II
Haunted Palace


Her first night- whether from pure exhaustion or nostalgia, she knew not- was spent fondly dreaming away, curled against the crook of Duo's neck. Never had she known such wonderful slumber, such beautiful dreams. Tucked in the folds of his vast warm bed, Relena knew at last the peace most found in sleep.

In the nights to follow, Relena could be found patrolling the halls, stopping for minutes, to hours in the room of her choosing. From cuddling with Duo, to reading over Wufei's shoulder, the tiny kitten found herself welcome in every bed, regardless of the hour. She spent much of the night checking on each slumbering soul, pussyfooting from room to room, assuring herself that all was right, all was serene.

Something bad is coming. I can feel it. She paced back an forth along the ledge of Duo's window, pausing to glance into the snow, then continuing her vigil over the occupant of the room.

What do you mean? Duo asked, glancing up from book he read.

I don't know exactly. I just- I know it's out there, and it's coming.

Duo shrugged, returning partially to his book. We haven't had a mission since Sanc, even the other pilots have been somewhat free. If you ask me, things are starting to turn good. Though scarcely more than a week had passed since Relena had come to live with this small band of pilots, the inner workings of their lives were known to her. Every message from the Doctors on the colonies, every Gundam's diagnostics, every tiny emotion was made clear in those big indigo eyes.

That's just it- the calm before the storm. Keep your eyes open, Duo.

Before he could even begin to venture a remark, she slid through the slight opening in the door and into Wufei's room. Though in the beginning, he had met her with the most hostility, in this short time, Mab had grown incredibly on the solitary dragon. She hopped onto his bed, settling between his arm and chest with her tiny paws on his collarbone.

Worried about something? asked the calm rich voice so uniquely Wufei's.

She had to smile at that. Though not loved by death, the chinese man's intuition surprised even Relena at times. Without knowing who or what she was, without hearing a single word she uttered, he seemed to understand. Every movement, every look, he was the first, and often only, to pick up on it. It's coming, she said, knowing it was pointless to speak with him but feeling that to unburden herself with one who could not hear might lift the world from her shoulders. But as she leapt from the comfort of his warmth, she could have sworn she heard him whisper; Keep your eyes open.'

~o00o~

But Psyche, uplifting her finger,
Said- Sadly this star I mistrust-
Her pallor I strangely mistrust:
Oh, hasten!- oh, let us not linger!
Oh, fly!- let us fly!- for we must.'
In terror she spoke, letting sink her
Wings until they trailed in the dust-
In agony sobbed, letting sink her
Plumes till they trailed in the dust-
Till they sorrowfully trailed in the dust.

Heero shifted slightly beneath the dead weight of is koi, who had strewn himself atop him some time before. Sharing again a ballad of lost love and tormented angels, Duo had pacified himself with the steady feel of Heero's breathing beneath him, and the sound of his beating heart.

Something's wrong, isn't it?

Duo contemplated at first ignoring Heero. He would rather have listened to his deep calm voice read the lines of poetry so long forgotten- would have reveled in the sounds and scents of this love. He did not want to drudge up the subject hardly beyond the corners of all their minds.

Nothing's wrong, Heero.





Duo rolled off of Heero, sitting instead on the edge of his bed. Heero quickly drew himself into a sitting position behind Duo, snaking his strong arms around the other's waist. Resting his head on Duo's shoulder he asked again; What's wrong, Duo?

Duo let out a long sigh, he would have liked to believe it was nothing- but after Relena's worry, he found himself unable to deny it all. Don't you think it has been a little. . . quiet? Too quiet? He felt Heero fidget slightly, something he rarely allowed himself the luxuries of. Obviously, Heero had been thinking along the same lines.

he agreed hesitantly, knowing what this admittance might mean. I don't think we should worry, he added quickly. I think we've earned this little quiet- even if we both know it wont last.

You're right, said Duo with another small sigh. Suppose we should enjoy the silence, ne? They lied back down, Duo resting his head on Heero's chest while he ran his fingers through the long silky tresses of Duo's braid.

I replied- This is nothing but dreaming:
Let us on by this tremulous light,
Let us bathe in this crystalline light,
Its Sibyllic splendor is beaming
With Hope and in Beauty to-night:
See! it flickers up the sky through the night,
Ah, we safely may trust to its gleaming,
And be sure it will lead us aright-
We safely may trust to a gleaming
That cannot but guide us aright,
Since it flickers up to Heaven through the night.'

