[the forsaken]

Title: The Forsaken
Author: Link Worshiper
Pairings: 1=2, maybe some others if I feel like it
Rating: PG-13
Stuff: Fantasy AU, fluff, sap, language, adventure, WoW nerdiness
Disclaimer: I own Gundam Wing action figures? Warcraft and its lore belongs to Blizzard Entertainment. Both things are being played with out of fangirl love.

Thanks to danse and Natea for the once over. Despite the fact this is part of Natea's birthday present, I still needed her to fill me in on the Alliance history they don't teach us on Horde, so thanks for that also =P

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Part X
Ripples

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Duo knew that Trowa was probably wondering where they were, but he also thought it would be prudent to stop and make sure that neither of them wore any telltale signs of the demonic slaughter that had overtaken Heero near the harbour. They had long since evacuated the scene of the fight, but they were still a good twenty minute pace from where Trowa was waiting. Stopping at one of the more secluded pools of the many that covered the wetlands, Duo sat down at its edge and commanded Heero to start washing.

Still trying hard to act as reserved as possible around Duo, Heero started pulling off his gloves and boots. All of his outerwear was so bloodstained, it looked as if he had cured the leather with a dark red dye. Even his face looked as if it had been painted, and his long bangs were stiff with crusted blood. He grimaced as each piece of clothing was dropped into an unceremonious pile at his side. Then, stripped down to only a linen shirt and underwear, he slid into the shallow pool, wading in to his knees and then sitting down to scrub his skin clean. As he bent over the rippling water to splash his face, he paused, momentarily caught off guard by how alien his features looked covered in so much gore. It reminded him how unlike a hero he was. "This is not life," he murmured.

"What's wrong?" came Duo's voice from behind. He sounded pleasant - or as pleasant as a Forsaken could - and it served only to confuse Heero as to what his mood was.

"Nothing," Heero intoned flatly, not bothering to turn around. He dunked his head into the pool and let the blood clout the water around his face. He resurfaced to the sound of Duo's raspy guffaws.

"Your guilt amuses me," Duo finally managed to say between laughs. He was leaning over the side of the pool, trying to rinse the blood from his huge sleeves while avoiding as much water as possible. Asahi bounced next to him, a tiny silk bandage wrapped almost comically around his middle.

At this, Heero whirled around, the water churning around his legs as he did so. "You would make sport of someone who feels guilt at the hands of slaughter?" he demanded, shaking.

"No," Duo drawled, flicking his still dirty sleeves. "But I would treat one as such who felt guilt over something he could not help. To me, that is wasted effort."

Heero's lips tightened, but he did not argue. Duo had a fair enough point, he supposed, but it didn't do to make him feel much better. Besides, the more he thought about it, the more it did seem like he was the one to blame: if he hadn't obeyed King Milliardo's command, for instance....

Meanwhile, Duo was still watching Heero from the bank, no longer interested in his sleeves after deeming the purple fabric dark enough to mask the blood. Instead, he leaned his chin into one hand and observed wistfully, "You're the sort who never changes, it would seem."

Heero, who had barely gone back to washing himself, found himself turning to glare at Duo once more. "What does that mean?" he wanted to know.

"You - your attitude - I can see it all over your face," Duo clarified, though he still somehow managed to be vague. "You try not to feel remorse for anything, but when you do, it eats away at your soul, doesn't it." The comment wasn't even a question, but a very confident statement of fact. "Or perhaps you have conditioned yourself to follow orders so perfectly and so thoughtlessly, you don't even see the repercussions of your actions until-"

"Enough!" Heero interrupted loudly, not fond of where Duo was heading with his assessment. Smacking the water impatiently, he grimaced, "You may have heard of me, but far be it to know who I am and what my life is like. Presume what you want, but dare not think that you understand a thing about me, Duo Blackscythe."

Much to Heero's annoyance, all Duo did was allow his lips to rise up into a lazy smile, which actually made Heero more uncomfortable than even the most wicked expression he had yet seen on Duo's face. It seemed to Heero like Duo was not the sort to say what he meant, though he certainly meant what he said. It made him wonder, not for the first time, just who Duo was, really.

