Disclaimer: Blah, blah, fishsticks. Err, I mean, standard disclaimers apply.
Warning: MAJOR OOCness. FORGIVE THE AUTHOR.
I totally adore Gaara of Naruto. I love his eyeliner! Err, eyes! I meant eyes! I am now a fully converted SasuNaru fangirl. I'm currently obsessed with Naruto fics, doujinshis, and pics. That's one reason why this chapter took too long. Here's another: if anyone didn't manage to read my note/apology in the last chapter, please be informed that I had a 5-day seminar in the Mt. Province that's why I wasn't able to work on this fic. I just arrived yesterday morning and I needed painkillers 'coz before we went shopping (after the seminar and before going home), we went spelunking. I was forced to climb ropes twice and my limbs are killing me right now. The seminar was boring as hell and I never want to hear the words "duty" and "leadership" ever again. sorry for boring you. (n.n)
One of my goals in life has been met. Well, sort of. My friend Elana-chan bought the Hikaru no Go series and I'm gonna borrow the cds as soon as she's through with them. whee!
Out of the Sea
By Ninetails
I want to go to your world
To the place most profound
And adore you forever and ever
If I live
If blood is left in my veins
I ask for nothing more
Than to end in your net
And die in your open arms
Mermaid
part of the song "Sirena" by Enrique Iglesias. (I had nothing to do in our 14-hour bus ride so I translated my favorite Spanish song. Thank God for Spanish-English dictionaries. Conjugations are from my memory so I apologize if I took some liberties in the translations. And since decided to ban song lyrics in fics, I decided to not put the original lyrics here. Translations are by me so I wrote it and its mine.)
Chapter 7
Duo sat upon the sand and tried to scream. The pain was more than he could bear. His tail had been ripped in half and forced into the shape of two human legs. Bone and muscle and nerves had been twisted, torn, and re-formed into something new and totally strange to him. He screamed and screamed, but no sound came out. His voice had been sacrificed to the Sea Witch.
He fell onto his back and could feel the sand burrowing into the pores of his flesh. The sun beat down upon him, and pain seared through his very being. His skin felt as though it were drying out, his eyes burned, and his lungs heaved while trying to breathe the foreign air. Surely he must die; merkin could not survive outside of the sea, and it had been folly to believe that he could.
He would have rolled into the ocean but he didn't have the strength. So, I am to die here. Away from my family, my people, my home. I was a fool.
He managed to flip onto his side. More pain sliced through his body, and he fought to suppress the bile he could feel at the back of his throat. The gravity of what he had done shot through him. He had one week to find the man he loved and win his love. Ihe failed, he would die. If he succeeded, he would live, but in the state he now found himself. He smirked to himself. Any pain is worth enduring if I could only see those beautiful eyes again.
He rolled over onto his stomach and began to cough, his long locks curtaining his features. Seawater poured out of his mouth and seeped into the sand. At long last his chest stopped heaving. Suddenly the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
"Quatre? Are you alright?"
Duo turned his head and saw him. His heart started pounding in joy. "Sorry, I – I thought you were someone else." He opened his mouth to speak, to tell him how much he felt for him, but no sound came out. Frustrated, he shook his head, and the salty wind caressed his hair along his body.
He came closer to Duo. "Do you need help?"
Duo nodded fiercely and gave the beautiful man a wide grin. The other man looked at him with a strange glint in his eyes before hastily shrugging out of his outer garment. He handed it to Duo and averted his eyes.
Duo felt uncharacteristic heat rising in his cheeks as he took the garment from him, noting the numerous clothing he had on his body. He had watched the other man remove his arms from part of the garment and he tried to emulate that. At last he had it wrapped around himself.
The other man still stood, face turned away, and Duo had no voice to tell him he could turn back. With a silent chuckle, he picked up a handful of sand and threw it at his leg.
He whipped his head back around to look at his seated figure, and a small smile broke out on his handsome face. Duo had the sudden urge to swim around in frenzied spirals. The man then crouched down beside him, a hint of red on his cheeks. Duo thought he was too adorable. "That's better. So, where are you from?"
He twisted and pointed out to the ocean, marveling at how the pain in his limbs seemed to have lessened since he appeared.
The other man gave a slight frown. "From far away, then." He scanned the horizon. "You must have been shipwrecked. How long have you been here?"
Duo looked up at him, helpless to answer. He is so beautiful! His hair was a dark brown, like the murky depths of the ocean. His eyes were a deeper shade of blue, rivaling the sea's hue. He ached to touch his tanned face and to tell him he was everything to him. Hear me, know my thoughts if not my words! The other man stared back at him, and slowly his eyes widened. "You, you were the one who saved me?" he asked, emotion now lacing his dulcet voice.
