A/N- Hey, I'm back with a new chapter to this story. I've finally decided the pairings, but I'm not gonna tell you what they are. Mwahahahahaah. You're just going to have to read and find out. Remember to review! ^_~
Crimson Shadow: Part 2
By: RurouniGirl
Duo rushed forward and caught Wufei's limp body before he hit the ground. "Heero! Trowa! Quatre!" he called. "Come quick!"
The three boys rushed inside at his frantic cry. "What happened?" asked Quatre.
Duo shrugged. "I don't know," he replied. "One minute he was walking toward the table and the next, he was falling to the ground."
Trowa walked over and gently lifted the Drow into his arms. He placed him back in bed and Heero came over to stand beside him.
Wufei's body was shaking violently. Heero placed his hand on Wufei's forehead. His skin was cold and clammy.
He looked up at the others. "It looks like a curse," he said. "But I've never seen anything like it before."
"Well what do you think it's for? Why would someone want to curse Wufei?" asked Quatre.
Wufei's quiet, hoarse voice cut into their thoughts. "Because...I...ran...away," he gasped. The pain searing through his body was incredible yet he still managed to block most of it out. He sat up slowly. He felt dizzy for a moment, but it passed quickly. Slowly, he got to his feet.
Heero rushed forward. "What are you doing?" he asked. "You should stay in bed. We don't even know what kind of curse it is."
Wufei looked at Heero and smiled wryly. "I do," he said. "It's an ancient Drow curse. We don't use it very often, but when we do, the person being cursed will definitely know." He started to walk towards the door but almost fell as his legs gave out. Trowa caught him and held him up. Wufei smiled. "Thanks, Trowa." He motioned to everyone else to follow. "Come on," he said. "I'll show you."
He slowly made his way outside, cringing momentarily in the sunlight. The other's watched in silence as he moved forward and his body was bathed in sunlight. He turned toward them and pointed down. They're eyes followed his finger and what they saw made them gasp in astonishment. Wufei's shadow was no longer black, as a shadow should be, but it was now blood red.
"This," he said, "is the mark of the Curse of Exilation."
Heero pulled his eyes away from the shadow and looked up at Wufei's face. "The Curse of Exilation?" he asked.
Wufei nodded. "Yes. As I said...it's an ancient Drow curse. We only use it when a Drow commits the most serious of crimes."
"Most serious of crimes?" asked Quatre, his voice quivering slightly.
"Yes," Wufei said. "I ran away. I abandoned the order. I have committed the most serious crime any Drow could ever commit." He hung his head. "I have been exiled and punished in the most horrible way possible."
Duo gulped. "And the 'most horrible way possible' is?"
Wufei tried to smile but failed miserably. "Eternal pain," he said softly. "I will spend the rest of my life suffering painfully until my shadow is returned to its original color."
"And how can it be returned to its original color?" asked Trowa.
"There are two ways in which you can break the curse," explained Wufei. "The first is to kill the person who cursed you. The second is unknown. It was lost centuries ago and nobody was ever able to discover what it was."
Heero stood there pondering. "Has anyone who was cursed ever tried to kill the person who cursed them?" he asked curiously.
Wufei snorted. "Oh, they tried," he said. "But their bodies were to weak from the pain inflicted on them by the curse that they failed miserably."
The others stood around Wufei not knowing what to do. A few moments passed and then Trowa's head snapped up.
"We'd better get inside," he said quickly. "I don't like the looks of this."
They turned to see what Trowa was looking at. A crowd of very hostile looking Elves was marching toward their small group.
"So it is true," said a tall Elf, with long blond hair.
"You are taking care of a Drow," said a second Elf.
"This is outrageous," yelled another, his face red with anger.
The mob of angry Elves began to shout, making angry gestures, and trying to pull out weapons.
"SILENCE!"
Everyone fell silent as a tall, commanding Elf, very handsome and noble looking, pushed his way to the front of the crowd. He looked around him and shook his head, an amused smile on his face.
"That's better," he said turning toward the mob of Elves. "Now, explain yourselves."
The Elf that had first spoken stepped forward. "They are assisting a Drow," he spat out angrily. "We were merely trying to dispose of the disgusting creature," he said, and many of the Elves about him mumbled their agreement.
