Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. I simply love the characters. I also do not own Egypt or China.
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xOC
Rating: M to be safe

Form & Function
by Paranoid Pen

Hearing the click of the lock being undone inside, Duo counted to three and then pushed the door open, being sure to shut it behind him. He knew the lock had snapped in place when a cheery voice called out, "Welcome!"

Giving his eyes a second to adjust to the dark he smiled in faint relief as he recognized the young man perched on the very top of a ladder. Stretched over the isle he was sliding a bound sheaf of papyrus into place on one of the shelves in a position that should have been considered off balance.

Done he dusted his hands off and turned to smile down at Duo, "Have you come for that copy on demon possessing?"

"Yes. It's the last thing we need before we leave for Memphis."

Climbing down the ladder he nodded, eyes a mix of silver and blue looking up from beneath a fall of silver bangs and swept back hair to watch as he lifted the ladder and shifted its position. "I finished them this morning."

Duo frowned as he watched the man start climbing again, "Did you work all night again?"

"I did." Reaching the shelf he needed he walked his fingers along the wood until he found the right binding. Tugging the book free he flipped through it, checking, before he nodded and started his descent.

Hopping down the last few feet he grinned and passed the book over to Duo, "But that's the beauty of working hard. We'll have shorter hours today and then we'll be leaving tomorrow early so it works out for me."

Taking the book Duo nodded his thanks, "I didn't know Wu Fei was going on a trip."

"It surprised me too." Sliding past Duo in the narrow isle he headed back to the front of the store. "But I've learned not to question Qilin travel plans. I do not enjoy being roasted."^[1] Sliding behind the counter he bent down out of sight, the sound of rummaging rising up soon after. "Apparently he has to see a man about a dynasty. Someone named...Qin Shi...Huang ^[2]?"

Straightening he shrugged and passed a wrapped package over to Duo, "Fei also said you're going to need this one too." He shrugged and passed it over, "He said Heero can thank him later."

"Thank you...I'll be sure to tell him." Accepting the package Duo tucked it safely away with little more than a glance before passing over the gold deben^[3] Heero had given him for the book.

Accepting the copper deben's back Duo looked up feeling intense eyes on him. Before he could open his mouth to question, Wu Fei's assistant had pressed something cool and round into his free hand with a smile, "For luck."

"Ai Deng..." A voice laced with a warning growl sounded from right behind Duo making him jump a bit as he glanced back and saw Wu Fei himself, standing with his arms folded, "What have you given my guest?"

Seemingly undeterred Ai Deng held up a hollowed out bronze coin marked on both sides with a smile, "For luck."

Duo watched as Wu Fei raised a brow in question and Ai Deng turned the coin showing a dragon and a phoenix carved over an ocean with waves, "Don't be suspicious." A slow smirk curved his mouth as he put the coin away, "I'd never hand over an image of you Chang..."

Wu Fei nodded and then turned to Duo with a frown, "You look exhausted."

He started at being addressed so bluntly, feeling pinned down by that black gaze. Shifting his feet he sighed, "I haven't...been sleeping well lately…"

Wu Fei glanced at Ai Deng who shook his head, a bit of steel in his eyes, "I'm not friendly with any jackals."

Nodding once he turned back to Duo, studying the boys face, and then glancing at the ring on his finger. "Quatre has some tea that will help." Reaching past Duo he picked up a stack of faded parchments with distaste and left, heading into the very back of the shop where he shut his workroom door firmly behind him.

Ai Deng chuckled, "I better go help. If I leave him to work on those parchments alone he'll be grumpy the entire trip."

Moving towards the end of the counter he glanced back at Duo, "I trust you remember the way out?"

Nodding to Ai Deng he bowed slightly, "Yes thank you."

Bowing back the assistant turned with a wave, as he repeated the words inscribed on the front of the good luck coin, "Wan shi ru yi ^[4] Duo..."

Duo watched as Ai Deng disappeared from sight, not bothering to use the door and shivered. As nice as Wu Fei's aide was, and always had been in the years he had know them, for some reason...spirits always left him with chills once they departed.

Making his way down a few rows under the marking 'Egypt' and turning left, Duo stopped before a beautiful golden carving. He'd only seen it before a few times when Heero had visited in the past, but had never had the time to stop and look at it.

Even in this dusty shop the gold seemed to glow as if the creature was basking in the full light of the desert sun like its true counterpart sitting free out in Egypt's sands.

