Title: These Private Emotions.

Disclaimers: Don't own Gundam Wing.

Warnings:Shounen ai, Une bashing.

Onyx colored eyes scanned the numerous figures from a darkened alley way as the city's citizens passed by, studying each person for a possible hit. The nights were growing chilly again and the shadowed figure tucked up his jacket's collar to fight off the cold. Small white puffs of breath rose into the air before him. Chang Wufei leaned against the cool, brick wall with a slight scowl across his face. He hated the cold. It was supposed to be summer for crying out loud! And here he was freezing his butt off looking for some too-well-off-for-their-own-good-tight wad because Mother Nature decided to pull a full 360-degree mood swing in what was usually the season of shorts, snow cones, and swimming! A small-satisfied smile spread over the boy's face as he spotted tonight's target. Heading down the street was a tall man probably in his early twenties, not paying much attention to his surroundings, as it was evidence by the carefree smile on his handsome face as it was light up by bright neon signs.

' He'll do, ' the pickpocket thought as he stepped casually onto the sidewalks and after his intended victim. No one was paying attention as Wufei carefully walked up behind the older man and followed after him, bidding his time to strike at the right moment. From the slight bulge in the older man's jeans side pockets, Wufei detected that the wallet was kept in his left side one. The Chinese boy wasn't an expert and had almost been caught a few times before, but he really needed the money. The victim stopped at a stop light and waited. Wufei smiled to himself,

' Perfect.'

Carefully, Wufei reached into the man's pocket and almost had a heart attack when the man grabbed him. His first instincts was to start yelling and pull away, but with his hand inside the man's pocket, everyone would know right away what he had tried to do. He glanced quickly up at the man as his hand was pulled out and the grip on his smaller hand tightened. Wufei swallowed as the light changed and he was pulled after the older man.

' Kisama! Just my luck to pickpocket a pervert! ' Wufei scowled as he dragged his heels along the sidewalk. He was pulled up to a sidewalk café and inside the warm building. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries struck the midnight haired boy's nose and he felt a slight pain of hunger in his stomach. But he refused to let it show. Sure, he hadn't eaten in almost two days, but he had gone hungry much longer. The two sat at a table in a corner by a shelf of books off in a corner that was perfect for privacy if needed be. Wufei scowled at the larger, tanned hand entrapping his own still.

" So what would you like? " A rich, baritone voice asked him.

Wufei looked up with a scowl in his dark eyes at his captor and was caught off for a moment by the older man's sapphire blue eyes brought out by the warm looking dark blue sweater, odd eyebrows, and charming smile. That and he was drop dead gorgeous with ginger locks combed carefully back with a professional, never out to place manor. He scowled again and his captor gave him another smile, as if amused by it.

" What? " Wufei asked.

" To eat. I'm sure that was the reason why you were trying to rob me? " The ginger haired man replied.

" I… It's none of your business! " Wufei replied.

" But I'm afraid it is, for it's my wallet, " the man smiled again, " My name is Treize Khushrenada. What is yours? "

" If you aren't going to take me to the cops, then let me go now, " Wufei said.

" Maybe I will hand you over to the cops if you don't tell me your name, " Treize replied.

Wufei narrowed his eyes and with another scowl, replied, " Chang. Chang Wufei. Now that introductions are over, I'd like to go on my way, please. "

" Charmed, " Treize smiled, " And no. Tell me, Wufei, have you lived on the streets for very long? "

" Why do you want to know? " Wufei asked.

" Casual conversation? " Treize offered. By the scowl on the lovely boy's face, he knew Wufei didn't buy that for a moment. He motioned for the waitress to come over and take their orders. Wufei said nothing as Treize ordered for him and only when the boy had refused to order anything when she asked twice. When she was gone, the man tried again with his question.

" I…have a home. If you can call it that, " Wufei replied. Treize nodded his head. It was one of those cases that he had become acquainted with. From lack of family care, the children turn to the streets to survive, some on their own or falling into the wrong crowds.

