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"Shinigami’s Lot "Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. Written for
pleasure not profit. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU/High School Gang War, Violence, blood,
fighting, violent NCS (rape), language, Bastardized Hiiro (in the
beginning), Evil Dr. J, Evil Relena, Prejudice, angst, OOC, Duo POV,
humor believe it or not! and I'm told this one will give you a freakishly
dark case of the warm fuzzies before its all over. >;^/ Pairings: 2+Hilde, 2+Solo, 2+4, 2+5, 1+3, Rx1
(unrequited), Mx5 (also unrequited), 5x13, 6x9, 3x4, SoloxCatherine,
and yes! 1X2!!!! YeeAAaay! Summary: A small town harbors big trouble as rival
factions face off in a war seemingly bred of predjudice and ill content.
While Hiiro's White Wing Gang tries to banish the gay community Duo
does his best to protect those that have come to be known as 'Shinigami's
Lot'. However, dark secrets and misunderstandings lead them on an
inevitable path back to one another as old feelings refuse to fade
and they discover a love that will ultimately survive. "Shinigami’s Lot " Chapter 3 It was the second Saturday of the month and Duo was feeling abnormally spry. Recent events had bolstered his spirits immensely. He had a new friend with tons of money that could get him inside the hanger whenever he liked. He hadn’t been in a fight in over a week, his Mom had lain off after their spat over his hair and it was amateur night at the local dance club, ‘Oz’. His group participated in most competitions with anything from dance to vocals or perhaps even an odd poem. It usually turned out to be a pretty good time all the way around. All you needed was some cash, a costume and a fake ID, and Duo had it all covered. This was to be Quatre’s first time, so he was laying it on a little thick. He never wore anything tasteless, preferring to accentuate his appearance instead of flaunting it. If he chose anything too revealing he spent the night turning down indecent proposals instead of enjoying himself, so he kept it to a nice pair of black leather pants with some silver chains that drooped from the waist band. They were cut a bit low on the hips, but the flowing, deep purple shirt covered it for the most part. He’d braided gold and black cords in his hair that matched the black boots Hilde had given him for Christmas, and had taken the black choker on and off several times trying to decided if it was too much. Finally he decided, ‘fuck’em if they cant take a joke’ and left it on out of pure defiance. All in all, he looked pretty damn hot. Not easy, but hot. He stuffed a small stick of lip-gloss in his pocket for his performance later that night and grabbed his jacket, heading out to meet up with his friends. ‘Oz’ was the only local club that had a ‘gay night’ if you will; one night a month when the gay community was invited out specifically and encouraged to mingle. It was also the only place they ran into Wufei anymore since he’d graduated the year before. He worked the club as a bouncer on these nights, helping his friend Treize with the overly exuberant crowd. Duo looked forward to seeing him again. They hadn’t seen nearly enough of their childhood friend since his arranged marriage to a girl his family had forced him to wed. There was also his early graduation due to their constant insistence that he be the best at everything he did. Duo had often thought secretly to himself it must kind of suck to be a prince. It made him wonder how much longer Quatre would have any freedom at all. When they arrived at the club Duo was bombarded by people eager to welcome him with open arms; some a bit over eager as his pinched tush kept reminding him. He introduced Quatre around to anyone that seemed relatively important as they made their way through the crowd toward the bar. Duo didn’t drink, nor did he encourage any of his underage friends to do so. It was bad enough they were there due to fake ID’s; he had no desire to get the owners in trouble for serving alcohol to minors. Quatre’s eyes grew wide when they reached the bar as the young man bartending rivaled Duo’s rare beauty. He was tall, statuesque even, and his ice blue eyes served as a stunning accessory under a fall of platinum blond bangs. Duo grinned and bumped Quatre’s shoulder before waving cordially to the man, gaining them a bright smile for his trouble. “Hey there Duo!” the bartender called. “You ready?” “Yeah!” Duo hollered back over the loud music and chatter. He pulled Quatre closer and introduced him. “This is a friend of mine. Quatre, meet Zechs, the best martial artist in these parts and a damn fine bartender to boot!” “I think Wufei might disagree with you on some of that,” Zechs retorted as he poured four cokes and stuck straws in them. “You runnin’ a tab tonight?” “Yeah, thanks,” Duo replied, handing out the cokes to his friends. “Hey,” the bartender called before they could wander off. “Watch out for Treize, he’s on the prowl!” he grinned with a wink. “What?” Duo shot back, “Fei-kun not puttin’ out or something?” “No… Fei-kun is not,” Wufei growled from behind him, making him spill his soda when he started in surprise. “I’m a married man,” he sighed. “Oh yeah,” Duo nodded looking around. “Where is the little woman?” “Waiting for her drink,” Wufei moaned. “Poor Fei-kun,” Duo pouted, moving closer to his Chinese friend. He moved in until his face was less than an inch from the dark eyed boy’s, then slowly breathed against his cheek. “Such a waist.” Quatre giggled softly as Wufei’s eyes slipped shut and he took a deep breath; his face flushed pink as he hovered less than a centimeter away from the violet-eyed temptation. “You’re in a good mood tonight,” he said softly, turning his head slightly into Duo’s hair. “You should know,” Duo whispered, bringing the pink tinge in Wufei’s cheeks up to a full blown blush as he let his body drift just that much closer to the Chinese boy. “You are pure evil,” Wufei breathed, his arms were making their way towards Duo’s hips when a young woman’s voice broke the moment. “Good evening,” Meilan greeted, her voice unpleasantly chilled. To his credit, Wufei didn’t budge. Duo, however, grinned and leaned closer to his ear as if to speak some intimate secret and discreetly ran his tongue over his ear lobe before pulling back with a smile. Quatre’s grin had faded with the wash of negative energy the move drew from the girl as she narrowed her eyes and stepped up to Wufei’s side, slipping her hand possessively around his elbow. “Hey, Meilan,” Duo grinned at the traditionally dressed Chinese girl. “I trust our mighty dragon is treating you well?” Wufei’s eyes flashed something between grateful