D.D.: Oh ye gods people, I'm soooo sorry I haven't written for so long but…one word…school. Need I say more? I hate being a student. Grrr…Ok, now, on with ze next chapter, (s'cuse the fake French accent, I've been writing another story…don't ask.) And don't forget, this is co-written by Nightshadow!!

Ns: I agree. School lives to make us collapse from exhaustion. I have four papers due already and another gets assigned this week!!! Two of which are research papers! Teachers need to conference. And figure out a schedule for all those papers and tests. Ugh. Least my teachers are friendly though. That's a plus. Well enough with our moaning. On with the story! Oh, anybody figure out the Poem yet??? Oh, and thanks for the screaming email, whoever sent it. Sent it to the wrong one though. ^_^ D.D. had already sent it my way!

Disclaimer: Don't own don't sue. If we owned we'd be rich, but I sure as hell ain't rich so there you have it…*sigh* wouldn't it be nice to be rich though…all the things we could do with the money… Yeah. All that money would be nice…Any original characters belong to either D.D. Duley or Nightshadow. (Which isn't always a good thing! They get annoying when bugging you to write while doing a 9 pg paper!)

/blah/-mind-speech

'blah'-bird thoughts

*~*~*~

Blah-backflash

*~*~*~

~*~*~

Blah-secondary view and actions

~*~*~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart,

Without saying a word you can light up the dark,

Try as I may I can never explain,

What I hear when you don't say a thing.

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me,

There's a truth in you eyes saying you'll never leave me,

The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall,

You say it best, when you say nothing at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sharp green eyes watched as the two young boys wandered off down the street, still 'hand in hand.' Full lips curved into a smile that was not altogether nice as the woman stepped out of the quickly lengthening shadows.

"Well, well, well, little Talien thought she could help the boy without my knowledge did she?" The woman smirked again, glancing at the black cat that twined around her ankles. "She's not going to get away with this, is she my sweet?"

Stooping she picked the cat up, balancing it on her shoulder where it hooked its claws into the leather of her black jacket. "I think it's about time I intervened in this little business, besides I think it's my turn to have some fun now, after all, one gets so bored after a couple of centuries with nothing to do down there."

She laughed loudly, causing a couple of passers-by to start and move away quickly. It was the sort of laugh you get in a dark room just after all the lights have gone out, a spine tingling laugh.

"Yes…" She crooned to her cat, idly stroking behind its ears, as it remained balanced, "So much fun…"

While above unknown to her a forestgyre road the thermals as he left to report to his partner. 'Tal must know who has shown herself. This does not bode well for my mindmate's charges.'{3}

*************

Quietly Talien waited in the boughs of an ancient elm for her mindmate, back resting against the living trunk, fingers playing idly with the braid that snaked down her arm. One leg swung gracefully in the air below her chosen perch, while the other leaned against a slightly smaller branch for support.  She had changed her clothes from the proper librarian's outfit o the silken tunic and trews that she preferred.  Her outfit was one of her own make. The cloth a warm silver-brown with hints of green that if one looked close enough were the trees of the ancient forest that made up the pattern of the magicked cloth. 'After all, why should I wear clothes that catch and tear on every snag when mine never will?'/Tern? Where are you?/

/I come mindmate./  Furling his wings he dropped into a shallow dive. As he reached the elm he unfurled his wings, beating them strongly to slow his descent as he easily perched on a branch near his odd haired mistress. /The news is not the best, Two-tails./

/I wish you'd stop calling me that. How bad is the news?/

/You wear your hair in a tail and it is two colors. Two-tails. Our old foe has taken an interest in them. She watches, waiting./

/It's a braid and I can't help it that my hair is brown and white. Waiting for what, I wonder? What can she want with a ghost and its chosen one?/

/It moves like a tail and has feeling like a tail. I do not know, but it does not bode well for our charges./

/I know, Tern. I know./

Hopping down to a branch beside his mindmate's head he gently preened her hair in a comforting gesture. /Is there nothing the Future will show?/

/No. Timeless as I am, I have not the gift for reading her knowledge./ Reaching up she scratched the dark brown breast feathers of her friend. A melancholic silence settled between the two friends, as each took comfort in the others presence, knowing whatever was to come would be met together. All they could do now was wait and see what may be. 

