Death Song
Chapter 1
Duo sat in the darkness of the theatre. It was a simple mission. He was to assassinate some guy in the Romefeller Foundation during the second act of an Opera Gala. A shudder of doubt ran through the violet-eyed pilot as he read the program he had picked up on his way to his hiding spot. One of the performers in the second act was a girl about his age. Looking closer at the girl's name, he noticed that she had the same last name as the guy he was supposed to be killing. With shocked eyes, he shifted his attention to his target. The older man was nervous. His program was torn to shreds upon his lap, yet he wore the eternal smile that only a proud parent or grandparent wore. The girl must be his granddaughter or something. Sweat dripped down his cheek as he realized he would be killing this girl's relative. By the look on the man's face, he was a well liked relative. 'Can I do this?' he thought to himself. His hand shook as he reached for his gun and watched as the young girl emerged from the shadows of backstage.
Her long, dark-brown hair was wrapped up into a French twist and her face was professionally made-up. She wore a black-red, vintage dress that showed off her figure. Gracefully, she approached the center of the stage and prepared herself for her first song. Her head was held high with confidence and her feet assumed an almost ballet-like position. As the symphony played the introduction, she closed her eyes and swayed with accompaniment. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and began her aria. Her voice was clear and fresh. Remembering what Quatre had told him about classical music, he guessed that she was a mezzo-soprano. She had a rich, full, yet moderately high voice. For a fifteen year old, she was really good. Duo found himself wishing the Arabian musician were there to witness the song.
Before he knew it, the song was over. Suddenly ripped from his
admiration, he eyed his target. The white haired man had initiated the
standing ovation. He was certainly a proud grandfather. Taking aim, he tried to make his heart as cold as "the perfect soldier's." For a split second, he looked toward the girl still on stage bowing as "bravos" were sent her way. Her eyes sparkled and her lips widened into a broad smile in the direction of the nobleman. He waved and blew a kiss. She chuckled slightly and bowed once more.
With one last bow, she turned and made her dramatic exit toward stage right. Now was his chance. He didn't want her to see the blood he was about to spill. Taking one last look at stage right, he noticed a pale figure behind the curtain. It was the girl. She had seen him and knew exactly what he was going to do. With sad eyes, she looked toward the old man in the third row and bowed her head. Confused, Duo stared at the young girl. She merely nodded as if she understood his motives and gave him permission to follow through. Surprisingly, the doubt surrounding his heart melted away as he took aim once more. Swiftly, he pulled the trigger. In a mess of chaos, the young woman ran to her grandfather's aid. Not once did she look in the killer's direction. He had done his job. She wasn't about to cause his mission's failure.
His hands were shaking as he put away his pistol. What would happen to the girl now? The manner in which she accepted her grandfather's murder was incredibly unnerving. Did she have other family members? He didn't notice her looking at anyone else. Maybe the man he just killed was her only family? Suddenly, he felt as if his heart were about to disappear from his chest. His eyes widened with fear. Tears began to form, but never fell. 'Did I...Is she...I killed...I made her an orphan!' Backing away from the banister into the blackness of the shadows, he ran toward the rooftop exit.
Slamming the door he sank to the ground. His shaking hands roughly grasped his scalp and hair as tears flowed freely down his face. The thought of forcing the same orphaned fate he had lived with upon another person tore through his mind. Removing his gun from it's customary location, he examined it in horror before throwing it across the gravel covered roof. He stared at it with disgust as it lay cold and menacing among the loose, light gray rocks. 'How could I do this to that girl?'
Making up his mind, he unsteadily rose from the uncomfortable floor and slowly made his way back to the door. Taking a deep breath, he reentered the theatre. Like a phantom, he made his way through the chaos of the building. Several stretchers were being rolled out the front door. One carried the body of the nobleman, while the others carried panic stricken colleagues. His heart felt like lead. He had caused all this. Through the rush of emergency staff and screaming theatre goers, Duo found himself invisible to the masses. Soon he found himself facing the foreboding door of a dressing room. Inside the soft cries of a young girl brought the assassin to his knees. 'Should I really be doing this? I'm the last person she wants to see...aren't
I?' Closing his eyes, he hesitantly knocked on the door. Normally, he would have picked the lock, but that didn't seem appropriate for this occasion.
