Be My Friend? (Unbetaed)
Chapter 12: Identities Revealed (Oh.. Gee, this title doesn't give anything away, does it? ^^*)
Kattie
Note: Bleh.. Huge virus around here and I couldn't go online for about a week. (and then finals hit . Let us all hope I get a 4.0. Otherwise, I'll be writing some pretty strange things for a while ^^* in my state of unhappiness... okay. a 3.6 at least!) Anyway. Sorry I didn't update for a while!
Note: Shounen ai hintish things, but not really there unless you use your imagination (like me ^^*). If you don't like shounen ai, then it's really more of a brotherly love ^.~
Disclaimer: Kattie: ::stand on balcony:: O Gundam Wing, Gundam Wing! wherefore art thou Gundam Wing? Deny thy copyrights and refuse thy trademarks! Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my slave, And I'll no longer be a fanfiction authoress.
Lawyer: [Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I sue at this?
Kattie: 'Tis but thy right-owner that is my enemy. Thou are thyself, not a property of Sunrise..etc. etc. (I typed it up but it sounded really really weird) ::sniffles::
Lawyer:.. Thy tears are womanish!
Kattie: ^^* I am a woman.
Lawyer:. oh.. ::draws sword:: Thou, wretched girl, that didst consort him here, Shalt with him hence.
Kattie: .. Um.. But there is no Mercutio. That sentence doesn't make sense without Mercutio's death!
Lawyer: ::glares::
Kattie: . but I don't own Gundam Wing! Or any of the stolen quotes from Romeo and Juliet.
(Guess what Kattie is reading right now ^^*)
Warning: Chapters contain extreme angst, violence, and thematic elements. Profanity goes beyond a minimum amount. Dark scenes of great depression that are not appropriate for children and extreme angst. Rating has recently been changed to R. PG-13 EDITED VERSIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST!!! E-MAIL ME AT Kattie41@aol.com IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE EDITED VERSION!!! (I will not edit unless I have a request, gomen ne if you were curious!)
Dedication: To Rick Husband, Kalpana Chawla, William McCool, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, and Ilan Ramon, the crew of the Columbia. May you rest in peace and your family rest well in knowing you have lived the dreams of thousands. ::bows:: You deserve the greatest honor the universe can bestow on you. Rest well.
"G'BYE MR. RICH 'UN!"
Only then was Quatre's attention caught and he turned to see Naihu with the knife in her hand and the look of insanity in her eye. Coming towards him with her weapon drawn up as though a hunter posing before the kill, wasting time to look good. Then again, it didn't matter how long she took. Quatre was still attached to the machines, needles in his arms to insert the needed medications.
Her eyes opened wide, as though lost in the ecstasy of the kill.
A shot rang through the air.
Naihu's deep blue eyes fluttered and she stumbled back, before catching herself. She gasped and took a step forward. "Not.. This close.." Shakily, she continued forward to Quatre's bedside.
Another shot. The hand holding the knife fell to her side uselessly as a bullet was implanted in her arm.
"NOOOO!" Naihu screamed, "I won't fail when I'm so close!" Her accent was gone. "NEVER!" With the last of her strength, she threw her body upon the bed, on top of Quatre. Reaching with her remaining hand, Naihu's fingers grasped Quatre's throat. "You.. Must.. Die.."
She gasped for breath again, blood trickling down her lower lip and onto the white sheets, joining the blood of other patients who had been laid upon them. She began to cough, having breathed only her own soul's liquid, and her eyes rolled up to the ceiling. Her grip loosened.
"I hate you.. It's all your fault.." As she fell limp, her body pressed down on his, "Die.." Her head fell upon his chest and rested, her life gone. Naihu's eyes continued to stare at Quatre in hatred and madness.
Quatre stared back in horror, upon the face of the dead.
Her body was lifted and Quatre finally saw his savior. "Trowa.." He could feel the tears forming in his eyes like dewdrops appearing on a leaf.
"We need to leave," Trowa said quickly, setting Naihu's body in a chair as though she were nothing more than a pillow, "Immediately." * * * * * * * * * * * *
Duo could hear voices from the hallway but was unable to understand all they were saying. The door blocked the sound, causing the words to be heard as whispers. If he listened carefully, he could almost..
"..Knows.. Need to leave.. Dangerous."
"No..Stay here..Good.."
"..Insane?.. Angry.."
As the door opened, the voices became clearer.
