Author's Note: For those who didn't notice there's some changes to chapter 17, mainly towards the end. SO you might wanna scroll through that to catch a few scenes of importance or some possible significance.

Warnings: language

Pairings: Mentions of 3x4, main 1x2

Disclaimers: SO not mines

Chapter 18: Revolution: Humanity's Revolt Against Tomorrow

The holidays were the best I ever experienced this year. It felt good to have a stable set of friends and a whole family to enjoy Christmas with me. Not to mention a boyfriend I believed to be the sexiest vamp-and man-alive. Now thinking of that…. The word 'boyfriend' sounded so off when referring to Heero. I didn't know what to make him out as. Not to mention I found our relationship kinda weird. Why was it that out of all the others we've been with, we felt the need to be the most connected? With Heero he seemed to tie himself to me while keeping as much distance between us as possible. Heero could be selfish, but that selfishness was what I indulged in the most. It was a give and take kinda principle: Heero sought out whatever it was he seemed to be looking for (besides the obvious) through me and I got him and all the things I craved in him. So far I was ok with it. Really, I was.

My return to school hadn't really crossed my mind during break. This in a way makes me proud because it shows just how little an affect Relena's little statement had on me. Though if I had been thinking about it, I might've been more prepared for what did happen when the oh so blissful vacation came to an end. Ya know. Like my life Skills teacher said, proactive thinking and all. Seems I never quite grasped the concept. Seems I might never….

I sat in homeroom as calm (and passively BORED) as ever. I hadn't really talked to much of anybody since I got back. As far as I knew they were concerned, they thought I was a ghost, the apartment incident hadn't gone un noticed by my peers and instead of the 21 questions I was expecting, I got blank stares of disbelief and confusion. Basically shouting 'Why the HELL are you still alive!'. I felt so loved. My teacher cared less about whether I survived or not and simply told me to sit down while we waited for the morning's announcements to come over the loudspeaker. Mr. Phipps sat at his desk, his brow twitching in agitation now and then as he grunted in displeasure at the noise disturbing his morning paper read. My eyes wandered over the cover before it was snatched out of my sight by a selfish Mr. Phipps.

"To your desk, Maxwell!" He scowled. My hands were raised in a gesture to placate him but only succeeded in causing him to growl lowly. Ok….making a b-line to my desk right about….NOW.

Hilde smiled as I walked in, waving warmly before burying her nose back in her Cosmo magazine.

So now here I was, sitting in homeroom, waiting for the morning announcements that seemed like they never would come. What a way to kick off the New Year.

My skin instinctively recoiled as I flinched and smacked my hand to the back of my neck as something stung me for the unteenth time that morning. Though when I turned around I couldn't pin point who could be doing it. There was only but so many people behind me…

I turned around and decided to owe it to my nerves. Maybe nothing really was hitting me in the neck. Little ol Duo was just being jittery. It's not everyday your classmates look at you as the boy who came back from the damned grave when in actuality...well you had yet to figure out just how you'd get yourself out the situation alive...I was still trying to figure it out.

Understanding seemed very far away. No way would my classmates possibly comprehend the apartment incident if I hadn't even begun to fathom it properly. Rumors seemed to run wild these days. I just had yet to discover how bad it really was gonna get for me though….

A growl formed in my throat as something hit me in the back of my head, and rolled onto my desk: a paper ball. I un crumpled the ball and stared at the message grafittied skillfully onto the white loose leaf, feeling my temper flare as I read it.

Mrs. Yuy II, the Fag bag from BaghdaD. A small rainbow colored Jester's hat had been drawn to hang over the 'd' in Baghdad, followed by a Jester's staff, just as equally 'rainbowfied' and Technicolor.

Temper spiked as I spun around to glare at none other than a snickering Riley. Riley had never really been a friend. But he wasn't considered an enemy….until now. Riley was a human….surprisingly. But the crew he rolled with were full blooded vamps, though his girl seemed as scatter brained as any human fuck twat missing that vital male piece….. don't take it from me though. The ever present smacking of the 'Bubbalicious' and cavalier presentation should be enough for ya.

Riley usually sat in the back with the main people he chilled with. His girl, Sonny, and the lackey, James. James seemed there more foraccessory and scenery than anything else. I mean you just can't have a proper looking posse without that one lackey to follow along as your girlfriend cheers you on through thick and thin. James never had been too much of a speaker. He just looked cool.

