Maltese
by The Jackal

Patty jumped on her twin sister's bed, tickling her. Scooter laughed and shoved her off. "What do you want?"

Patty rolled on her back. "I love school! I can't believe we get to go almost every day!"

Scooter smiled, "I know. What do you like about it?"

"I like the food! It's so good." She leaned close to her sister's ear, "Don't tell, Dad. But it's better than his."

They both began to laugh. Scooter sighed and began to sing one of the songs she learned. Abruptly she stopped, "You know what I like? I like the teachers."

Patty screwed up her nose. "Ewww...Even Mrs. Pitts? Hey! I heard her husband's name is Harry!"

Scooter giggled, "Harry Pitts!"

Patty crossed her eyes and flopped her hands to her sides. "Hey, look! I'm Harry Pitts!" she said in a dorky voice. They both shared a good laugh.

"I like Mrs. Pitts. She gave me a candy for being 'such a quiet student'. She's not that bad."

"Ok..." Patty conceded. "But I still like Mr. Moloney of Bologna! He's so cool! He can sing real good! Do you think we'll sing like him?"

Scooter nodded, "We'll have to practice real hard."

Patty stuck out her tongue, "Ewww...Practice...."

"Aren't you girls supposed to be asleep? It's nearly ten!"

Okaze poked his head in Scooter's room. Patty huffed, "I can't sleep without a story!"

Okaze shook his head, "No story tonight girls. It's work night."

The girls groaned, dramatically throwing themselves across the bed. "Do you have to go, Daddy? Can't the monsters wait for just another night?" Patty whined.

"Sorry, sweetie..." Okaze picked her up and carried her to her room. Granite followed them in asking for an ear-scratch. He placed her in her bed and tucked her in.

"Will they be big monsters tonight?"

Okaze thought for a moment. "They're...medium sized."

"Do they have wings?"

Okaze chuckled and turned out the light. "No. Good night, Espada."

He crossed the hall and turned out Scooter's light, "Good night, Escuda."

She huffed a protest, "I was reading!"

Okaze turned to his dog, "Granite! Sit. Guard." The dog sat, motionless as a statue made of the material after which he was named.

Okaze walked to his room and unloaded the equipment he was to use that night. It was a SG-550 sniper rifle, sleek and dark with a wide base and a narrow barrel. He'd used it at a private firing range and was by now used to it's rather unbalanced feel. To be honest, though he didn't like the gun, it was the best to use in his supportive role. Basically he was to protect his assassin teammates from being picked off by the gunmen that were swarming around a mansion temporarily housing terrorist leaders meeting for what Okaze termed "war talks": how to kill the most people with the minimum time and effort. Once they were inside, he was to alert them of the outside conditions and events, changing them as he saw advantageous.

Okaze shrugged on his jacket and turned out the light in the hall. Scooter was still awake, and quickly closed her eyes when she heard her father come in her room. She felt him kiss her cheek.

"Good night, queen of my heart."

She listened as he walked in Patty's room, then out into the hallway. A moment of silence passed and the door shut and softly locked. Scooter buried her face in her pillow.

"Daddy...I love you."


The night was cool but humid. A low-lying fog obscured part of the view from Okaze's tree. He was motionless even though the breeze swayed his branch. No matter how many times some onelooked, he was invisible unless they already knew he was there. An owl flew by leaving a slight current air as its only trail. They were soundless. Like his gun.

"Bombay to Maltese. How're you doin'?"

Okaze grimaced, "It's foggy."

"Get over it." Okaze recognized Aya's voice.

"Yes, oh inscrutable one!"

Okaze watched the guards switch shifts. "Changing of the guards," he warned. Now came the tricky part. Knocking off the guards in the path was easy, doing it without the other guards noticing was another game entirely. "Here goes everything."

Okaze fired rapid shots from his rifle. One guard fell forward, another reeled back. He could see his allies now in their trademark attire heading for the door. Okaze saw one guard about to turn a corner and sent him flying back around it. He couldn't see the blood gushing from his chest but the imagination did wonders. Two dogs went down as Omi was fiddling with the lock.

Another guard suddenly appeared, previously obscured fog. Okaze aimed and fired but the man was not killed immediately. He fell and rolled no doubt about to alert his comrades before another bullet silenced him forever. Two other guards, instinctively smelling a rat were cut down just before they could call an alarm. Okaze glanced and saw them still at the door.

"Bombay!"

"Got it!" Omi answered almost simultaneously, "We're in!"

Okaze let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Now he would have to play watch dog. He watched as the guards realized that many of their kind had been killed. They scattered when they saw more of them falling prey to Maltese's sharp shooting. They sounded the alarm but it was too late.

"Cat's outta the bag," he reported.

He saw lights come on in the house and shadows passing by the windows. The wind picked up, and Okaze swayed with the tree. He felt so odd, high up and away from the carnage below but he was by no means detached from it all. Shouts and cries floated with the wind like spirits of the dead passing right by him.

