Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Warrior Children ❯ Pilot Confontation ( Chapter 25 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Cousin D 
Wufei confides in Quatre and Trowa.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 11.08.2003 | Updated On: 04.02.2006 | Pages: 7 | Words: 8.8K | Visits: 486 | Status: Completed
Wufei confides in Quatre and Trowa.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 11.08.2003 | Updated On: 04.02.2006 | Pages: 7 | Words: 8.8K | Visits: 486 | Status: Completed
By the way, I thought I should mention, I know my Ma-Sho are out of character. I like them this way.
Chapter 24 : PILOT CONFRONTATION
Quatre-
Pain.
Quatre slowly opened his eyes and saw only the familiar ceiling of his captivity, though the world around him seemed bleary. His skin was burning - such an awful pain - and hands moved over him. 'What's going on?' Sharp pain woke him more and Quatre looked down to see a cloud of emerald.
The man with emerald green hair slowly looked up and met Quatre's eyes. Quatre saw the cast mark of a Hindu in the middle of the stranger's forehead. The man's mouth was on him, but it took Quatre a moment to realize the pain was because the man was biting him. It wasn't like before, when he'd first been taken captive, the nightmare of torture. This was a different kind of pain. Wherever the man's hands touched, it was like someone were pouring liquid fire over him. It wasn't fire, though, but something sticky that clung to his skin as it burned him. If he'd had the strength to scream, Quatre would have.
The man realized that Quatre was awake and suddenly a feeling of complete calm overtook Quatre. Even the pain was gone and Quatre was fell back into a deep sleep.
Later-
Quatre woke again, but slowly, and just stared up at his own bedroom ceiling for a long time just watching the ceiling fan lazily spin. His whole body burned and he could barely move. Even opening his eyes was painful.
'That could NOT have been a dream!' Quatre thought, remembering everything that had happened. Quatre tried to raise his head to check how badly injured he was, but found that he couldn't move well. His whole body seemed stiff and filled with a kind of deep pain. 'Rashid must have saved me.' Rashid was the perfect father, as far as Quatre was concerned. He was literally always there when Quatre needed him.
"Rashid!" Quatre tried to yell, knowing that his guardian would be around somewhere, but his voice came out as nothing more than a dry rasp. There was no way anyone would have heard him. Well, knowing Rashid, the older man would be up soon to check on him.
"Your friend is busy. He will return shortly."
Quatre turned at the unfamiliar voice and found an emerald haired man standing by the window. 'He's the one I saw in the nightmare.' The man had a strange look to him. His skin was a faint hue of green and his eyes seemed too large to be real. The man leaned against the wall with his arms held loosely in front of him and had his head turned slightly so he could see out the window, focusing on the setting sun.
"You injuries were quite fatal." The emerald haired man said in a soft, slow voice, though he still didn't turn to look at Quatre. "You should have died, ningen." When he finally did look at Quatre, Quatre flinched. The stranger's face was filled with nothing but contempt.
"Leave him alone, Naaza." Touma said sternly as he walked into the room. Touma then turned a worried smile to Quatre. "Hey, Kitty. How're you doing?" Touma sat on the side of Quatre's bed and looked him up and down. "You look like Hell."
"Don't swear, it's not nice." Quatre said almost reflexively. He'd been working for many years to get Touma to stop swearing. "I've been better. What's happening?" God, even talking was tiring! "I can't seem to remember much."
Touma was silent and shrugged. "Rashid said not to worry you, yet, so I'm not supposed to tell you all the details. You'd better just worry about getting rested. Naaza says it'll take a few days before you're up to speed."
"Naaza?" Quatre looked at the stranger. "I saw you in a dream, I think."
Naaza nodded, keeping his eyes focused on Quatre. "Yes, you woke sooner than I'd expected." Naaza stood and walked toward the door. Before he left, Naaza said, "Say good bye to your friend, Touma. We're leaving in a few minutes."
"Leaving?" Quatre tried to push himself up, but pain shot through him, making him suck in a gasp of air. 'I didn't think I was hurt this badly.' He thought trying to think passed the pain.
"Hey," Touma said anxiously, pushing Quatre back down onto his pillow. "Don't hurt yourself. You've been through a lot. Don't worry, though, Rashid and Abdul are just downstairs. Trowa's here, too. He helped to rescue you, so I guess he's a good guy." Touma said as if he didn't entirely like the idea.
"But...but where are you going?" Quatre looked up at Touma, worried.
Touma shifted uneasily. "Um, I've gotta go help some friends. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"But where? What friends?"
"I think I shouldn't tell you. You'll only get upset and it'll take you longer to heal. You can't help anyway. Now, I'm sure Rashid would disapprove of me going, so I'm going to sneak out with Shin and Naaza. Don't try yelling to get Rashid to stop me, you're voice is nothing but a whisper and Rashid will never hear you. I'll be long gone before anyone else comes up to check on you."
"What?!" Quatre sat up, again, abruptly, sending shocks of pain all through his body and he groaned with pain. "You can't just run off!"
"Damn it, Kitty, don't move!" Touma pushed him back down onto the pillow. "I told you what Naaza said!"
"You haven't told me who Naaza is, though." Quatre reminded him. "I don't want you going off with someone we don't know."
"You can't stop me." Touma stood and put a hand in his pocket, obviously fiddling with something in his pocket, but not bringing it out. "Naaza's not such a bad guy when you get to know him, he's just a bit rough. There's something very bad going on and Naaza's apart of it. Shin and I are going to help him fix things."
"Does this have anything to do with OZ?" Quatre asked. "Is Naaza apart of OZ?"
"OZ?" Touma was surprised at the question and then sort of smiled, as if the very idea of Naaza being with OZ was absurd. "No, I don't think he even knows what OZ is. You don't have to worry about that anymore, anyway." He smoothed back Quatre's hair away from his forehead. "I'm not going to work for OZ anymore. I think they had something to do with your kidnapping."
If Naaza wasn't with OZ, then what was he involved with? Something very bad? Could Touma mean that Naaza was working for the rebellion against the Alliance? 'Great, first Touma wants to work for Trieze and now this. At least if he'd run away to join Trieze, I know Trieze would keep him safe.'
Before Quatre could open his mouth, Touma said, "I'll be back as soon as I can, Kitty. I'm sorry to leave you like this." And he jumped out of the open window Naaza had been leaning against.
"Touma!" Quatre's voice was still pitifully weak and he could barely struggle to the window. By the time Quatre managed to get to the window, all he saw was Touma, Shin, and that new guy, Naaza, vanishing into the nearby forest. "Damn!" And suddenly Quatre's vision wavered and darkened as pain, once again, hit him full force.
Quatre felt himself fall, and then someone caught him and he was being lifted in strong arms. Opening his eyes, Quatre strained to focus. He expected to see Rashid or Abdul, but it was a long face with sad eyes that looked down at him through a curtain of chestnut hair.
'Such lovely eyes.' Quatre thought, becoming more awake as Trowa lifted Quatre and set him down on the bed.
"Thank you for coming for me." Quatre told him. He remembered Trowa quite well from that one time they'd met at the beach. Trowa was still beautiful. Quatre shook himself and remembered Touma. "My brother..."
"Is going to help his friends."
Quatre frowned. "How do you know? Did he tell you?"
Trowa was staring at him from under the hunk of hair hanging awkwardly over his face. "No. Touma doesn't like me very much. Shin tells me everything, normally. There is something going on, but he won't tell me exactly what. I saw Naaza do...interesting things when we rescued you. Their friends, Xiu, Ryou, and Seiji are in trouble."
"So, Touma's going to rescue them? Why wouldn't he tell me that? He knows Rashid and I would help him."
"It must be important. Shin wouldn't hide things from me for no reason." Trowa sat on the chair by the bed and his one invisible eye closed. "It's my fault you were brought into this in the first place. I shouldn't have made contact with Shin at the circus in the first place. It was because of me that he was shot and now you've been tortured. You both almost died because of me." Trowa crossed his arms and turned to look out one of the windows. "I should have known better."
"What?" Quatre asked. "Trowa, I don't blame you. How could I? You didn't hurt me, they did. I'm sure Shin feels the same way." Quatre had one thought as he looked back at Trowa's thin face and sad, vulnerable eyes. 'MINE!'
"You're very forgiving." Trowa said, his voice sounded strangely dead. Still, Trowa sat quietly beside the bed, still looking terribly guilty. "The mercenaries came looking for Shin and I. They only caught you because you were giving Shin shelter."
Quatre rolled over onto his side, ignoring the pain as best as he could, and put a hand on Trowa's thigh. "Don't worry about it. I don't blame anyone. Can you tell me what happened to me? Touma wouldn't say a thing." Sadly, touching Trowa's thigh was the most suggestive thing Quatre seemed to be able to manage at the moment. 'Well, just wait until I have my full strength back!'
Trowa blinked and stiffened under Quatre's hand, surprised. Quatre wanted to laugh at that expression, it was so charming!
"You were tortured and held hostage for me. I was to return to my former associates in exchange for your release. With help from...a friend, I was able to find your location. Touma, Shin, Naaza, and I went to rescue you while Rashid and his associates stayed here as a distraction." Trowa's eyes took on a sudden sharp look. "When we found you, you were nearly dead. Naaza seems to have a rather...unique ability to heal and he saved you. He said you would likely be in a great deal of pain for some time." Trowa leaned down and whispered into Quatre's ear, as if he were afraid that someone would hear. "I am 03."
