Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Secrets ❯ Hidden Secrets 6 ( Chapter 6 )

A/N: Ok, I've gotten a few requests for notification of when I update. If you would like to know, either say so in your review, or e-mail me with your request. I had actually meant to ask this in chapter 5, but forgot until after it was posted. ^_^; Oops.

Haha, I did it!!!! I kept my promise Mako-chan! Honestly thought about ending this chapter sooner, but Krystal wouldn't let me. Wonder why…. ^_^ Hehehe.
~*snorts* Hey, she asked for it, so I delivered. He's in this chapter more because of it. *grins* This is what happens when I'm provoked~
Er, don't mind the muse. ^_^; Moving on….

LL. Mackenzie- *grins* Hope you had fun on vacation. Thank you for letting me know you changed your name; I'd not realized you were signed in with a different name, sorry. ^_^ I find myself looking forward to your reviews.

Niambi Nataro- *blushes* Well, whether you meant to or not, I'm honored. I hope you're enjoying the rest of the story. ^_^

Everybody else, thank you all for your reviews and encouragement.

Again, many thanks to Zorra for not only helping me with certain points of this chapter, but also for giving ideas and inspiring the scenes towards and to the end of it. And for betaing it, can't forget that.

Key:
Thoughts are in (Italics)
Telepathy talk is in (~)
Normal talk is in ("")

Wu Fei, still smiling, settled down to meditate. Once Heero was done with the e-mail, he'd take his shower, giving Wu Fei some more alone time. While meditating earlier, he'd felt a pull of something, but had yet to figure it out. He felt that with a little more time he'd find it; or actually, that it would find him.

With a Frankincense inscent burning on the windowsill to his left, Wu Fei relaxed and, taking a deep, calming breath, closed his eyes. Not even a minute afterwards he again felt the pulling. Letting himself be lead, Wu Fei found himself in a dreamlike state; reminiscent of the astral plane. But he knew it was neither; not that he knew what it actually was.

The area around him was hazy, but quickly taking shape. One figure in front of him, and one on each side of him. He could sense another behind him. The land was dirt and rock, though trees could be seen further down the path. Taking all this in in seconds, Wu Fei quickly realized he too was taking solid form, but not his own.

Obviously taller, he knew he was at least over six-feet. His posture was defensive, and he could see the skin of his arm was not its usual milky-caramel, but a sun-kissed tan. Glancing around, he found that those around him were armed. Also, when he moved his head, he felt his hair brush along his back. Focusing on that for a moment, though not forgetting about those around him, he found that his hair was up in a high ponytail that reached past his lower-back.

A vision? But of what; past, present, or future. And of who? His thoughts broke off as a shot rang through the air, accompanied by further burning in his left thigh. Surprised, he realized that this bullet had passed through cleanly, just as the one before. The first must have happened before I "arrived." Eyes narrowed, he analyzed those around him, noting who held what weapon-wise.

His anger quickly squelched the horror he felt when he saw the whip held in front of him. Made of dragon skin. Stolen too, from the sense of it; nowhere near as powerful as it could be. Seems to be the only "enchanted" weapon here though, and all four are human. I wonder if the fool realizes what he has; not that it matters, he shall suffer for it nonetheless.

Still calm, he could feel it when the one behind him raised his gun, preparing to fire again. Closing his eyes (giving only a fleeting thought to what color they might now be), it was as if time had slowed. Senses keen, he moved to his right as the trigger was pulled, the bullet missing. Mid-motion, his right hand when behind his back, underneath the loose hair, and felt himself, for lack of better words, cast a spell. Though he was this person in the vision, he didn't have access to the other's thoughts, knowledge, or memories. Through his own knowledge, he knew it to be a summoning; though of what, he had to wait to find out.

It was quick, nothing flashy or showy, nothing hampering. What felt like a cool, solid, if light, staff was in his grip once the summoning was complete. Bringing it in front of him even as he was moving towards the shooter, Wu Fei saw that it was like the shadows themselves. No definite stable form could be seen, yet it was undeniably solid in his grip.

Still dodging the bullets with inhuman grace, Wu Fei smirked when the man threw the gun away and brought his nun chuck up in a defensive position. Planning to catch the staff; he can see I plan to bring it down upon him. Certain that his host was also aware of what the human was doing, he was mildly confused when he gave no indication of changing attack strategies. He also couldn't help but notice that the other three were doing nothing but watching. Probably expecting their partner to be able to handle what appears to be an amateur.

He was right in suspecting the warrior (he had no other idea what to call the being he portrayed in this vision; host seemed to distasteful) planned to bring the staff down upon the shooter. The staff was directly over the man's head, but he'd brought his 'chuck to stop it a good foot from impact. Wu Fei could feel himself smirking, locking eyes with the man. Something the human saw…disturbed him, from the emotions slipping into his eyes.

