Vampiric Sacrifice

by stefani teee

HY/RP. Things aren't as they once were. A match made in heaven was broken, a prince is in a coma, his wife is dead, and a princess is out for revenge. And a pair of vampiresses is the cause of it all.

2. The Aftermath

Title: Vampiric Sacrifice

Author: stefani teee a.k.a. Koneko ^Å^

© Tales Spinners Inc.

Koneko-chan says!

Hey ppl! Once again, I have another chapter out! Sorry about where I left you… actually I'm not, that wasn't really a cliffhanger, right? Right. Not really… okay I give up, who cares if it was or not? Here's the next one!

Chapter Two: Aftermath

~*~*~*~

The next morning, Relena woke up to find herself snuggled against something warm (and a bad taste in her mouth, a hangover… but we won't get into that). She opened her eyes to see that the warm thing was someone's very smooth, very muscled chest. She raised her eyes to look up at who's face it was, and almost shrieked with surprise when she found that it was Heero, sleeping in the bed beside her. Her hands moved, underneath the bedcovers to herself, and found to her distress (and semi-relief) that her pants were where she wanted them to be, but her shirt definitely was not. And by the looks of it, the same went with Heero. It took only a few more moments of panic from Relena before Heero's eyes opened, blinking and grimacing at the bad taste in his mouth (and the mega-kiloton headache that was pounding in his head) and then in shock at Relena's panicked face. He then looked lower to where his slow-working brain (at the moment) processed the fact that she wasn't wearing anything as far as he could see (he didn't look too far) before his eyes snapped back up to her face. "What the hell happened last night?!"

Relena shook her head hopelessly and he felt a sudden stab of fear shoot through him. "Oh god…" Relena grabbed his arm as he was about to get out of the bed and as far away from her as possible. "We didn't go all the way, that's for sure." she remarked as she looked down at her strapless bra, and her sweatpants. She also noted his bare chest, but definitely not completely naked. Heero took only a breath of relief, running a hand through his messy hair. "God, that was some crazy night," she muttered sitting up, and he tossed her something, directly in her face, but not on purpose. After she'd gotten the thing off her head, she found it was her baby-tee. "Aw thanks, you shouldn't have." She drawled, grinning before looking up for anyone else. She found Duo cuddled up against a pillow, Quatre sprawled over Gabriel's bed, and Wufei snoring softly from his spot leaning against her dresser. She looked around and around again. "Uh… Heero?" she asked, as he grabbed his shirt, pulling it on. "What?"

"You wouldn't happen to know where Trowa is would you? Or Dorothy for that matter?"

"I woke up later than you Relena. I don't have any idea." His eyes widened as he noted hers, "God, you don't think…"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!" shrieked a voice from the other room. Relena winced, "We found Dorothy," she muttered, "HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW?!" roared back another voice, male this time. "And I think we've also got Trowa covered too." concluded Heero as they ran out into the hall, and stood there in the hall, not wanting to embarrass their friends any more than they already were. The door slammed open and the two of them, still yelling at each other, Dorothy wrapped in a sheet, and Trowa with a towel swiped from the top of the dresser. "GET OUT OF HERE!" shrieked Dorothy, pointing out the door, before doing a double take and blanching when she found the two of them standing there. "Oh god, you're awake already…" she moaned, leaning against the doorjamb. "What the hell is happening to me." Relena caught her friend in a huge hug as the taller girl sank against her friend, still in shock from the rude awakening.

Trowa just stood there, looking rather foolish, and wondering what the hell had happened." Relena smiled sympathetically, "You too, huh, Dor?" Dorothy's head shot up and she whipped her head between Relena and Heero. "You… you…" she managed to say. Relena shook her head, "Not as far as you two went, I'm afraid." Dorothy dropped her head back on her friend's shoulder. "This is not happening to me… I'm just going to wake up in my own house, in my own bed…" she tried to slap herself awake, but Relena caught her hand. "Sorry, but you're quite awake, sugar, and I'm afraid you're going to have to stay that way for the day." She grinned before holding her own head. "But that doesn't mean we have to like it… damn, I remember now why I hate alcohol." Dorothy nodded, looking rather queasy. Heero had not been idle during this girl-to-girl talk, he'd gotten Trowa into his right mind again, and quite dressed while Relena kept both of them out of the hall, giving the guys a little privacy. "What the hell happened last night?" moaned Trowa, and Heero had to raise his head in surprise when he noted the overuse of… (well, the word 'emotion' itself has been way overused in GW fics already…) feeling with everything he said. "I don't know. I wake up in the same bed as Relena, and then I find you've been sleeping with her best friend." Trowa groaned again, running a hand through his hair. "Why the hell did I come here?"

"I'll be asking the same question to myself after I get you sorted out," promised Heero as he tossed Trowa his pants which were thrown somewhere under the bed (he didn't even want to think how that had happened) and resumed his search for the guy's shirt. "What the hell happened between you two?" he finally asked.

"I don't know! I don't remember!"

"I wasn't talking about that, I was asking why you and her broke up." Trowa stiffened, "It's none of your concern." Heero raised an eyebrow, "Should I tell all of this to the rest of the guys in the next room that you've been 'knocking', as I'm sure Duo will put it, with Relena's best friend?" Trowa groaned, bringing his head in his hands. "Dammit, I can't even remember much…"

"So, tell me." Trowa looked up at the ceiling, "I told her I was in love with someone else." he said finally. Heero looked at him, wonderingly. "What in the heck were you thinking?! You were already planning to propose to that girl and suddenly, out of nowhere, you bring in this other girl?!" Trowa turned and glared at Heero. "I don't need you to tell me that." he spat as he pulled on his shirt (which he found hanging from the chandelier). "Dorothy was everything to for the last few years, you were thinking of asking her to marry you… who is the girl?"

