Together Forever

"Heero! Over here!"

Heero turned at the shout of his name. He saw Duo waving at him excitedly from the back of the cafeteria and gave a little smile. He carried his tray and walked to the table.

"Hey, what took you so long? I didn't see you in the line." Duo asked.

Heero pointed with disdain at Duo’s tray of food, greasy burger and over-fried French fries. "That's because I was in the line that sells decent food, not junk food."

Duo peeked at Heero's tray. His plate was heaped with potatoes, meat loaf, gravy and bread. Duo just shrugged.

"I don't care, I just eat what I love," he said, biting into his burger. Throughout the whole lunch period, Duo was telling Heero about his upcoming basketball games, the forthcoming exams, so on and so forth while Heero just listened in silence. He had learned to accept this non-stop chattering from the boy he loved.

Heero was always thankful that he had managed to find Duo after being separated forcefully in their previous lives. Images of their painful deaths still come to his mind occasionally, reminding him the pain and sorrow of losing the one he loved. This further enhanced his determination to protect Duo from any form of harm. He felt a sense of duty to protect this beautiful boy whom he loved. His over-protectiveness and possessive nature had sometimes led to jealousy. Whenever Duo joined the other boys for basketball games or when the girls flocked around him asking for dates, Heero felt the green-eyed monster in him flaring up. He knew Duo loved only him but his friendliness towards everyone still raised a concern in Heero. Duo laughed at him, saying that his jealousy was uncalled for, mocking that he had became Heero Yuy's private property, leave him alone or be prosecuted.

Heero had moved out of his Uncle's house to stay at the school dormitory. "I need to concentrate on my studies," he told his Uncle and Aunt. But his real motive was to be with Duo, to be around him all the time, day and night. Rooming together brought them closer as they cuddled each other to sleep at night, feeling the sense of belonging as their arms wrapped around each other tightly. It was truly a pure bliss to have Duo in his arms again. It was something too precious to ever let go.

=================

"Argggggg! I hate these Mathematics equations. I just don't understand them. They are aliens to me," Duo groaned, throwing the book on the desk in frustrations.

Heero looked up from his homework and frowned at him. "You should have paid more attention in class. It's not that difficult, I have taught you all that before. Now, stop grumbling and finish your homework."

Duo made a face at Heero and turned his attention back to his homework, seeing that Heero was not going to entertain his grumbling. Frowning that the problems, he tried racking his brain for the solutions while chewing the end of the pencil.

An hour later, Heero finished his last equation. Looking up, he was surprised to see Duo fast asleep on his homework. No wonder the room was so quiet. He heaved a resigned sigh at the boy's nonchalant attitude towards his academic performance. How was he going to graduate from high school? Resting his chin on his hands, Heero observed the sleeping boy. Duo was such a beautiful and charming boy. His unassuming and cheerful nature had captivated Heero wholeheartedly.

Although they had been together for two months, they had yet to consummate their relationship. Heero wanted very much to make their relationship complete but Duo appeared rather apprehensive about it, so Heero decided not to force him into anything. He will wait till Duo was ready for it. But that night, as he looked at the sleeping beauty before him, Heero felt his patience giving way to temptation. Whatever self-control in him had disappeared into thin air. Now his heart was only filled with desire, longing, craving and yearning for this beautiful boy.

Heero walked over to Duo and shook him gently.

"Duo? Duo, wake up."

The boy gave a grunt and ignored Heero.

"Duo, let's go to bed. Don't sleep at the desk."

Duo mumbled incoherently as Heero picked him up in his arms and walked towards the bed. Laying Duo on the bed, Heero crawled on top of him. He pinned Duo down with his hands and body, holding him immobile while his lips found Duo's. Duo was aroused from his sleep by Heero's hot kisses. He wrapped his arms around Heero's neck and pulled him closer, returning his kisses. His kisses were hungry and demanding and Duo kissed him back with equal passion. When Heero released his mouth, Duo made a sound of protest and his lips came back again. The kiss deepened, their tongues sparring with each other, tasting and groping around the inside of each other's mouth.

Breaking the breathtaking kiss, Heero looked at Duo, gazing deeply into that violet paradise of his eyes.

"Duo, do you think you are ready for it?" Heero asked, his voice thick with passion.

Looking at Heero's eager face, the image of an energized bunny suddenly came to Duo's mind, causing him to giggle helplessly.

"Duo?"

"Oh, sorry." Duo said apologetically, fighting down his giggling fits.

"So, are you…….."

"Yes, I think I am."

"Honto ni?"

"Hai."

Heero smiled and brought his face closed to Duo's, his mouth kissing down the column of his neck while his hands pushed up the T-shirt Duo was wearing, revealing his well-toned chest. Heero took turns to suck and nibble at his nipples, making them raw and red, turning them into hard nubs. Duo was squirming restlessly under him, making little whimpering sounds.

