Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Gundam Wing Ghost Story I & II ❯ The Fight against Zechs ( Chapter 6 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Terrenis-chan 
The demon Zechs is furious and wants Duo as his next prey. A hard fight begins...
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mystery / Martial Arts / Horror / Fantasy / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.25.2002 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 233 | Status: Work In Progress
The demon Zechs is furious and wants Duo as his next prey. A hard fight begins...
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mystery / Martial Arts / Horror / Fantasy / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 10.25.2002 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 233 | Status: Work In Progress
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A Gundam Wing Ghost Story I
6. The Fight against Zechs
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The wind was blowing over the cemetery and caused the old bells at the pavilion to ring out loud. While Heero still was waiting outside in the branches of the tree, Duo didn't dare to open the door of his room. He couldn't stand the eerie silence and the foggy darkness of the forest outside and for a moment the braided boy really wished his old life back.
Then it knocked again.
"W...Who's there?" he stuttered.
No answer.
"W...Who's there?" Duo repeated his question.
And once again he got no answer.
Duo shook with fear. But he had no alternative and so the scholar took a last deep breath and finally opened the door. Carefully he poked his head outdoors. His eyes widened when he recognized the young man right before him.
It was Wufei.
"Hello Duo!" the Chinese spoke quietly.
Duo did the only thing he was able to do at this moment. He screamed aloud and slammed the door shut. Then he wanted to hide. But when the braided boy turned round Wufei was already standing there. Panic-stricken and full of fear Duo fell back when the young Chinese got closer to him.
"What are you doing here? The Master knows of your presence! He'll kill you if you don't do now!" Wufei said slightly angry.
"Y...You're a ghost, aren't you?" Duo asked carefully.
Wufei hesitated for a moment, looking at him with sad eyes, and then nodded affirmatively. Duo bit his lip. So Heero had been right. But what was he supposed to do now?
"Did you kill all the men in the temple?" he asked again.
"No, it was the master. But he forced me to play the bait." The Chinese replied and took a step closer to Duo, trying to touch him.
But the braided scholar jerked back and started to fell back further, until he tripped over something and fell onto the floor.
"Go away! Leave me alone!" he shouted, crawling backwards, when Wufei got nearer again.
"Please Duo, let me explain...!" the Chinese spoke softly.
"No, leave me alone!" Duo shouted fearfully.
He got up and fled into a corner of the room. Wufei followed him slowly.
"Why are you afraid of me, Duo? I never did and won't do anything bad to you. Please, just listen to me!" he whispered.
But Duo was too much afraid of the boy, of whom he had thought just hours ago that he would love him. But now he wasn't sure anymore. Instinctively Duo held the magical book, he had gotten from Heero, protectively and half opened in front of his face, hoping that it would work.
And it worked. As soon as Wufei saw the book, the Chinese's eyes widened fearfully and he protected his head, when he received a hard blow from the book, which flung him across the room, until he hit an old woodened beam hard.
Duo couldn't believe his eyes. He never had expected that this book had such power. And immediately the braided boy started to worry about the Chinese, who was writhing with pain. Even if he was a ghost, the blow must have hurt.
"A...Are you alright, Wufei?" he asked worried.
The young Chinese man looked at Duo with tearful eyes.
"Why don't you believe me? Why do you think I didn't tell you who I really am?" he suddenly snapped then.
"Why? To wait for the right time to kill me?"
"I already said I didn't kill all the young men. I just did it because...because I wanted to protect you from my master and another reason is that I...I...!" the Chinese began to stutter and looked away from Duo, blushing.
"What? What is the other reason?" Duo asked suddenly hopefully.
"I...I did it just because I love you, baka, and I really didn't mean to hurt you!" Wufei finally said.
The braided boy stared at the Chinese and began to smile slightly, but also began to regret the matter with the book. Although Duo still was a bit confused, he knew he still loved the Chinese boy and that he had done Wufei wrong. Maybe it also was Heero's fault partially that he had jumped to conclusions.
Meanwhile Wufei had gotten up and was ready to leave, since he had gotten no answer from the braided boy. Maybe it was his fate to stay alone, even in death. But then a hand grasped his right arm. Wufei turned just to see Duo standing there, looking confused.
"Where are you going to?" he asked.
"I told you yet it's better when I leave. The master wants you as his next prey and I don't you get hurt. So I'm leaving." The Chinese replied and started to leave.
He opened the door with the help of his ghost powers and got closer to it. Duo followed him with his eyes. What should he do now? If he didn't do anything, he never would see Wufei again. While his brain was still thinking, his heart made its own decision. Without thinking Duo ran after the Chinese.
He caught Wufei just in time and embraced him from behind.
"Please don't go!" he murmured.
Immediately the Chinese stopped and froze. What was Duo doing? And why did he suddenly feel so warm?
"Duo, what...?"
But Duo didn't move and gave no answer. He remained as he was and Wufei could feel him trembling. Slowly he turned round to face the braided young man and was astounded to see him crying.