Wu Fei felt a release of magic, again from the warrior; a touch elemental was all Wu Fei could determine. A flash of black and violet came from the staff's tip, a flame-like substance of the same colors traveled down about half a foot, before growing out of the staff, downwards, behind the man. Never removing his eyes from the man, Wu Fei could see the somewhat solid flame curving and become slender, as if in slow motion, in his peripheral vision.

There was about two and a half feet between Wu Fei and the man. When the semi-solid flame had finished growing, its tip was a quarter foot away from Wu Fei's chest. It had started to curve just past the man's neck region, and passed through the opening between the his ribcage to complete itself. Just below the heart.

Eyes narrowing, the warrior slowly dragged the staff off the nun chuck, down to the man's side. The staff's flame-blade twisted where it was (the only blood forthcoming was that streaming from the man's mouth). The warrior then pulled the staff to his left, away from the man's side; the blade easily followed. Pushing the blade back to its original position, the warrior angled the staff down a few degrees. Tilting his head in an almost child-like manner, the warrior again pulled the staff away, bringing the blade with it.

Wu Fei watched as the piece of triangular flesh just carved from the man easily fell to the ground. There was no blood from the wound, nor smeared on the small, if long, body piece. The man fell soon after, towards Wu Fei. Moving out of the body's way, Wu Fei was mildly disturbed by what he saw. He also got the feeling the warrior wasn't done with the man yet.

The blade, reminiscent of a scythe, withdrew back into the staff upon the warriors wishes. It didn't dissipate though. Traveling to the staff's bottom, it reformed into a long, narrow blade, like that of a naginata. One step brought him back to the fallen man's side; he could feel indifference coming across the warrior's face. Looking down on the fallen man, he quickly brought the staff up and then down through the back of the man's skull.

Looking back up to his other assailants, the warrior turned to face them, twisting the slightly curved blade where it still rested in flesh and bone. His demeanor that of one assessing those before him, the warrior appeared to be leaning against the staff without a care.

The three were obviously pissed, and hid their fear beneath it. All were in front of him, but the two were still off to his sides; the one directly in front of him had his whip posed to strike. The one to the right had three stars in one hand, and a couple darts in the other. Off to the left, a dagger in each hand, ready to attack.

Well, this'll be interesting, Wu Fei thought, wondering what the warrior planned to do now.

Slowly bringing the staff up, aligning it at an angle in front of himself, the warrior shifted into a defensive position. Drawing the energy back into the staff once more, he divided it among the ends. This time a swallow was formed. A shallow curve, almost a foot and a half in length, the blades were half a foot wide, but hollow. Its edges sharp, one curved one way while it's opposite the other.

Again taking in all three, moving just his eyes, the warrior chose his next target. Subtly shifting towards the right, the human's didn't realize his intentions until he'd started off. Charging headlong at the one with projectiles may seem a bit foolhardy, but not as much as turning your back on one.

And the man didn't hesitate to use them either. His confidence didn't waver until his first onslaught was caught in the warrior's swallow, his pace increasing. Wu Fei heard the man hiss "Shit!" before backpedaling, pulling out more stars and darts. Eyes narrowing, the man changed direction in his retreat, a smirk forming once the warrior shifted to compensate.

Almost upon the man, this shift was seen as his only opening. Changing his pattern, he caught the warrior off guard. Wu Fei felt his own eyes narrow, calculating. Bringing the swallow to bear, he caught the two darts, but was unable to block the star; not that he tried. In blocking the darts, he managed to move most of his arm out of the way, but one of the star's legs still dug into his flesh. It didn't slow him down, nor drive him off his advance as the human had hopped.

Just a couple feet away from the man, aware that the dagger wielder was advancing on him, the warrior thrust the swallow forward, digging it into the man's chest. Pulling the staff down, thereby thrusting the swallow blade (curved upright) up, the warrior caught the man's eyes. Crouching slightly, the warrior wrenched the swallow from the man's chest, his heart cradled in the hollow blade. As soon as the blade was free, he swept his leg out, knocking the man from his feet to fall backwards.

As with the previous man, there was no blood.

Rising quickly, shifting the energy in the staff as he rose and turned (the man's heart dropping to the ground beside the warriors feet), the swallow gave way to a glaive, the curved blade once more on the top. Up and posed sooner than humanly possible, the warrior was ready for the charging human. The human however, was not ready for the warrior. He had no time to register what happened before the blade met and passed through his throat.

Slicing the glaive through the air, it caught most of the man's neck. Pass completed, the staff rested between the warrior's arm and side. Bringing the staff's bottom up, a quick jab to the dead human's chest gave the body the momentum it needed to fall backwards. The impact was all the jolt the head needed to come completely off the neck's remains.

