Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little torture.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (because I suck at yaoi) , major A.U, some OOC I think, probably future mpreg

Fates and Choices

Part 13: Of Instincts and Sires

It was as if that fateful night had lanced the infected wound of Duo's heart and for all outward appearances, the chief's mate was back to his usually cheerful self come morning. Heero knew from the sometimes sporadic telepathic bond they shared, there were a few lingering doubts left in Duo's mind, but he was willing to let his mate shoulder some of his fears. He knew his love was still worry about the impending arrival of his father which Heero knew it was only a few days away.

He knew his closest friends were not going to let Treize step into his village and personally, he didn't want that as well, but that man was a tribe chief and despite his past conducts, was due the respect given to any tribe chiefs. There was also the niggling feeling from Duo's retelling that his father may have been involved in all the 'accidents' that his mate had experienced. If that was the case, tribe chief or no, Treize Khusreneda was a dead man. His mind cast back to the past few months that Duo had been here, the sudden upsurge of activity amongst the mystical creatures. All of them seemed to have something against their tribe and went all out to hurt the Forest to lure the Healers out of the village. To lure Duo out. Had that been some plot by Treize as well? Feeling distinctly fearful for his mate, Heero went about planning for Duo's safety. It involved a very reluctant Wufei who wanted to mete out his form of 'justice' for Duo's past hurts, but Heero had stood firm and rationalised with the almost irate Shifter why the tribe chief wanted Wufei and no one else. No amount of wheedling had worked but when Heero mentioned one vital point, the dark eyed Shifter had caved.

'Duo trusts you.'

Wufei stomped away angrily, muttering something about injustice and hitting below the belt.

Two days of rest and good food was not enough to negate the effects of weeks of neglect, but the colour had returned to Duo's cheeks and the smudges under his eyes had faded. At least he no longer looked like wraith. The entire tribe had taken his welfare into their hearts and since they had a source to focus their anger, Treize had little hope of getting out of their village alive.

Wufei had stood close to the violet eyed Shifter, alert to any source of danger that could possibly put him at risk. Duo had complained bitterly, feeling more than a little miffed that he warranted a babysitter but no one listened to his raving, as his safety and the baby's welfare to be more important than his tender feelings. Even Quatre had not listened to him this time.

During all this, a plan was slowly forming, one designed to send him away.

"You tell him," Wufei insisted. "He's your mate and a Healer to boot. Technically, he outranks me and I have to listen to what he says."

Heero frowned at his friend. "This is pushing responsibility."

Wufei shrugged. "You came up with it, Heero, so it is all yours, and besides, I distinctly remember Duo being your mate. And therefore, your responsibility."

"Fine," Heero continued to grumble for a while but realised quickly that Wufei did have a valid point. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the communal healing hall where he knew Duo was entertaining the children at the moment. He stood by the door, drinking in the sight of his mate. He could never get enough of Duo. He knew that the stunningly attractive Healer could have anyone as his lover and mate but this vision from the Ancient fell strategically into his lap and by hell if he was going to Duo up without putting up a fight.

The said Healer was sitting on a chair in the far end of the healing hall, watching a group of almost ten children of various ages running around in an impromptu game of tag. Some of them were training Healers just finished with lessons that Duo helped supervise, his condition rendering unable to do anything else. As the day progressed and more lessons finished, so did the number of children trooping into the hall, searching for friends and looking to play. He felt a bittersweet pang as memories of such times came back. The only difference was, he was usually the more active babysitter, a role that was now taken over by a young Healer and another Shifter. He smiled at the squealing children running past him, trying to evade the one that was obviously 'it'. The one chasing, a young boy, barely out of toddling age, with light brown hair and warm eye of the same hue, laughingly ran after the gaggle of children, only to trip of a loose fur to fall flat on his face in front of where Duo sat.

The boy's chin quivered as huge drops of tears began to fall down his smudged cheek.

Guided by instinct, Duo shot up from the chair to kneel before the child, gathering him into his arms, rocking him while whispering soothing words in the boy's ear.

"Are you all right, little one?" Duo asked after the boy's sobbing had subsided.

