Last revised: 12/17/99 Last modified: 03/15/00 *** WARNING: alternative-reality, yaoi, semi-darkfic *** (potential lemon in future parts) I'm E-E-EVIL and I love it!!! ^_^ ====================================================================== DOMINION ROAD A Gundam Wing fanfic by Madamhydra ====================================================================== Part 1 ====================================================================== Short Disclaimer: (Full Disclaimers at the end) Gundam Wing is copyright of its respective creators and all distributors of their work and used without permission. ====================================================================== ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There's a red fox torn by a huntsman's pack That's my soul up there There's a black winged gull with a broken back That's my soul up there There's a little black spot on the sun today It's the same old thing as yesterday I have stood here before inside the pouring rain With the world turning circles running 'round my brain I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign But it's my destiny to be the king of pain -- "King of Pain" by The Police ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ====================================================================== Wufei couldn't keep his eyes off Duo as the Deathscythe pilot headed toward the bar. The briefest glance from those indigo eyes was enough to make one of the drinkers hastily vacate his barstool and offer it to the leather-clad teenager. Fully occupied with watching Duo, the Chinese teenager failed to notice the tall, austerely handsome dark-haired man walking up behind him and Treize. He twitched in surprise as the stranger spoke to the man standing beside him in an amused aristocratic voice. "Treize, I'm glad you decided to accept my invitation," the dark-haired man said. Out of the stranger's sight, the general's fingers briefly tightened on Wufei's arm in a silent warning as he calmly replied, "Crawford." The man chuckled and said, "Come, come. No need to be so formal. As an old schoolmate, you're certainly welcome to use my first name." "Well, then. Hello, Matthias. It's been a long time." Wufei froze as soon as he recognized the name 'Matthias Crawford' and cursed his luck. The man was one of the owners of the Roissy Resort, not to mention a close associate to their target. Well aware that he couldn't let his cover slip, Wufei discretely gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and kept his mouth shut as Crawford examined him with penetrating, ice blue eyes. "Is this young man the flavor of the week? Or is he your new pet project, Treize?" The OZ general merely gave the other man a nonchalant shrug. "Don't tell me that you're already tired of that spectacular blond pilot on your staff?" With a malicious little smile, Crawford added, "Tell me, did you order Merquise to wear that fancy silver mask just so you can keep him to yourself? I remember that you were always the notoriously possessive sort." "I never liked sharing my toys, Matthias. And I still don't," Treize drawled. Crawford's lips twitched in a faint smile as he eyed Wufei. "That's a pity. I wouldn't mind trying this one out." "I'm afraid you'd be too much for him. He's rather new to all this." "I guessed as much. There's a certain look in his eye...." "He is somewhat high-spirited," the OZ general blandly commented. "And do I detect a certain lack of discipline?" Treize murmured, "Oh, let me assure you that he's *very* disciplined, Matthias... in his own way. Aren't you, Wufei?" Wufei, through immense effort, managed to remain outwardly still and docile even as Treize casually placed his hand on the back of Wufei's neck. However inwardly, the Chinese pilot was seething furiously. (That bastard is ENJOYING this!) But underneath the anger was a faint shiver of anxiety and perhaps fear. Treize seemed entirely too comfortable with the whole perverse atmosphere of this decadent resort. Momentarily losing interest in the teenager, Crawford glanced across the nightclub toward the bar and said, "Fascinating. To think that someone so young...." Treize followed Crawford's gaze as the man stared at the spectacular crimson and black-garbed teenager sitting at the bar. "Yes. Rather striking, isn't he?" "He stands out like a diamond in a coal pile. He's nothing like these weekend dilettantes, with their precious safewords and rules. Poseurs, all of them," the man said contemptuously. "But one look and you can tell that young man's certainly no amateur." Crawford glanced at the general. "Rather like us, Treize." "What, are you interested in making him your new protege?" Crawford chuckled. "Not exactly. I have the strange feeling that even I could learn a thing or two from him, despite his age. See how he rules the people around him, just with a look. He doesn't even have to say a word and they're still falling over themselves to fulfill his every desire." "Rather reminds me of a border collie handling sheep," Treize murmured as he absently ran an elegant finger up and down the side of Wufei's throat. Even as they watched, a young woman dressed in nothing more than a few strategically placed plastic straps crawled toward Duo on her hands and knees. Just as she was about to kiss his booted foot, the Deathscythe pilot made a barely detectable flicking gesture with the riding crop in his hand. The young woman wilted visibly and cowered on the floor, staring up at him with desperate, pleading eyes. Duo glanced at her thoughtfully, then lifted his feet slightly off the stool's footrest. In an instant, the young woman scrambled to position herself under his feet. As if it was a perfectly normal thing to do to use a near-naked woman as a footstool, Duo nonchalantly placed his boots on her back and returned to surveying the crowd with a cool, critical gaze. Far from feeling humiliated or angry, the young woman looked ecstatic. If she had possessed a tail, it would have been wagging like mad. -------------------------------------------- The mind-boggling scene he just witnessed, combined with the throbbing music and dancing lights inside the nightclub left Wufei feeling strangely disoriented. It was as if he had stepped into some bizarre dreamworld where friends become total strangers and enemies became... became what? He wondered if someone had slipped