Title: Dorothy
Author: GundamNymph
Rating: R
Pairings: 1xR, 2xH, hints of 4xD
!!!WARNING!!! More character deaths. Some 'deaths'.
Everything else? Go back to chapter one.
Music: Currently 'Pink'
'Savage Garden'
'Sarah McLachlin'
WOW Two chapters in one day. That's a RECORD for me. No, make that a miracle. **************************************************************************** ******
~ooOoo~
It was horrible. No one was safe. And if by some great miracle you were safe? It didn't last for long. Friends, family and neighbors would disappear, or turn up dead. Sometimes the vampires wouldn't feed from them, they just liked to 'play'. Vampires acted independently, so it was nearly impossible to profile them in time to save someone occasionally. Otherwise, it was up to pure prayer or luck that a Slayer happened upon you while you were attacked.
Even the Gundam pilots and their loved ones weren't safe. Quatre was proof of that.
If any one was safe right now, it was Relena. Heero may have disappeared, but it was a sure thing he was protecting her from his own shadows. If any one could be a successful Guardian Angel, he would be the one. Please don't let us down Heero. Don't let ME down.
***ooOoo***
"Honey! I'm ho~ome!"
Duo trotted into the living room, dropping his pack on the couch. A beautiful aroma was wafting in the air, and he followed Sam Toucan's advice. Letting his nose guide him, he found himself entering the kitchen, to see his fiancee at work.
Hilde was hopping to a beat only she could hear in her headphones, stirring the pasta on the stove top. Duo snuck up on her, a mischievous glint in his eye. His arms circled her tiny waist, and she jumped in surprise. Whirling around, she tore the wires from her ears. A bright smile lit up her face.
"Duo!"
She flung her arms around his shoulders, he swung her around the kitchen. Both were laughing with joy. Finally, he set her down, and they met in a heated kiss.
"Du.D.DUO!" She managed between urgent kisses.
Violet eyes mimicked the puppy look perfectly, as he pulled back a little. "What?"
She melted and smiled. "For one, the foods going to burn. Two, my back kinda hurts."
Those eye's widened, and he pulled her away from the counter to see that, yes, her back HAD been digging into the old fashioned can opener.
He pulled her back into his arms, rubbing her back. "I'm sorry, babe."
She smiled against the wool of his sweater. "It's okay. I'm just so glad you're back."
A distant "mm." Was her answer. Not usually a good sign. She pulled back, eyes searching his face.
"Okay, Maxwell, what is it?"
A guarded look. "You better turn that food off, and find a seat."
Hilde felt a cold hand of dread creep into her heart. She quickly leaned over and switched off both the stove and burner. Then she took his hand, and led him to the living room. Sitting down, she rested against the forgotten pack, and readied herself for the impending news. Bad news.
"Okay, who died?"
Duo fell onto the couch, instantly cuddling up to his lover. He stayed like that for a minute or two, trying to regain composure.
His voice breaking. "Dorothy came back from a mission today, concerning the serum."
Hilde nodded, knowing of the serum that, once given to a human, would keep them from turning. It might even have the to power to kill a vampire if the creature drank from the human. It had just been perfected, and was being mass produced somewhere.
"The mission was to go to the Winner home office and secure Quatre. She was too late."
Duo didn't have to look up to know Hilde had gone pale. She was already shaking.
"And?"
"He wasn't turned. He died. As peacefully as can be expected."
"Peacefully?!" She yelped incredulously, her eyes watering.
Duo cracked a humorless smile. "He died in Dorothy's arms. He suffered maybe three minutes."
"Shit."
Duo closed his eyes. "I know."
A sniffle. "Relena and I were always trying to get those two together. They would have been SO cute together. *sob* I knew they had a connection. I always thought it was because he was the first to show such kindness to her since her father's death. *more sobbing* I knew they loved and respected each other.but.I always hoped it was more then friendship." She couldn't hold back anymore. "And now.?"
"I know."
He held her hand, staring at the ring on her finger. It was a beautiful piece of work. Delicate metal had been shaped into a blooming flower. The metal had been painted blue. The only gems, were tiny jades in the shapes of leaves. The band itself was white gold. He had given it to her after the war. A few months ago, it had become her engagement ring.
He smiled as her sniffles finally faded. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Puffy blue eyes met his, as she stared at him tenderly. Sniffing again, she ran her fingers through his long hair. After hearing about his childhood and Sister Helen, she insisted he keep it long. It was a part of him.not to mention it made him look even more appealing.
"I love you so much, Duo. I would go insane and kill myself if I lost you."
"You won't lose me."
Hilde shook her head. "I can't believe that. Ever since this war started, there's been this fear in my heart that I'll lose you. You were a Gundam Pilot, and now you're a Slayer. It's bound to happen somehow."
"Hilde.is this one or your 'feelings'?"
Her eyes were too dry to start crying again, but somehow he knew she was crying inside. He sat up, pulling her to him.
