Darkness of A Cold Heart- Chp. 2

[Tenku no Ryu]

Summary: We live in a corrupted world, where Yoshiro Kaze, the emperor plans on total conquest of both earth and space. But can the gifted children of Rampant & Co. stop him in time? One minor... thing.. they're hearts need to be united in order to beat Yoshiro Kaze's forces.

Disclaimer: AYAH! I do not own Tenkuu no Escaflowne!

Author Note: Enjoy!

The Quest for Merle (Meruru)



Hitomi stood uncomfortably in the elevator, shifting her weight from left to right. Her emerald eyes glazed over. Having nothing better to do she glanced at her fingernails, further indicating that she was tensed. ‘Lenaf’ stood and leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, black lashes fell downwards blinking. His mind however was focused on Hitomi and was trying to pry through her mind. ‘This would be a synch. People not involved in Project Gaea tends to have feeble and simple minds.’ He allowed himself a thin smile. Hesitantly he brought out his coal black shades, Hitomi turns her head towards him, and her mind clicks as she quickly realizes that this was the man who lent her his umbrella. Reaching into her sleek overcoat she pulled out the umbrella.



Something wasn’t right, he should of have been able to enter her mind in a matter of few seconds. Suddenly, blue waves-like threads crept into his mind furtively. He stood in the center of her mind, the waves wrapping themselves around him. “Who the hell are you?” he cried out mentally. The waves unravel and fell downwards projecting an image of the chestnut haired woman. The inner-image of himself clasped his hands together; he shivered as he felt his ice power approach him. Drawing it out he open his mouth and blew out an ice gust at the blue waves. The blue waves, however and amazingly repelled the attack towards him. He flew out of the entrance of her mind into reality.



Hitomi shook him violently and placed her fingers on his shoulders firmly, “Dajiobu?” she inquires as she sees the shocked look on Lenaf’s face. Feeling the violent shaking, he pried her fingers off of him. “Get off of me.” He says in a monotonous voice. Hitomi raised an eyebrow and obediently peels her fingers off of him, “Do you understand one word of Japanese?” Lenaf glared at her, “Hai.” Hitomi nodded and leans against the elevator rail, ‘Damn… why must I be stuck with an obnoxious snobby spoiled boy?’ she thought. The elevator rattles aggressively, suddenly one side of the elevator dissolved. A cyber genetic creature climbed through the broken hatch, bearing metal teeth he charged towards Hitomi.



***



Natsu let out a low growl, having left the cargo area a few minutes ago. The airport were filled with ‘regular’ people, he exaggerated the word regular (Well maybe not exaggerated) meaning that their lives were meaningless. Letting out a sigh, he walked towards the coffee area, brown tendrils flew downwards covering his eyes. A stiff police outfit hung around him, giving him an air of innocence however this was just a simple disguise of course making everyone trusts him. Dark circles under his eyes indicated that he hasn’t been sleeping well, obviously since he had been working strenuously to capture the so-call, ‘cat-girl.’ He sipped the coffee with disgust at the cold brew, “I wonder when Navamas is going to come and reclaim the cat-girl.” He murmurs as he rubbed his chin. (WARNING: Below is a scene that is sort of higher than PG-13.)



--- Flash back ---



“You wretched boy, come her!!!” shouted a ragged man his hands waving threatening at the frail boy.

“ I do have a name it’s… Yoko.” Said the boy rather hesitantly; he looked downwards the sun shining on his glistening tears. The ragged man laughed a hearty laugh and walked towards the boy, a malicious grin appearing on his face. Yoko backed away frighten, his hand clamped together and nervously gulped.

“You dare talk back to me, boy? Remember it was I who took you in, now you shall repay me!” he shouted loudly, and grabbed the boy roughly across the arm and slapped him on the cheeks. Dragging him into the alley, he slammed the boy into the wall, lust in his eyes. Stripping off the boy’s shirt he began working his way towards the pants. Yoko glared at the man and screamed, suddenly the ground rumble. Bits of rocks flew upwards and collided with the man. He stood up and cursed at the boy. Stumbling while standing up he once again continue his work however he collided into a bigger rock, making him lose the grasp of consciousness. The ground shook brutally causing a large crack beneath the man, he fell into the pit and instantly was flattened for the ground had closed in a second.



Yoko fell towards the ground in a state of shock; he screamed knowing that it was his fault that the man died. Hugging his half-naked body he shed his last tears vowing never to cry again. It was there he met the dictator, “Are you tired of your life? Do you believe that you are not fit to live? Do you believe that you are peculiar? My dear boy, you are special… you will change the Earth for good, so come with me…” said the man convincingly. Yoko looked at the man and nodded. “Good… my name is Yoshiro Kaze, call me Kaze.” Yoko again was lost in words; he was staring at the man’s short wavy platinum hair and the opaque expression written across his face. Deep violet eyes that held wisdom, Yoko believed him, placing his palm out, Yoko took it. (If these paragraphs… are poorly written… tell me and I’ll edit it or alter it.)



