Dark World, chapter 8

[Lady Saffir]

Well, here it is. Some explanation, hopefully enough to keep me from getting lynched. I had originally intended this story to be roughly 12 chapters, but the damn plot bunnies are multiplying like mad. To make matters worse, Heero's informed me he's pretty sure he's supposed to be throwing a masquerade in three days. THREE DAYS! How the hell am I supposed to get everyone to the point that they can dance and make merry? AND introduce 4 new characters? Hmmm????!!! I'll go crazy. *sigh* At any rate, hopefully chapter 9 will be up by Friday.

LS

Dark World
Chapter 8
by: Lady Saffir
Rating: PG/PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own the GW characters and am making no money off of this.


This is a long chapter, mostly because mister, 'say it in one syllable or less' decided to

be all talky. *sigh*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The air in the mansion practially shimmered with visible rage, Heero's emotions strong

enough that all within could taste the danger on the air. The few servants privy to this

hidden world kept their heads down and stayed well away from the master's study. Inside his

room, Duo brooded, his eyes closed while a frown marred his features. Wufei paced between

his two patient's rooms, his thoughts only partially on the healing still required. Trowa

alone stood sentinel outside, using the time to fortify the surrounding area.

Seated behind his desk, only the tapping of one finger to betray his inner rage, Heero

contemplated all the possible courses of action available to him. His face and hands were

once again the smooth perfect skin that had been in place yesterday, his coloring still

slightly pale from the amount of energy expended to speed the healing process.

With a final tap, silence descended upon the room.


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

I awoke with a start, my heart racing and my breath catching in my throat.

I was not alone.

Turning my head, I saw Sally sitting by the window. Knowing it was futile, but trying

anyway, I closed my eyes and tried to play possum.

"That won't work with me."

The voice was next to the bed, and with a start I opened my eyes to find Sally now standing

by the bed, looking down at me with cool eyes.

"Where's...." my voice faltered, unable to say his name, as my fears froze my voice.

"Heero? I really don't think you'd want to see him right now, as he's still, shall we say,

having a snit." Sally's grim voice belied her mocking words. "At any rate, he and Wufei

are out - feeding."

At the last word my stomach sank, the mental images flashing back strongly. Heero, holding

Duo's arm gently. Heero, eyes widening in shock at my sudden appearance. Heero, his mouth

bloody....

With a cry I threw myself off of the bed, determined to outrun the memories. My escape was

cut short as Sally reached out with unnatural speed and shackled my wrist in her grip,

yanking me to her side. With a stumble I found my legs, standing shakily by the bed as I

attempted to control my breathing.

"Do you see this? Or this?" Sally demanded, pointing to my wounded shoulder and leg. I

looked down to see nicely healing scars that looked weeks old and not like the fresh wounds

they were.

"But...how...I was shot," I stammered, gingerly touching my shoulder, expecting to feel

intense pain. A mild twinge was all I felt, and startled, I looked up into Sally's cold

gaze.

"You need to face facts, little girl. Your actions today caused a good bit of pain to two

people that have been very patient with you. It's because of them that you won't feel the

pain that comes with such a fast healing. It's because of Heero that you're still alive. I

personally would have cheerfully killed you for causing such harm to my Companion."

I was lost.

"Wufei? But..."

Sally cut me off with a slashing motion of her hand.

"No, you little twit. God, you don't know anything about our world, do you?"

"And who's fault is that?" I retorted, my face growing warm. Little girl? Twit? Just who

the hell did this woman think she was?

"I'm a vampire, which means I'm stronger than you. Get used to that fact if you're going to

try and play with the big boys, Relena. You live at our sufferance."

"That's enough, Sally."

Heero's deep voice pulled a gasp from my throat, as I whirled to face him. He stood, framed

in the doorway, the light from the hallway spilling about him into the room.

"He's been standing there for 5 minutes, yet you didn't hear him, did you Relena?" Sally

pressed, pulling my attention back to her angry face.

"That's enough, Sally," Heero repeated, taking a step into the room. "I want to speak with

Relena - alone."

The last word was almost growled, and I was helpless to suppress the shiver the went through

me.

After a long moment, Sally left, leaving me alone - with Heero. However, there is something

about being at a disadvantage that just puts a huge chip on my shoulder. I lifted my chin,

narrowing my eyes to glare at the man standing several feet away from me.

"What do you have to say," I demanded, determined to stand my ground.

I unfortunately chose very rocky ground to stand upon.

For the second time since I woke, I was treated to the true speed that these...creatures,

were capable of using.

"I am NOT a creature," Heero growled, grabbing hold of my wrist with enough force to bruise.

"You will cease using that term. If you must refer to me by something other than my name,

the proper word you are looking for is 'vampire'."

