[Written on December 20, 2001]
[Last edited 8/22/15]
" Operation Massacre: Episode Three"
Episode Three: Considering
Quatre sat down at the bar, too deep in his train of thought to notice Duo's constant stare. There were advantages and certain risks if he accepted this partnership. He had no doubt they'd be able to kill the doyen. This Duo was confident his information was correct, and Quatre trusted Wufei's judgment. But what if one of his fellow hunters got hurt in the process?
Shaking his head, he listened to his conscience. Everything has risks, Quatre. Accept his offer and get it over with. Silently, he approached Shinigami with intent. Looking in his eyes, Quatre said, "On one condition."
Duo's smile slipped. "Name it," he said seriously, something he hadn't been for a while. "If any of my fellow hunters get hurt, the deal's off and we become enemies again."
Quatre searched for any emotion in those eyes, but found nothing. This Duo was serious and solid, he didn't let emotions hold him back. Holding out his hand, Duo clasped it and shook it firmly. "Deal. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have things to take care of."
The vampire known as Shinigami disappeared into the night and four vampire hunters exited the club a moment later with a rather large bloody bag. It contained the heads of the dead vampires, and was not something any of them enjoyed doing. But if they didn't, all their efforts would have been wasted.
The rendezvous had been set hours earlier, and Quatre looked to his watch worriedly. He was supposed to be there already. Another reason why Quatre hated vampires. They lived forever, so why did they have to be punctual?
Duo hummed happily as he strolled down the dark alley, one eye focused on the shadows, the other on the tall figure that stood at the end. He smiled wickedly, fangs protracting dangerously as he leapt upon the apartment stairway above him. The doyen was back. Hiding in the shadows, Duo had to strain his eyes to distinguish Treize's figure in the darkness.
"Duo, the damn anarchist. You challenged my authority, and managed to escape my punishment. You're quite lucky, you know. Not many have managed to infuriate me as much as you have."
The pure blood grinned before sticking out his tongue at the doyen. "Only the last part is true, Treize. The rest is bullshit. I challenge anyone who doesn't lead his people properly, and that's you." Leaping over the rail, Duo, despite the height difference, stared Treize right in the eyes. Rage burned somewhere in those eyes, hidden to mere mortals, but to a vampire's eyes, it was as clear as day.
"See these eyes, doyen? I've been watching you with them for two hundred years, and I am aware of all your crimes and secrets. I've witnessed the murder of Mariemaia Khushrenada, and know you pulled the strings to make it happen. I have lived longer than you can imagine, and have seen many vampires come and go. Trust me, you're the worst of them."
Treize laughed, a deep throaty one that would have scared any weak-willed vampire, but Shinigami did not move an inch. "He talks the talk, but can he walk the walk?" Chuckling, the doyen stepped up to Duo, power dripping from every pore. "Why is it that a thousand-year-old pure blood can't lift a single finger against me?"
Duo's stare melted into a hard glare. "Can I help it if you were made by Lady Une, the eldest of us vampires, and the most powerful? You took a shortcut, Treize. You, a mere mortal, managed to steal her heart. An old and weary heart that had not felt love since walking among the Mayans.
"She changed you only because you deceived her. Now, she is a mere puppet for you to control. You made yourself a leader among us, and I'll never acknowledge that fact as long as I live. You've made an enemy out of me, Treize and no doubt many others." Duo grinned, leaning towards Treize with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Can you keep a secret, doyen?
Treize only stared, wondering just what the pureblood was talking about. "Your death is going to be the most slow and agonizing in the history of our kind. At least you'll be remembering for one thing."
Duo laughed before disappearing into the shadows, leaving the doyen to wander if he was going to ever be rid of that monster.
Quatre sighed heavily, his last string of patience wearing thin. An hour and an half, going on two he'd been waiting. "I'm tempted to stake him the minute he arrives. After all, we never agreed I couldn't harm him," Quatre muttered under his breath, tapping his foot impatiently. "Why do we need his help again?"
To Be Continued?