Moving up, Heero kissed and sucked at the silky smooth skin around Duo's throat. Duo cocked his head to a side to expose more of his neck for Heero.

"Spread your legs for me, Duo. Spread them for me," Heero murmured softly, nibbling at Duo's ear as he pushed Duo's legs apart with his knees. One of his hands traveled down Duo's body, caressing his abdomen before slipping into his boxers. Duo went rigid momentarily at the feel of Heero's touch on his arousal. He let out a soft moan, unconsciously. Heero kept tightening and loosening his grip on Duo's arousal, making the boy dizzy with the sensuous and erotic feeling.

Duo's response further increased Heero's urgency and need. Discarding Duo's T-shirt and boxer, Heero pulled his own clothes off impatiently. He kissed his way down to Duo's abdomen, deliberately bypassing his aching manhood. Heero kissed and sucked the velvety skin at Duo's inner thighs. Duo grabbed Heero's hair and guided his mouth to his manhood. Heero licked at the tip and ran his tongue around Duo's throbbing length, teasing it before taking it into his mouth, burying his face between Duo's legs. He whirled his tongue around Duo's manhood, sucking at it, his hot mouth moving up and down the heated flesh. Duo groaned and whimpered, he had lost all his senses; these intimate actions were totally unfamiliar to him. He clamped his legs together, trapping Heero's head between it. Heero continued to work on his manhood until he felt it quivered. He removed his mouth from it and Duo gave groan of protest for its lost.

Heero turned Duo over to lie on his stomach and settled himself between Duo's legs. He crouched down and rested his hands on Duo's buttocks, kneading the soft flesh until it turned a light shade of pink. Parting Duo's butt cheeks, his tongue darted out to wet the dry skin at the tight crevice, licking and teasing at the gateway to paradise that he was going to invade soon. The trails of warm saliva Heero left on his butt gave him a tingling feeling. Duo jolted and whimpered as Heero's tongue tried to force its way inside him.

Heero wet his fingers in his mouth and gently probed at Duo's tight ring of muscle. He heard Duo's sharp intake of breath when his finger pushed past the tight resistance and went inside him. Heero kept pushing his finger inside him. Duo lifted his hips slightly when two more of Heero's fingers joined in the process of loosening him up. Duo groaned into his pillow, wriggling his hips as Heero's fingers touched the inner walls of his channel, groping around, pushing them further inside. The intruding fingers, slicked with fluid produced by Duo's body went in and out of his narrow channel, stretching it to accommodate something thicker and lengthier.

Feeling the preparation work sufficiently done, Heero removed his fingers and Duo sank back onto the bed immediately, panting breathlessly. Heero turned Duo onto his back and lifted his legs. Holding them apart, Heero's hardened arousal nudged at the tight opening again, pushing and pushing its way into that narrow path. He gave a harder push and impaled its full length into Duo.

Duo would have screamed out in pain if Heero hadn't clasped his palm over his mouth, muffling out the sound. Although he was mentally prepared for what to come, the pain was still too excruciating.

"Duo, the walls are not soundproof."

"It hurts," Duo cried out, tears began to roll down his cheeks.

"Do you want me to stop?" Heero asked in concern, seeing the agonized look on Duo's face.

"I……No, I…I want you to take me."

"You sure? Don't force yourself."

"Y…yes, please."

"All right. I will be gentle Duo, I won't hurt you," Heero assured him, kissing away his tears.

Duo nodded and squeezed his eyes shut, biting his lips when Heero began to thrust in and out of him. He kept tossing his head against the pillow, freeing strands of hair from his customary braid. His knuckles turned white from the firm grip on the bed sheets. If his fingers were intolerable, Heero's arousal was ten times worse. The hardened muscle scraped along the inner linings of Duo's channel, expanding and contracting the narrow path as it continued to travel in and out in rhythmic movements.

Suddenly, Duo threw back his head and cried out with pleasure when a new sensation swept through him. Heero's arousal hit something deep inside him, sending waves and waves of strange, sensuous feelings through him. Pain was soon forgotten as Duo savored on this new sensation, feeling the intimacy and the heat radiated from their sweat-slicked bodies.

Heero reached out a hand to grab Duo's arousal as he continued to rock his hips against Duo. He pumped the neglected arousal until it was hardened to a full erection again. As Heero's thrusts became faster and crucial, the pumping on Duo's arousal quickened in speed. It pushed Duo to the verge of ecstasy. Duo lost his control and cried out Heero's name. He came, milky white seed spurting out, staining both their abdomens. Heero's breath turned heavy and ragged and he began to thrust more violently. Pushing deeply into Duo, seeking for release, Heero ejaculated his seed into Duo’s body.

