Sorcerer Stabber Shinigami Part 4

The group of three neared the fields as the last of the sunset was disappearing. The moon glared brightly in the sky, a bright red light cast upon the earth. Duo walked silently, his eyes darting to the moon as it disappeared and reappeared behind the clouds. He watched the fields around him, frowning deeply as he felt the powers of nature dance around him.

"Bloody well figures," he murmured angrily.

Quatre raised an eyebrow then glanced up at the moon, noting its red color. "Is that a bad thing?"

Duo nodded, stopping at the edge of the fields, his eyes moving straight to where they melted into high mountains. He could already see the large footprints in the edge of the field, crushed into the snow and mostly visible ground. "It means you and Hilde better stay pretty far back from me and whatever else is out here."

"Why is that?" Hilde asked, stepping up beside them.

"I'm a Child of Shinigami, I tend to be a little more powerful and a little more unpredictable this time of the year." Duo smirked. "Last time it was my birthday and the moon was full I blew up the kitchen, and all I did was glance at the stove."

Hilde gave a low whistle. "Note taken," she replied quietly. "So, umm, what do we do if it is a dragon? I don't see anything."

Duo frowned deeply. "It's here," he crouched just slightly. "It's watching us."

Quatre's eyes widened and he took a step back.

"Quatre, stay back with Hilde and if anything even looks your way use your protection spell as a shield."

Quatre nodded and backed away with Hilde to a tree sitting just at the edge of the fields. Duo, meanwhile, started to walk forward. He moved into the fields, and stopped cold as the wind around him rose up. Cold air pulled at his clothing and he let his cloak fall to the ground, knowing it would only hinder his movements. As he walked into the middle of the field he let his hands lay out open, collecting the rising energy from the earth and the moon. His bright violet eyes darted over the landscape, looking for any sign of the dragon, he found very little.

About near the middle of the field was a dead cow, or rather what was left of one. Dead flesh clung to the smooth bones, stretching out to the ground with muscle and fat. Only the cow's head was left intact, Duo glanced away quickly before he got sick.

He could remember the texts in the school about dragons; they were an ancient breed of great animals and used to be controlled by sorcerers. In fact the last living dragon that anyone had ever heard of had died in the very spot where the Tower of Fang now stood. All students were taught that dragons were to be respected and left alone, but at the same time shouldn't come near human cities. Duo was not eager to face one of the creatures Milliardo had told him so much about; in fact he was downright terrified.

The ground around him seemed to shift and he heard Hilde give a cry of surprise from far behind him. Looking upward he saw a long scaled head move out from behind one of the mountains. It moved its head around, its eyes moving toward Hilde and Quatre. Duo frowned deeply; the thing was huge if its head was any indication! He swallowed as the head moved and the large blue eyes locked on him.

Moving slowly the large creature crept out from behind the mountain, moving straight toward Duo on all four legs. Icy blue scales matched the cobalt blue eyes and for a moment all Duo could do was stare at it. If he weren't so afraid of the creature it would have been a magnificent sight. On shaky legs Duo took a few steps back, his mind whirling.

Blue.

Ice blue.

That meant this dragon controlled ice and cold.

Above in the sky the clouds moved away from the moon and the bright red light shone down, giving the dragon a violet tint. How appropriate, Duo thought icily. Moving his hands together he started to draw his shape in the air, readying for an attack. As his mind tried to think of some binding spell he happened to glance at the ground around the dragon, particularly at the dragon's shadow.

Duo's eyes widened and he felt his knees grow weak. "Oh shit," he choked out as he desperately fought to keep his balance.

The shadow on the ground, cast by the moon, wasn't large and bulky like the body of the dragon. Rather it was tall but thin, a willowy build resembling that of a human. A human with ruffled short hair.

Duo's eyes locked on the dragon's he shook his head.

No! It couldn't be!

But it was! The creature before him, with the strange disfigured shadow, even had the right color eyes. He'd never forget that color for as long as he lived, no matter what creature had it. The dragon before him was his friend.

"Heero!?"

The dragon didn't respond, it only stood there quietly, watching Duo as if it were waiting for an attack. After it realized that Duo wasn't going to do anything it turned its attention to Quatre and Hilde across the field. Duo watched as the dragon began to move toward them.

"Heero!" He called out again, hoping that if it was really him it would respond.

But instead the dragon only moved faster, its long bat-like wings spreading.

