Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Lord of War ❯ Savior ( Chapter 13 )

I’m sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter up. I just started school again and I’m taking a class about the Empireand have been learning a lot. I’ve been waiting a bit to incorporate it into the story and all, but I cut this chapter a little short instead of making you wait even longer.
I did want to post something but I didn’t want “New Chapter” to pop up in you’re mail boxes and not be one. Sorry, but I hate that, so I just couldn’t do it.

Thank you for waiting and for all of your wonderful reviews! I hope many of your questions will be answered in this chapter.

-ShinigamiGirl

No new chapter warnings.

Unbeta’d, sorry…



Chapter 13: Savior

Duo stared unblinking at the pair, trying to work his mind around the words Wufei had just said. But the information refused to cooperate with his thinking, preferring instead to allude him every time he thought he had a grasp on his own thoughts. It just wasn’t possible. Celacents are not real! They’re just a child’s bedtime story. A myth. A fabrication of wishful thinking…right?

The braided Aiko opened his mouth to say something, to yell that they were lying, but found himself speechless. It all made sense. Everything. Every oddity that he had found about Heero fit into the mold of the man being a Celacent, or at least a Celestial gift. How he wasn’t allowed to leave the city, so it would be harder for outsiders to abduct him. How all of Lorlia was protective of him, because he would one day save them from whatever plight might hit the kingdom. Why people bowed lower to him, since he was an adjacent to the Gods, which was way higher than an Emperor in the scheme of things. Why Primitivus threatened him. Why Heero had so many women trying to marry him, Duo couldn’t even imagine how much magical power his kids would have. Why he had a guardian from the of because all Celestial Gifts had one, why the hell wouldn’t a Celacent? Hell, he now even understood why people never directly answered him, because they didn’t want any outsiders knowing that Heero was a Celacent.

But then again, Wufei just plain out told him. Why the hell would he do that? Duo broke out of his thinking and made eye contact with Wufei. “Why?”

The monk eyed him. “Whether I like or not, you are a part of Heero’s life now. And you are with him more often than even myself. I can not have you disrupting his life with your snooping around. It is better to plain out tell you…then threaten you afterward.” Wufei’s eye narrowed dangerously. “No one but the citizens of Lorlia knows who the Celacent is, let alone that Lorlia even has one in its population. And it will stay that way, do you understand me, Aiko?”

Duo swallowed hard, the look in Wufei’s eye sending shivers down his spine, then turned his attentions to Heero. As Duo spoke, his voice was quiet and shaky. “Is this your reason for not letting me go?”

“In a way…it is related.” Heero answered, not looking at him.

Wufei watched their interaction, or lack there of, for a bit longer before speaking up again. “It is getting late. Perhaps sleep will clear your minds.”

Both Heero and Duo nodded and dully walked back into the room. Heero changed into a simple waist toga as Duo slid into the covers. When Heero laid down, he instantly turned his back to Duo, obviously not liking the fact that the Aiko now knew of his little secret. He was acting as if he were…embarrassed that he was a Celacent. But why would he be embarrassed? Duo stared at the man’s back, realizing that he had never really seen it uncovered until now. In the bath, Heero had always been facing him, or had a towel on high enough to cover his lower back. Even when they…fooled around…Heero was still facing him the whole time.

The man shifted to lie on his stomach, his face still turned away, making the covers move below the small of his back. Duo sat up a bit and examined the mark on the Lord’s back once more and unconsciously found himself reaching out to touch it. Heero stiffened at first, when the braided man’s fingers met his skin, but as Duo began to trace the design with his fingertips, he felt Heero relax underneath him.

He knew the symbol well. It was the mark of the Gods: a dragon tied in a never ending knot. But, he had never really known what it meant. It’s funny how that happens. Everyone will know what something represents, but they forget why. Cocking his head, Duo whispered to Heero, “What does it mean?”

“The mark?” Heero questioned back.

Duo idly continued tracing the birthmark. “Yeah.”

“The Dragon represents all of the Gods, and their existence. It is tied in a knot, never ending, never beginning…just like them.” He answered quietly.

Duo nodded as if the man could see him, still idly tracing the birthmark with his fingertips. He couldn’t help but smile when he felt a shiver run through the other man from his touching. “Not use to people touching here?”

