Disclaimer:

I do not own Weiß Kreuz or any of its characters. I just love them to no end and have a very twisted imagination. Please be aware that I am extremely poor so suing me will do you no good. Thanks.

Warning: Lemon Yaoi / Violence / Explicit Language / Angst

Pairings: Schuldich x Yohji / Ran x Ken / Omi + Nagi / Jei + Aya

FYI: { Telepathic speech } - Inner thoughts -- [ Flashback ]

Author's Notes:

Well guys, here's Chapter Ten of CE. There's plenty of angsty POVs and action in this one with a good dose of the supernatural. So, have your imaginations on high gear and enjoy the ride to its maximum.

Reviews are always appreciated, so please drop a comment my way to let me know what you thoughtof CE's latest installment.

Okay, that's it for now. Enjoy the fic!

Thanks,

Forsaken

Crimson Embrace

Bradley's motel room was shrouded in darkness; the tension high as all five of its occupants waited in silence for the attack they knew was coming. Bradley leaned his side against the wall as he and Schuldich stood near the window, his eyes vigilant and alert.

"I hate this waiting."

Bradley looked over at Schuldich, noting the telepath's tense stance. "We all do, Schu. But there's no other recourse left to us. You know that it would be a pointless venture to try to locate them ourselves. Our best shot is to wait for them to find us as they have managed to find the others. We have to wait for 'them' to make their move."

Schuldich turned his green gaze over to Bradley and sighed. "I know. I just don't like it." The redhead looked over to where Aya was crouched on the floor next to Jei before shifting his eyes back to where Bradley stood a mere inches away. "And I don't like the fact that we couldn't get Aya the hell out of here," Schuldich stated, his voice low enough for only Bradley to hear.

"She'll be alright, Schu."

Schuldich shook his head. "She's defenseless, Brad. I don't like Nagi being here either but at least I know he can take care of himself. He's a trained assassin and a telekinetic. But Aya's …… different."

"Because she's an innocent?" Bradley asked.

Schuldich nodded. "Yeah. She shouldn't be involved in this mess. These bastards aren't going to care that's she's got nothing to do with this. She's guilty by association and therefor a target. Once the shit hits the fan, how the hell are we going to be able to keep track of her, Brad? Keep her safe?"

"Jei will protect her, Schuldich. He won't let anything happen to her. Neither will the rest of us."

Schuldich closed his eyes and looked away, remaining silent. Bradley's eyes narrowed.

There was something else. Something that was bothering Schuldich. The telepath had been acting more and more despondent ever since he'd returned from the apartment he shared with Kudou. Schuldich hadn't gotten into the details over what he'd seen there, but Bradley knew that it must have been unsettling. Schuldich had returned to the motel pale and shaken.

{ What's really bothering you, Schu? } he projected, knowing somehow that the redhead would find this method of communication much more comfortable.

Schuldich sighed and turned back to Bradley, a tired grin playing at his lips. { I can't get anything past you, can I? }

Bradley grinned back and shook his head slightly. { No, so you might as well tell me what's on your mind. }

{ Shit Bradley, what isn't? } Schuldich turned his head and once again looked out the window. { We're standing here in the dark like a bunch of sitting ducks waiting for an enemy we have no clue how to fight against and you're asking me what's wrong? }

{ Besides the obvious Schu, } Bradley insisted. He needed the telepath to trust him, trust him as he had done in the past. { What's wrong? }

Schuldich's hand fisted at his side. { I can't feel him anymore, Brad. }

Bradley's heart clenched, knowing full well whom Schuldich was referring to.

{ I've always been able to feel him …… to sense him. No matter what, he's always been there. And now …… } Schuldich looked at Bradley with tortured green eyes. { It's killing me, Bradley. } Schuldich's voice was a mere whisper in Bradley's mind. { I don't know what's happening to him and it scares me. Scares me to think of what they're doing to him. There was so much blood at the ... I …… Shit. }

Then as if he'd suddenly realized he'd revealed too much, Schuldich turned back to the window. { I'm sorry. }

{ Sorry for what? For loving him enough to be scared for him? }

Schuldich swung his gaze back to Bradley. { Bradley, I ---- }

Bradley's eyes bore into Schuldich. { Don't try to deny it, Schu. You've done enough of that already, don't you think? }

Schuldich winced and looked away.

