Shinigami and the Dragon 3/?
Mar. 6th, 2005 01:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yellowhordeDisclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing and I make no money from this or any other fanfic I write.
Pairing: None...yet
Category: Drama/Action/Angst
Rating: R
Warnings: None
Title: Shinigami and the Dragon
Author: yellowhorde
Notes: This started out as a team effort between me and my sister, but she bailed on me.
SHINIGAMI & THE DRAGON
The two men strode briskly down the corridor, their boots ringing on the cool marble floors. The ghostly echo of their footsteps bounced merrily along the high ceilinged hallway - a spirit child, inviting them to play in the gathering gloom. Regularly spaced torches did little to augment the fading light drifting down through the glazed skylights, which had changed from gold to a muted orange with the death of the day. The corridors grew darker and more narrow as they left the main thoroughfares and made their way to the private chambers of Lord Shinigami.
The messenger had arrived shortly after their practice session. And while Lord Shinigami did not like to be kept waiting, one did not answer a formal summoning in sweaty training gi's. The two men had made a quick stop to change into more appropriate attire. Now Akunin led the way, his crimson cloak, the symbol of his position, billowed behind him. Duo trailed slightly behind and to the left. He, too, had donned a cloak, only his was blue, depicting his slightly lower rank. His arm, which throbbed painfully, was bound with a white bandage. He sighed.
Akunin was in a fine mood from the practice. Smiling, the dark haired man glanced over at Duo and said casually, "You know, I'm sure that our Lord will soon be announcing his successor." He paused, then continued more to himself than to his younger companion. "I can hardly wait until my appointment."
His voice sounded rather smug to Duo, but that must surely be his imagination. (He seems so certain,) Duo thought. (And why shouldn't he be...I certainly don't want the job and he seems to love his work...) He suddenly recalled, all too vividly, just how much Akunin enjoyed his work. Memories of the missions they'd shared clamored for attention at the back of his mind, dark and bloody. Duo shuddered.
"Are you alright?" Akunin inquired, glancing back at the youth, eyebrow raised quizzically.
"Y-yes..." Duo mumbled, color rising on his checks. "I'm fine. Just caught a chill." He chuckled nervously then cleared his throat self-consciously.
Akunin still smiled although his eyes narrowed slightly. (Yes, I just bet you did.) he thought. It really hadn't been difficult to follow the course of his partner's thoughts. (You are so transparent, my friend.)
Fortunately, they had finally arrived at the chambers of the Lord Shinigami. There were two armed guards standing to attention. Upon recognizing the two Lieutenants, they saluted and each grabbing a handle, opened the massive doors which they protected with their lives. The two Lieutenants passed through and into the main chambers of Lord Shinigami, God of Death.
The room was large, but relatively bare. A few paintings adorned the wall and there was a statue or two on display pillars but other than that, empty. Lit only with a few torches burning in strategically placed corners, it was rather dark and depressing. In the back of the room was a raised dais where an elderly man with a flowing mane of white hair sat stiff and forbidding. The two men approached, their footfalls echoing on the polished marble floor, and knelt at the base of the dais. Despite his advanced age and apparent frailty, the man commanded an air of power. Dark intelligent eyes looked upon his disciples as they waited for his acknowledgement.
"You may rise."
The two men rose as one and stood before their lord expectantly.
"I shall be relinquishing my position very shortly." the elderly man began without preambles " It was a difficult decision for me to have to make, considering that I have been blessed with two such fine and noble disciples." The ancient lord sighed heavily, and looked them straight in the eyes, each in turn, before continuing. "But the choice has been made and will be announced at the Ceremony in three days. You may be dismissed."
Upon hearing the announcement, Akunin's face lit up with joy. Finally, he would have the power of Shinigami, the power over life and death! How long he had waited for this day! He had been beginning to think that the old man would never die, even with all of his "help".
Duo was very still. He knew what retirement meant, had known for years, but it still bothered him. He would miss the old man terribly. He had turned to leave, his heart heavy, when his was stopped by his Lord's voice.
"Duo, would you be so kind as to help me to my inner chambers? These old legs of mine are not what they used to be." He smiled down at the boy who gladly came to his assistance. He knew that things were not going to get any better for the young man. In fact, they were soon to get much worse. He groaned as he rose stiffly to his feet and leaned heavily against the strong shoulder of the Second Lieutenant.
(What choice did I really have?) he thought gloomily. He had made the only decision available. For the good of the world.
Seeing his rival helping the Lord Shinigami to stand, Akunin felt the old familiar hate burn in his stomach like acid. They were very close, those two. It reminded Akunin of when he was younger and had just been appointed the honorable position of First Lieutenant. He had wanted nothing more in all the world than his masters approval...his acceptance. He had thrown himself into his work with fevered devotion. Desperate for a word of praise...some acknowledgement of his existence...some scrap of affection...anything! But the old man had always been cool and distant despite all of his efforts to please him.
Several years later when the much younger Duo had been promoted to the position of Second Lieutenant, Akunin had been assigned the task of training the youngster in his duties. In his mind, the boy was unfit for the job. He seemed rather squeamish and did not enjoy the pain and suffering of mankind, as Akunin did. In fact, his entire line of thinking was beyond Akunin's understanding.
He had given up on the boy as a lost cause and no threat to his position. To make matters worse, there was the fact that Duo got along extremely well with Lord Shinigami, despite the vast age difference. The two became fast friends and spent many an afternoon in each others company, talking and laughing, much to the First Lieutenant's dismay.
