Author's Note: What can I say that would be sufficient enough to explain my long, excessive delay? I can offer my apologies and hope that you read on and enjoy.

xoxoxox

The trip back to his apartment had been traveled in silence, with Trowa laid out in the backseat of Zechs' car and Wufei having fallen into a light sleep in the passenger's seat. It gave the detective some time to think and contemplate what the hell was going on around him. Last night, his precinct had been decimated by a man that was in no way, shape or form human and said man had taken the life of his good friend, Noin.

It hurt to know that Une blamed him for it, and in a way, he felt that she was right. Perhaps if he had acted quickly when it came to Wufei, things would have turned out differently. Or maybe, he should have never let either of them tag along on this case. If, buts, and maybes were something he couldn't afford to dwell on, because now things were getting even more complicated.

He had never believed in monsters, had grown out of the fear of boogeymen when he had hit adolescence, and yet everything that he had taught himself was just the working of people's elaborate imaginations was coming to life before his very eyes. His blue eyes looked into his rearview mirror, to where Trowa was now seated up, head leaning back on the back of the car seat. He had a vampire in his backseat for goodness sake. And though his poor simple, human brain was trying to deny the fact, he could not forget having actually been fed on by said vampire.

He had had a moment of worry where he remembered tales of Dracula and how his victims became his children, and had even whispered to Wufei if he would begin to turn. Trowa had only softly laughed and assured him that a mere bite would do no good and that he had nothing to worry about. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had a lot to worry about.

They reached his apartment in good time, and Zechs had turned to rouse Wufei, but the sound of the back door opening gained his attention. As he turned to watch the vampire climb out of the car, he heard the passenger side door opening and met an empty backseat. His head was obviously turning too slow, because when he turned to look where Wufei had been sitting, Trowa was already walking off toward his apartment building.

"Son of a bitch." Zechs swore under his breath, climbing out of the car and quickly closing and locking all the door. "Hey!"

Trowa came to a stop, and easily turned to look back at him, Wufei cradled in his arms and unaware of what was going on around him.

"What do you think you're doing with him?" Zechs questioned heatedly, stopping close enough to intimidate and yet far enough away from the predator of the night. "What happened to being too weak to move not too long ago?"

"I am very old and therefore, my body is capable of much more than vampires younger than I." Trowa easily answered, his green eyes looked down at Wufei before he was glancing back up at the blonde detective. "As for the boy, I wished not to wake him so I decided to carry him in. Would you prefer the task?"

The odd thing was that he really did. He couldn't explain the sudden protectiveness or the twinge of jealousy. Not to mention, though Wufei had vouched for the taller man, Zechs did not feel comfortable letting Trowa be so close to him.

"Of course, it would be far too difficult a task with a broken arm, detective."

Right. He had forgotten about that. Zechs only huffed and began leading the way, a quick once over to the younger man in Trowa's arms before doing so.

"This way."

Trowa followed obediently and soon enough Zechs was leading them into the apartment, Trowa easily heading down the short hall and into the living room. There he gently rested Wufei down, before backing away carefully, green eyes looking up at the large, glass doors leading out to a patio. The sky was already gray and growing lighter and he could feel it in his body that the sun was rising.

"Detective, I cannot stay awake for much longer. May I request a resting place where the sun will not reach me?"

Zechs nodded and continued to the start of another short hall, Trowa following behind him without a sound; not even footsteps. As they reached Zechs moved into the room and went to the single window, shutting the venetian blinds tight and then the heavy curtains were drawn shut as well.

"It's not much, but you should be out of harm's way." Zechs said, turning back and his words stopping as he found Trowa already lying on the bed asleep. Or at least, he hoped he was asleep. He looked dead. "Trowa?"

He crept closer, eyes carefully watching the pallid face and closed eyes, void of any movement that would indicate dreaming. Trowa's chest was still and his limbs seemed stiffened as if he was a corpse stricken with rigor mortis. Was he dead?

"Trowa?"

"He's not dead."

Zechs couldn't help the loud gasp as he jumped, stumbling back and away from the bed, hand clutching his now thundering heart. He turned to the doorway and found Wufei standing there, and apologetic look sent his way.

