I don't ask for much...I never did ask for anything in my life. I didn't ask to become a gundam pilot. I didn't ask for the Maxwell Church Incident. I didn't ask to be trained or to pilot Deathscythe...as much as I enjoy my time battling, I really wanted to have a normal life. But what is normal I always questioned myself. Is it to have fun with other people of my age? Or to have no worries about anything except for maybe what I should wear or do? I don't know any of these things. I guess that's too demanding to have so I never asked or even dreamed of having a life like that...at least not in a war-torn world like this. The only thing I ever dare to hope for was to be able to have the affection of the one I love. Was that too much?...maybe it was. The only thing I ever asked for was too much...too much from Heero.

I didn't know why he confronted me about his feelings for me. I always thought I was just annoying him when I purposely crash his computer or when I make a conversation out of nothing. He even told me many times that I was bothering him...well maybe not that but I think it's just a explanation for the death threats he made every time I set him off. But still, it was shocking to know his feelings towards me. Maybe it was all a joke, maybe it still is. His way of getting back at me for all the things I did to him. I don't care whatever it is that made him speak of his love for me, all I care for now is to be able to be by his side at all times.

I remember the last few days very distinctively. I can recall every event that happened...every one of them. I can still see everything clearly in my head. I can hear the sounds of the smallest creatures...I can remember every word he said to me...though not all were pleasant.

I can feel the warmth of the sun on the day it all began. Everything was so quiet that day. I didn't speak a single word for hours. Quatre and Trowa were having their casual chats on the couch near the window. They looked so perfect together. They were bathing in sunlight and it seemed as if God wanted them to be together. Quatre the sweet, innocent yet fragile one out of all five of us, having someone of a strong silent personality like Trowa to protect him. I'm not so lucky. Although Hee-chan expressed his feelings towards me, he never once held my hands, he never once kissed me...he never once look me in the eye like the way Trowa always regarded Quatre.

I shifted my gaze from the two love birds as I sighed from the misfortunes of my relationship. As I glanced to the darkened corner of the room, I saw Wuffie...I mean Wufei reading his novel as he was endulged in a world of his own. It's hard to believe but I really did envy him. Even if I think he has no life worrying over "Justice" and calling every women a weakling... I do envy his ability to enjoy the solitary. He was always so independent, unlike me, he never had to rely on others.

Upon seeing him, I once again sighed. I didn't know why this time, maybe I was just in one of my bored moments of life. But then again who wouldn't be bored staring at the repetitive movements of someone's fingers as he type away on his computer. Soon my eyelids became heavier with the sound of every tap. I was quickly drawn into a dream state when all of a sudden I heard Quatre giggle. I quickly looked over to see what's happening...then I saw Trowa whispering something in his ears.

'He's probably planning something romantic for Q,' I thought to myself as I once again shifted my eyes from those two. Unknowingly, my gaze landed on none other than the Perfect Soldier himself. He's so different from Trowa, I thought. He's like a wall...no at least walls tend to echo...he's more like a rock. Never responding to anything around him. I wish once...just once...that he would put aside his missions and plan something for me.

"Hey Heero?" I broke the silence as usual. "Do you think we can do something together sometime?" I asked risking my own life as he was in his computer mode when I spoke. But what's life without risks?

He didn't seem to notice what I just said, so I waved my hands in front of his eyes trying to get his attention at the same time blocking the view to the computer screen.

"Stop that baka," Heero said solemly as he pushed me out of the way. "I have more serious matter to attend to."

"It's not like there's any missions or anything," I responded. "Look, I was thinkin'. We can go to the beach later on to...to see the sunset and ...and we can walk along the beach, hand in hand, under the moonlight...and..."

"We have a mission," he interrupted my slur of suggestions.

"Hey, were you listening to a word I just said?" I asked furiously.

"Look, I have no time to deal with your boredom or any other nonsense you come up with," he told me without even looking up.

I can feel my anger growing inside of me after hearing that comment. To him, I'm not of any importance. Everything I say is "nonsense" to him. But I didn't want to argue at that moment. I was afraid that we'll have our first "couple" fight if we are even considered as one, so I just edged away from him and stayed quiet.

"We have to escort Relena to a conference meeting tomorrow," Heero continued. "It's suspected that OZ will attempt an assassination."

