Hmm...curious, quite curious...I do believe one of my lovely
reviewers hit the nail on its proverbial head in their review on
what I -had- planned for Wufei...but obviously, and this -was-
before I read the review, so don't think I changed this on
purpose (you know who you are Shella), like I've said before, my
morbid inspiration comes up with the strangest
twists...So...read and be amazed. ^___^
(Wufei is currently in shock so cannot attest the authoress' reply to his little outburst from the last chapter about him killing Duo)
Duo: Can we give 'em a hint? Pleeeaaasee...*Chibi eyed Pout*
Nope. *ahem* Anywho...I do believe Heero fans will be baffled and utterly overjoyed by this chapter. (See further author notes at the end of the chapter after reading, and you'll know what I'm blithering about! *evil grin*)
Wouldn't divulge of course, so ending the shortest Author's Notes I've ever written for a chapter and leaving you all in tormenting suspense, I'll continue on with REVIEWS!
*evil cackle*
LadyRune: I told ya so. *winks* I don't think this chapter will be able to top the last, but yes Heero is a cocky bastard when he wants to be and Zechs and Treize are brilliant antagonists! *evil grin* With my help of course. ^_^
Iruka-Yuywell: Heh. Well here's the next chapter, and as for Duo having a plan...*ahem* Just read on...
Ravenquills: Don't worry, I wouldn't leave you waiting there for eternity for my next chapter (or would I?)! ^_^ So here it is!
SanosukeLover-Milly Maxwell: *evil grin* Surely you must know by now of my official title. 'The Evil Queen Of Cliffhangers'. *sagely nod* That's how I can do it. *cackle* I am so shameless sometimes...
IchigoPocky: *pouts* Wufei abuse! I refuse to allow Wufei abuse in reviews!! Before you go deciding to abuse poor, poor Wu-bear, read this chapter!! ^___^
Marana Winter: Here ya go! Next chapter! ^____^
Smiley-person: Vanpire? DMG? *sweatdrop* Well, DVG will answer Quatre's question. The answer has already been answered in the story. Being an empath makes him vulnerable to others' emotions, and if there are too many or if they're too powerful, then his empathy sorta does a circuit overload. Like when you open too many windows on the computer and it freezes up. He can't handle it because his empathy is so sensitive, so his 'freezing up' is losing consciousness. Does that answer your question?
Dark Ice: ^____^ Glad you...er- enjoyed the last chapter. *sweatdrop* As for what happens, you must read on in this new chapter to find out! I wouldn't necessarily call the last chapter the best cliffhanger -ever-, maybe the best in this story, but not -ever-. I certainly know plenty of stories that are better, but that may just be my author-modesty talking. ^_^ (Duo: You? Modest? HA!)
Jalee: *big grin* Well, well, well...you'll just need to read on for the answers to your opinion. ^_^
Avenged Suffering: Dun worry about the language, I use worse in my stories, so why would it bother me? ^_^ And don't worry about losing yourself, lose yourself all you want to in a review, get it alllll out of your system. *nod nod* It makes you feel -tons- better! ^_^
Yami Crystal: Heh, so many reviews beginning with 'AH!!!!' for chapter 22...though certainly that chapter didn't have the -cruelest- cliffhanger in the history of ff.net...^___^
Jewels: Well here's the next chapter so you don't have to wonder about anything anymore! ^___^
Kori: 1x2x5, eh? Hmm...we'll see what this chapter brings about...
