Meekos

“Are you sure this is the right place?” The dark-haired Chinamen asked softly hunching his shoulders against the cold.

“No, I’m not. I have three others that Spiked to check before we head back to the house.” The chocolate-haired youth next to him commented unaffected by the weather.

“This place is a shit hole. I’m almost hoping they’re not here.” He responded gesturing to the dilapidated building and fiddling with the twin silver bracelets at his wrists. His companion turned Prussian blue eyes towards his sloe ones, casting a glare in his direction.

“We don’t care about them, they are animals and there is nothing that they could ever do for us.” Heero said coldly. Wufei allowed himself to sigh a moment before his concern filled eyes hardened into glittering black chips that seemed as though they could cut through flesh. They headed into the shop without another word.

“How can I help you toady?” a smooth voice asked as they entered the store to the accompaniment of bells, which hung above the wood and glass door. They turned to the man behind the counter. He was in his mid-twenties, light haired and good-looking.

“Are you the owner of this shop?” Heero asked. The man nodded.

“I want to buy a pet.” He stated emotionlessly.

“I have a wonderful batch of puppies that just came it yesterday, or a couple kittens, reptiles, birds…What are you looking for?” He asked.

“I was thinking of something more rare and exotic.” Heero commented.

“I have a chinchilla you might like, or a fennec fox.” He said with a light in his eyes. Exotics meant more money.

“No, something very rare.” Heero said and flashed a large wade of cash before slipping it back into this long black trench coat. “Maybe something that flies.” He stated.

The owner’s eyes narrowed a moment before he asked, “How did you find out?”

“You’re last customer let his get away and I found it, he took it back but I decided I want one of my own.” Heero said.

“You won’t mind if I call him to be certain.” The owner said moving toward the phone. He picked up the receiver and dialed a number quickly.

“Yes, hello Mr. Johansson I was calling to see how your new pet is doing…oh really it got away…but its okay right?…oh I see…no its okay I’m always willing to match an owner with a new pet, just please if anything like this happens again call me first…uh-huh…uh-huh…I understand, goodbye Mr. Johansson.” The owner hung up the phone then turned back to the two youths in his shop. “Everything seems to check out. If you’ll follow me I’ll show you my limited selection.” He locked the door and put up a closed sign then they walked to the back of the shop to a door labeled ‘employees only’, which he opened after unlocking.

“I don’t care what you do with it and I don’t want to know. You tell no one and I mean no one where you got it and you never come here again. I intend to stress my point once again with Mr. Johansson to make myself clear, but if it gets these things off my hands I don’t really care.” They walked through a dark hallway to an even darker room.
“Sorry about the lack of light, one of them tossed rocks at the bulb until it broke and I haven’t had a chance to replace it yet.” He told them as they entered the small room. “I have a flash light around here somewhere.” The room was colder that it had been outside the store and it was damp. “Ah here we go.” He said his breath condensing in front of his face and a bulb burst into life. He shone the beam onto a row of small cages. “The one on the left has a bad habit of biting, so don’t stick your fingers in the cage, the white one on the right is normally pretty even tempered, but I wouldn’t trust either to behave properly.”

“I want to see them.” Heero stated in an even voice.

“You mean out of the cages?” He asked nervously.

“I want to see what I am buying.” He told the man. “I can hardly do that when they’re huddled in these cages. Kim guard the door so they can’t escape.” He instructed. Wufei immediately moved to block the door. Heero turned back to the owner. “Kim’s my body guard, they won’t get past him.” Wufei gave a small bow.

The man began unlocking the many locks on the cages. “Why you little bastard, half of these are open!” he exclaimed and kicked the cage. There was a snicker from inside. “Get out here you worthless piece of trash and meet your new owner!” He demanded angrily. A head slowly poked out of the cage and the man grabbed a hold of the creatures’ hair and yanked it out of the cage quickly, tossing it to the concrete floor. The one in the right hand cage sprang forward with a rattle and a gasp of fear.

“Stand up.” Heero instructed. And the creature rose to its feet slowly. “Unfold your wings.” He instructed. The creature glared at him; hate plain in its eyes, even in the low light. The skin was pale white and faded to ebony at his wings, tail, claws, and feet. A pair of dark horns sprouted from his forehead and swept over his pointed ears and golden chestnut hair, which was pulled back into a long, messy braid. He looked to be about 19 or so, but that meant nothing, Meekos were eternally young. “Turn around.” He instructed and the creature growled, but complied. “Damen.” He commented to no one in particular. “Lets see the next one.” The man made to shove the Damen back into the cage. “No, I want to see them as a set.” The man muttered to himself but did as he was told. A pale shaking form joined the other weakly and the Damen wrapped a supportive arm around the other with a look of worry that he tried to hide. This one was also a male. Heero’s breath sucked into his lungs in surprise. “A Tenchi.” One of his luminous white feather wings hung at an odd angle, broken and tattered, dripping blood. His skin faintly glowing and white feathers strewn throughout his pale hair, one feather falling over the tip of one of his swept back ears.

