Crimson Ties Part 17
Wufei was pacing. Not a common thing for him, as he was not one to let his nerves get the better of him. Glancing at the grandfather clock at the other end of the living room, he took a deep breath that he released in a slow sigh.
More than an hour had passed since Anna would have been due back if she was to come home straight away from work... which only meant that she took up the scaly Vampire's suggestion to talk to Duo.
Now all that he could do was hope that her visit went well and that her absence continued to go unnoticed by the rest of their family that he'd done all he could to see stayed occupied.
The fact that she was not back right away was promising. It meant that the braided living hadn't demanded that she leave. But that did not mean that he was going to like what she had to say to him enough to come rushing back, either.
Running a hand over his pulled back hair, Chang stopped his pacing when he heard footsteps descending the stairs out in the hallway. Heero appeared, large duffle bag in hand that was packed and ready for his last-minute plans to go off on the next hunt. Looking to his brother-in-law, he smirked, "I'm glad that you and Anna talked me into this. I didn't realize how much I missed this before."
"There's nothing like being out there in the field," Wufei smirked. Gesturing to the bag, he asked, "Are you sure that you remembered everything? It'd been a long time since you went about this. Weapons? Clean up kits? Enough changes of clothes?"
Heero patted his duffle and nodded firmly, "All here. Pack light and efficiently, as we always say." He missed his brother-in-law's nervous expression when he was about to glance at the clock.
Just as he opened his mouth to draw Yuy's attention back to him, the scaly Vampire's head turned towards the doorway when the sound of the front door opening filled the air. Along with Heero, he watched as Anna stepped in to smile at them in greeting, "Traffic was a nightmare out on the main drag." Turning to her brother, she asked, "How go the preparations for your trip?"
Fighting the urge to sigh deeply in his relief, Wufei gave his wife a private grin when their eyes met. And he did his best to pick up on any clues in her demeanor to how the meeting with Duo had gone, but she'd trained her face into her usual cheerfulness.
Not thinking another second to how late his sister was in her return in hearing her reason, Heero snorted, "You know, I appreciate all of the concern, but it wasn't that long ago that I'd completely forgotten what I need to do." Shaking his head, he frowned, "And I'm not so distressed over what happened between me and... him that I'm completely incompetent."
Anna's smile saddened as she closed the distance between them to kiss his cheek. "I'm sorry, brother," she told him sincerely when she pulled back. "I never thought that for a moment, and I certainly don't want you believing that I would ever come to such an allegation. You're entirely capable of handling your own." She was rewarded with an appreciative grin.
Wrapping his arms around his wife when she moved for him, Wufei kissed her soundly and asked, "How were things at the hospital tonight?"
"Quiet, thankfully," the redhead answered with a sigh. Meeting her brother's eyes, she informed, "I was also able to score a medical cooler with a few bags of fresh blood from the last drive. They should be able to last you a couple of weeks along with what I draw of my own blood."
Heero smiled, "Thank you, Anna." His heart ached a bit as well over the offering.
No matter how often he expressed his gratitude for such favors from her, he never felt as if it was enough after everything that she had gone through to become a nurse for his sake. He knew she still dealt with judgmental patients and fellow members of her staff because of what she was and no amount of explaining her selflessness for her actions would change that. But she tolerated it gladly for him without ever asking for anything in return but his survival.
But now that... Duo had turned him away, all of her sacrifice and hard work would eventually not be enough.
Clearing his throat when a lump began to form there, Yuy shook his head and muttered, "I better go and see if Zechs or Trowa need any help getting ready." That said, he turned and left the room quickly before his emotions caught up with him.
The moment they were alone at the sound of the front door closing, Wufei stepped before his wife and asked in little more than a whisper, "How did it go?"
"I didn't hold anything back," Anna replied, her shoulders shrugging. "I told Duo everything from Heero's failing condition to his being the Other that could save him."
Wufei nodded shallowly, having expected his lover to make sure the braided living had full disclosure. Taking a deep breath, he inquired, "How did he take the news of his potentially becoming a Companion to the same Vampire that took his parents?"
Shuddering, the Irish Infected looked away from him as she answered, "As well as can be expected. It was a lot for Duo to take in all at once, but he needed to hear it. I think that he knows that, too... even if it's hard to come to grips with at the moment." Her gold-and-blue eyes returning to the gold-flecked onyx on her, she stated, "It's all in his hands now to how he decides to handle the revelations."
Lightly rubbing her arms, Wufei gave her a smile and reassured, "Then you've done all you could, love. You're incredibly brave for having talked to Duo at all, since I'm sure he wasn't exactly thrilled to see you at first."
