By the Red Moon Part 45
Duo was lost.
He had no idea how he had managed to get lost in the thick forest, separated from everyone and anything familiar. All that he knew was that he was alone and had been for some time now.
Jogging through the rugged terrain, humping over raised roots and pushing his way past hanging vines, the braided prince shouted, "Heero?! Scythe?! Wing?! Anyone?!" His voice echoed ahead of him, but there was no response.
Nearly out of his mind with fear, Duo panted heavily as he continued to charge through the darkening woods around him. It was not going to be long before night fell. And he did not want to be out here on his own after dark. "Heero?! Wufei?! Anna?!" he cried. "Can anybody hear me?!"
Finally, just when he felt as though his heart was going to hammer out of his chest, a familiar voice yelled, "Duo!" Slowing himself, the braided teenager looked ahead as the owner of that voice ran in.
"Heero," the prince breathed, a wide smile of relief spreading across his face. "Thank God," Maxwell whispered before picking his pace back up to meet the Commander partway, not wanting to be parted from him any longer than he already had been
There was no need to worry anymore. He was safe. He was going to be alright now that he was with Heero again.
But then, Duo realized that something was terribly wrong. As Yuy neared, it was not a smile to see him on his face but an expression of complete terror. "Duo!" he screamed, "Run! Turn back and run! It's right behind me!"
Freezing in place, the prince's ears were filled with the sounds of howls and cackles that he had heard before. They were the sounds of the demon army. They had found them. And now they were going to finish what they had started.
Heero's foot snagged on a root and he fell forward with a cry. Instead of turning as he had been ordered, Duo hurried towards him, shouting his name even as the dark shadow that followed the Commander shot out for them.
"It's too late!" the Commander hollered to his partner as he tried to push himself back up. "Get out of here, Duo! Save yourself!" That dark shadow wrapped around his waist, pulling him back as he screamed in agony and struggled until he was no longer in sight and his voice had faded completely away.
With tears filling his eyes, the braided youth cried, "Heero!" Gasping, those shadowy hands returned to reach out for him. There was no escape... not a thing that he could do.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sitting up, his face covered in sweat, Duo shouted frantically, "Heero?!" He jumped when something moved beside him to wrap its strong arms around him. Then, blinking his wide eyes, he recognized the feel of that hold.
"It's okay," the Commander urged in a whisper by his ear. "I'm here. Shhh." Sagging heavily against him, the prince let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes as he rested the side of his head against a firm shoulder.
The pair stayed like that for a long time, just holding onto one another, Duo keeping his grasp tight out of fear that Heero would be pulled away by the shadows. Slowly, his racing heart eased and his panting breath evened out.
Opening his violet eyes after a time, the braided teenager glanced around the large Commander's tent. Campfires from outside glowed through the linen walls as the only source of light. Judging by how quiet and dark the rest of their surrounding were, it was clear that it was still the middle of the night.
Wing and Scythe's heads poked in through the doorway folds to sniff at their charge. Sighing, Maxwell continued to lean against his partner as he waved them away with a muttered, "'M alright, you two. Back to bed now." Satisfied with that, the steeds reeled their head back out as the door sealed back closed.
Puffing out another sigh, the prince fell back to lie in the makeshift bed of blankets that had been strewn about from his shifting in his sleep. With a groan, he covered his eyes with a bent arm. Heero stretched out beside him and ran a hand through his damp bangs with a gentle, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Duo swallowed roughly and shook his head, but he did lower his arms to peer up at the worried cobalt eyes watching him.
"I'm sorry that I woke you," he frowned, gently running his hand over the knight's bare chest just because he needed the contact... the reassurance that Heero was truly there with him. And the general premise of his nightmare was completely revealed in his behavior.
A sad smile on his face, the Commander shifted himself to straddle the lithe body beneath him. Leaning down, he ran kisses from gthe chin, along the jaw line and behind the connected ear. "I may be able to help you sleep a little easier... if you will let me," he whispered huskily.
His panting breath catching in his lungs, Duo stammered, "H-Heero?"
Pushing himself up, the knight smirked, "I am not going anywhere. And I want to make sure that you know that." Gently bushing back the longs bangs from the prince's wide eyes, he requested softly, "Let me love you?"
Not even needing to consider, all that Duo's mind could think of was how badly he had wanted this... how badly he needed it. There was no doubt and there was no fear in his decision. Nodding, he replied, "Yes."
Heero's smile grew as he lowered himself back down to steal a heated kiss as their half-naked bodies rocked together. The little fabric concealing them was hastily removed. Hands roamed. Moans were stifled as best as they could manage.
A cunning smirk on his lips, the Commander reached over for a handful of aloe leaves to squeeze out their lubricant. Struggling to catch his breath, Duo spread his legs. Carefully, Heero pushed himself inside and waited for the adjustment before they found a rhythm.
What had started off as a slow canter build into a passionate pulsation as the newly formed lovers' needs pushed them on, begging for release. The higher they climbed, the hotter they burned. Whispers of their devotion and fiery kisses were exchanged.
