Heero POV

I awoke wrapped in Duo's arms that morning, just like I had ever since I took Duo out of the forest, and simply savored the moment. Duo stirred not soon after I awoke and levered himself up on his elbow to see if I was awake.

"Morning," he said, giving me a sloe-eyed smile. I smiled back at him.

"Ohayo goziamasu. Kiyou, doko ni ikimasu ka? (Good Morning. Where are we going today?)"

"Well, I thought we'd go swimming after breakfast again. Then, after lunch, I have to go out into the forest and look for something I dropped. You'll have to stay here, but there's plenty of things for you to do. You could go horseback riding... then again, I'm not sure I want you out riding alone, so maybe you should wait for me. Hmm... no swimming alone either. I'll be back around dinner time, that's a little late for swimming, though. Maybe you could get Sara to go with you... but she's usually pretty busy. You could go to the garden or orchard again. Oh! I heard that there's an indoor garden somewhere around here. Maybe you could go there. Or...

"Duo, why can't I go with you?" I asked

"There are still dragons out there. You'll be safer in here."

"But what if you get hurt?"

"I won't. I promise. I'm just going looking for my scythe, I'm not going to pick a fight with a dragon today. I'll wait for Zechs to come help me this time..."

"Who's Zechs?"

"He's my partner. We were both scheduled to come see what was going on with the dragons down here, but his wife, Noin, had a baby and he wanted to stay with her a little longer. I probably should have waited for him, but I went ahead and left without him. I thought I could handle the dragons by myself."

"You went to fight dragons alone? Baka! (Stupid/Moron!)" I covered my mouth from my outburst, not believing I had just said that. But it was true. How could Duo be so reckless as to go fighting dragons by himself?

I looked up at Duo, who was smirking.

"You're right, it was stupid."

"W-what happened? When you fought the dragon. How were you able to kill it?"

"Heh. You want a story, eh? Alright then, lay back and I'll tell you about it," Duo said, pulling me against his chest. "I was flying low, looking for the dragons. I had a pretty good idea that this group had simply slipped off course because some young, rogue male had taken over them and herded them all too far south. If I killed the male, the oldest female would lead the rest of the females to their nesting ground, that's always how it works. Anyway, I had spotted the male and attacked with my scythe, trying to cut off his head but missed and cut his leg. He roared and called for his females, which I hadn't seen. There were three of them, they all came at me at once, bitting and clawing. I managed to kill them, but that last one managed to get her fangs into me and the male got away. I felt kind of bad about killing the females, they didn't do anything wrong, but there was no way around it if I wanted to live."

I shuddered, "Is that when I found you?"

"Yep. I wasn't sure what you wanted when you came out of the bushes, but I was grateful for the help. Did I ever thank you for that?"

I started blushing.

"You don't need to thank me, someone else could have done a lot more for you. I'm pretty useless..."

"No, you're not. You're very strong and you do as much as you can with what little you have. Thank you, Heero. For more than just rescuing me."

"But, everything else you've done for me. All I did was take you out of the woods. Anyone could do that."

"But would anyone? If they didn't know me? Sure, if they knew I was a demon they'd take care of me because they would be hoping to get something in return. You were the only one that would have helped me and wanted nothing in return," Duo told me, absolutely serious. My blush deepened, "And you've done more than just that. You keep me from doing stupid stuff like that."

"No, I don't. I don't keep you from doing anything."

"Yes, you do. You may not mean to, but you do. And I'm glad you do. Do you know what I'd have done if not for you in the past week?"

"No."

"I'd have healed enough so I could move and gone hunting the dragons again. Without any help or concern for my own life. Now, I have to remember that if I got hurt you'd be sad and if I died, you'd miss me. You would miss me, right?"

I nodded, but didn't want to think about it anymore. I couldn't imagine what I'd do if Duo died.

Duo leaned down gently and kissed me on the temple. "Don't worry so much, Heero. It's extremely difficult to kill a demon. Now, breakfast."

