Disclaimer: I don't own GW or any of its characters. (mutters) Though I wish I did. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this story, minna-san! I'm really sorry for the very long delay! Gomen! (wails)
Kaitou Shinigami (Thief Shinigami) Chapter 10
by elana-chan
Kuso.
That's what all Duo could think of as his sempai left him there in the empty hallway. His sempai's last words were echoing throughout his head, making his heart beat faster with dread and anxiety.
- Or should I say, Shinigami-kun –
Someone up there must really hate him right now to dump all of these problems to him right now. Another burden has just been added to the load that he bears. He has to think of another plan to defeat Black Cat at the same time solve this problem with Zechs-sempai. He sighed deeply as he trudged back to his room and gathered up his things.
What did I do to deserve this, dear lord? Why do they have to pick the same date to bother me?
As he was placing the last of his books in his book bag, a cough came from the open door of the classroom. So deep in his thoughts, Duo was startled at the cough that he lost hold of his book bag as he turned to the person on the doorway.
"Heero-kun!"
"Hn." The other boy approached the flustered Duo, helping him gather the books that had fallen from the bag.
As Heero handed the books to him, their hands brushed and Duo tried to fight the blush that was threatening to overrun his face. He grabbed the books and put on a sunny smile to cover up the sudden nervousness that attacked his being at the near presence of the junior detective. Now that he knew what the junior detective's feelings for him are, Duo can't help but feel a bit awkward in Heero's presence.
"Ehehe thanks. You really need to make a sound when you walk, Heero-kun. You nearly scared me out of my wits."
Heero just raised an eyebrow at this. This action made took notice of those Prussian-blue eyes that resembled the turbulent sea. The braided boy slapped himself mentally to focus on other things instead of those beautiful eyes before Heero notices that he was staring.
"Anou Heero-kun, do you want something? If you're looking for Iruka-sensei, I suggest you wait a bit 'coz Kakashi-sensei's harassing him again. He's in the teacher's lounge by the way."
"I'm looking for you, actually."
"Eh? Me?" Now, Duo couldn't hold the blush that appeared at those words.
Heero looked fascinated at the blush, light amusement passed for a moment in those normally-impassive eyes before focusing its attention once again to Duo.
"I saw you talking to Merquise a while ago."
Duo mentally groaned at Heero's words. Someone up there must really, really hate me right now. Lord, was it because I played a prank on Dad and Father Maxwell last week? I said I was sorry.
"Duo?"
"Oh. Sorry 'bout that. Hehe Just thinking about stuff. Yeah. Zechs-sempai asked me for a dance in the upcoming party."
Don't tell me he's jealous of Zechs-sempai! After the incredulity has worn off, Duo couldn't help but feel a little touched that Heero was jealous of Zechs-sempai over him. Then, he mentally smirked. Another chance to tease the uptight junior detective.
"Why do you ask, Heero-kun? Jealous?"
He was not disappointed when a furious blush colored Heero's cheeks. He hid his chuckles from the other boy but it was futile since Heero was glaring daggers at him. He just couldn't resist teasing the other boy. Old habits really die hard.
"Don't look at me like that, Heero-kun. You were the one who brought to subject up. So why did you brought up that subject?"
Heero didn't immediately answer but knowing the other boy's tendency to utter only monosyllabic phrases, Duo expected the silence and waited patiently for the other to say what's his reason behind this conversation.
While waiting, Duo decided to observe the junior detective that had occupied his thoughts recently. Heero was indeed handsome, in a detached and mysterious way. His brown hair looked untamed, making his fingers itch to run over those silky-looking locks of hair and tame it himself. The junior detective was a tad bit taller than him, giving him a chance to look into those beautiful eyes that normally hide behind his unruly hair. Now, Duo can see some fleeting emotions in those blue depths.
"Duo."
"Hmm?" Duo broke away from his observation to focus his attention to the boy in front of him.
"I wanted to ask if I could accompany you to the party."
Duo mentally groaned in frustration. Someone up there must be holding a darn big grudge against him.