"Mission complete. We're leaving." Aya's cold voice sent shivers down his spine.

"Roger that."

Mercy completely left Okaze's mind. Anything that came into his sights was dead meat. Aya ran from the house and saw bodies scattered everywhere. One man saw them and gave a startled shout before he fell as if struck from above. Aya realized that they wouldn't have to do a single thing. They took the car left conveniently for them and drove off to the spot where they would meet Okaze.

It was odd for Omi to see the men fall without any apparent attacker. Odd because he wasn't the one behind it. He heard a muffled shout and thud and let out a breath. His part of the mission was over yet...He still felt that he was killing those men.

Youji kept his eyes on Aya's back. Maltese had one good eye. One bullet for nearly every guard was all it took. He wondered how he could stand to touch his children after what he did for a living. He must have one cold heart.

Ken was thinking along those same lines. He could kill easily but he still felt slightly guilty when he played along side the children to teach them football. They had no idea what kind of person they were learning from. They never cared. Okaze's daughter, Patty, was one great football player. She might really be famous one day if she ever let go of her hoop dreams. Patty. She was probably in bed right now, dreaming four-year-old dreams. Did she have any idea would her father did at night? How did Okaze feel, having to come home to his innocent girls after a night when he probably killed over twenty men?

Okaze stared for a moment as the other members of Weiss disappeared from sight. He waited for a moment but nothing moved. He had done his job. He jumped easily from the tree. He paused on the landing, listening. He got the distinct feeling that he was being watched. He whirled handgun drawn.

He saw a glistening white figure. A woman.

"Ma...Maria?"

The wind blew. The fog swirled. The woman was gone.

Okaze's mind snapped roughly back to reality. His wife was dead. He shook himself and slowed his breath. "I'm turning into a basket case. If ghosts existed I'd be dead by their revenge."


The silence in the car was heavy. Okaze's mind was on his wife. It kept throwing out questions. What if it was her spirit? Did she know? Did she hate him for what he was doing? She was such an environmentalist. She believed in a "peace on earth" dream. A hippy fantasy. It was so foolish even she admitted it. "But we would we have left if we stopped hoping?" She never stopped hoping. That was why he loved her.

He climbed the stairs to his apartment, bidding the others goodnight as they went to the floor above him. The house was quiet. Granite still sat motionless in the hall. His beaming eyes acknowledged his master's presence and he trotted to his bed in the living room. He turned three times and settled down. Okaze went to his bedroom and undressed. As he did so, he inadvertantly looked in the full body mirrior. He still looked the same as four years ago, except for the terrible sadness that haunted his eyes, a sadness that would never leave them. He turned to his bed, empty and desolate, a robbed tomb. A sacred place, his marraige had been desecrated in the worse possible way. His wife's body lay there four years ago, but her place was empty and cold. Like his heart.

Okaze sighed wearily and lay down. He closed his eyes tightly against the fact that he would sleep alone for the rest of his life. No one to share his thoughts or deepest feelings with.

"Maria..." He wanted her with him now.

Soft footsteps approached and a small body clambered up the bed. "What is it Scooter?"

Scooter sniffled, "I had a nightmare. Can I sleep with you?"

Okaze let her in beside him and held her while she cried. She was mumbling. Something about dying but not really and being buried alive. Not being able to breathe, only crying out for someone to remember that she was alive and not dead, to let her stay with the living. She sobbed against him until she slept.

Having someone with him was rather comforting, even if she was a child, but not satisfying for long. He needed a break from the loneliness. He buried his face in his daughter's hair and slept a dreamless sleep.


The next day was Saturday so the girls were at the shop. Patty and Scooter donned cute fluffy dresses that were similar in style with different colors. Scooter's was a shy light blue while Patty sported a bright and happy yellow. They stood outside selling individual flowers and greeting customers in the most polite and adoreable manner possible.

A woman approached Okaze, practically gushing about how gorgeous the girls were. Okaze merely smiled and thanked her, sending proud glances in their direction.

Unfortunately it started to rain and the "flower girls" were forced to stay inside. Customer's stopped coming in as well and the shop was quiet. Okaze waited for the inevitable...

"Daddy! I'm bored!" Patty slumped against the wall, then sat up again mindful of her dress. She checked to make sure it wasn't dirty.

Okaze sighed. "You did bring your coloring book didn't you?"

Patty nodded, remembering. Soon both girls sat in a heap of white frills and yellow-blue fabric, coloring cats and dogs and horses from their book. They chatted as they did so.

"Do horses have wings?"

"Some do."

"Have you seen any fly?"

"I've seen a horse fly," said Okaze.

The girls rolled their eyes. "That's not what we're talking about, daddy. You're so weird."

"I think all horses have little tiny wings to make them run faster but they can't fly cause they're too big," said Scooter. "I can't find the blue crayon."

"I have it. Here."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Why's your horse blue, Scooter?"

