AN: Well, I finally got to writing the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy. And please let me know what you think. Been a little depressed lately and really exhausted too. And while I did quit my second job, I'm about to start up another one. Hopefully this one turns out better. But yeah… that's why I haven't updated this one lately. My depression just got to me today so I thought this might distract me a bit… hardly… but once again I hope you all enjoy.

Special Thanks to:

Zeihk: Hm… thanks for another wonderful review. And yeah… I understand the whole months/year update thing… I have a few fics I was reading that seem to be taking that long to update. Sighs.

Tina-Chan: Thanks for another great review. I'd say more, but somehow depression won't allow it at this moment. I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Shevaleon: Very amusing review. I loved it, and it definitely helped me laugh a little and I needed that right now. Unfortunately I do not think that Relena will die in this story… CURSES! But thanks for a great review. Luvs!

ToumasGirl0507: Thank you for the great review. I love new reviewers. I hope you continue to enjoy my story. I look forward to maybe another future review from you. Luvs.

Wolfje: Hm yeah, I really can't stand Relena. I hate her. I'm glad that you like my version of Hilde. She is very mysterious and that's what I love about her. She has many secrets and she's a very exciting character for me to write. I hope you continue to enjoy my story and I hope to hear from you again. Luvs!

Marauder Heir: Sorry buddy… Won't be killing Relena anytime soon.

Jess-Eklom: Glad you enjoyed that last chapter. Thanks for another great review.

Luv to all!

Chapter 12

Duo poked at his food with his fork as he listened to the ramblings of his brother and cousin. They had been talking non stop since she had arrived earlier that day, and Duo just wanted to smack the girl or something. Her voice was horrible and so high pitched it hurt his ears. He didn't want to have to listen to it constantly.

"Right Prince Duo?"

Duo blinked and looked over at his fiancé who had obviously been talking to him. "Oh, uh… yeah." He wasn't sure what he was agreeing to, but Hilde just smiled up at him and nodded. She then turned her gaze to where Quatre and Relena sat.

"I guess that's it then," Hilde said, setting down her fork. "We'll be off to bed then." She rose from her seat. Duo stared at her for a moment before it finally registered to him what was going on.

"Oh… right." He as well stood from his seat and escorted Hilde out of the dining hall. When they reached their rooms, Hilde smiled up at the boy.

"Cheer up my Prince," Hilde told him. "Something wonderful will come to you soon, I promise."

Duo blinked at the girl and watched as she disappeared into her room. He then started to retreat to his own room, but as he turned to his door he came face to face with Milliardo. Duo quickly jumped back, eyes wide with fear. Milliardo smiled at the boy and reached out for him, taking him by the wrist and pulling him close to him.

Milliardo leaned down close to Duo's ear. "Soon Prince Duo I shall take you. Your beauty is one I can't pass up." Milliardo then let go of the boy and walked towards the dining hall, probably to check on Quatre.

Duo stood there, quivering from fear. He wrapped his arms around himself and fell to his knees, warm tears slowly making their way down his cheeks. "I wish Heero were around," he'd told himself, wondering why he'd even thought of the boy. Duo shook his head and forced himself to stand, forcing his shaking feet to take him to his room.

After Duo made it into his room and locked his door, he then collapsed onto his bed and buried his face into his pillow. "Heero," he called out.

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Heero sat alone in his room, staring up at the ceiling, thoughts of Duo filling his mind. There was a knock on his door and he cursed the interruption. Didn't they know how late it was? He shoved himself off his bed and made his way over to the door. Unlocking it, he opened it only to find Trowa staring at him. Heero stumbled back a bit and blinked at the sight of his friend.

Trowa didn't know what to say. It was still odd to him that his friend was a Prince. While the story he had been told did make sense, it was still a little hard to accept. He nodded and spoke. "Heero, I thought you were dead."

Heero smirked and moved out of the way so his friend could enter the room. Trowa seemed to look around, probably surprised the room was bigger than their home back in Agrabah. Heero walked over to his bed and sat down, watching as Trowa took a seat in one of the chairs not too far from him.

"It's good to see you again Trowa."

"It's good to see you're alive," Trowa said back.

"Duo… How is he?" Heero asked.

Trowa sighed. "I don't know. It's been really hard to see him. It seems he's locked himself in the castle since you were supposedly killed off. I only saw him once after you had been taken away and that was it."

