What’s Really In The Dark Of Night

 

Chapter Eleven; Duo POV:

 

          I slammed into my room like a whirlwind. I tossed my book bag on my bed and stared into the mirror that rested on top of my dresser. Behind me, I could see Aunt Helen, her expression disgruntled. The mirror was a special one. It reflected everything, including spirits. It was one of the few reasons why I spoke to Helen here in my room.

 

          “I forbid it!” Helen growled, her black dress making no movement even as she paced back and forth beside my bed.

 

          “I didn’t chose him, Helen. I don’t think I have any say in who my soul is meant for,” I remarked, glancing at my low heeled shoes before flinging them off her feet and half way across the room.

 

          “Anyone but Heero Yuy!!” Helen exclaimed. I chuckled softly. Sometimes Helen was over protective, even though now she was down right Fort Knox.

 

          “Auntie, would you stop. You know the family prophecy as well as I do. Just because you don’t like the guy, doesn’t mean you can change what already is.”

 

          Helen rolled her eyes at me through the mirror. “I suppose -you- like him just fine, don’t you, Duo.” I could feel warmth creep up my cheeks, the flush darkening the blush already staining them.

 

          “I don’t not like him,” I answered. Helen glared at me for that, a slender hands resting propped up on her hips.

 

          “I don’t believe I’m hearing this, Duo. You, of all people, should not fall for someone like him.”

 

          This time it was my turn to roll my eyes. “Would you listen to yourself? ‘Someone like him’? Just what do you mean by that?” I questioned hotly. Sometimes she was more overprotective than even I could handle.

 

          “He’s the most popular boy in school. You’re seen as a guy by most of the student body. He has a psycho fan girl following. You’ve got everyone believing that you’re insane. Just what kind of a relationship do you hope to have with this boy?” I couldn’t help but glance away, my eyes downcast. She had a good point. What kind of relationship would we have? I was too odd for anyone to want to remain in a relationship with me for any long period of time. I sighed and looked away from the mirror entirely, not wanting to see Aunt Helen’s expression any longer.

 

          “Like it or not, Helen, its foretold in my life. ‘When a child born of Maxwell blood begins to hear what others can not, the time of prophecy is at hand. A son without a mother shall come then, when all hope seems lost. He shall be the other half of Maxwell’s soul. Together they shall forge a bond so strong, none can ever break it. And through his sight and Maxwell’s hearing shall they bring peace to all, both leaving and dead.’”

 

          “Oh, princess, you can’t believe everything you’ve been told.” I returned my gaze to the mirror at her words.

 

          “Aunt Iria is never wrong. You know that as well as I do. The Winner family has always been blessed with unique and unusual gifts. Even Quatre’s got one, although I haven’t quite figured out what it is. You’re so upset because you realize Heero’s interested in me. You’re afraid he’ll break my heart.”

 

          “So what if I am?” Helen asked softly. I smiled sweetly at her, my eyes meeting her soft baby blue ones.

 

          “Its all right, Aunt Helen. I can handle whatever is to come. If he truly is the other half of MY soul, then I shouldn’t be hurt. Because he’s the one… I honestly have no choice. I must fulfill this, if only for the sake of those we can help when we are together. Honestly, its better for me to love and lose him than to not do nothing at all and regret it.”

 

          Helen smiled softly in return, tears in her eyes. “I understand, Princess. Why don’t you call him and invite him over? Maybe take him with you to work tomorrow, so you aren’t all alone.” I laughed softly.

 

          “I thought you were worried about my being hurt?” he asked.

 

          “I am. Yet I also realize now that you have become a rather strong and wise young lady. I also know I can’t protect you forever. All I can do now is stand behind your decision.”

 

          “Maybe I will call him. He’d make my job easier tomorrow,” I murmured, moving toward the phone. Right before I could pick it up, it rang. A glance at the caller ID told me that it was the county coroner. He was one of the few people who knew and understood just how much I enjoyed helping other people, especially those that were living impaired. I answered with a smile. “Hey, Davis. What can I do for you?”

 

          “Hey, Duo. I wish I could say this is a social call, but I’m afraid we have a situation,” he said, not bothering with formalities. Davis, and that’s all anyone ever called him, had been a friend of mine for a long time. Ever since my parents death, truth be told. He was my uncle Damien’s age, but seemed to defy time and looked about twenty-five.

 

          “What kind of situation?” I asked, wondering what could possibly make him call me.

 

          “Colby Jensen called me a few minutes ago.”

 

          “The owner of Rose Hill Cemetery?” I questioned. That was the cemetery I was scheduled to work at tomorrow. It is also a place that happens to unnerve me to no end. Besides being the place where Willow, Rain, and Sunny were, it was also the place where some of the most vile and wicked spirits reside. Lately some of Colby’s workers were becoming injured while on the job thanks to those vindictive beings.