"Everything will be all right, Hilde."
"How can you be so sure? This feeling has never been wrong before."
He kissed her temple. "I have to believe it. I have to believe that even if we are separated, we'll find our way back to each other. I have to believe that we WILL win this war."
Hilde played his sleeve. "You have to believe in God." She said what he couldn't.
She looked up at him. "I thought you gave up on Him."
Duo shut his eyes tight, fighting tears again. "I have to have faith in something. If we can't win this war, we have to hope that Sister Helen and Father Maxwell were right. If not."
He couldn't finish his sentence. She didn't expect him to.
***ooOoo***
Relena stared at her reflection. Her eyes were pink, and while it had once been a favorite color of hers, she now loathed it. It was a color she had seen too often. Many other nights like this, she had sat at her vanity, trying to fix the chinks in her mask, before she had to tell millions about new attacks or painful deaths.
She picked up her foundation, and started to apply it under her eyes. It was odd. She never used to wear it. She didn't like the stuff. But now, she couldn't afford to show the people how pale she was, how tired she was, or how upset. She was a symbol of strength, as she had once been one of peace.
She wished her own source of strength was here, but she knew that Heero was much needed elsewhere. She had rarely seen him since the MarieMaya incident.
The last time had been at her Mother's funeral. She had stood near the casket, a lone tear falling, trying to keep face in front of the camera's. Then, she had seen a moving shadow in the distance. Heero shifted temporarily out of the shadows so she could see him before disappearing again. She had closed her eyes, and smiled. Then she had taken a deep breath and let the tears fall freely.
A cold finger traced her cheek, and her hand stopped in mid air. Whirling around, she came face to face with an older man. He leered at her, odd orange eyes glinting. She gasped as he opened his mouth in a grin, freely showing off his fangs as they lengthened. Shit, she hadn't even heard him.
"Pretty lil thing all by herself?"
She jumped out of the chair, frantically looking for a weapon, as she back up. He was in front of her in a moment. A talon once again touched her cheek, this timing slicing it open. Warm liquid spilled own her face.
"Hmm. Ripe, aren't you?"
The vampire leaned forward to lick her face, when he twisted away with a screech. Relena ran towards the balcony, as he fell to the ground, clutching his genitals. Just as her bare feet met pavement, two more vampires were blocking her path. She pulled out a cross, and held it up.
"Out of my way, you bastards!" She hissed.
They backed away, and she was just about to run past them when the cross was knocked from her hand. She turned to see yet another vampire, laughing his head off, candlestick in hand.
"You're certainly a thorn in the rose bush, aren't you Princess?"
She glared at him, hiding her one weapon left in her robe. He moved toward her, caressing her face gently.
"So beautiful. And yet so deadly. You would make an excellent vampire."
"No, I wouldn't."
"And why is that, pretty one?"
She didn't answer him.
He chuckled, highly amused.
"What are YOU laughing at, Meria?" Came the howl from the floor.
'Meria' glanced idly at him. "What's the matter with you?"
"If you hadn't noticed, the bitch just STABBED me in the BALLS!"
Brown eyes met hers, curious. "Stabbed? With what I wonder?"
Relena was already swinging her arm up, but he was too fast. The small stake only made it into his collar bone.
"So sorry, darling, but I have different plans."
"Like what?"
He grabbed her, and in one smooth move, had her tightly in his grip.
"This."
Relena couldn't scream. If she did, who knew who would come running to save her, and get killed in the process? She fought like a wild cat, but only succeeded in only dislocating her shoulder with a choked sob.
With a sickening gut, she could feel his amused smile against her shoulder.
"It won't hurt.much."
Then the fangs dug into her throat, and she had to bite back a scream. Where was a Slayer when you needed one? Where was Heero?
Tears sprung to her eyes for the first time in months. She didn't care if she was being selfish, she wished with every fiber of her being that he was there. If not to save her, then at least so she could see him one last time. She knew that if they decided to turn her, he'd kill her. She wasn't worried about that, at least.
Meria had begun to suck the blood from her, and she barely kept her stomach from heaving. She could feel herself getting weaker. Her ears were ringing, and spots were popping up in her vision. She didn't hear the balcony doors shatter, or the vampires yelling.
She only came to when Meria dropped her like a doll. The next thing she knew, she was looking into the worried eyes of Heero Yuy, his arms cradling her.
"Relena?"
She focused her remaining strength on her vision. Heero came into sharp focus, and she let out a sigh. A callused hand cupped her cheek, and she let herself smile.
"How much?"
How much.what? What was he asking? Oh, blood, right.
"Enough to make me feel like passing out." That was an understatement.
Those ethereal Prussian blue eyes became alarmed, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with her bedroom door suddenly crashing inwards.
"RELENA!"
Her eyes never left his, even as she recognized Milliardo's voice. That wonderful hand had stroked her cheek, and was now threading it's fingers through her hair.
"Oh.NO. Miss Relena!"
