In a dark cavern, a lonely entity sat. ~The wind spirits are out again. Perhaps this time we'll have some luck.~ The figure played with his braid. He was anxious to see the results of this search.
Light began to invade his darkness. The boy looked toward the door, where his attendant was waiting.
"Shinigami-sama, Khephri has sent hs report."
Shinigami, looking no older than 15, sighed. "And?"
The attendant smiled. "It's time."
Shinigami grabbed his scythe and grinned. At long last, his sufferings would be paid for. He adjusted his ebony robes and set out to greet Khephri.
The wind spirits always ended their journey in the garden. Nobody ever wanted to go there when they did, so the God of Death knew his plan was still safe. Finally, the wind began to pick up, and Khephri appeared in view, carrying a blond boy. Shinigami's grin widened.
"Duo-sama!" Khephri yelled, beating his wings faster. "Has Heero-sama chosen a suitor yet?"
Duo tightened the grip on his scythe. "He chose Relena, as expected. However, I'm glad he did."
Khephri looked confused. "But-"
Duo laughed. "My revenge will be sweeter than the nectar I drink everyday. I have it all planned out."
"Already?! How long have they been bethrothed?"
"Only a day or so. The party is in two days, and the marriage ceremony is in about a week."
Quatre squirmed out of Khephri's grip. "Khephri, what's going on?"
Duo's happy facade disappeared. "We'll explain the details somewhere else."
"Khephri, who is that guy?" Quatre asked, a little disoriented.
"Quatre-sama," Khephri said reassuringly, "you may not remember him, but this is Duo, the God of Death. Otherwise known as Shinigami-sama."
Quatre's blue eyes widened, and he jumped behind Khephri. "Y-you're the God of Death!" Quatre whimpered. "Don't kill me!"
Duo began to laugh geniunely. "Mortals!! They always think I'm going to kill them!" His laughter faded a little, and extended his hand. "Relax Quatre, the touch of death is reserved only for those I hate and can kill off without any legal problems. I could do such a thing to you, expecially because you ruined my chances of wedding Heero, but that would be injustice to both Heero and Relena."
"Duo-sama, you're beginning to sound like Wufei-sama." Khephri mumbled.
"Oh hush! Hold on a moment, I'll teleport us to the cave." Duo closed his eyes and concentrated. The scenery around them, the dreary garden faded from their vision. A damp, eerie cave appeared in it's place. Quatre looked around, absolutely bewildered. In his heart, he could sense an melancholy presence looming over them.
"Duo, what is this place?"
The God of Death's gaze dropped to the ground, he could not look the blond in the face. "Quatre, this is your tomb. We are the only ones that know of it."
Quatre's gaze reflected the shock in his heart. "Shinigami-sama.... Duo.... does Heero know of this place?"
The chesnut braid darted as Duo shook his head. "No. He- Heero doesn't trust me anymore. Our friendship was ruined. He would never want to hear about something like this from me."
Quatre was stunned. "Why aren't you friends anymore? Is it my fault? You said I ruined your chances with Heero, so I did it in a former life?"
A single tear slid down Duo's cheek. "No. It was Relena's. Tell me, how much do you know about the Wind Angel and your former self?"
Quatre twiddled his thumbs. "The Wind Angel came down and found me, they had a romantic relationship, then you came and killed me, but left my spirit essence, and that's why I'm here."