The boy shook his head. "Hurts," he told Duo, eyes still bright with tears.

"Where?"

The boy pointed to his elbow, which would sport a pretty impressive bruise come nightfall.

Nothing too serious that needed a Healing. Duo bent over and kissed the offended area lightly. "All better?"

The boy brightened almost immediately and flashed Duo a big smile. "My mother always kisses my hurt," he announced proudly.

"Come on, catch us," came a cacophony of voices. The children had seen the boy take a spill, but didn't come close seeing Duo was there and now egged the boy on to get back into the game.

"Thank you," the boy sped away to catch the children, running out of the hall, sending the two babysitters speeding out as well.

Duo stared after the adorable little boy, and was shocked by the wave of longing that swept over him. He sat back on his heels, resting on hand on his stomach, wondering for the millionth time when he could hold his son in his arms. "I can't wait, little one," he told his belly, caressing the taut skin there. "Will you be a cute little thing like him?" Almost as if sensing his parent talking to him, the child within moved strongly and abruptly, causing Duo to gasp.

Heero was at his side in a second. "What's wrong?" He felt as if his heart was crawling up into throat.

"Heero!" Duo exclaimed. "Feel this." He took his mate's hand to place it over his stomach and saw Heero smiled proudly when he felt the restless movement within.

Heero bent over and brushed his lips over Duo's ear, whispering so only he could hear. "Frisky, isn't he, my love?" He helped his mate up and once again frowned worriedly as Duo groaned softly, arching his back while rubbing at what Heero assumed was the ache in his lower back. "Does it hurt badly?" He said almost guiltily.

Duo spared his mate a tremulous smile. "Not so bad."

Arms snaked around Duo's waist and hands rest on the low of his back. As Heero worked his skilful hands at the ache on his lower back, Duo's head dropped onto his mate's shoulder, moaning in pleasure at the instantaneous relief it brought. He stood there until he felt himself melt and the only thing holding him upright was Heero's arms.

"Better?" Heero asked, pleased that he had helped with his mate's discomfort, if only a little.

"I've melted into a puddle," Duo murmured almost drowsily against Heero's shoulder and heard a low rumble of laughter as he was lifted into Heero's arms and tenderly carried back to their dwelling. He rested his forehead contentedly against the side of Heero's neck, free from worry for the first time in weeks. This was a place where he would always be safe. He smiled at the many Shifters that stopped going about their chores and stared a little enviously at the couple that moved past them. Heero loved him more than life itself and he managed to communicate it to Duo everyday, either by words or by the slightest touch of hands. But the most obvious proof of Heero's devotion now lay sleeping contentedly below Duo's heart.

Heero helped Duo settle in their bed, half reclined against the pillows he positioned behind his back, knowing it would help with the pain Duo was experiencing. Once he was convinced his mate was comfortable, he started to speak. "Duo," he began and almost laughed at the slight look of concern on Duo's handsome face. His mate was well versed with that one.

"What do you want me to do?" Duo asked, direct. For some odd reason, fear pounded in his heart.

"I don't want you to do anything, love," Heero told him calmly, sitting down on the edge of bed.

"I'm not a child, I know that tone anywhere. You want me to do something and know I won't agree to it. What is it?" Duo's voice raised several pitch as he wondered what his mate wanted him to do. Leave? Go back to his clan? "Do you want me to leave?" He asked in a small voice, tears forming a lump in his throat.

"What?" Heero sounded shocked. "When have I ever implied that?"

"Then what?" Duo pouted. "Just tell me."

Heero sighed, shaking his head. And here he thought Quatre was the only one with empathic abilities. "Your father is coming here soon. You realised that, right?"

There was a slight darkening in Duo's expression. He merely nodded.

"Quatre doesn't want you upset and I know meeting him will upset you," Heero raked a careless hand through his hair in frustration. He just wasn't able to articulate enough to Duo to explain his reasons. "I have decided that you are to visit the lakes you like so much with Wufei and…"

"No," Duo said, his voice void of any emotion.

"Duo?" Heero questioned, a little uncertain of his mate's mood.