*************

 "And this is the bathroom, and downstairs on the right is the kitchen, but you mustn't frighten anybody, got it?" Duo followed along behind Heero, his mind on the magnificent creatures who had greeted them upon their arrival…

*~*~*~

Duo looked around eagerly as they entered the gates of the mansion. "Long driveway Heero. I can't even see the house!" He smiled at the other boy and gained a small smile in return. He loved the way that single gesture transfigured his friend's face, adding life and depth to the once stony features. Suddenly thunder and resounding calls filled the air, startling him from his thoughts. He moved closer to Heero's side. "Um, please say that's not the minions of the underworld?"

"It's not. It's my friends."

"Friends!? You have friends that sound like THAT!"

"Well yes, when they're excited anyway. Don't worry Duo, they won't hurt us."

They waited as the thunder and its calls came closer, growing louder with each heartbeat. Soon the owners of the thunder came into view at the top of one of the hills along the path, the sunlight crowning them in its splendor. Two steeds, one of purest white and the other darkest ebony had come to greet them. The two figures stayed upon their hill watching the ones below., their manes and tales flung about them wildly by their run and the winds caress. They watched for a moment then as one they rose, hooves reaching for the sky, their neighs blending together in one ringing greeting. As one they spun and returned the way they had come, hooves' thunder marking their passage.

"Do you think they saw me, even though I'm a ghost?" His tone was hopeful as he spoke. He hoped they had. He wanted to believe that greeting had included him as well.

Heero, eyed the other boy, smiling at the amazement and wonder that shone unguarded in those eyes. "Maybe. It is said that horses are more sensitive to such happenings. What did you think of them?"

"Dreams. They're living dreams.{4}"

*~*~*~

As he followed the other boy he remembered him saying where the stables were. Would they be there? Only one way to find out…

Heero paused to look around for his friend, "Duo?"

*************

Duo looked at the magnificent animal, blinking the young ghost moved closer. "Who's a beautiful horse then?" He murmured, slowly stretching out a hand, "Who's such a beautiful boy hmm?" gently he rubbed the horse's nose with a pale finger as it blew gently through its nostrils.

"Duo?"

Duo spun around to look into smiling Cobalt, "Hey Heero!" Suddenly he felt an impatient nudge in the back and turned around again, "Yes I'm still paying attention to you buddy, who couldn't to such a handsome lad?" The violet-eyed boy cooed, "Um…Heero? What's his name?"

Heero hid a grin, it was obvious that the other boy had fallen in love with the black stallion. "He's Scythe. Why? Want to ride him?" He offered.

A brilliant smile was his answer, "YOU BET!!!" And Heero suddenly found himself holding an armful of semi-transparent Duo. Not that he was complaining, though. Not in the least.

There was one thing however… "Duo?"

"Yeah Hee-chan?"

"…don't call me that."

"'course not Hee-chan." The braided boy said submissively, hiding a grin by burying his face in the soft shirt in front of him.

Heero's face fought for a suitable statement for a second, warring between humor and annoyance. Humor eventually won however. "Duo?"

"Mmm?" The boy's face was still buried in the front of his shirt.

"How come I'm able to touch you? I mean, we couldn't before and suddenly…" Heero trailed off, unable to express his confusion. "Well, it's a bit odd." He finished lamely, "Not that I mind!" He added hurriedly.

Duo lifted his head to look up at Heero's calm face, a thought flitted briefly through his eyes, but it was gone within a second. He remained silent. What would his friend do if he found out the truth of the cross?

"What is it?"

He looked up meeting the questioning eyes of his friend. 'My friend… I can't lie to him.' "Can I tell you in the morning?"

