Standard disclaimer applies. Thoughts are still italicized and sent thoughts are still surrounded by* *.
BTW: Any discrepencies that may have occured in between the parts of the story I wrote were purely intentional. Honest. Don't you believe me? ~_~

           The harsh fumes stung throat as she tried to suck in air around the cloth clamped onto her face. The shoulder over which she had been thrown was digging painfully into her stomach, but she was unable to move. The world swirled around her head making her want to throw up before everything thankfully went black.

           She was falling, twisting through space, trying to regain her bearings. She fell against the hard ground, the impact stealing her breath as she curled in pain. The mist surrounding her cleared a little and two shadowy forms could be seen moving circling each other in the distance. Relena tried to lift herself but she couldn't get her body to obey her commands. There was a blinding flash of light and then Heero stood before her. Her breath caught at his statement. He looked so annoyed as he surveyed her.
           "Heero, help me… please," she gasped out, something coppery filling her mouth and trailing down her chin. He stared down at her without any statement on his impassive face.
           "Good bye Relena," Heero said coldly before turning his back to her. He walked back the direction he came from, pausing to yank the sword out of the monster that lay on the ground. The harsh light glinted off the silver of the armor he wore. She looked away from his retreating figure, but the only other place she could turn her head was down. She stared in mounting horror at the sight of the blood welling from the gaping wound in her chest. Everything was going black again. Everything.

           Her eyes snapped open, the dark walls of the humongous room she had been placed in swimming in her vision. Her breath came in short pants as she stared around her. Just a dream then, it was just a dream. Where.... where am I? She stared at the damp stonewalls and a monotonous drip reached her from a far corner of the room. How did I get here? She sat up and looked at the incredibly out of place bed. It was heaped with vibrant colored pillows and the rich draping canopy overhanging the side behind her gave it a snug feeling despite the gloom of the room beyond. The blankets were thick heavy velvet and the sheets were the finest silk. And she was wearing a diaphanous nightgown of shimmering white. She pulled the blankets back up when a blast of frigid air brushed against her, raising goose bumps on her arms. She shrank back against the pillows as the door to her cell clanged open suddenly.
           "Well, it looks like you're awake. Forgive me your highness. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Akeru. I apologize for not leaving you any shoes, and nothing to keep you warm in this room but the bed, but I have no desire to encourage you to escape. After all, chasing you down would be an inconvenience for me after all the trouble I've gone through to capture you. Wouldn't you agree?" the man projected his voice, not moving any closer to her.
          "What do you want from me?" she called demandingly of the cloaked figure standing before her. He was too far away for her to make out his face, but she thought he also wore a mask.
          "From you? Nothing my dear, I already have what I want from you for the moment. By the way, don't bother trying to escape; you'll only make yourself sick. After all, look around you. Rest now, we'll have some food sent up in a bit and don't worry about it being drugged, we really don't operate like that. That was only the hired help." The door banged shut behind him. Relena stared after him before edging over to the side of the bed, making sure that she kept the blankets wrapped close around her. A deep pool of water, a thin coating of ice and slime coating the surface surrounded the bed. The air remained a sharply stinging cold; if she tried to escape she'd die of hypothermia before she ever managed to make it even to the door, which was so far away. She fell back against the bed once more, closing her eyes as she tried to think of a way to escape.

          They walked through the front door into organized chaos. Uniformed servants were running this way and that, each appearing to be fixed on a solid purpose and Preventers were crawling all over. Trowa looked up from the table he was leaning over examining something laying there.
           "How'd you find out so quickly? We didn't even know where you were," he commented as he held out a slip of paper.
            Heero grabbed the paper responding with, "Lady Une contacted Dorothy and she let us know. What's this?"
            "We found that on Relena's pillow. Her kidnappers left it. This is the original and Quatre's working on deciphering a copy we made. There were no fingerprints, barely any sign of struggle and Sally didn't find any blood. Une has the Preventers out in full force trying to find out anything they can. Wufei, Hilde, and Zechs are searching the grounds to see if whoever tried to do this might still be here since no guards saw anyone leaving last night. Noin is working on keeping the press from finding out before we can get everything under control."
            "Was there any contact other than this paper?" Duo asked, staring at the strange marks covering the page. Heero passed him the paper abruptly and started toward the stairs before Trowa could respond. They both stared after him before Duo called out to him.
            "Heero, where are you going?"
            "Relena's room." The Deathscythe and Heavy Arms pilots just looked at each other before they hurried to follow him. They caught up with him just as the towering figure in bright red jacket with long platinum blond hair came around the corner. Zechs froze narrowing ice blue eyes on the younger ex-pilot who met his gaze squarely.
            "What are you doing here Yuy? Get out." Relena's brother commanded in a low growl before Heero could say anything, if he had planned on it.
            "Shut up Zechs. I'm the best chance you have of finding Relena at the moment," Heero bit out in annoyance as he pushed past the stunned Lightening Count. His friends stared after him disbelievingly.
            "Wow," Trowa said what none of them could find the words for. Duo just nodded vigorously in agreement.
            "Did he just… did I just hear him tell me to… what's gotten into him?" Zechs sputtered, still surprised by Heero's unexpected outburst.
            "You know, he hasn't been acting very Heero like lately. In fact we even had a discussion where he did most of the talking just a few hours ago. It was weird," Duo informed them thoughtfully as they all dashed after Heero. Their impromptu journey abruptly stopped as they almost crashed into the back of the Perfect Soldier who stood perfectly still in the doorframe of Relena's room.
            "Where did he enter?" Heero muttered softly as his head swung slowly back and forth.
"Well it wasn't through the window. The guards were down there all night, and the surveillance camera showed that they were alert," Zechs snapped with annoyance, growing even more angry when Heero had the nerve to chuckle.
           "Yeah, the camera would. And those two would never admit to being lax on the job now would they? I'd hire someone new if I were you. Relena herself has slipped past them without any outside help. I have seen it myself, so don't even try to say I don't know what I'm talking about," Heero cautioned as her brother opened his mouth to protest.
"Why didn't you report this before? And why were you even around to see it?" Zechs demanded in outrage.
            "Never mind. I have to find the point of entry, that'll be where he left as well." He walked into the room and his companions didn't respond to his statement this time. The three just stood watching him from the doorway as he began to make a careful patrol of the room. He ignored them as he moved quickly but carefully around the room, paying special attention to reflective surfaces.
            Running a hand through the air over certain objects that seemed like they might be likely, Heero eliminated areas for his search. As he neared her mirror he narrowed his eyes. The reflection of the teddy bear he had given her all those years ago stared at him. There. He reached out a hand, holding it less than an inch over the place where the reflection was when his hand wasn't blocking the view. Yes, it was there. A deep throb of unmistakable power resided there. This was where the kidnapper had taken her through.
                       "Ixtab. What do you think?" Heero asked. A small furry head popped up over the edge of his coat, tickling his neck as the head swiveled to look directly at the spot Heero had found just a second ago. The small kitten like creature let out a soft, but unmistakably angry hiss. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Do you think it really is him?" This time the hiss was beyond angry; it was full of rage. "Good girl, thanks," and with that Heero carefully pushed her head back down, gently informing her to keep it reigned in until she could get her claws on 'him' personally. "After all you don't want to exhaust yourself before you have the chance to get your revenge now would you?" he asked when she didn't seemed inclined to follow his orders. Surprisingly enough that got her to settle remarkably fast. Heero turned around to find his companions staring at him. "What?"
"Nothing," Duo said, still staring at him. "So what are we going to do now, oh fearless leader?"
            "We are going to do nothing. I'm going to go after her and bring her back myself. With Ixtab of course," he hastened to add as the small ball under his shirt began to move as if to protest. The small mound settled back again. "Hey Duo, earlier when we were talking did I mention that I was a Psion?"
            "Uhh, that would be a negative," Duo answered.
            "Well, I'm a Psion. I'll be back in a couple of hours okay?" Before anyone else had the chance to respond Heero raised a fist toward the mirror, carefully clearing his mind, shafts of green light escaping from his grasp. He released the energy he had quickly built up, and it shot from his hand, crashing into the mirror, causing it to ripple like a pond. Heero quickly stepped through and the mirror returned to normal as he disappeared.
            Duo and Zechs exclaimed in astonishment while Trowa just gazed at the mirror. Then Duo quickly shook himself before breaking into the others' shock by quietly asking them if they'd like to join him for a drink. Both agreed to his suggestion and they began to make their way to Zech's study, each remaining silent, not wanting to be the first to bring up what they had just seen. Wufei came into the room just as they were settling in and asked them what they were all doing in there, if they had found the princess.
            "Nope, Heero is doing that!" Duo exclaimed with, to his credit, only a slight amount of hysteria coloring his tone. When Wufei continued to look at him expectantly he just grabbed the bottle and poured himself a double shot, leaving the explanation to the others in the room. Trowa and Zechs just shook their heads to Wufei's inquiring statement, telling him that he really didn't want to know.

