Chapter 14
An hour later, Quatre and the others stood by the bed of Shinigami and Killashandra. The two sleeping children were wrapped together, with Shinigami holding tightly to the little girl he seemed obsessed about protecting. Sally had given the injection only moments ago, and now they were waiting for a five and four-year-old to answer a mystery that could mean their lives.
Quatre watched Killashandra struggle to open her eyes, shifting in place for a few moments before a small line of green shone through her lashes. Yawning silently, she stretched, and then curled back into Shinigami, not even acknowledging their presence.
After nearly a minute, Killashandra sat up, still no emotion on her face, and gently nudged Shinigami; nothing happened. Still no expression on her face, she nudged him again; and again there was no response.
Suddenly a feeling of pure terror crossed his senses, and Quatre felt the emotion as if it were his own. Clutching his heart, he looked down and then back up, his eyes meeting green ones that had not changed physically, but his talent knew was only a mask of her terror. Her eyes held an almost pleading look that would have begged him to help her if they'd really looked any different at all. Her expression of terror wasn't a physical dance across her face; no, instead it was an empathic assault against his senses. He knew instantly that she was the one that had been calling him; her mental voice the one that had assaulted his dreams.
Gasping for breath but ignoring Trowa's desperate questions, he slowly moved his hand to rest reassuringly on her small face.
At first she did nothing but simply stared at him, pathing more desperation than any child should. Then, slowly, she dropped her eyes, letting them close nearly all the way, looking at him through her lashes.
He felt Trowa behind him--two strong arms on his shoulders--but he didn't respond; he had to reassure Killashandra first. In a soft voice, he spoke to her, not bothered when she didn't open her eyes; he knew she was listening.
"Killashandra, it's alright you're safe here. So is Shinigami. You're at my home, and right now you're in the hospital-a place where people go when they don't feel good. You and Shinigami were hurt from the fire, and so my friends and I brought you here to rest and get better. I know you don't talk, and that's ok you don't have to; just listen.
"Shinigami is fine; he's still sleeping, but he's been taking very good care of you--very, very good care of you. All the time you were sleeping, he kept you safe and warm the whole time. He's going to wake up in just a little while. He got some bruises.and he's been sleeping so he can get better. But don't be afraid, he's going to be just fine; we're just waiting for him to wake up."
He watched her open her eyes, making eye contact with him. Her face was impassive as always, and her eyes-though not dead like before-were like glass--see-through into nothingness.
With a start, Shinigami awoke. Eyes blinking open and staying open, he seemed to regard the ceiling for a moment. But Killashandra had felt his slight jerk, and she looked down at him before dropping her frame to rest against his lightly. She wrapped her hand around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.
Shinigami wasted no time, however. Almost before they knew what was going on, Shinigami was sitting up and pulling Killashandra up as well. He pushed her to arm's length roughly, and then to their total amazement, began to look her over.
When the children had first arrived, they'd been redressed in hospital attire, but now their still unclean bodies were clothed in plain white pajama bottoms and tee-shirts. Shinigami lifted the tee-shirt off Killashandra, running his small hands over her porcelain and paper thin skin. He forcefully turned her around and then searched her back the same way. When he seemed satisfied that she was not injured on top, he helped her with her shirt.
"Lift your arms." And the little girl complied, raising her arms high, while Shinigami slipped the sleeves over her arms and then tugged the fabric back over her body.
"Give me your leg." He tugged her right leg, and without hesitation she produced it for him, resting her foot on his thigh. Shinigami peeled the cloth back from her leg, and then brutally twisted it to look at the underside; Killashandra did nothing.
Throughout the examination, she remained quiet, her facial expressions not changing from the impassivity she'd held upon leaving Quatre's light touch. Occasionally her eyes would make eye contact with Shinigami's, but then he would move her in some direction or other, and she'd move with her body, leaving the look behind.
When he seemed satisfied that Killishandra was not injured, he pushed her to sit next to him and then began to look at himself. He raised his arms in front of him, turning them one way or another, before settling them and twisting his body. He seemed to pause in a few places, but after taking a quick glance at Killashandra-who was again looking at him-he continued to move another way.
When he again seemed satisfied with his own health, he turned to Killashandra on the bed and just looked at her. No words were spoken, but the pilots watched in stunned fascination as the boy nodded his head every now and then, seeming to talk back and forth with his small friend.
Quatre stole a glance away from the two children and looked at his own friends. Heero was watching the children in a sort of silent confusion; it was obvious that the perfect soldier had no idea what the children were doing. Like Heero, Duo seemed confused as well, but at the same time, he watched the boy with a curious look of pity and worry. Wufei looked as if he thought them both insane and was wondering when they were going to stop this crazy display and get some answers. Turning his head, Quatre looked up and saw Trowa. His lover held a look that spoke of sadness and fear--as if Trowa could understand the confusion that Quatre now saw in the little boy's eyes.
"You're Quatre." It was a statement, not a question and Quatre regarded the boy for a moment before answering with a nod; the boy's voice was still authoritative.
"Where are we?"
"You're at the Preventer Earth Headquarters--my home. Right now you're in the hospital, getting better." Quatre watched as the boy turned from him to look back at the girl, before nodding once to her and then turning back to him expectantly. Quatre continued, "You've been asleep for the last five days. That's how long ago I came and got you from that room."
Shinigami looked to the girl again and after a moment looked back at him and nodded. "We remember."
The 'we' struck Quatre funny, but he decided to dismiss it for now, hoping instead to ease the tension he saw in Shinigami's eyes.
"When the other pilots and I took you away from that room, we also got some other information. Can you tell me--is your name Shinigami?"
For a second, the boy looked almost scared, and then he turned quickly to face Killashandra. They seemed to 'talk' for a moment before Shinigami shook his head at her. Some more time passed, and then finally the boy sighed and looked back at Quatre.
"Shingam, Sh-ing-am. Don't call me Shinigami." His eyes held a note of danger should they disobey, so Quatre only nodded his head. The boy did not want to be known as Death.
"Alright, Shingam, I have another question; is this Killashandra?"
The boy shook his head vehemently. "Her name is Killa, Kee-la, but that's what I call her; I'll tell you what you can call her later. Don't talk to her." Again a note of violence was in his voice, and Quatre wondered if this boy really wouldn't hurt him if he disobeyed.
"Ok, Shingam, but we really should call her something. What if I need to ask her a question?"
"You won't. Killa doesn't talk. She won't talk to you."
On the battlefield, he'd been considered the greatest strategist among them, and now was no different.
"How about this--if I need to talk to her, I'll ask her a question using 'Killashandra', and then look at you for the answer. That way no one will get confused as to whom I'm referring." He knew the gamble was risky, but he also hoped he had more advanced skills than a five-year-old. It seemed this time he did.
"Fine."
Shingam looked to the girl and then again, they seemed to be talking without words to each other. This whole time, none of the others had said a word, and Quatre was getting a little nervous by their silence.
Looking up, Shingam addressed him. "We need a place to stay."
