Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Bond of Friendship ❯ Chapter 1

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimers: I do not own any of the g-boys. They belong to Sunrise and other companies, etc. I'm using them without permission, but for entertainment purposes ONLY. This is fans for fans. Me broke, so suing me would get you nothing but the lint in my pockets...but I'm kinda attached to that too, so basically you would get nothing ^_^

Rated for language and a bit of violence.

'...' denotes thoughts

~~...~~ flashbacks

The Bond of Friendship
By Mika-chan

Part One

After twisting the customary black tie around his hair and giving himself the once over view, ten-year old Duo Maxwell dashed out of his bedroom and down the hallway. Pulling on his black sneakers and cap, he pulled open the front door.

"Ma! I'm going over to Quatre's house! Be back later!" he shouted, quickly walking out of the one-story house. He was about to slam the door when his mother called out to him.

"Wait Duo! What about breakfast?"

The young boy pushed the door open just enough so that his head could stick back inside. "It's okay, Ma! Rashid will make me something!"

Wiping her hands on her apron, Mrs. Maxwell moved briskly to the door. "Duo, you shouldn't impose on the Win-"

*SLAM*

Mrs. Maxwell released a sigh, shaking her head and moved to the front window. Pulling back the white curtains, she watched as her son ran down the street, his braid bouncing off his black T-shirt with every stride until he disappeared around the corner of Maple Street.

Turning around she walked back to the kitchen, a single thought running across her mind.

'I have to get him to a barber.'

* * * * *

"KA-TO-RUUU! Are you AWAKE yet?! KA-TO-RUUU!"

Nine-year-old Quatre Raberba Winner flipped over to the other side of his bed, pulling the pillow with him over his head.

"KA-TO-RUUU! Come out and PLAAAAAA-AY!"

On any other day Quatre would have been up at the first signs of morning, calling the Maxwell's residence and waking up their only child. Not the other way around.

With a soft groan the blonde sat up from his bed, rubbing his tired eyes with his small fists.

"KA-TO-RUUU! Come out and PLAAAAA-AY!"

With another groan Quatre fell back onto his pillow, only now regretting that he stayed up so late to watch that movie. It wasn't like he didn't know what would happen to Tender Heart and Cheer Bear; he did see The Care Bears Movie five times(1). But he thought that maybe, juuust maybe, that this time the ending would be different and he would miss it. Who would have known that they would stick to the original ending? He sure didn't.

"KA-TOOO-RUU!! Come out and PLAAAAA-AY!"

The Arabian let loose a soft growl.

"KA-TOOO-RUU!! Come out and PLAAAAA-ACK!"

Quatre smiled blissfully as he trudged back to his bed, pulling the covers up to his chin and rested his head on his right arm.

'Now for some peace and quiet . . .'

* * * * *

Duo hollered his friend's name again through his cupped hands, oblivious to the incoming projectile hurtling at his head.

"KA-TOOO-RUU!! Come out and PLAAAAA-ACK!"

The brunette blinked a couple of times, a little dazed at what just happened. He rubbed his sore nose and picked himself off the ground.

'When had pillows gotten so hard?' he wondered, bending down and picking up the cushion. With a shrug, he dropped it and cupped his hands over his mouth once more.

"KA-TO-RUUU!!! You'll have to do better than that to get rid of ME~~~~~! KA-TO-R-oh, hey Rashid. What's shaken?"

A man, looking in the range of his thirties, now stood in the doorway of the Winner mansion, a throbbing vein visible on his forehead. "All the china and silverware in the house," was the controlled reply, as the man stepped out onto the walkway. "Duo, Master Quatre is not awake yet, and he won't be for maybe a few hours from now."

"Oh." Duo looked crestfallen, placing both hands behind his back and shuffling his feet. "Okay. I guess I'll come back later then."

"I think it would be best." Rashid watched as a slight frown descended onto the young boy's face and felt the slightest twinge of guilt. "Hmm, maybe you should see if your other friend . . . um, what's his name? Wufei, is it? Maybe you should see if he will play with you until Master Quatre has woken up?"

Duo pondered on the suggestion and soon enough a smile was once again on his lips and excitement in his violet eyes. "Okay! Tell Quatre I'll be back later. Thanks Rashid!"

