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"Band of Steel"Written By: Kaeru Shisho Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Gundam Wing
or its characters, nor do I make any monetary profit off this story. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, shounen-ai, yaoi in later chapters,
some language, drugs Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3 Summary: With the Sanc battle of the bands contest on the horizon, do the GW boys need the exciting singer from L2 to give them the winning edge? Other credits: Songs are credited in the chapters they are used. Recognition should go to the late Mitch Hedburg for a couple of his wonderful one-liners used. In chapters 7, 11, 12, 15, 17, and 18, dialog from the anime was incorporated directly into the storyline. Acknowledgment goes to someone else for the 'cats are gay', 'knowing color names is gay', and other gay jokes sailing around the Internet. And the New Age affirmations are not mine, but may seen and heard everywhere, even in the GW universe. (Original version 2007 - this is the rewrite version
2009) "Band of Steel " Chapter 8 - Island in the Sun The smoke and sparks emitted by his synthesizer signaled an end to Quatre's practice performance. Up until that time, the practice had been going okay, then the over-wrought circuitry fused, blistering the paint on the outside. Toxic fumes rose over the keyboard. "I know an apology isn't enough, but, I'm really sorry," Quatre told Heero for the hundreth time that week. "It wasn't your fault," Heero told him. "At least you didn't say 'it's okay.'" Quatre smiled weakly and let out a sigh. Heero nodded. Had his long-standing habit of refusing cheap condolences actually done him some good? "Don't you think it's fixable?" Heero knew that Quatre didn't mean the synthesizer meltdown only; he was folding the "white rosebud" incident into his meaningful sentence. Somehow, Quatre had learned about Heero's abortive attempt to apologize to Duo for having snubbed him at the party, using the rosebud offering. Heero guessed Duo had told him, having made a joke of it probably, but at least he hadn't told anyone else. Quatre hadn't known that Heero had listened in on his conversation with Catherine and accidently supplied Heero with the incomplete meaning behind a gift of a white rose bud. It hadn't been his fault at all, but still he continued to be "so sorry" about the misinformation. Heero had told him to forget it and made him promise not to intrude. He could handle his problem with Duo all by himself, even though so far he hadn't. "Maybe. I'll take a look-" Quatre shoved aside the instrument, making a path to get by, and set off more sparks and smoke. "Oh! I'm really sorry!" Heero cast a baleful look in Quatre's direction. Duo, however, stood, rolled his shoulders and cracked his back. "I can give it a look-see." He unplugged the synthesizer from the wall, fanning the smell of melting plastic away from his face. His nimble fingers danced over the damaged instrument eager to tear into its electronics. He looked up, cocking his head in question before starting. "I was pretty good at fixing electronics for the Sweepers," Duo said. "Go on; work on some other tune, while I see if I can rewire it. Worse case, I can't and I gotta order a replacement part." Quatre thanked Duo profusely, abandoned his synthesizer, and skipped around to his keyboard. Heero wanted to thank Duo, too, but Trowa began the intro to a new song and the moment was lost. Heero tried concentrating on his fingering, while keeping one lustful eye on Duo's movements. Light on his feet, sinuous, hot. His concentration was shattered in Duo's presence. From his standpoint, Duo didn't have to try to be attractive; it just came naturally to him. His clothes draped loose, the t-shirt riding up as he leaned over, giving Heero an enticing glimpse of ivory skin. The shirt was loose enough, Heero imagined, for him to slide a hand beneath and indulge himself with a feel of what he was sure was satiny smooth skin. If he slipped off the garment completely to reveal his bare chest, it would be warm... "Heero, you want to give me a few bars?" Trowa called him out of his pleasant daydream. "Hn," he replied. The singer appeared so composed. Duo hadn't said more than a dozen words to him about what had happened, nor had he flirted. Whether he endured it or just accepted the uneasy friendship, Heero didn't know. Outwardly, Duo seemed as happy and easy going as before. He found ways to fit in and to be part of the team, while giving Heero a wide berth. But Heero wasn't content with things as they were. Heero figured it was apparent