"Shadows of The Past" Pg 26

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 arms wrapped around a waist securing the body, while driving the horse at the same time. Violet eyes watched the spiky hair blow in the cool wind and the road in front of them. A soft smile kept him contented as he felt the warmth from the body lying against him. Suddenly he grunted breaking his concentration. Damn town isn't for another day! I refuse to sleep on the ground one more time, his soft warm voice exclaimed.


Well how are we going to make it? It's almost night, Quatre wondered.


Duo replied drawing on his power.


Duo stop playing with the world around us! Milliardo exclaimed from behind Wufei.


Duo replied eyes wide.


You know exactly what! Milliardo answered no letting him get away with it.


You're no fun Milliardo! I hate sleeping on the ground though!


So sleep in a tree, Trowa compromised calmly.


Ew! That bark is so ruff, he continued to complain.


Then sleep on me, Heero said suddenly. Everyone looked at the brunette. Duo's mouth opened and closed several times.


I think not! Milliardo answered gruffly. Heero you are royalty remember that.


Heero looked away his eyes cast on the ground. Duo gently tightened his grip a moment then loosened it. Nice suggestion but I don't think your caretaker would advise that. I'll just stick with the ground.


Heero kept his head to the side, his sky blue eyes focused on the ground. Milliardo watched with some amazement that he looked more disappointed then embarrassed. Feeling a nudge against his side he looked down to meet pitch black eyes.

Duo's arm squeezed Heero gently hoping to consul the young man who spoke up for himself only to be shot down. Duo's mind processed just what Heero had implied, or if he even knew whether he was implying something at all.


Do you understand why he said that? Duo asked softly.


Heero finally looked from the ground to meet violet eyes. He gave a simple nod his face shading a bit at the admission. Duo's face lit up at the action a smile growing on his own face. So innocent, hasn't anyone ever talked to him at all.' Duo wondered looking into the soft blue eyes.


Heero's voice asked softly.


Huh... oh nothing, I was just thinking.


Lets stop here, sorry we couldn't make it to town Duo, Quatre broke into their conversation.


Oh it's okay, but this is the last time we sleep out doors, Duo replied smiling.


Okay, we'll remember that, Milliardo said helping Wufei to dismount then dismounted himself.


Quatre dismounted as Heero slipped from Duo's grip and off their horse. Trowa jumped down landing at the same time Duo did. They tied their horses to a nearby tear setting up blankets to sleep in. Collecting a small pile of short branches they started a fire to keep the cold night air at bay.


Trowa curled up with Quatre in their blanket, falling asleep easily. Milliardo laid down beside Wufei, his arm slipping around the young mans waist. Duo pulled Heero close under their blanket, while Kieandra curled up on the other side of the prince.

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I told you we were missing out on real food! Duo exclaimed walking out of the small pub in the two they came across earlier that day.


Yeah I could almost agree with you, Quatre said with a hidden laugh.


Duo's arm pulled out as the hand he held moved away. Long brown hair tickled his arm as the other person looked around. What is it?


Heero exclaimed watching people buy, sell, and trade in the town's small market.


Yeah that's what they are. Come on, Duo said gently pulling the dazzled young man, who looked like a young woman, to his side. This allowed him to slips his arm around the thin waist.


Milliardo knew Heero would enjoy visiting this town, larger then most villages but not a big as the marketplace outside of the castle. He smiled seeing the curiosity and wander in the crystal blue eyes.


Suddenly a man fell against the pair surprising them. All three tumbled to the ground. Duo reached out toward Heero when the man collapsed on the prince.


Ooh let me taste! he said his voice a drunken slur. Duo grabbed his shoulders yanking him off Heero and tossing him to the ground.


Don't touch her! he growled looked at the drunk before slipping his arm back around Heero's waist and helping the youth back on to his feet.


Whoa didn't know she was taken, the drunk said still sitting on the ground, his arms coming up in defense. You are one lucky man!


Duo looked at him a moment. I'm on possessive lucky man, don't touch her or you won't have fingers to drink with.


The guy's eyes widened his whole body trembling. He tried to get to his feet quickly, only to stumble around finally getting up, he rushed back the way he had come.


His five companions stared at him speechless, Heero trembled in his grip. Duo looked his him his eyes and features softening. He held Heero close to calm the youth down. He looked back at the others a moment before smiling softly at them.


You realize he could have friends, Milliardo offered watching the pair closely.


He won't be bothering us anymore, trust me, Duo replied his arm secure around Heero's waist.


We should probably leave soon, Quatre suggested.


No let's stay the night here. If we leave now we'll end up sleeping on the ground again, Duo whined.


Everyone else looked at him before sighing. They knew it was a lost cause to argue with him, he would trick them in the end.


I'll make the reservations, Milliardo asserted heading toward the three story inn called, Sleepers Shack. Entering he noticed a lot of men sitting around the tables gambling their lives away. Going up to the large man pouring a drink he began to talk to him.


Three rooms please, he asked setting his purse on the counter in front of him. The man's eyes drifted to the sound it created when landing on the wood.


You advertise for higher rates, the man said.


Well like it matters to me, Milliardo answered shrugging his shoulders. The man on the other side eyed him before looking around the room.

Who are you with? he asked his eyes drifting.


What does that matter? Milliardo answered picking up the small bag. We can go somewhere else.


No... no it doesn't matter, three rooms you said?


Milliardo nodded causing his long hair to fall over one of his shoulders. The man watched the hair with rapt fascination before reaching out thick fingers toward it. Suddenly his hand was knocked away by a hard slap. He looked over to see fierce black eyes watching him closely, while a sword dangled from a thin waist.


