Gundam Wing belongs to a bunch of people across the ocean in Japan, a bunch of very WONDERFUL people. --Kitsune-chan

Conflicting Obsessions: Part Eight

Ayaji Mitsumo glanced out the viewscreen of his Leo at the braided boy down below. Ranma was waving frantically and calling out to him.

"Oi! Aya-kun!" Ranma had stopped using "-san" two days after they had met. Ayaji wasn't sure when Ranma had begun addressing him as if they were grammar school friends. Ayaji could only wait in dread of the time when Ranma would call him "Aya-chan." Just the thought was enough to give him shivers.

"Yes, Ranma-kun?"

"Getcher butt down here! You'll miss lunch! Cook said it was mac 'n' cheese today and that she'd save me some, but I don't know for how long!" Ayaji rolled his eyes. 'Poor Cook thinks he's the cutest thing since Mickey Mouse... She'd save an entire pot for him. And he'd eat it, too.'

"Mac 'n' cheese? Why didn't you say so!" Ayaji moved his Leo to the boarding dock and hopped out, sliding down the back. He grabbed Ranma's hand and dragged the purple-eyed boy along with him down the halls toward the lunchroom. They pulled into line, almost the last people.

The glum cook turned from plopping the macaroni and cheese on pilots' plates. She visibly brightened to glowing at the sight of the bouncing boy next to Ayaji.

"Good afternoon, Ranma-kun! Would you like a big helping today?"

"Would I ever! Thank you!" Ranma's eyes widened at the massive glob of macaroni on his plate. Cook smiled a motherly smile at Ayaji as Ranma ran off to get his drink. Her smile told him exactly how much she saw the brunette boy as a son. He hoped his return smile didn't tell her his own feelings for Ranma.

Oo-~~~-oO

Duo Maxwell ate each bite of his macaroni and cheese reverently. After lunch, he whistled as he made his way to General Vingt-sept's quarters for a game of chess. The general had held to his promise to let Duo cheat, but to the chestnut haired boy's credit, most of the time, the general didn't even know he had cheated until well after the fact. 'This mission has taken two months already... Heero, I miss you, you baka.'

He lightly tapped on the door and pushed it open. The general was seated at the coffee table, looking out the window. He turned to Duo and stared at him for a while. Duo shifted from foot to foot, nervously.

"Uh... yo... Can I sit down?" The general nodded and started to speak as Duo sat down.

"Ranma, it's about time I made an heir for myself," he refused to look at Duo now. "Commander Zechs will be here tomorrow, and he should see the heir-taking ceremony. I really should have told you this sooner, but... I was nervous," there was a pause, then, "Saotome Ranma, will you be my son?"

Duo blinked. "Uh... yeah." The man looked relieved, and didn't bother to correct Duo's lack of manners.

"There is a lot of responsibility I hold, and even though you won't immediately become a general of Oz when I retire, you need the information I keep so that you can report to Khushrenada and run my estates." Duo nearly smirked. This mission was going exactly as planned. 'I can get the information tonight, and be gone before noon tomorrow! And then I can see Heero again!' He looked at the general. ,p> "I can start studying your files tonight," Duo realised that he sounded too eager. "I mean, the workings of Oz are really fascinating, and it would be fun to see all the stuff that we don't get to see every day." Now, instead of sounding suspicious, he sounded corny. But that was all right, because the older man didn't seem to notice. The general smiled fondly and nodded.

"I'm going to sleep now, you can stay in here and look through the files, but you should rest up for the ceremony tomorrow." With that, the man walked into his bedchamber, his step a little lighter than it had been for the past week. 'All right! Heero Yuy, you couldn't have done it better!' Duo sat down to work, taking out the zip disk he carried everywhere with him, in case of an opportunity such as this.

Oo-~~~-oO

Duo Maxwell's eyelids began to droop. 'It's already three? I didn't know this guy had *this* much information!' He trudged onward, determined to finish collecting the information that night. He was so tired that he didn't notice the general slipping out of his bedroom.

