by Quicksylver
This is a 'Sequel by request' from one of the readers. It's the continuation of Cold Flame.
I treid to come up with a good story line to bring Ivory back and this is what i fianlly decided on.
This contains Death, shounen ai and other mild stuff. Explosive ending... (chuckle)
Enjoy!
Bordeaux
Capital City
Sanq Kingdom.
Relena yawned daintily, already bored at the latest ball that, as princess, she had to attend. Soft voices and the false laughter of the aristocratic echoed through the gold and cream ordained ballroom. From wall to expansive wall the creme de la creme of the world littered the dance floor, talking rubbish and glugging champagne. At least, that what it looked like to the princess. She flipped her wheat coloured tresses and devoted her shortening attention span to the way her designer pearl white ball gown swished as she swayed from side to side. Being princess did have its perks. Even when she was the Vice Foreign Minister's daughter she couldn't afford dresses like these.
She sighed at the memory and swiped a crystal glass from a passing waiter. At least that old woman who accompanied her everywhere was not around. Relena grimaced as the hard face of Madam Lyons popped into her sight. Time to make a strategic withdrawal, she thought, ducking out the nearby doors out into the stone veranda. The air was warm, the summer's in the Sanq kingdom where always warm and seemed to be heavy with the wine that her kingdom was acclaimed for. The moon was hidden behind some clouds leaving the dim golden lamps hung along the veranda to drape the area with a rich golden hue.
Relena took a swig of her drink, gasping as the liquor burned down her throat. Her eyes teared up as she struck her chest lightly. A soft chuckle caught her attention. She swung around, now alert. Someone was out here with her. She looked around, scanning the shadowed corners of the veranda. She could see nothing; the shadows were too thick.
"Who's there?" she demanded, putting all of her brass and command into her words.
There was no answer. She rested the glass on the wide railing and stood tall, her back ramrod straight.
"I demand that you reveal yourself to me this instant!" she almost shouted.
There was a rustle and the telltale clink of a genuine crystal glass. Relena braced herself, ready to either scream her head off or make a run for it. Out of the velvet cloak off shadow came a pale hand holding a half-filled glass of white wine, which glittered almost gaudily, in the golden light from inside the ballroom. She held her breath. A well-built frame, accented by an exquisitely tailored black suit followed the hand. Pale blonde hair hung straight and well groomed over the broad shoulders. Relena's eyes traveled up the torso slowly, her eyes caressing openly the intruder.
Her face tingled as she finally reached the face. He was beautiful, a pale Apollo with a tiny extremely sexy smile. His eyes were orbs of blue frost, clear and endless in their depths. Like the Arctic skies, she sighed to herself as he walked closer.Soon he was close enough to touch, only then did she realize that she was staring and blushed crimson, bowing her head in humiliation. He tilted her head gently so that her eyes met his and she was instantly trapped in the frosty blue rip tide. He was so close now, almost a breath away.
"Mamselle..." he breathed lightly. Relena held her breath. "I feel... that if I should do as you ask, and 'reveal' myself to one of such delicate stature as you..." he leaned in just a bit closer. Her heartbeat was now past triple time, it was in sudden death, and any minute now she would explode.He continued at a whisper " ... I would not be much of a gentleman."
Her heart stopped, he was close enough to kiss. Blood rushed through her head as he suddenly pulled away. She blinked in disappointment at the sudden gap between them. The heat of his body was no longer near and a chill air caused her to shiver. With a sultry smile he shed his jacket and placed it on her bare shoulders. She blushed again as he cordially took her hand in his and kissed it. It was not the first time that she had received this courtesy but those times were nothing compared to the feel of his lips as they caressed her knuckles.
" I am pleased to meet you" She finally found her voice to say, " and you are...?"
The now welcome intruder bowed low. "My name, my exquisite mamselle..." he said in a low husky voice that rang sweet in her ears like the bells of the cathedral, " is Ivory Dumont."
************
L'hotel Chapeaux Bas
(Hats off hotel)
Southern Outskirts of Bordeaux
Sanq kingdom
The small suite on the first floor was dark. The only light coming through the shabby curtains from the husky yellow street light. A slim figure slinked silently through the crowded suite, maneuvering around the old furniture that could have been called tacky once but now just stood there, the relics of some old attic perhaps. The figure slipped into the bedroom area, flicking on the small Apple 'I -Pad' [1] laptop that sat on a faded wooden writing desk. The garish blue-green of the machine gave the small bedroom a macabre look. The bed was neatly made, the room undisturbed.
