Blood Red

By Hachi Mitsu

07.18.00 ~ 07.25.00

Phase Two

Out in the spring rain
I hear him calling my name
Like the scent of a rose
It leaves my soul
Blood red

"ITAIIII!!!!!"

My head cracked against the floor as I slid off the edge of the bed. *head* on. For the third time tonight. Me? Clumsy? Naw. I prefer to say not-as-blessed-with-grace. Right.

Pulling myself to a sitting position on the floor, I rubbed the side of my head. I let out a pitiful whimper. I *knew* I should have stayed in bed this morning. I told you! The little voice- which wasn't so little anymore- screamed from the dark crevice in the hell resembling realm known as my mind. I told you! But did ya listen? Stupid voice. Ya know, one of these days, I'm gonna quit humoring myself and just admit straight out to the world that I *am* crazy. But then again they probably know already. Why am I always the last one to find out.
After making sure that my skull had no major cracks in it- minor ones are alright, they already exist in plenty- I peeked up at the bed. Seeing that its occupant was still asleep, I let out a sigh of relief.

But seriously. I'm surprised that even *Heero* could sleep through that. If you don't count the fact that he had 2 times the average doze of tranquilizer floating through his bloodstream. Details. Details.

I settled on the edge of the bed again. Despite my casual response, I was nevertheless a bit worried. I've never seen Heero the way he looks now. Vulnerable. He almost looks innocent- *almost*. I sighted again. The way his hair falls over his face. And his long dark eyelashes resting upon his pale cheeks. Me obsessed? Not really. But I'm starting to wonder if *I've* been drugged too.

This is too much. Ever since we found him. Last night. After convincing Wufei not to kill me, we finally located Heero. Yeah. *Finally*. "You'll find a car at the other side of the parking lot" Riiiiight. I suppose that includes the car being stuffed under a *huge* bush, wrapped in half a dozen camouflage nets. Yeeeeaaaah. And I though *I* was known for my understatements. Heero better be grateful. I got quite a few reeeaaaally big holes torn in my shirt. Who knew branches were so. . . lethal? Anyways, we found him out cold. We managed to drag him back to our room. After a few minutes. Ok, *hours*. It was dark, alright? And Quatre kept insisting that he knew how to get home. Ch' Who does he think he is, accusing me of not being able to find my own dorm? And so what if he turned out to be right?

*Sigh*

So here I am now. After making sure that Heero and I were alright- physically- I don't think they even want to *think* about my mental conditions, let alone attempt to fix them- they left me to babysit. Imagine! Maxwell watching over Heero- the perfect soldier- Yuy. Man oh man am I gonna get decked when Heero wakes up and finds out. If I ever survive this, I'm really gonna get the others.
Life sucks. And I don't mean the normal I-wanna-shoot-myself-and-don't-even-try-to-stop-me-cause-I'll-take-you-too kind. Nooooo. This was the get-out-of-my-way-or-I-will-talk-you-until-you're-less-sane-than-me kind. The latter tends to scare people more. And Duo Maxwell does *not* bluff. Go to any mental ward and you'll see what I mean.

"Duo. . ."

My little train of thoughts once more found itself crashing into a 50ft wall. Stone wall that is. With metal reinforcements. Yeah. Great analogy for Heero. Hm. I guess I wasn't being too fair. After all, his voice was kinda soft and *nice* Hm. . . is it just my over stressed mind, or does something wrong *wrong* about that?

"Mm. . . Hai? How ya feeling, Heero?"

"Hn. I'm fine."

The guy's been unconscious for the last - oh 4 or 5 hours- and he says he's *fine*. Riiiight.

"Back there. The guys in the black masks. They must have followed us." He hesitated- *Heero* hesitated. "I say them knock you out, are you alright?"

" Hm. . . I'm fine."

Two things struck me harder than any rock- or fall to the floor. One He actually sounds concerned. I'm serious. Either that or all those knocks to my skull are adding up. Tw. I've *never* heard Heero talk this much. Not to me anyways. The drug must not have worn off yet. Hn. . . Come to think of it, why *is* he awake? The tranquilizer shouldn't have worn off for hours yet.

"Ne, Heero. How come you're awake already? That stuff in you is pretty strong."

