A Shifting of Fortune Part 13
Even though Yuy's eyes stared straight into Chang's sinister face he saw nothing. He had shut down his mind, numbed his senses to ward off the pain.
He had to do this, suffer in silence for dear Quatre's sake. Quatre already would bear a certain self-imposed guilt for he would surely blame himself for not interceding to save his friend. Heero could not now place the burden of his screams on Quatre's kind heart. It had to be this way.
Heero knew the gentle blond would not have survived a challenge to Chang. This way might break his heart but at least Winner would be alive to feel whatever he felt.
One small comfort to Heero was the sure knowledge that, although Chang might enslave the boy, Quatre would be alive. He also had good reason to believe that Trowa would be spared if for no other purpose than to provide Chang with another soul to torture.
Heero knew where there was life there was hope of a new tomorrow. Maybe at some future point Quatre and Trowa could escape. And he knew without a doubt that Duo would never give up.
If the beliefs of those more spiritual than Heero proved to be true, the slain man might still be able to interact with his friend after death. As long as his memory was upheld, guarded closely in their hearts, Heero knew he and his comrades would never truly be apart.
"I bet you never thought it would end this way?" Heero's inner council spoke for the last time.
Heero drew in a deep breath as the knife pressed harder. He could do this, he had to. "I will see you in hell." Heero hissed knowing Chang's place in the underworld's deepest depths had been reserved long ago.
Heero focused all his senses on picturing Duo's face, capturing for eternity the beautiful boy's wide violet eyes, his bright smile. He would put to memory Duo's warmth. "My precious angel." Heero whispered.
Chang's eyes narrowed as he concentrated on doing the best job he could to assure the Japanese man's long and quite painful termination. If there was any remorse at all in his black soul, the mad Asian had successfully pushed it aside.
Chang's grip tightened on the knife, "Wouldn't want to slip and end this too quickly." he laughed under his breath.
Suddenly Chang felt something close over his shoulders. Before he could determine the source of the restricting pressure he felt himself being jerked backwards.
Reacting on instinct he pivoted his weight, rolling his hip along the ground in the same direction the pull was taking him. Sliding his feet Chang centered his torso revolving the rest of the circle then used his knees like a spring to help him bolt upright.
Chang's completed turn revealed Trowa jumping back just in time to dodge the knife's long blade as it sliced through the air close enough to Trowa's face that he could feel the rush of air.
Without pause Chang brought the knife around again, this time adding a sliding moment to close the gap between him and Winner's interfering lover.
Trowa leap sideways bowing his body away from the razor sharp tip aimed at his middle. This maneuvering about only hardened Chang's commitment to cut the emerald-eyed boy until his blood flowed in scarlet ribbons from every part of his body.
With a throaty growl Chang kept up the sweeping movements advancing on Trowa with unrelenting speed. Trowa jumped aside once more but the maintenance building's wall rose up at his back blocking his retreat.
Trowa drew up his body trying to become the smallest target possible. Unfortunately Chang had narrowed the gap until there was nowhere to go to avoid his rapid charging.
Searing heat gathered in Trowa's upper arm running the full length to his fingertips as both shirt fabric and the skin beneath were slashed. Grabbing at the ripped flesh Trowa sank back against the rough brick. Cold sweat broke out across his brow washing away the color from his face twisted in pain.
"Nice of you to join the party." Chang smirked waving the knife's bloodied tip inches from the injured man's pale face. "I am sorry that you won't be able to stay for my victory celebration." he announced slinking forward, "I have a lot of suffering to dispense and I don't want to be all night. You understand, don't you?"
Trowa gritted his teeth fighting to keep his legs from folding up. "If you need to draw blood let it me mine." he hissed pushing against the wall in an attempt to remain on his feet.
Chang displayed a certain amusement at Trowa's brave statement. "Isn't this ironic?" he sneered keeping the reddened blade in its elevated position, "I was considering keeping you around to guarantee your lover's loyalty when I gave him the honor of being my number one pet. It could have been so cozy just the sweet boy and me with you there to watch each time I claimed him.
