"A home is not necessarily the place you sleep in every night. A home is the place you come back to when afraid…the place that stays in your heart and memory, when all past residences have faded from mind."
"Can I sit here please?" Kid had just made it back in time for dinner, and he found who he judged to be the kindest looking of kids of his age group. The cafeteria held rows of tables and benches, most of which were filled with children of all ages. The three children turned around in unison. One began to nod slightly, but suddenly stopped the motion and began to shake his head vigorously. The other two stared, but they seemed not to be looking at Kid, but BEHIND him. Turning around to see what was stopping the people from accepting him, the blue eyed boy found himself face to face…or more face to chest…with another youth who seemed to be around 5 or 6 years older, and quiet bulky. Four others slunk carefully behind him, backing the older boy up. Kid eyed him, analyzing both weaknesses and strengths as Odin had taught him to do for enemies…and obviously this boy was not a friend. Seeing that he was being checked over, the stocky youth puffed out his chest for looks, which were by no means impressive, and flipped his brown hair from his eyes.
"Give me your lunch, newbie, or I'll beat the shit out of you." Kid snorted. DEFIANTLY not impressive. Odin had taught him sooo much better.
"Go ahead. I don't think that you would do it under the grownup's noses…and your cursing really isn't as intimidating as you might think it is…I think it's mostly your fat that scares people…that or your face…" The boy was speechless for a moment, not expecting, and not used to anyone standing up to him.
"Think you're so smart, do you, twerp? I'll make you regret those damn words of yours!" And with that, the boy spun around, flocked by his cronies, and merged with the crowd of hungry children. Kid sighed and found an empty table to sit at.
The soft bed that was given to him earlier that day was looking better and better in his mind as Kid started down the hall from the computer labs. The announcement that lights would be out in fifteen minuets helped speed up his pace, for he wanted to view the information that he had printed out. He had equipment specifically meant for this, for a small plain bracelet held a little container that resembled a locket, and in this he put the carefully folded wad of paper. So focused on this, he didn't see the large shadow that detached itself from a corner, and instantly fell over a leg that shot out from the niche. Making a quick count, he found himself instantly surrounded by five boys, all of whom were larger in size and years.
"I told you that you would pay for those words, dweeb!" The bully raised his fist threateningly. Kid smirked.
"Ah…Roul Stancers…right? I don't think it's fair either that your dad hated you so much that he beat you, and threw you out on the streets, but that really is no reason to pick on ME..." He had not neglected to look up on the boy's profile when he went on the internet before…in fact, Roul was the first thing he had looked into…with just a little hacking into the system's database. With the words that poured from Kid's mouth, Roul flinched and went rigid with anger. He looked at the other boys for support, but none of them seemed to want to say anything, for fear that the steel-eyed boy would relieve THEIR painful stories. And rightfully so, for those had been researched too. Knowing he had the upper hand on the situation, Kid smirked once more and turned around…only to be grabbed and hauled forcefully back and slammed into a wall.
"You will NEVER repeat that AGAIN to ANYone!" The boy shrugged. He would repeat it to whomever he pleased. Not that he had any intentions too, but if it helped him win a couple battles, so be it. Roul hauled his arm back once more while the others looked on.
"Say you're sorry!" Wow. This was going NO where. Kid shook his head and pulled his lips back in a small smile.
"Well, if you're gunna hit me, do it already, cause I have to go to bed…remember, lights out in 5 minutes." He loved playing this game with the angry youth.
"Fine! You asked for it!" And the stocky boy swung his arm around, and hit Kid square on the jaw, snapping his head against the wall. A small trickle of blood wound its way down the side of his face as he looked back at his tormenters.
"That- That kid…what's WRONG with him? He isn't even crying!" One of the boys shouted out. Well, it was only a small hit, and although the boy was strong, his hesitance slowed the effect. It could have been worse.
"I'll make him cry!" With a growl, Roul pulled his arm back again, and Kid braced himself for that worse attack.
