Chapter Six—Saying Goodbye
Written by Azreal (aka Blight)
pippin_elf@yahoo.com
or
horde_king@yahoo.ca
http://www.geocities.com/horde_king/index.html - This has my creepier stories on it. Weird shit.
OR
http://www.geocities.com/dominus_pestilence/lordpestilence1.html - I got my drawings on this site!
Disclaimer: You know the drill. Blah, blah, blah, they aren't mine BLAH!!!
Warnings: AU, weird shit…
Chapter Six—Saying Goodbye
Clutching his scythe in sweaty palms, Duo followed the others out of the Crystal Caves to where their steeds awaited them. Quatre once again kept up a steady stream of chatter, telling him the horrors of having twenty-nine sisters and how terrible it gone during THAT time of the month; how he was always accused of 'not understanding what they were going through', even though he could feel it through his uchuu no kokoro. Heero, Trowa and Wufei found themselves hard-pressed not to laugh at some points, and Duo, despite his misery over what had happened, often found himself giggling at the tales the blonde told him.
When they reached their mounts, Shinigami immediately trotted towards Duo, who had become solemn once more upon sight of the pale creature. The demonicorn sniffed him all over, before seeming to pronounce him safe by shrilling at the sky. She flapped her wings and sidled up to the braided boy, and he found himself grinning at the large, frightening animal.
"Hey, Shinni," he whispered, stroking her muzzle. "You missed a great fight." The demonicorn whuffed into his hand, and he smiled.
Wufei watched the interaction between boy and steed with fascination. He had been impressed with the boy's fighting skills, and his control over such an ancient and magical beast as a demonicorn further rose the dark youth's respect for the violet-eyed boy. Ah, if only Shenlong were as powerful as she, he thought, watching Shinigami with interest.
Shenlong neighed shrilly, and Wufei chuckled, patting the gray mare's neck. "I am content with you as you are," he told the horse, who snorted at him. Wufei rolled his eyes. "Though it would be nice if you were stronger." Shenlong stamped her foot and flattened her ears as Wufei took her reins, leading her towards the others.
"So where do we go from here?" Quatre was asking Trowa, as Wufei approached. "We've got Duo's weapon, now we need the other four. We're kind of in the middle of everything here, we can go East or West and be there quick either way, but then we'd have to go in the complete opposite direction after that."
Heero nodded. "True, Quatre. We should make up our minds on which way we want to go, because really, it doesn't matter WHAT weapon we get first, as long as we get them."
'I vote we go to the East,' Trowa said. Wufei made a face.
"We just came from the East," he groused. "Why must we go back so soon?"
'Because we know the way is safe for now, and besides, one of the weapons lies in your home country.'
Wufei blanched. "Trowa…"
Quatre sighed. "We really shouldn't argue about this, everyone. Arguing isn't going to solve anything, and won't help us beat Shindoshi."
'The way to China is safe, Wufei. We passed through those lands already. You know this.'
"It doesn't make returning to my home country any easier, Trowa," Wufei snorted. "Not when your own father is out for your blood."
"My city isn't safe right now."
Everyone turned to look at Duo, who had spoken. His eyes were glazed over, and he trembled ever so slightly. Looking at Trowa, Duo spoke again. "My city is not safe right now." He repeated.
"How do you know?" Heero asked, raising an eyebrow. Duo pointed to a tree, and the others followed his gaze to see a very large, very old crow perched among the branches, watching them with beady black eyes that seemed ageless.
"He says that Shindoshi has come to the City of the Dead," the braided boy continued, eyes not leaving the crow as it stared at them. "All the…animals, and people…are gone. They're hiding in the Labyrinths." He shuddered. "And the Labyrinths are the only way to get through the city without Shindoshi getting his hands on us."
"Why is that?" Wufei asked, eyes wide.
"Because they're as deep underground as you can get. There are seven levels of the Labyrinths, and there is only one way to get into the seventh level, which is where everything is hiding." Duo frowned, still watching the crow. "Shindoshi won't be able to follow us into the seventh level. Only those who are, or were, members of my city have access to the seventh level."
"What about us then?" Quatre asked, swallowing. Duo smiled sadly.
"I can bring you guys with me," he said. "Only those who are members, or are allowed access by members, can enter. So you're all safe." His face darkened. "From Shindoshi, anyway."
Heero frowned. "What exactly is down there?" he asked suspiciously.
Duo shuddered. "Things you don't want to know about," was the terse reply, before he looked back at the crow, which was swaying drunkenly on the branch. His gaze softened slightly. "Poor thing." Shinigami nickered softly; also watching the crow as it tried unsuccessfully to keep its balance.
'What's wrong with it?' Trowa asked.
"Did you see how none of the animals left the city?" Duo replied. When everyone nodded, he pointed to the crow. "Well, that's because they're linked to it. If they leave, whatever age they happen to be at will fast-forward, and they'll grow old in a matter of hours, so old that they die and crumble to dust. That's if they're out at night. If they get trapped outside during the day, their flesh burns off."
Everyone stared, shocked. Duo nodded. "This little guy risked himself to tell us that Shindoshi is in my city. He just saved us a lot of pain and a possible death." He smiled sadly. "Thank you, little buddy," he told the crow. Quatre caught on, realizing that the crow was about to die, and the best thing to do would be to thank it for its kindness.
"Thank you very much," the blonde said, bowing and smiling at the crow.
"Arigato," Heero said, watching the bird, a smile twitching at his lips as he thought about the absurdity of talking to an animal. But then again, he talked to Wing and the Pegasus seemed to understand him, so why should it be different for the bird?