Again, there was no blood.

Slowly turning to face the final human, Wu Fei couldn't help but wonder what else the warrior had planned. He didn't seem too keen on delivering the same death to his opponents. Won't be able to get too close, the man obviously knows how to use that whip.

A smirk slowly formed on the warrior's face as he drew the energy back into the staff. This time though, he didn't immediately reform it into another blade. Running at the human straight on, he positioned the staff as one would for a pole jump. The human understandably looked incredulous, but no less determined to kill his opponent.

Brining one hand up to his chest, Wu Fei felt his hand briefly wrap around a small roundish object hanging from his neck. Lips moving briefly, Wu Fei was unable to hear what the warrior whispered, before the hand moved back to the staff.

Arm drawn back, ready to strike, the human hesitated when he saw a glow from the warrior's chest. His eyes quickly widened in horror as his own whip rose without his prompting, and wrapped itself around him. Efficiently binding his arms to his side. Feeling the other looming over him, he quickly looked up.

Wu Fei could sympathize with the man; he too was in shock. That…that was dragon magic…how? I know this warrior isn't a dragon…. …That was a dragon charm! That's how he was able to manipulate the whip, by calling on what little essence was left in the skin, and linking it to his charm. But how did he get a charm; and what type is it? One so powerful means he must be on high terms with the dragon clans….

Locking eyes with the final human, the warrior concentrated on the whip again, drawing its tip to wind around the man one last time. Curling around the human's neck, the dragon skin whip seemed almost enthusiastic in tightening itself both at the base of the human's neck, and just below his chin. The human tried to struggle, but the whip would not release its hold on its "master."

Once the collapsed man stopped struggling, his face purplish-blue, and his spirit gone, the warrior knelt at his side. Carefully unwinding the whip, he carried it a short distance from the fallen humans. Laying it out on the ground before him, the warrior again knelt. A strong wind came, and he felt his hair flow along with it. Out of the corner of his eye, Wu Fei caught a glimpse of it, honey-garnet, before there was a bright flash….

Wu Fei was drawn from his vision by firm hands on his shoulders, and an insistent voice in his mind.

~Wu Fei! …Finally, are you alright?~

Looking up, he saw Heero leaning over him, worry clearly visible in his expression. "H-Heero…." His voice hitched, throat dry and mouth feeling like it was cotton filled.

Heero helped him stand up, and Wu Fei noticed his inscent had long since burned out; the sun was also already starting its decent. "How long?"

"You've been sitting there for most of the day. Trowa's cooking dinner right now, I came up to see if you were finished yet. You didn't respond when I called out to you, and then you had a pained look…are you ok?"

"Yes, I believe so; if a little parched." Wu Fei said, nodding towards the door. Heero's gaze lasted a moment longer before he too nodded and lead the way downstairs.

"About Une's e-mail," Heero started.

"Oh yeah. You didn't…." Wu Fei said, startled out of his thoughts. He'd forgotten about the e-mail in light of his vision.

"No. I think it might actually be useful."

"Oh? How's that?" Heero, not dreading a meeting with Relena? Actually, in a way, looking forward to it? Now this is odd.

Heero shook his head. "Une hasn't had any luck finding Duo again, and we're not getting anywhere either. Relena has contacts and influences that neither Une nor we have access to. She might be able to help us find him."

"That…makes sense, actually. But do you really think she'd be willing to help us?" Wu Fei asked as they entered the kitchen.

Quatre, who was setting the table, looked up as they entered. He gave Wu Fei a short, calculating look that he almost missed, before speaking up. "You're talking about Heero's idea for Relena?"

Wu Fei nodded, giving him an enquiring looking.

"He's not told us how he plans on getting her to help either." Trowa answered instead, coming up behind the blond with two bowls.

"Like that would really be a problem. All he'd have to do is ask," Wu Fei said, striving for neutrality.

"I'm not so sure though. I mean, yes, she's…smitten with Heero," Quatre avoided the other's eyes. "But how does she feel about Duo? What we're planning to ask will be a lot of trouble, and there's the risk on how it could reflect on her character. Or rumors that could start if the press catches wind that she's hunting somebody that's effectively avoiding the Preventers. And that would lead to an all new set of troubles."

"I'm not really sure how well they got along during the war. They weren't really in the same place at the same time, though on the few occasions I did see them together, Duo was generally polite, if a bit…less manic. And Relena would be focused elsewhere," Heero spoke up.

"Well, she never really showed how she felt about him, that I'm aware of. They did seem to never be around at the same time." Trowa added, bringing a tray with the main dish. He motioned for the others to sit.

After grabbing a water bottle from the refrigerator, Wu Fei took his seat at the table as well. Once everybody was served, the silence remained. Everybody thinking on the different points of the discussion.

