"Hmm, all my children have left me again. Maybe I should start a new family." A dark figure sat in a large, dark house. "Maybe a bigger one this time." He glanced into a large kettle of water. People flashed in the liquid, finally stopping on five figures, who were in constant company fo each other. "I think these boys will do nicely." He chuckled evilly.
*******************
"Heero! Matte!" Duo called, running up to the scowling dark-haired pilot. "Quatre wants you to come eat. Whew, you’re hard to track down, did you know that? Of course you did. Anyway, Heero, as I was saying, Quatre wants you to come and eat dinner right now because, well, it’s ready. So come on! Let’s go! Hurry up! I’m starving." Duo latched onto Heero and began to pull him to the house.
Heero smirked at Duo’s actions and allowed himself to be pulled down to the house. As soon as they entered, Duo released Heero and bounced over to the table. Heero, face once again expressionless, slipped into his seat next to Duo.
"Oh, hello Heero. I'm glad Duo found you." Quatre smiled politely. "I'm still waiting for Wufei and Trowa. I hope you don't mind."
"No problem Quatre," Duo laughed, absently playing with his braid. Trying to make small talk and tease Quatre at the same time, Duo asked, "So, Quatre, how's Trowa doing?"
"Fine," a monotone voice answered from the other room.
"Trowa? Is Wufei with you? I'm hungary."
"Maxwell, the day you are not hungary is the day hell freezes over." Wufei taunted from the hall.
"Thanks Wu, I love you too." Duo smirked batting his eyelashes.
"Hn. Yuy. Quatre." Wufei acknowledged the other two pilots' presence as sat in his seat. Trowa slipped into his own seat, next to Quatre at the round table. Wufei settled himself, careful not to bump the two stotic boys on either side.
Dinner continued without any problems. Well, any more than normal. Conversation was carried on mostly by Duo and Quatre, with the others adding various noises or cries of injustice, in Wufei's case, as tje talk demanded.
After dinner the five split temperarily. Wufei went to work on Nataku, Trowa and Quatre went to practice their instruments, and Heero went to type with Duo trailing him.
“Heero, Is it just me or is everything too quiet?” Duo whispered at the end of a long explaination about a comic book.
“How could you tell over your own voice?” Heero growled, listening carefully for whatever alarmed Duo. He was upset he hadn’t noticed earlier. A shout?
Bang! Bang!
“Yipe! Duo yelped diving for the floor instinctively. “Were those gun shots?” Duo grabbed his gun, following Heero out the door.
*****
“Heero, where are the others?” Duo glanced around, noting Quatre’s violin on the floor. “Quatre wouldn’t drop his violin and...”
“Trowa wouldn’t miss,” Heero finished the sentence looking at two bullet holes in the wall. “Keep close. We should find Wufei to help look for the others.”
“Okay.” Duo stuck on his bravest face and followed Heero closely. They crept around the house silently, but there was nothing. Duo had the feeling they were being followed, but every time he turned around there was nothing there, only shadows. As they enter Wufei’s room, Duo thought it got colder, but he said nothing. Well, almost nothing.
“Oi, Heero, it is cold in here or is it just me?”
“Hn, baka, shhh...” Heero had noticed the temperature change but it hadn’t bothered him like it had Duo.
“Umm, H-Heero, t-the door is closing...by itself.” Duo whispered, turning pale.
Heero whipped around just in time to see the door, which took a great amount of strength to move, was closing, as Duo said without aid. Heero lunged foward and grabbed the door and heaved backwards but the door continued to close. Duo added his strength to no avail. They were forced to let go before their fingers were pinched.
“Ano, Hee-chan, are we locked in Wu’s room?”
“Aa.” Heero replied, pulling at the doorknob.
“By...what?”
“...” Heero fiddled with the door unsure of how to answer. ‘How were we locked in here? A ghost? A freak wind? Of course there had to be a scientific answer. A moving shadow...? Wait! A shadow? It’s moving?’
Duo had his face plastered to the room’s small window. It was way too small to squeeze out so unless they could open the door, they were trapped. Where was Heero’s mysterious stash of explosives when you need them? Must be in his other spandex shorts. Duo turned and looked at Heero. The other pilot was staring at a dark shadow that was moving closer to him.
“Heero?” The shadow froze as Duo pulled his gun, aiming at the dark spot. “Was that moving?”
"Hai." Heero looked pale as he moved toward Duo, who was also moving toward him. Heero grabbed the braided boy's arm and yanked the boy behind him.
The shadow moved, splitting into two, going around Heero. Duo pressed himself closer to Heero's body. Aiming carefully, Heero fired off two shots, one hitting each shadow, but the dark spots slunk foward unaffected. Duo also let loose two shots as he and Heero were surrounded, but to no avail.
"Heero," Duo whispered, "In case this is it, Ai shiteru."
"Duo... Ai Sh...it!" Heero exclaimed as the shadows sprung and engulfed Duo, then fled from the room. "DUO!"
Heero raced after the shadow that held Duo. It moved very quickly and soon Heero was panting heavily as he forced his body to keep up. Heero slid across loose gravel, losing his stride, when the shadow suddenly turned a corner. Heero smirked, it was cornered in a dead end. Suddenly, it vanished. There was no escape route and no sign of either Duo or the annoying shadow.
Heero kicked the wall in frustration. "Duo? Where are you? Shimatta! Duo, daijoubu desa ka?"
"Bwahahaha. Are you lost little boy?" A deep, flowing voice echoed in the alley.
Heero drew his gun, eyes scanning for the source of the voice. Finding nothing he followed his trail back out to the road, looking for a new lead.
"Are you looking for the boy you were with? Or perhaps the chinese youth? The musicians? The little blonde gave me the most trouble, looks truely are decieving. If you want any of them back, follow me."
