In this world we're just beginning
To understand the miracle of living
Baby, I was afraid before
I'm not afraid anymore
-Lyrics to 'Heaven Is a Place On Earth' redone by Katie Johnson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6786r9k4K4
Crimson Ties Part 44
Duo blinked his growing eyes. "You sure?" he asked softly, giving his sister the chance to back out of her intention in case she really was not up for what was no doubt going to be a difficult experience to share.
Given his own troubled mind over Heero, the braided teenager was not exactly sure how his rolling emotions would be able to handle a troubling story... especially since it involved two Vampires he came to care deeply for.
Smiling sadly, Anna nodded firmly, "Yea. It's about time that I got it off my chest. And you have the right to hear it all." An eyebrow lifting, she warned, "As I told you, though, it is a bit long."
In response, the braided teenager smirked and shifted in his chair to make himself comfortable by leaning back. Chuckling softly, the Infected shook her head of long, loose curls.
With a deep breath, her smile faded and she began, "It was 1898 when the first Vampire was discovered by a human and announced to the world. Our kind was scrambling to find a way to keep our own from being hunted and wiped out. Treize and his family were amongst the first to come forward with the idea of forming the Council. Being the popular family that they've always been amongst us Infected, they were voted into their responsibilities without argument."
Biting her lip, she rubbed her 'freckled' arms as if fighting off a sudden chill. "So, while they and the rest of the board met with the mortal world leaders to discuss the initial start of the pact between our species, there was an official order sent to all Vampires," she went on.
A haunted glaze settled over Anna's eyes as she stated, "That order was under no circumstances was another human to be turned until the details of the agreement were worked out. Any offenders would be tried and sentenced to death to be made an example before Infected and living alike."
Her head and gaze lowering, the redhead muttered, "Heero, Trowa, Midi and I were already visiting China when all of that took place. And we decided to lay low there in wait for the end of the deliberations over the treaty. We took to the Sōng Shān mountains, hiding out in one of the largest caves that we could find there."
Sighing, the Vampire chewed on the inside of her cheek and all but whispered, "We were scared to come out, not knowing what might happen if we ran into the wrong human that might decide to take matters into their own hands and kill us. Trust even amongst our own was in question. So, needless to say, they were pretty tumultuous times for all of us."
With a snort, she huffed out bitterly, "But of course that never stopped me from wanting to try my luck from time to time just to get out of that damned rock shell of a house we'd made..."
* * * * * *
(Flashback)
The others were going to be livid with her when he returned from his hunt if she didn't return home before he did. Anna knew that much, so she pushed herself to run as fast as she'd ever run before. Even if it was daylight out, she wouldn't have been able to make out her surroundings in the blur that they had sailed past her.
It was just so damned good to be out in the open air, smelling the smells around and feeling the wind whipping around. Days and nights on end cooped up in that cave were making the Irish immortal go out of her mind.
Bad enough that there was nothing she or her family could do when it came to the talks between their friends and the humans. But to be trapped as well as helpless as they were, it was a terrible combination that was enough to break even the strongest of nerves.
Coming to a stop when she noticed what was up ahead, Anna blinked as she gazed on the large lake before her. It had been ages since she was able to enjoy her last swim and the sight of the still water wrapped by a rocky bank was the most welcoming sight she'd seen in weeks.
The corner of her lips curling up in a mischievous smile, the Infected was already working out the time-line in her head. As fast as she was able to run now, every inch of her would be dry by the time she returned back to her family. Quickly shedding her purple, knee-length wrap tunic and white under slip as she hurried to the water's edge, she dove beneath the lake's surface.
An elated laugh breaking from her when she reemerged, Anna lazily paddled her way around. There was not another soul in sight amidst the peaceful flatlands of grass, flowers and trees while the endless heavens above sparkled with millions of stars that were reflected in the water around her.
Simple joys like this were few and far between... these moments of really feeling alive. But when they did come, they were the most splendid of things.
