Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Götterdämmerung ❯ Jenseits die Spiegal ( Chapter 5 )

Jenseits die Spiegal

 

 

Rating: PG-15

 

AU: Duo Maxwell is the key to breaking the curse over the vampires and werewolves, but how and when are pushed to the back of his mind as they try to escape the eyes of Zechs Peacecraft, his lovely but dangerous werewolf pursuer. Treize and Zechs bastardization (aha, I admit it.)

~*~

Babble: off on a tAtU bend! Sorry for the wait. Next chappie will have tAtU lyrics

 

~*~

 

Dark hills at evening in the west

Where sunset hovers like a sound

Of golden horns that sang to rest

Old bones of warriors under ground,

Far now from all the bannered ways

Where flash the legions of the sun

You fade- as if the last of days

Were fading, and all wars were done.

 

The Dark Hills

(Edwin Arlington Robinson)

 

~*~

 

Jenseits die Spiegal

(Beyond the Looking Glass)

 

PART FIVE

 

“Hey Sal. You feeling okay?” Duo asked his friend as he set down the bowl of soup he'd brought for her on the small table.

 

“Fine… just a little tired,” Sally groaned, holding the cold water compress against her forehead. She sat upright in the bed, in the small bedroom she was staying in, wearing a green long sleeved shirt and light green soft baggy pants.

 

Duo sighed, leaning back against the table in his black t-shirt and jeans. They'd been doing laundry every day since arriving three days ago, having to stop at a small roadside hotel on their mad dash to get here. Fortunately, Zechs had not followed.

 

The Cabin was small compared to the safe house, with two bedrooms, a small living room, a kitchen, two bathrooms (Duo had been thankful for that) and a laundry room. The house itself was fairly old, but had been kept mostly up to date otherwise. The house had an air of danger to it, and because of that Duo thought he was getting paranoid. They didn't hope to stay here long after the full moon.

 

“Wufei's worried about you, since the full moon is in another day,” he said, playing with the end of his braid, “Actually, I'm worried too…” he frowned. He'd kept having the feeling that someone was… well, like brushing up against his mind.

 

“Don't worry,” Sally smiled tersely. “I'm not going to die, I'm just…” she sighed sadly, looking down. “I'm just going to turn into a rampaging werewolf. I'm more worried about you guys. I don't want to hurt you…” she said sourly. “I wish Sekra were here.”

 

Duo looked out the window. “I wish she were here too, but…” he looked back at the frowning ex-Specials officer. “We've got Heero and Wufei, so at least your not alone,” he said.

 

Sally smiled sadly. “Hey, thanks, Duo,” she said, getting up, putting down the cold compress and shuffling over to the table. “I'm really glad you're here. Its better that we don't fight anymore,” she said, giving Duo a fierce hug.

 

Duo was surprised, and hugged back automatically. Oddly, he thought, she reminded him of his mother, even down to her scent- vanilla. “You guys … used to fight?” he asked, confused.

 

Sally sat down, stirring the soup. “Yeah… like wild animals. Sekra and Wufei always had some nasty shiners from Heero. You don't even want to know about Hilde, Cloud and Trowa. They really tore up the house,” she stated, gingerly tasting the soup, then set the spoon down. She frowned, “In fact, even Quatre and I never got along- we always found something to disagree on. Its amazing we're so comfortable with each other now,” she turned to Duo, who was looking at her in a mixture of surprise, shock and interest. “You have that effect, I guess.”

 

Duo shook his head doubtfully, smiling shakily. “Ah… well, that interesting, Sal. I'm gonna…” he paused, trying to think of something. Sally laughed, and then coughed slightly. “I know. Let it sink in,” she said. Duo grinned gratefully. “Thanks,” he said, standing up straight and leaving the bedroom, which lead into the living room.

 

He silently observed the two resting on the couch, Heero on the far left, sitting cross-legged, and Wufei on the right, relaxed and leaning against the armrest. They weren't friends; he'd known that, and there was still animosity between the two. But…fighting like animals? Quatre was in the kitchen, cooking dinner/breakfast. Trowa would be up soon, seeing as the sun was sinking behind the mountains.

