Title: My Name Is Shinigami
Author: Avel
Summary: "I hate you." He growled venomously, eyes glinting as he stared into fiery violet eyes. Watching as a feral smile edged its way across the other's face. "Don't flatter yourself, I'm not afraid of you." He allowed a predatory smirk that didn't reach his eyes as he read the other's unspoken challenge "You should be." 1x2
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing… words cannot describe the disappointment.
Pairings: 1x2, past 5x2
CD Player:Artist: Trust Company
Album: True Parallels
Most inspiring song(s): The War Is Over
Chapter One: Breathing Fire
"Sleeping."
Came my reply, not in the mood for entertaining. The door opened a moment later. My temper aflame, my face shot up, eyes narrowing intent on snapping at the intruder. My voice caught in my throat momentarily, I addressed my housemate in a surprised tone.
"Heero?"
What could he possibly want? I wondered briefly as he entered the room.
"Quatre is concerned about your health." He stated bluntly, looking at me calmly.
"So why isn't he in here?" I asked a bit spitefully.
"You have not been acting yourself." He replied in a perfect monotone.
"Pray tell?" I asked sarcastically, as I stood, intending to escort him out the door.
"You've been skipping meals, you look sleep deprived, like you have not been retaining energy or sleep. You are distracted easily, unable to concentrate for periods of time." He listed as if he was mentally checking off a grocery list.
"Is that all you got?" I asked, beginning to feel a bit defensive. "It's not like we just came out of a fucking war or something." I caught the growl, and masked it with bitter agitation.
"The others are recovering faster than you." Heero pointed out.
"Geez, Heero not everyone's fucking inhumane like you, we all heal differently at different times!" I snapped and then immediately felt bad when he just stared back at me emotionlessly.
"Dude, didn't mean that." I gave an apologetic smile.
"Hn." Was his only response as he gazed at my hand that had been unconsciously toying with my cross. I had a nervous habit of doing that, it seemed.
"Look, I'm sorry I snapped, but I really did come in here to sleep." I smiled, "One less thing on that list of yours' to worry about, or is it Quatre's?" I corrected myself airily.
It looked as if he wanted to say more, his eyes held an intense emotion that I couldn't quite place. It was a combination of yearning and confusion. About what, was a complete mystery to me, but I didn't think too much on it as he turned to exit the room, but before he left I felt the urge to at least thank him.
"Hey Heero," I waited as he turned, another mystery emotion flickering in his eyes, "Thanks for checking up on me, even if it was Quatre's idea."
I winked at him, but a flash of uncertainty hit me as he turned. I could have sworn I saw his eyes show a flicker of disappointment as he left.
I fell back on my bed and felt my eyelids fall shut. I don't even remember falling asleep, but the moment I woke I felt disoriented. As if I hadn't slept at all, my mind immediately fell back to the previously nagging thoughts that I was missing something. My eyes flickered to the side of the bed, resting on the nightstand, natural light filtering in through the window behind it. A curled edge of a paper caught my attention, as I reached for it I felt an uneasiness settle in my stomach. There were just some things that you would not find in my immediate sleeping quarters…and paper is certainly one of them.
Grabbing the slip of paper I brought it close to my face, as I finished reading, my hand gave an involuntary jolt. What the hell? I re-read it again immediately becoming distressed. The note slipped out of my hand, falling almost in slow motion as it hit the floor without sound. The simple note scratched in neat print repeated in my mind, analyzing the words. Stay away.
Who the hell would send a vague threat to me? Was it a threat? It certainly didn't sound like a joke and for the record I would be the only candidate here to play a prank on someone. I got up and quickly assessed the room, checking under the bed, along the walls under and on the sides of the nightstand and dresser before checking the small connecting closet, checking corners and browsing through some of the insides of jackets for tracking devices or any other bugs that could have been planted in the room. Nothing.
Deciding to suppress the rising paranoia in the back of my head, I decided to go with the idea of someone trying to toy with me. I exited my room quietly, still on guard incase something had happened while I was asleep. I mentally cleared the hallway before I crept downstairs soundlessly, using the pads of my bare feet on the wooden floorboards, careful to avoid the creaks that I had discovered throughout the initial days of settling in. The living room in sight, I located Trowa and Wufei both silently reading on opposite couches, spaced equally apart. I decided to drop my stealth mode and let the steps fall more purposefully watching out of the corner of my eye as they sensed and were alerted of my presence.
"I know this is pointless, but did either of you go into my room today?" I asked casually as I continued past them, toward the kitchen. Acting as if it was a side remark with little importance.
