Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Forsaken ❯ Forsaken ( One-Shot )

~*Forsaken~*

By: Haiiro no Tenshi

I do not own Gundam Wing or the characters. If I did, do you honestly think Relena would get within two feet of Heero? Enjoy! :P

Its goes from third person to first, back to third and so forth!

**I'm over it**

The dark cerulean eyes opened leisurely. He frowned. His head pounded. To make matters worse, the boy in the room next to him was playing some form of loud American rock music.

He shot a death glare to the person that just stormed into his room without knocking. `Heero, are you going to stay in bed all day?' the familiar voice of Trowa Barton came.

Heero sat up. Its not really as though the thought of staying in bed hadn't crossed his mind. He would rather stay in bed than put with Relena chasing him, and listening to Duo ramble on for hours on end.

Trowa slightly smiled. `Don't worry, I'm sure Relena doesn't know where you are. All you need to do is give Duo a punch if he doesn't shut up,' he explained and left the room.

Heero stared after Trowa. How does he do that? Heero asked himself as he got out of the bed, wishing he hadn't. He picked up his shoes when Duo crashed into his room.

`Heero! You're up! Good, now, there are some things - whoa!' Duo ducked back out of the room when one of Heero's shoes was heading for his face.

`Do that again, Duo, and I will not hesitate to shoot you in the face,' Heero's voice called through the door.

Duo gritted his teeth. Why does he always get the better of me! Duo walked down the stairs and got his lunch ready for school. He was going to enjoy watching Heero run away from Relena. Even Duo had to shudder.

`What's the shudder for?' Quatre asked as he rinsed his mug and left it to drip-dry on the sink.

Duo grinned. `Just thought of someone,' he replied.

As he was about to say the name, Wufei walked into the kitchen. `You mention her, and I'll kill you! Because of her, I pity Heero,' he told Duo as he picked up his bag. `The bus is here,' he informed the rest.

Everyone grabbed their bags and walked out of the house, leaving Duo to run around the kitchen trying to find something for lunch. `Check in the refrigerator. Quatre thought ahead,' a stern voice told Duo.

`Thanks, dude.' Duo reached into the refrigerator and grabbed one of the two bags in there. `Better hurry! Wouldn't to disappoint Relena,' he teased and laughed at Heero's glare. Duo knew that Heero was going to make him regret saying that.

**You see I'm falling in a vast abyss**

I am in Hell, Heero kept thinking, but kept his usual, no-emotion face on. To think that at one point he use to love school. Now, he doesn't care if he failed. Anything to not see Relena again!

`Heero!' The Perfect Soldier did not fear anything or anyone. But Relena, she didn't scare him. She terrified him.

Heero acted as though he hadn't heard anything. There has to be a way to get her off my back! He thought frantically as his eyes searched everywhere for a place to hide. He found it. The male bathroom.

He raced in there gratefully. `Relena find you again?' Duo's voice asked mockingly.

Heero didn't say a thing. He almost screamed when he heard Relena's voice through the door. `Heero, you cant stay in there forever!' she called through playfully.

Heero threw his back against the wall and slid down to the floor. He had a headache to begin with, now he had a migraine. He looked up at Duo. Duo's violet eyes watched him closely. `Wake me when the first bell goes.'

Duo frowned. It was more like him to fall asleep, but not the Perfect Soldier. `Hey, Heero? Did you want to see the nurse?' Duo asked, gently shaking Heero by the shoulder.

Heero looked around the black abyss. Sleep, a voice told him, and he obeyed. The black abyss of sleep overwhelmed Heero. Something that doesn't happen often, let alone this quickly.

**Clouded by memories of the past**

Heero woke up in a cold sweat. He thought he lost the memory of the little girl with the pup. He relaxed slightly. Wait, where am I? This isn't the boys' bathroom, he thought as he looked around. He was warm and comfortable. He looked to the other side of the bed. His eyes softened as he watched Duo sleep.

Heero moved slightly, waking Duo. Duo looked over at Heero and grinned despairingly. `How was your rest?' he asked and stretched.

Heero looked away from Duo's prying eyes. `Good.' He exhaled heavily and rested his head back on the pillow.

**At last I see**

Heero slept for the next two days without waking. Duo kept a constant eye on the sleeping Gundam pilot. While Heero slept, Duo remained awake. On the third day, Heero woke and saw Duo watching over him. He couldn't keep his eyes open and fell asleep instantly again.

Heero woke again for the second time that day and saw that Quatre was watching over him. `Where's Duo?' Heero asked, surprising himself at the amount of concern that was portrayed in his voice.

Quatre smiled slightly. `He watched over you for the past two days without rest himself. Its his turn. He was really worried about you.' Quatre cleared his throat, but didn't pry. He knew what the American thought of the Japanese pilot. `Anyway, I brought some soup up for you, incase you were hungry.' With that, Quatre stood and left the room, leaving Heero alone with his thoughts.

`I know that's his room!' Heero froze in fear. How did she find me!? He asked himself.

`Hey, Relena!' Heero smiled when he heard Duo's sleepy voice.

`What?' Relena asked, turning to face the American.

`Would you shut the fuck up and let him sleep!' Duo stipulated and went back into his own room.

