Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Warrior Children ❯ Megalomanic Ambitions ( Chapter 35 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Cousin D 
Treize and Quatre discuss plans for the future.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 04.17.2007 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.9K | Visits: 242 | Status: Completed
Treize and Quatre discuss plans for the future.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 04.17.2007 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.9K | Visits: 242 | Status: Completed
Chapter 35: Megalomaniac Ambitions
Naaza-
Doctor J was dead.
Naaza, a physician by necessity, was certain. He checked the man’s pulse twice and peered into his blank, staring eyes. When he was certain - as if there were any doubt given Sh’ten’s enthusiasm - he turned to Rajura and nodded once.
That was it. They were done. Anubisu gave the boy, Quatre, to Naaza without being asked and Naaza easily swung the slight form into his arms. He wasn’t Sh’ten, not any longer. Naaza took a moment to stare at the boy’s face. It had only been temporary. Just another of Sh’ten’s passing facies.
‘Cruel,’ Naaza almost laughed even as he saw Rajura and Anubisu moving about the room. ‘Even dead you’re too cruel. How many times do you plan to come back? You don’t have to keep reminding me. I won’t forget you.’ Even as he thought it, Naaza held the blonde boy a little tighter. Foolish. He couldn’t keep Sh’ten any longer, no matter how hard he held on.
“Naaza?” Rajura lightly touched his back. “We have to go.”
“Yes,” Naaza blinked slowly. “Of course.”
They left the room only to be faced at once with the boys they’d left in the hallway. They were tense and stood ready, as if preparing for action that might spring on them. Wufei and Trowa, especially, looked ready to fight.
Trowa looked at Quatre, then at Naaza. His one visible eye was cold.
“He’s uninjured,” Rajura told the boy. “Sh’ten has left him. That’s all.”
Trowa looked intently at Rajura and seemed to find the explanation satisfying. He took a step backwards.
Wufei took Trowa’s place by stepping forward. He crossed his arms over his chest and raised his chin. “You’ve done what you had to do?”
“We have,” Anubisu answered.
“You’d best go ahead. There will be clean up to do.”
Anubisu laughed. “Yes… it will require a mop, at least.”
“Hardly the type of clean up I was thinking of,” Wufei sneered. “I don’t know much about you three other than what I’ve been told. However, it has been quite a while since you’ve been on Earth? Then you won’t know certain things. You’ve left a lot of evidence around, I’m sure, and authorities will be able to find a way to trace this murder to you. Trowa and I can handle it.”
Heero opened his mouth to speak, but Wufei held up a hand. “No. You go with them. I’m sure you’re tired after what you’ve seen and we can’t afford mistakes. We’re all too tied up in this to risk any mistakes. Go rest.”
“I’m not tired,” Heero protested. “I’m trained to go for days without sleep. I am also versatile on computers.” He gestured around the room at the metal boxes with buttons and the glass panels of glowing light. “I will make no mistakes.”
Wufei looked doubtful, but Trowa leaned forward and whispered something to him. Wufei looked at Trowa, then at Heero and shrugged. “Fine. But I’ll be double checking your work.”
Heero nodded and set off to work tapping away on one of the things with all the buttons. Wufei and Trowa followed him, all working at different stations without speaking to one another.
Everyone else just watched for a moment before Rajura shooed them out of the room saying, “They seem to know what they’re doing. Let’s just move along.”
The run to meet up with Duo, Kayura, and Ryou wasn’t an especially long one, but it gave Naaza time to think.
The family dynamics had changed.
Naaza wasn't sure how he should feel about Rajura taking Sh'ten's place as their leader, it seemed wrong, somehow. 'It shouldn't. Rajura was taking care of us long before Sh'ten was even born.' It was Rajura who'd greeted Naaza in the city-palace that would become his home for the next several centuries after Anubisu had found him in India. In the ruins of an ancient palace where Naaza had lived after...
Naaza didn't even realize he wasn't shielding his mind well until Rajura reached out with his own mind and gave Naaza a gentle touch. YOU DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THOSE TIMES. THAT MAN IS LONG DEAD. GONE. YOU'RE WITH US NOW. "He looks well enough." Rajura's looked at Quatre, still cradled in Naaza’s arms.
"Physically he'll be fine." Naaza said professionally. "I want you to observe his mental state and see if his mind has been affected, though." Anything to take his mind off that memory of before he'd come to live with his brothers. "Sh'ten said this boy will remember nothing of what happened - what he did. His mind was befuddled."
Quatre's eyes flickered open. "I'm tired."
"You'll be fine." Naaza told him. "We're taking you to your brother."
Quatre's eyes started closing. "Trowa?"
"He's with your brother and the others. They should all be safe."
"Have... have to talk to... Treize." Quatre closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
While they ran, a terrible noise caught their attention and everyone looked up. The monstrous machines that looked like armored warrior giants couldn’t hide their presence. The few people on the streets stopped and stared, some screamed, while the metal boxes - cars - screeched to a halt.
“Gundams.”
Naaza looked sharply at Seiji. The boy didn’t so much as look up at the machines.
“They’re called Gundams. Weapons of war… keepers of peace… take your pick. Ignore them. Everything’s changed now.”
Rajura’s lips twitched. “What has?”
“Everything.” Seiji kept looking straight ahead, seemingly uninterested in the conversation or the machines overhead. “The war that was meant to be started has been canceled. There is no one left to give orders.” He stumbled, but quickly recovered himself. “No orders at all… ”
When they arrived at Kushranada-san’s home they ran straight passed the guards and Naaza doubted the men had noticed them at all considering that the guards were all staring up at the Gundams and shouting.
“Stop,” Rajura told them just before they left the shelter of the trees to enter the open close to Kushranada-san’s home. “Those guards didn’t seem too pleased. Let’s just wait a moment. Seiji, check with your brothers to see what’s going on in there.”
The Gundams landed in the middle of Kushranada-san’s lawn
"I guess they aren’t terribly interested in hiding." Naaza had to smirk, watching the panicked guards' race out to the front lawn of Treize's home where the boys were disembarking from their machines. The guards all held weapons and looked very serious, though Heero was clearly unafraid when the guards stopped in front of him.
From where they stood it was impossible to hear what was being said, but Wufei, from his posture and the arrogant tilt of his head, clearly wasn’t afraid. He said something to the guards who faced them. When Trowa spoke, also, one of the guards made a gesture and another ran back to the house.
Throughout it all, Heero remained silent and still.
They watched from a respectable distance and Anubisu said, "I wonder why he suddenly has so many men here? Something must have happened while we were away. Do your brothers say anything, Seiji?"
Seiji stared at the house with his implacable expression. "There was an unexpected visit by Treize's superior. Ryou says that everyone was upset before that, though. He has heard that one of Kushranada-san‘s relatives was murdered. The guards are for fear that the murderer might turn to this house, next. Everyone's waiting for us in the hall outside the kitchen and Ryou says to be careful when we see Mama Fan."
"Mama Fan?" Naaza thought back to the cheerful, plump, matronly woman he's briefly met. "Whatever for?"
"She's upset."
They didn’t go towards the house until the guards relaxed after their comrade returned and allowed the three boys to enter the house. Seiji confirmed, through Ryou, that it was safe to make themselves known.
Cautiously, the five of them shed their yoroi before they entered through the kitchen door. If something had happened, they sensed no obvious signs of distress from the younger yoroi bearers.
"That no-good, low life ant!"
Everyone paused when they heard Mama Fan muttering under her breath while she stirred a large pot of stew.
"I swear the next time I lay eyes on him, I'll wring his scrawny little neck!" Mama Fan violently picked up the pepper-shaker and began to throw as much pepper into the stew as possible with harsh shaking movements. "Suggesting that sweet little Nasty should... why... I never! As if my little girl would ever... "
Anubisu cast a doubtful look at Rajura. DO WE REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT
HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE GONE?
