Disclaimer: I don't own GundamWing. However I wouldn't send Duo away if he suddenly decided to move in with me.
AN: Hi there. I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. My life has been very busy and I kind of lost faith in my writing skills.
It's great how many people are reading my story. I was really surprised. And I noted that a lot of you are from the Netherlands like me, so leaving a review in Dutch is also possible.
I almost forgot to mention this; Angel already figured it out but I got the title from a song obviously called Like a rose on the grave of love from Xandria. But this is by no means a songfic.
___________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2: Haunted
It was dark and he was alone, alone in the dark. No sounds, nothing. The silence was suffocating him, the loss of light made him dizzy, he was confused. He wasn't supposed to be alone. Where were the others? He couldn't abandon them.
Why was everything black?
Think, he had to think. His eyes, his eyes were still closed. If he opened them he would wake and then the nightmare would end. He would be in his bed in the orphanage.
Yes, he just had to open his eyes. All would be well again.
He tried to open his eyes then, wondering why it was so difficult to do so.
Slowly he cracked his eyes open, only to be greeted by more darkness. This time it was more like a very dark grey though. The light of the full moon illuminated everything with her soft glow.
Where was the roof? There weren't supposed to be holes in it. It was fixed just recently to prevent the rain from leaking through it!
Why did his head hurt so much? It was as if there were a couple of dwarves mining and drilling in his skull.
Now that he was paying more attention he noticed that he wasn't very comfortable either. The best his foggy brain could come up with in his current situation was that he wanted to sleep somewhere with more comfort; not cold, hard and hurting. But he found he couldn't move and his eyelids were to damn heavy. He struggled in vain to keep the darkness away.
He was alone again. Walking in the dark on the surface of a silent lake. In the deep he could see bodies. People floating like lifeless white dolls beneath the surface. They were coming for him. Bony hands gripped him, but he couldn't save them. No one could now. He felt himself sinking slowly. There was no one to save him from the darkness of his soul.
**********
Duo woke up screaming; his throat raw and his face wet with tears. It was always the same. In his dreams his carefully put on mask slipped away. His superb control over his emotions and his heart was gone.
In his dreams he was a little boy again, just Duo; experiencing and feeling all the things he normally kept hidden behind the mask of the Joker or the obedient son. He was a mirror reflecting what people wanted to see of him, not who he really was inside.
He dried his tears, angry with himself. He was supposed to be over this crap already. He had to go on with his life. People didn't like you when you were having issues; mother didn't like it if he was anything but how she wanted him to be, and he had to keep her happy. She had done so much for him in the past.
He had to keep everyone happy or they would leave him, just like the others. He didn't want to be alone in the dark ever again.
This place was a bad influence on him. The lone empty corridors and the cold atmosphere made him remember things he had thought he had forgotten and relive situations he thought he had dealt with.
Not to mention that creepy Lord Yuy, the strange servants and the ghost. Normally he didn't believe in ghost, but there was definitely something wrong with this place. It gave him a rare sense of foreboding.
Something was going to happen soon.
He had to go!
Screw the fact that he didn't know which part of the country this was. And screw the fact that his ankle was bruised and swollen and that he had no money whatsoever. He would survive no matter what. His days as a street rat were not that long ago.
He would escape and there ought to be people somewhere who could give him some clue about his whereabouts.
He was going to steal as much food as he could from the kitchen and then be gone.
The only flaw in his plan was his inability to walk. And since he doubted, or rather knew for sure, Quatre would not give him a couch to travel he had to think of something else to use. The walking stick was an option, but it tired him out easily and it was important to cover some distance before they would notice he was gone from the grounds.
Then it struck him. He could borrow one of the horses. Quatre had told him yesterday that there wasn't a stable boy. And since he didn't really believe in ghost that young man with the incredible blue eyes had just been a product of his own imagination.
So there was supposed to be no one in the stables to prevent him from taking one of the horses. Or rather the Black Beauty, as he had nicknamed the black stallion.
Home was waiting for him.
But first things first: Going to breakfast and act as innocent as possible, which was going to be difficult considering he was a bad liar and his poker face happened to be even worse.
**********
Quatre was busy preparing some breakfast when Duo entered the kitchen; limping and leaning heavily on the walls for some support.
"Morning Duo!" Shouted the obviously chipper and happy blond. Then softer he asked: "How's your ankle? You shouldn't be out of bed yet. I was just going to bring you your breakfast upstairs."
