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)

AN: Dear all, the reason I have been so long in updating is because I had been rather discouraged by a certain review. Don't get me wrong, I love constructive criticism and I go it. I was told that my story was 'very weak, feels forced, and has many many holes in it' and 'definitely not as strong as its predecessor'. I was, of course, thrilled that someone would tell me what I did wrong so I can go and revise it. Unfortunately, when I emailed this person, I didn't get a reply. So guys, if you feel the same way as the above reviewer, please either drop a review to tell me or email me personally. I'm a big girl I can take it! Besides, I want all of you to enjoy the story.

Well, enough of my rambling. Let's get on with it….

Reflections of the Past

Part 13

Heero was sprawled all over the bed, dull blue eyes staring at the ceiling of the dwelling that had once been Duo's home. They had been here for over a month now and although he knew Trowa was getting antsy to go home, Heero couldn't tear himself away from there. The tribe chief still held on to the slim hope that his mate would miraculously appear at the village entrance but as the days slowly went by, the slim line of hope was disappearing. Zechs and he had searched the town of Man after finding out for Duo's godfather that there was a possibility that a sorcerer was looking for his mate and was directly tied to his traitorous brother. There hadn't been a hint of him at all. Heero worried constantly about his mate's safety, his mate's health, the children he carried and their son, Odin. He was also eaten by guilt on an hourly basis that the reason for his mate's disappearance was that one single moment of shock on Duo's face when he realised Heero had hit him. He was horrified to think what Odin would think of him, when one day, he realised his father was the one that chased his Papa away.

There wasn't a day where the boy woke with tears washing his cheeks, wanting to his Papa to hold him or nights were Heero strove to stop the quiver of his son's lower lip, asking for his Papa's bedtime stories. During the day, the rest of the tribe was able to distract the increasingly distraught little boy but it was the waking and sleeping hours that broke Heero's heart. For the past three years, there wasn't a day that he didn't wake entwined in Duo's lithe limbs, or tangled in his sweet smelling hair. Now, he had never felt so alone. He held on to Odin while his son slept, because his son was the last gift Duo gave to him.

No, his subconscious screamed. Duo was not dead. Missing yes, but his love will come back to him.

After all, Duo was favoured of the Ancient and she wouldn't let him die so easily.

"Heero," Wufei called from outside the dwelling.

"What?" Heero muttered peevishly. He had been increasingly moody and many avoided his darker moods, well, except his closest friends and Duo's cousin.

Without permission, Wufei entered, frowning. "Get yourself out of bed, you idiot." He strode to the bed and made to haul his friend from it.

Heero turned onto his side. "Go away, 'Fei." He noticed that he was reduced to using Duo's nicknames for their friends. "You weren't invited."

Wufei lifted his chin to a proud tilt of his head. "This is my tribe now," he said proudly, before turning a little sheepish. "Well, my mate's but, you get my point. I can, therefore, enter anywhere I damn well please." He winced at the words even as he spoke them. He wondered for the millionth time how did Duo deal with all this coddling. Apparently, Zechs' tribe members forgot that he was also a warrior and didn't need to be protected, tribe chief's mate or otherwise. He now had a new appreciation for Duo and what they did to him when he first mated with Heero, hell, what they still did now.

"What do you want, 'Fei?"

Wufei sighed heavily, seating himself next to Heero. He worried for his friend. He had watched helplessly as Heero grew more despondent, grew more gaunt as the month passed. Not only did Heero start giving up on actively searching for Duo, he began to lose interest in things that once were the cornerstone in his existence. He didn't care of patrolling the Forest, didn't care of protecting the tribe, didn't care for food or drink, or anything else, except the welfare of his son. Odin was becoming increasingly spoilt by Heero, who was willing to give the boy anything he desired, but the boy only desired one thing, his mother, his Papa, Duo. It was the only thing Heero couldn't give his son.

"You need to get out, Heero. We are all worried to death about you." Wufei touched Heero's leg, and frowned when he flinched. He noticed his friend shying away from any form of contact, except for with his son. "You need to take a nice little walk in the Forest."

"Is Duo out there?" Heero asked abruptly.

Wufei shook his head mutely, pinned by blue eyes bleeding with pain.

"Then I'm not going out!"

Wufei tried another tack. "Odin's out there."

