Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Wilderness ❯ Rivers Never Run Straight Ahead ( Chapter 12 )

 

Wilderness

By Dentelle_Noir

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, duh. Don't you find this as redundant as I? I hope so.

 

Warning: Eventual yaoi. Man bashing.

 

NOTE: I'm giving Wilderness a bit of a re-haul and edit! Mostly from the middle on arethe larger changes, but the earlier chapters have more format and minor wording changes. Look for new chapters soon, though!

 

 

Chapter Twelve: Rivers Never Run Straight Ahead

 

Heero glared for all he was worth to the blonde snuggled under his best friend's chin shivering and wet from his near fatal fall into the river who then had the gal to out and ask their most guarded secret.

 

Quatre would've flinched under the burning glare, but he was too tired, too cold, and too damn dizzy to think straight.

 

Heero turned on his heels, scowling and practically growling as he strode away and over to the raft, helping the others (rather violently) fix it.

 

Quatre still wanted his answers, so he turned his look to the man holding him comfortably. Trowa was ignoring him, looking every way he could to not acknowledge Quatre was there.

 

Letting out a huff, Quatre laid his head down, his sleepiness overtaking him once again.

 

Trowa felt a bit bad about keeping the boy in the dark. But he knew when he had already opened his mouth too big. Heero knew too. He was slipping. He couldn't just tell their business because of big blue eyes and an adorable smile. Heero had been right; the blonde was starting to cloud his judgment.

 

Soon he felt light huffs of even breath against his collar, Quatre having cuddled deep into his arms again and falling asleep.

 

“Trowa…” Quatre muffled, adorably mashed in his arm, and not as asleep as he had thought. Trowa listened attentively, curious and almost alarmed at his seriousness.

 

“I'm sorry if I got heero mad at you for letting me stay.” Quatre burrowed deeper into the warm embrace, “Please don't be mad.”

 

Trowa felt his heart melt and stomach flutter affectionately. “Don't worry, baby doll. You did the right thing. You never back down with Heero and never break eye contact. He'll prey on you after that. He's a great guy and loyal to a fault once you gain his respect. But the few that have gained it are pretty much right here and you've met them.” Trowa said in probably the longest speech he'd made for a while. What was it with the blonde that had him talking?

 

Quatre just enjoyed the warmth and protection of Trowa's arms, the two laying in mostly silence, listening to the woods around them and the scuffle of the raft repairs until Milly began to make supper.

 

It looked as if they would be a bit behind in their schedule and camping right where they were for the night.

 

 

 

 

Stalking through the forest cover, the dark of night hiding them from the large amount of people, Alex sidestepped a branch and darted through the clearing and ducked behind the equipment stack. Finding the barrel he was looking for he wrenched the whole top off.

 

Twisting off the cap off the canteen, he held it strong and poured the thick substance in. Most of the heavy liquid sunk to the bottom, but a good swish sent it around and mixing.

 

Knowing that Nichol would be happy, Alex practically skipped back into the forest. In his haste to leave, though, he hit a stick that he had so thoroughly avoided when coming it.

 

With a loud SNAP echoing in the nighttime still, Alex froze in surprise.

 

Duo shot up from his position, Heero right behind.

 

Jumping from his sleeping bag, Duo squinted in the black to locate the sound.

 

Alex took off, bolting through the dense underbrush like a frightened rabbit and weaving through the trees. Finally away and not hearing pursuit, he smirked, making his way back to Muller waiting for him in a jeep.

 

.

 

“Did you see what it was?” Duo asked, still keeping an eye out.

 

“Whatever it was, it's gone now.” Heero answered coldly.

 

Duo, still not totally convinced, but trusting his boyfriend, nodded. “Probably some animal looking for a snack.” Duo said, more to reassure himself than anything.

 

“Go to sleep, love.” Heero said, pulling the boy back down into his arms. Quickly, Duo snuggled into the warmth and fell right back to sleep.

 

But Heero kept his senses alert, holding each sound and call in his head, watching.

 

In the deep, the sound of an engine started to life. Heero clenched his jaw, vowing no matter what, their group would be off tomorrow morning. They had endangered the travel group enough already.

 

At least this time he and Duo had noticed something wrong quick enough before whoever could do some real harm.

 

At least, he thought they had been in time.

 

 

 

­­­­­­­­­­­ ;­­

Feeling brightness burn his eyelids open, Quatre was momentarily blinded with the morning sunshine waking him up.

 

He did not want to wake up. Yesterday had been one of the best days of his life, but he knew that today Trowa would be leaving. They probably would never see each other again. He had only known Trowa for little more than two days, and already just the thought of him leaving left Quatre with an emptiness he couldn't explain.

 

That seemed like Deja-Vu to him for some reason.