For a moment Quatre was confused, and then he understood that the children didn't know they were going to stay with him; he told them so. "Actually, you'll be staying with me for a while. They're getting a room set up for the both of you right now."
Nodding his head, Shingam approved of the response.
Quatre looked over at Killashandra and made eye contact with her again, her eyes quiet. "Is that ok with you, Killashandra, to stay with me?"
Suddenly Shingam was standing on the bed, a stony look in his eyes. "Killa's my responsibility, and I already said we'd stay with you for now. Killa needs a place to sleep, so we'll stay, but I'll take care of her, not you. She's my responsibility, not yours." And then he sat down and pulled Killashandra to him, wrapping his arms around her own and holding her tightly from behind.
Stunned, Quatre only nodded his head, while silence fell harshly across the room.
The sound of Duo's voice cutting through the quiet caused Quatre to look at him.
"So Shingam, you and your girlfriend like ice cream?"
Two pairs of eyes, once only looking at Duo because he'd spoken, now looked at him with interest. They looked away for a moment, at each other, and then back at Duo. Shingam answered. "What kind?"
A sparkle danced in Duo's eyes and for a quick second. Quatre was worried but he shouldn't have been.
"What kind do you kids like?"
The boy shrugged. "Don't know what it's called, but it's white. That's the kind Killa likes."
"VANILLA! That's crazy! How boring is that?!"
Shingam gave him a look, and for a moment, Duo seemed to pause in confusion before brushing it aside and continuing on his tirade. "I'll tell you both what--I'll get you ten different kinds of ice cream to try. That way, you guys can find something better than plain old vanilla. Geesh, I can't believe you like vanilla."
"We only got it once."
"Got what, Vanilla?"
"Ice cream."
Duo's jester face faltered--to think that children could have only tasted ice cream once in their entire lives; it was too sad for words. Quatre felt his heart go out to them. So hurt and lost, he knew he had to protect them. The children and Trowa--they were his new family--blood meant nothing, and he'd care for them with his dying breath.
Recovering, Duo tried another tactic. "Well we can't have that, now can we? You two are too skinny as it is. We need to fatten you both up! So here's the deal--you do me a favor, and I'll get you all the ice cream you can eat! I won't even let Quatre and his sense of nutrition ruin it for you." Duo smiled at him, offering a wink of good humor.
But Shingam didn't seem to get the joke. At the mention of a deal, he'd instantly tensed, his small body going rigid, and he clasped his arms more tightly around the girl. "What deal?"
"Uh? Oh yeah, it's really simple. I get the ice cream, and the two of you take a bath. How's that for simple?"
Quatre closed his eyes. This wasn't going to work. How could Duo think to make them wheel and deal at a time like this, when they were trying so hard just to get the children to trust them? He wanted to reach out his hand and strangle his best friend. Duo no Baka!
"Ok."
Turing quickly around, Quatre looked in amazement at the boy on the bed. Had he really agreed to Duo's terms--and so readily as well? Had he read the boy wrong?
"Yeah? Hey, cool! Ok, here's what we'll do. Shingam you come with me, and Killa, you go with Sally. We'll me-"
"NO!"
Startled, the group of pilots turned to the boy, who had once again used a voice with far too much authority. His face showed anger, but Quatre could see the underlying fear that rested behind those eyes.
But it was Heero that understood that fear. "Shingam," he said and paused until the gray eyes fell upon him, "Killashandra will not be separated from you. However, you both must bathe. Will it be acceptable for us to be with Killashandra as she bathes?"
Shingam looked at Heero for a moment, sizing him up it seemed. He looked to Killashandra and then back to Heero, a softer more relaxed expression on his face.
"I can bathe myself. Trowa can bathe Killashandra."
Once again stunned, Quatre looked up at Trowa, as did the other pilots. As far as they knew, the boy did not know any of their names besides Quatre's, and that was only because Quatre had introduced himself. Trowa had told the small girl his name, but she didn't talk. How would Shingam know his name? He watched Trowa regard the boy for a moment before shifting his eyes to the small, white-haired girl who sat next to him. Then he nodded, and Shingam seemed to relax even further.
"Great! Now that that's settled, Wufei, you go get the ice cream, and the dirt on the two of you gets a one way ticket to Sewersville." Leaning in, Duo whispered to Shingam. "I've heard it's not the greatest town, but who knows, maybe the dirt will like it there?" He winked and a real and true smirk appeared on Shingam's face.
Like the efficient team they were, the pilots broke up. Duo lifted Shingam into his arms and waited by the bed for Trowa to do the same for Killashandra. Quatre watched as the girl lay quietly against Trowa's shoulder and tracked Shingam lazily with her eyes, unafraid.
For a brief second, Killashandra turned to Quatre, eyes meeting, then she turned away and looked back to Shingam. Quatre wasn't sure, but he'd felt something in her look--a sense that he couldn't place, but one that felt a lot like reassured uncertainty. He turned quickly to Sally. "I'm sure they'll be fine. They'll stay in the extra room we have. Trowa had someone clear it out while I was sleeping; he knew I'd want the children to stay close to me." Quatre smiled sheepishly and then moved to follow his friends out of the room.
Together they walked down the hallway and took the lift. Quatre watched silently as Shingam reached over Heero-who stood between Duo and Trowa-to touch Killashandra's bare foot. The boy's expression was unreadable.
They stepped off on their floor and moved to Duo and Heero's rooms. When the pilots had first moved in, the five rooms had been identical. One large room that would be the living room, one bedroom with a bath, and a separate room that could be used as a den or study.
Over the years, the rooms had been changed and expanded. Once a hallway that had consisted of five apartments, it now had two large ones and one small one-which was empty, Wufei having moved into Sally's quarters long ago. The two larger apartments had been formed when the two couples had torn down the walls on either side, making what once was four separate spaces into two homes.
Beyond that, the rooms had changed drastically. Quatre and Trowa's rooms had been carpeted in white and the bathroom given a complete makeover. No longer were there sterile white walls, but paintings that Quatre had purchased for Trowa's pleasure over the years. Quatre had decorated their home mostly for Trowa, allowing his quiet partner to pick and choose what he'd liked, only offering his opinion when asked. He'd once told Trowa that the bedroom they slept in had originally been Trowa's, so he should get to decorate it however way he wanted. When Trowa had argued that the only reason they'd chosen his room was because it was on the opposite side of Heero and Duo's bedroom, Quatre had only shrugged his shoulders. "Fine, then do it just because I want you to." Trowa couldn't argue with that.
In the same way, Duo and Heero's rooms had been redecorated. Once the wall between them came down, Heero had kept his own rooms separate, needing a space to call his own. However, their bedroom was another thing. Duo had decorated it in a wild fashion. Crazy and bold colors shouted from every direction. Likewise the bathroom had been treated the same way, decorated in not one single color that could be considered 'mute.'
