Chapter 5: A Girl Worth Fighting For
At The Lake:
"Hey, oh, ah, no, this is not a good idea. What if somebody sees you?" protested Shenlong
"Just because I look like a man doesn't mean I have to smell like one." Answered Duo from behind the reeds,
"So a couple of guys don't rinse out their socks, picky, picky, picky. Well myself I kinda like that corn chip's smell." Muttered Shenlong holding a towel and covering his eyes with his ears,
"Ahhhhhhh." Sighed Duo in bliss after running by Shenlong and jumping into the lake splashing water on him,
"Okay, all right, all right, that's enough. Now, c'mon, get out before you get all pruny and stuff" said Shenlong holding out a towel towards Duo keeping his eyes covered.
"Shenlong, if you're so worried, go stand watch." Said Duo rubbing her arms contently,
"Yeah, yeah, stand watch Shenlong while I blow our secret with my stupid girly habits. Humph, hygiene." Muttered Shenlong walking in a womanly fashion speaking in woman's voice, going back to normal at the end,
"Chirp, Chirp." Chirped Cri-Kee alarmed, tugging on Shenlong's whiskers and pointing in the opposite direction of the lake,
"Me first! Me first! Me First!" yelled Wufei while he, Trowa and Quatre run by Shenlong smacking him in the face with several colored boxers,
"Ah. We're doomed! There a couple of things I know they're bound to notice!" gasped Shenlong while Wufei and Trowa jump into the water. Quatre dips in his toe to check temperature then runs back and jumps in causing a large wave. Wufei and Trowa ride the wave towards Duo, who sees them and hides her face behind a lily pad.
"Hey, Solo" called Trowa, while Duo peeks over the lily pad and spreads it on the water covering her chest.
"Oh hi guys, I didn't know you were *here*." Spoke Duo nervously and unnaturally in a manly voice, while Wufei, Trowa and Quatre share a 'this boy is strange' look,
"I was just washing, so now I'm clean and I'm gonna go. Bye, bye." Babbled Duo and hides behind a rock keeping her front facing the rock.
"Come back here." Said Trowa from behind Duo,
"I know we were jerks to you before so lets start over. Hi, I'm Trowa!" and extended his hand to shake hands with Duo, who covers her chest with her left arm, turns and shakes his hand with an outstretched right arm, smiling,
"Heh, heh." Said Duo nervously turning and wading away from Trowa and running into Quatre,
"And I'm Quatre" said Quatre introducing himself and taking a lily pad off his head,
"Hello Quatre." Answered Duo waving slightly and smiling, looking up she sees Wufei standing on top of a rock looking down at the others. Duo quickly looks down into the water and hides her eyes with her free hand.
"And I am Wufei, king of the rock. And there's nothin' you girls can do about it." Wufei yelled, his hands on his hips,
"Oh, yeah? Well, I think Solo and I could take you." Said Trowa taking a fighting stance and elbowing Duo in the ribs,
"I really don't want to take him anywhere." Answered Duo slowly wading away,
"Solo, we have to fight! SOLO! " protested Trowa following Duo,
"No we don't. We could just close our eyes and swim around." Muttered Duo unnaturally,
" C'mon don't be such a g--Ouch! Something bit me." Yelled Trowa suddenly, while Shenlong pops out of the water between Duo and Trowa,
"What a nasty flavor." Shenlong said spitting now and then,
"Snake!" yelled Trowa with fear and gusto,
"Snake, snake!" screamed Quatre while all three of them climb up the rock and on each other, while Duo whistles for Shinigami and wades back to shore. Shinigami comes close enough and Duo hides behind Shinigami as she wraps a towel around her body. Wufei, Trowa and Quatre have calmed down but haven't left the rock yet,
"Some king of the rock!" muttered Trowa while Wufei pushes him off the rock and into the water.
"Boy, that was close" said Duo relieved,
"No, that was vile! You owe me big!" yelled Shenlong brushing his teeth several times,
" I never want to see a naked man again." Said Duo Loudly, just before the rest of the troops run by naked and jump into the lake. Duo looks down and sighs.
" Hey, don't look at me. I ain't biting any more butts." Said Shenlong pointing at himself, while Duo starts getting dressed.
***********************************
Meanwhile In Quinze's Tent:
"You think your troops are ready to fight? Hah! They would not last a minute against the Huns." Said Quinze superiorly,
"They completed their training." Answered Heero strongly,
"Those *boys* are no more fit to be soldiers than you are to be Captain. Once the general reads my report, your troops will never see battle." Said Quinze crossly,
Duo, Shenlong and Cri-Kee just passed the tent as Quinze said that and pause to listen,
"Oh no you don't. I've worked to hard to get Duo to this war. This guy's messing with my plan." Whispered Shenlong in Cri-Kee's ear (AN: Do crickets even have ears?)
"We're not finished." Yelled Heero madly grabbing onto the front of Quinze's clip board,
"Be careful, Captain. The General may be your father, but I am the Emperor's council. And, oh, by the way, huh, I got that job on my own." Answered Quinze pulling the board away and opening the entrance to the tent for Heero,
"You're dismissed." Heero storms out of the tent and starts to walk by Duo, seeing but ignoring her,
"Hey, I'll hold him and you punch, heh, heh.. --" began Duo nervously wanting to comfort Heero but he walks by without re-acting,
"-- Or not. For what it's worth, I think you're a great captain." calling Duo out to Heero, who pauses to glance back, then continues forward.
"I saw that!" said Shenlong looking at Duo's fixed gaze on Heero,
"What?" asked Duo innocently,
"You like him don't you?" teased Shenlong,
"No, I-" began Duo but got interrupted,
"Yeah right, Yeah sure. Look ---" yelled Shenlong pointing to Duo's tent,
"-- go to your tent" and watches Duo walk away with a fond look in Heero's direction. Then bends over to talk to Cri-Kee,
"I think it's time we took this war into our own hands" he said rubbing his hands together, both he and Cri-Kee wait outside Quinze's Tent waiting. Quinze emerges some time later carrying a scrub brush, wrapped in a towel and with big showering slippers on his feet. He whistles as he walks off. Seeing he left Shenlong and Cri-Kee enter his tent. Shenlong orders Cri-kee to type up a letter while Cri-Kee uses his legs to write it up. When he finishes he gives it to Shenlong who reads it.
