Chapter 5: Images and Secrets
Well, see, here's the next chapter. As usual the same warnings apply with this chapter of the fic as the rest of the story and well let's just say that there may be a twist coming up soon. Uh, other than that, I have nothing more to say except please review and I'll be happy. *chibi eyes* Onegai, I got the flu and do really need the cheering up at the moment. *sneezes and tosses another tissue into the trash* Onegai?
Chapter 5: Images and Secrets
The previous evening Rai had spent nearly four hours researching and erecting walls and traps around his apartment so that no one could enter without Derek, Wufei, or his permission. And now, he was currently sitting in his freezing car, huddling close as he could to his cup of coffee outside of Preventer's Headquarters.
"Come on Rai. We have to go in sometime." Wufei muttered for nearly the hundredth time and again receiving a stubborn glare from Rai.
"No. I know the guys saw something was wrong with me yesterday. Heero asked me if I was alright for Pete's sake. I do not want to go in there so that they can try to cheer me up. Besides, who knows what my crazy brother came up with this time?" The blue-eyed necromancer complained finally, taking another sip of his coffee and savoring the warmth that it spread all the way down his throat and to his toes.
Wufei growled at his partner, tugging his coat closer to his body he opened his car door and climbed out. Trudging around the vehicle, the Asian threw open the driver's side door and glared at Rai. "Listen Maxwell, I'm freezing and if you don't come with me soon, I am going to personally drag you in there."
Rai stuck his tongue out at Wufei and drank the last of his coffee. "You wouldn't dare. Besides. . .hey!" Icy blue eyes widened in embarrassment and surprise as his companion lifted him from his seat, tossed him over his shoulder and began to carry him towards the glass doors of their work place. "Chang! You put me down this instant!"
"No way Maxwell. We are already a few minutes late and I don't know about you but I have no urge to put up with that four-eyed onna today." Snarling, Wufei kept grumbling under his breath about all the pain that he had to go through each day while Rai continued to screech loudly about the indecent treatment.
As they entered the building, heads poked out from cubicles and doors alike and many mouths dropped in shock to see two of the calmest Gundam pilots acting as such.
Duo and Trowa, who had fully come out of their offices were standing together as they both gaped at the sight before them. "Is that really my brother and Wu-man?"
Trowa nodded wordlessly, his single visible emerald eye following the abnormal scene. "The world has gone to hell."
If anything, the former Deathscythe pilot was even more floored than before. Shaking his head, Duo spun around on his heels and stuck his hands in his uniform pockets as he strolled back to his office. "Whoever up there is tryin to fuck with my mind is doin a damn good job at it." Kicking the door shut, the last thing Duo heard was an extremely earsplitting curse from Rai and a laugh from Wufei who had obviously just dumped his partner to the ground.
Not a moment later, a golden head appeared around Duo's door and the braided-pilot looked up to find Quatre. "Don't even ask."
Quatre, who was just about to question his friend about all the noise, raised an eyebrow and silently shut the door again in confusion.
"A damn good job." Duo muttered again as he shuffled through his papers, hell-bent on finding some normality.
Meanwhile, outside, Rai was shooting daggers at his Chinese friend as he climbed to his feet. "Chang Wufei, that was not necessary!"
Wufei snorted, rolling his eyes causing the American to turn an even brighter shade of angry crimson. "Listen Maxwell, I'm sorry but just calm down. There's no point in being mad about it now. It's over with and there's nothing that you can do about it by being angry."
Taking a deep breath, Rai forced himself to listen to Wufei's words and gave a slow nod. "Alright Wufei but don't ever do that again." He received a silent agreement and with that over, focused his attention on their audience. "Show's over people. Don't you have some work to do around here?" Rai grinned with satisfaction as the other lower-ranked Preventers abruptly dropped out of sight and the brunette straightened his jacket before heading to the lounge to prepare another cup of coffee. /I just love being a general./
* * * * *
It was nearly eleven in the afternoon before chocolate eyes finally blinked open and Derek entered the world of consciousness. Groaning, he moved a searching hand to the empty bed beside him and sat up when he realized that it really had only been a dream. /And don't I wish it wasn't. God, I miss him./ With a final sigh, he stood and stretched out tense muscles before shuffling out of the warm room and into the kitchen. Derek was about to open the refrigerator when he found a note taped to the handle. It read:
Well, I guess you're finally awake. I left some breakfast for you in the oven. Wufei and I should return around nine tonight until then make yourself comfortable and here are a list of numbers where you can reach the others or myself.