`Oh, is he asleep?' she asked, eyeing Quatre.

Quatre tried to clear his mind. Well, Shinigami hadn't told a lie. As far as he knew, Heero was still asleep. `Yes. Maybe you could come back at a later date?' You know, like never! Quatre smiled sweetly.

Relena didn't like the idea of not being able to see her beloved Heero, but agreed. `Alright. I'll be back in three days.' She turned on her heel and stalked away.

Quatre breathed a sigh of relief and walked into his room. He laid on his bed and closed his eyes. The flew open when he heard a loud explosion from in the den. He, Duo and Heero ran out of their rooms, looked at each other and ran down the stairs.

There, on the sofa like a great cat, was Wufei watching some war movie. `Duo, you and Heero hold his arms and legs. I'm going to make sure he never does that again,' Quatre ordered as he rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt.

Duo and Heero pounced onto Wufei, getting an iron grip on his limbs. Quatre walked up to him and sat on his abdomen. `Are you deaf?' he asked as he turned down the volume of the television.

`That's not what I'm worried about,' Wufei replied watching the blonde intently.

`Now, make sure he doesn't get one limb free.' On Wufei's sides, Quatre ran his fingers, getting a struggle from the boy under him.

Trying not to laugh, Wufei yanked on his arms and legs, but got nowhere fast. He knew that all he had to do was laugh and say `mercy'. He refused. He would not give into their seism. Well, so much for that. He laughed.

While laughing, Wufei tried to get the word `mercy' out. `M-m-mercy!' he finally shouted. `I swear, I'll never do it again!'

Duo and Quatre laughed. `Good, that's what we like to hear.' Quatre got off him and walked to the exit of the den.

Duo laughed again and let go of Wufei's arms. He joined Quatre at the exit of the den. They waited for Heero, who finally followed. `Good to see you're up,' Duo said quietly to Heero.

Without the two boys even noticing, Quatre slipped off into the kitchen, and allowed the two to walk together. `And why aren't you sleeping? I heard about what you did. Its not good for your health.'

Duo smiled. `Since when did you care about anyone's health?' he asked and laughed. `Man, that fever defiantly changed you.'

Heero blushed and lowered his head. I try to show you how I feel about you, and you laugh at me, Heero thought. He knew how Duo felt about him. He wasn't blind. He had seen the hints that Duo had been dropping for the past year.

`Hey, did you hear me?' Heero snapped his head up and looked into Duo's frowning eyes. `I asked you if you wanted to go to the movies when you feel better.'

Duo was hopeful. `Yeah, sure.' He stared at Heero before wrapping his arms around his neck.

`Thanks! Now I can finally go and see King Arthur! Yes!' Duo cheered and kissed Heero one the cheek. His lips loitered longer than necessary.

Heero smiled. Something people rarely, if not never, saw him do. `I look forward to it.' Heero walked into his own room. When the door was closed he cheered softly to himself.

**I hear it fading I can't speak it**

Three days later, Duo and Heero got ready to see King Arthur. They left half way through the day so Heero wouldn't have to see Relena. Duo looked at Heero as they walked down the street.

Its amazing how much he's changed since he's had that fever, Duo thought as he recalled all the odd behavior.

One morning Duo was sitting in the kitchen drinking his morning cup of coffee when Heero ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. `Duo, what do you think of jeans and a white button-down shirt?' he asked and full on laughed when Duo stared at him in horror.

Duo placed his mug down before he dropped it. `Ah, yeah, that seems like a good combination. What color are the jeans?'

Heero grinned. `They'll be black, of course! Since when would I wear otherwise? Besides, black makes me look slimmer.' With that, Heero ran from the kitchen again.

Then today, as they were getting ready, Heero changed his outfit three times. Once because of the shoes. Another because of a necklace. The last time was because of the way he was wearing his hair.

If Duo didn't know any better, he would think that Heero is acting like a teenaged girl. That fever has defiantly affected him in all the wrong ways, he thought as they entered the theatre.

When the movie was over, Duo didn't want to go home, just yet. Neither did Heero. `Lets go to the mall! I hear they have a wicked sale on!' Heero said enthusiastically as he yanked on Duo's hand.

Duo couldn't help but be scared. `Heero, are you sure you're ok?' Duo raised an eyebrow as he watched the boy before him.

**Or else you will dig my grave**

Duo and Heero walked into the house. Duo carrying about thirty to the fifty bags. When in the kitchen, Duo literally threw the bags to the floor and collapsed into a chair. `Heero, I think I have every right to murder you!' Duo shouted, bringing the attention of Quatre, Trowa and Wufei.

`My Lord! Duo, what did you do?' Quatre asked as he stared around at the bags.

`Blame him!' Duo pointed to Heero.

**You fear them finding**

Heero stared at the bags on his bed and floor. Why did I buy them? What the hell is happening to me? He opened a bag and looked through it. Make up! What the fuck?!

There was a soft knock at Heero's door. He quickly hid the make up. `What?' he called in his usual stern voice.

The door opened and Duo walked in. `I wanted to apologize for getting you into trouble about your little spree.' He exhaled and looked at Heero. `I don't know what's happened to you, but we all want the real Heero back.'

