Ok peeps, this is my first DTB fanfic and I have written more than half of it today. I don't care if you want to flame it, but please include the reasons, unjustified complaints will be ignored and possibly replied to with much vulgar language.

Disclaimer: I don't own it, the show, the manga, the characters, episodes 1-26, or however many episodes there are.

Darker Than Black: Standing on the Edge

Ominous black clouds hung low in the night sky. The air was heavy with condensation and thunder rumbled close by. The city lights flickered and died, leaving residents in the dark. A blue light fizzed along a train track, electrocuting a contractor. More lightning sparked on the man's watch, killing him in a matter of seconds. Hei turned to the young woman who had found herself cornered. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably, frozen in horror. Adrenaline rushed through her, turning fear into motion. She bolted past the dark haired man before he could catch her. A bell jingled near the contractor.

"You shouldn't let her roam around, more contractors will go after her." Hei didn't answer. "She's a catalyst, a living amplification for contractors." Mao continued. Lightning split the sky, followed closely by thunder. Rain poured down, soaking the man and cat thoroughly. The yells of men could be heard over the clatter of water on pavement. Mao ran a paw over his ear irritably. "Bring her back here before she gets into more trouble." The cat could've sworn he heard Hei sigh as he walked off in the direction that the woman had gone.

Lisa ran until a stranger cut in front of her. The man was another contractor, she could feel it. The whine of police sirens filled the street. The contractor gestured for her to step forward, calling out in a foreign language. Lisa turned to run the other direction but found herself staring into the barrel of a gun. Terror tore through her frame, buckling her knees. The man behind her grabbed her hair. Lisa blinked as a bright light crackled on the man's gun. He let go of the weapon as if it had bit him. Enough of her senses returned so she could jab her elbow in the contractors face, breaking his nose. She almost screamed as her rescuer stepped from the shadows. The man from before, the one in the black coat. His appearance was so human that she could almost forget that he was a contractor, his power pulsed sluggishly from a metal knife.

"You get in a lot of trouble for a woman." Lisa would've taken that as an insult, but she was captivated by the man's eyes. They were filled with amusement. Contractors weren't supposed to be able to feel, but this man was most certainly laughing at her silently. She took the hand offered to her without noticing. Hei pulled Lisa to her feet, feeling his power expand a hundred fold as he kept contact with her. Lisa pulled her hand away as she noticed the surprised look in the other's eyes. "So that's what Mao meant..." He didn't seem to be talking to her as much as himself. Sirens wailed closer and Hei looked the slightest bit alarmed. "Come, quickly!" Lisa didn't want to get involved with the police, and this guy hadn't used her like the others would've. She followed as he led her through the back streets, avoiding all the main roads and intersections. They stopped at a small apartment complex, Hei nearly swore as he spotted a pair of contractors standing on the corner.

"Wait!" Lisa gasped. "I can't run anymore!" She trembled as Hei whirled to face her. "Please..." His odd blue eyes narrowed but his gaze went right through Lisa.

"Fine, just don't get in the way." Hei vanished, leaving Lisa gasping in the street. Something whirred by her ear, Hei's knife. One of the contractors grunted as he caught the knife. Hei let a small smile play along his lips as the contractor revealed his power; steel skin. Luck seemed to follow the woman just as closely as trouble did. Electricity sparked along the wire and the knife in the contractor's hands, the man immediately dropped the weapon but it was too late. Lightning played all over the shiny metal, frying the man in his own skin. Lisa gagged at the smell that emanated from the body. "Move!" Hei appeared from the shadows in time to push Lisa out of the way of a large pillar of fire.

"T-thanks." Lisa stammered. The dark haired man didn't answer. Lisa reached for his shoulder. "A-are you alright?" The words were forced out of her fear. Her hand brushed his coat as he released a volt at the lasting contractor. Lisa screamed as the lightning poured from Hei's arms, ending in a brilliant shower of sparks. She could feel his power drain away through her hand along with an odd feeling. Hei doubled over, gasping.

"What the hell did you do?!" His entire body shook with exhaustion. Lisa was at a loss, what had she done?

"I don't know what I did, I didn't do anything." She was shaking her head, this had never happened before. "I don't know...are you going to be alright?" She finally felt that she could trust him, for the time being at least. Hei struggled to regain his balance. "Here, let me help." He swayed dangerously but pulled his arm out of her reach. "I just want to help you." Hei closed his eyes.

"I heard you the first time. I don't need any help." He reached down for his knife but the street spun at a crazy angle and he ended up in Lisa's grasp. "I'm fine." Lisa still didn't let go.

"You are not!" Hei pulled her arms off of him and headed towards the apartments. "Wait! What if they know where you live?" Hei seemed to have already considered this.