But they were using Duo and Heero's room for a different reason besides the décor, the bathtub. When the bathroom had been remodeled, Duo had insisted that there be a bathtub, and not a small one either; this was something designed for two grown men; Duo-at that time only eighteen-had planned ahead.
They walked through the bedroom, Shingam's eyes furrowing at the colors that surrounded them. His small expression only become more disturbed as they entered the bathroom and fell upon the hunter green bathtub. Quatre remembered that his expression had been the same the first time he'd seen the tub. Duo had quickly set him straight. "Quatre, don't look so sick. Do you have any idea what kind of a sexual stimulant green is? Let me tell you, I'm gonna get more in that bathtub then I ever will in bed!" Quatre had never asked if he'd been right and only noticed the tired way both lovers had handled themselves after its installation. He'd immediately gone out and bought green shirts for Trowa and himself; there seemed to be some validity to Duo's statement. He smiled to himself.
"Ok, Squirts! The clothes come off, and you get into the nice warm tub, got it?" Duo smiled kindly at the two children and gently rested Shingam to sit on the toilet seat. Behind him, Heero started the bath, while Trowa set Killashandra gently on the countertop.
Shingam looked to Killashandra, who shared another look with him, before he lifted himself off the seat and approached the tub to stand next to Heero.
"I'll check the water to make sure it's not too hot for Killa." He had an expectant look on his face, and Heero could do little more than nod and step aside. After the water reached half way, Shingam cautiously placed his fingers in. Satisfied, he turned to address Trowa. "I'll take a bath first, then Killa can come in. I'll help you wash her."
Silently, Trowa nodded his head and turned to give Quatre a confused look. He returned it with a fair amount of his own confusion; he couldn't sense a thing from the little boy not two feet away.
But Shingam continued. "Duo?" Startled, Duo offered a weak smile. "You can help me." That said, Shingam hurriedly stepped out of his clothes and entered the bathtub without a hint of modesty. Shaking his head, Duo winked at Quatre before kneeling before the tub.
Turning back to Heero, he asked, "Remember that big ugly vase Relena sent us for Christmas last year? The one in the back of the cabinet marked 'Give to Wufei for Birthday' you want to grab it for me?" Heero smirked but nodded and left the room.
Immersed to his chin, Shingam sat patiently in the tub looking oblivious to being surrounded by water. When Heero returned, Duo took the vase-which truly was ugly in Quatre's opinion-filled it with water, and gently poured it over Shingam's head.
The boy closed his eyes, and when the water had stopped flowing swiped at them with his fingertips. Then an amazing thing happened--Shingam looked at Duo and smiled-- a genuine smile that lit up his face and was responded to in kind by the God of Death.
"You know, you look like a drowned rat. Ever seen one?"
Shingam nodded. "Once."
"Ugly, isn't it?"
"Yes. But I'm not dead." There was an ounce of uncertainty in his voice that sounded to Quatre like he was trying to convince himself of its truth. He felt a wave of some emotion and knew instantly that it was coming from the boy.
Moving to kneel beside Duo, Quatre gently brushed the soggy hair from Shingam's face before speaking. "You're not dead, Shingam, you're are safe. Nothing bad will happen to you here. Neither myself nor anyone else will let that happen. I know right now it's confusing and very scary, but you have to believe me when I tell you--this isn't a dream, and you really are safe."
Shingam took pause for a moment, studying Quatre's words, then straightened his legs out and pushed away from them, resting his back against the other side of the tub. He closed his eyes, all semblance of a smile gone from his stone cold face. He seemed to have withdrawn into himself for a moment, and Quatre was beginning to regret ever saying anything in the first place, when Shingam suddenly sat up straight and looked directly at him.
"We're not dead. You came like she said you would."
Ignoring the "We" again, Quatre addressed the more pressing issue. "Shingam, who's the "she" you speak of? What's her name?"
Shingam again seemed to contemplate Quatre for a moment before answering.
"Mother."
"Mother?"
"Mother."
There was no further explanation, and to Quatre's amazement, not an ounce of love or affection was present in Shingam's use of the word. As if it were just that--a word, a title that meant nothing.
Rescuing him, Duo interrupted. "Hey! Are we taking a bath or having a tea party, 'cause if it's a tea party, I think Shingam's a little underdressed if you know what I mean. Come here, you little rugrat, so I can finish you up and get you dried off."
Without hesitation, Shingam moved back towards Duo and allowed another vase full of water to be poured over his head before Duo grabbed for the shampoo and went for it.
Fifteen minutes later found Shingam out of the tub, wrapped in a fluffy white towel that looked very out of place in a bathroom that didn't have another piece of white in it at all.
Shingam looked at Trowa after Duo had sufficiently toweled off the excess water from his hair. "Killashandra can bathe now. I'll help you."
"Now wait just a second. I just got you all dried off. You're not getting wet again!" The glare from Shingam was immediate and long lasting, and Quatre watched a strange expression cross Duo's face--a look of recognition.
"Killashandra is my responsibility! I won't let you keep her from me!"
"Shingam." Heero moved next to the boy, kneeling down to drop eye level with him. "Duo is just concerned for you. I know you understand what it's like to try and care for someone; I've watched you care for Killashandra very well. Maybe you could sit with Duo while Trowa bathes Killashandra, and if it looks like Trowa needs your help, Duo will let you go. I think that sounds fair, don't you?"
A blank expression washed across the boy's face before he nodded his head cautiously and turned to look at Killashandra. "You do what Trowa tells you to. I'm going to be right here with Duo, and I'll come for you if you need me. I'll take care of you."
The words were so hauntingly familiar. Hadn't Quatre promised the same thing over and over to Trowa? Hadn't he spoken with the same sick determination to protect his lover at all costs? How could this little boy know such raw and powerful emotions?!
Killashandra cocked her head ever so slightly at Shingam's words before turning to look at the bathtub--another blank expression on her face.
Trowa lifted her chin, forcing her to look at his face, and smiled at her. Behind him, Quatre moved to empty the tub and refill it. When the water was half way full, he spoke to Shingam. "Do you want to test the water for Killashandra?"
"Is it too hot?"
"No."
"Is it too cold?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Then we trust you."
How? Why? Why him? There were so many unanswered questions, and Quatre didn't even know where to begin. Deciding it was best to wait until the children were more comfortable with them, Quatre let the conversation drop. But still the "we" again struck at him oddly.
Trowa moved next to him by the tub and very gently removed Killashandra's tee-shirt. Lightly he stroked her hair until her wandering gaze managed to fall on him. He smiled and then tickled her tummy before slowly-so as not to scare her-removed her pants. For a moment she tensed, and Quatre watched as Trowa tensed with her; out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shingam shift in Duo's lap. But she only blinked her eyes before moving her gaze jerkily towards the waiting water. Taking it as her permission, Trowa lifted her gently over the lip of the tub and placed her into the warm liquid.
A look of shock crossed her face, and Quatre was unprepared for the immediate look of pure panic she threw at him. He was at her side in a moment.