"Fuck is your problem?" I hissed. Riley leaned forward over his desk, unruly straw blonde hair falling partly in his eyes, his expression somewhat sadistic.

"You." He said simply, a slight hiss following his words. I rolled my eyes and turned around in my desk to prop my elbow on the back of the chair.

"Really? And I'm guessing it makes a lot of sense to throw paper balls at me. I'm sure that'll fix the problem. Oh fuck yeah…" I drawled sarcastically. Sonny then decided to jump in, her voice just as annoying and valley girlish as ever. She had like this buzz that accompanied all her words in addition to the fact she liked to drawl out everything while smacking on her damned gum.

"Yeaaazzz…..(smack) we'z heard you'za (smack) a fag, Duo. Ya kno (smack) Riley and (smack) just about (smack) everyone (smack) has a problem wit you (blow-pop-smack) now……." She stated, absently twirling a piece of her light brown weave around her finger, summer green eyes glinting with malice as she continued to mutilate her gum openly, chewing like a damn cow on its cud.

"If that's the case then why don't we handle this like people our age usually do. Paper balls seem kinda elementary school...even for you…." I proposed, tensing up and staring Riley down, an annoying grin already spreading across my face. Riley stood as did I.

"Yea….why not?" he gritted out in agreement before stepping forward and throwing a punch I easily ducked. Our desk skid to the side, color pencils scattering across the floor,as did many others, screeching in the wake of our pent up frustrations and the disturbing clattering of Riley's fallen color utensils.

Have you ever noticed that when you're in a fight everything seems a lot louder and it all just kinda roars in your ears?Suddenly you're sensitive to everything around you. That must be what adrenaline is. Well I liked her so far. Adrenaline and I were good friends as far as I could remember. She never failed me...

Riley wasn't too much bigger than me and I would've said we were equally matched if it wasn't for the fact that I believed I was quicker. Don't get me wrong, Riley was one quick devil but the point was that I was quicker.

"So what's it like with 'em, Duo? They show you a good time?" Riley taunted while throwing another punch, this time swinging up his other fist where the first left off. I moved to the side and blocked before shoving him into another desk, grimly annoyed when he caught his balance instead of tumbling over like I had initially hoped. Riley fixed me with a look, smugness melting over his features. He came at me again and I ducked, bringing up my fist to smash into his stomach.

"Riley!" I could barely make out Sonny's startled voice shouting over the buzz of every other instigating student in the room. Our teacher seemed like a far away drone as Riley hunched over my fist, gagging and sputtering before a nasty snicker came from his form as he backed away.

"You'll be sorry for that Duo." I stood sure of myself as I eyed him wearily. Sonny rushed to his side, smacking worriedly but was brushed off simply, as Riley made his way at me, I stepped back ready to dodge and slipped on a color pencil, as I slippedhis head smashed into my chin and sent me flying against the wall I hadn't even known was behind me. Before I could even catch awareness he was on me, raining angry blows upon my body and roughing me up for all I was worth.

"Yuy's not here to save you is he?"

"You're a weak fag, give it up."

"Shame, if he hadn't gotten to you first I'd still be willing to try you out."

His voice taunted manically as each punch weakened me. I fell to my knees, my vision swimming, causing the jeering mass of students to wave back and forth in front of me. Two jean clad legs came to stand in front of me and I looked up into the twisted face of Riley. Looking for the entire world like the most evil being I could ever know.

"You're a freak." He spat.

"You're not wanted completely by the vamps and you're just too much of faggoty ass demon to be considered human." Riley snarled, a slight murmur traveling around the room at his words.

My eyes scanned the room as my heart thudded in my ears in time to the roar of my breathing. I brought my arm around my torso and shook my head, my face stung slightly as I tugged my lips into a maddening smirk.

"You make me sick to my fucken stomach." He looked like he wanted to spit and I dared him to. Cuz the minute that saliva hit me I'd be all over his crack addicted ass.

"Well you turn mines too, babe." I spat back. Riley's face twisted further into anger as he seemed to ready himself to kick me. The glare I gave seemed to change his mind and he settled for continuing in his preaching. My head was pounding and his words mashed together in my head, refusing to make sense. What was this kid? The leader of some homophobic revolution? I wanted him to shut up so very badly…..

