Marked for Death Part 13

"Darrin."

Heero stood frozen in place; his hands poised near his own weapons. With a single thought he made his tattoos move around his back, getting them as close to his hands as he could without tipping off Darrin to his actions. But the King's Advisor stood with a plotting smirk on his face and his blade held tight against Duo's throat. Behind him stood a solider holding a torch he'd just lit, filling the cavern with light. Heero had to do something soon or that light would draw others, but if he moved he was sure they'd kill Duo.

"Move and he dies," Darrin hissed, confirming Heero suspicions. Darrin jerked on the dagger, forcing Duo to stand to his feet.

Duo chuckled softly, startling both Darrin and Heero. Heero's eyes slid to meet Duo's and found those violet orbs were filled with a kind of determination. Deadly determination.

"He's a Marked One, you honestly think he cares about a little Shadow like me?" Duo's voice was cold and the words struck Heero harder then any blade. He was confused. Duo was saying one thing but the expression on his face was completely different. And his words just a few moments ago...

Duo continued to speak, filling the tension with harsh words. But Heero's mind wasn't on the words, instead he noticed that Duo was moving his eyes and kept on glanced down at his own hands. Heero's gaze discreetly followed and looked to Duo's hands, which hung motionless at his side.

"He's just a Marked One. He tried to kill Wufei, the prince. He's an assassin, nothing more. All he cares about is the kill." Duo's hand moved, very slowly, and clasped around the end of his braid.

Darrin frowned. "Why were you following him then?"

Duo grasped the end of his braid and tugged at the tie which held it together. "Wufei likes me, you know that. He was using me to make sure the prince stayed with us. Using me to make sure the prince didn't run away."

Once free of the hair tie Heero watched in amazement as the hair began to untangle itself. It was actually moving on its own without the help of human hands, or even Duo shaking his head. Instead the braid just slid out of the hair, leaving the long locks to slither silently in the air like snakes.

Heero took an involuntary step back in surprise. Duo's hair was alive! But neither Darrin nor the nameless soldier had noticed yet.

"I'm his bargaining chip," Duo hissed. "Nothing more."

Darrin's face twisted into a sharp grin. "Then he won't stop me from killing you." The advisor's hand jerked, intending on slicing Duo's throat with his blade, but Duo seemed to have expected this.

At the same moment Duo's hair lashed out, as if it were actually another limb in his control. The long coils wrapped tightly around Darrin's hand and squeezed, causing him to drop the blade in surprise. Duo ducked out of his arms and whirled around to face Darrin and the guard, his back to Heero.

Heero watched in nearly complete shock as Duo's hair wavered around his body and shot forward. The chestnut colored locks, highlighted with a tint of fiery red, seized both Darrin and his soldier and threw them backward, much like Trowa had been doing with his vines during the battle. Darrin hit the wall hard and the light went out, the torch apparently extinguished by the sheer speed of the throw.

That loss of light broke Heero's shock and he jumped forward, grabbing Duo's hand in the darkness. Pulling on Duo he led them down the cave, running as fast as he could. He felt Duo's hair flying in the air around him, occasionally brushing over his arm, but he didn't pay attention. Instead the two just raced in silence, only hearing the echoes of their footsteps and panting breaths.

They had to keep running and find a way to lead Darrin away from the others. They had to get him to follow them or at least get lost. So they didn't worry about being slow, they just ran and hoped they would come to the end of the tunnel soon. Because it wasn't long before they could hear footsteps behind them, giving chase.

~*~

Trowa moved through the dark caverns slowly, his eyes searching the darkness. Around him there was no light, and the walls and path were cast into an array of difficult to distinguish shades of black and darker black. He couldn't see anything, yet he knew these tunnels as if he'd lived in them all his life. Unlike the others of his kind, who had mostly come from villages and towns all over the region, he'd been raised away with only his kind. His family had raised him near these very caves and he'd spent his entire childhood playing in them, learning his way through every nook and cranny. So when all the other Marked Ones joined him and his parents after the burnings it seemed like the perfect place to use as back up. It took nearly a lifetime to learn the caves and tunnels to their full extent, thus leaving the few who knew it a safe route to freedom and protection.