Heero's eyes flashed with rage, but went back to their usual glare. `Look, I went over the edge a bit, but I'm peachy right now. So tell the others to quit worrying,' he growled and turned his back on the boy he loves.

`Alright, dude!' Duo said in an annoying voice, hoping to get a glare of a retort, anything to let him know that the old Heero was back.

`Get out!' Heero glared back at the American pilot.

Duo ran over and hugged Heero. `Its good to have the asshole back! The feminine Heero - now, that was just freaky. Dinner's ready, by the way.' Duo let his hands slide down Heero's arms.

Heero turned his head to a side and looked at Duo from the corner of his eye. `D-Duo, what are you doing?' Heero dithered, as he felt Duo's tongue on his left shoulder.

`What's it feel like, Heero?' Duo's lips attacked the nape of Heero's neck.

**Always whining**

Quatre looked at Trowa. `They've been up there a while,' he said and went back to the newspaper he was reading.

Trowa yawned. `I really couldn't care. I think that Duo is either, getting his ass kicked, or is trying to get Heero into bed.' Trowa stopped and thought. `Or both.'

Quatre had to look up. `You know what Heero thinks of Duo. Hurting him would be the last thing on Heero's mind.' Quatre sipped at his tea.

**Take my hand**

Heero laid on his bed. His head pounded. He felt as though he was coming down with the fever again. Its strange. Heero ran the last day through his mind. It scared him. He was never that happy. In fact, he was never happy.

Heero ran the last hour through his mind. It had felt really good when Duo had kissed his neck, and moved down to his shoulders. Heero wanted so badly to show Duo what he was made of. Not to only fuck his brains out, but to hold the American in his arms all night.

Instead, Heero had just walked away from Duo. Telling Duo to leave his room. Duo had left without a word, and without a backward glance. Heero closed his eyes. His head hurt too much to think about what could have happened.

Duo, on the other hand, couldn't stop thinking about it. He almost had Heero at his mercy. If only he wasn't so stubborn! Duo kept saying to himself, as he stared up at the ceiling.

`Duo! Are you coming down to dinner?' Duo sat up at the sound of Quatre's voice just outside his door.

`Yeah, yeah, I'll be one in a minute.' Duo sighed and continued to stare at the ceiling. `Yeah.'

**I'll be alive**

`Heero?' Trowa tapped lightly on the door. `Are you awake?'

Trowa opened the door silently, hoping not to disturb Heero if he were sleeping. Trowa gasped when he saw Heero. He was pale. Paler than usual, he was almost like a ghost.

`Heero?' Trowa gently shook him by the shoulder. `Heero? Please wake up!'

Heero's eyes fluttered open. He looked at Trowa before leaning over the side of the bed and vomited. Trowa stood and stepped back. Trowa ran from the room, down into the kitchen.

`Get the paramedics! Now! He's vomiting blood!' Everything happened in a blur.

Quatre ran to the phone. Wufei ran to the front door to wait for the paramedics. Duo ran upstairs to see his beloved Heero. Duo couldn't believe the sight that greeted him as he ran through the open door.

Heero hung over the side of the bed, pale as a sheet of paper. A dark, wet pool had formed under his head. Duo ran over to him and touched the side of Heero's face lightly.

Heero looked up at the contact. `Duo,' he muttered. His hand stretched for Duo's face.

Duo leaned in for the touch. `Don't worry, Heero. You're gonna be fine. The paramedics'll be here soon. Hold on.' Duo leaned in and kissed him on the forehead.

**You see I cannot be forsaken**

Hours passed. Hours turned into a day before the four Gundam pilots found what was wrong with their friend. `Has your friend been under any sort of stress lately?' the doctor asked, looking at his clipboard.

The four boys thought back. `No,' they said in unison with depression in their voices.

`Well, are you sure about that? Because his stomach is digesting itself. He has three ulcers, which are very deep, and for the frosting, he could probably die in the next few weeks.' The doctor looked the boys over.

Tears filled Duo's eyes. He fell to the floor, punching it. `No! Its not true!' he shouted. He wiped the salty water that had fell from his eyes away and glared up at the doctor. `Its not true!'

`Duo.' Quatre picked Duo up and hugged him, where Duo wept into his shoulder.

`Its not true, Quatre!' Duo sobbed, shaking his head.

`When will be able to see him?' Trowa asked, his voice sounding tight.

The doctor smiled sadly at them. `Its not allowed, but, you can see him right now.' The doctor led them down the corridor.

He glanced back at the four boys following mournfully. The blond comforting the braided one. The raven hair one and the brunette kept their eyes on the floor. The doctor stopped outside a room. The four boys peered in.

There was Heero. As white as the sheets that covered his frail body. His mouth had dried blood covering it. There were machines of all sorts hooked up to the young boy.

`You can see him first, since he means the most to you.' The doctor opened the door and waited for Duo to walk in.

Duo shuffled in and looked around the blinding white room. He made his way slowly over to the boy he loves. `Heero, I'm so sorry!' he whispered when he was by the boy's side.

Heero didn't flinch. Duo got the cloth that was sitting in a bowl of water and wiped the blood away from Heero's mouth. He leant over and kissed him then left the room.

