Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by their original creators. No money is being made and no infringement is intended.
"Is something wrong?" Quatre asked, poking Duo's arm as they walked through the wooded area. "You seem quiet."
"I didn't know that much about Trowa," Duo said, and Quatre waited patiently as Duo fought for words.
"I was turned nearly a hundred years ago," Duo said. "I was asleep at the church where I lived, and awoke to the screams of my friends and family. When I got up and ran to see what was going on, I saw a giant wolf leap down and begin to devour my best friend, Solo. It's mostly a blur, but that was when I first met Heero. He saved me from the werewolf, but not from another vampire. Ever since then I've been with him, I guess it's a security thing. But I know Heero really does care, we wouldn't have put up for me for so long if he didn't, right?"
"Right," Quatre agreed, and they walked back to the cabin silently.
Heero was sitting on the porch steps, reading a book. He looked up when they approached, and stood up and kissed Duo gently on the cheek before they all went inside.
"Where did Trowa and Wufei go?" Duo asked, and Quatre settled on the couch, his legs up beside his body, knees bent. Heero just shrugged, and Duo sighed, his bangs puffing in the air.
Quatre leaned his cheek against the arm of the couch and closed his eyes, suddenly tired from everything that had happened. He was tired of the fear, tired of the mysteries, tired of the lies, and tired of just being tired! Eventually, Quatre fell into a restless sleep.
When Quatre woke with a start, sunlight was streaming in through the window. He rubbed his eyes and blinked against the bright light before getting up and stretching. Duo and Heero were nowhere to be seen, probably asleep or hiding from the light.
Quatre went up to his new room and changed into clean clothes. The long khakis were a pale cream color, and the shirt was a soft brown with even softer beige stripes. It buttoned all the way up, and Quatre put on his pale green tennis shoes before going downstairs and outside.
The sunshine felt wonderful, and Quatre breathed in deeply as he walked. The sky was a beautiful blue, and Quatre wished Trowa were with him to see the colors of the day. He walked back to Trowa's cabin and got on his bike. He rode up through town and began making his way to the main road. He needed exercise, and planned on riding back and forth for a while.
When he made it to the main road, Quatre just stood at the intersection for a while, resting back on his bike. From a distance, the forest looked dark and sad, while behind him was full of light. The road ahead was gray, and Quatre figured the dark clouds were storm clouds making there way towards him. As Quatre just stood there, lost in thought, a car pulled up from behind him and a handsome man stepped out.
"Excuse me, are you lost?" a smooth voice asked, and Quatre jumped and turned around.
"Oh! Um, not really," Quatre answered, blushing at being caught so unprepared. "Thank you for asking, though."
"My pleasure," the man said, brushing back long blond, almost platinum hair from his face. He took off the sunglasses he wore, and Quatre fell into beautiful blue eyes.
"You're lovely," the man said, his voice so low Quatre almost missed it. Quatre's face burned a deep shade of red, and quickly shifted his eyes from staring.
"…I'm going to Devsing," the man said. "Would you…care to join me for a late breakfast?"
Quatre couldn't keep the stupid grin off his face. "Yes, I'd like that," he said, blushing at the thought of going out with a total stranger. Quatre chained his bike to the sign pole and the man went around the car and opened the door for him.
Quatre sat down on the soft leather seat, and reached over his shoulder to fasten his seat belt.
"Milliardo Marquise," the man introduced.
"Quatre Winner," Quatre answered, holding out his hand.
"Quatre," Milliardo purred, taking Quatre's hand and kissing the knuckles before letting go. "The name is as beautiful as the person."
Quatre blushed and watched the world speed by as Milliardo drove off. He was taking a chance, and Quatre knew if Trowa ever found out, he'd get so upset.
But Trowa was gone, leaving without saying a word, and Quatre needed someone's company during the day. At least he knew Milliardo wasn't a vampire.
"Here we are," Milliardo announced, and Quatre looked up at the fancy restaurant before him. Devsing was actually alive with people, and Quatre smiled as Milliardo got out of the car and walked around to help him out.
