Beyond All Doubt Part 7
Duo remained frozen where he knelt, his eyes wide and his back straight and stiff after hearing the harsh snap of a twig a few feet behind him. Closing his eyes slowly, his voice shook as be breathed out, whispering, "Oh... no." Frozen where he stood over the snapped stick, Heero quickly jumped behind the tall tree beside him, holding his breath.
Slowly taking in a deep breath of his own, the braided fey did not move to look behind him, nor open his eyes, as he frowned deeply, "You should have stayed back at the camp." His head lowered as the last of his tears rolled down his face.
At that, swallowing hard, Heero pressed his back against the tree, not sure if he should respond. There was a long pause between the two soldiers as neither moved. After minutes passed, Heero finally gathered his courage and stepped out from behind the tree, looking to his friend.
With his back still facing him, Duo's wings remained wrapped tightly around his slender body as he sighed, "I take it you want some answers."
"Are they.... are those real?" Heero heard himself asking in a hesitant tone, suddenly wishing that he had thought before asking such a question.
Turning to face him at last, the braided fey's reddened eyes met cool cobalt, slightly widened as he nodded. Opening his wings so they fanned out from their protective embrace, he offered quietly, "You can feel them to be sure, if you like." A small smile tugged at his lips as he chuckled nervously, "It actually feels kind of nice when they're touched."
Reminding himself to blink, Heero took a few slow steps towards him and reached out to one of the wings with a hesitant hand. His eyes widened when his hand came in contact with the soft feathers. Gently, he began brushing his fingers over them.
Closing his eyes, Duo released a soft sigh of content at the soft caress as his other wing moved towards the boy on its own accord for attention. Stepping closer, Heero reached it with his other hand as he touched it with the same gentle stroking, almost as if he were petting a kitten. His eyes remained wide for a moment, taking in the awe of seeing such beautiful things reacting to his touch. After a moment of reassuring himself that they were real, he lowered his hands and the wings pulled back.
Looking up at his friend, Duo bit his lip and grinned slightly as he shrugged, "So, uh.... surprise."
Kneeling down beside him, Heero said stated rather than asked, "You're the one who healed my leg." Nodding, the fey watched him closely for any signs of fear. With a small smile, the boy said softly, "Um... thanks."
Straightening himself, Duo's eyes widened in shock, not believing his own ears. "Y-you not afraid of me?"
Heero shook his head, "Surprised, yes. But not afraid... If you were going to do anything to me, you would have done it long ago." Relief filled his friend's violet eyes as he wiped at a few fresh tears that threatened to fall with a bright grin.
Gesturing to the tree where he watched the other creature disappear, Heero inquired, "That other one... with the blonde hair. He's one of your kind, too?"
Nodding at that, Duo sighed, "That would be Zechs, the 'friend' I've been looking for." His voice dripped with bitterness at the word 'friend' as his eyes narrowed. Relieving his knees, he moved to sit on the ground. Running a hand through his long bangs, he explained, "I was sent after him when he crossed the border that separates our worlds." Shaking his head, he growled deeply, "Some damn hero I turned out to be."
Sparing his own knees, Heero moved to sit as well as he replied, "Well, you managed to find him once. It's a start." With a small snort, Duo lowered his head, silently appreciative of his friend's attempt to reassure him. "If it helps..." the other soldier began, "He was wearing the uniform of the people who ambushed us last night."
His eyes widening, Duo thought back to the deep red shirt and black pants Zechs had been wearing. It was the same attire as that the soldiers from Gragon. Looking down to the deep blue shirts of their own uniforms, he thought aloud, "I was so worried about how I was going to handle him that I never took that much notice." Gazing to the boy beside him, he stated, "He must be using that as a way to keep himself from being killed by Treize and his associates."
As Heero nodded, he took notice to the fading light as he commented, "It'll be dark soon." In saying that, he frowned deeply in thought, "We can't start a fire since we don't know how far away we are from any danger. A fire would give away our location."
Nodding, Duo replied, "It's been pretty warm at night so we can survive without a fire. Tomorrow, we can start to find our way back." Taking a small piece of spider web from the shrub at his other side, he closed his eyes as his hand began to glow. Heero watched with widened eyes as the web transformed into a long, warm, gray blanket. When the spell was finished, Duo smirked, "Old trick."