           He paused to gather his bearings as he gazed around at the swirling world. He grimaced. The downside to traveling through the mirror realm is always the chaos of it. Come on, I know it's around here somewhere…Ah, there it is. Heero settled on the 'ground' of whirling colors beneath his feet. He walked toward the only shadow in the bright display of colors that would have sent a child of the sixties into paroxysms of delight if they could avoid getting sick from it. There was a small sparkle of white light twinkling in the center of the dark spot, signaling that this was indeed the opening he was looking for. He stepped onto the dark circle and was slowly sucked into it.
            His feet touched something hard and then he was through. He stared around at the bare room made of dark stone, like an ancient castle's masonry. There were no windows but there was a heavy wooden door with, strangely enough, an ornamental knocker on it. Heero cautiously made his way to the door, trying the handle to see if he could open it. It didn't budge. He lifted the knocker and let it fall once, ringing hollowly against the thick wood. Slowly the door creaked open in response. Heero moved back into a partial fighting stance, half expecting an attack, but no one was there. As he stepped through the doorway it banged shut behind him suddenly. He tried the door but it wouldn't open up again. His eyes narrowed as he stared at it.
            "Ixtab, why don't you take the lead?" he unzipped his jacket and set the small 'kitten' on the ground. She leisurely stretched as a faint light pulsed around her. By the time she straightened her back up she was a lethal two tons of muscle with sharpened claws and teeth. Her eyes closed in pleasure as he scratched her behind an ear and her third eye slowly joined the first two. A jarring purr escaped her throat, causing his leg to vibrate when she leaned against him. "Come on. Let's hunt."
            The Psy-Feline growled softly in agreement. They were going hunting. The two cautiously started down the hall, keeping a wary set and a half of eyes on their surroundings. As they walked down the hall, Heero began to feel a slight hum in the back of his mind. They were about to be attacked. Heero stripped off his jacket. He was wearing his trademark green tank top, although with black slacks instead of his usual spandex. And a jewel rested against his chest, just above the neckline of his shirt. The stone exactly matched the color of his eyes and began to pulse softly. He brought up his hand, once more clearing his mind, and stared at it until the green energy shaped itself into a blade and began to solidify. Within seconds he held a sword made from his own mind's energy. Ixtab growled softly, this time in warning as she crouched in preparation for an attack.
            Suddenly the walls seemed to melt as shapes stepped out of their hiding place and began to form a circle around their prey. Heero and Ixtab faced them. They were humanoid, with a reptilian cast to their skin, but a more canine shaped head. Their claws were long and sharp, extending from hands that resembled a human's only in that it had joints in the same places. The creatures glowing blue eyes fixed on them as they advanced, their clawed feet scraping across the stone floor.

