**Well, here comes another chapter ^^ I do want to clear up some things, just so everyone can be on the same pages as me ^^ Heero will be showing himself in this chapter.. or more so what he is and BOY is it awesome! As to everything with him and Duo, Heero knows something very IMPORTANT about Duo, but until it is explained, Duo will forever be clueless as he usually is =) Also the reason Duo did not get any ears and tails, is because normally he is startled and snuck up on which overloads his body and freaks him out, so it causes him to be unable to contain himself, so in the last chapter, he knew it was coming and it was a very serious passionate moment, so his ears and tail stayed away, but fear not, they WILL return! Anyways hope that helped a bit to anyone wondering... I am surprised no one has taken a guess to what Heero could be with a few signs that popped up in the last chapter... lol OHH WELL! I hope you enjoy this nail biting chapter and I just want to thank all the wonderful readers who have taken their time to read this story as well as for everyone who has commented AND to those who have favorited and followed this story ^^ I hope to update as regularly as I can =D May you enjoy the awesome goodness to come ^_^ **
Chapter Five: Of Myths and Flying Cars
Pure, evil hatred had been all that Relena could possibly stand to think about ever since she had left that cursed apartment. She had thought that her brother would have done his job for once and gotten rid of that looser long before now, and to show up and see him, WELL big mistake! After she had left that cursed apartment, she found her feet taking her back to her large mansion where she steamed within her room. Her body had sat within her chair, pushed up against her desk where she stabbed a sharp pen into the wood, creating a deep mark.
All night she had sat, not even eating supper as her mind spun in many circles over the whole event. She knew the only way to free her Heero, and to gain his love, would be to take out Duo Maxwell once and for all. Once she had her mind made up, she placed a few calls and shared the details. She would hire her long time friend of the family to do the job, since the man doted on her every whim. In order to get the man to agree though, she had to tell a small white lie that fell along the lines of Duo assaulting her in a form of sexual harassment. She smirked in a rather insane manner after hanging up the call.
"In three days Maxwell, your time will be up and Heero will be mine!"
Relena had continued to brew up into the next day, when she finally decided to go storm into her brother's workplace, just to pass the time. She had been demanding entrance into his private office, and before being granted access, barged her happy self right inside...clearly interrupting Zechs. He looked up from the book he was scanning over to send an unimpressed look to his brat of a sister. Standing beside his desk, was Treize, decked out in his full military attire, and straight as a statue. This was one thing Zechs could not stand from his sister, such a pest she could be at the worst of times! He looked away from glaring Relena's soul from her body to finally find what he was looking for.
"Aha! This is what I think we are dealing with Treize, right upon this page. Go ahead and read it while I see why we were interrupted in such an unsophisticated manner." Zechs sweetly said as Treize began to silently read.
"Now what do you want this time dear sister." He sounded very annoyed.
"You can forget about that trash Duo...I doubt he will be around for much longer anyways." it was all she said before she turned and stormed from the room to slam the door after herself.
~Mythology~
Long before the non-human intelligence signed and negotiated the great peace treaty, war covered the lands. There were many fatalities on both sides out of fear of what was beginning to take place in the world. After countless, pointless battles, a young man who claimed to be a warrior stepped forth and offered peace. The kings of the human kingdoms all assembled with this warrior, who planned to speak on behalf of all supernatural creatures. They sat for many days, allowing the warrior to explain that they were just as confused and uncertain as they were, clearly not understanding what was happening to them. After much debate, the treaty was written up and everyone signed and shook hands upon it. With the treaty in place, it stopped the warring and allowed people's lives to be saved as slowly, over time, they two sides were introduced.