I'M NOT SURE. LET'S SNEAK OUT QUIETLY BEFORE SHE NOTICES US, SHALL WE? I HAVEN'T SEEN A WOMAN THAT ANGRY SINCE MY MOTHER FOUND OUT THAT IT WASN'T THE DOG WHO ATE HER WEDDING DRESS.
WHO WAS IT?
MY FATHER.
RAJURA.
YES?
DON'T EVER TELL ME ANOTHER STORY ABOUT YOUR SCREWY FAMILY. HONESTLY, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
Not feeling at all like experienced warriors with the power of gods, the young men tip-toed out of the kitchen where they found Xiu and Shin in the hallway along with a frantically pacing Touma. As soon as Naaza walked in with Quatre Touma was at them.
Touma's eyes lit up. "Kitty!" He cried happily, running to take Quatre from Naaza. "You brought him back! Oh, thank Allah!"
"Of course we did." Naaza answered grumpily, only too pleased to give his burden over to Touma. "Did you think we'd just leave him?"
Touma gave Naaza a flat look before looking down at Quatre. "Wake up! Kitty, are you alright?"
With a tired moan, Quatre tossed his head and pried his eyes open. "Let me die."
Touma just hugged him tighter. "No way, Rashid would kill me. Man, I called them a bit ago and I think we're in serious trouble, Kitty. Rashid was almost yelling on the phone and you KNOW he never yells." Touma turned to carry Quatre away, supposedly to rest, but Quatre stopped him.
"I've got to speak with Treize. He's here, right?"
"Yeah." Touma gave him a puzzled look. "What do you want to talk to him for. I thought you hated him."
"Hate him? Of course not. I just didn't want you to join the Alliance, Touma." Quatre yawned tiredly and snuggled into Touma's arms. "I just want to have a quiet word with him. Thank him for opening his home to us and other pleasantries."
"Well, I guess so." Touma didn't seem convinced that it was a good idea. "Don't you think you should rest first?"
"What is it that Abdul always says? Sleep is for tortoises, slugs, and the dead? I'll rest later. Right now, I want to say hello to our host."
"If you say so, Kitty."
Once those two were gone, Ryou went to Seiji and just smiled at him. The low buzzing in the background make Naaza realize that they were talking mentally and the fact that Shin blushed slightly and looked away, said something in the private nature of whatever they were talking about. Very slowly, Ryou reached out to Seiji, brushing his fingers though Seiji's shaggy blonde hair that covered his eye. At the last moment, though, Seiji pulled away from Ryou, not letting him see what was hidden beneath his hair.
Ryou frowned and reached out to Seiji again, but Seiji just moved away.
HE'S DREADFULLY SCARRED ON THAT SIDE OF HIS FACE. Rajura told Naaza and Anubisu. HE TOLD ME THAT RYOU HASN'T SEEN IT, YET.
"Ah," Xiu said pleasantly. He must have noticed the exchange between Seiji and Ryou, but was apparently trying to ignore it simply to be polite. "You made it out of the kitchen alive. I guess mama didn't see you, huh? She's in a pretty foul mood."
"What's wrong with her?" Naaza asked, unable to hold his curiosity. "I thought she was going to kill the stew!"
"She just might." Shin said. "She's got reason to. We've had the most horrible visit while you were gone." He smiled fondly at Seiji. "Ryou stayed with your sister, Seiji. She seems to be fine, just tired."
Seiji nodded, but said nothing else before wandering off in search of his sister.
"If you hurt her," Shin added, once Seiji had gone. "You realize Seiji will kill you." He turned his innocent, yet strangely wicked gaze to Anubisu and Rajura. "He's terribly protective."
"You know?" Anubisu asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes," Shin answered. "I've noticed and so has everyone else. Don't hurt her. Anyway," Shin turned to Naaza suddenly and smiled gently. "Can I have a word with you, Naaza?"
"What about?" Naaza asked.
"Something private." Shin took Naaza's arm and led him back outside where he closed the door and looked around slowly. “Just want to be sure we have some privacy.” He stopped then and looked closely at Naaza. Shin frowned a little, looking him up and down. “I’d made up my mind to do this and now that we’re at it, I’m not sure how to say this.”
“Just say it.” Naaza told him. “I’ve not got thin skin.”
Shin smiled and it was like the smile of an innocent child. “Alright. Would you like to sleep with me?”
Naaza’s mouth fell open.
“Don’t stare,” Shin turned away, slightly. “It’s just an offer. Not like I’m asking you to marry me.”
“You… what?”
Shin turned away fully. “You heard.”
“I did.” It wasn’t the boy’s age that threw Naaza. He’d seen many youths in the company of nobles and even soldiers. He was just shocked that the offer came at all…. from anyone. He wasn’t exactly attractive. “I assure you I am not the type to take to bed someone I hardly know. You do not strike me as a person with low morals or an over-active libido. I can only presume that you say this out of some sense of pity.”
Shin flushed. “I’m not offering sex! What dirty minds everyone seems to have! Just… we’ve all noticed that Rajura and Anubisu are preoccupied with Seiji’s sister. I don’t want you to think you’re alone.” His face fell. “I can’t imagine losing any of them… I mean my…” He waved a hand. “Them.”
“I understand. Your brothers.”
Shin winced. “That doesn’t sound good when we’re talking about our loves.”
“But it’s as close a term as we’ve been able to find. What others think doesn’t matter, does it?” Naaza laughed and raked his fingers through his hair. “You needn’t worry about me being alone. Your bond is the same as mine. We both know that so long as at least one of our brothers lives, we will never be alone.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Perhaps.”
“I can’t imagine life without Xiu or Touma. I only met Touma a few days ago. If either of them were to die, not even Ryou and Seiji could replace them. All I’m offering is a warm place to sleep and a willing ear if you want to talk. That’s all. It’s not pity.”
“Your offer is kind, but I refuse.” He bowed. “Before Sh’ten I was alone. Being so again won’t kill me.” It had been a long time since he’d been alone, though. How many long years since Sh’ten had crept into his bed and refused to leave?
Shin turned to face him and looked puzzled. “Surely, Sh’ten wouldn’t want you to be alone, just for his memory. He couldn't have been so cruel, not if you loved him."
That statement almost made Naaza want to laugh. "Sh'ten was cruel, but never maliciously. To him, pain and love went hand-in-hand and the best way to show love was with pain, which he used extravagantly. But it's not for his memory that I'm refusing you, Shin. I love him. To share a bed with anyone, even innocently, would feel like a betrayal." Naaza shook his head and smiled. “Although, I expect he would be very disappointed in me if he knew I was turning you away.”
Treize’s Office-
Heero-
'Mission: complete.'
No. The mission was not completed.
'Mission: Canceled?'
Heero was more afraid than he wanted to admit after the execution of doctor J. He didn’t miss doctor J or regret that he’d done nothing to stop the killing. It had to be done. Not for his own sake - Heero could stand to be a weapon - but for the sake of others. For Seiji, most of all.
It plagued his mind that his mission was over, though. He had been raised with the knowledge that that the Alliance and, more recently, Treize Kushranada were evil and had to be destroyed. The death of doctor J didn’t change that fact.
Standing in Kushranada’s office felt odd. He’d always imagined that he would just kill the man when they met. There would be no situation, no words exchanged, and certainly no tea.
Kushranada leaned forward and pushed the tea cup closer to the edge of the desk where Heero stood. “Please, it will help you relax.”
Heero didn’t think anything would help him relax. Nothing was working out the way it was supposed to. Heero felt sick. It was almost as bad as when Duo got too close. He was frightened. He was free and he had no idea what to do with that freedom.
'I want to be with Duo.' That much he was certain of, but what about other things? Heero knew that normal teenagers went to school. ‘I’ve never been to school. What does one do in school? Where will I sleep? Maybe Kushranada will kill me.'
