Eep! throws next chapter to the hoard of impatient readers Spare me!! (Don't get the joke, ask Ultra Rodimus!)
Chapter ten (Wow, I'm at ten already? Wiggy)
Still shivering from the neccesary iciness of his shower Heero started to redress, only then noticing he hadn't been wearing a shirt and that he had woken up in his bed, when he knew he fell asleep outside. Who-? Ah! Could it have been Duo? Heart beating faster he bolted out of the bathroom. "Duo?" No one answered and the bedroom was empty so he hurried on to the front, not finding Duo but suddenly noticing a rather irritated Trowa at the window.
Sighing he ran a finger through wet brown hair, encouraging it to spike, as he went and unlocked the door. As soon as the bolt was undone Trowa pushed open the door and growled.
"What took you so long? I've been out here for half an hour. I only stayed because I could smell that you were here and this is important!"
Wearily Heero shook his head and closed the door behind his friend. "Sorry Trowa, I was taking a shower, I didn't hear you at the door." He curiously examined his friend, wondering what was so important as well as what the package under his arm was.
Trowa was sniffing the air. Something was different, the air smelled like... "Heero! Now I underatand why you needed a shower. What did Duo think?" Half glaring Trowa turned to his friend, still sampling the air in an effort to pinpoint where Duo was. Having no luck by that method he went to the next. "Where's Duo? I have something for him." He tossed the brown paper package in the air and caught it again with a faint jingle.
Heero ignored the first string of comments, he knew Trowa would be able to pick up that particular smell, it was the mention of Duo that caught his attention. "Duo? I haven't seen him since he ran out!"
"Really but I smell..." Trowa trailed off. The scent of his cousin was strong and recent. Wait a sec, does Heero not know about Duo? Oh crap, if he didn't say anything I shouldn't either. Quickly Trowa tried to cover his tracks. "Nevermind, I was just assuming he was here, guess I was imagining things. Oh well look at the time, I have to leave, just give this to him when you see him." Tossing Heero the package he took off. Idiot, Duo's going to be mad at me if Heero figures this out!
Confused Heero caught the package and watched Trowa leave blankly. I'm missing something, I really really am...
The package was rough brown paper wrapped up with white string, it looked like it had been done in a hurry but at the same time was covered in a thin layer of dust. Brushing off the dust and shifting it in his hands Heero tried to figure out what it was. Each time he moved it he heard a soft clink, like peices of metal bumping together. Unable to fight back his curiosity he peeled back a corner and peered in. Nope, he couldn't see. Oh well what the hell, it's not like it's a seeled envelope, it's folded paper. There's no harm in looking.
Carefully he opened it, feeling guilty but too curious to stop. When it was opened he blinked in surprise. Jewelery? Nestled in the paper were five circlets of various side, open on one end. Heero picked up the largest and examined it. It all looked like it was made of silver with very small amethyst studs. The peice he was holding looked like it would fit as a collar, the others were smaller. Bracelets? Weird. Dropping the silver choker back in with the rest he folded the paper back and retied the string before setting down on his coffee table. Well, apparently Trowa was sure that Duo would come back to get them. That was enough to lift his heart a bit. There was hope then!
Noticing something was missing Heero looked around the room with a frown. Where'd that cat get to?
It had been raining off and on much of the week and upon reaching his haven Duo was a bit miffed to find it flooded. The entrance way, which was sunken into the ground a bit had filled with water, there was no way to get in without being drenched and inside would be just as bad. Silently praying that his furs would be okay, especially the white one, he turned to seek a different place to calm down. There was only another place he could think of out of the rain that had started again lightly, soon it would be pouring. Cringing inside he headed back to the house.
Instead of going to the kitchen door or the front he snuck into the bushes along the side. It had been a long time since he went in here. Through the tangle of clinging ivy vines it was difficult to find what he was looking for but eventually he saw what he was seeking. Applying steady pressure he shoved open the cat door, wincing as rusted hinges protested loudly. Inside the room it was dark and dusty. Sneezing he jumped onto a dusty desk, his paws sliding a little to leave streaks and he patted at a lamp for a moment until he managed to turn it on. In the weak yellow light he looked around the small room.
Home.
It was little, the furniture cramped in the dusty space. A messily made bed elbowed against the desk and bedside table, all covered with dust and cobwebs. Opposite the cat entrance was a door but no light showed under it, a long time ago Trowa had walled it off per Duo's request. The only entrance was the hinged cat door. Above that was a large window, which someone could get in Duo supposed, but it was curtained and coated in grime, most people wouldn't notice especially with the tangle of vines covering it to boot.
This had been his room when he was a kitten but it didn't feel right to him to stay in here so he'd claimed the master bedroom instead. But with it's near unaccesable quality it was the perfect place to store important things, like haven only with less air and more dust. Jumping back down Duo pawed and patted the dust off the silk cat bed at the foor of the larger bed before climbing in and curling up nose to tail.
