Authors Notes: Okay so I now have made it to three chapters, and haven't lost my stride. Whoop!~ So this is marking something good ^^; I hope you like this chapter of Five Dragons. Remember Read & Review!
Introduction:
She stood watching the three men sitting in a diner on an early Wednesday morning. Seemingly unaffected by the previous days events. It made her frown as she contemplated what it would take to catch their full attention. 'Damn war has desensitized people to death, even if it is of the young. Well then maybe I will have to bring about the death of the much younger. Maybe I will catch her attention then. After all as the saying goes... A rose by any other name.' With that the woman stood up and left the diner, a bill sitting on her empty table.
Chapter Three- Search for Thorns
Wufei watched slightly amused as two of his closest friends argued over the goodness that was cinnamon toast, of all things. Heero Yuy's argument was mostly silent, while his fellow Preventer Duo Maxwell took to his normal out-bursting hand-waving approach. The sight for all those who knew both men, would have had anyone laughing.
"My point is still valid Yuy! You know damn well that Cinnamon Toast is the best breakfast food on the planet!" Duo said slamming his hands down on the small cafe table which was thankfully empty in an attempt to make his point that much more concrete.
Heero countered with a risen brow, which ended the argument as the waitress a timid little thing, brought over their breakfast and coffee. Duo smiled pleasantly up at said waitress, earning a fond, if not forced smile in return. "Duo your unusually more hyped this morning? Something happen to perk your spirits?" The woman asked making Heero glance at Wufei who both shrugged and looked to Duo.
"Naw, I was debating the goodness of cinnamon toast." The woman laughed lightly in to her now empty tray, "I herd, Well enjoy." She turned away after nodding at the table. The conversations where minimal for most of their eating, however Duo made a point of moaning under his breath as he ate his own cinnamon toast. Which had the desired effect of having Heero roll his eyes and Wufei smirk.
Wufei was fond of the time he got to spend with his two brothers, even if at times he simply wanted to kill one of them on the point of sheer stupidity. Duo was the wild card that either made him want to explode from his sheer idiocy, or made the day seem much brighter then it was. Heero was his intelligent conversationalist, the strong rock in the middle of what could be an over whelming river.
Despite their now friendly competitive sides, Wufei still felt the pain of his ways during the Rebellion. It only took one look for the Japanese ex-pilot of the wing gundam to have him remembering just how much they meant to one another. It didn't remove the actions he had taken, but he knew that he had long ago been forgiven. Which was enough.
They're weekly breakfast at E-street Bagels was a time Wufei found he could completely relax and not have to worry about on-goings in his Preventer life. Both his brothers made him feel that way, but simply not asking questions that everyone else seemed to do. Today that feeling was much needed considering the death of Saki Taylor the day before.
Wufei didn't realize he had zoned in to his own thoughts until a piece of crust from Duo's toast was being waved under his nose. "Earth to Wu-man, are you alright?" Wufei glared at the nickname only to get a smirk in return. "Welcome back."
He only narrowed his eyes and forked up some of his eggs. "So, since Wufei is going to be all silent and brooding what are your plans today Hee-chan?" Heero showed no outward signs of irritation which was a feat, Wufei knew.
"I have some errands to run, one is ensuring all the arrangements for our Gathering are finalized." At the mention of Ishi na Dojo Wufei looked up, a sign of rising concern openly displayed on his features. "Is there something that bothers you about the dojo?" He asked and Heero shook his head.
"Naw, Heero wouldn't have openly admitted he was going there in that tone of voice if there was something wrong. I think he is intrigued by one pretty little- HEY!" Duo snapped as his head was jerked back violently.
Wufei blinked to see that a Kekko Yurigami had crept up behind them and tugged rather forcefully on Duo's braid. Only a select few people could get away with such a thing and live to tell about it later. "Maxwell your shift started twenty minutes ago, I've been trying to get you to answer your phone for the last hour."
Duo's tension suddenly changed from anger to that of a child getting caught cutting classes. "Oh, Geeze mom, Can't I stay a few minutes longer?" Duo mock whined as he stood up dropping his share of the bill on the table. Kekko stood glaring at the American, much to both Wufei and Heero's amusement. Despite her shorter stature she made Duo look three feet tall.
He sighed which had Kekko raise an eyebrow, "How about I spell it out to you this way Maxwell." Duo cringed at the last name, "One of yours flew the nest." Wufei blinked looking at the woman, "Not another one, Who is it this time?" Duo asked getting in to business mode as he pulled on his Preventer's jacket. "Tyler Makinnin."
Duo's eyes took on an all business look as he turned back to the two remaining at the table, "Well I hate to eat and run, but it would seem I don't have a choice today. I'll see you later." He waved at them as his walked hurriedly out with Kekko.
Heero had turned in his seat, looking at the woman who was now giving Duo details as they walked out of the cafe. Wufei knew that the man hadn't been in the city long enough to know who she was. "Kekko Yurigami, the head of Children's Relations."
Heero nodded knowing what he was saying, "Does she have ties to your present case?" He asked and Wufei nodded, "She was the personal worker for Saki Taylor, though that is as far as it goes." The conversation was dropped soon after leaving Wufei to brood over the rumor he had herd of the woman's close ties with Ishi na Dojo.
"What are you thinking?" Heero asked in a near whisper breaking his concentration, but Wufei didn't get a chance to answer as his cell phone rang. "Chang?" He answered after glancing at the call display, A smile lit his eyes as he looked to Heero, "Right, we'll be there to pick you up." he closed his phone and Heero rose an eyebrow again, but knew by Wufei's look who exactly was on the phone. "We have two hours, think you can spare that time?" At Heero's nod, they fell in to a comfortable silence, and Heero's question was left unanswered.