Duo felt a warm flow within him; Heero's seed was traveling deep into his body. It was like warmth to his inner soul. Now, they had truly became one. He had given Heero his heart, body, mind and soul as well as his virginity. He belonged to Heero solely.

Heero panted and gasped for breath, slowly removing himself from Duo. Duo groaned as Heero gently placed his legs down. His legs were numbed by that uncomfortable position. Heero looked at Duo with a radiant smile. The satisfying feeling of fulfillment was overwhelming.

"Thank you, my love, " he whispered to Duo as he wiped away the beads of perspiration glistening on Duo's face.

"Hai." Duo smiled and nodded exhaustedly, letting himself being pulled into Heero's embrace as he nestled his head on Heero's arm.

Heero kissed the dozing boy's lips, murmuring an 'Oyasumi Nasai' to him.

=================

Heero woke up the next morning, feeling the loss of Duo in his arms. He sat up and looked around the room. Duo had just walked out off the bathroom.

Heero smirked when he saw Duo walking awkwardly, holding his hips and wincing.

"Hey, wipe that smirk off your face! It's your fault that I'm feeling so sore now!" Duo grabbed his hairbrush and flung it at Heero who caught it effortlessly.

Duo looked into the mirror and groaned again.

"Oh God…..what have you done to my neck! There are red patches everywhere. And my lips, they are swollen. How am I going to answer if someone asked me about these?" Duo whined as he examined the neck and the lips that Heero "attacked" the night before.

Heero walked up to Duo and hugged him from behind.

"But you do enjoy what I did last night, don't you?" Heero asked softly, nibbling at his ears. Duo closed his eyes and leaned back against Heero's chest, sighing dreamily.

"Yeah. Last night was.......unbelievable. It was magical," Duo smiled at the remembrance of the passion-filled night. "But still, it's your fault that I can't play basketball today. Next time, get some lube."

Heero smirked again and Duo slammed a pillow at him in annoyance.

===============

Heero turned to see Duo looking at him dreamily.

"Stop watching me and pay attention to the class!" Heero hissed softly.

Duo just grinned at him idiotically. He couldn't concentrate on anything but the thoughts of their lovemaking the night before. While it hurt initially, Duo shamelessly wished for more of it now. He blushed as he gently touched his sore bottom.

Just before the second period started, the new girl walked into the classroom, accompanied by headmaster of the school.

The students began to whisper and murmur, wondering who this person was, that she wielded such an authority that the headmaster must accompany her to the class and introduce her personally.

"Good morning, class. I would like to introduce a newcomer to our school. This is Relena Peacecraft, daughter of the diplomat of our town," the headmaster announced as the girl stepped and gave a little bow.

Duo looked at the new girl and gasped in horror.

"Heero! Look! That girl…..she…..she….."

Hearing the panic in Duo's voice, Heero looked up and turned to the girl. He too was speechless as he stared at this newcomer. She was a splitting image of Lady Regina from his past life. Could she really be…….

He confirmed his suspicion when the girl looked at him directly in the eyes with a knowing smile on her lips. Her eyes lit up in recognition. Heero couldn't believe that she had actually followed them into their present lives.

The girl moved her gaze from Heero to Duo. Her eyes turned hard and cruel as she fixed them at Duo, making the boy squirm uncomfortably in his seat. From that look, Duo knew his nightmare had begun again. Lady Regina has come back to haunt him in the form of Relena Peacecraft.

===============

During lunch break, Relena Peacecraft approached their table, interrupting their lunch.

"Hello, Heero. We meet again," she said, smiling adoringly at Heero.

"I don't think I know you," Heero ignored her, his reply was icy cold.

The girl appeared undaunted by his cold attitude. She continued to smile at him.

"You remember me, I know you do. Our relationship from the past still has a strong hold on us. You won't forget that so easily."

"I don't know what past you are talking about. If nothing else, I would like to have my lunch in peace."

"Stop feigning ignorance, Heero. You know very well what I am talking about. We belong together, you are mine. This time, I am not going to let anyone or anything take you away from me again." The girl gave a Duo another hateful glare before walking off.

Duo knew the last sentence was directed at him. His shaky hand sought Heero's under the table and Heero held it tightly and possessively. That girl was out to create trouble for them again, just like she had done in the previous life. But this time Heero will be on his guard against her. He will not let her harm Duo again.

Duo tried to avoid Relena as much as possible. Though he had only seen Lady Regina briefly in his past life, Duo could remember her looks vividly. She was beautiful woman with a haughty look and an air of arrogance around her. But now, the sight of Relena who was a splitting image of Lady Regina frightened Duo very much. After all, she had caused his death in his previous life. Relena didn't bother to hide her intense dislike and hatred for him. Heero's assurance of protecting him didn't quell his worries though it was comforting to know that Heero loved and cared so much for him.

