Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Elven Mage ❯ Of Training Disruptions and Memories. ( Chapter 11 )

Warnings: Shounen-ai (like no duh), limey stuff, HeeroandDuo angst, Nihrana being himself (really, really dirty), can't remember, but there might be language, mild Relena-bashing (Hehehe…), Treize angst and pain, and, as always, Shiakara insanity and the possibility of OOCness, though I would hope not.

Disclaimer: I do solemnly swear that Heero, Duo and all of their affiliates do not belong to me and I make no money off them. Shiakara, Tia'ara, Nihrana, Mykaa'ria, Sir Argues-a-lot, Gerette and any other non-GW characters that I might have forgotten do belong to me, however I don't make any money off them either… Bloody lazy lot…

Author's notes: Beware! Tissues may be needed! (I hope so because some of this is supposed to be really sad.) Uhm… This part, once I got started on it, didn't take me too long. It's a little longer than the parts normally are, though not a lot. I'll try to have the next part out faster, promise!

Many thanks and hugs and kisses to all my reviewers, and especially Rogue11 for wanting to put this on her site (go look at her stuff here on FF.Net and go look at her site! http://www.gundam-wing-universe.net).

Now, on to the story!

~ ~ ~

~You, what are you doing? You're dreaming! Put that flow back into order, now! And you two over there, I'm not seeing the seamless combination I asked for! Mykaa'ria, how are you doing now?~

Nihrana couldn't believe he was coordinating such a complicated FarCasting by himself and with a pack of incompetents. The fact of the matter was, though, that Mykaa'ria could reach the farthest and she'd sensed something of Milliardo, but only very faintly. Even Nihrana's strongest boost couldn't take her far enough, so now every FarCaster was supporting her and she was almost, almost there.

~I'm doin' th' best I can, bu' it's a bloody long way ta try an' reach. Have ye no patience? Jus' wait.~

Nihrana rolled his eyes and smiled slightly despite himself, having taken an instant liking to the no-nonsense mage. The liking was mutual, and she'd told him the mage Nihrana still referred to as "Sir Argues-a-lot" had had it coming to him anyway.

~You over there, get your mind back on the job, for the gods' sakes!~ Nihrana snarled violently, making the unfortunate mage wince at the pain the vicious thought caused.

Mykaa'ria ignored all of Nihrana's orders to the others and all the murmuring going on between them. She ignored the fact that her hands were cold and her backside was going numb from sitting down for so long. She ignored the tingling in her mind which warned her she was coming close to pushing herself too far. Mykaa'ria ignored everything but the spark of Milliardo which was growing steadily brighter the farther she moved.

~Nihrana, there isna enough pow'r 'ere ta ge' me far enough. We need more mages…~

~Thaer aern't aeny maer maeges what caen FarCast, Mykaa'ria, an' yea knaew i' aes weel aes th' raest o' us,~ someone else replied, his mind-voice a little strained from working so hard.

~But there are those tha' can give support. Canna we use them ta 'elp?~ Mykaa'ria said, directing it mostly to Nihrana.

Nihrana chewed his lip in thought, absently stroking the back of the dragon adorning his staff as he did so.

~I think I know of one who might be able to help…~ he sent to Mykaa'ria, then reached out of the room and let his mind wander the University, looking for one very distinct signature.

* * *

Duo laughed and ducked out of Heero's grip, not allowing the mage to capture him. Heero tried a different approach, flinging bands of energy in the elf's direction. Energy manipulation, along with Elemental control, however, had quickly been found as one of Duo's strong points and he shattered Heero's bands with barely a thought, sticking his tongue out as he did so.

Shiakara howled with laughter, then bared her teeth in her version of a smirk and dove into the fray, pushing her small Talent to the limit to bind Duo's ankles and watch him stumble, then fall to his knees.

Heero didn't waste any time in giving a slight shove so the elf toppled all the way over, then pinning Duo to the floor of the practice room. What had started as serious training in Atmosphere had quickly dissolved into play that Heero, while he was unfamiliar with it, excelled at.

"I win," he purred, predatory satisfaction in his tone as he leaned down, intending to kiss Duo. The action was forestalled, however, at a near-shriek through their minds.

~For the god's sakes! Rabbits, the pair of you! Stop boinking in the middle of the practice room floor and come here! We need your help!~

~You don't have to yell, Nihrana. We're doing nothing of the sort,~ Heero replied acidly, and was about to go on, when Duo put his two cent's worth in.

