Shinigami Chapter 7: Green
Heero opened his eyes. 'Singing?' he wondered as he sat up in bed. He listened. There was nothing to be heard now.
"What's the matter, Heero?" Shinigami asked from a chair next to Heero's bed.
Heero jumped. "You startled me," he said with a half-smile. He felt Shinigami sit down on the bed next to him. "I thought I heard something - someone singing. The song sounded familiar, but I can't put my finger on it." He shrugged.
Shinigami's eyes narrowed, though Heero couldn't see it in the dark room. "You were probably just dreaming," he said softly, stroking Heero's arm with his fingertips.
Heero nodded. "Yeah, probably. But I feel like I should know that song." He crossed his legs Indian style and rested his elbows on his knees. "Oh well, I can't really remember the tune or the words, anyway."
Shinigami smiled gently and continued to run his fingers up and down Heero's arm. "Think you can get back to sleep?"
Heero shook his head. "No, I'm not tired."
"Mm..." Shinigami leaned closer to Heero and kissed his cheek softly. He looked into Heero's eyes, glowing a catlike neon green in the dark. He grinned to himself. Heero was still under his control.
Although Heero wouldn't be able to see it if he looked into a mirror in the dark, his eyes - not just the irises, but the whole - glowed that strange green. Everyone else could see them, should anybody besides Shinigami and Jemima look. This meant that Heero was brainwashed. Completely, utterly, and in all other ways under Shinigami's control.
Shinigami stood up and stepped to the side so Heero could get out of bed. He still slept in boxers and Shinigami could see fairly well in the dark - Considering that he is the Death God. He grinned as he quickly looked Heero over. He cocked his head as a command for Heero to follow him, which he obviously obeyed. He led him to a chair in a corner of the room near the door. Heero leaned against the wall and covered a yawn with his hand.
Shinigami picked up a small stack of clothes for Heero to wear and handed them to him. Heero fingered the cloth and smiled softly at Shinigami. The god had really been very kind to him.
Shinigami raised his hand slowly and cupped Heero's cheek. He took a small step forward and gently pressed his lips to Heero's. He brought his other hand up to hold Heero's face in his hands. Then he quickly closed the space between their bodies and kissed him harder. Heero didn't seem surprised, but dropped his hands to his sides, still gripping the clothing tightly in his fists.
Shinigami pressed Heero harder to the wall. Heero was shaking slightly as the god broke their kiss and began to kiss his neck softly. Heero inhaled sharply through gritted teeth and started to pant quietly as Shinigami ground his hips against Heero's. His fisted hands shook from gripping the cloth so hard.
Shinigami carressed Heero's bare sides with his hands now and Heero panted faster. He thought his knees were going to give out. The god tenderly kissed one area just under Heero's ear.
But suddenly, Shinigami froze, his eyes slitted, he peered around the room and listened for any noises besides Heero's now quieter panting. He stood up straight and moved away from Heero a little bit. His eyes scanned the room and he said in a soft, dangerous tone, "Someone's coming."
His eyes flicked back to Heero's and lost their fire for a minute. He kissed Heero softly on the cheek. "I'm sorry..." And with that, he spun away from him and strode out and into the hall, leaving Heero in complete disarray.
Shinigami alerted Jemima to keep an eye outside the front door and went back to Heero's room. Heero had dressed in the black slacks and deep red sweater and was sitting on the floor at the foot of his bed, his ankles crossed, his knees drawn up to his chest, his elbows on his knees, and his chin resting on his crossed arms. His half closed eyes stared at the floor as he sat there deep in thought. His calm gaze lifted to Shinigami as he opened the door and flipped on a light.
He gave Heero a slightly confused look on seeing his strangely emotionless eyes. Heero sighed slowly. Shinigami came and kneeled next to him. Without moving his head, Heero turned his gaze to him.
Just as Shinigami opened his mouth to say something, Jemima peeked into the room around the open door. He looked at her curiously as she stepped in and bowed - she'd started doing that lately. Hurrying over to him, she whispered quickly into his ear, "The visitors have arrived. Two are agents from Summerland - Trowa Barton and Quatre Winner, the third is..." She swallowed. "Duo Maxwell."
