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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 22 Heero stared down at Trowa's head in his lap, running his fingers through the soft auburn hair. He was terrified to leave the protection of the island and, although it didn't show on his face, he knew both Quatre and Raven felt it. His only saving grace was that Quatre couldn't read deeper without touching him and Raven wouldn't without permission. If they knew the truth, they surely would have left him behind. But they all watched him with worry. He was hardly sleeping, afraid of what else would be shown to him if he closed his eyes. He hadn't yet figured out if the Merrick in his dreams was the true ancient or a figment of his imagination, but one thing the supposed ancient had told him ran in circles through his mind. He said Galen turned the previous Custos, but the blond had told them he had come out of nowhere. That the Custos had chosen him. Why had he lied to them? He looked to Galen. “Tell me about the previous Custos. Who was he?” The vampire flinched slightly. “A good man.” “So you've said. And that's all you've said. I'm curious to know more about him.” His eyes narrowed. “Why?” He shrugged. “Why be secretive about him?” He dropped his eyes to the floor. “Because it is my fault he is dead.” Aidan put a hand to his shoulder. “No it isn't.” “Yes, it is.” He took a breath. “He was my sister's son. His name was Jeremy.” His brows drew together. “And I was the one who turned him.” All eyes but Heero's and Aidan's turned to him in surprise. “Why did you turn him?” “He was always a bright soul, energetic and loving, but he fell to a crippling disease that had him confined to bed. He begged me to turn him. He didn't want to die like that. I promised my sister I'd take care of him.” He clenched his teeth. “But Merrick betrayed us and killed him.” He looked back to Heero. “And we have fought against him every since.” Heero looked back down to Trowa. It was all true. Everything Merrick had told him. That meant he wasn't crazy. It truly was their enemy who'd somehow found a way into his mind. Did that mean he had no control over what would happen? Would Merrick truly be able to force him to do the things he'd seen? “Heero?” He raised his eyes to Quatre. “Hm?” “Are you all right?” He swallowed. “Yeah.” Duo's eyes narrowed as he studied him. “You're lying.” “I'm just tired.” “Then sleep.” “I can't.” The braided man sighed. “Jason said you'd been having nightmares. What are they about?” His eyes flicked briefly to Quatre. The blond reached for him and he jerked away. The hand dropped back to his lap. “I wasn't going to read you,” he said softly. He closed his eyes. “It's just a precaution. Trust me, you don't want to see what I have.” “We're coming up to the coordinates you gave us,” Raven's voice came over the intercom. Heero had been surprised when Duo had not only allowed Raven and Slayn to come, but had insisted. He couldn't see the reason in allowing them on what was sure to be a suicide mission, but both had been, if not happy to be along, very much willing. He sighed as he felt the lure of sleep calling him. Before he knew it, the darkness claimed him and he found himself on the cold stone floor, but this time there was a heavy chain about his neck. He stared for a long moment at the black boots on the floor in front of him before raising his eyes. “Why are you doing this to me?” Merrick raised an eyebrow. “Why? What a simple question. I had expected better from you, Heero. It's because I can. Because you are open to me.” “How?” He knelt down. “I had Evan tweak some of his spells.” He frowned. “Unfortunately he didn't upgrade the one he'd cast on Galen and Aidan, so I lost my hold on them when he died.” He tilted his head to the side. “But I have you, and I believe you will be more than enough to achieve my goal.” “I won't kill Quatre.” He smirked. “Really? Do you know what's happening to your body as we speak? I can tell you. The Custos is carrying you up to your room, where you'll be laid in a soft bed next to your sleeping lover. A few doors down the hall, if your memory serves me correctly, is where Chang and his pet sleep. Sooner or later Winner will be left alone and that is when you will kill him.” Heero shook his head. “I won't.” “You won't have a choice, Heero.” He trailed his finger down Heero's cheek almost tenderly. “And after you kill him, you will bring the Custos and Chang to me.” His eyes narrowed. “They would kill me before I could kill Quatre, and there's no way I could force Duo and Wufei to come to you. I'm not as strong as you think.” He grinned. “Oh, that is where you're wrong. You're much stronger than you realize.” He put his hand to Heero's chest and his power surged against his will. He could feel it boiling just beneath the surface and shook his head. “But I am the one in control of your power. It will bend to my will, whether you do or not.” Heero shook his head and bowed his chin to his chest. “No,” the denial was weak, even to his own ears. ****** Quatre watched with worry as Duo and Wufei carried Trowa and Heero up to their room. The faerie was mumbling incoherently under his breath, face contorted as if he was in pain. Quatre wanted to read him. He wanted to find out what was hurting him, but