As he explained the whole plan, I kept thinking in my mind. Relena...why does he care so much for her safety? I often wonder. The war is over already, why does he even think about her? I know she is very important in keeping peace in this world, but there's something about those two I can't seem to figure out. The more I think about them, the more nervous I become. I was always scared of finding out the truth about them...whatever the truth is. My train of thoughts soon ended when I heard him mentioning my name.

"Duo, you'll guard the exit in the north wing of the embassy," he commanded.

I didn't even give him any sign of agreement or acknowledgement.

"Duo, stop acting so childish. We have to do this. If anything happened to Relena then..." he tried to tell me.

"Is missions all you care about?!?" I suddenly yelled out. I didn't want him to finish his sentence. I was afraid of hearing how heart-broken he would be or how important she is to him.

He didn't reply. He just stood there in front of his computer glaring at me. I guess the answer is yes.

"Duo, calm down," Quatre told me as he walked towards me.

"As I was saying," Heero kept explaining. "We'll each have a post. After the meeting is over, we'll meet here." He said as he pointed to the map on his screen. Everyone else got up from their seat including me, but I wasn't planning to gather around the computer as they were. I just kept on walking to the door.

"Where are you going?" Heero asked me.

"Why do you care?" I answered.

"I don't," he responded. "Just be back before we leave for the mission."

Upon hearing that, I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. He really doesn't care for me. I don't want to believe it but he really doesn't. I didn't want to stay in the house anymore. I grabbed my jacket from the stair well where I left it the other day and slammed the door behind me.

After a few minutes of walking along the sidewalk, I heard someone running after me. For a second there I thought it would be Heero but...it wasn't. Quatre was the one who was trying to catch up to me.

"Duo! Wait up!" He called out.

I stopped walking and turned around.

"What is it Q?" I asked.

"Heero doesn't mean what he said just now," he told me.

"What? Did he tell you that?" I asked with lack of interest already knowing the answer to my own question.

"No...but I'm sure he doesn't," Quatre tried to convince me. "Duo, he needs a little time to get used to the fact that he's in a relationship with you."

Time...isn't that what everyone wants? I thought as I listened to Quatre.

"He'd already done a lot when he told you how he felt. He still thinks he's a soldier, you can't expect him to forget about the missions."

"I know Quatre. I just wish that he would consider how I feel before he tell me stuff like that."

"In time he will."

"Sure thing," I replied as I walked off once again.

I didn't know where I was going...I didn't care. I seemed to have walked for about ten minutes when I stood in front of a bus stop. I was getting cold even with my jacket on so I decided to take the public transit. As I waited for the arrival of the bus, I reached for my wallet inside the pocket. I quickly glanced at the money I have. ...ten dollars and... I paused as I counted my coins, and thirty-five cents. Well, it wasn't much but I'll manage I thought to myself.

When the bus stopped in front of me, I slowly got on. I slipped a couple of coins in the deposit and looked up to find a seat. The bus wasn't crowded or anything, but I quickly regret going on it. Everyone seemed to be with somebody. As I looked around, I realized that most of them were paired up. Some leaning on each other while others chatted. Once again, for the third time that day, I sighed as I took a seat at the back.

The bus was travelling very slowly...but I wouldn't have thought that if I never piloted a mobile suit before. I kept staring out the window but I didn't really have anything to look at. Everything seemed to be a blur to me. All I could lay eyes on were grass and bushes. The sight seeing quickly ended as the driver announced for the last stopped. Well, it's the end of the line, I told myself as I got up to the door.

By the time I stepped out, the sun was already setting. It must have been two hours since I left the house. I knew I should go back before Hee-chan lecture me about being back in time for the mission but I didn't want to go back yet, so I walked around. Suddenly as I took my steps toward a drinking fountain, a small kid ran pass me almost knocking me down. The kid looked back at me as I stumbled a couple of steps. It was his mistake to do that.

"Where do you think you're going with my wallet?" I asked him as I grabbed on to his little arm.

He looked at me with a confused expression on his face. He's surprised that I knew he took my wallet.

"Com'on kid, I was picking-pockets before you're born so you're not fooling me with those innocent eyes of yours," I told him.

Once again, he just looked at me. At that instant, I realized how fragile he looked. He reminded me so much of how me and the other orphans were before Father Maxwell took us in.

"Keep it," I told him. "You need it more than I do."

After hearing that, the kid smiled at me and turned around to go back to wherever he spent his life.