"Imma enjoy beating the shit out of you Maxwell." He laughed cruelly. Where the hell was the teacher anyway? Not like he'd help but still, at least make it look like you're aware of what's going on in your classroom. I just stared past Riley coolly. I could see Hilde's worried amber-gray eyes staring dead at me, flickering to Riley now and then as she ignored the giggling her friends were doing behind her. My gaze traveled back to meet Riley's and I found myself feeling more anger than I'd even felt in my life. My cold darkening amethyst clashed with chaotic gray and something inside me grinned as a un known barrier cracked deep inside me and Riley's face loosened in shock. My vision extended beyond that of stormy gray and I caught sight of something ugly. Something definitely not human. Riley's true form appeared to-but only for a second- as the voice inside me to decided to take charge and lash out.

Fucker….. the voice cackled, vibrating through my body, quickening my pulse, and slowing down everything around me. Energy tingled around me and I could hear the murmur of voices. Voices I didn't know and the shrieks of those unknown, as eerie as they could be. Only Riley and I were in the room and a nasty grin spread across my face as I thrust myself to my feet with a speed that couldn't have been my own, pulled back, and sent my fist forward in a full round house swing, rocking Riley's jaw with a sickening crack. My tormentor spun to the floor un moving and the class went dead silent as everything burst back to life.

My eyes blinked as they adjusted to the light, and my head started to ache again as I stared at Riley's still body laid out across the hard floor. Students around me hushed and I could hear a few murmurs.

"The fag killed Riley…"

"No way, he just stunned him ya idiot…."

"He looks kind dead to me…." Another murmured.

Sonny shrieked, struggled out James grasp (if that's what you'd call it, didn't seem like he was trying much) and knocked people out the way to rush to Riley's side, staring up at me in hate and slight fear as she cradled Riley to her, not even caring about the blood he was drooling on her designer crop top.

"You really are a freak Maxwell." She choked, hugging an unconscious Riley even tighter to her chest and babbling incoherently through her tears.

Energy still danced over my skin and had yet to fade away or disappear, unlike the voice. Which as far as I could tell was long gone. I looked back up to find Hilde and she stared at me in something a kin to shock and slight intrigue.

"Right there." My teacher's voice pushed through the crowd, as I began adjusting my eyes off to the side to see him coming with the principal and guess who in tow.

"Oh shit…."I sighed in exasperation, rolling my eyes to the side, the laugh floating from me carrying a bitter and twisted edge. My mind was already goin into shock and this was the last thing I needed...

"You've got to be kidding me." My state was of one that could've been causing me hallucinations because I could've sworn that…

Malicious cornflower blue eyes glinted wickedly at me, the owner's lips tugging up in a slight smirk as she stood by the principal who was busy looking from me to the unconscious and slack jawed Riley in Sonny's arms.

"You did this?" Twilridge asked his tone enraged and his expression incredulous. I stared at him, fighting the urge to laugh. What the hell kinda question was that? NO. I was just standing here panting like a damn wilder beast because it made me feel good. However humorous the words sounded to me in my head I forced them to the back of my mind and faced the principal ignoring Relena's amused and triumphant expression. Before I could get a word out, that bitch Sonny was answering for me, the smack between her words gone. She probably swallowed her damn gum in her little fit.

"YES! That son of a bitch, th-that FREAK did this to Riley!" She screamed, sobbing over her boyfriend's body for all the world like I had seriously mutilated the guy. Like he'd never breathe, walk, or taunt those he deemed unfit to walk the earth again. Seems I had done my good deed for the day. Go Duo.

Relena stepped past me, crouching down to wrap her arms around Sonny and breathe soothing words into her ear. Ever the saint today, aren't we little Miss Bitch Ass Peacecraft? She continued to do so and rubbed soothing circles over Sonny's summer green clad back. She looked up thoughtfully, her voice filled with purpose as she addressed the principal, who still appeared as dumfounded as ever.

"If I may say Mr. Twilridge, there is no reason boys of this age should be engaging in such violence. Surely they must know better as 15, 16, and 17 year olds." She reasoned. I fixed her with a suspicious glare. The principal coughed and cast a stern look my way.

"Reasonably, yes. I believe so. What exactly are your thoughts as to the conflict between mister O' Jason and Maxwell here?" She frowned and shook her head, casting wheat blonde locks this way and that.

"Well it's obvious that Riley here was just another victim of circumstance…. Maxwell obviously took his frustrations out on the boy, as his bleeding jaw seems to indicate." I fought to control my tongue knowing that if I let it slipped it'd only add to Relena's obvious insinuations. I was an angry faggot who went around roughing people up because I couldn't handle the stress of life and my confusing sexuality. Go figure.That clichéd bitch.

