A Murder of Crows
Title: A Murder of Crows
Part: 11/12
Author: KKChitown
Status: Final
Category: Fic
Warnings: A very, very mushy Wufei. Sorry folks, but I love Wufei,
and I hate the fact that he is often left out or seen as the jerk.
Most of the dialogue might seem too corny for words, but it was the
best I could think of.
Feedback: you betcha
Disclaimer: I don't own them (I am too tired to think of a creative
way to say this)
A Murder of Crows: Part 11
By KKChitown
The ride back to Prague was in complete silence. My head was in
Trowa's lap, Wufei sat on the floor in front of me, reading something
to me in chinese, and checking me every ten minutes to see how my
fever was doing. My mind was gone, half from the fever and the other
half at the realization of what happened. Heero, every chance he got,
glanced at me from the rear view mirror. I don't know if he is upset
at me or not, but at this time I really don't care. I held on to the
cross, pressed tightly against the pain in my heart, wishing I could
take Duo's place.
At about midnight we arrived at the train station. I went ahead of
the others, since I was dressed the way I was. It would look too
suspicious, a priest walking around with three young boys? Not a good
idea. I know that Heero and Wufei went in opposite directions to
bring our things on and sneak aboard, and Trowa followed behind me a
little distance to make sure I was alright.
I couldn't let the cross go. I removed the bandages when we got
there, so that I could feel the reassuring metal against my palm.
The cuts were healed enough so I didn't worry about bleeding. I
didn't need that.
I stopped at one of the stands to buy a ticket, since us pilots are
known for not buying anything. But I had to keep appearances up.
"Oh father, that ring is beautiful." The lady behind the counter
commented. "What color is that?"
"Aquamarine. It's a gem." I replied quickly, not really wanting to
talk.
"Oh, and that cross is just as beautiful. You must be thought of
highly to have such possessions, father."
I smiled faintly, not wanting to offend her. It's bad enough that I
am impersonating a priest. What's more is that I have no idea of how
a priest acts.
"Thank you," is all I said as I got my ticket and headed towards
where the train should be. I lost sight of Trowa, but I figured as
much. I can still feel him watching me, so I know he is around
somewhere.
I also feel another presence. This one is stalking. I pulled the
cap further down my eyes to hide my face. The only way I could see
was by looking down at the floor. I didn't have to worry about
running into anybody, everyone in the station parted for me like the
red sea. I was starting to think that this was a bad idea. I am
drawing a lot of attention to myself.
Finally, I reached where I was supposed to be. I assumed that all of
my things were already on the train, since Heero told me not to worry
about it, that he'd take care of it. The fact that he is being very
nice is starting to frighten me, but I'll be the first to admit that
I don't know Heero at all. Oh well, I have to focus regardless.
"ALL ABOARD!"
The man with the heavy accent hollered, and I started making my way
towards the train cart when someone grabbed my arm, almost painfully,
and stopped me in my tracks.
"Father, I have a confession to make."
I recognized that deep, mature, sensuous voice, and I wanted to
scream. Despite everything that Duo did to help me, and the
precautions that we took to get here, he still found me.
"Leave me alone," I murmured with my eyes cast down at the incredibly
clean, concrete floor.
"Quatre, come back with me. I can help you. You are dying, you know."
"Thanks to you." Wufei appeared out of nowhere, posture even more
defensive. He also had that gleam in his eye that is usually
reserved for battle. Unfortunately, I was standing between the two of
them.
"I am not interested with you, only-"
"Don't give me that! You are no longer a part of this world. Go where
you should be, damnit!" Inhaling deeply, he continued, "You have no
honor, demon. Only the great spirits guide us to where we should be,
not you. Whoever you have your interest in is irrelevant. He does not
want you. Go."
That is the first time I have seen Krahe truly angry. His eyes
narrowed to the point where I know for sure that I saw ice daggers,
in his case. Worse yet, Wufei's eruption caught everyone's attention,
so now we attracted even *more* attention to ourselves. Why didn't we
just come in here wearing pink tuttos and dyed our hair green?
Krahe released my arm and took a step back, so he can see into my
eyes without bending down. "Quatre, if you come with me, I can
guarantee their safety while they leave."
Oh, I KNOW he didn't just threaten me. "What?!" I didn't mean to
raise my voice, but I couldn't believe that he would have the
audacity. I threw my arms in the air, absolutely shocked out of my
fever disoriented mind. Will the wonders ever cease. "You can
guarantee their safety? Who says they want it? Or need it? You have
nothing I could possible desire. You know what? No. That is my final
answer. Leave me be."
