Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Souls ❯ Chapter 6

Disclaimer: I don't own the G boys, I just borrow them to play with from time to time and return them relatively undamaged... honest... :)

Rating: NC 17, Angst, Yaoi, Sap, masturbation, sad in parts, LEMON.

Pairings: 3x4, 2xH, 5+S, OCx2, eventual 1x2x1

Notes: Set 2 years after Endless Waltz. The pilots have all gone their separate ways but still keep in touch. Duo is with Hilde on L2 but cannot forget Heero.

" Lost Souls "

May 2002 ShenLong

Chapter 6

Heero located the area of L2 where Duo used to run before becoming a Gundam pilot. The place was depressing to say the least. Everywhere you looked poverty screamed at you. Dirty streets and filthy children. Heero now understood why Duo had done what he did to survive and why he still felt tied to this colony. He checked into a cheap hotel and after depositing his bag he went for a walk.

Feet moved by themselves as he found himself drawn to the ruins of the old Maxwell church. Staring at the pile of rubble and rocks that had once been a proud building Heero felt his heart twist with pain. No wonder Duo had been able to wield his thermal scythe so well. The motivation behind Shinigami was staring him in the face. He picked his way over the ruins searching for a clue, anything that would give him an idea as to Duo's whereabouts. He found nothing. Disappointed but not dissuaded he stood with his hands on his hips and glanced around. What had he expected? That as soon as he set foot in this area that Duo would come bounding out of the shadows to greet him? "Get a grip Yuy." he scolded himself.

He caught a small movement in the corner of his eye and quickly his head snapped around. Darting his eyes about he could find nothing. Frowning he continued his optic scan. There.... what was that? A shadow flitted across the ruins. Any normal person would never have noticed but Heero was not normal. His senses had been honed and fine tuned to detect things others had no idea of. He followed the shadow as it moved out onto the streets. Dropping into stealth mode he tailed the figure.

Unaware that he had been spotted Shane made his way across the ruins, keeping in the shadows until he was safely out in the street. With a quick glance around he moved off towards the more built up area of the small town.

Heero followed silently. Wondering just what this boy was up to he continued to tail him. In some ways he reminded him of Duo, the way he carried himself, graceful and yet with purpose. He could tell he was one of the numerous street rats and where better place to start to try to find his love than with the people he felt Duo would certainly be closest to.

Shane strolled casually down the street, he was trying to calm his pounding heart by reminding himself that what he was about to do was to help his friend. He stopped outside a pharmacist shop and glanced again up and down the mostly deserted street. Seeing no one currently in the store he wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans, then with a few deep breaths to settle himself removed something from the waistband of his pants and walked calmly inside.

His curiosity well aroused Heero moved closer to the store that the boy had entered. Peering through the corner of the window he watched as the kid made his way to the counter and held up what appeared to be some sort of gun. His cobalt eyes widened. He should have known, the kid was after drugs. Giving the boy the benefit of his doubts for the moment Heero wondered what the kid wanted with such things, he didn't look like a user and Heero had seen enough of them in his time to recognize one. He was jolted back from his musings however as the store exploded into life. Screaming and yelling erupted from inside and then with a crash the boy flew out of the door and began to run. Not hesitating Heero followed.

Shane panicked. He thought it would be simple enough. Just walk into the store wave the gun, ask for the antibiotics and then leave. He hadn't counted on the man retaliating. Faced with a gun aimed at himself he lost control and ran. He could hear the sounds of the guy chasing him and his blood ran cold. He couldn't let himself get caught ... he just couldn't! What would happen to Duo if he didn't come back? He pushed his exhausted body harder attempting to get away. His lungs screamed for air and his muscles protested at the sudden exertion. He was malnourished, weak, and in no condition for this type of exertion. Having given most of his share of the food rations to the younger ones his body could not cope, and when he needed it most it began to fail him. Suddenly he felt himself grabbed by the wrist and hauled down an alley way. Several more twists and turns and he was lost in the maze of the back streets and darkness. Finally he was allowed to stop and collapsed into a heap on the cold ground.

