by Arithkenshin
Disclaimer: Stop rubbing it in, I don't own them, just playing.
Big hugs to CYT and Bronze Tigress
Darkness slowly crept over the city, seeking out any sources of light it could find and quelling their existence with an almost tangible joy. If it could smile, it would have, but for that it would have had to be sentient. Although many things the darkness was not sentient, at least, not quite.
Sweeping through the streets and buildings, it dropped in between the skyscrapers to fill the alleyways and give validity to their reputation. To anyone who could truly see, it was a beautiful sight to behold. Sleek, almost sensual tendrils wove their way through everything, caressing what they contacted with something akin to reverence.
A shadow detached itself from where it had leaned as it watched the darkness weave its spell. A braid of deep chestnut snaked its way down his back as he moved, a liquid grace evident. The pale face was stark against the sea of black apparel, but the smile on his face was almost tender.
Reaching out with his hand, palm upraised, a tendril of darkness detached itself momentarily to reach up. The caress of the shadows could be observed before it turned into full worship of the hand it was pressed against. A tangible shiver ran through the night air as the darkness revelled in that magnetic touch.
Violet eyes flashed momentarily, as the man felt a shudder wrack his frame. A small smile appeared on his face and he turned to leave, not paying attention to the reluctant sigh that echoed through the now darkened city. It was his only habit: to watch the darkness creep and bring night to the city. Somehow it always left him fulfilled.and yet wanting more.
To say he walked would be a lie. It was more akin to floating, a glide. Hips swayed in a way that would make even the most stoic person blush. The cape he wore hid so much and yet no one could ever be left in doubt as to just how sensuous a being he was. That is of course, if they were allowed to remember.
Arriving at his destination, an impatient flick of his wrist opened the door in front of him. Violet eyes scanned the room, sensing something; knowing it. He smiled, sightly surprised, and yet not. After all, it had been one of the possible endings to that particular day. His `assistant' spoke without needing to look up from the somewhat dusty tome she was leafing through.
"You have. a visitor." Even she could not keep the smirk from her tone. "He's."
The man smiled. "Yes, Hilde, I know."
Raising her head a moment, blue cat shaped eyes blinked at him, before a brief smile crossed her face. "For some reason I always forget about that." Her attention turned away from him once more, engrossed in her work.
Leaving the fore room behind him, he moved further into his abode. The darkness followed him like a puppy, eager to please and hoping for a treat. Yet somehow it was satisfied with just concealing him from view.
Pushing open the doors to what could be called his `sitting' room, he entered. Peeling his cloak off, he hung it next to the door, seemingly distracted by the way it moved with a life of its own. As indifferent as he might appear to the casual observer, he was not unaware of his surroundings. In fact, he was never unaware of anything at all.
In fact, he had been looking forward to what was to come for a long time.
"No need to move, Mr Chang. I know perfectly well you are there." A split second to seal the smile onto his face and he turned languidly, like all his movements. Motioning the other man to sit, he was not surprised by the response.
"I prefer to stand."
"As you will." He had to fight the slight smirk that wanted to take over his smile. Moving closer to his guest he sat on the back of the leather lounge-chair, gaze sizing the other man up. "So Agent Chang Wufei, what brings you here?"
If he was surprised at the other man's knowledge, Wufei didn't show it. His face remained unreadable. "I am unofficially here."
"I know."
Wufei blinked. With movements that were so fast, most normal people wouldn't have seen him, he flicked his right wrist out, jettisoning something from his sleeve. A thud could be heard as the object struck and penetrated flesh, and with his left hand Wufei was holding a shining handgun.
The man looked down at his chest, violet orbs blinking in mirth. Reaching down he smoothly pulled the antiquated stake out of his chest, as if it was an everyday thing. Regarding his attacker, who couldn't quite keep the look of surprise off his face, he spoke: "And what end was that supposed to achieve, Mr Chang." The voice barely contained his laughter, but somehow still managed a tone of underlying danger.
Not showing any signs of nervousness, Wufei pointed the gun at the man's chest. "I have spent years trying to find my family's killer. These bullets are tipped with silver. They should kill you no matter what you are."
In a fluid motion, the other man had moved from the leather lounge- chair and was suddenly in front of the Agent. That voice, smooth and soft as velvet, spoke again. "And just what is it that you think I am?"
A slight look of confusion crossed Wufei's face. Had his research not been thorough? Had he not covered the probabilities and possibilities? None of the confusion showed in his voice when he spoke, though he attempted to ignore the other man's knowing look. "You are Duo Maxwell. You are a vampire."
Duo threw back his head and laughed, the sound making the shadows dance with joy. "I am many things." An enigmatic answer perhaps, but Duo preferred visual aids. A gleam entered his eyes. He wanted to play. No one ever liked playing with him.
Wufei started a little as the face in front of him underwent a slight change. The eyes narrowed the mouth thinned a little, and it smiled, revealing fangs.
"Yes, I guess I could be a vampire." Another laugh echoed through the room, caressing the night.
Once again the face changed, causing Wufei to take a step back. The hand holding the gun fell limply to his side as his mouth opened in disbelief.
The mirror of his own face looked back at him. "But sometimes a doppelganger is so much more fun." Its words were laughing, mocking.
Yet another change passed over the features, revealing a cruel face. A hissing sound directed Wufei's eyes to the snakes acting as tendrils of hair, and a strangled cry emerged from his throat as he took another step back.
Duo's laugh erupted through the room yet again, this time with a definite edge to it. "Or perhaps you would prefer a gorgon?" Tired of the game, because the other man was not cooperating, Duo's features melted back to what they had been.
"So I ask you yet again, Chang Wufei. Why are you here?"
Wufei either chose not to hear the last question or else he honestly didn't. All that escaped his lips was a desperate question. "Who are you? What are you?"
"Ahhhh, then we digress, but I will humour you." It was as if the shadows inside the room held their breath, they knew that tone. "I am everything. I am nothing. I am what you see when you wake up. I am what you wish you didn't see in your darkest nightmares. I know all possibilities and conceive of all probabilities. My names are many. Some may call me Hades, some perhaps Shinigami, others still refer to me as Lucifer, some even think of me as God." He laughed, once again sending shivers through the atmosphere. "But you can call me Duo, if you like."
The tone was mocking. It gave Wufei strength.
"I would not call you anything."
Sighing theatrically, Duo clutched at his chest. "You wound me." Eyes narrowed as he leant forward, observing his guest. "Now I ask you a final time. Why. Are. You. Here?"
Determination seeping back into him, Wufei steadily raised the arm holding the gun and aimed it unerringly. "I'm here to kill you."
As Wufei pulled the trigger, the lights went out. Shadows writhed as a cold laugh echoed through the room.
Duo's voice spoke again, seductively dangerous. "Then I think you are misinformed, Mr. Chang. You presume."
Wufei's eyes scanned through the darkness, trying to distinguish shapes. He was certain that the shot should have hit its target; it was almost point blank range. The darkness caressed him, making him feel. violated.
"I will kill you." It was all he could manage to grind out from behind clenched teeth.
"Ahhh, but Mr. Chang, your plan has a flaw." The voice was somehow everywhere at once, next to Wufei's ears, almost touching his lips. Everywhere.
"You're assuming that I can die."
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