Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Choice of Death ❯ Chapter 3

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

Jim: You people insist don't you?

C-Chan2: Yes, we do.

Lloyd: The public needs our fic.

Jim: They think it sucks.

Lloyd: They do not!

C-Chan2: Don't even try, Lloyd. You'll end up getting nowhere.

Jim: Does he go anywhere in the first place?

Lloyd: Why you-

C-Chan2: Roll fic!


Duo objected loudly as he was pulled into the suite, and struggled to get free as he was dragged towards Heero's bedroom. It was to no avail, he was still weaker then the two giant masses that carried him. Of course, it didn't in the slightest way stop him from resisting the restraints that were now being clamped around his neck. It was very similar to what Treize had on Wufei, but less painful than what Duo had thought it would be.

The chain that connected to his collar was attached to a wall on the far side of the room, away from the giant bed, which Duo was most thankful for. His hands were bound by his wrists and he only growled up at the men who took a few steps away from him. They were scared, he could feel and sense it. They knew unconciously knew what he was, but decided to put up a front. He could use this to his advantage if he wanted. The two giants quickly looked Duo over before the two started to leave the room. The same moment they reached the large doors, was the same moment that His Majesty decided to make himself present. From the moment he burst through the door, his gaze was locked onto his slave, ignoring the now bowing guards.

"Get out!", he snapped, his eyes never leaving the still kneeling slave who glowered back.

As the guards left closing the door behind them, Heero slowly and menacingly made his way over to the chestnut-locked boy, eyes burning with rage that he didn't attempt to suppress. Why would he hide it? He wanted Duo to know just how angry he was. If he was like any of the other slaves at all, in the slightest way, there was a chance Duo would be intimidated. However, it didn't affect Duo at all. He only stood from his kneeling position, eyes locking with Heero's, a feat none of his other slaves had dared tried. They were much too afraid of the outcome.

They now stood face to face as Heero took the final steps, closing the distance between the two of them. Heero looked down at the boy, whose glare reflected his own, his eyes never leaving. There were two ways to deal with this at the moment, and in his temper Heero could only agree with one. There was a short staring contest or more of a battle between the two, Heero's fist curling at his side as Duo didn't show any signs of standing down. He had barely even raised his fist, when Duo's glare grew life threatening. His violet eyes turned dark and whatever doubt of Duo's species that Heero had were stripped away. This boy was definitely a shadow, but hidden in those depths, there was something much more.

"I swear to Death himself that if you hit me, you'd regret ever putting a hand on me.", Duo tauntingly whispered, almost waiting for a blow from the man in front of him.

He wanted an excuse for him to live up to his threat. Heero's hand lowered back to his side and he took a step back, his face as stoic as it usually was, as he continued to watch the now darkened eyes. He shook whatever hold they had on him, his glare returning to its previous position. Nothing could change the fact of what his slave had done during dinner in front of the entire court. It was a matter that could not go unpunished.

"Tell me, slave, just what were you thinking?", he growled out, Duo turning away.

He had had enough of this king, and he did not want to hear anything he had to say or answer any questions the man had to ask. He was tired of this human world already. His father had better hurry up with coming for him.

"Answer me!", Heero bellowed from behind him, but he barely shifted, his eyes staring at the stone gray of the walls.

He heard Heero's footsteps start toward him and he turned to meet face to face once again with the seething king.

"I did what I knew was right.", he finally answered, "Wufei-"

"Is none of your concern!", Heero boomed, Duo barely flinching, "He's a slave and so are you! Who gave you the right to decipher what's wrong and what's right!"

"He did nothing wrong!", Duo yelled moving forward, but his restraints stopped him, "Besides I-"

"You have no say whatsoever! You are a slave, and you perform your duties without objection! You do not interfere with affairs that have nothing to do with you!"

"Sorry to inform you, Your Majesty, but no matter what you do or say, I will never go about with the duties of a slave!"

Heero had had it, this was more than he could take. He could hit Duo but somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew the boy would live up to his threat. Although he made it seem otherwise, he really did value his life. So instead of striking, he turned away, walking over to his bed before looking back at Duo who only gave him a 'there's no way in hell' look. Heero only turned away, before placing himself on his bed and calling in the guards, who from the looks of it had been right outside the entire time. Just what was Heero going to do? Make them hold him down as he raped him?