--- Flash back Ends ---



He stood still and shook his head, emptying the contents of his coffee he sighed and walked back towards the cargo area. (If you didn’t figure that out Yoko is Natsu…) ‘Yoko is dead… I am Natsu Akogare, assassin under Yoshiro Kaze’s command.’ With that confident thought running in his head, he walked away.



***



Belinda stood anxiously by Yukari’s apartment door. “Yukari, is my brother coming back yet???” she exclaimed loudly. A red-haired girl peered out of the kitchen, red eyes peered at her amusingly, “Linda-chan, I’m sure your brother is going to go any minute.” She let out a thin smile, however hands suddenly attacked her. “A-A-Amano-san stop it!!!” laughing she turned around and pouted. Short coffee hair flailed forward as Amano continues his tickling frenzy. “Amano-san stop it I mean it, there’s a little kid here!” she continues to cry out in amusement and pointed towards Belinda. He shrugged not caring bending her down in a low dip he caressed her lips and tenderly kissed her.



Belinda glared at Amano she despised him for what he had done to Hitomi. Hitomi had loved him, and yet he played with her emotions only to get Yukari. (Yes Amano-bashing… heh.) The doorbell rang, being the person nearest to the door, she inquires, “Moshi Moshi!!! Uchida-resident, who is it?”

A deep husky voice responded, “Hey Linda-chan it’s me.” Belinda jumped up and began unlocking the door. Her eyes widen as she saw her ‘nii-chan and instantly ran towards him, hugging him fiercely. “Nii-chan!!! You’ll love it here and welcome back!!! Hitomi will come home soon and I’ll introduce you to her!!! ‘Baa-san been drinking again… so that’s why I’m at Uchida-san’s house! I miss you ‘nii-chan.” She responded sadly and began hugging him ferociously. The masculine voice let out a deep chuckle, “I miss you too, Linda-chan.” He ruffles her hair affectionately, grabbing her small hand with his hand he walked away.



Anyone who saw them together would never believe that they were brother and sister, for they seem to not resemble each other.



***



“Incompetent fools, there are two more unknown elements in this area of Japan!!! We all ready know that the rest of them are part of PrOjEcT GaEa! Work harder and track them down!!!” said a callous voice. The so-call ‘fools’ glared at him, only to be silenced by a stronger glare. The light aqua-haired man stepped off his seat and walked towards the glass paned window. His eyes settle on the struggling figure, “Ichigiro…” he murmurs. “Hurry up and make him part of the Axis!” he shouts once more. Below the platform hundreds of men-like creatures worked industriously turning the crank of large machinery. The person behind the window screams, as the crank continues to turn, the aqua-haired man grins hearing the screams, and slowly a pale finger slid out from under the coal cloak and touched the purple tear-shaped tattoo on his face.



“You can’t do this… you know… run away from your past, it just isn’t right.” Murmurs a distant voice. “Go away, girl… I do not need your smart-talk now.” He cried in a cruel tone. “As you wish, Neklo-sama (Folken).” The voice instantly disappears amidst the groans and protests of the workers. ‘Neklo’ laughed, however anyone seeing this laughter would of immediately known that Neklo wasn’t all that heartless but a little child lost in a dark forest due to a trauma incident in his childhood.



***



Brushing a strand of platinum blonde hair, he looked towards the mirror. Lavender eyes peers towards him from the reflection, letting out a sigh in content he turned in his swivel chair towards the window. “So… Natsu has managed to complete in abducting the so-call, ‘cat-girl’ of Project Gaea. However Neklo has been busy in opposing me, that won’t do. He seems to have four other ‘special-skilled’ members with him. However, there are numerous reports that two more elements are in the playing field, I wonder who will manage to prevail in the battle. I, the dictator, or the Axis, or the ‘Project Gaea.’” He let out a low chuckle at the mere thought of him not getting the other elements. Clasping his hands together, he pressed the intercom button on his phone. “Denise dear, I’m ready for the conference bring in the representatives towards the ‘meeting’ hall. I shall greet them there.” He murmurs in a clear tone.



Standing up he brushes off speckles of dust. Straightening his navy army suit, he stood up and reached towards a white mask, two holes were carved in the mask indicating where the eyes were suppose to be and an indent in the mask where the nose fit. Picking it up he placed it on; the only revealing part was the neck and part of the jaw. Looking at his reflection once more he smirked, lastly adding white dueling gloves on his two hands he left his office.



