"Shadows of The Past" Pg 27

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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Duo pulled one of the new shirts he had bought over his head. Looking over he watched Heero tie the sash around the new sleeved robe that showed his slender frame. Cobalt eyes looked over to meet violet before he blushed warmly. Pushing his hair behind his shoulder his voice was high and soft. How do I look?


Duo answered closing the distance between them. Heero let a smile grace his lips before he grabbed his cape and brushed past Duo. Duo's hand snapped out taking Heero's arm, stopping the prince who looked like a princess.


Come on they are probably waiting on us downstairs, Heero answered looking away. Duo smiled softly before pulling the young man to his body.


Oh they can wait a bit longer, Duo offered cupping Heero's chin only the prince twisted out of his grip and moved to the door.


Heero looked over his shoulder before slipping out of the room knowing Duo would be right behind. Stepping off the last step Heero could feel all the eyes in the room turn to him. A moment later Duo's possessive comforting arm was around his waist. Duo steered him toward the door and out of the inn where the other would be waiting.


We wondered how long it was going to take, Quatre spoke up handing Duo the reins of his horse.


Gosh who knew mages were comedians! Duo kidded allowing Heero to mount before mounting himself behind the disguised prince. Come on lets get out of here, all of a sudden I have a bad feeling about this place.


Dup turned their horse the direction they had been headed, the others following his lead. Riding from the village and small market his feeling of danger began to grow. Wrapping his arm a bit tighter around Heero he focused on the feeling and where it could be coming from. Suddenly a form appeared before them spooking the horses and their rides. Luckily they could keep control of the animals to keep from being thrown.


A young woman stood before them before collapsing to the ground, her legs folded under her. Duo dismounted at the same time Milliardo did, leaving Heero on the horse he slowly approached the dark haired woman.


her voice called halting their steps. If you touch me you'll die. Just listen before I lose the ability to speak.


Duo was about to open his mouth then decided against it, he only nodded.


My name is Hilde; I worked for the being trying to destroy the world. He killed the only man I could ever love, so I tried to kill him. For that he has cursed me with this slow death. I know who you really are, I could tell you. First let me tell you his plan, he wants to wake the being inside him, take control of It' and use It' to destroy the world and gain immortality and godlike power. You will meet him soon, he will come for your lives, her words stopped as she took several breaths. I'm sorry we ever awoke him from his imprisoned slumber. Please forgive me for my selfish acts.


Duo's eyes saddened, he could sense the pain she was suffering inside, When will he come?


When winter finally gives way to spring, she replied. He believes the new season should bring about the new world.


Thank you, die in peace now and join your love, Duo answered before she melted into dust and was carried away on the breeze.


Do we trust her? Trowa asked as the two remounted.


I will, Duo answered. He had cursed her to a slow painful death. I could sense her sorrow and pain.


Spring is almost upon us, we should prepare for the battle, Quatre suggested.


Yes, the season's change is close, another month I say, Milliardo agreed.


Duo looked around that sense of dread still there, looking at his companions he realized something horrible was going to happen. Something none of them would be prepared for. Shifting slightly he turned his horse East.


Uh, where you going Duo? Milliardo asked.


I think we should go this way, Duo answered nudging his horse forward.


Why do you say that? Quatre wondered.


Just a feeling.


The others followed closely behind Duo and Heero's horse, not sure really just what they should expect since that girl's appearance and her words.

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Uh Duo I've been thinking, Quatre said as he leaned back against Trowa the flame's glow dancing off his face.


Duo wondered as he sat opposite the pair Heero's head lying in his lap as Kieandra was curled up beside the sleeping prince.


Well about if It' awoke, who would have It's' power?


The power is all Heero's; the question is who would control Heero.


What if he controlled himself? Milliardo asked his head resting against Wufei's chest between the two pairs.


At that point it would be all up to Heero.


So if It' does awake, we wouldn't be in as much trouble if the choice was up to Heero, Trowa thought out loud.


No, I don't think so; I think his feelings would save us then.


Also, Hilde had said they awakened him from his imprisoned slumber... I don't quite understand that one, Quatre said raising another question they all had been thinking about.


I've been thinking about that one myself and I'm not sure what to make of it. What about you Milliardo?


Before the long haired mage could answer a deep voice spoke. Father imprisoned a powerful mage because he planned to try and kill the royal family. He had been discovered telling another man of his plans, otherwise he might have succeeded.

Everyone looked at Heero baffled; the young prince's eyes were still closed as if he were still sleeping. Duo gently shook Heero's shoulders, cobalt eyes finally opened as a yawn escaped his lips. Uh Heero did you just say something? Duo asked.


I'm sorry, Heero answered sitting up causing Kieandra to stir. He cast his eyes away from everyone. I knew I shouldn't have been there but I was looking for you Milliardo. I overheard my father sentencing the man, and his crime.


What don't you know? Milliardo asked smiling at the young man.


Why you never told me you were a White Mage or how to sneak out without getting caught, Heero answered finally looking up.


Milliardo laughed lightly at the response. I see, so all those times you looked like you weren't paying attention you were listening quite closely.

Heero nodded before speaking again. Since the mage was so powerful father had him put into an eternal slumber and his powers had been sealed away.


Well at least we know now what we're dealing with, Duo said sliding his arm around Heero's waist, missing the young man's warmth.


Yes, now we need to figure out how to defeat him, Quatre said in response.





Duo you said your power was strong. Well what if we merged it with the power sleeping inside Heero? Trowa asked.


Knowing the great consequences that would bring I'm not even going to think about it.





Why don't we get some rest and think about it, we have a month to figure it out, Wufei suggested. The others agreed before getting comfortable. Sleep seemed a welcome calm for them all as the impending nightmare was drawing closer to them.


a soft voice called out pulling him from his sleep. Violet eyes opened to see the apparition claiming to be his mother in the flames of the fire.





Duo I must tell you, you are losing time. The season's change will be to soon.


What do you mean? He whispered as not wake the others.

I wanted to warn you, this year winter will lose her hold faster. Please be careful and be ready to choose.





Choose the path you will take, sacrifices will be made, she said just before disappearing from the flames.


Duo knew he wasn't getting another wink of sleep that night, he still wasn't sure he could trust her words. Looking at the party he had been traveling with since the late summer, his feelings of dread returned. Sacrifices?'

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Duo's horse came to a stop as he sensed a presence near them. Looking over he watched a young man slowly push himself away from a large tree, his dark brown eyes easily recognizable. I was sent here to try and kill you, but I don't think I will. In fact I'm going to warn you, he is about ready to move against you.



Why would you betray such a being? Quatre asked as Trowa held him a bit tighter.



Because I've known all along that what we were doing was wrong and bad. They wouldn't listen though.



Who are they? Heero asked surprising the rest of his party.


A group of us had gotten together often, usually we just complained. Then one day a man approached us about a way to do something. We were foolish to agree and now there are not many of us left. He had killed most of them himself. Thank you for what you did for Hilde, my sister. One more thing before I die, I feel you must know this, you are a God... the young man answered before he collapsed to the ground his brown eyes lifeless.


Who was he speaking to? Wufei asked softly.


I'm not sure, I do know we have a problem though... Duo replied.


What's that? Quatre wondered.




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