By the end of the meal, it was decided that they didn't really have anything to loose if Heero asked Relena for help. Especially since it was his own idea to begin with.

At 0800 (8 A.M.) the next day, all four boys found themselves once more in Une's office. Mission briefing summarized, the four would be heading security measures for the reception. Leaving this evening, they would reach the manor around mid-morning.

Once there, they would check the current security and determine what changes were needed, and set those changes in motion before the reception. Relena would point out which rooms would be used, and the outside area designated for the reception. They would then determine how many Preventers would be needed in which areas.

They would also decide who to assign to those requesting personal protection. Surprisingly enough, Relena had not put in a request for one; or for any specified Preventers either.

The reason all four of them were being sent to this reception was because of an assassination threat. True, something to be expected at an event like this; but this group has been linked to the group of assassins the five of them had already dealt with. Apparently, this new group was the ringleader. Smaller, but no less pissed at what happened to their comrades. And determined to carve out their revenge.

In their threat, they claimed ownership of a mobile suit.

As Relena refuses to allow any of the Preventer's mobile suits to reside over the reception, a group would be waiting on stand-by at the space port. A good twenty miles from the manor, they would have the closest section closed off for Preventer's use. Scouts would be posted every five miles from the manor to the port, expected to report in upon sighting.

After the briefing, Une questioned them about their hunt for Maxwell. Informing her that they too were having no luck, Heero decided now would be a good time to ask about the voice match.

"Commander, was there a voice match with Duo and the anonymous caller?"

Une sighed, surprising the boys a bit. "No, there wasn't. I had a recording of Maxwell from when he called in to confirm his arrival for that last mission, but the agent said it wasn't the same.

"When asked what was different, he had a bit of trouble. The caller sounded…light, harmonious was how he put it in the end."

"That's what's in the report, you're welcome to it if you'd like. Its certainly raised my curiosity about who killed the four…."

Wu Fei was silent. He'd yet to mention his vision to Heero; he was not about to speak up about it right now. He'd realized the four human's in his vision had been the targets before the second body had hit the ground. The news that the voice match had been a failure did not surprise him. For one thing, the warrior had been too tall to be Duo, never mind the fact that Duo's a human, and the warrior was definitely a Mystic.

Dismissed, the four returned to the Winner home they'd been staying at, quickly packing what they'd need. Drawing up lists, personnel profiles from both the Peacecraft and Preventer's employee listings, something to start going over now and during the trip.

Arrangements made, the live in servants would come by every other day to keep the house clean for their return. They left late afternoon after eating an early dinner, and arrived mid-morning as planned.

Paragon greeted us at the door, and instructed a few others behind him to bring in our bags and things. He then lead us to the dining room, where he claimed Miss Relena (and a light brunch) was waiting.

Relena was already seated at the head of the table, Dorothy to her right, and a young, light toned man with long, black hair to her left. All four former pilots scrutinized the unknown, though none were obvious about it.

He was young, probably around their age, with his hair in a high ponytail. It was on the top of his head, thick rubber bands and what looked like a leather tie keeping it in place. He had thick, messy bangs, long enough to cover his eyes if he angled his head enough. There was a quarter of an inch thick braid to the left of his face, falling just beside the edge of his eye. It fell beneath the table, so like the rest of his hair, true length was undetermined. As was his height.

Another thing that caught the ex-pilot's eyes was the adornment on the young man's throat. It looked like a gothic type cross: black with dozens of red gems covering it. Each gem was surrounded by an almost black shade of sterling silver paper-thin cords that leafed around the cross like vines. The ordainment was about the length of one's finger, and hung from a black chocker chain, resting in the hallow of the youth's neck.

All three occupants looked up at their entrance, and Relena greeted them with a large smile. "I'm so glad you all made it here on time. Please," she stood slightly, and gestured towards the empty chairs. "Join us, there's plenty. I'm sure you're hungry." Her gaze lingered on Heero at the end, and Trowa noticed the young man seated at the table was watching Relena, and bit his lip at this.

Wu Fei took a seat next to Dorothy, knowing Heero wasn't willing to be even that close to Relena, and that Quatre would be more comfortable on the other side of the table. Besides, he'd be better able to observe the stranger from this side.

As if feeling his gaze, the young man looked up and caught his stare. Brown-green eyes, Wu Fei thought, somewhat taken aback, though not sure why. He snapped out of it once the young man smiled at him, and he heard Relena's voice calling out the former pilot's names.

"…Is Yuy Heero; and Chang Wu Fei is the one next to him." Gesturing towards the young man, "And this is Sil, my personal body guard. And I'm sure you remember Dorothy." Smiling sweetly, she again took her seat and started on her brunch.

Heero looked like he'd swallowed something whole. "Personal…bodyguard? Since when do you have a personal bodyguard, Relena?"