Duo laughed bitterly. "Kuso. Relena made sure everyone believed that bullshit, didn't she? Sit down Quatre, let me tell you the truth." Quatre obediently sat down, as did Khephri and finally Duo. "Relena and I had been fighting over Heero from the beginning. Relena was jealous of my casual friendship with Heero, and knew it could eventually lead to us getting together. Relena has a selfish heart, and she 'knew' Heero was meant to be hers. One day, Heero went along with his wind spirits to get away from it all and when he returned, you were with him. Soon everyone knew that you two were together. I was happy for Heero. If he was happy, so was I, but Relena was extremely jealous. She began communicating with Dorothy, a demigod skilled at wars and assassinations. Relena got Heero to leave, and lured your former self into her trap with the guise of a friendly chat between a spirit and his mother goddess. When they were far enough from the metropolis of the Valley of the Gods, she confronted him. She commanded him to end his relationship with Heero, or face charges of treason. She had caught him in an efficient trap for a spirit: choose between your lover or your god. You refused to back down, revoking your faith in her and swearing that Heero would save you. She used her magic to pin you down, and you succombed to it easily because she was your mother goddess. At that point, I had been informed by a traitorous desert spirit that Relena had planned to kill you. She led me to the cabin in the outskirts of the Valley. Khamael, Heero's top soldier and Khephri's father, followed us for Heero's sake. We were too late to save you. After a bitter struggle, she strangled you to death. She was about to perform a spirit seal, which would have killed you completely. Khamael sacrificed his essence, and himself, to keep your soul alive. I had to sacrifice some of my own essence to keep his soul intact, so he could go to the afterlife, but it was easier to transfer it into the essence of that of a friend's spirits than that of an enemy's. I sent your soul off, to escape Relena. That combined took a lot out of me, and I fell unconscious. Relena, the bitch, claimed that I used spirit seals to kill you both. And the fact that I was unconscious pretty much proved it. Heero was repulsed by me and condemned our friendship forevermore." Duo flinched and bit back tears. Quatre reached over and rubbed his back.
"You had witnesses. Why didn't you fight back?"
Duo sighed. "Because I didn't have enough evidence. I could call Khamael back, and the desert spirit whom I pardoned after she was put to death for treason, but it wouldn't be complete. Heero would still hate me. Relena would get off easy, beacuse of the lack of proof. I can't live with that. It's been hard to stand it now." Duo cupped Quatre's cheek with his hand. "The only reason I haven't renounced my godhood is because I knew that you would come back and make everything right. Heero would only love me again if I brought you back."
Quatre froze. He saw so much agony and desperation in Duo's eyes. Was this really the feelings of a god? Quatre had always imagined the gods -minus Heero- to be happy, oblivious, maybe even full of themselves. Duo looked like an average peasant, who was lost and without hope.
Quatre sighed. "Duo, if I could give Heero to you, I would. You are so much more worthy of him than I."
Duo smirked a little. His hand dropped from Quatre's cheek. "You haven't changed." Quatre gave him a confused look.
"After all this time, you still think Heero would be better off with me. Ha! Here's to wishful thinking!"
Quatre frowned. "If I can't make that happen..." The innocent Arabian was silent for a moment. "Return me to my old body! If I can't make Heero love you, then I can at least rekindle your friendship!"
Duo stood up. "Are you sure of this? You'll be dead for a little bit, and I'm not sure that the memories of your life as a mortal will remain. You'll probably never be able to see your family again."
Quatre looked ready as ever. "Duo, I swear this is what I want to do. I want Relena to be punished for what she did to us all. I want you to have your cherished friendship with Heero back. And also," Quatre's expression turned distant, "part of me wants to see Heero again. To feel the love we shared."
Duo smiled bleakly. "Come with me. Khephri, go back and report to Heero that the migration was successful. Quatre will be our secret until the engagement party." Khephri nodded and disappeared.
"Engagement party?"
"Hai. Kind of like mortal wedding receptions, except all the presents are recieved before the wedding. I wasn't going to go, but now I have a present for Heero-sama and the ugly bitch so I guess it's only appropriate." Duo's grin was downright sinister.
Quatre laughed. "It will be fun, ne?"
"I only want a picture of Relena's expression when she finds out you're alive. We'll wait out the days here. It'll give you enough time to recover in hiding before the party." Duo pulled a curtain of feathers away to reveal a hidden chamber.
The chamber was not dark, yet the aura emanating from it was melancholy and disheartening. Despite the depressing atmosphere, Quatre felt almost complete here. After a quick look around, he saw why.
In the center of the chamber was a figure entwined in a spider's web, so-to-speak. Light sprung from every visible angle of the figure's body. Intertwined with the webbing were feathers. The blond picked one out of the web. These feathers were infinitely more beautiful than the ones that made Khephri and the other wind spirits' wings. They were a different shade of silver and white, and were softer to the touch than anything Quatre had ever felt before. Yet, they were so familiar....
