"Shadows of The Past" Pg 20

Disclaimer/Notes: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of it's wonderful character, they are owned by some rich guy.
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Everyone began to mount as the suns hung in the early sky. Duo helped Heero mount in front of him, as Heero settled Duo wrapped his arm around the small waist pressing the young man close o his chest. Heero leant back into the embrace but it some how felt different to Duo. He knew exactly what was wrong but he wasn't going to say anything in front of everyone. Milliardo and Wufei mounted easily proving that in this short period of time everything between them had changed. Trowa and Quatre knew it as second nature to ride together.

As they rode they began to pick up the pace wanting to get to the spring as soon as possible. They didn't want to run into any more trouble. Only Duo knew it wouldn't be that easy to get there quickly and not run into any trouble along the way.

Entering the valley they came across the trouble Duo was waiting fro. Ahead of them stood three lines deep of men wearing armor. The six riders brought their horses to a halt.

"What's going on?" Wufei asked.

"A battle is to take place here," Milliardo replied drawing on his knowledge from being the King's advisor.

"Are you telling me we've gotten ourselves in the middle of a battle?" Duo asked his voice high.

"Only if we stay here much longer," Milliardo answered looking around for some kind of cover.

"Over there in the trees," Trowa said as if reading the older ones mind.

"Yes I think that is the best we can do."

Everyone rode over quickly putting the horses behind the few trees while they climbed inside. Taking several high strong branches they saw Callidonia's army sitting at an angle to the invading army.

Heero sat one branch up and to the left of Milliardo, while Quatre and Trowa sat on two branches even with each other on the tree to their right. Wufei sat on the branch under Heero's. They all used the tree as leverage to keep their seats while Duo practically just sat in the air near Heero.

As the battle began the suns sat directly over head. The men below roared out battle cries as they cut other soldiers down. The clanking of swords was deafening as the two armies clashed. Blood soaked the battlefield as more men fell.

"I did not know the country was at war," Quatre said watching the clash.

"It was not when we left the castle. It must have come true," Milliardo answered.

"What?"

"The King feared a war between us and our neighbors, Matorlos."

"Who could have guesses an army would invade in the fall?" Trowa thought out loud.

"How long have we been traveling, it still cannot be fall," Duo wondered.

"No, I believe the seasons will change here very soon." Milliardo replied.

"Change to what?" Quatre asked.

"Dead of winter."

"It had not felt a bit colder then when we began so how can you say we are entering the dead of winter?" Trowa asked.

"We have been traveling hard these past four months, we did not notice the change. But can't you feel the air changing and growing colder quickly?"

"They all lost," Heero's voice was very soft and deeply mournful. Everyone turned and looked at him in surprise, then to the battlefield where it was drawing to a close. Bodies on both sides lay practically piled on each other. It looked that Callidonia had won but their numbers had been reduced greatly. Reaching over Milliardo gently took hold of Heero's hand causing the boy to turn and look at him.

"Yes war is not beneficial to anyone," the mage said softly knowing how Heero felt. Everyone watched the exchange before a deep voice startled them.

"Hey what are you doing up there?"

"Um staying out of the way," Duo said quickly settling on a branch.

"Get down here now, are you spies," the man below ordered.

The six travelers climbed down the trees to be surrounded by some of Callidonia's army. Suddenly a quick moving mass of fur knocked several men off their feet as it ran over to stand in front of Heero growling. Heero's hand unconsciously pet her back as she faced off with what she perceived as a threat.

Milliardo stepped forward his voice clear, "General you will release us to leave."

"Says who pretty boy?"

Wufei growled in his throat about to take a step forward before Milliardo's hand stopped him. "You ruler, King Treize. I am his most trusted advisor and you are in the way of me finishing my job."

The general seemed taken back a moment, but recovered quickly, "Right and I'm a mage."

Moments later several younger officers approached on of them gapping. "Sir Milliardo, what are you doing here?"

"Who did you call him?" the general demanded.

"Why this is Sir Milliardo, the King's number one advisor. I had heard he had been sent on a mission for his Highness."

The general turned several shades of green at the news he was hearing. Milliardo felt a smile grace his lips.

"General we will need supplies before we can continue our journey," Milliardo said his voice calm but with a hint of control over the other man.

The general looked at him realizing he had been caught, "All right, Private see to them. Come men let's check the wounded."

"Yes sir," the private bowed leading the seven toward the tents. "So the rumors are true. Should I report you are well?"

"Yes, tell his Majesty everything is fine."

"Is it true the Prince is with you?"