Why? Why now? Heero, why do you have to ask that now? Now, how will I get out of this one? Dear Lord, please forgive me for this lie.
"Anou, Heero-kun. I would really love to come with you but I already promised Quatre that we'd go together since I'm hitching a ride with him. I'm so sorry, Heero-kun."
Duo winced mentally as he saw the disappointment that crossed Heero's features before it became the impassive mask again. He mentally pounded his head with a mallet while calling himself a baka at what he just did to Heero.
"I understand." With that, Heero turned to leave.
Duo no baka! The guy must be heartbroken. You agreed to Zechs but not to him. Ignore the fact that Zechs is blackmailing you. You must do something!
"Matte, Heero-kun!" Heero did stop but didn't turn. Duo grabbed his hand and made the other boy face him.
"I'm really sorry, Heero-kun. But can I ask you to save me a dance instead?"
The braided boy smiled apologetically at Heero, hoping that the other boy would accept his offer.
"Hn." With that response, Heero tugged at his hand and moved to leave the other boy.
Duo stood stunned at such a weird response, finally snapping out of his trance as the other boy was already in the hallway.
"Is that a yes or a no?" Duo yelled at the retreating figure of the junior detective.
Heero did stop but he didn't turn. His deep monotone voice carried down the empty hallway to give Duo his answer.
"See you at the party, Duo. I'll save every single one of my dances for you." With those words, Heero left and disappeared down the stairway.
Duo blushed at Heero's words, a silly smile tugging at his lips.
This day isn't so bad at all.
"Mom?"
Maxine Maxwell turned her attention from the needlework that she had been working on to the soft voice of her son who had been fidgeting in front of the bedroom door. She had seen how her son had acted during the past few days. And she was getting worried.
The teen seem to have a dark cloud hanging over his head. Father Maxwell had commented on it and Sister Helen seconded his words. Duane even noticed the fake smile that his son is putting up for them. Even she had noticed the lack of appetite of her boy and based from the dark circles under those expressive blue-violet eyes, Duo is loosing sleep as well. Something is troubling her son.
"Yes, Duo-chan. You need something? You just came from school, right? Do you need some snack? I could whip you up some cookies if you like."
"No Mom. No need for that. I just…um…wanted to talk to you, that's all."
Maxine eyed her restless son, who looked like he's going to have his execution done right before him, before sighing and shaking her head at her son's antics. She patted the place beside her on the couch, silently indicating the braided boy to sit by her side. Duo understood the gesture and hesitantly sat by his mother's side.
Maxine saw how edgy the boy was when he took a seat beside her. The former art thief can't help but feel worry for her only son. She placed a comforting hand on the teen's back and began rubbing it to sooth away the tenseness, all the while humming a soft tune that she had been singing to her son ever since he was a baby.
A calm silence descended between mother and son, broken only by the soft humming of Mrs. Maxwell. Finally, Maxine felt the tension leave her son's lithe frame as the boy edged closer to his mother and leaned his head by her shoulders. Mother waited for the son to talk, never stopping the calm touch and the soothing hum.
"I need your help, Mom. But first, I ask for your forgiveness 'coz I kept so many secrets from you and lied to you countless of times."
"What are you saying, Duo-chan?" Maxine asked in a soothing voice, not stopping her calming touch.
"I'm Shinigami."
Maxine looked at her son's eyes, looked at those eyes that resembled her own irises. Is history repeating itself? Why did her son decided to follow her footsteps? Is this punishment for the crimes that she had committed?
"Mom, don't look at me like that. Don't blame yourself. I choose to become Shinigami. I invented him myself. And I did not steal, Mom. I'm just giving back stuff to their rightful owners."
Maxine stopped the thoughts of guilt that had flooded her mind and listened to her son's words. Duo must have seen the confusion in her face as the other continued his explanation.
"Shinigami is not like Dark Angel, Mom. He helps people who come to the chapel to seek God's help. He doesn't steal for profit. He gets what rightfully belongs to another. He could be called an angel but that name's taken. Beside, the name Shinigami is cool, don't you think?" Duo grinned and winked at his mom.