Floating on her back and stroking through the lake, the Vampire continued to enjoy her swim until the first signs of the approaching sunrise came in the form of the lightening of the sky's blues. There was still more than enough time for her to beat the others home, but she'd taken enough chances that night.
With a sigh, Anna reluctantly kicked her way back to the shore where her clothes lay in a heap along the tall rock formations that framed the beach.
As she stepped from the water, and stepped to the small pile and bent to collect it when something sharp pressed against her back. "Do. Not. Move," a voice commanded lowly in Chinese. Freezing instantly, the Vampire's entire body stiffened as her eyes grew.
Of all the stupid things that she could have gone and done, Anna hissed to herself. She allowed herself to be snuck up on all for a chance to experience some time out in the open. The last thing that she needed was to attack a human, even if it was in self-defense. In light of the touchy matters happening half-way across the world with the new Vampire Congress, there would be no way she could atone for such an act...
...but a good scare couldn't hurt.
Her fangs growing beyond her closed lips, the Infected slowly turned her head to peer over her shoulder that was draped by her wet hair. "Lower your weapon and we can both walk away from this," she replied with a demand in her own voice as she spoke in her captor's tongue without really looking at him save for noting that he stood a couple inches taller than her.
A sharp gasp broke through the air. "V-Vampire?" the mortal breathed, his curved blade lowering against his side.
When the point against her skin fell away, Anna turned herself to gaze on the boy no older than seventeen before her and it was her turn to gasp as she took him in. Wide, onyx eyes bore into her gaze and a face framed by black, shoulder-length hair that was pulled back in a short ponytail paled.
The blouse and loose pants were the deep red and white of the rebel solders of the east. She'd seen the uniform before over the last few months at the start of the movement to remove the British and other foreigners pushing their Catholic agenda on the people. [1]
And the human in them was absolutely beautiful... so much so that she felt even more naked than she already was standing with only her soaked hair draping her body. Were she still able, her face would have burned with a blush to compete with the red of her locks.
Quickly regaining his composure, the teenager raised his sword with both hands on the hilt to hold a few inches from her still heart. "You have come to claim my mens' lives as they sleep in the camps nearby?" he pressed.
"No," Anna answered honestly, calmly. The corner of her mouth curling, she smirked, "If I had intended to do that, do you think that I would have taken time for a swim?" Retracting her fangs, she added, "Besides, if I was planning on killing anyone, you would have already been dead by now. I'm just trying to exist in peace here."
Blinking, the soldier slowly dropped his weapon again. Unable to pull his eyes from her, he frowned, "You... have a very strange accent when you speak in my language that I cannot quite place. Where are you from?"
With a sideways glance at the heap of material at his feet, the Infected giggled, "May I have my clothes? I will be happy to answer anything you wish to know once I am a little more... decent."
In the brightening natural light, the smooth and perfect skin of the warrior's face blushed crimson. Clearing his throat, his dark eyes couldn't help but look down as they lingered on her damp body. And his blush deepened. Quickly bending at the waist, he gathered up her slip and tunic to hand them over, muttering sincerely, "My apologies."
Her smile warming, Anna accepted the slip first and pulled it over her head. When she reached for her tunic, she noticed the boy swallow roughly as he continued to stare at her. Not that she was able to hide her own looming gaze from him. Everything about the soldier was perfection- from his lean and muscular build to his sleek hair and smooth, sun-kissed skin.
Shaking her head from her thoughts, the Vampire tied the belt around her wrap tight but still managed to feel exposed. She knew that she could end the human's life before he knew what had happened and yet she was oddly vulnerable in his presence.
"Thank you," the redhead smiled with a small nod, surprised at how sure her voice came out. "To answer, I am originally from Ireland." Ducking her head, she grinned sheepishly, "I hope that I am not butchering your language too badly. Chinese is still pretty new to me."