Shella: (I must say no sleep and way too much chocolate early in the morning made me laugh hysterically for like twenty minutes while reading your reviews) My favorite reviewer person just topped herself -again- in the sheer amount of review-ness!! Goddess help me! I don't think I'll be able to keep up if they get any longer!! ^_____^ But they certainly encourage me to write faster and get chapters out quicker, that's for sure. Heart attacks? I gave you heart attacks? Gomen nasai! ^^;;; I guess I got a bit carried away with the last chapter, ne? And the points system says: 16 points for Chapter 22! Unless I miscounted, which could be very well likely cause I suck at math. *sweatdrop* I always give stuff away in my author's notes, so any people who read them always get a clue of what may happen well before reading the actual chapter. ^^;; There isn't as much romance in this chapter as the last, but next chapter will more than make up for it. *hentai grin* Yaoi lemon goodness...I concede to your argument and agree that Treize is of the Evil Eyebrows, not of the Odd, though Dorothy's are much more evil-er then his. *nod nod* And as for Quatre, well him being an empath is a big impact to any situation with his abilities. Makes one feel very sorry for the poor guy for having to put up with all the stuff he has to go through. As for the suspense, I am goddess when it comes to suspense. I've fine-tuned the art of suspense to -almost- the point of perfection. ^___^ It takes many re-throughs and more re-writing, but in the end, I get my desired effects. And Noin and Une's little interlude was there not only as a break in the exhausting action, but also as a bit of a disarm-er too, after such fluff, who could possibly dare to try and damper it with more angsty intensity? Well, obviously, me. *snort* I'm beginning to believe I truly am evil. You're not the first who's wanted to belt Zechs, I wanted to too!, but with Duo's little situation with him...well yeah. And I've toned down the language now. ^^;;; I just thought it appropriate to let him be more foul-mouthed, given the fact that he was trapped in Zechs' grasp under the threat of death and furious. I know when I get pissed off, my mouth gets me into so much trouble, I am worse than the Osbournes sometimes. *sweatdrop* So I thought it would suit Duo, but I tried not to go overboard with it. And as for Zechs' deal and the ranting that followed, this is where I laughed the hardest in my no-sleep-sugar-overdosed hysterics and nearly peed my pants, well- you'll just have to read and find out. The beginning of the Author's Notes also points out a bit. ^_______^ *evil cackle*
Mars: Bishies, bishies, bishies! *happy dance* So many types of bishies, so little time! And chapter space. *sweatdrop* *thwaps the Real Life Vortex with her big, long...baseball bat* Evil Real Life!!! Begone!!! Shoo! Evil!
*ahem* Now for the story...
***
Quatre suddenly bolted upright in the armchair, his expression one of utter horror.
"DUO!!" he screamed at the top of lungs, and for a very good reason.
Heero had picked up the discarded gun from the floor, aiming it at the two oblivious people standing before him; his mind was set about what he had to do.
At Quatre's terrified cry, both Wufei and Duo's heads snapped to attention in alarm at the disturbing sight of the Japanese vampire in front of them. Wufei enclosed his arms protectively around Duo, in spite of the fact that he knew he was a slayer and could more than well defend himself, but he couldn't stop the relief flowing through him. His end of the 'deal' was momentarily stalled, he didn't know if he could ever work up the courage to go through with such an act, though in the meantime, he didn't have to.
"It seems he disagrees with your shot at a last chance, Milliardo." Treize chuckled faintly, grimacing slightly.
Zechs looked disinterested. "Doesn't matter," he shrugged carelessly, starting to move towards the door, but Heero's arms whipped around and pointed the loaded weapon at them. His eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Yuy?"
"Eliminating traitors."
He had made up his mind. Once he did, there was no turning back.
Witnessing Duo so willingly give himself up for death, solely for Wufei and the other slayers' sakes, without any regret whatsoever, had thrown him off guard. How could someone act so selflessly? He was taking everything he had worked tirelessly to obtain and tossing it aside on the smallest chance that he would be able to save his partners, not caring if he died in the process. And to imagine that he had tried to harm the braided slayer for his own wishes...Heero thought about how he had touched him and the way he had been treating him and knew what it felt to be ashamed for the first time. He wasn't worthy of such a devoted person...But Wufei was.
Wufei had managed to keep his pride, his morals, and his sincerity; despite of the hardships he had been through since Treize had turned him. Somehow, he had retained a little piece of humanity; being plagued by the human emotions as a result at all times, always guilt-ridden over what he did.
Upon hearing the anguished 'I am so sorry...'; already thoroughly rattled, something inside Heero had broken. He did not think he would ever understand why he was doing what he was, but the pent up torment in Wufei's voice had just been too much to handle after everything that had transpired since their arrival at the party. No, since the night they had run into Duo outside the 'Oasis'.
Wufei was correct in his presumptions.
Heero had never been human; he had never experienced powerful emotions beyond his coldness and anger, so he would never begin to understand any of this. He only knew that he was doing the right thing. It went against every protocol he had been taught, but it had to be done. It was the only thing he could come up with that could even begin to clear the guilt he felt. Wufei didn't deserve the pain he had been put through the past two years; he was only sorry it had taken this long for him to figure it out.
With that thought, Heero pulled the trigger before he could change his mind.
***
As Wufei's arms wrapped around him, the enormous knot of nervousness melted from the pit of Duo's stomach instantly. He may have appeared collected and resolute on the outside, but quite frankly, he was glad the Asian wasn't going through with the deal. Of course, now he knew he was going to have to put up with Quatre and Trowa strangling him later for making such a suicidal risk for their freedom.