"That would have been a most satisfying arrangement but you had to do something stupid and ruin my perfect plans. You have proven to be a bother therefore you are no longer useful for my purposes which means you will have to die. But if it is any consolation you can go to your grave knowing your paramour will be safe in my arms.
"My only regret is that Winner will witness your end. It will make it harder to break him but I do love a challenge. When his body and soul are mine the reward will be well worth the effort."
*********
Chang's Captain watched the unfolding events with interest still keeping his controlling hold about Quatre's neck and the persuading pistol pressed to his temple.
The slender boy had stopped struggling. It seemed as though he had accepted his fate. Now the blond's eyelids were closed tightly shutting off the guard's view of their soft indigo centers of sight.
Quatre had not only sealed off his view but his ears had stopping hearing Chang's deadly promises. Like Heero, Winner's senses were numb as they fought to keep what little bit of sanity they still had. Now Quatre could not will himself to open his eyes or his deadened mind, it was just too painful.
Suddenly his heart cried out feeling like it would explode in his chest. There was an immediate emphatic connection and Quatre knew, without a doubt, the link was with Trowa.
The Captain felt his prisoner tense seconds before his eyes flew open and a gasping breath swelled in his chest. "TROWA!" the boy cried out the name.
The guard looked pass Heero's prone battered body that Chang for some unexplained reason had abandoned. His searching sight caught a sliver glint as the knife blade flashed with reflected light. At the same moment he saw a tall form jumping aside to avoid the deadly implement's slice.
His eyes widened as Chang repeatedly charged the newly appeared man in a fit of ruthless rage. The Captain winced as, even from his distant viewing post, he saw the man grab his arm as he stumbled back against the building's side.
Now the formerly quiet Winner strained at the guard's hold and he knew that neither the restricting arm about the boy's neck nor the pistol's threat would stop his thrashing. For a brief moment he even considered letting the obviously frantic youth go but the fear of Chang's reprisal quickly changed his mind.
"Be still." the Captain ordered tightening his grasp on the wildly fighting boy.
"NO!" Quatre screamed ignoring the guard's command, "TROWA!" he shouted watching in horror as his stricken lover slumped over in pain.
A slight rustling of dried leaves went unheard as Quatre continued to call out his lover's name. A black outline blending perfectly with the night was not seen as it slipped soundlessly up behind Chang's Captain.
The stalking form stopped just beside leaning nearer without disturbing a single leaf on the overhead branches. "Hello handsome looking for a date?" a phantom voice cooed close by the watcher's ear.
The disembodied invitation was whispered so near its breathy words tickled the guard's ear and blew in ghostly wisps along his neck causing tiny hairs to stand on end. This unexpected tactical sensation momentarily froze the startled man in place.
That brief measure of time was all the mysterious phantasm needed to effortlessly finish its task.
A blur of motion as all the guard saw in his peripheral vision before the gun was snatched from his hand with astonishing speed. Just as quickly the pilfered pistol was redirected at the Captain's head giving him a taste of his own medicine.
"Now you be still," the low voice demanded repeating the guard's earlier orders to Quatre, "Let him go." it further insisted as the pistol's cold steel barrel bore convincingly into the Captain's head.
For a brief period of time Chang's Captain toyed with the idea of his noncompliance to the surprisingly sexy whispered orders. But he quickly decided that his boss, no matter how dangerous he could be, was not worth dying for.
Quatre moved away as the guard's arms dropped to his side. Duo stepped around with a most somber glare gracing his face. "Hey Winner, are you all right?"
Quatre shook his head slowly not sure if the black clad man standing at his side was real or if his brain had finally burned out from the stress.
"Yes." was all Winner could manage as the word struggled through his bruised throat.
"Oh God, Trowa!" Quatre shouted as his rattled brain kick back into gear. He stated to run, to join his lover even if it meant his death as well. After all, without Trowa in his life he had nothing to live for.