Milliardo stopped in mid-stride surprised by the question. Everyone else stopped as well wondering where the private could have heard it.

"I'm sorry did my question surprise you, it wasn't meant seriously. From what I hear the Prince is meeting possible brides."

Everyone inwardly sighed but Duo watched Heero's face fall at the idea.

"You seem to know a lot," Milliardo observed of the young man.

"It's not hard when your parents are a member of the royal court."

"Lady Catherine and Lord Philip?"

"Yes, you know them?"

"Lord Philip and I have spoken often. I only see Lady Catherine in passing."

"Yes when King Treize ordered us to go to battle they both came to see me off."

"How long has the war been going on?"

"Since about two months ago when a village was attacked on the border."

"Alan come help me," someone a few tents down called.

"Take whatever supplies you need, if you will excuse me," Alan bowed politely.

"Of course and thank you," Milliardo replied as the young man ran off to help his friend.

Entering the supply tent they packed their sacks with needed supplies then took a few extra things that might come in handy later on. Leaving the tent a commotion attracted their attention. Several men had gathered around two who seemed to be going at it.

"We should get out of here, let's get the horses and move on, the spring can't be more then a week away," Milliardo advised starting to head back toward the horses.

"Hey it's blondie!" a voice cut through the shouts. Milliardo stopped a moment recognizing the voice. He continued to walk before an object met the back of his had sending him to the ground. Everyone stopped and Wufei was instantly by his side.

"Just like when we were kids, he always needed someone to protect him," the voice sneered.

Milliardo's five companions turned to see a large ugly man had spoken the words. Wufei was about to charge him when a hand gripped his arm. Looking over Milliardo shook his head before standing up.

"I could have you killed, but I will let it go this time," the mage said straightening his hair.

"Oh yes run back to your protector you wimp," the man snarled ignoring the glares he was receiving from the five standing around the blonde.

"You are a waste of my time and effort."

"You little bastard, to bad your daddy wasn't around to teach you anything," the man replied venomously before charging at him. He surprised the group tackling the mage causing his head to bounce off the ground. "Well I guess I will have to."

His fist connected with Milliardo's jaw before something pounded into the back of his head driving him unconscious. Wufei kicked him off Milliardo while the rock Heero held tumbled to the ground. Wufei moved quickly pulling Milliardo to his feet and leading the group toward the cluster of trees. Duo squeezed Heero's hand as he held the shaking boy close.

Everyone mounted only this time Wufei sat behind Milliardo as Trowa and Quatre lifted the blonde on to the horse rest him against Wufei's chest. They rode out quickly leaving the army and it's men behind.

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They rode quietly for several miles before a low moan alerted them that Milliardo had finally regained consciousness. Wufei stopped his horse just as everyone else did. He felt Milliardo shift against his chest.

"You should have let me take him out," Wufei said his voice hard.

"I won't involve anyone in my childhood battles," Milliardo groaned trying to pick himself up from Wufei's chest.

"And look what you get for it, a damn black eye and your head bounced off the ground. If Heero hadn't done something, he would be dead now."

"Heero?" Milliardo sat up his eyes unfocusing for a moment. "What did he do?"

"Hit the big lug over the head with a rock," Trowa answered.

"It didn't kill him but it did render him unconscious," Quatre supplied.

"Yeah Wufei was reaching for his sword but Heero beat him to it, so to speak," Duo said trying not to laugh at his little joke.

"Are you okay?" Milliardo asked directing his question to Heero.

"He was hurting you... I had to stop him... his blood... I saw it..." Heero answered his voice low.

"Shit!" Milliardo jumped down from his and Wufei's horse almost stumbling but regaining his feet. Moving quickly beside where Duo held Heero he gently pulled the boy down into his arms. "He isn't dead you only wounded him. Like when I fell in the castle, remember?"

Heero nodded as he clung to Milliardo, he buried his face against Milliardo's chest.

"I know it worried you... he will be fine so don't let him worry you anymore." Milliardo spoke gently receiving a nod from Heero. He released the young prince looking down into those deep pools of blue.

"We should get moving and have your head looked at," Trowa advised.

"I'm fine but yes we should get going."

Duo helped Heero pull himself back onto their horse his arm slipping around the brunette's waist. Wufei pulled up beside where Milliardo stood and offering his hand, he pulled the blond up to sit in front of him. Milliardo turned to him surprised but Wufei's look told him not to question the youth. Wufei looked over Milliardo's shoulder as they followed the path toward their destination, the Spring of Eternity.

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