Dual Fates Part 10

Burning Passion

by

Sailor Janus

         Duo tried to sooth the girl in his arms as best as he could but nothing helped, Hotaru was still completely freaked out, mumbling words he couldn't understand under her breath while she shivered as if doused with gallons of ice water. Needless to say, things did not look too well for the cobalt blue-eyed pilot.

         "Calm down Hotaru. You can do it. Nothing is going to hurt you. I know everything seems so real but it's not. It's just the past and we are...well, wherever we are, I can't really remember and now I'm babbling so forget that part."  Uneasily Duo chuckled, before nervously biting his lip. "We'll get through this. Maybe there's another way to bypass this one and hop onto another life. Or maybe we can just stay here. You know this place isn't so bad. I'm kinda used to it now and you're here so bonus!" 

         "We can't," Hotaru whispered so softly that Duo barely heard what she said. "I don't want to go back but I know we have to. We can't stay here forever."

         Duo felt his head shake replying, "We don't have to. Listen I don't like seeing you like this. We can stay here. I don't want to see you hurt."

         Biting her lip, the young woman pulled away. "Duo, we need to finish this or the balance is going to be thrown off. We can't stop here."  Taking a deep breath, she dropped her violet gaze to the ground before looking the man straight in the eye. "I'll be fine but this life is not going to be easy on either of us. It's only going to get worse from here on out but we need to finish it."

         Nodding the braided-haired man softly said, "It's your call, Firefly."  He was a little surprised to see the young woman holding out her hands to him. Swallowing, Duo nodded, accepting them in his own.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

         Hannah sat on the cold stone floor leaning against the wall with her head down. It had been several days since she was dragged away from Deen on the accusations of being a witch. She could vaguely that day, only her husband nearly dying and somehow she healed him seemed to stick out the most. Then everything became foggy once Dorothy had arrived, calling her witch. There were still three days left until her trial, and from there, Hannah didn't even want to think about it. She wanted more than anything for it to be a long frightening dream and that she could awake in her safe bed, and all would be fine. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

         "Deen, I'm sorry," she quietly murmured, allowing a few salty tears to streak down her damp face. The young wife swore she was not going to cry, but found it impossible. Heavy iron shackles, bound to her wrists prevented her from wiping her flooding violet eyes. The room she was locked in was tiny, with a single barred window. Hannah refused to reduce herself to an animalistic state, which occurs in many captives who pace their quarters as if stalking. Instead she sat motionlessly against the wall as her long dark hair shrouded her pale face. "Why must fate be so cruel?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

         "Quinn, I don't care what the damned law is! Hannah is not a witch!" Deen growled, slamming his fists on the hard wooden table. "You have your bride. Why must mine be put to death? She's innocent!"

         "Deen, I'm afraid there is nothing I can do. Until I am elected, I have no say in the witch trials," the blonde man sadly said. "I'm so sorry. Hannah does not deserve this awful destiny."

         "But they are going to execute her!"

        Quinn closed his eyes, sympathizing with the young man. "I wish there was something I could do, but given the current situation, my hands are tied."

         Rising to his feet, Deen nodded, his eyes greatly darkened. "If you won't do anything, then I will."

         "Deen, don't be foolish! It's not worth both of you dying," Quinn shouted, standing up as well.

         Quietly the chestnut brown-haired man, spun around, approaching the door with a deep determination. "If it means, some other unfortunate souls won't be in our position, then perhaps the sacrifice won't be in vain." Carefully he took the doorknob in his grasp. "Don't even think of stopping me, Quinn. I won't hesitate to strike you or Walter down. This is just something I must do. Goodbye my loyal friend." With those last words, Deen left the house to begin what he felt was his mission.

         Sorrowfully, Quinn watched the young man depart into the inky blackness of the night air.

         "That was Goodman Miner, wasn't it?"

         Turning around, he saw Mary, his lovely wife who had a conflicted expression her face. "Hannah never deserved this. She was like a sister to me and the fact that this terrible thing is happening.... I can't help but feel for her."

         The young politician nodded, wrapping his arms around Mary with a heavy heart. "I wish there was something we could do. I swear as soon as I am elected, the first thing I'll do is abolish the with hunts!"

         "You have such a good heart," the blonde haired woman softly said, encircling her arms around Quinn's neck, briefly kissing his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. "If only other people were like you."

         Wordlessly Quinn nodded feeling guilty for being able to hold his wife in his warm arms while Deen's was forced to sit in a cold cell before her execution.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

         "Hannah. Hannah."

         Frowning, the dark-haired young woman picked her head up meeting the dark blue eyes of her beloved. "Deen? What are you doing here?"

         "Breaking, you out," he answered, reaching down to take her small hand in his, helping her to her feet.

         "But-"

         "No buts Hannah," he interjected. "I love you and know for a fact that you are innocent. I'm not going to let you die here."  Roughly he broke off the heavy iron shackles with a mallet.

         Sharply Hannah turned. "But if you are caught, you'll be put to death!"

         "I don't care. I swore to protect you when we were married and that is exactly what I'm going to do!"

         "Even if it means your death?"

         "I'd die without you so that doesn't matter," he softly replied before passionately kissing her on the lips which she gratefully returned as tears fell from her eyes. Breaking away, he took Hannah by the wrist. "Let's go." Frantically they raced out of the cell and through the village, approaching the vast outstretched wilderness.

         "Stop! Hold it right there!" an officer shouted, running after the couple.

         Panic appeared in Hannah's eyes. "They've found us!"

         Turning his head, Deen cursed under his breath. "Come on Hannah! We're not going to be caught! Not when we are this close!"

         Unfortunately, just as the words fell out of his mouth, the couple found themselves surrounded. Hannah clung tightly to her husband which was throwing deadly glares at the men, protecting his love as much as possible. "I love you, Deen."

         "I love you too, Hannah and don't ever forget it," he answered, tears stinging his eyes as they were torn roughly apart.

         Sorrowfully, Hannah allowed herself to be dragged to the stake, it was her end. Deen was also to be burned at the stake for committing treason into attempting to free a convicted witch. He too had to face the same fate. 

         Soon a brilliant blaze of fire was ignited as Deen helpless watched before he too joined the same fate.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

         Abruptly Hotaru broke down  into a rush of tears. Gently Duo pulled her into him, as tears soaked his own eyes. He felt her limply collapse against him, burying her tear streaked face into his chest . Soothing he stroked her and whispered, "That really hurt."

         "I tried to warn you. We were so close," Briefly she sniffled. "Why damn it?"

         "Shhhh, it's over."

         Nodding Hotaru swallowed, "I just need to breath for awhile."

         "I think we both need a time out from this."

         "I agree."  Softly Hotaru kissed him, before dropping her head to his shoulder, feeling safe for the time being but she knew they'd have to continue on if they ever wanted to know what happened to them in the present.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Author's Notes:  Sorry this took so long. I was stuck in major Writer's block. Blah, I hate those!

Thanks for reading!