Never Again Part 8
And he remembered...
~*~
The sound of hoof beats echoed through the chill air, making his heart beat faster in fear. He huddled closer to the tree, hoping it wasn't the soldiers again. There wasn't anything left for them. They had no reason to come back...
He heard the hoof beats draw level with the burned out temple. Heard someone curse faintly, as if they were surprised by such a sight- maybe it wasn't a soldier? He leaned out a little bit from his hiding place, trying to get a glimpse of the rider.
"Hello?" The rider sounded friendly- but so had the soldiers at first. "I can hear you out there. Are you all right? Do you need help?"
Duo shrank back into his hiding place. He was quiet! There was no way someone could have heard him!
Clutching his cloak tightly around himself, he waited for the rider to move on.
Instead, the branches in front of his hiding place moved- how had the man found him so fast? Duo hadn't heard him move! "There you are." The moonlight was bright enough to show that the man in front of him wasn't wearing any armor, didn't have a sword or helmet.
Duo wasn't taking any chances. He whipped his dagger out and waved it under the man's nose. "Go away!"
"Hn. You aren't going to scare anyone away doing that," said the stranger, and flipped the dagger out of Duo's hand. Duo gaped at him. "Come on little one, I'm not going to hurt you."
"I'm not little!" Duo protested. "I'm nearly ten!"
"Young man, then. Can you tell me what happened here?"
"The soldiers came." Duo looked towards the blackened timbers. "They wanted food and money- and there wasn't any money to give them."
The stranger sighed. "This country is getting less safe by the moment. I think I need to get a move on." He tilted his head to the side and gave Duo an appraising glance. "Want to come with me? I'll need an apprentice when I set up my new shop."
"Where are you going?"
"Someplace that doesn't have mercenaries running wild. Not sure yet. Will you come with me? I- I'm rather tired of being alone- I'd like someone around-"
Duo didn't like being alone either. He knew that feeling all too well. The man didn't look bad, but then, neither had the soldiers at first. Still... he couldn't stay here... "All right." He could always run away if things got bad...
~*~
Duo clutched the cloak tight around his shoulders, pulling the hood over his face. He shouldn't be doing this, he knew he shouldn't... ever since he'd worked for Heero, his master had always gone out in the early evening- no matter where they were, no matter the weather. Sure, he always claimed it was the only time he could get some fresh air and stretch his legs but... lately Duo had started wondering if it was something else...
If he was just after fresh air- didn't he get enough when they opened the shop windows? And if it was merely stretching his legs, then why did he never let Duo come along?
Where did he go? What was he doing? It worried at Duo. So.... he'd decided to follow. To see what it was that pulled Heero out of the shop every night, even in the worst of weathers...
A light fog had rolled in, but Duo had no problem following Heero through the narrow streets. What was his master doing heading into this part of town? He knew Heero didn't carry weapons-and in this area of town it was dangerous to walk without them...
Heero stopped, bending over to talk to a man sitting in a doorway. Duo stopped as well, ducking behind an empty stall. He was too far away to hear what Heero was saying to the man in the doorway, but a moment later and the man had gotten to his feet, following Heero down the street.
Heart pounding, Duo followed. What was his master doing?
The pair ahead of him moved into an alleyway, and Duo moved quickly to catch up. Had the man pulled Heero into the alley to rob him?
The sight in the alleyway made his breath catch in his throat. Heat flooded his veins, followed closely by a surge of unreasonable jealousy...
He gasped- and Heero looked up, eyes widening as he saw his apprentice.
And Duo saw the blood on Heero's lips... he turned and ran.
~*~
Heero blinked at him. "What is that?"
"It's a charm- to get rid of the demon-"
"Where did you get it? Did you tell-?"
"No! I didn't tell anyone! I just bought it from the temple- they said it was for cleansing-"
Heero pulled the charm gently from Duo's fingers. "It won't work-" he said, sadly, Duo thought. "The demon... is me."
"You aren't a demon! Demons have horns and they're cruel and they eat people-" Duo gulped. "That man was still alive- you didn't eat him you were just-"
"Drinking his blood."
"Will he die?"
"No. No one dies. I've never killed anyone- that way. I swear."
"Then... you can't be a demon. What are you?"
~*~
"Moving on? Again? But business is good here-" Duo looked up from the necklace he was polishing and frowned at his master's back. They had already moved three times in the years since he'd become Heero's apprentice.
"I know it is," Heero glanced at him for a moment and then turned his attention to the window."I thought I'd leave you here."
Duo's heart gave a sickening lurch. Leave him here?
"You're more than ready to become a master- I thought I'd leave this place to you. The shop brings in enough- you'll be able to marry and raise a family. You're old enough. It's time."
"No," the word was out of his mouth before he even thought about it. Heero turned away from the window, his brows creased in a frown.
"No?" Heero echoed. "Why not?"
Duo focused his attention on the necklace in front of him. "You need me. Your condition- you need someone to run the daytime errands."
"I can get another apprentice."