He's so damn stubborn. Bradley sighed. And I'm so tactless. Would they ever learn from their mistakes?

{ If you're worried about how this is all affecting me, then don't. All I want is your happiness and it's obvious to anyone with eyes that Kudou gives you that. }

{ Bradley, I …… Shit, I don't know what to say. }

Bradley's eyes softened. Love was plain to see within the other man's eyes but it was no longer the love one held for a lover. It was still special, still unique but it was no longer the special bond that had at one time melded their souls together.

Schuldich had finally realized the difference.

You knew this day would come. It shouldn't have come as a surprise to you. And it hadn't but ... it still hurt. He couldn't deny that it didn't but there was nothing he could do now. Fate had made its decree. All he could do now was ease Schuldich's mind of any lingering guilt and help save the man that Schuldich now loved.

{ You don't have to say anything, Schu. And you don't have to feel guilty over your feelings. Our time has long passed. It's time for the both of us to accept that and move on. } Bradley looked deeply into Schuldich's eyes, making sure that the redhead understood his every word. { You belong with Kudou now. }

Schuldich looked at him for a moment before he nodded in agreement. { I know that now, } the telepath replied. { It took this shit to happen to finally open my eyes, but …… it's true. I do love Yohji, love him more than anything. }

{ He has no idea, does he? } Bradley asked, sensing the unease still evident in Schuldich.

A pained expression crossed the redhead's face. { I've been an ass, } Schuldich projected, smirking in disgust. { Of course he doesn't know. }

Bradley tilted his a bit as he regarded his former lover. { I guess you're just going to have to get him back so that you can tell him, aren't you? }

That's why he's been so edgy lately. Schuldich was not only determined to get Kudou back but he was determined to reveal his feelings to the blonde before it was too late. The realization had Bradley making a decision right then and there.

Even if it meant his own death, Schuldich would have his chance.

{ I do love you, you know, } Schuldich stated. A wry grin curving his lips, interrupting Bradley's thoughts.

Bradley smiled in return, his heart twisting over what could never be again. { I know. }

{ Bradley? }

{ What is it, Schu? }

Schuldich's grin faded, his eyes full of apprehension. { Are you sure that the others will be with 'them'? }

Bradley nodded, understanding Schuldich's need for reassurance. { If what Nagi told us was accurate about how the other sphere had been present during Bombay's abduction, then it more than likely means that the others are being kept close to these creatures. It's no more than a theory of mine, but something's telling me that I'm right. They'll be here, Schu and we must be ready to take them back. }

{ How can you be certain that your plan's going to work? You're memory isn't all there. }

{ I may not remember all that has happened these past four years but there's no doubt in my mind that this is going to work, } Bradley replied, his eyes confident and sure. { I can't recall the name of the three forms that the Sodinu utilize for the gathering of the Chosen Ones but I know that they function as one. They cannot completely separate from each other. At all times, they are linked in some way. It is only logical to assume that if one is destroyed, the other two will be as well. We just have to find their weak point. }

{ Shit Brad, that's a lot to rely on mere assumption, } Schuldich replied, frustration and fear evident in his tone.

Not knowing what else to tell the younger man to assure him, Bradley remained quiet and gazed at Schuldich with patient eyes.

Schuldich lowered his gaze and stared at his hand on the window sill. After a moment's silence, the redhead's voice once again resounded in his mind.