"And I'm guessing that I'm right. Maxwell hasn't said a word and he doesn't appear too roughed up for someone who was 'in' a fight. I'm thinking more along the lines of lashing out and simply attacking…" She quirked a well arched golden eyebrow. No longer could I remain silent.

"What the fuck do you mean attack and lash out! In case you haven't noticed we're the same age and size! Riley was trying to pound me into a nice barrel of ground fucken meat. Look at me. Ask anybody! Just look at me!" I gestured from Riley, ignoring Sonny who glared at me from her place on the floor in Relena's arms. Her eyes were hard looking and red. You'd swear she'd been up the whole night next to a dying relative's hospital bed. My 'classmates', if I must call them so, suddenly acted as if dumb. Refusing to plea to my case. Some looked amused, some looked defiant, others just stared off anywhere but at me. Hmpf. It's a good thing I never considered these coffin stuffers(1) friends. I might've actually felt let down as oppose to the ragegrowing in meat being treated so unjustly. Suddenly I understood how it felt to be jaded. Why people who were bitter and recluse became that way.

Couldn't these idiots see the damage? The guy had fucken pummeled me for a good five minutes for chrissakes! The teacher stared at me boredly while the principal gave me an unsure look, as if pitying me like I was some crazed person. The poor wittle faggot. Boo fucken hoo.

The silence was irritating and as my anger grew, tears began to burn my eyes.

"Let's get to the office Mr. Maxwell." The principal sighed. As I walked after him, I held my head high through the crowd of students, ignoring the mocking grins and obeying the wish of those who suddenly wanted to be invisible. Cowards.

"You did good, Duo." I heard a voice say sympathetically and glanced to the side to see Hilde standing right there among the path students had cleared for me and the principle. She looked me straight in the eye, ignoring the strange looks her friends were giving her,and I simply nodded.

If I didn't know any better I'd say I saw the slightest bit of pride edging over envy in her eyes and expression. Though chances were I didn't know better. Riley had tried to bash my head in after all

Leaving the room, I could hear Relena call for someone to get the nurse.

Maybe I shouldn't have knocked Riley out. At least he'd be going to take the fall with me if he was still conscious. Lucky bastard.

In case you're wondering...the morning announcements never did come...

(X)(x)(X)

Instead of sending me home they kept me waiting outside the office most of the day. Up to after lunch. Until then I was forced to endure the snickering and murmuring of those who passed by me and my miserable self.

"They say he's a freak…."

"I heard he used craft….."

"Not even the vamps wanna claim him after this….."

"One things for certain- he's not human if that's what you're wondering…"

"I bet he wishes Yuy was here to save his tail…."

"You should've seen his face when he saw Relena man….deaded…"

And so the list continues.

I vaguely wondered where Quatre was in all of this. It wasn't possible that he hadn't heard it. Funny thing was that Quatre was just as gay as I was. Though his time had passed and since he got more ass than any of these guys he had enough credit to his name. But me? Everyone just wrote me off as some vamp senior's sloppy seconds to Ms. Peacecrap's wine-and-dine-me-firsts. This was gonna take a while to blow over. I know Relena was just soaking in the sympathy, using this situation to make it seem as if she was so hurt. Being replaced by a guy. SO in addition to a freak and a faggot I was now a criminal. Looks like I was setting some records and making quite a name for myself.

After finally meeting with the principal I was given a total of 2 weeks detention following 2 days of suspension. "To cool off a bit….." Mr. Twilridge had said. The only reason I got off with those meager consequences were because normally I wasn't a trouble maker. Riley was. I hadn't spoken to Heero of what happened that day. I just left it at the fact I was in a fight and I guess he felt that I'd tell him what else was bothering me when I was ready. Besides the events of the fight left me in a sort of daze. There was no way I was willing to come to terms with what I had seen...with what I'd heard...it was the apartment incident all over again...only full throttle.

After my 2 days of suspension I was forced to sit lunch with the guidance counselor. Courtesy of Mizz Peacecrap. I was such a troubled soul according to her.

Mrs. Stonheard was not as sympathetic as one would expect a guidance counselor to be. In fact. She really just didn't care. If I didn't know any better I'd say I was wasting her time…..