Duo nodded eagerly, his eyes beginning to sting. Did he hear me or is he just remembering? It doesn't really matter so long as he knows.
He then reached out a silk-covered arm and lightly touched Duo's long hair, the strands slipping through his fingers. He then gently tugged at it, drawing Duo's gaze from his hand to his eyes. "You were the one who pulled me from the sea?"
He nodded again, a rakish smile lightening his features.
"And you were the one who – "
Duo leaned forward and kissed him, gently tugging at his lower lip before smiling against his lips. When he pulled back there was a light dancing in his cobalt eyes.
"Yes, you were the one," he whispered.
The castle was enormous, and Duo felt small within its shadow.
At the beach the young man who introduced himself as Heero had left him briefly and returned with some simple garments more appropriate for him to wear. It had been a struggle to get into the trousers and to fasten the belt, but he managed to get them on. Walking had proven even more difficult, and Heero had finally picked him up and carried him.
The strange building would have unsettled him had it not been for Heero's arms around him. Their entrance seemed to generate a great deal of excitement. People were running around everywhere, some whispering, others shouting.
"This is my father's castle," Heero explained. "He is the king and I am the prince."
Duo smiled at him encouragingly. Like my brother and I. At least that would please my parents, he thought, laughing.
"It's not every day they see me walk in carrying a good-looking man." Heero blushed at his words, and Duo wondered whether to laugh at his shocked expression, or coo at his adorably confused look.
An older man approached them. "Highness, may I be of assistance?"
"Yes, Wufei. This is the young man who saved my life. He's the survivor of a shipwreck. Can you see that he is taken care of?"
Wufei glanced at Duo, taking in his disheveled appearance. He looked like a kind but austere man, and Duo smiled at him, noting the widening of ebony eyes and the slight blush coloring slightly tanned cheeks. The ghost of a smile touched Wufei's lips in return. "I'll see to it that he is presentable by dinnertime."
"Sooner, if you can. He and I have a lot to discuss. He seems to have sprained his ankles and he's lost his voice."
"Then you'll be doing all the talking and he'll be doing all the listening. That sounds familiar," Wufei remarked dryly.
Heero's lips quirked. "I listen to you."
Wufei snapped his fingers, and a petite woman with a merry face scurried forward. "Hilde, help me get the young lad to his room."
Heero gently set Duo down on his feet. Duo began to sway, but Wufei and Hilde caught him. They urged him to drape his arms around their shoulders and walk between them. He did as he was bid, gritting his teeth and inwardly cursing his weakness.
Each step was less painful than the one before it, and by the time they reached the end of the room, he wasn't wobbling half so much. Once they got him upstairs and into a room, they lowered him down onto a piece of furniture that seemed made for sitting upon.
He sighed in relief and gave them a wide grin, then winced as he rubbed his feet.
"My lord, I will be leaving you in Hilde's care. She can see to anything you require," Wufei said with imperceptible worry in his tone.
Duo nodded that he understood. Wufei bowed deeply and left the room.
Hilde gazed cheerfully at him. "Well, my lord, let's get you cleaned up shall we?"
Before he knew what was happening, he had been dumped into a large tub of hot water. He laughed silently. Looks like I'm back in the water again! The water was different from what he was used to, though. It felt different on his skin and it smelled and tasted different as well.
He could tell that Hilde was laughing at his antics, but he didn't care, it just made him laugh harder. By the time he made it out of the bathtub, he was exhausted.
Next, Hilde tried to dress him in a strange garment made to encase his legs tightly and fabric that was designed to cover his upper body. They both had giggles by the time it was done. She then set out to comb his slightly unruly hair and twisted it into what she called a "braid." Duo marveled at the beautiful state his beloved hair was now in. At last Hilde stood back. "Well, you're looking like a lord now, and a handsome one at that," she asserted, blushing lightly.
Duo gave a cheeky grin at the compliment.
"Now, let's not keep the prince waiting any longer," Hilde gushed. She led Duo from the room and downstairs to the main floor. Off the great hall was a chamber with a roaring fire and several chairs and couches.
His heart skipped a beat as he recognized Heero pacing before the fire. Heero turned to see him, and a gentle smile wreathed his face. He strode forward and gave him a slight tilt of his head. He faced him then and gave him an appraising look. "You look handsome." He blushed once again, quite unused to giving too many compliments in too short a time. He then turned to Hilde, "Thank you, Ms. Hilde. I appreciate your efforts."
It was Hilde's turn to blush as she curtsied deeply. She excused herself and hurried out, leaving them alone.