to anyone with two eyes and a working brain that Duo was avoiding him as much as possible in order to achieve his level of complacency. Quatre had told him that Duo might be afraid they'd send him away if he blew it, and with a sexy, outgoing guy like Duo there was potential for all kinds of trouble. Duo would lay low for the time being, and Heero knew he was the cause. And as much as he would prefer to avoid the situation like Duo was doing, he couldn't. Heero would have to think up a way to dispel the anxieties and solve the problem. At least he had taken one step the other day, which had helped. He set down his guitar, while Wufei and Trowa ran through the rhythm for the song, and allowed his mind to drift back to that nice afternoon. It had been one of many wonderful afternoons; in fact, since Duo had showed up every moment had been fun and full. It had started with the pool. Duo couldn't swim and they had been taking turns teaching him. As fast learner as he had been, it had absorbed a huge chunk of their time. When they hadn't been in the water, the band had practiced their music, or been eating, sleeping, and exercising. Heero's thoughts floated back to the cool start to one particular morning... (o) Trowa had offered to lead them on a long trek through the extensive property. Heero hated horses and Duo was leery of them, so everyone agreed to hike on foot. Dew sparkled on the grass tips for birds to sip. The green and over abundance of life thrilled Quatre and amazed Duo, because plentiful water and luxurious plant growth were unknown on L2 or L4. Heero cataloged each new name as he learned one from Trowa, but the beauty was lost to him. Only when Duo or Quatre delighted in some flower or frog or bird song did he notice them and for a moment enjoy and appreciate nature. Beauty, Heero could value, because he liked Duo, who was the most beautiful person Heero knew, but to him nature had always provided more obstacles to overcome than opportunities to enjoy it. "You know so much about the plants here," Duo asked Trowa. "You know if L3 was big on simulating places like this." "Not something that I remember. I grew up on earth. L3, though, I'm told, has a rich environment." Trowa picked a few yellow buttercups and tiny white English daisies blooming in the mottled shade beside a small stream collecting runoff from the earlier rain. "Hmmm, sounds nice," Quatre said. "L4 is a desert." "L2 is like the bad part of a big city, only bigger and badder," Duo said, "because nothing works." "Sounds uninviting," Quatre said. "People are good there, though," Duo said quickly, assuring them all that he wasn't that desperate to stay. "What about L1, Heero? I've never seen pictures of it," Quatre asked. "There were buildings, people, plants. It was okay." "I can picture that," Trowa said with a quick smile. "None of the colonies have any of the vast varieties of life that exists on Earth," Wufei told them. He swelled with pride as he recalled his homeland. "They were designed to mimic portions of the planet. L5 was like Northern China on Earth. My clan was so large and wealthy that it built and relocated to L5. I would like to travel to Earth's China and see for myself how close the designers came to replicating it." "I understand L4 is very like the Middle East on Earth. Of course, it was less complicated. I remember the beautiful sand dunes for miles upon miles surrounding the city where my family's estate was located." Quatre turned back to Trowa. "What part of Earth was L3 built to replicate?" "Some part of Europe around Spain and Italy, I guess. It's hot in summer and mild in winter when it simu-rains." Trowa presented his small bouquet to Quatre by way of stuffing it down the back of his shirt. Quatre squawked and squirmed, tearing at the hem of his shirt until the flowers fell to the ground. Heero watched their horseplay and recognized the actions for the mild flirtation that they were. Trowa apparently didn't know shit about ensnaring a boyfriend either. Quatre yelled at Trowa for destroying the environment. No, flowers weren't doing it for Quatre. Heero spotted a turtle sunbathing on a log, and immediately knew it would be something novel for Duo. Casting a glance backwards, he noticed Trowa leading Quatre further on down the path. Now was his chance. He returned his attention to the turtle, staring intently, willing the animal not to budge, and waited for Duo's curiosity to kick in and bring him closer. Didn't work. With a finger to his lips signaling for quiet, Heero brushed Duo's arm to get his attention. Duo looked quizzical, but followed in dutiful silence. Heero moved aside, pointing in