Then, Duo arched his back with Heero's name breathed from his lips as he shuddered and lost himself completely. Quickly following him over the edge, the Commander held on, his teeth digging into the prince's shoulder to bite back the sharp cry that nearly escaped from his own orgasm washing over him.
Gulping for air as they lay linked together like that for a while, they took in the warmth and complete serenity of the moment for as long as they could. Reluctantly, Heero eased himself up and gently pulled out of the prince to clean their bodies.
"My God," Duo whispered as he was taken back into his lover's strong arms and their dampened bodies melded together again. "That was incredible." The chest pillowed beneath his head shook with a quiet chuckle and hum of agreement.
With a deep breath, Yuy sighed, "Yes, it was." Turning his head, he lifted Maxwell's to kiss him soundly. He could feel the lips against his own grinning as the gesture was returned tenfold before they came up for air. "I love you," he declared softly. "Thank you so much for honoring me with this gift."
Biting his lip as he stared up at his partner, the prince said quietly, "I love you, too." Shaking his head as the fears of that nightmare came rushing back, his shook his head, "I can't lose you, Heero. If anything ever happened, I-" he was cut off with another kiss.
As he pulled back, the Commander shifted himself so that they were facing each other. Cupping the side of the braided teenager's face, he vowed, "You are not going to lose me, Duo. Whatever happens, you have all of me for the rest of our lives."
Pressing his lover's hand over his chest, he smiled, "My body, my mind, my heart and my soul are yours. Nothing in this, or any world for that matter, will ever change that."
His eyes stinging, Duo sealed the distance between their faces to pour every ounce of his affection and appreciation into a deep, long kiss. Gasping for air when he pulled back, he reopened his eyes and pressed their foreheads together. "And I am completely yours as well, love. Forever."
Their fatigue settling back in, the couple settled themselves back down in a tight weave of arms and legs. A couple of whispered 'good nights' and a few more kisses later, their eyes closed as they drifted away into a peaceful slumber for the remainder of the night.
* * * * * *
It was late morning when Heero and Duo emerged from the Commander's tent the following day. As they walked close, their shoulders brushing the whole time, they greeted their waiting steeds and headed to the campfire where their friends were gathered around for breakfast.
"Good morning," a particularly cheerful Quatre greeted as the new lovers sat across from him and Relena.
Their cheeks coloring a bit, the knight and prince took their places beside Wufei and Anna as they muttered their own greetings to the empath and made up their plates. Once no one was watching, the seer gave her husband a sharp kick to his shin and a warning glare to not embarrass their friends. He winced and gave her an apologetic grin.
When Duo sat back down, he archer cleared her throat to get his attention. Looking over at her, the prince's eyes widened when she tapped her own right shoulder.
Quickly, the prince pulled the sleeve of his red tunic back over the love bite that was beginning to peek out. Smiling, Anna resumed eating her food without a word to the others that had completely missed the slip.
After traveling for over a week, the army had located this particular stretch of forest that they had set camp in. In this end of the world, the trees' trunks were thinner than the ones where their first camp fell, but they rose taller for better cover above. Only sunlight was able to make it past the few openings in the pines to reach the ground below.
Following a stretch of passing open fields that left them exposed and a day's journey through a smoldering terrain where volcanoes constantly erupted, this particular forest was more than a welcome sight.
Now that everything was finally set up, it was starting to feel a bit more like home... or at least as close to home as a camp could feel.
Still, they could not afford to assume all was well. For the last two days since their arrival to this spot, Trowa had been out with a team of scouts that he had hand-selected to move out and determine that the location truly was sound. They were due back any moment with the report of their findings.
Carrying on a friendly conversation with his family, Duo could not help himself but glance over at Heero and smile warmly.
Thoughts of their lovemaking the night before were having as much a physical reaction on him as an emotional one. Every so often, he would catch the Commander watching him as well and they would share a private smile and the fingers of their hands laced together between them.
"You know," Catherine began as she set her plate aside, "I've been thinking that we could all use something that would bring the morale around here back up. Something to celebrate for a change."
Duo did not need Quatre's ability to pick up right away on what the crafty fire-starter was hinting when her bright eyes fell on a certain pair and her lips curled up. And he loved where her train of thought was going... not only for his friends' sakes, but for the fact that it took the focus off of him and the fact that he had yet to make any progress in facing his inner demon.
Smirking, the prince nodded, "Yea. Something like a wedding."
Their heads snapping up, Anna and Wufei's eyes widened when they found all of their friends staring at them. "R-really?" the redhead managed quietly.
Clapping her hands together, Relena beamed, "I think that is a wonderful idea! We have several pastors throughout the army who could say the service. The whole day could be pulled together in just a few days."
"With everything that has happened, you both deserve the chance to have that wedding you had been planning," Quatre insisted to the officers, his cheerfulness back for a whole new reason than to tease the consummation between Heero and Duo.