The only evidence that someone actually resided there was the hard black case that stood like a monolith in one corner of the room. The silent figure walked into the cramped bathroom as the small machine whirred to life. Quickly, the only occupant stripped down, stepping into the tiny douche [2]. Hot streams of water jetted out of the showerhead, pounding into tense muscles with a relaxing consistency. As the rivulets ran down his sculpted frame, the bather sighed and let out a small chuckle. That had almost been too easy. He thought back earlier into the night.
During their brief time together she had looked ready to faint, hanging on to his every word, every action. Like a starving dog. He had been unsure of mission success the day the assignment came, but the pay had been very good so he accepted. He had intended to just scope out his target, watching from the shadows. He would learn her way, how she spoke, how she moved across the dance floor with old aristocrat after another, bored to tears. He hadn't expected her to wander out unto the veranda, so close to where he was.
Her antics had insighted a chuckle from him, he couldn't stop himself. She had already heard. He had cursed himself silently for being so careless. But it had all turned out to his advantage. She was apparently smitten with him so he decided to play along. They talked and danced for hours, or rather she talked while they danced. He feigned attentiveness as he eyed the crowd for reaction. Reaction came in the form of an old biddy who he had been introduced to as Madam Lyons. She was a hawk, soaking in their every move with large unblinking eyes.
He would have to find some way to bypass her, if he ever wanted to get the job done. As they made another round around the immense ballroom floor a brilliant plan formulated in his mind. He smiled and she blushed, continuing to chatter away. He toweled his hair roughly as he strode into the bedroom naked. With the small hotel towel draped over his shoulder he sat at the laptop and logged on. The payment had already been transferred along with expenses and a bonus.
This job was big, and he came highly recommended. He switched off the computer and dropped unto the old style bed, his body still damp from the shower. Tomorrow he would make preparations. He yawned, sleep claiming him. Yes, tomorrow he would plan the death of Relena Peacecraft.
***************
Chateaux de L'orages [3]
Nantes City
North west of Bordeaux
Sanq kingdom
Relena sighed and leaned back into the easy chair in the large den. The large fire roared before as she watched the wooden logs snap and pop as they burned. She sipped tentatively at her hot chocolate. Visiting the Peacecraft Summer house had always been one of her secret pleasures. A luxurious getaway from the stress of ruling, the rigors of war. A warm hand rested on her shoulder and she looked up, a smile on her face. She couldn't believe how fast she had fallen in love. Ivory was everything she hoped for in a man. He was wise and strong, romantic and caring, not to mention drop dead georgeous.
He sat next to her and she moulded her body against his well-toned torso. He gently kissed her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder. In the short time they had known each other she had found her soul mate. Orphaned at a young age, he had inherited a small winery in the rural district. Times had been tough but he had managed to scrape by, turning a small profit. She admired him for his strength, her own past a source of empathy. He had come to the capital to seek investors among the rich when they had met. His fluent French and excellent manners had bowled her over; as well as her mother and every one he met.
When they kissed she tingled all over, never wanting it to end. Many times she had subtly offered herself to him and every time he had been a gentleman, preserving her innocence out of respect. It will be soon though, she thought to her self as she listened to his heartbeat through the soft knit of the sweater he wore. She snuggled against him, sighing. Any day now, she smiled, I'll get to show you how much I love you Ivory DuMont.
*****************
Fatshan's Fast Food
Chungking City
China
Duo stretched like a cat. He was stuffed. He looked down at his empty bowl and yawned. Across the table Heero continued to eat, ignoring Duo's antics and the noise of the small restaurant. They had been staying with some colony sympathizers deep in the slums of Chunking for the past month. Duo and Wufei had both loved the noisy streets from the minute they piled off the shuttle, always filled with people and animals of all sizes. The rich smell of food and sweat that saturated everything. Even his lover's hair smelled Chinese. Said lover was now watching him eat intently.
