30-Oct-2000
::peers in:: Okay, there are actually two more parts after this one,(the last one is the epilogue). Tension is high. Will Heero exorcise Duo? Will Trowa ever find true love? Will Catherine let the ghost remain in the house? Oh, great now I'm sounding like one of those old forties radio shows...-_- Anyway.. here it is...Please don't kill me! ::hits send and runs like h-e-double hockey sticks::
Author: Tigress Pern
Archived at: GW Addiction
Warnings: Alternate Universe, shonnen-ai
Disclaimer: GW isn't mine, neither are the song
lyrics.
"Are you sure about this?" Heero asked over the phone. He glanced about to see if Trowa was around.
"Yes. Look, I've come to realize some things and I want to help." Heero smiled. "Then be here at eleven thirty."
"That won't be a problem." Heero hung up the phone feeling victorious. Hiroshi Yuy's mission would end tonight. It would all end tonight. Catherine would be home and together they would send Duo Maxwell on his way. Walking down the stairs to his room, Heero smiled.
"I'll do this Grandfather. I'll do this for you."
Wufei scowled. Next to him Meiran gave him a smile of encouragement.
"It's not your fault that my grandmother wants us to keep an eye on my little cousin's Halloween party. If Lien weren't living with her, then we wouldn't have to be here."
"She's only two years younger than we are." Wufei pointed out. "She and her friends could watch themselves and we could be over at Trowa's." Meiran sighed.
"There's nothing we can do. Grandmother will be back at ten. That will give us plenty of time to get over to Trowa's. If you're that worried, you can give him a call."
"I just hate to miss an opportunity such as this. I'd like to meet Duo."
"You're not the only one." Meiran told him giving him a look that told him that she was as anxious as he was to be done with this babysitting. "Lien isn't that bad."
"No, it's her six friends that I'm worried about. They keep looking at me as if I'm available or something."
"But you are available, but only for me." He smiled then and took her hand. Just as they were about to kiss a crash from the other room shook them both. "LIEN!" Meiran shouted just as someone cried "oops". Wufei sighed deeply. This was going to be a long night.
Quatre sat on the floor of Trowa's room staring about. The room was neat and tidy; everything was in the proper place. Even his laundry was put away. Quatre was impressed. His room was never this clean, even if his father wanted it so. Trowa entered looking weary.
"Wufei and Meiran are still there." He said. "They're stuck babysitting Meiran's little cousin's party until her grandmother gets back. There was some sort of emergency at the hospital."
"Meiran's grandmother is still a practicing nurse, in the Emergency Room. How does she do it?"
"Beats me." Trowa replied sitting down across from him. They were both hiding out in Trowa's room until because Catherine was guarding the stairs to the third floor. She didn't want them up there. "I'm sorry we this hasn't gone as smoothly as I'd hoped. Of course, I didn't think Catherine would be barring passage to the third floor. She is convinced that if I have any more contact with Duo, that I'll become his slave." Quatre shook his head.
"I don't think that's the case. But, maybe they are right about him moving on."
"Quatre?"
"When we started talking to him, we wanted to know why he'd killed himself, and then we learned that his death had been an accident. After that we wanted to know why he couldn't move on and we found out about Hiroshi Yuy. But Hiroshi Yuy is dead and therefore Duo will never find peace. That's why we should help him."
"Quatre?"
"Look, hasn't the underlying goal always been to help him move on to the next plane of existence?" Trowa stared at him. Quatre's eyes were pinned on the floor as he spoke. "I mean, I know he's nice and all, but don't you think it's time for him to go? This place is for the living."
"But he can't move on. Hiroshi isn't here for him to confront, nor is Heero willing to listen to the other side of the story."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that Heero refuses to think of Duo as anything but bad. It is so ingrained in him that he isn't willing to listen to what Duo has to say. If he'd listen, then maybe Duo would have his peace." But I wouldn't want him to go, Trowa thought. I would miss him terribly.
"But Duo's problem lies with Hiroshi Yuy, not Heero Yuy."
"I know, but I'm beginning to think that as long as the hatred is there, in what ever form, then Duo can't leave. Heero is the only link, if he'd just listen..."
"I think you're wrong." Heero stated entering the room. Trowa glared at him.
"Knocking would have been polite." He told him. "What do you want?" Catherine strode in behind him. Quatre gave Trowa a saddened look.
"I'm sorry Trowa, but we have to do this. I don't agree with their views on Duo, I'm his friend too. I know how much he means to you, but he is dead. I've watched you become attached to him and I don't want you hurt when he leaves. If he goes now, then it won't be as painful. Please believe me that I don't want to injure him, but help him and you." Quatre choked on his words staring at his friend's shocked face. "I don't agree with Heero and Catherine in most respects about Duo, but I agree he needs to move on. His spirit should be at peace. Not trapped here, not here to torment you with what can never be." Trowa's jaw dropped. Eyes wide he looked from Quatre's anguished face to his sister's stern one. Slowly the realization of what was about to take place hit him. Heero pulled out a length of rope from his jeans pocket.