Heero led him to a seat and he accepted it gratefully. His legs seemed to be getting stronger by the minute, but they were still sore and a little weak.
"I want to know everything about you," Heero told him, sitting beside him on the couch. "Is your voice any better?"
Duo tried to speak even though he knew he would not be able to. No sound came out, and he shook his head.
"It's no matter. I've had an idea," he told him. Duo nodded vigorously, violet eyes alight with excitement. Heero felt himself smile. The other man's enthusiasm was contagious.
"I have a parchment, a quill, and some ink. You can draw the answers."
He showed Duo a large, flat piece of paper. He then pulled an ornately carved wooden table over in front of him and placed the parchment on top of it. He also put down a bottle of dark liquid that made Duo think of the ink an octopus would spit at an enemy. Mer-kin had learned to use that ink to make markings upon rocks and shells. Lastly Heero handed him a slender instrument topped with a feather. He stared at it, puzzled.
With a small grin, Heero took it back from him. "Let me show you. You dip the pen in the ink, and draw upon the parchment. Here."
Duo watched as he demonstrated. At last he grasped the pen and gave it a try, delighted as dark lines sprang to life on the parchment. The markings looked clearer and they required less effort than the manner of writing they had at home. He tried forming the symbols for his name, drawing the fishes he had as pets, and even tried to draw Heero's face. It turned out like a deflated blowfish though and he rocked in mirth.
"Good," Heero encouraged him, having no idea of what symbols he was drawing. "Now, where do you come from?"
Duo thought for a moment and then drew the waves on top of the ocean. Heero studied it for a while with a puzzled frown.
"… Is it that your people are seafaring, like the Atha'n Miere?"
Duo wanted to tell him that he came from under the ocean, that he dwelt among the fish and other sea creatures. He bit his lip, debating whether to try to tell him. He looked into his cobalt eyes and believed in his heart that he would accept what he had to say.
Still, it would be better to wait, a voice told him. Better to let him truly know him before he burdened him with that story. He sighed.
"I have a friend who looks a lot like you," Heero commented as he tugged his braided hair. "He was found at sea when he was a child. His name is Quatre. I wonder of your people are his?"
Duo smiled shakily and shrugged his shoulders. He would have to tell him about Raberba eventually, but was less sure how to go about that than he was about how to tell him about his own ancestry.
"What is your name?" Heero asked, breaking into his thoughts.
Duo was at a loss as to what to draw and just looked at him with a shrug and a small grin. Heero seemed to sense his turmoil and hurried to ask, "What does it sound like?"
Duo scrunched his face in thought. He tried to recall what his tutor had taught him about human ways. Something that sounds like my name… Heero observed him with an amused glint in his eyes, appreciating the unconscious charm the other man was exhibiting.
Duo's face suddenly lit up. He gave Heero a wide smile before holding up two hands.
"Two?" he asked, looking startled. "It sounds like 'two'?"
Duo nodded, then encouraging him to try to guess more.
"It sounds like two. Hmm…."
Duo then held up each forefinger and slowly brought them together, then apart once again.
"Could it be…"
Duo gave him a hopeful look and Heero tried not to stare too much at the adorable sight. "It sounds like two, and from what you just did, it's also something that is related to two. A pair maybe?"
Duo nodded vigorously. So close…
"Could it be… Duo?"
Duo clapped his hands together and gave him a wide grin.
"Duo," he said again, giving him a warm smile. "Well, that was simple. I am Heero, prince of Arad Doman."
Duo laughed silently. His mother would be so pleased to know that he had fallen in love with a prince. In his world, his family was also royalty. That was why Trowa and Raberba had been betrothed since birth. Gender was not an issue for the Mer-folk and since Raberba's family had been one of A'l Thor's greatest allies, a member of the royal family being bonded to their only child was a perfect match.
His smile faded as he thought of home and his family. He looked down at what Hilde called "pants" that was wrapped around his legs. Human legs. Sorrow weighed heavily upon him. Would he ever see his brother and parents again? He had left behind so much, was it worth it?
Heero put a hand under his chin and lifted his eyes to meet his own. As Duo stared into their depths, he knew that it was.
"Do you miss your home?" he asked in a whisper that sent chills up Duo's spine.
Duo smiled, wondering if his thoughts had been that transparent. He nodded slightly.
"Can I help you get back there?" Heero asked, his normally blank face twisted into anxiety.
Duo shook his head and a smile crept over Heero's face.
"Then I'm just going to have to make sure you're happy here," he said with a slight grin.
Heero slid his hand from under his chin to touch his cheek and slowly bent toward him. Duo's breath caught in his throat, and his heart started to flutter excitedly in his chest.