Anna waved her hand, huffing, "I did nothing remarkable tonight. It's only fair that he has the whole truth." Sagging, she frowned, "But, I am a bit out of it after that emotional ride. I could really go for lying with you in our bed for a while before we see Heero, Trowa and Zechs off at first light." She gasped and laughed when she was suddenly scooped up into her husband's scaly arms.
"Way ahead of you," Chang smirked as he carried her off.
* * * * * *
Folding up his prayer rug, Quatre sighed quietly to himself. Until his roommate woke, he had no idea whether or not his day was going to start off on a good note since he still had no idea what had transpired between Duo and Anna the night before.
And considering how emotional the two were when he came into the room, the scientist wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"So, how much have you actually known about me being Heero's Other?" came a sleep-thick voice from the other half of the room.
Winner froze, keeping his back to his friend's bed. "I should have said a few more prayers," he muttered nervously under his breath. Swallowing hard, he finished rolling up his rug and secured it beneath his bed again. At this point, he doubted that even Allah would have been able to save him from what could be a very unpleasant confrontation.
Very slowly turning to face his roommate, he found Duo sitting up in his bed with the covers still over his lower half. Here and there, wisps of hair that had broken free of the tight braid overnight framed the heart-shaped face of his friend. And it seemed the boy finally had a good night's sleep since the circles beneath his alert, violet eyes lost much of their darkness.
Rising to his feet, the scientist sat on the edge of his bed, keeping their gazes locked. With a deep breath, he answered honestly, "For a while now. Heero had informed me of it, as well as his involvement in your parents' deaths, not long after the semester began."
Mentally, he prepared himself for whatever reaction that stirred and he physically winced.
To his shock, Duo laughed and shook his braided head. "I thought as much," he sighed when he composed himself again. Running his hand through his bangs, he commented, "The way Anna asked you to help me before she left last night... I got the feeling that you knew all along."
"It wasn't my place to tell you and I'd given my word to Heero that it would remain between us," Quatre quickly defended, a deep and worried frown on his face. "I'm sorry if you feel like I deceived you in any-" He was stopped by a raised hand.
A sad grin on his face, Maxwell lowered his hand and reassured, "It's alright, Quat. I'm not mad at you." In fact, he was having a hard time drawing any of the anger that he'd felt over the last months back in light of the bomb that'd been dropped on him last night.
Falling back onto his bed, the braided teenager groaned as he stared at the ceiling, "So, I'm a chosen other to a Vampire. How fucking perfect is that?"
Winner's own lips tugged upward as he shrugged, "Well, your situation is far more complicated compared to most chosen. By normal standards, there wouldn't be the challenges that you're facing in regards to how you and Heero first met."
Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he suggested quietly, "He must really have seen something special in you to have wanted you even after what happened. It couldn't have been easy... and I know that it's been difficult on him after what he did."
Duo rested his hand over his bare chest where a surge of pain rose up in it. Here he'd only thought himself the victim of his parents' deaths. But after hearing Anna's recantation of that night... how the beautiful Infected was unable to even walk himself into the offering rooms, he actually thought that there may have been another for the first time in his life.
Remembering that pained look of loss on Yuy's face the last time they'd laid eyes on each other, the living wanted to crumble in on himself until he was no more. It was as if he'd killed the immortal with his hatred and harsh words.
But Heero walked away, fully knowing what that would mean for him. He was perfectly content in dying what Duo could only imagine would be a long and painful end to his time on the planet. And it was all because it was what his Other wanted- that they never be in each other's presence ever again.
Against his best defenses, Maxwell's eyes began to tear up on him. Companions were no more than living blood banks to the Infected in his mind for as long as he'd known of them. There was nothing akin to compassion, respect or love involved as far as the Vampires were concerned in their taking a human as their permanent partner.
But what greater display of honoring and admiration could there be than what Heero had shown him by obeying Duo's wishes even at the price of his very existence without the slightest hesitation or argument?
Wiping away the tears that had fallen free from the corners of his eyes with a sniffle, the braided scholar pushed himself upright and looked to the clock on his desk. "We better start getting ready to head out if we want to have enough time to grab breakfast before class," he announced, his tone tired and flat.
He needed distraction. Something that would get his mind off the pain and emptiness that had begun to eat away at him once again.
Quatre bowed his head respectfully with a quiet, "Okay." The last thing that his roommate needed right now was to be pressed with this issue. Anna was right to leave the decisions and handling in his friend's hands, and the blonde was willing to remain a support to his friend whenever the need be there.
The ball was in Duo's court now. Until he was ready to make the next move, all of the other players would have to wait to respond.
* * * * * *
Placing his lips firmly against his wife's in a sound kiss, Trowa kept his arms around her as he leaned back and smirked. "I know it won't do any good saying this, but try to not fret too much while we're away."
