Progress:7 of something
General Notes: Well shit folks! I'm so sorry you guys had to wait so long for this chapter! Things have been a little hectic in the past few years, with me graduating out of high school, and then all the bureaucracy that comes with college.

Anyway, enough of that.

Here is the next chapter in my long standing, incomplete GW fic. I'm on holiday right now, so hopefully I can work on it a bit more. You guys may notice a slight change in tone and writing style since I've gotten older and all. This chapter is actually something that has been sitting on my hard drive (or many rather, since my old laptop has since died a watery and painful death) for a while, but yes, after this, my writing style may change a little. But who cares right? Here's the chapter you guys have been waiting for. Hope it's up to your standards. As usual, read and reply and fuel my muse. Maybe you guys can kick it into gear and get me writing proper again!

Music:I'm like a bird – Nelly Furtado; Tristan and Yvaine – Stardust Original Soundtrack; Requiem for a Dream – Clint Mansel; Independent Love Song – Scarlet; The River – The Tea Party; Stranglehold – Ted Nugent; Back in Black – ACDC; Amie – Damien Rice


Aeternitas

By Assassin, AKA Fishie

Chapter Seven

The city remained in a state of constant cloudiness with showers at random intervals for the next two weeks. Duo complained about it being the work of some evil mage somewhere, and Heero was forced to agree, despite his lack of understanding on mages; there was just something highly unusual about the weather. Despite Duo's grumblings however, school did not end temporarily due to increment weather. Instead, all sport practices were canceled until further notice, and the entire student body spent was forced to spend their breaks indoors, overtaking the library, cafeteria and hall ways. It was rather amazing, Heero thought as he and Duo proceeded down the second floor corridor of the West Building, just how many students the school held. He had never stopped to pay attention to it before, but given that he had no choice but to notice the sheer school population now, it was quite remarkable. He never knew that Laconia High was so populated.

'We need to put signs up in the corridors.' Duo was growling as they plowed on through the crowds. 'Big, bright yellow signs with black writing stating the many vital rules on how to move within the corridors.'

'Such as?' Heero asked, stepping quickly to the right to avoid being hacked by a passing junior's many folders.

'Rule number one: one's belongings must not equal or exceed one's body mass.' Duo began, giving the boy that narrowly missed taking off a chunk of Heero's side a pointed look. 'Rule number two: the speed limit indoors is strictly three kilometers per hour, not fifty.' He quickly shoved Heero to the opposite side of the corridor just as three freshmen ran by, following their movements until they smashed into a girl chatting animatedly on her cell phone. The shriek that echoed around the corridor was loud enough to wake the dead, and Duo only gave them a look which stated quite plainly "and that's what happens without speed restrictions".

'Point.' Heero shrugged. 'But it's wet outside, and people have to exercise.'

'That's why we have a gym Heero.' Duo said condescendingly. The glare Heero sent him was enough to kill. 'Anyway, rule number three: there should be no overt shows of affection.' He nodded at a couple in the middle of a heavy, kissing moment in the middle of the corridor. 'I'm sure they can kiss each other easily well concealed in a broom cupboard somewhere and save me the pain of being an unwilling spectator.'

'You have never complained about it before.' Heero said thoughtfully. Duo gave him a pained stare.

'I've never been cooped up indoors for so long, and I have discovered that those make out sessions are rather hard to ignore when you see at least three couples do it walking down one corridor.'

Unfortunately for Duo, the weather did not get steadily better over time, but became infinitely worse. By the end of the second week, the rain had returned back to a state of constant pouring, and the streets swam once again as the drains overflowed. It was rather unusual that schools were not canceled despite the ongoing downpour, and despite whatever arguments the education board across the region had to say about it, the student population became increasingly agitated. Heero wondered dully, as they sat in chemistry class, just how much more of wading through the streets the students would take before they decided to start skipping class in favor of studying at home.

