Discalimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. Gah! More lawyers! ::shakes them off
left leg::
Please R+R!
________________________
Part 5:
"Just wait a minute," Duo exclaimed hurriedly, making it quite clear that Zechs was not getting away, "You're going to tell us what's up whether you like it or not!"
The blond spun around dully, plastering his face with remembrance as he seemed years away. Solo snorted a bit uncomfortably, "You at least owe us an explanation, or something. I mean, if I've got this right," Solo raised both eyebrows and held his hand out, counting absently-mindedly with his fingers as he spoke, "The guy who came here wasn't Treize, but was sent by Treize to kill Duo? But we don't even know who the hell Treize is!"
"I don't know of his background, but somehow he convinced me a long time ago that ," Zechs paused, "We started the revolution, the idiot I was." He spat, "I was a fool not to realize his true intentions. He wanted the king dead so he could rise as king, but Treize knows that before he can rise up on the peoples' shoulders, they're going to need to be desperate. The way things are looking, now, I'd bet anything his plan is coming into action."
Solo widened his eyes at this, although not quite hearing anything past the part where Zechs confessed to starting the revolution. Duo stayed quiet. Having not lived through the revolution, he didn't know what he was talking about exactly, but Zechs' words had impact on Solo, who had a new hatred, "And you created that massacre?"
"No!" The blonde narrowed green eyes, frustrated with himself, "I worked for Treize, and that was a long time ago . . . but some things never change. It's obvious that he hasn't. Treize said it was for the good of the country, that he was doing what the people wanted, but it was all wrong," Zechs' fist grew tighter, "The people are not always right, you know. Changes needed to be made, but we went too far, and now, well, you know what happened. . . "
". . . We're stuck with a government that works like crap, that's what happened!" Solo burst out, turning to his friend, "And that's why there are so many like us, Duo. They may have brought down the evils of the monarchy, but that's not all they brought down. No one pays attention to the ones who stand in the way. They all die, didn't you know? Or didn't you care?" The elder thief hissed sarcastically in the corner.
Duo knew that the revolution was a very sensitive subject for Solo, and he knew it had something to do with why Solo was on the streets as well, but it was better that since neither of them knew his past, that Solo's would remain a secret as well, but he couldn't help but wonder. Zechs seemed sympathetic in the pause, but came to a quick defense.
"You misunderstand! Of course I care, and I'm sorry, but Treize never did . . . he doesn't care even, now, and I'll bet my life that he's going to follow up on his actions sometime soon. I mean, thirteen years is long enough to create a plan to become the next monarch." Zechs said, chuckling falsely upon what should have been a joke, but it was frightening to know that it was true.
"But you killed the king! It's done." Duo protested at once, "The people wanted that, so they would never accept anyone, much less Treize as their ruler! They aren't -that- stupid."
Zechs looked at him curiously, it being the first time Duo spoke up in a while, and Zechs was struck once again by purple eyes.
"You obviously don't know Treize," The blonde stepped backwards from the bed on which Duo sat and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, "He has the charisma to put the people in the palm of his hand, and after his victory in the revolution, there's nothing he can't get them to do."
"So it's only a matter of time . . . ?" Duo asked, knowing the answer already.
"Yes."
"Damn!" The braided boy huffed, crossing his arms in pure anger, trying to think of a solution to the problem with all his might, and there was a moment of silence while this all sunk in. "Uh. . . . what does this have to do with us, again? I mean, how can you even be sure that Treize sent this guy?"
Zechs was silent a minute.
"Well, it seems awfully suspicious to me. I saw Dorothy sneaking around, for one thing and I know she's in league with Treize. But that still doesn't explain why he would want to get rid of you," The blonde pointed to the braided one who wrinkled his eyebrows in thought. . . 'a woman sneaking around. . . I wonder. . .'
"It might've been a mistake." Solo pointed out.
"But that's just the thing. . . Treize doesn't make mistak . . . " Green eyes narrowed.
"What's this about somebody sneaking around?" Duo interrupted, thinking back to his meeting in the alley. Although the blonde had not mentioned her name, she had mentioned Lucrezia. Zechs looked at him blankly, surprised at why Duo would take interest in the subject.
"Yes, what of her?" He asked curiously.
"Does this particular someone talk about you as if it were behind your back, only right in front of your face?" Duo asked.
"Yes, but I would need a little more description if you think you've seen her, and it is crucial you tell me if such a thing occurred, although I have no idea why she would come after you, but it would confirm that -you- are the target." The low voice spoke with all sincerity.
Duo thought for a moment, "Scary eyebrows!"
"That's her all right." Zechs pronounced grimly, "What did she say?"
"Whole bunch of stuff that made no sense to me whatsoever. . . although I do remember her saying 'I didn't meet her expectations'" Duo quoted, bending his fingers and sighed expressively, ". . . like she was stalking me from the day I was born."
Zechs looked into the heart-shaped face and saw a shine of amethyst off Duo's eyes in the candlelight.
