Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Choice of Death ❯ Chapter 8

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

C-Chan2: Look, I updated!

Lloyd: Hooray!

C-Chan2: I'm sorry that it took so long. I have no computer, remember? I've been working on this little by little.

Jim: Why don't you just quit?

C-Chan2: Never! I shall continue to write until I have seen this fic finished.

Lloyd: And then start and procrastinate with others!

C-Chan2: Hey, I thought you were on my side? u.u

Lloyd: Oops. ^_^' Sorry.

Jim: Welcome to my world, Lloyd. Come my apprentice, we shall continue to put her down.

C-Chan2: Shut up, Jim. Go and read people, we've kept you waiting long enough.

Lloyd: Hope you enjoy it.

Jim: I know I won't.

C-Chan2 and Lloyd: Oh shut up, Jim!


Treize walked through the halls of the palace silently, his face set in a frown. He had not been able to find his slave as of yet. Wufei had been able to slip past him. Servants scrambled out of his way as he walked past them. They knew that he was not in the best of moods, having gotten word of his slave's escape and that the boy had yet to be found.

His fowl mood however was also brought on by the thought of the King's Own. The little heathen had been given new accommodations. He had been given his own suite, and not just any suit; he had been given the Queen's chambers. When that bit of news had reached his ears, his temper had flared ten fold. The king had gone too far. Giving away his mother's rooms? He had truly gone mad. Treize felt it was his duty that he had a very long discussion with the young royal.

Upon reaching Heero's room, Treize nodded to the two guards that stood watch. They acknowledged him with slight nods of their own and then they were still again, back to duty. Treize lifted his hand and knocked firmly on the door. He was distracted as the guard to his right cleared his throat and he looked to him with a questioning gaze.

“Begging your pardon, Lord Treize.”, he began in respect, "I'm afraid our young king has left his room since early morning.”

“Really?”, Treize inquired with a raise of his eyebrows, “And may ask where he may be?”

Heero always slept in late, it was unusual that he had risen early. It was much more unusual that Treize was not informed that he had done so. Then again a lot of things had gone awry these past few weeks with the arrival of Heero's newest slave.

“I believe His Majesty be with that young bloke of his.”, the man answered, watching Treize's mood grow darker, “He said something about the serfs in the fields. Might do you right to check for him there first.”

“Thank you.”, Treize muttered, trying his best to keep his temper, “Carry on.”

With one last nod the guard straightened and stilled again, returning to his task of standing watch. Treize left then, making his way down through the large halls. He had no reason to be upset with the fact that Heero was with Duo, it was only normal that a master took company with his slave. However, the young king was once again mingling with those disgusting peasants. It was not acceptable that Heero spent most of his day there. There was no reason for him to be out in the fields at all.

His course was changed as he headed in the direction of his own rooms instead. He dismissed the guard that stood at his door with a wave of his hand and he stepped in only to be stopped in surprise. His blue eyes were drawn to his bed where a young woman sat, her own blue eyes staring back at him and her face held a slight scowl.

“May I help you?”, Treize asked, the woman's scowl leaving as she smiled slightly.

“Come now.”, she began, standing from the bed, “Is that any way to treat me, cousin?”

At her words Treize looked over his shoulder, finding the hall empty and then he closed and bolted the door behind him. He turned back to the young woman, who was removing her wool cloak and looking about the room.

“What are you doing here, Dorothy?”, he asked her, his voice holding annoyance.

She merely ignored him, throwing her cloak upon the bed and slowly walked about the room. Her forked eyebrows rose in interest as she traveled about the suite, her hands running over the furniture as she passed it by. Treize watched her look at the décor in his room in awe, his patience dwindling with each moment. There was truly no reason for his cousin to show her face and at such a time. If she indeed had a reason, then he wished she would get to the point.

“Dorothy.”, he called, grabbing her attention.

She turned back to him, walking to a stuffed chair and seating herself in it. Her eyes looked to Treize and she gestured to another chair, offering him to join her. Treize did as was suggested and stormed across the room, seating himself in the chair. His brows were knotted together in a frown and he watched as Dorothy continued to watch around the room.

“I'm growing quite impatient with you.”, he warned her and she merely smiled.

“Forgive me, cousin. It's been a while since I've seen such things. Exile, even temporary, does not offer one the comforts of home.”

She looked then to a portrait of Milliardo, her eyes studying it for a while. The boy had grown up handsomely from the last time she'd seen him. He'd be ready to marry soon.

“How is your nephew, Treize?”