Despite his thorough knowledge of the caves, though, there was still no light to see. So, at the moment, it didn't really matter how well he knew the caverns if he couldn't see where Quatre was. So, in an effort to fix this, he walked along with his vines outstretched, feeling along the cavern walls much like the feelers of an ant or some other small insect. With the vine tattoos he could feel the thick rock around him, and the small bits of moss which filled the wall. He walked slowly, his steps nearly silent as he also listened around him.

He had to find Quatre; he refused to leave the boy lost in these tunnels, especially not when Quatre was what he thought he was. And he refused to leave the boy lost or alone, period.

Trowa wasn't sure exactly what it was, but something about the blond thief struck him and before he knew it he had fallen in love with the complex boy. During the story time, when Quatre had been hiding among the trees, Trowa was surprised to find himself tuning the story out and just watching the boy. At that time he couldn't take his eyes off the boy, and even now, were he beside him, Trowa knew it would be the same case. What he'd said to Heero was true, Quatre did fascinate and amaze him to a point where he could stare at and watch the boy for days on end and never be bored. It was an odd to feel that way about someone but Trowa knew that was exactly how he felt.

He came to another fork in the path and paused, holding his breath as he tried to listen to everything around him. He could hear the very faint echo of rushing water down one path, telling him exactly where he was. And down the other...

Trowa turned and headed down that path, no longer using his vines to feel out his way, he didn't need to. He could hear, albeit very faintly, the sound of someone sobbing softly in the direction he was heading. So he walked slowly, keeping his footsteps as quiet as possible, in order not to spook the boy into running, even though he knew this way led to a dead end.

Moving closer he could hear the sounds of sobbing and he now recognized it as Quatre. He nearly walked up to the boy but didn't get too close. Instead he stopped, at what he guessed, was a good ten feet away. Watching the darkness around him and listening carefully he opened his mouth and spoke softly.

"Quatre?"

The sobbing stopped and he heard someone shifting on the loose ground. There were a few soft sniffles and then Quatre spoke, his voice tight from crying.

"I thought someone would come after me. It only makes sense... there's always someone who's sent when they find out. It's the same with everyone, they all do the same thing in the end."

Trowa frowned. "And what's that?" He asked softly, not moving any closer.

"They send someone to kill me of course. That's what you do to monsters, you kill them. Then they can't hurt you anymore."

"You're not a monster-"

"Yes I am!" Quatre spat back. "They must have told you what I did! How I killed the soldiers, ripped them to pieces just because I cut my hand. Probably hurt the boy and Brei too... I don't even remember. I always black out when it happens, I'm just surprised no one killed me right then." He gave a short forced laugh. "They were probably too afraid to cut me again, afraid I might attack them too... kill them too..."

Trowa took a chance and moved two steps forward. He could hear no response from Quatre so he kept moving until he was right next to Quatre, judging the distance from the boy's hitched breathing. Reaching out he lightly placed a hand on Quatre's shoulder and to his surprise the boy didn't move.

He spoke in a very soft voice. "Quatre, Brei and Hijiri are fine. You didn't hurt them... you saved them."

Quatre sniffled again. "You still came to kill me, though."

Trowa frowned, was the blond so resigned to his fate? Trowa could only imagine what had happened to him in the past that would cause him to give in so completely at a time like this. How many times had people come chasing after him to kill him? How many times had this young boy just barely escaped?

Trowa couldn't help himself, he let out a small laugh and felt Quatre jerk a bit in surprise. "Kill you?" The leader of the Marked Ones tried to contain the small amount of amusement in his voice. "On the contrary, I think I should be bowing to you right now."

Quatre definitely jerked at that and he felt the boy pull away and heard him stand up. "Bow to me?" Quatre repeated softly in confusion. "Why?"

"You saved Hijiri and Brei, but not just them. You also prevented a group of soldiers from following the rest of the children into the caves. Had you not stopped the soldiers they surely would have killed my people's children. I could never see you as a monster Quatre, because a monster would never put his life before the lives of others."

Silence filled the cave around them for a long time. Quatre gave a soft sigh. "They are really all right?"

"Yes. You only attacked the soldiers and you saved them, for which I am very thankful."

Quatre sniffled once more, but it was the sound of someone banishing his tears. He even heard the blond attempt to let out a soft laugh. Trowa felt Quatre's fingers brush up against his arm then rest there lightly.

"So... um, if you didn't come to kill me..." He swallowed. "Could you at least show me the way out? I got lost and I can't see. You don't have to take me with you, just lead me to the nearest exit and I'll leave you and your people alone. Better to not put them in danger anymore than I already have."

