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"Custos"Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing nor any of
its characters. I only own the original characters. And nobody's paying
me to write this. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, OC, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Violence Pairings: 5x4, 1x3x1, 2x6x2 Summary: Just as things begin looking up for the
Gundam boys, Wufei disappears. " Custos" Chapter 21 “You're not just going to let him stay there, are you?” Heero shook his head. “I'll get him upstairs in a bit.” Jason nodded, studying the oblivious shifter. “It's a good thing this didn't happen a week earlier.” “I know.” He looked to his grandfather. “Slayn made it so I could change into human form when I need to. So you don't have to worry about me anymore.” The older faerie smiled softly. “You're my grandson, Heero. I'll always worry about you. But I want you to know I'm proud of you.” He raised an eyebrow. “Sentimentality? From you, grandfather? I'm shocked.” Jason laughed and stood. “Why don't you go rest? We'll catch up later. Do you need help getting him to your room?” “I'd appreciate it.” He rubbed the shifter's shoulder. “Trowa, can you wake up enough to get upstairs?” He sat up with Heero's help, eyes never opening, and both faeries held him with an arm over their shoulders as they moved up the steps. His head drooped tiredly to his chest as he shuffled up the stairs. They laid him on the bed and Heero yelped as Trowa jerked him down, folding his arms and legs around him protectively. He pressed his hands to Trowa's chest and pushed as hard as he could, but didn't budge. Jason doubled over laughing. “Trowa, let go.” “I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. Can't you get free?” He huffed. “No.” His grandfather shrugged. “You need to rest anyway.” He sighed. “Can you bring us something to eat in a few hours?” “Sure.” He left the room and quietly closed the door. He glanced to the side as he saw Raven moving slowly down the hall, studying the artwork lining the walls. “Are you not tired?” The young man looked to him, startled. “You scared me.” He took a breath. “Not really. I slept the entire trip to Paris and then on the way here.” Jason nodded slightly. “Come then. I'll give you a little lesson in history.” Raven scrunched his nose. “I'm not really much for history,” he said as he followed the faerie downstairs. “Even when it's your own?” Jason asked, glancing over his shoulder. “But you can't know my history, you don't...” he trailed off and Jason paused, raising an eyebrow as he looked to the young man. “What is it?” He shrugged. “You're awfully confident you know who I am, but you don't trust me. Why?” Jason turned fully to face him. “You don't really have to ask, so why are you?” “I don't go further unless I'm permitted. It's... vulgar to read somebody's mind without permission.” Jason smiled softly. “You're the spitting image of your grandfather, and it seems you inherited his gift. But it also seems like you don't abuse it as he did.” “I don't understand.” “He betrayed us. He used his ability to read people and gave that knowledge to our present enemy.” His face darkened. “Even going to far as to sacrifice his own wife, your grandmother.” Raven stared at him wide-eyed. “Why would he do such a thing?” “No one is immune to the lure of power and he did not seek help to stand against it.” He studied Raven for a long moment. “What would you do, given the choice of death or power?” He shrugged. “I already made that choice with Miranda. The only reason I'm not dead is because Duo and the others showed up before she could kill me.” Jason weighed the truth of his words and nodded. “Then I am honored to call you friend.” Raven smiled. “Thank you.” ****** Merrick paced the stone floor of the building the Custos and his party hadn't crumbled to the ground. The meager remains of his people stood not far away, waiting for him to speak. His black eyes narrowing as he turned back to the cowering woman before him. “How did he do it?” She shook her head, tears leaking from her frightened eyes. “He just flicked his wrist and they exploded.” “And he left you alive?” “He didn't perceive me as a threat, my lord. In truth, I think he forgot I was even there. There was nothing I could have done to stop him. He easily overpowered Antony.” Merrick stared hard at the trembling woman. He turned, looking over his men. “I want every vampire loyal to us to fall upon the Custos and his companions once they leave the island.” “How