           They had all gathered in his study, and they had all gotten the story about how Heero had showed up and disappeared through the mirror by then. Duo didn't tell them about what Heero had told him earlier, or about how he had seemed to know that Relena was in danger before they had even found out about it from Dorothy, or Kyra rather, as it turned out. Quatre whistled silently before taking a sip from his own glass.
            "So what's a Psion?" he asked, his brows furrowed in thought. It sounds so familiar, I know I've heard the word somewhere before.
            "Well that depends on which definition of the word you're using," a throaty voice floated into the room, closely followed by the owner.
            "Dorothy! When'd you get here? And what did you do to your hair?!" Sally exclaimed.
"Just a minute ago, Pagan told me you were all up here. I stopped dying it so it returned to its natural color," she answered serenely.
            "Your hair is naturally blue?" Hilde asked her, surprised.
            "Never mind that. What was it you were saying about Psions?" Wufei asked her, not in the least impressed with the changes in her appearance.
            "I was saying that it depends on what definition you were looking for. A psion can either be a member of the Psion race, or someone with psionic abilities. It kind of makes a difference since humans can have psionic powers, making them known as Psions. Or you could be referring to a Psion, which is a person from a human like alien race that landed here before humans even formed hunting packs."
            "Which one would Heero be referring to?" Trowa questioned her in his quiet voice.
"Oh Heero," Dorothy laughed, "He would be speaking of both, of course. His mother is a Psion, which makes him half Psion. And then there's the fact that at this point even if he hadn't been born half-Psion he would have developed psionic powers from having used the Zero system for so long."
            "What do you mean?" this time it was Quatre who spoke.
            "Well think about it. A human Psion is just someone with strong mental powers such as telekinesis, telepathy, clairvoyance, you know that sort of thing. These are all abilities that are dependant on the strength of the mind. The control of the Zero depended on the strength of the pilot's mind, and in fact worked closely with that mind to maximize battle skills. However because the system depended so closely on the mind it cannot but in turn affect the mind. No one who's used that particular system has come away unaffected, and anyone who is already inclined toward psionic capabilities will have those powers awoken whether they want them or not," Dorothy explained to them.
            "But it didn't affect me like that, and Quatre went psycho but he didn't get any super duper walk through walls type powers," Duo protested.
            "Yes it did. Just not in the same way it affected Heero. You have very little, if any, of the kind of potential I spoke of, however the system did affect your mind. Not only did you hallucinate, but that hallucination made you realize just how much you were afraid of the system, why you would be unable to control the suit because of that fear. As for Quatre, what makes you think he wasn't changed by the system?"
            "You mean he was changed, but he doesn't know it?" Zechs asked skeptically.
            Dorothy glared at the poor subject of the present line of conversation as she answered the question. "I have a very valid reason for behaving so antagonistically toward him Quatre and it has nothing to do with his personality. He probably had this ability to a more minor extent before his jaunt in the Wing Zero, but afterwards I'm going to wager it was more noticeable to one such as myself who would recognize the signs. He's an empath, which means he's capable of sympathizing beyond what normal humans are capable of, which isn't so bad. However the fact that he's an emotional telepath, well, it makes it uncomfortable for me to be in his presence. To be quite honest with you I hate fucking emapths."
            "Then stop fucking them!" a cheerful voice called out before head of bright purple hair popped around the doorframe. The strange girl's sea green eyes followed Dorothy's line of vision and widened appreciatively as they landed on Quatre. "Then again… maybe you shouldn't." This unexpected announcement caused a bright red to steal across Dorothy's cheeks.
            "What are you doing here Kaori?" she snapped at the young woman who fully entered the room, completely closing the door behind her.
            "Well, I just wanted to see how my prize pupil was doing. After all I do have a vested interest in him, and I want to make sure my lessons aren't being wasted. And I thought I'd check on you at the same time so here I am, and aren't you just thrilled to see me? By the way, do you know where the biggest reflective surface in the house is?" Dorothy grew thoughtful in repsonse, her eyebrows drawing together, as she quickly considered and dismissed all of the reflective surfaces she could think of.
            "Quatre's an empath? Just what does that mean?" Noin frowned as she surveyed the strange girl who had casually strolled in on them, "And how did you get past security?"
            "Oh security, I just teleported in. As to your other question being an empath just means that he picks up more easily on other people's moods. Only really extremely so he could probably tell if someone were in love with someone else in his presence, things like that, only stronger than most humans. Of course there are factors that can interfere, but most of the time his powers are probably active without him even being aware of it. It also means he'd probably be able to sense someone who's coming up behind him or something more quickly than anyone without psionic capabilities, at least as long as no one else with stronger emotional current is interferring with him picking up that person's intent. But do you want to know what she really hates about empaths?" she leaned in conspiratorialy after a quick glance showed her that Dorothy was still occupied with her thoughts. All of the girls shamelessly leaned in closer themselves and the guys tried to all look like they weren't listening as they strained to hear. "One of her abilities is to sense another psion's powertype. She can't do anything to neutralize it, but she knows. Which means she knows that with just a little effort he can sense when a person is lying. If she knows that he's probably going to pick up on the emotional undercurrents that say she's lying then she'll have an even harder time lying to him than she would if she was unaware of his ability. What's more is with a little training he can tell pretty much what a person is thinking, just by what they're feeling. She can't stand that. Oh yeah there's also the little fact that she just happens to so totally be in..." she was cut off before she got any farther.
            "Kaori!" Dorothy said through clenched teeth, "I think it would be the indoor pool," And with that her face slowly returned once again to its normal skin tone after the slight flush that accompanied her sharp words brought on by her companion's big mouth. "Why don't we all go? Since I'm sure you're all curious about what Heero is doing that you wouldn't be able to do to save Relena."
            "All right, someone lead on. By the way I'm Kaori Rensugi, it's nice to finally get to meet all of you. Kyra and Heero have both mentioned you guys and I've been curious since normally, Heero at least wouldn't speak of anyone, even in passing unless he was, loosely speaking here, friends with them, or at least impressed with something they did," and so the newly introduced Kaori continued to chatter as they all made their way down to the pool. When they reached it they all gathered around it standing where the new temporary member of their group told them to before she began to glow with a soft pulsing blue light and the pool began to glow in response. They watched as a picture took shape in the pool. As the ripples began to clear it revealed the form of Heero, and it looked like he was in trouble.

           He jumped back, twisting his body to try to avoid the claw that raked his side as he fell. He managed to bring up his sword in time to deflect the stinger that was coming directly toward his face. The tip of the monster's tail went sailing through the air and the creature roared in pain filled rage before charging Heero as he rolled away. He managed to make it to his knees before the next one closed in on him. The astral construct, as he now knew them all to be, was about to skewer him with its own blade when a large bundle of fur slammed into it from the side sending it crashing into the wall. Ixtab swiped at another construct that got too close as Heero pulled himself the rest of the way to his feet. The monster whose tail had been sliced off hurled a spear towards them, causing Heero to dive away, this time gaining his feet and coming up in a fighting stance. The Psy-Feline snarled at the annoying creature before leaping onto it, ripping out its throat.
            Heero stole a glance at his side and saw that it was only a shallow wound and could be tended later. With that he turned his attention to the next approaching creature. There are so many of them. The fact that he can hold so many of them at once is amazing, but it has to be draining him as much as it's draining me to fight them off and hold my sword in the material plain.
            *Look out behind you Heero! *
            *What?! * The voice of his crystal's warning made him turn his body just in time to avoid the axe that crashed into the floor where he had just been standing.
            *I told you this was a trap, but did you listen to me? No, you never do. Well, what are you waiting for? At this rate you are wasting your strength. If you'd just use your head for a minute you'd realize that you could get rid of most of these things with a blast of raw power. It would leave you a bit weak and it'll probably hurt a bit, but then having all of these things destroyed at once while he's holding them together will hurt him a lot more. *
            * I suppose you're right. Ixtab get down* The last thought he directed at his companion instead of his psicrystal. The Psy-Feline dropped to the ground as she heard his command. A blast of raw energy sizzled through the air making their hair stand on end and ripped through the remaining constructs causing a horrible cacophony of howls before they all turned into shadows and faded away.
            *Crude but affective, wouldn't you say? Oh you might want to do something about that side of yours, you're leaking all over the place. *
            * Hn. You're so considerate you know that? Maybe I accidentally added that personality trait to you as well. My bad. * Heero thought mockingly to the crystal resting against his chest.
            *Don't get cute. You couldn't handle it at this point in your life. * A flash of annoyance from Ixtab got them both to shut up abruptly and Heero began to tend the wound in his side as best he could before they moved on, although not without many suggestions about the best way to go about it from his crystal.

