Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam X-Win ❯ 02 ( Chapter 2 )

Gundam X-Win

02

By Devon Masterson

"So what does this wild jungle man look like?" Trowa asked as they bumped along the half-cut jungle path. He adjusted his glasses as he watched the road carefully for any obstacles.

"To tell you the truth I don't remember," Catherine answered. "I passed out. He was probably hideous. I remember the women from my village always saying that if you got to close to the jungle that you would be snatched away by a half demon half man with long claws."

"Half demon half man?" Relena commented. She looked towards Quatre. "And you want to go looking for this guy?"

"I know it sounds little half-baked, but I have a feeling about this," he argued in his defense. "I have ever you steered you wrong?" He looked at both of his friends.

"No," Relena answered.

"Not up to date," Trowa replied simply.

"I have only known you a day so I can't base my judgement," Catherine said shrewdly, "but it doesn't really matter I'm sure all of you can take care of yourselves."

"With that said, you all should trust me more. We might make a new friend."

"You are extremely naïve," Catherine smirked

"I'm going to ignore that," Quatre replied as he looked out of the window. The jungle whizzed by in their SUV. He wished that they could drive slower so that he could take it all in, but he knew that this part of the jungle could be as dangerous as it was beautiful. Staying one place for too long could mean the difference between enjoying the scenery and being part of it. There were several xenophobic tribes and wild animals galore, strangers had to be most careful.

"Now, what is this?" Akumba asked as from a secluded spot. He leaned over into the passenger seat and picked up a pair of binocular. A scowl formed across his face as he recognized one the foreigners from yesterday driving and locks of white hair in the back seat. "Now she's moving in on my territory," he mumbled angrily as he picked up his rifle from the back seat. He looked through the scope at his target and smiled. "Not this time," he remarked as he pulled the trigger.

"Watch out," Quatre said suddenly as a feeling overwhelmed him.

A shot rang out and Trowa grabbed the wheel to keep control of the car. He slammed his foot on the breaks and they skidded to a stop on the dirt road after some quick maneuvering. "Thank God for four wheel drive," Relena coughed as the dust settled.

"And seat belts," Quatre added. "Is everyone all right?"

"Yes," they all answered. Catherine rubbed her neck and opened the door and quickly exited.

"What are you doing? Who ever took the shot might shoot again," Trowa asked.

Catherine appeared on the passenger side. "I'm not about to be a sitting duck for some poacher or who knows what else that is out here."

"I agree," Quatre replied unbuckling his seat belt. "We've obviously stumbled onto something that someone does not want to find."

Trowa nodded and motioned for Relena to get out of the car. He slid out of the vehicle from her side and turned his back to Quatre. "Looks like we'll have to walk," he replied as he felt Quatre climb onto his back.

"I say let's be quick about it," Relena suggested as she looked around. The others nodded and hurried into the jungle before the shooter could get any ideas about taking another shot or coming after them.

Once they were some distance from the road, they took a moment collect themselves. Cathy looked around for a moment then smiled as she recognized her surroundings. She walked towards a worn path then looked at the others. "If we cut through here, we can get back to the city undercover," Cathy suggested. "It should save us at least two hours."

"Works for me," Relena as she followed behind Cathy.

Trowa started walking as well. "This trip is not quite working out how I planned," Quatre commented.

"Don't worry about it, Tre," Trowa consoled, "at least we were able to get our minds off our problems for awhile therefore your mission is deemed successful."

Quatre smiled. "Thanks, Trowa."

"No problem," he replied.

"I wish I knew who shot at us," Relena commented.

"I have a pretty good idea," Cathy said disgusted, "Akumba or one of his men. They're always walking about in these parts, but I did not expect to run into any of them on the road."

"We seemed to be twice lucky then," Quatre observed.

"What do you mean?" Catherine asked turning her head in his direction. Several clicks of hammers being pulled back were her answer. They all stopped and put their hands up as the gunmen and Akumba revealed themselves.