As the blanket was handed to him, Heero chuckled deeply, "That must come in handy." Taking the blanket into his hands, he asked in concern, "What about you?"
Raising his hands in reassurance, the fey answered, "My wings are all that I need if I get cold. And I don't need nearly as much sleep as humans, so I'll stay up and keep watch."
Wrapping the blanket around his shoulders, the Japanese soldier leaned up against a tree as he nodded, "All right." Finally feeling the fatigue of trying to keep up with two fey in fight, he let his body relax as his eyes slowly began to close.
The last rays of light faded from their sight, blanketing them in darkness. Duo watched him for a moment before speaking softly, "Heero... I am so sorry about all of this."
"It wasn't your fault," the boy said quietly without stirring from where he laid. "I don't blame you. You shouldn't blame yourself."
Blinking at him, the fey watched him for another moment, knowing the sincerity in his words. Smiling warmly, he whispered, "Thank you. Sleep well."
Heero did not answer, having already drifted off to sleep. Satisfied that his friend was going to be warm and comfortable enough for the night, Duo turned his back to him to face the woods, keeping a watchful eye.
* * * * * *
Late that same evening, a man dressed in black, tattered clothing along with his dark armor, ran as quickly as his legs would carry him into the large camp hidden some several hours away. Panting heavily from his long run, he waved to those guards at the boundary once he was recognized. Moving past the many tents, campfires and men gathered around them, he quickly made his way to the tent at the center of it all.
Two tall, muscular guards stepped past the entrance at the sight of their own scout as he all but shouted, "I need to speak with Treize now. It is a matter of urgency."
Entering the large tent, he found the his tall leader sitting at his work table, looking over some of the maps that King Rashon was good enough to provide to him. Looking up from the map in his hands, Treize smiled and greeted, "Marcus. You look as though you have seen a ghost."
Taking a deep breath, Marcus removed the helmet over his brow as he wiped at the sweat on his face. Trying to calm his breathing, he replied, "Begging your pardon, sir, but I have seen something like that." Reaching into his pocket, he removed a handful of pure white feathers that shimmered under the light from the candles in the room as he placed them on the table.
His eyes widening at the sight of the feathers and the unusually soft feel of them as he held them, Treize inspected them, knowing that they did not belong to any bird that he knew of in these woods. Grinning darkly to the scout, he nodded, "I am listening."
* * * * * *
The next day, in the early afternoon, Trowa was pacing around his tent. At the sound of footsteps approaching from outside, he walked towards the door as his scout called, "Commander Barton."
Granting the young man entrance, his green eyes filled with concern as he asked, "Has there been any sign of them?"
Shaking his head, the scout frowned deeply, "Not at all, sir. We've had a few of our men walking around the woods, within a reasonable distance from the camp, but there is nothing leading us to where the two of them could be."
With a deep sigh, the Commander nodded, "All right. Have those scouts that are out now return to be replaced by others. They've been out all morning and I am sure they could use rest and something to eat. Have the others return at nightfall. By that time, wherever Heero and Duo are, they'll have to stop for the night. Then we'll start looking again at first light."
"Yes, sir," the young scout saluted before quickly leaving the tent, silently dreading the inevitable nightfall that was approaching. There was no way of knowing if they would be as lucky as they had been the night before to have not been attacked again.
As he parted, Trowa sighed deeply and rubbed his face with his hands. Suddenly, a voice from outside cried, "The reinforcements are here! Captain Chang and more forces from Shay made it!"
At that, the tall Commander's eyes widened and he ran from his tent. Once outside, he watched as hundreds of horses entered the open field. Many of those horses led wagons filled with materials from food to weapons. As more soldiers and horses approached, Trowa smiled brightly and cheered along with those men who he had been in charge of. Finally, relief was in sight.
Wufei rode on his black horse to the front of the reinforced army. Smiling in relief at the sight of his friend, he branched from his troops and approached him. Dismounting from the stead, he clasped hands with Trowa in a firm handshake as he greeted, "Good to see that you're still in one piece."
"Hanging on by a thin thread before you got here," Trowa admitted with a small grin. Gesturing to the soldiers that joined them, he asked, "How many do we have here?"