**Because I'm not the only one**

Duo went into a depression. He didn't eat, didn't sleep, didn't go out. He was becoming as pale as Heero. Only, Duo had a Porcelain look, not a sickly look. The other pilots didn't know happened to Duo that night he went out, but he came back and hasn't spoken a word since that night.

Duo often thought back to that night. The night that had changed his life. He was sitting at the diner, not really caring if anyone noticed him or not. He looked up, startled, when a man slid into the chair opposite him.

`You don't mind if I join you? You look as though you're in dire need of a friend,' the man said and smiled slightly. `Is there something wrong at home? One of your friends hurt?'

The thought of Heero laying in that hospital bed, barely able to tell the difference between him and sheets, brought tears to Duo's eyes. He placed his head in his arms and wept.

The man's ivory eyes flashed with malevolence. He touched Duo's warm skin lightly. `I'm sorry if I brought back memories,' he said quietly. `My name is Braque. Who are you, young one?'

Duo looked up and wiped the tears away. `Duo. My name is Duo,' he replied and exhaled sorrowfully. He picked up the mug that held his coffee.

`Nice to meet you, Duo. Tell me, what's happened to your friend?' Braque looked at Duo with intensity.

Duo drew in a shaky breath and ran a hand over his braid. `He's in the hospital, due to vomiting blood. He apparently has three ulcers, and may not live to see his seventeenth birthday.' Duo looked into Braque's ivory eyes.

Braque smiled slightly. A mere twitch of the lips. `I can help you, young one,' he said, reaching over to clasp his hand.

`How?' Duo looked at the older man with curiosity. `How, Braque?'

**We walk amongst you**

Hiding from the day. Allowing me to live long enough to get my revenge. But I don't know who to blame, besides myself! If only Relena hadn't chased him that day! Relena! Why didn't I think of her before? I sat up. My anger flared through my veins. My only will. My dark eyes flashed with rage and hatred of the blonde bitch.

I got up and pulled on a pair of boots. It was her turn to pay. I left the house without glance at the other pilots. I knew that they had noticed the change in me. They thought I was coming down with the same thing that my beloved Heero had.

That's the power of mind-reading. I found Braque waiting for me, as usual. `My, aren't we in a hurry?' He raised an elegant eyebrow as he looked me over.

`There's someone I need to see,' I said and waited for Braque to pry. Surprisingly, though, he didn't.

`Relena Peacecraft, am I not right?' He laughed softly. Something I loved about the guy. Considering we were about to spend eternity together, I had better get use to it.

`Yes. Her and her minions are not going to live to see daybreak. I'll make sure of it!' I growled and stormed past Braque.

`Young one.' I turned to the sound of my nickname. `I would be prepared. Come, let us feed. You have not fed in a while. I can see it in your coloring.' Braque held out his hand.

It was true. I hadn't fed in a few days, and my energy was going down quickly. It didn't take me too long to get a victim. A young woman.

I followed her. Down a dark, abandoned alleyway. I crept up behind her, bared my fangs and sunk them deep into her neck. My hand muffled her screams. I finished the last mouthful and looked up when Braque joined my side.

He bent down and kissed him, slipping his tongue in my mouth. It felt so good whenever he kissed after he or I had just finished a victim. His ivory eyes shone with sin.

**Feeding**

Relena walked around her bedroom. She had not seen Duo or Heero at school for a week and a half. She was debating with herself whether or not to go back to the house and demand to see one of the two. She didn't have to bother herself with going, because Duo walked up to her front gates.

`Can I help you, young man?' the guard asked as he looked Duo over.

Duo smirked. I hope you like what you see, old boy. Duo had to admit, he looked good in Braque's black silk shirt, leather pants, and his boots. `I'm here to see Relena. I know her from school. I need to tell her something about Heero.' Duo turned his violet gaze onto the guard.

`Miss Peacecraft, I have a young man here who says he needs to talk to you about a boy named Heero. He says he knows you from school. Right away, ma'am. Go straight to the house. She said she'll meet you there.' The guard opened the iron gates and Duo walked in.

He knew his rage and hatred probably flashed in his eyes as he walked past the guard. As Duo walked past, the guard fell to the ground, a gash from one side of his neck to the other.

Duo approached the house. He saw Relena waiting for him. He couldn't stop his rage from showing. He walked past the men that were surrounding Relena. Each one dropping to the floor, with a slit in their throat.

Relena looked around. `What's going on here?' she demanded shrilly. `What are you going to do to me?'

Duo had to smirk at the fear that was rising in her eyes. `I'm going to kill you, obviously. You were the one who put Heero in the death bed! It was you who put him in hospital! And it will be you who pays for it!'

Relena's eyes lost the fear, and smirk appeared on her thin lips. `Braque!' she sang. She laughed when Duo looked surprised. `Yes, I do believe you know him.'

**Raping**

Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei looked at each other. They were scared for their friend. Both of them. Heero's state had apparently gotten worse. And Duo, well, he had been taking it worse than anyone.

Trowa was the first to break the silence. `Should we try to find him? Or should we just let him be?' He already knew the answer, but the silence was driving him insane.