The last was thrown over his shoulder, as Heero began to drag me unceremoniously towards the

door. We were halfway down the hall before I was able to keep my feet under me. "Slow

down!" I demanded, my injured leg sending little barbs of pain shooting up my nervous system

with every step placed.

I was ignored, and after a moment we reached the library doors. Wrenching one of the doors

open, Heero thrust me into the room before following, and once more I heard the 'snick' of

locks being engaged.

The silence that followed was heavy, and I finally could take it no longer.

"What do you want," I whispered, eyes wary as I watched Heero prowl about the room.

"You," came the terse reply. "More specifically, I want you to understand who I am and what

I represent. And after that, you have a decision to make."

Still determined to present a strong front, I flopped into an armchair, crossing my arms and

narrowing my eyes and the man still pacing before me. "Fine. Start explaining."

Tossing a glance my way, Heero began to speak, still prowling the confines of the room.

"I was born three thousand years ago, in a fishing village. I don't know if I was happy or

miserable. I only know that one night I was out late in search of food, and suddenly a woman

was before me. The next night, I arose a vampire. I lived for two thousand years,

traveling the world, experiencing every culture and watching mankind live their short little

lives. Then I became king."

"What do you mean, then you became king? How? Surely there's a bit more to the story than

that," I interjected, still watching Heero pace about the room.

"The former king was an idiot who pissed me off. I killed him and took his place."

"But,"

"Relena, I don't remember anything else except that about how I became king."

"How can you not?" I protested, finally unable to sit no longer. I stood, and took a

hesitant step towards Heero.

"And do you remember what you did on April 17th when you were two years old? Or perhaps

what you had for lunch the first day in third grade? That's what it's like for me, Relena.

Decades pass by like months, and centuries begin to blur together. I can't remember

everything I've ever done," Heero stated, coming to stand before me.

"That's very sad," I uttered without thinking.

Heero's eyes darkened.

"Sad? Don't pity me, Relena. I've more power than you can dream of. Men and women have

died simply because I willed it."

"The power to kill is something all living being possess, Heero, and nothing to brag about,"

I retorted, forgetting my fears and facing Heero, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "And all

the power in the world means nothing if you don't use it for a greater good."

Heero let out a short bark of laughter.

"Power means everything, Relena, and you're naive if you believe otherwise. It lets me do

this," I felt the press of his lips against mine for a brief moment. "And this," now Heero

was on the other side of the room. "And this," I felt his breath whisper against my ear as I

whirled around.

/It lets me do this/

Heero's voice whispered through my mind, the shock of it widening my eyes as I looked around

the room trying to find him.

"Heero?"

I found myself crushed in his embrace, his dark blue eyes burning into my own. Then his

mouth was on mine, hot and insistant, and I heard his mental voice once more.

/It lets me do this/

Power flooded through my body, setting my nerves to singing as a feeling of euphoria stole

through me. Heero broke the kiss, his gaze boring into mine.

"It lets me do this," he whispered, a second before extreme fatigue overcame my body. I

could feel my heart struggling to beat, my gaze wavering as my lungs sought to provide

enough oxygen to live. I sagged against Heero, hearing his heart beat strongly under my

ear. I fought to stand, to breath, to live.

"Stop," I managed to whisper, feeling myself begin to slip away.

/Stop/

/Stop/

/Stop/

with each 'stop' I could feel my heart slowing, giving in to the inevitable. Unable to cry,

I felt my legs go weak, Heero supporting me entirely.

/STOP!/

/ENOUGH!/

/YUY!/

The triple cry echoed through my head, and with it I felt my strength return, my heart

pumping faster, stronger, trying to make up for it's inadequacies in the previous moment.

The sheer strength tore a gasp from my throat, as oxygen flooded back into my cells. Heero

released his hold on me and I fell to the floor, awkwardly catching myself on my uninjured

arm. I looked around the room.

"Duo? Trowa? Wufei?" I whispered, gaze searching for the three voices I had heard.

"They aren't here. The bond allows you to hear them, and vice versa. I suggest you watch

your thoughts," Heero said, reaching down to pull me to my feet.

"Bond? Heero, what are you talking about?" My breath came fast, and with an oath Heero

shoved me into a chair, pushing my head down between my knees.

"Breathe," he ordered. Holding my head still, Heero began to explain.

"The blood bond allows one or more vampires to communicate with each other over vast

distances by a mental link. If wanted or needed, humans can be included into this bond.

This typically is done by making the human a Companion."

"The Companion bond allows the vampire to pull energy from the human at times of need, and

can also be used to give the human added strength. Usually Companions also act as blood

donors and errand runners during the daylight hours."