"NO!" They grabbed him and tied him to a chair. Shaking with rage, he glared at them. Quatre couldn't meet his eyes, which screamed betrayal. He averted Trowa's gaze and slunk to the door. They left him in his room and proceeded upstairs. Trowa could hear their footfalls on the wooden staircase and screamed. Quatre paused, but Catherine urged him onward.
"Am I doing the right thing?" he asked glancing back.
"He'll thank us later." She assured him.
Quatre didn't know, something told him he'd never be forgiven for this.
Struggling in his bonds, Trowa tried to free himself. His hands tied in front of him and rope holding the rest of him to the chair, Trowa was beyond mad. He cursed loudly and thought of hundreds of awful things he'd do to Quatre. Catherine and Heero he'd expected, but Quatre? He thought he was helping Duo move on that it was his time, but who gave him the right to decide that? Fuming and madder than he'd been in memory, Trowa glanced momentarily at his clock. It read 11:28 PM. Duo had promised to meet them at 11:30PM. God! They'll catch him before...
Trowa struggled more. Heero was bent on sending Duo to Hell and Trowa wasn't about to let him. Duo was his friend, the most understanding friend he'd ever had. He couldn't let him go without at least saying good-bye. Wait! He couldn't think like that. Duo wasn't going to leave, he couldn't just yet. There were things that Trowa needed to say, to ask, before Duo moved on. Those bastards weren't even going to give him the chance to do that! Tears welled up as Trowa fought the bonds that held him. There had to be something in his room to cut them with.
Looking around, Trowa didn't see anything at first then he spotted the framed photograph of his mother, father, and himself sitting on his computer desk. It had been taken when Trowa was only three. He was sitting on his mother's lap playing with the stuffed lion. His father was laughing at his son's antics.
"Mother, Father, forgive me. I couldn't save you, but I have a chance to save someone else I love." He scooted the chair over to the desk and reaching forward as far as he could, he managed to grab the picture with his teeth. Dropping it to hands, he fumble trying to get to the glass. Once he had it, he leaned down and took the pane in his teeth. Swinging back over his desk, he closed his eyes and dropped it. It shattered. Opening his eyes, he selected the largest piece he could find and reached down to pick it up. Blood trickled down his lips as he held the glass in his mouth. He gently released it where his hands could retrieve it without breaking. Licking his lips, he winced as he grazed over the new cut. Pain didn't matter, he had to get free and help Duo.
Something was wrong and Duo knew it. Quatre being in his room was normal, Heero and Catherine wasn't. All three together without Trowa, most certainly was not normal. He hovered over them as they began to set candles on the floor. They weren't putting them there for a séance, but something else. Duo knew what was going on. They're here to banish me, but why would Quatre help them? Realizing that this wasn't the best place to be, Duo took off. He glided through the house, invisible to all. He needed to find Trowa. On the first floor he found him, tied to a chair and intently concentrating on something in his hands.
"A little more." Trowa hissed urging his hands to dig further into the rope with the shard of glass. Duo materialized. He could feel the energy pull and bend, creating the outline of his body. Slowly it was filled in and Duo Maxwell stood, or rather floated in Trowa's presence. The bound boy didn't appear to notice the drop in the air temperature. Instead he continued muttering to himself. Duo swallowed. If he could sweat, he bet his palms would be damp. Why was he suddenly feeling nervous? Other people had seen his human form, why was appearing to Trowa any different?
"Are you all right?" he asked. Shit, why was he so nervous? Trowa's head shot up at the sound of Duo's voice. His eyes widened as he took in what stood near his bed. Dressed in black slacks, vest, and a red shirt, Duo stared back at him with blue-violet eyes. He was just as gorgeous as his photograph despite the fact that he didn't have any feet. Ghosts don't have feet, Duo reminded himself as he took a cautious step towards Trowa. Only live people do.
"Duo?" The ghost nodded. "Thank God! They haven't started yet. You have to find some way to stop the ceremony! They plan on exorcise you!" Duo halted and stared dumbstruck at Trowa.
"What?"
"They tied me up so I wouldn't interfere. Look, Quatre is helping them, he thinks this is for the best. I don't exactly understand what he meant, but I have a good idea." Duo strode over, determined to at least free Trowa first before figuring out a way to stop them. Trowa watched him.
"There's got to be a way to get you loose." Duo muttered.
"Forget about me and go."
"No, if there are two of us, then we have more of a chance. Let me see what I can do." Ghostly hands reached forward and passed through the rope. Duo swore. Concentrating as much energy as he could, he tried to solidify his hands enough to untie Trowa. Studying the knot, he closed his fingers around the rope and tugged. He could touch it, but he couldn't feel anything. His eyes alone told him that he had it in his grasp.
"Duo."
