Chapter 2
As soon as Duo began to stir Heero got up from the computer and leaned out the door, calling to the others that Duo was waking up. As he moved to take his seat again, Duo suddenly gasped. Heero went to the braided pilot and placed his hand on his forehead. He was hot and sweating and breathing in labored breaths. Whatever dream he was having must be terrible to have this kind of effect on Duo. Heero placed a damp cloth on Duo's forehead to try and cool him down; it had little effect.
Quatre and Trowa arrived, followed by Wufei. They moved to Duo's side and looked down at him, noticing his condition.
"Will he be alright?" Quatre asked, placing his hand on Duo's shaking arm.
"He seems to be fine, physically, but whatever he's dreaming about has him upset," Heero replied.
"Why doesn't he just wake up then?" Quatre all but whined.
"Maybe he can't..." Trowa suggested with a shrug of his shoulders. "We'll take over watching him from here, Heero. You should eat."
"Hn," was Heero's short reply. He hesitantly nodded to both pilots and headed out of the room to get something to eat. He was half way down the hall when he heard Quatre call out to him. He ran back to the room and found the others struggling to hold a thrashing Duo on the medical bed. Trowa and Quatre were holding his arms while Wufei had his legs pinned down. Heero pushed Quatre out of the way and held down Duo's flailing arm.
"Quatre, get a sedative now!" He shouted at the little blond.
Quatre didn't need to be told twice. He rummaged through cabinets and draws looking for the correct needle and dosage to use.
Meanwhile, Duo's struggling became more violent. He had even managed to free his foot a few times and kick Wufei in the nose. And he kept screaming. The only words the others could make out were their names. He seemed to be calling for their help. Quatre ran back over to Heero with the needle in hand. Heero rolled up Duo's sleeve and kept Duo from moving as much as possible. As Quatre neared Duo's arm, without warning, Duo bucked up off the bed and held that position until he collapsed a few seconds later, unmoving. As quickly as the struggle had started, it had ended. Duo just lied there, not even breathing hard like the four other gundam boys were.
After a minute or two they slowly let go of Duo's limbs and stared at his motionless body. Heero leaned over and took Duo's pulse and confirmed he was still alive. A few more minutes passed as the boys let what just happened sink in.
"What the hell just happened here?" Wufei shouted, rubbing his bruised and battered nose.
"I haven't got the slightest idea," Trowa said, his visible green eye wide in shock.
Heero, as usual, kept his opinions to himself. That was until his looked over Duo's body and noticed several deep cut on his wrists and they were bleeding pretty badly.
"Shit Quatre! I thought you said he had no injuries," Heero growled out, retrieving some bandages.
"He didn't! Even the doctor said so!" Quatre whined as he also noticed Duo's wrists, along with the others.
"Well as you can see, he is hurt." Heero began to wrap Duo's wrists a little to roughly due to his rage.
"Ow man... not so rough..." came a low moan.
They all paused and looked at Duo just in time to see his eyes flutter open.
"Duo! We're so glad you're awake," Quatre caroled as he bent to hug him.
"No Quatre... don't." Duo said holding his hand not being wrapped in front of him, fending off the affectionate Arab. Quatre looked hurt and confused. "Aw no offense Q-man. It's just that I'm sore, that's all," he explained allowing Heero to wrap his other wrist.
"Duo..." Trowa started, "Are you ok now?"
"Um... yeah, why do you ask?" Duo responded, looking a little guilty.
"Well a few seconds ago you kinda..." Trowa paused looking for the right words.
"Flipped out," Wufei suggested.
"Uh, yeah and we were just worried about you," Quatre finished.
Duo looked at each of them debating whether to tell them the truth or not. He couldn't. If they knew what was about to happen it would endanger their lives even more. Plus they would look at him like he was cracked.
"Oh, that was just a dream... a nightmare."
"Was that all?" Heero questioned, peering at Duo with his steely blue cobalt eyes. "You were calling out our names... like you needed our help."
Duo whipped his head around to look at Heero, eyes wide. Had he really screamed out their names? //I wonder what else I said, // he thought, fear bubbling in his gut. "I'm positive. Nothing more than a terrible nightmare." //You can't know anymore than that... I can't tell any of you until I can protect you all. // Duo thought, looking down at his hands.