A smile broke out on the warrior's face to make him only the more heartbreakingly gorgeous. "So," he drew out in flawless English, "we have a Celtic Rose in our land." It was the Infected's turn to swallow roughly and she looked away out of humble embarrassment of the name.
Easing completely, the soldier bowed deeply at the waist. "I'm Wufei Chang," he introduced when he straightened with a grin.
Hands fidgeting with her long, wet hair, the Vampire smiled, "Anna Yuy." Glancing to the east, her blue-and-gold eyes widened. "I have to go!" and all but cried, not only out of panic at how close she would cut it to returning home before the others, but out of her reluctance to leave the handsome teenager.
"Will you come back here? Later tonight?" Chang half-asked, half-pleaded with a deep frown. Somehow he seemed every bit as sorry that their meeting was ending so abruptly. "I'll make sure to be here as soon as it's dark. My division won't be moving for some time."
Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Anna knew that risking another meeting like this came at a risk to her safety. But then she also didn't want to be separated from Wufei for long for some strange reason. Smiling, she kicked on her sandals and nodded, "Nightfall, then."
At the wide grin that spread across the warrior's face, she giggled before she shot off in a blur to return home.
* * * * * *
Over the course of the next two weeks, Anna would always have an excuse to go off hunting on her own at night. During that time, she would reunite with Wufei at their same spot by the lake where they 'd first met. As they walked the shoreline from nightfall to sunrise, they would quietly talk about themselves and how they came to be the Vampire and army officer that they were...
...and though it didn't seem possible in the beginning, their bond only seemed to grow all the tighter. For the redhead, it was as if she'd known the warrior all her existence.
Then, one night, Chang was quieter than usual. His mood was much more somber than Anna was used to. Biting her lip as they strolled along the water's edge, she looked over at him in the darkness and frowned, "What's troubling you? I know that I am a bit of a talker, but you have not said much this evening."
With a soft sigh, the soldier rubbed the back of his neck as he continued to stare at the rocks at their feet. "I... have not been completely forthcoming with you," he all but whispered. "When I return home once this rebellion is over and we have sent our intruders away, I am to be married."
Freezing in her steps, the Vampire's golden eyes widened in disbelief. Though her heart no longer beat, she felt a profound pain in her chest. "What?" she breathed. "Y-you're engaged?"
"An arranged marriage of sorts," Wufei was quick to explain, tone apologetic as he turned to face her. "Our families have been friends for decades and there is much to be gained for both through our marriage. I couldn't-" Shaking his head, he tried again and sighed deeply, "No. I didn't want to tell you."
Eyes stinging, Anna's head lowered to conceal the overwhelming loss on her face. "Do you love her?" she asked softly, silently dreading the answer.
There was a pause before Chang replied just as quietly, "Yes." Biting his lip, he shrugged, "I must as it is the way of such arrangements. If she is to become my bride, I will have to be her loving and attentive husband when the time comes."
'If you love something, let it go,' the Infected told herself. And there was no question that in the very short period of time that she'd spent with the soldier that she had, in fact, fallen in love with him. When they were parted, she could only think of him. And when they were together, she cherished every second.
Just as devoted a warrior to his cause in the army as he was, Wufei was also set to the task of fulfilling his role as a spouse. Nothing would ever deter him from his responsibilities or his morals in following the way of his people.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Anna slowly lifted her head and put on a brave smile despite how much it hurt her to do so. "Then, I'm happy for you," she said as sincerely as she could.
"There's more," Wufei muttered, the sadness in his eyes deepening. "My division of the army is going to be moving in two days time. I'm not sure where we'll be moving to, but... you would be in danger if you tried to find me. I almost think that it would be best for both our sakes if this was the last time we-" His mouth opening and closing, his voice failed to speak the rest.
Nearly coming undone at that, the redhead nodded shallowly. He was only trying to be kind to her by his suggestion in this being their last night together. Swallowing down the lump that had grown, her grin did not reach her eyes as she whispered, "Yes, that would probably be best."