Duo reached out snagging Quatre's arm as he started forward. "Wait!" he called fight to keep his grasp, "Quatre please wait." he urged knowing his friend was no match for the merciless Asian.
"Let me go!" he screamed, "Damn it Duo I have to get to Trowa!"
"No listen to me."
"Can't you see?" Quatre asked pointing across to the carnage presented to them, "Look at Heero you cold bastard. He's dying. Don't you care?"
Even though Duo knew Quatre's harsh words were borne of fear and his overwhelming need to save his lover they still cut deep into Maxwell's soul.
Seeing Heero lying so pale, so quiet, covered over in crimson, was unbearable but a headlong charge would not help either Heero or Trowa. In the time it would take to close the gap, to reach the madman, Chang could easily kill Trowa. No mere mortal could outrun the deadly speed of a knife welded by Chang Wufei.
With Heero in such a helpless state, one that he gladly invited out of his fear for his friends, he would be Chang's next victim if the fanatical Security Chief was not handled properly. This was a delicate situation, not one to be resolved without a clear head and calm nerves.
"Quatre," Duo said taking the panicked boy by the shoulders, holding him in place to make him listen. "You have to trust me. Please let me do this."
"But Chang...."
"Let me take care of him. Please Quatre promise you will stay here."
Winner looked beyond Duo to his dear partner. Chang continued to inch nearer to Trowa waving the knife about in such a wild manner they both knew Duo had but moments to act or it would be too late.
"All right." Winner whispered as his heart ached empathically with Trowa's pain.
"Promise?"
"Yes. Go."
Duo turned to the Captain who had kept his place of his own choosing. "If you interfere in any way I WILL kill you." Duo declared picking up the discarded pistol.
The Captain nodded that he understood. "Be careful." he urged knowing that once Chang's rampaging bloodlust had taken hold no one was safe. Strangely it seemed now all of Noin's employees were on the same side.
*********
Heero braced his elbows on the ground and with great effort pushed himself into a semi-seated posture. The dull ache that had settled across his ribs was replaced by raw anguish as the slightest movement sent a chilled faintness racing through his mind. More cold sweat beaded on his forehead soaking well pass his hairline.
Tacky blood acted like glue making it difficult for him to fully open his eyes. Catching breaths pounded in his lungs as even the shallowest gasp for air was constricted to almost nothing.
Heero's whole body was stiff. Every swollen joint, each stiffened finger staunchly defeated his attempt to open and close his hands.
The back of his right hand was so bruised that the black discoloration extended from his knuckles to well beyond his wrist making the entire area almost useless. It was clear that was no way he could make a fist but that didn't matter since he couldn't get up to fight.
Previous experience told him that the taut distension was a good indicator that the damage was serious. "It's probably broken."
"You are going to have some new scars too." his inner voice declared with certainty.
Blinking hard to wash away a stubborn sticky dryness Heero pushed up by slow degrees giving his battered body a chance to adjust to each change. He had no choice. He could not risk passing out. If he did he knew his life would be over.
Yuy's pain-dimmed mind questioned why Chang had not followed through with his deadly agenda. Where was the crazy bastard?
The sound of Chang's voice raised in anger directed Heero's blurred sight to his left. He blinked again trying to improve his uncooperative eyesight. Were there two outlines silhouetted in the shadowy fringes along the maintenance building's side?
Propping up as best he could Heero held he shaky position by sheer willpower. Then the recognition of the second figure stabbed through his heart as surly as if Chang had plunged his knife into the vital organ.
"Trowa." Heero called hoarsely. Blood tinted saliva gurgling in his throat swamped the words before they reached the surface.
Despite his foggy senses Heero knew by Trowa's drooping posture, by the way he clutched at his arm that the love of Quatre's life was hurt. How bad were his injuries, Heero could not tell but even minor impairments were serious if they gave Chang any edge at all.
Trying once more to push up, much less get to his feet, Heero fought the encompassing faintness with little success. Finally his system's degeneration won out. As total fatigue raped his body and confusion ravaged his mind, Heero Yuy gave into the victorious vertigo.