"Ranma, don't you think you should go to bed now? It's late and tomorrow's a big day," he startled Duo. 'Shit! Oh well, no use insisting to stay up. That would look too suspicious.' He yawned, sleepily. 'Besides, I can always finish tomorrow night.' He nodded, and slipped his zip disk back into his pocket without Vingt-sept noticing.

He said goodnight and crept back to his room. 'At least I sent Quatre about half of the files and have backup on my disk already.'

Oo-~~~-oO

Ayaji Mitsumo lay in bed, waiting for Ranma to come in. He looked at his watch as the younger boy sneaked in quietly, so as not to disturb him.

"You were out late, Ranma," Ayaji's voice was light, but Ranma still jumped. "Guilty conscience?" Ranma laughed nervously.

"You scared me, man! It's weird having someone start talking when you think they're sleeping!"

"You talk in your sleep, you know," Ayaji teased.

"No way!"

"Way. Sometimes I hear you say,'Heero!'" Ayaji made his voice especially light on that one. The memory of Ranma whispering someone else's name like that still hurt. Ranma yelped and hid his face in the pillows. After a while, Ayaji broke the silence.

"Ne, Ranma? What do you think about the Gundam pilots?"

"The Gundam pilots? What brought them up?"

"I heard about another contingent of Aries four of them blew up today. I really wish they didn't exist. Why do they have to attack us like this?" After a pause, Ranma answered.

"I think they believe in what they fight for. They believe that what they're doing will protect the colonies."

"Really? I think they're just doing it to become famous."

"I don't think so. Would you put your life on the line every day, let yourself be hunted down daily by an organization that is hundreds of times larger than yourself? Would you do that for something you don't believe in?" Ayaji rolled over to look at Ranma. The younger boy was staring up at the ceiling, a slight frown on his face.

"You know, that makes sense, Ranma-kun. Maybe you're right. But I still would do anything to stop them from screwing everything up for Oz, even kill them."

Oo-~~~-oO

General Vingt-sept stood at the end of the meeting hall. Ranma, who was at least a foot shorter than him, stood by his side and spoke with his friend, Mitsumo. Treize Khushrenada stood off to the left, speaking quietly with another officer. Vingt-sept wiped his brow. He was glad the silly ceremony was over. The priest had insisted on making a big deal. If Ranma weren't so devoutly Catholic, Vingt-sept wouldn't have even had a priest there, and would make it merely a legal bind. It was a shame Zechs's plane was late; he had missed the event.

He patted the teenager on the back. Ranma smiled weakly up at him. 'I *knew* he should have gotten more sleep! I shouldn't have bothered him with the files.' Treize approached them, and smiled down at Ranma.

"Congratulations, boy. To think that you could win the trust of a man such as Vingt-sept. An accomplishment, indeed." Ranma resembled a trapped animal. He shifted back from Treize, but responded with a steady voice.

"Thank you, sir. It's an honor to be named his heir."

The three men turned as the door opened and Commander Zechs was announced.

Oo-~~~-oO

Ayaji Mitsumo watched Ranma closely. 'I've never seen him quiet for this long...' He shrugged it off. Any excuse to study Ranma was a good one. 'Two months now... And it didn't even take me two days to fall in love with him.' Everything about the smaller boy captivated him. The long coppery chestnut hair rarely seen down, the shimmering blue-violet eyes, the maniacal grin, the bright cheerfulness... Ayaji could spend days pouring over every detail. 'And the best part is, he's not the type to break a heart... I think I'll tell him tonight.' Ayaji could feel his heart soar with the prospect of telling Ranma about how he felt.

Ayaji didn't bother to listen to the long-winded story Ranma was telling him; he'd listened to at least six in the past half-hour. Ranma was only talking for the comfort of the act, Ayaji was sure. He didn't know what had Ranma so anxious. It was an important day, but Ranma should be proud. Ayaji knew that Ranma had no family, but he didn't know anymore than that. 'Maybe it's the worry of having a family.'

Ranma tugged his arm, pulling him towards the refreshment table. The younger boy grabbed a glass of punch with both hands and sipped at it, still talking away. Ayaji couldn't help but smile a soft smile that froze as the most gorgeous man he had ever seen entered the room. A mask covered his eyes and the bridge of his nose. He was announced as the Commander Zechs Merquise.