"Duo, what's wrong with you?" he asked concerned.
The braided youth looked at him.
"I'm sorry. Sorry for not trusting and for hurting you. But when Heero told me the truth and I saw your grave on the cemetery, I was so confused. I really couldn't believe that you're not human, but a ghost."
"You saw it?" the Chinese asked.
Duo nodded.
"What's happened to you? Why are you *you*?"
"It's a long story and I don't want to burden you with it!" Wufei replied.
"No, please tell me. I'm really interested in what had happened to you!" Duo begged.
Wufei couldn't believe. After a long time under Zechs' claws someone really wanted to hear his story.
"Are you sure?"
But instead an answer Duo only kissed him and for the first time Wufei felt human again.
*
Meanwhile Heero still waited for Duo's signal. He felt that the ghosts were back again. But the scholar hadn't ringed until now and the Japanese really started to worry. He hoped nothing bad had happened to the braided boy.
"I can feel their presences. But why doesn't he give me the signal?" the swordsman murmured.
He shifted to another position in the tree, not knowing would happen in a moment. Suddenly the branches began to move by themselves. They grabbed the Japanese by his arms and legs from behind and held him that way, so that the swordsman couldn't move any longer.
"WHAT THE HELL...? LET ME GO, DAMNIT!" he screamed and fought wit all his strength again the pressure of the bonds the branches had formed around his body.
*
Inside Duo and Wufei sat closely together onto the floor. Duo had taken Wufei into his arms protectively and was now stroking his hair.
"So, what has happened to you now, Wu-chan?" Duo asked softly.
Wufei sighed and then started to tell his story:
"Okay, where shall I begin? I'm coming from a wealthy family. My father was a rich merchant somewhere in the south. One day I accompanied him on one of his journeys. I was really happy and it was so interesting to see how he worked. But then I became sick and finally died here in the temple.
My father couldn't deal with my loss and died shortly afterwards. And that was the beginning of my second life as it is now. When I awoke again, I was in a strange house behind the temple. And HE was there."
"Who is *he*?" Duo asked.
"His name is Zechs. He's an ancient tree demon and very mighty. He had gotten a hold of my ashes because of my father's death and since that time he forces me to bait every young man for him, who stayed overnight." Wufei spoke with sadness in his voice.
"Oh, I understand! And who's the Black Princess you had been talking about?"
"Her real name is Relena and she is the sister of Zechs. She's also a mighty demon and one of the rulers in Hell as far as I know. She was very interested in me when she was visiting her brother some weeks ago. And so he sold me to her and that's why I must marry her." He finished his story.
Duo was silent and just held the Chinese boy closer, comforting him. He hadn't expected that. But how could he help his love?
"Are you still afraid of me or why are you so silent?" Wufei asked after a while.
"Oh no, not anymore. I just think about a way how to help you! I really want to try to save your soul!" the braided boy answered.
Shocked Wufei stared at Duo. The scholar really wanted to save his soul? No one had wanted to do something like this for him.
"Are you serious?"
Duo only blushed and nodded. And Wufei smiled.
"If you really want to do that, then bury my ashes in my hometown and that in two days from now, before sunrise. Only then my rebirth is successful and my soul can be freed." The Chinese explained.
"Okay, then I'll ride off tomorrow and do, what you've said!" Duo said.
"Thank you, Duo! I...!"
The Chinese suddenly felt the demon's aura again, which was getting nearer and nearer.
"Wufei, what's wrong?" the braided scholar asked worried.
"Zechs is coming. You must go now or he'll kill you." Wufei nearly shouted.
He grabbed Duo by his hand and together both young men wanted to go. But at the same moment they reached the door, a powerful storm broke loose and whirled leaves across the room. Duo and Wufei tried to fight the gusty wind, but they failed and were shoved back. To Duo's misfortune he lost the bell Heero had given him.
Nevertheless he tried to protect the Chinese with his sutra, but also failed miserably.
"Come on, we have to get out of here!" Wufei shouted and dragged Duo back to another entrance.
But when they reached the other door stopped as if rooted to the spot. The other entrance was blocked by a gigantic, oversized, venomous green thing with big vessels all over his surface, which was winding in front of the door like a boa constrictor.
"What's that?" Duo managed to stutter, hiding himself behind the Chinese's back.
"Zechs' tongue!" Wufei answered.
"You're kidding, right?"
The Chinese shook his head and looked for an escape. Only the balcony seemed suitable. He grabbed Duo and held him tight to his own body before flying through the air towards the open balcony. But when they reached it, the tip of the tongue hit their upper bodies with full force, so that Duo and Wufei were flung back into the room.
Duo landed on one part of Zechs' tongue, which was really slimy and wet in his eyes and was already slithering through the whole room. Wufei landed a few meters next to him. Sickened the braided boy got up and wanted to rush at his love's side. But something caught his leg and lifted him up in the air with his head down.