Quatre's eyes widened at the confession and he looked at Trowa in a new light. Trowa was a Gundam Pilot? Quatre certainly hadn't expected that! "I was told there were others, but I didn't think you'd know who I was. How did you find out?"
"It was a mission." Trowa's voice was even and low, apparently it was customary for him to speak like this. "I and another, 01, were sent to get you out of the hands of possible enemies. It was thought that you might say something under interrogation."
Quatre nodded thoughtfully. Yes, he'd would have been considered a security risk what with the war so close to beginning, the doctor's couldn't take the kind of chance, now could they? "Since I'm still alive, may I presume you weren't sent to eliminate me?"
Trowa didn't look the least bit guilty when he answered, "I was sent to evaluate the situation and do what I deemed necessary. You were being held in an OZ warehouse, so I believe they are behind this somehow. If they have found out you are a Gundam pilot, you are in grave danger."
Quatre shook his head. "I don't think so." He had his own, private, reasons to believe OZ wasn't behind his kidnapping. Reasons he didn't want to discuss with Trowa. "What happened to the ones who kidnapped me? Did you kill them?"
"No. Naaza, Shin, and Touma killed them all. I only got a few of them. Rashid said he and his men were going out tonight to round up anyone else who might have been involved. I believe OZ is behind your kidnapping. Kushranada might have..."
"No." Quatre answered sharply. "OZ may have had something to do with it, but Trieze didn't know about it."
"How do you know?"
"I just do." He couldn't very well let Trowa know how he knew Trieze. It would make the situation very complicated. "What do you mean my brother helped kill?" Quatre's eyes went wide at the thought of his brother committing mass murder. "Are you sure?"
Quatre didn't want to think about the implications of Touma going along with Trowa on a mission. If Touma or Shin had seen anything or heard anything they shouldn't have, Trowa would have killed them. Worse, still, Quatre might have had to kill Touma himself. He shook away those thoughts. "Where is 01? I think I should meet him and thank him, too. What's his name?"
Trowa did look away at this point. "01 is Heero Yuy. He has gone on another mission."
"Where? Is the war starting so soon that he's started eliminating targets? I'm physically not ready to fight, yet..." As far as Quatre knew, the war hadn't even begun yet. There shouldn't be any missions.
"No." Trowa answered slowly. "It's a very long story."
Quatre leaned back, making himself comfortable. "I have time. Start from the beginning, please."
So Trowa told him everything. Absolutely everything.
A short while later-
"You're telling me that my brother, and his two friends, along with two guys I've never met, and four demon generals have gone to a demon world to save a child and overthrow the demon emperor who wants to take over and or destroy the Earth? Did I leave anything out?"
Trowa thought seriously for a moment and then shook his head. "No. That's about it. It's all I know, anyway."
Quatre closed his eyes and let his head sink back into his pillow. Maybe whatever medicine Naaza had given him was causing strange side effects to make him hallucinate like this. This couldn't be true.
Then again, he had seen the unusual display of power that had nearly destroyed the Trieze's house. He had seen Sh'ten and Anubisu transform from one set of armor to another.
"So, there are three of us pilots." Quatre said without opening his eyes.
"No."
Quatre did open his eyes and looked at Trowa in confusion. "You, me, and Heero Yuy. Three."
"No."
"Well, who's the fourth?"
"05 didn't respond when Master O commanded him to help search for you. It is believed that he is disobeying orders and has taken off on his own."
Quatre's brow furrowed at that information. If one of them had rebelled, what would it mean for the rest of them? "Okay. Four of us, then. What do we know about Heero and 05?"
A man walked through the wall of Quatre's bedroom.
Quatre blinked but said nothing, just staring at the redheaded man who looked at him, then Trowa, and started looking around the room. Sh'ten, yes, that was the man's name. It was Sh'ten who'd helped to bring Touma home the night of the party at Trieze's home.
"Heero," Trowa answered, not acknowledging that Sh'ten had just walked through a wall, "Seems to be very reliable. He is efficient and intelligent. You all ready know 05."
Quatre was still staring at Sh'ten when he answered faintly, "I do?"
"05 is Chang Wufei. I believe he was one of your friends when we met for the first time at the beach."
Trowa's soft answer was enough to take Quatre's attention away from Sh'ten. "What?! Wufei? Are you sure?" How could he not have guessed that Wufei was a pilot? After all the time they'd known each other, too.
Trowa nodded slowly. "I was given his information just a short while ago, you were still asleep. I am to return Wufei to Master O for reeducation or kill him. If Wufei will not obey orders, he is a liability."
Quatre scowled. "Wufei is my friend. I can't kill him!"
"You don't have to." Trowa said, standing up. "This is my mission and I will kill him."
Quatre's attention was brought back to Sh'ten for a moment, to see Sh'ten smiling at them, amused at the conversation. Sh'ten was now wearing an old fashioned kimono instead of the fearsome yoroi Quatre had first seen him in. Quatre wondered if he was hurt more than the others had thought, or if maybe he'd lost his mind. Trowa babbling about demons and now Sh'ten was starting to walk through walls. Trowa might kill one of Quatre’s best friends.
Trowa touched Quatre’s shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Um..." It was obvious that Trowa couldn't see Sh'ten, for some reason, and pointing out the man would just make Quatre look more foolish. "Just hungry." Quatre smiled at Trowa sweetly. "Would you ask Rashid or Abdul if I can have something to eat?"
Trowa nodded and left the room. As soon as the door closed behind Trowa, Quatre sat up as straight as he could and looked at Sh'ten. "What are you smiling about? How did you come though the wall like that?"
Sh'ten blinked at him, his smile slipped. "I'm a bit surprised you can see me at all. I was smiling, because I just adore young love." Sh'ten's smile turned slightly darker. "There is such a potential for pain. I'm sure you'll feel yours in due time."
Quatre tried to ignore that comment. "Of course I can see you, but I'm rather curious about why Trowa can't."
Sh'ten let out a sign. "I suppose it has something to do with the fact that I'm dead."
"You died?" Quatre was at a loss for words for a moment, but said weakly. "I'm so sorry."
Sh'ten shrugged. "Yes, well, it had to happen sometime, I guess."
"You're taking it pretty well."
"Thank you. Being dead gives one a wonderfully clear perspective, you know. That's part of the reason that I believe you can see me. You were, from what I heard, rather close to death yourself, just a short while ago. It makes you more sensitive. I expect it will wear off soon, don't worry about it." He looked closer at Quatre. "Naaza healed you, didn't he?"
"How did you know?"
"I've felt his gentle touch a few times myself. Just a suggestion, but you might want to avoid mirrors for a little while. You may not like what you see. Although, you are rather sweet with the scars Naaza has given you." Sh'ten reached out for just a moment, as if he'd touch Quatre's face, but then pulled back, reluctantly. "You are very appealing with such pain on your face, but it'll go away soon. Naaza's a little too good at healing. In just a few hours, you won't feel a thing and there won't be a mark on your lovely face after a day or so. What a pity."
Sh'ten eyes lost focus for a moment. "Excuse me, but I have to go now. I'm sure we'll meet again." Sh'ten started to walk away, but then paused. "By the way, I heard your conversation with that young man, Trowa. You know Chang Wufei?"
"Yes, he's a friend of mine."
Sh'ten nodded. "Good. Give him a message, will you? Tell him his wife says to stop being such a dick and get his ass in gear." Sh'ten shook his head, tiredly. "That girl has such a foul mouth when she gets angry."
"His wife?" Quatre's eyes widened. "You know Meiran? But she died..."
Sh'ten gave Quatre a flat look. "I'm dead, too. I thought you were supposed to be smart. Just tell him Meiran's getting irritated at him. I'm sure he knows what I'm talking about."
"Well, I'll try." Quatre said doubtfully. "But I really don't think Wufei would believe me. He's still very sensitive about her death and he might think it was a very bad joke. Wufei doesn't have a very good sense of humor."
Sh'ten shrugged. "Well, it's not my business. She says if he doesn't get his act together soon she's going to have a word with him. To be honest, the way she said it, it doesn't sound like a nice visit." With that, Sh'ten faded away and Quatre was alone again.
'Huh. That was strange.' Quatre thought.
At that moment, Trowa came back with a tray of soup and a glass of water. "Rashid wants you to stay in bed for a while and you are to eat all the food."
Quatre obediently started to eat and decided it would be best if he didn't tell anyone about his little meeting with Sh'ten. He wouldn't be believed anyway, so why bother? "I think I should go talk to Wufei before you do anything."
"Why?" Trowa looked at him puzzled as he sat back down. "I have my orders. I will question him."
"I've known Wufei for a long time and just disappearing isn't like him at all. He must have had a reason and, if I know him, it's important. I really think I should go with you to talk to him. He's not very friendly unless he knows you well, so I don't think he'll talk to you."
Fan Family Restaurant-
Wufei-
"I am going to KILL HIM!" Wufei growled as he tied on the apron. He pulled back his hair into a tight ponytail and then took the OPEN flag to hang outside.
Auntie Fan was upstairs with Lai, taking a well-deserved break.
"Are you sure you'll be all right, sweetie?" Auntie had asked him before Wufei sent her upstairs to rest. "You've never worked the restaurant alone. It's harder than it looks."
Wufei gave her a gentle push to encourage her upstairs. "I'll be fine. I know all the recipes for the menu and I'm a decent cook. I'll close the restaurant after the lunch crowd leaves to rest and I'll open again for dinner. I won't overwork myself, I promise." He added, "And after dinner, I'll go hunt around for Xiu. I have a few contacts, so maybe they've heard something."
