Still a lil' short, but I hope you like.
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and all related characters do not belong
to me.
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Dangerous Dreams - Chapter Six
Duo leant against the inside stable wall, watching me with his ever-curious eyes as I mucked out the mess the horses made. He didn't seem to mind the smell, or that some of the dirt even rubbed off on me at all, but rather looked at the whole process as if it were a religious ceremony of some sort. He stood simply and silent, following every one of my arm movements, again and again.
It was a little unsettling, to say the least. I wasn't used to this kind of attention at all. I tried not to stop and stare back at him, or blush or do something stupid, like fall over into the... let's not think about that.
But instead of all that, I continued digging the shovel into the brown muck, throwing it aside into the cart. Thin sheets of sweat started forming on my forehead from the hot rays of light that shone through the cracks, yet somehow Duo's gaze burned even more.
Finally, I set my shovel aside, at which he simply cocked his head slightly.
I smiled self-consciously, "Haven't you ever seen anyone muck out the stables before?"
He shook his head absently. His hair wasn't wild and unruly anymore, but tied into a neat braid that reached the end of his back. His skin was still slightly dirty, but at least he wore clean clothes that were about a size or two too big for him. He was as thin as a stick, and I can tell you that he wasn't meant to be that way. He probably hadn't had a proper meal until this afternoon, when we introduced him to Hilde.
Hilde wasn't worried at all about sneaking an unknown boy into the castle grounds, but fussed over him, making sure he got all the food he'd ever want. She seemed to like him a lot, which erased at least one worry from my mind. What people will often tell me is that I worry too much, but I think that that is impossible.
One thing I have noticed in the day that I have learned to know Duo is that... he's very curious - about everything. Everything around him seemed new and strange, and sometimes even confusing. He was even surprised at seeing me take a leak! As if it was the most uncommon event that he has ever witnessed in his life.
But then, there is the question of his violet eyes... Shinigami's eyes. Shinigami's magic. I used to be taught to stay away from it, as it would only bring misfortune and death. But I couldn't stay away from Duo. Perhaps... he was just a poor orphan baby, unlucky enough to be born with such eye colour, and his parents abandoned him in fear. But was there more to him, after all? He seemed to suggest that there was.
I sighed inwardly. There was just so much mystery shrouding this boy, and yet I felt a glimmer of familiarity when I looked at him. It felt as if I had met him before...
I shook my head out of these wild train of thoughts, before they got too confusing for even me to understand. I went to cart away the smelly mess, and returned finding Duo still in the same place.
"Why didn't you ever name him?" he suddenly shot out.
"Huh?" I replied dumbly, then realised what he was talking about. "Oh, Nanashi... It had occurred to me - it seems the most obvious thing to do, but..." I sighed tiredly, "He told me that he'd rather re-earn it, than simply be given it."
"Then we'll let him," Duo replied, half-smiling, half-grinning. He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear absently, "So, what are you going to do now? Clean some more?"
"That's mostly all I do," I replied dryly. His smile only brightened. Not wanting to be under his studying gaze any longer, I swiftly picked up the shovel again, and placed it back in the shed outside. There, I saw Nanashi and Hilde talking quietly, but the strong features of seriousness and worry were written over both of their faces.
Whatever it was, it had to be big for even Nanashi to show this amount of emotion. For a second I contemplated sneaking into earshot and 'overhearing' their conversation, but the matter was decided for me, as the two broke up in two directions, and my companion headed straight for me.
"What is it?" I asked automatically.
"Prince Milliardo is ill... and the healers can't help him."
"They... can't?" I repeated, not sure of what he meant.
"They say it's the curse," A flash of fear crossed his green eyes, as his voice lowered into a whisper. "Shinigami's curse."
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