When Heero's lips met his, they were soft and warm and held a promise that he scarcely dared believe. His teeth nipped at his lower lip, asking for entrance. Duo complied, suddenly swept into a fiery passion with Heero's tongue blazing a path in his mouth. He lost himself in his kiss and knew that he could never again be found.
At last Heero pulled away from him, but the spell still hovered in the air around them, binding them together. "I think I love you," Heero breathed against his lips.
Duo let his eyes speak for him.
They sat for a long moment just staring at each other.
"So, this must be the young man you swept off his feet," an amused voice said behind them.
Startled, Duo turned around to see a tall handsome man with auburn hair and piercing blue eyes grinning bemusedly at them.
"Father," Heero said with a hint of iciness in hi tone. "Duo, this is my father, King Treize of Arad Doman. Father, allow me to present Duo. He is the one who saved me from drowning yesterday."
"And I am grateful to you for that," the king told him.
Duo bounded to his feet and bowed deeply as he had seen Wufei do to Heero.
The king reached out and caught his hand. He bowed over it. "Thank you, young lad, for saving me from heartbreak."
Duo gave him a rakish grin, widening as he saw the playful glint in his teal eyes. He heard a growling sound and glanced at a slightly fuming Heero. He gave him a look then turned back to the king who released his hand and stepped back. "I look forward to seeing you at dinner tonight." He nodded to his son, and with a last playful grin aimed at Duo, he turned and left.
"Well, I think he likes you," Heero said in a monotone voice.
Duo was relieved. He hadn't counted on meeting Heero's family so soon, at least not until he had more of a chance to acclimate to his new environment.
"We should get dressed for dinner," Heero told him.
Surprised, he glanced down at the clothes he was wearing.
Heero shook his head and gave him a light smile. "It's a dashing attire, but not quite appropriate for this evening. It's to be a very formal dinner. Not only is the duke dining at the castle, but his son, the marquis, has brought the one he would be bonded to. I hear he's good-looking, but I'm sure he couldn't compare to you."
As they rose to their feet, Duo's heart was singing. He would do his best to look well for Heero tonight and to outshine the other people present.
"Do you need me to escort you back to your room?"
He shook his head. If he was ever going to familiarize himself with the castle, he might as well start now.
He took his leave of Heero and made his way carefully to his room. His legs were much steadier. The only difficulty proved in negotiating the stairs. Still, he kept his hand against the wall to steady himself and moved slowly upward, placing each foot carefully. He sighed in relief when he reached his room.
Amazingly, Hilde was waiting for him with another outfit. It consisted of black trousers held by a wide belt, a white undershirt, and a magnificent purple coat trimmed with silver that brought out his eyes. Hilde beamed at his expression.
"I figured you'd be wanting to dress for dinner about now. Looks like I was right."
Duo embraced her.
Startled, Hilde gasped and she was sputtering when Duo released her. "Milord," she stammered, "it's not appropriate for you to be doing that."
Duo looked at her directly in the eyes.
"You don't care about that, do you?"
Duo shook his head fondly.
Hilde blushed fiercely, but she looked pleased. "Let's get you changed, shall we?"
After what seemed like an eternity, Hilde had finished. She then led him over to a large cross on the wall. In the middle of the cross a piece of polished glass was set and Duo could see himself in it.
The deep purple of his shirt made a stunning contrast against his pale skin. He was still a bit flushed from earlier so spots of red colored his cheeks and lips, also emphasizing the paleness of the rest of his skin. His hair shone brightly and had been braided down his back, interwoven with thin ropes of gold and silver thread.
"You look like a prince," Hilde said, sighing happily.
I am, Duo thought.
He ran his hand down the material of his shirt, liking the way it felt cool and smooth beneath his fingers. The silver design glinted brilliantly in the candlelight with a sparkle that matched the one in his eyes. He looked breathtaking and he hoped Heero thought so as well.
At last he was ready. He made his way carefully down the stairs, eager to see Heero. He wasn't used to the "boots" Hilde insisted on him wearing though. He entered the main hall and saw dozens of people seated around a long table. He saw Heero instantly. He was looking at someone at the table when a servant whispered something to him. Turning his head, he saw Duo. He immediately got up from his seat and came to him.
"You look beautiful," he told Duo when he was standing before him.
A warm glow suffused Duo as Heero bowed from the waist and led him to the table. The king welcomed him warmly, and Heero helped him to his seat. Servants with food appeared from out of nowhere, and soon the feasting had begun.
The variety of food was amazing to him. At home they ate a variety of plant life as well as some of the larger predators of the sea when they happened into mer-kin waters.