"A girl I met when before Operation Meteor… her name's Midii Une." Heero looked at his friend in disbelief, "You broke up with your girlfriend because of a child that you met when you were a kid, Trowa?" he asked slowly, wondering if the guy was still drunk and completely delusional. "I broke up with Dorothy because she came back into my life," explained Trowa, "she found me, and I felt like Nanashi all over again when I knew her that long ago, and she's still in love with me." Heero groaned, holding his head in his hands, "It's too early for this. I'm no guidance counselor, heck, I just woke up sleeping next to a girl I haven't seen for several years!"

"And that 'haven't seen for several years' was in no part my fault." countered Relena from the door, leaning on the doorframe and holding a tray with several glasses of water mixed with antacid tablets, and some aspirin. "If your hangovers are as big as mine, you'd better take some." Heero raised an eyebrow, "You heard?"

"Not only me, baby. But this lonely little chick here." She wrapped an arm around Dorothy, who was once again dressed (in Relena's clothes) in a tank top and shorts. Dorothy didn't even look at Trowa, but he could tell she was hurt and he wished above all else that he could run over to her, take her in his arms and apologize over and over until she forgave him. Instead, he looked away. Relena sighed and met Heero's gaze. He shook his head and she shrugged, "Well then, drink up or else I'll shove it down your throat for you!" she said cheerfully before wincing and holding her head. "Ow… almost forgot my own hangover…" she passed the glasses and the aspirin around so that the guys looked relatively better. Dorothy remained silent, and she was getting that 'Ice Queen' look on her face again. "I'm going to see about the rest of them…" she said, walking out the door and back into Relena's room.

She found Quatre and Wufei still asleep, but Duo was in the bathroom, retching into the toilet. She groaned as she forced herself not to hurl as well. "Duo? You okay?" she asked, peering into the bathroom before sighing and walking towards the boy still puking his guts out. Shaking her head, she began rubbing his back, trying to make him loosen his tensed muscles. As soon as he had gotten control of himself again, she held out the tissues she swiped from the tissue box on the sink counter. "Morning, Maxwell."

"Hey." He stood up, flushing the toilet and his face looked rather pale, contrasting to the black he was wearing. She looked him over with a critical eye. "You know, you look nice with your hair down." Duo blinked before running his hands through his hair. "My hair? You're right, damn, when did that happen?" Dorothy shrugged, "I have no idea—"

"You'd better be done with the bathroom Maxwell!" yelled Wufei, rushing into the bathroom, and straight for the toilet, his face rather green. Dorothy sighed, "Man you two must've drunk more than I did last night." She smiled when she noticed Wufei's hair was down too and hanging across his neck and helped keep his hair away from his face. God, you'd never know I woke up to find my ex-boyfriend in bed with me. Wufei finally lifted his head up and this time, it was Duo handing him the tissues. "You okay now?" asked Dorothy as she let go of his hair.

"Yes, Miss Catalonia, I am fine now." She grinned (a surprising sight, but she looked incredibly nice when she did smile like that) before grabbing both of them by the shoulder and marching them back into the bedroom, where she handed each of the one of the glasses with water and antacid tablets. After swallowing, she also gave them the aspirin. "Better?" she asked. Duo nodded, but Wufei shrugged. Dorothy raised an eyebrow at the young Chinese man. "Damn, I can see why Sally adores you." she muttered. Wufei turned red when his 'girlfriend' (he couldn't admit even that to himself) was mentioned. Duo on the other hand grinned rather cheekily, as he was feeling slightly better. Wufei on the other hand said nothing else and began the tasking of tying up his hair again. Duo too, was beginning to work on it, looking for a brush anywhere. But among Relena's things, he couldn't find one at all.

"Here, let me help." offered Dorothy, holding up a brush, which she'd swiped from her open duffel bag beside her. Before Duo knew it, he was sitting on the floor, she was sitting on the bed, and running the brush through his hair as she got the kinks out of it. It's a funny thing how long hair can get so kinky once in a while, and even Duo was surprised when Dorothy finally got his hair smooth and rippling again… in record timing. "How'd you do that?" he asked amazed, leaning his head back and looking up at her. Her upper lip quirked and she held up the tip of one long lock of silver-blonde hair. "I've had practice." She replied as she began braiding his hair for him as well. "So how's Hilde?" she finally asked.

He sighed, "Pregnant."

"You act as if that's not a good thing… you two weren't expecting it were you?"

"Naw… I mean it's great and all but… now everything's so different and…" she smiled rather sympathetically. "I know what you mean, I've seen it happen with a certain friend of mine." She finished the plait and patted him on the top of his head. "You're done." He got to his feet (slowly, and rubbing his forehead). "Damn, I only remember not to get drunk after I get drunk."