 

Jane and her husband were already bustling about; they were probably the first to wake, just like every morning since they had arrived with the tour group. As Quatre watched, Jane stopped in the middle of what she was doing, holding her stomach tight and breathing deep, trying to catch her breath. But she hadn't seemed to be doing anything too strenuous? She moved over to one of the logs, and flopped down, still holding her stomach and breathing hard and ragged. It was an unnatural sort of wheeze that had Quatre's hackles rising.

 

Immediately, the haze from sleep was replaced with concern. Jumping up from his sleeping bag, Quatre forced his morning delayed legs to move and made his way over. “Jane? Are you alright?”

 

“Yes, dear. I'm fine. Go get yourself some breakfast.” She breathed out, a bit more raspy than normal.

 

A feeling of dread swept over Quatre. Something was not right!

 

“BILL!!!” Someone screamed out in a panic, waking the last few sleeping.

 

Turning his head, Quatre watched the largest man of the troop, a tall and wide older man, crumple to the ground, moaning in pain. Immediately, Treize ran over, abandoning his packing, and laid his hand over the fallen man's forehead.

 

A few seconds later, another woman, one of Jane's early-riser friends, clawed desperately at a tree to keep herself up, but it wasn't enough to carry her weight when her legs gave. Crumpling to the ground, she turned, vomiting into the brush violently, savagely retching.

 

Haggard breath right beside him caught Quatre's attention, and he grabbed onto Jane's shoulders and moved her over to purge; her body wracked in tremors as she vomited dark and sticky onto the ground, sweating and racing to catch her breath as her body lost all strength. Quatre held, keeping the woman from pitching forward and moving her off the top of the log to rest against it. Quatre wasn't strong; his might was gone already from the heavy burden, but he had enough to get her leaning against the log. Jane's head was burning up, and she looked like in the last few seconds she had gone through a washing machine, a grain thresher, and a stampede of elephants charged on top of her!

 

Treize looked up and saw the chaos around, most people waking confused and those already awake in pain.

 

“Don't eat or drink anything until I check it. Everyone just stay calm.” Treize ordered. Immediately, Milly, Trowa, Heero, and Treize began to rip into the bags of food and look at the leftovers of fish from dinner.

 

“Trey!” Milly called, standing in front of the large water basin.

 

All searchers converged on the basin, and knew then and there what was wrong.

 

“You have to get those people to the ranger station, Milly. If my instinct is right, it's not fatal. But they need to get into a more sterile and comfortable environment.” Treize said quietly.

 

“It'll take two, three hours, no, MORE to get a helicopter here.” Milly whined quietly, “They'll be pissed by then!”

 

“It's an hour by raft. And hour and a half if you go cautious with the group. Take them in the rafts.” Trowa spoke up, having the training as a tour guide as well as a ranger just as Treize did.

 

“Walker can meet you down at the put-in with our medical jeep the second you get there, so you cut out walking time.” Trowa in Forest Ranger mode explained.

 

Milly nodded. He knew the best course of action where he heard it.

 

But Fuck. This was bad.

 

Milly did the math. The sick people were hardly able to keep themselves upright now. There was no way they could sit in the raft, they would have to lie down. And just three of them would take up way more room than they had to spare.

 

Even with leaving most of the supplies, and the sweep boat, there would not be…maybe. Maybe they could all fit. It was probably possible. He was just worrying himself over nothing. Yeah. No use worrying for nothing.

 

“They aren't all going to fit, Milly.”

 

“Unfortunately, I know, Treize.” Milly sighed.

 

“Maybe we can leave some of the crew out here until we get to the station then come back for them later. They can take care of themselves.” Milly began pacing, striding around the clearing trying to think of some kind of solution.

 

“Not a good idea. You need the amount of crew you have to legally take out a trip, this trip began down to the bare minimum because the rest of us were out separate. The ones you have aren't experienced enough. You know you need the crew you have.” Treize hissed, keeping his own ire low so that the vacationers wouldn't notice. He had told Une not to do this run with all her most experienced rafters on the mission.

 

“Maybe you guys can take people?” Milly asked hopefully, “Just to the Ranger station?”

 

“No.” Heero's cold voice bit into the conversation.

 

“We're already two days behind schedule, and you know as well as we that what happened was not a coincidence. The longer we stay, the more `accidents' may happen.”

 

Treize began to rub his forehead, the strain beginning to give him a headache. Trowa was thinking, absently watching his blonde help the older woman, Jane, feel comfortable. Duo toyed with the end of his braid, holding onto his boyfriend, who was stock still as usual. Milly was starring off into space, hoping a solution would present itself. Unfortunately, nothing was coming.

 

“I can leave.” All heads turned, and there, out from wherever he was hiding himself, was Wufei.

 

Standing, hip cocked and eyes narrowed dangerously, Wufei glared at his EX-lover and past to Milly.