“He's fine.”, Treize snapped, sagging into his chair with weariness, “Forgive me if I sound rude, but can we please get to the point of your little visit?”

It would seem that Dorothy had teased him long enough, for the scowl she had when he had first entered the room returned. Her hands gripped the arm of her chair until her knuckles turned white and her eyes burned angrily as she looked at Treize.

“My spell has been broken.”, she began through clenched teeth.

Treize frowned at the news, straightening in his seat and watching as his cousin stood to begin angrily pacing.

“What on earth are you talking about?”, he asked her.

She twirled to face him, blond hair flaying out behind her and settling about her in a ruffled mess.

“How did it happen?”, she asked him menacingly, slowly stepping toward him, “You ensured me that nothing would happen.”

She now stood in front of him, her eyes wide with anger, her jaw clenched and her face turning red with her rage. Something had upset her and Treize wasn't so sure how to calm her down. When his dear cousin was angry, she was a very dangerous person.

“Where is he?”, she demanded through clenched teeth.

“Who?”

“The mage that broke my spell!”, she screamed.

Her anger vibrated throughout the room, strong enough that it placed pressure against Treize's skull and broke every piece of glass in his room.

“Your seal was broken?”, Treize asked, Dorothy's eyes narrowing.

“Has the king not been himself these few days?", Dorothy asked her cousin.

She watched as his face lit with recognition and he looked to her with a scowl of his own.

“When did it happen?”

“Not too long ago.”, she informed him, “In fact it had been weakened first. Now, however, it has been eradicated. Do you know what this means?”

Treize knew exactly what it meant, if the mage who had removed Dorothy's spell revealed what he had done, his cousin was in danger. In fact, she would lose her life. Using magic for any wrong was against the law and she had done so against the royal family. And he knew his cousin; if she was caught she would tell the authorities that she had done it to help him. He would lose his head as well. Whoever had released the king from the Mind-Trap had to be found and disposed of accordingly.

“It has to be someone within the palace.”, he contemplated out loud, Dorothy scoffing.

“I just want this mage's hide.”, she fumed, reseating herself in the chair.

Treize had to think. Who could have broken Dorothy's spell and could they have recognized her seal to know it was her? This was more stress that he didn't need at the moment. He rubbed at his temples as he felt the start of a headache. He'd have to have the physician brew him some herbal tea to ease it. Dorothy looked to her cousin and saw his distress. It was only then did she notice that the man's slave was missing.

“And where is our little dragon prince?”, she asked him.

“I don't know.”, he admitted, slumping back into the chair, “I haven't been able to find him.”

She looked to the portrait of Treize's young nephew, the picture beginning to move before her eyes. Zechs smiled back at her before he turned to walk away.

“And have you thought to ask your nephew?”

She watched as the ebony haired boy appeared in the painting, the two young men embracing. She heard Treize shift but she did not draw her eyes from the two on the canvas.

“He does not associate himself with slaves; he's another of Trowa's idiotic followers. He thinks it wrong to keep a slave. He wouldn't know where Wufei is, he makes it his business to have nothing to do with a slave; even my own.”

Dorothy smirked as the picture shifted to show Zechs and the dragon nestled within the sheets of a bed. She turned to her cousin as the picture returned to normal, giving him a smile that he didn't see.

“Oh, I think otherwise.”

Treize merely gave her a questioning look, but she did not clarify. Dorothy only walked to the bed and lifted her cloak, throwing it on over her shoulder and heading for the door. Treize watched silently as the glass that had showered the flow reversed until they were whole again. At least that saved him the trouble of calling a servant to clean the mess, avoiding the questions he was sure to be asked.

“I must return to Mages' Keep before they discover that I'm gone.”, she announced, looking back to the ginger-haired man, “I would appreciate it if you find this mage. I have no time to study his seal. You on the other hand dear cousin can. Though you aren't a mage you know how to look for a seal. When you read it, copy it down on parchment and send it to me. I'll be waiting.”

She lifted the hood to her cloak then, Treize watching as she disappeared into thin air. The door opened and closed and Treize knew she was gone. He sat for a few moments more, his mind pondering everything he had just learned. With a growl of frustration he pushed it aside before standing from his chair. He still had to seek out the king and now he had more than just selfish reasons to do so. His eyes landed on the portrait of his young heir and Dorothy's words ran through his mind. He would go in search of Heero, but first he had to pay a visit to his nephew.


