C&C is more than welcome, it's needed.

<Part 1>
 

 Duo layed stretched out on the bed he shared with Heero. For once in his life he was quiet. Heero looked up from the desk more than once just to see if he was still there. The silence was slightly unnerving.

 "What are you reading?" He finally asked.

 "Nofkin." Duo responded around the bite of candy bar he had in his mouth.

 Heero stood up and snatched the book from his fingers.

 "Hey!"

 "Romeo and Juliet, Hn."

 "It's a classic ok?" Duo blushed and took the book from his partner, "I like it."

 Heero looked at the pilot funny but finally turned his chair around at look at Duo expectantly. "What
is it about?"

 "You actually want me to talk?" Duo asked shocked.

 Heero shrugged, "I'm done for now."

 Duo still looked wary but he started, "It's about these two people who love each other very much,
They can't be together though, because their families are fighting and their match isn't acceptable
because their families are bitter enemies, so they see each other by sneaking but then Juliet is engaged
to this other guy and Romeo has to leave. Juliet takes this medicine to make her seem dead and
sends a note to Romeo that says to meet her at her tomb, she isn't really dead and they can run off
together."

 "That's it?" Heero sounded bored.

 "No, Romeo doesn't get the note, so he returns to find his love dead and he kills himself with poison.
Then when Juliet walks up and see's her beloved's body, she stabs her heart with his dagger and kills
herself too because she can't live without him."

 "So it's a sappy romance novel."

 "No! It's a classic by one of the masters, William Shakespeare."

 Heero wasn't convinced. "What is it's purpose?"

 "Entertainment."

 "You learn nothing from it?"

 "No."

 "Then why read it?"

 "Well. . ." Duo gave up and tossed the book to Heero, "You read it and see. I'm going out for a
while. Gotta buy something to wear to Relena's party ne?"

 When Duo shut the door Heero looked at the book and shrugged, Why not, All my work is done
and no new missions are incoming. He settled down to see what was so great about the book.

 When Duo got back Heero was just finishing. "Ohayo Heero!" He greeted his friend, "How was is?"

 "Hn." Was all he said.

 "Opps, guess you're back to normal now huh. Oh well."

 Heero's glare was a warning.

 "Ok, Ok. I don't feel like getting hit today." Duo smiled laying down on the bed and stretching
spread eagle.

 Heero looked back at the book in his hands. It was sad. He found his eyes straying to the boy
asleep on the bed behind him. He's beautiful, the Wing pilot thought. Then he shook himself out of it,
"Hn. Dumb book." He set it next to his sleeping partner and went out to where they had hidden their
Gundams.
 
 
 
 

 When Duo woke from his nap he saw the book beside him. He also saw the tear stain on the cover.
So he is human after all. Shinigami grinned and went out to find his friend.

 When he found him Heero was standing by a lake near where the Gundams were hidden. His face
was drawn but still held more emotion than Duo had ever seen from the pilot. It was in his eyes.

 "Damn it Duo!" The pilot hissed.

 Duo almost jumped before he realized Heero was just talking to himself.

 "You complicate my life." He threw a stone into the water, "And you just keep pushing. You are a
weakness I can not afford!"

 Duo felt his heart beat faster, but he kept on his grinning face. Just so if his heart did end up
crumbling, Heero wouldn't see his heart breaking. "Why?" He asked stepping out of the trees, "Are
you broke?"

 Heero snapped his head around, "Duo, Omae O Korosu!"

 "Yeah, I know. You always say that." Duo snickered and sat beside his friend.

 "Hn."

 "You know Heero, caring about someone isn't a weakness." Heero turned a glare on him and Duo
felt his smile falter.

 "When you care you can be manipulated by that." He growled.

 "But the rewards are so much greater than the risk!" Duo insisted.

 "Hn." Heero turned away from him to look back out over the water.

 Duo bit his lip. Heero was running scared inside, if he didn't do something fast he'd lose him forever.
"Make you a bet." He said abruptly.

 "Hn?"

 "You let me kiss you. Just once. And if you don't like it I'll. . . I'll never bother you again."

 Heero nodded sharply. "Fine."

 Duo felt his breath catch in his throat. "You mean that?"

 "I said yes now do it before I change my mind!"