The answer seemed to satisfy the other pilots but Heero wasn't convinced. He still had a feeling that there was more to Duo's condition than he was telling them, and he was determined to find out. If something was wrong with Duo he had to know, he lo... liked the American.
"But! That's all behind us now, how my precious Deathscythe?" Duo asked cheerfully changing the subject.
Quatre chuckled. "It's fine, a little banged up but nothing the technicians can't fix in a week."
"Great! Well if you all will excuse me, Shinigami needs his rest in his own bed." With that Duo leapt off the sick bed and promptly collapsed on the floor. Heero and Trowa scrambled to help him up while Quatre almost had a panic attack.
"Oh my! Duo, are you alright? I think you should stay here until you're better," the little Arab said.
"No, no. I'm fine, just weak in the knees," Duo groaned taking his arm from Trowa. He tried to do the same to Heero, but Heero kept a good grip on Duo's arm.
"Baka. You obviously need assistance," Heero said supporting Duo to his room.
"Yeah, I know," Duo mumbled.
The two made their way down the long hall and up the stairs to the bedroom, leaving the others downstairs alone. Once in Duo's room, Heero set him down on the bed and took a seat in the chair across from him. They two sat like that in silence for a good five minutes before Duo broke the silence.
"Look Heero, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong. I don't need to be baby-sat."
"I know," Heero replied.
"..."
"..."
"Then why are you still here?"
Heero pointed to Duo's wrists. "You weren't hurt. Now you are. I'm concerned."
Duo blinked and looked down at his wrists. The bandages were red but you could tell the bleeding had stopped. How could he explain what had occurred in his mind effected him in the real world? And even more importantly, how could he explain that the wounds would be gone tomorrow as if nothing had happened?
"Well you guys did say I kinda went crazy for a minute, maybe you were holding them tighter than you thought," Duo tried to reason.
Heero shook his head, never taking his eyes off Duo's. "Not possible, Trowa and I know how to control our strength so not to hurt anyone."
"Ok... that may be true but sometimes you don't know your own strength. And besides I'm fine. There's nothing to..." Duo cut himself off and blinked a few times. Without moving his head, he glanced down at his wrists watching the blood seep away from the bandage, most likely, back into his body. When his eyes widened, Heero noticed.
"What's wrong?" Heero asked peering down at Duo's wrists.
//He almost sounds like he cares... almost, // Duo thought. "Nothing. Just felt a little tired." It wasn't a total lie. He was tired and very sore, but not all of it was from his injuries during the day's battle.
"Oh. Well then I guess I will let you rest. If you aren't in top shape you are a threat to the success of a mission." Heero hated how cold-hearted that sounded but he had to make sure Duo rested, if not for himself, at least for the mission.
"Fuck the mission..." Duo mumbled under his breath against his will. His hands rose up the clamp his mouth shut before something else came out. //Damn Kek! He got passed my defenses already. I have to be more careful, // Duo thought growling internally.
Heero blinked. Did he hear right? Did Duo just say he didn't care about their mission? About what they were fighting for? No. Duo wouldn't say something like that. He, of all people, understood this war. "What did you say?"
"I said.... I'm in bad condition. I really need to get to sleep," Duo said a little too quickly. He then stood up and stretched with an over-exaggerated yawn. "I'm turning in for the night. So you better leave so I can get my beauty sleep."
//You don't need it, // Heero thought as he stood up also. He walked toward the door, the young American being a little too eager to get him out. Once in the hall he turned to face Duo. "Good night," he said watching for Duo's reaction.
"Night!" Duo said too cheerfully and closed the door in Heero's face. Now Heero was sure of it. Duo was hiding something from him and the others. It hurt. Duo couldn't even tell Heero, his best friend, what was wrong. Heero took one long look at Duo's door and made his way down the hall to his room.
Duo had his ear pressed to the back of the door, waiting for Heero to leave. He knew he acted a bit suspicious but he had to get Heero to leave him alone. Kek had already caught him with his guard down. He couldn't let it happen again, especially if one of the others were around.
Bravo! What an actor! cheered an unwanted voice in Duo's head.
"Why are you here? It's been several years since our last battle, why must you come now?" Duo whispered, knowing Kek could still hear him.
