Duo writhed violently at the grip of his captors, screaming profanities at the top of his lungs. Had he the ability to use his dark powers in his queen's court, he most undoubtedly would have. But now, his queen, watched him impassively, an angel at her side sharing her cold gaze. Angel dum raio! He hissed unbecomingly through gritted teeth. One of the guards behind him rewarded his words by cracking a whip onto the already scarred and bleeding flesh on his back. Lovely violet eyes watered, but not a tear fell. Instead, words came once more. E dum raio você demesiado... Venomous words at which the whip suddenly changed into a basilisk, and entwined itself about the guard, a deadly vice.

At the sight of the snake, the pale demon was instantly dropped to his hands and knees as the guards backed away from the two, each just as deadly as the other. Duo shakily rose to his feet, some how still managing to retain that arrogant dignity he held so dear. If a basilisk was bad on earth, it was thousands a time worse in hell, were dark powers reigned free. He stood before his queen, in the center of the room, the guard behind him screaming both profanities and pleas as the snake coiled around him, ever tightening it's hold. The ghost of a wicked smile graced the you demon's face, and he bowed deeply at his queen, wincing only inwardly at the pain in his back as he did so. He straightened, regaining a serious composure, though still mildly amused by the screams of the doomed behind him.

He decided fully to ignore the angel. He had no right to be here, hence he had no right to any form of hospitality- at least not from the infamous Shinigami. If anything, the cocky, bastard light child should have been in awe at his presence, and cowered in some bright corner of the room. Duo knew... He was probably being overzealous, but... That's what had probably kept him alive this long: If you were indestructible, there was no such thing as a risk. The angel, however, seemed unimpressed, which pissed Duo off to no end. The worst thing about the angel was that, had he not been what he was- an angel, specifically- he'd have been... Quite tantalizing. His tanned, toned muscles, his stunningly intense and deep persian blue eyes, but the uninterested look he gave the little dark boy threw the entire thing off, not to mention the whole thing about the shinning white wings he sported, magnificently unfolded behind him. While this... angel practically radiated light, that which the regarded with complete disregard seemingly radiated darkness.

The Queen finally roared, as the guard began to scream and struggle even and yell even louder. Duo turned back around swiftly and only just managed to snatch back his lovely chestnut braid as his Lady opted to incinerate the cause of the disturbance in a raging flash of flames. That done, Duo turned back to face her, and fell one one knee at the look he received, bending his head down to the floor, a place She seemed to think it rightfully deserved at the moment. She spoke, her words commanding and unnerving, seeming to shake the citadel on it's very foundations. I have had quite enough of you, and all your little... Misdeeds, She said, rather an annoyed tone to her words, heartless blue eyes burning his soul- his nonexistent soul, of course. You have been called here today to face a trial of the most impending kind! Though, I must commend you on your efforts, as this was long in coming.

He tilted his head upwards, and gave Her a wry smile. Many thanks for the compliment, my Lady Queen, he said disarmingly. She was not perhaps what one might expect of a queen- least the queen of the underworld, hell, and all demons. She stood less than five feet tall, flaming red hair framing the stubborn face of a child... A child, thousands upon millions of years old, controlling the power of the core of darkness itself. All and all, She was quite imposing. Fair... But not without Her own cruel little twist. He looked away once more, not wanting to enrage Her at a prolonged gaze. In doing so, he once more managed to catch the gaze of that damnable angel standing at the side of his very queen. Oh, how his stare unnerved him, and how he would wallow in the chance to destroy that cocky little expression if he could.

She commanded, raising herself to her feet. At this motion, everyone attending the court, including even the angel, fell to their knees in both respect and fear, and Duo dropped his head once more. Slowly, she descended the steps of her throne and made her way towards the kneeling demon, the long train of the red cape she wore trailing foot after foot behind her. Duo, demon known as Shinigami! She began. You have been tried with many, many theiveries both without and within our realm, upon which hundreds of our most priceless artifacts have been stolen! I will not ask how you plead at this accusation of thievery, because you and I both know that you are indeed guilty beyond any reasonable doubt! Though all has been recovered, you must pay for your wrong doings against your own kind, as a warning to others of your league, though their numbers are a brash few. Now, She spoke, turning to face the angel. Angel, known as Hiro, stand and state your request, for I think your destinies could be closely intertwined.