Heero's lip formed into that little smirk which I've grown to love. "When I was little, I was given vaccines that made me immune to most drugs. Their effects usually wear off after a fraction of the time they're suppose to last"

There goes another one of my Heero-ain't-human evidences. Yup. Right into the mouth of the hell-hound. Good boy.

"Duo. I'm . . . glad you're alright" the smirk developed into a *smile*. As if that wasn't enough to put me in a mental state of shock, I felt a pair of warm hands take mine.

"He-Heero?!"

I managed to squeak out his name. Hey! It's hard to talk when you feel like a huge marshmallow melting on a stick above a fire. A very *hot* fire. Right from the barbecue in hell.

"Hai?"

"I'm glad you're Ok too."

WHOA! Rewind-stop-replay. Did I just say what I *think* I just said? Yup. Maxwell you are soooo totaled. Shutting my eyes, I lowered my head, waiting for the fist to come crashing into my poor head.

Hm. . . What's this? No punch to the face? Maybe I'm really dead and my soul is already burning in hell. That would also explain why I'm feeling warm all of a sudden. Scratch that. *Hot*. *Very* hot.

Slowly I opened one eye, and then the other and found myself lost in a pair of faintly amused blue eyes. The warm hands that held me tightened its grip.

"Heero, I-"

And then I had other things to think about. Before I could finish my sentence, the window on the other side of the room suddenly exploded under a cascade of bullets. They force of the explosion rained thousands of shattered glass over Heero and me. Before I had time to respond, Heero had already slid off his bed and pushed me onto the flood- safely away from the line of fire. My eyes widen with shock. OK. Someone was seriously hell bent on ruining what's left of my miserable life.

"Duo, we have to get out of here."

His voice was cold again.

"Yeah, I know . . ."

Pulling a mildly protesting Heero with me, I crawled towards the door- shielding him with my body and two pillows I grabbed. Ok so maybe that wasn't the smartest thing I've done for a while but I was pretty sure he was still too out of it from the drugs to defend himself properly. As for the pillows. At least they blocked the falling glass and the rain of burning pieces of curtain. I never knew cotton burned so well. Learn something new everyday.

Reaching the door, I yanked it open, pushing Heero out into the hallway.

"Heero. Go!" I hissed at him.

He threw me a glare, which I considered more dangerous than the bullets- currently making a giant- and quite mutated- Swiss cheese of my room- but I refused to falter.

He eventually gave up and surprising began to running towards the stairs leading down to the lobby. Thankfully, there wasn't anyone in the halls. Considering the fact that it was about 8 in the morning, the lucky people were probably in class already. WHOA. Did I just say *lucky*?! I hereby declare Duo Maxwell to be completely out of his friggan' mind. What have they done to me?!?

I stole another glance at Heero. He was wobbling a bit as he reached the stairs. Damn. So he *was* still a bit woozy. No help there.

I took a deep breath and rushed back into the room for my gun. If I have to be a sitting duck, I might as well be an *armed* one.

Ducking from the bullets that still flew from the other side of the window- or window*pane*, the glass was long- I spotted my handgun on the desk about 5 feet away from where I tremble- er. . . I mean knelt. Saaa. . . so close, yet so far. Any minute now, the attackers would probably climb in, where they can take a better aim at me. It's now or never. That's funny, I feel dizzy even though I could have sworn I was sober. Oh I wasn't breathing? Drawing a deep breath into my starving lungs, I dived for the gun.

"K'so!"

I bit into my lips as I felt a sharp burning pain exploding from my left shoulder. But within seconds, I had my gun and was already out the door. That's me, the regular speed-devil.

As I fled pass one of the ornamented mirrors hung on the walls of the over decorated hallway, I realized that I was *very* pale. I was willing to bet that it had little to do with my wound. Though it hurt like hell, it was only a flesh wound. Besides, there was something else. Just as I had fled through the doorway, I had caught a glance of a black masked figure climbing through the window. Behind him were 2 others. They even had their *nasty* looking guns. Add to that a very out of it Heero who probably couldn't shoot straight. I stared down at my wimpy handgun.

I think I'm gonna be sick.

***

"EEP!!!"