Heero looked at the boy who now lay at his feet, running his eyes over the form as he assessed him noting the body shaking as he tried to force air into starved lungs. His limbs trembled as the oxygen managed to reach the muscles and feed them once again. The boy was young... maybe around 14 or 15. His clothes were torn and shabby, the color of them undetectable for the dirt. When the breathing began to resemble something akin to normality, Heero bent down. Taking his weight on his haunches and stared at the youth. Putting a finger under the chin he raised the others head to look into his eyes. Scared brown pools gazed into gentle cobalt.

Shane felt the dizziness beginning to leave him as his tissues recovered from their flight. He felt the other crouch next to him and then his face was lifted upwards to stare into the eyes of his savior. At least he hoped he was and wasn't going to turn him in. His gaze was met with the most intense blue he had ever seen. Subconsciously he licked his lips. If he demanded payment for saving his ass then Shane knew he wouldn't mind letting him take his ass.

"Are yer going to turn me in?" he whispered.

"Hn." came the reply.

"Please, don't turn me in. I can give you whatever you want, blow job, hand job, hell yer can fuck my brains out if you wish just please don't turn me in..." said Shane with a sob.

Turning the boy's head again so he could see those eyes Heero responded. "Why shouldn't I turn you in?"

Reading into those cobalt depths Shane felt something. He decided to trust in fate. "Please I was only trying ta help my friend."

Heero raised an eyebrow, "You don't look like a drug user to me so why try to hold up a drug store?"

Shane lowered his eyes. Should he tell this guy the truth or just try to lie his way out of it and when the opportunity presents just get the hell out of here? "I...I... sell them ta get money for food." he lied.

"Hn." Heero didn't believe this for one moment. The boy was far to unskilled for holding up a store. "So how many times have you done this?"

"Lots of times." Shane replied trying to bluff.

A smile tugged at Heero's mouth. Even with the possibility of being arrested the youth showed guts. Heero decided to let it slide. "You may be able to help me."

Now it was Shane's turn to look surprised.

"I am searching for a friend of mine. He used to live on the other side of the colony but he left."

"What make's ya think I know this friend of yours? In case yer missed it mate this part isn't exactly up market." replied Shane.

"He used to live here years ago. Something happened to make him leave and I believe he would have come back here to the one place he really knew." Heero's voice took on a saddened tone.

Shane stared at the man. He felt sorry for him and the tone of his voice suggested that he cared for his lost friend deeply. "Why would yer friend want to leave? Yer must have done something pretty awful to make him return to this side."

Heero thought for a moment. "It's a long story which I really don't have the time to go into right now but he has been missing for two months and I have to find him. There are some things that I need to tell him." Heero's voice trailed off.

Shane felt sorry for the other man but what could he do? "So what's this guy look like then?"

"He's slim, not quite as tall as me, well muscled with long chestnut hair. He talks too much and is usually cracking jokes but his most startling feature is his eyes." Heero's face took on a dreamy look. "Those eyes... a most unusual violet color.... They make you want to drown in them."

Shane took in a sharp breath, Heero's mind snapped back to the present.

"Tell me. Have you seen anyone like that around here?"

Shane watched carefully, his instincts a mix of unsurety. "What is his name?" he whispered.

"Duo..... Duo Maxwell."

Shane tensed visibly. Here was someone from Duo's past... Someone who knew Duo. Now he had to decide whether or not to let this man know of Duo's whereabouts. Here was someone that could possibly help Duo, but would Duo want that? Shane was torn in two, his loyalty to protect Duo warring with common sense that screamed at him to trust this man and let him help.

Heero could see the battle in those brown depths. This boy knew something of Duo. Of that he was sure, but he also knew the unwritten law of the street rats. You never disclosed any information on a fellow rat to anyone. Deciding to try to push the boy a bit Heero cleared his throat and spoke. "You haven't held up a store before have you? You weren't after drugs to sell for food."

Shane glared. "Yes I have, I have done it lots of times."

Heero smirked. "I thought as much. You're not a pro. A pro would have planned the whole operation out properly, not just gone in there half cocked waving a gun around."

Shane seethed. "Oh. And what would yer know of such things?" he demanded.

"Lets just say I have had a lot more experience at this sort of thing than you obviously have. For starters the drugs you were after wouldn't sell, they aren't what the users want."

