Alan: stares off into the distance blankly

Shoulder angel Quatre: Um...he's been like that for awhile now...so I guess I should finish the introductions and stuff. looks back at Alan and sighs before going back to it Um, I'm sorry I haven't bugged him better, I have failed as the prodder person but when he gets stubborn about not writing, well, he's hard to deal with. Graduation is in THREE WEEKS and he has to makeup four classes. ...I have to make up three... why am I not working on homework? I do not know.

Alan: the story...

Shoulder angel Quatre: OH! RIGHT! yeh, cough err, so it's erm, done finally, after much poking and prodding. Hope ye like, and thank you all the people who still have even a shred of faith in him. Ultra Rodimus, MinakoChan, he mentioned you two as being really...enthusiastic? Am I reading these notes right? Oookay, enjoy it I suppose. :D Hee, I wrote part of this too, I'm tryin to convince Alan to change the pairing of this! Mwahahahaha!

Alan: ...maybe...

Chapter 16

Duo woke up suddenly and froze, sniffing the air. In a sea of violet the vertical pupil widened to make up for the dim light. Silently Duo pushed himself to his knees and stared out the bedroom window into the darkness. Out there, somewhere in his woods was someone, or something that should not be wandering in his territory. Bristling he started to growl softly beneath his breath. He glanced to the side to Heero, the sleeping japanese man's chest rising and falling in a relaxed pattern. Warm shivers coursed through him at the lovely sight. A pillow was clutched to his chest, taking Duo's place as cuddle buddy. That meant he wouldn't notice his bedmate's absence.

Duo slid out of bed, his feet hitting the carpeted floor with only the barest of sounds. Sneaking towards the door he kept his ears open for any unusual sounds. At the door he glanced back at the bed to see Heero hadn't moved at all.

Good.

He'd find out who was in his woods if it killed him. The silk of the dark boxers rustled as he stepped out into the living room From there he walked quicker to the back door and for a minute just stood outside in the moonsoaked yard. Large violet eyes slid up to the cold full moon and stared at it's beauty. Full moon, his favorite time of the month, at least lately. Clothed only in boxers much of his pale skin showed, reflecting the light conspicuosly.

Shivering a little he stepped off the porch into the high grass. He'd worry about his visibility later. The dew was thick and soaked his bare legs quickly as he strode purposefully into the trees. Bare feet soon went numb and slipped in the mud as he stumbled further in. The house was out of sight before he stopped walking, slumping against a tree and slipping down to the ground bleakly. In the back of his mind was the niggling knowledge something that shouldn't be in his trees was but he couldn't smell anything. It was too cold, all he could smell was the sharpness of the cold burning his nostrils.

Faint rustling ahead of him brought his head up in time to see movement. With a gasp he bounced to his feet and raced after the grey streak he had barely glimpsed. The intruder! His heart pounded in his ears and he chased single-mindedly after a breath of movement. Whatever he was chasing outpaced him easily and he slowed to a stop, staring at where it had been, or at least, where he thought it had been. What was that? A shiver coursed through him violently and his teeth were starting to chatter. He had to get this taken care of soon, it was too cold for comfort out here.

Smells still eluded him but there was clearer evidence, grass pressed flat, prints in the mud. Kneeling his ran his hand over one of the prints. It was deep, made by a heavy animal and very familar in shape. Like...a big cat. Bowing his head he breathed deeply but couldn't detect any aromatic clues. Ahead the trail changed, got smaller, the indentations changed shape. A were! Duo got quickly to his feet, looking at the trail where it led off through the bent and waving grass into the dark. Another shapeshifter, in his woods! Best not to get mixed up with them right now, he wasn't sure he could handle a territory dispute in his weaker human form. Growling beneath his breath he turned to go home, barely catching a glimpse of black out of the corner of his eye before he was pushed roughly against a tree.

Bark dug roughly into his bare back and tore at his skin as he was dragged up and his attacker pressed a muscular forearm against his throat, cutting off his air. Hissing hoarsely he clawed at the arm, his vision gaining a gray blur at the edges. I can't breathe! Black eyes glared at him, the vertical pupils widening and contracting menancingly, hardly visible in the already dark iris. As he squirmed he heard the shapeshifter breathe in deeply, gasp and then once more sweet cold air was rushing into his burning lungs.