"It's ok, Sweetheart, don't worry. It's just water. It can't hurt you. Shingam was just in that same tub, and he's fine. Go ahead, ask him." He knew immediately he was taking a big risk. His guess was that the "we" was a connection between Shingam and Killashandra. He hoped he was right.
He turned his head when Shingam approached the side of the tub. He offered the boy a soft smile. "Quatre's right. This water won't hurt you. Be good and let Trowa wash your hair. You like to have your hair washed, just like you do having someone brush it. Trowa will brush it for you when you're out of the water. Be good."
While he talked, Killashandra met his eyes, listening intently to everything Shingam had told her. When he finished, she looked down at the water she was standing in before flexing her legs and dropping into the warmth around her. When she'd settled, she looked at first to Trowa and then Quatre before she looked back at the water, which rested just below her lower lip.
Taking the hint, Trowa took the vase they'd turned into a watering bucket, and gently poured the warm water over Killashandra's matted and greasy hair- -careful to block her eyes from getting water in them. He repeated the step a few more times, until he was satisfied. Then like Duo, lathered her hair four times before he was satisfied it was clean.
Quatre felt the apprehension through the link the moment Trowa was finished with the child's hair and he understood. Shingam had been proficient in the ways of thorough bathing, but Killashandra was completely unresponsive, and Trowa was at an impasse. Taking a deep breath, Trowa turned to Shingam. "I've finished washing her hair, but her body is also dirty. Would you ask her if she minds me washing her?"
A confused expression crossed Shingam's face before he turned to the waterlogged girl in the tub. A few blinks of the eyes and a nod later, and Shingam returned his look to Trowa. "You understand. Like the others don't. We give you permission."
Puzzled by his answer, Quatre and Trowa shared a look between them before Trowa finished Killashandra's bath and lifted her from the tub.
By this time, Duo had already pulled out the two hair dryers he used to dry his own hair on the mornings it didn't go immediately into a braid. On the counter sat Shingam, naked and completely uninhibited by that very fact. Quatre wondered just how much of it was actually good modesty, and how much of it had been forced on him.
Trowa moved Killashandra to the same counter, so the children were separated only by a sink. Shingam took Killashandra's hand the moment Trowa moved the towel from around her body to dry her hair. "You did good, Killa. You're a good girl." It seemed almost demeaning, but Quatre could see a sparkle enter the young girl's eyes at the praise; these were strange children indeed.
"Ok! Shingam, we're gonna dry this rag mop you call hair, but I promise, I'm giving you a haircut in the morning. Hey! Don't look at me like that! I cut Heero's hair, and it doesn't look that bad now does it?" Shingam shifted his eyes to Heero, studying his hair before looking back at Duo and begrudgingly shook his head. "Yes, Sir, I got the hair cutting thing down! Actually you're a very lucky little boy. I happen to be very proficient at using this here hair drying mechanism, and I promise to give you a look that will have the girls screaming.well.maybe not screaming."
"Duo no baka! Just dry his hair! He's been wet for the last twenty minutes!"
"Heero, I'm dispelling his fears about my beautician skills. And I know he's wet; it doesn't take a genius to figure that out! But unlike you, I had the kid tucked safely-and warmly I might add-in a big fluffy towel this whole time. Um, by the way, where'd we get this towel anyway? I didn't buy it."
"The last time you fell in the pool drinking, Sally wrapped you in it before Wufei brought you home. It's hers. We should probably return it."
"Oh."
"Yes, 'Oh.' Now dry his hair."
"Yes, Heero."
At the sound of the drier, Quatre turned his attention back to Trowa and Killashandra. The little girl was watching Duo tug a brush through Shingam's hair; when Trowa turned on his hair drier, she gave another little start. Smiling, Trowa quickly waved the warm air across her stomach to show her it could do her no harm. When he was satisfied she understood, he began the seemingly cumbersome task of drying a mass of hair almost as long as she was tall.
They were both unprepared for the reaction they received when Trowa first ran his fingers through Killashandra's drying hair. Eyes drifted closed, and Killashandra leaned into the touch completely, even nodding her head to feel the full effect of Trowa's hand. It was then that Quatre decided Sally was right, there was nothing physically wrong with this little girl, but something had happened to her; and seeing her react like any child would, Quatre felt the rage boil his blood.
Trowa sensed his emotions and turned to offer a reassuring smile. Then, turning back to Killashandra, he lifted her massive hair from the bottom and scrunched it, allowing the curl that should rightfully be there come to the fore. Quatre gave him a look that read, "How do you know how to do that?!" Trowa caught the look and smiled sheepishly. "Catherine." Quatre smiled and nodded.
Then they were both dry; Shingam's hair a wild torrent of tousled spikes, and Killashandra's a mass of knee-long ringlet curls that had sprang to life in Trowa's gentle hands.
They were just about to send Heero into the other room for clean shirts when Wufei knocked on the door.
"Sally sent these. It seems she's been buying children's clothing for her staff for Christmas. They should fit, she said." Quatre took the clothes, admiring the red dress and the white pant and shirt outfit, both of a traditional Chinese design. He turned questioning eyes on Wufei; the other pilot only shrugged, caught in his small lie. "Unlike Maxwell, my clothes don't get ruined the day after I wear them. Those outfits were two of the few surviving items from the Dragon Clan's destruction. It was mine once, and.Meiran's.they can have them; it's not as if they do me any good."
Quatre smiled softy at Wufei. Let it never be said the Shelong pilot was not generous to a fault. Duo obviously agreed and knew to lighten the mood.
"Did you hear that, Shingam? Wufei's letting you wear his clothes! Now normally I'd save you from such a fate, but I think as a kid, he had a good eye for clothing--especially clothing that was going to stay trapped in a library all day." Duo smirked, retaliating against the comment of his ruined clothes. "However, I think it's fair to say that Wu-man has earned his one day of 'No Duo hassle'. Yep, it starts the day after I'm dead."
"That can be arranged, Maxwell."
"Wufei, you'd miss me, and you know it!"
"Hn." Some friendships are just too complex to explain.
Turning away from Wufei, Quatre handed the pants outfit to Heero before turning back to Killashandra. The little girl was watching him. He smiled at her before unbuttoning the dress and carefully sliding it over her head. Trowa helped him maneuver her arms into the half sleeves, and then she was dressed. But Quatre thought something was missing. Realizing what it was, he pulled the ribbon that lovingly had held the dress in its folded position, and pulled her hair away from her face, tying it back into a bow. He smiled down at her and caught Trowa's approving expression before gently turning Killashandra towards the mirror.
"See, Sweetheart, you look absolutely beautiful. Just like a little princess." He knew she was looking and listening to him. He watched her eyes trace her reflection in the mirror before returning to his gaze. "Only pretty and beautiful clothes from now on, I promise. You'll only have the best from now on."
It was a promise he intended to keep, no matter what.
When Shingam was dressed, Trowa lifted Killashandra into his arms and carried her back towards the lift, with Duo, Shingam, and Heero not far behind. It was time to fulfill their half of the promise.
