Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing.
Warnings: Language
Author Notes: See end of chapter
Shadows of the Heart
Chapter 2:
It was still there, lingering on his skin and taunting his mind. The heat from her wrist he had so brutally crushed stained him like it was her blood on his skin. Her blood he did not taste even though he had the power to do so. Heero felt his hand tighten into a fist. He had only wanted to scare her and scare her he did. He had been waiting for Duo when he saw her walking by. Everything about her even then screamed strength and confidence. His dark eyes had taken in her attire and immediately came to the conclusion that she was a slayer. No amateur slayer either. She was the chosen one. In the shadows hidden from her bright eyes, Heero watched her. Easily she defeated Duo and Heero felt irritated that he would have to save the braided fool. Something held him back at first, and interestingly enough he watched as Relena hesitated to kill Duo. Then he had decided to step in, wanting to see what it was like to have those eyes of hers trained on him. It was a mistake he would regret for some time.
"I think that bitch broke my jaw," Duo said, bringing the pensive Heero from his thoughts. "And she nearly killed me," he grumbled, his pride still stinging at being defeated.
"She's a slayer," Heero said.
"She said as much. It really isn't surprising, considering what's going on."
Heero's eyes darted to the side, irritation in their steely depths as his companion spoke so easily. "She's the slayer."
Duo stopped abruptly, his braid swinging harshly at the movement. "The chosen one?" Heero nodded his head once, then turned away. "I thought that was only a myth-"
"It's no myth."
Duo recalled hearing the story from another vampire, Trowa. Duo could still remember Trowa's young but wise voice as he spoke to Duo of the slayer.
"She is the chosen one. A slayer powerful enough to defeat any vampire she comes across. For you see, she has skills much like our own. There is only one true slayer and she is always alive and fighting."
Duo had dismissed Trowa's words. After all, Duo was a much older, and supposedly wiser vampire than Trowa. Surely he would have heard of this slayer. Amateur slayers were expected and Duo had even killed a few before. "Why haven't I heard of this slayer before?"
Heero offered no answer and resumed walking. Duo's steps soon coincided with his own as the now silent pair made their way home. Deep within the forest, near the base of large boulders from centuries past, was a hole deep within the earth. Heero stepped over it, his levitation skills useful as he slowly descended into the earth. Duo followed him and they both landed softly on the dry dirt of the earth. Torches burning with an unnatural light fell upon them, causing no harm to those who would avoid light. It lit the walls of the underground cavern Heero and Duo now looked upon in familiarity. The light was unnecessary for both Heero and Duo could easily see in the dark. Beginning their trek, the pair made their way down the path that led deeper and deeper into the earth.
"Why didn't you kill her then, Heero," Duo asked his friend. When no answer was forth coming, Duo continued on. "If she is sent here to kill all of us, then she is an enemy, right? You could have easily destroyed her right then."
"She could prove useful to us in the future," Heero replied. What he didn't tell Duo was that he had only just thought of that. Before, when he had held her so close to him, her scent washing over him and settling like a warm blanket, all he could do was stare into her eyes. Never before had he looked into eyes so bright and full of life. The last thing he wanted to do was kill her, so instead he had told her the opposite. The feelings she had stirred in him from merely a look were so strong it was almost unbearable. Devoid of emotions for so long, it was hard for Heero to understand what he was feeling and why. The only thing he knew was, touching her made him feel alive. Heero wanted to feel alive again.
Duo was not entirely happy with his answer but only shrugged it off. Their walk came to an end as they approached a cliff. Below it was a spectacle that would have made any onlooker gasp but Heero and Duo merely looked on in disdain. A small city was located here, built over a thousand years ago buy a tribe long dead. Vampires now ruled here, living lives much like normal humans. The area was not overly large and there were no streets or cars for that matter. Just several houses and one, very large mansion. "I wonder what's going on," Duo said as he saw vampires milling about the mansion, their voices carrying up to him.
Walking down the stairs that led to the underground city, Heero eyed the gathering crowd in interest. One person in particular caught his eye as Heero and Duo made their way slowly down the steep stairs.
