by Arithkenshin
Disclaimer: Stop rubbing it in, I don't own them, just playing.
Notes: *glomps* Sol. thanks again hon, for your patience with me and my bouncing sessions and for the great betaing. *hugs* CYT btw. *hugs* Casey, *hugs* Trowacko and *hugs* Makoto
~#~ indicates flashback
A thousand thoughts ran through Duo's mind at once. Foremost was that Heero should still be unconscious. Since that obviously wasn't the case, and since it appeared that Wielder training developed various powers to a limited degree, Duo needed to adapt. He needed to adapt - and quickly. His eyes scanned the area, searching for an advantage. Violet orbs narrowed, his decision reached.
A mocking smile spread over his features and he pointed his own finger at Heero. Duo turned his hand palm up and made his finger curl in a come hither-motion.
"Come and get me, if you think you can."
Duo laughed and raised himself on wings that he should not have been using so soon after their regeneration, and backed into the woods. Duo knew he had one chance with a pre-woken Heero, especially if already this strong. He needed to get somewhere he could use his strength: his shadows.
He was proven right to use his wings when the ground beneath his feet erupted. Chunks of earth flew in every direction. Duo knew morphing would have been easier, but ignored the realization. He didn't have the strength to spare right now.
The sunlight was no longer welcome. It wasn't Duo's element, and he couldn't work well in it. He reached the shelter of the trees and sighed in relief. The bright sunlight couldn't penetrate the leafy canopy. Shadows danced with anticipation as their master reached his stronghold, filling him, suffusing him. A black glow surrounded Duo as the power completed him.
He opened his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. It was feral in its intensity. He revelled in the confrontation at hand, knowing that very soon one of his best friends and fiercest rivals, would be Woken.
The ground exploded at Duo's feet, and he barely dived out of the way in time. His wings strained to keep him upright, but he let the darkness feed him, and the power came easily. He looked at his opponent, amazed at the power that Heero could already access, yet secretly enjoying the challenge it represented.
All doubts fled Duo's mind as he let himself fall into the mindset he needed. A predatory air surrounded his form, violet orbs reflected calculating intelligence. The smile on his face was cruel and his voice was coldly arrogant when he spoke. "Is that all you have to throw at me, Wielder?"
A glare was the only answer Duo got. Heero's eyes narrowed as they scanned the area, and Duo found himself reaching to foresight to aid him. It was only through that talent that Duo was able to avoid Heero's next explosion.
The violet-eyed Fallen laughed as he twirled around in mid air. Still laughing, he shot upwards faster than the eye could follow only to drop silently down again, landing behind Heero. The chocolate haired man spun, surprise momentarily unmasked on his face.
Duo's eyes narrowed but his soft chuckle remained. "Missed me."
One hand snaked out and hit Heero directly in the solar plexus causing him to stumble to one knee. The glare he levelled at Duo would have killed a lesser being.
Duo's voice dropped in tone, the texture smoothly dangerous. "Why do you seek me?"
A proud blaze passed briefly through deep blue eyes, before Heero answered snidely. "None of your concern."
Shadows slammed into the Earth host. Heero reeled back to slam against a tree. Duo could see the muscles tensing as Heero began to lose his temper. Not his control. Neither Heero nor his host would ever be likely to lose control. but losing his temper was another thing. It was a thing that Duo could play upon. Something he could play in his favour.
"I beg to differ. You seek to kill me. I would know why."
With a snarl, Heero freed himself of the Shadows that bound him. The violent action caused hissing sound as the darkness rebelled against Duo's control. A wall of earth shot up in front of Duo, causing the Fallen to stumble back.
Heero's voice was searing in its contempt. "You would know why? You have no right. Beings such as you play with people's lives as if they mean nothing. There is nothing about you that entitles you to know why about anything, certainly not what brings me here. It is the same information you give those you devastate."
Duo launched himself into the air once again, hovering, ready to move at a moment's notice. He cocked his head to the side and looked at Heero thoughtfully. Something sounded.wrong, but at least the hatred was directed at him. That, at least, was something, so Do continued the basic script. "And you have come here for what?"
Heero laughed. The sound was cold and empty, and largely void of sanity. "To kill you, of course."
Duo cursed as Heero darted away. The Fallen called the shadows to his command and waited warily, tapping his foresight and hoping against hope that he wasn't in too deep. He blinked in surprise as he was caught in a headlock, but it was quickly overcome. The headlock wasn't trying to kill him; instead it just seemed to be trying to contain him. Duo let it. He was curious.
A voice whispered harshly in his ear, the warm breath reminding Duo of the sun's presence beyond the canopy. "I know what you did to my village, and frankly, I can live with that." Duo, bit back the surprise, as the voice continued. "But, you robbed my lover of his family as well. And that is something you will die for." The grip tightened and Duo reacted instinctively.
Shadows fell upon the form holding their master. A vile glee filled the air as they restrained the man and worked at filtering out every bit of light they could. Duo pushed his silent questions away and began the next part of the task. He was short of breath, but there would be time for healing later.
