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The Shadowman	By : ColdSilence Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2328 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing/AC, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Title: The Shadowman

Author: Cold Silence

E-Mail: writer.coldsilence@gmail.com

Category: Alternate Universe. Medieval Times.

Pairings: So far: 4 x Relena, 5 x Meiran, Odin x Catherine

Warnings: NC-17. Yaoi. OOC. (I'm trying to keep them IC, but I don't think I've succeeded.) Death. Squick. Incest. Rape.

Website: http://coldsilence.tumblr.com/post/433113072/index

The Shadowman

-Chapter Five-

        Shenlong's ribbed wings beat up and down in wide, rapid strokes to propel it forwards at maximum speed away from the mountains. Gliding through the night sky, the serenity of the moment was a stark contrast to the madness Wufei had left behind.
�
        After Duo fell into the shadow, the Mystics in the area immediately drew back into the darkness. It was obvious they had no intention of finishing the army off, for all they wanted was the Shadowman. Unfortunately, this left the remaining soldiers and clansmen to fend off the migrating waves of monsters on their own. His dragons were able to take to the sky and cover the retreat of Quatre's men, but now the soldiers were stuck in that region with no way to get home short of traveling for days.
�
        Worst of all, Duo did not return. This prompted Wufei to leave Merian in charge while he traveled to Castle Sandrock, and tell King Winner the dire news. The plan had failed, and his Shadowman was gone.
�
        So many things happened to bring him to this point, and it all began with his father.
�
        When his father was still leader of the Dragon Clan, they were a nomadic group that followed the seasonal migrations of the dragons. As the Winners conquered more and more territory, both the dragons and clansmen were running out of places to stay. Eventually, Quatre's father gave the order to execute all of them: the dragons for being monsters, and the Dragon Clan for carrying the blood of Warriors.
�
        In all the realms, no Warrior of Light blood was purer than that found in the veins of Dragon Clan members. Due to their nomadic tendencies, they didn't have a chance to settle and interbreed as often as others, therefore keeping their bloodlines pure. Almost every single member was adept at fighting and excellently skilled in at least one weapon.
�
        Unfortunately, their strength was also their weakness. Because they traveled often, they tended not to have many children. With the forces of both the former Shadowman and Winner's army against their small numbers, they would have fought valiantly and died in the end.
�
        However, Wufei's father would not have this. He struck a pact of honor with the king: He would fight their best soldier one on one. If he won, then the clan and its dragons would be granted a piece of land to live on and be left alone. If he lost, then his people would still be granted a place to live, but they would be bound to serve the Winner Dynasty whichever way the King pleased.
�
        While Wufei was still in the womb of his mother, his father fought a brave duel, and lost. His death was caused by none other than the Master of Swords, Pargan.
�
        Once he was born, his clan raised him to take his father's place as leader, and he carried the burden of honoring his father's sacrifice through continued loyalty to the Winners. Surprisingly, while Wufei was growing up, Quatre's father demanded only one thing from his clan: that Wufei take monthly retreats to stay with his children. He spent many years growing up with Quatre, Relena, their siblings and Duo until Quatre's father passed away. Only when Wufei became of age did he truly realize that the late King Winner had played the greatest trick upon them all: He had made him love Quater like a brother.
�
        As he descended towards one of the moonlit balconies of the castle, he spotted a head full of golden locks roaming back and forth along its marble surface. Shenlong arched its wings up and flat to slow its speed, and made an almost dainty landing near the agitated king.
�
        Quatre immediately stopped his pacing and waited for Wufei to dismount. Wickedly curved claws clacked loudly against the ground as the dragon looked for a comfortable position to settle in and lower its head. The king showed no disconcert at the serpentine creature, even though a wrong move could have crushed him. A lifetime of being protected by the Shadowman had rendered him nearly fearless.
�
        Wufei slid from its back and immediately kneeled before the king. "By the blood and honor of my father before me, I live to serve you."
�
        Blue robes of silk pooled beneath him as Quatre knelt as well, and placed a hand on Wufei's shoulder. His voice was soft, but tinged with the urgency to hear news of the battle. "Please, none of that right now. Speak to me plainly, what happened Wufei?"
�
        Nodding, the Dragon Clan's leader rose once more and began relating the events at the battlefield. Quatre listened with a grim expression after slowly standing as well, occasionally asking questions of the brown eyed man.
�
        "So. The Mystics have sided with the monsters," said the king with a frown.
�
        "It would seem that way," confirmed Wufei. "I've never heard of this ever happening before."
�
        "They must have been hiding in the mountains for generations. No wonder they're still alive." Quatre's eyes narrowed slightly. "And full-blooded."
�
        "They were lying in wait when we arrived. They knew we would be there. " Wufei's lips tightened. There was nothing that irked him more than losing a fight. "Their target was the Shadowman."
�
        "Duo." Quatre's fists clenched at his sides. "I will personally oversee the sacrifice of the traitor to the God of Death." For a split second, there was a glimmer of age old vengeance in his flashing eyes, reminiscent of the first Winner that held his dead daughter in his arms.
�
        "Quatre," Wufei's voice softened at the use of the king's first name, "I saw Duo step into a shadow. He never came out. The Mystics may already have him."
�
        "No!" The sudden yell made Shenlong open one sleepy green eye and emit a questioning little croon from its throat. Quatre waltzed past the dragon and pointed a pale finger towards the city at the bottom of the plateau. "He is there! I feel it, and he hurts." Turning once more to face Wufei, the Dragon Clan leader was shocked to see the king's eyes mirroring Duo's pain. "Wufei, will you please guard him, and make sure he is all right?"
�
        Quatre's plea offended Wufei in the worst way. He was a servant, and yet he was treated equally as if he were another king. He knew he should rightfully hate Winner like most members of his clan did, but try as he might, his love always won through.
�
        The late king was slimy bastard indeed.
�
        "Of course, I will return the Shadowman to you," answered Wufei without hesitation.
�
        "Do not bring him here." Blonde locks danced across Quatre's brow as he shook his head. "As long as spies are in the castle, he is not safe here. The Shadowman has protected me all his life, for once I shall return the favor. Hide him outside of the castle for now. I will send word to the mountains by pigeon to our combined forces to switch to guerrilla tactics while I build up a force here. There is nothing to stop the monsters now, we can only slow them."
�
        "If the Shadowman is gone, who will protect you?" Wufei was finding a major fault in this plan, namely, how to get Duo to stay in one spot. "There are plenty of nobles who would put a knife in your back if they knew he was gone."
�
        A slow smile crept over Quatre's lips. "Who has to know? I will continue to plan the ball as if nothing happened. They won't know the difference."
�
        Unable to compete with that logic - or Quatre's scheming grin, Wufei acquiesced with a short dip of his head. He paused in the middle of turning to Shenlong, his eyes softening for the first time that night. "On my honor, I will protect Duo with my life," he promised the king.
�
        He was rewarded with a shy smile from Quatre, and it was almost as if they were children again. "You are the only one I trust, Wufei. Thank you."
�
        The trance was broken when Shenlong was mounted, and they took to the skies toward Sanc, while Quatre quietly watched on.

