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 x Nagi / Jei x Aya / Hints of Crawford x Schuldich

FYI: { Telepathic speech } - Inner thoughts

Author's Notes:

For those of you that, like me, totally love angst and emotional trauma, well……Don't fear my friends because more is on its way in this chapter now that Bradley has come into the picture. A very confused Schuldich is about to be caught right smack in the middle of things. Don't you just love it? Poor Yohji, he just doesn't have a clue as to what he's going to be coming up against. I know, I know. I'm so horribly wicked (**Pats herself on the back**).

Well, that's about it for now. Soooo, scroll down my children and enjoy the next chapter of Crimson Embrace. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks again and please remember to review!

Forsaken

Crimson Embrace

"Aya, we need Mrs. Peterson's arrangement."

Aya Fujimiya turned at the sound of her brother's voice and peered out of the back room where she'd been working on a few orders. "Be out in a minute, Ran," she called out in return.

Her brother nodded in acknowledgement and Aya turned back into the room. A gentle smile graced Aya's lush lips as her dark gaze fell upon the man she loved with all of her heart. Her fiancÉÉ Jei was bent slightly over the table in the back of the room lost in concentration as he finished an order. He looks so cute.

Jei would probably argue with her if he knew what she was thinking telling her that he was just too scarred to be considered cute. But, Aya refused to allow the scars marring his skin to stop her from admiring Jei's true beauty. They didn't matter to her. Not even the eye patch he used to cover up his damaged left eye could make her think otherwise. Jei was beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Aya's smile faltered a bit as she walked quietly to her workstation. She wished with all of her heart that Jei would forget, as she often did, that the scars were there. She wished that he could see himself as she saw him. It broke her heart to see how he always tended to cover up every inch of himself by wearing long sleeves and jeans or slacks even in the hottest climate. It seemed that the only time Jei was ever comfortable enough to allow his skin to show was when they were making love.

But even then, Aya sighed to herself as she trimmed the flower in her hand, Jei sometimes pulled away from her. His body would tense with self-consciousness and he would move to cover himself with the bedsheets whenever he saw her looking at him for too long.

Why couldn't he just realize that she was admiring his beautiful physique, that she loved how his skin glimmered with a light sheen of sweat or that she enjoyed watching the rise and fall of his chest as he tried to catch his breath after their intense lovemaking?

It's not that simple and you know it, Aya. She looked over to Jei, concern evident in her eyes.

Jei hated himself. And it wasn't just his physical appearance, the scars that her lover hated. He hated what the scars represented, hated what they reminded him of. Jei was so deeply ashamed of the things he'd done in the past. Although he'd been insane when he'd committed his crimes, Jei refused to forgive himself. It was that guilt that kept him from truly enjoying his life, their life.

Aya looked down at the white Heathers she was working with and thought about their meaning. Having learned the different meanings for so many flowers throughout the years, Aya knew this flower in particular had more than one meaning. But one meaning in particular stood out in her mind and in her heart.

Wishes Will Come True.

Aya straightened her back and pushed back her long dark hair. She gently pushed the flowers aside mindful of their fragility and began to walk towards Jei. My wishes will come true, dammit. She was determined to help Jei find absolution. He would find peace, Aya swore to herself. She was going to make sure of it.

"Are you done with that bouquet yet, love?"

Jei looked over his shoulder and smiled down at her. "Just about." He moved away from the workstation and Aya was able to see what Jei had done. "What do you think?"

"Oh, Jei. It's fantastic."

He had selected different colored tulips for the arrangement and the kaleidoscope of colors had achieved the effect Jei had obviously wanted. The bouquet was stunning.

"You're such a natural at this, love." Aya said as she sniffed the lovely bouquet with delight.

A callused hand touched her cheek briefly and Aya looked up from the bouquet. She smiled when she noticed how flushed Jei's face was. He was obviously embarrassed by the compliment she'd given him. Then she looked into his brilliant yellow eye and Aya's insides melted.

"I'm not a natural, Aya." Jei said as he once again touched her cheek letting his hand linger over her soft skin. "I just know beauty when I see it."

Jei's hand moved into her dark hair and he pulled her gently to him. Aya's eyes closed in pleasure and a soft moan escaped her parted lips just before Jei's mouth covered her own. Her arms circled her lover's lean waist and she shuddered as his hard body pressed against her softer one.

"I love you," Jei whispered into her mouth as his strong arms embraced her in return.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Aya released Jei's lips and rested her head on her fiancÉÉ's shoulder tightening her hold on him. "I love you, too." She closed her teary eyes and breathed in his masculine scent. She smiled when she felt Jei's lips place a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Her eyes opened and her gaze immediately focused on the white Heathers on her workstation.

One day, my love, you'll come to love yourself as well. That is my promise to you.