"Of course he'll be angry. What else would you expect him to be?" His main captor asked, pacing through the room.
"I don't understand," the other man replied with an irritated tone, "Why are we risking this?"
"Don't you remember the reason for this? He's coming here. That's all that matters."
"'All that matters'?" The man yelled, walking up to the leader, "I'd like to think our lives matter!"
"Don't be a fool," the captor stepped away and kneeled down by Duo's side, looking into his lazily opened eyes, "He would never kill us. He doesn't even know Mr. Maxwell is here. His anger will not drive him to murder."
His hand reached up and brushed some blood off of Duo's cheek. "How are you feeling, Mr. Maxwell?"
Duo raised his eyes to meet his captor's, answering his question without words.
The man chuckled and stood. "Don't worry, Mr. Maxwell. Soon you'll have your friends to keep you company."
Fear returned.
"We'll leave you to your rest. I only needed to see that you were still alive." With that, the two men exited, leaving Duo, once again, alone.
'I have to warn them,' Duo told himself, his mind foggy but still stubborn, 'I need to escape..' Calling upon the remains of his strength, he threw his chair backwards using the momentum of his body.
It broke upon the floor, wood splintering so that only the seat itself and two legs remained.
Slowly, Duo stood, holding his bound hands behind his back. 'I have to get out!'
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"The two others are going to her."
"Forget Barton, bring one or both of them to me."
"..It won't be that easy."
"I don't care."
"..Fine."
"Sixty-three?"
"Yes."
"Join him."
"..why?"
"I must test your loyalty."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Go."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"We can't just barge in there!" Hiiro yelled in frustration.
Wufei slumped back in his chair and crossed his arms. "So we let Maxwell die?"
"No," Hiiro slammed his laptop (1) shut, "But this place is so far behind enemy lines.. Not to mention.." His voice trailed off.
Awkwardly, Wufei set a hand on his friend's shoulder. His heart began to pound in his chest at the fear of Hiiro shooting him for even attempting such a thing. But instead, Hiiro relaxed and his muscles loosened at the touch.
"We have to go," Wufei explained, "If it's his life or Duo's the decision won't be difficult."
Hiiro nodded slowly. "Let's go get Duo. (2)"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Quatre clutched onto Trowa's arm as they hobbled out of the hospital. "We need to go to Nitki's." He said quietly, tightening his grasp on Trowa as they stepped off of the curb.
"Why?" Trowa questioned.
"That's where Duo is," Quatre replied slowly, "He.. Wouldn't kill Duo.. But it's dangerous there.. And she'll try to take him."
"Who?"
Quatre fell silent.
"..Quatre, I need to know-"
"Bouken," Quatre interrupted, "And Cindy. They're working apart from each other. But Cindy.. She has enough power to.. Her husband is an admiral in Oz.. Bouken has Duo, and Cindy.." He took a deep breath, "Cindy .. Cindy's men were the one's who attacked me..Bernard and Huru. It was probably supposed to be an assassination." (3)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Dragging his battered body through the halls, Duo tried to ignore the intense brightness of the lit rooms. He pitched each foot forward, one after the other, letting his mind wander so as to keep it off of the pain. His hand touched the cold wall, grasping at it as though it might hold him up, should his legs fail.
'Have to warn them..' He told himself again, using the thought as a mantra to propel his body onward.
Another step. He could hear someone. Squeezing his eyes closed as tightly as he could, Duo sped to a sprint, gasping from the pain. He could feel his stomach rising in protest.
'Have to warn them..'
And his vision began to look as though he were seeing through a water- colored painting. All of the colors smearing together, so that they were barely identifiable from each other.
'Have to warn them..'
And gone all together.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Is this it?" Trowa questioned, positioning himself, with Quatre in his arms, in front of the amazing door. It was redwood with delicate carvings of flowers along the edges. The knob glimmered in the sun, showing off its golden color.
Quatre nodded and tightened his hold around Trowa's neck. "Leave me here. They'll only hurt you."
"No. Are you sure this is the only way in?"
With a sigh, Quatre looked into Trowa's eyes. "There's no other way.. At least let me down. I'll be fine."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"They're here." Duo could hear one of the voices saying.
"Good," The other said. From his tone, Duo could tell he was grinning, "Let them in. I'll dispose of the woman."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Trowa did as he was asked, moving slowly to be sure Quatre wouldn't get hurt. He clutched onto the smaller boy as he stood for a few seconds, testing his balance. "Will you be all right?"