"Take him back to the slave quarters.", Heero ordered, beginning to change into his sleeping attire, "Solitary confinement. No food, no water, for three days. We'll see if he's ready to perform his duties then. Take him away."

Duo was only able to gape at first until he was actually being dragged away, when his wide and astonished eyes glared at the king who only gave him a sarcastic good night. With one last curse, threat, and glare, Duo allowed himself to be dragged away. Compared to what might have happened, Duo was more than happy for solitary confinement.


As the king had ordered, Duo was sentenced to solitary confinement without food or water; or so they thought. Wufei, having been in Duo's position way too many times to count, had taken the liberty of providing the braided boy's needed nourishment. Of course, he had to sneak his way here and he was usually outside the barred window, hanging upside-down on an overhead ledge, or crouching on the one that was leveled with the window. He brought whatever he could manage to hide away in food, and a small canteen of water. He only lagged behind to have small talk and to be able to take the canteen as Duo finished its contents.

Quatre, although he wasn't able to visit the violet-eyed boy, didn't hesitate to check in on him every chance he got. In the dense silence of his cell like room, it often startled Duo when Quatre's (for some odd reason) bright and cheery voice entered his mind. Yet, he couldn't say he wasn't grateful for Quatre's need to talk with him. If he hadn't, Duo was sure the unmoving silence would have driven him crazy before his time was up. However, he was finding that a reason he could be released from the entire position of slave.

Besides his daily visits and conversations, Duo also looked out of the barred window every night for his father. For even the slightest site of him. Unfortunately, there weren't even his servants. Didn't anyone die around here? That would bring his father. A giant war even. Heero had to have some neighboring country he feuded with. The matter was discarded rather quickly, his father would come to get him when he chose. Duo just prayed it was soon.

It was now his last night in his cell, and he was sure that Wufei would be along soon. Dinner was nearly done, and no matter how much he wanted to deny it, the longer he stayed in this human form was the more he started to pick up their characteristics and habits. Or more precisely; he was hungry. Starving was more the word. In the midst of his hunger, he hadn't noticed when the thick wooden door to his room was pushed open, or dragged back closed for that matter. Nor did he recognize the presence of the long haired blond, until the boy put himself in his line of vision. Duo, standing from the corner he had gathered himself in, looked straight at Zechs, his eyes demanding why he was in here.

"No need to worry. I'm just here to give you company.", the older boy explained, cautiously walking over to Duo, "I mean solitary confinement seems kind of lonely."

"You think?", Duo asked sarcastically, shifting away from the corner to circle around the tall blond.

"I'm unarmed.", Zechs assured, knowing that's exactly what Duo was looking for, "I'm not here to hurt you, I told you I'm here to talk."

"To me?"

"To you."

Backing away to the small cot like bed, Duo dropped himself onto it, before gesturing Zechs to sit where he pleased. The boy chose to sit on the floor against the wall across from the braided boy.

"Well, you came to talk.", Duo said after a long moment of silence, "So talk."

Zechs smiled up at him, drawing a knee close to his chest before letting an arm drape over it. There really wasn't anytime when he got to relax like this, or feel like the boy he really was. His father had told him that he was a man at sixteen, but Zechs doubted him. Even now as he stood (or at the moment sat) at the age of eighteen, a soldier in the king's military and an heir to his uncle's fortune. He himself believed that he wasn't ready for either of the positions, but it was bestowed upon him, so what was he to do?

"For someone who wants to converse, you sure are quiet."

Duo's voice startled him out of his thoughts, and he glanced up into violet eyes apologetically.

"I'm sorry about that, it's not always that I get to relax like this. My mind drifts when I do."

"I understand."

Once again the two fell silent, each avoiding looking at the other, taking to staring at either the floor or the ceiling.

"So.", Duo started breaking the silence, "Your uncle, he sure is a bastard isn't he?"

"Yes, he truly is.", Zechs agreed with a chuckle, "You're the second slave to actually stand up against him."

"Who was the first?", Duo asked curiously.

"Wufei."

Duo frowned at the weird look in the blond's eyes as the dragon's name was said. Not to mention the smile that took his lips. What was his problem? He reminded him of the group of women last night that had stared at Heero all night. Of course they were sighing and fawning over the king. There was nothing to fawn and sigh over. He didn't look all that great anyway. What with his stupid unruly looking hair, blue eyes that reminded him of the early evening skies, and let's not forget that damned body of his. . .he never did catch a glimpse at his body. Wait, why would he even care? His ears caught the sigh that Zechs gave off and he turned violet eyes over to him, to catch the same dreamy look that the women had. This was truly mysterious.