For a reason beyond his comprehension the shapeshifter released him and stepped back letting him fall forward to his knees, panting desperately. Bloody fingers dug into soft mud and knotty grass roots in front of him as he continued to inhale hungrily until the spots were gone from his vision. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the legs of his attacker, a pace and a half away. The shapeshifter hadn't moved since releasing him.

He's just waiting for me to move, to try to run or fight before he finishes me off. I can't stand being this weak! A low growl started in the back of his already sore throat and he bristled, weighing his options. Beg, battle, or book it. Well, he refused to beg for his life, and he still felt too weak to be able to do any actual damage, besides if his attacker changed to big cat form he'd be toast so that left...

Slowly, delicately he shifted to crouching rather than kneeling, tightening his left hand around the mud and releasing his right's hold. No reaction from the were. Saying a silent prayer to whatever deity was watching over him asking for help he tensed, glancing from his attacker to the direction he instinctively knew home was in. A little flag waved in his head and he lunged to his feet and into a run towards safety. In half a heartbeat the dark eyed shapeshifter was on his heels. Slowing a bit and spinning in midstride he threw is mud into the face of his attacker and kept running.

The shapeshifter cried out in surprise and stopped, scraping the mud out of his face angrily. Black eyes peered between muddy and bloody fingers, watching the escaping form. Eyes sliding shut again he breathed in again deeply, savoring the smell of his new prey. Ah, delicious.

He's not chasing me! Why is he not chasing me? THANK GOD HE'S NOT CHASING ME! Duo was near weeping with joy when he saw the lovely backdoor of his lovely home in which his lovely Heero was sleeping, all working together to form the perfect image of safety in his mind. Diving through the back door and slamming it shut he relaxed suddenly and completely. Safe. Behind his back he locked it before stumbling forward, everything catching up with him all at once. I'm exhausted. Quietly washing his hands at the sink and then continued limply to the bedroom. He was wet and cold and sore and exhausted! His legs were all scratched up, his back sore and raw. Nothing was more tempting than to simply curl up and pretend it had never happened. Yes, good idea.

Shivering he snuck into the bedroom and towards the bed. Heero was still asleep. Weakly he crawled beneath the covers and against the warm sleeping body. Heero let go of the pillow and pulled him close instead. Duo relaxed in the grip and followed his roommate into dreamland happily.

Beyond the window the forest was peaceful dark and quiet in the earliest hours of morning.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

It was so warm, soft, a steady and familiar comfort. The wonderfulness that was sleep was suddenly rudely interupted by a harsh hand on his shoulder, giving him a brisk shake. Moaning he weakly batted the hand away and snuggled deeper into the warmth of his feather pillow, covered with a nice smooth violet cotton pillow cover that was oh so cuddly and...wait, what was the point of this line of thought? Whatever, sleep.

The hand returned to shake him again, this time coupled with a deep but excited voice. "Get up already!"

Eyes still closed he let himself be dragged to a slumped sitting position. He opened his eyes to blink owlishly before focusing on his attacker. Gaze slowly slipping over to the digital clock glowing red he checked the time before he returned to looking at his roommate. "Heero?"

"Yes?"

"IT'S FOUR IN THE MORNING!" Hissing feircely Duo snatched his pillow and swung at the grinning japanese man, catching a satisfying blow on his chin before he turned and dived back into the warm covers. The nerve of some people Just cause he's a sexy beast...grr...

Heero rubbed his chin and grumbled a little before tackling Duo. "You're getting up!" Wickedly he pulled the blanket down to Duo's waist and began tickling visciously. Duo struggled and fought, unable to suppress his hopeless giggles and screeches. Hands sneaking lower Heero kept tickling, easily keeping his seat on the struggling man, at least, until he started kicking.

When he caught a blow to the stomach Heero decided enough was enough and he tumbled backwards, out of range. "Duo! Get up!"

There is no damn way he's getting me out of this bed... Pulling the covers back up and over his head he returned to his attempt at sleep.

"Duo, get up or I will never kiss you again." Well, it wasn't true, but it made a good threat.

WHAT! Angrily snarling Duo wriggled out of bed, heading over to the pile of clothes from Trowa. "I hate you."

