Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Deceptions Revised ❯ Dark Deceptions Revised 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Last Chapter

"Just have to be the center of attention, don't you?" he snarled. "You just had to endanger your friends in this ridiculous charade just so you could dress up and play the tramp."

Purplish-blue eyes flared as a multitude of emotions flooded the slender youth Fury, indignation, humiliation, they were all reflected in his glare. Duo let his fist fly, unholy glee erupting when he connected solidly with Heero's left cheek. Heero's head snapped to the right, pain burning briefly before fading away. He touched the bruised area gingerly as he turned to look at the braided boy.

"Fuck you, Yuy!" Duo howled before he spun away and stomped off to the entrance.

At least, that was his plan. It was interrupted when Heero's hands shot out and threw Duo over his shoulder, an arm wrapped around his thighs to shackle him down. Hissing and spitting like a trapped animal, Duo pounded his fists on Heero's back with all his might, his legs kicking and flailing useless. He screamed at the top of his lungs, not carrying if he created a scene that ended up in the papers the next day.

"Enough!" Heero shouted, smacking Duo's hind end smartly, like a wayward child.

Face flushed crimson with embarrassment and humiliation, Duo swore vengeance and death to the doomed male.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

Chapter 9

Heero stormed into the foyer of the grand hotel, the people milling about parting like the Red Sea. Duo, remarkably, was able to keep up his tirade all the way from the club, to the cab ride, and into the hotel. Heero's back would certainly be bruised and sore from the beating of Duo's fist, but for the moment he paid no heed.

As he thundered down the hallway to Duo's room, his mind switched back to the club and Wufei's questionable actions. His recollections disturbed him so much, he decided to confront the asian later tonight, after he dealt with the squirming bundle of tangled hair thrown over his shoulder. He shoved the door open and tossed Duo onto the bed, watching him bounce before the braided bodyguard scramble up and lunge. Taken by surprise, Heero was knocked off his feet with Duo straddling his hips.

"You son of a bitch!" Duo screamed at the top of his lungs. He swung his fist, connecting once more to the side of Heero's face. Before the boy could recover, Duo wrapped his hands around his neck, alternating between shaking the hell out of him and squeezing the life out of him. "Don't you ever call me that again, you jackass!"

Heero snaked his arms inside the circle of Duo's, easily knocking the boy's arms out from under him and from the grip he held on his neck. Capturing his hands in his, Heero bucked his body upwards, using the momentum to roll ontop of Duo, effectively pinning the boy's legs with his and trapping him beneath Heero's body. Holding his hands above his head, Heero patiently waited for Duo to tire himself out from struggling.

"You're a real asshole, you know that Yuy?" Duo snarled, baring his teeth at the Carpathian.

"Are you finished with your tantrum?" he retorted.

"No!"

"Very well. Then we'll just remain here until you do." Heero settled his body further ontop of Duo's. Realizing the compromising position he was in, Duo's struggles increased.

"Get off me, Yuy!" he demanded.

"Not until you settle down, Maxwell. I not only outweigh you, but over power you as well. We can stay like this all night if we have too."

A secret part of Duo's brain danced a jig at the thought of spending the night pinned beneath Heero's muscled body. Kicking that part of him back to the deepest recesses of his brain, Duo tensed up.

"Fine! I'll settle the fuck down, Yuy!"

Doubt shimmered in Heero's cobalt blue eyes. "I don't believe you."

"I promise, okay? I swear I won't attack you again tonight."

Heero was still in disbelief, but he decided to give Duo the benefit of the doubt. He slowly moved off of Duo's body, barely giving him room to scramble back on his hands and knees. He rose slowly, in stages, his body brushing Duo's again and again. It was a show of domination, demonstrating to Duo rather then telling him that he held all the power and authority.

Shakily, Duo rose to his feet, mere inches separating him and Heero. Frowning, he retreated back until the back of his knees bumped the bed. Crossing his arms, he glared at Yuy.

"Well? Aren't you going to yell at me some more?" he asked irritably.

"What for? I'm sure you realize your folly and won't dare repeat such actions. Yelling at you would be redundant."

"So you're finished with me for tonight?"

