Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Plight of the Unicorn - Sidestory ❯ Sidestory Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

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Part Three

As the sun lazily dipped below the horizon, the sore and weary traveler stumbled into the peaceful town. He winced at the pain that refused to let up in his exhausted body.

`I really should have thought this through better,' he commented to himself once again. After the initial shock of the assault had worn off, Milliardo had realized just how unprepared for living by himself he was. He had run off without gathering any supplies, nor did he have the money to buy them. The blonde didn't even have enough to spend a single night at an inn. He was cold, alone, and hurting without a clue in the world as to what he should do.

`Well would you rather go back home,' he snapped at himself, shivering violently at the idea. His stomach growled loudly, causing him to sigh.

"I might as well spend the money I have left on a good meal. That way I can die from lack of shelter on a full stomach," he murmured to himself. The blonde quickly glanced around the small town, cursing silently. It was highly unlikely that a restaurant would be opened at this hour.

He carefully made his way down the main road of the small area, clusters of houses surrounding him on each side. He tried not to agitate his wounds, praying that any blood from his wounds had ceased flowing. Earlier he had stopped by a creek to wash his face and rinse his mouth. Although that did nothing to halt the feeling of filth, it at least made him look more presentable to anyone that might happen to pass him by. Milliardo had considered taking off the long sleeved shirt that he wore, but dismissed the idea out of fear.

The platinum haired young man tugged at the oversized shirt, quickly covering the shoulder that had begun to show. He wished he had his own clothes, but had been too terrified to return to his room for them after running out. Instead he has slipped into his father's room, grabbing the first thing he could find. He shuddered again, screaming at himself mentally to calm down.

`It's just a shirt! His shirt didn't do anything to you, now did it?' Milliardo sighed as he pushed a strand of blonde hair back. I'm so pathetic. He wondered faintly what would happen with his family. Would his mother and sister even care that he was gone? `Well mother perhaps would, I doubt Relena would even notice I was gone. The only time she ever talks to me is if she wants to insult me or is gloating about her latest boyfriend.' His heart broke at the last thought, images of auburn hair and green bright eyes flashing through his mind.`Deckin. Carefree, loving Deckin. I'll never see you again. I don't even know where you are. I'm sure father kicked your family out as soon as he found out about us.'

His current flow of thoughts froze when he heard obnoxious laughter. He turned to his left, noting the lights on inside a building and the two small torches lit on either side of the entrance. The wooden door was suddenly flung opened, a figure standing beside the frame on the inside of the structure.

"I suggest you gentlemen leave. I have told you repeatedly that alcohol is not served here. Do I look old enough to even drink, let alone sell it to you?"

Laughter was the only answer he heard as the sound of a table being overturned followed. The blonde frowned, knowing that he couldn't let the violent acts continue. He stepped up to the entrance, standing behind the owner.

"I believe that it would be polite if you men if you men left right now like the young man ordered," Milliardo said softly.

"Who's going to make us?" one dark haired man remarked with a snicker, "You pretty boy?"

The blonde said nothing as he calmly held his hands out, sparks of blazing red springing from his fingertips.

"Damn, the kid's a sorcerer!" one hollered.

"So what? There are four of us and one of him," another snapped.

"I'm not even attempting it. If you're stupid enough to take him on, you're doing it by yourself," the shortest of the group stated, the redhead beside him nodding in agreement.

The platinum haired young man stepped to one side of the doorway, waiting patiently for the men to leave before extinguishing the blaze. Exhausted he pressed up against the wall, sliding to the floor. `I shouldn't have done that. Just walking has tired me out as it is. That spell just took what little strength I had left.'

"I could have handled that myself you know," the owner murmured.

The blonde glanced up, taking in the appearance of the youth he had helped. Milliardo guessed he was around fifteen to seventeen years old, waves of raven black hair pulled back tightly into a ponytail. The bronze skin was noticeable in the light of the house, dark brown eyes gazing at his slumped figure.`I'm sure I don't look very appealing right now.'

"I'm sure you could have," the blonde said simply.

The boy remained silent as he kneeled down, noticing the bruises that littered his savior's face and neck for the first time.

"I'd say this isn't the first fight you've broken up. Come into the back room and I'll check those," he announced.

"You don't have to," Milliardo muttered.

"Nonsense. You helped me and as honor dictates I must return the favor," the owner stated stubbornly.

Milliardo finally consented, carefully rising to his feet. He slid his eyes shut and leaned his body against the wall, his breathing shallow. His weary body struggled to stay upright, using the tiny reserves that he possessed.

"Does magic really take that much effort to use? Please forgive the naivety of the question but I truly know nothing about the subject," the black haired figure inquired.

"It's alright. I don't mind answering. That was actually a relatively easy spell to do. However I have been walking all day and am not up to full strength," the young man explained.

"I see. Well let's get those injuries taken care of," the Chinese boy insisted as he led the individual across the bar and out the side door, which led into a house. They walked into the small kitchen and Milliardo sat down as the owner fussed over his wounds. The blonde struggled not to flinch with each soft touch.

"You seem nervous. There is nothing to fear here. If anything I should be afraid of you because of your magical abilities."

The sorcerer nodded slowly, trying to focus on that very important and truthful fact.

"My name is Wufei Chang by the way. May I inquire as to yours?" he asked.

"I'm…" Milliardo paused to consider his options.`I don't want to even think about my family. Even though I love my mother with all my heart I can't stand to be there. It's just better for me if I sever all ties from them. This includes my name as well.' The blonde thought for a moment before remembering the name of an old friend of his that had died recently in a horse accident. `I'll use his name in remembrance.' "… Zechs Merquise."