Under his breath, the Commander told his brother and sister, "Neither of you have ever asked for anything. Your duty has always come before you and your wishes. I think that it is about time you took yourselves into consideration for a change."
Sharing one of their wordless conversations when their gazes locked, Wufei and Anna's faces glowed with wide smiles. Wrapping his arm around his bride-to-be's shoulders and kissing her forehead, the swordsman announced to their 'family', "Then, we will be married in one week's time."
A round of cheers and applause ran through the group and embraces were exchanged. By the time the congratulations were offered, the conversation had switched gears to go over the details of the planning for the wedding.
Near the end of their meal, the lot was surprised when a voice called, "Commander Yuy!" Everyone looked up as Jack Dawson, his silver hair shining in light of the campfire, ran into the scene with Onyx right behind him.
Everyone gathered came to full alert as the Sanq knight and his steed were amongst those of the scouting team. Instantly in his feet, Heero nodded to his fellow knight-in-training, "What is it, Jack?"
The teenager smiled widely, "You have to come with us right away. There is simply something that you must see you yourself."
Blinking in surprise, the Commander nodded and hurried back to Wing. His friends followed suit, climbing into their own saddles and taking off to follow close behind when they soared up into the skies. With Onyx in the lead, they flew for the northern edge of the forest a few dozen miles away.
When they neared the end of the tree line, the riders' eyes widened at the sight that greeted them. Human soldiers, thousands of them, stood in formation alongside a large fleet of dragons and their armed riders. "Is that not a beautiful sight?" Jack smirked to his leader when he brought his female steed to a stationary hover.
Taken aback, Heero waited a moment before lightly tapping his heel to Wing's side. As they descended, so did the others close behind them.
When they reached the open valley, they were greeted by a grinning Trowa and Heavy Arms at the front of the unit. Beside the First Scout stood a tall man in full armor from his helmet to his boots.
Nodding in greeting to his friends when his friend descended from Wing and approached, Barton held out a hand and introduced, "Commander Yuy, this is First Captain Scott Lewis of Leo. Jack and I came across them yesterday during our searching of the area and led them here so that they might pass along the message of their king and queen."
At that, Heero turned to the tall man as he removed his helmet to reveal his head of wavy blonde hair and his full beard.
Green eyes blinked I surprise. "You are awfully young to be the Commander of the Alliance army," the First Captain commented, his voice a deep rumble. "I expected to find a much more... experienced soldier." The corner of his mouth curled up in a smug grin as he shrugged, "With all due respect."
Smirking at that, the knight-in-training never bulked. "Experience and age no longer relate as they had in the past," he replied. "While young in flesh, I have seen and done more things than you and your men combined have in all your years of service." Tilting his head, his smirk grew as he concluded in kind, "With all due respect."
His head falling back, the muscular Captain laughed. "I like you," he smiled with a slap to Heero's arm. "And I am certain that we are going to get along just fine, Commander Yuy. It is good meeting you."
Scott turned towards his men and stated, "I would like to introduce you to my men. Our king and queen of Leo had received word from King Septum of how you all fought valiantly against Dekim's men when they arrived there under unfortunate circumstances."
Meeting the cobalt eyes of the knight before him, he nodded, "In light of that, we would like to offer our services by enlisting into your army. We pledge our complete loyalty to your leadership and are devoted to fighting Dekim and the darkness that he has brought to our world to our last breaths."
Every soldier stood sharply and held their fists to their hearts.
A smile lighting his face, Heero bowed his head to the men and called to them, "Your offer is both accepted and most appreciated. We can certainly use every willing and able soldier like you in this cause." Stepping aside, to gesture to the forest behind him, he told them, "Welcome to our encampment."
Grinning, the First Captain ordered in a thunderous shout, "Forward march, men!" On that note, the knights moved on for the trees as their dragons and riders took to the skies.
While his men walked by, Scott faced the young Commander and informed, "There are more than our five thousand here that are coming. Word is quickly spreading to every land around that the time for sitting and waiting to act is over."
Rolling his shoulders back, he continued, "I also have inside information that our neighbors, Aquarius and Gemini, have their armies on the move. I would suggest that you keep a team of scouts on the lookout that that they know where to find you."
Heero glanced over to Trowa and stated, "Thank you for the information. That will not be a problem."
"I will go and make sure a second team is situated and ready to head out," the First Scout nodded firmly, then headed back to Heavy Arms.
Once again patting the Commander's arm, Lewis winked, "I look forward to meeting with you and your officers to discuss our course of action." With a wave, he marched alongside his men to disappear into the cover of the trees.
Duo stepped up beside his lover with a wide grin of relief on his face as he watched the last of their new recruits walk past. "You know," he snickered, "if what he is saying is true, we're going to need a bigger forest."
Chuckling, Heero turned his head to kiss his lover's cheek. "That, my love, is one problem that I could like very much to have." Their hands joining, they headed back to where their steeds and their friends were waiting.
All of a sudden, between the prince's gift and now these reinforcements, those odds against them seemed to even up just that little bit more.
TBC...
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