"I'm so sorry," Duo started to apologise for overstepping boundaries and for not being obedient, but Quatre cut him of with wave of his hand and smiled.
"Don't be sorry. I was only worried about your health. I'm glad for the company. Since you're here, why not eat together. What do you think?"
Duo wanted to reply, but his stomach beat him to it. It growled loudly in the quiet kitchen and gave Quatre the answer he needed.
"Don't worry," reassured the blond, "I made plenty of food so there should be enough to satisfy that empty space over there." The servant pointed at Duo's stomach and grinned happily.
The braided youth gave him a small smile of his own in return. Stealing food had to wait. For now he could use some breakfast.
"Duo, did you sleep well?" Inquired Quatre, while pouring him a cup of Earl Grey tea.
"Just fine", answered Duo quickly. He was not going to explain his nightmares to anyone, let alone any of his captors and someone he had no intention of seeing again whatsoever.
He ate as much of the breakfast as possible and even smiled when Quatre mentioned his appetite and his delight at seeing Duo enjoy his cooking so much.
Duo answered Quatre's questions about his ankle and whether or not he liked it here. Okay, maybe not quite truthfully but he was not lying either. Simply not telling everything.
While he smiled and chatted his mind was occupied with planning the rest of his escape in more detail. Food was something he needed. Maybe if he waited until Quatre left the kitchen to attend to his other duties as personal servant he could slip some out unnoticed.
He could hide those things in the bushes just outside the kitchen and tell Quatre he enjoyed the garden yesterday and would like to see more of it, hence his second walk today. Next would be the stables and he would be free.
The only flaw in his plan was still his ankle, but while he would probably hurt a lot, he was used to pain and it would only slow him down a bit. Not more.
"Quatre", asked Duo, "what sort of business does Lord Yuy run?"
The blond was silent and in thoughts for a moment before answering: "He runs some sort of private detective agency. He travels quite a lot for it," the blond mused, grabbing another slice of toast and some scrambled eggs.
Duo munched happily on his toast. Quatre sure knew how to cook. He would miss it when he was home again.
"So you're often alone here when Lord Yuy and Trowa are away on business? Don't you get lonely?" Duo flashed Quatre an emphatic smile. He at least got lonely easily.
"It's not like that Duo. Trowa and I usually accompany Master Heero on al his business trips, but you just got here and to top it all you have injured your ankle. So I'm looking after you now. Master Heero will do just fine with only Trowa to serve him, don't worry about it."
"Why, Quatre, why am I here? Please tell me." Pleaded Duo. Before he went he wanted to know at least a reason for his abduction. He was puzzled by the events.
Didn't kidnappers usually ask for money? Or other things? Yet he knew his mother agreed to this. Why? Why would she do such a thing?
What power did Lord Yuy have over his mother??
"Quatre, I need answers. Please look at me, and tell me why!"
Quatre looked him in the eyes, his baby blue eyes filled with sympathy: "I'm sorry Duo. I know some answers and probably the reason to this." He made an unsure gesture with his hand, "but it is not my place to tell you. Heero will tell you all in due time when he's ready. I know it's frustrating, but you just have to be patient. I'm sorry," the blond sighed.
**********
"Hey guys, how's it going?" Murmured Duo after dragging himself to the stables. His muscles were aching and his ankle was hurting like hell, testimony of his rough day yesterday. He had seriously underestimated the distance and overestimated his own abilities.
He was about to crumble halfway. Only his sheer determination fuelled by some fear had kept him going; And here he was.
Sinking on a pile of hay he contemplated his situation and the events 5 days ago which leaded him were he was now.
It had been a strange occurrence; his mother asking for him besides their usual weekly appointment. Normally that meant he had done something wrong so was prepared to receive a thorough scolding.
He wasn't prepared however to the sight of his mother drying her tears with a thin white handkerchief while telling him she didn't know what to do anymore.
A few minutes passed in silence. His mother seemed to contemplate something. Finally she said: "You're going away. I have to send you away. He wants me to, and he always gets what he wants. So Duo pack your belongings and be ready to leave in an hour. I'll see you at the gate." After that speech his mother had turned and left the room, leaving a confused Duo. This had been the last time he had seen her.