Oo-~~~-oO

Zechs Merquise strode into the reception hall, aware of the fact that he had missed the event, but not really caring. To him, General Vingt-sept was a pawn. The only reason he came was to see who the heir was, and if he were truly strong enough and smart enough to replace the old general. If not, a more suitable soldier could take the position in the usual way. Zechs took a quick inventory of the room, and headed over to Treize and the general.

He had been avoiding Treize ever since their encounter; he was too confused by it. He had also wandered around the part of town the night club was in, and had even waited outside the apartment building he had seen the vision enter. But all to no avail; his sparkling angel was nowhere to be found. Zechs suspected that he was going into withdrawal, addicted after only a short forty-five minutes.

"Treize. General. How good to see you. I'm so sorry to have missed the event," he couldn't quite keep the blush off his face or out of his voice as he looked at Treize. The rapt attention Treize paid to his every move certainly did not help matters. Zechs leaned comfortably back against a cloth-covered table, trying for a cool composure. The general was much as Zechs recalled him, but now he had a contented smile on his face, a sight rarely seen before.

"Greetings, Zechs. How is Lieutenant Noin? I remember back when she was only a trainee! And look how far she's come!" They chatted idly for a short while before the general glanced over at the refreshment table and began to beam with pride. "I don't believe you've met Ranma. Ranma, would you come here a moment?"

Zechs was too busy trying to evade Treize's wandering hands to look at the boy sauntering over to them. 'In the middle of a party! What if someone sees? Not... there...' He lowered his head to hide his blush and shifted over where if Treize tried to make a move, the table would no longer hide his hands. Then he looked up.

His eyes widened and his blood rushed in his ears. 'It can't be!' Standing in front of him was his angel, only now dressed in military uniform instead of black and midnight blue. His hair was tied back in a neat braid, and he seemed more bright than sensual now. Zechs noticed he had been staring, and the boy in front of him shifted nervously.

"Saotome Ranma. We've met," Zechs commended himself on the stableness of his own voice. 'He uses the same name as he did that night. Maybe it is his real name.' Lilac eyes widened in surprise, the struggle for recognition obvious. Zechs turned to the general. "I'm sorry to say so, but you have been taken for a fool Vingt-sept."

The general huffed. "How so, Commander Zechs?" Zechs nodded and stepped forward, taking Ranma's chin in his hand and tilted the boy's face up toward his.

"Because this boy is a Gundam pilot."

Oo-~~~-oO

Duo Maxwell froze. 'Oh shit! Ohshitohshitohshit!' There was silence around them, and Duo tried to figure out what to do. 'How the hell does he know?... The nightclub! The fuckin' nightclub! He's that guy! He must have heard me!'

"Do you have any proof?" General Vingt-sept's voice was a bit shaky, but with obvious venom behind it.

"Proof can be easily obtained. Guards, check his room," Treize's voice raised. 'Crap! All my stuff is under my bed.' Duo tried to pull away from Zechs, but the larger man grabbed his wrists, and smiled.

"De ja vu?" Zechs's eyes moved all over him, a strange light in them. Duo didn't like it one bit. He looked over at the general, who was seated and drinking heavy liquor. The man's eyes were unfocused. No help from there. He glanced at Ayaji. The maroon haired boy was staring at him, hands to his mouth, and his eyes were wet. No help there either; Duo could worry later about why he was actually crying.

Duo had no more time to plan escape. The guards came back in, holding his personal things. Treize strode over to them, and they talked quietly. Treize turned to address Zechs.

"Lock him up in the room adjoining yours. I trust you to watch him carefully."

Oo-~~~-oO

Zechs Merquise was elated. No, elated couldn't even begin to describe the feeling. All the late night dreams were coming back to mind as he strode to the elevator that would take him, the boy, and the four guards set to escort the captive to Zechs's rooms. 'Treize and my new pet in one building... this is going to make some hard work for the hormones.'

He spoke the voice command to open his door, and the guards led Ranma to the chaise lounge in the corner of his reception room. They attached the manacles to the wall, bowed to Zechs, and left the apartment.

