CHAPTER
NINE:
Northern Hemisphere
Earth
The cherry blossoms dropped their petals onto the earth
with each passing breeze. The beautiful rays of early morning sunshine filtered
through the avenue of magnolias lining the long driveway that led up to the
impressive building. Out on the lawns, horses could be seen grazing lazily on
grass so green, it seemed blinding. The sparkling lake that surrounded the
grounds housed, at the moment, several ducks and a small fishing yacht.
The sound of a dog barking in
the background did not faze the two men that stood in pristine whites on the
tennis court. Although both were sweating profusely from their exertions, both
still maintained an air of cool detachment that would have impressed anyone.
“I believe it is your turn to
serve.”
“I am leading you, Treize,
right? Six-love…”
“Do not flatter yourself, my
dear Zechs. You know as well as I do
that we are both tied at five games all.”
The blond smirked and raised
his racket, ready to serve the yellow tennis ball across the net to his worthy
opponent and lover. “Yes…but I am about to finish you off now, once and for
all.”
The older laughed and readied
himself. “Such talk for a relative amateur. Please serve.”
The ball came flying towards
him and with effortless ease, he returned with equal speed. For the next few
minutes, both men bounced the small object over the net, diving to make
excellent recoveries, or running to catch the elusive ball. In the end, a sharp
snap of his wrist sent the ball out of reach of
Zechs, leaving Treize with a smug look on his face.
“I believe I won that point,
Zechs.”
His second-in-command leaned
against the wall trying to catch his breath, damp blond locks clinging to his
face as the sweat and heat threatened to make him collapse. He could hear
Treize walking over to the sidelines and pushing himself off, he joined his
companion. Sinking into the comfortable lawn chairs, he reached for the
ice-cold lemonade drink and chugged it down thirstily, unaware that his motions
were carefully watched and admired by his mate.
For several minutes they sat
together in silence beneath the shade, the sounds of early morning washing over
them. Suddenly, Treize spoke up.
“How is he doing?”
Zechs raised an eyebrow, but
didn’t turn around to face his master. “As well as can be expected. The others
seemed to bear the punishment just as well.”
“Hn…are their wounds healed?”
“Yes, Wufei and Trowa have
been treated.” He stopped and turned around to face Treize, noticing the
irritated look on his face. “He has been in there for over two days,
Treize…shouldn’t we let him off now?”
“He disobeyed my wishes,
Zechs. And still had the guts to defy me even after being questioned! He will
remain there until he learns humility. In this line of work, being arrogant is
just a disaster waiting to happen!”
Zechs frowned and turned away
again. His eyes going distant as memories of what had happened came back to
him. News of the boys going away to ‘hunt’ on their own without letting them
know had spread pretty quickly and needless to say, Treize had not been happy
and for good reason too. Thanks to their antics, Amon-Ra was now aware of their
presence and had made it a point of duty to become even more elusive. They had
found the boys on L2; in front of some store that looked liked it had seen
better days. While the others had accepted their fates quietly, Heero had
looked…empty. He had begun to mutter
things that sounded like ‘killed him’ and when Trowa had been asked, the
unibanged boy could only shrug and reply quietly.
“He killed someone special to
him.”
Zechs shook his head and
stared at a passing eagle. Punishment for disobeying Lord Khushrenada or anyone
else of authority for that matter, was being administered severe whippings. The
amount given depending on the offense committed. Trowa and Wufei had been quick
to admit their mistake, but Heero had remained stubborn, refusing to answer any
question thrown his way. With his anger growing, Treize had ordered the stoic
boy to be hung and kept in the Dark Abyss until he was ready to admit his
wrongdoing.
It was now two days and
counting.
Two shadows fell across him
and he raised his eyes to stare at the two boys that had filled his mind just
now. He glanced at his watch, realizing what time it was. He felt Treize get to
his feet and mimicking his actions, he stood beside the other man.
“Ah, good morning, Trowa
Barton and Wufei Chang,” Treize greeted with a smile. “Are we ready for our
practice today?”
Trowa and Wufei exchanged
puzzled glances. “We were under the impression that you wanted us to go for
another assignment, sir,” Trowa said quietly.
Treize blinked and cocked his
head to the side. “Is that true, Zechs?”