"Oh no. Far from that. Because of your small act of insanity, you've proven to me that you can't be left alone for even a moment. I'll be staying with you in the same suite for the rest of the trip. I'll move my belongings in tomorrow."

"Oh hell no! Fuck that, Yuy! You're not sleeping here with me!"

"Why not? I'm sure the hotel as spare cots. I'll simply move one in here. This is a rather large room, Maxwell. More then enough room for a small bed. When we travel to Hungary, I'll be sure to acquire a room with double beds."

Duo hissed like a cornered kitten. If he had a tail, it would have been fluffed out and twitching. Amused, Heero leaned against the wall nonchalantly.

"Don't bother arguing, Maxwell," he stated. "You won't win. Besides, it's because of you and Relena that this is happening."

Miffed, Duo plopped down on the mattress behind him. "Fine, Yuy," he grumbled. "Break your back sleeping on the floor because I sure as hell ain't sharing my blankets and pillows with you!"

Heero smirked as he walked over to the dresser and pulled out Duo's pajamas. He could tell they were his by the black fabric and the tiny skull and crossbones pattern on them. He tossed the pants and shirt at the fuming boy as he walked out.

"Better turn in now," he advised, opening the door. "I'll be right back. Don't even think of leaving Duo, via the door or the window, unless you really want to see me pissed." Heero slammed the door smartly, muffling the explicit that exploded from Duo's mouth. With a little chuckle, he waited for his other friends to return.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~* *~

Wufei shut the door in Relena's flushed face, sighing in relief that he managed to escape the projectiles she had been able to hurtle at him. Who would of thought that snippet of a blonde could pack a punch? Or hurl lamps and other things that weren't nailed down at him so efficiently? He turned, preparing to escape to the sanctuary of his room, when the sight of Heero bearing down on him halted his process.

"Anything I can do for you, Yuy?" he asked politely.

In a blur of movement, Heero's hand whipped out and grabbed a handful of the front of Wufei's shirt.

"Just what was all that about?" he demanded, shaking the Carpathian.

"What was what about, Yuy?" Wufei snapped back. "Unhand me this instant!"

"Back at the club, Chang! Just before that idiot kissed Duo. Not only that, but I searched your memories and saw you punch the other moron that manhandled him. Why so protective over Duo?"

"I was merely doing my job, Yuy. You ordered the absolute protection of him, didn't you?"

"I didn't order for you to be so obsessive over him!"

"Am I? Funny. If you ask me, it's you who's being obsessively protective of the braided youth."

Snarling, Heero shoved Wufei away from him. "Just stay away from him," he ordered.

"Only if you stay away from Relena," Wufei replied angrily.

"Relena? What's she got to do with any of this?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Yuy! I saw the way you followed her with your eyes in the club. Watching her every move. You had your hands all over her when you came down the stairs at the club! As a matter of fact, I heard you growling at the boys she was speaking to when you first found her."

Heero blinked in surprise. "So maybe I'm protective over Relena as well," he conceded. "We all have to be."

"I believe you left her protection up to me, Yuy. Not you."

"Fine," Heero retorted. "You take care of Relena and I'll handle Duo. I stay out of your way and you stay out of mine."

"Fine!" Wufei responded. "If that is all for tonight?"

Heero nodded curtly, his eyes narrowed in thought as Wufei stalked off. A soft chuckle echoed in his head.

~Trouble in paradise, Yuy?~ Trowa questioned, obviously having heard the entire conversation through their bond.

~Shove it, Barton!~ Heero seethed.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~* *~

Duo groaned, his internal clock telling him it was time to get up. If only he could smash his internal clock as well as he did with his real alarm clock. Burying his hand beneath the mountain of pillows, he fought to return to the blissful plain of subconsciousness. If only he could go back to that lovely dream he was having . . . the one that included hot fudge and hot men . . .

Suddenly, out of nowhere, he was attacked. In his partially awake, partially asleep consciousness, he believed he was being pounded by tufts of evil whipped cream that was raining down from the sky. His body twitched, arms flailing as he struggled to get away from such wicked desert toppings.

A chuckle was heard. Groaning, Duo's head crept out from beneath his pillows, eyes slanted open slightly. He witnessed a bemused Heero Yuy chuckling at him before his hand reached forward, grabbed a pillow, and whacked Duo upside the head with it.

