AN:The Lamb Wufei refers to is from the Bible. It refers to the Lamb, who was slain for God. In the end he was the only one worthy to open the seals which brought about the Apocolypse.
August2000
5+4 Angst, VIOLENCE
//.....//=inner thoughts

True to his word, Quatre never left the bed. Not when Trowa ran out crying, not when Heero left to chase after him, and not when the door opened an hour after Heero's departure. He knew his fate wasn't up to him anymore. It was all in Wufei's hands. When he surrendered his life to Wufei in exchange for Trowa's he knew he'd have to pay. And the devil had come to collect his due. Wufei stomped into the room. He saw Quatre where he had left him. He yanked the blonde off the bed and threw him to the floor.

"You know, Quatre, I was thinking. And I thought that maybe you've outlived your usefulness to me. Maybe it's time for me to move on." Real fear crept into Quatre's eyes.

"But Wufei you promised," he whispered. Wufei looked down on him.

"Yes, I did. If you stayed with me, I wouldn't hurt the others. But, Quatre you've become so boring. And Trowa seems like he'd be such a challenge to break. And if you're good maybe I'll let you live. Would you like that? Getting to watch me make your precious Trowa mine? Maybe I'd even let you join. Yes, it would be enjoyable to watch me make Trowa force himself on you." Quatre's eyes widened.

"No. You can't. You said you'd honor your word." Wufei sighed.

"You're right. I must honor our agreement. It's too bad really, I would have loved to see the look on Trowa's face as he took you." Then Wufei pulled out his gun, and aimed it at Quatre's heart.

"Don't worry, love. This will hurt, but it's how it must be. In death you will forever stand as a tribute to my strength. Say good-bye my Quatre."

Quatre squeezed his eyes shut. He had failed. Now there would be no one to stand between Wufei and the others. But if this was it, then he had to know. He refused to die without knowing.

"why..?", he asked, barely audible.

Wufei lowered the gun. He was intrigued.

"Always with the whys. You know Duo asked that exact same question right before.....well, you know."

Wufei backed up a few steps and scrutinized Quatre's face. Quatre dared to open his eyes, and he saw Wufei staring at him. He also saw that the gun was no longer aimed at him.

"So why what? Why you, or why do what I did?"

"All of it. Why Wufei?"The Chinese boy smiled cruelly.

"Does there have to be a reason? Maybe I just did it because I enjoy it." Quatre studied his face, and shook his head.

"That may be true. In fact I know it is. But I know you. Or, I thought I did. And you wouldn't have gone through all this unless you had some sort of objective," he murmured.

"Ah, Quatre you're being brave today, and always so insightful. You think you always know just what everyone is thinking or feeling. And you're always trying to make it better. But where is everyone when *you* need help?"

Wufei closed the gap between them, and slammed the gun into the side of Quatre's head. Quatre slumped to the floor. He put a hand up to feel the throbbing spot, and his fingers came back covered in blood. Then he felt the warmth of it as it ran from the gash, down his cheek.

"I suppose you'll want to know why I did that, too," Wufei spat out. Quatre shook his head, the slight movement making the room spin.

"Well, that," he said motioning the gun to Quatre's head, "that was to get you to realize that no one gives a fuck about you, or your little intuitions. And that no one is coming to save you. As to the other why's, yes I did have a purpose."He looked at Quatre's prone form thoughtfully.

"Would you like to make another deal?" Quatre was trying to wipe the blood off, or stop the flow. It was running into his eyes, and the shoulder of his shirt was already soaked. What choice did he have?

"What's the deal?"

"If you're a good boy, and you don't struggle, then I'll tell you the story. If not, then I'll just beat the shit out of you now."

"Fine", he sighed.

Wufei tucked the gun in the waistband of his pants. He led Quatre over to the deskchair, and sat him in it. Then he left, and returned with a large coil of rope. Quatre sat, while Wufei bound him tightly to the chair. Arms tied to the arm rests, legs spread and tied to the legs.

When he was satisfied that the blonde couldn't break free, he retrieved a large hunting knife he had left in the hallway. It was razor sharp, the kind you use to skin an animal with. Wufei settled on the ground in front of Quatre. He methodically began to cut away Quatre's pants, making sure to never nick the skin.

"So where shall I start?"

