Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Essential Elements ❯ Party Favors ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The boys prepare for the Welcoming Ceremony, Trowa and Dakora get a little closer, and Quatre gets a little surprise. (Yes, the story is still Duo-centric, don't worry.)

Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Comedy / Adventure / Action / Hentai / Fantasy | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 10.03.2006 | Pages: 7 | Words: 16.9K | Visits: 536 | Status: Work In Progress

Warnings: AU-ish, yaoi, language, Duo's POV

This Chapter is rated R for language, humor, violence, and… situations

Pairings: 2x1/1x2, 3x4, 5+S, Y/L, A/D

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. …Damn it.

A/N: Sorry this one's late, everyone, I, uh, kinda forgot to pay the electric bill, so I haven't had access to my own computer, and therefore my story, for the past two days. However, I'm back, the bill is paid, and Chapter 7 is already in progress. Unfortunately, this chapter's shorter than I had originally intended, because I kind of had a mild case of writer's block, and I didn't want to rush anything and make it sloppy. Thanks for bearing with me!

“Speech.”

Thoughts.

Telepathy.

Chapter 6: Party Favors

:ooooo:

After we left the Garden (and I scraped all the crap off my shoe), the five Temple Heads had mapped out a basic schedule for us: first we'd go and get cleaned up, then, we were to drop our amplifiers off at the Shrine of Riei ki Sarys (?), so that they could recover their powers (I had no idea how that was done, but the demons seemed to, so I didn't ask. S'long as I didn't have to do anything, I was cool with whatever.) After that it was off to the tailor's so we could be outfitted with the formal garments required for the Ceremony, and new wardrobe, and lastly, we would go choose a weapon to be trained with. I had no idea what we'd need a weapon for, exactly, but I was excited about it!

So, we went about doing what we were supposed to. It seemed to take forever to get to the Bathhouse; it was a huge glass building, housed in the middle of the five Temple Houses we would be living in as mages (it was still weird to say that). The inside was comfortably warm and aromatic, and we were informed that there were a total of five pools, all fit to serve different purposes. There were two for bathing, one for relaxation, and two for recreation. I'm guessing that the water itself in the bathing pool was magical, because it was a perfect temperature (really hot without being scalding, my favorite!), cloudy blue-green, and beautifully scented, and there was no need for us to use any soap (gotta love that). The bath itself was wonderful, and went off without a hitch, other than the fact that I had to physically force myself not to look at Heero wet and naked. (The near-opaque water helped a little, but Yoriko's running whispered commentary on every little thing he did was torture.)

After that, we trekked all the way back to the Main Temple, over to the Shrine of Hoobiewhatsits and dumped off the kiddies.

Well, we tried to.

Dakora, in his fox form, made a huge scene, yowling and keening and whining as soon as Trowa turned away. When Aedeka and Veda tried to pick him up and haul him into the Shrine, he changed to his human…ish form, wriggled away, and ran to Trowa, latching onto him like a limpet, wailing as if to wake the dead. Numerous unsuccessful attempts were made to pry him off T's person, and eventually, the only reason he let go was the promise that we would bring him something “extra special” from the tailors'. (That and the fact that we convinced him that Aedeka would cry if he didn't stay with him. Aww, he was so gullible.) “He likes shoes,” the silver-haired demon told us, stroking the head of his now-frantically apologizing lover.

“What size?” Trowa asked. Aedeka shrugged.

“The biggest ones you can find, and make sure they're leather or something close to it.” I looked at the fire demon's tiny feet.

“Um, why? His feet are, like, this big.” I held my thumb and middle finger about as wide apart as they would go. I wondered if it was true what they said, about guys with little feet….

Aedeka smiled ruefully. “Yeah, but so are his teeth. And the bigger the shoe, the longer it lasts... usually.”

And so, with that strange but interesting nugget of information, we left our demons and our orbs with the Elder at the temple, and then set off the short distance back towards the Garden to the resident tailor's.

This is where the trouble began.

:ooooo:

“I'm not coming out, Raz. Find me something else to wear, or I swear, I'll stay behind this curtain all night!” Razyo sighed for the hundredth time. Ha, I was beginning to wear him down.

“Duo, you're being irrational, there's nothing wrong with what you're wearing.” I huffed.

Like hell there was nothing wrong with this outfit! Behind the protection of the dressing curtain, I glared at my reflection in the mirror.

From the neck up, I really had no complaints. The tailor resided in one of the buildings surrounding the grounds of the temple, and was similar to a small department store: there was an area to get clothes, an area to get jewelry, and an area to get a makeover. Yeah, a makeover. The beautician-man took one look at me then immediately brightened and giggled (?), I guess at the prospect of having so very, very much to do. Normally, I would be adverse to just anyone doing my hair, but seeing as how I was in a magic land and all, I figured what the hell. It took him a good hour to finish all the complicated little coils and loops and braids and twists, and in the end, it was really just a glorified twist-up ponytail, but I knew the result was worth it when I made Wufei choke on the glass of water he was sipping at.

I'm too sexy for my hair, too sexy for my hair….

Going a little lower on my body, there was the shirt. It wasn't so bad, really; it was actually just a jade green vest-thing with a deep V-neck and ornate gold trim. It was a bit tight but, hey, who was I to complain about showing off a little skin and body proportions? Nobody, right? Right. If anything, I was doing the world a favor.

But, enough about the shirt, allow me to enlighten you as to the current source of my fury.

Here I was, Duo Maxwell, Shinigami, the only Dark mage to exist on over ten thousand years, Master of one of the most feared and dangerous demons to ever exist (supposedly; I still think Yoriko's reputation has been exaggerated), and they have the audacity to expect me to wear… this… thing!

Well, let me tell you something: Shinigami doesn't do kilts.

Hell, it wasn't even a manly kilt; it was short! And I don't know that you can have a kilt without the plaid-ness. It was deep green with gold embroidery, and in all honesty, a kilt in name only.

In fact, I think I just wished it was a kilt.

“Duo, what's wrong, what's going on in there?” Oh, great, now I had an audience.

“Nothing, Quat, I'm just kindly informing Razyo, here, that if he doesn't get me a new outfit for tonight, I won't be goin' to the party.”

“Why, what's wrong with your outfit?” I grunted.

“It's not fucking gender-appropriate, that's what's wrong! I'll be damned if I go anywhere looking like this!”

“Like what, Duo, it's not like I can see you! Look, I'm sure that whatever you're wearing is fine, I mean, my outfit's pretty weird, too-” I jerked back the curtain and glared at him “-but we are in a… different…. Duo, that's a skirt.” It took everything I had not to launch myself at him. Wouldn't want to flash anyone in my skirt, now would I? I clenched my hands into fists and continued glowering at Quat, while Razyo made an exasperated sound.

“Duo, it's not a… skirt. It's traditional, lots of people will be wearing them!” I grumbled.

