A/N: This story is really sad, I just want you to know that if you don't like sad stories, then don't read this one. At times it will be lighthearted, but in the end it will be sad. Just figured I'd warn you. Review and tell me how I did with the sadness factor. Max is the only one with wings, but she doesn't like to use them. They are natural, there is no Itexicon or whitcoats.
The girl walked down the the road, the moonlight just barely reavealing her form among the skeleton-like trees. Most people would consider it creepy, but Max was not most people. In fact, she was one-of-a-kind.
The seventeen-year-old continued to walk, enjoying the night air and embracing the fact that she was going to have to walk all night to reach her destination. She deserved it. She continued to walk as the moon got higher and higher before beginning to descend. It was in the quiet hours of the early morning, when nothing was stirring, there were no sounds except the occasional breath of wind, just barely moving the branches of the trees that had no leaves, no life, when she heard the noise. Just the barest hint of sound, a sign that someone else was with her, was nearby.
She acknowledged it by raising her hand above her head, just for a second, but enough so that the boy hiding behind the one tree different from the others knew to step out, to make himself seen. He raised his hand in greeting and she nodded, giving the eighteen-year-old permission to fall into step beside her. No words were spoken; none were needed. The silence was comfortable, familiar. She knew he meant to be here, knew he wanted to be. Fang never made noise unless he wanted to. The only reason she heard him was because she was allowed to, and she was grateful.
It meant she was forgiven.
The sun rose as they reached the village and they separated by habit, Fang going behind a tree to wait an hour before joining her at their meeting spot. They were too well known to be seen together, even though a couple is less likely to be noticed. It remained silent between them even after they sat in the cafe to drink their coffee. Once again, no words were spoken; none were needed. It was enough that they were there together.
The target entered the alleyway and she gathered the information needed from him before breaking his neck in a quick and painless death.
She rejoined Fang at the table and finished her coffee. She walked back to the road and turned in the direction she came from. She would have to go back to her client and give him the information he was paying her to get. Fang turned and walked with her until they reached the tree he had been behind the night before. He enveloped her in a hug, resting his head on her chin for several minutes.
She relished the rare gesture of affection; in their business, letting people know you were close to someone meant they were used against you. They separated with reluctance, the look in both their eyes telling the other that this was not the end, that they would see each other again someday. Neither one believed it, but they clung to the hope nonetheless. They turned their seperate ways and walked out of each other's lives, never looking back, and hoping that this goodbye wasn't forever.