Duo took his first bite of something someone called "chicken." It was delicious and had a texture unlike anything he had ever eaten. It tastes like nothing I've ever known. He was about to take another bite when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
Slowly he lifted his eyes and found another staring at him. With a shock he realized that it was Raberba. The other boy was only a few seats away. His pale skin stood out in dark contrast to his black velvet shirt. He felt pleased that his blonde hair was pulled into a loose braid, small wisps of gold framing his face; Duo had a vague memory of them having a pact never to cut their hair when they were little. Around his neck he wore a large pearl, dark and shimmering. I've seen a pearl like that somewhere, Duo thought. Where…?
"How do you like it?" Heero asked him in a whisper.
Duo turned his attention from Raberba back to Heero. He grinned broadly and patted his stomach to show his pleasure.
"Good," Heero said, chuckling. Duo marveled at the sound. Heero then began to heap his plate with all varieties of exotic foods, bidding him to try this first, then that.
When he got a chance to look back at Raberba, the other was deep in conversation with the dark-haired man next to him. How strange that he should be here! It made sense, though, since Raberba had been with the prince in the boat before it had sunk.
He would have to find a way to see him later, alone. Did he know who he was, or had he forgotten his childhood days as a merman? Maybe he, too, had visited the Sea Witch in order to ensnare the man seated beside him. That made no sense, though. Raberba had disappeared when he was four. Duo himself had only vague memories of the other merman. He wouldn't even have recognized him if it weren't for Trowa having identified him yesterday. In fact, one of the only real things he remembered about Raberba was seeing him just before he disappeared. The events of that day had been seared into his mind.
"It amazes me, milord, that both you and my son's betrothed bear a striking resemblance to each other," an older gentleman remarked.
Startled, Duo glanced at him.
"Yes, indeed it is," Heero answered cordially. "Vanyel and I are truly fortunate to have such good-looking people with us."
Duo turned to Heero, but his eyes were fixed on Raberba. He turned to look at Raberba and noticed that the other boy was staring at Heero, looking flustered and upset.
"A toast," the king called, interrupting the silent exchange. "To Quatre and Duo for gracing us tonight with their presence and reminding us what life is all about."
"Quatre and Duo." All the others at the table lifted their glasses toward the two men and then drank. Duo imitated the gesture and he and Raberba – they must call him Quatre – toasted each other.
For a long minute the two stared at each other. Does he know me? Duo wondered. Does he even know himself? The man beside Raberba said something and he turned to him.
Duo turned his attention back to Heero, who was now extolling the virtues of something called "peacock." He spent the rest of dinner listening to him comment on things and trying to communicate in turn. By the time dinner had ended, he was exhausted.
Heero walked him back to his room at the end of dinner and gave him another passionate kiss before taking his leave. He felt his smile widen as he entered his room. Despite his weakness, Heero could still make his blood boil. After the euphoria he always felt around Heero, he felt his eyelids grow heavier.
Hilde was there waiting for him and helped him change into clothes appropriate to sleep in. She helped him unravel his braid and brushed it till it shone with a light gleam, cascading down his back. Duo then crawled into the bed, and Hilde covered him over with fluffy blankets before blowing out the candle next to the bed and exiting the room with her own candle in hand. No sooner had Hilde's candle disappeared than Duo was asleep.
Duo sat bolt upright, screaming a silent scream into the darkness. There was something desperately wrong with Trowa, he could feel it more strongly than he had ever felt anything. He threw back his covers and hurried out of bed. The stone floor was cold against his feet, and he shivered.
He left his room and padded down the hallway. He wasn't sure where he was going, but the overwhelming need to go somewhere consumed him. Because it was late and everyone should be asleep, he walked as quietly as he could so he wouldn't disturb anyone.
As he moved down another corridor he heard muffled voices, proof that someone other than he was awake. He kept walking.
" – kill the king."
He stopped in his tracks, his heart beginning to pound. Had he heard correctly?
A second voice, older than the first, said, "Everything is in place, but we must tread carefully. I believe Heero is suspicious."
The younger man chuckled. "Heero is too taken with the boy to think about anything else. Lucky for us he just came along."
"Yes, lucky," the older man answered, sounding thoughtful. "We'd best rest now. We have much to do in the morning."
The sound of heavy boots on the floor sent Duo scurrying back down the corridor and around a corner. The owner of the boots must have gone down the corridor in the opposite direction, for the sound began to recede.
Duo peeked around the corner and saw a man's retreating back. He waited a moment before beginning to follow him. He held his breath as he dashed past the door to the room where he had been talking with the other man.
