I am not saying who the pairs are. So stay tuned and keep up it will get interesting soon enough and don't worry Wuffei and Quatre are in this chapter at least for a little bit anyway.
Standard disclaimers apply I own nothing. Literally nothing. You can feel sorry for me now.
"Idiot with the braid" Duo scoffed. "Who does he think he is anyway? Trowa I want you to kick his butt. I don't care what it takes cheat if you have to but you have to win this competition."
"Relax Duo, Heero's a jerk sometimes we all know it." Relena said. "Don't worry about him. Besides I don't think you talk to much."
"It's getting late we should go." Trowa said as he got up. He pushed in his chair and started to walk away when he saw that Duo was still really upset. "We have archery now Duo. No one can beat me I guarantee it. I'll make Heero eat his words for you."
Duo smiled and screeched "Thanks Tro your the best"
Trowa intended to keep his word to Duo. When he got there he took a few practice shots. When he felt warmed up enough he backed away from the target and let someone else have a try. He felt confident this was his trial and no one would beat him.
He was right. It was a one elimination trial. Every cadet would shoot from a certain distance and have to get a bulls eye. The distance increasing with every shot. Trowa was doing extremely well. So was Dorothy and Heero. Zechs had actually fallen out of the competition pretty early which had stunned almost everyone except Dorothy and Heero who knew Zechs sucked at archery. It finally came down to just Trowa and Dorothy. The two were amazing they were already at an academy record and they were still going. It was incredible to watch. Finally after a lot of betting and money exchanging hands for the umpteenth time Dorothy missed and Trowa was crowned the winner.
Heero walked up to congratulate Trowa , but before he could say how impressed he was Trowa stopped him. "You amaze me Heero. One minute your nice the next your insulting my friend. I really can't seem to pin you down but until you can apologize to Duo I would watch your back. You never know when someone will sucker punch you in the stomach." With that last remark Trowa walked away leaving a stunned Heero in his wake. Heero managed to close his gaping mouth. He nodded to himself storing away what Trowa had said.
Later that night at dinner Heero visited Trowa's table with Zechs in tow. Heero turned to Duo and started to speak. "We're going out to a tavern tonight we want both you and Trowa to come along. I'm sorry for being a jerk earlier sometimes I act like an Ass."
Duo had to smile at Heero. He didn't know what the boy was up to and he didn't trust him but nothing would keep the braided boy away from a tavern. "See you there Heero."
Heero gave the name of the tavern and where it was then he walked away. Trowa just sat there thinking. It was Relena who commented on Duo's acceptance of the offer.
"You know he has a trick up his sleeve. Heero Yui doesn't do anything without a plan and my brother would never go along with him unless he was forced to or there was mischief involved."
"I know and I'm counting on it." Duo said.
Trowa and Duo were the last two to arrive at the tavern by the time they got there it was already packed. They made their way over to Heero and Zechs. They sat down and each boy ordered a beer. The waitress brought them over and left. Everything was going well until Zechs challenged Duo to a drinking contest.
Everyone knew that alcohol affected those who used magic faster than it affected non-magic users. Zechs' challenge was unfair. Trowa was about to point this fact out in a very violent way when he was stopped by the fact that Duo cheerfully agreed. Everyone was stunned. They thought Duo would just give up knowing that he was out foxed by Zechs.
The contest started. Each contestant would take a drink and whoever quit, puked, or past out first lost. It started out fast both contestants slamming their drinks back. Duo seemed to be getting a little wobbly but Zechs was still going strong. Five drinks later Zechs was looking like he was going to fall off his chair and Duo still looked only a little wobbly. Two more drinks went by and Zechs fell off his chair which lost him the contest. Duo just sat there happily swaying. Everyone cheered. It's always more exciting when the underdog wins. Trowa stood up and helped Duo to do the same. He started to get ready to go but before he left he laid his open hand in front of Heero who gave him fifty dollars. Trowa shoved the money into his pocket and then half carried half dragged Duo out of the tavern.
"You bet on me" Duo slurred.
"And I'm glad you won because I couldn't have paid him the fifty. I was broke." Trowa replied. Both boys started to laugh and they continued on their way home.