Baka, I called myself. Now I don't even have the bus fare to get home. Well, a few hours of walking wouldn't kill, I thought as I picked up my pace to return home before morning comes.

I walked for approximatley five hours when I saw the Winner Estate from a distance. I glanced at my watch...the one that I wore when I first met Heero...and the numbers already display 2 A.M. My legs were tired and I didn't want to continue anymore but I'm almost there, so I literally dragged myself to the front entrance.

I didn't ring on the doorbell because I didn't want to wake the whole house up and because it gave me a perfect chance to sneak back into my room without Heero seeing me. But my plan just shattered when I reminded myself that the keys were in the wallet. Dam*, I muttered as I began to devise a new plan in my mind when suddenly the door swung open.

"...um...hey Hee-chan," I greeted as I saw his cobalt blue eyes glaring at me once again.

I was surprised to see that he actually waited for me to come back. Maybe he cares for my well-being more than I thought. Then, inside my mind, I expected him to ask me if I was okay or did anything happen to me? But none of that came out of his lips.

"Where were you?" He asked coldly making it sound more like a demand.

"I..." I paused. I didn't want to tell him what happened. He would either call me a baka as he always do or choose not to believe me at all. So I said to him... "I...kinda lost track of time."

"What do you expect from someone like Maxwell?" Wufei joked as he came out behind the door with Quatre and Trowa.

I scrowled at him when I heard his comment. He's always like that. Making fun of me when he had the chance...but I don't really blame him for any of that. I mean I've pulled a few pranks of my own on him for no apparant reason except to for the sole purpose of entertainment. So in his words, he's justified to make fun of me.

"It's better late than never," Trowa defended me.

Now Trowa is a different kind of friend. He's always so quiet but in his ways, he really shows that he care about others. Maybe he's under the influence of Quatre or something but he always says the right things at the right time.

"Com'on guys, Tro-chan's right," I said trying to wipe that intense omae o kuroso look off of Heero. "I'm here now, ain't I?"

"Hn" was the only answer I got from him...it's the only answer I ever get from him...but I guess it's better than a gun in my face threatening me not to do it again.

After giving me his reponse, Heero just turned around and headed to his room. As he made his way up the stairs, I suddenly sneezed. I thought I saw him glancing at me for a moment from the top of the stair well but when I looked again, he's already gone.

"Are you ok, Duo?" Quatre asked me with concern.

"Yeah, a little cold ain't gonna do me any harm Q," I replied with my charming smile to get him to stop worrying so much.

Quatre just looked at me again with concern.

"Maybe you shouldn't go tomorrow," he suggested.

"Are ya kidding? If I don't attend a mission, Hee-chan will practically go insane!" I exclaimed. Maybe I was over-exaggerating but I know I'm right.

"Besides, keeping world peace is my job too," I added. "If the four of ya failed to protect Relena, then y'all blame me when ya get back." I joked.

"He's joking around again so there's nothing wrong with him," Wufei said. "Now, let's just go get some rest."

"Ya know, Wuffie?" I called out to him. "I've known ya for so long and this is the first time I'd ever agree with anything ya say."

"If you agree then get going already," he told me when he noticed I was sitting on the floor and not making any attempts to move.

"Oh com'on, I just walked for five long hours! By any chance, can someone carry me?" I joked again.

All three of them looked at each other as if they're trying to convince the other to do the task.

"Geez, I was just kidding," I finally said as I stood up.

They gave out a sigh of relief when they realized I was playing around and so I grinned at them before heading to my own room. When I passed Heero's "Sleeping Quarter" as he referred to it as, I noticed his door was slightly opened. Once again, risking my own life, I snuck up to the door and gently pushed it.

"Oyasuminasai Hee-chan," I said softly and quickly closed the door before he wakes up because of me. Then I too went to sleep soon after I reached my own "Sleeping Quarter".

Morning came a little too soon. It seemed only a few minutes ago when I first closed my eyes but it had in fact been a couple of hours. I had no choice but to drag myself out of bed in order to be on time for my escorting mission. As I brushed my teeth, I continually cursed at Relena...not because of how she acted around Heero but because she had arranged for such an early conference.

When I came down to greet the others, they were already fully dressed in the Preventers uniforms and were gathering any weapons necessary in case anything does happen.

"Well, I guess no time for breakfast," I said and they all looked up at me.

"You're late," Heero stated emotionlessly.

