Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Forged Together ❯ Chapter 7

A/N- I've written up[Author ID1: at Fri Jun 15 08:49:00 2007 ] [Author ID1: at Fri Jun 15 08:50:00 2007 ]to Chapter 19. I just post them as I get it back from by beta Stray. Thanks for the reviews. [Author ID1: at Fri Jun 15 08:49:00 2007 ]This story will be 21 to 22 chapters long. [Author ID1: at Fri Jun 15 08:50:00 2007 ][Author ID0: at ]

[Author ID1: at Fri Jun 15 08:49:00 2007 ]

Chapter 7

 

The sparing area was a cleared space where they could work their frustration out on each other while calling it all nice names such as `assessment of personnel fitness' and other such nonsense. It was a partition made of wooden paneling with a rubber floor mat added by Trowa the time Quatre and Duo had spared.

 

“Fine,” said Heero, once Duo had stopped walking in a circle. “Shall we start with your…demonstration?” The quirk of that eyebrow and the annoying smile was getting to Duo.

 

“At least take off your shoes,” Quatre said, who had followed Duo.

 

“No need,” Heero said looking at Duo's boots then dismissing them.

 

“They are steel tipped,” there was a strained note in the blond's voice. “If we go on a mission, it will not be with the two of you bleeding all over the cockpits.”

 

“I got it,” said Duo, going to the side of the mat and sitting down. He was angry not stupid; removing boots while standing was something which called for great concentration and he was not about to start testing his limits. And falling on his ass in front of Heero was about as stupid as it could get. He watched as Heero toed his sneakers off in a simple move and grimaced. “There, all set.”

 

“Quatre,” said Heero in his trademark voice. “Why don't you go do something now?”

 

“I think I'll stay,” there was a steely quality in his voice and he stood straight, with his arms crossed.

 

“Leave them,” said Trowa, showing up behind him and Quatre looked around, scowling.

 

“I'll stay in case they hurt each other,” he said, though his voice sounded less sure.

 

“They won't.” A single green eye fixed both contestants over the shorter boy's head and even Heero gave a grudging nod afterwards.

 

“I'll drop by our nest the first thing after this,” Duo said with a cheeky grin and though he didn't look convinced, Quatre let Trowa lead him away by the shoulder.

 

“Now,” said Duo, dropping the mask the moment his friend had disappeared. “Where were we?”

 

“This is where you were going to demonstrate to me the advantages of having long hair,” Heero deadpanned.

 

“Whatever,” said Duo, seemingly unconcerned, giving his boots a push with one of his feet, then lashed out just as Heero's eyes moved to follow his foot. The fist missed by a good half inch as Heero calmly moved out of the way. Duo grinned, feral and dangerous as he moved slowly, letting Heero have a go at him.

 

Heero was fast; he was the most genetically modified of them and Duo suspected that even before that, he had been an exceptionally fast individual. Even more annoyingly, the sparing match seemed to be some form of amusement to him, as if he was doing it to entertain Duo for the sake of keeping him satisfied.

 

“Don't baby me,” Duo growled angrily as Heero calmly stepped out of his way. “You fight as if you are channeling Relena.

 

“I seemed to have made you angry,” Heero sounded more amused with the turn of events than anything else. “And I don't even know why.”

 

“And you probably don't want to know why,” said Duo as he went sprawling across the floor when Heero tripped him neatly. He struck out while lying on the floor, catching Heero in the leg in a move, which should have made a bigger man fall; Heero wasn't even shaken by it.

 

The other boy shrugged to show that the reason was irrelevant, then stepped back and waited for Duo to get to his feet. Duo surged up, intent on …something, anything, when Heero executed a perfect double spin kick, catching him on the upper shoulder and left cheek neatly. He spun, slammed to the ground and gasped, spitting out blood. Heero had timed it perfectly so that it wouldn't damage him too much but would slow him down. He turned over just as a bare foot caught him in the middle spinning him around.

 

“Didn't your mother tell you it's not nice to kick a man when he's down?” Duo gasped.

 

“Didn't your mother tell you shouldn't go provoking people who are stronger than you?” Heero asked with a smirk, almost as if he was having a normal conversation.