Quatre ran a shaky hand through his blonde hair. `I think we should just leave him. He has some things that he needs to sort out and we don't need to get in the way.' He slouched back against the back of the sofa.

`I was hoping she would taste better, Master,' Duo complained softly, as he looked at the dead body of Relena Peacecraft.

Braque stood behind him, and nuzzled his neck affectionately. `But, she did taste better than all the others, young one,' he reminded Duo as he licked his neck.

**Must we hide from everyone**

I thought that night over. It had only been less than two weeks, and I couldn't visit Heero, which broke my heart. I wanted to see him again. I still hadn't spoken a word to the other pilots. But they spoke to me.

`Duo?' Quatre asked, and I looked up. `Heero's condition has, not improved. It has gotten worse. The doctor said that he has about a week left.'

I turned my head away. I could feel the blood welling up in my eyes. I didn't need Quatre to know I was now a blood-sucking, pointy-tooth, creature of darkness. I stood and walked over to my window.

I could hear Quatre's breathing behind. I could hear his pulse. I knew he was holding back tears as well. `The doctor said he'll stay on duty tonight so you can see him.' Then he was gone. Just like everyone else in my life. Up and gone.

I knew I wasn't strong enough to turn Heero yet. But, when I did become strong enough, it would be too late. The only thing I wanted was to have Heero in my arms. I picked up the leather slicker that Braque had leant me.

I walked to the hospital. For some strange reason, Braque wasn't waiting for me. I took a shaky breath and walked through the automatic doors. I headed for the room that Heero had been in.

I saw a nurse putting new sheets on the bed. I walked in. `Where is the boy that use to be in here?' I demanded staring hard at the nurse.

She looked up; startled. `Oh, I'm sorry, he passed away an hour ago.' She smiled sadly at me and went to pat my shoulder.

I pulled away and left the room. I saw Braque waiting for me half way down the corridor. I even turned my back on him. Heero was my reason for living. Without him, I no longer served a purpose.

**I'm over it**

Quatre stood in the doorway of Heero's room. He walked across the hall to Duo's. He wept silently. We lost two. Two. One drawn to the light. The other drawn to the darkness. Quatre and the other pilots hadn't seen or heard of Duo since the night they found Heero had passed away.

Quatre looked up as Trowa walked up the stairs. He walked over to the blonde and pulled him into a tight embrace. `Don't worry. I'm sure they're both happy, wherever they are,' Trowa whispered softly into Quatre's ear.

`That's what I keep thinking.'

Duo woke up and sat up straight. His head connected with the hard wood of his coffin. `Ow!' he cursed as he laid back down, rubbing his forehead. Damnit! I'm getting smarter by the day! He told himself sarcastically. Fuck, where is Braque when I need him?

The lid of the coffin was removed, and Braque's ivory eyes looked down upon Duo. `You called?' Braque sat on the edge of the coffin and looked into Duo's violet eyes.

Duo rubbed his forehead again. `I swear, you must nail that thing shut when I sleep, Master! It never use to be that difficult to remove!' Duo sat up and stared hard into Braque's eyes.

Braque laughed and leaned in close to the boy. `I cant have you becoming a kamikaze now, can I?'

Duo lowered his eyes. He wasn't sure how Braque knew about his many suicidal thoughts, but it sure did seem like the right thing. He had nothing to live for. Nothing and no-one.

**Why can't we be together?**

`Is there anything in particular you are looking for, young one?' Braque asked as he joined Duo by his side.

Duo sighed and lowered his eyes. `Just looking, Master.' He turned to leave.

Braque caught his arm. `I am sorry about what happened to your lover, young one. But, one cannot change the past. He can only change the future.'

`Heero wasn't my lover. He was only the guy I was in love with.' He looked in the ivory eyes. `But, I'm sure you don't understand, right?'

Braque stood in front of Duo. He bent down and kissed the boy. `You're right, I don't understand,' he replied when he broke the kiss off.

Duo stood on tip toe and forced Braque's lips onto his own. He viciously shoved his tongue into Braque's mouth. He saw Braque's eyes soften and that usual twinkle of malevolence take place.

Braque broke off the kiss for a second time. `You're not allowed to do that, young one.' He lost his smirk when he saw the hunger in Duo's violet eyes. `I am not Heero. I never will be.'

**Embrace it**

So, after I gave Braque a dirty look, I went in and sat on his bed. Who did he think he was to tell me about myself? I guess I hadn't dropped enough hints for him. Well, if that's the case, then I guess I'll just have to work harder!

Why cant the guy see that I walk around his house with just about a permanent hard-on? All I wanted was for him to fuck the hell out of me! He wouldn't even give me that satisfaction! How brutal can you get!

I sighed and laid on the bed. I was willing to except it. He thought I wanted him as a replacement for Heero, but I didn't. I wanted him because he was, him!

**Sleeping so long**

Duo woke to the sound of someone walking noisily into the room. He looked up and saw Braque walking into the room. He laid his head back down and allowed sleep to overwhelm him again.

He moaned as someone sat on the bed and gently shook his shoulder. Duo opened his eyes sleepily. `What, Master?' he asked as he tried to keep his eyes open.

