Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little torture.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (because I suck at yaoi) , major A.U, some OOC I think, mpreg (mentioned, implied, so on)

Reflections of the Past

Part 7

"No!" Duo said flatly, carrying his son, currently in panther cub form, in his arms, idly stroking the soft fluffy fur. Odin, feeling playful, was trying to catch hold of his mother's golden brown braid, while Duo flipped the long length over his shoulder and out of the cub's batting paws.

"It only makes sense," Heero reasoned.

"You want me to ride that, when I can run?" Duo eyed the large stallion with distaste as the horse tossed his head in insult at the tone of the Healer's voice. "I'm sorry, I only ride wolves."

Heero flamed when he realised that his entire team of warriors had caught the implication, if the snorts that were hastily stifled laughter were any indication. "You are not well enough to run and carry Odin at the same time." He bulled through the rather embarrassing moment, hoping that it would blow over. Normally, he would berate Duo for running off at the mouth, but now he was ever careful of his mate's overflowing emotions.

"Yes, I can," Duo raised his voice over the complaints of the cub at being divested of his toy. In frustration, Duo grabbed Odin's muzzle. "Enough little one," he growled in warning and, surprisingly, Odin clammed up.

Heero studied the stubborn set of his mate's jaw carefully and motioned for Brinan to come over. The young warrior took Odin from Duo, carrying him to where the others were waiting impatiently for Duo to make up his mind. The tribe chief led his mate to a little spot, away from the main group and their prying eyes.

Duo was eyeing his mate with suspicion, recognising the look in Heero's cobalt blue eyes. It was a rather familiar one that his mate used countless times to break down his defences and with alarming success. He hated that look and was annoyed at the thrill of excitement burning in the pit of his stomach, something he was quite sure was not nausea.

"What do you want?" Duo crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Heero smiled seductively, leaning in close, backing Duo up against a tree. He planted his hands on either side of Duo's head, capturing the soft lips in a kiss. A pink tongue darted out, tracing Duo's lips before pulling away. He stifled a smile as Duo moaned softly his arms coming around to clasp Heero's neck, bringing him closer. He pressed their lips together, deepening the teasing kiss Heero had given him earlier. Heero knew he had won and his mate would acquiesce to his decisions. For a while, he forgot his decision as he could only concentrate on the hot, moist mouth of his mate and the throbbing desire between his loins. Finally, he pushed Duo gently away.

"You asshole," Duo mumbled, amethyst eyes glazed with longing, his breath coming in ragged pants.

Heero smiled, his own breathing in about the same condition as Duo's. "I know, heartfire. You know all I want is the best for you." His hand curled behind the curve of Duo's neck, touching their foreheads together.

Duo's arms crossed in front of him again, a shield against Heero's charm. Not a very good shield, but it was worth a shot. "I won't ride him," he insisted. "I won't ride him like an invalid. I believe we have had this conversation once before, I'm pregnant not sick. And you don't know how odd it is for me to tell you I'm pregnant. So don't make this worse for the both of us. It is insulting and wholly embarrassing for me to be riding on one of your warriors. Do you know how weird that is for me? By the Ancient, I feel like I'm cheating on you or something, right in front of you. I don't want. . . . What?" He barked, noticing the amusement written all over Heero's features.

"You still can talk a mile a minute. Nope," Heero agreed. "You are definitely not sick, not when you can go so long without taking a breath like that. But," he tapped Duo's nose. "You are still going to ride something," he licked his lips suggestively, watching lust flare in violet orbs. "You shouldn't be Shifting like this." A weakened Shifter was not encouraged to Shift as it had been known for them to revert to their human form with some dangerous consequences. Humans can't live with the internal organs of an animal. Death usually occurred.

Unfortunately, Duo could be officially  classified as weakened. "Stop teasing me."

"Who says I'm teasing?" Heero laid a hand on Duo's chest. "Your choice, I'll let you ride me, if it means getting you off your feet."

"In front of all your warriors?" Duo teased lightly.

Heero sighed, once again plagued by Duo's quicksilver moods. This was going to be a long trip.