Yuy's failure was indeed complete. All his training, his years of experience were negated. Now he had neither the fortitude of body nor the soundness of mind to pull himself back from the enveloping gloom.
As Heero drifted off into the darkening void something cool touched his sweat-damp head causing an involuntary shudder. Had Chang returned to keep his promise? And if so did that mean that Trowa had gone on before to wait for him on the other side?
Sluggishly Yuy eyelids parted but only enough to offer an incomplete picture. "Finish it Chang." he sighed believing all was lost.
"Heero." The sound of his name held a familiar resonance. There was a certain soothing quality in the tone.
"Heero can you hear me?" the comforting tenor asked.
"Duo?"
"It has to be a dream." his inner voice whispered.
"No I am not asleep." Heero mumbled trying to open his weakness laden eyes.
Duo brushed his fingers lightly over Heero's bloodstained cheek knowing that his friend, no, his lover had drifted off into an exhausted state suspended somewhere between reparative slumber and dark dreaming.
"Sleep now." Duo whispered placing a full kiss on his partner's blood-encrusted lips.
Running his tongue over the crimson transference Duo tasted the salty life fluid its bitter tang spurring him on to face Chang.
"You stopped me once Heero and you almost paid with your life," Duo whispered mopping back moist hair from Yuy's face, "but nothing will stop me now. I will send that vile Son of Satan to his final rest."
*********
Trowa swayed again. The surrounding landscape blurred. Rubbery knees were quickly rejecting both balance and strength.
Chang sensing that his prey was now quite helpless took his time moving in for the kill. A wolfish sneer pulled at his lips. His black eyes gleamed with a bizarre refraction of the spotlight's glow.
"Say goodbye to your blond whore." Chang grinned with delight already imagining all the sexual amusements the lithe boy would provide.
Trowa closed his eyes taking in what would be his last breath, "Quatre..... forgive me." he whispered begging his lover's pardon as the words seemed to evaporate in the chilled night air. "I am so sorry for failing you."
Chang drew back the blade. Arm muscles quivered in anticipation of the final, fatal stab. "Right through the heart." he hissed ready to uncoil the built up tension.
"CHANG!" A voice boomed across the garden.
The Asian's arm moved forward then stopped in mid-motion. Still the honed tip continued to vibrate much too close for comfort near Trowa's chest.
An odd statement ranging somewhere between surprise and wonderment settled over Chang's facial features. Who would dare call his name in such a demanding manner?
He was certain Winner was being controlled as he awaited his new role of sex slave, one that even divine intervention could not postpone. Yuy had been laid low as he, too, awaited his destiny. The green-eyed hindrance slumping against the building's side had made no more than a few feeble attempts to move since the knife's sharp persuasion had done its duty.
A simple calculation was put into practice. Three of Noin's hired hands were accounted for. That left only..........Maxwell.
Believing Trowa poised no immediate threat as the tall boy with the peculiar hairstyle could barely stand much less mount an attack, Chang turning around to affirm his assumption.
With steely sight fixed squarely on the Asian assailant Duo held the Captain's pistol in a firm double-handed grip just as he had previously seen Heero sight in the weapon. His knees were bent slightly to steady his stance. Breaths came in a regular rhythm. There was no outward sign of any distress only the keen glare of violet that mirrored the night's inky hues.
An ever-so-slight twitch was Chang's only reaction to the sight of the braided hustler's brazen challenge. But was the beautiful boy that brash or brave? Or was his behavior merely a pistol brandishing display, a last desperate bluff designed to give his comrades one small flicker of false hope?
*********
Trowa, too, was wondering what strange form of possession guided the young man standing alone against the cold Chinese slayer. Had the same madding spirit that held Chang in it's mind-warping clutches infected Maxwell as well?
But Trowa's questioning of Duo motivates, whether sane or not, was lost in a jumble of disjointed senses as his back slid down the wall until he eased onto the dew-damp grass. Through the vague impression his muddled mind offered he could barely make out a soft gleam, a blond aura shining around a slender frame, an angelic face floating just beyond his vision's scope.