Trowa woke up early the next day. All the cadets had the morning off after all of the testing. He looked over and could see that Zechs was out cold. After all the drinking last night, Trowa expected that Duo was also still asleep. Trowa sighed and got ready for breakfast. He took a long hot shower having time because almost all of the other cadets were still asleep. Trowa never could sleep in late. He walked down to breakfast alone. He got some food and made his way to his normal table. He was sitting there eating and just letting his brain wander so when someone sat down in front of him he didn't even notice.
"You're mad at me again aren't you?" Heero asked.
Trowa didn't answer him. He just sat there drawing designs in his food. Heero stared at Trowa and saw the glassy look in the boy's eyes. Heero smirked and waved his hand in front of Trowa's face. There was no reaction. Not one to be deterred easily Heero shook Trowa's shoulder. To his dismay he got no reaction out of the stoic boy. Heero started to get a little concerned.
"Earth to Trowa. Wake up Trowa!" Even with Heero starting to scream Trowa didn't move.
Trowa felt the cold water hit his face and saw Heero sitting in front of him with an empty glass and a scared expression on his face. Trowa sat there for a minute just dripping. He then took a napkin and wiped his face.
Trowa looked over at Heero quizzically. "What was that for?"
"You didn't move. I was trying to get your attention for a couple of minutes. At first I just thought you were mad at me and not responding. But you were frozen. No one can be that still for long. You didn't even blink. I was worried is all. So I hit you with cold water and it worked, you woke up."
"I think I was dreaming but I don't remember any of it. It was weird like someone else was in my head and I was just showing them around. Does that make any sense?"
"No." Heero got up. "Come on we're taking you to the infirmary."
The two boys left for the infirmary. After a thurrow examination Trowa was given a clean bill of health and told to go lie down in his room. Trowa went to rest and stayed in his room sleeping until Heero woke him up for afternoon classes.
The two boys walked in silence to the classrooms. Soon after they arrived they were given their rankings and their final class assignments. Trowa was third overall. Heero was first while Zechs was Second. Dorothy was sixth and the girl was on the rampage. She believed she should have been higher on the list. Zechs tried to calm her down but nothing seemed to placate her. For the rest of classes everyone gave Dorothy a lot of space.
That night at dinner Trowa told Duo where he ended up in the rankings. Relena was first in the new class of magic users. Hilde was comfortably in the middle and Duo was at the bottom of the list but as Hilde pointed out quite often Duo was not last. The braided boy took little comfort in her tries to cheer him up.
Talk of the Outlaws started about two months into the training. The Outlaws was the name given to a bunch of magic users who used their powers without permission or proper training which was against the laws of Harbor and it's surrounding areas. The outsiders called themselves freedom fighters. At the end of the school year the top cadets would be given the chance to join the group that was in charge of capturing the Outlaws. It would be a great honor. Both magic and non-magic users were on the team to stop the Outlaws and they had little to no success in trying to apprehend the Outlaws.
All Heero, Zechs, and Dorothy talked about was joining the force to go against the Outlaws. Trowa was getting sick of it. He still wanted to be a guard on the walls of Harbor. Duo said he didn't care either way because he would never be one of the top cadets. He would be lucky if he got to stay in the academy.
Relena was the one with the most surprising attitude. She actually thought that the Outlaws had a valid point and that no one should be told what to do or how to live their lives. At first she took a lot of abuse about her opinions but several black eyes and bloodied noses delivered by Zechs and Heero discouraged a lot of people from teasing Relena.
"So I heard they hit another outpost." Zechs said between mouthfuls of his dinner.
"I heard that they burnt down a few villages and the fields around them." Dorothy answered.
"Well I heard..." Duo never got to finish what he was going to say.
"Shut up." Trowa muttered from his end of the dinner table. "The next person who starts a sentence with the words I heard will get a fat lip. I hate gossip. Half of it is not true and the other half is exaggerated to unknown proportions."
An evil smile crept across Heero's features. "Well Trowa, I heard that they are looking for some cadets to join a search party for the outlaws around Harbor."