There was a soft laugh and a familiar voice spoke up, "Are you going to stand there all day or being Heero his things?"

Caught staring Duo ducked his head, "Sorry Quatre..."

Warm amusement filled his voice as he dismissed the apology, "It's alright. Are you ready for you riddle?"

"Yes." Straightening Duo nodded eyes on the golden sphinx.

"There are two sisters: one gives birth to the other and she, in turn, gives birth to the first." ^[5]

Duo grinned and answered firmly, "Day and night."

Words a purr Quatre laughed, "Yes exactly."

Knowing what was coming next Duo covered his eyes as a flash of light rose up from the statue, blinding him as he lost the scent of dust and vellum.

Noise rose up abruptly around him, a bit shocking after the silence of the scribes shop. Lowering his hand he blinked away the last of the glare to accept the water Quatre pressed into his hand. "You gave me an easy one," He accused gently and with good humor before taking a long drink.

Somehow Quatre always managed to get the best of the water from the Kharga Oasis nearby. Even the humans from Kharga came to his inn for the water; though Trowa insisted it was for something else.

Catching sight of the faint lines on Duo's face Quatre frowned, "Still having those dreams?"

Setting down his empty cup Duo nodded and admitted softly, "Wu Fei said you have some tea that will help?"

Quatre nodded and poured him some more water, "Trowa does actually...He brought some more home last night."

Duo blinked in surprise, "I didn't know he was back."

"He is by the grace of Allah." Duo shivered at the growl in Quatre's voice, "Apparently I have a bone or two to pick with Hercules." Glaring at the table Duo started as the clay cup in Quatre's hand developed a deep crack as he hissed, "Trowa hasn't been anywhere near Nemea in years."

Sitting carefully frozen Duo didn't move as he waited for the steel to fade from Quatre's eyes. Though practically impossible to harm Trowa, Quatre still had a tendency to take offense to any attempts.

Duo risked a glance up when he heard a soft sigh and the gentle thump of a cup being set back down. Catching a glimpse of green eyes under dark hair he smiled as Trowa slid his arms around Quatre's waist, his touch easing the anger in the blondes' eyes.

"It should relax you and help you sleep." Duo nodded to Trowa and softly voiced his thanks before he took another drink, raising a brow at the sympathetic look now on Quatre's face as the blonde asked softly, "You still can't remember the dreams well?"

Shaking his head Duo traced the rim of his cup with a finger, "All I remember is a jackal coming to me. I think I'm awake when it comes but I never am and I can never remember what else it does."

Duo's frown deepened as the innkeeper poured him more water, "But it feels urgent."

Quatre sighed and slid over the box of tea that Trowa had brought him, "I wish I could do more to help but dreams are not my forte."

"And you're retired." Accepting the tea Duo pushed the cup back and rose as Quatre grinned.

"There's that...but I prefer to think of retirement as a suggestion more than an actual fact."

Shaking his head Duo laughed, "Thanks for the tea you two."

Quatre smiled as Trowa answered, "It's our pleasure."

As Duo gathered up his things he missed the smirk that touched the sphinx's eyes, "Make sure you try it tonight Duo. Heero will need you well rested for this trip."

"Alright." Arms full he nodded to Quatre as he left calling back, "I promise to try it."

Dropping his things Duo flopped onto the bed with a groan, his words muffled as he lay face down on his stomach, "I hate demons."

A soft chuckle answered him as the bed dipped a bit under Heero's weight, "I don't believe it's in our job description to like them."

Duo huffed irritably, "It's not like we're priests. You'd think they'd show us a little more respect."

Heero shook his head and drew off his cloak, "I don't think they like necromancers either Duo."

Duo groaned and mumbled a word that Heero had to ask him to repeat.

"Tea." Forcing himself up he stumbled over to their bags and after a moment of searching, finally pulled out the right package, moving to prepare it as Heero took that chance to lie back and just breathe.

Glancing back at Heero he frowned as he watched the man rub at his face, the gold on his finger glinting in the lamplight. Pouring a second cup he passed it to Heero without a word, relieved when the man took it without argument.

Sitting beside him Duo took a sip and made a face, "That's strong..." Swirling the golden liquid he drank some more thoughtfully as it cooled, "It tastes like copper..." Duo smiled as he felt himself relax, "But it's still good..."