Anger coiled in his stomach. Was he so easily replaced as all that? "Not one as good as me."
"That's true," Heero's smile warmed him. "But Duo- you've been with me for ten years- it's time for you to live your own life. Don't you want to own the shop? To get married? I know some of the young women here would be delighted to-"
"I'd rather be with you." He hadn't quite meant to say it in that way, or in that tone. He focused on the necklace in front of him, hoping it hadn't sounded like...
The bench creaked as Heero sat down beside him. "Duo... I didn't... I didn't realize... I never meant..."
"I know that," he snapped. "I never thought- I didn't even hope- but-" he stopped and closed his eyes.
"It's my fault. I should have left when you found out- you were old enough to be-"
"It would've been too late then."
A gentle touch on his cheek made him open his eyes, tilted his face up to look at Heero."That long?"
"At least." Duo inhaled sharply. "Please- don't leave me behind- let me come with you- you know you don't like being alone-" He turned his head just enough so his lips could brush over Heero's palm.
Heero's eyes darkened at the touch- then he snatched his hand away. "Duo- I shouldn't. I should go and let you live your life- without me around this... feeling will fade and you can be happy-"
"And what if it doesn't fade? What if I can't be without you?"
"Duo, you're not-"
"Master- Heero- please- let me go with you! I don't even care if you... you feed off me... then you wouldn't have to move so frequently-"
"I can't. If I only feed off of you- I'll drain you too fast- and you'll die. It's better this way-"
"No it's not!" He calmed his voice, made himself meet Heero's eyes levelly. "I love you. More than anything. Please let me stay with you."
His master smiled sadly. He reached out and pulled Duo to his feet, into his arms. He held on for a moment, then stepped back, his eyes locking onto Duo's, his voice seeming to echo through Duo's mind. "Duo, listen to me...."
~*~
Bracing himself, knowing what he was going to face, Duo knocked on the door.
Much to his surprise, a young blond man opened it and gave him a questioning look. "May I help you?"
"I'm looking for Heero Yuy? I was told this was his house-?"
The blond smiled and stepped back. "It is. Please come in. He and my master are out at the moment- they'll be back soon."
Duo looked carefully at the blond again as he stepped inside- he didn't show any of the signs Heero had taught him to look for, but... "Your master? Have they... gone out to eat?" That seemed neutral enough.
The blond's smile grew warmer. "Well, Master Heero has- but my master tends to eat at home. He's just... helping. You can wait for them in the study- if you like?"
"At home?" Duo echoed as he followed the blond. Did he know? "I thought that... wasn't safe?"
"It can be made safe." The blond opened a door. "Please- come and sit. They should be home soon." Duo took a seat, carefully and the blond regarded him for a moment in silence.
"I am... rather surprised to find someone so... well informed coming to look for Master Heero. Usually-"
"Usually he makes them forget everything and he just takes off?" Duo growled and the blond nodded. "He did- but he must not have done it right because six months after he left I remembered everything- and came looking for him."
"How long-?"
"Three years."
"You're very determined, Master....?"
"My name is Duo."
The blond's eyes widened. "You're Duo?" His smile broke out again. "Oh, my master will be delighted to meet you!"
"He will?"
"Master Heero has been... not himself. My master thinks he acted foolishly- he's been missing you very much."
"I'll say he acted foolishly- I'd do anything for him- I know-" Duo cut himself off quickly.
"You know what he really is?" The blond finished and Duo nodded. "So he said. He told us how you discovered it- told us that you'd stayed, fought your fear- did you really think he was demon possessed?"
"At first- before he explained. Then I wanted to help-"
"I know that feeling." The blond had lost his smile. "You know... there is a way you could stay with him- forever."
"There is? He never said- he-"
"He'll be furious with me for telling you- but I think you need to know-"
~*~
"I won't-" Heero turned away, facing the wall.
Duo twined his arms around him. "Please! Let me do this- I want to be with you- I love you-"
"Duo, you don't know what you're asking!"
"Yes I do. Quatre told me everything. It's what I want-"
Heero's voice dropped, lowered in disgust. "To be my food source? I-"
"To be yours. To protect you during the day. To help you. To be with you. Please- Master- you tried to make me forget you and it didn't work- can't you see-"
"Duo, it's not just that- I have enemies- this would make you a target. You won't be like me- you'll be tougher- but you could still die-"
"I'll die anyway. What's the difference? Let me stay with you!"
"You'd be free."
"I don't want to be- if they do kill me, then I'll just come back-"
"Don't joke! That's the other half of this- Duo... if you do this... supposedly, your spirit will be tied- bound to return- to come back- you'll never move on- you'll just come back-"
"Well, that's even better, isn't it? Then I can come back to you-"
"Duo-"
"If you don't, I already talked to Quatre's master-"
"No!" Heero pulled him close. "No. Then you'll belong to him..."