 

Duo had never as sorely felt the loss of his three friends as he did then. Sighing sadly and feeling morbid, he went to the low table on the dark, wine-colored rug, sitting down where various items of his littered the table- a manga book, pencils, the sketching notebook.

 

“Is she ok?” Wufei asked, as he always did when someone came out of Sally's room.

 

“Yeah. She was awake,” Duo said, then `elaborated' a bit. “She's kind of missing you, y'now,” he said `absent-mindedly', looking at Wufei discreetly.

 

Wufei made no sound, but less than five minutes later he got up and went into the room; Duo snickered to himself, finding the whole thing funny.

 

~*~

 

“Oh, hey Wufei,” Sally smiled at the black haired werewolf as he sat down across form her at the small table. He wore tan baggy jeans held up by a belt and a dark navy blue tank top. The shirt dipped slightly low, revealing a slightly discolored, jagged scar starting at his collarbone. `His turning scar,' Sally thought. She'd known him since she was twelve and so was he. They were the same age, but Wufei had been turned when he was 15, so he looked younger than his childhood friend.

 

Sally had joined the Specials to take revenge for her friend. She had never expected him to join up with this `coven', and for her to end up helping them. She had learned that the werewolf that had attacked Wufei had either been a new-turned, or one of Zechs'.

 

“Are you feeling well?” he asked her, and Sally was slightly surprised but answered nonetheless. “Yes, I'm fine. Didn't Duo say so?” she asked, stirring her soup again.

 

“The baka could probably find you bleeding and say you were okay,' Wufei mumbled darkly, tapping his fingers against the table. The frown on his face softened, abruptly. “That's not what I meant. What I meant was-“

 

“Wufei,” Sally gently interrupted his sentence. “I'm going to be fine. I'm sure you and Heero will be able to make sure everyone is safe. It'll be all right,” she said, reaching for Wufei's hand and covering it with her own. He took it and squeezed back gently.

 

~*~

 

Quatre paused as he felt the worried, loving waves emanating from the bedroom. Smiling slightly, he closed the oven and took off the cooking gloves/mittens, and walked into the living room.

 

Duo looked up at him from where he was hunched over his notebook. “Hey, Quatre,” he said, putting on a smile. Quatre smiled back and walked over to the teen. “What are you drawing?” Quatre asked.

 

“Somethin,” Duo shrugged, handing the book to Quatre. He looked at the pair on the page, and then asked tentatively, “Is this Sekra and Cloud?”

 

“What?” Duo got up and tugged the book back. “Whoa! Er, yeah, I guess. I didn't notice…” he said. The picture was of a sword wielding, amazonic woman and a man closely resembling the “anime knights”. And both bore a very uncanny resemblance to the deceased pair.

 

“Baka,” Heero snorted. Duo looked over at him and glared. He snatched the book back form a surprised Quatre and went into the hallway, stomping all the way. Then he abruptly returned.

 

“I keep forgetting I sleep in here,” he muttered, and Quatre laughed.

 

~*~

 

“What's wrong?” Trowa asked his love as the two sat on the couch, watching Heero and Duo in a heated argument over…something. Darn it, Quatre thought, they've been fighting so much lately- but he knew why. The full moon was tomorrow. And Wufei, Heero and Sally had to be out in the woods, to keep from harming the others and to keep Sally under control.

 

Heero was, basically, on edge.

 

“I just can't shake this feeling of…foreboding.” Quatre shook his head. “Its like something bad is going to happen. And Duo's just worrying me…” he trailed off, ready to intervene if Duo pushed too far.

 

“Worrying?”

 

“He told me he's been very paranoid lately… he thinks he's feeling someone brush up against the edges of his consciousness,” Quatre said. “And I don't know the extent of Zechs bond with Duo, but he found us at the hotel. We were very careful to cover our tracks. That suggests that Zechs might be seeking Duo using their bond.”