        Silverware scraped against the bottoms of plates as the two boys shoveled food into their mouths. Catherine gave Trowa and Heero a bemused smile that momentarily broke the air of apprehensiveness surrounding her. She looked to her left where Odin was also eating his chicken as fast as he could blink.
�
        Boys will be boys. Ms. Bloom made a show of folding her napkin on her lap, and used the cover of the table to elbow Odin. Her efforts at discretion were ruined when he snapped his head to face her, and a dawning look of understanding overcame his features. He grabbed a napkin off the table to wipe his mouth before he began speaking.
�
        "Boys, Cathy and I have an announcement to make."
�
        The youths looked up from their plates; forks pausing halfway to their mouths as their chewing slowed down, indicating that he had their attention.
�
        "I know this may come as a surprise to you, but I've been seeing Catherine for a while now," continued Odin.
�
        Trowa fought the urge to roll his eyes. Right, as if they didn't know that. What man in his right mind shows up in the middle of the night to fix his neighbor's broken fence? It was rather obvious that Odin had been courting his mother for a while now.
�
        "And the thing is, I've fallen in love with the onna." (1) With a smile, Odin reached over and placed his hand over Catherine's. "With your blessings, I wish to marry her."
�
        Heero's food suddenly went very stale. Trowa apparently approved of the match because that small smile was upon his lips once more.
�
        Catherine's soft voice broke in, her gaze lingering on Odin before she turned to look at the two seated across the table. "I've watched the both of you grow up together all these years, and Odin always seemed to be a lonely man. Heero, " her gaze fell upon the boy who had stopped chewing completely. "Will you let me be your mother?" After a short pause, she added hastily as if to sweeten the deal. "Just think, you and Trowa will be real brothers."
�
        At this, Heero turned to the side to face his long time friend. Their eyes held for a few moments, and a message was silently understood between the both of them. They never needed marriage to become brothers, because they already were. Prussian eyes then shifted over to his father, who was waiting patiently while Catherine bit her lip next to him and gave Heero a pleading look.
�
        After an agonizing half-minute, Heero dipped his chin in a small nod. Catherine jumped with excitement and leaned over to kiss Odin on the lips. The dinner resumed with fervor as they spoke of the coming ceremony, and possibly combining their estates. Trowa's smile never left his face as he continued to eat, but Heero...
�
        He couldn't taste a damn thing.

