-----      

-A flash of black light and three forms appear in the middle of a grassy meadow, one dressed entirely in black with a bloody weapon in hand, who hovers right above the form motionlessly laying on the ground.  The third sits a bit away.-

Duo: *frowns darkly, staring at his guardian with saddened, betrayed eyes*

Wufei: *looks around with wide eyes still then slightly calms and watches Shinigami before sighing heavily.* 'Trowa? I need you here, now...' *closes his eyes for a moment then opens them and Trowa stands in his green robes, looking at Wufei then glances at the other two before staring.*

Trowa: Wufei... What happened?

Wufei: *stutters.*

Trowa: *slowly walks toward the motionless Heero.*

Duo: *stiffens upon each step and quickly twists around, his sharp bloody blade extending and stopping right at the edge of his intruder's throat.  A soft breeze rolls by, running its fingers through Duo's long hair and untangling the mass*

Trowa: *tilts his head up slightly and stills.*... Lord?

Duo: (soft) He's dead.

Trowa: *glances down at the body of Heero and then slowly steps back from the blade and bows his head slightly.* There has been a lot of death..

Duo: *looks away, lowering the blade.  Stares at Heero's dead features and murmurs even softer* He's dead…

Trowa: I'm…sorry…

Duo: *touches Heero's bloody trail that melts down his lips, staring with glass eyes at his protector, his lover, with deep agony and sorrow.  Closes his eyes, head lowering a bit more, before opening to look through his bangs at motionless corpse.* (whisper) What is a world without Heero…?

Trowa: *stays silent, bowing his head to the mourning God, thoughts running through his mind for comfort*

Duo: *slowly looks up at the sky* No world.  There is no world without Heero.  *stands and walks away, dragging his blade along the way.  Walks a few feet away from the three forms behind him, staring off into the distance and brown hair curling in the wind.  Slowly, carefully, Shinigami raises his scythe high into the air and with a small cry, slams the bloody blade back into the earth.  Like a chain reaction a tiny crack runs along the ground...and on...and out of sight*

Trowa: *steps over by Heero's body.* My... lord, what are you... doing?

Duo: *takes a deep firm grip back on the metal handle of his weapon and with a stressful cry, he pulls it back up - and a series of explosions erupt and shatter from deep within the Earth, screaming up into the air meters high.  Dust, fire, and thick red liquid fall all around them as chain reaction sends it along the ground, following the tiny crack before it until it is out of sight* There is NO WORLD without Heero.

Wufei: *trembles again in fright.*

Trowa: *looks down at Heero's body, shaking his head then looks at Duo again.* You wish to be with him?

Duo: I want him with me.

Trowa: Then why don't you give him back what was taken?

Duo: I cannot reborn.  I am Shinigami, I take souls... *shoulders begin to slump, hands tight on his weapon* My love is gone...

Trowa: You're a busy man if you take all the souls of the earth. You did not take Heero's to the beyond, so how do you know it's there?

Duo: Are you suggesting he waits for me?

Trowa: In a manner of speaking. If he does wait for you, once you take him to his rightful place to the high heavens you could be ripped apart once more and you sent below once again. But here... On this planet, it is possible for your love to survive... *looks down at Heero again then kneels and brushes back some of the soft hair. Sigh.* It's a shame... If only you could retrieve his lost soul. *stands again.*

Duo: *suddenly stands right behind him, by his shoulder.  Puts a hand on his shoulder, gentle and shy* (soft) How?

Trowa: *looks back slowly.* Hmm...? Oh... *looks back down at Heero's form then turns to Duo and motions Wufei over.* You are the Lord of Death, plain and simple. Therefore you can come and go as you please through the worlds, but your mind was not trained and developed.

Wufei: *catches on.* I will open my mind to you and you may use it to enter into the portal to the high heavens and reclaim what is yours.

Duo: *looks lost and confused, even nervous, his Shinigami half slowly departing to leave alone Duo* High heavens...?

Trowa: You will not enter the heavens, just before the gateway where the souls await their admittance inside. Once you have found Heero he will not recognize you because he is a sleeping soul. Take him and bring him back here… and place his soul back into his body.

Wufei: But you must hurry, the gates open to allow all in that are welcome.

Duo: *nods firmly* A...All right.

Wufei: Take a seat then. *slowly sits in the air, crossing his legs and places his hands on his knees.*

Duo: *blushes, feeling weak again and slowly sits down, eyes to the ground*

Trowa: Do not doubt yourself.