"I am going to face him." Violet eyes held a glint of steel. "You said you would be here for me, right? Never leave me?"

Heero nodded an affirmative, stroking Duo's arm gently.

Duo tense features relaxed into a smile. "Then, what do I to be upset about? I have the entire tribe behind me. What is one Treize Khureneda?"

"Will you let me handle it? I don't want him to see you first," Heero explained. "I want to speak with him first. Please, love?" He coaxed. "Then I will let you face him as you feel you need to." If the rest of the tribe don't kill him first, he added silently to himself.

Duo didn't look happy, but nodded anyway.

XXxxXX

Two days later, Wufei was ordered to corner Duo and stick to him like glue.

"He's here, isn't he?" Duo asked Wufei breathlessly.

The dark eyed Shifter took one look at Duo's ashen face and pushed him into a chair, pressing a cool cup of water into his hand. "Drink, and by the Ancient, breathe." Wufei took hold of Duo's chin, forcing the braided Healer to look at him. "We are all here to protect you. Nothing will happen while I'm here," he insisted. As much as he wanted to go out there and extract some of his own brand of justice, Duo was top priority now. Wufei swallowed his own childhood fears and focused on his friend instead, being the pillar of stability he knew Duo needed right now.

Duo forced a smile. "I'd rather Heero was here," he said, wanly.

"You and I both."

There was a roar of displeasure coming from outside the dwelling and Duo jumped. "Wufei, we need to go out there," he said, worriedly. The remote possibility of bloodshed now appeared all of a sudden less remote.

Wufei appeared indecisive as he looked from Duo seated on the chair to the closed entrance and back to Duo once again. "I don't think…" He began and was silenced when Duo got up and marched out of the dwelling. "Damn," he cursed softly before hurrying after the Healer.

Heero was going to ensure he died a slow and painful death.

The Forest told Heero that a party of Shifters would arrive at the village early that day. He had mobilised almost all of his tribe that weren't out on patrol and formed a protective circle guarding the entrance. The tension was thick amongst the tribe members and Heero could only hope they didn't tear Duo's father apart before they had a decent conversation on how Heero was going to dig his liver out with a wooden spoon.

A low murmuring amongst his warriors brought Heero back to the situation at hand. A small party of Shifters moved into the clearing leading up to the entrance of the village, a ginger haired man and another platinum blond one at the lead. The two of them were obviously related with the same regal bearing and aristocratic features. Heero tried to find a trace of his mate within the two and failed. Could that be the reason for Treize's hatred for his son?

"I am Treize Khusreneda, tribe chief of the Western Shifter," the ginger one announced. "This is my nephew Milliardo Peacecraft, who is also known as Zechs."

The platinum blond with ice blue eyes nodded cordially, with a slight smile on his face.

So, this was the person that caused Duo so much hurt, Heero thought with a growing rage, his blue eyes boring a hole into Treize's head.

"I am here to visit my son," Treize announced, blatantly aware at the hostility from Heero as well the rest of the village.

Solo sure very smart to cause this, Treize thought with a smirk.

"Is there a reason for this visit?" Heero asked, trying hard to keep the belligerent tone out of his voice.

Treize was taken aback at this clear challenge. The tribe chief of the eastern Shifter was nothing more than a boy and yet he was challenging a tribe chief obviously more experienced in battle and maybe more powerful. Either this boy loved his son very much or very stupid. He sincerely hoped it was the former.

"I am here to inform him of his brother's disappearance," Treize informed Heero smoothly, stopping Zechs with a soft touch from ripping the other tribe chief apart. "Have I offended you in some way?" He asked Heero tentatively, wanting to know what lies his son had spread of him.

Heero's jaw tightened. "Not me, but if you want to leave here with your lives, please do so now."

Both tribes raised angered tones at this threat, for different reason. Heero's for allowing them to leave, Treize's for this unforgivable insult. The two tribes faced off, waiting for the slightest orders from either tribe chief before attacking.

"Stop it!" Duo called out, walking to stand beside Heero as the crowd parted for him. Wufei was following closely behind, dark storms brewing.

tbc…