"Sure, but I don't think it can be all that bad."

"I hope not. Ride now?"

"Hai."

**************

"WHOOOOHOOOO!!!" Duo yelled, the wind rushing over and through him as the horse's hooves pounded the ground beneath, sending up clods of dirt that showered back down in tiny granules. "This is great ne Hee-chan?"

"Don't Call me that!" Heero yelled over the whistling air, "I MEAN IT DUO!"

"What's that?" Duo cried, feigning innocence, knowing full well Heero didn't really care what he called him. "Can't hear you, sorry!"

Heero smiled slightly before turning Wing towards the other boy's horse, slowing down as he did. "I said, we'd better get back now, it's getting late…" he pointed to the sun, a glowing orange ball sinking behind a couple of spindly trees as it painted the sky a brilliant apricot splashed with a deep color that looked almost purple. "See? And besides it's getting cold, you might not feel it but I do."

Duo sighed as he nodded reluctantly, "But we have to do this again tomorrow, it's so much fun! Who would have thought just riding a horse could make you enjoy yourself so much, even making you forget…" He stopped and frowned slightly, silently kicking himself for his slip of the tongue.

"Forget what Duo?" Heero asked gently, aware that the braided boy had stopped because he was reluctant to talk.

"Nothing." Duo said abruptly, "Let's go home shall we Hee-chan?"

"I told you not to call me that."

"Aw…but you need a pet name Hee-chan."

"And I say…"

Their voices faded off into the distance as the two horses clopped back towards the large mansion that lay still beneath the last rays of sun.

Unbeknownst to the two boys a pair of glowing green eyes watched them go as a silent black cat slunk back into the shadows…

While above Tern kept his patient vigil.

***************

"G'night Heero." The violet-eyed boy blinked a couple of times while yawning his head off, "I'll see you in the morning, sweet dreams!"

Heero smiled sleepily from beneath the covers, head propped up slightly by a couple of pillows. "Same to you Duo-chan…"

"HEY!!! I resent that!" Muttered the said 'Duo-chan' but no one was around to hear the muttering, for his shorthaired companion had already drifted off to sleep.

Carefully the young ghost walked over to the slumbering boy, smiling softly he leant down, "Night Hee-chan." Stooping Duo placed a gentle kiss on Heero's cheek, the other boy's only reaction was to mutter something in his sleep and turn over slightly, arm flung over his head.

Quietly he walked out.

*****************

The room was dark again; he knew where he was instantly. It was the dream again. It wasn't fair. Ever since his parents had died he'd had the same one over and over. He knew each time that it was a dream, but it never helped.

Heat, stifling heat that seemed to scorch the lungs and suffocate you, pressing down heavily on your head with an almost deadly weight... Heero tossed and turned in his bed, wildly thrashing his head…

And the dark, god how he hated it, the sort of dark that is completely pitch, that is so dark it seems to make lights flash in front of your eyes and imagine all sorts of things, and we're not just talking about the closet monster here…

Heero moaned wildly, hand groping for anything comforting that he could latch onto, still caught in the grip of the dream…

And the screaming, a white face appearing over him, "Look at him, my god look at the child, he's a monster! My god!"

Then more heat, but this time flames accompanied it, crackling and dancing as they weaved intricate patterns through the darkness, the noise of burning so loud it drowned out even the screaming.

A woman was crying loudly nearby as he looked around for the woman Heero felt a shove in his back, sending him toppling to the floor, then a loud shout. "Don't look back my darling, never ever look back." And a loud sob that choked off into a little gurgling noise…

**************

Stifling a sigh Duo wandered further into the woods he and Heero had rode through earlier. Heero…Duo's lips curved into a small smile as he thought about the other boy, still smiling he sat down on a small stump, still lost in thought. So lost in fact that he didn't hear the approach of someone until the person spoke.

"Hello little Duo."

Duo leapt up, heart hammering with shock, "S…sorry." He stuttered, "I didn't hear you come up."