~*~

Duo was back to feeling guilty once again. The journey had been slowed in deference to his 'condition'. They all spoke of it like it was some sort of illness that needed to be treated with extreme caution. He was sick and tired of it. He had blown up countless times at all of them and still they led him around like a skittish animal. They had taken his temper flares in stride and with extreme tolerance. The journey had taken twice the time Duo remembered and at some level it had been welcome. Duo had tried the calming techniques Wufei had imparted to him with some success. At least he didn't explode into a quivery mass whenever he thought of his father, although there was still the element of anxiety that was still there. Thanks to Quatre, however, his nausea had been well under control and his stomach didn't threaten to turn itself inside out all the time now.

The trip had been made with relative peace and the small party had tried their best to skirt past most troubles but there was one event that they couldn't avoid. It had ended up quite bloody with injuries on both sides. Quatre had, of course, completed the Healing without much help needed from Duo, despite the other's offer of help. The long haired Shifter had been a little bitter when he was told to stay and babysit the children. Even then, Brinan and Corsair, more experienced warriors were left to protect them. Duo was now physically and emotionally tired and wishing that this trip was over.

"Feeling alright?" Wufei walked next to Duo, still atop the snowy white stallion the braided Healer had somehow managed to convince Heero to Shift into. The dark haired Shifter noticed Duo's change in breathing, which normally meant he was trying to stop a full blown panic attack.

Duo nodded with a smile, "All better now."

"You have nothing to worry about," Wufei stressed, still not completely convinced that his friend was alright.

"I know." Duo watched as Wufei returned to his family, tweaking Zechs' tail, while his cousin turned around and threatened to bite his mate's fingers off with a menacing growl.

*He likes to play with fire,* Heero observed.

*He is going to get something bitten off if isn't careful*

*We are getting closer, should we Shift back?*

Duo found himself having difficulty breathing again and forced calm into his being. *That would be a good idea* He slid off Heero's back and watched as the rest of them became the familiar forms he was used to.

Zechs came over, having given Anarian over to Wufei. Saying that he was excited was the least of it, he was practically buzzing. Duo reflected that it was warranted, since it had been almost three and a half years since his cousin has seen any of his family. Unfortunately for Duo, he didn't have the same compulsion, since the only family he would have missed had been with him for the past three years.

"We are going home, Duo!"

"Yes, I suppose you are," Duo said weakly.

Zechs' excitement dampened, realising the slight implication in that sentence. His chilly blue eyes studied his cousin with distress. He had forgotten that Duo never had thought of this as home. "Duo," he started but was cut off by the signature smile of Duo Maxwell that usually meant 'Get-the-hell-off-my-case'.

"I'm trying my best, Zechs. Just. . . . just don't push me anymore." Duo felt the familiar stirrings of panic a moment before strong arms enveloped him from behind. He was shocked at how sensitive Heero was of his moods, the hitch in his breathing that showed he was in distress, the sudden stiffening of his shoulders. Duo was glad when his cousin left them alone. "I'm sorry for being such a pain.  I wish I was stronger for you and our son."

Heero kissed Duo's shoulder. "That's why you are here, right? Because you are trying to be 'strong'. You are strong and don't let anyone let you think otherwise, and don't you think otherwise." On their own accord, his hands crept lower to cradle the small curve that had started to form on Duo's belly. He smiled remembering the rant that had gone on when Duo found himself losing his abdominal musculature. Quatre had calmly explained that it was normal to be bigger because there were two babies within him, instead of one. That had been a huge mistake when Duo had turned on Heero, yelling that it was his fault once again. Now he remembered what made him dread Duo's pregnancy the last time.

Apparently, everything was his fault. If it rained it was his fault. If a trouble cropped up that needed their assistance it was his fault. If an apple fell from a tree and landed on Duo's head, it would be his fault. Then Duo would turn all kittenish and snuggle up to Heero as if nothing had happened. In short, his mate was short circuiting his brain.

"Sorry about my moods," Duo turned in Heero's arms, pressing himself his mate.

Heero laughed. "It's fine."

"Sorry for being a pain."

"Stop apologising."

"Sor…" Duo smiled sheepishly.