"This place is lovely," Quatre said, taking Milliardo's offered hand and stepped out of the car. And it really was. The sun faded in and out as the clouds passed overhead, and Quatre noticed that it was still rather dark even in the sun.
"I'm glad you approve," Milliardo smiled and led Quatre up the stairs and into the building.
The woman looked at them and Quatre caught the look she shared with Milliardo before leading them up a flight of stairs to the second floor. The floor was filled with private rooms, and Quatre and Milliardo were seated in a room with a booth fit for two. Quatre sat on one side, and noticed another door leading somewhere, but didn't comment as Milliardo sat down across from him.
"So, Quatre, what do you enjoy for breakfast?" Milliardo asked, opening his menu. Quatre opened his own, and nearly passed out at the prices. He was glad Milliardo couldn't see his face, his jaw dropped and eyes went wide, a very improper reaction.
"Well, I usually don't eat very much," Quatre admitted, finding his voice. "I will just have toast and eggs."
Quatre jumped slightly when Milliardo grasped the top of Quatre's menu with long fingers and pulled it down to look at him.
"You're embarrassed," Milliardo observed, and Quatre flushed a deep crimson and looked away.
"…I'm a writer," Quatre said, his gaze on the floor. "I don't make very much, so my life has been simple. I don't eat, because I don't have any money. Whenever my bike breaks, I don't eat all week so my dog can be happy even in my little apartment and barely enough food. I can't afford this place, and I know I don't belong here. I'll just find a bus to take me back."
Before Milliardo could respond Quatre was up and out the door. Milliardo quickly followed, and grasped Quatre's arm before he reached the stairs.
"Please, stay," Milliardo asked, and Quatre looked away as the grip on his arm didn't tighten or loosen.
"…"
"I want to be with you," Milliardo continued, and Quatre looked up at him, his eyes questioning quietly.
"I don't care, if you are on the bottom of the social status ladder," Milliardo said, his eyes sharp as Quatre looked into them. "You are intelligent, beautiful, gentle and loving, and I'm not going to let you just leave like this. Please, stay with me."
"…All right," Quatre agreed, and Milliardo drew him close before taking his shoulders and pushing him gently back to the room, leading him from behind.
"Now, back to breakfast," Milliardo said, all business. Quatre couldn't help the giggles that escaped, and Milliardo breathed in Quatre's scent before opening the door and playfully pushing him inside, closing the door behind him.
Trowa glanced up from the shadows, and noticed Milliardo walking along the upstairs dining area, disappearing right as Trowa looked. He thought he saw someone else with him, but couldn't get a good look.
"See him?" Wufei asked, sipping his water and looking casual as he leaned against the wall, and no one looked over to him as he spoke to the shadows.
Trowa nodded. "Upstairs."
Wufei paused, his lips on the rim of the glass. "You're sure Quatre is still safe with Duo and Heero?"
"Positive," Trowa answered. "Quatre wouldn't be stupid enough to leave, he knows werewolves walk during the day, he saw you before in sunlight, remember?"
"Go back downstairs before the sun rises anymore," Wufei said. "If I need your help, you'll see the sign."
Trowa nodded, and melted away in the darkness. Wufei sat down at the bar and ordered a drink, taking his time before cornering Milliardo.
After fifteen minutes and a bottle of red wine, Quatre had relaxed considerably. Milliardo was so nice, and all during breakfast dropped many compliments and flirtations. Quatre blushed at each one, and Milliardo just smiled at Quatre's stuttered response to every single one. A subtle move sent wine spilling onto the table, and Quatre started laughing as he tried to wipe it up, the rich wine staining the white cloth napkin. He almost let the wine reach his clothes, but Milliardo took his own napkin and quickly wiped it away.
"I'm okay," Quatre laughed, and Milliardo took the opportunity to slip his hand under the booth and lifting Quatre's leg up into his lap. Quatre immediately grew quiet as Milliardo stroked up the bottoms of his khakis, strong hands grazing over his calve and ankle.