Quatre shook his head and dropped the feather. His vision darted back to the figure hanging in the middle of the chamber. Large, gorgeous butterfly wings stuck out from the figure's back and out of the webbing. The figure's skin was extremely pale, probably moreso than ever because of the lack of sunlight. Blond hairs dangled in the air, gravity trying to pull them to the ground. Quatre had a revelation... He was staring at himself!
Duo watched Quatre in his reverie, waiting for an okay of some sort. The poor mortal seemed somewhat.... confused. Duo was quiet, amused by pathetic mortal perspectives. Quatre wouldn't have been nearly as confused if he had been in his spirit body. Duo frowned at that thought. ~If he were in his spirit body, we wouldn't be in this situation..~ The God of Death thought as he waited. He wondered how Khephri was fairing.
* * *
Khephri landed on the steps of Heero's castle in the mountains. It was dismal and dark up there, for Heero was still unwed.
Khephri cursed the laws of the Gods. The Sky God had renounced his godhood decades ago after eons of duty. His wife has passed on with him, as was customed. The Sky God chose Heero, his favorite underling, to take his place. It was an obvious choice, since Heero was a dedicated and proficient worker, and his relationship with Quatre was ever-nearing engagement. Heero was expected to have married shortly after the Sky God's passing. And then Relena struck.
The noble spirit scowled and made his way into the palace. Heero-sama must surely be wondering why he's so late. He adjusted his decorated headress and brushed dust off of his outfit. No one ever figured that he, Commander of the 1st Wind Spirit Battalion, the best of all of the Wind Spirit Battalions, had a crush on Heero-sama. The worst of it had subsided long ago, but Khephri still felt nervous around his master. Sighing, he knocked on the golden door to Heero's room.
A female voice answered. "Khephri, is that you?"
Khephri flinched. She was there. "H-hai Relena-sama." If only Heero-sama knew how much effort it took to add the sama suffix....
"Come in Khephri!" Relena chorused. The obedient spirit opened the door and stepped in. Heero and Relena were sitting on his bed, on top of the silk and satin sheets the Angel loved to sleep with. Relena lay in Heero's lap with her arms wrapped around him. Heero was staring out the window at his butterfly garden. To a visitor, it would seem that he didn't even care about Relena. The truth was he didn't.
Khephri looked pitifully at his dear master. The Wind Angel was bound by ancient laws to an unruly bitch. The soldier barely held himself from slapping her.
"Khephri," Heero said blankly, still focusing on the butterflies, "How did the migration go?"
"It went well my lord." Khephri replied, bowing. ~Better than you know, Heero-sama.~
Heero finally looked at the spirit. "It didn't seem so. You're late. That's not like you."
"Forgive me my lord. I had to speak with Shinigami-sama about a few things. It took longer than I thought." Heero snorted. Khephri backed up a little. Duo was still a sensitive subject to the future Sky God.
Heero stood up. "If you will excuse me, I am going to take a bath." Relena opened her mouth to offer her company. Heero raised his hand. "Khephri, I would like you to keep the Lady Relena company."
Khephri nodded in assent. "As you wish Heero-sama." This was going to be hell.
Heero calmly walked out. Relena sat up in the bed.
"Well well, if it isn't Sir Khephri, Heero-sama's 'pet'."
Khephri flinched. He rolled his eyes and walked over to the bed, fluffing a few of Heero's pillows.
"Are you purposely ignoring me?"
"Yes. I have had a bad day and I do not wish to talk to you." ~Actually, today was excellent. I just don't want to insult her presence. I like my job.~ He thought.
"Well too bad. You're going to have to deal with me on a daily basis soon."
"I already do."
A few butterflies flew in the window. Relena caught one on her finger. "Tell me Khephri, what do you think of the butterflies Heero surrounds himself with? Do they annoy you?"
Khephri sat down as far away from Relena as possible. "I rather like them. They remind me of the joy Quatre-sama brought while he was amongst the living."
Relena almost flinched, but she caught herself. "I don't really like them; they are a symbol of misfortune for me. I prefer dragonflies."
