"Shadows of The Past" Pg 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of it's wonderful character, they are owned by some rich guy.
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The two young men appeared in the courtyard dressed as they were before, completely covered, their hoods hiding their faces. Treize and his wife appeared on the steps speaking to each other in a conversation that have begun a while ago.

"I had them checked out. It will be fine," Treize told her.

"I am just worried," Lady replied.

"I know," Treize sighed ending the conversation.

He turned to a boy who stood at the bottom of the steps, "Fetch the horses."

"Yes your Majesty," the boy said running off toward the stables. He soon returned with four beautiful stallions following behind him. One of all white, one of all brown, one of all black, and one of white with brown spots. Two belonged to Quatre and Trowa.

"Your horses sir," the boy said to Trowa handing him the reins of the white stallion, and the brown stallion.

"What's the extra horse for?" Trowa asked.

"My sons servant. He will be going to," Treize replied.

"But..." Quatre spoke softly.

"He will be going. I command it," Treize said sharply.

"Yes your Highness," they both answered and bowed.

Heero appeared behind his parents with Kienadra on one side and Milliardo on the other. His parents turned and looked at them. Without a word Heero walked down the steps in a large white robe. Mounting his horse, the white one with brown spots, he pulled the hood over his head concealing his face. Kienadra stood waiting by the horses legs. Milliardo walked past the royal parents also silent. He mounted his horse, also pulling the hood of the black robe he wore over his head. Quatre and Trowa both mounted quickly. Leading the way out of the courtyard and castle, they rode at a trot.

Looking about him Heero noticed the busy streets as people shouted at one another. Some claiming they had been robbed or the deal was sour. Some overly happy with their new prospects. Heero wanted to feel a great joy as he rode through them, as he was mingling with the people he wanted to be. Only looking back toward the castle a heavy weight sat on his heart. They were sending him away. They were telling him to leave. They didn't want him anymore. He felt no joy as he rode away from his home.

Suddenly a shout caught their attention.

"Thief, stop!"

Turning Trowa saw a boy run into a dark ally. A vibration ran through his soul. 'Is he? Maybe.'

They continued on leaving the thief to the palace guards. Once they reached the outside wall, both Quatre and Trowa removed their hood revealing themselves to Milliardo and Heero. Milliardo also removed his hood. Heero left his just where it was not even reaching for it.

"Why are you with us?" Trowa asked Milliardo.

"Because the king wants me to watch over his son like I always have," Milliardo replied simply.

"We could have handled that. We are magicians of light," Trowa snapped.

"As am I," Milliardo answered calmly.

"But you wear black," Quatre wondered.

"I am mourning," Milliardo replied.

"I'm sorry," Quatre spoke deeply.

"Why?" Heero suddenly barked.

Milliardo turned to the boy he raised, "Heero?"

Heero stopped his horse causing the others to stop. Quatre and Trowa turned to face him. Heero jumped from his saddle. Taking a few steps he found Kienadra in front of him blocking his path.

"Move!" he barked again.

She stood still, remaining in the way.

"Why?" Heero could feel the icy tears returning.

'You must be my brave little man,' echoed in his head.

Milliardo hopped from his horse and walked over to the boy.

"Heero," he said pulling him close, "please listen to me. This was hard on both of them. Letting you leave was the hardest thing they have ever done. This will be for the better."

"Better? How?" Heero could feel the icy cold liquid escape.

"Heero this is your chance. Take it, you can see them in person instead of dreaming them up," Milliardo replied.

"Chance? Chance to be with the common people?" Heero stammered.

"Yes. Now please remount." Milliardo smiled.

Heero returned to his horse, with Kienadra right behind him, and remounted. Milliardo did the same. Quatre and Trowa watched them rather perplexed by what Milliardo had said.

"Are you okay?" Quatre asked the prince softly.

"Yes." He nodded.

They continued on their ride a soft breeze blowing into them. As day became night Heero turned to Milliardo who he was riding next to.

"You're a magician of light?" Heero asked suddenly.