and amused, the corner of his mouth turning up in the tiniest of smirks as his wife replied in her usual bored drone. “Perhaps he would be better suited to my side if not for his love of your western frivolities,” she smiled; the insult rolling off her full lips like wine from dirty shoe. “We are honored by his distraction, my Lady,” Duo smiled with a small bow of his head but before she could retort with whatever barb had been flashing in her ebony eyes, he turned. “May I present Master Quatre Raberba Winner?” he continued, moving aside and motioning to his blond friend. Quatre, having been bred for such formal nuances, didn’t bat an eye at the painfully contrived formality. Stepping up, he gave a small bow of his head in formal greeting and responded by speaking something no one but Wufei and Meilan understood, as it was in fluent Mandarin. Meilan was mildly impressed. Wufei hardly seemed to notice, but bowed his head in turn with his wife, who smiled a frigid little smile and flitted her dark eyes between Quatre and Duo. “I understand you have just returned from L4,” she said to the blond. “Your father must be delighted to have you here.” Quatre plastered on his best socially acceptable expression and vollied, “Yes, it’s been quite awhile since we’ve been able to spend time together. That’s the main reason I returned to finish out the year here.” She smiled, but it did little to soften her expression. “Of course, family is so very important after all,” her eyes flicked to Duo once more before she continued. “Perhaps you would care to join my husband and I at the Fall Gala at St. Gabriel’s next month?” she inquired. Quatre grinned. “Is it so late in the year already?” he asked charmingly. “However, I’m afraid I’m forced to decline. You see, my duties as Master of Ceremonies will leave little time for recreation.” Her grin turned decidedly evil as her eyes sparkled and her gaze drifted once again to Duo’s silent form. “Indeed,” she breathed softly. “I believe we’ve taken up enough of your time,” Wufei interjected. “I’m sure you’ll have a chance to speak at the Gala,” he said to his grinning wife before ushering her back into the crowd. “Good night.” He turned back and peered over his shoulder at Duo for a moment before the crowd closed in around them. The braided boy simply ginned at him, his bright eyes crackling with mischief that was briefly mirrored in the small smirk on Wufei’s lips as he faded away. “Come on!” Duo suddenly cried over the den. “Let’s find a table and liven things up around here!” Quatre grinned, the tense moment instantly forgotten in the face of Duo’s exuberant energy as he followed his friend through the tight crowd. They found Hilde and Solo at a corner table near the stage. “Where’d you guys go?” Hilde shouted over the music. “Ran into some old friends!” Duo shouted back. “Duo!” a young man yelled from somewhere nearby and waved frantically when the braided boy acknowledged him with a wave and a smile. He sat his drink down on the table and turned to peruse the dance floor. It was already pretty packed but he made a point of not showing up too early. Fashionably late was more his style and it worked rather well for him. “Hey Quat!” he shouted, interrupting whatever Hilde was yelling in the blonds ear. “Wanna show ‘em how it’s done?” he yelled, jerking his head toward the congested floor. Quatre lit up with a bright smile and rushed to join him. Duo caught him in one arm pulling him into his chest and spinning him out onto the dance floor letting the fast beat carry them away. Quatre stepped quickly demonstrating a superior sense of timing as Duo twirled him under one arm; the blond stopping with uncanny precision as he reached the limit of his partners reach. Duo smiled delightedly and pulled him back in turning him twice before performing a perfectly executed dip that brushed Quatre’s sunny locks across the floor and elicited a tumultuous cry of approval from the other patrons. They’d worked up quite a sweat bouncing to the happy pop music by the end of the third song. Duo found his young friend to be a most agreeable dance partner and had traded him off to several of his friends and back again before they decided to take a break and get a drink. They returned to their table to find Solo sitting solo, which was his norm at these events being practically the only straight guy in the club. Hilde had her own group of friends that she’d flittered off to catch up with, leaving him to fiend for himself as usual. Duo flopped down in a chair and sucked down the rest of his soda in one long gulp before laughing lightly and jibing his friend. “We need to find you a date!” he yelled over the growing noise. Solo rolled his eyes and sipped his soda. Duo grinned and flashed Quatre a coy glance before adding, “Maybe you should reconsider your side of the fence! Good looking guy like you could take his pick from this lot!” his teased. “You should take your own advice,” a soft tenor sounded near to Duo’s ear and he jumped clean out of his seat, spilling his ice across the table and sending both Quatre and Solo into a fit of hysteria. “Geez Treize! Don’t fucking do that!” Duo scolded. Treize chuckled and stepped up to him, slipping his arm quickly around his waist and pulling him tight in a one armed hug. “So beautifully allusive,” he grinned. “You’re such a pedophile,” Duo accused, dropping a huge chunk of ice down the front of his pants. Treize jumped back, releasing his captive with a gasp and they all laughed as he danced around and hissed, “As frigid as ever I see.” “Aww, Treize, baby,” Duo chided, “You know we love you!” “Prove it,” Treize challenged with a sly grin. Duo’s brow rose in mild shock. Treize always teased the boy’s but he wasn’t usually this blatant about it. “Just a little frustrated there, boss man?” he questioned, slapping the larger man on the back. He felt a bit guilty for the jib when he noticed the darkness in the back of the ginger hared mans eyes. It was common knowledge that he and Wufei had had a fling the summer before he and Meilan were wed but apparently the Chinese youth was taking his vows seriously. Duo made a note to ease up on the guy. It was Treize who broke the uncomfortable silence. “So, who’s your sexy little friend?” he smiled at Quatre. Duo rolled his eyes as the bright, dance-induced mantle on Quatre’s cheeks darkened. “Treize, Quatre: Quatre, Treize Khushrenada. Owner and manager of the Great and Powerful ‘Oz!’” he finished with a flourish. Treize smiled and took the hand Quatre offered but instead of shaking it he bent low at the waist kissing his knuckles lightly. The boy’s color managed to deepen to a dangerous shade when he paused to peer up at the