Gazing over them, the Chinese Captain answered, "Eight hundred and sixty strong. We have quite the resources for food, weapons and shelter with us as well." Finding the questions in his comrade's gaze, he explained, "There are rumors that the war will be fought on two fronts. King Peacecraft did not want to send many more soldiers here in the event that we would have to defend the Eastern fields to Shay as well as these Western fields. There is a small unit on its way out to see if the rumors are true as we speak. We can't risk having them breach the fronts and enter the kingdom."
Trowa's eyes widened as he said quietly, "We both know that we do not have the resources available to hold off a war coming from two fronts." Cursing under his breath, he turned away to face the camp as he growled, "King Rashon knows that we don't have enough to defend ourselves that way, we'd spread our army too thin. He'll work with Treize to see that that is exactly what happens. Those rumors are most likely not rumors, Wufei."
Sighing deeply, the Captain walked up beside him as he stated, "King Peacecraft is doing what he can to have King Noventa of Prusia informed of our dilemma. Once he is aware that once Shay falls, his own kingdom is next, he'll have to join the fight. All we can do is hope that they are able to get through to him before it's too late. For now, we have to do what we can here. We can't afford to be pushed back towards Shay. If the men see us disheartened-"
Rubbing the tight knot of tension at the back of his neck, Trowa nodded, "You're right, I'm sorry. It's just been a... long few days here."
Wufei snorted, "I'll say. You look like hell." At the half-hearted glare he received from his tall friend, he laughed. His smile faded slightly as he cleared his throat and said, "Oh, and... we have some... unexpected guests."
Raising an eyebrow, the Commander straightened and turned back as three horses rode towards them. His eyes widening, he suppressed a sharp gasp at the sight of the riders. Kumi smiled in elation as she shouted, "Trowa!" She quickly dismounted and ran towards him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he embraced her.
Recognizing the horses from the Winner estate, Trowa looked up to Quatre with a disapproving look as he help his mate and asked, "What exactly are you doing here?"
Waving timidly, the blonde young man chuckled nervously, "Hello, Trowa. Good to see you." Turning to his fiancée at his left, he commented, "And you're just as much the blame as I am for this."
Folding her arms, Sette grinned innocently, "Hmph. You're still the one who gave us the horses." Her grin became a mischievous smirk, "It's not my fault that you cannot deny me anything." Rolling his eyes mockingly, Quatre chuckled deeply.
Pulling back enough to meet her lover's emerald eyes, Kumi told him gently, "We came to help. Word got around fast that your men were in need of help, so, we just borrowed some of the spare uniforms that you, Heero and Duo left around the house."
Despite the joy in his heart at seeing and holding his mate again, Trowa frowned deeply, "Kumi... can I speak with you for a moment... Alone?"
Her smile faded as she nodded hesitantly, "All right. Can I see Heero first?"
Fighting off the wince that almost broke through his defenses, her lover answered, "He's.. out scouting. He should be back shortly." Watching him for a moment, Kumi finally nodded.
Placing a hand on the small of her back, Trowa led her into his large tent, leaving Wufei to discuss matters with Quatre and Sette. Once they were inside, the Commander offered his mate one of the chairs at the large table besides his bed. Taking a seat, Kumi looked up at him and questioned with a small frown, "What is it, Trowa?"
Leaning himself against the table before her, he replied, "I guess I don't need to say how worried I am about you're coming here. This encampment has already been ambushed three times, one of those times since I've arrived.... It's not safe here."
Folding her arms, the silver-haired young woman's cobalt eyes narrowed slightly as she stated, "I am not going to sit at home when you and Heero are out here fighting that Clan and the Graon kingdom's army. Sette, Quatre and myself have fended for ourselves before when our safety was in danger, and you know it."
Trowa rubbed his tired eyes and sighed deeply, "I pretty much figured that would be your answer. And I'm actually surprised that you didn't just try to leave then I left with Heero." The corner of his mouth tugged up in a small smirk, "But then again, I suppose this was all part of your plan to catch me at a time when I can't really afford to say no to your offer to help."
Chuckling at that, Kumi smiled, "You do know me better than anyone." Her smiled dropped as she raised an eyebrow and asked, "Now are you going to tell me where Heero really is or not?"