Braque picked Duo up gently. `There's something I need to show you. Something I hope that will ease your mind.'

Duo fell asleep against Braque's chest. He awoke when he felt Braque land on the earth. Duo stretched in his Master's arms and yawned when he was placed on the earth beside him.

He looked to where he was. The cemetery. He looked around. Then he looked to the gravestone he was standing before. Heero Yuy.

Duo gasped and looked at Braque. `Why? Why have you brought me here?' he demanded around the lump in his throat.

`I have brought you here, so you can confess to the boy you love so dearly, young one,' Braque replied simply and watched Duo circumspectly.

`Why, Master? I don't understand! Why?' Duo let himself fall onto the soft grass that covered Heero's resting place.

Duo watched as the salt blood stained the grass beneath him. Why? Why did he bring me here? If it wasn't bad enough that I had slain him! Now he wants me to look at the grave! Duo looked at his Master. A look of hatred, and rage. I hate you, Master! Shinigami knows I hate you!

Braque looked at the boy before him. He tried to ignore the look Duo shot his way. It is the only way, young one. You will have to accept his death sooner or later. Its best for the both of us if its sooner.

`Forgive me, Heero!' Duo wept to the shiny gray stone at the head of the grave. `I tried! I wanted to prove my love for you!' But now I have fallen in love with my Master. I have betrayed you!

`Young one, your friends approach.' Braque looked up and around. He didn't need Duo to see his friends as of yet. There were a few things he had to enlighten the boy about.

Duo only wept. `I don't care! They can see me as I am! A creature of darkness, who cannot let go of his mortal life!'

`Not now, young one!' Braque snapped as he picked Duo up effortlessly and took off into the night air.

`You lied to me, Master! You said it would make me feel better! But all it did was make me feel worse!' Duo was too weak and too preoccupied with crying that he couldn't hit Braque with any damaging force.

**Taking of the masts**

Two weeks had past since Duo's trip to the cemetery. He was talking to Braque, but they could both feel the tension. `Master!' Duo called as he ran to the balcony.

Braque turned and beamed at the running boy. `What is it, young one?' he asked as softly as ever.

`Something has just occurred to me. Why are my friends not to be perceptive of my currant state?' he asked as he looked into the ivory eyes.

Braque's eyes flashed briefly with perplexity. `They cannot understand what they do not know. Speaking of which, shouldn't you be doing your studies?'

Duo blushed slightly. A red tint to the Porcelain skin that covered his petite body. `Sorry, Master.' Duo returned to whence he had come from.

**At last I see**

Duo thought about Heero. Something he hadn't done in a couple of weeks. Braque had been keeping him busy with studies of the ancient world.

Duo closed his book on Atlantis and packed away his gear. School was out now, and he wanted to see his friends. `Master!' Duo had grown attached to calling Braque that now. `Master, when can I see my friends?' Duo asked when Braque walked out of his room.

Braque's hand went to the side of Duo's face. His ivory eye soften. `You can go see them now, if you wish, young one.' Braque bent down and lightly brushed his lips across Duo's. `I want you back before sunrise.'

Duo grinned from ear to ear. `Thank you, Master.' Duo ran down the stairs. When at the door he turned. `I'll see you later tonight, Master!' he called and ran out the door.

**My fear is fading I can't speak it**

Duo nervously raised a hand to knock on the door. He hadn't seen his friends in nearly eleven months. Duo placed his usual grin on his face and rapped on the door.

Quatre opened the door. `Duo? Is it really you?' Before giving the boy before him a chance to answer, Quatre wrapped his arms around him. `Come in!' Quatre dragged Duo into the house. `Guys! Duo's back!'

Trowa and Wufei ran out into the main hall. `Duo!' they called and ran over to him. They did something out of the ordinary. They both hugged the American.

Duo laughed. `Its great to see you again!' he declared as he hugged them back.

Quatre cleared his throat. `So, have you found peace within yourself?' he asked, and watched the pale boy for a reaction.

Duo laughed. `I'll Jimmy Hoffa before I find peace in myself!' he replied and walked to the living room. `Whoa, its just the way it was.'

`Are you back for good, Duo?' Duo turned and smiled at his friends.

`Unfortunately, Quatre, I'm not. I had to see you again. Mast - Braque wants me back before dawn.' He looked around at them and smiled widely. `But, we can always hang out until then.'

The three boys smiled. `Make yourself comfortable, Duo. We'll be right back.' Quatre led Duo to the sofa and forced him down.

The three boys disappeared into the kitchen. `Is it me, or is there something different with him?' Wufei asked as he got out a bottle of soda from the refrigerator.

`Yeah. He has changed. He seems more well mannered, and his voice has changed. But, I think that's from growing up. He probably thinks we've changed as well. After all, its been almost a year since we last saw him,' Trowa replied as he got out four glasses.

Wufei seemed to think at that. `I wonder where he's been staying?' The other two boys looked at him. `Oh, come on! I know its been on your mind!'

Two of the boys looked at one. `Alright, alright! I'll ask him when we get back in there!' Quatre replied in defeat as he headed for the kitchen door.