"So you're the new fag of the year, eh?" She said, eyeing me critically. By then I'd already been bored down enough that I had not the energy to get pissed. Her tone showed she hadn't meant it like my classmates would've though. It just seemed like a statement made from years of watching the same shit over and over. She began to peel an orange as she leaned back in her chair, open shirt revealing more attractive cleavage than should be legal for teachers and faculty.

"Yep every year these kids get meaner and meaner and then that one brave-or stupid- one just burst out the closet and starts a riot. Though I'll hand it you. You're different from the usual Adam and Steve types." She said, pointing a half eaten orange slice at me.

"I've never seen someone rock a jaw like that in all my years of sorting out you whacko kids." She whistled through the citrus flesh in her mouth, shaking her head and chuckling. I could barely see the glint of a fang and felt my eyes widen slightly in surprise.

"The rumor mill's jus buzzin kid. They say you're not normal….in addition to the whole fag bit. Me? I wouldn't know. I'm one of the more modernized vamps, though it seems like one hell of a year for you…..care for a jelly bean?" She asked thoughtfully (as thoughtful as she got anyway), pushing a bowl of the sugared chewy beads towards me. I reluctantly took one, hoping it'd ease my stomach.

They called me Maxwell's Demon. I was officially an outcast. Go me.

(X)(x)(X)

"Metrian." My head snappedaround seeing who'd dare call me by that name after so long and relaxed as Meiran slipped through the window, the radiating feeling of urgency dancing across the room as she stepped across the carpet, pushing her hair back.

"The door not good enough for you?" I asked, fixing her with a curious look. She sauntered to the couch, a feral gleam in her eye. Her wind blown hair indicated another flight through the streets of Manhattan upon her beloved motorcycle.

"Us Double A's learn to make everything a creative exercise….." She said, a smirk playing across her lips for a moment before a look of seriousness was set upon her features.

"Tell me your business here." I stated, continuing to run through the search results that'd come up on my laptop's monitor.

"I fear resistance from the vampiric citizens in this city. You know the army men are reckless, Metrian, and with each stunt they pull regarding their meals and conquests comes the additional burden of the people's alert. Unrest is growing. You have been watching the news have you?" She said quickly, shaking her head in slight disgust. I nodded. Of course I had seen the news. Even if I hadn't taken the actual time to watch I couldn't miss the headlines. The bodies of young women dumped in alleyways, clearly defined puncture marks along their neck, even some young men here and there. Hauntings on the further side of Manhattan and a few misfortunes here and there. All the work of Zech's men. I grimaced. Not only at the situation but at the 'Page Cannot Be Found' window that'd swallowed my screen. My thumb instinctively clicked agitatedly at the mouse in an effort to restore my screen.

Meiran traced the arm of the couch delicately before continuing the step lightly across the room as if touring my apartment for the first time.

"It won't be long before they lay the blame on the vampires Heero." She continued dully. "Then we'll have a mortal war on our hands." I could hear a small giggle come from her direction and could picture a small smile gracing her face

"Clogging up our operations. You must take control of your men." Her tone grew serious again as she finished and I could tell she was not pleased. Not that it affected me any. My job was not to please her. I eyed her wearily.

"Those pig headed men are so reckless, Metrian. They listen to not a thing any level headed individual has to say. And that Alec….." She trailed off making a disgruntled and twisted face.

"They need to be taught. Nothing can get done by a unit if the internal workings are screwed up, Metrain." She said exasperatedly, as if she had been arguing back and forth with someone.

"You're not even listening. It's like I'm speaking to that damn wall!" Her aura changed instantly and I could feel it raise the temperature of the room.

"You forget your place, Meiran." I said lowly. She looked at me bravely, narrowing her eyes. Her aura flared down back to a neutral state.

"I don't mean to disregard your authority Metrian-" Her voice pressed on.

"Then don't." I said flatly. She continued, stepping forward.

"But the men talk. And word carries easily to Zechs ears. They say you're becoming too wrapped up in outside matters. Alex in particular is not very pleased with you and neither is the Peacecraft girl for that matter…." Meiran trailed off, leaving her words to thicken the air. They were talking about my relations with Duo. If Zechs felt he was becoming a distraction there wouldn't be too much hope for him. As for me….well I really didn't feel like being forced to do something drastic in order to prove where my loyalties lie. They lied with my cause of course. The cause I currently shared with Zechs. There was no need to remind me of that and I didn't want anyone to think there was. Meiran had a definite point.