I let out a startle yelp as I felt a pair of hands clamp down on my right shoulder and waist and dragged me behind one of the oversized recliners in the "sitting space" of the lobby. "The Hideout"- as it was called by the dwellers of the building- was the perfect place to- well. . . hide. The thick plotted plants and partial marble walls hid it from the main lobby where the guard dog- er. . . I mean doorman stationed himself. It was also dark and deserted at this time of the day. That was basically why I chose to run here.

Yeah, 'run' no other word for it. Just in case those freaks -who seemed to like guns even more that Heero- decided to follow me, I would lead them here, where no one else would be endangered. I also knew that Heero would never come here- He had hated the place the second we arrived at this school, never giving me a reason why either- so by bringing the danger here, I would also keep *Heero* safe. See look, I'm being logical again.

A sharp tug at my waist brought me back to reality. Spinning around, I prepared to backhand the attacker. But instead I found myself choking.

"H-He-Hee-Heero?!?"

Yeah. Mr. Articulate strikes again. Hell I've had too many surprises for the past two days. At this rate I'd probably die from heart attacks five times over by the end of the week.

"I knew you'd come here."

"Oh" so much for logic.

"Heero, I- "

Before I could finish, Heero clamped hand over my mouth. Ok. I reeeeaaaly hate being interrupted. And considering the fact that I've been interrupted so many times in the past day, you'd think that I'd be used to it by now. But nooooo. In fact, I'm getting more annoyed by the second. But before I could give Heero a reeeeaaaaally big piece of my mind, he pointed towards the door. Glancing towards the direction, I immediately forgot about my complaints.

There were three of them. I'm pretty sure despite the fact that the lighting in the room consisted of nothing more than a few candles. In fact, the entire gothic environment gave the room an ominous mood. Really, I usually like all kinds of atmosphere, ya know, weird things attract weird people. But *this*?! Even *I* have a better taste in decor. It really bothered me a bit I had to admit.

But apparently, *they* had no problem with it. In fact, they -one about my size and the others slightly taller- seemed to move about with ease- as if they knew the place well. Or, at least a hell lot better than me. But something else. Something about he way they walked- and how the taller one held his gun- just seemed *really* familiar. I disposed of that thought real quick. No use having more stuff to clutter my already chaotic hellhole- er- brain. Yeah. Give that to the hell-hound too.

Heero pulled me back against him- though I don't think he actually let go of me in the first place. Damn his awfully protective today. And yesterday too.

Though, come to think of it, he's saved my life plenty of times before, but I never really gave it much of a thought. It was weird, but the knowledge that he'll never let anything happen to me- naïve as it seems- assuaged my fears enough to help me think better. Which was good because if the 3 take just a few steps forward, we'd be right in their line of view- and fire. And if I didn't want to join my room in the annual Swiss cheese parade, I'd better act fast.

Making up my mind, I pried myself from Heero's death grip- easier said then done- and dived right into the open. I aimed my gun at the shorter one- he seemed an easier target.

I think they were surprised by my sudden appearance- if not my psychotic boldness. For one precious second- brought by their confusion- they frozen in their places. I've learned long ago that gifts from god are pretty damn rare. In other words, unless you're dead stupid- and in that case, there's no help for you- to always take advantage of them. But for some reason, I couldn't pull the trigger. I found myself looking into the light blue eyes of my startled target. It seemed so familiar. Like I was being stuck by a major case of deja vu.

*BANG* [1]

My fingers- thankfully wasn't as stupid as my brain- and pulled the trigger in my moment of confusion. See. Thanks to my training, I can always count on my instincts - or Heero- whenever my upper facilities fail me.

The short one rushed for safety but despite my hesitation, it was too late. Though the bullet missed his head, it did make a *very* nasty hole in his right upper left leg. Not going anyway, buddy! Hm. I might as well finish the job before I go into brain freeze again. I re-aimed the gun. This time it was much easier since he was already down. Holding it up, I prepared to make the final shot.

"ITTTTAAAAIIII!!!"

One of the taller guys rammed right into me. My *left* shoulder no less. He knocked me onto my knees, hitting the gun from my hands. The bastard caused a few rupture of blood to flow from my wound, resembling a damn fountain from hell. Don't ask me know I know.