Of course, now with auntie safely upstairs where she couldn't hear him rant, Wufei was snarling while he went about the daily task of opening the restaurant. It was afternoon all ready, which meant they'd lost money from the morning crowd, but there was no way to help that now. Even as he hung up the flag outside that curtained doorway, Wufei heard a number of excited comments from passersby's. Auntie's restaurant hadn't been open in days so everyone was happy to taste the excellent food again.
"I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him." Wufei chanted the mantra out loud, not caring who heard him. He went immediately to the stove and started the rice which he knew there would be plenty of demand for.
How dare Xiu just take off and leave his mama all alone like that?! 'I told him to stay and take care of the family and he just runs off for God knows what reason! I swear I'll kill him!'
Wufei heard people coming into the restaurant and forced on his best smile as he turned and said loudly, "Good afternoon! Welcome to the Fan Family restaurant!" The customers smiled back, but Wufei turned back to the stove where he was working. 'I hate people.' He thought. Smiling at perfect strangers? What a waste of time.
Still, it was for auntie and she'd done so much for him in his time of need. If for no other reason, he owed her this.
The afternoon went quite well. Wufei only chased three customers out of the restaurant with his foul temper and a large carving knife. 'Insult MY cooking, will they?!' Wufei knew he had a foul temper and, as far as he was concerned, he had every right to have whatever temper he damned well wanted.
Wufei's mind went back to the phone conversation he'd had with Master O, just before auntie had called.
Flashback-
"05, I've been trying to contact you. Where have you been?"
Wufei was silent, remembering what he'd seen and heard from doctor J on the surveillance tape. They wanted him to change sides. No. It was worse than that. IT wasn’t as if he were being given a choice in the matter. They intended to sell him.
"Do you hear me, 05?"
They were going to sell him. "Yes." Wufei could practically feel the woman, Noin, staring at him. Despite how confused he might have been, Wufei wasn't about to give away his secrets to the enemy, even if he wasn't sure who the enemy was, anymore.
"Orders have been changed. Your first priority is to help rescue a missing pilot. Do you understand?"
Wufei felt the anger boiling inside him. "I understand." And he hung up abruptly. 'How dare he take me for a fool!?' Wufei thought, glaring at the phone in his hand. 'A change of orders?'
Eight years ago-
"Wufei, this is Master O. You are to learn from him and obey his instruction."
Little eight-year-old Wufei bowed respectfully to the large bald man his father was introducing him to.
"Master O is going to be your tutor, Wufei. You must learn as much as you can. Master O is a great scientist and we are honored to have him as your tutor." Wufei's father smiled down at him. "Do your best, son, and I'll be proud of you."
Wufei filled with happiness at his father's pride and looked at Master O with a child's natural trust. "I'll learn everything I can from you, sir."
Master O gave Wufei a small smile. "That's what I was hoping you'd say."
Over time, Master O had taught Wufei not to tell anyone what they did in their "lessons". It wasn't just history or literature, but how to assemble a rifle in under thirty seconds, Psychology to better understand one's enemies, war tactics, and the list went on and on.
Wufei was thirteen before he fully understood what, exactly, he was being trained for. So many years of his life given over to Master O with the firm belief and trust that the brilliant man knew what he was talking about.
It was a conflict when he would get home, however. Wufei's father had always stressed honor and truth. How was Wufei supposed to decide what to do when Master O, the man his father had told him to obey, was telling him the direct opposite?
"You must destroy OZ. You must kill Trieze Kushranada." Those were his orders. That was the sole reason for his life. Or so Master O had made him believe.
End-
Wufei clicked the phone off and he was almost positive that the missing Gundam Pilot was just a ruse to get him off his guard and back to where they would retrain him to fight for OZ. 'I won't do it! No one sells me like some animal!'
The phone rang again.
"Here." This had better not be Master O again...
"Wufei sweetie! Oh, I'm so glad I finally found you! I need some help at the restaurant. Xiu's gone. He ran away the other day. Oh, sweetie..."
"What?! What do you mean he's runaway?" Wufei demanded. "Do you know why? Any clues?"
Auntie sobbed on the other end of the line. "No, none at all. I've tried looking for him, but I have to take care of Lai. The police have looked, but there's no sign of him anywhere! I can't run the restaurant by myself and he might be hurt. He was so devastated after the attack, oh, God, what if he's done something foolish?"
Images of Xiu killing himself filled Wufei's mind, but he just couldn't believe it. "I'll be right there, stay at home, auntie."
The next thing Wufei knew, he was comforting his aunt and promising to run the restaurant until they could find Xiu.
End flashback-
"If he's taken the coward's way out, I'll..."
"You'll what?"
Wufei spun around at the familiar voice. There, at the counter sat Nasty with a sweet smile as she watched him cook. "Nasty? What are you doing here?"
Nasty-
Nasty answered, "I heard what you said about a family emergency, so I thought I'd come and see if I could help. You saved my family, so maybe I can help yours." While she said this, Nasty thought, 'My, but he does look cute in an apron.'
Wufei-
Wufei blinked, surprised to find Nasty here, but he kept on cooking behind the counter. Nasty couldn't resist getting up and walked around the counter to help him.
"You don't have to." Wufei said, but Nasty pulled a spare apron from under the counter.
"Trust me, I don't do anything I don't want to do, Wufei. But, I enjoy cooking, and I promise I won't make any raspberry tarts." She smiled innocently before she started in on one of the orders that had to be made.
It wasn't long before Wufei heard a man's voice behind them, at the counter. "Hey, baby. Leave the kitchen for while and I'll show you how to really cook."
Wufei growled at the stranger making suggestive comments at Nasty. He turned around, ready to give this guy a lesson in manners when talking to a lady, only to turn around and find a young man leering at him.
'What the...?!' Suddenly, out of his element, Wufei froze and had no clue as to what he should do. The man winked at Wufei and reached out, taking Wufei's hand. "Come on, sexy. You're too hot to slave over a stove. Come with me and I'll show you what a real man cooks." The man stroked Wufei's hand seductively.
Wufei broke out in a cold sweat and felt like fainting as he let out a whimper. His mind completely froze.
A cast iron frying pan slammed down on the man's arm, which had been on the counter while he was holding Wufei's hand. The man screamed in pain and leapt away, clutching his arm.
"Hands off! Mine!" Nasty snarled, the frying pan still in one hand. The man staggered out of the restaurant muttering about crazy women and the rest of the customers burst into applauds.
Nasty bowed dramatically before turning back to Wufei with a concerned look. "Are you alright? He didn't traumatize you or anything?"
"Y-Yours?" Wufei asked, not bothering to answer her question. Of course he wasn't traumatized. A guy had just propositioned him, that's all. Nothing to get worked up about. Heck, most of his friends were gay or bi. His cousin was gay. There was no reason this should bother him at all. Right?
Nasty smiled, though not so innocent this time. "Mine."
Wufei swallowed hard at the implications. 'What have I gotten myself into?' They were interrupted by laughter. Both turned and saw a large woman beaming at them while she held a toddler in one arm. Wufei went to the woman. "Auntie, is everything alright? Do you need me to get you anything?"
"No, sweetie." She put an affectionate hand on his cheek. "I just wanted to see that you were alright. I didn't realize you had such efficient help." She smiled at Nasty, who hurried to hide the frying pan.
Auntie just laughed again. "Next time, dear, just ask Wufei to show you where Bad Ass is. You won't have to worry about doing anyone permanent damage, that way."
Nasty had the grace to blush. "Um, Bad Ass?"
Auntie came further into the kitchen, swinging Lai into her arms so the child wouldn't get into things in the dangerous kitchen. Auntie reached under the counter and pulled out her large, well used wooden spoon. "I use it when the customers, or my children, get out of hand." She gave Wufei a look that made him want squirm. "Also good for nephews who start fighting when they should be working." Wufei blushed dark red.
"Auntie, pleeeaaase!" Wufei said, sounding just as shamed as he looked. Auntie just HAD to say things like that in front of Nasty, didn't she?
Nasty laughed and Wufei scowled at her before looking back to auntie and tried to sound strict. "I told you to rest, auntie. You've been very stressed these past few days."
"Don't you worry, sweetie. The lunch crowd is almost gone. You can handle the cleaning up alone, can't you?" Auntie said, looking around at the nearly empty restaurant. "Nasty, dear, you come upstairs and help me with Lai." Auntie took Nasty's arm and guided her to the narrow stairway.
Nasty shot a confused look at Wufei who just shrugged. It was better to just do as auntie told you, in the long run. You really can't fight her and you certainly can't argue. Nasty let herself be pulled away and Wufei hoped and prayed to every god he could think of that auntie wouldn't tell Nasty any embarrassing stories. Unless they were about Xiu, however. That baka deserved it!
A short while later-
"Wufei?"
Wufei turned at the familiar voice to find Quatre and Trowa standing at the counter and staring at him. "What the Hell happened to you?" Wufei demanded upon seeing Quatre's face. He stopped stirring the pot for a moment to reach over the counter and touch Quatre's face, so badly lined with scars it looked like someone had taken a razor blade to Quatre's face.
"I was..." Quatre looked around at the mostly full restaurant. "I'll tell you later. Can we talk?" Quatre asked, looking nervous.
Wufei shrugged. "Talk. I'm busy and I can't stop working yet. Tell me who did that," He pointed at Quatre's face, "And I'll take care of them for you." How dare anyone hurt his sweet, gentle friend?!
Quatre gingerly touched his cheek. "This isn't as bad as it looks and it's gotten quite a bit better lately. I really think we should talk in private."
