Hey all ummm, this is my first fanfic ever. I didn't post it first because I already have a lot of parts written and I didn't feel like uploading all of them, Ok ok, so I'm just lazy ^_^;. So basically I'm combining the chapters so that I'll only have to upload half as many chapters as I've written, well its better than nothing. Oh yea, the chapters will probably fluctuate in length pretty badly since I never plan how much I'm going to write in a chapter I just write until my muse tells me to stop. Well, I hope you all enjoy this. ~Travaria

Duo and the Desert by Travaria

Part 1

"A desert, why did it have to be a desert? If it were anything else, I wouldn't be about to die right now," Duo grumbled to himself as he struggled to walk through the ever-shifting sands. "If it were a forest, or a mountain, or a city, I would be fine, but no, my perfect chance at running away came while we were in a desert. What I wouldn't give for a sip of water right now." The sun was beating down on him causing him to be terribly overheated in his black cloak. Despite the sun, he kept the cloak on knowing that if he didn't then his pale skin would burn instantly, causing him even more misery. It had been days since Duo had last had something to eat or drink, and he knew it was only a matter of time till he collapsed, even so, he kept moving. "Well, I did promise myself death or freedom, but I was thinking more along the lines of being killed, not slowly withering away in this damn desert," Duo added with an ironic smile.

The braided boy trudged on and on, not willing to stop for anything, including exhaustion--especially exhaustion. Duo squeezed his eyes shut and kept on walking; he had shut his eyes because they could no longer focus-- not that there was much to focus on, anyway. When he opened his eyes he saw what appeared to be a fortress; Duo groaned and shut his eyes again. "I'm seeing things now, this really sucks." All of a sudden Duo just couldn't take it anymore; he gave in to his exhaustion and collapsed onto the burning sands. Just as Duo was slipping out of consciousness, he could have sworn he heard someone yelling, but he just decided that he was hallucinating again.

********

"Heero! Shinigami just broke free again, can you and Wing go bring her back?" Quatre yelled to his sullen-looking friend who was seated on a magnificent white stallion. Heero nodded and took off after the unruly black mare.

"Quatre, why do you even keep that impossible mare? No one can ride her, and only Heero and Wing can get her to do anything," Wufei said as he moved to stand next to the short blonde.

"Well, she's a magnificent horse for starters, plus if I got rid of her now that would upset Wing, which would upset Heero, which is not a good idea," Quatre informed Wufei.

Wufei shuddered at the idea of Heero being upset. "I still can't see why Yuy's impeccably trained war-horse would even want to mate with that crazy un-trainable black mare," Wufei snorted irritably.

"Sometimes even animals are drawn to their opposites," said Trowa calmly and quietly as he walked up and embraced his lover Quatre from behind. Wufei snorted again.

********

Heero sighed, he was positive that all Shinigami needed was someone to belong to, after that he was certain the temperamental mare would calm down considerably. Actually, it was Heero's personal theory that someone had owned the mare before Quatre and that she was completely loyal to whoever it was. Heero gazed around the desert sands searching for the missing black horse, luckily he spotted her almost immediately. Shinigami was standing over a black something; she appeared to just be waiting for him instead of playing her usual game of chase.

Heero spurred Wing into a canter and quickly headed towards her. When he got closer, he realized that the black something at the mare's feet was a person. Heero yelled back at Quatre, trying to catch his attention, but he was already too far away. As soon as Heero had reached Shinigami he vaulted off of Wing and kneeled beside the unmoving person wrapped in a black cloak. Heero gently turned the person over, revealing what would have been a very attractive boy had his lips not been cracked from thirst and his face not covered with dirt that had tracks in it from his sweat. The boy was completely unconscious.

The dark-haired boy lifted the fallen youth into his arms and gently laid him over Shinigami's back. Normally Shinigami would have shaken any burden placed on her off, but she just accepted the boy, thus confirming Heero's new theory that the horse was attached to him for some reason. Once he had the boy settled, Heero carefully mounted Wing and set off at a slow walk, leading the mare behind him. As soon as Heero could see the others standing in front of the fortress, he motioned for them to come over.

********

"Look, Heero is waving for us, I wonder what he wants?" Quatre said once he had figured out what Heero was doing.

"Well, he has that damnable mare with him so it can't be that," Wufei remarked.

"It's Heero, so it's most likely important," Trowa stated.

"Come on, let's go and see what he wants," Quatre said, so the trio jogged out towards him. As they got closer it became apparent that there was something slung over the black mare's back, which startled them considerably because they too knew how much she hated carrying stuff around. "Heero, what is that?" Quatre asked once they were close enough.

"Hn, it's a traveler," Heero informed him.

"What?!" Quatre squawked; he quickly ran over Shinigami's side and examined the boy. "He needs to be taken into the fortress at once, he's in pretty bad shape," Quatre commanded. Heero nodded in acknowledgment and resumed leading the horses back to the fortress.

"Heero, how did you get that that mare to carry that boy?" Wufei asked.

"I didn't do anything, she didn't seem to mind," Heero shrugged. Wufei froze and stared in shock at his nonchalant statement. Heero smirked; he had been expecting such a reaction from his stern Chinese companion. Wufei moved next to Shinigami and studied her expectantly. Naturally the mare snapped at him and trod on his feet. Wufei began cursing rapidly in Chinese.

"That impossible horse will never change," Wufei growled. Heero snickered.

They took the boy into the fortress where they were met by a horde of Quatre's servants, they were all willing and able to help, but Heero just shoved the reins of the two horses into the waiting servant's hands and picked the boy up himself. "Heero, you know that that is unnecessary, my servants can take him," Quatre reminded the stubborn solider.

"Hn," was as close to a reply as Quatre was going to get. Heero was curious about this boy, and he figured that since he found him, then it was his responsibility to take care of him. There was just something about the unconscious boy that intrigued him to the point where he was becoming downright possessive over him. He didn't like the feeling, but he had always been taught to follow his emotions, so... Heero snorted softly to himself and walked straight towards his small cottage. His cottage was located just outside of the large palace that belonged to Quatre, the lord of the fortress. The others all stayed in the palace; Heero had always preferred his surroundings to be simpler, so Quatre had built his little cottage.

"Umm, Heero. Is there a particular reason that you're taking him to your house instead of the palace?" Quatre asked.

"I'm sure he will feel better waking up in a small house instead of waking up in that big stone monstrosity. Plus Shinigami will most likely be looking in on him sooner or later, and if we keep him in my house it will cause less confusion when she does," Heero replied stonily as he eased open his door and slipped inside his three-room cottage. It contained a main room, which served as a living room, a dining room and a small kitchen. To the right was Heero's bedroom and there was also a small spare bedroom in the back. He took the unconscious boy into the spare room and laid him on the cot that he kept in it. The others followed him in.

"There is nothing we can do for him until he wakes up," Quatre began, "except for keeping him cool and comfortable." Quatre kneeled next to the cot to examine the young man once again, the last time he really hadn't gotten a very good look at him. Quatre looked at the boy and gasped.

"What is it, koi?" Trowa asked the blonde lord.

"You see this gem?" Quatre asked, gesturing to an amethyst that was hung on a chain that encircled the boy's forehead (it had previously been hidden by his chestnut colored bangs). The others nodded. "Well, it means that he is the slave to someone of great importance," Quatre informed the others. An ominous silence filled the room while they all digested that particular piece of information.

Finally Heero broke the silence. "So."

"Well it means one of two things, he's either here looking for help, or he ran away," Quatre replied.

"And what will happen if he has run away?" Heero asked harshly.

"I suppose that that all depends on his reason," Quatre stated as he rose to his feet and dusted off his loose white pants.

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Heero questioned.

