ANGEL'S FIRE

C H A P T E R * T H R E E

By Stargirl

Hey everyone! I actually got the third chapter done!! I don't know how much I would have persisted with this story if I didn't know how many people wished to read it so this is for all of you who have encouraged me; many thanks! :) Please continue to send your thoughts. Suggestions and ideas are welcome. BTW, I'm working on a drawing for this story. Will link to it once I'm done. ^_^ Note: there's a good chance I'll revise this within the week. Hoping you enjoy chapter three! Hugs Star

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Her scream locked in her throat, blood rushing through every pathway until she was dizzy. If only someone would help her… Her bitterly tearing eyes darted around, anger and frustration rumbling in her like the overcast sky. People conversed on the sidewalks, passing her by, horns honked stubbornly---They didn't see her. Even if they did know what was happening to her, she wondered if anyone would actually do anything about it.

Her eyes snapped shut, fear leaking through her as hot breath tickled her neck. "If you don't mind, Mina, someone would like to see you."

Her mind whirled as she sucked in a steadying breath. This man didn't know her, just "of" her. A lackey. But that didn't matter. He called her Mina. Her plan had worked; they believed her to be dead. She hadn't thought of them still going after Mina! If this man brought her in, it wouldn't take long until one of them realized her true identity.

But… there was still a chance they wouldn't find out she was still alive if she could escape. Her gaze flung around, weighing the chances that he'd actually shoot her in public. Her eyes clutched in pain and sorrow. She didn't even think she cared anymore. Anger burned in her over her friends' deaths and her own helplessness. She lashed out at the man behind her, pummeling her elbow into his stomach. He grunted, gasping for breath as he stumbled back. And she ran.

It was natural to run. A need imbedded inside her, grasping her will and twisting it into submission until running was her instinct.

Her nerves frayed as she darted past people and around cars, not even hearing the angry shouts and horns that sounded in her wake. Where could she hide? She cast her frantic gaze over the looming buildings. Every second she wasted threatened her being spotted before she could hide. With the fear spurring her on she slipped into a café.

She stared self-consciously at the people sipping their coffee or reading the newspaper in the calm aqua atmosphere. It was as if she entered an alien land. A man glanced over the newspaper he held up at the bells that rang when she opened the door. She ducked her face and scurried to a seat in the back.

Her fingers tapped on the smooth wooden table as she tucked her other arm around her. Pain exploded in her shoulder as her wound pulled open and she cringed, imaging the puss and blood of her wound sticking her skin to her shirt, slowly tearing. A hand rested on her shoulder and she jumped.

Her gaze swung and met a girl with mousy brown hair and petite figure. An apron with the café's name was wrapped around her short-clad legs. Serena took a steadying breath, unable to help the flush on her cheeks at the girl's odd look behind the friendly smile. "Can I take your order?"

Serena's stomach ached and growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since lunch the other day. And even then, she hadn't been able to eat much with her worry over her friends. It had only been Mina who insisted she did. Now she wished she had eaten more. She slipped her hand into her Jean's pocket and fingered the few dollars. She didn't have enough for food. She cast a despondent gaze to the waitress and tried to smile. "I'll just have a capochino."

She sighed as the waitress left, sitting stiffly for the next few moments, arms hugging her borrowed jacket closer. When the steaming mug was placed in front of her, she tried to make it last, sipping it and then placing it in front of her for a moment, staring into oblivion before taking another sip. The warm creamy drink cooled, becoming less appealing to her, but still she sipped, too afraid to leave.

A little while later, one of the waitresses turned on some music, and peppy instrumentals ran softly from an unseen speaker. Serena closed her eyes, her muscles loosening with the calm strains of music. She bit her lip, over-aware that her drink had been done for almost ten minutes and of the looks the gangly manager cast her. Maybe it would be safe to leave? It had been almost half an hour.

Collecting a reassuring breath she stood up, peering past her curtain of blonde hair for any threat in her surroundings. She pressed her hands against the cold glass door. Bracing herself, she opened it, letting the bell on the door jingle as she let it close behind her. It seemed colder then before, the air like ice against her face. She forced to keep slow breaths as she studied the streets. The only thing threatening she could find was that of the darkening clouds above.