“You look a bit lost,” Kushranada-san leaned back and rested his hands on the arms of his chair. “If you don’t want the tea, at least sit.”
Heero’s training for capture didn’t seem to apply. Kushranada wasn’t attempting to kill him, at that moment, or even imprison him. Even Merquise, standing to the right of Kushranada, didn’t make any threatening moves. Heero thought hard about the question, but shook his head. “I would prefer to stand, sir.”
Kushranada blinked at him and frowned. “You don’t have to call me ‘sir’, Heero. You’re not one of my soldiers.”
“Understood.” ‘Who can I call ‘sir’, then?’
"I'm not sure what to do with you." Treize said carefully. "I'd heard rumors about rebels planning attacks, but I hadn't anticipated your arrival in quite such an extraordinary manner. I also didn't expect you to turn on your masters or that you and your allies would get stuck in my life so deeply. What were your orders, exactly?”
“Nothing concerning you, yet.”
“Yet? Do you know what you would have been ordered to do concerning me?”
“Kill you.”
Kushranada and Merquise looked at each other, then back at Heero. Kushranada tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Will you carry out that order?”
Heero frowned, confused about the question. “There is no order. It hadn’t been given.”
“So you don’t plan to try to kill me?”
Heero really didn’t understand why the man was making a simple concept so difficult. “There is no order. How can I act without an order?”
“I think I understand.” Kushranada looked sad when he said it and that confused Heero all the more. “Are you planning to hurt anyone in this house?”
“There is no order.”
“Right.” He smiled, tightly. “The way I see it, you aren't really my enemy." He took a sip of coffee and thought for a minute. "I hope you understand that I really can't trust you because of the conditioning you've been subjected to. Not yet, anyway."
“Understood.” Heero stood patiently and waited for whatever was to come.
The solution came in the form of Quatre being carried into the room by Touma. Touma said, "Kitty wants to talk to you, Kushranada-san."
Quatre patted Touma's arm and smiled angelically. "You can put me down, Touma. I just want to have a word with him."
"Zechs," Treize looked at Merquise. "Please, take Heero to the kitchen and see that he eats something. I don't want my guests to get hungry."
Both Zechs and Touma seemed puzzled. "Are you sure, Treize?" Zechs asked. "You just said you couldn't trust him."
Treize flashed a smile. "It'll be alright. I don’t think he’ll do anything foolish."
"Kitty?" Touma looked down at Quatre who'd never stopped smiling. "Are you sure about this? I really think you should be sleeping. You've had a VERY long day."
"I'll be fine. Why don't you do me a favor and go fine Wufei? I'll need to talk to him in a minute, too."
Reluctantly, Touma set Quatre down on the sofa and left on his errand and Zechs led Heero out of the room with only one concerned glance over his shoulder at Treize.
Treize-
Once everyone had left, Quatre's sweet smile turned decidedly sly.
"Alright," Treize asked. "What are you up to, this time? Isn't it enough that you're planning to take over the world against me? Do we really have to fight just after you get rescued and after I get a visit from Septum? I rather think we're both in bad moods."
"Who said anything about fighting, cousin? I just wanted a private word with you." Quatre glanced around the room. "If you have any bugs, now would be the time to deactivate them. I don't think either of us would want this conversation recorded."
"No bugs in this room. They were all in the main house. Now, what's this all about?"
Quatre drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair Touma had sat him in. “First off, thank you for taking care of Touma. I didn’t want him to end up in the Alliance.”
“I’m surprised he even applied - being raised by Rashid and living around you. Don’t tell me either of you encouraged him.”
“Certainly not. I had planned to keep his talents for myself after I overthrew the current government.” Quatre’s smile brightened. “Rashid was very thorough in Touma’s training, but he never cared much for politics. His studies occupied his mind.”
“All the same, he never caught a hint of disapproval of the Alliance being raised in that house?”
“Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t.” Quatre shrugged. “I think he wanted a place where he could use his intelligence the most. As for why we didn’t give him the full lecture about the evils of the government, Touma has always been self-reliant. He did his own research and decided on his own what he wanted to do with his life. He believed that he could help people with the funding of the Alliance and, possibly, gain enough influence to improve the working of the government to benefit the people. Touma does nothing without reason, not even something so seemingly foolish as willingly joining the Alliance. Still, I am grateful that you were able to get a hold of his application before anyone else.”
“Think nothing of it. He’s family, after all. Though, I was wondering why I was suddenly asked to do a job interview when they usually leave that for low-level peons. I thought I'd been insulted again."
"Don't be silly. I just pulled a few strings, that's all. What's the point in being filthy rich if you don't use the money? Having Touma in OZ will give him a few years of experience before I take him away from you and have him help me to take over the world." There wasn't even a hint of a joke in Quatre’s tone.
"What is this fixation you have with conquering Earth?" Treize asked.
Quatre smiled. "The challenge, naturally."
"Nothing more?"
"I'm afraid not. I could say something truly noble like, I'm doing it for all the poor downtrodden masses who suffer under the tyrannical rule of the oppressive Alliance, but we both know that would be a lie. I'm not nearly so altruistic. I want what's best for my family and I want what amuses me. Right now, it would amuse me to see the Alliance go down in flames."
Treize shook his head and took another drink. “Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. You planned to use your Gundam in your coup d’état?”
“Of course. Why else would I have agreed to work with those doctors? When they offered to make me a Gundam pilot, you can't imagine how pleased I was." Quatre smiled, apparently thinking back on what had happened. "The timing was perfect and Rashid supported me all the way."
"That surprises me," Treize admitted. "I rather thought he'd have been too protective to let you into a war."
"Don't be silly. Rashid's been training me to be a fighter since father gave me to him to take care of. I decided that I could use my Gundam to destroy the Alliance and then take over Earth myself." There was a slightly disappointed look on Quatre's face. "I suppose that's not going to happen. Too many people have seen the Gundams to make them good for a surprise attack."
"Don't you think your fellow pilots would have objected to your plans?"
Quatre's face turned almost angry. "They haven't been taught to think for themselves, really. If I hadn't had Rashid to take care of me and teach me, I'd have ended up no better than Trowa's cold mask or Wufei's stubborn anger at the world. I’m not even going to mention Heero. I'm going to have to find a way to help them. No, I don't think they'd know how to object. Even if they’d wanted to, I could have convinced them. I’m as good at manipulation as you are.”
Treize sat back, thinking. "What about those doctors we had to get rid of earlier? You weren't the one doing the manipulating there, you have to admit. You'd been turned into a mindless killing machine."
"The Zero Program was... a miscalculation." His face went white and he swallowed hard. "That machine was destroyed, wasn't it?"
"I promise, it's completely gone. Your friend, Trowa, was most insistent about that. Now, what did you want to talk about? I‘m sure you didn’t have Hashiba-san abandon you so we could chat about your megalomaniac ambitions."
"No. I wanted to talk about YOUR megalomaniac ambitions."
"What about them?"
"I want to help. If I'm not going to rule the world, I think someone in my family should and I think you'd make a rather good dictator. Secondly, Septum is putting pressure on you for something you'd rather not give him. I think Septum is starting to suspect you aren't the dumb blonde everyone's taken you for all these years."
"Dumb blonde? That's something coming from you, ‘Mister Sweet and Innocent.'"
"Don't blame me if I'm a better actor than you. Now, it seems to me that we both have a problem. You need Septum out of your hair and my plans are almost completely ruined."
He continued with an expression that said he was very pleased with himself. "I think I can solve both of our problems with just a few minor adjustments to our goals."
Treize leaned forward. "Rajura-san made me an interesting offer, earlier. Why don’t you tell me what you have in mind."
Rajura-
Rajura was just tired. 'I need a vacation. A nice holiday by the seaside or maybe a camping trip.' The house seemed full. Everywhere Rajura went he saw people whether they were family, the hosts, or guards.