Finishing a game one afternoon, tired and sweaty, Duo walked to the locker room to take a shower. Reaching the locker room, he was surprised to see Relena leaning against at his locker, apparently waiting for him. The girl straightened up when she saw Duo.

"So, you came back as well, huh?" Relena said sarcastically, eyeing him in such a sinister way that it was making Duo very nervous.

"After all that had happened, you still wouldn't let him go? Why must you come between us again and again?" she demanded.

"No, you are the one coming between us. You are the one who brought us our deaths. We love each other very much. You are the one who separated us." Duo retorted, trying to keep his nervousness out of his voice.

Relena gave a cynical laugh. "Love? How could two boys love each other? It is illicit, against the law of humanity as well as the law of nature. There can never be true love between you and Heero."

Duo mustered all his courage and looked at the girl squarely in the eyes.

"Love knows no boundaries. It doesn't really matter to us as long as the feeling between us is mutual. I know Heero loves me with all his heart. You don't know him, you don't know him at all." Duo's voice quivered slightly as he tried to keep his cool.

Relena's expression turned nasty. "He was my fiancé. Nobody knows him better than I do. You still want to vie with me for his love, don't you? I am going to claim him back this time, by hook or by crook and nothing is going to stop me from doing that." Relena said with finality in her tone.

As she stalked passed Duo, she whispered in a low threatening tone, "Don't forget, I killed you once and I can always kill you again. Don't say that I didn't warn you."

Duo slumped against his locker as Relena's evil laughter rang loudly in his ears.

===============

Heero looked at Duo with much concern and worry. The boy was unusually silent that evening. Since Relena's sudden appearance, Duo had become very jittery, edgy and withdrawn. Heero himself was feeling very troubled by the unexpected situation. He knew Relena came to this town with a motive and he, doubtlessly is the object of her motive. He was so looking forward to a peaceful life with Duo. Why must that woman come back and haunt them again?

"Why aren't you eating, Duo?" he asked, looking pointedly at Duo's plate of untouched food.

"I'm not really hungry."

Heero frowned. Something was definitely wrong. He watched as Duo's hands unconsciously tearing the napkin to shreds.

"What happened, Duo?"

Duo kept quiet, reaching out for another sheet of napkin, tearing it to shreds again.

"Duo, tell me please, what is troubling you?"

"I'm worried about us. Relena…she….."

"She threatened you?" Heero asked, a silent fury rising in him.

"She wants me to leave you."

"And there is no way you are going to that. Duo, don't worry. I'm here for you and I won't allow her to hurt you. Don't let her take away your smiles. I miss them very much," Heero said, holding his hands, giving them a squeeze.

Duo smiled at that remark. Indeed. His cheery nature had been dampened recently and his sunny smiles were scarce. His downcast mood was affecting Heero. Duo decided to take Heero's advice. He was not going to let Relena upset his beautiful life with Heero.