        In the pitch black confines of a narrow alleyway, fragmented pieces of purple light began to dot the air and coalesce together. Their combined luminescence formed an outline, the silhouette flashing white once. Twice. Thrice, and Duo appeared in midair before he was ejected from the shadows like a bad tape deck.
�
        He went tumbling heads over heels against the cobblestone floor until he was dragged to a stop a couple feet away. His ragged gasps for breathe echoed off the walls as he pulled himself to his hands and knees, lungs burning as if he had been held underwater for an excessive amount of time. It took a couple tries to untangle his cloak from his legs before he could rise on shaky feet.
�
        When his body stopped burning from oxygen deprivation, his senses began returning to him. The flecks before his eyes cleared, revealing that wherever he was, it was covered by a thick mist that made visibility nearly impossible. His ears picked up the distant sound of hooves and footsteps just outside the mouth of the alleyway, and his nose wrinkled at the smell of manure emanating from somewhere behind him. Strangely, he felt a sort of déjà vu, as if he had been there before.
�
        Where the Dark am I?
�
        His fingers lifted to rub at his throat, digits freezing in place when they encountered something bumpy and metallic against his skin. Eyes widening, he ran out of the alley with one palm curled around his neck. The streets before him were almost completely empty, with occasional stragglers staggering by with glazed eyes from too much alcohol. His own footsteps thudded loudly in his ears as he searched for some kind of reflective surface.
�
        Finally, he happened upon an abandoned stand littered with debris from an earlier celebration. His gloved hands frantically pushed aside the cups and plates to the floor until he found a silver tray beneath all the paraphernalia. The layer of grease covering it was rubbed away, and then he bent over and craned his neck up to see what was hugging his throat.
�
        Slender fingertips slid away to reveal a metal black band encircling his neck, which in turn was covered with dozens of silver studs. Tracing the edges of the flat, one inch collar, he found that it was seamless and housed no mechanism for removal. With a short growl, he used both hands to try to pry it off or break it, but it was like attempting to bend iron.
�
        "Fine, we do this hard way." Speaking quietly to himself, he splayed his palm over the collar and directed razor sharp flows of air to cut through the metal band.
�
        Nothing happened.
�
        His stomach lurched with alarm as he tried again. Nothing. With growing horror, he snapped his fingers to see if he could cause even a simple spark to appear. Nothing again. He could feel the untapped pool of power within him, but it just wasn't rising to the surface like it was supposed to. The Shadowman was powerless.
�
        Once more, he bent over the tray to give the collar another look. For some reason, his reflection seemed odd, and it had nothing to do with the stains covering the silver surface. He tilted his neck down to inspect the rest of his face, freezing when he spotted what was wrong.
�
        The brilliance of his violet eyes, the barometer of power within every Shadowman that was ever born before him, had dulled to a muted cobalt blue.
�
        "Shit!"

        In the dimension of shadows, the gathered Mystics and monsters surrounded the robed figure that had snapped the collar around Duo's neck.
�
        The person who had counterattacked Duo's Soul Drain reached up to whip the hood of her cloak off. Pale blonde hair framed an oval face, and fading violet light drained from her eyes, revealing an ice blue beneath. Elegantly forked brows twitched together in irritation as she stalked towards the one in the middle of the circle.
�
        "Why did you do that?" she said angrily. "You knew the Shadowman would not be able to sustain himself in this plane of existence if he was severed from his power!"
�
        The taller Mystic removed his own cowl, revealing a handsome face with nail blue eyes. His hair was also a pale golden, and his relaxed posture radiated sensuality. "A few more moments and you would have been burned to a crisp. I was merely looking out for you, Dorothy," he answered smoothly.
�
        "We could have lost him!" Dorothy seethed with rage, before she managed to rein in her emotions. Smoothing the features of her face, she reached back and brought the hood of her cloak over her face once more. Her voice held nothing but cool serenity the next time she spoke. "It is a minor setback, the Gundam should render him powerless. The quarry will not escape. You did see which shadow he was pulled to, Zechs?"
�
        Zechs curled his lips upwards into a rakish grin, and he indicated a solid shadow a couple feet away. "That one."