Duo could see that it was the giant tongue of the demon, which started to crush him painfully until the braided boy began to scream.
"Duo, hold out and don't let his tongue get into your mouth. I'm coming!" Wufei shouted. But what should he do? He only had one chance...
The Chinese took a deep breath and then he lengthened his sleeves with the help of his ghost powers. The long pieces of his clothing wrapped around the tongue and bound it. Duo, who had a hard time, was still wriggling and tried to free himself out of the demon's grip without letting the tongue come closer, which wasn't easy.
But when Wufei started to tie the gigantic tongue up, its grip loosened and Duo fell down, but Wufei caught him easily.
"Gods, thank you Wufei. I swear that was the most horrible moment of my life." Duo said, while Wufei was flying them both towards the saving exit.
But the pieces of clothing didn't last any longer and the tongue easily tore them to pieces. As soon it was free, the tongue shot towards the young men. This time the tongue wrapped itself around Wufei's neck and pulled him back. But before the tongue started to strangle him, he still could save Duo.
The Chinese hurled Duo out of the open window, where he ended up onto the forest floor safely. Because one piece of Wufei's was wrapped around his waist and for that reason he stayed unhurt. Of course he wanted back to help Wufei, when his voice in his head stopped him.
//No, don't come back. Run and follow the path and don't turn round.//
Duo didn't know what the Chinese had meant until he saw a path of white cloths, which led away from the temple. But he didn't want to go away.
"But I cannot..."
//Duo, just do it please!// Wufei's voice said.
Duo didn't feel well at this matter, but he did what Wufei had asked for. The braided boy ran along the path. But when he suddenly heard Wufei's screams, he covered his ears with his hands. Finally Duo reached a clearing, where he collapsed and just cried.
Meanwhile in the temple the screaming had stopped and the demon had turned back into his human form. Only one tentacle held up the limp form of Wufei. The Chinese had become unconscious. Zechs looked at him and narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"So what am I going to do with you? I can't believe that you've turned against me. I gave you one last chance, but you betrayed me. If you weren't already dead I would kill you on the spot. But I guess I'll take your little boyfriend to task instead. No one angers me without paying the price.
And you're coming with me. I wonder how he reacts." Zechs said, before he began to chuckle, which turned quickly into a laugh. Then he vanished, searching for his prey.
Heero meanwhile also had been successful and freed himself. Now he was running through the forest in search of Duo, after the awful noises from within the temple had grown silent. He found him sobbing at a clearing, right under a tree. Immediately it was clear that something had happened.
"Hey, what's wrong? And why are you here and not in the temple?" he asked.
Duo just sniffed a last time and then glared at the Japanese.
"What I'm doing here?! I barely escaped the claws of a demon and my friend is still with him as a prisoner." He snapped at Heero.
"You could have ringed the bell!" the Japanese replied.
"I'm sorry, but I lost it because a gigantic tongue was after me!"
"OH! Well, I also was busy otherwise. But what are we going to do now?"
"I don't know. You're the great swordsman. I'm just a book scholar and I wish I never had come here." Duo murmured.
"THAT CAN BE ARRANGED!" a loud voice shouted from nowhere.
Heero, immediately alerted, grabbed his sword. There was that creepy aura again. But suddenly he was pulled into the opposite direction by an invisible force and flung against the tree, which was standing there. Cursing he rubbed his aching head and then looked at Duo, who stared at the figure before him in shock.
The Japanese couldn't recognize if it was a man or a woman because of the long platinum blond hair, but he knew the figure definitively wasn't human. The creepy aura seemed to belong to him. But only when the demon turned his head towards the swordsman, Heero saw that it was a man and a really beautiful one.
Nevertheless he was the enemy and Heero had no other choice than to fight, especially when this man really was a demon or something similar. So he grabbed his sword again, ready to fight him.
"Who are you?" he asked grimly.
"I'm Zechs, the ruler of this area." The demon answered.
"Are you a demon or a devil?" Heero asked further.
"I'm a demon. A tree demon, to be precisely. And I guess you're the one, who killed my servant last night." Zechs smirked.
"I was so free. And now I'm going to kill you!" Heero smirked back.
The demon began to chuckle.
"Just try it!"
Heero didn't hesitate for a moment. With a loud scream he attacked the demon. But this one only laughed and then vanished like a flash. The Japanese swordsman could stop just in time before he reached Duo.
"Where is he?" Heero shouted and watchfully looked around. But he couldn't see the demon anywhere.
But then several tentacles and creepers shot out of the earth and wound around the swordsman's body again, tying him up again. Heero cursed and began to struggle at his bonds with all his strength. But these ones seemed to be made of steel.
"Do you like it? I hope it's not too uncomfortable for you." The demon's voice spoke.
"Do you really think you can stop me with some plants?" the Japanese shouted furiously.
"Probably not, but now I have some time to take care of this scholar!"
With these words Zechs appeared in front of Duo, who stared at him fearfully. What did the demon plan with him?