Trowa noticed the return of his fellow comrades and went to greet them with his freshly acquired news. "Heero, Duo," he said, nodding in greeting.
"Hey Trowa, what's going on," Duo asked his tall friend.
"It seems there is a guest in town," Trowa replied, one emerald eye shining behind his curtain of bangs. Seeing Duo's dirt stained clothing, he raised one eyebrow as a ghost of a smile played about his lips. "Looks like you already met her."
"They know the slayer is here," Heero stated, looking past Trowa to the mansion where the crowd was gathering.
"Duke Dermail sent word out earlier that there was to be a meeting. It wasn't long before word got out about the slayer."
Vampires came running down the stairs, returning from who knew where, to quietly side step the trio. Duo had long since been known as a strong vampire with a short temper at times. Trowa was ever the mysterious one, not very old but surprisingly quite strong. Heero, though, was feared by all vampires. Even the Duke himself. Keeping to himself and rarely showing any outward emotion, Heero had risen to popularity through various battles where he showed his effortless skills. Duo and Trowa were the only ones he ever was seen with.
Stretching his arms out and yawning, Duo cocked his head to the side and observed his friends. "Looks like it's time for us to play our hand."
Trowa agreed. "Dermail will see that the slayer is killed. Then he will proceed to turn the earth into a living hell."
"Dermail is a fool," Heero growled out. "His ambition to rule this planet will be everyone's downfall. He's dealing with powers he knows nothing about."
"What do you suggest we do, Heero," Trowa asked. "There are only three of us and several hundred of them."
"Maybe we could get the others to team up with us," Duo said. "I mean, shit, they're already scared of Heero. I'm sure if you spoke up-"
"I have no intention of doing that," Heero said. Sending a hard look Duo's way, he said, "I will not be a leader for these fools."
"Fear is ruling them. Fear that the slayer will kill them. Fear that they will always be an outcast on this planet. Dermail offers them paradise and they now cling to that hope," Trowa injected.
"So, we're not with Dermail but we can't stop him-"
"I can stop him," Heero said, interrupting Duo. "I'll kill him."
Duo threw down his hands. "Well excuse me, I forgot how all powerful you are," Duo spit out sarcastically. "Look Heero, you may be strong, but you're still a vampire. Anything you do Dermail is more than likely gonna sense. In fact, he's probably planning our demise right now!"
"Duo has a good point," Trowa said. "An attack on Dermail would be dangerous and costly if we failed." Silence settled over them as the rest of the vampire community gathered around Duke Dermail's mansion. After a few moments, Trowa ventured forth into his plan. "There is another solution," he said softly, knowing he was heading into dark territory. "We could work with the slayer."
Duo's mouth fell open as he gaped at Trowa. His violet eyes darted to Heero, who was regarding Trowa darkly. Glancing back to Trowa, Duo finally closed his mouth. "Trowa, I don't know if you've realized yet that we're vampires. " Holding his hand out, Duo began ticking off his fingers as he stated each point. "We're vampires. Slayers kill vampires. Slayers and vampires do not work together!"
"They do when there is a common goal." Looking into Duo's violet eyes, they reminded him of someone else who was very precious to him. He would not fail her. "We must save this planet."
Duo regarded Trowa through cynical eyes. Bitter sweet memories rushed through him, reminder of a life he once had as a human. "Why should I give a damn what happens to the earth or to the humans? They sure as hell don't give a damn about us!"
Trowa lowered his gaze and tried to understand Duo's resentment. He himself had been a vampire for only a few years. Emotions and feelings were still fresh in his mind, even though as a human he had trouble expressing himself. Duo was an older vampire and had lived years in the dark, trying to erase what memories he had while anger slowly set in. "If you wish to perceive the earth in such a way, that is your choice. I for one will not allow my own unfortunate circumstances dictate the way the rest of my life will be ruled."
