Title: Walking in the Shadows. Pt. 12/?
Authors: Deathangelgw and Nightshadow
Disclaimer: They aren't ours....but we can sure as hell play with them!!!
Note: Still pretty angsty….buuut it gets better! Heero's nicer in this one btw~_^ Please Review!!

//telepathic speech//
'thoughts'
*thoughts*

+++++++++++++++++++

Watching the other leave, Duo called out. "No! Stop! Please stop! He's dying! Jon! Please, Father, no! Let him be...I'll be good. I'll be good..." Curling into himself, away from the comforting arm, he sobbed. "Jon...I'm sorry. My fault. Always my fault."

"What in the...?" Standing above the sobbing figure that sounded more a child than man, Shalon turned to Larak. "What in the hell is going on?"

"It's a memory, I think. He's trapped in it. But how?" Moving forward, Larak rested a hand upon the taut back, rubbing soothingly. "What triggered it? Your symptoms have never created flashbacks."

Shrugging, Shalon moved to kneel next to his younger brother. "Not really, no, but I have had strange dreams if I drank too strong a dose of the tea."

"Could the tea be affecting him somehow?" Trowa asked softly as he came over by the other three in worry.

Nodding, Larak turned to him, his brow creased slightly in a frown. "It's possible, yes. But it's never happened before."

Shaking his head, Shalon grimaced. "And you're forgetting, brother, that up until half a mark ago only Shay and I had ever used the tea."

"That...and we don't know what affect our teas may have on someone not of our kind." Trowa added as he placed a soothing hand on Duo's back.

"And I gave him the tea. Did you hear what he said? And he's reliving that and whatever else happened in his past...because of me. I didn't think. I treated his case like yours, Shalon, forgetting he wasn't you." Voice fading, Larak bit his lip as he looked upon his friend and patient. "I lied to him. I promised relief and instead sentenced him to Hell!"

Wrapping an arm about his brother's shaking shoulders, Shalon hugged him tightly. "You made a mistake. He'll survive. He'll be fine. It may not have been the best of ways to catch a look into his past, but it's happened. The tea will wear off in a few hours. He only had one cup." Talking soothingly to his younger brother, Shalon motioned for Trowa to pick up Duo. He needed to be somewhere comfortable. *Damn you, Heero! You should be here, not me!*

Trowa glanced at Larak thoughtfully as he gathered Duo into his arms. "Isn't there an herb that neutralizes the effects of the tea in case of such a situation?" he asked as he walked Duo over to the cot nearby.

Frowning, Shalon shook his head. "We never expected for anyone but us to use it. We were too happy to find something that helped to worry about negating it. I'm sure some mixture exists, but it would take time. He will have already awoken before that's made. One WILL be made though."

Shaking his head, Larak walked over to rest a hand upon Duo's brow. "He's not asleep. He's awake, just trapped in his past. Because he's awake, there's nothing I can do. The tea is nigh undetectable as well. I can't trace it to negate it within his body either." Looking at the two, he nodded. "Stay with him, please. I have a mate to chastise. No matter how angry, he had no right to do as he did."

Trowa sighed softly. "Yes...he did." he said, looking away from them both to gaze at Duo. He frowned in thought. He thought he remembered his father saying something about a certain leaf that would neutralize the leaves that made this special tea.

Stopping in the doorway, Larak spoke up, not bothering to turn around. "To yell, maybe. He cares for Wufei deeply. But not to slam him into a wall and then a table. Plus, by doing as he did, he played right into Duo's hands and gave him the affirmation to the answer he sought. Our young friend is anything but stupid. And he is not a coward either. I think that answer, together with the effects of the tea is what caused the rest. A coward would not have survived, nor dared to care for another again. Think, Trowa before you judge." That said he left, heading for his and Heero's rooms. If he was quick, he could catch him before he left for the practice grounds.

Trowa frowned deeply and looked at Duo silently. 'When one is cornered and doesn't have an escape...they react.' he thought sadly to himself, feeling cornered as well.

+++++++++++++++++

Moving nimbly down the halls, Larak headed for his and Heero's chamber. Upon entering, he found his mate looking about for something. "Heero..." Heero glanced up, his face a blank mask as he saw his lover enter. He didn't say anything, just went back to looking for his dagger set. "Why?" Walking up to him, Larak rested a hand on his shoulder to still his searching.

"Why what?" Heero asked gruffly as he stood up, his body stiff and formal as he stared ahead at the wall, not at his lover.

"You know what. You hurt him, Heero. Everyone is allowed insecurities, especially if under the influence of a drug reaction. The last is my own fault and mistake." Hand tightening on his love's shoulder, Larak looked past him, guilt coloring his voice.