Heero shook his head. “No one ever has, besides kaa-sama.”

“Kaa-sama?” Duo repeated //I’ve heard that somewhere…//.

Heero sat up and faced as he continued the conversation. “‘Kaa-sama means ‘mother’ in the old language. My mother would trace my birthmark sometimes…a lot like the way you just did.”

Duo cocked his head to the side and frowned sadly. “She probably didn’t like the fact that you had that mark, huh?”

Heero smiled quietly and shook his head. “She would always trace it with a thoughtful look. A sad thoughtful look. She and chichi-ue were both like that.”

“You lost me again.” The Aiko blinked, then remembered where he had heard that before.

“Father. ‘Chichi-ue’ means father.”

“Oh.” He said in a matter of fact tone, which wasn’t displaying his excitement inside. Chichi-ue! That was what Heero would say in his dreams! //Now that I think about it, he said Kaa-sama last time too…//. So, the guy dreamt about his parents…and woke up in a cold sweat about it? Duo shoved that thought aside and continued the conversation. “I guess no parents would be happy to hear that someday their kid would…” Duo trailed off, hoping Heero wouldn’t take offence.

“They weren’t.” Heero smiled a bit and let out a chuckle. “Hell, chichi-ue didn’t even tell the Emperor about it until I was three.”

“Is that why you never trained at the temple?”

“It was a part. Mostly the late Emperor just didn’t want me to leave the walls of Lorlia. It was him that set my restrictions, all those years ago. His son just carried them over.”

“Ah.” Perhaps that’s why Heero and the Emperor seem to act odd around each other. He would hate it if he had to consort with the man that had him locked in his own home on a daily basis too. But, their type of behavior was still a bit odd. Heero almost seemed…embarrassed…around him.

Shaking that thought out of his head, Duo asked the question that head began to maul at the back of his mind. “So, what can you do?”

“As in?” Heero asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Like, magically. Can you turn water into wine or make people fly, what?”

“I can do just about everything a skilled mage can, plus my natural abilities.”

“So not every spell you do,” Duo paused for a moment, “ends in death?”

Heero shook his head. “Death only occurs when I use all of my life force to complete a final spell. I can do small variations of any of the final spell that just tire me, instead.”

“Small variations?”

“For example, I can completely cure a few people who are sick without using the final spell.”

Duo let out a low whistle. Being able to cure any sickness without having to use the final spell was pretty impressive.

“So you’re actually way more useful than a Celestial Gift.” Duo wanted to smack himself. What the hell did he just say! //Idiot! Way to make the man open up!//. “I’m sorry, that was--I mean, shit.”

“It’s alright Duo. It’s obvious you don’t know much about this.”

Duo shook his head.

“What do you know?”

“I know that a Celacent is supposed to be the combination of all of the Celestial Gifts, so you can stop plague, famine, drought, infertility, and even war. But, other than that? Nadda.”

Heero smiled. “You basically got the idea. I can stop those things, but I can only pick one to do as my final spell, that’s why it is so important for the Emperor to be absolutely sure he wants me to use my most powerful magic. The difference between me and a Celestial Gift is that they are sent down with the ability to do one that is determined by the Gods once they’re born, while I get to choose.”

“So you can do normal magic, variations of your true power, and the final spell?”

“I can also create special potions with my blood which can heal people…” Heero looked away, “…and kill people.”

The Aiko’s mind strayed back to the day Sally was found at the court. “That’s why Primitivus wanted you blood?”

Heero nodded. Duo stared at the man for a while. “No offence, but why don’t they--”

“Have a bunch of my blood put away for a rainy day?”

Duo nodded numbly, feeling like a jackass for asking. This had to be a sore subject for the guy. How couldn’t it be? People treated the man like a tool, a thing that can be used for whatever may arise. The Aiko was amazed that the man could talk so kindly about Lorlia. Given the situation, Duo would have held spite for every being near him.

“My blood has to be ‘fresh’, I guess you could say.” Heero explained. “That’s why Primitivus used lampreys to extract it. The creatures keep it usable.”