"So you're in the con business as well now?" he asked then shook his head. "I should have just killed you when I saw you trespassing the first time instead of selling you off. Fortunately for you, you're worth more alive than dead; your madam still has a bounty out on you. You escaped me last time but you won't this time" He made a crude gesture to Catherine and she balled her fist in anger. He knew she would have socked him if there were not five guns on her and the others. He snickered then turned to the rest of her group. "You, good people, should have hired me then you wouldn't have died in the jungle after being attacked by poachers."

"I think you're mistaken," Trowa replied. He looked toward Relena.

Relena caught his look and was about to act when all of a sudden one of the gunmen was knocked to the ground and dragged off. The others turned in fright and started shooting in the direction their fallen comrade was dragged off in. Quatre shielded them from the rain of bullets.

"That should have taken care of it," Akumba replied satisfied that no one should have lived through that barrage of bullets. He did not even noticed that they were unharmed from he and his men recklessly shooting at the foliage.

"I don't think so," a voice growled just before a figure pounced on top of Akumba. The man stared down at him menacingly and raised his fist above his head. Three long metal claws ripped from his knuckles.

"It's the jungle man!" the others screamed before running off in fright.

"It looks like you'll die alone," he stated simply.

"Don't," Quatre commanded, "you have scared him and shown that you have superior strength. He won't bother anyone anymore. I know you won't kill him unless you feel have to."

The man ignored him and brought his fist down across the man, but not before he retracted his claws. He was knocked out and stood looked at Quatre. "Get out of my jungle." He then started to walk away.

"I am Quatre Winner and I run the Winner Foundation," Quatre called out. "I believe you could be beneficial to our cause…"

"I don't wasting my time bending to the whims of a rich brat with a fancy title," he replied curtly, cutting him off. "I know all about you Winner."

"Tre, you are wasting your time," Trowa commented.

Relena shook her head and floated after the man. "Look, pal, Quatre is trying to help you. He's not trying to use you, give him a chance," she replied getting in front of him.

Prussian eyes narrowed and he brought out his claws. "Get out of my way or I'll.."

"Or you'll what?" she asked defiantly as she stared him down. "You'll kill me? Go ahead, you'll just prove that you're just as savage as everyone thinks you are when it's obvious that you're not." Out of the corner of her eye she could see Trowa tense up. "I'm fine, Trowa, he won't do it. I have faith in him and I know you're a good shot if I'm wrong," she smirked in his mind to ease him.

The man however was not as relaxed, his eyes widened slightly trying to contain his shock her brazen nature. This woman was insane. He could kill them all and not blink twice if he really wanted, there was something intriguing about the whole thing. He retracted his claws and pushed her out of way. "Hmm," he growled as he kept walking.

"Hey, that's no way to treat her," Catherine yelled after him as he disappeared in the foliage. "Jerk!" She helped Relena up and looked at the others. "So much for that."

"Oh, I don't know," Quatre grinned then changed the subject. "We should get going before it gets dark."

The others nodded and they continued on their way.

xxxx

"That was the most exciting vacation I have ever been on," Relena commented. "I had my wallet stolen, was nearly killed, and got a wonderful tan."

"At least I gave it back," Catherine huffed from across from her as she fastened her seatbelt. This was her first time not flying under her own power and it was a little unnerving. "When are we leaving?"

"As soon as they finish refueling and Trowa does a flight check," Quatre answered from beside her. He touched her shoulder. "You will be fine."

"Thanks," she replied. "Sorry things didn't work out with that guy. I think he is a jerk anyway."

"I don't care what you think," a calm voice said from the back of the jet. The owner of the voice walked over to them carrying a tote. He sat down in the unoccupied seat next to Relena. "It suits my purposes to change location every so often."

"Glad you can join us, Heero," Quatre smiled.

"Hmm," he said as he buckled his seatbelt.

Trowa eyed Heero briefly. He would keep an eye on that guy. "All the guests are here," he said from the pilot's seat, "and the Black Hawk has confirmation from the tower to proceed." He flipped the switch to shut the door.

"Then we're off," Quatre smirked as he looked at the enigmatic man in front of him and the fiery woman beside him. It was almost like in his dreams, he knew there was more to it than just what he took it for. Now if he could only find out the rest.

©2002 Devon Masterson

Hmm…I don't own these people, but the plot I do own. So enjoy these non-profit treats from my imagination.