Wing of Mysterious Play

by Karin-sama

Trowa and Heero have crashed on a strange new planet. . .and they want Trowa's circus partner to be their priestess?

4. The Seiryuu Warrior

Chapter 4: The Seiryu Warrior

Duo was sure that it had been more than a day since Nakago had left him. Most of his time during the dark had been occupied with worry over his fellow pilot. He wondered if his condition had improved . . or worsened. What were they doing for him. . or to him. Was he still alive? Had he been imprisoned too? He prayed that Tomo was caring for Quatre better than anyone was caring for him. Even OZ would give water to their prisoners at least. But this was not an OZ prison. Indeed, if it had been he would have long escaped by now. No, this was not OZ, and he was trapped much more securely than anyone on earth would have thought of. He could not get out and no one had come to him at all. He wondered if they even remembered he was there. Quite possibly, something had happened and they had completely forgotten about their prisoner. Or perhaps they meant to starve him to death to get him out of the way? It was a safe execution for their politics, but a lengthy and painful one for him. But the emperor had made it seem that he was of some importance. Wasn't he the sixth warrior they were looking for? Didn't the blue character on his wrist entitle him to better treatment than this? Why, he was chained so securely that he couldn't reach his lock pick or any explosives that would assist his escape. He couldn't move his hands at all. They were numb from the lack of motion. Perhaps they meant to weaken him so they could use him for something. . .but what?

Tired of wondering and worrying and guessing, Duo gave himself over to the still activities of the very bored and mentally strained. In Duo's case this meant that he whistled. He wasn't aware that he was whistling at all, until he heard a whine from outside the locked door. A whine and a scratch that stopped him and put him on alert. Was it the wolf he had encountered earlier? How strong was that door? If the wolf were able to get through it there would be no way he could defend himself.

"Ashtare, back," came a gruff voice that Duo recognized. Nakago. A key clicked in the lock and light flooded the cell. Duo blinked against the glare, finally making out the general's dark silhouette. .and the smaller shadow of the wolf, Ashtare. The giant animal bounded into the room, right up to Duo. He snarled at him briefly before examining his scent.

"Sit, Ashtare. He is not for you." The wolf came away, sitting in a corner as ordered. Duo marveled at how well the creature obeyed Nakago. What kind of power did this man have anyway? He came close to Duo, studying his face carefully. "He is for Miboshi." Oh great, thought Duo, knowing that Miboshi, whoever it was, would not be someone he would enjoy. "I believe his will is sufficiently weakened." Duo's restraints were taken away, and he fell against the floor. A tingling sensation filled him as his circulation began to return to his arms. It was not a pleasant feeling, nor could he move until it had subsided. He was at Nakago's complete mercy, and he didn't like it one bit.

"Miboshi," Nakago called and another shadow appeared at the entrance. "Is he ready?" A child walked calmly into the room dressed in deep blue silk. He crouched next to Duo, cupping his chin in his small hand. His eyes were cat-slit and dark. He made Duo want to cringe away. He'd rather face Ashtare unarmed than this child. There was something about him, evil and ancient. Of a sudden Duo felt himself being lifted, though no one had put a hand on him. He just hung suspended in the air, unable to move as the child circled him studiously. What was going on? Was it the kid who was holding him there by some unseen power? Was he ready for what? Fear grabbed him, but there was nothing he could do to help himself get away, so he hung.

"Very suitable, Nakago," Miboshi purred as he circled. "A most excellent body. The clothes will have to be exchanged. We don't want to stand out if we are to join the enemy. Otherwise, yes, very suitable. He is the sixth, is he not?"

"He is," Nakago nodded from his position next to the wolf.

"One wonders why I am needed at all then if he is one of us."

"Threat of insubordination. I thought it best if you were him." Now what did that mean? Not if you were with him. .no if you were him. Duo felt very cold. "Your skills and his physical talents should combine well. I trust you to it. Once you have merged then go to the border. They are bound to try and cross it eventually."

"But they haven't found their Miko have they?" Duo was now very confused and very frightened, but he was held powerless to say anything.

"I believe they have. Things have gone very quiet in Konan rather suddenly. That means they are hiding something. They need the scroll before they can begin the ceremony though, and Taitskun has the scroll. That means they will have to cross. You be waiting to join them."

"How could I do this?"

"Be whatever they stand in need of, a warrior, a guide, anything that would be someone they would trust."

"I understand, Lord Nakago."

"Then I'll leave you to it." He turned to exit, causing an intense shock of fear to tremble its nauseous way through Duo. Don't go! He would have screamed after the general, but he was held completely still by whatever power the child, Miboshi, possessed. He knew he didn't want to be left alone with him. Something terrible would happen. As if hearing Duo's thoughts, Nakago paused at the door.

"Oh yes, Duo," he said over his shoulder without completely turning around. "The priest of Seiryu has asked me to tell you not to worry." Quatre! What had they done to him? Why would he say not to worry? It had to be a lie. Tell me where he is! Shrieked inside Duo's mind, but he could not speak. It was enraging. His muscles tensed, a slight movement that he apparently should not have been able to make. Miboshi snapped his attention to him with a gasp, his eyes gone suddenly wide in surprise.

"What's the matter?" Nakago raised an eyebrow as he considered the child's action. Duo was suddenly enclosed so tightly by the unseen force he found it difficult to breathe.

"N-nothing," Miboshi stuttered, then smiled. "It's an excellent body." Nakago nodded one last time and then the door was closed, shutting out any light and any hope. Ashtare whined in the darkness somewhere and Duo's heart pounded painfully against the hidden restraint. He felt a breath upon his cheek and thought he was going to die.

"That's most impressive," the voice whispered somewhere very close. "You're almost perfect, in fact. Nakago has made you a fine present indeed." What is he going to do? What could he possibly do to me? He can't kill me; they need me! Don't they? Oh man, think, quick, what would Heero do in this situation? If I could only move! "Here then." Duo collapsed to the floor as the power holding him was dropped. Immediately his hand went into his shirt for his gun, but he wasn't quick enough. He found his mind clouded and his thoughts muddled as a different sort of power was used on him. He felt pushed within, someone was shoving him aside. . .though it was only in his mind. His body was still, not comprehending his thoughts that told it to move. . run, anything to get away from this boy. He told his hand to clench the gun and pull it out. He told it to aim at Miboshi. He told himself to scream, but he could do nothing. His body was not responding as it should. It was not responding at all! His eyes moved to the side where Miboshi was standing, only it was no longer Miboshi there. It was only a boy with large frightened eyes who was looking at his hands with wonderment. Wait, what was going on? The boy looked up, his mouth in a frightened "oh" as he saw Duo. Don't be afraid, he said, but his mouth was not moving. I'm not going to hurt you. No sound. What has he done to me?

"Ashtare," he heard his voice but did not know where the words were coming from. How is it that his mouth was moving now with no help or thought from him? Why had it not worked before and why was he calling the wolf? "He's yours." There was a snarl and a snap before Ashtare leaped at the bewildered looking boy. A thick scream that was cut off in an instant followed, and Duo could do nothing to stop the murder. He could only stand and scream for it to end inside his head because he was powerless to make his body cooperate. Blood mingled with the wet on the floor, shining darkly in the faint light.