Duo turned around, hair flying in a small arch as he ran back down the street.

Rashid bent down and picked up the abandoned pillow before returning into the house.

'That boy needs a haircut.'

* * * * *

When Duo arrived at Wufei's house, the latter was already outside, practicing with a wooden bokken.

"Take that! Annnd that!"

"Wufeeeeeei! You wanna play with me?!"

The ten and a half-year old Asian turned his head at first sound of the voice, lowering his wooden sword at the same time. "Maxwell? What in the world are you doing here so early in the morning?"

Duo jogged up to the other, one shaking finger outstretched accusingly. "My name is Duo. Duuu-O. Why can't you call me that? It is my name," he huffed.

"And Maxwell isn't?" was the quick counter.

"Well, yea it is, but-oh forget it." Duo stopped himself before a drawn out argument could ensue. He learned long ago that this conversation never went anywhere whenever it came up, so he stopped while he was still ahead . . . well, almost ahead.

He plopped down on the front lawn, Wufei following soon after. "So, whatcha doin'?"

"Practicing."

Duo reached a hand forward, taking the weapon into his hands, examining it closely. "Practicing for what?"

Wufei snatched it back and laid it across his lap, Duo frowning a bit as he did. "For any future battles."

Duo tilted his head to the side in curiosity. "What future battles?"

Wufei snorted as if the American had asked the most idiotic of questions. "The battle."

Duo blinked, biting on his lower lip as he pondered on the statement. "Oh. . . . OHHH! I see." His smile widened as he looked up at the other. "Can I play too?"

Wufei's forehead crinkled in outrage. "This isn't a game! It's for real! The battle is coming soon; I know it."

Duo waved his hand off absently in the other's face. "Yea, yea. So, can I play too? Can I, can I?"

Wufei fumed. 'He doesn't believe me. Hmph, who cares if he doesn't anyway? He'll be sorry when it comes.'

"Hello~ Wufei. Knock-knock. You in there?" Duo waved his hands in front of his friend's face. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry I made fun of you." He waited until the other forgave him before he lifted up the bokken and touched the tip of it to the other's chest. "So, you wanna play cowboys and Indians?"

* * * * *

Young Trowa Barton walked down Main Street without a care in the world. He weaved around the other shoppers, silently content with just licking the pistachio ice cream off a waffle cone he held in his right hand.

'I hope nee-san doesn't mind that I'm eating sweets,' he thought absently.

He continued on his merry little way when suddenly something big knocked into him.

He gasped softly and watched as his ice cream cone fell onto the sidewalk with a loud PLOP.

"Hey sorry kid. I was in a hurry. You okay?"

Trowa first looked down at his fallen treat, then up at the large man, then back down at the melting glop on the ground. He nodded his head slightly, head still bowed towards the pavement.

"Oh, sorry bout that."

He heard a few rustling sounds, before a few green bills were presented before his eyes. He looked up curiously at the burly man, a crooked smile on the guy's face that seemed to glint whenever the sun caught onto one of his golden teeth.

Trowa blinked a few times.

He wasn't allowed to take anything from strangers.

"Go on. Take it," the man said. "It's the least I could do for ruining your other one."

Trowa considered it for a moment, hand itching to accept the offer, but then shook his head as his sister's words came to mind.

~~Never, EVER accept anything from a stranger, Trowa. Promise me, Trowa. You promise?~~

~~I promise, nee-san.~~

The older man seemed taken aback by the action, but just shrugged and put the money back in his pockets. "Suit yourself. Well, sorry again for what happened." A calloused hand patted Trowa's head and then was gone.

Trowa watched as he left.

Reaching into his pockets, he pulled out a few coins, but it wasn't enough to buy another one. His lips turned slightly downward as he stood in the middle of the sidewalk.

A finger then tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and met familiar blue eyes. His lips in turn curved upwards a bit. "Quatre."

"Hi Trowa," the boy said cheerfully. "What are you doing here?"

Trowa shrugged, stating that he was just walking around.

"Oh. Well I was just about to go see Duo, when I saw you. He's at Wufei's now, but I thought I'd go get an ice cream first." Quatre's eyes seemed to brighten a bit, an idea just forming in his mind. "Do you want to come with me? I'll buy you one too." He reached into his pockets and pulled out a few dollar bills. "See. Rashid gave me money, so I can buy you one too."