“Well, then they can wear theirs, then, and I can find something else. I'm serious, man, I'm not wearing this-”

“Nice skirt, Duo.” I offered Trowa a glare, one that had previously been reserved for OZ soldiers and animal abusers, and then shot him the bird. He grinned widely. “No, really. It looks good on you. Not many men can pull that off, I'm impressed.”

I hated him.

And he had every right to make fun of me, cause his “traditional” costume was cooler than mine.

He was wearing a pair of dark orange pants that looked like they could have been painted onto his legs, they were so tight. His yellow vest was similar to mine, only it was longer and laced up in the back, allowing for a perfect view of the long crimson tattoo down the center of his wide back. He wore a deep red sash tied at his waist, and gold wristbands decorating his wrists. Somehow, hairdresser-man managed to comb his bang back from its usual place, and I was pleased to find that T wasn't actually hiding any sort of disfigurement behind it, as I so often teased Quatre about; the skin wasn't horribly scarred, and his left eye was just as green as his right. Thank goodness.

Q's outfit was also better than mine. He had on flowing indigo pants of some light, gauzy-looking fabric, with a sleeveless pale blue shirt made of similar material. I could just make out his spell-tattoo coiled around the circumference of his slender neck. The hairdresser had feathered out his hair quite nicely, and the silver bangles on his wrists tinkled musically as he lifted a hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter.

I was about to stifle his laughter with my own hand to his mouth, when Trowa's grin widened. (If it got any bigger, I swear, the top of his head was going to fall off.) “How about you, Yuy? Do you think Duo pulls off the kilt look okay?”

Oh, great, this was the last thing I needed, the sexiest man alive, one who just hinted not two hours ago, that he might be interested in me, to see me in this ridiculous-

“Yeah, I… I think you look really good, Duo.”

Ye gads, Heero Yuy just complimented me!

Well, then, that settled it.

The kilt stayed.

I turned to him, and probably would have embarrassed myself by gushing my thanks, had I not been stunned speechless by his Ceremony get-up (which was, needless to say, way better than mine).

Heero was the only man alive, I think, who could wear what he was wearing and have it not look like a dress. The long white duster was embroidered with pastel blue and silver designs, with a stiff standup collar, and high slits at the side of his legs (and I mean, high, like it would have been indecent, had he not had on the long grey leggings.) The only jewelry Heero had on was one long, thin, silver earring hanging from his left ear, and a silver band around his right upper arm. Unfortunately for the hairdresser, though I'm sure he'd tried his damndest, he had been unable to do anything to tame Heero's unruly mane. It looked like it always did: perfect.

He watched me (undress him with my eyes) stare at him, and one corner of his mouth twitched upwards in a tiny smile. We stood like that awhile before Razyo cleared his throat loudly.

“Ahem! Ah, as cute as you two are right now, Duo, you're not finished yet.” I blushed brightly and shuffled over to his side, while Heero quickly found an excuse to go talk to Seiren. I was going to kill Raz, really. This was the second time he'd ruined mine and Heero's mood.

The green-haired boy held an assortment of jewelry, intended for me, I guess, smiling. “Hang on a sec,” he chirped. First, he slipped a small gold cuff onto my left ear. He leaned in and draped a very thin gold chain around my neck, then twisted it and looped it around again. After that, he indicated I hold out my arms. I did, and he slid a gold armband up the length of my left arm, and then repeated the action on my left wrist, with several thin gold bangles.

Gold, gold, gold, gold, gold! It was almost too much to handle; I had to remind myself that this wasn't L2, thatI could be seen in public wearing this without anyone automatically assuming I'd stolen it. I turned around to look at myself in the mirror, and was pleased with what I saw. Despite the fact that I was still wearing that godawful skirt (hey, just because Heero liked it, and I had decided to wear it, didn't mean I liked the dumb thing) I looked pretty damn good. In the mirror, I saw Heero staring at me, smiling faintly.

Pretty damn good. Oh yeah.

I caught sight of Wufei, also, and grinned. He appeared to be trying to hide from Shoria, who was brandishing a handful of bangles like a weapon. Wufei's hair was down (it looked really good like that) and his Ceremony clothes were actually similar to Trowa's and Heero's: he had a pale yellow tunic was long enough to cover his butt, but not long enough to rob him of his dignity (God forbid `Fei had been the one in the kilt!). His white and silver pants were fitted, but not indecently tight, like Trowa's were. Not that anyone (especially Quatre) was complaining about T's pants. Wufei's eyes were filled with apprehension as he crept around a shelf in the center of the room, trying his best not to be spotted by the young girl hunting for him.

I was going to go over and tease him, when something else caught my eye. Seiren and Taiga, Heero's and Trowa's Bother-people, had been talking to a small boy who had just entered the tailors'. I couldn't hear them, but they had apparently finished, and Taiga pointed over to Kyo, who had just finished helping Quatre get outfitted with a pair of silver slipper-shoes. Seiren said something that made the half-demon laugh, then wrap his arms around him. They smiled at each other for a moment before Taiga dipped his head in for a gentle kiss.

Turning away, I flushed hotly, feeling as though I had intruded upon their private moment. I had no idea they were together! Suddenly, something struck me. I remembered the way some guys who were in the Bathhouse had been watching us. At the time, I had chalked it up as their being curious, but now, I remembered the low voices and chuckles, the obvious stares, the lewd glances…. And then there was Raz… and at least four of the demons (I wasn't a hundred percent sure about Veda one way or the other)… and that hairstylist (oh, come on, there was no way he was straight!)….

This place was queer, literally.

I immediately sought out Razyo, who was talking to the (gay) hairstylist. I waved him over and he cocked his head to the side, puzzled.

“What's up, Duo, something wrong?” he asked when he reached me. Hmm, how to phrase this tactfully….

“Dude, why does it seem like all the guys in this place are batting for the same team?” Tact. Right.

Now Raz really looked puzzled. “What? What does that mean, batting for the same team?” Oh, yeah, good one, Duo. Use the baseball analogy on a guy who lives in a world where it was a normal occurence for men to wear mini-skirts.

“Ah, okay, um, what I mean is…. Well, okay, like, you like guys, Seiren and Taiga are together, we got ogled at the Bathhouse, that hairstylist is staring at your ass….” A look of comprehension blossomed on his face. He chuckled and shook chartreuse bangs out of his eyes. I blinked. Something about his face seemed weird …. I gasped.

Whoa, now!

“Your eyes aren't the same color!” Razyo, who had just opened his mouth to answer my question, blinked, clearly not prepared for my sudden revelation. I looked closer. There it was, plain as day: his right eye was gray and his left eye was brown. How did I not notice that? Why does it seem like I'm I always two steps behind in this place?

“Uh, well, ah, no, no they aren't. They, uh, never have been.” He smiled slowly as I stared at him. “And, if we can get off the topic of my face, for just a moment, you were asking... sorry, I forgot.” I shook my head.