Heero continued to stare silently at Wufei before swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "I hate you," he threw over his shoulder, not wanting to see his friend's gloating face. It had been a bribe of sorts with his friends recently, get him out of the dwelling to play with Odin. It served to do two things, let Heero get some sunlight and air, and allow Odin to have some sense of normalcy in his life.

He winced as the harsh light of late morning stabbed directly into his eyes. Across the village courtyard, he saw a small group of warriors keeping his son occupied while Odin was chortling with glee. Unable to stop himself, Heero found a small smile working its' way to his lips. It felt good to see his son in such high spirits, after the crying fit he had this morning, once again asking for his Papa.

"Father!" Odin squealed, running as fast as his little legs could carry him towards his father. With a wild laugh, he launched himself into his father arms, burying his face into the crook of Heero's neck. "They are scary!" Even as he said that, he was giggling uncontrollably. The little boy was more tickled than afraid of the large warriors that surrounded him.

Heero felt his smile fade slightly. Odin may look like him, but he had every bit of Duo Maxwell's charm. "Are you having fun?" He asked softly.

Odin nodded vehemently, a large grin creasing his face. Heero's heart lurched as he thought of his mate missing this wonderful smile, missing his son growing up. "Father?" Odin asked, losing his smile. "Something wrong?"

So sensitive, Heero thought a little forlornly. So much like Duo. He forced a smile for his son. "Just fine. I need to go out for a run, so…" He settled the boy on the ground, tickling him to bring back the laughter. "You go terrorise those big warriors over there, alright?" The group of warriors flushed a deep red but proudly acknowledged the fact that they cared deeply for the only child of their Healer to the point that they let the boy ride on their backs like they were horses. He handed his son to one of them and walked towards the edge of the Forest. He could feel eyes on his back, mostly from the hot glare from Odin. His son was getting more and more insecure about Heero going off alone these days. Heero knew his son was worried that he would be like his Papa and not come back. There were a few things that Odin was truly afraid of, but now, more than ever, the little boy feared being alone.

He turned and smiled at the boy. "I'll be back for dinner tonight, alright? I'll tell you a bedtime story," he assured like he always do. He noted a slight quiver of Odin's lower lip at the mention of a bedtime story but just as quick a large smiled flashed along with enthusiastic nods.

"Where are you going, Heero?" Quatre asked, falling into step with his leader. He had been getting increasingly concerned with Heero's apathy towards living. He knew this was all a result from Duo's disappearance. While the others were inclined to believe Duo was kidnapped by some dark sorcerer, even Gee agreed with this theory, Quatre felt it more likely that Duo had run away in a childish show of petulance. Since they couldn't find him any where, the Healer was probably stewing some where, thinking he wasn't loved anymore. Quatre swore to himself if he ever saw the braided idiot again, he would kick his ass all the way back home, pregnant or otherwise. Didn't he know how much pain he caused everyone with one stupid move?

"Out," Heero snapped. "Since all of you are so worried about me not getting enough sunlight, I'm just going to get some." He glanced at his Healer. "Is that a problem?"

Quatre made a show of stretching. "It's been ages since I've been out of here as well," he smiled up at Heero. "Mind if I join you?" He tried on his most disarming look, one that Trowa was no proof against. It looked like it was no proof against Heero as well.

"Whatever." Heero shrugged, leaving Quatre to follow him.

The Healer had an agreement with the rest of tribe. Until Duo was found, someone would constantly keep an eye on Heero, who appeared depressed enough to try something utterly stupid. That was why, no matter where ever Heero was, someone was there to conveniently be in the same place with him at the same time. Whether or not the tribe chief was aware of this, Quatre wasn't sure, but it gave them all peace of mind.

Two forms melted into forest cats and for a brief moment, shared moments of pure abandonment running through the Forest, letting the wind ruffle their fur. Heero had to admit, he had missed this. He had missed just being around nature, letting the Forest tell him what he needed to know, missed just being away from his problems for a while.

"This was fun," Quatre commented after they Shifted back into their Human forms once more.

"Yes," Heero breathed, feeling relaxed for once. "It was a very good idea." He turned to his Healer. "Since it was this therapeutic, why didn't you suggest it sooner? He smiled, watching Quatre do a pretty interesting impression of a trout. "What?" Laughing, he dashed off, not waiting for Quatre to hit him over the head with a rock or something equally as hard. He turned to see the blond standing there gaping at him, as if unsure of whether to laugh or be totally affronted. He opened his mouth to call for Quatre when a slow breeze from two different directions stilled him.