/Hooray for me!/ My mind screamed.
"Quatre, you might want-"
I held my hand up, my calloused fingertips gesturing for silence.
Surprisingly, he shut up. "I have nothing more to say to
you....ever." That said, I spun on my heels to board the train. As I
stepped on the first step, a familiar touch gently wrapped itself
around my wrist to help pull me up. I glanced up to see Trowa dressed
one of the uniforms the employees wore. I feel sorry for whoever that
belonged to. They were going to have the headache of headaches once
they woke up.
I sat down in one of the sleeping cars nearest an exit where Wufei
sat across from me. A second later, Trowa brought me ice water to
keep me from dehydrating. I nodded my thanks to him and chanced a
look out the window to see Krahe still standing there. His face was
ultimately blank. Its all the same to me anyway. Nothing was going to
change my mind. He would go back to his destroyed home, with litters
of dead birds decorating the landscaped, with me to thank for it. I
don't think that I hate him anymore, but that I am indifferent. I can
see how Heero and Trowa do it now. Some things don't need or deserve
your attention, and one of those things were standing outside my
window, allowing the snow to fall on his shoulder's, looking almost
pitiful. Almost. That force inside of me that allows me to fight him
is wide awake, almost pounding on my head to be heard.
The pounding. It's starting to become unbearable.
"Wufei, is there anymore Tylenol?" I wondered if I sounded as mousy
as I thought I did.
"Not here, but Trowa will get you some as soon as he returns. At
least you sound a little stronger and better." I'm glad I sounded
better, because I sure didn't feel it. But like he said, soon after
Trowa appeared with another small cup and two aspirins to help with
the pain.
I don't know if it was the medication, the worry over Duo, or the
fact that Krahe was still standing outside like a lost dog that I
started fidgeting. It wouldn't be that big of a deal except for the
fact that I don't fidget. My father was always very adamant about me
sitting still, and being quiet. But now, if this train doesn't move
soon, and I mean real soon, Wufei will have to scrap me off the
ceiling.
For the last time, I peeked out the window at the lonely figure
standing outside wearing his khaki pants with the matching jacket,
and black feathers surrounding his hood. His hands are stuffed in the
deep pockets, away from the chilly air, and his tall frame revealed
an even taller shadow. I gave in to the temptation to look him over,
sketching details of his anatomy. I can't say why I did that, but its
like a love/hate relationship. I hate, or did hate him, but he is so
gorgeous that I am in love with his physical appearance. Maybe I am
gay. I mean, I have never been attracted to women, but I haven't been
attracted to men either. I was always focused on learning how to be
the heir to my father, and then training as a gundam pilot, so of
course I didn't have time for real socializing, but that shouldn't
make me gay, right?
As soon as I finished that train of thought, Krahe smiled, a
mischievous smile, and kind of puckered his lips as if deciding
whether or not he should blow a kiss. Any anger that he harbored had
long since died from his body, and his posture took on more of a
comfortable lean. Deciding against the kiss I suppose, he winked at
me instead and turned around slowly, until his back was facing me.
Then, in a deliberate stroll, he silently walked away, his body
fading into the shadows that moved as ghostly as his footsteps, into
the tunnel. I understand perfectly.
We will met again.
Wufei had tired of this cat and mouse approach a long time ago. He
immediately got up and shut the blind close, and gently pushed me
back until I laid down on the seat. Pulling a blanket out of nowhere,
he covered me up and brushed some loose strands of hair out of my
face. He laid across his seat in a similar position to me.
"Trowa is going to watch out for us, though I feel he shouldn't have
to, we can never be too careful. Yuy," Wufei actually *hesitated* so
now I am fully awake, "Yuy went back to get Maxwell. They should meet
up with us at the carriers. Don't worry."
I smiled sweetly at his attempt to be comforting. Wufei can be a riot
when he tries to be helpful. "I won't worry then."
Satisfied with my answer, he closed his eyes to rest. I did the same
as the train started pulling off from the platform, and into the
black snowy sky that would eventually give way to our salvation.
***
The train roared loudly against the steel tracks, once again leaving
another platform. I opened my eyes to see Wufei sitting on the floor
by my seat reading to me in chinese. I stretched out again and looked
out the window to see that it was not snowing very hard and that the
scenery had changed drastically.
