Gundam Wing belongs to all those people over in Japan who created it...etc. And the name Saotome Ranma was only used for the lack of a better pseudonym. If you have any comments, flames, requests, suggestions, please send them to Suzaku1f@aol.com! --Kitsune-chan

Conflicting Obsessions: Part Three

Duo Maxwell froze in place. 'Did I just say that out loud? Did I just admit to this complete stranger that I'm a Gundam pilot? *Damn*! I think I did!' He glanced up at his abductor. The man showed no sign of having heard Duo's potentially catastrophic slip. The young pilot let out a relieved sigh, but his relief only lasted until his mind brought him back to the massacre just two blocks down. He listened, hearing only the sounds of nearing ambulances and police cars. The gunshots had ceased.

On a mental level, he realized that he was in shock. He could no longer react to what had happened, but he knew he would. He also knew that he needed to get back to the apartment quickly and inform the other pilots of what had happened. Luckily for him, he hadn't been recognized, so they were still safe. 'I hope...'

Oo-~~~-oO

Zechs Merquise eyed his chestnut-haired quarry with new contemplation. Before, his only concern was how to seduce the boy, but now, he needed to know how to extract information from the boy after seducing him. 'Feh, I'm getting weak. The seduction is always first in my mind.' He schooled his expression into one that would not show what he knew of the young pilot across from him.

To his credit, the pilot checked to see whether the older man knew his secret, studying his face and eyes very carefully. Zechs could tell that he had pulled the silent act off perfectly, as the vision gave an inaudible sigh of relief.

"What is your name?" Zechs asked, expecting a lie, but hoping for the truth. If he got the truth, he could easily find out everything else about his violet-eyed angel, not to mention the names of the other pilots. If he got a lie, any research would become an elaborate trail to a dead end. Zechs knew from experience that these boys were quite good at covering their tracks. They had to be in their business.

"I.. I'm Ranma... Saotome Ranma," the boy said, the shock clear in his shaky but beautiful voice. He was good, but Zechs doubted that he had told the truth. 'A shame really...'

"I... need to get home..." the pilot closed his eyes and slumped against the wall, his feeble attempt at standing failed.

"You are in no shape to go by yourself, if you show me the way, I can bring you there," Zechs took the opening to find out more about his vision. To his dismay, the boy shook his head vigorously and made another attempt at standing on his own. Once he was stable, he started to head toward the alley opening. Seeing his obsession about to walk away, Zechs panicked, gripped his wrist. The boy whirled around in fear, resembling a frightened fawn. Perfectly impossible violet eyes widened, taking Zechs's breath away.

"L-Let go!" the young angel cried, tugging at his wrist to no avail.

"You shouldn't go by yourself,' Zechs calmly stated, tightening his grip. The body in front of him went slack. 'Mine now,' he thought triumphantly. Zechs leaned forward, bringing his lips so close to the wide-eyed vision in front of him that he could feel a soft breath on his cheek. He closed his eyes as his lips brushed against the soft, yielding mouth of his quarry. Unprepared for the strong jerk, Zechs fell back, eyes snapping open as the boy sprinted out of the narrow alley.

Oo-~~~-oO

Duo Maxwell ran for all he was worth. It seemed like a mile to the end of the block, but he flew there in mere seconds. Once he was three blocks away, he risked a glance behind him. To his relief, the man was only just exiting the alley at a walk. The man stopped, looking after Duo, then turned down the street, strolling in the other direction.

Duo continued pounding up sidewalks and alleys until he was only a block away from the apartment. Running inside a small alleyway, he caught his breath. The pilot touched his lips softly, closing his eyes. 'Damn! My first kiss from someone I don't know! A *man* I don't know! Heero...'

Blackness crowded the edge of his vision, telling him that unconsciousness was not far away. Duo sprinted the last block to the apartment. He could not remember going up the six flights of stairs to the large apartment. Nor could he remember opening the door to the apartment. All he could remember was hearing *that voice* call his name as he collapsed to the ground, the blessed blackness taking him finally.

Oo-~~~-oO

Zechs Merquise resumed a standing position, dusting himself off. 'Unexpected. Good, boy, take the enemy by surprise,' he appraised. Sliding out of the alley, he looked to his right. The young pilot was waiting, three blocks away. His heavy panting and wind-blown hair caught Zechs's imagination, distracting him from the moment at hand for more pleasant situations involving that panting.

Zech's held the angel's gaze for a minute, then turned down the street. Holding a small mirror up, he caught the boy's relieved expression. Fear still ruling, the boy turned and continued running up the street, out of sight. 'Feh, if you think I'm giving up on you, my dear angel, you are sorely mistaken.' Zechs turned the corner, using the side of the adjacent building to help him leap to the top of a small apartment building.

End of Part Three!

Author's notes: First, I don't think they "building hop" in Gundam Wing, but I think that they should. I love it in Clamp's works and in Ranma. It's so much more efficient than simple walking or driving. Less traffic too. Sorry if this chapter was a little short. I thought it was a good place to end it. Please send comments! I really appreciate it, even if it's a flame! Also, sorry if the first two chapters weren't very well edited, I was on vanilla latte, I swear that there's some kind of drug in there. Write! Now! Suzaku1f@aol.com! --Kitsune-chan