Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Surreal shot her companion an exasperated look. “Where are we going, Manx?”
The other woman smiled, not taking her eyes of the road. “I told you, you’ll just have to wait and see.”
Finally, they pulled up outside a closed flower shop. Manx rapped on the security grate and they were quickly allowed inside. Surreal briefly met Yohji’s shocked eyes before grabbing Manx’ arm and pulling her into the kitchen.
“I’m really sorry to barge in on you like this,” she said, “but Manx and I will need a moment to yell at each other, if you don’t mind.”
The glare Aya gave her before rising and leaving the room nearly made her wince. Offering an apologetic smile to Omi before the kid followed his teammates, she was encouraged by his nod and weak smile.
She used Craft to close the door behind them and turned to Manx. Crossing her arms over her chest, she simply waited.
“How do you know Weiß?” Manx demanded.
“I’ve been coming here for flowers for the past two months. They’re great kids, so I got into the habit of staying for a bit of conversation as well. I’ve seen you around here too often not to know they were Kritiker but I didn’t know they were Weiß. I certainly never thought that Takatori would put his precious Mamoru in a team like this! It was my fault for not realizing what they do, and I won’t blame you, but it’s probably cost me their friendship.” Surreal sounded very tired suddenly. “I just liked them, Manx. Not everything I do is work related.”
Manx was silent as she tried to accept that.
“How was I supposed to know who they were?” Surreal continued, anger rising again. “I can’t believe you did this! I hoped you had some influence on Takatori, but apparently that bastard was just as twisted as his brother.”
“Surreal –”
“How could he? After all he did to save the child, how could he teach his own kin to kill? What possessed him to do that to any of them?”
There was a long silence. Manx wanted to defend her former boss, but in the face of Surreal’s anger, she couldn’t find the words. And somewhere deep inside, the conscience she’d spent years denying whispered that the other woman was right.
“If I could,” Surreal continued in a calm, icy tone, “I’d bring him back so I could kill him. No matter how good they’ve become, they weren’t meant to be assassins.”
More silence. Manx looked away guiltily. “I know,” she said softly.
The admission seemed to appease Surreal. “Should we get on with the meeting, then?”
“You’re still willing to discuss contract?” Manx was genuinely surprised.
Surreal nodded, and stalked to the door, opening it with faked casualness. “You can come in now.”
Aya was surprised by how strong the feeling of betrayal was. He hadn’t thought the woman had gotten so far under skin, hadn’t thought it possible for anyone to break his defenses down so quickly. A look at his teammates told him that they were as floored as he was by the revelation that Surreal was associated with Kritiker.
They listened avidly while the two women argued. Well, while Surreal yelled at Manx. The redhead was surprisingly meek during the confrontation.
Omi smiled sadly at hearing they weren’t mean to be killers, relieved to know that he wasn’t doomed to become like his father and brothers. Coming from Manx, who had been almost a surrogate mother to him, those words meant a great deal to him.
He felt warmed by Surreal’s anger at their situation and concern for their well being. Not many would care for a group of assassins, not even if they were in the same trade.
Then Surreal opened the door, and they stepped inside.
“I know you were listening,” Surreal said, “so I won’t repeat myself. Are you willing to discuss contract, or should I leave?”
She watched nervously as the four males exchanged glances.
“We’ll listen,” Aya said with a hint of finality. The team gathered around the kitchen table, but Aya remained standing.
Not quite forgiven yet, Surreal realized. She smiled slightly. I can work with that.
Manx waited until they’d all settled down. “I assume you know each other’s names, so I’ll skip the long introduction. Weiß, meet Grau; Grau, meet Weiß.” She smiled at Omi’s surprised expression. “Yes, that Grau.”
“Half of it, actually,” Surreal interjected, “but I’m the reason for the name. You will most likely never be introduced to my partner; Manx hasn’t been, and we’ve known her for years.”
The last part was added solely for the childish pleasure of seeing Manx struggle to keep from revealing her annoyance.
“But the contract I’m offering won’t need him,” the other woman retorted, “although you’re more than welcome to bring him in.”
Before Surreal could answer, Yohji cut in.
“For those of us who don’t hack Kritiker files for fun; what kind of team is Grau?”
“The best!” Omi was practically glowing with excitement, and completely forgot to deny the accusation. “I bet they could take on Schwarz and win!”
Surreal smiled. “We could,” she agreed with no hint of pride or arrogance in her tone. “But we’ve come this far without any serious conflict with them, and we don’t intend to start something we’d be reluctant to finish.”
“You work for Eszett?” Aya asked, one hand twitching as he barley halted a reflexive reach for his katana.