For a while, they just watched each other. Zechs stood by the door and made no attempt to keep the desire out of his gaze. Ranma lay helpless and tried desperately to look otherwise.

"Oh, I seem to have forgotten my manners. Would you like some wine?" Zechs almost smirked as he said this, but Ranma made no sign that he noticed.

"I don't drink," despite Ranma's calm exterior, his voice shook with a bit of fear. "Underage."

Zechs did smirk then. He had caught the implication. 'The poor boy is already worried that I'll take advantage of him. Such an accurate observation.' He poured two glasses of wine anyway, and carried them over to the chaise lounge. He seated himself at Ranma's feet and sipped at his wine, watching the boy. He offered the other glass to Ranma, who sniffed it, and shook his head.

"You are a prisoner here, and you had better not waste the food and drink offered to you. It might not be offered again." Zechs held out the wine glass once more, and the boy leaned forward to sip from it. Zechs removed one of his chains from the wall and held the chain so that the young pilot could hold his own wine glass.

"So is Saotome Ranma your real name?" Zechs said conversationally. Ranma tilted his head back and looked him up and down.

"Maybe," the pilot returned, obviously testing him. Zechs merely took a sip of his wine as he raised one perfect eyebrow. He leaned closer and returned the manacle to the wall, taking the empty wine glass from the boy's hand.

"You know, I searched all over for you since that night." Ranma swallowed audibly as Zechs leaned closer. "I've wanted you from the moment I first saw you. I was determined to have you. And look... what... we... have... here..." His gaze drifted to the direct vicinity of Ranma's groin. A slow smile graced his face to match the blush on the other's. He reached out to brush his fingertips against the young man's hip and heard a sharp intake of breath. The fingertips wandered over the top of the hip to the place where his eyes were fixated. He applied more pressure and watched Ranma close his eyes and bite his lip.

Zechs chuckled darkly as the penis beneath his fingers began to rise. A few more teasing moments and his hand moved to the zipper.

Oo-~~~-oO

Duo Maxwell could not believe what was happening. 'I'm getting felt up by the highest ranking Oz pilot. Oh my God. My diary just keeps getting weirder.' His eyes flew open as he felt his pants unzip and the button come undone. Zechs's face was frighteningly close to places only he himself had ever touched. The Oz pilot smirked as he lowered his face to take in Duo's erection. 'Forgive me, Heero!'

Oo-~~~-oO

Zechs Merquise fit his mouth around the tip of Ranma's shaft. 'I will not satisfy myself until he begs me to take him. That may take a matter of minutes, days, or even weeks, but it will happen.'

He flicked his tongue across the slit a the top, then harder in response to the throaty moan emitted from the younger man. His fingertips drew small circles on the globes that hung beneath his prize, then turned to massaging. Half-lidded eyes took in all the chains binding Ranma to the chaise lounge. He became even more aroused by the thought of his angel completely helpless, so he began deep-throating the boy's erection with vigor, but caught himself as Ranma got too desperate. The more the young pilot needed, the less Zechs would give. He knew this was a game of dangling over the edge for the boy. He also knew that being young and completely inexperienced, Ranma would not last much longer.

After a minute longer of driving his perfect one mad with the need for release, Zechs took Ranma in to the hilt, sucked hard, and hummed. Ranma cried out and arched his back as much as he could, spilling into Zechs's lips. Zechs sat up, his eyes dark, wiped his mouth and smirked at the wide-eyed boy. With a zip of Ranma's pants and a last pat to the groin, Zechs left for his room.

Oo-~~~-oO

Lady Une watched the replay of what had just happened in Zechs's quarters, her arms folded over her chest and her face set in a delicate frown. 'This will *not* do. I have to get rid of the boy somehow... If I kill him, Treize will know and be very angry. If I release him, I risk getting caught and also incurring Treize's wrath. I have to get rid of him somehow...'

End of Part Eight!

Author's notes: That only took about eighty years to finish. But I had so much to do! I swear, summer is a busier time than any other season! Please write! --Kitsune-chan