Duo looked forward to the weekend. That coming Saturday was his birthday. He didn't tell Heero about it, wanting to give him a surprise. He had planned for a special date to celebrate the occasion.

~~~~~~~~~~~

That Saturday morning, Duo woke up earlier than usual, too excited to sleep late. He rolled over to watch the sleeping Heero. His face looked so serene and peaceful. Duo naughtily brushed a lock of his hair across Heero's lips. Heero mumbled incoherently and turned his face toward the other side. Duo chuckled and continued to disturb the sleeping boy with his hair, tickling his nostril and his ear.

Annoyed by the disturbance, Heero cracked open a sleepy eye and saw Duo's cheery face loomed before him.

"Oyaho, Heero," Duo chirped, leaning down to kiss his lips.

"Aa….you are up early today?"

"I can't sleep. I'm so excited about our date today."

Heero smiled and pulled the naked boy to lie atop of him. He placed a hand behind Duo's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Duo kissed him back enthusiastically, his hands tangled in Heero's unruly mass of moss-green hair. Heero ran his hands down Duo's back, trailing the vertebrae, coming to a stop at his hips. Resting his hands on either side, he pulled Duo's legs apart. Duo grunted into the kiss for the sudden movement. Heero's fingers began to probe at his tight opening again.

Duo broke the kiss and pulled back briefly. "Heero, didn't you have enough last night?" Duo asked teasingly.

Heero pulled him back down and whispered into his ear, "I will never get enough of you" as his finger entered that sacred realm one by one until three full fingers sat firmly inside the tight channel. Duo began to moan with pleasure, arching and pushing back at Heero's questing fingers, his arousal rubbing against Heero's, hardening it instantly.

Heero felt his need and urgency arisen in him. Holding the boy down firmly with one arm, Heero moved his fingers in and out of Duo's opening, increasing the speed until their breath slowly turned ragged and Duo cried out in desperate need.

Pulling out his fingers, Heero lifted Duo up to a sitting position and slowly lowered him down until Duo took in his whole aching manhood inside him.

Holding Duo's hands and interlacing their fingers, Heero thrust upward, encouraging Duo to rock back against him. Duo slide himself up and down Heero's length, feeling the hard head of his arousal hitting that spot inside him, sending his mind whirling again. His unbound hair was wild and tousled, bouncing at every thrusting movement they made. The morning rays reflected the sweat gleaming on Duo's body.

Duo jerked his head back and forth as Heero's thrusts took a faster pace. His arousal had hardened and it was begging for release. Duo gritted his teeth and willed himself to hold on. Finally his self control gave way. Duo came, spurting his seed onto the bed sheets and went limped. Heero held him firmly and continued thrusting into him until his body went rigid. Spasms shake his body as he emptied his seed into Duo. Heero let go of him and Duo fell onto his sweat slicked chest.

Both highly sated boys lay together with arms closed around each other, feeling their heartbeats beating against one another; their bodies bathed in the morning sun. Heero brushed back Duo's sweaty, tangled hair and kissed his forehead. Duo gave a little blissful sigh and snuggled up closer. They lay like that for almost an hour before Heero glanced at the clock.

"Duo, we better get up now."

Duo shook his head and let out a whining sound.

Heero smirked. Duo was acting like a spoilt kid.

He stroke his hair lovingly and coaxed, "Our date still on?"

"Yup, sure it is." Duo sprang up immediately and smiled at Heero secretively. "It's going to be a prefect date."

"Then let's go have a shower now," Heero said, pushing himself up from the bed. Eyeing the stained bed sheets, he remarked, "And whose turn is it to do the laundry this week?"

"Yours!" came the prompt reply from Duo as he raced to the bathroom.

===============

They were about to leave the dormitory when Heero suddenly received a phone call from his uncle, asking him to come home immediately. He didn't specify any reason to the urgency.

Heero hang up the phone and frowned. "What could be so urgent?" he wondered.

He returned to the braided boy who was waiting for him at the school compound.

"Duo, my Uncle just called up, asking me to go back now." Heero told him.

"Oh." Duo muttered, trying not to sound too disappointed.

Not wanting to disappoint Duo and ruin their date, Heero promised to meet him up at the arcade center downtown as soon as he settled the matters at home.

Reaching home, Heero was surprised to see Relena waiting at the living room.

"What are you doing here?"

Before Relena could answer, Heero's Uncle and Aunt came out to meet him.

"Heero, why are you so late? Miss Relena has been waiting for you the whole afternoon. How could you forget about your date with Miss Relena?"

"Date?"

Relena smiled sweetly at Heero, attaching herself to his arm. "Of course, we are going for a movie this afternoon, remember?"

Before Heero could protest, his Uncle and Aunt ushered them out of the house. "Now, you kids run along. Enjoy yourselves."

Once they were out of earshot, Heero pulled his arm away from Relena's grasp and snarled at her.

"What are you doing in my house? What are you up to?"

Relena gave a shrug and turned her saccharine-sweet smile at him.

"I am just paying my father's employee a visit. Bet you didn't know your uncle works for my father." Relena looked smug at that piece of information. "Besides, I know there is a promotion going on in the company and your uncle is one of the potential candidates."

Heero eyed the girl warily. "What are you trying to do?"

The girl studied her fingernails with sudden interest, a smirk appearing on her lips.

"Oh, nothing. I just want you to leave that boy and come back to me. You know very well that I can offer you better things than that boy could."