/Violet eyes. . . Where have I seen those eyes before? . . . /
"He-ll-oooooo?" Duo asked, waving a hand in front of the frozen face that quickly snapped back into the real world. Zechs quickly replied to say that he was fine, and continued to look at Duo perplexedly, while younger eyes across the room threatened closing.
None of them had gotten any rest all night, and it was no wonder none of them were thinking straight. Looking out the window, the sun was already rising and Zechs wondered what kind of trouble Dorothy was giving Lucrezia, but he knew that the woman was more than capable. He wouldn't have given her such an important assignment if she wasn't.
"Why don't you two get some rest?" Zechs said, defeated, and uncrossed his arms with a gesture towards the new light that streamed through the window. Duo relaxed his position as he looked at Solo underneath the covers, who had already drifted off into a silent sleep, and watched as Zechs headed to the door, "Go ahead, Duo," The blond turned around sharply, "You're going to need your rest, too, if you're going to help me catch that assassin."
Duo nodded quickly at the older man and got up slowly from the bed, being sure not to stir his sleeping friend, who breathed heavily as he shifted sides in slumber. Duo made his way to the other bed with guilt.
It was his fault. Solo would have never gotten hurt if he hadn't been there, and Solo could be dead right now if he had only been a few inches to the side. Duo shook his head with fright. He wouldn't let it happen. He didn't know how he could go on living if someone was killed because of him. Solo getting hurt was enough on his head, and if he stayed here, Zechs would surely have him to lure the assassin, and Solo would surely follow. Duo couldn't bear to put his friends in danger any longer.
As long as he was around, people would always get hurt.
That's why Duo had to leave.
It was the right thing . . . wasn't it?
Duo looked at the sleeping Solo who writhed a little in pain of which Duo blamed himself fully. He couldn't put Solo in danger. . . .he couldn't put Zechs or Lucrezia in danger either, even if they were looking for it. It just wasn't right. Sleeping would have to wait.
"I'm sorry, Solo, but it's just something I have to do." Duo said quickly, and after looking for a pen and paper, realized neither Solo nor he could read, and so he reached around underneath the collar of his shirt for the only thing that he could think of as a temporary goodbye. Duo sure has hell wouldn't die without his cross.
Fingering the small gold cross that he treasured more than anything else, he knew that it was the only thing that connected him to his parentage, but when he left Solo behind, he also left his family. But family members did not put each other in danger if they could help it, either.
"I'm going to find that girl, and I'm sure she knows where Treize is. Then I'll set everything straight so neither of us will have to suffer, and things will be just like they were . . . you'll see," Duo mumbled to himself, or rather the sleeping Solo, as he placed the cross on the side table where Solo would be sure to see it. "It has to be me . . . only me."
With that, the braided one took one last look at the sleeping boy before looking distastefully at the hall door, and turning more hopefully towards the window. No one would know if he left from the roof, and so he did.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Lucrezia walked hurriedly on the street, picking up the edge of the dress that was dragging cumbersomely in the gutter. This was perhaps the worst news she had heard in a long time.
How could the Dauphin have survived? Surely Dorothy must be lying, but there was no sense in taking chances. She had to alert everyone of this rumor at once! She hadn't thought to look for him, herself, because the post said that there were no survivors of royal blood. Everyone knows that this is not the most reliable source of information, but even so, it didn't seem possible.
Lucrezia knew that Zechs had said that young assassin had been sent by Treize. She had heard of the man before, but never knew him well aside from knowing that he was a vile, power-hungry man who started the revolution on the wishes of the people, but meant them as wishes for himself.
In this unstable time, it was obvious Treize wanted to take the throne, but why would he need the Dauphin to do so? It didn't make sense. Wait, no, it's not that Treize needed the Dauphin, it's that he wanted to get rid of the threat the heir presents. Surely, if the revolution took place thirteen years ago, the Dauphin could not be more than a young man, and would probably not know anything of his past, or else he would have risen to power already. Whether this was a curse or a blessing, Lucrezia hadn't the nerve to guess, but either way, Treize could easily crush the heir, who could be their last hope for a stable nation.
/Wait a second . . . that assassin was sent by Treize and Treize wants to get rid of the threat of the Dauphin . . . Could Zechs be?. . . no, the assassin would have gone to Zechs' room, because they aren't that careless. . . but those boys . . . /
Upon reaching the correct street, she ran to the door of the "Calme en Nantes" with the same despair that Duo had shown upon entering not more than an hour ago and ran recklessly up the stairs.
Zechs, almost immediately after not being able to get to sleep, heard the loud clomping of shoes up the stairs, and ran to meet them just as Lucrezia had entered the room in which Solo had been sleeping quite soundly. He turned quickly to find Zechs running in as well.
"Lucrezia? Did you take care of Dorothy?" Zechs asked quickly, and Lucrezia turned around sharply to face him.