Wufei raised an eyebrow, but didn't stop cooking. "You'll have to wait then. I'll be closing up in a half an hour." Wufei had half-expected Quatre to insist that they talk now, but the blonde just sat at the counter, with Trowa at his side, and waited quietly.
A half an hour later, after Wufei had taken down the open sign and closed the doors, Quatre was still there, waiting. Wufei started to sweep the floor while he waited. When Quatre didn't say anything, Wufei asked, "Well? What did you come here for?"
"Are you 05, pilot of Shen Long?"
Wufei dropped the metal broom and it clattered loudly on the floor. His heart stopped for an instant and Wufei slowly turned toward Quatre again. "You...you know?"
Quatre nodded. "I'm 04, pilot of Sand Rock."
Wufei nodded at Trowa. "I assume you have something to do with this all, too?"
"I am 03, Pilot of Heavy Arms."
"I see." Wufei sat heavily at one of the restaurant's small tables and put a hand to his forehead. His whole life had just become a whole lot more complicated. "I...I presume you're the missing pilot I was sent to look for?"
"Yes."
Wufei looked down at his feet, feeling miserable. "I'm sorry. If I'd known it was you, I would have gone looking for you, but they never gave me a name. Just said that a pilot was missing."
"It's alright." Quatre reassured him.
"How many of us are there?" Wufei asked gruffly as he stood and started cleaning the tables for the dinner crowd.
"As far as we know," Quatre answered. "Only one other, Heero Yuy, also known as 01, pilot of Wing Zero. Have you met him?"
Wufei shook his head. "I don't know the name, at any rate." He gave Quatre and Trowa a sour look. "From the way things are going, though, I shouldn't be surprised if he's my own cousin."
Trowa spoke for the first time. "Heero is about our age, and was trained by Doctor J. Heero helped me to track down Quatre, but we couldn't contact you to get your help." This last remark was obviously meant as a question.
Wufei said nothing, but tightened his lips.
Trowa persisted. "Why didn't you answer Master O's calls? He told me it was unlike you not to keep in contact."
Wufei hesitated and wondered about how much he should tell them. "I don't know how you'll react." Wufei put down the cleaning rag and focused on them, to show them how serious he was. "But I think you've got a right to know. We've been betrayed."
Quatre's eyes got wide. "What?" He asked in disbelief. Trowa sat a little stiffer, but he remained silent.
Wufei continued, "What was your mission? Why were you trained?"
"To free the colonies from Earth and the control of the Alliance." Quatre answered automatically. Trowa nodded in agreement and Wufei recognized the phrase as the exact one he'd been indoctrinated with. "Why?" Quatre asked. "Weren't you taught the same?"
Wufei started to pace the room, getting himself more and more worked up. "Oh yes. For seven years I was told the exact same thing. It was pounded into my head. 'We need to free the defenseless colonies. The people can't fight for themselves, so you must! It's only justice to defend the weak!' I was completely fooled." Wufei said bitterly after quoting what Master O had told him so many times.
A chair suddenly got Wufei's attention and he kicked it savagely, breaking it into kindling. "Why did I believe him?! That liar. That dishonorable liar!" Wufei was almost screaming now and only the firm hand that landed on his shoulder silenced him. Wufei turned on whoever had dared to touch him, to find that it was Trowa. Somehow, Trowa's serene face managed to calm Wufei.
"Tell us." Trowa said simply.
"They, Doctor J in particular, have betrayed us." Wufei told them darkly. "They have made a deal to sell us to OZ. A woman named Une was planning to assassinate OZ's commander in Chief, Trieze Kushranada, and then take over OZ for herself. Doctor J was planning to have us all reeducated and then send us to fight for this Une woman. Animals. He called us animals and mere weapons." Wufei looked at them to see an expression of shock and horror on Quatre's face. "I have proof! A videotaped conversation between Doctor J, Lady Une, and some mercenary named Mayers."
Trowa and Quatre's eyes widened at the mention of Mayers. "It's all very coincidental, isn't it?" Quatre said, frowning slightly. "Mayers was the man who kidnapped and tortured me. He's the man who used to employ Trowa. You're sure about your information, Wufei? There couldn't be a mistake of some kind?"
Wufei shook his head. "I'll show you the evidence, if you like, but we've all been played for fools. All these years we've been puppets." Wufei's face hardened. "I will NOT work for them anymore! They have no honor and they don't deserve my skills. I don't care what you do." He gave them a tight grin. "Yes, I know you've been sent retrieve me or kill me. I don't care! I will kill myself before I'll betray the people depending on me!"
Quatre said quietly, "I think it is time that we all reevaluate our positions." He looked from Wufei to Trowa. "I've known Wufei for a long time, Trowa. He NEVER lies. But, we all need to make very sure we know what's going on." Quatre suddenly yawned and then gave an embarrassed laugh. "I guess I'm not as well as I though I was if this little trip has tired me out so much. Trowa, will you walk me home?"
Trowa looked uncertain. "My mission..."
"Has been postponed." Quatre finished, taking Trowa's arm for support. "You can complete it later, if it's even necessary. You wouldn't obey orders from someone you knew was planning to betray you, would you? Wufei, will you come with us and show us that evidence you found?"
Wufei shook his head. "I have responsibilities here. My auntie needs me right now. I'll come to your place tonight, Quatre, and I'll show you what I've found." Wufei was telling the truth, but there was also the fact that he really didn't want other pilots to find out it was Kushranada's sister who actually had the evidence or that it was at Kushranada's home.
Together Quatre, leaning on Trowa's arm for support, and Trowa walked out of the restaurant and Wufei started cleaning again. He only then noticed the shattered chair and groaned. 'Awww, now I'll have to fix it!' Wufei sighed and sat cross-legged on the floor and started to repair his mistake.
Several hours later-
"I'd like to help look for 05." Quatre told the computer image of doctor H.
Wufei and Trowa were currently standing in front of Quatre's desk, just behind the computer monitor so doctor H couldn't see them. Trowa, as usual, had a still face, he just watched Quatre. Wufei was, as usual, scowling and held the incriminating videotape in one hand. They'd all just finished watched the tape and Quatre was still having a hard time believing what he'd seen, but Wufei had no reason or way to falsify such a tape. It had to be real. Two of the three people on the tape were dead, Wufei told them, but doctor J was still out there and still dangerous.
Currently, the doctors had no idea that they’d been found out. They also didn't know that Heero was currently in a different dimension.
"Unnecessary." Doctor H replied. "03 and 01 are well able to take care of this mission alone. You are to go to the city park in one hour, we'll meet you there." The image of Doctor H abruptly vanished and Quatre looked up at his two friends.
"What are you going to do?" Wufei asked.
Quatre stood up. "I'm going to do as I was ordered, of course." He knew it was dangerous, but there was no way to refuse without looking suspicious.
Trowa seemed to realize it, too, and frowned. "I don't think that is wise."
"Wise or not, I have to."
"Damn it!" Wufei exploded, waving the tape around. "You saw what Doctor J is trying to do to us! You can't possibly trust them."
"I saw what doctor J is planning to do, true. But we don't know if the other doctors are involved in this, yet. It might be doctor J alone. We can't turn our backs on them without knowing what's going on." He flashed an innocent smile on them, looking as cute as he possibly could. "There's no reason for me NOT to go, so if they are all going to betray us, we don't want them know we've found them out. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine."
Wufei turned away sourly at Quatre's optimism. "I'm not reassured."
"Quatre's right." Trowa said slowly, looking as if he didn't like what he was going to say. "If we act oddly, they'll come looking for us and that means possible reeducation. I don't want to have to go through that." He tilted his head forward just enough to let his hair cover his face for a moment. "We don't know anything but what we heard on the tape."
"That's why I have to go." Quatre said brightly. "I'll get whatever information I can and I'll come back soon."
"At least let us go with you." Wufei tried to persuade him. "In an hour it'll be dark and Trowa and I can hide, but at least we'll be able to see you and help if they try to do anything to hurt you."
Quatre shook his head. "No. If they see you, and I'll admit the chance is small, they'll know something's up. You two have to stay here. Rashid knows all about my being the pilot of Sand Rock, so he'll help you with anything you need. I have some places where I can keep Sand Rock relatively hidden, so why don't you use this time to bring Shen Long here?"
"Her name is Nataku." Wufei corrected him. "I don't see why we have to humor those doctor's anyway." Wufei said with a sneer. "We should confront them with our evidence and demand an explanation."
Again, Quatre disagreed. "What about Heero? We can't make that kind of a decision for him. Whatever we do, it'll affect him, too. We have to talk to him and find out what he knows. He's the one who was trained by doctor J, if I'm right, so he might have more information than we do."
One hour later-
Quatre stood alone in the dark, under a burnt out lamplight. It didn't take long before a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Quatre turned to find doctor H smiling at him from behind his long, pointed mustache. "Good evening, Quatre. I'm so glad you could make it."
Quatre smiled back. "I've always been reliable, haven't I? What did you need to talk to me about?"
The shadows behind doctor H started to move and Quatre's smile waved slightly, though he forced it back into place quickly. Out of the darkness came four other doctors. One of them, Quatre recognized with terrible clarity. Doctor J came closer, taking the lead and doctor H stepped back, letting the other man take control.
"We need you to test a new invention to help in the war, Quatre." Doctor J said with an oily voice. His mechanical hand was opening and closing with eerie clicks and Quatre didn't like the way doctor J's goggles were so focused on him.
