Chapter Eight:

D/C: still don’t own’em… I have a theory that Author’s notes just kill the beginning and end of each chapter, what do you think?  PS: just for the record: I’m the first one to ever write Sol’s Geary mind as a machine!! You’re free to use that if you want, though.

 

#Millia:

 

“Just what are you thinking?” I frowned. Why would he lie to me if he hated me? why would he want me to stay if he only wished for me to leave? I have a good idea of what he might want, and its not a pretty idea.

“What am I thinking about what?” he buckled a belt on his pants and started rummaging in the closet, completely ignoring me.

“You lied to me!”

“So?” he donned the shirt and frowned at me.

My hair suddenly twitched, surprising me. Was I THAT emotional? “Why would you make me stay?”

He shrugged, “You’ll die out there.”

I think I’ve actually started to see all red. “I’m not a child! I know how to watch over my self! And if I die, it’ll be more my problem.”

He popped his neck in boredom, a complete contrast to my anger. “I never locked you up, you know where the door is.”

 

My jaws clenched.

 

“I thought you’d be grateful,” he started, “But if you want to die go ahead, nothing would please me more.” He walked past me slowly, making his way to the living room.

 

I wanted to turn around, but my leg got entangled with the wooden crutches, the ripped cuffs of the pants and my emotions, and I found myself falling. My palms ached where the hard cold marble broke my fall. The core of my right arm shooting pain up my spine. I found myself lying on my side, holding my arm in suppressed pain.

 

Nothing would please me more.

 

Nothing would please him more than to see me walking to my doom.

Why is he keeping me here then?

 

He isn’t!

 

Yeah, I forgot…

 

I curled up to myself, it was cold, and I didn’t feel like getting up. My crutch was way over there, the bed was closer, anyway. I forced myself to balance on an arm and knee, and climbed up the bed tiredly.

 

I lied.

 

He lied, just like Zato did. Just like Venom did.

 

Just like everybody did.

 

You’ll die out there.

 

You’ll die out there, you’re better off closer to me, sweet heart. I’ll protect you. 

 

He didn’t protect me, he gave me away at the first chance.

My hair twitched.

Yeah, he gave me to you, and he gave you to me.

 

You like Sol, he’s just too pushy.

Don’t say that, hair… he’s just evil.

No, I like Sol, he just pushes me too much. 

You don’t like Sol, he hates me.

We both like him, there’s an air of Mystery around him

His eyes are cold.

Don’t change the subject.

I’m not…

What does his eyes have to do with likeness?

You can't love a man that has cold eyes.

 

I rolled over, why were beds to darn cold?

 

So you want a man with warm brown eyes or none at all?

Don’t tease me, Zato lost his eyes after meeting us.

So if Sol had warm brown eyes you’d love him?

You can't just love a guy… he has to match my liking…

Millia, you don’t have a liking.

Oh be quiet, my arm hurts…

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

#Sol:

 

Maybe I did push it too much, who cares?

I glanced at the room as I made my way to the kitchen, she was laying on my bed, facing the other way.

 

Fine, have it your way.

 

Women are too emotional for my liking, anyway.

 

I pulled a cigarette out of its pack, hmm what's this. The pack that was on the rack wasn’t touched, the wallet that was next to it was, though. I placed the cig between my teeth for a moment, what the hell…

 

The exact same amount needed for the meal was the only thing that was gone.

She didn’t take anything for herself?

Is she crazy or just dumb?

 

I sighed and dropped the leathery thing on the rack before I lit a match and puffed some smoke.

 

Seventh one today…

 

Yawning, I leaned over the door frame and watched her back. She wasn’t moving, but the rhythm of her breathing wasn’t that of sleep, either.

“Rage.” I made my way into the room. “You’d better not be drooling on my bed.”

She took a breath.

 

Detecting waves of hate.

 

Damn…

 

“I hate it just as much as you do.” She whispered. “I have no where else to go to, so I’m going to have to swallow my pride and ask you.” She rolled over and sat up in one smooth movement. “Can I please stay here, with you?”

Well, no kidding that was too polite to ignore.

Too damn polite.

“Who mentioned otherwise?” I wet my lips and leaned on the wall. It was fun watching her, but not when she was watching me.

She shuddered, “Can I ask you something?”

“Hm.”

“Is it always this cold?”

Its not cold, its just you- oh… yeah, its always this cold. “Mm.” I opened the window to let some smoke out.

“Sol! Its freezing!”