 

“I can leave the raft and go with them. You need the extra space and I'm small. I can fit in the middle of Heero and Duo's canoe. I'm an expert rafter, I can handle myself.”

 

“You know what we're doing. You could be in danger. Please Dragon-“

 

“Don't talk to me, Treize.” Wufei bit, “I know very well what is going on. It is only because of this trip with my father I am not with you anyway. It is the only logical course. Don't tell me you are so blind not to see the obvious.”

 

“That still wouldn't be enough room. Two, at the least, of the rafters would have to leave. Just one would not solve the problem and put you in danger you need not be in.” Treize rationed.

 

“His suggestion does have merit.” Milly stroked his chin in thought.

 

Heero raised a brow, scanning Wufei. “He is small enough to fit in our boat, and he does have the skill. I'd allow him to join.”

 

Treize looked scandalized! “It wouldn't solve the problem. I will not allow you to endanger, Dra- Wufei, for no good reason!”

 

“I am not a pet to be coddled!” Wufei flamed, eyes burning murderously.

 

“It won't be enough!”

 

“Than I can go.”

 

All heads snapped to see Quatre standing there; he looked small in the over-large black manly T-shirt and the tired expression from working too hard taking care of those sick. But it was he who had spoken.

 

“I'm small, like Wufei. I may not be good at this stuff, but if you tell me what to do, I'll try my best.”

 

Heero snarled, stalking from Duo's side. Eyes burning and lip twisted into a snarl, he rounded on Quatre, stopping right in front of him and growling low in his throat. “You'll `Try your best?' That's not good enough.” Heero came right up to him and pushed his shoulder, sending Quatre stepping back, frightened.

 

“Are you an idiot! Do you think this is a game? Some movie adventure? I heard what YOU can do. You couldn't even stay in the raft!” Heero snarled.

 

Quatre began to shrink under the heat, curling upon himself and holding his wrists together. But he refused to break eye contact.

 

“Hey.” Trowa barked from behind, coming up to his best friend. “You have no idea what Quatre can do. You ought to know better than to listen to gossip.”

 

Trowa glared at his friend, “I was right there. I saw him swear up and down he couldn't climb. Then he tore ass up that cliff once he got his mind off it. I was having difficulties keeping up with him, and I'm a top ranked climber!”

 

“This isn't a rookie vacation, Trowa. You're boyfriend can't take it. And I won't be responsible for him.”

 

“I'll take responsibility.” Trowa stood tall, superiorly glaring Heero down.

 

Heero practically scoffed, eyes narrow.

 

Turning abruptly away from Trowa, he glared straight at Quatre- Who still hadn't left!

 

Heero stiffened, pissed and showing it, he dunked his hand deep into the open tainted water jug beside him, quick as lightning, and with a mightily heave sent a huge splash towards the little blonde.

 

Quatre saw the water rushing at him and fear gripped his heart, his instinct told him to run, curl up, duck the onslaught. But screaming in the back of his head told him to stand firm. Trowa's voice echoed “You never back down with Heero and never break eye contact. He'll prey on you after that.”

 

Heero's eyes widening when Quatre glared as the water crashed upon him, setting Heero with a dark gleam through the dingy wetness plastering his bangs to his forehead and dripping off the bottom of his open lips, set in a winded expression. He looked more pissed than anything.

 

Duo whooped, eyes wide and screaming in jubilation, “Blondie's Got BALLS!” He called, grinning wide.

 

Heero raised his brow. He hadn't cowered. Surprising. Maybe what Trowa said about him was true.

 

“I can do this. Face it. I'm the only one smaller than a barn in this group. And I already know some of what is going on. I got an idea of what I'm getting into and I volunteer of my own will.” Quatre said quietly, but surprisingly fierce, the water soaking him and sending waves of shivers and cold through his body enough to piss him off enough to be so bold. He hated the cold. And he hated being wet and cold even more. And now he was. And it was Heero's fault.

 

“Blondie's got Balls!” Duo sang louder, wringing a hand around Quatre's wet shivering shoulders and swinging him around once.

 

“I'm not taking responsibility for him.” Heero bit indignant. He was still shocked. He had really expected the blonde to cower.

 

“I said I would.” Trowa's soft but firm voice repeated.

 

Everyone looked to Heero, knowing it was his call in the end, dominance conflict be damned.

 

Glaring at his boyfriend's arm around the blonde's neck still, he narrowed his eyes and began to snarl.

 

Turning on his heels, he spun to Trowa, his fierce glare directed at his best friend since middle school, “He's your responsibility,” He ground out, pointing his finger into Trowa's chest. “He stays in your boat. Under your care. And when he screws up, and gets us all killed, it'll be on YOUR head, Barton.” He punctuated the last piece with a final push and stalked off.