Still, to keep up pretenses, Quatre nodded. He couldn't give them any reason to search his home and find Wufei or Trowa there. "What do you need me to do?"
Doctor J smiled and put and arm around Quatre's shoulders and he pulled Quatre along as they started to walk into the deserted park.
"We have a new weapon, called the Zero System…”
To be continued...
Chapter 24 : PILOT CONFRONTATION
Quatre-
Pain.
Quatre slowly opened his eyes and saw only the familiar ceiling of his captivity, though the world around him seemed bleary. His skin was burning - such an awful pain - and hands moved over him. 'What's going on?' Sharp pain woke him more and Quatre looked down to see a cloud of emerald.
The man with emerald green hair slowly looked up and met Quatre's eyes. Quatre saw the cast mark of a Hindu in the middle of the stranger's forehead. The man's mouth was on him, but it took Quatre a moment to realize the pain was because the man was biting him. It wasn't like before, when he'd first been taken captive, the nightmare of torture. This was a different kind of pain. Wherever the man's hands touched, it was like someone were pouring liquid fire over him. It wasn't fire, though, but something sticky that clung to his skin as it burned him. If he'd had the strength to scream, Quatre would have.
The man realized that Quatre was awake and suddenly a feeling of complete calm overtook Quatre. Even the pain was gone and Quatre was fell back into a deep sleep.
Later-
Quatre woke again, but slowly, and just stared up at his own bedroom ceiling for a long time just watching the ceiling fan lazily spin. His whole body burned and he could barely move. Even opening his eyes was painful.
'That could NOT have been a dream!' Quatre thought, remembering everything that had happened. Quatre tried to raise his head to check how badly injured he was, but found that he couldn't move well. His whole body seemed stiff and filled with a kind of deep pain. 'Rashid must have saved me.' Rashid was the perfect father, as far as Quatre was concerned. He was literally always there when Quatre needed him.
"Rashid!" Quatre tried to yell, knowing that his guardian would be around somewhere, but his voice came out as nothing more than a dry rasp. There was no way anyone would have heard him. Well, knowing Rashid, the older man would be up soon to check on him.
"Your friend is busy. He will return shortly."
Quatre turned at the unfamiliar voice and found an emerald haired man standing by the window. 'He's the one I saw in the nightmare.' The man had a strange look to him. His skin was a faint hue of green and his eyes seemed too large to be real. The man leaned against the wall with his arms held loosely in front of him and had his head turned slightly so he could see out the window, focusing on the setting sun.
"You injuries were quite fatal." The emerald haired man said in a soft, slow voice, though he still didn't turn to look at Quatre. "You should have died, ningen." When he finally did look at Quatre, Quatre flinched. The stranger's face was filled with nothing but contempt.
"Leave him alone, Naaza." Touma said sternly as he walked into the room. Touma then turned a worried smile to Quatre. "Hey, Kitty. How're you doing?" Touma sat on the side of Quatre's bed and looked him up and down. "You look like Hell."
"Don't swear, it's not nice." Quatre said almost reflexively. He'd been working for many years to get Touma to stop swearing. "I've been better. What's happening?" God, even talking was tiring! "I can't seem to remember much."
Touma was silent and shrugged. "Rashid said not to worry you, yet, so I'm not supposed to tell you all the details. You'd better just worry about getting rested. Naaza says it'll take a few days before you're up to speed."
"Naaza?" Quatre looked at the stranger. "I saw you in a dream, I think."
Naaza nodded, keeping his eyes focused on Quatre. "Yes, you woke sooner than I'd expected." Naaza stood and walked toward the door. Before he left, Naaza said, "Say good bye to your friend, Touma. We're leaving in a few minutes."
"Leaving?" Quatre tried to push himself up, but pain shot through him, making him suck in a gasp of air. 'I didn't think I was hurt this badly.' He thought trying to think passed the pain.
"Hey," Touma said anxiously, pushing Quatre back down onto his pillow. "Don't hurt yourself. You've been through a lot. Don't worry, though, Rashid and Abdul are just downstairs. Trowa's here, too. He helped to rescue you, so I guess he's a good guy." Touma said as if he didn't entirely like the idea.
"But...but where are you going?" Quatre looked up at Touma, worried.
Touma shifted uneasily. "Um, I've gotta go help some friends. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"But where? What friends?"
"I think I shouldn't tell you. You'll only get upset and it'll take you longer to heal. You can't help anyway. Now, I'm sure Rashid would disapprove of me going, so I'm going to sneak out with Shin and Naaza. Don't try yelling to get Rashid to stop me, you're voice is nothing but a whisper and Rashid will never hear you. I'll be long gone before anyone else comes up to check on you."
"What?!" Quatre sat up, again, abruptly, sending shocks of pain all through his body and he groaned with pain. "You can't just run off!"
"Damn it, Kitty, don't move!" Touma pushed him back down onto the pillow. "I told you what Naaza said!"
"You haven't told me who Naaza is, though." Quatre reminded him. "I don't want you going off with someone we don't know."
"You can't stop me." Touma stood and put a hand in his pocket, obviously fiddling with something in his pocket, but not bringing it out. "Naaza's not such a bad guy when you get to know him, he's just a bit rough. There's something very bad going on and Naaza's apart of it. Shin and I are going to help him fix things."
"Does this have anything to do with OZ?" Quatre asked. "Is Naaza apart of OZ?"
"OZ?" Touma was surprised at the question and then sort of smiled, as if the very idea of Naaza being with OZ was absurd. "No, I don't think he even knows what OZ is. You don't have to worry about that anymore, anyway." He smoothed back Quatre's hair away from his forehead. "I'm not going to work for OZ anymore. I think they had something to do with your kidnapping."
If Naaza wasn't with OZ, then what was he involved with? Something very bad? Could Touma mean that Naaza was working for the rebellion against the Alliance? 'Great, first Touma wants to work for Trieze and now this. At least if he'd run away to join Trieze, I know Trieze would keep him safe.'
Before Quatre could open his mouth, Touma said, "I'll be back as soon as I can, Kitty. I'm sorry to leave you like this." And he jumped out of the open window Naaza had been leaning against.
"Touma!" Quatre's voice was still pitifully weak and he could barely struggle to the window. By the time Quatre managed to get to the window, all he saw was Touma, Shin, and that new guy, Naaza, vanishing into the nearby forest. "Damn!" And suddenly Quatre's vision wavered and darkened as pain, once again, hit him full force.
Quatre felt himself fall, and then someone caught him and he was being lifted in strong arms. Opening his eyes, Quatre strained to focus. He expected to see Rashid or Abdul, but it was a long face with sad eyes that looked down at him through a curtain of chestnut hair.
'Such lovely eyes.' Quatre thought, becoming more awake as Trowa lifted Quatre and set him down on the bed.
"Thank you for coming for me." Quatre told him. He remembered Trowa quite well from that one time they'd met at the beach. Trowa was still beautiful. Quatre shook himself and remembered Touma. "My brother..."
"Is going to help his friends."
Quatre frowned. "How do you know? Did he tell you?"
Trowa was staring at him from under the hunk of hair hanging awkwardly over his face. "No. Touma doesn't like me very much. Shin tells me everything, normally. There is something going on, but he won't tell me exactly what. I saw Naaza do...interesting things when we rescued you. Their friends, Xiu, Ryou, and Seiji are in trouble."
"So, Touma's going to rescue them? Why wouldn't he tell me that? He knows Rashid and I would help him."
"It must be important. Shin wouldn't hide things from me for no reason." Trowa sat on the chair by the bed and his one invisible eye closed. "It's my fault you were brought into this in the first place. I shouldn't have made contact with Shin at the circus in the first place. It was because of me that he was shot and now you've been tortured. You both almost died because of me." Trowa crossed his arms and turned to look out one of the windows. "I should have known better."
"What?" Quatre asked. "Trowa, I don't blame you. How could I? You didn't hurt me, they did. I'm sure Shin feels the same way." Quatre had one thought as he looked back at Trowa's thin face and sad, vulnerable eyes. 'MINE!'
"You're very forgiving." Trowa said, his voice sounded strangely dead. Still, Trowa sat quietly beside the bed, still looking terribly guilty. "The mercenaries came looking for Shin and I. They only caught you because you were giving Shin shelter."
Quatre rolled over onto his side, ignoring the pain as best as he could, and put a hand on Trowa's thigh. "Don't worry about it. I don't blame anyone. Can you tell me what happened to me? Touma wouldn't say a thing." Sadly, touching Trowa's thigh was the most suggestive thing Quatre seemed to be able to manage at the moment. 'Well, just wait until I have my full strength back!'
Trowa blinked and stiffened under Quatre's hand, surprised. Quatre wanted to laugh at that expression, it was so charming!
"You were tortured and held hostage for me. I was to return to my former associates in exchange for your release. With help from...a friend, I was able to find your location. Touma, Shin, Naaza, and I went to rescue you while Rashid and his associates stayed here as a distraction." Trowa's eyes took on a sudden sharp look. "When we found you, you were nearly dead. Naaza seems to have a rather...unique ability to heal and he saved you. He said you would likely be in a great deal of pain for some time." Trowa leaned down and whispered into Quatre's ear, as if he were afraid that someone would hear. "I am 03."
Quatre's eyes widened at the confession and he looked at Trowa in a new light. Trowa was a Gundam Pilot? Quatre certainly hadn't expected that! "I was told there were others, but I didn't think you'd know who I was. How did you find out?"
"It was a mission." Trowa's voice was even and low, apparently it was customary for him to speak like this. "I and another, 01, were sent to get you out of the hands of possible enemies. It was thought that you might say something under interrogation."
