Standard Disclaimers apply: I don't own Gundam ~sigh~ wish I did... *cries really loudly* I love those
boys!!!
Parings: 1x2 3x4 5x?
Romance and Angst (gomen)
Please ignore my bad spelling and non-excitant grammar
Author's notes: AHHHHHH!!! Wow the death threats I got! *jeez* you people are evil. Did you
actually think I'd end this baby here, no way my friends we got a way to go yet ^_^! I's just like to
thank my Chapter 6 reviewers! Gomen if I had you worried: Tifa Leonhart, this onna want's to keep
her head ^_^ Bladefire thanks for the words of encouragement heheheheh... lora-helen can't believe
your still here jeez, must have no life... *smacked with stick* just kidding... Ryuu,
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!! At leat someone loves me. ask me who I am, is Gravitation not
the coolest anime ever *starry eyes* Yuki is soooo cute *SMASH* sorry T, AngelofDeath, thanks for
the death threat wow I got a lot of those. Balldandy, hehehehehehe *laughing nervously* don't worry I
could never kill Heero or Duo their just tooo cool. DuoandHeeroluver, jeez anther death threat, don't
worry you'll love this chap, you know I think this one is soo-" *SMACK* @_@ shutting up...
"LA-LI-HO!"
- Suchici, Gravitaion
Dedicated to a good friend who lives on the other side of the world... Love ya always Cas...
Angel With Metal Wings
Code Name 07 - Darkest Hour
250 stiches, 71 stapes, 3 feet of gauze and 20 butterfly bandages. They still didn't know if Duo would
make it through the night. Heero Yuy sat holding Duo's pale limp hand in his own."Why did you do it
Duo?" "Why? Was it me was it Relena what?" Heero scrubbed his eyes and looked at that pale
unmoving form. "I love you, I want you to wake so I can tell you that".
Heero would never forget the last few hours. They seemed as though they had happened in a past life.
Or to someone else. Not him. Shuddering Heero tried unsuccessfully to forget and move beyond what
had happened. He just couldn't forget...
After Relena's confession Heero had wasted no time in getting to Quarte's car. The small blonde had
wordlessly handed over the keys, seeing the look of sheer terror on Heero's face. Getting into the small
red sports car Heero floored the gas and headed recklessly towards home. Somehow he knew Duo
would head there. The rain comming down in torrents, making driving extremely dangerous and
foolhardy. Heero didn't care he had to get to Duo.
It was the longest ride of his life, the gas pedal floored and the rain pouring. Heero swived suddenly as
oncoming headlights approached to close. Barley missing a telephone pole, he continued to race into
the night. Finally arriving at home, his assumptions proved correct as a black motorcycle was carelessly
left in the driveway on it's side. "Don't let me be to late..." Heero whispered as he hurried to the front
door. The white door was ajar, he could just make out dark hand prints that could only be blood.
Hurrying inside, the tall man flipped on the lights. Freezing Heero felt his blood turn cold. On the floor
stalk against the cream carpet were bloody footprints. The prints led down the hall towards the
bathroom. From the look of the dark blood, Heero could tell that Duo had lost a considerably amount
of it, also from the way the footprints seemed to weave every ware. The red hand prints on the wall,
showed were he had stopped to rest briefly.
Wasting no more time Heero ran to the bathroom. Once more Heero went into shock. On the tiled
floor sat his angel, arms bare. A long slit split the flesh the length of his forearm ending at the wrist. The
bleeding was sluggish and slow, as Duo's life dwindled away. Choking back a sob Heero tore off his
coat and wrapped the small figure tightly in it to stop the bleeding. Lifting the fragile angel from the floor,
Heero cradled the assassin trying not to look at the dark pool on the floor.
Hurrying to the car Heero tried vainly to get some sort of response out of the pale unmoving man. Still
talking Heero gently set Duo in the passenger seat before getting himself in. Hands shook violently as he
tried to get the keys in the ignition. Finally fitting the keys in Heero once more gunned the engine, ripped
off down the highway. "Come on Duo don't leave me..." 20 minutes. 20 of the longest minutes in Heero
Yuy's life, it took them that long to get back to the hospital. Parking outside the emergency door Heero
quickly gathered Duo in his arms and ran for the entrance.
"Help me!" Heero yelled, the blood from Duo already soaking his clean borrowed shirt. "Oh God help
me please he's going to die!" A team of nurses and doctors came hurrying in with a gurney. Heero
gently laid Duo on the clean white sheets as the doctors hurried away. Heero vaguely heard the head
doctor asking him questions, who was he? What was his relation to the patient? Had he done this
before? Heero ignored them and tried to follow Duo into surgery. The nurses shooed him out to the
waiting room.
He waited on one of those cold plastic chairs head in hands. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei stopped by to
tell him how sorry they were. Angry Heero looked up, "Why didn't you stop her?!" he demanded. The
three men refused to look him in the eye. Shaking with rage Heero continued, "Why didn't you stop
him?! He- if you had seen.... so much blood". Heero couldn't go on, the lump in his throat was to large.
He refused to cry, there would be time later to weep now he had to be strong... for Duo. Quatre,
Trowa and Wufei tried to comfort their friend, but the blue eyed man would have none of it. Sadly the
three men left, hearts and minds heavy. More then one life had been shattered tonight.
After the three men returned home, Relena put in her appearance. Heero looked at her coldly as she
took a seat near him. "Heero I..." Heero stood and moved a few seats away. Relena shocked followed
him. "I just wanted to protect you." Relena reached out to touch his arm. Yanking the appendage out of
her grasp, Heero continued to ignore her. "I mean he's totally worthless after all. I mean wh-" Relena
got no further as Heero's hand made contact with her cheek. He hadn't hit her hard, it was just a little
sting. Relena surprised more then anything just stared at him. "How dare you! You not only drove Duo
to try suicide you also just insulted the man I love! The man you put in the hospital!" Heero turned away
from her once more and continued on softly, "For what you have done Relena I will never forgive you.