"Heero, he belongs to someone, we can't just set him free for no reason at all," Quatre replied harshly. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have some business to attend to, don't we Trowa?" Quatre added. Trowa, Quatre's chief advisor as well as lover nodded and they exited.

"I'd best be going as well Yuy, notify us if anything happens, alright?" Wufei, who was a foreign diplomat that had come to visit and never left, said as he, too, exited. Heero, the general of Quatre's army, calmly moved a chair next to the cot, filled a pitcher with water and waited for the sleeping youth to awaken. As he waited, Heero studied the face of the delicate boy. The boy's skin and face were obviously pale under the dirt that covered it; it was also just as obviously handsome. The boy's sweat soaked chestnut-colored bangs clung to his forehead while long chestnut lashes rest on his cheeks. The boy would have been perfect if it wasn't for the dirt that marred his face and the fact that his lips were dry and cracked.

While Heero was contemplating this, a dark figure crept soundlessly up to the window. Heero looked up; it was Shinigami. Heero shook his head slightly; he truly pitied the poor fool who discovered the mare's absence. The dark mare stuck her head in the window and lipped the chestnut haired boy's cloak in a melancholy sort of way. Heero wondered once again how on Earth the boy had come to mean so much to Shini when she hadn't even seen him before today. 'How did he come to mean so much to you, you've only known him for one day as well,' a small voice in the back of his head mocked. 'How indeed,' thought Heero.

Heero was startled out of his thoughts when the boy on the cot shifted and moaned low in his throat. Heero watched silently as the boy's eyes flickered open. They closed immediately to the brightly-lit room, Heero didn't even see what color they were. The boy let out another low moan. Shinigami let out a quiet nicker. The boy sat up abruptly, startling Heero into standing. The boy's eyes cracked open, revealing only that they were a dark color. When he caught sight of Heero he pushed himself against the wall right next to the window.

"Where am I?" the boy's voice was gruff from misuse.

"I think I am the one who should be looking for answers," Heero replied coldly. The boy's eyes widened revealing them to be the most interesting shade that Heero had ever seen, violet. The boy locked eyes with him, something that slaves were not exactly permitted to do. "You are a slave," Heero said, it was neither a question nor a demand, just a statement.

"Oh I'm sorry, am I supposed to bow down to you and worship the ground you walk on?" the violet-eyed boy sneered. Before Heero could reply, Shini had gently butted her head against the boy's. He in turn lifted a pale hand to caress her cheek. All the while the boy had kept an intense glare on Heero. He didn't even turn to look at the horse.

"Nothing like that, I was just stating a fact," Heero replied spreading his hands in a pacifying gesture. It was obvious to him that whoever this boy was he had only recently become a slave, for no long time slave would ever have the brass to talk to a free man like that.

"Good, cause there is no way that I'd do it, I bow to no one," the boy replied. Meanwhile the curious mare had tugged the hood of his cloak off of his head, and pulled a long chestnut braid out of the back of said cloak. Heero's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the three-foot long braid that the boy wore.

"What is your name?" Heero demanded.

"I really don't think that that is any of your business," the braided boy's voice raised slightly in anger.

"Whether it is or isn't my business, you still have to answer, slave," Heero replied, he was getting rather frustrated himself.

"I don't have to do anything," the boy sneered angrily, his reply was accompanied by a deadly glare. Shinigami also seemed upset, she stretched her neck out and snapped at Heero. This more than anything startled the general, Shinigami had not even pretended to snap at him since she and Wing had mated. Heero decided that perhaps being forceful was not the correct approach to this situation, he relented and decided that he should be more civil.

"Perhaps you are correct, you really don't have to do anything I say, but I would like a name," Heero said his tone much gentler than it had been. The boy's anger seemed to melt away, and a small smile replaced his glare. Shinigami also calmed down and picked up the boy's braid and gently lipped it.

"Fine, I guess I can handle giving you a name," the braided one began, "After all, Shini obviously thinks pretty highly of you, otherwise she would have really bit you." Heero's eye's widened with shock. 'How does he know Shinigami?' "My name is Duo, and you are?"

"Heero, my name is Heero. How do you know Shinigami?"

"How do I know?" Duo began in a confused tone. "I forgot that Shini was gone, how did she get here? For that matter where is here?!" Duo exclaimed, slightly panicky.

"Shinigami belongs to the lord of this fortress, how do you know of her," Heero informed the braided man. Duo snatched his braid out of the mare's mouth and stared at Heero.

"They really DID sell her, those jerks! Man, what on Earth have I gotten myself into now?" Duo muttered to himself. Heero cleared his throat, bringing the boy's attention back to him. "Umm, well you see, Shini here belonged to me not too long ago," Duo began. Heero raised an eyebrow at this statement, they both knew that slaves could own nothing, especially not something as precious as a horse. "I wasn't always a slave you know," Duo informed Heero, "and I won't go back to being one, if you try to make me, I will run away again." Duo's face was a mask of seriousness, and Heero had the feeling that that was rare for this boy. On top of that, his violet orbs informed Heero of just how far he would go to fulfill his last statement.

"I have no intention of making you do anything, but my lord may insist on returning you to whomever you belong," Heero replied truthfully, he honestly didn't want this enigma of a boy to go anywhere, especially back into slavery. Duo studied the serious solider in front of him, while Heero studied Duo as well. Their contemplative silence was broken by Quatre opening the door and stepping into the room.

"Heero, dinner is read..." Quatre trailed off as he noticed that not only was the traveler awake, but he and Heero were staring at each other intensely. Quatre got a good look at the formerly unconscious boy, he took in the wide violet eyes, the three-foot long braid, and the slight smile curving his lips--it all seemed kind of familiar to him. Suddenly his eyes widened to the size of saucers. "D-Duo, is that you?" Quatre whispered in astonishment.

********

Wufei drummed his fingers on the table, what was keeping Quatre? He sent a questioning glance at Trowa. Trowa merely shrugged, he had no idea what was keeping his lover. Wufei snorted--he was hungry and he wanted dinner, he did not want to wait for Quatre and Heero.

"The traveler is probably holding them up somehow," Trowa said quietly.

"Do you think he woke up then?" asked Wufei irritably.

"Perhaps," Trowa responded.

********

"Q-man!!!" Duo exclaimed as he launched himself off the cot and glomped onto Quatre. "Jeez Heero, you could have told me the lord of this place was Quatre, humph all that worrying for nothing," the braided boy tossed back at Heero before turning his attention back on Quatre, whom he was still glomped onto. "Do you know how hard it is to find you? You could have told me you lived in a desert; it would have made everything so much easier! You have no idea how glad I am to see you!"

"Duo, what are you doing here? And what is with the..." Quatre was interrupted by Heero clearing his throat loudly. Both Quatre and Duo turned to look at him and Duo released Quatre and stood on his own.

"What is going on here? How do you two know each other?" Heero questioned the two smaller boys. Quatre blushed a little and Duo grinned.

"Well Heero, this is Duo--" Quatre began.

"I know that," Heero glared at the two.

"--My cousin," Quatre finished. Heero got a rather shocked look on his face that he quickly wiped away; Duo giggled at his reaction.

"I thought that you said that you had no blood relations other than your sisters," Heero resumed glaring to cover up the slip he had just made in his cold facade.

"Quatre *doesn't* have any blood relations other than his sisters," Duo replied with a wicked grin.

"But you just said that he was your cousin," Heero said. He was confused, but he would rather die than admit it.

"He is my cousin--actually, he's my nephew, through adoption," Quatre clarified. Heero nodded, he understood now.

"Yup, Q-man's sis adopted me when I was around eight," Duo added.

"Then how did you become a slave?" Heero asked with a raised eyebrow. Duo shook his head sadly.

