Soul Keys
Dear Readers,
Be warned this is slightly angst. Very much on Heero's part. I do not own Gundam Wing, nor have I ever wished to. (Okay, so maybe I wish it every first star I see every night I get a chance, and birthday cake wishes too.... That, and they would become real men... Just like with all the other anime I like to watch.)
Chapter 1
Dust rose from the rafters in the orange and red glow of the evening hours as Duo watched the bats from the tower fly off to their evening meals. He was looking up past the three bells that hung in the tower above him. Then, something heavy hit him in the head, and caused him to fall on his butt. "What's the matter up here, Duo? You okay?", Father Maxwell asked, coming up the steps and looking over at Duo curiously.
"I just got hit in the head by this, the bats must have knocked it off of a rafter up there while flying out for the night.", Duo replied, holding the big book up to the Father.
"And that there in your hand?", the Father asked.
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, it must have, I don't remember picking it up though. Here....", Duo handed that also to the Father.
Father Maxwell studied it in the light, it was old fashioned, more than likely made out of the purist gold and had small rubies fixed to it. The key, for whatever reason hung from a long golden chain. It looked almost as though it were to be meant for Duo to have, perfectly fitting his character, yet, the Father decided to wait before giving it to him.
However, that day came much too soon for the young boy as war had started up and the enemies soldiers came and demanded that they surrender. Duo ran off desperate to save his home from these low cut thieves. He never made it in time, and yet, as Sister Helen was gasping for her last breaths, she gave Duo two things, the key and then the book... "Father Maxwell wanted you to have these, Duo. Wear it close to your heart and hold with it memories.... Of us...", she told him.
.....
However, today was a different struggle all together, out of money and having his home repossessed by the bank with all his belongings other than his clothing and these two items he held always on him. Duo sat watching the movers coming in and taking his things away, while his neighbors watched. "Aren't you going to fight them, Duo?", Mrs. Reading asked.
"Well, you've been a really nice neighbor and all but, nah, let them have it I've lived on the streets before and I know my way around. Don't worry, I'll be just fine.", Duo replied, giving her a wink, "Besides, the one thing that they can't take from me, I have an' that's faith that I'll get through this. I always have before!",
With that, he stood up, taking his suitcase in hand and strode off down the sidewalk a little ways before turning back around. "Oh, yea, Mrs. R. Tell your husband good luck on getting that promotion for work.",
Duo turned the corner, before pulling out his key and book. He glared at the words waiting for the automatic translations that always seeped into his brain when he looked at the page. "Lara ronde' sivlare ces en sere' em solvare ha' revera gronda incarti.", Duo called up to the heavens.
(Translation , "By the moon's shadow casts I open my soul to release my beast internal.")
Duo could feel it then, the power filling him from the inside out. He felt his body harden all over and the fur sprouting from his body. The long, whip- like tail came out as did the large, leathery wings his ears grew pointed and large and nose become different. Sights, scents and sounds grew increasingly stronger and instincts started to develop taking over almost his entire being. Duo climbed up the nearest wall, and started to make his way towards the park, it might not be much of a meal, but at least it had it's fish in that sorry excuse of a lake. He'd just have to wait until dark before hunting though.
.....
Heero walked down the seemingly empty street keeping all senses open for any sign of danger, as with most places at night there might have been. Yet, it seemed liked any other night Heero would get off of work and head home, sometimes stopping at a small grocery store about once every week or so for groceries. Suddenly, as Heero rounded the corner, he heard voices down the nearby alleyway. He hid himself into the shadows to see what was going on. He watched as some teenage punks came out into his view. "What do ya think that was?", One asked.
"I don't know, but it's dead now, ain't it?", Another spoke.
Heero slowly and stealthily rounded the corner and entered the dead end alleyway. There was nothing there, so it seemed, until Heero heard something moving in one shadowed corner. Closing in on whatever it was caused it to be illuminated eventually by a light from the full moon above it. Heero gasped. Curled up in a shivering ball was the strangest creature Heero'd ever seen. It had huge bat- like wings which were torn to shreds seemingly and blood covered. It had fur, and hair which was long and as matted with blood as the fur was. The black animal like noise was working with furious breath. But, the eyes were what interested Heero the most. They were swirling cascades of black and violet. Heero gasped at the absolute fear that he, himself had seemingly given this strange creature. It's clawed hands griped onto something, yet Heero couldn't see what. Yet, it disappeared as soon as Heero tried to see it, a trick of light he surmised to blame. The being whimpered, obviously in sheer agony from it's injuries. Not wanting to cause anymore harm himself Heero crouched down to it's level, and slowly brought out his hand. This, in a way startled it and it jumped up to full height, about eight or nine feet tall Heero guessed, and then fell backwards. "I won't hurt you.", Heero replied in what he hoped to be a calming tone.
Lucky for him, he remembered his groceries and dug through it until he found the beef jerky and took it out. Then, holding out a piece, Heero decided to coax the thing towards himself. "Come on, come to me, I got food.", Heero said, quietly.
Whatever it was sniffed the air, and moved a little ways towards Heero making little curious noises underneath it's breath. After about a minute it sat right in his lap practically devouring the whole (VERY LARGE) bag of jerky. Heero slowly began to stroke it's fur calming himself as well as it down hopefully. That was the first time he noticed the huge claws as it tore through the plastic and finished eating what was inside of it. The creature looked at Heero before sniffing at his pockets and trying to find more.
"Come on, come here.", Heero told him getting up and walking a little way.
It followed and soon, they were back at Heero's small home he had rented for himself.
End Chapter: Next chapter, the creature and Heero's thoughts on Duo.