"Yes," Quatre answered, "Thank you," He ran a finger over the carvings and smiled sadly at his friend, "Be careful." The finger traced past the door and onto the doorbell, where it pressed gently.
They could hear it ringing inside. It echoed through the monstrous halls. Following it was a scream.
Quatre recognized it immediately. "Nitki.." He whispered to himself.
The door opened and Bouken stood to greet them. His smile was as large and unreal as ever, spreading to his eyes with its extremity. "Hello, Quatre," He said cheerfully, opening the door for them to enter, "How are you?"
A silence followed.
Brushing a hand through his hair, Bouken chuckled, "Please, come in."
Hesitantly, the two pilots stepped inside the house, their eyes fixed upon Bouken as though he were a creature in a freak show. Something so ghastly and appalling that they couldn't help but be fascinated with it. Trowa put a protective hand on Quatre's shoulder and placed a hard stare upon Bouken.
"You must be Mr. Barton," Bouken grinned, "I believe we met at the funeral?"
"Nn." Trowa grunted.
"Would you mind waiting in the ready room? I have some business to discuss with Quatre. It will only take a minute." He gestured towards a room across them with a red couch sitting upon a dark green carpet.
"Yes," Trowa spat, "I would mind." His grip on Quatre tightened.
Bouken seemed disappointed. His shoulders sagged and his smile seemed even less real. "Oh dear," he said quietly, "I was hoping you would be less difficult. I trusted you would agree to this small favor." He shrugged, "But if it is your wish."
Trowa felt a cold metal on the back of his neck, pressing strongly against his exposed skin. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine.
"Stay here." The man behind him instructed.
Extending a hand to Quatre, Bouken produced a genuine smile, "Now Quatre, would you like to join me in my chambers?"
The blonde pilot's eyes fixed upon the man behind Trowa, burrowing into him and stabbing him a thousand times with his hatred. It was obvious that he was thinking, his mind conjuring up multiple scenarios of how to free his friend. It took him a few moments to realize that none would work.
Not without risking Trowa's life even more.
"..All right." Quatre said slowly, taking Bouken's hand in his own.
Reaching over with his other hand, Bouken began to rub his palm over Quatre's. "You have cold hands." He said with a smile.
He guided Quatre out of the room, shooting Trowa a mocking grin as he disappeared through the halls.
"He's gone," the man behind Trowa said cheerfully, "Now I have no reason to let you live."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The cellular phone rang in Cindy's pocket. Grumbling to herself, she answered it as the second chorus of "Ode to Joy" began. "What is it, Sixty- three?"
She could hear his staticy voice, breaking up even as he spoke, "They've reached him."
Taking a deep breath, she released it as a sigh into the receiver. "I'm very disappointed in you, Sixty-three. Do not allow them to enter his house. Do whatever it takes."
"Understood."
Snapping her phone closed, Cindy stared ahead of her at the wall where her father's portrait was hung. "Don't worry, father," she said with a smile, "I won't let them survive with what they've done. I'll get revenge for you."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Is this the place?" Wufei asked, staring up at the enormous house looming overhead.
"Nn," Hiiro nodded, reaching for his gun, "Let's go around the back."
Two clicks. Both pilots stopped.
"Don't move."
"We won't kill you if you stay still."
Hiiro recognized one of the voices as Wesley's and his mind began to race. Had his discussion with Wesley cleared everything up? Had he destroyed the boy's loyalty to the madwoman? Had it worked?
"Come with us!"
"You have to leave this place!"
"No," Hiiro said quietly, barely even audible above nature's own sounds, "We don't."
BANG
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The door closed behind them and Bouken moved to a big, red chair in the center of the room. "Please be seated."
Sitting across from him in a matching red chair, Quatre lowered his gaze to look upon the floor. It had once been white but now it was covered by red stains.
"Look at me, Quatre."
Slowly, Quatre brought his eyes up. Letting them fall upon Bouken's always- masked face. Even now, he wore his smile.
But this smile was different from any Quatre had ever seen before. It bore a true emotion, but one other than joy or contentment. An emotion Quatre had seen many times before, but never by someone so close to him. Never by someone alone with him..
"You've grown even more beautiful," Bouken said with a slight blush. Slowly he stood and made his way to Quatre, stepping with unfaltering grace, "They didn't ruin your perfect face. I had grown worried."