{ I'm sorry. I know that you're doing all you can do. It's just that …… Dammit, I need to find him, Brad. If I lost him now that I finally realized how I feel …… I don't know what I'd do. } Schuldich looked up at Bradley, his eyes, his entire frame shaking with emotion. { I can't lose him, Bradley. I can't. }

Unable to stop himself, Bradley reached out and covered Schuldich's hand with his own. He wanted to pull the redhead into him arms, to comfort him, to soothe him, but Bradley knew that he couldn't. Not in the way he wanted. All he could do now was be here for Schuldich, be here to support him, to help him the best way he could …… and be satisfied with that.

A sudden loud groan echoed throughout the room startling the two men out of their musing. Bradley turned in time to see Jei clutch his head in pain.

"The three! Dammit, they're here!" yelled Jei, his hands buried in his white hair cradling his head.

"Jei," Aya called out as she went to her lover.

"Shit!" exclaimed Schuldich, his eyes alert and watchful as he pushed his back against the wall.

"Aya, try to calm him down," Bradley ordered, his voice calm and collected. "Schu, scan the area."

Schuldich nodded and closed his eyes. In an instant, Schuldich grabbed his head in pain and with a hiss fell to his knees.

"Schu!"

"They're here and they're close," Schuldich rasped, pain evident on his face. "I can fucking feel them!"

Bradley crouched down next to Schuldich, his gun cocked and ready for use in his hand. He looked over to Nagi and his eyes widened slightly at the almost anticipatory gleam shining within Nagi's cobalt eyes. Nagi nodded, letting him know that he was ready and Bradley felt a bit more at ease. Nagi had most definitely grown up.

Jei suddenly pulled away from Aya and stood in front of the far right wall.

"Jei!" Aya yelled, running up behind the Irishman.

"Move behind me Aya," Jei commanded, his gaze locked onto the wall.

Bradley helped Schuldich to his feet and walked over to stand next to Jei, his heart pounding in his chest. Nagi came up behind them and Bradley's eyes widened when the wall suddenly began to change shape.

It was as if the wall's molecular structure was changing right before his eyes. A red glow began to permeate the room, casting an eerie bloody hue over the darkened room and Bradley took command once again.

"Get ready, everyone," Bradley ordered urgently. "We won't have much time once they appear."

A sound of what seemed to be a myriad of whispers began to echo along the walls forcing Bradley to cover his ears from the assault to his senses. Bradley looked over to Nagi. "Are you ready?"

Nagi nodded. "As ready as I ever will be."

"Schu?"

The telepath looked at him with hardened eyes. "I've got this."

"Jei?"

"Ready," the Irishman answered, keeping his body protectively in front of Aya's.

Bradley turned his attention back to the wall and his heart skipped a beat at what he saw.

The wall was no more. It was now nothing but a dark blood red hole. God help us.

Eyes the color of midnight widened at the sudden shift in power among the four planes. "No …… Those fools!" Morta hissed, sensing the calamity that was about to take place. "They've jeopardized everything!"

Morta's long black hair swirled in the air as she turned and walked over to the great altar in the middle of her chamber. Anger pulsed along her skin in waves as she moved her hand quickly over the fire. The flames died instantly and she leaned forward until her reflection stared back at her.

Power radiated like a second skin around Morta as she concentrated her will into the dark red liquid within the altar's stone depths. Perhaps all was not lost.

I will not allow 'their' stupidity to destroy all that we've accomplished. I will not lose 'him' to the light!

A dark form materialized before them, undescribable …… undefinable and Schuldich took in a deep breath, his eyes still locked on the large hole behind the entity. Come on. Where are the rest of you? Come on.

Desperation almost consumed Schuldich as he stood in wait for any sign of Yohji and the others. Was Bradley's assumption accurate? Would his lover soon follow? Please. Please. His mind chanted the words as Schuldich held his breath, as his heart began to race in anticipation. Dammit, Bradley can't be wrong. He can't be.

Then out of nowhere, two red spheres glowing and pulsating emerged through the hole. Stay calm, Schu. Don't fuck this up by jumping the gun. Stay in control and remember the plan, dammit.

