Darkness at Dawn Part 33

Duo wrapped his arms around Heero the second the door closed behind them, leaving them alone in the suite of rooms that had been prepared for them. "Are you alright, Angel-love?"

"Mm," Heero replied, leaning his forehead on the Dawnchild's shoulder comfortably. "I can now see what had you so worried with those guys. Wing is... Guardians, it is powerful! I have no idea what he did to it to make it so."

The long-haired creature gave a short, humourless laugh, "Wing? Is that what you named it? Fitting. By Heaven - I was so worried when he cut you! If you could have seen what he'd done in the past..."

"I don't doubt it, love," Heero murmured, turning his face to place a gentle kiss on the Dawnchild's sloping throat. He nuzzled the spot warmly. "Do you think Quatre will be okay?"

"Physically, certainly," Duo replied, pulling back from the Angel and stretching gingerly. He reached for his hair tie and yanked it off, letting the braid begin to unravel. "He's more upset at himself for harming Trowa and fighting you than anything else. My poor cousin!"

Heero picked up Duo's hairbrush - he hated to admit how much that confrontation shook him up, but he knew the soothing motion would set both of them at ease, without making either ask for it. Duo turned gratefully and let the Angel unravel his braid altogether. Heero caught his breath as Duo's hair pooled in his lap, cool and fragrant.

"Ah, my Duo," Heero sighed appreciatively as he drew the brush through the Dawnchild's hair. He could tell the long-haired creature was shivering ever so slightly, and he gave a smile. "Are you cold?"

"No!" Duo shook his head as he laughed. "Not at all, it's just... that feels good, Angel. Very good."

Heero set the brush aside and buried his face in the hair at the back of Duo's neck. "You have to promise me never to cut it, Duo. Hair like this should be worshipped."

"And this coming from an Angel!" Duo teased, as much as his heart gave a flutter. "The Great Guardian would probably disagree."

"He understands, He understands everything," Heero murmured, drawing the silky hair to the side so he could lean forward and kiss Duo's neck, just below the ear. He wrapped long arms around the Dawnchild and squeezed him tightly.

The Dawnchild lord brought one of Heero's hands to his lips and kissed the palm gently. "Does He understand enough to let you stay?"

The question shot a jolt of unease through the Angel, and he held tighter to his companion. "Stay... Guardians, Duo-love, you have to believe me that I want to..."

"But?"

Blue eyes shut tightly in pain. "I don't know if I can. I don't belong here, Duo. I exist to serve the Guardian, and for no other purpose."

Duo's grip on his hand tightened. "You do belong here! He gave you this life - He can't mean to take it all back from you..."

"Sh, let me explain," Heero soothed, settling Duo back against his body and stroking one hand over the Dawnchild's luxurious hair. "Being an Angel... it is so much more than being a servant, even if we do serve. He is more than our Master - he is Life, itself, our friend, Father and creator, and to be chosen to live in His presence... He has a plan, Duo. He does nothing without a reason, and I know that He put me here so I could be happy. But I also know that I must obey His wishes, because there is a reason for it, and I am no one to find fault with Him."

Duo settled back against him, as though trying to fold into him. "Then He had a reason for bringing us together, didn't He? Surely it wasn't just to tear us apart again..."

"I have to obey, Duo."

The Dawnchild heaved a sigh. "I know. But Heero..."

"Yes?" He pressed a kiss onto Duo's shining hair.

"He told you to follow your emotions," Duo whispered. "What does your heart tell you?"

"To never let you go," Heero practically growled in his lover's ear. He lifted the Dawnchild to turn him around and claim his lips in a kiss he suddenly needed with his whole being. Duo responded in kind, moaning under his assault and wrapping his arms around the Angel, pulling them together, chest to chest.

"I love you, Angel," Duo said between kisses. "I always will, no matter how long that is."

"I know." Heero kissed him again, cradling his face in his hands and finally pulling back to find tears leaving streaks of silver on Duo's perfect face. He kissed them away. "Always."

~*~

Lucas had just finished tying back his hair in a short ponytail - he wasn't trying to imitate Wufei's hairstyle, but it had been far too long since he'd cut the stuff - when a knock sounded at his door. He quickly made his way across the room and opened it.

Abdul was standing to the side, a weary smile on his face. "I hope I'm not disturbing you..."

"No! Of course not, Abdul-friend," Lucas said. "How can I be of service?"

Abdul was only barely able to keep the smile from his face. "Her Ladyship Princess Une has requested your presence, sir. She sent me to find you."