Akunin's anger and jealousy began to eat away at his facade of friendliness towards Duo and his love for his mentor curdled into bitter hatred. He became paranoid, beginning to suspect Duo of wanting his position, and the title of Shinigami. Though this was, of course, the last thing Duo would ever want. This was another of Duo's peculiarities that Akunin would not have been able to grasp. To Akunin, power was something everyone wanted and would do anything to get and even more to keep. To do otherwise was simply unimaginable.
It was traditional for the Shinigami to pass on the power of Death to his First Lieutenant. The Second was just there in case in some unforeseen event the heir apparent died. However, it was not unheard of for the Second to discretely dispatch of his superior by any means, fair or foul. Akunin himself had used such tactics to get rid of his rival many years earlier. Now, in an attempt to secure his position, the dark haired man had begun to slowly poison his master.
(Maybe the old man will be appointing Duo as the new Shinigami.) Akunin turned abruptly to leave. (No!) he mentally snapped back, (That cannot be. Who would place that weakling into power?) He left quickly, his mind in turmoil, his good mood had vanished.
*****
Duo couldn't help but notice how thin the old man had become as he assisted his mentor to the inner chambers. The Shinigami shuffled along slowly, leaning heavily on the shoulder of his Second Lieutenant. When his teacher finally settled down on the sofa, he was flushed from exertion and gasping for breath. Duo rearranged some pillows behind his Lord, propping him up to make him more comfortable.
When the elderly gentleman's breathing slowed back to normal and the alarming flush had faded, Duo crossed the room and stepped into the small kitchen. Shinigami could hear him rummaging around for a brief moment, then the long haired youngster returned with a goblet and a bottle of wine-one of Shinigami's favorite. He set the ornate glass on the coffee table and carefully poured the deep crimson liquid into its clear depths. Then he offered it to his Lord.
Shinigami accepted it gratefully and inhaled its fragrance. Then he took a small sip, savoring its rich flavor. He sighed contentedly and relaxed against the velvety pillows. "You know, growing old can be a real pain, Duo." He smiled at the juvenile, and patted the couch cushion next to him indicating that he wanted the boy to sit. Duo set the bottle on the table and complied. The old man's dark eyes meet the violet eyes of the slim youth besides him. "I am actually looking forward to retiring after all these hundreds of years." he stated earnestly.
The young man, hardly more than a child, searched the depths of the old man's eyes, beseechingly. If only he could believe that. (I don't want you to go...)
Suddenly, the Shinigami began to cough violently, deep and painful. He held his hand to his mouth in an attempt to stifle them. Alarmed, Duo jumped, and, half-standing, started to pound the elderly man on the back. It was the only thing he could think of. Unfortunately, it did absolutely no good. The hacking cough continued to wrack the thin old man's body for what seemed an eternity, but was actually only a few moments. Finally, they ceased, leaving the man feeling achy and weak. He avoided looking into the wide, terrified, eyes of his companion.
Silently, he removed a handkerchief from the depths of his robes with a trembling hand splattered with blood. He wiped his face and hands clean and leaned back against the back of the couch feeling drained. With a shuddering breath, he closed his eyes. His death was fast approaching with or without the Ceremony. Of that he was certain.
Duo was watching the white haired man critically. He had known that the Lord Shinigami had been ill for some time, but he had never realized until this moment how serious the situation really had become. He noted as if for the first time how pale his old friend's skin was, the dark circles under his eyes. He had lost a lot of weight and he had not been a heavy man to begin with. Why had he not noticed sooner how critical things had gotten? How could he have been so blind? His heart was tearing into pieces as he realized once again that the man before him, who had known him all his life, would soon be gone.
After a long while, the old man opened his eyes. The youth sat silently besides him, watching over him. He smiled weakly at the boy and was pleased to receive a tentative smile in return. He struggled to an upright position, holding up a restraining hand as Duo tried to assist him. "A man has to have some pride, dear boy." Duo looked abashed. "However, if you'd like, you could go get the chess set from the hall closet for me. I feel like a match or two right about now."
The braided boy's eyes lit up and he hastened to fetch the game from its resting place. He had always loved playing chess with his teacher. Of course, he didn't win very often, but that no longer bothered him- though it had driven him crazy as a boy. It just made the times that he actually did manage to defeat his friend all the more meaningful. He set the box on the table and began to remove and set up the familiar pieces.
The two men were deep in thought, the game well under way, when a knock was heard on the door. Shinigami glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was shaped like a black cat. It's tail and the pupils of it's eyes swung back and forth to mark the constant flow of time. It had been a present from a very young Duo, many years before. He smiled, his eyes alight with happiness. (Right on time, as usual.) "Come in, Dr. Chapel." he called, cheerfully. "The door's open."
The Doctor entered the room, carrying a basket on one arm. She had changed out of her white uniform and was dressed in a casual denim jumper with a red turtleneck that matched well with the coloring of her hair and eyes. Her long, gray hair was hanging in a loose braid down her back. Smiling, she nodded to the two men who had already returned their attention back to the game at hand. She took the basket into the kitchen and began to prepare dinner, humming softly to herself. She couldn't help it. She enjoyed the company of the two men in her life and often found herself pretending that they were an actual family.
After a while the attention of the two players was caught and held by the delightful smell of dinner. The table was cleared, and dishes set. Duo appeared to be in much better spirits and even the older man had recuperated enough from the earlier attack to engage in lively conversation with his two guests who were more than guests. After a while the elderly lord broached the subject that had been bothering him since the boy had first arrived in his chambers earlier that evening.