"Okay, okay, let me see what you've got. From General Li; Dear son, we're waiting for the Huns at the pass and it would mean a lot if you'd come and back us up. That's great except you forgot, 'and since we're all out of potpourri, maybe you wouldn't mind bringing up some.'" Said Shenlong sarcastically while Cri-Kee nods enthusiastically,
"Hellooooo, this is the army! Make it sound more urgent, please! You know what I'm talkin' about?" he yelled at Cri-Kee who starts writing the note again, with Shenlong reading over his back,
"That's better, much better. Okay, Let's go." Yelled Shenlong taking the note and leaving the tent and searching for Shinigami. Having finding him drinking water from the trough. They climb on his back,
"Shini - baby, hey, we need a ride." He demanded while Shinigami squirts him off his back with water from his mouth.
*******************************
Back Outside:
Quinze walks back out of the lake wrapped in a towel, while the troops laugh at him,
"Insubordinate ruffians." Muttered Quinze to himself before calling to the troops,
"You men owe me a new pair of slippers. And I do not squeal like a girl." He said crossly turning around seeing a panda bear chomping down on one of the slippers he was holding before squealing like a girl,
"Aaaaaahhhhhh!"
"Urgent news from the general!" says the soldier sitting on the panda, but is in fact Shenlong sitting behind a dummy of a soldier using sticks to gesticulate with the dummy's arms to push the note towards Quinze while Cri- Kee works the mouth, Quinze bends down to look over the panda,
"What's the matter, you've never seen a 'black and white' before?" demanded 'The Soldier'
"Who are you?" questioned Quinze
"Excuse me! I think the question is: who are you? We're in a war man! There's no time for stupid questions. I should have your hat for that ---" yelled 'The Soldier' while the panda starts walking forward,
"-- snatch it right off of your head" 'The Soldier' continued swiping with an arm at Quinze's hat. Then Shenlong turns the upper half of the dummy around after the panda passes Quinze.
"But I'm feeling gracious today, so carry on before I report you." Continued Shenlong while Quinze begins reading the message and the panda walks up a tree taking Shenlong and Cri-Kee with him and out of sight. Quinze turns around to see the panda gone then runs into Heero's tent.
"Captain. Urgent news from the General. We're needed at the front." Yelled Quinze waving the message in a panic while Heero reads it, Shenlong and Cri-Kee follow the conversation from the tree.
"Pack your bags Cri-Kee, we're movin' out." Said Shenlong high five-ing (AN: Is this a word?) Cri-Kee.
***********************************
The troops have been walking for days in the blistering sun and the troops begin to complain and mutter to each other.
"For a long time we've been marching off to battle."
" In a thundering herd we feel a lot like cattle." says Wufei when they pass a couple of cows,
"Moo" agreed the cow,
"Like the pounding beat our aching feet aren't easy to ignore." mutter the soldiers favoring their feet. While Trowa suddenly gets an idea and starts singing to distract them. Catching up with Quatre and Wufei he sings:
"Hey, think of instead, A girl worth fighting for." while the others nod looking up dreamingly,
"Huh?" said Duo shocked at the suggestion,
"That's what I said, a girl worth fighting for." sang Trowa grabbing Duo and drawing her close while pulling out a centrefold, while Duo runs away after seeing the centrefold, while Trowa dreams about kissing a nice skinny and pale woman with big shining eyes,
//I want her paler than the moon
with eyes that
shine like stars//
//My girl will marvel at my strength,
adore my battle scars//
Added Wufei deciding to sing along and dreams about lifting and lowering a woman over his head. Then opening his chest to show a gaping wound that the woman he dreams about simply adores.
//I couldn't care less what she'll wear or what she looks like
It all depends on what she cooks like
Beef, pork, chicken...//
Sang Quatre dreaming of sitting with a woman at a table filled with a large bowl of rice with pieces of cow, pig and chicken. Liking his lips and fingers just thinking about it, while everyone else agrees,
"Mmm..."
//Bet the local girls thought
you were quite the charmer//
Sang Wufei; looking at Duo; whose leading Shinigami by the reign who is pulling a card full of cannons along; while the troops cross a the river with their swords over their heads. Duo looks disgusted at the idea and hurries forward. Looking behind her she sees Trowa immerge from the river with his armor full of water making him look quite muscular. Duo sniggers as the water leaks out making Trowa look like his normal self.
//And I'll bet the ladies love
a man in armor //
Then the troops pass a rice field were the local girl are working in. Shenlong whistles to the ladies from his hiding place in the carriage. Cri- Kee looks shocked at his antics. The ladies look up and giggle at Duo who hides her face in shame.
//You can guess what we
have missed the most
since we went off to war
What do we want?
A girl worth fighting for!//
Then Duo quickly walks away from Wufei only to bump into Quatre, who was listening to Wufei sing,
//My girl will think I have no faults//
//That I'm a major find//
Added Quatre wile Duo is caught between Wufei, Trowa and Quatre who all look up dreamily waiting for her ideal woman. Forcing herself to say something she sings:
//Uh, How about a girl who's got a brain,
Who always speaks her mind? //
Offered Duo while at first they looked impresses but then end up looking disdainfully, disappointed and disgusted. Yelling a loud:
"Nah!"
//My manly ways and turns of phrase are sure to thrill her.//
Sings Trowa grabbing Duo's shoulder and leaning on her, she takes his hand off and shakes her head disapprovingly while Trowa leans against the carriage of cannons rubbing his nails against his armor while Wufei whispers in Duo's ear and hitting Shinigami's rear so that the carriage runs out from under Trowa who looks upset after falling in the mud.
//He thinks he's such a lady-killer!//
Then Quinze, whose sitting on his horse decides to sing along, pulling on a warm sweater,
//I've a girl back home who's unlike any other.//
//Yeah, the only girl who'd love him is his mother!//
Offered Wufei pulling Duo aside making her and the troops laugh while Quinze turns away with a huff. All the troop line up locking arms across each others shoulders with Duo in the middle much to her discontent.
//But when we come home in victory they'll line up at the door!
What do we want?
A girl worth fighting for!
Wish that I had//
The troops sang with Trowa in the lead while Duo breaks away and walks in the opposite direction of the army. Seeing what she's doing; Trowa, Wufei and Quatre whistle holding snowballs ready to pelt her when she turns around. But stop when they reach their destination in shock.
//A girl worth fighting for!
A girl worth fighting--//
**************************
The troops stand in front of the ruins of a burned out village. They starts walking through the singed gate and look around at the few planks that remain from the buildings.