"It is a very long story, and I believe that Q said something about dinner, I would prefer to explain after I get something to eat," Duo said, just then his stomach let out a loud rumble. Quatre giggled.

"Yes, we best be getting there, I'm sure that Wufei and Trowa are tired of waiting by now," Quatre replied.

"What are we going to do about her?" Heero said gesturing at Shinigami, "She can't just stay out all night." Duo walked over to the window and rubbed the black mare's nose.

"Hey babe, as great as it is to see you, I can't hang till later, so you go wait in the stables and don't cause any trouble okay?" Duo said. Heero and Quatre watched in amazement as the normally impossible mare obediently trotted off toward the stable.

"How did you get her to do that!" Quatre exclaimed.

"Shini always does what I say," Duo shrugged. "But she does have a problem when other people tell her what to do." Heero chuckled quietly, drawing curious glances from his companions.

"Wait until Wufei hears about that," Heero said, causing Quatre to chuckle as well.

"He'll never believe it," Quatre said.

"Who, and why not, and are we going to go to dinner?" Duo questioned.

"Oh right, I'll have to introduce you to Wufei and Trowa. Wufei has had a little trouble with Shinigami, he believes she should be more disciplined, like his mare Nataku. Wufei is a stickler for justice, honor, and discipline. He was a visiting diplomat, he never really left," Quatre explained.

"Oh. And who is Trowa?" Duo replied. Quatre blushed. "Ooh, he's your koi, isn't he?" Duo accused with a wicked smile. Quatre blushed some more, and nodded.

"He's also my chief advisor," Quatre said. Duo nodded and grinned in response. "Let's get to dinner so you can meet them." They began to exit the room with Heero following behind them. Unexpectedly, Duo faltered and fell to his knees, the exhaustion that he had been hiding becoming evident once more.

"Duo, are you okay?" Quatre asked his eyes filled with worry.

"I'm fine Q-man, I'm just a little tired," Duo replied with a weak smile.

"Hn, you should still be in bed resting, you collapsed from heat exhaustion, dehydration, and who knows what else," Heero said sternly. Duo chuckled.

"You're probably right, but you don't want to see what I'm like when bed rest is forced upon me, right Q-man?" Duo laughed as Quatre and Heero helped him back to his feet.

"I remember that, do you know that to this day Rashid still can't hear your name or even Helen's name, without shuddering?" Quatre replied with a giggle. Duo laughed loudly.

"I'll just bet that he's thrilled to see me then," Duo chuckled. The three young men began heading toward the palace and dinner once again, this time Quatre and Heero were each holding onto one of Duo's arms to prevent another collapse. All the way to the dining hall Duo and Quatre kept up a steady stream of cheerful chatter and reminiscing.

In no time Heero, Duo, and Quatre were entering the dining hall. At the sound of the doors opening, Trowa and Wufei spun around to see their late companions.

"Where have you been, Quatre? We've been waiting forever," Wufei said with an imperious sniff. Then he noticed Duo. "What? Who is that? Is that the boy you picked up this afternoon, Yuy? What is he doing here?" Wufei asked; the boy was a slave after all; slaves didn't eat with people as important as they were.

"Sheesh what's his problem?" Duo whispered to Heero, who smirked in reply.

"Wufei, Trowa, this is Duo," Quatre began, Duo waved cheerfully at them. "Duo is not a slave, or at least he wasn't last time I saw him, and he is my cousin." Wufei sputtered at this new revelation.

"Wasn't aware that you had a cousin, love," Trowa replied quietly.

"You must be Trowa," Duo said cheerfully. "I'm only Q's cousin, well really his nephew, but we've always felt like and called each other cousins, through adoption, and we don't see each other a lot, which is probably why you haven't heard of me." Trowa nodded in acknowledgement.

"Quatre, can we please commence with this meal, I have waited long enough!" Wufei exclaimed, he did not like waiting, and he did not like being surprised.

"You must be Wufei," Duo said. "No wonder Shini doesn't like you."

"Are you referring to that impossible mare!?" Wufei exclaimed.

"Hey! Shinigami is a lot of things, but she is not impossible," Duo said, wrinkling his nose at Wufei. Wufei snorted at that comment.

"We should start dinner now," Quatre said, taking his seat next to Trowa. Seeing the chance that Quatre threw out, Heero guided Duo to a seat and sat him down, hoping to stop the argument between the two others before it could get any worse. Luckily it worked.

Everyone chatted idly during dinner--Duo and Quatre chatted, Trowa and Wufei gave their opinions occasionally and Heero just listened. Duo managed to not only keep up a steady stream of chatter but to inhale vast quantities of food. Heero reasoned that he probably hadn't had anything to eat for a long time and so he was making up for it, Quatre could have told him that this was normal behavior for his braided cousin. During the meal Wufei and Duo somehow managed to be rude and civil to each other at the same time, it was obvious that they weren't very pleased with each other, even though they had only just met.

The meal was over far too soon for Duo's tastes, not because he was still hungry, but because he knew that after they finished he was going to have to explain what had happened to lead to his current circumstances, and it was not a pleasant tale. After dinner they all went into one of the parlors, Heero supported Duo all the way there, and sat next to him (just in case he should be feeling weak again, of course). Quatre had one of the Magaunacs bring them wine, which Duo declined.

"Well cousin, I think that now is a good time for you to tell us your story," Quatre said to Duo.

"I figured as much," Duo said. "It all began back when 'kassan died, and I was put in charge of the estate..." Duo began while the others listened attentively

**Flashback**

"I have considered your offer very extensively Lord Marquise, and I'm afraid that I must decline," Duo informed the dignitary sitting across from him coldly, the stern expression and cold tone seemed out of place on the normally cheerful young man.

"But Maxwell-kun, my offer benefit both of our families immensely," Zechs Marquise insisted. Duo hated Zechs, he hated his persistence, he hated Zechs's refusal to call him lord, and he hated Zechs's adopted sister Relena, oh and his hair, he loathed Zechs's hair.

"I am afraid Lord Marquise that I can not accept your offer to marry your sister Relena. While it seems a good idea from a political standpoint, I do not believe that it is in my personal interest, I apologize for any time that you have wasted. If you will excuse me, Dairenis will show you out," Duo said in polite clipped tones. He then stood and exited the room, leaving behind an enraged Zechs who was quickly shown out by Duo's servant Dairenis (Duo had servants, not slaves, he didn't believe in slaves).

Once out of the room Duo slumped against the wall, he was so tired of this. Zechs had started in on him only a month after his adopted ''kassan' had died. Duo knew that Zechs would have never approached his mother with this idea, because it was a well-known fact that she believed that people should only marry for love and nothing else, Duo couldn't agree more. Not only was he barely of age to marry, but had also never gotten along with Relena. Duo knew good and well that Zechs was only looking for the benefits he would receive. The Marquise family had always wanted the Maxwell land, and should he marry Relena he had no doubt that Zechs would try to get rid of him claiming he had no right to rule. Seeing how he was not of noble blood, and Relena was it would be only a matter of time until Zechs had Duo booted off of his own land.

Duo pushed off the wall and headed towards his quarters. Worried servants flocked towards him asking if he needed anything, the servants had always liked him as he treated them fairly and kindly. He declined their offers and smiled as he waved them off; they worried when he didn't smile. His smile and his persistent response of not needing them finally got rid of them and he was able to flee to the relative peace of his room.

Once safely in his room Duo let his cheerful mask slip, and he began to pace around his room. Zechs had been becoming more and more insistent in the past weeks, so Duo had been forced to straight out refuse. He knew that Zechs was bound to be enraged by his refusal, and he was worried that the 'honorable Lord Marquise' would seek some sort of revenge, or perhaps a way to force the engagement upon Duo. The braided noble collapsed on his bed and chewed on the end of his braid absently he was not prepared to run this estate. He had always known that he would have to run it some day, but he hadn't expected it to come so soon. His 'kassan's illness had come so swiftly and had taken her so fast that there was no time for Duo to prepare himself for the task that had come after her death. His training had begun the year that his 'father' had died, so that he would be ready, but still he wasn't.