Beginning to tremble, Quatre curled up in the chair. "Please don't.."
Only a foot away, having crossed the room, Bouken reached up and brought a finger to Quatre's cheek. "I'd never hurt you, Quatre. You know I'd never hurt you."
"Please.." Quatre's voice could barely be heard above the creaking of the house. It was old and usually made some noise to show it.
Bringing his lips to reach where his finger had been, Bouken rubbed a hand along Quatre's thigh. "It'll be all right, love."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
End of Chapter (no, I'm not joking)
(1) Who knows when, but sometime between Star's Gaze and Be My Friend? Hiiro got a new laptop ^^* .... it's one of those mysteries of life..... ^^*
(2) [insert proper exclamation]!!! (added exclamation points to point out that it is important.... or you're selling something.... ^^*) They just called him by his first name! Whoa... subtle change, ne? (.... or it would have been subtle.... had I not pointed it out ^^*)
(3) ^^* All that in one paragraph. ^^*
^^* See why it's R now? Hee hee, I made this chapter extra long just so I could have all three cliffhangers. ^.^ ::swells up with pride:: Now wasn't that an action-packed chapter? How long should I wait to post the next one? Three weeks? A couple months, maybe? ^.~ Hee hee. Don't worry, I know you'd kill me. (and I don't currently have a death wish ^^*)
Bouken aka Cigar Man!- Woo hoo! Identity revealed at, at last! Wee! Even pervy Bouken has been lusting after poor Quatre for years, which is why Mr. Winner would not honor his marriage to Nitki and why he'd never let Bouken see his son! Holy cow, it all makes sense! (^^* I'm a bit excited.. If you couldn't tell ^^***) Is currently being a very bad man. He's captured poor Duo and left him beaten. Also, is in the process of.. Ah.. Being a condemned man in the eyes of all Quatre fans in the galaxy. ^^*
Jiei- The bodyguard who almost threw the pilots out. Also seems to be working for Cigar Man, beating up Duo. What a meanie! (let us all scowl at him) Currently has a gun to the back of Trowa's head and seems intent on killing our flute-playing cutie. (another moment to scowl) If he succeeds, he will also be a dead man.
Nitki- Quatre's sister and Bouken's wife. Seems to have figured something out about Bouken, but can't remember. Is she being poisoned by Bouken? Does it matter? Someone had to scream. Was it this young lady? Or.. Duo?
Wesley- A young, unsure secretary at Winner Corporation. He once worked under Mr. Winner and attempted to quit 25 times in two years. Is working for Cindy and currently holds a gun to either Hiiro or Wufei's head. Has had a little chat with Hiiro, but was our hero able to set this young boy straight? Or will he destroy Hiiro for his efforts?
Cindy aka Mysterious Voice One- The leader of the very mean baddies who attacked poor Q-chan. Quatre's sister (didn't think you'd remember that from Bravest Eyes ^^* I didn't ^^* had to look back) who apparently wants to kill him and the pilots to avenge Mr. Winner.. Ne? Where the heck'd she come up with that? Why does she want them dead? Doesn't she realize how boring the show would be without the main characters? Seriously, if they died our only eye candies would be Treize and Zechs, and they don't get much screen time!.. ::coughs:: never mind..
Huru aka Mysterious Voice Two- Follower of evil Cindy.. Has a wife and child and really doesn't want to do what Cindy says. Unfortunately, for their sake, he must! Now he has a gun to either Wufei or Hiiro's head and plans to shoot. Will he complete his mission? Or will he risk his family? (Big personal dilemma for the poor man)
Other-
Nice Male Nurse- Actually.. He was just a nice guy. He's not returning ^^* so.. Feel free to forget about him..
Naihu- Unfortunately deceased. ^^* (Good riddance, I hated her! AHHH!) But her accent was fake! ::gasp:: Why??!?!?!? (Can't remember actually.. But I decided it was fake in Bravest Eyes ^^* so I'm sure there's a good reason.. ^^*)
Bernard: Cindy's other henchman. Um.. He's kinda just there because Huru couldn't do it alone.. But now there's Wesley. so he's.. um. I guess he must be unconscious in the hospital ^^* a good place to lose consciousness, ne? ^^******
Tracks: Whole lotta Beatles songs (Mostly "Eleanor Rigby" ^^ I love that song!) except the last three pages, over which I listened to X-Japan (of course.)