"Coming," her voice was unnaturally small and ragged from crying. It ripped his heart in two to know that her anguish was caused by him. Slowly, the oak door opened to reveal the reddened face of the night's diva. With solemn eyes, she looked about the hallway before ushering the boy inside. After closing and locking the door, she offered the long-haired teen a seat and loudly blew her nose.
The awkwardness of the moment stuck to Duo like the humidity of a dense fog. He didn't know what to do now that he was in the girl's room. 'What do you say to the family member of someone you just killed?' For once in his life, Duo Maxwell was at a loss for words.
"I...um...wasn't expecting you...I...didn't think I was...You're gonna kill me too. Aren't you..." Her eyes pleaded with the young man before her.
"No...I...um...Look, I'm...I didn't know he had rel..."
"He's...He wasn't a relative. He was my benefactor. I don't have a family. They died when I was little."
"You mean I didn't..."
"Is that why you came back? To see if you..."
"I'm an orphan too..."
"Oh...Everyone calls me Shiuta." She gave him a small smile and
presented her hand.
"I'm Duo..." They shook hands and exchanged shy smiles.
"I'm sorry. I need to change. Do you mind if I leave you alone for a minute?"
"No. It's okay." He watched as she picked up some clothing and
stepped into a small closet-like room. Meanwhile, a new weight replaced the old as he realized that he had probably put her out on the street. He had killed her benefactor, the man that probably housed and clothed her. She had nowhere to go. Suddenly, he knew how Quatre felt whenever he blamed himself for everything. Once one weight goes away another soon replaces it.
Duo got ripped from his thoughts as the curtain to the closet opened. Shiuta reentered the room wearing a pair of blue sleepy pants and a well-worn flannel shirt. With a sigh, she hung her dress up on a convenient rack and threw her shoes and other belongings into a duffel bag. With confident hands, she removed the bobby pins from her hair. After unraveling her well-sprayed French twist, she flipped her head upside down and shook a majority of the curl from her dark mane before attempting to brush out the impossible knarls. Duo's comfort level shot up as his eyes wandered over her now casual attire. She looked much more like someone his age now with the exception of the heavy make-up and dramatically curly hair. He smiled as his eyes fell upon her shirt. It was covered in make-up from past performances and several of the buttons were non-functional. Only about three of them worked, but she didn't seem to care that most of her torso was exposed. Sending him a weary smile, she gestured that she would only take a minute more. Pulling her still tangled hair into a make-shift pony-tail, she began to run some water. Within a few minutes, the heavy make-up was removed
revealing her overly pale skin. He swallowed hard as he examined the dark circles under her eyes and the faint scars across her face. Once again she smiled and sat opposite him. Undoing her hair, she continued working out the knots as they continued to talk.
"Sorry 'bout that."
"It's okay...So...um...what happens now...for you I mean?"
Sadly, she shrugged and denied the release of freshly forming tears. Before he knew it, Duo found himself offering the extra bed in the current safehouse. He didn't know why, but he felt responsible for her. If she needed a place to stay, he would give it to her. In fact, he felt so bad that he would have given her anything she wanted.
"That's not necessary. You don't have to give me anything. I've
survived on my own before. It's okay...really."
"Please...I'm not gonna feel any better about this until I know you have some where to stay...unless you're living with..."
"I can't stay there now. He had to force his family to let me stay. They see me as a bad omen."
"Oh...Well then, I insist. You're staying with me."
'What am I thinking? The other's are gonna kill me! Don't think about it. They'll get used to it.'
"I can see you're as stubborn as me, so I'll go along with it. Thank you very much. I won't be a bother to you, or I'll try not to be. However, I have one request."
"Anything you want."
Her face assumed a worried, confused expression as she thought about what he had just said. "You're way too eager about helpin' me. You know that right?"
"I...I...just feel really bad. Indulge me."
She shrugged her shoulders, "Can we go back to Uncle Trembley's
house and get some stuff, like underwear and toiletries?"
"Sure!"
"Thanks..." Solemnly, she picked up her bag and dress. She dreaded going back to that house and facing all those hateful, superstitious people.
"Um...Sorry to ask this, but why do they call you Shiuta?"
"I'd rather not talk about it right now...maybe some other time."
Silently, he nodded and opened the door for her. With a shrug, she walked out into the darkened hallway.