I glanced at her, she was indeed cold, the shirt just gave it all off. I shut the window a little too loudly and heard the loud cursing of the old lady above me.

 

I stubbed the cig and waltzed towards the door. “You’re not gonna use my clothes, right.” It wasn’t a question.

“Of course I would, you don’t see me walking around anytime soon.” She frowned and burrowed into the blankets. It was fun watching her struggle to pull the thick cloth with one hand.

“Gotta fix that.” I lit another cigarette without actually realizing I’ve done so until my lungs ached for oxygen.

“You should stop smoking.” She whispered.

“Yes, mom.” I sat on the edge of the bed, the darkness was getting me sleepy.

 

Or maybe I’m just bored.

 

She sighed quietly, my instruments having a hard time detecting everything.

 

“Sol, if you hate me this much, just let me go.”

She’s depressed she’s not exactly aware of what she’s saying. “What's holding you?”

“So you don’t care?”

“Do I have to?”

Sigh. “Please answer my questions.”

“What’s this, an interrogation?”

“No, Sol!” she sounded upset, heh heh. “I just want to make sure nobody will miss me when I die!” she brushed back her blond hair and huffed.

“You’re going to kill yourself?”    

“No.” she didn’t convince me, it was suddenly serious.

 

“Listen, Rage, I don’t mean anything to you, just get well and get your ass out of here.” Get well soon? Che, I’m getting sappier by the moment. “Cause I’m not interested in dressing you either.”

“Dressing me?” her blue eyes reflected the light from the doorway. It had gotten so dark in here.

“You don’t intend to stink for six months, do you?” I frowned and stubbed the cigarette.

 

Silence.

 

“I can use my hair, you know.” Her hair formed a small, weak palm and waved at me.

 

Well, see if I care.

“I’m going out for a walk.” I stated. I’m gonna have to do a little shopping.

“What?”

“Can you stay alive till I come back?” I added playfully, though I believe she thought I was serious.

“I was a mercenary, after all. I’ll take care of myself.” She assured.

 

Somehow, I had a feeling that everything will be screwed up.

 

I buckled up Fuuenken and grabbed my wallet- wouldn’t do to go shopping moneyless.

Glancing one last time at the Russian woman, she was laying in bed watching the window, I made my way out.

 

The usual screaming and shouting from 34B, the same pop music rocking 37A’s door. The same creaky old stairs, the same old yellow doormat at 20A’s door –the one with the ax hole- and defiantly the same shoes at 19A’s… those haven’t moved in quite a while, I wonder if their owner is dead.

 

Lucky bastard.

 

Descending another fly of stairs, I noticed a woman was standing at the doorway with a cigarette in her mouth. I decided to ignore her, since guys like me attracted troublesome ladies like a moth to flame.

 

Flame, Fuuenken, whatever…

 

“Hi there, Handsome.” She whispered when I was within ear range.

 

I ignored.

 

A tanned, soft, finely shaped hand was placed on my wrist, so close to my hipbone. “Where are you going, in such a hurry?” her black painted lips stretched over white fangs.

“Off to kill somebody.” I pulled my hand out of my pocket, loosing her grip by doing so.

“Wow, must be very lucky to get killed by you.”

I corked a brow and continued on, leave me alone already.

“Hey.” She called when I gave her my back, I was two inches away from opening the glass door when I felt her hand touch my shoulder. “I just hate being ignored.”

I looked down at her, clenching my jaws. “What do you want?”

She smiled, her dark eyes shining, “Just a little fun.”

I pushed the glass door open, “Wrong guy, the Pimp lives two blocks away.” I heard her give a frustrated shout and then continued on my way. 

 

Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I never knew Instant noodles had so many flavors…

 

I scowled at the Styrofoam cup and just dropped two cups of everything in my cart.

 

I’ve never used a cart before.

I’ve never filled one either.

Damn fun!

 

What the hell do you think you’re doing?

Filling my fridge with physical food, why?

Who are you going to feed all this?

….

Aha..

Millia, Who else?

I thought you said you didn’t care…

 

I dropped a can of instant coffee into the cart.

 

I don’t.

Seems like you do…

Well I don’t.

…

See.

 

I sighed and moved away from two kids who were playing in the Isle with their mom shouting at them.

 

So, Sol…

What now.

You think she’ll stay enough to eat all this?

No, I’ll just eat it over the years anyway.

Oh, you mean like that tuna you ate fifty years after it expired.