"Quatre." he sighed believing the scene before him was no more than a pain-produced hallucination. No, that was not it. He was dead and the phantom representation was his dear Quatre's memory leading him home.
*********
Chang continued to stare at Duo's blatant demonstrate deciding it was clearly a case of acute stupidity. The boy was indeed crazy. That had to be it. There could be no other explanation for Duo's complete disregard for Chang's superiority.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?" Chang asked bringing the knife into full view. Gingerly he rolled the handle between his nimble fingers causing the spotlight's glow to dance along its razor-edged blade.
If Duo took any notice of Chang's attempt at intimidation he hid it well. With a tilt of his head Maxwell gave back in kind Chang's superior attitude. "I am going to stop you." he promised with as much sincerity as he could muster.
"Really?"
Duo nodded never taking his sturdy sight from his unpredictable opponent.
Chang took two steps forward then paused when Duo did not waiver or retreat. Again he studied the chestnut mane hanging over a leather-clad shoulder that had frayed a bit from its usual neat plait. He took a moment to examine and admire the slim hips that had seemingly been poured into the shiny leather pants.
"Damn you know it will be a shame to waste that perfect body." Chang declared once more letting his sight roam over Duo's slender frame and long legs that could wrap so nicely around his waist.
"I don't suppose you would reconsider?" he asked a tingle gathering in his groin as the thought of the tight heat packaged in the leather covering made his blood run hot.
Again Duo gave a silent negative nod with no change in his fierce statement.
Chang's lips curled once more into a scornful smile, "I know I'll kill you first then I'll fuck you that way you won't give me any trouble. Yes that would be the best way to gain your cooperation."
Chang's intensions to defile Maxwell's corpse still did not evoke the desired results. Duo stood intrepidly with no visible change in either facial aspect or body language. Now the braided bake was becoming an annoyance much like a pebble in Chang's boot and like the afore mentioned irritation he needed to be removed.
Chang started forward again tightening his grip on the slicing weapon as he closed the gap. That was a certain conviction in his movement, one set on achieving his goal in as little time and with the minimal amount of effort possible.
A thin-lipped grin spread over Duo's lips. A twinkle set off fireworks in his liquid violet eyes. "Do you really believe you can get to me before I pull the trigger?"
Duo wondered if Chang had finally lost all reason.
Chang took another step then stopped, "You aren't going to shoot me. You don't have the guts." he announced, "You would be more likely to shoot yourself. Why don't you? It would be less painful and a lot quicker."
"Not another step." Duo warned knowing he could not change his mind. He had committed to the challenge and he had to follow through for both his and his friend's sake.
Now it was Chang's turn to tilt his head. "You aren't doing this for them, are you?" he asked waving the knife in a wide circle to takein all of the other persons present.
"The blond and his lover could care less about you. All they want is a way out and if that is over your dead body they would not think twice about your demise." he taunted, "And you certainly aren't doing this for him?" Chang added again using the knife as a pointer to indicate Heero.
"You think you are doing this in the name of love." the Chinese man proclaimed, "Well think again. Do you really believe a trained soldier could care for a gutter-slut whore?
"No you are merely an easy lay, a distraction in his routine schedule. If you think you two will ever have a life together," Chang continued easing forward hoping Duo would be too distracted to notice, "I am afraid you are in for a bitter disappointment.
Like I said before your death will be an awful waste of good ass but you leave me no other choice. In fact when I am finished with you I am going to cut off that ridiculous braid and use it to strangled the life out of Yuy. That way both of you will pay for your insolence."
*********
Behind Maxwell, Quatre tensed as his heart ached for Trowa and his soul feared for Duo. He inched to Heero in slow but steady strides keeping a watchful eye on the two combatants.