"He shouldn't have snooped. The king had a reason for keeping things silent. I only hope he'll forgive my lack of keeping silent." Heero said stiffly, moving away from his lover to continue his search.

"Both of you made mistakes. Love, what's wrong? I've never seen you react so. Normally you think before acting. Hope can't be entirely gone, can it?" Moving in front of him, Larak lightly touched Heero's cheek.

Heero's face hardened impossibly more. "If his own MATE gives up....then we'll lose him for sure before we can find a cure! Wufei has been so strong and loving and the BEST thing this country has seen since four thousand years ago! He can't DIE!" Heero said, his voice cracking with emotion.

Quickly, Larak pulled his wild-haired mate into a tight embrace. "I know, love. We all do. And I truly doubt Duo has given up. I do not think he was even entirely aware of what he was saying at that time. At the moment he believes you're his father and..." Tightening his grip, he rested his cheek against Heero's, as he always did when either of them was distressed.

Heero slowly relaxed, burying his face in his lover's shoulder. "He still doesn't believe. The drugs have to have something to hold onto in order for anything to be said." he whispered softly, his arms coming up to enfold his mate tightly. "He doesn't believe..."

"Beliefs can change. Did you think that maybe he's scared to hope for such a thing? And that maybe telling him to stop being an idiot would be more effectual than an introduction to a wall and my table, which you shall replace, by the way." Speaking gently, Larak slowly guided them over to the bed where they could sit down. "We need to stand together to find a way to beat this, not turn on someone if they falter. It's the only way to succeed."

"I'm sorry....I lost my cool. I...am just so afraid that Wufei's heart will get broken and I don't want it to happen. When Duo...gave up....I lost it." Heero whispered softly as he allowed himself to be led.

"It's alright, but do please tell Duo and remember there are two hearts with the chance to be broken not one. Have you ever thought, that maybe...while Duo was reassuring Wufei, he needed someone to reassure him? I know you don't want His Majesty to suffer. None of us do, but now we can't just think only of Wufei. We also have Duo. We have to look after both of them." Sitting upon their bed, Larak pulled Heero tightly to him, speaking softly. "And right now, we have one here who needs us. At the moment, he lies trapped in his past, awake, reliving the torture of his friends. He lies awake..."

"Gods of the air....what have I done?" Heero whispered softly, his arms tightening around Larak as he buried his face even more in the strong shoulder.

"It's my fault as well, love. I gave him the tea, not think of the possibility of a reaction." Sighing, Larak tightened his hold. "There has to be a way to end these waking dreams!"

"Isn't there...some kind of leaf that counteracts the tea?" Heero asked softly as he sat up to gaze into his lover's swirled eyes.

"Well, there's one guaranteed to counter act anything. The only problem is it causes permanent memory loss of anywhere up to the past 3 years. Wufei would not appreciate us if we did that..." Shaking his head, Larak smiled wryly.

"With some of his memories, one would think Duo wouldn't mind..." Heero mumbled, brow furrowing in thought. He worried his lip, a habit he rarely ever did and only when he was extremely worried. "Then what can we do...."

"He's awake now...There are things which can promote a dreamless sleep. But, to be on the safe side, we can't use any which contain even one of the herbs in that tea I gave him. Not until we know which caused the reaction." Placing a finger over his love's lips, Larak rested his head against Heero's shoulder. "You're going to chew a hole in your lip."

Heero smiled slightly at the worry as he leaned his head against his lover's head. "It'd just go with the one in my head, which I should put there..." he said, sighing softly. "Larak....the only solution you are saying right now....is to wait." he said softly, resignedly.

Shaking his head, Larak smiled slightly. "No, what I'm saying is we get back over there and solve this. You know the herbs as well as I do. Together we can find one quicker, while Shalon and Trowa watch after Duo."

Heero looked down, sighing softly. "I don't know, love..." he whispered softly, suddenly unsure of himself for the first time in decades.

"Don't know what? You can help me. I know you can. Together we can find it." Sure in his love's ability, Larak smiled, lightly touching his lips to Heero's. "We can make it work. You'll see."

Smiling softly, his cold mask falling away, Heero nodded. "Yes...we can make it work...for his majesty and his mate." he said firmly.

"Yes we will. Ready, now?" Standing, Larak held a hand out to his beloved. Together they could do anything.

Taking the hand and lacing them together, Heero nodded and stood. He brought their hands up and kissed his love's hand gently. //Anything together...always...forever.//

//And beyond. I'll always be by your side.// Softly, Larak tugged on his mate's hand, heading back to the room and its lost occupant, encouragement easily seen in his eyes and felt in the tight squeeze of his hand.

Nodding as he followed his lover, Heero smiled softly. "Let's just hope we can do it." he said softly, frowning slightly. He shook his head and straightened, becoming the soldier once more.