Quiet and motionless, Schuldich sat in a plush beige chair staring at the sleeping man lying a few feet away from him. He just couldn't stop staring.

Bradley Crawford, his former leader, his former lover was alive.

For almost four years, Schuldich had mourned the loss of his only love. He had been left empty and alone when Bradley had disappeared without warning and without a trace. And now, out of the blue, Bradley had come back into his life as suddenly as he'd left it.

I just can't fucking believe it. Schuldich brought his hands up to his head and rubbed his throbbing temples, a headache was already in full bloom. Schuldich ran his hands through his flame colored locks and kept them buried within the thick depths of his mussed hair.

Shit, what the hell are we supposed to do now? After their shocker of a reunion with Bradley, he and Nagi had thought it best to take Bradley to a safe place so that the older man could rest and regain his strength. But, due to the fact that Bradley had been adamant about keeping his presence unknown to the others finding such a place hadn't been an easy task.

All of the safe houses they had used in the past were no longer available to them. And since he and Nagi both lived with their lovers and Jei lived with Aya at the Koneko, their homes were also out of the question. A cheap motel had been the only option left to them. Schuldich sighed and slouched in his seat. He crossed his arms and leaned his head back against chair, his eyes still steadily watching Bradley as the older man slept.

He wished Bradley would wake up already. He had a million questions whirling around in his head and he needed them answered. Besides, Schuldich thought as he looked down at his watch, it was getting late. He needed to get home before Yohji got suspicious. It was bad enough that he had lied to his lover by telling the blonde that he was going to help Nagi out with the shop's deliveries. He didn't need to come home at the crack of dawn on top of that. Schuldich cursed and shifted his gaze to the ceiling.

Yohji was too perceptive for his own good. He remembered how the blonde had given him a questioning glance before he'd left the shop with Nagi. He had been relieved when Yohji hadn't asked for any explanations. His lover had simply kissed him good-bye. Schuldich brow furrowed at the memory. That innocent brush of lips over his own had made Schuldich feel like the bastard he knew himself to be. Knowing how misplaced Yohji's trust in him was only increased the burden of guilt Schuldich already carried.

God, I don't know what to feel anymore. His heart was torn and his mind so very confused. Schuldich's evergreen eyes once again fell upon Bradley's inert form. His heart clenched, concern for his former lover clearly written on his face.

Bradley had barely eaten anything before the exhausted older man had fallen asleep. It saddened Schuldich to see the once strong and larger than life Bradley Crawford reduced to such a weak and sickly state.

Why had Bradley disappeared four years ago? Where had he been all this time? What had happened to him? Why was he back?

Schuldich rubbed the bridge of his nose as question after question assailed his mind. He was so lost in his musing that Schuldich didn't hear the door being unlocked.

"I'm back," Nagi said as he entered the room with a bag of supplies in his arms and closed the door behind him.

Schuldich jumped slightly in surprise and he looked over his shoulder.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Nagi said sheepishly.

Schuldich smiled as Nagi walked over to the coffee table in their room and placed the bag he'd been carrying on top of it. "It's okay. I wasn't really all there. Know what I mean?"

Nagi nodded in understanding as he proceeded to take out the contents in the bag. "Yeah, I know exactly what you mean." Nagi paused for a second. "How is he, Schu?"

Good question. Schuldich shifted his gaze from Bradley to Nagi and noticed how tense the younger man was. "He's doing fine. He's been asleep the whole time. " Schuldich stood up and walked over to Nagi. "What's all this?"

"Well, I figured that Bradley was going to be needing a few things while he's staying here. So, after I finished with my deliveries, I went shopping."

Relieved that Nagi had relaxed a bit, Schuldich looked down at the table. A couple of shirts, pants, and underwear were laid out neatly on the table next to a razor, a can of deodorant spray, and a toothbrush. "Nice going, Nagi. I wasn't even thinking about this kind of stuff."

Nagi smiled as he looked at Schuldich. "That's what I'm here for Schu." The telekinetic pointed to his head. "To use my mind when you can't find your."

Schuldich grinned and lightly punched Nagi in the gut. "You little bastard. Just cause you're a little tougher looking now doesn't mean I still can't kick your sorry ass----Shit." Schuldich suddenly found himself levitated off the floor. He crossed his arms and glared at the now laughing telekinetic.

"What were you saying, Schu? Who's ass were you going to kick?"

"Very funny, Nagi. You're fucking hilarious. Now put me down."

Nagi complied and Schuldich was put safely back onto the floor. "I swear. You're lucky that I love you, kid, or I would've killed you for that."

Nagi smirked as he took the clothes off the table to put them into the old dresser by the window totally unfazed by Schuldich's empty threat. Schuldich grinned as he watched the younger man begin to neatly place the clothes into the dresser drawer. You really are something, Nagi. And I do love you, even if you are a little prick.