Love and love! Please review!
Chapter 12: Identities Revealed (Oh.. Gee, this title doesn't give anything away, does it? ^^*)
Kattie
Note: Bleh.. Huge virus around here and I couldn't go online for about a week. (and then finals hit . Let us all hope I get a 4.0. Otherwise, I'll be writing some pretty strange things for a while ^^* in my state of unhappiness... okay. a 3.6 at least!) Anyway. Sorry I didn't update for a while!
Note: Shounen ai hintish things, but not really there unless you use your imagination (like me ^^*). If you don't like shounen ai, then it's really more of a brotherly love ^.~
Disclaimer: Kattie: ::stand on balcony:: O Gundam Wing, Gundam Wing! wherefore art thou Gundam Wing? Deny thy copyrights and refuse thy trademarks! Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my slave, And I'll no longer be a fanfiction authoress.
Lawyer: [Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I sue at this?
Kattie: 'Tis but thy right-owner that is my enemy. Thou are thyself, not a property of Sunrise..etc. etc. (I typed it up but it sounded really really weird) ::sniffles::
Lawyer:.. Thy tears are womanish!
Kattie: ^^* I am a woman.
Lawyer:. oh.. ::draws sword:: Thou, wretched girl, that didst consort him here, Shalt with him hence.
Kattie: .. Um.. But there is no Mercutio. That sentence doesn't make sense without Mercutio's death!
Lawyer: ::glares::
Kattie: . but I don't own Gundam Wing! Or any of the stolen quotes from Romeo and Juliet.
(Guess what Kattie is reading right now ^^*)
Warning: Chapters contain extreme angst, violence, and thematic elements. Profanity goes beyond a minimum amount. Dark scenes of great depression that are not appropriate for children and extreme angst. Rating has recently been changed to R. PG-13 EDITED VERSIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST!!! E-MAIL ME AT Kattie41@aol.com IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE EDITED VERSION!!! (I will not edit unless I have a request, gomen ne if you were curious!)
Dedication: To Rick Husband, Kalpana Chawla, William McCool, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, and Ilan Ramon, the crew of the Columbia. May you rest in peace and your family rest well in knowing you have lived the dreams of thousands. ::bows:: You deserve the greatest honor the universe can bestow on you. Rest well.
"G'BYE MR. RICH 'UN!"
Only then was Quatre's attention caught and he turned to see Naihu with the knife in her hand and the look of insanity in her eye. Coming towards him with her weapon drawn up as though a hunter posing before the kill, wasting time to look good. Then again, it didn't matter how long she took. Quatre was still attached to the machines, needles in his arms to insert the needed medications.
Her eyes opened wide, as though lost in the ecstasy of the kill.
A shot rang through the air.
Naihu's deep blue eyes fluttered and she stumbled back, before catching herself. She gasped and took a step forward. "Not.. This close.." Shakily, she continued forward to Quatre's bedside.
Another shot. The hand holding the knife fell to her side uselessly as a bullet was implanted in her arm.
"NOOOO!" Naihu screamed, "I won't fail when I'm so close!" Her accent was gone. "NEVER!" With the last of her strength, she threw her body upon the bed, on top of Quatre. Reaching with her remaining hand, Naihu's fingers grasped Quatre's throat. "You.. Must.. Die.."
She gasped for breath again, blood trickling down her lower lip and onto the white sheets, joining the blood of other patients who had been laid upon them. She began to cough, having breathed only her own soul's liquid, and her eyes rolled up to the ceiling. Her grip loosened.
"I hate you.. It's all your fault.." As she fell limp, her body pressed down on his, "Die.." Her head fell upon his chest and rested, her life gone. Naihu's eyes continued to stare at Quatre in hatred and madness.
Quatre stared back in horror, upon the face of the dead.
Her body was lifted and Quatre finally saw his savior. "Trowa.." He could feel the tears forming in his eyes like dewdrops appearing on a leaf.
"We need to leave," Trowa said quickly, setting Naihu's body in a chair as though she were nothing more than a pillow, "Immediately." * * * * * * * * * * * *
Duo could hear voices from the hallway but was unable to understand all they were saying. The door blocked the sound, causing the words to be heard as whispers. If he listened carefully, he could almost..
"..Knows.. Need to leave.. Dangerous."
"No..Stay here..Good.."
"..Insane?.. Angry.."
As the door opened, the voices became clearer.