Wufei visibly winced as he was referred to as "disgusting creature." He swallowed hard fighting back an incredible wave of pain that was coursing through his body and forcing away the tears that threatened to fall. He gasped and fell forward as a burning pain seared through his body, making him tremble and sweat. He drew painful breaths, gasping for air.
The crowd of Elves suddenly fell silent as they watched his body trembling because of the pain, sweat pouring down his face, his body hanging off of Trowa's shoulder for support. He slowly straightened and pushed Trowa away, swaying on his feet for a moment, but then forcing himself to stay steady. He stood there, in as much pain as he was, and faced the angry crowd.
He smiled sadly. "If you feel the need to dispose of this 'disgusting creature,'" he said, tears streaming down his face, "then do so," he said quietly, fighting to remain on his feet. He held out his arms, offering a clear shot for anyone who wanted to strike. "Go on," he said. "Kill me, if you wish. Put an end to my meaningless life. Take all my pain away, if you dare."
The Elves stared at him, none quite sure of what they should do. Slowly, they broke up, each going back to his home. The Elf who had first spoken gave him one last glare before whirling around and storming off.
Wufei sighed as he collapsed to the ground. Heero hurried over and helped lift him into a sitting position. He smiled down at Wufei.
"That took a lot of courage," he said, pride in his voice and on his face. "That was Zechs. He's the best hunter in this village and top rank soldier, besides me that is," he said, his eyes twinkling with laughter.
"Yes," said the Elf who had silenced the crowd earlier. "That was a very brave thing you did. Foolish, but brave. Not many people can dissuade Zechs out of a kill once he's set his eye on the prey."
Wufei tried to smile, but winced instead as a sharp pain shot through his head. He pushed himself to his feet, Heero scurrying up to help support him. Wufei slumped against his shoulder gratefully.
"Come on," Heero said gently. "You need to lay down."
The other Elf came forward and helped support Wufei as they made their way toward the house. "I'm Treize," he said, his voice calm and soothing. "I am the chieftain of this village. I am sorry you we're treated so badly," he said, a deep sadness visible in his eyes, "but the feud between the Drows and the Elves had lasted for many centuries and many find it hard to push their differences aside and become friends once again."
Wufei shook his head. "It's all right," he said. "If my clan couldn't accept me how can I expect anyone else to?" He sighed and hung his head, trying to hide the fresh tears that were falling.
Quatre flung himself at Wufei, hugging him tightly. "I can't understand how anyone could treat a member of their own family in such a horrible way," he said, as he held Wufei in a tight embrace, trying to comfort him. "I'm so sorry this had to happen to you," he said, tears streaming down his face.
Wufei pulled away from Quatre and smiled down at the blond boy. "Don't be sorry. I can handle the pain far better than anyone else I know," he said softly. "I have spent my whole life pushing my pain away, and I will keep on doing just that until I am able to break this curse," he said.
Trowa took Quatre by the shoulders and gently led him away. Heero and Treize continued to support Wufei as they entered the house and made their way to the bedroom. They laid him gently on the bed and watched as he sank into an exhausted sleep. Heero shook his head, smiling sadly.
"I feel so helpless," he said to Treize. "I wish there was something I could do, but even I cannot break this curse. It is far too powerful even for my powers."
Treize smiled down at him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. He'll be just fine. And right now you are doing the one thing that can help him. You are being his friend. And right now, he really needs friends."
Heero sighed and leaned his head on Treize's shoulder. "I know. I just feel like I'm useless. What's the use of having powers if you can't use them to help the people you care about?"
Treize put his arm around Heero's shoulder and pulled him closer to his body. "I know. It's frustrating, but trust me...you're doing the best you can and that's all that matters."
Heero leaned up and gave him a quick kiss. "Thanks," he said in a whisper. "That means a lot."
Treize smiled and turned to take one last look at Wufei before leaving the room. Wufei was sleeping soundly, but his face was contorted in pain, and he moaned softly. Treize shook his head. 'Yes, Quatre was right. How could anyone be so cruel? And how could everyone be so prejudice? When would all the madness end? He didn't know. Nobody knew. And that thought scared him.'