Duo leaped out f bed and pulled me, startled, with him. Laughing, we both ran down the corridor and to the kitchen where Duo pestered Sara to let us help cook our breakfast and she nearly threw him out of the kitchen.

After breakfast we had our swim, in which Duo instigated several water-fights. Now that I think about it, I realize that he was trying to tire me out more than anything, maybe he hoped I'd sleep until he got back. I was ever grateful for the nap we got after our swim, curled up against his chest with not a care in the world.

Watching Duo walk out of the room without me later that morning was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Deep down, I knew Duo was coming back, that he wasn't really leaving me, but at the time all I could see was him waking away without me. It took everything I had not to run after him and beg him not to leave me.

I was so glad he had told me to stay in bed, I don't think I could have taken watching him walk off into the forest, leaving me behind.

After that, I just sort of wanted to be alone. I was worried about Duo and I was dealing with false feelings of abandonment, I just didn't want to have to try and keep up with Sara too. I got out of bed and straightened things up a bit later, but I couldn't bring myself to leave the room, like if I left it would all disappear.

Duo wasn't back in time for lunch, but he had instructed Sara to bring me up something to eat if I decided not to go down to the hall. By that time, I was feeling a bit lonely, so I asked Sara to stay and we ate together. Lunch was nice and, though Sara and I couldn't have the same kind of conversations I had with Duo, we had a nice, subdued chat.

Sara couldn't stay long. I understood that she had other things she had to do, but I was still a bit disappointed to see her go. I decided to keep myself busy by going down to the river to wash clothes.

I sort of enjoy washing clothes in the river. I like being outside and I love the sound of the river, so washing clothes isn't like a chore for me. I like seeing the clothes come clean and, most of all, it gives me time to straighten out my thoughts.

After all the clothes were washed I headed back to the stronghold. The clothes would need to dry on the roof of one of the taller towers were it could get the most breeze. I was tired and hoped to get a nap after I hung the clothes so I would be well rested to greet Duo when he came back. Thinking of Duo's return got me worrying about him again and I was soon lost in my thoughts.

Had I been more alert that day I might have heard the footsteps behind me. But I didn't and I didn't realize I was being followed until someone grabbed me from behind and slammed me into the ground.

I looked up and saw Dekim towering in front of me and realized that Barton had to be the one on my back, reeking of alcohol.

"So," Dekim sneered, "You thought you could get away, did you? Thought you could make us chase you around for so long without ever giving us what we wanted? You're such a little cock-tease!"

I tried to struggle out from under Barton but realized, even with the added weight I had gained lately, he still outweighed me.

All the way out here, no one would interrupt us.

No one would hear me if I screamed.

Duo wouldn't be back for hours.

There was no escape.

I panicked and tried to throw Barton off me with all my might, punching and flailing, but it was no use. Dekim came over and helped Barton hold me down, pulling my shirt off with a loud rip. Barton put his mouth over mine, plunging his tongue deep into my unwilling mouth. In my panic I suddenly realized that I couldn't breathe and bit Barton's tongue, causing him to pull back with a curse and I could breathe again. My relief was short lived, as Barton gave me a harsh slap, whipping my face around so hard I saw stars. Then there were hands pulling off my pants. I kicked as hard as I could and caught Dekim in the shoulder. He grabbed my foot and twisted. I screamed and was sure he had broken it. I realized that my last road to escape had just closed, now I couldn't even outrun them if I got away.

Something in me just deflated and I stopped struggling. Stopped feeling. Retreated back as far into my mind as I could go. Hands finished pulling off my shorts and pulled me to my feet, slamming me against a tree hard enough to bruise my chest. Someone's hand spread my cheeks as two other hands help my arms in a bone-crushing grip, keeping me against the tree.

Then something large pushed its way into me and split me in two. I screamed and screamed until someone slapped me across the face to shut me up. I started having these deep, tearless sobs poor out of me. It seemed like forever before I felt the person behind me shudder and pull out.