They came here often as the prices were low and there was an 'all you can eat' buffet which even Duo couldn't put a dent into. He looked up into sparkling dark indigo and blinked in mid chew. Duo laughed at the sight, his voice blending in with the shouts and laughs of the other patrons. The braided pilot turned away to watch two old men fighting over a Ma Jong game that was now in full swing. Heero watched him watching them. Everything was new for Duo, his childlike wonder never ceasing to amaze all. Who knew Shinigami could be so curious. He had to know everything, what was this... what was that. It all had to be explained, bought, studied, lavished and tucked away in that mind of his.
He thought about the others, Wufei was in his element, dragging them all off time and time again to some god-forsaken part of the city or countryside during this recent slow period. Trowa seemed serene, after that incident at the school he stayed close to Quatre, a silent protector. Quatre welcomed the comfort. Ever since the explosion he seemed different somehow. More subdued than usual. He had explained what had happened before Trowa found him that night but Heero knew deep down that he had not told them everything. Something had happened that Quatre didn't want them to know.
He looked down at his noodles. Now was not the time. He trusted Quatre and could wait until the boy wanted to talk. Duo had resumed his staring, fascinated by the way the so-called Perfect Soldier slurped at the slippery pasta. Soon they were outside, wandering the streets leading to their safe house. Sometimes they would wander into small shops, trinket stores and other places that caught the eye.
A small roadside newsstand selling English magazines caused Duo to suddenly jerk Heero in that direction. Heero sighed as hungry violet eyes scanned the wire stand, finally resting on a sleazy tabloid. Heero's eyes widened as he looked over a stunned Duo's shoulder. Quickly they bought the rag and bounded towards the safe house, hell hounds and a 'Sleaze International Exclusive' article at their heels.
**************
La Lune Rose
Rue Bourbon
Bordeaux City
Sanq kingdom.
Trent Xavier stumbled out of the brothel unto the cold damp street. His sandy blonde hair was damp and filthy as it stuck to his pale thin face and around tiny black eyes. His clothes were soiled and ratted as he struggled to stand upright. The low pulse of the music that blasted inside the building echoed across the stones through the now open doorway. He turned somewhat clumsily to show a middle finger to the large ugly bouncer that scowled darkly in the red neon light. As the heavy door closed finally, Trent made his way down the narrow alleyway, knocking down trashcans and tripping over old boxes.
Suddenly he stopped. Standing before him was a pale boy, dressed in long dark cloak. His blonde hair hung loose around his face like silk curtains. He had the look of a young socialite. They were about the same age, both slim and lean, about the same height too. I could take him in a fight easy; Trent chuckled as the boy simply stared at him. Probly came here fer sum action, he thought to himself wickedly. Seems like an easy target.
He pulled out his small switchblade and threatened the boy openly. The boy dodged the first thrust easily, grabbing the drunk's hand to pin it behind him in a painful twist. Trent gave a strangled cry as he felt the needle pierce the back of his neck, driving into the tender spinal cord. Ivory quickly withdrew the bloodied syringe and tossed it into one of the large rubbish piles that decorated the alley.
Trent's body lay twisted on the wet stones, his face trapped in the grotesque expression with which he died. As Ivory maneuvered the car down the winding streets, He thought about his precious cargo. The pexadrin [4] he had taken from a local clinic was crude at best but it served his purpose well. Undetectable by modern tests, it impossible to determine the real cause of death. Just what he needed if he wanted his plan to go well.
********************
Tienshui House
Chunking City
China
Wufei squatted near the kitchen fire, playing marbles with little Han, the son of the woman they were currently staying with. The child laughed as the Shenlong pilot made the big blue orb knock two more out of the crude circle drawn on the ground. His concentration was rudely interrupted when Duo came bursting into the yard with Heero at his heels. He could only stare as they rushed past him into the main house where Quatre and Trowa were.
With the promise of a later game, he excused himself and hurried in to see just what all the rush was for. Inside, a panting Duo was showing a wind blown magazine to a shocked Quatre. Wufei crossed his arms and tsked.
"All this hustle for a stupid tabloid. Duo... you are truly American." He groused
.Heero turned, his face serious."It's not the magazine but what's on the cover." He stated.
Wufei's curiosity peaked. The cover? He maneuvered around Trowa nimbly in order to take a good look. What he saw stunned him. It was a picture of Relena Peacecraft at a recent ball. But what caught his eye was not her dress, or where she was but whom she was with in the picture.