Suddenly, flashes of blinding, white light intruded Shiuta's eyesight. Her personal space was abruptly invaded by reporters and interviewers. Remaining indifferent, she pushed her way through the crowd. She was barely able to shove her things into her car before facing the massive chaos.
"Don't you guys have something better to do with your time!!! Leave me alone!!"
Her commanding presence and fiery eyes, however, were no match for the encroaching microphones and itching pads of paper. Without another word, she slammed her car door shut and threatened to herself that she would runover one of the trench-coat wearing bastards. Duo, with his black hat lowered over his eyes and his long braid securely tucked under his jacket, snickered as she tore through the streets toward her former home.
When she approached the large estate, she noticed that every one of her few possessions had been thrown out into the freshly cut lawn. Her golden eyes, went dull as she picked up her dew soaked belongings.
"I told him you were trouble, but he didn't listen to me."
A young woman leaned against the white picket fence, hidden by the shadows of a nearby decorative tree. Shiuta lowered her head and allowed a tear to grace her lightly freckled cheek. Stepping from the shadows, the blond-haired woman glared, with cold, gray eyes, at the orphaned girl.
"He wouldn't believe me. You killed him! You and your evil...aura!"
"I didn't do it..." her voice was low, barely audible, "It wasn't my fault."
"Like hell it wasn't! Your name even spells it out! Everything you touch dies, but why did it have to be daddy!!"
Shiuta balled up her fists and fought the urge to cry. She was right. For all she knew, she was death itself. First her parents, then her brother and sister, and now her benefactor, they all died leaving her behind. Why did she always have to survive?
Duo watched as the girl tormented herself. She had the same look in her eyes that he had when he began to call himself Shinigami. She was just like him!
"So, who's next to die!"
Shiuta's eyes flashed gold and her lips quivered with hate as she sent a menacing, icy glare at the middle aged woman before her. Slowly, she stepped toward her and placed a shaking hand on her shoulder.
"If what you say about me is true, I'd watch your back." Her voice was cold and calm with rage. Her eyes were blazing with unimaginable hate and madness. "How do you know I'm not really what you say I am? You're accusations could be based on truth for all you know, ne Ayashii?"
The blonde-haired woman shook with fear as she backed away from
the threat. Stumbling over a small bush, she began to run toward the large, white mansion. Shiuta lowered her eyes, choking back tears, as she continued to haul her belongings to her car. Duo watched as the accusing woman ran toward her home shrieking, then switched his gaze to the mourning girl closing the trunk of her car. Suddenly, he was glad he had invited her to stay at the safehouse. There, he could help her through all this much better then if she were dealing with it on her own.
"Should you be driving? I mean...going through that and all."
"I'll be fine. Just tell me where to go." There was a dullness in her voice that could only be classified as being in "Heero Territory." The ride to the safehouse was silent except for the continuous beat of the radio and the occasional directions from Duo.
Chapter 2
An Unwelcome Guest
Finally at her new temporary home, she parked the car and opened the trunk. Taking out her duffel bag and several toiletries, she followed the long-haired boy through the door. It wasn't much, but it was certainly comfortable. The place had everything one needed to survive and nothing more. 'It's perfect,' she thought to herself. A small smile crept upon her face as she allowed Duo to show her around. She was to sleep on the top bunk above a young man named Wufei and wondered when she would get to meet him. She even got her own little desk to put her lap-top and a few belongings. It was like being in the dorms during boarding school.
"If you want, you can take a shower. I'm gonna get something to eat."
"Okay..." She watched as he exited the sleeping quarters and entered the simple kitchenette. Rummaging through her belongings, she got out some shower stuff and some clean clothes. Leaving her bag in the corner, she tried to take up the least amount of space possible. She didn't want to inconvenience anyone. The only thing she left out in the open was her stuffed animal, which she put on her new bed. With that, she stepped into the shower room and proceeded to wash herself.
* * *
In the kitchen, Duo threw some leftovers into the microwave. He felt better knowing that he had helped Shiuta out, but silently dreaded the return of his fellow comrades. Almost on cue, Wufei trudged through the side door to see the rare sight of a worried Duo.
"You're quiet." Pulling up a stool, he glared at the Deathscythe pilot with his cold black eyes. "Heero's back already?" The Chinese boy switched his attention toward the sound of the shower running.