"Happens to the best of us." she replied, before ushering him out the room, "Time for you to join Wufei and the others downstairs at the breakfast table… the maids are always happy for more guests." She then turned her attention to Quatre who was still sprawled on Gabriel's bed. She walked over to the bed and kneeled on the floor beside the boy. Even in sleep, the boy was a golden-haired angel. How the hell could he manage to look like that? He'd been in the war, he'd killed so many people… how could he still look so innocent?! It seemed so unfair. "Quatre? Quatre honey, it's time to wake up." She said softly, tapping him on the cheek. He stirred, but still didn't wake up. "Come on Quatre, rise and shine…" he finally opened his eyes to look at her, before shutting them quickly at the stream of sunlight in his eyes. "Too… bright." She raised an eyebrow before tapping his cheek again, "Wake up now like a good little boy and be brave about facing a morning of hell after getting drunk." Quatre looked up at her bleary-eyed. "Why did I get drunk again?" he asked rhetorically.

"Peer pressure works every time." she replied, helping him up and handing him the glass. "You didn't get as drunk as any of the rest of us though, from the foggy things I can remember…"

"Drunk enough."

"Quite true… come on, aspirin now." He gulped down the little white tablets before focusing again. "Hell, I hate growing up."

"If you ask me, you're already grown up."

"And if you ask me, I'd say the both of you had better get up." The both of them looked up to see Relena standing at the door, smiling cheerfully. Dorothy groaned. "Even getting drunk as hell and waking up with a total hangover can't faze you, can it Rel?"

"Sure it can. But I'm not going to explain it—hey!" she shrieked as something barreled into her. "G'morning Lena!" yelled little Gabriel from his position with his arm wrapped around her leg. "Whoa, morning Gabe, how was your night?"

"Shelley said her grandmother said she should get me to stay with them last night 'cause you and the rest of them were going to be busy talking about stuff I shouldn't hear. What shouldn't I hear? Is it more bad stuff? Because, I found out Shelley is scareder than me." he looked quite proud of this statement. Relena smiled, "Well then, you run along and find Shelley and invite her to eat with you, okay?" Gabriel suddenly narrowed his eyes, "Is that a 'date'?" he asked, as if it was a foreign word and looking suspicious. Relena blinked. "Um, no it's not a date, it's inviting a friend over for breakfast, and it's not even that, she lives here." Gabriel smiled, "Okay then!" and rushed off. Relena then burst out laughing when he was out of earshot. "That kid's going to be even more obsessed with Shelley when he hits puberty."

Dorothy stood up, pulling the hem of the denim shorts she'd borrowed up higher as they already begun to slip onto her hips. She didn't notice Quatre's red face until Relena had left for breakfast. "What?" she asked, looking down at him. "Nothing, nothing." He replied, gulping at the sight of her slim legs and the short shorts that were directly in his face. "Well then, come on, let's get moving, I want food." She walked out of the room first thinking, he's such a guy… (Any girl out there would understand this statement… probably some guys too).

Back in the other room, conversation hadn't been as easy-going as Dorothy's had been. A rewind back to what had been happening goes something like this. (Alvin and the Chipmunks-like squeaking) (lots of jerking hands and heads and fast-pace backwards movement)

"All right now, Tro, you're going to explain yourself." she said seriously, dropping the light-hearted act as she stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. "Who is this Midii Une who has such a hold on you? Explain her?"

"She's a girl I knew long time ago."

"All right, what did she do to make you so worked up about her?" she asked. She sat down on the edge of the bed, between Trowa and Heero. "She suddenly showed up on my doorstep one night, and I don't know, the moment I saw her it seemed as if everyone else in the world had disappeared except for her alone."

"Then what did you do?" Trowa shrugged, "Talked." Relena raised an eyebrow. "And how does she look?"

"Long, wavy, platinum-blonde hair, big blue eyes, slim…" he trailed off. "I guess you could say perfect body." Relena nodded, raising her other eyebrow, "And you're telling me that when this stunningingly beautiful young woman that's still head-over-heels in love with you shows up on your doorstep, you invite her in for a cup of tea and crumpets? Trowa, give me a break!"

"Hey, I was still dating Dorothy at the time!"

"And I'm guessing you broke up with her the next day?" Trowa looked rather uncomfortable, but he kept his stubborn silence. Relena sighed, "Heero, can I talk with Trowa? Alone?" she asked meaningfully. Heero shrugged, "I'll be taking a shower." he replied, getting up and walking in the bathroom that adjoined the room. "Here!" she called, tossing a towel at him. He caught it and nodded at her, "Thanks."

"You'd better be thanking me! I would've missed a great show!" she winked before making a shoo-shoo motion with her hands. Heero took the hint and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. The next thing Trowa knew, he was on his back on the bed and Relena was straddling his stomach and had grabbed hold of the collar of his shirt. "Hey—"

"Listen to me." she interrupted, her eyes steely. "I'm not going to be all goody-goody on you like everyone thinks I am. Trust me Tro, you don't want to mess with me… and you'd better stop doing this to my best friend." He glared at her, surprising her with his anger. He was quite well known for being completely calm in all situations. But now he exploded, "What do you know?!" he was yelling at her now, "You've always been chasing around after Heero, and now you've got him eating out of your hand!"

She slapped him across the face with a flick of her hand, and the blow stunned him… there was such venom in that single motion. "Dorothy is my best friend. This Midii Une suddenly appears out of nowhere, a girl you haven't seen for years and you drop your current girlfriend, who I know you were going to propose to, like a bad habit. Excuse me, but those factors don't work out somehow, do they?"