 The braided boy brought his lips to Heero's ear. Licking and teasing it's delicate lobe then working
his way down his friends jaw and up to the other ear. Heero gasped as Duo flicked his small pink
tongue into the delicate shell and then squirmed as that questing tongue finally found his lips. He ran a
moist caress over the boy's bottom lip, and then over the top one. Finally the American covered
Heero's mouth with his and slipped the soft pink delicacy that was his tongue into his partners mouth.
His hand's worked in the Wing pilot's hair as their tongues met and Duo gasped into Heero's mouth
when the boy began to kiss him back. When they finally came up for air they were both panting. Duo
swallowed the lump in his throat and licked his lips. They still tasted like Heero. "Well?" He asked in
a worried voice.

 Heero looked at him with a frown and finally answered, "I think I need to try that again."

 Duo could hardly believe his ears! Heero's mouth traced the same path he had shown earlier on
Duo's face and he gasped and moaned under the assult. When their lips met a shock seemed to pass
between them. "H. . . heero?"

 "Duo." He murmered before he caught those soft lips back to his again. The two of them fell back
onto the ground locked in each other's arms. Duo didn't dare to hope. . . Couldn't dare to believe
that this was real.

 "Heero." He moaned, "Heero I love you."

 The boy stopped and looked into the eyes of his best friend. "You. . ."

 Duo nodded and moved to kiss the frowning lips but Heero turned away. "Wha. . ."

 "You said you loved me."

 "Well, so what if I do?" Duo felt his heart shattering. "You don't have to love me back Heero, I can't
force you to love me."

 "Duo I. . ." Heero stood up and looked down at the boy beneath him, laying in erotic disaray at his
feet. "I have to go."

 "Heero. . ." Duo cried as the boy retreated, then he slumped down against a tree. "Stupid Duo!
Stupid! How could you tell him?!" He ran after his friend.

 Heero kept running. Duo loved him! He loved him! When had this happened? How had this
happened? "Damn it Duo!" Heero collapsed against his Gundam and climbed into the cockpit. I
could have taken physical need. A soldier can want release. But not love. Not love!  "I thought you
just wanted physical relief, how can you love me? How?! I'm not even real inside!"

 "Yes you are." Duo said from the open hatch.

 "Leave me alone."

 "No." The Deathscythe pilot climbed inside and closed the hatch behind him. Heero moved as far
from him as he could in the tight space. "Heero please."

 "I am a soldier." Heero insisted, "I don't feel, I can't feel."

 Duo pinched his arm.

 "Ouch!"

 "You felt that." He teased.

 "You know that isn't what I meant." Heero said accusingly.

 "Why Heero?"

 "You would be a weakness enemies could exploit."

 "I think I already am." Duo whispered softly, "Think about it Heero, when I was captured, you didn't
kill me, you saved me. Every time we fight you keep an eye on me to make sure I'm alright, just like I
do you. If I died, how would you feel?"

 "Hn."

 "Answer me." Duo forced the other pilot to look up and saw tears in his colbalt eyes.

 "Alone."

 Duo nodded, "Me too." He hugged the other pilot close and kissed his neck, "We already love each
other Heero, and that isn't a weakness, it's a gift."

 "Duo I don't. . . I've never. . . How does a person love?"

 "Just by being near." Dup smiled, cuddling closer. "By laughing together and sharing special times.
By being there when the other needs you and letting them know you need them to. Little touches,
smiles, everything I do around you, the teasing the talking, it has always been full of love."

 Heero gasped as a thousand little things Duo had done all started to make sense, the touches, the
smiles.

 The American nodded, "So you finally understand."

 "But that. . . you've done that for. . ."

 "Almost since the first time we flew together."

 "That long?"

 "Longer Heero, I think I loved you even before I met you."

 Heero closed his eyes and leaned into Duo's chest. "Hn." A light flashed on the control panel and
Heero flipped on the radio, "Hai?"

 "Heero!"

 They both groaned, It was Relena. "Hai?"

 "Have you found something for my party yet? Don't forget it's tonight."

 "I wont forget."

 "Good, I have a surprise for you."

 Heero rolled his eyes and Dup giggled silently. "Ok Relena."

 "Bye."

 "Good bye."

 Duo broke into fits of laughter then, "Oi Heero!" He mimicked Relena's voice, "I have something for
you."