"W...What do you want from me?" the braided scholar stuttered.
"So you're the one Wufei loves. I must say, he really has a good taste. You're really pretty."
"W...What have you done with Wufei, you...you monster?" Duo suddenly shouted, his fear forgotten for a moment.
"Oh, you mean that little slut that dared to betray me because of you?" Zechs smirked and chuckled at the same time. Then he snapped his fingers and two branches bend down, holding the Chinese tight. Wufei still didn't move, but seemed to regain his consciousness, because he slowly opened his eyes.
"Wufei, are you alright?" Duo asked concerned.
"Duo...What...Oh, no!" Wufei shouted, when he saw the demon before him. What was going on? The last thing he remembered was the incident in the temple and now he was here.
"I see you're awake. You can keep your friend company until I took care of that swordsman. And don't try anything because I see everything!"
Zechs turned round and snapped his fingers again and everyone was released from their bonds. While Duo took Wufei into his arms, Heero had grabbed his bag with the magic metal pins, since he knew that his normal sword was useless. So he picked out one of his special pins and flung it towards Zechs.
Unfortunately the demon saw it and laughed, before the pint went right though his robes. But it didn't hit Zechs, because the demon had vanished into the earth. The pin flew further in Duo's and Wufei's direction. Both of them knew that they couldn't stop. But the Chinese couldn't get Duo hurt. And so...
Duo's eyes widened, when he heard Wufei's gasp. Time seemed to stand still, when the pin bored into the Chinese's chest and he fell back into the braided boy's arms, passing out again. Shocked Duo stared at limp form in his arms and the pin in his chest, where the bright blue light was shining again. Carefully Duo pulled out the metal pin.
"Wufei, what's the matter with you? Is everything alright?" Duo cried worried.
But the Chinese didn't respond.
Meanwhile the Japanese had realized what had happened and it only made him angrier. But fortunately those two were unhurt and he had to search this demon that had disappeared into the earth. And he even had a good idea. With a big leap Heero jumped onto the next tree, painted a Yin - Yang - sign on both palms and started to bombard the forest floor, which was shaken by several explosions.
And yet he swordsman was careful enough not to hit Duo and Wufei. Suddenly Zechs' gigantic tongue shot out of the earth and towards Heero. The Japanese took one of his amulets, quickly murmured some words and put the piece of paper onto his sword. This one shortly flashed up and then Heero attacked again. This time he was lucky.
The Japanese managed a blow at the slimy thing, but as a result he was splashed with the green, stinking and slimy liquid that came out of the wound. The demon howled, but quickly recovered. Then the tongue attacked again and this time the demon was lucky. He succeeded in catching the swordsman and started to strangle him.
Duo on the other side was still holding the Chinese, when this one opened his eyes and looked at a smiling Duo.
"You're okay, Wu?" he asked.
The Chinese nodded and then looked at the fight before him.
"Please help this swordsman. Do me this favour!" Wufei finally said weakly.
"Okay. If you mean that I should do it!"
Duo grabbed the pin and ran to Heero, which still was struggling with the tip of the tongue which tried to get into the Japanese's mouth. Without hesitating Duo rammed the pin into the tangle, but unfortunately only hit Heero's backside, who yelled aloud.
"Ouch. That was my ass, you moron!" he screamed.
The braided boy quickly apologized and tried it again. This time he hit the tongue, on which the demon let Heero fall and the swordsman started to fight again. Suddenly the tongue split and turned into a more atrocious and slimy monster with a long mouth with many sharp teeth in it. That was the true face of Zechs. Duo blanched and fell back.
But the demon already had sighted him and shot his tentacles out of his mouth, which wrapped Duo up. Zechs was coming nearer and nearer and Duo sweated with fear, because he could smell the demon's rotten breath on his skin. However, Heero came with his sword and cut the tentacles. With a deeply afflicted howling Zechs disappeared into the earth.
Duo and Heero were breathing heavily. They couldn't believe that the fight was over for the moment. Now the braided boy only wanted to get back to his love. But a loud shout from Wufei's direction startled him. He looked towards him and saw that Wufei was in trouble. Something seemed to have wound around his ankle and was pulling him backwards into the earth.
"Oh no.........WUFEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" Duo shouted and ran quickly to him.
"DUOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Wufei shouted and stretched out his hand, hoping for Duo's help.
But it was too late. Yet before Duo could reach Wufei, the Chinese disappeared into the ground, Duo's name on his lips. Duo stared unbelieving onto the spot where Wufei had disappeared and began to weep.
"WUFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIII!"
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Tsuz&ua cute;ku -> to be continued...
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BGM: The Hunted - Kodo; Down to Earth, In Forest - La'Cryma Christi; Coral Lounge - Deep Forest; Ikari o Komete Hashire - Yuiko Tsubokura; Under the Moonlight - Buck - Tick; Eternal Motion - TWO - MIX
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I'm sorry but I'm not good at describing fighting scenes. Nevertheless I hope it wasn't that bad. Still two chapters till the end of Part 1.