"They've found the Dauphin." She said quickly as the man's narrow green eyes widened in absolute shock. He was frozen a minute.
"I see." He said, "Then I must act quickly."
"Zechs, there is no 'I' here! There's no way you can do this alone. Besides, this 'Treize' must have the order out for the Dauphin's assassination already." Lucrezia said hurriedly, "Which is why I don't think these two," She motioned behind her, "Are without suspicion to that title. . ."
It was at that exact moment that Solo awoke, to the sounds of a worried Lucrezia from his doorway. Quickly looking at the bed aside him, he saw the covers thrown astray.
"Where's Duo?!" Solo shouted at the two arguing figures in the hall, who were ogling him disbelievingly. Running inside, the two elder figures looked to the empty bed.
Zechs then let out a string of curses that are not fit to be repeated underneath his breath as he turned to Lucrezia.
"The assassin was after Duo," The blonde clenched his fists in realization, "The purple eyes. . . I should have known! Those are the eyes of the Dauphin! It was under my nose all this time! Damn!" He turned to Lucrezia in a fit of rage, "Damn it all! We have to find Duo before its too late!"
"Hold on a second, you're jumping to conclusions!" Lucrezia warned, "We still don't . . ."
"His cross. . ." Solo said wistfully, picking up the gold chain that lay on the desk. He still refused to believe anything he'd just heard. Duo would never be the Dauphin, Duo was only and always his friend.
Zechs and Lucrezia stared at Solo's calmness in the situation as he picked up the cross and held it up to them. He cringed at the raising of his injured arm, but they both had to see and understand, "Duo left his cross. He's coming back."
"How can you be so sure?" Zechs asked as Lucrezia elbowed him, and cut off Solo from answering.
"You're one to talk," She spoke to Zechs who glared solemnly at her, ". . . You're the one assuming beyond all doubt that Duo is heir to the throne. Don't make me laugh. He's just a common thief."
"I was there, don't you get it?" He said gravely, "I was supposed to kill him in the first place . . . it was thirteen years ago, all I remember were those enchanting purple eyes before I left," He paused for sincerity as he captivated Lucrezia and Solo's attention further, "it was supposed to be the finale to the revolution. That was the one flaw in Treize's plans to rise to power. Now, I assume, he will try again by eliminating the one obstacle that stood in his way before."
"I'm sorry. . ." Lucrezia said dejectedly, "I didn't know. . ."
Solo was angered by this, "Look, I don't know what you guys are getting at, but there is no way that Duo is a royal, okay?! I raised him myself!"
Zechs looked at the fiery young man with sincerity, "Where did you meet him first?"
"Well. . . I. . . uh. . ." Solo paused, a little blinded by his own denial, "The steps of the Maxwell Church before it was destroyed." He clenched Duo's gold cross even tighter in his right fist, wanting to jump out of bed and run to find Duo and show them he wasn't who they said he was, but Solo knew he was still too weak. It hurt even to move the slightest.
"Is it not possible that someone took pity upon the child in his dead mother's arms and brought him to the church door in hopes that someone might save him?" Zechs asked calmly, laying his proof as gently as he could on the young Dauphin's only family and best friend.
"But, it can't be! I won't believe it!" Solo retorted sharply, the tears of frustration that slid down his cheek eluding him entirely.
"Then you would just let Duo leave? Treize might have that young assassin on his tail even as we speak." Lucrezia said, rushing to Solo's side to calm the young man. Zechs had adjourned to the other side of the room, dismissing this display as 'weak'. "We may be wrong about Duo being the Dauphin, but Treize thinks that Duo is, too, so either way, he is in danger. Are you willing to help us?"
Solo glared at the woman with dark bangs covering half her face and nodded determinedly while he tried to remove the covers to his bed.
"Oh, no, you don't!" Lucrezia said quickly, "You're much too weak to be going anywhere!"
"But Duo probably left because he didn't want to get me in danger, I know he did, the selfless fool!" Solo yelled, almost at himself, and the two looked almost sympathetic for the poor boy before Zechs chimed in.
"She's right." He turned to the door, "I'll find the Dauphin."
"You mean, 'you'll find Duo'!!" Solo exclaimed sharply to the blonde, "And he -is- coming back," Solo said definitely as he placed Duo's gold cross around his neck. "He wouldn't leave this if he was going to die."
"As that may be, I won't let Treize have his way." Zechs said, and with that, he ran out of the room, clutching his side to make sure his gun was still in its proper place. Lucrezia sighed as she watched the revolutionary leave.
"You're leaving, too." Solo said, and Lucrezia turned sharply.
"I don't have a weapon, and besides, you might need someone to look after you, here." The woman put her hands on her hips as she looked out the window at the sun which was already rising. To think all of this had happened in one crazy night . . .
With that, the young man smirked, rummaging inside his clothes for an old something. Upon feeling the metal against his skin, he drew out the knife and spit a little on it before polishing it over with edge of his pants. He admired it a bit, out of the vision of Lucrezia, and ran his fingers over the name he had etched in the side. His name was really the only thing he'd ever learned to write, and he was the only on in the whole Sweeper's group who could aside from Duo, who had learned it from him. It looked quite unprofessional, but who cared.