I laid on the floor, a bit dazed. I sorta expected another attack, but then realized that the guy was just standing there with a look of annoyance and a look of concerned battling within his coal black eyes. As I followed his gaze, I realized that his eyes were locked on the receiver of my bullet. The guy was kneeling in a pool of blood. The bullet had hit home.

Yeah. Shinigami strikes again. Bringing fear into the hearts of his enemies. So on and so forth. Right. Ah well. At least he was standing on the part of the room without carpet. It won't stain as much. Heh.

The guy's comrade was picking him up. I think he must have realized that with such a hole in his leg, there was no way he was walking home. Or running cause there was no way in hell I was letting them go now. I searched around for my gun, but found it nowhere in sight. Not good. Besides, they've already left shooting range, *and* I have more urgent things to worry about. Seeing that his friends were safely departed my attacker had turned his attention back to me.

Call me an attention hogger, but this was one time that did *not* want the spotlight to be on me. I stared as the gun was leveled at my head. Gulp. Goodbye deathcythe. I'm sorry I was lazy and didn't polish your paint one last time.

"Hey! What's going on here?! Who-"

I looked up in surprise as the doorman- who had probably rushed in at the sound of my gun (so he wasn't as deaf as I thought)- froze as the black eyed gunman turned his attention- and gun- towards the *very* unlucky intruder. I couldn't help but sight with relief. Hey a hole in his head is a lot better than *another* hole in mine. Yeah, another. See, I finally figured out why I'm so demented all the time- isn't it nice how I always like to degrade myself? Right.

I dived for his gun. See, I may seem like I'm taking it easy sometimes, but I do care. Really. But, lot good that did. It was almost like he knew I was going to go for his weapon because he shifted his position and evaded the full impact of my push.

"KISAMA!" The guy muttered as he fired the gun a second before the impact caused him to lose his balance. As we both hit the floor in a painful crunch, I watched in horror as the doorman slid down to the ground. He was dead. Cause I've never known *any*one to survive a 2 inch hole in their neck. Besides, the fact that his head rolled off with the impact of his body to the hard floor also eliminated the possibility.

As I stood there gaping like an idiot, the attacker had thrown me off him and was currently aiming the gun once more at me. I looked to the body and prayed that I'd have at least that much left to present at the funeral home. Not that anyone would even attend my funeral so it really doesn't matter. . . but still.

*BANG*

I expected a lot of things. Angels coming to throw me in hell. Deathcythe visiting me one last time. My life flashing before my eyes. Or even just the feeling of a bullet hit my head. But instead I felt a pair of all too familiar hands, give me a hard and merciless shake.

"Heero?!"

He didn't answer. Instead, Heero just pushed me behind him with one hand, his other aiming a gun- *my* gun- at the other guy. He- the black eyed freak- was holding a bloody hand to his chest as he frantically searched around for his gun. Apparently the bang I heard was Heero's bullet making contact with the guy's hand.

Not seeing his weapon, he threw us a glare worthy of Heero himself and fled. After he had disappeared out the door, I turned to Heero.

"Why the hell did you let him go?!"

I don't think I really wanted to hear the answer. I felt it myself too. Right before shooting at the other guy. But I wanted Heero to say something else. I wanted him to disprove the feeling I thought I felt- calling it a weakness.

"I . . . don't know"

A frown marred his uncharacteristically confused face. But his voice was as cold and unemotional as always.

"Something held me back . . ."

Heero sure picks a damn time to be . . . well, *human*. I was a bit mad. And confused too. So he did felt what I felt. Then it wasn't just in my head as I had hoped- ya know its really scary when you actually *hope* that you're crazy. Iya. I've said it once and I'll say it again. This whole bunch of crap has *really* messed up my mind. Hn. Now I'll have to take a few more hours just to reduce the level of my insanity to it former level. Sad. I know. I've starting to wonder if hell really did take over. Cause it looks a damn lot like it.

I turned back to Heero. He had taken off his shirt and began to wrap it around my bleeding shoulder. I was frozen by shock. Nani?! Ok. Now I *know* that hell has taken over. After tying it off, he took a piece of cloth he had ripped off the shirt and walked towards the pool of blood left by my little shooting. Wha. . .? I watched as he dabbed it up with the cloth, placing the blood soaked article into a little sandwich bag he had taken from *some*where in his shorts. My voice- and antics- returned.

