Gundam ShadowStalker

( While I was going to wait to post this next chapter InuGuardian's review decided me. I also couldn't wait to introduce Markus, who isn't too major a character in the story, but is still my favorite muscle man. -Laughs.-

For the moment their isn't too much from June right now, but don't worry, he'll be taking a more active roll very soon. x3 These beginning chapters are focusing more on Zane, if that wasn't noticed, but the G-boys will also be getting into the mix soon as well.

Zane: She's going to make me their sex slave! Stop this crazy woman, I beg of you!

>>; -Pushes into a closet and nails the door shut. Coughs.- =] Nothing to see here folks. Chapter 4! -Cackles.- )

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Zane smirked and hung up the pay phone. Whistling a cheery tune he patted the device safely hidden in his pants pocket. It was alittle something he'd created a few years back and it still made him proud. A small, innocent black box that had the capacity to cause the entire city power failure. Turning the voltage low enough ensured that any calls he made could not be tapped.

" Where we goin' now?" June asked, twirling a strand of black hair between his fingers. The bot had been awfully quiet the last few days and he wondered if it had anything to do with being almost raped.

" For the moment your staying put until I get back, " when the boy began to protest his eyes narrowed darkly. " No if, ands, or buts kid. I need some supplies that you can't come with me to get, but I'll come back for you. Promise."

The boy turned tear filled eyes to him. " Your lyin'."

Rolling his eyes Zane dug into his pocket and pulled out a ruppled picture. It was an old photograph of his, or Zandra's, family that F had given it to him as a present. How he had found it Zane could never figure out, but he relished that fact that he could just see his family's faces again. He hesitated, wanting to keep that precious momento with him desperately, then handed it to the boy instead.

" This is my most treasured item. I will come back for it, so keep it safe, ya hear?"

June stared at the picture for a moment and nodded with a toothy grin. Zane vanished into an alley way and sighed. He needed to get parts to fix ShadowStalker, but there was a small problem. Money. He still had some left from raiding the rich guy's pocket, but the trip here cost some serious cash.

" Ah well. I've made it this far without some green. Guess this doesn't make one bit of difference," he muttered.

Mentally reviewing his earlier conversation the golden eyed teen shook his head. Contacting Une was not a smart thing to do since he was currently on the run from her soldiers, but it had been worth it. Duo Maxwell, while he had never seen the guy, sounded like he aprriciated a joker's point of view. If he were still a female...well...from that lyrical, tenor voice the man had to be hot.

" At least I know I've still got raging, teenage hormones." Zane chuckled.

There was that one other who captured his interest like Maxwell had. Yuy. The man's piercing barritone sent chills down his spine even now and that was saying something. It reminded him fiercely of smooth, chocolate and nearly sent him ablaze with arousal. Good thing he had rigid control over his body or else he might have jacked off right then and there. Ha.

" Do you think he'll try contacting Une again," the discernible voice had him scanning the area swiftly.

Zane found the owner of the voice instantly and felt more that alittle surprise. The Gundam Pilots, who easily took down the Oz
Alliance and are still considered brilliant soldiers, were no older than him! The eldest one might have been 20, but no older than that. He was picturing older men, with mustaches, cigars, the whole shi-bang!

The blonde was the one he heard and probably the most underestimated of the five. While he stood at a decent height, he couldn't have been any taller than 5'9''. That baby face and expressive blue eyes were decieving, as was his slender, lean body. Zane, however, could see the harsh intelligence in those orbs and whip corded muscles hidden under those clothes.

" I doubt it, little one." The extremely tall man said next to him. He was the tallest of them, broad shouldered, but had a swimmer's build.
Zane bit back a laugh at his hair style. Really, the people of the future were rather strange. It was actually cool, not a hair style he would ever try out, but it fit the lengthy man. However, there was something about him that sent alarms blaring in his mind and there was only one word to describe him. Lethal.

The asian with ebony hair and onyx eyes snorted. Chang Wufei most definately. Zane snickered at the flowy karate pants this guy was sporting and there was a strict air about him that he knew would be fun to prod at. " I find it more than hard to believe his story. He should do the honorable thing and give himself in. What point is there in keeping the gundam and remaining a fugitive when he has vital information about the real perpetraitor's wherabouts?"

Zane wanted to smack himself. " Oh spare me, please. Like anyone would be insane enough to do that."