An hour later, Quatre and the others stood by the bed of Shinigami and Killashandra. The two sleeping children were wrapped together, with Shinigami holding tightly to the little girl he seemed obsessed about protecting. Sally had given the injection only moments ago, and now they were waiting for a five and four-year-old to answer a mystery that could mean their lives.
Quatre watched Killashandra struggle to open her eyes, shifting in place for a few moments before a small line of green shone through her lashes. Yawning silently, she stretched, and then curled back into Shinigami, not even acknowledging their presence.
After nearly a minute, Killashandra sat up, still no emotion on her face, and gently nudged Shinigami; nothing happened. Still no expression on her face, she nudged him again; and again there was no response.
Suddenly a feeling of pure terror crossed his senses, and Quatre felt the emotion as if it were his own. Clutching his heart, he looked down and then back up, his eyes meeting green ones that had not changed physically, but his talent knew was only a mask of her terror. Her eyes held an almost pleading look that would have begged him to help her if they'd really looked any different at all. Her expression of terror wasn't a physical dance across her face; no, instead it was an empathic assault against his senses. He knew instantly that she was the one that had been calling him; her mental voice the one that had assaulted his dreams.
Gasping for breath but ignoring Trowa's desperate questions, he slowly moved his hand to rest reassuringly on her small face.
At first she did nothing but simply stared at him, pathing more desperation than any child should. Then, slowly, she dropped her eyes, letting them close nearly all the way, looking at him through her lashes.
He felt Trowa behind him--two strong arms on his shoulders--but he didn't respond; he had to reassure Killashandra first. In a soft voice, he spoke to her, not bothered when she didn't open her eyes; he knew she was listening.
"Killashandra, it's alright you're safe here. So is Shinigami. You're at my home, and right now you're in the hospital-a place where people go when they don't feel good. You and Shinigami were hurt from the fire, and so my friends and I brought you here to rest and get better. I know you don't talk, and that's ok you don't have to; just listen.
"Shinigami is fine; he's still sleeping, but he's been taking very good care of you--very, very good care of you. All the time you were sleeping, he kept you safe and warm the whole time. He's going to wake up in just a little while. He got some bruises.and he's been sleeping so he can get better. But don't be afraid, he's going to be just fine; we're just waiting for him to wake up."
He watched her open her eyes, making eye contact with him. Her face was impassive as always, and her eyes-though not dead like before-were like glass--see-through into nothingness.
With a start, Shinigami awoke. Eyes blinking open and staying open, he seemed to regard the ceiling for a moment. But Killashandra had felt his slight jerk, and she looked down at him before dropping her frame to rest against his lightly. She wrapped her hand around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.
Shinigami wasted no time, however. Almost before they knew what was going on, Shinigami was sitting up and pulling Killashandra up as well. He pushed her to arm's length roughly, and then to their total amazement, began to look her over.
When the children had first arrived, they'd been redressed in hospital attire, but now their still unclean bodies were clothed in plain white pajama bottoms and tee-shirts. Shinigami lifted the tee-shirt off Killashandra, running his small hands over her porcelain and paper thin skin. He forcefully turned her around and then searched her back the same way. When he seemed satisfied that she was not injured on top, he helped her with her shirt.
"Lift your arms." And the little girl complied, raising her arms high, while Shinigami slipped the sleeves over her arms and then tugged the fabric back over her body.
"Give me your leg." He tugged her right leg, and without hesitation she produced it for him, resting her foot on his thigh. Shinigami peeled the cloth back from her leg, and then brutally twisted it to look at the underside; Killashandra did nothing.
Throughout the examination, she remained quiet, her facial expressions not changing from the impassivity she'd held upon leaving Quatre's light touch. Occasionally her eyes would make eye contact with Shinigami's, but then he would move her in some direction or other, and she'd move with her body, leaving the look behind.
When he seemed satisfied that Killishandra was not injured, he pushed her to sit next to him and then began to look at himself. He raised his arms in front of him, turning them one way or another, before settling them and twisting his body. He seemed to pause in a few places, but after taking a quick glance at Killashandra-who was again looking at him-he continued to move another way.
When he again seemed satisfied with his own health, he turned to Killashandra on the bed and just looked at her. No words were spoken, but the pilots watched in stunned fascination as the boy nodded his head every now and then, seeming to talk back and forth with his small friend.
Quatre stole a glance away from the two children and looked at his own friends. Heero was watching the children in a sort of silent confusion; it was obvious that the perfect soldier had no idea what the children were doing. Like Heero, Duo seemed confused as well, but at the same time, he watched the boy with a curious look of pity and worry. Wufei looked as if he thought them both insane and was wondering when they were going to stop this crazy display and get some answers. Turning his head, Quatre looked up and saw Trowa. His lover held a look that spoke of sadness and fear--as if Trowa could understand the confusion that Quatre now saw in the little boy's eyes.
"You're Quatre." It was a statement, not a question and Quatre regarded the boy for a moment before answering with a nod; the boy's voice was still authoritative.
"Where are we?"
"You're at the Preventer Earth Headquarters--my home. Right now you're in the hospital, getting better." Quatre watched as the boy turned from him to look back at the girl, before nodding once to her and then turning back to him expectantly. Quatre continued, "You've been asleep for the last five days. That's how long ago I came and got you from that room."
Shinigami looked to the girl again and after a moment looked back at him and nodded. "We remember."
The 'we' struck Quatre funny, but he decided to dismiss it for now, hoping instead to ease the tension he saw in Shinigami's eyes.
"When the other pilots and I took you away from that room, we also got some other information. Can you tell me--is your name Shinigami?"
For a second, the boy looked almost scared, and then he turned quickly to face Killashandra. They seemed to 'talk' for a moment before Shinigami shook his head at her. Some more time passed, and then finally the boy sighed and looked back at Quatre.
"Shingam, Sh-ing-am. Don't call me Shinigami." His eyes held a note of danger should they disobey, so Quatre only nodded his head. The boy did not want to be known as Death.
"Alright, Shingam, I have another question; is this Killashandra?"
The boy shook his head vehemently. "Her name is Killa, Kee-la, but that's what I call her; I'll tell you what you can call her later. Don't talk to her." Again a note of violence was in his voice, and Quatre wondered if this boy really wouldn't hurt him if he disobeyed.
"Ok, Shingam, but we really should call her something. What if I need to ask her a question?"
"You won't. Killa doesn't talk. She won't talk to you."
On the battlefield, he'd been considered the greatest strategist among them, and now was no different.
"How about this--if I need to talk to her, I'll ask her a question using 'Killashandra', and then look at you for the answer. That way no one will get confused as to whom I'm referring." He knew the gamble was risky, but he also hoped he had more advanced skills than a five-year-old. It seemed this time he did.
"Fine."
Shingam looked to the girl and then again, they seemed to be talking without words to each other. This whole time, none of the others had said a word, and Quatre was getting a little nervous by their silence.
Looking up, Shingam addressed him. "We need a place to stay."