"He's… locked himself away?"

"Well, more like he's been locked away." Trowa sighed and stared up at the ceiling. "Things have changed. Duo's not allowed out in the city anymore without an escort, and it has to be a guard that Quatre approves of. And it seems his only real protection in the castle is Hilde. She's been by his side ever since she arrived there. It's very rare to see them apart," Trowa explained.

"Do you think…?"

Trowa shook his head. "No. It's clear they're close, but you can see in Duo's eyes that he does not love her."

"So you've been watching him?"

"I wanted to make sure he was alright. Things have slowly been changing lately. I feel like something is going to happen in the castle. Something just doesn't feel right."

"You feel it too?" Heero sighed. "We have to return."

"Well, it is about time." Wufei suddenly appeared in the room, surrounded by a cloud of smoke. Trowa jumped out of his seat and nearly fell over by the shock. Wufei bowed at the boy. "I am Chang Wufei, Prince Heero's genie."

"I… I heard about you," Trowa explained and made his way back into his seat. "Noin explained everything before we arrived."

Wufei huffed. "Noin… She's a woman. I still don't think she should be a guard… especially Captain."

"She is very capable." Dorothy was found in the doorway leaning back against the wall. "She wouldn't be Captain if she couldn't handle it."

Wufei huffed once more. "Prepare yourself," he told Heero. "We ride to Agrabah first thing in the morning. Get some rest now."

Heero nodded and turned to his friend. "I'll show you your room then."

"I'll be coming back with you," Trowa told the boy.

"Of course," Heero said. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

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Duo stood out on his balcony, his mind clear of all thoughts. He reached out to the sky, wanting to be able to fly away along with the other birds. Sighing, he headed back into his room and sat on his bed. There was a knock on his door and he suspected it was just Hilde. Forcing a smile, he stood and opened the door for the girl.

"What is wrong my Prince?" the girl asked him, concern written all over her face. "You do not look happy today."

Duo blinked at the girl and sighed. "Of course I can't hide that from you, can I?"

Hilde shook her head. "Prince Duo, please tell me what is wrong."

"Well… I saw Milliardo again last night."

Hilde's eyes widened. "Did he do something Duo? Please tell me!"

"No." He smiled, happy the girl cared so much. "I'm fine. He just scared me a little is all."

Hilde stared at Duo for a moment and finally nodded her head. "I trust you. You wouldn't lie to me." She smiled and it was so sweet, Duo wasn't sure if he ever could lie to the girl. She walked over to his bed and sat down. "I have a present for you," she said, motioning for the boy to come sit next to her.

It was the first time since he'd opened the door for her that he'd even realized she was holding a box in her hands. Nodding, he sat next to the girl and stared down at the box she had placed in his hands. He looked over at Hilde and she only smiled at him, urging him to open the gift.

"What's it for?" Duo asked. "There is no reason for a gift."

"There doesn't have to be a reason for a gift," Hilde told the boy, disappointment written all over her face. "A gift is something given from the heart and so can be given at any time you wish to give it away. I give you this because you are dear to me my Prince, and I want you to be happy."

Duo was shocked at the girl's words and a smile lit up his face. "Thank you Princess." He carefully opened the box and blinked as he stared down at an outfit similar to what he used to wear. "It's just like the clothes my mother used to make me," he said as he pulled out the outfit. "It's beautiful, but… how?"

"I made it," Hilde told him. She leaned up and kissed the boy on the cheek. "I know you can't wear it at the moment, but one day I'm sure you can, and you can look lovely for the one you love."

"The one I… But Hilde, me and you are getting married. There is no one I will love."

Hilde backed away, looking a little hurt. Duo was doubting her, but she couldn't blame the boy. She quickly threw up a smile before Duo could notice. "If you say so my Prince."

Duo, noticing the girl was a little disappointed, smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you Hilde, for being a wonderful fiancé and most of all, a wonderful friend. I will always cherish you." Hilde, who was hardly ever told such things, felt herself blush for the first time in her life. "Please don't ever leave my side, Princess Hilde."

Hilde wrapped her arms around Duo and nodded. "I promise my Prince. I will always be by your side… Always."

AN: Okay, I know not much happened in this chapter, but great things are to come. Just wait and see. Please review. I'd love all your opinions. Luvs!