"I am in your debt," Wufei added, bowing deeply. "I thank you, friend."
'Thank you.' Trowa said, smiling slightly.
"Goodbye," Duo whispered as the crow cawed softly at them as though to say 'you're welcome', and then dropped like a rock to the ground below.
It was dead before it hit.
Shaking his head, Duo walked over to the dead bird and picked it up. Turning around, he walked into the forest, followed closely by Shinigami. The others watched him go, confused but not stopping him. Obviously he was up to something that had nothing to do with them, so they let it be.
* * * * * * * * *
With the demonicorn at his heels, Duo carried the dead crow into the shadows of the forest, ignoring the cool tranquility of his surroundings. He didn't acknowledge the serenity of the woods, for his eyes were on the large bird in his arms and his thoughts on the past.
Shinigami nickered again, and Duo turned to see her standing in front of a huge willow tree, her legs buried in the grass all the way up to her knees. Flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes were scattered in the lush grass, and willow branches hung and swayed in the breeze around the demonicorn, blowing her mane and tail around gently. Duo smiled.
Perfect place to bury the bird. "You know the best places for burial, Shinni," he said, walking toward his steed and kneeling in the tall grass. Using his hands, Duo began to dig, with Shinigami hovering over his shoulder.
When he was done digging, Duo placed the bird into the hole and filled it up, patting the disturbed earth gently to keep it tight and solid. Sitting back and wiping his hands on his pants, Duo fell silent for a long time. The demonicorn's chin rested on his shoulder as they both stared at the brown earth that held the aged crow. The braided boy's brow was furrowed in thought as he stroked Shinigami's muzzle absently, his eyes sad.
"You always were my friend," Duo finally told the dead creature. "Even back then, you were always spying around and telling me things I should know. Like, when Johnny was after beating me up or when there were fresh donuts at the bakery. You always told me things I should know about, even after…after I…"
Squeezing his eyes shut, Duo's chest hitched as he tried to hold back tears. "Even after I cursed you all, you were all still loyal to me, especially you. Always there, always ready to defend me, to protect me, even though I can't…I can't…die, and you can." Duo opened his eyes, tears streaming freely down his face once more. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, bowing his head. His hands clenched into fists, handfuls of grass crushed in his palms. "I should have listened to you. I should never have gone to the Crystal Caves. I should have believed you when you told me they were cursed. I should have listened. I should have believed. I should have…"
IT IS TOO LATE FOR SHOULD HAVES, DUO.
Duo closed his eyes. "I should have…" he whispered.
THE PAST CANNOT BE ALTERED.
"I wish I had listened to them."
YOU ARE NOT A FORTUNE-TELLER .YOU DID NOT KNOW.
"But I should have…" Duo hissed.
PERHAPS. BUT IT IS TOO LATE NOW.
"What am I going to do?" Duo whispered eyes still closed. "I'm only going to curse them too. I don't want them to suffer like…like they did…"
EVERYONE DIES. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT UNLESS YOU ARE THE ONE TO DRIVE THE SWORD THROUGH THEIR HEART. YOU DID NOTHING OF THE SORT TO YOUR PEOPLE. YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME.
"But…"
ONE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF AN ENTIRE RACE. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE.
"I killed them…" Duo hissed.
FALSE. THE INTENT IS THE SAME AS THE DEED, DUO. IT WAS NOT YOUR INTENT TO BE CURSED, NOR DID YOU WISH FOR ANY OF THEM TO DIE. YOU DID NOT KILL THEM.
Opening his eyes again, Duo leaned back slightly, eyes wet. His back came in contact with a soft body, and he turned slightly to see Shinigami laying behind him, eyes carefully watching him. The demonicorn whuffed gently and nuzzled him. "What am I gonna do, Shinni?" Duo whispered, stroking the mare's cheek and running his fingers through her thick mane. "What the hell am I gonna do?"
MAKE AMENDS.
"How?" he whispered, leaning against the creature unconsciously.
AID THE OTHERS IN THEIR QUEST. MAKE RIGHT A FUTURE WRONG, AND PERHAPS THEN YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN.
Duo swallowed. "But I'll curse them…"
ONE CANNOT WORRY EXCESSIVELY OF THINGS THAT MAY NOT COME TRUE, FOR THAT IS NOT TRULY LIVING.
The braided boy sighed, looking at the disturbed earth where the crow was buried. Slowly, he got to his feet, with Shinigami mimicking his movements. Both steed and rider stared at the grave of the crow, and Duo smiled sadly.
"Goodbye, Solo," he whispered. "Maybe someday you'll forgive me."
With that, Duo turned and left the shade of the willow tree, the demonicorn right behind him as they returned to where their friends waited.
The grass and the willow branches swayed gently in the wind as a warm breeze drifted through the forest in the wake of the boy and his steed. Within the tree, a young, smaller crow watched from its nest as the two vanished from sight. It let out a small, unused caw before it fell silent, eyes staring after the braided boy long after he had vanished from sight.
To be continued…
I know, I know, this was really weird. Can you guess who the weird voice was? Yes? No? That will be explained later on too, as will the future of Wufei's little mare. Heh-heh. I only wrote this to get Duo out of his funk. Soon he'll be back to his bouncy self, I promise! Hope you enjoyed it, and thanks to all you reviewers! You've gotten my ass moving! (Too bad I still haven't finished Nightmares and Dreamscapes…urg.) Drop me a line at pippin_elf@yahoo.com or horde_king@yahoo.ca.