“Like, why does everyone in this place seem to be gay?” He nodded.

“Right, right. Well, that's a simple question for me to answer: I dunno.” I face-faulted. Well, that was helpful. He shrugged. “I mean, me `n Kyo've developed this theory, but it's not proven or anything. We think it's because we're all in the temples.”

“'M not followin' you.”

“Okay, see, most kids who are Confirmed with The Gift are sent to temples to train, right? We're sent off to the Temples at a young age to try and develop our abilities. Only catch is most Elemental mages tend to be male, for some reason, and so, we're usually around a buncha guys, all the time. And since we're not allowed to leave the grounds until we've been Validated by the... you're not following much of this, are you?”

No. No, I wasn't, really. He sighed. “Okay, basically, we think because we're isolated in the Temples, surrounded by hot guys and very, very few girls for most of our lives, by the time we've realized other girls exist, it's too late. Remember, this just our theory, it might be something completely different in acuality.”

Okay, that made a little more sense. But just a little. It reminded me of another question, though.

“Okay, so why is everyone so good-looking here? Is it the water, or something?” Raz laughed.

“Now that actually does have an answer founded in scholarly truth.” Ah, good ol' scholarly truth. “Ran tre Kaeido was originally a demon city, run and inhabited by demons and spirits. And, as you can see, they tend to be incredibly attractive, don't they?” I thought of Yoriko's lazy grin, Aedeka's sinful body, Loeke's hair, Dakora's eyes, Veda's voice….

Yes. Yes, demons absolutely tended to be attractive.

Raz seemed to take my reflective silence as agreement, smirking, and continued. “Well, after awhile, humans started settling here as well. Demons started taking humans as mates, and vice versa, and, well, you can figure out the rest.” I furrowed my brow.

“So, you're saying that all the humans in this place are descended from demons?” He nodded.

“Yeah, that's right. Just enough blood to keep us nice and pretty.” He struck a pose and batted his lashes at me. Idiot. “And enough to provide some of us with a link to the spirits. Where did you think the magic came from?”

Hell if I knew, mage-boy.

I had just opened my mouth to say something when the young boy I saw earlier popped out of nowhere and bowed very low.

“Excuse me, sirs,” he piped. Raz turned to him.

“Are they ready?” The boy nodded, bowed again, then turned and left. Hm. Abrupt, wasn't he?

“Who's that?” I asked. Raz shrugged.

“He's a page, one of three, they're the ones who run all the errands and stuff. The Elders are ready for you guys.” Oh, so it was time to pick up the boys then. Razyo and I gathered up all my new clothes (I kept on that thrice-damned skirt) and Dakora's... snacks, and headed over to the door of the shop, where the others had already started congregating.

As we said our thanks to the tiny old shopkeeper and the hairdresser, I suddenly got an incredibly bad feeling. The hairs on the back of my neck were too long to stand up, but they prickled all the same. I mentally shook myself and ignored it, and headed off to the Shrine with the others.

Why do I ignore such blatant warnings? It's usually detrimental to my health.

“Ah, there you are,” Urai greeted us as we entered the inner sanctum (I made that up, it was just a room) of the Shrine of Riei ki Sarys. We'd given Raz and the others our things, as they had stayed in the previous room, wishing us luck.

And why, exactly, would we be needing luck?

Urai and four other really old dudes were seated on the floor, around a platform upon which our five orbs rested.

Almost immediately, I sensed that there was something different about them, but I couldn't put my finger on just what it was. I figured I'd find out soon enough, though, as Urai indicated for us to sit down. “Gentlemen, these are the Elders of your respective Temples.” She rattled off four strange, archaic-sounding names as she introduced them to us. “Now, we will proceed onto the Rebirth.” I squirmed in my spot next to Quatre. Why was everything here some big, fancy, drawn-out process? Drawing, Confirmation, Endowment, Validation, Rebirth, I mean, jeez! “Now, I will warn you,” she began with a significant look to each of us. (I knew it! I should have listened to the hairs on the back of my neck!) “Your amplifiers will most likely have changed. You will have to reassert your authority over them and-”

“Oh, hell, no!” I started. Wufei was glaring at the old woman, his face a twisted combination of fury and terror. Damn, Veda must've really done a number on the poor guy. Then again, I had no desire whatsoever for a repeat performance of Yoriko's retaliation tactics, either. Urai held up a hand.

“Calm yourself, dear Wufei, it will not be like the Drawing.” The Chinese boy practically collapsed in relief. She pointed to the orbs. “You simply have to… remind them of your ownership, as they tend to lose themselves after regaining their powers. Duo.” She turned to me and I gulped. “I have no idea how Yoriko will respond, and it is for this reason that I ask you to please go first.”

The hairs were laughing at me. I could feel it.

I stood up and walked over to her, and with a shaky hand, reached out and picked up the small green and black orb. Urai took a deep breath and muttered something in that crazy archaic language, sweeping both hands over the ball.

I felt the difference at once, and I didn't like it. At all. A powerful current of energy suddenly pulsed from the orb into my body; it was like being electrocuted without the pain.

My hair was too scared to laugh, now.

I was honestly terrified, and looked imploringly to Urai. She smiled a tiny (incredibly unconvincing) smile and took my other hand in both of hers. “Repeat after me: innaei susiita losao Yoriko aa madi.” I stared at her.

Huaaah?

She repeated it, her smile more sincere now. It took me a few tries, but I got it, eventually. Go, me. Urai gestured to my orb. “Good. This is the incantation you will use to summon him, Duo.” She nodded to me and took her seat back in the circle of the Elders.

I stood alone in the center of the room, praying silently that I survived this, please, please, let me survive this, I'm not ready to die yet, Heero's waiting to talk to me, and I just figured this place out, oh, please don't let anything happen to me, please, ah, God, please don't-

“Duo?” Fine, fine, fine! Damn, a guy can't even pray in peace anymore!

I steeled myself, took a deep breath, and recited the… incantation spell-thing. Even through my tightly closed eyelids, I could see the bright flash of green light that accompanied the end of the chant. It faded, and I heard gasps, along with Quatre's tiny “Oh!” and I shook as I waited for my life to end.

…Or something.

I was completely caught off-guard, though, when a pair of lean-muscled arms wrapped around me from the back in a sudden, crushing bear hug. “Did you miss me, Master?” an all too-familiar voice purred into my ear.

I struggled in Yoriko's suffocating embrace, not entirely convinced he wasn't really trying to kill me, and he laughed as he released his hold. I whirled around to face him, and was shocked by the sight that greeted me.

Deep breaths, Duo, deep breaths.