Zechs was disturbed by the knock at his door and he groaned as he was bid to awaken by the sound. The sun was peeking in through his window and from its angle he could tell that it was nearing noon. He stretched lazily, eyes still closed and his hand hit the empty space beside him. He opened his eyes then to look at the spot that had been occupied just last night. It would seem that sometime during the night, Wufei had silently snuck out.

The knock at his door sounded again and he was pulled from wonderful memories of the night. He stood from his bed, pulling on a robe as he made his way to his door. The knock came again, sounding impatient and he scoffed. There could only be one person at his door. He pulled the door open slowly and peeked out to find his uncle standing before it with a scowl.

“Good morning, uncle.”, he greeted, holding back a yawn, “What brings you to my door this morning?”

Treize pushed the door open the rest of the way and let himself in, his eyes studying his nephew and his lack of clothing. With his uncle's eyes studying him, Milliardo pulled his robe closed and turned his eyes away in embarrassment.

“Is there any reason for your visit, uncle?”, Zechs tried again and Treize looked away from him.

“As you must know, I am still unable to find Wufei.”, Treize began carefully, “It would seem that he has gotten much better at hiding from me.”

“So it would seem.”

His uncle turned back to face him and Zechs froze under his gaze. There was something that Treize was hiding and the boy felt that it had every bit to do with him and Wufei. Perhaps he had learned of the two?

“You wouldn't happen to know where he is?”, his uncle questioned.

Zechs only shook his head, shrinking under his uncle's gaze. He looked away from those burning blue eyes, looking anywhere else but at the man in front of him. Treize turned his eyes away as well, blue orbs narrowing on his nephew's bed.

“You held company last night.”

It was more of an accusation than a question and Zechs felt his breath almost shorten at the words. He looked to his uncle with a frown on his face to hide his true feeling of fear that he had been discovered.

“Am I not old enough to do such?”, he asked, watching Treize move closer to his bed.

“May I inquire as to who you held company with?”

“That's none of your business.”, Zechs snapped and Treize glared.

“What are you hiding?”

“Milord, I drew your bath. . .”

At the voice Treize turned to the direction of Zechs' bathing quarters and he found a young servant boy. Zechs frowned slightly at the boy's appearance. He must have come in while he was sleeping and at the moment, Zechs was grateful that he had. The boy flushed furiously under Treize's gaze and his eyes looked to Zechs who had shifted his eyes to the floor, not aware that his nephew was feigning embarrassment.

“I see.”, he began, looking back to the boy who fidgeted nervously, “Well I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I'll take my leave.”

The servant boy clumsily bowed to the Captain of the Guard as he turned to leave and Zechs shooed him back into the bathing room. He watched his uncle open the door when the boy left the room, Treize looking to him with the same scowl he had greeted him with.

“I hope it's safe to say you will inform me if you find where Wufei was taken refuge?”

“I promise nothing.”, Zechs answered coldly and Treize smirked at his nephew's arrogance.

“I'll see you later this evening. For now I'll leave you to your company.”

Zechs watched as Treize finally left, heaving a large sigh of relief at his uncle's departure.

“Milord?”

At the voice Zechs looked back to the boy, who had returned and was still flushing nervously. He smiled to the boy in assurance, watching him relax at the gesture. He was lucky that he had been there at that moment. He had no idea what would have happen if he wasn't there to make Treize believe that the boy had been his bed partner. Wufei would probably have been in even greater danger.

“Will there be anything else, milord Milliardo?”

“Thank you, but that will be all.”

With another clumsy bow the boy left, leaving Milliardo by himself in the room. It would seem that he would have to be a lot more careful, for now he would be under his uncle's watchful eye. The young lord headed in the direction of his bathing room. There was no use for him to let the boy's efforts go to waste.


“You know you're drooling.”

Duo jumped at the words, looking beside him to where Quatre stood smiling quite fiendishly. He had been caught staring and he cursed himself mentally, for now he would never hear the end of it. Quatre's eyes looked out into the field where amongst the workers was their king.

“A wonderful sight isn't it?”

His question caused Duo to turn back to where the king worked in the sun. His shirt had long been discarded and now his brown skin glistened in the sunlight from the sheen of sweat that was brought from his labor. The young shadow watched on, his breath catching as Heero raised the hoe to bring it down onto the earth repeatedly, his muscles flexing as he toiled. Duo felt a hand take hold of his jaw and close his mouth, unaware that it had been open to begin with. He turned to Quatre who was busy laughing, a glare narrowing on the young mage. Perhaps Wufei was right and now Quatre would torture him endlessly.