Heero had explicitly said no, so there was nothing he could do. Duo and Wufei came out of the room and the group gathered in the living room. The braided man braced his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands. “If this goes on much longer, one of you will find out what's going on.” Quatre and Raven exchanged glances, neither comfortable with the idea. “It's like rape, Duo.” He looked to the blond. “I don't like it any better than you do, but he can't go on like this. He needs rest to fight and he's not getting it.” Raven chewed his lip. “I understand what you're saying, but-” “It will be done,” Duo said with finality to his voice. “I will not have one of my people getting killed because we neglected to make sure he was of a mind and body to fight. This isn't a game. There are more lives on the line that just ours. If we fail, it won't only be us or Quatre's family that will die. It could be thousands or more. We have no way of knowing exactly how many underlings Merrick has.” He shook his head slowly. “This is bigger than just us. If I have to leave Heero behind for his own good, and ours, I will. But if there's something going on beneath the surface that can bring harm to our mission... then we have deal with it.” Raven nodded. “I understand.” Duo looked to Galen and Aidan. “Ballpark figure, how many does he have serving him?” The blond spread his hands. “Hundreds, easily. And those who once served the others surely have flocked to him.” Duo sat his chin on the folds of his hands. “How long before Daeon gets here?” “By the end of the week, four days at most,” Wufei answered quietly, allowing Duo to step fully into the role he was destined for. He pushed to his feet, pacing slightly. “We're moving as Merrick directs and I don't like that, but we don't have much choice. The best we can do now is find some way to catch him off guard.” He grunted. “A difficult thing when he knows we're coming.” Galen cleared his throat. “We could split up. Half of us come from the north.” Duo gazed at him silently for a moment. “Daeon would need to go with whichever group Wufei isn't with, that way we can keep in communication, either that or split up mates, and I don't like that idea. And Quatre and Raven would need to be in separate groups.” Wufei shook his head. “You can't seriously be considering this.” Duo held up his hand, mulling it over. “I'll consider all options. Any vampires we would meet on the way will no doubt be weaklings. He'll have his strongest men ready at the estate, waiting for us. The others will be more to stall and mark our travel patterns.” “Can I call my family? Maybe have them leave the night of the attack.” Galen shook his head. “We only know it happens in winter due to the length of day. We don't know the date.” He released a breath. “Of course. I'm not thinking.” Wufei rubbed his back. “Why don't you go lie down?” He nodded and dropped a quick kiss to Wufei's lips before leaving the room. “He's worried.” Duo nodded. “Who wouldn't be? I'm pretty sure we'll be facing Merrick sooner than we wanted, but we don't really have a choice.” He looked over the group, bracing his arm on the mantle above the fireplace. Part of him wanted to keep the six of them together, but he couldn't think in terms of who he wanted to keep safe. Each group had to be balanced enough to stand up to whatever they came across. The weakest was Raven by far, followed by Zechs. He glanced to Slayn. “How are you in a fight?” “I can hold my own fairly well.” He pressed his thumb to his lips. “All right, we'll split up like this, Raven, Slayn, Daeon, Heero, and Trowa with take the north. Quatre, Wufei, Galen, Aidan, Zechs and I will take the expected route. There will be more resistance on that road.” “How will we split without being noticed?” Wufei shook his head. “I don't like this, Duo, we should stay together.” “Merrick will expect that,” Galen said. “Jeremy never let us separate and Merrick will expect Duo to operate in the same way. Which means his men will be looking to the south. We'll have the element of surprise.” He looked back to Duo. “As long as we can split up without them noticing.” He nodded slowly. “We split here. We'll take the jet and when all eyes are following us the rest of you get a direct flight to New York.” “Except for Daeon, of course.” He sighed. “It can't be helped. I know he can cloak himself to regular humans. I hope that works for vampires as well.” He looked to Zechs who was curled in the recliner, half asleep. “We all need to get some rest. I'd rather not do anything until Trowa wakes up. Hopefully we'll have that much time.” ****** Wufei stepped outside as Daeon came to a soft landing. “How was your hunting?” “Fine. How are things here?” He shook his head and reached up to run his hand down the dragon's nose. “Not good. Merrick has targeted Quatre's family. Trowa's in hibernation and Heero is... unwell.” Daeon tilted his head to the side. “What is wrong with him?” “All he's really complained of is nightmares. But they're bad enough that he avoids sleep until he passes out from exhaustion.” “When did this start?” “Shortly after Trowa went into hibernation.” “Do you think the two are connected?” He shook his head. “I don't see how they could be. I think it's just coincidence.” “Is he awake now?” Daeon asked as he shifted to human form and followed Wufei into the house. He shook his head. “No, he was up all last night and all today, he finally laid down an hour or so ago.” ****** 'Kill him. Kill Chang's mate.' He shook his head. 