**Or else you will dig my grave**

`I have been staying with a close friend of the family. He has been the one that taught me to be well mannered. In every type of situation,' Duo replied and sipped his soda.

Wufei placed his empty glass on the coffee table. `So, do we know this friend?' He looked Duo over and sighed. `He doesn't let you out in the sun very often, does he?'

Duo laughed slightly. `Yes, in fact, never. He cannot afford for me to go out into the sun. If something where to happen to me, he would be completely powerless.'

The three pilots stared at Duo. `Would you care to elaborate on that, Duo?' Trowa asked, eyeing him cautiously.

Duo hadn't realized he said too much. It all tumbled out of his mouth. `No, I wouldn't care to elaborate on that, Trowa.' Duo lowered his eyes. He didn't need Braque on his case about their secret being let lose.

**You fear them finding**

Duo settled back in his coffin. He knew that his Master was probably waiting for him to fall asleep before he nailed the lid on.

Surprisingly, Braque opened the lid. `Would you care to sleep with me this day? So I wont wake to the sound of you cursing your head off?'

Duo rolled over onto his side, so his back was facing Braque. `Don't worry. I promise, I wont, Master. Wouldn't want to disturb your beauty sleep.'

Braque looked slightly taken aback. But his ivory eyes held their softness. `What happened, young one?' he asked, caressing Duo's shoulder.

`Nothing. Good-night, Master!' Duo ripped the lid of his coffin over his body like it were a sheet.

Braque's ivory eyes flashed dangerously. He ripped the lid off the coffin and picked up Duo by his slender neck. `You do not dismiss me like that, young one,' he fumed. `What are you keeping from me?'

Duo's violet eyes flashed with fear as he saw the ivory eyes narrow.

**Always whining**

Duo shook his head. Trying to free himself from the iron grip which held him bound. `Please, Master,' he begged hoarsely. He could feel his throat crushing under Braque's grip. `Please.'

Braque's eyes softened. He lowered Duo to the ground and pulled the boy into an embrace. `Forgive me, young one,' he asked, stroking Duo's hair.

Duo leaned into the embrace. `I forgive you, Master.' He wept silently. The salty blood running down his Porcelain skin.

Braque moved back slightly, so he could look Duo over. He bent down and licked the blood tears away. `Sleep, young one.' He brushed his lips lightly over Duo's before he turned to leave.

**Take my hand**

Where am I? How did I get here? Master? He looked around. Duo's eyes hurt. The bright sunlight almost blinded him. `Master?' he called out. `We have to get back inside!'

Duo didn't take the time to register the verity, that he was out in the daylight, and his skin was not burning. He was in a forest. Braque was standing in the clearing. Duo hid in the safety of the shadows.

`Settle, young one.' Braque looked back and smiled. His eyes softened. `Come.'

Duo looked at the outstretched hand, and stepped cautiously out of the shadow of the tree. He closed his eyes as the golden warmth washed over his body. He opened them and grinned at Braque.

Duo ran over to his Master and wrapped his arms around his neck. `Is this a dream, Master?' he asked as kissed Braque's cheek.

Ivory eyes held sadness. `Yes, young one.' Braque began to fade.

`Master?' Duo asked, as he looked around. Fear took over him as the sunny disposition began to melt away into an endless darkness.

The black abyss engulfed Duo. His wide, frightened, teary eyes looked around. He was alone. He looked up and saw Heero.

`Heero!' Duo called, blood running down his cheeks.

Heero turned and smiled at Duo. He appeared before Duo. `Hello, Duo,' he said, as his happy smiled turned into a sad one. `It has been a long while.'

**I'll be alive**

Duo ran to Heero. He kept running. He couldn't reach his love. `Heero!' Duo cried as he continued to run.

Heero's dark cerulean eyes held nothing but pure sorrow. `How can I be with the one that killed me?' Heero asked as he looked at Duo.

The question struck Duo right through the heart. `I didn't - I…Please, Heero! I love you! Don't leave me again!' Duo called and fell to his knees.

Duo woke up with a start. Pain flooded through his body as his head connected with something hard. That stupid lid is going to cost me my life! Duo didn't notice that the lid came off easily.

Duo stood and looked around the room. The dream still vivid in his mind. How could I possibly forget something like that? He saw his Master still asleep. Duo didn't want to trouble him with something trivial.

`Come, young one,' Braque said and sat up in his bed.

Duo was tentative. His legs led him over to his Master's bed. `Master,' Duo said in a hoarse whisper. He laid on the bed beside him, and nuzzled Braque's chest. He broke into tears.

`What did you see, young one?' Braque asked, as he stroked Duo's hair.

Duo cried harder when he thought about the dream. `Heero,' he sobbed and buried his face further in Braque's chest. `I killed him, Master! It was me!'

Braque frowned. `Calm down, young one.' He smiled slightly when Duo looked at him. `Everything will be fine,' he assured the weeping boy.

**You see I cannot be forsaken**

Duo dwelled on the dream. His state of health got worse. He rarely fed. Rarely left his coffin, unless Braque forced him out. All Duo wanted was to curl up and die. He felt worse now that he knew it was him who killed Heero.

Duo looked up when the lid of his coffin was removed. `Come, young one. We are going out.' Braque bent down and pick Duo up delicately.

