CHAPTER 15- THE PAST

A familiar figure drove down the highway with the top down on his black mustang convertible. A memorable silver cross dangled in the wind as it struck over his shoulder, following the long chestnut colored braid that was fluttering in the wind. He wore black jeans with a white shirt, and a black leather jacket over the slightly baggy attire. A distinct song was heard from the stereo system playing an older song of the 2000's.

From the top to the bottom Bottom to top I stop At the core I've forgotten In the middle of my thoughts Taken far from my safety The pictures there The memory won't escape me But why should I care..

There's a place so dark you can't see the end Skies cock back and shock that which can't defend The rain then sends dripping an acidic question Forcefully, the power of suggestion Then with the eyes tightly shut looking through the rust and rot And Dust a spot light floods the floor And pours over the rusted world of pretend The eyes ease open and it's dark again..

In the memory you'll find me Eyes burning up The darkness holding me tightly Until the sun rises up

Moving all around screaming of the ups and downs Pollution manifested in perpetual sound The wheels go 'round and the sunset creeps past the Street lamps, chain-link and concrete A little piece of paper with a picture drawn floats On down the street till the wind is gone The memory now is like the picture was then When the paper's crumpled up it can't be perfect again..

Now you got me caught in the act You bring the thought back I'm telling you that I see it right through you

Now he remembered why he was driving down this road once again, past the oceans waves. It was to go visit an old friend, who he had not truly seen for three months. Today was the three months anniversary of the brake in at the base. Three months since Elizabeth's death. He had gotten the pictures developed of himself and the young girl soon after the incident. One such picture was taped onto the dash of his car, where he could see it often. Duo had become much quieter since the loss of the one he loved. Very quiet and isolated; always traveling at night, usually found looking up at the moon, or watching the sunset by himself. They had not truly found the body of Elizabeth, so it had been an informal funeral. Either she had been incinerated, or some how; survived the explosions. That was highly doubted, and she was assumed dead. He looked down to the flowers that were blowing slightly in the wind on the leather passenger seat next to him. Heero had become a little more open over the time, and had actually tried to comfort him. It was probably because of Ann. Those two had become very close over the time period. It made him slightly smile thinking about the perfect soldier actually talking more, like normal. Smiling was something he normally didn't do nowadays. The known perky pilot had almost seemed as if he'd disappeared from existence. All the cocky jokes, Wufei tormenter, Heero annoyance, and Trowa irritation, with the occasional Quatre trick, was unusual now. Those days seemed so far behind him, in the sands of time. But were they really ready to be forgotten?

The next song came on; another older one, but had a meaning to him;

I woke up in a dream today To the cold of the static and put my cold feet on the floor Forgot all about yesterday Remembering I'm pretending to be where I'm not anymore A little taste of hypocrisy And I'm left in the wake of the mistake slow to react Even though you're still so distant and I can't bring you back

It's true the way I feel Was promised by your face The sound of your voice Painted on my memories Even if you're not with me I'm with you

You now I see keeping everything inside.. You now see even when I close my eyes..

I hit you and you hit me back We fall to the floor the rest of the day stands still Fine line between this and that When things go wrong I pretend the past isn't real Now I'm trapped in this memory And I'm left in the wake of the mistake slow to react Even though you're close to me You're still so distant and I can't bring you back..

No No matter how far we've come I can't wait to see tomorrow.. With you..

Again I thought back to the time we spent together, why did it have to be this way? She was too much of a free spirit. Dieing so early in her life wasn't right. I should have been the one left there, she should have had a chance to leave; as well as live. But no, she had to be stubborn about it, she had to leave me in the suffering pain that I always have lived in. But now, without her, I feel an even deeper pain. I guess it shows a little too much now, but people get use to you. Adjusting is just part of humanity. Loud to quiet, mean to nice, perfect soldier to.. normal? Well, that's a different story. It still makes me laugh. So, what do I do from here? It's so hard to understand why fate is, damnit.

The next song continued..

Crawling in my skin Consuming all I feel Fear is how I fall Confusing what is real

There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface Consuming confusing This lack of self-control I fear is never-ending Controlling I can't seem

To find myself again My walls are closing in [Without a sense of confidence and I'm convinced That there's just too much pressure to take] I've felt this way before So insecure..

Discomfort, endlessly has pulled itself upon me Distraction reacting Against my will I stand beside my own reflection It's haunting how I can't seem..

