08-Apr-2002
Title: The Crocodile Pool
Author: Ebonydove
Pairings: 1+2/3+4 later
Warnings: OOC, language, slight gore, mention of rape, some sci-fi.
Disclaimer: More money being made. If it was, I'd be sending it to charity
anyway. I don't own 'em, just play wit' 'em.
Author's note: It has been brought to my attention that crocodiles are not native to any part of the United States, and are predominantly found in Africa. So for those purists out there, I apologize, but I'm not changing the story to alligators... but thanks for the heads up!
The moon was soft and full above him as he lingered in the frame of the doorway that led to the garden and pathway to the grounds of the manor. It certainly was a sprawling estate with plenty of old world charm. The heavy perfumed air breezed gently through his long bangs, and he shut his eyes to listen to the last moments of song from the nightingales and larks before the went to roost for the night. He sighed sadly. Maybe he was going out of his mind. After all, he had been seeing ghosts, or what he believed where ghosts. And he had the strangest feeling of deja vu ever since they had come here.
"What are you still doing up Duo?" The voice, as familiar as it was, still startled him. "I remember when nothing or no one could sneak up on you, or make you jump like that." Quatre's voice was soft and edged with tension.
"I know. It wasn't all that long ago when I was the self proclaimed God of Death."
"Still are as far as I'm concerned." Quatre leaned against the frame on the opposite side of Duo and gazed out past the gardens to the long stone path that led to the pool. "I thought you were crazy then, too." He smiled.
"I know. I was." Duo bright laughter filled the warm air and both young men relaxed. "Still am I guess." Duo let the silence stretch between them for a few moments before changing the topic. He didn't want to dwell on the past. He had let his relationship with Wufei fall apart following the wars, and especially after he claimed to have seen the ghost of the young warrior's rival and mentor, Treize. He had felt his friendship with Quatre and Trowa slipping away too after leaving the Preventers. It had been stressful for all of them after the wars and the publicity that went with saving the world made settling down into normal relationships difficult at best. They all still shared a bond that was stronger than brothers, or friends, or even lovers, but it was a rocky year that had recently passed leaving the bonds they had forged strained. "So who used to own this place anyway?"
"A man by the name of Jasper Chaucier. He lived here with his wife and two sons for many years. After his wife died, he sold the estate to my father who had been keeping it as a wedding gift for one of my sisters. But she decided she much rather remain in space. It bothered Quatre a great deal to see Duo pensive and paranoid. He had seen Duo like that too much during the past, and it filled him with a clawing sadness that the holiday he had suggested had been the root of Duo's distress of late.
"His sons Manuel and Renaldo." Duo ran a hand through his long bangs and looked thoughtfully at Quatre's frowning face.
"I don't recall their names, Duo."
"I'm sure his name was Manuel. That was who she was crying for, over and over." He could feel Quatre's eyes on him and turned to the lost expression on his friend's face. "Quatre I feel like I'm going out of my mind. I know things I have no rational reason to explain how I came to know them." Duo turned abruptly to him and stood with eyes wide and vulnerable. "Do you think I'm going crazy?"
"I think that you believe you saw and heard things that were real to you."
Duo smiled broadly and nodded his head slightly. "I knew you wouldn't give me a straight answer."
"I'm not here to be your judge and jury Duo."
"You're not?" Duo turned and frowned fiercely. "Since when?"
"Duo, leave the past in the past." Quatre pushed off from the wall and began to walk towards the garden. He paused waiting for Duo to follow and slipped his hands in his pockets. Sensing more than hearing the movement behind him, he continued on the path. "You were under a great deal of stress and the accident didn't help. What happened at Relena's is long forgotten."
"Now you sound like Heero, Quatre."
"He's a smart guy. He was the one who felt the worst about what happened. Like he had been responsible for your breakdown." Duo didn't mean to wince at the words, but did. Quatre stopped mid step and turned to Duo. "We didn't believe you could have seen Treize's ghost."
"I remember." Quatre very slowly removed his hands from his pockets and moved to Duo. He gently embraced him in a loose hug and let go. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you back then, Duo. But I do believe you now."
"Ever since the accident... I see things Quatre. Sometimes terrible things. I thought it was because of what I went through during the war, and that they were just illusions, dementia. But I don't know what I believe anymore." Duo's voice quivered with building tension as he looked away from Quatre's bright aqua eyes. "What's happening to me?"
"Whatever is happening with you, we'll figure it out." Quatre graced him with a brilliant smile before turning and continuing his way out of the garden and towards the pool. "Come on... it's this way."
Duo took a deep breath and quickly brushed away any trace of tears before jogging up to walk beside him. He knew where they were headed and the queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach began to grow with each step they took. Each step brought them closer to the crocodile pool that lay on the far edge of the garden's old walls and to finding out if he had lost his mind or what he had dreamed was real.
Inside the house...
Heero rolled over and stretched his arm out expecting to feel the warmth of Duo's form in the silky sheets, but found the bed empty. All his senses became instantly sharp as his eyes pierced the darkness of the room finding no trace of him. The only sound was the quiet peeping of insects and frogs in the late hours of the night.
End Part 7
(:./ebony/pool7)