It was Yoriko, alright, back and better than ever. His pine green eyes twinkled and he smiled a slow, glittering smile. Somehow, (please, don't ask me how, I have no idea, and he won't tell me) he'd changed clothes; the demon was now clad in all leather. Sinfully tight black leather that showed off every inch of his perfectly toned body. I noticed, in the back of my mind that his wings and tail were suspiciously absent. So I wasn't crazy for not noticing them earlier! He could… hide them. I guess. (I'd have to remember to ask him about that later.) There was new addition to Yori's body: a small black design under his left eye. It didn't detract from anything, of course. In fact, if anything, it only served to enhance his dark beauty.

Yeah, deep breaths and shallow thoughts.

Relieved that I was no longer in danger of being gruesomely mauled, I walked over and plopped back down near Quatre, who grinned and congratulated me. Yeah, whoohoo, Quat. I waved Yoriko over to me, and, having fully been expecting him to rebel in some way, was amazed when he obediently strolled over, and sat on my right. I stared at him suspiciously. What the hell's gotten into you? Why're you so compliant, all of a sudden? I asked (with my cool new telepathic ability) as the Elder of the Temple of Air summoned Heero to get his orb. Yoriko grinned enigmatically.

Oh, no reason, just glad I finally have my powers back. I felt naked without `em. He sighed luxuriously and stretched his arms over his head. I snorted.

And here I would have thought you liked being naked. He laughed out loud at that, and I turned my attention to Heero, who's orb had just flashed lilac. I was just thinking what a girly color lilac was, when Aedeka appeared before his master, decked out in a loose blue tunic with an incredibly steep V-neck (hell, it should have been called a V-chest!), with short gray pants and a silver sash. Like his little brother, he was also sporting a sexy new facial tattoo; a dark blue one.

Well, that certainly disproved the lilac theory, didn't it?

Heero and Aedeka headed back over to sit down near Wufei and Trowa, on the opposite side of the table from Q and me. The blonde's name was called and he stood up, casting a glace back at me. I gave him a thumbs up, and he smiled.

I sensed rather than felt Yoriko brighten even more beside me as Quatre retrieved his orb. Leveling another doubtful stare at him, I cleared my throat. “Uh, in case you've forgotten, buddy, Loeke wants your balls pickled in a jar. Why are you getting so excited?” I heard Quat mutter the incantation, and the room glowed with pure, silver-white light.

The creature that appeared before Quatre was anything but pure-looking, though: like Yoriko, Loeke was dressed to kill in obscenely tight clothes. His pale blue pants and too-short navy vest clung to his lithe body like a second skin.

What the fuck, did they all take a trip to “Sluts `R Us” while we were gone?

The fair-haired demon's clothes were having a rather predictable effect on Yoriko. “Ke-ko,” he whispered huskily. I had every intention of warning him against going near the smaller boy, but before I could, Loeke turned, eyes wide. He looked… starstruck, for lack of a better word.

The hell?

“Yoriko,” he said breathlessly, the beginnings of a grin forming on his face. I think there was something different about the smaller demon, other than the small blue tat at the corner of his right eye, but... ah, it was his eyes. is pupils were slitted, like a reptile's Again, I marvelled at how, somehow, it didn't look odd at all, to see a young boy with slitted pupils.

Trowa had taken his orb, and now held the swirling aurulent bauble in his right hand, prepared to call out Dakora. He muttered the incantation and, as expected, there was a brilliant flash of… black?

What the-

“Fuck,” Yoriko moaned. Quatre and I turned sharply to the two amplifiers at our sides, as the Elders at the table began talking in low, hurried voices. Aedeka darted over to Trowa's side, with Heero, and Wufei hot on his heels.

“Loeke, what's going-” was all Quat had time to ask the wild-eyed Loeke before Dakora appeared, on floor in front of his Master. Dead silence reigned in the small room, all eyes trained on the figure huddled before Trowa.

“Um, hey, Dakora? Are you alright?” the tall boy asked tentatively. The figure on the ground said nothing. Tro cleared his throat nervously, and had just opened his mouth again when Aedeka put a hand on his chest.

“Back up,” he said, voice completely flat. “Back up, slowly, all of you. Now.” He waited for the three boys to comply, then followed his own instructions and began to back away from the prone figure on the ground. They had nearly reached Quat and me when honey-gold eyes suddenly snapped open and locked onto Trowa's.

Dakora stood up slowly and I immediately noticed more than a few physical changes. The most notable was that he was… bigger. He was by no means large, but he'd grown, somehow; his chest was a little broader and he was taller than before. His hair had grown a bit, and his slowly swishing tail was longer, the fur thicker. Damn, it was like he'd hit puberty while we were gone!

Dakora also had a tattoo on his face, but his was a large black slash across his left eye. While I was cataloguing all the changes that had taken place, a slow, somewhat sinister grin had spread across the still relatively boyish face. “Master,” came the dark, harsh whisper.

What the hell? What happened to the cute, happy, raspy-voiced fox-boy from two hours ago?

Trowa stood stick-still, and looked incredibly ill, face pale, eyes huge, mouth slightly agape. Wufei had rushed over to his Temple Elder to try and summon Veda, but in his panic, he was having trouble remembering the words of the incantation. Heero was staring much like Trowa was, at the recently “Reborn” fox.

Oh, he was so pretty when he was focused intently on something. So very, very pretty.

“D…Dakora?” Trowa whispered uncertainly. The fox's grin widened and he began walking slowly towards his Master, tail swinging lazily from side to side. He did one of those funny little shakes of the head that dogs tend to do… and then suddenly it was uncomfortably hot in the room. God, I was sweating already!

“Loeke, what's going on, what's wrong with Dakora?” Quatre asked, seemingly unaffected by the fact that the room had suddenly decided to imitate Hell (while I, on the other hand, was desperately wishing I'd brought a fan and a bucket of ice). Loeke made a face and looked to his green-eyed lover.

“It's his curse,” the ice demon answered. “His other personality.” Quatre made an exasperated sound.

“Well, how the hell do we stop him?” he demanded, turning back to watch the spectacle before him. I glanced over at Yoriko, who looked a little grim. He shook his head.

“Nothing. There's nothing you can do but wait until he changes back.”

"Well how the hell long would that take?" I asked the two demons, stamping my foot impatiently. Q and I watched in apprehension as Yoriko shrugged.

“Depends. Could last anywhere from an hour to a week, a month, a year, it just depends. There's no way to gauge it.” Yeah, but still….

“But what if, I mean, what if he hurts Trowa?” Loeke shook his head.

“No. He can't kill your friend, a demon can't kill his own Master, it's impossible.” I noticed something right there.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, you said `kill', he can't kill Trowa. I said `hurt', he could hurt him?” Yoriko smirked wryly.

“So you caught that, huh?” He turned back to demon and Master. Dakora was only a few feet away from my banged friend, grinning insanely. I saw Heero trying desperately to calm Wufei down, as the Chinese boy was swearing in rapid Mandarin, still panicking to remember the words of the spell. A bit behind them, Aedeka was looking onto the scene with grim intensity, eyes dark and unreadable, and the five Elders were sitting in a circle, murmuring some weird chant-thing.

