The tidbit at the end is the song 'It's Been Awhile' by Staind

Runaway Part 7

From the moment Heero had gone missing, Quatre had worried. But Quatre had no one to ask for fear Duo might discover their plans. So his hands were effectively tied, as news from Reva Castle grew progressively worse. Then the Howlers had been set loose and Trowa had confided in him that he feared Duo had lost what tremulous grasp on sanity Heero's presence had given him.

But instead of wreaking havoc on the land for his personal amusement like he had in his pre-Heero days, Duo had a goal in mind. When word leaked out that Duo had changed the ancient laws that had been etched in the flesh and blood of his people since birth there had almost... almost been uproar. He had wielded the absolute power of not only the Niken Emperor... but that of Shinigami. And no one could deny a power that strong.

He changed it so the host of a royal heir and the mate of any of the royal prince or princesses no longer had to be a full-blooded royal Niken, but their lover's soul mate. Of course that was just paper law but it was enough. The pronouncement had reduced Quatre among many to tears. He and Trowa's child wouldn't have to be a secret. Neither would their union.

But most shocking of all, in his absence, Duo had declared Heero not only his soul mate but also his empress. He had forgone any type of marriage ceremony in favor of expediency. Now if anyone tried to harm his Heero again, they would be committing treason. Not just their lives would be forfeit but their families' lives, their lands; everything they touched would wither and die.

Quatre could no longer dare to keep what little information he had to himself. So he had sent word to Wufei, Duo's advisor, that he knew what direction Heero had fled in.

*****

He had known Wufei for a long time. In fact his wife Meiran had been one of Quatre's younger sisters. When she had died from a specially formulated poison he had worried for Wufei since, it seemed the young Niken had lost his best friend. He had never seen anyone so desolate. But then Wufei had stumbled across a mistreated human slave boy, literally. Quatre had never seen his brother in law as happy as he had been with Zechs. But back then Wufei had still been a minor noble, not having been born with even a trace of royal blood. He was prey for some of the more unscrupulous upper class. He never told Quatre what was going on till too late.

A Duke by the name of Treize had set his eyes on Wufei and was determined to have him at any cost. When Zechs had disappeared, Wufei had been beyond distraught. He hadn't told his lover, but he had been carrying their daughter. Then Treize had come under the guise of a friend. He gave Wufei 'proof' of Zechs infidelities. There were pictures of him with numerous partners taken in Wufei's own room it seemed. But most damning was the letters to his lover. Telling how he was only with Wufei for the position and money... how every time Wufei touched him he felt sick to his stomach and it was only by thinking of her he could tolerate it. How he would never love anyone but her and couldn't wait till he could runaway with her together. The shock caused Wufei to lose the baby. Too bad he had never thought to question the authenticity of them. Back then Wufei still had a naïve belief in the over all honesty of people that he was sadly lacking in now. When Zechs had returned... Wufei had been too hurt to do anything but reject him. Even though he still loved him.

When one of his servant girls... a Sally Po had come to him with proof of Treize's lies, and even more proof that he had been Zechs' abusive owner at one time, Wufei flipped. He went to no less then the top to get justice. The Emperor had given him a sword enchanted to kill an immortal. But even Treize's long agonizing death had not returned his lover to him. Zechs had seemingly disappeared. But Wufei had already chosen the boy as his life mate and making him immortal. So he knew Zechs was out there somewhere, and with life there is always hope.

*****

When the royal carriage had stopped in front of Trowa's castle, Quatre had expected an aide, maybe even Wufei himself to emerge. He hadn't expected the Emperor... no, the rumors were correct, He had truly become Shinigami. Dressed in purple velvet robes of state, so dark they appeared black against the porcelain pale skin of his exposed chest, the ceremonial golden scythe in his hand, and chestnut braid intact, Duo looked the same yet completely different. There were few traces of sanity or compassion left in his gaze.

The rumbling storm clouds that appeared in a sky that had been clearer than ice moments ago seemed to respond to his very presence. "Tell us Niken child how you claim to have knowledge of our Heero, while we who have searched throughevery reality... we who have bent the very fabric of time to search for him in the remnants of the past or the slivers of the future have found nothing?"