“Duo, you must control yourself.”, Quatre told him with a laugh and Duo fumed.

“I'm not attracted to him.”, he huffed, his arms folding across his chest as he pouted.

“I never said you were.”, Quatre teased, watching Duo's eyes land on Heero again, “Though now that you brought up the subject-”

“Don't you dare finish that thought.”, Duo warned, glaring at his blond friend.

Quatre let it go, at least for now. He would have fun with this new bit of information. It would seem that the young shadow was gaining an interest in his master. Though he was sure the braided boy would deny it if he was asked.

“Have you heard from Wufei?”, Quatre asked changing the subject.

“Not since the other night when he visited me in the infirmary.”, Duo told him, turning to look at Quatre, “Why?”

“Well I haven't seen him as of late.”, Quatre said with a hint of worry, “He and I usually star watch. I haven't seen him these few nights.”

Duo could only wonder at Wufei's sudden disappearance. Though he knew there was nothing to worry about, Wufei would show up when he wanted to be found.

“Duo!"

At the call of his name, Duo's eyes were pulled in the direction of the king and he found Heero's colbat eyes centered on him. The king offered him a smile and Duo couldn't describe the feeling that came over him. He heard Quatre snicker but he had no time to pay attention to the blond, Heero was beckoning.

“I'd like some water.”, the king told him.

Duo lifted the bucket of water that was used for drinking and he made his way slowly towards the chocolate-haired royal. He could feel Quatre watching him but he tired his best to ignore it. He did not have a new found attraction to the human king. He stopped in front of Heero, his eyes looking past him rather than at him. The two stood there for a few moments, the bucket hanging in Duo's left hand. Heero drew his slave's attention to him as he cleared his throat and Duo was forced to look at him directly.

“I do believe I asked for water.”, Heero reminded him.

“Do you want me to help you drink it?”, Duo asked coldly and Heero sighed.

“You could at least hand me the ladle.”

“You can get it yourself.”

“Please.”

Damn that word and damn the man who said it. Duo looked to Heero whose eyes held a pleading look and he found his free hand reaching for the ladle and holding it out for the man to take hold of it. Heero thanked him with a smile; Duo turning away to hide the blush he knew was staining his cheeks. He felt when Heero took the ladle from him, their fingers brushing for a short instant. He wasn't quite sure, but it almost felt like a small jolt had passed through his fingers.

“You know.”, Heero started after he had finished drinking, “Just because you're not working in the fields today, doesn't mean you get to stand around. You're supposed to be helping the other serfs with lunch. It'll be noon soon.”

“Aren't I working hard enough?”, Duo asked him, motioning to the bucket.

“Heaven forbid you should sprain your wrist lifting the ladle to hand me a drink.”, Heero retorted sarcastically, leaning against the hoe, “Of all the slaves I had to pick from, I had to choose the laziest one.”

Duo scowled at the comment. He wasn't lazy; he just didn't want to work. And why should he go help and cook, that wasn't a job for a slave. Then again all the other jobs that were a slave's responsibility, he really didn't want to do either. So if those were his only choices.

“I hope you get food poisoning.”, he mumbled under his breath, heading back to the shaded area where lunch was being prepared.

He passed by Quatre, who was now smiling mischievously at him, but he didn't stop. He did not have the strength to deal with the mage's teasing.


Heero watched as his braided beauty walked away, his eyes unable to tear away from him. He felt when someone came up beside him and as they leaned against his shoulder, he turned to find his stepbrother. It would seem that he and Trowa were once again on speaking terms.

“I've noticed that you've been treating him differently as of late.”, Trowa began.

He looked to where his own slave was helping Duo and the serfs, his lover teasing the boy to no end.

“Care to explain this new behavior?”

Heero scoffed before gently removing his stepbrother so that he could return to his work. He had meant for Duo to do this work today, but he found that the boy didn't deserve such heavy labor after having come out of the infirmary just two days ago. So he bid Duo have water duty and was drawn to work when he learned two serfs had fallen ill. Trowa being Trowa, chose to help of his own free will. They were nearly done. A day or two more and the fields would be ready for seeding.

“There's nothing to explain.”, Heero finally answered, Trowa listening in earnest, “I just figured that I had been going about taming-”

“He's not an animal.”, Trowa interrupted and Heero sighed in annoyance.

“I had gone about teaching him in the wrong way.”, Heero corrected himself, “You were right. It was wrong of me to force him to do things. What good is it when you have a slave that you have to force to do your bidding? And after what happened, I want to make sure Duo knows that it will never happen again. He doesn't deserve it.”

