Title: Death

Pairings: 1+2, 3+4, 5+2, R+1

Warnings: Supernatural, OOC, death (you'll get it, it's nothing to cry over), violence, language, lemon, angst.

Rating: R

Summary: What if Duo's self-proclaimed title 'Shinigami' wasn't just a nickname?

Prologue/Teaser

Beady black eyes stared into Duo's, mockingly, as the large, ebony bird perched on his thin hand. Duo glared at it.

"Shut up, Lucifer, I know it was stupid." The crow flew over onto the metal rail as Duo curled up miserably on the floor, hugging his knees to him as he sat there.

"I am Death. How can you love death?" He murmured. "I am filth, a fallen angel, I'm not supposed to love either."

'But you do,' a light voice in his head said, though to everyone else, it was only the small screech of a crow.

"So?"

'So, telling Heero you loved him was the right thing to do.' The bird flew over to land on Duo's shoulder, spreading its impressive wing span around Duo like a shield, mindful of his sharp claws on the thin shirt and frail skin of his master's back.

"Was it really?" He reached up and stroked Lucifer's head, "seems more selfish than anything. Heero doesn't deserve a fallen death, Luc. He has Relena, doesn't he? I think he would prefer a bright, pure soul than my shadow. And even if he did care that way for me, I can never be involved with him. I'm Death!"

'Formerly.'

"Yeah, but I'm not human. How could he possibly love something with no heart beat?" Lucifer didn't answer.

"Luc?"

'Yes?'

"What do you think would happen if I went back to heaven?"

'Is that what you want?'

"No, I… I don't belong there. I don't belong anywhere."

'It must be hard to have nowhere to rest your head.' Duo snorted.

"Pity gets you nowhere, old friend."

'I do not pity you. I know your strengths, I know you are hurting and that you wish very much for a place to call home, for people who can love you for who you truly are. Even while you believe that it is impossible.'

"It is, isn't it? I can't tell anyone the truth. That's obvious. Who would believe me? And I don't even think about the consequences if they did. Do you think I am selfish?"

'No. Everyone needs to let go a little bit. Do you not feel a little bit better?'

"Yeah, but now I'm worried."

'That's to be expected. If it comforts you, you know that I am here, even if the rest of this pitiful world abandons you.' Duo smiled.

"Thank you, old friend."

End prologue