His eyes watched the young man as he moved closer to the other, who seemed a tad surprised. The blonde finally broke his thoughts. How much?


Right... that will be 80 pounds, he answered his eyes again focused on the soft blonde hair. He heard the money clink against the counter before him.


he asked his voice soft.


Second floor rooms 211, 212, and 213... before he could say another word the two turned and left through the swinging doors.


I can't believe you almost let him touch your hair, Wufei demanded as they stepped outside to where the others were waiting.


What's up? Duo asked catching the last of what Wufei has said.


I got us three rooms, Milliardo answered ignoring Wufei's tone of voice.


Really, I thought you would've gotten four, Duo replied smiling lightly.


Price to high for that.


Well since we have some daylight left why don't we go look around the shops? Quatre offered looking at Heero who nodded.


All right, we might come across something important, Milliardo agreed seeing a smile grace Heero's lips.


They started down the street toward the shops where people were buying and selling. Heero pulled Duo to one of the small shop fronts causing the others to stop.


What is it? Duo asked seeing the jewels, most of them fake recreations. His eyes drifted over the jewels coming to rest on a couple of small pedants with blood red stones in them. He pointed them out before speaking to the man standing on the other side. Sir what are those?


The man looked to where he pointed then shrugged, Jewels, nothing special."

I'll take them, 20 pounds for them both, Duo replied reaching for his purse. Letting go of Heero's hand he counted out the money.


All right, the man replied collection them from the stand. Duo dumped the coins in his hands then took the two items dropping them in his purse and putting it away.


Taking Heero's hand again he looked at the brunette, See something you want?


Heero looked at the stand a moment then shook his head, I was just curious.


Duo smiled softly before turning him away from the shop to join the others. Why don't we split up and just browse, meet back at the inn later, he suggested.


The others agreed before heading off in pairs, Quatre and Trowa, Milliardo and Wufei. Duo watched Heero absorb everything around him, taking everything into memory. He truly hasn't been around common people?' Duo realized watching the young prince. I think that's all he really needed was to see the real world, not the one through that crystal.'


Suddenly a movement caught his attention, focusing he saw a girl disappearing into the shadows. Could she have recognized us? Of course she doesn't have to be with those who wait to destroy the world.' He realized his thoughts were instantly, thinking the worst.


Soon night began to fall causing the shop keepers to close up for the day. Duo pulled Heero back toward the inn where they were staying for the night. Come on you're white mage will get worried, Duo kidded of the old blonde who had taken care of Heero.


Heero looked at him a moment then frowned. Milliardo is a good man.


I know, I was only teasing.

Wufei slipped his arm between Milliardo's and the mage's body. His voice was low when he finally spoke, I can't believe you were going to let him put his slimy hands on your hair.


What does it matter really? Milliardo wondered not really caring about his hair.


No one... Wufei stopped his sentence realize what he was about to say, he was not going to turn into that damn king.


Milliardo asked looking over to the young Winter Dragon.


Never mind, I would just think you wouldn't want your hair to get greasy with his liquor touch.


Thanks I guess that's true, although I think I'm going to take a nice bath at the inn.


Mind if I join you? Wufei asked nonchalant as he looked a several warm looking flowers. Picking one he presented it before the blonde who blushed then smiled. He put a coin in the girls hand before continuing down the street. Milliardo held the beautiful flower as he walked beside the young man, watching the people around him. He remembered the trips to make for his mother, meeting Treize because of them.


he finally answered Wufei's question knowing the true impact of both. He felt a tingle spread through him at the idea, it had been so long since he had been intimate with anyone.


Their walk had taken them past many shapes, circling them back toward the inn they were staying at. Finally coming to stand before it. In the late evening light they saw Duo and Heero coming their way along with Quatre and Trowa with them.


Quatre held Trowa's hand firmly as they silently made their way past the shops most of the products of little value to them. Not seeing anything they decided to head back knowing the real reason for the suggestion was for Heero.


Several feet a head of them they spotted the long train of brown hair. Hurrying they caught up with the pair.

Yeah we were just heading back, Duo said answering Quatre's question.


We'll just walk with you, Quatre replied smiling.


Oh I want to give you both something, Duo said reaching for his purse.





He pulled out the two pedants offering each of them one. They looked at them a moment then took them.


What are these for? Trowa asked.


They will intensify you natural powers, I think they will come in real handy in the end, Duo answered. You wear them.


Why don't you use them? Quatre wondered.


Don't really need them but thanks. My power is pretty strong by itself.


The two looked at him them clipped them to the clothes they were wearing.


I think we should get some new clothes, Duo suggested seeing the perfect place to get them. Leading the way inside a young woman perked up at their entrance.


Could we get some new garments from you ma'am? Duo asked giving her a smile. She nodded pulling out her stock for them to browse through.


After about fifteen minutes they walked from the shop carrying quite a bundle with them. Walking back to the inn they spotted Milliardo and Wufei. Going inside they ignored all the eyes watching them as they went upstairs to their rooms. Duo gave some of his bundle to the other two before disappearing into the room Heero had entered.


The mage and swordsman looked at the clothes before allowing themselves a small smile. He actually hadn't chosen to bad, all things considered. Milliardo grabbed one of the new things Duo had gotten him then left to go find the baths; they were usually in a room off the back. He hadn't realized Wufei had left to follow him.


He stripped out of the dirty clothes he had been wearing, finding them gross and smelly. Climbing inside the hot water he relaxed only to feel a pair of hands grip his shoulders then travel down around his neck and across his chest. A soft breath fluttered across his ear.


I told you I would be joining you.

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