While in the silence, Wufei found himself thinking back on his conversation with one Ayame Taylor, after Kekko Yurigami had left the room.
'What is your interest in the case Preventer Chang, because this is clearly a CR affair, and Kekko doesn't like to play ball.' She had asked it while keeping complete eye contact with him, and her bright blue eyes that weren't the normal colour for a person of Japanese decent seemed to capture his very soul at that moment. 'That I cannot Tell you Sensei Taylor, since this is an ongoing investigation. However I would like to answer your question with a question. What do you know of this weapon?'
He had pulled the photo out of his pocket, and showed it to her. He had seen something flashing behind her eyes but it was gone so quickly that he didn't have a chance to analyze it further. That look still bothers me. She denied having seen the weapon before, but I know she had. Kekko was right about that little aspect of the woman. It reminds me of someone, I just can't remember who. He automatically lifted his breakfast coffee to his lips and took a drink. Despite her outward appearance of calm, I could tell there was a cyclone of hidden emotions in her gaze, yet self disappointment wasn't one of them. It was almost like she expected the girl to be capable of the act of suicide. Though she expressed admittedly that she had shown no signs of one on the verge. I can only wonder at the woman's thoughts. Did she honestly believe that every human being held the large chance of committing that very act. Or is she simply that jaded to the world around her that death of any kind doesn't phase her.
Wufei looked up at Heero, "What do you think would push someone to expect death at every turn in their life?" the question had caught Heero off guard, and the man sat back in his seat. "This have to do with a case?"
At his nod, Heero seemed to go in to deep thought. "The person would have had to have gone through a lot in their life. It couldn't be any one thing, though watching many die would be the beginning I would think. With the war, I would also have to say that they did a fair bit of killing themselves. Both inside and out of a mobile suit. A person who would expect death or seem unphased by or event death to someone close to them would have to understand just how fragile life is."
"Do you expect death often?" Wufei asked and Heero half shrugged, "It's always a possibility, but I do not look for how many ways death could come to me? No, It's not healthy and it would only serve to dull my own sight and place me at a greater risk of injury. Do you?"
"It comes with the job description, though like you I don't look at it all the time. I wouldn't be very good at my job if I did. I simply look at who could push someone else to their deaths." Heero grunted in understanding, "Barton is with winner on the shuttle correct?" Heero changed topics, and Wufei gladly accepted the change of pace. "Yes, and it sounded like Barton brought his sister with him again."
"Did you expect anything less?" Heero asked as he finished off his coffee his eyes watching Wufei with a look oddly playful. "Of course not, though I think Maxwell has started to alter my sense of thought, because I wonder sometimes if there isn't something more between those two." Heero Chuckled, "I can assure you, there is nothing more then a platonic brother sister relationship between them."
"I saw you standing outside of Ishi na Dojo yesterday, does this mean you have picked there to be our gathering place?" At Heero's nod, Wufei couldn't help but smirk. "I told you Rokuro Nayoshi would deny you rights to rent lightening."
"So you did."
"I assume you went directly to the owner of the dojo." At Heero's nod, Wufei continued, "What did you think of the woman?" Heero set his empty coffee cup on the table, "Ayame Taylor is very set in her beliefs, and they have come by experiencing the war as a soldier. She is observant and very quick to read people. I think she is trust worthy, but as far I saw, she guards herself very closely. Her office is barren of any kind of photographs, and her dojo is practically the same. She pays very close attention to detail, and that could come from her martial arts degrees, or it could simply come from her experiences during the war. In either case, she would have made difficult opponent to face on the field of battle."
"Hence why she is still alive." Wufei added. "Hence, though something does bother me about the woman in general, but I can't seem to place it, not yet at any rate." That piece of information made Wufei blink, but he said nothing. "She will be present during the gathering."
"I am not surprised by that, though it is a little unnerving to have an outside observer for it. Is there any rules that I need to be aware of?" Heero nodded slowly, " Your side arm." Wufei sighed, despite expecting such a thing. "The woman really doesn't trust Preventers." At that Heero looked over his shoulder and signaled a waitress for more coffee. "Who said that?"
"Kekko Yurigami has had considerable dealings with her in the past, she warned me that Ayame Taylor isn't too fond of most Preventers." He could tell that Heero understood that sentiment, "I happen to agree there."Wufei nodded, "I know. Though, it's not exactly a perfect organization, nothing ever is."
"It's a necessary one."
She stood by the phones holding a receiver to her ear, her brown eyes scanned the corridors behind her. The shuttle was full of unexpected passengers, and she knew That woman wouldn't like to have her plan foiled because she didn't report the presences straight away.
"~What are you doing calling this number Cyrill?~" The venom spat through the phone making her flinch slightly, "I thought that you would want to know that all five replacements are gathering." She shifted as a man shuffled towards the toilets on the other side of the shuttle blocking her view of those she was watching. Her light brown hair slipping over her denim clad shoulder.
"~Really? That is wonderful!~" At the chipper child-like glee in the woman's voice she relaxed, " They brought a tag along as well, judgment's replacement has adopted a sister it would seem." She reported her eyes trailing the length of the standing woman, who's red-ish brown hair was tied back out of her face, in a long-ish pony tail. "~It would seem that everything well be going just fine. Once you land Cyrill you will meet me at the pier this little spider has a web to spin, and I cannot risk you dear sister being caught in it.~"
"right. I can do that, I assume you have finally found her again?"
A long pause greeted her, followed by a long low chuckle, "Oh I have done more then just find her, I have found them as well." Then the line click off, and Cyrill was left blinking at the phone. Well that is an interesting little fact. I hope that she doesn't underestimate those pilots though, they are very observant.
