1.5

A spray of crimson reddened her raven colored armor. She looked down at the dying body taker clutching on to her horse. She wiped his spray from her breastplate and kicked him off her steed.

She rode into battle grabbing hold of an unfortunate soldier and tearing his throat out, howling as he became nothing more than a part of the blood staining her.

The man in her grip was gurgling his life away.

"The pain will not go away." She whispered into his ear. "Not until you cease wanting to exist." She smiled as he slowly let his life seep out of him. Then she ran her tongue across his cheek tasting his soul before letting it drift away. She was not allowed to feed on one of her kind, but it did not stop the general from tasting it. The bitter residue of a vampire's soul.

"The trick is…" she said turning to one of her men as she let the dead vampire fall, "to make the pain unbearable and give them the choice to flee the pain or endure it." she said watching her captain get struck down by another body taker. She buried her heel in the attacker's back breaking his spine. "And they will always flee captain." She said turning her horse and heading into the heart of the battle.

***

Her eyes surveyed the battlefield. She smiled.

She looked up and saw on the hill the body takers' general scanning the carnage. A frown on her beautiful face.

"On this field strange flowers bloom." She called capturing the other general's black eyes. "Tell Wufei I have won this round."

***

"It seems your instinct is not worth anything Wufei." Meiran spat entering the tent where the consul created his strategies. "I have lost a thousand men today. Tell me this will serve a higher purpose."

"I… I am sorry." He stuttered. "I must have miscalculated."

"Do not give me that consul. Miscalculation is not worth a thousand men." She said storming out of the tent.

Wufei buried his face in his hands. Noin was a great general. She had seen through his plan she knew of the reserves waiting at the foot of the hill. And she had struck from behind. He wanted to laugh, if it wasn't for the burden of having a thousand souls on your conscience he would have.

This elaborate game of chess he was playing with her had made up most of this war. Sometimes he won, sometimes she did. But when the Prince came into play, he would surely lose. For if his general was great, he was even greater.

The soul eaters' dark angel and their crowned prince were the only ones standing between their clan's survival and obliteration.

***

Hilde passed the warm sponge against her back, she hissed as it washed away her blood. As the sting of the water melted away, she closed her own wounds, watching as the flesh kissed sealing away her pain, hiding once more the rubies of her essence, leaving behind a white shadow of a war yet to be won.

"I don't know why you keep your wounds for so long! Why don't you heal them in the field so as you won't have to go through this pain." She said irritated that her lover had not treated her wounds earlier.

"What's the matter Hilde? Do you not find my battle scars appealing?" she laughed.

"No." came the cold reply.

"Awww come on Hilde, you know that I leave it on so as I could truly feel the agony of war!" she whined turning to look at her companion. " I never let any of my wounds become more than I can handle."

"I do not wish to see you suffer so." She pouted. Noin lifted her face to meet hers and gave her a soft kiss before licking her lips.

"Really beloved you spoil me." She said settling between Hilde's thighs and resting her back on her chest placing her head on the younger girl's shoulder.

"I cannot bare to think that I would no longer be able to hold you." she said cupping water from the bath and washing the grime from her lover's skin. Noin closed her eyes.

"I am not ready to lose just yet." Hilde continued bathing her in silence her frown not leaving her delicate face.

"Noin, when will this war end?" she asked washing the lather from both of their heads.

"When it ends it ends." She answered.

"I want it to end now." she murmured.

"We cannot all have what we wish beloved."

" I wish I never had to live each day in fear of losing you." She whispered letting water cascade down their backs.

"You won’t lose me." she answered her voice sleepy as she settled deeper in her lover's arch. Hilde sat up and drew Noin in an embrace making the water spill as she did so.

"I love you." she whispered tightening her hold on the general. Her lover opened her eyes at the mention of the words. True Hilde had often said it but now she was in danger of saying it as well. She shifted her position and drew the smaller girl into her arms smelling her wet hair. She would never say it. Not if she could help it.

***

Hilde was the daughter of a noble man in the mountains. She was a provincial girl, having an accent when she was first presented in court seven years ago to be one of Heero's concubines. Heero of course had eyes only for his younger brother, ignoring even Catherine, his intended but still aristocrats kept coming to the palace presenting their daughters. Wanting to secure a connection to the next king somehow, using their daughters to buy their places in court.