Quatre was too scared to answer. Wufei was about to tell him everything. That could only mean that the Chinese boy wasn't planning on him being around much longer.

"What, no requests?" Wufei seemed almost giddy, like he found the whole situation entirely amusing.

"OK, the beginning then. It started with my father. He taught me to crave strength, and to crush weakness. For as long as I can remember he would beat me. Everyday, no exceptions. Not because I had done anything wrong, but to prove his dominance. He told me I was small, and weak, but that it would make me stronger. Sometimes he would use his fists, other times his belt, or a tree branch. Whatever the tactics the message was always the same. He was strong, I was weak. And I would try to fight back, but it was useless. Because he was right, I *was* weak. But I accepted his discipline, and I learned from it. I learned how to use force to control people. How to humiliate them into submission. How to break down their spirit, and turn them into nothing. How to be in complete control."

Quatre was now relieved of his pants and boxers. The cold air, combined with Wufei's monotone voice sent shivers up his spine. Wufei moved up to tear the knife through Quatre's shirt.

"Then there was Meiran. You don't know her, she was my wife. She was always trying to prove that she was stronger than I was. At first I excused her behavior, she was a brainless female, she didn't know better. Until one day, she challenged me to a fight. Me! And she told me I was too weak to fight. So I had to show her who the weak one was. And it was then that I learned that there are more ways to control a person than through violence. The control of the mind is far more powerful. That was the first time I had ever raped somebody, but I knew it wouldn't be the last. The shame in her eyes filled me with such might. It was the ultimate control, the ultimate owner ship. To forcefully take someone's body! It was the proof of my strength. But she disobeyed me, she ran off to fight in my place. She ruined all the work I had done to prove I was in control. And there's no room for error. So I had to kill her."

Quatre was saddened to find Meiran's story so similar to his own. But he wasn't surprised. Nothing about Wufei could surprise him anymore. Not even the torture and murder of his own wife. After all Quatre knew that was his fate, too. Wufei had long since sliced off Quatre's shirt, and had made himself comfortable on the bed.

"Then there was Duo. Ah, sweet little Duo. But he was different from Meiran, just as you are. I punished her because she deserved it. With you two it was another story. I had been watching Maxwell from afar. I was mesmerized by him. He was so beautiful with that braid, and those eyes. And it wasn't long before I was obsessed with him. I had to have him. He was my weakness. And I knew that to overcome that weakness I had to destroy him. Break him down until he was nothing, and then he would stop haunting my mind. And it almost worked, until that fool, Yuy, stepped in and ruined everything. All my hard work for nothing. I could have killed them both when I saw them in bed together. But I had other plans. I wanted to kill Yuy instead, if that didn't tame our Duo then what would? But it didn't work out that way. Maxwell sacrificed himself for Yuy, just as you did for Barton. But in the end it made no difference, Yuy is practically dead anyway. And I thought once I was freed of Duo then I was free of weakness. But then you came along, my innocent Quatre. And I felt the weakness all over again. That, and you knew my dirty little secret. So my weakness was doubled. For you had the power to tell the others, the power to take me down, the power to enchant me. So I had to make you mine. I had to destroy you too. I had to prove to everyone I was the strong one, I was in control. I had failed with Meiran and Duo. They defeated me. Even though they both died, they did it with courage. But not you my sweet Quatre. You are my saving grace. Of course with you I used different methods. And there was that little threat of Trowa over your head. But who cares what tactics a man uses to rid himself of weakness, so long as he does it? And you were a weakness little one. But no more. Tonight you will finally be worth something. You never had much worth, did you angel? Not worthy of your Father, not worthy of your colony, not even worthy of your Trowa. Now you are worthy of being my redemption. A confirmation of my power."

Quatre was trying to stay conscious to hear Wufei's reasoning for the torture and death of his friend. His hair was matted with blood, and now it slowly dripped onto his bare shoulder. The room seemed to be getting fuzzy. Su ddenly Wufei stood up and walked over to him. He ran the flat part of the blade over Quatre's body.

"Such beautiful skin. So creamy, so soft. Of course the bruises make it even more attractive. They're like little marks saying you're mine. And you are mine. But there's something missing."

A sudden gleam came to Wufei's eyes, like he had just come up with a great idea.