****

It had been weeks since his refusal of the engagement, and he had heard nothing from Marquise. Normally he would find this reassuring, and be grateful that Zechs had given up, but it felt too much like the calm before the storm, and Duo was worried. The violet-eyed lord was on edge; he couldn't shake the premonition that something bad was going to happen. His only relief from the stress came from the long rides he took nightly on Shinigami, but even those weren't totally relaxing, cause he still had to be on his guard, and he always carried a weapon.

On one of his rides he was indeed attacked by about twenty men. They came out of the forest and onto his trail quickly. They had him surrounded. A few had horses, but most were on foot. The ones on horses charged in and engaged him in combat. Duo was a good fighter, but unfortunately one lucky shot from behind sent him flying off Shinigami with a large wound on his head. Once on the ground the other fighters converged on him. He struggled with about fifteen men, he had a sword, but then again so did most of the men, and the others had clubs. While he was fighting the rest of his attackers were struggling to hold back Shinigami, the mare was in a rare rage at seeing her master attacked.

The fight continued, Duo had put several men out of the fight, but the rest were still coming at him. One of the men threw a dagger; it sunk deep into Duo's upper arm. Duo screamed with pain. At the sound of his scream Shinigami tore from the grasp of the men who were holding her. The black mare raced over to her master. Duo somehow managed to climb on top of his faithful horse, and they were off. Shinigami galloped through the forest dodging trees and ditches.

After Duo was sure that he had lost his attackers, he stopped Shini next to a stream. He slid down off of his horse and sunk to his knees beside the water. He had a great deal of cuts and bruises. The wound on his head was bleeding sluggishly, and he had a dagger through his arm. At this point life basically sucked. The braided one struggled out of his tunic careful not to jar his injured left arm. Once it was off he tore the delicate material into strips. Duo soaked a few of the strips and wrapped them around the wound on the back of his head. He them turned his concentration onto the dagger. He gently grasped the hilt of the dagger and swiftly pulled it out. Then he wrapped the rest of the strips around it. After he had finished that, it all became too much for him, and he collapsed by the stream, with Shinigami standing guard over him.

Duo awoke around sunrise of the next day, with a splitting headache and a throbbing left arm, he groaned. The young lord pushed himself to his feet and whistled for Shinigami, the mare had gone a short way to graze. At his whistle the magnificent mare trotted back over to him. "Hey Shini, thanks for your help last night," Duo said as he mounted her. "We had better get back to the house, I have a bad feeling about what may have happened last night." With that said the black mare galloped soundlessly into the forest and back towards the estate.

Duo stopped Shinigami at the edge of the forest, something was wrong. There were guards on the outer wall. Duo's eyes narrowed, he had no guards. Then he saw a dark figure stalking through the shadows away from the manor. It was Dairenis. Duo whistled to catch his attention, Dairenis spun toward him and sprinted for the area he was in.

"Mater Duo, are you all right?" Dairenis said as soon as he saw Duo.

"I thought I told you to quit with the formal stuff," Duo replied. "And yes I'm fine, what happened?"

"Lord Marquise has taken over the estate! We might have been able to stop him, but I told the others not to, I didn't want to see anyone get hurt. I apologize for not fulfilling my duty," Dairenis hung his head in shame.

"You have nothing to apologize for, no estate is worth any of you losing your blood," Duo told. "I believe that it is time for me to have a chat with Zechs." Duo had a positively wicked grin.

"But, Duo you could be hurt," Dairenis said in an attempt to stop Duo from confronting the mad Lord.

"I will not just stand by and have my home be stolen!" Duo exclaimed.

"Duo, if you go in there now you could be killed, and that would do nothing but please Zechs," Dairenis reminded him.

"He won't kill me, and I am going in there," Duo said. "You get out of here and go find somewhere else to work, just stay away from Zechs," Duo demanded.

"As you wish lord," Dairenis said, suddenly he found himself in a bone- crushing hug.

"I'll miss you Dair," Duo told him.

"And I you Duo, and I you," Dair whispered back. Duo released him and mounted Shinigami once again. Duo then road right out of the forest and through the gate into his estate.

Once he was inside the walls guards immediately converged on him, demanding to know who he was, and what his business was. "You will take me to Lord Marquise," Duo demanded. The guards laughed at him, they thought he was joking, they thought it was hilarious. Until Duo tried to ride past them, then they threw him and Shinigami out of the grounds and slammed the gate.

Duo looked up at the closed and locked gate and swore, in several different languages. 'Now what am I going to do?!' Duo thought in frustration. "Great, not only is my head about to break in half, and my arm's about to fall off, but I'm also locked out of my house with only the clothes on my back, and the horse under my butt," Duo grumbled. "What am I going to do, no one here will help me." Duo guided Shinigami away from the closed gate to their former home. "Everyone here has always looked down on me because 'I'm not noble born'. The whole nobility thing is stupid. I've met plenty of 'nobles' that wouldn't even be able to make it as peasants, much less leaders. Plus I've met plenty of 'lower born' people who would make wonderful leaders, but can't because of their birthright," the long haired young man continued to mumble as he road away from the last place he had called home with no direction in mind.

Shinigami nickered in what had to be agreement; after all she was a wild horse until Duo found her. They continued to walk aimlessly, they were heading vaguely to the east. "I have no family but you Shini, where can I go?" Duo whispered in his mare's ear. "Wait a minute that's not true!! 'Kassan has that whole horde of sisters, and there's still cousin Quatre, I'll bet you anything that he could help!!!" Duo exclaimed. The braided one let out an exuberant whoop and immediately turned Shinigami towards the west and spurred her into a gallop. "I'm not positive where Q-man lives, but I do know that it's to the west!!"

**Several weeks later**

"Man Shini, absolutely no one knows where the Magaunac settlement is! This has to be like the hundredth person that I've asked and all that I've heard is that it's to the west. Ch' I'm starting to get discouraged," Duo murmured to the mare as he rode away from yet another town. No one seemed to know where his cousin's settlement was, it was depressing, and Duo was running out of money. If he didn't find something fast he would either have to find a job, or go back to being the thief he had been before he was adopted. Most likely it would be the latter, who would hire a dirty, bedraggled, teenager who had like no skills, well no skills except thievery, and an affinity for people.

So thievery it was. He had already sold every thing else. The stirrups had been the first to go they had bought him some new clothes, as it was not a good idea for him to ride around with a bare chest. The rest of his tack had gone towards food, and lodging, and other sorts of common necessities. At this point he was down to riding bareback, in dirty but durable clothes, and only enough food to last him one more day, so stealing it was, unless by some miracle someone wanted to hire him.

****

Duo sighed, that was strike three. He had been to all three of the shops where he might actually be able to do something, and all three shop owners had throw him out, things were definitely looking down. On top of that he was in a rather poor settlement so there was no one that he would be willing to steal from. Stealing from rich pompous noble's was one thing, stealing from the poor was out of the question. He ambled back over to Shinigami who was waiting for him at the edge of the town. Just as he had climbed onto her, he heard it. It was the sound of trumpets announcing a visiting noble. Duo grinned maybe things weren't so bad after all. Duo galloped Shini back into the city and in to a dark alley so that he could watch the precession. If the noble seemed rich, and wasn't somehow related to his ''kassan', then he would be reliving them of some small expensive trinkets.