        Duo's wide eyed astonishment at this turn of events was interrupted by a fireball that materialized out of the mist and slammed into the cart he was leaning over. Wheeling around, he spotted a group of Mystics that had just exited the shadows heading in his direction. He realized that the only defense he had was his sword, which unfortunately did nothing against meteors of fire. Then there was the second option that had quite an appeal at that point:
�
        Running for his life.

        My heart is beating so fast.
�
        When dinner ended, Heero changed into his smallclothes and retired to his room for rest. Moonlight filtered through the window next to his bed, blanketing him in an ethereal glow. His calloused fingertips rested over his chest, quietly feeling his rapid heartrate.
�
        He couldn't sleep. The earlier conversation kept turning circles in his head, further exhausting him at the same time it was keeping him awake. His father's voice kept repeating itself over and over.
�
        (We want to get married.)
�
        (I've fallen in love with the onna.)
�
        It wasn't that Heero didn't notice the courtship happening right under his nose. The stolen kisses, the late night visits, the unfamiliar perfume in the house...
�
        Was it that easy to forget someone? Wasn't love about forever? His mother had passed away when he was six years old. He could hardly remember what she looked like anymore, just a vague fog that represented who she used to be. Certain things still should out sharply, like her smell. Sometimes, when he was in the marketplace, he would catch a whiff of that familiar odor of flowers that made him think of her. He remembered the feel of her arms as she carried in into the sunlight as a toddler, and her slim, pale neck as he rested his cheek against her shoulder.
�
        She died suddenly one day. His mother always had a weak heart, something he feared he had inherited as well. He ignored it, the same way he ignored his father's growing love for Catherine. If he didn't acknowledge it, it didn't exist. Now that the reality of the situation was laid before him, he couldn't pretend it wasn't happening anymore, and it hurt. Did his otousan (2) ever love his mom to forget so easy?
�
        His blood continued to rush past his ears with the sharp pounding in his chest.