The shadow appeared by a deserted motorcycle, which suddenly flared into life. Heero launched himself on the vehicle and did as he was bid, not wanting to risk his friend's lives. He was led to a large brick house, well, actually the shadow disappeared in front of the house, so Heero had to assume it was where he was being led. After scouting the exterior for the safest way in, Heero decided to go in the front door, mostly because all the windows, save one, were boarded up and it was the easiest. Drawing his gun, the pilot reached for the door knob, jumping back when the door swung open on it's own. He watched silently as the door closed behind him.
"Welcome, Mr. Yuy, to my humble abode." The same voice from the alley greeted him.
*************
"Where's Duo?" Heero growled, keeping his weapon close to his body, but ready to fire.
"Duo? Duo? Oh yes! The pretty boy. I brought him here. He's upstairs with the others."
Heero edged carefully up the stairs, wary for any traps. He pushed each door open, facing failure after failure as he met only empty rooms. When he reached the final door, Heero found what he was searching for: his fellow pilots.
They were draped carelessly on a large bed, on top of each other. Heero edged up to the side and nudged Wufei's foot with his knee. Wufei responded with a groan. He pushed Trowa's leg off his chest as he sat up groggily.
"Yuy?" Wufei eyed his surroundings uncertainly. "Where are we?"
"In deep shit. Now help me wake the others and let's get the hell out."
"T-Trowa?" Quatre whispered sleepily when Wufei shook him.
"Aa?" Trowa answered rolling over away from Heero's shaking to help Quatre sit up.
"Heero? Thank god! What the hell grabbed me? I'm so glad you cam eto rescue me. Are you hurt?" Duo rambled as soon as he was slightly aware.
"Duo, shut up." But words held little heat. Duo was hauled gently to his feet by his koi. "Ready to go?"
"Hai!" The four chorused.
*SLAM* The door closed and locked before the pilots could turn around.
"Not again!" Duo wailed, clinging to Heero.
"Please forgive my rudeness." The shadow appeared solidifying. "But I needed to get you here. My name is Messac." The now very solid and human looking shadow bowed deeply. Messac brushed back his long bangs as he stood.
Heero drew his gun (The others would have also drawn their guns, but they didn't have them) and aimed it at the newest threat. Messac only laughed and, after a blur, was holding the gun. Heero looked down at his empty hand adn scowled.
"How did you...?" Duo clung tighter to Heero's back, looking over the other boy's shoulder at the still empty hand.
"Quite simply. I can make you that fast and ten times stonger than you already are. But there is a catch."
"Mochiron.{1}" Wufei huffed, keeping his eyes on Heero's gun.
Silence reigned.
"I suppose you'd like to know what it is, but you'll never ask, will you?" Messac laughed quietly. "In trade for immortality and unmeasured strength and speed, you'd have to become like me, a vampire. You see, all of my children have gone away and I'm lonely. And since the war is over..." Messac looked over at the boys, "There really is no reason for you to need to go into the sun. Besides, I've lived through dozens of wars, they are nothing new. And if you are so inclined, you can stop wars before they start or participate in them, kill criminals before they hurt innocents, and be together forever. Of course, it's your choice. If you choose to take me up on my offer, i only ask that you stay with me for a short time, twenty years or so..."
"Twenty years?!?" Duo blurted out.
"Yes, it is a relatively short time compared to the rest of your lives. Even though it may be a third of a mortal's life span, immortals have no such limit.
"As a master vampire, I am rarely alone for any length of time, but lately all the other master vampires have been gathering their children."
"What if we refuse?" Trowa asked.
"You'd wake up tommorrow and remember nothing. I suppose you'd like some time to think it over, be my guest. Excuse me."
The five boys stood slightly in shock as Messac turned to leave. "Hey! My gun!" Heero mumbled, scowling. He was slightly surprised when it was returned to him. Once Messac was gone, then gun also disappeared, into spandex space.
"Well?" Duo prompted, the silence making him jumpy.
"We leave." Wufei said, walking over to the door.
********************
The knob twisted but the door wouldn't open. "Hey!" Wufei exclaimed, pushing against the wall with his foot. "It's stuck."
"I'll help you Wu, "Duo said grabbing onto the door as well, pulling with all his strength and weight.
"Ahem, why don't we just go out that way?" Quatre suggested pointing to the window. Wufei blushed several shades of crimson as he let go of the door.
"I'll get it." Trowa walked over and pulled up on the window. "It's not opening."
"Try the locks, Trowa," Quatre advised as he bounced over to lean on, i mean, look over Trowa's shoulder.
"I did. It's stuck, but i don't see where."
"Let's kick it out!" Duo said finally letting go of the door. "Heero?"
Heero snorted. He moved over to the window and kicked it as hard as he could. Unfortuneately, the window didn't break, it bent, and Heero was flung against Duo.
"Shoot it," Wufei said ducking behind the bed.
"Wait." Quatre said as he pulled Trowa behind the bed next to Wufei. "okay."
"Shoot at an angle and get down behind something," Duo advised ducking behind a desk. Heero moved behind the desk next to DUo and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the window and dropped onto the window sill. Heero fired twice more but the same thing happened. "Hey. What's going on? I want to go home now!" Duo wailed latching onto Heero again. Quatre pulled Trowa over to the window. He nudged one bullet, it was flattened.
"Not even a scratch." Trowa commented, running his fingers over the glass.
"Then we're stuck." Wufei frowned. "In that case, I think, we should decide whether or not we are going to become vampires."
"..." The other four pilots stared at Wufei like he had grown another head.
