author's notes
hello - this fic is meant to be a union of the blue seed anime series and the angel (buffy spin-off) television show. there's no sort of fusion going on, just a rather strange meeting of the minds. however, even if you're one of those rabid anti-buffy/angel fans, this is meant to be a meal about the blue seed characters with angel and co. thrown in for butter and spice.
anyways, please be forwarned about swearing, sex, and spoilers (the triple-s configuration) and i hope you enjoy!
prologue
"Doctor Hideyoshi!"
The fat man's scream reverberated throughout the windowed office. Its occupant had been listening to it for some time, relishing the panic of the laboratory's senior scientist. Accentuating the experience were well-formed background noises; a woman's scream, the spark of computers and other severed electrical circuitry, the occasional, futile firing of a gun.
"Doctor Hideyoshi! For God's sake, Ken, answer the fucking phone!"
Lazily "Ken" pressed the respond button on phone, his finger trembling in anticipation. It threatened to explode from him, this euphoria, but so much richer the climax if he could make this pointedly hated maggot understand his exultation. Oh, but only to hold it out as far as possible, and hope that the man could not hear the giddiness in his voice. "Yes, Mister Shultz?"
"It-It got out! I don't know how, but it -" Schultz's explanation cut off suddenly, the silence punctuated quite melodiously by someone's ear-splitting shriek. Curious, Hideyoshi flipped a switch upon his desk. Upon the wall a television connected to one of the still-intact security cameras spilled the tale of the upset laboratory several floors below. Windows that once held an unobstructed view of the Los Angeles skyline had been automatically sealed by steel doors to prevent possible chemical contamination on the outside world. Through the smoke he could see the bodies of those too foolish or too frightened to get out of the way of the escapee. The only human movement was that of the corpulent man quivering in a heap beside the emergency phone, his oh-so-treasured, normally pristine white lab coat forever ruined by red and black stains.
"The doors are sealed, the emergency codes aren't working!" shrieked Schultz. "Everyone's dying, everyone's dead! For fuck's sake, you have to help me!"
"No, I do not think so."
"What?!"
Hideyoshi spared himself a short chuckle and Schultz twitched at the noise, nearly losing the grip upon the phone. "No," he whispered, as if the denial itself could undo the terror before him, "not you, not you Ken. Oh God, oh God, oh God..."
"I have enjoyed your company, Mister Schultz, you and the rest of your distinguished colleagues, despite the sushi and samurai jokes and the apparent lack of humility that you show to someone who was, from the outset, your superior in every way."
"No no no, please God no Idon'twannadie..."
"Rest assured that a generous monetary compensation will be sent to the families of those unfortunate enough to have suffered tonight. Alas, somehow, your wife and children's names were mistakenly omitted. A clerical error, and I apologize profusely."
"Anything! Anything! I'll give you anything! More money, more facilities, for God's sake you can't just leave me here to die!!"
"God...? Why, Mister Schultz, the only god you need fear is the one that stands behind you."
Behind the pudgy man the shadows loomed, and a lone man, swathed in nothing but chemical and electrical smoke strode steadily forward. "What-? Oh… Oh no! Stay away! STAY AWAY!"
Mad with joy, at last the man called Ken Hideyoshi let lose his passion in a torrent of mirth. Perfectly his laughter blended with the wretched man's dying screams, and when the latter stopped, brought to an abrupt end by a watery gurgle, the former continued. Only when the floor began to thrum did he calm. Brutal explosions, each coming quicker and louder than the last, punctuated each reverberation. He fell upon his knees in obeisance as the last ripped through the plaster and concrete before him and a man, no, he who was more than a man, stepped lightly onto the plush carpet. Heedless of the rubble Hideyoshi touched his forehead to the floor, and felt, rather than saw, the revered escapee step towards him. Droplets of blood fell slowly upon his hair, and he knew that there was a blade poised above him. Yet unlike the others he knew he would not be slaughtered.
The blade glowed, and a sympathetic light resonated from Hideyoshi's chest. Prodded by the tip of the blade he lifted his upper body and tore open his shirt. Imbedded into his skin was a smooth, blue jewel, no larger than his palm, and shaped like the number "9".
"Okaeri nasai," he whispered, "Murakumo-sama."
...three years ago...
She still slept, her soft brown hair arrayed around the white, cotton pillow and her limbs haphazardly tangled in sheets that were still slightly damp. Being quiet and unheard was second nature to him, yet he found it difficult to rise without disturbing her and to dress without a sound. From the shadowed side of his dresser he picked up a long, black coat and a filled backpack.
He hesitated as he approached the window, left intentionally open under the facade of the stifling, summer heat. One leg rested in and the other out, and not for the first time he doubted his decision. Unwillingly his gaze left the clear, night sky and rested upon her face, so innocent in sleep. Let those green eyes open and he would stop. Let her whisper fill his ears and he would return to the bed, happily filling his arms with her warmth.
But she continued to sleep.
"Baka," he hissed to himself and flew out the window without another glance.
And her eyes opened.
And they filled with tears.