---------------------------
Disclaimer: Yea, I know everyone here knows I own nothing. Not even this computer much less a couple of extremely popular shows like Gundam Wing and Sailor Moon.
---------------------------
Puppet Master
Chapter 6 -- What's Beyond the Bend?
Heero walked down the path, searching for anything that would give him a hint as to what the person living here might be like but everything was deathly still. Not a sound echoed through the forest but that fact was not the least bit surprising to one of his kind. He smirked. One of my kind? There are none of my kind.
He kept walking forward, occasionally brushing a stray lock of dark hair from his face. A soft murmuring sound reached his ears and he stopped suddenly, looking for its source.
The forest had begun to thin out, leaving a clear path for him to follow. A green meadow showed between the thinning trees to be filled with dirty kids and exasperated adults but Heero paid it no attention. Children were one of the few things that he wouldn't dare try to handle and he wasn't about to make any attempt to get close to the bundles of mess.
The power he had felt awaken within not too long ago seemed to buzz all around him. It was surprising that he could hold in the amount he currently did but that power kept growing and filling in any hole they found within his being. Memories once blurry were brought back to an all too clear picture. Even the torturous experiences beneath Dr. J's 'training' resurfaced after years of being kept away from mind.
Not that it bothered him now. Nothing could touch him.
There. Far ahead of him was a thick growth of willows, their green leaves hiding whatever lay behind them like a thick, impenetrable fog. The trees took up a fair portion of land and seemed to radiate with some sort of energy, even from the distance.
Dark sizzles of crackling energy visible only to those who had the power to see such things burned away any living creature daring to violate the boundary. Heero's eyes narrowed and he unconsciously began filing away any useful information about the place. The energy signal was too familiar to miss; it was the same person whose energy surrounded both Philip and himself when they first reached this place. Perhaps the person who'd brought him to this place in the first place. For a single person to show such an interest in him, a Gundam pilot, was dangerous. Especially so when Heero had been looking for something to do to keep his mind from wandering to the years he spent fighting for both the Colonies and Earth and the fact that both of those places now lacked any sign of gratitude or even acknowledgment for anything the pilots had done.
"HEY! What do you think you're doing!"
Heero turned sharply to address whoever it was shouting at him. A small girl, looking to be only about ten or so, was flying towards him at. Long strands of brown, knotty hair trailed behind her as she sprinted down the path behind him at full speed. She was wearing a large black shirt and a pair of yellow shorts that were obviously too big for her. A pair of torn up sandals were the only other thing on her, unless the layers of dirt and grim covering up her lean form counted. When she reached him, a disbelieving expression on face, she immediately grabbed his hand and tried to tug him away, casting fearful glances at the knot of trees behind her.
"Don't you know anything?" she demanded angrily. "Why are you going over there? That place is dangerous!"
An amused and bewildered expression tried to work its way onto Heero's face. A place being more dangerous then himself? He attempted to gentle pry the girl's small hand from his and began to think about what to do with this little one who seemed determined not to let him go. The image of the dirty kids playing in the grass came back to him. "Who are you?"
She smiled as though it was a silly question. "My name's Rachael. What's your name?"
"Heero." The answer was out before he could stop it. Heero glared at her as though it were her fault. "Why don't you ho back to your parents? They're probably looking for you." He turned and started for the trees. This is the person who brought me here. I will find out why and how they found out about me. And why I feel this strange new energy, power within that almost gathers at my fingertips when I call-
"No thanks. 'Sides, I don't really have parents. None of us orphans do."
Rachael had followed him and was already tugging at his hand again, latching her fingers within his and trying to pull him away from his destined path. "And I'm warning you, don't go in there!"
Feeling slightly aggravated, Heero tried unsuccessfully to take his hand away from her grip. He held back the urge to rip his hand away with a violent motion and tried once again to send her back. "I'm fine. Now go back to where you came from."
Her words began to sink in. an orphan. Duo was an orphan. Flash images of Duo came to mind: the first time they met to the day the two infiltrated the colony Marie-Maya had staged her base. Memories of the pilot's happy-go-lucky manner and his way of making those around him relax and laugh came back to Heero's mind but where abruptly brushed back as Heero ignored them.
Rachael glared at the pilot. "I already told you," she began in a slightly angered tone, "I don't have any parents. They're dead. And I'm not going back to that orphanage. They," her voice faltered, "hurt me. But I'm not going back-"
"What?" Heero ignored the voice in his head warning him to leave the matter alone. Who hurt this child? Who could do such a thing? Memories of his own 'childhood' flared to life but he shoved them away as quickly as those of Duo, albeit with slightly more pain. Why do I even care? "Who hurt you?"