* * *
Heero laid in his bath quietly, his wings spread out to his sides. They were reaching his feet again, for the first time in a while. He supposed it was something to be proud of, but he knew that those beautiful feathers would fall out on his wedding night. He cursed himself inwardly. ~How could I have left him? Why didn't Khamael protect him like he should have?~ The tortured demigod cleched his fists so hard his palms began to bleed.
"Quatre! Why did you leave me?!" He yelled into the night. For a long time he sat and cried, hoping for some resolve; some chance that his beloved desert spirit would return to him.
"Wait for me my dear Heero. I will return."
Prussian blue eyes widened at an actual response. Heero quickly arose from his bath, confused.
* * *
Quatre stepped into the pool of water which lay under his old body. To his current body, the water felt like nothing. Yet, something within that ordinary liquid cried out to his soul. The cry was filled with pain and anguish, as well as desperation. He ignored it and moved towards the center. Drops of water were sliding across the webbing that encased his spirit form.
"Quatre!"
The Arab froze. That definitely wasn't Duo's voice.
"Why did you leave me?!"
The confused blond fell to his knees and clutched his head. His breathing hastened and a twinge of pain wrung throughout his body. There seemed to be a glow coming from his spirit body, but he couldn't move to check. He tried to yell for Duo's help, but the words didn't come out of his mouth. Something took control of his body and spoke for him.
"Wait for me my dear Heero. I will return."
Quatre's entire body went limp. Duo appeared above him in the air, and lifted the blond's head up with the end of his scythe.
Quatre shook his head. "Duo, what are you doing up there?"
"The water down there isn't ordinary water."
"What is it then? And why does it hurt so bad?"
"The water has the ability to reflect Heero's feeling toward you. I don't know exactly how it works, but that's apparently what it does. I didn't warn you because I didn't think it would hurt you."
"Apparently his longing for me is painful."
"I would say so. I'd stand in there with you, but I took a step in there once and it almost killed me."
"Is there... anything else about this water I should know?"
The braided god shrugged. "Not sure. The mechanics of this place are strange. Why?"
"B-because I heard him..."
"What?"
"I was standing here, and I heard Heero's voice."
Duo's eyes widened. "WHAT?!"
"He yelled out for me. He was depressed. I-I don't know what was going on, but all of a sudden I collapsed. I tried to yell for your help, but nothing came out. Then something came over me and I responded to him." The blond looked frightened.
Duo looked at Quatre's spirit body knowingly. "Forgive me for sounding strange, but I think you know you're here."
Quatre slowly arose. "And I think I'm taking advantage of it as well."
"The only thing we need to do now is get you back in your original body."
The Arab finally got to his feet. "How do you do that?"
"For starters, I have to get rid of the body you're currently in."
"Why do you have to get rid of it completely? Wont that kill me?"
"Flesh is just a vessel for the soul. When a flesh body dies, the vessel becomes broken, and the soul sinks into the ocean known as the afterlife. If the soul can swim back to the top, they are given a new vessel, however, there is no penalty for drowning. Sometimes, with the right help, a vessel can be repaired, and the soul can return to it after death. I'm just going to make you switch vessels."
Quatre thought for a moment. The thought of being dead frightened him, even though Death himself promised it was only for a few moments. He took a deep breath and froze.
"Do it," he choked out.
"What?"
"Get it over with! Please! Before I change my mind." The poor human's eyes clenched shut, afraid to face the truth of the moment.
"Alright, Quatre. It wont hurt, I promise." Shinigami raised his scythe. Without warning, the enchanted blade sliced through the mortal body with barely a sound. The blood of the now-dead Quatre flowed quickly and tainted the enchanted water. The two halves of the boy hit the water with a resounding splash. A faint light illuminated the room completely, and it rose into Duo's hand.
Duo gazed at the light warmly. "Soon my friend, soon." Duo made a small cut in his wrist. The blood began to flow almost immeadiately. He chose to move before it clotted.
Now alongside Quatre's spirit body, Duo wiped some of his blood with his finger and painted a cross shape on Quatre's forehead with it. Something clicked within his body, and the God knew the desert spirit was under his jurisdiction for the time being. He lapped up more blood with his finger and made a similar shape on his forehead. Another feeling of connection with Quatre. He gently lowered the bright ball until it connected with the body below. It was only a matter of time now...