"I couldn't help but notice your arm, Duo." began Shinigami, setting his utensils on the chopstick rest in the shape of a crane. "What happened?" He kept his tone light... very conversational, but he had a fair idea what had actually happened. He just wanted to hear it from the boy.
Duo's face flushed. He had hoped that his friend wouldn't notice the bandage, but no such luck. Death was all seeing, all knowing... He looked down at his hands intently, not able to bring himself to look into the face of his companion. "Uh..." he cleared his throat, "...well...you see...I got... scratched... during a training session with First Lieutenant Akunin." he mumbled. It was an understatement, of course, but he didn't really want to make a big deal of it. After all, it wasn't entirely Akunin's fault. He had agreed to a duel with real blades, and if he hadn't let his attention slide, it wouldn't have happened in the first place.
"Scratch?!" exclaimed the Doctor, indignantly. Did he not realize the danger he could have been in? Did he think it was some sort of joke? "Twenty-seven stitches! Count them, if you will, twenty-seven!" She slammed her rice bowl on the table, and more than a few grains managed to jump free. That's not my idea of a scratch!" She frowned impressively at the youth who was her nephew. "What were you two thinking? More importantly, were you even thinking?"
Duo's head shot up as he tried to defend his sparing partner's actions. "Yes... but, it wasn't really Akunin's fault..." The young boy felt tears well up in his eyes. How could he make them understand that he had wanted to do battle with the deadly weapons. As Akunin had put it, only babies used boukken, and Duo wanted to prove to himself that he was no baby. But he never had the chance to finish. Dr. Chapel had worked herself into a righteous frenzy and once started, there was no stopping her.
"Don't give me that!" she wagged her finger at him in a disapproving manner. "He should have known better than to use real blades in a training battle. He's the sempai after all. It's his responsibility...his duty...to think clearly at all times. God knows you never do..." She stopped herself suddenly, in mid-sentence, but the damage was done.
The young man's shoulders slumped and his head dropped to his chest, long bangs obscuring his features in an attempt to hide the tears that had finally overflowed. He sniffled quietly. "I...I...guess your right..." Duo looked up then, his tear-streaked face mournful. "But I try my best! Really I do! I just...get carried away...sometimes..."
Dr. Chapel took the youth into her arms and hugged him tightly, while he sobbed out his misery, like she had when he had been a small child. She looked over his dark hair at Shinigami, who looked on in silence. He meet her gaze and shrugged his shoulders. He would leave the matter entirely in her expert care. She stroked Duo's long glossy hair and murmured soft nonsense words of comfort that only mothers seemed to know and all children instinctively understood. How could she explain to the boy the terrible fear that had clutched her heart when she had heard that Duo had been injured in a training battle with Akunin? That man was blood-thirsty and viscous. He was not an opponent to be taken lightly. She had treated far too many wounds caused by that maniac. She didn't trust him- not one little bit!
"I'm not blaming you, Duo." she murmured softly as his sobs abated. "I was just so very worried when I heard you had been hurt. You're all the family I have left in the world. I can't bear the thought of losing you."
While she spoke these words to Duo, her gaze meet and locked with that of Lord Shinigami's, and the old man felt a love so powerful it was almost painful well up in his heart. For her eyes told him that these words were meant for him as well. His own eyes returned the feelings that neither had been able to speak aloud, at least not in public. He loved the two of them as if they were his own family, and he had often wished that it could have been so. Unfortunately, Fate had had other plans for the two lovers.
The Lord of Death was not allowed to marry, or have children. The power and responsibilities of Shinigami was not to be passed on through blood relations. It was simply too much power for any one family to control. This lesson had been learned many millennium ago, and learned well. Marriage was strictly forbidden, even if no children were produced through the union. But it had not been easy for the two young lovebirds, who had been engaged to be married before the young man had been chosen to serve as Death. The newly instated Shinigami had encouraged his beloved to search out a new love, one who could love her openly and provide her with the family she had so desperately wanted. The young physician had adamantly refused. She had not wanted any one else.
"I want you!" she had cried. "We don't need a Ceremony or any official document to prove our love to the world. We are one mind, one body. Your soul joins with mine to make me whole. I just can't bear the thought of being without you!" Her tears had flowed down her face, dampening her collar. Shinigami had held her tightly, gently stroking her silken hair. He tilted her chin up gently and kissed her beautiful blue eyes closed, first one, then the other. She was right, she usually was. He could not live without her, didn't even want to imagine such a possibility, for only with her at his side did he feel complete. So, finally, after much difficult soul searching, the couple had decided that they would remain together, secretly, united by the bond of their desire. Even if it meant they could never be united as man and wife in the eyes of their people. There had been many times when it had been exceedingly difficult to live so close, yet so far apart, but it had been a decision they had never regretted.
After a time Duo sat up and wiped his eyes self-consciously with the back of his hand. He felt so drained... He took a deep shuddering breath to calm himself. What was wrong with him? He had been feeling so helpless and depressed lately. It wasn't like him to let down the barrier guarding his emotions. He summed it up to the stress of the past few months. It was not easy to watch a loved one grow weak and sickly. It was this unbearable feeling of sadness that had spurred him into accepting Akunin's challenge that morning. For an all too brief period of time, the excitement of a real battle had drowned out his sorrow. He mumbled an apology for losing control and promised to think before he acted from then on.
"There is no need to apologize, Duo." Shinigami patted him on the shoulder, reassuringly. "Why don't you help your Auntie get things cleaned away?" Duo arose with a sigh and set about clearing the dirty dishes from the small table.