"Gomen," I responded. "I was just a bit tired from my long walk home yesterday so I took a few more min..."

"Let's go."

He didn't even let me finish my explanation and I didn't bother trying to say it again so I just walked behind the rest of them.

The embassy was enormous...well what else do I expect? I mean the meeting does involve Princess Relena, of course the setting had to be fancy. When we got there, we splitted up immediately so we can each check out our post before the arrival of all the political leaders of the colonies as well as the Earth. Before leaving, I saw Quatre gently kissed Trowa on the lips and heard them whisper to each other to be careful. I then looked over to Heero's direction. He didn't even glance at me before he headed off. He's just afraid that he might distract me...I thought desperately trying to convince myself that that was the only reason why he left without saying a single word while I quickly advanced to my place of duty.

The meeting took quite a long period of time. Everyone was alerted of the ending of the conference so we can meet at the rendez-vous area. Unfortunately, I didn't look at the map on the computer the day prior to this so I didn't know where to go. Wufei tried to tell me the directions but the embassy was way too big so I got lost immediately.

"Where the hel* are you, Maxwell?" Wufei asked impatiently over the transmitter.

"I told ya, I don't know!" I answered for the millionth time for the past fifteen minutes.

"Describe to us your surrounding," Quatre suggested.

"Well...there's honestly nothin' to say. There's huge poles if it helps to know," I replied.

"There's poles everywhere, it's impossible to find him at this state," I heard Trowa informing the others.

"Oh yeah, thanks for putting up my hopes!" I said sarcastically.

"Duo, look for the gun I gave you this morning," Heero suddenly said.

"Huh? Why?" I asked in confusion.

"Just do what I tell you," he said calmly.

And so I did. I reached to the side pocket of my uniform and grabbed the gun. "Ok, what do I do now?"

"Do you see a small green button?"

"Yep."

"Press it," Heero commanded.

Once again, I followed his instructions. But I didn't know how that was supposed to help the others locate the area I was in so I asked him. "What exactly is this supposed to do?"

"It's a tracking device," He answered me. "I can pinpoint your location as long as you leave it on. Just wait for my directions in where you should go."

As I patiently waited, I suddenly saw Relena walking towards a door in the corner from one of the connecting corridors. That must be the nearest exit, I told myself as I walked to her direction.

"Um guys? I think I found an exit. I'll wait for all of ya outside," I told the others.

When I followed Relena, someone came running towards the same place from out of nowhere. The stranger then ran into me and we both fell to the ground. The stranger quickly got up as if he was in a rush to get out of here. At the instant he stood up, I noticed something shiny inside his jacket. I didn't know what it was at first so I just let him off. But then it occured to me that he had a sword with him.

I thought only the preventers were allowed weapons in here, I told myself. Then realization struck me. No...oh no. I repeated in my mind.

"Guys," I notified the others as I ran after the assassin. "We have a major problem."

"Baka, stop moving," Heero ordered.

"If ya want Relena dead then I will stop," I told him sounding out of breath.

"What?!?" He shouted alarmingly.

His reaction disturbed me. But I didn't want to question why he was so alarmed at the fact that Relena was in danger...not right now anyway so I continued to chase the suspect.

Relena was soon in sight, even for me. 'He must be hiding somewhere here ready to strike,' I thought. As I looked around, I quickly spotted him in a nearby pole.

"Come out with your arms up!" I ordered as I pointed to him with my gun.

"Duo, who are you talking to?" Relena asked me.

"Relena, get going. This isn't a safe place for ya to be!" I told her.

"Why? What's going on?" She asked again but was in shock when she too spotted the assassin as he approached us with his sword, so she held on to me.

The assassin didn't seem to be surprised that his whole scheme was ruined by me. As he took his steps closer to us, his eyes shifted up to the right a couple of times as if signalling someone. Just then, out of nowhere, the sound of gun shot could be heard. It happened so quickly that I didn't know what had taken place. Then Relena let go of her grasp and she fell to the ground. At first, I thought she passed out because of the sudden sound of someone firing a gun, but then I saw something on her arm. It wasn't a bullet that had been fired but a needle of tranquillizer.

"What the hel* is going on?" I said out loud.

Then I heard someone laugh from a dark corner.

"Got her at first shot boss," some else said.

