Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Fates Intertwined: The Threads that Bind Us ❯ Chapter 2

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Author's Note: Yes well thanks to the two reviews and three alerts, I have been inspired to post another chapter. Aw hell, who am I kidding, I was gonna post the damn thing anyway. Thank you to those who reviewed, and yes Kami-Crimson you're right, I need a beta. I procrastinate though when it comes to actually finding one. Why, when I can do it myself? And then you get ten thousand spelling errors and poor little Quatre has now become Quarter. Let me shut up, you go ahead and read the pairings.

Disclaimer: Can you imagine if I owned the G-boys? Let's just be happy that I don't.

Pairings: As I have been requested to not do the usual pairings, I have decided to agree. Although I must confess I barely write canon yaoi/shounen ai pairings. It's much more fun when you mix it up and this fic shall have gone through puree once I'm through with it. Well not neccessarily puree, but they'll be some pairings you really don't see. Now go on and read the warning.

Warning: This fic will contain shounen ai, meaning somewhere along the lines Trowa might kiss. . .I don't know Zechs or something like that. Or Wufei might be groped by a drunken bar patron, which really isn't boy love but boy molestation. Hmm...maybe I should throw that scene in there? Anywho, there will be OOCness as it can not be avoided, such as Treize being a nervous wreck. Or Heero actually saying something other than "hn" and "omae o kurosu". There's also gore/blood and the occasional bastardization, but in the fun sense (I hope). Enjoy.

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As the royal carrier was slowly hefted through the streets of the Bazaar, Quatre watched in wide-eyed awe at the sights. There were so many people, so many strange things that he had never seen inside the palace and he wished he could get a closer look. However, he'd have to be satisfied with being escorted, at least for the moment. As they stopped momentarily, Quatre was greeted by a camel's head that pushed its way past the sheer curtains. He smiled at the animal, reaching out to pet it and was granted a sloppy lick against his cheek.

"Your Highness, that creature is filthy.", the vizier objected, pulling Quatre away.

Quatre sighed as the camel was shooed away. At least he got to see something up close. He looked to his father's advisor, the man staring out of the carrier into the streets below. If Quatre could guess what he was looking for, he'd say it was any sign of trouble, Traize was nearly as paranoid as his father.

"We'll be fine, Treize.", Quatre softly told him, "Just enjoy yourself."

Quatre watched as Treize turned to him, offering him an apology and he only smiled at the man before turning to sightsee again. He caught site of a street performance and his eyes brightened as he watched acrobats tumbling and throwing themselves into the air. His hand reached back for Treize's and he grabbed it, squeezing it in his excitement. This he had to get an upclose look at.

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Treize could only stare dumbly down at his hand, which was now held by Quatre's and he had to remind himself to breathe. He wasn't sure when he had stopped. It was probably when Quatre had actually closed his hand around his. In all his years of working in the palace, he had never once touched the boy, not even grazed him as they walked past each other.

"Treize, look over there!", Quatre urged him, "Do you think we can get a closer look?"

The vizier looked to where the prince's eyes were staring, watching as the acrobats continued their performance. Fired rings and batons were now flying through the air and Treize knew he'd have to disappoint the blond boy. They'd have to look from afar; the crowd gathering about the performers was far too large to risk stepping into.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness.", Treize apologized, pulling his hand free, "You'll have to watch from here, it's far too dangerous to get you any closer."

Quatre frowned, that recognizable pout taking his lips as he looked to Treize. The man had to turn away, knowing that if he stared at the boy any longer. . .well he didn't want to think about that.

"What could possibly happen?", Quatre pondered, his voice the least bit exasperated.

"Well, there could be thieves.", the vizier tried, looking out past the sheer curtains suspiciously, "Bandits and cutthroats, who would love to get their hands on the prince. I'm sorry, Quatre, but you must stay here."

He turned back to the boy only to have his heart drop in a panic. Quatre was gone; when had he slipped out? Frantically he looked about the carrier, as if the prince would reappear at any given moment. His searching was in vain he realized, so he pulled the veiling aside, his eyes looking about the bazaar for any sight of the prince.

"Quatre!"