"Search for survivors." Ordered Heero dismounting his horse,
Duo walks around the burned-out village, feeling sad at the sight. Bending down she finds the doll , that Lord Treize was holding, and looks up sorrowfully. Heero comes to her side, laying a hand on her shoulder to console her,
"I don't understand. My father should have been here." Questioned Heero himself and turns around when Quinze yells at him from the top of a hill overlooking a valley.
"Captain!" and points down to the valley where the remains of General Odin's army can be seen. Flags poking up out of the snow, armor lying face down, broken cannon carts. Duo, Wufei and Trowa look on in horror as they look into the valley. Quatre walks up from the valley carrying a helmet handing it to Heero.
"...the General." Said Quatre sadly looking down at the snow, while Heero takes the helmet and walks to the edge of the hill. He draws his sword and stabs it into the snow upright. He kneels down and places the helmet on top of the sword. Duo approaches him from behind offering support.
"I'm sorry." Offers Duo softly,
Heero gets up, turns around and puts his hand on Duo's shoulder as he walks by, silently thanking her. Heero walks to the centre of his sad looking troops. He grabs his horse by the saddle, takes one quick look of grief then mounts his horse.
"The Huns are moving quickly. We'll make better time to the Imperial City through the Tung Shao Pass. We're the only hope for the Emperor now. Move out!" ordered Heero loudly, knowing they can't do anything more then that. Duo looks at the sword, takes out the doll she found and places the doll at the base of the sword. She turns around and joins the rest of the troops marching on, leading Shinigami again.
Suddenly a cannon blast shoots out of the cart and explodes in the air. The troops look surprised. Duo glances back with a scowl into the hole in the canopy of the cart to see Shenlong with a sorrowful face. Shenlong points at Cri-Kee blaming him. Heero charges up to Duo on his horse, Quinze right behind him.
"What happened?!" demanded Heero angrily,
"Uhhh-" stumbled Duo searching for an excuse,
"You just gave away our position. Now we're-" stopped Heero, with a yell, when an arrow hits Heero in the shoulder as he falls to the ground. Heero quickly pulls out the yelling at his troops,
"Get out of range!!"
The troops hurriedly run away as the arrows start falling all around them. Duo pulls Shinigami by the reins to hurry him up. But a Fire arrow Hits the cart with the cannons attached to Shinigami. The cart suddenly begins to blaze with fire.
"Save the cannons!" screamed Heero after seeing the fire,
The troops form a human chain and start taking the cannons out of the burning cart one by one while Duo steadies Shinigami to keep him from bolting. Quatre grabs many and hauls them on his own. The troops grab as many cannons as they safely can while Duo cuts Shinigami free from the cart. She quickly mounts Shinigami and charges away from the fire. The cart explodes sending Duo flying off Shinigami losing her helmet and sword in the process, landing near her. Shenlong and Cri-Kee, who were sent flying by the blast, scream and land near Duo.
"Oh sure, save the horse." Said Shenlong sarcastically.
Duo quickly grabs Shenlong with her right hand and grabs the sword with her left and runs to the troops position. Cri-Kee and Shinigami follow. Wufei, Trowa, Quatre and other recruits begin to set up the cannons against the rocks dodging a set of arrows that fall around them in the mean time.
"Fire!" screamed Heero pointing his word in the right direction,
They launch a volley at the mountain where the archers are stationed. As the cannon fire explodes, Lord Treize's army begins to hide, while Heero ordered another round of fire,
"Fire!"
Duo, Trowa and Quatre launch a second volley at the mountain where the archers are stationed. Then suddenly no more arrows come from the mountain position.
"Hold the last cannon." Orders Heero, while Wufei who was ready to light his cannon, pauses. They look up to see Lord Treize and his troops appear at the top of the mountain.
"Prepare to fight. If we die, we die with honor." Yells Heero loudly while Lord Treize raises his sword high above his head and charges down the mountain at Heero's position. His falcon flies off his shoulder at Lord Treize's war cry while The Hun army follows.
"Wufei, aim the cannon at Lord Treize" orders Heero, while the line of Heero's troops with Duo at the end draw their swords. Duo looks down at her sword and sees the reflection of a large snow embankment hanging to the side of a cliff. Getting an idea, she rushes forwards pushes Wufei out of the way and grabs the last cannon, running towards the Hun army.
"Hey." Yelled Wufei not liking the idea of being pushed aside.
" Solo, come back. Solo!" screamed Heero after Duo while Duo charges forward towards the oncoming horde of the Hun army being led by Lord Treize and his falcon. Shenlong, who was hiding in Duo's armor, looks over at the oncoming horde with worry in his eyes.
"Stop!" yells Heero starting to run after her waving his arms, then Duo stops and plants the cannon and aims it for the cliff with the snow overhang. Looking up she sees Lord Treize riding closer to their position.
"All right, you might want to light that right about now. Quickly! Quickly!" yells Shenlong in a panic, while Duo takes out the flint and tries to light the fuse. Lord Treize's falcon swoops by knocking Duo down scattering the flint rock. Looking on, Wufei yells at Quatre and Trowa;
"C'mon, we've gotta help." while they charge towards Duo's position with their swords drawn, Duo in the mean time searches for the flint in the snow in vain. Not finding it she sees Shenlong, grabs him and stretches him causing him to light the fuse. Letting go, Shenlong lands on the cannon who fires off just above the charging Lord Treize,
"You missed him! How could you miss? He was three feet in front of you!" screamed Shenlong tailing off as he rides the cannon toward the snow embankment. The cannon lodges in the snow and explodes causing the beginning of a large avalanche. Duo looks up with an evil grin on her face and Lord Treize watches in horror as many of his troops begin to get swallowed up by the snow. After recollecting himself, Lord Treize turns and focuses in on Duo with a loud:
"Yrrrrrrraah."
Lords Treize swipes at Duo with his sword hitting her in the right side. Duo falls back grabbing her right side. Then Lord Treize's horse, Talgeese, stumbles. Duo uses this break to bolt away from the avalanche. Lord Treize gains his composure and starts to gallop away from the avalanche on his horse. Heero looks with shock as he sees the avalanche coming toward him. Duo quickly grabs Heero as she passes by him, turning him around and helping him run away from the avalanche.
Wufei, Trowa and Quatre come running towards the oncoming avalanche with a loud battle cry,
"Yeeahhhhhh!" but they stop when they notice the oncoming avalanche. They turn around and run back to where they came from screaming the whole time,
"Waaaaaaaaaa!" then Shinigami jumps away from the troops position and starts to run towards Duo passing Trowa, Wufei and Quatre, while the avalanche swallows up Lord Treize and his horse. Shinigami arrives at Duo's position just ahead of the avalanche. Duo quickly jumps onto Shinigami and reaches for Heero. She grabs his hand, then the avalanche rushes forth breaking their grip, turning Shinigami around facing the oncoming avalanche of snow.