"We can." Nodding firmly, Larak marched down the hallway. It was time to fix their mistakes. Together they would, together they always could. Heero looked ahead, his gaze never straying from their goal as they came into the medical wing. They came to the room and he walked in, smiling as he saw Trowa's relieved expression. Catching the look, Larak turned his gaze to Duo. "How is he?"

"Can I answer that? I'm surprised he's willing to step outside his room, much less smile..." Grimacing, Shalon shook his head, looking rather pale. "His friends weren't all who were tortured. That man is a sadistic bastard who should burn in hell..." he hissed, anger and disgust plain in his voice.

Trowa placed a soothing hand on Shalon's arm. "Easy..." he said softly. Heero frowned as he tensed up, angered at the mention of such things to such a kind man.

Tightening his grip o his lover's hand, Larak spoke softly. "Stay with him, please. Heero and I have an idea of how to help him. We're going to do all we can to hurry, but it will take time."

"We will. We won't leave him, will we Trowa?" Shaking his head with fists clenched, Shalon spoke firmly, resolutely. "He's faced this once alone. He'll not do so again."

Trowa nodded firmly in agreement as he clenched his own fists. Heero looked over at Duo and frowned hard. 'That man will pay for hurting him.' he thought to himself, then looked at Larak, nodding. Satisfied, Larak turned back to his shelves, bringing down different packets and jars while giving Heero a list of the herbs in the tea Duo had drunk. Heero took down the list, looking at it in thought. "We can't use....Floxen, jucxin, or featherwight since they will react to the present herbs in the tea." he said softly, looking over at his lover.

"Correct. Those are the ones that make up the composition of the tea. Since I'm not yet sure which is causing the reaction or if all of them are, we can't use any sleeping herb concoction containing them." Turning back to the jars and pouches, Larak settled to the tedious job of reading their labels. Heero looked thoughtfully over at Duo, his face in a thoughtful mask. Too engrossed with his work, Larak didn't catch his mate's diverted attention. Instead, he quickly discarded three of the concoctions in front of him.

Heero chewed on his lip, trying to remember something, then said, "Larak...what of Chocosoin? Doesn't it neutralize most of those with little to no side affects?" he asked his lover as he came over.

Stopping for a moment, Larak turned back to Heero. "Aye, that it does, but do we have enough? And when did I become so scatterbrained?"

Heero grinned. "Do you want an honest answer or should I leave it alone?" he asked innocently. "And I thought that you said only a small amount was needed."

Scowling slightly, Larak tapped his fingers on the counter. "The Head-Healer is not supposed to forget things like that. And yes, but it depends on if we have any at all. That herb can't be grown in captivity. The herbologists have yet to figure out why. We should have some..."

"Hnn, I thought you had sent Shalon to gather some recently." Heero said, tossing a look over at said twin.

"Which is why we should have some. And that was a month ago recently." Murmuring to himself, Larak walked back to the cupboard where all the rarer herbs were kept. Eyeing the neat labels, he easily found the Chocosoin. "At least I still remember how to keep things organized..." Snorting and snickering, Heero shook his head as he went over to the utensils shelf and got down a mortar and pestle. He brought them over to the table and set them down for his lover. Ignoring his mate's amusement, Larak cut off the needed amount then placed it in the pestle and set to work grinding the herb until it was fine enough. Once done with that, he passed the bowl to Heero, motioning to the kettle over the fire. "Just pour it in. We can strain the grains out later." Nodding, Heero took the herb over and slowly, but steadily poured it into the boiling water. Still muttering to himself, Larak quickly retrieved a cup, some cheesecloth and some honey. "I'd think it's safe to take it off and let it steep now. Twenty minutes at least." Nodding, Heero followed the simple directions, placing the kettle on the cooling stone nearby. Sighing, the silver-eyed healer walked over to join his mate. "And now we wait."

Heero sighed softly and looked over at Duo again. He walked over and placed a gentle hand on Duo's forehead as he said, "Duo...if you can hear me. You must be strong and fight through this. We are working to help you, but you need to be the strong man whom our king loves." he said firmly.

Whimpering, Duo wildly grasped the hand resting on his forehead, clutching it tightly. "Joren..." he whispered softly.

Heero held onto the hand on his, whispering softly, "Yes Duo...I'm here and safe." Trowa looked at him in surprise before realizing his friend's intent. Nodding, Shalon smiled slightly, proud of the other's actions. Calming slightly, Duo relaxed his grip on the other's hand, but still didn't release him. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Heero took the clammy hand into his own and held it tightly. "Hang in there, Duo...you have to fight through this." he said softly.

Brow furrowing, the lost man mumbled. "'K, Jor. Just wish he'd get tired of playing..."

Brow furrowing in anger, Heero took a deep breath before answering. "I know...it'll be over soon. Just keep looking forward for better times." he said soothingly.