           Kaori made a sound deep in her throat. "I don't like it."
            "Why not? Dorothy asked her absently as she watched her brother get up and begin to set off once more.
            "Well did you see what Heero was up against? I mean that was more than one astral construct there. Even I have trouble holding more than one and those weren't exactly the low level ones either. And Heero's there by himself? He's really powerful but he's still learning how to use his abilities. What if whoever is behind all of this is too powerful for him? Don't you even care?!" she demanded when she saw that Dorothy looked thoughtful but not overly concerned.
            "Of course I care, but you obviously don't understand Heero. And you're forgetting that he has Ixtab with him. I would trust either one with my life, but both? I would trust them with my best friend's life, which is why I'm not concerned about her. They'll get Relena out, so chill alright."
            "If you say so," Kaori muttered doubtfully, shaking her purple head of hair. The others listened to the argument with growing unease. Heero being unable to handle something, even something they didn't quite comprehend seemed unreal. Quatre was more alarmed than the rest of them, because he alone was able to sense the tiny sliver of doubt that hid beneath the confidence in her tone. He was fairly certain that even Dorothy was unaware that it even existed, but the fact that it did was not something he took lightly. They all turned their attention back to Heero.

           "Well, well. The boy's stronger than I'd thought. This should be quite interesting. Give the girl back her regular clothes and bring her to me," the cloaked figure demanded of the waiting servant. The servant hastened to do his master's bidding. Within moments Relena stood, wearing her white sweater and blue jeans, before the shrouded form of the master. "I do apologize for the style in which you have been a guest in my house for the past few hours. I hope it wasn't an inconvenience to you? Good," he continued before Relena even had a chance to respond. "Isdes's descendent is a lot better trained than I had anticipated, which requires a slight change of plans. Now if you'll be so kind as to…" he raised his gloved hand and Relena dropped, asleep. "Thank you Miss Relena. Now Adiki, lay her out gently, be careful not to wake her I made sure her sleep would be light." The servant did as he was instructed making sure that she didn't stir as he arranged her more comfortably.
            "Soon, we'll be free of this blasted realm my old friend. And then we will have our revenge, starting with the rest of those who sprung from the one responsible for our being trapped here. No, I don't think I'll throw anything else at him for a while. I'm feeling a bit tired after that last one," he spoke to the questioning look he received. "Actually, it was also rather painful as well. No we'll let him get close, then we shall send something after him. Then again, we may just let him come here directly."

            Heero slowly approached the heavy iron bound doors. After the first attack it had been too easy. Except for the convoluted corridors that interconnected like a giant maze there was nothing stopping him now. He had checked every room that he had come across but they had all been empty. However, the closer Heero came to this door the more positive he grew that this was the one he sought. He paused in front of the door before turning to Ixtab.
            "Listen carefully. I need you to be my back up. In case anything happens to me, I need you to get in there and get Relena out for me okay? You can kill Akeru as long as it doesn't endanger her. Please Ixtab," he allowed a pleading note to enter his tone when she growled softly in defiance. She cocked her head to the side and regarded him with her three eyes. Then she extended a feeling of understanding sympathy toward her unhappy friend and bowed her head in agreement. Heero nodded his thanks and turned back toward the door. He pushed it open and strode through with enough cocky confidence to make Duo proud, and finally came face to face with his enemy.

           The onlooking group was surprised when both Dorothy and Kaori, in the exact same tone, at the exact same time said, "Oh shit!"
           "What was that for?" Zechs asked in alarm.
           "That's a Teairiny, my friends. And Heero is about to go all psychotic, just watch. Not even Heero can avoid his instinctive response with one of those around. They're demons and are hated by Psions. We'll do just about anything to kill them, including give our own lives," Kaori explained to the group at large.
           "The downside to the situation is the fact that since it is a Teairiny he's facing that he just might have to give his own life in order to defeat it, especially if he isn't careful," Dorothy said softly staring at image playing out in front of her. Quatre sensed her growing fear and put a comforting arm around her, not noticing the looks this brought him from his friends, or the speculative expressions when she didn't draw away from him. Then they were all focused on the unfolding scene.