"Hey!" he yelped.

"Get up, baka," said a highly amused that it should be illegal, Heero Yuy. "We have to prepare for Darlian's speech in a hour and a half."

Duo yawned, his pink tongue curling inwards like a cat's. Shaking his head to banish the cobwebs still clinging to his consciousness, he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He trudged over to the bathroom, brushing his teeth and washing his face mechanically. He grabbed the brush off the countertop, wandered back to the bed to sit down, and preceded to unravel his disheveled braid. Heero's eyes danced along the endless waves of chestnut hair, streaks of ambers, reds, and golden hues shimmering in the light. Duo's eyes closed contently as he ran the bristles through his hair, smoothing out the knots and tangles with each rhythmic stroke.

"Hey, Heero?" Duo called out. "Think you can brush the back of my hair for me? It's kinda hard for me to reach."

Wordlessly, Heero reached out and took the brush from Duo's grasp. With nimble fingers and a sense of awe, Heero ran the brush through the curtain of hair. Duo all but purred in pleasure.

"Would you like me to braid your hair as well?" asked Heero when he finished his task.

"If you can, Heero."

Heero inwardly scoffed. He had been raised by a mother who loved to have her hair groomed and a grandmother who found his own hair fascinating. Heero could very well braid Duo's hair. He deftly separated Duo's hair into three strands, weaving them in and around each other in a tight plait. He snitched the elastic band from Duo's hand and tied the braid off with a gleam of satisfaction.

"Thanks, Hee-chan," Duo mumbled, his mouth widening in another jaw-breaking yawn. He hobbled over to the closet and pulled out a crisp black suit and a red button up collar shirt to go under it. He disappeared into the bathroom, reappearing quickly to dive under the bed and retrieve a couple of weapons.

"Got your gear on, Heero?" he asked as he strapped a Bowie knife to the side of his calf.

Heero nodded, pulling back his blue suit to reveal a 9mm tucked at his side. Nodding, Duo slipped a slender metal rod at the small of his back. Heero immediately recognized the craftily devised scythe from the carnival. In a way, he hoped something would happen so he could see Duo wield such a weapon with his effortless skill. Heero handed Duo a small comlink identical to his own and all the other security personals. Shooting him a thumbs up, Duo smiled cheekily.

"Ready when you are, Heero!" he chirped before bounding out of the room.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~* *~

Duo concealed a yawn behind his hand as he struggled to regain his focus. He hated attending Darlian's speeches. Although he was all for peace, love, and happiness, he wasn't for the boring meetings and lectures to remind people that war was not the answer for everything.

"Status, Akuto?" Duo spoke into the tiny mic.

"Clear, sir."

"Kaitou, report."

"Nothing out of the ordinary, sir."

Duo sighed, stifling another yawn. "Hikage?"

"No signs of anything, Shinigami."

"Tsukiyo, you're my last hope. What do you got?"

"All's quiet on the battle front," came a soft chuckle. "There's no sign of . . . wait . . . "

Duo perked up, his eyes glowing in hopeful anticipation. "Report, Tsukiyo. What's happening?"

"Sir, there was a suspicious shadow that crossed onto the balcony from above."

"Shadow? Why the hell are you chasing after Hikage, Tsukiyo?" Akuto teased, referring to the meaning of Hikage's name, which was shadow.

"Ha ha, very fucking funny," Hikage hissed into the comlink.

"There's not supposed to be anyone on this floor besides personal, sir," Tsukiyo stressed. "All have been accounted for. Shit, there it is again!"

Scowling, Duo looked up onto the balcony that surrounded the grand ballroom. If a sniper was able to get up onto the balcony without being noticed, he had a clear shot of anyone sitting below.

"Kaitou, Akuto, rendezvous with Tsukiyo immediately. Find whoever that shadow belongs to. I don't care if it's a damn bunny rabbit, you find it," he ordered. "Hikage, make sure every exit is blocked off. No one goes in, no one coming out."

"Roger, sir!"

"Yuy," Duo barked into the comlink. "There's something on the balcony above us. I'm going to check it out."

"Not without me, you're not."

Duo growled into the mic. "I don't have time for this, Yuy!"