"I think what's missing is an actual symbol to show that you're my property. Maybe I should carve my name into you. Then no one could dispute that you belong to me."

Wufei traced the tip of the knife along Quatre's stomach. Thin ribbons of blood appeared in its wake. Then Wufei sighed.

"As much as I'd like to, I'm afraid I can't. That would be *too* obvious. Don't want to tip off the others. It would spoil the fun I have in store for them."Wufei shifted the blade, and cut through the ropes.

Quatre struggled to get up, but the room began to slant and he fell to the floor. And he was hit with an overwhelming desire to live. He didn't want to die here, on the floor like some animal.

"Wufei?", he croaked.

"Yes, my little one?"

"please let me go," he whispered.

Wufei looked thoughtful. He examined Quatre's naked frame from head to toe. Then he nodded his head.

"Okay, sweet Quatre. You are free. Go now."

Quatre looked at him, disbelief evident on his face. But he didn't dare argue, instead he tried to haul his aching body to the door.

"You're free now little one. Free from me, free from Heero, free from Trowa."

Quatre stopped. //How could I have been so stupid as to trust Wufei. I'll be free, but the others won't be. How could have I been so foolish to think that my body was my own. That if I protected it, or hurt it, it mattered only to me. My body is Wufei's now. If I try to take it back, he'll only find another one.//

Wufei walked over to where Quatre spot on the floor. The Arabian was on his hands and knees, with his head hanging down.

"What will it be?"

Quatre closed his eyes. //For you my Trowa.//

"I will stay."

"Who says I want you now? Beg me to let you stay."

"Please Wufei, let me stay with you."

Wufei kicked him in the stomach, and Quatre's arms gave out, causing him to fall flat on his face.

"Beg me. Tell me how you seduced me, made me weak."

"Please Wufei, please let me stay! I tempted you with my body, I bewitched your mind. I made you want me. It was all my fault, let me stay!"

Wufei kicked him again, this time he heard the satisfying sound of ribs breaking. Blood filled Quatre's mouth, and he was forced to spit it on the floor. Wufei smiled.

"Yes, Quatre. You are worthy to be my salvation. You will deliver me from my weakness. What was it that Duo was alwyas ranting about? Something about a lamb. Something from his useless religion. About a lamb. Being led to slaughter. And it came back...It's makes no difference. You will be my sacrificial lamb."

He grabbed a handful of hair, and snapped Quatre's head up. The Chinese boy pulled, forcing Quatre to his knees. Then he relinquished his hold on it, and Quatre swayed, trying hard to maintain balance. Then Wufei backhanded him, and he slammed the injured side of his head to the floor. Stars exploded, and his vision went dim.

He felt Wufei kicking him over and over. Blood dribbled in a steady stream from the side of his mouth. His body, covered with multi colored bruises was now painted red. Wufei picked him up and threw him onto the bed.

"This is where you let Barton touch you. You enjoyed his hands on you. I'd like to fuck you right here, right now, show you the error of your ways, but I can't. Semen is too easy to trace. But I'll live knowing that I was your first, your last, your only."

He picked Quatre up again and threw him into the wall. Quatre tried to put his hands out, but he didn't react fast enough. He smashed into it. He leaned up against it, trying to grasp it with his hands. But he was too tired. He crumpled to the floor, leaving bloody handprints all over the wall. Wufei came to his side. Quatre just wanted to go to sleep. The dream world was calling for him. It promised happiness, and beauty. And he desperately wanted to go.

"Not yet, my angel."

Wufei pulled Quatre to his knees. Quatre slumped against him. The Chinese boy took the gun from his waistband. He fisted a hunk of hair, and held Quatre's head up. The cherub face was bloody, and bruised, but the ethereal look to it wasn't diminished. He truly looked like a celestial being fallen from the heavens.

Wufei clicked off the safety, and cocked the gun. He placed it to Quatre's temple.

"Your death will be my preservation." His finger tightened on the trigger.

Then Wufei heard the front door open. He took one look at the boy who would have redeemed him, then let him fall to the floor. Wufei shoved the gun into his pants, and ran to the window. He yanked it open, and pushed himself through. He ran into the night, to blend in with the shadows of the woods. The bedroom door swung open, and the boy on the other side fell to his knees at the sight. The blood everywhere, the still body on the floor.

"No."