"Roul Stancers! You stop RIGHT there!" Miss Adalia! She ALWAYS knew when he needed her!
"Aww. Miss Adalia…He ASKED for it!" the others nodded in agreement.
"I'm so disappointed in you! We all know your dad used to beat you, Roul, but that is NO reason to take it out on younger children! You are all restricted to your rooms for a week, with privy duties!" Normally Miss Adalia always smiled, but when she got mad, even the big kids were scared of her. Muttering under their breath, the boys made their way back to the rooms, leaving Kid alone with Miss Adalia.
"Oh, Hikari, I'm so sorry! Would you like me to take you to the nurse's office? We could put a little ice on that…" She leaned down and slowly wiped the blood oozing from his temple. Kid shook his head.
"No thanks."
"Oh, but you're being such a big boy about this!" She smiled, and the boy felt a swell of pride. He had made Miss Adalia smile! She smiled a lot, but only SPECIAL people could make her smile like THAT. He allowed her to walk him to his room, and blushed slightly as she leaned in to kiss him lightly on the forehead. Miss Adalia LIKED him!
"You know, Hikari, I think you really SHOULD meet Quatre…You both have a lot in common." Was Quatre a lost boy who liked to blow things up, too? "I'll talk to the others and see if we can arrange a meeting…maybe." And that was the last thing she said before slowly closing the door to the dark room.
"May I please have your attention?" The cafeteria's loud roar slowly dwindled to a last couple mumbles, then died down completely. Miss Adalia could get ANYONE'S attention…she was the only adult that anyone ever listened to anyway.
"I'm sorry to say that next week's Funday has been canceled." She raised her hand for silence as an outbreak in complaints reined through the room. Kid said nothing…He knew that glint in her eye…
"But in that case, we will have to reschedule it for tomorrow." Kid decided it would be okay to cheer along with all the other kids, but he felt a numbing indifference towards the statement. What fun would it be with no body to go on rides with? Ever since Roul had been humiliated in front of his friends, it was an unspoken rule that no one was to become friends with the new kid. No one challenged that rule, because no one challenged Roul. With good reason too. He lost himself in his thoughts as Miss Adalia went on to describe what the day would be like, and he wasn't even listening when she announced another important note, looking directly at him: Master Quatre would be returning to join them in this day of fun, and to welcome him as a guest. Kid let his head fall into his hands, and a sigh escaped his lips. He missed Odin, but he had to complete his mission so the man would be proud of him! Maybe while everyone else was having fun tomorrow, he would make a data check on the computers.
As it turned out, everything but the cafeteria and the game rooms were locked. Kid was getting frustrated with being pushed and shoved, as he never had to deal with so many people at once. Clowns and actors, photographers and bankers, animals and dancers. They had it all. The music was happy and carefree, and nothing like how Kid felt, and clowns were stretching balloons into impossible shapes. Maybe one day he would learn how to do that. As silently as he could, he slipped unnoticed outdoors. He really didn't have to try to hide himself. Everyone was too busy having fun to care that he was gone. And even if anybody DID see, they would do nothing about it. The blue-eyed boy walked slowly towards the swings, and sat down. He didn't really know how to make them go fast and high like everyone else…Odin hardly ever took him to parks or playgrounds where he could actually LEARN to use them, but he sat and rocked himself back and forth, back and forth…staring at nothing but his worn shoes. Back and Forth, back and forth… He hardly noticed when someone came up behind him, and a pair of shiny black shoes entered his vision. They stopped for a moment, and a squeak sounded beside him as someone sat down on the swings next to him. Surprised, Kid found himself staring at a fair-haired boy, who would have easily passed for a girl, had it not been for the small black suit he wore. He had light baby blue eyes, but they were nothing like what Kid's darker and colder gaze held. Kid had seen many like the boy before…they were all part of the REAL Winner family…All rich, snobby, and conceited. He HATED snobby people…always bossing everyone around, and there was nothing anyone could do about it because they had to be treated with RESPECT. Kid didn't understand WHY anyone would have to be nice to people with more money…but those were the RULES. He HATED rules. Though he had planned on ignoring this new boy, for he MUST act like the others, Kid couldn't help but looking at the person sitting beside him, slowly rocking on the small plastic seat. His eyes seemed to hold a gentleness that the others had lacked, and he had not started making orders and demands, or talking about his money.