do we know they'll leave?” “Because I know Chang and I know the weak heart of a Custos. Once humans begin being slaughtered, they cannot help but run to the rescue. And we will be waiting.” “Where do we start?” Merrick raised his chin slightly. “Chang's mate, Quatre Winner, has an awfully large family. It must be difficult for him to keep up with all of them.” He grinned cruelly. “I say we make it easier on the poor man.” He held up his hand to bring silence. “But first, I must make the traitor ready. You will wait for my command.” They bowed their acquiescence and he left the room. He moved down the winding staircase to the room that once held his Seer and Key, a slight snarl raised to his lips as he took in the empty bed. With a low growl he bypassed it and opened the wardrobe in the corner. He grabbed a small stone out of it and clenched it in his fist, sitting on the edge of the bed and closing his eyes. ****** “Come to me.” He opened his eyes slowly, but saw nothing through the darkness, not even the floor beneath him. “Where am I?” “That doesn't matter. All that matters is that you serve me. It is your destiny.” He pushed up to his hands on cold stone floor beneath him and looked up into the darkness surrounding him. “Who are you?” “Your master.” He shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind. He had no clue where he was or how he'd come to be there. “What do you want with me?” “You have a power deep inside you. I want it.” He sucked in a breath as a figure appeared before him. He shook his head slowly. “No. No I don't... I won't serve you.” Ice cold fingers raked down his cheek, leaving a trail that burned like fire. He covered it with one hand, barely holding back a scream. “Don't you know? There is always a traitor among the righteous.” “No. I'm not.” He smirked. “It is not so terrible a thing.” He stared up into black eyes. “You betrayed the previous Custos.” He nodded slowly. “Very perceptive. Galen has never forgiven me for it, either. This war is quite personal for him.” He squatted down. “You see, it takes a Seer to turn one able to become the Custos. Just as Chang made yours, Galen Tailor turned mine. And I destroyed him.” He cupped his cheek. “And you shall destroy yours. But first, you'll destroy Chang and his pet.” “I won't.” The hand slid down to wrap around his neck. “You will.” He closed his eyes and saw his own hands wrapped around Quatre's neck. Wide cerulean eyes gazed up at him in fear as the blond struggled for breath. The hands tightened and Quatre's mouth opened wider before his eyes lost their life and he sagged back to the bed, lifeless. His eyes flew wide and he shook his head. “No! Let me go!” Cold black eyes seemed to smirk at him. “For now.” He released his hold and he fell to the cold floor. ****** Heero bolted up in bed, gasping for breath. He glanced to Trowa's sleeping form and the familiarity of his surroundings. He was still at his grandfather's. He heaved a sigh of relief. It was just a nightmare. But images of his hands around Quatre's neck, leeching the life out of him, refused to leave his mind. He slid from the bed and pressed a fist to his chest. The drain of his power was almost immediate, but it was worth it to be rid of the wings, even if just for a short time. He pulled his robe over his shoulders and moved down to the kitchen where he smelled fresh coffee being brewed. Jason glanced to him. “Up already?” He tied the belt to his robe. “How long was I asleep?” “Barely four hours.” He frowned, sitting at the table. It had felt like he'd been asleep for days, not that it had done any good. He rubbed the back of his neck and Jason hooked a finger under his chin. “Sakes alive, child, you look worse than you did when you laid down.” “I didn't sleep well.” Jason nodded. “That's painfully obvious. Want to talk about it?” He shivered. “Hell no.” His grandfather frowned. “That's not like you. I know you rarely talk to your comrades, but you've always talked to me.” He shook his head. “I'm sorry, but this... it's nothing, Jason. Okay?” He nodded slowly, obviously not believing him but letting it slide. “All right. You hungry?” “Not really. I just can't sleep anymore right now.” Jason studied him worriedly as he scrambled some eggs. There were shadows beneath Heero's eyes that hadn't been there just hours before and his skin was pale. Raven came into the kitchen, lured by the smell of food and coffee. He poured himself a cup and looked to Heero, freezing with the mug halfway to his lips. “Damn, what happened to you?” Heero frowned. “What are you talking about?” Raven bit his lip. “You look half dead.” He looked from Raven to Jason, who nodded slowly. “You do, my boy.” He still felt the shadow of his nightmares skimming the edges of his mind and shook his head. It was just a dream. He'd never... he'd never hurt one of his friends. Exhaustion warred with his fear of returning back to sleep. He couldn't handle anymore nightmares, but he wasn't sure he could stay up much longer, either. “I think... I'm going back to bed.” Jason nodded, but it didn't look like he'd think it would do any good. Heero moved up the stairs slowly and leaned against the wall, gripping the railing tightly. 