A small gray-haired man with a huge, puffy beard entered the room. He ignored the shouts and threats from his prisoners as he pulled on a white lab coat. Only after he was finished did he listen to the protests of his captives.
"Omae o korosu!" Heero growled tugging at the handcuffs that suspended him and the other four Gundam pilots above a pool full of purple, bubbling ooze. His struggles only resulted in bruised wrists and pain.
"Let us go!" Duo demanded as he struggled to reach the lock pick hidden in his braid, however unsuccessfully and impossible it may be.
"This is unjust!" Wufei howled as he kicked his legs in frustration. His foot barely missed Quatre's leg.
"Trowa, I can't feel my arms." Quatre whispered, letting the others yell for him. Duo and Wufei were doing a great job covering his conversation with the other pilot. He twisted out of Wufei's kicks, in his own struggles to free himself.
"It's going to be okay Quatre," Trowa assured the smaller boy. "We'll escape and get out. We always have before, just wait and see."
"Who are you and what do you want from us?" Treize's voice rang out from a small, clear cell in the corner of the room. Zechs, Noin, Sally Po, Une, and he were looking for any hidden escape or weapon to use to aid their escape. From where they were, they could see the five boys hanging over the purple goo, and everyone was nervous.
"Well, since you asked so nicely," the man taunted, "I am a scientist, but for now I will remain unnamed, just until I take over the world. (actually because I was too tired to think of one) Let's see. What do I want? I want total world domination, infinite riches, power and plenty of human guinea pigs for my experiments. But of course I have ten now so let's see what happen, ne?
"Let us down, you sicko!" Duo growled. The scientist pushed a button. "Not this kind of down! Yamero! Shinigami help us!" Duo cried out as his feet neared the ooze.
The scientist laughed evilly as the cables holding the boys started to lower. He watched them struggle to escape while they called out for him to stop. In another twist of sudden evilness, he pushed another button releasing the cables completely.
"Omae o koro… *splash* Heero's threat was cut off as they fell into the purple substance.
Each boy came up spluttering and coughing, their bodies tingling. Trying to clear their eyes, the boys clung to the sides of the pool. Duo was the first to recover. He tried to pull himself out of the pool but couldn't. He put one leg up and noticed it was skinny, black, and definitely not human.
"Gaaahhhh!" He screamed. "I've got horse legs!"
"NANI?!?!?!?" The other four shouted, turning to face him. Duo managed to heft his body out of the goo. The others saw Duo's upper was normal but once their eyes reached his waist, they were shocked. Not only did Duo have horse legs, but a horse's body as well.
Heero pulled himself out and ran to Duo. Following Duo's shocked look, Heero glanced down. He had horse legs. He was a chocolate colored horse. "Shimatta!!!!"
Trowa climbed out next. He was a brown and white horse. "A pinto?" He sighed and turned to help Quatre out.
"Oh my," Quatre stared at his beige colored body. "I'm a palomino. This really can't be good."
"No it is not good! It is unjust!!!! I don't want to be a animal, let alone a half-horse!" Wufei continued to rant on about the injustice of his white body. "It doesn't even match the color of my skin!"
EVERYONE sweat dropped.
"Interesting. Part horse...centaurs. This is the discovery of a lifetime. I've got to inform the scientific world. I'll be..." The scientist trailed off, realizing that he was attracting several very heated glares and the very complete attention of the five g-boy centaurs.
"Omae o korosu!" Heero charged the scientist.
"Matte! Yamero! Heero don't kill him yet. We need the antidote!" Duo shouted at Heero.
Instead of smashing into the small man, Heero swung around and grabbed him. Suddenly, there was a flash of light and a poof of smoke. The scientist was gone, much to Heero's dismay. The blue-eyed boy moved protectively in front of his violet-eyed companion. A shadowed man stood ten feet away from the young men. He had large, black wings, which were folded back.
"Sorry it took so long, Duo. I wasn't allowed to interfere unless a rule was broken. Which it was, so here I am."
Duo was completely at ease with the figure. "Can you fix us?" Duo asked, ignoring the other four pilots.
"Iie. Gomen, but the scientist is in limbo working on it right now." The figure nodded towards the ceiling.
"We can't be stuck like this! We have our gundams to pilot and a war to fight!"
"Relax, pilots. The gods have already decided on a course of action. Duo, please don't interrupt. In one week, your time (the afterlife and limbo have different time lengths than this world), this time will be suspended and you five will be transported back to ancient Greece." He held his hand up to halt Duo's questions. "The one week will serve as a trial period for your new bodies. The antidote will take a while, so you will be unable to die, now questions."
"How long? Will we be supplied with weapons? How much do centaurs eat? Will there be fighting? Where are we staying? What about...itai!! Heero let go of my braid!"
"Baka. Let him(?) answer. Pick the locks." Heero released the woven hair as Duo began on his cuffs.
"Anywhere from an hour to a year. There will be a messenger sent to your current safe house. He'll supply you with weapons. Those bodies eat as much as a normal human. Yes, there is fighting, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Your bodies are stronger and faster than any others, mostly because your human bodies are so much stronger. We are trying to locate allies for you, but most everything will be up to you to figure out yourselves. *Insert unknown language to Duo* Take care, Lord. Ja." The shadow disappeared in another flash of light.
"Duo, what did he say? Matte. Do we really want to know?" Quatre asked, looking at the place the shadow had been.
"Probably not. Shall we go?" Duo asked stepping forward carefully.