"But that's the boy from..." he began.
"... the school." Trowa finished.
"Ivory St. Claire" Quatre breathed, turning away.
No one noticed the blonde's sudden mood change as they read the following article. Relena's new beau, now known as Ivory DuMont, was relatively new to the social scene as well as handsome and very rich. Trowa, who had turned away for a minute, looked with troubled eyes toward Quatre, who couldn't even bring his fade up to glance at the story.
"Is something wrong Quatre?" he asked gently as Duo teased Heero about getting dumped by Relena for a wine maker in the background.
"Anou... " the blonde said softly, turning his face away from Trowa's piercing eyes.
"What is it Q?" Duo asked, his face now solemn as well.
Quatre looked up at them all; they were waiting for him to speak. "There's something I didn't tell you about that night..." he began.
Five minutes later Duo 's shout echoed through the wooden room.
"He's your WHAT?"
"My nephew. You see, the year I was born my sister eloped with a foreigner to India where she had a son. When he was just a boy she abandoned him and only when he was about ten did we find him. But soon after he disappeared again only to show up at the school five more years later. It was chance that we found each other and the only reason that I'm alive today. He saved my life, twice." Quatre rang his hands together, sorrow showing behind his eyes.
Heero stood abruptly and suggested they go immediately to the Sanq kingdom.
"If he is what I think he is... Relena may be in mortal danger." He offered.
They all agreed. People like Ivory didn't fall in love with people like Relena without some ulterior motive. They would have to move fast, he wasn't the kind of professional who stayed long at any task.Quatre watched as Trowa and Heero discussed travel arrangements. Ivory, what are you planning? He wondered. He knew what the boy was capable of and hoped that they would reach there in time to stop anything dreadful from happening.
*******************
Chateaux de L'orages
Nantes City
Sanq kingdom
Ivory threw the riding jacket that he had just tugged off of his back over the carved wooden chaise. The navy garment was muddy and damp with sweat. He and Relena had gone riding alone, galloping over the lush green countryside. They had finally stopped at a small grove for a while to rest, lying on the grass cuddled together. They had been in deep lip lock for only two minutes when it began to rain. Relena laughed as they ran for shelter, skidding and sliding over the already muddy ground.
Under the shelter if a large tree they kissed while the rain dripped through the thick foliage. He shook his head at the memory, stripping out of the rest of the dirty smeared habit. Playing loving boyfriend was never his thing. He couldn't believe that she would take his sob story to heart like that. Struggling French orphan, trying to make it in the big bad world. It was what she wanted to hear... what made him even more alluring.
He had just slipped the spotless white towel around his waist when there was a sharp rapid knock on the door. Ivory paused. The knock came again, harder and more commanding. He sighed and opened the door completely, not caring if his half-naked state raised eyebrows. The hawk faced governess scowled at him through the open doorway, her tight hard face glaring at him with daggers in her eyes. Not now you old bitch, Ivory grumbled inwardly as she stalked past him into the suite.
"Is there something you wanted Madam Lyons?" he inquired with a false courtesy.
She spun on her low heels to stare him straight in the eye. "I should be asking the same of you Monsieur DuMont... if that is even your real name." She spat.The blonde raised an eyebrow.
"Whatever do you mean Madam?" he asked, feigning shock.
"Listen here boy..." she growled, leaning closer, "... my sole duty is protect Mademoiselle Peacecraft ...sometimes even from herself and I'll be damned if I let a little con artist impostor like you come here and hurt her in any way. I checked up on you. There is no winery in the countryside. According to my sources...you don't even exist. I'm on to you... and soon the police will be too. Just you wait until Mademoiselle Peacecraft hears of this. You will not be able to swindle her anymore you... you gold digger you!"
Ivory chuckled and shook his head. "Poor Madam Lyons..." he sighed, walking towards her slowly.
For every step forward, she took one back until she was against the wall. Quickly he pinned her down, his hand over her mouth and nose to stop her from screaming. He looked into her eyes, no longer hard and angry but afraid. With a small smirk he tightened his grip on her face, cutting off the air to her aging lungs.