Rai
After that, the vampire found, as promised, a small list of phone numbers for all the Gundam pilots. Reading the note over one last time, Derek found a magnet on the fridge and replaced the letter and then opened the oven to find a still warm plate of toast, bacon, and eggs awaiting him. While he didn't necessarily need the nourishment, Derek had always enjoyed his lov-ex-lover's cooking so he dutifully ate his share.
When he finished, Derek hurriedly washed the dishes before going to get ready. He had wanted to wander the city that day and possibly visit the library to do some research in their 'restricted', and by restricted it meant preternatural creatures only, section. It seriously was beneficial having werewolves running the local library branch.
* * * * *
"Have you located them?"
"Yes." Rasped the velvety voice as piercing scarlet eyes glanced up in respect. "I tracked them to their old home. When did you wish for me to confront them, master?"
The deeper voice hummed lowly in thought before replying. "Observe them for a while and give me reports on their every move. I shall tell you when the time is right."
"Of course, master." The shadow-hidden figure bowed respectfully then straightened and glided his way to the door that would lead him to his rest for the day. He would need it, for the man had a feeling that he would have a very tiring evening approaching.
/After all,/ he thought bitterly to himself, /it never was a very easy or harmless task dealing with that Rai Maxwell./
* * * * *
Said necromancer was at that moment, singing softly a song that had been stuck in his mind starting after lunch when he had heard Duo humming it. Rai sighed as he began the song again and flipped the page to the report in his hand. /This is boring. Why do I have to read these things if they're all the same. Always more crap about how much time they've been in the office and how much ammunition they had used in the past week; which was usually none./ He blew at his bangs, bored to tears, as he tossed the folder onto his neatly arranged desk. Yawning, Rai eyed the clock and scowled at it when he realized that it was only four in the afternoon. /Damn! Five more hours to go./ Rai considered the report again before folding his hands across his stomach and reclining in his office chair and closing his eyes.
He was about to drift off when the distinctive sound of his door opening bothered him and Rai half-opened his eyes to see Duo entering his office. "Gee, thanks for knocking." The necromancer muttered teasingly, gesturing for his brother to take the seat across from him. "What's up Duo?"
The other man only stared at Rai for a excruciatingly long period of time, until even the brunette couldn't stand it anymore and began to shift uneasily in his chair. "Earth to Duo. It's not normal just to walk into someone's office and just gawk at them. What did you need?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing." Duo finally answered, his violet eyes drilling into Rai's own icy orbs.
Rai nearly fell out of his chair in exasperation but managed to collect himself in time. "I'm fine 'nii-chan. You don't to worry about me."
"Too late and I don't think you're fine."
Eyebrows arched so high, Rai was in absolute shock at the blunt answer and straightforward behavior. He's only reaction was to open and close his mouth a few times and stutter out some unintelligible words before eventually falling silent.
"Well?" Duo prompted.
"Well what? I told you. . ."
"No you're not." The older pilot interrupted immediately. "Talk."
"Erm. . ." Rai nervously squirmed in his chair and just as he was about to speak, there came a beep from his phone indicating the comm. system and the American breathed a sigh of relief. "General Rai Maxwell here."
"Rai?" Lady Une's voice broke through the communication channel. "I need you to run down to the hangars asap and see to some of the new recruits. They need some extra training in mobile suit operations."
Rai thanked whatever being was looking out for him up there and enthusiastically agreed. "Aye aye ma'am." With that he shut off the intercom and grinned charmingly at Duo. "Well, looks like we'll have to postpone that talk. Thanks anyway. Talk to you later." Before his brother could even protest, Rai had grabbed his jacket and was already out the door and halfway down the hall.
Duo frowned disapprovingly as his younger brother vanished from sight and then pouted slightly as he made his way back to his office. /Une sure has the worst times ever to interrupt. Although that look on Rai's face was the most priceless thing this century./ Snickering, the amethyst-eyed pilot began to plot another way in which he would be able to corner Rai into talking.
