Title: Walking in the Shadows. Pt. 24/?

Authors: Deathangelgw and Nightshadow

Disclaimer: They aren't ours....but we can sure as hell play with them!!!

Warnings: AU, slight OOC, sap, dark, angst, language, mention of torture, yaoi, shounen-ai, het

Pairings: Varied, but the main is 2+/x5x2, 1xOCx1, OCx4xOC, 3xOCx3, 6xOC

Rating: Still going strong PG-13!

Note: OK! I’m to blame this time! I’ve had this sitting on my comp and just…okok laaaaaziness people. It’s something I do well!! *giggles* Now, everyone say it with me…AAAWW POOR QUATRE!! Enjoy and please review!

'thoughts'

*thoughts*

Following alongside Heero, who was cradling the still form of the young King, Duo grasped his lover's hand tightly. Hours had passed before the two healers had consented to the two Guardians being moved. Though they were no longer in any danger of being eaten alive by the power that had come upon them, they hadn't been entirely stable either, hence the hesitation in relocating them. Looking at his brother's stern face, the braided man tried to smile, but found himself lacking the ability to do so.

Heero smiled at his brother, then came into the Healers' Wing and brought Wufei over to one of the examination beds. Trowa came in right after and carried Zechs over to another bed, laying him out carefully. Claiming her spot beside Zechs, Shay pulled out a well used wood comb and began to comb her love's long silky hair, the activity proving soothing to her.

Gazing from one unconscious figure to the other, Duo spoke softly, "When do you think they'll wake?"

Heero shrugged along with Trowa. "When the last trio was hit with a loss, the other two died and then Zechs, Wufei, and Treize took over," Heero replied with a sigh as he rubbed his face.

"This time they were lucky. Both are very powerful in their balance...which is unusual," Trowa added softly as he crossed his arms.

Nodding, Duo moved to lightly caress his lover's face. "Aye. Strength and balance are a must in life, no? I was only able to help some, which reminds me. I need to go join Joren and the others for a bit. Until Wufei wakes, who is in charge? As his fiancé, am I? Or is the council? If them I hope he wakes soon or they'll weave a tangled web of problems to be undone."

Trowa and Heero looked at each other and smirked. "Actually, Heero is in charge. For he is, first and foremost, Wufei's second," Trowa explained with a smirk.

Heero shrugged. "And you, until either of us say, are just as incapacitated. Leave it to me, brother."

Smiling wryly, Duo sighed. "Aye I will. I don't even feel up to a long and loud complaint of how you're spoiling my fun. It's going to be hard enough dealing with Quatre. I'll save my scattered thoughts for that event."

Snickering softly as Heero came over to Duo, Trowa murmured softly, "If need be, we'll make up a sweet neian drink. It will calm him and place him into a sweet sleep." He nodded as Heero nodded.

"Nothing bad, just a way to soothe distraught children," Heero added softly with a smile. "Go on, brother. We will be here," he stated in soft encouragement.

Nodding, Duo slowly moved to his feet before pulling his twin in a tight hug. "See the lot of you in a bit then."

"Aye...go on then," Heero answered with a grin as he returned the hug. He went back over to Wufei's side as some Healers came into the room, intent on examining their King and the other Guardian. Waving to the three, Duo continued on his way to the room Sally had mentioned. Upon reaching the thick, wooden door, he knocked quickly before moving to enter.

Pulling the door open, he slipped silently into the candle lit room, looking for and finding the figures of his friends, one on either side of Quatre. "Hey guys. Feeling better Q?" Quatre sniffled as he snuggled Shalon, but nodded. He yawned slightly as he nuzzled Shalon, relaxing. Tightening his grip on the young man's waist, Shalon smiled. Sighing, Duo rubbed his forehead before pulling a chair up so he was sitting across from the blond and completing the circle. "Good, then. Seems Sally's suggestion was a good one. Have any questions, little one?"

Quatre looked up at Duo. "Are they....all right? Why did...." He bit his lip, and then looked down.

