[Dies] Oh my god, it's been… so… long… [is glared at by everyone who was reading this story, despite the author's lack of talent]
I know, I know. I'm so sorry! Stuff started happening and it all went crazy [is aware that no one cares for her lame excuses] ::le sigh:: Ah well, on with the story.
For unknown reasons "this site" (I can't write it's name) is no longer allowing the use of underscores, squiggly hyphen things or those arrow-head type symbols that are above the comma and full-stop, as well as various others (they call then non-keyboard related characters, or something… whatever that means), so this chapter will be different from the rest… which sucks. Also, if any of my wonderful reviewers have these symbols in their names, they won't show up, I'm very sorry, but blame "this site", not me. Now, on with the story… again…
Trowa: Are you sure you can handle that?
Me: Shut up unibang [glares in the way Heero taught her]
Heero: I'm so proud.
Me: I know when you're being sarcastic Heero… even though there is no change in the tone of your voice, or your expression… I still know.
Duo: [gasps] My god! She has evil powers!
Me: Yes, but that's beside the point.
Wufei: Can we just get on with this.
Me: You better be nice to me Wuffy, you're going with Jillian at the end of this, and she's been waiting a long, long time for you and if you're not careful I won't tell her to be gentle with you.
Wufei: EEP!
Me: Damn straight.
Duo: Don't worry, Waffles, it was fun!
Me: OOO! Do tell [Duo whispers in author's ear and she ooos and ahs and gasps] Jillian! My, my! Anyway, PATTY and Jillian were kind enough, after chapter 8 to give me chocolate hearts and sweet chocolate kisses for everyone who reviewed. And because it's been such a long time, I'm going to give everyone who reads this a cookie. But first, the disclaimer, umm… who hasn't done it? Noin, will you do the honours?
Noin: [lifts her head from the box full of chocolate] Sure, but can I have one of these first? [Lifts a chocolate heart]
Me: Sure.
Noin: [eats heart] Mmm, tasty. Anyway, Lucas does not own Gundam Wing or Disney. There have been many reasonings behind this in previous chapters, pick your favourite and repeat it here. This story is 6X2; this means that it's yaoi, shounen-ai at the very least. This is boy on boy action people, that's right, if this does not float your boat, please don't read this and then get mad at Lucas and flame her, for it's pointless. All flames will be used in the ultimate weapon of destruction and then used on flamers.
Zechs: By Duo no less.
Duo: [grins in the way that only the true crazies can] I AM SHINIGAMI!
Quatre: Hush, it's time to thank the patient reviewers.
Me: That's right. Here's a huge thank you to all those who have managed to survive the longest gap between updates ever:
gundam06serenity – Thanks for review, hopefully you'll review again [gives gundam06serenity a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
karina– Gomen nasai! It's been so long. Thanks for your review anyway [gives karina a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
PATTY 40 and Jillian – Gomen nasai, gomen nasai! Thank you for your gifts and your review and returning Treize and Duo in one piece. Jillian may take Wufei at the end of this chapter [whispers] do what you like with him [grins]
Wufei: I heard that onna! You will pay!
Anyway, thanks for the review, it was much appreciated. [gives PATTY and Jillian a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie each]
ZephyrGundam– Thanks for your review and your box of desserts… Duo ate them all, and I mean all of them… and was somehow not sick, but I digress. Thanks so much, hope you'll still be reading [gives ZephyrGundam a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
BabyTraci – Thanks for your review! [gives BabyTraci a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Yukiko– I have refrained from giving myself a round of applause and a pat on the back as I am a lame updater. Though Heero did give me beats for it… that hurt [Heero waves] Anyway, thanks for your review [gives Yukiko a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
The Chaotic Ones – Sorry it's been so long and thanks for your review (I like BSing too .) [gives The Chaotic Ones a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Soulfulbee– Glad you liked the story and thanks for your review [gives Soulfulbee a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Celace – I know it's been eons since I updated, forgive me! Thanks for your review [gives Celace a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Kikyobashergirl– Glad you enjoyed my story! Thanks for your review [gives Kikyobashergirl a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Jou– I've finally updated! Anyway thanks for your review [gives Jou a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Leanne-Marie-Malfoy - Sorry it's been ages, I'm pants, I know [gives Leanne-Marie-Malfoy a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Black-Ice Maiden – Hope you haven't waited too long for this chapter [gives Black-Ice Maiden a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
genni – Thanks for your comments, I'll try to make it more original (though if this chapter isn't I'm sorry, but I got your review after I finished writing the chapter) [gives genni a chocolate heart and kiss and a cookie]
Finally, on with the story!
Something there…
From the outside, Heero's tavern looked dark and deserted. However, inside, evil plans were being… well… planned. Heero and Relena were sat around a table with a third, mysterious stranger.
"I don't usually leave the asylum in the middle of the night," Dorothy said, raising one of her freaky eyebrows, "but I was told you would make it worth my while."
Heero reached into his pocket and threw a bag of gold and a push pop (1) onto the table.
"Ah," Dorothy said twirling her eyebrow round her finger whilst she examined the push pop, "Strawberry and bubblegum, I'm listening."