Heero returned the smile, taking Duo's hand into his larger ones and resumed walking, trusting the excited Zechs to lead the way. His eyes searched automatically for his son and found him asleep in Brinan's arms. He shook his head in amusement and directed Duo's attention towards the charming picture his warrior made with his son.

"You're not suggesting we play matchmaker when our son is barely out of toddling stage are you?" Duo teased, enjoying the mottle colours Heero's face was turning dark at the thought of his son mating with anyone.

"I'm getting our son back," Heero murmured possessively and stalked over to the young warrior with death in his eyes.

Duo felt bad for Brinan, as Heero bore down on the two and plucked the sleeping Odin gently from the warrior's arms. He stalked back over to Duo and walked in embarrassed silence next to his mate, his back ramrod straight. He stole a glance at Duo, who was fighting a smile and finally confronted his mischievous mate.

"You did that on purpose." It wasn't a question.

"You look so sexy when you're in protective mode," Duo grinned unabashedly, leaning in for a kiss before exploding into laughter at the exasperation on Heero's expression.

The rest of them turned to stare at Duo, once more the teasing, joking, prank playing, all-round-pain-in-the-behind-Healer they were more familiar with. They exchanged relieved looks before continuing on their way.

As the day progressed, Duo couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The tension radiating from Heero told Duo his mate felt it too. They were almost in Treize's territory yet no one had made themselves known. Normally, posted sentries would have given out a call of warning and before long they would have been accosted by warriors asking their intentions. Even if the party was recognised as a peaceful one, with Zechs and Duo in their party, it was an open invitation for a reunion.

"What's the Forest telling you?" Duo asked Heero, his unease increasing as clouds gathered overhead.

"It's sad," Heero's eyes were half closed as he concentrated on the rhythm of life with the Forest. Before he could say something more, thunder and lightning flashed overhead. Small drops of water made marks on their clothes before a heavy downpour soaked them to the bone.

Odin awoke from his nap as the water hit and startled by the flashing light overhead, started crying. Almost immediately, Anarian exploded into tears as well. Heero and Wufei were set to frantically trying to calm their sons while Duo strode towards Zechs.

"Something is wrong," Duo said without preamble.

"I know," Zechs focused troubled eyes into the horizon. "Blood has been spilt." (1)

The unease Duo had been feeling exploded into a gnawing worry. Something was more than wrong. Without further warning, his formed blurred as he Shifted and sped in the direction of the village, his village.

"Duo!" Heero yelled, watching his mate zip away, but was unable to follow with a squirming Odin in his arms demanding attention. "Zechs," he barked.

The tall blond nodded and sped after his cousin. Zechs caught up to Duo easily, an indication that his cousin wasn't completely up to full health yet, despite the extra care they had taken with him for the past six weeks. Duo gave Zechs a cursory glance before rushing onwards. Before long, they were in sight of the village that was Duo's home and prison for over eighteen years. There was an unusual amount of activity as everyone was milling about, seemingly without direction. The two blurred into human form again and stared at each other with apprehension.

"Zechs, thank the Ancient," a grizzled warrior by the name of Karisen practically ran toward Dou's cousin. The spotted the braided Healer standing uncertainly next to Zechs. "DUO?!" He exclaimed in surprise. Karisen pulled the younger Shifter into a tight, affectionate hug, not noticing the stiff posture Duo had.

"What happened?" Zechs asked, seeing everyone starting to congregate around them, staring at the two of them like a miracle or prayers answered. The rain was still coming down in sheets and plastering their clothes tightly to their skin.

"I'm sorry," Karisen said gravely, but he seemed to be addressing Duo instead of Zechs. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "But Treize is dead."

tbc...

(1) Shameless LOTR insert… my apologies… but hey, anything Leggy says is food… uh… good.

Hehe… another chappie out… sorry, had some family problems to deal with but all better now.

Uh guys, are you people actually enjoying my fics? I mean, maybe I am a little sensitive, but I kinda feel no one is reading them… and I am seriously considering giving up. I know that no ones is reading Life Altering Decisions, so I just might give up on them.

Alright, deal again, you review, I update faster??