Shinigami's eyes once again narrowed to slits. He nodded a dismissal to Jemima. She bowed and scurried out. He turned back to Heero, who hadn't looked away. He met Heero's unwavering stare and said, "Stay here." He stood up and went to stand before the wall that Heero was facing. Heero watched as he threw up his arms and turned the entire wall into a giant mirror. He then left, turning off the lights as he went.
Heero was hardly bothered. Shinigami did mysterious things at random all the time. He sighed and merely stared at himself in the dark mirror.
Shinigami strode towards the front hall in a sharklike, silent-but-deadly manner. He slunk, unnoticed into the room where Jemima had taken the three guests. Jemima turned around and jumped when she saw Shinigami. She bowed hastily as the other three turned to face the Death God. Duo scowled and glared daggers at him. Quatre and Trowa moved to either side of Duo - Whether for support or to keep him from futilely lashing out at him, should the situation come up, he didn't know.
Duo clenched his fists and looked Shinigami up and down. He was wearing a dark green poet's shirt - though he buttoned it up halfway this time - and a pair of greenish-slate colored breeches. He had light gray gloves on and his feet were bare. He crossed his arms over his chest.
He stared coolly at them and sighed quietly. "I should have known you would come," he said in a bored voice, indicating that he really didn't care since there was nothing they could do anyway.
Duo growled deep in his chest and Quatre and Trowa exchanged glances.
Looking to Jemima he said, "Take these gentlemen to the Mirror Room." He then used a power that he rarely ever called upon for communication - he sent Jemima a picture in her head, showing her the room he had created in front of Heero's. After all, he could change his castle any way he wanted to.
Jemima nodded and bowed as Shinigami left the room. He was waiting for them when they arrived in the "Mirror Room". He stood calmly next to a curtain. He had first needed to tell Heero that he would be meeting the visitors soon.
Duo, Quatre, and Trowa filed into the small room and stood before the curtain. The room was a dark purple and had no furniture, excess doors, or anything other than the curtain and a few lights on the walls.
Jemima closed the door behind Trowa and went to stand beside Shinigami. "This is the Mirror Room," he began. "And as you have noticed, there are no mirrors. But the other side of this wall-" He tapped the curtain. "Is one big mirror. Let me show you where I'm going with this." He flipped off the lights so the room was pitch black. He then pulled a rope and the curtains flung to either side.
A chill ran up each of the guest's spines at what they saw. A single pair of eerie, glowing, neon green eyes stared unblinkingly into the room. Heero hadn't moved from his spot on the floor since Shinigami had been there.
The hair on the back of their necks stood on end from the creepy sight. The only thing visible in this darkness seemed unreal and mystifying. They wanted to tear their gaze away from those eyes, but it had them hypnotized. That awful, unwavering, green stare terrified them - paralyzing them with fear.
'What is that?'
The question that spun in their thoughts made their hearts race.
Shinigami's voice brought them back to reality, "I shall return shortly." They heard him leave, but nothing could draw their attention away from those eerie eyes and whatever they belonged to.
Duo yelped when the light in the other room came on and the mysterious being was revealed with perfectly normal, very sapphire eyes. "Heero..." he whispered as he saw Shinigami walk into the room and kneel next to Heero. They couldn't hear his words as he spoke to Heero, but the boy finally turned away from the mirror and faced Shinigami.
The two exchanged words for a moment and Heero got up. Duo stared at his clothing and wondered why he wasn't wearing his normal clothes. Then Shinigami leaned forward and kissed Heero on the cheek, took his hand and led him out of the room.
Duo thought he was going to explode when Heero first did nothing when Shinigami kissed him, and also when he wrapped his fingers around Shinigami's hand. He turned to Jemima, who watched him intently.
Her accent came on thickly as she spoke in a low, dangerous tone, "If you know what's good for you and Heero-kun, you will act as relatives or friends - depending on which Shinigami-sama introduces you as. Heero-kun will not recognize any of you. As far as he knows, he's always lived a happy life with Shinigami-sama." Her eyes were unusually cold as she watched them.
