"Shadows of The Past" Pg 22

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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Long blonde hair floated in the soft breezing whipping around a thoughtful soft face. The expression showed strong concentration while the features were set in stone. Long legs were folded at the knees and pressed against a powerful chest. Large but soft hands were used to hold them in place.

Milliardo wasn't sure just how long he had been sitting at there in the cluster of trees where he had found Heero. He did notice how considerably darker it was from before. Blinking he caught himself staring out at nothing, not focusing on any one thing around him. Laying his head against his knees he let his eyes drift close.

"Milliardo where are you?" a voice called out startling the blonde.

"Over here," he yelled to get whom ever is was attention. A figure appeared between a few of the large oak trees surrounding him. He knew almost immediately who it was, Wufei. The young man approached him his smile warm. He kneeled in front of the blonde cupping Milliardo's chin and leaning forward he captured the mage's lips. As the kiss deepened the sound of a snapping twig echoed in his head.

"How dare you... you boy!" a harsh voice split the air causing them to stop instantly. Both looked up to see ginger hair and dark possessive eyes. Suddenly Wufei was ripped from Milliardo's arms as a large hand grabbed a fist of his blonde hair.

"Treize?!"

"You are mine, you will always be mine," Treize's voice answered possessively.

Milliardo's soft blue eyes widened at the remark then watched Wufei struggle against two large men. He had to stop this before Treize did something he would regret.

"Treize stop! Stop this!" he yelled. Suddenly Treize's free hand reddened his cheek as it smacked his face. Recoiling back he fell against a large tree trunk, his hair being pulled against as Treize kept his grip. A movement caught his eye and he watched Wufei collapse to the ground holding his stomach. "No!"

Wufei was picked up off the ground only to be sent there again as another fist drove into hi stomach. Moments later not one did he fall to the ground but dark red liquid, spilled as well. Milliardo tried to free himself of Treize's grip, finally succeeding. Crawling over to Wufei he gently rolled the young man over. His hands becoming covered in Wufei's life force, his ruby red blood.

"Wufei?" Milliardo called out to the young man. "No!"

"Milliardo... I'm sorry... I couldn't... protect..." Wufei's sentence died with a low cough before his heart stopped beating.

"Wufei... no!"

"You are mine!" Treize voice cut in before his hand jerked Milliardo away from Wufei's body. Treize forced his lips upon Milliardo's, invading the younger man's mouth. Milliardo fought against his one time friend and lover, tears falling down his soft pale cheeks.

"Milliardo wake up! It's okay," a voice called startling him awake. His eyes flew open blearily meeting darker ones. His hands gripped his legs tighter. "Milliardo its okay... you were just having a dream."

"Wufei... no," Milliardo's voice cracked with pain.

"No what? What's wrong was your dream a nightmare?"

"He... killed you... no we can't be together... he won't allow it," Milliardo cried his arms trying to push him away. Wufei grabbed Milliardo's wrists holding them steadily.

"I won't let him touch you again... never again," Wufei assured the blonde holding his wrists tight to his chest. Letting go he wrapped his arms around Milliardo and pulled the mage close.

"Wufei..." Milliardo sobbed his hand buried against Wufei's shoulder.

"I've made it, come one lets go join the others." Wufei gently pet Milliardo's back. Lifting his head the mage wiped at the tears he had shed. "It's going to be perfectly fine and I will always be here to protect you."

Milliardo leaned forward capturing Wufei's lips in a surprise kiss. Wufei returned the kiss sliding his fingers through Milliardo's soft long hair. Finally they broke away from each other and stood up to join the others at their camp.

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The seven companions sat silently not sure just what to say or suggest.

"We probably should stay here one more night then head out in the morning. The question is where are we going?" Trowa finally threw out. Everyone turned and looked at Wufei.

"Not sure, they will tell me when they want me to know. I agree we should stay another night. Might know by tomorrow," Wufei answered to the looks.

"This it's settled, we stay another night," Duo made it official.

"Well everything is setup so it's won't be a problem," Quatre observed his arm motioning over the camp.

"Well why don't we find some dinner?" Milliardo offered.

"Sounds good to me, I'm starving," Duo agreed pulling himself to his feet.