Shane slumped defeated. This guy was right, he was an amateur.

"So why did you demand antibiotics?"

"Before I answer that could yer please tell me something?"

"Hn. What do you want to know?"

"Why are yer searching for this friend of yours? What is it yer want from him?"

Sensing that the boy held vital information Heero decided to bare his soul. "He has been a good friend to me for years. I ... I wanted more from the relationship but wasn't sure how he would react if I told him. So I didn't. I realize now that I had made the biggest mistake of my life by not telling him. When I found the courage to do so he had left... disappeared.... I need to find him ... to put things right, to tell him how I feel and hopefully have a chance."

"And what makes yer think he returns your feelings?" Shane had to be sure before he gave out anymore information.

"That's why he disappeared. He confessed his feelings for me to someone else and they reacted badly to it so he left. Now I need to find him before it's too late. I ignored one chance at happiness and I will be dammed if I will do it a second time, especially knowing now that he also cares." A tear slid down Heero's cheek.

Shane raised a finger and wiped the tear away. "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Heero. Heero Yuy."

Shane's breath caught in his throat. So this was the man that Duo called for in his delirium. He knew that he would take Heero to Duo. This man was important to Duo, that much he had gathered from Duo's fever induced rantings. Suddenly he felt as if a weight had been taken from his shoulders. Finally here was someone that could help Duo without Shane feeling as if he had betrayed his friend. Quietly he spoke. "The drugs I was trying ta steal... they are for Duo."

The color drained from Heero's face. "What? Where is Duo? Is he hurt? Why hasn't he had medical attention?" The questions came forth in a barrage. Instinctively Heero reached for Shane and went to wrap his hands around the boy's throat. "If you have hurt him in any way.."

"Heero, Let go! Yer hurting me. I haven't hurt Duo, I'm trying to help him. Please just listen." Shane trembled with fright.

Heero swiftly let go. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. Tell me, where is he? I need to see him."

"There's something yer need to know first Heero." said Shane and he began his story bringing Heero up to date on Duo from their first meeting to the mans current fight to stay alive.

Heero listened attentively, his heart twisted as he heard how Duo had been whoring himself to live, how he had taken in the others and looked after them all and now he was ill... possibly dying.... The pain in his chest reached fever pitch until it would surely rip him in two.

"So now you know the whole sorry mess. Please Heero, I don't know what ta do anymore. Help me to save him. He says he wants ta die but I cant let that happen." Shane's scrawny body began to shake as his sobs burst forth.

Heero stood and pulled the other to his feet. "Come on. If Duo is as sick as you say he is then every minute counts. Take me to him now."

Shane nodded and wiping his tears away he led Heero back to the ruins of the church. Slipping along the shadowed wall they picked their way over rock and stone to a small area that was at the rear of where the church once stood. Bending down Shane moved away some rubble and slid a large stone panel to one side revealing a set of stairs that disappeared into the darkness. Motioning Heero to follow he quickly entered the hole and sliding the panel back headed down the stairs.

Heero's eyes quickly adjusted to the gloom as he stepped into a small room. A couple of mattresses were pushed up against one wall, some blankets folded neatly next to them. Further over, there stood a couple of large boxes which contained clothes. Four large containers held water and a small single ring gas burner stood off by itself along with a couple more boxes which held the meager food supply. Small, but kept as clean as the kids could manage under the circumstances.

Heero noted two smaller boys who seemed a bit scared at his presence. They huddled together in the corner and cast frightened glances his way. A corner of the room had been sectioned off, shabby curtains made out of old torn sheets serving as a screen of sorts. Heero's ears pricked up as he heard a familiar voice moan from beyond the screen. Without being aware of it his feet carried him across the room. He raised one hand and pulled back the curtain. His hand flew to his mouth and tears welled in his eyes as his vision clouded with the sight he was offered.

Duo lay on a dirty mattress, the blanket had been pushed back revealing his very thin fevered body. His hair was tangled and matted with dirt and sweat, muscles beginning to waste. The once creamy skin flushed with heat as he battled the disease within.

Quickly Heero moved and squatted beside the mattress. He ran a hand across Duo's cheek in a gentle caress. "Oh Duo.... Duo... What has happened to you?" his voice whispered.