"Be assured Maxwell that the thought of entering that lair of yours' has not crossed my mind since situating here." Wufei replied calmly, eyes never leaving the book.
I had paused at the answer and turned my gaze toward Trowa who was looking at me rather intensely.
"I would not intrude in your personal bedroom." He stated quietly, and I smiled at him appreciatively.
"Yeah I knew you wouldn't, but there's no harm in asking." I commented as I entered the kitchen. Finding it empty, I returned to the living room and asked Trowa the whereabouts of are other housemates.
"So where are Quatre and Heero?" I inquired, as I sat down, realizing that I had left the diet coke untouched on the glass coffee table. Picking it up I was surprised to feel the still chilled perspiring drink.
"What was this on ice or something?" I questioned under my breath, as I snapped it open, and took a gulp.
"You've only been gone for about fifteen minutes." Trowa stated, "Quatre's in his room and Heero should be in his room, as well." He answered quietly, concentration returning to the book he had been reading, his way of ending the conversation.
Fifteen minutes? I had thought for sure I had slept longer than that, but there was no point in arguing. I guess I was just not used to having nothing to do, I was just so damn restless lately. I don't think I had slept for barely five hours this week. I blamed it on the indecisiveness of my current situation. What was my next move? Where was I going to go? How would I support myself? What jobs were open to me? The questions just seemed to be popping up at any and every given moment. Nonstop and excessive scenarios were played out and contemplated throughout the night, leading into the early hours of the morning.
I was also experiencing a couple fitful flashbacks and nightmares for the brief moments of sleep I had managed. I assumed that we all would be experiencing them for years to come, so as much as they threw me for an emotional loop, I tried my best to suck it up and not let it effect me.
I took another long swig of the carbonated drink before standing and heading back upstairs to search for the culprit. Instead of just knocking, I used my knuckles and tapped them quickly like drumsticks, waiting as the door opened rather quickly.
"Duo?" Quatre smiled at me, as he moved opening the door wider, offering me to come in. I stood my ground and smiled back.
"Hey Quat, I was just wondering if you stopped by while I was out?" I looked down the hall almost distractedly.
"Out?" Quatre asked confused.
"Yeah, while I was sleeping…" I clarified, remembering that my choice of words as blunt as they were to me might not be as obvious to others.
"It's just that I found a piece of paper that might belong to one of you guys, I don't keep paper around, so I just thought I'd ask." I watched the blond glance behind him and pause, taking in his bedroom.
"I'm sorry, I didn't go in your room at all, I thought you'd be asleep for a couple of hours, so I didn't want to disturb you." He answered truthfully.
"I didn't hear or see anyone near your room, so…" He trailed off softly.
"Hey, no problem." I grinned at him, "I'm just curious about that mysteriously misplaced item." I said as I started to walk down the hall to Heero's room.
"Let me know if there's a problem." Quatre called as I retreated to Heero's room.
"Will do." I waved in parting.
"Culprit, Fiend." I declared dramatically with a quick knock as I opened the door and entered Heero's bedroom.
Heero turned to glance at me, before turning back to his computer.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" He asked quietly.
"Well I thought I would." I replied thoughtfully. "Didn't quite work out."
I walked up behind him as he browsed the news coverage on the web, a side window open with Preventor information updating on its own.
"So…you want me to stay away from you? Or the laptop?" I asked with a smile that Heero couldn't see.
He turned his head cautiously to stare at me.
"What are you talking about?" He asked with a familiar monotone he took on with most conversations.
"Well you're the only person who went into my room so you obviously planted the note." I accused, "But hey, it's no big deal. Knock next time." I stated before turning to leave.
"I didn't leave you a note, if I had had something to say, I would have stated it earlier during our previous conversation." He looked momentarily confused as he analyzed my suddenly taught form.
"Someone left you a note in your room?" He asked a look of perplexed concern gracing his features.
"It doesn't matter, it was just a joke." I said quickly, cutting off his train of thought. "Don't worry about it, I'll just catch you later." I said a bit disturbed that no one had claimed the damn note.
As I exited the room, I felt myself getting paranoid. Had someone other than the guys been in my room? Had that person then gone in my room while I was asleep? I felt the skin on my arms cover in goose bumps, my eyes darting to each place an unwanted intruder would seek refuge in to hide. I made it back into my room and quickly sought out my gun, before exiting the room, keeping my eyes out for any signs of irregular movements. I hit the bathroom first knocking the door toward the wall before aiming my gun behind it, I checked the stall of the shower and left.