Milliardo turned to him a bit surprised by the question. Upon regaining his composer he replied, "Yes I am."

"How come you never told me?" Heero wondered.

"You never asked," Milliardo replied with a smile.

"I never thought to," Heero remarked looking at his saddle.

"It's alright. There's a lot about me you don't know," Milliardo soothed touching Heero's arm gently.

"Like what?" Heero became curious.

"Oh just stuff you needn't worry about, simple stuff," Milliardo answered brushing it away. "Wait!"

Milliardo stopped his horse.

"What? What is it?" Heero asked.

"Do you feel that... that presence?" Milliardo asked Trowa and Quatre.

For a moment they sat silent, Kienadra stood beside Heero's horse protectively; she too sensed the unfamiliar presence.

"You're right. I do feel it." Quatre nodded his agreement. "Only it does not seem evil."

"Heero get on my horse," Milliardo ordered.

"But I can..." Heero began to protest.

"Don't argue with me, do it," Milliardo said pulling up beside him.

Heero sullenly climbed over behind Milliardo. Milliardo took hold of the reins of Heero's stead. Looking around he suddenly caught site of a figure in the shadows.

"Over there," he told Trowa and Quatre.

"Come out!" Trowa called out.

The figure moved slowly coming into the fading light of day. It was a boy he wore rags.

"May I ask for some coins, so that I may eat?" he asked gently.

"Our House will feed you if you would like to come with us. It's about a mile down this road," Quatre offered.

The boy stood a moment and thought. Looking at each of them, his eyes lingered on Heero a bit longer then the others. Finally he spoke, "Alright."

Heero was about to get back on his horse when Milliardo spoke.

"Would you like to use this horse?" he offered. Heero looked at him more then surprised but Milliardo just ignored him.

"Is it alright?" the boy wondered looking at the tigrdo.

"Perfectly. I insist. She won't bite you she will be walking beside us anyway." Milliardo smiled.

The boy nodded, stepping around Kienadra he mounted the horse. Heero couldn't believe his eyes. Kienadra walked around to the other side of Milliardo's horse where Heero was now siting.

"Don't," Milliardo suddenly said to Heero, as he was about to open his mouth. The other three turned and looked at them, Heero turned away and looked at the trees.

Just after the first of the four moons was completely showing off the horizon, they entered the Chapter House's yard. The stranger dismounted, then turned to offer help to Heero. Heero was more then shocked, but before he could say anything Milliardo's horse bucked. It sent, the unprepared, Heero flying. He found himself cradled in the arms of the stranger. Milliardo quickly dismounted, turning to see what had happened to Heero.

"Thank you... You may put me down now," Heero tried to speak through the lump that had formed in his throat.

"You're welcome," the stranger whispered still holding Heero.

Quatre and Trowa dismounted watching the two boys intently. Suddenly Trowa again felt a vibration in his soul. 'This had to mean something.'

"All right if you all would come inside," Trowa finally spoke up.

The stranger set Heero on the feet and followed the two magicians into the temple. Milliardo rushed over to Heero.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I think so," Heero choked.

"I don't know what would have made that horse buck like that," Milliardo wondered.

"It's fine. Let's go inside," Heero replied reassuringly.

Milliardo followed him in his mind still on the incident. 'Who is this boy and what is he up to?' Milliardo wondered to himself. Kienadra walked closely beside Heero's leg.

Upon entering the temple everyone Heero say wore a white robe like Quatre and Trowa. Quatre appeared before him with the boy they had met on the road.

"Dinner will be ready soon," Quatre told him with a smile. "Let me show you to your rooms."

"Okay." Heero nodded.

Quatre turned to the boy, "We never caught your name."

"I never caught yours," the boy replied.

"Oh, well I am Quatre. The tall man who was with us earlier was Trowa," Quatre replied.

"I am Milliardo and this is Heero," Milliardo said gesturing toward Heero.

"My name is Duo," the boy told them.

"Duo will you be staying with us for awhile?" Quatre asked him.

"I do not want to impose upon you or your generous temple," Duo answered.

