Eternity In His Hand 10/?

[Goldberry]

*staggers in* Computers are evil! EVIL, I say! Especially laptops. If you have a laptop, RUN! *ahem* As some of you might have heard, my evil laptop decided to crash and eat all my writings so I completely lost this chapter as well as one for "The Maids of Silva". Forgive the long wait, but I had to do a complete rewrite. Expect another chapter in a good two weeks as I am going to be working on getting Maids back on track. Hope you enjoy!

Berry


Eternity In His Hand
Chapter Ten





Trowa Barton curled his hands around the smooth porcelain of his coffee cup, enjoying the warm feel of it against his fingertips. Sitting on the Council balcony with the morning breeze against his freshly shaven face he could almost forget the events of the last few days. Unfortunately, there were those who could not and it was these people his mind was most focused on. Pacing back and forth a few feet away, Dorothy Catalonia was clearly agitated. Arms crossed over her chest defensively, her face was a mixture of contempt and determination, and perhaps a little fear as well, though she would never admit it. Her voice drifted around him full of surety.

?It wasn?t a miracle, Quatre. Flowers die, that is the way of things. There is no use making up theories for something that is perfectly explainable.? She shook her head, the movement jerky and betraying her own words. ?There is nothing to be concerned about.?

His Vice President, Quatre Winner, leaned back nonchalantly against the balcony railing, perfectly at ease compared to the striding Cat. He had become much more relaxed since his defeat at the hands of the Champion, more in control of his own thoughts and actions. No longer was he guided or swayed by Dorothy?s manipulations. In fact, Trowa believed Quatre had begun to fulfill his purpose as the Vice President. He was more powerful now then before his failed duel. Whether this newfound strength would have any use remained to be seen.

?I disagree, Dorothy,? Quatre said calmly, taking in Dorothy?s look of disgust as if she were smiling at him instead, ?I think that there are many events that still must be explained. Yes, flowers die, but yours crumbled to dust the moment you were disarmed and we all know that Heero?s last strike landed nowhere near it. Surely you cannot say that this was anything but supernatural.?

Dorothy stopped pacing enough to glare at him and change the subject. ?I am more concerned with the appearance of this apparition. Who is he? And why does he fight for the Champion? Without his help, I think it is clear that Yuy would never have won the duel against me weaponless.?

Quatre frowned thoughtfully. ?It is true that this ghost seems to have some sort of power that aids the Champion when he truly needs it. I saw the same figure in my duel against Heero. He seems to come from the Castle when he?s needed most.?

Dorothy sniffed, on the verge of replying when Trowa broke in smoothly, drawing all eyes to him instantly. ?The Power of Peacecraft has awakened, duelists. It will come to help the one that defends the Bride, in other words, the Champion, whoever he may be. This ghost?s appearance is a sign that Revolution is upon us.? He let the news settle a moment in silence before continuing in almost a whisper, ?Will you let Heero Yuy claim Eternity??

Quatre and Dorothy shifted uncomfortably, both remembering their failed attempts at winning the Bride, but Trowa?s green gaze had turned to the one member who had said nothing all morning. Duo Maxwell sat across the table from him, his violet eyes fixed on his clasped hands in his lap. He had been uncharacteristically quiet all morning, his mind seemingly somewhere else. Trowa watched him closely.

?Yes,? Dorothy said icily, ?Do you actually plan to fight, Maxwell, or has your Seal been broken by your little girlfriend?? The Cat?s smirk made it clear what she thought of Hilde. ?If you no longer have the will, I suppose the job will fall to our President.?

Duo had not moved through Dorothy?s speech but now he lifted his head and glanced at her flatly. Instead of answering her, his raised his hand and let the sunlight catch the ruby rose ring on his right hand. The Cat pursed her lips but remained silent.

?Duo will have a chance at Eternity as we all do,? Trowa said quietly, turning his coffee cup and taking a sip of the hot liquid. It was almost a surprise when Duo suddenly pushed his chair away from the table and stood abruptly, his body taut with anger. Trowa sat his cup down and looked up at Maxwell calmly, his mind racing with possible explanations, none of which were very encouraging.

