Love You, Kill Me
Prelude 1: Secret! Sneaking off with Seiya

The small bedroom was quiet that night. Five beds on each side were full of sleepy little boys except for one. Dressed in his white one piece pajamas, he climbed down the creaky ladder. His bright green eyes watched the others.

"Sorry," he whispered as one of the children frowned and tightened the blanket around him.

He looked over at a dark haired boy. He felt so awful for waking him, but he was the only he knew of that could get him where he needed to be or at least someone who wouldn't beat him up.

Seiya snorted as a string of drool clung to his cheek. Shun took out a tissue and dabbed his face. He didn't want him to wake up feeling embarrassed. Without a trashcan, he placed it over to the side of Seiya's bed. He gently shook his shoulder.

Seiya twitched his nose before his deep brown eyes opened. The meek green haired little boy stood by him. He was so short that his arms had to hold him up while his two feet dangled in the air. "Hi!" his voice trembled with fear.

Seiya smiled as he helped the kid on his bed. The two sat up next to each other. Seiya wore an old hand me down sentai shirt that went past his knees. Shun's white one piece seemed to de age him by a few years despite him being the older of the two. "Heh, Ikki's little brother?"

Shun smiled sweetly from side to side. "I'm Shun… remember, we played soccer today… I was on the other team."

"Heh, I do remember that. I'm sorry if I didn't remember your name. I guess since you always seem to cling to Ikki and all the kids call you that," Seiya chuckled and slapped his hands on his thighs. "I think the only time I heard your name was from the lottery. So are you excited about Andromeda Island?"

Shun shrugged his shoulders. "It's better than Death Queen Island; Tatsumi did say it was nice with green grass everywhere and warm tempretures…. But…" he waved his two padded feet in the air a little. "…his face…. It was the same face when he told me of Death Queen Island… where the survival rate was poor… and it was an active volcano…. I feel so uncomfortable every time I'm near him; Ikki too."

Seiya jerked his head. "You should. Tatsumi is an asshole. I mean he's not very nice and he treats everyone like shit and…" Seiya placed his hands over his mouth. The two instinctively fell into the bed and shoved their heads at Seiya's pillow as much as possible.

The door swung open as a dark man in a black suit stepped right in. Mr. A's flashlight flicked back and forth in the room. Jabu's eyes twitched as the man held it steady over his face. He pointed it over at Seiya and Shun. Seiya had his mouth open and tongue dangling on the side. Shun laid in the opposite direction with his body partially curled up.

*poof*

Seiya let out a snort while Shun turned his head into the pillow.

The man scanned the room again before exiting out. The two boys sat up immediately. "Shunnnn, you didn't…."

Shun shook his head. "No! It wasn't me; I think it came from above us!"

Seiya's eyes rolled up. "Yeah, I guess that's the downside of sleeping below Jabu. Pfft, he's probably had too many of those nasty corn dogs from dinner. By the way, why did you wake me up?"

It was his problem, he could do it on his own but he wasn't sure how. Seiya seemed friendly enough; although a little gross at times.

"Shun?"

"Se-Seiya, my brother he, well, after." Shun fumbled with his fingers. It was strange talking to someone other than Ikki. Now he wasn't so sure he should be bothering him.

Seiya looked at him. "Tatsumi did take him afterwards. He didn't come back for dinner, are you worried about him?"

Shun's bright green eyes flashed as he nodded vigorously. "Uh huh!" Feeling a small ounce of courage, he held his two palms together. "Every time Tatsumi or the guards takes Ikki, the next day, my brother is very quiet and seems more defensive. I want to wait for him tomorrow, but I just have this terrible feeling. It's like my stomach hurts and I haven't been able to sleep because I keep dreaming these really bad thoughts."

"Shun, I don't think its Ikki. It's probably from dinner."

Shun shook his head. "No. I fed mine to the dog. They smelled strange and he looked like they haven't fed him in a while."

Seiya cocked a smile. "Ah, very well. Let me guess, you need help getting over to the older kids bedroom?"

"Oh that's the easy part!" Shun grinned. "Ido it every night a year ago when I was having a few strange dreams; lately its once or twice a week though."