Thus I pacified Psyche and kissed her,
And tempted her out of her gloom-
And conquered her scruples and gloom;
And we passed to the end of the vista,
But were stopped by the door of a tomb-
By the door of a legended tomb;
And I said- What is written, sweet sister,
On the door of this legended tomb?'
She replied- Ulalume- Ulalume-

~o00o~

Has it been so long? When was it that the child I used to be, the innocent, beautiful child, became this- this monster? Have I abandoned my heart so long ago that I can not even remember her? That light-hearted radiant girl. . .

She stood before the long elegant panes of the window, as she had so many times before, only- it was different now- not the same window. Behind her, in the glass' reflection she could not see Guin, and Li, and her small, fragile brother. But they were not her family- not by blood. And blood- blood was what mattered these day, though not to her. Her own family- her blood, had not wanted her. They had been disgusted by her. Her eyes, her hair, her lips- all tiny reminders of just how she had been brought into this world. Unwanted, unloved.


((Till the yellow-haired young Eulalie became my smiling bride.))

You never loved me, mother. And now, you know what I have become- what you made me. No one will ever love me now.



She turned her eyes from the window, one hand still pressed firmly against the glass.

The delegation is preparing to leave, shall I?

You know what to do, ototo.

She watched from the window as the shadow of her little brother slipped past the door and into the night once again. A sad smile graced her thin painted lips, her dark eyes masking a sorrow all their own. When had they not been family- when had he ever known her to be anything but his sister, his caretaker? And when- when had he become the same as her? When had her veins polluted his own? They were all damned, she told herself. They were all monsters.

~o00o~

You're quiet tonight.

Dorothy did little more than blink in response. Her skin was sallow, and colder than usual- dark shadows played around her expressionless eyes, making her seem as though dead, perhaps- undead. These days since that fated night in the throne room, when Shinigami had wrapped his clammy hands around her lover's life-force, these days had not been kind to her. She slept little, if at all. Her appetite had been less than usual, every scent and sight of food made her nauseous now. Quiet, was a bit of an understatement.

You're not yourself,

Than who am I? her words left her with more of a tempestuous sting than she had intended, but she cared not. For what did the perfect killer care for wounded feelings? Who am I!?

~o00o~

Time passed. New Years had come and gone, with Heero's quiet composure, Duo's antics, Wufei's scowl, Trowa and Quatre's blessed seclusion and sunsets, and of course, Relena's fondness for it all. In Sanc, she had not known people to be anything other than enamored and obedient of her every word. They were not real- these politicians and moon-faced girls. She was their porcelain sovereign, high on her tiny pink pedestal. Had she ever known anything real in that sunlit peaceful kingdom? Had the peace even been real? Though dwelling on thoughts such as these only left her with abundant questions and an ever bigger headache, she could not help but think of her lost country.

The colonies, OZ, Romafeller- all had sent their officials to Upir, and all, thus far had been peaceful and only wishing to end this god forsaken war. Upir had been nothing but serene and beautiful- a saint. Doubts, once so resolved against her, began to fade within the hearts of the pilots- though all knew with Dorothy, lied some evil in Relena's far away home. Where that cold pale hand and long golden hair lingered, only death and battle would congregate. But what could they do? The doctors had told them directly not to waste their time when no proof of any allegation was brought to light. And though they all knew it- there was nothing to be done.

Late in the night, as January's cold still blazed through the air on the wings of this Winter's winds, a small harsh and rhythmic sound came rasping from within Quatre's laptop, left unattended amongst the half finished drawings on his desk. Several minutes swam by in the kitchen below before the dinning pilots identified this muffled sound to be that of an incoming mission.

Pilots 03, and 04 were to leave immediately for the Sanc Kingdom where a small party of representatives from Romafeller had gone missing. No infiltration was needed, just a simple gathering of information from several strategic points, and the destruction of an OZ base on the northern border. Nothing more, nothing less.

Funny, Duo thought somewhat absently. since when do the golden pacifist and the master of disguise get a *break in, blow up, and run for cover* mission? And why did Heero and I get that last undercover disaster? Though these thoughts perhaps warranted a deeper investigation, Duo was dwelling of a selfish gladness that this mission had not demanded the presence of Heero and himself. Wufei, also secretly grateful for more mission free peace and quiet, mumbled something resembling a farewell and good luck to Quatre and Trowa before retreating to his room, leaving the other four pilots to ponder this strange mix of assignments.

As long as we're not needed on the battlefield, said Heero with his soldier's mask in place, we'll keep you covered with what information we can from here.

Trowa nodded a simple thanks, but Quatre seemed anxious- wearing his worry plainly in his deep, dark eyes. Something's not right, he said quietly, locking eyes with Duo, having picked up on his own uneasy thoughts. you feel it too.

