The 8th Day ~ Version 2.0

A/N: Nothing interesting in this chapter. That said and done, read away!! :)

Chapter 6

9:56 a.m.; Tokyo, Japan

Trowa walked into the house, gazing around the cool foyer. "Heero-sama, where are you?" he called out, hearing his voice echo out slightly.

"He's not here Trowa; neither is Angela. They went out for the day and they won't be back for a bit."

Trowa looked up to see Quatre come out of the living room. "Where did they go?"

"Out; Heero-sama didn't say where. I guess they wanted privacy and all." Quatre gave a grin. "And yes before you ask, I did insist that they go with some sort of protection but Heero denied the request. So I told him I'd stay and watch the house."

"He has the right but still..." Trowa scratched his head. "Why does he choose to disappear whenever I have to talk to him on something important?"

"Because he knows when these things like to pop up; what's the problem?"

Trowa shrugged as he went into the living room and seated himself down on the overstuffed chairs. "Things are getting progressively worse between us and Wufei; do you know what I found out this morning; that girl is gone. She vanished away in the middle of the night and now she can't be found at all."

Quatre gave a chuckle as he sat down beside Trowa. "Sounds as if Wufei isn't too thrilled at that."

"He isn't. Apparently things haven't been going so great for him over there as well you know." Trowa paused. "Heero has to be very careful about what he does. Things are extremely volatile now, and it won't take much to set things off." he bent his head in thought.

"Heh. Tell me about it. It's smouldering in the very air, I can feel it." Quatre paused with a dark look on his face. "And I still haven't got the bastard. . .not yet anyways. . ."

"May I ask whom you are talking about?" Trowa was puzzled by Quatre's muttered words

"Never mind that now. So no one knows where she is huh?"

"No one." Trowa raised his head briefly with a grim smile. "I think Heero-sama really does know when I have to talk to him then he takes off anyways."

"What are you going to do; when you're in a business like ours you never know what's going to happen. That's the name of the game, ne?"

"Yeah. . .I suppose so. . ." Trowa let his head roll back against the head of the seat with a yawn. "I'm dead tired."

"Up again early?" Quatre rose with a chuckle. "Poor man, she isn't giving you a break huh? I'll go get you something to eat. Wait here a minute."

Trowa watched as he walked off towards the kitchen before he wearily let his eyes close shut and drifted off in a similar semblance of sleep. 'Sydney, Sydney, Sydney. . .' The faint chuckle rose from his throat as he recalled last night. 'That was the best whipped cream I ever had.' Opening his eyes again, he looked around the room, enjoying the tasteful décor. 'At least Angela can decorate. Me and Syd are hopeless; we couldn't decorate for a kids party. . .' He rose from his seat pacing around easily, feeling a restlessness settle over him. He felt as if he should be anticipating something to attack any minute now; he hadn't lived this long by ignoring his instincts. Unsettled he started searching the room, trying to find the thing that was off.

"What are you looking for Trowa?"

He turned around to see Quatre looking at him with a plate and a glass of water in his hand. "Something. Was someone in here before you?"

Quatre placed the plate down. There's only me and Hilde here and she went out before Heero. I don't think she was in here. Besides, Heero can't stand her and he forbid her to enter certain places in the house, this room being one of them. Here, eat something before you end up all skin and bones eh?"

"Thanks." taking the sandwich he took a large bite out of it and swallowed it quickly.

"You look like you didn't eat this morning."

"I did. . .and then I exercised again. . ."

Quatre shook his head. "Well. . .we know what will kill you Trowa Barton."

"At least I'll die happy." he muttered, eyes glancing around as the restlessness grew worse.

"Trowa, I think you need some sleep as well. You may be thinking things are there and they're not."

"No. . .there's something here. . ." he paused, as if searching for some defining location or identity. "And I think we should get out of the room now."

"Trowa, there's nothing in the room and I-"

"Get out now." he ordered, leaving the plate on the lamp table and shoving Quatre out of the room quickly and to the front door.

Quatre glared back at him, pausing for a few minutes. "There. You see nothing happened."