As the precession began to move through the city Duo's eyes widened, it was huge! The whole thing screamed rich and powerful, and not only that but it was also rather rude. Whoever the noble was that headed the precession, they were being pushy to the people, and snobby, and just plain rude. Duo smiled an evil grin, oh yes was he ever going to some nice trinkets tonight. The braided one and Shinigami trailed behind the noble. They were waiting till nightfall to strike.

That night the whole precession stopped and set up an elaborate camp, full of rich tents and surrounded be smaller tents, all of which surrounded a huge tent that could only belong to whatever lord owned all this stuff. Next to it was a smaller well-guarded tent, the tent that held tributes. As a lord traveled all the others lords he met up with were "allowed" to pay him tributes, it was an unavoidable tradition that when not fulfilled was cause enough for war. Which meant that there was bound to be tons of good stuff in that tent.

Duo sneaked in after everything had been settled down for the night. The guards around the tent were almost asleep; they figured that since they were in the middle of nowhere there would be no one to steal from them, boy were they wrong. Once inside the tent Duo began browsing through the treasures, looking for small valuable trinkets that could easily be misplaced on a journey such as this. He was an expert at this sort of thing, one of the best tricks is to make it so that they don't even realize something is missing until you are as far away from them as you can get. Then he saw something that made him freeze; there among the tributes was a small bejeweled box with an intricate lock. Duo grabbed the frail chain around his neck, hanging from that chain was part of the key to that box. The box contained some very important things, not for their worth in money, but for their sentimental value. Inside it held several keepsakes from his father and 'kassan's childhoods, it also contained his only keepsake of his beloved dead brother, Solo.

He could not leave it here, but where was the rest of the key! It should have been placed in the back design, which was where it had been since his 'kassan's death. He and 'kassan had always worn a half of the key each, to keep it safe, when she had died he had fastened her part back onto the lovely box, but it was no longer there. There was no chance that it had simply fallen off, it was fixed on to well for that, it must have been removed. If it was removed, there was only one place it could be, around the neck of the noble that owned it. He could not leave it behind; it was much to precious to him. So he broke his number one rule, he was going to steal the rest of the key off the noble's neck.



Duo and the Desert by Travaria

Part 2

Duo silently slipped out of the tribute tent, the small box placed in a carefully concealed pouch that hung around his waist. The braided thief then sneaked into the tent of the lord. Inside it was so dark that not even his better than average night vision could help him see much, all he saw was vague out lines and solid objects. He could barley see the noble lying on his huge (yet somehow portable) bed that was covered liberally with feather down comforters pillows, and mattresses. Amidst the heap of comfortable bedclothes lay the noble, and the little light that was in the room glinted off a golden necklace. It had to be the other part of the key; there was nothing else that it could be. Duo reached up and brushed his own silver chain for luck and slowly reached for the other necklace.

Just as Duo was slipping the chain off from the neck of the noble, the tent flap burst open filling the room with light. At the light's intrusion the noble awoke, and when he saw Duo he quickly reached out and grabbed for the violet-eyed boy. Duo managed to duck under his hand, ripping the delicate chain off his neck. At about that time the guard in the doorway recovered from his shock, yelled a warning and lunged at Duo. The lithe boy dodged him as well and bounded out of the tent. Unfortunately the whole camp had been roused by the guard's yell and everyone was hurrying towards him.

Duo let out a piercing whistle and was rewarded with an answering whinny; he'd need Shini's help on this one. Now all he needed to do was to stay free until the mare could get there. Unfortunately about twenty guards were closing in on him and more were on the way. He was clutching the necklace so hard in his hand that he was bleeding, but he was too busy to notice. The box was still tucked in the pouch around his waist, on any other person this would throw their balance off, but Duo had already adjusted. The longhaired thief sighed; this would have been so much easier if he was armed. The guards began to lunge at him, and to straight out attack him. Their clumsy attempts weren't even close; they were getting in each other's way and leaving him way too much room to maneuver. It was pathetic, you'd think they had never done something like this before.

Just then the noble appeared from his tent and began leading the guards. He instructed a group of about thirty to surround Duo; he told the rest to go try to stop the horse. When Duo heard that, he faltered, why would someone send guards after a horse, unless he knew Shini? Duo ran and vaulted over a guard in order to see who was in charge. When Duo landed he looked up, and almost fell over in shock; the noble he had been trying to steal from was none other than Zechs's best 'friend' Treize Khushrenada. The braided one quickly shook off his shock before the guards could take advantage of it, now that they had a leader it was going to be so much harder to get away. Duo bolted, he ran as fast as he could, ducking behind tents, through tents, sometimes even over tents. With the guards after her there was no way Shinigami would be able to reach him, so he decided that he would reach her. Unfortunately the guards were right behind them, if he looked back he could see them. A group of twenty guys all chasing after little old him.

Wait a minute, his thoughts came to a screeching halt, 'Twenty, but there were thirty!' Duo realized his mistake, but he was too late, the other ten guys had cut through the camp, and he had literally run into them. In fact Duo and one of the guards that had tried to stop him were both on the ground, the force of Duo's headlong sprint had sent them tumbling. Duo quickly stood up, but he wasn't quite quick enough, the rest of the guards had surrounded him, he was doomed. Duo normally would have kept fighting until he was completely unable to go on, but, he heard an enraged whinny from Shini meaning that she was captured to, and he really didn't want to be a pathetic mass of pain when he was confronted by Treize. Not to mention that he was an expert at untying himself, with really good knots he could be out in about twenty minutes, in easy knots a few minutes were enough for him to break free. So he surrendered, he held up his hands, and let on of the guards grab them and tie them together. The knots were medium, about a ten minute untying job.

One of the guards ran and told Khushrenada that they had apprehended the thief. Duo snorted to himself, they were like little puppies begging for attention from their 'master', it was sickening. The guard came back and told the leader of the guards that Treize wanted them to bring the thief to his conference tent, the lord wanted to 'meet' the one who was able to get past his guards so easily. When Duo heard that he almost burst out laughing, with guards like these he was surprised that more people didn't steal from him. The guards who were holding him began to drag him towards the tent rather roughly. "Hey watch it, just because I'm a thief doesn't mean you get to knock me around," Duo snarled when they got to rough.

"Oh, so the big 'thief' speaks," mocked one of the guards who were dragging him, "I was beginning to wonder if you knew how."

"I know a lot more than you think gorilla-man," Duo said in a sarcastically sweet voice.

"Watch it pretty boy," the guard growled, "or you'll find your self in more trouble than you can handle!"

"I doubt it, after all how hard could it be to get past a guy with the IQ of an earth worm," Duo replied with a cheerful grin. Luckily for the braided maniac they had reached the conference tent so all the irritated guard could do was snarl at him. Duo entered the tent (so he was sort of forced in, but hey it was kinda voluntary) with his head held high, he looked down for no one, not even when he was captured. Plus the comforting feeling of the necklace clutched in his hand and the weight of the box at his side gave him courage. Two of the guards stood to either side of the tent flap, just in case they were needed, the rest left. "Why hello Treize fancy meeting you in a place like this!" Duo exclaimed cheerfully as soon as he saw the noble. Treize froze momentarily in shock, but he recovered his smugly polite air rather quickly, but not quickly enough, Duo was already fighting off giggles at the expression he had had.

"Well, well, Duo, you're supposed to be dead," Treize lifted an eloquent eyebrow.

"I was?" Duo feigned shock. "I'm crushed that you would believe me dead so easily."

"I did have it on rather good authority that you were killed by a band of robbers," Treize replied nonchalantly.

"Perhaps you should tell Zechs that he needs spend more money next time, those hit men weren't nearly up to par," the violet eyed boy replied in a mocking tone. Treize's cornflower gaze turned cold.

