What's Really In The Dark Of Night

Chapter Nine; Duo POV:

Telling the Princess of Pink where to stuff it where Heero was concerned was bliss. Hearing from his own lips that he actually wanted to go to all those events with me had been surprising. Getting Heero to smile for his yearbook picture… well hell that was priceless. Many women would drool over him due to that. Yet I'm certain he'd be able to handle it.

"What am I gonna do to annoy Wuffles today?" I wondered aloud, gaining a laugh from Heero. If he did that too much more, we'd have a trail of slimy, drooling idiots behind us at least a mile wide. Glancing around I caught sight of Storm. He was standing far enough away that I felt no fear talking to him and using his real name in the process. "Hey Storm," I called out softly. He turned saddened storm gray eyes on me. His hair was a light black, almost gray color. He started to smile but froze as he recognized Heero behind me.

"Why are you dressed like that? Not to mention why are you with HIM?" his voice was chilled as he mentioned Heero. I simply waved it off, know he wasn't very pleasant about anything normally. So this was nothing new.

"First off, I did this as a favor," I told him. I was certain he thought I meant Aunt Helen, so I didn't bother to correct him. "Second of all, Heero's my friend. I actually trust him with my life. He knows I can talk to spirits and surprisingly he hasn't run screaming for the hills." Storm relaxed at that, nodding to Heero.

"If she trusts you, then I will too. Betray her and life will be less than roses for you." I sighed.

"Ever since I helped Rain, Sunny, and Willow 'talk' to him, he's been very protective of me. It's like I'm the new sister." Heero smiled tightly. I didn't like the look on him. I could tell he thought I'd tell everyone about his little quirk if he told mine. He obviously hasn't realized I could honestly care less if everyone knew about my gift or not. It was merely the truth, after all.

"I'd never do anything to betray her," Heero said seriously. I sighed once more. Men!

"Oh stop it! You macho men make me sick. What's next, banging your heads against the wall until one of you passes out?" Storm flushed while Heero couldn't hold back a genuine smile.

"I think the lady is upset," Heero commented to Storm, who nodded in agreement.

"She brought up embarrassing events so I know she is." Heero looked at Storm in surprise then.

"You mean you…"

"Yeah," Storm interrupted. "I was only four at the time but I challenged Rain to it. Rain and I are twins… I mean were twins. Anyway, she agreed and even let me go first. One hit and I was down for the count."

"Rain waited till he woke up to tell him he lost. She never did it herself, but with him passed out, he never know." Storm laughed.

"I did kind of figure it out later," he admitted. I smiled softly, even as Heero did as well. My pulse picked up and my heart skipped all over the place. Oh, this man was murder on my system.

"As much fun as memory lane is, I've got others to bug and have pester me in return"

"All right, Duo. Tell them hi for me the next time you visit."

I sighed at that. "You can tell them yourself when you visit. I keep telling you they can hear you just fine."

Storm nodded, even as his cheeks turned a little pink. "I know, but its embarrassing talking to…" he trailed off before finishing that sentence. Just like Heero, Storm didn't want to insult me.

"Yourself," I finished for him. He nodded and I smirked. "It may seem like that, but you aren't. Not really. Personally, I get more answers that way." We all seemed to laugh at my little joke. I was glad of it. Personally I hated when they worried so much about what to say around me. I wasn't made of porcelain. I don't break easily. "Anyway, talk to ya later Stormy."

"Later Starlight," he replied, waving as we continued on our way. I smiled as Heero seemed to look a little confused.

"Starlight?" he asked as we made out way toward the art room. I couldn't help but laugh softly at that.

"Their mother gave me that name after I passed along a message from Rain, Sunny, and Willow. Storm reminds me of that every time we talk. Mostly its because I call him Stormy and he hates it." Heero stopped my by placing a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at him, my violet gaze locking to his beautiful Prussian blue eyes.

"You help others with your 'curse'?" he asked, surprise coloring his voice and eyes. I nodded.