Author's Notes: so, that's the end of part 2. What do you think? Please be honest. Good or bad? Please review and let me know. RurouniGirl
Crimson Shadow: Part 2
By: RurouniGirl
Duo rushed forward and caught Wufei's limp body before he hit the ground. "Heero! Trowa! Quatre!" he called. "Come quick!"
The three boys rushed inside at his frantic cry. "What happened?" asked Quatre.
Duo shrugged. "I don't know," he replied. "One minute he was walking toward the table and the next, he was falling to the ground."
Trowa walked over and gently lifted the Drow into his arms. He placed him back in bed and Heero came over to stand beside him.
Wufei's body was shaking violently. Heero placed his hand on Wufei's forehead. His skin was cold and clammy.
He looked up at the others. "It looks like a curse," he said. "But I've never seen anything like it before."
"Well what do you think it's for? Why would someone want to curse Wufei?" asked Quatre.
Wufei's quiet, hoarse voice cut into their thoughts. "Because...I...ran...away," he gasped. The pain searing through his body was incredible yet he still managed to block most of it out. He sat up slowly. He felt dizzy for a moment, but it passed quickly. Slowly, he got to his feet.
Heero rushed forward. "What are you doing?" he asked. "You should stay in bed. We don't even know what kind of curse it is."
Wufei looked at Heero and smiled wryly. "I do," he said. "It's an ancient Drow curse. We don't use it very often, but when we do, the person being cursed will definitely know." He started to walk towards the door but almost fell as his legs gave out. Trowa caught him and held him up. Wufei smiled. "Thanks, Trowa." He motioned to everyone else to follow. "Come on," he said. "I'll show you."
He slowly made his way outside, cringing momentarily in the sunlight. The other's watched in silence as he moved forward and his body was bathed in sunlight. He turned toward them and pointed down. They're eyes followed his finger and what they saw made them gasp in astonishment. Wufei's shadow was no longer black, as a shadow should be, but it was now blood red.
"This," he said, "is the mark of the Curse of Exilation."
Heero pulled his eyes away from the shadow and looked up at Wufei's face. "The Curse of Exilation?" he asked.
Wufei nodded. "Yes. As I said...it's an ancient Drow curse. We only use it when a Drow commits the most serious of crimes."
"Most serious of crimes?" asked Quatre, his voice quivering slightly.
"Yes," Wufei said. "I ran away. I abandoned the order. I have committed the most serious crime any Drow could ever commit." He hung his head. "I have been exiled and punished in the most horrible way possible."
Duo gulped. "And the 'most horrible way possible' is?"
Wufei tried to smile but failed miserably. "Eternal pain," he said softly. "I will spend the rest of my life suffering painfully until my shadow is returned to its original color."
"And how can it be returned to its original color?" asked Trowa.
"There are two ways in which you can break the curse," explained Wufei. "The first is to kill the person who cursed you. The second is unknown. It was lost centuries ago and nobody was ever able to discover what it was."
Heero stood there pondering. "Has anyone who was cursed ever tried to kill the person who cursed them?" he asked curiously.
Wufei snorted. "Oh, they tried," he said. "But their bodies were to weak from the pain inflicted on them by the curse that they failed miserably."
The others stood around Wufei not knowing what to do. A few moments passed and then Trowa's head snapped up.
"We'd better get inside," he said quickly. "I don't like the looks of this."
They turned to see what Trowa was looking at. A crowd of very hostile looking Elves was marching toward their small group.
"So it is true," said a tall Elf, with long blond hair.
"You are taking care of a Drow," said a second Elf.
"This is outrageous," yelled another, his face red with anger.
The mob of angry Elves began to shout, making angry gestures, and trying to pull out weapons.
"SILENCE!"
Everyone fell silent as a tall, commanding Elf, very handsome and noble looking, pushed his way to the front of the crowd. He looked around him and shook his head, an amused smile on his face.
"That's better," he said turning toward the mob of Elves. "Now, explain yourselves."
The Elf that had first spoken stepped forward. "They are assisting a Drow," he spat out angrily. "We were merely trying to dispose of the disgusting creature," he said, and many of the Elves about him mumbled their agreement.