After a couple more turns in the corridor, the man paused on top of a narrow, twisting flight of stairs. He glanced toward it as though debating whether he wanted to go down it. The shook his head and walked on.
The hairs on the back of Duo's neck lifted, and once the man was out of sight he hurried down the stairs. They swirled deeper into the darkness, lit only by the torches placed at intervals. At last they opened into a long, narrow hall lined on both sides by cages.
He shuddered. He had seen cages before, lying at the bottom of the ocean among wreckages of ships. He had once seen a whole group of lobsters in one, their lifeless bodies a grim testament to the methods of man.
He slowly walked down the hall. The cages on either side of him were empty. At the far end, though, he thought he caught a glimmer of movement, a flash of something white.
He reached the last cage and saw a man standing inside. He turned his head slowly toward him. Trowa! He lunged forward, reaching through the bars to touch him. What is he doing here? he wondered, taking in his human form.
"Duo?" he asked.
He opened his mouth to tell his brother it was he, but no sound would come out. He nodded fiercely instead.
"Duo, is that really you? These hands feel like yours," he said, carefully feeling them with his fingertips.
Confused, Duo stared at him. How can he not recognize me?
"The Witch took my sight. I can't see you. Speak to me, please," he begged.
Duo ached at his brother's imploring tone. His skin was pale, almost glowing in the darkness around him. It made the bruises around his left eye stand out all the more, dark and ugly.
He felt himself start shaking in frustration. Trowa should have known that the Witch's magic would come with a price for him as well. Duo lifted one of his hands and placed a finger across his brother's lips.
"Do we need to be quiet?" he whispered.
Duo took both his hands and placed one on either side of Trowa's head. Gently, he shook his brother's head back and forth. Then he took his hand and guided it through the bars. His brother's hand was also bruised and there was blood beneath his fingernails. He took his brother's index finger and placed it against his own shoulder and then lifted it and laid it across his lips.
Understanding lit his face. "You can't speak?"
With his finger still across his own lips, Duo nodded his head.
"The Witch took your voice and my eyes?"
Again, Duo nodded.
"I understand."
Duo moved his brother's hand from his lips and held it between his. He moved both their hands to one of the bars, wrapped both their hands around it, and shook it hard.
"I haven't been able to find a way out," Trowa told him.
"I'm not even sure where I am or why I'm here. I was talking with Raberba on the beach. They call him Quatre here. He had to leave, and just a few moments later some men grabbed me. I don't know how many there were, or what they wanted. They just told me I was under arrest for crimes I had committed 'against His Majesty's subjects.' They hit me in the head, and the next thing I knew, I woke up here."
Duo's eyes began to fill with water and it startled him. He vainly suppressed the urge to seek vengeance for his brother's maltreatment. He knelt down slowly and touched Trowa's legs.
"I did it for you and Raberba. I had to see him, to try to bring him home. More importantly, though, I had to make sure you were safe."
More water started to form under his eyes and he tried to blink it away as he stood back up. He grasped both his brother's hands and methodically lifted seven of his fingers into the air. He left them alone for a moment, and then firmly pushed one of the seven down.
"Yes," Trowa answered softly. "I had seven days as well. Now, it seems, only six remain."
Duo drew his finger across his brother's throat.
"And then we die."
They stood for a moment, the silence stretching between them. At last, Trowa spoke. "Have you found the human you came here to be with?"
Duo grasped his head gently and nodded it.
"Does he care for you?"
He nodded his brother's head again.
Trowa breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. Now, if only I could find Quatre."
Duo pulled his brother's hand to touch his shoulder again and then moved his fingers to gently touch his eyes.
"You've seen him?"
Duo nodded.
"Where is he?"
Duo took his hands, spread them slightly, and then waved them toward the ground.
"You mean he's here?" Trowa asked, a hint of excitement in his deep voice.
Duo moved his brother's hands back to his head and nodded.
"Please bring him to see me."
Duo wanted to tell him that he would try, that he would do his best, but he was at a loss as to how to express it. So, he grasped his brother's hands and squeezed them, praying that he would understand.
"You should go now," Trowa told him. "I don't think it would be good for them to find you here."
He was right, although Duo wished he wasn't. He gave his brother's hands a final squeeze before dropping them and moving away reluctantly. He couldn't bear to see him caged, and his heart ached for him. The best thing he could do for him, though, was find a way to communicate with Quatre.
He turned and left, moving stealthily back up the stairs, stopping every so often to listen for the sounds of anyone approaching. There was nothing, though. When he reached the top of the stairs he felt a little more at ease, but he still raced through the corridors until he made his way back to his own room.