"What? It's the only way we'll get out of here, besides, it doesn't sound too bad. We'd be stronger and faster, we could stop wars or participate as we see fit, stop criminals before they can kill and..." Wufei trailed off when he heard footsteps.
*knock knock* "Have you decided? No? Well, I thought I should tell you that you'd aquire psychic ability to read minds and such. Just thought i'd tell you." Messac's voice reached through the door. "Forgive the interruption."
The pilots waited until the footsteps were gone. " I could really be Shinigami." Duo laughed, earlier panic and thoughts gone. "and we could all be together, forever."
"Interesting. We'd never grow old, natually die, or be easily killed," Trowa mused.
"Lifetimes to learn, love, and travel." Quatre's hand sought and found Trowa's.
"Lifetimes of Maxwell's mouth? No, thank you," Wufei growled, mouth curving up at the corners.
"My mouth? My mouth!? We're the ones who have to listen to your running commentary on Justice!" Duo spluttered.
"Are we all in then?" Heero asked.
"I am if you are, Heero." Duo smiled.
"If Quatre will than I will. Quatre?"
"Only if you are sure you don't mind, Trowa. What about you Wufei?"
"If everyone else is, why not. There's always suicide." Wufei said. "What kills vampires anyway?"
"Sun, stakes through the heart, and being exploded, i think." Duo frowned. "Maybe being beheaded and fire, too."
"Fine, if you are all in. I accept." Heero said, grabbing Duo's braid and wrapping it around his fist. "Let's go." Heero pounded on the door.
Messac opened it. "You've decided?"
"We accept your offer." Heero said unemotionally.
"Good. Follow me please." Messac led th eway to a living room. He picked up a cup and handed it to Heero. "Take a drink and brace yourself."
Heero eyed the vampire, but took a deep drink. "Blood?" He choked out. Messac nodded. Heero handed the cup to Duo, who took a drink then passed it to the others.
"Oh, I feel dizzy," Duo said swaying slightly. Heero steadied him, watching the others drink. The cup was finally handed back to Messac, empty. Heero could tell the others were feeling the same effect he and Duo were.
"You should sit down. You'll be getting very tired very quickly."
"I already *yawn* am. Duo slipped to the floor, head on Heero's shoulder. Soon all five boys were sound asleep.
Messac was bombarded with thoughts from the sleeping boys. They were strong, but he could easily handle them, especially since all five were brought over at one time, they were not be as strong as other vampires. Messac quickly tuned out the blood-filled thoughts as he moved to his coffin to rest while the younglings changed.
It was dark when the five boys awoke. Heero roused first,accidently bumping Duo, whose complaints woke Wufei, who then nudged Quatre, who woke Trowa. Heero looked at what his careless movement had caused. The other four were glaring at him, until they were surprised by their own stomaches growling with hunger.
"Are we vampires yet?" Duo asked. "I don't feel different, just hungry." he yawned widely.
"Duo! Your teeth!" Quatre gasped bringing his hands automatically to check his own. His fingers met with sharp fangs.
"Yosh! Quatre you've got 'em too!" Duo laughed. "Shinigami's back and better than ev... *guurrgle* ...er."
"And hungry as well, ne?" Quatre teased. Then he blushed as his own stomach made itself known, quite loudly.
"You're one to talk."
******************
Messac entered the room silently. "Oh, good, you're all awake. And I'm sure you are hungry as well. COme, I'll teach you how to hunt, but you'll find it comes quite natuarally, especially when you are hungry.
The five, now vampiric, g-boys followed Messac out into the 'bad' part of town. Messac demonstrated how to hunt and kill. Seeing that they were able to do it themselves, Messac sent them out to catch their own breakfast.
As Messac watch their antics, another stepped from the shadows next to him. "Messac."
"Perror." He greated the newcomer.
"Are you sure you should send them out by themselves? They are only fledglings. As a master, you should know better."
"As a master, Perror, so should you. You should have sensed that they are born survivors, born killers, one calls himself death for god's sake, they'll survive. Besides, I can hear them all, they are in no danger. The one, Duo, Death, thinks enough for ten, they are fine."
Are you coming to this gathering?"
"Yes."
"Was it wise to bring so many over so close to the time? They won't be strong enough by themselves."
"Yes, I know. I will bring them anyway. I'll protect them. I'll see you in twenty days now? You will be there won't you?"
"Of course, I will see you then." Perror bowed and faded back into the shadows with the ease of decades of practice.
*-*-*
"What's wrong Heero?" Quatre asked.
"Nothing, I just thought I felt something. Must be the new powers…Ignore it." Heero glanced around. "Hungry?"
"Hai."
"Heero, can we go in there?" Duo pointed to a flashing club sign…'The Killer.'
"We could grab some food while we are in there," Trowa added, taking Quatre's offered hand.
"Besides, the thought coming from there aren't exactly just, are they?" Wufei smirked. "I think we should go administer justice, don't you?"
Heero nodded in agreement and the boys wandered into the club, breaking up into separate hunting parties, seeking out their meals. Duo waded through the bodies to a small group in the center and began to dance, pulling out a girl onto the dance floor. He winked at Heero as he coaxed her out of the club, with promises and brilliant smiles, careful to keep his teeth covered.
Wufei found his 'friend' by the bar: a dangerous looking red head, with deliciously nasty thoughts. Wufei played the game and followed the man out the door happily, descreetly slapping Quatre's hand as he flirted with a blonde girl in a darkened corner.
Trowa watched the other two leave before searching out his own meal. A tall, black-haired man, had drawn his attention over in another corner, by the emergency exit. Using Wufei's idea, Trowa let the man lead him out of the club, acting as innocent as possible, all the while watching Quatre convince the blonde to join him outside. Quatre nodded to Trowa, as he and his date followed his koibito.