Shun didn't seem like the type who would do that. Hell, Seiya couldn't go to the bathroom last night without getting chewed out by Mr. A. "Shun, there's those dudes patrolling back and forth in the halls and those mutts outside. We're too big for the vent…"

"The older kids bedroom isn't that far outside, and it's just one dog in that area. I'm worried that Ikki won't be in there and I'd…. we…."

Seiya hopped out of bed as he understood what the little brother of Ikki was talking about. "Ah, you need help sneaking around the other parts of the orphanage?" Due to overcrowding in the little kid's bedroom Seiya and some others were moved into the other bedroom with the big kids. Since it was close to the Gym and the Cafeteria, he began to steal food at night for the others until he got caught and was forced to move back.

Shun nodded. He was scared but he knew he needed to check on his brother. Supposedly a couple of trainers have asked for their students early due to their schedule and one of them was him.

"Heh, sure! Sounds like fun! Nobody knows the complex better than me! You get me to the older kids' bedroom; I'll take care of the rest if he isn't there." He pulled out his fist and held it in front of Shun. Shun gave a toothy smile as he took his fist and cautiously knuckled Seiya's. Seiya looked down. "Come on! You can do it better than that!" He pulled his fist out. Shun giggled a little bit as he placed more power into his punch. Seiya grinned as he flashed a thumb's up before they headed toward the window.

Seiya easily lifted the wooden frame up. A gentle night breeze escaped into the room. Using his great upper body strength, Seiya vaulted quickly out of the window. He then held his arms out and helped Shun to the other side.

The two boys scanned from side to side. They crept quietly through the middle of the yard ignoring the large mosquitoes that circled around. It was the same area where they played soccer earlier. The grass was always well manicured and provided the perfect terrain for a good game. Seiya's head quickly jerked over to the right. A hungry pair of eyes burned into his. Seiya immediately grabbed Shun's hand and pulled him toward the older children's window. The German shepherd barked and charged toward the two children. It wasn't until Seiya reached there that he realized it was too high. His brown eyes immediately searched for anything to grab and stand on. Instinctively, Seiya took Shun and wrapped his arms around him.

Shun poked his green head over Seiya's elbow. "Seiya, it's okay!" Shun escaped Seiya's grasp and held his hands out for the dog. The dog panted happily as it slowed its pace and its large head licked the boy's face. "Ah stop it! That's gross!" He giggled as his arms swung around its large furry neck. The dog huffed happily as Shun hugged it. The animal's head was so big that he looked like he could swallow Shun whole. Seiya smiled and calmly reached over and started stroking its head.

"Is that the dog that you gave your dinner too?"

Shun nodded. "She's quite friendly when she's fed. I named her Cosmo from our class studies. I told you, this is the easy part!" The dog began licking his ear causing his green locks to flip and stick upwards. "Ewww, no more kisses!" His tiny hand reached over and pushed the snout away. He ran his fingers down his hair to fix it before he pulled Cosmo's collar and guided it over to the window. "Now sit! GOOD GIRL!" he smiled as the dog obeyed.

Shun walked on top of its back and the dog lifted up. Now that he was able to reach the window, he took his fingers and pulled from the other side. He climbed right in and signaled Seiya to follow.

Seiya, dumbfounded by the mutt's gentle nature, climbed on the back of the dog and it too helped him in. He then turned around and stroked its head one more time. "Hey, you're not quite the killer Tatsumi made you to be, are ya!" he whispered before he slipped inside.

Shun looked over toward the bunk beds on the left and tip toed into the room.

Seiya explored the big kids' room. His eyes turned toward a small box full of action figures. "Man, why does our room get stuck with all the stuffed animals!" He picked up a green ranger and the discolored plastic Godzilla with a broken tail.

"I like the stuffed animals! Many of them are fluffy so they make good pillows for our beds; especially the giant yellow chicken," Shun commented as he headed toward the ladder.

Seiya poked the green sentai's sword into the throat of Godzilla. "Is that why you sleep with it everynight?"

"Uh huh!" Shun scaled up the ladder to Ikki's second to the last bunk.

Seiya scratched his head with Godzilla's plastic teeth. Everyone hated the beds due to them being so cold. They were so cheap that the mattresses looked as thin as a magazine. He didn't even think about using the toys as a layer. "Hmmm, I may have to try that."