Light began to invade his darkness. The boy looked toward the door, where his attendant was waiting.
"Shinigami-sama, Khephri has sent hs report."
Shinigami, looking no older than 15, sighed. "And?"
The attendant smiled. "It's time."
Shinigami grabbed his scythe and grinned. At long last, his sufferings would be paid for. He adjusted his ebony robes and set out to greet Khephri.
The wind spirits always ended their journey in the garden. Nobody ever wanted to go there when they did, so the God of Death knew his plan was still safe. Finally, the wind began to pick up, and Khephri appeared in view, carrying a blond boy. Shinigami's grin widened.
"Duo-sama!" Khephri yelled, beating his wings faster. "Has Heero-sama chosen a suitor yet?"
Duo tightened the grip on his scythe. "He chose Relena, as expected. However, I'm glad he did."
Khephri looked confused. "But-"
Duo laughed. "My revenge will be sweeter than the nectar I drink everyday. I have it all planned out."
"Already?! How long have they been bethrothed?"
"Only a day or so. The party is in two days, and the marriage ceremony is in about a week."
Quatre squirmed out of Khephri's grip. "Khephri, what's going on?"
Duo's happy facade disappeared. "We'll explain the details somewhere else."
"Khephri, who is that guy?" Quatre asked, a little disoriented.
"Quatre-sama," Khephri said reassuringly, "you may not remember him, but this is Duo, the God of Death. Otherwise known as Shinigami-sama."
Quatre's blue eyes widened, and he jumped behind Khephri. "Y-you're the God of Death!" Quatre whimpered. "Don't kill me!"
Duo began to laugh geniunely. "Mortals!! They always think I'm going to kill them!" His laughter faded a little, and extended his hand. "Relax Quatre, the touch of death is reserved only for those I hate and can kill off without any legal problems. I could do such a thing to you, expecially because you ruined my chances of wedding Heero, but that would be injustice to both Heero and Relena."
"Duo-sama, you're beginning to sound like Wufei-sama." Khephri mumbled.
"Oh hush! Hold on a moment, I'll teleport us to the cave." Duo closed his eyes and concentrated. The scenery around them, the dreary garden faded from their vision. A damp, eerie cave appeared in it's place. Quatre looked around, absolutely bewildered. In his heart, he could sense an melancholy presence looming over them.
"Duo, what is this place?"
The God of Death's gaze dropped to the ground, he could not look the blond in the face. "Quatre, this is your tomb. We are the only ones that know of it."
Quatre's gaze reflected the shock in his heart. "Shinigami-sama.... Duo.... does Heero know of this place?"
The chesnut braid darted as Duo shook his head. "No. He- Heero doesn't trust me anymore. Our friendship was ruined. He would never want to hear about something like this from me."
Quatre was stunned. "Why aren't you friends anymore? Is it my fault? You said I ruined your chances with Heero, so I did it in a former life?"
A single tear slid down Duo's cheek. "No. It was Relena's. Tell me, how much do you know about the Wind Angel and your former self?"
Quatre twiddled his thumbs. "The Wind Angel came down and found me, they had a romantic relationship, then you came and killed me, but left my spirit essence, and that's why I'm here."