"Hey, Heero, I know you like souvenirs, but I think that things might rot. Why not take something more . . . long-lasting?

"Baka. I'm taking a sample of his blood. Maybe I can match it up and identify him."

"oh"

Walking towards me again, he laid a hand gently on my bandaged shoulder. My eyes widen as a small smirked appeared on his lips. What now? Will hell attempt to take over my mind as well? Too late, shinigami had already staked its claim.

"Heero, what's up?"

I think he was about to say something- I could just be delusion though- but then shook his head.

"Nani mo. Duo why don't you go and get your shoulders fixed. I'll go and check out the blood sample."

With that, he turned and left me to ponder on my own. I looked to the deprecated body and then around the suddenly *very* dark and very *empty* room.

Yeeeeaaah. This would be a very good time to *leave*. Besides, someone might walk in any moment now and I don't put it pass them to say that *I* was responsible. Why does everyone like to blame me?! *sniff*


***

I waited till after dark before sneaking into the school's medical office. Sliding through the dark hallways I glanced down at my shoulders. Heero's makeshift bandage had kept the bleeding to the minimum level, so I wasn't really in a hurry. Which was really good cause the police had the whole damn place surrounded ever since the body was found. In the woods, that is. Even *I'm* not stupid enough to just leave it in the lobby below my dorm, just inviting those investigators to stick their nose around. I mean my shattered window is kinda hard to miss.

And then all they have to do is look around and decide that I'm not exactly of the innocent party. I mean, how am I suppose to explain bullet holes all over my room? Redecoration? I doubt anyone would believe I'm *that* psychotic. But I'm not exactly eager to find out. So with that decided, I had found myself hauling the body out in a black garbage bag while Heero hacked into the school's computer arranging a new room for us.

Hm . . . turn right, first door on the left. I think. I've never been to this part of the school after dark before. Usually we go to the writing center located on the other side of the building. I rounded *another* corner and found myself facing *another* dead end. I'm starting to think that the entire structure of the school was designed to drive me crazy. Suddenly I grinned as I spotted the familiar sight of the cafeteria. Heh. I think I can get *any*where from here.

Quickly I darted down another set of halls, guided only by the faint light of the stars through the windows and my questionable instinct. Not a good combination, but you can't be too picky. I glanced down the hall. Thank god that I'm not bothered by the dark like some people. I never really was. When I was little and living on the streets, it was always safer to steel under the cover of night. Even after being taken in by the Maxwell church, I always found it more comfortable. It was only under the cloak of the darkness that I didn't have to put on my mask of happiness. After all, no one can see me. No one to see the tears slid down my face. Or see the unfamiliar sight of an unsmiling Duo.

But . . . thoughts like that are no good. See. It only gets me whacked in the head when I wandered into wall, lost in thought. Rubbing my bruised forehead, I eyed the dancing shadows caste by . . . various objects as I continued down the hellhole. Yeah, that was the *only* way to describe the place. Only I'm sure that even hell is better lit than this.

With a sigh of relief, I finally found myself before the door of the office. It was surprisingly unlocked so swinging the door open, I slid inside. Stupid people, you'd think that with all that's been happening, they'd be just a *bit* more careful. But then again, sneaking into the medical office after dark isn't really on the top of 'list of things to do.' For most people anyways.

The office was a lot better lit compared to the hallways. The huge windows stretched from the ceiling to the floor, just like all the other windows in this school. I was kinda surprise that the thick velvet curtains were gathered at their side, instead of over the windows as I thought they would be.

Suddenly, I heard some shuffling sound coming from the medical closet. Backing towards the drawn curtains, I hid myself within its folds. It's strange. I usually liked being in closed spaces. Feeling something surrounding me, touching me. It's comforting. But at the moment, feeling comforted is as far away form my mind as hell . . . well I guess that ain't really too far off. But that's beside the point. I feel suffocated now. The comforting caress became a strangle hold. Eep. I need to get out of here. Now.

Peeking through the seams in the cloth, I prayed for an opportunity to slip through the window next to me. Screw this whole thing. I have a really bad feeling about this.