gaping blond with a small, dignified smile and smoothly intoned, “Charming”. “Don’t mind him,” Duo advised. “He’s just still mad his mmmy took his teddy bear away.” “There are those of us who appreciate the value of human companionship, my darling boy,” Treize smiled smugly. “Unlike some who seem to revel in the abstinence of all such creature comforts,” he added with a knowing grin. “Hey,” Duo quipped. “I’m a free mason. What can I say?” “You could say yes every once in awhile,” Solo interjected drolly. “And you could get off your ass and dance,” Duo countered. Quatre giggled at the thought of Solo on the floor getting down with a gaggle of gay men. He just wasn’t the type at all. “I gotta hit the head,” Duo piped up. “Anyone else?” Receiving a round of negative responses, he made his way toward the bathroom alone. The festivities were to begin soon and he didn’t want to be weighed down by a heavy bladder while on stage. Once finished, he exited the two-stall lavatory and turned to make his way back to his table when a firm hand accosted him and dragged him into a dimly lit corner. If it hadn’t been for Wufei’s superior skill in the martial arts, he’d have been sporting a broken jaw before Duo realized who it was. “Damn it!” the braided boy exclaimed. “Are you ‘trying’ to get your head knocked off?” Wufei said nothing for a moment, satisfied to simply stare at the violet-eyed youth. “Why do you have to be such a fuckin tease?” he asked making the question sound both rhetorical and frustrated at the same time. Duo understood in a heartbeat. “Because you need it,” he retorted. “Playing straight isn’t gonna change the fact that your gay, ‘Fei. Get over it and get on with life.” The Chinese boy fell back against the wall then slammed his head hard against the paneled surface. “I don’t have a choice, damn it! I have… responsibilities! Duty!” he added as if the word left a bad taste in his mouth. Duo stepped up in front of him, his expression set in determination. “You have a fucking duty to yourself, Wufei. Don’t try to tell me you’re satisfied.” Then he leaned in dangerously close stopping only when their bodies brushed gently together slowly pressing his presence in on the dark eyed boy until his breathing began to falter. He knew he affected him like this, he could affect almost anyone in this way; he simply chose not to. However, Wufei was his friend and they’d spent more than one night making out after a wild party and a bit too much to drink. There was an attraction between them that they both held in check in favor of the greater privilege of deep friendship. They both understood anything more could never work between them, especially after Wufei fell for Treize. The Chinese boy had always known Duo’s heart belonged to another and had never entertained the thought of a long-term relationship. At that moment however, he was entertaining some rather promiscuous ideas that were springing up of their own volition rather quickly as the beautiful, braided creature moved ever closer. “Tell me,” Duo purred softly, his eyes suddenly speaking far more than his words could ever convey. “Tell me your satisfied.” He held his lips an angel’s breath from the slightly trembling Asian boy as he breathed in gentle temptation, “Wu…. Fei.” “Duo.” “Hnn?” Duo whispered: his eyes drifting closed as he felt him swallow the bait hook, line and sinker. He was suddenly being pressed into the corner while Wufei hungrily demanded his surrender as he dipped deep into his watering mouth exploring every crevice his probing tongue could reach. It had been a long time since they’d allowed themselves this type of union. They’d never actually slept together, but the odd make out session was something they’d both enjoyed from time to time. Duo got an idea just how right he’d been when Wufei’s level of excitement was atoned to by the presence of something hard pressing into his hip. There had been a time when he’d have been more than happy to allow this to continue until his friend was relieved of his tension but this was not one of those times. Still, he hated to be a tease, not to mention the single-minded desperation his Asian friend was demonstrating was seriously turning him on. He decided to let it go for just a minute more… maybe two. It was one minute to many. “WUFEI?!” Meilan screeched in dismay. Wufei stilled and pulled back slightly swearing softly in his native tongue. Meilan’s rage broke over him when he finally turned to face her, his head held high in defiance of his rather compromising position. Duo straightened his hair and had the decency to look apologetic. “You are a disgrace!” the irate girl snapped. “An abomination! A mockery to your ancestors!” Wufei’s dark eyes flashed, “Silence woman!” he barked, causing her to cower under the force of his command. “You will not speak shamefully of the Chang Legacy!” She paused as if to gather her courage then her jaw set determinedly. “YOU bring shame to your name! You stain your family’s honor with your indulgent perversions! You allow this...” she called Duo something in Mandarin that made Wufei’s eyes flicker with rage “...to defile your person, yet you have no use for your own wife!” she shrieked. Duo scoffed with no attempt to hide his amusement. “Ya shouldn’t’ve married a gay man,” he mumbled mostly to himself. “I didn’t marry a ‘man’ at all!” she shouted before turning on her heal and storming from the club. The volume of the music spared them too much of a scene, the girls shouts having only reached the patrons close by, most of whom gave the incident a quick appraisal before returning to their own business. Wufei sighed heavily and closed his eyes. Duo wiped the thin sheen of sweat from his forehead and offered a quiet apology. “Sorry, man.” Wufei gathered himself and shook his head. “No,” he started. “I should apologize to you. You’re right. I am what I am and no amount of will power is ever going to change that. I’ve been living a lie.” “The truth will never abandon you,” a soft tenor interjected. Duo couldn’t help a small smile as Treize stepped into view. Apparently, neither could Wufei. The couple had managed to keep their previous relationship concealed from almost everyone that mattered, including Wufei’s family and subsequently, his wife. However, there was no way anyone wouldn’t have seen the chemistry passing between them. Wufei relaxed a little, resignation washing across his face. “Truth is sometimes hard,” he said quietly before looking up at his ex-lover. Treize nodded and stepped closer, reaching out to take Wufei’s long fingered hand in his own. “Yes,” he nodded. “However,” he added, bringing one hand up to brush gently down the Chinese boy’s soft cheek. Wufei