"Then I'll take care of it, now come with me before you get caught." Lisa hurried to his side as he stumbled. This time, Hei didn't have the strength to resist. Lisa almost let him go but realized that she was probably the only thing keeping him on his feet. "It's two o one," He said, handing her a key. Navigating the stairs was a bit troublesome but the pair managed.

"I'm sorry. This is my fault, you shouldn't have come after me." Lisa rambled on nervously as she unlocked his door. "I-I don't know what to do anymore, those men follow me everywhere." The door swung open silently. "You shouldn't have followed me...It's my fault this happened." She babbled, trying to ignore the gnawing at her heart. Why had this man saved her anyway? She had always thought of herself as strong, able. But this man made her feel incapable, as if nothing she was doing was really helping. Which in truth, probably was right.

Letting go of Hei gently, Lisa stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. The contractor slumped against the wall, his eyes closed. Both stayed like that for what seemed like hours. Finally, Lisa walked over to her rescuer. Sitting down next to Hei, she whispered quietly.

"I'm scared." Hei looked at her, his expression unreadable. Lisa forced her voice into action. "A-are you going to be alright?" The dark haired man closed his eyes again.

"Stop worrying about me. You have enough trouble as it is." Hei rose to his feet shaking. Lisa stood up after him and steadied his shoulder. "Stay back, there are others." Hei shrugged out of Lisa's grip and braced himself between the woman and the window. A crashing outside signaled the approach of more contractors. Glass exploded violently, the whole apartment shaking with the force. Hei staggered, fighting to stay upright. Lisa let out a gasp that was meant to be a scream. The sparse room glittered with shattered crystals. Strange white eyes peered through the gaping window. Wind carried with it the stench of rotting flesh. Lisa covered her nose and mouth with her sleeve. A man crawled into the room, his face dripping with foaming spit. Bloodshot eyes glanced frantically from side to side, coming to rest on Lisa. Hei muttered something to low for her to hear. The crazed contractor advanced toward her guardian.

Lisa reached behind her, searching for something with which to through at the madman. Her fingers grasped a long shard of glass. Gripping it so tightly that it cut her fingers, Lisa gathered her resolve. The opposing man gestured at Hei, twisting his hand in a circle and clenching his fist. Invisible chains seemed to have locked around the dark haired contractor. His arms pulled tightly against his sides, and his breath coming in short ragged bursts. Lisa yelled.

"Let him go! Stop it!" Hysteria made her voice jump an octave higher than it should have been. The colour was fading from Hei's face, his eyes growing dull. "Stop!" Lisa ran towards the man. She halted just before plunging the glass down on the man's arm as she heard Hei speak.

"Don't...don't touch him." Confusion clouded Lisa's mind long enough for the other contractor to grab her roughly by the arm. "Lisa...!" Hei's voice brought reality back long enough for Lisa to think clearly. She thrust the glass as hard as she could into the man's arm. An inhuman screech sounded, filled with pain and fury. Lisa was vaguely aware of hearing something snap. Hei moaned, his figure going limp. Blood spattered the floor, dark red seeping into pools. The pressurized air that bound Hei vanished and his broken form collapsed. Lisa stumbled as the contractor flung her away. The sharp fragments glinted as headlights shone outside. Lisa took her chance as the contractor was distracted. Picking up the remains of a table leg, she swung at the man's head. A sickening thud told her that she had hit her mark. The contractor crumpled.

A bell jingled nearby, making Lisa jump. A black cat padded over to Hei, gently nosing the contractor's hand. Lisa took a shaky step towards him. Supporting his neck, she rolled him onto his back. Mao looked at her and blinked. Lisa's fingers searched frantically along his neck for a pulse. She was rewarded with a faint beating.

"Oh God." She breathed heavily and leaned over his face. His lips were pale, tinged with blue. "Don't leave me." Gently, she tilted his head. Her hands snapped back as he coughed. His eyes fluttered open and the coughing continued. Panic flooded Lisa's features as dark blood flecked Hei's lips. He sat up, leaning over as pain shot through him. "Easy." Lisa rubbed his back, feeling him flinch. Relief warmed her, spreading from her fingertips into her breast.

"Oi, give him some room." Lisa no longer looked surprised. After tonight, not even a talking cat startled her. She glared at Mao, her eyes flashing.

"If you're another one, don't try playing with me." A faint laugh made her turn from the cat. "Wha-?"

"She means too Mao." Lisa glanced from cat to man and back again. "Don't worry about Mao, he's on our side." Hei coughed again, his shoulders shaking.

"Shh...don't talk." Lisa crawled closer to him, her hands painfully pressing on the glass. Gratefully, Hei leaned against her. Mao's tail twitched with annoyance, but Hei's actions sparked his interest. He played with the thought that there might be some unspoken bond between the catalyst and contractor. Hei struggled against Lisa's restraining arms.

"Does Huang know were we are?" He sat unsupported but made no move to stand. "We need to get her-."

"Lisa." Hei nodded and continued.