Though for the moment, his apprehensive gaze was on the Japanese vampire pointing a LOADED gun at him and Wufei. -That- certainly was not a good thing. Dying for an honorable cause was one matter, but being killed with your own weapon by your worst enemy was the really sucky way to end your life.
Then again, when the aforementioned loaded gun is turned away from yourself and aimed at your other deadly enemies, it makes a person wonder about their sanity. Which was exactly what Duo was doing as he bewilderedly watched the scene unfold in -very- slow motion as Heero pointed the gun at Zechs and Treize.
He has -so- gone insane.
Okay, scratch that, he's BEEN insane. He's just now openly showing it.
Heero seemed to come to some sort of mental conclusion to his silent argument, nodding slightly to himself.
Two new gunshots resounded through the room and right before everyone's eyes, Zechs and Treize disintegrated. Around them, the party merely continued on about its business, the music not faltering, no one banging on the door to see what all the noise is about. Not as if two vampires had been slain by one of their own, with a slayer's weapon.
Duo had the nauseating suspicion that everyone else in the house, if they considered the turbulence at all, thought that it was only them getting down and dirty in the bedroom and had gotten a little over enthusiastic.
Wufei suddenly jerked away from Duo with a wheezing gasp, his hands clasped so tight over his heart that his knuckles were starch white as he sank to the carpet, all strength from his legs having left. Excruciating pain exploded in his chest, shredding its way through all his limbs in wrenching spurts as if they were attempting to tear him apart from the inside out.
"WUFEI! Wufei- what's happening? What the hell is going on?" Duo demanded furiously, glaring at a shell-shocked Heero who was still staring vacantly at the spot where Zechs and Treize once were. He dropped down beside the Asian and cradled his rigid, shaking frame against him, anxiety replacing the rage as his gaze racked over him, searching for a cause for his violent reaction.
It was unbearable; a choked scream bubbled up into Wufei's throat. It felt as if he was slowly being burned alive, bit by bit, the pain growing and growing like molten lava coursing through his veins...until there was nothing. As suddenly as it had started, it vanished. He was warm, but it wasn't the burning heat, it was the lazy warmth of waking up after a long night's sleep and wanting to lie there under the covers to bask forever.
Duo nearly toppled over as all of Wufei's weight relaxed against him unexpectedly, his expression a mask of sheer confusion. "Wufei? Are you okay?" he asked cautiously, lightly combing his damp, inky black hair from his face when he didn't get an immediate reply.
"...I'm fine now."
He let out a relieved sigh. "Why'd you go and do that?" Duo looked up at Heero again, though this time in skepticism instead of fury.
Heero blinked then focused on the braided slayer, the gun clattering from his limp grip. "I...I just did."
"Why? What are you getting out of this?"
"I don't want anything. I only did what I thought was right."
Duo arched an eyebrow warily. "You -have- gone crazy. You realize you're gonna have the entire vampire underworld hunting you down now, right?"
"Not if you four don't breathe a word of this outside this room," Heero countered evenly, regaining his stoic composure.
"Eventually -somebody's- gonna notice they're missing," he pointed out. "And those two didn't look like anonymous fledglings either." Wufei shivered under his comforting embrace, he could feel Treize's cold fingers brushing down his throat like razor blades. That certainly had not been inexperience of an anonymous fledgling. Duo glanced at him in concern, pulling him closer if possible.
"I'll manage." Heero answered curtly, stalking across the room and leaving, shutting the door loudly after him.
Duo snorted derisively. "Fine, be like that then," he turned his narrowed eyes over to Quatre, who (other than looking ten times healthier) had gotten up from the armchair and had returned to his practically permanent place at Trowa's side, latched to his slender waist. "What are you smiling at, Q-ball? Don't tell me you've gone bonkers too-" He cut off at a sly smile from the blonde that would have made Alice in Wonderland's Cheshire Cat green with envy.
"Should I be scared?" Wufei asked uneasily.
"Oh yeah."
"Good, because I most certainly am."
"Duo..." Quatre inquired innocently, though the smile not diminishing. "What's different in here?"
'-I- must be the one losing it...'
"Er...there aren't any vampires-" Realization dawned on Duo, his narrowed eyes going wide. He momentarily stopped breathing before repeating firmly, "There aren't any vampires." He drew back from the Chinese teen in his arms, getting a puzzled frown in response. "Wu, no vampires."