Her shoulders relaxed and she started walking down the street. There was no place she could hurry to so she settled for wandering, content that at least for the moment she was safe. She tucked her arms around her, breathing in the air. It was fresh and damp, a sign of the oncoming rain. She needed a shelter. It was cold enough out but she would freeze if she were wet. She had no home she could scurry to when soaking. No warm clothes to change into or a fireplace to coze by. Even if she did, her worries wouldn't leave her and the numbness would persist. She sighed before recalling in her longing picture of home a cat to snuggle with. Her eyes widened. Her kitty, Star, was staying with Luna. It would be wonderful to see the black cat again. It seemed to be her only friend not dead.

It would mean she would have to face Luna though. She clenched her teeth. The woman had good intentions; maybe she was putting too much to blame on her? Going to her surely seemed better then wandering the streets in the rain until she died of hypothermia or was taken by her pursuers.

The more she thought of it, the more she wished to hear Luna's commanding voice. She wanted someone else to take over, to make the decisions. She was far too tired to do so. Almost too tired to care.

She headed to the next phone she saw, shuffling in her pockets for a few coins that she slipped into the slots. Pursing her lips, she dialed the number.

"Hello?" said a strong voice.

Serena sighed. "Luna? It's me. I need you to come and get me."

There was a moment of silence at the other end and Serena held her breath. "Where are you," Luna said.

Of course the woman wouldn't show surprise of her being alive, Serena thought before answering the woman. "The Northern City," she glanced at a street sign, "Atlantic Street."

The dial toned hummed. Well what did she expect? A frantic woman spurting reliefs at her being alive? Shaking her head at her own stupidity she hung up the phone. The woman cared about her being alive, more then she could understand why. The woman's attempts to protect her were unnerving at times. It just wasn't her nature to be frantic or out-spoken about it.

A thick hand clasped over her shoulder. Serena gasped, the man spinning her around and grinning down at her in triumph.

Her knees weakened, mind and body numb to do anything as he grabbed her and pulled her down the nearest alley and down back roads. Serena's heartbeat thundered in her throat as she swallowed. She stumbled by his side, hands fumbling for her gun as the man was distracted to the task of dragging her along.

Her fingered trembled as she raised the gun. Before she could close on the trigger, the man whipped her against the brick wall. "Now Missy, we're going to take a little ride—"

Her eyes stared at him, stretched open to their limits as her chest heaved. The man's gaze slowly turned to the object that clattered to the ground. He picked it up and stared back at her with a laugh. Not bothering to continue what he was saying, he grabbed her arm and pulled her through a large beige cement building.

Serena could almost see her skin tearing around her wound, and she bit her lip with a sharp cry at the pain that burned below her shoulder, sending a light dizzying sensation through her entire body and wielding the power to clutch her breath. She blinked back the tears as he pulled her along, finally seeing that they were on one of the floors of an inside parking lot. Cars gleamed of all colors, lining down the vast area, gaps stretching in large areas. Shadows hung in all directions, only loosing its power where random lights were placed on the ceiling, their dusty yellow claiming their turf.

The man was herding her straight across the parking lot as the cars seemed to group on one end. Barely thinking it through, she ducked and twisted herself free of his grasp. Though startled, he immediately leapt toward the direction of the door forcing her to shrink back from her sprint.

She stepped back as he inched closer, and dread reared inside her. He was too strong and quick for her to run. She breathed in deeply as the sound of pattering ran and found herself without a choice. She stared at the man, clear blue eyes showing fear of not him… but of something else. Something of her own doing. She calmed her breathing and turned her mind within herself, lips thinning. She could feel the power inside her, almost see it aflame, beckoning to be used. Her nerves tingled throughout her body, heat scorching her chest as she called for the power, it seeming to eagerly erupt and flow down her arms and to the tips of her fingers.

She stared at the man through frozen blue eyes, lifting her arm towards him. A symbol burned on her forehead, a glimpse of golden light blinking in her sight. But she paid it, and the onslaught of memories, no heed.

As good as pressing the trigger of a gun, the current of power, seen as silver light rippling the air, shot to the gaping man.

Serena blinked, her heart pounding in her ears, head thick and numb.

So cold. The heat of her power withered away, the icy wave encompassing her like frigid waves flooding through a ghost-like town. A tear crept down her cheek, eyes still fixed before her and her hand still lifted in defense.