?Do we?? Duo asked softly, his voice managing to be menacing despite the lack of volume. ?Do we all have a chance?? He laughed suddenly, frighteningly, ?I suppose we all have a chance. It?s just too bad the whole thing?s fixed, isn?t it.?

?What do you mean, Duo?? Quatre asked, concerned. ?What?s wrong??

Duo looked over at him briefly. ?Why don?t you ask our President? I?m sure he?d love to tell you.? With that, he turned on his heel and stalked off, his long braid swinging as he slammed the balcony door behind him. Trowa?s jaw clenched but his outward appearance remained at ease. Quatre turned to him.

?What did he mean, Trowa??

Dorothy turned as well, watching him calculatingly. Trowa stood calmly, his emerald eyes revealing nothing.

?Duo is only confused, Quatre. Keep an eye on him but otherwise leave him be. He needs time to think.? Leaving his coffee cup he followed Duo?s path out of the balcony, leaving Quatre and Dorothy watching him go uneasily.

?I have a feeling there is more than meets the eye between our President and Maxwell.? Dorothy exhaled noisily. ?I do not like not knowing what is going on.?

?Me neither,? Quatre answered agreeably, ?Duo doesn?t seem confused at all to me. Rather, I feel that he?s debating with himself, arguing inside his head about something, and I think that Trowa knows what it is.?

Dorothy smirked. ?Well, Barton told us to keep an eye on Maxwell. I suppose it wouldn?t hurt keeping tabs on Barton as well.?

Quatre raised an eyebrow. ?You really are quite sly, Miss Dorothy.?

The Cat smiled. ?You can call it being sly, Mr. Winner. I call it being careful.?

* * * *

Tapping his pencil against his notebook, the Bride?s current Champion tried to focus on his math work. Tried, of course, was the key word. With Relena only a few feet away, his mind wandered more than it should have. It was something he had noticed in the last few days, a need to see her, to look at her, to know she was close. If he cared to admit it to himself, he was a little confused and worried about the feeling. It was something he wasn?t familiar with and therefore couldn?t comprehend whether it was good or bad, something to keep or be discarded. All he really understood was that when he was away from her he felt unfulfilled, unfinished like a painted canvas without the frame. Late at night he sometimes wondered if she felt the same way and the image of her standing in the moonlight, her hand holding his to her collarbone that first night would flash into his head. It was a necessary torture to ask himself what would have happened if he had given in.

Relena sat on the floor, the jacket of his uniform in her lap as she stitched together a tear in one of the sleeves. The slender needle between her fingers moved in and out of the heavy fabric with an almost soothing sound that somehow made him feel comfortable. It was a sound of home and he shook a mental head at himself. Since when had Relena become his home?

Wishing he could douse himself with a bucket of cold water, Heero turned back to his algebra homework, frowning as he caught sight of the digital clock on his desk. Behind him, Relena shifted, her needle pausing. He turned slightly in his chair to look at her.

?What is it??

She blinked and looked to him, a small smile curving her lips after a moment. ?It was nothing. I just thought I felt something.? She bent back to her sewing but he continued to watch her thoughtfully, making a quick decision.

?Restless??

She looked up again at the sound of his voice, tilting her head at his question. It was a measure of how well they understood each other that she didn?t ask what he meant. ?A little, but I might be overreacting. I thought I felt something change this morning as well but everything has been peaceful.?

He breathed out quietly. ?I have felt it, too.?

Her expression turned serious. ?Is that why you haven?t been sleeping?? He didn?t answer and she smiled comfortingly at him. ?Don?t worry, Heero, everything will be alright.?

?I hope you?re right,? he said absently, glancing at the clock again. His eyes darkened. ?Where the hell is Maxwell??