"You shouldn't go around making false accusations Maxwell," Treize practically hissed, all the polite smugness gone. "You never know what may happen to you if you do." Duo couldn't help it, he laughed. It wasn't that there was anything particularly funny happening, as a matter of fact, Duo was more scared now then he had been in a long time. He just used the laughter as a mask, to make others think he wasn't afraid and to deal with his fear. He began to struggle with his ropes. "You find something amusing, Duo," Treize sneered eloquently.

Duo grinned a rather maniac grin. "Why not? You are so much more amusing when you lose control 'Lord' Treize," Duo smirked. He knew he shouldn't be doing this, but it might give him the time he needed to untie the ropes. Treize gained a positively wicked little smirk.

"Well, what on earth am I going to do with you?" Treize began, completely ignoring the other man's bait.

"You could just let me go, so I could go along my merry way and never bother you or 'Lord' Marquise ever again," Duo replied. It was a long shot, but hey, he might as well try. Treize laughed, and it wasn't a pleasant laugh.

"Ah, but Duo you are believed to be dead, it just wouldn't do to have you running around messing with Zechs's plans," Treize said in a very fake tone of regret. "Hmm, what else could be done with you. Perhaps, I will just have to keep you." Duo's eyes widened in shock he didn't mean...he did, he must, why else would he have that smug little smirk on his face. The braided one began to struggle even more in his bonds, he had to get them off, or else he would become part of Treize's little slave entourage. "Guards grab him! Quickly before he escapes!" Treize yelled.

Duo swore internally, he was so close to getting free. One of the gorilla guards lunged at him, trying to grab a hold of him. Duo nimbly leaped aside and jumped for the opening in the tent. Unfortunately one of the guards moved in front of him while he was in mid-leap! There was no chance to change direction, Duo slammed into the guard and both of them tumbled to the ground. The violet eyed boy shook his head and stood preparing to get the hell out of there. Just as he began, strong arms grabbed him from behind; the other guard made his appearance known once more. This time Duo swore out loud, and in a startling array of languages.

"Tsk tsk, that is not language that a noble should use," Treize lectured from behind the guard and Duo. "Perhaps it is for the best that you aren't one. Now guards listen to me very closely, I want you to take him to the prisoner tent. I want you to have ten alert guards on duty around that tent at all times. And when you bind him, use the manacles, not ropes. For if the rumors are true then Duo here would be able to escape ropes, and we couldn't have that. Oh yes, and take the mare, Shinigami to the pen with the other horses, tie her to the far end," Treize instructed the guards before motioning them to leave.

Duo struggled fiercely as they took him to the tent. But it was to no avail; the guard who was holding him was simply much to strong for him to over come. Duo still kept it up though, there was always a chance, and he wouldn't stop trying until he found his. Although the chances looked pretty slim once they had managed to manacle his hands, and chain him in a tent with no lights. Duo sighed; things just weren't going the way he had planned. 'Man this sucks!" Duo thought angrily, 'I can't believe this is happening! Why would he want to keep me? He knows how much trouble I am!' Duo shook his head sadly; it looked like the situation had finally gotten out of his hands. Luckily though, in all the confusion Treize had forgotten about the necklace and the box. Duo carefully tucked the necklace into the pouch with the box; they were not going to take those from him.

**A few weeks later**

Duo was sick of this. He was sick of being lead around by Treize like he was a puppy. He was sick of being glared, sneered, and worst of all leered at. Mostly he was sick of being a slave. That was what he was now, thanks to Treize. In other words he was in deep trouble, and it didn't look like he would be getting out of it very soon. Every time he rebelled, he was punished, either by beatings or manual labor sometimes threats. After they caught him trying to run away they said they were selling Shinigami at the next town they came through. Duo hadn't seen Shini since the night he was captured, so he wasn't sure if they really had. The worst part though, the absolute worst part was Treize, and his 'offers'. Duo had finally figured out why Treize kept him instead of killing him, or turning him in, and the reason repulsed him. Treize wanted him, literally, figuratively, and any other 'ly that was out there, it made the unfortunate braided boy want to throw up.

Right then it was late, and getting dark. Soon the guards would be there to haul him away from his work (taking care of the animals) and to take him to Treize. This was his least favorite part of the day; he never wanted to see Treize again. The most frustrating part was that Duo had figured out how to unlock the manacles, but he had no chance to escape as he was guarded heavily all day, and all night. All he needed was a tiny little lapse in the guards' vigilance and he would be out of here. Not that he knew where he was; as a matter of fact they were currently moving southwest through a vast desert.

The guards were coming; Duo's workday was over. The braided boy shuddered, they would drag him off to see Treize, and he would present the same question that he always did. Duo would reply as he always did, and then the guards would haul him off to his tent and chain him down, leaving him only a bowl of water that he was forced to drink out of like a dog. One of the guards, the one that Duo had taunted the night he was caught, grabbed his arm and roughly pulled him over the fence. Once the unfortunate boy had cleared the top, the guard let go of him, causing Duo to fall painfully

"Get up pretty boy," the guard--Shalen--sneered. "We wouldn't want you to be late for your meeting with Lord Treize." Shalen again grabbed Duo's arm and forced him to his feet. Duo, being Duo spat in his face. Shalen pulled back his fist and hit Duo with a nasty right hook to his cheek. Duo flew a good three feet before crashing to the ground. Despite being tired, hurt, and suffering from malnutrition Duo was on his feet immediately, he turned away from Shalen and ran for it. He knew there was no way he would make it, but he tried anyway. Within seconds Shalen had grabbed him again, and punched him some more, this time keeping a tight grip on Duo's arm. After all of that, Duo had a black eye, and his mouth and nose were bleeding heavily. "You should know better slave! Do not resist, you must do everything you are told, for you're just a pathetic little slave!" Shalen growled in Duo's ear. "You shouldn't resist your masters, no matter what they ask of you! You will submit to us one day slave, and on that day, you shall truly be the slave that you were bred to be," Shalen snarled. "And you will break, everyone breaks eventually. It doesn't matter how tough you think you are pretty boy, you will be broken." With that Shalen dragged him to Treize's tent and shoved him inside. Shalen then took his post as part of the loose circle that surrounded their Lord's tent. Treize had ordered them to wait outside while he talked to Duo. All the guards knew that Treize could handle the boy should he try anything. Never the less they surrounded the tent in case the slave managed to do something.

"Well, well Duo, it looks like you've been bothering your superiors again," Treize mocked when he got a look at Duo's bleeding face.

"None of those illiterate gorillas are superior to Shinigami's fleas, much less me," Duo snarled at the pompous noble. Treize walked up to the braided one and grabbed his arm.

"Well my pet," the noble purred seductively, "have you thought more on my offer."

"Go to hell Treize," Duo replied leaning as far from the noble's touch as he could.

"Now, now pet, slave, you could have a much better life if you would just agree," Treize whispered in Duo's ear hotly, "you could be free, I could give you what ever you wanted. To have your freedom, and to have any treasures that you desire you need only say that you will be mine forever. You need only let me take you, and then you could be not only free, but nobility once more. "

"Don't make me repeat myself Treize, go to hell, go straight to hell," the beautiful violet-eyed boy growled (for some reason he had the irrational urge to add do not pass go do not collect two-hundred dollars). Treize slapped him, hard.

"I shall warn you now, do not refuse this offer, or you will be sorry, very sorry," Treize replied in an annoyed tone. "I'll ask you only once more, do you except my offer!"

"Treize, I would rather marry Relena, I would rather be a slave all my life, I would rather be a street brat, I would rather be eaten alive, I would rather die in the most painful way possible than to give myself to you!" Duo spat the words out in an angry rush and waited for the blow that he knew would be coming. It never came, Treize called in the guards and asked them to pound a stake into the ground in his tent. Duo's eyes widened, he couldn't mean to keep him in here. But he did, Treize was having Duo chained to a stake inside his tent, Duo shuddered violently, he prayed that Treize wouldn't touch him. The braided boy could take the beatings, the hard labor, the starvation, but if Treize did anything like that to him, he wouldn't be able to handle that.