While Duo washed and put away the dinner dishes, his Aunt set about preparing a tea for Lord Shinigami. The slender youth didn't know what herbs she used, but they sure didn't smell very appealing, and he was betting that it didn't taste too good, either. He also noticed her preparing a cup for him and a separate one for herself. He didn't mind, really. She was a skilled physician as well as an experienced herbalist. Besides, her teas were not only pleasant to drink-usually- they were also very good for the mind and body.
Everyone sat quietly on the sofa in front of the fireplace and sipped their individual blends of tea that the Doctor had so considerately brought with her. Shinigami's was, of course, medicinal. It was supposed to help ease his coughs and relieve pain and discomfort. Even though it no longer seemed to be as effective, he continued to drink it, despite it's bitterness. The good doctor did not realize that the herbal concoction was no longer working as well as it should, since he didn't have the heart to tell her. Making teas for her love made her feel like she was doing something constructive. He didn't want to cause her unnecessary worry. She did enough of that on her own.
After a short while, the two grown-ups began to talk in low voices. They discussed everything and anything. Memories of the past, events of the day...it did not matter. Each knew that time was growing short. They wanted to spend as much time together as possible in the futile hope that it would make the inevitable separation easier. They held hands and gazed into each other's eyes, memorizing each feature, every minute detail. Their coming separation weighed heavily on their souls, yet each pushed such thoughts out of their minds. They would bask in the warm glow of their love for these last three days. It no longer mattered if anyone knew, or suspected of their feelings. All that mattered was that they were together...and happy.
Duo tried to follow the conversation, but his eyes were getting heavy and his mind simply refused to process the information. He felt pleasantly warm and kind of, well...fuzzy. It was a feeling he really couldn't explain, and besides, his mind just wasn't up to the task at that particular moment. Realization dawned slowly that his aunt must have put something in his drink. He shook his head groggily in the vain attempt to clear it. He soon gave up such a futile notion and, sighing heavily, slumped against the back of the couch and allowed his mind to shut down and float away. He fell asleep listening to the murmuring voices of the ones he loved most in all the world.
Shinigami glanced at the slumbering lad on the sofa with a trace of surprise, then glanced over at the eternally ticking clock. It was still relatively early in the evening. Too early for the boy to be asleep. He looked over at the woman reclined at his side. She gazed at the youth, her face soft and full of love for him.
"I see...you drugged him." he chuckled and gave her a teasing smile.
She scoffed at the ridiculous notion. "I did not drug him. I merely fixed a tea brewed with several herbs that would relax both his mind and his body. He's been under a great deal of stress these last few weeks what with your failing health and upcoming retirement. But he usually keeps a much tighter control of his feelings. He just bottles everything up. It's not healthy, I tell you." she paused as if considering something. After a brief moment she continued, "You know, I haven't seen him cry like that since his father died when he was five."
Shinigami agreed silently, nodding his head slowly. Duo was not a boy who easily showed the true depths of his feelings to just anybody. To the outside world he appeared to be a typical cheerful, happy go lucky youth. But inside...inside was another matter entirely. He and the teenager had known each other for many years, even before he had be assigned as the Second Lieutenant. They were very close and had had many heart to heart discussions in the privacy of the Shinigami's inner sanctuary. Shinigami knew that Duo blamed himself for the death of his mother who had died shortly after giving birth to him. This notion, was of course, ridiculous, but nevertheless, the lad remained convinced that it was so. No one could persuade him to see things in a different light, not Shinigami, not his aunt... no one. To this day that imaginary guilt plagued his heart. He somehow felt that because of his terrible "sin" he had been cursed, denied the right to truly love another being.
Feelings such as that, formed at such a tender age, had only been strengthened by the death of Duo's father, five years later. Having no other relatives, Duo would have been sent to live in an orphanage, had it not been for the kind hearted Dr. Catherine Chapel. The compassionate woman had taken the violet eyed boy under her wings. She had been a close friend to both Duo's parents for ages and was glad her request for guardianship had been granted. The important task of raising their only child, was the best choice in honor of their memory. She also had some understanding of how lonely the young boy must have felt, for she too had lost all of her family when she had been a young lass. Thus, she had become Duo's "Auntie". The two were a close as could be, each filling a piece of the others soul.
"I had better fetch one of the guards to help me take him back to his room." The gray haired woman made as if to rise, but she felt her love's hand gently on hers. She turned, her eyes questioning silently. Her heart melted at the strength of love she saw shining in the depths of the dark eyes of the Shinigami.
His voice was soft, gentle. "Catherine...don't go..." he pleaded. He smiled hesitantly. And she caught a faint glimpse of ...fear...? in the depth of his gaze. No, that couldn't be it. "Stay with me tonight, my love. I just want to be near you...for as long as I am able to be. The nights are so dark without you by my side." His thumb stroked gently against the smooth skin of her hand. How could she refuse her love in his last hours of need? Why should she? It no longer mattered if anyone knew of their feelings towards each other. For these last few days they would live openly as man and wife.
She smiled down gently at the love of her life. "Of course I'll stay with you. For as long as you'll have me." With that, she went to get a blanket for the slumbering youth. After tucking it's comforting warmth around the boy, she took Shinigami's hand and led him to the bedroom. In the doorway, he embraced the smaller woman gently, resting his chin on her bowed head. He inhaled the clean scent of her hair. "I will love you for all eternity, my sweet one, for you are the sunlight that pierces the darkness of my soul." He brushed his lips gently against her forehead and she shivered delightedly. It was her special sensitive spot. And only he knew. For he had been her one true love, her only lover. He shut the door, gently, but firmly, and wrapping his arm around her shoulders, led the petite woman towards the bed.
