Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing....MWAHAHA..but I am insane.

Fic Notes: Violence, language, shounen ai, angst, sap

At War with Peace
-Chapter Four

Losing what's Found

Ah yes, I guess this is wear I must begin telling you about my present state. If you are curious, I am sitting on my bed right now; yes, the top bunk of my room in the orphanage, staring out the window. To say the least, I'm frightened, horrified, and trying to gather my thoughts. Duo is no longer here. They took him away from me. I guess I should tell you what happened. Curiosity can be such torture sometimes. Well, I guess I left off with the assassins. Those bastards were strong, but I wasn't about to let them hurt Duo or myself.

When I woke up I expected to be in that nasty cage again, maybe strapped down, with a couple broken bones. However, I didn't except to wake up in a small, dark, hot area with an extreme lack of oxygen. It didn't take me long to realize I was in a sack, and someone was dragging me across the ground. Damn, how do I get into these situations. I was about to surrender to them, let them take me back to Relena's palace, then I remembered Duo. I was thankful for my tough training and I struggled in that bag enough to get it out of the assassin's hands. Ad quickly as I could, I tore open the top with my fists and inhaled the cool air that hit me. Almost an instant later I could feel that giant, ugly body pinning me down and trying to force me out of the sack. With a swing of my elbow I got him to back off long enough to allow me to crawl out of the sack. There I came face to face with the other two assassins.

I spotted another sake, assuming Duo was inside it, and launched myself at the assassin that possessed it. He tried to block his face with his arm but I was too quick for that huge, bulky, flabby body and did an uppercut to his jaw. I hoped I had broken it. The other two, who were screaming nonsense curses at me, I got them down on the ground with my speed. Unfortunately, I knew they wouldn't be down for long. They were huge, and I knew I couldn't get all three of them unconscious. I hated to do it, but to save time, I grabbed the sack that Duo was in and dragged it along as I ran, as fast as my exhausted and bruised legs could carry me.

"We'll find you, Yuy! You can run but you can't hide!" I almost rolled my eyes as I heard one of the assassins shout to me. Couldn't he at *least* think of something original to say? They couldn't catch me, I was fast, and I kept running. All I had to do was think about Duo's safety and I could run forever. Sweat stung my eyes but I ignored the pain, and kept my pace. It hit me that I didn't know how far away from the town the assassins took me, and that I might have to run a long way. I knew for sure Duo wasn't enjoying the ride inside that sack, and neither was I. Once I was sure I was too far out of site for those assassins, I ran around a mountain and plopped myself and Duo into some tall grass there. I was breathing so hard I thought I would pass out.

I immediately focussed on getting Duo out of that bag, mumbling curses as I struggled with the tie. In my frustration, I ripped the bag open, and pulled an unconscious Duo out, lying him on the grass. I used a torn piece of bag to wipe some of the sweat off Duo's face, pushing his soaked bangs back out of his eyes. He was breathing, so I decided to wait until he got up on his own to start heading out of there. I lied down next to him in the grass, resting the back of one hand on my forehead as a block from the sun's hot rays beating down on my face.

I didn't have to wait long for Duo to come around. Mere minutes later I heard him groan in discomfort and he snuggled up against my side. I didn't want to lose him again so I shook his shoulders, pulling him away from me.

"Are you all right?" I asked, keeping my hands on his shoulders. The fabric of his T-shirt was damp with sweat. He looked at me under sleepy eyelids and nodded, but then snuggled up against me again, burying his head in the crook of my neck.

"Duo, we have to get out of here. The assassins could catch up and then we're dead meat." I said, pushing him away firmly. He groaned and sat up, stretching out his arms and legs, and blinked at me curiously.

"Assassins? W-what do they want with you?" He asked, scooting closer to me. I blinked, noticing his multiple acts of affection. I however, wasn't used to so much human contact, not that I was complaining. Duo just to seemed to like being close to me, and I wasn't afraid to admit I liked being close to him too. It was such a change of attitude compared the people that used to be around me. Duo nudged me, trying to get my attention, and then asked the question again.

