What is Good and What is Evil?

For the hundredth time Duo asked himself why exactly he was traveling with an elf and had been for the last two weeks. Especially an elf that he just couldn’t seem to stop shocking or pissing off. The word prissy came to mind often. Very often.

“I can’t believe you were going to let them rob that town!” the dark-haired elf declared once more.

*Oh gods! We’re practically to the next town and he’s STILL bitching!!* Duo groaned in his head. He was already pissed, there was absolutely NO news at any of the taverns. None, so he still had no idea what the hell was going on in the world. And on top of that Heero had gone and helped to arrest a band of bandits that had their sights set on a small village. He could still see the bandit leader standing over the small, prone elf, who didn’t have the common sense to look scared. The man raised his sword and brought it down in a shining arc of death and Duo had nailed him in the side of the head with and eldritch blast, killing him instantly. That wasn’t so bad, a little fighting now and then was good, but the fear that had clenched his heart when he saw the bloodied sword descending toward those fearless blue eyes bothered him more than he’d admit even to himself.

“You really have no regard for…” Heero continued. He was still annoying though. Duo spun on his heel, startling the fuming elf.

“No I don’t have any regard for other people’s business. I don’t care what they do, so long as it doesn’t directly affect me. And you WILL stop trying to be my conscience, it died a long time ago so don’t bother. All you’re doing is aggravating me. You wanna save the world? You’re hiking with the wrong demon. You need to fight for right, go ahead. I’m not gonna bale you out of anything you get yourself into. I don’t care about any of these asses and I won’t help them. I just want revenge.” Duo told him sharply. “You knew that I was an ass before this started, I told you. I’m a fucking demon. What do you expect. So fucking stop bugging me!” With that Duo turned and starting walking again.

“How can you be so fucking cold-hearted to the suffering of others?” Heero asked his voice seemed small and child-like. Duo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Because I don’t care!” Duo shouted at him. “Look, just shut-up okay. Shut. Up. We’ll be in Epyon in a few days, just shut up ‘til then.”

“Epyon?” Heero asked in surprise.

“Yes, you didn’t think we were staying in Gundam did you?” Duo asked. “No, no we’re Ozward bound dear elf.” Duo told him and continued walking.

“Oz?” Heero muttered to himself and sighed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“We have…5 gold, 3 silver left.” Heero fretted worriedly.

“Go inside and wait for me, I’m going to talk to some friends and they won’t talk to me unless I’m alone. I’ll be back shortly and then we’ll worry about a room.” Duo told him. Heero eyed the shabby, run-down inn darkly, but did as he was told. Duo walked off, trying as best he could to hide that he still walked with a limp from his sore knee. Heero peered at him out the window and when he couldn’t see his braid trailing through the crowd anymore. He slipped out the door, those around him heard him mutter. “Wait in the inn my ass!” to himself softly.

Duo walked through the crowds easily, they seemed to part for him to make his path effortless. While Heero seemed to have to struggle the entire way to keep up and stay unseen. Duo stopped at a booth and bought an entire tray of bread and fruit, tossed it all into a sack at his side and…what the crap! He’d let Heero think that they were almost out of money when he had plenty. But the purse he had was white with blue and pink flowers embroidered on it. He felt fairly certain that it wasn’t his and that Duo must have stolen it, but he’d never seen him do it. Heero continued to follow him as he made his way to the slums of the city. Duo picked his way carefully through the alleyways when a sharp cry made his head jerk upwards as he stiffened. Another harsh cry of pain and Duo was off at a run through the twisting, narrow pathways, Heero slinking quickly after him. A rickety fence made of old, rotted wood blocked his way and Duo crouched a moment before springing straight into the air and over it. Heero heard him grunt in pain as he landed, but he kept running, increasing his speed, as the shrill cries of pain grew louder. Once he was over the fence, Heero caught the sight of Duo transforming into his demon form as he rounded a corner.

