CROSSES AND DAGGERS
CHAPTER ONE
by shyne

Sunday, October 28, 2001
Disclaimer: I do not own SM or GW, people a million times more talented than I own them.
Note: This(*) and a number mean there is a note at the bottom, because I hate having notes in the middle of a story.

Five bleary eyed young men woke up from their restless sleep. Agonizingly slowly, each of them got ready for breakfast. All five men were living in a giant mansion. Although most of them looked normal enough, they were deadly killing machines and assassins. About an hour later*1, plus or minus a few minutes for some, five newly washed heads emerged from their rooms. Three grunts and two cheery hellos were exchanged, as the five young men headed downstairs for breakfast. The breakfast table was unusually silent except for the clanking of silverware and chewing.
"So, I hope everyone had a great sleep, because I sure didn't." Quatre said, shadows evident under his sea blue eyes*2. In response, he got four pairs of glaring eyes. "I guess not."
The quiet breakfast resumed, each pilot absorbed in his own thoughts.
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"Has anyone noticed that Duo is acting sort of, well, normal?" A Chinese boy asked, his black eyes looking at a boy with gravity defying bangs that covered one green eye. Trowa, the boy with the hidden eye, looked meaningful at the boy next to him. The boy, feeling an eye staring at him, looked up from his laptop, his messy brown hair still slightly wet from the shower he took that morning. His Prussian eyes in return, bore emotionlessly at a platinum blonde boy getting his attention before returning to his laptop. Quatre was surprised at this comment, not realizing that it was true that their hyperactive friend hadn't made so much as a peep for the past three hours. "Now that you mention it, he HAS been quiet. You don't think he is up to something, do you."
The Chinese boy, known as Wufei, thought about this for a second. "No, I think he has just been quiet. The whole house seems strangely quiet today. Something weird is going on. Ever since this morning, I've had a weird feeling. I can't seem to shake it."
"I think we should check on Duo, I mean, maybe something happened. Hiiro, what do you think?" Quatre suggested worriedly. All five boys glanced at each other at this comment. Slightly annoyed, the Prussian eyed boy closed his laptop and started for the door. "I guess that is a yes." Wufei murmured as he and the other boys followed Hiiro out the door to Duo's chambers.
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Duo twisted and turned on his giant bed, disturbed by his dream. He could see her. He remembered her, but at the same time, didn't. Her body was a bloody mess, covered in a combination of bruises and blood that would rival Picasso's paintings. He could smell the stench of blood and it made him want to vomit. Somehow, this time, he was able to walk over to her, his feet obeying him. He could hear a commotion behind him, but he didn't care. All he cared about was this beautiful angel in front of him. An eerie light surrounded her although in the background it was like darkness had swallowed all the light up. His hand, hesitantly reached out towards her bruised face. When his hand came in contact with her face, he saw her head snap up and look straight at him. Her lips curled into a faint smile, fresh tears flowing down her face. She said something, but her voice was muted. He took her face in both his hands, his thumbs gently wiping away the tears rolling down her cheeks. Her head instinctively pressed against his hands. He felt the love and joy in her eyes, bathing him in a beautiful warmth. He whispered to her kind, loving words, promising to help her. He could see her beautiful cerulean eyes light up with hope. It made him want to protect her forever.
Suddenly the expression on her face changed from happiness to fright. He asked her what was wrong, but she was just shaking her head, her eyes frantic. He continued to ask her what was wrong, but her eyes weren't looking at him anymore, they were looking THROUGH him. Abruptly, he felt her eyes close in pain. Her arms instinctively pulling against the combination of rope and chain that held her to her stake. Her legs struggled against the bonds on her legs, trying to curl up in a ball. He tried to hold her so she wouldn't hurt herself, but it was no use. He felt something wet and sticky on his hand. Removing it from her shoulder, he found blood on it. Her blood. He looked around wildly trying to find out what was hurting his precious angel only to find a shadowed figure standing imposingly behind him with his hand raised, whip in hand. The whip began to fall, its steel tip glinting evilly in the little light in the room. Duo brought his hands up to protect his angel, but instead of the whip striking him, he found that it went through him. He tried to attack the man hurting his angel only to pass right through him. In horror, he watched as his angel was being mercilessly beaten. Her red blood forming a pool on the ground, mixing with her tears. Her eyes finally found his again, but instead of love and trust filling those blue orbs, they were accusing and hate. His heart felt as if it had shriveled up and died. "Nooo!!!!"
Duo Maxwell shot up in bed, sweat and tears pouring down his face. He anxiously fumbled for the clock next to his bed to find out it was four in the afternoon. He finally noticed four pairs of eyes were staring at him, curiously. Without one word, he went into his bathroom and closed the door, grateful it was just a dream. The four boys hesitantly walked out of Duo's room after hearing the shower going. Unnoticed by everyone, a bloody handprint marred the tangled sheets of Duo's bed.
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She saw the braided one. She was never so relieved to see someone in her life. Her master was still having fun with his mistress. The darkness seemed to shed away from her angel. God, was he beautiful. They were all beautiful, but this was the first time any of them approached her. He was wearing all black and had his long brown hair in a braid. His cobalt blue eyes held concern for her. She felt her heart lifting and soaring, her pain becoming numb. His hand touched her, light and feathery. Her head shot up, she regretted it as soon as she had done that because a searing pain shot through her head. But the pain soon disappeared as she gazed hopefully into the eyes of her angel. His eyes smiled at her, bathing her with a warmth that made all the pain go away. Her lips tugged into a smile, tears of joy slid down her face. She couldn't believe it. She was saved, surely he was here to help her. His hands gently and lovingly wiped the tears from her cheeks, his thumbs caressing her bruised cheeks. She tried to talk to him, but his only response was a questioning tilt of his head. He tried to talk to her, but she couldn't hear him either, but she knew he was comforting her and promising to help her, she could see it in his eyes. She leaned into his touch, wanting to feel more of her angel.
He was comfort and love himself. The moment didn't last long though. He master had felt the change of the darkness and had quickly gotten his whip. She could see him coming up behind her angel. She tried to warn him, but he only looked at her. The whip came down, hard and fast. She felt its sting. Her angel was holding her now. She pressed against the ropes, trying to tell him to look behind him, but he didn't hear her. Her vision was going blurry from all the beating. She felt her angel release her and his long braid brushing against her legs as he turned around. She struggled to get her head up, but couldn't, her energy zapped. The whip continued to rain down on her unprotected skin. Finally bringing her head up, she saw her angel standing behind her master, watching her. How could he just watch? Her eyes hardened, accusingly. Why didn't he help her? Why does he just stand there? Her vision slowly darkened as she fainted from all the pain. As her mind blacked out, all she could think was, why?
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That is chapter 1, hope you like it and wasn't too confusing because my stories tend to be confusing. Also, I am not saying that Duo and Usagi will be together. I am still up for suggestions.
*1. I know, a long time for guys that are ready to wage war in less than ten minutes.
*2. I'm not going to introduce everyone because everyone knows who everyone else is, right? I'll describe them better later. Anyway, I'm too lazy. Oh, Q's eyes are a green tinted blue color, right?

shyne