"Why are you not having fun with the others?" His voice seemed to float lightly on the air, and suggested a sadness that just reached his soft eyes.
"I don't have any friends." Not wanting to sound sorry for himself, the boy continued. "Why are YOU not with them? This is to welcome YOU people here." He hadn't meant to sound so scornful…so angry…
"Hey, I'm sorry…I didn't mean it like that…My name is Ki…Hikari…Well, that's what they named me here anyway. I don't really have a name of my own." Kid smiled warmly at the boy…something he found himself doing less and less often. It was bothersome though…he shouldn't be slipping on his name…he still felt uneasy that everyone ELSE had a name from THEIR mommies and daddies… but he was relieved when the boy's fallen face suddenly lit like a lamp, and a smile brightened his young features.
"That's okay! Me too, I don't have any friends here…People only like me because I have money, or hate me for the same reason…it's so hard to just fit it!" His little bout or frustration lasted only a couple of seconds, before he smiled again. Talk about enthusiastic.
"Oh! And by the way, I forgot to introduce myself! How rude! My name is-"
"Master Quatre! There you are! We have been looking all over for you!" A man with blond hair, dressed exactly as the boy, arrived huffing at a jog. Quatre, hm? Kid pondered this for a moment until he finally understood. Oh! Miss Adalia's little brother! There was something Kid found familiar about the boy…he knew before that the boy was one of Miss Adalia's clone brothers, but he never expected to meet THIS Winner boy…The affect on Quatre when the man arrived was astounding. The boy stiffened, and his face hardened into a grim look of, what was it? Hate? Annoyance? But whatever it was, Kid wanted it gone…he was too nice of a person, and that frown did not seem to fit. Then Quatre spoke.
"Is it time to play "Happy Family" again? What should I do THIS time to kiss up to everyone?"
"Master Quatre, how can you say such things? You know that is not true!" The man's voice sounded just as reproachful as was possible when addressing the heir to the family's fortune.
"Is it not? And how many people in there have actually NOTICED I'm missing? Ones that need more money, right? A loan, perhaps?" Kid was beginning to feel uncomfortable with where this conversation was going. The boy regarded it as a private conversation, one that should not be held in front of a complete stranger…but they continued.
"And what happens if you get hurt out here? No one would know for HOURS, and you could bleed to death! How many times have I told you, you need an escort?" Kid had enough. Setting a brave face he stepped forward.
"Could I do it?"
"Could you what?" The man's sneer wiped any pleasantness that it once might have held away. Kid felt like shrinking away from that horrible face, but held his ground.
"May I escort him? I will make sure nothing bad will happen, and I can always run for help! I promise we will be ok!" Whatever strain asking this had been vanished as the sight of Quatre's radiant smile. It was true; this boy was meant to smile.
"Yes, that will do wonderfully! Thank you Hikari!" The blond boy was fairly bouncing up and down at this point, but the man seemed to find something wrong with this.
"Master Quatre, you would trust this…this STREET RAT to watch over you?" Quatre's smile disappeared.
"That's enough!" His voice rose into a commanding tone Kid had never heard. "You are dismissed." Kid expected the man to say no, to turn around and slap the boy…to do SOMETHING to justify the anger that burned in his eyes, but he quickly turned heel and left.
The rest of the day went past in a blur of laughter and games. Kid didn't know the last time that he had ever had so much fun…had ever had the time to play a game or be taught something so pointless as how to swing. He loved how the blond boy admired his bravery when he jumped off the swing, although it was nothing new to him from the training he received from Odin. The evening found them lying exhausted under one of the many trees surrounded them, talking about others, and not once touching on their pasts, and for this Kid was thankful. He didn't know how this seemingly peaceful boy would ever come to accept the life of an assassin.