Without even the slightest hesitation, Trowa nodded.

'Nee-san said not to take anything from strangers . . . but Quatre's a friend, so it's okay.'

He revealed one of his rare smiles as a thank you, causing Quatre to beam happily in return. Both then ran back the way they came, eagerly scrambling into the ice cream shop.

* * * * *

"What? Your dad's not going to be home for your birthday?"

Quatre shook his head, trying to keep the sadness out of his face, but not doing so well. "No, he has a very important business trip, so he said he wouldn't be back soon enough. It's okay though," he added quickly. "I understand. I mean, it's not a big deal, it's just my birthday."

Duo stuffed the last bit of his cookie in his mouth before replying, crumbs spraying everywhere. "Just your birthday? Quatre, you turn ten this Saturday. It's VERY important."

Wufei shield his face from the onslaught. He gave Duo a look, which the latter returned with a "What?" before putting in his own two cents. "As weird as it sounds, I have to agree with Maxwell."

Quatre sighed, fiddling with a blade of grass in his hands. "Really, I don't see why you're all making such a big fuss about it. Papa said he was sorry, so really, it's okay." His voice caught on the last few words, although he tried hard to seem nonchalant about it.

A hand fell gently on top of his clenched one and Quatre looked up. Green eyes looked back, filled with understanding, and he couldn't help but give a weak smile in response.

"Hey, um, Quatre," Duo began, interrupting the warm display. "Would you mind getting me some more milk? I would do it, but my legs fell asleep."

Wufei gave a loud snort, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well then wake them up and get it yourself."

"It's all right," Quatre said quickly, standing up. "I'll get it for you Duo."

Duo watched until the blonde disappeared into Wufei's house, before speaking up. "Hey! I got an idea!"

Both Wufei and Trowa's attentions turned to the black clad kid. Excitement could be read on the boy's features, which usually spelled disaster.

Duo raised a pointed finger in the air. "Let's throw a surprise party for Quatre! He'll love it!"

Two pairs of eyes widened in amazement.

That wasn't such a bad idea. It was definitely a much better idea than the time Duo suggested they'd all dye their hair red.

"Well, well? What do you think?"

Trowa nodded, Wufei doing likewise.

"All right! Okay, now this is what we do . . . "

* * * * *

"Bye Trowa! See you tomorrow!" Duo shouted, waving goodbye as Quatre did similarly.

It was getting close to dinnertime and all had to return to their respected houses. They'd left Wufei's about ten minutes ago and Trowa just now, as his home was only a few blocks away from the Asian's. Duo and Quatre continued on, walking side by side, for their houses were a little a long ways down.

They didn't talk much as they traveled down the sidewalk, a nice companionable silence filling the air around them. Yet the stillness only seemed to exemplify the abruptness of Quatre's next question.

"Duo, what's it like to have a mother?"

"Huh?" was the intelligent reply.

Quatre diverted his gaze from violet and onto the white concrete below him. "I was just wondering . . . what it was like . . . to have a mother, to take care of you and do..." He paused for a moment, waving his hands in a flustered motion as he attempted to find the right words. " . . . motherly things," he said finally.

From the seriousness on the Arabian's face, Duo gave the question a lot of thought, crossing his left arm over his chest and resting his chin atop his right hand. Quatre looked at him expectantly, yet with control, for an answer.

After much time, Duo finally responded, placing both hands behind his back and looking directly into blue eyes. "Well, what's it like to have a father?"

Quatre appeared taken aback by the question, shifting his body away from the other in surprise. His expression clearly read puzzlement.

Duo showed one of his most sincere of smiles, taking a few quick steps forward so that he now stood face to face to the other, walking backwards. "Quatre, the way I see it, you and I are both lucky. Unlike some other kids, we're lucky to have at least one parent."

Quatre watched as violet eyes tilted up to the darkening sky.

"I mean, having two parents is great too, but having only a mother, I don't really feel like I'm missing out on anything," Duo continued, leveling his gaze again. "She loves me as much as any other kid that had two parents would to him. An' even though I don't have a father, Ma loves me in the same way as your father loves you; there's no difference," he stressed the last few words.