"You would not be imposing. We are here to help anyone in need," Quatre replied gently.

"Can I give you an answer later?" Duo asked.

"Certainly, we are in no hurry. Let's go," Quatre replied with a smile.

Turning he walked toward an archway closed off by two large wooden double doors. Milliardo and Heero, side by side, followed behind Quatre with Kienadra next to him. Duo took in step directly behind Heero. Once the doors were open Quatre showed them a room that seemed larger then it was because of the high ceiling. In the center of the room was a long square table with several chairs. Duo, who stood next to Kienadra, let out a low whistle. Heero turned his eyes looking at him. He examined the boy closely.

Duo's features were soft, his skin was a light but tan color. His violet eyes danced as they examined the room. A long braid flowed down his back; his hair was a brown tint. Again Heero noted the rags that Duo wore. They covered his body but only barely. They would do nothing to keep the cold out and the heat in. Suddenly the violet eyes were staring into his cobalt blue ones. Heero quickly looked away.

"This is where we will eat. Now let me show you to your rooms," Quatre told them.

Heading back the way they came they began mounting a large staircase. Kienadra walked next to her master. Once at the top Quatre turned and walked down a long hallway. Stopping at the first door Quatre pointed.

"Here is your room Heero," he said.

"I would like the one right here." Milliardo pointed at the one across the hall. "If it's not to much trouble."

"Alright..." Quatre thought a moment. "I think that would be fine. Duo if you stay you can have the one two doors down on Heero's side."

"Thank you," Duo replied.

"You are welcome. I think dinner is ready. Shall we go eat?" Quatre asked them.

"I will be down in a minute," Heero spoke turning toward his room.

"Alright. Well let's go," Quatre said trying to smile.

Milliardo reluctantly followed the two young men. Looking back at Heero's fallen face.

Heero stood facing the door as the three people disappeared down the stairs. Turning the knob gently he opened the door. As the door opened it allowed Heero to see his room without entering. Right in the middle of the room against the back wall was a large four-post bed that lay hidden behind deep blue drapes. Both on its right and left were two small tables, each with one drawer. On one of the tables sat a never lit candle, the other lay empty. Moonlight flooded the room through a large window covered with blue tinted sheer curtains. On the wall opposite the window a large dresser sat flush against it. On the final wall opposite the bed a desk sat. Covered with cow paper, bird feather pens, and jars of octoputile ink.

Heero entered the room leaving the door open behind him. Kienadra followed him in. Walking over to the bed, he parted the drapes and sat on the fully made bed. His shoulders sagged as his mind wondered back to his home. He still didn't understand why they sent him away. Was it because of his questions? He felt more then lost, it was an intense pain of not belonging and loneliness. Kienadra laid herself near Heero only not on top of him, knowing he needed the space.

Lost in his thoughts Heero didn't see a figure enter his room. Only when the bed creaked under the new weight did he realize he was not alone. Looking up his eyes connected with a pair of violet ones.

"Heero? Are you coming to eat?" Duo asked softly taking Heero's hand.

Heero tried to jerk it free but Duo only grasped it tighter.

"Duo? What are you doing?" Heero asked dumbfounded.

Duo leaned in close to Heero's face, "Checking on you. So come on before the foods gone."

Getting up Duo pulled a surprised Heero to him. His face breaking out in a large grin, he clutched the boy in his arms. Kienadra sat up quickly from her spot at the end of the bed on the floor, watching them. Heero tried to free himself but to no avail. Duo unexpectedly let him go. Then taking his hand again. He pulled Heero from the room and down the stairs. Kienadra followed quickly behind them. Just before they reached the open dining hall Duo let go and entered alone. Heero slowly entered the room looking at the now full table save two chairs. Duo promptly sat in one leaving the other for Heero. Heero sat an empty plate lay in front of him. Kienadra sat behind his seat against the wall.

Milliardo watched Heero closely from his seat. He knew what Heero was expecting but the boy adapted will as he began to dish food onto his plate from the bowls in the center of the table. They ate the meal in a total silence.

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