"What are you babbling about, I'm-" Wufei halted abruptly, his expression now mirroring the braided slayer's dazed one, though more dazed.
Duo's words from the night before (could it have really only been the night before? It seemed like an eternity to them) ran through their heads clearly.
'The first method is killing the sire...'
"Wufei," Duo began seriously. "I think Heero just became God." [1]
***
Heero shoved his way through the house and onto the streets, not noticing where his feet led him because he was too embroiled in his thoughts. He could not shake the new sensation of disappointment from setting itself the aggravating task of prodding his wounded pride. Sure he had done what he thought was the right thing, defying all vampire code in the process, but he didn't anticipate receiving mistrust from those he was doing the 'right thing' for.
'What were you expecting, Yuy? For them to jump around and throw a celebration in your honor for saving the day and releasing someone from their unjust torment?'
Of course not.
'Or at least a little bit of acceptance and friendliness?'
Heero Yuy did not need that sort of nonsense, it was only for the weak. He was NOT weak, so he didn't need it. He refused to have part in any of it.
'Then why are you disappointed?'
Heero cursed silently, 'I am not disappointed.'
'You keep telling yourself that.'
He was starting to get pissed. He didn't like this new sensation, bothering his moody meditation like an annoying little kid would its older sibling. It reminded him of Relena's ceaseless pestering. Heero wished he hadn't left the gun back at the house, if he hadn't, he would be able to shoot himself right then. But he didn't have it, so he couldn't shoot himself.
Coming out of the alleyway, neon blue light spilled across his path and he realized he was standing outside the 'Marquis'. Noin and Une. Heero had forgotten about the two women, they were the only others who knew of tonight's incident and were bound to ask questions when Zechs and Treize didn't return before dawn. He went inside the club and scanned the dimly lit, smoky bar for a sign of the purple-haired vampire and her partner, but they were nowhere in sight. The waiter tending to Noin's job behind the counter looked up at the Asian as he approached.
"Where's Noin and Une?" Heero asked brusquely.
"Upstairs."
"Kisama..." He turned to leave, but the door opened and Une's voice sounded from behind the waiter.
"Who is it Blake?"
"Heero."
The door shut quickly and Une quickly came out a minute later with a button-up shirt haphazardly thrown on over her rumpled skirt, running her hands back through her wet brown hair briskly. "What's the news?"
Heero glared at the waiter pointedly and he went off to the other end of the counter to give them privacy. "No good."
"'No good'? Do you mean-"
"Hn. I'm taking over 'The Marquis' for Milliardo and Khushrenada."
Une frowned deeply. "Lucrezia won't be happy with this. I just got done convincing her everything was going to fine, now you show up and make me a liar."
"That's your own fault," he shrugged and added distastefully, "And you did more than convincing by the looks of it." Heero wasn't dignified with a reply as he took in her tousled appearance.
"Is that all?" she finally responded, irritation seeping into her tone and expression.
"Hai."
"Thanks for the information," Une replied stiffly.
"Will you close up? I need to get back to the apartment before it's too late," Heero pushed away from the counter and walked off without an affirmative answer, Une's glower boring into him as he left.
The nagging disappointment returned in full gleeful force, along with a touch of guilt, to plague him.
***
Heero's not schizophrenic, I swear. He's just arguing with his newly found conscience. ^^;;;
[1]'I think Heero just became God'- Look back a few chapters to when Duo and Wufei were sitting alone in the slayers' apartment living room. Wufei had commented that Duo was either very laid back, or extremely suicidal, and he replied with 'If I'm suicidal, then you're immoral', and Wufei said 'Then that makes Heero God.' A reference to their inside joke- Duo was suicidal in forcing Wufei to agree to kill him, Wufei broke his morals in agreeing to Zechs' deal, and Heero became God because of the 'right thing' he did. ^____^
*ahem* So now...Should I go 2x5? Or shall I have Duo and Wufei seek out Heero and spark a little 1x2x5 lemon goodness? Either way, I think the next chapter will be the last, or at the most, second to last. This has been the longest, most intense fic I've ever written yet (which I am very proud of, let me tell you), though I cannot stop from being glad that this is nearly over with. *sigh* I have so many new fic ideas swirling in my poor, abused brain that I can't keep track of them. So when this is finished, FF.net is gonna be flooded with all the stories inspired while working on 'Blood Lust'.
