Blue Forest Banshee by PlaidDragon
Part 7
I didn't see Duo again for some time. That is not to say he was absent from my thoughts. I could still smell the pheromones and feel the warmth of that beautiful braid. I restrained myself from asking Q the questions that rattled around my mind, and went about my work and my recreations as if I were perfectly normal.
I was not perfectly normal.
I walked into the gymnasium one afternoon, a bit early for my appointment with Chang Wufei, a friend and fellow investigator. My personal fighting skills are without equal. However, my skill with a blade is somewhat less than perfect.
Because Wufei is without peer in swordsmanship, he finds it amusing to tutor me. Thanks to his training, I am able to counter most of his moves, but I maintain that skill only by regularly sparing with him.
As I set my gear on the mat, I scented a familiar aroma. Turning, I spotted Duo across the large room. He lay on his stomach on a mat, reading from a large book.
I couldn't help smirking. What a vision he was in Human clothing, black jeans, a bright purple t-shirt and black suede ankle boots. He stood out strikingly among the robes, tunics and breeches.
And that lovely braided tail of hair.
I found myself standing next to him. The overwhelming enticement of his pheromones tickled my nostrils only slightly. Either he had no fear of his surroundings or they were under control. Didn't matter. I knew the warmth coiling around my heart was real, not the product of infatuation.
He glanced up, noticing me, and smiled. Wonderful things, smiles. So eloquent, so evasive, so distracting...
"Hello, Heero," he said, as he rolled over and swung around to sit, cross-legged, on the mat. "I hoped I'd see you again."
::See me... Again... He hoped... So!::
Duo of the odd purple eyes patted the mat beside him in invitation.
I sat.
"The pleasure is entirely mine," I returned.
He grinned broadly.
"Thank you. You're very gallant."
I blinked. Did I have a point to this? Oh, yes. The seduction... Somehow, I'd just lost track of my thoughts. Duo didn't seem to notice.
"I wanted to apologize for my behavior at the station, and after," he continued. His pale cheeks colored a bit. "Q asked about the pheromones. I didn't know I was doing it. I'm sorry."
"Not a problem," I murmured absently.
"I didn't know they would affect anyone else. I just got out of the habit, I guess. Living in the Human world. Humans hardly notice anything."
I blinked again. This time my head cleared a bit more, and my control reasserted itself.
"It's their abysmal sense of smell," I replied automatically.
Duo looked down, playing with the heel of one boot. "Q says your senses are much better, as well as some of the other residents, so I'm working hard to reclaim my control. I would hate to embarrass myself again."
"You're doing very well."
We were both silent for a few seconds.
"Heero --"
"Duo --"
We spoke at the same moment, stopped, looked at each other, and then both laughed.
"Sorry." I indicated he should go first, and he didn't argue.
"Q says I may be ready to start working investigations in a few weeks."
"That's remarkable. What are your qualifications?"
He raised one eyebrow, drawing back slightly.
I'd been too blunt.
"I'm sorry," I began contritely. "Q hasn't told me anything about your abilities. He didn't even say whether or not you were Human." I smirked. "Although, I guessed that part."
Duo relaxed. "Oh. And I thought you knew all about me! I'm just your usual Banshee, with a few handy extra talents," he said blithely.
A Banshee!
Comprehension bloomed.
Pheromones, shyness, the feeling of discovering both something new and something familiar.
Of course!
The familiarity of the duster he'd worn that first day made sense now. My father had worn just such a cloak; I could picture it plainly now in every memory I had of him.
"But outside of your Clanhold?" I blurted out, startled. Banshees rarely traveled far from their Clans. They're one of the wariest of the Magical Races.
His expression darkened. "Some of us are wanderers."
I should know that; I saw it in the shape of my own eyes every time I looked in a mirror.
"But very rare," I offered.
He chose to ignore my faux pas.
"Well, that is true. But I am one. I can talk to animals, birds, and most reptiles. Investigators often forget that the supporting life around an incident can provide a lot of information."
"Absolutely," I agreed. "If you're going into investigations, you'll be a first choice for everything. Don't let them overwork you," I admonished.
"I can take care of myself," he declared. Then he looked over my shoulder and waved.
I swung around just as he called, "Hi, Wufei!"
My fencing partner jogged across the room to join us.
"Duo! What a pleasure to see you! And you got the book! Do you like it?"
Black eyes flashed eagerly, and not at the thought of fencing.
::What the hell?!::
I growled low in my throat. If Wufei had met Duo then Trowa...
"Hi, Duo. What a coincidence. Ah, I see you're using the bag. Does it suit?" Trowa dropped down on Duo's other side, green eyes twinkling roguishly.
Duo laughed, happy to see both of them. "The bag is perfect, Trowa! It holds everything, but it's never heavy. And the book is fascinating, Wufei! I can even read the script."
::Damn it! DAMN IT!::
I hadn't even thought of the Weres. Never entered my head that they would start up with Duo. And they had a head start on me!
I got to my feet, poking Wufei non-too-gently.
"It's time for our practice." He removed himself rather smugly from Duo's immediate vicinity. He could afford to be smug now, but very soon...
"Trowa, would you mind helping out?" My tone was just short of command. He, too, left Duo's side.
"I need to get to my lessons," I explained to Duo. "I've booked the time."
"Of course," he smiled, and flashed those luminous purple eyes at me. "I'm sure we'll be meeting again. This place isn't that large." He turned back to his book.
I gathered up the Weres, grabbing an arm apiece.
"Ouch! Heero -!"
"Why are you -?"
"Presents?!" I growled. "Already?!"
"Well, no one said we shouldn't."
"And no one said anyone else was interested!"
"Heero, are you jealous?" asked Wufei hopefully.
I turned a gimlet eye his way. He blinked innocently.
"You didn't act interested," began Trowa, and I glared him into silence.
And the fencing lesson went on as planned.