Heero sat at the bar, trying not to think of his anger at the possessive look Duo's dinner was giving HIS Duo as they walked out the door. A tall brunette walked up and tapped Heero on the shoulder. Heero turned smirking, thinking that it was the first time his dinner had ever come to him. She invited him outside, thinking she was going to make out with 'this hottie.' She coincidently led him around the corner where the others had feasted. Heero broke his fast, aware that his lover was standing nearby.
Duo watched Heero eat, happy and disgusted at the same time. Heero glanced up and smirked, blood smeared on his white face. Duo offered his hand, watching Heero drop the dying girl onto the pavement to accept the offered hand. Duo leaned forward and licked the extra blood off his love's lips, smiling. "I hope I don't eat that messily." He teased gently.
"Hn, let's see." Hero leaned forward and bit into Duo's neck, tilting his head so Duo could bite his exposed neck. When they finally broke Heero whispered, "Let's go join the others, they are waiting."
Duo led the way back to the other three and they began to walk back to Messac's house. The sky was starting to brighten with the coming of morning. They sped up their pace and were soon running to get to the house.
When they finally arrived, Messac showed them to the basement where six coffins were set up; five of them were obviously new. Messac climbed into his and waited for the boys to enter the others. Duo shifted his weight but no one else moved.
"Um, *nervous laugh* coffins. How very dead-like." Duo tried to break the tension unsuccessfully. "Messac, is it alright if we just sleep upstairs? I'm a little claustrophobic and I don't want to be all by myself." Lie. Duo kept his crossed fingers out of sight.
Messac smiled. "Certainly. No light gets into the house except for the one room in which you were originally. Just don’t step into direct sunlight and you'll be fine." He watched the boys almost run out of the basement.
"That's too weird, even for Shinigami" Duo yawned, scurrying up the stairs in search of a bed. "Oi guys, here's a room with a huge bed."
"That's good, because all the other rooms are empty." Trowa said entering after Duo.
"Everyone in. You too Wufei, unless you'd rather sleep in the coffin," Heero grabbed Duo and lay down on one side. Trowa and Quatre settled in on the other side. Wufei shifted uncertainly before climbing into the middle. All five fell asleep quickly.
Heero woke up as the door creaked. Messac just waved for him to go back to sleep. Heero frowned pulling Duo closer, he settled back into the bed.
The nights passed similarly. The gundam boys hunted together, slept in the same bed and practiced their new abilities with each other.
"Evening Messac," Duo greeted the Master Vampire as he stumbled over to his boots. "We're going out, we'll be back later."
"Before morning." Duo nodded as he headed for the door. "Matte onegai." Duo stopped and turned back to the other vampire, waiting somewhat impatiently. As soon as all five were gathered, Messac began, "Tomorrow is a meeting that occurs every ten years. Masters introduce their new family members to the other vampires. You must attend so you are known to the others. I know you don’t have much skill yet, so you'll stay by me except for one meeting, but you should be fine…Just for your knowledge. Enjoy your meal tonight."
Suddenly it clicked. "Wait a sec. We're going to a party? Yosh! What should we wear? Should we change?" Duo started to go off on the subject when Messac interrupted.
"What you have on is fine as long as you don't eat messily tonight." The boys nodded and moved out into the night. Messac frowned at their behavior. 'I've never known any vampires save Masters and Children that hunt together unless forced. But they all seem to stay together by their own free will. They are a strange group. So protective of each other. Ah, well, now to eat.'
The night passed quickly as did the day. When the sun began to set, Heero once again started the chain reaction that woke everyone. They gathered at the door and Messac led them to the meeting place.
The meeting hall was an underground mansion. Messac kept in the company of his newest family as he observed the other new members. Heero was on his guard, as wee the others, all unsure of who were friends and who were foes. Heero kept Duo, as well as the other three in his sight; to be positive they were safe. Trowa carefully watched his nervous Quatre as well as kept an eye on Wufei. Everything in them screamed retreat (important pilot sixth sense), but they were propelled forward by their Master.
Every eye seemed to be on them. Messac sensed their hesitation but said nothing, assuming it was just nervousness. He only hoped they would be fine during the main 'Master Only Meeting.' Messac left them in a room he deemed safe, telling them not to fight, especially because they were at a strength disadvantage. After telling them they were allowed in every room save one, they could wander and do as they pleased until he returned, the older vampire left.
Old habits kicked in instantly. Wufei wandered out around the corner, as were Quatre and Trowa. Each boy was locating exits and problem areas, instinctively, to report to the rest of the group. Duo followed Heero around as they memorized faces and places.
"Oi! Heero, matte!" Duo called as Heero squeezed through a small gap, which closed up behind him. Duo frowned looking for his partner as soon as he squeezed through. 'Where did he…?' A large man interrupted Duo's thought.
"Hey there cutie," the man walked up to Duo.
"Um, hi. Excuse me. I'm looking for someone. Hey Heero?"
"Heero? You'll have much more fun with us, right guys?" As he spoke, three other vampires stepped forward surrounding Duo.
'Oh look. They travel in packs,' Duo thought. Trying to be polite Duo said, " Thanks, but no thanks. Excuse me." Duo pushed past the bodies calling for his mate. "Heero? Where ARE you?"
"Hey, come back here." A large, hairy hand wrapped around Duo's braid and pulled him back…hard.
"Heer---itai!!" Duo fell onto his butt at the feet of the four jerks just as Heero walked into view, looking for Duo.
Heero's anger flared. His mind reverted to cave man mode. 'Duo. Mine. Touch…DIE!!' Heero growled and launched himself at the one still holding Duo's braid. Heero smacked into the guy, taking him to the floor before proceeding to beat his face in.