"Poor poor madam Lyons. I didn't want it to come to this." He said as she struggled to breathe. "There was no need for you to die. Relena is the only one I'm here for. But thus is the price of war I suppose, sacrifices must be made in order to complete the mission. I am sure you would be touched if I told you that Relena would miss you terribly after you were gone but I'm afraid she won't be alive long enough to find out that you were dead. A real pity, no?"
The old woman's eyes widened as she realized his intention. She tried to struggle but he was too strong and she was on the verge of collapsing. Ivory held steadfast as she slowly went limp, her dark beady eyes rolling back into her head. Slowly he let her body slide down the wall to land with a soft thump on the lush carpet. He looked down at her dead body and pondered the change in plans. I have to move fast, he thought, the job must be done tonight before it's too late. Hastily he slipped on a pair of tight black jeans and a slim fitting black turtleneck.
Stuffing a black skullcap into his back pocket he slipped into the deserted corridor, swiftly dragging the body quietly until he came to her personal quarters. Dragging the corpse into the private toilette he ran hot bath in the large tub. He then stripped the still warm body clean and slid it into the tub. He held the body under the water for a few minutes to ensure that if an autopsy were to be done that water would be found in her lungs. Cases of seniors drowning in the bath were not uncommon and it seemed the perfect way to dismiss foul play. Satisfied with his work, he clicked on the old radio and slipped out of the room just as quietly and headed down the darkened corridor into the shadows.
*************************
Peacecraft Manor
Bordeaux City
Sanq Kingdom
Lucrezia Noin listened carefully while the gundam pilots explained their sudden appearance. The possibility that the Ivory DuMont she had met and liked right off the bat could be a cold- blooded mercenary was beyond her grasp. It took some charismatic persuasion from Duo and a shocking confession from Quatre for her to spring into action. To have the princess of the Sanq kingdom in the clutches of a killer was frightening. All calls to the summerhouse proved ineffective as the stormy weather in that area had felled an important phone line. They would just have to rush to Nantes in the hope that they were not already too late.
*******************
11:56pm
Boat House
Chateaux de L'orages
Nantes City
Sanq kingdom
Relena shivered slightly, not from the cold but from barely suppressed excitement. Ivory had surprised her with a midnight rendezvous at the boathouse. She was almost certain that they were going to make love tonight. Ivory seemed extra charming, whispering in her ears as they hurried to the lake side structure with only a small lamp to guide them. The moon was smothered completely by the receding storm clouds that drenched the earth earlier. She looked out onto the lake, the water dark and thick like oil in the dark night air.
She looked around. Ivory had gone into a side room, leaving her alone on the deck. As she stepped closer to the small lamp her foot brushed against some tarpaulin. She muttered a curse as she kicked the fool thing for smearing her shoe with some kind of goo. As she kicked it once more the tarp flipped over, revealing a head of hair. She swallowed a scream, lifting the covering the rest of the way with trembling hands. Wide unseeing eyes stared up at her and she backed away in shock. She turned and almost slammed into Ivory who stood directly behind her.
"Oh Ivory!" she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck.
With an icy glare he peeled her off of him and pushed her to the ground. She could only stare in shock as he began to tie her feet with a thin tight band. As she tried to speak he quickly stuffed a dirty rag in her mouth, ignoring the choking sound she made. She finally came to her senses and began to struggle but it was too late. After tying her wrists he dragged her unceremoniously by her feet over to where the corpse lay.The gag muffled her screams as she continued to fight against him. Annoyed, he backhanded her, snapping her face to the side. Tears rolled down her cheeks as the stinging pain of the blow sank in. he then stood and looked down at her quivering form.
"You want to know why don't you?" he asked. Her pleading eyes gave the answer.
"I don't like to talk while I'm working but I guess you deserve an explanation. It's just a job to me... it was never anything more. You were my target... I am you executioner. I know you're thinking - 'he'll never get away with it' but you're wrong, I will. There's going to be a little accident... both of us are going to die in a freak fire during a secret rendezvous. Our friend here is going to play me of course..." he gestured to the body.
" And you Relena are going to be playing your self. Don't worry, the bands that are holding you are very special. They burn right away under heat, leaving no trace whatsoever. "
He picked up a large can of fuel and began wetting the wooden deck. As he poured the thick fluid on her, Relena struggled but in vain. The bands were too strong. She still couldn't believe that he had betrayed her. This was her Ivory, her soul mate... how could he? He squatted near her once again, tilting her face to his.