Did I say that? Did I really tell Ashtare to kill that boy? It was my voice, but it couldn't have been me. Where is Miboshi? It can't be that boy. .but who else could it have been? Why did he change suddenly? What happened? Stop!!

"It was your voice," came a whisper in his head, the same whisper he remembered hearing. "But I formed the words. Come, we have business in Konan." To Duo's horror he began walking forward, patting Ashtare on the way by as the wolf enjoyed his prey. He had no control anymore. Miboshi had taken over his body and was inside his head. And now they were going away from the palace, away from the city, and far away from Quatre. What am I going to do? Thought Duo. How am I going to get out of this?

"You'll do as I say you'll do," came the voice. "The only way out of this is death." Duo remembered the boy, the last body for this evil spirit that was a part of him now, and suddenly wished he could die.



"Oho," Tasuki smirked as he allowed his horse to fall back to where Trowa and Ayden were. Three days in a saddle had managed to dampen everyone's spirits except his. Somehow he always had a joke and a smile. It got on Heero's nerves, obviously, so Tasuki had taken to staying behind with Trowa, as far away from the dark pilot as possible. Ayden rolled her eyes over to get a sidelong look of her lanky red haired warrior. She was weary and not in the mood for his strange rants of one odd topic or another. Bandits were known for two things: their stamina and their incredible sense of off beat humor. At least, this one was.

Trowa's hand tightened, Ayden could feel it clench as his arm was securely around her waist to keep her balanced. It was warm and comforting, if not comfortable. He was checking his patience as well.

"Wingless birds are naught but snakes, what trouble will a rattle make?" Ayden furrowed her brows at the riddle. He always expected an answer of some sort, and cackled insanely when it wasn't the correct one. Yet this one was slightly different. His smile was off, slanted. His eyes had a glimmer of something more than fun in them. Something dangerous.

"Where?" Trowa's voice was low and soft in her ear. He could always figure the little speeches out quickly. She wondered how he did it. Tasuki gave his wolf bark of a laugh at Trowa's quick wit. This sort of thing delighted him, and this particular riddle more than most.

"A hop, skip, and jump from Doomsday," came the peculiar reply. "How shall we hide the phoenix?"

"We put the wolf in the sheep's clothing of course." Ayden decided that listening to their idea of fun was just a good way to get dizzy. Tasuki laughed again, this time a little louder, and a little more forced. He pulled his mount in close to lean in to her, grinning madly.

"Get ready, little phoenix," he whispered and then galloped up to the front of the line where he drew in his horse again for a quick conversation with Heero and Chichiri. Ayden saw Heero stiffen slightly at what was being said, and wondered what was going on.

"Spies," Trowa was right there with explanation before she had asked the question. "They're following us now, behind the rocks. They forgot which way the shadows fall. Lucky for Tasuki's sharp eyes."

"What are we going to do about them?"

"There's an ambush ahead, no doubt. Heero will take care of that easily, but we need to confuse their search a bit. Shift the attackers and the ones being attacked." Ayden was alarmed, glancing all over for signs of the enemy. She saw rocks, blistering and red in the sunlight, bits of scrub every now and again. No vegetation, no real cover. Until. . .wait, there she could see the outline of a human shadow that was cast sideways by the evening brilliance. One, two, four, seven of them all together. At least, that she could see without craning her neck too far from the concealment of the cloak. Then a cloud veiled the sunlight, and all shadows disappeared into the sudden cool. Ayden shivered; Trowa tensed, and Tasuki's strained laugh echoed eerily back to them.

But the attack never came, the cloud passed and she suddenly felt Trowa's breath on her neck as he counted the attackers again. "One went ahead," he hissed. "To warn the others." There was an urgency in his tone, a need to move quickly before the supposed ambush. But the horses remained steady and calm in their slow, plodding pace. It made Ayden want to grind her teeth.

Heero dropped back suddenly while Tasuki claimed the lead. The fiery haired youth knew these mountains better than anyone ever could, and he could lead them somewhere safe. Where they would find that sanctuary Ayden had no idea. This was a barren place, no shelter anywhere, and they were deep in enemy territory.

"We need a point of defense," Heero muttered, slipping into his soldier's training. "What do you mean to do with her? It's obvious who she is." Ayden began to be cold with his words. She was obvious. She was the target this time. She leaned back against Trowa, his hand pulled her closer without him realizing he'd done it. She wanted to be away from the mountains, away from the unprotected area. She wanted to be safe.

"They know we've seen them," Trowa pointed out in low accent. "They're just biding time. They might be up ahead, or coming from behind to close us in. They might be trying to get us to go the wrong way, waiting for dark, anything."

"It's not a matter of how or if, it's just when. We need to find a place where we can choose that time."

"We'll have to hope that Tasuki can take us there." Heero nodded, but didn't pull from Trowa's side. Ayden could feel the unease within him, even though his features betrayed nothing but calm. He didn't like it here. He was unfamiliar. He didn't have a gun. There were too many unknowns in the situation, and Heero was used to having more control.

Up head Chichiri, under Tasuki's direction, turned his horse sideways. . .and disappeared. Ayden blinked as she watched, but it was true. The shaman had vanished from the rocky hillside. "Trowa," she whispered, but he was too distracted with counting shadows to respond. The twins followed and then Ayden saw where they were headed. Barely visible, only a slit just wide enough for a horse to slide through, was the entrance to a cave. Hard to get into, and easy to defend. Heero nodded his approval to Tasuki as he slipped past him into the cave.

"A scouting I will go," Tasuki sang softly as he unlaced his coat. Heero gave him a cautious glance. "Count the blind."

"Be careful, Tasuki," Ayden told him as Trowa and she entered the cool darkness of the rock. He smiled cheerfully as he handed his reins to Heero.

"They can't hit what they can't see. Just watch." He handed her his coat, checked a dagger at his boot, squared his shoulders, winked, and sprinted off into the dusty hillside. His bright hair faded into the sunlight's burning brilliance, and Ayden lost sight of him within moments in the shadows of the rocks.

The inside of the cave was cramped, and Ayden found herself more claustrophobic than she had previously thought. The slick rock led down, and the horses picked their way carefully. The ceiling sank low and the company was forced out of the saddle, an awkward dismount for there was not enough room on the sides to stand next to the animal. They continued single file, leading the horses, with their necks arched downward, farther and farther into the darkness, following Chichiri's orb of light that he carried on his palm. Trowa put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as her breathing quickened with the tightness of the place.

"It will open," he promised. "Just give it a little longer." True to his prediction, the ceiling opened suddenly, revealing a large open cavity where Chichiri sent his light flying upward to illuminate everything in a pale blue glow. There was enough room for them, their horses, and a little more besides. Heero was pleased, and the horses were glad of the fresh water that had collected in an underground pool along one of the sides.

"It's a good thing they didn't find this before us, you know," Chichiri said as he relieved his horse of a saddle and bridle so it could rest from the long journey. "But what are we going to do now? They know we're here, you know."