"That's alright." The woman said quietly, green eyes dancing slightly in what would have been called a kind of cruel amusement. "I'm very good at the…how should I put this…quiet approach."

~*~*~

Tern watched as the Unseleighe{5} approached the Ghost he and his mindmate had chosen as a charge. 'And so it begins. Tal must know, but to leave would waste opportunity. I shall wait and watch. The more the knowledge, the better we will all be. I wonder though…' Reaching with his mind he caught the tail end of one of the boy's thoughts. "…all at once." 'He is receptive and unprotected in mind. A danger, but a boon at this moment and time.' /Listen to your heart, for lies never pass its judgment./ 'Listen well, child, more than just your life may depend upon it.'

~*~*~

Now that his heart rate had slowed a bit, Duo's mind snapped back into focus. "Who are you?" He studied the woman, closely.

For some reason she put him in mind of Talien, but she looked different at the same time, very, very different. 'The same but opposite all at once,' he thought dazedly. This woman had the same ancient, cat like look in her eyes, but hers were green, not an ordinary green however, but a pure emerald that seemed to spit fire. Short black hair framed a delicate face with full lips, a pert nose and arched eyebrows. In short the woman's entire face looked as though it was wearing a statement of cruel amusement at the stupidity of the entire world. /Listen to your heart, for lies never pass its judgment./ Startled at the feel of the warm male voice, he looked for its owner, but saw no one save the one in front of him. 'Now what was that about? Good thought though.'

A black leather jacket hung from a slender form, beneath the open jacket Duo could see a black roll neck that clung to the woman like a second skin. A strange pendant hung from her neck, the symbol appeared to be Celtic squinting he could just make out a piece of ancient writing on it before the woman turned slightly, her black trousers glinting strangely in the moonlight. As black knee-high boots with sharp heels ground into the soft earth slightly.

A quiet laugh drew him from his contemplation of this woman. "Now, are you ready to talk…having finished scrutinizing every detail about my personage Duo Maxwell?"

Duo frowned, "Do I know you? I remember something…"

That laugh again, to the casual listener it would have sounded pleasant, to Duo however it sent shiver running up and down his spine. "Perhaps you know me, perhaps not, the question is, do I know you?"

"Huh?"

"Well, you tell me Duo Maxwell, do I know you?"

Duo stared apprehensively for a moment at the cat like woman, "I think…I think you do, though how, I don't know." 'And I wish I did.'

"The woman smiled, "Very good, you're an intelligent boy, now, what would you say if I told you I could give you everything?" she stepped closer, eyes gleaming in the moonlight, "Everything you ever wished for Duo Maxwell, anything you wanted…" She stepped even closer as Duo backed away, "Even him."

Duo stopped the rush of emotions showing on his face, embarrassment, suspicion and disbelief all warring for control. "Just who are you?" he asked, glaring up into fire like eyes.

The woman bowed slightly, "My name is Osirus (1) little Duo."

Duo's eyes widened slightly in shock, "I know about you, we learnt about you in history. The Celts believed you were some sort of goddess, and called you The Lady of the Night, you were said to have incredible power…"

"And I still do." Osirus interrupted, "Much more than her." She sneered elegantly.

"Her?" Duo asked, puzzled, "Who are you talking about?"

"Talien." She answered abruptly, "Stick with me kid and I could give you more than her any day, she'd just use you and your little friend for her own purposes, unlike myself, who would give anything just to see you happy." She smiled again, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'd even give you him."

With a wave of her hand they were back in the mansion, looking down on a sleeping Heero, who was still tossing fitfully as he slept.