She could feel the blond man fall down next to them, and start checking her over.
"Relena?" It was a quiet whisper.a plea.a prayer.
Right, she should probably at least blink to let them know she wasn't dead yet. But closing her eyes meant not being able to see Heero for a moment. And she might not be able to open them again.
Ice-blue eyes intruded her vision rudely, pushing Heero away. She glared at him, ready to throttle her 'dear' brother. She growled at him, and her anger fueled her enough so that she could smack him. Quite loudly, too.
The tall man fell back, his skin pure white. She sat up with Heero's help.
"Heero, is she.?" Came Noin's worried whisper.
"No."
"Oh."
Zechs glared at his 'friend', not liking the amused tone in her simple "oh".
"And WHAT is that suppose to mean, Noin."
She smirked. "Maybe that you shouldn't piss your sister off."
Relena leaned against Heero, savoring the moment and warmth, knowing it wouldn't last. She asked the dreaded question.
"Too much?"
Heero studied those sea colored eyes. Hmm. Let's see. Only one way to find out without a doctor handy.
"You're being missed in the conference room."
For the first second, those eyes stared at him dumbly, the thought not quite processing. Then, like a bolt of lightning, they widened and she jumped up with adrenaline fueling her weakened body.
"Oh, NO! I was suppose to be there five minutes ago! SHIT!"
Heero was there once her body realized it stood MUCH too fast. He looked over to see Zechs staring at his sister in shock.
"She'll be fine."
He shook his head, amused, as he helped Relena hurry out of the room. Noin leaned an arm across the numb blond.
"You REALLY didn't think she'd go through all did without picking up a few colorful words, did you?"
Stunned blue eyes met her navy ones. Without a word, she helped him up, and they followed the others.
The conference was pure chaos when they entered it. It seemed to calm at the sight of Relena, but only until they realized that she was injured. They were suddenly assaulted with cameras, questions, and lights.
"ENOUGH!"
Everything stilled, as Relena began to work her magic. The cameras had been rolling since her absence became apparent, so she simply had Heero help her to her seat. He started to leave, but she grabbed his wrist, and fairly jerked him into the seat next to hers. Heero got the point and stayed put, clutching the trembling hand back.
"Are you ready now?"
Numerous nods, and some shakes.
"Too bad. This can't wait."
Stillness.
"Ten minutes ago I was attacked by four vampires. As you can see, I am still alive, and human. The vampires have been dealt with, courtesy of Preventer Yuy."
A few reporters started to raise hands and ask questions, but she simply sent them a glare and talked over them.
"We are not here to talk about the attack. We are here to talk about something MUCH more demanding." She had removed what little make-up she had managed to put on. Her limp hair was down, simply tied in a ponytail. Part of Heero's shirt was on her throat, helping to keep the blood at bay. She still wore her casual clothes and robe, covered in her own blood. The public could now see how thin and pale she was. How tired. How determined. No more hiding.
"This morning, at roughly ten am, Quatre Rebarba Winner was killed in his office, along with many other allies and workers." She was silent, letting it sink in.
"No one is missing or unaccounted for, but we are still searching security cameras and the few.remaining witnesses."
Relena took a deep breath. "I don't need to tell most of you that Quatre was a great man. He wasn't just a Gundam Pilot during the war between the Colonies and Earth. He was a kind, gentle soul, who was determined to not let anyone suffer needlessly, even if it caused himself to suffer greatly. He was a great friend. Not just to me, or his close friends, but to everyone he met. Few ever felt his anger, and those who did, deserved it."
Relena took a deep breath. "We have lost so many, in the last war alone. Both sides had heavy casualties. We were just beginning to put the pieces back together, to mend the hurt, blame, hate and friendships.when a new horror arrives."
"This isn't a war. It's a slaughter. We're not fighting amongst our selves. We're not praying for peace. We're fighting a near impossible enemy. Peace, something that was so hard to gain in the war. It's a goal much easier than the new one we face."
"As humans, we now face endangerment not as a race, but as a species, like any other animal. In only a few years time, we can be extinct, like the many animals before us. They were hunted for pleasure or for our own comforts. Their homes were destroyed. And now, the same thing is happening to us."
"Vampires may be swift, strong and powerful, but we're not cute little bunny rabbits. We have the power to fight back, and we WILL. All of us, together, can fight this. It's not impossible."
"During the war, you thought it was impossible to end it. You began to give up hope. Then, five warriors, practically CHILDREN, descended from the Colonies. They fought with the same desperation we have now. You started to believe in them. People stood up, speaking of wanting peace, fighting with all they had for it. To the surprise of the remaining skeptics these warriors began to win, accomplishing things no army could. The people began to back these teenagers. In less than a year, the war was over. A seemingly IMPOSSIBLE task."
"This battle to survive? It's not impossible. I've seen situations that should have been impossible, but wasn't. You remember Libra falling to Earth. TWO people stopped the destruction of Earth. Both were injured greatly, and managed to pull it off. Both came out ALIVE."