I'll give more details at the end of the next chapter. I have about four or five different ideas running rampant, so I'll let my wonderful-ness reviewers decide which one gets written first for sticking with me the entire time through this -very- long story. ^____^
Click! Review! Flame! Whichever suits you...
(Wufei is currently in shock so cannot attest the authoress' reply to his little outburst from the last chapter about him killing Duo)
Duo: Can we give 'em a hint? Pleeeaaasee...*Chibi eyed Pout*
Nope. *ahem* Anywho...I do believe Heero fans will be baffled and utterly overjoyed by this chapter. (See further author notes at the end of the chapter after reading, and you'll know what I'm blithering about! *evil grin*)
Wouldn't divulge of course, so ending the shortest Author's Notes I've ever written for a chapter and leaving you all in tormenting suspense, I'll continue on with REVIEWS!
*evil cackle*
LadyRune: I told ya so. *winks* I don't think this chapter will be able to top the last, but yes Heero is a cocky bastard when he wants to be and Zechs and Treize are brilliant antagonists! *evil grin* With my help of course. ^_^
Iruka-Yuywell: Heh. Well here's the next chapter, and as for Duo having a plan...*ahem* Just read on...
Ravenquills: Don't worry, I wouldn't leave you waiting there for eternity for my next chapter (or would I?)! ^_^ So here it is!
SanosukeLover-Milly Maxwell: *evil grin* Surely you must know by now of my official title. 'The Evil Queen Of Cliffhangers'. *sagely nod* That's how I can do it. *cackle* I am so shameless sometimes...
IchigoPocky: *pouts* Wufei abuse! I refuse to allow Wufei abuse in reviews!! Before you go deciding to abuse poor, poor Wu-bear, read this chapter!! ^___^
Marana Winter: Here ya go! Next chapter! ^____^
Smiley-person: Vanpire? DMG? *sweatdrop* Well, DVG will answer Quatre's question. The answer has already been answered in the story. Being an empath makes him vulnerable to others' emotions, and if there are too many or if they're too powerful, then his empathy sorta does a circuit overload. Like when you open too many windows on the computer and it freezes up. He can't handle it because his empathy is so sensitive, so his 'freezing up' is losing consciousness. Does that answer your question?
Dark Ice: ^____^ Glad you...er- enjoyed the last chapter. *sweatdrop* As for what happens, you must read on in this new chapter to find out! I wouldn't necessarily call the last chapter the best cliffhanger -ever-, maybe the best in this story, but not -ever-. I certainly know plenty of stories that are better, but that may just be my author-modesty talking. ^_^ (Duo: You? Modest? HA!)
Jalee: *big grin* Well, well, well...you'll just need to read on for the answers to your opinion. ^_^
Avenged Suffering: Dun worry about the language, I use worse in my stories, so why would it bother me? ^_^ And don't worry about losing yourself, lose yourself all you want to in a review, get it alllll out of your system. *nod nod* It makes you feel -tons- better! ^_^
Yami Crystal: Heh, so many reviews beginning with 'AH!!!!' for chapter 22...though certainly that chapter didn't have the -cruelest- cliffhanger in the history of ff.net...^___^
Jewels: Well here's the next chapter so you don't have to wonder about anything anymore! ^___^
Kori: 1x2x5, eh? Hmm...we'll see what this chapter brings about...