Trowa glared at her, "I love her all right?" Relena raised her eyebrows (she did that a lot… she had quite an expressive face) and her whole demeanor suddenly changed. "Really?" she asked huskily, "I remember you once might've said that to me too, you know." She ran her fingers down his face, tracing his cheekbones to the nape of his neck and her legs twining around his thighs as she leaned her face closer, her fingers massaging the back of his head with the pads of her fingers. "Didn't you?" he took a deep shuddering breath trying to push her off, but she shook off his attempts. "Well?"

"Yes." he finally managed to say. Her smile was sultry as she continued the game, "And you were always so worried about me… and I know for a fact that you checked up on me. I wonder what that means, hmm?" she asked, leaning her body against his and having one hand come up and trace his face from his temple downwards to his lips. "Because, if what you said is true… you've fallen in and out of love too many times for it to be real. And now you've got to make a choice. Who do you love? Because I know for sure, no woman would wait forever." She finished, suddenly getting up off him and straightening her clothes. Trowa sat up, his big green eyes wide. "Am I right?" she demanded, her arms crossed and eyeing him closely.

"I… I don't know." He looked lost, and she suddenly had to take pity on him. "Aw, Tro… you're just so lost in this I wonder if we'll ever make you find your way again?" she came back, bringing him into a tight hug and placing a small kiss on his cheek. He found himself wrapping his arms around her and hugging her even tighter. "I'm sorry, Trowa." She whispered into his ear, "I hate seeing any one of you going through any of this…" she pulled away and he let her. She smiled sadly, before glancing over at the bathroom door, "You can come out now Heero, I distinctly noticed that I hadn't been hearing any water running for the past ten minutes." Heero came out, his hair still damp, but a frown fixed on his face. "I think I'm losing my touch."

"No, I just know my own house too well." She replied grinning at him. "Now come on boys, on to the breakfast table, I'm famished." She went for the door, pausing only once to look back at Trowa, "Remember what I said to you. You've got a choice, sure, but for god's sakes make sure before you decide something as big as this! And by the way, I'm letting you off easy right now because the others will start to wonder if I take too long questioning you. But trust me… you've got some more explaining to do." then she was gone. Trowa looked from the open door to Heero. "How you can ever get that girl, I have no idea." He said slowly. Heero raised his eyebrow, "Just leave her alone, and you won't be bothered." He walked out after Relena. Trowa let out a low laugh, "I may not get my own love life Heero, but I can see through you like a pane of glass." No woman would wait forever, huh? Trowa smiled, I know one girl who's faithful to the one she loves… enough so that she'd wait till Judgement Day for him…

He got up and walked out of the room… come to think about it… he was hungry. Behind him, at the window, a figure clothed in a thick cloak watched him leave the room. "Hmm… he's going to be a little more trouble than I thought."

Relena finally found the two maids that had disappeared the other night. "We're sorry Miss Relena. We didn't want to get too drunk and then when it got a little too late, we left… we're sorry if we worried you." Relena smiled, "It's okay… I just thought of all the horrible things that could've happened if you'd gotten drunk with us and decided to walk outside…" she shuddered, "and me finding you with your throats ripped out." One of the grimaced, "Man that would suck," she muttered. Relena grinned, "I'll say." She turned, waving at them as she left. "I'm off for breakfast… I'm half starved."

Duo was already through a third of the food set out and still going strong when she got there. "Hey, hey, leave some for the host willya?" she asked laughing as she seated herself beside Dorothy (who was picking at her food still) and nudging her friend. "Come on, eat up, we've got a real big gig tonight." Dorothy looked sick when she heard that. "Can someone else go…? I'm not sure…" Relena quirked her upper lip, "I don't think any of the guys are up to dressing down in a stripper's outift, Dor." The girl had to laugh at the picture, "I can think of Duo doing it… but Heero would probably shoot your head off if you ever suggested it to him." Relena grinned, "You never know… huh Heero?" she asked flinging an arm around him in that casual way of hers. "You're never going to make me wear a dress." Relena raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?" she asked mischievously, "I can be very convincing…" Dorothy sighed and grabbed her friend's shoulder, pulling her away from Heero and pointing to the plate in front of her friend's face. "This is called food. And it is for you to eat, who cannot survive a day without. Flirting, you can. Now eat." She then proceeded to sip the glass of orange juice.

The princess looked unrepentant and began to polish off her own meal. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. She loved it and wanted to hop into a convertible and drive… she winced, brought out of her thoughts by Dorothy's elbow in her side. She'd stopped eating, but now she hissed in pain. Dorothy gasped as she jerked Relena's shirt upwards, so it showed her stomach, and the bandages wrapped around her. "God Rel, why didn't you call me?"

"I was perfectly fine… it's not that serious." Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "I'd say it was." she said bluntly as she examined the other 'battle wounds'. She winced when she saw the claw marks on her forearm, "Damn, that must've hurt." Everyone else was trying not to listen in as Dorothy examined her best friend. "You know… what are you going to do about tonight?"

"I guess there's going to be a lot of cover-up, won't there? Relax, it's not like I'm going to screw every guy there."

"You'd better not." agreed Dorothy, "Now that would be a little too much to hide from the press."

"Don't remind me…" Relena expertly undid the bandages around her stomach and reaching behind her, discarded them in the wastebasket behind her. "I've got to visit Adrian today."

"Adrian?! Oh god, you're not seriously thinking about that vampire are you?"

"What else can I do? Walk in on the guys looking like a Smurf? I'm black and blue all over!" Dorothy's lip quirked, "That's a strange turn-on, but there could be guys that go for it!" she said desperately, not thinking how absolutely ridiculous that sounded."