Noin had enjoyed playing with Heero's concubines. She would always break their hearts not really intending to take one for her own. Many had committed suicide because of her, not that she cared.

She went into the stables that day intending to brush her horse when she heard a hushed voice speaking in one corner.

"What are you doing?" she asked the girl in the red barrette softly stroking her steed's nose.

"Speaking to him." she smiled her accent exposing her heritage.

"He…doesn't understand you." was all Noin could mutter as she saw the girl's face for the first time.

"My father said horses could recognize voices." She said turning her attention back to the animal. "I wish he would remember my voice, then maybe he would let me ride him."

"You like horses?" she said sounding stupid.

"I was raised with horses." She said. "Who is your master?" she asked mistaking Noin for a stable hand.

Noin chuckled amused. "General Noin." She answered.

"He has the most beautiful horses I have ever seen." She smiled. "He must love horses."

"Yes he does." Noin smiled going along with her misconception. She was finding the pretty little rustic girl entertaining.

"I wish I could meet him sometime. I would like a chance to ride this one." She said.

"I do not think my master would let you ride his most precious steed." She said coming into the compartment.

"What is his name?" she asked looking at Noin from across the horse's back as she began to brush its torso.

"Dapit Hapon."

"Dapit Hapon." She repeated.

"I presume you are Lady Hilde's maiden." She asked looking back down at her hands, why was she suddenly shy around this maid?

"Yes." She smiled not correcting her error.

"The lands in the mountains must be beautiful." She said still looking at the horse's body.

"Yes they are." She answered.

"Would you like to help me groom him?" she asked placing her arm over the animal and looking down at Hilde.

"I would love to." Hilde blushed suddenly finding the stable hand dashing. Even though it was beneath a Lady to be acquainted with a mere stable hand that was most probably human. She decided that she would play the maid a little longer so as she could get to talk to the young woman that had beautiful eyes and gentle hands.

"Do you think I could come visit Dapit Hapon anytime soon?" she asked as she handed Noin the brush back.

"I am counting on it." she answered giving her one of her trademark smiles.

***

The ball was set for that night.

Hilde sat in her room brushing her hair. Her mind wandered to that afternoon weeks ago when she met a stable hand. She was told that general Noin would be at the banquet. She would ask if she could have that certain girl. She would save her from becoming her master's meal, which was the fate of most human servants once they had outgrown their usefulness.

She sighed she would not let those beautiful eyes cloud over as that girl was devoured by her kind. She closed her eyes as she brought images of midnight hair catching the rays of the setting sun and a delicate smile upon her strong face. Hilde sighed.

***

Noin had yet to meet the Lady Hilde. She wanted to see if she was as pretty as her maiden. Maybe she would add her to her conquests after she had asked for the human girl to be in her employ. She would discover what secret lay in that soft voice that had mesmerized her so. She would claim the beauty for herself even if she had to kill the Lady for her.

She smoothed out the wrinkles from her uniform. By the end of the night she would have that maiden, no matter what the cost.

***

"Why so anxious to meet this Lady Hilde, Noin?" Heero asked as he swallowed his wine. "She is yours if you wish."

"No it is not her that I wish to claim." She said playing with her food.

"Ooooo what's the matter Noin finally found your match?" Duo leaned across Heero and poked the general in the side.

"I need to discuss something with her." She said suddenly uncomfortable.

"Discussing with Noin means that she would have the poor unsuspecting girl in her bed by tonight." Duo laughed.

"Hm." Heero agreed.

"Oh do not become a bore on me now love." Duo called capturing his lover's lips. Noin smiled. They had been together now for almost eight years and still they acted like they were newlyweds. Well Duo did anyway.

Perhaps the spell put on Duo all those years ago was the best solution to all of their problems. Never had she seen both Princes so happy. Perhaps that little deception was worth it after all.

She cleared her throat, as the kiss began to get passionate and started to draw attention. They broke a part, both of them suddenly flushed as hunger burned in both their eyes.