“Sir wasn’t there a third.” Wufei commented from the door.

“I’ve already sold the third.” The owner said.

“I’ll take them both. Who did you sell the third to?” He asked.

“I can’t tell you that, sorry.” the owner said. Heero quickly pulled a gun and leveled it at the man.

“Rethink your answer.” Heero advised.

“Th…The address is on my desk, name was Carlson, Heidi.” He said in a shaking voice.

“Kim go.” Heero said evenly the gun never wavering as he backed toward the door to block it. The two Meekos watched everything in confusion.

“Got it and I got the restraints and such.” Wufei said as he returned after a moment.

“Help them get dressed.” He instructed. Wufei stepped forward smiling at the two Meekos as he went. The Damen pushed the Tenchi behind him and backed the two of up as far as they could go pressing against the row of cages. Wufei slowed his steps and held a large coat out toward the Damen in silence. He didn’t move.

“I know it’ll be hard with his wing broken but try to get him as covered as you can.” Wufei said softly. The Damen stared at him in suspicion. “We don’t have all day.” Wufei prompted. He moved the coat back and forth in a slow underhanded arc then tossed it to the Damen slowly. He caught it and turned to the Tenchi his eyes never leaving the three others in the room. The two of them quickly dressed in pants, coats, and hats.

“Are we done?” Heero asked his eyes having never left the owner’s sweating face.

“Take ‘em they’re yours! Just don’t kill me.” he pleaded.

“I shouldn’t kill you. I should lock you in a cage, torture you, starve you, break your arm, take away your loved ones and then kill you. But I don’t have time for that.” Heero said then pulled the trigger, the bang muffled by the silencer attached to the end. The Tenchi cried out and wrapped his arms around his chest as the man fell to the floor. “Lets move. We don’t have a lot of time.” He said evenly and turned away quickly.

“Come one we’re getting you out of here.” Wufei told the two of them. They hesitated a moment before the Damen shuffled forward pulling the Tenchi with him. Wufei gave them a smile before turning his back and walking toward the front.
The Damen moved forward faster than lightening and swung hard at the back of Wufei’s head. Wufei turned and caught his arms, throwing him to the ground roughly.
“Please do not make me restrain you. Now lets go.” Wufei said stiffly and turned away again. The Damen rose to his feet and threw himself at Wufei with a snarl, knocking him to the ground. They wrestled for a moment before a cold voice cut across the dark hallway.

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“Stop it. Both of you.” Duo looked up to see the second human had returned. He had one arm wrapped around Quatre’s chest, pulling him close to his body. The other held the gun pressed tightly against his pale brow. Quatre’s aquamarine eyes were wide with fright. Duo felt his heart drop into his stomach as all the blood seemed to rush from his body, leaving him feeling cold and shivery. “I said we don’t have a lot of time and I meant it. I will kill you both if I have to, although I’d rather not. But I will not have either of you endangering our mission. Your lives are not worth the sacrifice. Now get up and get moving.” The human spoke in an even voice devoid of all emotion as he hustled Quatre forward. Duo climbed quickly to his feet and staggered after them. He was dismayed to find that by the time he reached the end of the hallway he was panting heavily and was so dizzy he could barely stand. The bright light coming through the doorway seemed to sear into his brain leaving him pained and confused. He felt himself sway a moment before pitching forward sharply with a small cry of alarm. Strong arms wrapped around his shoulders holding him up.

“I’ve got you.” The first human, he thought Kim was his name, said holding him tightly. “Come on we’re almost to the car.” He encouraged and slipped one of Duo’s arms around his shoulders for support. They half walked, half staggered into the main room of the shop to see Quatre pulling away from the second human and rushing wildly across the room to a small cage on the floor. The first human swore violently.

“We are leaving right fucking now!” He declared raising the gun.