"Oh, it's nothing," she replied quickly, betraying her sudden nervousness. "I probably deserved it anyway because I'm always getting in trouble and they already told me they do it for my own good-"
Heero grabbed her shoulders. "Who hits you?" he growled menacingly. A sudden sense of responsibly over this child blazed within. Why do I even care? Duo was an orphan where they probably hit the orphans- Heero's breath caught as he thought of that- and he still turned out to be a good person-though, his training as a pilot was probably the only reason Duo was not still an orphan on the colonies. I can't do anything about it anyway with all the things I must do on this planet. This child is not my responsibility. But he still couldn't shake the feeling of murder he felt as the thought of someone hurting this child in anyway came to mind. Another child from the past came to mind, this one he'd known only a day before she died and not much older then Rachael when she had walked by him that day. He could still remember the laughter in her voice as she walked her dog and asked him if he was lost. He had failed to protect her, being the cause of her death-one of the first innocent lost in the war he fought, killed by him like the thousands who landed in their graves after.
Rachael struggled in his tightening grip. "Let go," she screamed, "you're hurting me!"
Heero instantly released her, jumping back in surprise and silently cursing himself for forgetting where he was. Rachael rubbed her arms ruefully.
"Man, I try to warn you about that place," a finger pointed to the grove of trees, "and you try to squeeze me to death!"
"I'm…sorry," Heero muttered, confused. She obviously wasn't in extreme amounts of pain, something Heero was grateful for though he didn't know why, and her tone had been sarcastic but humorous. An unwanted smile appeared on his face as Rachael continued muttering under her breath and rubbing her arms while shooting Heero lethal glares.
"Yea, well it's too late for that, isn't it?"
Again, another bright smile appeared in his face. Rachael stopped a moment to stare at him and looked away with an even brighter blush spreading across her face. Heero glanced at the woods a moment longer and decided that they weren't extremely important. Besides, it would be better to face an enemy with knowledge of some sort, the knowledge this little one claimed able to provide. "Would you like something to eat?"
An amazed grin settled on Rachael's face. "Would I ever!"
She reached back and grabbed his hand, dragging him off once again but this time with little resistance. "Come on, I know this really great place to eat. It's over here."
Heero followed her with a soft smile on his face, content to just listening to her rambling about the great food this store had.
-----------------------------------
Whatever the mistress was planning, things were working out for her. Philip and Sydin bowed low before the cackling image of their self-proclaimed Queen of the Earth, faces wearing identical winces as each laugh sounded as glass shattering.
"Philip, you still have to watch over my new servant," the queen commanded suddenly, her figure going still as laughter passed into a severe and unbending will.
The queen still hid herself beneath her robes from even the two brothers, her closest and perhaps only allies. "Sydin, I need a constant watch over the Scouts, do nothing to reveal yourself for the moment but watch and report all that you see."
The two murmured "My Queen" and teleported out.
Dropping her guise once more, Serne quickly looked over the prison she now lived and, finding things in order, laid her psychic essence back down to her true body frozen miles beneath the little lake. She needed to come up with enough energy to beat her new 'ally' into submission and from her close scouting, the battle was not going to be as easy as planned.
A wicked smile froze upon her face and she pictured her father, the one who she'd discovered had been behind her entrapment millennia ago and whose ingenious idea was to lock her daughter's still living body beneath the frozen waters. What would he say if he still lived to see her once more conspiring to destroy the Great Houses of the Kingdom? It was the reason for her captivity but those who captured her believed her weak and trapped without a physical form.
Her other form, her 'psychic essence,' as it was called, lay on a level none knew her to have.
Serne bared her sharp teeth just before lying back into her nearly dead body. "Father, I swore to get my revenge. Now you're dead and nothing will stop me!"
All she needed to be free was a single servant strong enough to break through the prison. And Heero was that servant.
The smile stayed frozen on her face.
Heero was the once, whether he knew it or not.
-----------------------------------
Duo leaned against the brick wall, grateful for the support it gave. The towering city of Tokyo loomed far overhead in the sky; black buildings streaking up against the setting sun as though their intention was to impale it on their spiked roofs.
Duo turned and shrugged to the three pilots behind him before moving out into the main street. From the alleyway came Wufei, Trowa and Quatra, all with intent looks on their faces. "Chill out guys," Duo laughed, "it's not like there's anyone here who'd even know us."