***



Meruru (Merle) peers through the increasing darkness of the cargo area. She sneezes as dust creeps into her nostrils. “Navamas… will save me I know he will.” She cries weakly. Sighing she felt hands unwrap the binds around her hands, however her feet was still bind. “Huh? What was that for, Navamas will kill you once he found out what you have done to me!!!” she shouted loudly in anger.



The person whom unbounded the ropes laughed, “I was afraid that I was cutting your circulation.” Meruru automatically assumed that it was Natsu and whimpered wanting to be let go. “Tell me what are you going to do with me, huh? You all ready told me what I really am, then what huh?” she shouted madly in rage. Natsu only let out a downright annoying chuckle, “I’m doing my duty. I need to capture you.” Meruru tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ear and glared at him, sapphire eyes penetrating the darkness, “For what reason?” There was a slight movement, as air moved Meruru assumed that Natsu either shrugged or left, after what seems like to be eternity he responded with the clear drawl in his tone, “Confidential.”



“ARGH!!! I WANT OUT, I MEAN IT! GEE AND WHY THE HELL am I ON A PLANE? WHERE ARE YOU taking me?” she shouted, her voice starting to lower down realizing that it was foolish to yell and that Natsu wasn’t going to do anything. Natsu once again shrugged, “I’ll leave you alone. Here…” he murmurs quietly handing her a bottle of water and a plate of sushi. Meruru looked down at it and munched on the sushi with raw fish quietly wanting to soothe her anger. Natsu looked at her a second longer before leaving the cargo area.



***



Hitomi watched the creature lunge at her with unwavering eyes; ‘Lenaf’ glares at her and in a humdrum tone yells at her to get out of way so he could deal the creature. Calmly placing her hand out, she touched the creature’s nose. The creature raised its metallic claw up to swipe the hand away, however Hitomi had a quicker reaction she jumped away and pulls out her berretta she shot rapid shots at the creature. The creature falls backwards blocking all of the shots, Lenaf quickly runs towards Hitomi and grabs her before the creature manages to attack her again.



“Let go! I’m part of the JDA (Japan Domination Association. I made that up)! So I’m capable of defending myself.” Cried Hitomi in antagonism, Lenaf gladly responded by dropping her on her bottom. Forcing his two hands together he crossed them, bringing his left hand towards his chest he raised his right hand and sent out a jet string of ice. The creature rapidly transformed into an ice sculpture frozen in a trance, Lenaf reached towards his silencer and shot a single bullet and instantly the sculpture shatters. Lenaf smirked as he watched the stunned look displayed clearly across Hitomi’s face.



She stood up and brushed the dust off of her bottom, the elevator resumes once more instead of heading down as originally planned, the elevator took a detour and went up instead. An incessant chatter was heard as the door swung open, Hitomi and Lenaf stood on one side of the elevator due to the missing wall. Whoever saw them would automatically assume that they were a couple. “Hitomi-chan???” the chatter stops as the speaker inquires to see if her assumption is correct. Hitomi adjusted her eyes from the darkness and glances at the speaker, “Belinda?”



Belinda quickly enters the elevator holding a bizarre person’s hand. She quickly walks towards the other side of the elevator not noticing the missing wall. Hitomi quickly reacts and pulls on Belinda’s other hand. “Belinda-chan watch out, there’s no wall over there. Heh, you see accidentally Lenaf was having a make-out session with the wall. Well he got really mad when the ‘wall’ did not respond and so… he punched it down.” She murmurs; her mouth was set in a straight line trying her best not to go into a fit of giggles.



Belinda burst into a fit of giggles at what Hitomi said. Lenaf glared at the girl, however noticed that someone else was glaring at him. Belinda stopped laughing and wiped away the tears of laughter. “Oh yeh Hitomi-chan! My brother came!!! I would love you to meet him!!!” she shouted eagerly, pointing towards the person she was holding hands with. Hitomi plaster on a wide smile and turned her attention towards Belinda’s brother.



“Hello there, I am Kanzaki Hitomi.” She placed her hand out in a friendly gesture. Belinda’s brother looked at her, tucking a strand of loose white hair behind his ears he peered at her with scarlet eyes. A smirk tugged on his lips, as he notice the short sandy brown hair and the na?ve emerald eyes. Reaching towards her hand he reluctantly shook it, “My name is Dilandau.” He murmurs in an amusing tone. Hitomi was enthralled by his white hair and scarlet eyes, ‘what is the word for these kind of people? Oh yeh albino!’ Hitomi pulled out of the grasp and grinned, “Dilandau-chan I would like you to meet Lenaf.” She says indicating the ebony-haired boy besides her. Lenaf clenched his teeth sensing another power hidden in this youngster.