"In short, he's been brainwashed," Trowa said succinctly, giving her an equally cold look.
She tilted her head and grinned menacingly. "That would be an understatement, but yes. To put it very mildly, he has."
Shinigami opened the door, a broad grin spread across his face and his eyes narrowed. "Follow me," he hissed and walked briskly into the hall. Jemima followed first, then Duo. The other two brought up the rear.
He led them to the large room leading into his throne room. Heero stood at the fireplace, looking up at the stone lions but turned when he heard them come in. He smiled slightly at Shinigami who nodded to him. Jemima waved and smiled cheerily at him.
Heero's smile disappeared as he watched the other three come into the room. Shinigami stood next to him and put an arm around his shoulders. "Heero, I'd like you to meet a few friends of mine. Duo Maxwell, Quatre Winner, and Trowa Barton," he said, motioning to each in turn.
Duo smiled sadly, but kept his distance despite his desire to hold Heero again. Quatre and Trowa nodded solemnly.
Heero quirked an eyebrow at their serious moods.
Duo cleared his throat. "So, um, Heero..." he began. Heero's gaze shifted to him. Quatre and Trowa hoped that Duo remembered Jemima's warning - "If you know what's best for you and Heero-kun..." She had included Heero and they hoped he didn't do anything rash.
He nervously cleared his throat again. "Do you live here with Shinigami?"
Heero smiled a bit at the mention of the god. "Yes, I do. It's wonderful to live here."
Shinigami smirked.
Duo felt as though he was going to be sick, but forced himself to keep calm. "How long have you lived here?" he asked, making his voice as casual as possible.
Heero kept his small smile and looked at Shinigami inquiringly. "I don't remember how long it's been, to tell you the truth." Shinigami grinned.
Duo blurted the next question, "Where did you live before you came here?" He narrowed his eyes at Shinigami. Quatre and Trowa suddenly realized what Duo was doing - he was trying to make Heero see that he had not lived happily with Shinigami for so long that he couldn't remember. Quatre shot a warning look at Duo. He ignored it.
Heero blinked at Duo. Shinigami seemed to understand what Duo was doing as well. "Why do you ask?" he cut in before Heero could attempt an answer - not like he really could anyway. He glared threateningly at Duo, who glared back.
"Just curious," he muttered.
Heero decided to remain oblivious to the mild flurry playing out before him and turned his head away.
Trowa stepped forward. "Shinigami, may we have a word with you?" The Death God's eyes flicked to Trowa's and he smiled coldly.
"Yes, of course." He strode into his throne room, Trowa, Quatre, and Duo at his heels. He closed the gigantic doors behind them with ease and he took off his gloves and held them in his left hand. He spun around to glare at them venemously. "Why have you come here?" he hissed.
Duo seethed and glared back. "Why did you take Heero?" he asked in an equally bitter tone.
Shinigami tilted his head in a jerky movement. He suddenly reminded Duo of a snake... His lips were slightly parted - like he was debating on whether or not to answer - and his eyes burned with hate for the three boys standing before him. He didn't answer, but he sighed slowly and pressed his lips together as though saying that they would never get a reply out of him. He stared menacingly into Duo's eyes.
The silence wore on and Duo began to feel uncomfortable under Shinigami's unwavering gaze. It was like he was trying to see if he could burn a hole through his head or something.
Trowa sighed. "Look, Shinigami, Duo deserves an explanation." Shinigami turned his unblinking, violet eyes to Trowa. "You can't avoid us forever, and you have to return Heero to Summ-"
SLAP
Shinigami glared viciously at Trowa and his lip curled in disgust. He lowered his hand back down to his side. "You wish," he snarled and walked briskly out of the room.
Quatre squeaked as blood began to seep out of the three scratches on Trowa's cheek from the god's sharp nails when he had backhanded him. Trowa hadn't lifted his head, but stared at the floor. On hearing Quatre's quiet words of concern, he lifted his gaze and brought his hand up to his bleeding cheek and looked at the smear of blood on his fingertips.
Duo started shaking in fury. He clenched his fists and he scowled at the closed door. In a huff, he stormed after Shinigami, but Jemima was the only one in the room. She stared calmly at him. "Where is he?" Duo demanded.