“Why wasn’t Primitivus allowed to have any of your blood before?” Again, a major jackass feeling, but he wanted to know. If the Emperor was able to control the man’s life so much, how come they didn’t have tons of potions and such made out of his blood?

Heero drew his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. “It was a deal.”

Duo blinked at the man, then waited for him to continue.

“My father was tempted to have me flee to the temple before the rest of upper class Lorlia found out about my birthmark, but he and the Emperor were good friends and he felt like he would be betraying the man if he did that. So, when he confronted the Emperor about me, he made the late Emperor swear that I would be treated like any other Lord of Lorlia. The late Emperor did so, therefore I stayed and grew up here.”

“So your dad was afraid that they would treat you like…a thing, and not a person? So, he made the guy swear that, that wouldn’t happen?” Duo clarified.

Heero nodded.

There was a short silence between them, both sitting in the moonlight, lost in thought. But with all the things running through his head, Duo could only think of one thing clearly. The Aiko looked at the Lord sitting close to him and spoke up.

“Thank you.”

Heero jerked his head up and stared at the man. “Thank you?”

“For what you did, giving Primitivus your blood.” Duo clarified. “Thank you.”

The blue eyed man tilted his head in confusion. “Why are you thanking me--”

“I know.” Duo cut him off. He didn’t mean to sound irritated, but he needed to get this out. “I know what he asked of you. I know what he wanted.”

“How did you…?” Heero trailed off, shaking his head.

“He told me, at your birthday celebration.”

Heero caught Duo’s eyes with his own. “Is this why you were so insistent on knowing what he asked for that night?”

Duo nodded. “I guess I wanted to hear it from your own lips and not that ass hole.” The Aiko paused for a moment. “You confused me.”

“How so?”

“I’m not an idiot, Yuy. I know how I rank in the scheme of things, that you letting another Lord borrow me is no big deal. But you still…you still acted as if it was. You gave me respect and you didn’t have to.”

“You’re a human being, Duo, not a thing to be pawned off when convenient.”

“Again,” Duo gestured with his hands. “You confuse me.”

“What is confusing?” Heero asked as the Aiko shook his head in annoyance.

“If you feel that way, why do you like the games? Aren’t those poor people down there just pawns to be played for your viewing pleasure? Where do you draw the line?” Duo was getting a little heated up, the memories of the games fueling his words. “Is it because you like me that I’m an exception? Is that why I’m not punished like I should be by your laws?”

“Duo,” Heero held up his hands in a defensive gesture, “The games are played by people who have either been paid to participate or by criminals, people who have already killed others and such. They’re not like you or Sally or Tricieus, they’ve committed high crimes and are being punished for it.”

“Then what about Eutal? What the hell did he do?”

“He broke the law.”

“He just didn’t want to be fucked against his will!”

“Duo,” Heero said calmly. “I can’t change what has happened and the law is the law, no matter what you think of it. It’s just…it’s just the way things are.”

Duo looked away from the man, thinking on what he had learned recently about the man. “Is that what you keep telling yourself?”

“What?”

“Yuy, you’re a fucking Celacent. Some day, your Emperor is going to order you to kill yourself. Is that how you deal? By believing that ‘it’s just the way things are’?”

The look that flashed across Heero’s face made Duo regret he had said something so harsh. But, the fact that the look only ‘flashed’ on the man’s face bugged him.

Heero sighed then met Duo’s eyes. “I accepted that fact a long time ago, Duo.”

Duo stared at him in disbelief. He could tell. He could see that the man was just saying what people would want to hear. The hidden sorrow and pain in those blue eyes told him he had touched on something big without meaning to. With the argument about the games forgotten, Duo could feel his heart hurting for the man. What must it feel like, having that threat ever present in your life? To know that your own people will someday call out for your death, your murder?

Though he could tell Heero tried desperately to hide it, the man’s eyes just couldn’t lie. “You sure?”

Heero broke eye contact and laid down on his back, his hands behind his head. “It is an honor to die for my people.”

“Is that what you chalk it up as? An honor?”

“It is an honor to be needed--”

“And used?” Duo filled in, getting a glare for Heero. Sighing, the braided Aiko leaned over the reclined Lord. “You don’t have to put up a show, Heero. It’s okay if it bothers you, you know. It would bother anyone.”

