Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Duo Maxwell, Gun for Hire ❯ Home is where the vampire sleeps ( Chapter 4 )

 

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Disclaimer: Don't own Gundam Wing or Vampires The Masquerade

 

XXXX

 

 

Grumble. Grumble. Yawn. Stretch.

 

There was something soft under me. It felt so nice. I snuggled closer to it.

 

There was a feeling of a light touch on my hair. Someone was stroking my hair.

 

Slowly I started to come to. My head didn't hurt at all this time. That's a relief. I yawned as I nuzzled against whatever I was curled up against.

 

It took my brain a few moments to register that there was a heartbeat coming from my pillow. Before I could open my eyes and look up, my power answered for me. I was curled up against Heero, using his chest as my pillow. Somehow, that didn't faze me in the slightest. It felt good and who was I to argue?

 

“Looks like he's awake.”

 

Quatre? What was he doing here? Isn't he supposed to be with his pack? A confused look crossed my sleepy face.

 

“Not quite. Give him a few more moments.”

 

That was Trowa. Okay, waking up more. I felt all four of them in the room with me. That was oddly comforting. I was even more confused with that feeling. I barely knew these guys, why does it feel like I've known them for a lifetime and a half?

 

“Maxwell, we know you're awake. Open your eyes lazy ass.”

 

The oh so charming Wufei opens his mouth.

 

“Leave him alone Chang.”

 

Thank you Heero for standing up for the only human in the room. I didn't know where we were, but I could tell there were no vampires around besides mine.

 

Mine? Where did that come from? I started to pull away from my soft Heero pillow as my eyes opened. Everyone was either sitting or standing around my bed. We were in my apartment. When did we get here?

 

I gave Trowa a questioning look, hoping that he would be able to answer my question. Hey, he's done it before so why not now?

 

“You passed out again. Sally figured that you did whatever it was that you did before and she admitted that there was nothing she could do. There was no point in holding you for observation again.”

 

Score! I was right, he can understand with a glance. This guy is awesome.

 

“Duo, what was the last thing you remember?”

 

I turned my head towards Quatre and blinked a bit as I thought back. “You were starting to explain something and then things just… exploded.” Okay so not exactly exploded, but close enough for my tastes.

 

That got a soft chuckle from him. “That's one way to explain it. Your power has a mind of it's own Duo. It views you as its master and as such it thinks you're lacking some key qualities. I think what it's trying to do is compensate for that.”

 

I gave him an odd look. So he's saying that my power was like a wayward puppy that was trying to fix its owner? Call me crazy, but that seemed a little farfetched. Even to me.

 

“What proof do you have to back this up?” I couldn't help it, arguing is in my blood I guess. It wouldn't surprise me but hell, I never knew my parents so it might as well be.

 

“What more proof do you need Duo? Look at us. You can tell exactly how much we are bound to you with your power.” He shot back reasonably.

 

Damn it, Blondie's got a point. It was like Heero was bound to me the most with Wufei second. Trowa and Quatre were the least, but it was still there.

 

Hold on, wasn't Quatre supposed to be bound to a pack? Why does it feel like he is only bound to me? I looked up at the only blonde in our group. “Where are the ties to your pack?”

 

Quatre gave me a pensive look. “You destroyed them when you bound me. The same thing happened to Trowa and Wufei. They were bound to each other before you came along.”

 

I winced. That made me sound like some sort of troublemaker that did this on purpose. That sure as hell wasn't my intent.

 

 

XXXX

 

 

After a sandwich and a can of Pepsi, I was ready to face the world again. Though something was bugged me. Why did Quatre know so much about me? That brought up another question. If my power has a mind of it's own, does it have a name?

 

I glanced up from my position on the couch where I was curled up in a corner with Heero sitting near me. I moved and he followed. Its kind of cute in this lovesick puppy dog type way. My eyes found Quatre easily enough. “Hey Q-ball, question.”

 

The nickname got me an amused look. So I like giving people nicknames, it's fun and a habit that I wasn't about to give up.

 

“Answer, 42”

 

That caught me off guard. Was that a joke? Did Q-ball just tell a joke? Aren't Lasombra supposed to be as stiff as Ventrue? “Uh…” Yeah, real intelligent, I know.

 

That got a laugh. “What is the question Duo?”

 

“Right, well, I was wondering, how do you know so much about me?” Go, go curiosity. Get me an answer!