"Don't worry ma Cherie... I won't let you suffer. I promise you won't feel a thing."
She felt a sudden pin prick in her arm. He had injected something into her while she wasn't looking. She panicked, the numbness that started in her arm now spreading over her body. She looked up at him with pleading eyes but he shook his head in mock sorrow. It was too late already. He lay her limp body back against the cold tarp as her eyes lost that small spark of life. Too bad, he thought, for one so young to die...ah well... ces't la vie!
He stood. Now... to finish the job. He struck a long match watching the bright flame as it flickered in the breeze off the lake.
"Don't move!" a loud feminine voice commanded from the doorway.
It was Lucrezia Noin. How did she get here? As she edged closer to him he could see a familiar shape behind her. It was the pilot Heero Yuy. That means that little Quatre is somewhere out there, he smirked. Noin's eyes widened as she beheld the lifeless body of the princess. He took those seconds of shock to make his move. With one swift movement he dropped the match and buried his trademark stiletto in the woman's chest.
Heero watched in shock as Noin flew backwards into his arms. The gun he was holding on the blonde went off blindly, catching Ivory in the stomach. The Japanese boy gave a shout as the assassin fell back into the murky water with a large splash. Heero dropped the gun and lifted the bleeding woman into his arms. The fire around the bodies were spreading, getting closer to the reserve fuel tanks, the boathouse was going to blow any minute.
As he darted out of the building, motioning the other pilots and house security back. Then, with an earthshaking explosion, the building went up in a ball of flames, showering burning debris on the surrounding area. Heero fell from the shock wave, covering Noin's body with his. She was bleeding profusely from the deep puncture wound and as he watched, she struggled with her last breath then went limp in his arms.
The others could only stare in shock as the fact that both Noin and Relena were dead finally sank in. Wufei bowed his head in reverence while Duo could only stare speechlessly at the smoldering boathouse. Quatre wept openly in Trowa's arms. There was no way that anyone could have survived the blast, he admitted to himself, so many had died tonight... so many good people. Relena, Noin... Terri. Madam Lyons had been found earlier in her bathtub, it looked like a drowning but they all suspected fowl play.
He looked up at the moon, which was now emerging from behind the thick clouds to shine down on the horrific sight. As he and Trowa finally turned away, he knew that things would never be the same.
*********************
1:08am
Shore of the Loire River.
Sanq Kingdom.
A pale hand twitched slightly scraping at the wet dirt. The hand twitched again, followed by the arm. Blonde hair dragged wet and limp on the muddy shore as the head moved. A low groan came from the body, pain spread like fire through every muscle. Icy blue eyes blinked open, adjusting to the thick darkness. A clumsy hand fumbled over the taut stomach, pulling up the damp cloth to reveal a thin plate of body armor, complete with a flattened bullet.
Ivory groaned again and turned unto his back. He was alive... but dead tired. Muscles he didn't know he had hurt like hell as he struggled to get up. The lonely stretch of shore was deserted so he collapsed back unto the slippery dirt. Like a maniac he giggled at his good fortune. Thank you technology for great body armor, he chuckled.
Then he got serious. His dagger... damn...it was back at the boathouse. What a loss, he griped, but a small price to pay for life. He chuckled again, ... and I can always go back and see if I can find it. It should have survived the fire.... And who would ever expect a 'dead man' to return to the scene of the crime. He laughed aloud at that.
As far as the world is concerned... Ivory DuMont was dead; Relena's killer died in the blast... and he for one intended to keep it that way.
..Finis..
(waits tentatively in the wings for either roses or
tomatoes from the silent audience)
You thought they were going to save Relena in the nick of time didn't you?
I wanted the bad guy to be competent and successful for once. They're always screwing up and getting caught or killed.
Notes: To lazy... to put on bottom... must sleep...
We shall assume that France is now known as the Sanq kingdom because Sanq sounds French to me. And Relena's castle is in the new capital is in Bordeaux after Paris was destroyed the first time the Sanq kingdom was attacked.
[1] I think by then Apple would have come up with something newer than I-book.
[2] French for shower stall
[3] House of the Storms (french)
[4] Made up a drug. Hope there's no real drug by this name.
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