"Shh. I need to concentrate. Untying you is more complicated than throwing a chair across a room. Minute movements require lots of energy." As the knot slowly loosened, Duo noticed thin lines of blood seeping from half a dozen tiny cuts on Trowa's fingers. He'd been using glass to cut himself free. Where had he gotten it? Duo glanced down past Trowa's feet and noticed the discarded picture frame. The photograph was squished beneath it, but enough showed that Duo could make out an older woman, a little boy, and what was probably an older male. The little boy had a stuffed lion. Duo remembered Trowa's stuffed lion and glanced up at the bookshelf. It was sitting on top as usual. He destroyed a picture of him and his parents to try to free himself? To try to help me. More determined than before, Duo pulled at the knot.
"I've almost got it." Duo said. Trowa glanced at the clock, 11:41PM. He looked down at the top of Duo's head and realized he could barely see his legs through the ghost. Duo had enough energy to make himself almost completely solid. Trowa was amazed that this was the same spirit that he'd met a month ago. He began to study every inch of ghost's body, memorizing it all. If Duo was exorcised, Trowa wanted to remember every detail of him.
Suddenly Duo faltered. His hands became transparent and slipped through the rope. "Shoot!" He collapsed to his knees.
"Duo!"
"My energy, it's being pulled away."
"Fight it!" Duo struggled to stand; he had to keep his form. He couldn't do the tiny manipulations of the rope if he didn't. He needed hands. "Is there a way to draw essence from me?" Trowa asked. Duo's eyes widened.
"I don't know. Trowa I can't do that to you anyway."
"No, if it'll help, attempt to please. Heero said that by being around you gave you energy. There has to be a way to draw energy from the living to the dead. It might hold them off." Duo was about to protest, but the look in Trowa's green eyes halted any thoughts.
"I'll try." Not sure how to proceed, Duo closed his eyes and did what came natural. He placed one hand over Trowa's heart. He felt a slight tingle. Concentrating as he did when creating his physical form, Duo began to draw Trowa's essence into him. He heard Trowa gasp and it nearly caused him to move his hand away. He couldn't though; Trowa was counting on him to release him from his bonds. Trowa's energy trickled into him, renewing his strength. Duo could feel whatever was draining his own energy halt and fish about trying to find his energy. The introduction of Trowa's energy was confusing it and buying them time. How much, Duo didn't know. Neither Duo nor Trowa knew how much timed passed, before Duo finally moved his hand away.
Breathing hard, Trowa looked pale and Duo feared he'd drained too much. Not knowing how much time they had, Duo quickly tackled the knot again. His fingers flew with the speed and accuracy he'd known when he was alive.
"Trowa, are you okay?" He asked as he gave one final tug.
"I'll be fine. I just feel weak. How about you?"
"I think we confused whatever was sapping my power." He threw the rope that bound Trowa's hands on the floor, then started on what held him to the chair. "There, one down, one to go."
"Hopefully Wufei and Meiran will get here. I could use the support."
"Me too. Once midnight hits, I'm back to where I was when I met you. We ghosts are at full power on All Hallows Eve. November first, our energy is all tapped out and we have to recuperate." Trowa glanced up at the clock, 11:56PM. "There got it." Duo announced tossing the rope aside. Trowa rose slowly. Duo smiled. Trowa smiled back.
"Maybe with my energy in you, Heero can't send you on."
"I hope so, I like it here with you." Duo said smiling even broader. He wished he wasn't a ghost, he wished he hadn't died, but then he never would have met Trowa. Suddenly a strong force hit Duo. He collapsed to the floor. Whatever it was that sought him had found him despite Trowa's essence being mixed with his. Duo struggled to hold on. He didn't want to be taken away, he wanted to stay. His energy was flowing out of him again. He was being pulled away from Trowa, he could feel it. No! He screamed mentally. The pull increased. Duo was barely hanging on.
"Trowa." He whispered, his voice becoming strained. "They're pulling me. Upstairs."
"Duo!" Duo shook his head and realized he couldn't fight the force anymore. He let it pull him away. The last thing he saw was Trowa bolting out the door.
Trowa had just reached the staircase when he heard the doorbell. Knowing whom it was, he rushed towards it. Throwing it open he found Wufei and Meiran standing there.
"In! Quick! We have to stop them!" he said urgently.
"Trowa, God, you're as white as a ghost. What the hell is going on!" Wufei yelped as Trowa hauled him inside.
"Heero is sending Duo to Hell. Catherine and Quatre are helping him. I can't let them do that!" Meiran and Wufei exchanged surprised looks.
"Quatre? He's helping them?" Meiran asked. Trowa nodded. "Oh my..."
"KISAMA." Wufei growled. "What is he thinking? I bet all those talks with Heero have warped his mind."
"I don't care why he's doing it right now. Duo is in danger. Please." They'd never seen him like this. Meiran and Wufei nodded.
"Where are they?" Meiran demanded.
"Duo's room."
"Ikimashou!" cried Wufei.
"Let's go!" Meiran chorused. The three sprinted in the direction of the stairs. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Duo Maxwell only had a short time left and they weren't going to let him go without a fight. Wufei and Meiran would see to that. They didn't want Trowa hurt and if that meant going against his sister, Heero and Quatre, then damned be all those who got in their way.
End Chapter 9
Tigress Pern