Goodbye Relena, hope our paths never cross again." She had been dismissed, red with humiliation
Relena gathered her last defence, to lash out and wound. "That's disguising! Two man it's dirty and vial
and..." she trailed off as Heero turned to look at her once more. Those normally sparkling eyes of his
cold. "Omae a kusro!" Relena ran.
Heero continued to wait. Three hours later an exhausted looking doctor came out. "Heero Yuy?"
Heero jumped he had been lost in though and hadn't heard the doctor approach. "Yes?" the doctor
took out his clipboard, "250 stiches, 71 stapes, 3 feet of gauze and 20 butterfly bandages in total. We
did all we can, but it'll be tonight that decides whether he lives or dies. If he makes it through the night
there's a good chance he'll recovery fully. If not well..." The doctor didn't finish he didn't need to.
"What are the odds?" was that his voice? Heero sounded horse and unsure. The doctor laid a
comforting hand on his shoulder, "It's 50/50..." Heero looked up at the kind man. "Can I sit with him?"
the doctor smiled "Of course. Follow me".
So here he sat, watching his beloved sleep. Hooked up to machines that keep him alive. It was so hard
not to break down and just cry. Standing Heero made his way over to the only chair in the room.
Sitting down in the off-green cushioned chair Heero buried his face in his hands once more. Shifting in
place, he felt something in his coat pocket stabbed his side. Still covered in blood, Heero reached into
the inside pocket to produce the CD Quatre had given his just before... No he wouldn't go there. Well
I have nothing better to do... Heero walked over to the phone near the door. Calling up Quatre, he
asked for clean clothing and his laptop. Settling back in the chair Heero waited and prayed...
~*~*~*~*~*~
Jerking awake at the hand on his shoulder Heero looked at Quatre. According to he watch Heero had
been asleep almost an hour. "Here", the blonde said handing him a blue duffel bag. Heero smiled, it
wasn't a true smile but it was getting there. "Thank you Q-man, and I'm sorry about earlier..." Quatre
smiled and shook his head. "Don't be Heero. We judged him to harshly, we got caught up in
appearance and didn't look past first impressions". Quatre smiled, "We're all praying for him Heero".
With that he was gone.
Heero took a quick shower, Duo's room was one of the better ones in the hospital. It had it's own
private bathroom, and desk in the corner. Dressed in fresh clothing and feeling slightly better, Heero set
up his laptop. Looking longingly at the still figure on the bed, tubes running in and out of his small body.
Heero forced himself to look at the screen. Loading the CD, Heero got the information he wanted.
The first few scenes were doctors in lab coats. They spoke of a project, a modelling system for young
boys. The doctors went on to explain there choices, why they wanted these boys. The screen went
fuzzy briefly but when it returned Heero wished he had the courage to turn off the computer.
Heero watched as a young boy, no more then five, with long brown hair was whipped again and again.
The man with the whip looked as though he were enjoying the sight of the whimpering boy. He
continued to beat the boy till one of the doctors ordered him to stop.
"Enough", the doctor said. We shall leave him tonight. The men left the small boy in a pool of
his own blood. "Heero..." the small figure wept. "Someday... I-I'll see y-you". The boy lost
consciousness.
Heero looked at the figure in the hospital bed once more, silent tears falling down his face Heero turned
back to the laptop. Hands shaking Heero called up the next clip, it was worse. Heero watched as Duo
was forced to learn the sword, the doctors didn't believe in rewards. Severe beatings and starvation
brought the message home.
"You will not eat till you get this right!" The doctor took up his guard position. Duo weak with
hunger and fatigue tried to block the doctors thrusts. The sharp blade left long bloody gashes all
over his body. Finally the doctor stopped. "You will be beaten tonight and no food 02".
Heero continued to watch all the training video's on the CD. He watched Duo getting hit by that car, he
saw Duo put in perilous places and expected to survive. He watched as the one he loved was chained
to a wall for days on end. He cried when the doctors beat him to the point that he didn't even know his
own name. Yet every time they did that, one name would pass through those blooded lips his own
name, Heero...
Chained. He's been here for days in the dark. He was hungry but he could move beyond that. He
was used to not eating... the cell door opened and Duo blinked back the artificial light from the
hallway. The man with the whip was back. With an experimental flick, the beefy man with the
whip lashed out striking. A large red cut appeared on Duo's chest. 50 lashes later the man was
frustrated beyond belief. This stupid boy was not supposed to be able to formulate words yet
here he was "Heero, Heero, Heero..." the chant was never ending. This one couldn't, wouldn't
be broken. He refused. Sickened the man undid the chains and Duo slumped to the floor still
chanting but not moving...
As the clips progressed Heero noticed how they used his name again and again. Against Duo... it was
himself that has caused all this pain...
"You think Heero want a weakling?" the sword scored anther strike against him. "He wouldn't
want you, your unless! Nobody wants you!" The doctor circled the braided youth with his sword
ready. "You think you'll be able to face him? You? Tainted by blood and death?" Laughing
harshly the doctor lunged sword comming up. Duo blocked the lunge. Spinning he returned the
doctors blows. The doctor grinning like a maniac.
Hands trembling Heero moved the mouse to the final clip on the CD.