"They won't follow us down here, the path is too narrow," Heero's eyes were far away as he debated possible combat scenarios in his head. "But now we can pick when we want to fight, although while we're keeping them out they can keep us in very easily." Chichiri nodded sagely. "But now we can protect Ayden. Trowa?" Her partner materialized from a shadow, making her jump unexpectedly. Afraid of everything lately, she chastized herself. Even Trowa. Ridiculous.

With a practiced and precise motion Trowa retrieved the dagger Ayden had concealed in her boot. Her heart skipped at his action, and she had to force herself to calm down. The deep underground area was disturbing to her, and Suboshi too from the feelings she was getting from him. Trowa gave her an apologetic look upon hearing her gasp, then turned his attention back to her dagger. He lifted it, testing the blade with his thumb.

"Amiboshi, come here," he called softly and the twin was beside them quickly. "It's close enough to be the same, and to their eyes it will be."

"What do you mean to do, Trowa?" Ayden needed to know. All this secrecy concerning what was to become of her was beginning to try her patience.

"I'm going to cut your hair like his, and then you'll exchange clothes. When we leave this cave Amiboshi will be with me in the cloak and you'll take his horse. They know who you are, and we have to throw them off." The cold of the blade was at her neck, and she took a deep breath. "Forgive me." That was unexpected. She hadn't been waiting for an apology. She realized that it was necessary if she were to be kept safe.

"Go ahead," she consented and felt the sharp steel slice through her golden hair. Amiboshi, eyes sympathetic, picked up one of the fallen locks when he thought she wasn't looking, holding it tightly in his fist. She felt a deep ache from him, but didn't know where it came from. She reached out a hand comfortingly to him, and in touching him felt his nervousness and fright. Trowa tensed behind her at the movement so she brought her hand back to her lap and held still.

"All right, change clothes and then we'll wait for Tasuki to discuss what we're going to do to get out of here." Ayden looked to the twin, who nodded, and together they left the main area to obey.


Seven, Tasuki counted in his head as he watched the long unrocklike shadows of the Kutou warriors. Four archers, two swordsmen, and one quarterstaff. He wasn't worried about the swordsmen or the staff, but the archers were a concern. A longbow could propel an arrow at a terrible velocity for an amazing distance, and there wouldn't be any cover for them once they left the cave. He debated taking them on himself, but quickly discarded it. He didn't possess the weaponry for all seven at once, and that was surely to happen if he let himself be seen. No, it was better to wait, less dangerous to both himself and the priestess.

As the sunlight faded behind the rocks, the seven men began to move, making their way from the cave entrance. They knew better than to enter the labyrinth underground. They would undoubtedly return to camp to report what they had seen. Good, he smiled to himself, lead me right to your camp and then we can get past rather easily. He followed, skulking about rocks and using their shadows to his advantage, memorizing details of scenery so he could return if he needed to.

The men went over a ridge and that's when the camp came into view. Tasuki almost whistled at the sight. It wasn't just a camp. It was a border that stretched as far in both directions as he could squint out. The entire army of Kutou must be along that deadly line. How would they ever slip by unnoticed?

If he hadn't been puzzling over this nasty little problem he might have heard the silent wolf pad behind him and been able to defend himself in time. But the beast's paws in the sand were too swift and soft for even Tasuki to pick up, despite his sharpened senses, and he had no time to react. The snarl directly behind him was his only warning, and the animal sprang just as he turned around. No time to bring a dagger up, no time to deflect the momentum of the pouncing power, just time to realize exactly what was going to happen. The large wolf, large even by mountain standards, pinned him against the rock, piercing it into his back. The huge jaws closed on his throat so he dared not move and could only just breathe, and then everything was still. The lightning flash that had been the attack ceased, and the wolf remained perfectly motionless, holding his captive down and waiting. Tasuki debated trying to throw it over him, but the quivering teeth, wet against his windpipe, made him think better of that idea. If he moved, those teeth would close. He swore in his head and tried to think of another plan. How long would the wolf stay in this position? What kind of wolf was it that it could be so large and have enough restraint to keep his teeth fixed on his prey and yet not kill him? What was it waiting for? Tasuki forced himself to calm down, hold still, and wait with the beast. He could not move, and there was no sense in killing himself by trying. If the animal was waiting for someone, then that someone couldn't be far behind.

Moments later, his patience was rewarded with a close cry, "Good work, Ashtare. Hold him there!" It was a soft voice, and one he did not know. That meant it was not one of his bandits. He would have known if one of them kept a wolf this size anyway. No, whoever it was, it might be a worse fate to end up as his prisoner than being ripped apart by the wolf. A shadow fell over him, a shadow that kicked sand into his eyes. He blinked rapidly, feeling tears fall down his face as the wolf released his death grip on his throat. Hands grabbed him swiftly, tugging him over to his stomach and smoothly tying his hands useless behind him, all while his eyes tried to relieve themselves of the sand. That was a good move to paralyze him while the task of capturing him was complete. This person obviously knew what they were doing.

"I have a job for you." Said the voice viciously in his ear. So, those spies had noticed he was following them. Impressive. "If you'll just follow me, I can take you right where you want to go." He laughed at his own joke and hauled Tasuki to his feet. He thought of running, but his hands were tied and that was risky, besides the wolf, Ashtare, had his teeth bared as a warning of what would happen to him if he tried to escape. Very thorough. The man, actually now that they were both standing Tasuki could tell that the person who had captured him was really little more than a boy, remained behind him, seen only as a voice in his ear whispering threats as they made their slow trek down the sand to the long line of campfires below. Immediately, Tasuki began to think of a way of getting out while staying alive, even though he knew when he was locked into a cage that it would be much more difficult than he had first imagined.

"I'll be back," the boy told him as he secured the heavy lock in place. Now Tasuki could examine him closely, and he did so with disgust and distrust. The boy was short, much shorter than himself. How had such a young child gotten the better of him so easily? It was humiliating. He wore the colors of the mountain desert, his eyes pieces of the cobalt night. His skin was slightly sunburned, as though he had not been camped here long enough to get used to the harsh sunlight. The clothes he had on were dusty, but looked very new. But the oddest thing about him was his hair. Tasuki had to blink to be sure he had seen what appeared to be there. The hair was soft looking and rich chestnut in color, shining with the last tendrils of twilight, and hanging in one incredible braid to his knees. He was beautiful, the muscles visible underneath his shirt, a perfect specimen of a young warrior. The fact that he did look so flawless made it difficult for Tasuki to despise him as he should. He found himself admiring the nameless Seiryu soldier, one for having all the appearance of a stone statue and the other for capturing him so effortlessly. "Ashtare, watch!" The wolf rolled his eyes lazily to his departing master, then turned them hard on Tasuki. It glared, burning those eyes deep into him, before he calmly sat down before him to keep guard. Tasuki gave up; there would be no escape for him so long as that wolf kept his eyes open, and from what he could tell, the wolf took his orders extremely seriously. Well, he thought as he leaned against the uncomfortable bars, so much for that.


