Devil's Wind, Angel's Link

crystal-mist

Chapter 9

Alice couldn't tell if she were imagining things or otherwise, but the following morning Shun's face wasn't so cold anymore. The flight to Georgia wasn't as awkward either and when they got down at the airport Shun ended up ordering a room with a double bed for the both of them.

She smiled to herself, he had calmed down. Perhaps, she could try and apologize now... When they were at the hotel room she took her chance...

"Shun…"

"Hn?"

"I am….sorry." she said, her heart filling with uncertainty. "I just… I-"

"It's alright….Just don't hide such crucial information again." He muttered to her.

Alice's chocolate eyes widened as she heard his answer….He actually forgave her! She sighed with relief.

Truth was, ever since that dream Shun had been a bit shaken up. He never let Alice leave the room alone.

He had not even in his wildest dreams imagined that he would feel such emotions…What were emotions anyway? Some prefabricated restraints that clouded one's clear and logical thinking? Some worthless piece of trash? Yes; that's what they were to him, emotions were worthless commodities to assassins who were specifically trained not to feel, but to kill with no regret…That was of course… before he met Alice … How could one girl; one weak girl have turned his life around 180 degrees like this? How could he -an impassive man- be trained to feel care and concern?

Truth was, he himself did not know.

Another day passed.

Alice could put herself to sleep more easily because she had the reassurance of Shun being by her side if anything were to happen.

On their way to Russia she decided to push her luck a bit further. She drew in a deep breathe and gently took hold of Shun's hand with her uninjured left hand. Shun was surprised, but he didn't move away nor did he pull his hand out of her grip. He also didn't turn his gaze towards Alice.

She gulped and lay her head on his shoulder…She readied herself for his protest, but he didn't utter a single word. Instead, he just laid his other hand on Alice's.

He slowly raised the partition that separated both their seats. [A/N: I dunno it that's imaginable but I've been in such planes in which you can like raise that little bar that separates seats.]She felt him shift his body a little so he was in a half-tilted position and she could lay more comfortably in the crook of his neck.

Alice could feel her heart beating so fast…

They sat like that for a while. Shun took hold of Alice's right hand tenderly. (the one with the bones twisted.)

"Tell me, did Death Claw cause you this injury as well?" he whispered.

She gulped, what was she to tell him? But the gentle tone in Shun's voice made her answer. "Uh…yes."

"Does it still hurt?"

"…A little…"

"We should consult a doctor about that injury; he may have broken your bones."

She nodded slightly as she closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of Shun's cologne… Hm…Oddly comforting.

The plane landed and duo got off.

"Okay so here's the plan…We first book a room in a hotel and then arrange a rendezvous with your grandfather… And see if we can get you some bodyguards and such. As it is, they are overdue."

She nodded but then a sudden thought dawned in her head.

"Are you planning to leave me with my grandfather?" she asked him.

"Well naturally, yes." He muttered.

She felt her heart sink a bit….He was about to leave her, no wonder he was so kind on the plane ride. No wonder he was so gentle and let her rest her head on his shoulder. No wonder he took her hand without thinking twice about it.

A slightly sad smile appeared on her face… She should have guessed so… Perhaps that really was what he wanted, to rid himself of her; she was a burden after all. It wasn't his fault that she was such a hindrance.

"Alice…Why do you look so miserable all of a sudden?" he asked her.

I can't ask him not to leave me…That's so selfish…But I….I…I just… she shook her head in denial. "No, it's nothing?" what she wanted to say came out in more of a 'question' format.

"You don't want me to leave?" he asked in a tone dripping with disbelief.

She turned her face away from his gaze as a blush appeared on her cheeks. "I…That's not….what I…" but then she gave up on her sorry attempt of explaining. "That's right…I…I don't want you to leave me… Please."

His golden eyes widened. "Alright then, I'll see to it that you are safe to the very end." He told her with a serious expression.

She blushed…but something about his specification of 'the very end' worried her.

They booked a hotel room and Alice meanwhile called her grandfather and arranged for a meeting.

Alice grandfather had been so worried because he hadn't heard from her ever since she had moved into Shun's apartment. Micheal Gehabich had feared the worst –that his granddaughter was killed. But when he heard her voice on the phone his voice flooded with relief.

"I am so glad that you are safe Alice."

"Grand father….Is it possible for me to meet you?"

"But…"

"I am in Russia now."

Her grandfather gaped. "Really, that is so good…How did you manage that? Oh never mind that… Tell me where you are staying and I will send transportation easily."

Alice told him the name of the hotel she and Shun had decided to stay in.

Unknown to her, a man with Green hair, grey eyes, black cloak and a maniacal smile on his face had eavesdropped on the conversation from an adjacent telephone booth. Death Claw smirked cunningly. (A/N: He is a spy and assassin so he has that kind of tech; you know to eavesdrop phone calls by plugging some stuff into the adjacent booth and stuff.)

'Don't worry Alice…Your transportation will arrive within due time…Perhaps even a bit earlier than you expect it to…' thought Death Claw to himself as he took out his cell-phone and called a few of the 'henchmen' he had hired particularly for this mission.

The next day a cab arrived at the hotel.

The window drew open. "Ms Alice Gehabich?" asked the cab-driver whilst looking at her.

"Yes, that's me…"

"Please get into the cab. Your grandfather Is getting a bit restless might I add." Spoke the man with a smile.

Alice smiled back and opened the door of the car. She waited for Shun to get in first.

The driver paused a bit. "Uh Miss Gehabich, with all due respect, your grandfather specifically instructed me to bring only you and not to let any 'suspicious'-looking personalities to tag along."

Alice paused for a bit. "Don't worry…" she smiled. "Grandpa Micheal will understand once I explain everything…"

"But I…"

"I refuse to come without Shun." she concluded in a final tone and the driver sighed.

"Alright then, I will take this young man along…But listen, don't get me into trouble kid."

Alice smiled and then Shun and she got into the car. Shun didn't talk at all but Alice knew that he was not angry at her anymore… She smiled brightly as she gazed out of the window and felt Shun's secure grip on her hand… Well, she was the one who slipped her hand into his, but who cared?

Without the knowledge of the passengers the river took out his cell-phone and sent a text message.

"Target acquired…..But Devil's Wind has tagged along…No matter, everything is proceeding according to plan."

I won't talk much this time…

Thanks for reading.

Thank for the review…

Please keep reading…

And please do REVIEW. Tell me what you think Kay?

Thankyou.