Duo lowered his voice, letting it reach that hypnotic level. "I ask you again. Why are you here?"
Heero snarled and fought against the constraints and darkness binding him. "To kill you, you sorry excuse for a life form."
The shadows tightened their hold, and the area grew even darker. Writhing bolts shot out from Duo's hand, slamming into Heero and claiming the Wielder's consciousness. The body slumped forward and Duo lowered his hand, his head sinking wearily to his chest. Shadows began to pull back, and as they let in the light, Duo's main power base receded with it. A cry fell from his lips as he stumbled to his knees with the pain his wings were causing him.
He could feel someone approaching, but his thoughts were whirling. Duo could only think of one thing. Heero had said that Duo had killed his lover's family. It stood to reason that Treize wasn't his lover. Duo hadn't killed Treize's family. That meant that Heero's lover was Water - and that meant that Heero knew where Water was.
Quatre arrived and Duo could feel his lover's gaze raking over him, checking for serious injury. When it was obvious that Quatre was satisfied that Duo was okay, the blond spoke. "You shouldn't have been flying with your wings yet."
Duo spared an absent retort, still emerged in his thoughts. "No shit. Didn't have much choice."
The expected outburst never came. Instead, Quatre sighed. Duo looked up, concerned. "Quatre?"
Blue-green eyes flickered briefly to Duo's, before Quatre continued to look at Heero's body. With a wave of his hand, the blond sent the earth host to his room. There was something melancholy about the golden Fallen, and Duo couldn't place it.
Quatre refused to meet Duo's eyes. He looked at everything but his lover. "You should go replenish your powers. heal your wings. I need to. I just need to." He was silent for a moment, until his eyes finally sought out Duo's.
Duo only needed tha single look to understand. Quatre's eyes bared his soul, and Duo knew that his lover had to deal with his internal struggle on his own. A rare possessiveness crept through Duo, and he pulled Quatre in to his chest and held him there for a minute. The violet-eyed man kissed his lover chastely, before looking deep into those blue-green depths that always fascinated him.
When Duo spoke his voice was soft, like the whisper of a secret, velvety and smooth. "I love you, body and soul."
A look of relief passed over Quatre's face and Duo saw him smile a little. The words rarely passed between them. They had been with each other for so long that the words didn't need to be spoken. Sometimes though, sometimes the words helped ground them again. and it was always nice to hear.
Quatre's voice was uncharacteristically soft and subdued. "Thank you."
Duo watched the blond go, a thoughtful look on his face. He would make sure to check on Quatre in a little while. First, though, Duo needed to placate the pain in his wings, and it was obvious his lover needed some time on his own.
Quatre hated it when he got into the mood he was in. No matter where he turned or what he wanted to think about, thoughts of doubt, guilt and trepidation filled his mind. It was like a disease, winding its way through his soul and gripping tightly, threatening to engulf and drown him.
He reached the tower and climbed up to the room. The window swung open smoothly and the blond sat himself on the wide window ledge. He let his guise drop, but shielded the power from shining like a beacon. Quatre soaked up the sun's rays, letting those orange-gold fingers brush over his body and add warmth to his golden countenance. His wings shone as did his skin, and his hair blew gently in the breeze, like spun gold reaching for their completion.
A sigh escaped him as he stared out at Blight and its surrounds. "If it wasn't for me." He fought back the wave of nausea that threatened to overwhelm him. "If it wasn't for me." Instead of the nausea, the memories took control. They wrenched away his tenuous control over the current reality, and plunged him into the darkness that was his past.
~#~
Quatre lounged on a velvet love seat in the marble hall. He was bored. The days had become routine. Michael's arrogant attitude would antagonise Abaddon, causing the Shadow Angel to retaliate, and the blond was getting sick and tired of playing the referee. Abaddon and Michael were evenly matched in power, and their rivalry got on Quatre's nerves. He knew that both Gabriel and himself were just as powerful, and Quatre, for his part, preferred to watch and wait.
He had been watching a lot lately, and the tension was rising. While it was amusing to an extent, it was starting to get tiresome, and it was definitely getting out of hand. Although Quatre and a few of his brethren had counselled Abaddon to cease aggravating Michael, the shadow-angel refused to listen. If Quatre was brutally honest with himself, he had to agree with his friend; Michael was pushing them all just to see how far they would let him go. Quatre hated it when they all quarrelled. It was usually a rare occurrence but lately, it was happening more often.
Michael was trying to take over, to give orders, and most of them resented such behaviour. At least, it wasn't welcomed by a few of his brethren, Quatre included.
A scowl marred the Angel's features, giving him a darker air. But it only lasted a moment before his golden perfection returned. He ran over the last span of time in his mind. They had never grown up, because Angels didn't grow up. they just were. So he couldn't say that things had become stressful since they had grown up, but he could say that things had become strained over the last while. Factions were breaking off. Quatre was staying neutral, not liking the discontent.
He sensed the presence behind him before he heard it, and tensed. "Michael." His voice was flat and unimpressed. He had hoped that Michael had given up.