"Zechs, may I ask you a question?", he asked, already sure that he knew the answer, "Would you happen to have a liking for Wufei?"

"A liking?"

"Yes. Do you like Wufei?", he repeated much more simply, or so he hoped he had.

He did catch the next dreamy smile that took Zechs' face and he rolled his eyes. Humans and their damned emotions. It was as plain as ever that Zechs was falling for the ebony-locked dragon. It was sad really, because Duo knew that Wufei would never fall in love with a human.

"Sorry to go off subject.", Zechs said, pulling Duo away from his musing, "I was wondering, what exactly I could call you."

Duo didn't know what to do, so he only stared back at the boy, who gave a shrug.

"I promise that I won't tell Heero. I just need something to acknowledge you by. Slave, doesn't suit you."

He didn't know why, but Duo found that Zechs would stay true to his word. Making sure to lock with crystal blue eyes, Duo sighed before trying to collect just exactly what he would say.

"You know what I am, don't you?", he asked, receiving a nod as his reply, "I figured as much. It's not hard to figure it out after you see that I don't have a shadow."

"I never knew that Death's shadows really existed. I had to come and see for myself, just to be sure. Now that I know that you're real, I have the feeling that you yourself are much more than a common servant."

"You're smart.", Duo commented jokingly, earning himself a laugh, "I am more than a servant, but I do serve Death either way."

"So, who and what are you?", Zechs pushed, unable to wait any longer.

Duo hesitated for only a moment before nearly whispering, "I am Shinigami, the son of Death but you may call me, Duo."

The moment of shock that had captured Zechs was abruptly cut short as the iron bars of the windows were clanged against, and two pair of eyes turned to find Wufei hanging from the above ledge.

/Duo, sorry I'm late I-/

Wufei's words were cut short as he gazed in to find Zechs present in the room. Ebony eyes looked back and forth between both Duo and his keeper's nephew. What the hell was going on?

/What the hell is he doing here?!/, he demanded, glaring at the blonde boy as he stood from his place on the floor.

Duo, remembering that he was starving as he found Wufei hanging in front of his window, jumped up from the bed to practically run over to him.

Calm down, he's just here to talk.

/To you?/, Wufei asked confused.

To me.

Taking his food and drink back over to his bed, Duo watched from the corner of his eye as the two stared at each other. Wufei now crouching on the ledge that leveled with the window and Zechs now standing only a few inches away from it.

"Good evening, Wufei.", the blonde greeted with a bow, "It's a surprise meeting you here."

Wufei acknowledged him with a nod, before looking over to Duo, who seemed more interested with his dinner than the awkward situation between the two teenaged boys.

"Beautiful."

The murmured word drew Wufei's eyes to the blonde in front of him, his eyebrow raising.

"What?", Duo asking what Wufei could not.

Finding he was caught, Zechs fumbled to find words for a moment before his eyes caught site of the sky behind the sloe-eyed boy.

"The sky.", he quickly said, with a nervous smile, "It's a beautiful night, don't you think?"

With a shrug Wufei nodded and Duo snorted. This was almost nauseating. This Zechs had some gall to try and court his uncle's personal slave. The two continued to stare at each other in silence as Duo finished of his drink. He was lucky tonight, Wufei was able to sneak off some wine. He needed a good night's sleep anyway.

/I have to go./, Wufei announced, eyes never leaving from the ones that stared back at them.

"He said he has to go.", Duo informed Zechs, delivering Wufei's words since he couldn't say them himself.

Zechs nodded never losing eye contact with obsidian orbs as he bowed.

"Good night.", he told Wufei, who gave him a nod.

/Good night./

"He says the same.", Duo informed once again, flinging the canteen to Zechs, "Pass this to him, will you?"

Stretching his hand out, he handed the canteen to Wufei, who took it with a small smile; his own way of thank you, before he was off climbing back onto the over head ledge.

"I think I shall take my leave as well.", Zechs said as he started for the door, "It was a pleasure talking to you, Shinigami."

As the older boy gave him a bow, Duo smirked and watched as he left, the heavy door banging closed behind him. He was alone now, but not for long. Quatre was bound to enter his head soon.

