"Shadows of The Past" Pg 25

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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Heero felt the warm soft breeze as they appeared in the field of green grass. Duo wandered over to a large tree, plopping down in its shade. Kieandra curled up just out of the shades reach basking in the suns rays. Heero sat down next to Duo pulling his legs to his chest. Duo slipped his arm around Heero's hunched shoulders, pulling him close.

"Is there something on your mind Heero?" he asked gently allowing his fingers to play with a few strands of Heero's wild hair.

"It's just that.... who was that person you were talking about?" he blurted out before burying his head in his folded arms.

"What?" Duo asked confused. His fingers gently stroked Heero's exposed neck, calming the Prince down.

"That person you cared for?" Heero replied his head unmoving.

"Oh." Duo knew exactly what Heero was asking. "Well actually I care about a lot of people, but I think you're referring to something else."

Duo's grip on Heero's shoulders tightened, he had a general idea what the young man was going to do. "To be totally honest I care for this guy who can't seem to see the signs I've been giving him. But maybe he's new to the game, so I decided to let him approach me. I'm sure glad you did."

Heero looked up startled, his body pulling away only Duo's hand stopped him. Heero's voice was soft and small when he finally spoke, "But... why..."

Duo smiled at Heero's reaction, the large eyes drew him in, "I don't think I can give you a why, all I know is that is happened."

"Do you regret it?" Heero asked again laying his chin on his folded hands over his knees.

"Why the hell would I?" Duo asked moving to kneel in front of him.

"Because I will have to marry some woman."

"Who says you have to marry?"

"It's my duty! I hate this!" Heero cried again burying his head.

Duo looked at the spiky hair realizing the truth about only how close they could get. Then his mind reminded him of Milliardo and Heero's father. 'His father must have suffered the same problems upon coming of age and to the throne. So he had asked Milliardo to be his aid to keep him close. He still loved him, probably still does but his duty split them apart. Why would he let Heero suffer the same as he himself did?' Reaching out he pulled Heero into his arms. "Oh Heero."

The young Prince collapsed against him silent tears wetting his cheeks. He didn't want anyone else, he never would, but he couldn't have him. Pulling his head from Duo's chest he looked into warm violet eyes, leaning forward he sloppily kissed his lips. Duo returned the kiss pulling Heero as close as possible. As the kiss broke Duo could hear silent sobs from the young man he held.

Sitting back down beside him, Duo pulled Heero into his lap allowing the Prince to lay against him. His fingers gently combed through the wild brown hair. 'Stronger... soon you will grow much stronger. I think I'm going to have to talk with Milliardo.'

"What's happening now?" Heero's tearful voice asked breaking Duo's thoughts.

"At the moment I'm holding you," Duo answered.

Heero let out a soft chuckle hitting Duo's arm, "That's not what I meant."

"Oh you mean... well according to the woman claiming to be my real mother, our real journey is just beginning."

"Who?" Heero asked looking surprised.

"Well I was visited by a woman who claimed to be my birth mother. She said she is our spiritual guide, similar to Wufei but for a different aspect of our journey."

"Do you believe it?"

"Actually I'm not sure; I mean she abandoned me when I was just a baby. I've learned not to trust apparitions even if they claim to be a blood relation."

"What are you going to do?"

"Since she's only going to talk to me, I'll listen but that doesn't mean I have to follow. I believe that in the end all will be revealed, so whoever she is..."

"We will know the truth," Heero supplied.

"Exactly. I believe our true objective it to find the one who wants to destroy the world and stop them."

"How do we do that?" Heero asked pulling slightly away from Duo's chest.

"I'm not sure I guess we'll have to wait and see," was his reply.

"Should we get back to the others and make sure they are fine?" Heero asked showing his concern for everyone else.

"They are okay, I think I'd rather just stay here with you alone, if that's okay with you," Duo replied wrapping his arms around Heero's waist. Heero looked at him a moment then lay back against his chest sighing.

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Milliardo looked over to see Quatre curled up in Trowa's arms as the blonde slept comfortably. The brunette laid his head against the blonde's his eyes closed. Milliardo looked over at Wufei who was adding a new log to the fire. Wufei turned on his heels his eyes locking with Milliardo's. Walking over Wufei sat down beside the long haired blonde. Reaching over he cupped the older man's chin and turned his head to face him. His dark eyes searched the blonde's lighter ones, just before pulling him into a deep kiss. Milliardo broke the kiss looking over at the two on the other side of the camp. Wufei chuckled at Milliardo's reaction, then moved to kneel in his eyesight.

"It doesn't matter what they think," he said softly again taking Milliardo's lips in a kiss. He slipped his tongue easily inside the blonde's mouth enjoying the sensation and warmth of the cavern. Milliardo moaned softly losing his mind in the kiss. Wufei pulled away but only a few inches, "What are you thinking about?"

Milliardo breathed deeply several time before speaking, "I'm worried about Heero, I'm afraid of just what will happen in the end."