Trowa shook his head, his entire body tense. "Wait for it. . .something will. . .you would know if you've been through half the things I have."

Quatre remained silent as the seconds ticked away slowly, the silence of the hall and house filling his ears. "There; nothing again Trowa. You really shouldn't-"

Quatre's words were drowned out in a large explosion that came from the living room before he was dragged to the floor by Trowa. Both of them covered their heads as rubble went flying past and lodging into the door, as a cloud of dust swept over them. When it had all settled, they looked up to see the last vestiges of dust settling over them. Trowa stood up quickly and brushed off the dirt before giving Quatre a hand up. Slowly they walked back to the living room to find a huge gaping hole in the wall, leading to outside.

'So. . .' Trowa watched the fire around the edges of the maw as it blackened and burned. He regarded Quatre for a minute and then looked back outside. 'It starts does it Wufei?'

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1:45 p.m.; Hong Kong, China

Wufei glared at the wreckage of the car in his driveway for the thousandth time in the day.

"Be glad you were not in that car Wufei-sama." Amaterasu's quiet voice said from behind him.

He glanced back at her. "I know." he gave slightly wistful sigh.

"Were you attached to that car?"

"It was my first one. . ." he looked back at her not saying anything.

Amaterasu gave a small sigh as she turned to look back at the house. "At least it was the car and not the house. That truly would have been a shame."

Wufei gave a noncommittal sound. "Seems you have become attached to my house."

"I was merely admiring the architecture." she said quietly. "Perhaps now would be a good time to talk to Morgan about what to do; you already ordered that Heero have a similar accident and undoubtedly he will seek vengeance for it."

"He attacked me first so I wouldn't talk if I were him." he turned to see a slightly pained look on Amaterasu's face as she looked up at the shuttered windows. "Will you go get Morgan, while I wait in the library?"

Amaterasu paused as if unsure about what she had heard. "Yes, of course Wufei-sama." she replied easily and walked into the house.

Wufei watched as she disappeared up the stairs before turning to head down to the library. Things had not stared off well in the morning. First that girl went missing and then the bomb went off in just as he was heading out to take a drive. 'Things could not be any worse than they already are.' His lips thinned into a line of anger. 'Heero will pay for that. He nearly killed me and that is unacceptable.' He walked into the room, easing himself into his favourite chair gratefully.

"Oh my God, Duo!!"

"Morgan. . .holy!"

Wufei glanced up sharply at the ceiling as the words echoed around the house. 'The rabbits are at it again. At least they're not disturbing my sleep this time around.' He picked up the book from the adjacent table and started to read it. Hearing the door creak he didn't look up knowing full well that it wasn't Morgan who wouldn't be there.

"Morgan is rather occupied at the moment Wufei-san." Amaterasu managed in a slightly shaken voice.

"It's all right. They won't finish for awhile and I rather not hear them go at it." Wufei looked at her. "Your face is ashen. You need some air."

Amaterasu could only nod her head numbly as Wufei took her arm and led her outside. Walking down to the small pond, he sat her on the bench before taking a seat himself. Her breath escaped in ragged pants before she ducked her head between her knees.

"Are you sure you're all right?" he asked.

She nodded her head. "It was rather shocking . . .I heard noises I hadn't thought possible." she took a deep steadying breath. "That wasn't human at all."

Wufei gave a grunt of agreement. "I was woken up in the middle of the night by it."

"You have my condolences." Amaterasu glanced back at the house. "Will they finish anytime soon?"

"From what you heard. . ."

"Never mind then." Amaterasu shook her head. "I don't think I want to go back in there any time soon."

"I concur." Wufei fell silent before he spoke again softy. "What made you agree to work for me?"

Amaterasu remained silent looking out over the rippled water. She gave a slight shrug before she rose with a fluid motion and started to head back to the trees. Wufei caught her wrist, unwilling to let her walk away so easily. He looked up seeing her face the trees, her hand moving slightly in his.

"Why wont you answer me; are you afraid to?"