Duo laughed bitterly. "Kuso. Relena made sure everyone believed that bullshit, didn't she? Sit down Quatre, let me tell you the truth." Quatre obediently sat down, as did Khephri and finally Duo. "Relena and I had been fighting over Heero from the beginning. Relena was jealous of my casual friendship with Heero, and knew it could eventually lead to us getting together. Relena has a selfish heart, and she 'knew' Heero was meant to be hers. One day, Heero went along with his wind spirits to get away from it all and when he returned, you were with him. Soon everyone knew that you two were together. I was happy for Heero. If he was happy, so was I, but Relena was extremely jealous. She began communicating with Dorothy, a demigod skilled at wars and assassinations. Relena got Heero to leave, and lured your former self into her trap with the guise of a friendly chat between a spirit and his mother goddess. When they were far enough from the metropolis of the Valley of the Gods, she confronted him. She commanded him to end his relationship with Heero, or face charges of treason. She had caught him in an efficient trap for a spirit: choose between your lover or your god. You refused to back down, revoking your faith in her and swearing that Heero would save you. She used her magic to pin you down, and you succombed to it easily because she was your mother goddess. At that point, I had been informed by a traitorous desert spirit that Relena had planned to kill you. She led me to the cabin in the outskirts of the Valley. Khamael, Heero's top soldier and Khephri's father, followed us for Heero's sake. We were too late to save you. After a bitter struggle, she strangled you to death. She was about to perform a spirit seal, which would have killed you completely. Khamael sacrificed his essence, and himself, to keep your soul alive. I had to sacrifice some of my own essence to keep his soul intact, so he could go to the afterlife, but it was easier to transfer it into the essence of that of a friend's spirits than that of an enemy's. I sent your soul off, to escape Relena. That combined took a lot out of me, and I fell unconscious. Relena, the bitch, claimed that I used spirit seals to kill you both. And the fact that I was unconscious pretty much proved it. Heero was repulsed by me and condemned our friendship forevermore." Duo flinched and bit back tears. Quatre reached over and rubbed his back.
"You had witnesses. Why didn't you fight back?"
Duo sighed. "Because I didn't have enough evidence. I could call Khamael back, and the desert spirit whom I pardoned after she was put to death for treason, but it wouldn't be complete. Heero would still hate me. Relena would get off easy, beacuse of the lack of proof. I can't live with that. It's been hard to stand it now." Duo cupped Quatre's cheek with his hand. "The only reason I haven't renounced my godhood is because I knew that you would come back and make everything right. Heero would only love me again if I brought you back."
Quatre froze. He saw so much agony and desperation in Duo's eyes. Was this really the feelings of a god? Quatre had always imagined the gods -minus Heero- to be happy, oblivious, maybe even full of themselves. Duo looked like an average peasant, who was lost and without hope.
Quatre sighed. "Duo, if I could give Heero to you, I would. You are so much more worthy of him than I."
Duo smirked a little. His hand dropped from Quatre's cheek. "You haven't changed." Quatre gave him a confused look.
"After all this time, you still think Heero would be better off with me. Ha! Here's to wishful thinking!"
Quatre frowned. "If I can't make that happen..." The innocent Arabian was silent for a moment. "Return me to my old body! If I can't make Heero love you, then I can at least rekindle your friendship!"
Duo stood up. "Are you sure of this? You'll be dead for a little bit, and I'm not sure that the memories of your life as a mortal will remain. You'll probably never be able to see your family again."
Quatre looked ready as ever. "Duo, I swear this is what I want to do. I want Relena to be punished for what she did to us all. I want you to have your cherished friendship with Heero back. And also," Quatre's expression turned distant, "part of me wants to see Heero again. To feel the love we shared."
Duo smiled bleakly. "Come with me. Khephri, go back and report to Heero that the migration was successful. Quatre will be our secret until the engagement party." Khephri nodded and disappeared.
"Engagement party?"
"Hai. Kind of like mortal wedding receptions, except all the presents are recieved before the wedding. I wasn't going to go, but now I have a present for Heero-sama and the ugly bitch so I guess it's only appropriate." Duo's grin was downright sinister.
Quatre laughed. "It will be fun, ne?"
"I only want a picture of Relena's expression when she finds out you're alive. We'll wait out the days here. It'll give you enough time to recover in hiding before the party." Duo pulled a curtain of feathers away to reveal a hidden chamber.
The chamber was not dark, yet the aura emanating from it was melancholy and disheartening. Despite the depressing atmosphere, Quatre felt almost complete here. After a quick look around, he saw why.
In the center of the chamber was a figure entwined in a spider's web, so-to-speak. Light sprung from every visible angle of the figure's body. Intertwined with the webbing were feathers. The blond picked one out of the web. These feathers were infinitely more beautiful than the ones that made Khephri and the other wind spirits' wings. They were a different shade of silver and white, and were softer to the touch than anything Quatre had ever felt before. Yet, they were so familiar....