 Heero grinned and kissed the pilot hard, Duo groaned and Heero actually laughed, "I've finally found
a way to shut you up."

 "Hm, do it again."

 "Gladly."
 
 

 The party was crowded, stiff, and exactly what Relena loved. Duo cringed at all the pink and white
lace decorations. "This might just traumatize me for life." He moaned in an exaggerated fashion.

 Heero grunted his agreement and stayed close to the other pilot.

 They were seperated when Relena caught Heero and forced him to dance. The horrified look he
sent Duo had the other pilot fighting back laughter. He waved and walked to the food tables, never
taking his eyes off of Heero. He was magnificent. Even when Heero hated his dancing partner, he
moved with a grace that outshone any of the ladies present. He was beautiful. "Beautiful." He sighed
out loud.
 
 

 Heero looked toward Duo, pretending that he was dancing with the pilot instead of the princess. His
eyes never left his friend. What was it about him? What drew them together? God he's beautiful! The
tight black suit Duo had stolen looked perfect on his tall slim figure. All Heero wanted to do was go
back to him and share another of those mind blowing kisses.

 When the song ended he was jerked back into reality as Relena kissed him and smiled, "Thank you."
 
 

 Duo growled and stalked over to them handing Relena his plate and taking Heero's arms, "May I
have this dance?"

 Heero looked shocked and for a moment Duo thought he had gone to far with such a public display.
Then the Japanese pilot relaxed and nodded. "Hai."

 They moved together to the waltz, so close, so very close. Their eyes sparkled and sparks seamed
to jump across the small space separating them.

 Duo gasped and looked into Heero's eyes, "I love you." He whispered.

 Heero smiled slightly and squeezed the hand that rested on Duo's hip.

 The other pilot gasped and his eyes flew open.
 
 

 Relena had seen enough! She would not lose Heero to anyone! Let alone another boy! She walked
up to the microphone and picked it up. "Hello everyone." She smiled brightly.

 The music and dancers stopped, all but Heero and Duo, they didn't hear or see anybody but each
other.

 The queen of the world frowned. "I have an important announcement to make!"

 Everyone watched her expectantly.

 "I would like to introduce my betrothal." She smiled, "To Heero Yuy."

 The stopped the two boy's dance, Duo looked up at Relena then back at Heero, Hurt was written
all over his face. "You're engaged?"

 Heero was in a state of shock! Engaged?! Had doctor J really. . . ? Then this was his latest mission.
But I don't want it!

 Duo felt like his heart would break as the icy mask fell into place over his love's face. He ran from
the room, braid swinging behind him, and it took everything Heero had not to go after him.

 "Heero?" Relena smiled and held out her hand.

 The boy looked at it in disgust and then ignored the offered hand. He stood beside her with a frown
on his face. This was going to be a long night, and the sooner it was over the sooner he could see
Duo.

<Part 2>
 

 When Heero returned to the safe house, Duo was gone. He didn't even leave a note. None of the other pilots had seen him and Heero started to worry, "God Duo, please don't do anything stupid." He sat down on the bed and felt something hard under the blanket. Duo's book. That damn story that their own seemed to be following. I wish I had never read that stupid book.

 "Heero?" Quatre asked softly from the doorway.

 "Hn?"

 "What happened?"

 "Nani?"

 "Duo would never just leave us. You are the only one he really allowed himself to get close to, he
only offered us his mask. I thought you might know what made him leave."

 "Relena announced our engagement."

 Quatre paled, "In front of. . ."

 "Hai." Heero frowned, "We were dancing together when she said it."

 "Don't do it Heero! Duo loves you."

 "I know."

 "Then how could you just drop him?"

 "I have a mission."

 Quatre stopped and sighed, the mission was everything to Heero. There was nothing more to say
then. It was done. He turned and left the room, a tear in his eye for both of them.
 
 

 Duo crept along the grounds of Relena's home, slipping into her open window. His face was
completely devoid of emotion as he stared down at the sleeping girl who had screwed up his life so
much. //Heero.//

 Relena smiled in her sleep and turned her back to the pilot murmuring something under her breath.
"He's mine Duo. Mine."

 At that Duo snapped. He snatched her hands over her head and tied them brutally to the headboard,
gaged her and tied her feet down in less than half a minute. She was wide awake now.