"Where is he?" Heero growled as he paced the length of the cave, reminding Ayden of the jungle cats before a performance. "It's way past sunset." She had never seen him so agitated before either. Chichiri, cross-legged with arms folded, perched on a rock in the shadows, lifted his head to acknowledge the unexpected outburst.

"He'll be here, you know," he replied with sure confidence. "Tasuki's the best scout around. Just give him a little while. Maybe he had to wait for darkness to come back. Maybe it was safer that way, you know?" Heero paused in circuit to bare his teeth.

"He's taking too long. The longer we stay here the easier it will be for them to keep us here. If he doesn't want us to starve then he'll hurry."

"You don't think something happened to him, do you Trowa?" Ayden whispered up to him. They were seated together, him on another rock and her on the ground, leaning against him. He had stiffened when she sat down, but now they were both getting used to the position. She saw him shrug.

"Who knows? There were seven of them, and he might not have been able to avoid all their notice." She shivered, wondering what would happen if he were to be captured, or killed? Didn't all the warriors have to be there for the summoning? Chichiri had said that. They needed Tasuki, for several reasons.

"Maybe someone could --" he shook his head before she had finished the thought.

"It's dark and no one knows the territory like he does. Besides, we don't know what's out there yet."

"What if he doesn't come back?" Heero heard her last comment and stopped dead to glare at her. Chichiri also lifted his eyes with an incredulous stare. The twins shifted uncomfortably.

"We'll worry about that if it happens, you know," Chichiri's voice carried a warning that the subject of Tasuki's tardiness not be mentioned again. A tenseness settled over the atmosphere, relieved only by Amiboshi when he took out his flute and played softly. Ayden sighed, leaned back against Trowa's knee, and wished that Tasuki would return soon. How long would they wait for him? What if he never came back? It may not be something they wanted to think about, but the topic would have to be addressed eventually. They could not stay in this cave forever. Ayden didn't like the idea of coming down here to begin with, but to be trapped in here was something else entirely. She lifted an uneasy hand to finger her now short hair. Please, she prayed, Tasuki come back quickly.


"Wake up," the voice harshly whispered and the cage shook slightly. Tasuki opened his eyes, shifting to ease the stiffness the bars had caused by pressing against his back so long. His legs begged to move, but the prison would allow none of it. His captor was without, the light of the night fires burning deep in his cobalt eyes as he gazed in at him. The wolf was still there as well, Tasuki could feel the beast presence now. It was there, and close, but not to be seen. "I have a favor to ask of you." Tasuki narrowed his eyes in distrust. What kind of favor would be asked of him from a Seiryu soldier. It was then that he noticed the lock had been picked and lay in the grass, shining dully in the reflected light. He would have to be careful in playing this game.

"And what would that be?" He asked cautiously, not making any movements.

"I want out of here." What? That was certainly unexpected. "If I go with you, they will think that you forced me to set you free."

"And come right after us when they find out that we're gone." A slight smile crossed the Seiryu's features. Why anyone would think a chase amusing was beyond him.

"With you and me and Ashtare, no one will be able to find us." That was true, Tasuki knew, but what about the others? The ones that this person knew nothing about. He had to get back to them. Perhaps if he went along he could get away from this boy and return to that secluded cave. It would be difficult. "Besides," his voice went low and he leaned close to the bars, a very trusting move to get that close to a desperate, trapped enemy. "I am one of you." He raised an arm, and Tasuki could see glowing there the red character of a Suzaku warrior! The last warrior, right here in the Seiryu camp. Wouldn't Chichiri be pleased when he returned with the very person they needed to find? But how had the last warrior ended up here? "We need each other," the boy continued as he could see Tasuki's wariness. "I won't betray you, if you don't betray me." He was right. The boy needed him to get away successfully, and Tasuki needed him to get back to the cave. The cave. The others. How long would they wait before they left without him? How long had he been asleep?

"It's a deal," Tasuki murmured, watching the grin lift the features of his captor. "If," the smile faded slightly. "If you leave the wolf behind." Without the animal he would be easier to handle should he do something unexpected. He turned to look at his companion, and Tasuki could see now that he was curled at his master's feet. For a moment the Seiryu, no Suzaku, warrior looked doubtful. Slowly, he nodded in acceptance to the proposition. Tasuki had won, this time.

"Ashtare," the wolf stood and pricked his ears attentively. "Make sure no one follows us." The boy scratched the wolf's head and neck affectionately, and the beast licked his fingers in a farewell. Tasuki was again amazed at the tameness of the animal, and wasn't even surprised that the wolf then began a patrol, searching for anyone who might see them escape. The boy sighed as he watched him go, as one would watch the departure of a dear comrade. Then he turned his midnight eyes to Tasuki. "Let's hurry."


"Is everyone in agreement?" Heero posed the question from where he stood in the center of the cave. Chichiri's light glowed about him dimly, making him an eerie figure in the shadows. "If he's not back by dawn, then we're leaving without him." The twins didn't want to agree, but they had no choice really. They couldn't wait on him forever, especially when they didn't know what had happened to him. Time was important and they had to get away before the enemy found some method of forcing them out, or trapping them in. Even Chichiri had to nod, though it was hesitant. Ayden was frightened, dawn wasn't very far away now. Poor Tasuki. The reality of the danger was becomming very clear, and she didn't like it at all.

"How will we find our way?" Suboshi questioned from somewhere Ayden couldn't see. "Tasuki is the only one who knows these mountains." Heero growled at him, and might have done something regrettable if Chichiri had not intervened.

"We follow the sun. That's all we've been doing for the past several days. If we don't vary from that course then we'll find the enemy camp and be able to get past it, and from there Taitskun will have to find us, you know." Suboshi nodded and silence fell tangible.

Until a faint scraping echoed down to them from the pathway leading into their hollow. Trowa stood quickly, his hand reaching for a knife, and Heero did the same. Both stood poised and ready for whatever was coming toward them into the cave, ready to fight. "Amiboshi," Trowa whispered in a tone so soft it was a wonder the twin heard. "Take Ayden back into the dark. Protect her." Ayden stood, just as Amiboshi slid an arm around her and pulled her back into a secluded tunnel. There was just enough space for them at the opening if they entered one a time, and he pushed her through first so he could shield her. She twisted in the narrow passage and tucked her head over his shoulder so she could see what was going on.

"Slow now," she heard someone say in a voice she recognized. It was Tasuki! But who was he speaking to? She turned so she could make out the opening, and the person who was stepping into the light. Her eyes widened and she forced herself not to gasp. Duo stood just inside the cave pocket, his eyes large and curious. He was wearing the clothes of this land, but she would remember his braid anywhere. It was Duo, but how on earth had he gotten here?

"Duo?" Heero sounded incredulous, not to mention surprised. No doubt he was thinking the same thing she was. Trowa stiffened, his weapon still in his hand, a look of distrust on his face. Duo stood completely still, eyes confused as if he didn't know who was standing in front of him. Then they took on recognition, and a grin slipped into place.

"Tadaima," he sighed, lowering his hands to his sides. "Watashi no tomodachi, Heero-san." Heero's shoulders loosened at the lilting Japanese greeting, and he stood straight from his positioned fighting stance. It had to be the real Duo, no one could have known Heero's name or his language if it wasn't someone that Heero knew and knew well. It was Duo, but there was still a confusion about how he had gotten here with them. Especially since they didn't know where they were in the first place.