Meiran studied me with an unreadable look. She seemed more stressed than what I'm used to seeing of her. The calculating and cool exterior fading for a minute. She seemed worn. Mentally I scowled, thinking that all this time Duo and Quatre was making me too emphatic for my own good. I had no time to identify and sort through the emotions of others. I barely cared for my own at times.

"I respect and admire you Metrian but I can't just watch you let this city slip through our hands. I can't lose this chance….." She said, a look of distaste crossing her features.

"Who says I'll let the city slip through my hands?" I said. An idea suddenly forming in my mind. Meiran studied me with a suspicious look.

"What's going on in that twisted little mind of yours, Metrian?" She said, stretching across the couch and propping a leg up.

"These fools might've actually done something right, Meiran….

/"Can't you see? It all starts here Metrian. I will control this city AND it's resources, using them to my advantage. If I gain the trust of all the 'other beings' in this city, I will have an unstoppable army. The phoenix will practically fall into our hands. But it all starts HERE."/

This was the opportunity Zechs had been waiting for…..

(X)(x)(X)

"Are you ever gonna tell me just what exactly is going on at school? Quatre won't answer his phone. You won't say a thing. Duo? Are you even listening to me?" I turned my head to the side, eyeing Heero from the corner of my eye. He scowled at me from his place in the chair across the living room and I turned my head back to stare at the ceiling, the pitter pattering of the rain outside soothing in a way. Never had I heard Heero seem so anxious. Even now he didn't seem what most would call anxious, but if you knew Heero like I did you'd know that the scowl and mild questioning was Heero's version of anxious.

I sighed and turned over on my side, staring down at the rug, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"Someone's a bit nosy…" I murmured teasingly.

"Duo…." Heero growled. Obviously games weren't an option. I sighed.

"I fought the other day because someone thought they could push me around….." I said simply. Heero quirked an eyebrow, propping his head and elbows on the back of the chair. He was sitting backwards, fixing me with a stern yet quizzical look. God…even my parents hadn't questioned me this much. Though that could be owed to the fact that they didn't even know I had gotten suspended in the first place. Yep, work was the place where parents belonged.

"Why would they think that?" He asked, seeming truly confused. I sighed again and shut my eyes.

"Because I'm gay…" I said quietly, blinking open my eyes to stare across the room at him. He stared back at me, blinking mildly before rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's not like I care what they think….It's more about the fight….." Heero snorted.

"Don't tell me you feel sorry for beating that kid up." Heero ansked, amusment evident.I shook my head and chuckled.

"It's not that…….Let me ask you something…..When I saw you that afternoon I didn't have a scratch or a bruise on me did I?" I fixed him with a look and he shook his head.

"I simply assumed you were more skilled than most give you credit for. Is there something more…..?" I sat up and looked off to the side.

"Riley had managed to catch me off guard and pummeled me with his fist, My face had been aching, Heero, and my stomach felt as though it was raw meat…." I shook my head, furrowing my brow in confusion.

"I should've been just as busted up as Riley is gonna be looking when he gets back. But I'm not. I told them Riley had hit me first and they just looked at me like I was a fucken lunatic Heero. Nobody in that glass had the balls to say shit, Heero. Not a one……." My voice sounded harsh to my own ears. I was choosing to leave out the image of Riley I'd been forced to see.

"I was angry Heero. Angrier than I'd ever been and during that fight something took control….spoke to me….." By now I was pacing back and forth across the room, gesturing wildly, probably looking like I was insane. By the look Heero was giving me I'd say I had the insane part about right.

"What do you mean?" Heero asked, fixing me with a disturbed look.

"How the hell am I supposed to know Heero. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. Something way beyond inspiration or craft….." I shook my head and knelt before the chair Heero sat on, touching my forehead to his.

"I was hoping you could tell me what I was…….at school they call me Maxwell's Demon now…..not even the vamps'll come near me. They say there's something off about me….." I whispered. Heero stared intently at me.

"I need you to tell me I'm not a demon, Heero. That I'm not gonna turn into some wicked thing. That there's nothing wrong with me.…" I pleaded with him, on the verge of babbling. Heero stared at me in what seemed to be a mixture of shock and confusion before clearing his throat and stroking my hair. My head bowed further and our noses touched.

"Your not a demon Duo. There's nothing wicked about you. You don't need me to tell you that." He said fondly, still stroking my hair, a small smile playing at his lips.

