Title: Written in Blood
Author: AstroKender
Pairings: 2+5, 3+4
Rating: action/mystery
Warnings: None in this part.
Spoilers: None.
Notes: Takes place after the Eve Wars of Endless Waltz. Everyone works for the Preventers.
Disclaimers: I own nothing...not even my computer. So obviously GW isn't mine. Don't sue.
"So, Wu-man, you drivin' or am I?" Duo gestured to the two vehicles in front of them.
WuFei eyed his hunter-green Kawasaki 250 KDX motorcycle thoughtfully; it didn't offer much room for two people. That's not to say he wanted to be in a car with Duo driving either. The Chinese man decided on a compromise.
"Well take yours, but I'm driving." Duo grinned mischievously and tossed him the keys to his black Jeep Wrangler.
"Sure Wu-man." Let's see if he can handle my Shinigami. The American thought with glee.
Sliding into the passenger seat, Duo fastened himself in. Watching him warily, WuFei sat behind the wheel. Turning the key, the dark haired boy grunted irritably.
"It won't start, Maxwell. Your battery must be dead."
Still grinning, Duo reached over and pulled out the ashtray. Nestled inside was a keypad. Punching a few numbers, the American gestured for WuFei to try again. The car started up smoothly.
"Cute." The Chinese boy said dryly. Releasing the emergency brake, he put the jeep in gear...and managed to stop just before they hit the far wall.
"Kisama! What kind of engine is in this thing Maxwell? No normal car hits 60mph in first gear!"
Laughing so hard his sides hurt, Duo turned to his partner. "I had Howard custom make this from what was salvageable from DeathScythe. The body's made of Gundanium and there are some more interesting features I had added in."
"Does Une know of your little upgrade?"
A warning glint flashed in Duo's eye but was gone in a heartbeat. "I saw no reason to inform her, it's a car, not a Gundam. Besides, it's all I have left of DeathScythe."
"Fine." WuFei muttered.
They started again, albeit more carefully this time. WuFei soon became comfortable driving the strange vehicle and Duo nodded approvingly.
"Not even Heero got used to Shinigami this fast."
WuFei said nothing but the braided boy could swear he saw a slight blush tinge the other boy's cheek. Duo smiled predatorily and moved his hand to rest on top of WuFei's. WuFei stuttered and clenched the gearshift tighter.
"You know Wu-chan, this car does have five gears. Maybe you should think about getting out of first."
WuFei hesitantly pressed the clutch and Duo jerked his hand down, then over and up again. The jeep now virtually flew over the highway. Duo released the Chinese boy's hand with a chuckle.
"And to think this is only third gear!" He shouted over the wind to his partner. WuFei, white-faced, had no reply.
They made it to the Tokyo South District Mortuary basically intact, though WuFei's ponytail was noticeably askew. Straightening his Preventer's uniform and giving Duo one last glare, he knocked firmly on the engraved oaken door.
Duo snickered and reached over to yank on WuFei's ponytail, pulling it back into place. The Chinese boy swatted the hand away and was about to give the braided boy the ranting of his life, when the door opened. An icy blue eye peered out of the crack.
"Whaddya want?"
Duo pulled out his Preventer badge and flashed it at the...eye. "We're from the Preventers. Lady Une called you earlier."
The door opened all the way and a gnarled hand gestured for them to enter. Duo blinked, trying to accustom his eyes to the dim interior after being out in the sun. The first thing his eyes focused on was the grisly figure in a lab coat before them. Duo shuddered as the memory of the five scientists flashed through his mind. This guy could pass as Dr. J's brother. Greasy gray hair was combed over the balding dome of the old man's head. A scraggly beard covered most of his face, obscuring everything but those piercing blue eyes.
"Wassamatter? Never seen and old dude before?"
Duo's head jerked up. Did he just say dude? "Gomen nasi sir, I was just thinking."
The old man snorted. "I guess there's a first time for everything. And don't be sputtering out that Japanese crap, use the Queen's English like anyone with just one tongue."
Duo just stood there, gaping like a landed fish. Behind him, he heard WuFei snickering. Not to be outdone, he grinned cheekily.
"Forgive me, Oh Venerable One, but this is the two-hundreds now. We've learned many new skills...especially with our tongues."
WuFei sputtered and reached for a tissue as the old man laughed uproariously. He stuck out his hand to the braided boy in grudging admiration. "A boy after my own heart. The name's Charles Horner. Call me Charlie and I'll hurt you."
Duo took the hand and shook it heartily. "Duo Maxwell. Nice to meet you Charlie, but I've got some body to see."
The old man looked up, suddenly serious. "It's not pretty, lad. A fire was set to Ambassador Seishu's condo. The body was mostly burned before the firemen came to extinguish the flames."
Duo's eyes hardened. "I've seen burned bodies before, Charles. One more isn't going to faze me."
WuFei looked over at Duo in concern. Didn't need to be reminded about his past at a time like this. The Chinese boy stepped up to the old man. "I assure you, we are experienced enough to handle this." He stated smoothly. "Please show us to the body."
Charles looked over at Duo, one eyebrow raised. "Is you friend always this slick?"
Duo laughed. "Only when wet."
WuFei's face burned in embarrassment and he took a threatening step towards the braided boy, but Charles had grabbed his arm. With surprising strength, he dragged the Chinese boy towards a pair of double doors. Still chuckling, Duo followed.
The old man led them through the doors and then through another, smaller door to the side. The side door revealed a series of long winding stairs. Struggling to see his way in the dark, WuFei cursed.
"It's like one of your damn horror movies, Maxwell." Missing a step, he fell backwards with a muffled yelp. Strong arms wrapped around him and held him steady. WuFei felt the sudden warmth behind him vibrate with repressed chuckles.
"Don't worry, Wu-man. I'll save you from all the vampires." Duo's voice lowered and he pressed his lips to the Asian boy's ear. "But who's gonna save you from me?"
The American felt a sharp prick on his neck and hastily pulled away from WuFei's shiny new dagger. Duo had gotten it for him last Christmas. Who'da figure I'd be on the receiving end of it.
"I'll have no trouble protecting myself from you, Maxwell." WuFei awkwardly removed himself from the braided boy's steadying embrace, flushing in embarrassment once again. Duo let his arms drop to his sides and flashed the ebony haired boy a wolfish grin.
"We'll see." His eyes darkened. "Shinigami gets everyone, in the end."
A voice floated up from the darkness. "Are you two gonna spend the day talking on my stairs, or are you gonna get your skinny butts down here so I can get this over with and get some lunch?"
"We're coming." WuFei called out. With one last nervous glance towards Duo, he descended the remaining stairs quickly.
In the darkness, Duo's eyes flashed with hurt, but he stayed silent and followed his friend.
End Part Two
(:./astrokender/written2)