TO BE CONTINUED...
CHAPTER FOUR
Pairing: None...yet
Category: Drama/Action/Angst
Rating: R
Warnings: None
Title: Shinigami and the Dragon
Author: yellowhorde
Notes: This started out as a team effort between me and my sister, but she bailed on me.
SHINIGAMI & THE DRAGON
The two men strode briskly down the corridor, their boots ringing on the cool marble floors. The ghostly echo of their footsteps bounced merrily along the high ceilinged hallway - a spirit child, inviting them to play in the gathering gloom. Regularly spaced torches did little to augment the fading light drifting down through the glazed skylights, which had changed from gold to a muted orange with the death of the day. The corridors grew darker and more narrow as they left the main thoroughfares and made their way to the private chambers of Lord Shinigami.
The messenger had arrived shortly after their practice session. And while Lord Shinigami did not like to be kept waiting, one did not answer a formal summoning in sweaty training gi's. The two men had made a quick stop to change into more appropriate attire. Now Akunin led the way, his crimson cloak, the symbol of his position, billowed behind him. Duo trailed slightly behind and to the left. He, too, had donned a cloak, only his was blue, depicting his slightly lower rank. His arm, which throbbed painfully, was bound with a white bandage. He sighed.
Akunin was in a fine mood from the practice. Smiling, the dark haired man glanced over at Duo and said casually, "You know, I'm sure that our Lord will soon be announcing his successor." He paused, then continued more to himself than to his younger companion. "I can hardly wait until my appointment."
His voice sounded rather smug to Duo, but that must surely be his imagination. (He seems so certain,) Duo thought. (And why shouldn't he be...I certainly don't want the job and he seems to love his work...) He suddenly recalled, all too vividly, just how much Akunin enjoyed his work. Memories of the missions they'd shared clamored for attention at the back of his mind, dark and bloody. Duo shuddered.
"Are you alright?" Akunin inquired, glancing back at the youth, eyebrow raised quizzically.
"Y-yes..." Duo mumbled, color rising on his checks. "I'm fine. Just caught a chill." He chuckled nervously then cleared his throat self-consciously.
Akunin still smiled although his eyes narrowed slightly. (Yes, I just bet you did.) he thought. It really hadn't been difficult to follow the course of his partner's thoughts. (You are so transparent, my friend.)
Fortunately, they had finally arrived at the chambers of the Lord Shinigami. There were two armed guards standing to attention. Upon recognizing the two Lieutenants, they saluted and each grabbing a handle, opened the massive doors which they protected with their lives. The two Lieutenants passed through and into the main chambers of Lord Shinigami, God of Death.
The room was large, but relatively bare. A few paintings adorned the wall and there was a statue or two on display pillars but other than that, empty. Lit only with a few torches burning in strategically placed corners, it was rather dark and depressing. In the back of the room was a raised dais where an elderly man with a flowing mane of white hair sat stiff and forbidding. The two men approached, their footfalls echoing on the polished marble floor, and knelt at the base of the dais. Despite his advanced age and apparent frailty, the man commanded an air of power. Dark intelligent eyes looked upon his disciples as they waited for his acknowledgement.
"You may rise."
The two men rose as one and stood before their lord expectantly.
"I shall be relinquishing my position very shortly." the elderly man began without preambles " It was a difficult decision for me to have to make, considering that I have been blessed with two such fine and noble disciples." The ancient lord sighed heavily, and looked them straight in the eyes, each in turn, before continuing. "But the choice has been made and will be announced at the Ceremony in three days. You may be dismissed."
Upon hearing the announcement, Akunin's face lit up with joy. Finally, he would have the power of Shinigami, the power over life and death! How long he had waited for this day! He had been beginning to think that the old man would never die, even with all of his "help".
Duo was very still. He knew what retirement meant, had known for years, but it still bothered him. He would miss the old man terribly. He had turned to leave, his heart heavy, when his was stopped by his Lord's voice.
"Duo, would you be so kind as to help me to my inner chambers? These old legs of mine are not what they used to be." He smiled down at the boy who gladly came to his assistance. He knew that things were not going to get any better for the young man. In fact, they were soon to get much worse. He groaned as he rose stiffly to his feet and leaned heavily against the strong shoulder of the Second Lieutenant.
(What choice did I really have?) he thought gloomily. He had made the only decision available. For the good of the world.
Seeing his rival helping the Lord Shinigami to stand, Akunin felt the old familiar hate burn in his stomach like acid. They were very close, those two. It reminded Akunin of when he was younger and had just been appointed the honorable position of First Lieutenant. He had wanted nothing more in all the world than his masters approval...his acceptance. He had thrown himself into his work with fevered devotion. Desperate for a word of praise...some acknowledgement of his existence...some scrap of affection...anything! But the old man had always been cool and distant despite all of his efforts to please him.
Several years later when the much younger Duo had been promoted to the position of Second Lieutenant, Akunin had been assigned the task of training the youngster in his duties. In his mind, the boy was unfit for the job. He seemed rather squeamish and did not enjoy the pain and suffering of mankind, as Akunin did. In fact, his entire line of thinking was beyond Akunin's understanding.
He had given up on the boy as a lost cause and no threat to his position. To make matters worse, there was the fact that Duo got along extremely well with Lord Shinigami, despite the vast age difference. The two became fast friends and spent many an afternoon in each others company, talking and laughing, much to the First Lieutenant's dismay.