Relena looked mildly surprised, before she smiled sweetly and blushed lightly. "Well, really, he's been protecting me since during the war. But it wasn't really made official until just after the war."

Trowa seemed to be the only one to notice that Sil looked like he was bighting his cheek. Trowa had opted to sit next to the young man, leaving Quatre to the one next to him, across from Heero.

"Really now, Yuy. Haven't you watched the news in the past two years? It's fairly common knowledge that Sil works for Miss Relena." Dorothy smirked. "They took great pleasure in digging for anything on him, and his 'relationship' with her. They were extremely curious why a certain blue-eyed solider hadn't taken the job."

"Indeed. Thankfully, they've stopped with the insinuations that there's something between us. That was quite tedious, don't you think Sil?" Relena added. "Nothing worse than unfounded insinuations." She focused on her food, though her eyes did flicker towards Heero.

Sil coughed, though Wu Fei thought it looked more like he was chocking. "Well, I'm sure you four are tired from traveling, but anxious to get started. Why don't I show you to your rooms, and point out the appointed areas for the reception on the way?"

"That sounds excellent, thank you Mr. Sil." Quatre spoke up, the others followed his lead and rose.

Sil plainly grimaced at this, "Please, Mr. Winner, call me Sil." He gave Quatre a small, weary smile.

Quatre smirked and nodded, "So long as you stay on a first name basis with the rest of us as well." He got a nod and a slightly wider smile in return.

Once standing, Wu Fei saw that Sil's braid stopped mid-chest, though the rest of his hair reached mid-thigh in it's ponytail. He also realized the man was a couple inches taller than him. That put him at about Heero's height, but still shorter than Quatre (by about an inch and a half) and Trowa (by at least a head).

Wu Fei found his thoughts wondering as he observed Sil; he knew that Quatre was making small talk with him as the appointed areas where made known, but he didn't really hear what the two were saying. He caught the annoyed looks Heero was sending his way, and tried to focus his thoughts.

~What's gotten into you?~

~I could ask you the same thing. What was with the face when Relena called him her "personal bodyguard"?~

~The people made Relena their symbol of peace; the two therefore go hand in hand. But we've never heard anything about this Sil person; I…don't trust him.~

~Didn't much care for the insinuations Relena was speaking of. She gets upset that the public think there's something between herself and her "personal bodyguard," yet believes there to be nothing wrong in following you around.~

~…You're having second thoughts about asking for her help.~

~The thought has crossed my mind. She's obviously still attracted to you, even if she's stopped her stalking…as far as we know. Asking favors may start something up again….~

~Stop worrying Wu Fei. Either she'll help or she won't. She can't afford to take up her old stalker habits, that would be bad for her public image. I have no intention of giving the impression that she has a chance at a relationship with me; no leading on, no misunderstandings.~

~…Just don't threaten to kill her. I think that'd sooner restart everything then simply "miss-leading" her.~

Heero knew Wu Fei was changing the subject, trying to make light of it, but that he really was worried. Worried about what Relena might do, worried that it might actually affect their relationship. They'd been together for over two years, and Heero had no intention of changing that. He knew it was…natural for Wu Fei to be worried, but felt relieved that though he acknowledged his worry, he wasn't letting it get out of hand.

"That's everywhere inside that the guests will be allowed. The only time they should be outside would be upon arrival and departure. The inside garden is where Relena plans on delivering her speech towards the end of the reception."

"A good idea, though I'm sure she'd prefer it to be outside," Quatre pointed out.

Sil nodded, "Yes, originally, she wanted to have it in the garden in the back. But by the time she plans on giving the speech, the sun will already be setting. While that may be a nice backdrop, with this kind of gathering, it's unrealistic. We've already had to pull in Preventers for the reception, and though that's normal with something so big, there's also the treat to consider as well."

Trowa nodded from Quatre's other side, "Very sensible."

"Indeed. A good thing Relena has you here to point these things out to her," Wu Fei added, remembering how foolish the girl could act at times in the past.

Though his expression didn't change, Sil's demeanor became…colder. "Actually, that was how Relena herself put it. She knew it was unrealistic, but that doesn't mean she can't prefer it to be held outside." He had turned to look at Wu Fei once he started speaking. Once finished, he turned forward again, almost giving the impression of having dismissed him.

Quatre refrained from biting his lip though, and kept his uncertainty from his face. Trowa remained indifferent, if a little surprised by Sil's reaction. Wu Fei was taken aback by the reaction as well as mildly offended. Heero also remained indifferent, though inside was annoyed at Sil.

"Your rooms are down this hall, your luggage is already there. Your rooms are connected, for your connivance, upon Dorothy's suggestion. Quatre, Trowa, this one is yours. Heero and Wu Fei," he pointed further down the hall to a door on the same wall, "that leads to your room. Both have their own bathrooms, so you don't have to worry about getting lost searching for one.