"Of course he'll be angry. What else would you expect him to be?" His main captor asked, pacing through the room.
"I don't understand," the other man replied with an irritated tone, "Why are we risking this?"
"Don't you remember the reason for this? He's coming here. That's all that matters."
"'All that matters'?" The man yelled, walking up to the leader, "I'd like to think our lives matter!"
"Don't be a fool," the captor stepped away and kneeled down by Duo's side, looking into his lazily opened eyes, "He would never kill us. He doesn't even know Mr. Maxwell is here. His anger will not drive him to murder."
His hand reached up and brushed some blood off of Duo's cheek. "How are you feeling, Mr. Maxwell?"
Duo raised his eyes to meet his captor's, answering his question without words.
The man chuckled and stood. "Don't worry, Mr. Maxwell. Soon you'll have your friends to keep you company."
Fear returned.
"We'll leave you to your rest. I only needed to see that you were still alive." With that, the two men exited, leaving Duo, once again, alone.
'I have to warn them,' Duo told himself, his mind foggy but still stubborn, 'I need to escape..' Calling upon the remains of his strength, he threw his chair backwards using the momentum of his body.
It broke upon the floor, wood splintering so that only the seat itself and two legs remained.
Slowly, Duo stood, holding his bound hands behind his back. 'I have to get out!'
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"The two others are going to her."
"Forget Barton, bring one or both of them to me."
"..It won't be that easy."
"I don't care."
"..Fine."
"Sixty-three?"
"Yes."
"Join him."
"..why?"
"I must test your loyalty."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Go."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"We can't just barge in there!" Hiiro yelled in frustration.
Wufei slumped back in his chair and crossed his arms. "So we let Maxwell die?"
"No," Hiiro slammed his laptop (1) shut, "But this place is so far behind enemy lines.. Not to mention.." His voice trailed off.
Awkwardly, Wufei set a hand on his friend's shoulder. His heart began to pound in his chest at the fear of Hiiro shooting him for even attempting such a thing. But instead, Hiiro relaxed and his muscles loosened at the touch.
"We have to go," Wufei explained, "If it's his life or Duo's the decision won't be difficult."
Hiiro nodded slowly. "Let's go get Duo. (2)"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Quatre clutched onto Trowa's arm as they hobbled out of the hospital. "We need to go to Nitki's." He said quietly, tightening his grasp on Trowa as they stepped off of the curb.
"Why?" Trowa questioned.
"That's where Duo is," Quatre replied slowly, "He.. Wouldn't kill Duo.. But it's dangerous there.. And she'll try to take him."
"Who?"
Quatre fell silent.
"..Quatre, I need to know-"
"Bouken," Quatre interrupted, "And Cindy. They're working apart from each other. But Cindy.. She has enough power to.. Her husband is an admiral in Oz.. Bouken has Duo, and Cindy.." He took a deep breath, "Cindy .. Cindy's men were the one's who attacked me..Bernard and Huru. It was probably supposed to be an assassination." (3)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Dragging his battered body through the halls, Duo tried to ignore the intense brightness of the lit rooms. He pitched each foot forward, one after the other, letting his mind wander so as to keep it off of the pain. His hand touched the cold wall, grasping at it as though it might hold him up, should his legs fail.
'Have to warn them..' He told himself again, using the thought as a mantra to propel his body onward.
Another step. He could hear someone. Squeezing his eyes closed as tightly as he could, Duo sped to a sprint, gasping from the pain. He could feel his stomach rising in protest.
'Have to warn them..'
And his vision began to look as though he were seeing through a water- colored painting. All of the colors smearing together, so that they were barely identifiable from each other.
'Have to warn them..'
And gone all together.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Is this it?" Trowa questioned, positioning himself, with Quatre in his arms, in front of the amazing door. It was redwood with delicate carvings of flowers along the edges. The knob glimmered in the sun, showing off its golden color.
Quatre nodded and tightened his hold around Trowa's neck. "Leave me here. They'll only hurt you."
"No. Are you sure this is the only way in?"
With a sigh, Quatre looked into Trowa's eyes. "There's no other way.. At least let me down. I'll be fine."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"They're here." Duo could hear one of the voices saying.
"Good," The other said. From his tone, Duo could tell he was grinning, "Let them in. I'll dispose of the woman."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Trowa did as he was asked, moving slowly to be sure Quatre wouldn't get hurt. He clutched onto the smaller boy as he stood for a few seconds, testing his balance. "Will you be all right?"