“We’re not Eszett, and we’re not Kritiker.” Surreal met his gaze openly, unbothered by the glare. “We work for money, and sometimes personal satisfaction. Grau owes no allegiance to anyone.”
Ken frowned. “Then why help us?”
“We’re neutral, and we have nothing to gain by Eszett defeating Kritiker. If conflict dies down, we won’t have as much work. Helping you will balance the scales again.”
“What did you mean by ‘personal satisfaction’?”
Surreal’s eyes chilled. “Haven’t you ever felt that what you’re doing is right, Aya? Haven’t you ever taken a life knowing that the world will be a better place for it? When I hunt, I kill the ones neither side will touch, the ones who have no place in their struggle for power.”
The other four occupants of the room edged away from the pair locked in a staring contest, unnerved by the tension in the air. Two dominant personalities clashing, subtly testing who was stronger.
“How do you choose your targets?”
“There are very few things I can’t bring myself to allow happening. Selling and using children are among them.”
Aya paled, his lips thinning into a hard line as his jaw clenched. Ever so slowly, he nodded.
With a sigh of relief, Manx winked at Surreal before turning to Weiß. “Now that we’ve gotten that straightened out; the reason I called Surreal is that I want her to train you.”
“What?!” Ken and Yohji chorused.
Surreal just smiled. “You’ll have to explain it to them, sugar.”
“I know your lack of psychic talents will always be a handicap when you fight Schwarz, and there is no way for you to gain such abilities, but Surreal can help you with your fighting skills. She can teach you to fight a superior opponent. And most of all, she can see what’s lacking in your teamwork.” Manx met the men’s eyes one after another, willing them to recognize the truth. “You get injured more than you used to. Persia is convinced the cause is something other than exhaustion, and he has mentioned replacing you. I don’t want that to happen.”
A tense silence followed. Her words had driven home just how precarious their position was. No matter their merits, in the end any agent was disposable and didn’t outlive his or her usefulness. A failed mission could mean death not only at the hands of the enemy, but also at Kritiker’s. It wasn’t news to any of them, but it was still unnerving to think of.
“I will train them, if they are willing.” Surreal spoke quietly, but five pairs of eyes immediately swung to her. “If you agree to be my students, you will follow my orders, even before Persia’s. I set the curriculum, I say when classes advance, and I say when you graduate. Until you do, I will keep you alive.”
Manx nodded. “Acceptable. Your payment –”
“This is a favor to you. I will expect you not to argue with what I ask in return.”
“Very well.” She turned to the males. “Will you accept Surreal as your teacher?”
“Yes,” Omi said simply.
Yohji shrugged. “If she can help us, why not?”
“We’ll graduate in no time!” Ken grinned.
There was a notable silence as they all looked at Aya. He calmly met Surreal’s eyes.
“I would know your name before I give an answer.”
“I’m Surreal SaDiablo, daughter of Titian.” Her tone was calm, but her eyes pleaded with him to trust her.
Aya nodded slightly. “As long as you teach, I will learn.”
If a smile could be solemn, Surreal’s was. “I’ll be honored to.”
The somber mood lasted for about half a minute before Ken bounced to his feet.
“Well, when do we start?” He shot a guilty look at Omi and his injured ankle. “Sorry, I mean –”
“Don’t be.” Omi smiled with his usual cheer. “I’ll watch you and make sure you don’t give SaDiablo-sensei any trouble.”
Surreal watched the boy as if he’d grown a second head. “You’re not calling me that! I’m still Surreal, and I won’t listen to anything else!”
Manx turned away to hide a smile, but the males weren’t as restrained. Three of them laughed at her expression; Aya smirked.
Surreal chuckled lightly, but not for the reasons the others may have assumed.
I’m so glad he forgave me…
The two women climbed into Manx’s car. The redhead put the key in the ignition but hesitated before turning it. She turned thoughtful eyes on the Surreal, studying her face.
Surreal sighed. “Whatever it is, just ask, Manx. I’m not in the mood for games.”
“Why?” the other asked simply.
Surreal didn’t pretend not to understand. “As their friend, I was willing to protect them. As your friend, I would have trained Weiß. Knowing both sides, I will teach them how to kill only their targets. When I’m done with them, they will not have to do things the risky way they do now.”
Manx nodded slowly, as if she weren’t convinced that was all there was to it. She didn’t press the issue, however. A smile lit her face as she changed the subject.
“It’s early still. Care for a drink?”
Surreal smiled back, relaxing into her seat. “That sounds fine. I haven’t been out for fun in months.”
Manx turned the ignition, pulling away from the curb and heading towards a completely different part of town. A part where one would have expected Yohji to feel at home in.
Surreal smiled teasingly. “Maybe we’ll even find you a man for the night.”
Manx’s laughter filled the car.