He couldn’t find anywhere to sit and think so, instead, he kept wandering. He drifted by Shin and Naaza speaking in soft voices in the garden and slipped by Duo who led Chang-san across the lawn to a small shed. He saw Heero standing in a hallway looking somewhat lost. Everyone seemed to be adjusting well, but Rajura’s mind kept running over practicalities.
‘It’s been years since I’ve had to live here. Centuries… everything’s different.’ The streets, buildings, clothes, money… everything. It pleased Rajura all the more, when he thought of the difficulties his family faced, that he’d made his offer to Kushranada-san.
"You want to start the war using the Gundams?"
Rajura paused at the door, hearing Treize's voice. Eavesdropping was both was fun and useful.
"Yes," Quatre replied. "If we combine your OZ forces with my four Gundams, we'll stand a very good chance of winning."
"YOUR four? Aren't you forgetting the other pilots? I'm sure they'll want a say in this." Treize's voice was amused. "They seem very attached to their toys."
"Leave them to me. Oh," Quatre paused. "Did I say four? I meant to say five."
"Five? Where's the fifth one? Who's the pilot?"
Quatre giggled. "There is no pilot. Something went wrong in the planning and the good doctors never found a fifth pilot. There's an empty Gundam sitting around somewhere in mothballs. I want it, Treize! It's just sitting there, waiting to be used. I just have to find the right pilot for Gundam 02."
"How did you find out about this? Did those doctors tell you?"
"They'd never admit a mistake and never to a mere 'tool'. No, I found it when I hacked into their computer systems one day. I know where it is and what its capabilities are. It's magnificent. I can't wait to see it in action."
Rajura, from where he was listening, raised an eyebrow at the audible lust in Quatre's voice. 'Hmmm. This boy might be more fun than I'd thought.'
Quatre continued, "Anyway, it won't be long before we have to do something. Septum is going to bring things to a head with his constant prodding."
Trieze replied, "I think he might suspect something about my plans, but he doesn't have enough evidence to take OZ away from me. I believe he's trying to provoke me into making a premature move." Treize continued more quietly, "My men aren't ready, even with your Gundam back-ups. The moral is high and Noin's got them doing wonders in the mobile suits, but their hand-to-hand combat is almost laughable. We haven't been able to get any decent instructors from the Alliance that we can trust enough to let onto the base."
Rajura swung open the door and stepped into the room. “I thought we’d discussed this issue. Or have you decided to refuse my offer?”
Kushranada-san raised an eyebrow. “Somehow I thought you might pop in. No. I haven’t reneged on our agreement. I simply haven’t told Quatre about it, yet. How long have you been listening?”
"More than you would like me to."
To his credit, Treize kept his face calm. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone what you know."
"Oh, don't worry. You're far too involved with my family for me to betray you. I just wanted to offer our help."
Not everyone was happy with the deal Rajura had worked out.
Naaza’s dark thoughts, even as Shin left him in the garden, bit at Rajura. JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE TO STAY HERE DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO HELP THESE MORTALS!
YOUR HATE IS GETTING THE BETTER OF YOU, AGAIN. Anubisu reprimanded Naaza from where he was sitting with Seiji at Noin-sama’s bedside. ADMIT IT, YOUR BLOOD BOILS AT THE IDEA OF WAR, AS MUCH AS MINE DOES. TO LIVE THE REST OF OUR LONG LIVES IN HIDING WOULD SUIT NONE OF US. DO NOT PROTEST SO STRONGLY. WHAT ELSE IS THERE FOR US?
EXACTLY. Rajura added himself to the conversation. WE'VE BEEN STAGNANT FOR FAR TOO LONG. NOW WE CAN SET THE WORLD IN MOTION, AS WE DID WHEN WE WERE MORTAL AND LED THE CHARGE INTO BATTLE. WE CAN SHAPE THE WORLD.
Naaza was silent.
Anubisu spoke, soft and seductive. THINK OF THE WEIGHT OF A SWORD IN YOUR HAND, LIKE AN OLD FRIEND. YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR ITS VOICE WHEN YOU WALK ONTO THE BATTLEFIELD. WE'LL WALK TOGETHER, SIDE-BY-SIDE, AND WE'LL MAKE THE WORLD REMEMBER US! THE NINGEN'S WILL TREMBLE UNDER OUR SHADOW, AS THEY DID LONG AGO.
Rajura could feel his own blood stirring at Anubisu's words. He could sometimes forget how persuasive Anubisu could be when he wanted to be. NAAZA, WE WON'T DO THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO. IT'S ALL OF US TOGETHER, OR NONE AT ALL.
DO AS YOU PLEASE. Naaza answered, sounding more tired than angry. I'LL FOLLOW
WHERE YOU LEAD, RAJURA. IT'S WHAT SH'TEN WOULD HAVE WANTED. But there was a certain, small, amount of interest. Naaza did want to feel like he was doing something again. He wanted to feel strong and useful again.
With that encouragement, Rajura told Quatre, “I’ve offered the services of my brothers and myself as trainers for his army.” He looked at Treize. “You will find no one more experienced, but we have no way to implement our knowledge.”
Trieze gave nothing a way by his expression. "I'm still considering your offer. Thank you, but it's getting late and I should see that everyone has some place to sleep." Treize stood and helped Quatre to his feet. They left the room together.
'The idea's planted and he won't find a better offer.' Rajura thought smugly. 'Who else could say that their army was personally trained by three of the greatest warriors of all time?'
Duo-
Duo hummed happily while he rummaged through the storage shed tossing things and odd junk out of the way as he searched.
“What are you looking for?” Wufei asked from where he stood by the door.
“This and that.” Duo shrugged absently. “Zechs was telling the truth. It wasn’t Treize. Ryou’s friend, Touma, did a little research for me.”
Wufei sighed. “Yes. I know. I was with you, remember? What I want to know is why this is taking so long. One bullet will take care of this problem.” He dodged aside when Duo threw a boot through the shed’s door. "Do you mind? I'd like to get this done before Xiu comes looking for me. He gets irritated when I keep secrets from him and I really don't think I want to tell him that I'm going off to kill someone. He's sensitive."
"Just give me a minute." Duo shoved boxes out of his way and stepped over piles of rope. The Kushranada family had accumulated a lot of rubbish the over the years. Why one Earth did they have a glass frog in their shed? "If we're going hunting, I want the proper equipment. Why are you here anyway?"
Wufei's hissed, "He killed most of my clan and my wife. He killed my darling Meiran, not to mention nearly all of my cousins."
"Awww… I can take care of the revenge thing for you. You don’t have to come along." Duo never turned from his search. "Wouldn’t you rather be cuddling with Nasty-sama? You're supposed to do that with people you're in love with." Duo sighed, missing the look of extreme embarrassment on Wufei's face. "If I didn’t have to go on this little trip, I'd lick Heero’s ears until he squealed."
Wufei turned away from Duo.
"Then, I think I'd strip him naked and shackle him to a wall." Duo went sort of glassy eyed as he spoke. "Yeah. I wonder if Treize has a basement he'd let me use? You should be doing that sort of thing with Nasty-sama."
Wufei spluttered. "I'll have you know that I'd never take advantage of any young lady, let alone Nasty, like that!"
"Take advantage? What are you talking about?" Duo frowned and paused in his search to look at Wufei over his shoulder. “You’re weird. My brothers told me all about sex. You do it with the people you love. You’re so doppy for Nasty-sama it’s funny.”
"It's one thing to court a young lady," Wufei said primly, sounding as if he were giving a lecture. "But it's simply not done to touch her in such a way before being married. It's alright for you and Heero, but I'd have to worry about Nasty getting pregnant!"