"You're right. So, what are you waiting for?"

Duo whirled. The voice hadn't come over the small receiver in his ear. It had come directly behind him. Standing there, with a blank expression on his face, was none other then the deadly Carpathian.

"Holy shit, you move fast!" Duo exclaimed, clutching his heart in mock stress.

"Hn. Are you ready, baka?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. This way, Yuy."

The two made their way around the outskirts of the crowd listening to Darlian's speech. They blended easily amid the shadows. Heero because there was an inborn darkness inside him. Duo because shadows had been a part of his life since early childhood. They scampered their way up the stairs, lurking in the deeper recesses to avoid detection.

Duo crept around a pillar, his back pressed to it as he sneaked a peak around the column. He took a step around the stonemason work, his foot slipping on the liquid spilled across the floor.

Frowning, Duo regained his balance quickly and glanced down, ready to reprimand anyone stupid enough to spill their drink up here while on the job. Instead, his eyes widened as he fought to hold back a shriek.

"Man down!" he snarled into his mic, his gaze adverting from the bloody body that lay crumpled at his feet. "I say again, Akuto is severely injured. Get Darlian out of here and call the medics!" Duo reached down, satisfied his orders were being obeyed as pandemonium erupted from the ballroom below. He knelt beside of Akuto, his fingers searching for a pulse and finding a weak one. He unstrapped his Bowie knife, using the blade to rip Akuto's suit into strips to be used to staunch the massive wounds on his chest, legs, and arms.

"Sir, Vice Foreign Minister and family are being evacuated as we speak!" Hikage announced. "I attempted contact with Tsukiyo and Kaitou with failed results."

"Order a search for them. Keep all focus around you. The perpetrator could still very well be in the building with us."

"Roger, sir!"

Duo worked to stem the bleeding. He felt a familiar presence behind him. Without looking up, he commanded, "Lift his legs up and tie this around his wounds, Barton. If we don't stop the bleeding now, he'll die before the medics get here."

Trowa obeyed without a second thought. He knew this was the work of a vampire by the horrendous slashes across the man's body. If the bodyguard didn't die of blood loss, he would succumb to the vampire's poison without proper aid.

"Where's Heero?" Duo questioned.

"Seeing to the evacuation of the guests," Trowa replied. "Wufei is with Relena and Quatre."

"Sir! We've discovered Kaitou and Tsukiyo. Both injured, but not severely."

"Make sure they both get treated. Where the hell is the ambulance?"

"Here, sir! We're on our way upstairs."

No sooner were the words spoken there was a pounding of footsteps up the marble staircase. The four medics were flanked by a handful of guards, firearms drawn and at the ready.

"I need two of you to follow Hikage," Duo ordered, stepping back to allow the medics to work. "I have two other men injured and acquiring assistance." Two medics remained as the other two headed off with three security personal for protection.

Duo stepped deeper into the darkness for comfort. Now that his men were being seen too, he had to switch his focus on the attacker. Whoever it was had used sharp blades to inflict such devastating wounds to Akuto, which meant the assailant had battled his men in close combat. Obviously hand-to-hand and using stealth since a shot hadn't gone off. Cursing, Duo racked his memory, searching for any sort of clues.

"Get the forensics team in here," he barked into the comlink. "Search for any evidence of foul play. Seal off the area and investigate any and all identities invited, employed, and allowed admittance into this building. Report to me with the findings. I want this jackass found and in my hands by tomorrow."

. . . TBC . . .

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lady S: Oohh, Duo in all his bodyguard glory! Yum . . . Oh and sorry of the confusion, everyone. This is a 1x2 fic, but I had to add that bit of confusion for my story. It will clear up further into the plotline. Why add such perplexity? Because I can. *smirk* No really, this is a Heero x Duo fanfic, so no worries, please! Only one person knows the workings of my madness and that's Lady Midnight.

Duo: That's because you emailed her the reason why you're having Wu-chan hitting on me when she questioned you through correspondence!

Lady S: So? She's still the one who knows, so ha! Be quiet, Duo, or I'll throw Dekim into the story and have him fall in love with you!

Duo: Eep! Save me, Hee-chan!

Heero: *grumble glare snarl hiss*