Trowa looked at Heero stunned. "Are you sure?"
"Where is my fat lip Trowa I'm waiting."
"Oh, shut up Heero. I haven't punched you in months are you going through withdrawal or something."
"What about a force to look for the Outlaws!" Duo screeched. "Are you serious Heero? That is just so cool. Are you going to do it? You are top cadet you would be a shoe in if you wanted to go. I know you could do it. You should do it too Trowa it would be so great."
"Duo breath." Trowa suggested.
After seeing that the whole table's attention was again focused on him Heero began to explain exactly what he had heard. "The Outlaws were getting more bold and attacking closer and closer to the walls of Harbor. No one seemed to be able to find a leader to the group or figure out what the Outlaws were going to do next so the authorities decided to set up a sting. They would move provisions to a town close to Harbor hoping that the Outlaws would attack it."
"How can they be sure the Outlaws will attack. Won't they be able to tell it's a trap if a small town suddenly gets a large amount of supplies. It doesn't sound like a really smart plan." Duo mummers.
Heero just glared at him. "Because the supplies are medical equipment and food. At all of the raids the Outlaws steal supplies. The hope is that this is too good of an opportunity to pass up."
"So what would they need us for?" Trowa asked. "It sounds like everything is under control."
Heero just shrugged and everyone returned to eating thinking about what Heero had said.
Trowa looked down at the letter he received. It was several days after Heero had announced the big plan. It turns out he was right. Trowa was a little shocked. It wasn't a shock that he was included in the cadets that were asked to help the raid. He was still third in the rankings, the shock came with what their duties would be. While the major force was at the site of the raid many small towns around Harbor would be left unguarded. The cadets were going to be sent to these towns to help with guard duty. Many of the cadets were upset they wouldn't be included in the action but Trowa wasn't. He still didn't know how he felt about the Outlaws. Nice quiet guard duty would suit him perfectly.
He arrived at Marsh Town the night before the raid. He was in charge of a group of eight cadets. It was his first time leading anyone. He was a little nervous but he figured he lucked out because Relena was with him. He was surpassed that she had come along due to her beliefs about the Outlaws, but like him she didn't get much choice. All she got was a letter stating where she had to be and when.
The night of the raid Trowa had three groups patrolling the area in two person teams while the other group had a rest period. The teams would rotate every two hours. This was the standard procedure for Outland guards. Trowa took Relena as his teammate. He said it was because they complimented each other well but the truth was he didn't do well with new people and with Relena he could just relax and do his job. He wouldn't have to make small talk and feel awkward. Relena knew him and that he was usually a very quiet person.
Heero and Zechs were both at different villages. Duo as he predicted was stuck back at the academy. His scores weren't good enough and he wasn't picked for the mission. Trowa felt bad for him but there was nothing he could do about it. At least Hilde also wasn't chosen so Duo wouldn't feel too bad.
All was quiet and Trowa was really starting to relax. He even talked to Relena during their first break. It was actually a really nice night. It was warm with a clear sky. the stars could be seen and the town was relatively bright.
Being so light out it wasn't hard for Relena to spot the shadow moving across the town square. She turned to Trowa and whispered to him. "Did you see that. Some one just crossed the square in an awful hurry and they were trying very hard not to be seen."
Trowa hadn't seen a thing but he trusted Relena. "We split up." Tell the other groups what you saw. As soon as you're done meet me back here. I am going to stay here and see if your friend makes another appearance." Relena ran off to do what Trowa had said.
Trowa hid himself in the shadow of a building keeping his eyes out for the intruder. He was wondering what was taking Relena so long when he heard a scream. Trowa looked over towards the noise and saw one of the unused fields on fire. It didn't take long for the town to wake up and get into fire fighting mode. Right now the fire wasn't endangering any crops or homes but if the town's people didn't get the fire under control they could be in trouble.