 Relena's eyes glared at him and he smiled at her, a sinister grin. "Ohayo Ojousan."

 "Mrrph!"

 "How did you manage to force Heero to marry you? Hmm? Did you tell him it was his mission? I'll
bet you did one step better ne? You had Doc J tell him."

 Her eyes went wide and Duo frowned.

 "I got it right first guess didn't I."

 "Mrrphfphrrrrr!!!" She struggled against her bonds.

 "You couldn't make him happy ojousan, because you don't know him. You see him only as your
little prince who fell from the sky. You have no idea who he really is inside. I do."

 "Phr mm phoi!"

 "It doesn't matter that I am a boy, we've already been together Relena. We are lovers. I love him.
And you plotted with J to take him from me."

 As Duo paced his anger off, Relena worked one hand free of her bonds and then the other.  Never
taking her eyes of the boy in black.

 "Why did you do it Relena?" Duo asked without turning around. The anger was gone from his voice
leaving a sad confusion. "Heero doesn't love you, do you want to live your life with someone who will
never be completely yours? I'm not here to hurt you or anything ok, I just wanted to talk without you
calling your guards, so don't be scared. Just. . . please tell me why. I need to know why you are
taking the only thing that I've done right away from me. Heero is the only thing that hasn't felt
Shinigami's touch because of me. He is my life and happiness. What is he to you Relena?"

 Duo felt a cold metal pressed to his head and he froze. He turned slowly to face the gun and the
angry girl holding it. "He's my fiancé Duo."

 Everything moved in slow motion. Duo dropped to the ground and kicked Relena's feet out from
under her just as she pulled the trigger. It ricocheted and struck the ruler of the sank kingdom right
through the heart. "Relena? Oh shit!"

 Relena's guards ran in just in time to catch a positive ID on Duo. The orders for his annihilation were
sent out that night.
 
 

 Quatre starred at the screen in front of him, unable to tear his gaze away.

 "Quatre?" Wufei asked.

 "Relena is dead."

 "Nani!" They all chorused.

 "And they say Duo killed her. There is a contract out on his head."

 Silence met that bit of news as Heero was unable to speak through the lump in his throat. //Duo.//

 Duo crept into the room he shared with Heero that night. The perfect soldier was sitting at his laptop
again. "Heero?"

 "Why?"

 "I didn't do it Heero, I was talking to her trying to get her to tell you the truth about your latest
mission and she tried to shoot me! The ricochet hit her heart."

 "What truth?"

 "She plotted with J, payed him a large amount of money to send you a mission to marry her. She
knew you wouldn't do it any other way."

 Heero turned to look at the tired pilot standing by the window and saw truth in his eyes. "Duo."

 Duo launched himself into Heero's arms, "What am I going to do Heero?! They won't pull this
accusation even after they find out it was her own bullet. No one wants people to know the pacifist
queen of the world tried to shoot someone! I'm expendable though! They'll kill me if I stay here."

 "Then leave."

 Duo looked up into Heero's pained eyes, "No. I can't leave you."

 "Either way you do. One is forever."

 They held each other close, Duo sitting on Heero's lap and Heero resting his head on Duo's
shoulder. "I'll comeback." Duo promised, "I'll come back for you."

 "Duo I. . ."

 "Hai?"

 "I. . . I know you will."

 "I'm glad that I met you Heero." Duo closed his eyes and melted into Heero's arms.

 "So am I." Heero actually smiled then. "Even if you are just a loudmouthed baka."

 "Careful. You'll use up your quota of words for the day." Duo teased.

 Heero growled playfully and Duo laughed.

 "Duo?! is that. . .?" Quatre burst in followed by Trowa and Wufei, ". . . you?" Quatre finished in a
choked voice when he saw Duo sitting on Heero's lap in his desk chair. "Um. . . I. . . I mean, we'll
just. . . um. . . wait outside." Quatre stammered and grabbed his partners dragging them out of the
room.

 Heero looked and the door and then at Duo. A comical expression on his face.

 Duo laughed again and then kissed him soundly. When they reluctantly broke apart, Heero kissed
away a tear that had pooled in the corner of his lip. "It isn't forever Duo."