Gathering his fill of amusement from Heero's very visible agitation, Duo interrupted Heero's thoughts, saying, "Mm, you tell me so much without even trying. It must be hard wearing your heart on your sleeve without anyone ever noticing it's there." He was eying Heero carefully, eager for even the tiniest of reactions, but was disappointed to find that Heero had stifled his expression with almost painful vigor. Masking his own dissatisfaction, Duo turned away from Heero and glared sharply at the pile of bloody leathers Heero had left by the pool, all the while wondering if Heero's stiltedness had more to do with faction or with him, personally. "Hurry it up, then," he barked, his frustration creeping into his voice. "We haven't got all day, and Trowa will be wondering if we've drowned in the harbour by now."

Heero took a moment to simply stare at Duo, once again put off guard by this sudden flip in attitude. He probably would have remained that way for a bit longer if Duo hadn't abruptly decided to kick all his bloody clothing into the pond, jarring Heero from his stupor. Snapping back to attention, Heero growled, "You're the one who insisted we stop, so don't place the blame on me for our delay."

"Tch, you humans are so preoccupied with blame," Duo snorted, crossing his arms presumptuously. "In death, you would find that such things matter hardly at all."

"Then it is a shame not all of us can be like you," Heero deadpanned, stomping through the water to fish his leathers out before they became damaged. His growing agitation was plain with the way he threw each article back onto the bank with astounding vigor.

The comment struck a nerve with Duo, and all of his usually controlled demeanor faded away. His lips curling back around his jagged teeth, he snapped, "Alright, then why don't you just drag as many humans as you can up to Northrend and let yourselves fall victim to the Scourge? Then you can see how wonderful undeath tastes in the service of Treize." He spat unceremoniously at Heero's pile of wet clothing, which Heero had just pulled out of the water. "Or would you rather me just take you back to Undercity, where my colleagues in the Royal Apothecary Society can experiment on you until your intestines fall out of your ears."

This time, there was no question as to whether or not Duo was joking, which flustered Heero to no end. Taken aback, he stammered, "Duo, I-I'm sorry... I...."

"Forget it!" Duo went on, not even hearing Heero's attempted apology. "You have no idea what it's like to wake up one day and realize that you're dead. It's almost worse being Forsaken than even being one of the Scourge, because at least then, you have no idea what's happened to you. At least you have no idea who you're killing, who you're... you're...." Duo had started to quiver, though whether it was because of rage or distress was hard to tell.

It was then that a few key pieces fell into place for Heero. With a hum of realization, he asked softly, "Duo, who did you lose to the Scourge?"

The words crashed against the backs of Duo's teeth as he suddenly clamped his mouth shut in surprise, a finger still lifted like he meant to deliver a particularly menacing argument. His empty, glowing eye sockets flickered as he slowly lowered his hand, staring straight through Heero all the while. "Trowa mentioned it briefly," Duo mumbled so quietly, Heero had to strain to hear. "It was my brother...."

Heero dared not move, even as water dripped from the tips of his bangs and ran uncomfortably down his face. Once again, that urge to know more about Duo - to understand him - rose up within him, but this time, he did nothing to try and quell it. He even held his breath.

But Duo said no more on the subject, quick to direct the conversation in a way that would keep Heero's prying curiosity far from his personal history. Heero was starting to notice that Duo's jumps in tone and attitude seemed to be coupled with subject matters the undead warlock would rather avoid.

"And what about you?" Duo said glibly, jabbing a bony finger at Heero. "You who is so tightly wound? You must have a reason for being that way. Perhaps something you'd rather hide?" Again, Duo's face was warped with the shape of that damned smile of his, like he knew far more than he was letting on, but this time, Heero suspected it was a ruse to divert the true nature of his feelings.