Midi removed her hands from their loop around his waist to place them at her hips in fists as she gave him a half-hearted glare in defiance. She huffed, "I don't fret. My hands just like to stay busy." Her tall husband chuckled, tugged the collar of her long-sleeved sweater and claimed her mouth for a deeper kiss that nearly swept her from her feet as all of her protests were forgotten in her return of the gesture.
On the clearly plowed sidewalk at the bottom of the Barton's front porch, Anna and Wufei walked up to Heero where he stood by his blue duffle bag. Holding out the medical cooler that she'd brought with her, the redhead told her brother, "There's the supply. I know you probably won't need all of it, but I wanted to overstock just in case..." Her voice trailed off and she lowered her head.
Just in case their effects continued to weaken was the unspoken possibility. And seeing as how Heero needed to feed more often, there was always that concern.
A small smile on his face, Yuy accepted the cooler and set it his bag so that he could gather his sister up into his arms, lifting her from the ground. Kissing her on the cheek as she hugged his neck and her legs his waist, he whispered in his ear, "Thank you for always looking out for me, dear one."
"Someone has to," Anna snickered, fighting off the shimmer in her eyes. "And I'm happy to do it, dear brother." As she was lowered back down, she stepped back and put on her playful grin while she slapped his rear. "Have fun out there," she winked.
Wufei shook his head in amusement as he approached his brother-in-law to exchange a one-armed embrace with him. "Take care of that sister of mine while I'm gone," Heero requested softly before they pulled back.
Bowing his head, Chang grinned, "Always." His gold-and-onyx eyes picking up on movement in the trees between the houses, he announced, "Zechs and the others are here." Yuy turned around to follow the direction that the other Infected was staring at.
Quietly making their way through the snow-covered opening, Merquise led his family with Treize and Lady Une at the back of the pack. Like all the others around, he wore a coat, sweater and jeans that really were not needed to ward off the cold that could no longer be felt; the tall blonde grinned to his friends as he neared. Though not necessary for warmth, the attire was more born out of the habit to not stand out from the humans any more than they already did.
Trowa descended the porch steps of his home with Midi's hand in his and his bag strapped over his other shoulder, nodding firmly to the new arrivals in greeting. "Heero and I are ready and raring to go when you are, Zechs," he smirked.
"Very good," the blonde Infected grinned back. His arm that was not bearing his pack reached out to shake Heero's hand firmly when he reached him. Barton joined the scene to receive and return a handshake as well.
Stepping forward, Relena had to stand on her toes to be able to wrap her arms around Zechs' neck. "Be careful, brother," she told him. Her head lowered, she stepped back so that Noin could give her husband a deep kiss before his send off.
Not even bothering to conform like the rest of the Vampires, Meiran chose a short, green halter-topped dress and heels to wear for her farewell to Heero. Walking up to Yuy, she missed the eye roll that Anna only revealed to her snorting husband.
The raven-haired beauty smiled at her target and threw her arms around him. "I do so hope you return safely soon," she whispered by his ear. "I'll miss you terribly."
Fighting the urge to groan, Heero gave her back a couple of pats as he replied with an almost sighed, "Thanks, Meiran." Careful as to not outright offend her, he took a couple of paces back, smiling as kindly as he could manage. Relena, Noin and Lady Une all exchanged glances... not one of them amused over their cousin's behavior.
Meiran was certainly one of the most stubborn creatures they'd ever known. Though her actions remained without tact in how she continuously tried to push herself on Yuy, she had yet to give away that she was responsible for the fallout between him and Duo. But she would continue to be watched nonetheless.
Reluctantly turning away to return to her family, the dark-hair Infected remained unaware to the eyes that continued to follow her for even the slightest deviation in her character. There was none to be found.
Treize and Lady Une were the last to wish their best to their hunters, each taking the time to give embraces and handshakes along with their sincere words of appreciation for what they were about to do on behalf of the whole Vampire Council. And the time was upon the team to take their leave.
Waving and grinning to their loved ones, Heero, Trowa and Zechs headed off with their gear. The moment they were nearly past the shield of trees, they took off in blurs, their footsteps too fast and light to make tracks in the snow on the ground.
Anna's shoulders sagged with a deep sigh as she leaned against her husband. "I hope this brings him come sort of peace for a while," she frowned. "After everything that's happened, he needs it." Looping his arms around from behind, Wufei rested his chin on her shoulder as he nodded, their eyes still staring off to where their brother had vanished.
* * * * * *
Classes were not nearly as distracting as Duo wished they could have been. Such was the price of his own working ahead in every lesson. The droning lectures all blurred together as he sat at his desks, taking notes without really paying attention.
Everywhere he looked those cobalt eyes followed him. Yuy... why the hell else was that name so damned familiar to him? Since he first met Heero and learned of his whole name, it bothered the braided teenager where he'd heard it before.