“Yes, they were supposed to
follow Fujimiya and Yoji to the East…we had heard reports of some demonic
activities over there.”
Treize nodded and began to
walk towards them. “Well, that will do just fine. Come, come with me, I have
some last minute instructions to give to you. And my dear Zechs…”
“Yes, Treiz….mmphff!”
He could feel his face
heating up at the public display of his mate’s affections towards him, but he
bore it and responded to his kiss, groaning as he felt Treize’s tongue play
with his. With a sigh, he was finally released and he could only stare
helplessly into those sparkling blue depths.
“I will meet you later, my
love,” Treize whispered huskily, before spinning around to face the two silent
boys. “Come! Come! Let’s go!”
Zechs watched the three of
them walk away from the courts, before a frown came upon his features. Making
sure that they were completely out of
sight, he spun around and made his way towards the house, his quick steps
leading him to a place that the faintest of heart would not have been able to
stand. He nodded to the greetings he received from the ‘messengers’ that
loitered the grounds and hallways. Making his way past the grandiose rooms and
stairways, he pushed open the large solid oak doors and walked quickly down the
flight of stairs that seemed to wind down to nowhere. Wood gave way to solid stone
as the steps became even steeper and dangerous. Light was becoming quite
necessary, and although used to seeing in the dark, he reached for the torch
that blazed upon its stand on the wall, and crossed the small walking bridge
into the deeper lair.
Goodness, but it was chilly
down here. He finally got to the steel door and still cursing himself for
coming down in only tennis shorts, he closed his eyes and concentrated quietly.
With a mental push, the door opened up and the sharp smell of blood hit his nostrils
with a force that threatened to make him fall. Not surprising. Sighing sadly,
he raised the torch above his head and walked into the large dungeon. With only
a tiny slit of an opening high above its dome-shaped roof for air, hanging in
the middle of the room, from a long black leather-like rope was the figure of
Heero Yuy.
The boy’s hands were tied
above his head, which was currently lowered to the ground, causing his
chocolate-colored locks to hang over his face, effectively hiding it. Clad only
in blank pants, his bare torso and back showed signs of whippings, the dried-up
blood caking his skin, making it look like a really bad artist had painted him.
With another heavy sigh,
Zechs hung the torch in its appropriate place and walked up to the hanging
figure. He reached out to caress the torn flesh, wincing as he felt the other
boy flinch at the touch. Gritting his teeth, he placed his hands upon Heero and
ignoring the light struggle, he closed his eyes and began the slow healing
process, trying to work as quickly as he could before his lover found out.
The Hidden
L1
Old man J blew lightly on
the incense, closing his eyes as he chanted out the rituals for his divine
healing for the evening. He stopped for
a moment, eyes hidden behind thick glasses never revealing the worry and
concern in their depths. The air smelled different. Almost with a taste of
foreboding. It had been eight years since the ‘incident’ with his young
apprentice and adopted son. How time flew when one awaited death with each
passing moment.
He closed up the ceremonial
box and got to his feet, groaning as his bones protested the movement.
Shuffling around the temple on tired feet, he picked up the broom and began to
sweep the courtyards, the only sounds coming from the low ‘swish’ of the broom
against the cobbled stones. His lower
back began to throb and he knew without a doubt that something terrible was
about to happen. Stopping, he closed his eyes and mouthed another prayer, knowing
that if he was to die soon, he would at least die knowing that he had not
betrayed his boy.
Ah, Heero. What has happened to you now? I have tried
to read your thoughts, but you have blocked them from me…what has become of
you. Do I not have the right to know?
“Perhaps he tires of you.”
The old man spun around
quickly, eyes widening as he noticed the two black-clad figures in long flowing
coats, sitting upon his temple’s ledge. He swallowed as he noticed their
seemingly cherubic faces. Apparently, the long-haired one was the leader, for
he exuded an air of quiet confidence that was unmistakable. The blond was no
less intimidating, but there was something else…something not quite as
confident and if J weren’t already frightened enough as it was, he would have
sworn that it was fear with a hint of sorrow.
He stepped backwards as the
braided one got to his feet. With hands stuck within the pockets of the large
coat, he walked casually towards the old man, amethyst depths flashing with
false mirth.