 

Quatre remained silent for a few moments before speaking. “Centuries ago there was a Necromancer, much like yourself, by the name of Mikail. When he died, he left behind a series of journals about his life that had been handed down in my mortal family for centuries. My sire embraced me to get those journals. I committed diablerie on him not long after I was embraced to protect my family. “

 

Damn. Sorry I brought it up. I winced in sympathy. Insert moment of silence here before my mouth kicked itself into gear again. “What did the journals have to say?”

 

Quatre gave a slight smile, breaking the somber mood. “According to The Necromancer Mikail, the power that you wield is its own entity that needs a human host to live. Hence why there is only ever one human necromancer at a time. When the host dies, the entity searches a world for a suitable host. Often times a newborn child. Each necromancer is different and the entity adapts accordingly. He described it as being of similar intellect to a human, but with the behavior of a dog. I was amused when I read that he named it accordingly. He called it The Grim.”

 

That got a laugh out of me. “Do you know if any others named it?”

 

Quatre smiled. “According to him, yes. The entity has had such names as The Grim, Hel, Hades, Cerberus, Shinigami, and so on. It behaves differently for each host so each one had a different name for it.”

 

I had to grin at that. “Then I guess it's my turn to name it huh?”

 

Quatre shrugged. “That's up to you. Just as many chose not to name it.”

 

“ Ridiculous, this so called `entity' is nothing more than a power that Maxwell wields. The idea of it being some sort of living thing is idiotic.”

 

I rolled my eyes at Wufei. “Just cause you got dragged into this doesn't mean that it isn't real.”

 

Before he could respond, this entity or power of mine, whatever you want to call it, decided to rear its little head. I felt something take form and rush at him, disappearing into the katana wielding man and making him double over in pain. The pristine traditional Chinese getup he was wearing started to develop rips and tears in it as we watched in morbid fascination. I amusingly noted that it looked like he got into a fight with a scythe-wielding maniac on Prozac.

 

Trowa edged away from his usual partner in crime and found his way beside Quatre. I almost had to laugh. Here was this tall big bad Brujah hiding behind a short little Lasombra who was watching like a curious on looker at a car accident.

 

Heero just looked impassive. Hello emotionless mask.

 

“Maxwell…. Make it stop.” Now he asks for help. I'd like to say typical Fei Fei, but hey, I have to admit I don't know him that well.

 

I shrugged at him. “Don't know if I can Wuffers. You might just have to say you're sorry.”

 

It felt like the entity was agreeing with me the moment I said that. Now that was interesting. I think I might have a name for it yet.

 

“That's stupid…” whatever the rest of that remark was, was cut off by a vengeful slash to his face. I watched as a slash mark appeared along his left cheek. That looked pretty painful.

 

“Alright! Duì bù qì!”

 

As soon as it started, it stopped. I could feel the entity practically strut back towards me and slip back to wherever it resided when it wasn't being used.

 

“Deathscythe.”

 

That got me curious looks from the others and a wary one from Wufei.

 

“Deathscythe?”

 

I nodded to Trowa's question. “Yeah, that's its name.”

 

 

XXXX

 

 

Dawn found me with four wool blanket covered lumps in my living room. Noin must have figured that this would happen eventually and provided me with heavy-duty blackout curtains. Screw getting this woman a puppy, jewelry's looking like the only option. This woman really did think of everything.

 

The rest of my day was spent with me taking catnaps, doing laundry and discovering where everything was in my new abode.

 

By the time sunset rolled around, nothing could bring me down from my good mood. I had clean laundry and dinner cooked and done. How did that woman know I loved hamburgers?

 

Heero woke up two hours before sunset again just as I was finishing up frying a few burgers and decided he wanted one. So there we were, two hours later with the remains of dinner in front of us when the others woke up. I was amused to note that Wufei was the first, followed by Trowa then Quatre.

 

My little Deathscythe let me know that they were hungry. I knew that they wouldn't be wanting hamburgers.

 

So a quick change into a pair of faded black jeans with a red turtleneck and a black leather jacket and we were off. The boys wanted to go to Cloud Nine. So there we went.

 

This time instead of waiting in line we took the back entrance. Apparently, any kindred that wanted in just needed to flash fangs and pass an aura test to get in. That was handy to know.

 

The moment we hit the dance floor the boys branched off and disappeared. Yeah, I could feel where they were, but I couldn't see them in this crowd. Heero was the only one that stayed beside me. His excuse was that regular food worked just as well as blood for him now. Well, I guess that's a good think. That was one less vampire to feed.

 

Heero and I found a booth in a corner out of the way and sat down to wait. We weren't there long when everyone's favorite club owner took a seat.