"It's like this see," Heero said, leaning forward so his low voice could be heard, "I've got my heart set on marrying Duo…"
"Isn't Duo a bloke?" Dorothy questioned removing the push pop from her mouth.
"Shut up and eat your push pop," Heero said irritably.
"It's just, he needs a little… persuasion," Heero said, waving his hands vaguely.
Relena lifted her mug of beer jovially, "Turned him down flat!"
Heero smacked her in the back of the head knocking her face into the mug.
"Everyone knows his Professor's a lunatic. He was in here tonight raving about a beast in a castle," Heero said, folding his arms, whilst Relena attempted to extract the lower part of her face from the mug.
"G is harmless," Dorothy said, leaning pack in her chair and sucking on the push pop.
"The point is," Heero continued, "Duo would do anything to keep him from being locked up."
Relena managed to remove her face in time to say, "Yeah, even marry him."
Heero raised his arm again to smack her, but she put the mug and the remaining beer in it, onto her head so he lowered his arm.
"So, you want me to throw the Professor into the asylum, unless she agrees to marry you?" Dorothy said musingly. Heero and Relena both nodded.
"Oh that is despicable," Dorothy said with a shake of her head, "I love it!"
Meanwhile, in the Professor's house, G was muttering wildly to himself and gathering several things together.
"If no one will help me, then I'll go back alone. Let's see if I'll help them when their random prodigies get stolen by equally random monsters. Now, is that everything?" he said out loud as he rummaged in several drawers taking out maps and a scarf and various other things that were likely not to help him.
"I'll find that castle," he said as he opened the door, "and somehow I'll get him out of there."
And with that he exited the building and walked away, towards the forest.
Several seconds later saw the unlikely threesome from the tavern arrive at the Professor's house. Three loud raps on the door were enough for Heero before he burst in anyway, Relena behind him.
"Duo? Professor G?" Heero called out. He waited three seconds before deciding that they were not home.
"Oh well," Relena said, turning to leave, "I guess it's not going to work after all."
"They have to come back sometime," Heero said, grabbing her collar from behind and dragging her down the stairs, "and when they do we'll be ready for them."
He lifted her and looked her in the eye, "Relena," he said before dropping her into a large pile of snow, "Do not move from this spot until Duo and the Professor come home."
With that he jumped on the back of the asylum cart and rode off.
"But… but…" Relena said from her spot as she watched them disappear, "Crap," she said dejectedly before thumping the stairs and knocking a whole bunch of snow, and a rock, on top of her.
Zechs watched Duo in the snow covered garden from the balcony with Trowa and Wufei. Duo was wandering the garden with Deathscythe. The horse, sensing his master's slightly depressed air, nudged Duo in the shoulder as a sign of comfort… a little harder than intended.
"Eep!" Duo managed before falling face down in the snow. Zechs stifled his laughter; he did not want Duo to know that he was watching. This made him feel a little like a stalker, but he ignored the thought and carried on watching. Duo sat up and mock glared at the horse. He threw a little snow at Deathscythe, laughing, then stood up. The dog/footstool came running out into the garden, barking and yapping. It sped right past Duo and into a large drift of snow. Duo raised his eyebrow at the random furniture. The dog/footstool, removed itself from the drift and bounded straight at Duo.
Duo managed a quick "Ack!" before he was bowled over by the dog.
"It's a conspiracy!" he wailed as he stroked what he assumed to be the dog's head, at least, he hoped it was the dog's head.
Zechs sighed as he watched Duo chase the dog around the garden. He laid his hand on the arm that Duo had bandaged for him.
"I've never felt this way about anyone," he said quietly. Trowa snorted, earning him a glare.
"Sorry Master Zechs," Trowa said, stifling his mirth.
"I want to do something for him," Zechs said decisively, before his face fell in confusion, "but what?"
Wufei regarded him, "Well there's the usual, flowers, chocolates… promises you don't intend to keep," he recited counting the things off on his would-be fingers.
"No," Trowa said, nudging Wufei in the side, "it's got to be something special, something that sparks his interest… wait a minute!" he said brightly as an idea struck him just before Wufei did.
"Duo, I've got something I want to show you," Zechs said as he led them to some large doors. He began to open them before he quickly shut them again. Duo raised an eyebrow, "but first, you have to close your eyes," Zechs finished.
"Oh no," Duo said with a smirk waving his finger under Zech's nose, "I've fallen for this one before."
"What?" Zechs asked, looking at him like he'd just sprouted another head.
Duo's eyes went really wide before he muttered, "Nothing!" and promptly shut his eyes as instructed. Zechs shook his head and then waved his hand in front of Duo's eyes to make sure he really couldn't see. With a wide smile, he opened the doors, grasped Duo's hands and pulled him inside the room. He led him into the middle of the room before letting go of Duo.
"Can I open them?" Duo asked.
"No, no, not yet," Zechs said as he hurried to some curtains.
"You're not going to be naked when I open my eyes are you?" Duo asked a little nervously.
"What!?" Zechs asked, turning to stare at Duo incredulously.