something into his drink, then he remembered that he hadn't drunk anything the entire night. On anyone else, the outfit of Duo's would have been a mere costume for a night of excitement, nothing more. But Wufei had the unhappy feeling that Duo was *not* simply acting or playing a role. That horribly fascinating combination of leather and silk was no facade, but rather seemed to be a manifestation of a much deeper change within the Deathscythe pilot. Wufei had no doubts that the leather on Duo's body was the genuine article. Not artificial, not vat-cloned... real. Something had died to provide that sleek, body-hugging leather for the seductive dark lord that his friend and comrade Duo Maxwell had mysteriously transformed into. -------------------------------------------- The scene that had disturbed Wufei so badly only made Crawford smile. He said, "Come on, Treize. I'm rather curious about this young fellow," and started toward the bar and Duo. "So am I, Matthias. So am I." Treize gave Wufei a cautionary look, took a firm grip on his arm, and followed Crawford. As they crossed the crowded room, Wufei hissed under his breath, "What the hell are you up to, Treize?" "I'm doing this for your own good. We can discuss it when we're alone. Now get a grip on yourself. You're going to need it," murmured the general. The two of them caught up with Crawford just as he reached Duo. The dark-haired man said, "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm...." "Matthias Crawford," Duo coolly interrupted. "Part owner of the Roissy Resort." Crawford acknowledged the teenager's words with a slight nod, then turned toward Treize. "And this is...." "General Treize Khushrenada, of the OZ military," Duo calmly stated. "You're well informed, Mr...?" Duo glanced at Crawford and said evenly, "You may call me Maxwell." Wufei couldn't suppress a faint shiver as he heard Duo speak. The absence of the familiar grin and the uncharacteristic icy terseness of the braided boy's speech was disturbing enough, but Wufei had no idea that Duo's husky voice could be so... so *intense*. Duo's dark indigo gaze then shifted to Wufei. Crawford smiled slightly and said, "I believe that this is General Khushrenada's... friend. If I recall correctly, Wufei is his name." "Friend, hm?" Duo slid off the stool, stepping off the young woman's back onto the floor. He cocked his head slightly, then started to approach Wufei. The Chinese knew that he was supposed to pretend as if he and Duo were perfect strangers, but he found that there was no need to act. For all extents and purposes, the Duo Maxwell walking toward him *was* a perfect stranger. In the face of the Deathscythe pilot's slow, predatory advance, Wufei held his ground... barely. When he was within touching distance, Duo reached out to lightly brush his fingertips along the golden skin of Wufei's right cheek. "Exotic. And beautiful. You have excellent taste, General Khushrenada," Duo murmured softly... then the Deathscythe pilot smiled. The undercurrent of hunger and anticipation that Wufei detected in Duo's expression rattled the Shenlong pilot so much that he involuntarily retreated and ended up backing right into Treize. Compared to the familiar stranger in front of him, the OZ general was an oddly comforting and reassuring presence for Wufei. In the meantime, Crawford was saying, "A young man of your sophistication must find all this terribly boring," as he gestured vaguely at the nightclub around them. "I would like to invite you to a private party tomorrow evening. I think you'll find it considerably more... exciting. And satisfying." Turning to Treize, Crawford said, "Of course you're invited also. And feel free to bring your young companion. I think he'll find it an enlightening experience." Treize's lips curved upwards in a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Thank you for that gracious invitation. But like I said before, I don't think Wufei's quite ready for that sort of entertainment yet." With that distinctly chilling smile still on his face, Duo chuckled and said, "How disappointing. I was looking forward to getting to know him better," as he idly tapped the business end of the riding crop against his leather-clad leg. The soft words and the rhythmic smack of leather striking leather sent chills down Wufei's spine. Somehow, he knew Duo was not joking or bluffing. Not one damn bit. Crawford said, "Oh, I agree, but I know that once Treize makes a decision, it can be very difficult to change his mind." He smiled at Duo. "Don't worry. Let me assure you that I'll find some suitable entertaining company for you. Or I can help you make your own arrangements. That is, if you're interested in my offer. I hope you are. You interest me greatly." Duo shrugged. "Do I?" Crawford laughed. "I like a man who knows what pleases him and who isn't afraid to do what's necessary to achieve that pleasure. And I like your style." "Flattery indeed. In that case, I accept," Duo responded with an elegant bow. "Excellent! Treize?" "Perhaps, if I'm not otherwise occupied." The OZ general glanced meaningfully at Wufei, who blushed furiously. "Of course. Then I'll let you know the details once I get everything arranged," replied Crawford. Treize politely nodded, then said, "If you two gentlemen will excuse me, it's been a long day. Good night." As he briskly hustled the still dazed Wufei away into the crowd, Treize whispered in his ear, "If that's your friend, little dragon, you don't *need* enemies." -------------------------------------------- Keeper and Mistress of Duo's Dark Side Co-Keeper of Duo's Scythe & Bat Wings Duo no Seishi ~~~ Saitoh no Koibito -------------------------------------------- madamhydra@aol.com /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/:E http://www.geocities.com/madamhydra/ -------------------------------------------- ===================================================================== The Full Disclaimer All rights and privileges to Shin Kidousenki Gundam Wing are trademarks and property of Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties. The characters of these works are used WITHOUT permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit. Original portion of the fiction included here is considered to be the sole property and copyrighted to the author. =====================================================================