Duo finally found what he was looking for a pulled a large, obviously old and well-used scythe out from the back of the garden shed. "Ah, ha! This'll do nicely." He exclaimed triumphantly. Then he asked, casually, "Pregnant? What's that?"
To be continued...
Naaza-
Doctor J was dead.
Naaza, a physician by necessity, was certain. He checked the man’s pulse twice and peered into his blank, staring eyes. When he was certain - as if there were any doubt given Sh’ten’s enthusiasm - he turned to Rajura and nodded once.
That was it. They were done. Anubisu gave the boy, Quatre, to Naaza without being asked and Naaza easily swung the slight form into his arms. He wasn’t Sh’ten, not any longer. Naaza took a moment to stare at the boy’s face. It had only been temporary. Just another of Sh’ten’s passing facies.
‘Cruel,’ Naaza almost laughed even as he saw Rajura and Anubisu moving about the room. ‘Even dead you’re too cruel. How many times do you plan to come back? You don’t have to keep reminding me. I won’t forget you.’ Even as he thought it, Naaza held the blonde boy a little tighter. Foolish. He couldn’t keep Sh’ten any longer, no matter how hard he held on.
“Naaza?” Rajura lightly touched his back. “We have to go.”
“Yes,” Naaza blinked slowly. “Of course.”
They left the room only to be faced at once with the boys they’d left in the hallway. They were tense and stood ready, as if preparing for action that might spring on them. Wufei and Trowa, especially, looked ready to fight.
Trowa looked at Quatre, then at Naaza. His one visible eye was cold.
“He’s uninjured,” Rajura told the boy. “Sh’ten has left him. That’s all.”
Trowa looked intently at Rajura and seemed to find the explanation satisfying. He took a step backwards.
Wufei took Trowa’s place by stepping forward. He crossed his arms over his chest and raised his chin. “You’ve done what you had to do?”
“We have,” Anubisu answered.
“You’d best go ahead. There will be clean up to do.”
Anubisu laughed. “Yes… it will require a mop, at least.”
“Hardly the type of clean up I was thinking of,” Wufei sneered. “I don’t know much about you three other than what I’ve been told. However, it has been quite a while since you’ve been on Earth? Then you won’t know certain things. You’ve left a lot of evidence around, I’m sure, and authorities will be able to find a way to trace this murder to you. Trowa and I can handle it.”
Heero opened his mouth to speak, but Wufei held up a hand. “No. You go with them. I’m sure you’re tired after what you’ve seen and we can’t afford mistakes. We’re all too tied up in this to risk any mistakes. Go rest.”
“I’m not tired,” Heero protested. “I’m trained to go for days without sleep. I am also versatile on computers.” He gestured around the room at the metal boxes with buttons and the glass panels of glowing light. “I will make no mistakes.”
Wufei looked doubtful, but Trowa leaned forward and whispered something to him. Wufei looked at Trowa, then at Heero and shrugged. “Fine. But I’ll be double checking your work.”
Heero nodded and set off to work tapping away on one of the things with all the buttons. Wufei and Trowa followed him, all working at different stations without speaking to one another.
Everyone else just watched for a moment before Rajura shooed them out of the room saying, “They seem to know what they’re doing. Let’s just move along.”
The run to meet up with Duo, Kayura, and Ryou wasn’t an especially long one, but it gave Naaza time to think.
The family dynamics had changed.
Naaza wasn't sure how he should feel about Rajura taking Sh'ten's place as their leader, it seemed wrong, somehow. 'It shouldn't. Rajura was taking care of us long before Sh'ten was even born.' It was Rajura who'd greeted Naaza in the city-palace that would become his home for the next several centuries after Anubisu had found him in India. In the ruins of an ancient palace where Naaza had lived after...
Naaza didn't even realize he wasn't shielding his mind well until Rajura reached out with his own mind and gave Naaza a gentle touch. YOU DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THOSE TIMES. THAT MAN IS LONG DEAD. GONE. YOU'RE WITH US NOW. "He looks well enough." Rajura's looked at Quatre, still cradled in Naaza’s arms.
"Physically he'll be fine." Naaza said professionally. "I want you to observe his mental state and see if his mind has been affected, though." Anything to take his mind off that memory of before he'd come to live with his brothers. "Sh'ten said this boy will remember nothing of what happened - what he did. His mind was befuddled."
Quatre's eyes flickered open. "I'm tired."
"You'll be fine." Naaza told him. "We're taking you to your brother."
Quatre's eyes started closing. "Trowa?"
"He's with your brother and the others. They should all be safe."
"Have... have to talk to... Treize." Quatre closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
While they ran, a terrible noise caught their attention and everyone looked up. The monstrous machines that looked like armored warrior giants couldn’t hide their presence. The few people on the streets stopped and stared, some screamed, while the metal boxes - cars - screeched to a halt.
“Gundams.”
Naaza looked sharply at Seiji. The boy didn’t so much as look up at the machines.
“They’re called Gundams. Weapons of war… keepers of peace… take your pick. Ignore them. Everything’s changed now.”
Rajura’s lips twitched. “What has?”
“Everything.” Seiji kept looking straight ahead, seemingly uninterested in the conversation or the machines overhead. “The war that was meant to be started has been canceled. There is no one left to give orders.” He stumbled, but quickly recovered himself. “No orders at all… ”
When they arrived at Kushranada-san’s home they ran straight passed the guards and Naaza doubted the men had noticed them at all considering that the guards were all staring up at the Gundams and shouting.
“Stop,” Rajura told them just before they left the shelter of the trees to enter the open close to Kushranada-san’s home. “Those guards didn’t seem too pleased. Let’s just wait a moment. Seiji, check with your brothers to see what’s going on in there.”
The Gundams landed in the middle of Kushranada-san’s lawn
"I guess they aren’t terribly interested in hiding." Naaza had to smirk, watching the panicked guards' race out to the front lawn of Treize's home where the boys were disembarking from their machines. The guards all held weapons and looked very serious, though Heero was clearly unafraid when the guards stopped in front of him.
From where they stood it was impossible to hear what was being said, but Wufei, from his posture and the arrogant tilt of his head, clearly wasn’t afraid. He said something to the guards who faced them. When Trowa spoke, also, one of the guards made a gesture and another ran back to the house.
Throughout it all, Heero remained silent and still.
They watched from a respectable distance and Anubisu said, "I wonder why he suddenly has so many men here? Something must have happened while we were away. Do your brothers say anything, Seiji?"
Seiji stared at the house with his implacable expression. "There was an unexpected visit by Treize's superior. Ryou says that everyone was upset before that, though. He has heard that one of Kushranada-san‘s relatives was murdered. The guards are for fear that the murderer might turn to this house, next. Everyone's waiting for us in the hall outside the kitchen and Ryou says to be careful when we see Mama Fan."
"Mama Fan?" Naaza thought back to the cheerful, plump, matronly woman he's briefly met. "Whatever for?"
"She's upset."
They didn’t go towards the house until the guards relaxed after their comrade returned and allowed the three boys to enter the house. Seiji confirmed, through Ryou, that it was safe to make themselves known.
Cautiously, the five of them shed their yoroi before they entered through the kitchen door. If something had happened, they sensed no obvious signs of distress from the younger yoroi bearers.
"That no-good, low life ant!"
Everyone paused when they heard Mama Fan muttering under her breath while she stirred a large pot of stew.
"I swear the next time I lay eyes on him, I'll wring his scrawny little neck!" Mama Fan violently picked up the pepper-shaker and began to throw as much pepper into the stew as possible with harsh shaking movements. "Suggesting that sweet little Nasty should... why... I never! As if my little girl would ever... "
Anubisu cast a doubtful look at Rajura. DO WE REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT
HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE GONE?