For a moment Quatre was confused, and then he understood that the children didn't know they were going to stay with him; he told them so. "Actually, you'll be staying with me for a while. They're getting a room set up for the both of you right now."
Nodding his head, Shingam approved of the response.
Quatre looked over at Killashandra and made eye contact with her again, her eyes quiet. "Is that ok with you, Killashandra, to stay with me?"
Suddenly Shingam was standing on the bed, a stony look in his eyes. "Killa's my responsibility, and I already said we'd stay with you for now. Killa needs a place to sleep, so we'll stay, but I'll take care of her, not you. She's my responsibility, not yours." And then he sat down and pulled Killashandra to him, wrapping his arms around her own and holding her tightly from behind.
Stunned, Quatre only nodded his head, while silence fell harshly across the room.
The sound of Duo's voice cutting through the quiet caused Quatre to look at him.
"So Shingam, you and your girlfriend like ice cream?"
Two pairs of eyes, once only looking at Duo because he'd spoken, now looked at him with interest. They looked away for a moment, at each other, and then back at Duo. Shingam answered. "What kind?"
A sparkle danced in Duo's eyes and for a quick second. Quatre was worried but he shouldn't have been.
"What kind do you kids like?"
The boy shrugged. "Don't know what it's called, but it's white. That's the kind Killa likes."
"VANILLA! That's crazy! How boring is that?!"
Shingam gave him a look, and for a moment, Duo seemed to pause in confusion before brushing it aside and continuing on his tirade. "I'll tell you both what--I'll get you ten different kinds of ice cream to try. That way, you guys can find something better than plain old vanilla. Geesh, I can't believe you like vanilla."
"We only got it once."
"Got what, Vanilla?"
"Ice cream."
Duo's jester face faltered--to think that children could have only tasted ice cream once in their entire lives; it was too sad for words. Quatre felt his heart go out to them. So hurt and lost, he knew he had to protect them. The children and Trowa--they were his new family--blood meant nothing, and he'd care for them with his dying breath.
Recovering, Duo tried another tactic. "Well we can't have that, now can we? You two are too skinny as it is. We need to fatten you both up! So here's the deal--you do me a favor, and I'll get you all the ice cream you can eat! I won't even let Quatre and his sense of nutrition ruin it for you." Duo smiled at him, offering a wink of good humor.
But Shingam didn't seem to get the joke. At the mention of a deal, he'd instantly tensed, his small body going rigid, and he clasped his arms more tightly around the girl. "What deal?"
"Uh? Oh yeah, it's really simple. I get the ice cream, and the two of you take a bath. How's that for simple?"
Quatre closed his eyes. This wasn't going to work. How could Duo think to make them wheel and deal at a time like this, when they were trying so hard just to get the children to trust them? He wanted to reach out his hand and strangle his best friend. Duo no Baka!
"Ok."
Turing quickly around, Quatre looked in amazement at the boy on the bed. Had he really agreed to Duo's terms--and so readily as well? Had he read the boy wrong?
"Yeah? Hey, cool! Ok, here's what we'll do. Shingam you come with me, and Killa, you go with Sally. We'll me-"
"NO!"
Startled, the group of pilots turned to the boy, who had once again used a voice with far too much authority. His face showed anger, but Quatre could see the underlying fear that rested behind those eyes.
But it was Heero that understood that fear. "Shingam," he said and paused until the gray eyes fell upon him, "Killashandra will not be separated from you. However, you both must bathe. Will it be acceptable for us to be with Killashandra as she bathes?"
Shingam looked at Heero for a moment, sizing him up it seemed. He looked to Killashandra and then back to Heero, a softer more relaxed expression on his face.
"I can bathe myself. Trowa can bathe Killashandra."
Once again stunned, Quatre looked up at Trowa, as did the other pilots. As far as they knew, the boy did not know any of their names besides Quatre's, and that was only because Quatre had introduced himself. Trowa had told the small girl his name, but she didn't talk. How would Shingam know his name? He watched Trowa regard the boy for a moment before shifting his eyes to the small, white-haired girl who sat next to him. Then he nodded, and Shingam seemed to relax even further.
"Great! Now that that's settled, Wufei, you go get the ice cream, and the dirt on the two of you gets a one way ticket to Sewersville." Leaning in, Duo whispered to Shingam. "I've heard it's not the greatest town, but who knows, maybe the dirt will like it there?" He winked and a real and true smirk appeared on Shingam's face.
Like the efficient team they were, the pilots broke up. Duo lifted Shingam into his arms and waited by the bed for Trowa to do the same for Killashandra. Quatre watched as the girl lay quietly against Trowa's shoulder and tracked Shingam lazily with her eyes, unafraid.
For a brief second, Killashandra turned to Quatre, eyes meeting, then she turned away and looked back to Shingam. Quatre wasn't sure, but he'd felt something in her look--a sense that he couldn't place, but one that felt a lot like reassured uncertainty. He turned quickly to Sally. "I'm sure they'll be fine. They'll stay in the extra room we have. Trowa had someone clear it out while I was sleeping; he knew I'd want the children to stay close to me." Quatre smiled sheepishly and then moved to follow his friends out of the room.
Together they walked down the hallway and took the lift. Quatre watched silently as Shingam reached over Heero-who stood between Duo and Trowa-to touch Killashandra's bare foot. The boy's expression was unreadable.
They stepped off on their floor and moved to Duo and Heero's rooms. When the pilots had first moved in, the five rooms had been identical. One large room that would be the living room, one bedroom with a bath, and a separate room that could be used as a den or study.
Over the years, the rooms had been changed and expanded. Once a hallway that had consisted of five apartments, it now had two large ones and one small one-which was empty, Wufei having moved into Sally's quarters long ago. The two larger apartments had been formed when the two couples had torn down the walls on either side, making what once was four separate spaces into two homes.
Beyond that, the rooms had changed drastically. Quatre and Trowa's rooms had been carpeted in white and the bathroom given a complete makeover. No longer were there sterile white walls, but paintings that Quatre had purchased for Trowa's pleasure over the years. Quatre had decorated their home mostly for Trowa, allowing his quiet partner to pick and choose what he'd liked, only offering his opinion when asked. He'd once told Trowa that the bedroom they slept in had originally been Trowa's, so he should get to decorate it however way he wanted. When Trowa had argued that the only reason they'd chosen his room was because it was on the opposite side of Heero and Duo's bedroom, Quatre had only shrugged his shoulders. "Fine, then do it just because I want you to." Trowa couldn't argue with that.
In the same way, Duo and Heero's rooms had been redecorated. Once the wall between them came down, Heero had kept his own rooms separate, needing a space to call his own. However, their bedroom was another thing. Duo had decorated it in a wild fashion. Crazy and bold colors shouted from every direction. Likewise the bathroom had been treated the same way, decorated in not one single color that could be considered 'mute.'
But they were using Duo and Heero's room for a different reason besides the décor, the bathtub. When the bathroom had been remodeled, Duo had insisted that there be a bathtub, and not a small one either; this was something designed for two grown men; Duo-at that time only eighteen-had planned ahead.