“Old Man J, I believe?” came
the low rumbling voice.
“What…what do you want?” the
temple priest asked shakily, still moving backwards. He was almost to the small
shelf that held the sacred katanas.
Just a little bit more. He begged inwardly.
The demon stopped and rocked
back on his heels, eyes dancing around the small building with seeming
interest. “Why, I am just a poor citizen who wants to be healed…can you do that
for me?”
J shook his head. “You are
beyond healing! You have the aura of the devil! I can smell it on you!!”
A light giggle from the blond
sent his companion chuckling and had the old man frozen in fear. “Ah, my love…”
the braided one said with a grin. “He accuses me of smelling funny. Perhaps I
need to take a bath, ne?”
“Yes…and a good one too!”
This sent both boys cackling with glee at some inward shared joke, but plenty
of time for the old priest to reach for his trusty katana. With a speed that
would have taken anyone by surprise, he swung it around in one fluid motion and
sent it straight for the laughing boy’s neck, only to gasp in shock and horror
as the blade was caught within his hands.
The smile on his face was
turned into one of displeasure as drops of blood began to coat the steely blade
and drop to the floor. “Now why would you want to harm a person in distress,
old man?” came the quiet question. “I haven’t done anything to you, now, have
I? And yet you attack me?”
“You are the devil!! Leave
this place at once!!”
The handsome boy closed his
eyes and smirked. “The devil…” He opened them back up with a snap, the amethyst
orbs now a bright crimson as his lips parted to reveal fangs in place of the
pearly canines earlier. “THE DEVIL IS ONLY A FIGMENT OF PEOPLE’S OVERZEALOUS
IMAGINATIONS!! I AM MORE THAN THE DEVIL!! I AM HELL ITSELF!!”
With a loud snarl, he broke
the katana into halves and tossed the old man towards the shelf that housed
several others, watching in glee as some of the sharp edges tore into his skin.
J fell to the floor and cradled his bleeding body, grimacing as he felt the
blood fill his mouth. He tried to get to his feet, but only ended up staggering
in pain.
“Who…who are you?” he croaked
out weakly.
The boy walked up to him with
his arms folded across his chest. “I am the one your son tried to kill. He owes
me a life in return. And I think he just wagered yours!!”
With another roar, he lifted
the old man by the scruff of his shirt and began to lead him towards a katana
that had its blade pointed upwards. With a cruel smile on his face, the
executioner got ready to finish up his work. “And now, you die!!”
Duo!
“What the…” he froze his
movements, spinning around sharply. “Who said that?!”
“Who said what, my love?”
Quatre asked with a puzzled frown, before yawning and stretching. “Let’s hurry
up and kill him already. We have other things to do, remember?”
“Yes, that
we do! Say goodbye, old man!!” And raising him again for the second time, he
froze once more as he heard his name called.
Duo! Stop this…please…
“WHO IS CALLING ME?!” Amon-Ra
bellowed in frustration, now dropping the old man to the floor, crimson eyes
blazing in confusion as they danced across the temple grounds searching for the
culprit.
I am not calling you, you idiot!! I am calling Duo!!
“Idiot? Idiot?! Who the hell
are you calling an idiot?!”
“My love…is everything
alright…?” Quatre asked in growing bemusement.
“Everything is fine!! Once I
get my hands on you, I swear I will…!!!”
Hn…you cannot do a thing to me. Do you honestly think
that trying to kill my master will make me feel any worse?! Do you honestly
believe that killing him would boost your little ego?!
“Shut up….SHUT UP, YOU
IMBECILE!!”
Try and do it!! I dare you!!
“Where are you?! Show
yourself to me and this time I promise not to waste any time finishing you
off!!”
I am right behind you, you fool!
Amon-Ra spun around to see
the smirking bare-chested demon hunter behind him. “You…you again!! I should
have known!!”
“Yes, it’s me again. This
battle is between you and me, Amon-Ra…leave my master out of this.”
Quatre, who had been silent
the entire time, blinked at his mate in confusion. It seemed like the demon was
talking to himself and trying again, he called out tentatively. “Ah…my love…don’t
you think we ought to be going now…oommpff!!”
“Got you, you little demon!”