Feedback is thankfully appreciated. Just write me an e-Mail to:
Terrenis@web.de or terrenis-chan@gmx.net
Ja ne! ^-^ Terrenis-chan ^.^
A Gundam Wing Ghost Story I
6. The Fight against Zechs
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The wind was blowing over the cemetery and caused the old bells at the pavilion to ring out loud. While Heero still was waiting outside in the branches of the tree, Duo didn't dare to open the door of his room. He couldn't stand the eerie silence and the foggy darkness of the forest outside and for a moment the braided boy really wished his old life back.
Then it knocked again.
"W...Who's there?" he stuttered.
No answer.
"W...Who's there?" Duo repeated his question.
And once again he got no answer.
Duo shook with fear. But he had no alternative and so the scholar took a last deep breath and finally opened the door. Carefully he poked his head outdoors. His eyes widened when he recognized the young man right before him.
It was Wufei.
"Hello Duo!" the Chinese spoke quietly.
Duo did the only thing he was able to do at this moment. He screamed aloud and slammed the door shut. Then he wanted to hide. But when the braided boy turned round Wufei was already standing there. Panic-stricken and full of fear Duo fell back when the young Chinese got closer to him.
"What are you doing here? The Master knows of your presence! He'll kill you if you don't do now!" Wufei said slightly angry.
"Y...You're a ghost, aren't you?" Duo asked carefully.
Wufei hesitated for a moment, looking at him with sad eyes, and then nodded affirmatively. Duo bit his lip. So Heero had been right. But what was he supposed to do now?
"Did you kill all the men in the temple?" he asked again.
"No, it was the master. But he forced me to play the bait." The Chinese replied and took a step closer to Duo, trying to touch him.
But the braided scholar jerked back and started to fell back further, until he tripped over something and fell onto the floor.
"Go away! Leave me alone!" he shouted, crawling backwards, when Wufei got nearer again.
"Please Duo, let me explain...!" the Chinese spoke softly.
"No, leave me alone!" Duo shouted fearfully.
He got up and fled into a corner of the room. Wufei followed him slowly.
"Why are you afraid of me, Duo? I never did and won't do anything bad to you. Please, just listen to me!" he whispered.
But Duo was too much afraid of the boy, of whom he had thought just hours ago that he would love him. But now he wasn't sure anymore. Instinctively Duo held the magical book, he had gotten from Heero, protectively and half opened in front of his face, hoping that it would work.
And it worked. As soon as Wufei saw the book, the Chinese's eyes widened fearfully and he protected his head, when he received a hard blow from the book, which flung him across the room, until he hit an old woodened beam hard.
Duo couldn't believe his eyes. He never had expected that this book had such power. And immediately the braided boy started to worry about the Chinese, who was writhing with pain. Even if he was a ghost, the blow must have hurt.
"A...Are you alright, Wufei?" he asked worried.
The young Chinese man looked at Duo with tearful eyes.
"Why don't you believe me? Why do you think I didn't tell you who I really am?" he suddenly snapped then.
"Why? To wait for the right time to kill me?"
"I already said I didn't kill all the young men. I just did it because...because I wanted to protect you from my master and another reason is that I...I...!" the Chinese began to stutter and looked away from Duo, blushing.
"What? What is the other reason?" Duo asked suddenly hopefully.
"I...I did it just because I love you, baka, and I really didn't mean to hurt you!" Wufei finally said.
The braided boy stared at the Chinese and began to smile slightly, but also began to regret the matter with the book. Although Duo still was a bit confused, he knew he still loved the Chinese boy and that he had done Wufei wrong. Maybe it also was Heero's fault partially that he had jumped to conclusions.
Meanwhile Wufei had gotten up and was ready to leave, since he had gotten no answer from the braided boy. Maybe it was his fate to stay alone, even in death. But then a hand grasped his right arm. Wufei turned just to see Duo standing there, looking confused.
"Where are you going to?" he asked.
"I told you yet it's better when I leave. The master wants you as his next prey and I don't you get hurt. So I'm leaving." The Chinese replied and started to leave.
He opened the door with the help of his ghost powers and got closer to it. Duo followed him with his eyes. What should he do now? If he didn't do anything, he never would see Wufei again. While his brain was still thinking, his heart made its own decision. Without thinking Duo ran after the Chinese.
He caught Wufei just in time and embraced him from behind.
"Please don't go!" he murmured.
Immediately the Chinese stopped and froze. What was Duo doing? And why did he suddenly feel so warm?
"Duo, what...?"
But Duo didn't move and gave no answer. He remained as he was and Wufei could feel him trembling. Slowly he turned round to face the braided young man and was astounded to see him crying.
"Duo, what's wrong with you?" he asked concerned.
The braided youth looked at him.
"I'm sorry. Sorry for not trusting and for hurting you. But when Heero told me the truth and I saw your grave on the cemetery, I was so confused. I really couldn't believe that you're not human, but a ghost."