Tossing it over to Lucrezia, he still had that stupid grin on his face, "There's your weapon." She looked at the small dagger quickly before turning worriedly over to it's owner, "Don't worry about me, just find Duo, kay?"
Lucrezia nodded solemnly, knowing that Solo, despite all his protest, was more worried about his friend then any of them. She left, too, quickly so Solo wouldn't have to worry, but he did.
He held the cross around his neck close to his heart. Duo was the only real family he'd ever had . . . that bastard, Treize, would have to kill Duo over his dead body; that was one thing he was certain of.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"So you've failed? I'm disappointed." A low voice seeped from the empty square. The surroundings grew lighter with every minute of morning and the weeds in the cracks of the cobblestone glistened with the morning dew.
"Hn" The assassin looked around for the origin of the voice, and it was almost too quickly found. His well trained ear and eye spotted the figure before it stepped into the light of the platform in front of a sweets shop.
"I'll give you a second chance, Heero." The figure chuckled slightly and there was a pause. Heero stepped forward to meet his employer as a breeze swept through the square before Treize spoke again, ". . . because it turns out I didn't need your help after all."
At that, the cloaked man revealed what he had been hiding in the shadows of morning and flung it in front of the assassin.
The chestnut braid, a little disheveled from the short journey, stood out from the rest of the boy and the heart-shaped face looked lifeless upon the ground. Heero looked-on, widening his eyes only slightly at what he saw.
"He's only unconscious, you know." Treize said, "I'm quite happy, actually, that you decided to back out because I have other plans, now. . ." Heero narrowed his eyes dangerously at his employer. He never 'backed-out'. Treize saw this and smirked slightly, "I found him running around aimlessly on the streets. What a fool. But we had quite a nice chat, you know?"
"I see. . ." Heero said in solemn sarcasm as he looked at the unconscious body before him. Treize smirked evilly.
"We made a little deal." The cloaked man waved his hand nonchalantly at the slim body in ragged black attire. "I promised not to send you to kill that friend of his so long as he helps us achieve our goal."
"A threat, then," Heero stated.
"Precisely," Treize said turning away a second, before coming back to add, ". . . of course, I knocked him out so that he couldn't try anything tricky while we came here. So, now, I'll leave him to your care."
Heero narrowed his eyes at the cloaked man. He had never been given such a mission before.
"What do you propose I do?" He asked coldly, looking at the seemingly lifeless young man beneath him, lying almost as if a shadow, and as thin.
"Well, the idea is you kill him. I don't care how, but I want to get some good use out of him first. Train him. . ." Treize paused, ". . . but not so he's more trouble than he's worth, mind you. Of course, I don't see how he'd ever be able to get out of your sight with your far superior skills. In any case, he should prove useful, at the very least. I'll send him a mission shortly, meanwhile, well, you know yours." Treize smirked once more before turning his heel on the stoic assassin.
"Hn. . ." Heero, looking down at the young man whose fate had been sealed. He thought it was a shame such a beautiful young man would have to die, but why couldn't he kill him before? Heero narrowed his eyes further. He wasn't used to playing games, especially with peoples' lives, but it was the mission. The perfect assassin cannot afford any emotions, especially not pity.
With that, Heero glared at the unconscious body, or perhaps all the world that had brought him to this, as he stood at the edge of the cobblestone square. It was then that the thin figure, chestnut braid and all began to stir into consciousness.
*****************************
A/N: Okay that was an awful lot of information in this chapter . . . hope you got all that! Oh, I'm sure you did. ^_~ This is the real plot, btw!
Kris Yamaki: You might have a reason to revolt, now. Heero has a mission to kill Duo. This is not a good thing. Hehe . . . but we don't want to start another revolution either, well, not yet anyways! ^_^ I hope you liked this chapter!
Ajray: I'm so glad you like it, and that you noticed that the story was a little bit forced upon the Gundam characters, but I have experience with them, and I felt it might be a little too much for me to handle new character development and the somewhat confusing plot I've created. . . . Okay, so it's a -very- confusing plot, but I hope that you're still with me, and if you're reading this you obviously are, so I hope you liked this chapter!
Emily Hato: Hey! ::hugs:: How are you? See, I told you I'd get it up this week-end! ^_^ Thanks for all the continuous support on this story! I laughed so hard when you talked about Dorothy's eyebrows getting shaved. I definitely agree! ::nods enthusiastically:: As you can see, I have finally found a use for Solo in my plot! Yay! I'm so happy. I think he's such a wonderful character, too. Thanks so much for the 'Merquise' tip! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Colorain: You're never coming back to this fic, I know, but thank you for reviewing anyway, and I'm glad you don't think any less of me because I write such horrid stuff.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Thank you so much for reading! Please review, if you have the time! I love them!