Duo agreed softly, letting his and Quatre's silent counterparts wonder without words as they continued to voice concern. I can't put my finger on it, but- there's defiantly more here than we're seeing. He wore a small smile, despite the cold mistrust in his violet eyes.

~o00o~

You were right to worry, Wufei whispered as his door swung shut behind him, drawing the attention of the tiny cat silhouetted on the window's ledge. you saw this coming.

I did.

Your words wont reach me, but I know your feelings, Mab.

I know. She leapt lightly from the window, nearing him slowly. There is nothing I can do- I am helpless to fight this battle for you.

If we are strong- if we are in the right, then we can win. He knelt, lowering a hand to stroke her soft fur with an unspoken comfort in his eyes. Give what guidance you can little spirit, and we can fight this war.

~o00o~

Duo sat silently in a rocking chair before one of the many tall windows of the small library. With his elbows on the sill, and his chin resting in his hands, he stared into the endless dark skies of this night. A tattered book lie abandoned in his lap, along with a slumbering honey-blond kitten.

Don't worry so much, it's an easy mission and they're more than capable-

I know, Duo cut in impatiently. This just isn't right. Quatre felt it too, there's something wrong in all this. He returned with obvious disinterest to the forgotten binding on his lap. Have you found anything?

Nothing to warrant any unease, Heero said from behind stacks of assorted books and the eerie glow of his laptop. He cast Duo a small smile before continuing. The delegation consisted of three high ranking individuals. Nicholas Robin, a politician known for his manipulation of public relations- Antonia Lexington, second in command of the current land mobile suit division, and Musashi Kino, your basic wealthy and powerful Romafeller minion. He paused, making sure Duo was still paying attention. They were scheduled to leave Sanc three days ago. They haven't contacted the foundation in more than a week, and Sanc is pertaining ignorance.

Some tiny ember of Heero's words hung in Duo's mind. Some small phrase had roused his memory, though it lie on the tip of his tongue, he could not draw it out. How long was the delegation in Sanc? He turned to face Heero, letting his book slip from his hands and onto the cold floor. Relena stirred slightly with his movements, but did not wake.

They arrived. . . His voice trailed off, a look of mild surprise playing in his eyes. a week after we did.

With suspicion, curiosity, and paranoia back ten-fold, Duo was on his feet. Startling the slumbering Relena from his lap, he began to pace along the length of the wall. It was all so familiar- too coincidental. Why was it all ringing a bell? He bit his bottom lip as his mind failed to connect the dots in a satisfactory way.

You said there was three of them? Seeing Heero nod, he continued to pace. And they were in the kingdom when we were- He spoke more to himself at this point, thinking perhaps if he talked it out, some vague link may appear. Heero, where were they staying?Duo waited impatiently before the window as Heero dug up the desired information. It was not long before Duo found himself standing behind Heero, with his hands on his shoulders. Patience, unfortunately, was not a virtue he had mastered.

All three were roomed in the west wing. What is it, Duo?

Did they have their meals alone?

Yes. You're onto something, aren't you?

He tightened his grasp on Heero's shoulders slightly. And they didn't attend their own banquet, did they?



Heero turned to face him. He might have been the perfect soldier, but sometimes Duo's instincts and senses, having grown up on the streets and interacting with the best and worst of people, were far more accurate. He raised an eyebrow slightly, quietly waiting for Duo to divulge what he knew.

Grey told me about them. He said they were demanding and had all sorts of odd requests. He was more than upset when they didn't go to the banquet. This is all connected, Heero. The foundation's representatives, the missions, Relena's assassination- I know it is.

~o00o~

I had almost forgotten how beautiful the Earth is. A tiny smile danced on Quatre's lips as he leaned slightly out the long gothic window. The quiet breeze and all the cents of the Earth twirled through the air- an air so new and fragrant breathing seemed something more wondrous than before. I think I missed these sunsets the most. There is nothing like this on the colonies. Nothing can rival this light as the sun illuminates the ocean where it meets the sky. I've never seen color like this. It's a timeless sort of perfection. I could never dream of duplicating this beauty with paints and pencils.

It's so much more beautiful when you describe it though, when you are part of the scene, Trowa whispered in his ear, sending a delicious shiver down his spine. Trowa's whispers always seemed to have that effect on him.

((Ah, less- less bright, The stars of the night))


My words could never hope to capture this, Quatre sighed, resting back into Trowa's waiting arms. This was the truest kind of beauty. The sun setting upon the waves, as strong arms encircled him, keeping him safe and secure. This was a beauty few ever possess. A thing so precious he would fight, and die for it. A thing called love. I should be more focused on our mission, he said regretfully after a moment's silence. instead of the sea.