"I didn't mean to scare you." He said, and Zechs couldn't help the quiet laugh, feeling ridiculously stupid.

"No, you're alright." He assured the younger man. "Just got the jump on me is all. I thought you were asleep."

"I was." Wufei said, shoulders shrugging. "Couldn't stay asleep for long."

Zechs only nodded, before he was looking back to Trowa, the vampire lying stiff and unmoving. He sighed before realizing there was not much he could do to help the vampire further and he moved to head out of the room. Wufei cleared the way for him as he passed through the door and he gently pulled the door closed behind him, before he was turning to face the dark-eyed man.

"He won't, uh, you know, ask for more when he's up, will he?"

Wufei couldn't help the chuckle and only shrugged.

"I'm sure he'll be able to get about on his own when he's awake."

"And what about you?" Zechs was then asking, blue eyes connecting with black. "Are you alright?"

There was a moment of silence, in which Wufei's smile faded from his face and Zechs regretted the question. He hadn't meant to take the smile away from that face. Without thinking he was reaching out and resting a comforting hand atop Wufei's head. And then he saw them, the first few drops of tears, leaving salty trails on Wufei's cheeks. One moment he was wiping away what kept falling and the next, Wufei was pressing his face into the detective's chest, silent sobs wracking his trembling form.

Zechs could only wrap his good arm about the boy and tried his best to offer as much physical comfort as he was able. He could only guess what was going on with the Chinese boy, past having the stress of being a wanted escapee and now having to deal with monsters coming after him.

They stood there for some time and a half hour later he and Wufei sat at the kitchen table, Zechs resting down a cup in front of the now calm Wufei. He was thanked and he only nodded a reply before he was sitting down with a mug of coffee for himself.

"I'm sorry." Came the words and Zechs' eyebrows raised in surprise before he was frowning in misunderstanding.

"What do you mean you're sorry? Sorry for what?"

"For everything that's happened to you." Wufei explained. "For all the trouble I put you through, for your arm, for your friend. It's all my fault."

"Wufei-"

"None of this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gotten in the way. If Duo hadn't been trying to get to me, no one would be hurt, you'd still have your friends and Trowa wouldn't have been in any danger. I should have just gone with him."

"Wufei, what are you talking about?" Zechs gently demanded and the boy looked up at him.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Help me understand then. What are you talking about? I can't help you if you don't make it easier for me to help you."

He saw the hesitance on Wufei's eyes and he let his hand reach over the table to grab at one of Wufei's, the one that wasn't clutching the mug of tea with a white-knuckled grip.

"I have no reason to doubt anything you tell me from this point on." Zechs said in tone that he hopped was re-assuring. "I've seen way too much weird shit to be shocked by anything you can tell me. So, how about you just start and I'll listen."

Seconds passed before Wufei was releasing a shuddering breath and then taking a deep one so as to steel himself for an unpleasant recounting.

"It started with Duo." Wufei began and Zechs was frowning.

"The guy from the subway?"

"And from the club, as well as the police station."

"Who is he?"

"Another vampire, turned by Trowa a long time ago."

"What?"

"Look, all that's not important right now. What is important is that Duo wants me for something."

"Wants you for what?"

"I don't know!" Wufei was exclaiming. "When he had me captive in that abandoned building he called me his mortal gate."

"Mortal gate? What does that mean?"

Blue eyes were widening as he noticed a glow coming from Wufei's hand and when he looked down he could see what seemed to be writing begin to appear over Wufei's skin. The boy seemed calm enough, but the scared confusion in those ebony pools were hard to miss.

"What the hell is this?" Zechs was asking him and Wufei could only numbly shake his head.

"I don't know." His voice was low and timid. "But whatever it is, Duo was happy to see it. I think whatever it is, it's why he wants me."

"Wants you for what?"

"Whatever it is, I have a feeling it won't be good." Was all Wufei could provide him.

Zechs sighed then, eyes running over the glowing words, the writing looking like nothing he'd ever seen before. He pondered for a moment what language it could possibly be and just as quickly let it go. He was no expert linguist, so his guess was about as useless as the next guy's.

"Ok, so why don't you tell me how Trowa got into this mess. He seems to know a lot more than he's letting on."