Please R+R!
________________________
Part 5:
"Just wait a minute," Duo exclaimed hurriedly, making it quite clear that Zechs was not getting away, "You're going to tell us what's up whether you like it or not!"
The blond spun around dully, plastering his face with remembrance as he seemed years away. Solo snorted a bit uncomfortably, "You at least owe us an explanation, or something. I mean, if I've got this right," Solo raised both eyebrows and held his hand out, counting absently-mindedly with his fingers as he spoke, "The guy who came here wasn't Treize, but was sent by Treize to kill Duo? But we don't even know who the hell Treize is!"
"I don't know of his background, but somehow he convinced me a long time ago that ," Zechs paused, "We started the revolution, the idiot I was." He spat, "I was a fool not to realize his true intentions. He wanted the king dead so he could rise as king, but Treize knows that before he can rise up on the peoples' shoulders, they're going to need to be desperate. The way things are looking, now, I'd bet anything his plan is coming into action."
Solo widened his eyes at this, although not quite hearing anything past the part where Zechs confessed to starting the revolution. Duo stayed quiet. Having not lived through the revolution, he didn't know what he was talking about exactly, but Zechs' words had impact on Solo, who had a new hatred, "And you created that massacre?"
"No!" The blonde narrowed green eyes, frustrated with himself, "I worked for Treize, and that was a long time ago . . . but some things never change. It's obvious that he hasn't. Treize said it was for the good of the country, that he was doing what the people wanted, but it was all wrong," Zechs' fist grew tighter, "The people are not always right, you know. Changes needed to be made, but we went too far, and now, well, you know what happened. . . "
". . . We're stuck with a government that works like crap, that's what happened!" Solo burst out, turning to his friend, "And that's why there are so many like us, Duo. They may have brought down the evils of the monarchy, but that's not all they brought down. No one pays attention to the ones who stand in the way. They all die, didn't you know? Or didn't you care?" The elder thief hissed sarcastically in the corner.
Duo knew that the revolution was a very sensitive subject for Solo, and he knew it had something to do with why Solo was on the streets as well, but it was better that since neither of them knew his past, that Solo's would remain a secret as well, but he couldn't help but wonder. Zechs seemed sympathetic in the pause, but came to a quick defense.
"You misunderstand! Of course I care, and I'm sorry, but Treize never did . . . he doesn't care even, now, and I'll bet my life that he's going to follow up on his actions sometime soon. I mean, thirteen years is long enough to create a plan to become the next monarch." Zechs said, chuckling falsely upon what should have been a joke, but it was frightening to know that it was true.
"But you killed the king! It's done." Duo protested at once, "The people wanted that, so they would never accept anyone, much less Treize as their ruler! They aren't -that- stupid."
Zechs looked at him curiously, it being the first time Duo spoke up in a while, and Zechs was struck once again by purple eyes.
"You obviously don't know Treize," The blonde stepped backwards from the bed on which Duo sat and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, "He has the charisma to put the people in the palm of his hand, and after his victory in the revolution, there's nothing he can't get them to do."
"So it's only a matter of time . . . ?" Duo asked, knowing the answer already.
"Yes."
"Damn!" The braided boy huffed, crossing his arms in pure anger, trying to think of a solution to the problem with all his might, and there was a moment of silence while this all sunk in. "Uh. . . . what does this have to do with us, again? I mean, how can you even be sure that Treize sent this guy?"
Zechs was silent a minute.
"Well, it seems awfully suspicious to me. I saw Dorothy sneaking around, for one thing and I know she's in league with Treize. But that still doesn't explain why he would want to get rid of you," The blonde pointed to the braided one who wrinkled his eyebrows in thought. . . 'a woman sneaking around. . . I wonder. . .'
"It might've been a mistake." Solo pointed out.
"But that's just the thing. . . Treize doesn't make mistak . . . " Green eyes narrowed.
"What's this about somebody sneaking around?" Duo interrupted, thinking back to his meeting in the alley. Although the blonde had not mentioned her name, she had mentioned Lucrezia. Zechs looked at him blankly, surprised at why Duo would take interest in the subject.
"Yes, what of her?" He asked curiously.
"Does this particular someone talk about you as if it were behind your back, only right in front of your face?" Duo asked.
"Yes, but I would need a little more description if you think you've seen her, and it is crucial you tell me if such a thing occurred, although I have no idea why she would come after you, but it would confirm that -you- are the target." The low voice spoke with all sincerity.
Duo thought for a moment, "Scary eyebrows!"
"That's her all right." Zechs pronounced grimly, "What did she say?"
"Whole bunch of stuff that made no sense to me whatsoever. . . although I do remember her saying 'I didn't meet her expectations'" Duo quoted, bending his fingers and sighed expressively, ". . . like she was stalking me from the day I was born."
Zechs looked into the heart-shaped face and saw a shine of amethyst off Duo's eyes in the candlelight.