It was hard to tear his eyes from the majestic sights beyond the opened window. Harder still to leave his koi's embrace- but there was a mission to be completed. As much as he wanted to savor the Earth's glorious sunsets, the little voice within his head knew there was work to be done, and would not give him a moments rest until an all too familiar phrase was spoken. Nimyuu kanryou.

It was an odd sort of mission for pilots 03, and 04- one who specialized in infiltration, and the other in diplomacy. Death and destruction were more Duo's forte. But orders were orders, and these ones belonged to them.

We should probably get some rest, Trowa said as he pulled the window's heavy shutters into place. tomorrow morning we'll survey the palace, and plan our attack.

Quatre gave a slight nod, though rest was something he knew to be illusive when his heart still played this tune of disquiet and unease. He failed to shake his doubts though Trowa's calm and steady words of assurance had comforted him as much as words were able. There was something, some shadow- some ember- some restless whisper which cried to him, this is not right-

~o00o~


Helpless.

Every fiber of her being shuddered violently as this feeling, and the frigid kiss of Winter washed over her. Helpless was not a thing she could afford to be anymore. There was still the sting of harsh words in her mouth, and the unmistakable breath of regret within her. Bast had been too close- there were blades in those ruby eyes which tore through her psyche like no earthy weapon could. There were unspoken words which said and understood every emotion and movement. She often found herself wondering how someone with no knowledge of her past could know her so completely. Why did those dark fiery eyes penetrate her so perfectly?

Dorothy could not remember a time when she had not had this feeling of venerability in the shadows of her heart. All her life she had been quiet, and detached. She had been the fragile child hiding behind her father's legs as he tried to introduce her to his comrades. When her father was killed, it was her grandfather- the Duke, who had twisted and poisoned the innocence and purity of that somber little girl. He bent her to his dark and selfish will- made her a tool for his own sadistic missions.

He made her believe she was incapable of love- that her worth, her only purpose was to complete the tasks he gave her. She was trained to use every recourse at her disposal. Her mind, her body- she was beautiful, dark and mysterious. No one could resist her. Not even Bast.

A small smile breathed across her frigid lips. A smile concealing her venom and casting a translucent sort of sincerity over her otherwise emotionless features. Standing there- motionless in her lover's gardens, in Winter's crying storm, Dorothy pressed her fingertips against her lips. The unfamiliar smile still clung there like honey on a midsummer's eve. Her heart reveled at the sensation of this smile, this honest portrayal of happiness. But all too soon, this serenity vanished- replaced by doubt and fear and anger. Was this in fact the thing called love?

Had her Grandfather failed his own mission? She closed her eyes, pressing the palms of her hands against her shielded irises. She had never wanted Bast to get this close- to be inside her. Slowly, her armour was cracking- tumbling down. She mused that perhaps some secret part of her had wanted this. She wanted to be free. Wanted Bast to set her free.

You'll catch your death out here, koneko.

Dorothy steadied herself before any signs of her startled tensing could be detected. This was the first time in years that someone had caught her off guard. Chiding herself quietly, she turned to face those bleeding eyes once more.

Surly that's not what you wanted. Bast wore a playful smile, though the cold bit and tore at the exposed skin with feral daggers.

You're not well, you shouldn't be out here.

Come inside, koneko. This storm is not so forgiving, and I would hate to see you weak as I am now. The smile remained but seemed somehow, unnatural. The frigid winds and straining movements were seemingly more than Bast could handle in this wounded state.

You shouldn't worry about me.

But I do.



Silence grew between them, threatening to shatter this moment like stained glass. Ruby eyes searched cloud-blue for timeless answers to unspoken questions. Those eyes seemed to see a world far greater than Dorothy did. Bast could find things such as hope and love and trust in Dorothy's glossy expressionless eyes- emotions others dared not even fathom within such a girl.

Koneko, you still don't understand do you? Any traces of that smile, forced or otherwise had disappeared completely. Please, come inside now.

With a simple nod, and lack of any spoken words, Dorothy abandoned the gardens and the storm. She allowed herself to be led back into the lush warmth of the inner chambers of the palace- but within her, Winter was fiercer and far more unforgiving than the cold of this storm.

~o00o~


Without the sounds of euphoric duets played upon violins and flutes, and the warm loving voices of those musicians, the house- however noisy and occupied, felt empty and all too quiet. Without the scents of meals cooking, and the unmistakable clamor of light hearted laughter this house was not a home.