Quatre, Trowa and Wufei are standing behind a rock, looking in and see the snow approaching and run to a larger shelter where the rest of Heero's army is positioned just as the avalanche reaches their position. Shenlong in the mean time is riding down the snow on a shield searching for Duo.
"Duo! Duo!" calls Shenlong seeing hair sticking up from the snow, "Duo"? and picks up the Hun by the hair who growls,
"Arrrrr."
"Nope. Duo!" yells Shenlong with wide eyes pushing the Hun soldier back under the snow and picking up Cri-Kee out of the snow with his antenna's,
"Man, you are one lucky bug." Duo in the meantime is riding Shinigami above the snow into the teeth of the avalanche. Duo and Shinigami are swept under by the snow and re-emerge quickly. She looks back and sees Heero laying passed out riding the wave of snow.
"Heero! Heero!" yells Duo loudly turning around and rides to Heero's position. She picks him up and places him on Shinigami. She turns her horse around again to be riding upstream. While Wufei, Trowa and Quatre stand on each others shoulders trying to find them,
"Do you see them?" asked Quatre to Wufei who was standing on top,
"Yes!-" yells Wufei ecstatically and shoots an arrow with a rope attached,
" --- Perfect! Now I'll pull them to safe-" yells Wufei stopping as he grasps air as the rope completely passed through his hands.
"-- ty." He finished in shock while Duo sees Shenlong and Cri-Kee riding up to her on a shield, speaking loudly above the noise of the avalanche,
"Hey Duo, I found a lucky cricket." While he jumps on Shinigami's rear,
"We need help!" yells Duo while Wufei's arrow lands near by and she picks it up and starts to tie the rope to her horse.
"Ooo, nice, very nice, you can sit by me." Says Shenlong to Cri-kee placing him next to him and then sees that they're about to fall over the cliff. He and Cri-Kee look frightened at Duo.
"Ahhhhh! We're gonna die! We're gonna die! I know we're gonna die! No way we can survive this! Death is coming!" he yells while Duo knocks the arrow and shoots it toward Wufei who is crying,
"I let them slip through my fingers -" then Duo's arrow lands in his hands. He grabs on and is pulled toward the cliff, Trowa and Quatre grab onto Wufei and hold him steady near the cliff edge with the rope taught over the cliff.
"Pull" Wufei screams, while all the other soldiers start pulling backward hauling Duo, Heero, Shinigami, Shenlong and Cri-Kee to safety.
"I knew we could to it. You da man. --" Says Shenlong happily while Duo looks pleased,
"Well sorta. -" he finished while Duo grimaces and the soldiers help them up to the cliff.
"Step back guys, give 'em some air." Says Trowa pulling everyone backwards,
"Solo, you are the craziest man I've ever met. And for that I owe you my life. From now on, you have my trust." States Heero catching his breath while Duo smiles big.
"Let's hear it for Solo! The bravest of us all." Screams Trowa jumping in the air,
"You're king of the mountain!" yells Wufei lifting his arms high,
"Yes, yes, yes!" laughs Quatre jumping up and down, while Duo begins to stand up,
"Ahhh" yells Duo falling back down and clutching her right side,
"Solo, what's wrong?" asks Heero worriedly while Duo removes her hand slightly to show the blood on her hand and seeping through the armour.
"He's wounded, get help!" says Heero loudly, then talks soflty to Duo who sees everything fade as she loses consciousness. The last she hears is Heero:
"Solo, hold on. Hold on."
************************************
Some time later:
Duo is being taken care of by the Medic in the quickly set up medic tent. Heero stands by the entrance, awaiting news, while Wufei, Trowa and Quatre are feeling concerned. Trowa drums his fingers on his knees, nervously when the medic comes out from the tent and whispers to Heero. Heero looks astonished and goes into the tent, while the others wait worried.
Duo is lying down, when Heero enters. She opens her eyes, to see Heero standing there and smiles at the sight of him. She sits up allowing the blanket to fall to her waist revealing her form fitting bandages on her chest. She sees Heero's surprised look and realizes her feminine form is noticeable.
"Huh, I can explain." Gasped Duo as she covers up, when Quinze enters the tent and Heero leaves,
"Huh? So it's true."
"Heero!" calls Duo after Heero as he steps out of the tent, then Quinze hauls out Duo by the arm, while Duo uses her other hand to hold the blanket to her chest.
"I knew there was something wrong with you -" yells Quinze taking off Duo's hair tie and throws her to the ground in the freezing snow,
"-- A woman." He finished while the rest of the troops gasps in shock,
"Treacherous snake." Sneered Quinze,
"My name is Duo. I did it to save my father." Pleaded Duo, to Heero; kneeling on the ground, hunched over.
"High treason!" continued Quinze as if she hasn't spoken,
"I didn't mean for it to go this far." Begged Duo
"Ultimate dishonor." Yelled Quinze getting in Duo's face and speaking to her while she winces at his words,
"It was the only way. Please believe me." Spoke Duo to Heero again,
"Hmph, Captain?" asked Quinze to Heero who walks over to Shinigami and takes the sword out of the scabbard attached to the horse. Shinigami rears back in fear wanting to help Duo,
"Restrain him." Ordered Quinze to a nearby soldier who takes his reigns, while Heero walks toward Duo sword in his hand. Trowa, Wufei and Quatre rush towards Duo yelling,
"Noooooo!" but Quinze puts out his hand to stop them from proceeding further,
"You know the law." He says, while Heero stands over Duo, who looks at Heero pleadingly before bowing her head in anticipation. Heero lifts the sword high above his head and throws it down in front of Duo who snaps her head up,
"A life for a life. My debt is repaid.-" he tells her and then turns, walking towards the Imperial City,
"Move out!" he orders his troops,
"But you can't just..." questioned Quinze coming up to Heero's face,
"I said, 'Move out!' " said Heero getting in Quinze's face.
The Troops follow looking back sadly at a half naked, abandoned Duo sitting in the snow with her head down in shame.
*******************************
What will happen to Duo now?
Thank you Mako-Chan, Shino Ryo and Rae for reviewing!
Review please pretty please!
