Author : ChibiCriminal
Title : Death With A Kiss
Rating : Still PG-13. Only a few swear words. . .
Disclaimer : I'm just taking them out of the box to play with them for a while, I'll give them back when I'm done. . . maybe. .
Warnings: Yaoi. 1+2+1/1x2x1 , 3+4/3x4. Other pairing may come up later.
Chapter 2
Perfection or Vanity?
It was no secret that Quatre Raberba Winner was one of the most wealthy boys at Twin Oaks Academy. Winner Corporations was fast becoming the leading company in the technological field, giving any Winner heir a great deal of leeway and a rather deep pocket book. Winner's were known for their extravagant spending and rather lofty ideals, and Quatre was hardly any different.
Being the only male heir to his father's vast monetary empire, the young blond took a great deal of pride in achieving the highest possible grades, and a clean disciplinary sheet, always keeping his focus entirely on his future. Twin Oaks Academy was the most prestigious private high school in the country, earning its reputation for turning out only the best young minds who would one day run the business world, and patrons like the Winner family received their highest priority.
But it was said that the young Winner heir also possessed a kind heart and a gentle quality that earned him respect and love from all those around him. While he was able to constantly prove his eagerness for achieving success, he never forgot what it was to smile and give a kind word to a friend in need.
Perhaps that was what had gotten him in this mess. . . Principal Une had approached him yesterday, asking in a rather forceful manner, to help a new student get settled in. He'd only have to show him around, explain the rules, and help him if the young man had any questions. It hadn't seemed like such a bad idea to begin with, and had looked even better when Principal Une had promised to place a leadership note in his transcripts.
Now, though, walking down the empty hallway towards the new students assigned room, Quatre began to wonder if he really should have taken this task on. . . He was always busy with homework, and extra financial studies, just how was he going to fit this new student into his schedule? Just what exactly had he gotten himself into?
Quatre stopped hesitantly in front of the plain wooden door, gulping as he adjusted his black tie and ran his hands over his perfectly pressed suit, making sure he looked absolutely flawless. He glanced at the paper Une gave him and at the number on the door once more before raising a delicate hand and knocked softly on the door.
"Uh. . . Yea? Come on in," Quatre frowned softly at the reply, noting the general dismissal in it. The other boy was obviously distracted with something, and must have forgotten that he had an appointment. Hesitantly, Quatre turned the brass knob and pushed the door open. What greeted him made his aqua eyes bulge slightly and his mouth drop open in a silent gasp.
"Damn, damn, damn!" the braided boy cursed, tossing more clothes onto the messy floor. He was so busy rummaging around in the large duffle bag he had brought with him that he hardly noticed the blond standing dumbly in the door way. "I can't believe this! I know I packed it before I left. . . Where is it?" More clothes found there way to the floor, as well as other small, unimportant trinkets he carried with him.
Quatre didn't quite know what to make of the scene in front of him. The thing that first caught his attention was the heaping disarray of clothes, books, papers, and god only knew what else. Then his eyes strayed to the walls where, if it were at all possible, his eyes widened even more. Various posters of different sizes littered the walls, covering up most of the wall space with crude and grim images. Quatre was most definitely sure that Jimmy Hendrix, who ever that was, was not allowed at Twin Oaks, let alone this Led Zeplin , Kiss or Metallica.
Then his eyes landed on the boy who was so vigorously digging through his bag. It wasn't his dress that caught his immediate attention, not saying that was bad enough itself, with the torn black, form fitting jeans and the loose grimy T-shirt. . . no, it was the boys hair. It was incredibly long. . . traveling as far as the boys waist, and was tied in a sloppy braid that seemed to be half falling out at the moment.
"Damn it!" He cursed again, taking the whole bag and turning it upside down, letting the rest of his belongings drop onto the floor in pile.
Quatre cleared his throat loudly, finally gaining the attention of the other boy, who turned, panting for breath, to stare at the blond with strange amethyst eyes. "May I assist you in finding what you need?" he asked politely, although nervously. Sifting through this mess might take hours.
"My lucky rabbit's foot," he supplied shortly, turning and kneeling to look through the things he had just dumped on the floor. "It's black. I can't find it, and I ain't goin' no where 'till I have it."
Quatre blinked shortly, staring again at the braided boy. If he wasn't mistaken. . . that was a street accent. . . Most likely from the western coast. What was a boy from the streets doing in Twin Oaks? And why was he looking for a rabbit's foot? Holding back a sigh of confusion and a bit of irritation, Quatre began to look around the messy floor closest to his feet, frowning sharply. His eyes lit up as he saw it, and he quickly leaned down to snatch it up, carefully avoiding touching any other of the boy's things, and smiled triumphantly. "I found it!"
The braided boy whirled around quickly, laying eyes on the dangling foot before practically leaping over the junk and grabbing it from the blond. "Alright! Set to go!" He rubbed the soft foot against his cheek, almost preening, before remembering there was someone else in the room. He shoved the foot in his back pocket and laughed nervously. "Ah, sorry about that, dude. . . I'm a little. . .disorganized at the moment. . ."
Little disorganized? Quatre thought, staring at the mess around him. That didn't begin to describe what this was. . . He looked back to the boy to see him holding out his hand in greeting. Quatre started, quickly reaching out to return the shake, smiling a bit. "I'm Quatre Raberba Winner," he said formally. "It's very nice to meet you."