"It doesn't matter if we only have one father and no mother, or a mother and no father, because he or she would love us a lot and care for us the same way no matter what happens . . . it's definitely a lot more love than if we didn't have any parents at all, like some other kids in the world." Duo stopped walking, causing the other to do the same. "Don't you think?"

Quatre's lip tightened uncertainly and he turned his head away. "I-I never really thought about it that way," he replied slowly. "I guess I feel differently than the way you do." He looked down at his hands, a growing sadness enveloping his features little by little. "Ever since I was born, I always felt like I was missing something. I don't know why . . . I just do. 'specially, when my birthday is coming. Papa always seems distracted; unable to look at me or play with me. He's so . . . different."

Duo listened, placing a comforting hand on the other's shoulder.

"I never really realized until lately how much I looked like my mama. I wonder if that's why he's like that-it must be," he concluded hastily, eyes beginning to glaze over. "When else would he remember so clearly . . . I . . . " He turned away looking at the empty street. "S-Sorry. I don't mean to-I didn't mean to tell you all this. L-Let's just go home." He started forward again, brushing past the other, but could only took a few steps before a hand restrained him from moving.

"Quatre," Duo began softly, "I know it's hard sometimes, but your father does really love you. I mean everyone would love to have a son like you, just ask our whole neighborhood! You're such a smart and nice kid and I'm sure your father is proud of you and cares for you a whole lot. I mean, he got you that really cool racecar set last year AND he goes to all your baseball games even when he's busy. He didn't even go to work last month when you got sick. He stayed home and took care of you. So, it looks to me like you're not missing out on anything either, so you shouldn't be worrying about this." Duo finished in a single breath, his usual cheeky grin on his face.

Slowly, but surely, a weak grin began to form on Quatre's face, all the meaning of Duo's words sinking in bit by bit. "Thank you, Duo."

Duo patted his friend's back. "No problem. Come on! Let's get home before we miss dinner!" Quatre laughed, nodding and Duo turned and ran ahead. With only a few strides, he was knocked down when he ran into something hard and big.

"Ite-Ite." The brunette shook his head and looked up. A very, very large man stood over him, face hidden behind a mask. At that moment, a strange feeling settled at the pit of his stomach; it was almost like the same feeling he got every time his mother held a pair of scissors in her hand, but a bit worse. Duo slowly stood up and placed a hand behind his head, laughing nervously. "Ah, sorry bout that. Guess I should watch where I'm going."

The man stared at him, not replying.

The uneasy feeling began to spread throughout his body. "Uh, I guess I'll just be going with my friend here," he said quickly and turned around. As he did, he was able to see Quatre's last struggles as he fell motionless in another man's arms, a white cloth covering his mouth.

"Quat-UHN!"

Then everything went black.

* * * * *

He didn't know how long he was out, but when Duo regained consciousness, it was already dark.

The young boy groggily sat up, very disoriented, and rubbed his aching head.

'Wha . . . who?'

He took a look around, squinting his eyes and was able to recognize the street.

'What in the world am I-" Violet eyes widened suddenly. "Quatre!" The few events that took place just before he was knocked out flashed back into his memory. "Oh my God, oh my God," he muttered softly to himself. He rushed over to a lamppost and checked his watch.

8:00 p.m.

He cursed mentally before screaming.

"Heeelllp!"

* * * * *

He couldn't move. Something thin and tight bound his wrists and ankles, preventing him from doing anything even if he had the energy to do so.

He was lying on something hard and felt his body bouncing now and then.

He attempted to cry out, frightened and confused at what was going on, but his mouth was gagged. His eyes were blindfolded as well.

Before he could do anything else, he felt a prick on his arm.

Slowly his struggles became more sluggish as he fought to stay awake.

'What's going on?' Quatre thought helplessly, before falling unconscious once more.

* * * * *

Notes:

(1) I have absolutely no idea what ten-year-old kids watch and this was the first show that popped into my head for Quatre. Call me out of touch with the younger generation ^_^ I really did not want to put down...Pokemon...? I don't really think Quatre would be much of a Pokemon fan. Ah well ^_^;