" Come on, Wuffers. Do you really think he's going to give himself up, just like that, " Duo Maxwell iterated what he just said and snapped his fingers. Zane studied him intently, but not enough to draw atttention to his presence. The boy almost resembled a girl and stood at least five inches taller than him. Violet eyes sparkled with mirth, a heart shaped face, and a body that resembled a dancer's. Lean, ripped, and definately toned to perfection. " Besides, anyone with that kind of humour doesn't seem like the type to go after innocent people and blow them up."

" Duo, you laughed everytime you blew someone up."

The five were quiet at that and Maxwell just grinned. " What can I say, I just love the 'Ah, save me, KA-BOOM'!"

"Hn."

And that must be Heero Yuy. Just like the braided teen he studied this man, but even less. F had talked about a Perfect Soldier, who considered emotions a weakness and let nothing get in the way of his mission, but he never expected this to be him. Wild dark brown hair, chiseled features, muscular just like the rest, and the coldest blue eyes he had ever seen. They were all walking wet dreams and he felt the first strings of arousal coil in his toes.

Beating it down viciously he walked past them and breathed in relief. There was nothing he could do with those useless feelings and he wouldn't let them cloud his judgement. He alone would take down F and his minions for the years of torment they put him through. Even though he knew those two were going to show up during his 'alone' time he shrugged. You win some you lose some apparently.

Zane banished the heated images to the back of his mind and grinned as a hardware store came into view. This was one of F's places and he'd come by sometimes to pick up parts for the mobile suits. The owner, a huge man by the name of Mark, had become a good friend of his and held the same opinions about the dear, old doctor.

He casually walked in and leaned against the door frame. Smirking as the older male's loud voice blarred around the place. " Ya'll had best get those machines up in running before lunch or else I'll go and beat the lotta ya!" There were squeaks and yells of terror as the men worked at an incredibly faster pace than before.

" Same old Mark, always threatening people with bodily harm to get your way," the man turned to Zane in surprise and grinned happily.

" Ah, ya know me too well, but what are ya doin' here?! Sit down Hound-boy and tell me why the good ole doc is in such a snit. That rotten shit for brains is looking for ya and even sent his goons down ta Earth!"

Zane watched the various expressions cross his friend's face as he explained the situation. The firey rage and frustration he could understand, but it was the resignation that made him pause. This was a man who took on two guys twice his size and still lived to spin the tale. Feeling more than alittle uncertain Zane waited for the man to say his piece and it didn't take long.

Mark sighed, running a calloused hand through his matted brown hair. " Ya know your always welcome, and I owe ya a debt for saving my life long ago. So the equipment for the machine is free 'o charge, 'o course, but...," those dark brown eyes pleaded for understanding and frogiveness.

Realization dawned on him. The usually fearless man was worried, not for himself, but for his family. Brenda was a vicious, courageous woman just like her hunsband, but nuturing in a motherly way. Their child was named Derek, a youngling of only four years, and considered him his 'Uncle Shadow'. Dealing with him, a man on the run for being an 'assassin', would bring serious repercussions if anyone were to find out. And Zane knew if he asked Mark for help he would have it, no questions asked.

Years ago, when he still did suicide missions for F on a regular basis, the large man had come to him. He sold parts and ammunition to the Juggernauts and Zane was one of his most frequent buyers. Never did they speak other than to do business and remained nothing but acquaintances with bebefits. They had stared at each other for an untold amount of time before Mark begged him to save his loved ones. A competing company kidnapped the young mother to be and threatened to kill her along with the unborn child. If Mark had complied, shutting down his factory, he wouldn't be able to support the three of them.

When F found out about the request he expressidly forbid him from taking down the industry. It wouldn't be beneficial for his plans, or so he was told. The bastard murmured condolances and appologies to the grief stricken Mark like a caring grandfather. Something about that prideful, confident man sobbing brokenly at his feet reminded him of a request he made so long ago. Going against his orders, Zane went and retrieved the pregnant wife, but not before taking out the CEO as well as any individual involved with the abduction.

The beating he got when he returned burned sharply in his memory even now. F had been furious, foaming like a rabid dog, and berated him even as the whip cut his skin to shreds. Zane barely remembered making his painstaking way to Mark's doorstep late that night. All he recalled before darkness gave him blessed relief were alarmed voices and strong hands lifting him up. He was nursed back to health by the woman he saved, all the while waving off her and her husband's gratitude filled words. It was the day Mark and he stopped being associates and became friends.