"Yes," Quatre answered, "Thank you," He ran a finger over the carvings and smiled sadly at his friend, "Be careful." The finger traced past the door and onto the doorbell, where it pressed gently.
They could hear it ringing inside. It echoed through the monstrous halls. Following it was a scream.
Quatre recognized it immediately. "Nitki.." He whispered to himself.
The door opened and Bouken stood to greet them. His smile was as large and unreal as ever, spreading to his eyes with its extremity. "Hello, Quatre," He said cheerfully, opening the door for them to enter, "How are you?"
A silence followed.
Brushing a hand through his hair, Bouken chuckled, "Please, come in."
Hesitantly, the two pilots stepped inside the house, their eyes fixed upon Bouken as though he were a creature in a freak show. Something so ghastly and appalling that they couldn't help but be fascinated with it. Trowa put a protective hand on Quatre's shoulder and placed a hard stare upon Bouken.
"You must be Mr. Barton," Bouken grinned, "I believe we met at the funeral?"
"Nn." Trowa grunted.
"Would you mind waiting in the ready room? I have some business to discuss with Quatre. It will only take a minute." He gestured towards a room across them with a red couch sitting upon a dark green carpet.
"Yes," Trowa spat, "I would mind." His grip on Quatre tightened.
Bouken seemed disappointed. His shoulders sagged and his smile seemed even less real. "Oh dear," he said quietly, "I was hoping you would be less difficult. I trusted you would agree to this small favor." He shrugged, "But if it is your wish."
Trowa felt a cold metal on the back of his neck, pressing strongly against his exposed skin. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine.
"Stay here." The man behind him instructed.
Extending a hand to Quatre, Bouken produced a genuine smile, "Now Quatre, would you like to join me in my chambers?"
The blonde pilot's eyes fixed upon the man behind Trowa, burrowing into him and stabbing him a thousand times with his hatred. It was obvious that he was thinking, his mind conjuring up multiple scenarios of how to free his friend. It took him a few moments to realize that none would work.
Not without risking Trowa's life even more.
"..All right." Quatre said slowly, taking Bouken's hand in his own.
Reaching over with his other hand, Bouken began to rub his palm over Quatre's. "You have cold hands." He said with a smile.
He guided Quatre out of the room, shooting Trowa a mocking grin as he disappeared through the halls.
"He's gone," the man behind Trowa said cheerfully, "Now I have no reason to let you live."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The cellular phone rang in Cindy's pocket. Grumbling to herself, she answered it as the second chorus of "Ode to Joy" began. "What is it, Sixty- three?"
She could hear his staticy voice, breaking up even as he spoke, "They've reached him."
Taking a deep breath, she released it as a sigh into the receiver. "I'm very disappointed in you, Sixty-three. Do not allow them to enter his house. Do whatever it takes."
"Understood."
Snapping her phone closed, Cindy stared ahead of her at the wall where her father's portrait was hung. "Don't worry, father," she said with a smile, "I won't let them survive with what they've done. I'll get revenge for you."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Is this the place?" Wufei asked, staring up at the enormous house looming overhead.
"Nn," Hiiro nodded, reaching for his gun, "Let's go around the back."
Two clicks. Both pilots stopped.
"Don't move."
"We won't kill you if you stay still."
Hiiro recognized one of the voices as Wesley's and his mind began to race. Had his discussion with Wesley cleared everything up? Had he destroyed the boy's loyalty to the madwoman? Had it worked?
"Come with us!"
"You have to leave this place!"
"No," Hiiro said quietly, barely even audible above nature's own sounds, "We don't."
BANG
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The door closed behind them and Bouken moved to a big, red chair in the center of the room. "Please be seated."
Sitting across from him in a matching red chair, Quatre lowered his gaze to look upon the floor. It had once been white but now it was covered by red stains.
"Look at me, Quatre."
Slowly, Quatre brought his eyes up. Letting them fall upon Bouken's always- masked face. Even now, he wore his smile.
But this smile was different from any Quatre had ever seen before. It bore a true emotion, but one other than joy or contentment. An emotion Quatre had seen many times before, but never by someone so close to him. Never by someone alone with him..
"You've grown even more beautiful," Bouken said with a slight blush. Slowly he stood and made his way to Quatre, stepping with unfaltering grace, "They didn't ruin your perfect face. I had grown worried."