 

“Zechs has nothing to gain by capturing Duo. He will never submit to coercion. He's too thick skulled,” Trowa stated. Quatre laughed bitterly. “He doesn't have to. He can fully bind himself to Duo, and when Duo finally admits he loves someone, he can manipulate the power of the Key to his will. It will have to pass through him first,” Quatre said, looking at Trowa. “We found that out when we read the book of Skulls.”

 

“We will have to be on guard, then. Tomorrow will be our most weak point.”

 

“Yes,” Quatre said, looking over as Wufei and Sally came through the bedroom door. Sally looked sick and Wufei looked at Heero.

 

“Its time,” he stated simply. Heero nodded, and got up. Duo's shocked expression followed the three as they walked out the door.

 

“Where're they going?” Duo asked as the front door shut. “Into the woods. When Sally turns, she won't know friend from foe. Wufei and Heero will be forced to turn as well, but will keep their minds,” Quatre said, pulling Trowa closer to him.

 

“Oh. You mean- that's what she meant when she said she'd turn in to a rampaging werewolf?” Duo asked. Trowa nodded silently. Duo looked down. “God. I feel so…sorry for her.”

 

“I do too,” Quatre said sadly, looking at the floor.

 

~*~

 

Quatre smiled fondly as he covered Trowa with the black blanket, the boys face slack. The sun would rise in the next few minutes, and he was ensuring the Trowa wouldn't be burned. Walking over to the window and shutting the curtains, he glanced back at the still form before walking outside.

 

“He should be ok,” Quatre told the boy who was hovering outside the room. Duo's brows knitted together, but he nodded just the same. Quatre looked at his friend inquisitively. “What's wrong?”

 

“I dunno… bored, I guess,” Duo shrugged, following his friend down to the main room. “Aren't you tired?” he asked the blonde empath. “You've been up all night.”

 

“Not really,” Quatre said, looking out the window, then smiling at Duo. “Sounds like your tired. You should go rest,” he told him.

 

Duo smiled, the action lacked any definable emotion. “I guess,” he said, glancing around the room, before looking pointedly at Quatre.

 

Quatre laughed slightly. “Oh, right,” he said, walking into the hallway. After, the living room was Duo's bedroom.

 

~*~

 

Dark shadows creeping across the living room, casting eerie light over the furniture and Duo, who lay curled on his side. Suddenly, he blinked open his eyes quickly, sitting up. He wore a gray shirt and black pants, hair falling out of his braid.

 

Someone else was in the room with him.

 

“Perceptive. It seems the bond works two ways,” a calm voice said. Duo twisted around to find Zechs standing at the head of the couch, dressed casually in a red shirt and black jeans that hugged his legs.

 

“You- what are you doing here!” Duo hissed, scrambling up to his knees. Zechs smiled humorlessly, walking over to Duo.

 

“We're going to have a little chat. But, not here,” Zechs raised a hand, and Duo felt sick before he passed out.

 

~*~

 

Duo groaned, feeling hard rock against his back, cold seeping through his shirt. ` Oh fucking wonderful. Of all the…' Duo ranted mentally, coming to and recognizing the same cell/dungeon he'd been in less than a week ago.

 

However, he didn't recognize the man standing next to the door with short light brown hair, and wearing a blue and white uniform.

 

“Who the hell are you?” Duo demanded, glaring. The man sighed, shaking his head. “My name is Treize. Zechs asked me to guard you until he returned,” he said, sounding exasperated.

 

“Treize? Oh yeah, the double-crossing bastard,” Duo said venomously.

“I merely did what was necessary for my loyal officers and myself to survive,” Treize said.

 

“Nuts to you,”(1) Duo answered, glaring at the door now. Almost on cue, the steel door opened, and Zechs walked in, with that same eerie unnatural grace his friends possessed. Treize raised an eyebrow to the werewolf führer (2), but left the cell anyway.

 

“Goddamn it! I'm starting to get really fucking annoyed by you!!” Duo yelled irately at Zechs.

 

“None of this would be necessary if you would cooperate,” the blond werewolf answered sultrily, leaning against the closed door.

 

“Oh really? How exactly am I supposed to fall in love with you, weirdo!?” Duo snarled, looking very much the proverbial caged animal.