~Besides, if we were boinking, we'd come here not there!~

Nihrana's giggle sounded through both their minds and Duo smirked up at Heero as the mage rolled his eyes. Duo suddenly seemed to realize what he'd said fully, and he blushed a little, amazed at his own boldness. But, he reminded himself, Nihrana was like… like him.

~Enough mucking about. Mykaa'ria's Sensed Milliardo, but she hasn't the reach to pinpoint his location. I've got every FarCaster here boosting her, along with myself, but it's not enough.~

~Neither of us can FarCast even a little,~ Heero sent back, bemused.

~Just get your asses over here. I know what I'm doing and you do want Milliardo back, don't you?~

Duo looked hard at Heero then, afraid more than he'd ever been afraid in his entire life. He hadn't admitted to either himself or the mage the depth of his feelings. For the moment he was having enough of a time dealing with the fact that he was attracted to and had kissed - kept kissing - Heero, another male, admitting that he might love the mage would be too much for him at the moment.

Yet…

At the knowledge that Milliardo, Heero's first love - or something close to it - might be returning, Duo felt a shock of utter fear spear into his soul, tearing at his heart on its way past. He swallowed the fear, and hoped he hid it in time as his Master's eyes met his. No such luck.

Heero lifted a hand to gently touch Duo's cheek, reading exactly what the elf was thinking without even needing to reach into his mind to find it. He said nothing, only leaned down to brush a gentle kiss across the elf's lips.

~Will. You. Two. Calm. Your. Hormones?! I fucking need you here!~ Nihrana cried, desperation tainting the thought and making it almost painful.

~Oh… I didn't know you cared so, Nihrana!~ Duo sent back with playful sarcasm, trying to cheer the sorcerer somewhat as the two of them stood. Nihrana wouldn't be cheered, and only responded with a string of expletives in five different languages, so scorchingly angry that Duo cried out and staggered a little before managing to lift a shield and dim what Nihrana sent.

Heero, not the one the words were directed at, steadied Duo and gave him a questioning look, but the elf shook his head a little and offered a smile, indicating he was fine.

"My own stupid fault for not knowing when it's better to keep my mouth shut," he said with a wry grin, then waved Shiakara over. She nodded, having heard the conversation, and the three of them trooped off down the corridor at the call of one very powerful, very pissed sorcerer.

* * *

"About bloody time too. Get your asses over here. Actually, Duo, you're the only one I need. Heero's no good and nor is Shiakara," Nihrana muttered, not caring who he hurt or who he angered anymore.

Duo's eyes flicked around the group of FarCasters, whose eyes were all closed and who were all in deep concentration.

"I'm… not a FarCaster… Not even a little, Nihrana. I can't help," he said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind a pointed ear.

"You're not a FarCaster, but you blocked my attack with barely a hesitation. I'm not a FarCaster, but that energy you used to block me is the same as what I use with the help of this staff. You can open yourself to me and let me channel you into Mykaa'ria. It-"

"No," Heero stated flatly, and his tone brooked no argument. Nonetheless, Nihrana argued.

"Why not?"

"Because if you're not careful and you don't take things slow you could tear him apart from the inside out. As his Master and his… uh…" Heero had to think for a moment, unsure how to define their relationship. Lover was too strong a word and he'd always hated the term "boyfriend" when referring to a male/male couple… He decided he'd just say it and be done, worry about the consequences later. "His Master and his lover, I won't let you even attempt it."

Duo whirled and the slap that echoed through the near-silent room made every FarCaster flinch a little, though it didn't break any of their concentration. He glared at Heero, frame trembling slightly as the mage lifted a hand to his stinging cheek.

"We're not lovers yet, human, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't speculate on how far our relationship might go. I'd also appreciate it if you let me make my own decisions," he ground out, then turned from Heero's shocked face to look at Nihrana again. "What do I have to do?"

Nihrana smirked a little while Shiakara groaned at the turn of events. The sorcerer absently patted the OtherKin's head as he waved Duo to a chair then described to him what he had to do.

"There's really not much of anything you have to do, really. Just… sort of… open yourself to me and don't fight it when I take your energy and feed it into Mykaa'ria. You know how you shape your energy and channel it into whatever you happen to be doing with it? Well that's kind of what you have to do, only you just have to push it out and I'll do the channeling."