"Lisa somewhere away from elusive eyes." Mao swiped a paw over his ear.

"Last I heard, he was driving away from our rendezvous." A faint crackling noise mad Lisa jump. Mao seemed to be listening intently to something but she couldn't hear what it was. "Change of plans, Huang and Yin have a bit of a detour so we're on our own for awhile." Hei groaned. This was not the time for delays. Lisa mistook his worries for discomfort and tentatively place her hand on his arm. Summoning strength from her touch, Hei slid uneasily to his feet. He had known from the time that he had regained consciousness that his ribs had been broken, but the pain took him by surprise. Blackness ate at the edges of his vision, threatening to claim him, but Lisa's scared voice pulled him back. She needed him, what he hadn't realized at first was how much he needed her. Agony lanced through his lungs, lacing his breath with thick blood. He spat, dark red liquid pooling with the rest on the floor.

Lisa slid underneath Hei's arm, supporting him. Hei gasped, his injured side screaming in protest to the pressure. Alarm flashed in Lisa's eyes and she held him more gently. Mao watched the two move awkwardly down the stairs, his eyes narrowing. The grass was slick, the rain still pounding against the ground. Cold water seeped through Hei's already damp clothes, making him numb. Lisa noticed the man's lack of warmth and huddled closer. She could feel his heart slowing, his power barely a flicker inside him. His eyes weren't focused, just staring. She could sense his determination diminishing along with his life. Lisa followed Mao, slowing her pace so Hei could keep up. The contractor didn't complain, didn't seem to notice when Lisa slid her arm underneath his coat, trying to warm him. Her fingers met hot skin, coated with a thin sheen of cold sweat. Panic began to rise in her throat. Her arm began to ache from the weight and she was constantly readjusting her grip. The city passed without any notice, all that mattered was the black cat in front of her and the injured man beside her.

The sound of a car brought Lisa from her haze. Mao jumped, his black pelt bristling. Even Hei looked up. A strange voice called out, making Lisa instantly on guard. Mao sighed with relief as he caught sight of the driver.

"It's Huang." Even though Lisa didn't know who this Huang was, she had no reason not to trust him. She nodded and they waited for the car to stop. A flash of emotion in Huang's eyes made Lisa study his features. Was that fear she had seen? Or just surprise. The two were hardly anything without the other but alone they were two different things.

"He needs help now." A ghostly grin played along Hei's lips as Huang's eyes widened. "Please." A note of desperation rang in Lisa's voice.

"Well, get in." Huang gestured to the rear door. Hei gingerly slid in, followed closely by Lisa. Mao jumped in behind them, waiting for Lisa to pull the door shut.

"Mao." Lisa flinched as she noticed the silver haired girl sitting in the passenger seat. Mao jumped into her lap and began flicking water from his tail. Turning her attention back to Hei, Lisa began to gently pull his soaked coat off of him. The city rolled by, unnoticed by the passengers. Sitting closer than was necessary, Lisa pulled Hei to her chest. His protests were drowned out by the storm and he settled into her warm embrace. Lisa could feel his power stilling into a steady flame, though still unbearably weak. Lisa dozed, exhaustion winning against her will. She woke suddenly, her face still buried in Hei's dark hair. The rumble of the engine had stopped and she noticed that their surrounding no longer moved. Unnatural heat emanating from him told her that fever raged inside the contractor.

"You shouldn't have troubled yourself with me. All I am is a walking disaster." She could hear his breath forced in and out if his lungs, his heart fainter than it had been. She searched for his power and found dying embers, if this continued... Lisa poked at the embers, trying to get them to spark again. She heard Hei moan slightly, she pushed harder.

"Don't." Shocked, Lisa blinked and saw Hei clutching at his chest. "Don't pry into things that aren't yours," he gasped.

"But...if I don't, then it might...it might not..." Lisa broke off as the embers began to fade. "No!" She shoved against the embers, demanding that they take flame.

"Ahhhg!" Hei doubled over, his head buried into Lisa's shoulder. Lisa held him as the embers sparked. "Stop." Hei's face was strained, his voice tight with pain. His fingers gripped Lisa hard. His voice made Lisa stop. She could feel his soul limping as though she had beaten it. His power refused to take more than a small flicker, but it was better than what it had been.

Hei relaxed as Lisa withdrew from his power. He was shaking, the pain of her inside his heart had been as unbearable for him as it was for her to see him so weak. Lisa reached for his hand and he instinctively pulled away. Hurt filled her eyes and Hei immediately regretted his action. Covering her hand with his own, Hei opened the door and pulled her out of the car. Night still remained, casting a soft blanket of darkness across the land. Hei swayed slightly, not yet able to stand alone. Lisa's arms were a welcome comfort as he followed Mao into an old house.

Please review, there aren't that many stories for this category and I want to see if this will attract any attention. I would love some constructive criticism but i will accept any reviews with much thanks.