"I really don't know. Can we just...go?" I asked impatiently. With another yawn Duo nodded, but then slumped down next to me again, completely ignoring what I had said.. I sighed. He was exhausted, and probably in a lot of pain, "All right, I'll carry you. Is town near here?" I asked, nudging him gently with my elbow. Duo nodded again and waved his arm, indicating the direction I should go in. I frowned a bit, before scooping him up in my arms and carrying towards town. It was different, I hadn't really ever had to carry anyone anywhere, it was always the other way around. As I looked down at Duo I was glad in felt secure in my arms, that tiny smile on his face as he rested his head against my chest, sinking into me. It was right then at that time that I first wanted to kiss him.

The walk was a little further than I'd hoped, and by the time we got to town my arms hurt like the devil. I wanted to set him down right as we approached the orphanage but when I looked down into my arms I found that he had fallen asleep. I sighed and carried the burden in my arms up the steps and into the building, and from there found my way back to our room. However, someone was deliberately standing in my way. She was young woman, maybe in her early twenties, with glasses and dark red hair pulled back into a bun. In her arms she held a clipboard, and was looking at me rather sternly. I knew instantly she was some sort of teacher.

"Are you Heero Yuy?" She asked me, not looking at me but the boy in my arms.

"Yes.." Her quick eyes darted immediately up to my face, studying me, then back down to Duo.

"I don't know if you know this but no students of the school for orphans can be excused from class on any day without a good excuse. If that rule is broken we immediately assume that the student or students were 'skipping class.' I understand that you're new here, and you haven't even had your interview or physical examination yet, but it against the rules and I'm going to ask you and your friend a few questions." The woman said all of this so fast that I couldn't understand half the things she was saying, so I guess she determined that from my blank look and pulled me inside of my dorm.

I put Duo down on his bed to rest before climbing up to mine, sitting on the edge of it, feet dangling. The woman was looking over our room with somewhat disgust in her expression and didn't bother to sit down, she just looked up at me.

"So, Mr. Heero Yuy, are you using the name of the heir to the Rippa Na Tatemono estate as a joke or is that your real name?" She asked, preparing the scribble something down on her clipboard. I was taken back. I couldn't possibly tell her the truth, that would get me in a lot of trouble, the trouble I'd be in when those assassins found me again.

"Actually, I'm..uh..decendent from the Yuy family, but since they're all dead now, I really don't have anywhere to go." I lied, putting on the best act as I could as the lonely little orphan. She studied my expression again, probably checking to see if I'd crack, but just shook her head and wrote something on her clipboard.

"And why weren't you in school today. Your friend over there missed a big exam." She pointed her pen at Duo, who was still sleeping.

"Personal reasons." I snapped, "You can punish us if you want, but I'll assure you Duo will make up the test and we will be in school tomorrow." Of course it was just a cover up story. I didn't know what was going to happen tomorrow, or the rest of today for that matter. The woman's only reaction was write on her clipboard, then open the door. Before stepping outside she turned back to me.

"I'm going to schedule you an interview with Mr. Morgan, head counselor here. Tomorrow after school, Duo'll show you to his office." With that the woman turned on her heel and left, nearly slamming the door behind her. I stared at the closed door for a moment, in thought, then turned back to Duo. He was still sleeping, and hadn't moved since I'd placed him there on the bed. I hopped down from my bed and kneeled beside Duo's, brushing his bangs to the side so I could see his face. His eyes fluttered open and he looked at me, and smiled.

"You all right?" He asked. I nodded.

"But I'm sure those guys aren't going to just quit looking for me. I think from now on I should go alone. I don't want you getting hurt again." He frowned and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Why are they looking for you? They're the ones that dumped you off here." Duo said angrily. I sighed and shrugged, not really knowing the answer to that question. The only thing I could think of was that Relena wanted me back, which would be odd anyway since she must have ordered the assassins to take me here. Anyway, I didn't want to tell Duo about me having a fiance. I hoped I would never have to see that witch again. I hoped I could stay at the orphanage and start living a semi-normal life. Duo's laughter interrupted my thoughts. I gave him a confused look.