"You have enough proof in me…." He said, tilting my head up and pressing his lips to mines softly, his hand falling from my hair to stroke my cheek. The kiss was more tender than what I'm used to of Heero and I felt my hand reaching up to play with the Christmas present I gave him, that dangled innocently around his neck. Heero's other hand reached up to clasp mines as our hands curled around the cool metallic feeling of the cross I'd given him.

The memories of the Christmas past flooded into my mind, a deepened the kiss, as I traveled back to that afternoon, after everyone had opened there presents and were curled up in the living room laughing and talking. Heero and I wandered out the apartment to find peace in the stair well.

My cobalt eyed 'lover' eyed the package I gave him in slight wonder, unwilling to show exactly how much he was marveling at what the contents of the package could be.

"The store didn't have anything I could actually see you caring for and since some of us aren't as talented and adept at magic and all that jazz as someone I know I guess that'll just have to do." I sighed jokingly, looking up at him un able to help the grin spreading across my face as I fingered the bangle around my wrist fondly.

"Open it, you demonic bastard." I urged siddling up a step and throwing my arms loosely around Heero's neck, peering over his shoulder as tentative, capable hands began to undo the wrapping.

"Heero I mean Jeezuz man, no one's gonna stone you if you show a little excitement and just rip the stuff off. Hell I won't mind and I'm the one who wrapped it." I ducked a bit as Heero tried to peer over his shoulder at me before returning his attention to the present and throwing off the last of the festive holiday paper. The slim case he held seemed so much more delicate under his hands and I leaned my head against the back of his neck.

"There's nothing in there that can bite you, Heero." I said playfully into his ear. Heero finally relented and gave in to the incessant nagging of curiosity, pulling open the case and staring at the platinum object inside. I pressed my face into the side of his neck and smiled over his shoulder.

"My father gave it to me. It was to represent how things are not what people make them out to be. Ya kno the whole vampires shying away from crosses and other holy objects. All that b –grade horror movie shit." I could barely make out a smile, the barest curve tugging up on the side of his face I could actually view. He held up the cross, eyeing the pattern and the gold snake weaving its way over the silver frame of the cross.

"It's a statement: we're larger than life. You, me…us." I hugged him closer and smiled, closing my eyes as his other hand reached over his shoulder to rest over mines.

"Merry Christmas, Hee-chan…" I murmured.

"Thanks Duo…...Merry Christmas…" This Christmas truly was made to last as my favorite. Regardless of all the tomorrows our future held….or the lack thereof….

The kiss broke and I found myself staring into softened yet somewhat unreadable cobalt eyes. They glowed with a sort of fondness though when one looked closer I could swear I saw a slight hesitation and even a bit of trepidation. Heero unsure? I highly doubted it. Before I could further analyze the look it was gone and replaced by a knowing smirk and someone knocked at the door, summoning me to my feet.

I opened the door, but left the latch on and peered through the opening I'd left, grinning as Quatre stood, a worried look quickly replaced by one of skepticism.

"You expecting Nazi's or something?" He mused, raising a blonde eyebrow.

"No…." I started thoughtfully. "….just you." I shot back, earning a playful shove as Quatre stepped past me and entered my apartment.

Heero still sat resting his head on his arms upon the back of the chair, a bemused expression upon his features as Quatre grinned lopsidedly at him.

"I interrupt something?" He asked, turning from Heero to me wiggling his eyebrows comically. A small 'ow' came from Quatre as I socked him upside the head and made my way to the kitchen.

"Believe you me, if you had you wouldn't be alive right now, Q. Heero and I'd make sure of that." I said cryptically, winking over my shoulder. Q shrugged.

"I've been trying to do some damage control at school but damn, Duo…."Quatre sighed.I sighed. More upset about the lack of food in the fridge than the whole school thing.

Quatre saw my expression and laughed.

"That's originally why I came over here. I'd figure we'd talk and walk. Go get something to eat." He proposed thoughtfully, rubbing the back of his neck uncertainly.

"There's a lot we gotta talk about, Duo." I stretched before grabbing my coat.

"Sure Q-ball, there is." Quatre and I headed towards the door, Heero not far behind.

"I can't go with you guys. I have a previous engagement of sorts. We'll speak tomorrow, Duo." He said pulling me in an embrace and placing a kiss upon my forehead, before swiftly heading in the other direction, leaving me stunned. Quatre whistled appreciatively.

"Talk about affectionate…." He said, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah…" I murmured, rubbing my fore head and smiling a bit to myself. Quatre then spoke up.