The other boy shook his hand enthusiastically. "Duo Maxwell, the one and only," he grinned widely, only releasing the other boy's hand when the blond began looking nervous. "Er, yeah. . .again. . .sorry about the mess. Are you the kid who's supposed to show me around this place?"
Kid? Quatre brushed the term off, nodding in answer to Duo's question. "Yes. I've attended Twin Oaks since my ninth year. I'm currently in my eleventh year right now, so I am fully qualified to host-"
"So you know all about this place then?" Duo said, quickly interrupting the blond, eyes glittering with something that made Quatre slightly nervous.
"Yes. . ."
"Well what are we waiting for, Q-man?" Duo crowed, grabbing the boy's arm and pulling him out of the room. "Let's start this little tour shall we? I can't wait to see the mess hall! I'm starved!"
Q-man? Mess hall? Dear Allah. . . what have I gotten myself into?
A long time after they had left, a stoic, cobalt eyed youth stood in the doorway of his once private room, staring at the mess of clothes and pictures around the room. A dark frown crossed his usually impassive features, and his fists clenched.
He assumed that his new room mate had already started unpacking – and had stopped right in the middle of it. The floor was a mass, there were disgusting images all over the walls, and worst of all. . . It was on his side of the room as well.
Heero Yui didn't like clutter and mess, and he certainly didn't like people who invaded his privacy. He'd talk to the Principal immediately.
This wouldn't do. This wouldn't do at all.
The auburn haired boy slowly made his way across the vast campus, weaving between the tall trees, again deep in thought. He'd already settled into his private room and unpacked what was necessary, and was now just wandering the grounds, having politely declined a tour, assuring the boy who had come to collect him that he would be perfectly fine in finding his classes.
He tucked his hands into his pockets, blowing his long bangs out of position with a large sigh. In all truths, this was the last place he'd wanted to come for his next assignment. This was a school, a haven for the young who still had yet to even live. . . He frowned. And I'm here to take that life away. . .
He let his eyes drift upwards, his emerald gaze trying to penetrate the thick oak branches and reach the sky above. Like so many humans, he wondered, who made the choice? Who decided when time was up? Who was the real Shinigami that sent his demons out among the humans? Because that's what we are, the boy mused, sadly. Just nameless demons that hide in the shadows until the time is right. . . until they take another life.
"And I said to this guy, 'dude, you have way to much time on your hands'."
Trowa turned, suddenly, listening to the soft laughter, green eyes wary. He hadn't been paying attention again. . . something that was becoming increasingly apparent these days. He constantly found himself thinking of things that only seemed to complicate his missions. He watched as the two figures crossed his direct line of vision and waited silently.
"You really like it here, then, Quatre?" A familiar voice asked another. Asked Quatre. Quatre Winner.
"Oh, yes!" The petite blond said, smiling radiantly. "It's absolutely wonderful! Everyone is so nice and respectful here, and the teachers are wonderful. They really know what they're teaching, and know how to actually get us to understand it. It's a bit hard to adjust for some. . ." he said, trailing off a bit, "but I think you'll be able to get a hang of it eventually, Duo."
The long haired boy laughed, almost nervously, "Yea, I hope so. I'd like to stay for a long time. . ."
Trowa snorted softly. A long time indeed. The self proclaimed Shinigami, a boy who said that he never lied, was out right telling the small blond boy the complete opposite of the truth. 'Duo' might have been very sociable, but he liked to finish jobs as quickly as the quiet auburn-haired boy did himself.
The footsteps stopped for a moment. "Did you hear that, Q-man?"
The small boy turned to look at Duo oddly. "No. . . What did you hear? You don't think we're going to get in to trouble by a teacher for being out here this late, do you? It is a weekend evening, after all. . ."
"No. I don't think it was a teacher. . ." he said softly. He gazed in the direction of the silent auburn-haired boy, who was leaning elegantly against one of the tall oaks. Trowa met that amethyst gaze with his own, which carried emotions that ran just as deep. They both remained silent, eyes locked in an internal battle, and while no words were spoken, a message was passed between them. Stay out of my way. . .
Quatre broke the silence for them, gently tugging on Duo's sleeve. "Duo? Do you see something? What was it that you heard?"
Duo looked at him, suddenly remembering that the small blond was still there with him, a look of confusion on his delicate features. Duo gave him a charming smile, shaking his head slightly. "It must have just been an animal or something," he smirked, "you know. . .a 'creature of the night,'" he laughed, nudging Quatre.
Quatre's soft, rich laughter joined Duo's and echoed slightly in the darkening twilight. "Well, let's get back, shall we? I don't want to stumble on a teacher for real and get in to trouble. . ."
"Sure thing, Quat," the braided boy said, smiling easily. His eyes briefly trailed back to the spot where amethyst had met emerald, only to find the area devoid of any sign of life. Duo's smile faded as he began walking back toward the large living building, a small feeling of apprehension filling him.
He wasn't here alone. . .
Author Notes : Alright! Another chapter out! Sightly longer than the others, hope you like it. Sorry about the wait, school has been killing me with last minute projects. . . x.x! Any comments? Any suggestions? Review!