Duo swore as the creature launched itself into the sky and headed straight for the other two. Quatre's shield flew up almost immediately, with Hilde cowering near him, shaking in fear. Duo sprinted across the field, yelling as loud as he could.

"Stay away from them!" Raising his hand he fired a small bolt of light, straight at the dragon's back flank.

The creature turned its head and glared at him, puffing cold air through its nostrils in a threat, then turned back to Hilde and Quatre.

"I said..." Duo closed his eyes and centered himself, picturing the bright red moon above him glowing darkly with a deep red light. "STAY AWAY!"

The moon above shimmered with dark red light, then a bright beam shot down and hit the dragon, causing it to growl angrily and back away, its eyes narrowing as it turned to face Duo.

Duo's eyes snapped open and he smirked quietly. "Yeah, that got your attention, didn't it?" Duo raised his arms and faced the dragon, ready for another attack. "Heero or not, you're not getting anywhere near them. Got that?"

The dragon snorted, almost as if in response, but didn't turn away from Duo. Instead it reared up on its hind legs and jumped forward, forcing Duo to dive to the side to avoid being squished into a pancake. Duo rolled onto the ground and came back up only to be slapped down again by the dragon's tail. He landed hard on the ground, his body crying out in pain as the dragon reared up to slam into him again.

"Master!"

Duo forced his eyes open just in time to see a wall of bright green light fly up around him, obviously from Quatre. The dragon's foot slammed into the wall of energy and it literally cracked, shattering into nothing. Yet the distraction still gave Duo enough time to roll out of the way. He landed beside the fence around the field, the dragon blocking his view of Hilde and Quatre. Spitting the dirt from his mouth he forced himself to stand.

He left his hand on the ground and power surged through his arm, into the ground beneath his feet. Just as he had in the battle with Trowa he pulled a long thick blade of marble from the earth and whirled to face the dragon. Though this time the blade wasn't just marble, it was edged with razor sharp obsidian that gleamed in the moonlight. This time the blade was deadly. This time he meant business.

Duo growled angrily at the dragon and jumped forward, slamming the blade into his front leg. The dragon cried out in pain and hissed angrily, kicking Duo away in defense.

"Get the hint and leave before I have to end up killing you, damn it!"

The dragon lowered its head and charged at Duo, straight for the blade. Duo raised it and readied himself to strike at the dragon's eye, when the dragon's tail whipped around and caught him in the back. Duo was sent flying, the blade falling from his hands and his body bouncing limply across the ground.

"MASTER!"

"DUO!"

He didn't respond, he just simply lay there in the light snow and dead ground, not moving as the blood started to flow from the wound on the side of his head. Quatre and Hilde raced toward him but the dragon beat them, seizing Duo in his claws. The two could only watch helplessly as the dragon beat its wings and soared into the sky, disappearing past the mountains and into the night.

~*~

The sound of water trickling down the side of a stone wall was the first sound Duo heard upon waking. Immediately his eyes snapped open and he peered around, his breath catching. Where in the world was he? Without moving he surveyed his surroundings as best he could. A thick set of scaly claws was wrapped around his body, holding him pinned to the ground, as the dragon around him breathed heavily, obviously sleeping. They were in some strange cave, large enough for the dragon, yet apparently still deep inside a mountain because it was warm and he couldn't see any light from outside. He could barely make out the walls of the cave and hear the sounds of running water, if the cave had an opening it was a long ways away.

Trying a small test Duo wiggled in the dragon's grasp, then froze. The dragon only snorted then went back to breathing normally, Duo cursed silently. Damn, the dragon was a light sleeper, which meant that if he tried to get away it would wake up and probably kill him before he had any chance to get away. Resigning himself to his fate until he came up with a better solution Duo gave a loud, exasperated sigh and tapped his fingers on the hard stone ground, trying to stir some plan in his head. He had no idea how to get away and certainly didn't feel up to fighting this dragon again.

As he lay there, pinned by the dragon's claws, he noticed a strange smell in the air. It was sweet, almost like fresh rain. Duo closed his eyes and relaxed, letting his mind drift past his body. He'd never been really good at travelling around without his body, Treize was right in the middle of that lesson when Duo left, but he could still travel a little ways. Letting his breathing become slow he reached toward the opening of the cave. He neared the opening of the cave and had to blink rapidly as he faced the bright sun rising into the sky as the moon dipped below the horizon.

Morning. He was smelling the dew on the ground. The first signs of summer moving toward them, and the last of the snow melting away into the streams and rivers. Duo smirked and slid backward into the cave, settling back in his body and then opening his real eyes to once again stare at the dull cave wall.