*He said he never reveals himself in cities…* Heero thought as he ran to keep up.

He rounded the corner to see the body of a man fall dead to the ground. Bloody kukri still gripped in his hand, Duo moved to where a second man crouched, half-clothed in a defensive position. He slammed the hilt against the other’s temple, knocking him into a daze and pushed him against the broken, filthy cobblestones of the alleyway. He kicked the man repeatedly and Heero clearly heard the sound of breaking bones from where he watched. Duo pinned the man beneath his weight, the demons midnight wings trembling in rage. Heero saw the knife come down and the man screamed long and loud. Duo quickly pulled the man’s clothes back on him and hauled him to his feet by his hair, holding him at eye level. Tears rolled down the man’s face as Duo absently cleaned his blade on the shirt of the man before him.

“You spread the word. You tell them Dartak is back and the children belong to ME! Do not touch what is mine!” He hissed wrathfully. He pushed the man away from him violently and he stumbled backwards. “One more thing.” Duo stated before he could turn and run. “This is yours.” He said and held out his hand. The man moved forward, not knowing what else to do. He held out a shaking hand and Duo slapped a glob of wet flesh into the opened palm. “The next cocksucker I find touching my property will eat them!” He hissed and the man hobbled off painfully, as fast as he could, without a backwards glance. Duo turned and walked to where two small boys huddled against each other. Heero hadn’t seen them until Duo moved toward them. They scrambled against the stonewall frantically at his approach. His long tail lashed back and forth in fury as he flicked his hand out to one side, droplets of the man’s blood flying from his fingertips. He stood before the two kids, looming over their small frames. After a few moments of silence they peered up at him fearfully.

“Drew?” one croaked hopefully. Duo spread his arms to either side and both of them rushed toward him. He knelt down and caught them in a tight embrace, lifting them into the air as he wrapped them in his wings. They clung to him and sobbed brokenly as Duo turned and walked back the way he’d come. Heero found he was too stunned to move until it didn’t really make a difference, Duo had already seen him. He walked by without a word or glance and Heero followed him.

They made their way to a broken, run down building. He realized that Duo was limping noticeably. He’d learned enough about the younger man to know that it must been bothering him greatly for him to show it that much. They ducked under a fallen beam and into the structure. It would have been dim, but for the gapping holes in the roof that let in large amounts of sunlight, casting shadows over the corners, but leaving the center brightly light. Heero felt his nerves jangle in warning as he entered the place. He felt on edge, jumpy and clutched the handle of his leafblade tightly. A scurrying noise sounded on his left and he spun toward it suddenly.

“Calm down, there’s nothing here.” Duo chastised. “Nothing evil lives here…well just me.” He chuckled lightly. He unfurled his wings and set the children down gently. They clung to his legs tightly as if afraid he’d leave. “Hey guys?” He called aloud. “Guys?”

“Where did you go?” a soft voice asked startling Heero.

“I had business to take care of.” He replied just as soft.

“You said you’d be right back. You said you’d only be gone for a few weeks. It’s been almost five months.” The quiet voice wavered in the still air.

“I got tied up.” Duo repeated.

“You promised.” The voice dropped to an almost inaudible level.

“I…didn’t want to leave you alone, but I…” Duo began.

“You abandoned us! Just like everyone else!” he shouted. They were both quiet for a time. Heero could hear other people moving around them. They were surrounded.

“Where are the others?” Duo asked.

“Around…I moved them, it’s not safe here.” He replied. “There’s just seven of us older ones here now.”

“Not safe?” Duo asked softly as if thinking to himself.

“They’ve……been using us…” He stated brokenly.

“I know I had to castrate some fucker on my way here.” He spat bitterly. “I’m sorry…”

“Why didn’t you come back? Why…” He whispered.

“I…got tied up.” Duo told him again. “I…my business didn’t end up as I had planned.”

“How did it end up?” Silence answered him. “Goddamn it! We deserve an answer!” he yelled brokenly.