But even as the words whirled around in his mind, his rebellious heart was already searching for an opening, an advantage over the bastards that had taken his lover. His evergreen eyes locked onto the eerie forms before him, studying every possible angle for his attack. The green orbs widened when he noticed an irregularity among the spheres. One red sphere was smaller than the other and for whatever reason all of his senses, his very being locked onto it.

Schuldich wanted to lunge into action, to reach out and break the barrier that was possibly holding his lover, but he didn't move an inch. Bradley's plan had been clear. Everyone had a duty to perform. If he moved on his own, he would be endangering not only himself but the others as well. Their plan would be shot to hell and Weiß would still be lost to them. No, he had to be patient. So not one of my better virtues.

"You have been chosen to become one with the Sodinu. You will now take your place."

Schuldich winced in pain as the distorted voice rang loudly within his mind. "Not in this fucking lifetime, asshole!" he yelled unable to keep quiet. He heard the others gasp as well and he wished to hell that he could make his move. { Dammit, Bradley! }

Bradley's eyes were focused on the entities now moving closer to them. Pain radiated from Bradley's mind and Schuldich knew that the brunette was probably using all of his strength to keep himself on his feet.

{ Not yet, Schu. They must come closer. Remember the plan. }

Shit! The pain within his mind intensified and Schuldich nearly fell to his knees. How the hell were these 'things' causing these waves of agony to crash into him ... into all of them?

The dark form centered in between the two glowing orbs moved closer almost floating across the floor and Schuldich waited impatiently for Bradley's signal. Schuldich's body was a mass of raw nerves as he watched the entity's approach.

{ Now! } Bradley commanded suddenly, springing everyone into action.

About fucking time. Schuldich closed his eyes, his heart ramming into his chest and concentrated on blocking out the pain which had practically immobilized them all. He focused all of his energy, every ounce of his strength into erecting a shield, a wall large enough, strong enough to disrupt the sound waves being projected at them. It wasn't an easy task.

Sweat drops formed on his forehead as he split his power into five separate parts, lending his strength to the others in order to protect them from the pain. { Now, Jei! } he commanded telepathically, already feeling his energy levels draining from the exertion.

Jei moved quickly. A knife seemingly materialized in his hand and the white haired man threw it quickly to the left;years of skill having never been forgotten as the knife flew across to the wall near the door, imbedding itself into the thick metal pipe connected to the outlet on the wall.

Sparks flew as the wires within the metal encasing were severed and Nagi made his move. Taking a few steps back away from Schuldich, the wiry brunette turned to focus his eyes on the electrical discharge coming from the wall. Cobalt blue orbs narrowed as Nagi used his ability to manipulate the electrical current. In an instant, a wave of electricity whirled almost uncontrollably in the air, snapping and sizzling.

Pain coursed through Schuldich's body as he continued to buffer their enemy's mental attack. His eyes, green slits, blinked rapidly as he watched Nagi force the hissing wave to surround the three entities, encasing them within a wall of pure energy.

The effect was immediate.

Schuldich's eyes widened as the human shaped entity and the two orbs behind it began to distort, losing their circular shape. A screech of the likes he'd never heard vibrated along the walls and worst still, within his mind causing Schuldich to cry out and fall to his knees in agony.

{ Schuldich! } Bradley called out mentally, worry intermingling with the pain evident in his voice.

{ I'm alright, } replied Schuldich hoarsely, unable to keep the excruciating pain he was in from lacing his words. { Don't worry about me. Just get the fuck ready. I can't hold on for much longer. }

He was running out of time, Schuldich knew it, felt it as his power continued to dwindle under the assault he was under. But Schuldich refused to give in to the pressure. Yohji was depending on him to succeed. All of them were. Failure was unacceptable ... inexcusable and nothing short of death would make him release his hold on the barrier he had created. Hold on, dammit. Just hold on until Bradley finds what he's looking for.

"Holy shit," he heard Nagi exclaim from somewhere behind him, prompting Schuldich to look up. His eyes widened at what he saw.