Dam*it! How many are there? I asked myself as I once again looked around. This time, more faces came out from the shadowed areas. There's must have been at least a dozen people involved. When I realized I was greatly outnumbered, I began to feel my hands trembling. For the first time in my missions I was panicking. 'Get a hold of yourself!' I thought while I tried to stop my hands from shaking. 'Com'on, I dealt with more enemies than this. I can handle this!' I told myself again. But that was when I had Deathscythe with me. Now...now I'm all alone. At that moment, I missed my gundam more than ever. I didn't want to let him go in the first place but it seemed like the right time. Now...I don't have anything to protect me except for a gun that I can barely hold on to.

"Boss, what should we do with him?" one of the henchmen asked as he pointed to my direction.

"Kill him" was the only answer that could be heard.

All of them began advancing on me and soon surrounded me. I didn't know what to do. If I fired the gun at one of them...then it might trigger the rest of them to fire theirs at me. I stepped closer to Relena and knelt down beside her. I know there was no chance of escape but I had to do something to protect her.

Suddenly one of the gang members dashed towards me and slammed my body further away from the position where Relena was. I landed painfully on my knees and my own braid whipped against my face. I slowly glanced back and saw that the others were already picking Relena up from the ground.

Just then, Hee-chan and the others came to our rescue. They must have used the tracking device to get to me. But what's the use? We were still outnumbered by the enemy.

When the assassination gang discovered that more preventers will appear shortly. They began to back off. One of them, pressumably the boss, swung the unconcious Relena over his shoulders and ordered the others to block our path so he can make the escape. Heero wasn't happy when he realized that he might fail yet another mission. He charged forward towards the boss in an attempt to knock him out with the famous karate chop of his. But then, from a closeby corner of the room, one of the gang members noticed his movement and attempted to stop him with his sword in hand.

I was too far away to do anything about that...but Heero needed help. He was way too distracted by the capture of Relena. I didn't know what to do. Then I noticed that Wufei was quietly approaching the guy with the sharp weapon from behind. He high kicked that man and the sword came flying towards me, landing in a nearby area.

The man cried out in pain and quickly signalled the others to deal with us. All of them had weapons, if not guns than sharp objects. It was impossible for us to take care of all of them by ourselves. We each tried our best to dodge any bullets aimed at us at the same time attacking with our own techniques.

"There's too many of them," Quatre said as he slid by my side. "What should we do?"

"Did ya contact Noin?" I asked as I pulled him to the nearest pole to avoid any more attacks.

"Yeah, but..." Quatre paused. "DUO WATCH OUT!"

I didn't know what was going on. The minute I heard Quatre warning me, I felt my body being thrown in the air as someone smashed into me. The next thing I know was the throbbing pain at my back when my body slammed onto the ground. I tried to stand up but the pain was too much for me. 'What's wrong with me?' I asked myself. 'I've been slammed against Deathscythe millions of times, how come I can't handle this?' I tried to get up again but it was no use. It felt as if I was stabbed on my back. The aching was too overwhelming for me.

"Duo, are you alright?" Quatre called out to me.

I nodded trying to act as if it was nothing.

"Um boss, Lucrecia Noin and Milliardo Peacecraft are just a few kilometers," one of the men informed.

"Let's get outta here before they get to us," the head of the gang announced and ran out the exit.

"Dam*it!" Heero yelled out as he pulled out another one of his guns. "They're getting away!"

There was nothing we can do...it was a wonder that we were still alive under the attack of those guys. But Heero wouldn't admit defeat. He ran outside through the opened door with the hope that he can rescue Relena. Knowing Heero, he would never give up saving her so Trowa and Wufei went to help him out.

"You should go with them," I told Quatre.

"You know as well as I do that there's no way we could have saved her," him told me as he helped me up.

"Then why didn't ya stop 'em?" I asked as we too slowly made our way outside.

"Heero is way too stubborn when it comes to missions. There's no way any of us can stop him from charging outside."

"I know. Especially when Relena is in danger," I murmured.

When we got outside, the others were still trying to stop the kidnappers from taking off in their escape vehicle. Quatre quickly left my side to see if he could help out. But anyone can tell, how can anybody stop a moving car with nothing more than a few guns? I stayed back observing Heero's every move. His determination to save Relena was greater than I ever thought it could be. After the engine of the car started, he continued to chase after them with full speed while shooting all the bullets left in his gun.

"Yuy," Wufei yelled out. "Face it, you can't catch up to them. Even warriors have to admit defeat."