Wufei could only nod. He would talk about anything if it meant not having to think about what sinister purpose he could possibly help Duo fulfill. His mind flickered over the thought of Quatre for a moment, but he assumed the witch was ok and would get to him as soon as he was able to. Until then, Zechs was eagerly listening so he figured it best to just tell him everything.

xoxoxox

Quatre's eyes flew open, waking him from a state of sleep that was too deep for him to even understand how he had allowed it to happen. His mind was blank of the events that had happened and as he looked around, he found he was in unfamiliar surroundings.

No.

Wait.

He recognized this room. The light provided by the many candelabra was dim but useful and it helped him see.

His head turned and he was suddenly screaming, body jerked into motion by the adrenaline of fear as he had come across a corpse lying down beside him. And then his brain recognized the face and his screaming died slowly, before he was just whimpering uncontrollably, body shaking.

Dorothy? What was she doing here? A quick glance over of the room again, and he had no doubt about it anymore. He was back in Trowa's manor and in the room he had been given the other night. That meant. . .

His hand flew up to his neck and he breathed out a heavy sigh of relief to find a bandage over his wounded neck rather than healed skin. He was then remembering Heero's attack on the coven and he swore under his breath. The vampire had broken the accord and since he had been the reason for the Nightwalker's stupid actions, Quatre was in as much trouble as the vampire.

Sally had warned him and he hadn't heeded said warning. Now he was trapped in a situation far more complicated than he was willing to deal with. And Wufei. . .

Where was Wufei?

The sound of the door opening had him looking to the room's entrance and he found Wesley rolling in a serving cart, atop it a covered tray and a crystalline pitcher of water.

"Ah, Master Winner, you're awake."

"Wesley." Quatre greeted and he watched the old butler come closer, stopping just beside the bed. "I must-"

"Please, Master Winner, you must eat. Lady Dorothy insists that I feed you and tend to your wounds. Not much blood was lost, but it was enough to weaken you considerably. Food will help you regain your strength."

The silver-plated lid was lifted and Quatre felt his stomach react violently to the sight of a well-made breakfast. As hungry as he was, he couldn't be distracted. Wufei was still out there and open to Duo's attack. He was running out of time.

"Now, I have prepared a bath as well." Wesley was saying as he set up the serving tray as a make shit table. "While you are bathing, be careful not to wet your bandages."

"Wesley, where is Wufei?"

The old man looked and him and sadly shook his head.

"I'm afraid I cannot offer you that information, for I do not know."

"I must-"

"You must eat." The gentle but stern tone had Quatre sitting again as he had stood, ready to try and leave. "When Dorothy is awake, she will help you, but until then you will rest."

Quatre nodded and thanked the older gentleman for his help. Wesley thanked him with a bow of his head and was soon leaving the room. Quatre sat there quietly after the man had left, trying his best to figure out what he should do. It was still day, but when night fell, Wufei was open to Duo's attack.

Though Wufei's safety or lack thereof, wasn't the only thing on his mind. The killing of the wren was only a few days away and he had no idea how he could stop the events tied to it from happening. Sally had forbidden him access to the doorway and not to mention, he had been stolen away by the vampire she had outright demand he stay away from. He had few allies at this moment. He suspected Dorothy and Trowa could turn out to be useful, he just wasn't sure how yet.

He sighed and made himself eat, not knowing what else to do. Luckily he knew Wufei was somewhat safe. In police custody, but safe. Well, at least he hoped he was safe. He continued to eat his breakfast in silence before he was jumping as his cell phone rang. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled it out and frowned as he saw an unknown number.

"Hello?" He answered hastily, heart clenching momentarily. "Wufei?"

"Yes, Quatre. It's me."

Quatre's chest was loosening in relief, before he was trying to figure out how Wufei was calling him.

"Wufei, I thought you had been arrested."

"Well, technically I still am."

"Where are you?" He was questioning then, moving the cart aside to stand from the bed.

"I'm at Detective Marquise's."

Quatre paused then, not sure if he had heard correctly.

"You're where?"

"At Detective Marquise's apartment. I-"

"What the hell are you doing there?" Quatre was demanding not exactly sure why he was so angry.

"I can explain." Wufei was quickly uttering.