'Do it,' a voice in his mind whispered. He shook his head. It was just a dream. He clenched his teeth and forced his feet to return to his room. He found Trowa sleeping peacefully in their bed and sat on the edge. “Wake up,” he whispered brokenly. The shifter didn't move and a whimper escaped him. If there was ever a time he needed his lover, it was then, but the hibernation that Trowa couldn't control had him in its grip. He took heaving breaths as he pressed his forehead to his lover's shoulder. “Please,” he gasped, “wake up.” He raised up and stared down at his lover's pale, chiseled face. “Trowa, please, I need you.” He shifted slightly and his eyes slit open. “Heero?” he asked on a tired whisper. “Can you wake up a little.” He managed to get his eyes focused. “What's wrong?” He shook his head. “I don't know. But I'm... I need you to... I'm not in control.” Trowa opened his arms and Heero fell into them. “Don't let me go.” He laid his chin on top of chocolate locks. “As long as I live,” he promised. “I'm serious, Trowa. You... can't let me go.” A soft snore was his only answer, and he feared it wasn't enough. ****** “I think he'll be an asset,” Galen said softly. Duo shook his head. “He isn't trained to fight.” He shrugged. “Then we train him. His empathy works at a much deeper level than Quatre's. He doesn't have to be touching a person to get more details.” Wufei nodded slightly and looked to Duo. “That's true.” “I think,” Aidan said quietly, “we should ask him, yes?” They all looked to Raven who sat with his back to a book shelf, knees drawn to his chest. He licked his lips. “Look, I'd love to help in any way I can, but like Duo said, I'm no fighter. I can read who you want me to, but I don't know that I could help in a battle.” He shook his head. “And I don't want to get in the way.” They appraised him and then looked to each other. Duo nodded slowly. “All right, then. We can put Zechs and Quatre to protect him.” “Wait, didn't you hear me?” The Custos looked to him. “Yeah, I did. You won't put anyone in danger, because you won't rush into a battle you can't handle. We can use your abilities to get through those who are being controlled and not kill any who shouldn't be killed. It will put you in danger, I won't deny that. But, you'll be an invaluable asset. Of course, it's your decision.” Raven pressed his lips to a fine line, dropping his chin to his chest. The Custos, keeper of mankind, had asked him for help... Could he really refuse? He looked up. “I can't deny that I'm scared shitless... but, I was with Miranda... and I think I made the right decision there. I haven't changed my mind.” He nodded shortly. “If I can help, just tell me what to do.” “The question now is, where do we go from here? We don't know where Merrick is.” All eyes turned to Wufei. “I'm not so sure we're ready to fight him yet.” Zechs frowned. “You saw how Duo turned those vampires into piles of flesh and bone.” He grimaced. “Can we not talk about that please.” “I'm just saying that I believe you're ready to fight him.” Wufei nodded. “I have no doubt Duo is, but we'll be facing every vampire opposed to us while trying to get to Merrick. I'm questioning our readiness, not Duo's. I think-” His vision suddenly shifted and he fell to his knees to the floor. Sam screamed as the large mansion was invaded. Creatures from horror movies piled in, falling on staff and sinking fangs into them. She fell back into Rashid and turned frightened eyes up to the man. He yanked her toward the back door in hopes of finding escape. Abdul had already fallen, as had many of the Maguanacs. He shook his head, folding her tightly in his embrace. “Dear, Allah, what are these things?” A vampire raised, licking the blood from her lips. “Surely you've seen enough movies to know what we are.” He shook his head. “You aren't real.” She laughed heartily. “Oh no?” Rashid was pulled