"We have hope. We will always have hope. If you can't see it, look at your loved ones. Look at our children. Can you turn to them, and tell them that there is no hope? That they could live in a future where they are raised like livestock, or die before they turn can turn ten? That they will suffer a fate worse than death?"
"I can't, and I won't. I refuse to. I don't care if I have to fight this battle with little more than my teeth."
"I have lost just as much as most of you have. I can feel your pain. I know how it feels. I'm not asking to put it aside. I'm not asking you to forget those lost, and move on. I'm asking the complete opposite."
"I want you to remember who they were, for good and for bad. I want you to remember what they were like, why you loved them."
"I want you to remember how you lost them. I want you to remember how they were killed, or turned. How they were taken from you. I want you to remember this as you look at everyone you have left. Everyone on the street, on Earth, in the Colonies."
"If we don't act against these demons, we won't get revenge. They aren't human, they deserve our anger, our heartbreak, our hate. They caused it. They carry no human emotions, and they will continue to carry out these deeds. These remaining people I want you to look at, as you remember your losses, our losses, are their next victims. They won't stop. They can't."
"And it's up to us now. It's up to us to save those who were left behind. And we can do it. We WILL do it. Quatre didn't die needlessly, and he wasn't bitter about it. He asked ONE thing of us as he died. One simple thing, that shouldn't even need to be asked."
She took a deep breath, pride and tears filling her eyes, and she let them see it.
"Keep fighting. We WILL win."
***ooOoo***
Duo smiled at the screen, stroking his lover's cheek.
"'Jousan always did have a way with words."
Hilde smiled. "And so did Quatre."
"I'm glad Heero didn't run off again with his tail between his legs."
Hilde smirked. "You were right."
"I know." He waited a moment. "About what?"
"Relena DOES have him on a leash. *weak giggle* Now, if only they would just get together."
Duo snorted. "Hilde, those two were suppose to be the first ones together. NOW loo-" He trailed off, tensing.
"What is it?" She whispered, hand creeping between the cushions for a spare cross and stake.
He held up a long finger, eyes moving about, trying to make out the sound. His eyes widened, and he had a second to fling Hilde and himself onto the floor before the house exploded.
***ooOoo***
Relena smiled at Sally as she finished up. The Chinese woman shook her head, exasperated.
"Relena, honey, you REALLY need to stop getting into so much trouble. You only have so much luck." She glanced over at the 'Perfect Soldier'. "And so many of him!"
Relena couldn't help a giggle. Quatre may have been dead, but she couldn't help but feel giddy in Heero's presence.
It was then that Dorothy came striding into the room, grim faced. Relena instantly became somber. The slim girl wore all black, hair tied back in a long braid, and a bit of soot on her cheek. She was clearly geared up for a mission.
"Hello, Dorothy." She was worried about the girl, but knew she wouldn't take to being fussed over.
The platinum nodded at her, trying to smile, before turning to Heero, Noin and Zechs.
"We have a problem."
Heero stood up from the wall he had been leaning against.
"Report."
Dorothy sighed wearily, and Relena could see she was fighting to keep her own mask in place.
"I just came from Maxwell's. I was suppose to pick Hilde up for a mission."
All movement in the room stopped. Even breath.
"And?"
Dorothy held up a hand, only Heero noticing how it trembled slightly. They all stared at what she held, wishing they were ignorant of the item those fingers grasped.
"Their house is completely gone. Burned to the ground."
Relena stood, hand on Sally's arm. "And.Hilde? Duo?"
"Hilde's dead. Her body was in the street, fairly mangled. It looked like she was raped. It was hard to tell. They had some 'fun' with her post- expiration. I had to make she sure she wouldn't come back. I put her under their tree."
"And Duo?"
Dorothy turned eyes filled with regret to Heero.
"He's gone. They took him."
Heero could feel the denial trying to creep up on him, so he forced himself to look at Hilde's ring in Dorothy's palm.
There was no way in hell that Hilde would have left that behind. There was no way Duo would let her.
He couldn't afford to be in denial. If Duo had been turned, he would have to kill his best friend. It was a cruel reality, but it was how he survived the war.and his childhood.
~ooOoo~
A/N: *sniffles* I killed Hilde. Duo's gone. I have to make myself not think about this much, or all of a sudden everyone will be coming back from the dead, and it will be a happy story. More info in the next chapter. We might find out what happened to Duo.
NEXT TIME!!!
Zechs will be taken, and the circus is attacked. Already one predicted character death coming up, though it isn't really a main character. And another one is taken. Trowa (of course) will be fine. I guarantee you that. I can't bring myself to kill him, challenge or not. Anything else? Dun no. Haven't written it yet. Hopefully, some MORE romance to come. Definitely 6x9.
HEy mariel4000!!!! Thanks for the review. Boy, that was FAST! O__O And don't worry, we're all twisted somehow.