I thought it was over, but Barton, who I realized had held me against the tree, pushed me to the ground. I fell on my back and cried out in pain, and then Barton was on top of me, pushing himself into me. But he was worse. He was bigger and his size tore my already bleeding body open more than Dekim had.

"You know you like it," he told me, "It's not like anyone will ever want to do this with you again. You should be grateful, you're so stupid and ugly, no one will ever be able to touch you. We're just generous, so enjoy."

Laughing, they both left me there on the ground and all I could think was, "I have to keep this from Duo. He'd hate me."

Even though my entire lower body was on fire, I managed to make myself get up, pull on some of the wet clothes, since mine had been shredded, and collect the now dirty laundry, though I knew there was no way I could wash it again. I could feel blood running down my legs and as I walked back up to the room, taking the least crowded halls and praying no one noticed the shape I was in. I put the clothes basket behind the door, where Duo probably wouldn't see it if he wasn't looking, then made my way to the showers with a sheet and some fresh clothes. I was thankful for the hot water, even though it stung, knowing cold water would hurt even worse. I was glad to see that the bleeding inside me had almost stopped and I wrapped pieces of the torn up sheet between my legs, hoping to catch any more blood, then put on my fresh clothes.

I was exhausted after that, but even in the bed I couldn't sleep. My body was still on fire and my ankle was in agony. It had to be broken and I worried that Duo would notice my limp. I wanted Duo, I wanted his arms wrapped around me and I wanted that feeling of safety. Eventually, even without Duo there, I drifted to sleep, lulled by the smell of Duo on the blankets.

"Heero? Hey, buddie, c'mon. It's almost supper time," Duo's voice brought me out of my slumber. I pulled my head up and opened my eyes to see him kneeling in front of me. I smiled and tried to sit up, but stopped when a searing pain jolted down my spin.

The memories came rushing back to me and for a minute the real world faded and all I had were those horrible memories, taunting me.

"Heero?" Duo questioned, frowning, "You alright?" I nodded.

"I'm... tired. Could we eat in the room?" I asked. I would have to get up to eat, but at least I could try and keep movement as little as possible. And I wouldn't have to sit in those hard chairs if we were still in the room.

"Sure," Duo told me, but the concern didn't leave his eyes. Duo went to get Sara and tell her to bring the food up, giving me a few minutes alone. I used those few minutes to try and get into a half-sitting position. Sitting was out of the question, it hurt too much. I managed to prop myself up against the headboard, but anything more than that and my pain would definitely be noticeable to Duo. Just sitting up that much had caused a light sweat to break out on my forehead and I hurried to wipe it away.

Duo came in with two trays of food.

"Where do you want to eat?" he asked.

"Here, if that's okay." He smiled at me, an indulgent smile, but still looked worried. Duo started eating as soon as we both got situated, but I found my stomach to be a bit queasy, so I ate slowly.

"So, what did you do to day?" Duo asked innocently, but it set off alarm bells in my ears. If I told Duo I had done laundry, he'd wonder why the laundry was still dirty. If I told him I had stayed in the room all day, he would wonder why I was so tired. Complicating the problem was the pain that refused to stop and wouldn't let me think straight.

"I went for a walk," I told him.

"A walk? That's sounds fun. Where did you go?"

"Just around the castle and near the pond."

"Oh."

"Did you find your scythe?"

"Yep. I put it in the closet, people get a little nervous when they see it. I'll show you it a bit later."

We fell into silence after that, Duo trying to figure out what was wrong with me and my trying to hide the fact that I was in horrendous amounts of pain.

A little later, once we had finished and Duo had cleared away the plates, I found myself with Duo sitting in font of me on the bed, wondering how to get out of a bout of cuddling that I didn't think I'd survive.

"Hey, Heero, what happened there?" he asked me, pointing to a small bruise that peaked out the collar of my shirt.

"N-nothing," I told him, trying to sound calm, but it was already too late, Duo was leaning forward, the concern back in his eyes.