Trowa was stunned. He had never expected those words to come out of Heero's mouth. His brother had actually felt the need to treat his slave civilly. This change of behavior was shocking, perhaps it had something to do with that Mind-Trap Quatre had released the other night. Trowa pondered it silently, his eyes studying his brother as he worked. He looked different than he usually did and yet, his new aura was familiar. Trowa allowed himself to smile. This was the brother he used to know; before their parents' death. It was happening slowly, but Heero was returning to normal.

The bell rang, signaling that it was time for them to go and eat. He and Heero walked together toward the tables, smiling as he found Quatre was being chased by a vengeful Duo. He could only hope that things would return to normal. He may actually have a chance of persuading the council that slavery should be abolished. It would certainly be much easier to persuade them if he was able to get Heero away from Treize's line of thinking. His steps faltered then at the thought. Could it be that Treize was the mage that had trapped Heero's mind to begin with?

Heero had stopped as he noticed that Trowa was no longer beside him but now behind him. He called to him and his voice snapped Trowa out of his daze. He'd have to tell Quatre of this new suspicion. If Treize was the one to place the spell on his stepbrother, then there was definitely a corrupt reason behind it. He fell back into step with the king, smiling to his brother to assure him that nothing was wrong, or at least he could only hope that nothing was wrong.


It was now evening and the aristocratic occupants of the castle were gathered in the dining hall. There were various whispers and the unmistakable sign of gossip that traveled the room. Eyes looking to were Treize sat steaming in his chair, the cushion beside him vacant. Wufei was not found as of yet. What caught every one else's eye as well, was their king. His menacing glower had been softened as of late and though he seemed much kinder, his followers were cautious when they approached to greet him.

The biggest shocker of all was the small event that had happened just before dinner was served. A lower lord had approached the king in hopes that the young royal would share his slave. What was expected was his usual wave of dismissal; instead the man had been given an earful. He had been humiliated in front of the entire court, his title stripped from him, his lands taken and he was no longer allowed within the palace. Once the man was escorted from the room, Heero had announced that any who dared to take company with any slave that was not his was bound to have the same fate. That had been only a half hour ago and though the room had returned to its routine, there was still an air of nervousness about the people that filled it.

Duo since that time had been unable to understand what had caused Heero to react in such a way. He had looked to Quatre for an explanation but his friend only turned away for a moment. It would seem that Quatre was not willing to share and Duo knew that he knew something. He let it pass and returned to eating his dinner. He was no longer fed by Heero's hand; the king had given him his own plate. It was another shocker for him and the court, and something to cause Treize's sour mood to grow darker. Duo didn't mind however, in fact he much appreciated it.

His eating was disrupted as he felt the familiar touch of a shadow. One of his kind slithered before him, calling for his attention. Carefully he glanced around and was satisfied to find that no he one could see it. However, he didn't catch the blue eyes that were staring in his direction. The shadow slithered closer to him, stopping a foot or so away, delivering its message in its quiet screeches and soft whispers.

Zechs watched as Duo conversed with the billowing form that was in front of him. He had remembered seeing a group of those in the forest outside the castle gates. Wufei had warned him about them. They were here to protect Duo, almost as if they sensed something could happen. Or perhaps they were to keep him safe until something else came.

He watched intently as Duo continued to speak with it, the rest of the court unaware of what was transpiring. He wasn't sure why, but he strained to listen. He caught faint, unintelligible sounds as he listened harder. He watched as Duo frowned, the shadow disappearing and the braided boy turned to Treize with a look that convinced Zechs that something concerning his uncle was bound to happen.

At the sound of the hall doors banging open, the entire court looked in its direction. Treize's face darkened even further and Zechs eyes widened with shock as two men dragged in a struggling Wufei. As his uncle stood from his chair, Zechs felt his skin turn cold. This would not fare well for the dragon and he knew that his uncle's slave would need help. He looked to Duo, whose eyes connected with his and he silently pleaded without words. He wasn't sure how the slave could help out, but he had stood up for Wufei before and Zechs could only wish he would again.

The look of desperation that Zechs had sent his way was unable to be ignored and Duo turned to Heero, who looked on as Wufei was dragged toward inevitable punishment. He grabbed his master's attention with a touch to his arm, his violet eyes connecting with a pleading look of his own.

“Don't let him hurt him.”, he pleaded, almost commanded, “You have to stop him beforehand. Please, Heero, don't let him do this.”