* * * * *
Chocolate brown eyes skimmed over yet another dusty, yellowed page as Derek sighed. All around him were piled stacks of books on all matters concerning necromancers and vampires yet none of them proved to be of any assistance. While he had still found no useful information pertaining to his and Rai's situation, the blonde had managed to locate several historical facts on his once lover that he had never known before. /Rai sure has been a busy little slayer. I can't believe that he's really that powerful. He must have learned to hide his powers really well since I can't even detect them./ Shutting the tome, Derek's gaze swept over the large pile, his eyes landing on a medium sized book, the only one that he had yet to read. /Might as well try it./
Leaning his head on one palm and idly twirling a strand of hair between his fingers, Derek flipped through the book with his other hand. He was rapidly loosing hope in finding any helpful information when a passage on one of the last pages caught his attention.
'While necromantic the vampiric races are generally known for their hate of each other, there have been a few recorded cases of lovers forming between the two cultures. In these scenarios, the necromancers are never marked but the vampires with whom they are coupled with have never told of any type of problems arising that would threaten their people. On the contrary, instead of creating problematic issues, the joining usually increased the power levels of the vampire and presented far more gains than losses. Therefore, in the year 1782, the High Council of Vampires deemed that relationships of sorts are permitted with no penalties.'
Derek's mind spun as the words kept repeating themselves over and over in his thoughts. /If it's permitted, then why? Why were we threatened by the Council? Unless. .. / He frowned at the absurd idea that presented itself and shook it away. /It couldn't be. I must speak with Rai./ Hastily standing, the master quickly gathered his belongings and the single text that he needed before checking his watch and racing out of the dimly lit room.
T.B.C.
Cliffhanger!!! Hehe, alright, sorry about that but I promise I'll get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Gah, with this flu though I don't know how soon that'll be. *sniffle* I hate being sick! Umm. . . other than that , please review and thanks. I'm gonna go lie down now. . . *falls onto her bed and waves weakly* Until next time. . .
Well, see, here's the next chapter. As usual the same warnings apply with this chapter of the fic as the rest of the story and well let's just say that there may be a twist coming up soon. Uh, other than that, I have nothing more to say except please review and I'll be happy. *chibi eyes* Onegai, I got the flu and do really need the cheering up at the moment. *sneezes and tosses another tissue into the trash* Onegai?
Chapter 5: Images and Secrets
The previous evening Rai had spent nearly four hours researching and erecting walls and traps around his apartment so that no one could enter without Derek, Wufei, or his permission. And now, he was currently sitting in his freezing car, huddling close as he could to his cup of coffee outside of Preventer's Headquarters.
"Come on Rai. We have to go in sometime." Wufei muttered for nearly the hundredth time and again receiving a stubborn glare from Rai.
"No. I know the guys saw something was wrong with me yesterday. Heero asked me if I was alright for Pete's sake. I do not want to go in there so that they can try to cheer me up. Besides, who knows what my crazy brother came up with this time?" The blue-eyed necromancer complained finally, taking another sip of his coffee and savoring the warmth that it spread all the way down his throat and to his toes.
Wufei growled at his partner, tugging his coat closer to his body he opened his car door and climbed out. Trudging around the vehicle, the Asian threw open the driver's side door and glared at Rai. "Listen Maxwell, I'm freezing and if you don't come with me soon, I am going to personally drag you in there."
Rai stuck his tongue out at Wufei and drank the last of his coffee. "You wouldn't dare. Besides. . .hey!" Icy blue eyes widened in embarrassment and surprise as his companion lifted him from his seat, tossed him over his shoulder and began to carry him towards the glass doors of their work place. "Chang! You put me down this instant!"
"No way Maxwell. We are already a few minutes late and I don't know about you but I have no urge to put up with that four-eyed onna today." Snarling, Wufei kept grumbling under his breath about all the pain that he had to go through each day while Rai continued to screech loudly about the indecent treatment.
As they entered the building, heads poked out from cubicles and doors alike and many mouths dropped in shock to see two of the calmest Gundam pilots acting as such.
