Disclaimer: All characters mentioned belong in the animé series Gundam Wing. The plot is taken from the book Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié. Please don't sue me…?
Warning: The end… is next chapter. In the off-chance that you people would still insist on reviewing the last chapter (even flame it gulp), please, please leave an e-mail add. This way, I'd be able to reply to your review as I usually do. If you signed-in at there's no need. But if you're an anonymous reviewer, please leave an e-mail add. Thanks! (huggles)
Midnight Pearls
By Ninetails
All of my life
where have you been?
I wonder if I'll
ever see you again.
- "Again" by Lenny Kravitz
Chapter 11
It was deathly silent, so when the heavy doors of the temple were flung open, everyone jumped. Quatre's eyes flew open as a voice rang out.
"I object!"
Quatre spun around as everyone gasped.
There at the far end of the aisle stood Trowa. He was covered in dirt and blood, and the hair covering half his face was matted down. His clothes hung in tatters from his body. From the front row, Heero leaped to his feet. "Seize him!" he ordered.
Trowa sprinted up the aisle toward him, and Quatre took a step backward. He nearly reached him before three guards tackled him to the ground. He strained his head upwards, his sightless eyes staring past Quatre.
"Don't! Quatre, don't throw your life away on someone you don't love!"
"Why did you come here?" he shouted above the racket.
"Because I love you," Trowa cried.
"But by coming here you've killed yourself," Quatre answered, dropping to his knees before his slumped form.
"Without your love, I am dead at sunset, anyway," Trowa whispered, for his ears alone.
The guards hauled him to his feet and dragged him backward toward the entrance.
Quatre stood back up. "What do you mean by that?" he called.
He didn't answer, or if he did, Quatre could not hear.
"Wait!" he called, racing after Trowa. "What do you mean by that?"
"Ask the Sea Witch!" Just then, one of the guards hit him, knocking him unconscious. His body slumped between them, and they carried him the rest of the way out of the temple, closing the doors behind them.
Slowly, the people reclaimed their seats. Quaterina and Rashid remained standing, though, hovering close to Quatre.
"Carry on, Holy One, 'twas just the ramblings of a madman," Heero instructed the priest, reclaiming his seat.
Vanyel took his hand and tried to pull him back. Quatre resisted, still staring at the closed doors. The Sea Witch, Trowa had said. The words struck a chord somewhere in his being. Where have I heard that name? he asked himself.
"Milord, with your permission, we will continue," Master Padan told him sternly.
Quatre turned to stare at him, and he just stared back. He remembered his first worship day, sitting and listening to the old man and only understanding every other word. He had intimidated him a little bit with his grim complexion. He had reminded him of his father as he lectured him about watching out for the Sea Witch.
His father. An image filled his mind, and the face didn't belong to Rashid. He saw a long, thin nose and a broad brow topped with a wreath of seaweed laced through with large white pearls. He had always wanted those pearls. He had told him when he was old enough he would have his own because he would be a prince. Prince! Trowa has been right! He and Duo were mer-kin too!
He turned to look at Vanyel while he spoke to Master Padan. "I'm sorry, I can't. I just can't."
Vanyel's eyes widened in shock. Quatre bent forward and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry, but I can't accept your kind offer. I belong someplace else, and I have to find out exactly where that is."
He pulled his hand from Vanyel's lax hold and fled down the aisle amidst the shouts of consternation.
"Quatre!" he heard Vanyel shouting. "Come back!"
Heero sat, stunned, as Quatre raced from the temple. Sir Vanyel, his leg slightly wounded from his brush with the criminal yesterday, stood looking thunderstruck. A wave of pity washed over Heero, mixed with an overwhelming sensation of relief.
His thoughts flew back to Quatre as he caught Quaterina staring at him in bewilderment. What has gotten into Quatre? He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew it had something to do with what the criminal had said to him. Just then, a footman slipped up to him and bent to whisper in his ear. "The king is awake and he is asking for you."
He rose quickly to his feet and exited through a side door.
Within minutes he was in his father's bedchamber.
His father was sitting, fully clothed, in a chair next to the window, with Wufei standing beside him. He chuckled as Heero came in. "Well, how did it feel to almost be king?"
"Terrible," Heero replied, not at all amused. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
The king waved his hand. "I'm fine, Heero. The poison clarrey never touched my lips."
"What!" Heero exploded.
"No – however, I wanted others to think that it had."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
King Treize sighed. "I needed your reactions to be realistic if my plan is to work."
"What plan?" Heero asked, in a moment moving from angry to bewildered.
"My plan to catch the duke and his son at their own game."
"But, I thought that the criminal – "
The king snorted. "That poor lad is no criminal… at least not to my knowledge. Vanyel made him out to be one only to further his own schemes. He and his father were planning on killing me and blaming it on an escaped criminal."