" I don't steal for greed, " Wufei added quickly, as if he felt a need to justified his thievery to this man, " I only steal to survive and from those who can afford it. "

Treize chuckled, " I'm glad you think so highly of me. "

Wufei only growled. The waitress came over with their orders and placed it before them. Treize sweetened his coffee to his taste and sipped it. Wufei just glared at the burger and coffee placed before him. His belly grumbled in protest, loud enough for Treize to hear who grinned behind his mug at the boy's stubbornness.

" Come, come, dragon, it won't do you any good to starve yourself, " he remarked.

" What did you call me?! " Wufei hissed looking very much like a kitten whose fur had been rubbed the wrong way.

" It suits you, " Treize smiled knowing the boy would really protest against Panda baby or China doll for an affectionate nickname. He gestured to the untouched burger, " Are you going to eat that or should we send it back? "

Wufei snatched up the burger and stuffed it into his mouth, pausing long enough to load up his coffee with as much sugar and cream he could dump into the dark brew. Treize blinked at the boy's actions. He must have been starving if he would put that much sugar and cream into his coffee. The dark haired boy didn't seem to notice that Treize had let his hand go so he might eat and could bolt at any moment he wanted.

" Fate seems to be on your side tonight, Wufei, for I have a proposition for you, " the handsome ginger haired man said. The boy paused in his wolfing down the appreciated meal, not that he would admit it to the devilishly handsome older man, to look up at Treize. His dark eyes narrowed.

" I'm not like that so don't get any ideas, " Wufei growled.

Treize blinked for a moment as to what the boy had thought he meant and then chuckled which produced another one of Wife's adorable scowls that he had come to love in such a short time. He couldn't help it. The boy was lovely, even more so when he displayed a large amount of emotion.

" I didn't mean of the sexual kind, Wufei, " Treize said in a hushed voice,

" It just so happens that I run a center for teens. "

" Yeah, I've been to some of those, " the Chinese boy spat, remembering the cramped quarters, dirty buildings, bullies, and lack of supplies such as food or clothing from donations, " I'll take my chances on the streets. "

" But my shelter is different from the ones on a city's tax income. It's more like a boarding school where one can be sheltered and get an education as well. My associates and I really try to help our kids in more positive surroundings. I think you should join our little family, Wufei. "

" Some kid who tried to pick your pocket? Are you crazy? " Wufei replied.

" I have been accused that before, but I'm serious. I would feel much better if you came with me, Wufei, " Treize said.

" Why do you care? " The dark eyed boy asked.

" Because I do, " Treize answered.

Wufei studied the man before him for the longest time. It couldn't hurt to try, could it? Hell, he had gotten a free meal from him, hadn't he? If he didn't like it, he could always run away again. This Treize Khushrenada, man say that last name five times fast, looked like he could be trusted. Wufei had stopped trusting people since his father started drinking when his mother had died and his violent actions had forced Wufei to toughen up very fast. The public library had a lot of books on self-defense and martial arts. But when it got too bad, Wufei skipped out. But that was another story and something the Chinese boy didn't care to linger on for very long.

" Well? " Treize asked.

" Buy me a donut and I'll check it out, " Wufei replied.

* - * - *

The Khushrenada Home For Teens was nothing like the Chinese boy had expected. It was a fine piece of estate made of wood, the surrounding tree's species unknown to Wufei with tall iron gates to greet incomers. It was like a mansion. It was too dark to see the surrounding grounds, but when Wufei and Treize left their taxi and headed up the driveway, the boy could pick up the scent of roses on the evening breeze.

" This way, Wufei, " Treize smiled as he led the boy up the front steps. Wufei followed six steps after the older man, casting sideways glances around the place.

The building had an old home feeling to it from being lived in for a long time. A rather large Chinese folklore wall scroll caught Wufei's eye and the dark haired boy stopped to study it. His mother, before she had died, had tried to raise her son traditionally. When she and her husband had moved out of China, both their families didn't want anything to do with them as they saw it as breaking traditions. When she had died, Wufei's future as living as his ancestors had gone to hell and it was things like this that made the boy stop and study for it reminded him of her; her kind dark eyes and warm arms. The sweet smell of her long hair and that hand lotion she used in the winter when it dried out her skin, a scent that he would never forget. Wufei rubbed a gathering tear from his eye, as Treize or anyone here would not catch him in his private moment and damn if they would!