"Because it is. Your cat is red. I've never seen a red cat."

"Don't you remember? The race we had in the park and you ran around the bush and...."

Scooter sat up. "Oh yeah! The red kitty! What happened to that kitty?"

Patty shrugged, "It went back to where it came from I guess. Maybe it lives with blue horses."

"With wings!"

And that was the way it went for the next thirty minutes. Incessant chatter was a murmur in the background that gave The Kitten a different feel, a homeliness. Even Aya felt more relaxed then usual. Okaze, through with most of the duties, watched his girls with hooded eyes, every movement, every gesture, seeing in them the wonderful mixture of himself and Maria. He also felt very tired. Scooter may be cute but her snoring kept him awake almost all night...

"Hey Okaze!"

Okaze looked up. Youji was standing by him as he read "Gun Collector's Digest". "What?"

"Do you date?"

Okaze frowned then looked down. "No."

Youji looked surprised, "You don't? Not any?"

Okaze turned the page.

"Why not?"

"No time. No interest."

Youji nodded. "You just don't date then..."

Okaze shot him a sharp look, "Don't try to put me with anyone..."

"Me? Oh no! If I see a girl that's worth dating she's all mine. Just wanted to make sure there was no competition that's all."

Okaze returned to his reading. Suddenly, the girls let out a chorus of giggles. Okaze looked up for a moment, smiled fondly, and went back to his magazine.


The evening came and The Kitten closed. The girls were put to bed a bit early, but Okaze did not have sleep on his mind. He dressed in pull-over shirt and jeans, leaving off the belt. He brushed his hair to bring out it's luster, before tying it into its usual ponytail. For a final touch he added his favorite cologne, Shine. He walked out into the night.

Youji was smoking by the window while Ken intently watched a football game on television, so he saw Okaze get in his car and leave.

"Hey! I thought he said he didn't date!"

Ken looked up. "Who?"

"Okaze." Youji let out a puff of smoke. "You don't think he was lying do you?"

Ken shook his head, "No way. He probably forgot some milk or something."

Youji shook his head.


Melissa sighed and turned the page. Why did these history exams have to be so hard. She had to pass it or she would have to take the class again and one more semester with Dr. Death just might be too much for her.

The door bell rang. "Who would be...Ugh! I hope it's not won of those door-to-door sales people!"

She opened the door and gave a squeal of delight. "Zorro!"

Okaze, a.k.a. Zorro, wrapped his arms around her tightly, kissing her hard. She backed into the apartment and Okaze kicked the door shut.

"Where have you been?" she purred, "Leaving me here with all these horrible teachers and fellow students!"

Okaze laughed softly, slipping his fingertips under the waist of her skirt. "Sorry, pet. I've been very busy with work. With no time for pleasure. Good thing for me, I've been freed." He bent to kiss her softly, "I missed you."

Melissa trailed her fingers down his chest, "Flatterer. It's not _me_ you've been missing..."


Youji breathed in the morning air, taking in the scenery. It was Sunday so The Kitten wasn't open. Youji watched the streets intently, waiting for the absentee Okaze. He didn't wonder where he was, he just wondered who he was with and why he lied about not dating.

His car turned the corner and Youji extinguished his cigarette. "Ah, here's the little punk now..."

Okaze got out and didn't even hesitate at the sight of Youji waiting for him. "Mornin'"

Youji grinned, "I won't ask you where you were. Was she fun, Okaze?"

Okaze looked hurt, "I was out and you automatically assume I was with a woman?"

Youji shook his head, "Don't try to fool me, Toratoge. You're single, handsome...I guess. Why wouldn't you enjoy a night away from the kids?"

Okaze shook his head, "Don't misunderstand the question..."

It took Youji a moment to get it. His eyes widened. "You...You mean you're...!"

Okaze laughed. "I'm just pulling your leg." He tried to step around Youji but he stayed in his way. Okaze's smiled disappeared. "Is there a problem?"

Youji cupped his hand around another dangling cigarette and a flash of light lit his face. Okaze turned away from the smell. How could anyone keep up such a disgusting habit?

"Why'd you lie about dating?"

Okaze frowned. "I didn't. I don't date."

"Then what'd you do last night?" Youji glared, "You just pick up a girl and lay her?"

Youji saw the muscles in Okaze's jaw clench and relax. "I don't think it's any of your business."

Smoke wafted in his face and Okaze fought the urge to cough. Youji sighed. "I don't take kindly to men who use women, Toratoge."

Okaze, unable to bear the stench any longer, backed away. "I don't use her. She wants it just as much as I do." Okaze glared at him from a distance, "And I think you should move. The children will worry if they wake up without me there."

Youji's eyes seemed to bore right through him but Okaze did not look away only met him leer for leer. Finally, Youji relented, stepping out of his way. Okaze walked away, feeling Youji's gaze on his back. He climbed the stairs and entered his apartment, slamming the door behind him.

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