“No.” Duo croaked silencing him. “Just you Devin, no one else.” Heero heard scuffling noises as the other people moved off. The person who’d been talking walking toward them. He was about fourteen years old and very skinny. His face was swollen and bruised were his nose had been broken recently. Duo pulled away from the two that clung to him and knelt down so he could easily face the boy.

“I was captured by bugbears…” He whispered almost too soft to hear. “They used me just like you’ve been.” The child gasped and wrapped his arms tightly around Duo’s neck, pressing himself against Duo’s body. Heero saw Duo’s shoulders quiver as he tried to repress his quiet sobs. He pushed away from the boy slowly and sat back on his heals. The youth glared at Heero for a moment, then glanced back at Duo.

“T’s been tearing the world apart looking for you. He’s pissed. They say he’s tortured hundreds to get information on where you were. Total slaughter. Some villages aren’t even on the map anymore.” He stated matter-of-factly. Duo chuckled.

“Yeah that sounds like him. But really?” Duo asked still smiling slightly. The boy threw another look to Heero, but answered as the rest of the kids moved towards them once more.

“He’s had a third looking for you all along. I’ve not seen him, he’s tried to keep us safe, but…He does have other things to worry about. He’s been very…distracted without you around and I’m almost certain that someone’s hatched a plot to overthrow him. I’d almost bet on it working…” He said gravely.

“Who is it?” Duo asked sitting on the floor. The boy shrugged. “I…should go see T.”

“Mark?” The boy called and a blond youth looked up at him warily, he seemed very nervous. “I need you to go get T and bring him here alone, but don’t let slip who he’s coming to see.” His eyes shifted to Duo.

“Are you sure?” He asked unconvinced. The other child nodded once and Mark went to leave silently.

“No, I’ll go to him.” Duo said and stood to his feet.

“You’d maybe better not see him alone…” Devin said hesitantly. “I wasn’t shitting about his being pissed off, he’s changed somehow and I…be careful Dee.” He warned. Duo swallowed dryly and nodded.

“Round everyone up, I want you all under one roof tonight, I’ll come back after dark.” Duo told Devin and pressed a dagger and the sack of food he’d bought into his hands. He nodded once and seemed to melt into the shadows of the room. He stood while those around him flitted away like shadows. Heero couldn’t seem to keep his eyes on any of them. They left the building, Heero almost treading on Duo’s heels to get out as he kept looking behind him. They exited back into full sunlight and Heero breathed a sigh of relief.

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say, because you obviously didn’t listen when I told you to stay behind and I suppose telling you to go back would do me no good! You do not speak unless spoken to, you do not interfere in anything that happens, you do not draw attention to yourself in anyway! I will not save your ass if you fuck up and get yourself killed and I will not feel guilty about it!! You have thrust yourself into something you don’t understand and as soon as I get home, you’re leaving!!!!! Got that? I won’t have you hanging around; you’re too easy to read, too naïve, and too clueless to be anywhere near the people you’re about to met! They will kill you without remorse!!” Duo hissed as he shifted back to his human form and they slipped out of the alleyways and back into the flow of foot traffic.

“Okay.” Heero agreed vowing to himself that he would do whatever he felt like doing and to the Abyss with uppity demons who thought they could treat him like some kid! *Where does he get off telling me what to do? I’ve helped him to get home and kept him safe, tended his wounds and he gives me attitude for it!!*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Duo pounded loudly on a door to a very expensive looking house. He pounded again after a few moments when no one answered.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Heero asked cocking an eyebrow.

“What the hell did I tell you!” he declared in outrage. Heero stared at him blankly and shrugged. “I should kill you myself and just get it over with now.” He heard Duo mutter as the door clicked open and a stuffy butler stood before them.

“We don’t want any.” He declared snottily and slammed the door shut without looking at them.