"I learned a long time ago that this is a gift, not a curse. So what if people think I'm crazy. Its seeing how better people feel after helping that make me happy. Helping the Collins family made me realize that this gift is worth everything I put up with."

"I wish there was something my gift could do to help others," Heero whispered in an almost wistful tone. I couldn't help but feel a little sad at that. Having such a gift as Heero did that he couldn't really use for anyone, it was a little depressing.

"Hee-chan, I'm certain your gift has a purpose, we just have to find out what it is," I told him, giving him a soft smile.

"Perhaps, yet others can hear their loved ones by touching you. That's a very unique 'gift'." I laughed bitterly at that. I had been thinking about that one all night long and had come to realize that it was only with Heero that it ever happened.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, Hee-chan, but that isn't the way it works. I've touched both my uncle and Storm at various times while listening to my fellow spirit buddies but they've never heard a single thing. You're the first and only one that its ever happened with." I had always preferred honesty to lies. That was how I wanted to run my life, after all. My words only succeeded in making Heero stare at me for a long, silent moment.

"Why me?" he asked finally.

"Why not you?" I countered with. "I mean, come on Hee-chan. We both have a special gift that seems to compliment the other. So it does make some sense. Yet lets get going, I find that I'm rather hungry." That said, I took his arm and dragged him into the art room. Trowa graced me with a smile while Quatre and Wufei seemed surprised. Wufei couldn't seem to stop from whistling softly.

"Whoa, Duo, looking good," Morrigan said. Heero seemed startled a second before realizing where it came from. Looking around the room, I noticed a young girl in an artists smock. I couldn't help but turn startled eyes on Heero then.

"Is that Morrigan?" I whispered into his ear. Heero glanced in the direction I was looking in and nodded. "I… I can see her, Heero. I can actually see her," I whispered, tears filling my eyes. I swiftly looked away and wiped my eyes before my make-up began to run. Luckily I had no-streak eyeliner and mascara, otherwise everyone would be scared by my appearance.

"Who's the hottie, Yuy?" Wufei asked, tired of waiting for Heero to introduce us. I could tell because it was in his voice. Quatre raised an eyebrow at that comment. I happened to know out darling little Quatre actually preferred the boys over the girls. Which didn't bother me at all.

"It's Duo, Chang," Heero replied. I wanted to annoy him and this seemed to have done it instantly. Wufei's eyes almost bugged out of his head while Quatre came over and handed Heero his pizza.

"Pepperoni, chicken, and mushrooms, just as you ordered," Quatre told Heero, ignoring Wufei's sputtering. I laughed lightly, yet another thing Heero and I had in common. We both had odd taste in out pizzas. Heero held up up, a questioning look in his eyes.

"It's cool, Hee-chan. It won't kill me," I told him. He laughed softly at those words.

"Maxwell! What is the meaning of this?" Wufei finally was able to ask. I blinked up at him, piece of pizza in hand. I took a bite and swallowed it before answering.

"Having pizza. What else does it look like?" Wufei glared at me for those words.

"Impersonating a woman won't make what you did to Heero all right," he growled. Heero moved to act, but I stopped him with a simple gesture. This was my fight.

"Wufei, I know your tiny brain lacks the ability to function properly when big words are used. So I'll speak slowly and use small words so you can understand me. I AM a woman. Not a guy, a girl. There is no way I could be homosexual if I'm a girl who likes guys, now is there?" Wufei was silent, yet his ebony eyes glared fire. "Not that there should be a problem with homosexuals. Everyone is allowed to have their own preferences."

"You tell 'em, sister!" Morrigan shouted, causing me to grin. I then took another bite of my pizza, my rant finished. Heero, Quatre, and Trowa all laughed lightly at that.

"She's got you there, Wufei," Quatre said. Trowa gave me a high five, which I gladly returned. Heero even lightly placed an arm around my shoulders. I wondered it was more so I could see Morrigan or because he wanted to.

"Duo's got a pretty good head on her shoulders," Trowa commented. "Its about time someone else could see that besides me." I gave Trowa a grateful smile. I knew I liked him. Trowa was certainly all right in my book. Perhaps I should be honest with everyone who was here. Wufei had stopped any attempt to speak and merely glared at me.