He caught sight of sun-kissed locks amongst the crowd and he swore under his breath as he realized just where the prince was headed.

"Quatre, get back here!"

After telling the guards to stop, Treize jumped from the carrier, not bothering to wait for them to rest it on the ground. He pushed his way through the crowd following after the prince and hoping he'd be able to drag him away before anyone could recognize who he was.

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Quatre couldn't help but slip away, especially when he had been given the perfect opportunity. As he had jumped down from the carrier, not even the guards noticed his absence and he quickly made his way to where the performers were. It didn't take him long to get there, even though once or twice he was physically stopped by tradesmen trying to sell him something.

He reached in the front of the crowd surrounding the small circle of the stage just as more flames came into play, a large ring set on fire save for where a man was holding it. Quatre watched in awe as an acrobat jumped through it, transfixed with the graceful bodies that moved across the stage. He had always liked watching acrobats, in fact whenever the palace held celebrations he was sure to beg his father to hire them.

He was startled as one of the performers landed in front of him, half a mask covering his face and a body of lean muscle covered tightly in green and gold. The acrobat winked at him, Quatre catching it through the bangs that covered the other half of his face, and a hand was offered out to him.

"Quatre!"

He looked back to find Treize pushing his way through and he groaned in disappointment. If Treize had found him, that meant he'd be dragged back to the palace. He bit his lip in thought for the moment, not sure what to do next. His mind was made up for him as he was dragged up onto the stage, Quatre squeaking in surprise as he was hefted up until he was standing on a platform.

"It seems we have a volunteer.", the ring leader began, a man dressed in ridiculously loud garb.

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Treize paused in his advance as he watched Quatre being pulled up on stage, placed on a platform by one of the perfromers. With the ring leader announcing that the prince was to be their volenteer, Treize thought it would be best to put a stop to it. However, the tug on his waist distracted him for the moment and he looked down to find a small boy running off with his coin purse in hand.

"Get back here!"

He could have started chasing after him, but that would mean leaving Quatre here without someone keeping an eye on him. Perhaps he should have ordered one of the guards to follow him? It was too late now and he watched the boy disappear, all the gold he had brought with him disappearing as well. He let his eyes fall back to Quatre, who now stood in between two jugglers, who just happened to be throwing swords back and forth between them.

A cold sweat broke over his skin as he watched. What if one of those men was off and a sword went flying for the prince? The sultan would kill him. He had to do something. He went to step forward but was stopped as a body stumbled into him, knocking him to the ground. The person that had run into him had landed on top of him, his knee having come in contact with a very vulnerable part of his anatomy. Treize tried his best not to cry, but he did curl up into a fetal postion once the man had scrambled off of him. Watering eyes looked up to see just who had collided into him and he was met with blue eyes and an empathtic look.

"I'm sorry.", the man apologized, looking around nervously, "I was in a hurry."

"What is wrong with you?", Treize questioned, glaring up at him.

The man only shook his head, long blond hair shimmering in the noontime sun. It would seem that Quatre wasn't the only golden thing around these parts.

"Hey, I said I was sorry. I'll make it up to you, but I have to-"

Treize watched as the man was tackled to the ground by two men, wincing as he watched a foot collide with his side. What the hell was going on?

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"So, Zechs, I finally caught up with you."

Zechs groaned pitifully from the kick that had been delivered to him and he swore as he realized that he had just been caught. He shouldn't have stopped to apologize. He looked up at the appearance of a third man, a man he knew all too well. He was dressed in expensive silk, a royal blue and was heavily jeweled. Large gold rings graced every finger and Zechs moaned pitifully as he realized what damage those rings could do.

He was roughly pulled from the ground and his eyes quickly looked to the man he had knocked over, who had yet to stand up. He didn't knee him that hard, he was sure that he was just overreacting. His thoughts were cut off as a heavily ringed hand connected with his stomach, wanting to double over but held in a standing position. His jaw was then struck with the same hand and he swore as his lip burst, having snagged on a ring.

"Did you really think that you'd be able to run from me?", the man asked, shaking his hand to relieve it from the small amount of pain.