They stood on in the rampart waiting for the shuttle passengers to disembark. Both men silent and waiting patiently, though that silence was shattered when a woman called "HEERO!" before they could react, the woman was attached to the brunette, making Wufei have to force his smirk from his face. "Catherine." Was Heero's stiff response. "How have you been keeping your self, no ribs poke out of your sink I hope!" The woman let go of Heero, only to have her finger prodding Heero's sides in inspection.
It amazed Wufei to no end just how much Trowa Barton's sister got away with, granted he knew that the woman held a hand in keeping him alive during the war. Though, it didn't seem to make a difference, the scene still was highly entertaining. "Cathy, Heero Is a big boy, I am sure he can take care of himself." Wufei turned to see Quatre winner standing in his posh, black three piece traveling suit, his blonde hair in need of a trim, A bag sitting at his feet with wheels. Beside him stood Trowa Barton, in a navy blue sweater, and dark jeans holding his trademark over the shoulder bag, which during the war held all his worldly possessions.
His hair sat in the same style of the over the left eye bangs, and short back. Not much had changed with the men over the years, within the exception of age. Wufei found it hard to believe that they where all in the age range of 27 years old. None of them had ever had the luxury of believing they would live through the war.
"Alright Trowa, but you know I can't help but worry about him. The man is a reckless fool." Wufei smirked, "That is what makes Yuy who he is." Catherine whipped around and looked at Wufei a sheepish smile on her face, "Wufei, I didn't see you there, I guess it's because you are good at hiding in plane sight. That and I don't have to worry about your health, your meticulous."
Catherine hugged him, and he returned it stiffly, " I shall take that as a compliment." Bright Grey-purple eyes smiled at him. "That is because it is." The four pilots and one sister walked through the J.A.P. Interplanetary Shuttle Port.
All the while a single woman watched them as she cautiously made her way out, catching often the eyes of Trowa Barton Preventer Wufei Chang watching her.
His breath puffed out in measured pants, his legs feeling the beginning of fatigue. He wondered if he was getting old, and that was why he couldn't seem to catch one snot nosed kid. Duo's braid smacked the side of a dumpster echoing a loud thrumming echo through the length of the alley-way. A head of him an ungodly distance the boy he was chasing turned to look at him. His eyes of deep hazel widening in shock. Yeah, kid be very afraid. You are making me chase you like some boogeyman, man I HATE that image.
Duo pushed himself to speed up, the kid slowing for one reason or another, Duo didn't care why he could only thank his lucky stars. He had been tracking and chasing the boy for the last three hours, if not longer. "Hey Tyler! Seriously dude, Stop running." Duo reached out his hand and gripped the boy by the shirt sleeve. "Man, you kids are what keep me so fit I swear." Duo slid to a stop, tugging Tyler along with him. Keeping hold on the boys upper arm, Duo bent over to try and catch his breath.
The sixteen-year-old scowled at him, his eyes reading murder. Duo blinked at the boy, "What? You can't seriously be pissed at me. I didn't do anything but my job, you on the other hand, you keep landing your self in trouble with CR." Duo tugged him along back down the alley-way, before letting the boy go, as he fell in to step.
"Seriously Tyler, what the hell is the big problem that drives you to run right back to the streets? Every home we have put you in, you have run from. Why?" Duo didn't push the boy, he understood the feeling of authority keeping him rooted in place, not allowing freedom. It was the one part of the job Duo hated, but now understood.
They reached his car and Duo opened the passengers side door and waited until the boy was seated before closing the door and climbing in the drivers side. "I feel trapped." The boy finally said in a near whisper. Duo took a better look at the boy he had been helping since he was eleven years old. The boy had blonde streaked brown hair, cut about in inch long. He was tanned, but clearly not a native to the country. He was shorter then most guys his age, but Duo didn't mind, being one of the same in that regard. He had hazel eyes that where far to narrow for his age, darkened by the life he had been forced to live on the colonies. Duo could relate. Which was why he was one of the best CR officers on the job.
"Look Tyler, I know how you feel. But the streets aren't a home you want to return to, trust me." Duo started the car engaging the child locks on all the doors excluding his own. The boy glared at him. "How the Hell would you know anything about it?" The sentiment made Duo chuckle, "How indeed." He pulled the car out in to traffic, before glancing at the moping boy.
"Look Tyler, I used to live on the L-2 streets during the beginnings of the alliance take over. Your too young to remember that time, but I remember it well. The streets are dangerous, and they are cruel, not a place for anybody to live especially a child." Tyler scoffed at the very idea. "I was doing just fine before your kind came swooping in and snatching us away like the vultures you are."
Duo had herd the same song and dance so many times before it was getting old, the fact that he had also at one time said the same things was a harsh reminder of what could happen to the children in CR care if they didn't keep a vigilant eye on all of them. "Look I don't care if you believe me or not Tyler. Preventer created CR because of the lives we have seen the streets ruin. It's your generation that is going to be inheriting our problems and our lives when the time comes. I don't want to see such intelligent people go to waste because they don't like authority. I understand the feeling of being smothered, and trapped by authority. I have been in your exact same position. Before the war changed everything."
Tyler despite trying not to look interested in what Duo was saying, turned and looked at him. "How could you understand it, your a gundam pilot, an authority all your own." Duo blinked at that, the mere fact that people still believed that Gundam pilots held more authority over the common people was ludicrous at best. "I was a gundam pilot Tyler, that fact is a history I am glad and saddened for. However, I am no longer a gundam pilot because the gundams are no longer needed. Who ever told you that we have any kind of authority over anyone else aside from our jobs in society now- they lied. We have to follow the laws like everyone else. That includes you."