A breeze rippled across the pool, causing Heero to shiver as he stared up at the overcast sky, frowning. Even if he had wanted to supply Duo with an answer, he wasn't sure what he would have said. Duo had an uncanny knack for getting under his skin with just the right comment, and a discomforting nausea settled in his stomach at the realization that Duo seemed to understand him well enough to do so. It reminded him of when he had been younger and living in Dalaran: those who had managed to push their way into his circle of trust had made him feel similarly with their observations of his character, and even worse still, when a good number of them faded into mere memories. If he was worried about the prospect of Duo leaving him alone as so many of the people in his past had, then Heero could safely say that stranger things had happened.

However, he said nothing of these musings as he continued to methodically scrub the blood out of his clothing. He had learned a long time ago that silence was often the safest route, even if it hurt to swallow.

Meanwhile, as that same breeze tossed through Duo's long, ratty hair, a similar nostalgia had settled upon the Forsaken's shoulders. He forced himself to look away from Heero, whose very existence reminded him so much of what it had been like to be alive, cursing the emptiness that undeath had left him. Looking around at the beautiful life he could only stand on the outside of, he muttered under his breath, "You have no idea how lucky you are to simply be alive."

Heero pointedly ignored him, dunking his leather jerkin through the reflection of his face in the water.

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Trowa was dosing by the dying embers of a fire and the swishing tail of the ever-watchful Heavypaw when Heero and Duo returned. Heero still looked a bit messy, and his hair was damp, but he was a sight less noticeable than he'd been when he'd been covered in blood. Both he and Duo were a bit on the morose side since their discussion by the pond, each lost in his own thoughts about the meaning of the words they'd exchanged, and it didn't take long for Trowa to take notice.

"What now?" he bemoaned, getting to his feet so he could stamp out the remnants of the fire with the heel of his boot. "Did you have a lovers quarrel or something?" His voice was barbed with sarcasm.

"Very funny," Duo sneered, though his eyes had slid in Heero's direction surreptitiously. Without further ado, he tossed the bag of provisions at Trowa, which landed at his feet with an unceremonious thud. "Well, let's keep going then," he said impatiently as Trowa stooped to inspect what they had obtained at the harbour.

Trowa was still rummaging through the pack as they began to walk again. "Excellent taste," he commented as he pulled a flagon of wine out of the bag so he could inspect the label better. He glanced over at Heero, who was staring at the ground, and gave him a nod of approval when he finally managed to catch his eye.

With Duo leading the way, followed by Heero and then Trowa and Heavypaw, they resumed their course south, towards the enormous loch that was regulated by a stone wrought dam so large, it knew no parallel anywhere else in Azeroth. They would have to travel around the loch, treading carefully because the land was still Alliance controlled until they reached the contested territory beyond it. The mood was still a bit awkward, and they continued in a silence that was interrupted only by their footfalls and the twitter of the woodlands around them.

After traveling like this for a bit, the monotony was broken up for Trowa by a low chime that seemed to be coming from his hip pouch. Slowing his pace only slightly, Trowa peeled back the flap to investigate the sound, unsurprised to find Heero's owl charm glowing faintly in the depths of the bag. He schooled his reaction, silently lamenting what a horrible time Quatre had chosen to try and contact him, only to then worry whether or not the priest had somehow known to choose this moment intentionally. He snapped the pouch's flap closed, resolutely boring his stare into the back of Heero's head as if ignoring the charm would make it stop. It actually seemed to work for a bit, until Heero, who seemed to have just noticed the chime, started frantically digging through his own hip pouch in search of the charm he hadn't realized he'd lost.

Taking note of the commotion behind him, Duo looked back over his shoulder with furrowed eyebrows, wondering what was wrong.

"My... this... this trinket that my friend...." Heero stammered distractedly, now patting down his entire length as if he might have squirreled it away somewhere else on his person and then forgotten. "I thought I heard its magic," he explained vaguely, distracted by his frantic search. Trowa unconsciously gripped the belt loop his own side pouch hung from.

Duo frowned, crossing his arms and tossing his head with exasperation. "Well, no need to lose your marbles over it," he said. "You're giving me stress just watching you like that."

"No, you don't understand," Heero fretted, his hands thrust back into his side pouch for a second rummage through. "It was a gift from my oldest - from my only - friend! I can't have lost it.... I'll be all...." He trailed off, distracted by his fruitless search. His face contorted with frustration, and had he not been the well-schooled individual he was, he might have let out a roar so mighty, it would have shook the very boughs of the trees that stood around them.