"No...he's not..." Duo coughed and lowered his eyes. He knew what was coming.
"Then...who's...Duo," wufei's voice was like ice. The long-haired boy bit his lip and refused to look at his friend. Just then the shower turned off causing the determined young man to get off the chair and storm toward the bathroom.
"Wait! Don't go in there!"
"Why not!?" Sending a glare to his fellow pilot, he threw open the door to reveal a young woman about their age. Her hair was wrapped up in a towel and her body was barely covered. Eyes bright with shock, she found all she could do was stare at the intruding young man. His mouth dropped open and he found himself bowing profusely uttering apologies as he closed the door. Turning he tried to scream at the violet-eyed boy before him, but nothing could escape his lips. Cursing in his own language, he stormed out into the sitting room. Shortly after, Shiuta emerged from the steam filled bathroom fully wrapped in a towel. Her hair, now out of it's cover, stuck to her exposed skin. She had a look of fright across her face as she looked to her new friend
for support. He merely bit his lip and exited the door to give her room to change.
"Let me explain..."
"You don't have to," he said as he loaded his gun.
"Don't kill her please. She's been through enough as it is." Duo's eyes pleaded with Wufei's. If he could only explain, she wouldn't have to die.
"Would you rather have Heero do it?"
"Please, let me explain first." The pause in Wufei's movements gave the long-haired pilot the chance he needed to stall the girl's death.
"You have five minutes." With that, Duo nodded and began to play with his braid as he explained the events that led up to her presence in their current safehouse. The widowed teen listened intently as his friend told him everything in one breath. Slowly, the girl in question approached the two young men. She had her bag in her hand and a sad, dull look in her eyes.
"If you don't want me here, I'll leave. I'll be fine. I don't want to endanger any of you." Duo made an attempt to prevent her from going anywhere, but she shot him a commanding glare. "I said I'll be fine. I don't want anyone else to get hurt on my account. I'll just leave. Don't worry about me." That said, she silently exited the safehouse and drove into the night.
Duo swallowed hard. She was blaming herself for the death of that nobleman. The accusing words of his family and that damned nickname had the same affect on her that his life had on him. She was detaching herself from people with the idea that she would mean their death. After shooting a glare at the Chinese pilot, he wandered outside the building aimlessly trying to figure out what to do next.
* * *
Shiuta stopped at a long red light when a tired old man took it upon himself to enter her car and sit in the passengers seat. His eyes had been replaced with mechanical goggles and his forearm looked like a claw. She tried to jump from the vehicle but his real hand lightly touched her knee causing her to stare in horror at her uninvited guest.
"What do you want?!"
"Relax...My name is Doctor Jesko. You may call me Doctor J. I am here to help you."
She tensed under his touch and shook his hand from her knee. "Why should I trust you? Why are you gonna help me? And why the hell are you in my car!?" The van behind her honked loudly to get her to move. She cursed and pressed her foot to the gas pedel.
"I have been watching you. I know why they call you Shiuta. I know someone else that goes by a similar name. He calls himself Shinigami. You know him as Duo."
"What are you gonna do to Duo!?" She swerved the car to the side of the road and sloppily switched it's gears to park. With fire in her eyes, she glared at the intruder. "I am not gonna let him die! I barely know him! He doesn't have to die!"
"You really think your friendship brings death, don't you?" his voice was calm, yet coarse from age. "I have an offer for you. I will give you shelter, if you work undercover for the peace of the colonies. You have a talent that can be used."
"I will not become a pawn just so you can get your jollies!"
"It's not for me. Consider your job to be to ease the mind of an enemy..."
"...before they're killed. I see...become my namesake...cute. I don't think so." The thought of throwing the elderly man out the door crossed her mind as she seethed in the driver's seat. However, as her eyes surveyed the surrounding landscape, she noticed the impending danger she would be sending him out into. Her consience wouldn't allow her to do that to a man of any age.
"You don't have much choice Shiuta. Where else will you go?"
She internally gulped as she realized just how right he was. She didn't have anywhere to go. Looking about the drug infested street, she lowered her head and reluctantly gave in. Slowly, she turned the car back on and reved the engine.
"Where do you want me to go?"
"A wise decision my dear."