At her son's joke and that mischievous grin, Maxine couldn't help but smile. She trusted her son, knowing that Duo wouldn't make up something like this that could hurt his mother's feelings. The mood had lightened because of Duo's joke but an undercurrent of tension is still present. Duo still had much to tell, Maxine can feel it.
"I believe you, kodomo. I understand why you wanted to do this. Now I see why you hang a lot in Quatre's ne? I'll bet he's your sidekick."
"That and much more. The guy wanted me to wear different sets of matching outfits every time I retrieve something. He even has a photo collection of me wearing all of his designs! I think he want to be a fashion designer rather than a CEO of Winner Corp." Duo mumbled as he blushed in embarrassment, remembering all those times the blond had ordered him to model his creations. Quatre can be really scary sometimes.
"Oh! I must speak with Quatre-chan! I have to see those pictures. I bet you'd look hot in each of them."
"MOM!"
"But you do, Duo-chan! I heard that a handsome sempai has been making moves on my kawaii Duo-chan."
"Solo told you that, didn't he? I'll kill that busybody!"
Duo looked enraged at a second, ready to find his cousin and throttle the life out of him. Then, he took in a deep breath and gave Maxine a smile of gratitude, understanding that the banter was Maxine's way showing Duo that she understands his actions and that she wholly supports him in what he does.
"Mom, now that you finally know who I am, I'm asking for your help. I need to know the real story behind Dark Angel and Black Cat."
At these words, Maxine tensed and looked at the determination she saw in her son's amethyst irises. Trepidation gripped her heart and dread began to flood her being at the implications of Duo's words. Her worst fear seemed to become true.
"Don't tell me she…"
"She knows me already, Mom. She challenged me, with your lives as collateral." Maxine's fear increased at these words. But Duo continued on. "I know she has a lot of years ahead of me but I won't risk your lives either. The police can't help us on this one."
"Then I must be the one to confront her. She has no grudge on you. I'm what she wants."
"No, Mom. She issued this challenge to me and to no one else. Thief I may be but I know how to fight when needed." Duo had that look in his eyes that indicated that his decision is final. And Maxine knew that convincing her son to change his mind is futile.
"Black Cat and I were childhood friends but we treated each other like sisters. We were both orphaned and met each other in an orphanage. She was called Lady and I was given the name Maxine. We stayed there until we can't take the treatment anymore. So we ran away at the age of 9…"
FlashBack
"Lady-chan, don't cry."
A young Maxine knelt down before a sobbing brown haired girl. Bruises and cuts can be seen on the youthful skin of the sobbing girl. Wet chocolate-brown eyes met teary amethyst ones. Lady then threw herself into the other girl's arms, both now sobbing as they try to find comfort from each other.
"They hurt me again, Max! They kicked me and beat me with sticks."
"Stop crying now, Lady-chan. This hurting will stop now."
"What are you saying, Max? Don't tell me you're going to fight them again! I thought I lost you when you did that last time!" Lady turned frightened eyes to a determined Maxine.
"Don't worry 'bout that. I won't fight them. We'll leave this place. We'll run away. Are you with me, Lady-chan?"
Lady nodded, a serious expression on her young face. "Pinky promise, remember? We promised to be together forever."
Maxine gave the other brunette a smile. "Hai. Together forever."
End of Flashback
"…We left the city and traveled far from the orphanage. We arrived here in L1, where we thought it was safe to finally settle down and call it home. A band of street thieves found us and decided we could be of use to them since we're small. They thought us all they knew about being a thief and before long, Lady and I finally became the bosses of the gang.
"At the age of 17, we're already doing heists that should have been for professionals. And that was also the time when we met the man who changed our lives forever. Dekim Barton. He's responsible for the creation of Black Cat and Dark Angel. He was a dashing young man who promised to take us out of the streets. Well, he did that but instead of petty thefts and robbing stores, we now did jobs in museums, auction houses and banks. Dekim was a rich businessman who collected rare art pieces and jewelry to sell to the black market. Professional art and jewel thieves are what Dekim wanted and he got them in the two of us. He trained us and asked us to work for him, in exchange for the education, wealth and shelter that he had provided us.