Yoriko continued, absently wrapping an arm around his small lover, pulling him close. “Yeah, if he were weak, Dako could really hurt the kid. But something tells me your Trowa's a bit more formidable than that. Plus, I think 'Kora likes him, I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.” Well, you're not me, so you wouldn't be as worried about him as I would, would you, demon-boy?

“Master,” Dakora purred again, sidling up to the tall boy. Trowa looked incredibly uncomfortable with eyes darting from side to side like they were, but he didn't necessarily look scared. He had been standing his ground throughout the entire ordeal, despite the fact that the fire demon was blatantly invading his personal space. Maybe Yoriko was right, maybe I didn't need to worry-

FWOOSH!

Without warning, a ring of fire shot up from the ground, encircling both Trowa Dakora, effectively shielding them from our sight. The heat alone was enough to send us all scattering to the furthest corner of the room. Oh, damn, if the room was hot before….

From my place on my back, I scowled furiously at Yoriko. “Don't worry my motherfuckin' ass!” I screamed at him. He simply gaped incredulously at the towering wall of fire before us. He'd mouthed something to Loeke, something that looked like “Already?” to which the smaller demon replied with a dazed shrug. Okay, whatever.

“Dakora, no, stop it!” I turned. I'd imagine the only reason Aedeka hadn't thrown himself into the flame yet was because of Heero's hold on his shirt. Heero, while obviously terrified for our friend, had obviously rationalized that, while it may make him feel better for a moment, Aedeka's diving into a blazing column of fire would probably not help anyone in the long run. Sometime while I was busy being distracted, Wufei had managed to calm down enough to actually say the incantation, and Veda stood rigid at his side, staring like the rest of us, at the monstrous, swirling wall of fire. (And just to let you know, yes, Veda did also look like he just came from a club: he was wearing a tight cream-colored top with even tighter gold-hued pants. Just to let you know.)

“Come on, baby, stop it, don't do this right now, please `Kora!” Aedeka pleaded, but to no avail. The scorching barricade was an unrelenting monolith in the center of the room, utterly and completely isolating those on the outside from the two within.

Jeez, I get poetic when I'm scared, don't I?

I rolled over towards Q, Loeke, and Yoriko, and realized, with a start, that it felt much less like the center of Hell over here. I frowned for a second, casting a glance at them huddled around the pale-eyed ice demon, and realization struck me.

Duh, Duo.

“Hey, wait, Quat, you're a water mage, or whatever, can't you put that out?” He gave me a look that suggested he'd have an easier chance of forcing Wufei to go streaking. (You know, I tried that, once. I've still got the scar, too.)

“Duo, how can I do that? I don't even really know what my powers are, let alone how to actually use them!” Well, jeez, don't get your panties in a bunch. Beside him, Loeke was shaking his head.

“Even if you did have control over your powers, Master, you wouldn't be able to put that out, you couldn't. Besides, you wouldn't want to, you'd risk hurting your lover.” Quatre flushed visibly at that last word, and I frowned again.

“What? Why?” Yoriko shrugged.

“He's Bonding with him now.” There's another one! What is with this place and their gratuitous use of capitalization? “Usually, the process doesn't happen until well after the relationship between Master and amplifier has been established, when they trust each other more. I guess your Trowa really is something else, then, Master.”

Goddamit, why was everything so fucking complicated around here? I don't fucking get it!

“I don't understand, what is Bonding?” Quatre asked, mirroring my thoughts. Aedeka appeared out of nowhere, looking a bit frustrated.

“It's the process by which Master and amplifier become one, in body, mind, and ability.” Before Quatre could voice his incredibly obvious distress, Aedeka laughed and held up a hand. “Not to worry, it's not permanent. Well, the sharing of the body isn't. But, as of right now, and from now on, your Trowa will have full control over the same skills as Dakora. They will be mentally and spiritually attuned, as I said before, one.” Quatre opened his mouth again, and again, Aedeka smiled and stopped him. “And, no, he will still be the same person you knew -and loved-” he added, with a saucy wink to the blond “-before this. In fact, when they aren't Merged-” fucking dammit, there was another one! “-there will be no noticeable difference, physical or mental.” Q sighed in relief, but I was (friggin' still!) confused.

“Will we all do this `Bonding' thing?” I asked, as Wu, Heero, and Veda approached us. Aedeka nodded.

“Yes, it's necessary for you to complete this. It's really the whole reason you Drew an amplifier; we can only do so much to increase your power before the Bond, but after… well, let's just say you'll be greatly envied. Remember, not everyone manages to Draw an amplifier.” Yoriko grinned broadly.

“Yeah, especially not us,” he gloated, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I snorted. Egotist. Wufei furrowed his brow and addressed the silver-haired demon questioningly.

“If the Bonding process is essential, why were you so against Dakora doing it? If he had to anyway, what was the point of putting it off until later?” Veda growled from behind his Master.

“Because Dakora is a loose cannon! His powers are erratic and unpredictable, there's no way anyone-” Aedeka cut him off with a vicious snarl. The tall blue haired demon lifted his chin defiantly, but said nothing more. Aedeka turned patiently back to Wufei.

“I was worried,” he started with a, acidic glare at Veda, “because your friend doesn't have control over his own abilities yet. Yes, Dakora's powers are a bit… precarious at times, but they are also very intense. He's going to have to work five times as hard as you all, just at harnessing the energy, not to mention actually controlling and using it.” Wufei nodded, accepting the explanations. Damn, I was sure glad Yoriko had decided to wait to Bond until after I mastered my powers, then.

I can a terrible slacker, at times.

But, then again…. “Hey, wait, Yoriko, if I've gotta master handling my powers as a green mage, or whatever, when the hell am I gonna learn how to deal with all your crazy `Dark' shit?” He looked over at me, then chuckled.

“Hm, looks like you'll have work ten times as hard then, little slacker.”

Oh, hell.

I was so caught up in the fact that I was actually going to have to work hard at being a mage, that I didn't hear Urai calling my name until she was right in front of me. “Duo!”

“Gah!” I cried, flinging myself away from the grizzled woman. I became aware of my surroundings again, noticing that there seemed to be some sort of dissention in the ranks. Quat looked about ready to go into Zero mode, and Wuffie and `Ro were scowling. The Elders were watching them, looking a wary and a little nervous (hell, who wouldn't be, with three angry ex-Gundam pilots glaring daggers at them?). Urai had been staring at me, then shook her head pityingly. “Duo,” she began again, as though she were speaking to someone of limited intelligence. Which I am NOT. “I said that I would like you and the others to go into the courtyard and pick out your weapons now.” Oh, well that didn't seem so bad, now, what was the problem?