You can find pictures of Shenlong (AN: Mushu in Mulan) and Cri-Kee at my group:
At The Lake:
"Hey, oh, ah, no, this is not a good idea. What if somebody sees you?" protested Shenlong
"Just because I look like a man doesn't mean I have to smell like one." Answered Duo from behind the reeds,
"So a couple of guys don't rinse out their socks, picky, picky, picky. Well myself I kinda like that corn chip's smell." Muttered Shenlong holding a towel and covering his eyes with his ears,
"Ahhhhhhh." Sighed Duo in bliss after running by Shenlong and jumping into the lake splashing water on him,
"Okay, all right, all right, that's enough. Now, c'mon, get out before you get all pruny and stuff" said Shenlong holding out a towel towards Duo keeping his eyes covered.
"Shenlong, if you're so worried, go stand watch." Said Duo rubbing her arms contently,
"Yeah, yeah, stand watch Shenlong while I blow our secret with my stupid girly habits. Humph, hygiene." Muttered Shenlong walking in a womanly fashion speaking in woman's voice, going back to normal at the end,
"Chirp, Chirp." Chirped Cri-Kee alarmed, tugging on Shenlong's whiskers and pointing in the opposite direction of the lake,
"Me first! Me first! Me First!" yelled Wufei while he, Trowa and Quatre run by Shenlong smacking him in the face with several colored boxers,
"Ah. We're doomed! There a couple of things I know they're bound to notice!" gasped Shenlong while Wufei and Trowa jump into the water. Quatre dips in his toe to check temperature then runs back and jumps in causing a large wave. Wufei and Trowa ride the wave towards Duo, who sees them and hides her face behind a lily pad.
"Hey, Solo" called Trowa, while Duo peeks over the lily pad and spreads it on the water covering her chest.
"Oh hi guys, I didn't know you were *here*." Spoke Duo nervously and unnaturally in a manly voice, while Wufei, Trowa and Quatre share a 'this boy is strange' look,
"I was just washing, so now I'm clean and I'm gonna go. Bye, bye." Babbled Duo and hides behind a rock keeping her front facing the rock.
"Come back here." Said Trowa from behind Duo,
"I know we were jerks to you before so lets start over. Hi, I'm Trowa!" and extended his hand to shake hands with Duo, who covers her chest with her left arm, turns and shakes his hand with an outstretched right arm, smiling,
"Heh, heh." Said Duo nervously turning and wading away from Trowa and running into Quatre,
"And I'm Quatre" said Quatre introducing himself and taking a lily pad off his head,
"Hello Quatre." Answered Duo waving slightly and smiling, looking up she sees Wufei standing on top of a rock looking down at the others. Duo quickly looks down into the water and hides her eyes with her free hand.
"And I am Wufei, king of the rock. And there's nothin' you girls can do about it." Wufei yelled, his hands on his hips,
"Oh, yeah? Well, I think Solo and I could take you." Said Trowa taking a fighting stance and elbowing Duo in the ribs,
"I really don't want to take him anywhere." Answered Duo slowly wading away,
"Solo, we have to fight! SOLO! " protested Trowa following Duo,
"No we don't. We could just close our eyes and swim around." Muttered Duo unnaturally,
" C'mon don't be such a g--Ouch! Something bit me." Yelled Trowa suddenly, while Shenlong pops out of the water between Duo and Trowa,
"What a nasty flavor." Shenlong said spitting now and then,
"Snake!" yelled Trowa with fear and gusto,
"Snake, snake!" screamed Quatre while all three of them climb up the rock and on each other, while Duo whistles for Shinigami and wades back to shore. Shinigami comes close enough and Duo hides behind Shinigami as she wraps a towel around her body. Wufei, Trowa and Quatre have calmed down but haven't left the rock yet,
"Some king of the rock!" muttered Trowa while Wufei pushes him off the rock and into the water.
"Boy, that was close" said Duo relieved,
"No, that was vile! You owe me big!" yelled Shenlong brushing his teeth several times,
" I never want to see a naked man again." Said Duo Loudly, just before the rest of the troops run by naked and jump into the lake. Duo looks down and sighs.
" Hey, don't look at me. I ain't biting any more butts." Said Shenlong pointing at himself, while Duo starts getting dressed.
***********************************
Meanwhile In Quinze's Tent:
"You think your troops are ready to fight? Hah! They would not last a minute against the Huns." Said Quinze superiorly,
"They completed their training." Answered Heero strongly,
"Those *boys* are no more fit to be soldiers than you are to be Captain. Once the general reads my report, your troops will never see battle." Said Quinze crossly,
Duo, Shenlong and Cri-Kee just passed the tent as Quinze said that and pause to listen,
"Oh no you don't. I've worked to hard to get Duo to this war. This guy's messing with my plan." Whispered Shenlong in Cri-Kee's ear (AN: Do crickets even have ears?)
"We're not finished." Yelled Heero madly grabbing onto the front of Quinze's clip board,
"Be careful, Captain. The General may be your father, but I am the Emperor's council. And, oh, by the way, huh, I got that job on my own." Answered Quinze pulling the board away and opening the entrance to the tent for Heero,
"You're dismissed." Heero storms out of the tent and starts to walk by Duo, seeing but ignoring her,
"Hey, I'll hold him and you punch, heh, heh.. --" began Duo nervously wanting to comfort Heero but he walks by without re-acting,
"-- Or not. For what it's worth, I think you're a great captain." calling Duo out to Heero, who pauses to glance back, then continues forward.
"I saw that!" said Shenlong looking at Duo's fixed gaze on Heero,
"What?" asked Duo innocently,
"You like him don't you?" teased Shenlong,
"No, I-" began Duo but got interrupted,
"Yeah right, Yeah sure. Look ---" yelled Shenlong pointing to Duo's tent,
"-- go to your tent" and watches Duo walk away with a fond look in Heero's direction. Then bends over to talk to Cri-Kee,
"I think it's time we took this war into our own hands" he said rubbing his hands together, both he and Cri-Kee wait outside Quinze's Tent waiting. Quinze emerges some time later carrying a scrub brush, wrapped in a towel and with big showering slippers on his feet. He whistles as he walks off. Seeing he left Shenlong and Cri-Kee enter his tent. Shenlong orders Cri-kee to type up a letter while Cri-Kee uses his legs to write it up. When he finishes he gives it to Shenlong who reads it.