the direction of the boggy scene, and hunched down, making a space for the other boy to move closer and get a good look. Heero watched his face and Duo rewarded him with wide-eyed wonder and a blissful smile. When he pressed further into the snug space, he soaked up the heat of Duo's body though his thin t-shirt. Damn, he wanted Duo! He also wanted to make Duo feel good, which was a strange new wonderful discovery. Heero heard the scuffling footsteps of their friends coming to join them and looked up. "Shhh." "Turtle," Quatre whispered. "Red-eared slider," Trowa corrected. But Duo smiled at Heero appreciatively, and said it all. They backed out and returned to the trail. They walked only a few minutes more before turning at a break and climbing the short distance that led to a rocky beach. "Watch this," Trowa said, more to Quatre than to the others. He lobbed a stone at the water with a quick, sideways motion, snapping his wrist. The stone hit the surface and skipped seven times before sinking under the water. Wow. Quatre and Duo both tried and failed. Neither had watched Trowa's movements or release as Heero had. Heero picked up a rock, but Duo's hand stopped him. "Use this one," he said, pressing a smooth thin stone into his palm. "It's shaped like the one he threw." "Okay." Heero dropped his own round rock and held onto Duo's gift. He closed his eyes, picturing Trowa's moves, breaking them down into a series of discrete steps, while his fingers rubbed the stone Duo had given him. He repeated them in his mind until he knew he could mimic what Trowa had done. "Come on, Yuy," Trowa said. "Pool time back at the house." Heero wound up and released the stone sending it skimming over the water, hitting once, hopping a ways, twice... On the third touch it sank. Duo smiled. "Cool." "Yeah," Heero said, brimming with the pleasure of having made Duo smile, twice. After that, Duo smiled at Heero a little bit more. It was a step, Heero felt, toward rebuilding their friendship. Or maybe it was really the foundation for a true one. Making Duo happy, rather than just having designs on him, was now a worthy goal. (o) "Yuy! You with us here or not?" At the sound of Wufei's voice, Heero snapped back from his revere to face the reality of the intense practice session. "We're ready for you now." Trowa clicked his nails on the edge of his bass, setting the time. "On a count of one, two, three-" Heero played through the intro with half a mind. The other half was on Quatre, who was leaning over Duo and blocking Heero's view of him. Duo had the synthesizer apart, setting components on the floor in what might have been an orderly manner. He slapped at Quatre's feet to get him to move. Heero felt a shockwave of hatred and jealousy pass through him. He absolutely did not want Duo to touch the blond. He let off playing mid riff. "Winner!" Heero called out, more sharply than necessary. "I need an 'A'; the tuning's wrong." He hadn't needed to do that and felt guilty an instant later. Quatre would drop anything now to follow Heero's orders, because he felt partially responsible for Heero's problems with Duo. Heero could guilt-trip him into doing things, and he felt bad doing so, but not enough to stop. Quatre pressed the "A" key on his electric keyboard. "Okay?" Heero twisted the guitar tuner a hair's width. "Okay. Better. Winner, why don't you come in two measures after I do. That would be enough. Duo? We have a couple more run-throughs left. Will you be ready to sing?" "Ah...Sure." Half an hour later, they were working on another song. Heero wanted to listen to what Quatre and Trowa were playing, which left Duo to return to the parts strewn out all over the floor. His shout interrupted their progress, but, then, his silent breathing had distracted Heero moments before. "Got it out!" Duo announced. "One fried baby board. Man, that's gonna cost a mint to replace." "Just make the call and order it from the manufacturer," Quatre said. Looking rather sheepish and trying not to smile too broadly, Duo said, "I can get one for a third the price and in half the time. Be back!" "What's so amusing?" Trowa asked Heero. "Nothing," he said, but couldn't stop from smiling to match Duo's smile. His mind had drifted back to another memorable incident-- their swim after the hike. (o) Relena caught Heero before he could reach the pool. The others had ducked into the kitchen for drinks and, he thought, to change for a swim. She led him to a table and wicker chairs, ostensibly to discuss her new job with Nature's Concern Conservancy. He wasn't stupid. He was not bedazzled by Relena. He could tell that she wanted to be with him all the