Akunin's anger and jealousy began to eat away at his facade of friendliness towards Duo and his love for his mentor curdled into bitter hatred. He became paranoid, beginning to suspect Duo of wanting his position, and the title of Shinigami. Though this was, of course, the last thing Duo would ever want. This was another of Duo's peculiarities that Akunin would not have been able to grasp. To Akunin, power was something everyone wanted and would do anything to get and even more to keep. To do otherwise was simply unimaginable.
It was traditional for the Shinigami to pass on the power of Death to his First Lieutenant. The Second was just there in case in some unforeseen event the heir apparent died. However, it was not unheard of for the Second to discretely dispatch of his superior by any means, fair or foul. Akunin himself had used such tactics to get rid of his rival many years earlier. Now, in an attempt to secure his position, the dark haired man had begun to slowly poison his master.
(Maybe the old man will be appointing Duo as the new Shinigami.) Akunin turned abruptly to leave. (No!) he mentally snapped back, (That cannot be. Who would place that weakling into power?) He left quickly, his mind in turmoil, his good mood had vanished.
*****
Duo couldn't help but notice how thin the old man had become as he assisted his mentor to the inner chambers. The Shinigami shuffled along slowly, leaning heavily on the shoulder of his Second Lieutenant. When his teacher finally settled down on the sofa, he was flushed from exertion and gasping for breath. Duo rearranged some pillows behind his Lord, propping him up to make him more comfortable.
When the elderly gentleman's breathing slowed back to normal and the alarming flush had faded, Duo crossed the room and stepped into the small kitchen. Shinigami could hear him rummaging around for a brief moment, then the long haired youngster returned with a goblet and a bottle of wine-one of Shinigami's favorite. He set the ornate glass on the coffee table and carefully poured the deep crimson liquid into its clear depths. Then he offered it to his Lord.
Shinigami accepted it gratefully and inhaled its fragrance. Then he took a small sip, savoring its rich flavor. He sighed contentedly and relaxed against the velvety pillows. "You know, growing old can be a real pain, Duo." He smiled at the juvenile, and patted the couch cushion next to him indicating that he wanted the boy to sit. Duo set the bottle on the table and complied. The old man's dark eyes meet the violet eyes of the slim youth besides him. "I am actually looking forward to retiring after all these hundreds of years." he stated earnestly.
The young man, hardly more than a child, searched the depths of the old man's eyes, beseechingly. If only he could believe that. (I don't want you to go...)
Suddenly, the Shinigami began to cough violently, deep and painful. He held his hand to his mouth in an attempt to stifle them. Alarmed, Duo jumped, and, half-standing, started to pound the elderly man on the back. It was the only thing he could think of. Unfortunately, it did absolutely no good. The hacking cough continued to wrack the thin old man's body for what seemed an eternity, but was actually only a few moments. Finally, they ceased, leaving the man feeling achy and weak. He avoided looking into the wide, terrified, eyes of his companion.
Silently, he removed a handkerchief from the depths of his robes with a trembling hand splattered with blood. He wiped his face and hands clean and leaned back against the back of the couch feeling drained. With a shuddering breath, he closed his eyes. His death was fast approaching with or without the Ceremony. Of that he was certain.
Duo was watching the white haired man critically. He had known that the Lord Shinigami had been ill for some time, but he had never realized until this moment how serious the situation really had become. He noted as if for the first time how pale his old friend's skin was, the dark circles under his eyes. He had lost a lot of weight and he had not been a heavy man to begin with. Why had he not noticed sooner how critical things had gotten? How could he have been so blind? His heart was tearing into pieces as he realized once again that the man before him, who had known him all his life, would soon be gone.
After a long while, the old man opened his eyes. The youth sat silently besides him, watching over him. He smiled weakly at the boy and was pleased to receive a tentative smile in return. He struggled to an upright position, holding up a restraining hand as Duo tried to assist him. "A man has to have some pride, dear boy." Duo looked abashed. "However, if you'd like, you could go get the chess set from the hall closet for me. I feel like a match or two right about now."
The braided boy's eyes lit up and he hastened to fetch the game from its resting place. He had always loved playing chess with his teacher. Of course, he didn't win very often, but that no longer bothered him- though it had driven him crazy as a boy. It just made the times that he actually did manage to defeat his friend all the more meaningful. He set the box on the table and began to remove and set up the familiar pieces.
The two men were deep in thought, the game well under way, when a knock was heard on the door. Shinigami glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was shaped like a black cat. It's tail and the pupils of it's eyes swung back and forth to mark the constant flow of time. It had been a present from a very young Duo, many years before. He smiled, his eyes alight with happiness. (Right on time, as usual.) "Come in, Dr. Chapel." he called, cheerfully. "The door's open."
The Doctor entered the room, carrying a basket on one arm. She had changed out of her white uniform and was dressed in a casual denim jumper with a red turtleneck that matched well with the coloring of her hair and eyes. Her long, gray hair was hanging in a loose braid down her back. Smiling, she nodded to the two men who had already returned their attention back to the game at hand. She took the basket into the kitchen and began to prepare dinner, humming softly to herself. She couldn't help it. She enjoyed the company of the two men in her life and often found herself pretending that they were an actual family.
After a while the attention of the two players was caught and held by the delightful smell of dinner. The table was cleared, and dishes set. Duo appeared to be in much better spirits and even the older man had recuperated enough from the earlier attack to engage in lively conversation with his two guests who were more than guests. After a while the elderly lord broached the subject that had been bothering him since the boy had first arrived in his chambers earlier that evening.
"I couldn't help but notice your arm, Duo." began Shinigami, setting his utensils on the chopstick rest in the shape of a crane. "What happened?" He kept his tone light... very conversational, but he had a fair idea what had actually happened. He just wanted to hear it from the boy.