Duo chewed his lip a moment, then looked at Nihrana.

"I just open up to you… kind of like when I send or receive a thought, only more?" he said softly and Nihrana nodded.

Duo grinned, then suddenly looked at Heero, who was looking rather annoyed with the whole state of affairs. The elf blinked once, then growled softly, turned back to Nihrana, reached up to grab the back of his head and pulled him into the kind of kiss that should be classed as pornographic.

Nihrana made a muffled sound of surprise, his hair slipping down to mask them from Heero, though the mage had already seen enough to evoke the jealousy Duo had been aiming for. The sorcerer lifted a hand to capture the back of Duo's head now and he quickly took control of the kiss away from the far less experienced elf. He didn't hesitate to plunge his tongue into the waiting mouth, knowing exactly what Duo was doing and willing to show him that if he played with fire, he would get burned.

One of Nihrana's hands used the cover of his hair and their lose clothing to boldly travel down and caress that which should not be touched through the fabric of the elf's robe. Duo hissed in surprise and tried to pull away, having never intended this to be anything but a shock to Heero. Nihrana didn't let him go, keeping Duo trapped in the kiss as his tongue explored that soft mouth. The hand squeezed a little and Duo made a soft sound of fear at his sudden and very obvious loss of control over the situation.

~You would hurt both Heero and myself in a fit of spite by doing this, elfin, and I'll show you what you'll get if you play at these games,~ Nihrana thought darkly and, with barely a touch of his magic, opened a tear beneath his fingers through every layer of cloth and down to flesh. He slipped his hand inside and wrapped it about Duo's center, watching the elf's eyes widen and hearing the muffled sound of protest made into the kiss.

~N-no… don't… not… I can't… please… I…~ the barely-begun thoughts tumbled into each other as Nihrana slowly stroked a hand along the flesh he held.

~Learn your lesson well, Duo Maxwell, and I won't have to repeat it. Games such as this only harm those involved, and hardly ever the initiator. Play at them with me and I'll teach you it's not wise.~

Nihrana paused in the kiss for barely a moment to give the two of them a chance to breathe before he was plundering Duo's mouth again. His hand stroked again and Duo's body responded despite his mind's frantic negation of everything that was happening.

~Nihrana! Nihrana! Please, don't! Please, please stop!~ Duo begged, tears coming to his eyes as his hands shifted to clutch at the material of Nihrana's robes over his chest.

~Making your partner jealous is never, ever the right thing to do. Talk to him instead and sort the problems out!~ Nihrana murmured into his mind, his hand giving one last stroke before he withdrew and sealed the tears he'd made in the elf's clothing.

~Yes, yes, I understand… I'm sorry, Nihrana…~ Duo sobbed into his mind, and as a tear finally fell, Nihrana broke the kiss and drew away, turning back to the FarCasters.

Duo took a shuddering breath and his eyes met Heero's, easily reading hurt and betrayal in the beautiful prussian depths. He reached out to touch the mage's cheek and, to his surprise and utter relief, Heero didn't pull away, but only silently questioned him with those eyes.

"I'm a big idiot, Heero. Let it rest at that for the moment," Duo said, withdrawing his hand quickly, still nervous about everything that was going on within him. Heero looked away from Duo as Shiakara nudged his hand with a wet nose and the mage lifted it to pat her habitually and without thought.

Duo turned back to Nihrana who was smiling at him.

"Sorry, Duo, but I thought it the best way to get the message through," he said.

Duo scratched the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly.

"Weeeell, it did at that," he said, then shrugged as Nihrana laughed with a touch of affection coloring the sound.

"Let's find Milliardo so we can all get some decent rest for once," the sorcerer said with a grin, and Duo nodded, then settled back and opened himself, putting complete trust in Nihrana, for nothing else would do.

* * *

Quatre sighed as he snaked his way thorough the bushes and trees to the place where he'd been told Trowa was. Why it had to be him who went to get the pantherin was beyond the faery, but here he was. He stuck his head into the clearing and spoke softly, hesitance blindingly evident in his voice.

"T-Trowa…? They asked me to… to come get you… We've… got to leave soon…"

Trowa looked up and had to smile a little, for Quatre appeared little more than a head floating in the bushes. The smile was a pained one, though, and his shattered heart met Quatre when the faery looked into the emerald eyes.