Quatre nodded thoughtfully. Yes, he'd would have been considered a security risk what with the war so close to beginning, the doctor's couldn't take the kind of chance, now could they? "Since I'm still alive, may I presume you weren't sent to eliminate me?"
Trowa didn't look the least bit guilty when he answered, "I was sent to evaluate the situation and do what I deemed necessary. You were being held in an OZ warehouse, so I believe they are behind this somehow. If they have found out you are a Gundam pilot, you are in grave danger."
Quatre shook his head. "I don't think so." He had his own, private, reasons to believe OZ wasn't behind his kidnapping. Reasons he didn't want to discuss with Trowa. "What happened to the ones who kidnapped me? Did you kill them?"
"No. Naaza, Shin, and Touma killed them all. I only got a few of them. Rashid said he and his men were going out tonight to round up anyone else who might have been involved. I believe OZ is behind your kidnapping. Kushranada might have..."
"No." Quatre answered sharply. "OZ may have had something to do with it, but Trieze didn't know about it."
"How do you know?"
"I just do." He couldn't very well let Trowa know how he knew Trieze. It would make the situation very complicated. "What do you mean my brother helped kill?" Quatre's eyes went wide at the thought of his brother committing mass murder. "Are you sure?"
Quatre didn't want to think about the implications of Touma going along with Trowa on a mission. If Touma or Shin had seen anything or heard anything they shouldn't have, Trowa would have killed them. Worse, still, Quatre might have had to kill Touma himself. He shook away those thoughts. "Where is 01? I think I should meet him and thank him, too. What's his name?"
Trowa did look away at this point. "01 is Heero Yuy. He has gone on another mission."
"Where? Is the war starting so soon that he's started eliminating targets? I'm physically not ready to fight, yet..." As far as Quatre knew, the war hadn't even begun yet. There shouldn't be any missions.
"No." Trowa answered slowly. "It's a very long story."
Quatre leaned back, making himself comfortable. "I have time. Start from the beginning, please."
So Trowa told him everything. Absolutely everything.
A short while later-
"You're telling me that my brother, and his two friends, along with two guys I've never met, and four demon generals have gone to a demon world to save a child and overthrow the demon emperor who wants to take over and or destroy the Earth? Did I leave anything out?"
Trowa thought seriously for a moment and then shook his head. "No. That's about it. It's all I know, anyway."
Quatre closed his eyes and let his head sink back into his pillow. Maybe whatever medicine Naaza had given him was causing strange side effects to make him hallucinate like this. This couldn't be true.
Then again, he had seen the unusual display of power that had nearly destroyed the Trieze's house. He had seen Sh'ten and Anubisu transform from one set of armor to another.
"So, there are three of us pilots." Quatre said without opening his eyes.
"No."
Quatre did open his eyes and looked at Trowa in confusion. "You, me, and Heero Yuy. Three."
"No."
"Well, who's the fourth?"
"05 didn't respond when Master O commanded him to help search for you. It is believed that he is disobeying orders and has taken off on his own."
Quatre's brow furrowed at that information. If one of them had rebelled, what would it mean for the rest of them? "Okay. Four of us, then. What do we know about Heero and 05?"
A man walked through the wall of Quatre's bedroom.
Quatre blinked but said nothing, just staring at the redheaded man who looked at him, then Trowa, and started looking around the room. Sh'ten, yes, that was the man's name. It was Sh'ten who'd helped to bring Touma home the night of the party at Trieze's home.
"Heero," Trowa answered, not acknowledging that Sh'ten had just walked through a wall, "Seems to be very reliable. He is efficient and intelligent. You all ready know 05."
Quatre was still staring at Sh'ten when he answered faintly, "I do?"
"05 is Chang Wufei. I believe he was one of your friends when we met for the first time at the beach."
Trowa's soft answer was enough to take Quatre's attention away from Sh'ten. "What?! Wufei? Are you sure?" How could he not have guessed that Wufei was a pilot? After all the time they'd known each other, too.
Trowa nodded slowly. "I was given his information just a short while ago, you were still asleep. I am to return Wufei to Master O for reeducation or kill him. If Wufei will not obey orders, he is a liability."
Quatre scowled. "Wufei is my friend. I can't kill him!"
"You don't have to." Trowa said, standing up. "This is my mission and I will kill him."
Quatre's attention was brought back to Sh'ten for a moment, to see Sh'ten smiling at them, amused at the conversation. Sh'ten was now wearing an old fashioned kimono instead of the fearsome yoroi Quatre had first seen him in. Quatre wondered if he was hurt more than the others had thought, or if maybe he'd lost his mind. Trowa babbling about demons and now Sh'ten was starting to walk through walls. Trowa might kill one of Quatre’s best friends.
Trowa touched Quatre’s shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Um..." It was obvious that Trowa couldn't see Sh'ten, for some reason, and pointing out the man would just make Quatre look more foolish. "Just hungry." Quatre smiled at Trowa sweetly. "Would you ask Rashid or Abdul if I can have something to eat?"
Trowa nodded and left the room. As soon as the door closed behind Trowa, Quatre sat up as straight as he could and looked at Sh'ten. "What are you smiling about? How did you come though the wall like that?"
Sh'ten blinked at him, his smile slipped. "I'm a bit surprised you can see me at all. I was smiling, because I just adore young love." Sh'ten's smile turned slightly darker. "There is such a potential for pain. I'm sure you'll feel yours in due time."
Quatre tried to ignore that comment. "Of course I can see you, but I'm rather curious about why Trowa can't."
Sh'ten let out a sign. "I suppose it has something to do with the fact that I'm dead."
"You died?" Quatre was at a loss for words for a moment, but said weakly. "I'm so sorry."
Sh'ten shrugged. "Yes, well, it had to happen sometime, I guess."
"You're taking it pretty well."
"Thank you. Being dead gives one a wonderfully clear perspective, you know. That's part of the reason that I believe you can see me. You were, from what I heard, rather close to death yourself, just a short while ago. It makes you more sensitive. I expect it will wear off soon, don't worry about it." He looked closer at Quatre. "Naaza healed you, didn't he?"
"How did you know?"
"I've felt his gentle touch a few times myself. Just a suggestion, but you might want to avoid mirrors for a little while. You may not like what you see. Although, you are rather sweet with the scars Naaza has given you." Sh'ten reached out for just a moment, as if he'd touch Quatre's face, but then pulled back, reluctantly. "You are very appealing with such pain on your face, but it'll go away soon. Naaza's a little too good at healing. In just a few hours, you won't feel a thing and there won't be a mark on your lovely face after a day or so. What a pity."
Sh'ten eyes lost focus for a moment. "Excuse me, but I have to go now. I'm sure we'll meet again." Sh'ten started to walk away, but then paused. "By the way, I heard your conversation with that young man, Trowa. You know Chang Wufei?"
"Yes, he's a friend of mine."
Sh'ten nodded. "Good. Give him a message, will you? Tell him his wife says to stop being such a dick and get his ass in gear." Sh'ten shook his head, tiredly. "That girl has such a foul mouth when she gets angry."
"His wife?" Quatre's eyes widened. "You know Meiran? But she died..."
Sh'ten gave Quatre a flat look. "I'm dead, too. I thought you were supposed to be smart. Just tell him Meiran's getting irritated at him. I'm sure he knows what I'm talking about."
"Well, I'll try." Quatre said doubtfully. "But I really don't think Wufei would believe me. He's still very sensitive about her death and he might think it was a very bad joke. Wufei doesn't have a very good sense of humor."
Sh'ten shrugged. "Well, it's not my business. She says if he doesn't get his act together soon she's going to have a word with him. To be honest, the way she said it, it doesn't sound like a nice visit." With that, Sh'ten faded away and Quatre was alone again.
'Huh. That was strange.' Quatre thought.
At that moment, Trowa came back with a tray of soup and a glass of water. "Rashid wants you to stay in bed for a while and you are to eat all the food."
Quatre obediently started to eat and decided it would be best if he didn't tell anyone about his little meeting with Sh'ten. He wouldn't be believed anyway, so why bother? "I think I should go talk to Wufei before you do anything."
"Why?" Trowa looked at him puzzled as he sat back down. "I have my orders. I will question him."
"I've known Wufei for a long time and just disappearing isn't like him at all. He must have had a reason and, if I know him, it's important. I really think I should go with you to talk to him. He's not very friendly unless he knows you well, so I don't think he'll talk to you."
Fan Family Restaurant-
Wufei-
"I am going to KILL HIM!" Wufei growled as he tied on the apron. He pulled back his hair into a tight ponytail and then took the OPEN flag to hang outside.
Auntie Fan was upstairs with Lai, taking a well-deserved break.
"Are you sure you'll be all right, sweetie?" Auntie had asked him before Wufei sent her upstairs to rest. "You've never worked the restaurant alone. It's harder than it looks."
Wufei gave her a gentle push to encourage her upstairs. "I'll be fine. I know all the recipes for the menu and I'm a decent cook. I'll close the restaurant after the lunch crowd leaves to rest and I'll open again for dinner. I won't overwork myself, I promise." He added, "And after dinner, I'll go hunt around for Xiu. I have a few contacts, so maybe they've heard something."
Of course, now with auntie safely upstairs where she couldn't hear him rant, Wufei was snarling while he went about the daily task of opening the restaurant. It was afternoon all ready, which meant they'd lost money from the morning crowd, but there was no way to help that now. Even as he hung up the flag outside that curtained doorway, Wufei heard a number of excited comments from passersby's. Auntie's restaurant hadn't been open in days so everyone was happy to taste the excellent food again.