"I think it's getting hot in here," Quatre said, his face burning as Milliardo looked calmly over at him.
"Yes, it is," Milliardo agreed. "Come with me to cool off."
Quatre stood up, and Milliardo pulled him through the mystery door. It led into a tiny room, lavishly decorated. There was a small bed with a soft sheet covering it, which took up half the tiny room.
Milliardo began kissing Quatre's neck from behind, and Quatre brought his arms up to wrap around Milliardo's neck. Milliardo's hands began unbuttoning Quatre's shirt, and he felt the cold air before Milliardo's warm hands caressed over his chest, grazing his sensitive nipples. Quatre moaned and arched into the touch, and was gently forced forward to lie on the bed.
Milliardo pressed his lips against Quatre's, and Quatre parted his lips to let Milliardo's tongue slide in. He moaned in ecstasy as Milliardo began grinding their bodies together, feeling his body burning before the sensation settled in his groin. It was hot, and Quatre let Milliardo strip him as they kissed and groped on the small bed.
Wufei was on his third drink when a conversation reached his ear.
"Did you see Marquise and his new friend?" the hostess gossiped with a waitress. "He was a doll, big blue eyes and baby soft hair. He can't be from around here, because I've never seen him before. Marquise was hot for the young man, though. He was so cute."
"Was he a red-head?" the waitress asked, eager to know more.
"No," the hostess said, shaking her head. "A blond. Early twenties, if he was mortal. Slender build, with short hair kind of messy."
Wufei's eyes widened, and in an instance the sunlight went out as thick barriers fell to protect the building from any attack that the vampires would do. People began to scream, thinking the vampires were attacking, and Wufei stood up and began running up the stairs. Trowa appeared behind him, and they began looking down the hall.
"I think Milliardo has Quatre," Wufei said, breaking open doors to the tiny bedrooms behind the café booths. "If he seduces Quatre, those memories can't be erased because he holds them in his heart. We have to find them, now!"
Quatre moaned and gasped against Milliardo's kiss, their tongues waging war. Quatre lifted his leg around Milliardo's larger body, and felt a strong hand grasp his bare thigh and moaned louder as Milliardo ground his body harder into the bed. Quatre gasped as Milliardo left ravishing his mouth and began chewing and sucking his earlobe.
"I love you," Milliardo breathed.
Quatre stiffened at the declaration, and Milliardo's hands grasped his hips as Quatre let his leg drop.
"You love me?" Quatre repeated, short of breath as Milliardo kissed and suckled his way down Quatre's neck. "You don't even know me. Milliardo, stop."
Milliardo stopped his kisses and looked down into Quatre's eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked, caressing down Quatre's exposed body. He himself was fully clothed, minus buttons undone and the shirt pulled out. "Aren't you enjoying this?"
"How can you say you love me, just like that?" Quatre asked, holding the two wandering hands with his own. Milliardo didn't reply. He just started kissing Quatre's neck again.
"Will…you…stop!" Quatre fought, and Milliardo scratched his skin with his long nails. Quatre cried out, it was extremely painful for a small graze.
"Shh," Milliardo whispered against Quatre's skin. "I love you, truly I do. Now, relax and enjoy this."
Quatre winced as Milliardo grasped the back of his head, with his hands tangled in Quatre's hair, and forced him up to meet Milliardo's mouth. Quatre's eyes closed, as it suddenly became painful instead of pleasurable, and his cries were muffled against Milliardo's mouth.
Suddenly, a painful burn tore its way through Quatre's body, and he screamed in pain. It hurt, and pain burned across his lower back and legs.
The door leading out to the hallway was heard opening with a bang, and Milliardo pulled away from Quatre, right as the door leading to the tiny bedroom slammed open.
"Trowa!" Quatre exclaimed, but barely had any time to say any more before Milliardo snatched up a gun from under the bed and fired.
Quatre screamed as the bullet shot into Trowa's shoulder, and he cried out in pain as he fell. Milliardo snatched Quatre's head and forced another kiss before transforming and escaping out of the room.