"02, you have been terminated..." the doctor was once more looking into the eye's of the
braided youth. The wars were over, no more sis they need the Dragons Bane assassin. They were
obsolete and there for useless. The doctor levelled the gun at Duo. Violet eyes went wide, before
he sword ever left his sheath a bullet caught him through the chest. Gasping Duo continued to
draw his sword. G was about to fire again, when Deathsythe ran him through. Both men panting
hard collapsed onto one anther. Sliding to the floor G freed himself from the blade, collapsing
face first onto the floor. Blood pooling underneath him.
Duo staggered back a few steps. Still clutching his sword, staggering to the door. Leaving a trail
of blood, Duo paused in the door way. Turning he saw the doctors unmoving body. "Ninmu
Kanryo..."
The clip ended and Heero slumped down in his chair. He couldn't understand why or how Duo knew
him. Finished with the video's and throughly sickened Heero turned off his computer and sat quietly in
the dark. Trying hard to think of a time he had possibably known Duo. Straining his memory, Heero
dimly recalled a promise made. Duo? His friend, a promise...? His playmate with the long hair and
happy violet eyes. Heero looked at his lover, "God..." Here in the misty twilight of the morning, Heero
recalled everything, Duo had been taken from him, before he could really get to know him. Heero
knew, he knew at that moment that he had loved this man his entire life.
Standing Heero made his way once again to the beside. The cot dipped slightly under his weight as he
took hold of Heero's limp hand. "Duo? Can you hear me? It doesn't matter anyway. I love you more
then anything and I wont you to know when you get better I'm going to take care of you. Yes, we'll
never be separated again..." Heero started to cry softly "I'll make you happy for the rest of you life..."
choking, Heero brought the cold hand to his cheek and nuzzled the palm. Placing butterfly kisses on the
pale digits. Heero laced there fingers together. "Always be with you no matter what... Duo do you hear
me? If you don't make it I-I'll... follow y-you..." breaking down Heero buried his face near Duo on the
bed and wept. He wept for the man on the bed. His lost innocense, his playmate he never had, his pain,
his blood. He wept for everything, he wept for his lost hope...
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Bring in 08" the doctor still grinning stepped away. Duo felt an extreme amount of foreboding.
The door clicked open and standing in the entrance was a handsome blonde. Golden eyes peered
at Duo from under long blonde bangs. Feeling self-conscious Duo watched as the golden boy
prowled across the room. He walked with an air of superiority and self-assuredness. He was
gorgeous and he knew it. Never had he felt the tip of the whip, he gloried in death and all the
killing he did, never once reprimanded. Duo slumped, disfigured all over his body, testament to
his unwillingness. He wished he could just disappear. "08, 02 you are to fight... till one dies or
the other concedes..." The blond man walked up to Duo and drew his sword. "We fight..."
Giving a bloodcurdling cry he lunged at Duo. Trying to find a way out Duo had no alternative
then to block the sword. Screaming again the golden one charged. Soon they were locked in a
combat of not only skill and strength but of a battle of the mind.
Hilts locking, each strained against the other. "My, my aren't we the pretty one..." Duo grunted
and pushed harder. Chuckling the 08 whispered, "Such beauty, and such a deliciously tainted
soul. Yes, my little princess you shall be mine..." snarling Duo heaved with all his weight and
threw the other man across the room. Cold purple eyes, started into golden, as Shingimi
advanced.
With a methodical one mindedness Duo moved forward. Sword's collided and sparks flew, as
cold steel met cold steel. The two assassin, duelled on. Goldy was hard pressed to fight the little
freak. Again and again that sword descended. 08 was backed into a corner. It was then, the
perfect boy felt the cold bite of steel for the first time. Duo having found an opening had took it
while the others defences were low. He slashed 08 across the cheek. Screaming, blondey doubled
over, clutching his bleeding face. His perfect face ruined. That cut would leave a hideous scar,
from the corner of his eye to the edge of his mouth.
That moment the blonde hated Duo and vowed to end the fight one day... he had forfeited the
battle but he would win the war and Duo would pay.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Duo", that voice. Duo was drifting through empty space, there was no more pain. Here he was clean
and whole and pure. The light ahead grew bigger, he was almost there "Heero, I'm coming..." He
whispered. Almost to the light he was stopped. "Duo do you know me?" Duo started into cobalt eyes
"Heero..." he whispered. The shimmering figure with large white wings nodded. "Duo you have to go
back." "No, I don't want to live without you", Duo reached out to the figure. "No. I'm not really here
Duo. I'm very much alive and I want you to live. You have work to do Duo, and a life to live" Duo
looked into those blue depths. "Yes Heero, for you I live. It has always been so". Turning Duo walked
away from the light. "Ai shiteru, Duo..." the figure was gone and all was dark. I'm comming Heero...
Duo heard the sound of weeping. Opening his eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the dim light. Duo felt a
warm body beside his own. The sobs were louder now, they wrenched at his heat and tore at his soul.
Turning his head slightly, Duo saw that mass of unruly dark hair he loved so much. Reaching out he
stroked the top of the weeping mans head.
Feeling the tentative touch Heero's head snapped up. Looking into those violet Heero felt his heart lift.
Life was once more complete. Here was his angel alive... more tears gathered in his eyes as he once
more began to cry. Horrified Duo tried to sooth him. Poor Duo looked ridiculous, arms swathed in
bandages, limbs heavy with medication he awkwardly patted Heero on the hand only to wince when he
felt pain stab his arm.
Heero was just to happy, he needed to tell Duo, now before he lost him again... "Duo I..." Duo looked
up at him from under jagged bangs. Chestnut hair once in a pristine braid was matted and still and
caked with dry blood. Heero, stared at the offensive hair. Duo tried to speak but there was a damn
tube down his throat. Instead he gaged, Heero seeing his beloved in distress rushed out into the hall to
flag down one of the nurses. Explaining his need of a doctor and also a large bowl, she rushed off to do
as he asked.