Next to him, Duo let out a yawn as he sat balanced on the back legs of his seat. Their chemistry teacher was late, which was unsurprising, but annoyed Heero to no end. With a slight frown, Heero reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out his PDA, turning it on to inspect his schedule for the day. He was supposed to meet Relena after school today, especially since he had not spoken to her in ages. Somehow though, he got the strong impression that Duo did not like Relena, and it seemed to bother Duo every time Heero went off to meet her. It was rather unusual though, Heero thought wryly, especially since it was coming from the person who always thought he should get a girlfriend.

From down the corridor outside, Heero could hear the telltale footsteps of his teacher's high-heeled shoes. There was another pair of footsteps following hers, which told him that she was walking with somebody else. Perhaps that was why she was late, Heero thought dully, switching off his PDA and tucking it back into his blazer pocket, what a surprise, his teacher had a legitimate reason for being late for once. However, it was not with his usual cool and disinterested stare that he usually fixed his teacher with when she entered, for the person following at her heels forced his hands to ball into fists and his eyes to narrow.

It was Quatre Winner.


Duo let his chair back into its normal position when he saw the teacher entering, not wanting to be told off for swinging on his chair again. He was slightly surprised by the boy following behind her who was obviously a new student, although they were rare during the middle of the term, but was not unheard of. Leaning inconspicuously out of his seat, Duo turned to ask Heero what his thoughts on getting a new student mid-term was, but was immediately rendered speechless by the look of pure shock and rage evident on his best friend's face. Despite being Heero's friend for so long, Duo could not help but recoil slightly for only a moment, completely baffled by the sudden display of emotion. For Heero to show so much hatred…he must really hate this Quatre character, the reason behind which Duo had the feeling he would not find out.

Turning his gaze back to the front of the class, Duo stared as Quatre bowed slightly, his mouth curved in a friendly greeting. The boy had short, blond hair, and his eyes were a pair of tranquil aquamarine, giving off the impression of innocence. Duo gave Heero another glance before diverting his attention back to the boy, then Heero again. He could not tell what it was that Heero was angry about, but Quatre Winner looked perfectly harmless.

Quatre was looking around the class now, that earnest smile still on his lips. When his eyes met with Duo's, his scanning of the classroom paused for a moment before resuming, landing on Heero. Duo watched the interaction with baited breath, and saw Quatre's smile widen while Heero's gaze became steadily deadlier. When Quatre finally abandoned his spot at the front of the class, he took the seat behind Duo, that kind smile ever present on his face. Duo offered him a smile back.

'I'm Quatre Winner.' Quatre introduced unnecessarily, holding out his right hand. Duo took it.

'Duo Maxwell.'

Heero's anger was now amazingly intense, and Duo saw the teacher shudder in the middle of writing up some notes on the board. A few students turned around to glance at Quatre in curiosity, but instantly turned away when they noticed the seething Heero, currently holding his pen so hard Duo was sure it would snap. Duo turned awkwardly back in his seat to look at Quatre, but the blond boy was watching Heero with an intense stare, his mouth no longer smiling.

To say that Duo Maxwell was lost would have been the understatement of the century.

The class proceeded at a most sluggish speed. With Heero fuming on his right and Quatre watching Heero fume with a most enigmatic smile, Duo could not have been more distracted. The entire classroom atmosphere heavy, and it appeared that Duo was not the only one affected. In the end, the teacher decided to end her lecture most abruptly, and quickly set them some work to do while she slipped out of class. A few of the boys were glancing over subtly, curious as to what was happening; and the girls stared unabashedly, muttering to each other and sending hurried text messages on their phones.

It was with much gratefulness on Duo's part when the bell finally rang, and class was dismissed.

Heero left immediately for his physics class, although not before giving Quatre a most venomous glare. The blond boy merely smiled, his aquamarine eyes showing only mild surprise. Duo was curious, but did not know whether it was his place to ask. Instead, he gathered his things and walked off to biology class, only to be called back in the halls by a slightly gasping Quatre.

'Do you happen to know where room 412 is?' Quatre asked, quickly juggling his belongings around to pull out a slightly wrinkled timetable.