She sank to the ground and curled up against one of the pillars stationed throughout the parking lot, body shivering as she sobbed into her arms. The man lay unconscious on the cool cement floor. Her heartbeat still echoed in her throat.

A sleek white car drove in from the entrance, swerving to a stop and parking despite its odd angle. The car door clicked open and slammed shut, the sound of heels resounded loudly in the building as they headed towards her at a steady pace. Serena didn't look to the person, knowing who it was. She trained her eyes on the unmoving body.

The woman who arrived, decked in an elegant dress suit and graying black hair pulled tightly into a French Twist, glanced at the shaking girl before training a gun to the unconscious form.

Serena's body spasmed more, but she managed to speak through her trembled lip. "Don't!" she cried, shaking her head while squeezing her eyes against the tears. "Please, Luna. Don't kill him."

The woman's calm gray-blue eyes turned to her. She shook her head with a sigh as she lowered her arm. "You do realize that when he wakes up, he'll realize who you really are."

"Yes," answered the girl's small voice. "Just don't kill him."

Luna nodded. "I'll oblige your request. But we must leave." She walked to Serena, standing over the girl's form. "You're weakened and need care," she added in a matter-of-fact tone.

Serena rose onto her feet and let Luna lead her away without another word.

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Luna stood in the cold room, back poised as always and her face set sternly. But for once she was unnerved.

The young man before her, eighteen or nineteen, stared at her with indigo eyes that didn't hide feelings that were inside like many soldiers'… just seemed to tell that there wasn't anything there at all. He was the type who didn't need sunglasses to look emotionless and dangerous. His eyes dismissed her merit and he turned back to his sleek laptop, spiky lengths of brown hair shadowing his eyes as he typed with the ease of an android trained to do but nothing else. But this boy was trained for many other things, Luna acknowledged. And right now he was the best chance to keep Serena safe.

He expected her to leave but she walked forward, hands clasped before her. "I must insist that you take this Assignment, Heero Yuy. I will make it far worth your while, I promise you. I understand you've done a few odd jobs since you were a Gundam Pilot. I know what they paid and it is little compared to what I will give you. It's imperative that this girl be protected."

Heero stopped typing and threw her a chilling stare. "I don't baby-sit."

"I'm not asking you to."

He kept silent for straining moments and she found her nerves fraying, an odd and uncomfortable occurrence to her.

"For how long?"

She suppressed a relieved sigh. "For as long as needed."

He rose smoothly, standing just as straight as she did with a visage even more passive and voice the unnerving monotone. "I accept the mission."

She slipped him a card that she had written their current address on. "We're staying in a penthouse on short notice. Be there in the hour. I will not be there but the girl will be expecting you."

"Hmn." He took it and turned away from her, returning to his laptop.

Luna gave a weary sigh as she slipped out of the hotel room. One of her connections had found he was staying there, conveniently in the neighboring city. She had her doubts whether he'd accept her proposal, but he did without much trouble. She feared that wouldn't be the case with Serena.

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"No," Serena responded immediately, her head shaking.

Luna rubbed her temples, hunched over the clean table, a position she would never have allowed herself had it been any other person. "Serena, please understand—"

"I do," she snapped. "But I will not allow any more protectors." She lifted her chin, eyes set in stone. It was rare of her to be so determined. But this time the pain was too raw. She looked away, hands curling into fists. Her voice, though still firm, softened with hurt. "How many more must die for me? They became my 'friends,' Luna." She threw her a wrenching gaze before looking back down with a sigh. "They were my friends."

Luna's reddened lips pursed together. "Nevertheless, you cannot refuse protection. You are hurting, I understand, but think of this; do you wish their deaths to be in vain?"

Serena stared searchingly at the table, slightly caught but still withdrawn in her pain. She didn't look up as Luna rose from her seat, towering over her. "Heero Yuy will be here shortly. I will contact you as soon as possible. Do understand, Serena." The woman waited for a response, but after a moment of silence she sighed and walked away.

Serena's eyes burned into the table. Luna was the one who couldn't understand. Serena couldn't be held responsible for any more deaths, or surely she would loose herself to the emptiness within, never to return to a semblance of life. She tucked her fingers into fists. There was only one thought in her mind. She would turn Heero Yuy away.

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