"Uhhmmm Heero before you two disappear could you introduce me to Lady Hilde first for I really need to discuss something with her."

"You go ahead Duo." Heero nudged his lover.

"Ooook! But don't be too long I might no longer be in the mood." He winked.

Heero watched him slip out of the dinning room wiggling his behind as he did so and as he felt his trousers suddenly get tighter and he cursed Lady Hilde for being so tardy.

***

Duo hurriedly went to the room he shared with Heero wanting to make some preparations first. He passed the main balcony and saw a lone figure shivering in the newly fallen snow.

"The banquet is inside." he called to the young man. He stopped as the guest turned around, his blue eyes filled with apprehension.

"Oh its you." he said placing his hand on his hips.

"Please Duo…" he pleaded. Duo's eyes drifted to his black hair dancing in the wind.

"How long have you been seeing her?" he asked suddenly somber.

"Nine years now." he said.

"Hmmm I always knew it would lead to it eventually. I am just hurt I was never told." He said placing his hands on the back his neck. His companion smiled.

"If anyone ever found out…"

"Who am I going to tell right?" He winked. "I must admit you are very discreet about it, none of us have a clue."

"Yes taking pains to keep it a secret is better than being kept apart." He said sad.

"You really love her huh?" he asked.

"With all my heart I do." He whispered.

"Listen you better wait inside. You really are quite brave risking everything to come here tonight." Duo said closing the glass doors behind them.

"It was a surprise."

"Next time ask for my help. What would you have done? Wait until you froze to death and pray she might notice the carcass on the balcony?" he shook his head.

"I did not think about it. I just had to see her." The other boy blushed.

"I’ll go get her." Duo said walking out of the parlor. "Oh and Quatre? You look better blond."

***

"Catherine someone is waiting for you in the parlor." He said coming into her room.

"I don't feel well Duo." She said burying her face in her pillow.

"This might lighten your spirits sister." He smiled patting her head.

He escorted her to the parlor and leaned against the door as he heard her exclaim her surprise then he smiled and continued on to their room.

***

The dancing had already begun and still there was no sign of Lady Hilde. Heero began cursing the tardiness of women and really getting into a sour mood when lo and behold she came strolling into the hall.

Heero got up and pulled Noin with him, he was not going to let anything get between him and the beautiful boy in his bed.

***

She was jerked from her contemplation of the various young people she would have liked to dance with and her attempts to avoid all her slighted lovers when Heero grabbed her wrist and dragged her across the hall.

Through the orgy of dancing and feeding they marched toward the figure in the entryway. When they came to a stop Noin bent over and tried to catch her breath.

"General Noin the Lady Hilde." And with that abrupt introduction Heero left.

Noin lifted her eyes and caught her first glimpse of Lady Hilde. And her jaw dropped.

***

Hilde stared at the back of the leaving prince, unsure of how to react. She should have thanked him at introducing her to the one who was her sole purpose in going to this ball.

She turned back to the general and her cheeks suddenly burned.

"I should have known." Noin smirked. "Care to dance my lady?" she asked.

"Whom will I be dancing with the stable hand or the general?" she asked coyly.

"Whomever you wish to." She smiled and she took her hand and they danced.

***

Noin looked at the girl in her arms, her smell filling her inside.

They had been together seven years. It seemed so long and yet it was not long enough. It was not long enough to last her eternity but it was long enough to make her fall in love.

And as she admitted this one truth, she drew the sleeping child deeper into her embrace and memorized every part of her she could.

***

She sat shivering in the moonlight. Her chambers silent.

Her naked body alone in the sheets. Blood spilling from her hands. Tears refusing to fall.

Noin clutched Hilde's body in her arms. Caressing her dead face and giving her one last kiss. Amid the pain eating her within, she cursed the day she had fallen in love with her angel.

Notes: Dapit Hapon is sunset in Filipino.

Noin and Hilde's part happened around eight years after Trowa attempted murder and Duo was placed under the spell; two years before the events in the first chapter and before the war started.

Quatre and Catherine had been meeting secretly for almost nine years during this time. They had been together for almost eleven years when the war started.

 1.4 crimson 1.6