She glared back at him. "I fear nothing Wufei-san." her eyes closed as she was obviously kicking herself for her slip-up again. "I have no reason to fear Heero and I certainly don't fear you."

"Why don't you fear me; only Morgan and Duo don't have that feeling around me. I met you three days ago, so why?"

"Why what Wufei-sama?" she asked in a voice that started to tremble.

"You know why as much as I do Amaterasu." he said rising now. "You feel it as much as I do. When we're in a room together, you..." he trailed off, unsure of where to continue.

"Wufei-sama, I think the events of this morning have gotten to your head."

Wufei watched her for a few moments, seeing the look in her face before he let her wrist go. "Perhaps you are right." he said reluctantly. "I had no intent to-"

"It's all right Wufei-sama." she said holding her wrist briefly before she let it drop back to her side. "The mornings events must have made you more...scared I daresay?"

Wufei watched her, seeing amusement gleam in those dark depths. "I fear nothing like you." he retorted.

"Hn. To pride then." she replied as she sat back down on the bench. "Would you like to see it Wufei-sama?"

"You don't have to call me that." he muttered. "Yes I would."

Amaterasu didn't say anything as she pulled off her loose shirt easily and deposited it on the bench between them, readjusting the backless shirt. "It is not much though I warn you." she said quietly as she turned so he could see her exposed back.

Wufei felt his breath catch in his throat seeing the vast picture upon her back. The blue dragon curved around in coils, delicate claws curving gently to cradle a blazing flame in the center. His hand reached out hesitantly before he touched her skin with his fingertips amazed at what he saw before him. A shiver passed through her body yet she remained where she was, unmoving. Slowly he followed the lines of the dragon's scales, the vibrations of her wildly beating heart making his fingers move slightly.

"Why did you get this?" he asked in an awed voice.

"Why? To never forget; I must always remember for the rest of my days."

Wufei didn't say anything simply resting his hand against her warm skin. How he longed to feel that skin moving beneath his touch...flustered and taut from... He snatched his hand back, shaking his head as he stared at his fingers. 'Wufei...how can you be thinking such things; you barely know this woman. You don't even know...' He looked back at her realizing the one thing he hadn't asked her yet.

"My name, that's what you want to know isn't it Wufei?"

He could only manage to nod his head; if he spoke, he just might break the new tension between them.

"I shouldn't tell you my name you know." she paused reflectively. "Not even Heero knows my name. Everyone has always called me Amaterasu...I couldn't let my real name be sullied by what I do for a living."

"That's understandable." Wufei replied as he looked back out at the pond.

Silence filled the air as they both watched as ducks started swimming on the water, diving to feed on the water plants at the bottom. He didn't notice it at first but the air filled gradually with the sound of a singing voice. It was quiet at first and swelled to a soft tone that soothed him even more. Once it finished he glanced over to see Amaterasu looking at the shirt in her hands sadly.

"When will it all end Wufei?" she didn't look at him.

She looked so pained he had to say something. "I don't know...soon I guess."

"So what did you need to talk to Morgan about?"

"I need weapons...but since she's busy and all, I think I shall head down to the warehouse myself."

Amaterasu nodded her head with a wry smile and looked at him. "Preparation for the end of it all."

Wufei rose and stared walking back to the house. "And I shall be the victor this time."

Amaterasu didn't say anything simply watching the path before her intently. Once they walked into the house, she paused for a second watching Wufei.

"I...I want to tell you something Wufei." she said in a hesitant voice.

He paused as he took the keys from the coat hanger by the door. "What is it?"

"I...you...is it-" she was cut off by the insistent ring of the phone.

Wufei watched as she motioned for him to answer it with a shaky laugh. Disconcerted he stalked to the kitchen and picked up the phone. He had been so sure that he had reached-

"It's been awhile hasn't it Chang."

He stiffened at the voice. "It has been Yuy."

He looked up seeing Amaterasu watching him 'Are you OK?' She mouthed to him. 'It's Heero.' He replied back silently; Amaterasu's entire face went ashen and pale. He turned his attention back to the phone, agreeing quietly with Heero's words. Slowly he hung up the phone when Heero finished talking.