"Okay, okay, let me see what you've got. From General Li; Dear son, we're waiting for the Huns at the pass and it would mean a lot if you'd come and back us up. That's great except you forgot, 'and since we're all out of potpourri, maybe you wouldn't mind bringing up some.'" Said Shenlong sarcastically while Cri-Kee nods enthusiastically,
"Hellooooo, this is the army! Make it sound more urgent, please! You know what I'm talkin' about?" he yelled at Cri-Kee who starts writing the note again, with Shenlong reading over his back,
"That's better, much better. Okay, Let's go." Yelled Shenlong taking the note and leaving the tent and searching for Shinigami. Having finding him drinking water from the trough. They climb on his back,
"Shini - baby, hey, we need a ride." He demanded while Shinigami squirts him off his back with water from his mouth.
*******************************
Back Outside:
Quinze walks back out of the lake wrapped in a towel, while the troops laugh at him,
"Insubordinate ruffians." Muttered Quinze to himself before calling to the troops,
"You men owe me a new pair of slippers. And I do not squeal like a girl." He said crossly turning around seeing a panda bear chomping down on one of the slippers he was holding before squealing like a girl,
"Aaaaaahhhhhh!"
"Urgent news from the general!" says the soldier sitting on the panda, but is in fact Shenlong sitting behind a dummy of a soldier using sticks to gesticulate with the dummy's arms to push the note towards Quinze while Cri- Kee works the mouth, Quinze bends down to look over the panda,
"What's the matter, you've never seen a 'black and white' before?" demanded 'The Soldier'
"Who are you?" questioned Quinze
"Excuse me! I think the question is: who are you? We're in a war man! There's no time for stupid questions. I should have your hat for that ---" yelled 'The Soldier' while the panda starts walking forward,
"-- snatch it right off of your head" 'The Soldier' continued swiping with an arm at Quinze's hat. Then Shenlong turns the upper half of the dummy around after the panda passes Quinze.
"But I'm feeling gracious today, so carry on before I report you." Continued Shenlong while Quinze begins reading the message and the panda walks up a tree taking Shenlong and Cri-Kee with him and out of sight. Quinze turns around to see the panda gone then runs into Heero's tent.
"Captain. Urgent news from the General. We're needed at the front." Yelled Quinze waving the message in a panic while Heero reads it, Shenlong and Cri-Kee follow the conversation from the tree.
"Pack your bags Cri-Kee, we're movin' out." Said Shenlong high five-ing (AN: Is this a word?) Cri-Kee.
***********************************
The troops have been walking for days in the blistering sun and the troops begin to complain and mutter to each other.
"For a long time we've been marching off to battle."
" In a thundering herd we feel a lot like cattle." says Wufei when they pass a couple of cows,
"Moo" agreed the cow,
"Like the pounding beat our aching feet aren't easy to ignore." mutter the soldiers favoring their feet. While Trowa suddenly gets an idea and starts singing to distract them. Catching up with Quatre and Wufei he sings:
"Hey, think of instead, A girl worth fighting for." while the others nod looking up dreamingly,
"Huh?" said Duo shocked at the suggestion,
"That's what I said, a girl worth fighting for." sang Trowa grabbing Duo and drawing her close while pulling out a centrefold, while Duo runs away after seeing the centrefold, while Trowa dreams about kissing a nice skinny and pale woman with big shining eyes,
//I want her paler than the moon
with eyes that
shine like stars//
//My girl will marvel at my strength,
adore my battle scars//
Added Wufei deciding to sing along and dreams about lifting and lowering a woman over his head. Then opening his chest to show a gaping wound that the woman he dreams about simply adores.
//I couldn't care less what she'll wear or what she looks like
It all depends on what she cooks like
Beef, pork, chicken...//
Sang Quatre dreaming of sitting with a woman at a table filled with a large bowl of rice with pieces of cow, pig and chicken. Liking his lips and fingers just thinking about it, while everyone else agrees,
"Mmm..."
//Bet the local girls thought
you were quite the charmer//
Sang Wufei; looking at Duo; whose leading Shinigami by the reign who is pulling a card full of cannons along; while the troops cross a the river with their swords over their heads. Duo looks disgusted at the idea and hurries forward. Looking behind her she sees Trowa immerge from the river with his armor full of water making him look quite muscular. Duo sniggers as the water leaks out making Trowa look like his normal self.
//And I'll bet the ladies love
a man in armor //
Then the troops pass a rice field were the local girl are working in. Shenlong whistles to the ladies from his hiding place in the carriage. Cri- Kee looks shocked at his antics. The ladies look up and giggle at Duo who hides her face in shame.
//You can guess what we
have missed the most
since we went off to war
What do we want?
A girl worth fighting for!//
Then Duo quickly walks away from Wufei only to bump into Quatre, who was listening to Wufei sing,
//My girl will think I have no faults//
//That I'm a major find//
Added Quatre wile Duo is caught between Wufei, Trowa and Quatre who all look up dreamily waiting for her ideal woman. Forcing herself to say something she sings:
//Uh, How about a girl who's got a brain,
Who always speaks her mind? //
Offered Duo while at first they looked impresses but then end up looking disdainfully, disappointed and disgusted. Yelling a loud:
"Nah!"
//My manly ways and turns of phrase are sure to thrill her.//
Sings Trowa grabbing Duo's shoulder and leaning on her, she takes his hand off and shakes her head disapprovingly while Trowa leans against the carriage of cannons rubbing his nails against his armor while Wufei whispers in Duo's ear and hitting Shinigami's rear so that the carriage runs out from under Trowa who looks upset after falling in the mud.
//He thinks he's such a lady-killer!//
Then Quinze, whose sitting on his horse decides to sing along, pulling on a warm sweater,
//I've a girl back home who's unlike any other.//
//Yeah, the only girl who'd love him is his mother!//
Offered Wufei pulling Duo aside making her and the troops laugh while Quinze turns away with a huff. All the troop line up locking arms across each others shoulders with Duo in the middle much to her discontent.
//But when we come home in victory they'll line up at the door!
What do we want?
A girl worth fighting for!
Wish that I had//
The troops sang with Trowa in the lead while Duo breaks away and walks in the opposite direction of the army. Seeing what she's doing; Trowa, Wufei and Quatre whistle holding snowballs ready to pelt her when she turns around. But stop when they reach their destination in shock.
//A girl worth fighting for!
A girl worth fighting--//
**************************
The troops stand in front of the ruins of a burned out village. They starts walking through the singed gate and look around at the few planks that remain from the buildings.