instinctively leaned into the caress, his eyes sliding half closed as Treize continued. “The rewards are infinitely more satisfying in the end.” Suddenly, the club went dark, the music ceased and a spot light appeared on the stage illuminating a young woman with a long shock of dark purple hair. “Good evening ladies and lads!” she shouted into her microphone, signaling the beginning of the competition. When Duo looked back, Wufei and Treize had disappeared. As the woman on stage finished her introduction he made his way back to his table and rejoined his friends completely unaware of the dark cobalt gaze that had been watching him from the deepest shadows of the club. They sat through several badly timed renditions of some of the more popular tunes, pelting some performers with popcorn and good natured heckling and cheering for others until the stage went dark once more in preparation for the next act. Duo sat up in his seat causing Quatre to frown in curiosity as a misty music filled the air. A moment later the blond found himself being forcibly drawn up to the braided boy’s level by the front of his shirt. Duo never took his eyes off the darkened stage as the music drifted through the strangely quiet crowd andwhispered, his voice low as if he were afraid of freighting whatever was to happen away. “It’s Fei.” Quatre was slowly, summarily lowered back in his seat, his cerulean eyes falling to stare at the fist clutched in his shirt as he wondered what in the world had come over his schoolmate. Hilde leaned close to him, her voice also soft as if to not break the spell and explained. “Wufei hasn’t performed since his wedding.” A sudden drumbeat called the spotlight to life, its regard focused solely on the slender figure in center sage. Wufei stood straight, his back to the assembly in a black tank top and loose white pants. His bare feet immobile and his head bowed slightly to the Earth. He held his left hand straight down his side, his right gripping the hilt of a deadly Katana that was folded into his shoulder and barely visible. As the air filled with the hard twangs of plucked strings and stricken bells, a melody as ancient as the oceans and as beautiful as the night sky he began to move. The age-old kata of his clan seeped from his body like rays of moon light on mountain mist; fluid and graceful as he once again displayed his superior skill. The performance grew in rhythm as the music quickly escalated until he was leaping all over the stage. Each motion was carefully memorized by his body as well as his mind and executed with deadly accuracy. Suddenly there was a loud clash of symbols and Wufei fell to the floor at center stage, his sword laid flat on the glossy hardwood surface as he knelt with his head bowed. Another clash of symbols rang through the club eliciting a gasp from the onlookers as a second figure raced onstage, his bright silver mask gleaming in the spotlight as he leapt over the kneeling form with a twist and a flip. His long white hair trailed along behind him as he landed and turned to face the boy, sinking into a fighter’s stance. In a flash they were suddenly moving faster than the eye could follow, throwing punches that were deftly blocked, sweeping moves that forced them to jump, back flip or counter with some insanely complicated exercise. Suddenly Wufei jumped, hit the back wall and did a full flip in the air, effectively catching his opponent off guard, ending the match. Zechs yielded in the face of Wufei’s halted deathblow to his chest. However, the Chinese boy had no time to rest as he rolled forward to avoid the sword that swung through the air where his head had been only seconds before. The crowd gasped as he came up in a crouch with his Katana in hand. Black eyes flashed as Treize stepped up to the challenge, his own sword glistening in the light. A moment later they were having at each other. Wufei charged, leveling a killing blow at the older man’s chest only to find himself pivoted by his own momentum, his back slammed into the wall and a bright silver blade against his throat. Treize smiled at him and awaited his surrender. Wufei held his gaze for a moment, defiance clearly written in his eyes until Treize forced the issue by pressing the sharp blade harder against his soft neck. Wufei dropped his sword, eliciting a tumultuous roar of approval from the crowd, none so loud and uproarious as one violet-eyed boy that had jumped up on his table to send a never ending wail of horrendously loud whistles over the den. Treize lowered his blade and stepped closer to his defeated adversary, a coy smile breaking on his face as he claimed his victory. “I win,” he grinned, his eyes twinkling with delight as Wufei’s trademark smirk appeared on his lips. They were both well aware of just what the spoils of the match would be. When Quatre’s turn came, he surprised everyone with a well played pop version of a rather enthusiastic classical tune he’d modified for the violin, much to the delight of the patrons of the club. Another two performances after his came Duo’s time in the spotlight. By this time the night was waning and the crowd was pretty well soaked with whisky and rum so it was a given that pretty much anything would be met with happy calls and applause. The fact that Duo was a favorite and usually won hands down unless Wufei was performing sent the inebriated assembly into a fit of catcalls and cheers as the braided boy was announced. Duo knew if he was going to beat Wufei’s little number he was going have to pour it on pretty thick. His original dance routine wasn’t going to cut it so he revised his plan stopping by Treize’s office before visiting the DJ booth to make his new selection and making his way backstage. When the fill music died the stage lights died with it, casting a deep shadow where the performances had been taking place. Soft, purple-colored black lights along the edge of the stage floor glowed to life, illuminating a gentle rolling mist that now fell from the raised platform in a smoky fall of deep shadowed fog. Low gasps and whispering could be heard across the room as a lone figure came to light, his bare chest aglow with the soft illumination as a sultry beat filled the air. He’d stripped to his black leather pants; his pale, bare feet a bold contrast to the pitch of the hems. The thick, black wristbands strengthening his joints offset the black choker still snuggly fastened around his slender neck. This coupled with the cross he was still wearing gave him the visage of an ancient chamber slave. There was a long, dark pole on the ground at his feet and a light breeze ruffled the thick fall of chestnut bangs around his face as another measure of the