Wufei: You will never reach him if you do.

Trowa: I will clean his wounds while you are on your journey. Good luck.

Duo: Thank you...Trowa...*slowly looks up at Wufei, cheeks still a little tint of red and nods up at him*

Wufei: *closes his eyes and lets out a deep breath.* Don't tinker with anything either. *grins faintly and then a white room appears with Duo in it.*

- Off to one side of the abyssal room the white begins to twist and then spread open and stretch out off into the distance until a golden gate is seen in the far. Gradually ghostly blue forms appear, vague and mellow as they just stand in a long lines to wait to go in. Some of the ghosts float up above the other, being called to the gates. -

Duo: *turns slowly to the gate, little mouth gradually slipping open.  Slowly takes a step forward but feels a weird weight, an insistent weigh, befall on him.  Stops short then slowly lifts his hands as a evil shadow begins to radiate off his bare skin, wisping around like a troubled fog.  Stares sadly at his lifelines hooking to the floor and some twisting around torso and chest like a desperate snake. Frowns unhappily at his ugly aura, lowering his hands to his sides. Looks up ahead again, brushing away a loving black strand that tries to comfort his cheek and moves forward slowly, his own life dragging him down.  Approaches the blurry blue forms, lives that were held good for the award of Heaven.  Searches past these normal aura's, for the one he knows will be of his protectors, one in the brilliance of light. Eyes begin to get desperate, panic beginning to well up in his chest as he searches the long line of souls and finding none of the color he is after* Heero?

-...Did he already go in...?  Has he left me...?  No...-

Heero: *slowly lifts with a few other blue souls then glows a light gold as he floats toward the gate. Stops and moves to the side, setting his feet down again. Steps back, away from the gates then notices some winged forms moving toward him. Seems in a daze like the others but lifts his arms, palms toward the angels when they near, crimson blood covering his palms and forearms. Falls back, landing on his butt and just sits there with his dirtied hands lifted above him.*

Duo: *eyes watch longingly as new souls begin to lift into the air, eyes drawing the golden gates, when his eyes catch sight of brilliant white wings of Angels.  Draws closer, peering to see who they are walking towards when he catches the sight of red and a tiny outline of a man...molding with the white of High Heaven*

Heero: *leans back on a soft wall and lowers his hands again, staring with blank eyes at the angels that float with their wings spread but arms hesitating to take the golden form that's so soiled with blood. Bends his knees to his chest and wraps his arms around them, slowly looking down at his own hands.*

Duo: ...Heero! *drags himself forward, urging his life lines to move faster, to reach Heero* Wait!  Please, don't take him!

Heero: *looks up when the angels speak, which is more of a soft cooing sound. Slowly stands, blood dripping from his fingertips to stain the white floor. Moves forward again to the once again spread arms of an angel.*

Duo: *faintly feels the heavy item in his hand, the cold metal biting into his flesh, as his scythe appears loyally in his hand.  Eyes darken slowly*

-...I wont lose him...-

*forces himself to move faster, now running and doesn't even take notice as one of his black life lines cracks and breaks from the ground, trailing dyingly behind him.  Throws his weapon forward after slamming it against the ground, the blade faithfully appearing, and watches it land right between Heero and the angel* Don't you dare take him!!!

Heero: *stops abruptly, looking at the weapon with lightly fluttering eyelids. Vaguely notices the angels flap their wings to get back away from the scythe and soul. Slowly turns his attention in the direction that the weapon had come from. Stares at Duo dazedly.*

Duo: *holds out his palm, stopping a few feet away, panting.  The scythe wiggles then jerks from the ground, flying into its master's hands before immediately disappearing into oblivion.  Stops short, staring a bit at the form before him, almost disbelieving that Heero could possibly be breathing...and watching him...and just a few feet away* Heero...

Heero: *stands there in silence then lifts his hands, palms up to show Duo the blood, staring at his hands again.*

Duo: Its okay Heero...*offers his hands slowly, pleading for him to take them, reaching for him like before* Its okay...Come back with me...

