Connections and Friendship

Elsewhere in the world, Heero and Quatre were walking through still more tunnels with Heero collapsed.

"Heero!" Quatre gasped and quickly knelt next to him.

Heero grunted and clutched at his stomach. Suddenly an intense pain shot through him, one he couldn't identify or understand. He could feel Quatre's arms around him, supporting him as he was laid to the ground. He thought he heard Quatre speaking, but wasn't sure; his ears seemed to be blocked by the amount of pain coursing through his body. And then, just as suddenly as it came, it was gone. His ears cleared and his vision returned. He looked up to find a very concerned Quatre sitting over him.

"I'm okay." Heero said gruffly.

Quatre visibly relaxed and sat next to the brunette man. "Heero…what happened?"

Heero shook his head. "I…I don't know for sure…" He stopped and his eyes widened. "Oh God…" He muttered.

Quatre was worried again. He could sense something very troubling in the air, but he couldn't tell what it was. "Heero…please tell me."

Heero looked up to Quatre, his eyes filled with worry. "It's Duo."

Quatre felt the color drain from his face. He had heard about the connections that twins had, could it be true? "You…you can feel him?"

"Sometimes…" he replied. "but only during times of heightened emotions. Like when he's really happy or sad or…in pain." He looked up to Quatre. "Duo's hurt. Bad." He looked down. "I don't know if he'll survive something like that."

Quatre felt tears welling up in his eyes. If Duo was hurt – even dying – then what about Zechs? What had happened to them? He wrapped his arms around Heero comfortingly.

"I'm sure they'll be okay. They're together and I know for a fact that Zechs will never let anything happen to Duo."

Heero leaned against Quatre's body, taking comfort in the presents of a friend. He didn't know what happened to Duo; all he knew was that he couldn't feel him anymore. He turned to look at Quatre and, without thinking, reached his hand up to cup his cheek. Quatre seemed stunned but didn't pull away.

"Now we have to complete this mission." He said, his tone serious.

Quatre nodded, transfixed on cobalt blue eyes. "Yes…whatever has happened to Duo and Zechs…we must finish it."

Heero was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to kiss Quatre.

Why not? He can't get away…his subconscious told him. And for a moment, he almost gave into it, but stopped himself before he could. No…I won't. I can't. Not when this mission is so important.

He released Quatre's cheek, much to Quatre's dismay, and stood up. "We should move quickly before anything else happens."

Quatre nodded, trying to shake off the emotions flying through his body before they could settle in a given spot. Heero hadn't said it, but he was very worried about Duo. He knew that something bad had happened and he wasn't there to protect his overly excited brother.

Zechs is there…Heero told himself.

Zechs would never let anything bad happen to Duo. He glanced over at Quatre as they walked.

Just like I would never let anything bad happen to Quatre…Heero's eyes widened at his own inner confession. He shook it off. Why should that shock him? Zechs and Quatre were the first real friends he had ever made; of course he would want to keep them safe.

Yes, he thought, I do want them…him…to be safe.

Quatre felt a warm feeling rush into him and it made him smile, though he wasn't sure where it came from. He glanced at Heero, who was a few steps in front of him and smiled. The feeling was coming from him. Quatre raised a brow, trying to pinpoint the feeling.

Friendship…

He smiled. Heero was worried about him; worried that something bad would happen. Quatre nearly giggled.

I promise, Heero. Nothing bad will happen to me…or you…I promise.

The floor beneath them began to shake. Quatre squealed and lost his balance, falling into Heero's strong arms. The two friends looked up and watched in amazement as the tunnel in front of them fell away. In its place was a large castle that seemed to be made of snow. The towers glistened like crystal and all of the edges were covered in icicles. Heero involuntarily tightened his grip on Quatre for a quick squeeze before helping him to stand again. Before either could exchange a word, the large castle gates opened wide and a beautiful young woman stepped forward. She was wearing a long dress made of white fur with long dangling earrings that looked to be made of ice. Her short blue hair was frosted slightly and shimmered from the sunlight. She smiled warmly at them and extended her arms.

"Welcome, young Princes. You have finally arrived at the castle of winter itself." She approached them and kissed both of their cheeks and Quatre shivered at the warmth of her lips despite the cold around them. "I wondered how long it would take you."

Heero blinked. "What do you mean, you wondered?"

She giggled. "I had been waiting for you for hours. It took you forever to admit your feelings."

Heero's face went pale and Quatre blushed. "F-feelings?" The blond stuttered.

The woman nodded. "Yes. It wasn't until you both admitted to your friendship for each other that I could allow you entrance."

Heero and Quatre exchanged looks and then both smiled. They turned back to the woman and nodded.

"Are you the Mistress of Winter?" The small blond asked.

The woman nodded. "I am indeed. You may call me Noin." She bowed her head in respect. "Now, to what do I owe this honor to have two royal beings in my midst?"

Heero stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Mistress, we are on a quest in search of the answer that could save all of humanity…" Heero explained their plight to the Mistress, who nodded attentively until he finished.

"Ahh yes," She smiled. "The prophesy…Yes, I expected that." She snapped her fingers and two small snow imps appeared next to her. She bent over and whispered something to them before standing upright and looking at Heero and Quatre.

"I can not help you."

Quatre's chin fell into his chest and Heero's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

"You…what?" Quatre asked, finding his voice again.

She smiled sadly at them. "I am sorry. This is not something I can assist you with." She approached Quatre and touched his cheek. "I am sorry, young Prince, but the answer is something that must be discovered. It is not something I can tell you." She turned to Heero. "The answer is within you." She released Quatre and just as suddenly as she appeared, she was gone, along with the castle and tunnel.

Heero and Quatre were left standing in the middle of the icy wilderness with no more answers than they started out with. Quatre turned to look at Heero.

"What now?"

Heero sighed and shrugged. "To the Young Miss of Spring. She's out last hope."