"What about them?" Trowa asked, pointing to where the remaining prisoners were being held in the cell.
"Them who? Oh! Them. Free them I guess." Duo said changing directions. "Anybody else sick of using the pronoun 'them'? I am."
Wufei examined the cell. "Plexiglas. The only door is on the roof, where we can't reach. Damn bodies."
The five still human people were staring at the once human gundam pilots. "What the hell...?!?!" Zechs exploded (not literally), making everyone jump. "Horses?!?"
"Centaurs to be precise, Zechs." Treize murmured, running his eyes up and down Nataku's pilot. "Not too bad looking either."
Wufei blushed, quickly changing the subject. "Now what?"
"Oh! I know! We'll kick it in. Heero, keep me balanced." Duo turned to face his hindquarters to the cell. "Stand back!" he cautioned.
The captives hastily ran to the opposite side of the cell and covered their faces as Duo struck out with both back feet. The plastic glass shattered and Duo laughed.
"Doctor? Are you alright?" Voices called out from the hall. "We heard something shatter. Answer us or we will be forced to enter in ten seconds. Ten...Nine...Eight..."
"Kuso!" Duo growled prancing nervously. "Let's get out of here."
"Minna choose someone else and go," Heero ordered putting Noin on Quatre. "Now!"
Everyone obeyed. Heero grabbed Treize, Trowa took Zechs, Wufei carried Sally, and Duo took Lady Une. "Hold on."
Just as the door began to open, Heero bolted forward knocking down the guards. The others followed single file down the hall.
Une was clinging tightly to Duo and Heero growled an 'Omae o korosu' at her. She immediately loosened her grip and slid away from Duo's (human) back. Heero nodded and continued to walk side by side down the hall while Duo laughed quietly.
"Does anyone else hear that?" Wufei asked from the back.
"It sounds like stomping?" Trowa paused looking back.
"Like someone is running?" Duo asked freezing.
"Matte! Running? Soldiers! Go! GO!" Quatre urged, pushing Duo and pulling Trowa.
"Emergency Exit!" Wufei shouted over the sirens. He stopped quickly and turned back. The others followed, Heero last, knocking over some guards.
Duo took the lead, being the fastest and most agile. "Ravine! Dead ahead!" Duo started to stop.
"No! Don't stop! Go-go-go-go-go! Quatre urged. "We'll jump it!"
"I suggest you hang on," Heero warned the terrified riders as bullets whizzed by them. Heero came up along side Duo as the other three trailed behind. "Jump! NOW!"
Duo and Heero launched themselves, landing roughly. Heero pulled Duo up a few yards before checking for the others. Quatre and Trowa were keeping each other balanced as Wufei landed a little better, not stumbling too badly.
"Woohoo! We made it!" Duo whooped, running in circles.
"Stop the mobile suit, I wanna get off!" Une groaned.
"Well? Now what?" Treize inquired, leaning over Heero's side to check Une's pulse.
"You get off me," Heero grumbled. Treize looked shocked but them laughed and slid off Heero's back. Zechs helped Noin and Sally down as Treize pulled Une off Duo.
"That's better." Duo shook before trotting over to Heero and examining him.
"Nani?" Heero watched Duo circle him.
"Just admiring m'koi. Shall we go?"
"There's a town about a mile ahead. We'll leave those five there before going back to the safe house, ne?" Trowa asked.
"Agreed." Heero moved forward, pulling Duo along by his braid.
They walked until the town was in sight, before leaving the others and returning to the safe house. When they got there, they met their first problem: twelve front steps. Quatre went first, but he kept slipping. Finally, Trowa jumped all the steps and opened the door. Everyone else sweat dropped but followed his example.
When they entered, they met their next problem. The safe house was one of Quatre's summerhouses, complete with servants and Maguanacs. As Trowa squeezed down the hall, his tail knocked over a vase.
"Oops."
"It's okay, Trowa. Keep going." Quatre said from behind Duo.
Just as Trowa turned the corned, a servant and a Maguanac came around a corner to investigate the crash. The maid screamed and passed out as Trowa reared up in surprise. The Maguanac grabbed the girl and ran, shouting for back up.
"Retreat!" Duo yelped backing into Quatre, who was trying to back up as well.
"Matte!" Heero barked. Everyone froze. "Quatre, call out to the Maguanacs and tell them to stand down. Trowa, peek around the corner and see if Rashid is there."
"Yep." Trowa peeked around the corner, pulling his head back in before any bullets could hit him. Duo reached around him and plucked a bullet from Trowa's bangs.
"Rashid?" It's Quatre. Stand down! That's an order."
"Master Quatre? Stand down men! Stand down! Master Quatre, are you all right? One of my men saw a monster here."
"Monster? Who are you mphlyh mmm mphpher?" Duo started to shout.
"I'm fine, but I must insist you put the safety on your weapons and put them away. I have a...surprise."
"Of course, Quatre-sama. Men do as he says."
The boys waited until all the clicks had quieted. "Trowa is coming out first! Don't shoot him!" Quatre called.
Trowa peeked around the corner. Rashid saw the unibang and relaxed. "Master Trowa, come out!"
Trowa carefully stepped out, making sure no one drew any weapons on him. Gasps made him pause, but when no one shot at him, he moved out of the way, allowing Duo out. Quatre, Heero, and Wufei followed Duo out into the room.
"Q-Quatre-sama, what happened?" Rashid looked very pale, as did his men.