 

Mandy studied us impassively. Her chin rested on her folded hands in front of her as her elbows rested on the table. I squirmed a bit as her coal grey eyes bore into me. I felt Heero move closer as a hand slid over to rest on my knee. That was an interesting way of showing support. But hey, I wasn't going to argue. Not a chance in hell.

 

“I didn't think that it was possible to make things worse in this city Mr. Maxwell, but somehow you've managed it.”

 

I blinked in surprised. I glanced at Heero and noted that he looked as impassive as she did.

 

“In what way?” Okay, I was curious as much as I was shocked.

 

“The Sabbat is demanding retribution for taking their pack leader. The nearest Bishop is on his way here. I recommend that you go to Elysium tonight Mr. Maxwell.”

 

The hand on my knee tightened. Yeah, I didn't like the sound of that either.

 

 

XXXX

 

 

Mandy left us after delivering the bad news. Not long after that, the others started to show up. Quatre was first. His cheeks were slightly flushed and his hair tousled. Looks like he did more than get a bite to eat.

 

Next was Trowa who looked amused. Quatre was glancing at him every so often. I'm betting that Tro-man caught Q-ball doing whatever it was he was doing. Must bug green eyes later for details.

 

Last to show up was Wufei who was now sporting a change of clothes. Instead of the white ensemble he had on earlier, this one consisted of a black Chinese shirt and pants with matching slippers. There was embroidery along the collar of a Chinese style dragon. Topping it all off was a white leather trenchcoat that I was sure hid a wide assortment of weapons.

 

“I had our things sent over to your apartment. I believe that will suffice in being our new haven.”

 

Huh? Wait, when did I decide to let them move in? “Hey now. Aren't you supposed to clear that with me first?” I couldn't help but give Wufei an annoyed look.

 

He shrugged it off. That arrogant prick. “Regardless, it would be more prudent that we were all close to each other.”

 

I grumbled as I crossed my arms. Damn it. I bet it was that stupid bond talking.

 

“How about we sort this out later? I believe that we have somewhere else to be?”

 

I looked up to find Quatre looking at me expectantly.

 

I blinked at the sudden change of subjects. How did he know we needed to be somewhere else? We just found out ourselves.

 

Quatre gave me this innocent smile. Innocent my ass. “One of the guards informed me. He said it was passed on to him by the Nosferatu.”

 

So there were rats in this city. Note to self: find them. I want information.

 

“If you wish, I can get in contact with the Nosferatu I know.”

 

Trowa, you did it again. “Please Tro-man. I want information. Just see if they're willing to share and at what price.”

 

He nodded as he disappeared into the crowd.

 

I guess it takes more than a phone call. I wasn't too worried though. Trowa was a big boy. He can take care of himself.

 

The rest of us headed towards our next destination. Marie's Double.

 

 

XXXX

 

 

This time when we entered Elysium, everyone ignored us. I like this better than the last time.

 

Five minutes. That's how long we were by ourselves before Milliardo and his entourage descended on us. Then the fireworks began.

 

“Do you how much trouble you've caused? The Sabbat has threatened to hold the Camarilla responsible for this mockery against them. We were trying to have a peaceful co-existence with them before you came along with whatever the hell it is that you do.”

 

Whoa. Blondie was pissed. The normally composed man was quickly spiraling into rage fit for a Brujah with, hopefully, no violence. I hope. Please? I don't want to have to fix a broken arm. Or leg. Or neck.

 

Treize placed a calming hand on Milliardo and he managed to reign himself in. Noin and Une were standing behind them. Noin looked uneasy. I guess she wasn't used to seeing her master so mad. Une looked annoyed and kept shooting me angry glances. Hello uber bitch. There's the door. Get lost.

 

“What Milliardo means, is that we did not expect this. We hired you simply to manage Elysium for the year and maybe help us pick a new keeper when your contract was up. We did not realize that your power was a loose cannon that would react so badly to being surrounded by Kindred.”

 

That would be Treize trying to be diplomatic about this. The basic run down? We're pissed. You weren't supposed to cause trouble. You were supposed to prevent trouble. Now fix it.

 

I sighed and shrugged as I leaned in, elbows resting on the table. I raked my fingers through my messy bangs and looked up at the towering Camarilla leader. For once, I felt small compared to them. I don't mean short, I mean tiny. You know that feeling you get when you're up against odds that you don't think you can deal with? Yeah, that feeling.

 

“Duo didn't know that this would happen when he accepted the contract. If he had, it wouldn't have helped. His power would have found another way of gathering us together. This just happened to be the best opportunity it had.”

 

Quatre, you are wonderful. I think I know what Deathscythe was thinking when it picked him. I needed a diplomat. I sure as hell wasn't diplomatic. Shoot first and maybe ask questions later. That's more my deal. Even though guns are usually the last option. The first option is run.

