"Shadows of The Past" Pg 9

Disclaimer/Notes: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of it's wonderful character, they are owned by some rich guy. ~Dreams~
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Heero slowly made his way down the stairs with Kieandra close at his heels. His eyes searched for life as he came to the last step. Kieandra rounded the railing in front of him leading the way to the dining hall. Heero followed her in to see Trowa and Quatre standing over several plates.

"It is dinner time right?" he asked quietly startling both boys as they jumped.

"Yes it is. Sit down we were about to come and get everyone," Quatre answered setting a plate of food in front of Heero.

Several moments later Duo came bouncing into the room, "Oh I see you made it on your own." He took a seat as Quatre set a plate down onto the table. "Looks good there Quatre!"

Quatre looked at him a moment then smiled.

With in minutes the last person they were waiting on appeared taking an empty seat. "Sorry I was caught up in something."

"That's fine. Lets eat before it gets cold," Quatre said setting the plate down in front of Milliardo and taking a seat beside Trowa.

Dinner went smoothly as barely anyone talked during the whole meal. As soon as it was finished excuses flew to allow people to leave quickly.

"I'm going to bed," Duo yawned.

"I have to finish something." Milliardo bowed.

"I'm tired," Heero reported, "and Kieandra ate to much."

Everyone left the hall leaving Trowa and Quatre alone to do cleanup this evening. After completing that task they to retired to their room.

~*~*~*~*~

Trowa curled up beside Quatre putting his arm around the blonde's waist. A sigh escaped Quatre's lips as they both fell into a deep sleep.

~ Trowa sat beneath a large tree looking out over a shadowed land. The tree seemed to grow around him it's limbs reaching out far into the sky covering him in dark shadows. His eyes focused on a figure standing far away alone in the middle of the field that stretched out before him endlessly. Suddenly a form knelt beside him. Trowa crawled back into the tree as a voice spoke to him.

"See that, that's death. Soon everything around him will die. Unless you give him to our protector." The voice was deep and heavy, carrying lots of weight... weight that no one should have to carry.

"Your protector? Who are you? Where am I? What the hell is going on?" Trowa found himself asking his mouth moving rapidly.

"The one with the long braid can tell you everything." The voice continued in its heavy tone.

"Duo?"

Suddenly the land sifted from beneath him, his body never leaving the ground but it had changed. Looking back out into the field everything was now dead. People's bodies lay unmoving. The trees were gone as just large piles of ashes lay where they stood before. The field was a barren wasteland with thousands of bodies. It was then that a blonde came into view not far from where Trowa now stood.

"Quatre..." he called out stopped by that same hypnotic voice.

"Give him to our protector or this will happen."

Tears streamed down Trowa's face as people he knew lay dead on the dead countryside. ~

Trowa shot up in bed tears streaming down his face as his breathing came in hard grasps. Quatre awake from the sudden movements and sat up beside his lover to see the tears.

"Trowa what's wrong?" Quatre asked concern heavy in his voice. His arms wrapped around his lovers shaking body.

"Duo is the one... my dream..." Trowa sobbed into Quatre's shoulder.

"Dream? What dream?" Quatre implored gently.

With a voice broken and heavy with tears Trowa told Quatre of his dream. This caused the gentle blonde to tighten his grip on his now fragile lover. His own face stained with tears but he tried so hard to keep control for Trowa's sake. Lying back down he pulled Trowa down with him. Gently petting and soothing the youth in his arms Quatre was finally able to get Trowa to go back to sleep. Accomplishing this he too soon found sleep a great comfort.

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Duo's eye rolled open in recognition that Trowa had finally learned the truth. He wondered how the youths would take this news. Would they accept it or try and deny it? He hoped it hadn't been too painful on the young mage. He didn't want to hurt anyone he just wanted to do his job. The job he had been given at birth. Even through he was young childhood he knew he was destined for something great. Maybe that's why he didn't worry so much in anything he did. Only now he began to worry over these feelings that were coming to him. He had never felt like this since Savahanna had dies. He hoped he could handle it.

Then a realization came to him. With these feelings on his side he could do a better job because he would not want to see Heero harmed which he didn't. He was going to do everything in his power to protect the boy his heart was growing close to. Another thought crossed his mind. How was Heero going to take off of this?

The time was drawing near for Duo to tell them everything and then to leave. They would soon be out on the road leaving this place behind. He wasn't sure if the mages would be joining then but he knew Milliardo and Kieandra would.

Allowing his eyes to close he fell back into a deep sleep thinking about the tousle haired prince.

~*~*~*~*~

Morning rose with the large two suns. Bodies rolled in beds, wishing it gone. To all their silent prayers the suns continued to rise. Five weary bodies pulled themselves out of bed. Most unsure of why they felt so tired.

Trowa stumbled into the bathroom seeing his tear streaked face in a mirror. Suddenly his dream rushed back to him. His body collapsed as a scream left his lips. Quatre bolted from the dresser, half dressed. Running over to his lover's crying form. Three more bodies appeared in the doorway eyes wide with shock.