Not more then five minutes later there was the doctor who had done the operation. "I'm surprised",
said the surgeon as he carful removed Duo's tubes. "In all honesty I didn't expect him to live through
the night". Heero sat beside Duo and squeezed his hand reassuringly as the doctor worked. "My Duo is
made of strong stuff..." Heero said, pride in his voice. The doctor looked back and forth between the
two. Shrugging, he was to old for this he left, just as the nurse arrived with the requested bowl. Leaving
again, the nurse made a irritating squeaking sound as her rubber soles hit the linoleum floor.
"Duo sweetheart I need to wash your hair", Duo nodded complete and utter trust in his wide eyes.
Picking up the bowl, Heero made his way to the bathroom, filling it with warm water he returned to
Duo's bedside.
Duo watched as Heero unbound his waist length hair as gently as he could. The blood had dried and
stuck he hair together. Propping Duo up so Heero could reach all the way around his head, he slowly
and painstakingly began to rinse out the chestnut mane. Four bowls of water later, Duo was ready for a
good shampooing. Grabbing his duffel bag, Heero found his cheap fruit smelling shampoo Quatre had
packed for him. Duo's locks took almost the entire bottle to come clean. Heero was almost at loathe to
use the conditioner, but this was Duo, he deserved the best.
Once the hair was rinsed clean, and a rather tired Duo slumping over Heero climb into bed with his koi.
Taking up his own brush Heero gently ran it through the entire length of that beautiful hair. Trying vainly
not to produce any hurt when the teeth got caught in a particularly tough tangle. After a few moments of
silence, Heero still brushing whispered the question that seemed to plague his soul. "Why?"
Duo leaned into Heero's hands as he continued to brush his hair. He loved it when Heero touched him,
and somehow this simple act of brushing hair seemed more intimate then anything he had ever
experienced. Well... his thoughts took him to yesterday afternoon. A red tint appeared on Duo's
cheeks which was rather remarkable considering all the blood he lost. It was in the middle of all this
musing he heard Heero's whispered question. 'Why?' simply answered, "I didn't want to live without
you..." he wispherd.
Heero paused in his ministrations, "I know what Relena said to you," Heero continued, "Duo I want to
tell you something ok?" Duo nodded happy as Heero continued to brush his hair soothingly. "Duo,
tonight when you cut your arms, it wasn't the first time was it?" Duo shook his head slightly, feeling
utterly depressed, now Heero hated him. "I think I know why Duo." He said softly, "I saw your tapes".
Duo's eyes widened at that. Heero continued on, "I saw what they did to you, all that pain. They used
me against you didn't they?" Not waiting for an answer Heero continued, "I head their lies, they said
you were useless and unworthy..." Heero was getting mad again, he increased his brushing with vigour.
"Well Duo I want to tell you something, It's me who doesn't deserve you". Duo tried to turn to look at
Heero only to be stopped, "Wait till I finish..."
"Duo, I want you to know that from now on, you are the centre of my universe. Duo I love you..." Duo
was stunned. Heero continued quickly, "I know I don't deserve you, but God Duo! I want to make you
happy. I never want to see you cry, I never want to go through this ever again. Duo tonight I almost lost
you all because I was to stupid and ignorant to give you what you needed most. My love, well you have
it Duo all of me, I love you more then life it's self..." Duo felt tears on his cheeks. Heero must have
sensed something was amiss, for He turned Duo to face him. Cradled in Heero's lap Duo let his words
sink in.
Heero, loved him. Him. The one they said was worthless, was sitting in the arms of his beloved. It's
surly a dream... Duo looked up to see those blue eyes, the eyes reflected love and understanding. Blue,
the true blue love that was Heero. Duo buried his face in Heero's neck and wept softly, this time they
were tears of joy. Distressed Heero clutched him closer, "Love you always Heero..." Duo breathed
into his ear. Heero gently wiped away tears from those shimmering eyes, "No more tears love today we
begin anew..." for a moment the world stopped and the heavens smiled, and so did Duo. For the
second time in two days Duo smiled a true smile, only this time he shared it with the one he loved the
most. Today there lives began. Duo's hair forgotten the two lovers curled up together, on the small
hospital bed.
The wheels of fate continued to turn, and destiny had yet to have it's way with the lovers. For there still
lay heartache, and pain ahead. For it was destined since that black figure appeared in Heero's life. That
one rainy night changed his life and started a course of events that could not be reversed. Perhaps it
was ordained, or foretold but the war was at hand...
Hugging Duo tighter Heero whispered, "Always and forever Duo..." Duo shivered. My promise of
forever... with that the exhausted assassin fell asleep in the arms of the man he loved. Heero held the
little one close, forever...
"Well, well, well..." The amber eyed man looked at the blonde. "You failed..." the first smiled that cold
smile. "I haven't begun yet. Besides there's plenty of time. He does have to heal now or else there is no
fun." The second glared "Better be quick..."
TBC..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wilson: Well th- *smack with the lemon*
Wilson: @_@
All: Mwahhahahah....
D: *now has m&m*
Cas: You sooo deserved that...
Casey: Ya you threatened to leave the story unfinished _
Katie: Significant other I'm not sure I can ever forgive you.
Jay: _
T: *holding an even larger stick* You know I think I'm going to look into getting a sword, hmmmm...
maybe that Kenshin will lend me his...
All: o.O
Wilson: OH GOD NO!!!!!!!!!
Wilson: Come on guys it was just a little.. Eeep!
All but D: *backing author into corner* You are dead Wilson!