Frowning at that, the Commander lowered his head and said quietly, "You know me better than anyone as well." Locking his eyes with hers, he told her, "I would love to tell you where he is... but unfortunately, I can't."
At her gasp and widened eyes, he quickly placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her in her chair as she attempted to get up. Keeping their eyes locked, his filled with concern and hers filled with rage and fear, he explained quickly, "I am sorry I lied to you out there, but if I told you the truth, I know you have raced off to look for him. You don't always think before you act when it concerns Heero. The last thing I wanted was for you to run out there and put yourself in danger."
Kumi stopped struggling and growling under him, relaxing as his words rung true in her ears. Tears began to fill her eyes as Trowa lowered himself to his knees in front of her. Soothingly, he continued, "You have no idea how hard it's been to stop myself from riding off to look for him, myself, but I can't leave my responsibilities here behind. And he's not alone, Kumi. Duo disappeared at the same time. I have scouts out searching for them."
With a sharp gasp, his mate's eyes widened again as she blinked in shock, "Duo's with him? Heero's not alone out there?"
Trowa nodded, "As far as I can tell. He wouldn't have disappeared, or let Heero out of his sight. If Duo was wasn't with him, he would have come back here to tell me that he was missing and he would be helping in the search." Sagging in her seat, Kumi nodded her affirmative, relief starting to fill her in knowing that her brother was not out fending for himself somewhere in those surrounding woods.
Sighing softly, the tall young man began, "Kumi, look. I am doing all that I can at the moment. I wish that I could do more than sending scouts after Heero right now... but unfortunately, it is all that I can do."
Nodding, she thought aloud, "It's all right. Duo swore that he'd keep Heero same." Breaking from her thoughts, she looking into her lover's eyes and bit her lip as she said quietly, "I-I'm sorry... I just..."
Pulling her into a gentle hug as he sat up, Trowa whispered, "Shh. I know, don't worry. I completely understand."
Burying her face in his shoulder, Kumi sniffed and mumbled, "I've missed you."
His arms tightened around her tightly as he breathed, "God, I've missed you, too." They pulled back enough to share a long kiss for their reunion. When they parted, breathing heavily, Trowa advised, "I need to overlook how things are going with the reinforcements. We have a lot to do if we hope to reestablish our encampment here."
Drying her eyes, the young woman nodded and smiled as her mate took her by the hand and led her from the tent. Her smile grew when he did not move to release her hand, ignoring what any of the other soldiers might have thought, when they were outside.
Flagging down a runner that was passing through the camp, he ordered, "As soon as the scouts return to switch off, I want you to pass the word. Any information regarding Heero or Duo's whereabouts is to be immediately communicated to myself and to Kumi." With his head, he gestured to his mate beside him as she blinked in surprise. "Any information," he concluded firmly.
With an affirmative and a salute, the runner hurried off to spread the word. Kissing Trowa on the cheek, Kumi whispered, "Thank you, love." At his wink, she released her hand for his benefit in not having the other men seeing them being so outwardly affectionate in this situation. Clearing her throat, she smiled, "So where do you need us stationed?"
Trowa rubbed his chin in thought for a moment and chuckled a bit, "I don't suppose that you'd let me get away with posting you and Sette in the infirmary tents, now would you?"
With a mock glare, Kumi smirked, "Nice try." Cupping her mouth, she called to her friends, "Sette, Trowa was trying to station us with the infirmary aids."
Already wincing at the response he knew was coming, the Commander watched as Sette walked over with a good-natured smile on her face. Hitting him on the back of the head, the tomboy slid a hand over his shoulder and leaned next to him as she grinned, "He's not serious, right?" Turning to him, she laughed, "He knows we're not that stupid."
"It was a joke," Trowa assured them with a nervous chuckle. Straightening, he regained his seriousness as he suggested, "What we really need right now is lookouts around out borders. We'll have some of the newest soldiers that arrived stationed in your place when the sun has almost set."
Looking to Quatre, he nodded, "We could use your services looking over the camp's horses. There's no telling when we may need to ride after our enemy after an attack." Seeing that his friends were satisfied at their smiles, he stated, "I am going to be working with Wufei and the other captains to see about our new arrangement."
Turning to the blue-haired girl next to her, Kumi held onto the hilt of the dagger at her waist as she smiled, "Shall we?"