I'M NOT SURE. LET'S SNEAK OUT QUIETLY BEFORE SHE NOTICES US, SHALL WE? I HAVEN'T SEEN A WOMAN THAT ANGRY SINCE MY MOTHER FOUND OUT THAT IT WASN'T THE DOG WHO ATE HER WEDDING DRESS.
WHO WAS IT?
MY FATHER.
RAJURA.
YES?
DON'T EVER TELL ME ANOTHER STORY ABOUT YOUR SCREWY FAMILY. HONESTLY, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.
Not feeling at all like experienced warriors with the power of gods, the young men tip-toed out of the kitchen where they found Xiu and Shin in the hallway along with a frantically pacing Touma. As soon as Naaza walked in with Quatre Touma was at them.
Touma's eyes lit up. "Kitty!" He cried happily, running to take Quatre from Naaza. "You brought him back! Oh, thank Allah!"
"Of course we did." Naaza answered grumpily, only too pleased to give his burden over to Touma. "Did you think we'd just leave him?"
Touma gave Naaza a flat look before looking down at Quatre. "Wake up! Kitty, are you alright?"
With a tired moan, Quatre tossed his head and pried his eyes open. "Let me die."
Touma just hugged him tighter. "No way, Rashid would kill me. Man, I called them a bit ago and I think we're in serious trouble, Kitty. Rashid was almost yelling on the phone and you KNOW he never yells." Touma turned to carry Quatre away, supposedly to rest, but Quatre stopped him.
"I've got to speak with Treize. He's here, right?"
"Yeah." Touma gave him a puzzled look. "What do you want to talk to him for. I thought you hated him."
"Hate him? Of course not. I just didn't want you to join the Alliance, Touma." Quatre yawned tiredly and snuggled into Touma's arms. "I just want to have a quiet word with him. Thank him for opening his home to us and other pleasantries."
"Well, I guess so." Touma didn't seem convinced that it was a good idea. "Don't you think you should rest first?"
"What is it that Abdul always says? Sleep is for tortoises, slugs, and the dead? I'll rest later. Right now, I want to say hello to our host."
"If you say so, Kitty."
Once those two were gone, Ryou went to Seiji and just smiled at him. The low buzzing in the background make Naaza realize that they were talking mentally and the fact that Shin blushed slightly and looked away, said something in the private nature of whatever they were talking about. Very slowly, Ryou reached out to Seiji, brushing his fingers though Seiji's shaggy blonde hair that covered his eye. At the last moment, though, Seiji pulled away from Ryou, not letting him see what was hidden beneath his hair.
Ryou frowned and reached out to Seiji again, but Seiji just moved away.
HE'S DREADFULLY SCARRED ON THAT SIDE OF HIS FACE. Rajura told Naaza and Anubisu. HE TOLD ME THAT RYOU HASN'T SEEN IT, YET.
"Ah," Xiu said pleasantly. He must have noticed the exchange between Seiji and Ryou, but was apparently trying to ignore it simply to be polite. "You made it out of the kitchen alive. I guess mama didn't see you, huh? She's in a pretty foul mood."
"What's wrong with her?" Naaza asked, unable to hold his curiosity. "I thought she was going to kill the stew!"
"She just might." Shin said. "She's got reason to. We've had the most horrible visit while you were gone." He smiled fondly at Seiji. "Ryou stayed with your sister, Seiji. She seems to be fine, just tired."
Seiji nodded, but said nothing else before wandering off in search of his sister.
"If you hurt her," Shin added, once Seiji had gone. "You realize Seiji will kill you." He turned his innocent, yet strangely wicked gaze to Anubisu and Rajura. "He's terribly protective."
"You know?" Anubisu asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes," Shin answered. "I've noticed and so has everyone else. Don't hurt her. Anyway," Shin turned to Naaza suddenly and smiled gently. "Can I have a word with you, Naaza?"
"What about?" Naaza asked.
"Something private." Shin took Naaza's arm and led him back outside where he closed the door and looked around slowly. “Just want to be sure we have some privacy.” He stopped then and looked closely at Naaza. Shin frowned a little, looking him up and down. “I’d made up my mind to do this and now that we’re at it, I’m not sure how to say this.”
“Just say it.” Naaza told him. “I’ve not got thin skin.”
Shin smiled and it was like the smile of an innocent child. “Alright. Would you like to sleep with me?”
Naaza’s mouth fell open.
“Don’t stare,” Shin turned away, slightly. “It’s just an offer. Not like I’m asking you to marry me.”
“You… what?”
Shin turned away fully. “You heard.”
“I did.” It wasn’t the boy’s age that threw Naaza. He’d seen many youths in the company of nobles and even soldiers. He was just shocked that the offer came at all…. from anyone. He wasn’t exactly attractive. “I assure you I am not the type to take to bed someone I hardly know. You do not strike me as a person with low morals or an over-active libido. I can only presume that you say this out of some sense of pity.”
Shin flushed. “I’m not offering sex! What dirty minds everyone seems to have! Just… we’ve all noticed that Rajura and Anubisu are preoccupied with Seiji’s sister. I don’t want you to think you’re alone.” His face fell. “I can’t imagine losing any of them… I mean my…” He waved a hand. “Them.”
“I understand. Your brothers.”
Shin winced. “That doesn’t sound good when we’re talking about our loves.”
“But it’s as close a term as we’ve been able to find. What others think doesn’t matter, does it?” Naaza laughed and raked his fingers through his hair. “You needn’t worry about me being alone. Your bond is the same as mine. We both know that so long as at least one of our brothers lives, we will never be alone.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Perhaps.”
“I can’t imagine life without Xiu or Touma. I only met Touma a few days ago. If either of them were to die, not even Ryou and Seiji could replace them. All I’m offering is a warm place to sleep and a willing ear if you want to talk. That’s all. It’s not pity.”
“Your offer is kind, but I refuse.” He bowed. “Before Sh’ten I was alone. Being so again won’t kill me.” It had been a long time since he’d been alone, though. How many long years since Sh’ten had crept into his bed and refused to leave?
Shin turned to face him and looked puzzled. “Surely, Sh’ten wouldn’t want you to be alone, just for his memory. He couldn't have been so cruel, not if you loved him."
That statement almost made Naaza want to laugh. "Sh'ten was cruel, but never maliciously. To him, pain and love went hand-in-hand and the best way to show love was with pain, which he used extravagantly. But it's not for his memory that I'm refusing you, Shin. I love him. To share a bed with anyone, even innocently, would feel like a betrayal." Naaza shook his head and smiled. “Although, I expect he would be very disappointed in me if he knew I was turning you away.”
Treize’s Office-
Heero-
'Mission: complete.'
No. The mission was not completed.
'Mission: Canceled?'
Heero was more afraid than he wanted to admit after the execution of doctor J. He didn’t miss doctor J or regret that he’d done nothing to stop the killing. It had to be done. Not for his own sake - Heero could stand to be a weapon - but for the sake of others. For Seiji, most of all.
It plagued his mind that his mission was over, though. He had been raised with the knowledge that that the Alliance and, more recently, Treize Kushranada were evil and had to be destroyed. The death of doctor J didn’t change that fact.
Standing in Kushranada’s office felt odd. He’d always imagined that he would just kill the man when they met. There would be no situation, no words exchanged, and certainly no tea.
Kushranada leaned forward and pushed the tea cup closer to the edge of the desk where Heero stood. “Please, it will help you relax.”
Heero didn’t think anything would help him relax. Nothing was working out the way it was supposed to. Heero felt sick. It was almost as bad as when Duo got too close. He was frightened. He was free and he had no idea what to do with that freedom.
'I want to be with Duo.' That much he was certain of, but what about other things? Heero knew that normal teenagers went to school. ‘I’ve never been to school. What does one do in school? Where will I sleep? Maybe Kushranada will kill me.'
“You look a bit lost,” Kushranada-san leaned back and rested his hands on the arms of his chair. “If you don’t want the tea, at least sit.”