Now that he knew he was the Infected's chosen, Maxwell wracked his brain to get the answer. It was important that he remembered, he knew that much. The pieces were nearly all in place to complete the picture of his connection with Heero thanks to Anna's visit; all but this one that continued to elude him.
Rubbing his head as he fought hard to concentrate through his Literature class, he was about at his wit's end after nearly a whole day of painfully going back to that fateful night when his world was forever changed. In the background of his thoughts, Professor G continued to ramble on over the last stanzas of Hamlet that he'd already memorized dozens of times over.
Duo sat up in his chair, reaching up to wipe his face with his hands. "Hey. You okay, Duo?" Sylvia called softly to him, the concern thick in her voice. Lowering his hands, the braided teenager only then realized by their dampness that he'd been perspiring in his effort to finish his puzzle.
A glance up from their place in the back of the class revealed that G's back was to them as he wrote on the chalkboard. Looking back to the girl beside him, he nodded and whispered, "Yea. Just really anxious to get the hell out of here and start the weekend, I guess."
Grinning in relief, Noventa giggled, "Hell, I'm just anxious to get out of here to get to the cafeteria. I haven't eaten all day from being so busy getting ready for the coming exams. I'm dying for some kind of meal."
Meal. That murmured word screamed in Maxwell's mind and sent a jolt down his spine. Instantly, it all came back to him...
"We have to make this quick," a deep voice snapped. "The Yuy and Barton clans are not far behind us. And if they know that we're intent on making him our next meal-"
The Vampire that had found a terrified braided boy in the alley when he had run from the Harvest had said that. That same boy had relived that nightmare not long before he met Heero months ago. "Holy shit," he breathed, skin paling, violet eyes wide and his jaw hanging open in shock.
Sylvia frowned, "Duo?"
"Now, my young scholars, that concludes this lesson," the professor announced with a wide smile as he turned towards his students, wiping his hand of chalk. "Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to have your final papers ready to be delivered to my office bright and early Monday morning. The schedule for your last exam will be given when we meet then."
Before G had even finished, Maxwell was scrambling to close his books and stuff them in his backpack. Pulling the bag's zipper closed, he grabbed his black jacket and smirked to Sylvia, "You're a doll. Gotta run." The first to his feet, he all but ran from the room, leaving his classmate blinking in surprise as she watched his retreat.
Keeping his footsteps quick, Duo was in the process of pulling his coat on while juggling his backpack and cell phone as he hurried through the library's entrance. The dial tone only sounded twice when he pressed the received to his ear.
"Quatre," he greeted before his roommate had a chance to say anything. "I'm going to be out for a while, so don't wait up for me if I'm late in getting back. There's something I need to take care of and it can't wait. "
* * * * * *
Taking up the offered glass of blood that had been colored to look like white wine, Treize bowed at the waist to Midi and smiled kindly, "My dear, you are ever the attentive hostess. Your hospitality is most appreciated."
Lady Une grinned as she accepted her own glass with a sincere, "You really do not have to go so out of your way for us. We are all friends here, not dignitaries."
"No point in arguing that," Wufei smirked from the other half of the living room where the clans sat together in his cousins' home. "If you weren't here, she would find another way of busying herself. I'm amazed that the carpets in this place are not worn down into fibers from her moving about."
He snickered along with the others when Midi stuck her tongue out at him in a less than lady-like display without so much as shifting the glasses on the tray in her hands to do so.
Despite herself, she smiled and refrained from arguing when she knew her cousin to be right. Already, she was plotting to reorganize the books in the shelves throughout the house in alphabetical order. That'd keep her busy the better part of a whole day.
Content to sit in the furthest corner from the Yuy-Changs, Meiran made sure to avoid eye contact with Heero's bastard sister and stared at the yellowish fluid in her glass. No self-respecting Vampire would bother to mask blood out of respect for any potential human guest's sake. It was demeaning for their kind to feel that they had to conform to the very race that had oppressed Infected by forcing them to be controlled by rules and regulations.
The sound of the doorbell brought all of the conversations in the room to an abrupt halt and every gold-flecked eye staring at the entrance. "Well, I was not expecting anyone to show tonight," Midi frowned as she was about to move and lower the nearly empty tray she possessed.
More than happy for an excuse to step from the room where she had to fake her happiness when she should have been on the hunt with Heero, Meiran practically leapt onto her heeled feet. "I'll get the door for you, dear," she offered with the most polite smile she could muster before she headed out.
Her shoes clicking with every step when she reached the hardwood floors stretching to the front door, Meiran brushed back her dark hair from her shoulders. Hand on the doorknob, she pulled back as she called, "May I help-?"
The rest of her greeting was silenced with a sharp gasp when she looked upon the visitor on the other side of the door as her eyes locked onto a familiar shade of violet.
TBC...
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