Dazed and hurting, Zechs tried to make words, but he had lost his breath from that hit to his stomach. He turned watering blue eyes to his attacker and he figured he had better try and explain himself.

"Amir, look I can explain.", he tried breathlessly, shaking his head to clear it.

"No, I don't want an explanation. I want the pound of gold that you owe me.", the man told him, pulling free a dagger.

"I have it!", Zechs exclaimed, struggling to back away from the man, "You have to believe me, I have the gold."

"Then why did you run?", Amir questioned, feigning confusion.

Zechs sagged in defeat. He knew he was caught and he had no choice but to reveal the truth. If he survived this, he'd know to avoid loan sharks in the future. He'd learned his lesson.

"Okay, I don't have the gold.", he admitted, "I can get it though. You just need to give me more time."

Amir stopped, studying the blade of the dagger as he thought it over. Zechs silently prayed the man would show mercy. It would give him time to skip town and never look back.

"No.", Amir finally answered after what seemed like hours, "I'll teach you what happens to those that try to dodge me."

Knowing what that would entail, Zechs began fighting against the two men restraining him to try and escape. That only got him a knee to his gut and fist in has face. He stopped struggling to avoid any further beatings and he raised his eyes to look at the ginger-haired man who had finally stood up. Amir looked to him as well and he pointed the dagger in Treize's direction, a dark smile on his face.

"You saw nothing, do you understand?"

He didn't wait for Treize's answer, he only turned and walked away. His two thugs followed, dragging Zechs along with them. The blond let them, knowing he had no other choice. Maybe if he was lucky, that stranger would inform an officer and he'd be helped before they reached Amir's tavern.

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Treize watched as the young man was dragged off and he felt his stomach curl. He had an idea of what was bound to happen to him. He knew alot more than he liked when it came to the world outside of the palace. His feet started after them, in hopes of helping or at least finding an officer, but he remembered the prince. He couldn't leave Quatre alone.

He turned back to the stage only to have his heart stop in fear. The stage was now empty and the crowd was breaking up. Quatre was no where to be found. He pushed his way through the thinning crowd, looking around frantically for the boy, but he was long gone.

"Quatre!"

His call was useless, as the boy was obviously no where in sight. His heart was pounding now, not only in worry for the prince but for himself. When the sultan found out that he had lost his son, he'd lose more than his job.

"Could this day get any worse?"

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Quatre had enjoyed being the center of attention for the last part of the performance and he even received applause, which brought him a strange sense of euphoria. He had thought he was used to praise, but it would seem that this was different. The show ended and Quatre looked out into the crowd only to frown. Treize wasn't there anymore.

Sea-colored eyes continued to search but he still couldn't find him. He did however see a young man being beat on. Perhaps he should help? A hand took hold of his arm before he could leave and he looked back to find the acrobat from earlier, his mask now removed.

"You shouldn't intefere.", he advised, pulling Quatre in the opposite direction, "You'll just end up in unwanted trouble. Come on, how about we get a drink?"

"I wish I could, but I have to find my fath-"

"I'm sure your father wouldn't mind.", the older boy assured him, leading him off, "Besides, the rest of the gang wants to thank you properly for your assitance. My name's Trowa by the way."

Quatre was going to say his father's advisor, but Trowa had cut him off. It would seem that he was going to get a drink whether he wanted to or not. He looked back one last time to find Treize standing from the ground. Well, he was sure that everything would be fine, other than Treize would most likely have a panic attack to find him gone. Yet, Quatre knew he wouldn't get permission if he asked and he really did want to see what a tavern was like. He made up his mind, rushing ahead and pulling Trowa with him.

"Come on.", he urged with a smile, his excitement taking over, "Let's go get that drink."

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Wufei gritted his teeth as his braided company gave another sigh. He had been doing so every so often for the past hour and if Wufei wasn't hanging from chains, he'd have strangled the idiot. His eye twitched as the boy sighed again and he growled to show just how exasperated he was. It didn't seem to faze Duo any, because the boy was sighing again.

"Would you stop that already!", Wufei bellowed, causing Duo to jump.

The thief only glowered at him, before rolling his eyes.

"I can't help it.", he mumbled, shifting in his chains.