Just when she had thought that maybe... just maybe Chang might have felt for her the way she felt for him, her whole world was falling apart around her.
Regret filled the teenager's eyes as his head fell. As if not aware he was doing so, he ran a finger along the Vampire's arm. His touch lingered over the bite mark 'freckles' that had earned her a great deal of respect from him when she had told him of her fight with the monster that had poisoned her. A warrior himself, he took those marks as battle scars that she should be proud of.
Honor. That was the one thing that Wufei held most important. And as such, nothing would ever be more important than defending his homeland's people and traditions, dying for them if he had to. There would be nothing else that he would be more passionate about. Everything else came second... including love.
It was just the simple fact of the matter, however painful it was to accept.
Biting his lip, Wufei reached into his red blouse. "I, uh... made this for you. My family has a bit of a talent in carving and shaving materials," he announced nervously.
Slowly, he revealed a large and sparkling piece of white glass that had been manipulated to look like a rose bud in full bloom. Gasping at the sight of it, Anna reached forward with both hands that she could not keep from shaking. The cool feel of the gift against her skin matched that of the painful chill setting into her very core.
"Thank you," she managed, allowing her tears to fill her eyes as she stared down at the precious offering.
A kiss was pressed and held against her cheek, startling her. Quickly straightening himself, Chang's eyes were firm on hers as he breathed, "I'll never forget you." That said, he turned on his heels and ran off to disappear amidst the taller rock formations along the shoreline.
He was only trying to be kind. Proper. Anna knew those things.
And yet she couldn't bring her tears to stop falling as she stared back at the glass rose in her hands.
* * * * * *
"Who is he and what did he do to hurt you?" Heero demanded as he folded his arms when he entered his sister's corner of the large cave they had made their home. Leaning back against the wall of rock behind him, he smirked, "I could always go and repay him for you."
Anna's back went rigid as she blinked her wide eyes. Looking back at him, she quickly hid the glass gift Wufei had given her within the confines of her 'dresser' of limestone and granite. "What are you talking about?" she asked when she turned to face him.
The other Infected snorted, "Come on, sister. I know you better than anyone. You've been singing and dancing more around here lately when we all know how much you hate being trapped in this cave." He tilted his head, smirking, "And you take time to doll yourself before you go off on your hunts at night when you never cared about anything of how you looked before."
Glaring, the redhead propped her fists at her hips in a defensive stance. "I'm not girly enough to fidget with my appearance-" she began to protest, but cut herself off when her brother's smirk grew and an eyebrow lifted over a gold-and-cobalt eye. Thinking back to her behavior, she ducked her head, mumbling, "So, maybe I wanted to wear something nice and have my hair in order."
Her eyes squinting and head ducking, she glanced at her brother and found that he was not buying that at all. Sighing heavily, she sagged and moved to collapse atop the edge of her bed that was only used for a place to sit more than anything.
"Wufei Chang," she finally shared in a whisper, eyes staring at the floor between them. "He's an officer with the rebellion that is about to be back on the move soon and I just came to find out that he's engaged to another. We will not be spending any more time together after this last get together." Even as the words left her, the world began to swim and blur.
Closing her eyes when she felt the bed shift beside her, she sobbed and leaned heavily against Heero as he pulled her against him in a tight embrace. Simply allowing her to cry out her grief, the unruly-haired mortal kissed the top of her head when she buried her face in his shoulder.
There was nothing more exchanged over the matter that night, only comfort and understanding.
* * * * * *
Against her better judgment, Anna pondered over going back to the lake the following night. Sitting on the ledge of the opening to the cave, she gazed out as far as she could to the east as the sun began to set, cascading an array of colors in the skies.
Would Wufei even try to see her back at their spot on the last night that he would be able to? Was that regret and hesitance in him in their parting something that the Infected had imagined out of a vain hope that they were real?