"Duo," Heero said the name again, still not believing it was really him standing there before Tasuki. "How?" The braided pilot shrugged, already at ease with his old friends.

"It's a long story," was the vague reply. Ayden raised an eyebrow. How had he gotten there and why wasn't he answering the question properly? "I don't know how I got here myself in all honesty."

"He carries the mark of Suzaku, Chichiri," Tasuki interrupted, a silly smile brightening his face. "I found him."

"Indeed?" Chichiri stood, eyes focused on the new boy, who was looking behind him at Tasuki.

"I found you, you mean," he corrected rather coldly, but he raised his arm to allow Chichiri to inspect the dull red mark. "You're rather lucky I am who I am, wouldn't you say?" Tasuki looked sheepish and kicked a small stone into the collected pool in the shadows.

"What's he talking about, Tasuki?" Suboshi asked, carefully eyeing their new companion. "Did you get yourself captured or what?" Tasuki feigned deafness at the question.

"So how do you guys know each other?" Tasuki changed the subject, revealing that he had, indeed, gotten himself caught. But what did that matter? He was here now, and they were all going to make it out all right. And now they had the final warrior, so they could speed up the ceremony that much quicker. Ayden smiled softly, and get back home.

"We're from the same world," Ayden volunteered, feeling much more confident now that Tasuki was back and there was no apparent danger. She began to explain while Heero took Duo aside to speak to him alone.

Heero! Duo screamed inside his head. Please recognize me, please you've got to help me. I don't know how you can possibly be here, but you've got to see through this guy.
Enough, Miboshi hushed him. You are exactly as you've always been. I have your thoughts, your voice, and your form. What is different that he should notice? Now hush and watch your reunion.

"Duo, we're going to need your help," Heero began softly. Miboshi positioned his face into an expression of mock astonishment.

"My help? The great Heero Yuy needs my help? I wonder how much they're charging to go iceskating in hell?"

"Enough," Heero was not amused. "How did you get here? You have your Gundam with you? We've got to get away and quickly. There's some kind of war going on here and we can't really afford to get caught up in another one. " Miboshi held up a hand.

"Whoa, man, calm down. I haven't got Deathscythe with me. I didn't get here by machine. There was this wacky blue light that sort of carried me off and all of a sudden I was here with this mark," he held it up again for Heero to see. "I couldn't explain it. I didn't know where I was so I wandered around for days." That should account for the sunburn. "I thought I was going to starve or die of sunstroke, but I found this cave where there was at least water. I had been out today looking for something that made sense when I saw your friend fighting. It wasn't an even match by a long shot so I stepped in. After we'd kicked all their butts I saw that he had a mark like mine and when I asked him about it he got all excited and brought me right back to my own cave where you all were hiding." He spread his hands. "End of story. What's yours?" But Quatre! Duo shouted. You didn't tell him about Quatre! Of course not, Miboshi cooed. If he knows you've been with Seiryu then no one will trust us.

"We crashed here, but we're out of fuel." Duo's heart sank. There was no way they were getting out of here now. Heero shook his head. "Now we'll have to do it her way."

"And what exactly is that plan all about?" Heero switched to Japanese, not that anyone was listening to them anyway, but just as an extra precaution.

"These people we're with, they think that the girl is some kind of priestess. They believe that they are her warriors and she's supposed to summon some kind of god to grant her wishes. That's only after we've gathered all seven of the warriors and this scroll from a mystical person on top of some mountain that moves around. It's all ridiculous, but I doubt they'll let her go until she's done what they ask. If it works then she can just wish us all home." It would have sounded to Duo as if Heero had lost his sense, if he wasn't currently being held a prisoner in his own body.

"Sounds like one big trap to me. How is she supposed to summon the god anyway?" Heero shrugged.

"They don't tell us things. They expect us to already know everything. I was just trying to get us to the mountain, across an enemy border. Now that you're here you can help us." Miboshi rubbed his fingers against his shirt haughtily.

"Well naturally you'd need my expertise in Houdini-atrics for this type of mission. So glad you counseled with me for this one, Mr. Yuy." 'Mr. Yuy' growled deeply, stiffening his body. Some best friend you have here, Duo, Miboshi smiled within. Heero moved away from him then, skulking over to where Tasuki was already in conversation with Chichiri about what they were going to do next. His place was quickly taken by Trowa who put a gentle hand on his shoulder to gain his attention.

"Duo," he began softly, his eyes glinting in the darkness. "Where's Quatre? Wasn't he supposed to be with you?" Caught! Yes! Of course Trowa had seen what Heero had not. Of course he would have remembered that Quatre would be here too. There you have it, Trowa is the master! Duo sang, but Miboshi was ready with the lie.

"No, he's not even here. We were traveling towards the base when I was carried away by this light. Heero will tell you all about it, but Quatre didn't come with me." Worry quickly found its way into the green depths and Duo's consciousness slumped. He hadn't seen. It was just as Miboshi had said. What was there to see? He was exactly the same, and there was one attribute to his character that would make it that much harder for him to get them to think. Miboshi was using his tongue to lie, and that was something that Duo Maxwell never did. Whatever Miboshi told them they were going to believe without question, even if he were to lead them right into a trap. He rose up to fight the demon spirit possessing him, straining his mind to lift the one that had pressed it down. How dare you take my body! How dare you use me to hurt my friends! Relax, Miboshi didn't sound as if Duo's efforts were having any effect at all. It's useless, I've told you. You're mine until I no longer have need of you. And then, the smile in the voice was unmistakable. You die.

"You don't think he could have been transported somewhere else in this world, do you? He could be anywhere. With the enemy, on some other planet entirely . . ." Trowa was still rambling about the whereabouts of Quatre, but Miboshi was finished discussing matters with Duo. It was time to soothe the young man about his friend.

"Or right back where I left him. You don't know. The light may have left him there --"

"Alone, fighting our war, alone. It's a bad situation any way you look at it." Ayden had crept up to join them by this point.

"What's going on Trowa? What's wrong?" Trowa shook his head, his lips pressed too tightly to speak. Duo also looked away, as if he didn't want to answer her. She figured it was something that she either couldn't understand, or was too personal for them to share. It would be better if she just dropped it entirely.

"Tasuki says that we should leave soon," she changed the subject. "At the hottest part of the day." Duo winced.

"Isn't that a little dangerous? Look, I'm already sunburned." She smiled, pretending his question had been a joke.

"We'll have to risk it. If we stay here too long it will end up as a siege. Heero says he has a plan for getting past the border."

"Oh yeah, sure, Heero," Duo pouted, spreading his hands and bowing his head. "Take all the credit for what I'm going to do for you guys. How typical!" Ayden blinked, confused.

"How are you getting us across?" Duo turned his head and relaxed the hands he had placed on his hips in pretend anger. He smiled mischievously at her, winking slightly. It was times like these she wished she were more intelligent on war matters. Asking all these questions made her feel so ignorant, and not asking them just made her confused. How had she gotten mixed up in all this anyway?