"Wake up already and let me go, or at least turn over in your sleep or something. My legs are starting to fall asleep," Duo grumbled as he glared at the dragon.

Sunlight seeped into the cave, just barely, and lit up the wall. Duo watched the small lines of light move through the cave and cross the dragon. Suddenly a strange red light sparkled over the creature and its shape began to shift. Duo held his breath as the dragon above and around him began to shrink, mist swirling around its body and filling the cave. Duo blinked rapidly and rubbed his eyes. He gasped as the entire scene took place.

Icy blue scales melted away to reveal a strange cocoon-like thing in the center of the cave, which continued to shrink and almost unwrap itself. Long silvery strands melted away to reveal a small human shape, curled into a tight ball. The silver strings blew away like thin cobwebs and eventually there was just one thing left in the room, a young boy. A young boy with messy brown hair that fell gracefully over his smooth and perfect face. Duo's breath caught in his throat and he gave a small hiccup. Crawling to his hands and knees he reached toward the boy tentatively, almost afraid to touch him.

His hands met with soft skin, smooth and perfect to the touch. He remembered that skin, oh he remembered it so well! Duo swallowed as the boy stirred, his eyes finally opening to reveal the final clue.

Bright cobalt blue. The color of the deepest blue flames in the center of a large bonfire.

Duo felt close to tears. Unable to hold himself back he jumped forward, wrapping his arms tightly around the boy. "HEERO!" He cried happily as tears slipped down his cheeks.

The boy looked around in confusion and his eyes finally settled on the one holding him. His voice was scratchy, as if he'd just woken up from a long sleep. "D-Duo?"

"I can't believe it's you! I never thought I'd find you again after the night you left! Oh man I missed you so much!" Duo hugged Heero tighter until the boy gave a small cry of pain, which caused Duo to slowly let go and back away.

For a long moment the two boys just sat there, staring at each other in wonder. Tears flowed lightly down Duo's face and Heero's eyes were wide, just staring with confusion. Slowly, and reluctantly, their eyes broke contact and they looked over each other.

The first thing Heero noticed was that Duo wasn't dressed in the normal cloak he was used to from the Tower of Fang. Instead his former roommate wore a pair of tight black pants and a thin gray shirt. A matching black vest hung over his shoulders while a red bandanna wove around his forehead and through his thick hair, which was pulled into a messy braid. Heero noted he still wore the amulet from the Tower, and that sight almost made him flinch as the memories came rushing back.

"What are you doing here, Duo?" He asked quietly.

"I've been looking for you since the day you left! I thought I'd never find you. And I certainly didn't expect you to be a dragon."

Heero froze and his eyes widened, a shiver running down his back. "A... what?"

"A dragon." Duo repeated slowly. "You know, big lizard with razor sharp teeth and one heck of a nasty tail." Duo rubbed the back of his head, which still hurt from the blows he'd received the night before.

"A dragon," Heero whispered softly. His eyes drifted down to stare at his empty hands and naked body.

"You don't remember, do you?"

Heero shook his head. "The last thing I remember is stumbling out into the snow, leaving the Tower far behind as my body started to hurt. I remember collapsing and the pain becoming unbearable... then I woke up here, with you." Heero's eyes traveled up and met with Duo's again.

Duo blinked in confusion. "Heero. You left the Tower a year ago."

"A year." Heero repeated the words softly, closing his eyes. He drew in a shuddering breath and nodded slowly. "Duo, was there a red moon last night?"

"Yeah. Heh, it's my birthday, and this is the best gift I could have ever gotten!" Duo moved forward to wrap his arms around Heero again but the boy stopped him, an emotionless and dead expression crossing his face.

Duo frowned and backed off. "Heero? What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You need to seal me away, in this cave Duo. Before the sun sets tonight."

Duo jumped to his feet and stared at his friend. "What?! Are you crazy? Why would I do a thing like that?"

"Because if you don't I'm going to turn back into a dragon tonight. I'm sure of it. I don't remember shifting into one, which means that I have no control in that form. I have no idea what I'll do." Heero stood up and locked a death-glare with Duo. "You need to seal me away before it happens again."

"No! Not a chance! You don't know that you'll turn back, and even if you do there's got to be a counter-spell. Remember? Everything has a counter-spell. Everything can be fixed and turned around, back to normal, no matter how strong the magic. I just have to find it and turn you back and then-"

Duo stopped as Heero placed a light finger on his lips. "Duo, don't."