Chapter 1
Duo sat in the darkness of the theatre. It was a simple mission. He was to assassinate some guy in the Romefeller Foundation during the second act of an Opera Gala. A shudder of doubt ran through the violet-eyed pilot as he read the program he had picked up on his way to his hiding spot. One of the performers in the second act was a girl about his age. Looking closer at the girl's name, he noticed that she had the same last name as the guy he was supposed to be killing. With shocked eyes, he shifted his attention to his target. The older man was nervous. His program was torn to shreds upon his lap, yet he wore the eternal smile that only a proud parent or grandparent wore. The girl must be his granddaughter or something. Sweat dripped down his cheek as he realized he would be killing this girl's relative. By the look on the man's face, he was a well liked relative. 'Can I do this?' he thought to himself. His hand shook as he reached for his gun and watched as the young girl emerged from the shadows of backstage.
Her long, dark-brown hair was wrapped up into a French twist and her face was professionally made-up. She wore a black-red, vintage dress that showed off her figure. Gracefully, she approached the center of the stage and prepared herself for her first song. Her head was held high with confidence and her feet assumed an almost ballet-like position. As the symphony played the introduction, she closed her eyes and swayed with accompaniment. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and began her aria. Her voice was clear and fresh. Remembering what Quatre had told him about classical music, he guessed that she was a mezzo-soprano. She had a rich, full, yet moderately high voice. For a fifteen year old, she was really good. Duo found himself wishing the Arabian musician were there to witness the song.
Before he knew it, the song was over. Suddenly ripped from his
admiration, he eyed his target. The white haired man had initiated the
standing ovation. He was certainly a proud grandfather. Taking aim, he tried to make his heart as cold as "the perfect soldier's." For a split second, he looked toward the girl still on stage bowing as "bravos" were sent her way. Her eyes sparkled and her lips widened into a broad smile in the direction of the nobleman. He waved and blew a kiss. She chuckled slightly and bowed once more.
With one last bow, she turned and made her dramatic exit toward stage right. Now was his chance. He didn't want her to see the blood he was about to spill. Taking one last look at stage right, he noticed a pale figure behind the curtain. It was the girl. She had seen him and knew exactly what he was going to do. With sad eyes, she looked toward the old man in the third row and bowed her head. Confused, Duo stared at the young girl. She merely nodded as if she understood his motives and gave him permission to follow through. Surprisingly, the doubt surrounding his heart melted away as he took aim once more. Swiftly, he pulled the trigger. In a mess of chaos, the young woman ran to her grandfather's aid. Not once did she look in the killer's direction. He had done his job. She wasn't about to cause his mission's failure.
His hands were shaking as he put away his pistol. What would happen to the girl now? The manner in which she accepted her grandfather's murder was incredibly unnerving. Did she have other family members? He didn't notice her looking at anyone else. Maybe the man he just killed was her only family? Suddenly, he felt as if his heart were about to disappear from his chest. His eyes widened with fear. Tears began to form, but never fell. 'Did I...Is she...I killed...I made her an orphan!' Backing away from the banister into the blackness of the shadows, he ran toward the rooftop exit.
Slamming the door he sank to the ground. His shaking hands roughly grasped his scalp and hair as tears flowed freely down his face. The thought of forcing the same orphaned fate he had lived with upon another person tore through his mind. Removing his gun from it's customary location, he examined it in horror before throwing it across the gravel covered roof. He stared at it with disgust as it lay cold and menacing among the loose, light gray rocks. 'How could I do this to that girl?'
Making up his mind, he unsteadily rose from the uncomfortable floor and slowly made his way back to the door. Taking a deep breath, he reentered the theatre. Like a phantom, he made his way through the chaos of the building. Several stretchers were being rolled out the front door. One carried the body of the nobleman, while the others carried panic stricken colleagues. His heart felt like lead. He had caused all this. Through the rush of emergency staff and screaming theatre goers, Duo found himself invisible to the masses. Soon he found himself facing the foreboding door of a dressing room. Inside the soft cries of a young girl brought the assassin to his knees. 'Should I really be doing this? I'm the last person she wants to see...aren't
I?' Closing his eyes, he hesitantly knocked on the door. Normally, he would have picked the lock, but that didn't seem appropriate for this occasion.