"Let me have a look."

"No, Duo it's fine!"

"Don't be such a baby, Heero," he told me, pulling my collar down and frowning at the huge bruise that covered my chest.

"How did you get this?" he asked, grabbing my shirt and pulling it over my head.

"I... fell. During my walk. I tripped on a log and..."

We both knew it was futile for me to keep talking when my shirt came off. It had been a long sleeved shirt, along with pants, to hide my bruises. It wasn't odd, since it was cold out, but it was a little unusual for me to dress so warmly. I had a feeling Duo knew something was wrong since he walked in the door, he just couldn't pinpoint what.

Duo had murder in his eyes when he saw the marks on my arms, the fingerprints left from holding me down. I was afraid he'd hate me, but I hadn't thought he'd want to kill me, Duo had always seemed so gentle...

Duo grabbed my pants and pulled them down, lifting me by that waist a bit to get them off. I bit down on a cry of pain, but didn't do anything to stop him.

Once I was naked sitting on the bed in all of my bruised and broken glory, Duo backed up. His eyes traveled over me, taking in every mark.

"Who did this?" his voice was like death.

For a moment, I was afraid.

I grabbed the blanket and pulled it around myself, trying to hide the ugly truth.

"Duo, please, I-... it just- they- and I couldn't... I didn't want to... I'm so sorry!" I was so close to tears, but even as I search Duo's face I could find none of his gentleness, none of his soul. There would be no mercy for me.

"Heero, who did this?" he growled, his face contorting in a snarl. I shook my head, it wouldn't help if I told him. The two of them would only deny it and I'd be in worse trouble for lying. But how much worse could dead be?

Somehow, the mere action of shaking my head snapped Duo's control. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me up from the bed, forcing me to stand on my injured ankle. I cried out in pain, but Duo already had us out the door and halfway down the hall. He headed for the dining room, I would most likely get a public execution there.

I was glad I had kept a hold of the blanket when we got to the diningroom, since everyone turned to stare at us and most of them stood, backing away from the irate demon.

"Who did this?" Duo screamed so loud that the entire hall shook with the force of his anger and several women fainted. I wondered why it was so important to know who had done this, if the blame would eventually fall to me anyway. No one stepped forward, but it was evident who was to blame since the only two people not to back away were Barton and Dekim, who were so scared that they couldn't move. Duo saw them both and took a step forward, raising his tail. The next thing I knew, there was blood everywhere. Somewhere between the time Duo dragged us in and the time he stepped forward, I had sunk to the ground, my injured body not being able to support me. Dekim was on the ground, screaming and holding the place where his leg used to be. Barton was much the same, only holding his bleeding shoulder. Both the amputated limbs were in puddle of blood on the floor, the arm and leg still twitching spasmodically. My eyes found Duo and I saw that he was smiling with a maniacal rage and was raising his tail for the killing strike. Without thinking, I pushed myself off the floor and lunged at him. My body was so small and weak that it barely made him stumble, but it did make him look down.

I couldn't have cared less if Dekim and Barton died, but I didn't want Duo in trouble.

"No more. Please Duo, no more," I pleaded. Something inside him seemed to deflate as I clung to him and I was happy to see his soul come back into his eyes. In a second, he seemed to come to a decision. He leaned down and took my chin in his hand then leaned down for a long, plundering kiss. I was so surprised by his action that I couldn't think anything but how much better it felt than when Dekim or Barton had done it. Then the kiss ended and he turned from me to the crowd.

"Anyone who harms him will receive a thousand time worse than these two have," then he turned his eyes on Dekim and Barton and the fire returned for a moment, "Don't ever let me see the two of you again."

And then he was pulling me back down the halls to our room, barely controlling his suppressed rage. We got to the room and he pushed me to the bed, mumbling a commanding , "Stay here," before jumping out the window and flying away.

I really can't say whether I fell asleep from the pain, or passed out. Either way, darkness claimed me.