"Search for survivors." Ordered Heero dismounting his horse,
Duo walks around the burned-out village, feeling sad at the sight. Bending down she finds the doll , that Lord Treize was holding, and looks up sorrowfully. Heero comes to her side, laying a hand on her shoulder to console her,
"I don't understand. My father should have been here." Questioned Heero himself and turns around when Quinze yells at him from the top of a hill overlooking a valley.
"Captain!" and points down to the valley where the remains of General Odin's army can be seen. Flags poking up out of the snow, armor lying face down, broken cannon carts. Duo, Wufei and Trowa look on in horror as they look into the valley. Quatre walks up from the valley carrying a helmet handing it to Heero.
"...the General." Said Quatre sadly looking down at the snow, while Heero takes the helmet and walks to the edge of the hill. He draws his sword and stabs it into the snow upright. He kneels down and places the helmet on top of the sword. Duo approaches him from behind offering support.
"I'm sorry." Offers Duo softly,
Heero gets up, turns around and puts his hand on Duo's shoulder as he walks by, silently thanking her. Heero walks to the centre of his sad looking troops. He grabs his horse by the saddle, takes one quick look of grief then mounts his horse.
"The Huns are moving quickly. We'll make better time to the Imperial City through the Tung Shao Pass. We're the only hope for the Emperor now. Move out!" ordered Heero loudly, knowing they can't do anything more then that. Duo looks at the sword, takes out the doll she found and places the doll at the base of the sword. She turns around and joins the rest of the troops marching on, leading Shinigami again.
Suddenly a cannon blast shoots out of the cart and explodes in the air. The troops look surprised. Duo glances back with a scowl into the hole in the canopy of the cart to see Shenlong with a sorrowful face. Shenlong points at Cri-Kee blaming him. Heero charges up to Duo on his horse, Quinze right behind him.
"What happened?!" demanded Heero angrily,
"Uhhh-" stumbled Duo searching for an excuse,
"You just gave away our position. Now we're-" stopped Heero, with a yell, when an arrow hits Heero in the shoulder as he falls to the ground. Heero quickly pulls out the yelling at his troops,
"Get out of range!!"
The troops hurriedly run away as the arrows start falling all around them. Duo pulls Shinigami by the reins to hurry him up. But a Fire arrow Hits the cart with the cannons attached to Shinigami. The cart suddenly begins to blaze with fire.
"Save the cannons!" screamed Heero after seeing the fire,
The troops form a human chain and start taking the cannons out of the burning cart one by one while Duo steadies Shinigami to keep him from bolting. Quatre grabs many and hauls them on his own. The troops grab as many cannons as they safely can while Duo cuts Shinigami free from the cart. She quickly mounts Shinigami and charges away from the fire. The cart explodes sending Duo flying off Shinigami losing her helmet and sword in the process, landing near her. Shenlong and Cri-Kee, who were sent flying by the blast, scream and land near Duo.
"Oh sure, save the horse." Said Shenlong sarcastically.
Duo quickly grabs Shenlong with her right hand and grabs the sword with her left and runs to the troops position. Cri-Kee and Shinigami follow. Wufei, Trowa, Quatre and other recruits begin to set up the cannons against the rocks dodging a set of arrows that fall around them in the mean time.
"Fire!" screamed Heero pointing his word in the right direction,
They launch a volley at the mountain where the archers are stationed. As the cannon fire explodes, Lord Treize's army begins to hide, while Heero ordered another round of fire,
"Fire!"
Duo, Trowa and Quatre launch a second volley at the mountain where the archers are stationed. Then suddenly no more arrows come from the mountain position.
"Hold the last cannon." Orders Heero, while Wufei who was ready to light his cannon, pauses. They look up to see Lord Treize and his troops appear at the top of the mountain.
"Prepare to fight. If we die, we die with honor." Yells Heero loudly while Lord Treize raises his sword high above his head and charges down the mountain at Heero's position. His falcon flies off his shoulder at Lord Treize's war cry while The Hun army follows.
"Wufei, aim the cannon at Lord Treize" orders Heero, while the line of Heero's troops with Duo at the end draw their swords. Duo looks down at her sword and sees the reflection of a large snow embankment hanging to the side of a cliff. Getting an idea, she rushes forwards pushes Wufei out of the way and grabs the last cannon, running towards the Hun army.
"Hey." Yelled Wufei not liking the idea of being pushed aside.
" Solo, come back. Solo!" screamed Heero after Duo while Duo charges forward towards the oncoming horde of the Hun army being led by Lord Treize and his falcon. Shenlong, who was hiding in Duo's armor, looks over at the oncoming horde with worry in his eyes.
"Stop!" yells Heero starting to run after her waving his arms, then Duo stops and plants the cannon and aims it for the cliff with the snow overhang. Looking up she sees Lord Treize riding closer to their position.
"All right, you might want to light that right about now. Quickly! Quickly!" yells Shenlong in a panic, while Duo takes out the flint and tries to light the fuse. Lord Treize's falcon swoops by knocking Duo down scattering the flint rock. Looking on, Wufei yells at Quatre and Trowa;
"C'mon, we've gotta help." while they charge towards Duo's position with their swords drawn, Duo in the mean time searches for the flint in the snow in vain. Not finding it she sees Shenlong, grabs him and stretches him causing him to light the fuse. Letting go, Shenlong lands on the cannon who fires off just above the charging Lord Treize,
"You missed him! How could you miss? He was three feet in front of you!" screamed Shenlong tailing off as he rides the cannon toward the snow embankment. The cannon lodges in the snow and explodes causing the beginning of a large avalanche. Duo looks up with an evil grin on her face and Lord Treize watches in horror as many of his troops begin to get swallowed up by the snow. After recollecting himself, Lord Treize turns and focuses in on Duo with a loud:
"Yrrrrrrraah."
Lords Treize swipes at Duo with his sword hitting her in the right side. Duo falls back grabbing her right side. Then Lord Treize's horse, Talgeese, stumbles. Duo uses this break to bolt away from the avalanche. Lord Treize gains his composure and starts to gallop away from the avalanche on his horse. Heero looks with shock as he sees the avalanche coming toward him. Duo quickly grabs Heero as she passes by him, turning him around and helping him run away from the avalanche.
Wufei, Trowa and Quatre come running towards the oncoming avalanche with a loud battle cry,
"Yeeahhhhhh!" but they stop when they notice the oncoming avalanche. They turn around and run back to where they came from screaming the whole time,
"Waaaaaaaaaa!" then Shinigami jumps away from the troops position and starts to run towards Duo passing Trowa, Wufei and Quatre, while the avalanche swallows up Lord Treize and his horse. Shinigami arrives at Duo's position just ahead of the avalanche. Duo quickly jumps onto Shinigami and reaches for Heero. She grabs his hand, then the avalanche rushes forth breaking their grip, turning Shinigami around facing the oncoming avalanche of snow.
