The Sister of Autumn

Duo lay peacefully curled up next to Zechs. Their "celebration" had lasted longer than either had planned and now they were both exhausted, but Duo wasn't complaining. One of his favorite parts about their relationship was the emotional intimacy they shared, and not just the physical. He smiled as he watched Zechs sleep. He looked so peaceful…so beautiful. Not for the first time, Duo found himself wondering how he could be so lucky.

Zechs stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He smiled down at Duo and kissed his forehead.

"Good morning." He whispered.

Duo sighed; what a wonderful sound to hear in the morning. "Mmm, morning." He cooed.

Zechs chuckled and wrapped his strong arms around Duo's tiny frame. "Have I told you recently that I love you?" He whispered.

Duo giggled and shook his head. "Not in the last hour."

"Oh my," Zechs smirked and leaned closer to Duo, "Then I'm overdue." He let his lips brush against the braided angel's lips and chuckled. "I love you."

Duo felt a shiver run down his spine and he smiled. "I love you too."

Zechs smiled and finally let their lips connect. Duo felt himself melt under the touch of his lover. When Zechs finally pulled away, Duo was out of breath.

"We should get going." Zechs whispered.

Duo nodded. "Yeah…we should."

The lovers stood and brushed themselves off. Duo looked up at the sky and sighed. "The Lady said the answer could be found inside us." He looked over to Zechs. "What do you think that means?"

Zechs crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. "I don't know." He furrowed his brow in thought. "We should find the Sister of Autumn." He turned to Duo. "It's the only lead we have."

Duo nodded with a frown. "I suppose you're right."

Zechs smiled and wrapped his arms around Duo. "Don't worry. We'll figure it out."

Duo nodded and couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "I know. I just hope we don't run out of time before we-" Duo paused.

A strange feeling was washing over him. Zechs frowned. "Duo? Are you alright?"

Duo didn't answer. He was staring off into the distance. The feeling was warm, not unpleasant, but he wasn't sure where it was coming from. Suddenly he gasped and smiled widly.

"Duo?" Zechs was beginning to get worried but when Duo smiled he quirked a brow. "What's going on here?"

Duo turned to Zechs. "Remember how I told you that Heero and I can sense each other?"

Zechs nodded.

"Well…I'm sensing something." He jumped with happiness and giggled. "Heero's in love!"

Zech's eyes widened. "In love?"

Duo chuckled. "Yeah! And since Quatre is the only one with him…" Duo winked.

Zechs raised a brow. "How do you know it's not on of the women?"

Duo shook his head. "Nope. Can't be. Heero would never fall in love that fast. No, this is a feeling that has been growing for a long time. It has to be Quatre!"

Zechs smiled softly. "Sometimes I wish I could sense Quatre the way you sense Heero. I'd like to know if Quatre feels the same way."

Duo shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm assuming we'll find out eventually."

Zechs smiled and nodded. "But right now, we have a prophecy to unravel."

Hours later, Duo and Zechs found themselves lost in a maze of trees. They were beautiful; orange, brown and gold; with small paths going around them. Every path they took only led them to a place that looked exactly the same as the place they left. Zechs was starting to get frustrated and Duo was loosing hope.

"Maybe there's something we're missing?" Duo suggested.

Zechs sighed and shrugged. "I wish I knew. She has to be here somewhere."

Duo nodded and turned another corner. Sitting in the middle of the next clearing was a little girl. She looked to be no more than six and she was crying. Duo turned to Zechs and motioned him forward with a finger to his lips. Zechs crept forward and looked at the child.

"Do you think it's a trick?" He asked.

Duo shrugged. "Can we afford to take that chance?"

Zechs sighed. "Not really. If she really is lost, we have a responsibility to help her."

Duo nodded and hesitated. "Maybe you should go; an angel of death isn't the most comforting sight." He said sadly.

Zechs frowned but sighed. He couldn't argue. "Wait here, Love. I'll be right back."

Duo nodded and hid behind the surrounding trees. Zechs put on his warmest smile and walked forward.

"Little one?" He called.