Duo's eyes flickered as a familiar tenor graced his ears. His mind managed to register that he knew this voice. Climbing through the fog he managed to return to consciousness and opened his eyes to stare straight into cobalt blue pools that contained a mixture of grief, pain and love. "Heero?..... Heero? Is that you?" he managed to breathe out.

"Hai. It's me Duo."

"W...W... What are you doing here?" came the hoarse question.

"Looking for you."

Duo tried to shift on the bed and grimaced as his bones and muscles burned with pain at the effort. "Please... go.... Leave me, forget all about me Heero."

"Hn." Heero's eyes spilled over as he watched Duo's struggle. "I'm not leaving you Duo."

Duo sighed "Why? I'm not worthy of anyone."

Heero swallowed hard and looked into pale violet eyes, eyes that lacked the spark and luster that was Duo. "I can't leave you baka. You mean too much to me. I know what happened between you and Hilde." Heero dropped his eyes. He could tell that Duo was sick... really sick and needed expert medical attention or he would die. But he needed to talk to him first, tell him of his feelings and hopefully give the former Shinigami something to fight for... a reason to live. "Duo I know I haven't always been the easiest of people to get along with."

A flicker of a smile ghosted over Duo's lips at this confession.

Encouraged, Heero continued. "I have been a fool Duo. During the wars I began to feel something for you, something more than just friendship but I couldn't let you know or it may have jeopardized our whole mission. After the wars and life was starting to settle back into peace mode I was lost. I wanted so much to tell you how I felt but I was scared..."

Duo's eyes widened at this bit of information. Heero Yuy scared?

"I was scared that you would reject me... humiliate me for what I felt so I held my silence and hoped that in some small way I could get an idea of what your preferences were. Then you left with Hilde and that was as good an admission as I was ever going to get that you were straight." Heero's shoulders slumped. "So I took up the offer Relena made me in an attempt to try to forget about you, forget that I could never have you... not in the way I wanted anyway. It didn't work though. Oh Duo I'm so sorry, If I had only had the courage to speak up then you wouldn't be in this condition now." Heero trailed off his tears flowing unchecked to drip off his chin and land on the mattress which drank them greedily.

Duo raised a weak hand and laid it on top of Heero's. He squeezed gently to convey he understood.

Heero smiled gratefully. "When you disappeared from Hilde's you had us all worried. At first I thought you had merely gone away for a few days but then Hilde was being secretive and evading us all. She wouldn't even speak to Quatre and you know how persuasive he can be."

Another squeeze.

"So we started to search for you. Oh Duo you have no idea what it has been like trying to find you."

Duo smiled inwardly at this. If there was one thing he could do it was hide.

"I guess I just got lucky, If it hadn't been for Shane here making a botched job of the hold up I may never have found you in time." Hero watched Duo's face for a reaction. The man seemed a little calmer. "Duo? There's something I need to know."

Duo stared through tired pained eyes at the former Wing pilot. "What?" he croaked.

Heero licked his dry lips and wished the butterflies would leave his stomach, this was the hardest thing he had ever done. "Duo... Hilde said some things to me... things about you.... about your feelings..."

"Uh oh..." thought Duo.

"Duo, I need to know if you feel the same way about me as I feel about you." There he had said it, it was out in the open. Now he just had to hope that what Hilde had said was true.

Duo's mind was at war. Heero Yuy the obsession of his life was here and had just admitted that he cared about him. At last his ears had heard the words he had dreamed of for so long. And yet.... Duo wasn't sure. He desperately wanted to tell the other boy that his feelings were returned but he couldn't bring himself to say it. In the condition he was currently in he wasn't sure if Heero's admittance was genuine or just because he felt sorry for him.

Watching the tide of emotion pass over that gaunt face Heero noted the hesitation. Duo didn't return his love, why had he been so foolish as to tell him how he felt, now he really looked like an idiot. "Duo, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." Heero hung his head in sorrow.

Duo raised a weak hand and lifted Heero's face to stare into his eyes once more. "Are you sure? Yer not just saying this to try to make me feel better... because yer pity me? I don't need your pity Heero." the voice was raspy and not just from the illness.