“Oh fuck that!” Duo declared angrily. He pounded on the door with both fists. He was pointedly ignored. “Cocksucker! I’m going to rip his throat out!” Duo stated angrily and jumped up to grab onto the edge of awning over the door. He pulled himself up quickly. Heero followed noiselessly. They quickly scalded the building to the third and top floor. Duo perched carefully on a narrow sill and picked the lock to the window. Heero hung tensely below him, arms shaking with the strain of his weight. Sweat trickled down the side of Duo’s face as his knee threatened to give out on him. He didn’t hurry though, he knew that that would only make him go slower. He breathed a sigh of relief, swung one of the shutters open and practically fell into the large bedroom. Heero pulled himself up and into the room, carefully stepping over Duo’s prone form.

“Are you okay?” He asked concerned.

“Fine.” Duo stated panting. Heero’s look said he didn’t buy it. “Lets get you some money and then you can go?” Duo suggested softly. Heero looked at him sadly.

“Alright.” He agreed blankly. Duo struggled to his feet and limped quietly to a bookshelf, pulled out a dagger, opened the jar and stuck the blade of the dagger inside. Heero heard a faint click, as of metal striking metal. Duo pulled the dagger back and stuck his hand inside and pulled out a purse. He tossed it to Heero. “Sorry you can’t use the front door, but the butler’s new and is a dick. It’s not that hard of a climb though.” Heero nodded and stood looking at the purse in his hand uncertainly.

“So…are you going to go home?” Duo asked as Heero seemed to get lost in thought.

“Oh…no I’ve got a bit of wander-lust after all these years. I think I’ll travel a little. It’s been awhile since I did any real sight-seeing.” Heero replied softly. Duo sighed at the withdrawn feeling he could feel coming off his traveling companion.

“Look I know it feels like I’m cutting the cord and tossing you off, but I’m not. You can’t stay here; you’re not made for the world I live in. You were made for sunshine and fresh air. I was made for darkness and grave dirt, so just go and try to get over whatever thoughts of friendship you’ve been entertaining.” Duo told him tiredly rubbing his eyes. “And just…just remember that not everyone you met is going to be as nice as you are.”

“You are.” Heero said softly and blushed.

“No. I’m not. I’m just very confused. They last I was saved by someone, I killed him. You’re nice, you’re friends are nice, hell I’m sure that Golden bastard you hang around with is nice, but I’m a killer.” He said evenly.

“A killer that takes care of orphans.” Heero said softly. “I think that you aren’t nearly as bad as you want to make yourself out to be.”

“What do you want from me!” He hissed angrily and threw his hands up.

“I don’t know. I guess…you’re just not like anyone I’ve ever met before and…I just want to be around you. You accept me for who and what I am, no one’s done that before and I like not having to hide.” As he spoke the effects of his nymph blood rose to the surface. “You’re mysterious and strong and yet you seem like you need to be protected.”

“Well I don’t so you can leave.” Duo spat at him as his breath caught in his throat. He really was quite breath taking. “Just go home, go back to your forest or travel or whatever it is you’re going to do and just…” Duo sighed again.

“Come with me.” Heero offered. “You could changed, don’t stay here and live the life you used to. You said the gods were punishing you for your sins, so don’t repeat the same mistakes.” Heero almost begged.

“You are insane! You don’t know a thing about me, if you did you wouldn’t be here! So leave already!” Duo commanded his voice rising. “Fuck!” he whispered softly pulling his voice back down. The two of them stood in silence, listening to see if they’d been found out. Nothing seemed amiss. “Look you are not my friend, you never could be my friend. You threw a fit when I wasn’t going to stop bandits from attacking that village, which was wrong by the way, you’d piss yourself at some of the things I’ve done!” Duo stated angrily.

“Wrong?! How can stopping brigands from attacking innocent people be wrong!?” He whispered furiously in outrage.

“You don’t think, everything’s not black and white. There is no right or wrong in the world, just a choice that doesn’t suck as bad as the alternative. You’re over a hundred years old! How can you still think that everything is simple?!” He hissed heatedly his movements wide and sweeping to make his point.