Schuldich walked back to the beige chair next to the full size bed Bradley was stretched out on and sat down. Worry once again darkening his thoughts.

"What are we going to do about Bradley, Schu?" Schuldich looked over to where Nagi stood watching him with a stricken look. "He wants us to keep the others in the dark. But, I don't know if I can do that, Schu. I hate lying to Omi. He trusts me, Schu and I don't want to risk losing that trust."

"I don't know what we're going to do, Nagi. I hate this just as much as you do." You're such a fucking liar! You're happy Bradley's back, aren't you? You'll lie to Yohji, to anyone if Bradley asks you to. "We're just going to have to trust Bradley for now until we find out what the hell is going on."

"But----"

"No!" Bradley screamed suddenly as he bolted upright in the bed.

Schuldich quickly got out of his seat and sat next to a panting Bradley on the bed trying to calm the older man. Nagi hovered worriedly over Bradley on the other side of the bed.

"It's okay, Brad. Everything's alright. You're safe."

Bradley wiped a hand over his sweat-damped brow and looked up at Bradley. "No, Schu. I'm not safe. None of us are."

Yohji sighed as he turned away from the window. Schuldich was late, not an unusual occurrence for his lover since the man could never keep track of time. But, this was late even for Schuldich. Yohji looked over to the alarm clock on the nightstand. 8:00 p.m. Shit, it was only a few deliveries. Where the hell are you, Schu?

He had checked with Omi and the former Weiß archer was also beginning to worry about his own lover. Yohji had tried to call Schuldich's cell phone but he hadn't been able to get through. [ -The cellular customer you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please hang up and try again.- ] Damn operator.

He knew nothing bad had happened to his lover. During the course of the past three years, he and Schuldich had developed a strong mental bond. That bond was so strong that at times it enabled them to sense when one of them was danger or even hurt. Yohji hadn't sensed anything of the like. So instead of being very worried, Yohji was getting really annoyed. He could have at least called. The asshole.

Yohji removed his shirt and threw it on the bed. He removed his shades and placed them on the dresser before he grabbed his pack of cigarettes and his lighter. Still cursing Schuldich for being such an inconsiderate jerk, Yohji walked out of the bedroom. On bare feet, he walked down the hallway and into the living room. Not bothering to turn on the lights, Yohji walked over to the twin doors that led to the balcony.

Once on the balcony, Yohji lit up his cigarette. Taking a deep pull, he leaned against the railing. It was a beautiful night, Yohji thought as he savored the taste of nicotine in his mouth. His jade eyes looked up into the night sky and marveled at the radiance of the full moon. Damn, that's nice. I wish……

The pleasure he had been feeling suddenly dwindled as his thoughts once again shifted to his lover. He wished Schuldich were here. But he's not, is he? Yohji sighed and closed his eyes enjoying the cool breeze that was brushing over his skin.

He had to admit that Schuldich was beginning to worry him. It wasn't really about tonight, about the fact that he still wasn't home or hadn't called to let him know he was going to be late. That bothered him, yes, but what bothered him the most was the ever-growing rift in their relationship. Shit, you had to open your big mouth, didn't you?

Ever since he'd spilled his guts and told Schuldich that he loved him, things between them had changed. Yohji's heart clenched the pain of that night still fresh in his mind, still able to cut him. He hadn't meant to say them, knowing full well how Schuldich felt about the subject. But like an idiot swept away by his emotions, not thinking only feeling, he'd confessed his feelings. And I ruined everything.

Yohji rubbed at his chest unconsciously, a habit he had whenever something was bothering him. Ever since that night, a year ago, Yohji lived in fear, afraid that one day he'd wake up to find Schuldich gone forever. God, why can't anything ever be simple? Why do I have to always fuck everything up? Yohji looked up at the brilliant moon lighting up the sky and sighed once again, a released breath full of sadness and lost hope.

Why can't you love me, Schu?

"Where are the chosen ones?" A feminine voice hissed, echoing like a thousand whispers through the torch lit room.

"We have sent the Trinity to retrieve them, Morta. They will be here soon."

"You had better be certain, Elder, for I am not the one you will be displeasing."

"We are aware of that, Priestess. We will not fail our Lord."

"See that you don't. Now leave me. I have much to prepare for."

The Priestess of the Sodinu watched with eerie eyes as the dark robed man left the her chambers. The large wooden doors closed with a loud click and the room was silent once more. She turned and faced the large fire lit altar, her scarlet robe whispering across the floor. Phanthomless black eyes looked into the flames, the bright glow of the fire casting dark shadows over her flawless face. A malicious smile curved her blood red lips as she placed her hands just above the flames.

"Soon, my Lord, you will be free. Your day of Judgement will arrive before long."

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