"I was just thinking about how I missed my exam today. Boy, am I gonna be in trouble for that." He chuckled. I didn't understand why he was laughing at a situation like that, but I couldn't help smiling slightly too. At the same time, I was scared. I had almost gotten caught, and Duo had almost gotten hurt because of me. I figured the safest thing to do was to just stay at the orphanage, but I would never know how long I would have to stay there. The school was about two blocks away from the orphanage, and I knew the assassins would look there sooner or later. The thought of just turning myself in crossed my mind. At least that would keep Duo safe.

"Hey, Heero?" Duo said. I looked at him, acknowledging. The moment I turned my head Duo captured my lips. I was taken completely by surprise and didn't react at first, then after a moment closed my eyes, melting into him, returning to kiss, deeply, passionately, and I had no idea what I was doing. I felt Duo smile against my lips and then pull away, grinning. "Sorry. I just really wanted to do that." He breathed. I nodded absentmindedly, as in a trance.

Why does he always have to make everything so difficult for me?

The rest of the day we went about with our normal routine. We stayed inside that day, just to be safe, but Duo had told me we would have to go to school the next day. We spent hours trying to think of a safe route, but there was no way to get around being seen by people. I told him about my idea to go separately, and how I would just meet him there instead of walking with him. He didn't really like that idea, but agreed after much convincing. I also told him about the teacher that came into our dorm, but he just said that I needed to be interviewed. Great, something to look forward too.

That night, after Trowa and Wufei got home, Duo and I pretended nothing had happened that day. They were of course suspicious about us not being at school, but Duo somehow managed to change the subject before they started questioning us. They had brought Duo's homework back for him, and that's what he was busy on until late that night. I stayed up with him until he was done, sitting next to him, placing gentle kisses on his lips and neck once in a while. We talked, but not about the assassins, not about our pasts, nor our futures, just talked. I think I've learned to like talking more than listening.

Once Duo's homework was finished, we crawled into our bunks after changing into our sleep clothes. I heard Duo mumble something then the shuffling of blankets, and silence. He must have been pretty tired. I laid back, pulling the covers up to my chin, and had dreams filled with worry, concern, and hope for tomorrow morning.

The next morning I learned that my dreams of hope were vain, for in the short time that I had fallen asleep, the short time that I couldn't keep an eye on Duo and make sure he wasn't going to get hurt, they took him away from me. I don't know how, or why anyone would want to keep hurting Duo like that, hurting me like that. It was a war. I struggle for peace, and Duo was being used as a tool. It was all my fault. I should have gone silently, at least then Duo wouldn't have to be involved in this. I would go back to that horrible land and live the life I hated, the life I had lived for the past fifteen years. I was a fool to think that I would be able to love someone, and that they would be with me forever. I only cause pain. I am merely a tool for leadership, and my humanity would be forsaken in the name of Relena Peacecraft.

So here I am now, sitting on my bed, looking out the window, hot tears sliding down my cheeks and dripping onto the paper that they left on Duo's pillow. Security had done nothing, nobody had heard anything. However, I held the truth in my hands. I'm not going to bother telling Trowa or Wufei, or even the people that run the orphanage. I will not go to the interview they have scheduled for me. I have mission, and as soon as that mission is complete I am going to kill myself. I will end the mystery in my life, and the misery I have caused in the lives of others. It's not a game anymore.

"Heero Yuy, heir to the throne of Rippa Na Tatemono,

I'm sure you remember us. We were sent on a mission to retrieve you from this island by orders of Relena Peacecraft, our devoted Queen. However, since you've refused to take the responsibilities of acting in an orderly manner and becoming King of our nation as the Queen orders you to, we have no choice but to take drastic measures. We have your friend, Duo Maxwell with us, at the same alley that we found you by yesterday. If you are not hear by 9:00 this morning, ready to take your place as Queen Relena's husband and King, your friend, Duo Maxwell, will be destroyed. Either way, you are still coming with us, and there will be no way out of it this time. You may think you have power, but we assure you, you will have much greater power once you become Kind of the nation.

PS: Don't be a fool."

To be concluded