The child gasped and looked up. Her eyes flicked from Zech's face to his wings and back again.

"Are…are you an angel?" She asked.

Zechs smiled and nodded. "Yes. I'm here to help you." He said and knelt in front of her.

She didn't seem sure at first. She slowly stood up and wiped her tears. "I got lost. My daddy took me for a picnic and I…I was playing and…" tears welled in her eyes again and Zechs wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't cry Little One." As his flesh touched hers, her memories flooded into him. "You're safe now Jessica. You don't need to be afraid anymore."

She pulled back and smiled. "You know my name?"

He nodded and smiled. "Of course. My name is Zechs and I'll help you to find your daddy. Alright?"

She smiled and nodded. Zechs took her hand into his and stood. "How about we ask for some help from my friend?"

"I didn't know angels had friends too." She smiled.

Zechs chuckled. "Of course we do." He looked up at where Duo was hiding and motioned him forward. Duo hesitated and then carefully walked out. He didn't want to frighten the girl so he smiled warmly and approached. "This is my friend. His name is Duo." Zechs explained.

Jessica looked over Duo for a moment and then looked to Zechs. "Why are his wings black?"

Duo paused but Zechs just smiled. "Because he's a different kind of angel."

Jessica smiled and turned back to Duo. "Oh." She seemed satisfied with that answer, so Duo approached.

"It's nice to meet you Jessica." Duo smiled.

She giggled. "You too! Will you help me find my daddy too?"

Duo offered his hand and nodded. "Absolutly."

Hand in hand, Zechs and Duo led Jessica through the forest maze. They found that getting out was much easier than getting in. They emerged into the bright sunlight and Jessica giggled.

"There's my house!" She pointed at a small hut just a few yards away. She turned to Zechs and Duo. "Will you come with me?"

Zechs smiled but shook his head. "No. You can handle it yourself now."

Duo nodded. "Go on, Jessica. You can do it."

She smiled and nodded. Turning back to her house, she started running as fast as her little legs would carry her. A few feet from the door, a tall bearded man ran from the house and met the little girl in a strong embrace.

"Jessica! You're safe!" The man cried.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes Daddy. I was saved by angels!"

The man looked skeptically at his daughter and then smiled. "I'm sure you were, Darling." He lifted her into his arms and carried her back into the house.

"That was so sweet."

Zechs and Duo turned with a start at the new voice. Behind them was a short woman with very short blue-violet hair and soft blue eyes. She smiled and placed her hands on her hips.

"I guess you two figured it out. That was quick, usually people wander in there for days before they get it." The woman said.

Zechs raised a brow and she rolled her eyes.

"Compassion! It takes compassion to find me." She smirked and giggled. "Guess you did it."

"You're the Sister of Autumn?" Duo asked incredulously.

She nodded and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You can call me Hilde. So, what do you need?"

Duo and Zechs exchanged confused glances before explaining their situation. The Sister of Autumn listened carefully and nodded patiently until they were done and then she laughed.

Duo glared. "It's not exactly funny."

She shook her head and took a deep breath to stop the laughter. "I know…I know it's not. –ahem- Of course it's not." She smiled. "I'm only laughing because you've already figured out the answer and you don't even realize it!"

Zechs raised a brow. "What?"

She shook her head and sighed. "Never mind. Look I can't tell you, because if I did…"

"We know, it wouldn't be the answer anymore." Duo sighed. "Thanks anyway…" He grumbled and walked off.

Zechs sighed and said good-bye to the Sister before following Duo. She disappeared, as did the forest, leaving Duo and Zechs alone.

"What do we do now?" Duo asked, sitting on the brown grass.

Zechs sighed and followed him. "I don't know." He reached over and tilted Duo's chin up. "We can only hope that Heero and Quatre had more luck."

Duo nodded and stood. "Let's get back to Limbo and wait for them."

Zechs nodded. "It's all we can do."

Well, there's chapter 12! I'm really glad everyone is enjoying it...or at least I hope you are. Thanks to Mizuki hikari for your reveiw. I really appreciate it! I'll try to get the next chapter out soon and I promise there will be more romance in it. Until then!