'Yea.' Duo nodded. 'I have my class there now as well.'

'Cool.' Quatre smiled. 'You can help me then. I'm so terrible at biology, I don't know what inspired me to take it. Probably too many hospital dramas and the World around Us documentaries.'

'Sure.' Duo answered agreeably. 'Although I'm not very good at it. Heero is much better, although why he's not taking the subject is beyond me.'

'Ah yes, Heero Yuy.' Quatre tucked his schedule away awkwardly in his blazer pocket while attempting to balance his stack of books in one hand. 'You're a good friend of his aren't you?'

'Yea.' Duo held the door open for Quatre as they entered the classroom. 'Heero is my best friend.'

'Slightly temperamental isn't he?'

'Only occasionally.' Duo answered weakly, sitting down at the back of the class. Quatre promptly took the seat next to him, setting his items around neatly on his desk. The teacher Mr. Newbold – who was a middle-aged man with brown hair and a Star Wars obsession – entered at that moment, greeting them all with a smile and a cheerful "good morning, young Jedi". Quatre quirked one eyebrow, and Duo shrugged, informing the new student quickly just how the teacher was going to end the class later. Quatre snickered softly, his big eyes showing his delight.

Duo could not understand how Heero could possibly be angry at somebody like him.

Fifty minutes later, Duo and Quatre emerged from biology class in a far lighter mood than when they left chemistry. Quatre was, once again, suffering from a fit of giggles, mostly because of the teacher's "may the force be with you" comment at the end of the class. Duo sighed, and reminded Quatre that he did tell him earlier, but the blond boy only continued chuckling, stopping in-between only to tell Duo that it was different hearing about it and actually hearing it.

As it turned out, Quatre's locker happened to be only two lockers down from Duo's. Duo promptly voiced his confusion as to where the guy who used to have his locker there went, but Quatre merely shrugged, offering Duo with a brief "the number is the one on my paper". Heero arrived not long after, deep in conversation with the cheerleader Relena Peacecraft. Duo felt a moment's irritation, but promptly crushed it. It was not his place to worry about who Heero associated with, and things were all the better if the Japanese boy finally found himself a girlfriend.

Heero looked up when he neared Duo's locker, pausing for only a moment to give Quatre his most fierce glare. Relena frowned, breaking off mid-sentence. She followed Heero's gaze, finally settling her blue eyes on Quatre. Quatre only smiled, his expression mild. Heero's eyes narrowed, and Relena's mouth tightened into a straight line. Glancing over, she saw Duo, who was standing in the middle and feeling particularly left out.

'Hello there.' She smiled, breeching the distance between them and holding out her hand. 'You must be Duo Maxwell.'

'Yes.' Duo answered stiffly, taking her hand for as short a period as possible without being rude.

'Relena Peacecraft.' She introduced. 'Heero's told me a lot about you.'

'Has he now.' Duo could not think of anything else to say.

'And you must be the new boy.' Relena said brightly, extending her hand to Quatre.

'Quatre Winner.' Quatre said charmingly, taking her hand and kissing it on the back.

'Relena Peacecraft.' Relena said again, her face set in a brilliant smile, although Duo could see the coldness that quickly clouded her eyes. Quatre did not seem to notice, or ignored it if he did. There was a moment's silence before Relena announced that she had club meetings to attend to. Duo nodded once and Quatre offered his dismay that she could not stay for longer, something which caused Relena to give him a most steely smile before turning and leaving. However, Duo did not miss it when she passed Heero and clutched his hand for a moment before continuing on her way.

An uncomfortable silence fell then, and Duo found himself torn and completely lost. Heero was still glaring, and Quatre was still staring back with that calm smile. Finally, the Japanese boy snapped, and Duo watched with shock as he marched over and grabbed Quatre firmly by the shoulder. An unspoken agreement passed between them, and Duo found he lost once again as the two marched off quickly.

This was turning out to be a really bad day.


'What the hell are you doing here?' Heero hissed, his grip tightening around Quatre's shoulder as they marched into an uninhabited corridor. Once there, the blond boy immediately dropped his calm façade, his aquamarine eyes becoming instantly cold.