What the kings had not realized was that the warrior who had come in the name of peace, was not just a common warrior at all. The young man was actually a Noble, the King of Demons. He had been appointed by the supernatural beings in order to not lose control and to be guarded and lead with a strong leader who would keep them safe. He had fought for the position and beat out all the others, being the only of his kind and being quite strong, he ruled over them all. With his assistance, they learned to live in harmony with the humans they once were. Rumor was that the King of Demons never died, but in fact could be reincarnated to preserve a youthful body so that no harm would befall his brethren. Now the Demon King held a lover, who was his soul bonded and mate, and over the many centuries upon the world, the lover would also be reincarnated so that the King would never be alone. The only set back was that the reincarnated form of his lover would have no recollection of anything happening within the past lives, but the King would know who it was and be close for protection.
Over the years, and gathering such extensive information, it is wise to leave the King alone, for to unleash his anger will be worse than the Hells opening upon the Earth. He is very protective of his mate, and therefore if any harm befalls said mate, the King is likely to go insane with fury until his mate is returned unharmed. Many people speculated that if the lover was killed, then the king would die, but seeing as how they are reincarnated, it would just bring the King back being more angry than beforehand. Due to how society has become, many just pass off any talk of this as being purely fictional, and untrue since no one has seen nor heard from any 'King of Demons', but we have insight that he is very real and stays out of the public in order to keep things as calm as needed.
~End Entry~
After reading the section Treize seemed rather puzzled, his eyes glancing up to his blond haired lover curiously. He once more turned his eyes back to the pages before him as well as the very fine small print in wonderment. Glancing back up he found his fingers rubbing over the bridge of his nose delicately before placing the book upon the desk before him. He was silent for several moments, processing what he had just read, making sure he understood the full amount of what he had just learned.
"Zechs...isn't this just a rumor though? A simple fairytale to make the treaty seem much more heroic in the end? You can't think that the boy Relena is furious about has anything to do with this...do you?" Treize asked in a very smooth voice.
"I do Treize. From what I have gathered from the men who tried to take him, they claimed he just vanished into the shadows like he was not even there! Plus most that have been around him have met a rather gruesome death in the end. I feel if we capture him, regardless of what my daft sister spouts at the mouth, that we can lure the King out and capture him. After all it's best to do tests on the two beings that never die."
Treize did not respond, since he knew Zechs well enough to know he was dead serious and would not stop until he got to the bottom and either proved or disproved the reading he had found within the book. It made Treize a bit uneasy, since his logic side saw the real threat to humanity if the book WAS correct in its assumptions. If Zechs did harm to Duo, and he happened to be linked with this King, then they would not have a fighting chance, but then knowing Zechs he had a plan already. The two had already discussed that the only way to capture the braided boy was to shoot him with a tranquilizer from a distance the next time he was alone, and then once he dropped bring him to the facility, since it would be the safest and no more men would die. With their plans forming, the two left the office to go have some lunch and tea.
~Time Skip~
Duo was going CRAZY! For three days he had been cooped up in the apartment, and although he loved his friend's company, he needed fresh air. He was still part animal and so being out in mother nature always calmed and soothed his inner fox. Every time he tried to reason with the other four guys, he hardly got halfway through before he was sternly told no in every language they boys knew. By this point in time, Duo was tempted and since he saw no one around he found his window the best means of escape. He would deal with all the scorn and anger when he got back from stretching his legs.
Climbing from his window, many would call him insane since their apartment was on the top floor, but Duo was very skilled with being an escape artist. He concentrated and soon his human form dissolved and left in his wake a small furred fennec fox, ears impossibly large and standing up straight. Unknown to Duo, he had a very small pair of cream colored horns atop his head, nestled against his ears. Once being fully transformed, he slunk with much learned and attained skill to hop down each flight carefully. He continued to do so until his four paws touched the cement below.
Once he had made it safely to the ground, he once more let the wind surround his body as he was back in human form, braid whipping out behind him as he took off at an easy-going pace. He stuck his hands deep within his pockets and he made his way down the street to a little cafe he always loved to go to. Once reaching the cafe he ordered his mocha beverage with a large muffin and paid, soon picking out the perfect table next to the window. Once settled at his perfect little oasis, he dug into his banana-nut muffin, savoring how ultimately delicious and lip-smacking it was. His muffin though, met it's end as he ate every last crumb before moving on to his coffee enriched beverage.
