Note: Gundam Wing Is not mine. I am merely dabbling in universe and taking them allong for the ride. So far the Have not complained.
The crypt was cool and silent, lit only by a few scattered candelabra. Nestled inside were five stone pedestals, each supporting a spotlessly polished white coffin. Even though it was below ground, it was free of any moisture or mildew. This was one of several "guest" chambers the Winner family maintained for company that might drop by for a visit. After the sun set, the occupant of the last casket shifted and then the lid was slowly opened from the inside. Heero sat up in his velvet lined casket and looked for his attendant.
Duo, where are you? He asked via their mental link.
I'm trying to get to past our rather talkative host. It seems he thinks I have nothing better to do then sit and listen to him. The disgust was quite evident in Duo's tone.
Tell him I need you now and get down here. Heero demanded forcibly.
Got it, Duo reported throwing a mock mental salute, One patented Heero Yuy brush off, coming up.
Heero heard a crash, and them Sam's wail followed by the sound of someone making their way quickly down stairs. A few moments later he saw the were turn the corner and stroll over to his casket. Today Duo was wearing a, black collarless less shirt, a pair of black parachute pants, and his favorite pair of black converse sneakers. Heero sighed inwardly and thought to himself he would have to change the were's sense of fashion.
"What did you do to our host?" Heero asked arching an eyebrow.
"Exactly what I said I would," Duo blinked innocently, "I gave him one of your I'll kill you glares, then pushed him out of the way and rushed down to be by your side."
Heero sighed, "the glare should have been enough to get him to move without force."
"Heero, That man has been cursed to wander forever with a dead albatross around his neck, do you honestly believe a dirty look will dissuade him from talking to you?"
"You might be right about that, " Heero acknowledged. "But he still is our host and it is bad manners to injure him."
"You should have thought of that before you told me to get down here now. You know this bond between us compels me to come to you without delay when you demand it."
"But that is for . . ." Heero started.
Duo raised a hand and silenced Heero, "I know why it's there, just like I know it's a two way street. How do you think I was able to keep you from feeding until I got you into the woods? All I'm saying is that we are partners in this pact, not master and servant, despite what either of us thinks."
"I don't think of you as a servant," Heero protested
"No? Then why where you thinking I needed to improve my fashion sense a few minutes ago?"
Heero looked startled. He'd forgotten that through the bond they could read each others surface thoughts.
"Exactly," Duo smiled tapping the side of his nose. "Now, I packed along a change of clothing for you and I took some time today to scope out a good feeding ground."
Heero took the clothing gratefully and began to change while Duo outlined his plans for the night.
"Now the way I see it is we have to watch the body count, because even in a city of this size a string of missing persons will be noticed after a while. So here's my plan . . ."
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Night shrouded the back ally streets in the infamous White Chapel district, cloaking in shadows the nocturnal activities of its occupants. Vice and sin were sold like commodities to be had and every thing and every one had a price. In this ally, the dealers vied for position, hawking their slow death with fancy names and protecting their cut of the action with blade and bullet. Directly across the way were the users, trying desperately to sell them selves to anyone in the hopes of taking another ride on their own personal pale horse. This was the promised hunting ground, and the buffet offered was varied and best of all prone to keep their own secrets.
Heero's arrival in White Chapel was noted by all. He was dressed in crushed red velvet suit coat with tails and a pair red velvet leggings that fit like he was poured into them. A waterfall of white linen ruff cascaded from his throat down to his waist, drawing all eyes up to look at his pale perfect face surrounded by a halo of tousled brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Dealers frowned and fingered their weapons, junkies ran fingers through their hair and prepared their pitch. The devil in red strolled past both groups and paused at an empty ally just beyond the watching eyes. He made no effort to hide his actions, he merely turned and looked at both parties and then stepped into the empty alley.
Neither group moved at first, each waiting to see what the intent of the newcomer was. It was a user that broke first. She felt the shakes coming on as her body demanded its fix. A quick hand through her blonde hair to straighten it and she began to make her way to alley, tentatively at first, then with more urgency as she drew closer. John or pusher, narc or psycho she had to have a fix and she had to have it soon. Rounding the corner, she hiked her skirt up a little to show more of her emaciated legs and make it clear to the alley's occupant exactly what her intentions were.
"Hey Mister, looking for a good time?" She asked, trying to sound inviting.
The man turned to face her, "My child, it is you I'm looking for."