* * * *

Hilde walked along silently, her eyes fixed on the man striding a feet few in front of her, kicking at loose stones as he passed. The set of his shoulders and the fact that he hadn?t kissed her once all day told her something was wrong and her attempts at finding out what it was made her increasingly frustrated. He had said little, mentioning only that he had attended a Council meeting earlier, and their entire study session had consisted of only that, studying! It was beyond comprehension. Now they were on their way to meet Heero and Relena to cram one last time for their test tomorrow and she was stuck carrying all their books. Not that she minded, but she was starting to get a little worried. Duo wasn?t acting like himself. He was withdrawn, his violet eyes focused inward, and she hadn?t been able to draw him out. It bugged her, partly because she thought she had a good connection to Duo, and partly because she had a hunch she knew what had caused his sudden depression.

It had to do with The Secret.

This was the same Secret that Heero was keeping from her, and possibly Relena as well. It had something to do with the Student Council and the reason Heero had been dueling with Wufei Chang in the forbidden Arena Forest after dark. Now Duo had been drawn in as well.

Hilde was getting very tired of The Secret.

In fact, watching Duo trudge along, it might just be time to try something drastic. Setting her jaw, she stopped in her tracks and immediately threw her books down, causing Duo to whirl around at the loud crack! they made hitting the sidewalk. Putting her hands on her hips, she glared at him the best she could.

?Alright, I?ve had enough, Duo Maxwell,? she huffed. ?You?re going to tell me what?s going on and you?re going to tell me right now!?

He simply gazed at her.

Tears immediately welled in her eyes and she stomped a foot angrily. Where was his laughter? Why did he not come to her and tell she was making a fool of herself and kiss her breathless?

?Please,? she whispered, ?Tell me what you?re keeping from me.?

He turned away and she almost fell to her knees.

?I?m sorry, Hilde, but it?s for your own good.?

With that he burst into a sprint, shoes pounding against the pavement as he drew farther and farther out of reach, leaving her standing alone, books scattered at her feet.

* * * *

When the door slammed open, Relena jerked and pricked herself with her needle, sticking the wounded digit in her mouth as she looked up at a wind ruffled Duo Maxwell. Heero glared at the other man from his seat, clearly at the end of his patience. They had expected Duo and Hilde almost an hour ago and yet it appeared Hilde wasn?t even with him. Feeling a knot of tension form in her stomach, she took in Duo?s serious expression with dread. Something was wrong.

?I?m a fool,? Duo announced. Heero snorted but Duo didn?t give him a chance to respond. ?I thought I could avoid it, just forget about this.? He made an odd motion with his hand, the Seal obvious. ?But I can?t let this continue any longer. Not now. Hilde would never forgive me.? He eyes fell on her and she shivered at indefinable emotion within the violet irises. He held her gaze though her next words were for Heero. ?I challenge you to a duel, Heero Yuy, and may the gods forgive me. I am fool.?

* * * *

?Why is he doing this?? Heero snapped under his breath as Relena tucked a white rose in the pocket of his uniform. Her hand on his chest was the only thing keeping him from charging across the Platform and ending this absurd duel before it even began. All this time he had thought Duo was different from the others and now it seemed he had been playing the Council?s game from the very beginning. It was funny really. Heero had almost begun to think of him as a friend.

?Heero.? Relena?s voice drew him out of his haze of fury. ?Heero, please don?t judge Duo by this.? He stiffened, his eyes ice cold as he looked down at her but her hand pressed against his heart and expression pleaded with him for understanding. ?I know you think Duo has betrayed you by challenging you but I don?t think that?s why he?s doing this.? She paused, searching for the words. ?I think he?s dueling <i>for</i> you.? He frowned and she continued, ?Please, just be careful of your judgments. After this duel, there should be no regrets.?

He looked down into her sincere aqua blue eyes and felt his anger dissipating. He had never been able to stay mad at her. Her eyes undid him every time.

?Alright, Relena, I?ll give him a chance to explain but that?s it.? He laid his hand over hers on his chest. ?He may be not be dueling for the Bride, but he?s not dueling for Relena Darlian either. Which is why I will not let him have you.?