The Dawnchild grinned. "Did she? Isn't that nice..." He chuckled under his breath. "It was entirely too easy to forget how enchanting ladies of that bloodline are."

Abdul couldn't help his sigh if agreement. "Don't I know it." He paled in the next second, not believing what he'd just allowed himself to say out loud. "My lord..."

"Stop, please!" Lucas said, raising one hand to silence the young guard. He pulled on his cloak, fastening it at his throat before following the other man out into the palace corridor. "First of all, I'm not a Lord, so don't call me one. And second, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your princess is a strong, beautiful woman, and I have the distinct impression that she likes you, too."

"She's royalty..."

"And she's a living being, like any of the rest of us," Lucas said, cutting the guard off before he could finish his sentence. "Look at this whole mess we're involved in right now - all started because a group of people, one man in particular, thought they should be able to dictate who another person was allowed to fall in love with. Take it from someone much older than you, young man - in the end, love does not recognise titles, religion or race. And perhaps more importantly, Iria Raberba's bloodline never has, either."

Chuckling, Abdul shot his companion a look. "Counting on that, yourself, Lucas-friend?"

"We're a lot alike, Abdul-friend," Lucas laughed, as he followed the other around a bend.

~*~

Sunlight was just peeking in past heavy curtains, but Wufei was very happy to know that he could ignore it for the first time in what seemed like ages and simply burrow deeper into a soft, warm bed and the comforting presence of his lover.

Said lover gave a low laugh as the oriental man did his best to burrow directly into his broad chest. "It is gloriously comfortable, isn't it?"

The Captain of Sanc gave a low chuckle, finally opening his eyes to find Treize staring down at him with a gentle look in his eyes. "All that's missing is someone to draw the bath and fetch breakfast."

At the word 'bath', Treize's eyes took on a wistful look. "Do you think they'd have rose-scented salts to bathe with?"

Wufei stared incredulously at the other man and promptly began to laugh. To which Treize indignantly replied, "What?!"

The oriental man calmed his laughter enough to run fond fingertips over the other man's unshaven cheeks. "One of the seven most powerful men on Earth, and all he wants is a rose-scented bath! Treize, even Princess Noin probably doesn't do that!"

The taller man huffed in mock indignity. "Then she doesn't know what she's missing! By the Guardians! I'm the Water Lord! I know about baths!"

Wufei howled with laughter, and was quickly joined by his lover, both men clinging to each other as they began to mock wrestle, getting themselves well and truly tangled in the blankets.

What seemed like hours later, as they finally calmed down again. Wufei shot Treize a devilish look. "Would you mind if I joined you?"

Treize swooped down to kiss his lover, pulling back with a smile. "If I did, would I have any luck in keeping you away?"

"None, whatsoever."

"Then please! I would be honoured if you would join me in my girly rose bath."

Both men laughed as they rose from the bed and made their way to the bathing chamber. "The first person to comment on how I smell is a dead man," Wufei laughed.

~*~

"Look, sir! There it is again!"

Ramar growled as he was forced to look straight up into the slow, steady rain that had been plaguing his march since the dragon's attack. Sure enough, there was a familiar flash of gold as a large bird circled overhead, wisely staying well out of any conceivable range. Roth had first seen the bird about a week before. By now, he'd counted twenty such sightings. "Roth!"

Ramar's second in command seemed to materialise at his side. "Yes, my lord?"

Ramar's eyes remained glued to the bird. "Send for the Huntress."

Roth reminded himself not to panic. "Of course, sir." He turned away and quickly sent a rider back to where Berani's tribe still followed the long train of soldiers. He hadn't foreseen Ramar needing the Huntress' services, and he truly didn't know what he would do...

A younger Hunter named Dorian was quickly at his side, and he arched an eyebrow. "You?"

The younger Darkchild replied, straight-faced, "Berani-Huntress smelled something following us and turned back to scout for it. I am come in her place." He winked.

A smile slowly bloomed over Roth's face. "You'll do. Come on."

Ramar made them both wait as they trotted up to his side, then arched an eyebrow in displeasure. "This is not the Huntress."

Roth gave a bow from his saddle. "She apparently thought she'd smelled something following behind us and went to check it out. I will keep you informed, my Lord, when she returns."

"Of course you will," Ramar said, his golden stare fixing onto the younger soldier. "I have a task for you."

"It is an honour to serve you, Lord," Dorian replied smoothly, though he fought to keep his smile intact.

Ramar nodded. "A golden eagle has been following us for over a week now. It is probably a spy for our enemies. I want you and your tribe to shoot him down."

~*~

"CREEEEEE!"