“Cat!” Duo yelled hoarsely and both humans stared at him. He pulled away from the human Kim and staggered to his friend. “Cat, leave.” He said softly. The Tenchi didn’t move, just kept tugging on the door to cage whining in the back of his throat loudly. Duo looked up at the second human who was royally pissed off. “Cat. Cat! Come on.” He said more insistent. +Cat please we have to go now, please! Please Cat! Please I don’t want to lose you too!+ He begged in Gaiaian, the native language of all Meekos. Quatre shifted painfully to his feet and the second human grabbed him roughly and thrust him at the human Kim. Who grasped his arm firmly, but not too rough and they walked out the door, he pulled Duo along with him as well. A few moments later the second human came to the vehicle they’d been shoved into. The back door opened and some heavy things were plopped into the back, but Duo couldn’t see what they were, his eyes were still adjusting to the light. The van was an older model work van. With just two seats for the passenger and driver, the rest was open for storage. An inflatable mattress was placed on the floor, piled high with blankets and pillows. The windows were painted over and shelves had been screwed to one side to be used for storage. The human Kim’s eyes never left the two Meekos. The second climbed into the van and they started moving as Kim started the car. He turned to face Quatre slowly. His cold, dead eyes revealing nothing. No warmth, no compassion, no emotion.

“Take off the jacket.” He said in a frigid voice as he pulled off his shirt. Duo’s heart hammered wildly in his chest.

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“Take off the jacket.” Heero demanded in his normal voice taking off his own shirt to keep the blood off it. The Tenchi, called Cat by the Damen, just looked at him blankly. Heero moved to the back of the van and started taking Cat’s coat off. The Damen lunged at him suddenly, taking him by surprise and pinning him to the floor of the car.

“H?” Wufei asked without turning around.

“Fine.” Heero replied to the question and all it implied. Wufei kept driving. The Damen lay fully on top of Heero, his bat-like wings wrapped around his chest and pinned between their bodies. Fierce violet eyes stared down at him.

“Don’t.” He pleaded too soft for anyone else to hear. “Take me instead. I’ll do anything, be anything you want, just please don’t take Quatre. Leave him alone.” The Damen begged trembling against Heero’s body and slipping a shaking hand under his shirt to caress his skin. Heero kept his emotions from showing on his face as he lifted the Damen off him and cradled the other’s face in his hands, brushing back the long bangs. His dark blue eyes didn’t show the sadness and anger he felt.

“If do not have time for this. Take off the jacket.” Heero instructed pulling the gun from his holster and pressing it against the Damen’s temple. The Tenchi pulled the garment off quickly, cringing in pain as he yanked the clothing off. Heero tsked as the mangled limb was exposed.

“Fucking-A Wufei I can’t do anything with this, its trashed beyond anything I can do. We’ll have to wait for Sally. I can’t even stop the bleeding without causing more damage to the bone.” Heero said pissed off once more.

“Give him something for the pain and leave it at that.” Wufei said. Which Heero did and then strapped himself back into the passenger seat.

Wufei leaned over and pulled Heero’s hair. Hard. Heero sent him a death glare.

“What was that for?” He asked angrily.

“You called me Kim.” Wufei said.

“So?” He replied.

“Heero…Kim is a girl’s name.” Wufei told him indignantly. Heero thought he hid his smirk very well, but Wufei punched in the arm. Hard.

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Duo didn’t even realize he’d fallen asleep until the sliding door to the van opened. The human Heero stood at the door looking in.

“Do not yell. Do you understand?” He growled at them. Quatre nodded and shivered against Duo and Duo nodded as well. He stepped back and a short, slim form climbed into the van, falling forward tiredly with a rustle of wings. Duo gave a strangled gasp as the door shut against the gathering night.

“Yorn!” he exclaimed softly and a pair of soft ocean blue eyes looked up at him, the other boy’s dragonfly-like wings flicked together nervously as he pushed himself up with his scaled arms.

“Duo?” he whispered casting a fearful glance at the two humans in the front as he flicked light blue hair out of his eyes.

“Are you okay?” Quatre whispered quietly and sat up.

“I…I’ve been worse.” He stated flipping his blue hair from his eyes as he sat up and casting another look to the front. Quatre moved forward painfully to hug his friend. Yorn pulled away his eyes wide with dread.

“Come on Quatre, lie still before you hurt yourself.” Duo advised and pulled him back. He looked over to Yorn, his violet eyes wide, not wanting to believe what he thought had happened to his friend.

The human Heero’s cell phone rang and he answered it.
“Mushi mushi?……Copy that Tro we have the goods. See you soon.” He hung up. “Tro says hi.” Heero said out loud and the human Wufei chuckled, then sighed.