Kneeling down by Heero he checked to see if his unlikely ally was still breathing. Finding his chest rising and falling at a somewhat regular rate, Winner slipped his arm under Heero's back and lifted up until Yuy's shoulders rested on his chest and his head was supported on his arm. A low groan sounded in Heero's throat as the rearrangement stirred him awake.
"Duo?" Heero sighed trying to seeing through watering eyes.
"No it's Quatre. Duo will be here in a moment." Quatre replied praying that heartfelt wishes would make it so.
Suddenly the night's hush was shattered by the pistol's loud report. It's explosive echo bounded over the tree line resounding again and again throughout the garden. Growing fainter in the damp night air the keen reverberation gradually gave out until only a murmured vibration skirted along the stone wall.
At the same instant a painful wail pierced the calm. The shrill resonance mingled with the gunshot adding a nerve-wrenching jolt to the unexpected noise.
Trowa's weighty head flew up his eyes searching for the deafening din's source. Only when he saw Quatre sitting safely some distance away holding Heero did he allowed himself to breathe.
Quatre, too, searched for the source and only relaxed when he saw Trowa using the building for support as he got to his feet. Even though his lover's movements clearly showed the affects of pain Quatre knew that the wound was not life threatening.
Even Yuy in his stuporous state was roused by the sudden clamor. His weakened senses jumped jarring both him and Quatre as Winner tried to keep Heero body from slipping from his grasp.
Now everyone focused on where Chang and Maxwell had stood their ground each hoping for the best but expecting the worse.
Miraculous Duo was standing. Chang Wufei lay on the ground clawing at his arm where the shoulder joint is attached to the torso. Twitching and moaning Chang showed all the sign of being in extreme pain and left no doubt that he was no longer a menace to be feared.
Duo stood motionless. The pistol was kept in a white-knuckled grip but his arms dangled loosely as they hung in a limp fashion in front. His body seemed frozen in place by a combination of shock and disbelief. There was a visible shaking in his shoulders and an ashen tone to his complexion. As hard as he tried Duo could not tear his sight from Chang's writhing body as scarlet streams coursed between his fingers.
Chang had started forward and Duo knew, this time, the murdering Asian was not going to stop. Duo knew, in spite of Chang's doubts of Heero's love, that he was the only person who could save his lover and his friends. At that decisive moment, one etched forever in his memory, Duo Maxwell had aimed the weapon, closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger then recoiled from the kick and the clamor.
Tears of relief flowed freely tracing shimmering path down Duo's cheeks and gathering to drip off his chin. Slowly Trowa moved beside his stunned friend. Carefully he pried the still smoking pistol from Maxwell's vice-like grip.
"Come on Duo." Trowa urged sliding his arm around his waist as Chang finally gave into a pain-induced faintness laying still and quiet except for an occasionally low groan.
Trowa gently coaxed Duo away guiding him to Quatre and Heero. Easing him down beside Heero he waited until he thought Duo could support himself.
Quatre crawled into his lover's waiting arms finding heaven in his embrace. They held each other crying unashamedly as tears of joy also streaked their faces.
Duo leaned over Heero taking his hand. His tears washed over Heero's face as they shared their first kiss as committed lovers.
"I love you Heero Yuy." Duo declared knowing for the first time in his life that his heart had truly changed. That this was love and not lust, a love that would last a lifetime.
"I love you." Heero answered knowing in his heart that this was the real thing. "I might not have much to offer but all I do have is yours."
Heero raised up daring a quick glance at Chang Wufei. Giving up a sigh that they were finally free he turned his attention to Duo's pale face, "Nice shooting." he grinned pulling Duo closer.
Duo, too, glanced back then carefully laid his head on Heero's shoulder. "Nice?" he replied snuggling as close as he could, "Hell I was aiming to kill him." he proclaimed.
As the protective cover of stars twinkled overhead and a refreshing breeze caressed the night, each pair of lovers laid entwined in their own consoling enfoldment. They all were hurting but happy.
What the future might hold was not important. Together they knew they could face any problem. Together they would share the good times. Together no one in heaven or earth could stand against them.
TBC...
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