"I'll kill him. I'll kill him. I'll kill him." Wufei chanted the mantra out loud, not caring who heard him. He went immediately to the stove and started the rice which he knew there would be plenty of demand for.
How dare Xiu just take off and leave his mama all alone like that?! 'I told him to stay and take care of the family and he just runs off for God knows what reason! I swear I'll kill him!'
Wufei heard people coming into the restaurant and forced on his best smile as he turned and said loudly, "Good afternoon! Welcome to the Fan Family restaurant!" The customers smiled back, but Wufei turned back to the stove where he was working. 'I hate people.' He thought. Smiling at perfect strangers? What a waste of time.
Still, it was for auntie and she'd done so much for him in his time of need. If for no other reason, he owed her this.
The afternoon went quite well. Wufei only chased three customers out of the restaurant with his foul temper and a large carving knife. 'Insult MY cooking, will they?!' Wufei knew he had a foul temper and, as far as he was concerned, he had every right to have whatever temper he damned well wanted.
Wufei's mind went back to the phone conversation he'd had with Master O, just before auntie had called.
Flashback-
"05, I've been trying to contact you. Where have you been?"
Wufei was silent, remembering what he'd seen and heard from doctor J on the surveillance tape. They wanted him to change sides. No. It was worse than that. IT wasn’t as if he were being given a choice in the matter. They intended to sell him.
"Do you hear me, 05?"
They were going to sell him. "Yes." Wufei could practically feel the woman, Noin, staring at him. Despite how confused he might have been, Wufei wasn't about to give away his secrets to the enemy, even if he wasn't sure who the enemy was, anymore.
"Orders have been changed. Your first priority is to help rescue a missing pilot. Do you understand?"
Wufei felt the anger boiling inside him. "I understand." And he hung up abruptly. 'How dare he take me for a fool!?' Wufei thought, glaring at the phone in his hand. 'A change of orders?'
Eight years ago-
"Wufei, this is Master O. You are to learn from him and obey his instruction."
Little eight-year-old Wufei bowed respectfully to the large bald man his father was introducing him to.
"Master O is going to be your tutor, Wufei. You must learn as much as you can. Master O is a great scientist and we are honored to have him as your tutor." Wufei's father smiled down at him. "Do your best, son, and I'll be proud of you."
Wufei filled with happiness at his father's pride and looked at Master O with a child's natural trust. "I'll learn everything I can from you, sir."
Master O gave Wufei a small smile. "That's what I was hoping you'd say."
Over time, Master O had taught Wufei not to tell anyone what they did in their "lessons". It wasn't just history or literature, but how to assemble a rifle in under thirty seconds, Psychology to better understand one's enemies, war tactics, and the list went on and on.
Wufei was thirteen before he fully understood what, exactly, he was being trained for. So many years of his life given over to Master O with the firm belief and trust that the brilliant man knew what he was talking about.
It was a conflict when he would get home, however. Wufei's father had always stressed honor and truth. How was Wufei supposed to decide what to do when Master O, the man his father had told him to obey, was telling him the direct opposite?
"You must destroy OZ. You must kill Trieze Kushranada." Those were his orders. That was the sole reason for his life. Or so Master O had made him believe.
End-
Wufei clicked the phone off and he was almost positive that the missing Gundam Pilot was just a ruse to get him off his guard and back to where they would retrain him to fight for OZ. 'I won't do it! No one sells me like some animal!'
The phone rang again.
"Here." This had better not be Master O again...
"Wufei sweetie! Oh, I'm so glad I finally found you! I need some help at the restaurant. Xiu's gone. He ran away the other day. Oh, sweetie..."
"What?! What do you mean he's runaway?" Wufei demanded. "Do you know why? Any clues?"
Auntie sobbed on the other end of the line. "No, none at all. I've tried looking for him, but I have to take care of Lai. The police have looked, but there's no sign of him anywhere! I can't run the restaurant by myself and he might be hurt. He was so devastated after the attack, oh, God, what if he's done something foolish?"
Images of Xiu killing himself filled Wufei's mind, but he just couldn't believe it. "I'll be right there, stay at home, auntie."
The next thing Wufei knew, he was comforting his aunt and promising to run the restaurant until they could find Xiu.
End flashback-
"If he's taken the coward's way out, I'll..."
"You'll what?"
Wufei spun around at the familiar voice. There, at the counter sat Nasty with a sweet smile as she watched him cook. "Nasty? What are you doing here?"
Nasty-
Nasty answered, "I heard what you said about a family emergency, so I thought I'd come and see if I could help. You saved my family, so maybe I can help yours." While she said this, Nasty thought, 'My, but he does look cute in an apron.'
Wufei-
Wufei blinked, surprised to find Nasty here, but he kept on cooking behind the counter. Nasty couldn't resist getting up and walked around the counter to help him.
"You don't have to." Wufei said, but Nasty pulled a spare apron from under the counter.
"Trust me, I don't do anything I don't want to do, Wufei. But, I enjoy cooking, and I promise I won't make any raspberry tarts." She smiled innocently before she started in on one of the orders that had to be made.
It wasn't long before Wufei heard a man's voice behind them, at the counter. "Hey, baby. Leave the kitchen for while and I'll show you how to really cook."
Wufei growled at the stranger making suggestive comments at Nasty. He turned around, ready to give this guy a lesson in manners when talking to a lady, only to turn around and find a young man leering at him.
'What the...?!' Suddenly, out of his element, Wufei froze and had no clue as to what he should do. The man winked at Wufei and reached out, taking Wufei's hand. "Come on, sexy. You're too hot to slave over a stove. Come with me and I'll show you what a real man cooks." The man stroked Wufei's hand seductively.
Wufei broke out in a cold sweat and felt like fainting as he let out a whimper. His mind completely froze.
A cast iron frying pan slammed down on the man's arm, which had been on the counter while he was holding Wufei's hand. The man screamed in pain and leapt away, clutching his arm.
"Hands off! Mine!" Nasty snarled, the frying pan still in one hand. The man staggered out of the restaurant muttering about crazy women and the rest of the customers burst into applauds.
Nasty bowed dramatically before turning back to Wufei with a concerned look. "Are you alright? He didn't traumatize you or anything?"
"Y-Yours?" Wufei asked, not bothering to answer her question. Of course he wasn't traumatized. A guy had just propositioned him, that's all. Nothing to get worked up about. Heck, most of his friends were gay or bi. His cousin was gay. There was no reason this should bother him at all. Right?
Nasty smiled, though not so innocent this time. "Mine."
Wufei swallowed hard at the implications. 'What have I gotten myself into?' They were interrupted by laughter. Both turned and saw a large woman beaming at them while she held a toddler in one arm. Wufei went to the woman. "Auntie, is everything alright? Do you need me to get you anything?"
"No, sweetie." She put an affectionate hand on his cheek. "I just wanted to see that you were alright. I didn't realize you had such efficient help." She smiled at Nasty, who hurried to hide the frying pan.
Auntie just laughed again. "Next time, dear, just ask Wufei to show you where Bad Ass is. You won't have to worry about doing anyone permanent damage, that way."
Nasty had the grace to blush. "Um, Bad Ass?"
Auntie came further into the kitchen, swinging Lai into her arms so the child wouldn't get into things in the dangerous kitchen. Auntie reached under the counter and pulled out her large, well used wooden spoon. "I use it when the customers, or my children, get out of hand." She gave Wufei a look that made him want squirm. "Also good for nephews who start fighting when they should be working." Wufei blushed dark red.
"Auntie, pleeeaaase!" Wufei said, sounding just as shamed as he looked. Auntie just HAD to say things like that in front of Nasty, didn't she?
Nasty laughed and Wufei scowled at her before looking back to auntie and tried to sound strict. "I told you to rest, auntie. You've been very stressed these past few days."
"Don't you worry, sweetie. The lunch crowd is almost gone. You can handle the cleaning up alone, can't you?" Auntie said, looking around at the nearly empty restaurant. "Nasty, dear, you come upstairs and help me with Lai." Auntie took Nasty's arm and guided her to the narrow stairway.
Nasty shot a confused look at Wufei who just shrugged. It was better to just do as auntie told you, in the long run. You really can't fight her and you certainly can't argue. Nasty let herself be pulled away and Wufei hoped and prayed to every god he could think of that auntie wouldn't tell Nasty any embarrassing stories. Unless they were about Xiu, however. That baka deserved it!
A short while later-
"Wufei?"
Wufei turned at the familiar voice to find Quatre and Trowa standing at the counter and staring at him. "What the Hell happened to you?" Wufei demanded upon seeing Quatre's face. He stopped stirring the pot for a moment to reach over the counter and touch Quatre's face, so badly lined with scars it looked like someone had taken a razor blade to Quatre's face.
"I was..." Quatre looked around at the mostly full restaurant. "I'll tell you later. Can we talk?" Quatre asked, looking nervous.
Wufei shrugged. "Talk. I'm busy and I can't stop working yet. Tell me who did that," He pointed at Quatre's face, "And I'll take care of them for you." How dare anyone hurt his sweet, gentle friend?!
Quatre gingerly touched his cheek. "This isn't as bad as it looks and it's gotten quite a bit better lately. I really think we should talk in private."
Wufei raised an eyebrow, but didn't stop cooking. "You'll have to wait then. I'll be closing up in a half an hour." Wufei had half-expected Quatre to insist that they talk now, but the blonde just sat at the counter, with Trowa at his side, and waited quietly.