        Labored breathes pushed past his lips as Duo hurtled through the streets. Luckily, with distance the mist helped him loose the Mystics on his tail, but he didn't know how long it would be until he stumbled on one of them by accident. He couldn't tell which footsteps belonged to passersby and which belonged to his attackers, so he avoided them both in his flight.
�
        When it was silent once more, he stopped and listened for the telltale footfalls that would indicate from which way they were coming from. He was annoyed to find that they were now coming from three different directions, with no indication whatsoever as to whether they were townsfolk or his pursuers. With his mind intently occupied on getting out of this dilemma fast, he was completely unprepared for the hands that shot out of the fog, one latching onto his shoulder and the other clamping over his mouth. Duo's startled shout was muffled as he was yanked back and pressed against a muscled chest.
�
        "Sssh."
�
        Duo stiffened at the hushed command as they backed into a doorway. Moments later, the sounds revealed themselves to be the Mystics, who had obviously split up to search for the Shadowman. They paused to shake their heads, indicating that none of them had spotted the shadowman before they turned as one to start down another unexplored street.
�
        Once they were out of sight, Duo wrenched himself out of the stranger's grip and spun around to face who his savior was. The vision that greeted his eyes made him release a breathe of relief.
�
        "Wufei!"
�
        "Sh!" With an agitated look, Wufei pulled Duo close once more before someone else spotted their hiding place. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you return to the battle?"
�
        Duo found himself crunched up against the Dragon Clan leader's red coat once more. Wincing at the vice-like grip around him, he lowered his voice as he spoke, "You don't know how glad I am to see you! Those bastards ambushed me in the Shadowland and collared me like a damn dog, and now I can't use my power! It just pisses me off, and," here, he paused and lifted a finger to poke at Wufei's chest. "Ooo, you've been working out."
�
        A flat look accompanied the manhandling of Duo's head as Wufei grabbed a fistful of hair to tip it back. He inspected the band around the Shadowman's neck; his thumbs running over the silver studs before releasing him. "That's Gundam. Those haven't been made for centuries."
�
        Duo reached back to rub at the nape of neck, scowling at Wufei for being so mean. "So? Can you take it off?"
�
        "Only another Mystic can take it off." Wufei peered around the edge of the door frame, his slanted eyes searching through the gloom for their enemies.
�
        "What? Are you sure about that?" said Duo in dismay. "There's gotta be another way. Just take me back to Quatre and we'll think of something. Where's that overgrown lizard of yours --"
�
        "You are not to return to the castle," interrupted Wufei. "The King has ordered you to remain hidden while he rids his company of traitors."
�
        "Is he insane?! Who is going to protect him while I'm stuck here? There's no way I'm going to listen to him, I'm marching straight back --"
�
        Once more interrupting the braided boy, Wufei turned from his observations to fix a glare on Duo. "You can't even protect yourself anymore, Shadowman. Those Mystics are after you, and if you return to Sandrock they will undoubtedly follow you and bring harm to the King."
�
        His ranting cut short, Duo looked sullenly at the other boy. "Hey Wu, whatever happened to the time you used to call me just plain Duo?"
�
        Silence met the Shadowman's question, and he seemed to deflate for a fraction of a second before he hardened; invisible walls replacing the ache of an old friendship that seemed to wither away as time went on.
�
        "They called me a traitor," continued Duo, pretending that he hadn't just asked that previous question.
�
        "Don't you know that your ancestors are Mystics? You should pay more attention to Tsuberov."
�
        "I don't remember you ever paying any attention when he tried to 'civilize' you," muttered Duo.
�
        They shared a short smile of reminiscence. During his retreats with the Winners, Tsuberov had tried to tutor Wufei as well, but the young Dragon Leader was not about to believe lessons that sometimes contradicted his own clan upbringing. Half of the spitballs that he threw were blamed on the Shadowman.
�
        "Duo," began Wufei.
�
        Deep blue eyes that only now held just a tinge of violet twilight wrinkled at the corners, sharing the smile that stretched Duo's lips at the use of his name.
�
        "Take off your clothes."
�
        "Eh?" The smile froze on Duo's face. "Why Wufei, what would Merian think? You're so kinky!"
�
        "Not all of your clothing, just the armor. Do it quickly."
�
        "O...kay..." Giving Wufei an odd look, Duo stripped off the cloak he was wearing and tugged the padded leather covering his torso over his head. Shaking to get his bangs and braid back into place, he went to work stripping off his long gloves. Wufei began to don the removed armor.
�
        "Stop, that's enough." When they were done with the exchange, Duo was left wearing his boots, black breeches and a matching tunic that had its sleeves ripped off to accommodate the armor that was now gone. As Wufei finished tugging the gloves up to his biceps, realization dawned on the Shadowman.
�
        "Are you crazy?" Duo leaned forwards as he hissed at the ebony haired man. "They might think you're me, but if they catch you they're going to be seriously pissed!"
�
        "Don't worry," said Wuei assuredly. A hint of arrogant self-confidence flickered briefly in his chocolate colored orbs. "They won't catch me. Now listen carefully." Once more taking the Shadowman by the shoulders, he spun Duo around and stuffed his three foot long length of hair down his shirt. "You are to go east towards the outskirts of the city. There is a man by the name of Odin Lowe - find him. If he asks any questions, tell him Chang Wufei sent him."
�
        "Excellent plan Wufei! Pure genius! Now tell me how am I supposed to get there since I can't just pop in like I usually do. I can't walk into the shadows anymore."
�
        "Then do what the peasants do." One could hear the smirk in Wufei's voice. "Hitch a ride on a cart."
�
        "WHAT! You've got to be joking! Next you'll be telling me to live on a farm and raise chickens!" said Duo incredulously.
�
        If anything, Wufei's grin got bigger. "Your life depends on this. Make haste, I will be joining you when it is next possible."
�
        "But Wufei - "
�
        "Go!" Giving Duo's shoulders a shove, Wufei sent him in the right direction - but not before delivering a hard smack to his ass as if he were a horse that needed incentive to get going. Needless to say, it worked, and Duo was off running into the mist, though not before turning to point a finger at the disguised boy with a look that clearly said, you're going to PAY for that!