One of the other three kicked Heero off the leader. Duo flipped to Shinigami. "Don't touch MY Heero!!" Duo jumped the attacker as Heero jumped back into the fray, at the largest one still on the floor.
Just then Wufei returned with Trowa and Quatre. They forced themselves up to the fight area positive their fellow pilots were at the heart of it. Wufei leapt in howling injustice as Trowa slipped in to help free Heero from under the bodies. Quatre hovered on the edges trying to stop the fight until Trowa was punched in the face and knocked to the ground. Quatre went ZERO. "That's it! No one hits MY boyfriend!" Quatre dove into the fight, helping beat the bullies into submission. Every other vampire suddenly joined the fight.
In the Master Meeting, Messac suddenly leapt to his feet, as did several others. Messac was getting flashes of the fight from the boys, and he rushed to go check it out. The others followed to help. As they entered the room, they noticed there was fighting everywhere, surrounding a small fight in the middle. The less serious fights were quickly broken apart by the Masters' commands.
Messac nearly laughed when he saw who was still fighting. The strongest of all the children against his and his were winning. Composing himself he barked, "Enough!!"
Wufei stopped beating the bully he was pummelling and stumbled over the bodies to get to Messac. Quatre and Trowa pulled back as Wufei passed by. Duo released his chokehold and climbed to his feet, protectively clutching his braid. Heero, on the other hand, continued to bash the unfortunate vampire's head against the floor.
"Heero. Let him go." Messac ordered. Heero paused and began to climb off until the idiot underneath him sent him an explicit thought. It was of Heero, beaten and bloody while the other vampire raped Duo.
Heero growled and started beating the vampire again. Messac said nothing and did nothing. He, and everyone else, had received the thought. Duo was pale and Quatre looked ready to puke. When Duo had recovered, he crawled from his place by Messac over to Heero, carefully touching the angry boy's arm. Heero looked up sharply, ready to strike, but his face immediately softened when he focused on Duo.
"Come on Heero, I'm hungry and he's not worth it. Let's go." Duo pulled gently on Heero's arm.
Heero looked down at his grip on the hair of the now unconscious figure below him. He slammed the head into the ground once more before letting go and allowing Duo to pull him away and back to the others.
Messac surveyed the damage. Two black eyes, a couple of bruises and a split lip. The other four weren't so lucky, or skilled. Two were unconscious, some obvious broken bones, eight black eyes, and a lot of blood.
"Messac?" Wufei tugged at his sleeve, trying to get his attention. "May we?"
"Hmm? May you what?" Messac snapped out of his thought.
"May we go eat?"
"Yes of course. When you've eaten, perhaps you should return to the house."
"Of course," Wufei turned and followed the others out the door and past all the staring vampires.
Back in the master's meeting, Messac was bombarded with questions. He held up his hand for silence, so he could explain. "I brought them over less than a month ago, all five at one time. They keep each other company almost constantly and they even hunt together."
"Hunt together? That is rare. By their own will?" Messac nodded to the other's question. "Extremely rare. Almost non-existent."
"Messac, perhaps Ross and Mike should speak with your boys and see why that is so, ne?" Perror suggested.
"Yes, that is a good idea." Everyone agreed upon the proposition. After discussing several other minor and less interesting issues and the normal gossip, the meeting adjourned.
Messac, Ross, and Mike went back to the house. The boys were already asleep in the bed. Messac showed Ross and Mike to the room and left to grab his tape recorder. Ross reached for the doorknob…
------
Heero heard some shuffling in the hall and lowered voices. He quickly and quietly woke the others (just in case) and they pulled their guns out from under their pillows. After slipping down behind the bed, they cocked their guns and waited.
------
The door opened silently and the two other masters came face to face with five guns. Both of the masters slowly backed up and Mike reached forward and closed the door. Messac came up the top of the stairs just in time to see the door being pulled shut.
"What's wrong?" Messac questioned worriedly.
"Do they always pull weapons on visitors?"
Messac chuckled with relief before peeking in the door. He saw the five guns and the five grumpy and sore g-boys. Messac tried to keep the laughter out of his voice but failed miserably. "What are you doing? He asked opening the door wide. "These two are some of my fellow masters and good friends. Put the guns down. Ross, Mike, come in."
The guns were lowered reluctantly and finally shoved under the pillows. Duo glared at the intruders and carefully climbed back into his vacated spot. The others also crawled back in, pointedly ignoring the three standing in the doorway. Duo, Quatre, and Trowa fell asleep almost immediately. Wufei was dozing but not asleep and Heero was wide awake and giving the vampires the benefit of his most intimidating glare, while brushing Duo's hair out of his eyes.
Messac sighed, than loudly cleared his throat. "Ah-hem!" No response. "Wake up, if you please."
"I don't please." Duo growled pulling his pillow over his head, which Heero promptly removed.
"Wake up, baka." Heero hissed. Duo opened one violet eye. He got to his elbows, accidentally bumping Wufei into Trowa, before flopping back down to go back to sleep instead.
"Duo, be more care- *yawn* -ful." Trowa opened his one viable green eye. "Are they still here?"
"Who?" Quatre asked sleepily, rolling over onto Trowa to see. "Oh, them." Quatre grabbed Trowa and tried to go back to sleep.
The three older vampires laughed softly. Heero glared at them before touching the gun under his pillow, switching off the light, and rolling over to snuggle with Duo.
Messac switched the light back on. Heero growled and switched it off. The light flipped on again. Another grumble and the light was turned off. Messac smirked as he pulled the chain and turned the light on again. Heero decided to end the game. He pulled out his gun and blew the lightbulb out before rolling back over and being glomped by his sleepy god of death.