Duo's face flushed. He had hoped that his friend wouldn't notice the bandage, but no such luck. Death was all seeing, all knowing... He looked down at his hands intently, not able to bring himself to look into the face of his companion. "Uh..." he cleared his throat, "...well...you see...I got... scratched... during a training session with First Lieutenant Akunin." he mumbled. It was an understatement, of course, but he didn't really want to make a big deal of it. After all, it wasn't entirely Akunin's fault. He had agreed to a duel with real blades, and if he hadn't let his attention slide, it wouldn't have happened in the first place.
"Scratch?!" exclaimed the Doctor, indignantly. Did he not realize the danger he could have been in? Did he think it was some sort of joke? "Twenty-seven stitches! Count them, if you will, twenty-seven!" She slammed her rice bowl on the table, and more than a few grains managed to jump free. That's not my idea of a scratch!" She frowned impressively at the youth who was her nephew. "What were you two thinking? More importantly, were you even thinking?"
Duo's head shot up as he tried to defend his sparing partner's actions. "Yes... but, it wasn't really Akunin's fault..." The young boy felt tears well up in his eyes. How could he make them understand that he had wanted to do battle with the deadly weapons. As Akunin had put it, only babies used boukken, and Duo wanted to prove to himself that he was no baby. But he never had the chance to finish. Dr. Chapel had worked herself into a righteous frenzy and once started, there was no stopping her.
"Don't give me that!" she wagged her finger at him in a disapproving manner. "He should have known better than to use real blades in a training battle. He's the sempai after all. It's his responsibility...his duty...to think clearly at all times. God knows you never do..." She stopped herself suddenly, in mid-sentence, but the damage was done.
The young man's shoulders slumped and his head dropped to his chest, long bangs obscuring his features in an attempt to hide the tears that had finally overflowed. He sniffled quietly. "I...I...guess your right..." Duo looked up then, his tear-streaked face mournful. "But I try my best! Really I do! I just...get carried away...sometimes..."
Dr. Chapel took the youth into her arms and hugged him tightly, while he sobbed out his misery, like she had when he had been a small child. She looked over his dark hair at Shinigami, who looked on in silence. He meet her gaze and shrugged his shoulders. He would leave the matter entirely in her expert care. She stroked Duo's long glossy hair and murmured soft nonsense words of comfort that only mothers seemed to know and all children instinctively understood. How could she explain to the boy the terrible fear that had clutched her heart when she had heard that Duo had been injured in a training battle with Akunin? That man was blood-thirsty and viscous. He was not an opponent to be taken lightly. She had treated far too many wounds caused by that maniac. She didn't trust him- not one little bit!
"I'm not blaming you, Duo." she murmured softly as his sobs abated. "I was just so very worried when I heard you had been hurt. You're all the family I have left in the world. I can't bear the thought of losing you."
While she spoke these words to Duo, her gaze meet and locked with that of Lord Shinigami's, and the old man felt a love so powerful it was almost painful well up in his heart. For her eyes told him that these words were meant for him as well. His own eyes returned the feelings that neither had been able to speak aloud, at least not in public. He loved the two of them as if they were his own family, and he had often wished that it could have been so. Unfortunately, Fate had had other plans for the two lovers.
The Lord of Death was not allowed to marry, or have children. The power and responsibilities of Shinigami was not to be passed on through blood relations. It was simply too much power for any one family to control. This lesson had been learned many millennium ago, and learned well. Marriage was strictly forbidden, even if no children were produced through the union. But it had not been easy for the two young lovebirds, who had been engaged to be married before the young man had been chosen to serve as Death. The newly instated Shinigami had encouraged his beloved to search out a new love, one who could love her openly and provide her with the family she had so desperately wanted. The young physician had adamantly refused. She had not wanted any one else.
"I want you!" she had cried. "We don't need a Ceremony or any official document to prove our love to the world. We are one mind, one body. Your soul joins with mine to make me whole. I just can't bear the thought of being without you!" Her tears had flowed down her face, dampening her collar. Shinigami had held her tightly, gently stroking her silken hair. He tilted her chin up gently and kissed her beautiful blue eyes closed, first one, then the other. She was right, she usually was. He could not live without her, didn't even want to imagine such a possibility, for only with her at his side did he feel complete. So, finally, after much difficult soul searching, the couple had decided that they would remain together, secretly, united by the bond of their desire. Even if it meant they could never be united as man and wife in the eyes of their people. There had been many times when it had been exceedingly difficult to live so close, yet so far apart, but it had been a decision they had never regretted.
After a time Duo sat up and wiped his eyes self-consciously with the back of his hand. He felt so drained... He took a deep shuddering breath to calm himself. What was wrong with him? He had been feeling so helpless and depressed lately. It wasn't like him to let down the barrier guarding his emotions. He summed it up to the stress of the past few months. It was not easy to watch a loved one grow weak and sickly. It was this unbearable feeling of sadness that had spurred him into accepting Akunin's challenge that morning. For an all too brief period of time, the excitement of a real battle had drowned out his sorrow. He mumbled an apology for losing control and promised to think before he acted from then on.
"There is no need to apologize, Duo." Shinigami patted him on the shoulder, reassuringly. "Why don't you help your Auntie get things cleaned away?" Duo arose with a sigh and set about clearing the dirty dishes from the small table.