Heero studied Trowa for a brief moment before venturing down his own internal battle. For so long he had kept his emotions under control, ignoring them and refusing to understand what they meant. Soon, emotions were meaningless as he made his way day to day, year to year. Heero became concerned with his own survival and cared little for anything or anybody. Recently, Dermail had come into the scene, wanting to take control of everything. Heero had little patience for the elder vampire. Now, anger and determination replaced his vacant stare as a new battle presented itself before him.
"Damn it, Trowa," Duo muttered, running a hand through his bangs of chestnut hair. "Why did you have to come here and remind us that we were once human," he growled out.
Trowa was surprised to hear the raw emotion in Duo's voice. He, like Heero, usually concealed his true feelings. "I did not remind you, Duo. You already knew that."
A moment of tension passed between the three as unwanted feelings resurfaced. Duo quickly overcame it as a smirk darkened his features. "Well, hell. I'm sure whatever we do is gonna be wrong or get us killed anyway!"
Trowa knew Duo did not entirely agree with his idea yet but the vampire was hardly one to sit around and do nothing. Trowa looked to Heero, who was no longer regarding him but starring blankly at his surroundings. Duo made a gesture as if to say something to Heero but Trowa stopped him. Heero would speak when he was good and ready. Instead of speaking though, Heero began striding away.
"Hey Heero, where are you going?"
Heero ignored Duo at first, then stopped to send a dark glare towards his two companions. "I don't know what I'll do until the time comes." His fists clenched tightly as determination entered his voice. "But know this, I will not allow Dermail to rule this planet."
Duo and Trowa both watched him stride away, Heero obviously not caring that Dermail could probably sense the hatred lacing his voice and thoughts.
**
Day was night and the night was cold. Chilly air swept past as icy fingers reached out to cut into unsuspecting flesh. Relena shivered and wrapped her arms tightly against her body. Fear and dread, something she had not felt in a long time, crawled over her like that of a spider, each leg making a permanent mark in her mind. Her eyes, dim and lost, suddenly took on a new brightness as she realized her surroundings.
"No, not again," she cried out, shaky hands reaching up to sift through unbound hair as she clutched her head. "Please, don't make me see this!"
Her cries echoed off unseen walls as the gray mist lifted to reveal a scene. It was Ohio, the place where her tears dotted the land to mingle with that of blood. Blood of two of the people she loved most in the world. Relena's eyes, once squeezed shut in mental pain, opened to reveal their anguished depths. She always looked, every time.
Noin, once so very tall and proud, lay on the ground, broken and bloody. Two prominent marks on her neck, black with decay, leaked droplets of her life as her eyes remained opened but unseeing. A dark figure stood over her, fangs gleaming with her blood in the silent night. The stale stench of death and fear washed over Relena like a sudden downpour.
Next to Noin was a man, his long pale hair, mirroring the color of the moon on a clear night, was now stained with his own life. Her brother, Milliardo, lay dead beside his beloved. A sword in one limp hand as a tribute to his courage. The holes of death had found their mark in his throat and his life was now the tasty treat for the creature of the night.
A pale hand rose to cover her mouth as Relena took a step back, remembering all too well how she had failed them both. Wind blew around her legs and Relena looked down to see herself clothed in a white dress. Her arms fell limply to her side as she stared in morbid curiosity at the growing puddle of blood at her feet. Slowly it seeped up around her ankles, the liquid spilling over her legs and grabbing her gown. In horror, she watched as her gown changed from white to red as the blood was absorbed by the flimsy cloth. Relena began to struggle as the liquid rose to her neck, suddenly seeming to come alive, having only one intent. Relena squeezed her lips closed, feeling the liquid dance around her face, daring her to taste the pleasure it offered. Her eyes clamped shut as the thick blood covered her entire body. Fire began dancing along her veins as every sense was tuned into the feel of blood against her skin. The need for oxygen was overwhelming and Relena could almost hear the mocking laughter of death as she was forced to open her mouth. The metallic taste entered her mouth as darkness began clouding her mind. A scream escaped from her throat but was easily swallowed by her red tomb. Her thrashing ceased and her limp body floated listlessly.
"Relena."