"No. I do not pity you Duo. I care for you. I don't know what you would call it but all I know is that being away from you all this time has been torture. Then when we do meet up it's worse. Seeing you and not being able to do anything about the feelings you cause has nearly driven me to madness. You make me feel alive when you are near. If that's what you call love then I am well and truly suffering from it."

Duo managed a smile.

Heero dared to search those violet eyes and felt his heart leap to see a small spark beginning to ignite in the depths.

"Then I think it is only fair to tell yer that I care for you too Heero. I have always wanted you but certain obstructions were in the way. If you are willing then I am also."

Heero smiled, a genuine smile that came from within his soul. "Hai. Lets give this a shot and see what happens." He caressed Duo's cheek with the pad of his thumb.

Duo sank back into the mattress, all his strength gone. "Tired.... so tired...."

Heero felt his heart lurch as Duo slipped into unconsciousness once again. He looked around wildly for Shane. The other boy was waiting discreetly just outside the screening.

Hearing Heero call for him he slipped inside. "What is it Heero?"

"How long has he been like this?

"About a week and a half."

"No idea what it is?"

"No. He's getting worse Heero.... I'm....I'm scared he is going ta die if we don't do something for him soon."

Heero thought for a moment. He not only had Duo's health to worry about but also the rest of these boys. What would happen to them when he took Duo away? He couldn't just take their leader from them and return to earth without so much as a second thought. Surprised that he could feel emotion and care for people he didn't even know Heero realized he was settling into a normal life easier than he would care to admit. His mind made up he faced Shane.

"Shane, I need to go back to my hotel and make a few calls. I'm getting Duo out of here and home as quickly as possible. I have friends that can take care of him and make him better."

Predictably Shane's face fell as he knew he had to let Duo go.

Seeing the boy's distress Heero placed his hand on his arm and looked reassuringly into his eyes. "Let me finish before you start drawing conclusions Shane. You and the others have been very good to Duo and I intend to fully repay you all for your kindness. While I am at the hotel I want you to round up the rest of your group and pack up whatever you want to take with you. When I have made my calls I will return for Duo and the rest of you. I'm taking Duo home and you are all coming with me." There he had told Shane of his plan, now all he needed was for the other boy to agree. He looked expectantly into Shane's brown eyes.

It took a moment for Heero's words to sink in. Heero was taking Duo back to earth with him. That he knew but Heero also wanted to take the rest of them as well? He allowed a small glimmer of hope to grace his heart. "But Heero... are yer sure? I mean there are six of us and that's an awful lot of responsibility to take on."

"Hai... I know that but what are you going to do if I leave you all here?"

Shane thought about that. "Life goes on Heero." he said quietly.

"Hai that it does. But this is no life for youngsters such as you. No one and I mean no one should have to sell themselves to be able to eat."

Knowing what Heero said to be true Shane still hesitated.

"Not everyone is as kind and gentle as you would hope. I have no doubt that you have run into a few shall we say rougher types yourself during the course of your work."

A nod.

"Tell me, what will happen if you find yourself unfortunate enough to be in the hands of one of these cruel sadistic bastards? Or even worse... it happens to one of the younger ones? I would say that so far you have been lucky, but it will happen sooner or later. You're a good person Shane. I can see that from the way you have taken care of Duo here. Let go of the responsibility, let me take you all back with me, let me give you the chance to live life and be a normal teenager." Heero watched closely to see how his words would be accepted.

Shane bit his bottom lip. Everything that Heero had said was true, he knew that. He wanted nothing more than to be free of this life, to have food in his belly, a roof over his head and not to have to whore himself to get it. "But where will we stay? Yer not that much older than us Heero and six is a large number."

"Let me worry about that. I have a friend that has a rather large extended family of sorts and I am sure they would be more than happy to have you all. Now please do as I have asked and get the rest of the boys together. I will be back in half an hour." Heero turned and giving a last caress to Duo's cheek whispered, "I will be as quick as I can my love."

Shane watched the tender exchange and made his mind up. They would go. What did they have to lose? If the worst came to the worst they could always go back to what they were doing now, the only difference would be the location... earth instead of L2. "Okay Heero, I will get the boys ready ta go."

"Good. I will return shortly." and with that Heero left the room and headed back out onto the streets to the hotel.

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