The boy licked his lips. "Look, I don't like group homes, they are dumb. The adults there treat us like we are stupid, and don't know anything, they treat us like..." Duo smirked, "Like children?" He supplied, and Tyler nodded, "Exactly, I bet they have never had to worry about half the stuff that I have, yet they treat me like I am some dumb kid who doesn't know how to cross the street."
"Well if you didn't persist in acting like a child Tyler, then maybe they wouldn't treat you like one. In life you cannot gain anything with out some kind of payment, whether it be by working, or money in form. You have to give before you can take. It's the way it has always been. You some how have gotten it in your mind that it's alright not to obey laws, skip you classes and steel despite the fact that you are being provided for." Duo pulled to a stop at a red light, and looked Tyler straight in the eye.
"Why don't you try looking at it this way Tyler, Your being given a free ride, that many kids like you still don't have. Your getting food every night, you have shelter that isn't going to be stolen from you, and you are able to do practically what ever you want. You don't need to worry about if your going to be warm during the winter, and your not going to have to worry about if someone is going to kill you over the shirt on your back- or worse." He paused as the light changed, "The only things that are asked of you is to go to school, graduate, and do some menial chore that you need to know when you age out in two years and are on your own again. Two years isn't a long time, and CR will only be able to help you for a year after that." Tyler looked out the window.
"It feels like an eternity." The boy stated to no one in particular.
"When the time comes where you don't have a choice again, do you really want to look back on what you had, the chance that many are wishing for- that you wished for once upon at time, and see that you didn't even try? Listen, If I could do my life over again, I would. I wouldn't have spent all that time running away from my group homes, I wouldn't have gotten myself entangled in the war, and I sure as hell wouldn't have been the one to watch my friends die. However, these things of my past, no matter how hurtful, or comfortable I may have at one time been with them. They are the past, they make me who I am, but at the same time they give me something to work against. I don't want to go back to that time, to the fear always surrounding me, wondering if someone bigger and stronger then I am was going to come up and be the end of me. I don't want that for me, or for you. Tyler, L-3 streets aren't much better then L-2's. I know what your feeling, the longing of freedom. Little do you realize for the first time in your life, you are free."
Duo pulled to a stop outside the Preventer CR office, a blue mini-van sat in the visitors parking where it had been when he had left earlier in the morning. "Tyler, I don't know what could be so bad about having a woman caring about you, a mother who only wants to see you safe and secure. She has been here since you where reported missing from school this morning." The boy looked at the mini-van making a face.
"Hey, Do you know what I would give to have a mother?" Tyler started and looked at Duo head on, "Don't snub the things you are being given. Make something of your self, because finally you are free to choose what that is. I don't want to see you in the obits, or worse as a headline two years from now because Preventer's had to intervene. You might not see it Tyler, but I give a damn."
Duo turned off the car and opened the door motioning for Tyler to follow suit. "You are going to have to also learn Tyler that there are consequences for your actions. Since you persist in running away, your going to be fitted with an ankle tracker."
"For how long?" He spat back, his glare turning back on at duo. "For as long as it takes to drill in to your head until your of age to make decisions for your self that you will be following the rules, you will be attending every class and you will pass all your damn classes. Until you learn to appreciate what you have!" Duo grabbed the boy by the scruff of the neck, "If I have to drill it in to you myself."
Tyler squeaked, but blinked at Duo. "You really give a damn. Never thought I would see a Preventer give a damn about us kids. Ah well to bad your sense of style sucks." Duo mock gasped, "What's wrong with my sense of style?"
"You look like a girl!" Tyler laughed at the look on duos face, "It's because it makes punks like you underestimate my abilities!" Duo struck a pose, before slapping Tyler on the shoulder, "Seriously though you know you have to have the monitor for at least a month." At Tyler's nod, Duo clapped him on the shoulder again, "Good, now move yer ass, I don't have all day to spend chasing you around the city, beyond popular belief I do actually have a life outside of ruining yours."
Tyler rolled his eyes, but proceeded through the front doors of the three story building, and was instantly accosted by Mariana Parks, a short blond with puffy red eyes. "You Stupid Boy!" She cried as she clung to Tyler who sent duo a look, but sighed and started trying to smooth over the woman's wet feathers.
"So you caught him, good job." Kekko chuckled as she walked out from the coffee machines, "Just in time to grab one and get going to Ishi Na Dojo." Duo sighed, "Yes mom!"
Duo looked at his watch, leaning his head on the cold table top before him. "Man, I never thought we would get through all of those." Kekko sighed, "It wasn't so bad, it was only twenty people." Duo Groaned, "Sure didn't feel like it."
Kekko could sympathize, "Yeah well you've had a long day, We just have a couple more things to do then your free to gallivant around town as you please." Duo pouted, "I don't Gallivant, I walk." Kekko opened the interview room door and stepped out in to the main area of the Dojo, they could barely see the mats where the class was listening to Ayame give announcements as the class ended.
"Come on, We have to just follow up with Ayame, then we can go back to the office, lock up and go home." Duo perked up, "No reports today?" Kekko chuckled, "Nope, I am not in the mood, and I know you won't do it unless I force you to. So, we can do them tomorrow. Besides, you need to find Chang and talk to him. I couldn't contact him in the office today, and I forgot to speak to him when I went looking for you."
Duo sighed, "Yeah well, I'll probably see him later on tonight anyway so it's all good." They walked down the hall slowly, listening to Ayame talking. "At the end of the month all classes will be canceled for two weeks for the rest period before the tournaments." Kekko and Duo rounded the corner. She paused and looked up at them.
"You all know why Preventer's Maxwell and Yurigami are here, you have spoken to them and you have learned the reason for their inquiries in to Saki's personality, and where bouts over the last few weeks. If you with held any information concerning Saki, because you felt you where protecting her, then it is up to you to talk to them. I will not hold it against you, nor with they." Ayame then after sweeping the room with her gaze, she stood straight. "With this being said, your dismissed."
