Ok this is a very quick update. I've taken over my Dad's computer to write the next chapter. I know I said it was going to be a while before I could update again but this will be my last chance for about two weeks. Thanks to everyone who has already reviewed the last chapter. I know this chapter will raise more questions and I apologise for any spellings mistakes, this has only just been finished. This chapter, I am pleased to see, marks the middle of the story and all question raised will soon be answer.

ENJOY!

Chapter Thirteen - Sacrifice

That one thought sent Duo crashing to his knees, his vision swarm before him as he struggled to breathe, struggled to understand what he was being told. His heart seemed to be squeezed by an invisible hand as he thought of his poor friends. He was reluctant to believe that Heero was dead but even he couldn't deny the evidence in front of him where Quatre was concerned.

Trowa watched the broken boy with calm green eyes. His heart moved towards his old friend but he could do nothing to ease Duo's pain as he was still dealing with his own emotions towards Quatre and the condition the younger boy was in. He moved past Duo and slide the tray of food in his hands under the bars of Quatre's cell.

Quatre looked up, his bright blue eyes seem to plead with Trowa for something the boy didn't know what. He stopped his muttering, appearing calmer now than before. He reached for the food almost timidly.

"You can't blame yourself for what has happened," Tucker said watching as Duo slowly pushed himself to his feet. He was startled to see those violet eyes that before had glittered before had turned almost black in colour. "You can't change the past mate, you can only change the future."

"Trowa, have you seen Heero or Wufei?"

Trowa didn't look away from Quatre but his whole body seemed to collapse as he stood there.

"I knew you were going to ask me that. I haven't seen either but I know both were here."

"What happened to them?"

"Wufei is unknown. Heero, I'm sorry Duo but he's dead."

Perhaps it was because it was the first time someone he trusted had said it, but that was the first time that Duo actually believed the words he heard. He knew that Trowa would not lie to him about something as important as Heero and with that sentence Duo gave up hope of finding Heero alive. He couldn't stop the tears that came to his eyes but he ignored them.

"What is going on here? Is what I have heard true, are they using us as some sort of…"

"Weapons."

Tucker gave a nod to agree with Trowa's word.

"Hn."

Trowa slowly turned to face him.

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Where have you been?"

Duo allowed the guards to manhandle him as they threw him into his cell. Hilde was on her feet the moment the door was opened and helped Duo stay stable.

"Exploring."

"It was you then? I heard about a student who had locked one of the doctors in the white room."

"I was only showing him a taste of his own medicine. What is it?"

Hilde had helped Duo onto his bed but now as he looked up at her he could see the worry lines on her forehead.

"They never use the white room in the first session. Its normally used three months into the process."

"The process?"

Hilde tapped the side of her head.

"The chip won't let me talk about it."

"I was only able to avoid them for so long."

"You did well. They must have known where you were though."

"The chip?"

"I told you, it can tell them where you are any where in the complex."

"So they let me run around free for the whole afternoon? The bastards tricked me."

There was laughter from the corridor and Duo glared at Riana.

"You did that on purpose? You wanted me to see what you had done to Quatre didn't you?"

"It was very amusing."

"Bitch."

This only made her laugh harder.

"If you want us to leave him alone and your other friends then I suggest you do as I ask."

"You are blackmailing me?" Duo snorted as he stood up. Hilde moved beside him, worried about his health. He hadn't eaten since he had arrived in her cell over twenty four hours ago and she knew that wasn't good for a human body.

"Yes."

"Why? You didn't blackmail the others."

"Time is running out and I need you to help us. I don't have the time to brainwash you like I did the others. I'll give you a choice, Maxwell, you can either swear to me that you will serve me completely and I'll let your friends go, or I can kill the young blond and have the others tortured into insanity."

"Why Duo?" Hilde asked. "Why is he so important?"

Riana turned her smirking gaze onto Hilde.

"I need the best. I'll be back in a few hours for your decision."

Her high heels clicked as she walked off down the corridor and Duo allowed himself to fall back onto the bed. His eyes slide shut and before he knew it he had fallen asleep.

"She threatened that?"

"Yes. I don't know what to do."

"Take this tray and make sure you both eat something. I can't believe they haven't brought you food yet."

"I think its punishment, to try and make him cave to her."

"I always hated her. She did always have an obsession about him. It really was never healthy."

"Do you mind me asking but how do you know him?"

"Don't talk about me as if I'm not here."

The two girls jumped at the sound of his voice and Duo finally opened his eyes to see Relena on one side of the cell and Hilde on the other. Their conversation had woken him up.

"We met a few years ago at an old boarding school for the insane. We were looked after by a man called Kendal who died a year or so ago."

"It was his death that started all this," Duo explained. "Without his protection, Riana was able to start recruiting us."

"What are you going to do Duo?"

"I don't know I haven't thought about it. Is that food?"

Hilde took the tray over to him and watched as he dug into the mash potato and sausage that Relena had brought them.

"I spoke to Trowa and he said to follow your emotions."

"Have you seen Quatre recently?" Duo snapped.

"No but."

"Then you don't understand. She was threatening just Trowa, she was threatening you, Hilde and everyone else in this god damn place that I have known at some point in my life."

"You'll say yes," Relena gasped. "You can't give in."

"Why not?" Duo snapped. "At least this way I wont be put in a padded room in a years time when I turn twenty one. With luck I'll die before she has a chance to do what she wants with me but at least you will all be safe and Quatre can have a chance to recover. I've already lost Heero and Wufei to her and I don't think I can stand to lose anyone else."

"You always tried to protected us when we lived together. Its been two years Duo, but you are still that protector aren't you?"

"We are Kendal's children," Duo raised his head, proud of his words. "He's not here to protect us so someone has to do it. Tell me Relena, how is the magic going?"

"It had disappeared. Whatever they did brought it back," she raised her hands and examined her fingertips.

"We are not insane and we don't deser5ve to be treated like this."

"So why will you accept her? Do what she tells you to do."

"Because it will give me freedom to work out what is going on and it'll let me get my revenge."

"There is a war coming and she plans on using you as a weapon in it," Hilde said.

"I know. Relena, promise me that you'll make sure Quatre gets better?"

"I promise."

With that Duo returned to laying down, his hands folded over his chest and his eyes staring up at the ceiling.

No matter what the girls said they could not get Duo to talk to them nor could they persuade him to change his mind.

"I have one condition that you promise to make and keep."

"Go on."

"Let them all go. Everyone last one of them. You said I'm all you need so prove it and let them all go home."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"And you swear yourself you to me?"

"One hundred percent."

"It's a deal. They will all be gone by morning."

"Safe?"

"Yes and then?"

"I'm yours."

"Indeed. Mine. My young Shinigami."

TBC…

It'll be two weeks before I get a chance to update again, please keep on reviewing and I will see you all again soon.

Thank You