"Shut up Maxwell," Wufei hissed. "You forget that Heero happens to be here."
Duo shrugged, giving the scenery a searching look. "Fine, but I really don't see Heero shopping around in a mall."
The main road led straight to a mall. Well, Duo argued, it was more like a min-mall, a collection of stores nearby each other then the malls of America. Most of the buildings shined with happy cartoon characters and from his lessons with Heero between the Eve Wars and the Marie-Maya War, his Japanese could translate everything.
"Hey guys, guess what? I can speak Japanese!"
Wufei gave him a disgusted look while Quatra cleared his throat. "Duo, I think we all can speak Japanese. I don't know why but it's like everything's in English."
Trowa nodded.
"Sure. So now we are some sort of multi-tongued ones who understand every language in the book?"
"I wouldn't be surprised, baka," Wufei muttered beneath his breath. "That woman must have done something to us. What good would it do if none of us spoke the same language? That's the reason behind my leanings of the English language during my pilot training."
"O…k. Well, let's beat this joint. No matter what you say, Heero won't be hanging around a mall all day when Trista says he's about to take over the world."
"Yes, but remember what Trista said. She'll be here as ell and we should keep a look out for her." Quatra's Arabic accent attracted the attention of a group of girls who instantly began talking about the four pilots behind raised hands.
Wufei sighed, glaring at the giggling group of females. The girls only goggled at him, the more outgoing ones sighing in admiration and giggling all the louder.
"Wufei, stop it! You're attracting too much attention." Quatra's stern voice whispered and the three began walking away from the site.
"Hey, wait! Guys, were are you going?" Duo glanced at the adoring public gathering before him and then at the backs of his moving friends. "Man, can't we ever have a little fun?" he whined before jogging to catch up. "I mean, sure we got to do our mission but can't we take a break first and just relax?"
As he continued whining, duo ran straight into someone, bounced off the person and landed on his back. "HEY!"
Duo's outcry brought the attention of nearly everyone on the road excepting the girls who were already staring at him. The other pilots were at his side in an instant and as he stood, Duo glanced at the person he'd knocked over. She was rubbing her forehead and flinched slightly with pain. Her aquamarine hair covered most of her pale face and Duo helped her up. "Sorry 'bout that-"
Michelle, are you all right?"
Two people walked up to the fallen woman and the taller one, a woman with short, sandy hair brushed Duo's outstretched hand away. She helped her friend up before turning t to glare at the teenage boys. "You better watch where you're going," she growled.
"Amara, it was my fault," Michelle protested. "I wasn't looking where I was going. And besides, this young man was already offering an apology." She smiled tightly at the pilots. "Please forgive me, I was in a bit of a…rush." Her mouth hanged open in outright surprise.
Amara ignored her partner's state to glare at Duo. "Trista, we don't have time for this-"
"Trista!" Quatra's voice broke in."
From behind Amara, Trista walked up and glanced at the pilots with a confused expression. Amara also watched them in surprise. "Do we…know you?" she asked uncertainly.
"It's them!" Michelle hissed into her companions' ears but the pilots managed to hear. "Those pilots. Remember?"
Shocked expressions wiped the women's' faces of all other emotion. Amara's mouth moved without sound and Trista looked like she wanted to reach for something that wasn't there.
Duo watched a moment before something clicked. He smiled at Trista and casually asked "How's you're staff? Heero didn't break it yet, did he?"
Hotaru choose that moment to make herself known. "Me and Rini were wondering what…took you so long. Who are you?"
Duo wasted no time to make himself known. With a flashy bow and a tip of his imaginary hat, Duo smiled widely at the shocked teen girl and announced in extravagant tones "I'm Duo Maxwell, at your service straight from America-well, my America anyway. This is Chang Wufei," Wufei was watching the three women's' faces with interest mixed with confusion, "Quatra Winner," the blond Arabian nodded and asked "How do you do?" "And this is Trowa Barton." Trowa glanced at Hotaru but his attention went back to the three older women.
"Trowa, does this Trista look like the one before?" Wufei finally spoke.
"B-before?" Trista stuttered.
Trowa shrugged. "It seems like she either doesn't remember us or has never seen us before. If I had to choose which it was, I'd say it was the second."
"Yes, but she did say she was from the future. Perhaps her past, I mean, present self has no knowledge of what will be done in the future."
"What do you know about this?" Amara demanded of Quatra.
"That seems like the most likely explanation but whatever it is, I'd rather spend my time looking for Heero. Wouldn't want him to get a head start on us, know would we?" Duo stated loudly.