            "Well look what I've found. Akeru isn't it? Wasn't getting banished here by my ancestor enough for you?" Heero asked him quietly.
            "Strong words from someone who obviously hasn't heard the whole story of how his ancestor died. Yes Isdes banished me here, but not before I managed to mortally injure him. And the imprisonment isn't permanent. All I have to do is kill the first born male descendent of the last of his line. That would be you at the moment wouldn't it?" Akeru smiled evilly as he allowed his cloak, whose hood he had pushed back upon Heero's entrance, fall to the floor.
            It was a man with broad shoulders covered with a thick black vest with black leather pants, a full mane of thick white hair, with high slashing cheekbones and a full well shaped mouth that seemed out of place on such sharp features. In fact he seemed as if he would look like any other man, except for the unnaturally pale blue shade of his skin, the unnaturally dull black eyes that somehow glowed with a twisted fire. And the shady butterfly wings that sprouted from his back. Butterfly wings? Heero focused on them. Yes those were butterfly wings, but the edges seemed to be sharp, like a knife's edge, that seemed to gleam against the shadows. Those weren't just ornamental. And if that black stuff along the very edges of those wings were half so sinister as they looked then he had probably coated the edges with something nasty, like acid or poison. Or it might even be a natural part of his genetic makeup, which could be even worse because there would be no telling how long or short a time it would take for the substance to regenerate.
            "So where are your brave words now boy?" the creature mocked.           
           "Look, neither of us is at our best at the moment. Why don't we settle this some other day and leave others out of it?" Heero stated with admirable calm.
            "How about we settle this right now and up the stakes a bit?" Akeru suggested instead grabbing Relena painfully by the hair and viciously yanking her up into a kneeling position. Heero's eyes narrowed dangerously as Relena cried out involuntarily.
            "Akeru, stop this. This has nothing to do with her. Actually if you want to get technical it has nothing to do with me either, or at least it didn't until you took her. Now let her go."
            "Let her go? Hm, no I don't think so. She seems to be the only reason you even showed up and I'm inclined to say that she'd be the only reason you'd be willing to take me on. I must end this now, I'm afraid I'm quite running out of time you see. So if you won't fight while she's in danger, allow me to make the situation easier for you my dear boy," as the Teairiny spoke he snatched his dagger from its sheath and rammed it down into Relena's chest. Heero's eyes widened and he unconsciously reached out to her. Blood began to trickle from the corner of her mouth as she stared into Heero's panicked eyes.
            Panicked? How strange. I've never even thought of him as being able to panic. She extended her own hand toward him as if to reassure him, almost as if she didn't feel the life slowly draining from her. She saw something shift in his beautiful eyes, as if he'd reached some decision that she didn't understand, and then he seemed completely calm once more. Then she didn't see anything else as Akeru negligently tossed her behind him, not even bothering to look where he was launching her.
            *Relena, I know this is asking a lot of you right now, but I need you to be strong just this last time, and then I promise my strength will be yours for as long as you need it. Will you do this for me? *
            *Heero? Is that you? *
            *Yes, it's me, but I need you to promise to hold on until I can get to you. Promise you won't leave me Relena. *
            *I've never left before. I…promise. *
            The watching eyes were unaware of the mental conversation that had just passed between Relena and himself. All they saw was the Perfect Soldier look at Relena's body briefly before he turned his attentin back to the monster. "You should not have done that," Heero stated mildly as if he hadn't just witnessed the Teairiny throw Relena into a wall.
            "Oh yeah? What do you plan to do about it?" Akeru asked mockingly.
            "I'll kill you, " Heero intoned flatly.
            "Promises, promises. Now let's see some action," Akeru grinned maliciously.
            Relena. Heero stared at the prone figure on the ground behind Akeru. Every since I rediscovered my family my father has been trying to encourage me to embrace all the aspects of Psion life.His lips curled back from his teeth in an unconscious snarl as a deep growl emerged from his throat. Mother understands. I never wanted these powers, and I don't want to have the fight the urges I have.The manlike beast held his attention as he began to feel a vast rage that went beyond anything he had ever felt before. During the war the lives I took with the Zero, I didn't have my powers because I took blood. His heart sounded in his ears, a steady war beat that pulled at him, urged him to destroy, and he didn't notice as his incisors began to extend from their sheaths and his breath hissed out between his fangs. After I resolved never to kill ever again, my powers came awake. I thought if I stopped fighting and using my powers then I could be normal.He didn't notice when his vision become red around the edges as his eyes began to glow a demonic green. But I was wrong. …or when his nails scored the flesh of his palms. If I don't do either then I start craving to fight, which I don't want to have to do anymore. Neither did he notice the glowing aura that wavered around him as he stared at the hated demon. But this is right; even if I die this instant it will be protecting you and nothing could ever be more right for me. And with this realization he no longer had to remain in control of his emotions, he embraced them and something fell in place inside him. He took that final step and surrendered to the power surging within him. His mind blade sprang to life in his hand as he lunged toward the manlike beast.
            The demon sprang back; his wings flapping open as he evaded the attack. The dance had begun. The Teairiny, shifting to avoid the blade of light scratched at Heero with sharpened claws that raked along the side of his face. Heero swung the sword in as the demon landed his blow and cut into the creature's wing. The monster shrieked in pain and lashed out at Heero, frenzied, trying to inflict pain on the impudent worm that had dared to harm his precious wings. Heero, danced back out of reach, ignoring the blood streaming down the side of his face from the cuts.
            He was in a place beyond pain, and he felt his heart continue to steadily pound as the hunger for blood sang through his veins. He was felt alive, in a way that even mobile suit fighting couldn't compare with. They came together in clash, lights sparking off of the blade and claws, locked in deadly and graceful dance with the monster who at that moment he hated more than anything else in the world. Heero's focus narrowed on the leg that showed a slight limp as the monster closed in on him. He dove beneath the devil's legs, driving his weapon into the right leg, using his momentum to rip it back out as he came back to his feet at the monster's back. The monster screamed, and he turned with surprising speed bringing the knife's edge of his wing up to deflect the blow Heero made toward his back. They came together again, each needing to win. They continued to battle against each other, now attacking, now defending against a flurry of blows from each other until the creature lashed out cutting deep into Heero's already bleeding side and sending him flying, landing against the unyielding surface of a wall as Akeru slowly advanced on him, black eyes blazing red as he limped toward his downed enemy.
            Heero looked at the approaching form and began to notice all of the little details about the monster. He saw the light glinting off of the miniscule scales coating his heavily muscled arms. The flowing white hair and the sharp features that conflicted with the full well shaped mouth. His eyes narrowed as the realization dawned on him that this creature wasn't a complete Teairiny. He couldn't have said how he knew, but it was like being in Wing Zero and knowing what was going to happen, knowing almost in advance what another person was going to try, knowing the weakness of the enemy. And he also knew that this was the reason this one was so much more dangerous than regular Teairinys would be. Like himself, Akeru had received the best of both worlds, the immortality of a demon and the understanding and desire to strike out at the society that would never accept him fully even if they didn't know what he was. He stopped struggling to gain his feet as the half demon stood above him. Akeru bent down and seized Heero by the front of his shirt and threw him across the room and into another wall. Heero just laid there, waiting as he caught the breath that had been forced out of his lungs upon impact.As the demon approached a second time, Heero's fist tightened around the hilt of the energy blade that he still hadn't released despite the abuse his body had received.
            When Akeru grabbed his tattering shirt, Heero twisted in his grasp bringing the blade up and into the stomach of the demon, angling it so it would strike where the heart should be. As the sword plunged into him the demon realizing what he had done bent away bringing his wing forward to strike at Heero with it. He managed to slice Heero across his shoulder and down his chest, not enough to actually harm him very much, but more than enough for his natural poison to finish the job he knew he would be unable to finish himself. As the demon dropped him and began to fall, Heero managed to jump free and allowed his blade to fade away.
            He immediately went to Relena's side, ignoring the his own wounds to try to save Relena from hers. However as he reached her Akeru launched himself at Heero, his eyes focused on the jewel hanging around his neck. A mound of fur slammed into him from the side and began slashing at him with razor sharp claws, before fixing her teeth in his throat. Heero watched dazedly for a second as Ixtab finished the kill before returning his attention back to his love.
            *Relena.* Her lashes fluttered, but her eyes didn't open. Her mental voice was weak as she responded.
            *Heero… I*
            "Shh. Save your strength. I'm going to do what I can to save you but I need your complete trust."
            Relena's eyelashes fluttered again and he took that as understanding. He took off the crystal hanging around his neck and placed it around her own. It began to glow softly. Within seconds she was no longer breathing. Her pulse had stopped and her skin began to loose it's color. Heero grabbed the dagger and slowly removed it, dropping it to the ground before once more calling in his own blade. This time though it didn't solidify. He slowly pushed the sword of energy into the place recently vacated by the dagger until it had completley dissappeared in her. The jewel began to glow as her flesh began to heal, then it suddenly stopped glowing.He took back his stone and slumped against the wall, staring at her unmoving figure.
           Ixtab walked over to his side, finished with her meal and looking quite pleased with herself.
            "Happy now?" Heero asked her. She meowed in response and stretched luxuriously in the manner that cats do, straightening up, a small bundle of cuteness once more. He smiled slightly and scratched her behind her ear. Then he looked where Relena lay. He braced himself against the wall, groaning as he reached his feet. He picked Relena up, cradling her against his chest as he began to retrace his path through the halls. When he reached the stone room he saw a slight form staring at him from a corner. He stiffened, waiting to see what the stranger would do. The silent man who was only known as Adiki turned his back toward Heero and started to sweep the floor again.
           Then he was walking through the mirror of Relena's room and he laid her down on her bed. Just as he was walking out the others came running toward him down the hall. "She's in there. She'll be comatose for a week but after that she should be fine. I…" but he didn't finish whatever it was he had been going to say because just at that time he lost consciousness, and his body, already weak from the loss of blood became a battleground for the poison that began to seep into his system.