She never turned up at the gate; Instead sending a maid to inform him that she was too much overwhelmed by her emotions to say farewell, but that she send her regards.
Duo then got in the carriage for a travel to an unknown destination, which later turned out to be this creepy mansion.
It was all too weird for his liking.
But no use dwelling on the past however close. He had to focus on the next stage. The fact that he had been unable to sneak out some food was something he hadn't foreseen. Call him stupid but making plans had never been one of his strong points. But a little hunger was not going to stop him from reaching his goals. He had after all years of experience with hunger and going to sleep on an empty stomach.
Why couldn't the blond leave him alone for some time, enough to steal some food? But no, he turned out to be some worried mother hen, constantly asking him about his health and urging him to take it easy.
At least he had reached the stables now. Duo figured he had about two hours before lunchtime. He wouldn't be missed until then.
After his well needed break he stretched his sore muscles and made his way to the black stallion, still limping. He brushed the horse, cleaning the hooves proved to be some difficulty, but he managed everything without too much pain. He couldn't find a saddle though so he decided to ride with only a bridle instead of wasting valuable time and energy searching for a saddle. There was no telling how long he could go on in his condition and he wanted to be as far away from the mansion as possible when he collapsed.
Now to find something to help him mount the horse…..
It didn't take long before he was quietly riding towards the trees of the nearby forest.
**********
Sunlight filtered through small holes in the green roof above Duo's head as he rode through the forest, a huge grin on his face. He felt light and unburdened.
The trotting hooves, the wind through his hair; it made him happier than he had been in ages. For now he would just ride out and enjoy, let the worries wait for later. Just now he simply felt like smiling as much as he could.
It was not until much later that Duo felt the shadow upon him, or rather there was something off with the part of the forest he was currently riding in. The oak trees were as huge and old as ever but somehow these seemed dark and sickly; As if something was tapping their life-force away.
His instincts warned him for upcoming danger, and he had long ago learnt to trust his nearly infallible instincts; so he proceeded with caution. If someone had asked him just two weeks ago if he though ghosts existed he would surely have said that it was ridiculous to even contemplate the existence of things like that. But now, he didn't exactly know what to believe anymore.
He strained his ears to hear any sounds besides the soft clip clopping of horse hoofs, but couldn't locate anymore sounds. Wasn't a forest supposed to be more lively. This forest looked like it was suffering in a silent death struggle.
He had to get out of it.
He urged the horse on to go faster and soon he encountered a change of scenery.
Unfortunately not the one he had been hoping for. This part of the forest was even more dark and sinister than before. He lost track of the time as he rode in the twilight. The atmosphere reminded him of his nightmares and send shivers down his spine.
Did the temperature just drop several degrees?
**********
"I'm home," Trowa said as he walked into the kitchen where Quatre was busy preparing lunch.
"You're early!" Quatre gave the tall man in front of him an affectionate smile. "I have to make some more then. The bread should be more then enough for us." Quatre chatted happily while he continued stirring some pans and indicated the freshly baked bread sitting on the counter. He didn't catch Trowa's worried glance around the kitchen.
"Quatre, where is Duo?"
"In the garden I think. He said he was going to explore it some more. Though I've no idea how he manages it with such a swollen ankle," Quatre chuckled.
"How long is he gone?"
"Oh, I've no idea. A few hours at least. I think he wandered out of the door sometime after breakfast."
"I'm going to look for him," announced Trowa. He frowned: "Who knows what trouble he has gotten himself into. It wouldn't surprise me if he was unable to walk back. Stubborn youth."
"You just do that and I'll finish this. Does Heero need anything?"
"No he's just resting for a bit," answered Trowa. "Don't worry." he added correctly interpreting the emotions visible on his friends face. "Duo will be fine and so is Heero. The last days were just very tiresome for him. You know why."
**********
He was panting, a layer of cold sweat lingered on his forehead and he could feel it dripping along his spine. This wasn't funny anymore.
Where his eyes playing tricks on him?
Was he seeing things?
Was he going mad?
There it was again. A black sort of shadow just visible in the corner of his eye, moving quickly and gone when he tried to focus. It was nerve wrecking to say the least. Like he was being followed by someone or something.
His horse was getting nervous too; shaking his head and twitching his ears. But whether that was because he felt something too or just because his rider was so nervous he didn't know.