Pulling her knees to her chest, the redhead never tore her eyes from the distant horizon when she felt her brother stepping up to stand beside her. "Midi always tells us how we should follow our emotions," Heero stated quietly. "There may be a risk involved, but I can't stand to see you so defeated like this."
Anna bit her lip and slowly turned her head up to watch him. Taking a deep breath, Yuy smirked, "You know you want to see him one more time. Go. I'll come up with an excuse for our cousins." If he'd intended to say anything more, he was stopped when his sister shot to her feet and threw her arms around him tightly.
Kissing the end of his nose as she stepped back, she grinned widely, "I'll be back before any of you can miss me." She only heard the start of her brother's chuckle as she darted off.
By the time the redheaded Vampire reached the start to the bank surrounding the great lake, it was dark, the whole stretch of water and land that she could see silent and empty. Shoulders slumping, Anna released a deep breath that came out as a partial sob.
So, there was no hope that there was something more in Wufei's eyes even when he was trying to say good bye to her. Wrapping her arms around her frame against the shiver of pain that wracked her body, the Infected closed her eyes and silently willed the deep sense of loss away.
"Anna?" a familiar voice breathed. A stray tear already rolling down her cheek, the Vampire locked in place with wide eyes. Scared that she had only heard things on the wind, she slowly turned around to watch as Chang stepped out into the open.
Instantly, there was a fire in those onyx eyes on her. There was an energy that had never been there between them as they headed towards each other when the Vampire was able to command her body to move. And once she started, there was no stopping her, just as there was no slowing Wufei in his approach.
Every step picked up speed as that electricity between them intensified. Then, they were sharing each other's space and it was as if two worlds collided to leave everything else behind.
Their lips crushing together, hands roamed to feverishly tear away at the clothing on them until there was nothing that came between their flesh. Gasping, nipping, panting and moaning, their joining was so needed that they didn't take the time to lie down.
Wufei bent down to wrap his arms around the Vampire's slender waist as he walked them to a tall rock formation. Quickly realizing his intent, Anna hooked her legs around his waist and leaned back against the stone. Gasping sharply when she felt herself being filled, she cried out in pleasure as her head fell back.
Driven by a passion the likes of which was unimaginable, they fell into a powerful rhythm of thrusts and pumps. Never before had anything felt more surreal and perfect. With only the stars and half-moon overhead to bear witness, the moment was only for the two of them. For just this moment, they were one in their need, their desire, their bodies and their souls.
And with an explosion, the soldier and the Vampire screamed in rapture when they fell over the edge into an oblivion of ecstasy.
Though her lungs no longer needed the air, Anna panted heavily along with Wufei as they remained joined as they were when their climaxes ebbed. Holding on to the warrior's neck, she closed her eyes and buried her face into the smooth skin of his damp shoulder. Wet with sweat and his hair loose, the mortal trembled as he held her back just as fiercely.
It didn't take long for the high of what had just happened to come back to the Earth and the ramification of her actions hit the Infected hard. Swallowing roughly, her immense joy was replaced with guilt. She had just become the 'other woman' not only to Wufei's betrothed, but to his honor.
Most startling to her was how there was a small part of her that didn't care. She had wanted this more than anything. The tear rolling down her cheek was not born out of sadness, but her elation. For as wrong as it should have felt, nothing could have been more right at the same time.
The internal conflict over the matter was gut wrenching. Terrifying as it was, she accepted it... took courage in it.
Finally pulling back to meet her eyes, Chang's dark eyes swirled with the same opposing emotions. But he put on a small smile and pressed his lips to the redhead's in a sweet kiss. Leaning into the touch, Anna sighed.
Once they reluctantly separated their bodies, they pulled their clothes back on in silence as their minds continued to reel with thoughts and questions. When he was dressed again, the soldier moved to stand a top a rise of rock and stared out to the lake.