Patting the pouch hooked to her own belt, Sette grinned, "Yes, ma'am."
"Be careful, girls," Quatre waved as he led their horses away to join the others to overlook their care.
After waving goodbye to him, Kumi turned to her mate and winked, "See you at nightfall." At his nod, she walked off to the border of the massive field along with Sette right behind.
* * * * * *
On the fourth morning of their search for the field their army was defending, Heero and Duo finally found the stream that would lead them back to the camp. As many twists and turns as they made getting lost in the first place, it was a relief to finally have something to follow that would eventually lead them where they needed to be.
Quietly walking to their resting place from the night before, Heero carried a few fish from the stream hanging over his shoulder. Settling them down, he set to work in making a very small fire. Once he was sure that it was not big enough to catch anyone's eye, he settled the fish over shaved branches atop the flames and began cooking them. Looking up to the east, he watched as the first rays of sunlight began to peer through.
Across from him, lying with his wings wrapped around him like a blanked, Duo muttered something in his sleep as he slowly began to wake. Unfolding his wings slightly, he looked around before turning to his friend.
Quietly, with a small smile, Heero greeted, "Morning."
"Morning," the fey replied with a wide smile of his own. Rising to his feet, he stretched and yawned, his wings spanning widely as they, too, expanded to stretch. Noticing that Heero was watching his wings in silent awe, Duo retracted them into his back again.
Heero blinked from his stare and quickly looked back down to concentrate as he fought the hint of a blush from his cheeks. "You can stare at them all you want, Heero," the braided soldier chuckled reassuringly. "I won't be offended."
Without looking up from the fist, the other boy replied, "I'm just... not used to seeing wings." Smiling a bit, Duo moved to sit beside his friend as they watched their breakfast cook. When the fish were ready, Heero removed them from the fire and handed a couple to his friend. They ate in silence, aside from Duo's occasional sounds of approval of the food. Finding the need to talk about something, and to change any subject revolving around wings, Heero said, "I always knew how to cook fish. I used to go fishing with my parents every weekend."
Looking over at him, Duo said quietly, sincerely, "I'm sure that they're proud of you, Heero."
Smiling a bit at that, Heero ate a bit more of his fish and answered softly, "Thanks, Duo."
The shrill hooting of an owl suddenly broke the small silence between them. At the sound of it, Duo's violet eyes widened as he quickly rose to his feet, walking towards the edge of the stream. Listening intently to the message being sent, he occasionally hooted back to the owl, paying close attention to its responses.
Heero watched him quietly, though alert as he listened to the exchange. Placing the remaining food from the fish that he cooked into his pack, he kicked dirt over the fire to stomp it out without creating excess smoke. By the time he was done, Duo ran up to him with fear in his eyes as he ordered, "Heero, follow the stream the same way we've been back to the camp. You have to go. Now."
Blinking at him in surprise, the Japanese boy hung his pack over his shoulder and asked, "What's going on?"
"Treize's Clan is moving this way. Fast," the few answered, his voice cold with determination and no room for argument in what needed to be done.
Shaking his head, Heero asked, "What are you-" Realization filled his eyes as they widened. They narrowed quickly as he said firmly, "No. I'm staying here with you."
Gathering his own small pack, Duo insisted, "No. I'm going to distract them. You need to get moving. The stream will lead you back to Trowa and the others." Straightening himself, he grabbed Heero's shoulders so that their eyes met. He stated, "Heero... they know that there is a fey out here."
The other soldier's eyes widened with a sharp gasp as he kept his gaze locked on his friend's. Duo frowned sadly. "They won't let us out alive without getting the answers to their questions. I promised that I would keep you safe and I can't do that if you don't listen to me."
Stubbornly, Heero replied, "I don't like leaving you."
Nodding, Duo bit his lip and stated, "I know. But please listen to me." His voice drew even softer as he pleaded along with his eyes, "Please."
Opening his mouth to protest, Heero thought better, knowing that they were losing time. Nodding finally, his grip tightened on the strap of his pack as he said quietly, "Be careful." Turning quickly, he raced along the waterside of the stream.
As he watched his friend disappear, Duo frowned sadly and whispered, "Same to you." At that, he turned to the opposite direction that Heero went and walked on to face the approaching army alone.
TBC...
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page