Shella: (I must say no sleep and way too much chocolate early in the morning made me laugh hysterically for like twenty minutes while reading your reviews) My favorite reviewer person just topped herself -again- in the sheer amount of review-ness!! Goddess help me! I don't think I'll be able to keep up if they get any longer!! ^_____^ But they certainly encourage me to write faster and get chapters out quicker, that's for sure. Heart attacks? I gave you heart attacks? Gomen nasai! ^^;;; I guess I got a bit carried away with the last chapter, ne? And the points system says: 16 points for Chapter 22! Unless I miscounted, which could be very well likely cause I suck at math. *sweatdrop* I always give stuff away in my author's notes, so any people who read them always get a clue of what may happen well before reading the actual chapter. ^^;; There isn't as much romance in this chapter as the last, but next chapter will more than make up for it. *hentai grin* Yaoi lemon goodness...I concede to your argument and agree that Treize is of the Evil Eyebrows, not of the Odd, though Dorothy's are much more evil-er then his. *nod nod* And as for Quatre, well him being an empath is a big impact to any situation with his abilities. Makes one feel very sorry for the poor guy for having to put up with all the stuff he has to go through. As for the suspense, I am goddess when it comes to suspense. I've fine-tuned the art of suspense to -almost- the point of perfection. ^___^ It takes many re-throughs and more re-writing, but in the end, I get my desired effects. And Noin and Une's little interlude was there not only as a break in the exhausting action, but also as a bit of a disarm-er too, after such fluff, who could possibly dare to try and damper it with more angsty intensity? Well, obviously, me. *snort* I'm beginning to believe I truly am evil. You're not the first who's wanted to belt Zechs, I wanted to too!, but with Duo's little situation with him...well yeah. And I've toned down the language now. ^^;;; I just thought it appropriate to let him be more foul-mouthed, given the fact that he was trapped in Zechs' grasp under the threat of death and furious. I know when I get pissed off, my mouth gets me into so much trouble, I am worse than the Osbournes sometimes. *sweatdrop* So I thought it would suit Duo, but I tried not to go overboard with it. And as for Zechs' deal and the ranting that followed, this is where I laughed the hardest in my no-sleep-sugar-overdosed hysterics and nearly peed my pants, well- you'll just have to read and find out. The beginning of the Author's Notes also points out a bit. ^_______^ *evil cackle*
Mars: Bishies, bishies, bishies! *happy dance* So many types of bishies, so little time! And chapter space. *sweatdrop* *thwaps the Real Life Vortex with her big, long...baseball bat* Evil Real Life!!! Begone!!! Shoo! Evil!
*ahem* Now for the story...
***
Quatre suddenly bolted upright in the armchair, his expression one of utter horror.
"DUO!!" he screamed at the top of lungs, and for a very good reason.
Heero had picked up the discarded gun from the floor, aiming it at the two oblivious people standing before him; his mind was set about what he had to do.
At Quatre's terrified cry, both Wufei and Duo's heads snapped to attention in alarm at the disturbing sight of the Japanese vampire in front of them. Wufei enclosed his arms protectively around Duo, in spite of the fact that he knew he was a slayer and could more than well defend himself, but he couldn't stop the relief flowing through him. His end of the 'deal' was momentarily stalled, he didn't know if he could ever work up the courage to go through with such an act, though in the meantime, he didn't have to.
"It seems he disagrees with your shot at a last chance, Milliardo." Treize chuckled faintly, grimacing slightly.
Zechs looked disinterested. "Doesn't matter," he shrugged carelessly, starting to move towards the door, but Heero's arms whipped around and pointed the loaded weapon at them. His eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Yuy?"
"Eliminating traitors."
He had made up his mind. Once he did, there was no turning back.
Witnessing Duo so willingly give himself up for death, solely for Wufei and the other slayers' sakes, without any regret whatsoever, had thrown him off guard. How could someone act so selflessly? He was taking everything he had worked tirelessly to obtain and tossing it aside on the smallest chance that he would be able to save his partners, not caring if he died in the process. And to imagine that he had tried to harm the braided slayer for his own wishes...Heero thought about how he had touched him and the way he had been treating him and knew what it felt to be ashamed for the first time. He wasn't worthy of such a devoted person...But Wufei was.
Wufei had managed to keep his pride, his morals, and his sincerity; despite of the hardships he had been through since Treize had turned him. Somehow, he had retained a little piece of humanity; being plagued by the human emotions as a result at all times, always guilt-ridden over what he did.
Upon hearing the anguished 'I am so sorry...'; already thoroughly rattled, something inside Heero had broken. He did not think he would ever understand why he was doing what he was, but the pent up torment in Wufei's voice had just been too much to handle after everything that had transpired since their arrival at the party. No, since the night they had run into Duo outside the 'Oasis'.
Wufei was correct in his presumptions.
Heero had never been human; he had never experienced powerful emotions beyond his coldness and anger, so he would never begin to understand any of this. He only knew that he was doing the right thing. It went against every protocol he had been taught, but it had to be done. It was the only thing he could come up with that could even begin to clear the guilt he felt. Wufei didn't deserve the pain he had been put through the past two years; he was only sorry it had taken this long for him to figure it out.
With that thought, Heero pulled the trigger before he could change his mind.
***
As Wufei's arms wrapped around him, the enormous knot of nervousness melted from the pit of Duo's stomach instantly. He may have appeared collected and resolute on the outside, but quite frankly, he was glad the Asian wasn't going through with the deal. Of course, now he knew he was going to have to put up with Quatre and Trowa strangling him later for making such a suicidal risk for their freedom.