It's true; I have always had that fear inside me, always haunting me. It's only a matter of time before it gets me; but first it toys with the ones I love, the Shinigami part of my sole. Always there, and always will be. Why? Don't ask me, I'm just the unlucky sole, if that's what you'll call me, that got suck with it. Lots of pain you say? You don't know half of my hell. No one does. No one knows my own little hell I live in, every passing day. And with each day, the hell grows longer and more tormenting. But that's my life for yah, the low life of Duo Maxwell; Shinigami..

The car pulled up through the huge gates of the Darine Cemetery. It was right next to the ocean, having the sunset lowered on the grounds of the dead and gone. Duo had picked a place up on a hill, next to a tree to put the gravestone. It overlooked the ocean, and had the best view of the sunset. He thought back to the first week after the annihilation of the base. He would come here every night and watch the last bit of the sun fade in the west. He wouldn't come home till early morning, eyes blood shot, and cheeks tear stained. Sometimes he would sneak in, considering the gates were locked at night, always bringing at least one rose. Other times, he would scream and shout, showing his anger that couldn't be held in. It was sorrow that brought this upon him. But now he was quite quiet, despite his appearance of the earlier days. The black outfit he wore at the moment, with his occasional black hat and sunglasses, which such he had on now. Finding a parking space, he quickly spotted the pursian blue motorcycles; his best friends, Heero and Ann had obviously not forgotten. Slowly he got out of the car, shutting the door with a quick swipe, and went over to the passengers side and picked up the bouquet of roses; careful not to forget to place a kiss on the smiling picture of Elizabeth. He smiled back with slight tears and pain in his eyes; but he held it as he walked towards the graves.

Walking up towards the sight of the supposed resting people, Duo glanced around, noticing all the other people slowly walking among the graves; some carrying flowers, others small gifts to give to there lost ones. Venturing closer to the familiar green hill sight, he spotted five people talking amongst themselves. Wufei, Quatre, and Trowa had also come to visit the young girl respect. As he drew near, it became quiet among the murmuring few. Quatre gave a slight warm smile towards Duo as he walked up; he returned it the best he could. "Hey guys," he greeted, putting on his mask, trying his best to be happy. Each one answered back with a warm smile. As he looked to each, he noticed they all carried one rose, blood red, Elizabeth's favorite. She had told him that while they sat in that last tree before taking on their last fight. It brought back worse memories, but also comfort. *Guess they picked up on that* he thought back to all the other times he brought blood red. But now for some reason he was carrying pure white roses. It hadn't really occurred to him why he had picked the chaste color; for some reason today he felt a little different. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. It just felt as if something where different today. He slowly made his way up to the grave, the others staying behind to let him pay his respects. The hike up the hill wasn't that steep, but his feet felt like lead, trudging up with each step he took. As he approached the tree that shaded the stone during the day, and sheltered during night, someone else was there. "What the?" he questioned as he came closer. He studied the figures clothes that concealed the true identity. It looked semi-feminine with the slender figure. He assumed it was a she; a familiar dark braid hung down behind her a little longer then her lower back. She wore a long black overcoat with black dress shirt and pants. Shiny black boots accompanied them with a black hat in one hand. In the other hand was a garland of black roses. "Black roses?" Duo questioned to himself, "huh?" He looked up to see the figure turn towards him. The hat was replaced back on her head, along with sunglasses that shined the day twice back. She smiled to him as she made her way down the hill towards him. Brushing past, a faint sent of blood red roses aroused with the breeze. "Hey Duo," came a soft voice as the gleam of a slight smile came from under the shadow of the hat. She walked the rest of the way down, through the group waiting at the bottom of the hill. They watched her pass; then looked back up to him. He was surprised; eyes slightly wider, then a small smile crossed his face. He placed the white bouquet down, intermingled with the black ones. The two aromas filled the air as he stood up and looked out towards the ocean. *I wonder who that was.. Will I ever know.. Maybe I should follow.. Nah, a little mystery in this world would be interesting* he thought as the ocean breezed pick up, weaving the sweet aroma of the flowers with the salt air. Flower petals were picked up in the wind as it passed by, also weaving the leaves of the trees. An old saying Heero once learned and repeated trailed off into the distance sound of nature, "Do as your heart tells you.."

A/N: Man, this is the last chapter of this story. The first one I actually finished. Wow, kind of sucks. I'll really miss this one. Okay, well, I've considered making a sequel if I get enough reviews, at least 10. Find out maybe who this mysterious character is. But I want your opinion. Should it mix with fantasy, sci-fi, stay this normal way.. or another suggestion? Please, they will all be welcomed and very appreciated, that is, if you want a sequel. Oh, and the Linkin Park songs are not owned by me. So, as of this story, a last goodbye! -Darken Angel