Glancing at Messac for permission, Ross reached out and mentally shouted into the boys' minds. As one, the boys jumped launched themselves off the bed and trained their guns at the offending vampires. The pilots were no longer tired, they were pissed.
"If you would oblige us, we would like to ask you a a few questions." Mike smiled disarmingly.
"You're not going to leave us alone until we do. are you?" Quatre inquired, lowering his gun.
"Absolutely not."
"Fine." The pilots settled onto the bed, each in his own style. Wufei sat indian-style, back straight; Trowa also sat straight but had Quatre nearly in his lap and Duo leaned against a very tense Heero. "Well?"
"Alright, do you feel compelled to hunt together?" Mike began.
"No." All five pilots said together.
"Would you prefer to hunt apart?" Ross asked.
"No." Again said together.
"Then why do it?" Ross questioned, leaning forward. "Heero? Why do you hunt with the others?"
"Hn." Heero snorted and glared.
Okay, um, Trowa, what about you?" Shrugged shoulders were his answer. "Wufei?" Silence. "Is ignoring me. Quatre?"
"I want to."
"Duo? How about you?"
Heero does," Duo said as if it expained everything. He yawned and snuggled into Heero's arms. "And we were always together in the war, why shouldn't we be now? We're friends."
"Could you elaborate? 'Friends' have been brought over before, but none have ever had the same bond you five display. Not even 'lovers' have."
"Well, being pilots we have to trust each other with our lives. If one of them said drop when we were fighting, I wouldn't hesitate. Pausing could mean your life." Duo stopped to take a breath. "We've been through so much, more than most teenagers have. War, peace, torture, rape, explosions, death, capture, gundams, pain, and so much more..."
"Relena," Trowa reminded.
"She was the ultimate problem, wasn't she Heero?" Duo teased, pulling Heero closer.
"How was that?"
"That girl could find Heero no matter where he was, then she followed him. Ugh, even on missions. Heero constantly had to save her sorry ass, even after she botched an important mission." Duo frowned, wrapping Heero's arms around himself. Heero returned the embrace, pulling Duo closer, until not even a piece of paper could fit inbetween them.
Eyebrows raised at the gesture. "Relena was obsessed with Heero," Quatre explained. "Even after Heero told her there was nothing between them and that he and Duo were together. She just became more determined."
"Then why hasn't she found you yet?" Ross asked Heero.
Since Heero wouldn't answer, Wufei did. "She has better things to do, now that there is peace." He smirked at Duo and Heero's protectiveness.
"I see." Ross nodded. "To her, Heero was a popular treasure. Something she wanted because it went against everything she was."
"Exactly." Trowa agreed.
"Now what I want to know is why you would fight for each other? you only ended up hurt." Mike frowned when he looked up at the wall clock.
"Because..." Duo began searching for the words.
"We're friends?" Trowa suggested.
"Aa, but also because..."Duo again faltered.
"We love each other?" Quatre offered.
"Yeah, but..."
"We've worked so long together?" Wufei tried.
"Uh-huh. We're..."
"Partners? Allies? Gundam pilots? Survivors? Vampies? War, Death, Laughter, Hope, Justice?
"Yes, all of those things, but so much more. Because...we complete each other." Duo finally said, giving the words closest to the feelings he felt. "My head hurts," he complained into Heero's shirt. The others laughed.
"Done?" Heero glared at the interviewers.
"Almost. One more question. Duo, why do you call yourself Death?" The vampire almost whispered the word. Fear was tangible in the air.
"Why do I call myself Shinigami? Because I have always been death to those around me and to those i fought. Over 200 heads by my hands alone before I was ten. I'm sixteen and I've killed colonies worth of people. In a way, I've earned the title. These four are the only ones who have survived my curse." Duo paused to look directly at the three sitting across from him. "You want to know why, I call myself Death? Because I am." Duo smirked before buring his head in Heero's chest.
"We're done." Ross and Mike couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Messac followed slower. Outside the room, he passed them the tape and they left quickly, just as the clock struck five.
That night, the five ex-pilots, healed and good as ever, went out to get. They were walking along, looking for dinner, or breakfast depending on how you look at it, when they heard a muffled scream. Wufei, always after justice, leapt into action, going to investigate. As usual, the others followed with little protest.
The sight before them was not what they had been expecting. The boys had thought it was a robbery or whatnot. Instead, there were ten very large vampires, drinking a tall, still struggling man.
"I didn't see them at the gathering, did you?" Heero whispered, looking for any signs of recognition from the others. One word passed though their minds. Enemies.
Heero growled, alerting the group to their presence. One of the vampires stepped around the man and up to the smaller group of boys. The rest quickly left their 'toy' and gathered behind the first, the vampire that kept the others hunting in a pack.
"What are you looking at?" The leader of the foreign pack spat at Heero.
"These are not your hunting grounds," Heero stated. "Leave."
"Ohhh, the little vamp thinks he sooo strong!" The other taunted, raising his voice to mimic a little girl's voice. "I'm so scared! NOT! Get lost punk. We're hunting here now."
Heero growled again, this time echoed by the other four. "This is our hunting ground. We'll protect it. Last chance. Get. Out."
"Are you threatening me? You are the ones who need to get out. We're too strong for you." He jammed his fingers into Heero's chest, forcing Heero back a surprised step into Duo. The invaders turned back to their previously forgotten and now unconscious meal.
"We're not going to take that. Are we? Attack?" Duo whispered questioningly.
"Our territory, our protection." Wufei agreed.
"Let's go." Quatre hissed, baring his teeth in agreement.
Heero nodded. "Go." The word was hissed.
They launched themselves at their enemies. Messac had followed the angry thoughts and he watched from his perch on top of a building, watching the mayhem below. Each of his boys was fighting two of the stronger-looking vampires. He watched as the boys ripped apart their opposition. Literally.