Deep in reflection, his expression was unreadable as Anna slipped her sandals back on. Not about to interrupt whatever was passing through his mind, the Vampire lowered her head to consider her own musings over their love making... which was the only thing that she could call their joining. There was nothing violent or put on in the act, only tenderness and passion.
"I love you," the redhead heard herself whisper. Stunned by the words, her eyes grew as the rest of her body went stiff. Very slowly looking up at the warrior, she found him looking on her in surprise.
Before she could weigh into how to read his reaction, Chang jumped down to stand before her. A small, almost sad smile curled his mouth before he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Gazing over his shoulder to the south, he pulled his loose hair back into its low ponytail and announced quietly, "The others will be waiting for me to join them so we can finish packing up our camp. We leave at first light."
Anna sucked in her bottom lip, nodding. "Which direction will you be traveling?" she asked.
Facing the Infected, Wufei's moonlit eyes pierced through her as he answered, "Northwest. We'll likely be beyond this region by the next nightfall."
"Then I know where I can start looking for you," the immortal smiled. Again, that something that she couldn't place flicked over the soldier's face. It made her uneasy, but she wasn't sure why that was. When his small smile returned, she completely ignored the little voice that was warning her.
Quickly leaning in to hold their mouths together once more, the warrior sighed. Pulling away, he nodded firmly, "The next nightfall then. When I'm off to scout around, we'll meet up again at our new meeting place."
Our new meeting place. Hearing Wufei call anything as something belonging to the both of them, Anna could have levitated from her happiness.
Throwing her arms around his neck tightly, the Vampire closed her eyes and took in the feel of him holding her back. "Good night, then," she grinned when they broke away. Stepping backwards to keep her vision filled with him for as long as she could with a love-stricken smile on her face, she waved.
'Don't leave him,' that tiny voice in her subconscious warned. Passing it off as her ever present fears over the unknown, she ignored it... even when that almost sad grin returned to Wufei's face as he waved back.
Spinning on her heels, she dashed off to return home where she could daydream about the overwhelming events of the night.
* * * * * *
Late into the following evening...
The voice had been right. Something was terribly wrong.
Flying through every square inch of the Chinese terrain to the furthest point that an army as large as Wufei's would have been able to travel on foot, Anna still had yet to find any sign of them. After hours of searching, that terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach only grew.
At a loss as to where she could have gone wrong, the Irish Infected decided to run back to the last location that the army had set camp. When she returned there, she came to an abrupt stop at the cliff overlooking the valley below.
The camp was still there. Every tent, campfire and stall for the horses was right where they had always been.
She had been sent away.
Wufei did not want her after all. He chose his mortal life, his honor and his traditions. Just as she feared he would.
Torn apart by her sadness, the Vampire walked numbly to the lake to look on it one last time... to say farewell to Wufei and her hopes that they might have been together. Reaching the shoreline, she on the perched on top of the taller rock formations.
With tears streaming down her face, Anna sobbed softly to herself as she looked out to the water reflecting the millions of stars above. Silently saying her goodbyes, she hardly recognized that the wind had changed...
...until she recognized the distinct scent of blood that it carried. A great deal of blood at that.
The wave of hunger that rose in her was stronger than any she'd ever experienced before. Slapping her hand over her mouth, she gasped sharply against her instincts that forced her fangs to grow.
With a great effort to not allow her need to claim her senses, she removed her hand and followed the smell to the source.
It took Anna to the other end of the great lake. When she looked out to the shallow start of the water, she came to a sudden stop. Pulling in a sharp breath, her growing and disbelieving eyes took in the sight before her.
Naked and floating on his back, Wufei's bluish and pale body shone under the bright moonlight as he lay half in the water and half on the shore.
Only the water around him was darker than what was further out... and red. He was lying in a pool of his own blood.
TBC...
[1] The Boxer Rebellion of China: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Rebellion
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page