Just hang on a second. Didn't he pass that trunk earlier? It sure looked damn familiar. Too familiar. As if he was riding in circles and passing this point for the fifth time already.
As on cue a figure emerged from the tree beside him. It looked like a giant bat. Almost pure black with hellish red, blazing eyes.
There was no time to feel surprised because a second figure emerged on the other side; this one a bit smaller. Shuffling sounds indicated a third presence behind him. His horse pranced and whinnied in pure terror.
He didn't dare look back as he ducked his heels in the sweaty flanks of his horse, letting it rush forward to the only direction left for him to go; fast forward.
He gave his frightened horse free reign, he had lost control over him anyway. Putting his arms around the animals' neck he ducked as low as possible to avoid overhanging branches and prayed for the best.
It had been a long time since he felt like praying, since he needed it. He didn't believe in God anymore. If there was a God how could He be so cruel? He had never seen God but he sure as hell had seen a lot of dead bodies. Everyone he cared for had died. Didn't that make him a god of Death?
But even a god of Death was scared of death itself.
He couldn't hear any sounds indicating his pursuers were still behind him, but he knew they were there.
Any moment he expected to feel their breaths on his neck.
The only thing he heard were the sounds of horse hoofs, the rustling of leaves and above all the loud drumming of his own scared heart.
Both his horse and he were panting. They were sweaty all over. He could smell the distinct odour of fear. The horses' fur was speckled with white foam flocks. How long till the horse would collapse? He was certain only the adrenaline kept them both going. But for how long would that last?
His body was cut open and bruised already, courtesy of the overhanging branches and bushes. But the pain was dull, his body numb because of the continuing stress and fatigue.
Still the sudden claws ripping open his shoulder made him scream in agony. That's when he made the vital mistake of sitting upright en turning around to cast off his attacker.
The last thing he knew before his world turned black were those three horrible creatures looming over him and the cruelest laugh he had ever heard.
**********
His head hurt and the constant movements didn't made it any better; Nor the pounding sounds.
If he was still feeling and hearing things didn't that mean that he was also still alive? Heaven should have been a nicer place without pain and a hell of a bit warmer. He was shivering as it was. He wished for something warm.
Someone had apparently understood his wishes because some sort of blanket was draped over him and he was pulled flusher against a warm hard body. Duo sighed happily, this was so much better. He didn't want to open his eyes yet, but instead he choose to linger some more in the comfort this stranger, and not to forget his saviour, provided.
When he had the presence of mind again to think at least a bit straighter he really noticed how tired he was. His eyelids were really heavy, but he forced them open to see if his feeling of safety was actually real.
The first thing he noticed was the fact that what he thought to be a blanket was actually a cloak, someone's cloak to be more exact. He was sitting on a white horse against someone, judging by the chest's definite lack of breast and hard muscles a man, and the man's cloak was draped across them both.
The face of the man was thoroughly hidden though by the hood of the cloak. He squirmed a bit, trying to get a better glance till the grip on his waist tightened and he was once again pulled flush against the front of whoever was riding the white horse.
"Hush now. You're going to fall off the horse. Sleep now. We will be there soon."
Duo was too tired to wonder were 'there' was, so he just complied with the voice and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.
**********
Duo blinked drowsy and yawned. He looked around, eyes still unfocused from sleeping and heard soft voices from some point above him.
"Quatre, take care of him. I'll be resting," he heard a voice say.
Quatre, that's right that was the blond servant. That meant he was…? He groaned. Back where he started in the main hall of that mansion he tried so hard to escape.
"Yes Heero I'll do that. I'm so sorry!"
Heero? That damn Lord Yuy. He was so going to give that creepy guy a piece of his mind. Groaning he forced his protesting muscles to move and stood up from the settee in the hall, causing the two men on the staircase to turn their attention to him.
Duo stood, as tall and proud as he could manage. "Yuy, I've had enough of this game you're playing. Bring me back home! And I mean now," he growled. "I refuse to be held hostage by the likes of you! Bloody kidnapper," Duo spat angrily.
The only thing he received from Heero was a cold stare. Cold blue eyes with just a hint of red regarded him icily.
"First, you should be resting. You're still bleeding and nearly died. Second, is this, in your eyes, an appropriate way to thank your rescuer? And last but not least you loudmouthed idiot: I'm not some bloody kidnapper, I'm your legal guardian."
AN: That's it for the moment. Thanks for reading as usual.