 

“She's dead so who cares?” Duo bit out as he stood up straight. While he was not super soldier material, he could take lot of beating and still keep on walking. And Heero hadn't even cracked a rib yet.

 

“Stop before I hurt you,” Heero said reasonably.

 

He should have felt grateful; instead he felt like some sort of charity case. He avoided two half-hearted swats from Heero moving in a semi circle, reaching behind him to grip his braid. Taking a deep breath he started to talk. He knew that his prattle seemed to faze Heero out and he was going to use it to his advantage. He may not have the perfect strategic skills of Yuy but he was a gundam pilot, and before that, he'd survived on the streets by sheer talent with a small dose of luck.

 

“I'll tell you what's bothering me,” he said straightening up, ignoring the tickle of blood running down the side of his cheek. “You always want something that belongs to me and you take it.”

 

“That's not true,” Heero said looking surprised. Well, as surprised as he could get.

 

“Let me remind you,” said Duo, turning around fast, letting his braid fly free and heard it smack Heero across the face like a whip as intended. He smiled secretly when Heero grunted in surprise. No one knew about the reinforced flexible steel strips he'd braided into it, not even Quatre. “You wanted to cut my hair but no one,” he followed it with a swift kick. “…touches my hair.”

 

Heero retaliated with a flurry of fists as he realized that Duo was serious, but by then, the long-haired boy had found his rhythm. “You stole parts from my gundam and don't you forget it,” he spat out as he ducked to avoid a karate chop, then tried to sweep Heero's legs from under him.

 

“That was so long ago,” Heero said as he jumped up them tried to stamp down on Duo's out thrust leg.

 

“Yeah, but I never forget,” Duo tried a flying kick, which was blocked by the other boy who caught his leg by the ankle then swung him around. He was sent flying towards one of the partitions, hit it with a bang, then dropped to the ground, winded but unhurt.

 

“You always want what is mine. Well, this time…” ignoring every gentlemanly thought from his mind, he kicked Heero squarely between the legs. “…what is mine… stays mine and you keep your grubby hands off him.” He wasn't even sure if the other boy had heard his last comment since he was on the floor gasping for breath.

 

Duo got up shakily and walked over to Heero who had turned over on his back; his hair was slicked back with sweat and he was breathing fast but he seemed to have recovered from a kick to the groin faster than humanly possible. In fact, his eyes seemed alert and more amused than hurt.

 

For a moment Duo wanted to scream and curse; nothing he did seemed to dent that perfect amour and even though he had won this round, it felt bitter. “While we are here, let me give you a few pointers,” he said, suddenly his mind made up.

 

“Pointers?” now Heero looked confused but he made no move to get up. Duo knew that Heero would not be in that position for long as he went to stand over him, his legs on either side of his hip. From his position, the pilot realized just how vulnerable he was. Heero could trip him over with a well placed kick to the ankle or, as he had done, make him wish for gundanium codpiece. The dark-haired pilot was never weak and even lying prone, he looked as dangerous as he always did.

 

“A little bird told me you kiss terribly,” Duo said conversationally, turning his head to the side. “We can't have that, can we? You expect to kiss your love interest that way? Giving the former Queen of the World a bruised lip is sooooo Heero Yuy, but even she can't be expected to put up with that.”

 

“Relena,” said Heero in that same half dazed, half puzzled voice he always used whenever that girl entered the conversation.

 

“You know, the girl you love,” said Duo dropped on to his heels in one fluid motion so he was almost sitting on Heero's chest. “Now don't you go biting my lip off,” he added as he leaned over his and pressed his mouth on to the stubbornly closed one. After a few seconds he drew back frustrated. From the confused look in Heero's eyes it was obvious he had no idea what exactly Duo had attempted. `What does he think I'm trying to do?' Duo thought in frustration. `Give him CPR?'

 

He was going to show Heero what it felt to be taken without consent. As far as Duo understood, Heero was one big bully; not the type you found on the streets who were stupid, but more dangerous. Heero Yuy was strong, intelligent, good looking and had that mysterious quality about him, which attracted most people. `But not me,' Duo thought with a scowl. “Open you mouth, dammit,” he said in frustration, bringing down both his palms onto the chest of his fellow pilot.