While he thoroughly enjoyed his mocha blend, his bright, cheerful eyes glanced out the large window, watching the people mill about on the streets. He always wondered what people did when not roaming the streets, but he knew life was different for every person his eyes could see. with a long sigh he turned his expression back to his drink, sipping at it happily. He loved people, and loved to get to know new and old friends even more, to understand them fully. Due to his past, Duo had never allowed himself to get too close to people, but somehow Heero, Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei had made the exception and wormed right into his heart. Just at the thought of how close they all were brought a soft, sweet smile upon his face, lighting it up in a very stunningly beautiful manner.
Soon enough, Duo would finish his heavenly beverage and stand, intending on making his way back to the apartment, being prepared for his long lecture. He walked out of the door and started walking back towards his apartment slowly, just enjoying everything around him. He never noticed the danger swiftly approaching. Duo also seemed to forget just how smart Heero was and that Heero knew he had left mere moments after he had scaled the apartment complex wall. Heero had left soon after, the other three friends following as they began to search for Duo. Once they were able to see him in the distance, time seemed to stand still as Quatre let lose a loud scream of pure terror.
The loud screech of tires filled the noise of the street, causing a dead silence to break out among the passing people who stopped to look. Duo turned around and saw a black car racing right towards him for a head on collision. Duo was too shocked to react as he backed up in pure fear. What the hell was wrong with the driver sailing right for him? He attempted to get out of the way, but his foot caught loose gravel and his body fell right to the ground. He would not have any time to get out of the way of the speeding death trap. Duo was preparing to die and begun bracing himself for the impact, but the impact never came. He cracked open his eyes and gasped in pure amazement.
Heero, seeing what was about to happen let lose a very terrifying growl, his body jumping to action as he took off running for Duo, his fear of losing the other causing his body to shift and contort. His body had changed into a large tiger with bright orange fur covering every inch of his body. Thick stripes coiled around his body as his tail lashed rapidly. Atop his head, pressed against his flattened ears was a pair of coiled, long horns that were pitch black. Dancing upon his body were flames, licking at him gently as he stood protectively over Duo upon the ground right as the car crashed into the monster demonic looking tiger at a rapid speed.
People screamed in fear of the people being crushed and killed, but instead of any damage being done to Heero, the front of the car was crunched in and badly damaged. The smell of gasoline easily wafted within Heero's nose as he tossed his head, his horns raking the car and throwing it within the air several feet. The driver was trapped within the car and screaming in pure terror as he flew through the air. The car landed with sparks flying up, rolling down the road and skidding along the pavement. Heero watched as the car continued right towards Relena. Heero had smelled her all over the car, his eyes, glowing as though fire itself was within the very sockets in pure anger at the bitch of a girl. He watched, fangs being exposed as the car rolled right over her and took her down to the ground.
He knew it would not kill her, after all, he had bigger pains to reap upon her for trying to kill Duo. He seethed, the flames lapping against him and showing his fury as Relena passed out from the pain of breaking several bones and receiving many burns. He was prepared to stalk over to her and paw her around for a bit, but a cute tug at his tail stopped him in his tracks. He turned his large, beautiful head to look at his tail and came face to face with Duo. Duo grabbed his face and happily nuzzled into Heero-tiger. Duo had been so stunned and excited to see Heero FINALLY in his natural form that it was not long before his ears and tail joined the fun. His large ears were standing up proud and tall as he buried his face into the silky tiger fur and smiled, a giggle leaving his throat happily.
Heero rubbed his head against Duo, knocking him over as he rubbed all over him, making sure the other was safe and not injured in any form. Once approving the other was indeed safe, he let out a growl, giving Duo a rather firm look. Understanding the look, Duo changed into his full fox form and would have blushed if he could. Once he had changed, Heero picked him up by his scruff and began to pad his way to the apartment. The flames that had been around his body, had dissipated by this point and he just looked like a large tiger with horns. He still looked as though he could snap anyone in half as he made his way back to their friends. Heero was going to let Duo have it once they got home, and he would not allow him anything sweet for at least a week for nearly taking a hundred years off his life.