time, because he felt the same way-but about Duo. However, he didn't mind spending time with her. She was interesting and attractive, and was most like the woman he would probably marry someday. From her slender, petite frame, today clad in petal pink lawn, came her breathless account of the past few days. "Nearly 90 percent of all the funds collected go directly toward purchasing new land for parks. Ten percent operating funds for wages and facilities is really quite low. Amazing, really. I get to travel. First, I must visit some of our acquisitions in order to have first hand experience then I will be sent out for fundraising." "Money. They all need that," he said. "Of course! All the wetlands, which have been converted to a bird preserve, were purchased from farmers planning to drain and convert them into range land." "Don't we need land to raise cattle, too?" he asked. "No. We don't have to eat beef, or any animals, actually." He shrugged. He liked to eat meat, and beef was a particular favorite. "Fish farming is improving... all the time..." she paused, her voice catching in her throat, her eyes fixed on something alarming behind him. Heero turned around as he heard Duo's voice carrying from the kitchen out onto the patio near the pool. "-yeah, yeah, who cares? What I am sayin' is: it's just water. Like a bathtub. You don't need shorts in the tub. I don't care. When I'm in the water, what's to see?" "Your naked ass!" Wufei shouted. The naked ass entered the picture, long, brown braid swinging past it to his knees. He had no tan lines. No tan. All milky, white skin. "Eh!" Duo flipped him off. "Come on, it's just a pool, Quat." Relena's hands flew to her mouth. "But Duo!" Quatre whined. "Well, okay..." Now that Quatre was about to drop his towel, Trowa chose to clown around. "Just a pool..." Trowa's voice paused for effect, then added the punch line, "... and Zech's sister!" "OH!" Quatre cried out. Too late to retreat, he jumped into the pool, towel and all. Duo cast a disbelieving glance over his shoulder, his eyes settling on Heero and Relena. "Oh...fuck..." He hit the water with a painful smack seconds later. Trowa strolled to the water's edge, laughing, before he dropped his towel with a shrug and a muttered, "What the hell--" and dove under the water. "I cannot believe Zechs will be pleased with this at all," Wufei snapped. "Miss Relena, you have my deepest apologies... Heero! Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face!" (o) A jarring crash of cymbals brought Heero to the here and now this time. "You had better not be thinking about what I think you are," Wufei said tartly and finishing with a drum roll. Heero popped the top off a soda and shrugged. "Just get the drums right this time." He was still thinking about the pool. Yeah, they'd really sucked the color from Zechs' rainbows that day. They practiced a few more times and then called a break until Duo returned. Heero swigged back the drink and wished the bottle was Duo. Then he wondered if it was like that with everyone. No matter what it was he was thinking, Duo entered into his thoughts, even when he was thinking about Relena. What he really wanted was to see Duo naked again. He checked the clock on the wall and then his watch. "Break is over," Wufei said. "I'll go see what's keeping him." The words left Heero's lips moments before Duo banged open the door. "You shoulda heard me. I was great. Got'em down to fifty bucks AND they throw in next day shipping. Is that great or what?" "If we'd been paying for studio time, the delay would have cost us hundreds," Wufei snapped. Duo's upbeat mood grated on his apparently. "Sorry. Won't do you no favors, I guess," he muttered. Quatre was far more gracious. "Thank you, Duo. I want to know how you did that. You could teach me to be more price conscious," he said, over-ruling Wufei's comment in a flash. "I was just going to see what other songs we should prepare for a CD or a few gigs." Quatre looked over the play list they had put together and moved just so, blocking Heero's perfect view. His eyes bore all the way through the blond in hopes of seeing what Duo was doing. "We need something mellow," Quatre said, biting his lower lip, teasing it red in concentration. "Mostly we have pretty upbeat stuff. Duo, how about a song you like to sing. That one you've been humming around here." "Oh, that, yeah. You guys know the Wheezer number 'Island in the Sun'?" Not really, but Quatre knew it and was excited to try the harmony. He didn't need to play piano so he could stand alongside Duo and sing together, which clearly excited him. He chatted more with Duo. Move the fuck out of the fucking