 

“You took something from me,” Duo said leaning forward. “So I'm taking something from you.” And he closed his lips over those that were now slightly open. Heero's lips were slightly parted and he found a way to worm into the warm, wet opening, using his tongue to trace those lips.

 

Heero gasped slightly at the unexpected sensation and Duo wormed his way in… into something that swept him away. Heero was a solid block of gundanium under his grip, but his lips were sweet and his mouth tasted warm and inviting. Then there was a hand on his back forcing him closer and his hips ground down hard as their tongues dueled. Duo could feel the way their teeth clashed together as they tried to adjust and their breath mingled as he breathed into Heero's mouth. This was not how he had planned it. He was going to be firm and show Heero the consequences of preying on his man.

 

The kiss had seemed like a fair idea at the time. Heero had kissed Wufei and he kissed Heero in retaliation. Only now, as he pushed himself off Heero, trying to steady his breath, it did not seem like the best idea he'd come up with.

 

“So stay away from what is mine,” he snarled, gripped his braid and stalked out, leaving Heero panting on the ground, those ridiculous spandex shorts tenting at the front.

 

His exit would have been damn impressive, had he not been sporting an equally impressive erection, which made stalking away very difficult.

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

“Wufei,” Sally managed to put a lot of expression to that one word, and Wufei turned around, forcing his face into the familiar scowl. “It's good to see you,” she added as she came up to him and gave him a hug.

 

Wufei instinctively shrugged off the physical contact and moved away, but Sally did not seem hurt by his actions; in fact, she seemed slightly amused. “What do you want me for?” he bit out to hide his confusion. He knew he was being annoying and most people couldn't put up with his sour personality but Sally continued to treat him with respect and fondness.

 

“It's nice to see you too,” she said with a faint smile. “Where's Nataku?”

 

“In the ravine to the North of here,” Wufei said. “The automatic defenses are on, so make sure your people don't go trampling over it.” He really didn't think anyone would try to get into Altron, these people knew when to leave gundam along and most people regarded gundams and their pilots with almost mythical awe. Still, it didn't hurt to give a warning before hand.

 

“I'll let them know,” she said with another of her secret smiles.

 

“What's the problem this time?” he asked, since it was making him uncomfortable.

 

“There is a group of people hiding in the mountains, trying to take over our town,” Sally said, sounding weary. “The usual story Wufei, and I would not have asked your help had I thought I could handle it but they have some modified Taurus mobile dolls which have those fighting chips installed.”

 

“How did they get them?” Wufei asked, sitting up straighter.

 

“They are in the open market now,” Sally said sounding sad. “They go to the highest bidder. I swear Relena might not have the best of ideas but trying to dissolve borders and declaring an Earth Nation was one of the stupidest things she's ever done.” Wufei remained silent until Sally looked at him. “What do think of that?”

 

“Are you asking me for an opinion?” Wufei asked in return. “I thought it was stupid. Countries can't merge because there is no equal distribution of wealth. And how is Relena going to manage the entire world when she's out visiting the colonies more than anything else? She'll have to have people manage it, distribute part of the responsibility to different people, and soon you are back where you originally were, only it'll be worse.”

 

“Nice description,” Sally said looking surprised. “You've been giving this some thought.”

 

“I was a scholar before I became a killer,” Wufei said with a shrug.

 

“You always did manage to surprise me,” Sally said, looking at his profile. “We've got problems here, too, so keep your eyes open,” she added as the truck finally came into the town.

 

“Supplies?” Wufei asked as he looked at the town, the same town where he'd fought a couple of OZ soldiers a lifetime before. The people seemed to have doubled in number, and they all wore the leather armband Sally was wearing as sign of their loyalty to the cause; even those too old to fight and those too young to understand what was happening. The difference was in the number of people who openly carried firearms in the streets, men walking with a swagger and there were…

 

“Who are the other people?” Wufei asked as he got out and walked over to Sally who had also gotten off.

 

“So you've noticed them,” Sally said with a grim smile. “They are refugees. We've been getting a stream of outcasts from all over the place, former OZ soldiers' families, those who have no where to go. As a policy we don't ask them about their pasts as long as they can function here as a society but still, there are some who just don't fit in.”