"And of course you came, though you would rather not, because you're so kind and caring and you do whatever is asked of you to make other people happy… Whatever is asked… except loving me…" Trowa said in a soft murmur, his eyes never leaving Quatre's so that the faery was forced to see the pain and devastation he'd caused, albeit by accident.

"Trowa… please don't…" Quatre whispered, hands twisting nervously on his willow switch wand.

"Please don't what…? Please don't love you? I can't stop that, Quatre…"

"Please don't… tear me apart like this!"

"Tear you apart…?" Trowa's voice carried a dreamy quality and he laughed softly, but bitterly. "Oh, but my darling Quatre, I would never hurt you… I am the one torn apart…"

"I hate to see you sad and hurting, Trowa and… and it hurts me because I am an Empath, but… but… I c-can't give you what you're asking!" Quatre said, voice broken and filled with barely-contained sobs.

"I always, always thought you were… like me… You're so… feminine. Even though people told me all your kind seem that way, I believed you were the same as I was. I thought all it would take was for me to say the words and you'd be there… In my arms… forever…"

"Oh, Trowa…" Quatre whispered, and he went to his friend, pulling him into a gentle hug and holding him comfortingly. Trowa wrapped his arms around Quatre's waist, careful of his delicate wings, and sighed sadly.

"You know… if you let me… I could show you how nice it is and you might-"

"No, Trowa. I'm not and I never will be. What I always, always will be, though, is your very best friend. I hope that's enough and I hope you can be my friend without trying to push it further, because I don't want to lose you as a friend. There's someone out there for you, Trowa Barton, and I'll help you find him," Quatre whispered, gently smoothing a hand over Trowa's hair.

"Th-thank you," Trowa murmured, heart falling apart form the knowledge that he would never, ever have Quatre, yet leaping for joy because not only did Quatre not hate him, but the faery wanted to continue to be his friend.

"Wufei's waiting for us and I think if we don't get there in a hurry, he'll scowl your Pride to death," Quatre said soon, amused affection coloring his voice and Trowa had to smile.

"He would at that. We'd better go. And… thank you again."

Trowa stood first and helped Quatre to his feet then, with a small smile, pulled the faery close and dropped a light, infinitely tender kiss on his lips. Quatre gave a squeak of surprise, but Trowa didn't linger and he was quickly released from the pantherin's arms.

"Trowa…" Quatre said, twisting his wand uncomfortably.

"I won't make a habit of it, Quatre… Just… one for the road I guess you could say… You'll always be the first man I ever loved…" With that, Trowa left him, feline silence cloaking his movements even in his human form.

Quatre chewed his lip nervously, then shook his head and put it out of his mind, trusting his friend to keep his word and not make a habit out of kissing him. The faery had to admit, had he been gay or a woman, he would have failed miserably in an attempt to withstand Trowa's charms. He smiled a little at that, and vowed that he *would* help Trowa find someone to love and be loved by.

As soon as they both returned to the pantherin pride caves, Wufei ordered Quatre onto his back and stood close to Noin, grumbling a little about the whole thing, but being very careful with the faery on his back. Tia'ara watched as Trowa Changed, then moved close to him and thought something privately to him. Trowa shook his head and his return thought wasn't private.

~No, I'm fine. It'll be all right,~

Quatre looked hard at Wufei's back and said nothing, only began weaving his spell over the two centaurs, wand flicking back and fourth in a series of complicated patterns. Eventually, he brought the wand down sharply atop Wufei's head, followed closely by the top of Noin's head. Both hissed in slight pain and glared at him. He grinned sheepishly back.

"If I had said anything, you would've protested. I thought it better just to do it," he said, and they grumbled some more, but looked away from him. He looked over to Tia'ara and, at the slight nod of her head, lifted his wand and spoke a soft word.

Wufei started and gave a sharp gasp at the tingling through all his muscles. They seemed to throb with energy and power and he felt as though he could run for days. He blinked slowly, then took a step and found himself roughly ten steps from where he'd started. A newfound respect from the small creature on his back started to bud within the centaur.

"Ack! Noin, Wufei, you'll have to stay close together, or Noin will lose her spelling!" Quatre cried as the blue-purple centaur took every one of the ten steps to catch them up.