When everything had settled, the pilots grouped together, helping each other along. They were splattered in blood but very little, if any was theirs. From what was visible, there were few if any injuries, all very minor; Nothing that a few minutes and a meal wouldn't fix.
What surprised the master vampire was that after such a fight, instead of heading home to heal, the boys decided to continue with their hunt. They ate their fill before heading back to the house.
Messac met them back at the house, opening the door for the weary boys. They stumbled into the living room silently. Quatre * flopped * on the couch with Trowa. Wufei dropped into a chair. Duo opted to sit next to Heero on the floor, not that there weren't enough chairs; it was just easier to be close.
Messac had to start the conversation for the first time, normally Duo did. "How was your night?" He asked. "Messy food?"
"The night was great. The food wasn't messy," Duo replied, leaning against Heero.
"Then what was?"
"Enemies. You were there, you should know." Heero replied in a don't-bother-to-ask-you-won't-get-any-more-information-from-us tone of voice.
"Are you all alright?" Messac asked worriedly.
"Hai." "Aa." "Yep." "Hn." "Yes." They all answered simultaneously.
"Alright." Messac nodded. Everyone, including Duo, was silent as they began to doze off the excitement. Messac was about to suggest they retire for the day when the door knocked. When he returned, the Master Vampire looked paler than normal.
Heero threw him a questioning glance. Messac faced him and looked like he was going to… cry? No, vampires don't cry, do they?
"I'm sorry I have to wake you all up, it's quite urgent."
"Ninmu?" Heero shot straight up.
"Mission??" Duo questioned sourly, rolling over to glare at Heero than Messac.
Quatre groaned and rolled into Trowa's grip before rising and becoming his normal cheery self. Trowa's one visible eye fluttered open as Wufei stood up and stretched.
"What's wrong?" Duo asked, seeing Messac distressed face.
"There is a problem. The group of vampires you fought today, well, their master has challenged you."
"Challenged us? What do you mean?" Duo asked, automatically making sure he was able to get up quickly without hindering Heero.
"A challenge is a fight to the death between vampires. You killed his children so he's challenged you five. If you refuse, you'll be hunted by all vampires. You'll have to accept." Messac turned away, the others assumed to regain his composure.
"What are the rules?" Wufei asked, glancing at the others, smirking.
"No rules. You are stuck in a stadium together. You fight or die."
"What about weapons? What's allowed?"
"Anything you want is allowed. No armor, though."
"What do we get, besides our lives, if we win?" Trowa glanced to the small blonde next to him.
"That's decided if you win." Messac said, puzzled at the almost joy in their voices. "But no one has ever won."
"You mean when we win." Wufei smirked. "Quatre?" Everyone turned to the small blonde, the strategist.
"What kills them most effectively? Thermal Energy? Guns? Knives? Thermo nuclear devices?"
Messac frowned, "High silver content swords, knives, bullets, and I think thermal energy." He glared at the five boys who were showing an unhealthy amount of calmness and was there a trace of joy? "You realize there will be at least fifty against you five all at once."
"Ten apiece. Not too bad of odds. When's the challenge and where?"
They were given the address. "Tomorrow night. You have twenty hours. What are you planning?"
"You'll see along with everyone else." The words floated back to him as the five boys drifted out the door into the night.
Six hours until dawn. Messac paced the room trying to think of anything that would save his newest and most favored children. He was startled from his thoughts by the door banging open. No one had ever surprised Messac, but these boys were making a habit of it. They were carrying three large boxes up to their room, looking relaxed and confident.
The door closed behind them, leaving their master mid-pace and confused. He reached out for their minds but was denied entrance. With nothing else to do but be annoyed and worried, Messac wandered downstairs to think and try to sleep the day away. Fat chance.
The day was filled with many thunks and the sound of cloth on skin and eventually the soft snores of the boys. Messac settled on the couch, unable to sleep, but ultimately giving into the demands of his body.
When he awoke, there was noise from upstairs again. The sound of the door closing was loud in the otherwise silent house. Out from the hallway, stepped five very different boys from the ones the old vampire knew. Instead of the light grey suits the boys had taken to wearing, each boy was dressed in his element. Heero was in a green tank top and black spandex shorts. Trowa was in a green turtleneck and tight jeans. Wufei was in a white Chinese outfit. Quatre wore khakis and a pink shirt under a vest. Duo wore a black mock priest outfit. All five were wearing long trench coats.
Messac's jaw dropped. "Where are your weapons? Aren't you going to fight?"
"You'll see and yes we are. Ready? The car's waiting."
"Yes…"
"Than lead the way." Duo smirked evilly. But the look vanished before the other was able to decide if it was there or a trick of the light.
"What's on your back?" There was a long silver stick strapped over Duo's trench coat on his back.
"Sore wa himitsu desu. It's a secret." The others chuckled as the inside joke. As the others walked out to the black limo, Messac swore he heard metal clanking, but he couldn't tell for sure because Duo had started up a one sided conversation in Japanese, one of the few languages the Master had never bothered to learn.
As they were driven to the arena, all five boys were completely calm. Duo kept up the conversation. Messac noticed five shadows a short distance but he was distracted as the car pulled to a stop. Once they arrived, all six were 'escorted' inside. Heero was tense, but he always was. Duo was laughing with Quatre. Trowa trailed the Arabian and Wufei looked almost asleep! Messac nearly died, again.
The five pilots were shoved into the arena, while Messac was directed to another area. The arena resembled a football field with hockey shields around the outside. The pilots looked very small in the center. The entire crowd was silent as another Master led out a large group of vampires.
The old looking vampire spoke loudly. "I have challenged you. Do you accept this challenge?"