"We are leaving Wroclaw [6], the next stop will probably be in Rivne
and Kiev. You slept through the ride here." Wufei looked very tired
himself. He probably stayed awake the whole time to make sure I was
okay. "Quatre, I need to.....to tell you something."
"Oh?" Now I am confused. Wufei actually sounded, well, nervous.
That's not like him.
"Yeah. Look Quatre. This past week, I have realized something,
besides the fact that ghosts exist." He added a little snort to
that. "You and Duo are very good friends. At first I thought you
were lovers by the way you two were so comfortable being close to
each other."
I nervously started twisting the ring on my finger. This conversation
is scaring me.
"But now I realized that you two care for each other, as a family.
And I also found out something about myself. I learned that you are
my......friend too, Quatre, and that....that we could be even better
friends if I could learn how to be....friendly."
I laughed. It was so hard for Wufei to be honest the way he is being
now. I know that he feels this is a weakness on his behalf, but also
he knows that all we have during this war to count on is each other.
The scientists have even managed to screw us over, so who do we rely
on?
He looked at me angrily, like I was laughing at him to be mean. I
reached down and held his hand, squeezing it gently. He relaxed and
squeezed back, leaning his head against the wall. He
understood. "Sleep now," he ordered. "He was right Quatre. You are
dying. Your temperature was at one hundred and three degrees the last
time we checked, and I don't think it has gone down. You need your
strength to fight."
"Oh." My eyelids felt especially heavy this time, so I closed them
and surrendered to sleep.
***
I awoke to the bright light of the sun shining in my eyes. Usually, I
wake up happy and excited for a new day. However, today is the
exception. The black smock I had on had been taken off, with the
sleeves to my shirt rolled up. The collar around my neck was loosened
a bit to allow ventilation, and a wet cloth was on my head.
Wufei laid on the row of seats opposite of mine, asleep. Trowa sat
where he once was on the floor, watching me with unnerving, emerald
green eyes.
"Trowa?" My voice was very rasped, and I gasped in disbelief at how
hoarse I sounded.
"Don't try to talk, you're fever is coming back," he started, "Heero
found Duo near Wiesbaden, so they should be meeting up with us in
Moscow."
I smiled the truly happiest smile I had all week. Duo and Heero were
alright, and I would be seeing them both soon. Thank Allah.
"Go back to sleep, Quatre. I am watching over you."
I murmured something incoherent, even to me, but I intend to follow
my orders. Still, as I was drifting off, I could've sworn someone
kissed my hand.
***
I was getting worse, and I was afraid that I would be delirious
eventually. It's one thing to die, but I didn't want to go out like I
was crazy. Whatever Krahe did to me, he did it on purpose. But that's
not important now. Trowa was driving like a bat out of hell, running
through stop signs and lights. We had just gotten to Kiev maybe about
half an hour ago, and Wufei read my temperature at 104.5 degrees so
we were in a hurry to get me to the carriers where the rest of the
supplies were.
"Quatre, stay awake!" Wufei yelled, way too close to my ear.
"How is he now?" Trowa said, a little excited himself.
"He is getting worse and his heart is beating way too fast. He is not
going to make it."
"The hell he's not!" Trowa actually shouted as he took a corner too
hard, almost tipping over the van he stole outside the train station.
"Quatre, don't you dare die, god damnit! We need you!" Wufei shook me,
violently, the frantic apparent in his voice.
"I'm tired Wu-fei," I whined, the heat from my body and the stabbing
sensation in my chest were almost unbearable. "I want to sleep." I
felt my eyelids fall close, fairly swollen and burning. My head felt
too heavy to try to keep lifted up, and my body wasn't working right
anyway. I wanted the pain to stop.
"I know you're tired Quatre, but we need you to stay awake. If you
could hold out just a little longer, we can get you some medicine and
bring your temperature down. I did not open up sounding like a weak
crying woman to lose you now."
"Quatre," said the ever stoic pilot, "stay awake. Duo is coming,"
then came the whisper that I wasn't really sure I heard, "and I need
you."
"I want-want to rest," I muttered again. My grip on Wufei's shirt was
becoming weaker, and I saw the horror in his face as my consciousness
finally slipped away from me.
"No, Quatre, NO!"
That was the last thing I heard.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[6] Wroclaw is in Poland, and Rivne and Kiev are in Ukraine.
© 2000 by KKChitown. Please do not remove without permission.