Heero’s training for capture didn’t seem to apply. Kushranada wasn’t attempting to kill him, at that moment, or even imprison him. Even Merquise, standing to the right of Kushranada, didn’t make any threatening moves. Heero thought hard about the question, but shook his head. “I would prefer to stand, sir.”
Kushranada blinked at him and frowned. “You don’t have to call me ‘sir’, Heero. You’re not one of my soldiers.”
“Understood.” ‘Who can I call ‘sir’, then?’
"I'm not sure what to do with you." Treize said carefully. "I'd heard rumors about rebels planning attacks, but I hadn't anticipated your arrival in quite such an extraordinary manner. I also didn't expect you to turn on your masters or that you and your allies would get stuck in my life so deeply. What were your orders, exactly?”
“Nothing concerning you, yet.”
“Yet? Do you know what you would have been ordered to do concerning me?”
“Kill you.”
Kushranada and Merquise looked at each other, then back at Heero. Kushranada tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Will you carry out that order?”
Heero frowned, confused about the question. “There is no order. It hadn’t been given.”
“So you don’t plan to try to kill me?”
Heero really didn’t understand why the man was making a simple concept so difficult. “There is no order. How can I act without an order?”
“I think I understand.” Kushranada looked sad when he said it and that confused Heero all the more. “Are you planning to hurt anyone in this house?”
“There is no order.”
“Right.” He smiled, tightly. “The way I see it, you aren't really my enemy." He took a sip of coffee and thought for a minute. "I hope you understand that I really can't trust you because of the conditioning you've been subjected to. Not yet, anyway."
“Understood.” Heero stood patiently and waited for whatever was to come.
The solution came in the form of Quatre being carried into the room by Touma. Touma said, "Kitty wants to talk to you, Kushranada-san."
Quatre patted Touma's arm and smiled angelically. "You can put me down, Touma. I just want to have a word with him."
"Zechs," Treize looked at Merquise. "Please, take Heero to the kitchen and see that he eats something. I don't want my guests to get hungry."
Both Zechs and Touma seemed puzzled. "Are you sure, Treize?" Zechs asked. "You just said you couldn't trust him."
Treize flashed a smile. "It'll be alright. I don’t think he’ll do anything foolish."
"Kitty?" Touma looked down at Quatre who'd never stopped smiling. "Are you sure about this? I really think you should be sleeping. You've had a VERY long day."
"I'll be fine. Why don't you do me a favor and go fine Wufei? I'll need to talk to him in a minute, too."
Reluctantly, Touma set Quatre down on the sofa and left on his errand and Zechs led Heero out of the room with only one concerned glance over his shoulder at Treize.
Treize-
Once everyone had left, Quatre's sweet smile turned decidedly sly.
"Alright," Treize asked. "What are you up to, this time? Isn't it enough that you're planning to take over the world against me? Do we really have to fight just after you get rescued and after I get a visit from Septum? I rather think we're both in bad moods."
"Who said anything about fighting, cousin? I just wanted a private word with you." Quatre glanced around the room. "If you have any bugs, now would be the time to deactivate them. I don't think either of us would want this conversation recorded."
"No bugs in this room. They were all in the main house. Now, what's this all about?"
Quatre drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair Touma had sat him in. “First off, thank you for taking care of Touma. I didn’t want him to end up in the Alliance.”
“I’m surprised he even applied - being raised by Rashid and living around you. Don’t tell me either of you encouraged him.”
“Certainly not. I had planned to keep his talents for myself after I overthrew the current government.” Quatre’s smile brightened. “Rashid was very thorough in Touma’s training, but he never cared much for politics. His studies occupied his mind.”
“All the same, he never caught a hint of disapproval of the Alliance being raised in that house?”
“Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t.” Quatre shrugged. “I think he wanted a place where he could use his intelligence the most. As for why we didn’t give him the full lecture about the evils of the government, Touma has always been self-reliant. He did his own research and decided on his own what he wanted to do with his life. He believed that he could help people with the funding of the Alliance and, possibly, gain enough influence to improve the working of the government to benefit the people. Touma does nothing without reason, not even something so seemingly foolish as willingly joining the Alliance. Still, I am grateful that you were able to get a hold of his application before anyone else.”
“Think nothing of it. He’s family, after all. Though, I was wondering why I was suddenly asked to do a job interview when they usually leave that for low-level peons. I thought I'd been insulted again."
"Don't be silly. I just pulled a few strings, that's all. What's the point in being filthy rich if you don't use the money? Having Touma in OZ will give him a few years of experience before I take him away from you and have him help me to take over the world." There wasn't even a hint of a joke in Quatre’s tone.
"What is this fixation you have with conquering Earth?" Treize asked.
Quatre smiled. "The challenge, naturally."
"Nothing more?"
"I'm afraid not. I could say something truly noble like, I'm doing it for all the poor downtrodden masses who suffer under the tyrannical rule of the oppressive Alliance, but we both know that would be a lie. I'm not nearly so altruistic. I want what's best for my family and I want what amuses me. Right now, it would amuse me to see the Alliance go down in flames."
Treize shook his head and took another drink. “Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. You planned to use your Gundam in your coup d’état?”
“Of course. Why else would I have agreed to work with those doctors? When they offered to make me a Gundam pilot, you can't imagine how pleased I was." Quatre smiled, apparently thinking back on what had happened. "The timing was perfect and Rashid supported me all the way."
"That surprises me," Treize admitted. "I rather thought he'd have been too protective to let you into a war."
"Don't be silly. Rashid's been training me to be a fighter since father gave me to him to take care of. I decided that I could use my Gundam to destroy the Alliance and then take over Earth myself." There was a slightly disappointed look on Quatre's face. "I suppose that's not going to happen. Too many people have seen the Gundams to make them good for a surprise attack."
"Don't you think your fellow pilots would have objected to your plans?"
Quatre's face turned almost angry. "They haven't been taught to think for themselves, really. If I hadn't had Rashid to take care of me and teach me, I'd have ended up no better than Trowa's cold mask or Wufei's stubborn anger at the world. I’m not even going to mention Heero. I'm going to have to find a way to help them. No, I don't think they'd know how to object. Even if they’d wanted to, I could have convinced them. I’m as good at manipulation as you are.”
Treize sat back, thinking. "What about those doctors we had to get rid of earlier? You weren't the one doing the manipulating there, you have to admit. You'd been turned into a mindless killing machine."
"The Zero Program was... a miscalculation." His face went white and he swallowed hard. "That machine was destroyed, wasn't it?"
"I promise, it's completely gone. Your friend, Trowa, was most insistent about that. Now, what did you want to talk about? I‘m sure you didn’t have Hashiba-san abandon you so we could chat about your megalomaniac ambitions."
"No. I wanted to talk about YOUR megalomaniac ambitions."
"What about them?"
"I want to help. If I'm not going to rule the world, I think someone in my family should and I think you'd make a rather good dictator. Secondly, Septum is putting pressure on you for something you'd rather not give him. I think Septum is starting to suspect you aren't the dumb blonde everyone's taken you for all these years."
"Dumb blonde? That's something coming from you, ‘Mister Sweet and Innocent.'"
"Don't blame me if I'm a better actor than you. Now, it seems to me that we both have a problem. You need Septum out of your hair and my plans are almost completely ruined."
He continued with an expression that said he was very pleased with himself. "I think I can solve both of our problems with just a few minor adjustments to our goals."
Treize leaned forward. "Rajura-san made me an interesting offer, earlier. Why don’t you tell me what you have in mind."
Rajura-
Rajura was just tired. 'I need a vacation. A nice holiday by the seaside or maybe a camping trip.' The house seemed full. Everywhere Rajura went he saw people whether they were family, the hosts, or guards.