Duo and Kekko waved at Ayame before making their way towards the large glass doors, Kekko making the sign for her to be calling later. "So, since Ayame doesn't seem to be in the mood for discussions right this moment, that would mean we are free for the rest of the day." Duo looked at her wide eyed. "Your being serious aren't you?"
"Uh-huh, I have shopping I need to do, and a house to clean." Kekko stretched her shoulder before walking to her car. "I'll give you a life back to the office, if you lock up." Duo kissed her on the cheek, "You have a deal!" Kekko didn't need to ask what had Duo so excited, she had a fairly good idea after seeing heero yuy driving away from the dojo just yesterday. He let out a whoop for playing hookie, before diving in to the passengers seat. "Come on Ke, I don't have all day... oh wait, Yes I do!" she could only roll her eyes at him before following behind him.
Thursday mornings where generally slow for Izumi, and this Thursday was no different. She sat behind her desk watching as Takashi-sensei stood on the kendo mats giving a privet lesson, and Ayame-sensei was nowhere to be found. Most likely gone to Derek's. She propped her chin on her hand bored. I wonder if I could get a private lesson from Takashi-sensei? She wondered and proceeded to fall in to a blissful state of day dreaming. It was however cut short by a woman clearing her throat. She blinked and looked towards the origin of the noise. Instead of it being Ayame as she had thought at first it was another woman standing there in a brown delivery uniform A ball cap covering the top of her head and hiding most of her face. Red hair poked out of the bottom of the cap.
The woman held out a brown wrapped package. "For Ayame Taylor." She said impatiently, like she wanted to be else where doing something other then delivering packages. "I can sign for it." Izumi stood from her chair, and took the package, which the woman placed a clipboard on the top of.
Izumi didn't bother looking over the work order, she simply signed and waited for her to give her the secondary copy. The woman tore it off hastily, and practically threw the paper at Izumi. She walked out and Izumi wasn't in the least sad to see her go. "Of all the, I should report her conduct." the secretary muttered placing the package off to one side. "I hate nervy people." She grumbled standing from her seat.
The snap of the cord, whooshing of breath, accelerated heart rate. All brought about a sense of longing in her as she watched the feathers careening through the air towards their intended target. Hyper sensitive nerve endings flared at the feeling of the cord slipping away from her arm, barely touching, a whisper of air. It was eternal bliss like nothing she had felt before, each time she let an arrow fly it felt just as exhilarating as the very first time.
The thunk of the arrow hitting it's target broke the spell she momentarily had been enraptured in. A soft male chuckle brought a smirk to her face, her bright blue eyes flicking to her left as she lowered the Yumi towards the ground relaxing. "Why are you laughing?"
"You treat it so delicately, I am not sure whether to be entertained or insulted. You know my equipment is top of the line, it won't break... even under your strain." The man said simply, as she looked at him, his dark eyes of brown alight with entertainment and his aging face weathered and wrinkling. "Do not be a fool Derek, If I wanted to test the quality of your equipment, I would not have picked up a beginners Yumi, I would have grabbed a higher tension."
Derek laughed, his brown-Grey tinted hair shifted as he did so. Ayame merely lifted an eyebrow in response. "How could a beginner even hold a change to draw the string when they haven't the practice nor the strength to do so? Yeah I know. Don't give me that look Ayame Taylor, or did you forget who taught you to use that bow?"
"No Derek, I did not, however did you forget who it was you taught?" Ayame responded before setting the bow in his up turned hands. "How could I forget, After all I taught all five of you girls. So young, and so cold in the eyes. I had never seen something so frightening, and I don't think I ever have since. You know It's nice to see that despite all that you have lived through, all the pain you have suffered, watching those sisters of yours-"
"Derek!"Ayame turned to face him, "Do not continue." She warned, her eyes a lit with a fire that was if nothing else, menacing. "I was only saying that despite all of that you have finally begun to re-gain the light of youth they aren't as cold as they where when we first met. For that I am glad." Ayame lifted a Shinai off a rack and swung it in a looping arch. "Are you calling me weak?"
"Hardly, A rose with any other name, the same could be said of a Dragon to could it not?" Derek walked across the test ground and lifted a Clip board. "standard set amount?" He asked and she nodded, "Derek, let me ask you then, What of a rose with out it's thorns, or a dragon with out it's cunning?"
"In this time a rose should not need it's thorns, and a Dragon does not lose it's cunning, you should know that above all things." Derek wrote on the paper, "How many arrows? What kind of heads?"
"Standard heads, I'll need two-thousand." Ayame replaced the shinai, before looking back at the old man. "What if I have need of both cunning and thorns?" Derek placed his clip board back on a stool, and looked her square in the face. "What is going on?"
"Justice has gone missing, and Saki has died, by her own hand, using the weapon of her elder sister. She never knew of it's existence, I never told her the story... I fear old ghost's are haunting me." Ayame rubbed her hands on her upper arms to ward off the sudden chill she had gotten. Derek's hands quickly replaced hers. "Should thorns be necessary once more, they will not be yours. Those boys who took over your duties are bond not only by rights of succession but also a few by law to hunt down such retched beings and bring them to justice. They will be the ones to wear the thorns."
"What if they are responsible? How can I just stand by and let them toy with people who know nothing of this past, of this part of history? I am torn Derek, I do not know which way to turn, Follow training and ignore the processes that do not deal with me. Or, should I break the laws by which I was raised, and expose the secrets I have works most of my life to protect? My heart does not know, and my brain is little more help. You are not bound by the same laws, what should I do?" She turned to him, looking for guidance of a man who both knew of what she spoke, and also held the wisdom of years she could only imagine.
