Dark World, chapter 8
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:18 pm
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."
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."
She was always so nice in the show it's nice to see her in a different perspective.
Oh-ho-ho! I wouldn't find it desireable....Duo seems like a slave, and he's so brave! So Duo!