 

“What's so important in the mountains that's worth fighting over?” Wufei asked as he wordlessly took a package from a man who had walked over the moment Sally's truck had stopped. Everyone knew Sally and they respected her; knew that she did not have the time to go shopping so they had the supplies ready to be picked up the moment they'd driven into town. “All I see is the weak and there is nothing here worth taking.”

 

“You'd be surprised,” Sally said, also taking a large box and throwing it to the back. “Those mountains are a miners' dream, we just don't have the money for equipment, let alone a full scale mining operation. Some of the people here do a bit of prospecting on their own but if someone who owns mobile dolls moves in, we'll all be as good as dead.”

 

“And you want to fight someone stronger than you,” Wufei stated, grunting as the next package proved to be heavier than anticipated.

 

“What choice do we have?” Sally said. “We have our freedom and our dignity. Isn't that enough?”

 

“I still don't understand you people,” Wufei said in frustration. “Why fight a loosing battle? It'll only get you killed.”

 

“But what other choice is there?” Sally asked. “It's like…”she stopped suddenly an odd gleam in her eye. “Why don't you do something for me, Wufei?” she said instead. “See that store over there, by the corner? Why don't you go and pick up two dozen apples for me. They are hard to come by, so expensive, and I don't usually indulge my men but I think they can use a little cheering up before a big battle.”

 

“Fine,” said Wufei, wondering what it had all been about. He pocketed the money she had handed to his and walked towards the shop, which was little off the main road. It was clean and had a glass window; intact glass was rarely seen in war torn areas, so he knew it was new. It also had the look of someone prosperous, almost out of place.

 

Most of the men knew who he was, even if they hadn't seen him before. His description had circulated among them the last time he'd hidden in the mountains and even if they didn't know him in person, he was the only Chinese in a white traditional tunic walking down the main street. He ignored the muttering of `it's him' and `he's just a kid' glaring at anyone who came too close to him. As he approached the shop, several men who had been loitering about dispersed, leaving a boy with dark brown hair leaning against the wall, watching him intently. The boy was about thirteen or fourteen, dressed in a pair of cut off denims and a torn t-shirt. His interest in Wufei was open and frank; the Chinese youth could feel those eyes on him as he pushed open the door of the shop and walked in, letting it slam shut behind him.

 

The apples were slightly withered and looked about as fresh as month old fish. Trying hard not to show his displeasure, Wufei took moldy looking fruits and stepped out into the heat and into the boy…

 

“I'm sorry,” the boy said in a neutral voice, stepping back his eyes fixed on Wufei.

 

Wufei adopted one of Heero's conversation techniques, grunted and started to circle around the boy when he moved to intercept Wufei. Wufei stepped back, keeping his arms loose, ready to drop the apples but not willing to do so until it became obvious that he needed to do anything drastic.

 

“You're new here,” the boy stated licking his lips. Wufei wondered if he was thirsty.

 

“Move out of the way, kid,” Wufei said in his most arrogant voice.

 

“You've got money,” the boy continued, pointing to the apples which were starting become a bit of a bother.

 

“You're going to rob me,” Wufei said in disbelief.

 

“No,” the boy looked equally shocked at the prospect. “That would be stupid. People here would band together and hang me. What I want to do is offer you something in return for money. I know you came with that Sally Po…it must be lonely at night unless you're bedding her. For the right price…”

 

He was so shocked, he didn't even bother to hit the kid, he simply pushed him off and broke into a run towards the truck, where Sally was already sitting in the drivers' seat.

 

“You knew,” Wufei accused as soon as he'd buckled up. “You knew he'd be there.”

 

“It's a part of life Wufei,” Sally said sadly. “He's a son of some OZ general so no one wants him to work for them and he's got no where to go. I can't have him with us, he's too young and I've promised myself I will not have a thirteen year old carrying a machine gun if I can help it. Shaun… his name is Shaun… is an outsider here and this is the only way he can make a living. That's what'll happen to us if we don't fight for ourselves here. Even if we don't become slaves, we'll have to sacrifice a part of us. I help out sometimes,” Sally said as Wufei looked at her with real interest. “I've told my men to stay away from him and I send him some food and money from time to time but…”

 

Wufei looked out, watching the shadows move past in the darkness. “I'll move Altron closer tonight when there's no one around,” he said. “I want to see all your maps and the escape routes. This time, we'll do it my way.”