“How can you think that everything sucks! The world is full of good people! Don’t be such a fucking pessimist all the time. Not everyone is evil or out to get you! How can you be so cynical at such a young age! Why not try to enjoy your life instead of being afraid!” Heero shot back softly.

“I am not afraid!” He declared. “I’m not afraid of anything! And I don’t fucking need your fucking help! Now get out of my fucking house!!” He hissed shrilly. “Before I toss you out the window onto your head!” His wings trembled in rage. *Great! He’s gotten me so pissed off that I transformed without knowing it!!* he thought as he lashed his tail.

“You and what fucking army! You can barely stand!” Heero snorted. “You never would have made it here if I hadn’t come with you!”

“Which is still none of your business!” Duo screeched softly. “If I die, if I want to die, its none of your business!!” Heero went very still as he stared at the young demon.

“Then next time I won’t save you.” he said softly. Duo froze as well, blinking at him in silence.

“I offered you payment for that! You turned it down, so don’t try to change your mind now!!” Duo whispered almost fearful.

“Which I still don’t understand what the HELL that has to do with working in a salt mine!!!” Heero shot back. Duo sputtered at him a moment.

“What the FUCK are you talking about??? What does a salt mine have to do with anything??” Duo asked confused.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out!!” Heero told him gesticulating wildly to make up for his lack of volume.

“You are fucking mental!!” Duo stressed softly. “Get out of my house!” He commanded.

“No!” Heero replied crossing his arms over his chest.

“That’s it nymph, I’m goin’ kick your ass!” Duo declared losing his barely contained temper again and speaking in a normal voice.

“Bring it on demon!!” Heero stated and took a fighting stance as Duo launched himself across the short space separating them. They met in a flurry of fists and kicks. Heero threw a roundhouse kick at Duo’s head, which he ducked easily. Duo tried to kick Heero’s feet from under him but the elf gracefully fell into a backflip, then charged back toward Duo. Duo side stepped the punch easily and wrapped his hand tightly in Heero’s tousled hair, pulling him to a painful stop. Duo slammed his fist into Heero’s face a couple times before the elf pulled away leaving a chunk of his hair clutched in Duo’s hand. Heero’s long fingered hands enveloped one of the demon’s midnight wings and pulled him close enough to knee him in the stomach roughly. Duo wrapped his powerful tail around the elf’s neck and tried to pull him backwards to the ground. The dark-haired youth’s nails left bloodied gashes in the soft membrane of Duo’s wing as Heero lost his balance and started to fall. Duo caught him in a headlock and rammed his fist into the elf’s stomach repeatedly. Heero slammed his open palm against the top Duo’s injured knee and the demon cried out in pain as it gave way beneath him. He held tightly to Heero as he fell and rammed his elbow into the base of the elf’s skull, stunning him a moment. Duo struggled to his feet painfully and kicked Heero in the ribs a few times before Heero twisted around and rose to his knees. His hand latched tightly around Duo’s long braid as he hauled himself upwards and pulled Duo down. Duo let out a squawk of protest and seized Heero’s wrist tightly as Heero tangled his hand at Duo’s nape. He slammed Duo’s forehead against his knee and pushed the pale youth away from him as he too staggered back. Duo felt himself go cross-eyed from the blow as he fell backwards. He turned to catch himself as he fell and shook his head to clear it of the stars that assaulted him. Heero threw himself at Duo’s prone form and the demon instinctually turned to face his foe. He pulled his leg up and wedged it between their bodies as the elf settled his weight overtop of Duo. Heero threw a left after right, connecting with Duo’s face, until the demon gained the leverage to flip them over. He straddled the elf’s slim waist, his legs squeezing the other’s ribs tightly, and pummeled Heero repeatedly in the stomach with hard fast punches, then moving to his face at random. Each time he hit he tightened his legs a little more.