"Dorothy and Relena each have a connecting room on the floor above us. We passed the stairs a few minutes ago. Dorothy's is at the end of the hall, Relena's right next to it. My room is on the same floor, first door to the left after the stairs. You've each been here before at some point, not many changes have been made since then. If you have trouble finding something or body, just ask one of the staff."

"Thank you for your help Sil, we appreciate it. Since you're Relena's personal bodyguard, does that make you head of security as well?" Quatre asked, wanting to make sure he was right.

"Eh, yes, I suppose it does."

Heero raised an eyebrow, "You suppose? You don't know?"

Sil turned to face him, tilting his head to the right, causing his braid to fall between his eyes. "I've never really been called that before. There isn't a regular security division here like you seem to be thinking. Normally there's the security guard at the gate, and that's about it as far as personnel. If she doesn't need to make an appearance, Relena works here, using the vid-phone for conferences when possible rather than traveling.

"When she does put in public appearances, Dorothy and I both share in the duties of keeping Relena safe. However, Dorothy's not an "official" bodyguard, so the impression given is that I am watching over the both of them, instead of the two of us over Relena. That may seem foolish to you, but perhaps it's all that is needed."

"Well said Sil," Dorothy came up from behind the group, applauding. "Yes, he truly is that good, so get over yourself," she didn't make it clear who she was speaking to, since she was talking about Sil, but also held his eyes.

"We realized we'd forgotten to give you a copy of the guest list. Since Sil was taking so long to come back, I thought I'd see if there was a problem and bring the list," she passed a manila folder to Heero, looking the group over before giving Sil an expectant look.

Nodding, Sil turned his attention back to the group, but focused on Quatre. "If there's something you need to discuss with me, please do so before the day of the reception. It's being held towards the evening, I know, but I'm going to be busy and unreachable. Rather not have any problems because of that," he smiled, a bit amused mixed with almost embarrassment.

Quatre grinned, "Of course. We should have any questions or requests figured out by this evening."

"Great, let me know if I'm needed or you need anything else. I'll see you all later then." Nodding to the group, Sil and Dorothy left, headed back towards the dinning area.

Deciding to check out their rooms and get situated before getting to work, the four split up. Only after exploring did they realize what Sil had meant by giving them connected rooms. The rooms he pointed out where just that; two connected rooms.

Preoccupied with this and then their preparations, they didn't notice the staff member bringing a couple of duffle bags into the room across the hall from theirs.

The four boys had dinner in their rooms while sending Une the information she'd need to provide them with what they needed. After dinner they (really just Quatre and Trowa) found Sil, conferred with him their plans, confirmed the protection requests, and the times and locations that everything would be taking place.

Preventers had shown up a couple hours after the ex-pilots; Wu Fei and Heero were overseeing their placement, equipment setup and the such.

Relena and Dorothy stayed out of the way, going over plans and re-checking Relena's speech. Once Quatre and Trowa were finished with him, Sil sought the two out and filled them in on what was happening. None of them turned in until well after midnight, most with plans of being up around nine.

"Heero," exasperated, Quatre decided to give it one more try before giving up. "He told us he had things to do today and would be unreachable. He told us that we wouldn't be able to find him, so why the hell are you still trying?!"

Ok, so he was beyond exasperated. Not that Trowa could blame him, even though he was fighting down his own laughter at the scene. Wu Fei wasn't helping much either, but he was on Heero's side and all for finding Sil too.

"Is there a problem already? Geeze, can't do anything right without me, can you."

Expressions ranging from stunned to staggered, the four turned to find one Duo Maxwell leaning against the entertainment room's entrance. Relena and Dorothy were behind him, both smiling, though Dorothy's was more akin to a smirk.

"D-Duo! When'd you get here? Where have you been?!" Quatre was the first to regain his senses.

His amusement was clear in both his expression and voice, "This morning, after everybody had gone to bed. Had to wake Paragon up just to find out where I was staying."

He paused for a moment before his expression grew a little more serious. "I found out about the threat. This is technically the same mission I agreed to complete, and I refuse to be accused of lying on a technically." The last part came out almost bitter.

"Oh, isn't that so noble, Heero?" Relena beamed. A sparkle of admiration or infatuation twinkling in her eyes. Duo wasn't sure of which or if it was both, and he didn't care. He just wanted to be done with it and go back home.

Wu Fei was certain she would have latched onto Heero's arm had he not been behind Quatre and Trowa. Quatre silently laughed as he glanced behind him, a slight blush of embarrassment on Heero's cheeks, earning himself a glare from said boy that could melt ice.