“I’m not ‘anyone’ and it doesn’t bother me. I know what it expected of me and I’m not upset over it. It is an honor.”

Duo rolled his eyes and fell backwards, his head hitting the pillow. Boy, had they trained this guy well. He’s had to hold in his feelings for so long that he now believed it himself. Talk about slow and steady brainwashing. But still, Duo could see the real feelings inside those deep blue eyes; they were just stuck behind a barrier he had erected a long time ago, with the help of others. //An honor, huh?//

There was a shot silence until Heero spoke up again. “Why does it bother you?”

“Because I think you’re lying to yourself.” Duo said flatly.

Heero sat up. “I am not lying to myself!”

Duo followed suit and sat up as well. “Yes you are, I can see it!”

“What makes you think you can see such a thing?”

“I can see you as clear as day, Yuy.” Duo growled. And he could, when it came to the man’s feelings, they were all right there in those eyes. Heero huffed then crawled under the covers, turning his back on the braided Aiko.

Scowling, Duo dove under the covers. The guy was adamant to stay in the little world he had created for himself that they actually got in a fight about it. Duo’s scowl then faded. Or perhaps he was afraid to leave it. Afraid to admit that he didn’t like the idea of dying for others, that he was…scared maybe.

Before he knew what he was doing, Duo slipped behind Heero and wrapped his arms around the man. He struggled in the Aiko’s grip. “Let go!”

Duo shook his head, as if the man could see, and continued to hold on to him.

“I said let go! Let…” Heero made one last futile attempt to pry the man off, but Duo refused to budge. “Let go…let…” The lord finally fell limp in his arms. “Let go.”

“No.” Duo replied quietly.

The man began to shake, surprising the Aiko. “Why?”

Duo buried his head in the crook of Heero’s shoulder. “Because Quatre would never forgive me if I did.”

# # # #

Bitter tears began to roll down Heero’s cheeks. Why? Why didn’t Duo act like everyone else? Usually, as soon as he said he was honored, everyone would smile, nod, then leave him be. They understood, they knew. But Duo…Duo wouldn’t let go.

He was honored! It was a rare gift to know that when you die, you will be dying for a reason. That hundreds if not thousands of lives will be saved because of your sacrifice. Everyone knew this! //Why? Why, won’t he let go of me?!//

More tears began to flow and Heero held back his sobs. He then brought his fingers up to his face to feel the wetness tracing his face. He was crying. He never cried. Especially in front of people. //Chikusho!*//

Heero tried to even his breathing, finding that the he was getting a little light-headed. Why was he even crying in the first place? He wasn’t sad. He was…was…//okay, so I don’t know what I am//.

Duo’s arms tightened around him, making the man feel safer then he ever had, yet worse than he had ever felt in his life. Trying to push that feeling of dread aside, Heero closed his eyes and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.

# # # #

The morning came too quickly for Heero’s liking, the sun shining persistently through the curtains. Trying to blink away the harsh light of dawn, he looked down at the sleeping man beside him, the reality of last night sinking into his head.

He knew. Duo knew now.

Sighing, the Lord slipped out of bed and shrugged on his robe, moving quietly as to not wake the sleeping Aiko. Once he was out of the room, he made his way to the bath and welcomed the steam that was already moistening his skin, thanks to Sally’s persistent forethought. Heero sank into the water and let out a long breath. He was grateful to feel the water loosening his muscles already, despite the thundercloud in his head that continued to roll and turn, causing his body to tense up.

Of course he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep something as important as his real identity from Duo, but he was hoping the man’s ignorance would at least last a bit longer than it had. After all…he had liked it.

Duo treated him normally, not even like a Lord, let alone a Celacent. It was true that Trowa and Quatre tried to, but there was always that look in their eye that told him that they could never be what he wanted. Hell, needed. Everyone he ever saw or met had that look. The look of knowing. From the Emperor and the Lords all the way down to the very lowest, poor-stricken slave in Lorlia. Everyone had it. Duo had been the only exception.

Duo saw him.

He had even said so last night. Duo could see him. See who he really was. He could see the normal man, not just the Celacent. At least…he did. Now, Heero was afraid to see those eyes. He didn’t want to see what last night’s revelation had done to those violet orbs.

