Hey everyone, I think you'll like this chapter. A bunch of developments and a little bit of romance for the boys. Maybe not so much the one you have in mind...but I don't want to spoil it! Go forth, and spread the word! My chapter is out and please R/R!!!


Meeting His Destiny



Chapter 10


"Um, something is missing here," Duo commented as the boys sat down to eat dinner. The five dinner chairs were taken for all except one. "Okay, who forgot to let Heero out of his cage?!" The others shrugged and smirked a bit at his sharp but still humorous remark. The American departed from the enormous candle lit dining area and ascended white marble spiral stair case humming a cheery tune. Once reaching Heero's bedroom, Duo pounded on the closed cherry wood door. Inside, Heero had jumped at the startling sound.

"Who is it?" his emotionless voice called in reply.

"Heero, man! You're missing dinner! Get out here!" Duo shouted back. For a few moments, his calls were met with nothing but silence. It was quite odd, for once Heero had nothing cold or dark to say to his incredible audacity. In a flash, the door swung open to reveal a tired looking Heero leaning against it with his hand on the knob. "Whoa...what happened to you?!" Duo laughed his violet eyes shining.

"Is there something you came to bother me about, American?"

"Dinner, dinner's on the table. You coming?" The man of cold dark blue eyes shook his head and turned to go back inside his room. Duo caught the door before it closed any further. "All right, spill. What is going on? You've shut yourself up here all day."

"Nothing okay! I am just sick of people expecting so much, of her haunting me!" Heero shouted back at him.

"Hey, chill there buddy. People expecting too much, her haunting you? Who's haunting you...has Relena been calling you or something?"

"Why do you care? Your life is all laughs and pranks when I am over here, following stupid dreams, praying they'd come true!" //Oh man...I just slipped,// Heero cursed at himself mentally.

"Perfect life?! Heero, it wasn't until last night I met someone who makes me happy for once! And what are you TALKING ABOUT?" Duo responded a bit defensively. It was a bit hard to grasp that it was only a day since the party.

"I didn't ask for this! I didn't want her to keep finding me, playing with my mind...driving me crazy, I didn't want Destiny to know!" Heero continued.

"Destiny? Know what?! Are you dreaming about a girl named-

"Speak one word of any of what has been just said and lose that braid and all your teeth," Heero cut him off as he grasped his collar tightly. He lowered Duo to the ground again and pointed to the door.

"Later man."

"Duo, thanks about dinner. But I'm not hungry," Heero said just before he was out of sight. Duo nodded a bit and shrugged as he left. Downstairs the others were waiting for him.

"Where's Heero?" Trowa asked in between mouthfulls.

"He's upstairs."

"Isn't he coming down?" Quatre inquired a bit concerned. "He's been up there all day you guys."

"He's just not hungry," Duo said absently as he reviewed, in his mind, the recent conversation he just had with Heero. The others shrugged and merely continued their meals. Quatre and Trowa were informed of their upcoming meeting with Sapphera and Aya. Duo as well anxiously awaited their opportunity to see them again. A lovely bunch, and thankfully nothing like their pacifist princess cousin. Of course, if those girls were related, they must carry some sort of royal blood in them. Duo decided he would dig a bit deeper in her family history when they met again.

"I'm assuming you're planning something special for Corinne eh Duo?" Trowa said after a bit. Duo nodded slowly as a wonderful idea popped into his head. Tuesday evening would be perfect, not because of his crazy ideas, but because he was going to be with the woman he wanted to love forever.

*~*~*

----Two Days Later----

The weekend had passed on slowly, and already living in their new environment for only for a few days, the boys were settled in and prepared to live their lives to the fullest. Or at least in any regard have the time of their lives without getting killed. Which wouldn't be hard after all they'd been through. It was approaching Monday evening and the boys were gathering downstairs for dinner. And for the first time since they lived in that house, Heero graced the others with his presence. Duo and the boys were almost shocked to see him there, but none the less, he was Heero, and whenever he was ready, the man would be normal. Or at least as close to being normal as a man can get with a stalker like Relena.

"Well good evening Mr. Yuy, nice to see you've decided to make an appearance on this humble Sunday night," Quatre joked. Heero looked at him with a sarcastic jeer. The blonde shook his head and chuckled lightly under his breath.

"It's not like I've come back from the foreign land here people," Heero commented thoughtfully pushing a forkful of pork into his mouth. Chewing with an almost thoughtful expression, he almost forgot about Destiny. Almost, but he knew that he would never completely forget her. Even if they never saw each other again, he would still love her. And then being reminded of anything related to the subject, the fact that the Star's Eye crystal was locked away in his dresser didn't help matters.

"You've been locked up inside your room for days. And you haven't said a word to half of us," Quatre continued.

"And you see a difference with how he normally is?" Wufei sneered with a dark glare. Heero decided not to let it get the best of him so instead of hurling outrageous insults, he drove his foot into Wufei's shin. In response, the Chinese man grimaced in pain and took Heero's point quite literally. And still, Heero Yuy sat chewing his pork with out any sign of emotional change.