“We should be going Hitomi.” He exaggerated the word ‘hitomi’ in a humdrum tone again. Belinda glared at Lenaf; she did not like the guy at all trying to always steal Hitomi-chan away from her. Hitomi turned her attention away from Dilandau towards Lenaf and obediently nodded. The elevator stopped at last but Belinda tugged on Hitomi’s sleeve, “Hitomi-chan please stay here with me! You don’t even know this guy… what if he’s a rapist, or what if he’s trying to kill you or hold you for ransom? Plus… why would you want to go look for a person you don’t even know!” She exclaimed loudly. Hitomi only let out a wry grin, “Cause I trust him, and I need to help the poor girl cause I’m part of JDA,” Quickly changing the subject she continues, “Have fun Belinda-chan with your ‘nii-chan. I’ll visit you later. Now, be a good little girl ok? Dilandau take care of her, all right? Your ‘baa-san is sort of drunk so I suggest that you go to my apartment, Amano shouldn’t be there yet. If he’s there explain that I sent you and hurry to my room and lock the door ok?” She said the words carefully as she handed the keys to Belinda and bent down to place a gentle kiss on her cheek.



“One for my brother too!” Belinda chirped. Hitomi stood on tiptoes and placed a quick kiss on Dilandau’s cheek. Immediately Hitomi turned a variety of red, before turning her attention back towards Lenaf who seemed to remain indifferent by what just happen. Dilandau raised his hand to wear the kiss was placed and blushed. Belinda raised an eyebrow, “Why are you both so red?” she inquires curiously. Lenaf sensing a chance to get payback at Hitomi quickly replies, “Oh cause… Hitomi was placing on her lipstick when she accidentally scribble all over her face.” Says Lenaf (Van, Baan) in a smug tone. Hitomi immediately dragged Lenaf out of the building her face still red but this time it was clearly anger.



“What was that for?” she yells in a blind rage.



“Payback. Which way are we going to search for my girlfriend?” He mumbles simply and pulls out a box of cigarette from his trench coat.



Her eyes nearly bulged out when he replied with the word, girlfriend, gulping she regained her composure and replied, “The airport, that’s where Belinda said the abductor took your girlfriend,” she watches him pulls out the cigarette remembering yet again to give back his umbrella, “oh yeh you left this.” She pushed the umbrella gruffly into his hand before hailing a taxi to stop.



‘What’s her problem?’ he thought, as he followed her into the taxi.



***



“Relli, you made it early.” A blonde haired man murmurs, clothed in a black t-shirt and casual denim jeans, he looked like a normal ‘troublesome’ adult. The addressed person turned at him, “Of course I wouldn’t be late after all we need to do some hacking.” Wiping the sweat off of her face she glanced around. “So where is Ned? He should be here after all…” she murmurs thoughtfully. Cerulean eyes looked at her form, she was beautiful for an adult filling out in the right curves, stunning lavender eyes, a white blouse and a black skirt which made her look like an attendant of an airport. She caught him gaping at her, “You like?”



He gulped, maybe he should respond, maybe he shouldn’t respond, luckily he was saved by a voice. “Hey Relli and Nell, how are you doing?” A husky voice was heard. Millerna quickly turned around and found her in a bear hug. “Oh… Ned we saw each other last month!” she exclaimed in a flirtatious voice. ‘Ned’ only grinned wider and hugged her even tighter until she begged for air. His eyes narrowed and his voice changed into a serious one, “You read our mission right? Relli you’ll be dressed up as an agent and you can manage to hack into the programs and look at the flight schedule. I’ll be helping Nell to shoot down the plane. Did you bring the grenades or the CDs?” he asks straightforwardly. Millerna nodded, “Yes I got the CDs not the grenades, let’s not make a scene. Just hack into the airplane and insert the CD into the control area so the plane ends up malfunctioning. Also snag some ammunition too so shoot down any approaching soldiers.” She says in a commanding tone.



“Let the mission begin.” ‘Nell’ says. All of them nodded as Millerna took her scene as an airport agent.



***



Pressing a couple of buttons quickly she managed to hack into the flight schedule, “Let’s see… no airplanes leaving at midnight?!?!” she mumbles her eyes widening. Bringing the communicator towards her mouth, “Ned & Nell, a problem. There is no plane that is leaving for midnight! The only plane is leaving now!!! It’s at Gate A45!” she exclaimed in an urgency voice.



Nell and Ned ran downwards towards the gate no. A45 and quickly ran outwards into the control area only to see the plane take off to the sky. “KUSO!” shouted both of them at the exact same time.



***



The plane took off, Merle looked away so Navamas couldn’t save her… a single tear rolling down her cheeks, however a pair of emerald eyes noticed it. Natsu fought the urge to ran to her and comfort her, but he could not… he was suppose to be the villain, the heartless one…



~~~