"Duo something's off about things going on these days… not to mention what they say about what really happened with you and Riley in that fight…." Quatre's eyes looked up at me with the same expression of worry he had on when he came to my door and I knew this was gonna be one hell of a discussion. A discussion that'd force me to acknowledge what I already knew and didn't want to believe.

(X)(x)(X)

My meeting with Zechs that day gave me a new vigor. I was now officially back on track with this thing. This night found me lying on my back staring contentedly at my ceiling, arms behind my head in a pose of relaxation.

Though that vigor and relaxation was short lived as a new question came to mind: what will happen with Duo? When all is said and done and we finally have the phoenix and control of this city, will there be room for Duo in the whole perfect picture of my accomplished goals and raised status.

Earlier this day Duo and I had kissed though no matter how much I tried to detach myself and take from the kiss, instead,I found myself sharing it with Duo rather than greedily taking it for myself and assuming dominance. I didn't want to recognize it, but Duo was changing me in a way. I didn't believe he was dear to me though I believe I….cared. Was it all the same in a sense? It's not like I'd remember. My feelings for Lynx are so far back it seems impossible to remember those feelings at a moment with her without the aide of someone pulling the memory out for me. Usually the aide of Duo now that I thought of it...

The rain continued to pelt against the window of my room and I frowned up at the ceiling.

As the days dragged on with the hours, minutes, and seconds in total, the divide between those of the human race and those of the 'other' beings grew larger and larger. I now noticed for the first time how few half breeds were in number and with that realization came the realization of how alone Duo must be. There was barely enough room in the middle for him and his affinity for the supernatural and these new things that were happening to him made it all the more harder for him to assume his place as a normal teen of his time. Duo was only 16. The path of his life had a ways to stretch...

When seeing Zechs earlier I presented him with an opening that was too ingenious to be refused: we present a puppet, a figure to be viewed by the public who'll represent 'other beings' as a whole and manipulate them towards our cause. Of course they'll be looking towards a cause that's completely different but will play into our hands if given the right presentation. Zechs loved it. Preparations are being made as we speak and as for me….I have a visit to make to the Dunes in Egypt. This'll have me gone for a week and a half at tops. But now that there is an opening…there is also assets we need in order for this to play out the way we want. J is to accompany me on the search for his old partner O. I'm dreading this trip seeing as how Trowa has been assigned something else and I'm not sure I have the patience to watch over a man I'm sure is on the verge of senility... if he's not there already.

And then there's Duo. I don't want to leave him here to do this by himself. When he told me about the occurrences during his fight at school I couldn't even begin to fathom what it was he could be talking about if it wasn't craft. I'm thinking that I can find the answer out in the Dunes. This O is bound to have an extensive research network hooked up if he's as dedicated to the myths and supernatural of our world as J says he is. So just maybe……….

This trip will be good for my mind though. The desert heat has a way of clearing ones mind and opening its depths to ones true purpose and need. It reveals necessity in its clearest form: full frontal assault. Someone or something needed to beat sense into my head and I felt that the sun's rays might do just that.

A knock on my door startled me out my thoughts and I trudged wearily t the door, praying in all earnest that it wasn't another ploy of Zechs to deliver me news. It became apparent that the person was not such as I took in the tired violet eyes and long chestnut hair of Duo. He fidgeted in the door way only glancing up to meet my eyes as he finally spoke.

"I can't stay at my house tonight, Heero." He looked away, refusing to say more and I understood. He was relying on the hope that I wouldn't question or press him. I stepped to the side and allowed the distraught braided boy to enter my apartment and make his way to my room.

Sense soon kicked back up into drive and I closed the door before following Duo's path to my room, stopped as I found him already curled up under the sheets, the slightest shiver causing the sheets to quiver with his now trembling frame.

My new found empathy I'd first picked up on with Meiran's visit reached out to Duo and I found myself slipping under the sheets beside him and pulling him to me, he relaxed in my arms soon enough.

"Tell me about it tomorrow….." I murmured into his ear though I couldn't help the thought that crept to the front of my mind.

Duo….you and I both know…….the way things are going…..for humanity there is no tomorrow……..

(X)(x)(X)

(1) Futurama. Bender. Nuff Said.

A/N: That's that. Well I hope everyone got that. Mortal war…..yatti yatti yatti. Duo's reason for coming to Heero's house at god knows what hour will be revealed later….. Jus review.

(X)(x)(X)