"So, they released him."
"Actually, I released him," Wufei spoke up.
"But why?" Heero asked.
"To force their hand," the king answered.
"It looks like it worked."
"Only partially," Wufei answered. "We don't have actual proof that it was either of them who poisoned the drink."
"So, your plan failed," Heero asserted.
"No, it did not. The poisoner did leave this behind." Wufei held up an elaborate man's ring with a large tiger's-eye stone. The top swung open to reveal a tiny hollow just large enough to hold a bit of poison powder. "This shouldn't be too hard to trace."
"How did you know about the poison?"
"Your father hasn't eaten or drank anything that hasn't first been tested for months."
"So, some poor servant is dead?"
"On the contrary, it's a mouse that is dead," Wufei said with a slight grin. "The poor thing keeled right over."
Heero felt himself sag with relief, then he rubbed his head. "I can't believe you two didn't tell me about all this."
"I could say the same about you and your little friend Quatre. He certainly did not escape the duke's notice. It was unfortunate, indeed, that he has, shall we say, distinctive characteristics that are shared by the man who was imprisoned."
"Vanyel decided to bond with Quatre as part of the plot against you and you knew about it!" Heero exploded. "Why didn't you stop it?"
"It was better to have Quatre linked to Vanyel than to you. Had you bonded with him, the duke could have implicated you in my death. Of course, with the arrival of Duo, he could have done that anyway. Especially since he actually seems to be the accused man's brother."
"We think that originally they intended to blackmail you regarding you relationship with Quatre. Then, when they realized your intentions toward him might be more serious, Vanyel decided to bond with him to throw you off balance. All along they planned to imprison a man, innocent or criminal, have him escape and murder you and me. When Duo and the other man showed up, it accelerated their plans greatly. Suddenly they could say that the two did it together and you were plotting with them because of your obvious affection for Duo and your suggesting that Vanyel be bonded to Quatre."
"But I never suggested that!" Heero protested.
"Didn't you?" the king asked. "You were the one who told him to propose to bond to a commoner. You were the one eager to find for your little friend an alternative to the blacksmith's daughter. That's the story he told to everyone but you."
Heero shook his head, marveling at how close they had come to complete disaster. And all because I was too distracted to realize that something was terribly wrong. He turned his anger on his father. "How can you participate in all these machinations, these deceptions?"
"Dear boy, I did not get to be king by chance. I have worked long and hard to keep this throne and I will pass it on to you. When you are in my position you will understand these things. You will also learn to be more discrete in your friendships."
"Discrete? Discrete? You're a fine one to talk about that, Father. You and Wufei have been together for years now. I don't think anyone is fooled by the servant act, least of all me."
"We've never hidden our relationship from you, Heero. Wufei and I share a bond, without worry of social boundaries, as you and your friend have done. For years he has been a loyal companion and a wise counselor. He keeps me informed of all the goings-on around here, including the schemes of the duke and his son.
"If it weren't for Wufei, I wouldn't have given you nearly as much freedom. Do you truly think that you managed to elude all the tutors and all the castle guard every single week? No, Wufei told them all to turn a blind eye. He has always been an advocate for you these past years. Even with this bonding business he has been urging me to give you time to work things out for yourself."
King Treize snorted once again, earning an irritated look from both Wufei and his son. "Though at the rate you work things out for yourself, I'll be many years in my grave before I see you bonded. They're both fine young men. Just pick one of them and bond with him, son. Get on with it."
Heero was speechless. All this time he had never fooled his father, only himself.
The king shook his head wearily. "I'm sorry, son. I should have trusted you and told you what we were up to. I promise you can help us smoke out the culprit from here on out," he said, taking the ring from Wufei and holding it up for inspection.
"Allow me to save you the trouble," a voice said from the door.
Surprised, Heero turned to see the duke standing there, a sword in hand. "My son tends to be overly subtle. He likes complicated plans. Personally, I've found that the direct approaches work best."
"What do you plan on doing?" Heero demanded, moving in front of his father.
"Simple, I will kill the three of you."
"And who will you blame it on? Your 'murderer' is back in custody."
"Not anymore," the duke sneered. "It seems he managed to escape the guardsmen, killing all of them. Of course, he has me to thank for that. Then he came here to finish what he started. Never fear, though. I shall catch him along with his brother and friend, and they shall all three hang for your murders. It will then be with a heavy heart that I ascend the throne as the closest blood relative."
"You're mad," Heero told him.
"Who will stop me?"
Heero cursed the lack of weapons within range. He started to circle the duke, calculating how best to attack and attempt to disarm him. He knew the duke was a wicked fighter, much like his son.
Before he could make his move, though, Wufei lunged. The duke whirled, slashing Wufei across the stomach and sending him crashing to the ground. He raised his sword, preparing to deliver a killing blow.