And he did just that, Quatre's emotions going on a roller-coaster ride that he did not enjoy. As Wufei told him what happened, Quatre was busy trying to find his coat and shoes, but it would seem Wesley hid them well. The man was determined to make sure he didn't go against his suggestions.

"Anyway, Trowa and I are here now." Wufei was winding down. "I have no idea why Duo's so persistent, but I think it has to do with the fact that he keeps saying I'm his mortal gate."

And the heavy, cold feeling of dread that hit his stomach at those words had Quatre stupefied. He hadn't heard that. It had to be wrong. Wufei did not just utter those words.

"What?" He breathlessly asked, hands loosely gripping the phone. "What did he call you?"

"His mortal gate?"

"Why?" He was suddenly demanding. "Why did he call you that?"

"I don't know. I think it was something to do with these markings . . . symbols. . . words. Look, whatever it is, when he saw them, he said that he'd been waiting for me. Why? Quatre, do you know what this means?"

He fell silent then, too afraid to word it out loud but knowing all too well what it meant. Wufei was the mortal gate. Why Wufei? Why his friend? Why. . .

Duo was a vampire. Vampires could drink massive amounts of blood in weeks. It had found a host in Duo. That would explain his dormancy during the day. Delinos had found an ideal host in the body of a partial demon.

His stomach roiled and churned with nausea, and Quatre had to seat himself on the bed. That's why Duo was so obsessed, so determined. He was the one that needed the door, and Wufei was his key, was his mortal gate.

"Quatre?"

"I'm coming for you." Quatre announced. "You're not safe where you are, Wufei. I have to come and get you."

"No, it's alright. Zechs is bringing us back to Trowa's place. It's almost sundown and Trowa should be up right after it, I hope."

No, he couldn't let Wufei come here, but what other option did he have? Duo was obviously powerful enough that his strength of magic was no longer a match. He probably had a chance with Sally and the coven behind him, but he was sure that Sally had already gotten wind of what had happened and he was being searched for. That thought had him muttering a small shielding spell and he hoped they hadn't caught onto his trail as of yet. So, he was stuck with the vampires. They didn't know magic, but hopefully their combined physical strength could be of some assistance. Besides, he had no other place for Wufei to go and he refused to let Wufei stay in Zechs' apartment longer than was necessary. He'll admit to jealousy, but it was mostly concern for the boy's safety.

"You leave as soon as Trowa's awake." He ordered and Wufei uttered an affirmative statement. "I'll try my best to work from here. As far as I know, it's not safe out there for me either."

They said their goodbyes and then Quatre was lifting a hand to rub at his forehead, mind already weary from all had learned. The bed shifted and he jumped, turning to look behind him to find Dorothy up and staring at him, laying on her side and snuggling the pillow under her head.

"Peace, Spellbinder, I mean no harm."

He stood and faced her and Dorothy slowly sat up, arms lifting above her head in a stretch. She yawned, fangs gleaming in the dim candlelight, and Quatre's heart began pounding, his skin turning clammy. It had to be primal instinct on his part, because he wasn't necessarily afraid.

"Forgive me, mortal." Dorothy was mumbling, still sounding sleepy. "It is not often I wake so far from dusk. I am quite hungry and my body demands sustenance."

Without thinking, his wards were building up around him and he saw Dorothy's stiffen, before her eyes were slowly turning to stare at him, flecked with red.

"I did not mean you." She giggled, lifting to her knees to face him, before sitting back on her legs as she knelt before him. "I can wait. And you are a Spellbinder. Magic leaves a bad aftertaste in the blood. Bitter."

Her face grimaced as if she actually tasted it and Quatre snorted as she gagged before she was giggling again. Then she fell quiet as she studied him, head tilting slowly like an inquisitive puppy as she did.

"What?" Quatre asked when he grew too uncomfortable with the staring.

"Oh, I can see why Heero is so stricken. Pretty mortal." She sighed, rising to her knees again and walking on them until she had reached the edge of the bed. "Strong Spellbinder."

Quatre nervously stepped away and that gave her enough room to step onto the floor and then she was slowly circling him, blue eyes intently raking over him before she stopped toe to toe with him, eyes locked with his.

"Pure heart and chaste soul." She purred out, before she was stepping away with a joyous laugh. "My Heero is in love."