strangely seductive music cut through the air. Hilde leaned over and pushed Quatre’s mouth shut with an audible snap as the first of the throaty singer’s lyric’s permeated the room. You let me violate you You let me desecrate you You let me penetrate you You let me complicate you Slowly Duo bent his body until his hands touched the floor, his thin form stretching into an arch as he parted his feet and pushed them into the air. He spread his legs until they were perpendicular to the stage on either side of him then brought them together executing a perfect handstand by the time the first chorus was over. He held the pose for a moment before bringing his feet back to the floor letting them splay out sideways as they touched. His body rolled to the enticing beat as he spread them to the side in a split displaying a superior sense of balance as he raised his hands from the floor and brought them over his head. The dance took on a sinister fascination when the chorus hit, its crude words and primal rhythm wooing him until his senses took leave and he began to sink into the deepening fog of his own illusion. He let the beat take him and surrendered his body to the song, his long limbs spreading out along the cold wooden floor, his hands moving over his twisting body as the need to be one with the fitful measure overtook him. I want to fuck you like an animal I want to feel you from the inside I want to fuck you like an animal My whole existence is flawed You get.. me closer to god! Several of the more intoxicated patrons were voicing their approval loudly. Quatre still didn’t seem to have gotten control of his lower jaw much to the amusement of Solo who just grinned and looked on, and a strong, long fingered hand closed tightly around a glass of bourbon in a far back corner of the night. You can have my isolation, you can have the hate that it brings You can have my absence of faith, you can have my everything Help me...tear down my reason, help me... it’s your sex I can smell Help me…you make me perfect Help me…become somebody else! His hand brushed against the pole that had been all but forgotten in the center of the stage, reminding him he had a performance to put on. He pushed the need to abandon himself to the song aside and wrapped his hand around the shaft. A quick spin of his legs and a snap of his back thrust him into a standing position, the staff in hand. He spun it expertly in front and in back, overhead and under his legs as he moved across the stage. The chorus played again as he leapt and spun until his feet suddenly left the ground; his legs pirouetting above his stationary hips; his hands pulled tightly to his chest as his body did a full flip in the air. my whole existence is flawed… His feet hit the ground, the staff held at the ready, the mist swirling around his feet, his eyes flashing like violet lightening under the dark shadows of his long bangs. you get me closer to god! An eerie green blade suddenly emerged from the tip of the staff penetrating the air with a crackling hum as it slowly arched and grew to a length of three feet. The crowd gasped at the sight of the fey creature now standing before them. Someone screamed “SHINIGAMI!” sending the assembly into an uproarious cacophony of unmitigated discord. Wufei had to run the front of the stage and intercept a young man that had lost control and was trying to climb up on stage with the unholy vision and somewhere in the crowd a glass of bourbon shattered under the intense pressure of a vice like grip of steel. The beat penetrated him calling to the darker side of his soul. Like the words sung in poetic time he felt himself violated by the heat of the rhythm as he launched into a dance of pure, erotic need. He was unaware when his gyrating actions pulled the tie from his braid until it had unraveled and fell about him, clinging to his sweat drenched body in fingers of darkened silk, embracing the flexing muscles under the perfect olive skin that stretched tautly over his young body. He was completely lost to the music, his body moving of its own volition, keeping time with the sexy thrum of each measure. The vocalist’s deep voice carried him away from the crowd to a place where only he and his weapon existed. The only thing on Earth or in Space that he knew would obey his every whim. He let his body move with it, the two perfectly synced in time and space. He was sliding across the polished surface of the stage when the song came to an end, the scythe and stage lights winking out simultaneously on the last beat of the song. When the lights came back up again he had vanished from sight. A moment of silence ensued wherein the audience was unaware the performance had come to an end before the club exploded in applause. People were suddenly everywhere. On tables, the dance floor, climbing up the poles that separated the dance floor from the rest of the club; just everywhere. Yelling, screaming and tossing flowers, napkins and whatever else they could get their hands on onto the stage. Backstage, Wufei held his friend where he’d caught him before he could slide right down the back steps. Duo laughed and clung to him, taking a moment to catch his breath before he turned sparkling amethyst eyes upward and asked innocently, “Did I win?” Wufei chuckled, brushing some of the sweat drenched silk from his face before peering over his shoulder to assess the consistency of the continued cacophony Duo’s dance had prompted. Looking back he smiled and nodded gently, adding in a softly mocking voice “You are ‘such’ a tease,” and Duo smiled. There were three curtain calls before the crowd stopped screaming for an encore. Duo was presented with his prize, a check for two hundred dollars, before he’d come down off the high enough to slip his shirt carelessly back on. “That was incredible!” Quatre enthused as Hilde jumped the braided boy and smothered him in kisses of congratulations while Solo favored him with a tolerant grin. “Thanks” he laughed. “It’s not what I had planned, but I couldn’t let the Wuf-man show me up.” Quatre giggled as it seemed Duo’s supply of nicknames never ran dry. “Where’d you get that scythe!? That was so cool!” Hilde bubbled. “Treize,” Duo responded. “He collects shit like that. Hey, would’ya mind grabbing me a drink? I need to go fix my hair.” “Sure,” Quatre smiled happily. “You were really amazing!” he added before the braided boy darted off through the crowd. Duo endured the ceaseless pats on the back and complements as he crossed the club with a happy smile. He’d turned down a dozen offers for dates and smacked more than one hand as it reached out to pinch his ass before he reached the little cubby hole where the men’s bathroom was