He didn’t want to see Duo with that look.

Sighing to himself, Heero stared at the water in thought. He knew Duo was pretty pissed off last night as well, because of the games. There was no reason to believe he wouldn’t still be angry, or at least a little moody. He didn’t know if he could handle a pissed off Duo along with the look he knew must reside in those eyes now.

He had to make it up to him, at least somehow.

Heero sank into the water until only his eyes were above the steaming pool. The last time he tried to do something nice is exactly what got him into this mess in the first place. Who knows what doing something nice could cause this time. Heero groaned to himself, causing bubbles to play on the surface of the water.

What could he possibly do that wouldn’t blow up in his face?

He sat in the water for a bit longer until an idea came to him. Getting out of the bath, Heero dried off and dressed quickly, then left the bathing room with a smirk on his face.

He might get in trouble for this later, but for now, it would be worth it.

# # # #

Duo sat up and yawned loudly, the events of last night still lost on him for the time being. Turning, he noticed that Heero had already gotten up. Duo shrugged then rolled out of bed. Still in the blissful ignorance of morning, he made his way to the bathing room like he usually did when he ran into Wufei. “Mornin’.”

“Good morning.” Wufei replied curtly. Thinking that was the end of their discussion, Duo slipped past him and was about to walk in to the bathing room when Wufei’s hand rested on his shoulder. “We need to talk, Aiko.”

Duo tuned to look at him. “What for?”

As soon as he said it, he remembered why.

Heero. Heero was a Celacent.

“This way.” The monk dragged Duo towards the kitchen then sat him down at the bar.

“So, is this the part where you threaten me to keep my mouth closed or else?” Duo asked dryly. Now that he remembered what happened, he really wasn’t in the mood to talk with the monk. As a matter of fact, he felt angry at the world. Right when he was just starting to think that this place actually had some pretty nice people he finds out that its all been a lie. Lorlia was so concerned with itself it was disgusting.

“No, this is where I ask you what you think about it all.”

“What?”

Wufei sighed then reached for the cup of tea that had been sitting in front of him since they came in. Taking a sip, Wufei’s eyes set on him squarely. “You must have some opinion on the matter.”

Duo looked at the man for a while until he broke eye contact, growling in frustration. “My opinion is that Lorlia is one fucked up kingdom. Happy?”

Surprisingly, Wufei smiled. “And why is that?”

“Why? What do you mean why?! Here they have this great Lord who would do anything for his people and what have they done for him? They locked him up, took away his ability to feel anything for himself, and then constantly tell him his fate, his inevitable murder, is an ‘honor’.” Duo glared at the tea in front of his, which was most likely for him to drink, but he felt more like throwing it at the wall. “And here I thought I was the slave.”

Wufei set his tea back down and looked out the window. “Yuy…Heero has always been complicated. His life isn’t his own and neither is his death. He is more of a servant than you or I could ever be. His cage is just more…decadent than others.” The monk turned back to Duo. “Which is why I am glad he has you.”

Duo blinked at the man. “Since when, ‘cause I distinctly remember your sword pointed at me on more than one occasion.”

“Since just now.”

The Aiko looked at the man as if he had grown another head.

“Though I believe strongly in honor, I also believe in justice. It may be considered an honor to die for your kingdom, but refusing that man they ability to choose is unjust and cruel.” Wufei rested his hand around his teacup as if to pick it up, but didn’t. “They constantly dangle his fate in front of him, as if daring his to say something, to show weakness, when it is they that are the cowards.” Grasping the cup tighter and tighter, Duo jumped when Wufei finally crushed it in his hand, the monk not even flinching as the hot tea stained his skin red.

“We all can see it.”

Duo turned to see Sally in the doorway watching them. “The fact that he is a Celacent has put Heero through much in his life. But worst of all, it has sealed off his feelings behind a wall that none of us have managed to get through. That is why he has nightmares and we just can’t seem to get close to him anyone.”

“He’s close to you and Phinneaus right?” Duo asked. Sally shook her head sadly as an answer.

“Then what about Quatre? Hell, the blonde can see in peoples’ heads for crying out loud.”