Quatre gulped hard but found he could not lie to this stranger wearing the face of Emperor. In fact, he had a feeling if Shinigami had just asked him to take Wufei's sword and gut himself, he would have done it with a smile.

"I... I discovered the plot to impregnate Heero by accident and far too late. By the time I approached your leman, he was already feeling the drain and was afraid. Before you changed the laws, both Heero and the child's life would be forfeit. Heero was more concerned with saving the life of your unborn child then dieing. I offered him shelter in Trowa's kingdom and told him of the natural magic barrier Hoshiko River was." Light beads of sweat had begun to appear on Quatre's forehead from bearing the intensity of that violet gaze for far too long. He was half sure Shinigami would strike him down on the marble entrance stairs he now stood on.

"We are unsure if we should kill you for your impertinence in attempting to assist Heero in his escape or reward you for trying to help your Empress and the royal heirs at the behest of your life. But we are patient... we can wait. If our Heero returns to us damaged in any way because of your interference, we will kill you in ways you cannot even begin to imagine."

At the softly hissed threat Quatre sank to his knees, legs gone too numb to support him as the blood rushed to his head in response to the sudden reprieve.

*****

Looking at Wufei, as he conferred with the Emperor in the Throne room of Trowa's castle, Quatre could see that faint hope was still there in the pig tailed boy's gaze.

He watched, as Shinigami seemed to lose interest in the conversation, his head lifting toward the door. Nostrils quivering as he scented the air with the delicate wet sniffs of a cat. As it opened his eyes narrowed dangerously and with a shriek of pure rage he tackled the man who had just entered. "You smell like our Heero."

*****

Looking into the omnipresent gaze of the Shinigami, Zechs had never been happier to not get what he wanted. Sure, he had wanted the Emperor's leman with a desperate ache, but his sister and Dorothy had never left him alone with Heero long enough to do anything about it. And he had a feeling, as those violet eyes striped his soul bare, the Emperor knew that and it was the only thing saving him from a long excruciating death.

"Hee... your leman has been with my family since I fished him out of the Pellerian River near several weeks ago. Last Thursday, he gave birth and fell into a coma. Nothing we did could rouse him. My sister said he was dieing and would need a healer. So I came here because Lord Quatre's talents as a healer are some of the best."

Reminding himself that if he killed everyone who wanted his Hee-chan, he would have to slaughter all existence, Duo tried to focus on the boy's words. As the blonde started to babble, Duo noticed there was a familiar scent of power to him. He was Wufei's claimed. Then he spoke the words that made Duo's heart stop then begin to race. Heero had given birth... but he hadn't died. He maybe in a coma but he was alive. As long as he was alive there was hope.

*****

As everyone rushed out of the throne room to follow the Emperor, Wufei stayed. Staring at the blonde human with unreadable eyes. "Zechs"? He asked softly, reaching out to help him up.

As Zechs ignored the offered hand with a sneer. Letting his anger cover the pain that seeing Wufei brought.

"Don't touch me." He growled out as he rose still unsteady from his recent run in with the Emperor.

"Where is Treize? I'm surprised your lover would leave you alone so long, or is he your husband now?"

"I killed him." came the succinct reply.

"Really?" Zechs raised one platinum eyebrow with a hint of a smile. "I would say I'm sorry but I would be lying." Wufei took a step forward, ignoring Zech's retreat.

"I should have never listened to his jealous lies, but I was so uncertain, I was always the one pursuing in our relationship. When he came forward with the proof that you love someone else... that you had left to be with them... I went kind of crazy. I was in so much pain... when I saw you again, all I could think of was hurting you. And Treize seemed to play along."

"Treize always liked games."

"When I discovered the truth... I tried to find you again... I needed to tell you I'm sorry. I know I cannot go back... but can't we start again... Please?" Wufei's voice was soft and Zech knew how much that plead had cost his former lover's pride.

"Wufei... I have done things..."

"I don't care..."

"I do... I'm not the same boy you fell for. You effectively killed that boy years ago. Goodbye Wufei." Zechs couldn't turn around now... it was far too late. Quickly exiting through the double doors, unwilling to see his former lover fall to the floor in despair.

"I don't care who you have become Zechs... I loved you then, I still love you now; and I will love you always."

TBC...

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