"We're called the Dark Twins back then because of the identical image we made to make our missions successful. We always wore our long hair into identical braids and donned on complete black outfits. Lady would joke about how we looked more like ninjas than thieves." Maxine gave a rueful smile at this before continuing.
"I would not have tolerated this for it placed our lives in danger but all that he had offered had been so tempting to two adolescents who wanted to experience life from the streets. Another thing that made me stay was Lady. My partner had unexpectedly fallen in love with our boss. And that's where the problem started.
"I had thought that he must have loved my best friend. He had showered her with praises and gifts and the like. But apparently, it was all an act. Dekim loved no one but money. Once, I overheard him talking about how he had us wrapped around his little finger, that we're his little dolls who will do his every whim.
"That was the last straw. I can't bear to see my best friend hurt by this wolf in sheep's clothing. I tried to convince her to leave. But it was all in vain…"
Flashback
"He's toying with you, Lady. He's just using us. Using you! I can't let that happen. You're my best friend."
Lady looked at Maxine with eyes that held shock then it changed to hurt, anger and betrayal.
"You call yourself my best friend! You're just saying that 'cause you want him yourself, Max. I've seen how Dekim looks at you. You're jealous that I had this much attention from him. You're trying to take him away from me. Can't you see that I love him? And he that he loves me back! How dare you take away this newfound happiness I have here with Dekim!" Tear began to leak out of those hurt brown eyes.
Maxine shook her head, trying to make her friend understand that all she said was not true. She was about to defend herself but Lady stopped her with a raised hand. She looked at the amethyst-eyed brunette with sadness and betrayal in her features.
"No. I don't need to hear anymore of your lies, Max. Let's just end this."
With that, Lady turned and walked away from a stunned Maxine.
"You promised, Lady! What about our promise!"
But Lady never looked back."
End of Flashback
"…And so the Dark Twins died, giving birth to Black Cat and Dark Angel. I worked for anybody who wanted a theft job done while Lady continued to work under Dekim. We became rivals in some unspoken agreement, trying to see who gets the bigger heists and bigger publicity. We never did have a confrontation until that fateful day when we decided to steal the Faberge egg.
"I didn't know why she decided to steal that egg. We monitor each other's movements and we have this unspoken rule that if one were to steal a certain artifact, the other can't steal it anymore. My sources also didn't know that Lady was stealing the egg the same time I did. And so, we had our first and, I had thought, last confrontation at that night…
Flashback
"You're too late, Dark Angel." Lady, now attired in a black, leather-tight body-suit with its signature cat ears on her head, said with contempt as Maxine arrived at the warehouse.
"You're wrong. It's never too late, Black Cat. Not of Dark Angel."
A movement suddenly appeared behind Lady and Maxine saw this. A man was aiming a gun at her friend. She whipped out her gun and fired. The sound echoed throughout the large warehouse. A thud was heard as a body was hit by Dark Angel's shot.
"Why…"
Maxine turned horrified eyes at the bleeding body of her friend, stunned speechless at what she saw. Black Cat nursed a bleeding wound on her chest, the red copper fluid of life gushing out from the bullet wound. Her friend hadn't seen the horror-struck expression on Maxine's face as Black Cat surrendered to the black pits of unconsciousness.
"A nice scenario, don't you think? Black Cat's last memories would be the pain from the wound her best friend had given to her."
Maxine quickly turned around to the direction of the deep, malicious voice, her eyes blazing with fury and clear with unshed tears of anguish. She turned but saw no one.
"Who are you, bastard! Show yourself, coward! You're the one who shot Black Cat! Show yourself, you son of a bitch!"
"I'd rather not, my dear Dark Angel. Introductions are not needed. You're going to die anyway. Give my regards to Black Cat when you see each other in hell."
Before Maxine could do anything to escape, a series of shots rang again from behind her. She tried to avoid the bullets' trajectory by flattening herself on the ground but some of it still hit her. Despite the pain, Maxine analyzed the damage she sustained. Her leg had been hit and two other bullets lodged themselves on her shoulder and hip. It would be a hell of pain but she had to move.