"There's something you should all know," I began, catching Heero's questioning glance. He dropped his arm from around me. I was certain he thought I was going to tell on him. Which was the furthest thing from my mind.

"What could possibly be bigger than you actually being a girl, Maxwell?" Wufei questioned, a note of curiosity in his voice. I smirked, my lips curving up slowly.

"The reason people think I'm crazy is because I can actually hear spirits," I told them. Quatre's jaw seemed to drop a little at that. Wufei's eyes bugged out again. Trowa merely continued to smile at me.

"That explains why you looked ready to bust out laughing the day we met," Trowa remarked. I nodded.

"Both the gym and here have resident spirits. Solo died in the gym and Morrigan was found dead in the art closet."

"Whoa, you've gone some balls, Duo. Well, sort of." I laughed softly at that, gaining everyone's eyes on me.

"Sorry, private joke," I muttered. Wufei rolled his eyes.

"How do we know you aren't just a crazy person who hears voices?" Wufei asked. I glanced at Heero, shaking my head to keep him from giving himself away.

"Your latest painting is of the dream you had three nights ago," I told him. Wufei jumped in surprise.

"How in the hell did you learn that?"

"Morrigan's told me all about each one of your paintings. She says she checks all of the artworks in this class to make certain the person is deserving to be here. She had dreams of one day becoming a teacher here. Now all she can do is observe."

"That's so sad," Quatre whispered. Trowa patted the blonde's shoulder, causing me to raise an eyebrow. Just what was going on with those two?"

"I hope we're up to par, Morrigan," Trowa said suddenly. Morrigan giggled.

"Of course you all are. I would have spooked you all out if you weren't," Morrigan answered. I chuckled softly at that. I then felt her cold arm flip my ponytail, gaining more than one stare.

"What the… you aren't joking, are you," Wufei said slowly, making it more of a statement than a question. It wasn't hard to notice that I hadn't moved and no one was close enough to cause the action.

"Don't just laugh, nutcase. Tell them what I said," Morrigan growled. I rolled my eyes.

"A little pushy, aren't we," I snapped. Morrigan then flipped my hair, a little harder this time so that it fell into my face. I brushed it back and sighed. "She wants me to tell you that if you weren't up to par that she would have spooked you all out of here by now."

"That hair trick would have done it," Quatre stated. His aquamarine eyes had become curious. "Does it hurt when a spirit touches you?" he asked suddenly. I shook my head.

"Not at all. Its more like a really cold hand being placed on you suddenly." Quatre appeared thoughtful.

"Think Morrigan would mind touching one of us?" Just so we know once and for all, that you're telling the truth?" Quatre questioned.

"Why I never…" Morrigan exclaimed. I stopped her.

"Morrigan, its all right. Seeing things happen to others can be explained away. Having things happen to you are harder to shove aside." Morrigan huffed.

"All right. Ask which one wants to be touched."

"Which one wants to be touched?" Everyone looked at one another, but it was Heero who finally spoke up.

"I'll do it," he said. Quatre looked at him.

"Are you sure?" Quatre asked. Heero nodded.

"As someone who's not really partial to anyone, I'd like to volunteer myself," Trowa spoke up quietly.

"Those two I like. I agree," Morrigan said. I nodded.

"She's cool with the choice," I told them. With Heero and Trowa soon standing away from everyone, Morrigan first ruffled Trowa's uni-bang. I watched him shiver in reaction. Next I watched as she ruffled Heero's hair. I could tell all this by watching them move with her actions. She suddenly gasped out and my eyes widened as Morrigan flared into view. I could hear myself gasp as well. Morrigan's voice was weak as she spoke up.

"He's the one! He's the son without a mother! He's the one your soul was meant to join with." My eyes widened in sudden shock. That couldn't be! Not Heero Yuy! I'm certainly not a perfect match for him.

"Say what?" I exclaimed. Fraught with panic and worry, I passed out. My body suddenly no longer in my control as darkness descended.