The strange voice called to her, pulling her from death. Air seeped into deprived lungs and Relena opened her eyes. Instead of an ocean of red, Relena saw the forest. Sanc, she was in Sanc. Looking down, she saw herself no longer in the white gown but in the black patrolling clothes she had wore. Glancing around her, a tingling sensation in the back of her mind had her facing the dark shadows. Then a sensation not unlike that of stepping into a steaming tub of water poured over her. Strong at first, then very relaxing. Without thought, she began walking towards this stranger who evoked such feelings from her. A name slipped through her lips, carrying softly on the wind.
"Heero."
On call, he stepped forward, walking slowly towards her. Relena stopped and watched him approach, titling her head to the side. His walk was confident but dangerous, as if she were his prey he was merely toying with. His dark eyes were hidden beneath the shadow of his bangs but Relena could feel them roaming her body. Then he was before her, overpowering and intimidating, Relena felt herself take an involuntary step backwards but his hands reached out, jerking her to him. Being held so intimately against him, Relena felt herself blush but still had the courage to look him in the eye. His eyes, such a deep blue like that of the night sky, were not as empty as she had previously thought. Their depths held so many secrets and Relena wondered what the key to unlocking them would be. His body was rock hard as she could feel his muscles flexing as he pulled her even closer. Slowly, her hands rubbed their way up to his neck where her fingers tangled into his unruly hair, pulling him towards her. For only a brief moment he let her feel like she was in charge, then Heero took over. His mouth, hot and demanding, locked onto her own soft lips as, if possible, he pulled her even tighter against him. A moan escaped her lips as she arched her neck, opening her mouth invitingly……
"Relena Peacecraft!"
Relena jerked upright as she was rudely torn from her sleep. Startled blue eyes flashed dangerously as she came awake, her mind quickly calculating the degree of danger she was in. Her tense limbs went slack as she took in the girl before her. She was no vampire.
"Relena Peacecraft, my name is Catherine Bloom. I have been asked to see you to the lunch room."
Remembering she was in school, Relena allowed a small sigh to escape her lips. After waking up this morning, Wufei had escorted her to school. Once here, she had taken various tests and had been fitted for her school uniform. Relena had been waiting to see the Principal, as all new students had to, when she had fallen asleep in the chair.
"Falling asleep on your first day at a new school isn't such a good idea," Catherine remarked.
Relena glanced up at her, taking note of her unfriendly tone. The girl was tall with beautiful violet eyes and striking red hair that was kept short and wavy. Catherine's uniform mirrored her own maroon skirt and jacket with a white lacy blouse peeking out from underneath. Even the ugly brown shoes were the same. Standing up, Relena offered a small smile as she smoothed out her wrinkled skirt. "Nice to meet you Catherine."
Catherine smiled back at Relena, the look not quite reaching her eyes. "It's nice to meet you Relena. Shall we be on our way?"
Relena followed the girl out of the office, her meeting with the Principal obviously postponed. The chatter of other students and curious stares were ignored as Relena recalled the dream she had been awaken from. The beginning, seeing Noin and Milliardo lying on the ground dead, was nothing new to the troubled girl. Almost nightly she had that same nightmare. The latter part of the dream though, that had been quite new. Why in the world had she dreamed of Heero in such an intimate way? The vampire was her enemy that was more than powerful enough to kill her. There was no reason she should have been kissing Heero in her dreams. The feelings had been so real that Relena felt if she touched her lips they would be moist and swollen. Yet, upon doing just that, they were dry and pressed into a firm line. She knew this dream would haunt her for a long time and had a feeling there was more to it beneath the surface. Perhaps it had something to do with how alive his eyes had looked when she gazed into them.
"Here we are," Catherine said, stopping abruptly. Relena barely managed to avoid running into her, so lost in her thoughts she had been. "The food line starts over there," Catherine said, pointing off to one end of the large cafeteria. "You can basically eat wherever you want, there is more than enough room with there being two floors. When the lunch period is over, go back to the Principal's office."