Author: GundamNymph
Rating: R
Pairings: 1xR, 2xH, hints of 4xD
!!!WARNING!!! More character deaths. Some 'deaths'.
Everything else? Go back to chapter one.
Music: Currently 'Pink'
'Savage Garden'
'Sarah McLachlin'
WOW Two chapters in one day. That's a RECORD for me. No, make that a miracle. **************************************************************************** ******
~ooOoo~
It was horrible. No one was safe. And if by some great miracle you were safe? It didn't last for long. Friends, family and neighbors would disappear, or turn up dead. Sometimes the vampires wouldn't feed from them, they just liked to 'play'. Vampires acted independently, so it was nearly impossible to profile them in time to save someone occasionally. Otherwise, it was up to pure prayer or luck that a Slayer happened upon you while you were attacked.
Even the Gundam pilots and their loved ones weren't safe. Quatre was proof of that.
If any one was safe right now, it was Relena. Heero may have disappeared, but it was a sure thing he was protecting her from his own shadows. If any one could be a successful Guardian Angel, he would be the one. Please don't let us down Heero. Don't let ME down.
***ooOoo***
"Honey! I'm ho~ome!"
Duo trotted into the living room, dropping his pack on the couch. A beautiful aroma was wafting in the air, and he followed Sam Toucan's advice. Letting his nose guide him, he found himself entering the kitchen, to see his fiancee at work.
Hilde was hopping to a beat only she could hear in her headphones, stirring the pasta on the stove top. Duo snuck up on her, a mischievous glint in his eye. His arms circled her tiny waist, and she jumped in surprise. Whirling around, she tore the wires from her ears. A bright smile lit up her face.
"Duo!"
She flung her arms around his shoulders, he swung her around the kitchen. Both were laughing with joy. Finally, he set her down, and they met in a heated kiss.
"Du.D.DUO!" She managed between urgent kisses.
Violet eyes mimicked the puppy look perfectly, as he pulled back a little. "What?"
She melted and smiled. "For one, the foods going to burn. Two, my back kinda hurts."
Those eye's widened, and he pulled her away from the counter to see that, yes, her back HAD been digging into the old fashioned can opener.
He pulled her back into his arms, rubbing her back. "I'm sorry, babe."
She smiled against the wool of his sweater. "It's okay. I'm just so glad you're back."
A distant "mm." Was her answer. Not usually a good sign. She pulled back, eyes searching his face.
"Okay, Maxwell, what is it?"
A guarded look. "You better turn that food off, and find a seat."
Hilde felt a cold hand of dread creep into her heart. She quickly leaned over and switched off both the stove and burner. Then she took his hand, and led him to the living room. Sitting down, she rested against the forgotten pack, and readied herself for the impending news. Bad news.
"Okay, who died?"
Duo fell onto the couch, instantly cuddling up to his lover. He stayed like that for a minute or two, trying to regain composure.
His voice breaking. "Dorothy came back from a mission today, concerning the serum."
Hilde nodded, knowing of the serum that, once given to a human, would keep them from turning. It might even have the to power to kill a vampire if the creature drank from the human. It had just been perfected, and was being mass produced somewhere.
"The mission was to go to the Winner home office and secure Quatre. She was too late."
Duo didn't have to look up to know Hilde had gone pale. She was already shaking.
"And?"
"He wasn't turned. He died. As peacefully as can be expected."
"Peacefully?!" She yelped incredulously, her eyes watering.
Duo cracked a humorless smile. "He died in Dorothy's arms. He suffered maybe three minutes."
"Shit."
Duo closed his eyes. "I know."
A sniffle. "Relena and I were always trying to get those two together. They would have been SO cute together. *sob* I knew they had a connection. I always thought it was because he was the first to show such kindness to her since her father's death. *more sobbing* I knew they loved and respected each other.but.I always hoped it was more then friendship." She couldn't hold back anymore. "And now.?"
"I know."
He held her hand, staring at the ring on her finger. It was a beautiful piece of work. Delicate metal had been shaped into a blooming flower. The metal had been painted blue. The only gems, were tiny jades in the shapes of leaves. The band itself was white gold. He had given it to her after the war. A few months ago, it had become her engagement ring.
He smiled as her sniffles finally faded. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Puffy blue eyes met his, as she stared at him tenderly. Sniffing again, she ran her fingers through his long hair. After hearing about his childhood and Sister Helen, she insisted he keep it long. It was a part of him.not to mention it made him look even more appealing.
"I love you so much, Duo. I would go insane and kill myself if I lost you."
"You won't lose me."
Hilde shook her head. "I can't believe that. Ever since this war started, there's been this fear in my heart that I'll lose you. You were a Gundam Pilot, and now you're a Slayer. It's bound to happen somehow."
"Hilde.is this one or your 'feelings'?"
Her eyes were too dry to start crying again, but somehow he knew she was crying inside. He sat up, pulling her to him.