Wufei visibly winced as he was referred to as "disgusting creature." He swallowed hard fighting back an incredible wave of pain that was coursing through his body and forcing away the tears that threatened to fall. He gasped and fell forward as a burning pain seared through his body, making him tremble and sweat. He drew painful breaths, gasping for air.
The crowd of Elves suddenly fell silent as they watched his body trembling because of the pain, sweat pouring down his face, his body hanging off of Trowa's shoulder for support. He slowly straightened and pushed Trowa away, swaying on his feet for a moment, but then forcing himself to stay steady. He stood there, in as much pain as he was, and faced the angry crowd.
He smiled sadly. "If you feel the need to dispose of this 'disgusting creature,'" he said, tears streaming down his face, "then do so," he said quietly, fighting to remain on his feet. He held out his arms, offering a clear shot for anyone who wanted to strike. "Go on," he said. "Kill me, if you wish. Put an end to my meaningless life. Take all my pain away, if you dare."
The Elves stared at him, none quite sure of what they should do. Slowly, they broke up, each going back to his home. The Elf who had first spoken gave him one last glare before whirling around and storming off.
Wufei sighed as he collapsed to the ground. Heero hurried over and helped lift him into a sitting position. He smiled down at Wufei.
"That took a lot of courage," he said, pride in his voice and on his face. "That was Zechs. He's the best hunter in this village and top rank soldier, besides me that is," he said, his eyes twinkling with laughter.
"Yes," said the Elf who had silenced the crowd earlier. "That was a very brave thing you did. Foolish, but brave. Not many people can dissuade Zechs out of a kill once he's set his eye on the prey."
Wufei tried to smile, but winced instead as a sharp pain shot through his head. He pushed himself to his feet, Heero scurrying up to help support him. Wufei slumped against his shoulder gratefully.
"Come on," Heero said gently. "You need to lay down."
The other Elf came forward and helped support Wufei as they made their way toward the house. "I'm Treize," he said, his voice calm and soothing. "I am the chieftain of this village. I am sorry you we're treated so badly," he said, a deep sadness visible in his eyes, "but the feud between the Drows and the Elves had lasted for many centuries and many find it hard to push their differences aside and become friends once again."
Wufei shook his head. "It's all right," he said. "If my clan couldn't accept me how can I expect anyone else to?" He sighed and hung his head, trying to hide the fresh tears that were falling.
Quatre flung himself at Wufei, hugging him tightly. "I can't understand how anyone could treat a member of their own family in such a horrible way," he said, as he held Wufei in a tight embrace, trying to comfort him. "I'm so sorry this had to happen to you," he said, tears streaming down his face.
Wufei pulled away from Quatre and smiled down at the blond boy. "Don't be sorry. I can handle the pain far better than anyone else I know," he said softly. "I have spent my whole life pushing my pain away, and I will keep on doing just that until I am able to break this curse," he said.
Trowa took Quatre by the shoulders and gently led him away. Heero and Treize continued to support Wufei as they entered the house and made their way to the bedroom. They laid him gently on the bed and watched as he sank into an exhausted sleep. Heero shook his head, smiling sadly.
"I feel so helpless," he said to Treize. "I wish there was something I could do, but even I cannot break this curse. It is far too powerful even for my powers."
Treize smiled down at him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. He'll be just fine. And right now you are doing the one thing that can help him. You are being his friend. And right now, he really needs friends."
Heero sighed and leaned his head on Treize's shoulder. "I know. I just feel like I'm useless. What's the use of having powers if you can't use them to help the people you care about?"
Treize put his arm around Heero's shoulder and pulled him closer to his body. "I know. It's frustrating, but trust me...you're doing the best you can and that's all that matters."
Heero leaned up and gave him a quick kiss. "Thanks," he said in a whisper. "That means a lot."
Treize smiled and turned to take one last look at Wufei before leaving the room. Wufei was sleeping soundly, but his face was contorted in pain, and he moaned softly. Treize shook his head. 'Yes, Quatre was right. How could anyone be so cruel? And how could everyone be so prejudice? When would all the madness end? He didn't know. Nobody knew. And that thought scared him.'
Author's Notes: so, that's the end of part 2. What do you think? Please be honest. Good or bad? Please review and let me know. RurouniGirl