Trowa didn't move to help. He had a feeling that he just couldn't shake. He stayed where he was watching the town's small infirmary. For some strange reason Trowa knew he should be here he just couldn't understand why. The figure made his way to the infirmary very slowly trying not to draw to much attention. Trowa saw the figure and waited till it approached the infirmary's door.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Trowa growled. The figure turned around and Trowa found himself lost in eyes the color of the ocean. He couldn't move. He couldn't do anything. He was literally frozen and he wasn't even fighting it. He felt a presence in his head asking to be let in and Trowa was letting it enter and making sure it was comfortable. There was nothing Trowa could do. There was nothing Trowa wanted to do. This felt right. As the presence in his mind grew Trowa could feel a smile spreading across his face. He lost all track of the figure he was just standing there with a stupid half smile on his face.
Trowa woke when the water hit his face. He blinked twice and saw that the infirmary door was wide open. He found the presence that had invaded his mind was gone and to his dismay he realized he missed it.
"Trowa are you OK? I was calling to you and you were just frozen like a statue. Did you see who did this.?" Relena asked half panicked.
"No, just that he had blue eyes the color of the sea. I don't know what happened I looked into his eyes for a second and then the next thing I know I'm soaking wet and you're screaming at me." Trowa responded calmly.
"It was a raid. We were tricked. The fire was just a decoy they were here for medical supplies. They picked this place clean. These people will have nothing. I thought the Outlaws were just misunderstood but I can't believe they would do this to such a small town."
"Calm down Relena the town will be fine." Remember all those supplies that were shipped for the raid. They can be redirected here by tomorrow afternoon. This is the closest town to the raid sight. Whoever hit it knew what they were doing."
"Why do you say that Trowa?"
"Why hit the raid site? I mean it looks suspicious all those supplies in one place and how do they get so many guards there without being noticed. No it's much smarter to hit the unprotected town next door. Watch I bet this wasn't the only town to get robbed. It looks like all those supplies from the raid will go to needy people after all."
Trowa turned away from the infirmary he needed to assess the damage and check on his team. He took about two steps when the ground rushed up to meet his face. His last thought s before unconoiusness took him away were of two blue eyes.
Trowa's head felt like someone had slammed it into the ground. He opened one eye to just a slit. He was staring at a ceiling. He closed his eye. He heard movement in the room. He turned to the side and mumbled "What happened?"
"You passed out. Are you OK?" Trowa recognized the voice as Relena.
"Headache. How long was I out?"
Trowa could hear as Relena walked closer to him. He heard a chair move and Relena took his hand. She quietly explained what happened. "Heero's here. You're right several villages were attacked. You passed out. We think the Outlaw used some kind of magic on you. We're not sure what. Heero is securing the area."
"Why did Heero leave his post?" Trowa asked.
"Someone reported the fire and Heero's group came over to help. The main force is out right now seeing if they can pick up a trail" Relena answered.
Heero cleared his throat to announce his presence before he entered the room. He nodded to Trowa and then moved further into the room. Heero began to explain what was going on while Trowa was incapacitated. "We secured the town and took an inventory of everything that was taken. They only took some medical supplies. No food or animals were taken and no houses were broken into. It was a clear strike. Fast and efficient. You're the only one who saw anybody."
Trowa considered this. "Heero do you remember right after the trials when I was just staring off into nothing. It was just like that only more intense. I don't know how it happened but I wasn't hurt except for the headache."
Heero gave Trowa a small smile. "Just rest we'll be back at the Academy by tomorrow afternoon.
Back at the Academy Trowa turned into a mini celebrity. He was the only one to have ever seen an Outlaw. Trowa explained that he rely didn't see anything except for a set of eyes. Duo also wouldn't leave Trowa alone he was constantly begging for details. It got so bad that Trowa took to hiding and entering right before the meals ended so he could have a little time alone.
It did have some benefits. It drove Zechs crazy that he missed all of the excitement. No one hit his town. He spent the whole night just circling the town. Dorothy was very excited about what happened to Trowa. It gave her a chance to show off. She pointed out to Trowa that his first mistake was that he stuck to the old ways and did the traditional two man sweep. She explained that it made it easy for an intruder to sneak in between the sweeps made by the three groups. Trowa thought that in hindsight Dorothy was right but he did what he was told to do. Following orders had been drilled into his head since he arrived at the Academy.