A small smile appeared as Duo spoke softly. "Yeah, can walk the Paths again. It's nice there. Maybe this time you'll come with me. Much better than here."

Grimacing, Shalon closed his eyes. To think he found the Land of the Dead and their company better than living. "I think we can safely assume he's beat us all in the hard life department." he whispered.

Trowa nodded grimly as Heero smiled sadly down at Duo. "How about we think of the other lands, Duo? The places where we can be free and safe...maybe even find love..."

"You tell nice stories Jor. Tell me about a home." Eagerly, Duo pleaded with the one he thought his friend.

Silently Larak walked up beside his mat, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's ready."

Heero nodded up at his mate, then looked down at Duo. "Duo...how about you drink something we have here? It should help the pain to go away." He said soothingly.

Shaking his head slightly, the young man grimaced. "You'll get in trouble Jor. Not supposed to do that."

Heero smiled slightly. "We're safe, Duo...no one will find out. Besides...I don't want to lose you. Please? Drink it for me?" he said softly, caressing Duo's hair gently.

"You're dreaming, Jor. We're never safe, not alive..."he whispered softly, nudging into the caress. "He'll kill you...and then I'll be alone again. I don't want to be alone..." Tightening his grip slightly, Larak watched his mate as he dealt with the young Shinigami, while Shalon looked on, anger written in the tenseness of his body as he watched the scene before him.

Heero smiled as he smoothed the sweat soaked bangs. "You're never alone, Duo..." he said softly. "Look to the future...look for the one...and know I am always there."

"Bet it tastes bad..." Duo muttered, brow creasing slightly. "You're too good with words. Shoulda been a diplomat, not His slave."

Heero grinned as he smoothed the brow. "It will taste fine...and I get by just fine...don't worry. Someday…we'll escape and lead happy lives with our loved ones." he said soothingly.

"Who could love a Shinigami? Who can love Death?" Frowning, Duo turned his head away slightly. "Where's your tea?"

Heero frowned as he looked over his shoulder slightly, indicating Larak to give him the tea as he replied, "Life loves Death....they are connected in all things. One cannot live without the other." Leaning over his mate, Larak gently held the cup to the young man's lips.

Duo smiled slightly, drinking some of the honey sweetened tea before replying. "You always say that..." Heero sat back, waiting patiently for the tea to kick in, knowing it would be immediate. Trowa watched silently, hope on his face as he gazed at the other man. Setting the cup upon the bedside table, Larak settled next to Heero on the bed. Shrugging, Shalon tried to loosen the muscles of his shoulders and relax back into his seat, hoping the antidote would work and he could refrain from hearing more of his friend's mate's past. Yawning, Duo murmured softly. "Where's my story...You promised one today."

Heero smiled. "Ah...so I did. Do you know the story of the Phoenix clan? And of their bonds?" He asked lightly as he leaned into his beloved's arms.

"Nuh uh." Snuggling deeper into his pillow, Duo waited silently, yawning every now and then.

"There is a story that when two of the Light and Dark meet....they bond, mingling their souls into an impenetrable bond. Breakable only by death, this bond creates a life of its own. The Phoenix." Heero said softly as he gently smoothed the soaked bangs again. Smiling, Larak rested his chin upon Heero's shoulder, tightening his grip about the other's waist.

Smiling, Duo yawned deeply one more time, his voice barely audible. "Nice if it was true..."

"It happens rarely...but it does happen. But only in special cases." Heero said soothingly as he stroked the heart-shaped face. Silence was his answer as Duo finally slipped into a deep sleep, the hand gripping Heero's falling limp.

Smiling softly, Larak pressed a gentle kiss to his beloved's cheek. "You were amazing, love." Nodding, Shalon smiled, glad that his newest friend would finally get some peace.

Heero smiled at his love and shrugged. "It...was something I could do." he said softly, looking down. Trowa said nothing as he grinned.

"And you did it very well." Chuckling softly, Shalon motioned to Trowa. "If you and Larak will stay with him, Tro and I will let the kids know what's up and attend to the other stuff."

"I think that'd work," said Larak, nodding thoughtfully. "What do you say, husband-mine"

Nodding in agreement, Heero looked down at Duo. "Yes...that would work just fine." he said, then grinned at his friends. "Get out of here, you too...good work." he said gruffly, shooing them out.

Trowa chuckled softly as he stood. "Same to you, old friend." he said as he winked.

Grinning, Shalon waved as he left. "Have fun!"

Heero rolled his eyes as he sat back to start the vigil over Duo. Nestling against Heero, Larak chuckled softly. "We will!"

TBC

*Just a note, the names of those herbs are FALSE!! Except for Floxen…which I think I spelled wrong…oi well! ~_^ DA