Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Mystery of DM2: Shinigami's Rebirth ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Title: The Mystery of DM2: Shinigami's Rebirth

Author: ShitaeTenshi (shitaetenshi@hotmail.com)

Disclaimer: I do not own either Gundam Wing or Descendants of Darkness

General Warnings: some OOC (trying to keep that to a minimum), angst, “split personality Duo”

Summary: The pilots have started to adjust to their new roles within the peace they fought so desperately for when a new threat arises, one announced from an unlikely source.

Rating: R

Spoilers: takes place after TV series but EW doesn't happen, recommend reading The Mystery of DM first

Pairings: 1x2

Quick Key

“blah” speaking

`blah' thoughts

'blah' indicates the mind speech of whoever is not in control of Duo's body, ie either Diana or Duo, it can switch

 

—

 

`Mary, Jesus and Joseph,' Diana swore as the others stiffened in shock, `it is Shin.'

 

“Shinigami,” Duo hissed, his eyes blazing with rage, “just what…”

 

“Looking for the six of you,” he cut in, the mirth vanishing so suddenly some of the other patrons did a double take. “There's something all of you need to know; my partner and I can explain but not here.”

 

“Agreed,” Trowa spoke before anyone could object. “Back to the house; now.” Acting non-chalant, Trowa nodded once to Shin, turned on a heel and casually strode out. A few seconds later Quatre and Wufei followed; Heero, however, stayed by Duo.

 

“Explain one thing first,” Duo growled, “why that look. Why look like … him.”

 

For a few minutes Shin didn't answer, his face unreadable. “I didn't choose to look like him nor did he choose to look like me. This is how I appeared when I died. And I can't do anything to change it.”

 

“So, just fate then.”

 

Shin inclined his head. “Yes, just fate.”

 

The rage he'd felt drained as quickly as it built, leaving Duo exhausted. `You hafta take over Di.'

 

“But I…” With an audible snap Diana closed her mouth, eyes darting around to see who heard.

 

“Diana what just happened?” Shin whispered, frowning in concern.

 

“Not here,” Heero replied for her. “Over there, come on.” He quickly wove through the crowd, creating a wake as he went. They made their way to a secluded spot, Diana trailing behind.

 

“Alright Diana,” Heero started, “why did Duo force you to take control?” He did his best to look non-threatening, something he'd rarely had to do before.

 

Instead of responding Diana hunted through the large pockets on her pants, pulling out a small pad and pen. Heero's heart gave a little lurch at that; she felt very insecure. Writing quickly, she jotted something down before handing the pad to Heero.

 

A quick glance revealed her answer. This was the first time either had seen, physically seen, Shin. Thinking quickly, Heero phrased his next questions so Diana wouldn't have to write her answers. “The person Shin looks like, he was important to both of you?”

 

Diana emphatically nodded. `So, someone very important to them.' Heero reasoned. “And this person is dead.” He fished out his phone, already dialing Quatre's. “I'll need to tell the others we're finding a different way back.”

 

Confused, Diana cocked her head to one side. Before Heero could answer her unspoken question Diana figured out why. [Thank you] she mouthed.

 

Stepping away, Heero talked with Quatre, quickly explaining the situation. While he did that, Shin stepped closer to Diana, crouching down slightly to meet her eyes. “I thought you two would be over that by now.”

 

“I … didn't really know him, but to Duo … well … he was the first person to ever care about us. And the first we can remember losing.” She kept her voice soft, so soft Shin strained to hear it. “How come you're … outside?”

 

Shin huffed, exasperated. “It's complicated. Better if I explain it all at once.” Brushing off non existent dust from his knees he stood straight, waving goodbye as he turned transparent before completely vanishing.

 

Heero saw Shin exit, nearly drawing his gun; he managed to stop the automatic reaction, barely. Once he explained the plan to Diana, who silently offered her suggestions, they quickly left the zoo, heading towards the nearest residential area.