Duo risked an upwards glance at first his Lady Queen, and then at the Angel, who slowly rose to his feet, still keeping his head bent. He received a backwards glance from his queen, in which She arched her brow, and his head quickly fell once more as she turned back. Maremia, Queen of Darkness, the angel spoke as he too descended the steps to stand more audibly before her. As to never have his head above hers while in her presence, he too fell to one knee, and looked solemnly up at her. I bring to you a request from my Lord, Himself. Peril awaits both sides due to occurrences of the unknown source in the middle realm if actions are not taken. As I said... The source is unknown, so my Lord has requested that I, along with on of Your best, should take to the third realm, and seek out answers. Whichever side the trouble should chose to follow, we would be equally matched. I need... We need someone worthy of such a task, as my Lord has deemed myself fit to be. We need one of great strength, intelligence, and cunning, for the ability to travel incognito, if it is not too much to ask. If you could graciously spare one of your own, at no attachment, we would be greatly gratified... He lowered his head to wait for Her response, but not before persian eyes met with deep violet, in a clashing of gazes. Unadmittedly so, the latter was the first to first to chaste away his gaze, unable to stand something in the angel's cold, blue eyes.

It is settled then, She said, a matter-of-factly. I do not wish to take care of him, and you wish for one of my own. She walked back towards her throne, and ascended the steps. She gave a quick turn and flip of the arm, and the impossibly long robe flew behind Her, fluttering at her back. She sat, and looked at both the angel and the demon kneeling on the floor before Her. He is yours to do with what you will until you finish with whatever it is that you are doing. In the case of his demise, his blood is not on your hands, but his own, She said blandly, sitting down. It is the perfect punishment to fit his crime, because if he can learn to fare better in a different realm, he shall certainly come to be able to fare in ours!

At Her seating, the angel quickly rose to his feet and turned to face her. But... My Lady! He said, rather urgently, causing the darker boy to look up at his back. A... A thief? I know he is expendable... Duo sneered at these words. Expendable his left shoe! But, still... My Lady, if you would kindly reconsider! The situation that we find ourselves in calls for more than just a simple... Thief.

She said loudly, putting an end to any and all of his words. I have made my decision, and it stands. He is, in fact, just what you requested, is he not? For, who could be more strength, intelligence, cunning, and ability to travel incognito- to borrow words straight from your mouth- than a thief? If you will not have him, you will find no one as good, and he will be put to death. The choice is yours- and... She shot a meaningful glance at Duo, who had looked up again. He didn't even bother to look away, not after he was as good as dead, any way. If he doesn't live up to your expectations, you can always send him back, and we'll... take care of him for you. Again, I've made my decision. Now, you must make yours. If you do decide you should take him, to make the offer more... Appeasing to you, he's all yours until you're finished with him. Whatever it is that you'll find you want, because he should know he owes you his life.

Hiro turned his head to look at the demon through scattered brown bangs. To be truthful, he had to admit it was an interesting offer, though he imagined it wouldn't be at all easy. Though, from the looks of it, he would certainly never be bored with his newly acquired... Companion. He turned fully around, and began to walk slow circles around Duo, cautiously looking him over, his pace getting closer and closer to the kneeling boy with every round. Cunning, intelligent, and able to be incognito he could see, but strength was certainly not something he could make out in the slim, pale figure. She must not have meant physical, but though the basilisk had been a cute parlor trick, he had yet to receive any inclination that she meant his power over and strength towards the element he served. At one of the closer circles, dark violet eyes once again caught with persian blue, and pale lips slowly and articulately mouthed three words. I'll kill you! He hissed under his breath.

Hiro stopped before Duo, and leaned forward, cupping his chin in his hand, and tilting his head forward. He looked the other in the eye, and a placid smile crossed his lips. You try anything of the sort, he said softly, still smiling. I'll rip your wings out myself, with my bare hands. Hiro's smile faded as he caressed a pale, gaunt cheek with his thumb, and looked him over one final time. Granted, even though he was a child of darkness, he was beautiful. Not that it seemed the angel would ever be able to get any footing, should he chose to venture down that rocky path, but it would serve to keep things interesting. He couldn't help but smile as his little captive sneered at him, and pulled his head away from the caressing touch of the other's hand. I accept Your gracious offer, my Lady, Hiro said, over his shoulder. And, as your queen said, he said softly, smiling again at Duo. Now you're mine. Duo responded only by spitting in the angel's face. The angel only smiled once more, and brought his hand to his cheek. This certainly is going to prove to be interesting...

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Hmm... Incase you can't tell, this is a little bit of a darker side of Duo. But, for those of you who love his bubbly optimism, it'll be here soon. He just loathes Hiro at the moment, so he's decided not to open himself up to him... Just yet. And, in case any of you were wondering what the words in the first paragraph meant, it was basically just Duo damning Hiro and various other people, only in a different language.

As for my spelling Heero Hiro, please don't get after me about it. For some reason, I just couldn't see the spelling fit in well with this fic at all. Don't like it, I'm sorry.

Um... Besides that, I hope you people like this fic! It's my first fan fic in at least years, definitely my first yaoi fan fic, and my first attempt at seriousness. Thanks for reading, check back soon! Oh, and if the paragraphs are just too long, some one say so, and I wont do that any more. If there're mistakes, I'm sorry, because I didn't really read over this.