from Sam, held back by two creatures posing as humans who held inhuman strength. She circled Sam, delighting in the trembling girl's fear. “You have your dear brother to thank for this.” She fell on Sam, sinking her teeth into her neck. Quatre tore from the vision, screaming for Wufei. His lover pushed from the floor and raced into the room, Aidan, Galen, Duo, Zechs and Raven on his heels. He shoved into their room and pulled Quatre into his arms. He gasped for breath, clawing at Wufei's clothes. “Please... we have to help them. We can't...” “I know.” “What happened?” Duo demanded. “What did you see?” “My family,” Quatre gasped, “being slaughtered. Sam...” He trailed off, unable to continue. “Going there now is exactly what Merrick wants,” Galen said quietly. “I don't care what he wants! I won't let my family be murdered because of me!” Wufei shook his head. “He didn't say we weren't going. We just need to make plans to get there with as little resistance as possible. It won't do them any good if we race off without a plan and get caught up in meaningless battles.” “I say we leave at sunrise. Zechs and Aidan can fly the jet to my estate. Wufei can get Daeon to meet us there.” Galen squeezed Quatre's shoulder. “We won't let this atrocity befall your family.” He looked up to the ancient vampire. “Thank you.” Galen smiled softly. “Could you tell when it happened?” He raked a hand through disheveled blond locks. “Um, it was dark really early.” He nodded. “Then we have a couple of weeks. Hopefully Trowa will have wakened by then.” Wufei lowered Quatre back to the bed. “We won't let it happen, love. Get some rest. Okay?” Knowing it was childish, he gripped Wufei's wrist. 'Stay with me.' He nodded and laid down beside him, holding him tightly. Heero pushed from the wall outside of Quatre and Wufei's room and stumbled to the bathroom. He climbed into the shower, still dressed in his robe and pajama bottoms, and turned the cold water on as high as it would go. 'It doesn't have to happen, you know.' He grit his teeth, pressing his forehead to the wall. 'Get out of my head. You're not real.' A chilling laugh echoed within his mind. 'Oh, I'm very real and you are mine to do with as I please. If you want Winner's family to live, you simply have to present the Custos and Chang to me. And kill Chang's mate.' He shook his head, tears squeezing out of his closed eyelids. 'I won't.' Pain exploded in his head and he sank to his knees as cruel laughter echoed within the recesses of his mind. 'How much can you truly take, faerie?' He gripped his hands on either side of his head, rocking slowly. 'Stop it!' The pain dissipated and Heero sagged to the floor of the shower, soft sobs wracking his body. He should tell someone, he knew, but he wouldn't be labeled a traitor or insane, whichever the voice made him. He wouldn't do what the voice in his head demanded. A persistent knock came to the door, but he couldn't seem to get himself to move. He heard his grandfather demanding he be let in and turned his eyes slowly as he heard the knob rattling and more voices joining the old faerie's. He licked his lips, only managing to push up to his hands, arms shaking violently, before the lock was picked and Duo, Zechs, and Jason rushed in. He looked up to them, hair plastered to his ashen face. “I won't do it,” he whispered before darkness claimed him. Duo stared down at Heero with worry. “What the hell is he talking about?” Jason shook his head. “He's been having nightmares.” Duo turned the water off and easily lifted Heero from the tub. Zechs helped him strip off the sodden clothes and Jason toweled Heero off before draping a fresh robe over his grandson's shoulders. “There's something going on here,” Duo said quietly. “And I really don't like it.” Jason studied the Custos. “Something like what?” He shook his head. “I don't know, but this isn't normal.” He brushed back Heero's water-soaked bangs from his pale face. “Heero's always been a gentle soul. I know it may not have seemed like it during the war, but it took a lot for him to become a soldier. It hurt him to take lives, but he's always been driven to do the right thing, no matter the cost. It's no wonder he's breaking now.” Duo lifted Heero fully into his arms and carried him back to his bedroom, laying him gently beside a slumbering Trowa. They crept quietly out of the room and he shut the door, looking to Jason. “I don't think that's all it is.” “Then what is it?” He shook his head. “I wish I knew.” TBC....
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