"An accident. We hope to have it corrected shortly. An antidote is being created as we speak. I'm counting on you to keep everyone sane while we are like this."
"Of course Quatre-sama. I will do my best."
"That is all I ask. Could you please excuse us? We need to discuss some temporary arrangements." Quatre lied in order to get them to leave. He saw the small black figure sitting on the couch and he didn't want them knowing that he and his friends were dealing with shadows. That would be too much for even the most loyal people.
"Certainly." All the men filed out, pale faced and ill. Only a few turned to get a second look.
When they were gone, Duo stepped past the others. "Greetings messenger."
"Greetings Duo. I come bringing weapons and news. News first. The gods send their regrets, and they wish to inform you that your time to adjust has been shortened to twenty four hours."
"But we had one week!" Duo growled.
"That is when the next portal opens. It is suggested that you ready yourselves and rest as there are few allies for you in that time. Now for your weapons. Most centaurs use long bows. So...here." Five bows with five quivers full of arrows appeared. "Also, these were suggested." A whip, two scimitars, 2 double-edged swords, and a staff with twin daggers appeared.
"Yosh!" Duo picked up the staff and it expanded and retracted at his will. "Yatta!" He grabbed the daggers and smiled. "Arigato."
Heero and Wufei each picked up a sword, Trowa took the whip and Quatre took the scimitars.
"You like?" Everyone nodded. "Good! Now clothes." The messenger snapped and each boy was wearing a leather shirt over his favorite one. There were scabbards for swords/draggers/scimitars and a place for Trowa's whip. The outfits were extremely comfortable. "There! All done. I go! Good trip!" The messenger faded.
"Now what?" Wufei asked fingering his sword.
"Food and supplies." Heero stated. "Then we rest. Twenty-three hours and thirty minutes. Go!"
"They found their travel knapsacks after taking twenty minutes to climb the stairs. They packed travel food and water, rope, watches, lock picks, and infrared binoculars closed out the primary supplies.
Duo glanced at the steep steps to the bedrooms. To high to jump but he needed his brush and extra hair bands. He carefully started to climb the steps. But halfway up, he stepped on his braid and slipped.
"Itai!" Thump. Thump. Thump. Thunk. The others looked up to see two black legs stretched out on the steps.
Quatre laughed as he went to help Duo stand. "Are you okay Duo?"
"Hai. I just got surprised." He eyed his braid angrily. "Damn braid.!"
"Try again Duo," Quatre advised before walking off to practice with the bow. It was one of the weapons that, strangely enough, all five boys had been taught to use.
Another half an hour later Duo, who had made it up the stairs, slipped down them. OUCH! He went outside, looking upset.
"Duo, what...?" Heero started to ask.
"I can't get into my bed!" the braided boy whined. "I'm tired and I keep slipping on the steps and I can't get into my stupid bed!"
Trowa started to laugh at his mental pictures. The others also began to laugh, including Duo. When they had settled down, Trowa packed his supplies on, helping Quatre do the same, before they went back outside. Trowa folded his legs beneath him and fell asleep on the grass with Quatre. The other three did the same thing, not wanting to forget anything.
They heard laughter before they were falling. All five very unfortunate boys crashed into the ground in a heap.
"Get off me." "My hair!" "Move." "Kisama!" "Enough!"
Quatre's harsh voice made them freeze. They relaxed and began to carefully untangle the mess that they had become. Looking around, they found themselves in a big, open field.
A young boy walked up to them. "Are you gundams?"
"We pilot them." Duo smiled.
"I am to help you today. Come. It is going to rain." As if to agree with the boy, lightning danced across the sky.
They followed the boy to a large house. Inside were two men and another shadowy figure.
"Welcome. You are the five sent by the gods?" the dark figure questioned.
"Yes." Heero said, keeping an eye on them.
"Good. Come in and relax. Dinner will be served in an hour. Aren't you curious?"
"About?" Wufei rested his hand in an area close to his sword.
"Greece. Rome. Centaurs. Me. Ah well, enough games. I will just tell you. My name is Expon..." The man explained everything. "That is how the Centaur-Human War began and it's still going on. The messenger said you were to going which side you saw fit. Seeing as you are centaurs, that probably won't be too hard. There are several neutral towns. No fighting allowed, mind you. This is one of them. You can tell which towns are neutral by the white circles next to the name."
"Dinner." A man brought them each a large bowl of meaty soup. They all dug in, but even Duo couldn't finish it all.
"I'm stuffed." Duo whimpered into Heero's coat.
"Shouldn't have eaten so much, baka." Heero reprimanded him gently.
"How was I to know how much the bowl could hold."
"Hn, baka." Was Heero's reply.
"Heero! Duo! We gotta go!" Quatre burst into the room.
"Expon said there are other centaurs coming looking for us."
"Already? We've only been here since...eleven?"
"It seems out entrance into town didn't go unnoticed." Trowa said coming in behind. "We can't endanger this town so we are moving out."
"Fine." Heero helped Duo with his weapons before quickly following Quatre and Trowa.
"Thank you for your hospitality!" Duo said before running out after the others. "Which way?"
"Another safe town is twenty miles to the East." Wufei said turning to face the rising dust from other centaurs.
"How many?" Trowa stomped impatiently.
"Twenty, possibly more. We should go." Heero turned and started to walk east. After about ten minutes, they heard horses behind them.
"Run?" Duo asked hopefully.
"Not yet." Heero eased.