To say that I was startled would be a flat out lie. Nope. I was too far off. It took all my skills from being a street brat- not to mention all my doubtfully existing common sense to keep from jumping up and doing an imitation of Relena finding a rat in her hair- hey it wasn't my fault. Really. I swear, that rat was begging me to put it there. Go figure.

Wufei. The moonlight form the window lit up his face. It was him. Then it struck me- late as always- what the hell was he doing here?! Part of me wanted to strangle him, or hug him, telling him what had happened today. But something held me back. Like a tightly winded rope. Wrapped around me. I couldn't breathe.

Wufei turned around. My terrified eyes met his startled ones.

"Maxwell? Is that you?"

The rope snapped.

"Wu-man? Whatcha doing here?"

Wufei scowled, hiding a slight hint of a smile. Probably at me calling him 'Wu-man'. Either that that or he heard the slight note of hysteria in my voice. That tends to get to people. Whatever it was, the tension eased.

Stepping from the curtains, I walked to him. "Well?"

"Quatre slipped during gym and hurt his leg. I'm getting some gauze and pain killer. . .- what the hell happened?!"

He must have seen my shoulder. After all, the blood soaked bandage looked almost black in the moonlight, contrasting the white dress shirt I had on.

With I sigh, I walked towards the shelf, gathering some gauze and pills for my own wound. For once, its a blessing that I can talk a *lot*. Cause I had an awful lot to explain.

***

"Quatre, you Ok?"

I know, it was a stupid question considering the fact that he was lying on his back with his leg wrapped in thick bandages. Slight red showing through the joints. He looked really pale. In pain. It hurts to see him like that.

"Yeah. . . I'm just great."

He smiled weakly at me. I offered a smile back. Hey, being the psychotically cheerful one in the group, I'm *not* about to be out done.

"Hey, Q-man, don't let this get you down. Ya know, it'd sound pretty stupid if we lose to OZ because of a slip in gym."

I winked. Lame joke, I know. But I wasn't feeling like myself. Something was wrong. And I couldn't put my finger on it.

Eep! I yelped silently as I felt a pair of warm arms wrap around my neck.

"Qua . . . Quatre? You Ok?" I felt him nod.

"Its so good to have friends like you. People to count on when things go wrong. Don't ever let anything drag *you* down, promise, Duo?" I felt hot tears soak through my shirt. Awkwardly, I put my arms around him, giving him a quick hug.

"You'll always be my friend."

Ouch, another lame line. This is a record. I felt Trowa, who had stood by silently, gently removed Quatre from my arms, placing him back on his pillow. Placing a hand on his forehead, he smoothed back the silky blond hair, patting Quatre reassuringly. A warm and grateful smile lit up Quatre's face.

Strange, I felt better too. The feeling faded. Submerging itself into some fuzzy crevice in my subconscious. Breathe Maxwell. You're really losing it.

Giving Quatre one last smile, I let Wufei lead me out the door.

***

"Heero! Find anything?"

I slammed the door to our new room. Turing around, my eyes widen with surprise as I say my mirror hanging from a hook on the door. I could've sworn it got totaled during this morning's shooting contest. Oh lord, maybe all that about being delusional had some truth behind it after all.

"I got it for you when I went to pick up some ammo and fuel for the gundams."

Right. Just you average shopping list. Lets not forget the carving knives.

"Mmm . . . thanks Heero!"

This is really weird. Why would Heero bother to be so nice? I dumped the gauze and painkillers on the bed. Walking to the desk, I leaned over his shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of what he was doing.

"I sneaked into the bio-lab and did a DNA scanning with the blood sample. But I couldn't match it up with any particular person."

"Does that mean our person doesn't exist on Earth?"

"Or the colonies either. This is an international database. It should have it. Unless . . ." Heero frowned. Then it dawn upon me.

". . . unless, they aren't your average civilians. Or even part of any military group."

"Aa"

Only people like us, terrorist. People who needs to keep their identities a secret. People, who *have* no identities, doesn't have a file. I looked to Heero. He looked as cold and unemotional as always. But I got the feeling he's thinking the same thing.

Suddenly a beeping sound came from the laptop.

"I think I know where they might be tonight."

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[1]- lame, I know, but its 12 at night, and I haven't gotten a decent night of sleep since school ended. Forgive me! ^^;;

AN: hehe like? Please review!! =D