'No. I won't.' 'Yes,' the cold voice whispered. 'You will.' His back arched and he gasped for breath. The shadow that surrounded him filled his mind, muting his thoughts and control. He sat up in the bed and slid to the floor, blank eyes glowing as he moved silently down the hall. He pushed into Quatre and Wufei's room. The vampire was absent, but the blond was sleeping soundly. He gazed down at him for a long moment before leaning over and gripping the delicate neck. Blue eyes flew wide and Quatre's mouth dropped in shock. He gripped Heero's wrists, struggling to bring in air. He kicked his legs but that only managed to tangle them in the sheets. He stared up into Heero's face and the lack of recognition in his eyes frightened him more than anything else. 'Fei! Help me!' Wufei was already running up from the living room, followed by the others with him. 'I'm coming.' His vision began to darken on the edges and his hands slid limply to the bed. 'Hurry.' Wufei burst into the room and tore Heero off of Quatre, throwing the faerie to the floor. Quatre sucked in a ragged breath and rolled to his side, coughing violently. Duo hauled Heero up by his shirt. “What the hell were-” Heero crashed a glowing fist to the brunette's temple unexpectedly, knocking him off balance. Galen ran for him and Heero sneered, lightening crackling in his eyes and gathering in his hands. The vampire came up short, eyes wide. “Wait!” Slayn's voice boomed as he ran into the room. Heero turned to him just before he threw a bucket of ice cold water on him. He fell back in shock, blinking rapidly before dropping to his hands and knees. He sucked in heaving breaths and wrapped his arms around his waist, an agonized moan ripping from him. Slayn knelt before him. “Are you all right?” “I c-can't fight him anymore.” He moved his hands up to grip tight fists in the back of his hair, shaking violently. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry.” “It isn't your fault, lad.” He gripped Heero's chin and forced his head up to look into his eyes. He cursed softly. “How did I miss this?” “What?” Wufei demanded. “There are two spells, one overlapping the other. I can't break one at a time. It must be both at once.” Galen shook his head. “I don't understand. Why didn't the spell over him break when Evan died, like the one on us did?” Slayn shook his head. “One spell feeds the other. If one breaks, the other makes up for the break and remakes the link.” Heero gazed at the wizard through barely raised lids, sweat dripping down his brow. “C-can you do it?” He nodded. “But it will be painful.” He closed his eyes. “Couldn't be... as painful as this.” Duo shook his head. “Why didn't you tell us?” “We can discuss that later,” Slayn said, lifting Heero from the floor, careful of his wings. “I need a large open floor.” “Basement,” Galen said, leading him downstairs. Slayn handed Heero over to Duo and pulled a pouch out of his pocket. He sprinkled black powder in a large circle, several lines running through it in a seemingly chaotic pattern. “Lay him in the middle.” Duo nodded and gently laid Heero on his side on the dirt floor, dazed sapphire eyes looked up to him. “I'm sorry.” He shook his head. “It isn't your fault.” He stepped out of the circle and all eyes turned to Slayn as he knelt at the edge of the circle at Heero's feet. “Forgive me, son.” He touched the powder and it felt like a vice clamped over his chest. He curled in on himself releasing a strangled cry. He clawed at his chest, shaking and gasping for breath as pressure and pain radiated through his whole body. Slayn's chanting grew louder and a scream ripped from Heero that tore through the house. Trowa bolted up in bed, chest heaving as the scream echoed in his mind. He jumped from the bed and raced through the house and down into the basement. His eyes fell on Heero's writhing form and anger flooded through him. “What the hell are you doing?” Quatre grabbed the shifter's arm. “Trowa, he's-” He cut off with a grunt as he was easily tossed aside. Duo and Wufei grabbed either of his arms and shoved him into the wall as Heero released another pain-filled cry. “He's hurting him!” “No,” Duo countered, “he's helping him. We have to break the spell. It seems Merrick can activate it the same way that wizard could. He tried to use Heero to kill Quatre.” Glazed sapphire eyes met heartbroken emerald and he reached for him, lips forming his name silently. Trowa shook his head and slid down the wall. Heero grit his teeth and closed his eyes, curling into a fetal position and wrapping his arms over his head as he screamed hoarsely. The walls vibrated with the power flowing through the room. Heero's back arched impossibly, mouth open in a silent scream as blue light suddenly burst forth from him, making the others turn away. They looked back as it faded and Slayn slumped to the floor. Haggard breaths slipped passed pale lips as all eyes turned back to Heero. He lay limply on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. Trowa stumbled forward and dropped to his knees, brushing back sweat-soaked