"Why are we not surprised?" Trowa smirked. Duo gave him a sidelong glance then disappeared into some of the trees surrounding them.

After a short scavenger hunt they had enough meat for all of them. Using their fire they cooked it slowly trying to get it just the way they liked it. Finally they had the meat at a stage they all could agree on. The food was consumed quickly as everyone discovered just how hungry they really were.

"That was pretty good, sure filled me up," Duo said patting his stomach. Everyone laughed at the action, needing the wonderful release it provided. After finally settling down again they all decided a little private time to think was needed.

Quatre and Trowa curled up beside each other near the fire. Quatre laid his head under Trowa's chin while the brunette wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist. Both of them lost deep in thought and the comfort of the embrace.

Milliardo left the small camp going back to the place where Wufei had found him earlier. Wufei also left his path leading him exactly where he knew Milliardo would be. Sitting down beside the blonde he felt a head fall against his shoulder. His arm slipped around the mage's waist as they sat silently enjoying the feel of being pressed against each other.

Duo got up to leave heading in the opposite direction Milliardo went, as he took a step away from the fire he felt a hand grab his wrist. Turning he saw Heero sitting on the ground visibly trembling. Using his other hand he pulled the prince to his feet leading him away from the fire knowing Kieandra would be close behind. Sitting down in a tight cluster of tress Duo pulled Heero into his lap. Slipping his arm around Heero's waist he felt Heero's head lay against his chest.

"Don't worry, it's going to be work out," Duo assured the young prince.

"How can you be so sure?" Heero asked.

"Because the gods have sent the very best here to see that it works."

Heero buried his head a little deeper his voice muffled by Duo's shirt. "This is perfect I never want it to end."

"What?"

"Nothing..." Heero said turning away.

"No if you said what I thought I head then it was a lot more then nothing."

Heero's head snapped back, his face giving way to surprise, "I... I said... that... laying here with you... was... perfect and I didn't want it to ever end."

Duo's hand gently ran through Heero's mused hair then gently pressed Heero's head back to lie against his chest. "Rest, it will only end when you wish it to."

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Packing up they were getting ready to head out away from the Spring of Eternity.

"So Wufei where are we going?" Duo asked as he helped Heero to mount.

"The Forest of Languard," Wufei answered.

"God, why couldn't we do that while we were at the Mountains of Kandra? I mean we have to travel across the continent again!" Duo complained.

"Oh Duo stop complaining and get on your horse," Quatre remarked sternly.

"Oh fine!" Duo huffed pulling himself up behind Heero. "Well then lets get going, backtracking and all."

"Oh Duo!" Quatre sighed.

"What?"

"Let's go," Milliardo said ending the conversation.

Everyone moved out turning to go back the way they had come. Duo and Heero's horse followed behind the other two who paced side by side. Violet eyes watched his companions a moment before soft lips moved fluently but silently.

The suns moved over their heads as the road carried them back toward the northern countryside. As night began to fall over them everyone decided to stop for the night. As they settled for the evening Quatre looked around the spot they had choosen.

"You know I'd swear we've stayed here before but it was a lot further way then it feels we have traveled today," he noted sitting down by the fire.

"Yes I have the same feeling. Like we have traveled more miles then possible in one day," Trowa agreed with his lover.

"I've had that feeling all day, like we have traveled more days then it appears we have," Milliardo offered as he sat between where Heero and Wufei had both taken up seats.

"How odd we would all have these feelings now, but maybe that's just what they are, feelings," Trowa observed.

"Maybe..." Quatre hedged not as convinced. Milliardo didn't respond at all looking at Duo a moment.

"Let's get some sleep," Trowa said ending the debate and lying down to go to sleep. Quatre curled up beside the tall brunette. Trowa's arm curled around the blonde's waist as they fell into a calm sleep.

"Yes we all need some sleep," Milliardo agreed lying down on the soft ground. Wufei lay down behind him moving close enough to touch the mage.

Duo laid back against one of the large trees his head resting against the thick bark. He felt something warm curl up against him. Looking over his violet eyes fell upon a spiky brown mass. Then as he watched, Kieandra curled up almost on top of Heero providing the young prince with a living fur blanket. Closing his eyes he felt Heero drift off to sleep. Then sliding his arm around Heero's waist he did the same.

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