Quatre, Trowa and Wufei are standing behind a rock, looking in and see the snow approaching and run to a larger shelter where the rest of Heero's army is positioned just as the avalanche reaches their position. Shenlong in the mean time is riding down the snow on a shield searching for Duo.
"Duo! Duo!" calls Shenlong seeing hair sticking up from the snow, "Duo"? and picks up the Hun by the hair who growls,
"Arrrrr."
"Nope. Duo!" yells Shenlong with wide eyes pushing the Hun soldier back under the snow and picking up Cri-Kee out of the snow with his antenna's,
"Man, you are one lucky bug." Duo in the meantime is riding Shinigami above the snow into the teeth of the avalanche. Duo and Shinigami are swept under by the snow and re-emerge quickly. She looks back and sees Heero laying passed out riding the wave of snow.
"Heero! Heero!" yells Duo loudly turning around and rides to Heero's position. She picks him up and places him on Shinigami. She turns her horse around again to be riding upstream. While Wufei, Trowa and Quatre stand on each others shoulders trying to find them,
"Do you see them?" asked Quatre to Wufei who was standing on top,
"Yes!-" yells Wufei ecstatically and shoots an arrow with a rope attached,
" --- Perfect! Now I'll pull them to safe-" yells Wufei stopping as he grasps air as the rope completely passed through his hands.
"-- ty." He finished in shock while Duo sees Shenlong and Cri-Kee riding up to her on a shield, speaking loudly above the noise of the avalanche,
"Hey Duo, I found a lucky cricket." While he jumps on Shinigami's rear,
"We need help!" yells Duo while Wufei's arrow lands near by and she picks it up and starts to tie the rope to her horse.
"Ooo, nice, very nice, you can sit by me." Says Shenlong to Cri-kee placing him next to him and then sees that they're about to fall over the cliff. He and Cri-Kee look frightened at Duo.
"Ahhhhh! We're gonna die! We're gonna die! I know we're gonna die! No way we can survive this! Death is coming!" he yells while Duo knocks the arrow and shoots it toward Wufei who is crying,
"I let them slip through my fingers -" then Duo's arrow lands in his hands. He grabs on and is pulled toward the cliff, Trowa and Quatre grab onto Wufei and hold him steady near the cliff edge with the rope taught over the cliff.
"Pull" Wufei screams, while all the other soldiers start pulling backward hauling Duo, Heero, Shinigami, Shenlong and Cri-Kee to safety.
"I knew we could to it. You da man. --" Says Shenlong happily while Duo looks pleased,
"Well sorta. -" he finished while Duo grimaces and the soldiers help them up to the cliff.
"Step back guys, give 'em some air." Says Trowa pulling everyone backwards,
"Solo, you are the craziest man I've ever met. And for that I owe you my life. From now on, you have my trust." States Heero catching his breath while Duo smiles big.
"Let's hear it for Solo! The bravest of us all." Screams Trowa jumping in the air,
"You're king of the mountain!" yells Wufei lifting his arms high,
"Yes, yes, yes!" laughs Quatre jumping up and down, while Duo begins to stand up,
"Ahhh" yells Duo falling back down and clutching her right side,
"Solo, what's wrong?" asks Heero worriedly while Duo removes her hand slightly to show the blood on her hand and seeping through the armour.
"He's wounded, get help!" says Heero loudly, then talks soflty to Duo who sees everything fade as she loses consciousness. The last she hears is Heero:
"Solo, hold on. Hold on."
************************************
Some time later:
Duo is being taken care of by the Medic in the quickly set up medic tent. Heero stands by the entrance, awaiting news, while Wufei, Trowa and Quatre are feeling concerned. Trowa drums his fingers on his knees, nervously when the medic comes out from the tent and whispers to Heero. Heero looks astonished and goes into the tent, while the others wait worried.
Duo is lying down, when Heero enters. She opens her eyes, to see Heero standing there and smiles at the sight of him. She sits up allowing the blanket to fall to her waist revealing her form fitting bandages on her chest. She sees Heero's surprised look and realizes her feminine form is noticeable.
"Huh, I can explain." Gasped Duo as she covers up, when Quinze enters the tent and Heero leaves,
"Huh? So it's true."
"Heero!" calls Duo after Heero as he steps out of the tent, then Quinze hauls out Duo by the arm, while Duo uses her other hand to hold the blanket to her chest.
"I knew there was something wrong with you -" yells Quinze taking off Duo's hair tie and throws her to the ground in the freezing snow,
"-- A woman." He finished while the rest of the troops gasps in shock,
"Treacherous snake." Sneered Quinze,
"My name is Duo. I did it to save my father." Pleaded Duo, to Heero; kneeling on the ground, hunched over.
"High treason!" continued Quinze as if she hasn't spoken,
"I didn't mean for it to go this far." Begged Duo
"Ultimate dishonor." Yelled Quinze getting in Duo's face and speaking to her while she winces at his words,
"It was the only way. Please believe me." Spoke Duo to Heero again,
"Hmph, Captain?" asked Quinze to Heero who walks over to Shinigami and takes the sword out of the scabbard attached to the horse. Shinigami rears back in fear wanting to help Duo,
"Restrain him." Ordered Quinze to a nearby soldier who takes his reigns, while Heero walks toward Duo sword in his hand. Trowa, Wufei and Quatre rush towards Duo yelling,
"Noooooo!" but Quinze puts out his hand to stop them from proceeding further,
"You know the law." He says, while Heero stands over Duo, who looks at Heero pleadingly before bowing her head in anticipation. Heero lifts the sword high above his head and throws it down in front of Duo who snaps her head up,
"A life for a life. My debt is repaid.-" he tells her and then turns, walking towards the Imperial City,
"Move out!" he orders his troops,
"But you can't just..." questioned Quinze coming up to Heero's face,
"I said, 'Move out!' " said Heero getting in Quinze's face.
The Troops follow looking back sadly at a half naked, abandoned Duo sitting in the snow with her head down in shame.
*******************************
What will happen to Duo now?
Thank you Mako-Chan, Shino Ryo and Rae for reviewing!
Review please pretty please!
You can find pictures of Shenlong (AN: Mushu in Mulan) and Cri-Kee at my group: