Beauty's Beast
Chapter 7-Blue Morning
Authors note: C.Crows- "A murder of one" is featured, don't own it. The action/mystery will start picking up now, promise.
Rei shifted uneasily behind the diner's counter as she watched Minako make a coffee run to the tables by the window. She'd only forced Hotaru to go to school out of fear. Her eyes appeared clouded, almost murky as she jumped, feeling a slight touch on her back.
Gus raised an eyebrow, jerking his head towards the wrap around part of the counter, clarifying a new customer had come. Rei nodded her understanding, as she reached down to grab an empty coffee cup and the full coffee pot. Everyone at this diner drank coffee, it was just a safe bet to bring it with.
There were only two people at the smaller half of the counter, one she had already served. The other sat, busying himself behind a laptop. Rei rolled her eyes, stepping forward, "Good morning, what can I get you today?" she said falsely cheerfullly.
Her heart nearly jumped into her throat as the strangers eyes met hers. For only seeing him twice, she'd recognize those eyes anywhere. She pursed her lips, glancing around the diner for Duo. Not seeing him, she raised an eyebrow at Heero.
Blue morning, blue morning...wrapped in strands of fists and bone...
Heero glanced at the coffee before briefly shaking his head, returning to the laptop. Rei sighed frustratedly, setting both the mug and pot down. Waiting for his order, she tapped her foot impatiently.
As if just realizing she must be waiting on him, Heero glanced up, cocking his head to the side.
Curiosity kitten, doesn't have to mean your on your own...
He blinked a moment. He hadn't really come here to order anything. "Orange juice," he murmured, realizing he had dismissed the coffee. Rei nodded, as she whirled around to the drink counter, reappearing with his orange juice moments later.
Rei raised her eyebrows for the second time that day. Heero took a small sip of his orange juice, setting it down on the counter with a small clank. He returned to his laptop, and to ignoring Rei. She sighed, glancing to the bin of silverware and napkins she needed to roll.
You can look outside your window, he doesn't have to know...
"How's your sister?" he asked, catching her by surprise. He glanced up, his eyes suddenly softer. The softness nearly melted Rei, as the color captivated her. Snapping out of it, "Fine. A little shaken up, but fine," Rei replied quietly.
We can talk awhile baby, we can take it nice and slow...
She waited for him to answer, although he didn't. He simply stared. Feeling uneasy, she turned to start rolling the silverware.
Heero watched her turn, his eyes lingering on her legs. Well. Maybe Maxwell was right for once. He smirked, noticing her glance from under the wisps of her hair that lay untucked into the slim ponytail.
Catching him smirk, Rei rolled her eyes. Slamming a finished silverware into the drawer she turned to glare at him. "What do you want?" she asked, shaking her head.
All your life is such a shame shame shame...all your love is just a dream dream dream...
His eyes softened once more, offering Rei a clear blue apology. He still refused to talk though. He tapped his fingers undecidedly on the keys of his laptop. Realizing he wasn't going to speak, Rei became frustrated. "What? Do you like hanging out with your friends, in worn down little towns, going to the only diner in the morning, and just. Just being around nothing?" Rei asked angrily.
For once, soldiers come and soldiers go wasn't true. These soldiers had stayed. Heero blinked, letting her words sink in. Had she chosen this life for herself?
Are you happy where your sleeping? Does he keep you safe and warm? Does he tell you when your sorry, does he tell you when your wrong?
Rei shook her head, refusing to allow him to slide by without another answer. Catching her eyes still on him, Heero shrugged.
I've been watching you for hours...
Rei blinked now, still watching him.
When you open up your wings to speak, I wish you'd let me in...
"And what about you?" where his only words, as he set down a twenty dollar bill. It well covered the dollar fifty orange juice. And then some. "I'm not taking that," Rei said, her pride overpowering her. Heero shrugged, still smirking.
Rei scoffed as he got up, turning to walk out the door.
Hotaru shivered slightly as the cool air wrapped itself around her, trapping and stealing her body heat. She sat in the damp grass beside the lake, her sketchbook in her hand. Her eyes abandoned the ducks she had been sketching though.
Did Minako have an idea? Perhaps Minako was going through the same thing.
"Do you ever go to school?" a voice carried down to her, yet leveled itself. Trowa Barton sat beside her. Hotaru froze, turning to him, and cocking her head.
She said nothing. Trowa nodded, "Are you alright?" he asked hopefully.
Hotaru shrugged. Why did he care. Trowa's eyes scanned her weak frame.
From the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the side of his face. The only part he did not keep hidden. Recognizing him, Hotaru shriveled away slightly.
Shooting upwards, she stumbled along a few rocks, making her usual escape. She had abandoned her things though, she realized, cursing herself.
Trowa squinted, still sitting in the dew ridden grass. He turned to catch another glimpse of the girl, but she was nowhere around. His eyes lingered on her sketchbook, as he cautiousley reached out to grab it. He flipped through the pages. Ducks. Random people. A few landscape sketchs. She was quite good. Surprisingly good for her age. He paused though, his fingers catching a strange page.
He glanced down at it, puzzled. A strange type of runes had been imprinted down the page, as if she'd been writing a letter. They covered the entire page, and halfway down the back of it. He frowned at the mysterious page, as he rose.
He glanced also at her abandoned jacket, picking that up also upon second thought. He glanced around again, looking for her. Sighing, he headed back to the others.