J shouted in glee, as he covered Quatre’s nose and mouth with the cloth filled
with the holy waters of the temple. Quatre struggled to free himself, snarling
even as the effects began to wear on him. He wasn’t as strong as Duo yet and so
the holy waters could do a number on his physical appearance.
Duo!! Help me!!
Amon-Ra snarled and turned
away from the annoying image of Heero, only to see his mate in the hands of the
old priest. “You have asked for your death, old man.” And raising his hands, he
sent out a dart made of fire towards J’s heart, only to watch it be deflected
to the side by the brown-haired boy.
“I thought I told you that
this battle was between you and me. Keep my master out of it!”
Duo!! I…don’t know how much…longer….I…can…
The demon’s eyes darted from
one situation to the other, his confusion apparent. He roared in fury and fell
to the ground on his hands and knees. Heero, J and Quatre watched as the fangs
slowly disappeared, the crimson eyes went back to their original violet color
and the body seem to relax. Suddenly, it jumped back to its feet and dashed
headlong for Quatre, pulling him away from J’s grasp and hugging the panting
blond to his body.
“Don’t you dare touch him!”
Duo cried out in anger, pulling them away from the others.
“Duo…” Heero called out
softly, the cold look in his eyes gone as he watched the boy he knew without a
doubt that he loved reappear. “Duo…I…”
“Especially you!!” Duo
screamed, causing Heero to flinch as if pierced with a dagger. “I thought…I
thought you were different…”
“Duo…you don’t understand…”
“I understand perfectly!!
Stay away from both of us or I swear I will kill you myself!!!”
Heero lowered his gaze to the
floor, clenching his hands at his sides as the sharp flare of agony filled his
being. How could this have happened? How could Duo hate him now?
“I am only trying to help
you,” he said listlessly.
Duo laughed coldly. “Help?!
You have tried to kill me twice now!! What kind of help is that?!”
Heero stepped forward again.
“I won’t let him brainwash you, Duo. You have survived this long…”
“Stay back!! Stay back!! I am
warning you!!”
Heero ignored the cry and
kept on coming. “No, Duo. I will not…aaaaaaaaaaaaarghhh!!” He fell to the floor
in pain, staring at the new wound on his chest. The fire dart that Duo had
thrown had made a direct hit with him and he was beginning to bleed profusely
now.
“Duo…” he gasped out weakly.
“I…I…lo…”
With a soft grunt, he passed
out into oblivion, leaving J all by himself, as Duo vanished away with his mate
cradled in his arms. J crawled over to his son’s body or lack there of, as he
noticed it fade away.
You came all this way for me…or for him…ah, Heero…what
has happened to you…
But no answer was forthcoming
as the old man was left sitting on the cobbled stones with only the blood of
his son and the demon keeping him company.
The Khushrenada Estates
Northern Hemisphere
Earth
“ARRRRRGHHH!!!”
Zechs flinched and staggered
backwards as the new wound appeared on Heero’s chest. The loud howl of anguish
from the boy’s lips told Zechs one thing.
Heero had never really been
in the room with him the entire time. Even in this state, the stubborn hunter
had gone out to fight on his own.
That was a power that even
Treize could not control.
Heero’s head shot up, blazing
blue depths staring blindly ahead of him. Zechs noticed the almost crazed look
that had now come into his eyes, before the comprehension sunk in and they
trained themselves on him.
“Have you come to release
me?” Heero asked quietly.
“No.”
“Oh.”
“I came to heal you.”
“He will not be happy, you
know.”
“I know that, Heero,” Zechs
said with a slight shake of his head. He eyed the fresh wound and raised an
eyebrow.
Heero turned his face away.
“I owe no one anything.”
“You, you do not. But…you
should be more careful…one of these days, you will get killed.”
“I do not fear death.”
“None of us do…but you are
fighting for his life, are you not? What good would it be to have yourself
killed and then lose him in the end?”
Heero remained silent,
knowing full well that Zechs was right.
“I just want you to be
careful, Heero, that’s all. Are you ready to eat now?”
The Japanese boy nodded
mutely and raised his head up with a resigned sigh and accepting Zech’s lips
against his, he satisfied his raving hunger.
Next time, Amon-Ra…I will take back what is mine…