Beginning to tremble, Quatre curled up in the chair. "Please don't.."
Only a foot away, having crossed the room, Bouken reached up and brought a finger to Quatre's cheek. "I'd never hurt you, Quatre. You know I'd never hurt you."
"Please.." Quatre's voice could barely be heard above the creaking of the house. It was old and usually made some noise to show it.
Bringing his lips to reach where his finger had been, Bouken rubbed a hand along Quatre's thigh. "It'll be all right, love."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
End of Chapter (no, I'm not joking)
(1) Who knows when, but sometime between Star's Gaze and Be My Friend? Hiiro got a new laptop ^^* .... it's one of those mysteries of life..... ^^*
(2) [insert proper exclamation]!!! (added exclamation points to point out that it is important.... or you're selling something.... ^^*) They just called him by his first name! Whoa... subtle change, ne? (.... or it would have been subtle.... had I not pointed it out ^^*)
(3) ^^* All that in one paragraph. ^^*
^^* See why it's R now? Hee hee, I made this chapter extra long just so I could have all three cliffhangers. ^.^ ::swells up with pride:: Now wasn't that an action-packed chapter? How long should I wait to post the next one? Three weeks? A couple months, maybe? ^.~ Hee hee. Don't worry, I know you'd kill me. (and I don't currently have a death wish ^^*)
Bouken aka Cigar Man!- Woo hoo! Identity revealed at, at last! Wee! Even pervy Bouken has been lusting after poor Quatre for years, which is why Mr. Winner would not honor his marriage to Nitki and why he'd never let Bouken see his son! Holy cow, it all makes sense! (^^* I'm a bit excited.. If you couldn't tell ^^***) Is currently being a very bad man. He's captured poor Duo and left him beaten. Also, is in the process of.. Ah.. Being a condemned man in the eyes of all Quatre fans in the galaxy. ^^*
Jiei- The bodyguard who almost threw the pilots out. Also seems to be working for Cigar Man, beating up Duo. What a meanie! (let us all scowl at him) Currently has a gun to the back of Trowa's head and seems intent on killing our flute-playing cutie. (another moment to scowl) If he succeeds, he will also be a dead man.
Nitki- Quatre's sister and Bouken's wife. Seems to have figured something out about Bouken, but can't remember. Is she being poisoned by Bouken? Does it matter? Someone had to scream. Was it this young lady? Or.. Duo?
Wesley- A young, unsure secretary at Winner Corporation. He once worked under Mr. Winner and attempted to quit 25 times in two years. Is working for Cindy and currently holds a gun to either Hiiro or Wufei's head. Has had a little chat with Hiiro, but was our hero able to set this young boy straight? Or will he destroy Hiiro for his efforts?
Cindy aka Mysterious Voice One- The leader of the very mean baddies who attacked poor Q-chan. Quatre's sister (didn't think you'd remember that from Bravest Eyes ^^* I didn't ^^* had to look back) who apparently wants to kill him and the pilots to avenge Mr. Winner.. Ne? Where the heck'd she come up with that? Why does she want them dead? Doesn't she realize how boring the show would be without the main characters? Seriously, if they died our only eye candies would be Treize and Zechs, and they don't get much screen time!.. ::coughs:: never mind..
Huru aka Mysterious Voice Two- Follower of evil Cindy.. Has a wife and child and really doesn't want to do what Cindy says. Unfortunately, for their sake, he must! Now he has a gun to either Wufei or Hiiro's head and plans to shoot. Will he complete his mission? Or will he risk his family? (Big personal dilemma for the poor man)
Other-
Nice Male Nurse- Actually.. He was just a nice guy. He's not returning ^^* so.. Feel free to forget about him..
Naihu- Unfortunately deceased. ^^* (Good riddance, I hated her! AHHH!) But her accent was fake! ::gasp:: Why??!?!?!? (Can't remember actually.. But I decided it was fake in Bravest Eyes ^^* so I'm sure there's a good reason.. ^^*)
Bernard: Cindy's other henchman. Um.. He's kinda just there because Huru couldn't do it alone.. But now there's Wesley. so he's.. um. I guess he must be unconscious in the hospital ^^* a good place to lose consciousness, ne? ^^******
Tracks: Whole lotta Beatles songs (Mostly "Eleanor Rigby" ^^ I love that song!) except the last three pages, over which I listened to X-Japan (of course.)
Love and love! Please review!