Two reasons really. One, I'd still be sleeping if it wasn't for that wonderful attack Ozhit you with. And two, you're true day of birth is approaching and so is your death from this life.
Duo gasped. "No. That can't be right, it can't be my time yet! I have to help win this war."
Tough. But I've decided not to end your time in this life.
"What do you mean?"
I like it here. All this death, destruction, and suffering due to war is exactly what I need. So after you lose I will take control of your body.
"Like hell you will!" Duo almost screamed but toned his voice down before it could be heard through out the house. With that he stood up and moved to the mirror on his dresser. He saw his reflection with red eyes.
Kek looked back at him and smirked. Just think of it. Your soul finally will be at rest while I mess with your friends' minds a little, maybe even kill them.
Duo growled loudly at the vile reflection of the evil within his mind.
Aw. Did I upset you? So sorry. Kek smirk widened into a sly grin. You know I'll have to get rid of them eventually. Maybe that Wufei will be the first to go.
"Shut up," Duo growled again.
Or... maybe Quatre and Trowa would like to be first. They could die together. Very romantic, ne?
"Shut up!" Duo said with more force behind it. His hand began to twitch and glow: a violet color surrounding it.
Or... Kek paused for effect. ...Maybe Heero.
"SHUT UP!" Duo yelled at the mirror and drew his arm back and punched the glass, his glowing hand causing a flash of light as the glass exploded across the room. The shattered glass cut his fist and some pieces flew and cut his face, but he didn't care. He could hear Kek's wicked laughter echo in his mind. Ignoring the mess and his bloody hand Duo grabbed the sides of his head trying to drown out the horrible sound. He tumbled back on his bed, hands still at the sides of his head and fell into a fitful sleep.
*~*~*
Elsewhere in the mountains surrounding the gundam pilots' safe house a figure sat perched high in a tree with a perfect view of the house. The figure lifted his head the very moment a flash blinked from one of the rooms.
"It's time," he said opening his emerald green eyes and grabbing his long black trench coat. He gracefully leapt down from the tree, putting on the coat in one smooth movement and made his way casually down a path toward the safe house.
*~*~*
As soon as Duo began to stir Heero got up from the computer and leaned out the door, calling to the others that Duo was waking up. As he moved to take his seat again, Duo suddenly gasped. Heero went to the braided pilot and placed his hand on his forehead. He was hot and sweating and breathing in labored breaths. Whatever dream he was having must be terrible to have this kind of effect on Duo. Heero placed a damp cloth on Duo's forehead to try and cool him down; it had little effect.
Quatre and Trowa arrived, followed by Wufei. They moved to Duo's side and looked down at him, noticing his condition.
"Will he be alright?" Quatre asked, placing his hand on Duo's shaking arm.
"He seems to be fine, physically, but whatever he's dreaming about has him upset," Heero replied.
"Why doesn't he just wake up then?" Quatre all but whined.
"Maybe he can't..." Trowa suggested with a shrug of his shoulders. "We'll take over watching him from here, Heero. You should eat."
"Hn," was Heero's short reply. He hesitantly nodded to both pilots and headed out of the room to get something to eat. He was half way down the hall when he heard Quatre call out to him. He ran back to the room and found the others struggling to hold a thrashing Duo on the medical bed. Trowa and Quatre were holding his arms while Wufei had his legs pinned down. Heero pushed Quatre out of the way and held down Duo's flailing arm.
"Quatre, get a sedative now!" He shouted at the little blond.
Quatre didn't need to be told twice. He rummaged through cabinets and draws looking for the correct needle and dosage to use.
Meanwhile, Duo's struggling became more violent. He had even managed to free his foot a few times and kick Wufei in the nose. And he kept screaming. The only words the others could make out were their names. He seemed to be calling for their help. Quatre ran back over to Heero with the needle in hand. Heero rolled up Duo's sleeve and kept Duo from moving as much as possible. As Quatre neared Duo's arm, without warning, Duo bucked up off the bed and held that position until he collapsed a few seconds later, unmoving. As quickly as the struggle had started, it had ended. Duo just lied there, not even breathing hard like the four other gundam boys were.