Quatre grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around his body before going and kneeling next to Trowa.
"Trowa," Quatre murmured, and eased the leather jacket off of Trowa's shoulder to look at the wound. It was bleeding through his shirt, but just as Quatre moved to look at it more closely, Trowa's eyes snapped open and he grabbed Quatre. Quatre wasn't expecting it, and shrieked in fright as Trowa held his wrist.
"Don't touch it," Trowa groaned, and Quatre watched as the wound closed, the bleeding stopping. Trowa sat up with a groan, and Quatre leaned back to sit down, his legs tucked under his body to the side. They remained silent, and only when Wufei appeared did anything make a noise.
"We have to leave," Wufei said, coming into the small room. "There isn't much time between the darkness that the clouds provide from the Sun."
Quatre stood up and gathered his clothes, dressing quickly while Trowa and Wufei waited for him outside the bedroom. He buttoned his shirt and slipped on his shoes, feeling upset about what had happened, and worried about what would happen.
Trowa and Wufei both looked at him when he came out, and Quatre didn't look at either one as they left the restaurant. Wufei led them to a car hidden in the shadows behind the building, and he drove back towards Shadeton.
"What were you thinking?" Trowa suddenly asked Quatre, who sat in the back seat of the car while he was in the front passenger side. "You could have been raped!" His voice was low, but thick with anger.
"If I'm not mistaking, I've already been raped," Quatre snapped back, folding his arms across his chest as he leaned back against the seat. "Milliardo was being a gentleman, it was nice to see that in a man."
"Oh, of course I've been a complete ass and have ignored you the entire time," Trowa growled, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"What am I supposed to think?" Quatre cried out, his tone angry. "You disappear, Duo follows me like a lost puppy, and when someone nice comes along, he ends up being a werewolf! Trowa, I have been confined to the town! It's always dark and gloomy there, and I needed sunshine! Devsing was alive! I wasn't scared of every little shadow I saw, and I wasn't frightened of every person I met!"
The car fell silent after that, and Quatre folded his arms again and looked out the tinted window. The car was designed to block the Sun's rays, to protect anyone inside. He was getting cold, the air conditioning was on, but Quatre didn't think Wufei or Trowa could feel the icy wind. Quatre didn't say anything about it, though. He was angry, and confused, and now he was cold. It wasn't very pleasant.
"…Quatre," Wufei said, his voice soft and gentle in the silence. "Did Milliardo say anything to you?"
"Like what?" Quatre asked, more than a little confused.
"Like, did he express his love for you?" Wufei clarified, looking at Quatre through the review mirror.
"He told me he loved me," Quatre confirmed, looking out the window as the trees zipped by.
"…How did you respond?" Wufei asked, his grip tightening on the wheel.
Quatre sighed, his chest heaving up and down. "I told him he didn't even know me. That's when he got rough, and Trowa showed up."
"You didn't tell him you loved him back?" Wufei asked, wanting to be absolutely sure.
"No," Quatre said. "Why, would I have been killed while he drains my life away?"
The silence that followed wasn't very reassuring. Quatre swallowed, and looked into the mirror at Wufei. "Would I have been?"
"In a way," Wufei said, focusing on driving. "If he announced his love for you, and you responded in the same way, you would create a bond between your hearts. It's one way to break any curse a being may have. It's how it happened last time I remember."
"How long have you been a werewolf?" Quatre asked, his anger gone, curiosity replacing it.
"…It's been nearly six hundred years," Wufei replied. "I was in my home village, when it became a battleground for the war between vampires and werewolves. I met Treize back then, and learned he was a vampire trying to prevent the war from happening in the first place. It took less than a day for me to be convinced his heart was true. While the war ended with nearly no casualties, a werewolf still bent on causing pain and destruction tried one last attempt to start a war with the vampires. It attacked Treize, but I interfered. I don't remember much after being bitten, there was pain as the bite transformed me, but it was a numb pain. My first memory after that night was being with Treize, having him explain everything to me. Treize took care of me, and after several hundred years, I suppose he still does. The Council of Vampires and Werewolves, while still hostile to each other, haven't caused any major wars in centuries. I'm the Head of the Council of Werewolves, and I've been doing my best to keep any wars from happening."
