"Duo!" came the soft female voice.

"Come on, sweetheart, you have to get up or you'll be late for school."

A blond woman sat on the edge of the and smiled at the bundle of hair and sheets. Her dark blue eyes were full of love and care as she moved her hand and gently caressed the boy's head. He stirred a little and yawned.

"Just gimme a co'ple mo' minutes, mom."

"You said that half an hour ago! It's about time you got up. Come on."

There was no answer, just deep breathing. He was already asleep again. She just smiled and rolled her eyes.

"What am I going to do with you?"

She asked and shook him gently.

"If you don't get up, you won't have time for breakfast and Sara made your favourite - omelette with bacon and cheese."

That did it. From under a cloak of hair one amethyst eye snapped open and looked at her, a grin already forming on his beautiful full lips.

"Really?"

"Yes, now get up!"

She walked to the door, paused and turned around.

"I'm not working today, so i can drive you to school if you want."

"Sure! That would be great!"

She nodded and closed the door.

After a couple of minutes Duo descended the stairs, schoolbag in hand. He tiptoed his way to the kitchen and slowly sneaked behind the old woman.

"Hey Sara!"

He shouted as loud as he could. She screamed and dropped the glass she was holding.

"Duo!" she exclaimed, heart beating wildly. Her breaths were shallow and her hands were shaking. Duo stared at her wide- eyed. He'd never scared her like that before. He was sure she heard him and only pretended to continue with her work to let him have his fun. He didn't want to terrify her or make her break anything, he was just being his usual joking self.

His words came out quietly, almost as a whisper.

"I'm sorry, Sara. I thought you heard me. I've never meant to scare you  THAT much..."

He trailed off and bowed his head. He's never been so ashamed of himself like he was right now. Sara slowly turned around and looked at the boy. He was honest. It was enough just to look at him to see that. He obviously regretted what just happened and that made her anger melt away. Her face softened and she gave him a weak smile.

"I know. Just don't do it again, ok? I'll clean it up, so Mrs. Hellen won't even have to know. What do you say?"

Duo's head shot up and he looked her incredulously.

"You'd do that? Thanks, Sara! I'm really sorry for scaring you, and I promise I will never do it again."

"Well you better not! Now eat your breakfast. It's probably cold by now and Mrs. Maxwell will be ready soon."

Duo nodded picking up his bag which he'd dropped when Sara screamed, and put it on a chair. He sat on the other one and started eating.

Just as he swallowed the last piece of food, Hellen showed up at the door.

"Are you ready?"

"Just finished."

He wiped off his mouth with a napkin and stood up. Grabbing his bag with one hand and waving goodbye to Sara with the other one, he exited the house.

They drove off in a black convertible. On the way to school Duo was strangely quiet and serious. He hadn't said a word since they've left and that was so unlike him. Something was troubling him and finally Hellen had had enough.

"What's wrong?"

"Huh?"

"You're too quiet. What's troubling you, Duo?"

"Nothing."

"Whatever it is, you can tell me."

"It's nothing, really."

He grinned trying to assure her that what he said was true. She wasn't convinced, but it was obvious he's not going to tell her, so she decided not to pry anymore.

And something was really up with Duo. He was remembering the last time his mother gave him a ride to school. And that was just it. He couldn't remember it. It's been so long since the last time she was home when he woke up, and even longer since she had the time to drive him. He had his personal driver, of course, but it just wasn't the same.

Soon they passed through the familiar gate and Hellen stopped the car on the school car park full of expensive cars.

"I'll send the driver to pick you up, I have some things to do."

"Mom..." Duo started tentatively. "Can I walk home?"

"Duo! Do you know how dangerous that is?"

"I'm not a baby anymore, and besides, it's not that far!"

"No, absolutely not! You mean too much to me-- to both me and you father to let anything happen to you!"

"But-"

"No buts. The driver will be here at five. Now hurry, or you'll be late."

"Ok."

He said as he kissed his mother and exited the car.

Heero stood in front of a huge building. It was very old and beautiful, probably a castle that survived centuries and generations. There were statues on each side of the wooden door and breathtaking decorations on the walls. The sun made the building look golden and surreal. Heero just stared at the beautiful scene before him, his mouth half open and speechless.

Around the school was a small park with all kinds of trees and flowers. Wooden benches were scattered all around it and a small lake in the middle. Suddenly Heero felt uncomfortable. The sun that was making this day so warm became too hot, too bright. The birds chirping became too loud and the smell of the flowers irritated him. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to be there. He really wanted to go home. Taking a deep breath, he walked to the nearby bench. He lowered himself on the cold wood and looked across the surface of the water. Soon the wind started and the Japanese boy watched it play across the water. It ruffled his hair and caressed his cheeks and he slowly started drifting away from this world. Finally feeling peace in both his mind and heart, as if the wind just blew all the problems away. And then the sound of the school bell snapped him out of his calmness. He glanced at the school and stood up.

Heero looked over the wall which separated the park from the school as the schoolyard filled with children. God, there are so many of them! There is no way he could find him. He eyed the children trying to find someone who looked like Solo Maxwell. No such luck.

And then he noticed that there was a car park on the other side of the wall and all the children were heading that way. /Well of course they're not gonna walk home, they aren't stupid. Their parents know that there are many people who would kidnap them for money. How could I even think it would be that easy!/ He was cursing himself mentally, when a group of kids passed on the other side of the wall. They were occupied with important problems. Important to them, at least.

"What are you going to wear to Peter's party?"

"I have no idea. I can't decide should I wear the white suit my mom brought me from Paris, or the grey one my day bought in Rome."

"Oh, the grey one."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, it looks so much better on you."

"And you?"

"I have a blue suit I bought specially for this party. It's beautiful, you'll see. It has..."

As they walked away Heero couldn't hear their voices anymore. He hated them so much right now. All of them. What did they know about life, problems or suffering? Suddenly he really wanted to kidnap that boy, to show him what's life really like. How it feels to be hungry, thirsty, alone and afraid. He fingered a bottle of chloroform in his pocket and sighed. /I won't be needing this. I'll never be able to find him./

He shot a sideways glance towards school and turned to leave when he heard it.

"Duo, where are you going?"

"I'm gonna walk home. Wanna come with me?"

"But your driver is waiting! And your parents will get worried!"

"Coward."

He hissed and turned on his heels, walking away from his friends quickly.

"Duo!"

He didn't bother to reply. He was so sick of all the restrictions. What good was all that money is he couldn't even go for a walk alone? It was a prison for his mind and soul and he wanted to get away from it all, if only for a short while.

Heero heard the whole thing hated the boy right away. Not only that he was a clueless, stupid little rich boy like the ones he'd heard earlier, but he was also conceited and didn't have any respect for his parents. He deserved this. He was no better than his father.

Cobalt eyed boy moved away from the wall and walked to the edge of the lake. The water was red from the reflection of the setting sun, as if it was on fire. It looked surreal. But he didn't have time to enjoy the view as he heard the footsteps closing in. He scanned the park only to find no one. Perfect. Maybe he will do it after all.

Slowly he pulled out the small bottle and removed the lid. He applied the liquid an a cloth and returned the bottle to his pocket. When he sensed the presence of someone behind him, he turned around.

"Duo?"

The braided boy stopped, startled.

"Yes? Do I know you?"

"No, but you will."

And with that Heero moved closer placing the cloth over the boy's nose and mouth. He did it so fast that Duo didn't have any time to react. His eyes widened, and then it all went black.

End of Part 3