"Now?" Quatre sped up his walk.
"Nope." Heero waited until they were insight of a flat space where they could get going quickest when they were in sight and bow range. "Now!"
All five boys thundered ahead, quickly putting a large distance in between their tails and their pursuers until they came to a river.
"Bridge, bridge, bridge. There's no bridge." Duo scanned the river. "Do we swim it?"
"No, we follow it. North. Let's go." Heero grabbed Duo's hand and pulled him into motion.
Wufei spared a look behind. "They split up!"
The group stopped. Heero motioned to Trowa, who moved carefully up to the next ridge. He peeked over before moving back to the others.
"Half of their group is ahead of us," he reported.
Quatre came back from the ridge behind their group. "They're almost here."
"Ideas?" Everyone sweat dropped. 'If Heero doesn't have a plan we're doomed.' Duo thought.
"We can run, fight, or swim." Wufei said, examining each option.
"I wouldn't suggest swimming," Duo laughed nervously. "There's something in there."
"We're left with fight or flight. And since we still aren't as skilled in these bodies, I suggest running." Quatre advised.
"Agreed. Move out on my mark." Everyone tensed. "Three, two, one, go!"
They jumped forward, kicking up dust. "That's it!" Duo cried. "Heero, do you have a grenade handy?"
"Hai." Heero pulled one out of his pack and passed it into the braided boy's hands.
Duo pulled the pin and tossed it behind them. *Ka-boom* Dust covered everything, including their trail and escape. They ran until they couldn't run anymore.
"Wow! These *huff* bodies can *huff* run." Duo panted.
"Good thinking Duo." Heero smirked when Duo's jaw dropped open.
"Th-thanks Heero."
"Where are we?" Quatre asked, glancing around trying to match location with the rough map in his mind.
“I don’t know. We should find shelter and rest for the night.” Trowa advised.
Everyone settled down under a tree, taking turns with the watch. At first light, Heero woke everyone.
“There’s a town a few miles up the road. We should see if it is a neutral town or centaur friendly.”
They traveled ten minutes before the town was in sight. The first thing they noticed was that there were several centaurs in the center of the town, surrounding several very scared girls.
“Everyone ready?” Trowa asked, his hand unconsciously going to his whip. The others nodded and they slowly entered the town, which they noticed was not neutral. Ignoring the whispers and threats from the cowering townspeople, the odd group made their way into the center of the town, directly behind the bullies.
Duo's voice rang clear over the cries of the girls. “Well, well. What do we have here?” The other centaurs looked up startled that someone would dare speak to them. “I think you should let those ladies go, for your own sakes.”
“They are ours. Find your own, you misfits.”
“Oi, minna, did you hear that? We’re the misfits.” Duo laughed.
“Really? I thought that we were the ones who were going to kick their asses out of town.” Wufei continued. “You have to the count of three to take his suggestion. One…two…three.”
All five leapt as one. In moments, their adversaries were fleeing for their lives and hides. Duo proudly held up a chuck of tail, which one had cut off to escape him.
“Yes! Shinigami is back!” Duo crowed, parading over to steal a kiss from his dark-haired lover.
“You ladies can go home now.” Quatre smiled disarmingly as Trowa moved back and to the side to allow the girls open access to the road, without having to come within reaching distance of him.
“You know, I think we should go guys.” Duo tugged on Heero’s arm. “Sorry to disturb everyone. Excuse us.”
All five threaded out. “Duo, perhaps you should pull that arrow from your flank.” Heero suggested, while examining a knife wound on his own side.
“Arrow? Oh! Okay.” Duo stopped, grabbed the arrow and carefully pulled it out. Fresh blood ran down his side ignored. Dropping the wood, Duo scurried back up into his place by Heero’s side.
One of the townspeople ran up behind Duo and touched the wound. Duo jumped into the air at the unexpected contact. “ITAI!” The boy fell on the ground terrified as the braided pilot scrambled for his water. “Ouch, salt in the cut! Ouch, ouch, ouch! Ahh.” Duo sighed as he poured water over the stinging spot. “Sorry kid.” Duo yanked the boy to his feet. “That stung.”
“You okay?” Quatre asked as Duo caught up with the others.
“Yeah, just some salt in my slash. We’d better keep going. The people here aren’t going to appreciate me nearly killing one of their kids.”
They moved out again. This time an old woman blocked the way. The boys split up and walked around her. She slapped Quatre on the rear as he passed last.
"Hey!" Quatre jumped forward to Trowa. "Geeze. I think we'd better hurry," he whispered to Duo. "If they slap Trowa, Heero, or Wufei, there won't be anything left of them." They sped up the pace but this time two people blocked the path; an old man and a young woman.
"Excuse us." Quatre said facing them. "We'd like to pass."
"No."
"Hn. We'll go the other way." Heero frowned, turning the other way. The other four followed until they were half way up the town where they ran into the boy that had touched Duo's cut earlier.
Heero sidestepped him. The boy moved to stand in the way but Heero's sword stopped him. The other four slipped by Heero before the cobalt-eyed boy moved to guard their backs as Wufei led.
This time they met an entire line of people in front of them, and behind them as well. Some were brandishing weapons but most were armed only with the threats they tossed at the boys.
Heero pranced in front of Duo, protecting him, they same way Trowa was protecting Quatre. Wufei slipped into complete the rough circle formed.
"Move aside." Duo asked, stepping up to the line, his frustration showing. He was forced back to the group with weapons aimed at his chest.