D: *popping m&m's* Review ^_^ she does try... really...
boys!!!
Parings: 1x2 3x4 5x?
Romance and Angst (gomen)
Please ignore my bad spelling and non-excitant grammar
Author's notes: AHHHHHH!!! Wow the death threats I got! *jeez* you people are evil. Did you
actually think I'd end this baby here, no way my friends we got a way to go yet ^_^! I's just like to
thank my Chapter 6 reviewers! Gomen if I had you worried: Tifa Leonhart, this onna want's to keep
her head ^_^ Bladefire thanks for the words of encouragement heheheheh... lora-helen can't believe
your still here jeez, must have no life... *smacked with stick* just kidding... Ryuu,
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!! At leat someone loves me. ask me who I am, is Gravitation not
the coolest anime ever *starry eyes* Yuki is soooo cute *SMASH* sorry T, AngelofDeath, thanks for
the death threat wow I got a lot of those. Balldandy, hehehehehehe *laughing nervously* don't worry I
could never kill Heero or Duo their just tooo cool. DuoandHeeroluver, jeez anther death threat, don't
worry you'll love this chap, you know I think this one is soo-" *SMACK* @_@ shutting up...
"LA-LI-HO!"
- Suchici, Gravitaion
Dedicated to a good friend who lives on the other side of the world... Love ya always Cas...
Angel With Metal Wings
Code Name 07 - Darkest Hour
250 stiches, 71 stapes, 3 feet of gauze and 20 butterfly bandages. They still didn't know if Duo would
make it through the night. Heero Yuy sat holding Duo's pale limp hand in his own."Why did you do it
Duo?" "Why? Was it me was it Relena what?" Heero scrubbed his eyes and looked at that pale
unmoving form. "I love you, I want you to wake so I can tell you that".
Heero would never forget the last few hours. They seemed as though they had happened in a past life.
Or to someone else. Not him. Shuddering Heero tried unsuccessfully to forget and move beyond what
had happened. He just couldn't forget...
After Relena's confession Heero had wasted no time in getting to Quarte's car. The small blonde had
wordlessly handed over the keys, seeing the look of sheer terror on Heero's face. Getting into the small
red sports car Heero floored the gas and headed recklessly towards home. Somehow he knew Duo
would head there. The rain comming down in torrents, making driving extremely dangerous and
foolhardy. Heero didn't care he had to get to Duo.
It was the longest ride of his life, the gas pedal floored and the rain pouring. Heero swived suddenly as
oncoming headlights approached to close. Barley missing a telephone pole, he continued to race into
the night. Finally arriving at home, his assumptions proved correct as a black motorcycle was carelessly
left in the driveway on it's side. "Don't let me be to late..." Heero whispered as he hurried to the front
door. The white door was ajar, he could just make out dark hand prints that could only be blood.
Hurrying inside, the tall man flipped on the lights. Freezing Heero felt his blood turn cold. On the floor
stalk against the cream carpet were bloody footprints. The prints led down the hall towards the
bathroom. From the look of the dark blood, Heero could tell that Duo had lost a considerably amount
of it, also from the way the footprints seemed to weave every ware. The red hand prints on the wall,
showed were he had stopped to rest briefly.
Wasting no more time Heero ran to the bathroom. Once more Heero went into shock. On the tiled
floor sat his angel, arms bare. A long slit split the flesh the length of his forearm ending at the wrist. The
bleeding was sluggish and slow, as Duo's life dwindled away. Choking back a sob Heero tore off his
coat and wrapped the small figure tightly in it to stop the bleeding. Lifting the fragile angel from the floor,
Heero cradled the assassin trying not to look at the dark pool on the floor.
Hurrying to the car Heero tried vainly to get some sort of response out of the pale unmoving man. Still
talking Heero gently set Duo in the passenger seat before getting himself in. Hands shook violently as he
tried to get the keys in the ignition. Finally fitting the keys in Heero once more gunned the engine, ripped
off down the highway. "Come on Duo don't leave me..." 20 minutes. 20 of the longest minutes in Heero
Yuy's life, it took them that long to get back to the hospital. Parking outside the emergency door Heero
quickly gathered Duo in his arms and ran for the entrance.
"Help me!" Heero yelled, the blood from Duo already soaking his clean borrowed shirt. "Oh God help
me please he's going to die!" A team of nurses and doctors came hurrying in with a gurney. Heero
gently laid Duo on the clean white sheets as the doctors hurried away. Heero vaguely heard the head
doctor asking him questions, who was he? What was his relation to the patient? Had he done this
before? Heero ignored them and tried to follow Duo into surgery. The nurses shooed him out to the
waiting room.
He waited on one of those cold plastic chairs head in hands. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei stopped by to
tell him how sorry they were. Angry Heero looked up, "Why didn't you stop her?!" he demanded. The
three men refused to look him in the eye. Shaking with rage Heero continued, "Why didn't you stop
him?! He- if you had seen.... so much blood". Heero couldn't go on, the lump in his throat was to large.
He refused to cry, there would be time later to weep now he had to be strong... for Duo. Quatre,
Trowa and Wufei tried to comfort their friend, but the blue eyed man would have none of it. Sadly the
three men left, hearts and minds heavy. More then one life had been shattered tonight.
After the three men returned home, Relena put in her appearance. Heero looked at her coldly as she
took a seat near him. "Heero I..." Heero stood and moved a few seats away. Relena shocked followed
him. "I just wanted to protect you." Relena reached out to touch his arm. Yanking the appendage out of
her grasp, Heero continued to ignore her. "I mean he's totally worthless after all. I mean wh-" Relena
got no further as Heero's hand made contact with her cheek. He hadn't hit her hard, it was just a little
sting. Relena surprised more then anything just stared at him. "How dare you! You not only drove Duo
to try suicide you also just insulted the man I love! The man you put in the hospital!" Heero turned away
from her once more and continued on softly, "For what you have done Relena I will never forgive you.