 

          “Yeah, that Colby. Apparently this time a visitor was injured during a visit today. She had to close down the place. She needs you to come down and check on the situation.” I sighed lightly, looking into the mirror only to meet Helen’s concerned expression.

 

          “The soonest I can arrive there is tomorrow. I will have to acquire a little help first and I don’t think who I have in mind can do it tonight.” I could hear Davis’ skeptical laugh at my words.

 

          “Who in the world could help you Duo? You can hear them.” I smirked at his words, knowing that I wouldn’t even have someone to turn to for help if I hadn’t of met Heero and found out about his little gift.

 

          “Don’t worry about it Davis. Just trust me on this.”

 

          Davis sighed lightly at that. “All right, Duo. I trust you. I’ll tell her to expect you tomorrow.”

 

          “Thanks. Take care, Davis.”

 

          “You too, Duo.” I hung up after those words, staring at the phone thoughtfully.

 

          “You are going to ask him to help, aren’t you?” Helen asked. I looked from the phone to the mirror. I then returned my gaze to that little black handset. Picking it back up, I began to dial Heero’s number. Halfway through I hung up. A dark flush crossed my cheeks once more. I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t do it. I shook my head then, trying to clear it. I then once more attempted to call him. Yet again I hung up before I was finished.

 

          “Come on, Duo, just call him already. It isn’t like this is a personal call. Its business. Just call and talk to him, ask what you need to, and hang up after he gives you an answer and you thank him,” I told myself. Helen snickered at that.

 

          “Just make the call, Duo. I refuse to allow you to let you deal with them without him. Your full abilities can’t be reached without him. These spirits can and will hurt you if you can’t see them.” While Helen was talking to me I had attempted to call him three more times. Just like before, I had chickened out. Getting fed up, Helen snatched the phone from me and dialed it. Once it started ringing, she handed it back to me. “Talk,” she ordered.

 

          With that given, she vanished from my room. At least, I couldn’t see her in my mirror any more. I listened to it ring, my throat tight. At the third ring, someone answered. The voice was unfamiliar to me and deep. It almost sounded like he was my uncle’s age.

 

          “Moshi moshi, Lowe e Yuy Residensu.” I smiled softly. His Japanese didn’t sound very strong, but he was trying, obviously.

 

          “Hi,” I answered, still hiding the fact I was extremely nervous. “Is Heero Yuy there?”

 

          “May I ask who’s calling?” he asked.

 

          “My name’s Duo Maxwell, sir. Heero told me I could call if I wanted to talk,” I said, remaining polite even though my nerves were bouncing off the walls.

 

          “Ah, you’re Damien Maxwell’s niece, aren’t you? You helped him with our account this year I believe.” I couldn’t help but smile. He remembered me? How sweet.

 

          “Yes, sir,” I replied.

 

          “Just a moment,” he said into the phone then. I heard him put down the phone and then the sound of whispered voices. All the while I struggled not to hang up. Eventually I heard the phone being picked up once more and this time Heero’s rich voice filled my ear.

 

          “Hey Duo. I wasn’t expecting you to call, so soon anyway.” I laughed softly. He always made me feel better.

 

          “Honestly, I almost didn’t call. I got really nervous. I would dial your number and then chicken out before it could ring.” Heero’s soft laugh caused my heart to skip and my pulse to race.

 

          “What made you finally place the call?”

 

          “Helen dialed for me,” I answered honestly. His answer to that was another heart shaking laugh.

 

          “What’s up?” he asked once he was done. I swallowed thickly and plunged right into my story.

 

          “There are a couple malevolent spirits at Rose Hill Cemetery and I need your help to get rid of them before they can hurt anyone else. They hurt a visitor today so I can’t avoid this problem any loner. I need your gift of sight in order to be able to face them fairly.”

 

          “When do you need me?” he questioned softly.

 

          “Tomorrow, after lunch. Colby Jensen will clear out absence from school for us.”

 

          “It’ll be dangerous for you if I don’t go, won’t it?” I felt myself grimace. Darn his thoroughness. He would be the death of me someday.

 

          “It could be, but its nothing I haven’t handled before,” I answered truthfully.

 

          “Then I’ll be there. We can take my car this time.” I couldn’t help but smile, a small laugh passing my lips.

 

          “All right. I’ll look forward to seeing your gift in action.” I knew I should tell him about the prophecy, but I couldn’t. It made me uncomfortable just thinking about telling him.

 

          “I just hope I’ll be useful.”

 

          “You will, Hee-chan. More than you can ever know. Night.”

 

          “Good night, Duo.” I hung up before I said anything more. I sighed and forced myself to calm down. I then got to work on my homework followed by the game plan for tomorrow. After all, this was something I had done many times before and I knew a plan of action was always wise to have.