“You can't expect us to just leave Trowa here!” Quatre bellowed. Oh, yeah! I looked back to the center of the room, where the firewall was still going strong, swirling around the two figures we knew to be in there. “We can't leave him!” I nodded, switching my focus back to Urai.

“Yeah, Urai, I'm with the guys on this, we're not leaving him alone here.” Urai made an agonized sound.

“He's not alone, and he's not in any danger. Trowa will Bond with his amplifier, regardless of whether you all are here to watch him or not. They should be finished shortly, and I would prefer not to waste any more time in here. I will inform one of the pages to escort Mr. Barton to the courtyard when the Bonding process is complete, and after you have all chosen your weapons, you can make your way to the Gardens for the Ceremony.” I was still glaring at her. She sighed. “Please, all of you, trust me, ask your amplifiers, nothing is going to happen, both of them will be fine, you have nothing to worry about. Please, follow us and you can choose your instruments.” She started towards a door in the back of the room. I looked back at Yoriko, and when he shrugged and nodded, I sighed.

Fine, we'd leave Tro here for now, but if he wasn't in the courtyard in ten minutes, some heads were gonna roll, dammit.

The others seemed to have taken the same view on the matter, and one by one, we began to follow her. Instinctively, I waited up for Quatre, watching as the others all walked past me. I put a comforting hand on the little blonde's shoulder as we headed out, as he looked about ready to fall apart. Q looked up at me with worried eyes. “I don't want to leave him, Duo, I don't. How would any of us feel if it was us in there, and we came out and everyone was gone? He was scared, Duo, so scared, and now he's sad, and nobody's going to be here when he gets out of there except some page he doesn't even know. It's not fair!” I nodded.

“Yeah, man, I know you're worried, I am, too. Could you feel anything negative from Dakora? Did he seem like he wanted to hurt Tro?” Quat sighed and shook his head.

“N-no. Well, not the whole time. Actually, for a minute, he seemed a little scared, too, of Trowa. I mean, I know this Bonding thing is supposed to happen, and I guess I'm being silly, but he was so sad Duo! You… you have no idea what it feels like to know someone needs you to be there for them, to feel what they're feeling, and then walk away from that. He wanted us to be there, Duo. I just….”He shook his head, at a loss for words, and I pulled him into a tight hug.

“I know, buddy, I know.” He wasn't crying or anything, but the slow, shuddering breaths he was taking told me that this was just as serious. My poor baby! God knew it had to be hard enough, dealing with the whole constant psychic empathy ordeal, and he usually dealt well, but since it was the love of his life we were talking about... well, no wonder he was so upset.

We stayed like that for a moment, comforting each other, really, until he sighed. Pulling away, he smiled up at me. “Thanks, Duo.” I shook my head and gestured for him to go ahead of me.

“Ah, t'was nothing at all, my fair, fair lady,” I intoned in my best British gentleman's accent, hoping to cheer him up a bit (there was this one time when, after we'd spent the entire afternoon felling sorry for ourselves, that we'd come up with this theory how we'd both make terrific drag queens because… ah, never mind, it's an inside joke, and a complicated one at that.).

My quip had the desired effect, as Q giggled quietly. “Bastard,” he said breathed softly, walking ahead of me anyways, smiling. We'd gotten a little behind the others, but knew which hallway to turn down when we caught sight of a lock of long white hair disappearing down a corridor. We turned the corner and reached a tall black door that led to outside, presumably to the courtyard. I, again, indicated that Q go before me, and he playfully swatted my ass. I made a suggestive face at him and he snorted, swinging the door open wide. I walked out into the courtyard behind him, but stopped dead in my tracks as I did.

Here I was, thinking that the courtyard was going to be similar to the Garden, you know, lush and inviting and peaceful. No. The only similarities between the Garden and this place was that there was grass and that both were outdoors. The end.

Despite the fact that it was broad daylight outside, the courtyard was dark, probably due to the fact that it was surrounded by tall, thick black walls. And on those walls, mounted on shelves, were more weapons that I ever knew existed in the world. Holy fuck, this place was an assassin's paradise!

There were a total of four walls surrounding the courtyard; one housed an assortment of throwing weapons, another wall contained pole-mounted weapons and whips (kinky…), while another held a collection of swords and longknives, and on the last was a variety of gloves and gauntlets. (Not really sure what place those had in the weapons' room, but hey, whatever.)

Quatre wandered over to touch one of the vicious-looking pikes on the wall before us, and my mouth had to have been watering, because Yoriko appeared at my side, chuckling. “You like?” he asked with a flourish of his clawed hand. I was only able to nod dumbly, still trying to take in the sheer vastness of the amount of weaponry in front of me. He made a purring sound. “Hn, should we get started then, Master?” I tore my eyes away from a particularly menacing-looking metal segmented whip and looked questioningly to him. He pointed to the Elders seated on a stone bench in the center of the field. “They said we're supposed to pick a weapon, weren't you listening?” Oh, I guess not. I re-processed what he said.

“Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean `we' pick a weapon? You get one, too?” Yoriko rolled his eyes.

“We pick a weapon together, you idiot. I'll be inside you when you're fighting, so really, it's your choice.”

“Inside me?” He nodded, grinning. “Wait, like the possession thing, is that what you're talking about?” He nodded again. “But I don't want you inside me!” He snorted.

“Well, that's the first time I've ever heard that-” fucking pervert “-but, again, you've no choice in the matter, Master. Weren't you listening earlier? How else do you expect me to do my job if we're not spiritually in tune with each other?” Yes I was listening! But Aedeka said….

“I thought we wouldn't Bond `till later, isn't that what your brother said?” The black-haired demon nodded, and began eyeing the whips himself.

“Yes, but that's different. Bonding is one thing; we'll be mentally, physically, and spiritually Bound together, Merged. Possession is different, I'll just be helping you out, really.” He cut me off before I could say anything. “Yes, Master, you will need my help. Trust me, you'll see, you'll like it.” And, with that, he walked off, leaving me alone to my thoughts of demons and possession.

Of course, with all these beautiful instruments of death at my fingertips, I wasn't thinking those thoughts very long.

I decided right off the bat that I didn't want a whip, it didn't seem like it really had a place on the battlefield. And the gauntlets didn't really make any sense to me, so, despite the fact that Heero and Aedeka were stopped in front it, I skipped that wall, too. I paused in front of an enormous black scythe, mounted on the wall with the swords.

Oooh, yeah, baby.

I picked it up, smiling, remembering the good ol' days, lovingly petting the long, wicked blade. But then, put it back down. For some reason, it just didn't feel… right. I gave it one last stroke before I strolled over to the side of the wall that housed the swords and longknives. I was impressed by the selection, and the weapons themselves were exquisite, but there was just something that wasn't there. I moseyed over to the throwing blades and found the same problem: fond memories, good feel, perfectly stunning craftsmanship, but no spark.