"Liar." A smirk firm on his face Heero followed after him to lounge against the wall and watch him pick clothes.

Suddenly standing up with a faded and stylishly torn shirt Duo seized Heero and kissed him roughly then pushed him away, assuring himself that he could still kiss Heero whenever he wanted but making it clear he was mad at getting woken up this early. A cat needs his beauty sleep after all!

"Be that way." Heero crossed his arms and attempted to look grouchy but the grin kept sneaking back on his face. "Don't wear that, you'll freeze to death."

Muttering Duo dropped the clothes he was holding and grabbed a sweater and jeans instead. Doing his best to ignore Heero standing behind him he pulled them on, then turned around for approval. He was still mad about being dragged brutally out of the land of nod, but still, Heero's opinion meant a lot to him.

Barely acknowledging that he even had clothes on Heero grabbed his hand and dragged him to the door. "Let's go!" Brain still barely functioning through the haze of sleepy indignation Duo didn't quite comprehend that Heero was pulling him outside, into the COLD morning air towards a car that most certainly had NOT been parked there last night. Well what shaking didn't accomplish then very wet and chilly dew soaked grass on bare feet sure did.

Hissing Duo wrenched himself away and scrambled back to the doorway of the house to glare sullenly at Heero. "It's too cold!" Before Heero could get ahold of him again he bolted back into the house, determined not to go outside again until the sun had come up and made things properly warm and dry. With an exasperated growl Heero ran after him, equally determined not to let him ruin carefully set plans.

Duo ducked around the couch and streaked back to the bedroom, only realizing he had helped Heero by landing himself in a dead end. Well, not entirely. Acutely aware it wasn't the wisest choice he dove into the bathroom and kicked the door shut. It slipped his mind to lock it though and Heero had little to no trouble shouldering it open even with Duo leaning all his weight against it.

"I'm sorry I forgot to give you shoes! Now come on!" When Duo refused to come willingly he grabbed the smaller man's arms and pulled him to his feet. Duo kicked and squealed as he was effortlessly picked up and slung across Heero's broad shoulder.

Duo went quiet for a minute as he slumped upside down against Heero's muscular back. Alright, that's dead sexy. Heero chuckled as Duo went limp and headed towards the door, scooping up a pair of shoes from the bedroom floor on the way. As they walked through the still open front door Duo started to squirm again.

"Lemme down! And give me those shoes dammit!" Heero was laughing and Duo was giggling. Suddenly Heero caught sight of someone standing a few paces down the walk, watching them with burning black eyes and the laughter died in the japanese man's throat. Duo's peetered off when Heero stopped and he squirmed to the side, gasping at the upside down shapeshifter. "LET ME GO!" Feeling bewildered Heero set him down and the instant he was loose the shaking werecat bolted.

"Duo!" Heero took a step after his roommate before turning to glare at the dark man watching him solemnly. "Who are you? Why did Duo panic when he saw you?"

"Oh, unfortunately we had a run in last night that might not have given him the best impression of me. His name is Duo?" The shapeshifter tilted his head and breathed in wistfully. Duo's scent still lingered though he'd fled.

Heero bristled at the cool comment and eyed the asian man. They were close to the same height, but this stranger was a little shorter. Though muscular he was slim, serpentine muscles and build making him look graceful and quick. Ebony hair was brought into a strict ponytail at the nap of his neck, and his black eyes seemed to be sizing up Heero as throughly. Pure white chinese styled clothing was wrapped around him, leaving his arms bare.

"Is he your mate?" At the sudden question Heero's head snapped up eyes widening. A growl wrenched itself free from his throat and he gritted his teeth to keep himself in control as the tiger roared yes.

"No. I'm a human, and human's don't. have. mates." Heero hissed the words between his teeth and clenched his fists, beating down the tiger.

A little smirk tugged at the asian man's lips and he tasted the air again. "Really now? So he's free game? Perfect." Turning away from the shocked and pissed Heero he paused. "You may like to lie to yourself, but you're not human. My name's Wufei, and I have no qualms about taking him for my mate." Looking amused he walked away into the forest, in a different direction than the one Duo had ran.