"H-Heero? You've come to fight him?" Hotaru asked, her eyes bulging.
The four pilots looked at her in shock. "I thought only Trista knew of this?" Wufei whispered to the other pilots. Trowa nodded his surprise.
"Hey, do you know of my old buddy Heero?" Duo asked the wide-eyed teen.
"…I got to go!" Hotaru raced away, shaking the other three from their shock.
"Hotaru! Hotaru!" Amara and Michelle ran after her fleeing back.
Trista watched the four pilots. "We…may have been wrong in our initial judgment," she muttered. Aloud to the pilots, Trista added "Perhaps you should come with us and explain what this other Trista told you. Maybe then we'll be able to solve what's going on."
Maybe then I can find out why my future sense and time-traveling skills are blocked out as well, Trista thought to herself as the five of them walked onward to the Outers' car.
Wufei snorted. Weak and confused women were the last thing he needed to deal with on this New World.
Was this even a new place? Of course it was. For one thing, this city was far too underdeveloped to even try and compare with the glorious world of modern-day Tokyo from his world. And the colonies, which should be visible to the naked eye nearly, all the time were missing from their place in the sky. He hadn't heard one whispered conversation about Mobile Dolls or the Gundams in all his time here. In fact, these people seemed to talk more about the latest comics or movies then anything else. Wufei grimaced. If these were the conditions he had to work under, he'd do it. But the longing he felt for Nataku and Shenlong were magnified in this place. The other pilots probably missed their own Gundams as well. What would Heero feel, with his Gundam still around and had undoubtedly been repaired from the damage it took during the wars?
Wufei narrowed his eyes at the thought. Why had no one seen this coming? Certainly nothing about this other world could have been predicted but Heero's state should have been at least thought about. The fact that the tons of gundaniam alloy that slipped by into Earth unnoticed until only days before disgraced Wufei. As a Preventer, he should have noticed or at least run into one or two of the shipments.
As a Preventer.
Heero had been a Preventer. He would have know all the docking points unchecked by the Preventers, the times when Earth was unguarded by them and used that knowledge to his advantage.
No! Wufei clenched his hands into fists. I will not allow myself to blame Heero for my misjudgments and weakness. The Japanese boy had though himself better then anyone and Wufei was determined to prove him wrong. Just because he'd escaped before meant nothing should the two encounter again. This time, Heero would be caught and, Wufei though with a tight grin, I'll be the one to capture him.
Trista, oblivious to the pilot's anger, glanced at her watch. "We must hurry or we'll be missed," she muttered, looking up and down the street for a sign of her friends.
I didn't want to do this. Trista checked to make sure Rini was all right- the girl was asleep- and took out a small watch.
"Uranus, are you there," Trista whispered. The Gundam pilots' ears perked up. She was talking into a watch?
Static and then "Yes. Michelle's on her way back. Hotaru's disappeared."
The pilots' eyes widened but they held their peace.
Trista sighed. "We must go without her. The Scouts need our help."
Michelle appeared before them, casting each pilot a cautious eye before settling in the front beside Trista. "Let's go. Amara has her bike."
"A bike? You guys still use those things?" Duo broke in unceremoniously.
Michelle glared at Duo but a motorcycle rushed by them. "There she is."
Trista nodded and started the car.
Duo watched the 'bike' race down the road with a trail of smoke behind it. "Nice bike."
-----------------------------------
They had decided to try meeting at Ray's temple yet again. Late as usual, Serena ignored the usual jeers and angry comments from Ray. Surprisingly, Luna scolded the fiery priestess. Serena barely noticed the change in the cat's attitude, mind still dazed over from her dream-all day, it was as though she did nothing but dwell on the dream. Her teacher had asked if she was all right before sending her home after getting on reaction from the girl. Molly had tried to hand out with Serena but when all Serena did was stare ahead, the brown haired girl backed off.
Serena sat down before the small table in Ray's room, absently petting Luna who'd lie down in her lap.
The other Scouts watched with growing unease and tried to cover up their raw nerves by chatting loudly. Still Serena ignored the tension, starting on her schoolwork in robot mode.
Mina smiled at her friend in another attempt to include Serena in their conversations. "Hey, What's wrong? You're so quiet!"
Serena gave a start and forced a smile. "I'm just thinking."
"Humph. I didn't know you could think with that meatball head of yours, Serena. Do you even know how to?"