"I, my lady, happen to be an expert on getting into and out of places without being seen."

"An escape artist?"

"The very best," Trowa supplied, to which Duo bowed deeply. "Now let's get going." He raised his voice. "Heero, are we leaving?" After receiving a nod, he began giving orders. "Amiboshi, wrap up in Ayden's cloak," his teeth clenched. "You'll be riding with me. Suboshi? Guard her well, we still don't know what's out there. Oye, Duo?"

"You called?" Duo, Ayden noticed, had a great shock recovery. He hadn't been down in the cave for ten minutes and already he was quite at home with the situation. She'd been in this world for days and she still didn't know what she was doing.

"I want you to ride with Ayden. Hey, you wouldn't have a gun by any chance?" For a second, Duo's eyes narrowed as if he hadn't understood the question. Or maybe he was just thinking, Ayden couldn't tell for sure. Then he rummaged in his shirt, retrieving the shining weapon. Suboshi and Tasuki were immediately interested, but Heero's gruff burst of, "let's get out of here," stopped them from asking any questions about it. Heero was the first to leave, followed by Chichiri and Suboshi. Trowa gestured to Amiboshi, who was now perfectly concealed in Ayden's cloak. Gently Trowa placed his hand on the older twin's back to guide his movements through the dark, just as he would have if he had been Ayden. It made her smile to see.

"Well, missie, I guess it's just you and me and this thing here. You know how to ride?"

"Yes," she patted the horse reassuringly, knowing that it was looking forward to getting out of the cave as much as she was.

"Good 'cuz I don't. You steer and I'll watch for bad guys, ok?" She nodded and took the reins, following Trowa out to the harsh sunlight, wind, and possible ambush. And to think, just a few days ago her biggest problem was doing a night show. Oh Trowa, she thought as Duo pulled her up to nestle in front of him on the palomino mare, you sure brought a lot of excitement when you showed up.

To everyone's surprise, except Duo's who knew nothing of it, there was no ambush. In fact, even the shadows had disappeared from behind the rocks. "What's everyone so tense about?" Duo whispered into her ear as they carefully made their trek through the stifling heat.

"They're waiting for an attack. I don't know why its not coming." Duo laughed quietly, reminding Ayden of Tasuki.

"They're not going to attack in this kind of heat. It's a wonder we're moving in it, really. And how is that kid up there handling being under that cloak?" Ayden remembered being under the cloak. It wasn't too bad, actually. It had blocked the sun from her eyes and the wind from her hair, and Trowa had been right there with his arm gently around her waist. The one that was there now was not quite as gentle, and every once in a while it would tighten as if in a convulsion of some kind. She focused her attention on the tallest Gundam pilot, watching him as he watched everything else, with an intensity akin to nothing. She could lose herself in studying him, but then the words of the emperor came back to her. The last thing he had told her before she had set out on this expedition. She closed her eyes; it wasn't worth thinking about right now, after all, she wasn't even sure that she would come back to him alive.

Stop fighting! Miboshi hissed. You know you can do nothing! Duo felt the pressure increase to the point of pain, and pushed back. MOVE!!! He commanded his arm, his finger, his eye or even his tongue, but nothing would obey. He had felt this only once before, this kind of inability, but it had returned with no effort on his part. This was something totally different. Something he wasn't prepared for by a long shot. He was not strong enough. But you did get it, Duo, he remembered. You clenched your muscles back in the dungeon, before he had really entered you. You moved against his will, and it had surprised him, remember? You can do that again. What did you do the first time that got past his strength?

The only reason that you could move then was because I had not yet taken full control, Miboshi's voice, liquid fire, swirled around him, making him want to cringe back, curl up, and die. Tears welled up in his spirit, but his body would not yield them.

And what do you mean to do with them? Why the charade?

It is my place to search your thoughts, not the other way around.

What difference does it make if you tell me your secrets or not? What am I going to do with them? It's not like I can just walk up and whisper them into the priestess' ear, can I?

Miboshi laughed, a dark thing that burned hotter than the desert sun. It is not information you have to worry about. Let it alone. But since we're on the subject of thoughts and plans, let's say we have a look through your memories? Want to see? Duo didn't want to see. He'd lived through them and they were tucked away for a reason. He knew that Miboshi had already seen his past and his life. He knew everything already, it was simply a threat to get him to stop his struggling. He could do that, for right now. Duo succombed to what the creature wanted, stopped pushing and retreated. However, what had taken place had given him a little piece of hope. Miboshi wouldn't tell him his plan. Why not? It didn't really matter. Unless he was afraid that Duo would regain possession of his body and reveal it. And if Miboshi was taking precautions against that. . .it meant that Duo had a chance of doing it.

They made their trek for the rest of the day, the heat blurring all the miles together until Ayden couldn't tell which direction they were going, or where they had come from, and was about to the point where she no longer cared when their little caravan stopped so suddenly she almost didn't notice. The sun was not quite down, but close enough that the color of the sand and sky were not the same anymore. Heero dismounted gracefully and cautiously, making a sign for the rest of them to stay where they were. Tasuki dropped back to where Ayden and Duo were. She felt Duo's hand spasm into a fist and then relax at her waist. He'd been doing that all day, so she didn't really pay any attention.

"What's going on?" She whispered as the situation seemed to call for it. "Why have we stopped?" Tasuki grinned at her, leaning in.

"We've found the border," he told her, giving a strange, knowing look at Duo. "We have to stay out of sight so Heero can take over the plan." The hand tightened again.

"Oh for crying out loud," Duo hissed, a little angrily. "Why doesn't he just let me do what I'm best at? He wants to get across? I can get him across."

"He can get himself across, it's us he has to worry about," Ayden muttered in her throat. She knew very well that the problem was the number of people and horses that were in the company.

"Don't you think it would be less dangerous for him than you?" Tasuki was asking.

"Not in the least," Duo broke in before Ayden was sure that Tasuki was finished speaking. "Here, watch the lady for me, make sure she doesn't get into trouble. I'm going after that stubborn baka." He slipped off the saddle and into the coming night, disappearing before Ayden had really seen him at all. Maybe he was as good as his word.

"Arrogant bastard, isn't he?" Tasuki murmured, nudging his horse a little closer to Ayden. "Let's hope he knows as much as he says he does."

"I think he does," Ayden reassured him. "I really think he does."

Despite Duo's ability they did not cross the border that night. "There's way too many sentinels during the dark," Duo told them as they clustered together in the shelter of a rock. "Everyone wants to do things at night, and they expect that. No, if we're going to do this, then we have to do it the right way. . there's too many of us to get across as silent as I'd like. Besides, we need a little rest in case we have to fight our way over." Heero nodded sagaciously and everyone settled in. Ayden thought the very idea of fighting to get across was ridiculous. She could see the campfires stretching out to either side far into the distance. There were way too many of them. It would be better if no one even knew they were there.