"Coming," her voice was unnaturally small and ragged from crying. It ripped his heart in two to know that her anguish was caused by him. Slowly, the oak door opened to reveal the reddened face of the night's diva. With solemn eyes, she looked about the hallway before ushering the boy inside. After closing and locking the door, she offered the long-haired teen a seat and loudly blew her nose.
The awkwardness of the moment stuck to Duo like the humidity of a dense fog. He didn't know what to do now that he was in the girl's room. 'What do you say to the family member of someone you just killed?' For once in his life, Duo Maxwell was at a loss for words.
"I...um...wasn't expecting you...I...didn't think I was...You're gonna kill me too. Aren't you..." Her eyes pleaded with the young man before her.
"No...I...um...Look, I'm...I didn't know he had rel..."
"He's...He wasn't a relative. He was my benefactor. I don't have a family. They died when I was little."
"You mean I didn't..."
"Is that why you came back? To see if you..."
"I'm an orphan too..."
"Oh...Everyone calls me Shiuta." She gave him a small smile and
presented her hand.
"I'm Duo..." They shook hands and exchanged shy smiles.
"I'm sorry. I need to change. Do you mind if I leave you alone for a minute?"
"No. It's okay." He watched as she picked up some clothing and
stepped into a small closet-like room. Meanwhile, a new weight replaced the old as he realized that he had probably put her out on the street. He had killed her benefactor, the man that probably housed and clothed her. She had nowhere to go. Suddenly, he knew how Quatre felt whenever he blamed himself for everything. Once one weight goes away another soon replaces it.
Duo got ripped from his thoughts as the curtain to the closet opened. Shiuta reentered the room wearing a pair of blue sleepy pants and a well-worn flannel shirt. With a sigh, she hung her dress up on a convenient rack and threw her shoes and other belongings into a duffel bag. With confident hands, she removed the bobby pins from her hair. After unraveling her well-sprayed French twist, she flipped her head upside down and shook a majority of the curl from her dark mane before attempting to brush out the impossible knarls. Duo's comfort level shot up as his eyes wandered over her now casual attire. She looked much more like someone his age now with the exception of the heavy make-up and dramatically curly hair. He smiled as his eyes fell upon her shirt. It was covered in make-up from past performances and several of the buttons were non-functional. Only about three of them worked, but she didn't seem to care that most of her torso was exposed. Sending him a weary smile, she gestured that she would only take a minute more. Pulling her still tangled hair into a make-shift pony-tail, she began to run some water. Within a few minutes, the heavy make-up was removed
revealing her overly pale skin. He swallowed hard as he examined the dark circles under her eyes and the faint scars across her face. Once again she smiled and sat opposite him. Undoing her hair, she continued working out the knots as they continued to talk.
"Sorry 'bout that."
"It's okay...So...um...what happens now...for you I mean?"
Sadly, she shrugged and denied the release of freshly forming tears. Before he knew it, Duo found himself offering the extra bed in the current safehouse. He didn't know why, but he felt responsible for her. If she needed a place to stay, he would give it to her. In fact, he felt so bad that he would have given her anything she wanted.
"That's not necessary. You don't have to give me anything. I've
survived on my own before. It's okay...really."
"Please...I'm not gonna feel any better about this until I know you have some where to stay...unless you're living with..."
"I can't stay there now. He had to force his family to let me stay. They see me as a bad omen."
"Oh...Well then, I insist. You're staying with me."
'What am I thinking? The other's are gonna kill me! Don't think about it. They'll get used to it.'
"I can see you're as stubborn as me, so I'll go along with it. Thank you very much. I won't be a bother to you, or I'll try not to be. However, I have one request."
"Anything you want."
Her face assumed a worried, confused expression as she thought about what he had just said. "You're way too eager about helpin' me. You know that right?"
"I...I...just feel really bad. Indulge me."
She shrugged her shoulders, "Can we go back to Uncle Trembley's
house and get some stuff, like underwear and toiletries?"
"Sure!"
"Thanks..." Solemnly, she picked up her bag and dress. She dreaded going back to that house and facing all those hateful, superstitious people.
"Um...Sorry to ask this, but why do they call you Shiuta?"
"I'd rather not talk about it right now...maybe some other time."
Silently, he nodded and opened the door for her. With a shrug, she walked out into the darkened hallway.