Trowa and Tia'ara, having no such trouble, were a good way ahead of them already and Trowa sent back a thought as the two of them stopped.

~Where are you?!~

~We're coming! It's just taking a bit to get ourselves synchronized!~ Quatre replied.

"Okay. On three?" This out loud to the centaurs and they nodded.

"One, two, three," they counted together, then set off with no trouble this time, leaping straight from standing still into a ground-eating gallop.

As they ran, Trowa and Tia'ara joined them and the five of them knew that by the set of the sun, they would be at the door the University, wherein they would find one Duo Maxwell and do their best to save him from the horrible, terrible torture the humans must be putting him through.

* * *

Milliardo opened his eyes and shot daggers from them at Treize, who smiled serenely back and awaited the final few points of the mage's Seeing.

"Not much has changed, that I can See… The elf's learned enough…" Milliardo said with a sigh. "But something… strange is going on… Everything seems… hazy… indistinct… I don't know what's happening, but I'm not Seeing as I usually do. If something happens different, then it's not my fault… Perhaps… it could be that there are so many different factors contributing to this future that even the future isn't sure how it's going to turn out…"

Treize looked hard at him, dark blue eyes sharp as he steepled his gloved fingers before him.

"Are you sure you aren't just trying to throw me off…?" he murmured, his silky voice making Milliardo's skin crawl even more than usual for some odd, odd reason.

"I can't, remember? You hold threat of my sister's death over my head and I will not be held responsible in any way if I can avoid it. Things are too uncertain for anything to be sure and I wouldn't plan around a Seeing… any Seeing at the moment if I were you…" With that, Milliardo stood and strode gracefully out of the room, making a beeline for the rose garden, which was the only place those little creatures of Treize's wouldn't follow him.

He sighed as he found a bench in a quiet corner of the garden, letting the color and scent of the roses lull him into a half-sleep. He tired of the constant verbal fencing with Treize Khushrenada and ever-present possibility of the man forcing him into bed again. He was thankful there was no physical forcing and Treize had been gentle with him, but… he didn't want it.

Treize seemed to think it more interesting to pursue him if he resisted, but giving in wasn't exactly an option. It was clearly a catch 22, a paradox, and Milliardo was sick to death of it. Either have the man constantly chasing and pestering, or give in and sleep with him. It was a circling thing that couldn't be won by any but Treize Khushrenada and Milliardo loathed his lack of power.

He had considered - more than once - just killing Treize and letting his minions do away with Relena. It wasn't as if Milliardo liked her very much. It wasn't as if anyone liked her very much. She was whiny, annoying, spoilt, childish and she was still mad at him for kissing Heero Yuy, he was sure.

Heero Yuy…

The name sparked something within Milliardo now. He knew what it was. Nothing but simple lust now that he had a taste of the younger mage. He was well aware Heero was very attracted to him and may even love him and, though he daren't admit it consciously, in the back of his mind he knew, if he got back to the University, he would play on that attraction and possible love, get Heero where he wanted him, keep him there for some time, then end things as gently as possible, but end things for certain.

He licked his lips, then nearly jumped out of his skin when a faint, but familiar voice sounded inside his head.

~Those aren't very nice plans, Milli. D'ye thin' i' would be very nice ta do tha' ta our Heero? Ye'd break 'is 'eart methinks!~

~M… Mykaa'ria…?~ he sent back, astonished, but keeping his wits enough to shield the thought from the mages under Treize's employ.

~Th' one an' only! Where in th' Seven Hells are ye?~

~In one of the Seven Hells is right… Treize Khushrenada's citadel.~

~Three's Whosawhatsada's citadel?~

~Treize Khushrenada… A pervert and someone who wants me in his bed.~

~Why dinna ye jus' leave ye great dolt?~

~My dear, if that were possible don't you think I would have done it?!~

~No need ta ge' snappy, Milli! Why canna ye leave?~

~He has two operatives tailing Relena with orders to kill her should he give the word or should they be given word of his death by my hand.~

~Oo… I'm seein' th' problem… Well, no fear, Milli. We'll find yer operatives and ge' them ou' o' th' way then ge' ye back no worries!~

~Thank the gods for that…~ Milliardo's thought carried a relief beyond words and Mykaa'ria laughed.