way... "Oh, I remember! I have the music we could all listen!" Yeah, yeah, yeah... Quatre skipped to the bookcase searching for the particular CD. There, now he could see Duo. "That way Heero and Trowa can learn the guitar parts faster. Wufei can work out the drums along the way." Heero was a quick study. He knew the song, somewhat, but a mistake would be noticeable since he was carrying most the instrumental. He found his attention drifting as he watched Quatre interact with Duo. The two shared an inherent optimism that Heero envied. And since Duo wasn't flirting with him anymore, Heero begrudged every smile or touch he shared with anyone else. Trowa missed a couple bars, screwing up the rhythm. He's having trouble concentrating, too, Heero observed, and smiled inwardly at the other boy's weakness. He didn't have to guess why, it was obvious Trowa was attracted to the sensitive blond, since he made the same stupid behavioral slip ups he'd been making. Heero grunted aloud. He was perfectly aware of how severely critical he was of himself. Then his breath caught in his throat. Duo was giving Quatre dancing lessons, hip hop-like, for them to do in unison on stage, side by side. Duo. Quatre was adding an extra step, throwing him off. Trowa was lackadaisical, but finally got the bass line back on track. Wufei looked bored by the performance. Heero was critical of everyone, he decided with a resigned sigh. Except Duo. Duo was perfect and Heero simply ached to touch him. Additionally, there was that song Duo wanted them all to learn soon; requiring him to partner with Quatre, again, with some sort of dancing, and it required a little choreography-behind closed doors. Heero had translated the lyrics from the Japanese and it made little sense. The title had been a little off-putting as well, considering Duo and Quatre would be dancing together-- "Sexy, Sexy." Trowa had stayed out late a couple times with Lady Une, on the same nights that Quatre and Duo hid away. That had left Heero to spar with Wufei, or play cards with Relena, which was okay. Just. Not. What. Heero. Wanted. He thought about Trowa dating Lady Une. She was attractive without her glasses and her hair down. In fact, in Relena's words she was "Saint Une, a gentle and soft-spoken champion of peace." But Duo's mutterings placed her as the right hand officer of Treize Khushrenada, and not to be trusted. Was Trowa truly attracted to the older woman or trying to gather information? The guy was tight-lipped about everything. Heero reminded himself to talk to Trowa sometime, for all the good it would do him. "Are you ready to try it yet?" Quatre asked brightly. "Sure," Trowa said, whether he was or not. Heero attempted the lead in. Third time was the charm. "Hip
hip... The instrumentals were low key, starting with a simple rhythmic guitar. But when Duo sang, his voice light and soft, and undulated his body while dancing in place, Heero had to fight against the distraction with all his considerable concentration. "When
you're on a holiday Quatre hit the harmony right on the mark, and knew every word by heart. He and Duo shared a smile, eyes sparkling with fun. Duo poked him in the ribs to encourage the other boy to dance with more flair. "On
an island in the sun Heero resented their easy closeness; he wanted that for him and Duo or even with Relena to a lesser degree, much, much lesser. Duo placed his hands on Quatre's hips showing him how to move. Then on his arms. Then they were hoola dancing and snickering. Heero felt a sting of tears and dried them up by the force of his will. "We'll
run away together Heero heard the studio door open and close. He turned and watched Zechs find a place to sit, listen, and watch. "We'll
never feel bad anymore Zechs clapped and congratulated them on their fine dancing, adding that it wasn't really authentic native islander dance. Wufei put in his suggestions. Trowa and Heero listened, but contributed nothing. Not even agreeable grunts. Zechs waited them out and when he accepted that the discussion had died, he cleared his throat to speak. "Remember how I promised to get you a few gigs to start testing out their sound and gain experience?" Yes, they did. "Well, I'm waiting for one last confirmation, but we have a short tour planned. Out of the area. I have given this much thought and decided that I didn't want to give away too much about the band, and several of our top rivals are trying out for a few of the venues in town. I thought I'd like to keep you secret, until the contest, and then spring you on them." "Where?" They wanted to know now. "The L2 colony. I thought Duo might be a little homesick and would