::How was you day, Duo?::

Yup, right on time.


Heero made his way down the ridiculously long corridor. Why his father decided to build the castle in such a way, the young king would never know. He was tying the leather strings to his shirt, not really paying attention to where he was going, when he was stopped in his tracks. Colbat eyes looked up into green and he only sighed in annoyance before starting to walk off again.

"Good morning to you also, Heero.", Trowa said following after his stepbrother.

He knew Heero didn't want his company, but he needed to speak with him on a very important subject.

"Trowa, I don't have time to talk with you at the moment."

"I believe you do."

"No, I don't. Now if you'll excuse me-"

"I will not excuse you!", Trowa snapped, grabbing Heero by the arm and turning him back to face him, "I'm tired of you ignoring me. Listen to me for once."

Heero only sighed in annoyance, pulling his arm out of his stepbrother's grip and turning away.

"I'll listen to you later.", he told the taller man as he walked away, "At the moment I'm rather busy."

Trowa watched as his brother walked off, only sighing in defeat before going his separate way.


Heero soon enough found himself in front of Duo's temporary room, not exactly sure if his punishment had worked in the slightest way. His confirmation was the amused smirk Duo gave him as he entered. He knew that his form of discipline had been useless, and he urged himself to stay calm as he stepped into the room, his eyes locked with Duo's. He stood only a few feet away from him, saying absolutely nothing and Duo remained quiet as well. That is until the silence became unnerving.

"Is there a reason why you're here?", Duo questioned.

It came unexpectedly and nearly caused Heero to jump. Luckily for him, he didn't. Turning towards the window, Heero cleared his throat before looking over his shoulder to Duo.

"Your three days are up.", he said flatly, turning away to look out at the blue sky, "I came to retrieve you."

"And just as I was starting to like the place too.", Duo retorted sarcastically.

Heero only smiled.

"I suppose that's not all you have to say.", Duo inquired, leaning against the damp wall.

"No.", came Heero's reply, "I have a proposition."

Duo froze, unsure of what to say or how to react. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to hear what the king's proposition was. However, he did have the slightest feeling it had something to do with his freedom and how he could obtain it.

"So, what is it?", he asked finally, "I'm interested."

Giving a chuckle that sent a quick shiver down Duo's spine, Heero looked over his shoulder with a smirk, pinning Duo against the wall with his gaze alone. Of course, Duo kept his facial expression under control, he didn't want to give Heero any satisfaction. Turning to face his slave, the young king slowly made his way toward him, stopping until he was mere inches away. His eyes looked down into Duo's, his smirk residing.

"You want your freedom do you not?", he questioned, Duo slowly nodding, "Well, there is a way you can gain it."

"I'm not-"

"You don't have to go anywhere near my bed.", Heero assured him, knowing what Duo was going to say.

"Then what do you want from me?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

"Tell me!", Duo demanded, now impatient and uncomfortable with just how close they were.

"Stay with me for two weeks."

"And?"

"And if you still want to leave afterwards, I'll let you go. However, you have to promise not to run away and you must be on your best behavior; the best you can manage."

"And what's the alternative?", Duo asked, glare now gone.

"I'll make sure that you're always surrounded by light, where no shadow can reach you."

Damn. That put him in a spot. If he was forever in light, his father wouldn't be able to come for him, or any other shadows for that matter. Of course, if he didn't agree he could try and escape all he wanted. However, there was the chance that he was caught. He hated the title of slave.

"If I stay, you do not call me slave.", he told Heero, turning eyes back up to him.

"What should I call you then?", Heero asked, "You did never tell me your name."

"Call me. . . Duo.", he said after some hesitation.

"Fine then. Duo.", Heero repeated with a smile, "Does this mean you agree to stay?"

Damn it all to hell! What was he doing? Maybe staying locked up in here did made him go insane. Was he actually about to agree with him? No, there was no way. He was not going to stay here a minute longer, he was going to return to his own home. His answer was most definately no.

"Yes. I'll stay."

T.B.C.


C-Chan2: *sobs* It sucked did it not? Oh woe is me!

Lloyd: No, it wasn't bad. Right, Jim?

Jim: It sucked to me. *gets knock on head* Ow!

Lloyd: Don't listen to him, Chan. We'll see what your reviewers think.

C-Chan2: *sniffles* Okay. So tell us what you thought of it, we'd really appreciate it.