"What happened?" Milliardo asked the first to speak.

'The dream... oh god... what the hell did you do?' Duo silently cursed his creator.

"Trowa calm down it was only a dream..." Quatre tried to sooth.

Suddenly red eyes darted up to look at Duo, "You... you..."

Broken sobs filled the silent air around them all. All eyes sifted between Trowa and Duo.

"I'm sorry... I don't know what you saw... but it must have been necessary," Duo sighed watching everyone else.

"What are you... talking about?" Milliardo asked staring at him.

"It's a long story, lets go sit and discuss it."

"You Demon!!!" Trowa spat his arms shaking and eyes still spouting tears.

"Demon?" Milliardo repeated grabbing Heero's wrist and pulling the boy behind him.

"Please don't judge or jump to conclusions," Duo again sighed.

"Milliardo?" Heero said trying to free his wrist. His voice was weak and barely heard he knew he was never going to be able to free himself.

"Trowa calm down, remember what you said last night... he's the one to save us all," Quatre tried to reason.

"Quatre... you understand," Duo pleaded.

"No I really don't but I will listen," Quatre answered looking up at him.

"At least that is something. Just listen to me please everyone."

"Fine but you stay away from Heero," Milliardo agreed.

"I can't do that permanently but I will for now. Trowa? Heero?" He asked looking at the two left to speak.

"Okay," Heero gulped.

"Fine." Trowa still sobbed.

Quatre helped his lover to his feet as everyone filled out and headed toward the study to listen to Duo.

Entering they filled every seat available, as the small couch was lost to Heero and Kieandra, who had joined them. That left Duo to stand or sit on the floor. He felt it fitting he stand to tell his story, the truth. Looking around the room he picked a time and place to begin his tale.

"I was raised an orphan by a beautiful, wonderful woman. She cared for me until her death for protecting me. When I was young I began to notice changes in my mind and body. At first I was greatly frightened. With the help of the man that killed my mother, I learned to control these powers I possess. I left him dead for what he had done. He wanted death that is why he trained me. I wandered, became a thief to survive, let my creator take me where he wanted. This is where he wanted me to be. I soon learned about Heero and why we met. In your dream did they, it, speak of 'their protector'?"

"Yes," Trowa squeaked.

"That is me, I am that person. I was sent here to save the world by protecting that soul and power." Duo pointed over at Heero who sat still and silent.

"Power?" Quatre asked startled.

"Yes, he holds a great power that is why he needs me. To keep it buried and hidden deep inside."

"Duo this makes no sense. Why you?"

Duo suddenly phased out and then reappeared standing beside the window, "Because my power is far stronger then most people of this world. It was I that read you then made you forget because of my mean trick when you tried to read me."

Quatre stared at him in shock.

"You still won't remember it unless I allow it to come back. I think that is about all you really need to know. Oh and that presence I had felt it too and stayed with Heero. He was the target we must leave here soon. Quatre and Trowa, as well as you Milliardo do no have to be involved in this anymore."

"If you think..." Milliardo began.

"I knew excluding you would do no good. You have sworn yourself to never leave Heero's side until your death for you love of..."

"Shut up!" Milliardo cut him off.

"Oops almost said to much, sorry."

"We will not be excluded either. This is our place to help," Quatre spoke for both of the mages.

"Alright, no point in asked Kieandra she'll not leave his side either."

"What about me?" Heero suddenly burst out. "Your talking like I'm not here. What about my feelings?"

Jumping up he stormed from the room before anyone could stop him. Kieandra was up and about to leave before Duo stopped her and everyone else.

"I'll get him it's my fault he is upset," Duo spoke disappearing leaving the other three alone.

~*~*~*~*~

"Heero you don't actually think you can get away from me?" Duo said appearing on the front steps his eyes focusing on Heero's back.

Heero continued to run heading toward the woods. Finally after being surrounded by trees he stopped to get some air into his lungs. As he stood there hunched over leaning against a large tree trunk Duo appeared in front of him.

"Demon!" he cried out.

"Heero listen to me," Duo pleaded.

It was then that the youth jerked away from the tree and began running again. Only a short while later he had to stop again. As soon as he saw Duo phase in he took off running again. This continued before the young prince collapsed to the ground heaving for air.

"I told you," Duo said now standing above him.

"Why are... you... doing this... to me?" Heero gulped and gasped at each word.

"Look you've gone and warn yourself out," Duo said ignoring the question. Kneeling before the youth he gently rubbed Heero's moving back. Heero at the contact flinched away about to scream. A hand suddenly clasped over his mouth silencing him.

"Shh... I hear someon..." Duo whispered into Heero's ear. Duo's eyes rolled shut as he searched the area with his mind. His grip became tighter on Heero, pulling the boy off the ground. It was then a loud explosion could be heard. Heero's eyes darted to look over at the House. Ripping Duo's hand from his face.

"Milliardo... Kienadra..." he screamed into the silence around him. Then his body fell limp in Duo's arms. Duo pulled the boy close to him cradling Heero's body.

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