like to check in with his friends. Besides, he has a few belongings there to pack up, or so Miss Hilde said. She called me." "Hilde...called you? About me?" "We spoke about more than just you. I'd like to think she and I have an understanding." "I don't know," Duo said. "Don't know about what?" Heero asked. "If I'm ready to go back so soon," Duo said, but he looked like that wasn't all he was thinking. "If you're worried about running into any old enemies, don't," Zechs said. "We'll have comfortable accommodations near the clubs and when it comes to collecting your personal things, I can send someone to do that for you, if you'd like." "Oh, it's not that..." Duo muttered. "Just remember: we are all free to express what we want; just, please, don't gripe when the outcomes are not what we expect." Zechs raised his eyebrows when Duo had no further comments. "Come to me privately, if you think of something I might need to know." Since Duo couldn't come up with any solid excuses not to accept the gigs, the band signed off on them. Zechs left to the musical tinkling of the chime pendant he wore, explaining that he had to print off their itineraries and inform Relena and the household staff of the plans. Duo seemed lost in thought, so Heero, Trowa, and Wufei left him alone, choosing to work out together. (0) Quatre located Duo in the rose garden later. "Come help me." "Sure. Not like I'm busy or anything." Quatre led him to the studio and immediately began with the lists. He made and maintained lists of everything. "I maintain the band's play list, and collect service numbers, part numbers, and warranties. My inventory list includes everything the band needs to pack, and must re-pack when we return home." "That's cool, Quat." While he wrote, he occasionally looked over to watch Duo sort and place spare parts to his synthesizer into an empty tissue box. Where he had found that, Quatre didn't know, but it was better than losing pieces. He could feel Duo's strange melancholia wash over him. "You can't go home again," Quatre whispered. "Whazzat?" Duo asked. "Oh, nothing. A quote from a writer, Thomas Wolfe." "Good book?" "Yes, it was a story about a man coming to terms with himself." "Well, he probably knew what he was talking about," Duo said, but offered no explanation. Quatre hated controversy and unrest. He wanted problems out in the open and addressed, not brooded over, just as Heero did, but he usually employed indirect methods to accomplish his goals. With Duo, he was different, more upfront. "Are you running away from problems back home?" "Not exactly," Duo said, then thinking he was putting the wrong meaning on the subject, turned around to look at Quatre directly. "Nothing unlawful. Just..." He sighed. "Unresolved issues. I'll be okay. I'll be fine, don't worry." "Okay," Quatre said, wanting to believe him. "Then don't you worry either." Duo nodded. "'Kay." "Do you like cats?" Duo did a double take. "Cats? Furry beasts? Yeah, guess so, though I gotta tell ya the ones I've known I sometimes had to fight tooth and nail over the rights to dinner." Quatre's mouth fell open. He wasn't certain what to think, because he didn't know Duo well or what his rough life had been like. He wanted to defend all cats, though. "Um, that was a joke, Quat," Duo said in a soft-toned voice, although it wasn't entirely. "Oh!" Quatre's face brightened as he tried to hide a creeping blush. "I mean, I'm gay, so I gotta love cats." "What do you mean by that?" Quatre asked. "If you have a cat, you are advertising that you're a flaming homo. See, a cat is like a dog, but gay. It grooms itself constantly, has a delicate touch except when it uses its nails, and whines to be fed, then goes emo when the meal isn't special enough. And just think about how you call a dog: 'Brutus, come here! I said get your ass over here, Brutus!' Now, think about how you call a cat: 'Fluffy, come to daddy, sweetie-pie!'" "Duo, that is so wrong and so stupid." Quatre said, trying to look angry, but laughing anyway. "I was joking, sweetie-pie." Duo ducked a punch and skipped around after Quatre connected. "Yeoww! You hit hard!" "Be serious!" "Okay, okay! Let's say I like cats, what then?" "Would you like to see something special?" "I'm so fucking bored. Sure!" Quatre led him out the studio rear exit and headed toward the stables. "They live with horses?" Duo asked. "Yes, to kill the mice, at least that's what I think attracts them. All you have to do is sit still here in the straw and wait. Cats like to sleep on people, because we're warm." "You had cats when you lived on L4?" "Yes, the Abyssinians we had were brown cats native to Arabia and brought