"I'll stand first watch," Duo volunteered as the twins began to care for the horses and Ayden stretched herself out after the long ride. "Be prepared for me to wake you up anytime, all right?" Heero snorted, but nodded his acceptance of Duo's offer. Chichiri gestured to the Japanese pilot and together they went a little apart to discuss some matter of delicacy. Ayden was about to go to Trowa as they had been separated since they'd left the cave, but Amiboshi got to him first. They put their heads together and didn't give her another look before also moving a ways off. This dampened her spirits slightly, and she had just begun cursing herself when Duo appeared at her shoulder.

"You'd better stick close to me tonight, girly," he told her in a quiet voice. "You're the one they want, aren't you?" She nodded numbly, too tired from the journey and upset about Trowa to want to talk much. "Here, lay down and get some sleep. You never know when we might have to run again." She did as he commanded, fingering a knife in her sleeve, as he slipped away to where Heero was. Tasuki took his place, watching the braided pilot with wary eyes. Ayden sat up again to consider him.

"You don't trust him, do you?" She asked even though she knew the answer already. He gave her a quick look and smile.

"I don't know yet," he admitted, sitting down next to her. "He just comes off weird."

"What do you mean?"

Tasuki shrugged, looking off in the direction Duo had gone. "I guess its nothing if you guys haven't noticed. You know him better than I do. Anyway, you, uh, you get some sleep. I'll be right here even if Trowa forgot what his mission was." Ayden narrowed her eyes at this. What was he implying? That she wasn't important to Trowa? Maybe you aren't, Ayden, she sighed as she tried to find a semi-comfortable position on the sand, maybe you aren't. She heard Tasuki behind her, settling in, and for a moment she listened to his breathing, steady and soft. She felt his eyes on her and sighed contentedly. I trust you, Tasuki, she thought right before she fell asleep.

The hand over her mouth and the hush in her ear woke her up. Blinking she tried to focus on who it was that was hovering over her, but the only thing she could make out for certain was that it was still night. "Come on," came the familiar whisper and she stood silently to follow, without even thinking of what she was doing. She'd only taken a few stumbling steps before she realized that the person she was walking behind was Duo, and that everyone else was still fast asleep. She yawned, wondering what was going on. Duo led her away from the camp to where she could see the fires of the Kutou enemy.

"What are we doing, Duo?" She asked quietly. He gave her a ready smile, a reassuring smile.

"We're going across the border, one at a time. I found a gap between the tents with no guards and somewhere safe to hide on the other side, but all of us at once is sure to bring someone onto us."

"Who's over there already?"

Duo shook his head. "You're going first, that's safest, and Heero is coming after you. Now be quiet so we can do this." He grabbed her wrist and they hurried down a sand hill into the concealment of a rock. The fires were now at eye level, bigger and more threatening. Ayden tried to swallow and found that she couldn't. Duo's voice was hoarse in her ear, as if he were having the same problem.

"Do you see the space between the tents? The dark area there," he pointed and she nodded. It seemed a very small window to try and escape through, especially when eight people had to get across before anyone spotted them, but everyone said that Duo was the best at this kind of game. She wondered if he'd ever hidden this many people before. "Listen up, you're going to run through there as silently as you can. On the other side, see on the other side? Right, there's some sagebrush there, a large clump of it and an impression behind it. That's where you're going to hide and wait for the others. You got it?" She nodded, feeling her limbs begin to tremble at the thought of running across all alone. What happened, she thought as she prepared her body for the sprint, what happened to going across when it wasn't dark? "What are you, afraid?" She bit her lip, wishing that she had the soldier's nerve. I'm an acrobat, she kept repeating in her head, I'm nothing but an acrobat. "Don't be, I'm going to be right here in case anything happens." For some strange reason, that didn't exactly comfort her.

"I'm here too," came another voice that made Ayden jump and Duo reach instinctively for his gun. She turned her head to see the shadow in the darkness that neither one of them had heard come up behind them. The moonlight glinted off the gold at the newcomer's neck, and the voice suddenly registered as Tasuki. "Just in case." Ayden smiled, but Duo didn't unclench his fist or pull his hand away from where the gun was secreted. "In fact," Tasuki continued, giving Duo a look of distrust. "How about if I went first? There's no gaurantee that there's no one on guard there. It might just be a trick to lure us in."

Duo shrugged suddenly, spreading his hands as if to wash them from the affair. "Sure, go ahead, but go silently and hide in the brush there to wait for the others." Tasuki gave Duo a long searching look, his hand reaching behind him to fish something out from under his coat. He was still staring at the younger boy when he pulled out a large, iron fan. Ayden sucked in her breath to see it, wondering what sort of weapon it was.

"Be careful," she whispered to him, clasping her hands together nervously. He favored her a fond smile, patting the fan.

"Don't worry. I've got it covered." Without another sound he jogged, almost nonchalantly, across the impenetrable border to the other side. Duo had been right, there was no one there. Ayden sighed in relief as Tasuki ducked behind the sagebrush, raising his hand above it to gesture her forward. It'll be all right, she told her shaking knees, Tasuki made it over without any trouble.

"Ok, girly, your turn," Duo whispered in her ear. "No sound, remember." She nodded, gulping one last breath of air, before stepping out of the safety of the rock. Time slowed down. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears, fast and hard, as she ducked her head and ran. The tents were coming up now, she could see the patches on the fabric in the moonlight. But there's no one there, she reminded herself, so just keep running to Tasuki. She raised her eyes to see if she could see him, and found him leaping from the concealment of the brush, his fan opening. What was he doing? A yell shattered her heartbeat, and she froze as three men jumped from the supposedly empty tents. They'd been waiting for her! Her hand found its way into her sleeve without any conscious thought on her part. The dagger was drawn and thrown all by itself, and it wasn't until she saw the blood blossoming from the throat of her attacker that she realized she had just committed murder. A hand grabbed her from behind, but she pivoted away from it, ducking under another man's grasp and running. There was someone right behind her, she could hear his footsteps in the sand, but she dared not turn and see. There was a twang, as of an arrow being loosed into the night. She waited for it to connect with something, but it never touched her. She almost glanced back to see what had become of the archer, but a sudden dip in the sand twisted her ankle and wrenched her equilibrium. As she went down to her knees, she fumbled in her other sleeve to get the other dagger. But when she turned to throw it, she recognized Tasuki rushing towards her, the enemy behind him.

On his way by her, he bent down and scooped her from the sand in a very neat and surprsing fashion. Almost casually, he tossed her over his shoulder even as he turned back to face their pursuers. The fan glinted in the moonlight, and Ayden wondered what was going to happen.

"Rekka Shinen!" Even as the words left Tasuki's mouth a stream of fire exploded from the tip of his fan, cannoning into the soldiers who followed them. Ayden had never seen the like. She would never have guessed that Tasuki would have this kind of power. The men who had lived through the inferno skittered to a halt and ran back the other way. Tasuki snorted softly at the outcome and hurried on away from the border, folding up the fan again on the way.

Ayden wished that he would put her down and explain what had happened, and where Duo was, but he ran on carrying her as if she weighed about the same as his fan. Clouds passed over the moon, and Tasuki stumbled several times in the dark, but they continued for what seemed to Ayden, who had nothing to do but try not to impede Tasuki's movement, like a ridiculously long time. They'd never be able to find Duo again, not to mention the others who weren't even awake when all this had happened.