Duo's face melted into a bland expression that was meant to disguise the disheartened sensation welling up inside him. It surprised him that a feeling such as empathy was something he could still experience in his current, eternally embittered state, but it was not unwelcome. It seemed almost ridiculous now that he thought about it, but he had kind of begun to feel like he might be called a friend of Heero's, and to hear otherwise was a bit of an unexpected blow.

It was then that Duo shot a glance at Trowa, who seemed suspiciously unenthused, and noticed the way the elf was gripping his side pouch. It didn't take long for Duo to make the right deduction before he was stomping by Heero and toward Trowa. One hand shooting out to snatch Trowa's wrist and jerk it away, Duo reached for Trowa's hip pouch with his skeletal fingers and popped it open. As Trowa tried in vain to wrest himself from Duo's surprisingly tight hold, Duo dug into the pouch, soon unearthing the missing owl charm, the glow of which pulsated tellingly between his fingers as it continued to magically chime. "Is this what you were looking for, Heero?" Duo asked, fixing a very unfriendly glare onto the side of Trowa's face.

Heero's eyes widened, both surprised that Trowa had stolen the charm and angry that he had allowed it to happen. It was only his immense relief that it wasn't gone forever that kept him from stepping in to teach the blood elf prince a lesson or two with his fists.

Angrily, Trowa jerked himself free of Duo's grip, massaging his wrist with his other hand as he glowered at the warlock. "And it's a good job I did, too, thanks," he said sharply. "That little toy opens a communication portal. It would lead the Alliance right to us!"

Heero took that moment to interject, no longer willing to let Trowa speak ill of those he did not even know. "You say it as if I am plotting to deceive you," he shot back, his steady voice hardly subduing his anger even the slightest bit. "Do you not remember that Duo and I agreed on this arrangement? Why would you assume that the Alliance would care enough to disband something that is so mutually beneficial?"

The fighting words struck a definite chord with Trowa, who argued back, "Because the Alliance is completely preoccupied with delivering retribution on every party it thinks has wronged it in the past, whether it is justified, sensible or not, that's why!"

"And you assume the entire Alliance shares the same views as King Milliardo," Heero snapped, almost as shocked by his own words as Trowa seemed to be. Though he had always questioned some of his king's more questionable tactics and motives, he had never teetered on such a treasonous edge before. It startled him further to realize that voicing such things was frighteningly liberating.

Standing on the outside of the debate, still holding the charm, Duo decided to interject. Holding the glowing owl up, he said, "And what are we to do with this?"

Heero started to reach for it, but Trowa proved to be faster. Snatching it back from Duo, he announced flatly, "It is probably that priest consort of Relena Proudmoore's. He will be expecting to see me." Without further ado, he angled himself a bit from the other two and rubbed the charm, calling the communication portal into the air before him.

Quatre was missing when the magic took its final shape, though he was quick to wander back into view once he realized that his call had finally been answered. "Good day to you, fair prince," he said with a slight nod of his head. "I was starting to worry something had befallen you without my aid."

Arching his eyebrows, Trowa replied curtly, "You give yourself too much credit, priest. I am doing rather well, thank you."

Their banter might have continued in that fashion for a time if Heero hadn't suddenly interrupted. Barging right up to the communication portal, he shoved Trowa aside to greet Quatre with a bold stare and a sharp nod of his head. "I am sorry I haven't spoken to you in a while, friend," he said by means of apology.

Quatre seemed surprised to be suddenly met with Heero's face, but he quickly warmed at the sight of his childhood companion. "It is good to see you are well, Heero," he said with a smile. His eyes darted in the direction Heero had pushed Trowa, his lips parted like he was going to add something else, though he seemed to think better of it before the words came out.

Heero took the moment to explain the situation to Quatre, uncaring that Trowa was standing to the side with a dark glower in his eyes. "Before you worry over the company I have chosen to keep, know that I am with them of my own will," he said. "I have made an arrangement with the third of our party, a warlock who has vowed to help me... dispose of the sigil Milliardo bade me to find."