The figures were now contorting uncontrollably as the interference the electrical barrier was causing began to somehow disrupt the energy coursing through them. How had Bradley known that this would happen? Schuldich asked himself, watching in amazement as the red mist that served to cloak the entities began to break away and disintegrate. Horror washed over him as a skeletal form flashed beneath the dissipating mists.

The pain splintering through his head was pushed aside slightly as he stared in fascination at the gruesome scene playing out before him. A skeleton? They're ... human?

Once again the cloaking mist dispersed, falling to the floor like melted skin, decomposing in a matter of seconds until their was nothing left. But this time, a gleam of a what appeared to be a blood red crystal imbedded within the skeletal form in between its chest cavity was clearly seen. What the ...

{ That's it! } Bradley exclaimed at the sight, moving forward quickly; his gun already up in the air at eye level taking aim.

{ The stone? } Schuldich asked, bewildered by what Bradley was doing.

{ Yes, if I destroy the stone, I'll destroy them as well. }

{ Then shoot the fucking thing already! }

{ This has to be accurate, Schu. I can't afford to miss. }

Schuldich could see Bradley's hand shaking as the other man took aim; the pain more than likely making the shot that much more difficult for him.

"Oh my God," exclaimed Aya all of a sudden, catching Schuldich's attention.

Schuldich looked at her, taking in the utter shock written over her ashen face as a slender hand shot forward to point at something straight ahead. His green eyes shifted instantly in the direction she was pointing to and Schuldich's heart skipped a beat at what he was seeing.

The now deformed spheres were glowing from within, mimicking a beating heart, revealing the bodies encased within their unstable depths. He could see three bodies within the large sphere but it was what he saw in the smaller of the two that had his breath catching in his throat and his heart pounding into his chest.

One ... only one body was encased within the smaller sphere, still and unmoving. Oh, God. Was that Yohji?

Schuldich made to move but found himself unable to as pain once again made itself known, ripping through him like a pair of claws along skin. Shit. He forced his head to move, despite the pain, and looked over to where Bradley was standing poised ready to fire at the skeletal invader. Knowing he still had a duty to perform, Schuldich pushed his thoughts of Yohji aside and poured more of his energy into the mental barrier he was struggling to maintain. He had to help Bradley by blocking out the pain. You're not going to get past me, you sonofabitches. I'll fucking die first.

A shot rang out, echoing along the walls of the room as Bradley finally fired his weapon. Schuldich's eyes widened as the red crystal attached to the skeleton's chest shattered; hundreds of pieces glittering in the air as they fell to the floor and disintegrated.

{ Nooooooo! } an unknown voice screamed within Schuldich's mind as the skeleton literally crumbled in mid-air, its ashes gone even before they hit the floor. Who the hell ...

The room suddenly began to rumble as the pulsating orbs solidified; their color changing from red to black as large cracks began to run along their surface. The hole that had at one point been a wall seemed to disappear as the two orbs exploded. Schuldich shielded his face as best he could from the flying particules. He looked back and his heart seemed to stop beating.

The former members of Weiß hovered in the air for a few heart stopping seconds before the energy field surrounding them disappeared, allowing them to fall limply to the floor.

"Ran!" yelled Aya as she rushed to where her brother had fallen; Ken by his side.

Nagi released the electrical barrier he had erected and ran past Schuldich heading toward Omi. But Schuldich barely noticed what was happening around him. All sound, all thought was vanished as his eyes focused on his lover's still form.

Schuldich fell to his knees beside the blonde and with a trembling hand reached out to gently brush Yohji's damp hair off of his pale face. Fear coursed through him at the sight of his lover's bloodied body.

Dried blood was caked within the silken strands and covered most of Yohji's forehead. A partially healed scar marred the skin there, its length running a good four inches along Yohji's hairline. Rivulets of the rust colored liquid had dried trailing down Yohji's right cheek; the crimson color a startling contrast against the blonde's deathly white skin.