Heero cracked an eye open and groaned as he caught sight of a bird perched on the windowsill, staring straight at him, as though to ask why he hadn't opened the window as yet. Grumbling to himself, he shook Duo's shoulder gently. "Duo-friend, wake up."

"I'm fast asleep. Tell him to go away," came a bleary reply as the Dawnchild nuzzled Heero's neck and latched on to him even tighter than before.

Heero smiled - Duo looked so sweet and beautiful, curled up as he was, eyes tightly shut... It was too bad he had to disturb him. "I don't speak bird, love. Would you prefer he went to bother Trowa and your cousin? After last night?"

Duo winced. "Fine, I'm up." Violet eyes opened slowly, and Heero was rewarded with a warm smile and a kiss on the cheek before the Dawnchild stood and padded to the window, still yawning. He opened the window.

Cree flew into the room and circled the bed twice before landing right next to Heero, peering him in the face and making small chirping noises that seemed utterly inappropriate coming from a bird his size. Duo laughed as he watched, and the angel turned to him in surprise. "What's so funny?"

Duo approached and stroked Cree's feathers as he sat. "He says he knows you have wings, too, and wonders where you keep them. I think this is the first time he's seen you without your shirt on."

Heero smiled warmly, and there was a brief flash of bright, fresh white light - Cree began squawking excitedly as the light dimmed and it became obvious what had happened. White-feathered wings extended gracefully from Heero's shoulderblades, as though they had always been there.

Duo gasped at the sight and put out a shaky hand, only to draw it back again as he looked down into his lover's face. "May I?"

"Of course, Duo-love." Heero extended his wings so that one brushed Duo's face gently.

The Dawnchild smiled like a small child as he stroked the white feathers - they were every bit as soft and fine as Cree's wings, if not more so, and shimmered in the pale, early morning sun. "Guardians, Heero..."

There was another brief flash, and by the time Duo uncovered his eyes from it, the wings were gone again, the eagle at their side hopping and chirping. Duo stared at his angel, wide-eyed. "Oh, Heero..."

The angel smiled at both the Dawnchild and bird. "You have no idea how good that felt."

"CREE!"

"What was that?"

"He said you're wrong- he knows precisely how it feels and is surprised you can bear to go without them."

Heero's face was momentarily sad. "I wonder at it, myself." His mood changed quickly, though, and he pinned Duo with a stare. "What news does he bring?"

"What - oh." The Dawnchild turned to the bird and began chirping at him quickly. Heero became concerned as his lover's face went white.

Duo's voice seemed harsher as he finished the conversation. As the braided Dawnchild finished, Cree hopped closer to Heero and butt his golden head against the Angel's hand once before spreading his wings and leaving out the window without so much as a cry. Confused, Heero turned to his companion with a raised eyebrow. "Explain?"

Duo motioned towards Heero's hand. "A typical greeting for another winged creature. I think he wants to adopt you."

The Angel tried not to smile. "Cute. What did he say to worry you so?"

The smile fell from Duo's lips. "He told me we have precious little time, Angel-friend. Come - we need to find the others." He moved away and grabbed for his shirt -

~Don't make me resort to searching your mind for it, love,~ Heero's voice whispered in his mind, and Duo froze.

~Please, I only want to explain it once. Will that be okay?~

Duo relaxed as he felt arms closing around him, a tender kiss planted on his still bare shoulder. "That will be fine."

~*~

Lord Kamal rose from his seat in surprise as the doors opened and Quatre Raberba strode in, surrounded by his guests. His jaw dropped open as he stared at the braided Dawnchild at his Lord's side. "You're..."

Duo smiled, and Kamal went wider-eyed, if such was possible. Quatre shared a knowing look with his cousin. "If you'd all please sit, we can begin. My Kinsman has informed me that he has important news for us all to hear."

The young King did quick introductions around the table before turning to Duo with a serious look in his eyes. "Speak, Duo."

The Dawnchild stood, his face grave. "I had thought to speak of this only to my companions, but I realise that you all need to know. I have received information..." He took a deep breath. "My lords and ladies, despite the hardships we have thrown in their way, the Army of Shadows has reached the banks of Lake Gralon. They will undoubtedly be moving into friendly territory very soon."

A murmur went up around the table, and Quatre locked eyes with his cousin. "Are you certain of this, kinsman?"

Duo nodded. "Cree has taken it upon himself to follow their progress, my Lord. He has never steered me wrong."

"Cree?"

Trowa nodded to one of Quatre's vassals shortly. "Cree is a golden eagle, sir, and a devoted pet of Lord Duo's. I assure you, you may trust in him."