Heero smiled and turned up his Vampiric glamour, calming her racing heart and easing her shakes. His eyes probed hers and he felt her urgent meet for a fix, felt her cravings, so like his own and felt pity for the poor creature. Her thoughts and memories flooded into him then: a run away, forced to self herself on the streets to live, taking drugs to dull the memories of the life her choices forced her into. She was prey for all who would prey on her. He nodded inwardly, she would be the perfect tester.
"Come here to me child," Heero said, his smile warm.
She was enthraled by the glow that seemed to dance around the man in the alleyway. He was so gentle, so kind and beautiful, so perfect that she could almost see wings sprout from behind his back Could this be the guardian angel that her mother said watched out for every one? Tears of rapture began to fill her eyes as she stepped into his waiting arms and lost herself in his gaze.
Heero nuzzled the girls neck, feeling the strong pulse of the artery just beneath the skin. She was his for the taking, and he felt his need swirl in time with hers.
Heero! Duo cut through his thoughts like an arctic wind. Stick with the plan, check her arms for needle track marks, and then feed there!
Heero reluctantly pulled away from the girl's neck and took her left arm gingerly in his hands. There were a series of needle wounds in ans around the inside bend of her elbow, Duo was right. He sank down to one knee like a gentleman preparing to kiss a ladies hand good night and brought the slender arm up to his mouth.
Remember Heero, no more then one unit of blood, Duo mentally chastised. Oh and don't forget . . .
Yes I know! Heero hissed back mentally, I must try and detox her as much as possible in the process! Now let me feed!
Heero sunk his fangs in just deep enough to hit the vein and finally began to drink.
Almost an hour had gone by and the other users began to get jittery . The girl that had left to meet the stranger in red had not returned, and that usually meant one of two things: she got her fix from him, or met her end by him. Traffic had been slow that night and prospects to earn a score had been slim, but no one wanted to risk the uncertainty of the alley, and the stranger within. Then, as if it were some kind of miracle, the girl was seen emerging from the alley unharmed and made her way back to others. Hopeful looks were cast her way as the others who haven't scored looked pleadingly at her. She smiled and addressed the group in hushed tones.
"I know none of you will believe me, but I just found the answer to all our prayers," She said with a smile.
"Did it hurt much?" asked one woman.
"What's he pushing?" asked another.
"Can I get a hit?" came another shaking voice. "God, I need a something bad!"
The woman saw the young man was practically doubled over with the shakes. He was in withdrawal, just like she had been. Her angel would help him, he could help them all.
"Come with me, my guardian angel awaits with your salvation," She said, a rapturous look in her eyes.
"Come off it Relena," Came the voice of Carl, oldest of the users in the ally and unofficial watchman of the group, "You can't honestly believe that someone who came to White Chapel could possibly be an angel?"
Relena met Carl's eyes with a calm unlike the junkie he had seen just an hour before and stated with absolute certainty: "Yes."
Her new calm demeanor and convinced those who had not scored tonight that at the very least she had gotten a sample of something that made her think she saw an angel. The young man and three others left with Relena and made their way back to the ally she had just left, each hoping for something to get them through the night. Carl watched them go and when the last of them disappeared into the alley he crossed the street and made his way over to the pushers on the other side. He was met by a pair of pushers who had been waiting for his arrival.
"What have you got for us Carl?"
"We've got trouble, there is a new player in the next alley, and what he has must be good.," Carl stated flatly.
"Explain."
"You all know Relena Darlian," Carl said bringing a round of knowing chuckles from the pushers. "Well, the Relena I saw today was the same one we saw two years ago when she first came to White Chapel."
That simple statement was met with stunned silence. "There is no way that could be. We broke her!"
"No," Carl said shaking his head gravely, "I know what I saw, and what I saw was the old Relena, not the broken one we've all passed around."
"This is bad, if word of this gets back to . . . "
"I know," Carl said, cutting the other off. "Whoever this newcomer is, and whatever he's peddling, it's a threat to our business. He has to go."
The others nodded in agreement and dispersed. Damn, he thought to himself, blood will be spilled here before too long, and that meant cops. Oh well, he sighed inwardly, cops were better then the alternative. If they ever discovered what had happened to their carefully laid plans . . . Carl shuddered. He waited a few moments before shuffling back to the other users, staggering a bit to look as if he just scored another rocket ride to oblivion.
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
If the realm of heaven was reserved only for those of pure undying faith, then a portal to that blessed plane was opened in the back ally of White Chapel by a Scarlet Angel. Six eyes viewed his terrible beauty through the rapturous haze of pure undying devotion. Here was the Guardian Angel that Relena had told them of, and he had taken each of the fallen into his arms and removed the shackles that held them. It was a true miracle that he had come to them, and they would follow him to the ends of the earth.