Wufei gave a silent cry of pain as he was thrown roughly to the floor at Treize's feet, his eyes glaring up at the two men that had been able to catch him. They were hired bounty hunters, and the price for his return had convinced them into helping Treize. Wufei looked up to his own master to see those blue eyes darkened with rage and he glared back defiantly. He had seen this look once before, it had cost him the loss of his voice. Though what he was bound to lose now he could only guess. He knew however that it would be painful.

“Wufei.”, Treize started, his voice calm though dripping with his fury, “So I've finally found you.”

He walked closer as the two hired men dragged Wufei up from the floor to a standing position, his hand taking hold of the boy's chin. His body trembled with the urge to give the boy his fitting punishment at this moment, but he would have to wait for the privacy of his chambers. With a caress to the boy's caramel cheek he leaned in closer to speak so that only the boy could hear him.

“You will regret ever running away from me.”, he taunted, his fingers gripping Wufei's face painfully, “I will make it so that you will never even think about escaping again. This I promise you.”

There were gasps amongst the crowd as they watched as Wufei spat in Treize's face, the man's temper increasing even more so. The loud slap echoed through the hall, as Wufei's head was violently turned from the force of Treize's hit. There was sure to be a mark there later. The slap was the farthest that Treize was able to go; he was stopped by the sight of Heero standing from his chair from the corner of his eye.

“That's enough, Treize.”

The words caused the Captain of the Guard to look in his direction.

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?”

“I said that's enough.”, Heero repeated, “There's no need to prolong this any further.”

Treize looked to Wufei, who was glaring daggers at him, black eyes now flecked with gold. His slave was just as angry as he was and the challenge of putting out that fire was hard to resist. He had to however, for his king was not through with him.

“You'll leave Wufei be.”, Heero continued, stepping down from his raised platform, “Send him to be locked in solitary confinement under high security.”

“Your Majesty, I think I know what I can do with my slave.”, Treize growled out, no longer caring to hide his true feelings.

“You will not lay one hand on him!”, Heero bellowed, the hall growing much more quiet than before, “You will do exactly as I say! You will send him to solitary confinement and you will leave him there until I say otherwise. If I hear that you have come within one inch of him I will see to it that you are dealt with in a manner that you will not soon forget.”

Heero looked to the men that held Wufei captive and they let him go without a word. Two guards were signaled forward and Wufei was escorted out of the hall, his eyes never leaving his master that he knew was plotting revenge. When the boy was gone, Heero's gaze returned to his Captain of the Guard.

“You will regain control of him when I see fit, until then you are banned from him.”

“The law states-”

“I am the law!”, Heero reminded the man, cutting him off, “What I say is law and I say you are not to go near him. Is that understood?”

The silence and tension seemed to hover over everyone in the hall, all eyes watching the scene in front of them.

“Captain, I asked if I was understood.”

“I understand completely, Your Majesty.”

With that Treize said nothing else; he only stormed out of the dining hall with eyes trailing after him. When he was gone the gaze of the crowd switched to the king, who stood staring in the direction Treize had gone. He looked at the rest of the court, master and slaves alike and he suddenly felt a feeling of abhorrence and disgust. He couldn't stand to look at those people of the court anymore and he turned away, only to meet violet eyes.

“I'm tired.”, he announced wearily, “The court is dismissed.”

He held his hand out to help Duo stand, the braided boy accepting the help without a second thought.

“Come, Duo.”, he bid, leading the boy out of the dining hall, “I'll escort you to your room.”

Duo only nodded, following obediently with one last look back to Zechs, Trowa and Quatre.

:: Duo, I'm worried about him. ::

You have reason to be.

:: Will you do me a favor? ::

And what would that be?

:: Talk to him. He needs to speak with someone and I'm sure he'll open up to you. ::

Duo sighed, knowing that Quatre was probably right.

I won't make any promises, but I'll see what I can do.

:: Thank you, that's all I ask. ::

Leaving the hall, Duo followed behind Heero as he was led to his suite. He had to think of ways to get the man to talk when he reached there or else Quatre would pester him until he did. He had to admit, he was curious to Heero's new behavior. And the shadow that visited him earlier had warned him of coming trouble. For all he knew it could deal with the king. The only way to find out was to talk to him and see what he could find out.


T.B.C.


C-Chan2: I know not the best of cliffhangers but I apologize. I'll give you a next chapter as soon as I can. Review if you want, though I will appreciate it. Ciao for now. ^_^'