Duo refrained from rolling his eyes. His words, though sweetly delivered, sounded strained. "The five of us have been requested to observation point seven. They think they've apprehended one of the group, and want us to investigate. They don't have enough people with the right training to do so without leaving the outpost shorthanded.

"So go get what you need, we're suppose to be headed there already."

"Why didn't you tell us sooner Maxwell," Wu Fei demanded even as they left the room.

"Because the lot of you kept moving all around the damn house. How the hell was I suppose to know where you were?" he snapped back, breaking off from the group to wait for them in the jeep.

"Yes, you did make it quite difficult for us to find you. Just what where you all doing?" Dorothy drew their attention away from Duo's exit.

None of the boys answered, either too embarrassed by their search or too stunned by Duo's last words.

The trip was quiet and uneventful. The boys kept an eye out for anything suspicious, but didn't see anything. Heero was driving, Wu Fei in shotgun, Trowa and Quatre in the seats behind them. Duo was sitting precariously on the spare tire that hung from the back of the jeep. His arms over his head gripping the railing above him for balance. Illegal yes, but as Preventers they'd get away with it; not that anybody really gave them a second glance.

Once they reached the temporary outpost, observation point seven, Wu Fei and Quatre were led to where the prisoner was being held for interrogation. Trowa followed to make sure they weren't interrupted. Heero decided to inspect the outpost, and Duo went to check in with the outpost's commander and see if anything else had happened.

An hour later and still no useful information from the captive. The only positive thing from this was that it was confirmed that he was a member of the…terrorist was the term being used. Trowa was still guarding the door, but from the inside now.

Heero was quickly growing impatient. Turning to Duo, he said, "Stay here. No interruptions unless there's been a sighting."

He watched as Duo turned his back on him and shrugged, then went to join the rest of the Preventers at the outpost. Heero frowned, but didn't follow. Instead he headed for the interrogation room, intent on wrapping this up.

They got what they needed from the prisoner within the next hour. Getting Duo, they had the post's commander warn the other outposts about the time frame they'd been given.

The five of them headed out immediately towards the residential area. One of the terrorists were to lay explosives in an apartment basement. Heero had the address memorized. Thanks to Quatre's "space heart," they knew he was telling the truth.

The explosion would serve as a distraction, then they'd move in with the mobile suit. The man would have already infiltrated the building, but he wasn't to move for another forty-five minutes. They'd evacuate the building and surrounding area, directing everyone to the nearest Preventer's outpost. If the ex-pilots didn't apprehend the explosives carrier before this, the people would then be searched for the explosives.

The nearest four outposts were sending as many personnel as they could to surround the general area at the complex, incase the suspect ran. The rest of the outposts were sending personnel to replace those sent to surround the complex. While more were being dragged from the manor to replace those. The mobile suit was to be the only attack on the manor, so doing so would be safe enough. Not that they'd lower their guard.

"What the hell were you thinking Heero, leaving the keys in the ignition!" Duo shouted at the boy ahead of him.

The evacuation had gone smoothly enough, the basement checked out clean. And they had been correct in assuming the target would run. Unfortunately, they didn't realize this until he had already taken off in the jeep the boys had been using. The Preventers surrounding the area were notified of the situation, but the ex-pilots were still giving chase on foot.

"Shut up and keep running," was the only response he got back.

Like it's my fault. 'Least he left off 'baka.'

Wu Fei's cell phone went off; answering it didn't slow him down, "What!"

"{The target's been apprehended. En route to a secure location.}"

"Finally," Wu Fei breathed, coming to a stop. "They've got him," he told the others, not bothered in the lease by Heero's glare prior to his announcement.

"{Sir, we've also been informed that the group went ahead and launched the mobile suit. Our team has intercepted it already, conveniently at the edges of the evacuated area.}"

"Oh, quite convenient," Wu Fei muttered, looking around and listening. Neither hearing nor seeing any signs of battle near them, he curtly thanked the man and hung up.

"The suit was launched regardless, and has been intercepted at the outskirts of the evacuated area."

"Well, mission complete then," Duo's statement was given airily, but had a sense of finality to it that none of the others missed.

"The terrorists have not been caught, the suit is still free. I wouldn't call that complete," came Heero's condescending comeback.

"Two of the group have been caught, the suit will soon be in Preventer's custody. You will then be able to work from there back. Or are you afraid you won't be capable of this without me?"

"Of course we can do this without you, baka! You're the one that came along of your own volition," Heero snapped back.

Duo was silent for a moment, not looking at any of them. Quatre knew that was the wrong thing for Heero to say, and he wondered if he even realized it yet.

When Duo turned back to face them, a grim smile was forming on his face, "Then there's no problem with me leaving now." And he slowly started walking past them.

Wu Fei was the first to react, grabbing Duo's shoulder as he passed him. Duo stopped, but paused a moment before looking Wu Fei in the eye, "Have something to add to that?" he briefly wondered what other insult or insinuation Wu Fei could possibly have to add.