~Now, wha's this abou' our Heero…?~

~Go away before they sense you, Mykaa'ria!~ Milliardo sent back amusedly, then cut the contact himself with a wry shake of his head. He didn't think it would be any problem for him to do what he planned. Heero would understand from the first and still take any chance he was offered, Milliardo was sure.

He grinned, knowing escape was imminent, and relaxed in the garden, letting the sun warm his body and thoughts of a pliant, willing Heero Yuy moaning his name warming other things.

* * *

Duo grinned ecstatically all the way back to Heero's quarters, immensely pleased with himself that he'd been the one to help push right to Milliardo's location. He had, in fact, forgotten how he'd hurt Heero. Forgotten, until Heero closed the door to his rooms and then said nothing, but only stood with his back to the door until Duo turned to look at him and read the hurt in his eyes, remembering his cruelty with a jolt.

"Heero… I don't know what I was thinking… I… guess I wasn't thinking… I just… it was a stupid thing to do… I… wanted to hurt you because… well because I guess I got scared for a minute there… Thinking of you as a l-lover. I-"

Duo's words cut off in a hurry as Heero grabbed him and shoved his back against the nearest wall, pinning him there with his weight. His mouth took Duo's with bruising force and, at Duo's attempt at a startled cry, he took the advantage the elf's open mouth presented and slipped his tongue inside, claiming for his own that space which, for a moment, Nihrana had taken from him. When Duo tried to pull away, Heero lifted a hand and spread it across the elf's chest, pinning him there as he pressed against him. His free hand slipped down to rest on Duo's hip and he didn't bother to hide how much he wanted the elf.

Heero leaned more heavily on Duo, bringing the hand that had been on his chest up to tangle in his hair and carefully but firmly pull his head back to deepen the kiss and leave his dominance unquestioned. The mage paused a moment to lower his mouth to Duo's neck, sinking his teeth in and sucking gently until he was satisfied the mark would stay there for some time. He gained a yelp of surprise from Duo, but the elf took too long to get his thoughts in order and by the time he'd remembered how to form words, Heero was kissing him again with that same force. Duo couldn't describe it if he tried. It hurt a little, but at the same time, it didn't and it felt gloriously wonderful.

~Heero!~ Duo sent, and the thought was half plea to be released and half plea to never, ever stop this.

Heero broke the kiss, eyes narrowed as he licked his lips.

"You are mine now… understand…?" he growled low and Duo felt a thrill run through him as he nodded.

"Yes… Master."

Heero grinned at that and planted a much more gentle kiss on Duo's lips before withdrawing and turning away.

"You still have lessons to learn. Come," he said softly, walking to his practice room before Duo even had time to think of replying.

The elf licked his lips and tugged nervously on his braid, unsure whether to be relieved or disappointed. Granted, he'd asked the mage if they could take things slowly, but something inside him wanted things to happen fast and now. Overactive hormones, or something… deeper?

Duo didn't want to examine that thought too closely, liked it just fine as something hazy and indistinct. It was better for him to put it down to hormones and be done with it, not having to look too deeply into his own mind.

He followed after his… Master (the very thought of the word now sent a delicious shiver down his spine) and set himself to his lessons, able to concentrate, though only with his eyes firmly shut.

* * *

Treize sat in a pool of sunlight, slowly turning a small bottle of royal purple liquid around in his long fingers. It flashed and glittered in the golden light, making him smile a little in appreciation of its beauty - and the very simplicity of its place in his plans. This, this was the antidote to the spell-sphere resting safely on a pillow, locked away by three mage-locks and five of the normal kind, then set with a spell which would trigger and warn him if anyone dared try get into the room which held the chest which held the pillow.

In his hands he held the fate of mage-kind and the knowledge was a deliciously wondrous one.

Treize set the bottle aside as he felt the rage come upon him again, hands fisting and eyes closing as he let himself wallow in it for a time before forcing it down. It would do him no good at the moment. It didn't let him think.

But, he knew, every mage deserved the pain and horrible death his sphere was going to cause should they not pay him what he was owed. He was owed the price he would ask for and more. They deserved to suffer and die and watch their fellows suffer and die until there were few left.

Oh, he knew there weren't many of them who would accept his price, pay it and take from him the antidote and he gloried in the knowledge. If only he could be there to see them suffer, but that would be too foolish and dangerous a thing to do. A suffering beast, he knew, would lash out and, with desperation fuelling its actions, strike a hideous blow. He didn't particularly want to die. What would be the point of that?