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“I miss him. It’ll be good to be home for a little while.” Wufei said softly

“…” Heero replied.

“Don’t you think?” Wufei asked looking at his friend.

“…I suppose.” Heero said without emotion.

“Do you really hate home that badly?” Wufei asked sadly.

“I don’t hate it, I just don’t like it.” Heero said still without emotion.

“But you get to see all your hard work pay off.” Wufei prompted. They were silent for a long time. “Would you change it if you could? If you could go back.” Wufei asked. Silence again for a long time.

“I wouldn’t change anything I’ve done…If I did then so many would still…its just hard sometimes to…be happy.” Heero spoke softly looking out the window. “But no I wouldn’t change it…there was no other way.” He finished speaking as the sunset below the horizon.

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The van pulled to a stop once more and Duo started awake.

“Wake up all of you.” The human Heero’s voice commanded roughly. They all sat up rubbing the sleep from their eyes. “We are now at the edge of my lands. You can’t get in until I say so. Once you’re in you can’t leave, ever. I can’t tell you what you’ll find until we cross the border, but I can say that you’ll be safe. It’s your choice. So who’s going?” He asked seriously. “You have one minute.”

“I’ll go.” Quatre was the first to speak. Heero moved forward and placed his hands on the blonde’s head tilting it upward. “What are you going to do?” he asked nervously.

“Just a kiss.” Heero said softly. Quatre’s mouth dropped. Heero pressed his lips to the shorter boy’s forehead as he tried to pull back in shock.

“NO! Don’t touch him!” Duo yelled and moved to try and stop the act but it was too late as he saw the rune combination of Algiz/Eiwaz [1] etch itself across the Tenchi’s skin in a ribbon of silver fire.

“Mage!” Duo spat and moved to knock the evil bastard away from his friend. Yorn moved ahead at the same time. Heero grabbed Yorn, pinning him to the door of the van and pressed his lips lightly against the other’s head.

“NO!” Yorn shouted and pushed away in panic although too late. Wufei held Duo fast.

“You have no choice in the matter and I can’t say why until we cross the border.” Heero said turning to the Damen. “Duo? Will you go with your friends?” He asked evenly.

“I hate you! I fucking hate you! You evil sick fucking bastard!! I swear to Gaia I will kill you, I swear I will erase your kind from this planet and your blood will wash away the sins of your race!!” He ranted.

“Duo?” Quatre’s scared voice broke across the small enclosure. “Please…if we can be safe…”

“I…I won’t leave you alone Quatre. I promised, I won’t leave you alone, even thought you’re taking us to Hell.” Duo said softly as he all the fight left him and he hung loosely in Wufei’s grasp. Heero tilted his face upwards and stared into his violet colored eyes for a moment. He almost backed away from the Damen from the fear he saw in those eyes. If Wufei hadn’t been holding him then he would have been in a shivering heap on the floor. Heero pressed his lips gently to his forehead and willed the magick in the Meekos’ body to stir to life and aligned his soul-resonance with that of the wards surrounding his land so that he could enter without dieing. The rune set etched itself across his brow and faded into nothing.

“We’ll be home in the morning.” Heero stated without explaining anything to them.

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They drove the entire night down a bumpy dirt road. Heero took over the wheel after a while and Wufei crawled tiredly onto the mattress to sleep, waking Duo in the process. He sat with his eyes wide open staring at the sleeping human/Mage he could have been either. His terror wouldn’t let him fall asleep with the form so close by, so he sat awake, hyper-alert. Hoping to Gaia that he could keep Quatre safe and keep anything else from happening to Yorn.

He felt the sun rising, felt the darkness he was so comfortable with slipping away. Quatre’s eyes opened as the first rays of the sun brushed against his lightened skin, which seemed to glow from within.

“We’re home.” Heero stated and turned off the van. “Be very quiet. I don’t want to wake anyone.” Heero said and climbed out of the car to go around and open the door. They were parked in a row of probably fifteen other cars of all different kinds. A car door closed somewhere ahead of them and Duo turned to look at it as he climbed out of vehicle. A tall human with most of his hair covering one eye was walking toward them.

“How is he?” Heero asked helping Wufei out of he car. The dark-haired boy stretched tiredly.

“Well good morning to you too sunshine.” He said teasing and ruffled the others’ hair. Heero scowled and brushed his hair down with his hand. “He’s fine. The man that bought him had some kinda weird fetish.” The newcomer said. Heero’s head snapped up in anger, his fists clenching. “No.” the tall boy said running a thumb across Heero’s cheek as he cradled the other’s face. “It hadn’t gotten that far yet.” Heero’s shoulders relaxed and he wiped the back of his hand over his eyes tiredly.