A half an hour later, after Wufei had taken down the open sign and closed the doors, Quatre was still there, waiting. Wufei started to sweep the floor while he waited. When Quatre didn't say anything, Wufei asked, "Well? What did you come here for?"
"Are you 05, pilot of Shen Long?"
Wufei dropped the metal broom and it clattered loudly on the floor. His heart stopped for an instant and Wufei slowly turned toward Quatre again. "You...you know?"
Quatre nodded. "I'm 04, pilot of Sand Rock."
Wufei nodded at Trowa. "I assume you have something to do with this all, too?"
"I am 03, Pilot of Heavy Arms."
"I see." Wufei sat heavily at one of the restaurant's small tables and put a hand to his forehead. His whole life had just become a whole lot more complicated. "I...I presume you're the missing pilot I was sent to look for?"
"Yes."
Wufei looked down at his feet, feeling miserable. "I'm sorry. If I'd known it was you, I would have gone looking for you, but they never gave me a name. Just said that a pilot was missing."
"It's alright." Quatre reassured him.
"How many of us are there?" Wufei asked gruffly as he stood and started cleaning the tables for the dinner crowd.
"As far as we know," Quatre answered. "Only one other, Heero Yuy, also known as 01, pilot of Wing Zero. Have you met him?"
Wufei shook his head. "I don't know the name, at any rate." He gave Quatre and Trowa a sour look. "From the way things are going, though, I shouldn't be surprised if he's my own cousin."
Trowa spoke for the first time. "Heero is about our age, and was trained by Doctor J. Heero helped me to track down Quatre, but we couldn't contact you to get your help." This last remark was obviously meant as a question.
Wufei said nothing, but tightened his lips.
Trowa persisted. "Why didn't you answer Master O's calls? He told me it was unlike you not to keep in contact."
Wufei hesitated and wondered about how much he should tell them. "I don't know how you'll react." Wufei put down the cleaning rag and focused on them, to show them how serious he was. "But I think you've got a right to know. We've been betrayed."
Quatre's eyes got wide. "What?" He asked in disbelief. Trowa sat a little stiffer, but he remained silent.
Wufei continued, "What was your mission? Why were you trained?"
"To free the colonies from Earth and the control of the Alliance." Quatre answered automatically. Trowa nodded in agreement and Wufei recognized the phrase as the exact one he'd been indoctrinated with. "Why?" Quatre asked. "Weren't you taught the same?"
Wufei started to pace the room, getting himself more and more worked up. "Oh yes. For seven years I was told the exact same thing. It was pounded into my head. 'We need to free the defenseless colonies. The people can't fight for themselves, so you must! It's only justice to defend the weak!' I was completely fooled." Wufei said bitterly after quoting what Master O had told him so many times.
A chair suddenly got Wufei's attention and he kicked it savagely, breaking it into kindling. "Why did I believe him?! That liar. That dishonorable liar!" Wufei was almost screaming now and only the firm hand that landed on his shoulder silenced him. Wufei turned on whoever had dared to touch him, to find that it was Trowa. Somehow, Trowa's serene face managed to calm Wufei.
"Tell us." Trowa said simply.
"They, Doctor J in particular, have betrayed us." Wufei told them darkly. "They have made a deal to sell us to OZ. A woman named Une was planning to assassinate OZ's commander in Chief, Trieze Kushranada, and then take over OZ for herself. Doctor J was planning to have us all reeducated and then send us to fight for this Une woman. Animals. He called us animals and mere weapons." Wufei looked at them to see an expression of shock and horror on Quatre's face. "I have proof! A videotaped conversation between Doctor J, Lady Une, and some mercenary named Mayers."
Trowa and Quatre's eyes widened at the mention of Mayers. "It's all very coincidental, isn't it?" Quatre said, frowning slightly. "Mayers was the man who kidnapped and tortured me. He's the man who used to employ Trowa. You're sure about your information, Wufei? There couldn't be a mistake of some kind?"
Wufei shook his head. "I'll show you the evidence, if you like, but we've all been played for fools. All these years we've been puppets." Wufei's face hardened. "I will NOT work for them anymore! They have no honor and they don't deserve my skills. I don't care what you do." He gave them a tight grin. "Yes, I know you've been sent retrieve me or kill me. I don't care! I will kill myself before I'll betray the people depending on me!"
Quatre said quietly, "I think it is time that we all reevaluate our positions." He looked from Wufei to Trowa. "I've known Wufei for a long time, Trowa. He NEVER lies. But, we all need to make very sure we know what's going on." Quatre suddenly yawned and then gave an embarrassed laugh. "I guess I'm not as well as I though I was if this little trip has tired me out so much. Trowa, will you walk me home?"
Trowa looked uncertain. "My mission..."
"Has been postponed." Quatre finished, taking Trowa's arm for support. "You can complete it later, if it's even necessary. You wouldn't obey orders from someone you knew was planning to betray you, would you? Wufei, will you come with us and show us that evidence you found?"
Wufei shook his head. "I have responsibilities here. My auntie needs me right now. I'll come to your place tonight, Quatre, and I'll show you what I've found." Wufei was telling the truth, but there was also the fact that he really didn't want other pilots to find out it was Kushranada's sister who actually had the evidence or that it was at Kushranada's home.
Together Quatre, leaning on Trowa's arm for support, and Trowa walked out of the restaurant and Wufei started cleaning again. He only then noticed the shattered chair and groaned. 'Awww, now I'll have to fix it!' Wufei sighed and sat cross-legged on the floor and started to repair his mistake.
Several hours later-
"I'd like to help look for 05." Quatre told the computer image of doctor H.
Wufei and Trowa were currently standing in front of Quatre's desk, just behind the computer monitor so doctor H couldn't see them. Trowa, as usual, had a still face, he just watched Quatre. Wufei was, as usual, scowling and held the incriminating videotape in one hand. They'd all just finished watched the tape and Quatre was still having a hard time believing what he'd seen, but Wufei had no reason or way to falsify such a tape. It had to be real. Two of the three people on the tape were dead, Wufei told them, but doctor J was still out there and still dangerous.
Currently, the doctors had no idea that they’d been found out. They also didn't know that Heero was currently in a different dimension.
"Unnecessary." Doctor H replied. "03 and 01 are well able to take care of this mission alone. You are to go to the city park in one hour, we'll meet you there." The image of Doctor H abruptly vanished and Quatre looked up at his two friends.
"What are you going to do?" Wufei asked.
Quatre stood up. "I'm going to do as I was ordered, of course." He knew it was dangerous, but there was no way to refuse without looking suspicious.
Trowa seemed to realize it, too, and frowned. "I don't think that is wise."
"Wise or not, I have to."
"Damn it!" Wufei exploded, waving the tape around. "You saw what Doctor J is trying to do to us! You can't possibly trust them."
"I saw what doctor J is planning to do, true. But we don't know if the other doctors are involved in this, yet. It might be doctor J alone. We can't turn our backs on them without knowing what's going on." He flashed an innocent smile on them, looking as cute as he possibly could. "There's no reason for me NOT to go, so if they are all going to betray us, we don't want them know we've found them out. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine."
Wufei turned away sourly at Quatre's optimism. "I'm not reassured."
"Quatre's right." Trowa said slowly, looking as if he didn't like what he was going to say. "If we act oddly, they'll come looking for us and that means possible reeducation. I don't want to have to go through that." He tilted his head forward just enough to let his hair cover his face for a moment. "We don't know anything but what we heard on the tape."
"That's why I have to go." Quatre said brightly. "I'll get whatever information I can and I'll come back soon."
"At least let us go with you." Wufei tried to persuade him. "In an hour it'll be dark and Trowa and I can hide, but at least we'll be able to see you and help if they try to do anything to hurt you."
Quatre shook his head. "No. If they see you, and I'll admit the chance is small, they'll know something's up. You two have to stay here. Rashid knows all about my being the pilot of Sand Rock, so he'll help you with anything you need. I have some places where I can keep Sand Rock relatively hidden, so why don't you use this time to bring Shen Long here?"
"Her name is Nataku." Wufei corrected him. "I don't see why we have to humor those doctor's anyway." Wufei said with a sneer. "We should confront them with our evidence and demand an explanation."
Again, Quatre disagreed. "What about Heero? We can't make that kind of a decision for him. Whatever we do, it'll affect him, too. We have to talk to him and find out what he knows. He's the one who was trained by doctor J, if I'm right, so he might have more information than we do."
One hour later-
Quatre stood alone in the dark, under a burnt out lamplight. It didn't take long before a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Quatre turned to find doctor H smiling at him from behind his long, pointed mustache. "Good evening, Quatre. I'm so glad you could make it."
Quatre smiled back. "I've always been reliable, haven't I? What did you need to talk to me about?"
The shadows behind doctor H started to move and Quatre's smile waved slightly, though he forced it back into place quickly. Out of the darkness came four other doctors. One of them, Quatre recognized with terrible clarity. Doctor J came closer, taking the lead and doctor H stepped back, letting the other man take control.
"We need you to test a new invention to help in the war, Quatre." Doctor J said with an oily voice. His mechanical hand was opening and closing with eerie clicks and Quatre didn't like the way doctor J's goggles were so focused on him.
Still, to keep up pretenses, Quatre nodded. He couldn't give them any reason to search his home and find Wufei or Trowa there. "What do you need me to do?"
Doctor J smiled and put and arm around Quatre's shoulders and he pulled Quatre along as they started to walk into the deserted park.
"We have a new weapon, called the Zero System…”
To be continued...