Yeah, something like that.

The one that got you puking for the next week?

Yeah, stop rubbing it in, freddy.

Ha ha…

 

I stopped for a long moment to actually wonder, Was she going to be there when I go back? The cart was half-full. Or am I just too thrilled to actually be in charge of something that I’m just overdoing it?

 

No, you are not overdoing it.

I’m not?

No, you’re ridiculously overdoing it.

 

I sighed and looked up, a man in a uniform was looking at me weirdly, as if he was expecting me to say something.

 

Where the hell am I anyway?

 

“Umm, may I interest you in our new product?” he asked, he looked too nervous for my liking.

“Huh?” I looked around and found all kinds of diapers and baby powders all over the shelves. “Hell no!” 

 

 

~~

“Anything else, Sir?” the young Asian girl at the cahier smiled.

“Yeah, where’d you get your clothes?”

She looked up at me in confusion, “Uh… what?”

“I need to buy someone some clothes, where’d you get yours?” the last thing I want is for her to think I’m gonna wear a skirt.

“Oh… well,” she sighed, clicking something on the machine. “If she needs undergarments then try Rose Chan two blocks away.” She smiled and handed me the heavy bags. “If she’s looking for cheap, neat clothes then you Have to see Iron Maiden. It’s a bit far, but it’s worth the tip.”

I made a face, “How far?”

 

~~

 

So here I was, browsing underwear.

 

“Sir, umm, do you have a good idea of what you are looking for?” the woman smiled embarrassedly at me.

“Yeah, She’s got a broken arm, I’m looking for something easy to wear.”

“Oh.” Her light-blue eyes shone when she realized I was talking about a she. “Well, if you would just trust my decision, I bet she’ll be delighted to see what you’ve brought her.” She winked and made her way to another rack.

 

Damn… now I’m in too deep, people are starting to think I’m married to her.

 

I’m sure behaving like I am… 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

It was a long walk home, the streets suddenly seemed deserted. A woman was walking her dog in the cold, two men were dressed heavily and warming their hands on a small fire. A stray cat running away from a guy who looked like wanted to eat it.

 

Other than that. The street seemed deserted.

 

I glanced up at the window of my apartment, it was dark.

 

Was she sleeping?

 

Heart beat rate increasing.

Detecting abnormal activity in feel.exe file group

Damn, what is this, what am I worried about? She’ll be there when I open the door, she’s just sleeping.

                                   

Almost in a too-hasty manner, I climbed up the stairs and barely balanced the bags in my arms enough to pull out my key.

The damn thing was refusing to fit in.

“Damit!” I cursed and put everything down, concentrating on my shaking fingers. 

The thing just plain refused to get in.

 

Decrease heartbeat.exe by 1%

Are you sure?

Yes.

 

I sighed and felt my muscles relax. I calmly put the key in the slot and turned it quietly, with ease.

I locked the door after putting the bags inside and looked around. No Millia.

 

“Rage?” was she asleep? Soldiers aren’t supposed to be heavy sleepers. I threw the key and wallet to the side and gently leaned Fuuenken on the wall. “Rage.” I opened the bedroom, she wasn’t there either.

 

did she leave?

 

There was fog coming from the bathroom.

 

Is she crazy? Why the hell is she taking a bath when her leg is in a cast?

I opened the door and found the bathtub full of steaming water. Two feet resting on one side of the tub while the rest of her body was underwater.

She was still in her clothes.

DAMN!

 

Without thinking I grabbed her by the shirt front and dragged her out to the marble floor just a few feet away into the bedroom. I let her down and checked her breathing.

 

None.

 

There was a weak pulse and her heartbeat was too slow to be healthy.

 

Heartbeat rate increasing.

Blood pressure rising.

Adrenaline.hrmn increasing.  

 

This is no time for Geary reports!

 

I pushed at her chest with my hands five times before I blew into her mouth. Nothing. I pumped her chest again and blew into her mouth. nothing.

“Come on! Get it out!” I growled and pumped her chest more. “Breathe dammit!”

Daddy!

I flinched, and forced myself to concentrate on the task at hand. “Dammit, Rage! Don’t do this to me!” I blew into her lungs once more.

 

Nothing.

 

I pushed her to her side and rubbed her back, dammit, what the hell happened here?

Her hair was limp.

 

Fredrick! Please do something! Annab-

 

“SHUT UP!” I shouted and breathed into her mouth one last time before she sputtered and tossed water out of her inside, coughing and gasping and sobbing.