"Where are you going?" was all he asked.

Duo again paused, or maybe just hesitated, before responding. "Back to where I came from."

"Which is where?" Wu Fei asked, practically positive Duo wasn't talking about L2. We searched the records, none of the people arriving there in the past month matched Duo's profile. And it would have been impossible for him to have gotten here from L2, he'd have had to have gone to a different port….

Duo slowly smirked, his eyes not leaving Wu Fei's. "What's the matter Wu Fei, frustrated that I can actually outdo you in something?"

Wu Fei frowned, reigning in his frustration and trying to be patient. "We just want to know where you're going so we can get in touch with you later."

"Oh? Since when have you ever been concerned with staying in touch with people," came Duo's bland statement; he didn't sound like he much cared what the answer was.

"We," he was referring to the four of them, "thought that the five of us were friends. If you wish to continue running from us, then so be it. Just tell us why you're hiding."

What was left of Duo's smile was gone by now. "Friends? Yes, I thought we were too. When was the last time you tried to get in touch with me, excluding seven months ago?"

Wu Fei was silent, and close to breaking eye contact when Duo continued speaking. The guilt the previous words caused only served to fuel his frustration as Duo continued.

"Not very good at it, huh? How many others have you cut off? I mean, surly there were people from before the war…."

Wu Fei cut him off, his frustration quickly leading to anger, "Shut up! Baka, all we wanted to know was how to get in touch with you. If you don't want anything to do with us, then fine, just say so! You're the one cutting us off," he finished, trying vainly to get his anger under control. He closed his eyes briefly, opened them slowly and opened his mouth again. "There is nothing left for me from before the war. As far as I'm concerned, whatever existed from that time is inconsequential."

Duo's eyes narrowed at this, but he still didn't break eye contact. "When was the last time you returned home Chang Wu Fei?" it came out slow and deliberate.

That was it, Wu Fei snapped. He responded so quickly that none of the other ex-pilots saw it. They had heard what Duo had said, and expected something similar, but all were still surprised. Duo was on the ground instantly, blood leaking from his nose. He looked mildly surprised, reaching up to wipe away the blood.

Wu Fei beat him to speaking, "My home prior to now is gone," he growled out, knowing Duo knew what had happened. He couldn't believe he'd ask such a thing, though the dawning realization of what he'd done to Duo was beginning to cool his anger.

However, Duo acted before Wu Fei had a chance to apologize. As soon as the words left his mouth, Wu Fei felt his legs being swept out from beneath him. He fell backwards, but managed to turn enough to catch himself and get back on his feet at about the same time as Duo.

Both seemed intent on pounding the other, neither looking to give up first. The other three had no idea how to stop it without getting dragged into the middle of it. Over the sounds of the brawl, Heero thought he heard something. Looking around the sky, he didn't see anything. Frowning, he looked back to the two brawling ex-pilots, to find Wu Fei being thrown somewhat close to him. Reacting quickly, he pulled his boyfriend up, but held him back.

"That's enough, both of you! We still have a job to do," he directed more towards Wu Fei, since he knew he had no way of keeping Duo there with them. "You two are being immature, so just stop!"

Looking over at Duo, who was standing, if hunched over slightly, Heero saw him nod in agreement. Only then did he release Wu Fei, and checked to make certain he was alright. Their attention focused on Wu Fei, the four missed the flash in Duo's eyes before he turned once more away from them and started walking.

They'd been cutting through an alleyway when Wu Fei's cell went off, and hadn't left it during the brawl. Quatre and Trowa both looked over towards Duo, intent on asking if he was alright, when they saw him turn the corner. It was Trowa that first moved to go after him, but Quatre held him back. He'd seen more fights between Wu Fei and Duo than Trowa, and knew it was better to let him cool off first.

Nodding slightly in agreement, Trowa turned back to Heero and Wu Fei. Quatre's gaze lingered on the corner Duo had taken, hopping that they would be able to find him again. His attention snapped back to Heero once he heard him cursing.

"What is it?" he asked, drawing Heero's gaze from the sky once more.

"The suits have moved further into the area. And getting closer; I can hear the fighting."

If he had anything else to say, it was cut off as a shadow passed over them, and a loud whistling became obvious to them all. Looking up, they could see…debris from a mobile suit. It was falling towards them, but wouldn't land till it passed them. They had only a moment to realize that before it hit one of the evacuated buildings.

The moment of silence after the intense whistling and following collision was deafening. Quatre was the first to break it. Eyes wide, he grabbed at his chest in disbelief and pain. Moving his mouth, it took a bit of work to find his voice. Once he did, it came out as a scream.

"D-Duo!"

To Be Continued….