Author's Notes: To answer a question that was asked, I'm trying to make Duo a Celtic Wiccan. However he's probably gonna end up being like me: a solitary eclectic (works alone and no specific tradition) witch leaning towards Celtic traditions.

If you would some more information on the Craft the feel free to check out the WebPages at the end of this chapter. (That means after you've read it please^^)

In The Darkness

Chapter 4

She woke up with the sun shining in her eyes and the faint sent of lavender in the air. For a moment she panicked, forgetting where she was. She then realized that she was no longer among those vulgar men from the Oz army. She was safe within the home of the young man known as Duo Maxwell.

She relaxed back into the warmth of the couch and the blankets and closed her eyes as she took in the sweet sent surrounding her senses. She felt really safe there almost as if she belonged. Her keen ears then heard movement over by the fireplace.

She looked in that direction and couldn't help but smile slightly. She saw Duo lying in front of the dead fire. Next to him she saw two glass jars; one with what looked like some kind of pulp in it and the other had some kind of oil residue on the sides. Next to those were a mortar and a pestle and three small dark-colored glass bottles. The bottles had labels that she couldn't read from that distance.

She sat up; cringing slightly at the pain she felt but ignored it. She wondered what time it was and started to look around the room for a clock. Her eyes rested on the coffee table where she found her clothes.

She stood up carefully so as not to wake Duo or jar her injuries. She picked up her clothes and got dressed. Her black tank top and jeans were completely ruined though. One of the tops straps were torn and hanging off of her shoulder while her pants were completely torn.

Sighing she walked over to the window and looked at the now beautiful clear blue sky. The sun was high in the sky and she figured that it must have been close to noontime. The ground and trees were covered with snow that reflected the light of the sun and gave the small town and the surrounding woods an almost majestic look.

She started to wish that her brother could have been there with her. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer for his safety. It had been two weeks since her capture and everyday since then she had been more worried for him than herself.

Of course he wasn't her real brother but he treated her like she was his real sister and she did likewise. He was two years older than her and always fussing over her. He never really showed too much emotion to anybody except her. She stared into the forest and pictured him standing there watching over her with those deep persian blue eyes of his.

She sighed and closed her eyes, her memory floating back to that day:

The two of them ran through the base, five Oz soldiers running after them. His hand clasped hers and he was nearly dragging her through the halls (she never could keep up with him at his best).

He pulled her around a corner and, keeping her behind him, shot at the on coming men. He took out two, their lifeless bodies crumbling to the ground and tripped a third who was rendered unconscious when his head hit the cement floor.

The remaining two kept coming and he grabbed her arm and started fleeing again. Four other soldiers joined the chase as they ran past another corridor.

They entered a hanger and ran past all of the mobile suits and out onto a runway. All the way on the other side was their getaway van, driving towards them.

It drove up next to them and the side door slid open to show the familiar face of Nanashi.

She jumped in and her brother landed next to her in seconds.

All of a sudden, before they could get the door closed, a mobile suit from the base shot them at. It caused the van to jerk to the side and knocked her out of the vehicle.

She landed on the cement hard and heard, as well as felt, the crack as her shoulder broke.

She rolled onto her back and looked up just as one of the now smoking mobile suits came crashing down on top of her.

She was pulled out of her thoughts though as she saw an Oz soldier step out of the house across the street.

"They're looking for you."

She turned around in surprise not realizing that he had woken up.

"There was a fight just outside of town not long after you fell asleep," he continued. "Then about five hours ago they came into town looking for medical treatment and I was called."

He looked up at her, his violet eyes looked like they were going to burn a hole in her forehead. "When I got there they were asking if anyone had seen a young girl that fit your description."

She felt her heart skip a beat. She suddenly became scared. With a look that betrayed her true emotions she said in a strong voice, "So did you turn me in?"

"If I turned you in do you really think that you'd still be here?" he asked.

"You said that they called you down," she said, "Why would they do that?"

"Because I'm a healer." He said standing from where he was sitting and walking over to her.

"Then wouldn't you still be there, or some of them here?" she asked.

"Normally," he started, "Except for the fact that I don't treat soldiers."

"Why not?"

"Personal matters," he said. Grabbing her upper arm slightly he started to lead her to the couch while saying, "I need to tend to your wounds."

She sat on the couch as he walked over to the fireplace and picked up one of the dark bottles. He walked to the couch and sat down next to her.

"You'll have to take your clothes off again," he said. After she gave him one of her brother's trademark death glares he nervously added, "I can't treat your injuries through cloth."

She did as she was told and soon he was rubbing the salve from the bottle on her cuts and bruises. After he was done he put the cover on the bottle and stood up while saying, "When I was in town I got you some new clothes. I'll be right back with them."

He returned a few minutes later holding a bundle of clothes. Soon she was wearing a black v-neck sweater and a pair of black jeans. She put her boots on and looked back at her host. He was looking out over the snow-covered streets through the window.

"Thank you," she said drawing his attention to her, "I don't have anything to give you though."

He smiled slightly, saying, "That's ok. I enjoy helping people." He started to walk to the door. "I have to go out for a little while. I'll be back soon."

"Where are you going?" she asked following him to the front door.

"I have to go and get some stuff," he said.

"I'll come with you," she said following him out the door.

"Even with the OZ soldiers in town?" he asked.

"I'm not afraid of them."

He chuckled and took off his coat. When she reached him he wrapped it around her shoulders and said, "Fine, I'm sure Agnes would like the extra company anyway."

"Who is Agnes?" she asked.

"A friend of mine," he responded.

Agnes was the town's herbalist. She too was a witch but nobody knew. She was the only one who was openly friendly towards him.

"By the way," she said grabbing his attention, "I still haven't given you my name." He looked at her. She turned her head and smiled at him. "It's Destiny"

To be continued

<Firefly> Hey there! I'm back.

<Corvus> May the Lord and Lady help us all.

<Firefly> *gives Corvus a Heero death glare* Sorry this took so long. I've had a lot of schoolwork lately. Not to mention writer's block.

<Corvus> But we got it to ya!!!

<Firefly> WE? Who is this WE? I'm the author. You're just a bird who thinks he's my muse.

<Corvus> But I am your muse.

<Firefly> No you're not.

<Corvus> Ok then who is?

<Firefly> *gets all starry eyed* Well for Romance my muse is my boyfriend.

<Corvus> Oh boy.

<Firefly> And for angst my muse is Miguel.

<Corvus> Who is Miguel and what about all of those other genres?

<Firefly> He's the depressed little angel looking guy who lives in the ring that I wear on the chain around my neck. And do I write any other genre?

<Corvus> *Slaps forehead* Forget it.

<Firefly> well anyway, tell me what you guys think of this so far and review please. You'll be my best friend if you do.