She smiled brilliantly at him, making his heart rush, and then turned and went to Duo, stepping forward to put a purple rose into his breast pocket. Duo grinned at her half-heartedly.

?He?s not going to take it easy on me, is he.?

She shook her head and stepped back, smiling sadly at him. Duo laughed, an almost desperate sound. ?I didn?t think so.? He shrugged and then looked at her seriously. ?I hope you can forgive me, Relena. I won?t use you, I promise, but this duel is something I have to do.?

She said nothing as was proper for the Rose Bride and took her place slightly in front of Heero, spreading her hands to a blooming ball of light. ?Rose of the noble castle. Power of Peace that sleeps within me. Heed your master and come forth.? Heero caught her gently as she arced backwards, her spine curving over his arm to allow the hilt of the Sword to appear between her ribs. Feeling the metal under his fingers, he pulled the sword free of the Bride and raised it above his head even as he supported her.

?Grant me the power to bring the world Revolution.?

In an instant, Relena was on her feet and Heero had crossed the space between himself and Duo in a flash, not allowing the other duelist a chance to react. Pushed into retreating, Duo gave ground, blocking each hard attack from Heero in an supreme effort to keep the Sword from his rose. Heero gritted his teeth and stepped back suddenly, drawing the Sword up and knocking Duo off balance.

?Tell me why, Duo.? Heero growled, ?How many more duels must I fight before the Council realizes their mistakes??

Duo raised his own weapon. ?This isn?t for the Council, Yuy. I?m doing this because I made a decision. I?m not going to let them destroy you.? He straightened, light glinting off his blade as he moved. ?Because of Hilde, I won?t let him win.?

Heero struck just as Duo did, their swords sliding against each other in a battle of strength, blue sparks falling to the Platform floor. It took each man?s full strength to hold the other back.

?What are you talking about? Who wants to destroy me? How do you know all of this?? Heero asked through clenched teeth.

Duo answered, the muscles in his arms corded with the effort he was expending. ?Let?s just say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It?s amazing what you can hear when no one thinks you?re listening.? He grunted. ?But it doesn?t matter. I will win this duel and you should take Hilde out of here. Get away from the Academy as fast as you can.?

Heero sneered and suddenly twisted to the side, jerking his strength away so fast that Duo was left to fall forward from the force he had been using, completely off balance. The braided duelist rolled onto his back, ready to bring his sword up, when he felt the nick of Heero?s sword under his chin and he stilled instantly, gazing up at the wrathful Champion calmly.

?You are a fool, Maxwell. Everything that comes out of your mouth is nonsense.? Heero said icily, cobalt eyes darkening. Duo answered with determination.

?Believe me when I say that Revolution will destroy you, Heero. You can?t win. You?ll never see Eternity.? His voice roughened. ?And what then? Get away while you can, protect Hilde. You?ve seen that anyone involved in the duels receives only heartbreak. Let me become the Champion, Heero. I will protect the Bride, I promise.?

Heero felt himself go taunt with anger and struggled to control it. His words came out clipped and harsh. ?You think you can protect her where I can?t? Is that what this is about??

?Damn it, Yuy, this is about protecting <i>you</i>!? Duo raged, ?Do you think the Council?s just going to stand by while some foreign student wins the Bride and gains the power they were created to fight for? If you do, you?re the fool, not me! I know them, so I can fight them but while you?re busy shielding the Bride they are going to stab you in the back and take everything you?ve ever loved. You?ll have nothing left, Yuy! I can?t let that happen, not if I can do something about it.? He swallowed, the passion in his voice softening slightly. ?I love Hilde and I won?t let her best friend fall if it can be me instead.?

Without hesitation and to Duo?s utter horror, Heero flipped his sword and sliced cleanly through Duo?s purple rose, the blossom falling into two exact pieces. The bells began to peal, their loud brassy tones filling the air as Heero lowered the Sword of Peacecraft, his face expressionless. There was silence for a moment and then Heero spoke, his voice quiet but almost kind.