 "I know but I. . . I mean. . . we haven't been apart longer than one mission since I met you and now.
. ."

 Heero held him close, saying silently that he understood.

 Duo sniffled and sang quietly, "kiss me once for the good times baby."

 Heero complied and Duo chuckled a pain-filled laugh.

 "Kiss me twice for goodbye."

 Again Heero's lips found his own. Twice this time. Duo hugged him tight and buried his head in the
crook of Heero's neck. They fell asleep like that. Sitting in the desk chair, curled around each other.

 When Heero woke up, Duo was gone again. And with the boy, a piece of his heart had left as well.

 Quatre walked into the room and saw Heero's pain drift over his face. "Heero?"

 Heero jerked up to look at the arab, his mask firmly in place.

 "Where is Duo?"

 "He's gone."

 "Oh Heero! I'm. . ."

 "Don't." Heero growled.

 Quatre dropped his gaze and nodded.

 When the blond left, Heero silently cried.
 

<Part 3>
 

Duo shivered in the cold. The old monastary he had hid out in had been destroyed in the Sanq kingdom's search for him. More lives lost because of him. He would have let his life end with those of the monks who had been nothing but kind to him, but Heero was waiting for him, so he couldn't die yet.

 //Heero. I'm coming home Heero. Just a little longer.// Duo adjusted the high ponytail that held his
hair and bangs back tightly and fixed the make-up on his face. He had become very handy at
disguises over this last year. Also he had gotten taller and thinner, no one would recognize him now.
Except Heero. Heero would know him. //Only a couple days more Heero. Just a couple days.//

 The American boy felt a weight lift off of his shoulders at that realization and his step become lighter
than it had been since he had left the Sanq kingdom, and Heero, behind. //I'm going home.//
 
 

 Heero fought with the wild abandon that had earned him his place as captain of Zechs army. With
his sisters death young Mirialdo Peacecraft had accended to the throne and wasted no time in tying
himself to Heero. He had harbored a crush for some time. It made the young captain sick!

 Quatre had obtained a special herb that could make him seem dead for twenty four hours. Plenty of
time for Duo to get here and get him out. Trowa had been sent with the message to Duo. He should
be receiving it today, then they would be free. So close. They were both so close! Just a little more
time.

 "Heero."

 Zechs had snuck up behind him as he exited his craft. //Damn it!//

 "Heero."

 "What is it sir." He bit out.

 "Heero, why aren't you happy?"

 "It is not a soldier's business to be happy sir."

 "I could make you happy."

 Heero shivered inside. "I doubt that sir." He said stiffly, then walked away.
 
 

 Zechs watched him go, something was not right here. "Noin."

 "Yes Zechs?" The woman asked as she climbed from her fighter.

 "I want you to find that other pilot, the one with the unibang."

 "Trowa sir?"

 "Yes, he's been gone a long time. . . I want you to find him, and stop whatever he is up to.
Something doesn't wash here."

 "Yes sir." Noin smiled and hurried to do what Zechs wanted.
 
 

 Heero look at the picture he had taken of Duo when the other pilot wasn't looking. His beautiful
smile, sparkling eyes, his useless but wonderful long hair. "Duo. Come soon Duo, some home to
me."

 "Heero?" Quatre knocked on the door.

 "Enter."

 "I have the herbs." He paused, "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, it's very risky and you. .
."

 "I need to be with Duo. If I go missing Zechs will hunt me down and if he finds Duo with me, his life
will be over. If I die, there is no one to chase after and Duo and I will be free."

 "Heero." Quatre's voice held a sob. "You love him very much, don't you."

 "With all I am."

 The Arab nodded and handed Heero the bottle. "It wont hurt. You will just, go to sleep."

 Heero nodded, "Thank you."

 The startled the blond but he gathered himself together and smiled. "You're welcome Heero. Tell
Duo we all say hello."

 He nodded and Quatre left. Heero looked at the liquid in the vial and then to the picture of Duo.
Uncorking the vial he held it up, "Duo." Then drank it all. The world seemed to get very cold, and his
vision blacked out around the edges. He stared at the picture until he could no longer see, and held it
in his mind until he could no longer think. //Duo.//

 Heero's death was announced that night. Someone had found his body slumped over his desk. In his
hand was a picture of Duo from their day's as partners. Zechs had him laid out in the family crypt. His
explanation was that it was what Relena would have wanted. No matter how hard they tried, no one
could pry Duo's picture from the death stiffened fingers, so they left it.

