* * *

Sapphire orbs fluttered open in a hazy dream world. Quatre was strangely warm. He blinked. ~Wasn't the cavern cold?~ He noticed the scent of candles. Their fragrance bared significance, yet Quatre could not remember it. He struggled so hard to figure out what was going on, but he was in a daze.

Suddenly, he felt a searing pain across his chest. He flinched reflexively and wanted to scream in agony, but he didn't. The hot ooze that had been poured on his chest was turning him on.

~What's going on?~ Quatre thought.

//Quatre, you're reliving the memories of the night before my -your- death.// His spirit self informed him.

~Okay... what's on my, erm, our chest?~

//Nectar.// Desert spirit Quatre's voice was full of lust.

~Elaborate.~

//Heero drinks nectar before we go to bed. His favorite way of doing so... is off of me.//

~He's goooood...~ Quatre was becoming lost in the passion.

//As much as I'd love to relive this moment, first you must see how you died. We have to help Duo.//

~Right.~

As soon as it appeared, Quatre's lovely dream world was gone.

~*~Flashback~*~

It was a sunny day in the Valley of the Gods. Heero and Quatre were taking a romantic walk. The sun's rays seemed to dance at their feet, illuminating a path to happiness.

"Quatre?"

"Hmm?"

Heero looked at the scenery as he spoke. "I-I've been summoned. I must go with my spirits on a quest tomorrow. I don't know when I'll be back."

"I don't mind, as long as I know you'll come back to me."

"You have my word." Quatre began to giggle.

"What?" Heero asked, perplexed.

"You're just so.... formal sometimes!"

Heero stood in place, looking confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Quatre glomped onto the Wind Angel. "Heero, you're so cute when you're confused!"

Heero began to crack a smile. "Good comeback."

~*~The Next Day~*~

Quatre gazed longingly at the disappearing mass that was Heero and his wind spirits. He was going to be bored for the next few days. Heero had left his top general, Khamael, with Quatre to thwart any assassination attempts before the wedding. As much as Quatre liked the idea, he had to admit that Khamael was about as interesting as a lamp post. All he talked about was battle tactics and war stories. Quatre found it to be meaningless blather. He was a pacifist.

"So what do you plan to do today Quatre-sama?" Khamael asked, formal as ever.

Quatre yawned and streched. "I don't know yet, but I think I'll go see what Duo is doing. He can always think of something fun to do. I-" Quatre was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Khamael asked, beating Quatre to the punch.

"It's Relena, Goddess of earth. I wish to speak with Quatre."

"You may enter." Quatre answered.

Relena gently opened the door to Heero and Quatre's room. "Quatre, I wish to spend the day chatting with you," she looked at Khamael sternly, "Alone."

Khamael turned to the desert spirit, who raised his hand. "You don't need to ask Khamael. I will be fine by myself."

"Whatever you say, Quatre-sama. Good day." Khamael left the room for places unknown.

Relena smiled warmly. "Quatre-kun, would you join me for a walk?"

Quatre's eyebrow lifted, as he was confused. Relena more or less only tolerated him for Heero's sake. He was polite to her, because she was his mother goddess, but she constantly displayed her dislike of him. However much he knew she hated him, Quatre trusted his life in Relena's hands, because she had no legal reason to kill him. "Sure Relena-sama. Lead the way!"

Relena turned around and started out the doorway, just barely suppressing an evil grin.

~*~Meanwhile~*~

Khamael landed at the entrance to Shinigami's realms. Hades, Nifleheim, Heaven, Hell, or just plain The Afterlife -whichever name suited your taste- Duo was there. Khamael suspected Relena was up to something. He also knew for sure that whatever it was, Duo could put a stop to it. A timid demon approached him.

"Khamael-sama? What are you doing here?" the demon asked.

"I need to speak with Duo."

The demon looked a bit perplexed at the lack of a suffix. "H-hai. I'll go get him." It disappeared. The God of Death shortly reappeared in it's place.

"Khamael!" A hug. "What pleasure do I owe this visit?" Duo looked as cheerful as ever.

Khamael's stern expression did not waiver. "Duo, I believe Relena is up to something. She invited Quatre to a private outing. She didn't want me to go, but he still accepted her offer."

Duo immediately became serious. "Where did they go?"

"I'm not sure."

The demon servant from before returned. "Shinigami-sama! A desert spirit has come seeking an audience!"

Duo motioned for the spirit to be brought to him. "This is an urgent matter. I want the spirit here immediately." The demon disappeared and brought back a timid female desert spirit.

"S-S-Shinigami-sama... I must ask for your help...." The young girl mumbled.