Goodbye Relena, hope our paths never cross again." She had been dismissed, red with humiliation
Relena gathered her last defence, to lash out and wound. "That's disguising! Two man it's dirty and vial
and..." she trailed off as Heero turned to look at her once more. Those normally sparkling eyes of his
cold. "Omae a kusro!" Relena ran.
Heero continued to wait. Three hours later an exhausted looking doctor came out. "Heero Yuy?"
Heero jumped he had been lost in though and hadn't heard the doctor approach. "Yes?" the doctor
took out his clipboard, "250 stiches, 71 stapes, 3 feet of gauze and 20 butterfly bandages in total. We
did all we can, but it'll be tonight that decides whether he lives or dies. If he makes it through the night
there's a good chance he'll recovery fully. If not well..." The doctor didn't finish he didn't need to.
"What are the odds?" was that his voice? Heero sounded horse and unsure. The doctor laid a
comforting hand on his shoulder, "It's 50/50..." Heero looked up at the kind man. "Can I sit with him?"
the doctor smiled "Of course. Follow me".
So here he sat, watching his beloved sleep. Hooked up to machines that keep him alive. It was so hard
not to break down and just cry. Standing Heero made his way over to the only chair in the room.
Sitting down in the off-green cushioned chair Heero buried his face in his hands once more. Shifting in
place, he felt something in his coat pocket stabbed his side. Still covered in blood, Heero reached into
the inside pocket to produce the CD Quatre had given his just before... No he wouldn't go there. Well
I have nothing better to do... Heero walked over to the phone near the door. Calling up Quatre, he
asked for clean clothing and his laptop. Settling back in the chair Heero waited and prayed...
~*~*~*~*~*~
Jerking awake at the hand on his shoulder Heero looked at Quatre. According to he watch Heero had
been asleep almost an hour. "Here", the blonde said handing him a blue duffel bag. Heero smiled, it
wasn't a true smile but it was getting there. "Thank you Q-man, and I'm sorry about earlier..." Quatre
smiled and shook his head. "Don't be Heero. We judged him to harshly, we got caught up in
appearance and didn't look past first impressions". Quatre smiled, "We're all praying for him Heero".
With that he was gone.
Heero took a quick shower, Duo's room was one of the better ones in the hospital. It had it's own
private bathroom, and desk in the corner. Dressed in fresh clothing and feeling slightly better, Heero set
up his laptop. Looking longingly at the still figure on the bed, tubes running in and out of his small body.
Heero forced himself to look at the screen. Loading the CD, Heero got the information he wanted.
The first few scenes were doctors in lab coats. They spoke of a project, a modelling system for young
boys. The doctors went on to explain there choices, why they wanted these boys. The screen went
fuzzy briefly but when it returned Heero wished he had the courage to turn off the computer.
Heero watched as a young boy, no more then five, with long brown hair was whipped again and again.
The man with the whip looked as though he were enjoying the sight of the whimpering boy. He
continued to beat the boy till one of the doctors ordered him to stop.
"Enough", the doctor said. We shall leave him tonight. The men left the small boy in a pool of
his own blood. "Heero..." the small figure wept. "Someday... I-I'll see y-you". The boy lost
consciousness.
Heero looked at the figure in the hospital bed once more, silent tears falling down his face Heero turned
back to the laptop. Hands shaking Heero called up the next clip, it was worse. Heero watched as Duo
was forced to learn the sword, the doctors didn't believe in rewards. Severe beatings and starvation
brought the message home.
"You will not eat till you get this right!" The doctor took up his guard position. Duo weak with
hunger and fatigue tried to block the doctors thrusts. The sharp blade left long bloody gashes all
over his body. Finally the doctor stopped. "You will be beaten tonight and no food 02".
Heero continued to watch all the training video's on the CD. He watched Duo getting hit by that car, he
saw Duo put in perilous places and expected to survive. He watched as the one he loved was chained
to a wall for days on end. He cried when the doctors beat him to the point that he didn't even know his
own name. Yet every time they did that, one name would pass through those blooded lips his own
name, Heero...
Chained. He's been here for days in the dark. He was hungry but he could move beyond that. He
was used to not eating... the cell door opened and Duo blinked back the artificial light from the
hallway. The man with the whip was back. With an experimental flick, the beefy man with the
whip lashed out striking. A large red cut appeared on Duo's chest. 50 lashes later the man was
frustrated beyond belief. This stupid boy was not supposed to be able to formulate words yet
here he was "Heero, Heero, Heero..." the chant was never ending. This one couldn't, wouldn't
be broken. He refused. Sickened the man undid the chains and Duo slumped to the floor still
chanting but not moving...
As the clips progressed Heero noticed how they used his name again and again. Against Duo... it was
himself that has caused all this pain...
"You think Heero want a weakling?" the sword scored anther strike against him. "He wouldn't
want you, your unless! Nobody wants you!" The doctor circled the braided youth with his sword
ready. "You think you'll be able to face him? You? Tainted by blood and death?" Laughing
harshly the doctor lunged sword comming up. Duo blocked the lunge. Spinning he returned the
doctors blows. The doctor grinning like a maniac.
Hands trembling Heero moved the mouse to the final clip on the CD.