After cursing at the immense pain that flooded her senses when she moved, Maxine finally crawled to a nearby crate and hoist herself up to stand. As she was bracing herself to limp towards her fallen friend, an explosion rocked the warehouse. She was tossed yards away because of the blast, landing hard on the concrete. The explosion started a fire that slowly consumed the warehouse. Pain washed over her body at the impact, coupled with the heat that came from the steadily-growing fire.
"Lady…no…"
Maxine fought the darkness threatening to overcome her. But it was futile as her body shut down to block the pain and she was overcome by darkness.
End of Flashback
"…I thought I was going to die that night. Fortunately, I woke up just as the fire was about to consume the crates around me. I tried to see if I can get Lady's body but the blast had thrown me too far anf the flames prevented me from searching her. I thought it was the end of me. But a soft breeze saved me that night.
"The breeze came from a small opening that was created from the explosion that occurred. A forklift slammed against the wall creating a crack big enough for me to crawl into. I got out using through that exit, adrenaline the only thing that kept me conscious. I didn't know what happened next. It was all a blur of images for me. The next thing I knew, I woke up seeing your father's handsome face."
Maxine smiled warmly at the last sentence. She reminisced the scene when she saw Duane Maxwell's face when she woke up days after that fateful night. Duane, though coming from a family of magicians and escape artists, had been a struggling performer back then. Her husband hadn't asked about her identity at that time. He was busy worrying about her health. When she told him who she was, Duane hadn't cared, instead berating her that she should worry more about her current wellbeing and not about her past. And those words were one of the reasons why she had fallen so hard for her Duane.
"Mom? Mom! Stop daydreaming already. I know you're thinking about Dad. I could almost see little heart floating above your head."
Maxine snapped out of her trip to memory lane and blushed hotly at her son's words. She schooled her features as she turned to her son, who was waiting impatiently to hear more about Black Cat.
"Anou, so you know already from there. Dark Angel ceased to exist and I lived happily as Mrs. Maxine Maxwell. Despite settling down with your father, I never stopped contacting my informants to secure that my family will not be endangered. I never heard of Black Cat all these years. I really thought she had died that night in the warehouse.
"When I heard of rumors that Black Cat's in town, I was a bit skeptical. It might be someone who took Lady's alias and introduced herself as Black Cat in the black market. But I still warned you because it never hurts to be cautious. I never that she might have come back to take revenge on me.
"I really wish you would give me this fight, kodomo. But knowing you, there's nothing I can do more to change your mind. I guess all I can give you is advice on how Black Cat fights. I've taught you some of my moves so you would likely be able to read hers because we use the same style of street fighting and acrobatics. But you should look out for her claws."
At the mention of claws, Duo's eyes widened a bit. Maxine continued, elaborating her comment.
"She uses bugnuks with sharp and long claws. She's more into close combat so try not to let her get close. Though she is the enemy, she's also honorable not to use guns in your fight. We rarely used guns in our field of work so I wouldn't dwell much on that. Plus, she challenged you to a fight. We might have been thieves but we have our principles. But to be on the safe side, I'll give you a small handgun. I'll also give you my set of kunais, shuriken and daggers to help you fight. I seem to remember you being good at throwing things."
Maxine chuckled as her son glared at her at the last comment. She was about to add more but the sound of the front door opening downstairs heralded the arrival of her husband.
"Well, Dad just arrived. I swear I won't tell this to him but I'm taking safety precautions for us not to become a liability to you, Duo-chan."
"Thanks, Mom. For everything. I'll clear this up to Black Cat. She has to know the truth." Duo said with determination shining in those blue-violet eyes. He then gave his mother a reassuring hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Don't worry, Mom. Shinigami'll handle it. Come on. Dad must be wondering where we are."
Duo then pulled her up and out of the bedroom, shouting loudly at his father that they were upstairs. Maxine looked at her son with a mix of worry and pride.
"I sure hope so, Duo-chan. I sure hope so…"
To be continued...