Though for the moment, his apprehensive gaze was on the Japanese vampire pointing a LOADED gun at him and Wufei. -That- certainly was not a good thing. Dying for an honorable cause was one matter, but being killed with your own weapon by your worst enemy was the really sucky way to end your life.
Then again, when the aforementioned loaded gun is turned away from yourself and aimed at your other deadly enemies, it makes a person wonder about their sanity. Which was exactly what Duo was doing as he bewilderedly watched the scene unfold in -very- slow motion as Heero pointed the gun at Zechs and Treize.
He has -so- gone insane.
Okay, scratch that, he's BEEN insane. He's just now openly showing it.
Heero seemed to come to some sort of mental conclusion to his silent argument, nodding slightly to himself.
Two new gunshots resounded through the room and right before everyone's eyes, Zechs and Treize disintegrated. Around them, the party merely continued on about its business, the music not faltering, no one banging on the door to see what all the noise is about. Not as if two vampires had been slain by one of their own, with a slayer's weapon.
Duo had the nauseating suspicion that everyone else in the house, if they considered the turbulence at all, thought that it was only them getting down and dirty in the bedroom and had gotten a little over enthusiastic.
Wufei suddenly jerked away from Duo with a wheezing gasp, his hands clasped so tight over his heart that his knuckles were starch white as he sank to the carpet, all strength from his legs having left. Excruciating pain exploded in his chest, shredding its way through all his limbs in wrenching spurts as if they were attempting to tear him apart from the inside out.
"WUFEI! Wufei- what's happening? What the hell is going on?" Duo demanded furiously, glaring at a shell-shocked Heero who was still staring vacantly at the spot where Zechs and Treize once were. He dropped down beside the Asian and cradled his rigid, shaking frame against him, anxiety replacing the rage as his gaze racked over him, searching for a cause for his violent reaction.
It was unbearable; a choked scream bubbled up into Wufei's throat. It felt as if he was slowly being burned alive, bit by bit, the pain growing and growing like molten lava coursing through his veins...until there was nothing. As suddenly as it had started, it vanished. He was warm, but it wasn't the burning heat, it was the lazy warmth of waking up after a long night's sleep and wanting to lie there under the covers to bask forever.
Duo nearly toppled over as all of Wufei's weight relaxed against him unexpectedly, his expression a mask of sheer confusion. "Wufei? Are you okay?" he asked cautiously, lightly combing his damp, inky black hair from his face when he didn't get an immediate reply.
"...I'm fine now."
He let out a relieved sigh. "Why'd you go and do that?" Duo looked up at Heero again, though this time in skepticism instead of fury.
Heero blinked then focused on the braided slayer, the gun clattering from his limp grip. "I...I just did."
"Why? What are you getting out of this?"
"I don't want anything. I only did what I thought was right."
Duo arched an eyebrow warily. "You -have- gone crazy. You realize you're gonna have the entire vampire underworld hunting you down now, right?"
"Not if you four don't breathe a word of this outside this room," Heero countered evenly, regaining his stoic composure.
"Eventually -somebody's- gonna notice they're missing," he pointed out. "And those two didn't look like anonymous fledglings either." Wufei shivered under his comforting embrace, he could feel Treize's cold fingers brushing down his throat like razor blades. That certainly had not been inexperience of an anonymous fledgling. Duo glanced at him in concern, pulling him closer if possible.
"I'll manage." Heero answered curtly, stalking across the room and leaving, shutting the door loudly after him.
Duo snorted derisively. "Fine, be like that then," he turned his narrowed eyes over to Quatre, who (other than looking ten times healthier) had gotten up from the armchair and had returned to his practically permanent place at Trowa's side, latched to his slender waist. "What are you smiling at, Q-ball? Don't tell me you've gone bonkers too-" He cut off at a sly smile from the blonde that would have made Alice in Wonderland's Cheshire Cat green with envy.
"Should I be scared?" Wufei asked uneasily.
"Oh yeah."
"Good, because I most certainly am."
"Duo..." Quatre inquired innocently, though the smile not diminishing. "What's different in here?"
'-I- must be the one losing it...'
"Er...there aren't any vampires-" Realization dawned on Duo, his narrowed eyes going wide. He momentarily stopped breathing before repeating firmly, "There aren't any vampires." He drew back from the Chinese teen in his arms, getting a puzzled frown in response. "Wu, no vampires."
"What are you babbling about, I'm-" Wufei halted abruptly, his expression now mirroring the braided slayer's dazed one, though more dazed.