"Quatre?" This had to be the only time that Kid didn't want Miss Adalia's company. She wasn't visible through the curtain of leaves, although they knew she was standing just in the doorway of the tall building.
"Quatre! It's time to come in!" The boy looked regretfully over his shoulder and sighed. Standing up once more, his light blue eyes danced towards the person standing next to him, and he offered his hand.
"Thank you so much, Hikari! I don't know when I've last had so much fun! I would love to meet you again…for a longer time maybe?" Kid nodded. He would have said something more, but a slight flickering in the bushes beyond caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Odin had taught him to notice such subtle signs…they were the difference between life and death…but try as he might, he could no longer glimpse the slight movements. Quatre would be gone soon, and he would have plenty of time to explore later. He tried to act as if nothing was wrong, and let the blond boy continue, although he kept the corner of his eye trained on the one spot.
"And…would you…do you think that you could come with me…well, see, every year on my birthday they take me somewhere special…I was wondering if you would like to visit the circus with me?" Kid almost burst with excitement and pride, though the target of his main attention was not hindered. The circus? He had never seen one, let alone been to one before! He heard that that was the place where they made elephants stand on balls, and tiger leap through rings of fire. Did he want to go?
"I would love too! But…but why…why me?" As much as he wanted to go, the brown haired boy did not feel worthy of such company…he felt dirty…like a liar who had snuck his way into everything. Quatre seemed to think otherwise, though.
"Because," he called over his shoulder as he left towards the car that would take him back home to his fancy mansion, "You're my friend!" Assassins can't have friends. They must be alone in the world. Friends and loved ones are one of the worst kinds of weaknesses, and enemies will not hesitate to use them against you. Friends cannot always be trusted. Never trust anyone!
"Friend…" Kid couldn't decide if the whispered comment should be a question or a statement…but right now he had other more important things to think about. Making sure that Quatre and any of the others were well out of sight, the boy silently slipped around the building in an attempt to look like he had gone into it…just in case anyone was watching. Then, with the stealth that he had spent the last year training on, Kid wound his way behind the bushes in an attempt to sneak up on whoever was hiding in the bushes. If they are hiding, they are probably the guilty ones. Aha! Kid almost exclaimed in pride when he saw a shadowy figure hunched in the underbrush, staring intently out into the now empty field. Not knowing what he would do even if he DID get close enough to touch the person, yet driven by impulse to see who it was and what he wanted, Kid moved forward.
CRACK!
The boy jumped to side, not a second too soon, as a bullet whizzed by his head, and the figure cursed. Ready to run, Kid jumped to his feet, but stood frozen on the spot as the person looked directly at him.
"ODIN!"
"Shit, Kid! Not too loud! What the hell were you doing here, you brat? I could have damn well shot you!" Kid wasn't at all worried by the anger in Odin's voice. He was used to it, and besides, nothing could ruin this mood. He wanted to tell Odin everything that he had learned, and how much he had missed the man… but how he had been REALLY good and was completing the mission. He opened his mouth to tell this all to the man, but was stopped before the words came out.
"No, no…don't say anything. I need to explain a couple of things, and we need to make this quick before you're missed. So that boy you were talking to…Quatre Raberba Winner, hmm? Did I hear correctly when he asked you to the circus?" Kid nodded, not know whether it was ok to speak or not yet.
"Great. You have a new mission." A new mission? Kid didn't know what to think. He wanted more then anything to be with Odin again, even if he DID have to shoot people…but what about Miss Adalia? And Quatre?
"I need you to take these, and your mission is to blow up as much of that damn place as you can." Odin threw a couple explosives to the ground. "There will be some high ranking officials there, and others who are working against us. You think you can handle it? All you have to do is go in, plant the bombs, get out, and blow that place to hell." He grinned. Kid wanted to say no, to turn his back, tell Odin he didn't want to kill people anymore…but he knew better then to question orders, even if they were stated as a question. He nodded solemnly.