The guards chained Duo to the stake, with his hands manacled behind his back. The braided boy was terrified, he was having a very difficult time keeping himself from trembling, it wouldn't do to show Treize weakness. Treize ordered the guards to ring the outside edges of the camp, instead of his tent, they reluctantly obeyed, and Duo was left all alone with Treize Khushrenada. And he was helpless, he could escape from the manacles, but if Treize were watching him, then Treize would be able to stop him. Duo bit back a fearful whimper; Treize had pulled out a large leather whip.

"You should have agreed with my conditions Maxwell, for I will have you one day," Treize growled. "But that day will not be today, it will be soon, but not today," he continued, "I will have to punish you for disobeying me slave. I will break you, maybe not tonight, maybe not in a week or two or three, but you will break under my whip. When I am through with you, you will beg me to take you." Treize was angry, and he was going to take it out on Duo. Khushrenada was used to getting everything that he wanted, and he wanted Duo, one way or another.

Treize approached Duo and the violet-eyed boy flinched away from him. Duo knew he was acting like a coward, but he was scared, and he was helpless. Treize ripped Duo's shirt off revealing his pale muscular chest and back. Duo closed his eyes and tensed waiting for the descent of the whip. The free noble brought one foot down on Duo's back, knocking him flat on his stomach on the floor of the tent. Treize then proceeded to crack the whip several times, adding to the braided boy's anxiety. The older man then brought the whip down; it slashed across Duo's lower back. For then next hour, or two, Duo was in too much pain to be sure how long it was; Treize slowly whipped and beat the unfortunate boy. Treize kept up a steady steam of talk during the whole time, telling Duo how worthless he was, and how he would obey him, and how Treize would enjoy breaking him, and taking him.

After that Treize appeared to have tired he left Duo bleeding and unconscious on the floor and went to bed. About an hour after Treize had fallen asleep, Duo regained his senses. Despite the blindingly painful wounds on Duo's back he was able to realize that now was the perfect time to escape. Treize was asleep, he wasn't guarded nearly as well, and he knew how to get out of the manacles. So Duo did just that, he used what he had learned about the manacles to unfasten them. Once they were off the braided one stood painfully. He would need to find some sort of shirt, and maybe a cloak to protect him from the desert sun. He rifled through Treize's chest of clothes and found an old gray shirt, which Duo slipped on. His back screamed in protest of the contact, but there was no time to think of that, he needed to get out of here. He grabbed a black cloak and slipped that on as well. Duo then touched the hidden pouch that was still around his waist; it held the box and now both necklaces (he had put his in there to protect it from Treize). Everything was in place, it was finally time for him to get out of the place. Duo silently slipped out of the camp, none of the guards so much as thought that they might have seen anything move Duo had always been very good at stealth.

Duo took off in a northwestern direction. North because that would get him away from the camp, and west because they would expect him to go east. The braided boy knew that they would probably catch him easily, but he swore to himself that he would have freedom or die trying. With that thought firmly in place he set off into the desert.

**End Flashback**

"I walked for I don't know how long before I collapsed. The next thing I knew I woke up with Heero standing over me," Duo concluded his tale. The violet-eyed beauty was exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally, right now all he wanted was a good long soak and bed in that order. The four other occupants of the room stared in shock at the young man who had suffered so much. Finally the silence was broken, and by Heero no less.

"Quatre I think that Duo probably should get some rest now," Heero said quietly. Everyone turned to look at him; it wasn't in Heero's nature to be so caring.

"I'm sorry Duo, you're probably exhausted, I'm sure you would like to get right to bed," Quatre apologized.

"Actually, if I could have some kind of bath first that would be great," Duo said with a shadow of his old grin.

"Of course, the bath is on the third floor, fourth door on the right," Quatre informed him. "I'll have some of my servants bring you up a change of clothes."

"Thanks Q-man," Duo said as he struggled to pull his exhausted body up off of the couch he was seated on. Heero stood and helped him to his feet.

"I shall assist you there. There is no way you can walk on your own," Heero said. The exhausted boy could only smile slightly and nod a reluctant agreement. With that, the two of them left.

Once they were out of the room Quatre sighed. "Poor Duo," the traumatized noble whispered as he snuggled deeper into Trowa's embrace. Trowa nodded in agreement, he genuinely felt bad for the boy. Wufei was surprisingly quiet and thoughtful. "Wufei are you okay?" questioned Quatre.

"You would never guess," Wufei mumbled, almost to himself. Trowa and Quatre exchanged confused looks. "You would never guess from the way he acts that he did put up with all that, that he even could. I have much to think on, I will be retiring now," Wufei said as he excused himself from the room. He had read Duo completely wrong, he couldn't believe that he had been so foolish, that he had fallen for that cheerful exterior. He truly did have much to think on.

"You know what, Quatre?" Trowa said to his small lover quietly.

"What?" Quatre asked.

"I think I like your cousin. He and Heero are good for each other," Trowa answered. Quatre smiled.

"You noticed, too. They do seem to fit nicely," Quatre replied.

"A bit like Shinigami and Wing, ne?" Trowa added. Quatre laughed and nodded. Trowa and him then went to their own room to sleep, it had been a long day and it was late.

********

Heero was helping Duo up the stairs. Duo attempting to climb the stairs in his state was interesting to say the least. Heero was having a hard time resisting his urge to just pick the slight boy up and carry him to the bath. He didn't only because he wasn't sure how well that would go over with the braided one. As it was, Heero had one hand on Duo's arm and Heero's other arm was around the slim boy's waist, supporting the tired youth as best he could. Duo didn't seem to mind, as it was blaringly obvious to both of them that he needed the support lest he fall. Heero kept sneaking sideways glances at the beautiful boy. He found Duo incredibly intriguing, especially after hearing about everything that had happened to him on his way here. It was almost humbling, to think that Duo could handle so much and still seem so cheerful and unaffected.

Duo stumbled again; you could see the strain on his face. It was obvious that he didn't have the strength to climb the stairs, but he kept trying anyway. He didn't want to admit that he had nothing left. He knew that Heero knew how hard he was struggling, but instead of that annoying him, it was almost comforting having Heero help him. With Heero's help it didn't take them too long to reach the bathing room. Once they got inside it was obvious that the servants had already been there. The tub was full of steaming water and there were fresh clothes for Duo. Heero turned to leave when he was stopped by a rather sheepish Duo.

"Umm, Heero I know this sounds strange, but could you possibly help me get this shirt off?" Duo murmured, an embarrassed blush staining his cheeks. Heero chuckled inwardly at Duo's embarrassment; he nodded and helped Duo over to the edge of the tub where he sat him down. Heero unclasped Duo's cloak and let the heavy material slide to the floor. Duo sat and let him, turning a rather interesting shade of red. Heero then helped the braided youth get his shirt off.

Instead of leaving like he should have, Heero stood Duo back up and spun him around by his shoulders to look at his back. Heero let his breath out in a hiss. Duo's back was a mass of scabbed over cuts that obviously came from a whip. It was also obvious that Treize had gone a little overboard as all the skin on Duo's back that wasn't cut was bruised. It looked incredibly painful. Heero marveled at the fact that Duo had been able to move around at all with his back in that condition.

"Umm, Heero," Duo said shakily, "could you loosen your grip a little?" Heero looked down at his hands and noticed that he was squeezing Duo's shoulders hard enough to bruise. He immediately loosened his grip, but didn't let go for fear that Duo would collapse. "Heero, is it--is it bad?" Duo whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

"It's a miracle that you can even move," Heero replied. Duo winced.