“The other wasn’t so lucky.” Heero whispered softly.
“Let’s get them into the mansion. Sally needs to look at the Tenchi.” Heero stated wrapping an arm around Duo.

“You don’t know their names yet?” the other asked.

“Quatre, Duo, Yorn, old habits die hard.” He replied pointing to each of them as they walked, staggered or were carried, depending on the individual.

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They entered the extravagant mansion and quickly went through a curtain of dangling plants to a bright room lit by large skylights, as was the rest of the house he’d seen. And the floor was bare. Not as in there was no carpet, but it was dirt. The floor was hard packed earth, plants grew everywhere. Ivy and vines climbed up the walls and the harder he looked the more he realized that he walls were the vines! The roof was the towering canopy of trees whose branches interlaced above them. The skylights were holes in the solid covering of limbs.

“Ah good the rest of them are here.” A pleasant voice stated and Duo looked up to see a blond woman with two twisting braids on either side of her head. The Mage helped ease him down onto what at first looked like a bed, but was really a soft, growing net of vines and creepers. *Rest of them? They have more prisoners here?* Duo thought. *This is a weird house for a Mage to have.*

“Sally get the Tenchi first.” The Mage instructed.

“Heero!” Wufei yelled
“Heero!” and the tall boy yelled at the same time.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. “Sally help Quatre first please his wing is crushed and torn and he’s lost a lot of blood.” He amended himself. The woman Sally moved to the bed where Quatre lay and the blond cringed in fear.

“Poor kid, let me fix you up okay.” She said working gently to clean the wound and reassure the young man. Duo held himself tensely; ready to kill the woman if needed. He didn’t trust anyone that worked for a Mage.

“Where is the other?” The Mage asked softly.

“Blue flower. Asleep I think.” The tall boy replied.

“I want to put them together.” He said motioning to Yorn who looked petrified. The Mage smiled gently at the Mer Meeko, his eyes softening, his face relaxing and Yorn moved forward more quickly. He looked completely different when he smiled; he looked nice, kind, and sweet. Not like the evil bastard he was.

“Heero I don’t want him woken up!” Sally scolded.

“Sal, for the last three weeks he’s been tortured without knowing where his brother was or if he was okay. They’ll heal faster if they’re together.” Heero stated evenly.

“My…my brother’s here?” The Mer asked softly as if saying it too loud would make it untrue.

“He’s the older so he made the decision to come here for you, that’s why you had no choice in coming here.” Heero said to the blue-haired boy.

“Is he okay?” Duo asked anxiously.

“He’s fine.” Heero said and turned away with Yorn.

“But you said he was tortured?” Duo questioned nervously.

“I wasn’t talking about Tern.” Heero said softly and put an arm around Yorn’s shoulders, leading him away.
Duo paled and pulled his legs to his chest, resting his head on his knees. He felt a sob building in his chest.

“What happened to Yorn?” Quatre asked softly after a long moment of staring worriedly after his friend.

“The human that bought him owned a brothel.” The Mage Heero answered entering the room again.

“What’s that?” he asked innocently.

“I’m Quatre’s guardian.” Duo told the room. “He’s only got me.”

“How old are you?” the human Sally asked.

“Seventeen.” Quatre replied.

“…” Heero stared blankly for a moment. “He doesn’t need a guardian, he’s plenty old enough.” He stated.

“Seventeen years, not seventeenth century.” Duo said softly. There was a collective gathering of breath.

“That’s impossible.” Heero stated. “Look at him.”

“Its been over one hundred and fifty years since anyone bore a child that ripened.” Trowa said softly. “I…I thought that we couldn’t anymore. I thought that we’d lost that ability because Gaia is dieing.”

“Are you certain that he was born this century?” the Mage asked.

“I was there when it happened. I pulled him from the fruit and breathed life into his lungs. His was the only plant that hadn’t burned completely when you fucking Mages attacked the forest his Clan lived it and slaughtered his family.” Duo’s whisper burned across the room, his eyes locked onto Heero with blazing hatred. “I’ve raised him. I’ve kept him safe. He’s MY son and if you hurt him I swear to Gaia that I WILL kill you slowly and painfully.” Duo hissed. “I will do anything to save him from harm. And I mean anything Mage!” Duo spat warningly.