“Winner may be able to see more than others, but it is what a person willingly tells you that is important.” The monk explained as he finally let go of the broken tea cup.

“True.” Duo groaned.

“Heero is also used to Quatre’s gift, and knows how to block it.” Sally added.

The room hung in silence for a while as they all sorted out the thoughts in their minds. So, Wufei didn’t care too much for Lorlia either. Surprising. And here all this time Duo had thought that Wufei was just protecting their little treasure for them, when in all reality, the man despised how they acted. Which made Duo wonder: When the time came for Heero to be sacrificed, would Wufei allow it? Trowa and Quatre said that Wufei owed him a great debt and was loyal to the man. When the order came, would the monk respond with honor…or justice?

Duo’s eyes wondered over to Sally, her face sullen as she busied herself with cleaning up Wufei’s mess. He felt sorry for her. She was always worrying, always afraid of what might happen to her Lord…her friend.

It was then that Duo felt a bit of happiness. “Sally.”

The woman looked over at him. “Yes?”

“I know what Heero dreams about.”

# # # #

He felt nervous…very nervous. He knew this could blow up in his face, but he had to make it up to Duo and this was the only thing he could think of. So, after taking a deep breath, Heero knocked on the Aiko’s door.

No answer.

Damn.

Cocking his head, Heero made his way to the bathing chamber, only to find it empty.

//Where the hell is he?//

Deciding to check the practice ring, he was making his way back to the front of the house when he heard his name coming from the kitchen. Curious, Heero quietly inched up to the doorway, leaned against the wall, and listened.

“…so he dreams about his parents?”

“Yep. Don’t know what exactly about his parents, but yeah.”

//Duo?//

“That makes sense.”

//Sally…//

“It does?”

“Yes.”

“Well, see, I wouldn’t know, since no one ever tells me straight out what the hell is going around here, even when I ask. So, enlighten me, please.”

//Sally, don’t you dare…wait, has she been using him as a spy?//

“I can’t. I mean, of course I know what happened to his parents and all. But it isn’t my place to tell you. If you want to know, ask Heero.”

“Man I hear that line a lot. Ask Heero, ask Heero, ask Heero. Damn it all. What if I don’t want to ask him? I’ve had a hard enough time helping you and Quatre about him. For once, just answer my question.”

“Yuy has very little privacy as it is, Aiko.”

//Wufei is in there too? What the hell. Do they always do this while I’m gone? Congregate and talk about me?// Heero rolled his eyes and slid down to the floor, dropping his head between his raised knees. //Just great. No wonder Duo thinks I’m a head case.//

“True…I guess.” Heero heard Duo get up from his seat and walk towards the doorway. He panicked for a moment, afraid of getting caught eavesdropping, until Duo stopped before walking out. “It’s just, I have being the annoying bad guy, you know. I’m always asking questions and if you don’t remember, he and I are not exactly getting along right now.”

“I understand, but you must admit, Aiko, you care just as much as we.”

Heero started. He was worried about him? There’s no way he even--

“I do.” He said it so deadpan, the Lord just froze. //He cares? But, why?// Shaking out of his stupor, Heero slid around the corner as Duo walked out of the kitchen.

He had never known his nightmares had worried Sally so. To the point that she would employ Duo to milk him for information. Crafty woman.

Feeling a bit off now, Heero made his way to his bed chamber and threw himself on the bed. They were all worried, huh //better not tell them I’ve been asked not to come to the personal relations meetings anymore…//. He couldn’t imagine what Sally would do then. Probably beg Wufei to knock him out and sneak out under the cover of night with him. Sighing, he rolled over and stared at the ceiling. His time was coming, he knew that. Despite everything that was going on, the attacks, getting Duo, the constant marriage proposals…Heero groaned.

The marriage proposals. He had gotten about two every day now since his birthday. When he was younger, he made it known he wouldn’t take a wife until he was old enough o fully handle his position so people would quit asking. He really should have thought of the repercussions of that. Now, parents sent him gifts daily, testaments of their daughters’ dowries and their family’s superiority. Not only that, but every time he went to the palace, he was flocked.

What he wouldn’t give to be younger again.