A vase smashed into the duke's back. The duke staggered, stunned, and Heero lunged toward him. The king beat him there, though. From his boot, the king pulled a small dagger and plunged it into the duke's heart before the other could swing at him. The duke collapsed on the ground beside Wufei. His eyes rolled backward before they fixed in his head, and his body slumped.
Heero turned toward the door and saw Duo standing there, fists clenching furiously. "Thank you, my dear, you saved us all," the king said from behind his son.
Servants dashed past Duo and moved over to Wufei. "I'm going to be fine," he protested as they set to working on his wound, fending them off furiously. He was appeased, and not a little angered, by the kiss planted on his lips by the king.
Heero suppressed a grin, turned and strode to Duo. He pulled him out into the hallway and held his hand in one hand and his braid in the other. He looked deep into his violet eyes. "This is twice now that you have saved me. I'm going to have to keep you around," he said with a smile.
His smile faded. "Duo, I love you. I have loved you since the first moment that I saw you. Something in my blood cries out to you, and I know that I want to be with you. Please, bond with me?"
Duo nodded, his smile warming Heero's heart. He pulled his slight body close and kissed him, showing him how much happier he made him as their tongues clashed against each other.
Duo felt that his heart would burst with happiness. Heero loved him and was going to bond with him! He had won and now he could remain human and stay with him. He would live and love. His only regret was that Heero would never be able to hear him say how much he loved him. The Sea Witch might have lost the gamble, but he still kept his fee.
Heero pulled away from him to go check on the injured man. His thoughts turned to Trowa. He didn't know where he was, but he hoped Quatre was with him. He was safe, but his brother's time was running out.
Behind the looming temple, Quatre found the bodies of the soldiers who had dragged Trowa from the building. Trowa lay to the side. He groaned slightly and sat up, rubbing at his head.
Quatre dropped down next to him and touched his face.
He stiffened. "Who is it?"
"Someone you love," he whispered.
"Quatre! What happened?"
"I don't know, but this," he said, caressing the blood running down his face, "does not look good. Can you walk?"
Trowa nodded. Quatre helped him stand and led him quickly from the scene, heading for the ocean where they would be safe from prying eyes.
"Did you bond with him?"
"No. I didn't love him."
A look of relief flooded Trowa's beautiful face.
When they had put some distance between them and the temple, Quatre asked him the one question he needed answered. "Tell me about the Sea Witch."
"Do you remember anything?"
"Not really. All I know is that I – I'm a… I'm one of the merfolk." It was both odd and something of a relief to say it out loud.
Trowa stopped short and turned to him. "Well, that is a start."
"Yes," Quatre laughed. "Now, the Witch?"
"She was banished years ago by our people. She lives in a cave. She's trapped there, unable to leave. A strand of pearls around her neck is the source of her power."
Quatre fingered the pearl around his own neck. Could it have some connection with the Witch's pearls?
"Although her caves are forbidden, from time to time a mermaid or merman seeks her out for magical help."
"To become human?" Quatre guessed.
Trowa nodded. "But her help always comes with a heavy price. For me, it was my sight. For Duo, his voice."
"You both must have wanted very much to be human."
"Yes. Duo paid an even higher price than that."
"How so?"
"If the prince agrees to bond with him, by sunset on the seventh day, he will remain human forever."
"And if Heero doesn't?"
"Duo will die."
Chills danced up Quatre's spine. "Then that means…"
"He only has a little time left."
"Come on," Quatre cried, grabbing his hand.
"Where are we going?"
"To save Duo."
Duo hurried toward the temple. His heart was filled to overflowing with love for Heero. He had asked for them to be bonded! He would be human now forever, and they would spend their lives together. He had bet the Sea Witch and had won.
His thoughts turned toward his brother. Trowa, on the other hand, only had a short while left before he would die. He had to find a way to bring him and Quatre together.
He circled around the imposing building and nearly tripped over the body of a dead guardsman. Stunned, he stared. He had been one of the men who had dragged Trowa from the temple. Where was his brother, though?
"Looking for someone?" a voice hissed in his ear.
He tried to whirl around and punch the intruder, but Vanyel had already grabbed him around the waist and pressed a dagger against his ribs. "You're my revenge. I can hurt the prince through you. You're coming with me."
If he had his voice, he would have screamed out of pure rage, but without it, he had no choice but to go along… and plot.
TBC
Author's Notes:
Augh! OOC Treize! Gomen nasaiiiiii! I've done such a horrible job on the characters. Someone shoot me now! At least the 3x4 and 1x2 action is coming back… I think. Ehehehe. Gomen for the typos, etc. I'm leaving this week and I'm rushing this thing. I'm gonna miss writing fanfiction, but such is life.
Replies to Reviews (Chapter 10): Err, chocolate, anyone?