Smiling, Duo nodded, reaching out to lightly pat his friend's knee. "They'll be alright. They're resting in the healer's ward. And why did what? Hmm? You can ask. I don't mind. Promise."

"Why did it happen?" Quatre asked softly as he cringed closer to Shalon. He could still remember a man's scream of agony before overwhelming power and pain had flooded over him.

Lifting his eyes to the ceiling, Duo watched the shadows that danced there. "It happened apparently because someone managed to kill the third guardian. I think this is what SL was warning me about. Black Heart lives for conquering people and I'm afraid he's going to try to move in on Fei's kingdom."

Quatre stiffened in abject terror as he stared at Duo. "He's...coming?!" he whimpered softly, trembling with terror.

Swiftly, Shalon tightened his grip on the trembling figure, while Joren pressed closer to his other side. Slipping off his chair and onto the floor, Duo joined the two in comforting Quatre. "No, not him, himself. His army will though. Blackheart likes watching the carnage of war, not chancing scarring his own hide. The only thing he participates in is questioning. And you and Jor are too well protected for him to get to either of you. You're safe here and the others and I mean to keep it that way, alright?" Quatre whimpered as he clung to Shalon, wanting to believe but had had one too many times where it never panned out. His eyes wide with fear and panic, Quatre could only tremble.

Pulling the fearful youth into his lap, Shalon spoke softly, keeping one arm tight about Quatre's waist while the other ran soothingly up and down his arm. "Duo's right, little one. Here you are safe. I'll let no one harm you. Neither will Duo, Joren, and the others. Alright?" Nodding his agreement to Shalon's words, Duo squeezed his friend’s hand reassuringly, while Joren ruffled Quatre's hair. Quatre sniffled as he shivered, then nodded as he rested his head on Shalon's chest. His eyes closed as he sniffled, tears rolling down his cheeks as he tried to calm down again. Gently rubbing the youth's back in soothing circles, Shalon started singing the old lullaby he, Shay, and Larak had used for each other.

Smiling at the pair, Duo lightly ruffled Quatre's hair before moving to get up. "Jor and I will leave you two be now. Shalon will protect you and this way you can rest for a bit before joining us at the healers, ok Q?" Quatre nodded silently as he snuggled closer to Shalon. He always felt very safe with Shalon. Motioning to Joren, Duo moved to the door and slipped quietly outside and turned for the healers intending to head back to Wufei.

Walking up beside Duo, Joren pulled him into a tight hug. "He'll be fine you know. And I'm not speaking of Quatre."

Gripping his oldest friend tightly, Duo nodded. "I know." Releasing his friend, he smiled slightly. "Now let’s get back there. You can sit and chat with Trowa." Chuckling he took off at a light jog for the room he'd left 'Fei in.

Heero met them at the door, smiling brightly. "You are just in time..." he informed them with a wink. He led the way in to show a very weak, yet awake Wufei and Zechs looking over.

Slowing to a walk, Duo came forward eagerly to take his place at Wufei's side. "Morning again, love. Hopefully you feel up to not taking any sudden naps for bit, hmm?" Watching the tension ease from his old friend, Joren smiled before turning to join Trowa and ask Shay how Zechs was. Wufei smiled slightly at his lover as he came over. He couldn't speak for the power that had caused this had robbed them both temporarily of their speech. He saw out of the corner of his eye as Trowa patted Joren in greeting as Zechs smiled slightly up at the blond. "I'll take that as a yes." Smiling, the braided man gently kissed his lover's forehead while lightly stroking his cheek. Pulling back, he settled into his chair, taking Wufei's hand and holding it in his own.

Nodding to the smiling blond, Joren smiled at Shay who waved before turning her attention back to her love's hair, still brushing the long locks. Wufei smiled softly again then closed his eyes tiredly, going back to sleep. Zechs leaned into the soft touches before going back to sleep, relaxing.