She continued laughing joyously then, Quatre's breath having grown short from the words. Heero. . was in love . . . with him? He was gasping has a hand gently turned his face and he stiffened as lips pressed to his cheek, and then Dorothy was nuzzling him, his wards having carelessly been dropped in his shock.

"If I gift you to him, will you love him in return, Spellbinder? He will need love in the years to come, if Trowa is to leave us soon."

He turned to her and saw the intent and stumbled away, wards set again and doubled in strength. Gift him to Heero? She intended to turn him and Quatre was not keen on the idea of living on blood for an eternal lifetime.

"Aw, do not be afraid, young one. It will not hurt."

"You'll break the accord."

"How can I again break that which is already broken?" She asked and Quatre was lost as to what he could offer her in answer. "Though, you do not love him. You long for Wufei, yes?"

How could she know so much? Was it a vampiric gift, to read someone so well so as to know them without any freely given information?

"That's none of your business."

"No, it is not. But my Heero is my heart and I wish only to see him happy. If you change your mind, dear boy, I shall be more than happy to help."

The knock at the door had them both looking to it and Wesley walked in, not surprised at all that Dorothy was up so early. He gave her a small bow before clearing his throat to deliver the message.

"Madame, there is a traveling salesman at the door. I told him you would be most interested in meeting with him."

Quatre shivered as felt Dorothy's eager hunger wash over him and he took a step away from her as she looked at Wesley with an approving smile.

"I shall meet with him in the library. Thank you, Wesley."

With another small now, the butler was gone and Dorothy turned back to Quatre who was trying his best not to look at her.

"Rest well, Spellbinder. I will return well fed and you will have no need to fear me longer."

And then she was leaving closing the door behind her. Quatre only looked up once it had been closed, and he let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He was then sitting on the bed, his mind still wrapping about the information that Dorothy had freely given him. Heero was in love with him. The vampire was not interested in the fact that he was a witch, it was solely attraction. Why?

He couldn't deny that though shocking, he was the slightest bit happy for the news. He had been interested in the pair of sire and child since he had met them, but his attraction was solely from a curious standpoint. Wasn't it?

The door was opening again and he was looking up to find Wesley back once again, one arm carrying a large, soft towel over it.

"Your bath is ready, Quatre." He informed him, motioning that Quatre exit the room. "Shall I take you to the bathing room?"

Quatre could only nod and let Wesley lead the way. He'd mull over his thoughts as he bathed. Hopefully the warm water would relax him enough that he'd be able to figure out what to make about all that had happened in these last few days.

xoxoxox

Duo could only watch as Treize rampaged and raged, smashing, breaking and destroying everything in his path. It had been quite amusing at first and now he was quite bored with the tantrum. It would seem that the pretty, little mortal that Treize had found had escaped him. The demon was none too happy and it showed, quiet obviously.

The vampire barely blinked as the last of the dining chairs smashed just beside him were he sat and he stared at the broken remains, disinterested. His violet eyes were looking up as Treize stood panting, skin bulging and dancing as his true form beneath the stolen mask writhed in his anger.

"Is it worthwhile to go on like a spoiled child that hasn't gotten his way?" He was asking and Treize was turning completely black eyes to him.

Sharp teeth were bared in a snarl as a deep, inhuman growl leaked out from his throat and in a single bound he was landing in front of Duo, clawed hands crushing the back of the cushioned chair the vampire was sitting in. Duo was unmoved and he merely glared up at the new and deformed face of the demon, violet eyes then locking defiantly with Treize's.

"You are to blame, vampire!" The voiced bellowed out and Duo only grimaced as spittle flew at him with the words. "My gate is gone! My portal to the mortal realm has escaped me and you are responsible!"

"I locked the door behind me." He said indifferently. "Am I to blame that he escaped of his own accord?"

He was grimacing again as Treize roared, the sound loud, deep and yet a high pitched shriek all in one as well. When the roar stopped, Treize jumped away and smashed what remained of the dining table, before he was bellowing loudly. His voice returned to that of a man's and with his body no longer misshapen, he turned his head to glare at Duo with normal blue eyes.

"I can no longer wait. You hinder me, vampire. I will return you to your dream state."

