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The Last Mission

Midnight of Shadows

***@***@***@***(~)*March 3 A.C. 199

            "Here's your ticket sir.  Thank you for flying with Centennial Stars, your number one travel agency for the stars and beyond!"  The girl's passionate statement was met with a dull gaze as she handed the young man his ticket.  His steel gaze studied her young, fresh face, bright green eyes, and wavy violet hair.  The girl fidgeted but held her smile as he stood there in silence.  A moment later the smile completely disappeared off her face as he continued to stare.

            "My credit card," he stated finally.  The girl blushed in embarrassment and quickly handed over the visa.

            "Sorry," she apologized, but her words reached deaf ears as he sauntered off and headed for his designated terminal.

            The young clerk watched him walk off for a while, her gaze full of sorrow, "Have a safe flight," she whispered. 

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            Heero took his seat as the plane made final preparations to take off.  He was seated in first class by the window, several seats around him vacant.  The stewardess passed by to check his seatbelt and then seated herself right after.  The pilot's voice soon echoed over the COM.

            "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Centennial Stars, your number one travel agency for the stars and beyond.  This is your captain, Alex Croft.  I hope you have enjoyed your stay on Colony L1.  Our destination today will be L2.  We will takeoff in the next five minutes and arrive in exactly six hours.  Please remain seated until we have reached outer space.  Attendants are located in every section of the ship for your convenience.  Thank you for flying with Centennial and be sure to choose us for your next space adventure."

            The captain's tirade soon ended and the ship jolted to life as the engines were started.

            His mind once again on task, Heero directed his gaze to the photograph.  He had a million and one questions he wanted to ask this girl, but they would have to wait.  He needed to see quite a few people first before he embarked on this mission.  After all, it wouldn't be fair to the others or so Duo had said.

            Heero smirked as he thought of the loud-mouthed pilot turned scrapper.  Last he had heard Duo had opened his own scrap yard and garage on L2.  It was very successful.

            Heero's gaze was soon focused on the outside world as he watched the plane take off the runway through the window.  With a sigh, he pulled down the shade and closed his eyes. It was going to be long flight.

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            Usagi turned off the knob to the shower and stepped out, the cool air causing goose bumps to grow along her skin.  Quickly, she dried off and headed towards her bedroom.  The steam from the bathroom created a scented cloud that followed her.  She dropped the towel into the dirty clothesbasket and went to her dresser.  After finding suitable undergarments and a long nightgown, she silently made her way to the kitchen.

            The glint of something caught her eye as she passed the table in the hallway.  She paused to stare at it a moment before continuing on to her destination.  Reaching the kitchen, she rummaged around in the cabinets before pulling out a snack, and then found a bottle of water in the fridge.  With her goal attained, she then headed back out the kitchen, stopping once more to stare at the object on the table.  For a moment, the world seemed to narrow and grow to a dim pinprick of light.  Then everything came back into focus and she found the object gripped in her hand.  Shaking her head, Usagi walked down the hall to the living room and out onto the balcony.

            It was night.  The stars twinkled in the sky as the moon glowed in all its ivory glory.  Crickets chirped their night song, notes sharp and clear.  The dog on the balcony below barked his evening farewell and settled down to rest.  Usagi walked to the railing on her balcony and peered up at the night sky.  A melancholy sigh escaped her lips.

            "Such a beautiful night," she whispered, her voice a sorrowful reflection.  She set the water and snack down on a table and proceeded to make herself comfortable in the only lounge chair out there.  It was then that the object in her hand caught her attention again.  

            It was the gun.

            Slowly, she traced the cold medal with her fingers.  Pausing as she came upon the trigger, her memory flashed to yesterday's events.  She had been so ready to end it all, give everything up, but something held her back.  Something made her put the gun down and walk away.  Something had stopped her.

            It was puzzling to say the least.  How could someone so convinced to end her life in that moment, suddenly change her mind?  Maybe the answer wasn't so puzzling as she made it to be, but it irritated her nonetheless.  She was 17, she should know herself by now, know what made her tick, and what made her calm.  But she didn't know what made her stop.

            Her grip on the gun tightened for a moment before she set it aside with a frown.  She shouldn't have to think about it.  There was no reason to ponder, only accept.  She would just have to accept the idea of continuing on with life for now. It seemed the fates were not done with her yet.

            "My third reincarnation and the fates are still fucking with me," she whispered sardonically to the moon.  The pale ivory glow gave her no answers, only continued to bathe her in it's light.  Usagi frowned, "Of course, you've never given me any answers, only problems."  She huffed and closed her eyes then, letting the moon's glow surround and soothe her.  Her hand drifted over to the table and picked up the gun, once again setting it in her lap.

            It really was a beautiful night.

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            Heero wandered the lone streets of the colony, his eyes rapidly searching for a place to stop.  It was then that he spotted the little cafe, the size of it alone speaking for its privacy.  The little coffee shop was crammed between a major restaurant and a clothing outlet.  People passed it by on their way to the restaurant, barely casting a sideways glance to the little cafe. 

            Heero glanced up to the sign above the door briefly. Shakespeare's corner, it read, a white sign with a picture of Shakespeare sitting at a desk in an apparent corner.  Heero looked behind him and to the sides before stepping up to the door and going inside.

            The cafe was dark, warm candlelight giving the room a cozy glow.  Velvet crimson curtains covered the walls to trail down to a black tiled floor.  Wicker tables were surrounded by green velvet cushioned wicker chairs.  It was late.  Only twelve people occupied the little cafe, most drinking coffee and reading novels. 

            Heero made his way to a dim corner and seated himself.  A moment later a waitress strolled by and offered him a complimentary cup of hot chocolate.  He accepted.  With hot chocolate in hand, Heero sipped slowly in golden silence.  After a few sips, he turned his gaze to the large window in front of him.  Outside, the streets were emptied and desolate, a few stragglers making their way home or to other unmentioned places. 

            Heero let his gaze drift to the garage across the street.  It wasn't very large.  The sign had a drawing of a wrench and a monkey and very large red letters, which said: Shinigami's Den.  A smirk worked its way onto his lips.  Of course Duo would have to be different.  The smirk fell away as he stared at the building longer, his mind reminding him why he was here in the first place.  Closing his eyes, Heero turned away and sipped at his drink.

            There was much to do tomorrow.

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