"Just stop.", was Wufei's only words and he closed his eyes to calm himself.

"But I'm bored!", Duo whined and Wufei twitched.

Of all people to be locked in this dungeon with. He would have rather suffered sudden death in front of the king than this. Hopefully the guards would come and drag him off soon. He was bound to go mad staying in here.

"So what do you think they're going to do to us?", Duo asked and Wufei looked to him with a glare.

"I don't know, hopefully they'll kill you and give the rest of us peace."

"Hey, that's not a nice thing to say.", Duo pouted, "You were nice to me before."

"Yeah, well before you had been a girl.", Wufei told him.

He tried his best to shift in his chains. His shoulders were beginning to cramp and he had long lost feeling in his hands. Even prisoners deserved better treatment than this. He looked over to where Duo had begun swinging side to side, a childish grin on his face and Wufei felt his eye beginning to twitch again.

"What are doing?", he demanded and Duo stopped to grin at him.

"I'm entertaining myself.", he answered as if he had been asked a stupid question, "I told you I was bored. You should try it, it's fun."

Wufei only scoffed, turning his head so as not to continue looking at his prisonmate. It was Duo's fault that they were in here, well not neccessarily, but it made him feel better to think that it was. Then again, he didn't have to kill those men, or mutitlate those other guys, or even knock out that officer. He had done it for Duo though, and now he was regretting having run into the thief.

"So, when are we busting out of here?", Duo questioned out of the blue, having stopped in his swinging.

"We're not busting out of anything.", Wufei snapped, ignoring as Duo rolled his eyes, "If you wish to escape, then by all means try. I am going to stay right here and get the punishment I deserve."

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Duo only snorted, before he was lifting his legs and flipping himself until he was upside down.

"Fine, suit yourself.", he muttered, his fingers working diligently at the shackles.

He gave a small cry of victory as the locks opened and he gracefully flipped down to the floor, messaging his aching wrists. He rolled his shoulders to loosen those as well, looking to Wufei whose eyes seemed about ready to pop out of his head.

"You do know the punishment you're heading for is death, right?", Duo asked.

He knew that being a foreigner that the sloe-eyed boy knew no such thing, but it was fun to tease.

"How did you-", Wufei's original line of questioning was stopped at Duo's words, "Death?"

Duo nodded, his hands going behind his head as he waited for the question the boy was bound to ask.

"Think you can get me down?"

Duo laughed as he strolled closer, using abandoned chains to climb higher to Wufei's level. Once he had reached, one hand armed with a pick started working away at the locks.

"Sure, I don't mind returning the favor."

It wasn't long before he had managed to get the warrior free, the dark-haired boy landing on his feet gracefully. Duo dropped beside him as Wufei tried to gain feeling back into his limbs, waiting expectantly for his thanks.

"You know, it's called thank you.", he reminded him, waiting a bit too long for his taste.

Wufei only looked to him with a glare that could have killed and Duo backed off. He'd let it slide, but only this once. His arm was soon wrapping around Wufei's shoulder and he began to lead him to the door.

"So, what are we going to do now, buddy?"

He was pushed away, the Eastern boy clearly not wanting to be touched and Duo looked at him with a baffled expression.

"First off, I am not your buddy.", Wufei corrected, dusting off his shoulders, "Second, we are not doing anything. It's best we go our seperate ways."

Duo snorted, not in the slightest bruised by Wufei's behavior toward him. He merely took the boy by the shoulder again, beginning to take the lead.

"You and I are in this together, Fei Fei."

"Don't call me that!", Wufei objected, pushing him away, "And stop touching me."

"Aw, but Fei Fei, how else will you escape the palace?", Duo questioned, as if he were talking to a child, "You've never been in here, remember?"

Duo avoided the hands that reached for him with a laugh, easily dodging the foreigner as he chased him around the dungeon. He knew they didn't have much time before the guards returned, but it was fun for the moment. He stopped with a surprised yip as his braid was caught and pulled on, causing him to stumble back. However, before he could fall to the ground, Wufei had caught him and he looked up at the newcomer who glared down at him. He offered the boy a smile, batting his lashes and he felt Wufei stiffen.