I struggled to sit up, Heero finally relenting and allowing me to lean my head back against

the headrest, my eyes closed.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"There are three steps to becoming a Companion, Relena. I've already complete the first two

steps with you."

"You what?!" My eyes flew open, landing on Heero, who looked wholly unapolegetic. "Why?

And I don't remember giving you permission to do that."

Heero shrugged. "You didn't. For the first two steps I don't need permission. It's only

the last step that requires you to formally make the choice and initiate the final bonding."

I flew out of the chair, arms extended to shove Heero in the chest.

"You bastard!" my hands continued to beat against Heero's chest, for all the good it did me.

He simply stood there and looked down at me, waiting for my tirade to end.

I finally stopped, and I could feel the tears pricking at my eyes. "Why?" I whispered

again, my hands falling limply to my sides.

"I had to."

"Bullshit!" I exploded, pulling my head up sharply to glare at him.

"Do you remember the attack at the park?" Heero countered, taking in my silent yes. "You

were badly injured. If we had taken you to a human hospital, you would have died within

hours.

"But...it was just a concussion," I stammered, unwilling to believe I had been that close to

death.

"Your skull was shattered and split open in a six inch gap," Heero replied. "It was either

take the first step, or let you die. I choose to not let you die."

My hands flew to the back of my head, as the truth in Heero's voice was evident.

"And the second step?"

Heero hesitated.

"Yesterday, after the incident in the garden."

"Ye..yesterday? That was yesterday? But...your face. Your face and hands were burned," I

said slowly, looking Heero over for any trace of the horrible burns I remembered so vividly.

"Yes, I was. I've healed them. And Duo's wounds, and your wounds," Heero added pointedly.

"Duo? So he's..." I trailed off.

/I'm fine, babe, thanks for asking/ Duo answered, causing me to clap my hands to my ears and

glare at the empty room.

"Stop that!"

"Get used to it, Relena. You belong in our world, now," Heero stated.

"Excuse me? I belong only to myself," I returned, turning to glare at the man standing

quietly by the chair.

"You won't be able to fool yourself for long, Relena. It's better to face the facts and

deal with everything head on. That's the only way to keep any sort of advantage over all

others," Heero moved to stand before me, raising one hand to touch my cheek. It was only

as he wiped my tears away that I realized I was crying.

"I won't let anyone harm you, and I won't let you get away."

"You belong to me."

[samta22]

Bastard!

Definately what I should yell at this guy...

I can't believe he actually said that

"I won't let anyone harm you, and I won't let you get away."

"You belong to me."

This is too good!, Friday is to far away... but keep working.

[Morrighan]

Gah, Heero is frustrating, despite all his attempts to be "nice" about this whole thing. I wouldn't blame Relena decided that it was okay to smack him for it. ^^

Can't wait to see more!!

[takisha16]

Possesive aren't we?
I can't believe she discovered everything and Heero told her all that!
I really hope she decides to stay willingly!
I guess it was a shock to her and everything!
Spending an eternity with Heero by your side is not such a bad idea!

[Kari]

Heh I'm dying for more and I bet Relena is too

[HiFreak]

Heero is quite anoying isn't he. If I didn't know that he means good and really cares for Relena then I would be very mad. I have to say can't wait till friday.

Also I'm very interested in that masquerade ball you mantioned. I love masquerades. I hope Relena has made up with Heero by then.

Oh. I love bitchy Sally. She was always so nice in the show it's nice to see her in a different perspective.

[amulak]

Yeah, I agree, Heero is being kind of mean about it. He's still Heero-licious though. I loved this part, it made me laugh ^^:

"Duo? So he's..." I trailed off.

/I'm fine, babe, thanks for asking/ Duo answered, causing me to clap my hands to my ears and

glare at the empty room.

I hope to see another chapter up soon! *dances to help inspire creativity and to combat writers block* Yay!

[Lady Saffir]

I hope to see another chapter up soon! *dances to help inspire creativity and to combat writers block* Yay!

It isn't writer's block that's the problem, it's the fact that there aren't enough hours in the day for me to write. *sigh* Now if I could just win the lottery and not have to work full time....

Thanks!

LS

[The Angry Angel]

LS, I love that you keep dishing out these chapters so quickly---and they're really good chapters~~~quick as well as brilliant! I like your style.

I don't like miss priss sally in the least. She sounds...jealous. Maybe she's just protective, but you know what, you're writing her, so I trust you and however you're going to continue her character. Are there plot uses for her dislike of Relena? so that in the end----the happy, happy end, everyone is singing and dancing hand in hand?

Chapter 8 is great and very enlightening~ Companion Oh-ho-ho! I wouldn't find it desireable....Duo seems like a slave, and he's so brave! So Duo!

Hats off,
~AA