"You know his situation is opposite of your past one," Wufei noted his eyes closely watching him.

"How...?"

"You loved a King and couldn't have him, he loves a commoner and truly can't have him," Wufei explained.

"I don't know what's going to happen; I just don't want to see him get hurt in the end."

"I don't think destiny will allow it..." Wufei started then closed his mouth.

"What? What else were you going to say?" Milliardo asked pulling further away from the youth.

"I was just going to say that destiny seems to want them together, otherwise they would not be near each other," Wufei explained.

"Maybe..." Milliardo conceded.

"I guess as Trowa said, we'll just have to wait and see what happens," Wufei suggested, again cupping Milliardo's chin. Leaning forward he kissed the blonde again. "I could taste you all day long."

Milliardo's eyes widened at the comment. "We should probably get some sleep. I have a feeling when Duo and Heero get back we'll be leaving."

Wufei sat down against the large tree trunk behind them and then pulled Milliardo close to him. The blonde laid his head against Wufei's shoulder as they bother slipped off to sleep.

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Duo gently kissed Heero's forehead, waking the young man sleeping in his arms. "Time to wake up," he whispered as Heero's eyes fluttered open.

"Morning?" Heero asked sleepily.

"Yep, time to get going," Duo answered letting go so that Heero could get up.

Heero didn't move as he looked out over the lush grass which stood in contrast to the dying grass of reality then he looked back at Duo. "I really like it here, the rules don't apply."

"Yes," Duo agreed squeezing him gently. "If only..."

"I know we have to go back," Heero said finally standing up. "Maybe I just need to grow up and become the person I'm supposed to be."

Duo looked at him before rising, "Don't... don't do that... don't change, you are perfect for your country and people..."

"But I love a man! That can't happen, I am supposed to love a woman," Heero protested stepping away from the tree and Duo.

Duo watched him startled by the intense words and the feelings behind them. He wasn't sure what to say in reply if there was even anything he could.

"I won't be like him! I won't hurt two people like he does!"

"Of course you won't, destiny and fate believe in you," Duo finally said.

Heero stopped dead in his tracks at the words. "Destiny... Fate..."

"They are what drew us together. Their must be a reason, they must believe in you greatly."

Heero looked at Duo a smirk playing on his lips. He suddenly ran toward the braided youth, stealing a kiss, his arms wrapping around Duo's neck. At first Duo stiffened, surprised, then he melted into the kiss his arms sliding around Heero's waist to the pull prince closer. Duo finally broke the kiss pulling back slightly.

"Change your mind about us?" He asked looking into the endless blue of Heero's eyes.

"Maybe... um when did we become an us?" Heero replied biting his lower like which grabbed Duo's attention.

"Oh the moment you admitted you love me," Duo replied with a half smile just before claiming Heero's lips again. He again broke the contact. "We should probably get back."

Heero nodded his hand clinging tightly to Duo's shirt while he waved the other to call Kieandra over. She approached them purring happily.

The three disappeared from the field to reappear in the now sunlit forest. Approaching the camp Duo took Heero's hand before actually stepping foot inside. He watched Quatre and Trowa snuggle, while Milliardo slept in Wufei's embrace. He didn't want to wake them but he knew he had to.

"Rise and shine!" he called loudly but also cheerfully. The four stirred almost immediately at the call. "We're moving out. South right?"

Quatre rubbed his eyes trying to wake his brain into full function. Trowa stretched behind him, his back popping comfortably. Milliardo sat up brushing his long sliver blonde hair from his face as Wufei only leaned forward so that he could wrap his arm around the older man's waist.

"How is it you are so alert and cheerful?" The black haired guide asked before rubbing the bridge of his nose with his free hand.

"Always been that way, especially when I'm happy," Duo replied causing Milliardo to look up. The blonde watched Duo's hand gently squeeze the one it held, Heero's. He sighed softly Wufei the only one noticing it.

He leaned closer his mouth beside the blonde's ear. "What is it?"

"Look," Milliardo replied softly, looking down at the arm wrapped firmly around him.

Wufei looked up at Duo and Heero, seeing their fingers intertwined. He let a smile grace his lips. "I see. Yes I believe that is good for us all."

"Come on guys don't be so slow!" Duo called to the four still sitting on the ground. "I think tonight we should stay at an inn, much more comfortable."

"Okay, just give us a few minutes," Quatre replied pulling himself to his feet. "How do you know well come to a village by night fall?"

Duo pulled Heero over to their horse, Kieandra following, he decided to let Heero mount fist making it easier on him. He climbed on behind the prince, sliding his arms on either side of him to take the reins. He smiled loving the feel of the prince sitting against him. 'No one is going to take you away from me again!' Duo swore even if he and the Gods were the only one to hear it, he knew destiny and fate would see it his way.

The others mounted several moments later, riding as usual. They finally left the camp heading south, heading for the real journey's beginning and the trials that lay in wait. Milliardo looked at the two before taking pace side the other mages, "Oh Duo will make sure it happens."

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