 

I pulled her up into a sitting position and pushed hair out of her face. Her face was red and her lips were loosing their blue tinge.

 

Thank goodness.

 

“Rage.”

“He tried to kill me.” she cried, her voice thick. She grabbed into my shirt and sobbed.

 

Heartbeat rate decreasing to normal.

Blood pressure okay.

 

 I sighed and brushed back her warm wet hair absently, breathing hard myself. “What happened?”

She hiccupped against my chest and I had to push her away a little to stop the annoying Physical contact warning.

“Rage, What the hell happened?” I frowned, this was serious if they were going to assassinate her in my own place.

She gasped and pushed away wet hair. “Venom, sent someone to kill me.”

“Why would he want you dead?” I scowled and pushed her away, getting up to grab the blanket and put it around her shoulders, she was shaking all over.

“I killed his master.” He hugged herself, her right arm unmoving.

“Just that?” anger filled my fists, what the hell am I feeling?

“His master, and Lover.” Her gaze remained on the floor in a daze, like she couldn’t believe she was still alive.

I sighed in frustration and stomped out, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep breath.

 

Adrenaline.hrmn working properly

Nicotine increased.  

 

I closed my eyes and took another long drag.

 

Go to her, she’s scared.

Shut up, I’m not calm enough yet.

Sol, she is frightened, go talk to her.

Suits her right.

Sol, you can't be this inhuman.

Wanna bet?  

 

I sighed.

 

Please, Sol.

Che, fine.

 

I stepped up to the woman, she was half asleep right where she sat, tear flakes on her cheeks.

“Rage.”

She gasped and looked up, Fear flashed in her eyes for an instance before she relaxed again. She shook her head slowly, “Its ruined.” She looked at her arm.

“No kidding.” I frowned and sat down next to her, grabbed her hand and stretched her arm to take a good look at the wrinkled gauze. She gave a small cry but didn’t fight my grip. “Damn,”

She quietly watched me as I revealed her skin, tiny white pieces of the wet cast still clinging to her arm.

“Oh God.” She whispered, the stitches on the bullet hole haven’t dissolved ye, seeing that they were only implanted yesterday. What really made me frown was the way her arm looked, pale and weak.  

I sat up and headed towards the kitchen, feeling her gaze between my shoulder blades.

 

Playing doctor now, aren’t we, Sol?

It’s your fault, damn it, leave me alone.

 

I grabbed the first aid kit and pulled out the item. Just soak this up in water and it’ll be ready to use.

 

We were both silent when I wrapped the wet cloth around her wrist. Her skin was soft under my fingertips.

“Your hands are cold.” She commented quietly.

I was suddenly angry, “Be grateful I bothered to take you out of there in the first place.”

Her lips pressed together in a straight line and she watched me apply the finishing touches to her arm. I couldn’t help but steal fleeting glances at her as I worked, her eyes were rimmed in red, and the tears refused to fall.

“Thank you.” She touched the damp mold on her arm.

 

A sudden flash of what occurred a few hours ago passed before my eyes.

“Can you stay alive till I come back?”

“I was a mercenary, after all. I’ll take care of myself”

 

I suddenly felt too sick with myself to have even thought about leaving her alone.

 

After so many years, to actually tend to somebody’s injury.

I dropped the cigarette into the floor and made my way into the bathroom, kneeling before the sink and breathing hard.

 

The sick feeling didn’t go away, neither did it worsen, it just left me there upset and angry with myself. I looked down at the full tub. The water formed a small hurricane when I pulled the cork out, it was steaming hot but there was no heat on my hand.

 

I grumbled and padded towards the bedroom where Millia was laying down on her side, an exhausted expression on her face.

 

Daddy! I can't brush my hair, could you do that for me?

 

I sighed and knelt down, brushed back a few stringy strands of limp hair, and covered her wet clothes with the blanket. She was considerably light in my arms when I carried her to put her up in bed, were females in their late twenties supposed to be this light?  

“Don’t leave.” She whispered, grabbing my arm.

I looked down at her. “You need to sleep.”

She sniffled, “Please.” Her voice was barley audible.

 

Stay with her, Sol, please.

Shut up, I’ve done enough for your sake.

Please, Sol, please.

No.

 

I slowly slid my arm from her weak grip and quietly closed the door behind me.

~

End of chapter eight. 

you know, I’m starting to feel lonely out here, am I the only one who likes MilliaxSol or what? O_o?