"An eagle?!"

Duo met the man's eyes shrewdly. "Yes, an eagle, and the most devoted of spies one could ask for. He places himself in great danger to get us this information, as it can only be too long before he is spotted."

The man sat back quickly, choosing not to face the intensity of the being known as Duo Maxwell. He turned to his King, instead. "My Lord, if this is true, than we must act as quickly as possible! My lands are not a week's ride from Gralon Falls..."

"And mine not far beyond that. My people are defenceless, whilst we waste away here..."

The room dissolved into a shouting match as each man tried to be heard over the others. Quatre sought vainly to control the bunch, standing and holding his arms up, shouting over all the others ineffectually.

"That. Is. ENOUGH!" Everyone stopped speaking abruptly and all eyes swung to the speaker - Treize Kushrenada's eyes flashed as he faced down the crowd of nobles. "You will show your liege the proper respect!" His voice fell to something more reasonable. "All is not lost, not yet."

Quatre shot the tall man a thankful look. "My thanks, Treize-friend. He is right - even now, we have allies riding to our succour. It is perhaps time for me to reveal all that is known at this time." He shot a look at Trowa, who was seated at his side. "If I have not revealed my news before, I hope no one will take it badly."

He caught a look from Heero before he spoke, "An army rides to our aid, an army that could rightfully be directed by one among us right now."

The temperature in the room plummeted almost immediately, and Duo's hand found its way into Heero's. ~Please remain calm, love. You knew they would follow where you lead.~

Duo locked eyes with his cousin. "An army of my kind, I take it. Please speak plainly, Raberba." He squeezed Heero's hand tightly.

Quatre was unnerved by Duo's formal tone, but he did not back off. "Yes, an army of Dawnchildren. I expect their arrival within the week."

Duo would have stood, had it not been for Heero on one side and Zechs on the other.

Heero's low voice stole through the room, the human lords present having the presence of mind to remain silent. "For how long have you known this?"

Quatre shook his head. "Only for the past few days. Lady Sally was the one to hear of it."

Zechs released Duo's arm to stand. "My lords, this conversation would probably be best held in private at a later time. I would propose we come back to the matter at hand."

Duo remained silent.

Quatre grasped at the straw gladly. "You're quite right, my friend. My thanks."

He turned to the rest of them. "I'm sure you can all agree that we will need to leave for the south as soon as possible. I would propose waiting, though, until the Dawnchild army draws near."

"Why should we do such a thing?" Kamal asked, rising from his seat. "We should be leaving at once..."

A southern lord nodded his agreement. "Yes, we have not a moment to lose."

Quatre shook his head. "You do not understand, Mikloscz. There is little that we can do without the help, without some sort of assistance. A human army does not stand a chance against the Army of Darkness."

Several people stood to object, but a voice spoke up quietly, still drowning out all others. "This army will. I swear it to you - my aunt Iria's Kingdom will not fall as long as there is life left in my body. I will finish what I started so long ago."

Heero shivered. "This council has gone long enough. My lords - we must adjourn for now."

Quatre nodded, taking in the stony look in his cousin's eyes. "You're quite right. We will call you back in as soon as we have better information to share. My Man'gua'nacs will show you out."

Rashid and his men stood immediately and moved to escort the various Lords out, but Quatre called at the last minute. "Rashid, when you have finished, please see to it that you return, and bring Abdul with you."

~*~

They waited until the doors were tightly closed behind the retreating nobility before Wufei looked up at Duo. "You knew they would follow you, Duo-friend. You had to have known."

The Dawnchild looked up with wide eyes. "I knew, I just... I don't know that I can lead them. Not anymore. They will be like poor Niles - they will be looking for General Shinigami, not Duo Maxwell."

"No, they won't," Zechs spoke up, rising from his seat to pace the room. "You saw Howard, we all did. I think he was rather relieved to have his nephew back. If they have come, Duo, it is for the person you have become, not the person you once were."

"Be that as it may," Duo looked up at his cousin, "you were right about the help, Quatre. Help you shall have. Before we ride out, you will all be equipped with the best I can give you. We can work one weapon a day - we should be done before the week is over."

Quatre went pale at the very thought, and might have faltered if not for Wufei at his side. "Duo! After yesterday, you can't possibly mean to..."

"Yes, he does," Trowa interrupted. "You said it yourself, love - you will need the help, you, personally, more than anyone. I think it's a great idea."

Rashid chose that moment to re-appear, Abdul trailing at his side. "You asked for us, my Lord?"