            Relena woke up slowly, sunlight making designs on her face through the lace curtains of her room. She stared around for a minute wondering what it was that seemed missing.Then she shot upright as she remembered being kidnapped and Heero coming to save her, yet again. She looked at her chest and touched it wonderingly. There wasn't any sign that she had been stabbed there at all. What was it that Heero did? Wait where is Heero?! She stared around her room as if hoping he'd materialize now that she was awake but there was no one there at all. Then Dorothy walked into the room with a tray full of food and smiled at her brightly.
            "What did you do to your hair? And when did you fix your eyebrows?"Relena blurted out in surprise.
            "It's nice to see you too," her friend responded drily. "Why is that almost the first thing every single one of you have asked when seeing me again. Not 'Hey how've you been?' or 'What are your plans for the weekend?' I stopped dying it, and I stopped plucking my eyebrows. This is how I honestly normally look when I'm not playing in court okay?" Relena saw Trowa and Quatre peeking around the doorframe grinning at her conspiratorially. She smiled in response before apologizing to Dorothy, who placed the tray beside her and poured her a cup of orange juice and ordered her to eat.
            "Yes mom. Um… where'd Heero go? Dorothy?" Relena grew alarmed when her friend froze.
            Dorothy smiled quickly in reassurance before telling her, "He got hurt saving you so he had to go home, but he's going to be fine so don't worry about it. He will kick my butt however if you aren't completely healthy by the time he gets back. So you need to just focus on getting better okay?"
            Suddenly a voice rang out, "HEY! You must be Relena, well actually I know you're Relena but that's beside the point. I'm Kaori, how're you feeling now? Wow can he call'em or what? Heero was right almost to the exact minute," a cheerful young woman with bright purple hair and sea green eyes stared at her from the bedside.
            "I'm sorry, I think I'm missing something here," Relena murmured as she stared at the stranger beside her bed.
            "Oh, how silly of me you don't know. I'm Kaori Rensugi, Dorothy and Heero's cousin, and I'm training them to use their psionic powers, which is what Heero was using to save you. In fact I wonder if he has clairsentience as well as everything else he's showed up with. It was uncanny how well he predicted your waking up right before he passed out. Oops, I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you. Look don't worry about Heero. Aunt Murael is taking care of him while he's recovering from the demon's poison so he should be good in no time. In fact I heard he's already insisting he should be back here because you obviously need someone keeping an eye on you. Otherwise you might get yourself kidnapped or killed or any number of other unpleasant possibilities. He's really worried about you and it's kind of cute, or you know it would be if that wasn't the first thing he speaks about every time he wakes up. After a while I go from thinking it's cute to just wanting to smack him the minute he opens his eyes."
            "I think Relena needs to be able to eat in peace and I'm going to call home let Heero know that Relena is fine and I think you need to accompany me 'cuz. I'll drop by later to pick up the tray Relena, why don't you just eat and then rest okay? Come along Kaori." And with that Dorothy marched her exuberant cousin out of the room.
           Relena stared after them for a minute before slowly picking up a piece of toast and taking a thoughtful bite. What did Heero do? Is he going to be alright? How is he really? What happened? She continued to eat, thoughts chasing each other around her head. Just as she was finishing Dorothy walked back in and told her that she had visitors already if she was feeling up to it. Relena agreed and all of her friends began to crowd around her. Then was a general round of hugs and exclamations of relief. Relena wasn't left alone for the rest of the afternoon, at least not until she started getting tired.