Heero: *watches Duo's hands then looks at his own again. Looks up at Duo then back down to watch one of his own fingers touch Duo's hand lightly, tracing a small line of blood on the hand then touches the other hand with another finger from the opposite hand. Glances at Duo then slips his red hands into Shinigami's.*

Duo: *smiles thankfully, body tense now falling and peels his hands away, throwing himself into Heero's arms and wrapping his own around his waist.  Grips onto him, afraid to lose him again to death, and feels the two tears slip from one of his eyes...before they disappear*

Wufei: *gasps softly, float wavering and then sits in the grass beside Duo that holds a motionless golden Heero when the dead one is laying in the field still.*

Trowa: *looks over from wiping the cut on Heero's cheek and stares at Duo.*

Duo: *keeps staring at the limp soul in his hands, almost oblivious to the world around him, before blinking rapidly and looking over at Trowa* Is he okay?

Trowa: *stays silent then stands and walks around Heero.* Lay that one in the other one… Duo. *kneels by Wufei to check on him, worriedly.*

Duo: *nods curtly, rolling onto his knees and leaning over.  Carefully lowers the golden, ghostly form, licking his lips hopefully before sitting back.*

Trowa: *holds Wufei in his arms, letting the Silver Mage lay his head on Trowa's chest and watch. Watches also, rubbing Wufei's back.*

Heero: *still lays motionless for a few long moments before his chest lifts as he breathes in a breath between parted lips. Exhales just as slowly before gradually breathing normally.*

Duo: *helded breath comes out as a squeal and immediately throws himself onto Heero, pulling him up and squeezing the little life out of him* Heero!!!!!

Heero: *makes an unintelligible noise then grunts and lays his head on Duo's shoulder weakly. Slowly his eyelids lift, heavy, and looks around with pure white eyes before he blinks again and they recover their Prussian color. Aches all over and groans again.*

Wufei: *unconsciously cuddles more into Trowa with a happy sigh.*

Duo: *lets him go when he realizes he might be hurting him and pulls back, holding onto his arms* Heero...?

Heero: *looks at him with hooded eyes.* ... D.. *licks his lips, encountering a cut on his bottom lip.*.. Duo... You're.. okay...?

Duo: *tries to smile, feelings overwhelming him, as his tears begin to slip and fall* H-Hai...I'mma okay...

Heero: *watches one tear then lifts his hand and flexes the fingers before stretching them out and wiping one from Duo's cheeks before putting his hand to it and caressing it with a thumb.* ..I'm.. glad, mitsukai...

Duo: *sobs softly* Don't call me that. *buries his head into Heero's neck, crying softly*

Heero: *lifts his hand into Duo's hair and wraps his other hand around his waist.* I'm... sorry I make.. you cry..

Duo: You're here now!  That's all that matters...

Heero: *strokes his hair then tilts his head against his head and closes his eyes, sighing heavily.*

Trowa: *slowly stands with Wufei, arms wrapped around each other also.*....... I think it would be good to get him into a bed, Duo..

Duo: *jerks his head up, quickly wiping at his embarrassing tears and nods, arms wrapping around Heero and lifting him up*

Heero: *grunts lightly, trying to cover it as he gets his feet on the ground steadily. Leans on Duo and touches his own gashed cheek as he looks down at his lightly torn stomach, aching more all over from the bashings.* I.. got the... k'so beat out.. of me...

Wufei: *buries his chuckle into Trowa's chest.*

Duo: *grins weakly* I'll heal you when we find...some...place...to...stay...*looks around them*  Where...Where is the nearest town...?

Wufei: Rather far, I'd say.

Trowa: I have to agree.

Duo: *starts blushing a bit and shifts shyly* Would you...guys like to hitch a ride?

Trowa: *looks down at Wufei then around them before looking back at Duo with a faint grin.* No, thank you, I think we'll manage.

Heero: *limps a bit more, looking at Duo before lifting his eyes at the other two.* ... Thank you... Trowa, Wufei... For helping...

Wufei: *nods with a light smile.*

Duo: When Heero's better, we'll come visit you! *beams suddenly, darkness that was hanging over him wilting away quickly*

Trowa: Sounds good.

Wufei: You two take care of each other...

Heero: *grins lightly.* Of course...

Duo: Oh, and Wufei...What you saw...before...*gives him a slow serious look* Not a word.  Right?

Wufei:.. *gives him a questioning look, covering his grin.* What did I see?

Duo: *breaks into a grin and chuckles, drawing Heero closer* Oh, nothing. Ja. *winks playfully and both he and Heero disappear*

Trowa:... I want to know.

Wufei: *grins.* Know what?

Trowa: *glares softly down at him.*