He couldn’t find anywhere to sit and think so, instead, he kept wandering. He drifted by Shin and Naaza speaking in soft voices in the garden and slipped by Duo who led Chang-san across the lawn to a small shed. He saw Heero standing in a hallway looking somewhat lost. Everyone seemed to be adjusting well, but Rajura’s mind kept running over practicalities.
‘It’s been years since I’ve had to live here. Centuries… everything’s different.’ The streets, buildings, clothes, money… everything. It pleased Rajura all the more, when he thought of the difficulties his family faced, that he’d made his offer to Kushranada-san.
"You want to start the war using the Gundams?"
Rajura paused at the door, hearing Treize's voice. Eavesdropping was both was fun and useful.
"Yes," Quatre replied. "If we combine your OZ forces with my four Gundams, we'll stand a very good chance of winning."
"YOUR four? Aren't you forgetting the other pilots? I'm sure they'll want a say in this." Treize's voice was amused. "They seem very attached to their toys."
"Leave them to me. Oh," Quatre paused. "Did I say four? I meant to say five."
"Five? Where's the fifth one? Who's the pilot?"
Quatre giggled. "There is no pilot. Something went wrong in the planning and the good doctors never found a fifth pilot. There's an empty Gundam sitting around somewhere in mothballs. I want it, Treize! It's just sitting there, waiting to be used. I just have to find the right pilot for Gundam 02."
"How did you find out about this? Did those doctors tell you?"
"They'd never admit a mistake and never to a mere 'tool'. No, I found it when I hacked into their computer systems one day. I know where it is and what its capabilities are. It's magnificent. I can't wait to see it in action."
Rajura, from where he was listening, raised an eyebrow at the audible lust in Quatre's voice. 'Hmmm. This boy might be more fun than I'd thought.'
Quatre continued, "Anyway, it won't be long before we have to do something. Septum is going to bring things to a head with his constant prodding."
Trieze replied, "I think he might suspect something about my plans, but he doesn't have enough evidence to take OZ away from me. I believe he's trying to provoke me into making a premature move." Treize continued more quietly, "My men aren't ready, even with your Gundam back-ups. The moral is high and Noin's got them doing wonders in the mobile suits, but their hand-to-hand combat is almost laughable. We haven't been able to get any decent instructors from the Alliance that we can trust enough to let onto the base."
Rajura swung open the door and stepped into the room. “I thought we’d discussed this issue. Or have you decided to refuse my offer?”
Kushranada-san raised an eyebrow. “Somehow I thought you might pop in. No. I haven’t reneged on our agreement. I simply haven’t told Quatre about it, yet. How long have you been listening?”
"More than you would like me to."
To his credit, Treize kept his face calm. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't tell anyone what you know."
"Oh, don't worry. You're far too involved with my family for me to betray you. I just wanted to offer our help."
Not everyone was happy with the deal Rajura had worked out.
Naaza’s dark thoughts, even as Shin left him in the garden, bit at Rajura. JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE TO STAY HERE DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO HELP THESE MORTALS!
YOUR HATE IS GETTING THE BETTER OF YOU, AGAIN. Anubisu reprimanded Naaza from where he was sitting with Seiji at Noin-sama’s bedside. ADMIT IT, YOUR BLOOD BOILS AT THE IDEA OF WAR, AS MUCH AS MINE DOES. TO LIVE THE REST OF OUR LONG LIVES IN HIDING WOULD SUIT NONE OF US. DO NOT PROTEST SO STRONGLY. WHAT ELSE IS THERE FOR US?
EXACTLY. Rajura added himself to the conversation. WE'VE BEEN STAGNANT FOR FAR TOO LONG. NOW WE CAN SET THE WORLD IN MOTION, AS WE DID WHEN WE WERE MORTAL AND LED THE CHARGE INTO BATTLE. WE CAN SHAPE THE WORLD.
Naaza was silent.
Anubisu spoke, soft and seductive. THINK OF THE WEIGHT OF A SWORD IN YOUR HAND, LIKE AN OLD FRIEND. YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR ITS VOICE WHEN YOU WALK ONTO THE BATTLEFIELD. WE'LL WALK TOGETHER, SIDE-BY-SIDE, AND WE'LL MAKE THE WORLD REMEMBER US! THE NINGEN'S WILL TREMBLE UNDER OUR SHADOW, AS THEY DID LONG AGO.
Rajura could feel his own blood stirring at Anubisu's words. He could sometimes forget how persuasive Anubisu could be when he wanted to be. NAAZA, WE WON'T DO THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO. IT'S ALL OF US TOGETHER, OR NONE AT ALL.
DO AS YOU PLEASE. Naaza answered, sounding more tired than angry. I'LL FOLLOW
WHERE YOU LEAD, RAJURA. IT'S WHAT SH'TEN WOULD HAVE WANTED. But there was a certain, small, amount of interest. Naaza did want to feel like he was doing something again. He wanted to feel strong and useful again.
With that encouragement, Rajura told Quatre, “I’ve offered the services of my brothers and myself as trainers for his army.” He looked at Treize. “You will find no one more experienced, but we have no way to implement our knowledge.”
Trieze gave nothing a way by his expression. "I'm still considering your offer. Thank you, but it's getting late and I should see that everyone has some place to sleep." Treize stood and helped Quatre to his feet. They left the room together.
'The idea's planted and he won't find a better offer.' Rajura thought smugly. 'Who else could say that their army was personally trained by three of the greatest warriors of all time?'
Duo-
Duo hummed happily while he rummaged through the storage shed tossing things and odd junk out of the way as he searched.
“What are you looking for?” Wufei asked from where he stood by the door.
“This and that.” Duo shrugged absently. “Zechs was telling the truth. It wasn’t Treize. Ryou’s friend, Touma, did a little research for me.”
Wufei sighed. “Yes. I know. I was with you, remember? What I want to know is why this is taking so long. One bullet will take care of this problem.” He dodged aside when Duo threw a boot through the shed’s door. "Do you mind? I'd like to get this done before Xiu comes looking for me. He gets irritated when I keep secrets from him and I really don't think I want to tell him that I'm going off to kill someone. He's sensitive."
"Just give me a minute." Duo shoved boxes out of his way and stepped over piles of rope. The Kushranada family had accumulated a lot of rubbish the over the years. Why one Earth did they have a glass frog in their shed? "If we're going hunting, I want the proper equipment. Why are you here anyway?"
Wufei's hissed, "He killed most of my clan and my wife. He killed my darling Meiran, not to mention nearly all of my cousins."
"Awww… I can take care of the revenge thing for you. You don’t have to come along." Duo never turned from his search. "Wouldn’t you rather be cuddling with Nasty-sama? You're supposed to do that with people you're in love with." Duo sighed, missing the look of extreme embarrassment on Wufei's face. "If I didn’t have to go on this little trip, I'd lick Heero’s ears until he squealed."
Wufei turned away from Duo.
"Then, I think I'd strip him naked and shackle him to a wall." Duo went sort of glassy eyed as he spoke. "Yeah. I wonder if Treize has a basement he'd let me use? You should be doing that sort of thing with Nasty-sama."
Wufei spluttered. "I'll have you know that I'd never take advantage of any young lady, let alone Nasty, like that!"
"Take advantage? What are you talking about?" Duo frowned and paused in his search to look at Wufei over his shoulder. “You’re weird. My brothers told me all about sex. You do it with the people you love. You’re so doppy for Nasty-sama it’s funny.”
"It's one thing to court a young lady," Wufei said primly, sounding as if he were giving a lecture. "But it's simply not done to touch her in such a way before being married. It's alright for you and Heero, but I'd have to worry about Nasty getting pregnant!"
Duo finally found what he was looking for a pulled a large, obviously old and well-used scythe out from the back of the garden shed. "Ah, ha! This'll do nicely." He exclaimed triumphantly. Then he asked, casually, "Pregnant? What's that?"
To be continued...