If Wufei was confused by the halted answer he didn't let it show. Instead he continued to check the older man over. "Is it alright if I remove your shirt? It would be easier to check the wounds on your arms," the Chinese boy questioned.

The blonde turned white as a sheet at the notion.

"I would… rather not…. If that's fine with you," he muttered his blue eyes lowered to stare at the floor. `I can't let him see what happened to me. He'll be disgusted.'

"That's quite alright. I know some people are unsure about their bodies. How about you take the supplies and fix yourself up in the bathroom?" Wufei suggested.

The blonde nodded in agreement as he gathered the items into his arms and walked over to the room that the owner indicated, shutting the door behind him.

`I wonder what happened to him that would make him so nervous? Maybe I can get him to open up. I'll let him stay the night. It's the least I can do for the help he's given me,' the black haired boy commented to himself as he sat and waited for his guest to return.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So what made you at fifteen years old decide to open up a restaurant?" Zechs inquired as he picked at the left-over food on his plate. After he had finished tending to his injuries Wufei had calmly announced that he was to spend the night and eat dinner with him. Of course the blonde protested but was quickly shot down. The black haired owner claimed that it was a matter of honor.

"I started this to get away from my family. Although I love my mother I can't stand living there anymore with my half-brother. The child drives me insane," Wufei answered, "He insisted on talking continuously and seems to have this inner drive to annoy me to no end."

"I have the same problem with my…." Zechs trailed off, realizing that he told himself he was cutting off all ties to his past, "Never mind."

"Something very hurtful must have happened for you to be reluctant to discuss your family. Did they truly do something that terrible?" Wufei questioned.

"Not my mother. I do care for her deeply and my sister never hurt me, although I didn't much like her attitude and actions. My father however…" Zechs shuddered at his name, trying to block out the brutal images of the attack from his mind. He jolted back to reality when he felt a gentle and reassuring touch on his shoulder.

"You don't have to worry. Whatever happened in the past is gone. You can start a whole new life now. Forget about your father and whatever he did. I've forgotten mine as well. Although I'm sure he didn't do anything as grave as yours did he fathered me and then while still with my mother, had a child with another woman. He then gave that boy to my mother to take care of when his birth mother died," Wufei stated softly.

"That's the half-brother you spoke of correct?" Zechs murmured.

"Yes it is. His name is Duo and I'm glad that I no longer have to deal with him. The boy is such a trouble maker," the black haired owner remarked.

Zechs laughed faintly at the conviction Wufei held in his voice. The younger boy truly did make him feel better. Even though he lost everything at least he wasn't alone.

Although dinner was long since over and done with the two continued to talk about everything, learning more and more about each other with each new turn. Zechs couldn't believe how quickly they seemed to connect. He hadn't felt this close to anyone since Deckin.`I miss him very much but I know that he's better off without me. I'm sure he'll find someone else that's worthy of his affections.' The blonde stared silently out the window,`I'll never forget him though.'

"It does seem to be getting pretty late. If you would like you can sleep in the bed and I'll take the couch. It would be better for your injures," Wufei stated.

"Don't worry about me. You've done so much I couldn't even think about taking your bed too. I'll be fine on the couch," the blonde said firmly.

"If that's what you want. There are spare blankets and pillows in the closet beside you. Good night rest well," the Chinese boy murmured as he retired to his room.

"You too," Zechs called out as he opened the closet door, pulling out what he required before settling down to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The blonde jerked in his slumber, face contorted in displeasure.

/Harsh hands tugged at his clothes, ripping them from his body. Violent fingers clawed at his flesh, invaded places where none should tread without permission./

Zechs cried out in his sleep, pressing against the back of the couch as if trying to escape.

/His father's raspy, voice muttered at him. Yelling as more flesh was bruised./

"No! Stop it! Get away!" he screamed as he bolted up, tumbling off the couch to land on the floor. He franticly scanned the room before pulling the covers around him, his body racked with chills.

"Zechs? What's wrong?" Wufei questioned, his hair spilling out across his shoulders, mussed from sleep. He had on a pair of simple black cotton boxers and a white shirt. He carefully made his way over to the young man, holding his hands out to show him that he meant no harm.

"I'm coming over to you," the black haired bar owner stated quietly as he made his way over to the shaken man. Wufei hesitantly wrapped his arms around the distraught blonde. "Is this ok?"

Zechs nodded, taking comfort in the warmth that was being offered. The arms holding him gave him reassurance that he was safe and away from his father's vicious actions.

"You know what I was thinking tonight before bed?" Wufei murmured.

The blonde glanced up at friendly brown eyes, silently asking for the answer.

"I know you don't know where you're going tomorrow so I thought you could maybe stay here for awhile. I know you would be helpful in the restaurant and that way your wounds could heal fully."

Zechs' facial expressions betrayed his surprise. `I didn't expect him to want me to stay. At least this way I'll have a place to stay. I won't have to worry about surviving on the open road. Plus Wufei is very kind. I'd be lucky to have him near me.'

"I would love to stay if you really want me to," the blonde announced, the horror of his nightmare forgotten quickly with facing the much needed news.

"I insist. It really can be a handful to cook everything. It would be beneficial to the business to have more aid. I also admit that I enjoyed your company today I would hate for you to leave," Wufei exclaimed.

"I've had a good time as well. I'll be happy to stay and long as you want me here," Zechs said with a smile. `And hopefully something special will come out of this new friendship.'
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End of Side story