Wufei stopped the car in front of the inn, and while he finished his story, Trowa had gone inside. Quatre then noticed that the sun was out again, and he followed Wufei out of the car and down towards the cabin.
"Have you ever wished you were never bitten?" Quatre asked, almost afraid to ask.
Wufei didn't reply, and Quatre was sure he had offended Wufei when he suddenly replied.
"Every day I wish that," Wufei answered, looking up to the sky. "But then I have to remember. I met Treize, and Duo and Heero, and eventually Trowa. While they are vampires, and walk at night, we have become very close friends. It's strange, seeing them for so many years and watching them grow. Duo, when he was first bitten, was angry. He wanted to know why, and asked for years, 'why me?' Now, he's accepted who he has become, and found happiness with Heero. When I first met Heero, he was a samurai fighting to defend his home. His home was destroyed, along with his mortality. Heero evolved throughout the ages, learning new fighting techniques, and has even invented a few. He still holds his warrior spirit, for he's strong inside and out. He wasn't angry, and he didn't despair. He accepted what had fallen to him. He told me, 'This is my punishment for being weak. I will become stronger to protect my home.' I remember every moment I've spent with them, because I wish every day that this never happened to me. I know who I am, because I've seen how they've changed and lived such cursed lives."
"If I told Milliardo that I loved him, would he use me to break his curse?" Quatre asked. They had walked to the lake, and were sitting on the green grass near the edge of the water.
"Most likely," Wufei replied, leaning back with his hands folded beneath his head. "I remember him, too. It was only two hundred years ago that he was bitten. Of course, I was bitten when I was young, so I still have my youthful appearance. Milliardo hated that a 'kid' was leader of the werewolves, and has been a problem ever since he came. He has never wanted this curse, and when he learned of it being broken fifty years ago, he has been obsessed with finding someone to break it for him. He just doesn't get it."
"Get what?" Quatre asked, sitting next to Wufei with his knees pulled to his chest.
"It has to be true love," Wufei explained. "I could tell you every day that I love you, but if I don't mean it, then nothing will happen. He means it, because he wants to break the curse. But forcing you to admit your love is wrong, and you will die while he remains cursed."
"I…I could die?" Quatre asked, suddenly feeling sick.
"Only if you don't mean it," Wufei assured, and Quatre looked down to him. "Never say 'I love you' without meaning it."
"Wufei?" Quatre asked after several minutes of silence. "When Milliardo was about to, you know…"
"Yes?" Wufei prompted.
"There was pain," Quatre explained. "It burned my lower back and legs. I couldn't see, because it hurt so much. I'm frightened."
"Quatre, there is something you need to understand," Wufei said softly. "When Slake raped you, his seed was buried deep within your body. He claimed you as his. Even in death, this claim will hold true, because of the proof within your body. It burned, because you were being taken by another even though you had been claimed by someone."
"What does it mean?" Quatre asked, confused.
"It means, you won't be able to make love to another person because of Slake," Wufei explained. "You can love someone else, but his claim over you will cause pain forever. Don't worry too much on it, though. Like all curses, it can be broken. So don't be frightened, okay?"
Quatre just nodded before turning to look over the lake. The light was fading away, and Wufei sat up when he noticed it.
"Let's get inside," Wufei said, and Quatre stood up. They went up the steps into the cabin, and Heero greeted them.
"I heard what happened," Heero said, and Quatre looked at him.
"How?" Quatre asked, looking over as Duo came up from the basement yawning.
"I just do," Heero answered. "You should have woken us before leaving, Quatre. I was worried about your safety."
"Awe, Heero really likes you," Duo said, wrapping his arms around Heero from behind and snuggling into his back. "He really doesn't worry about stuff much."