He stood there, cocking his head slightly. There was a whisper in the wind, a slight yearning, and also confusion. He was a mask of concentration, his senses straining for that illusive message.

Quatre was just about to go after his leader, chasing him like they used to when they were children, when he saw his leader standing there stock still. He wasted no time rushing to Heero's side, afraid that something was wrong with him.

"Heero?" He ventured cautiously. His leader didn't take well to being startled and when that happens, blood will usually flow, unless of course, his mate was doing the startling, then something else inevitably flowed. "What do you Hear?" The concentration could only mean one thing, the Forest was speaking.

"It's confused," Heero began, his voice unnaturally hushed. "It doesn't know whether to welcome, or to send out a warning of intruders. Someone has breached the barriers from the world of Man. The Forest can decide if it is Shifter or Man." The dazed look disappeared from his deep blue orbs as he levelled a sharp look at Quatre. "I'm going to see who it is, you go back to the village."

"No!" Quatre protested. "Despite what you warriors think, we Healers can take care of ourselves."

Heero sighed, before nodding. "Stay close, and under all circumstances, keep silent."

Quatre threw him a glare that said plainly, 'of course, I wasn't born yesterday, you fool'.

Heero nodded then focused on the messages being sent to him, relying on that to follow to where the intruder had entered. Like creatures of the forest, they made their way stealthily through the trees towards the very edge of the Forbidden Forest. There, he saw a figure dressed in a mottle brown shirt and matching leggings.

Clothing of Man, Heero thought with distaste, but for some odd reason, the figure called to him. It was clearly male, about Heero's size, but the tribe chief didn't have any worry of being able to take one lone Man down while he had to entire Forest at his disposal. The Man's back was facing them, and he was oddly trapped in some sort of reverie. His head was tilted as the sun's rays filtered through the canopy of leaves to shine onto the Man's face. He seemed to be taking pleasure in the soft breeze that rustled the leaves and played ever so softly with his russet hair.

Heero found himself riveted on the short brown hair threaded slightly with gold that reflected beautifully off the sun's rays. It reminded him of…

"Duo…" Heero whispered, while he heard Quatre's sharp intake of breath as aquamarine eyes swung in shock towards him.

"That can't…" Quatre was silenced by a gesture from his leader as they both turned to study the Man. The Man was studying the ground, the tense muscles of his shoulders and the way he kept running a hand through his short hair was testimony of the Man's frustration. He was obviously looking for something and not finding it, or not knowing what he was looking for.

Quatre recognised the site. A Wleker attacked a young human girl yesterday and before he could Heal her of its poisonous claws, the Shifter group had heard her family, or her village coming to rescue her. They had kept their distance and hid while the Humans carried her off. Quatre didn't give the girl any hope of making it through the next day without his Healing, but Shifters don't just wander into human villagers and offer their services. If this Man, whoever he was, came looking for an antidote for the girl, he could very well give up. There was no botanical cure for Wleker's poison as far as Quatre knew. Maybe Duo would know of one, but even then, the girl would be too far gone for it, as Wleker poison worked fast, seeping into every pore of her body. Very soon the little girl would be bleeding to death.

There was a small sound of triumph as the Man found whatever that he seek. The flower that he picked up was a pretty little plant that Quatre used in teas for his patients. It tasted good and uplifts spirits that had been long been dampened by sickness. He didn't know it had any other healing qualities. The Man plucked a few more flowers and stuffed them into his pocket. As he made to leave, the Man hesitated and he turned around, facing his two silent observers, his bright eyes shining with longing and clear reluctance.

Quatre clasped his hands over his mouth of silence his shocked gasp, even as Heero stumbled in his hiding place, disturbing the leaves a little. The Man's eyes narrowed as he looked to where the disturbance came from but as both Shifters stilled, he seemed to decide that a quick departure was in order as he slipped back out the way he came.

Heero was panting, almost gasping as he took in the lovely chestnut hair, he exquisite violet eyes, the heart shaped face, the creamy smooth skin, the lithe limbs, the graceful curve of the Man's midsection.

Duo…

tbc…

Tell me what you think? More importantly, tell me if there are any holes.