           "How is she doing?"
            Duo jumped in surprise before turning to yell at Heero, "Don't sneak up on me like that, sheesh!" He rubbed his chest, stopping abruptly when he got a good look at his friend. "Dude, you look like shit. I hope you aren't going to let Relena see you while you're looking like that." His voice was more subdued as he remembered the sleeping princess on the other side of he door he was guarding.
            "You're the soul of diplomacy Duo. She's not going to see me, she's going to hear me. There's something important I have to tell her that can't wait any longer. Then I have marching orders to 'get my butt back in bed where it belongs' so I won't be staying. Let me in her room okay?"
            "Man you know I'm not supposed to let anybody past," Duo muttered in annoyance.
            "Let me in her room please. Duo I'm not in any condition to climb over the roof of the house to get to her window, but I will if I have to."
            Duo snapped his fingers, "Over the roof. That's a good place to post a guard. Okay I'll let you in since it's you and you asked so prettily, but don't stay too long because if her brother finds out I let you in her room in the middle of the night he'll have both of our heads. Or at least mine if he can't find you. You know he really hates it when you can do something he can't, especially if you do it to save his sister. And I think he's still ticked at you for telling him to shut up, he really wasn't expecting that. Now hurry up," Duo looked the other way while Heero slipped into Relena's room.
            Heero looked at the peacefully sleeping figure laying in the big bed with the moonlight streaming through the curtains, then he carefully walked up to her bedside table and unplugged her lamp. He pulled up the chair from her desk and setting it in the shadows by her bed, straddled it as he watched her sleep. She shifted a bit and her head moved toward him on her pillow. She murmured something incoherent before sighing out a word.
            "Heero." Her eyelashes fluttered and Heero had a painful flashback of the blood spreading out from the dagger sticking out of her chest. Then he came back to the present as he felt her eyes fixed on him. "Heero? Is that really you?"
            "You keep asking me that. Yes. I had to see you. I needed to tell you something."
            "What is it Heero?" This time her voice was more alert. She shifted up in bed and reached over to turn on her lamp. Heero could make out her frowning face when it didn't flood the room with light as she had expected and he couldn't prevent the smirk that spread over his face in response. He watched her eyes narrow in the moonlight and she glanced at him, trying to make out his face in the darkness. "I don't suppose you have anything to do with that?" it was more of a statement than a question.
            "Actually I did. Don't try to get up or turn on the lights or interrupt me, just listen… please?" he asked when she looked like she was about to argue. She subsided after that, looking at him questioningly. "Thank you. My father is Heero Yuy and my mother is Murael Yuy. My father was human at the time that Dorothy, and I were born, but our mother was a Psion. Psions were aliens from another planet that landed on Earth thousands of years ago. They are the people upon which the vampire legends were based. This is because they have the ability to live for as long as they like, they can do this either by utilizing their abilities, also known as psionics, or they can do this by drinking blood. When my father was 'assassinated' all those years ago, my mother came to him just before he died in the hospital. What she did then was to take his mind out of his body and into her own, giving the illusion of Heero's death to the doctors. Then she used her own life's energy to heal his body, but no else knew about it. After he 'died' my mother claimed his body and returned his mind to it, but during this they began the bond process."
            At this point Heero fell silent and Relena decided to risk asking, "Bond?"
            "Yeah. Among the Psions there are no real formalities to relationships. I told you that the vampire legends were based off of the Psions right? Well that's because of bonding, which is is considered the ultimate test of love and trust among the Psions. When a Psion couple decide to bond, which isn't very often, one will drink the blood offered by his or her mate to the point of near death. Its a fine line they have to tread and that's why it isn't done that often because if the person fails to heal their chosen in time or they drink too much then they risk killing them. But they take the person's mind from their body and heal it, just as I described to you with my parents. Then the other person does the same for their chosen, and once it's done then they share everything, life force, powers, everything. Couples sometimes even share thoughts, not just like sending a thought, but constantly. Its a bit unnerving to witness, but those couples always seem even more… content, I guess is the word for it, than other couples that bond. But in a way bonding is the Psion equivelant of marriage."
            "Heero are you trying to tell me that this is what you did in order to save me? You did this bond thing?"
            "I was hoping I could save you without it happening. That's why I drew your mind into my crystal rather than directly into my own mind, but it didn't work out the way I had hoped. I failed to anticipate that the fact my crystal contains a sliver of my own personality would be enough to start it. I'm sorry Relena."
            "You're apologizing to me. You've crashed every birthday party and just about every social function I've had to since I was sixteen, you ignore every friendly overture I waste my time making, you've tried to kill my brother, you've tried to kill me on several different occasions and you've never once apologized for any of it. What are you not telling me?!"
            "That's cold. But I guess it's a fair question considering that you've just pointed out I'm an unfeeling bastard," he spoke ignoring her protests, she fell silent when he continued. "Alright, there's a downside to bonding. You see fidelity and children are both very important to Psions, so when a couple bonds, unless one dies, they are incapable of having a physical relationship or children with anyone but their… 'soulmate', for lack of a better word."
            "You mean to tell me I can't get married and have kids unless it's with you? And from the 'sorry' I'm gathering that you aren't interested in settling down," Relena stated flatly, giving Heero a deathglare that actually made him feel proud before his agrivation got the better of him.
            "It's not that. Dammit Relena haven't you even heard a word I said? I'm not completely human, I could go on living for a few thousand years if I found people willing to offer me blood, and you wouldn't be completely human either I asked you to finish the bonding process and then married you in the customary way!"
            "That doesn't impress me a bit Heero Yuy. I want to have children and they're going to be yours whether you like it or not!" Relena asserted hotly.
            "Relena, I can't give you everything you deserve," Heero said softly.
            "It's not your place to decide what I deserve. I'm the only one who can do that. Do you love me?" she asked him quietly. Silence greeted her question. And then the answer finally came.
            "Yes," he almost whispered, "more than you'll ever know."
            "Then what right do you have to try to deny me my chance of happiness with a man who loves me, who I happen to love in return?" she demanded angrily. He didn't respond. He stood up and turned away to walk to the door. He stopped abruptly when he heard a sharp click behind him. There was enough moonlight hitting her bed that he was able to see her reflection in the mirror while remaining sure she was unable to see his face. He stared at the reflection of Relena calmly sitting in her bed with a pistol trained on his back.
           "If you walk away from me one more time Heero, I'll kill you," she stated in an emotionless voice.
            "I'm sorry Relena," he didn't turn back around, "I'm just not good enough for you." He saw her eyes start filling with tears in the mirror before he reached the door and he closed his own in pain before quickly slipped back out of her room. I want to stay, so why am I leaving? I can't stay with you Relena. I've caused you enough pain, I couldn't stand knowing that my presence would only bring you more.

          Duo, who had been listening at the door, was waiting there and caught him as he started to fall. They both could hear the sound of muffled crying begin in the other room. Heero looked up to see Duo staring accusingly at him. For the first time since they'd ever met Duo saw the Perfect Soldier with tears on his face. And his anger gave way as understanding flooded him. She can't get married and have kids with anyone other than Heero as long as they're both alive.
            "You can't do that to her man, she loves you! You're really going to do it aren't you?" Duo asked quietly, furiously disbelieving.
            "I'm not going to do anything. I'm going back to my apartment. Now let me go!" he commanded his friend in a low voice.
            "You promise me that you're not going to do something stupid?" Duo asked suspiciously of the sick man he continued to hold up. He relented at Heero's glare. "Alright, give me a minute to call a replacement and then I'll take you home."
            "Thanks Duo. I'll just wait for you by your car," Heero straightened himself and leaning heavily against the wall began to make his way Duo's parking spot. Duo quickly called Quatre and asked him to take his place guarding Relena for the rest of the night. He qave a quick glance at the door through which Relena's weeping could still be heard although not as loudly as it had been at first. Quatre came jogging toward him and he gave a quick thanks before rushing to join Heero, who he still didn't trust not to do something to get himself hurt. He'd seen the intention clearly in his eyes, almost as if he'd spoke his thoughts out loud, but Heero was nothing if not honest. So why did he agree to go home so easily if I know he's planning to do something to release Relena? He didn't actually promise not to do anything though, what is he up to?
            When they reached his apartment building Duo had to help Heero up the stairs. He noted with growing alarm that Heero seemed to get weaker every minute. They finally arrived at his apartment and Heero fumbled in his pocket for the key. They entered the apartment and Duo helped him to where he remebered the couch was. Wow, for such a small guy he sure seems heavy. As Duo straightened up the light flared on causing him to blink his eyes trying to see the room again.When he was finally able to see again he stared at the man who calmly sat in the big stuffed chair with his elbows resting on the arms, watching them both over steepled fingers. He smiled slightly at the pilot of Deathscythe's dumbfounded statement, his Prussian blue eyes glinting with amusement at poor Duo's expense, before turning more concerned eyes on the now unconscious face of his son.
            "So Murael was right. He is planning on allowing the poison to finish him off so that his young woman may find someone more 'worthy'," the man's lip curled scornfully on the word. "You are Duo correct? Good, I think he'll need a friend to help convince him of the truth of my words. We don't agree on many things and anything I am likely to say may cause him to do the exact opposite unless what I say is confirmed by someone he trusts. His mother would be here but she is unable to handle big cities and Kyra is away on court business in his lady's place, which misfortunately leaves me." He tossed something to Duo, who caught it before it hit his face. "This is the antidote. He needs to take it for as long as the poison remains in his system, which will be at least another day before it is completely gone. Two teaspoons in a glass of water if you please while I get some blankets. I'm afraid he went too long without taking it and now's he going to have a fever."