After a minute or two they slowly let go of Duo's limbs and stared at his motionless body. Heero leaned over and took Duo's pulse and confirmed he was still alive. A few more minutes passed as the boys let what just happened sink in.
"What the hell just happened here?" Wufei shouted, rubbing his bruised and battered nose.
"I haven't got the slightest idea," Trowa said, his visible green eye wide in shock.
Heero, as usual, kept his opinions to himself. That was until his looked over Duo's body and noticed several deep cut on his wrists and they were bleeding pretty badly.
"Shit Quatre! I thought you said he had no injuries," Heero growled out, retrieving some bandages.
"He didn't! Even the doctor said so!" Quatre whined as he also noticed Duo's wrists, along with the others.
"Well as you can see, he is hurt." Heero began to wrap Duo's wrists a little to roughly due to his rage.
"Ow man... not so rough..." came a low moan.
They all paused and looked at Duo just in time to see his eyes flutter open.
"Duo! We're so glad you're awake," Quatre caroled as he bent to hug him.
"No Quatre... don't." Duo said holding his hand not being wrapped in front of him, fending off the affectionate Arab. Quatre looked hurt and confused. "Aw no offense Q-man. It's just that I'm sore, that's all," he explained allowing Heero to wrap his other wrist.
"Duo..." Trowa started, "Are you ok now?"
"Um... yeah, why do you ask?" Duo responded, looking a little guilty.
"Well a few seconds ago you kinda..." Trowa paused looking for the right words.
"Flipped out," Wufei suggested.
"Uh, yeah and we were just worried about you," Quatre finished.
Duo looked at each of them debating whether to tell them the truth or not. He couldn't. If they knew what was about to happen it would endanger their lives even more. Plus they would look at him like he was cracked.
"Oh, that was just a dream... a nightmare."
"Was that all?" Heero questioned, peering at Duo with his steely blue cobalt eyes. "You were calling out our names... like you needed our help."
Duo whipped his head around to look at Heero, eyes wide. Had he really screamed out their names? //I wonder what else I said, // he thought, fear bubbling in his gut. "I'm positive. Nothing more than a terrible nightmare." //You can't know anymore than that... I can't tell any of you until I can protect you all. // Duo thought, looking down at his hands.
The answer seemed to satisfy the other pilots but Heero wasn't convinced. He still had a feeling that there was more to Duo's condition than he was telling them, and he was determined to find out. If something was wrong with Duo he had to know, he lo... liked the American.
"But! That's all behind us now, how my precious Deathscythe?" Duo asked cheerfully changing the subject.
Quatre chuckled. "It's fine, a little banged up but nothing the technicians can't fix in a week."
"Great! Well if you all will excuse me, Shinigami needs his rest in his own bed." With that Duo leapt off the sick bed and promptly collapsed on the floor. Heero and Trowa scrambled to help him up while Quatre almost had a panic attack.
"Oh my! Duo, are you alright? I think you should stay here until you're better," the little Arab said.
"No, no. I'm fine, just weak in the knees," Duo groaned taking his arm from Trowa. He tried to do the same to Heero, but Heero kept a good grip on Duo's arm.
"Baka. You obviously need assistance," Heero said supporting Duo to his room.
"Yeah, I know," Duo mumbled.
The two made their way down the long hall and up the stairs to the bedroom, leaving the others downstairs alone. Once in Duo's room, Heero set him down on the bed and took a seat in the chair across from him. They two sat like that in silence for a good five minutes before Duo broke the silence.
"Look Heero, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong. I don't need to be baby-sat."
"I know," Heero replied.
"..."
"..."
"Then why are you still here?"
Heero pointed to Duo's wrists. "You weren't hurt. Now you are. I'm concerned."
Duo blinked and looked down at his wrists. The bandages were red but you could tell the bleeding had stopped. How could he explain what had occurred in his mind effected him in the real world? And even more importantly, how could he explain that the wounds would be gone tomorrow as if nothing had happened?
"Well you guys did say I kinda went crazy for a minute, maybe you were holding them tighter than you thought," Duo tried to reason.
Heero shook his head, never taking his eyes off Duo's. "Not possible, Trowa and I know how to control our strength so not to hurt anyone."