to L4. In Arabia, cats had been sacred since the sixth century." "That long? How do we know that?" "Well, there were many stories surrounding Muhammad's cat, Muezza. It was said to be the first nine-lived cat in history. Anyway, the myth goes that once, when the cat was asleep on the sleeve of Muhammad's robe, rather than disturb the cat Muhammad cut off the sleeve so the cat could sleep on it." Duo chuckled. "Shit, what a stupid thing to do, wrecking your clothes for a cat." "Shhh... here they come." A large, tawny male bounded to the floor from a stack of hay bales. He was first to greet them. As if his opinion mattered wholly, once he curled up alongside Quatre's thigh, accepting his presence, five more paraded in: a tabby, a gray, and a black and white. The one all-black female padded over to Duo's braid and started patting it, setting it to swaying. "What's it doing?" he asked, unable to see what was going on behind his back. "I think you have a girlfriend, Duo. She's never let me pet her and she's playing with your braid." "She better not... Hey!" Duo tugged it out of her claws. "Mine!" "She doesn't think so!" Quatre giggled as the cat pounced at the fuzzy tip when Duo pulled it away. Duo let the cat catch the braid and then he moved slowly, stretching out on the ground so the hair coiled like a rope. "Don't chew it," he muttered. "Ew! That goes double for licking it!" The cat wasn't listening. She caught her 'mouse' and now she wanted to rest, so she fell on the coil, tucked in her tail and toes, and closed her eyes. "Now what?" Duo asked. "She's going to sleep." "That's it?" "Cats sleep 20 out of 24 hours a day, so I guess this is her resting time." Duo tentatively touched her head, smoothing the fur. "Looks like a crescent moon on her forehead," he said. "Or dirt. They like to be scratched. Behind the ears, chin. Must be itchy being fur-covered." "Not dirt." Duo scratched. The cat purred. Duo smoothed the fur. The cat purred harder and rested her head on her paws. "She's down for the count," Quatre told him. Meanwhile, other cats settled themselves around them, one seeking out the sunny spot on the floor from the open door. Duo rested his head on an arm and closed his eyes, while Quatre leaned back on the straw, watching dust motes in the sun rays. The peaceful setting eased Quatre's raw emotional nerve endings, and for a few minutes all was well in the world. He woke up and it was nearly dark. A figure stood at the door. "Found them!" Quatre sat up, a cat skittering off his lap. "Duo! Wake up. It's late!" Duo groaned and pushed himself to a sitting position, straw falling from his hair. "Looks like they took time out for a roll in the hay," Wufei shouted. A shuffling of feet at the door sounded as Trowa and Heero joined Wufei to stare. "What?" Quatre shouted. He bounded to his feet. "That's not true! I was showing Duo the cats." "Cats?" Trowa asked as he scanned the barn for life. There were no cats. "You frightened them away," Quatre huffed. "'Cept this one," Duo said. In his arms was the plump, black female. "I'm going back. You comin', Quat?" "Sure." Quatre brushed off his clothes. "There really were lots of cats." "Uh, huh," Trowa said, smiling. "We believe you." Quatre frowned and pushed past him at the door. "Don't patronize me." "Hey, I mean it. Really! I've seen the cats in there." Trowa tried to make up for his other smartass remark and failed. Quatre narrowed his eyes and stalked away. Trowa chased after him laughing and trying to be serious at the same time. By the time they reached the house to wash up for dinner, Quatre was walking by his side. "What is it, Wufei?" Quatre asked as the other boy barred the door to the house. "Just where are you taking that... animal?" Wufei demanded of Duo. Duo stepped up until he was nose-to-nose with the Chinese boy. "To my room, not that it's any of your business. Now move it or I'll make a door out of you." "Chill, 'Fei," said Trowa. "I had better not find that animal running loose!" Wufei shouted, spun on a heel, and then stomped to the dining room. The irony of the situation wouldn't be apparent for another few weeks. Quatre sighed. "I'm going to change before eating." Trowa picked a piece of straw out of his hair. "Okay, farm boy." "We weren't really... you know," Quatre added in a low voice. "I know. I believe you." "Do you like cats?" Quatre asked. "Yes. Big ones." "Big?" "Lions, tigers, and leopards. I was their caretaker at the circus." "Really?" Quatre's eyes shone with wonder and Trowa knew he had finally struck it rich, as long as he didn't run out of circus stories.
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