`Master, I don't want to go out,' Duo said with no emotion.

Ivory challenged violet. `Its doesn't matter, young one.' Braque placed him down in the bathroom. `Now shower.'

Duo began to strip, even before Braque had left the room. He undid his braid and got the shower going. When the temperature was right, Duo stepped in. He quickly washed his hair and body.

He stepped out and dressed in the clothes that Braque had set out for him. As he was doing up the belt on his pants, Braque appeared behind him. `Pass me the comb, please, young one?'

Duo sighed but complied. `Master?'

`Yes?'

`Where are we going?'

Braque had finished braiding Duo's hair and tied the end with a gold ribbon before he answered. `Where you can meet the other's of our kind, young one.' Braque turned Duo around so he faced him. `First, though, you are going to feed. Your color is horrible.' Braque leaned in and kissed him on the forehead.

**Because I'm not the only one**

Duo looked around the pub. The band was playing some form of rock from the far end of the room. Everyone stared as the two entered. Most looked on with shock, the others, with fear.

`Braque?' someone called from the left.

`Alexion,' Braque said without looking at the man.

`Is this one your newest? He's cute.' Alexion's gold eyes flashed with passion.

`Master, I don't like him,' Duo told Braque and he pressed himself against the older man.

`You always did like being called `Master', didn't you?' Alexion moved towards Braque and caught his lips in a fierce kiss.

Braque pushed Alexion off. `The last person who did that, ended up with his fangs missing and greeting the morning sun. If I were you, Alexion, I would not do that again,' Braque growled and pushed past the man, with his arm around Duo's shoulders.

Duo looked around. `Master?' he asked, as he looked from one face to another. `How old are you?'

Braque froze. `Old enough to know better, young one. Old enough and wise enough to know not to let your out of my sight here.'

Duo looked perplexed. `Then, why, Master? Why bring me here?'

Braque leaned in close and brushed his lips across Duo's. `To show you, we are not the only ones. There are people here that are hurting because of the loved ones they have lost. Like you, young one.'

**We walk amongst you**

That day, I spent the sun's hours with Braque. I thought over what he told me at the pub. Like you. They were nothing like me. I doubted the fact that they killed the person they loved.

They were drawn to the darkness because they hurt so much. Do they really hurt that much? So much, they would turn to the darkness for answers? I questioned myself. Perceptive that I didn't have the answers.

I looked over at my sleeping Master and smiled. `You should do that more often, young one,' Braque told me, without opening his eyes.

`Lately, Master, I haven't had anything to smile about.' I settled back down. I allowed myself to be pulled into his embrace.

`There is always something to smile about, young one. You just have to realize it, first.' He brought my chin and kissed me passionately.

When he broke the kiss, I smiled. `I guess you were right, Master.' I placed my head on his chest and fell asleep.

**Feeding**

Duo woke to an empty bed. He smiled and stretched. Thank you, Master, he thought cheerfully. He looked to the double doors that led to the balcony and his eyes softened.

Standing there, shirtless, was his Master. Duo saw his white hair flutter slightly in the light breeze. Duo got out of the bed and walked over to Braque.

`I thought you'd never wake, young one.' Braque turned and smiled lightly.

Duo lowered his eyes, then looked into his Master's ivory eyes. `You know you will always wake to see me sleeping, Master.' Duo stood on tiptoe and kissed Braque.

`What do you want, young one?' Braque raised an eyebrow.

`Can I see my friends again, Master?' Duo asked enthusiastically, almost jumping up and down with joy.

Braque fully beamed. `Of course you can. I want you back before dawn, though, young one.'

Duo hugged the older man. `Thank you, Master.' He quickly kissed Braque on the cheek and ran out of the room.

**Raping**

Duo smiled as he walked into the house. `Quatre! Trowa! Wufei!' he called, as he hung his coat up. `Hello?'

Duo walked into the living room. He stopped dead in his tracks. The salt blood flooded to his eyes at the sight that laid upon for him to see.

Duo fell to his knees. `No. Not my friends, as well!' he demanded furiously. `Someone will pay dearly for this violation!'

Duo crawled to Quatre's bloody body and pulled him onto his lap. Duo looked around the room. He saw the weapon used. A kitana. The same one Heero have to him for his fifteenth birthday.

`I'm sorry, Quatre. I'm sorry for all of this! None of it should have happened to any of you! Forgive me, my dear friend.' Duo kissed Quatre's forehead and stood.

**Must we hide from everyone**

I have felt enough pain to last three lives

After my friends, I lost all sense, color and emotion

My world revolves around anger

I have wept my blood

I have cursed the Gods

The blood of my dearest

My only friends, stain my sword

My rage flashes in my eyes

I am the hunter

I am the hunted

I stalk my Victim

Unaware that he stalks me

My hatred unbearable for anyone else

So, I draw my blood-stained sword

And proceed

I will not fail

I am the Avenging Angel

I had left Braque some time ago. I now stalk Alexion. I will make him pay. I will not allow him to get away with this. I am the Avenging Vampyre. I will not allow anyone to hurt the innocent.

I pull my slicker on, and walk into the darkness. Tonight, I will do what is needed…