Drawing his weapon, Heero used his most authoritive voice. "Move aside now." The people shook with fear but didn't move. The air hissed as lassoes were thrown, from unseen areas, around Heero's arms, neck, and waist.
"Heero!" Duo drew his daggers and cut the lines holding Heero's neck, before slashing the others. Heero scooped up his fallen sword.
"We can't kill them." Wufei hissed. "They're weak!"
"Weak my ass, Wufei!" Duo growled. "They have us surrounded, not the other way around. We need out and now!"
"Heero, what if we just jumped them? Or even just charged them?" Quatre suggested.
"No, they won't move. You saw the kid and the old woman." Trowa frowned, scanning for possible escapes. "Houses."
"Nani?"
"Houses. Houses have doors, back doors. That can be our exit."
"What if there isn't a back door?" Wufei asked, raising his sword.
"Duo, go check for an escape door. The rest of us will wait here." Quatre ordered, his mind computing the information that he had assembled.
"Right." Pulling a lock pick, Duo reached for the knob, only to realize that the ancient Greeks didn't have locks. Sheepishly, he put away the pick and walked inside. A moment later, "Iie."
"Fine. Push forward. All together. Trowa'll jump. Go!"
Trowa backed up, then charged forward, leaping over the people. The others stopped pushing as he cleared the line. Landing on the other side, Trowa waved completion.
"Yosh! Trowa!"
Suddenly, Trowa went down. "Trowa?! Daijoubu desu ka?"
"Enough!" Duo growled in anger, pulling out his bo staff. It extended to the length he desired. Tossing the other end to Wufei, he ordered, "Push."
Together, they pushed the people aside. "Itai! They stabbed me!" Duo yelped, pushing harder. "Now, Quatre! GO!" Duo shoved an area clear as Quatre rushed forward.
"Trowa! Answer me!" Quatre saw Trowa cow tied and rushed to save him. After cutting him free, Quatre called the others.
"Here's a saw out! C'mon Trowa! Head out!"
Quatre and Trowa started down the road as Wufei, Duo, and Heero came thundering behind them.
As soon as they were outside the town, they stopped as Duo began to laugh, causing the other to stare at him, questioningly. "Who knew we'd be cornered and attacked for saving some damsels in distress." The others laughed as they slowly began to start out again.
An old man ran after them. "Wait! Please, wait!" The small band stopped cautiously. "Thank you for saving my daughter."
"We were happy to help." Quatre smiled politely.
"I'd like to apologize for the town. We've never had any help from centaurs, only problems. You can come back if you like, I've settled everything."
The g-boys looked at each other before huddling. "We did need directions." Wufei said.
"They tried to kill us." Duo reminded him, getting a 'don't-you-think-I-know-that' look in return.
"Is it safe?" Quatre asked.
"It could be a trap." Trowa pointed out.
"We'll go armed." Heero decided. The others nodded and motioned for the man to lead the way.
After a few minutes of walking, the man stumbled. Sighing, Duo put away his weapons and threw the man onto this back. "I suggest you hang on, I'm not an easy ride."
The g-boys plus one old man made it back quickly to the town, thanks to the ground eating pace of the centaur bodies. Upon their entrance into town, a young woman, who the boys recognized as a girl from earlier, ran out to meet them.
"Father!" She stopped several feet from Duo, obviously wary. The boys reciprocated the feeling as the mayor slid off the braided boy's back and rushed o scoop his daughter into a hug.
"They are pro-human." He announced. The people visibly relaxed.
A woman chased her little girl out the door of a house, stopping as the girl ran in front of Trowa, who didn't flinch, and under Quatre, who stood perfectly still as she wrapped her arms around his front leg. Quatre pried the girl off and passed her back to the worried mother with a friendly smile.
A boy of an older age slipped past his mother's skirt and walked up to Wufei. Wufei eyes the boy warily but didn't protest as he was carefully pet.
"Oh, Wu-chan! I didn't know you could be so sweet!" Duo teased.
"Shut up Maxwell. He's an innocent. I don't harm innocents. And my name is WUFEI not Wu-chan."
Whatever, Wu, whatever." Duo smiled as he trotted up to Quatre who was watching Trowa having a staring contest with an old woman. Neither was blinking, and both were too stubborn to look away.
"Centaurs!" A sentry shouted from the top of a building. Everyone began to scatter.
"Pilots! Stay still!" Heero ordered as people rushed past them. Said pilots froze so no one would get stepped on or hurt.
Soon only a few warriors and the gundam guys remained standing in the street.
"Cool!" Duo laughed immaturely.
"Where'd everyone go? I'm guessing you don't like these other centaurs."
"We hate those half-beast bastards! They take our women and kill our men, steal our food and destroy our properties." A soldier spit out, turning red in embarrassment when he saw the boys look at their own horse halves.
"Group huddle!" Duo sang, pulling the others into a rough circle. "All in favor of helping?" Five hands stuck forward. "Yosh! Let's go. Operation: Kick Ass."
"Operation: Kick Ass?" Everyone stared at the violet-eyed bish, who smiled sheepishly.
"Plans?"
"We use arrows until either we're out or they are too close. Then we resort to hand to hand combat." Quatre thought out loud.
"Agreed? Then split up and let's kick some half-horse bakayeros!"
They positioned themselves carefully around town. They were protected, but could easily fire their weapons.
As the first group neared, Wufei shouted out, "Surrender or die!" (<-sound familiar)
"Never! Charge!"