"But... I just found you! And now you want me to seal you away like some demon? I won't do it Heero!"

Heero moved forward, his hand catching Duo's chin lightly, pulling the boy's face toward him. He paused for only a second before capturing Duo's lips in a soft kiss, tender and sweet. Duo blinked in surprise but gave no protest; instead he kissed back gently, allowing Heero's tongue into his mouth. The two kissed, their hands slowly coming up to wrap around the other's waist, as their tongues danced and tasted every bit of the warm mouth pressed against there's. Duo's eyes slid shut and he became lost in the taste of Heero, obsessed with tasting every corner of his mouth, even as he felt the small tear slide off Heero's cheek and onto his own.

After what seemed like the sweetest eternity Heero broke off the kiss, pulling back slowly so he could look into Duo's eyes. Duo's tears had dried, while a single wet line crossed down Heero's cheek. Heero took a slow breath, calming himself.

"You have to, Duo." He whispered softly, his voice a mere breeze against the cave walls.

Duo shook his head rapidly.

"Duo, please."

"I can't."

Heero reached forward and lightly touched the dried clump of blood staining Duo's hair. Duo winced as he felt those fingers touch the tender spot on his head. He'd forgotten about the head wound, and it hadn't mattered really, least not until now.

"I did this to you, didn't I?" Heero asked softly.

Duo's heart jumped into his throat and he looked away. He didn't want to tell Heero the truth, but he was right. "It wasn't your fault," he whispered feebly.

"If you don't seal me, and I turn back, I may do worse."

Duo bit his lip.

"Duo." Heero caught Duo's chin once more and this time turned him so the two were facing each other. "Please, love, you have to seal me away. Lock me in the cave, so when I turn back I can't hurt you or anyone else. You and I both know you have the power to."

Duo's lips trembled and he moved forward, burying his head against Heero's chest as he hugged the boy tightly. "I don't want to lose you again."

Heero smiled softly and ran a hand over the boy's braid. "I'll be right here, until you come back with the counter-spell."

Swallowing hard Duo nodded. Taking a deep breath he forced himself to pull away from Heero's arms and step away from the boy, toward the mouth of the cave. "We can't just spend the day together, can we?"

Heero shook his head. "I don't know when I'll turn back. You have to make the seal now, while you can."

"All right." Duo took another slow step backward, closer to the entrance of the cave. He forced himself to keep moving until he was completely out of the cave, standing in the bright sunlight. Closing his eyes and drawing a deep breath he called upon his symbol of power, the shining red moon that was his birthmark. Calming his breathing he traced the outline of the cave in his mind, purple energy flowing from his hands to lace across the opening.

Heero stepped toward the opening, watching silently as the power flowed from Duo and wove its way, blocking him off from the rest of the world. The purple energy moved in veins down the insides of the cave, reinforcing the sealing spell into the mountain itself, until the entire cave seemed to pulsate with Duo's power. Then the purple glow slowly faded away and Duo dropped to his knees, the cave sealed and his powers considerably tapped.

Sadly Heero raised his hand and reached for Duo, his skin meeting with an invisible barrier that felt like the coldest ice. Duo looked up and blinked back tears as he saw his friend standing there, trapped away from the world.

"I'm sorry, Heero." He said quietly.

Heero nodded and flashed a light smile, meant as a sign of comfort. "I love you," he mouthed quietly.

Duo hugged himself tightly and nodded. Stepping up to the invisible barrier he leaned his forehead against it and closed his eyes. Slowly Heero moved forward and placed a kiss there, as if there were glass separating them but Duo could still feel it.

Taking a deep breath Duo steadied himself and stood, wiping the tears from his eyes. A grin crossed his face and he took a step back. "Just you wait, I'll be back before you know it and then you'll be back to normal and we can go kick Treize's ass for what he did to you."

Heero smiled softly and nodded. "I'll be waiting."

Nodding to himself and to Heero, Duo turned and raced away from the mountain, heading back toward the town before he broke down again. Heero watched from his new silent prison until Duo's figure disappeared from sight, then he turned and went to sit in the corner of the cave.

He knew Duo would be back but he suspected he wouldn't be human to recognize him. Hugging himself tightly he shivered, but not from lack of clothing. He shivered at himself. An entire year lost to his mind? What had he done in his cursed form? Who had he hurt? Who had he killed?

And even worse.

What would happen when he turned back?

TBC...

 

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