Once inside he collapsed on his bed in relief. His hours of life were slipping away; he could feel them going one by one, leading him closer to death. Now he held Trowa's fate in his hands as well, and his brother's life was slipping through his fingers. He had to find a way to communicate with Quatre. If Quatre and Heero did not agree to bond with them, then he and Trowa were dead.
He fell asleep and dreamed of the lobster cages by the wreckage of the boat. Only instead of the decaying bodies of lobsters, it contained the bodies of himself and Trowa.
TBC
Author's Notes:
Some of you may realize that I used a few terms here from the Wheel of Time novels. This serves as a disclaimer. Whee.
Is it just me or does Duo do nothing but smile here?
I hope I didn't make it too cruel for Trowa. I should be punished! Waaah! Poor Trowa!
Oh,and I know that Quatre and Duo look exactly alike. Just go with me on this one, 'kay? Please?
Replies to Reviews (Part 6): Chocolate chip cookes for everyone!
Yume no Anime … I really DO have to worry about vengeful fans now, ne? I took too darned long with this chapter. GOMEN NASAI! I pity Trowa in this chapter, and I have more cruel things scheduled for him, so ready yourself for that. Rest assured that it's essential for the plot (I have a demented mind) and Trowa and Quatre would live Happily Ever After in the end. I hope. Hai, everyone should love Quatre! Everyone should bow down and worship the ground Quatre hasn't even walked on yet! Wai! Oh, Quatre's POV is next chapter so we'll see 'bout that. (prepares weapons for herself to use along with the guys) Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Hikaru Um, Heero actually believed Duo. Wow. OOC, ne? I'm so sorry; if I detailed more on their feelings for each other, or if I made Heero as cold as he really is, well, that's a lot more work for me (dodges various pointy things thrown at her). Wow, you're good! You actually guessed what Duo lost! Bravo! (shakes hands vigorously) Um, I hope I satisfy you even a little bit with the 1x2 here. (hides under convenient… study table) Ehehehe, thanks for the review! (huggles)
GundamPilot03 Ehehehe, I would really like to write an angsty fic, but all I ever come up with are waff. (bawls) Vanyel is a creep? Why? He's not! He's just… conniving, cruel, nasty, and a bit suspicious, but he's not a creep! (watch me drown in a puddle of sarcasm) Nyahaha, everyone hates Vanyel , ne? stupid bastard. Oh well, here's the 1x2 chapter I kept on hinting at. Hope it was better than I thought it to be (since my opinion if it is… not nice) Hai, poor Quatre, no choice but to follow as he is bid. He'll grow a backbone soon enough, don't worry. Ne, ne, hope you don't get diabetes from all the sweets I keep on giving you (contemplates whether to give GP03 a carrot to munch on). Whee! You started the merman Trowa pic! I'll worship you 'till you grow tired of me and dump me in a convenient sewer! Wai! Bad thing is, my friend kinda lost her inspiration to draw merman Duo since she's too hung up with her boyfriend (gags). Don't worry, Vanyel is going to get what he deserves in a most unexpected way (meaning I haven't thought of it yet…) Thanks for the review! (huggles)
No one Ehehehe, yup, I don't like sweets too. Would a plushie of your favorite Gundam Wing pilot suffice? 'Nyways, I hope this story still has your attention since I'm having trouble with the fic (meaning I'm running out of ideas). I've horribly mangled the pilots' personalities in this story that I'm afraid of getting mobbed by a rabid group of fangirls. (pictures the inevitable and shudders) Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Ultra Rodimus Nyahaha, hope you enjoy the cookie… again. Poor Trowa indeed! Quatre would someday realize who he is, when I work out how it would be, that is. I don't have a mild case of writer's block. I have a gaping, gargantuan case of that darned disease. The lack of brain cells doesn't seem to help either. Oh, your questions are gonna be answered soon enough. Hopefully. Hehe. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Fairren Waaaah! I hope you still wuvs me after not updating for so long! Nyahaha, poor Quatre. We'll tune back to his POV next chapter so there's more "Quatre angst" for you! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for the review! (huggles)
Amy Hirosaki Wow, you're from the Netherland? Cool! Thanks SO much for thinking this fic is cool! (and don't worry, English isn't my first language too) Hehe, so many compliments, it humbles me. I'm really sorry for taking too long in updating, but it couldn't be helped. Duty beckons (actually, it drew me away from my precious PC with me screeching and clawing at any stable object all the way). Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Arayelle Lynn Waaah! Love triangle! Waaah! I have a sneaking suspicion that you now have an idea who the "best man" for Quatre is. Nyaha, oh, and Heero found his love. Too quickly even for my tastes, but that's the way the story wrote itself (passes the blame). Hehe, thanks for the review! (huggles)