Duo's words from the night before (could it have really only been the night before? It seemed like an eternity to them) ran through their heads clearly.
'The first method is killing the sire...'
"Wufei," Duo began seriously. "I think Heero just became God." [1]
***
Heero shoved his way through the house and onto the streets, not noticing where his feet led him because he was too embroiled in his thoughts. He could not shake the new sensation of disappointment from setting itself the aggravating task of prodding his wounded pride. Sure he had done what he thought was the right thing, defying all vampire code in the process, but he didn't anticipate receiving mistrust from those he was doing the 'right thing' for.
'What were you expecting, Yuy? For them to jump around and throw a celebration in your honor for saving the day and releasing someone from their unjust torment?'
Of course not.
'Or at least a little bit of acceptance and friendliness?'
Heero Yuy did not need that sort of nonsense, it was only for the weak. He was NOT weak, so he didn't need it. He refused to have part in any of it.
'Then why are you disappointed?'
Heero cursed silently, 'I am not disappointed.'
'You keep telling yourself that.'
He was starting to get pissed. He didn't like this new sensation, bothering his moody meditation like an annoying little kid would its older sibling. It reminded him of Relena's ceaseless pestering. Heero wished he hadn't left the gun back at the house, if he hadn't, he would be able to shoot himself right then. But he didn't have it, so he couldn't shoot himself.
Coming out of the alleyway, neon blue light spilled across his path and he realized he was standing outside the 'Marquis'. Noin and Une. Heero had forgotten about the two women, they were the only others who knew of tonight's incident and were bound to ask questions when Zechs and Treize didn't return before dawn. He went inside the club and scanned the dimly lit, smoky bar for a sign of the purple-haired vampire and her partner, but they were nowhere in sight. The waiter tending to Noin's job behind the counter looked up at the Asian as he approached.
"Where's Noin and Une?" Heero asked brusquely.
"Upstairs."
"Kisama..." He turned to leave, but the door opened and Une's voice sounded from behind the waiter.
"Who is it Blake?"
"Heero."
The door shut quickly and Une quickly came out a minute later with a button-up shirt haphazardly thrown on over her rumpled skirt, running her hands back through her wet brown hair briskly. "What's the news?"
Heero glared at the waiter pointedly and he went off to the other end of the counter to give them privacy. "No good."
"'No good'? Do you mean-"
"Hn. I'm taking over 'The Marquis' for Milliardo and Khushrenada."
Une frowned deeply. "Lucrezia won't be happy with this. I just got done convincing her everything was going to fine, now you show up and make me a liar."
"That's your own fault," he shrugged and added distastefully, "And you did more than convincing by the looks of it." Heero wasn't dignified with a reply as he took in her tousled appearance.
"Is that all?" she finally responded, irritation seeping into her tone and expression.
"Hai."
"Thanks for the information," Une replied stiffly.
"Will you close up? I need to get back to the apartment before it's too late," Heero pushed away from the counter and walked off without an affirmative answer, Une's glower boring into him as he left.
The nagging disappointment returned in full gleeful force, along with a touch of guilt, to plague him.
***
Heero's not schizophrenic, I swear. He's just arguing with his newly found conscience. ^^;;;
[1]'I think Heero just became God'- Look back a few chapters to when Duo and Wufei were sitting alone in the slayers' apartment living room. Wufei had commented that Duo was either very laid back, or extremely suicidal, and he replied with 'If I'm suicidal, then you're immoral', and Wufei said 'Then that makes Heero God.' A reference to their inside joke- Duo was suicidal in forcing Wufei to agree to kill him, Wufei broke his morals in agreeing to Zechs' deal, and Heero became God because of the 'right thing' he did. ^____^
*ahem* So now...Should I go 2x5? Or shall I have Duo and Wufei seek out Heero and spark a little 1x2x5 lemon goodness? Either way, I think the next chapter will be the last, or at the most, second to last. This has been the longest, most intense fic I've ever written yet (which I am very proud of, let me tell you), though I cannot stop from being glad that this is nearly over with. *sigh* I have so many new fic ideas swirling in my poor, abused brain that I can't keep track of them. So when this is finished, FF.net is gonna be flooded with all the stories inspired while working on 'Blood Lust'.
I'll give more details at the end of the next chapter. I have about four or five different ideas running rampant, so I'll let my wonderful-ness reviewers decide which one gets written first for sticking with me the entire time through this -very- long story. ^____^
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