I was just beginning to feel a little disappointed (daggers, daggers, everywhere, but not a blade to use!) and depressed, and had just turned to go ask Urai if, maybe there was another “courtyard” somewhere, when I was (nearly gored by) greeted with the most magnificently beautiful weapon I'd ever seen in my entire life.

On a scale from one to ten, it was a Heero.

I don't really know how to describe it, it was so unique. There were two of them, for starters, I'm guessing one for each hand. The silver hilt was actually in between the two wickedly long, cruelly curved black blades that made up the weapon. I marvelled at the thought behind the weapon: there were two, so I was protected on both my right and left side, it was dual-ended, and the blades themselves actually arced up and over the hilt before they shot out two feet in each direction, in that way, protecting my hands. I reached out, ran a finger along the sides of one perfect, ebony blade and realized that it was also double-edged. Oh, life was good!

Yoriko laughed as he handed one of the evil-looking weapons to me, twirling the other idly in his hand. “I absolutely agree, Master, I absolutely agree.” I took hold of the center of the weapon, giving it a few test-swings, loving the way it felt utterly perfect in my hands. I stopped and examined it, wondering how I could have overlooked such a flawlessly beautiful weapon. I must have said this out loud (either that, or Yori had been peering into my thoughts again) because he handed me the other blade, laughing again.

“I saw it as soon as I walked in and picked it up. I had it when I came over to talk to you, actually. Knew you'd like it.” I glared at him. Here I'd wasted a good thirty minutes looking for the perfect weapon, this particular weapon, and this bastard had it this entire time?

“I hate you,” I growled, heading over to where the others had just begun congregating around Urai and the others. He chuckled merrily and followed me at a distance, knowing I was mad at him. He barked out a laugh.

“Actually, it's because you have no idea how to carry those things yet, and if I come within three feet of you, front or back, I'll be perforated.” I mock-menacingly jabbed the right-hand weapon in his direction before coming to a stop in front of our little group. Urai looked around at us appraisingly, then nodded.

“Good,” she said simply, then turned to face Wufei, who was holding two long, narrow-bladed swords with ornate silver hilts. Hm, typical Wu, going for the sword right off the bat.

His Temple Elder stepped forward as well, to stand next to Urai. “Wufei, the weapon you have chosen is the A'Rafinae, The Last Reflection. Please come over here.” `Fei looked confused, but did as he was told, walking over to the old man. The Elder closed his eyes and muttered something foreign, waving one hand over the Chinese boy, then touched his forehead.

Okay, then. Whatever that means.

“Quatre,” Urai called. The blond stepped forward with some big-ass pike thing in his left hand. The body of the weapon seemed to be made of opal, and it looked a little bit like a trident, but just a little, as it was also double-ended and meant to be held in the middle. Also, instead of pointy spires at the crown, there were long, inward-curving silver blades, and in the center was a long, thick needle. Okay… strange. Pretty, and certainly intimidating, but strange nonetheless. His Elder came forward and repeated the same process as Wufei's did, claiming Q's weapon to be called Korisal, or Poison. Sweet name.

“Duo,” Urai called, turning towards me. I followed the trend and walked towards her, blades close at my side so as not to “perforate” anyone. She nodded knowingly. “I should have known Yoriko would find these or you, Duo. Tahalei, the Demon Blades. His weapon of choice.” I scowled at the “what-who-me?” expression of the green-eyed demon's face. He knew I would like them, huh? I mean, even though I did, he had no right taking advantage of me like that.

I did not take advantage of you! I told you'd like them and you did, how is that taking advantage of you? he queried as Urai began muttering. You're just mad `cause I know you better than you want me to. I narrowed my eyes.

You probably pulled some crazy Dark-magic Jedi mind-trick on me, then. He made a show of rolling his eyes.

Oh, please, just because I knew you'd like them doesn't mean I forced you to. …Even though I could have…. He let this statement hang cryptically in the air, and ignored me when I demanded he explain himself.

You know, for all his bragging about his “amazing” powers, he sure as hell avoided answering me every time I asked to know exactly what they were.

Heero was called next, and as he stepped forward, I realized he didn't seem to have a weapon. I frowned, but both Urai and the Elder of the Temple of Air smiled knowingly. “I take it your amplifier explained to you what this weapon actually is, Heero?” The blue-eyed boy nodded and held out his hands. Oh, so he did have a weapon. Gleaming in the sunlight were two gunmetal black gauntlet-gloves, segmented, and ending in malevolent points made to look like claws. …Cool, but I didn't see the purpose of them, really. I tried asking Yoriko, but he was apparently too busy chatting with his lover to pay any attention to the guy who literally owned his ass.

You don't own me! Oh, so you have time to answer that?

I tuned back in, just in time to hear that Heero's gauntlets were named Thaeath, or Hunter's Shadow. Uhh, it was a neat name, but….

“Hey, `Ro,” I asked as he came back into the circle and stood next to me. (It's a sign, I know it is!) “What can those things actually do, man? I mean, yeah, I guess your hands are safe, but….” He smiled. (Oooooh, another sign, another sign! That smile, it's got to be another sign!)

Not that his asking to talk to you later tonight is a sign, or anything.

Damn it, shuddup, Yori!

“Aedeka had to explain them to me, but it's weird, even before he did, I knew I wanted them. But, he said that since I was an alchemist, I had the power to create both energy and matter. These'll allow me to convert energy into matter.” Yep, he lost me. He sighed, smiling. “I'm sure it's a lot easier to explain when you can show a movie of what you're talking about in the person's head.” I'm sure. He sighed again, and ran a hand through his hair, and for a reason I can't explain, the black metal glove on his hand made it sexy…er. (Who am I kidding, he's always sexy!) “Okay, like, if I wanted to, I'd be able to make a sword out of pure energy, using these things,” he said, indicating the gauntlets. I nodded. I kinda got it, a little bit…. “Apparently, I can make whatever I want, using the magic around me. I'll admit, it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense whe I expalin it, but I….” He trailed off, focused on something over my shoulder.

I knew it would be Trowa before I even turned around, and Quatre's happy exclamation, and his sudden dash across the courtyard confirmed it. We all followed the blonde's lead and started over to Tro, but at a slightly slower pace.

I was ready for the sight of T and Dakora (well, the blurry figure of Dakora racing to Aedeka), but I wasn't ready for the overall aura of power that radiated from him. I was also expecting for him to look different, but I guess Aedeka was right; other than the fact that I felt like I'd be reduced to nothing but smoldering embers if he so much as sneezed on me, he was the same. He was smiling, had every reason to, as Quat pounced on him, wrapping his arms tightly around the taller boy's neck.

I could tell T wanted to kiss him, just from the way he looked down at the pale gold head under his chin. I laughed to myself for a moment….

Until they actually did kiss. I stopped, then.