        "I see him."
�
        Dorothy hissed through her teeth as she spotted the eclipsed sun marking the back of the cloaked man. Zechs followed as they gave chase to the figure that was ducking into one the of the alleyways, fireballs already forming inside the palms of their hands. They turned the corner in time to see the supposed Shadowman climbing to the rooftops by leaping skywards, and kicking against one wall only to repeat the action on the other, until he had somersaulted completely up in an incredible act of agility and strength.
�
        They hurled their magic at him, only to have it sail right past him as he executed a perfect flip in the air and landed in a neat crouch atop the rooftops. The billowing of his cloak didn't have time to settle before he took off once more, leaping from house to house like a crazed grasshopper.
�
        "He's never done that before," noted Zechs with a tilted brow.
�
        "Follow him." Dorothy wasted no time breaking into a run after the Shadowman, though they were reduced to trailing after him on the ground while he sailed against the moonlit sky over the chimneys.

        A low groan weaved its way up Duo's throat and out of his lips. For hours, he had been walking along the road until someone was kind enough to come by with a cart and pick him up. Unfortunately, he soon came to realize that the farther he got away from Sanc, the less people spoke the common language. He was reduced to fumbling communication attempts with the locals who spoke only Nihongo, and constantly pointed east whenever he mentioned the name "Odin Lowe."
�
        This was how he ended up on a bumpy cart, his ass hurting from hitting every single hole on the road despite the fact that itchy hay was supposedly buffering the impact. The driver was this ancient looking man who, of course, spoke only Nihongo, but seemed to know where to find this Odin Lowe.
�
        Propping himself up on his knees to relieve his backside, Duo leaned over the caboose of the cart to speak to the driver. "Are we there yet?"
�
        "Hai Hai."
�
        "Are you sure this is the right way?"
�
        "Hai Hai."
�
        "Do you know you have a bogey in your nose?"
�
        "Hai Hai."
�
        "UGH! You're been saying this stupid "hai hai" for the past two hours! What does it mean!!"
�
        "Hai hai, gaijin." (3)
�
        "What did you just call me!?"
�
        "Nandemonai." (4)
�
        "AAA! Just, forget it! What did I do to deserve this?" Turning away from the wrinkled old man, Duo tucked himself low into the straw once more and stewed in his angry frustration.
�
        "Hai Hai."

        A shrill whistle pierced the country side, and soon the landscape became dotted with sheep as Heero began the morning journey up the hill. Wing enthusiastically encircled his legs once before heartily barking and making the herd stay together.
�
        Sunlight was just beginning to stain the horizon pink as it crept wearily over the horizon. All around the outskirts of Sanc, the locals were waking up and going about their early morning chores. Marie and Meia passed by the traveling shepherd and threw him identical smiles.
�
        "Don't look so gloomy Heero-chan!" called Marie.
�
        The girls giggled together at the unamused scowl Heero gave them. Short haired Meia winked and said cryptically, "Smile! Good things might happen to you today!"
�
        The boy's scowl disappeared, but he remained expressionless as he continued to ascend towards the pastures. In the mornings, nearly every knoll was dotted with either sheep or goats taken out by the local farmers. To pass the lethargic monotony that came with waking up at the crack of dawn, they often played wind instruments that would echo across the countryside. A boy kilometers away would play in harmony with another one that sat on a different hilltop, and the chain would continue until the skies were filled with a symphony of sound.
�
        Today's orchestration was melancholic, like Heero's mood. His thoughts from the night before had left him feeling empty, and it was with a heavy heart that he arrived at the pasture. Out of habit, he slung his shepherds crook across the back of his shoulders and held it there as he closed his eyes.
�
        He didn't have a set of pipes to join in the music floating through the air, and he was already feeling boredom trying to drag him back to sleep. Though doing this kind work was often tedious, there was a certain freedom of being all alone atop a hill. Problems were left at the base of the slope, and up there it was just oneself, the sky and the sun.
�
        "Moetsukita chihei no kanata
        Hito-suji no asahi ga kagayaku"
�
        (In the burnt horizon yonder
        A ray of morning sun shines)
�
        The boy sang softly to himself as he began walking among the sheep at a sedate pace. Occasionally he would move one over with his foot if they were hogging too much grass and not letting the little ones eat.
�
        "Kizutsuite mo egao wo wasurenai
        Itsu ka aeru ashita wo sagasou"
�
        (Though hurt, I shall not forget your face
        I search for the tomorrow when I will meet you)

