A/N: Hey there, sorry for not updating right away. When I finally got over my writer's block, I was banned from the computer. I'd also like to mention that I've decided this takes place after Child's play, but before the Last Voyage.
"The question is, who would want to kill Zane and why?" Cole leered at his teammates expectantly.
The team cast uncertain glances at each other, unsure of how to respond.
"That guy who gave us the flash drive seemed kind of off," Jay spoke up, "Maybe he-"
"It isn't Adam," Fate cut him off, "I'm aware of his path, and he's as clueless to what's going on as you are."
Cole frowned, "You said it yourself that you don't know the destiny of the "anomaly" person. So we probably shouldn't cross Adam off the suspect list just yet."
"Of course," she nodded, her eyes narrowed momentarily, "It would best not to take any chances, wouldn't it? Our anomaly could be anyone really." Her gaze swept across the room before landing on Jay, giving him a subtle wink. He looked at her in surprise and confusion, but offered the older woman a slight smile in return. "Of course," Fate continued, "It could be that it's not that they're after Zane, but rather that Zane was merely caught in the crossfire."
"What do you mean?" Lloyd questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Fate smirked, "Well, as I've said before, the anomaly isn't looking to kill Zane, but rather that he was just collateral damage in attempt to gain this." Her hand motioned toward the flash drive.
"If Zane's gonna die because that guy's after that thing, shouldn't we just destroy it?" Kai shot a glare at the flash drive, as if the thing itself had wronged him.
"Kai has a point," Cole nodded, "If we destroy it now, maybe it'll throw the 'anomaly' off our backs." Jay could feel his heart nearly bolt out of his chest when a hand swooped out and snatched the flash drive off the table. The gang gaped in surprise, at Fate, who was clutching the device to her chest. The prideful and god like air she seemed to carry with her disappeared and was replaced by what he could only describe as fear and malice.
For a moment, she looked human.
Fate quickly regained her composure, "As vile at this thing is, it still carries great importance. Please trust me when I say that it would be a bad idea to destroy it."
"You're still not going to tell us what's on that thing, are you?" Cole frowned. He raised an eyebrow, almost accusingly.
"I'd rather not prematurely taint you with its contents. But don't worry, you'll find out what it carries soon enough," Fate glanced up at the clock on the wall, "Oh, would you look at the time! I have some important matters to take care of. Please excuse me." The divine being dashed out of the room, leaving its other occupants confused and wary.
It wasn't until he had left the room, had Jay realized that Zane had never said a word about his untimely demise.
"Zane, you in here?" Jay called out into the ninja's shared bedroom. His gaze flickered over the room before landing on Zane, who was laid back in his bed, flipping through a book. He looked disturbingly serene for someone whose death had just been predicted.
He looked up from his book, "Yes, Jay? Do you need something?" Jay winced, it was almost appalling how calm Zane sounded.
"How are you doing? Are you alright?" Jay asked cautiously, half hoping that Zane's uncaring demeanor was only a ruse.
Zane raised an eyebrown, seeming confused, "Yes, why do you ask?" It was such a casual answer that Jay was almost thrown for a loop.
He felt his jaw open and snap shut several times before managed to spit out a reply, "What do mean, why do I ask?" His own voice was filled with more malice than intended, which was apparent when the book Zane was holding slipped out of his hands in shock. The book slid down the side of the bed and clattered to the floor, but went unnoticed by both boys. Zane opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, but Jay cut him off, "Do you even care that you could die in less than a week?" The suprise was apparent on Zane's face, before being replace by shame. He quickly averted his gaze.
"It's not that I don't care," Zane spoke hesitantly, "It's just that..." His voice trailed off, as if he couldn't find the words or just didn't want to. Jay bit his lip, for once, he unsure of what to say. "Jay, do you know how old I am?" Jay jumped when Zane finally broke the silence.
"Um..." Jay shook his head.
"I'm fifty-six," Zane stated bluntly. Jay flinched at the subtle harshness in his tone. He was already aware that Zane was much older than he appeared, due to being a machine.
Jay frowned, "So? You realize that most people can live into their eighties, right? You have at least another couple of decades before you kick the bucket!"
"What if I don't?" Zane asked quietly.
"Don't worry," Jay tried to keep his voice confident, "You can count on me, er, and the team of course, to have your back."
Zane clenched his fists, "That's not what I meant. What if I don't just have another two decades?" Confusion swept over Jay's features. What did he mean by...? Oh. His stomach twisted at the implications. He wasn't asking: 'what if I don't have another two decades?'
He was asking: 'what if I can't die?'
"As a nindroid, I will always stay the same," Zane said, "And I'm not show signs of breaking down anytime soon. Even if I was, whose to say someone won't come along and just repair me?" He stopped for a few moments.
Jay wondered whether he finished speaking, but soon he continued, "When my creator, my father died, it was due to old age. Soon, everyone else will grow old too, and then die. But what about me? How long will I last before I finally break? Two decades? Two centuries? Two millennia? How many more people will I have to see die?"
He was completely hunched over, his face completely obscured. His voice was cracking as if he were about to cry, if he wasn't already, "When Fate told us that I destined to die in a few days, I feel ashamed to say I was almost happy to hear that. It's not that I want to die, I just don't want to see anymore people I care about go before me. I don't want to see my friends die. I... I don't want to see you die, Jay."
Jay stood in stunned silence, unsure of what to say. What could he say? Don't worry, you'll die eventually? He had never seen Zane in such a vulnerable state before and was at a complete loss as to what he should do. Staring down at the nindroid, whose face was buried in his hands, he did the first thing that popped into his head. He heard and audible gasp when he wrapped his arms around the ice ninja.
"Zane," Jay bit his lower lip, his own voice breaking, "Don't you think that I don't want to see you die either? I hear where you're coming from, really. But please, don't try to get killed. Remember that we care about you too, we'll care if you die. I'll care if you die." There was a prolonged silence. Jay's arms still had a tight hold around Zane, who had relaxed and rested his head on the other's shoulder. They sat in silence, both ninja's breathing slowing down to a normal rate.
"Thank you," Zane muttered, his head still resting on Jay's shoulder.
"Yeah, no problem," Jay responded.
A sudden knock tore them from their thoughts. Jay almost felt dissapointment when Zane broke their hug to answer, "Yes, can we help you?" Jay was surprised to see the tear stains on his face as he spoke. Whoever made him really went all out to make him as life-like as possible. Zane made no shameful attempts to hide his tear stained face when Fate strode in. Jay, however, immediately turned away. Though he had different reasons to avert his gaze.
"Sorry to bother you, darlings. But I need to borrow something," Fate bent down in front of them, rummaging under the bed across from the one they were sitting in. Jay stifled a gasp, clasping his eyes shut. One eye opened, sneaking a peak at Zane, who was merely stareing on in wonderment.
"Ah, here we go!" Fate stood up, clasping a large and thick-looking bag, "Hope you don't mind if I borrow this?" Jay shook his head meekly before Fate finally left the room. Both ninja sat quietly until Zane finally spoke.
"She wasn't wearing any clothes."
A/N: Well Fate certainly know how to kill a mood. So tell me, dear readers, anyone have any thoughts our suspicions about the matter at hand?