Title: The Boundaries of Love
Author: Yuki
Note: Almost didn't make it. The chapter is choppy, short and maybe somewhat pointless. I'm still trying to get things together, sorry. Please review and tell me what you think.
Chapter One: Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down
The forest became silent as the sun disappeared over the horizon. The inhabitants treaded around carefully, eyes and ears alert. Waiting and watching because they knew best, when danger was near. Something was coming.
Then, as if someone had given them a cue, they ran. Little hearts thumping against their chest. The sound of twigs and leaves being crushed under their feet during the chaos echoed from every direction.
It started as a speck off in the distance. A brilliant orange against the darkness of the night. It flickered and there was a thunderous explosion as the forest was engulfed in it. The earth trembled helplessly with the impact. Mighty trees fell under its heat and the animals continued to run frantically. The fire danced behind them and licked at their feet.
But it was hopeless…because in order for there to be a new beginning, there must be an end.
"Attention! T-this is a code Red! The forest is on fire! Everyone please evacuate immediately!"
The voice rang loud and clear in the quiet laboratory, freezing everyone in their spots. When the words finally sunk in, there was instant panic. An alarm started ringing throughout the building, its shrill echo only adding onto the confusion. There's a sea of white in the halls as people dressed in lab coats try to push their way through to the exit. Friends and coworkers are shoved aside, survival being the only thought coursing through everyone's mind.
But in the midst of the chaos, no one saw the creeping hands of the fire surrounding them, blocking their chances of escape. No, they didn't see. Not until it swallowed them whole.
In a little white room, a figure stirred.
It was hot. The air was thick and suffocating. He could hear loud screams and rapid stomps of at least a few dozen people outside. Huh? What's going on?
His puzzled thoughts were interrupted by a monotone voice resonating from within him.
Warning. System reaching abnormal temperatures. Activating protective barriers. Bringing System and surrounding area into Lock Down mode.
Wait! What's happening outside?
No, System. Not ye-
The area was gray and bare. A thick layer of ash blanketed the ground; the remains of what used to be there. In the middle of this dusty landscape, a sleek black car makes its way through. It comes to a smooth halt and the passenger door swings open. The first to step out was a tall, lean man. He wore a crisp black suit, adorned with an orange tie and on top of his head was a black fedora with an orange strip. He had strange, curly sideburns that peaked from under his hat.
Following behind him was another man; similar in stature but only a bit shorter. His hair was a brilliant red, with its ends slightly curled outwards, making it somewhat resemble an octopus. He also donned an identical black suit (though one could see the clear contrast between the two; with the jacket opened and shirt untucked - his style was noticeably more laid back than the previous man).
The redhead got out a black folder from inside the car before closing the door. Taking out a document, he handed it to his companion.
"Here's the report we received earlier this morning, Reborn."
The fedora-donning man (now known as Reborn) glanced down at the paper. "This is it? 'The area, along with the laboratory, was burned in a fire. Cause is unknown.'"
The other man could only shrug, a cigarette somehow has appeared between his lips. "That's why we're here. To figure this shit out."
Reborn's eyebrow twitched. "G, remind me to pay Giotto a…visit, later."
G chuckled at the obvious annoyance laced in the other's voice. His boss was in for it when they returned.
Grumblings aside, the two began to search the area, though there wasn't much to look at. The ground had been completely flattened and it was gray for as far as they could see. That is, until Reborn noticed something far off. His eyes narrowed and he silently motioned for G to follow him.
There, in the distance, Reborn had noticed a slight dip in an area that seemed to be darker than the rest. When they came closer, the two saw that it wasn't just a dip - there was a huge crater carved into the earth. As they made their way to the edge, they spotted something.
Smack in the middle of the crater, lay a single room. The whiteness of it made a sharp contrast to the dark ground. None of the ashes that enveloped the rest of the area seems to have touched it.
Just as G was about to say something, there was an eerie creek of rusty hinges. Reborn whipped out his gun, with his redheaded companion quickly following suit. As they watched, they finally noticed the small white door as it slowly opened.
The two aimed their guns simultaneously as a figure emerged. A rather…small figure.
"What the fuck?"
Internally, Reborn agreed.
Because there, at the door, stood a young boy clad in white. He had a fluffy mop of brown hair and big, hazelnut eyes. The boy looked around, seemingly confused, before he spotted the two figures above him. He let out a small gasp and before anyone else could react, slammed the door shut.
"…Again. What. The. Fuck."
Note: That's all I could come up with for now but I think I'm starting to get used to writing again though it's still unstable. This was painfully short but the beginning is going to be slow and this seemed like a good stopping point. Next chapter will be longer, hopefully.
I am aiming to update once a week. Wish me luck and thank you for reading.
- Yuki
p.s. Oh, and who do you guys think should be the final pairing? Please vote through your reviews!