"Great, Kid! So, you'll need these packets," Odin pointed at the packets laying on the ground, "and then you will need this…" A small handgun was handed to him. Although it was no larger then an adult's hand, Kid knew that even this could perform a deadly task and finish a job.
"How do I hide this?" The boy was no idiot. The rooms were cleaned daily, and it would be hard not to notice a little boy hauling packets upon packets of highly explosive powder.
"No need to worry, I have this all handled!" Odin produced a rather large and floppy teddy bear from his bag of infinite supplies, and opened a seam in the backside. Most of the padding was removed, replaced instead by the packets and the gun. The man offered a goofy grin, and winked.
"Now whatever you do, DON'T LOSE THIS! And tell NO ONE what's inside of it, you hear me?" Kid would have laughed, and laughed hard if he could…if they hadn't been hidden. The sight of the very person who had taught him all he needed to know about killing, who was meant to end thousands of lives, who had destroyed so many families…was brandishing a child's teddy bear like it was the most powerful weapon in the world. Instead he smiled quickly back, before grasping the head of the bear and preparing himself to leave. Although the boy wanted nothing more then to stay, to talk the night out with Odin, he knew that was not an option, and that duty was duty, and people would be looking for him soon. He flashed one last smile, and waved goodbye, before he slipped into the brush and blended away.
A/n- Ahhh! The truth of the teddy! And thanks again Tasha-chan for the wonderful idea! Ok, I have to tell you something REALLY funny! (for me at least)…sooo…The idea of Blowing the living daylights out of the circus was kinda a mistake… sooo, I saw this beautiful Music video someone put together (I would show you, but I don't know how to find it again!) and it showed what I THOUGHT was the dead body of a lion at the circus!….Turns out it was really a bush, but I didn't know that till later, and I though that was a really touching scene…so, POOF! And from that comes the next chapter…sooo…I know this was kinda long…SORRY!REVIEW RESPONSE-
Ganki-YAY! Cuddles I'm sooo glad you liked this! Gee…If Odin were just a little bit younger…sigh Well, we will hear more about him later…but for now…shoves picture of Odin away GRIN
Lost-Remembrance-hey! As to your question, I have a couple of ideas…One being that there are LOTSA LOTSA LOTSA stories about Heero and Odin (gee, I wish I could read them all! sigh) Also, You might have read my "friend's" -------ish no friend anymore- story…We got about half way through it and she…GRRRRR…STOLE IT! throws fit Sooo…I had to rewrite…thus…MISSION ACCEPTED! Grin hope that helped.
burgandy3721-hmm….I think I get what you are trying to tell me in the idea you would like explained, but I'm not sure if I have all the details! Could you explain a little bit more? (It's me! I'm sorry! I'm soo slow in the brain!) Feel FREE to email me! I LOVE emails!
krage-Lol..I totally understand the name thing….Luna is not my Real name…Nor is Lexi, or Yakubyougami…but I go by all of them…Mostly Luna though…It has…more meaning to me then I could tell you in one response…The one who I took the name from…Means the world to me…And he saved my life more then once. (yes, HE) :-) How did the 11 in 11Krage pop up? Lol…oh, and I've been pronouncing it, (mentally, if possible) the way that it looks when spelled…(ummm…cr-ay-g) Oh, and thanks for the idea! I'm gunna add that to my list of things to do! Oohhhh…I can't wait till you read later on in the story…do I have a twist for you:-) Hope u like it!
ZaKai-Hey! You will be seeing later on in the story, I do have an answer to how Odin will react! Hehe! You will have to wait though! evil grin So I decided I'm gunna use SOME of the stuff from the comic…maybe not down to the dialogue, but somewhere close…:-) sooo…I was wodering if you knew what Ja ne meant? I have been wondering on those words for like…forever…and when you ended your review with Ja, mata ne? thanks a lot! Oh, and tell me how your trip goes…I would love to hear all about it! (I'm a sucker for anything about ANYWHERE but here) sigh thanks again! -Luna