Hee-chan didn't say anything in return. He just stood there.

"Let's go home and wait for further news," Trowa said.

We all agreed to his suggestion and returned to the mansion even though no words were exchanged as an agreement. On the way back, everyone remained quiet. I too have nothing to say. I didn't want to bring the mission up to cause anymore worry for Heero. During the ride in Quatre's car, Heero was so dull...not that it was unusual, but he seemed different. When we finally got back, he headed directly to his room without saying a single word. I wanted to reassure him that everything will be fine but I couldn't...not while he was in his mission failed mood.

I was the last to enter the estate. When I stepped into the mansion, I suddenly felt so dizzy.

"Duo, are you okay?" Quatre asked as he looked back.

"Yeah...I'm just a bit tired," I told him. "I'll just go get some rest."

"Ok..." he said uncertain of my answer to his question.

While the others made their way to the living room, I went straight to my room. I didn't lie to Quatre if anyone was wondering. I did feel very tired at that moment. I didn't bother changing out of my uniform before I dozed off on my bed.

How long have I slept? I don't know. My eye lids felt so heavy and the rest of my body felt so weak. I didn't want to get up so I remained on my bed. I can hear faint sounds of the guys' conversations. I can pick out everything they said although I wasn't sure if I was dreaming.

"Heero, you can't blame yourself for what happened," I heard Trowa say.

"Barton is right. Nobody knew that they're going to act after the meeting," Wufei added.

I didn't hear anything Heero said. Maybe it was because he spoke too softly. Nonetheless, all of their voices were so quiet...it sounded as if I was miles away from them. Soon I heard footsteps approaching my room and I could hear the door opening.

"Duo?" I heard Quatre called out but it was so faint.

"Are you sure you're ok?" He continued to ask.

I wanted to answer but I didn't have the energy to open my mouth. After noticing that I didn't reply to his series of questions, Quatre shook me gently.

My only response to him was by stirring. 'What is wrong with me?' I asked inside my mind. I tried to open my eyes again. When I did, everything in sight seemed so vague...so blurry.

"Quatre?" I said sounding more like a whisper.

"Yes, it's me," He answered. "Can you get up?"

"I'll...I'll try," I replied. I took in a deep breath before doing so. I don't know why but I seemed to need the extra oxygen to maintain my strength to get up. I slowly raised my arms to clear in sheets that covered me. Then, I swung my legs to one side of the bed preparing to step off.

When I did, I heard Quatre gasped. I didn't know why he did that so I turned around to see what had happened. I saw him pointing to the bed and so I slowly shifted my gaze towards it. I couldn't believe my eyes. Even through the blurriness, I saw a pool of blood staining the sheets. 'It...It's my blood?' I asked myself. I took a few steps back upon seeing that, but my legs finally gave up on me as I fell onto the carpeted floor. I could hear Quatre calling out to me over and over again...and I heard rushing footsteps running towards the room. I tried to open my eyes but this time I couldn't...I thought I did but all I could see was a black surrounding.

I can hear the sound of sirens...very faint sounds. I managed to open my eyes from time to time but I was so very tired. I didn't know how long I can remain concious. I can hear voices all around me. Some anxious, some nervous and some alarmed. From the many different pitches, I recall hearing Sally's voice. I guess she must have been the doctor.

Sally was constantly asking for different medical tools. As I opened my eyes, I can see her toying with a huge pile of bangages...all stained with a red fluid. 'What's going on?' I tried to speak but it only came out as a thought. Soon everything became so quiet...so strangely quiet. I have must fallen asleep again because the next thing I know, I was placed in another room.

I didn't take the time to observe my new surrounding. All I can see was white curtains blowing as a gentle breeze came through the window. I felt my left arm sting as if something was being injected into me.

Suddenly, I heard another conversation taking place. I recoginze the voices. They belonged to the others guys and one was of course, Sally.

"I'm sorry," I heard Sally say.

"Can't you do anything to help him? If it's blood you need, take mine!" For a moment I couldn't tell who this voice belonged to...it sounded so much like Heero...but he sounded so concerned and fearful...not like himself.

"Heero, blood is not the problem here," Sally said again.

"What do you mean?" Trowa was the one who asked.

"We could have saved him if you brought him to the hospital immediately after the poison went into his blood stream," Sally explained. "But now..." She went completely silent.

Poison? I've been poisoned? How? When did that happen? I asked myself thousands of questions.