Serena suddenly snapped, slamming her books closed and stuffing them into her bag. She glared at her once friend and stated in icy tones, "Yes, Ray. I do know how to think. If you'd asked me before, you'd have found out that I think this whole meeting was a really bad idea. I have to go. If there's anything that has to do with the Scouts, I'll be at home. Otherwise, leave me alone."
Serena picked up her bags and walked out.
"Jeez," Lita muttered after a minute of silence.
"I now," Mina echoed. The blonde glanced at Ray. "You should apologize Ray. That went too far."
Amy shut her laptop. "I don't think this is about Ray. The two have said much more hurtful words before and remained friends. Besides, did Darien call anyone other then me last night? Asking about Serena?"
The other four nodded their heads glumly.
Amy nodded. "This is probably about a fight they had. We really can't do anything bout it. I feel really bad about letting her go out by herself but there's nothing we can do to help her."
Ray just stared at the door.
Luna glanced at Artemis in disgust- her fellow cat was busy sleeping in the sun- and quietly followed after her princess.
-----------------------------------
Sydin rubbed his hands in glee. The Sailor Scouts breaking up over this weak link, Tuxedo Mask? This was too good. If this fight kept up, there'd be no one strong enough to defy his Queen when her days as ruler over this world came. The Great Houses would be done for and Earth would rule as the strongest force under Queen Serne.
It was too much. Sydin could just imagine the day. The dark elves kept hidden away and locked in darkness by the Imperial Crystal's pure goodness would be freed and he would no longer be forced to work as the last of his kind.
Philip watched with slightly less enthusiasm. His adopted brother was getting too excited over a future that may not happen. Philip, one of the few who escaped the massacre of his family's line, was the only survivor of Earth's past time of glory. Unlike the Moon Kingdom where the people were content to have a single bloodline rule, dozens of Houses fought for Earth's Throne. His House, the family line of Panacea Cimmerian, had been nearly decimated when determined as a threat to the current King of the Earth, King Salem. King Salem's son, Prince Darien, was killed years afterwards with nearly all of the people of both the Moon and Earth, leaving Philip as the rightful King of Earth.
It was a title he had refused. Philip hadn't survived the millennia since the passing of the Moon's Queen Serenity by being rash. He'd witnessed the rebirth of many from the Moon's and Earth's Courts and had seen dozens of evils like the one he served fall before them.
Since he was of the Royal Court, Philip had been granted the life to live forever unless he was killed in battle or by some other form. He was physically immune to plagues and old age. His time had been spent trying to recover the banner of old but nothing came of his efforts. When Philip had first met Sydin, a member of the Dark Elf race banished millennia ago, it was to him a sign to join the other side.
The two 'adopted' brothers had found Serne and had served her and no other.
"Philip, the day will come when these mortals will feel the sharp edge of my scimitar or the piercing of you blade. Then they shall know the wraith they've inflicted upon the elves."
Philip ignored his brother's rants. "I must go. The new one must be watched."
Sydin made an empty gesture of farewell, too busy watching his enemies.
"Goodbye, brother."
-----------------------------------
Serena folded her arms, suddenly wishing she had remembered to bring a jacket. Dark gray clouds floated ominously across the sky but held back from actually raining. It wasn't truly that cold but her bare arms made her feel the slightest bit venerable. It didn't help when it felt like she was being watched-
"Stop that," Serena chided to herself. "You just need to walk around."
As though those were the magic word, the storm clouds let loose, unleashing its winds with a fury. Rain began to beat down on her and sent cold chills down her spine. Serena shivered and ran to the nearest store. The daze she'd been in all day disappeared with her fight with Ray. Serena didn't know whether to be grateful or guilt ridden.
Serena shivered again and walked into the store. Across the street, the orphans weekly field trip to the park broke up into screams of laughter as the orphans ran around and rolled in the mud-much to the anger of their guardians. Serena hid a small smile as one of the adults took after a tall kid and ended up slipping in the mud. The other children were herded into waiting buses and Serena turned into the store.
To her luck, it was the candy and ice cream store. 30 flavors of different ice cream and loads of mouth-watering sweets lined the walls and refrigerated counters. Serena stared at it all. Even if she'd become a mature teen, the tempting sweets still got the same reaction from her every time. Serena grabbed a bag and began filling it with her favorites, not even noticing that the door chime had went off, announcing customers.
"You must really be hungry to eat that much," a young voice said behind her. "Or else you're having a party. What do you think, Heero?"
-----------------------------------
Philip ignored the rain and stared in shock through the glass window. It couldn't be.
But it was.