"Everything will be all right, Hilde."
"How can you be so sure? This feeling has never been wrong before."
He kissed her temple. "I have to believe it. I have to believe that even if we are separated, we'll find our way back to each other. I have to believe that we WILL win this war."
Hilde played his sleeve. "You have to believe in God." She said what he couldn't.
She looked up at him. "I thought you gave up on Him."
Duo shut his eyes tight, fighting tears again. "I have to have faith in something. If we can't win this war, we have to hope that Sister Helen and Father Maxwell were right. If not."
He couldn't finish his sentence. She didn't expect him to.
***ooOoo***
Relena stared at her reflection. Her eyes were pink, and while it had once been a favorite color of hers, she now loathed it. It was a color she had seen too often. Many other nights like this, she had sat at her vanity, trying to fix the chinks in her mask, before she had to tell millions about new attacks or painful deaths.
She picked up her foundation, and started to apply it under her eyes. It was odd. She never used to wear it. She didn't like the stuff. But now, she couldn't afford to show the people how pale she was, how tired she was, or how upset. She was a symbol of strength, as she had once been one of peace.
She wished her own source of strength was here, but she knew that Heero was much needed elsewhere. She had rarely seen him since the MarieMaya incident.
The last time had been at her Mother's funeral. She had stood near the casket, a lone tear falling, trying to keep face in front of the camera's. Then, she had seen a moving shadow in the distance. Heero shifted temporarily out of the shadows so she could see him before disappearing again. She had closed her eyes, and smiled. Then she had taken a deep breath and let the tears fall freely.
A cold finger traced her cheek, and her hand stopped in mid air. Whirling around, she came face to face with an older man. He leered at her, odd orange eyes glinting. She gasped as he opened his mouth in a grin, freely showing off his fangs as they lengthened. Shit, she hadn't even heard him.
"Pretty lil thing all by herself?"
She jumped out of the chair, frantically looking for a weapon, as she back up. He was in front of her in a moment. A talon once again touched her cheek, this timing slicing it open. Warm liquid spilled own her face.
"Hmm. Ripe, aren't you?"
The vampire leaned forward to lick her face, when he twisted away with a screech. Relena ran towards the balcony, as he fell to the ground, clutching his genitals. Just as her bare feet met pavement, two more vampires were blocking her path. She pulled out a cross, and held it up.
"Out of my way, you bastards!" She hissed.
They backed away, and she was just about to run past them when the cross was knocked from her hand. She turned to see yet another vampire, laughing his head off, candlestick in hand.
"You're certainly a thorn in the rose bush, aren't you Princess?"
She glared at him, hiding her one weapon left in her robe. He moved toward her, caressing her face gently.
"So beautiful. And yet so deadly. You would make an excellent vampire."
"No, I wouldn't."
"And why is that, pretty one?"
She didn't answer him.
He chuckled, highly amused.
"What are YOU laughing at, Meria?" Came the howl from the floor.
'Meria' glanced idly at him. "What's the matter with you?"
"If you hadn't noticed, the bitch just STABBED me in the BALLS!"
Brown eyes met hers, curious. "Stabbed? With what I wonder?"
Relena was already swinging her arm up, but he was too fast. The small stake only made it into his collar bone.
"So sorry, darling, but I have different plans."
"Like what?"
He grabbed her, and in one smooth move, had her tightly in his grip.
"This."
Relena couldn't scream. If she did, who knew who would come running to save her, and get killed in the process? She fought like a wild cat, but only succeeded in only dislocating her shoulder with a choked sob.
With a sickening gut, she could feel his amused smile against her shoulder.
"It won't hurt.much."
Then the fangs dug into her throat, and she had to bite back a scream. Where was a Slayer when you needed one? Where was Heero?
Tears sprung to her eyes for the first time in months. She didn't care if she was being selfish, she wished with every fiber of her being that he was there. If not to save her, then at least so she could see him one last time. She knew that if they decided to turn her, he'd kill her. She wasn't worried about that, at least.
Meria had begun to suck the blood from her, and she barely kept her stomach from heaving. She could feel herself getting weaker. Her ears were ringing, and spots were popping up in her vision. She didn't hear the balcony doors shatter, or the vampires yelling.
She only came to when Meria dropped her like a doll. The next thing she knew, she was looking into the worried eyes of Heero Yuy, his arms cradling her.
"Relena?"
She focused her remaining strength on her vision. Heero came into sharp focus, and she let out a sigh. A callused hand cupped her cheek, and she let herself smile.
"How much?"
How much.what? What was he asking? Oh, blood, right.
"Enough to make me feel like passing out." That was an understatement.
Those ethereal Prussian blue eyes became alarmed, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with her bedroom door suddenly crashing inwards.
"RELENA!"
Her eyes never left his, even as she recognized Milliardo's voice. That wonderful hand had stroked her cheek, and was now threading it's fingers through her hair.
"Oh.NO. Miss Relena!"