"What did Heero call for?" Amaterasu asked softly as she walked up to him and rested a hand on Wufei's shoulder.

His hand held hers unconsciously as he stared at the counter. "He wants to talk. We're going to Japan for a bit."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
7:45 p.m.; Tokyo, Japan

Heero walked into the restaurant, taking his usual table in the back with Quatre and Hilde in tow.

"Do you think he'll show?" Hilde asked as she took a seat beside Heero.

"Wufei will show up. He couldn't do otherwise." Heero replied in a tranquil voice.

"And how right you are Heero-sama." Quatre said dryly. "Here he is right on time."

Heero looked up to see Wufei come walking in with a brunette and a familiar figure behind him. 'So you did go back to your other half Amaterasu.' He remained silent and stayed seated even as Wufei walked up and took the seat in front of him.

"You wanted to talk Yuy." Wufei stated baldly.

"When to end it all." he clasped his hand, resting his mouth against them for a minute. "If I recall correctly you did have a bad habit of balking when it came to finishing things."

Wufei made a sound, clearly repressing the retort he had wanted to say. "And you were always the impudent rash one." he paused for a minute, thinking over something. "End it where it all began. A fitting tragic end, isn't is?"

"Hai." Heero gave a nod, regarding Amaterasu for a moment. "Then it is decided. We'll meet there in twenty four hours and end it all."

Wufei gave a curt nod of his head and rose. "Try to remember where Yuy. If I recall correctly, you also had a bad memory."

Heero watched as Wufei walked out of the restaurant before he closed his eyes in acceptance.

"That's it? Hell I was expecting more from this; what was the point in having him fly over for a two minute conversation?" Hilde demanded. "You could have just called him on the phone ya know!"

Heero shook his head. "It wouldn't be the same as talking to him face to face."

"Oh, so you could see what he really meant right?" Quatre said.

"No. He meant every word that he uttered." Heero paused. "You two don't understand because you weren't there. But she did; she understood the entire conversation."

"She?" Hilde looked puzzled. "Oh, you mean that girl don't you? What could she possibly know about what's gonna happen besides you and Wufei?"

Heero remained silent, mind pensive. 'Everything and nothing Hilde; in a way she may be what makes or breaks this whole thing.'

Jasmine: And there's the end of chpater 6. Can't believe that Furor actuallt managed to get it doen and-
Duo: I got some!! Yeah man!! *bounces away happily*
Princess: O.o Oooookkkkkaaaay. Duo's happy that he got some and we have to deal with these two idiots now *points towards Furor and peridot who are lying in hospital beds in body casts* You two just wouldn't listen would ya?
Peridot: OI!! I can still hear you you know!!
Furor: Cripes onna, can't you shut up?!
Wufei: Hear hear. *pauses for a minute* Did I just agree with an onna?
Jasmine: Yes you did Wu-man. *snickers*
Wufei: *indignant look on face* It's Wufei. I'm going to kill Maxwell for starting this
Peridot: He's happy for once Wu-man. Leave him alone would ya; or I may have to hurt you.
Wufei: Weak onna; you're in a body cast. You can't do a thing!!
Peridot: I'll kick uyour ass man; I kicked hers and I'll kick yours!!
OI!! Baita!!! Don't you dare touch my Wuffie!!
Wufei: Onna, I am not your-
Furor: Shut up Wuffie. I'l deal with her. This is the last time I put up with this!!
Peridot: Oh, I'm soooooooooo gonna kick your ass. You couldn't even defend a weak ass fly.
Wufei: OI!! You can't insult her; that is my task!!
Jasmine: Oh....*sidels up to Wufei* And you're defending her because?
Wufei: *face goes bright red* You're as bad as Maxwell onna.
Jasmine: Why, thank you.
Wufei: *mutters* That wasn't a compliment. Nataku, they're actually fighting!! How can you do that in a bodycast?!?
Princess: Man those two are so fucked up it's not funny. *sighs and shakes head*