armygundamgirl Wow, you have a very interesting occupation. Yeah, I'm a wicked person to jeopardize the love of Trowa and Quatre, and I have this feeling that you're gonna hate me for doing what I did to Trowa in this chapter. (cowers in fear under… chair) It's all for the good of the plot though, so I apologize in advance for what I'm about to do in the succeeding chapters. I'll get Trowa and Quatre together, somehow. I hope. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Lost-Remembrance Wai! You really think it's good? Wow. Thanks! I apologize for taking too long in updating, and I hope my reason is valid enough for you. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Shadow fat … (gets overwhelmed with Shadow fat's enthusiasm) Ehehehe, thanks! Though I have this feeling that you're gonna change your mind upon reading this chapter. The GW boys as mermaids (or mermen, let's just use that to avoid confusion, ne?) is a cool concept, and I've been thinking about it since last year. Hai, I knew about how mermaids and mermen looked like. I think I mentioned something about it in the prologue. Oh, don't worry, I don't like how Hans Christian Andersen's tale ended too, it was too, well, unfulfilling. It is my favorite fairy tale though. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Nerb Their "reunion" was quick and frustrating, I know. Gomen! Duo found Heero awful quick too, nyahaha! Wait… Ursula? … (snickers uncontrollably) 'Tis ok, at least you appreciate the story. It's enough for me. Aw, sorry for taking too long with this fic! I mentioned somewhere that I'd update at least once a week and I broke that last week! Waaah! I'm never going to another seminar again! (especially in tiring, boring ones) Eek, cure yourself of your Relena fetish! (snickers) Ehehe, I know how you feel! I once brought a 1x2 pic in school where the two are in a very compromising position (they were kissing!) underwater. The girls thought it was cute, my friends (a.k.a. yaoi fangirls) went rabid, and the guys, well, they had no comments. Um, I didn't help, did I? Sorry! Good luck with the scanning of that pic! (starts drooling at the mere thought of Wufei in a – French – maid's uniform) Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Niaka1 Nyahaha! There should be an antagonist in every story so Duke Dermail rears his ugly head in this fic. Hmm…now how could Trowa help Quatre escape from the evil clutches of Lord Vanyel? … (tries to vainly wrack brain, but no ideas come forth… yet) Hehe, guess you have to wait a bit more, ne? I'm really sorry for taking too long with this chapter! I just finished writing it this morning and I hope there aren't too many mistakes. 'Nyways, thanks for the review! (huggles)
joyce It gets more and more exciting , you say? Hehe, I'm glad that your suspicions aren't fulfilled. It means that what I write are unexpected. I have a weird mind. Wai! Trowa is god! (drools) Err, I mean, yeah, Trowa is one smooth hunk! I'm almost too envious of Quatre. Oh well. I hope your heart's in one piece now for another clawing next chapter! (snickers) Wait, I actually wrote angst! Whee! (dies of happiness) Oh, questions would be answered in subsequent chapters (meaning I won't give spoilers anymore). Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Shin-chan Waaaah! Gomen nasai! Hontou ni gomen nasai! I'm so sorry for doing that to Trowa and Duo! .. Wait… I blame it all on the Sea Witch! It's her fault! hers alone! Really. Watch me practice my innocent eyes. Iyaaaa! I could never do something harsh with Duo's hair! (although I have to admit that it was an option) What he lost was more fitting, ne? Yeah, I wonder how Heero recognized him… maybe from his amazing kiss? (starts to nosebleed) Gah, I'm SO sorry for taking too darned long with this. I'm now going to start writing chapter 8 (once I finish eating breakfast, that is) and I'm getting it out as soon as I could manage. Thanks for the review! (huggles)
Pandora-chan Hai, poor strangely-talkative Trowa indeed! I was a bit anxious about that part since it was making him too OOC even for me, but I figured that since that's the only way he could win Quatre's heart, ah what the heck, then he could be as talkative as he could. Did that make sense? Gah. Oh, I hate people who do not update for SO long too! I have a favorite fic that hasn't been updated since 2003! Waaah! I think the author of that fic is dead. Or comatose. Don't worry though 'cause I don't do that. Since it's my summer break, I have loads of time to write fics (provided that I'm in the right state of mind and I have no seminars to attend to, that is). Hehe, your questions are answered in this fic. And I couldn't possibly even touch Duo's braid! Heero might "Omae wo korosu!" me. Um, that didn't make sense. Okay, before I bore you to tears, let me say thanks for the review! (huggles)
And now if you would excuse me, my neopet is dying.