 

---

 

          Dressed in my usual black jeans, black t-shirt, and black leather trench coat, I found myself once more avoided by almost everyone at school. For the moment, it suited my purposes. Although, if I was truthful, I’d admit that I kind of missed the friendly smiles, waves, and even some of the whistles. Yet, because of what I had to do today, I was kind of glad they were missing from my day. There was too much I was in need to focus on and even I couldn’t handle brainwork and school wide attention at the same time.

 

          Suddenly, an egg flew out of nowhere. Luckily quick reflexes kept me from wearing it. I whirled to see a group of girls glaring at me, the pink paper clutched in their hands. When Relena had first wrote about me, I had dealt with all the things students could possibly do to one another. Even some things one wouldn’t think possible. Missing desks, thrown food, glares, loud whispers designed to be heard, and even trash being dumped on me. All in all, this whole thing with an egg was nothing.

 

          “Duo! Are you all right?” Trowa called from near the gym. I gave him a wan smile.

 

          “I’m fine. The Pink Brigade is just angry, that’s all. It’ll pass.” Trowa shook his head at that.

 

          “I don’t think so, Duo. Read this,” as he spoke he held up a copy of the pink newsletter and my eyes widened at the picture on the cover. There was Heero, standing beside me, looking at me with a soft smile and a protective glint in his eyes. The caption read: ‘Imposter Steals Beloved Prince!’ I couldn’t help but blink.

 

          “It’s a very lovely picture. I must say Heero looks drool worthy. Yet what’s with the imposter line? I’d read it but I don’t enjoy reading trash.”

 

          Trowa laughed at that. “Glad to see you’re back to your old self. Yet I do believe its said that you posed as a guy to gain Heero’s attention.” I rolled my eyes.

 

          “Oh what a perfect plan. Act like the crazy guy for four years just to gain his attention. Once he thinks he’s gay for liking me, tell him I’m a woman to make him feel better. Oh man, I’m such a genius.” Trowa laughed deeply at that comment. “I’ve acted this way since my parents died. I don’t see that happening due to a boy. This is me. Besides, this is just more fodder for my slander suit against her.”

 

          “Are you really going to sue her?”

 

          I nodded. “I hadn’t planned to, not really. Yet my uncle got a hold of my collection of newsletters and he’s pushing it. Said the school newspaper should handle school news, not gossip. He’s absolutely livid.”

 

          “I would be too,” Trowa admitted. He then handed the paper to me. “Here, to add to your arsenal.” I grinned and took it from him.

 

          “Thanks Tro-man.” He nodded.

 

          “Welcome, D. Just be careful. If Relena gets a hold of your real oddity, then we’ll never hear the end of it.”

 

 

          I nodded in return. “You could be right, Trowa. I’ll be doubly careful.” I then gave him a light hug and headed off to get ready for gym. I didn’t make it as I saw Relena accosting Heero near the boys locker room. Smirking, I headed over and wrapped an arm around Heero’s waist.  He appeared startled, until he realized who it was that had grabbed him. His then tense body relaxed considerably.

 

          “Duo,” he said softly, looking happy to see me. I smiled sweetly up at him.

 

          “Hey, Hee-chan. I thought you were gonna meet me today?” I asked. It wasn’t a lie either. We were supposed to meet after lunch.

 

          “We were talking, Maxwell. Kindly leave us alone.” I turned to glare at her, my arm still wrapped right around Heero.

 

          “You might want to be careful, Relena. Heero’s with me and I would hate for his family to have to join in on the slander suit my Uncle Damien has built against you.” Relena visibly paled at that.

 

          “Your uncle… is he… Damien Maxwell?” For a moment I wanted to say ‘Duh’, but that would have killed all of my fun and I -was- having fun.

 

          “Of course. Before he became an accountant, he was the best lawyer there was. How far do you think you’ll get before you never write another thing?” Relena got even more pale, which I found surprising and amazing at the same time. She then stormed off without another word. I grinned and dropped my arm from around Heero’s waist. That had been a very snobbish fight. I could have handled it without talk of lawsuits… but I think that’s all Relena really would have caved to.

 

          My little power tip yesterday had made me happy. Yet I knew it was a false happiness. They didn’t like me for me. They had liked me for what I had. And yet, I hadn’t been able to control myself. Years of dealing with the rich, snobby brats like Relena had taught me just how to act like one, claws and all.

 

          “Duo?” Heero asked softly, looking down at me. I looked up at him, a warm blush across my cheeks at my possessive actions.

 

          “Sorry, Hee-chan. I was winging it. What did her pinkness want anyway?” I asked, instantly changing the subject and hoping he hadn’t realized how out of character I had just been. More than that, I wanted to place my arms around him again and never let go. Holding him had become an addiction. I was rapidly falling in love with the Prince, but there was no way I could ever be his Princess.