"And I will just waken once again." Duo calmly retorted. "You cannot keep me trapped for long."

Treize threw his head back to laugh, before he was jumping closer to him again, landing close and leaning in so that the vampire had no choice but to look him straight in the eyes.

"I have become stronger these last few days, vampire." Treize uttered, a low rumbling growl steadily accompanying his spoken words. "If I so wished it I could eradicate what was left of you and this vessel will be mine. I control you, vampire! I am the demon to be feared, the one that brings mere mortals to their knees with just the sound of my name! You test my patience."

"You do not scare me, demon."

"Oh?"

Duo could not register what happened next, as an instant later, he was crashing to the floor with Treize's hand grabbing at his face. Claws grew and embedded into his skull, and he let out a cry of frustration as his hand lifted to pull the limb away from him. It was to no avail, the best he could manage were small scratches that healed almost instantly.

"You will never see you master, again." Treize told him, a deep rumbling growl of a laugh taunting the struggling Nightwalker. "It would have been to have been your master, but I can only deal with disobedience for so long."

Duo screamed as he felt what little essence of himself begin to be absorbed and he fought harder, panic making his already slow beating heart flutter as fast as it could. His skin hardened then, and soon his joints locked and he could only stare up through the spaces of Treize's fingers at the man-shaped demon whose razor-sharp teeth were bared in a pleasurable grin.

No. He could not leave this place. He had plans on finding his master again, making amends, turning things right. He couldn't die. He had to lose his pride, had to shed his stubbornness if you wanted to survive this.

"Wait." It was a worded rasped with a struggling intake of breath, right before his lungs refused to take in air again.

"Hmm?" Treize hummed with a tilt of his head. "You don't want to go?"

He could only blink, hoping that Treize understood; he could already feel his mind slipping.

"But surely you are not afraid to die, vampire."

Duo barely acknowledged the claws pulling free of his face, eyes spaced and going blank as he looked up at the humanoid demon, which slowly morphed back into Treize and was staring down at him with a stoic face.

"If you wish to have any semblance of existence; you will pledge yourself to me."

He was gasping as his lungs were working again and his eyes that were now coming into focus again stared up at the ginger-haired man. Treize's head cocked to the side as he looked down at the panting vampire, before he was using the toe of his shoes to lift Duo's chin.

"You will pledge yourself to me, won't you?"

"Yes." Duo gasped out. "I pledge myself to you."

Duo was groaning in pain as a foot powered by a demonic strength stomped down on his chest, ribs cracking and bones piercing his lungs. He coughed up a large amount of blood, breaths gurgling as his airway was invaded with the crimson liquid.

"Say it again." Treize hissed out, grinding his heel painfully into the shattered ribs. "And say it right."

Duo's agony seemed to be intensified as he lay there under the pressure of Treize's foot, powered with demonic strength as he placed most of his weight down on him. He would do it, he would say anything to stop this pain.

"I pledge myself to you, master."

Treize was humming contently and he finally released the vampire, crouching beside him again and grabbing the pain-stricken face with his hand.

"That's a good boy." He said, tapping the face a bit too harshly before standing again. "You will behave as I go and find the mortal gate. It is close to sunset. He is with your sire, but I will be sure to do away with him and take that which is mine."

Duo could only gasp and groan as he was left behind, violet eyes staring up at the shadowed ceiling of the room. A large feeling, a mixture of regret and despair, had settled in the pit of his stomach. His master, his sire, his love was about to be destroyed and it was his fault. Had he never gone astray, had he never been so selfish and so willing to find ways to willingly hurt his sire with jealousy, then he would not be in this current situation. It was too late now to think about his past actions. All he could do now was live with the consequences. He had pledged an alliance with the demon and even when his body was his again, he feared he would not be free.

He turned on his side, curling in on himself and shivering in the suddenly chilled room, violet eyes staring out blankly. He spent his early life orphaned and alone, and here he was again. His sire would be slain and his vampiric family would surely follow with Delinos free to walk about the earth, and he would find himself alone again.

The tears fell whether he wanted them to or not. This was his fate and he had no one but himself to blame.

xoxoxox

The silence of the borrowed mausoleum was almost deafening as he lay inside the coffin. He had refused to sleep on the premises after he had dragged himself back home. He knew exactly why he was here and not nestled in the bed he and Trowa usually shared.