A dry voice crackled, as breath ran over the back of Quatre's neck, causing the golden Angel to shudder involuntarily. "Never could surprise you, Golden one."
Quatre's eyes blazed as he rose to his feet with fluid beauty. Lust shone briefly in Michaels eyes making Quatre's gut twist in anger, but the golden Angel's voice was level when he spoke. "I've told you repeatedly, Michael. Don't invade my space. You're not my favourite person."
The other Angel ignored Quatre's words, and moved around the chair to stand closer. Michael's hand reached out and brushed Quatre's cheek with a smile that made the blond's temper rise.
Quatre slapped the hand away. "Enough! Stop being so juvenile."
Michael laughed and continued to press himself against the other Angel. Quatre readied a blast. He was about to throw it, when Michael was hauled into the air and slammed against a marble pillar.
A voice growled, momentarily distracting Quatre from his own anger. "You seem to have a knack for intruding where you're not welcome, Michael."
Blue-green eyes turned to the newcomer. Abaddon stood, hovering above the ground, an aura of power around his form as he continued speaking. "You're head's swelled and you forget yourself - and your place. Maybe it's time someone showed you where you belong."
Michael stood once more, his wings unfurling and eyes fiery with anger. "You presume too much, Abaddon!"
"Enough!"
Quatre stood between them, light dancing off his body, reflections playing with the shadows in the room to give him a eerie light. He pointed at Michael. "You will not touch me again, or I will be the one to rip off your hands and shove them down your throat. They'll be a pain to regrow, but I'm sure you will manage it."
The blond whirled around as he heard a chuckle from Abaddon. " And you!" He pointed at the longhaired angel, who took half a step back. "I don't need you to fight my battles, is that clear? I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Abaddon's eyes narrowed and a scowl crept over his lips. "Don't take your anger out on my good intentions, Astaroth." With the cryptic remark, the shadow-angel levelled one last glare at Michael and left their presence.
Quatre watched his friend leave, a momentary lapse of control allowing his feelings to show on his face. Sometimes he couldn't figure out Abaddon, and that made the other angel all the more intriguing.
Michael's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You can't feel that way." His voice was incredulous.
Quatre glared at him. "I can feel any way I choose. I am related to you, not bound. It is you who presume too much." With that said, Quatre turned on his heal and left the room, leaving Michael to simmer in solitude.
~#~
.which in all honesty, had been a very bad idea.
Quatre sighed as the sun shone in his eyes, bringing him back to reality. "If only I knew then what I know now."
Hindsight was a curse, which could plague his every memory if he wasn't careful. Quatre sighed. Even Angels couldn't plan for every eventuality.
Michael looked up at the knock on his door. The cold smile of greeting that crossed his face did little to assuage the person who walked into the room. The man was short, his grey hair in a strange mushroomed bowl cut. It obscured most of his face, but Michael knew there was a large scar on his it and that the hair could never quite successfully hide a very large nose.
"You called for me?" The voice was slightly harsh. It was a strange voice for the high priest of Light to have, for it did nothing to sooth a person's fears. Gead Havde's voice was more likely to cause unease in its listeners, but that had never bothered Michael. He didn't have to listen to the man preach.
"Yes, I did." Michael's voice was icy and the man flinched briefly before seating himself. The Archangel raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He was still a little distracted by his confrontation with Raphael. "You are required to complete an. assignment."
"Assignment?" Gead cocked his head to one side, listening.
"Gabriel went to seek out the Prince, but I have yet to hear from him, so I will implement movements of my own. For some reason the Prince has been.indifferent since his family's demise. I do not think we can count on his help."
Gead chuckled. "Yes, Mill is a little headstrong."
Michael's head shot up to look at the man in front of him. He held his breath, trying not to react to visibly to what he had just heard. "What did you say?"
"I said: Yes, Mill is a little headstrong." Gead's voice sounded confused, and yet somehow condescending.
"Who is Mill?" Michael wasn't daring to hope. He couldn't be that lucky.
Gead laughed at that. "Oh, I always forget I'm the only one outside of his family who knows his real name." When the look on Michael's face told him to go on, the priest continued. "He was christened by me. you should have heard it." His voice only held a slight accusation, but Michael was willing to ignore the transgression. "He was christened Milliardo Zechs Merquise. But he's always gone by Zechs since even his mother found Milliardo Merquise unattractive. Being royal, he couldn't take her maiden name. Since Peacecraft was out, he went by Zechs Merquise. As far as his subject are concerned, that is his name." The man chuckled again, and spoke softly under his breath. "I still think of him as Mill, though."
Michael's thoughts were reeling, and he refused to acknowledge the fact that had he been paying attention like it was his duty to do, he would have known the answer himself many years before. "His name would have been Milliardo Peacecraft?"
Gead nodded, his face becoming serious as he sensed the change of the tension in the room.
A calculating gleam entered Michael's eyes, and he dismissed the priest with a wave of his hand. He studied his fingers, letting the smile spread across his face. It was a smile that chilled to the bone.
"Well, well, well." A cunning expression settled on his face. "Even a water baby will drown if it isn't Woken in time."
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