Quatre shook his head and dropped the feather. His vision darted back to the figure hanging in the middle of the chamber. Large, gorgeous butterfly wings stuck out from the figure's back and out of the webbing. The figure's skin was extremely pale, probably moreso than ever because of the lack of sunlight. Blond hairs dangled in the air, gravity trying to pull them to the ground. Quatre had a revelation... He was staring at himself!
Duo watched Quatre in his reverie, waiting for an okay of some sort. The poor mortal seemed somewhat.... confused. Duo was quiet, amused by pathetic mortal perspectives. Quatre wouldn't have been nearly as confused if he had been in his spirit body. Duo frowned at that thought. ~If he were in his spirit body, we wouldn't be in this situation..~ The God of Death thought as he waited. He wondered how Khephri was fairing.
* * *
Khephri landed on the steps of Heero's castle in the mountains. It was dismal and dark up there, for Heero was still unwed.
Khephri cursed the laws of the Gods. The Sky God had renounced his godhood decades ago after eons of duty. His wife has passed on with him, as was customed. The Sky God chose Heero, his favorite underling, to take his place. It was an obvious choice, since Heero was a dedicated and proficient worker, and his relationship with Quatre was ever-nearing engagement. Heero was expected to have married shortly after the Sky God's passing. And then Relena struck.
The noble spirit scowled and made his way into the palace. Heero-sama must surely be wondering why he's so late. He adjusted his decorated headress and brushed dust off of his outfit. No one ever figured that he, Commander of the 1st Wind Spirit Battalion, the best of all of the Wind Spirit Battalions, had a crush on Heero-sama. The worst of it had subsided long ago, but Khephri still felt nervous around his master. Sighing, he knocked on the golden door to Heero's room.
A female voice answered. "Khephri, is that you?"
Khephri flinched. She was there. "H-hai Relena-sama." If only Heero-sama knew how much effort it took to add the sama suffix....
"Come in Khephri!" Relena chorused. The obedient spirit opened the door and stepped in. Heero and Relena were sitting on his bed, on top of the silk and satin sheets the Angel loved to sleep with. Relena lay in Heero's lap with her arms wrapped around him. Heero was staring out the window at his butterfly garden. To a visitor, it would seem that he didn't even care about Relena. The truth was he didn't.
Khephri looked pitifully at his dear master. The Wind Angel was bound by ancient laws to an unruly bitch. The soldier barely held himself from slapping her.
"Khephri," Heero said blankly, still focusing on the butterflies, "How did the migration go?"
"It went well my lord." Khephri replied, bowing. ~Better than you know, Heero-sama.~
Heero finally looked at the spirit. "It didn't seem so. You're late. That's not like you."
"Forgive me my lord. I had to speak with Shinigami-sama about a few things. It took longer than I thought." Heero snorted. Khephri backed up a little. Duo was still a sensitive subject to the future Sky God.
Heero stood up. "If you will excuse me, I am going to take a bath." Relena opened her mouth to offer her company. Heero raised his hand. "Khephri, I would like you to keep the Lady Relena company."
Khephri nodded in assent. "As you wish Heero-sama." This was going to be hell.
Heero calmly walked out. Relena sat up in the bed.
"Well well, if it isn't Sir Khephri, Heero-sama's 'pet'."
Khephri flinched. He rolled his eyes and walked over to the bed, fluffing a few of Heero's pillows.
"Are you purposely ignoring me?"
"Yes. I have had a bad day and I do not wish to talk to you." ~Actually, today was excellent. I just don't want to insult her presence. I like my job.~ He thought.
"Well too bad. You're going to have to deal with me on a daily basis soon."
"I already do."
A few butterflies flew in the window. Relena caught one on her finger. "Tell me Khephri, what do you think of the butterflies Heero surrounds himself with? Do they annoy you?"
Khephri sat down as far away from Relena as possible. "I rather like them. They remind me of the joy Quatre-sama brought while he was amongst the living."
Relena almost flinched, but she caught herself. "I don't really like them; they are a symbol of misfortune for me. I prefer dragonflies."