'Protecting your ass.' Quatre hissed back, shaking his shoulder angrily to dislodge Heero's grip.

'I don't need protection.' Heero growled back. 'Duo is not dangerous! How many times must I tell you that?'

'I know that he lusted after your blood Heero.' Quatre replied softly, his eyes suddenly weary. 'Why do you still protect him when you know the damage he could do?'

'Because I trust him!'

'And I don't.' Quatre spat venomously. 'Listen carefully Heero Yuy, you have not seen even half of what I've seen, so stop acting like a sentimental fool and realize that there is a beast in your midst and it's going to kill people.'

'Duo hasn't killed anybody.' Heero snapped.

'Yet!' Quatre added furiously. 'You've seen him desiring blood and it frightened you, I know it. Imagine that but several times more intense, and that's what true bloodlust is like. When Maxwell sinks into that, do you honestly think that his main priorities would be protecting the lives of the people around him? He wouldn't give a damn Heero!'

'You don't know Duo.' Heero slammed Quatre into the wall behind him. 'You don't know Duo like I do, and you don't know me either. Just because you may have killed vampires before does not make you an expert on all vampires. I've told you before: Duo is not like them!'

'You don't know that!' Quatre sighed. 'Heero, I don't want to argue with you. I have a job to do, and you seem to have made one for yourself, so let me give you a tip. Don't let him drink any human blood.'

'I wasn't planning to.'

'You would let him suck you dry if he asked!' Quatre muttered, exasperated. 'Heero, I like you. You're a good person, and you're smart, and although it's against my morals to do this, I will help you protect him. So I'll tell you this now: if you ever let him drink even a drop of human blood, not even the strongest armies would be able to defend him from death.'

'You're referring to those High Vampires aren't you?' Heero asked quietly, eyes narrowed.

'He's told you about them then.' Quatre pushed Heero's hand away, massaging his shoulders. 'Well then, yes I am. They would become the biggest threat to your pet if he does something stupid.'

'Duo isn't my pet!' Heero barked angrily.

'But there are others.' Quatre continued, pointedly ignoring Heero's outburst. 'I daresay you've seen the various deaths on TV over the past while? This town is getting a bit too active, and although I have yet to discover the reason for it, you should be more careful. The Sacreds High Council is holding yet another meeting soon, and I have a feeling it's not going to be beneficial for your vampire friend. A lot of Hunters has gathered as well, and their motto is: kill first, ask questions later. A lot of mages has been gathering as well, and I've heard that a few Senders are on their way.'

'Senders?' Heero asked, flinching slightly. 'What are those?'

'Sorcerers who have perfected the art of sending souls to the Other World.' Quatre explained, straightening his tie. 'They are generally of no importance to us, because the work with a completely different medium to us Sacreds. However, the fact that more than one is coming disconcerts me. I wonder if there is a strong spirit somewhere in this town…'

'I don't understand.'

'You don't need to.' Quatre muttered distractedly. 'Just keep an eye on your pet if you want it to stay alive. I won't kill him, but don't expect me to do anything else.'

'I don't expect you to.' Heero mumbled, watching Quatre walk off. 'And don't call him "pet".'


Quatre Winner sped up his pace as soon as he was out of Heero's line of sight, anxious to get to a bathroom quick. Fortunately, he located one only two corridors down. After a quick glance around to check that the Japanese boy had not been following him, Quatre entered, locking himself quickly into a cubical before removing his blazer and shirt. A glance at his shoulder showed him that the injury was about as bad as it felt, and a mere brushing of his hand over the bruised area caused his body to flinch. Heero Yuy was strong, Quatre thought, hissing as he checked his shoulder for breaks or fractures. The guy almost broke his shoulder and didn't even break a sweat, Quatre cursed, slipping his shirt back on after confirming that his shoulder was going to be all right.

Even if Heero was a mortal without sanity, he was definitely going to give anybody who tried to hurt Maxwell a run for their money.