Quatre looked absolutely shocked beyond all reason as his mouth just hung open like a door on a broken hinge. Wufei had snorted and muttered something along the lines of 'Figures', and Trowa just held a knowing look upon his face. Trowa held a deep connection with beast like creatures, and had known for a long time Heero was very important for all of the non-humans survival, and seeing this proved he had been correct in his assumption. He smirked once Heero brought Duo over to them and he turned, closing Quatre's gaping mouth. Trowa also knew that the apartment would be unsafe for the two at the moment, especially since Relena Peacecraft had just been injured. He gave a simple look to Quatre, allowing his little love to read his mind and nodded in understanding.
"Heero, you and Duo need to come to my home for the time being...plus I feel you have some explaining to do as well and Duo will be safe there. You two will be in some hot water for a while, so for the next few weeks my home will be best. It's out of the city and is guarded by a gate and protected from intruders." the blond spoke softly.
Heero looked to the three men before him and nodded gently. He waited for Quatre to lead the way as he would follow behind carefully with his precious burden within his jaws. Duo just enjoyed the ride, his mind swirling like crazy to try and understand what was going on. His mind ran over everything he had been told as a boy before his parents had been brutally murdered and ripped apart. He just heaved a sigh, a low growling purr of contentment leaving his throat as he found himself drifting off to sleep as he swung gently from Heero's jaws. As Duo slept, the other four made their way to Quatre's estate which was huge ! It could easily sleep a hundred guests if they wanted it to.
It was large, the outside painted yellow with white trim and shutters on the outside. A large iron fence and gate surrounded the massive property and kept no-good-doers away from the door. Quatre would open the gate and allow them all within the protective barrier that came up from his families abilities. It would keep anyone from seeing anything that happened within the grounds and house. Heero paused as he changed back into his human form, within his arms Duo's little form curled up and continued to snooze gently. Heero's clothes were torn and tattered, but he appeared to be perfectly unharmed. Looking at him, he looked like a dog got the best of him, not a car going twenty miles over the speed limit. It was shocking to see, but also a huge relief to the others as they made their way inside the home and to the living room. After being settled, Heero leaned his head back and let out a gentle yawn, holding Duo close to his body for warmth and to reassure himself that Duo was perfectly fine.
"Get some rest Heero. Tomorrow you can fill us in on everything."
It was all Quatre said as he stood up and left the room after leaving Heero instructions on how to get to his bedroom for the night. Trowa and Wufei soon followed after their blond lover to get some rest in their bedroom up the stairs. Heero had lifted his tired body from the couch and moved to the assigned bedroom where he dropped upon the bed, Duo curled close to his chest. Heero was out cold in a mere matter of minutes, his body exhausted from his run in with the car. Duo remained oblivious as he snuggled deeper into Heero and his neck and settled further into his slumbering state. Little did he know that fate was about to test their bond and throw them in the sea of danger.
~End Chapter Five~
Author's note: Well hope this chapter was good and has you guys a bit more cleared up on how things will be playing out, even though I tend to surprise and throw twist and turns in every time I get the chance ^^ WOW, what do you all think of Heero.. quite a beautiful, scary creature he is ^_^ BUT sorry this is sooo late! I've been working on artwork for the characters and such ^^ I actually should have Duo with his ears and tail finished fully tomorrow and will post the link up in a review for the current chapter so you can go look. I am also doing a picture of Heero's other form ^_~ and been working on Wufei's naga form.. soo exciting. If I can get Duo and Heero finished then I might just past the links to them and post them as a chapter for you to go check out.. I'll think of something ! Hope you all enjoyed and I appreciate you reading it and commenting/staying with me for the story ^^ May you all have a wonderful Labor Day !