Inside the store, the Moon Princess stood with a bag overflowing with candy and was frozen in the act of stashing more into it.
Beside her stood…Heero.
Philip shook his head. For the two to meet this early, it was mind-boggling. And who was the little girl beside him? Philip was certain that Heero had a dislike or even fear to some extent of children yet here he stood in a store, ready to by an orphan some sweets. It didn't make sense.
Serne will want to know what's going one.
-----------------------------------
Serena turned to see a young brown haired girl standing beside a tall teenage boy with unruly dark hair. The girl was dressed in what looked like rags and throwaway clothing while the guy…Serena gulped. He was dressed in a deliciously dangerous black trench coat. Black pants and slips of a black muscle shirt, he looked every bit a dangerous street fighter with the scars on his face and the glint in those endless pools of Prussian eyes. It didn't help that rain streaked down his body, giving a melted and stunning style to his hair.
"Are you going to eat all that?"
Ser4ena stared at the guy in front of her, not even hearing the girl's question. He smirked, turning to his charge. "Choose what you want, my treat." Serena almost melted at the sound of his soft, commanding voice but settled for blushing deeply instead.
The little girl shrugged impatiently before running up to the counter and giving out sighs of joy as her bright eyes glowed in anticipation. "Oh, I told you this place was awesome! I want this - no, this one! -Wait, this one looks better!"
Serena looked down to see that her bag was already filled with candy, some of it even spilling onto the floor. Flushing with embarrassment, she picked up the fallen pieces and laughed. "Um yea, I'm going to a party. I wouldn't actually eat all this by myself!"
The two ignored her. The girl was too intent on choosing something to eat the guy, Heero, was watching both girls out of the corner of his eyes.
Serena sneaked to the corner of the store and watched them for a minute.
"Can I help you, miss?"
Jumping in surprise, Serena flushed bright red as the store's owner watched her, perplexed. "Y-yes. Um, can I get this?"
The man let out a deep rumbling laughter. "I wouldn't know. Can you pay for it? If you can, sure, but if you can't, I'm afraid not."
"What? Why would I go and get stuff I can't buy?" Serena's voice screeched. "Are you calling me poor?"
Eyes twinkling, the man smiled and laughed again. "No, ma'am. 'Course not. Are you ready to buy?"
She pulled out a purse and, grumbling, paid for the candy.
"Thank you, come again!"
"Like I will!"
As the door slammed, the owner smiled. Another customer hooked.
Heero watched the exchange with little interest, that strange sense of responsibility for Rachael beginning to wear off. Why had he felt so possessive over her? And why did he still want to hurt anyone who hurt her?
The other girl, the one with the long golden hair who'd just left, had also struck some feeling in him. Eyes darkening, he watched patiently as Rachael continued trying to make up her mind over what to get. Whoever that girl was, he'd find out as soon as he dealt with this mysterious 'Mistress' of the forest.
"Heero! Heero! Can I get this one?"
Rachael held in her hands a huge chocolate rose. It was painted in dark splashed of red and green-almost black-food dye. Nearly as big as her arm, Rachael was watching Heero with pleading eyes.
Nodding once, Heero moved to the register and began to pull out some money.
The door chimed once more and a deep voice announced "I'll pay for that, Heero."
Philip removed some money and paid for the rose, checking the child out in case Heero had found some sort of energy that attracted him to her.
Heero watched Philip and whispered something into the girl's ear. She giggled but nodded and had left the store before Philip could say a word.
The owner solemnly accepted the money and gave Philip back the change without a word. The blond waved away the money. "Keep it. Come on Heero, we've got stuff to do.
Heero followed with a smirk that chilled the owner and the door slammed behind the two.
Rain beating against the window, the owner allowed himself to shiver. He glanced at the clock. "Nearly eight. Better start closing."
Outside, the soft buzzing of street lights and rushing sounds of cars driving by blended in with the occasional deep rumbling thunder. The twinkling stars were lost behind flashes of lightening and the rain continued falling from the heavenly clouds down to an earth were their sacrifice would be regarded as nothing short of an annoyance.
-----------------------------------
Author's Notes:
Soooo soooorrrryyyy
I meant to get this chapter out much sooner but things kept getting in the way. I promise that the next chapter will be out within the week-maybe even today. Thanks for all the reviews. I honestly thought that with all the delays, I should just drop this story. Danke shon.
------Black Rebel.
"For every secret left unveiled, for every power learned, I'd sell the remnants of my soul, regardless how it burned. Though I found it, it would leave me - broken, damned and drained." -C. Vincent Metzen