They walked through the bedroom, Shingam's eyes furrowing at the colors that surrounded them. His small expression only become more disturbed as they entered the bathroom and fell upon the hunter green bathtub. Quatre remembered that his expression had been the same the first time he'd seen the tub. Duo had quickly set him straight. "Quatre, don't look so sick. Do you have any idea what kind of a sexual stimulant green is? Let me tell you, I'm gonna get more in that bathtub then I ever will in bed!" Quatre had never asked if he'd been right and only noticed the tired way both lovers had handled themselves after its installation. He'd immediately gone out and bought green shirts for Trowa and himself; there seemed to be some validity to Duo's statement. He smiled to himself.
"Ok, Squirts! The clothes come off, and you get into the nice warm tub, got it?" Duo smiled kindly at the two children and gently rested Shingam to sit on the toilet seat. Behind him, Heero started the bath, while Trowa set Killashandra gently on the countertop.
Shingam looked to Killashandra, who shared another look with him, before he lifted himself off the seat and approached the tub to stand next to Heero.
"I'll check the water to make sure it's not too hot for Killa." He had an expectant look on his face, and Heero could do little more than nod and step aside. After the water reached half way, Shingam cautiously placed his fingers in. Satisfied, he turned to address Trowa. "I'll take a bath first, then Killa can come in. I'll help you wash her."
Silently, Trowa nodded his head and turned to give Quatre a confused look. He returned it with a fair amount of his own confusion; he couldn't sense a thing from the little boy not two feet away.
But Shingam continued. "Duo?" Startled, Duo offered a weak smile. "You can help me." That said, Shingam hurriedly stepped out of his clothes and entered the bathtub without a hint of modesty. Shaking his head, Duo winked at Quatre before kneeling before the tub.
Turning back to Heero, he asked, "Remember that big ugly vase Relena sent us for Christmas last year? The one in the back of the cabinet marked 'Give to Wufei for Birthday' you want to grab it for me?" Heero smirked but nodded and left the room.
Immersed to his chin, Shingam sat patiently in the tub looking oblivious to being surrounded by water. When Heero returned, Duo took the vase-which truly was ugly in Quatre's opinion-filled it with water, and gently poured it over Shingam's head.
The boy closed his eyes, and when the water had stopped flowing swiped at them with his fingertips. Then an amazing thing happened--Shingam looked at Duo and smiled-- a genuine smile that lit up his face and was responded to in kind by the God of Death.
"You know, you look like a drowned rat. Ever seen one?"
Shingam nodded. "Once."
"Ugly, isn't it?"
"Yes. But I'm not dead." There was an ounce of uncertainty in his voice that sounded to Quatre like he was trying to convince himself of its truth. He felt a wave of some emotion and knew instantly that it was coming from the boy.
Moving to kneel beside Duo, Quatre gently brushed the soggy hair from Shingam's face before speaking. "You're not dead, Shingam, you're are safe. Nothing bad will happen to you here. Neither myself nor anyone else will let that happen. I know right now it's confusing and very scary, but you have to believe me when I tell you--this isn't a dream, and you really are safe."
Shingam took pause for a moment, studying Quatre's words, then straightened his legs out and pushed away from them, resting his back against the other side of the tub. He closed his eyes, all semblance of a smile gone from his stone cold face. He seemed to have withdrawn into himself for a moment, and Quatre was beginning to regret ever saying anything in the first place, when Shingam suddenly sat up straight and looked directly at him.
"We're not dead. You came like she said you would."
Ignoring the "We" again, Quatre addressed the more pressing issue. "Shingam, who's the "she" you speak of? What's her name?"
Shingam again seemed to contemplate Quatre for a moment before answering.
"Mother."
"Mother?"
"Mother."
There was no further explanation, and to Quatre's amazement, not an ounce of love or affection was present in Shingam's use of the word. As if it were just that--a word, a title that meant nothing.
Rescuing him, Duo interrupted. "Hey! Are we taking a bath or having a tea party, 'cause if it's a tea party, I think Shingam's a little underdressed if you know what I mean. Come here, you little rugrat, so I can finish you up and get you dried off."
Without hesitation, Shingam moved back towards Duo and allowed another vase full of water to be poured over his head before Duo grabbed for the shampoo and went for it.
Fifteen minutes later found Shingam out of the tub, wrapped in a fluffy white towel that looked very out of place in a bathroom that didn't have another piece of white in it at all.
Shingam looked at Trowa after Duo had sufficiently toweled off the excess water from his hair. "Killashandra can bathe now. I'll help you."
"Now wait just a second. I just got you all dried off. You're not getting wet again!" The glare from Shingam was immediate and long lasting, and Quatre watched a strange expression cross Duo's face--a look of recognition.
"Killashandra is my responsibility! I won't let you keep her from me!"
"Shingam." Heero moved next to the boy, kneeling down to drop eye level with him. "Duo is just concerned for you. I know you understand what it's like to try and care for someone; I've watched you care for Killashandra very well. Maybe you could sit with Duo while Trowa bathes Killashandra, and if it looks like Trowa needs your help, Duo will let you go. I think that sounds fair, don't you?"
A blank expression washed across the boy's face before he nodded his head cautiously and turned to look at Killashandra. "You do what Trowa tells you to. I'm going to be right here with Duo, and I'll come for you if you need me. I'll take care of you."
The words were so hauntingly familiar. Hadn't Quatre promised the same thing over and over to Trowa? Hadn't he spoken with the same sick determination to protect his lover at all costs? How could this little boy know such raw and powerful emotions?!
Killashandra cocked her head ever so slightly at Shingam's words before turning to look at the bathtub--another blank expression on her face.
Trowa lifted her chin, forcing her to look at his face, and smiled at her. Behind him, Quatre moved to empty the tub and refill it. When the water was half way full, he spoke to Shingam. "Do you want to test the water for Killashandra?"
"Is it too hot?"
"No."
"Is it too cold?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Then we trust you."
How? Why? Why him? There were so many unanswered questions, and Quatre didn't even know where to begin. Deciding it was best to wait until the children were more comfortable with them, Quatre let the conversation drop. But still the "we" again struck at him oddly.
Trowa moved next to him by the tub and very gently removed Killashandra's tee-shirt. Lightly he stroked her hair until her wandering gaze managed to fall on him. He smiled and then tickled her tummy before slowly-so as not to scare her-removed her pants. For a moment she tensed, and Quatre watched as Trowa tensed with her; out of the corner of his eye, he saw Shingam shift in Duo's lap. But she only blinked her eyes before moving her gaze jerkily towards the waiting water. Taking it as her permission, Trowa lifted her gently over the lip of the tub and placed her into the warm liquid.
A look of shock crossed her face, and Quatre was unprepared for the immediate look of pure panic she threw at him. He was at her side in a moment.