Why were things so different now? Heero...was concerning, unsettling but he couldn't help trust him. The human seemed nice enough though they had gotten off to a rough start it was hard not to grow attached to your pet, especially when he talked to you, fed you and brushed your hair every day. Duo's favorite was when Heero talked about himself as he drew, it was fascinating, the sound comforting and familiar.
Familiar... Something poked at the back of his mind and on a whim he bounded off the bed and to a jumbled bookshelf. Pawing and clawing he pulled a box off the second shelf and nosed the lid off. Jumping in he pawed through it until he found his old photo album. Seizing it in his petite mouth he dragged it out to leaf through, stopping in amazement about ten pages in.
With an arm draped over 7-year old Duo was 10-year old Heero, both smiling toothily. On the next was Heero smiling with a sketchpad in his lap while Trowa and Duo wrestled behind him. This is why it feels like I've known him for years, I have! Muttering to himself he nosed it to the next page where he'd taped an old peice of paper torn from Heero's sketchbook. Even when he'd been ten the japanese man had been a decent artist, though much rougher than it was now. Heero had drawn it while he wasn't paying attention, it was chibi Duo half crouched, watching a grasshopper resting on a blade of grass.
Damn, why didn't I realize? Why didn't I remember? If his body could have handled it Duo was sure he'd have cried, but instead he was forced just to stare at the lovingly sketched picture with a heavy heart.
---- "I love you Duo! When we get older I want to be your mate!"
For a moment Duo just blinked, a little confused because boys weren't mates together, but then, it was Heero! So he broke into a smile and wrapped arms around Heero's neck. "Okay but only cause it's you!" Laughing and hugging him back Heero gave him a quick peck on the lips before both burst into silly giggles.
"Love you forever!" ----
How easily children forget their first crush, their first kiss, especially when they spend most of their time in the body of a cat. Most cats rarely spend time reminiscing. But here he was, reminded of his child hood by the return of an old friend. Only a month after these pictures had been taken, days before the full moon Heero's parents had moved away. They'd never had a chance to say goodbye.
Ears flat against his head Duo nosed it to the next page. More pictures of Trowa Duo and Heero filled the pages. Violet eyes scanning each in turn he paused at the last with a panther and lion cub wrestling while a young japanese tiger preparing to pounce behind them. One ear sticking straight up and the other still folded back Duo was the picture of astonishment.
Wait a sec...
Shoulder angel Quatre: Don't look at me! Alan's hiding in his bedroom, I had nothing to do with this!! That wasn't what he told me was going to happen!!
Chapter ten (Wow, I'm at ten already? Wiggy)
Still shivering from the neccesary iciness of his shower Heero started to redress, only then noticing he hadn't been wearing a shirt and that he had woken up in his bed, when he knew he fell asleep outside. Who-? Ah! Could it have been Duo? Heart beating faster he bolted out of the bathroom. "Duo?" No one answered and the bedroom was empty so he hurried on to the front, not finding Duo but suddenly noticing a rather irritated Trowa at the window.
Sighing he ran a finger through wet brown hair, encouraging it to spike, as he went and unlocked the door. As soon as the bolt was undone Trowa pushed open the door and growled.
"What took you so long? I've been out here for half an hour. I only stayed because I could smell that you were here and this is important!"
Wearily Heero shook his head and closed the door behind his friend. "Sorry Trowa, I was taking a shower, I didn't hear you at the door." He curiously examined his friend, wondering what was so important as well as what the package under his arm was.
Trowa was sniffing the air. Something was different, the air smelled like... "Heero! Now I underatand why you needed a shower. What did Duo think?" Half glaring Trowa turned to his friend, still sampling the air in an effort to pinpoint where Duo was. Having no luck by that method he went to the next. "Where's Duo? I have something for him." He tossed the brown paper package in the air and caught it again with a faint jingle.
Heero ignored the first string of comments, he knew Trowa would be able to pick up that particular smell, it was the mention of Duo that caught his attention. "Duo? I haven't seen him since he ran out!"
"Really but I smell..." Trowa trailed off. The scent of his cousin was strong and recent. Wait a sec, does Heero not know about Duo? Oh crap, if he didn't say anything I shouldn't either. Quickly Trowa tried to cover his tracks. "Nevermind, I was just assuming he was here, guess I was imagining things. Oh well look at the time, I have to leave, just give this to him when you see him." Tossing Heero the package he took off. Idiot, Duo's going to be mad at me if Heero figures this out!
Confused Heero caught the package and watched Trowa leave blankly. I'm missing something, I really really am...
The package was rough brown paper wrapped up with white string, it looked like it had been done in a hurry but at the same time was covered in a thin layer of dust. Brushing off the dust and shifting it in his hands Heero tried to figure out what it was. Each time he moved it he heard a soft clink, like peices of metal bumping together. Unable to fight back his curiosity he peeled back a corner and peered in. Nope, he couldn't see. Oh well what the hell, it's not like it's a seeled envelope, it's folded paper. There's no harm in looking.
