Chapter 3:



'Beep...Beep..Beep..'

"Hang in there Duo, please.."

Duo opened his eyes slowly, and stared up at the shadow above him. The world swirled deep inside his groggy eyes, and at first he thought he was seeing Heero. But when his eyes opened more, the face was dark, a black color. The eyes shined red, a sickly scowl was on his lips. The burning black hand held his in a painful grip.

"Yes...hang in there for Shinigami to take over your body..muahaha..." Duo's eyes widened, and he screamed.

"NO!"

"Duo! Duo snap out of it!" A hand came across his face, which jolted Duo back to reality. Trembling violently, the nurse has to inject him with a sedation to calm him down.

"I am sorry to having to knock him out again. I know how you want to see him awake, but everytime he awakens he seems to scream out no. Must be having some vision or something like that. I have never seen a patient become so frightened before." The nurse cleaned Duo's arm, then turned walked out.

"Nurse?" Heero asked.

"Yes?"

"How are his ribs? They didn't puncture anything, right?"

"The x-rays showed that he has 3 broken ribs and 2 cracked ones. I am afraid that one of his broken ribs scraped his right lung so do not worry about his coughing blood up unless it becomes really serious. A few days rest and bandages will help out them. I believe his worse injuries is in his mind. Serious mental injuries like his fear level or self control have probably been twisted around. I would watch him carefully if I were you. I will return to check his blood pressure and temperature in two hours, okay?" At Heero's nod, the nurse smiled gently and left. Turning to Duo, who rubbed his cheek lightly, he smiled lightly and stood by his side.

"How ya feeling?"

"..like hell...who the fuck smacked me?" Duo muttered groggily.

"I had to do it, you were acting crazy on me." This brought Duo's attention.

"Crazy? What do you mean?"

"Well I held your hand, and moved in close because I wanted to give you a goodluck kiss on your recovery. I told you to hang in there, then suddenly you pulled away and screamed no. You looked ready to jump out of that bed and run." Duo became instantly silent. He knew what was happening, and if he didn't do something soon, he would regret it deeply. 'He has decided to act through my own body to do his actions. If I refuse, he will attack me at vulerable times, and eventually kill off my kind self. Leaving a body..with Death inhabiting it. And if he finds Deathscythe...' Duo left it at there, there was too much at risk to leave, if he allowed Shinigami to take over his body. "Duo? Duo, is something the matter?" Duo glanced back at Heero and shook his head slowly.

"No..nothing, I am just tired..I feel ready to go to sleep.." Pretending to fall asleep, Duo closed his eyes and his breathing slowed down to a relaxing pace. Heero nodded, and leaned over, kissing his cheek lightly. Standing up, Heero turned and left the room, glancing back at his sleeping beauty. He smiled, and continued on his way. Duo opened his eyes, he was indeed groggy. "Damn sedation...I cannot fight or anything like....this..." Duo fell asleep for real this time. Meanwhile, Heero went up to Trowa, who was worried about Quatre. Quatre currently was sleeping peacefully in the hospital room.

"So, do you know what exactly happened to him?" Heero asked.

"Cardiology said that he had a heart attack, but I don't believe it."

"Why is that?"

"Because when Quatre collpased, he said that Duo was in pain and in real trouble." Heero arched a brow, then became very dead set on Trowa.

"Did he sense anything on what was causing Duo pain!?"

"That is what confused me, afterwards, after you and Duo left for the hospital, Quatre said an unknown force seemed to have attacked him. It was dark, evil, and seemed determined to kill....I didn't understand Quatre, but if it disturbs him to the extent that he had to go to the hospital it must be serious..." Heero remained silent and crossed his arms. Soon, someone bumped into him quite roughly, nearly causing Heero to be shoved into Trowa. The person, who wore a black trenchcoat and covered his face stopped, but didn't turn.

"Okay, why the fuck did you shove me for?" Trowa walked next to Heero, glancing at the person with suspicion.

"Sorry..I must go..bye.." Heero watched him leave, but noticed that he was goign towards Duo;s room. 'Can't trust any bastards...' He quickly caught up with this mysterious person and grabbed his trenchcoat, pulling it away. Gasping, Heero saw that what was underneath seemed to be a skeleton. The head and hair was still intact, but everything else..just wasn't...

"Who or what the fuck are you damnit? And why are you going towards Duo's room. No one has permission to enter except for myself and the nurses." The figure laughed, a cold laugh which brought shivers down Heero's anf Trowa's spines. Turning around, a look of horror appeared on their faces. Eyes were glowing red, but it was...Duo!?

"Just going to visit a sick friend..and to make sure his pain stops.."

"Like hell you will!" Heero pulled out a gun and ran towards the figure. Trowa watched, he was still in shock, and disbelief. He then remembered Quatre's words. 'It was dark, evil, and determined to kill..'

"Heero! Stop!"

"No one lives by the attacks of Shinigami!!!" The figure howled out, then placed his hands at Heero's eyes. Suddenly a burning feeling was felt, and Heero was sent howling to the ground, covering his eyes. Shinigami glared at Trowa, his next victim. Trowa's eyes narrowed, and he advanced forward, despite hearing Heero scream out in pain. Suddenly, Shinigami rushed forward, and placed his hands on Trowa's chest.

"Oh shit..." Trowa managed to whisper out. A sudden darkness came from Shinigami, and then Trowa dropped to the floor, lifeless. Heero managed to calm down, but he couldn't see a thing. Shinigami let out another chilled laughter, but it sounded just like.

"Duo.....DUO!!!!!" Heero screamed out. Shinigami grinned.

"He is right here boy..conjoined with me in a slight way now. It is time to collect the braided god of death...MWAHAHA!" Heero growled, and attempted to stand up, but Shinigami tripped him to the ground.

"Take advantage of your blindness and stay out of my way boy!" Turning around, he left slowly. Meanwhile, in Duo's room, he was screaming loudly.

"HEERO! TROWA! NOOOOO!!!!" Duo sat up as quickly as he could, wincing from the broken bones. "Damn you Shinigami, there is no way in hell that I wi-" Duo trailed off, when he saw the familiar look on his face. 'It's..me...'

"Hello there..you miss me..heh.."

"No...shit..Shinigami..."

"Welcome back your other half..for now you are stuck with him..."

"No...fuck you! Get the hell away! I am not your slave!" Shinigami approached the bed, his eyes wide and red with anger. Grabbing onto Duo's hospital clothes, he concentrated deeply into the violet eyes.

"No..please..." A wave of pain shot through him.."....NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!" In the hallways, Heero managed his eyesight back, and heard Duo's screams of terror.

"DUO!!!!" Turning back, he stared at Trowa's lifeless body. "Trowa..oh no......" Heero clenched his fists tightly, and stepped towards Duo's room, his eyes ready to kill. But as he stepped there, his body became weak, as the blue body of Duo Maxwell layed on the bed, motionless. And as Shinigami grinned at him, through Duo's body, braids and all. Heero then remembered his vow...'Whoever did this to you..shall die..by my hands...I swear it...' Heero's eyes lowered in regret as he realized the truth...'I have to kill Duo............'

(to be continued)