"It's ok, Sweetheart, don't worry. It's just water. It can't hurt you. Shingam was just in that same tub, and he's fine. Go ahead, ask him." He knew immediately he was taking a big risk. His guess was that the "we" was a connection between Shingam and Killashandra. He hoped he was right.
He turned his head when Shingam approached the side of the tub. He offered the boy a soft smile. "Quatre's right. This water won't hurt you. Be good and let Trowa wash your hair. You like to have your hair washed, just like you do having someone brush it. Trowa will brush it for you when you're out of the water. Be good."
While he talked, Killashandra met his eyes, listening intently to everything Shingam had told her. When he finished, she looked down at the water she was standing in before flexing her legs and dropping into the warmth around her. When she'd settled, she looked at first to Trowa and then Quatre before she looked back at the water, which rested just below her lower lip.
Taking the hint, Trowa took the vase they'd turned into a watering bucket, and gently poured the warm water over Killashandra's matted and greasy hair- -careful to block her eyes from getting water in them. He repeated the step a few more times, until he was satisfied. Then like Duo, lathered her hair four times before he was satisfied it was clean.
Quatre felt the apprehension through the link the moment Trowa was finished with the child's hair and he understood. Shingam had been proficient in the ways of thorough bathing, but Killashandra was completely unresponsive, and Trowa was at an impasse. Taking a deep breath, Trowa turned to Shingam. "I've finished washing her hair, but her body is also dirty. Would you ask her if she minds me washing her?"
A confused expression crossed Shingam's face before he turned to the waterlogged girl in the tub. A few blinks of the eyes and a nod later, and Shingam returned his look to Trowa. "You understand. Like the others don't. We give you permission."
Puzzled by his answer, Quatre and Trowa shared a look between them before Trowa finished Killashandra's bath and lifted her from the tub.
By this time, Duo had already pulled out the two hair dryers he used to dry his own hair on the mornings it didn't go immediately into a braid. On the counter sat Shingam, naked and completely uninhibited by that very fact. Quatre wondered just how much of it was actually good modesty, and how much of it had been forced on him.
Trowa moved Killashandra to the same counter, so the children were separated only by a sink. Shingam took Killashandra's hand the moment Trowa moved the towel from around her body to dry her hair. "You did good, Killa. You're a good girl." It seemed almost demeaning, but Quatre could see a sparkle enter the young girl's eyes at the praise; these were strange children indeed.
"Ok! Shingam, we're gonna dry this rag mop you call hair, but I promise, I'm giving you a haircut in the morning. Hey! Don't look at me like that! I cut Heero's hair, and it doesn't look that bad now does it?" Shingam shifted his eyes to Heero, studying his hair before looking back at Duo and begrudgingly shook his head. "Yes, Sir, I got the hair cutting thing down! Actually you're a very lucky little boy. I happen to be very proficient at using this here hair drying mechanism, and I promise to give you a look that will have the girls screaming.well.maybe not screaming."
"Duo no baka! Just dry his hair! He's been wet for the last twenty minutes!"
"Heero, I'm dispelling his fears about my beautician skills. And I know he's wet; it doesn't take a genius to figure that out! But unlike you, I had the kid tucked safely-and warmly I might add-in a big fluffy towel this whole time. Um, by the way, where'd we get this towel anyway? I didn't buy it."
"The last time you fell in the pool drinking, Sally wrapped you in it before Wufei brought you home. It's hers. We should probably return it."
"Oh."
"Yes, 'Oh.' Now dry his hair."
"Yes, Heero."
At the sound of the drier, Quatre turned his attention back to Trowa and Killashandra. The little girl was watching Duo tug a brush through Shingam's hair; when Trowa turned on his hair drier, she gave another little start. Smiling, Trowa quickly waved the warm air across her stomach to show her it could do her no harm. When he was satisfied she understood, he began the seemingly cumbersome task of drying a mass of hair almost as long as she was tall.
They were both unprepared for the reaction they received when Trowa first ran his fingers through Killashandra's drying hair. Eyes drifted closed, and Killashandra leaned into the touch completely, even nodding her head to feel the full effect of Trowa's hand. It was then that Quatre decided Sally was right, there was nothing physically wrong with this little girl, but something had happened to her; and seeing her react like any child would, Quatre felt the rage boil his blood.
Trowa sensed his emotions and turned to offer a reassuring smile. Then, turning back to Killashandra, he lifted her massive hair from the bottom and scrunched it, allowing the curl that should rightfully be there come to the fore. Quatre gave him a look that read, "How do you know how to do that?!" Trowa caught the look and smiled sheepishly. "Catherine." Quatre smiled and nodded.
Then they were both dry; Shingam's hair a wild torrent of tousled spikes, and Killashandra's a mass of knee-long ringlet curls that had sprang to life in Trowa's gentle hands.
They were just about to send Heero into the other room for clean shirts when Wufei knocked on the door.
"Sally sent these. It seems she's been buying children's clothing for her staff for Christmas. They should fit, she said." Quatre took the clothes, admiring the red dress and the white pant and shirt outfit, both of a traditional Chinese design. He turned questioning eyes on Wufei; the other pilot only shrugged, caught in his small lie. "Unlike Maxwell, my clothes don't get ruined the day after I wear them. Those outfits were two of the few surviving items from the Dragon Clan's destruction. It was mine once, and.Meiran's.they can have them; it's not as if they do me any good."
Quatre smiled softy at Wufei. Let it never be said the Shelong pilot was not generous to a fault. Duo obviously agreed and knew to lighten the mood.
"Did you hear that, Shingam? Wufei's letting you wear his clothes! Now normally I'd save you from such a fate, but I think as a kid, he had a good eye for clothing--especially clothing that was going to stay trapped in a library all day." Duo smirked, retaliating against the comment of his ruined clothes. "However, I think it's fair to say that Wu-man has earned his one day of 'No Duo hassle'. Yep, it starts the day after I'm dead."
"That can be arranged, Maxwell."
"Wufei, you'd miss me, and you know it!"
"Hn." Some friendships are just too complex to explain.
Turning away from Wufei, Quatre handed the pants outfit to Heero before turning back to Killashandra. The little girl was watching him. He smiled at her before unbuttoning the dress and carefully sliding it over her head. Trowa helped him maneuver her arms into the half sleeves, and then she was dressed. But Quatre thought something was missing. Realizing what it was, he pulled the ribbon that lovingly had held the dress in its folded position, and pulled her hair away from her face, tying it back into a bow. He smiled down at her and caught Trowa's approving expression before gently turning Killashandra towards the mirror.
"See, Sweetheart, you look absolutely beautiful. Just like a little princess." He knew she was looking and listening to him. He watched her eyes trace her reflection in the mirror before returning to his gaze. "Only pretty and beautiful clothes from now on, I promise. You'll only have the best from now on."
It was a promise he intended to keep, no matter what.
When Shingam was dressed, Trowa lifted Killashandra into his arms and carried her back towards the lift, with Duo, Shingam, and Heero not far behind. It was time to fulfill their half of the promise.