Beside him Heero nodded and murmured his agreement before shifting on the bed. His movement drew up the hem of his robe enough to reveal the black band of symbols encircling his left ankle. As many times as he had seen them before, Duo had only dared to ask once and the look he had been given then had been more than enough to dissuade him from asking again.

But he felt safe and warm...very warm...and his cup was sadly empty of tea now, so maybe asking wasn't a bad idea?

Pouring them both more tea Duo frowned as he remembered something. Getting back up he found the extra package that Wu Fei had wanted him to give to Heero.

Pushing it into the man's hands he sat beside him on the bed again, "Fei wanted you to have this."

Blinking Heero took it and tugged the wrapping off with his free hand to reveal a book bound in red and simply labeled 'curses'.

"Curses?" Leaning against Heero Duo stared down hard at the cover, "Why curses?"

"Because I've got curses." Heero raised a hand to push back his damp bangs. It was hotter than he remembered it being at night. Was it Memphis?

Duo frowned and lifted his braid off the back of his neck in an effort to cool down, "On your leg?"

Nodding Heero bent down to set his empty cup on the floor, remaining bent over as he tugged up his robe a bit more to clearly show Duo the marks wrapped around his left ankle. "See? Curses..."

Sitting up Heero leaned back on his hands as Duo shifted uncomfortably beside him, "What for?"

Heero frowned and groaned softly, sitting back up and shifting on the bed, "So I can't have someone." His frown deepened and he tried again, distracted by the heat, "So no one can have me."

Duo frowned and turned to stare down at the mark, "You have me." Looking back up again he tilted his head a bit to reveal the old scars of a slave collar, "You bought me and freed me in Asyut."

Nodding Heero stopped and shook his head, "Not same thing." All that warmth was making it hard to think, "Mean me."

Heero watched as Duo shifted beside him cheeks flushed and mumbled, "Witch."

Heero frowned and sat up straighter, starting to feel a bit dizzy with the heat, "Who?"

"Overheard..." Duo looked up and met Heero's eyes, "But don't believe..."

Duo dropped his cup as Heero kissed him, the last of his tea spilling onto the floor as they tugged at each other's robes needing to feel skin on skin. A soft moan slipped from Duo as Heero pressed him into the bed just as the lamp burned out and then finally finally that heat was no longer a need.

"I'm getting tired of waiting." There was a warning growl in that voice that Duo recognized, "Accomplished though she may be I prefer your awareness."

Duo blinked up at the jackal towering over the low bed, feeling very sore but content, "What do you want from me?"

It growled low and showed teeth before leaping straight for Duo with a snarl, "I want you to wake up!"

He cried out as something pierced his shoulder outside the dream, the blade cutting down deep before being dragged across his chest in what felt like an effort to cut out his heart.

He heard Heero snap out a spell with a growl, the anger in those words making his hair stand on end at the sickening splat that followed.

"Duo!" Panic. Pain. And something just beyond his reach...with that damned jackal sitting quietly beside him watching and waiting...

He closed his eyes to try and think just as the beasts own narrowed.

"You stubborn ass!" Duo flew off the bed and tackled what Heero couldn't see, leaving the pressure he had been applying on what looked to be a fatal wound. "I told you I wanted more time! You weren't supposed to wake me!"

"And I told you I can't stand her!" The jackal pinned Duo down with a paw, "She may be good at handling those old codgers but you're the expert on everything else. We need you to come back and you can't do that if you're not dead!"

Duo growled and shoved the jackal off him, "You have the patience of a gnat!"

Hackles up the jackal growled and matched Duo's glare just as a soft voice called hesitantly, "Duo?"

Straightening up Duo looked over to where Heero was still sitting on the bed with bloody hands. His eyes were trained on the spot Duo had just been facing with disbelief.

He looked up as Duo fell silent, wide eyes seeing him in a new light. "You're not human."

Shaking his head Duo sighed, "No...I'm not..." He reached up to draw a line over his right eye where a scar Heero knew had been a few short minutes ago. "And I didn't lie to you." He shot the jackal sitting quietly nearby a glare, "There was a bit of a complication coming here." He sighed and ran a hand through his bangs, "I wanted to see what mortal has been banging on my door the last few centuries but as yet has not made it through."

Heero blinked and turned to look at the spot beside Duo, "Then...you are..."