"Fire!" Arrows rained down on the enemies. Several fell quickly before they were close to the city. Then in a clash or hooves, limbs, and weapons, the battle raged. Heero could easily hear Duo's war whoops and Wufei rants of weakness and injustice. He could catch flashes of Quatre's blonde hair, or Trowa's awesome leaps before they were swallowed back up by the mess of moving bodies.
After several hours, the only five left standing were the five boys. They were covered in blood and cuts, watching the enemy retreat in fear and pain.
"I'm exhausted!" Duo whimpered bullying his body into motion. He moved out from the bodies.
Trowa was holding Quatre up, while being supported by the blonde. Wufei was leaning against a wall, breathing harshly. Heero caught Duo as he stumbled forward, nearly landing on his face.
"Whew! That was...interesting?" Quatre chuckled softly as he ran his eyes over Trowa to check for serious injuries.
"Injury assessment." Heero looked to Wufei.
"Nothing life threatening."
"Both Trowa and I are fine." Quatre reported.
"A-OK!" Duo smiled, wincing at his split lip's complaint.
"Tolerable. We should clean up. Blood isn't good as it attracts enemies."
"Back to the 'perfect soldier', ne?" Duo joked, hugging Heero gently. "But I agree whole-heartedly. We need a bath!" Duo laughed.
Quatre laughed along with him as the others smirked. Before they could stumble away, dozens of people swarmed around them, cooing and clucking as they examined the boys' bloody and exhausted states.
They led them to an open (and bodiless) area of town and laid them down. Soon a large bath took place. The boys were scrubbed, rubbed, splashed, and brushed. Duo fell asleep on Heero during the middle of it. Quatre was yawning widely, but managed to keep awake. Wufei was resting with his eyes shut, although aware, and Heero and Trowa supported their lovers and kept watch of their surroundings.
"Duo, time to wake up." Heero gently pushed on Duo's side, rocking him slightly. "Duo?"
"Hm? Five more minutes Hee-chan."
Wufei asked permission to try to wake him with a hand motion. Heero nodded. "Duo! Quick! OZ has found us!" Wufei shouted. The braided boy leapt to his feet, weapons drawn, ready to fight. He remembered where he was and growled, "Omae o Korosu!"
Wufei merely laughed and moved away to shake the water from his coat without getting anyone else wet.
Duo blew him a raspberry before braiding his hair and binding it into its normal state.
A woman walked up, "Are you boys hungry?"
"Food? Yes!" Duo shouted enthusiastically. The townspeople laughed and brought out large bowls of food. Duo snarfed down large amounts of food. "Yum."
"Maxwell, did you even taste that?" Wufei asked, amazed at Duo's ever present appetite. "You inhaled it."
The sound of hooves reached their ears. A young female centaur walked up to the group. The townspeople backed away, trying not to draw attention to themselves as they escaped.
"Are you the ones who defeated my clan?" she demanded.
The boys looked at each other. "If they were the ones who fought earlier today, then yes." Trowa replied.
"So be it." Four other females walked over. "You have officially won, therefore we are betrothed to you."
Heero and Duo tried to slip back, unnoticed, as Quatre clung to Trowa, speaking up, "Thank you, but no thanks, we, umm, already have betrothed."
"Where are they, we will kill them and you will be ours as our laws dictate." One female stepped forward drawing a dagger.
"None of your business." Heero grumbled. "Let's go back to the stable. We need some sleep."
The other four mentioned followed the braided one's trail back to the stable that they had been offered as shelter. The females moved to follow.
"Nah-uh." Duo waggled his finger at them. "No girls allowed. Go home."
"But..." The stable door closed, effectively stopping any protest. That is until the door was kicked open and the girls came face to face with the business end of five longbows, aimed for their hearts.
"Out. Now." Heero ordered, his arrow following their exit and remaining where he had last sighted them until Duo had closed and barred the door and had padded back over to cuddle.
"Wu, you didn't want one did you?"
"Absolutely not! I have no intention of being stalked by a half-horse onna. I have enough problems with the one back home." Wufei growled, settling down into the straw to rest for the night.
Silence. "Should we leave in the morning?" Duo asked quietly, trying not to wake either Quatre or Trowa who were resting nearby.
"Yes, unless the town is in danger. Now sleep. I'll keep watch." Duo snuggled closer, relaxing against his love.
Before anyone else in town was awake, Heero woke up the others, Duo first, stealing a kiss before proceeding to get ready for the day.
Outside, the five female centaurs guarded all the exits, waiting. Quatre had peeked out before even thinking of opening the doors.
"How do we get rid of them?" Wufei whispered to Quatre, as they peeked out a crack at their stalkers.
"Back door?" Quatre suggested.
"Under guard." Trowa replied walking back from the other side to the blonde.
"Kill them?" Heero asked hopefully, his finger trailing the sword hilt. No one wanted to say no, but...
"They are onnas and weaker than us, therefore we can't kill them." Wufei sighed, angrily thinking 'Damn this justice stuff to hell!'
"So what are we going to do? Wait?" Trowa asked, making shapes with his whip to entertain Quatre and Duo.
"No, but we need a diversion." Heero's brow creased in concentration. Duo go get the mayor. We're going to need his help."
"Me?" The braided boy squeaked. "Why? Heero!"
"Duo, if you are even thinking of getting laid when we get home, go. If you're too afraid, too bad."