"I worry about you," Heero said, turning his head to look at Duo. Quatre saw the love and concern shining from Heero's eyes. "Every day."
"Really?" Duo asked, touched. Heero reached down to clasp Duo's hands as he gently kissed Duo's lips.
"I worry every day you're going to drive me over the edge to hang you from your own braid,"
Heero said, unfolding Duo's hands and walking away.
"W-what! Hey!" Duo protested, and Quatre burst into giggles.
Trowa didn't come back, and Quatre spent the afternoon writing. Wufei sat in a chair by the window reading, thin glasses hanging off the bridge of his nose. Every once in a while, he would lift a finger to push them up, only to have them fall down again. Quatre sat in front of the fireplace, which had a fire burning despite the summer season. Quatre figured because of nearly no sun, it was always cold here.
Heero was writing at his desk, and Duo was outside trying to fix a car that had apparently been there for many years. The evening eventually settled, and Quatre ate a light supper before bidding Wufei and Heero good night and going upstairs to bed.
Quatre undressed into his nightshirt and crawled into the cool sheets. He was tired from writing, but wasn't very sleepy at all. It took a while, but eventually Quatre fell into a dreamless sleep.
"I'm just confused," Trowa said, sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.
"I understand," Catherine soothed, sitting next to him, rubbing his back soothingly.
Trowa leaned over and rested his head on her shoulder, and Catherine held him close.
"…Would you ever use him like Milliardo would?" Catherine asked, her hand continuing the rubbing. "Would you force Quatre to love you back?"
"Never!" Trowa said, standing up and facing Catherine. "I would never! I admit, when I first saw his light, I didn't want any part of him. I wanted to keep him away from me, but when that bastard Slake wanted him, I couldn't just let him have Quatre. I suppose I was just a possessive man, wanting to keep something someone else wanted, but it changed after Sylvia told me about the plans Slake was going to execute. I can't explain it, at first I just thought it was a jealous possessiveness, but now it's like I don't want anything to happen to hurt Quatre. I didn't know he could break curses until Wufei explained everything to me. I would use him to break my curse, but that was before I wanted to protect him. Now, I won't let anything happen to hurt him."
"It sounds like you really love him," Catherine said, folding her wrinkled hands in front of her.
"…Really?" Trowa asked, kneeling down to rest in Catherine's lap. "What makes you so sure?"
"Nothing is for sure," Catherine said, brushing Trowa's hair back only to his bangs fall back in front of his face. "You know that."
"I thought I could use him to break my curse," Trowa admitted. "I thought about it, but it disappeared the moment I thought he was going to be injured. I don't want him to be bound to the darkness like I am, the hellish life I lead. I don't want to hurt him."
"Then tell him you love him," Catherine said, smiling. "It won't hurt, will it?"
"I can't tell him," Trowa murmured, standing up. "I really do care, but love? I'm not sure."
"Think about it," Catherine said. "Take Sandrock back with you, and think while you walk. Think long and hard, Trowa. Your future might depend on it."
Trowa nodded, and Sandrock got up off the bed Catherine was sitting on and followed him out the door and down towards the eastern cabin.
Trowa opened the front door and stepped inside, Sandrock following right behind him. Wufei and Heero just looked up and nodded at him before going back to whatever they were doing. Trowa went upstairs to his temporary room while his cabin was fixed, and Sandrock nudged past him to enter Quatre's room.
Quatre was fast asleep when Trowa looked in, and barely stirred when Sandrock climbed up onto the bed. Trowa entered the bedroom and knelt next to the bed, gently stroking Quatre's hair.
"I love you," Trowa whispered, not wanting to wake Quatre up. "Your spirit, your heart, I love everything about you. You're beautiful, and kind, and if I could, I would want to be with you forever. I know I can't have you, but I do love you, Quatre Winner."
After placing a chaste kiss on Quatre's slightly parted lips, Trowa stood up and left the room, shutting the door behind him. He went past the next two doors and entered his own room, falling into a trance as he lay on the bed.
*End Part 4*