?<i>Because</i> you love Hilde, I won?t let you sacrifice yourself. If that seems like a defeat to you then it?s time you believed in something.?

Duo closed his eyes and bowed his head. ?In what??

Heero looked to Relena. ?Believe that I can win.?



TBC

[Numena]

I think I've run out of words to describe how great this fic is. I'll pull out my thesaurus next time, but for now I'll just settle for...Wow!
I can't wait to see what happens next..

[WhiteWindRRose]

OMG!
loved it! loved it! loved it!
whoooo-hooo!
that was KOOL!
what the hell is up with maxwell though!
argh! more mysteries!
Trowa, you seem to be the one more dangerous than Dorothy!
what's gonna happen!
what's going on!
ahhhhhhh!!
wut am i supposed to do 4 two weeks!

by the way, that was spectacular

[Tomorrow]

Long time no write, huh? Being a senior, my final months of school were heck, and I just haven't had the time until now to read this. Still, you know I absolutely LOVE it. It's so romantic, but not overly so. Your writing is marvelous, and the plot is soooooo intriguing. Heero and Relena are the cutest... and I'm hoping for a happy ending.

The apparition is Milliardo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I hope)

Sorry about your laptop, and I hope you catch up and everything works out.

[aku_ryo]

AUGH once again a totally kick ass chpater that reveals too little to satisfy my hunger for knowledge - what is trowa up to ??? i know it has to do with cathy being all healthy and stuff but for gods sake why wont heero see eternity!! augh im so confused and i just bought vol3 of the utena books and that doesnt halp explain anythign either! although the bit with the monkey at the end is rather cute

akuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

ps relena needs a monkey yes thats it!

[Melville's Best Friend]

You're too much, Berry! What a wonderful chapter!!!! ^_^

Poor Duo...Poor Heero....THEY CAN'T FIGHT!!!!!!! *small sigh*

However, it adds to the WONDERFULNESS of the story, so I will allow it. ^_^ Good job, here, Berry. I look forward to the next chapter. *cough* whereHeeroandRelenawillmakeluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv *cough*

[ice princess]

That was very....

very....uh

very....

PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to see your name (uh, well, your real name of course) on the cover of billions of novels in the future because your writing style is amazing. This story is amazing. It's pretty damn perfect.

Great chapter....I could feel the adrenaline making my heart speed...way to increase my blood pressure. Thanks.

~ice princess

[shadowcat]

wow....
oh my....

this fic is just amazing!
absolutely beautiful..
it it just so well written i can't even describe it anymore...

i gotta get me a dictionary.

-Shadow

[wicked]

*grins sheepishly* I think my honey's kinda evil (misguided, evil, confused, all the same thing) in this one. I must be obsessed because I don't care. ^_^

*glomps Berry* Again! You have done it again! You are too good for words my friend. This was another outstanding chapter. More intrigue, heartbreak, fluffiness, and Heero being sexy in his protectiveness. I love it!

You made me fall in love with Heero with that last line. Sorry Trowa, it will pass in a few minutes. I swear. ^_^

I hope you can gave your comp a good kick in the RAM. And I'm going to be waiting on pins and needles for the next two weeks so you better post then otherwise I'm going to be VERY sore and VERY irked and DEFINITELY coming to look for you.

~Wicked

[Melville's Best Friend]

Okay. The first time I read this, it was TOO early. *I had to go to work*, so, obviously I didn't read it well. I went back and read it and I have to say....*tears up* That was the best chapter so far, to me. Friendship between those two always gets me...

I loved it! ^_^

I loved how they both acted, I loved how Heero made love to Re-.....what do you mean that didn't happen?


Huh.

*pokes G-Berry* It should've. *snickers*


I love it! The next one will undoubtedly surpass this, as you ALWAYS manage to have each chapter better than the last.

*cries* What a good writer!!!!! ^_^