No, no, no… he wanted to see the aftermath of his revenge. The world without mages, for those who survived would soon wither and die without their fellows, he was sure, and they deserved it. Deserved every bit for what they did to him.

Treize looked out the window and over his rose garden, tears forming and sliding, unbidden, yet still unhindered, from his eyes. It was still painful, even now, to remember why it was he'd cultivated all the roses and who they were in memory of. And he had lost his lover, the other half of his soul, the first and only man he had ever truly loved because of the mages. Because Gerette hadn't been a man, but something so much more. Something so beautiful, beyond words. Gerette had been a nymph, his skin tinged faintly red because he was of the fire element. His ears, ever so slightly pointed, not nearly so much as an elf. His eyes, oh… Treize sighed to think of them, emerald green and flecked gently with red in places. And his hair… It had flowed right down to his ankles, as white as snow and far, far more beautiful.

Treize had loved Gerette from the moment he saw him and, though it had taken a long time and much effort on Treize's part, Gerette had come to love him and they had been so, so happy.

Then… things started moving without either Treize or Gerette touching them and the two of them were alone in the room. A miniature thunderstorm had broken out over the dinner table one night. In the height of passion, real lightening had leapt from the nymph's fingers and given Treize more than just a light burn. Gerette heard thoughts that weren't his own. The doctor Treize had taken him to had known without needing to look very closely, just from their explanations of what was going on, that Gerette had the Talent.

He'd sent them across the entire length of the country to get to the University, which was the only place he knew of where Gerette could get the training he desperately needed. They had gone and spent three weeks begging, pleading, threatening, promising copious amounts of money and anything else they could think of to try to secure the nymph a place there.

But he wasn't human…

And so the mages had turned them away time after time after time. They had been sent from there to the centaurs, who were far too aloof and considered Gerette beneath them, assuring he would never gain any sort of training from them. Then on to the faeries who, though they were sympathetic and expressed many a wish to help, dealt in an entirely different form of magic and so could do nothing.

The broken objects and soaked tables, burns and thoughts could all be dealt with, though it was hard, and both were willing to deal them if it meant they could stay together, but… Gerette's Talent had begun to eat him from the inside out, having no channel out of his body but through random, accidental acts. He wasn't constantly feeding a shield and he wasn't conversing mentally all the time. He wasn't having practice bouts and he wasn't spending time with other mages. There was simply no outlet for the power housed within him and it devoured the very essence of his life.

Treize had held him as he died, writhing in agony with no voice left to scream anymore. He had kissed the sweat-soaked red brow and smoothed a hand over the tousled, tangled hair. He had watched the light go out of those beautiful eyes and felt the life drain from that once-strong body. Though it was a blessed release and his Gerette was no longer in utter torment, Treize had the selfish wish that he could hear the labored, tortured breathing and whimpers of pain again. That he could feel the nymph twitch in his arms again, preparing for the next wave of searing pain. But the moment he'd thought such selfish things, he'd taken them back and rocked the body in his arms, murmuring apologies and endearments.

The sorrow had built within him until he could keep silent no longer and he screamed his fury and pain to the heavens, vowing to have revenge on the mages who killed his Gerette. For it was their fault. They had the ways and means to help the nymph and teach him what to do, but because of their arrogant prejudices, he had died and Treize would make them suffer.

Treize suddenly snapped back to reality and realized he was sobbing again, the tears flowing down his cheeks and the sobs wracking his entire frame. He looked at the roses again and raked a hand through his ginger hair, thoughts wandering back to Milliardo. He'd told the mage only that his plans were for money. He hadn't given the entire truth, because there'd been no need.

Treize gathered his composure and wiped the tears away, murmuring a soft prayer to Gerette that promised yet again he would be avenged. Getting to his feet, Treize called for one of the stupid little creatures and ordered it to get a meal for two prepared and take it to Milliardo's chambers.

Treize needed a distraction, and what better one was there than that of an alabaster mage writhing beneath him in utter passion…?

~ ~ ~

Author's notes: See…? Treize has a reason to be evil! And I have to thank him for being willing to play the villain in this piece. I promise the next fic I write will be a 13x? so he can be the good guy. All that remains is to choose him a partner…