Duo and Trowa, who had fully come out of their offices were standing together as they both gaped at the sight before them. "Is that really my brother and Wu-man?"
Trowa nodded wordlessly, his single visible emerald eye following the abnormal scene. "The world has gone to hell."
If anything, the former Deathscythe pilot was even more floored than before. Shaking his head, Duo spun around on his heels and stuck his hands in his uniform pockets as he strolled back to his office. "Whoever up there is tryin to fuck with my mind is doin a damn good job at it." Kicking the door shut, the last thing Duo heard was an extremely earsplitting curse from Rai and a laugh from Wufei who had obviously just dumped his partner to the ground.
Not a moment later, a golden head appeared around Duo's door and the braided-pilot looked up to find Quatre. "Don't even ask."
Quatre, who was just about to question his friend about all the noise, raised an eyebrow and silently shut the door again in confusion.
"A damn good job." Duo muttered again as he shuffled through his papers, hell-bent on finding some normality.
Meanwhile, outside, Rai was shooting daggers at his Chinese friend as he climbed to his feet. "Chang Wufei, that was not necessary!"
Wufei snorted, rolling his eyes causing the American to turn an even brighter shade of angry crimson. "Listen Maxwell, I'm sorry but just calm down. There's no point in being mad about it now. It's over with and there's nothing that you can do about it by being angry."
Taking a deep breath, Rai forced himself to listen to Wufei's words and gave a slow nod. "Alright Wufei but don't ever do that again." He received a silent agreement and with that over, focused his attention on their audience. "Show's over people. Don't you have some work to do around here?" Rai grinned with satisfaction as the other lower-ranked Preventers abruptly dropped out of sight and the brunette straightened his jacket before heading to the lounge to prepare another cup of coffee. /I just love being a general./
* * * * *
It was nearly eleven in the afternoon before chocolate eyes finally blinked open and Derek entered the world of consciousness. Groaning, he moved a searching hand to the empty bed beside him and sat up when he realized that it really had only been a dream. /And don't I wish it wasn't. God, I miss him./ With a final sigh, he stood and stretched out tense muscles before shuffling out of the warm room and into the kitchen. Derek was about to open the refrigerator when he found a note taped to the handle. It read:
Well, I guess you're finally awake. I left some breakfast for you in the oven. Wufei and I should return around nine tonight until then make yourself comfortable and here are a list of numbers where you can reach the others or myself.
Rai
After that, the vampire found, as promised, a small list of phone numbers for all the Gundam pilots. Reading the note over one last time, Derek found a magnet on the fridge and replaced the letter and then opened the oven to find a still warm plate of toast, bacon, and eggs awaiting him. While he didn't necessarily need the nourishment, Derek had always enjoyed his lov-ex-lover's cooking so he dutifully ate his share.
When he finished, Derek hurriedly washed the dishes before going to get ready. He had wanted to wander the city that day and possibly visit the library to do some research in their 'restricted', and by restricted it meant preternatural creatures only, section. It seriously was beneficial having werewolves running the local library branch.
* * * * *
"Have you located them?"
"Yes." Rasped the velvety voice as piercing scarlet eyes glanced up in respect. "I tracked them to their old home. When did you wish for me to confront them, master?"
The deeper voice hummed lowly in thought before replying. "Observe them for a while and give me reports on their every move. I shall tell you when the time is right."
"Of course, master." The shadow-hidden figure bowed respectfully then straightened and glided his way to the door that would lead him to his rest for the day. He would need it, for the man had a feeling that he would have a very tiring evening approaching.
/After all,/ he thought bitterly to himself, /it never was a very easy or harmless task dealing with that Rai Maxwell./
* * * * *
Said necromancer was at that moment, singing softly a song that had been stuck in his mind starting after lunch when he had heard Duo humming it. Rai sighed as he began the song again and flipped the page to the report in his hand. /This is boring. Why do I have to read these things if they're all the same. Always more crap about how much time they've been in the office and how much ammunition they had used in the past week; which was usually none./ He blew at his bangs, bored to tears, as he tossed the folder onto his neatly arranged desk. Yawning, Rai eyed the clock and scowled at it when he realized that it was only four in the afternoon. /Damn! Five more hours to go./ Rai considered the report again before folding his hands across his stomach and reclining in his office chair and closing his eyes.