            Heero stirred a bit, slowly waking up. The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Duo's upside down head glare at him before saying, "Do you realize how much work I've been missing because of you lately? And what about Relena? Has anybody ever told you just how inconsiderate you really are Heero Yuy Jr?!" Then Heero turned his head and realized that it was just because Duo was standing behind his bed leaning over to look at him.
           "One of these days, I'm going to kill you," he muttered before closing his eyes against the harsh morning light.
           "Ah, you're awake. Good. And since I know for a fact that you are going to be too weak for another couple of hours I'm going to take full advantage of the situation!" Heero groaned at the first sound of the voice, and his hand feebly groped the nightstand beside him in search of his gun, although he was still as yet uncertain just which of the three of them he was planning on killing.
           "Sorry buddy, but we moved it. For our own safety of course," Duo grinned at the annoyed look Heero shot him before he sighed in defeat.
           "Alright. Let's hear this little spiel of yours. Then you can both take yourselves elsewhere," Heero added ungraciously.
           "Oh you're too kind. Alright then, I've spent some time getting to know your father while you were out cold, for the second time in two weeks that I know of by the way, and we both agree that you are a complete moron," Duo informed him.
            "Did I ever say anything nice to you at all? Because if I did I take it back right now."
            "Heero you're shortselling yourself by thinking you aren't good enough for her. And you're not giving her the credit she deserves. If she's willing to overlook your flaws," Duo took this moment to interrupt by adding, "And there are quite a few!"
           "Thank you Duo. Then what right do you have to argue with her decision. Besides she loves you. I understand she cried when you left her. Think just how much more it would hurt her to find out you were dead."
            "What do you care?" Heero asked softly, viciously. "You never cared before about anything I've ever felt or thought, why should you care about what I choose to do now? What happens in private between Relena and myself is just that, private. Now if you're quite finished with your pep talk you can leave."
           "Private?! Pal, if you think for one minute," This time it was Heero's father who interrupted Duo, "What do you mean I've never cared? Duo could you excuse us for a moment, please."
           "Huh? Oh sure, I'll just go make Mr. Ingrate here some breakfast," and with that he left them alone frowning at each other.
            "Explain yourself Heero."
           "Why? it won't make a difference now," he replied bitterly.
           "I've always cared about you and your sister very deeply. You have no idea how bad I felt or how hard I searched for both of you after I recovered from the assassination attempt."
           "Yeah, you've cared so deeply that the first time we were ever supposed to meet you stayed late to work some more. You cared so deeply that you've insulted everything that I have ever done with my life. What was that phrase? 'If those fools never fought then most of those deaths would never have happened.' I honestly wonder what would have happened if we hadn't fought when Oz moved in and started using military force to get what they wanted. You cared so deeply about what I think that you wanted me to accept blood offerings so that I could live longer, when it never occured to you that I might just want to be like everyone else, or might not want to be alive at all for that matter. Truly father, I think I've had all the caring from you that I can handle for a lifetime."
           Duo, who was once again listening at the door, winced at the animosity in his friend's voice. Ouch. I bet no one ever even thought to ask him if he wanted to have to do anything he's been forced to do over the years. But it's weird, every time I tried to get him to try and be normal he always brushed me off. He frowned as he started to wonder why.
           "I'm sorry. I never realized just how much my observations about the war upset you, and if I'd realized what was going to happen that day all those years ago, believe me I would have dropped everything right then and there and been with both of you. But I can't really do anything about your not being normal. You aren't and pretending you are will change nothing. Your friends don't seem to care that you're different. In fact they have taken the news remarkably well. As to the rest… when I was suggesting those things it was only because I didn't want to see you suffer. I know that Psions can do either two things to stay alive, use their powers or take blood in some form. We're not violent because we enjoy bloodshed but because we need to protect. Refusing to do either only caused you physical pain. Haven't you figured it out? You have to protect, if you don't actively do so your powers, sensing your inherent need to defend those you consider innoecent, do what they can to ease it. During the war you fought battles and were satisfied that you did what you could to protect your people. Now that the war has ended you can't prevent them from getting hurt, but you still want to protect them and so your powers draw their pain to you. You abosorb their physical pain in place of being in a position to defend them as you were before. Of course as the pain grows in intensity you begin to loose your control of the, to use the human phrase, vampiric aspects of your nature."
           "And you want me make Relena like myself? Because that's what bonding will do, any powers that I have she'll have to learn to control as well, any pains that I have she'll have to deal with also. I won't to do that to her."
           "Heero, you forget one thing. She won't have to deal with the pain you have because she has already devoted her life to her people. And if you marry her you will protect her and through her the people. That will prevent her from ever knowing the physical pain that can accompany a Psion who refuses to use their powers productively. As to learning how to use the powers, well you can do that together. You can consider it a 'bonding' experience." Heero stared at his father who chuckled at his own joke. Then the elder Heero raised his voice, "Wouldn't you agree Duo?"
           Duo sheepishly(AN: No sheep could ever look quite so guilty) entered the room with a tray of food. "Uh, yes sir. So how did you know?" he asked curiously as he set the tray down.
           "I'm a Psion. At any rate you better get back to the castle and reassure Miss Relena, after you eat some breakfast of course."
           "Of course," Heero murmured drily in agreement as Duo started to pig out on his portion of the large breakfast.
           " "What?!" Duo asked defensively around a blue berry muffin."So dude, are you going to straighten things out with Relena now?" he asked with his mouth still full. Heero looked up from buttering his toast to find two pairs of eyes watching him carefully.
           "As soon as I'm more presentable," and with that he started to eat his own breakfast.

Special Notes: Psions are a character class from D&D and psicrystals are pretty much like what Heero's psicrystal(I chose sage as the personality type) is like, a sliver of the psionic's personality. The whole Teairiny, Psy-Feline, and Psions as an alien vampire race thing are just me being weird though. The servant Adiki's name is based off of the Greek goddess of injustice, Adikia. The bad guy Akeru's name is based off of a group of malicious Egyptian gods who have the power to steal and lock away souls. Isdes was a minor Egyptian god associated with Annubis, who by the way, because of his connection with death, frequently gets unfairly accused of being evil. *cough* The Mummy *cough*(Although it is a pretty cool movie.) The Relena getting stabbed wasn't bashing from me since I like her but important to get Heero to 'bond' with her(where did I get a stupid name like that?) Anyways please don't shoot me for that, I tried to make up by giving her a nice big gun to threaten Heero with. Hm …I think that's all. If you have any questions or comments feel free to e-mail me.