 Quatre walked with the funeral procession, his heart anything but heavy. Wufei walked beside the
blond his stoic mask unchanging. In the Chinese boy's mind, to death or Duo, they were still losing
their partner and friend.

 Duo arrived that night. He slid past the guards and security devices easily and slipped into Heero's
suite. It was completely empty. Duo couldn't understand. //I was sure that this was his room!//

 Outside he heard two guards talking.

 "So where did they put captain Yuy then?"

 "He's in the family crypt."

 "Zechs would do something like that."

 "Don't let -him- hear you say it."

 //In the crypt? Zechs locked Heero in the Peacecraft crypt?// Duo frowned, //why would he do that
unless. . . no!!//

 The braided pilot raced to the crypt and slipped inside past the watchers. There Heero lay, on a
cold slab, dressed in his customary spandex and tank top as if he would get up any moment. But Duo
knew better. His lips were blue with deaths kiss. "Heero." Duo's heart broke into a thousand pieces.
He knelt by the cold body and took the lifeless hand into his. "Heero, no." Hot tears streamed from
his eyes to fall on Heero's still chest. "I'm here Heero. I came back. I promised I would."

 He swallowed passed the lump in his throat, "Heero. Heero. My Heero." His mind could only think
that one name, his lips could only speak it, as if by saying it, Heero would sit up and be ok again. As
if the perfect soldier would wake up and call him a baka of crying over nothing.

 Shinigami's pilot took Heero's hand in his then reached into the shorts to pull out the other boy's gun.
It had a silencer, perfect. Duo kissed his love's pale lips and smiled at his peaceful face, "I'm coming
Heero. Ai shiteru, I'm coming. I promised I would."

 He shook his hair free from it's band and let it fall over Heero as he knelt by his side. He placed the
Gun to his temple and shot. His body fell to Heero's chest, the gun slipped out of his limp fingers. His
last thought was //Heero.//
 
 

 Heero woke up when he heard a silenced gun shot. He started to sit up and felt a weight on his
chest. //Did they shroud me in chestnut silk? No. . . Duo!// "Duo!" He smiled and lifted the boy, only
then did he notice the blood. His smile fell. "No."

 The blood on the wall beside him and the gun on the floor, his gun, told the story. //Just like in the
book you had me read Duo. Romeo and Juliet. You died because I was dead.// "bakara." He said
softly and stroked Duo's hair. "Duo. Oh Duo."

 The gun lay on the floor, still warm. Heero picked it up, never letting go of Duo. His cradled the
other boy in his lap and looked down on his lover's pale face. "I never even got to tell you, how much
I love you." He looked at the horrible tool that had taken Duo's life and a single tear ran down his
cheek, "It isn't poison, but the effect is still the same. I wont leave you alone Duo. Never alone. Wait
for me." The he placed the barrel in his lips and fired.

 Quatre jumped when Trowa opened the door. "Trowa! Did you tell Duo? Heero is. . ."

 "Noin stopped me."

 "What?!"

 "She stopped me long enough that I couldn't catch him."

 "But Heero. . . oh God! Trowa, Heero. . . and Duo. . ." The blond threw on his clothes and ran to
the crypt. There was already a crowed. They pushed their way through and stopped short when they
saw it. Heero held Duo close, just as they had this same day only a year before, but their bodies
were sitting in a pool of blood, and their faces were pale as death. "Oh no."

 Trowa held his lover to him and stared at the body of the boy he had idolized. "They are finally free."
He said softly.

___________________________________________________________________________

Wait! Don't go away sad! I told you that I hate sad stories and only do happy endings. Just read the
next part, you'll see, I'll make it right, I promise.

Raihne

<Part 4>
 

When Duo opened his eyes he was laying in a field of flowers, Heero lay beside him. He sat up slowly and shook his friend awake. "Heero? Oi, Heero."

 "Hn." The other boy mumbled and then shot up abruptly. "Duo! Baka why did you. . . It was a plan!
I wasn't dead! It was just a plan for us to run away together, baka! Why did you kill yourself?!"