"Oh, fine." Duo slipped out the door. "Ow! Hey! Let go! Heero o korosu!" Duo yelped.
10 minutes later..."No girls allowed! Out! Shoo! No!" *SLAM* "I hope you are happy now Heero because...WOW! Where were you carrying all those explosives?" Duo marveled at the large stack of grenade shaped cylinders.
"Not explosives, smoke bombs. Since we can't kill them, we can still loose them."
"Cool! Why'd you need the mayor?" Heero whispered in Duo's ear. "That's the best mph mm!" The rest was cut off by Heero's hand.
"Can we enlist your help?" The mayor nodded in reply to Trowa's request. "Then here's what we need to do..." Quatre whispered the plan into the old man's ear before announcing another plan out loud.
The mayor nodded, stifling his laughter as he slipped out the door. The female centaurs were no where in sight. 'They heard the plan, what a smart centaur!' he thought running to enlist the aid of several others.
Meanwhile, in the barn, the g-boys arranged hiding spaces and camoflage. Heero worked with Wufei over in a corner arranging the furniture as Quatre, Trowa, and Duo finished up.
Several men and women entered carrying blankets and pulling a large cart. After several minutes, everything was complete. The boys were hidden away making all traces that they were still in there disappear as easily as they did. The cart was then pulled and pushed away with it the people.
The fillies watched from around the corner as the cart was pulled away. They had heard the plan for their betrotheds’ escape. A large cart was going to carry them to a clearing where they were going to jump out and make a run for it.
“Stupid boys! Announcing their plan like that.”
“Maybe they are leading us on?”
“Impossible. They aren’t that smart, are they?”
“They did defeat our entire clan…”
“They were just lucky. We’ll check the barn before following the cart.” Which was exactly what they did. No sign of them in the barn and the cart was empty, save a couple of piles of wood and some round objects…”
*Boom* Duo snickered. “Smoke bombs went off.”
“Stating the obvious aren’t you, Maxwell?”
“Shut up, Wu.”
“You.”
“No, you.”
“Both of you, silence!” Heero growled, quieting everyone as he strained his hearing to listen to the conversation between the irate fillies and the mayor telling them that they went south. The girls went north.
“Shimatta! They were supposed to go south!” Trowa whispered, watching them leave.
“S’okay. Now what?” Duo sighed, blowing his bangs out of his face.
“We go east.” Heero stated, climbing out of his hiding space. The others followed quietly. After thanking the inhabitants, the small band went in the recently chosen direction at a steady, but fast, pace.
Night fell quickly. “I think we should stop.” Quatre yawned. “No need to break a leg in the dark.”
“Agreed.” The other three said looking to Heero for final conformation. He nodded.
They settled down under a tree. Heero pulled Duo into his embrace as they fell asleep. Quatre snuggled with Trowa as Wufei tried to untangle himself from the limbs keeping him in the group. He finally gave up trying to move away and fell asleep.
Heero woke with a start. Something was in the woods. He slipped from Duo’s embrace and grabbed his sword. As he slipped around a tree, he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head before he fell silently into merciful blackness.
“Heero?” Duo called out softly, missing the warmth of his koi. “Where’d you go?” Duo stood, careful not to wake any of the others as he shook the dust from his black coat, moving to look for the dark-haired boy.
A glint of metal attracted his attention. He bent over and picked it up. Heero’s sword! “Heero? Is this a joke? C’mon out. Haha, you got me. Now stop playing. Heero? Heero?!" Duo started to panic knowing Heero wouldn’t leave his weapons for long. Drawing his daggers, Duo advanced into the black forest.
Then something else caught his interest…a rock. At first the braided one thought it was his imagination but a closer look revealed there was blood on it. Blood?!?
“Guys! Wake up!” Duo shouted, bursting into camp. But there was no one, the others were gone. More blood, signs of a struggle, weapons! “Oh no! They’ve all been kidnapped, err, centaur-napped!” Duo calmed his raging emotions and began to think like a soldier. Grabbing Heero’s sword and Trowa’s whip, he piled up the rest of the weapons and set out to follow the tracks.
Everything he saw was red, colored by his anger, which had transcended rage into deadly calm. He chuckled evilly. “Shinigami lives again.”
The tracks were easier to follow in the morning light. Duo trailed the kidnappers all day, refusing to stop. As night began to fall, he came to a valley, filled with the half-horse creatures and other beasts, it looked like the beginning of an invasion.
“Just my luck, outnumbered and without backup. Business as usual, time to rescue my pals.” Slipping into the shadows, completely hidden from sight, he slipped silently into the camp, taking down the enemy with Trowa’s whip, Heero’s sword, or his own daggers.
Coming to the center of the encampment, he saw the others chained. Heero was glaring for all he was worth, Quatre was miffed about being separated from Trowa and was making it known by the obvious bite marks on several hands. The banged boy was also upset about being away from his blonde lover but made no show of it. Wufei, who was gagged like the others, was mumbling something angrily. Duo thought it sounded like injustice, but he wasn’t certain as his anger faded just below rage at seeing everyone safe.
Smirking, Duo stepped from the shadows over by Heero, bending to free the slightly surprised boy. Wufei’s increased mumbles, alerted Duo to an attacker allowing his time to spin around, Heero’s sword in hand. It was kicked from his hand before he had a solid grip, sending it flying as Duo cradled his numb hand. Backing up away from the empty air.
Another kick struck his back leg. Duo kicked back in retaliation, meeting only empty air. “Who’s there?” Duo demanded, turning to face where his unseen attacker had been.