"Anubis."^[6] Duo sighed and gestured to the jackal sitting beside him, "And this thorn in my side is Wepwawet."^[7]

Heero said the name with him, still staring at that empty space.

Wepwawet chuckled, "It's been a while since I met a mortal who could see me when I didn't wish them to."

Ignoring the war god Duo met Heero's eyes almost pleadingly, "Please believe me Heero. I --"

"Don't you have a wife? Anput?"

Duo blinked at the abrupt change in topic and slowly shook his head, "Anput is just...my female aspect." ^[8]

Heero's frown deepened, "But you have a daughter."

Duo slowly shook his head eyes uncertain, "Kebechet is my assistant. She's like a little sister to me." ^[9]

Wepwawet chimed in helpfully, "Mortals never get their myths straight." He stilled as Duo shot him a glare.

Heero was still sitting on the bed, unaware that the blood on his hands had vanished, "If you're here then who is taking care of the dead?"

"With Menes in power we thought it wise to give the people a few common beliefs to strengthen Egypt's new union so Osiris has taken over my duties for now." Duo nervously twisted the ring on his finger, "I admit I welcomed the idea mainly because it gave me the opportunity to come here."

Wepwawet snorted, "Delinquent."

Duo shot him a dark glare that had the jackal backing up. Bowing to the pair he vanished, his voice all that was left behind. "Return to us quickly Anubis."

Duo sighed and met Heero's eyes, "I'm very sorry Heero. I didn't mean to lie --"

He stopped as Heero raised a hand and shook his head, sliding the ring from his finger. "It's alright..." Offering the ring back to Duo he held the gods eyes, "After all, this whole thing was a lie we worked to create the last six months in order to draw that murder out." His glanced at the wall behind Duo, "I'm sure they'll pardon us for the mess." He frowned and amended, "Pardon me."

"It wasn't."

Heero blinked and looked back to Duo, meeting the god's eyes. "It wasn't for me." Duo repeated the words and stepped closer to Heero, pushing the ring back towards the necromancer, "At least..." Deep violets caught hold of Heero as Duo knelt down before the necromancer, "I don't wish it to be."

He raised a gentle hand as Heero opened his mouth, "And forget your curse. Is immortality truly considered a curse if your lover is a god?"

Duo's face softened as he looked up at Heero, "Forgive me for sounding impertinent, but I am grateful for the witch who cursed you out of jealousy and spite." He smiled and took the ring, sliding it back onto Heero's finger, "It caught my attention."

His smile sobered a bit as he touched the curse wrapped around Heero's left ankle, "But if you are still bothered by it I will gladly go to Yue Xia Lao and ask him to remove it so --"

"That is not required." Duo's words were cut off as the mortal immortal bent down to kiss him warmly, fingers sinking into the gods braid before he pulled back with a faint smile, "I'm starting to see my loss as a gain.

^[1] A Qilin is a mythical chimerical creature said to be the 'lord of the beasts' over even the dragon and the phoenix. Considered the 'unicorn' of Asia appearing through history to assist the pure hearted and choose worthy leaders, a Qilin is considered a good omen.

^[2] Qin Shi Huang brought the Warring States period to an end and was the first emperor of a unified China.

^[3] Deben is one of the units used to measure worth and money in Egypt before coined money was introduced to Egypt.

^[4] Wan shi ru yi can be translated as both, 'may things go as you wish' or 'may everything go smoothly'.

^[5] Less popular, this is the sphinx's second riddle.

^[6] Anubis is the jackal headed god associated with mummification and the underworld.

^[7] Wepwawet is a war god whose name means 'opener of the ways'. Appearing as a jackal he and Anubis's cult center was in Asyut. They are often confused as the same god.

^[8] Though called Anubis's wife and worshipped as a goddess, Anput was considered the female aspect of Anubis.

^[9] Kebechet is the goddess of freshness and purification through water. She assists Anubis in mummification bringing him the water he needs for his work.

^[10] Considered the lord of the underworld Osiris never truly replaced Anubis who was considered the god of death. Osiris was charged with overseeing mortals afterlives. During the time of Menes reign in Egypt both Upper and Lower Egypt mainly worshiped Osiris as the god of death which led to the idea that Anubis had been replaced. Menes was the founder of the first dynasty and is credited with having united Upper and Lower Egypt.

^[11] Yue Xia Lao is the old lunar matchmaker god in charge of all the red strings of fate that the gods place on mortals left ankle or pinky finger.