        "Sayonara higashi no sora e tabidatsu tori yo
        Sekai wa itsu mo omae no subete wo tsutsumu"
�
        (Farewell, A bird setting off to the eastern skies
        The world's always around you)
�
        Duo jerked from the fitful sleep he had managed to fall into. The cart had stopped, and the driver was yelling something at him. He blearily sat up and wondered if he was still dreaming, or if there really was music coming from everywhere all at once.
�
        "Lowe! Lowe! Acchi!" (5) The man frantically gestured towards the hilltop, where a soft tenor voice was spilling towards them.
�
        "Namida nakushita asa ni
        Mou ichi-do nani ka ga hajimaru"
�
        (Even in the morning I run out of tears
        Once again something begins)
�
        "All right already, I get the point! Loooowe." Duo rolled himself out of the cart, pausing to stretch the kinks out of his back. After the whole ordeal he had subjected himself to the night before, he looked worse for wear with straw sticking every which way out of his hair.
�
        "Hai hai!" The old man waved him on with a gracious smile.
�
        "Oikakete mo todokanai mono nara
        Inochi kakete kono te ni tsukamou"
�
        (If it's something that I can't reach despite chasing it
        Risking life I'll grasp it in my hands)
�
        "Thanks." Duo muttered his appreciation in a bland tone as he began trekking up the hill. "Should have known Wufei would stick me with a lunatic. What kind of person sings to himself in the middle of nowhere?"
�
        "Flying away.. Kokoro no mama ni tonde yukitai
        Flying away, Kimi no tame nara sora wo kakeyou.. flying.."
�
        (Flying away.. I want to fly the way I am
        Flying away, If it's for your sake I shall cruise the skies.. flying.. )
�
        Heero slowly pivoted towards the sun once more. A cool breeze stirred strands of hair from his eyes as he looked at the sky, which was painted in the glorious rainbows of dawn. Closing his eyes against the glare, he continued to pick his way across the hilltop, trusting himself not to accidentally fall over the slope due to years of coming up there.
�
        "Sayonara higashi no sora e tabidatsu tori yo
        Sekai wa itsu mo omae wo matte ita hazu"
�
        (Farewell, A bird setting off to the eastern skies
        The world ought to have been waiting for you)
�
        Duo was completely winded when he made it to the top of the hill. By now, he had made up his mind that Lowe was a psychopath and a sadist. Squinting against the harsh light, he scanned the area for the person he was looking for. His eyes immediately riveted on the boy who was around his own age, obviously the source of the strange words accompanying the music in the air.
�
        The shepherd turned and began slowly walking towards Duo, eyes still shuttered against the light. Something inside the Shadowman gave a little leap. Living with the Winners, he didn't see anything outside of blonde hair and blue eyes very often, Wufei being the exception. This boy bore skin that was tanned a light bronze, a stark contract to the pale that most nobles coveted. Messy brown hair covered his crown, with streaks of sunshine staining some sections lighter than others. His lashes were so thick and dark, it almost looked as if he was wearing paints that women used on their eyes.
�
        He looked so free.
�
        Duo was inexplicably gripped by a pang of jealousy as Heero drew closer.
�
        "Flying away, Kaze ni dakarete tonde yukitai
        Flying away, Kimi no tame nara jiyuu ni nareru.. flying.."
�
        (Flying away, I want to fly embraced by the wind
        Flying away, If it's for you I can be free... flying...)
�
        Feeling the sun towards his back, Heero slowly opened his eyes. Splotches of red dotted his vision from looking directly into the light, and he blinked rapidly to make them go away.
�
        "Flying..." Heero's voice trailed off as he found himself staring at a stranger. Dressed the way he was, he was definitely not from these parts. His gaze lingered almost longingly at the sword he had belted to his waist, before it trailed upwards to meet his eyes.
�
        The world froze. Suddenly he was falling, hard and fast, and the sensation of spinning gripped him, though surely, the earth was static. It was like gravity, tugging him towards this person that in his very soul, he knew was going to enter his life and change it.
�
        He hated change.
�
        But at that very moment, with the both of them looking at each other, all the turmoil and emotions that had been bottled up inside were forgotten.
�
        For the first time in a long time, they felt peace.
�

End Chapter Five
�
(1) Onna: Woman
(2) Otousan: Father
(3) Gaijin: Outsider
(4) Nandemonai: Nevermind
(5) Acchi: There
Song reference: Flying Away - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3f2vbKUEp8
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The Shadowman