While Duo washed and put away the dinner dishes, his Aunt set about preparing a tea for Lord Shinigami. The slender youth didn't know what herbs she used, but they sure didn't smell very appealing, and he was betting that it didn't taste too good, either. He also noticed her preparing a cup for him and a separate one for herself. He didn't mind, really. She was a skilled physician as well as an experienced herbalist. Besides, her teas were not only pleasant to drink-usually- they were also very good for the mind and body.
Everyone sat quietly on the sofa in front of the fireplace and sipped their individual blends of tea that the Doctor had so considerately brought with her. Shinigami's was, of course, medicinal. It was supposed to help ease his coughs and relieve pain and discomfort. Even though it no longer seemed to be as effective, he continued to drink it, despite it's bitterness. The good doctor did not realize that the herbal concoction was no longer working as well as it should, since he didn't have the heart to tell her. Making teas for her love made her feel like she was doing something constructive. He didn't want to cause her unnecessary worry. She did enough of that on her own.
After a short while, the two grown-ups began to talk in low voices. They discussed everything and anything. Memories of the past, events of the day...it did not matter. Each knew that time was growing short. They wanted to spend as much time together as possible in the futile hope that it would make the inevitable separation easier. They held hands and gazed into each other's eyes, memorizing each feature, every minute detail. Their coming separation weighed heavily on their souls, yet each pushed such thoughts out of their minds. They would bask in the warm glow of their love for these last three days. It no longer mattered if anyone knew, or suspected of their feelings. All that mattered was that they were together...and happy.
Duo tried to follow the conversation, but his eyes were getting heavy and his mind simply refused to process the information. He felt pleasantly warm and kind of, well...fuzzy. It was a feeling he really couldn't explain, and besides, his mind just wasn't up to the task at that particular moment. Realization dawned slowly that his aunt must have put something in his drink. He shook his head groggily in the vain attempt to clear it. He soon gave up such a futile notion and, sighing heavily, slumped against the back of the couch and allowed his mind to shut down and float away. He fell asleep listening to the murmuring voices of the ones he loved most in all the world.
Shinigami glanced at the slumbering lad on the sofa with a trace of surprise, then glanced over at the eternally ticking clock. It was still relatively early in the evening. Too early for the boy to be asleep. He looked over at the woman reclined at his side. She gazed at the youth, her face soft and full of love for him.
"I see...you drugged him." he chuckled and gave her a teasing smile.
She scoffed at the ridiculous notion. "I did not drug him. I merely fixed a tea brewed with several herbs that would relax both his mind and his body. He's been under a great deal of stress these last few weeks what with your failing health and upcoming retirement. But he usually keeps a much tighter control of his feelings. He just bottles everything up. It's not healthy, I tell you." she paused as if considering something. After a brief moment she continued, "You know, I haven't seen him cry like that since his father died when he was five."
Shinigami agreed silently, nodding his head slowly. Duo was not a boy who easily showed the true depths of his feelings to just anybody. To the outside world he appeared to be a typical cheerful, happy go lucky youth. But inside...inside was another matter entirely. He and the teenager had known each other for many years, even before he had be assigned as the Second Lieutenant. They were very close and had had many heart to heart discussions in the privacy of the Shinigami's inner sanctuary. Shinigami knew that Duo blamed himself for the death of his mother who had died shortly after giving birth to him. This notion, was of course, ridiculous, but nevertheless, the lad remained convinced that it was so. No one could persuade him to see things in a different light, not Shinigami, not his aunt... no one. To this day that imaginary guilt plagued his heart. He somehow felt that because of his terrible "sin" he had been cursed, denied the right to truly love another being.
Feelings such as that, formed at such a tender age, had only been strengthened by the death of Duo's father, five years later. Having no other relatives, Duo would have been sent to live in an orphanage, had it not been for the kind hearted Dr. Catherine Chapel. The compassionate woman had taken the violet eyed boy under her wings. She had been a close friend to both Duo's parents for ages and was glad her request for guardianship had been granted. The important task of raising their only child, was the best choice in honor of their memory. She also had some understanding of how lonely the young boy must have felt, for she too had lost all of her family when she had been a young lass. Thus, she had become Duo's "Auntie". The two were a close as could be, each filling a piece of the others soul.
"I had better fetch one of the guards to help me take him back to his room." The gray haired woman made as if to rise, but she felt her love's hand gently on hers. She turned, her eyes questioning silently. Her heart melted at the strength of love she saw shining in the depths of the dark eyes of the Shinigami.
His voice was soft, gentle. "Catherine...don't go..." he pleaded. He smiled hesitantly. And she caught a faint glimpse of ...fear...? in the depth of his gaze. No, that couldn't be it. "Stay with me tonight, my love. I just want to be near you...for as long as I am able to be. The nights are so dark without you by my side." His thumb stroked gently against the smooth skin of her hand. How could she refuse her love in his last hours of need? Why should she? It no longer mattered if anyone knew of their feelings towards each other. For these last few days they would live openly as man and wife.
She smiled down gently at the love of her life. "Of course I'll stay with you. For as long as you'll have me." With that, she went to get a blanket for the slumbering youth. After tucking it's comforting warmth around the boy, she took Shinigami's hand and led him to the bedroom. In the doorway, he embraced the smaller woman gently, resting his chin on her bowed head. He inhaled the clean scent of her hair. "I will love you for all eternity, my sweet one, for you are the sunlight that pierces the darkness of my soul." He brushed his lips gently against her forehead and she shivered delightedly. It was her special sensitive spot. And only he knew. For he had been her one true love, her only lover. He shut the door, gently, but firmly, and wrapping his arm around her shoulders, led the petite woman towards the bed.
TO BE CONTINUED...
CHAPTER FOUR