His eyes snapped open as the top of the coffin was suddenly ripped open and blue eyes met now sharper blue while dark blonde hair draped around a stoic face he barely recognized. When he had first seen it, it had been smiling, full of life and beautiful and now. . .

The pale face that blankly stared down at him held no smile and had no emotion whatsoever; it was as if a doll frozen in apathy stared back at him.

"You did not sleep in your bed." Relena stated; her voice an even tone. "Is something the matter, Heero?"

He did not respond merely stared back at her and she slowly tilted her head in a inquisitive fashion. She made a sound that was a sort of hum and Heero was grimacing as he was grabbed by the wrist and hefted out of the coffin. He had not fed to regain his strength before coming here, so he was as weak as any frail being would be. Relena settled him on his feet before straightening his clothes for him and smoothing out his thick, brown locks.

"How do you expect us to hunt with you looking a mess?" She said as if scolding a small child. "Perhaps we should stop by the manor and get you changed into something cleaner. Come."

He had no strength to stop her as she pulled him along, out of the mausoleum and into the cemetery, abandoned for the night as it was well past closing time. The world soon blurred as they were using speeds natural to their race and soon they were stopping in front of the doors that led to the sitting room which led out to the garden.

Relena pushed the doors open and continued to lead the way. He was dragged past an all too familiar bathing room and blue eyes widened at the sight. Flesh flush with life, young and supple stood naked in the old style tub, the flash of gold hair making the identity unmistakable. His hunger rose but any instinctual action was disrupted by the door slamming shut and Relena's glare burning back at him.

He faltered, aware of the anger radiating off of her and he had to wonder if she was jealous. But, he could sense that it was not envy. Relena was not a pining, doting girl anymore. She was a vengeful woman who had plans to set him right . . . or so he had to assume because as the seconds ticked away, he could not figure out what her course of action was.

"How dare you." She muttered and he frowned, stepping back when she stepped away from the door. "You do not deserve him. Not yet."

Heero opened his mouth to snap a retort and he closed his mouth shut as deep blue eyes went red and a fanged snarl was flashed at him.

"You will earn him, Heero. And you will only earn him when I have determined so." She turned away then, her hand once again grabbing his wrist and dragging him off to his bedroom. "Before then, we'll hunt. You're weak and I will help nourish you. The witch will still be here when we get back."

He felt chided and was oddly obedient to his child's wishes. He had never seen this side of her before and since it was new to him, he felt somewhat frightened by it. As he was gently seated on the bed of his private room, he watched her as she went to his wardrobe and shifted through his clothing. The beautiful young woman he had found centuries ago had been transformed into this cold, menacing monster. Any last shred of what she had been fell away when he had spurned her those few nights ago.

She turned to him with a light suit that he hadn't worn in months, and he nodded, not wanting her to figure out that he had been studying her. It would seem she had anyway, because she kept staring at him with those placid eyes as she walked closer to him. She handed him the suit still on the hanger and merely blinked before she was turning away to look for shoes to match.

"She's gone." Was all she said, crouched as she sorted through pairs of shoes. "What is left behind is what I had to become to keep living. Had I allowed my old self her way, I'd have set myself aflame to get rid of the pain of living with loneliness. I have resolved to not give you the satisfaction of getting rid of me."

Her eyes tuned to his and Heero felt a shiver go down his spine, the eyes were blue again but the cold, hardened look was so foreign. He hated it. He hated that it was slowly beginning to nag at his heart with guilt and weigh his soul with shame. Shame for how he had treated her for so long, when she had deserved none of the treatment that he had bestowed upon her.

"I will live on, father." She announced to him, holding up a pair of shoes for him to decide on. He meekly nodded and she stood from her crouched position to make her way to him and crouched again to rest the shoes at his feet. "And you will one day yearn for me again. You will look at me as you once did, long ago. I will be your heart and soul again. Thoughts of me will plague you with nearly every waking moment and when you are so dependent on my very existence, I will not be there."

Heero frowned and Relena's stony look did not falter, she slowly stood instead and reached out to begin unbuttoning his shirt to help him undress.