"02, you have been terminated..." the doctor was once more looking into the eye's of the
braided youth. The wars were over, no more sis they need the Dragons Bane assassin. They were
obsolete and there for useless. The doctor levelled the gun at Duo. Violet eyes went wide, before
he sword ever left his sheath a bullet caught him through the chest. Gasping Duo continued to
draw his sword. G was about to fire again, when Deathsythe ran him through. Both men panting
hard collapsed onto one anther. Sliding to the floor G freed himself from the blade, collapsing
face first onto the floor. Blood pooling underneath him.
Duo staggered back a few steps. Still clutching his sword, staggering to the door. Leaving a trail
of blood, Duo paused in the door way. Turning he saw the doctors unmoving body. "Ninmu
Kanryo..."
The clip ended and Heero slumped down in his chair. He couldn't understand why or how Duo knew
him. Finished with the video's and throughly sickened Heero turned off his computer and sat quietly in
the dark. Trying hard to think of a time he had possibably known Duo. Straining his memory, Heero
dimly recalled a promise made. Duo? His friend, a promise...? His playmate with the long hair and
happy violet eyes. Heero looked at his lover, "God..." Here in the misty twilight of the morning, Heero
recalled everything, Duo had been taken from him, before he could really get to know him. Heero
knew, he knew at that moment that he had loved this man his entire life.
Standing Heero made his way once again to the beside. The cot dipped slightly under his weight as he
took hold of Heero's limp hand. "Duo? Can you hear me? It doesn't matter anyway. I love you more
then anything and I wont you to know when you get better I'm going to take care of you. Yes, we'll
never be separated again..." Heero started to cry softly "I'll make you happy for the rest of you life..."
choking, Heero brought the cold hand to his cheek and nuzzled the palm. Placing butterfly kisses on the
pale digits. Heero laced there fingers together. "Always be with you no matter what... Duo do you hear
me? If you don't make it I-I'll... follow y-you..." breaking down Heero buried his face near Duo on the
bed and wept. He wept for the man on the bed. His lost innocense, his playmate he never had, his pain,
his blood. He wept for everything, he wept for his lost hope...
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Bring in 08" the doctor still grinning stepped away. Duo felt an extreme amount of foreboding.
The door clicked open and standing in the entrance was a handsome blonde. Golden eyes peered
at Duo from under long blonde bangs. Feeling self-conscious Duo watched as the golden boy
prowled across the room. He walked with an air of superiority and self-assuredness. He was
gorgeous and he knew it. Never had he felt the tip of the whip, he gloried in death and all the
killing he did, never once reprimanded. Duo slumped, disfigured all over his body, testament to
his unwillingness. He wished he could just disappear. "08, 02 you are to fight... till one dies or
the other concedes..." The blond man walked up to Duo and drew his sword. "We fight..."
Giving a bloodcurdling cry he lunged at Duo. Trying to find a way out Duo had no alternative
then to block the sword. Screaming again the golden one charged. Soon they were locked in a
combat of not only skill and strength but of a battle of the mind.
Hilts locking, each strained against the other. "My, my aren't we the pretty one..." Duo grunted
and pushed harder. Chuckling the 08 whispered, "Such beauty, and such a deliciously tainted
soul. Yes, my little princess you shall be mine..." snarling Duo heaved with all his weight and
threw the other man across the room. Cold purple eyes, started into golden, as Shingimi
advanced.
With a methodical one mindedness Duo moved forward. Sword's collided and sparks flew, as
cold steel met cold steel. The two assassin, duelled on. Goldy was hard pressed to fight the little
freak. Again and again that sword descended. 08 was backed into a corner. It was then, the
perfect boy felt the cold bite of steel for the first time. Duo having found an opening had took it
while the others defences were low. He slashed 08 across the cheek. Screaming, blondey doubled
over, clutching his bleeding face. His perfect face ruined. That cut would leave a hideous scar,
from the corner of his eye to the edge of his mouth.
That moment the blonde hated Duo and vowed to end the fight one day... he had forfeited the
battle but he would win the war and Duo would pay.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Duo", that voice. Duo was drifting through empty space, there was no more pain. Here he was clean
and whole and pure. The light ahead grew bigger, he was almost there "Heero, I'm coming..." He
whispered. Almost to the light he was stopped. "Duo do you know me?" Duo started into cobalt eyes
"Heero..." he whispered. The shimmering figure with large white wings nodded. "Duo you have to go
back." "No, I don't want to live without you", Duo reached out to the figure. "No. I'm not really here
Duo. I'm very much alive and I want you to live. You have work to do Duo, and a life to live" Duo
looked into those blue depths. "Yes Heero, for you I live. It has always been so". Turning Duo walked
away from the light. "Ai shiteru, Duo..." the figure was gone and all was dark. I'm comming Heero...
Duo heard the sound of weeping. Opening his eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the dim light. Duo felt a
warm body beside his own. The sobs were louder now, they wrenched at his heat and tore at his soul.
Turning his head slightly, Duo saw that mass of unruly dark hair he loved so much. Reaching out he
stroked the top of the weeping mans head.
Feeling the tentative touch Heero's head snapped up. Looking into those violet Heero felt his heart lift.
Life was once more complete. Here was his angel alive... more tears gathered in his eyes as he once
more began to cry. Horrified Duo tried to sooth him. Poor Duo looked ridiculous, arms swathed in
bandages, limbs heavy with medication he awkwardly patted Heero on the hand only to wince when he
felt pain stab his arm.
Heero was just to happy, he needed to tell Duo, now before he lost him again... "Duo I..." Duo looked
up at him from under jagged bangs. Chestnut hair once in a pristine braid was matted and still and
caked with dry blood. Heero, stared at the offensive hair. Duo tried to speak but there was a damn
tube down his throat. Instead he gaged, Heero seeing his beloved in distress rushed out into the hall to
flag down one of the nurses. Explaining his need of a doctor and also a large bowl, she rushed off to do
as he asked.