"Do nothing for now, because as it stands you are simply assuming the worst. Ayame, Rina didn't train you to jump every time someone says boo. Rina taught you much better then that. Do not be so quick to dawn the wings once more. It could be nothing more then the girl has seen the weapon one day, and decided it was much simpler to get to then trying to find one in the underground. It saddens me to hear of the girls death. She was young, but it is not uncommon especially in this day an age." Derek's vein riddled hand patted her cheek.
"You cannot expect them to be as strong willed as you have proven your self to be. They haven't witnessed the same as you have, and I know I have told you before that you have to be more understanding of another point of view. Sometimes you cannot understand their actions, and that is alright, so long as you know it was their choice to make and their consequences to accept. Does this mean you cannot be mad, or saddened by what has come about? Of course not, dear girl, penning up your emotions serves you no good, as you not only tell your students but others as well. Sometimes the best advice to follow is your own. " the old man smiled at her.
"Right now I think it's best not to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Being prepared is fine, but do not dwell on what may never come. Now, I have a gift for you!" He clapped her on the shoulder, "It was given to me from an acquaintance of ours. They thought that you would rather enjoy having it."
Derek led Ayame out of the room, one arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder, like an old grand father conspiring against a mother- ready to give sweats before dinner.
Wufei stood in on the balcony of Quatre's penthouse in the Winner Tower of Tokyo looking out the window he found he couldn't stop thinking of his encounter with Ayame Taylor. He was unnerved by a great many things and it wasn't the way she had avoided talking about the weapon Saki Taylor had used, but something more.
Her piercing Crystalline blue eyes gave her an eerie quality on their own, yet at the same token it wasn't her eyes colour, more over the solidarity she held within them. He knew with out a doubt the woman had seen a great many horrors, yet at the same token he held the feeling she had not seen enough of them to justify it. For some reason the woman hated nearly everything, yet hated nothing. A tap on the sliding door window broke his concentration. That in it's self told him he was far to distracted, if he could be caught off guard by the people he felt most comfortable with, then they would indeed begin to worry- it was not wise to allow the assembled men to worry.
"Is something wrong Wufei?" Quatre's voice questioned, as he turned from looking at nothing to facing the owner of the entire building and empire it represented. "You cannot tell me you have not herd, I am sure Yuy has told you by now." He stated and the blonde seemed to look more confused then anything else. "What do you mean, the case your working on? I only herd that you and CR are working together on it, I didn't know that it was something that could cause you to worry so much. The only thing Heero has told me was that he had booked a Dojo for our gathering next week, nothing more."
Wufei sighed, "Then you don't need to worry for the moment." The blonde smiled yet Wufei could read the worry floating about the backs of the man's deep sky blue eyes. "You always worry far too much Winner, that is your fundamental weakness in life you do realize this do you not?" It was only then did the blonde owner of the estate smile truly. " As you and the others constantly remind me." The blonde pause and blinked at the sky, "Perhaps it would be best to continue our conversation indoors, for it does look like it is about to rain."
"Perhaps."
The inside of the winner pent house was quite large, yet at the same time small compared to the many houses that Wufei had both the privilege and great disdain of viewing. As he entered the main foyer of the house he was accosted by a blur of auburn. He stood rigid as stone, waiting for the inevitable squeal that followed the attack, yet for some reason it didn't come. "Your upset." The man currently hugging him like a child stated with a slight pout to his voice, "-And this time it can't be blamed on me..."
The man pushed back and held him at arms length, violet eye's looking deeply in to his own coal eye's. "Does this have to do with what your not supposed to be thinking about right at this moment?" Duo asked and Wufei sighed."Oh come on Wu-Wu there is no way you cannot be happy to see me of all people, right?" He paused for a split of a second and lifted a figure before Wufei's lips, "Don't answer that."
Violet eyes flicked in the direction of the blonde and smirked, "Well then don't just stand there, you do not want to hear my stomach threatening to eat me alive do you? How are we going to have a re-match that way, not so much fun with out your favorite punching bag. Hup to it!" The American turned away and skipped three steps before whipping back around his long waist length auburn braid coiling about his body, "Wu-man.."
Wufei's brow twitched as the American started skipping away all the while laughing. "Duo..." Wufei managed to growl under his breath, "Every day I thank all the higher powers he has yet to procreate." Quatre Winner giggled in to his fist as he followed the stamping begrudged Wufei down the hall. Some things never change, and for that I am glad...
Ayame could supress the smile she had on her face as she walked in to the dojo holding the encased present that derek had passed along. Izumi knew better then to ask as she walked towards the privat stairs leading in to her apartment above the dojo. Though it crossed her mind that she had left the dojo unattended for long enough. "Kana. Would you take this up with you?" She asked as the girl went to pass her. Her light brown hair pulled back in to a pony tale. "Sure, where do you want me to put it?"
"On the table, don't open the package." Ayame instructed before walking back towards Izumi's desk. "Everything go well with Derek?" the girl asked annoyance evident in her voice. "Yes, what happened?" Izumi glared at her, "If you ever leave me here with out warning again, I will kick your ass." She held up a stack of messages, motioned to a package and then turned and glared at Takashi. "Again, I ask, what happened?"
Izumi sighed as she gathered her frustrations inward, "The better question is what didn't happen. As you guessed some of the students went home yesterday, told their parents about saki, and they are calling in an outrage that one of your students, was able to not only get a hold of the weapon to end her life, but do so in public with her school uniform on. They all want to pull their children because of negligence on your part, and a lack of security in the city. Never mind that and rude postal workers, Takashi's antics and those girls of yours going ten rounds with one another just as we had an orientation. We had two potential students pee themselves, because they where afraid that they would have to fight them. Needless to say today was not a good day for you to disappear."