"You saw it?" the Chinese asked.
Duo nodded.
"What's happened to you? Why are you *you*?"
"It's a long story and I don't want to burden you with it!" Wufei replied.
"No, please tell me. I'm really interested in what had happened to you!" Duo begged.
Wufei couldn't believe. After a long time under Zechs' claws someone really wanted to hear his story.
"Are you sure?"
But instead an answer Duo only kissed him and for the first time Wufei felt human again.
*
Meanwhile Heero still waited for Duo's signal. He felt that the ghosts were back again. But the scholar hadn't ringed until now and the Japanese really started to worry. He hoped nothing bad had happened to the braided boy.
"I can feel their presences. But why doesn't he give me the signal?" the swordsman murmured.
He shifted to another position in the tree, not knowing would happen in a moment. Suddenly the branches began to move by themselves. They grabbed the Japanese by his arms and legs from behind and held him that way, so that the swordsman couldn't move any longer.
"WHAT THE HELL...? LET ME GO, DAMNIT!" he screamed and fought wit all his strength again the pressure of the bonds the branches had formed around his body.
*
Inside Duo and Wufei sat closely together onto the floor. Duo had taken Wufei into his arms protectively and was now stroking his hair.
"So, what has happened to you now, Wu-chan?" Duo asked softly.
Wufei sighed and then started to tell his story:
"Okay, where shall I begin? I'm coming from a wealthy family. My father was a rich merchant somewhere in the south. One day I accompanied him on one of his journeys. I was really happy and it was so interesting to see how he worked. But then I became sick and finally died here in the temple.
My father couldn't deal with my loss and died shortly afterwards. And that was the beginning of my second life as it is now. When I awoke again, I was in a strange house behind the temple. And HE was there."
"Who is *he*?" Duo asked.
"His name is Zechs. He's an ancient tree demon and very mighty. He had gotten a hold of my ashes because of my father's death and since that time he forces me to bait every young man for him, who stayed overnight." Wufei spoke with sadness in his voice.
"Oh, I understand! And who's the Black Princess you had been talking about?"
"Her real name is Relena and she is the sister of Zechs. She's also a mighty demon and one of the rulers in Hell as far as I know. She was very interested in me when she was visiting her brother some weeks ago. And so he sold me to her and that's why I must marry her." He finished his story.
Duo was silent and just held the Chinese boy closer, comforting him. He hadn't expected that. But how could he help his love?
"Are you still afraid of me or why are you so silent?" Wufei asked after a while.
"Oh no, not anymore. I just think about a way how to help you! I really want to try to save your soul!" the braided boy answered.
Shocked Wufei stared at Duo. The scholar really wanted to save his soul? No one had wanted to do something like this for him.
"Are you serious?"
Duo only blushed and nodded. And Wufei smiled.
"If you really want to do that, then bury my ashes in my hometown and that in two days from now, before sunrise. Only then my rebirth is successful and my soul can be freed." The Chinese explained.
"Okay, then I'll ride off tomorrow and do, what you've said!" Duo said.
"Thank you, Duo! I...!"
The Chinese suddenly felt the demon's aura again, which was getting nearer and nearer.
"Wufei, what's wrong?" the braided scholar asked worried.
"Zechs is coming. You must go now or he'll kill you." Wufei nearly shouted.
He grabbed Duo by his hand and together both young men wanted to go. But at the same moment they reached the door, a powerful storm broke loose and whirled leaves across the room. Duo and Wufei tried to fight the gusty wind, but they failed and were shoved back. To Duo's misfortune he lost the bell Heero had given him.
Nevertheless he tried to protect the Chinese with his sutra, but also failed miserably.
"Come on, we have to get out of here!" Wufei shouted and dragged Duo back to another entrance.
But when they reached the other door stopped as if rooted to the spot. The other entrance was blocked by a gigantic, oversized, venomous green thing with big vessels all over his surface, which was winding in front of the door like a boa constrictor.
"What's that?" Duo managed to stutter, hiding himself behind the Chinese's back.
"Zechs' tongue!" Wufei answered.
"You're kidding, right?"
The Chinese shook his head and looked for an escape. Only the balcony seemed suitable. He grabbed Duo and held him tight to his own body before flying through the air towards the open balcony. But when they reached it, the tip of the tongue hit their upper bodies with full force, so that Duo and Wufei were flung back into the room.
Duo landed on one part of Zechs' tongue, which was really slimy and wet in his eyes and was already slithering through the whole room. Wufei landed a few meters next to him. Sickened the braided boy got up and wanted to rush at his love's side. But something caught his leg and lifted him up in the air with his head down.
Duo could see that it was the giant tongue of the demon, which started to crush him painfully until the braided boy began to scream.
"Duo, hold out and don't let his tongue get into your mouth. I'm coming!" Wufei shouted. But what should he do? He only had one chance...