"Ten to your one that those two don't."

Dorothy sighed, "But… Adrian, Rel?"

"Whoa, whoa, who the hell's this Adrian guy?"

"A vampire both Relena and I know… he's… um… what's the word… obsessed with her." Duo's eyebrows disappeared under his bangs. "Shit, what? And you want to go see this guy because?"

"He can heal me… even while he's coming on to me." replied Relena slowly, looking weary. "Trust me, he's a strange one, but he won't hurt me." Heero was looking rather sick and it wasn't because of a hangover she didn't think, "You mean to say he's more than interested in you?"

"Is it so impossible for me to be attractive to those of the opposite sex?"

"Uh, no, but…"

"No, I'm not completely in love with him. I should hope you'd know that by now." She raised an eyebrow at Heero, before throwing her arm around him again, "Why, interested?" she asked in a breathy voice and looking up at him through her eyelashes. She noted that his breath caught for half a moment before saying, rather bluntly, "It doesn't matter." She sighed, lifting her arm off him and returning to her thoughts and her food. "Heero, Heero, Heero… you're too serious, has anyone ever told you that?"

"Yes."

"Other than Duo."

"…" she looked up at his silence, "Oh no, not that again!" she moaned, "I thought we all got past the 'Perfect Soldier' thing!" Dorothy grinned, it was so hard to imagine Relena as the same person she knew that fought so many demons. Always, when around something evil, her tone would drop to a subzero temperature and she was an ice queen with quick sharp words and unshakable concentration. Then when around people she was comfortable with (like those present) she was this warm, funny, quirky girl again.

"…and I did NOT have anything to do with that and you know it!" argued Relena, breaking into Dorothy's thoughts as she verbally wrestled with Duo across the table.

"Huh?"

"Come on Dor, agree with me, it was not my fault that I sprained my ankle when I was making up that Ban for the Development of Weapons and Heero found me!"

Dorothy couldn't resist teasing her friend, "We-ell, it did sound amazingly suspicious, you know?"

"DOROTHY!"

"Yes? I am merely speaking the truth… what did happen there in the rose garden…?" Duo's eyes grew round with suppressed mischief. "Hey, did the two of you make out like you did when we stopped Ralph and Chris from stealing our gundams?!" Relena glared at Duo, "Last time I checked, some things will remain PRIVATE or I might make several of your own secrets more… well-known." Duo choked on his orange juice and was sent into a fit of coughing and pounding his chest.

"BACK to the subject on hand… what did you do with Heero then?" Relena glanced at Heero (who had remained rather silent, quelling the instinct to beat down that braided (BEEP) across the table) who shrugged. "Nothing… just talked." Dorothy raised her eyebrow, "And I fell asleep. He carried me back to the castle… I think."

"Ooh, how romantic…" Duo squealed in a high falsetto version of a 'girl' which earned several ice-cold glares from the two girls seated in front of him. Dorothy couldn't resist teasing the two though, "Did you really, Heero?" she asked, grinning subtly as all eyes turned to the stoic young man seated there. He just nodded once and returned to his breakfast. The man loved his bacon a lot more than the others did, it seemed. Relena sighed, "Listen all of you, what I do with my life, and what Heero does with his (unless we get into shit that we're morons about and can't see) is none of your business." Dorothy caught the warning sign. Relena was almost like Commander Une as she used to be nowadays. She was no schizophrenic just yet, but they could be defined as huge mood swings. "Well then," she said hastily, trying to change the subject quickly, "we'll go see Adrian later today and get you fixed up quickly before heading off to your political meeting…"

Relena groaned, "Don't remind me. I ache in every bone in my body, I do not want to think of talking to all those people just yet…"

Dorothy shrugged, "Well then, we'll get moving towards Adrian's place now and get you 'ache-free', okay?" she was suddenly completely eager to please, and all present (and knew her quite well) looked at her strangely. This was not the Dorothy they knew that walked through life with an icy disposition of 'I-don't-give-damn-what-you-think-of-me-and-I-won't-lower-myself-to-your-level'. How many times had they heard her being called a snooty bitch? Case closed. So… what was happening?

Quatre caught the red light flashing though and abruptly changed the subject to something else (I don't know what) and the rest of breakfast was finished with comfortable chatter amongst all of them. Really, even Heero and our notably silent Trowa cannot manage to keep silent when surrounded by people you know and love. (K: Come on, admit it, there'll always be a friendship love between all of them no matter what.)

Then, the inevitable happened. The doorbell rung, and when the maid came, quite nervously to fetch Relena, she got ready for the worst. "If the worst comes to the worst," she told them, "and they stampede in here, make for the closets, rooms, I don't care where. Just go, you hear me?" she told them as she walked out to face her doom. "You're kidding… vampires? Here? In broad daylight?!" asked Duo, shocked.

"No you idiot, the press are here… do you know what would happen to Relena if they found out you guys were here all night?!" Dorothy replied, surly again as she stood at the door, listening.

"Yes, I am going to the board meeting this afternoon—no, I don't need to go see a doctor, I'll be fine the next time you see me—NO, the rumors are completely false, I was in my house all night long and my staff will vouch for me." Dorothy gritted her teeth, Relena was not at all like her normal, polished political self and she could tell her friend was pissed off. "…I'm sorry, I don't know where that rumor came from… no, no one else but a friend came over… I find her perfectly capable of keeping herself safe—THANK you all, and no you may not come in just yet, there is an… awful mess concerning my brother. Good day, I shall see you all at the board meeting I suppose." The door was shut and Relena appeared in the doorway again, cursing under her breath.