located. He was pleasantly surprised to find it empty and piled his things on the counter before washing his face and stepping into one of the stalls. He heard someone come in while he was indisposed but he didn’t think much of it, he had his valuables on him so they weren’t going get much but a pair of old boots and a couple of colored cords. Stepping out of the stall, he picked up the two cords and began braiding them back into his customary braid. He hadn’t made it to the base of his neck when the other stall opened and Hiiro stepped out. The moment he registered the Japanese boy’s identity he spun on him, but it was too late as a fist hard as iron and strong as steel collided with his jaw, sending white sparks through his vision as he slammed into the wall. Outside the men’s bathroom a young girl stepped up to the door and slipped a key in the handle. With a satisfied smile she turned the lock then broke the key off flush before brushing her heavy, black, silken hair back from her face and walking away, her traditional Chinese dress moving subtly as she disappeared into the crowd. Duo tried to fight despite his warbling vision. His mind felt fuzzy as he lunged blindly at the dark blob he knew to be his archrival but Hiiro sidestepped and slammed him into the wall headfirst. He blinked back the painful tears as he slid down the wall leaving a bloody smear on the stark white tile. It took him a moment to regain his balance enough before he tried to rush his assailant to no avail. Hiiro simply turned, grabbed him by the back of his loose shirt and slammed his knee into his ribs knocking the wind from him and dropping him to the cold floor. “You ‘are’ an animal,” he sneered softly before kicking the defenseless boy in the ribs. Duo coughed from the pain but tried to rise to his feet just the same. He wasn’t going out on a fucking bathroom floor. But suddenly, Hiiro had him by the back of his hair. Duo grimaced as Hiiro bent his neck painfully back and hauled him to his shaky feet. “You want to be close to God?” Hiiro growled his bourbon laced words in his face. “That can be arranged!” he snarled and slammed his head into the edge of the counter. Duo bounced off, crumbling to the floor, his motor skills all but nullified by the brutal attack. He tried to stand but couldn’t lift his head as the room spun uncontrollably. “I’m the only God you’ll ever know,” he choked out defiantly, trying to roll over without throwing up. “Shinigami!?” Hiiro laughed. “Is that when it started?” he asked, leaning against the counter as if he were talking about the weather. “Was your priest the first one to fuck you?” Duo lurched for his leg as his rage overcame him, a painful screech ripping from his throat. “SHUT UP!” Hiiro simply picked up his foot and kicked him in the face. “Or maybe Wufei hmm? He seems to like a good stiff cock up the ass. You fuck him too?” Duo spit blood at him and tried to stand up again, but Hiiro kicked him in the ribs sending him into the wall. “That Quatre kid looks pretty sweet,” he said bending down and looking the battered boy in the face. Duo could smell the thick scent of blood and whiskey as Hiiro reached out and ran his fingers down his sweating face; his heart ached to see the emptiness in his eyes. Duo thought he saw something there for a moment, something from long ago before they hardened once more and his face was being painfully squeezed in an iron grip. “You remember don’t you?” Hiiro asked suddenly, his expression contorted in disgust. Duo struggled to get away but didn’t have the strength. “When J was arrested?” Duo looked into those empty eyes, he remembered the day well. It had been the beginning of Hiiro’s long silence. Hiiro leaned in very close, laying his cheek on Duo’s and placing his mouth next to his ear as he whispered. “It was you he wanted.” Then he pulled back and slammed Duo’s head into the floor. Duo was vaguely aware of him pulling something off the counter then dropping it on the floor. Upon closer inspection the dark blob turned out to be one of his boots. He closed his eyes knowing it would be the one he kept his knife in and that said knife was no longer in its sheath. “Called you my pretty,” Hiiro informed him running the water in the sink for a moment. “He wanted you a lot,” he went on, his tone turning deadly calm. Duo didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. They’d never spent time at Hiiro’s house when they were young, always opting to go to Duo’s for one reason or another. Was this why he hated him? Because his step-dad had been a pervert and wanted to molest his best friend? It just didn’t make any damn sense. They’d been friends for years after that. “I never gave you to him.” Duo felt himself lifted from the floor and propped up against the corner of the counter, Hiiro’s leg pressed between his thighs to keep him from sliding down the wall. He tried to push the knife away as the dark hared boy brought it up to his face only to find his arms suddenly bound behind his back in his knotted shirt. Once his prisoner was immobilized Hiiro brought the knife up once more running the blade along his cheek. “I never gave you to him,” he repeated in a voice laced with pain and hatred. Duo’s heart raced remarkably all of a sudden as Hiiro leaned in closer to him, his breath heavy with alcohol and his body pressing him hard into the wall. The leg between his thighs shifted, putting pressure on his groin as soft lips brushed gently across his startled mouth. One part of his mind was screaming ‘RUN! KICK HIM! GET THE HELL OUTTA THERE!’ while another had gone completely numb. His mind raced, a thousand memories of two boys doing their homework together, riding bikes, fishing, laughing, teasing the girls. A flickering slide show ran through his mind as Hiiro kissed him. Tears slipped silently down his cheeks when he felt the heat blossom in his chest; his mind chanting its ever present mantra of ’no, no, no’ as the uncontrollable desire to be in Hiiro’s arms overwhelmed him and he found himself eager for more. He’d loved this boy for so damn long. His mind couldn’t comprehend that Hiiro hated him; it just couldn’t. It didn’t make sense and this? This was just so over the top ‘NOT’ funny his mind simply shorted out and he opened himself to the sweet invasion. Hiiro pressed into his rival, his dark eyes slipping closed as he opened his mouth and brushed his tongue over Duo’s lips, gently begging entry. He pulled him close caressing his cheek; cupping his jaw as Duo’s head tilted, his lips parting slowly to welcome the hot breath that tickled his tongue. Hiiro paused holding him in the moment; refusing to claim the offering for one long, excruciating moment in