Schuldich swallowed, his gaze taking in the blood splattered clothes draped over his lover. A memory of their apartment flashed quickly in his mind, bloody images that would forever haunt him and he took in a shaky breath as he felt for a pulse. Please, please. Relief washed over him, nearly purging him of all of his strength. It was faint and irregular but the pulse was there ... Yohji was alive.

Carefully and with a gentleness rarely attributed to him, Schuldich wrapped his arms around the blonde and brought Yohji into his arms. He closed his eyes at the familiar warmth and he felt his body begin to tremble as held his lover's form close to him.

A small pained moan escaped Yohji's lips at the movement and Schuldich immediately loosened his hold, his breath catching in his throat. He could feel the rough texture of dried blood beneath his hands and Schuldich allowed them to roam further, searching for any wounds his lover might have sustained.

"Oh God," he whispered brokenly, his eyes widening in horror, as his hands found a large wound on Yohji's back. The unconscious blonde moaned at the slight touch and Schuldich closed his eyes, his heart breaking over Yohji's suffering. Schuldich embraced Yohji carefully, not wanting to aggravate the blonde's wounds and rested his chin on his lover's limp blonde hair. I'll help you, my love. I'll make the pain go away.

He linked their minds and began to project a sense of warmth and comfort to his lover as he tried to ease the pain Yohji's was experiencing. Focusing on Yohji's sensory threads, Schuldich began to block off the pain, taking some of it into his own body. He winced as he felt his body protest to the mental and physical exertion he was putting it through. But Schuldich didn't care. His pain didn't matter. All that mattered was Yohji.

When he'd done all that he could to relieve some of the pain racking Yohji's frame, Schuldich moved onto his lover's psyche. Cautiously, he moved alongside the mental threads within checking every strand, trying to access any damage. He paused suddenly when he noticed an unusual mark on one of them. There was something altogether different about the strand. Schuldich gasped when he realized what it was.

Yohji's psychic thread.

He had always known Yohji to have a strong sixth sense; an indication of Yohji's strong psyche. It was what had help their 'bond' to strengthen throughout the years. But this was different. This was the first time he had actually gotten a glimpse of the actual strand that had enabled Yohji to have such high perception.

Schuldich's body tensed as his mind's eye watched in awe as Yohji's mental threads began to increase in length and width. The band of threads began to intermingle and unite with the psychic strand, forming strands double their original size. Suddenly the new strands began to spark as if electrified; the light emanating from them getting brighter and brighter pushing at Schuldich's intrusion until he was forced out of Yohji's mind in a sudden blinding flash.

Stunned and utterly exhausted, Schuldich's body swayed and he placed a hand on the floor to balance himself. What the hell had just happened? What had he just witnessed?

"Schu, are you alright?"

Schuldich jerked at the sound of Bradley's voice and he opened his eyes. Worried amber-brown eyes stared back at him and Schuldich forced himself to speak. "I'm alright. Just tired." He looked down at his lover's bloodied face. "But I need help with Yohji. I don't think I can carry him."

Bradley nodded and carefully lifted the unconscious blonde out of Schuldich's arms and into his own.

Taking a deep breath, Schuldich willed his body to move, managing to get himself onto his feet. He swayed slightly and felt a strong hand on his back steadying him. He turned and found Jei behind him. The Irishman grabbed Schuldich's arm and placed it around his shoulders. Schuldich was grateful for the help knowing he would have otherwise fallen on his face.

Aya and Nagi approached from them left, Nagi's cobalt eyes focused on the three bodies he was levitating in the air. Schuldich's eyes quickly roamed over Ran, Ken and Omi. They were covered in blood as well. Anger flooded his insides as he swore vengeance against those who had done this to his ... family.

Schuldich turned to face Bradley; the dark promise whirling within the depths of his evergreen eyes. As if reading his thoughts, Bradley nodded in silent agreement as he held Yohji gently within his arms before turning toward the front door.

They all walked out of the room, dodging the crowds just beginning to form around the area by mere seconds. In relative silence, they departed from the site of their first battle against the Sodinu and disappeared into the night, knowing that the war had only just begun.

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