In apology for driving Trowa crazy Duo invited him to go to a tavern to meet one of his friends. Trowa accepted the invitation. They arrived at the Tavern slightly after sunset. Duo said that his friends would be there shortly. They ordered drinks while they waited.
Two odd looking boys walked into the tavern an hour later. The first had long black hair tied into a ponytail. He wore all white. The second boy had short blond hair. He was wearing a nice shirt and a very nice pair of pants. He looked like he had money. Duo waved to the two boys and they walked over to the table.
Duo introduced everyone. The boy with the ponytail was Wuffie. He had been friends with Duo since they were little. They lived in the same town. the other boy was named Quatre. His father was a merchant and he had met Duo and Wuffei while on a trip with his father.
The two new boys were very nice and Quatre was very easy to talk to. Wuffei talked mostly to Duo. Both boys had there heads near each other and were talking in low whispers. Trowa was left to talk with Quatre, but Quatre was doing most of the talking. Trowa just sat there and added a comment every once in awhile. After a few beers, Trowa found himself getting a little drunk. He was staring at Quatre when he noticed the color of his eyes. They were blue. The color of the sea. Trowa was unaware of how hard he was staring.
"Yo Tro, does Kat have something on his face or something. You can blink." Duo joked.
Trowa came back to himself and took a long sip from his beer. Quatre got up and turned to ask Trowa a question. "It's hot in here Trowa why don't you come outside with me."
Trowa nodded his assent and went outside. The two boys walked a few steps away from the tavern. They spent a few minutes in companionable silence. "I recognize those eyes. I can't seem to get them out of my head. What did you do to me?" Trowa asked.
"I didn't do anything." Quatre replied. Trowa just stared at him waiting for him to explain. Quatre got the hint and continued explaining. "I really didn't do anything. You surrendered to me."
"You're an Outlaw and a magic user." Trowa pointed out. "You entranced me and I want to know how."
"I'm an empath. I can feel other people's emotions and if I try hard I can influence them but only very slightly. You're different. You invited me in. I tried to stop. I didn't want to invade your thoughts, but I couldn't help my self you called to me. It was you who did it not me."
Trowa stared at Quatre for a few moments letting what he said sink in. "I did it."
"The first time I was brought into your mind was when I visited Duo at the Academy. You weren't even near me, but I could hear you calling me and I was forced to answer. Then the calling stopped all of a sudden."
"I fainted." Trowa said sheepishly.
Quatre just smiled. "That would explain it. Just don't open your mind when I'm around. Envision a wall. Yeah, there you go. That should help keep me out. Just keep it up."
Trowa smiled and walked back into the tavern. He stood next to Duo and kicked the chair with his foot. "So are we going to go back to the Academy tonight or our we sleeping here?" Trowa asked.
Wuffei nodded and also stood. "We should also be going. Good night."
Trowa was enjoying the brisk walk home to the Academy. He had a good time and he liked talking with Quatre. Trowa couldn't get the short blond out of his head. Now that he had a face to go with the presence in his head he kind of missed that he couldn't feel Quatre. He let down the barrier he put up and looked for Quatre. He ran into a very strong wall. He knocked on it. He felt Quatre smile over the link and knock back. Trowa smiled and let Quatre's presence dance at the back of his head for a while. When he started to feel a little dizzy Trowa said goodbye to Quatre and put his wall back up.
'"So are you an Outlaw too or is it just Quatre and Wuffei?" Trowa asked Duo.
They were almost back to the Academy. Duo stopped walking. "I'm the one who leaked the information to them. How did you know?" Duo asked.
Trowa smiled at his friend and told him all about the link he had with Quatre. When he finished, Duo smiled at him. "It sounds like you have a little magic in you Trowa. If someone told you you could never contact Quatre again how would you feel?"
Duo waited for an answer but Trowa just hung his head and let his hair cover his face. He didn't want to admit that he would feel miserable. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He didn't even know Quatre very well if at all.
"That's why I help them Trowa."
At the addmission Trowa lifted his face and gave Duo a partial smile. The two boys continued their walk in silence both knowing that niether boy would ever tell the other's secret.