"That bad, huh," he replied with a tiny laugh.

"It's going to hurt like hell when you get it wet," Heero warned. "I'm not sure if you'll be able to handle soaking it by yourself."

"Oh man, this sucks," Duo mumbled, he was tired, he was sore, and he had really hoped to have a nice long soak in the tub, but it obviously wasn't going to work out like he had planned.

"These cuts need washed, though," Heero said thoughtfully. "And you look like you could benefit from a good bath. Would you like me to help you?"

Duo almost fell over in shock; the only reason he didn't was because of the grip Heero still had on his shoulders. He hadn't expected something like that at all, and yet he wanted to accept Heero's offer. And not just because he wanted a bath. Duo blushed, maybe this wasn't such a good idea...but, then again, it was Heero's idea, so... "Why not, I could use a bath and if you want to help, who am I to stop you?" Duo joked. Heero snorted and helped the braided beauty remove his pants. They left his underwear on from modesty's sake. Heero also removed his own shirt in order to keep it dry.

Heero lifted Duo up and slowly began to lower him into the water. Duo was fine until the hot water began to lap against his lower back. The instant the water touched the first cut all of Duo's breath came out in a hiss of pain. Heero immediately stopped lowering him. "Are you alright, Duo?" Heero asked worriedly.

"I'm fine Hee-chan, it just stings a little," Duo said tensely.

"Hee-chan?" Heero raised an eyebrow. Duo grinned.

"Sure, why not? It's a cute nickname for you," Duo snickered.

"Cute?" Heero replied, as if it had never crossed his mind that someone could refer to him and cute in the same sentence. Duo snickered some more, but was prevented from replying when some water splashed on his back. After that, they dropped the conversation, although Heero was still planning on figuring out the whole cute thing. It took several minutes for Heero to immerse Duo's back completely in the water; every time a new part got wet it caused the violet-eyed beauty intense pain. After Duo had gotten used to the water Heero helped him clean out his wounds, and to wash his braid-- because Duo insisted that as long as he was in the water already they might as well get that over with, too.

After Duo's bath was done, Heero gently hauled Duo out of the water and set him on the edge of the tub. Then Heero Yuy, the trained solider, picked up a big fluffy towel and began to gently dry Duo's hair and back. Heero didn't know where these maternal instincts had come from, but they were too strong to ignore, therefore he was forced to give in to them. Once Duo was as dry as he was going to get, Heero turned away so that Duo could change into the fresh, dry underwear and pants Quatre had had the servants bring. Heero then helped him into the fresh shirt and helped Duo braid his thigh- length hair.

Duo's eyes were half-lidded and he couldn't stop yawning; he was totally exhausted and he was going to fall asleep anytime now. Luckily Heero noticed. "I could find you a room on this floor," Heero told him. Duo looked at him cautiously, as if estimating Heero's response to whatever he was about to say.

"Actually, I was sort of wondering if I could stay somewhere besides in here, I have a problem sleeping behind stone walls," Duo replied quietly, as if in fear of some kind of rejection. Duo's caution confused Heero, but he let it slide for now.

"You could stay down in my cottage if you like, I have a spare bedroom," Heero replied. Duo ginned widely.

"That would be great," Duo answered. Heero helped Duo to his feet once more and they started to walk out of the room, with Heero supporting Duo once again. They hadn't even made it to the top of the stairs before Duo stumbled. Heero frowned, it wasn't a good idea for the exhausted boy to be walking all over the place, so Heero gave into his earlier urge and gently lifted Duo into his arms.

"Wha--?" Duo began, but before he could finish his question Heero interrupted him.

"It will be much easier if I just carry you down there," Heero informed him. Under normal circumstances Duo would have protested, but he was way too tired to do anything, much less argue with the solemn boy who was carrying him. So Duo just nodded. Heero began to carry the extremely light boy down towards his cottage. It didn't take very long for the braided beauty to fall asleep in his arms. Heero looked down when he felt Duo's head resting against his chest. Heero snorted--softly, to avoid disturbing the slumbering boy--and resumed his walk.

When the young general reached his home, he hesitated. Should he put Duo back in the guestroom, or should he put he put the braided boy in his room instead? Heero's bed would be much more comfortable for Duo's back, but it was Heero's room and...There was absolutely no good reason for him not to put Duo in his room. Heero swiftly crossed to his room and pulled the covers off his bed, being careful not to shift his precious burden too much. Heero gently lowered the braided one onto the bed and pulled the covers over him. Heero snorted, the boy was tiny and the bed completely dwarfed him, they definitely needed to get more food into Duo. Heero snorted again, judging by the way that Duo had eaten at dinner that wouldn't be a problem. Heero shook his head and left the room, he needed to get some sleep as well.

********

Duo awoke with a start. 'Where am I?' he thought frantically, 'Why am I not chained up?! What happened?!' Slowly the events of the previous day came back to him. Duo sighed in relief, he was at cousin Quatre's; he was safe. The braided one took a look around the room he was in. While it was obvious that he wasn't in the room he had first woken up in, it was also easy to see that he wasn't in the castle, either. 'Must be another room in Heero's house.' Duo was startled out of his thoughts by someone knocking on the door. "Umm, come in," Duo said tentatively.

Heero opened the door and walked in. He was carrying a tray of food. "I thought that you might be hungry when you woke up," Heero said.

"Thanks Heero, that looks really good," Duo grinned at his new friend. Heero laid the tray across Duo's lap and sat in a chair next to the bed. Duo immediately dug into the food.

"Quatre is coming down to see you in an hour, he has a few things to ask you," Heero informed Duo.

"Questions, everyone always has to ask questions," the violet-eyed boy mumbled in between mouthfuls.

"Here, I brought you these," Heero said, laying a bejeweled box and two necklaces on the bed next to Duo. "You were so tired last night that you must have forgotten them."

Duo immediately grabbed the precious objects. "Thank you Heero! I can't believe I forgot them! Thank you so much for getting them for me!" Duo exclaimed. The braided one then lunged out of the bed and caught the surprised Heero in a bear hug. Then Heero Yuy, the world's youngest general, the boy rumored to not have emotions, blushed faintly--but it was still a blush. Luckily for him, Duo didn't notice.

"Hn. Finish your breakfast baka, Quatre will be coming soon," Heero replied as he carefully pried Duo off of him.

"Spoilsport," Duo said, sticking his tongue out at Heero. The braided one then settled back down to finish his breakfast.

It didn't take long for Duo to finish inhaling his meal. Once he was done he crawled out of the bed and said to Heero, "So, what now?"

"You need to change before Quatre gets here and I need to take a look at your back," Heero answered.

"You don't really need to look at it, it feels much better now," Duo said as convincingly as possible.

"Your wounds need taken care of whether you want care or not," Heero insisted. 'Why wouldn't he want his back taken care of, it must be painful...so why is he trying to get out of it?'

"Fine, fine, whatever you say Hee-chan," Duo replied sweetly. 'Man, if it was Quatre I could have gotten out of it, but no it's Heero so I get to have my back prodded and poked and cleaned and bandaged. I could handle it on my own.'

"Don't call me that," Heero scowled.

"Why not?" Duo asked innocently. "I think it's cute, it suits you," Duo grinned. Heero snorted, this was getting ridiculous.

"Just get up and change so that I'll have time to check your back before Quatre gets here," Heero commanded.

"Of course master, your every wish is my command," Duo mocked.

"Just do it," Heero growled. Then he turned and stalked out of the room.

"Sheesh, someone obviously got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Duo smirked to himself. As much as he liked Heero, it was just too much fun to annoy him.

To be continued….