"Damn reporters, always wanting dirt on me and my private life."

"Comes with the job, doesn't it?" asked Dorothy airily, as she herself knew quite well how a family well-involved with the government was followed around by the press, and getting the 'lowdown' on them was always what they looked for. Relena had a nasty expression on her face (as rare as it was). "I do not need this." she fumed, clenching her fists. If she had been in the gym, she would've sought out the nearest punching bag and pummeled it. But as it was, there was no punching bag in sight. So she had to settle for doing nothing. She then surveyed all of them, and their cleared dishes. "If you're done, I'll have the servants clear up." She said finally, before turning on her heel and walking towards her room. "I am going to change and then I'm going to see Adrian before that stupid political meeting. She was out of there with a slam of the door.

"Was it something we did…?" asked Duo warily. "No, she's just not in the mood." replied Dorothy airily, though she had a worried look on her face. She turned away from the door that Relena had exited, and faced them all. "If you guys want to come… well, we're not against it. But if you have anything else to do…"

Duo grimaced, "Man now that you mention it, Hilde's gonna freak!" Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "About what? You not coming back, or your drinking yourself into a stupor?" All color drained out of the American's face. "Both." He said as he went for the door. "Tell Relena I'll be coming back so I can tag along for the joyride down to the strip club," he added before he disappeared out of the mansion. "Be careful!" Dorothy called after him. She turned to the others, "Anyone else leaving?" she asked dryly. Wufei finally said, "I have to leave… I have an… appointment with Sally down at Preventers HQ." Dorothy barely stifled a laugh, "In a broom closet?" she couldn't resist asking. It was so much more worthwhile when Wufei turned an embarrassing shade of red and began to head for the door, "Are you coming tonight?" asked Dorothy, giving him a mock-sultry look through her eyelashes. She knew more than to put the moves on Sally's boy-toy. The ex-Commander had quite a left-hook on her. And Dorothy didn't want to be on the wrong end of it.

Wufei hesitated, this was something that questioned anything questionable about ethics. But he was a red-blooded man after all, and he finally said, "Yes… to see that you two are all right." He disappeared with that as anyone present could hear the laughter that came from that particular room. "And then there were three. Staying?"

"Yes."

"Of course."

"Sure."

"Good." Relena said, appearing from the doorway in denim shorts and a white tee shirt. "I like company nowadays—" she was interrupted by a sudden beeping. Relena sighed, and pulled out her cell phone. "Hello, Relena Dorlian—oh dear… oh, yes, yes I realize that… no, I didn't… more work? … Well, yes, I suppose I could… but the funding for it is just too—" this continued on, her attempts to talk continually interrupted by the other person on the line. Finally, she switched it off with a polite goodbye. Then she slapped the cover shut and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. The smile she forced on her lips was fake enough to make even Gabriel (who had just walked in) look twice at her with a raised eyebrow. "Auntie Rellie, you look funny, what's wrong with your face?" the question was asked innocently, but all present knew better than to act upon Godzilla-Relena (who was buried inside that perfect little princess's body) to literally spit fire.

Relena made a sort of choking and swallowing sound and she took a deep breath, and looked down at the little boy, her lips tight. "I'm just… I'm just tired of all those old people bothering me."

"Then tell them to go and play."

"Too bad they'd screech like a parrot if a speck of dirt from a sandbox touched them." muttered Relena under her breath. Gabriel didn't seem to understand, but he knew when to leave the older girl alone. "Um… I want to go visit Daddy. I'll see you later." he raced off. Relena bit her lip as she watched him run off and she sighed, leaning against a wall. "This shouldn't happen to him… Brother might never wake up and he's still believes with all his soul that he'll come back." This was one of the first times Dorothy found Relena this close to crying about it. During Noin's funeral, she hadn't shed a tear, but merely looked at the torn body (that had been heavily made up) with a grim look on her face. And her brother… Dorothy shuddered. She could've admitted that once, she'd felt something for the platinum-haired leader of the Rebels. But that was a long time ago, and she'd changed, certainly. But to think of his already pale face as pale as death and all the monitors hooked onto him…

"Come on then." Relena's voice interrupted her thoughts and she shook her head to clear them. Now was not the time to think of past adoration. Relena grabbed a jacket and smiled, suddenly seeming to be cheerful again. "I haven't driven in my own car with a bunch of people for a long time… and besides, your costume is in the back, Dor." All men present turned red and looked down towards their shoes, inspecting invisible scuffs or grass stains. Dorothy smiled rather dryly, "I don't think they appreciate the thought of us 'dressing down', Rel."

"They wanted to come, that's their own concern." Dorothy smirked and as Relena headed outside for her car, she winked at Heero. "Better wear some baggier pants, Heero baby, when you come." She disappeared out the door without another word to wait for them. Soon enough, they all found themselves crammed into the car. Thankfully, without two of the gundam boys, they found themselves (relatively) comfortable in the car. "DON'T CRUSH THE SILK!" shrieked Relena as Trowa almost sat down on an article of clothing that had been accidentally left on the seat. He held it up and stared at it. "What the hell…?"

Dorothy glared, turning around from her seat (riding shotgun) and flailing her hands.