" If anyone asks you about me you spill the beans," when the man went to argue he reached across the table and grabbed him by the shirt. Nose to nose he snarled angrily," The debts been repaid in full you goddamned moron! Whether they be Preveters, Police, the Army, or even the Juggernaughts, tell them everything you know or I swear I'll bring you to space and leave you there!"

The naked relief in Mark's eyes felt like a knife in his gut. Expendable was the exact word to describe him now. Without family and friends to worry about him Zane was well and truly alone in this world. A husband, wife, or child would be sorely missed. There was no one on Earth or in space that would miss a soldier who had killed simply because someone ordered him to.

Mark clasped him on the shoulder, eyes suspiciously bright as he choked out, " Thank you, 'Dra."

" Don't mention it, ever," he grinned suddenly. " If I wasn't here I doubt you'd be able to live without me, much less eat, sleep, and shit. Brenda probably helps you with that when I'm not around."

The air was light again as they laughed. Mark smacked his hand against his leg. " At least I know how to piss straight. Musta been hard for ya to learn how to aim, what with being a bird and all!"

Zane chuckled then mock scowled. " I should've never told you I was female once."

" Aw, but we love our widdle 'Dra," Mark replied brightly. " Even if ya are a closet fag!"

" OI! Now your gonna get it you numbskull," he cried and lunged across the table to put the man in a headlock. They wrestled playfully for a while, faking blows, until a sharp voice put an end to their rough housing.

" Markus Timothy Johnson, what the hell do ya think your doin' makin' all that racket," Brenda snapped, hands on her hips and an intimidating frown on her face. Until she noticed Zane and rushed over to squeeze the breath out of him. Literally. " Oh Zane dear, how are ya? Have ya been eatin', your nothin' but skin and bones?!"

Gasping he gently detangled himself from her vice grip on his person. " I'm doing fine and I've been eating. Five square meals a day, just like you told me to," he smiled innocently.

She giggled and smacked his arm. " Don't ya lie ta me, ya young devil you. I know you ain't been eatin' right, but I'll let it slide if'n ya stay for dinner."

Zane was saved from replying as a small tornado slammed into his legs. Bright caramel brown eyes looked up at him from a youthful face. " UN'LE SHADOW!"

Bending down he picked up the boy and twirled him around in the air. Derek shriek in delight, clapping his hands together and cried for more. Zane set him on his hip and ruffled the dirty blonde hair with his free hand. " And how has my puppy been? Hopefully not giving your mom and dad trouble."

" Nope," a toothy grin made him chuckle. " I been a good young 'un sos I gets lotsa presents for Cristmas!"

Brenda snorted. " Yeah, 'bout as sweet as a wet cat. He's hyper as of late and it's a job just tryin' to get 'em to bed."

Mark and he just snickered as Derek went to cling to her slender legs happily. Shaking his head ruefully, Zane decided it was time to go, but he regreted leaving the peaceful atmosphere. It almost felt like he had a real family again when he visited the Johnsons." Everything I need is in the truck?"

The large man nodded even as his wife sent him a narrowed eyed look. " Yup. I put some swimmin' gear in there in case ya need it for anythin'."

" Your leavin', aren't cha," it wasn't a question and Brenda quickly left them. As he said his goodbyes to the pouting child and promised mountains of gifts she returned with a tub tucked under her arm. " I made some baked Ziti and garlic bread for supper. I'll be glad knowing ya had one good meal, at least."

He would have refused had he not known that the plump blonde would force him to stay. She would go as far as to tie him to a chair, strap metal balls to his feet, and whistle while she cooked. Instead he thanked her profusely and they all shared hugs. It warmed his heart to know that, even though his family was long dead, he wasn't as alone as he originally thought.

" You take care 'o yourself, Hound-boy. If I get wind 'o any news or strange happenings I'll let ya know."

Nodding he clasped hands with Mark and left the store. The black pick-up truck was parked out front, with all of his supplies concealed by a snug dark blue tarp. Zane checked everything off on a list and left it in the older man's garage, knowing Mark would appriciate the gesture for his inventory. Slowly pulling out of the drive way he drove back to where June should have been waiting for him. A mop of familiar raven hair was spotted and he pulled up beside the gaping young boy.

He grinned. " What are you doing, waiting for the grass to grow? I can always come back later when your not busy, of course," he scrambled for the passenger seat. He revved the engine and shot forward, relishing the screams of fear coming from beside him. " Annnnd, we're off!"