 

—

 

“You're certain they'll help us?” Teena asked as she and Shin waited underneath one of the trees on the Winner estate.

 

“Absolutely. From what I read in that report, the remaining three are just the type of people to throw this whole world into chaos.” He thrust his hands into his pockets, leaning back against the tree. “Although why Lord Thanatos gave that meeting and not The Shinigami still has me worried.”

 

“Mmmm,” Teena murmured in agreement. “But he did say The Shinigami was aware of the situation, right?”

 

Shin grunted in agreement. “Here they are.” He pushed off of the tree, striding to meet the young men as they pulled into the driveway. Teena frowned slightly as she got her first look at the ones they were about to ask for help. `They're so young.' Her frown deepened as the psychic stench of death grew stronger the closer she drew. `Mere children shouldn't have such a stench. And they wouldn't have if that damned report hadn't been suppressed!' she snarled, eyes narrowing with renewed anger.

 

She nearly stumbled as a different psychic smell briefly touched her, barely hiding her reaction from Shane. Anyone who'd ever personally met The Shinigami would know hat scent; a suspicion began to form in the back recesses of her mind.

 

Then still other scents intruded, ones just as faint as The Shinigami's. `What in Hades is going on? Why are the other High Lords in the mortal realm?'

 

—

 

With a final twist of her wrist Diana opened the lock, smirking in contempt at how easy it was. Heero kept a lookout behind her, but this was hardly an OZ base they were breaking into. That didn't stop him from making sure she didn't trip any alarms as she opened the side door to some poor shmucks garage. Fortunately, the owner apparently didn't believe in security.

 

“Clear,” she murmured, easing her way around the door, Heero quickly following. He casually relocked the door after closing it, still scanning for any threats. Diana was already working on the bike he'd spotted through the window. He was about to ask if she could start it when it coughed to life.

 

“Here,” he tossed her one of the two helmets he'd found, Diana easily catching it. “I'll drive.”

 

“Thank you.” She slid the helmet on, adjusting the straps. “I'm … sorry that we couldn't see the entire zoo. I was really enjoying it.”

 

Heero smiled as she settled onto the bike behind him, her arms cautiously reaching around to hold tight. “We can go another day.” They took off, their departure unnoticed.

 

—

 

Shin sat comfortably, waiting for Heero and Diana to return, as were the other former pilots. The only one displaying any sign of impatience was Teena. He glanced her way; he knew something had shaken her as they approached the mansion but she seemed to have recovered. `You might be the trainer, but just how long has it been since you did any fieldwork?' Shin wondered before turning part of his attention to another puzzle. The stone he'd crafted when he'd extracted that promise had darkened, indicating that Diana and Duo now knew just what had been discussed. Yet the stone hadn't cracked so no one who'd made the oath had told them the truth. So just how had those two found out?

 

His musings were cut short as Heero and Diana arrived, Diana pausing in the doorway before hesitatingly entering.

 

“Good, you're all here.” Teena finally stopped pacing and now leaned against the back of a wingback chair. “Shane said you'd be able to help, and frankly this situation affects the mortal realm far more than most realize.”

 

“Pardon me,” Quatre politely interrupted, “but just who is Shane?”

 

“You…” Teena turned to stare incredulously at Shin. “You never told them your name?”

 

“They never asked,” he shrugged, unconcerned. “The only ones who were supposed to know of my existence were Duo and Diana.”

 

“We only asked what he was,” Diana spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. “He didn't seem to mind being called Shin.” Her eyes went out of focus briefly before she sighed in relief.

 

Duo yawned, stretching. “So should we call you Shin or Shane?”

 

While Shane answered Teena gave the braided boy a hard look, one that didn't escape anyone's notice. “Interesting.” She shook her head, getting back to her task. “There are three people we need to find, three souls to be more exact, and bring back with us.”