"But why? And at what cost?" Quatre asked before he had the chance to quell the curiosity. His eyes swung around, searching the area where Heero stood until he caught sight of Duo, who was still lingering in the background with his arms crossed. If Quatre was concerned by the fact that Duo was Forsaken, he did a good job of keeping it quiet, thoughtfully chewing his lip instead.

"The Epyon sigil is evil," Heero explained simply. "Milliardo cannot have it, even if he thinks it will ensure Alliance dominance over Azeroth."

"No, it wouldn't do to upset this delicate balance of peace we have bred," Quatre mused, stroking his chin. Behind Heero, Duo piqued, impressed by such an observation from someone he hadn't expected much of.

From Heero's other side, Trowa cleared his throat loudly, as if to remind the others that he was the reason they were speaking to Quatre at all. He said, "Well, what is it you wanted of me, Quatre Winner?"

Quatre turned his attention back to the blood elf prince, schooling his features once more as he answered. "I thought I might check on you to find out when you might need some more magic to feed on," he said with a shrug. "But since you seem to be just fine as you are, I shall-"

"Oh no, you won't escape our deal so easily," Trowa cut him off. "Do not think I am completely oblivious to your tactic of trying to scout out our location every time we speak," he said candidly. "If you wish for us to keep with this bargain we have made with your rogue friend, you will come to me with a new charm in three days time, and not a moment before or a moment late. Understood?"

Much to Trowa's chagrin, Quatre merely laughed and repeated, "Understood." Then, with almost uncharacteristic abruptness, he snapped and ended their communication, leaving Trowa, Heero and Duo alone in the wetlands once more.

"Well, that was interesting," Duo commented to break the awkward silence that had befallen the trio.

Heero was too busy glaring at Trowa to merit Duo with much of a response. "You undermined the truce we had come to for this outing," Heero accused flatly, his hands balled up in tight fists at his side. "You are too used to your station, prince."

"You would do to know your place, human," Trowa retorted, clenching the owl charm tightly.

The way Trowa was eying Duo, it would have seemed that he expected the warlock to back him up. Unfortunately, Duo had his own agenda to see to, which didn't offer Trowa the support he wanted. "I thought I told you that your jurisdiction means nothing out here, far from your kingdom," Duo said ambiguously. "Respecting you as a prince has nothing to do with obeying your every whim."

Trowa was clearly displeased by this answer, but chose to bottle his annoyance. He made a show of cramming the owl trinket back into his hip pouch, and then whistled for Heavypaw, who padded alongside his master as he stomped to the front of their procession and took up the role of leading the way. Despite such decisive movements, the course way Trowa was muttering under his breath certainly took away from his usually regal stature quite a bit.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Duo asked, catching an earful of some of Trowa's more colourful complaints. "I'm right behind you, you know; I can hear everything you say."

Whirling around, Trowa iterated with chopped words, "I said, it would seem to me that you actually give the human preference over me. Me, who is supposed to be your best friend!" From the way he spoke, it almost sounded like he was more offended by this prospect than the suggestion that Duo was undermining his royal authority.

"Maybe I do," Duo retorted vaguely, though there was a bit of fight to his tone. "I can do as I please."

"I don't see what he ever did for you to make it so," Trowa groused as he turned around and picked up the pace again. His long, quick strides forced the rest of them to hustle just to keep up.

"And I don't see what he ever did to you to create such disdain," Duo grumbled to himself, half hoping Trowa would hear. "You make judgments on him before you even know him!"

"I never said I don't like him," Trowa snapped over his shoulder as if Heero wasn't just a couple yards behind him. "It just bothers me that you are so quick to trust him."

Duo's eyes narrowed as he bluntly replied, "Like you and that priest?"

Trowa's nostrils flared as he pursed his lips and faced forward again, petulantly stalking onwards without so much as a backwards comment for Duo, who merely stared smugly at Trowa's back as he followed.

Bringing up the rear and safely out of their eyesight, Heero couldn't help but smile.

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