“About that Heero, I’m starting to get really itchy. You’re all home safely now and I think that it will help them if they can relax a little.” The human Sally offered hesitantly, as if afraid to broach whatever subject she was on. Heero nodded once stiffly and left the room, suddenly looking upset. The human Wufei sighed loudly.

“I’ll go after him.” He said quietly and turned to leave.

“Well in case you couldn’t tell, my name is Sally Po, I’m the doctor for our little family.” She said stepping back from Quatre. “I’m not done yet. The bleeding has stopped, but I still need to set the bone if it’s to heal properly, but I’ve got to change, I can’t work like this.”

“Me too. Its been a long time.” Trowa said softly and pulled his green shirt over his head, tossing it to the side casually. He unclipped a silver bracelet from around his wrist. Duo hadn’t noticed it, but now that he did he realized that they were all wearing a set of thin silver bracelets, all except the Mage.
Just as he and Quatre and Tern and Yorn and all Meekos wore silver Soul Cuffs, from wrist to forearm. Placed there by Mages to keep their magick contained and sealed away forever. The Soul Cuffs were magical tied into their souls and couldn’t be removed. They would never feel magick course through their veins again, never feel the power of Gaia surge through them. The Earth Mother was still there, they could still feel Her, but would never feel the warmth of Her arms again.
The tall boy set the first item aside and Duo felt a Spike of magical energy in the room, he felt a second increase as the women set hers aside. But Duo couldn’t look away from the tall boy; his energy was so far beyond anything that Duo had ever felt he was entranced.
*They’re both Mages, and the Chinese too. We’re fucked!* he thought in panic. The second bracelet slipped from the tall Mages’ wrist and joined its mate on the small table and his magick Spiked again! Trowa’s form began to shimmer, as though he was a bit of cloth tossed about in the breeze. His entire body seemed to be covered in a cloud of sparkles and shining light until all they could see was a vague outline of his body. Duo swore he could hear the distant strain of music as he watched the other boy. A slim hand reached through the cloud followed by another. The pale skin was traced with a shimmering pattern of sky blue and deep green and light brown on the backs of the hands up to the elbows. Trowa continued forward as the cloud began to drift away to the floor as if it never existed. A pair of curled antenna rested atop his head. Large swallow-tailed butterfly wings swept gracefully from his back, their pattern etched in the same shades of green, blue, and brown that covered his arms. He gave his body a small shake, rustling his wings slightly and smiled kindly at them.

Duo and Quatre stared in shock, then Duo burst into bitter tears. Trowa went to him as he sobbed into his hands, placing his own gently on the Damen’s shaking shoulders.

“Its okay now. You’re home.” He said soothingly.

“I really don’t know if I could do what you do Trowa. I couldn’t go for months on end without being myself. I think I’d go mad.” Sally said softly as she began to work on Quatre again. “Do you think Heero will be okay? I mean…ever?” she asked tensely.

“Would you be okay? I…I just don’t know Sally…he’s…lost a lot.” Trowa said sadly. “But for now lets worry on getting you guys settled.” Trowa said changing the subject. Duo finally looked over to Sally and was surprised to see that she was a fox Meeko. Most of the wingless Clans were wiped out because they couldn’t get away from the Mage invasions as easily.
The two of them quickly tended their wounds and Trowa lifted Quatre into his arms gently and carried him out of the medical room with Duo hovering nervously nearby. They climbed up a set of stone slabs, which were supported by thick flowering vines and tree limbs. They stopped before a room the ‘door’ was a hanging screen of weeping willow. Trowa stepped through and laid Quatre gently onto another net bed. The walls of the circular room were covered in tiny white star-shaped flowers; they littered the floor and drifted lazily through the air. A window was on one wall also covered with vines. Sunlight filtered dreamily through the branches overhead.

“This will be yours until you can be up and about. Tern and Yorn are right next-door but for now I want all of you to rest. There’s food along that wall if you want it.” Trowa said and turned away. Duo sank tiredly into the other bed, folding his wings around himself. He closed his eyes; the wind blew through the branches while the sounds of bird song drifted above him. He could feel the spirit of Gaia in this place, lulling him into an exhausted sleep.
He was home.

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All runes come from the Futhark 24 of Norse mythology-I don’t use the 25th blank one. Your interpretation may be different than mine. Please don’t flame me if what I use is different than yours. Thank you.

[1] Algiz-15th rune-means Protection, Sanctuary, Prayer.
Eiwaz-13th rune-means Death, Rebirth, Connection between worlds.