Author's notes:
Woah! Another chapter done already! And a very long one at that! Actually, my beta was complaining that I was making excuses not to write fics so I tried to prove her wrong. Plus, it's summer vacation here so I've got nothing to do but catch up in my writing. But I delayed in uploading this chapter because of the slight depression I had after I saw my grades last semester. Argh! Anyways, enough about me. Let's talk about the fic first.
This chappie became so long because I didn't have the heart to cut Maxine's story about Black Cat. Theirhistory is very crucial to the whole story. Plus, it answered a lot of questions and filled a lot of holes that I know you people wanted to be answered and filled.
I added a little 1x2 fluff moment here 'coz I don't want Heero to be left out. Zechs seemed to be getting a lead in the race to win Duo-chan's heart. I know some people would be disappointed that there's no part here to explain Zechs' motives. Well, that would be on the next chapter, the Halloween party, the dance and the revealing of Zechs-sempai's true nature. Is he a bad guy or what? That's for me to know and for you people to find out. Don't be shy in telling me your hunches and guesses for the next chappie. Who know? Maybe they're right!
Ehehe what else? I hope that this chappie met your expectations. I had a hard time figuring this whole Black Cat-Dark Angel rivalry thing that I had to consult different people (a.k.a my yaoi fangirls of friends) on how I had to do this. Ignore the typos and bad grammar that me and my betas overlooked. I'm so sorry about that.
Thanks for people who had constantly reviewed 'coz Kaitou Shinigami finally reached 100 reviews! Wai! I'm so happy! Thanks, you people! I also saw some new names in the reviews! Wai! I love to see new people reading Kaitou! Cookies and blueberry cheesecakes for everyone! Tea or coffee will be given if requested. (winks) I'm so happy for the support, comments, cheers and whatnot that you people have sent me! (sniff) Even the threats and criticism! I cherish them co they made this fic evolve into good monster of a fic. I'm so happy I could cry a river of happy tears! It's you people who kept me from not abandoning this fic all together so I'm very grateful! Well, I'll try (and I mean TRY) to write as fast as I can to make the next chapter and not leave you people hanging from that cliffie of a chapter 9. Gomen about that! I'm really in a slump now coz of my low grades last semester. Argh! Anyways, ignore that. Hope to see you people in the next chappie! Ja!
Next Chapter: the Halloween party, Duo's dances with his blond haired sempai and our favorite junior detective, Zechs' true nature, more info about Black Cat and more….
Thanks to the following people:
Cerulean Waters - So sorry for the cliffie. I know what you feel. I hate cliffies too, you know. But I really have to leave it like that. (immitates stylistics prof)It's what you call style. hehe anyways, here the is update yo've been waiting for. So sorry if it still doesn't continue what happened at the end of chapter 9. (bows in apology)
AsA - Wai! I really love reading the interactions of you and Myalin. Hehehe Kawai! (giggling fit) Thanks for the review! Extra cookies for you!
Dark Kaizer Ken-Wolf - This chapter should help you refresh your memory and answer some of the questions you might have on this fic. Yup. It's gonna get tricky now, even for me, with Zechs saying something like that. Thanks for the review!
lolly sister - Well, my self-confidence did survive but only for a few days. When I saw my grades, it was slaughtered. And here I was thinking I could still be in the dean's list...(sigh) But that's life. Hope to see you again in the next chapter! Thanks for the review!
Camillian - Yup. I will reveal how Zechs knew Shinigami is Duo and more. Stay tuned!
inu-hottie - Don't worry. I won't take this fic away. I've decided that I'll finish it no matter what. Even if people suddenly threw flames at this fic, I'll still continue it though I'll be very slow in updating. I need to be in the mood to write and a slump is not the right mood. Thanks for the review! Don't fret. You can count on me to finish this fic. Thanks for saying that Kaitou is amazing. It's a boost to my ego that's the size of a pea. (gives a nice Guy pose with matching thumbs up though can't copy the sparkling teeth)
Windy River, Nerb, tasukis-gecko, Raelyn-Mage, Luna - thanks for the reviews you guys sent me in the last chapter! Here's the update you've been waiting for!