/Violet eyes. . . Where have I seen those eyes before? . . . /
"He-ll-oooooo?" Duo asked, waving a hand in front of the frozen face that quickly snapped back into the real world. Zechs quickly replied to say that he was fine, and continued to look at Duo perplexedly, while younger eyes across the room threatened closing.
None of them had gotten any rest all night, and it was no wonder none of them were thinking straight. Looking out the window, the sun was already rising and Zechs wondered what kind of trouble Dorothy was giving Lucrezia, but he knew that the woman was more than capable. He wouldn't have given her such an important assignment if she wasn't.
"Why don't you two get some rest?" Zechs said, defeated, and uncrossed his arms with a gesture towards the new light that streamed through the window. Duo relaxed his position as he looked at Solo underneath the covers, who had already drifted off into a silent sleep, and watched as Zechs headed to the door, "Go ahead, Duo," The blond turned around sharply, "You're going to need your rest, too, if you're going to help me catch that assassin."
Duo nodded quickly at the older man and got up slowly from the bed, being sure not to stir his sleeping friend, who breathed heavily as he shifted sides in slumber. Duo made his way to the other bed with guilt.
It was his fault. Solo would have never gotten hurt if he hadn't been there, and Solo could be dead right now if he had only been a few inches to the side. Duo shook his head with fright. He wouldn't let it happen. He didn't know how he could go on living if someone was killed because of him. Solo getting hurt was enough on his head, and if he stayed here, Zechs would surely have him to lure the assassin, and Solo would surely follow. Duo couldn't bear to put his friends in danger any longer.
As long as he was around, people would always get hurt.
That's why Duo had to leave.
It was the right thing . . . wasn't it?
Duo looked at the sleeping Solo who writhed a little in pain of which Duo blamed himself fully. He couldn't put Solo in danger. . . .he couldn't put Zechs or Lucrezia in danger either, even if they were looking for it. It just wasn't right. Sleeping would have to wait.
"I'm sorry, Solo, but it's just something I have to do." Duo said quickly, and after looking for a pen and paper, realized neither Solo nor he could read, and so he reached around underneath the collar of his shirt for the only thing that he could think of as a temporary goodbye. Duo sure has hell wouldn't die without his cross.
Fingering the small gold cross that he treasured more than anything else, he knew that it was the only thing that connected him to his parentage, but when he left Solo behind, he also left his family. But family members did not put each other in danger if they could help it, either.
"I'm going to find that girl, and I'm sure she knows where Treize is. Then I'll set everything straight so neither of us will have to suffer, and things will be just like they were . . . you'll see," Duo mumbled to himself, or rather the sleeping Solo, as he placed the cross on the side table where Solo would be sure to see it. "It has to be me . . . only me."
With that, the braided one took one last look at the sleeping boy before looking distastefully at the hall door, and turning more hopefully towards the window. No one would know if he left from the roof, and so he did.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Lucrezia walked hurriedly on the street, picking up the edge of the dress that was dragging cumbersomely in the gutter. This was perhaps the worst news she had heard in a long time.
How could the Dauphin have survived? Surely Dorothy must be lying, but there was no sense in taking chances. She had to alert everyone of this rumor at once! She hadn't thought to look for him, herself, because the post said that there were no survivors of royal blood. Everyone knows that this is not the most reliable source of information, but even so, it didn't seem possible.
Lucrezia knew that Zechs had said that young assassin had been sent by Treize. She had heard of the man before, but never knew him well aside from knowing that he was a vile, power-hungry man who started the revolution on the wishes of the people, but meant them as wishes for himself.
In this unstable time, it was obvious Treize wanted to take the throne, but why would he need the Dauphin to do so? It didn't make sense. Wait, no, it's not that Treize needed the Dauphin, it's that he wanted to get rid of the threat the heir presents. Surely, if the revolution took place thirteen years ago, the Dauphin could not be more than a young man, and would probably not know anything of his past, or else he would have risen to power already. Whether this was a curse or a blessing, Lucrezia hadn't the nerve to guess, but either way, Treize could easily crush the heir, who could be their last hope for a stable nation.
/Wait a second . . . that assassin was sent by Treize and Treize wants to get rid of the threat of the Dauphin . . . Could Zechs be?. . . no, the assassin would have gone to Zechs' room, because they aren't that careless. . . but those boys . . . /
Upon reaching the correct street, she ran to the door of the "Calme en Nantes" with the same despair that Duo had shown upon entering not more than an hour ago and ran recklessly up the stairs.
Zechs, almost immediately after not being able to get to sleep, heard the loud clomping of shoes up the stairs, and ran to meet them just as Lucrezia had entered the room in which Solo had been sleeping quite soundly. He turned quickly to find Zechs running in as well.
"Lucrezia? Did you take care of Dorothy?" Zechs asked quickly, and Lucrezia turned around sharply to face him.
"They've found the Dauphin." She said quickly as the man's narrow green eyes widened in absolute shock. He was frozen a minute.