 

“I see. That doesn't erase the fact that he's created a political mess. The Bishop of Detroit is on his way. I trust that you will deal with this.”

 

And that would be Treize wrapping up the argument. I should send him a fruit basket. Yeah, right. Like he could eat it.

 

Noin ushered the group away and sent me an apologetic look. I was happy at least she had some sympathy for me.

 

I folded my arms on the tabletop and let my head rest on my arms. This just goes from bad to worse. First my power gets a personality and thinks I need to be adjusted. Then I find out that the power's more of a living thing that some ability I was born with. Next I find that the kindred my power picked have their own baggage. I'm sure as hells don't know what Trowa and Wufei brought with them, but there's probably something. Quatre's got ties to the Sabbat that is biting me in the ass. Heero… well, I don't know what's up with him. The memory I saw of his was just as fucked up as my own personal nightmare.

 

“Quatre, are you going to participate in the vaulderie? That would fix this mess.”

 

That was a female voice. Someone from a noble family if my ears don't deceive me.

 

“No Dorothy, I don't think I can.”

 

Dorothy huh. I glanced up though my mess of bangs. It was that blonde chick from the first night. She was the one that was at Q-ball's side all night. She was the freaky eyebrows woman.

 

“Why not? Quatre, we need you. You are the pack leader, our Ductus. You can't simply leave. You know that.”

 

I didn't like the look in her eyes. Yeah, she sounded innocent and sweet, but her eyes were that of a predator sizing up her prey. I didn't like that at all.

 

I could feel Quatre tense. He knew she was sizing him up. The sweet blonde we knew was gone in an instance. He straightened up and gave her a cold, calculating look. “Oh? You didn't need me when you went behind my back and tried to get me killed on the last mission. Does the bond mean nothing to you dear priest?”

 

Her eyes became colder as she continued to look sweet. “What do you mean Quatre? We all lived and gained glory in the eyes of our superiors from that mission.”

 

“Only because I survived to come save the day at the last moment.”

 

Ouch. Somehow I don't think that earned either of them brownie points with each other. Despite the Sabbat's habit of bonding all it's pack together, I think these two somehow became enemies.

 

“For that we are grateful Quatre. We were lucky to have The Great Sandrock in our pack.”

 

I was confused. Sandrock? Where'd that come from? I glance at Heero who was beside me and noticed that he had tensed up. Even Wufei looked uneasy. Okay, I was missing something here. What was going on?

 

“Oh, you haven't told them? Perhaps it slipped your mind dear Quatre? I'm sure Duo would be surprised to know how you got that name. Why not tell him?”

 

“I'm warning you Dorothy, leave.” Quatre's voice was like ice. Damn, this must be serious.

 

She smiled. “ Steady as a rock, fierce as a sand storm. Did you know dear Quatre suffocated an entire village once? He killed them in their sleep, covering them like a sandstorm from the desert he was born in.”

 

Before I knew what was happening, Heero grabbed me by my braid and yanked me away from the table. I was yelping and screaming for him to let go of my braid when something dark caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.

 

I managed to turn my head enough to catch a glimpse of black tentacles racing out from under the table and grabbing Dorothy. There was the sound of yelling and screaming. A chair crashed somewhere and she went flying into a table on the other end of the room with the bar finally halted her path. There was the sound of breaking glass accompanying her stop. That was going to cost a pretty penny to fix.

 

There was the sound of a sword being drawn and the click of a safety being turned off. I looked back at Wufei and Heero to see them have their weapons. They had a katana and gun respectively. They looked ready for battle.

 

I rubbed the back of my head. My poor braid. Since when was my braid a leash? I seriously need to yell at them for that. First it was Wufei, now Heero. So not cool.

 

“Everyone remain calm! We don't want things to get worse.”

 

I turned my head to see who was talking. It was a woman with red hair that resembled clouds with the way it was cut and styled. She had a smile on her face and was trying to calm everyone down. People seemed to be listening to her and quieting down. I frowned. She was using her powers on us to calm us down. And it was working.

 

She walked over to us, all smiles and calming gestures. “ How about you put those tentacles away Mr. Winner. We don't need any more property damage. I'm sure Molly wouldn't appreciate it.”

 

Quatre merely nodded as he dismissed the condensed shadows he used to throw Dorothy. A moment later he was smiling pleasantly at her. “Sorry to be of trouble Ms. Catherine.”

 

She shook her head. “It's no problem Mr. Winner, and how many times do I have to tell you to call me Cathy?”