"It's part of the costume! Put it down! The press could still be out there!"

"You're going to wear this little thing?!" he demanded gaping, shaking the circular white thing that resembled a beribboned white lacy headband. "NO! Relena's wearing it! Now put it down!" she yelled, grabbing it and bringing it below the windows.

"WHAT?!" gaped Quatre as he stared at the thing. Living with his multiple sisters, the thing looked vaguely familiar… "What is it?"

"It's a garter, Oh Innocent One." replied Relena rather flatly as she brought the car into reverse and eased out onto the empty street.

"You're wearing something that would need a garter?!" gaped Quatre.

She looked up at the rearview mirror, her blue eyes dancing. "Oh, so I misunderstood… you're not as innocent as you seem." Quatre turned rather red and looked away, hiding behind the seat, out of view of the reflecting mirror. "And no, I'll probably not wear that thing… it was just in case…" she rolled her eyes, "If Trowa freaks at that little article, keep his eyes closed until he's poured several alcoholic beverages down his throat before he sees us when we're dressed."

"Oh god… what are you wearing?" Heero looking rather… er, uncomfortable, when he asked this question.

"I'll not want to spoil the pleasure of seeing the 'Perfect Soldier's bug out like a frog's." she replied grinning before bringing the car to a stop. "We're here!" she sang out. "Here?!" gasped Quatre staring at the rather familiar house. "Your Adrian wouldn't happen to be… Adrian Townsend the multibillionaire?!"

"Second only to you, actually." replied Relena casually, looking at the mansion with distaste. "And as you can see, your decorating crew did a much better job."

"Adrian Townsend is a vampire?!" Relena looked rather surprised, "Well, yes." Quatre shook his head figuring out the words in his head, "Let me rephrase… and you haven't ripped off his head yet?" he asked as delicately as he could. "No. Adrian is a rather… distinguished vampire."

"So was Dracula…" muttered Heero as he tramped along the last in line. He was not looking for to meeting this 'distinguished' rival… and a vampire no less! Relena's finger went to the intercom on the gate. "Yes?"

"This is Relena Dorlian, is Mr. Townsend home?"

"Miss Dorlain? Mr. Townsend is always there for you if it is you who are calling on him." replied the half-laughing sound of the head servant. Heero raised an eyebrow. So she came here often? "But who are your friends?" asked the voice again. Obviously there were security cameras around them."

"Friends… they wanted to come with me."

"And with good reason," replied the voice rather wryly. Relena laughed as the gates swung open electronically, all on their own. They entered, the three men in the rear looked around rather suspiciously. It was exactly as they'd pictured a vampire's home, rather gloomy on the outside and the gardens were filled with roses. Red roses, blood-red roses, and black roses. I never knew there were such things as black roses… thought Trowa, staring at them as he passed them by. "Beautiful aren't they?" asked Dorothy who'd fallen into stride beside him. "To you, I suppose." Dorothy raised an eyebrow. "What was that about me?" he could hear the dangerous tone in her voice and he knew better than to push it. "I was just thinking that you would like black roses."

"What are you talking about?"

He turned away from her. "Nothing." She looked enraged but she kept quiet and turned away from him, with a toss of her long blonde hair that floated into his face by the wind. The scent of scented shampoo filled his nostrils for a brief moment before her presence disappeared from beside him and his range of vision found her beside Relena up front again. "You did it again." stated Quatre dryly.

"What?"

"You've been so rude to her for the last few months… what the hell happened?"

Both Heero and Trowa stared at this. Quatre? Cursing? "What… why would you care?" asked Trowa rather dumbfounded. The girls were already far ahead almost at the huge grand doors now so they doubted they could hear.

"I simply think Miss Catalonia is a wonderful young woman and she does not deserve to be treated so badly by someone as crass as you." The platinum-blond boy retorted, effectively ending the conversation. Man, I'd never thought Quatre had it in him, thought Heero.

"Miss Relena! Such a pleasure to see you again!" A rather pale young woman had opened the door and the three of them that had lagged behind were briskly heading towards the two, three women. "Emmy! Long time no see!" returned Relena smiling and hugging the woman. "Come on in then! And your friends too!" she said, chattering along with Relena as she led the way through the grand frontal room. It was big, bright and white with a large crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was nothing inside what it looked like on the outside. They soon found themselves in a rather large sitting room, the walls of a velvety red paper. The lighting was rather dim, and heavy curtains and draperies covered the windows. Trowa got the shock of his life when a slim young woman with long wavy platinum-blonde hair (about the same as Dorothy's) turned around from a conversation with a rather handsome young man. Her big blue eyes looked rather annoyed and had a swiftly ugly expression on her face, before she spotted Trowa and she blinked with a sudden pure innocence like a little child.

"Ah, Relena darling, come sit, it's been a while since I have last seen you." Relena smiled and Heero recognized it as her 'political' smile. The man stood, and swept up towards her, and it was surprising to find this man dressed in a white button-down and khakis. He took her hand, pressing a soft butterfly kiss to the back of her hand. "You look even more beautiful than I remember, darling."

"Thank you, Adrian." She gestured to the others simply standing in front at the door. "These are my friends who came to visit with me."

"More guests! Well, more is the pleasure… Emmy, please bring in some tea. Please, Relena, sit with me." Relena sat down rather stiffly beside him and didn't say anything when his arm went around the back of the sofa just behind her shoulders. "So… what brings you to my humble abode?" he asked before taking another good look at her. "My goodness, don't tell me you were hurt in a fight?"