~*~*~

'No!!! Where…' A feeling of Power came from the mansion. 'There. The Mansion.' Taking to the air with a thunder of wings he caught the first thermal he could riding it to the heights while he sped towards the mansion, his flight aided by his own small Gifts. /Talien Entessa! Here me!/

/Ahhh! Don't do that! And lower your voice. I'm not deaf. And what was that Power?/

/You are also not the best of mind-hearers. It was She. SHE is in the mansion with both and has spoken to the Ghost alone./

/What is she doing now? Has harm been brought to either, or offered? Damn the laws!/

/I am not yet there, but I soon will be. And in time I pray./

/I will come, but slower. I do not wish to announce myself. Hurry, Tern. Proof must be had./

~*~*~

"What's the matter with him?" Duo cried worriedly, anxiously leaping to the other boy's side.

"Nothing." The woman murmured, "He is merely dreaming."

Duo looked up sharply, for a second it had sounded like she had an accent, a very foreign accent that sounded like rippling water. "Can you wake him up?"

"No. His dream is important, I can sense it from here." Again, the accent was present, "And now little Duo, I must be going, I have already stayed in this realm too long."

Duo nodded, not really caring. He didn't trust this woman anyway. "See you then." He said, turning back to the restless Heero.

He didn't see Osirus frown and take an angry step towards him, raising her hand as if to strike the boy, except dark green fire flitted around her fingers like angry butterflies.

The only thing that saved Duo at that point was a black cat, streaking across the room out of nowhere and landing on his mistress's shoulder, knocking her hand out of the way.

"You're right Seth." (2) She whispered, "it is not the right time, there is an order in this universe and everything happens in its correct place in the order of history. But he will pay for all that he has done to my life." Reaching out again she placed a hand on the violet-eyed boy's shoulder, freezing time for everyone but herself. "Here me well little Duo," She whispered in his ear, "If you don't accept my offer next time I come, I will take that, which you love most, depend upon it." And with that, she vanished.

~*~*~

Tern landed in a tree outside a window of the room just in time to catch sight of the young Ghost turning from Her, as if she held no more importance than a piece of paper. 'That must rankle.' Watching he narrowed his eyes, feathers raising, as she raised her hand, Power flickering across it, as she moved to strike the boy. A black blur sped across the room knocking her arm away. He continued watching as Power resounded in the room and time stopped for those within as she issued her threat. 'It is done. We may now act as we wish.' When she had gone he relaxed, allowing his feathers to smooth. /Talien!/

/I'm here you great oaf! Enough with yelling. What has become of them?/

/She has offered harm in action and in threat. Our actions are our own./

/Good. Maybe now the Council will listen. These restrictions do more harm than good./

/True. The Living one dreams. She has told the Ghost not to wake him./

/Dreams or lives a Nightmare? I would say the latter. Pain gives her power. Is Duo receptive?/

/Yes. I have bespoke him in sub-voice, though he knew me not./

/Then do so again./

He looked through the window once more, the scene before him making him wish he could smile. /There is no need.  He holds no respect for Her word and acts on his own conscience./

/He is smart, smarter than most./ He felt the smile in her thoughts. /Take your rest while you can. I will be there soon. She will not return This night and there is no telling what the morrow holds./

~*~*~

As they had talked Duo had reached out to the tossing boy, shaking his shoulder to wake him.

Gasping for breath, Heero sat up, hands clutching the sheets in a white knuckled grip.

"Heero?"

Wide, terror struck eyes met his.

Moving slowly, the plaited youth wrapped his arms about trembling boy before him, murmuring soothingly as he held him close.

The cobalt-eyed boy remained frozen for a moment then held tight to the comfort offered him.

Sleep eventually claimed them, leaving them to wake held in one another's arms when Morning called.

Tbc.

(1) Osirus was actually an Egyptian god, he ruled over the next life that Egyptians believed in.

(2) Seth was another Egyptian Deity, believed to be the bringer of plagues.

{3} Loved the bondbirds in Mercedes Lackey's books. I changed a few things though. ~_^

{4} Have that on my truck. I'm a horse nut. Actually we both are! ^_^

{5} The Elven race has two Courts.. Unseleighe is the Dark Court. Seleighe is the other and the Light Court Anyone guessed whom the baddie is? ^_^