 

“You're already so much like a wolf,” Zechs shrugged his shoulders casually. “If you allowed yourself to become fully bonded to me, it would all be simpler.”

 

“I'm not going to! So fuck you and your `wolves'!!” Duo spat at the calm figure.

 

“Duo, I'm very serious. Don't force me to take matters into my own hands,” Zechs said, sounding like he was warning Duo.

 

Duo stopped his struggling, looking at Zechs carefully. Finally, he spoke, his voice gaining volume as he went. “No one is forcing you to do anything. You are the one causing all this! You're the one killing everybody! You crazy bastard!!” he yelled.

Zechs looked at the seething Duo quietly, then got up and walked towards him.

 

“You have a very strong will, Duo Maxwell,” he told him, stopping in front of him and placing his hands on Duo's shoulders. “But a strong will isn't a measure of true strength or endurance,” he leaned in close to Duo's face. Duo swallowed, glaring. “Lets see if you're as strong as that will,” Zechs growled, baring canines before he leaned over and buried his teeth in the juncture of Duo's neck and shoulder.

 

Duo yelped, jerking but the blonde would not be dislodged. And then, it was if everything between his mind, and Zechs mind, was laid bare. Every plan, every thought, what he had seen. The pieces fell one by one into his mind like a jigsaw puzzle.

 

And then he saw the picture.

 

“Oh my god,” Duo gasped, horrified, as Zechs pulled away, face grim. “You…you crazy sonofa…” he managed weakly at the blurring figure before shock and darkness overtook him.

 

Treize walked in and looked at the unconscious boy. “Did you really need to do that?” he asked the other tensely.

 

Zechs looked at him. “Yes, I did. Don't question it. I have my reasons, and now he knows them too,” he finished, walking towards the door. “Deal with him.”

 

~*~

 

“Why is it so quiet?” Wufei growled as he carried the unconscious Sally piggyback, up the steps to the front door of the cabin.

 

“I don't know,” Heero said edgily. The sun was close to rising, the rays peeking out over the snow-capped mountains. They had kept Sally- and themselves- under control during the full moon. But the house was silent in a way. Something was off.

 

Heero cautiously opened the door, hearing voices emanate out.

 

“…could have gone?!”

 

“I don't know, Quatre. Calm down, little one.”

 

“How can I be calm? He's missing!!” Heero, Wufei and an unconscious Sally treaded softly into the cabin.

 

“What's going on?” Heero asked, looking at Quatre, and Trowa, who was lurking in the shadow of the bookshelf. Wufei gently lay Sally down on the couch.

 

“Duo's not here. Have you seen him?” Trowa asked calmly.

 

“I knew something bad was going to happen!” Quatre said, frenzied.

 

`We haven't seen him,” Heero said, looking between the two. “Maybe he wandered off,” Wufei suggested, meandering over to them.

 

“Without telling either of us?!” Quatre exclaimed. Trowa frowned, and placed a hand on the worried blondes shoulder. Heero felt a tiny stab of worry- a tiny one. He looked around the front room, critically eyeing the whole interior.

 

Suddenly, there was a heavy knock, and then a thud, at the front door. Quatre and Heero exchanged looks and ran towards the front door, Wufei dogging after them.

As Quatre yanked the door open, a limp body fell forward and Heero caught it.

 

It was Duo.

 

“What the-“ Quatre was cutoff as Wufei pushed past them. Heero crouched down and placed Duo on the floor gently.

 

“There were werewolves here,” Wufei said, bristling. Quatre looked around, a helpless feeling look on his face.

 

“Damn it,” Heero said suddenly. When Quatre and Wufei looked at him, pointed to Duo's lower neck, where the juncture was. There were a clear set of deep teeth marks; blood had already oozed and clotted around it, and it seemed to be bruising.

 

“He's been marked,” Wufei stated simply.

 

“And that means he's infected,” Quatre sounded faint, leaning against the open door. Heero said nothing, looking down at Duo's unconscious face. He looked stressed.

 

“Damn it.”

 

~*~*~

 

(1) “Nuts to you.”

Good for you, great. Sarcastic.

 

(2) Führer

German for leader.