Jemima flicked her hair behind her shoulder and replied, "Shinigami-sama took Heero-kun to his quarters." She smirked as Duo choked and stared at her with wide eyes. "I am to show you to your own rooms, should you be staying. If you are not, then I will show you out."
Duo shook his head quickly. "No, we're staying." Quatre and Trowa came into the room as he said this.
"What's going on, Duo?" Quatre asked, stepping forward. He looked from Jemima to Duo expectantly.
Jemima peered behind Quatre where Trowa stood. She looked back at the others and said, "We'll be right back." She pointed to Trowa. "You." He looked up at her and she beckoned him with her finger. He hesitated but followed her into the next room.
Quatre turned back to Duo after watching Trowa leave. "Well?"
Duo sighed. "I just told her that we would be staying - but Shinigami offered us the oppertunity first!" he said quickly.
Quatre blinked at him. "You told her we were staying?" He nodded. "Well, I suppose that's not going to do any harm... But Duo-" He came up close to his face. "Don't expect anything from our staying a little longer. It is likely that Heero will not remember, no matter what. Unless Shinigami takes that spell off of him, he will not remember you, me, or anything else. And as a warning - Shinigami cannot die, and even if he could, his spell would probably remain on Heero. Do not underestimate him."
A pained look crossed Duo's face and he looked away. Quatre knew this had hurt him, but it was a better option than attempting to do things his way and failing miserably.
But suddenly, Duo's eyes lit up. He turned to Quatre again. "If he doesn't remember me, then we're just going to have to replace his lost memories with new ones! He can remember right now, even though he is under Shinigami's spell."
Quatre sighed. "Duo, please don't try anything - at least not right now. Shinigami is very powerful and it is possible that he can just erase those memories as well." Duo looked away once again. "I know this must be hard, Duo, but keep in mind that Shinigami isn't all bad - He's lonely, but not bad."
Duo flinched and muttered, "Bastard," under his breath.
A moment later, Trowa and Jemima came back in. Trowa's cuts had been doctored and had stopped bleeding. The Scottish cat-girl then motioned for them all to follow her and she led them each to their rooms.
As she left each in their rooms, she mentioned that they were connected by another door. Trowa went into Quatre's room and sat with him in silence. Duo paced his room, running ideas through his head on ways to make Heero remember his life and memories with him. But he always found a way that Shinigami could foil his attempts.
Trying to force Heero to remember or trying to kill Shinigami were obviously not options. Try to create new memories with Heero to make him realize where his love truly lies - Shinigami could erase those memories. Try to get Shinigami to see what he had done and how horrible it was - Shinigami would deny it and probably give all these reasons of why Heero should stay with him.
Plan after plan raced through his thoughts but obvious ways to ruin them came up almost immediately. He did this for hours...
xxx
After Shinigami had left his throne room, he had asked Heero to come with him. He took Heero to his room as he had told Jemima, and talked with him for a while. He had needed Heero to come with him so the other three wouldn't get to him while he thought up some way he could make his spell stronger so that if they attempted anything, it would fail.
When he could think of nothing, he desperately wanted to stay with Heero until he came up with something. He finally asked if Heero would stay with him that night. Though surprised, Heero had agreed.
xxx
Heero sat down on Shinigami's bed as he went and flipped off the lights. He stripped down to his boxers and pulled back the comforter and slipped in the bed. He felt Shinigami get in on the other side after a moment. Shinigami grinned and took Heero by the waist and pulled him towards the middle with him. He wrapped his arms around him and Heero flinched a little. Shinigami assumed that was because of what happened earlier.
Heero could feel Shinigami's bare chest against his back and silently hoped that he wouldn't do anything other than this. He was feeling a bit awkward at being around the god after what had happened. When Shinigami made no move to do anything else, he relaxed and put his hands on the strong arms around him. Shinigami nuzzled his neck but nothing more.
He wasn't going to do anything else right now - He was busy thinking of a way to make his spell stronger so the others wouldn't break it somehow. His eyes popped open as he realized something that should have been obvious from the beginning...