Anger was rising fast within him. This girl had the audacity to use his uncle's career as a pawn to blackmail him into leaving Duo. How he wished he could kill that girl there and then.

He continued to stare at her in disgust. She had put him in a dilemma. He will never leave Duo, no matter what but this will jeopardized his uncle's career. This girl was truly wicked to come up with such an evil plan.

"I will never leave Duo," he finally said in a determined tone, "Do what you want but I will never leave him for you."

Relena's eyes turned wide in astonishment, trying to digest what Heero had just said. How could he? Was that boy really that important that he was willing to sacrifice his uncle's career for him?

"You….don't you care about your family?"

"I do care but knowing the kind of person you are, you will always have something else up on your sleeves to make life difficult for us. I have no wish to join you in these childish games."

He turned away from Relena and started to walk off. Relena tried to stop him, grabbing his arm.

"No, Heero, wait……."

"Let go, Relena, before I turn my fist at you," Heero growled out dangerously. He looked at his watch. Darn! He was already half an hour late; Duo was still waiting for him.

Leaving that girl standing alone at the sidewalk, he walked off without looking back.

Relena stared at his receding back with anger consuming in her. "You will regret this Heero, you will!" she yelled after him.

===============

Duo kept glancing up and down the street, waiting for Heero's arrival.

"What is taking him so long?" Duo wondered, pacing around on the pavement. He hoped everything was all right at Heero's home. Duo looked at the cake in his hands. He smiled, his heart bursting with joy at the thought of celebrating his first birthday with Heero.

One of his basketball teammates, Brian, had just stepped out of the arcade. He saw Duo standing nearby and was about to call out at him when suddenly a van skidded to a stop in front of Duo. Two burly men jumper out of the van and grabbed Duo, hurling the stunned boy into the van. The cake was splattered onto the pavement. Brian stared in shock as the unmarked van sped off.

Heero arrived outside the arcade center five minutes later, looking around for Duo.

"Don't tell he has got tired of waiting and left," Heero mumbled, glancing at his watch. He was an hour late because of Relena who kept stalling him. He didn't expect her to be so deceitful to resort to such underhand method just to get him.

"Hey, Heero!" Heero turned to see his schoolmate, Brian running up to him.

"Are you looking for Duo? He…he was captured by some nasty looking men a while ago," the boy panted.

Heero stared at the boy for a moment before grabbing him. "What! Who captured him? Why didn't you stop them?"

The boy squirmed in fear at the pure look of anger on Heero's face.

"I…I don't know. I only saw two burly men force Duo into the van. Everything happened in a split second that I don't have the time to react."

Heero loosened his grip. His anger look turned into fear.

"Which way did they go?"

"There, down the street," the boy pointed to the opposite direction.

Heero released the boy and stared numbly at the street.

How could this have happened? Who would want to capture Duo?

His thoughts suddenly went back to Relena as her last words rang in his ears.

"You will regret this Heero, you will!"

"Relena!"

===============

Relena sat in front of the vanity table, looking at her reflection, gently brushing her hair. She was beautiful. There was no reason Heero should reject her. That boy, it was all that boy's fault. He had charmed her beloved Heero again.

Relena applied a crimson red lipstick across her luscious lips and looked into the mirror again. Yes, she was beautiful, how could that boy be compared to her?

"Once you are gone, Heero will come back to me again. You will never win this competition against me, Duo Maxwell," Relena hissed, crushing the lipstick onto the table.

A knock on the door and a servant's announcement of the arrival of a guest made Relena smiled triumphantly. Heero had indeed come to her.

She checked herself in the mirror again, smoothing out her dress, taking her own sweet time to leave her room to meet Heero. She deliberately made him wait, made him feel anxious.

It was a good half an hour before she finally went downstairs to meet Heero who had the darkest and most angered look convulsed on his face, like the visage of a devil.

"Why Heero, how nice of you to visit me." Relena exclaimed with mock sarcasm. She knew perfectly the reason of Heero's visit.

"Cut that out, Relena. Where is Duo? What have you done to him?" Heero demanded.

"Duo? Ha…how should I know what happened to him? I don't associate with him at all."

Heero clenched his fists tightly. That girl was trying his patience.

"Stop playing games, Relena. Where is Duo?!" Heero asked again, his voice filled with anger and threat.

Relena turned to face him; her own anger was flaring up too.

"What is it about him that make you lose your head like that? What's so good about him that you have to pursue him over centuries?"

"The special bond between us. This is something you will never understand."

"I don't understand indeed!" Relena screamed, "This is totally illicit! It's wrong, totally wrong."

"Who are you to judge what is right or wrong about us? Just tell me where Duo is."

Relena gave a hysterical laugh. "Too late. Too late now."

Heero grabbed her shoulders and shook her violently. "What is too late? What have you done to Duo? Tell me, you bitch!"

Relena kept on laughing and shaking her head. "He is, no, he WAS taken to a cave behind the waterfall near the coves. You won't be able to save him, it's too late."

Heero made a mental recollection of the cave formations at the coves. He remembered there were not just one cave but a labyrinth of caverns, linked by small passages and ledges. How was he going to find Duo? Was it really too late as what Relena said? No! Duo will be fine, he was going to find him and get him back.