The Chinese took a deep breath and then he lengthened his sleeves with the help of his ghost powers. The long pieces of his clothing wrapped around the tongue and bound it. Duo, who had a hard time, was still wriggling and tried to free himself out of the demon's grip without letting the tongue come closer, which wasn't easy.
But when Wufei started to tie the gigantic tongue up, its grip loosened and Duo fell down, but Wufei caught him easily.
"Gods, thank you Wufei. I swear that was the most horrible moment of my life." Duo said, while Wufei was flying them both towards the saving exit.
But the pieces of clothing didn't last any longer and the tongue easily tore them to pieces. As soon it was free, the tongue shot towards the young men. This time the tongue wrapped itself around Wufei's neck and pulled him back. But before the tongue started to strangle him, he still could save Duo.
The Chinese hurled Duo out of the open window, where he ended up onto the forest floor safely. Because one piece of Wufei's was wrapped around his waist and for that reason he stayed unhurt. Of course he wanted back to help Wufei, when his voice in his head stopped him.
//No, don't come back. Run and follow the path and don't turn round.//
Duo didn't know what the Chinese had meant until he saw a path of white cloths, which led away from the temple. But he didn't want to go away.
"But I cannot..."
//Duo, just do it please!// Wufei's voice said.
Duo didn't feel well at this matter, but he did what Wufei had asked for. The braided boy ran along the path. But when he suddenly heard Wufei's screams, he covered his ears with his hands. Finally Duo reached a clearing, where he collapsed and just cried.
Meanwhile in the temple the screaming had stopped and the demon had turned back into his human form. Only one tentacle held up the limp form of Wufei. The Chinese had become unconscious. Zechs looked at him and narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"So what am I going to do with you? I can't believe that you've turned against me. I gave you one last chance, but you betrayed me. If you weren't already dead I would kill you on the spot. But I guess I'll take your little boyfriend to task instead. No one angers me without paying the price.
And you're coming with me. I wonder how he reacts." Zechs said, before he began to chuckle, which turned quickly into a laugh. Then he vanished, searching for his prey.
Heero meanwhile also had been successful and freed himself. Now he was running through the forest in search of Duo, after the awful noises from within the temple had grown silent. He found him sobbing at a clearing, right under a tree. Immediately it was clear that something had happened.
"Hey, what's wrong? And why are you here and not in the temple?" he asked.
Duo just sniffed a last time and then glared at the Japanese.
"What I'm doing here?! I barely escaped the claws of a demon and my friend is still with him as a prisoner." He snapped at Heero.
"You could have ringed the bell!" the Japanese replied.
"I'm sorry, but I lost it because a gigantic tongue was after me!"
"OH! Well, I also was busy otherwise. But what are we going to do now?"
"I don't know. You're the great swordsman. I'm just a book scholar and I wish I never had come here." Duo murmured.
"THAT CAN BE ARRANGED!" a loud voice shouted from nowhere.
Heero, immediately alerted, grabbed his sword. There was that creepy aura again. But suddenly he was pulled into the opposite direction by an invisible force and flung against the tree, which was standing there. Cursing he rubbed his aching head and then looked at Duo, who stared at the figure before him in shock.
The Japanese couldn't recognize if it was a man or a woman because of the long platinum blond hair, but he knew the figure definitively wasn't human. The creepy aura seemed to belong to him. But only when the demon turned his head towards the swordsman, Heero saw that it was a man and a really beautiful one.
Nevertheless he was the enemy and Heero had no other choice than to fight, especially when this man really was a demon or something similar. So he grabbed his sword again, ready to fight him.
"Who are you?" he asked grimly.
"I'm Zechs, the ruler of this area." The demon answered.
"Are you a demon or a devil?" Heero asked further.
"I'm a demon. A tree demon, to be precisely. And I guess you're the one, who killed my servant last night." Zechs smirked.
"I was so free. And now I'm going to kill you!" Heero smirked back.
The demon began to chuckle.
"Just try it!"
Heero didn't hesitate for a moment. With a loud scream he attacked the demon. But this one only laughed and then vanished like a flash. The Japanese swordsman could stop just in time before he reached Duo.
"Where is he?" Heero shouted and watchfully looked around. But he couldn't see the demon anywhere.
But then several tentacles and creepers shot out of the earth and wound around the swordsman's body again, tying him up again. Heero cursed and began to struggle at his bonds with all his strength. But these ones seemed to be made of steel.
"Do you like it? I hope it's not too uncomfortable for you." The demon's voice spoke.
"Do you really think you can stop me with some plants?" the Japanese shouted furiously.
"Probably not, but now I have some time to take care of this scholar!"
With these words Zechs appeared in front of Duo, who stared at him fearfully. What did the demon plan with him?
"W...What do you want from me?" the braided scholar stuttered.
"So you're the one Wufei loves. I must say, he really has a good taste. You're really pretty."
"W...What have you done with Wufei, you...you monster?" Duo suddenly shouted, his fear forgotten for a moment.