 

“Whooo. He's PISSED!” Duo muttered under his breath, still fairly attached to Quatre's neck. “Don't talk to him for a bit, K? You may not have legs to walk on after. Better yet, don't even LOOK at him for a while.” Duo laid a huge smooch on Quatre's astounded cheek and galloped off to Heero who was violently packing the gear.

 

Great. Now he had pissed of the leader. And hell, it looked like Heero could break him in two with one look!

 

And then, an even more shocking and disturbing thought struck him: In his quest to help Jane and the others, he had sighed himself up for even more of this Wilderness stuff.

 

“WHY!!!!” Inner-Quatre wailed.

 

.

 

Trowa smiled to Quatre warmly, “Don't worry about Heero. He's under a lot of stress right now. He's really a good guy once he gets to like you. And until he sees what a wonderful person you are, I'll protect you.” Trowa winked playfully to him.

 

Trowa ghosted fingers along Quatre's neck and shoulder, resting on the wet shirt.

 

Frowning at the shivers under his hand, he thought for a second and began to grasp and pull at his back. Grabbing the hem of his tight fitting leefa he rolled the clinging heat recycling and sweat absorbing shirt up and over his head.

 

Quatre had to stifle a moan at the hard rippling abs right in front of his hungry eyes and just about missed the thrown garment. Trowa was built like a gymnast with a wall of upper body muscle and subtle, tight, and graceful legs.

 

“It'll keep you incredibly warm. I can tell you don't like the cold. It fits like a second skin. You just might fall in love with it.” Trowa explained, standing before him wearing only his slightly low hanging water-proof navy blue pants. God, he was gorgeous.

 

Finally coming to his senses, Quatre tried to give it back. But Trowa would have nothing of it, walking away telling him to get out of his wet shirt, and pack for the canoe.

 

Blinking at his retreating form, watching his taught back ripple and that curve towards his amazing ass sway as he stooped down to ruffle through his pack and pullout a short-sleeved sweater, Quatre was again woken by a voice.

 

“We need to pack, Quatre, and now. Heero hates leaving late.” Wufei gently prodded him, a smirk on his face.

 

“I'm already packed.” Quatre answered, fascinated with Trowa's sleek rippling arm muscles working to haul the heavier luggage and only absently even hearing his friend.

 

Wufei cocked his head sideways, his hips matching the look and smirked as his once perfectly slicked hair fell in smirking face. “A canoe can't hold even a quarter of the weight the raft could. I'll go through your stuff with you.”

 

“The first thing we do is get you out of those way too big clothes. They're a hazard.”

 

Quatre's look turned skeptical. Yeah, get him out of his clothes. Whatever.

 

“You could get caught on something and lots of material absorbs lots of water. And lots of water on your clothes means more weight to carry around and paddle with and puddles of cold to shiver in.” Wufei dragged out.

 

Oh. Well, that sounded logical.

 

Following Wufei's fast-paced stride to dig through the gear and find their packs, Wufei hauled the two out, up, and down in a loud plu~thunk.

 

 

 

 

Trowa climbed into the canoe. Treize was positioned in back for steering, Trowa in front for the power paddling.

 

Heero and Duo were loading the last of their gear when Wufei and Quatre emerged from the bustle of the tour group.

 

Wufei stood, purposely looking OVER Treize. Of course he was in his sleeveless black belly-top with the tie neck and the white low riders. Trowa figured it was probably to make sure Treize realized everything he was missing by being a bastard. Although, Trowa was sure he hadn't done anything. If Treize had been less high and dedicated gentry perhaps he would've just laughed and left Lady Une sprawled on the stairs like any one else in his position would've and that would've been the end of this little quarrel. Smirking at the thought, Trowa moved his eyes away from Wufei.

 

Trowa's blood boiled at seeing the little blonde behind him.

 

Quatre had put on Trowa's leefa, which, of course, clung like a second skin to the lean, willowy blonde, the black and indigo coloring contrasting with his pale skin, the shirt leaving nothing, yet way-too-much, to the imagination.

 

The leefa was made for paddling, covering his collar, but open in the arms for movement. And he was sure it Wufei's doing that around Quatre's exposed bicep was a thick black belt, a few carabineers and other outdoor tools hanging like gypsy jewelry off the smiling angel. And the fact that it was Trowa's clothes he wore made his male possessive urge do cartwheels in appreciation.

 

Duo gave a cat call, whistling low and smirking as Quatre turned scarlet.

 

Okay. He'd have to thank Wufei. Then KILL HIM!

 

Heero glared at Quatre as Wufei had to help him into the canoe, holding it until Quatre had settled behind the middlebar and between bags of gear. Quatre gulped, feeling Heero's undisguised hate and tried to focus on what eh had to do. He dipped his paddle in, slowly following Trowa's lead, and crossed his fingers for some luck.