Notes: Thank you to fangirlwithak and Tina their beta! Basically: there isn't a lot of 2x3. This means that a lot of essential cliché!fic are missing. I'm trying to rectify that.

Warnings: AU! Surprise!Pairings (other than the 2x3). Neko-ism, references to abuse and slavery. Angst and explicit sex, eventually.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing


Trowa woke up with a start, sitting up, then crying out as pained whipped through him. Falling back, he whimpered and shut his eyes as quickly as he had opened them. Clenching his fists, he inhaled, scenting the air. Nothing was familiar. He couldn't smell his littermate, and Trowa's eyes snapped open again. He sat up, slowly.

"Stop. You'll hurt yourself," the voice was quiet, the hand on his chest firm. Trowa growled low in his throat, chest rumbling, tail lashing as he turned angry green eyes on the stranger. Bright blue eyes met his without fear. The blond surveyed him coolly, then gently pushed. He sighed as Trowa struggled, rolling his eyes.

"Cats," he muttered under his breath, "You have a broken leg and a concussion. Please be still." Trowa's ears went flat against his skull and he hissed, claws digging in to the wooden bed frame. He wished he could shift. He didn't usually eat people, but he might make an exception.

The door to the chamber opened, and all thoughts of vengeance left him. Another human, this one lithe and wild looking, his hair long and quickly unraveling from its braid. Strange colored eyes met his and sparked. And he held Trowa's littermate. Heero was unconscious. Trowa went limp with a whimper, eyes glued to Heero's ashen face.

"Quat, help?" the man's voice was quiet, barely audible—for a human. Trowa whimpered again. The blond crossed quickly, wrapping an arm around Heero's body and helping move him. Trowa watched as they maneuvered his littermate in to the bed. Their gentleness surprised him.

"What happened Duo?" the blond was dipping a cloth in water, gently running it over Heero's face, washing it, eyes glued to the thin, elfin face across from him. Duo unbraided his hair, shaking out the dark mass with a sigh. Trowa stared. He'd never seen hair like that on a human male before.

"We had to reset his arm. Shit, Quatre," Duo ran his hands through his hair, then began to rebraid it. "I thought he was dying, the way he screamed." Quatre shuddered, then brushed a few strands of long, loose hair back.

"The other is awake," he whispered. Duo already knew. He'd already locked eyes with the beautiful feline in the corner. Tying off his hair, he moved. It took Trowa a few minutes to realize Duo was heading for him. He growled, baring his teeth in a warning, and Duo stopped. With a rueful grin, Duo held his hands up.

"Yeah, yeah. You got no reason to trust me. And you're bigger than me, too. So I can't really force you to cooperate, huh?" Duo's voice was low and rich, tumbling over itself. He moved slowly towards Trowa, hands visible. Trowa watched warily, growling again. Duo stopped at the foot of his bed.

"Are you hungry?" Duo sat, careful of Trowa's leg, and Trowa hissed, spotted ears flat. His tail bristled., and Duo's eyes widened in surprise. He swallowed, hands in his lap. His eye narrowed. Quatre watched with tense muscles, even as he gently bathed the other feline's skin.

"Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you. Just wanted to see if you wanted something to eat..." Duo trailed off as Trowa hissed, growling low in his throat again. With a defeated slump of his shoulders, Duo stood.

"Fine. See you later, Quat," Duo slipped out, lower lip jutted out in a slight pout. Trowa growled again, then turned to look at Quatre, who tucked Heero in with soft hands. Shaking his head, he moved around the chamber, heading to the fire.

"Duo can take getting used to," Quatre filled a bowl with broth and brought it carefully to Trowa. "He found the two of you. I don't know how you ended up in that pit, but Duo's the reason you're out of it." The blond held the bowl out and waited, watching as Trowa's ears twitched. He looked like a leopard, Quatre thought. Slowly, the feline reached out, snatching the bowl from him. He drank quickly, eyes locked on Quatre. The blond gazed back fearlessly, eyebrow raised.

"He brought you both back to me, and we brought you to the Dragon's palace," Quatre sighed, then stood as Heero let out a low whine. Trowa set the bowl on the table next to the bed and whined back. Quatre sent him a sharp glare and Trowa paused, one foot already on the cold stone floor. Throwing his hands in the air, Quatre rolled his eyes.

"You. Be still. It'll be easier to move him," the blond growled out. Pulling the covers back, he wrapped an arm around Heero's waist. Panther, he thought as he lifted him, watching as Heero's ears went back. He growled, snapping at Quatre, and Quatre growled back.

"Do you want to be with him?" he snapped irritably, jerking his head towards Trowa. Heero bared his teeth, but nodded. "Then shut up," Quatre snarled. "You're heavy.

Trowa sat back and blinked, watching as Heero's lips formed a small pout. He slid over, making room and pulling back the blankets, watching closely as Quatre guided Heero across the room. Reaching out, he helped Heero in to bed. Quatre let out a relieved sigh, then fixed them both with a steely glare.

"There. Now both of you, be still," he hissed out, before turning and leaving the infirmary. Trowa chuckled a little, pulling his littermate close and running a hand through his hair. Heero was already dozing, slumped against him. Settling in to the bed, Trowa kept watch.


Duo stripped, flinging his clothing around his chamber and grumbling to himself. He'd found the shifters. He'd been the one to get them out of the pit to Quatre. And they growled at him. Duo's arms were littered with scratches from tending the smaller one.

"Stupid," he chided himself, pulling on clean clothing.

"That is no way to address your Emperor," an imperious voice instructed him. Duo whirled, then glared, hands on his hips. With great dignity, Duo, head of the Dragon Emperor's personal guard, stuck out his tongue. The Emperor chuckled, black eyes sparkling.

"You're lucky we're alone. I could have you hanged for that," the Emperor's voice rippled with amusement. Duo let out a derisive snort, wrist flicking dismissively at him.

"You need me, buddy," Duo smirked. His expression turned serious as Quatre entered. Inclining his head to the Emperor, the blond shut the door firmly.

"Well?" The Dragon lifted one black eyebrow. Duo's foot tapped in impatience. Quatre beamed innocently at them.

"I don't have to tell you. It is considered confidential," Quatre smirked slightly, hardly flinching as Duo stalked towards him.

"Duo," the Emperor sighed, eyes turning wearily upwards. The brunet paused, pouting over his shoulder.

"But Wufei," Duo pouted more, batting his eyelashes at him. The Dragon Emperor, Lord of Seven Kingdoms, cringed inwardly, then scowled. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Duo glared, turning back to Quatre. Quatre smiled sunnily.

"The tall one ate. I put the little one in bed with him. They seem close, and I don't want them to hurt themselves trying to get to one another," Quatre sighed, shaking his head. "Besides the injuries we've already treated, both are extremely malnourished." He flicked his eyes at Duo, then stopped. Duo frowned. Quatre seemed hesitant to say more. He opened his mouth, but Wufei was there first.

"Quatre? What else?" The Emperor reached out, touching Quatre's arm with the tips of his fingers. Exhaling heavily, Quatre shook his head, avoiding Duo's eyes.

"They've been branded."