"Ok... that may be true but sometimes you don't know your own strength. And besides I'm fine. There's nothing to..." Duo cut himself off and blinked a few times. Without moving his head, he glanced down at his wrists watching the blood seep away from the bandage, most likely, back into his body. When his eyes widened, Heero noticed.
"What's wrong?" Heero asked peering down at Duo's wrists.
//He almost sounds like he cares... almost, // Duo thought. "Nothing. Just felt a little tired." It wasn't a total lie. He was tired and very sore, but not all of it was from his injuries during the day's battle.
"Oh. Well then I guess I will let you rest. If you aren't in top shape you are a threat to the success of a mission." Heero hated how cold-hearted that sounded but he had to make sure Duo rested, if not for himself, at least for the mission.
"Fuck the mission..." Duo mumbled under his breath against his will. His hands rose up the clamp his mouth shut before something else came out. //Damn Kek! He got passed my defenses already. I have to be more careful, // Duo thought growling internally.
Heero blinked. Did he hear right? Did Duo just say he didn't care about their mission? About what they were fighting for? No. Duo wouldn't say something like that. He, of all people, understood this war. "What did you say?"
"I said.... I'm in bad condition. I really need to get to sleep," Duo said a little too quickly. He then stood up and stretched with an over-exaggerated yawn. "I'm turning in for the night. So you better leave so I can get my beauty sleep."
//You don't need it, // Heero thought as he stood up also. He walked toward the door, the young American being a little too eager to get him out. Once in the hall he turned to face Duo. "Good night," he said watching for Duo's reaction.
"Night!" Duo said too cheerfully and closed the door in Heero's face. Now Heero was sure of it. Duo was hiding something from him and the others. It hurt. Duo couldn't even tell Heero, his best friend, what was wrong. Heero took one long look at Duo's door and made his way down the hall to his room.
Duo had his ear pressed to the back of the door, waiting for Heero to leave. He knew he acted a bit suspicious but he had to get Heero to leave him alone. Kek had already caught him with his guard down. He couldn't let it happen again, especially if one of the others were around.
Bravo! What an actor! cheered an unwanted voice in Duo's head.
"Why are you here? It's been several years since our last battle, why must you come now?" Duo whispered, knowing Kek could still hear him.
Two reasons really. One, I'd still be sleeping if it wasn't for that wonderful attack Ozhit you with. And two, you're true day of birth is approaching and so is your death from this life.
Duo gasped. "No. That can't be right, it can't be my time yet! I have to help win this war."
Tough. But I've decided not to end your time in this life.
"What do you mean?"
I like it here. All this death, destruction, and suffering due to war is exactly what I need. So after you lose I will take control of your body.
"Like hell you will!" Duo almost screamed but toned his voice down before it could be heard through out the house. With that he stood up and moved to the mirror on his dresser. He saw his reflection with red eyes.
Kek looked back at him and smirked. Just think of it. Your soul finally will be at rest while I mess with your friends' minds a little, maybe even kill them.
Duo growled loudly at the vile reflection of the evil within his mind.
Aw. Did I upset you? So sorry. Kek smirk widened into a sly grin. You know I'll have to get rid of them eventually. Maybe that Wufei will be the first to go.
"Shut up," Duo growled again.
Or... maybe Quatre and Trowa would like to be first. They could die together. Very romantic, ne?
"Shut up!" Duo said with more force behind it. His hand began to twitch and glow: a violet color surrounding it.
Or... Kek paused for effect. ...Maybe Heero.
"SHUT UP!" Duo yelled at the mirror and drew his arm back and punched the glass, his glowing hand causing a flash of light as the glass exploded across the room. The shattered glass cut his fist and some pieces flew and cut his face, but he didn't care. He could hear Kek's wicked laughter echo in his mind. Ignoring the mess and his bloody hand Duo grabbed the sides of his head trying to drown out the horrible sound. He tumbled back on his bed, hands still at the sides of his head and fell into a fitful sleep.
*~*~*
Elsewhere in the mountains surrounding the gundam pilots' safe house a figure sat perched high in a tree with a perfect view of the house. The figure lifted his head the very moment a flash blinked from one of the rooms.
"It's time," he said opening his emerald green eyes and grabbing his long black trench coat. He gracefully leapt down from the tree, putting on the coat in one smooth movement and made his way casually down a path toward the safe house.
*~*~*