Catherine sauntered off then, leaving Relena on her own. Students brushed by her, sending a curious look her way then turning back to whisper amongst themselves. Glancing around the lavish room, Relena tried to find Wufei. After a few moments of fruitless searching, Relena saw no sign of him. Releasing a small sigh, she realized she should have asked him this morning what his schedule was like. Wufei though, had been in no mood to talk, which really didn't surprise her. Turning around, Relena decided to quit standing in the doorway of the room like a fool and try to get some lunch.
"Hello there," a voice called out. Relena glanced to her left to see a blond hair boy smiling at her. His blue eyes mirrored that of a clear summer day and were as kind as his smile. "My name is Quatre Winner."
"My name is Relena Peacecraft. It's nice to meet you Quatre," Relena said, returning the friendly smile he offered her.
"I'm glad to have finally met you. Rumors have already been floating around about you since this morning when you arrived. Don't worry," he said upon seeing the distress seep into her eyes, "nothing bad. It's just, well, we don't get very many new people here."
Relena saw a hidden look in his eyes and felt a knowing chill go up her spine. She had meant to question Lady Une this morning about the lack of people seen outdoors. The Lady had already been gone though. They know about the vampires, Relena thought. "Why is that Quatre," Relena asked in fake curiosity.
Quatre wasn't fooled for one moment. His smile turned from warm and welcoming to a hauntingly sad but determined look. "Relena, I think you know why." A brief pause and then, "I know who you are and why you are here." Relena immediately stiffened up and a dark warning look filtered through her eyes briefly before being masked. Most people wouldn't have noticed but Quatre did. "Please, I wish to speak with you more. We should go somewhere more private."
Relena glanced around her, noting how everyone looked at her then quickly glanced away. As if they were afraid. Relena doubted they knew she was a slayer but more than likely they feared she had some connection to the vampire society established here. Quatre seemed harmless enough and had been able to stir enough curiosity in her that she decided she would hear him out. "That's fine."
Quatre led the way through students and tables to the outside court yard. Tables were here as well but despite the beautiful day and warm weather, there was nobody outside, except for one lone girl. She sat in the middle of the yard, where the noon sun seemed to shine directly onto her. Quatre walked up to her table and turned to Relena. "This is Hilde Shiebecker. Hilde this is Relena Peacecraft."
Relena watched the petite girl stand up, her short dark locks of hair blowing slightly in the wind. Her round, sapphire eyes stared intently into Relena, as if looking for some hidden secret. "Nice to meet you Hilde."
"It is an honor to meet you, Relena," Hilde said, sincerity lacing her words.
"Please sit down."
Relena did as Quatre asked and watched as Hilde did the same, pulling a folder from her backpack on the ground and placing it before Relena. Relena looked at Hilde confusion evident in her blue eyes, but reached for the folder as Hilde nodded her head. Flipping it open, she was astonished to see a picture of herself starring up at her. It was from when she first started slaying. Several pages were attached and after briefly scanning over them, Relena realized they contained every detail of her life. "What is this? Where did you get this?"
Startled by Relena's demanding tone, Hilde turned to Quatre for help. "Relena, this is your profile. Hilde is quite the hacker and was able to get into the governments database. She downloaded all of this information so we would be prepared when you arrived."
"What are you talking about? What government database," Relena asked. There should be no documents on her whatsoever. Noin had never told her how she knew who the slayer was or where they originated from. Relena had never expected the government to be involved though.
Hilde and Quatre were as confused as Relena. "Don't you work for the government, Relena," Hilde asked.
"No," Relena said before realizing it was none of their business who she was or what she was doing here. Grabbing the folder off the table, she hastily got up. "Tell no one of this! It is very important! For your safety as well as my own."
"But Relena, we want to help," Hilde quickly said, standing up as well. "Quatre and I know everything about vampires! We've even gone slaying before! We can help-"
"No! I work alone," Relena said in a flat, even tone. She took slaying very seriously and would allow nobody to interfere with her work.
Quatre stood up and tried to reason with her. "Relena, we know what's going on here. Hilde and I know every rock and hill in this city. We also know that very soon the battle to save mankind will begin. You are the slayer, but you can't defeat hundreds of vampires on your own. You are going to need help."