time. His fingers ran back along Duo’s jaw and laced into the nap of his long chestnut hair massaging the scalp with his fingertips and relishing the soft intake of air that brushed past his lips when Duo gasp softly. His tongue reached out slowly, beckoning Duo’s with its heat as he pressed his body harder against the long haired boy’s. Duo let out a small involuntary whimper when Hiiro’s erection collided with his own rising need. His mind was spinning in total discord. Hiiro Yui was kissing him and he had a fucking erection! His world had turned upside down. Maybe it was all just a dream. His body shuddered again as Hiiro finally claimed the kiss and he groaned as a sudden heat wave overtook him. He’d never in his life ever felt anything like it and it sent his already muddled mind reeling and grasping desperately for the tattered edges of this reality. Hiiro leaned into him, drawing his passion from him as his hands began to roam over his body. Feeling the sleek musculature, the gentle curve of his deceptively delicate neck as he pushed his rock hard arousal harder against the bound boy’s hips. Hiiro dug in and explored every recess of the sweet mouth that surrendered to him with such passion and heat. When he finally pulled back he paused and closed his eyes resting his forehead against Duo’s for a long moment, his quick breathing matching that of his confused captive. Suddenly his eyes snapped open and fear shot down Duo’s spine at the cold, blind hatred he saw in those lifeless cobalt orbs when a mirthless grin spread over his lips. “You are such a whore,” Hiiro grinned just before he lurched back and slammed the boy face first into the counter. “No,” Duo hissed softly when he felt his knife slip down the back of his pants. “No!” he tried to shout as it was ripped back cutting the fine leather open to reveal the flesh beneath. “Shut up!” Hiiro commanded grabbing him by the hair and slamming his face into the counter. Duo could see him in the mirror, his blurry visage jerking around behind his bent over form. One hand was holding him down while the other reached for the liquid soap in the dispenser on the wall. He tried to shout again as the cold soap ran down the crack of his ass and thighs but his body refused to obey. He saw the foggy outline of his attacker fuss with his pants, the image telling him what was to come, but some far corner of his mind refused to believe until a sudden, painful fire erupted in his ass. Hiiro groaned his surprise at the unexpected, incredible feeling of being sheathed fully in the unprepared boy. Duo was much too far gone to be able to scream, his mind just barely clinging to consciousness as Hiiro fervently raped him. The dark hared boy slammed into him sending searing waves of pain through his body. He repeated the motion, hissing between his teeth as he buried himself in the boy over and over again. Soon he was thrusting into his ex-friend harder and faster as he began to loose control of the building passion. Duo could hear the slap of flesh on flesh as he was filled and emptied at an ever-increasing rate. The sound of Hiiro’s gasps and labored breathing echoed off the tiled walls. The smell of his own blood lingered in his nostrils blending with the sickeningly sweet scent of liquid hand soap until finally, after what felt like an eternity, Hiiro suddenly grabbed the back of his head and pulled him up twisting his head so he could kiss him hard. “D…Duo?!” he rasped then once again “Duo!” as his body convulsed and exploded inside him. He held him for a long moment as his body shook pressing his lips to Duo’s slack mouth until the tremors subsided. Then he laid the long hared boy’s head gently back on the counter as he rested himself on his back, his face buried in Duo’s tangled hair. He lay there for a time before turning his head and kissing his victims temple gently several times then moving to his ear and neck with tender nips and soft caresses that left the long hared boy more confused than ever before. Then someone was suddenly banging on the door. “Duo! You in there?” Wufei’s voice called. “Why’s the door locked?” then softer mumbling and louder banging. Hiiro breathed a soft “Damn,” before he kissed Duo’s temple again and pulled away leaving him draped over the counter while he quickly fixed his pants. He stopped for a moment and looked the injured boy over before turning and squeezing out the small window high on the outer wall. Duo didn’t move. He couldn’t and when his body finally recognized that there wasn’t anyone holding him up anymore he slid limply to the floor. A moment later the door slammed open as Wufei kicked it in. “Duo!” he shouted and rushed to his friend’s side, his eyes darting around the room and finding nothing. Hilde was right behind him, stopping short and covering her mouth as she gasped in shocked horror. Solo stood in the door for a moment before he disappeared in a rush. “Call an ambulance,” Wufei told Hilde. “And find Treize.” The girl turned and ran from the room with a sob. Wufei gathered Duo in his arms as best he could “Who did this?” he asked through tears that refused to fall. Duo didn’t answer, he didn’t move or blink or hardly even breathe. “Duo?” Wufei called fearfully again. “Duo!” he shouted shaking the boy and gaining no response. Treize arrived and stopped abruptly upon seeing the scene. Turning back he told Hilde to fetch a blanket from his office and closed the broken door. “Jesus!” he breathed, taking in Duo’s condition. His eyes flicked to the tattered pants, the shinny film of soap and the faint traces of blood on his thighs. “Oh, Jesus,” he repeated again. “Duo?” he said, softly moving forward and squatting down. “Can you hear me?” he asked but again got no response. “He’s in shock,” Treize informed his young lover. “Keep him warm,” he told him before hurrying out the door. The rest of the night was a blur of paramedics, bright lights and medications. Someone cleaned and dressed his wounds, but he couldn’t find the will to pay attention. His mind was drowned in only one relentlessly, repetitive thought. ‘Hiiro raped me. Hiiro raped me. Hiiro raped me.’ They asked him dozens of times who had committed the crime but he refused to speak. The memory of tender kisses, the soft, gentle lips that brushed across his temple came back to him time and time again befuddling his mind and mixing his thoughts up so badly he didn’t know what to think about anything. He was kept in the hospital for three days mostly because he refused to speak and then sent home in his mothers care. His friends came to visit often. Solo showed up sporting a new injury each time he visited and Duo knew it was because he was out beating up every White Wing member he could get his hands on. Other than the fact that it showed his friend cared, the thought did nothing to raise his spirits. It was just more innocents getting their asses kicked because of something he or Hiiro had done. It didn’t change anything. A week passed before he decided to return to school. He still hadn’t spoken to anyone since the rape, but he wanted to get his life going again. Hilde’s bright smile greeted him when he stopped by to pick her up so he returned it but there was little of his usually fervor in the gesture. He did smile sadly when he noticed all the Wing members that seemed to have broken arms, black eyes or some other minor ailment. Seemed Solo had earned his cuts and abrasions honestly. He saw Hiiro as he entered the hall some thirty feet way. The Japanese boy stopped and silently returned his gaze standing as still as a stone. Trowa was at his back as always; their expressions as blank as a clear blue sky. Duo met his eyes but couldn’t find any hatred in his heart. Only the pale shadow of a feeling he no longer understood. After a moment Hiiro turned and left without looking back. Trowa held his ground for a moment, favoring Quatre with a heavy gaze before turning to follow. His first day back went along fairly smoothly. One student made the mistake of whispering to close to him. When he heard the statement “…stupid faggot got what he deserved,” he turned and quickly broke the boy’s ankle before walking off and not looking back. He never heard anything more about the incident nor did he hear any other whispers. This went on for three more days. He went about his usual schedule and lived his life as he always had save for the absence of his voice; or more painful to his friends, his smile. On Thursday he found himself in the cafeteria as usual, eating his lunch with his friends when the conversation took a new turn. “Are you going to the Gala, Quatre?” Hilde inquired. The blond nodded. “I have to. I’m on the committee,” he informed her. “Everyone that’s eligible for a scholarship has to go right?” she asked. “Mm hm,” he answered around his straw. “That means you have to go right, Duo?” Everyone stilled and waited to see if the braided boy would speak but in the end he only nodded. “Wish I could go” she sighed. “I bet it’ll be like a real ball.” Quatre snorted. He’d been to hundreds of ‘real balls’ and not a one of them had a single ‘real’ aspect to them. “There will be representatives from dozens of schools that have come to meet with prospective recruits. The interviews will help determine who receives a grant,” he said with a small glance in Duo’s direction however, the violet-eyed boy seemed to be paying them no mind. “Well. Duo will win hands down,” Hilde piped up with a grin. “He’s the best pilot around.” “Hiiro’s up for the same grants,” a cool voice chimed in. Trowa came to stand behind Quatre’s chair laying one hand casually on the back, his fingers just barely brushing the blond boys shoulder. They all gaped at him except Duo who looked back into his expressionless green eyes with the same emptiness he himself was famous for. Duo registered the tiny knit in his brow before it disappeared again. It made him wonder if Hiiro had told his Lieutenant what he’d done. “Why would Yui put in for grants?” Solo growled aggressively. “He doesn’t need them.” Everyone knew that Hiiro’s inheritance would more than cover whatever schooling the Japanese boy chose. There was only one reason for him to have applied and that would be to make sure Duo didn’t get them. Trowa’s intent gaze on the braided boy seemed to be enough to enlighten his friends. “Oh, that son of a bitch!” Hilde exclaimed, pushing her tray away. Hiiro was the only other person around that could have rivaled Duo. It had never crossed their minds that he’d do this. He wanted Duo to leave after all, and if he didn’t get the grants, he wasn’t going anywhere. “You tell your boss man Duo’s not scared of the fucker! He’ll win those grants and he’ll do it honest unlike that back stabbin’ little shit!” Solo sneered. “He’s not my boss,” Trowa replied calmly. “Trainer then,” Solo grinned. Trowa narrowed his eyes. The last time this boy had gotten smart with him he’d almost had to hurt him permanently to stop him. he had no desire to repeat the performance. “Friend,” he said coolly. “Yeah,” Hilde snorted. “You two are ‘real’ friendly.” Trowa eyes fell to Quatre’s shoulder where his hand moved to pick a piece of lint from the boy’s pristine shirt. “We don’t agree on everything,” he said softly, catching Quatre’s nervous gaze. He paused a moment before his mouth turned up minutely at the corners then he turned and walked away. Quatre returned his gaze to the table, his face flushed with some unknown emotion that sparkled in his eyes. He paused when he realized everyone was staring at him. “What?” he said defensively. “What in the hell was that?” Hilde asked. “What?” he repeated. “That!” she exclaimed, repeating the tall boy’s gesture of lint removal. “I don’t know,” Quatre shrugged. “I guess I had something on my shoulder,” he defended, though he wasn’t sure why. “And why would Towa Barton care to remove ‘it’ instead of your arm?” she asked, watching the boy in question slip out of the room. “He’s not so bad,” Quatre countered. “What?” Hilde barked. “What the hell are you talking about? He eats people like us for breakfast!” “I’ve never seen him hurt anyone,” the blond argued. “He almost killed Solo!” she reminded him. “I don’t even know how that happened,” Quatre admitted looking at Solo for an answer. “He didn’t almost kill me, that’s for sure,” Solo clarified. “So what happened?” the blond asked. “Lesser of two evils I guess,” he replied. “It was either we fight each other or the entire street erupts in chains and knives,” he shrugged. “So he fought you to keep others from getting involved?” Quatre asked hopefully. “Yeah, Guess so,” Solo confirmed. “Doesn’t sound like such a bad guy to me.” “Well, I don’t trust him,” Hilde stated. “And neither does Duo do yo…Duo?” she stopped suddenly and all eyes turned to the braided boy. He sat stock still, his gaze on the dark haired figure of Hiiro Yui where he stood motionless in the doorway. Neither boy’s eyes gave the slightest hint of inward emotion as a chill settled over the lunchroom. The den died slowly until an eerie silence permeated the room. Hiiro stood for a moment longer then turned and walked away. Duo’s eyes stayed fixed on the spot where he’d been as the room resumed to normal. “Duo?” Hilde softly called. He didn’t respond for a moment but finally graced her with a small smile before returning to his meal. tbc...
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