Not more then five minutes later there was the doctor who had done the operation. "I'm surprised",
said the surgeon as he carful removed Duo's tubes. "In all honesty I didn't expect him to live through
the night". Heero sat beside Duo and squeezed his hand reassuringly as the doctor worked. "My Duo is
made of strong stuff..." Heero said, pride in his voice. The doctor looked back and forth between the
two. Shrugging, he was to old for this he left, just as the nurse arrived with the requested bowl. Leaving
again, the nurse made a irritating squeaking sound as her rubber soles hit the linoleum floor.
"Duo sweetheart I need to wash your hair", Duo nodded complete and utter trust in his wide eyes.
Picking up the bowl, Heero made his way to the bathroom, filling it with warm water he returned to
Duo's bedside.
Duo watched as Heero unbound his waist length hair as gently as he could. The blood had dried and
stuck he hair together. Propping Duo up so Heero could reach all the way around his head, he slowly
and painstakingly began to rinse out the chestnut mane. Four bowls of water later, Duo was ready for a
good shampooing. Grabbing his duffel bag, Heero found his cheap fruit smelling shampoo Quatre had
packed for him. Duo's locks took almost the entire bottle to come clean. Heero was almost at loathe to
use the conditioner, but this was Duo, he deserved the best.
Once the hair was rinsed clean, and a rather tired Duo slumping over Heero climb into bed with his koi.
Taking up his own brush Heero gently ran it through the entire length of that beautiful hair. Trying vainly
not to produce any hurt when the teeth got caught in a particularly tough tangle. After a few moments of
silence, Heero still brushing whispered the question that seemed to plague his soul. "Why?"
Duo leaned into Heero's hands as he continued to brush his hair. He loved it when Heero touched him,
and somehow this simple act of brushing hair seemed more intimate then anything he had ever
experienced. Well... his thoughts took him to yesterday afternoon. A red tint appeared on Duo's
cheeks which was rather remarkable considering all the blood he lost. It was in the middle of all this
musing he heard Heero's whispered question. 'Why?' simply answered, "I didn't want to live without
you..." he wispherd.
Heero paused in his ministrations, "I know what Relena said to you," Heero continued, "Duo I want to
tell you something ok?" Duo nodded happy as Heero continued to brush his hair soothingly. "Duo,
tonight when you cut your arms, it wasn't the first time was it?" Duo shook his head slightly, feeling
utterly depressed, now Heero hated him. "I think I know why Duo." He said softly, "I saw your tapes".
Duo's eyes widened at that. Heero continued on, "I saw what they did to you, all that pain. They used
me against you didn't they?" Not waiting for an answer Heero continued, "I head their lies, they said
you were useless and unworthy..." Heero was getting mad again, he increased his brushing with vigour.
"Well Duo I want to tell you something, It's me who doesn't deserve you". Duo tried to turn to look at
Heero only to be stopped, "Wait till I finish..."
"Duo, I want you to know that from now on, you are the centre of my universe. Duo I love you..." Duo
was stunned. Heero continued quickly, "I know I don't deserve you, but God Duo! I want to make you
happy. I never want to see you cry, I never want to go through this ever again. Duo tonight I almost lost
you all because I was to stupid and ignorant to give you what you needed most. My love, well you have
it Duo all of me, I love you more then life it's self..." Duo felt tears on his cheeks. Heero must have
sensed something was amiss, for He turned Duo to face him. Cradled in Heero's lap Duo let his words
sink in.
Heero, loved him. Him. The one they said was worthless, was sitting in the arms of his beloved. It's
surly a dream... Duo looked up to see those blue eyes, the eyes reflected love and understanding. Blue,
the true blue love that was Heero. Duo buried his face in Heero's neck and wept softly, this time they
were tears of joy. Distressed Heero clutched him closer, "Love you always Heero..." Duo breathed
into his ear. Heero gently wiped away tears from those shimmering eyes, "No more tears love today we
begin anew..." for a moment the world stopped and the heavens smiled, and so did Duo. For the
second time in two days Duo smiled a true smile, only this time he shared it with the one he loved the
most. Today there lives began. Duo's hair forgotten the two lovers curled up together, on the small
hospital bed.
The wheels of fate continued to turn, and destiny had yet to have it's way with the lovers. For there still
lay heartache, and pain ahead. For it was destined since that black figure appeared in Heero's life. That
one rainy night changed his life and started a course of events that could not be reversed. Perhaps it
was ordained, or foretold but the war was at hand...
Hugging Duo tighter Heero whispered, "Always and forever Duo..." Duo shivered. My promise of
forever... with that the exhausted assassin fell asleep in the arms of the man he loved. Heero held the
little one close, forever...
"Well, well, well..." The amber eyed man looked at the blonde. "You failed..." the first smiled that cold
smile. "I haven't begun yet. Besides there's plenty of time. He does have to heal now or else there is no
fun." The second glared "Better be quick..."
TBC..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wilson: Well th- *smack with the lemon*
Wilson: @_@
All: Mwahhahahah....
D: *now has m&m*
Cas: You sooo deserved that...
Casey: Ya you threatened to leave the story unfinished _
Katie: Significant other I'm not sure I can ever forgive you.
Jay: _
T: *holding an even larger stick* You know I think I'm going to look into getting a sword, hmmmm...
maybe that Kenshin will lend me his...
All: o.O
Wilson: OH GOD NO!!!!!!!!!
Wilson: Come on guys it was just a little.. Eeep!
All but D: *backing author into corner* You are dead Wilson!
D: *popping m&m's* Review ^_^ she does try... really...