"Actually, I was… it was rather unpleasant."

"I should assume!" he looked genuinely concerned and Heero writhed in disguised protectiveness. Midii Une stayed silent. Sullenly it seemed. Trowa kept shooting glances at her, but she apparently didn't notice or she ignored him as she was watching Adrian check Relena's wounds. "Let's go in the next room and make that skin of yours as smooth as usual, shall we?" he asked gallantly. Relena smiled. "Thank you." He led her out through a separate door leaving the three ex-gundam pilots, one granddaughter of a famous war-loving maniac, and one ex-spy.

Finally, Midii seemed to notice Trowa's existence in the stratosphere. "Trowa… it took you a while to find out where I was." she looked rather displeased. For the first time ever, Quatre found him watching a rather nervous and shifty-eyed Trowa. "Trowa… you know Midii?" asked Dorothy eyeing her in distaste. She'd met the girl before on past… visits. She didn't like the look of innocence that surrounded that girl, how it showed through every movement of her thick lashes, the way she brushed a wave of hair the same color as her own behind her shoulder, her big blue eyes, her snowy complexion, and her big blue eyes. It didn't suit her… there was something wrong with her, and she still needed to figure out what it was. Now Trowa seemed to know this girl, and know her well. She hadn't slept with this guy for several years without knowing a thing or two about his personality.

"A long time acquaintance, Miss Catalonia. We were only children when we first met." She sent a knowing glance at the silent young man on the couch, who colored slightly and looked away. "Yeah." He finally agreed, rather slowly.

Dorothy raised her eyebrow with a sardonic look, "So he was a heart-throb all the way back then, I see…" she said softly, the Ice Queen melting and realization settling into its place on her face. So she was the reason he'd broken off with her when she'd been so sure he'd marry her. "I see…" she repeated rather dumbly. Trowa bit his lip not knowing exactly what to do. The tension mounted… Midii smiled. "So you're the girl Trowa was going out with… I must confess, he is noble… he wouldn't touch me at all when he was still going out with you." Insert knife and twist now in progress. The blonde with the straight hair kept her cool however. "Well then, you'll be happy to know he's not going out with me anymore, and he's free to touch you whenever he wants. He doesn't have to say no on my account." Then she lapsed into silence. Heero found the blonde leaning on his shoulder to his surprise and a hand gripping his arm in a tight grasp. She was crying, and she was too proud to let the other girl see.

"As cruel as ever, my bewitching little siren?" asked a rather cool voice from the door. Midii whirled to face her boss with sudden surprise. Neither he, nor the young girl beside him looked rather pleased. "M-Master Townsend!" she stammered losing all her coolness in a second. Adrian Townsend frowned, "Miss Une, I thought better of you than to make a mockery of any of my guests… especially a friend of Miss Relena's." Midii threw back her head haughtily, and the waves of platinum gold flew over her shoulder. "Miss Relena is a slut that uses your special abilities for her own uses to contrive ways to kill beings like yourself. I do not think it wise to have affections for a vampire slayer."

"That is enough," he said tightly, "I do not tolerate any one of my staff who will disobey me or any of my guests… if this behavior ensues, you will hereby be asked to leave." Midii Une would have made anyone normal shiver. "Very well then." She said smiling rather falsely at the tall man beside Relena. Adrian nodded curtly and turned back to Relena. "I know there is some truth in what she says… but I believe you have a board meeting to go to without being covered in those awful bruises."

Relena smiled, "You know me too well. Work, work, work."

"Ah, the life of a politician… I know it well." He smiled grandly before ushering them all towards the door. "Midii, if you have concluded your sudden appearance as a prima donna, would you please escort them to the gates?"

"Of course, Mister Townsend." An insincere smile floated on her face, abolishing all past innocence. As soon as she was at the door, she opened it with all the appearance of respectfulness although the mocking smile she had on her face told a different story. As Trowa was the last to leave, she grabbed his hand. "I'm different from the little girl you knew, Nanashi," he winced mentally at the old name, "I have nothing to hold me back now. No family, no job important to me, and no more guilt." She smiled rather thinly, "I'm exactly like you. Trowa Barton." He shook his head, "Midii, you might be different… but I am too. And I do not like anyone beating up someone I care about, mentally or physically."

Midii laughed, before her thick lashes swept low on her cheeks, the lost innocence returning. "You'll never really care about anyone but me Trowa, you know it."

"Perhaps. I'll always care about you I know that. But that doesn't mean I'll do everything for you. And I won't let you insult Dorothy." He turned on his heel and walked briskly towards his other friends. And left Midii Une standing there, her mouth gaping, and a angry look in her eyes. "You'll pay for that one Nanashi. Trust me, you'll pay for that one."

~*~*~*~

End chapter. Less gory than the first, and a little more light-hearted. I know, I know, Relena's almost pulling a Lady Une… but things can make people change, and you people should very well know. Lena's got a couple bazillion things piled on her that we don't have. And I complain about my Science, Geography, French, and whatever other homework I have! Sheesh! Well you've read. Now REVIEW!!!! Please? Thank you.

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I have decided to get myself a muse. Soon enough, if anyone's willing, come along for the ride when I go and write a fic about me and my two friends, Sexy^Å^ and Piggy^Å^! Along with myself, Koneko^Å^. (By the end of the naming, if you don't see a pattern, I'll smack you). J.K!