 Duo looked down at his hands, clasped tightly in Heero's. "Because the thought of a life without you
was to much Heero. I love you too much to live without you."

 "I love you too baka." Heero said pulling Duo into his embrace. "I love you so much it scares me!"

 Duo grinned and snuggled closer, "I seem to have that effect on people."

 "Hn." Heero smiled and breathed in Duo's scent.

 "Where are we?"

 "The after life I suppose." Heero said simply.

 "But I'm the only one who's dead, you said. . ."

 "I shot myself."

 "Nani?!!"

 "I couldn't let you come here all alone."

 "Heero."

 "Duo, I love you. I want to be with you wherever you are."

 "Baka." Duo said lovingly.

 "Ahem." someone cleared their throat behind the two boys.

 They turned around and found themselves face to face with a woman in a black cape and hood,
holding a scythe. "Duo." She said in a scolding voice.

 The braided boy cringed back and held up his hands, "Wait, I can explain."

 "You were supposed to live out a full life term what the Hell are you doing shooting yourself?!"

 "Um, not Hell I hope, I was just, I mean. . ."

 "And you! Heero Yuy! Do you know how much extra work you two have given me!"

 Heero just stared.

 "Duo Maxwell what do you have to say for yourself."

 "Gomen." He muttered.

 "What?" Death insisted.

 Duo looked up at the apparation and sighed then answered in a monotone, "Gomen kaasan it will
never happen again."

 "Kassan?!" Heero looked from the reaper to Duo.

 "Heero, meet my mom."

 "I thought you were an orphan!"

 "Well technically I am, since she's dead."

 "So are you now Duo."

 "I said I was sorry! I wanted to be with Heero."

 "I know, I've been keeping tabes on you two. How else would you explain how he keeps surviving
and why your self destruct never works."

 "Kaasaaaaaaaaaaaan!" Duo glared at her, "You said you wouldn't meddle!"

 "Well you weren't doing so hot tough man." She smiled fondly, "Anyway, I couldn't have you dying
before you two got it all straightened out."

 Heero finally found his tongue, "So now what?"

 She smiled, "So now I send you back baka." She sighed, "My little Duo had to bargain a millennium
of reaping souls to be able to solidify and become a Gundam pilot to be near you. He is going to live
the ful lifetime he asked for."

 "Mom isn't that against the rules?"

 "I'm death aren't I? I make the rules. Now your bodies are both healed and they have you out for a
special wake before they put you in the tomb, I suggest you get back and wake up before they bury
you ne?"

 "Arigato kaasan." Duo smiled and hugged Heero.

 Heero stared at the woman before him until Duo nudged his ribs.  "Anou. . . thank you Mrs.
Maxwell."

 She smiled and nodded, "You had better make my son happy."

 Heero looked her straight in the eye, "I would rather die than hurt him."

 Another nod and they woke again, this time in a room full of candles and flower arrangements full of
lilies. Duo sat up and pulled Heero up, ignoring the surprised gasps from the others in the room.

 Heero kissed his beloved and hugged him tight. "Duo."

 "We're home Heero."

 "Duo? Heero?" Quatre asked. "But how?!"

 Duo grinned, "Friends in high places ya know?"

 Heero nodded and smiled, a real smile at his lover, "And don't forget, Shinigami can't die."

 Duo laughed and hugged Heero tighter, "I love this guy!"

 Heero buried his head in Duo's neck, "I love you too."

 Since no one wanted to try to kill Duo a second time, he was given a full pardon, and he and Heero
were never bothered again. Heero went back to narrowly avoiding self destruction and Duo went
back to cursing his non-functioning self destruct and calling himself Shinigami only this time, those
situations had a deeper meaning to the two pilots. They never told anyone what they had seen while
they were dead. Heero doubted that anyone would have believed them, but every now and then he
caught a pale, shadowy figure watching him and Duo as they lay down to sleep.

 Each time he saw the shadow woman he would smile and tell her the same two words, "Arigato
Shinigami."

 And she would smile and answer, "You are married to my son, call me Kassan."

 ______________________________________________________________________

*dodges thrown fruit, veggies, and kitchen utensles* Epp! um. . . anou. . . Heh
Heh, so what do you think? I told you I only do happy endings ^_^ no mater how much I tourcher them in the middle. *mad cackling*
 
 

~Owari~