"Oh, Wufei, you're my hero.", he teased, hugging onto the boy who gave off a curse, "And you're so strong and manly."

He wasn't the least bit surprised when Wufei let him go, causing him to drop onto the dungeon floor, where he began to roll in laughter. He was aware that Wufei was grumbling, walking off into a corner to probably steam.

"Oh man, you should have seen your face.", Duo laughed, standing from the ground, "You looked ready to burst a blood vessel."

"Are we going to get out of here or not!", Wufei yelled, obviously not the least bit amused.

"Alright, Fei Fei. Don't get you knickers in a twist."

"My name is Wufei.", Duo was reminded, "Not Fei Fei, but Wufei."

"Alright, Wufei. We'll go, but you have to help.

He made his way to where the skeleton was hanging, apologizing before jerking it off of the wall and letting it fall to the ground in a pile of bones. Quickle he began searching the wall, his hands finding a loose brick and removing it. Others followed and then he was calling to Wufei for the other boy's help. He could see that Wufei wanted to ask him a question, and he waited for it. It never came however and the two continued working.

"We have to hurry.", Duo urged, looking out the barred window to the sky, "They'll be coming for us soon."

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Trowa sat silently studying the boy he had brought along with him. His colleagues were gathered around him, laughing and sharing stories for him to keep him entertained. Trowa had been aware that the boy was dressed as an aristocrat, but he seemed much more than that. The ringmaster came to sit beside him, and Trowa nodded in Quatre's direction.

"Tell me, Vernard. Have you ever noticed him before?"

Vernard looked to where Quatre sat, amused with the story he was currently being told, his laughter ringing a bit softer than the rest. He shrugged and then looked to Trowa, whose eyes were studying the boy as if he were a puzzle to figure out.

"You know how the rich are.", he answered, pouring himself a cup of wine, "Barely with the peasants and rarely seen. So this one happens to enter our circle, what do we care?"

Trowa shook his head, not wanting to be swayed. They was something about this boy that he couldn't quite put his finger on. If he was only rich, he didn't carry himself as such. He was much more graceful and with all his charm aside, he seemed to hold himself as if he had authority.

"I've seen what the rich are like.", Trowa continued to argue, accepting the drink poured for him, "He's not one of them."

He took a sip of his drink, green eyes watching as Quatre was offered some wine. The boy declined at first but the men's urging broke him, and he took the cup downing it in one drink. He blushed at the applause and shouts of approval, the men slapping him on the back in a congratulatory gesture.

"So, maybe he's not from around here.", Vernard offered, taking a swallow from his cup, "He's probably a foreign noble's son who wanted to see the city while his father does business."

Trowa's eyes narrowed as an amulet hanging from the boy's neck slipped from his clothing to shimmer in the tavern's torchlights. This boy was no noble, he was much more important. He recognized the royal seal and that could only mean one thing.

"What were you to say if I told you that he was a prince?", Trowa asked, a smirk breaking out on his lips.

"I'd say that it is possible. Many princes pass through this city."

"Not just any prince, but our prince."

"Then I'd say you were crazy.", Vernard laughed, holding Trowa by the shoulder, "My friend, the prince never leaves the palace. There's no way that he could possibly be here or that this boy is him."

Trowa grabbed the man by his chin, turning his head to Quatre's direction and pointing to the glittering gold amulet. Vernard only squawked in surprise at Trowa's grip, but his objection was cut short as he studied the amulet further.

"By the heavens, that is the prince.", Vernard mumbled, his head shaking in disbelief, "What on earth is he doing here?"

"Giving us the oppoturnity to receive a very big fortune.", Trowa provided, letting the ringmaster go.

The man looked to Trowa with a confused expression and his star acrobat only gave him a smile. Catching Trowa's intention, a low laugh rumbled from his chest before he was doing so heartily and slapping the boy on his back.

"Devious little bastard, you are.", he laughed, draining off the last of his drink.

"You flatter me.", Trowa responded, his smile growing darker as his eyes centered on the prince once again.

T.B.C.

Yes, these chapters are short, but they'll get longer once the story starts flowing. Leave reviews if you're kind, I'd like to know what you think. Ja!