"I see." He said, "Then I must act quickly."
"Zechs, there is no 'I' here! There's no way you can do this alone. Besides, this 'Treize' must have the order out for the Dauphin's assassination already." Lucrezia said hurriedly, "Which is why I don't think these two," She motioned behind her, "Are without suspicion to that title. . ."
It was at that exact moment that Solo awoke, to the sounds of a worried Lucrezia from his doorway. Quickly looking at the bed aside him, he saw the covers thrown astray.
"Where's Duo?!" Solo shouted at the two arguing figures in the hall, who were ogling him disbelievingly. Running inside, the two elder figures looked to the empty bed.
Zechs then let out a string of curses that are not fit to be repeated underneath his breath as he turned to Lucrezia.
"The assassin was after Duo," The blonde clenched his fists in realization, "The purple eyes. . . I should have known! Those are the eyes of the Dauphin! It was under my nose all this time! Damn!" He turned to Lucrezia in a fit of rage, "Damn it all! We have to find Duo before its too late!"
"Hold on a second, you're jumping to conclusions!" Lucrezia warned, "We still don't . . ."
"His cross. . ." Solo said wistfully, picking up the gold chain that lay on the desk. He still refused to believe anything he'd just heard. Duo would never be the Dauphin, Duo was only and always his friend.
Zechs and Lucrezia stared at Solo's calmness in the situation as he picked up the cross and held it up to them. He cringed at the raising of his injured arm, but they both had to see and understand, "Duo left his cross. He's coming back."
"How can you be so sure?" Zechs asked as Lucrezia elbowed him, and cut off Solo from answering.
"You're one to talk," She spoke to Zechs who glared solemnly at her, ". . . You're the one assuming beyond all doubt that Duo is heir to the throne. Don't make me laugh. He's just a common thief."
"I was there, don't you get it?" He said gravely, "I was supposed to kill him in the first place . . . it was thirteen years ago, all I remember were those enchanting purple eyes before I left," He paused for sincerity as he captivated Lucrezia and Solo's attention further, "it was supposed to be the finale to the revolution. That was the one flaw in Treize's plans to rise to power. Now, I assume, he will try again by eliminating the one obstacle that stood in his way before."
"I'm sorry. . ." Lucrezia said dejectedly, "I didn't know. . ."
Solo was angered by this, "Look, I don't know what you guys are getting at, but there is no way that Duo is a royal, okay?! I raised him myself!"
Zechs looked at the fiery young man with sincerity, "Where did you meet him first?"
"Well. . . I. . . uh. . ." Solo paused, a little blinded by his own denial, "The steps of the Maxwell Church before it was destroyed." He clenched Duo's gold cross even tighter in his right fist, wanting to jump out of bed and run to find Duo and show them he wasn't who they said he was, but Solo knew he was still too weak. It hurt even to move the slightest.
"Is it not possible that someone took pity upon the child in his dead mother's arms and brought him to the church door in hopes that someone might save him?" Zechs asked calmly, laying his proof as gently as he could on the young Dauphin's only family and best friend.
"But, it can't be! I won't believe it!" Solo retorted sharply, the tears of frustration that slid down his cheek eluding him entirely.
"Then you would just let Duo leave? Treize might have that young assassin on his tail even as we speak." Lucrezia said, rushing to Solo's side to calm the young man. Zechs had adjourned to the other side of the room, dismissing this display as 'weak'. "We may be wrong about Duo being the Dauphin, but Treize thinks that Duo is, too, so either way, he is in danger. Are you willing to help us?"
Solo glared at the woman with dark bangs covering half her face and nodded determinedly while he tried to remove the covers to his bed.
"Oh, no, you don't!" Lucrezia said quickly, "You're much too weak to be going anywhere!"
"But Duo probably left because he didn't want to get me in danger, I know he did, the selfless fool!" Solo yelled, almost at himself, and the two looked almost sympathetic for the poor boy before Zechs chimed in.
"She's right." He turned to the door, "I'll find the Dauphin."
"You mean, 'you'll find Duo'!!" Solo exclaimed sharply to the blonde, "And he -is- coming back," Solo said definitely as he placed Duo's gold cross around his neck. "He wouldn't leave this if he was going to die."
"As that may be, I won't let Treize have his way." Zechs said, and with that, he ran out of the room, clutching his side to make sure his gun was still in its proper place. Lucrezia sighed as she watched the revolutionary leave.
"You're leaving, too." Solo said, and Lucrezia turned sharply.
"I don't have a weapon, and besides, you might need someone to look after you, here." The woman put her hands on her hips as she looked out the window at the sun which was already rising. To think all of this had happened in one crazy night . . .
With that, the young man smirked, rummaging inside his clothes for an old something. Upon feeling the metal against his skin, he drew out the knife and spit a little on it before polishing it over with edge of his pants. He admired it a bit, out of the vision of Lucrezia, and ran his fingers over the name he had etched in the side. His name was really the only thing he'd ever learned to write, and he was the only on in the whole Sweeper's group who could aside from Duo, who had learned it from him. It looked quite unprofessional, but who cared.