* * *
Heero laid in his bath quietly, his wings spread out to his sides. They were reaching his feet again, for the first time in a while. He supposed it was something to be proud of, but he knew that those beautiful feathers would fall out on his wedding night. He cursed himself inwardly. ~How could I have left him? Why didn't Khamael protect him like he should have?~ The tortured demigod cleched his fists so hard his palms began to bleed.
"Quatre! Why did you leave me?!" He yelled into the night. For a long time he sat and cried, hoping for some resolve; some chance that his beloved desert spirit would return to him.
"Wait for me my dear Heero. I will return."
Prussian blue eyes widened at an actual response. Heero quickly arose from his bath, confused.
* * *
Quatre stepped into the pool of water which lay under his old body. To his current body, the water felt like nothing. Yet, something within that ordinary liquid cried out to his soul. The cry was filled with pain and anguish, as well as desperation. He ignored it and moved towards the center. Drops of water were sliding across the webbing that encased his spirit form.
"Quatre!"
The Arab froze. That definitely wasn't Duo's voice.
"Why did you leave me?!"
The confused blond fell to his knees and clutched his head. His breathing hastened and a twinge of pain wrung throughout his body. There seemed to be a glow coming from his spirit body, but he couldn't move to check. He tried to yell for Duo's help, but the words didn't come out of his mouth. Something took control of his body and spoke for him.
"Wait for me my dear Heero. I will return."
Quatre's entire body went limp. Duo appeared above him in the air, and lifted the blond's head up with the end of his scythe.
Quatre shook his head. "Duo, what are you doing up there?"
"The water down there isn't ordinary water."
"What is it then? And why does it hurt so bad?"
"The water has the ability to reflect Heero's feeling toward you. I don't know exactly how it works, but that's apparently what it does. I didn't warn you because I didn't think it would hurt you."
"Apparently his longing for me is painful."
"I would say so. I'd stand in there with you, but I took a step in there once and it almost killed me."
"Is there... anything else about this water I should know?"
The braided god shrugged. "Not sure. The mechanics of this place are strange. Why?"
"B-because I heard him..."
"What?"
"I was standing here, and I heard Heero's voice."
Duo's eyes widened. "WHAT?!"
"He yelled out for me. He was depressed. I-I don't know what was going on, but all of a sudden I collapsed. I tried to yell for your help, but nothing came out. Then something came over me and I responded to him." The blond looked frightened.
Duo looked at Quatre's spirit body knowingly. "Forgive me for sounding strange, but I think you know you're here."
Quatre slowly arose. "And I think I'm taking advantage of it as well."
"The only thing we need to do now is get you back in your original body."
The Arab finally got to his feet. "How do you do that?"
"For starters, I have to get rid of the body you're currently in."
"Why do you have to get rid of it completely? Wont that kill me?"
"Flesh is just a vessel for the soul. When a flesh body dies, the vessel becomes broken, and the soul sinks into the ocean known as the afterlife. If the soul can swim back to the top, they are given a new vessel, however, there is no penalty for drowning. Sometimes, with the right help, a vessel can be repaired, and the soul can return to it after death. I'm just going to make you switch vessels."
Quatre thought for a moment. The thought of being dead frightened him, even though Death himself promised it was only for a few moments. He took a deep breath and froze.
"Do it," he choked out.
"What?"
"Get it over with! Please! Before I change my mind." The poor human's eyes clenched shut, afraid to face the truth of the moment.
"Alright, Quatre. It wont hurt, I promise." Shinigami raised his scythe. Without warning, the enchanted blade sliced through the mortal body with barely a sound. The blood of the now-dead Quatre flowed quickly and tainted the enchanted water. The two halves of the boy hit the water with a resounding splash. A faint light illuminated the room completely, and it rose into Duo's hand.
Duo gazed at the light warmly. "Soon my friend, soon." Duo made a small cut in his wrist. The blood began to flow almost immeadiately. He chose to move before it clotted.
Now alongside Quatre's spirit body, Duo wiped some of his blood with his finger and painted a cross shape on Quatre's forehead with it. Something clicked within his body, and the God knew the desert spirit was under his jurisdiction for the time being. He lapped up more blood with his finger and made a similar shape on his forehead. Another feeling of connection with Quatre. He gently lowered the bright ball until it connected with the body below. It was only a matter of time now...