"Brother?" Shun whispered as his head reached the fourth bunk. His heart sank as the bed remained almost undisturbed. Someone had the nerve to even steal his pillow but right now that was not important. Shun took his padded feet wrapped them on the outer edge of the ladder and slowly slid down to the floor. His face began to well up again. Two hands came down on his shoulders.

Seiya had abandoned the toys and was there to greet him. He took his knuckle and wiped the small tear off his face. "Shun, let's go find him, okay?"

Seiya had a spark in his eyes and a certain charisma wherever he went. His sister told him he could make friends with anyone and today, he made another. Shun instinctively wiped his dry face and gave him a thumbs up. "Okay."

The two approached the door and immediately turned back. Footsteps could be heard outside. They quickly slid under the bottom bunk and tucked themselves as tightly as possible against the wall.

Mr. A, the same guard from before, came into the room. He flashed his light over to the middle of the room where the green ranger was shoved into Godzilla's mouth. "What the?" His hand reached over to the light switch and flicked it on.

The two boys squeezed their eyes as tight as possible. Seiya reached his hand over Shun's mouth, worried that he'd cry. It was then he felt a slight breeze. "The window," he thought to himself.

A storm of moaning echoed in the room as the man folded his arms. "What is going on here? Why is this window opened when clearly..."

Nachi rose his head up. "Shut up, I'm trying to fucking sleep!"

The man reached for his gun and fired it into the air a few times. The children had grown more agitated and rowdy ever since they drew their training ground location.

Some of the kids began to scream. Shun gasped as Seiya's hand gripped tighter around his mouth. Seiya could feel Shun tremble violently as more shots were fired.

Mr. A held the gun in his palm and nodded his head. "Everyone GET OUT OF YOUR BEDS NOW!" He walked from one side of the room to the other. All nine kids stood five in a row with one side obviously missing one. "You of all the children should know better than to ever leave the window open. I don't care how hot it gets in here."

"Whatever. Nobody gives a shit anymore."

Seiya and Shun began to listen to the familiar voice. His strong accent gave him away. The man marched to the boy. All they could see was the boy's blue pants and Mr. A's dress shoes.

"What was that?" Mr. A snarled. He planted his knuckle against his side and swaggered over toward the defiant little piece of shit.

The boy sighed. "I'm sick of you threatening to kill us every time we do something. You can't threaten to shoot us anymore; we belong to the Pope now."

The man slapped his pistol at his head. A sick thud followed as the blond haired boy fell to the ground. He lifted his head and was shocked from seeing Seiya and Shun underneath the bed. He quickly turned his bruised face away and got back up.

All of a sudden, the man pointed the gun first at Hyoga, and then at Godzilla. He fired it, blowing up its plastic head as well has half of the sentai's body. Pieces rained around the room as Mr. A folded his arms and glared at all nine of the children. "If I catch ANY of you opening that window again; Pope or no Pope, the same thing will happen to you as that toy, GOT IT!" he slipped the gun back on his side hoister, walked toward the window, threw it shut and slammed the door.

The children muttered to each other. Seiya and Shun watched as one of them turned the light switch back off. The cool night air continued to fill the room as another kid headed to the window and defiantly opened it. First there was quite a bit of chatter. Slowly as the hour worn down, the room grew more and more silent.

The two boys crawled from their spot. They quietly tip toed to the door and quietly left. Hyoga's eyes silently watched them. He didn't know why they were on this side of the orphanage nor did he care. Chances were that he would never see them or this place again. Soon he would see her once more. His hand reached underneath his shirt and pulled out a rosary. He was not concerned with their antics. All he wanted to do was close his eyes and dream. Tomorrow would be a better day for it would be one day closer. "Mama," just saying that word was like song that lulled him to sleep. He held the last of her mementos close to his heart.

The two children hid around the corner of the hallway. Seiya poked his head. He watched as the guard from the last two rooms began to return to the direction of their bedroom. "Security looks pretty thin. Usually they like to circle around this part with another one following so that can cover half of this area at all times. If Mr. A was on the other side and over here now, it seems like he's the only one tonight," muttered Seiya. He tapped Shun's shoulder and the two charged for the next hallway. They zipped through the area until they reached a T-crossing. The left would go to the gymnasium while the right was to the cafeteria. The two approached the double doors and peeked inside. Equipment dotted the area. Weights were in one section, gymnastics in another while a large track circled around.