//What I wouldn’t give for more time…//

Heero got up and walked out the balcony, hoping he would leave the depression he just felt behind in the room. Duo really had gotten to him last night. Hell, he cried…well, water rolled out of his eyes at least. It’s not like he was sobbing or anything, just…silent crying really. Still, it was more than he had ever done in front of anyone in his life.

Heero looked out across the horizon and spotted Duo out in the practice ring. He started to leave for the door when he changed his mind. Perhaps he should give the man a little room for a while.

# # # #

Duo swung the staff hard around him, a move that would have effectively cracked a few ribs if he had hit someone, and spun to face his imaginary partner. He had been at it for about an hour now. Not that he minded, since it kept him busy. But, despite how many times he defeated his invisible enemy, his mind still played in circles, the main point being Heero. Usually that would have bothered him, but he was so used to having the man on his mind now that he shrugged it off.

He wasn’t happy. Why couldn’t they just tell him what happened? It would make things so much easier. Then again, he could understand the whole privacy thing. The man really didn’t have any as it was, that was true, but still //I don’t wanna ask him. I was a dick enough last night//.

Duo delivered a killing blow to the air and spun the staff to lean against it in thought. How the hell was he gonna--

“Duo.”

Duo turned around to see Heero at the bottom of the stairs to the platform.

“I…I would, um…” Heero stammered off, causing Duo to lift an eyebrow in amusement. The Lord cleared his throat and tried again. “Would you come with me?”

Duo put the staff down and went to the edge of the stairs so he was looking down at the man. “Where are we going?”

“Into the house. I…I want to give you something.” Heero blushed and looked away. Duo’s slight grin widened, the man was being so…cute, and it was sweet as hell.

“Okay.”

He followed the man into his bed chamber where a box was sitting on the bed. Duo eyed the box suspiciously.

“Another surprise?” He asked cautiously.

“More like an apology.” Heero clarified. “I wish to apologize for taking you to the games yesterday. I didn’t think about how you may react differently than a born and raised Lorlian. Nor did I consider that you may know one of the fighters.”

Duo shook his head. “I know you were just trying to be nice, and there was no way you couldda known Eutal was going to be there.”

The braided Aiko’s eyes shifted to the floor as he thought of his fallen friend. He hadn’t deserved that, no matter what laws he had broken. Duo stayed in his revere for a bit longer until the box caught his eye again…by moving. He blinked at it, then walked over to it cautiously. Once in front of the unknown parcel, Duo turned to Heero. “What’s in it?”

The man smiled. “Open it.”

Turning back to the box, he grasped the lid of the box carefully, lifted it up, then peered inside.

# # # #

Heero knew he had done the right thing when he saw the Aiko’s eye light up as he looked inside the box. Smiling broadly, Duo reached in and pulled out a very happy little demon.

“You have to monitor him.” Heero warned.

“I will.” Duo answered as he scratched the little monster behind the ears.

“And keep him in line.”

“I can do that.”

“Feed him as well.”

“No problem.”

Heero smiled. “Then he’s all yours.”

Duo smiled up at him appreciatively then looked back down at the little fur ball in his arms. “You hear that little Shini? You’re all mine.”


TBC
ASAP
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ShinigamiG irl: I hope you liked it and sorry about the wait again *points at her textbooks…all twenty* it’s their fault!

Heero: You have twenty textbooks?

ShinigamiGirl: Uh-huh.

Duo: Why the hell…are you a masochist!

ShinigamiGirl: No, I’m a History major.

Duo: Same thing.

Heero: Baka author.

ShinigamiGirl: *starts crying* It’s not my fault!

Wufei: Now look what you two did! How is she going to write if she’s crying? *smacks Duo over the head*

ShinigamiGirl: *sniff* Thanks Wufei *sniff*. At least I’ve learned a lot of nifty torture techniques that they used to use in ancient for the story.

Duo: Oooohhh, lets get to that part of the story! Write woman!

Wufei: Duo, you forget. *grabs a bundle of rope and smiles* You’re the slave in this story and I’m the pissy monk.

Duo: Um, shit! Never mind! *runs away*

Heero: I didn’t know he could run that fast.

ShinigamiGirl: Learn something new every day. Review Please!

Owari