"My children," The Vampire Yuy said in a fatherly tone. "I have freed each of you from the burden of addiction. I would encourage each of you to stay clean, and return here tomorrow. Each of you should bring one that need my help with you. If you all do as I say I will reward you with yet another visit the following night."
"But what I if too many come and we cannot all fit in this alley way?" the boy asked.
"Then I will find a new place for us to gather."
"How will we live?" one woman asked.
"Get off your backs, and find jobs. If you pool your resources together you can earn a decent enough living to say clean." Heero replied warmly.
"How can we find you?" Relena asked.
"Do all I ask and I will always find you. I must go now, but I shall return tomorrow night after dark. Hopefully, I will see you all again. Child," Heero said turning to Relena, "since you were the one who brought the others to me, I will leave them in your care. See to it they do not stray."
He smiled then, and the radiance of it blinded them all with a halo of brilliant white light. A gentle breeze wafted through the alley way carrying the musk of sandalwood gently to those who could not see him go. When their eyes slowly adjusted back to the gloom of the alley, the angel was gone. Four set's of eyes turned to Relena, looking for guidance. She saw the same uncertainty she felt trembling within mirrored in their eyes, and firmed up her resolve. How often did one get a mandate from above like this? There was no way she would fail.
"Come with me," She said with a voice of velvet steel, "I know of a shelter nearby where we can stay until we get on our feet. The manager is fair and doesn't abuse his position. All he requires is that you stay clean and help around the shelter. "
The others just nodded dutifully and shuffled after her as she lead the way out of the alley. As they reached the street a familiar voiced greeted them.
"Hey man, what happened back there?" Carl asked. "It's a calm night but all of a sudden a blast of wind blows a pile of trash out into the streets."
Relena frowned and narrowed her eyes, " Carl, did you shoot-up tonight?"
He paused before answering, "Yes."
"Well that explains the hallucination you had," she said, a look of pity in her eyes. " Look, We're going to a shelter tonight, why don't you come along?"
"No thank you!" Carl replied, shaking his head in disgust. "Besides you know they don't let junkies and whores stay there anyhow."
"Well, thankfully none of us qualify as whores or junkies then." She pushed him to one side and continued leading her charges away from the alley they has been both prison and home. Carl waited until they had left his street before he made his way to the empty alley to confront the dealer in red. The alley was empty. He counted three doors that could have used to exit the alley and swore angrily to himself. Her dammed relatives must have sent an agent to find her. They were the only ones with pockets deep enough to secure a back way in and out of an alley like this. Dammit, if they had located her . . . No, she could be relocated, and the agent in red . . . well, he will be in for a bit of a surprise when he returned tomorrow. A nasty Surprise.
Duo frowned as he watched the snitch scan the alley for his ward. That mas was no junkie, his mind was too keen, and his eye too sharp. He'd have do some digging on that one, see what the snitch's angle was, and what was his fascination with the blonde. Later Duo he chastised himself, right now he would have a rather annoyed vampire loitering on his rooftop waiting to be let in. Quietly he made his way across the rooftop to the little bag he had left in the shadows. He took a few moments to toss his shirt , shoes and jeans into the pak before zipping it shut. God how he hated the loose fitting black spandex shorts he was wearing, but he knew it was the only thing that would survive the change.
He took one deep breath to steady himself, then he let the change flow through him, like a warm stream. Flesh flowed like water as his body changed.. Limbs lengthened and muscled out into coiled springs, silken black fur covered his body like a shadow, claws slid out of their long confinement to cut the air, and his tail grew and twitched in feline anticipation of a late night stalk. Duo scooped the backpack up and secured it to his back and waist and set out at a bound for home. From rood top to rooftop he leapt with feline grace, gaining confidence and he prowled his concrete jungle. Too soon it was over and he arrived home to find an anxious Heero awaiting his return.
"In the future, leave this door unlocked so I don't have to wait for you to come back on foot," Heero quickly scanned the were, "or on paw as it were."
Duo shifted back to human form and removed his backpack, looking for his keys. "There is no way I'm leaving this sweet pad unlocked so that cat buglers can come in and clean the place out when we are not home. Look I'll have some keys made today so you can let yourself in, but that's the best I am willing to do."
Heero rolled his eyes, "Fine, a key then, just make certain I have one when I awake tomorrow."
"Deal." Duo grinned opening the door and bowing gallantly, "Age before beauty."