I was acting irrational, I thought as I heard a click from down the hall. I jumped at the sound of Heero's door opening behind me. Quickly ducking into the bathroom before shoving the gun in the back of my jeans. I was not going to alert Heero of my nervous jitters, nor anyone else for that matter. This was probably just the result of my ongoing sleep deprivation, and nothing more.
"Duo." I heard Heero's voice on the other side of the door.
"Yeah?" I replied calmly.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Gee, I don't know, maybe getting ready to take a piss." I answered sarcastically.
"In the dark?" came his unwelcome reply.
I felt foolish for not only searching for a threatening intruder able to break into a secured mansion with five ex-gundam pilots living in it, and then in the middle of my search I duck into an unlit bathroom without the common comprehension to notice it's pitch black surroundings.
"I work better in the dark." I replied comically. "I'm a vampire in training, soon I'll inquire about a coffin to sleep in." I continued.
"Duo, come out of there." Heero said with an undertone of annoyance. Cursing myself for not being able to lie straight out, I complied.
"Of course I'm not sure about the whole blood drinking deal, I think I've killed enough people already." I continued as I stepped out of the bathroom.
"I would like to talk to you." Heero addressed me seriously.
"Sure thing, let me just get a sweatshirt and I'll meet you in your room." I smiled, waiting for him to turn and leave. He gave me a once over, before reluctantly turning to leave. He sure was acting odd today. But who was I to say who was and was not acting odd?
Distributing my gun underneath the pillow in my room, I pulled a black hooded sweater over my head as I made my way out of my bedroom reappearing moments later in Heero's room.
"So you wanted to talk to me?" I asked stepping fully into the room. Heero was standing in the center of the room his stance was a bit tense, which alerted me that this might not be a friendly chat.
"I wanted to ask your plans, when we leave." Heero asked, a bit more softly than I was used to.
I was taken aback by the question this was a personal topic he was inquiring about.
"Honestly I don't know, I've been thinking about it a lot though." I answered cautiously.
"We've known each other for a while now, I would like you to consider coming with me to Earth." Heero continued.
"You want me to be your roommate?" I asked with a hint of uncertainty.
"Yes." He replied.
"Why?" I asked after a moment.
"We're comrades." He stated matter-of-factly.
"Friends." I corrected, watching him look at me questioningly. "That's what normal people refer to us as." I stated patiently.
"Well I guess I can't just let you go into the real world without teaching you a few things." I winked at him, before adding. "Roomie."
I watched his expression lighten, a small smile gracing his lips, his hand extending toward me. I grasped it in a sturdy shake.
"Thanks." He said, eyes gazing intensely into mine.
"No prob." I smiled, playing ignorant. "So I'll leave things up to you then."
I turned and left, mind racing once I had closed Heero's door behind me. What had I done? I had just told Heero I'd be his roommate, shook on it even. I felt weird, light headed, almost. My heartbeats pounded rhythmically inside my chest, echoing in my ears. Was I crazy? I should have told Heero I would think about it and nothing more. Not just agree on the spot, like I had just did. I felt a headache coming on strong, as I stopped in front of my bedroom door.
Shouldn't I be happy that he reciprocates my feelings? Considers me a friend? I rested my forehead on the cool white wooden surface of the door. Here I now had a chance to strengthen our bond, make it an official friendship. Why did I feel so uncertain about this opportunity? I should be glad that I now have a place to go, someone I can trust to be with me on Earth. Job opportunities were plentiful there too, I should be grateful. I entered my room and closed the door, walking past the dresser and toward the bed, laying back and staring tiredly at the ceiling.
This was the kind of tired where you felt numb and wide awake, past the point of sleep. I definitely was past the point of sleep. I turned my head lazily, resting my cheek into the white cotton pillow, eyes trailing down onto the nightstand. Finding it bare, I looked down on the floor and felt my breath catch in my throat. The note was gone.
A/N: This is actually progressing rather smoothly, which is great in my opinion. Another short chapter, but it's not too bad. It was still quite effective. This story is like a rollercoaster, waited through the line and now the ride is about to start in the next chapter. Remember to review before you leave.
Comments: For my 4 reviewers!
Goodbye.Unfaithful.: Awesome, I was aiming for odd and suspenseful. Glad you enjoyed the prologue!
Dark-lil-devil: Thanks for reading and hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Mysterious double: This is a very complex fic you've stumbled across, I assure you. I hope that it this turns out to be great, I happen to think this is one of the better ideas I've come up with for a fic, so I hope you continue reading. It was definitely my intent to make the prologue interesting without giving the whole thing away.
Kaltes: Hope you continue reading.