Duo lay sprawled comfortably against a thick oak tree absently twirling a blade of grass around his finger. Looking up at the sky he smiled relishing this quiet moment, it was so rare that they got vacation time and when they did Duo did his best to enjoy it to the fullest. Everyone was so relaxed even Heero and Wufei.... Kinda, but I guess you could consider six straight hours of non-stop endurance training relaxing for Wufei....at least he wasn't yelling about justice....or at him. Purring Duo slumped back against the tree closing his eyes for a nap. Yep it was a great day so peaceful and-
" MAXWELL!!!!!" Wufei's voice echoed through the wooden glade, Yelping loudly Duo scrambled from his spot beneath the oak tree as he dashed toward the irate pilot, mentally going over what he could have possibly done this time. Since he hadn't been near any of them all day. " DUO!!!" the voice came again, sighing the braided boy sped up toward the voice. " DU-"
" Oi! I'm right here!" he said stepping out of the woods. For a brief moment he thought he saw relief on the other boy's face. " Sheesh Wuffie you scream loud enough to wake the dead! What is it huh? Mission? Someone got hurt?......" Duo trailed off with a mischievous grin. " Or did ya just miss me?" as predicted Wufei gave him an irritated snort and turned away back toward the house.
" Quatre told me to get you. He found something interesting. Come on." Turning on his heel he headed back to the cabin they were sharing. Pouting Duo glanced back toward his new found spot before heading after Wufei. By the time he made it two steps he was already back to his old self. Hopping through the door he saw everyone sitting at the table already. Stepping closer he started to shout-
" Hey Quatre whatcha-Ohhhh" he said his eyes lighting on the big black book sitting on the table. It looked very very old. Tilting his head to the side he moved in closer, taking the only remaining seat at the table. " So what's that?" he asked.
" A book baka." Heero replied frowning at said book. " Quatre found it when he was cleaning out the vents." Duo frowned.
"Why were you cleaning out the vents?"
" It was dusty. But that's not important. " Quatre said eyeing the book with a fascinated expression. " Just look at this thing....it's got to be thousands of years old." He said. Duo looked at the book again closer this time, it was a bit bigger than he had originally thought, about the size of Heero's beloved laptop, with large funny shaped characters across the top, the rest seemed to be made of smooth metal.
" Hey what does that say?" he asked pointing out the characters. Everyone looked at each other strangely then back to Duo. " What?"
" What does what say?" Quatre finally asked. Duo frowned at him then pointed to the letters across the top of the book. Again everyone looked at each other.
" Duo there aren't any-" Quatre cut off with a yelp when Duo pulled his hand over the top of the book. Frowning Quatre ran his fingers over the indents. " There are letters." Everyone leaned in closer to see.
" Told ya!" Duo said smugly. Pulling the book close. He flipped it open to the first page. Where there were even more of those funny letters all over. Scratching his head he looked up at the gaping group in front of him. " What now?" he asked getting a little annoyed at the exasperated looks he'd been getting since he walked in.
" Nothing....it's just that we've tried everything to get that thing open but the lock wouldn't budge." Wufei spoke frowning at him. Shrugging Duo turned back to the book.
" I guess I'm special." He said smugly turning the page. As soon as he did a bright flash of white assaulted the room. Knocking all the boys to the floor. As suddenly as it had come it faded. " What the hell was that!" Duo said slightly panicked clutching the book.
" What did you do Maxwell!"
" Nothing! I just turned the page!" a low ahem sounded from somewhere, and immediately weapons came out of hiding.
" Who's there?"
"You have summoned me." The voice whispered again.
" Who are you?"
" I am Skye. Keeper of time." It said.
" Ooook so what do you want?" Duo asked.
" Nothing."
" Then why are you here?"
" You summoned me." Heero let out an irritated grunt.
" No we didn't"
" You managed to open the book. That summoned me."
" Oh." They all said in unison.
" So um what do you do?" Quatre asked.
" Grant wishes?" Duo's eyes lit up at the prospect.
" No."
"Damn. Then what do you do?" Duo asked.
" I allow you to see your life."
" Huh?"
" That's it? Heck a camera can do that. "
" No child I mean your entire life...lives if you like. From your first up to now. I let you see the mistakes you've made in the past and what you need to do right to move on." The voice said evenly.
" That's all?" Heero said arching a brow.
" Yes." The voice replied.
" Oh then no thanks." Duo said.
"No!"
" Sounds long and boring."
"...."
" Um...thank you for the kind offer but no thank you." Quatre said ever polite. The voice seemed to smile if that were at all possible.
" I'm sorry you don't understand. Once you summon me. You have no choice in the matter. Now I will take you all to your first lives. But I warn you now you will see things that you will not like, some that may frighten you and some that may even tax your friendship...but remember this is for growth toward your ultimate goal. I will give you a break between life spans to collect yourselves." The voice said ever calm. Before the boy's could protest the flash of white of light returned.
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