Heero sighed softly. "Larak knew that would happen. They are so exhausted with the upheaval that they shall most likely be sleeping for the next few days." He sighed again and shook his head. He looked over at Trowa. "Trowa...you and Shay will need to discover the Third...as well as find out what happened to Treize," he ordered softly.

Trowa nodded and sighed. "Aye...I will ask Relena for help in locating where Treize had last been." Heero nodded in agreement, knowing the seer of the court would know where the now dead Guardian might be.

Nodding, Shay looked over at her leader. "Alright. I'll get a hold of Larak and get him to help me activate the Call. It takes two people of different magical abilities."

Looking up, Duo spoke to his brother. "Anything I can do to help out?"

Heero smiled at his brother and shook his head. "You are of a different race, brother. Unfortunately, you can not help in this...just as I can't. That is why Shay and Trowa must go....though I would rather have Shay stay here with Zechs." He sighed softly and shook his head.

"Ah, but Shalon can not leave Quatre....don't worry," Trowa added with a gentle smile.

Fidgeting slightly, Joren spoke up. "I could stay with Zechs or I might be able to help with this...calling. All you said it took was two mages of different disciplines." Looking from Heero to Trowa and back, he smiled shakily. "I was never trained in self-defense but I do have other ways. Duo, may I?"

Grinning, Duo nodded. "Glad you finally decided to tell them or show them rather." Releasing Wufei's hand, he leaned back in his chair, relaxing. "Ready when you are."

Heero cocked an eyebrow in curiosity. But Trowa looked concerned. "Joren...you don't have to. It is only our people who can...." he murmured softly, placing a hand on Joren's arm, his eyes gentle.

Shaking his head, Joren smiled wryly. "Just watch. Duo loves it anyway and I'd hate to disappoint him." Motioning to the oddly patient figure, he nodded. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a single deep breath, holding it before letting it out slowly. Raising his hand, he beckoned to the still chair. It quivered for a moment before suddenly leaping for the ceiling and carrying its occupant into the air. Stopping the chair before it could go too high, Joren sent it weaving about the room to the braided man's delight. He continued this for a moment before motioning the chair back to its position and setting it lightly upon the ground next to Wufei's bed. Smiling, he waited anxiously for Trowa and Heero's reactions.

Stunned reactions were what he got. Heero and Trowa stared at what had just happened, then looked slowly over at Joren, shocked. Finally, Trowa got his voice back. "You....you have the gift of Teleth? The ability to move objects with your mind?!" he asked in awe.

Grinning, Duo took Wufei's hand back into his own. "Told you they wouldn't mind."

Nodding, Joren smiled sheepishly. "Aye, I do. Duo used to remove the mage bindings from me whenever Blackheart left the castle so I could practice. He removed them again soon after I arrived here. I asked him not to speak of it."

Heero saw Trowa frown softly in sadness before looking down as Heero spoke. "Well...it is a welcome magic here. You needn't fear hiding it," Heero stated with a warm smile as he looked back at Joren. He nodded sharply then. "We can't have you help with the call, for it can only be someone who has the ability to send messages, which the Twins have. But, we will most likely want your help in many other things soon enough, my friend."

Smiling, Joren nodded proudly. "I'll be glad to help." Turning, he looked at Duo sharply. "And when are you going to divulge your secrets, my friend?"

Chuckling, Duo tugged on his braid nervously. "Eh, I don't know? Could now, I suppose."

Waving his hand, Heero smirked at his brother. "Save it for later, brother. We need to move fast. As long as the Third is not here, Wufei and Zechs will be constantly drained as they try to find the balance."

Nodding, Duo turned back to Wufei. "It can wait till then."

Ducking in for a moment, Shay returned from her search for Larak. "Hey, Heero, I found Larak. We'll be in the meditation room if you need us."

"Aye....be careful! I'll have Trowa look for Relena and you can then get your search down," Heero replied with a sharp nod. Trowa nodded silently then left the room in search for Relena the seer. Nodding, Joren waved goodbye to him before moving to take the empty seat beside Zechs’ bed.

TBC

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