.
After running in the treadmill for about an hour and a
shower, Aya felt refreshed and ready to go to the
hotel. However, now he had to go as a waiter. He was
going to put an auburn wig and glasses because people
tended to look brunettes less. Walking out with blue
jeans and a neon green shirt, he walked to the hotel
to plant the charges. Getting through the hotel
security was not hard at all. Already having studied
the blueprints, Aya knew his way around. He went to
the laundry room that was suffocating with all the
vapor and bodies. Through that way he hid in a corner
to confirm Scott’s room number, 910. It was the last
floor.
" Are you new here kid?" asked a stern looking man
giving Aya a once look over.
" Yes sir," answered Aya quietly.
" There is an order or room 910, can you go take it?"
said the man.
" Yes sir," said Aya quietly hiding his amusement at
the situation.
Knocking once Aya was greeted with the image of Scott.
Aya had only seen the man from far away, but up close
he reminded him of Crawford. Maybe it was just the
eyes that reminded Aya of Crawford because they did
not look alike.
" Sir, your order. Would you mind if I look around to
see if anything is missing?" asked Aya innocently.
" Go ahead," said Scott waving a hand.
Entering the bathroom, Aya looked for a place to put a
charge. The best place would be under the sink,
nobody ever checks there. He also put another one in
the air vent.
" Everything seems fine sir," said Aya standing in
front of Scott awaiting his tip. Scott searched his
pockets and came up with a ten-dollar bill.
" Thank you sir," said Aya smiling.
Scott waved him off. Aya could see what Richard had
seen in Scott. Even though the guy was imposing he
had a kind of childish beauty. Lately Aya was learning
a lot of Richard, it seems the tycoon likes a
challenge. Scott must have been one at the time.
Pity for it to end.
Richard had spent all day thinking about Vienna. He
was going to get rid of an old lover and a major
threat in his climb to greatness. He was also going to
acquire a new lover he was sure of it. Nobody had
refused him, yet. Of course if the redhead proved to
be too skittish, he could always put something on his
drink to help loosen him up. It was a damn
coincidence that the guy had contacted him about Aya.
Damn weird because the guy seemed to know the redhead.
It made Richard jealous, but being promised a little
playtime with Aya made up for it. He was really
looking forward to it.
Yohji was suspicious. Omi had been acting weird ever
since he got there. Almost as if he was hiding
something. Yohji wanted to know what the hell was
going on and since Ken didn’t seem to be hiding
anything Yohji guessed it had something to do with
Aya. He cornered the youth when Omi was preparing to
go out with Ken. Damned if Yohji was going to let him
get away without telling him a thing.
" Hey kiddo," said Yohji sitting down on Omi’s bed.
" Hey," said Omi eyeing him. " What’s wrong?’
" Oh, nothing you just seem nervous. Is something
wrong?" purred Yohji.
" No, nothing is wrong," said Omi quietly all the
while avoiding Yohji’s gaze.
" So have you found Aya?" asked Yohji looking out the
window.
" Umm, no," said Omi tying his shoes.
" No?" asked Yohji incredulously.
" Okay I did," said Omi looking at him. " But before
I say anything you have to promise me not to do
anything stupid, okay?"
Yohji stared at Omi, he could feel fear get a hold of
him. " O-okay."
" Well remember I told you I had a tracking virus on
Aya’s computer?" Yohji nodded agreement.
" Three days ago, Aya stopped using his computer. I
thought maybe he had found my tracker as unlikely as
that could be. However, I kept tabs on it. Yesterday
Aya used his computer to get some blueprints, they
were from the ANA Grand Hotel," said Omi waiting for
it too sink in.
" Like our ANA Grand Hotel?" asked Yohji incredulous.
Omi nodded.
" It could be a job he is supposed to do. He could
already be in the city, I don’t know. I don’t think
Aya knows we moved from Japan, so more than likely he
doesn’t expect us here," said Omi raiding his closet
for a light coat.
" Did you track him here?" asked Yohji after a small
silence.
" No. I just know he is gathering info from one of
the hotels in the area. He could be here, he blocks
me pretty well," said Omi smiling wryly.
" And I thought you were the best," said Yohji placing
a cigarette on his lips without lighting it.
" I am, but Aya is using very good equipment. You
know they say USA has the best things," said Omi.
" So if he is here more than likely he is passing off
as an American," said Yohji.
" It is more than likely. I already checked in the
hotels. If he is here he is not using any of his old
aliases," said Omi sitting besides Yohji.
" I didn’t expect him to. Aya is much smarter than
that," said Yohji. " Can you hack into the
surveillance cameras of the ANA hotel?"
" Yes, but the rooms have no cameras," said Omi.
" Is there anything important going on in the hotel?"
asked Yohji his head angled to the side.
" Mmm, I think it is a computer convention. The
latest technology in surveillance, military and some
weapons. You think he may try something at the
convention?" asked Omi eyes alight with excitement.
" Could be. Tell Ken we are going to check out that
convention. When is it?" asked Yohji getting up to
leave the room.
" Tomorrow," said Omi before Yohji left his room.
The next day, Ken, Omi, and Yohji staked out the
convention. However, Aya was nowhere to be found.
Aya had seen Richard arrive early this morning. Aya
was just there to make sure Richard was there, Richard
never knew he was there. After that he had gone to
breakfast and left for the convention as a brunette.
It made it so much easier being overlooked. Still,
the bad feeling of the day before still lingered. He
walked back to his room. Richard had called his cell
phone giving him Scott’s schedule. Going back to his
room Aya changed into some black leather pants and a
black leather trenchcoat with black sunglasses. At
about 5 till midnight, he walked out of his room
toward the hotel. He walked slowly not having any
hurry in killing the man. At the corner of the hotel
he stood watching the street feeling horrible for
being the person to interrupt the night’s peace.
" I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me
in the afterlife Scott," whispered Aya and pushed the
button. Aya stood there mesmerized by the way the
flames caressed the night sky after the explosion. He
stared wishing he still had the conviction that had
guided him at the beginning, wishing he still had his
morality.
/Nicely done Ran/
Aya tensed at the sound of that voice and turned
around facing Schuldich gun in hand.
" I missed you Ran," purred Schuldich. " Did you miss
me?"
Aya didn’t answer, just lifted the gun to Schuldich’s
head.
" Ah, so you are going to kill me?" said Schuldich
getting closer. " Don’t worry sweetie, you won’t feel
a thing." And true to his word Aya’s entire world
turned black.
The next morning while Omi was getting a cup of coffee
he heard in the news about the explosion on the hotel
ANA. Rushing upstairs he banged in Yohji’s door. Omi
could hear the cursing before the door abruptly open.
Yohji had on a glare but upon seeing Omi’s face anger
turned to fear.
" What is it?" asked Yohji trying not to show his
apprehension.
" It was Aya. He did it," said Omi quietly.
" Did what?" asked Yohji carefully.
" A bomb went off at about 12:30am in the hotel. One
room exploded, it’s a mess," said Omi.
Yohji swallowed the meaning of the statement.
" Fuck, wake up Ken we are going to look for Aya."
TBC