A little stunned Heero stood on his porch in the early morning an hour from dawn, palms bleeding and heart beating very fast. His stomach felt unsettled. A series of emotions was running through him, predominately confusion and an odd sensation in his chest. It was similar to how he felt around Duo, but at the same time, very different. Unsettling.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I can smell him, so sweet and feral and scared. Wufei breathed in deeply, loving that smell, almost able to taste it on his tongue. It was like sunshine, strawberry candy, and warm metal. And behind him he could smell Heero, like musk and sweat and paint. Almost as pleasant as the delicate beauty hiding in a meadow up ahead. I wonder how old he is.

The pungent odor of woodsmoke hit his nose and he winced as the acrid smoke burned his nose. Why has the little kitty lit a fire? Hmmm. He continued to creep closer, curiosity overwhelming him.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

Duo whimpered huddled up in his little haven, scared of the asian shapeshifter, and how it felt whenever he saw him. This weird feeling pounded in his chest, not neccessarily bad...but he wasn't sure if it could count as good either. Fondling a fur he stared at the woven plant walls and breathed deep.

Ulp. Yuck. He'd forgotten about the furs moldering in the corner, waiting for him to tan them. Walking over he carefully looked them over. A few weren't salvagable. But he could still save most of them. Gathering an armful and trying not to breath the smell he exited his haven and headed towards a nearby cave carved into a hill. It was small, too small to go in but just the right size for smoking furs. Dumping his armload unceremoniously into the ground he started to gather firewood, mostly oak branches. When he had a lot he piled them into a blackened pit in the bottom of the cave and pulled out a lighter. Yes, it was cheating, but he didn' care to try and make an "all natural" fire.

With dry leaves as tinder he got the fire burning and started hanging the furs on the lines of twine he had crisscrossing the cave. Easiest way to preserve furs was to smoke them. When it was all done he piled rocks over the cave entrance to keep most of the smoke in and retreated to his haven.

After wriggling through the tight entrance way he plopped tiredly into a pile of furs. Heero was probably angry he had bolted like that, and he felt guilty for leaving him alone with the other shapeshifter. Staring into the darkness beyond the little oval door he sighed. I'm such a coward.

Quiet noises, like footsteps in the leaves caught his attention and he perked up. Maybe Heero had followed him. Grinning he snuck around to the shadowy side of the entrance and waited. Within minutes someone was wriggling through and Duo pounced happily.

"Gotcha!"

Amused black eyes caught with his and he froze in panic. This was not Heero he had pounced and was currently stradling. Face flushed Duo started to scramble back, squeaking in surprise when the ebony haired shapeshifter gripped his wrists and stopped him.

"You can stay where you are Duo. I don't mind."

He stopped trying to pull free at the sound of his name muttered so...tenderly. Violet eyes wide and scared Duo looked down into the black gaze, the vertical pupils shifting in the dim light so like his own. Heero's eyes weren't like that...

The man beneath him stretched up and whispered in his ear. "My name's Wufei Chang and I'm sorry for scaring you last night. While following this delicious scent I ran into you and mistook you for a threat, a challenge. When I realized you were the cause of that scent I felt terrible...I'm sorry if I hurt you."

Little shivers ran down Duo's spine at the warm breath that carressed his tender skin and caused little wisps of hair to shift and tickle him. Finding himself without anything to say he simply stayed still, trying to figure out what exactly was happening. Suddenly Wufei shifted, rolling them over so that Duo was sprawled on his back, his legs still around the shapeshifter's waist and his wrists pinned to the ground on either side of his head by elegant inkstained fingers.

Ducking his head down, never moving his eyes away from Duo's Wufei breathed in quietly and stated calmly. "You smell delicious, you're beautiful, you're unclaimed, you're about to go into heat, and, if I have anything to say about, you're going to be mine. Want to be my mate?" At that he pressed his mouth fervantly against Duo's without waiting for an answer.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Shoulder Angel Quatre: So...yeah. Can ye guess yet what pairing I'm shooting for:D

Alan: I'll consider it you psycho. But I think it'd be too dificult to write.

Shoulder angel Quatre: Hey, have fun in Dallas man. Good luck with the whole seeing your mom thing.

Alan: ... glares

Shoulder Angel Quatre: Eep! Well, err, I feel I have completed my obligation in making sure he finally did something. Go me. I'm going to go study now, somewhere that pissed off people don't eye me like I've got a bull's eye on my forehead... runs away