Suddenly, flashes of blinding, white light intruded Shiuta's eyesight. Her personal space was abruptly invaded by reporters and interviewers. Remaining indifferent, she pushed her way through the crowd. She was barely able to shove her things into her car before facing the massive chaos.
"Don't you guys have something better to do with your time!!! Leave me alone!!"
Her commanding presence and fiery eyes, however, were no match for the encroaching microphones and itching pads of paper. Without another word, she slammed her car door shut and threatened to herself that she would runover one of the trench-coat wearing bastards. Duo, with his black hat lowered over his eyes and his long braid securely tucked under his jacket, snickered as she tore through the streets toward her former home.
When she approached the large estate, she noticed that every one of her few possessions had been thrown out into the freshly cut lawn. Her golden eyes, went dull as she picked up her dew soaked belongings.
"I told him you were trouble, but he didn't listen to me."
A young woman leaned against the white picket fence, hidden by the shadows of a nearby decorative tree. Shiuta lowered her head and allowed a tear to grace her lightly freckled cheek. Stepping from the shadows, the blond-haired woman glared, with cold, gray eyes, at the orphaned girl.
"He wouldn't believe me. You killed him! You and your evil...aura!"
"I didn't do it..." her voice was low, barely audible, "It wasn't my fault."
"Like hell it wasn't! Your name even spells it out! Everything you touch dies, but why did it have to be daddy!!"
Shiuta balled up her fists and fought the urge to cry. She was right. For all she knew, she was death itself. First her parents, then her brother and sister, and now her benefactor, they all died leaving her behind. Why did she always have to survive?
Duo watched as the girl tormented herself. She had the same look in her eyes that he had when he began to call himself Shinigami. She was just like him!
"So, who's next to die!"
Shiuta's eyes flashed gold and her lips quivered with hate as she sent a menacing, icy glare at the middle aged woman before her. Slowly, she stepped toward her and placed a shaking hand on her shoulder.
"If what you say about me is true, I'd watch your back." Her voice was cold and calm with rage. Her eyes were blazing with unimaginable hate and madness. "How do you know I'm not really what you say I am? You're accusations could be based on truth for all you know, ne Ayashii?"
The blonde-haired woman shook with fear as she backed away from
the threat. Stumbling over a small bush, she began to run toward the large, white mansion. Shiuta lowered her eyes, choking back tears, as she continued to haul her belongings to her car. Duo watched as the accusing woman ran toward her home shrieking, then switched his gaze to the mourning girl closing the trunk of her car. Suddenly, he was glad he had invited her to stay at the safehouse. There, he could help her through all this much better then if she were dealing with it on her own.
"Should you be driving? I mean...going through that and all."
"I'll be fine. Just tell me where to go." There was a dullness in her voice that could only be classified as being in "Heero Territory." The ride to the safehouse was silent except for the continuous beat of the radio and the occasional directions from Duo.
Chapter 2
An Unwelcome Guest
Finally at her new temporary home, she parked the car and opened the trunk. Taking out her duffel bag and several toiletries, she followed the long-haired boy through the door. It wasn't much, but it was certainly comfortable. The place had everything one needed to survive and nothing more. 'It's perfect,' she thought to herself. A small smile crept upon her face as she allowed Duo to show her around. She was to sleep on the top bunk above a young man named Wufei and wondered when she would get to meet him. She even got her own little desk to put her lap-top and a few belongings. It was like being in the dorms during boarding school.
"If you want, you can take a shower. I'm gonna get something to eat."
"Okay..." She watched as he exited the sleeping quarters and entered the simple kitchenette. Rummaging through her belongings, she got out some shower stuff and some clean clothes. Leaving her bag in the corner, she tried to take up the least amount of space possible. She didn't want to inconvenience anyone. The only thing she left out in the open was her stuffed animal, which she put on her new bed. With that, she stepped into the shower room and proceeded to wash herself.
* * *
In the kitchen, Duo threw some leftovers into the microwave. He felt better knowing that he had helped Shiuta out, but silently dreaded the return of his fellow comrades. Almost on cue, Wufei trudged through the side door to see the rare sight of a worried Duo.
"You're quiet." Pulling up a stool, he glared at the Deathscythe pilot with his cold black eyes. "Heero's back already?" The Chinese boy switched his attention toward the sound of the shower running.