He turned away and was about to bolt off when Relena's words stopped him in his track.

"He is gone forever, he lost again. He will never win you from me. You will still end up mine."

Heero turned to face the girl one last time. "Without Duo, I am as good as dead."

He ran off quickly, his mind reproaching himself. "I'm sorry Duo, I have failed to keep up to my promise of protecting you. Please forgive me. Please be all right, I'm coming now. Please."

===============

Duo gained consciousness to find himself in the dark. "Where am I?" he wondered. He tried to push himself up and groaned. He remembered briefly that he was dragged into a van and something hard hit the back of his head, knocking him out. Duo groaned again, rubbing his head as he sat up and looked around. It looked like he was in a cave or something.

There were sounds of rushing waterfall behind him as well as drips of some spring trickling from the fluted stalactites at the ceilings of the cave. Strange formations cast twisted shadows on the walls under the dim surroundings. Duo heard some shuffling footsteps and saw some tiny red spots of light.

"Look guys, the pretty boy has awakened." A voice echoed off.

A man came forward and under the fading light, Duo recognized him as one of his captors. The man snuffed out his cigarette and crouched beside him, looking at him with a jeer on his lips.

"Hey Boss, he is such a beautiful boy. It's a waste to kill him off just like that. Why don't we have some fun with him first?"

The burly man whom they called 'Boss' eyed Duo with keen interest.

"Why not? Let's have a treat and enjoy ourselves with him before we dump him off."

Duo was horrified. Those men were going to rape him and kill him! But why?

"Who…who are you guys? I don't know you and have nothing against you. Why did you capture me for?" Duo asked shakily, still not apprehending why he was in this situation.

"Well kid, we have nothing against you either but obviously someone does. We are paid to take your life," the 'Boss' said, grabbing Duo's chin, forcing him to look up. "But we are not going to let you go wasted like that." Laughter rang out among the men.

Duo slapped away his hand and scrambled back.

"Heero, where are you Heero? Save me, don't let them do this to me," he cried out mentally.

The men approached him slowly, lust and desire written on their faces as they grabbed him. Rough hands were all over him, touching and fondling his buttocks, trying to tear his clothes away.

"Don't touch me! Stay away from me!" Duo cried out, pushing and backing away from the lust-filled men.

Duo backed until he was near the edge of the ledge. There was clattering of falling pebbles. As he backed further away, the outside edge of the rock crumbled and he lost his balance. He began to fall. Duo tried to grab onto the rocks on the side but his hand made no contact with anything. He fell, clutching at nothing. As he tumbled, he thought he heard someone yelling his name: "Duo…..!"

Heero! Heero was calling him; his voice was loud and clear. It sent sound waves flying and flapping through all the labyrinths of the caves and their passages. It seemed to Duo that as he fell, every rock and crevice took up the ragged sound and bounced it back at him.

"Duo…..Duo!"

Duo felt jutting rock tear at his grasping fingers and curved them frantically to hold. He heard the sharp crack of breaking stone, hot stabbing on the palms of his hands as sharp edges tore away skin and flesh. He felt his engagement ring wrenched from his finger and the warm trickle of blood.

"No! My ring!"

Frantically he grasped as he tumbled, breaking his fall but never halting it. He went down grabbing and scrabbling….tearing and bleeding. And overhead he could still hear the crackle of his name being bandied about by the rocks, like a bevy of old women hissing and whispering…….

"Duo…..Duo……"

"I was burnt to death by fire in my previous life……now I am about to be drowned in this watery grave. Why? Oh God…..why are you doing this to me?" he cried out miserably over his misfortunes.

"Heero!" he called out one last time before the cold, dark subterranean waters swallowed him.

===============

He pushed heavy eyelids against the mists of unconsciousness, slowly opening his eyes and saw only white.

"Is this heaven?" he wondered.

It took Duo a while to realize that he was staring up at a ceiling.

Heero's face hovered into view.

"Duo? Are you awake?"

His face was masked with anxiety; his prussian blue eyes were worried-stricken as he stared down at Duo.

Duo pushed his tongue against dry lips and tried to shape words.

"Don't talk, Duo." Heero brushed a loose strand of hair away from his face. "You're in a hospital, you are safe. You will soon be all right, just a little time."

Duo remembered---the fall and Heero's calling. He hadn't drowned in the sea, then. Heero must have rescued him. His head ached with innumerable throbbings. He tried to lift his hands but they were heavy with bandages. Pain shot the complete length of his arms and exploded in his head, blotting out reality. Duo winced.

"Duo! Are you all right?" Heero's heart lurched when he saw the painful expression on his beloved's face.

Duo could only nod.

"What….what happened? Those men……" he croaked out.

"Don't worry; they are in the lock-up now. They will not hurt you again," Heero assured, gently brushing back the bangs covering his eyes.

"Relena……she is behind all these, right?"

Heero nodded and slowly related to him what happened. Duo listened in grim silence. He knew Relena hated him but he didn't know that she hated him so much that she would actually commit a crime to get rid of him. Images of the darks caves and his fall shook him mentally. Recollection of them turned his weakness to tears, squeezing out from under closed eyelids and trickled down his cheeks. His bandaged hands refused to lift and brush them away.