Trowa reached down and wrapped his hand around Quatre's; smiling even though he knew Quatre couldn't see it. "I have a better idea. Come with me, there's something I need to show you."

With those words Trowa gently led Quatre back the way he'd come, toward the path which held the sound of running water. The sound of running water was a very important clue, for there was only one place in the massive network of caves which held running water.

A very special place.

~*~

Running.

Running as fast as they could.

Darkness surrounded them at first but then, suddenly, they burst out into light. Duo blinked and suddenly found himself outside of the caves, his leather boots coming down on vegetation rather than the hard cavern floor. A quick glance around and he found they were suddenly outside under a very cloudy sky. No wonder he hadn't seen the light up ahead, the clouds above were so thick and dark it looked to be nearly night.

He followed Heero, running with the Marked One as he was pulled forward. In one swift movement Duo felt himself being jerked forward and Heero's arms wrapped around him. He barely even had time to protest as Heero pulled him through the bushes and into the air.

They were falling!

One second falling and then the next they landed, Duo landing on top of Heero. The Marked warrior had managed to turn them in the air, shifting so that Duo landed on top of him and he broke their fall. They landed on the ground hard, Heero giving a soft grunt, and then proceeded to roll through the grass until they fell over another edge and landed in a shallow ditch. This time Heero landed on top of Duo and they came to a stop, both holding their breaths.

Duo watched the trees and plants around him with wide and wild eyes. He watched Heero slowly raise his head and glance around them, probably listening for any sign of their pursuers. But the forest only greeted them with the sounds of bugs flying around and animals running for cover before the rain burst from the sky. Duo blinked and realized they'd come out of the caves at a completely different area then from where they had entered. How many openings did those caves have?

It seemed like an eternity before Heero let out a soft sigh of relief, showing it was safe. The Marked One started to pull himself off of Duo but Duo reached up and stopped him. Heero blinked and looked at him in confusion.

"Answer my question," Duo murmured softly. "Why, Heero? Why?"

Heero turned his head away, his face shifting to an emotionless expression. His bright blue eyes focused on the ground beside them, in what seemed like deep thought, then his features softened.

"I was becoming too attached."

Duo's mouth dropped open slightly and he let his hand fall back, freeing Heero to move. But Heero didn't move away, instead he only turned his head and met Duo's eyes.

"I was becoming too attached, it was interfering with my judgement. I had to leave... had to before I didn't want to anymore."

The Shadow stared up into Heero's eyes as his mind tried to process those words. Heero left because he was starting to care? Could that possibly be the truth? Could he have interpreted Heero's actions wrong the entire time?

With that thought suddenly everything clicked into place in Duo's head. The time after he'd been whipped and Heero had cared for him. The glares he'd seen Heero give Wufei. Every expression the Marked One had had in the castle and on their journey... he'd misinterpreted all of it! It suddenly made sense that even though Heero had only been posing as a slave everything else about him had been sincere, or at least partially. Duo realized that Heero hadn't been acting when he'd smiled softly, or looked concerned. All those times Heero had actually cared about him... he just didn't see it at the time. His surprise and anger at Heero threatening Wufei had blinded him to all of it, even when it was right in front of his face.

It all made sense now.

Duo could have hit himself for being so stupid and narrow minded. He couldn't believe he'd missed it, all of it. It should have been so obvious. So obvious...

He didn't hate Heero, not at all!

Instead, staring into those eyes above him, he felt a strong urge well up inside him. Without a second thought Duo found himself leaning slightly forward and his lips met Heero's, the boy's eyes widening in surprise.

Duo kissed Heero softly, not even really thinking about what would cause him to do such a thing. Instead he just let his eyes slide shut and savored the moment to its fullest. He savored the taste of Heero's lips for the little time it lasted. He actually expected Heero to pull away in surprise or disgust, but didn't care. He just wanted this one moment to himself, and whatever Heero did after this moment didn't really matter.

But to Duo's surprise Heero didn't pull away. Instead the Marked One leaned forward, kissing Duo back with the same soft but persistent force. From that moment the kiss grew more heated and both boys kissed back with a renewed force. Duo took a chance and let his tongue dance over Heero's lips, begging silently for permission. He wasn't disappointed as Heero allowed him that entrance and opened his mouth, kissing Duo back with a soft moan as Duo moved in to taste Heero even more.