Pandora-chan Ooooh, wow, you had a good premonition! Hehehe, contrary to popular belief (snickers), I hate death fics. As much as I love angst, death is way too much for me. (still cowers from evil glare) Hehe, I know the feeling of being uninspired. I hate that feeling to bits, but there's no escaping it. I just hope you post Carnivale! soon enough so I could still be able to read it. Please! Playhouse? Err, is that the TxY fic? Oh, I'm much more inclined to the ToyaxYue pair. … (reads the rest of the review) Oi, that's blackmail! Darn it! I was actually debating on whether to end it in an Andersen way or to end it sappily happy. Guess you, ahem, persuasion won! Gah! Hehe, thanks for the review! (huggles)
GundamPilot03 Whee! I'm so glad you loved that chappie! Erm, I still need Vanyel though… (checks whether he's too irreversibly damaged) Poor Gundam pilots, ah, the hell I put them through! I should be shot. Really. Hehehe, or not, I still wanna live! Hmmm… surviving the first year of college? (hastily tries to recall her first college year) I was 16 going on 17 at that time… first rule is don't act like a freshie. The sempais would swoop down on you, their prey, if you do. Don't get too lost around campus and try not to enter the wrong room. Try not to miss too much lectures 'cause you pay for every minute of the prof's time. And of course, ready yourself for the wild party nights, err, I mean, for the late nights/mornings you'll have because of studying, cramming, doing projects, etc. Gah. Oh, and don't worry about being a loner. It's just a lot easier if you have friends around though. Good luck in college! Nyehehe, lemme read your plot of 'insanely torturing Vanyel when I'm through with him just for the heck of it,' 'kay? I'm sure that'll put me through a lot of nights in the blasted dorm. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Amy Hirosaki Ehehe, glad you like the chappie! Hmmm… did I succeed in typing my way out of that mess? I sure hope so! Nyaha, glad you like the plushies! They sure can revive anyone out of the deepest faint. So sorry about misunderstanding the 'peep's profiles' bit. I kept thinking it was a book of some sort. Ehehehe… (blushes) I read some of the author's profiles too when I get interested in their work. I hope you didn't read mine though. It's just full of crap. Oh, and I'm SO sorry if I didn't mention the fact that you added my story to your favorites… I was planning on just generally thanking you people in the last chapter. Thanks, btw, for adding my story as one of your favorites! But of course, a review from you is more special so… (huggles you extra hard) Thanks for the review!
No one Ehehehe… (lets you go from my stronghold) There, you can breath again! Awww, yeah, poor merpeople! Poor Heero too! He's so confused! Nyahaha! A far cry from the perfect soldier, ne? Oh well. I'm sure that everything is clear to him now. I hope. Hehe. 'Nyways, thanks for the review! (huggles you… gently this time)
WandererWolf Wai! You read the book too! Wai! (huggles you extra extra hard) I'm SO glad! I really just wanted a yaoi version of that book so, here it is! Casting isn't done by me though. My friend, Elana-chan, actually helped me in working out the characters into the storyline. Err, oh, sorry for replying to your (chapter 2) review in this chapter… Ehehehe… was too lazy… 'Nyways, thanks SO much for the review!
Shadow fat Hehe, yup! I was actually struggling with a few things in my fic and I had to look for a Tagalog-English dictionary. Yes, I'm stupid. Nyehehe, get your mob ready for next chappie! (hinthint) Oi, don't point sharp objects at anybody now, ne? You go to net cafes? They're pretty dangerous, ya know. My friends told me that when she was at a net caf somewhere in Makati, two people came in and robbed the people in the caf of their wallets and cell phones. My friend wasn't a victim 'cause she went in a bit after the incident and everyone was talking about it. Gah. Oh well. I always go to Netopia though.. Hehehe, cappuccino? Yum! Waaaah! I'm gonna finish this crap, I swear! And you won't know where I am 'cause I'm joining the NPA next week! Really. (tries in vain to hide from the pointy pitchfork) Oh, and I guess your questions have been answered in this chappie, ne? Thanks for the review! (hugggles)
fruit of Eos Eos? Is there an 'Eos' in "Ai no Kusabi?" Hmmm… (wonders) Ehehehe, err gomen for sidetracking… or something. I'm sorry for the overbearing turmoil last chapter! I hope this chapter appeases you somewhat. Ewww, hernia! Err, I mean, don't have a hernia yet! Calm down and try to relax (your innards snickers). I tried to update once a week and I actually updated pretty fast this week. Whee! Oh, last chappie's next so you have fair warning. Smut? (nosebleeds) I'll try to insert as much passion (nosebleeds more) into the last chapter, but don't really count on it. I write the crappiest lemons ever, that's why I won't even think about posting them. Besides, at the last few chapters, they were too preoccupied with other pressing matters so… (the blood actually starts gushing out) Gah! Err, thanks for the review! (huggles)