“Ow!” Heero exclaimed suddenly and Duo froze.

“Are you alright?” he asked in concern.

“Yeah…I bit my tongue.” Heero stated and moved a hand to his injured mouth.

“Is it bad?” Duo asked lowering his fists, his anger draining away.

“I can’t tell…” he responded worriedly.

“Let me see.” Duo told him and Heero stuck out his tongue slowly as Duo leaned down. “I think it’s fine.” Duo told him.

“Okay.” Heero said and backhanded Duo across the face suddenly. Duo’s head snapped to the side in shock. He curled his hands into fists again and nailed Heero in the stomach.

“Don’t fucking backhand me!!” he warned angrily, his voice wavering and he punched again.

“If you want to kill him why don’t you just use a knife.” A voice rumbled dryly across the room. Duo looked back over his shoulder, his fist in midair.

“More fun.” Duo stated and slammed his fist down again. He climbed slowly off of Heero and rose to his feet.

“Where the fuck have you been?” he asked.

“It’s a long story…” Duo responded tiredly.

“Well then, I guess you’d better get started.” The voice held a note of warning in it that promised pain. Duo looked at its owner puzzled a moment by the seriousness in his emerald green eye, as a glint of fear clouded his own violet.

“I was capture by bugbears.” He stated quickly. He felt Heero climb slowly to his feet behind him.

“And?” He asked impatiently.

“That’s all I was captured.” Duo told him.

“Okay let me rephrase that. Why did you stay captured?” he asked. Duo slipped a simple iron band off his finger and tossed it to the other young man. He looked at Duo questioningly but slipped it on.

“Sit.” Duo commanded and he sank to the floor in shock. “Roll over.” And he did with a low growl of anger. “Play dead.” And he did. “You can’t take that off. Even if I told you to you couldn’t take it off. Only I can, no one else.” The dark-haired man tried to remove the ring, but curled in on himself with a grunt of pain as his fingers made contact with it. “Come here.” Duo motioned for him to come forward and he slipped the ring off and placed it back on his own finger.

“And the elf?” he asked peering at Heero darkly from one green eye as his bangs covered the other.

“Saved me.” Duo stated simply.

“Ah! That explains the beating.” He said as if in understanding and he slipped a knife from somewhere about his person and held it toward Duo.

“No, he just aggravates the hell out of me.” Duo spat crankily and turned the knife away.

“Jeebs!” he called loudly and the opened door. Hurried footsteps were heard coming up a set of stairs and the stuffy butler came quickly to the door. His eyes opened wide in shock. Duo snickered.

“You hired a butler named Jeebs! Hahaha!” Duo laughed aloud as the man turned pink.

“Please take our guest to one of the spare rooms and see to it that he’s comfortable.” He ordered his eyes never leaving Duo. Heero moved forward slowly because of his newly acquired injuries and followed the man out the door. “Thank you.” the man called as they left and Jeebs looked back to the master of the household in shock.

“You have a lot to make up for!” He declared warningly and shifted toward Duo. “A lot of things didn’t go as they should have because you weren’t here.” Duo stepped back limping badly as he swallowed around the lump in his throat.

“Don’t you think being held by bugbears for four months is punishment enough?!” Duo practically squeaked as his wings drooped in fear.

“No I don’t!” he said and pushed Duo roughly against the wall. He was over a head taller than the demon and loomed over him threateningly. He inhaled deeply through his nose as he leaned closer to Duo’s neck. The demon leaned his head back in submission as the taller man’s tongue snaked out to taste the smaller boy’s skin. “Why are you afraid?” he asked in a tense whisper and Duo began to tremble. “Duo?” he asked expectantly. “Why do you taste like fear?” Duo wrapped trembling arms around the slim waist before him and snuggled against the broad shoulder.

“Trowa!” he sobbed as long arms enfolded him gently. “Oh gods Trowa!”

~~~~~~~~~~~TBC~~~~~~~~~~~~