It was almost sunrise when Tasuki tripped for the last time. Ayden was jolted from his shoulder and fell onto her back in the sand, looking up at him. His face was pale, and he didn't move from his hands and knees, his mouth open and gasping. She sat up quickly, hoping he hadn't hurt himself, and the movement made him look up at her.

"Are you," he gasped. "Are you ok?" She nodded numbly, wondering why his face was so pale since he'd been running for so long. "Good." He allowed himself to drop down to the ground, shifting so that he was stretched out on his back. That's when Ayden noticed that his clothes were stained dark on the left side of his body in ruddy streams. Questioningly, she touched his coat to find it sticky and wet.

"Tasuki," she croaked in surprise. "You're bleeding!" This gained a laugh.

"Yeah, stupid archer got lucky if you ask me. I wasn't even the target. It's just a graze; I'll be fine." Ayden now realized who had been the recipient of the arrow she had heard. The arrow that had been meant for her had hit Tasuki. And here he'd been carrying her all night!

"Take off your coat, Tasuki, let me see." He rolled his eyes over to her, making her realize how tired he was. She tugged at his arm to pull him upright, helping him to shuffle out of the sticky coat, and lifting his shirt to see the graze in the light of the coming sun. He was right, it was only a graze, but his constant movement had not allowed it to scab over. Deftly, she unwrapped the cloth around her wrist, knowing that Amiboshi wouldn't mind donating it to this use, and secured it tightly around Tasuki to stop the bleeding. All the while she worked, he had to lean into her, and when she was finished he fell back onto the sand, closing his eyes. She covered him with the coat as it was still cold on the desert.

"That should do for a while, but let's not do it again, ok?" She told him as she stretched out next to him, propping herself up on her elbow so she could watch his face. He grinned.

"Fine by me," he muttered in a sleepy voice before nodding off and leaving her to her own thoughts. She looked off at the mountains, towering miles away, and wondered what had become of the others. Had the Kutou soldiers found them in all the commotion they had caused? Had they been able to get past the border? How would they meet up with them again? Maybe you never will, Ayden. Maybe you're stuck out here with Tasuki until you die of thirst or heat. All the water pouches were with the horses, she remembered with sudden dismay. Now what are we going to do? We can't go back, and we're all alone. Sure, Tasuki was a mountain bandit, but what good was that going to do them here? He was injured and out of his territory. And what about Trowa? Ayden bit her lip at the thought of him. Would he come looking for her? Would he care enough to come looking for her when he hadn't stayed by her last night? She sat up, drawing her knees to her chest, and getting ready for what was going to be a most refreshing cry, when she heard a shout carried on the wind.

Startled, she drew her dagger and stood up to see an approaching figure on the horizon. It was moving quite fast over the sand, as if it had caught sight of her, and it called out again. She squinted to see if she could make out who or what it was, ready to take aim if necessary, but by this time Tasuki had heard the shouts as well and was standing beside her.

"What the devil is that?" He whispered, fingering his fan. "It'll keep its distance if it knows what's good for it."

"Don't overdo it, Tasuki," Ayden warned as the figure focused into someone she recognized. "It's just Duo." Tasuki clicked his tongue.

"How convenient," he hissed, dropping to his knees. "And where has he been all this time?" This was, to Ayden, a fair question. She'd thought he was long gone. She couldn't remember seeing him at all after the fight began.

"Oh man, there you are," Duo puffed as he jogged into their company. He looked wide awake, bright and cheerful as ever. Tasuki snorted what might have been a greeting or a threat before flopping back down. "Wasn't easy tracking you down."

"So why bother?" Tasuki rumbled, pulling the coat over his eyes to block out the newly risen sun. Duo just blinked at him.

"I had to return something," he reached into his clothes to retrieve Ayden's dagger. The blood of the man it had killed was washed away, and it gleamed innocently in his hand as he offered it to Ayden. "Thought you'd be needing this." Tasuki poked his head out for a second to see what it was. "You're a better shot with that thing than I expected."

"Thank you," seemed to be the only thing Ayden could say, being so surprised that he had caught up to them, found them in the middle of nothing but sand, and had thought to bring the dagger back to her to begin with. He stretched his arms behind his head in a graceful fashion, breaking the spell. "But what happened to the others?"

Duo coughed. "Yeah, about them. After you two took off I ran back to warn them, but I couldn't find them," Ayden grabbed hold of his arms at this.

"What about Trowa? Is he all right?"

"Trowa? He's a Gundam pilot, of course he's all right. Since we sparked some attention they probably had to make a run for it."

"So we're all split up," Ayden sighed. "What do we do now? How do we find them again?" Duo looked surprised.

"They're gonna have to find their own way, girly. As for us, I'd say we should get our fire headed friend here out of the sun for a while."


Trowa clenched his fist tightly, digging his fingers deep into the burning sand. How could he have let this happen? He should have stayed closer, paid more attention. Then he would have known the moment she had left the camp. He could have gone with her, protected her like he was supposed to. Why had he ever left her side? How could he possibly think her safe in the company. I wasn't that far away, he thought, how did she do it?

"Trowa," Amiboshi's shy call made him drop the sand and turn. The twin was still wearing Ayden's clothes. How could you have been so stupid, Trowa? Trying to pull such a ruse, guarding the warrior and leaving the girl on her own. "What do we do now, Trowa?"

"We'll have to try and find them," Trowa sighed, looking off at the unchanging landscape in every direction. "They must have gotten past the border." If they were still on the Konan side then they should have met up with them by now. But then again, you should have met up with Heero and the blue-haired man too, shouldn't you? Trowa had no idea where those two had gone, but wasn't quite as concerned about their safety. He knew Heero too well, and figured the other guy could hold his own.

"How do we get across the border?" Suboshi questioned from where he was reclining on the sand in the shadow of a boulder. Trowa gave him a glance, glad that he was awake. In the confusion last night the boy had taken an arrow to the shoulder. It hadn't stopped him killing two of the soldiers that had come after them, but when all was quiet again he had collapsed into his brother and lost consciousness.

Trowa shook his head. "I haven't figured that out yet." He cursed himself again. Why couldn't he be more like Duo for this kind of situation? But then again, Duo had failed in getting them all across hadn't he? Trowa almost punched the sand. He had failed and now they were separated. Ayden was out there somewhere in all that wretched blinding dust, kept from him by distance and a long line of an enemy he had not meant to fight.

Amiboshi settled himself down next to his brother, taking his flute from his cloak. He gave Trowa a beckoning gesture, but Trowa was too restless for the music Amiboshi would be playing. It made the twin sigh when Trowa stared off again toward the mountain ridge. "We're all worried about the Priestess, but there's nothing we can do yet," he told Trowa almost too calmly. "She's not alone. She has two warriors with her."

But will it be enough? Trowa questioned, wishing he were one of the two. He shook his head, forcing himself to sit down with the twins and think of a plan. Things that hadn't gone the way they should could only be thrown out and not thought of. There was no direction except forward. Besides Trowa, a new thought gave him renewed peace, Duo is with her. Duo will keep her safe.