"No...he's not..." Duo coughed and lowered his eyes. He knew what was coming.
"Then...who's...Duo," wufei's voice was like ice. The long-haired boy bit his lip and refused to look at his friend. Just then the shower turned off causing the determined young man to get off the chair and storm toward the bathroom.
"Wait! Don't go in there!"
"Why not!?" Sending a glare to his fellow pilot, he threw open the door to reveal a young woman about their age. Her hair was wrapped up in a towel and her body was barely covered. Eyes bright with shock, she found all she could do was stare at the intruding young man. His mouth dropped open and he found himself bowing profusely uttering apologies as he closed the door. Turning he tried to scream at the violet-eyed boy before him, but nothing could escape his lips. Cursing in his own language, he stormed out into the sitting room. Shortly after, Shiuta emerged from the steam filled bathroom fully wrapped in a towel. Her hair, now out of it's cover, stuck to her exposed skin. She had a look of fright across her face as she looked to her new friend
for support. He merely bit his lip and exited the door to give her room to change.
"Let me explain..."
"You don't have to," he said as he loaded his gun.
"Don't kill her please. She's been through enough as it is." Duo's eyes pleaded with Wufei's. If he could only explain, she wouldn't have to die.
"Would you rather have Heero do it?"
"Please, let me explain first." The pause in Wufei's movements gave the long-haired pilot the chance he needed to stall the girl's death.
"You have five minutes." With that, Duo nodded and began to play with his braid as he explained the events that led up to her presence in their current safehouse. The widowed teen listened intently as his friend told him everything in one breath. Slowly, the girl in question approached the two young men. She had her bag in her hand and a sad, dull look in her eyes.
"If you don't want me here, I'll leave. I'll be fine. I don't want to endanger any of you." Duo made an attempt to prevent her from going anywhere, but she shot him a commanding glare. "I said I'll be fine. I don't want anyone else to get hurt on my account. I'll just leave. Don't worry about me." That said, she silently exited the safehouse and drove into the night.
Duo swallowed hard. She was blaming herself for the death of that nobleman. The accusing words of his family and that damned nickname had the same affect on her that his life had on him. She was detaching herself from people with the idea that she would mean their death. After shooting a glare at the Chinese pilot, he wandered outside the building aimlessly trying to figure out what to do next.
* * *
Shiuta stopped at a long red light when a tired old man took it upon himself to enter her car and sit in the passengers seat. His eyes had been replaced with mechanical goggles and his forearm looked like a claw. She tried to jump from the vehicle but his real hand lightly touched her knee causing her to stare in horror at her uninvited guest.
"What do you want?!"
"Relax...My name is Doctor Jesko. You may call me Doctor J. I am here to help you."
She tensed under his touch and shook his hand from her knee. "Why should I trust you? Why are you gonna help me? And why the hell are you in my car!?" The van behind her honked loudly to get her to move. She cursed and pressed her foot to the gas pedel.
"I have been watching you. I know why they call you Shiuta. I know someone else that goes by a similar name. He calls himself Shinigami. You know him as Duo."
"What are you gonna do to Duo!?" She swerved the car to the side of the road and sloppily switched it's gears to park. With fire in her eyes, she glared at the intruder. "I am not gonna let him die! I barely know him! He doesn't have to die!"
"You really think your friendship brings death, don't you?" his voice was calm, yet coarse from age. "I have an offer for you. I will give you shelter, if you work undercover for the peace of the colonies. You have a talent that can be used."
"I will not become a pawn just so you can get your jollies!"
"It's not for me. Consider your job to be to ease the mind of an enemy..."
"...before they're killed. I see...become my namesake...cute. I don't think so." The thought of throwing the elderly man out the door crossed her mind as she seethed in the driver's seat. However, as her eyes surveyed the surrounding landscape, she noticed the impending danger she would be sending him out into. Her consience wouldn't allow her to do that to a man of any age.
"You don't have much choice Shiuta. Where else will you go?"
She internally gulped as she realized just how right he was. She didn't have anywhere to go. Looking about the drug infested street, she lowered her head and reluctantly gave in. Slowly, she turned the car back on and reved the engine.
"Where do you want me to go?"
"A wise decision my dear."