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The internal clock read ten thirty when Wufei jumped out of his cockpit, using the gundam's contours to shimmy down. He landed lightly on his feet and stood waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness and for the person who was standing outside to make his or her presence known.

 

“Why don't you come and sit with us?” she said pointing towards the semi circle of people sitting by the camp fire. “Even if you don't want to eat, it'll be good for the moral of the people.”

 

“I'd rather not,” Wufei said with a huff. The camp food was terrible and he was starting feel grateful for Quatre for suggesting he pack some food. “All they need to do is look at Nataku if they need a reminder that I'm here.” After all, if was hard to miss the fifty foot gundam against the cliff wall, even with a camouflage net over it.

 

“But they'd like you to come,” Sally persisted. “Plus, having you there would keep the tempers in check. It might not have been the wisest move, but I invited Shaun over and some of the people are not pleased with it.”

 

“You invited HIM here?” Wufei said, his voice laced with disgust. As a warrior he was taught to respect his body and to think anyone could stoop so low as to sell it was beyond his comprehension. “That is disgusting. You don't expect me sit with some male whore and eat.”

 

“What bothers you the most Wufei?” Sally asked reasonably. “That he's male and came on to you or …”

 

“Him being male doesn't bother me,” Wufei said looking at Sally in surprise. “In my colony the males were all put together and trained separately from the time they were children to the time they were married and some warriors trained until they died. Even those who were happily married had close male friends they valued through out their lives. I don't know if it would be correct to say they were lovers, but when you are a warrior you can learn to love and respect the person who guards your back in battle as much as the person who keeps the home fires burning and bear your children.”

 

“Once again,” said Sally with a hint of that smile. “I'm stunned; I didn't expect you to say the word love in a sentence ever.”

 

“What bothers me is that he has no personal honor, there must be other options rather than working on your back,” he said, flushing at what Sally had said earlier.

 

“Come eat with us, Wufei,” Sally prodded. “Please. The food is getting cold.”

 

“Fine,” said Wufei grudgingly. “Just don't expect me to talk or sing songs or anything.”

 

By shear chance or extremely close manipulation, he wound up sitting next to Shaun who was looking at the bowl of food as if he expected it to rise up and bite him. Wufei look one sip of the tepid soap flavored soup and gave up the idea of eating anything Sally had cooked. Hell, even he could make something more edible than this.

 

“Are you going to eat that?” Shaun asked in a small voice and when and when Wufei looked across, he was regarding the untouched bowl hungrily.

 

“Here,” said Wufei handing it over suddenly reminded of Duo who was always scampering for food. Even after Quatre had lectured him on it, he continued to eat as if there was no tomorrow. The hair was lighter and the bangs were short but for a moment Wufei's eyes caught that of the boy's and he was reminded of the L2 pilot.

 

“Do… I have something on me?” the boy asked, reaching for a strand of hair and then leaned back suggestively. He licked his lips in a move Wufei was not starting to become familiar with and the hand that was not holding the bowl stated to play with the top neck line of the t-shirt pulling it down.

 

“Leave him alone,” someone snarled and Wufei looked up to see an older man bear down on Shaun angrily, fist raised up. Even as the boy ducked Wufei got to his feet lightly, catching the fist before it made contact with the boy.

 

“Leave him,” he said.

 

“He insulted you,” the man said angrily. “How could he imagine that a gundam pilot like you is a pervert is …”

 

Apparently this was the first time the boy had heard of Wufei's status since he stared at him in surprise.

 

“He doesn't know who I am,” said Wufei using all his regal training. “Leave it at that…”

 

“Unless you do want to fuck him…” the man did not finish his sentence before he went flying over the fire to land in a pile on the ground. Even Sally looked impressed by the move.

 

“I'll be with Nataku,” said Wufei, not bothering to sit down again. “Call me when you are ready to go.”