"So Heero, would you like to share with the class exactly what you've spent your time up there doing. Thinking were you?" Duo piped up suddenly. Heero felt a stab of pain or more likely the mental assimilation of betrayal. So quietly he turned a silent glare on the braided boy who continued to flash a beaming smile.

"And if I was?" the man replied simply. Duo was about to answer with a quick witted attack when Trowa interrupted.

"Sapphera and the others are coming Tuesday right?" Quatre and Duo nodded.

"I have a feeling about those girls," Heero said plainly.

"Excuse me?" Quatre inquired a bit confused.

"I said, I have a-

"I know what you said! I mean what are you talking about?" Quatre cut in.

"I just think that they might turn out to be like Relena. I wouldn't be too careless. After all, their her blood. And honestly you people do NOT want a stalker. It's bad enough having to even know her name."

"Sapphera and her relatives are nothing like that!" Trowa shouted defensively.

"Well, sorry," Heero answered with a superior smirk. "Relax. Why are you being so defensive-could it be if you deny the truth it won't hurt as much?" Heero knew this was getting under the three's skin. And knowing that when he'd made that remark, Heero became the greated hypocrite to ever live. He himself avoided what he knew now what his heart loved most and thought denial would force the hurt away. How wrong he knew in fact he was. But why should he be the only miserable one? If he was, then they should suffer the same fate.

"I already had a chat with Wufei, Heero. Don't start on the girls," Duo warned.

"And trust me, they're far more beautiful, interesting, and intelligent than Relena could ever hope to be." Everyone looked in shock at Quatre's comment. He almost blushed when he realized how quite possibly mean that sounded, but Aya meant too much to be disrespected so.

"And to that, I will agree," Heero muttered plainly. The others were a bit confused as to why he was actually being agreeable, much less why Heero was even tolerating such an event like a dinner. Ridiculous, yes of course, in Heero terms though, it was sometimes necessary for self perspective. But at this point, the whole ordeal of preparing for missions was abolished. Although, the pilots would always be ready if something should happen. At least peace had been obtained and such a need of their fighting would never be called for.

*~*~*

Later that night after dinner, the boys each took to their own places. Quatre escaped to the garden to enjoy his new surroundings and Duo went with him. Trowa went to his own room to read, Wufei went into his personal training room, and Heero went to the study. Outside where Quatre sat, a large willow tree swayed gently in the night air beside him and a great full moon rose above the Earth and burned through the clouds with its light. The blonde smiled in contentment as the air was lightly scented with a tinge of flower blossoms. The breeze washed past him, gently playing with his hair as it swept through. Quatre had wandered out to a secluded garden that just glowed with tranquility. A small crystal pond sparkled under the moon, and a few fish danced about in its cloudless tides. Suddenly, the tranquility was broken Quatre had the feeling he was being watched. He shifted very slowly and turned around to face whatever might be there. His stern, cautious expression melted into a thrilled smile and a twinkle in his eye. For out of the shadows appeared Aya, all aglow by the milky beams of the eternal moon.

"Aya, well...hello," Quatre said blushing the slightest bit. Aya came forth and ran up to him with an eager smile. Just as soon as they were close, the auburn angel leaned up and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

"I couldn't wait to see you again," she answered after stepping back. She seemed almost embarrasssed to have dropped in abruptly and to have acted so boldly.

"No, I'm glad you came," Quatre laughed. "I was sitting here thinking about you." Aya turned away blushing a bit.

"You were? Well, I've been thinking about you too...a lot."

"Really, I mean...yeah." Aya laughed at his loss of words and the blonde felt very uneasy. Aya took notice of his uncomfortable expression.

"I'm kidding, oh please Quatre don't be embarrassed," Aya exclaimed taking his hands.

"I'm not, I just love being around you." Aya flashed a beaming smile. "Aren't you supposed to be with your sister and cousin?"

"Corinne and Sapphera are already here actually. We didn't want to wait any longer and thought it would be fun to sneak over here and surprise you!" the girl exclaimed with a wink. Quatre laughed and put his hands around her tiny waist.

"Well it certainly was a surprise, and no doubt Duo will be esctatic when he sees your sister."

"He likes her a lot, he really does huh?" Quatre nodded at her soft quiry. "Well there's no doubt that the feeling is mutual." Suddenly from the house a loud shout could be heard.

"BOO!" a woman's voice shouted off in the distance from inside.

"AHHHHHH!" Duo screamed in surprise.

"I think Corinne found Duo!" Aya laughed as they stood in the garden. Suddenly a great feeling of warmth overwhelmed them both. There they stood, arms around one another. The blonde boy looked her straight in the eyes and kissed her passionately. Aya willing gave in kissed him back. And for the rest of their time together, they stood in the midst of the garden, holding each other beneath the moon.