"Nothing!" Duo squeaked, going a little red. Zechs turned back to the curtains and pulled them open. Flooding the room with light, Duo smiled as he felt the warmth of the sun on his face.
"Now can I open them?" he asked tentatively.
"Alright," Zechs said gently, pausing for a moment before looking around, "now."
Duo opened his eyes and gasped. There were books everywhere, wall to wall. There were even books along the top of the fireplace.
"I've never seen so many books in all my life," Duo breathed as he span around taking in everything about the room.
"You like it then," Zechs asked eagerly.
"It's wonderful!" he said as he turned to Zechs and smiled.
"Then it's yours," Zechs said, smiling too.
Duo gasped and put his hands over his mouth in disbelief.
"Thank you so much," he all but whispered and grasped Zechs' hands in his.
From the doorway, Wufei, Trowa, Quatre and Sally watched this scene. Treize was there too but couldn't see because they were all in the way.
"Would you look at that?" Sally said, excited.
"I knew it would work!" Trowa said, triumphantly.
"What worked?" Treize asked, attempting to see past his taller compatriots.
"It's very encouraging," Wufei said with a smile, starting to usher everyone away.
"Isn't this exciting?" Quatre squeaked as he bustled away.
"What?" Treize asked as he went past.
"Come on Treize, there's things to be done in the kitchen," Sally said as she moved away.
"I didn't see anything!" Treize wailed, "You were all in the way! Come on Sally tell me!" he screeched as he followed the teapot down the hallway.
Days later saw the unlikely couple eating breakfast together. Porridge was brought to the table by Sally and Treize, who were on hand to provide those who needed tea, with, surprisingly enough, tea. Milk and sugar were poured into Duo's bowl by the jugs and he smiled gratefully. He picked up the spoon and took a delicate bite, smiling. He looked up and nearly choked as he saw Zechs, face buried in his food. Zechs caught Duo's eye and looked up, slightly alarmed. Sally and Treize winced and glanced at Duo to see his reaction. Both were surprised to see he was grinning. He gave Zechs the thumbs up, lifted his bowl and buried his own face in the porridge, eating noisily. Zechs also grinned and continued eating. Sally looked horrified and Treize laughed out loud, earning him a sharp glare from the offended teapot.
Later that day, they were in the garden, feeding the birds. Duo had the seed in his shirt (AN: stop sniggering you lot, I know what you're thinking), which he was using as a makeshift basket. He put a little into Zechs hands and urged him to give some to the birds that were gathered nearby. Zechs crouched down and shuffled slowly towards the birds. When he was near enough he thrust out his hands enthusiastically, causing the birds to fly up into the air around Duo… unfortunately one got caught in his hair. After much screaming and flailing, the bird was finally released from Duo's mane and it flew away. Duo shook his head and sighed. He put some more seed into Zechs hand and spread a little out on the ground. Most of the now returned birds flew away, except one. It pecked on the small trail of seeds, before jumping into Zechs' outstretched hands and eating the seeds there. Zechs' face lit up as he watched the little bird. He smiled at Duo who placed a hand on his shoulder warmly before standing up.
[Duo:] There's something sweet
And almost kind {smiles}
But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined
And now he's dear
And so I'm sure { he watches Zechs}
I wonder why I didn't see it there before [Zechs:] She glanced this way
I thought I saw
And when we touched she didn't shudder at my paw
No it can't be {makes sulky face}
I'll just ignore
But then she's never looked at me that way before {Looks intrigued as Duo wanders behind a tree} [Duo:] New and a bit alarming {clutches at chest}
Who'd have ever thought that this could be?
True that he's no Prince Charming {Laughs as he sees Zechs covered with birds}
But there's something in him that I simply didn't see {Throws snowball at him and then they engage in a snowball fight} [Trowa:] Well, who'd have thought? {All watching from inside}
[Sally:] Well, bless my soul
[Wufei:] Well, who'd have known?
[Sally:] Well, who indeed?
[Trowa:] And who'd have guessed they'd come together on their own?
[Sally:] It's so peculiar. Wait and see
[Trowa and Wufei:] We'll wait and see
[All three:] A few days more
There may be something there that wasn't there before {Treize is looking at them like they're all idiots}
[Wufei:] You know, perhaps there's something there that wasn't
there before
[Treize:] I refuse to say anything…
[Sally:] There may be something there that wasn't there before
[Treize:] I'm not going to bite.
[Sally:] Go on Treize, just say it…
[Treize:] I'm not going to ask that stupid question, I know what you see that's there, that 'wasn't there before', so don't start with me {stalks off with Sally chasing after him, followed by everyone else}
ARGH! Finally done. I'm so sorry everyone, I just hope you have all come back to read this chapter as it finally makes its appearance.
Here Jillian, take Wufei and have your wicked way with him [gives Jillian Wufei, who mutters many a death threat in Chinese at the author]
Until next time all, whenever that may be… [dodges the many weapons that fly in her direction from the angry, and quite rightly so, audience]
(1) I'm sure you all know what a push pop is, but just for giggles, a push pop is a lolly that you don't have to eat all at once, 'cause it comes in a special container that you can push it out of and put it back into, hence its name, savvy? Weird ne?