 

“As many times as I have to tell you to call me Quatre Ms. Catherine.”

 

Okay, crisis aborted. And with minimal casualties it looks like. Now who was this new chick?

 

“That would be Cathy. She's a Toreador and the current sheriff.”

 

I practically jumped out of my skin at the sound of Trowa's voice right next to my ear. I quickly turned around to face him. He was standing there as if nothing happened and he hadn't left.

 

His eyes were trained at the scene before him. A quick pained look flashed though his eyes and was gone in an instant. What was that? I glanced back at Quatre and Cathy. Then back to Trowa. Something wasn't adding up here.

 

I looked over to Wufei. His eyes were on Trowa. Those black depths had a sad look in them. The moment he noticed me, the look was gone.

 

Okay, lets piece this together. Trowa and Wufei here bonded together before I came along. Now Trowa is looking at Quatre with a pained look. I'd almost describe it as longing. Fei looks sad. Huh. If I didn't know any better, I'd say a lover's triangle was appearing before my eyes.

 

I glanced over at Heero. He was still tense but at least the gun wasn't pointed at anything. That was a good sign.

 

I sighed and tugged my poor braid over my shoulder and petted it a bit. Okay so I was still upset about it being pulled. I repeat. It's not a leash.

 

A few moments later Trowa spoke up again. “The Nosferatu has agreed to meet with us. Tomorrow in the basement of Elysium.”

 

“And the price? I know they didn't let you go without a price Trowa.”

 

“The price was unimportant.”

 

“Trowa, buddy, what's the price?”

 

There was a pause for a few moments. “They want information.”

 

“On what?”

 

“You.”

 

 

XXXX

 

 

Translation Notes:

 

duì bù qì- I'm sorry; forgive me; pardon me. Hey, it makes sense. Wufei is Chinese after all.

 

 

Glossary:

 

Gangrel: Beasts. Animals. Outlanders. Of all the vampires, the Gangrel are perhaps closest to their inner nature. These nomadic loners spurn the constraints of society, preferring the comfort of the wilderness. How they avoid the wrath of the werewolves is unknown; perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the Gangrel are themselves shape shifters. When a mortal speaks of a vampire changing into a wolf or a bat, she is probably speaking of a Gangrel. <Affiliation: Independent. >

 

Nosferatu: Sewer Rats, Lepers. Nos. The most visibly cursed of all Kindred; the Embrace warps each Nosferatu into a hideously deformed creature. The Nosferatu are the spymasters of the dead, collecting information and selling it for a dear price. They are also the masters of the underground, living in the sewers for protection. <Affiliation: Camarilla>

 

Brujah: Rabble. Zealots. Quick to anger and always passionate in the Modern Nights, they have fallen from their former position as a clan of lofty philosophers and activists and are often painted as merely a rabble of "angry young Kindred" and revolutionaries. Despite their rebellious nature, the Brujah were one of the founding clans of the Camarilla, and they have remained a pillar of that sect throughout its history. <Affiliation: Camarilla>

 

Malkavian: Kooks, Lunatics, Madmen, Clan of the Moon, Malkie. A Clan of Kindred cursed with insanity. Every Malkavian is in some fashion insane. They are one of the original seven clans of the Camarilla and, strangely enough, a pillar of the organization. Throughout history, the Malkavians have been the seers and oracles of the Kindred, bound by strange compulsions and insight. <Affiliation: Camarilla>

 

Ductus: The Sabbat term for pack leader.

 

Vaulderie: the blood tie that keeps a Pack together through forced loyalty.

 

Blood Bond: s a supernatural link of fidelity and dependency of one individual (the thrall) on a vampire (the regent), created and maintained by the repeated consumption of blood. After the first sip of blood, the thrall begins to develop strong feelings for the regent, whether love or hate, though they are still free to act as they choose. Those in a one-drink bond may unconsciously seek out the regent, seemingly accidentally running into them on a frequent basis. After the second sip, the regent becomes a very important person to the thrall, who may go out of their way to seek the regent's attention or please them. It becomes difficult for the thrall to do anything that would harm the regent, and the regent likewise finds it easier to convince the thrall of things. Though the thrall's craving for the regent's blood increases, they still retain their free will. After the third sip, the blood bond is complete. The thrall is now subject to the regent completely and loves them as much as they are capable of loving anyone. The regent is the most important person in the thrall's life and takes priority over all else; sufficiently weak-willed individuals will commit any act the regent asks of them. It may still be possible for the thrall to act against the regent, but only temporarily and after an extreme effort of will.

 

(Note! Duo's power sort of did it's own thing that mimicked this.)