Treize finally stopped suddenly outside an office door that had been obviously added to the estate when it was purchased and made into a teen home. He knocked, turning to bid Wufei to follow him in and paused when he saw the boy wasn't there. Fearing Wufei had left so soon, he hurried down the hall and around the corner. Turning the corner he saw the Chinese boy staring at the Chinese wall scroll he had bought on one of his trips to China years ago. The ginger haired man caught Wufei rubbing his eye. ' He's crying? '

Hearing the older man clearing his throat, Wufei narrowed his eyes as Treize got his attention again. Treize smiled, acting as if he hadn't seen the boy cry and said, " Come. You'll need to meet Sally before you settle in here. "

" Fine, " Wufei replied and followed behind the man again. The women in question greeted both as she was standing in her doorframe when she had heard a knock. She noticed the foul mood-looking boy and smiled.

" And where did you find him, Treize? " The shelter's own nurse asked as the two walked into her office late that night.

" Out on a walk. You know me, Sally. Can't resist the cute ones, " Treize smiled. Wufei dignified that with an offended snort, this older man making it sound like he was some stray, " This is Chang Wufei. Wufei, this is Sally Po. She's our nurse and is going to see if you have any allergies and all that. As it is late in the evening and I have a few things to take care of in my office, I'll leave Sally in charge to getting you settled in. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to the entire family, Wufei. Goodnight. "

" Night, Treize, " Sally smiled and her office door was closed. She gave the boy a smile, " Mr. Treize is a very nice man. I'm sure you'll be happy here with us. Now, you have had a physical exam before, right Wufei? "

" Yes. "

" Okay. Now, even though I'm a woman, I hope that won't bother you too much, " Sally said.

" I'm perfectly capable of letting a female doctor check my health. Are you? " Wufei frowned.

The honey haired woman smiled, " I can see why Treize brought you here. "

* - * - *

" … And be sure to send a reminder to Collins about our meeting of our European branches, " Treize finished instructing his personal sectary and assistant, Ms. Une.

" Yes, sir, Mr. Treize. Anything else before we adjourn for the night? " The women asked.

" Hmmm, yes. We have a new arrival. Ms. Po is running the usual health check-up. We'll need to make a file that shows the boy will be registered as a resident here, get him under our medical and dental insurance, all that sort of thing, " Treize said.

" Sir? I wasn't aware we were getting a new kid today. Neither Marquise nor Ms. Noin mentioned to me that they had brought home a new kid, " Une replied, annoyed by the lack of communication from the staff.

' Damn those liberals. '

" That's because I brought him here. I found him on the street; I liked him, and decided to give him a home here. I've got a good feeling about this dragon of mine, " Treize said with a air of proud-ness and a slip up of the pet name.

' 'Dragon of mine?' ' Thought the women, already not liking the boy even before her meeting with him and it was because Treize had brought him home.

It was one thing if Marquise or Noin brought home kids picked up from teen shelters after a few evaluations because there was nothing personal about it inquiring Treize in the matter. The lady wanted to make sure that none of the male population living under this roof had a too close relationship with her handsome boss, say Marquise and only because those two had been friends long before she had come along. Une knew that Mr. Khushrenada preferred male company to women, but he kept the fact to himself for professional reasons. That was a problem she had yet to fix.

She couldn't fix that problem if her boss started to bring home teens, male ones at that, himself. Une could tell that this Chang Wufei was an attractive boy from the smile on Treize's face. She had worked and studied him in her, shall we say, obsession to know some of his signals. The brunette had to acquire more information about this Chang Wufei, his name sounded Chinese, and Treize's actually interests in the boy before she could make any plans to get rid of him. If the boy wasn't interested in the male sex, and Mr. Treize wasn't the type to force himself upon a wanted lover, then his stay here till he was of legal age wouldn't be a problem. A plan set, the lady nodded at her boss before she retired to her room.

Treize, glad that the day was over and Une was gone from his presence, stood up from behind his desk and stretched.

" I should really replace that woman, " he murmured to himself, running hand through his hair, " Her true intentions of working for me are far too obvious. That, and the kids have been complaining about her. And the shower room incident was completely inappropriate. "

" Speaking of showers… "