"Do we actually have a choice?" Duo hissed, his smile quickly returned. "Of course, man, why else would we be here?"
"No armor is allowed and the fight is until death. Are these rules acceptable?"
"Yes." Trowa's monotone voice answered him.
"Good. The battle will begin in one minute. I suggest you say your farewells to each other. It is your last chance."
The giant clock began to tick down the seconds. The five boys formed a wide circle, guarding each other's backs. The other vampires fanned out to encircle them.
After a moment, "Fifteen apiece." Heero stated at the thirty-second point.
Duo decided to talk to fill the last few seconds. "You guys have always been my friends. It's been a pleasure to fight beside you…" He paused.
"Twenty seconds."
"Yes, I agree." Wufei smirked. "Even with all your noise Duo."
Duo spluttered for a few seconds. He pulled off his weapon.
"Ten."
"I just wish we had more time to get ready." Quatre sighed, before smiling at Trowa"
"Five."
"I just wanted to say…" Duo smirked, silently ticking off the seconds. "Let's kick vampire ass!!!"
"Time." Heero's voice was then lost in the bell.
The coats were dropped and weapons drawn. Quatre had scimitars exactly like Sandrock's. Trowa was packed with knives and a sword. Wufei wielded his favorite sword and a back up strapped to his back. Heero had his guns with silver plated bullets and several knives as well. Duo lightly held the metal rod in front of himself casually.
The boys separated to give each other room without being vulnerable. As they were attacked, the masters watched on. Heero took out several before he was lost from sight. Quatre easily held his own keeping close enough to Trowa to offer or receive help. Wufei was taking out vampires left and right, barely missing a beat in his complicated dance. Duo slammed his stick into the ground. It began to glow, energy flowing to form a scythe shape.
"Shinigami lives!" Duo shouted. His eyes reflected the glow from his scythe, forming a terrifying image. His vampires backed up slightly. Duo, however, gave chase and cackled happily as he engaged in his carnage, beheading them before slicing the bodies in half.
"Duo, on your left." Duo blocked before acknowledging the help.
"Thanks Hee-chan." Duo freed his scythe before dispatching the enemy.
"Trowa, duck!" Quatre called. Trowa dropped to the ground and rolled away drawing the sword.
"Thank you Quatre."
Soon all the enemies were dead at the young boys feet. They were colored red in blood. The entire crowd was silent. The only sound was the boys' breathing. Duo was about to let loose a victory whoop when a door slammed open and hundreds of vampires flooded in.
The five boys groaned as they were charged. The clash of metal on metal was drowned out by screams of pain. The odds were much higher this time. The pilots were bloody but not seriously injured. They fell back to regroup.
Wufei stumbled up last. His white pants leg was sliced open, as was his leg. Various other cuts were visible. Duo's arm was cut. Quatre's chest was bleeding, as was Trowa's back. And Heero was nicked up all over.
Duo pulled Wufei into their line. They were facing over a hundred vampires now. Duo used some of his shirt to tie up Wufei's injured leg. They could hear Messac arguing that they had won and proved themselves victors. He was refused their freedom.
Messac growled in fury. He reached out to the boys. He heard one word running in circles through their minds… Gundams. He called out for them to run, hide, or at least do something to save themselves. Duo grinned and waved as the young men began to back up towards an unnoticed escape Quatre had set up the previous night.
Trowa was leading the way to the shadows. Wufei and Quatre were next, followed by Heero and Duo. The vampires didn't notice the exit behind the boys and slowly began to advance, thinking the g-boys were afraid. The moment before they were attacked, the boys raced out the door, slamming and locking it behind them.
The vampires were stunned still as the door slammed shut. They raced forward and slammed through the door. They saw five figures racing away at an amazing speed, into the night and the forest. The vampires gave chase.
Suddenly, five huge figures rose from the shadows and into the sky. The eyes glowed in the night. The one hundred plus vamps stopped, turned tail and ran. A huge scythe flared into life, fire spewed forth, bullets rained down, and swords and scimitars were drawn.
The masters watched in horror as the five monsters smashed, cremated, and in many other ways killed all the vampires that stood up against them. Soon all that moved was the five metal warriors. They advanced to where the master vampires stood frozen in fear.
"Hey Messac!" Duo's voice rang clearly in the silent night. "These are our partners. Shinigami, Wing Zero, Shanlong-Nataku, Sandrock, and Heavyarms."
"Duo? Where are…"
"Where am I? Inside Shinigami, as I said, I am Death, as is my partner here." Duo stepped out of the cockpit. "Hey, man."
Quatre also exited his gundam. "Did we win?"
Trowa answered, leaving his cockpit, "I believe so."
Wufei and Heero also emerged. "In that case, I think we need to discuss the terms of out victory."
"What do you want?" One vampire asked, trying to keep his voice steady, but failing. No one had ever survived a challenge, let alone destroyed most the vampires in the area in one night.
"Let's start with unconditional surrender and I think controlling the entire world and…"
*Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep, beep* *smack* Duo rolled over and glared at the offending alarm clock.
"Hmm, what's wrong Duo?" Heero mumbled, pulling Duo closer.
"I guess I forgot to turn off the alarm. Hey, Heero, have you ever had a dream you were sure was real?"
"Aa. What did you dream?"
"We were vampires and were controlling the entire world. It was kinda disturbing."
"Were we together?"
"Hai."
"Then it sounds like a great dream to me." Heero sighed into Duo's neck, snuggling close.
"Y'know in a strange was it was." Duo yawned and buried his face in Heero's chest, falling back asleep to chocolate covered Heeros dancing in whip cream and playing with cherries and other happy-happy hentai thoughts.
-owari-
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{1}of course