I was sudden, unexpected (hey, I knew he wanted to, but I had no idea he actually would!) and brief, but a kiss all the same. Quatre's eyes widened in shock, and didn't get a chance to close before Trowa released him. Our usually-banged friend was blushing slightly as he glanced shyly over at the Arabian boy he'd just (made the happiest man alive at the moment) smooched. Quatre offered him a tiny smile of his own, and colored prettily. Aaawwwww…

I was about to die of saccharine overdose.

Trowa grinned almost apologetically at the rest of us, nodded once to let us know he was okay (I guess that's what the nod meant, I was out of practice at speaking `Silent Clown') and strode over to the wall that held the swords, grabbed two, seemingly at random, and came back. His Elder, unfazed at the boy's swiftness, smiled. Trowa was holding two wickedly curved swords the Elder of Fire was quick to pronounce as Maievar, Death's Song. Man, I wish my weapon was called Death's Song.

Shut up, you twit. Stay the fuck outta my head, Yoriko!

Behind us, Urai clapped her hands to get our attention, and after giving us the scabbards/sheaths/whatevers to hold our weapons in (mine was a cool-looking backback/harness thing), she stepped back. “As of this moment, the five of you are officially Elemental mages of the Temples of Ran tre Kaeido, and your welcoming Ceremony will commence at dusk. I will now ask you as to the nature of your tutelage here: you came here and were Confirmed as a group, and as such you have the option of group training. In this, you would live, study, and practice together, and y-”

“Yes!” was the answer that came out of five mouths all at once. Urai and the Ellders smiled kindly.

“I thought as much,” she said. At the same time, she rang the small gong that (I hadn't noticed) she had been holding in her hand. Immediately, a young girl with long gold hair strode out into the courtyard. She walked over and faced us, eyes cast shyly downwards. Urai put a hand on her shoulder. “This is Naari, one of the three maidens of the Temple, and as such, she will be a guide and your housemaid. She will escort you to the Gardens, and the celebration will begin. When you arrive, you will sit next to the Head of your Temple until the formalities are over. After that, you are free to move about and sit near whomever you like.” She said this last part with a meaningful glance in Trowa's and Quat's directions. Then she nodded. “I will see you all soon.” Then, she and the Elders were gone.

So that left the ten of us standing around the young maiden, or whatever she was. She looked up at us, smiled tentatively and whispered a quiet “Please follow me, sirs.” She walked towards the door, and we did as she asked.

Before everyone else had the chance to barrage him with questions, I yanked Trowa off to the side, away from the rest of the group, as I had a few of my own.

I'm so selfish.

He looked at me, waiting patiently for me to ask. So I did. “Okay, first of all, what was with the kiss, where'd that come from, huh?” He ducked his head a little, but still met my eyes.

“I don't really know, Duo, I just… did. I think a part of it may have been this whole `Merging' thing, Dakora's pretty impulsive, I guess, but I really don't know. I just felt like the right time, you know?” I nodded, even though I didn't. Not yet, but hopefully that would change by the end of the night.

“Alright, question number two: why were you sad? Q said he could feel it.” He looked up, startled, clearly not expecting that one. Then, he looked back down.

“I… Dakora, I mean, he just asked me… he made me promise….”

“What did he ask you? What'd he make you promise, Tro?” I pressed. I'm a nosy bastard, aren't I?

Trowa sighed and met my gaze with his own once again. “He asked me… he asked me not to hurt him. Asked me to promise not to hurt him.” I frowned. What? “He told me about… about his last Master, and….” He sighed again. “I can't tell you right now, maybe later, or I'll let him do it. He's been hurt really badly in the past, and I guess it just… depressed me that someone would… that someone would hurt him like that.” I could tell he was upset just thinking about it (hell, I was a little upset!), and it only served to make me more curious. Who had hurt the little fire-demon, and just what did they do? That brought up another point.

“Is he… better? Er, I mean, is he still creepy Dakora?” Trowa smiled a little.

“Uh, yeah he is, but he's not really so bad, you'll see. He actually reminds me of a really bad-ass, irritable, more standoffish version of you.” Hey, hey, wait a minute, I'm a bad-ass! My banged friend laughed when I said it out loud. “Not like him, you're not, trust me.” He sobered a little. “I don't think you'd want to be.” I would have probably said something to try and cheer him up, had Quatre not walked over and done the job for me.

“Hey, you guys coming?” he asked quietly, not really daring to meet T's eyes. Trowa smiled warmly at him (awww!), clapped a friendly hand on my shoulder, and went to talk to Wufei and Heero… who were both leering at him. I took a quick look at my blond friend and knew immediately what they'd be talking about.

Ah, men.

Behind us, Dakora and Aedeka were talking, Yoriko and Loeke were kissing, and Veda was scowling. All was more-or-less right with the world.

“So, how'd it feel, Q? Was it all you thought it'd be?” I asked him with a sly grin. He blushed for the fiftieth time and made a shooing motion at me, putting the Korisal in the sheath on his back.

“Shut up, Maxwell, you're just jealous,” he said airily, trying to hide the grin forming on his face. Damn fucking straight I was, but that wasn't the point. He laughed when I repeated the question, then sighed in ecstasy. “Oh, Duo, it was amazing! I wasn't expecting it at all, I mean, we hadn't even talked about anything like that yet, but oh, it was so great!” I laughed.

“Well, I'm really glad you're happy now, Q, you deserve it.” He smiled gratefully at me.

“Thank you, but so do you, and you will be. Who knows, maybe Heero will pull a Trowa tonight at the party.” I moaned. Oh, how perfect would that be?

Quatre laughed at my dramatic-ness, and we continued to follow the young Temple maiden, exiting the building and starting across the lawns, towards the Garden. Ahead of us, I watched as Wufei grinned and Heero punched a stuttering Trowa playfully on the shoulder, laughing jovially. Heero turned ever so slightly and caught side of me ogling him. He looked pointledly from Quatre to me, then smiled that heart-stopping smile of his.

You're next, he mouthed to me. I nearly melted.

Oh, my God! Oh, man, life just doesn't get any better than this!

...I found myself scanning the ground for fox-droppings the entire way back to the Garden.

TBC…

-Collapses from exhaustion- Holy crap, that was longer than I thought! ( don't really like this chapter, though. There's something about it...) Anyway, despite the fact that I already have some of Chapter 7 done, EE is going to have to take a little break (just a week or two, this time, I swear!) because college is unforgiving, and I've found myself writing on numerous occasions when I should be studying for a test, or doing a reading assignment, or my homework. So, as soon as I'm all caught up again, I'll resume writing and posting, but in the meantime, I'd really like to hear from all of you. No, this isn't another contest thing, but I do really want to know what you think of the story so far: are there too many characters, it there too much detail, regardless of whether it's too much or too little, or anything in between, please let me know. I really want to know whether I should keep writing this story or not, or if I should just scrap it and start on a new one. Please, be honest (but not overly harsh!) and let me know what you think, one way or another. Thank you guys, and I hope to hear from you!