"What do you need?" Duo replied coolly.

"Relena-sama..... She's going to do something that I don't agree with. She's led Quatre-san into the far reaches of the Valley of the Gods and she's going to kill his soul." The poor desert spirit sobbed. "I don't want to pay the punishment for betraying my Mother Goddess, but I don't feel this is right!"

Duo touched the girl's forehead with his hand. "Do not worry. You are doing something noble, and I promise you shall not pay for it. Not in the afterlife."

The desert spirit hugged him. "Thank you Shinigami-sama! You are truly a kind God! Let me show you the way!" The girl led Duo and Khamael to Relena's hideout. It was far from the bustling center of the Valley. As a matter of fact, it was almost out of the Valley of the Gods completely. Duo and Khamael hoped it wasn't too late.

~*~Meanwhile~*~

Quatre sat down on a soft bed. There were only two rooms in the building Relena had brought them to, so they were stuck chatting in the bedroom. The house was quaint, with just its kitchen and its bedroom. In the bedroom was the bed, a wooden dresser, and the window. It looked almost... human.

"So why the long walk, Relena-sama? You haven't said anything to me the entire day."

Relena stared out the window. "Leave Heero," she said coldly.

Quatre's happy demeanor faded. "What do you mean?"

"I meant what I said. Leave Heero."

Quatre clenched his fists. "I can't do that. I love him too much."

Relena whipped around. "As a desert spirit under my control, you have to follow my orders!"

Quatre stood up. "My body may be yours to control, but my heart belongs to Heero and you can't stop that!"

Relena grabbed his neck with both of her hands. "I bet you I can!" Quatre's eyes widened in fear as her grip tightened. He swatted at her hands to no avail, and finally fell back onto the bed. Relena gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. "I did it.... I finally did it..." She snapped out of her shock quickly and went into the next phase of her plan. Summoning all her energy, she closed her eyes and began to chant.

* * *

The female desert spirit screamed. "Quatre-san!"

Duo and Khamael turned around sharply and looked at her. "What is it?!" they asked in unison.

The spirit began to cry. "Relena-sama.... she's..."

Duo and Khamael gasped. "No!"

Duo spread his ebony wings. "Come! We must hurry! She'll try to seal his soul so that he can't be brought back!" The three of them took off to the sky, with the desert spirit leading.

* * *

Relena continued to chant. An eerie light was eminating from Quatre's body now, and the process was almost complete. Noises from outside disturbed his concentration. ~Nani?! What are people doing here?!~

The great Shinigami-sama materialized in the room. "What do you think you're doing?" Khamael followed, but the female desert spirit fled for her own protection.

"It's none of your business, Duo!" Relena yelled.

Duo snorted. "I should've known you'd pull something like this! Damn you!"

Relena laughed. "But you fit in perfectly! Now they'll find you with Quatre's corpse and Heero will be mine!" With that said, she disappeared.

"K'so!" Khamael yelled, slamming his hand against the wall. "Now Heero-sama will be miserable!"

Duo examined Quatre's state for a moment and pondered. "Khamael?"

"Hmmmmm?"

"How much are you willing to give up for the sake of your master?"

"My entire life," Khamael replied proudly.

Duo looked the wind spirit straight in the eye. "That's just what I was counting on. Come over here."

Khamael's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Quatre's soul is almost completely gone. If we work quickly, I can conform your soul essence into that of a desert spirit and heal it. I'd give up some of my own soul essence, since it's replenishible, but it'd take too long to conform it into that stemmed from a Goddess that hates me. However, Heero doesn't hate me -yet- so I can save your soul as well. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?"

"For Heero-sama's happiness, I will."

Duo motioned for Khamael to move. "Stand right there," he sighed, "Any last words?"

Khamael sighed nervously and shed a tear. "Yes. Tell my son of this injustice, and let him take my place."

Duo nodded, closed his eyes, and began to chant.

* * *

The scene faded from Quatre's view, and he was left in the dark with an exact replica of himself. Well, not quite exact. This form has gorgeous multi-colored butterfly wings, and his wonderfully pale skin did not bear the scars Quatre had gotten from working for his father. Quatre gaped in amazement, and his other form -his true form- began to speak.

"That is what happened. I believe Duo told you the rest. Duo was blamed for the whole thing, and Heero resented him. The wind spirits were informed of what really happened, and have successfully stalled Heero and Relena's wedding until now. Duo and I have waited anxiously for this moment, for now Relena will pay. Are you ready to become part of me again?" Desert spirit Quatre extended his hand.

Human Quatre nodded silently, unsure of what to say. He pressed his palm against the desert spirit's, and the cavern exploded with light.