Soft fingers touched his cheeks. "It's all right now, Duo. Don't be too upset. You will get well soon. I will see to it that no one hurts you again."

In a surge of sadness, Duo moved his face gently against Heero's ministering hand.

A few days later when Duo was stronger, Heero helped him out of bed to get on his feet. He had been unconscious for several days, his balance was affected but once he had taken the first steps, it wasn't so very difficult.

Heero walked with him in the hospital grounds everyday, keeping him company, not wanting him to feel lonely. But Duo wanted to be left alone; he was still very much tormented by what happened. He had somehow lost the desire to be with Heero. He didn't want to continue this tug of war game with Relena anymore. All that had happened scarred him more emotionally than the physical pain that he suffered.

Badly in need of peace and quiet to sort out his confused mind, Duo discharged himself quietly from the hospital one morning without informing Heero. He wanted to escape from all of these.

That afternoon, Heero came to visit Duo again. Holding a bouquet of flowers and a small tinkle box, Heero walked towards Duo's ward. He was feeling most happy and relief as he had finally found a way to resolve their problems. Swinging the door opened, Heero stepped in and called out.

"Duo, look what I found…….."

The room was empty and the bed was freshly made. The side table was cleared of Duo's CDs, discman and magazines.

"What's going on?"

Heero approached the hospital counter and found out from the nurse in-charge that Duo had discharged himself that morning without any notification for anyone.

Heero was bewildered. What was Duo doing? Why didn't he leave him any note on his whereabouts?

"Duo, why are you hiding away from me? Why?"

===============

Duo came to their favorite spot on the beach, the quiet little place where they used to spend hours sitting in peace, looking at the night sky, gazing at the stars with arms around each other. But that late evening, as Duo stared at twilight sky, he wondered who needed a black hole in the sky when he knew he would carry his own emptiness with him from now on. The thoughts of leaving Heero were like thousand knives stabbing at his heart. Yet, he decided that he should leave….must leave to avoid anymore unnecessary confrontations that would put Heero into a difficult position. Moreover, he didn't think he could take anymore of it. He had no wish to fight with Relena anymore, he opted to back out. Now he was alone, dwelling at his own misery.

Heavy footsteps sounded behind him. He turned slowly and without much curiosity to see who was approaching.

Heero had found him again. Duo sensed his anger and anxiety in the deliberate way he walked, taking those strides across the sandy beach.

Slowly, silently, Heero lowered himself onto the ground beside Duo. He turned and studied the silent Duo gravely. After a long moment, he spoke up, "Why did you leave without a word, Duo? I was so worried."

"You didn't have to come chasing after me."

Heero went silent. Why did Duo run away from him? Wasn't he aware that Heero couldn't live without him by his side?

"Tell me something, Duo. Are you scared to be with me? Is your love for me not strong enough to overcome all obstacles in our path to happiness?

Duo was taken aback by his unexpected questions. He remained silent and gave the questions a thorough thought. He loved Heero, there was no doubt or question over that. But their relationship was something that others frowned upon. Will such relationship last? How long will it be before something happened to tear them apart again? It was these insecurities that made Duo reconsidered his love for Heero. He needed affirmation.

Heaving a sigh, he whispered softly. "I don't know, I no longer know."

"Duo, there is no need for you to feel afraid anymore. Relena is no longer in this town. She will never bother us again."

Duo looked up at him immediately. "Why? What have you done?"

Heero smirked.

"Those thugs who kidnapped you, they are willing to testify against Relena. Not wanting a family scandal that could ruin his political career, Relena's father approached me and I made a pact with him. I will not press charges against Relena on the condition that he takes her away from here forever, never to come back to bother us again." Heero answered, feeling some of the tensions being released from the boy beside him.

"So Duo, you mustn't leave me now. Do you think my love for you is so insecure? I have been seeking for you all my life. You are the one that matters to me."

Heero delved in his pocket and held out a hand. On his palm lay his engagement ring, the ruby and sapphire gleaming in the dimness.

Duo gasped. "How could you find it? It was lost in the cave."

"I went back to the cave this morning with some ropes and spotlights. I found it wedged in a crevice."

"You shouldn't have! You know how dangerous those caves are."

Heero shook his head.

"This ring is meant for you. I got to get it back even if I have to dive into the sea to look for it."

Heero gave him a little smile; the piercing sweet smile that started ripples of response somewhere deep in Duo's body.

"This is our engagement ring, the ring that will marry you to me." Heero put the ring on Duo's finger, and then he reached out one hand and Duo felt the strong fingers curl over his. "You will marry me, won't you Duo?"

Duo looked at the ring on his finger and turned up to see the expectant look on Heero's face.

"Yes, I will marry you, only you." Duo gave his consent.

Heero's face broke into a wide smile as he pulled the boy towards him.

The dusk came down, and then the dark. Shapes blurred, a few stars pricked the sky. The moon cast a shadowy silhouette of a couple, engaged in passionate kisses, rolling in the fold of the dunes.

~~~The End~~~

Copyright © 2000 Minky