Ayame chuckled, "Is there ever a good day for me to disappear?" she walked around the desk scooped up the parcel and gave Izumi one last look, "I'll handle the messages, if you send those two girls to me." Izumi sighed, "Deal, but I get double break." At Ayame's nod the girl stood up, and headed towards where she knew both girls would be.
Ayame deposited the package along with others she had yet to open, and sat down at her desk.
The next morning was quiet, with no classes scheduled for the morning, and the day care being handled by Takashi and Izumi in the other side of the dojo Ayame had time to finally be able to get some of her own kata practice in before she was once again swamped by office work that needed to be done. She hadn't expected to be interupted by Heero Yuy paying the dojo another visit. She had recived his paper work already and was planning on sending the approval with date confirmation after her practice.
"Mr. Yuy, you return. " She greeted making him turn towards the mats. Heero stood silent suddenly uncharacteristically unsure as to what to speak to her about when she suddenly walked along the mats and lifted a shinai from the wall rack and tossed it at him. When he caught it he sent her questioningly look, she responded with. "I assume you know how to use one."
Blinking at the comment heero nodded, "Well are you going to except my challenge or just stand there?" Her change in attitude made him stall for a split second before he removed his shoes and socks. "I'll except, but I'll confess that I am unsure why you wish to challenge me."
"Lets call it a whim." They both stood facing each other, Ayame bowed to him and awaited his in return. When his bow was completed, they both took Six steps towards each other. Slowly, almost painstakingly so Ayame started to lower in to a squatted position, lifting her shinai. Heero followed suit, only to notice that she stood differently then he did. The stance was called The Gedan no Kamae; Her shinai was lower then his, with her left foot back with her heel about two and a half inches off the floor. Her hips where level and shoulders drawn back, he could see that unlike his own her arms where relaxed.
He only recognized the stance because Wufei had used it only once, while sparring with him in a Dojo in Europe. Wufei hadn't bothered to teach Heero how to stand in what he viewed as a uncomfortable position, yet he knew enough by pure observational skills that the way she held the position was that of perfection. They rose slightly, and he knew the match was on. She lashed out instantaneously, bringing her shinai up at a steep angle attempting to score a Tsuki- or throat point. He barely held a chance to step out of the way when she was twisting the shinai bringing it down landing a point.
"Men." She said in a flat voice as the shinai connected with the top of his head. It didn't hurt when it connected, in fact the control she held over the power she exerted was astounding. He wondered if Wufei had ever seen such control when practicing Kendo. Heero jumped forward and swung aiming not at the all important Head or throat shots but her wrist, hoping to at least throw her off balance. She turned slightly once again and slammed her shinai in to his waist all the while calling the point "Do."
Heero remembered as he was stumbling that this match-up was almost the same as when he had sparred against Wufei, and after their match Wufei had told him: You are far too calculating, it shows on your face how much thought you are putting to your moves- this makes you readable. Remember the war and how little time you had to think while in your cock pit. Reactions are the key, someone gets a point- counter it with two points of your own. Thinking about it will be what gives them the match.
As he stepped in to his stumbling he turned bringing his own shinai around smacking Ayame's waist. "Do." He then twisted his shinai around landing another point, uttering "Men." Ayame blinked at him for the spiltest of seconds then went on the counter-attack, bringing her shinai about to get the final and fatal point Tsuki. He side stepped and swung, both shinai met their marks, "Tsuki." Ayame said while looking at Heero's shinai as he to Uttered "Tsuki."
That was how Izumi found her, standing with a shinai pressed to her throat, the final attack from both parties placed in a draw. The look on Ayame's face was one that Izumi had never seen before, and it brought a slight shiver down her spine, she seemed genuinely excited about the match despite the fact that she was indeed dead. She waited before the shinai where removed to speak.
"Sensei, You have a call from Nayoshi-Sensei regarding the tournament at the end of the month." She informed waiting for Ayame to turn to her, "Alright Izumi, I'll be right there." Ayame's eyes never left Heero's, she was gauging him. Something had changed partway through their match-up and when it did, it was drastic. She knew the man was dangerous, but now she knew exactly to what extent.
She couldn't understand the excitement she had felt when he had tied in landing the fatal Tsuki point in the final moments, but it still lingered despite her attempts to shove it aside. She knew that this man was going to be bringing himself around her dojo more often then either of them had planned on.
When she finally removed her gaze from him she said simply. "I am officailly informing you that you have approval to rent the dojo, and your date has been confirmed. I look forward to your business Mr. Yuy. " She said as a forum of dismissal as she took her shinai with her as she left the room to answer the phone call, Not allowing him time to answer.
Heero stood holding the wooden bamboo sword, and looked up at the ceiling, knowing that he was doomed to return to the dojo again if for nothing else but to get answers to the strange feelings within him stirred by a single look. Placing the shinai on one of the empty slots on the wall rack, he took his leave of the dojo the scents of Sakura blossoms filling his noes, and relaxing his mind.
He pulled out his phone with the intention of informing the others of the gathering time and place, when out of the corner of his eye he watched as a woman with bright red hair jumped off the surrounding wall in to what was a small alley-way between the dojo grounds and a small market shop.
"Yes, I understand Rokuro. Yes I already have ten chosen, but I am still waiting on parent confirmation before I can proceed to list them for the tournament." Ayame Paused as she shifted the receiver of her phone from her right ear to the left, turning her chair to look out her office window. "Your concern is appreciated but I assure you it is not needed. It is because of Saki that I am positive that my students will be ready to bring their all. Don't worry you will have a fair shot at beating Ishi na at the tournaments this year." Ayame chuckled darkly, "That is if you can manage to muster up some competition for Kana and Satomi."