Relena let out a soft sigh as a small smile graced her features. "I appreciate your offer but slaying is my job. I've been granted the skills necessary to fight, you have not. It is too dangerous. This is my battle, not yours." All Relena could see was her brother and Noin's death flashing before her eyes. Having help would be nice but it was too risky. Relena would not allow anyone to die for her ever again.
"Relena," Hilde yelled to her retreating form but was ignored. Frustrated, she looked to her long time friend. "Quatre, what do we do now? I don't understand why she won't allow us to help her."
"For now, all we can do is wait. She needs our help but does not yet realize it. When she does, we will be there for her," Quatre said. "She is right about one thing."
"What's that?"
"We are out of our league."
"Quatre," Hilde began, "we were out of our league the day we were born." A sardonic smile appeared on her face. "That's never stopped us before." Quatre could only smile back at her, knowing how true her words rang.
Relena made her way back to the principals office after leaving Hilde and Quatre. Even though the lunch period was still going, Relena had lost her appetite. The information Hilde had presented her was most unsettling. She had no idea the government knew about her. There were so many questions swimming around in her head it was almost making her dizzy. Blindly she made her way back to the office, sitting down in the uncomfortable chairs. Relena felt as if she was slowly sinking in a lake, her swimming skills no help to her at this point. Life in Sanc was quickly becoming complicated.
"Relena."
Hearing the familiar voice, the young slayer turned around to see Lady Une standing in the doorway of the principal's office. "Lady Une? What are you doing here?"
"I'm the principal of this school. Come in," she said.
Relena felt a little shocked at this discovery as she jumped up to follow Lady Une into the room. Closing the door behind her, she sat down in the plush chair as Lady Une situated herself behind the large desk. "I had no idea you were the principal."
Lady Une smiled slightly. "There's much you don't know, Relena."
"I've been finding that out."
"Yes, I bet you have. I saw you speaking with Quatre and Hilde during lunch," Lady Une began, folding her hands on top of the desk as she leaned forward. "I'm sure they had much to say."
"Yes they did," Relena began. "They know who I am. In fact, I think they know more of me than I do. They gave me a file that contained quite a lot of information on me," Relena said, sliding the afore mentioned folder across the desk.
Lady Une flipped through it, not surprised at the content it contained. "I take it you had no idea the government was aware of your activities?"
"No, I never questioned my trainer before."
Lady Une narrowed her eyes at that statement. Her trusting nature would be her downfall. "Relena, don't let this concern you for right now. You need to focus on slaying." Sliding the folder back to her, she said, "it seems your first night of slaying did not go as well as expected."
Now it was Relena's turn to narrow her eyes. "How would you know?"
"Relena, you'll soon come to find I know about everything that goes on here," she said, smiling slightly to cover the trace of bitterness in her voice. "Now, you'll have to go to class soon. I wouldn't make you go to school at all but Mr. Treize said-"
"You spoke to Treize," Relena interrupted.
Realizing her slip, Lady Une stood up and walked to the door. "Yes Relena. Mr. Treize wants you to be a well educated young lady." Opening the door, she motioned for Relena to follow her, putting an end to any discussion of Treize. "I'll get your schedule and you'll go to class. Come straight home as we discussed before."
Relena followed her, her thoughts turning to the night before her. Tonight she would have to track down the vampire Duo who she had foolishly told her name to. Then, she would have to find the vampire Heero who also probably knew her name as well. Just thinking of an encounter with Heero sent a shiver up her spine that was not as unpleasant as it should have been.
Author Notes:
Thank you so much to all those who reviewed the first chapter! I apologize it took so long to get this chapter out. I hope you enjoyed reading this second installment. Next chapter will find Relena patrolling at night. Gee, I wonder who she might run into? ^__^ I'll try to keep my profile on FanFic.Net updated so you can have an idea when the next chapters will be out. I promise it won't take so long for chapter three. One last thing, part of the reason this took so long was because I was working on other fics. "Moon River" will be posted shortly. The other one is a Sailor Moon crossover story. Is anyone interested in that? Thanks again for your time! ^__^