"Oh, you mean that little slut that dared to betray me because of you?" Zechs smirked and chuckled at the same time. Then he snapped his fingers and two branches bend down, holding the Chinese tight. Wufei still didn't move, but seemed to regain his consciousness, because he slowly opened his eyes.
"Wufei, are you alright?" Duo asked concerned.
"Duo...What...Oh, no!" Wufei shouted, when he saw the demon before him. What was going on? The last thing he remembered was the incident in the temple and now he was here.
"I see you're awake. You can keep your friend company until I took care of that swordsman. And don't try anything because I see everything!"
Zechs turned round and snapped his fingers again and everyone was released from their bonds. While Duo took Wufei into his arms, Heero had grabbed his bag with the magic metal pins, since he knew that his normal sword was useless. So he picked out one of his special pins and flung it towards Zechs.
Unfortunately the demon saw it and laughed, before the pint went right though his robes. But it didn't hit Zechs, because the demon had vanished into the earth. The pin flew further in Duo's and Wufei's direction. Both of them knew that they couldn't stop. But the Chinese couldn't get Duo hurt. And so...
Duo's eyes widened, when he heard Wufei's gasp. Time seemed to stand still, when the pin bored into the Chinese's chest and he fell back into the braided boy's arms, passing out again. Shocked Duo stared at limp form in his arms and the pin in his chest, where the bright blue light was shining again. Carefully Duo pulled out the metal pin.
"Wufei, what's the matter with you? Is everything alright?" Duo cried worried.
But the Chinese didn't respond.
Meanwhile the Japanese had realized what had happened and it only made him angrier. But fortunately those two were unhurt and he had to search this demon that had disappeared into the earth. And he even had a good idea. With a big leap Heero jumped onto the next tree, painted a Yin - Yang - sign on both palms and started to bombard the forest floor, which was shaken by several explosions.
And yet he swordsman was careful enough not to hit Duo and Wufei. Suddenly Zechs' gigantic tongue shot out of the earth and towards Heero. The Japanese took one of his amulets, quickly murmured some words and put the piece of paper onto his sword. This one shortly flashed up and then Heero attacked again. This time he was lucky.
The Japanese managed a blow at the slimy thing, but as a result he was splashed with the green, stinking and slimy liquid that came out of the wound. The demon howled, but quickly recovered. Then the tongue attacked again and this time the demon was lucky. He succeeded in catching the swordsman and started to strangle him.
Duo on the other side was still holding the Chinese, when this one opened his eyes and looked at a smiling Duo.
"You're okay, Wu?" he asked.
The Chinese nodded and then looked at the fight before him.
"Please help this swordsman. Do me this favour!" Wufei finally said weakly.
"Okay. If you mean that I should do it!"
Duo grabbed the pin and ran to Heero, which still was struggling with the tip of the tongue which tried to get into the Japanese's mouth. Without hesitating Duo rammed the pin into the tangle, but unfortunately only hit Heero's backside, who yelled aloud.
"Ouch. That was my ass, you moron!" he screamed.
The braided boy quickly apologized and tried it again. This time he hit the tongue, on which the demon let Heero fall and the swordsman started to fight again. Suddenly the tongue split and turned into a more atrocious and slimy monster with a long mouth with many sharp teeth in it. That was the true face of Zechs. Duo blanched and fell back.
But the demon already had sighted him and shot his tentacles out of his mouth, which wrapped Duo up. Zechs was coming nearer and nearer and Duo sweated with fear, because he could smell the demon's rotten breath on his skin. However, Heero came with his sword and cut the tentacles. With a deeply afflicted howling Zechs disappeared into the earth.
Duo and Heero were breathing heavily. They couldn't believe that the fight was over for the moment. Now the braided boy only wanted to get back to his love. But a loud shout from Wufei's direction startled him. He looked towards him and saw that Wufei was in trouble. Something seemed to have wound around his ankle and was pulling him backwards into the earth.
"Oh no.........WUFEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" Duo shouted and ran quickly to him.
"DUOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Wufei shouted and stretched out his hand, hoping for Duo's help.
But it was too late. Yet before Duo could reach Wufei, the Chinese disappeared into the ground, Duo's name on his lips. Duo stared unbelieving onto the spot where Wufei had disappeared and began to weep.
"WUFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIII!"
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Tsuz&ua cute;ku -> to be continued...
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BGM: The Hunted - Kodo; Down to Earth, In Forest - La'Cryma Christi; Coral Lounge - Deep Forest; Ikari o Komete Hashire - Yuiko Tsubokura; Under the Moonlight - Buck - Tick; Eternal Motion - TWO - MIX
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I'm sorry but I'm not good at describing fighting scenes. Nevertheless I hope it wasn't that bad. Still two chapters till the end of Part 1.
Feedback is thankfully appreciated. Just write me an e-Mail to:
Terrenis@web.de or terrenis-chan@gmx.net
Ja ne! ^-^ Terrenis-chan ^.^