Tossing it over to Lucrezia, he still had that stupid grin on his face, "There's your weapon." She looked at the small dagger quickly before turning worriedly over to it's owner, "Don't worry about me, just find Duo, kay?"
Lucrezia nodded solemnly, knowing that Solo, despite all his protest, was more worried about his friend then any of them. She left, too, quickly so Solo wouldn't have to worry, but he did.
He held the cross around his neck close to his heart. Duo was the only real family he'd ever had . . . that bastard, Treize, would have to kill Duo over his dead body; that was one thing he was certain of.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"So you've failed? I'm disappointed." A low voice seeped from the empty square. The surroundings grew lighter with every minute of morning and the weeds in the cracks of the cobblestone glistened with the morning dew.
"Hn" The assassin looked around for the origin of the voice, and it was almost too quickly found. His well trained ear and eye spotted the figure before it stepped into the light of the platform in front of a sweets shop.
"I'll give you a second chance, Heero." The figure chuckled slightly and there was a pause. Heero stepped forward to meet his employer as a breeze swept through the square before Treize spoke again, ". . . because it turns out I didn't need your help after all."
At that, the cloaked man revealed what he had been hiding in the shadows of morning and flung it in front of the assassin.
The chestnut braid, a little disheveled from the short journey, stood out from the rest of the boy and the heart-shaped face looked lifeless upon the ground. Heero looked-on, widening his eyes only slightly at what he saw.
"He's only unconscious, you know." Treize said, "I'm quite happy, actually, that you decided to back out because I have other plans, now. . ." Heero narrowed his eyes dangerously at his employer. He never 'backed-out'. Treize saw this and smirked slightly, "I found him running around aimlessly on the streets. What a fool. But we had quite a nice chat, you know?"
"I see. . ." Heero said in solemn sarcasm as he looked at the unconscious body before him. Treize smirked evilly.
"We made a little deal." The cloaked man waved his hand nonchalantly at the slim body in ragged black attire. "I promised not to send you to kill that friend of his so long as he helps us achieve our goal."
"A threat, then," Heero stated.
"Precisely," Treize said turning away a second, before coming back to add, ". . . of course, I knocked him out so that he couldn't try anything tricky while we came here. So, now, I'll leave him to your care."
Heero narrowed his eyes at the cloaked man. He had never been given such a mission before.
"What do you propose I do?" He asked coldly, looking at the seemingly lifeless young man beneath him, lying almost as if a shadow, and as thin.
"Well, the idea is you kill him. I don't care how, but I want to get some good use out of him first. Train him. . ." Treize paused, ". . . but not so he's more trouble than he's worth, mind you. Of course, I don't see how he'd ever be able to get out of your sight with your far superior skills. In any case, he should prove useful, at the very least. I'll send him a mission shortly, meanwhile, well, you know yours." Treize smirked once more before turning his heel on the stoic assassin.
"Hn. . ." Heero, looking down at the young man whose fate had been sealed. He thought it was a shame such a beautiful young man would have to die, but why couldn't he kill him before? Heero narrowed his eyes further. He wasn't used to playing games, especially with peoples' lives, but it was the mission. The perfect assassin cannot afford any emotions, especially not pity.
With that, Heero glared at the unconscious body, or perhaps all the world that had brought him to this, as he stood at the edge of the cobblestone square. It was then that the thin figure, chestnut braid and all began to stir into consciousness.
*****************************
A/N: Okay that was an awful lot of information in this chapter . . . hope you got all that! Oh, I'm sure you did. ^_~ This is the real plot, btw!
Kris Yamaki: You might have a reason to revolt, now. Heero has a mission to kill Duo. This is not a good thing. Hehe . . . but we don't want to start another revolution either, well, not yet anyways! ^_^ I hope you liked this chapter!
Ajray: I'm so glad you like it, and that you noticed that the story was a little bit forced upon the Gundam characters, but I have experience with them, and I felt it might be a little too much for me to handle new character development and the somewhat confusing plot I've created. . . . Okay, so it's a -very- confusing plot, but I hope that you're still with me, and if you're reading this you obviously are, so I hope you liked this chapter!
Emily Hato: Hey! ::hugs:: How are you? See, I told you I'd get it up this week-end! ^_^ Thanks for all the continuous support on this story! I laughed so hard when you talked about Dorothy's eyebrows getting shaved. I definitely agree! ::nods enthusiastically:: As you can see, I have finally found a use for Solo in my plot! Yay! I'm so happy. I think he's such a wonderful character, too. Thanks so much for the 'Merquise' tip! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Colorain: You're never coming back to this fic, I know, but thank you for reviewing anyway, and I'm glad you don't think any less of me because I write such horrid stuff.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Thank you so much for reading! Please review, if you have the time! I love them!