She could feel the blond man fall down next to them, and start checking her over.
"Relena?" It was a quiet whisper.a plea.a prayer.
Right, she should probably at least blink to let them know she wasn't dead yet. But closing her eyes meant not being able to see Heero for a moment. And she might not be able to open them again.
Ice-blue eyes intruded her vision rudely, pushing Heero away. She glared at him, ready to throttle her 'dear' brother. She growled at him, and her anger fueled her enough so that she could smack him. Quite loudly, too.
The tall man fell back, his skin pure white. She sat up with Heero's help.
"Heero, is she.?" Came Noin's worried whisper.
"No."
"Oh."
Zechs glared at his 'friend', not liking the amused tone in her simple "oh".
"And WHAT is that suppose to mean, Noin."
She smirked. "Maybe that you shouldn't piss your sister off."
Relena leaned against Heero, savoring the moment and warmth, knowing it wouldn't last. She asked the dreaded question.
"Too much?"
Heero studied those sea colored eyes. Hmm. Let's see. Only one way to find out without a doctor handy.
"You're being missed in the conference room."
For the first second, those eyes stared at him dumbly, the thought not quite processing. Then, like a bolt of lightning, they widened and she jumped up with adrenaline fueling her weakened body.
"Oh, NO! I was suppose to be there five minutes ago! SHIT!"
Heero was there once her body realized it stood MUCH too fast. He looked over to see Zechs staring at his sister in shock.
"She'll be fine."
He shook his head, amused, as he helped Relena hurry out of the room. Noin leaned an arm across the numb blond.
"You REALLY didn't think she'd go through all did without picking up a few colorful words, did you?"
Stunned blue eyes met her navy ones. Without a word, she helped him up, and they followed the others.
The conference was pure chaos when they entered it. It seemed to calm at the sight of Relena, but only until they realized that she was injured. They were suddenly assaulted with cameras, questions, and lights.
"ENOUGH!"
Everything stilled, as Relena began to work her magic. The cameras had been rolling since her absence became apparent, so she simply had Heero help her to her seat. He started to leave, but she grabbed his wrist, and fairly jerked him into the seat next to hers. Heero got the point and stayed put, clutching the trembling hand back.
"Are you ready now?"
Numerous nods, and some shakes.
"Too bad. This can't wait."
Stillness.
"Ten minutes ago I was attacked by four vampires. As you can see, I am still alive, and human. The vampires have been dealt with, courtesy of Preventer Yuy."
A few reporters started to raise hands and ask questions, but she simply sent them a glare and talked over them.
"We are not here to talk about the attack. We are here to talk about something MUCH more demanding." She had removed what little make-up she had managed to put on. Her limp hair was down, simply tied in a ponytail. Part of Heero's shirt was on her throat, helping to keep the blood at bay. She still wore her casual clothes and robe, covered in her own blood. The public could now see how thin and pale she was. How tired. How determined. No more hiding.
"This morning, at roughly ten am, Quatre Rebarba Winner was killed in his office, along with many other allies and workers." She was silent, letting it sink in.
"No one is missing or unaccounted for, but we are still searching security cameras and the few.remaining witnesses."
Relena took a deep breath. "I don't need to tell most of you that Quatre was a great man. He wasn't just a Gundam Pilot during the war between the Colonies and Earth. He was a kind, gentle soul, who was determined to not let anyone suffer needlessly, even if it caused himself to suffer greatly. He was a great friend. Not just to me, or his close friends, but to everyone he met. Few ever felt his anger, and those who did, deserved it."
Relena took a deep breath. "We have lost so many, in the last war alone. Both sides had heavy casualties. We were just beginning to put the pieces back together, to mend the hurt, blame, hate and friendships.when a new horror arrives."
"This isn't a war. It's a slaughter. We're not fighting amongst our selves. We're not praying for peace. We're fighting a near impossible enemy. Peace, something that was so hard to gain in the war. It's a goal much easier than the new one we face."
"As humans, we now face endangerment not as a race, but as a species, like any other animal. In only a few years time, we can be extinct, like the many animals before us. They were hunted for pleasure or for our own comforts. Their homes were destroyed. And now, the same thing is happening to us."
"Vampires may be swift, strong and powerful, but we're not cute little bunny rabbits. We have the power to fight back, and we WILL. All of us, together, can fight this. It's not impossible."
"During the war, you thought it was impossible to end it. You began to give up hope. Then, five warriors, practically CHILDREN, descended from the Colonies. They fought with the same desperation we have now. You started to believe in them. People stood up, speaking of wanting peace, fighting with all they had for it. To the surprise of the remaining skeptics these warriors began to win, accomplishing things no army could. The people began to back these teenagers. In less than a year, the war was over. A seemingly IMPOSSIBLE task."
"This battle to survive? It's not impossible. I've seen situations that should have been impossible, but wasn't. You remember Libra falling to Earth. TWO people stopped the destruction of Earth. Both were injured greatly, and managed to pull it off. Both came out ALIVE."