Quatre nodded. "Yes. Keep a close watch on Lord Mikloscz and his friends. They will try and leave in the night, to return home. They must not be allowed to do so."

"My lord?"

The blond smiled. "Call it intuition, Rashid. My intuition."

"Understood, sire," the large man said, and he turned to leave, signalling for Abdul to follow.

"Just a moment, Abdul!" Quatre called, and the younger guard froze in mid-step, his heart beating madly in his chest as he turned, hearing Rashid continuing out the door behind him. "Sir?"

The blond scrutinised the young guard closely. "You and my sister seem to get along rather well... she will of course be riding out with us when we go to war. I need to ask a great favour of you."

"Of course, sire."

"Ride with us - your main duty will be the protection of the Princess as her personal bodyguard, so to speak," Quatre said.

Abdul couldn't help the smile that spread over his face. "It would be a privilege, sir!" He bowed low and left, quietly shutting the door behind him.

Trowa cocked an eyebrow at his lover. "That was hardly the kindest deed you've ever done, Quatre! The poor man will be scared senseless of getting anywhere close to her with both yourself and Rashid nearby."

The blond ignored the comment, instead turning to Duo. "Are you certain, cousin? Guardians, I attacked your Angel yesterday - I could have killed both him and Trowa. I don't want to hurt anyone..."

"Then you have to learn to control it, kinsman. We can all help you learn that control, if you let us," the Dawnchild responded, finally standing from his spot. He approached the blond and took his shoulders gently, but firmly. "I'm not doing this to hurt you, Quatre. I'm doing it because it must be done. Have faith in me - in all of us. We will not let you fall again. The Mad Four won't come near it, either!"

Quatre searched his cousin's face for a long moment before he finally nodded his acquiescence. "Done, then. I trust you, Duo, I trust all of you." He spared Trowa a glance and a smile before he turned and strode to the doors.

As the doors closed behind the blond, Treize couldn't help the light chuckle that bubbled from his lips. "Do you think he has any idea what sort of bind he put young Abdul in? The poor man!"

Zechs shook his head. "He hasn't a clue - he wasn't really paying attention, I don't think. It should have been obvious."

They all shared a look. "Well, this trip shall be interesting, at least," Wufei commented dryly. "Now tell us about these weapons..."

~*~

It was late that morning when Quatre finally had a moment to summon the Huntress to his audience. She gave him a formal bow. "You called for me, Raberba?"

He nodded. "I thought you deserved to know. The Dark Army has reached Gralon Lake and will be crossing into my lands soon. We will march to war as soon as preparations are done."

"My people..." Berani clutched at her chest, her face falling as she considered it.

Quatre watched her carefully as he spoke his next words. "Your people will be in need of their leader when their moment comes. I think... I think it might be best for them if you were to return to Ramar's camp and take the place that is yours."

"My lord?"

He smiled at her. "Go, Berani Huntress. No doubt this Roth will need all the support he can get, when the moment comes. I shall look forward to meeting you as an ally on the battlefield."

She gave him a deep bow. "Thank you, my Lord. May the Guardians watch over you all - I will pray that they do." Without another word, she turned and left the hall.

From his place at Quatre's side, Rashid asked, "Are you certain that was wise, my Lord? She could tell him many things about us, our battle plans and preparations..."

"She won't," the blond said softly, his eyes still on the doorway she had only recently vacated. "The Huntress is true to her word, and her place is with her people." He looked up at his Captain. "I know it will work out right."

~*~

The sun was beginning to sink low in the sky as Duo led his small band into the armoury again. The whole place had been emptied for his use - shadows danced on the walls, painted red by tongues of flame that jumped and sizzled as the Fire Lord unleashed his power. The others watched in fascination as Duo seemed to reach into the flames and pull some out in his hands, twisting and twirling around his fingers and wrists harmlessly, like small snakes. "Who wishes to go first?" he asked in a voice that was once again thrumming with power.

Everyone gulped - this was it. They could all feel in their hearts how much depended on this, but no one moved. No one spoke.

"Oh, very well. I suppose I will." Several people breathed a sigh of relief as Treize stepped forward into the ring.

Duo smiled. "So be it. You have your choice, Water Lord. What weapon shall you use?"

The tall man pulled his sword with easy grace. "The same as I have always used, my friend. There is no need to stall - I am ready for this."

"Very well." Without further ado, the chanting commenced.

TBC...

 

To The Next Chapter

To The Previous Chapter

Back to Ashkara's Fanfictions Page

Back to Guests Fanfictions Page

Back to Main Page