"The very instance you realize what I've always meant to you, I will be gone."

It was back again, the guilt building as he watched a face that did not even seem sad was wetting with tears and he reached out but Relena slapped his hand away.

"Not yet." Was all she said, looking him in the eyes and slowly shaking her head. "Not yet."

He resolved to sitting quietly and letting her dress him. When she was done, he let her help him with his coat and then went to help her with her own. She merely ignored him and put hers on by herself, before walking to the bedroom door and opening it, holding out her hand and fitting a pleasant smile on her face. It was a smile that did not reach the lifeless eyes now looking back at him.

"Shall we?"

He walked to her and offered his arm, which she took with a girlish giggle and the two headed out and down the hall. Wesley stumbled in shock at the sight as they passed him and Relena nodded to him.

"Let Miss Dorothy know Heero and I will be out for a few hours this evening. We'll be sure to be here for when Trowa returns."

"Yes, as you say, Miss Relena."

Then they were gone into the winter night, leaving a baffled butler behind.

xoxoxox

Quatre had been startled by the sound of the door slamming and he had to wonder if he had left the door open. There were voices from outside but he didn't leave the bath to go and see who it was. He resolved to finish his bath and when he was dressed, he opened the door and searched the hallway. Whoever had been right outside was gone now, as the hall was empty.

He left the bathroom and headed back to the room he had been given and was aware that he could sense no signs of any other worldly creatures nearby. The vampires of the house were gone, which meant that Dorothy had left after meeting with the visiting salesman. He shuddered and couldn't help hugging himself, his eyes looking about the room before settling on his phone resting idly on the bed.

He wanted to call Sally and apologize. He wanted to explain that he had never meant for any of his to happen, but he knew it would only enable her to find him. He checked the time instead, hoping that Wufei and Trowa would show up here soon enough. Yule had come and gone, which meant the Killing of the Wren was fast approaching. He was running out of time. And even if he had all the time in the world, he didn't know what more he could do, but he couldn't sit and do nothing.

He thought of Wufei and felt his anxiety rise. His friend meant so much to him, to know that he was the mortal gate. . .he grit his teeth, not wanting to think the worse. He refused to let some demon use Wufei's body as a portal. There would be no human sacrifice on his watch. He'd have to head to the cathedral with or without Sally. It was his only choice. If he made sure that the entry site was warded, then he would have a fighting chance.

He had barely shoved his phone in his pocket when the odd tingling sensation at the back of his neck that warned him of a supernatural presence went haywire and he spun to the doorway, almost relieved that it was only Dorothy.

"Full?" He asked her and she merely smiled at him.

"Hmm." She hummed, walking into the room. She was dressed in dress pants and a business casual shirt, which Quatre found a bit odd, but he should have come to expect many odd things these past few days. "I got a very good deal from our salesman friend. I had to escort him to his final resting place; else I would have been here when you were done with your bath. Do you feel relaxed and refreshed?"

"Just clean." He answered and Dorothy tsked.

"That won't do. Trowa is on his way." She said, Quatre perking in interest at the statement. "Come, Wesley has prepared tea. You may partake while we wait."

"We don't have time for tea." He objected and Dorothy's brows rose a bit at the tone.

"And what do you suggest we do then? Do you have a plan?"

He didn't have an answer for her and she nodded with another hum, her hands clapping together as she spun for the door.

"As I thought, so we shall discuss one over tea. Come, Quatre."

He merely sighed and followed, knowing there was no better option at this point in time. He felt a ripple of magic pass by a few miles away and strengthened his magic that veiled his location. Sally had already sent out familiars looking and they were already to close, he couldn't risk being found . . . not yet.

"Quatre, dear, do you prefer earl gray?" Dorothy was calling back and Quatre quickened his pace a bit.

"Black is fine." He simply responded and Dorothy shrugged.

"Then black it is. And do keep up, dear. Tea stays warm for only so long. And Relena and Heero will be back soon, we're running out of time."

Those words have been so true; they were running out of time.

T.B.C.

It has risen as part of my personal challenge to revive my fics and finish them all. Please, after you're done screaming bloody murder at me, perhaps you'll let me know how I fared with this chapter. I do hope to hear from you all. Until the next chapter.