Seiya turned toward a side area and saw two men next to a store room. That was definitely not a good sign especially since one of their sleeves had a few splats of red on the white cuff of his shirt.

"Brother…" Shun began to cling to the door. His hands began to grip it while his eyes began to fill with tears. "…brother… please…" he squeaked as he tried to muffle any noises he was making.

"Shun! Calm down! You don't know, if he's hurt or not! Besides, he's going to Death Queen Island. They aren't going to kill him before then!" Seiya stroked his head as he tried to make him stop crying. "You hear me! They can't kill him or us now! He'll be fine!"

Shun placed his hands to his face. "No, you're wrong. Tatsumi did something horrible. He didn't die, but he's was so close to. He's hurt badly." He moved his hands from his face and toward his stomach as he sank down to his knees.

Seiya held him. Shun and Ikki seemed so different yet so close. He's seen it so many times in training and during free time. The second anyone messed with Shun; Ikki would be close behind.

Shun stopped crying. He then opened his eyes. "Thank you, for helping me, but I don't think we can go any farther."

"What? Shun, I told you, I'd help you get to your brother, and that's what we are going to do!" cried Seiya as he vigorously shook the young boy. "Shun! What about everything you said about earlier! What about that bad feeling about waiting! There's a big chance that he'll die at Death Queen Island! Every day you can be with him is precious!"

Shun closed his eyes. "Maybe, I really am just a crybaby. I don't know, Seiya. I'm so sorry for even bringing you here. I want my brother. I WANT MY BROTHER! But those two men are there. Seiya, is there something wrong with me? I want to see him so badly, but… what if I'm just too clingy; like Jabu says! Am I?" Shun opened his eyes, and for the first time ever, even when he first saw him, Seiya was crying. It was strange. Seiya was one of the most spirited people in there and now he was crying as much as Shun did about every day.

Slowly, Seiya reached into his shirt and produced a locket. His lips curled, while his face stuttered and turned slightly away. His shaking hands reached for his. Taking Shun's hands he had him open it. In it was the faded picture of a beautiful young girl near him. Seiya looked directly at him. "There's nothing wrong with keeping the one you love close to you. Shun, they took her away from me. Come on, Shun! We have to try!" Seiya quickly grabbed his hands and dragged him over to the closet. Shun tried to pull away but Seiya was too strong.

"Wait here." Seiya ran toward the cafeteria. He immediately ducked under the first table and crawled under in a pattern to avoid being seen on the camera from above. He grabbed a large box from the freezer and tore the top open. His head buzzed with wicked thoughts. Since the guards were under a no-kill order he could do whatever he wanted. He heaved the box back to the double doors. He turned sideways and side kicked both doors open.

Mr.R and Mr. M turned toward Seiya as he threw the box at the two. They ran to each side as hundreds of corn dogs flew all over the place. "HEY YOU! TELL TATSUMI THAT HOTDOG MEAT COMES FROM A PIG AND NOT FROM HIS ASS!" He pulled his shorts down and mooned them before running around the training room. The two pulled out their guns and began to fire in the air.

Seiya laughed as he forced the guards to run around the room before shooting back through the double doors, past the hall and into the cafeteria.

Shun opened the broom closet. "Seiya… thank you." He ran through the double doors and into the training area. As he ran past where the guards were stationed, he turned toward the ground to see a trail of blood before him. He reached the end and found him lying face down on the ground. "Brother!"

Ikki looked up. "Shun?"

Suddenly, Mr. R found Shun and began to drag him off. "Damn it! What are you doing here?"

Shun began to cry as he tried to reach out to his brother.

Ikki's eyes widen as he attempted to crawl toward him.

Prelude 2: Nightmares! The three Visions of Ikki Amimiya

Ikki receives divine intervention as a lady with pink hair and chains comes to him as he lies dying on the floor. What is she trying to tell him and why is each one grimmer than the last?

Can you Feel Your Cosmos Burn?