chocolate bangs. “Heero?” He blinked owlishly and slowly looked up to meet Trowa's eyes. “Not... so loud,” he whispered. “I have a pounding headache.” Soft laughs of relief filled the room. “Did it work?” Quatre asked in a gravely whisper. He pressed a trembling fist to his chest and closed his eyes, a moment later, his form moved back to that of a human's without any strain to his power. Slayn smiled. “I'd say that's a yes.” Trowa heaved a sigh and lifted Heero from the floor with an arm under his shoulders and knees. Heero gripped at his shirt. “I need...” “What?” He looked to the side and reached for Quatre. The blond stepped to him and flinched slightly as gentle fingers brushed the blackening bruise. The pain receded and the bruise faded. “I'm sorry.” Quatre shook his head and took the hand on his neck and laid it on Heero's chest. “It isn't your fault.” His brows drew together. “Why didn't you tell us?” “At first... I thought I was going crazy. He told me that Galen turned the previous Custos and that Merrick was the one who killed him.” Galen nodded. “So that's why you asked about him.” “Yeah. I was hoping you'd say something different, but then you confirmed it.” He closed his eyes. “He kept telling me I was a traitor and I... became afraid it was true. I... panicked.” “That's not like you,” Duo said quietly. “How would you feel if there was another voice in your head? Every time I went to sleep, I was in this... dungeon, in chains. And he was there, taunting me.” Trowa's arms tightened. “We'll talk about this later. You need rest.” He carried him up to their room and climbed on the bed, holding his lover close to his chest and burying his nose in his hair. “I thought you'd be out for another week.” His arms tightened. “I heard you screaming. What kind of mate would I be if I let you hurt alone?” He pressed his lips to a fine line. “But I did. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.” He stretched out, holding Heero tight to his chest and entwining their legs. Heero folded his arms under Trowa's gripping the back of his shoulders. He buried his face in his lover's chest and released a heavy sigh. Trowa felt the slight trembling still wracking Heero's body from time to time and swore there'd be hell to pay for the ancient that dared hurt his lover. ****** Quatre dialed the number quickly, tapping his fingers on the desk. Now that Merrick was shut out of Heero's mind, they had no way of knowing if he would hurry his plans, which meant they had to hurry theirs. Duo and Wufei sat not far away, both watching him as he fidgeted. “Calm down,” Wufei whispered. “You don't want them to start worrying.” He glanced to him. “I know.” “Winner reside.... Master Quatre!” He looked back to the screen to see Abdul. He smiled slightly. “Answering phones now?” “Everyone else is busy planning the wedding.” “Whose wedding?” “Ms Samantha's.” “Oh, I see.” He shoved back that pain that raised at what he was missing in his family's life. “Well, I suppose I should stop in for a visit to congratulate her.” He smiled brightly. “She'd like that. Actually, we all would. Rashid's been very worried about you.” He nodded. “I know. I'm sorry.” Abdul's smile fell slightly. “How are the others? Master Wufei? Rashid said he didn't look too good the last time he saw him.” Quatre looked to the side and Wufei stepped in view of the screen. “I'm fine, Abdul, but I'm fairly sure Rashid is more concerned with Quatre than he is me.” The Maguanac laughed softly and raised a shoulder. “All the women have been gossiping about how romantic it is, Master Quatre throwing away his fortune to be with the one he loves. I guess it's rubbed off on some of us. Not Rashid, of course, but...” he shrugged. Wufei nodded. “I understand. He put his life to protecting Quatre.” Abdul raised an eyebrow. “But all children grow up, don't they?” Wufei smiled. “Yes, I suppose so.” “So, will all of you be coming?” Quatre nodded. “And then some. We have a few other friends who will be coming with us.” Abdul's eyes narrowed slightly. “This isn't really a social call, is it?” “Hopefully it will be, but I can't promise that. I don't really have time to explain right now.” The Maguanac nodded. “We'll be waiting for you.” “Thank you.” He hung up and looked up to Wufei. “Do you think Heero will be ready to leave by then? He's awfully weak.” Wufei shook his head. “He'll have to be. I don't think we'll have much more time.” ****** Merrick snarled, kicking his foot through the wall. The naked humans near him gave muted screams and jumped out of his way. He clenched his fists, the dust remains of the stone slipping through his fingers. “Phillips!!” The door burst open and the vampire came rushing in, falling to his knee. “Yes, my lord.” “Gather up our forces. We leave for Winner's estate at once.” “My lord, it will take at least three or four days to gather up enough-” A foot to his chin cut him off and sent him flying. “Then you'd better get on it.” He turned on his heel and grabbed the arm of a young teenage boy, jerking him to his feet. The boy gasped in panicked breaths, glancing back to the others before being dragged into the ancient vampire's bedroom. A room that very few humans left alive, especially when Merrick was pissed. TBC...
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