After Trowa had closed the large double doors of the room, he got them all to take a seat in the chairs that surrounded a large throne. He then sat on the throne, facing them.
"You know why you're here," Trowa began, looking at Quatre and Duo, "But Heero does not."
Heero stared intently at the forest prince, calm even though Duo was hanging off his arm in a rather annoying way.
"It is all part of the prophecy. This prophecy is as old as the forest, older than the oldest tree," Trowa continued, leaning back in his throne.
"What prophecy are you talking about?" Heero interrupted. He wanted to know what everyone was so fussed about.
"All in due time Heero," Trowa replied and motioned for someone to come forward.
Out of the shadows stepped a tall hooded figure. The person walked over to the throne and stood beside it. Flipping back the hood, revealed a woman with short curly brown hair and solemn blue eyes.
"I am the prophet Catherine," she said.
Heero blinked, surprised that there was another human here. He opened his mouth to ask a question, but Trowa silenced him with a wave of his hand.
"Let her speak," he ordered, "Continue dear sister."
Heero raised an eyebrow; the prophet was the prince's sister? He shook his head; he had to listen to what she was about to tell him.
"Long ago there was a story told about a magical creature simply known as 'Butterfly' and the creature's love the 'Samurai'. There was war going on between the forest creatures and the humans and a group of magicians created a creature that would rectify the war and bring peace to the two races. What they created was a creature with the ability to turn itself from a human shape to a butterfly to spy on both sides and bring them information, which would help them clear up what was causing the differences. What they didn't expect was that the creature they created would have a will of its own. The Butterfly fell in love with a man, a simple Japanese samurai who was fighting for what he believed in. Once this had happened, the Butterfly no longer wanted to do as the magicians asked and this created many problems. So the Samurai and the Butterfly spoke on behalf of both sides to try and create peace so they could live out the rest of their lives together. This worked to some degree, until they were betrayed by someone they thought was a friend and it ended with the Butterfly loosing its life," Catherine paused to see how Heero was taking this in.
"What exactly does this have to do with me?" Heero queried.
"I'm not sure if you have figured it out Heero, but something you've done has reborn the Butterfly," Trowa responded instead of his sister. "Duo is the creature of the legend."
Heero turned his head and looked down at Duo who had drifted to sleep whilst Catherine was talking. How could this innocent boy be such a creature? And how did he, a poor peasant boy, cause him to be reborn?
"We're not sure why either," Catherine murmured, as if reading Heero's mind. "But the fighting between the humans and the forest creatures has been getting worse over the past year."
Heero mulled over that for a moment, until Quatre spoke up. The blonde elf had been so quiet that Heero hadn't realised he was still in the room.
"I thought it was a prophecy… but you just said it was a legend," Quatre said, sounding confused.
"Ahh, but it is Quatre," Catherine replied. "I had prophesised the Butterfly's return. Also that of the Samurai."
Everyone looked at Heero.
Heero looked back, "How can I be the Samurai? I don't even own a sword, let alone know how to use one."
Trowa clucked his tongue, "That, Heero, is a question we've all been asking. But you indeed must be the Samurai. Duo has told us all that he knows it is you."
At that point, Duo awakened, as if Trowa saying his name had reached him in his deep slumber.
"He is the one," Duo said, his voice deadly serious. "He just doesn't remember like I do."
This shocked Heero. Duo seemed so much older than when they had first met.
"Doesn't remember running…"
Heero mind flashed a picture of forest flashing past as someone… he… ran.
"Doesn't remember fighting…"
A picture of swords clashing, blood spilling and cries of downed woodland creatures and humans filled the air.
"Doesn't remember hurting…"
Crumpled on the ground, agony of a deep chest wound pooling blood onto the ground.
"Doesn't remember losing me…"
A flash of purple, a body hung up limply on a tree, blood gushing like a river down the tree trunk, pieces of flesh hanging being buzzed around by flies.
"STOP!" Heero screamed, clamping his hands over his head trying to shut out the images.
Duo paused, his eyes wide, "I'm so sorry Heero… I didn't mean to." He stepped back, "You remember."
It wasn't a question. The others looked at Heero who had crumpled onto the floor. He was moaning something incoherent.
Duo knelt down beside the other boy and took his hand.
"I told you I would come back to you."
"Yes, you did."
~
Outside the castle walls, a black-haired elf was sharpening his katana.
"This is so ridiculous!" Wufei complained to himself and sliced the air in practice. "How can some stupid child be such a strong fighter?"
"Tut tut Wufei," Milliardo walked over to the short and angry elf. "You can't control what happens."
Wufei glowered and sliced the katana in Milliardo's direction.
"Hey! Watch it, you almost cut off some of my hair!" Milliardo exclaimed.
"Heh, next time I won't miss," Wufei threatened, "That damn Heero… I'll show him what happens to people who try and take my place."
Notes: Weeeee o_O I wrote another chappie! Go me! I know it's a little shorter than the others, but hey, at least I wrote the next chapter right? Yes, being net deprived inspires me to write! -rubs chin- Good thing yay or nay? Anywaaaaay... please review if you like this story as it encourages me to write more ^_^