He was about to drift off when the distinctive sound of his door opening bothered him and Rai half-opened his eyes to see Duo entering his office. "Gee, thanks for knocking." The necromancer muttered teasingly, gesturing for his brother to take the seat across from him. "What's up Duo?"
The other man only stared at Rai for a excruciatingly long period of time, until even the brunette couldn't stand it anymore and began to shift uneasily in his chair. "Earth to Duo. It's not normal just to walk into someone's office and just gawk at them. What did you need?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing." Duo finally answered, his violet eyes drilling into Rai's own icy orbs.
Rai nearly fell out of his chair in exasperation but managed to collect himself in time. "I'm fine 'nii-chan. You don't to worry about me."
"Too late and I don't think you're fine."
Eyebrows arched so high, Rai was in absolute shock at the blunt answer and straightforward behavior. He's only reaction was to open and close his mouth a few times and stutter out some unintelligible words before eventually falling silent.
"Well?" Duo prompted.
"Well what? I told you. . ."
"No you're not." The older pilot interrupted immediately. "Talk."
"Erm. . ." Rai nervously squirmed in his chair and just as he was about to speak, there came a beep from his phone indicating the comm. system and the American breathed a sigh of relief. "General Rai Maxwell here."
"Rai?" Lady Une's voice broke through the communication channel. "I need you to run down to the hangars asap and see to some of the new recruits. They need some extra training in mobile suit operations."
Rai thanked whatever being was looking out for him up there and enthusiastically agreed. "Aye aye ma'am." With that he shut off the intercom and grinned charmingly at Duo. "Well, looks like we'll have to postpone that talk. Thanks anyway. Talk to you later." Before his brother could even protest, Rai had grabbed his jacket and was already out the door and halfway down the hall.
Duo frowned disapprovingly as his younger brother vanished from sight and then pouted slightly as he made his way back to his office. /Une sure has the worst times ever to interrupt. Although that look on Rai's face was the most priceless thing this century./ Snickering, the amethyst-eyed pilot began to plot another way in which he would be able to corner Rai into talking.
* * * * *
Chocolate brown eyes skimmed over yet another dusty, yellowed page as Derek sighed. All around him were piled stacks of books on all matters concerning necromancers and vampires yet none of them proved to be of any assistance. While he had still found no useful information pertaining to his and Rai's situation, the blonde had managed to locate several historical facts on his once lover that he had never known before. /Rai sure has been a busy little slayer. I can't believe that he's really that powerful. He must have learned to hide his powers really well since I can't even detect them./ Shutting the tome, Derek's gaze swept over the large pile, his eyes landing on a medium sized book, the only one that he had yet to read. /Might as well try it./
Leaning his head on one palm and idly twirling a strand of hair between his fingers, Derek flipped through the book with his other hand. He was rapidly loosing hope in finding any helpful information when a passage on one of the last pages caught his attention.
'While necromantic the vampiric races are generally known for their hate of each other, there have been a few recorded cases of lovers forming between the two cultures. In these scenarios, the necromancers are never marked but the vampires with whom they are coupled with have never told of any type of problems arising that would threaten their people. On the contrary, instead of creating problematic issues, the joining usually increased the power levels of the vampire and presented far more gains than losses. Therefore, in the year 1782, the High Council of Vampires deemed that relationships of sorts are permitted with no penalties.'
Derek's mind spun as the words kept repeating themselves over and over in his thoughts. /If it's permitted, then why? Why were we threatened by the Council? Unless. .. / He frowned at the absurd idea that presented itself and shook it away. /It couldn't be. I must speak with Rai./ Hastily standing, the master quickly gathered his belongings and the single text that he needed before checking his watch and racing out of the dimly lit room.
T.B.C.
Cliffhanger!!! Hehe, alright, sorry about that but I promise I'll get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Gah, with this flu though I don't know how soon that'll be. *sniffle* I hate being sick! Umm. . . other than that , please review and thanks. I'm gonna go lie down now. . . *falls onto her bed and waves weakly* Until next time. . .