Ayame smirked before turning back around in her seat, "I will, now I have work to get done so I have to get off the phone and get to it. I'll see you at the competition." With that Ayame hung up the phone and glanced vehemently at the stack of delivered packages and mail on a corner table beside her desk. Resolve clear in her expression she reach over and grabbed the first package.
It was a brown wrapped box with a scrawled address for the dojo on the top surface. There was no return address and a stamp that appeared to be from the postal services. With a quick motion Ayame ripped the brown paper wrapping in half and exposed the white cardboard. Opening the box she pulled out white foam wrap and spied a rose encased in glass. It appeared to be floating within the case.
It was weighty but Ayame wasn't surprised considering the glass itself was solid. She pulled it out and looked it over, a little put-off by the parcel. She hadn't ordered anything of the like, and she didn't have any kind of admirers as far as she was aware. Placing the rose on her desk she looked in the box and found a piece of paper with hand writing on it.
Oh little dragon can't you see,
there is nothing you can do;
that will be rid of me...
Your beauty is like a rose...
eternal, and covered in red;
Blood spurrs you forward,
further in to your dred.
Like the rose,
in glass you see
Your thorns are lost for all eternity.
I have found your thorns,
so sharp and true.
They are mine,
but I shall return them to you.
Lets play a game,
like the spider and the fly.
Find the thorns, Before they die.
Ayame dropped the box and looked at the paper in her hands near shock encasing her every feature. The poem was a threat, and the issuance of a game. She didn't need to read further to understand this. The fact that they deliberately called her little dragon was not lost on her, and she knew that she could not go to Preventer with the issue that had just arisen. She didn't know anyone alive that knew about the past she held. With two exceptions, and she could and had trusted them both with her life. In order to get any clues as to who knew the secret and who was deciding it was wise to toy with a dragon, she had to continue reading. Despite the fear that was growing within her being.
One has fallen,
like the sun
on that day justice was done.
I know you wept,
despite you attempts;
just like she- the baby dragon of destiny.
You have lost one thorn
as the clocked ticked by
Waist no more time
oh ye dragon
I shall watch you fly.
With these last words I bid you part.
Merrily with all my heart...
Entrapment will only stall thy from truest path.
For a Dragon's heart will out last;
Once the skies it's sees again
this will be the beginning of the end.
Ayame stood from her seat, and walked out of the office she had been planing on spending the better part of the day in. The walls of the dojo where ignored as she traced her way to a set of stairs hidden within a closet, and up them in to a room in her apartment above. Her secondary office. Her stomach dropped at seeing a wall with supports standing empty save for one black metal gun.
Forensics hadn't gotten him anything more then he had already known. It pissed Wufei off to no end, but he wouldn't allow himself the luxury of expressing his anger. It would only serve to bring him more frustration, and he could hardly blame the guys in forensics for not being able to produce the answers he had wanted. Especially so when the answers could only come from ghosts in his personal past.
The dreams of his past where continuing to haunt him, and the irony that they had started the night before the entire fiasco wasn't lost on him. It in fact only served to increase his need for answers. He knew his frustration was beginning to show to Karin, for she had asked him repeatedly the day before if he was alright. Wufei did not enjoy others looking at him in worry.
Duo and Kekko had come up dry on their quest for any answers to explain the suicide of Saki Taylor, and the case was on the brink of closing. The only reason that it was still open was the fact that the lab boys had informed head office that the mysterious gun held traced of Gundanium alloy in it's make up. Wufei needed to figure out the recent history on the gun, because he already know the origin. He didn't like lying to Duo, but it needed to be done to allow him to keep some measure of his life privet until such times as it needed to be opened like a book for the world to read.
He stood in front of his bathroom mirror, awakened yet again by another haunting dream. He could still hear Meilan's words echoing in his mind. 'May ye fly above the clouds and observe the lands below,May justice smite the wrongs done to us all.' The only difference that his dream held, was that Meilan's voice was being echoed by the voice of Saki Taylor.
Shaving cream lined his jaw, as he held the razor in his hand. He hadn't herd those words since his life became entangled in the evils and injustices of War, Famine and corruption of the mortal mind, body and soul. Before he became the pilot of the Dragon, and the hand of Justice. A life time ago he had herd those words and now as he remembered it he could only see the young face of his long dead wife in the mirror. His hand clenched around the razor handle.
He couldn't help but feel like there was something more to this then simply his past being tangled in to the case. What ever that something was it was simmering, waiting to combust in to flames. Flames where Preventer worst kind of emergency. The simple fact that a girl who shouldn't be old enough to have even herd those words uttered in her life time disturbed him, but also told him there was a third party player in the whole issue. Ayame Taylor...? The thought had come to him, but he couldn't find any evidence in their interview two days prior to tie her in to the matter.
His gut told him other wise, but he wouldn't get answers by simply using his gut. He had a time line before the whole case was thrown to another section of Preventer, The initial case file was closed and ruled simply a suicide, pending the out come of his investigation. Should he not make his deadline then the case of the gun would meet the fate of the cold case files in some storage lock up. That prospect should comfort him but it only served to disturb him more then he already was.
Beside him his cellphone rang, the vibrations making it shudder towards the edge of the sink, threatening to dump in it to the soap filled water. He put his razor down and lifted his phone, and answering it in one fell swoop. "Chang." He didn't have to wait more then four seconds before he was snapping "What did you just say!"
Authors Notes: YAY chapter three is at an end, I hope you enjoyed it, and that it didn't feel rushed. I am not sure, though I feel it was paced nicely. Maybe you all could REVIEW xD
See you all next time in:
Chapter four: The Illusion of the Something.