"We have hope. We will always have hope. If you can't see it, look at your loved ones. Look at our children. Can you turn to them, and tell them that there is no hope? That they could live in a future where they are raised like livestock, or die before they turn can turn ten? That they will suffer a fate worse than death?"
"I can't, and I won't. I refuse to. I don't care if I have to fight this battle with little more than my teeth."
"I have lost just as much as most of you have. I can feel your pain. I know how it feels. I'm not asking to put it aside. I'm not asking you to forget those lost, and move on. I'm asking the complete opposite."
"I want you to remember who they were, for good and for bad. I want you to remember what they were like, why you loved them."
"I want you to remember how you lost them. I want you to remember how they were killed, or turned. How they were taken from you. I want you to remember this as you look at everyone you have left. Everyone on the street, on Earth, in the Colonies."
"If we don't act against these demons, we won't get revenge. They aren't human, they deserve our anger, our heartbreak, our hate. They caused it. They carry no human emotions, and they will continue to carry out these deeds. These remaining people I want you to look at, as you remember your losses, our losses, are their next victims. They won't stop. They can't."
"And it's up to us now. It's up to us to save those who were left behind. And we can do it. We WILL do it. Quatre didn't die needlessly, and he wasn't bitter about it. He asked ONE thing of us as he died. One simple thing, that shouldn't even need to be asked."
She took a deep breath, pride and tears filling her eyes, and she let them see it.
"Keep fighting. We WILL win."
***ooOoo***
Duo smiled at the screen, stroking his lover's cheek.
"'Jousan always did have a way with words."
Hilde smiled. "And so did Quatre."
"I'm glad Heero didn't run off again with his tail between his legs."
Hilde smirked. "You were right."
"I know." He waited a moment. "About what?"
"Relena DOES have him on a leash. *weak giggle* Now, if only they would just get together."
Duo snorted. "Hilde, those two were suppose to be the first ones together. NOW loo-" He trailed off, tensing.
"What is it?" She whispered, hand creeping between the cushions for a spare cross and stake.
He held up a long finger, eyes moving about, trying to make out the sound. His eyes widened, and he had a second to fling Hilde and himself onto the floor before the house exploded.
***ooOoo***
Relena smiled at Sally as she finished up. The Chinese woman shook her head, exasperated.
"Relena, honey, you REALLY need to stop getting into so much trouble. You only have so much luck." She glanced over at the 'Perfect Soldier'. "And so many of him!"
Relena couldn't help a giggle. Quatre may have been dead, but she couldn't help but feel giddy in Heero's presence.
It was then that Dorothy came striding into the room, grim faced. Relena instantly became somber. The slim girl wore all black, hair tied back in a long braid, and a bit of soot on her cheek. She was clearly geared up for a mission.
"Hello, Dorothy." She was worried about the girl, but knew she wouldn't take to being fussed over.
The platinum nodded at her, trying to smile, before turning to Heero, Noin and Zechs.
"We have a problem."
Heero stood up from the wall he had been leaning against.
"Report."
Dorothy sighed wearily, and Relena could see she was fighting to keep her own mask in place.
"I just came from Maxwell's. I was suppose to pick Hilde up for a mission."
All movement in the room stopped. Even breath.
"And?"
Dorothy held up a hand, only Heero noticing how it trembled slightly. They all stared at what she held, wishing they were ignorant of the item those fingers grasped.
"Their house is completely gone. Burned to the ground."
Relena stood, hand on Sally's arm. "And.Hilde? Duo?"
"Hilde's dead. Her body was in the street, fairly mangled. It looked like she was raped. It was hard to tell. They had some 'fun' with her post- expiration. I had to make she sure she wouldn't come back. I put her under their tree."
"And Duo?"
Dorothy turned eyes filled with regret to Heero.
"He's gone. They took him."
Heero could feel the denial trying to creep up on him, so he forced himself to look at Hilde's ring in Dorothy's palm.
There was no way in hell that Hilde would have left that behind. There was no way Duo would let her.
He couldn't afford to be in denial. If Duo had been turned, he would have to kill his best friend. It was a cruel reality, but it was how he survived the war.and his childhood.
~ooOoo~
A/N: *sniffles* I killed Hilde. Duo's gone. I have to make myself not think about this much, or all of a sudden everyone will be coming back from the dead, and it will be a happy story. More info in the next chapter. We might find out what happened to Duo.
NEXT TIME!!!
Zechs will be taken, and the circus is attacked. Already one predicted character death coming up, though it isn't really a main character. And another one is taken. Trowa (of course) will be fine. I guarantee you that. I can't bring myself to kill him, challenge or not. Anything else? Dun no. Haven't written it yet. Hopefully, some MORE romance to come. Definitely 6x9.
HEy mariel4000!!!! Thanks for the review. Boy, that was FAST! O__O And don't worry, we're all twisted somehow.