The kiss broke off suddenly as both boys pulled apart and gasped for air. Both opened their eyes once more and starred at each other for a long time in silence. Neither moved as they panted heavily to catch their breaths. Duo was the first to break the starring contest as he blinked and slowly raised his hand to slide his fingers lightly down Heero's cheek. Heero tilted his head just slightly and leaned into the touch, his eyes drifting halfway shut.

"I'm sorry," Heero whispered softly.

Duo shook his head. "We both have a lot to apologize for, a lot of misunderstandings. Lets try to forget them, and not worry about it. Otherwise I have a feeling we're going to be apologizing for a long time."

Heero nodded and pulled away slowly, moving to stand up and peek his head over the top of the ditch. Duo sat up and waited silently as Heero searched the area around them for movement. Above them thunder rumbled softly, signaling that the rain was not far behind.

"All clear. I don't see them."

"We probably lost them in the caves, but I wouldn't count on them giving up. We should keep moving, before Darrin has time to get backup." Standing up the Shadow brushed himself off and began pulling the leaves and pieces of grass out of his hair.

In truth Duo would have liked nothing more then to stay in that ditch with Heero in his arms, making up for all mistakes he'd made but he acknowledged that they had more important things to worry about. For one thing he didn't relish the idea of Darrin's men happening upon them while they were 'apologizing' to each other. Duo smirked lightly at that thought as he pulled a small twig out of his hair, the strands swimming around him in the air.

Heero turned back to him and his eyes widened, focusing on Duo's hair. In the heat of the moment, Duo figured Heero had forgotten about the strange things Duo's hair had done. But now, as he stood there starring, it was obvious he remembered.

"What are you?" Heero whispered softly.

Duo chuckled lightly. "It's kind of ironic when I think about it. The only other person in the castle who would talk to me ends up being the one who saved my life back there. Just like he did when he caught me sneaking into the kitchen late at night for food. It seems to fit that he would be watching over me right now too."

Heero blinked with an expression of confusion for a moment then it dawned on him and he reached forward, toward Duo's hair. A few strands moved of their own freewill and wrapped gently around his reaching fingers. "Sorata?" he asked softly.

Duo nodded. "I didn't know it before, but now it makes sense."

"How?"

"It happened about a month after he disappeared from the castle. Wufei and I snuck into his father's treasure room, using a secret passage. We didn't know where it went so we just followed it and decided to find out. Well we came out in the treasure chamber and, like any kids, we played around. Somewhere along the line we bumped into this huge vase in the corner of the room, and it fell, spilling this strange red liquid over my head. We panicked and raced out of the room." Duo shrugged and pulled at his hair, beginning to twist it into a messy braid.

"I'm guessing now that it was Sorata's blood, that Wufei's dad saved it for some crazy reason after he was killed. But whatever the liquid was it burnt my skin something horrible, though it didn't leave any marks. We were able to wash it off in time, I guess. But a couple nights later my hair started acting like this, moving on its own. I tried to cut it off, but nothing cut through it. So instead I taught myself how to braid it and hid it from everyone. But it listens to me when I undo the braid... like I have an extra arm, or some strange kind of tail."

The corner of Heero's mouth tilted upwards slightly. "So that was how you caught the rabbits."

Duo smirked and tied off the end of the braid, tossing it over his shoulder. "Do you know how hard it was to catch those things?! Rabbits move way too fast! But I figured it would be easier then trying to use my hair to strangle a deer or a squirrel. The squirrel would have probably pulled me up a tree in its panic."

That got a full smile out of Heero and he just lightly shook his head. Duo smirked at the mental image in his own mind, that would have been a sight indeed.

"We should get moving, it will be raining soon and we should find cover for the storm. It looks like it will be a strong one."

Duo nodded and the two set off, walking through the woods. They didn't turn back to the caves, but instead headed right through the forest even though there was no path. Heero seemed to know where he was going, or so Duo hoped.

He was still worried about Quatre and Trowa and the others, not to mention Wufei. However, he acknowledged that they couldn't go back into the caves and risk leading Darrin's men to them. So instead Duo would have to live with them taking the long route, which looked to be around the mountains rather than through them, and hope that the others made it out on their own.

He especially hoped that Trowa had better luck finding Quatre then they had.

TBC...

 

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