 

“Wait a minute,” Wufei interrupted. “Yours is not the only group sent, correct?” Teena and Shane nodded. “And the only way to bring a soul back is to kill the body, correct?” Again Teena and Shane nodded. “If a person's misdeeds are paid for in the next life just why do you want these three back so badly?”

 

Teena gave Shane a reproachful look before answering Wufei. “Because these three, or rather four, have found a way to pass off their bad karma onto other souls. Each time they are reborn they add more and more bad karma to their souls and none of it is ever paid back to them.” She took a deep breath, her anger starting to rise. “The last time they were reborn they brought about one of the worst catastrophes. In their previous incarnations they were known as Reinhard Heydrich, Joseph Goebbels, Henrich Himmler, and Adolph Hitler.”

 

“Mary, Jesus and Joseph,” Duo swore, recovering first.

 

“We'll need all the information you have,” Quatre leaned forward, his eyes pinning Teena and Shane. “How long does it take for a soul to reincarnate; where did these four go missing; how likely are these souls to be reborn as male?”

 

Teena grinned at the fierce determination now showing in their faces. “Thank you. Alright,” she started pacing again, “it takes, at the most, five years from when a soul starts the process to when they are finally reborn. They were first noticed missing…”

 

“Thirty years ago,” Shane interrupted. “That's how long the report was suppressed. And we only need to find three of them.” He grinned. “One has already returned and is being held. He was,” Shane looked directly at Duo, “Andrew Mizzer.”

 

“The bastard deserved everything he got,” Duo growled, his eyes briefly glowing an eerie dark blue.

 

Trowa coughed, alleviating the growing tension. “So we are looking for three people, at least 25 years old. Can we narrow down the gender?” He glanced in the shinigami direction.

 

“Unfortunately no,” Teena scowled, still pacing. “The souls will have a greater chance of being reborn as males but it's not guaranteed.”

 

`Duo, they're focusing on the wrong part of the problem. We need to find those pockets of super bad karma.'

 

“Guys, Di just brought up an interesting point.” Duo flashed a quick smile at their expressions. “We need to find those areas where all that bad karma is being paid back. Then we limit the search for those over 25.”

 

Wufei leaned back, staring out a window while he thought. “Even that search requires a great deal of computer power. Just where do you suggest we go?”

 

“Preventors,” Trowa and Heero answered at the same time. “We can take up Une's offer of jobs,” Heero continued, “picking exactly which ones we need.”

 

“At least one person as a field agent,” Quatre mused, “and another in their computer department.” He sighed. “Unfortunately I cannot go. The shareholders in my fathers business want me to take over as president, as do my sisters.”

 

“I'll go as a field agent,” Wufei volunteered, Trowa also offering.

 

“Diana, you can become our computer…”

 

“Sorry Quat,” Duo interrupted, “but we don't know yet that we want to work for Une. `Sides, Di might want the computers but I don't and we learned a long time ago that we'd better agree on things.”

 

“I'll go,” Heero spoke. “We can design the search program beforehand; I'll need to be nearby to monitor it and make any adjustments.”

 

Teena had stopped her pacing once the boys started their planning, just watching the way they worked together. It both amazed and dismayed her at how efficient they were. But what really bothered her was how long the record had been suppressed. Thirty years might not be a long time to a shinigami but it wasn't that long ago when thirty years was a mortal's lifetime.

 

The teens bombarded the two shinigami with questions, working out the variables for the search program. Once they found a likely area, Wufei and Trowa would head over on official business, with Teena and Shane following them unseen. Their plan worked out, each left to carry out their part.

 

—

 

A/N

I'M NOT DEAD! Honestly! Life just went and threw up on me, then I lost my muse, found her again for other stories and promptly lost her again. Sigh. As I said before, this and all my other unfinished fics will be finished; the question is time, of which I have precious little. So thank you all, for still reading and reviewing my fics; it brings a smile to my face each and every time! As always, reviews are welcome, especially critiques, any flames will be used to make smores.