“Who wants to know?” The voice was harsh, holding a superior air. Heero looked up shocked but Duo was immune, after all, he had to deal with Relena every time she came after Heero.
“Ore wa Shinigami.” Duo proclaimed, facing where the voice had been.
“Shinigami? There is no Shinigami here. Only Hades.” Another attack on Duo left a bloody hoof print.
‘Hades…Hades…Where do I know that name from? Oh yeah, Greek god of death’
“Afraid are you?” The voice taunted.
“I’m not afraid.” Duo calmly replied. “Because you seem to have misunderstood me. I *am* death.”
Unseen winds wrapped Duo in a cloud of darkness. Duo seemed to grow, energy crackling around him in flashes of white.
“What… What are you doing? Who are you?”
“I run, I hide, but I never lie. I am Duo Maxwell…” Duo’s voice changed to an older, wiser voice. “I am Shinigami.”
Duo stood in front of his friends, protecting them, also giving them a closer view as his horse half melted down into long black robes. As he regained his human shape, Duo stretched his hand out toward the unseen force, uncovering it. A centaur was revealed, looking confused.
“No!” he screamed. “You can’t do this! My power is gone!”
“Yes, it is.” Duo agreed, mirth in his voice.
"How could you? That was mine! It was..."
"No." Duo's voice cut him off. "That power was Hades, not yours. He was using you, weren't you Hades?" Duo turned slightly to face a dark patch.
"Well, well. Look at what we have here. Shinigami reborn. Yes, you are right, to answer your question." His gaze traveled past the braided death to the boys bound behind him. "Did you ever tell your friends? Why they didn't die when they self-destructed? Why they didn't die when they were dropped in that ooze? Why they became centaurs instead of souls?"
"Hades..." Duo warned, his voice loosing its playful tone.
"It was because..."
"Hades!" Duo growled, black energy swirling out from Duo, effectively choking the other silent, making the air around heavy and hard to breath. Hades stepped back in fear, making it obvious that Duo was in charge. "I said enough."
"Forgive me? Please!"
Duo nodded slightly, the energy fading away. "That is my business. Now, I would like to know something, why on Earth did you send several hundred head of centaurs, five females, and a shadowed one after me? And what is with this war?"
"I was bored." Hades whispered.
Duo frowned. "I want you to release the centaurs from your magic, make reparations, and leave the decisions to Zeus, or else." Hades nodded immediately. "Leave my sight."
"Yes, m'Lord." Hades vanished in a puff of smoke, taking the confused centaurs with him.
"Duo?" Quatre looked up surprised as the robes faded to his normal mock-priest outfit. "What's going on?"
"Hades, Shinigami?" Trowa looked slightly lost.
"What just happened?" Wufei asked.
"Explain this right now. The whole story." Heero demanded.
"O~kay. If you really want me to. As I said I am Shinigami, but I am also Duo Maxwell. I met someone special in the afterlife and we fell in love. The only problem was, he had to be reborn. So I chose to reborn as well so I could find him and be with him again. I gave up most of my power to take human form. I've lived for the past fifteen years as a human, as Duo. I can call on some of my power when I absolutely need it to protect myself or someone else. When we were dropped into the ooze, I couldn't loose all you guys, so instead of letting you die, I changed us all to the first thing that popped into my mind. You four actually need an antidote, although I do not. I know I should have told you all sooner, but I like you way too much to be left alone again. And you would have wanted me to use my powers, which I can't summon easily in this body. I'll understand if you never want to see me again. I mean because..."
"Duo, shut up!" Four voices chorused.
"Whoa, in stereo."
"Duo, who was the one you followed?" Heero asked quietly, as the others began to pick their locks.
"You, koi, I left to follow you." Duo leaned forward, tentatively brushing his lips across Heero's. The Perfect Soldier reached forward and caught the back of his head, pulling him into a deeper kiss.
"Excuse me, love birds," Wufei interrupted. A violet and cobalt eye glared evilly at him. "We can't get these off."
Duo waved a hand and the locks snapped open, falling off. Heero pulled Duo back into the kiss.
"Duo! We have the antidote!" A messenger burst into view. He shot each boy with it, including Duo.
"Ouch! I'm human already!"
"Oops! Oh well! Hang on! Going back now!"
Vertigo took over the boys' senses before they found themselves piled on the couch, painfully.
Rashid looked startled as the five now human boys dropped out of thin air onto the couch, fully clothed and struggling to get free.
"Ouch! My hair!" "Get off!" "Trowa! Move your foot!" "Rashid! HELP!" "Omae o korosu!"
Rashid carefully untangled them, eventually revealing five separate bodies.
Heero moved first, pouncing on Duo and dragging him up the stairs. Trowa and Quatre followed slightly more sedately as Wufei trailed last, trying to think of a place that he wouldn't hear them. Duo peeked around the corner and smiled an I-know-how-you-feel-here-you-go-my-friend smile, snapping his fingers.
Wufei disappeared and reappeared in Treize's quarters. Treize just happened to walk in, as Wufei was looking around bewildered while dusting himself off.
"Dragon! You've finally come! I've missed you so much! Zechs! Come here immediately!" Treize scooped the black-haired pilot up as Zechs entered the room. They ran into the bedroom leaving a trail of clothes down the hall.
Let's just say that everyone was VERY happy the next morning, especially Heero because he found that death had some very interesting powers.
Owari