Carefully he opened it, feeling guilty but too curious to stop. When it was opened he blinked in surprise. Jewelery? Nestled in the paper were five circlets of various side, open on one end. Heero picked up the largest and examined it. It all looked like it was made of silver with very small amethyst studs. The peice he was holding looked like it would fit as a collar, the others were smaller. Bracelets? Weird. Dropping the silver choker back in with the rest he folded the paper back and retied the string before setting down on his coffee table. Well, apparently Trowa was sure that Duo would come back to get them. That was enough to lift his heart a bit. There was hope then!
Noticing something was missing Heero looked around the room with a frown. Where'd that cat get to?
It had been raining off and on much of the week and upon reaching his haven Duo was a bit miffed to find it flooded. The entrance way, which was sunken into the ground a bit had filled with water, there was no way to get in without being drenched and inside would be just as bad. Silently praying that his furs would be okay, especially the white one, he turned to seek a different place to calm down. There was only another place he could think of out of the rain that had started again lightly, soon it would be pouring. Cringing inside he headed back to the house.
Instead of going to the kitchen door or the front he snuck into the bushes along the side. It had been a long time since he went in here. Through the tangle of clinging ivy vines it was difficult to find what he was looking for but eventually he saw what he was seeking. Applying steady pressure he shoved open the cat door, wincing as rusted hinges protested loudly. Inside the room it was dark and dusty. Sneezing he jumped onto a dusty desk, his paws sliding a little to leave streaks and he patted at a lamp for a moment until he managed to turn it on. In the weak yellow light he looked around the small room.
Home.
It was little, the furniture cramped in the dusty space. A messily made bed elbowed against the desk and bedside table, all covered with dust and cobwebs. Opposite the cat entrance was a door but no light showed under it, a long time ago Trowa had walled it off per Duo's request. The only entrance was the hinged cat door. Above that was a large window, which someone could get in Duo supposed, but it was curtained and coated in grime, most people wouldn't notice especially with the tangle of vines covering it to boot.
This had been his room when he was a kitten but it didn't feel right to him to stay in here so he'd claimed the master bedroom instead. But with it's near unaccesable quality it was the perfect place to store important things, like haven only with less air and more dust. Jumping back down Duo pawed and patted the dust off the silk cat bed at the foor of the larger bed before climbing in and curling up nose to tail.
Why were things so different now? Heero...was concerning, unsettling but he couldn't help trust him. The human seemed nice enough though they had gotten off to a rough start it was hard not to grow attached to your pet, especially when he talked to you, fed you and brushed your hair every day. Duo's favorite was when Heero talked about himself as he drew, it was fascinating, the sound comforting and familiar.
Familiar... Something poked at the back of his mind and on a whim he bounded off the bed and to a jumbled bookshelf. Pawing and clawing he pulled a box off the second shelf and nosed the lid off. Jumping in he pawed through it until he found his old photo album. Seizing it in his petite mouth he dragged it out to leaf through, stopping in amazement about ten pages in.
With an arm draped over 7-year old Duo was 10-year old Heero, both smiling toothily. On the next was Heero smiling with a sketchpad in his lap while Trowa and Duo wrestled behind him. This is why it feels like I've known him for years, I have! Muttering to himself he nosed it to the next page where he'd taped an old peice of paper torn from Heero's sketchbook. Even when he'd been ten the japanese man had been a decent artist, though much rougher than it was now. Heero had drawn it while he wasn't paying attention, it was chibi Duo half crouched, watching a grasshopper resting on a blade of grass.
Damn, why didn't I realize? Why didn't I remember? If his body could have handled it Duo was sure he'd have cried, but instead he was forced just to stare at the lovingly sketched picture with a heavy heart.
---- "I love you Duo! When we get older I want to be your mate!"
For a moment Duo just blinked, a little confused because boys weren't mates together, but then, it was Heero! So he broke into a smile and wrapped arms around Heero's neck. "Okay but only cause it's you!" Laughing and hugging him back Heero gave him a quick peck on the lips before both burst into silly giggles.
"Love you forever!" ----
How easily children forget their first crush, their first kiss, especially when they spend most of their time in the body of a cat. Most cats rarely spend time reminiscing. But here he was, reminded of his child hood by the return of an old friend. Only a month after these pictures had been taken, days before the full moon Heero's parents had moved away. They'd never had a chance to say goodbye.
Ears flat against his head Duo nosed it to the next page. More pictures of Trowa Duo and Heero filled the pages. Violet eyes scanning each in turn he paused at the last with a panther and lion cub wrestling while a young japanese tiger preparing to pounce behind them. One ear sticking straight up and the other still folded back Duo was the picture of astonishment.
Wait a sec...
Shoulder angel Quatre: Don't look at me! Alan's hiding in his bedroom, I had nothing to do with this!! That wasn't what he told me was going to happen!!