As if Quatre was reading my mind, he asked the same questions.

"His back was injured by a sharp object," Sally went on to explain. "We suspect it might have been a sword with poison added onto the blade."

I guess I didn't just slam myself into an empty floor, I thought.

"How...how long does he have left?" Heero asked softly.

"At the rate the poison is spreading, he won't live to tomorrow," Sally replied.

I can feel tears flowing down my cheeks when I heard her answer. No more than seven hours...I told myself. I have no more than a few hours to live.

Just then, I heard the creaking of the door opening. I expected to see a nurse coming in to check up on me but when I turned towards the direction of the door, I saw Heero standing in the door way.

I turned away immediately. I was afraid he might see my tears.

He just stood there in silence before coming towards the bed. He then began to gently stroke my loose braided.

"Heero?" I said as I turned to face him. "I'm going to die, aren't I?"

He didn't answer me at first. He continued to run his fingers through my hair and brushing my bangs aside.

"Of course not," He lied to me. I can hear his voice choking but he went on. "Don't be silly baka. We still have a whole lifetime to spend together, don't we?" I can see his eyes sparkling with tears now.

"Please Hee-chan, you...you don't have to lie to me," I told him as my tears once again began flowing.

Just then, Wufei came in.

"Yuy, Noin has a message for you about the kidnapping. You can check it on the computer," He said pointing to the system located in the far corner and closed the door behind him.

I turned away again because I knew he was going to leave me the second he heard anything about the location of the kidnappers. Unknowingly, I began sobbing. I only have a few more hours to live and he still chose missions over me.

When I glanced over to him, he wasn't seated in front of the computer. Instead he went over to the wires and pulled it out of the outlets and finally returning to his place beside me.

"Heero..."I said softly. "Why...why did you do that?"

He didn't reply. He just took a quick glance at his watch and suddenly, he wrapped his arms around me. His right arm was around the upper part of my back and his left was around the back of my knees. He then lifted me from my bed gently trying not to further cause any pain in my injured parts. I didn't know what he was doing...and I didn't care. It felt so safe to be in his arms.

He then carried me out of the room I was staying in. At first, Sally stopped him from going any further but she quickly changed her mind.

I didn't know where Heero was taking me or why he was doing this. I didn't ask. I just rested in his arms during the whole journey to his destination.

"Duo, we're here," Heero said as he gently shook me.

It was hard to open my eyes...especially when I have no strength left to do so but I know I could...for Heero.

The view in front of me of dreamlike. Everything was so beautiful. I could see the colours blending in the sky as the sun setted. All those flaming colours. The sea was sparkling like a treasured gem. The sight was just magnificent. Everything was perfect.

I didn't know how long I stared out into the ocean...maybe a little too long. From time to time, I would take a long look at Heero...hoping that this wasn't a dream. Then it occurred to me...I didn't want to die. It wasn't the pain I fear, I just don't want to leave Heero...not now...not ever.

The temperature wasn't low that day but for some odd reason...I felt so cold. I began to tremble. Heero must have noticed since he took off his jacket and wrapped it around me...yet still I felt so cold but it didn't matter. I leaned closer to him resting my head on his shoulder while listening to every word he told me that day.

"Quatre told me about your...your insecurities in this relationship. You know you don't have to worry. I love you Duo, only you. Relena is someone I have to protect not someone I love."

"Sorry Heero...for ever doubting you," I said to him.

"No. I'm sorry for neglecting you all this time," he said.

He then held me closer to him. He brushed my bangs aside once again and planted a soft kiss on my lips.

"I love you Duo. I really do."

"I love you too Heero...I don't want to leave you," I said to him. I felt warm tears running down my cheeks. I didn't know if they were mines or his.

We stayed silent for a few moments before he went on to discuss our future as if nothing was going to happen to me. He spoke of our engagement then of marriage. He went on to tell me that we'll live happily ever after like the couples in fairy tales.

I was happy to hear that his future plans included me but I was also sadden by the suggestions. I was sadden because I know I'll never have the chance to do anything of the things he told me.

Soon I grew so tired. I wanted so badly to stay awake so that we can enjoy the moonlight later on but I just couldn't. All sounds around me became so faint. I can no longer hear the sound of the ocean waves...or the sounds of birds singing...or Heero's words.

"Arigato Heero."

Those were the last words that escaped my lips before I fell into my eternal slumber.