"But he'd let me stay with you. He said so." Duo wrapped himself around his master. "Please- let me do this for you...I love you. I know you don't love me- but I know you don't like being alone-"
"I do love you, idiot. That's why I don't want this for you-"
"But you do want me? You'd have to put up with me for all that time-"
"It would be heaven- but Duo- you shouldn't-"
"I should. If you won't do it, then I'll ask Master Trowa-"
~*~
The memories were coming faster now, what was a slow slide increased from a trickle to a torrent to a waterfall... years passed...
"Don't be afraid- it won't hurt-"
"I'm not afraid- never afraid of you-"
~*~
"You look exhausted-" He slid onto Heero's lap, tilting his head to the side. "You need to eat..." Lips brushed his skin, stirred his blood.
"You always taste so good..."
~*~
"We have to move again-"
"I know."
"I'm sorry for dragging you around like this- I wish- I wish I could give you a permanent home-"
"Don't be silly- my home is where ever you are..."
~*~
"Remember when you tried to talk me out of being your servant?"
"Don't remind me- I still have nightmares that I succeeded."
~*~
"Promise me... if something happens to me... promise me that you'll find me... that you'll make me yours again."
"Nothing is going to happen to you. I swear it. We're leaving the moment it gets dark- they won't find us-"
"Promise me- just in case- swear it-"
"I promise-"
~*~
"I'm glad to see the three of you!"
"You heard? Things are getting bad- you'd better stay with us- there is safety in numbers-"
"Happily- we should be safe out here- things will calm down soon again-"
~*~
"It's getting worse- if I could- I'd send you away- if I could find somewhere safe-"
"I'd never leave you-"
"I know that- it's not that I want you to go. Gods! You have no idea what it was like before you-"
"So you do love me then?"
"You know I do-"
~*~
"I have to go- Chang is staying- he'll keep an eye on you and Quatre-"
"We'll be fine- we aren't that easy to kill!"
"That's what worries me-"
"Master, beloved, Heero, please- I'm more worried about you- it's suicide going there-"
"We have to go. Trowa- well, I'm not happy with what he did, but we can't back down now. Don't worry about me or Trowa- take care of yourselves- if anything happened to you-"
"Then I would come back, you would find me again and we'd be together-"
"Duo-"
"You promised me, remember? I'm yours- I have to be with you-I'm holding you to that."
"I remember- I just.. It would kill me to lose you-"
"You can't lose me. I love you. Take care of yourself and come back to me safe-"
~*~
Smoke. The smell crept in, made him sit bolt upright. "Do you-?"
"I smell it," Quatre sat up too, his book sliding to the floor. "Wufei-?"
"He hasn't come back yet- he was just going to check the fence line-"
They could hear the shouts now- one of the windows shattered and a torch hit the floor between them.
"We have to get out---"
"The door- it's blocked-"
The smoke was thicker, the air heavy with heat....
~*~
Duo opened his eyes. He was in Heero's bed, the dark blue sheets soft beneath his cheek. His head ached- so many memories- years and years of them- lifetimes-
Heero was in a chair beside the bed, his feet up, his head tilted back. His eyes were closed and Duo could see the tight lines in his face- why was he so upset? They were together again-
Oh. Heero couldn't know that he'd remembered. All he knew was that Duo had begged him not to go through the ritual. Had begged him to be set free.
How distant it seemed now. He'd been so afraid- of Heero of all people! How hard it must've been for him- he'd never truly forgiven himself for drawing Duo into his world. It had been one of the reasons he'd made Heero make that promise-
How long had it been? How long had it taken him to come back? How long had Heero been alone? At least a hundred years if that picture was the last time...
Heero's eyes opened. "Duo?" He sat up quickly, the chair sliding away from the bed. "You- I- I have transportation waiting for you- you are free to go- there's clothes in-"
Duo just stretched, yawning a little. "I'm not going anywhere, Master."
A smile curved his lips as he saw Heero's jaw drop open. "Duo? You- remember?"
"Everything." He crooked his finger at Heero. "Come here."
A moment later, Heero was beside him, his arms tight around Duo, holding him close. "I'm so sorry- so sorry- I-"
"You kept your promise to me." Duo pressed his lips to Heero's brow. "I know it was hard, love- I didn't make it easy for you- I'm the one that's sorry. I never even thought that I wouldn't remember- that had to be so hard for you."
"You were so frightened- I wasn't sure- but I-"
"I'm not frightened now. You did the right thing. You kept your promise."
"I didn't keep you safe- I should never have left you that night-"
"It's over. We're together again- and if they show up-"
Heero's expression darkened. "They won't show up. They will never show up again. After...after I found.. you..." Duo curled closer, trying to soothe. "I- We- We took care of it. They will never hurt you again." His grip had tightened as he spoke. Duo let him hold on for a moment before speaking again.
"Quatre? Is he-?"
"He's with Trowa and Wufei. If you're awake, he must be too. Do you want to see-"
"Not yet. There's time for that later-" He smiled as warmly as he could at Heero, then leaned forward for a kiss. "There's more important things to do first-"
OWARI
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