In Quatre and Trowa's absence, the remaining pilots kept to themselves- whether withdrawn by nature or simply preoccupied it made no difference. Meals passed in silence as they picked at various sorts of take out or a hastily cooked dish of their own. Within days, the dull and unyielding quiet was driving Relena mad.

Still unable to shake the feeling of impending doom in the pit of her stomach, Relena found herself eager for a distraction no one seemed willing to provide. Wufei spent his time either with his nose in a book or his hands on his Gundam. Heero had taken to his laptop, typing away like a mad-man. And Duo- Duo was eerily silent. Relena often found him staring out one window or another, looking at nothing in particular, appearing astonishingly frail without his cheeky grin.

You can't keep pretending. I know you feel it too.

Duo had curled up in his favorite chair. With his knees under his chin he tried unsuccessfully to disappear within the soft folds of the lavish cushions. What exactly is it that you think I feel? he asked in an impatient sort of tone. Turning away from those big indigo eyes, he warped his arms around his knees and buried his face against the crook of his elbow.

You know what I'm talking about, Duo. Stop acting as though you don't.

With a long sigh, he raised his eyes to meet hers. You never give up, do you? With a ghost of his old smile, and another dramatic sigh, Duo was on his feet. Scooping Relena into his arms, he padded softly to his room where a discussion with the cat-princess might not be discovered. When the door was shut and secure Relena had at last the audience she desired.

Sanc is going to lure Romafeller into drawing first blood. If they appear helpless and attacked un-justly other countries will come to their aid.

And with the foundation defeated, OZ would have no one to back them. In the chaos, the people would turn to the Dove of Peace- the ruler of Sanc.

(Than the eyes of the radiant girl!)


She has them eating from the palm of her hand.

Duo began to pace. Seven steps- pivot, turn- seven steps- back and forth along the floor. We can't exactly call the authorities on her- what's the word of a Gundam pilot against the leader of a pacifist nation? Seven steps. . . Romafeller'll be pointing all kinds of fingers since their men disappeared, Pivot, turn. . . but that'll just be seen as another one of their underhanded battle tactics, Seven steps. . . their accusations against the Dove will push the national public to defend her. They see her just how she wants them to- fragile, venerable. They'll want nothing more than to protect her from the Foundation.

So, what do we do?

Duo stopped halfway across the floor. Then, without warning, he bolted from the room and down the hall without even a backwards glance.

~o00o~


Everything had gone according to plan, hours of surveillance had left Trowa with suitable information pertaining to the security of the target as well as the guard's rounds. And now, as the sun lingered slightly above the horizon, and the crickets began their lullaby to the night all he wanted was a hot cup of tea, and the warmth promised by Quatre's embrace.

After taking a long round about rout, so as not to be followed successfully back to the inn where they had been staying during the duration of their mission, Trowa slipped off his coat and slid his key into the old elaborate door.



Only silence, and the dying embers of the sun's beams against musty windows greeted him.

He reached to flip on a light, spilling the soft glow of the lamp across the barren floor. There was no sign him- no discarded coat or idle drawing left upon the table top. Nothing. Nothing but his own laptop sitting open on the night stand which read simply:

Trowa,

Iria was in an accident, her shuttle went down and they don't think she's going to pull through. I'm so sorry I had to leave like this, I'll come back as soon as I can.

Quatre.

It was so cold, so formal- nothing like the Quatre he had fallen in love with. Though concerned for Quatre, and caught off guard by the suddenness of his departure, Trowa knew what Iria meant to him. He had been closer to her than any of his other sisters. Trowa knew he could handle a mission of this caliber alone- Quatre had known that too, and so, his absence did not endanger their goals here. Aside from how much he wished he could be there to comfort Quatre through this, and the fact that he missed him already- Quatre's leaving had no affect on his current situation. Trowa would complete their mission, and then they could be together again.

~o00o~


Duo skid around the corner, running full-tilt into the small study where Heero sat, eyes glued to the screen of his quietly humming laptop.



Whether from the panic or sheer volume of Duo's voice, Heero's head snapped up- instantly at attention. Without giving him the chance to inquire as to why he was in such an alarmed state, Duo launched himself into the other pilots lap and proceeded to type rapidly at the keys of the small computer.

Heero, left somewhat speechless by the trepidation in Duo's eyes, as well as having the braided baka in his lap, waited patiently for an explanation Duo had better be willing to provide. Until then, he contented himself with resting his head against Duo's shoulder blade and trying not to think to much on what this all might be about.

Holy shit.