Steganography

Summary: The year is AC 197 and it was after the greatest war that the Earth and the colonies in their desire to live peacefully formed the Earth Sphere Unified Nation, an assembly of democrats with the power to rule and duty to promote peace… And to accomplish that duty, they created the Preventers, a group of agents to accomplish this goal but unfortunately, having considerable time doing so. Enter Duo Maxwell. He's sexy. He's arrogant but most of all, damn good in what he does the best - being death. Was it just coincidence or fate? AU can contain shounen-ai.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam wing, its characters and some other excerpts familiar to the original storyline. I'm just a fan who likes to make up stories around them. I'm poor…

Part VI

"Say, this is the life isn't it?" Duo commented breathing in the fresh air as their car drove down the streets of Brussels. It was very early in the morning but he, Heero and Quatre decided to take their first look around the Barton Estate and possibly interview a few locals.

Duo grinned, savoring the cold breeze that flew past him as they continue to drive around the small town before noticing a group of people gathered around colorful tents in the distance. "Hey! Is that the circus Trowa was staying at before?"

"Hai." Quatre answered following his gaze. "It's where Trowa and his foster sister are living. I believe they would be staying here at least for another week or so."

"We best be starting here, then." Heero said, entering a parking lot. "Nights during the winter time are cold but it'll be the best time to take another look at the estate."

"Of course." Quatre agreed. "Though we do need to find an inn to stay at least for tonight."

"Already done." Heero stated." One of us just needs to check in for confirmation. I'll go confirm our rooms while you start. We'll meet back here at 2200 for debriefment."

Duo and Quatre nodded and Heero started to move towards a small rundown inn before stopping to notice that Duo was following him. "What do you want?"

Duo just continues to follow him, a smile on his lips. "Nothing really. Just thought you wanted me my company you know at least for awhile more." He wiggled his eyebrows. "That and to let you know that I just saw a small pub down the street we can have our first date on."

"Nani?"

Duo sighed dramatically. "You didn't think I will kiss you without having the first date first, do you? Besides it'll be fun, Mr. Serious." he said making Heero glare at him before continuing towards the inn. Quatre and Duo watched him go before allowing themselves to walk towards the opposite direction.

"You seem to have made it your goal to zoom in on Heero since meeting him." Quatre commented after a few minutes of silence. "Do you have a reason why?"

Duo shook his head. "Naah! I just can't help but think where would that guy be without a sense of humor, you know?" He smiled. "Anyway, shall we go see the circus, first?" he said, arms gesturing towards the area they drove by originally.

Quatre just smiled back amused before continuing to follow Duo.

The circus was huge as well as colorful was Duo's first thought as they entered the clearing. Around every corner where filled with several tents of different colors selling different things ranging from gypsy bracelets to silk cloths. People dressed in different colorful costumes were scattered everywhere; some of them riding unicycles while giving out balloons to a group of kids, others were juggling, while some more were just content in manning the stalls.

Not that the people minded what they were doing though, Duo thought, noticing the crowds that gathered on each of them. Perhaps, the only place where there was a significant lack of audience was the area in the middle where Duo could see the biggest dome among all the tents. Duo reckoned, however, this would have been the circus biggest attraction if not for the sign which says that it will not be open until 7 pm tonight.

Duo grinned, face full of excitement. "I haven't seen a circus before but this one surely looks as if it would be fun!"

Quatre looked at him curiously. "Haven't seen one before? My guardians were strict when I was growing up but I saw at least once when I was child. Did the place you grew up on have no circus?"

"Nah, no circus would want to go there." Duo replied waving his hands in the air. "Anyway, why don't we see later if we can find where the animals are being kept? I would love to see a real lion at least once in my life!"

With that, Duo took more look around before dragging the surprised blond towards one of the stalls where a couple of circus performers were gathered. They moved from one stall to the next, joining other people who were visiting before finally taking a rest in a more private area of the lot.

"Are you sure it's alright for us to rest here Duo?" Quatre asked surveying his surroundings. "There seems to be no other person besides the two of us in the part of the circus.

Duo shooked his head observing a couple of big lions growling in separate cages.

"Nah, if they really didn't want someone to go in here, then they should have put a stronger barrier other than a stupid sign to keep intruders from going!"

Quatre bit his lip. "Duo! You told me that there was no sign! Don't tell me you lied!"

Duo looked at him innocently. "Well, I told you there was no sign standing up right? You didn't ask if there was a sign laying on the ground because I accidentally knocked it over, didn't you?"

"It's the same thing!"

"No it isn't!" Duo argued, looking at the other cages where the animals were kept and snorting. "I told you I never lie do I?"

Quatre frowned, opening his mouth as if to say something back when he heard some movement near the nearby tent. They turned. A figure of a girl came out, making her way towards the cages though her angle and the sun made it almost impossible to clearly define her face.

"Who the hell are you?!" The girl demanded, hands on her hips as she spotted them. "Didn't you read the sign? No one besides the staff is allowed in here!"

"Well miss; the sign just said private area. For all we know, that could have meant the area next to this one." Duo pointed out. "There's nothing in it that said that only staff could enter THIS place."

"What he's saying is that we're sorry-" Quatre interjected. "We didn't know that this area was private." He started forward, face apologetic before gasping, recognition flashing through his eyes.

"Catherine!" Quatre exclaimed as Duo looked at him questionably.

"Winner!" The girl, Catherine, exclaimed, eyes lighting with the same recognition. "You're Quatre are you? What is it now? Are you going to tell me that Trowa will be coming with you again to fight the war?" She glared at them angrily. "Oh wait, he's not here because YOU people keep on pestering him when he just wants a normal life!"

"Whoa! Whoa! Miss, no need to yell at us you know!" Duo interrupted. "We only went here to look at the animals, not to fight with you."

"I don't care!" Catherine shouted, hands pointing towards the exit. "Just get out of here!"

"Catherine" Quatre started. "be reasonable. We're here just to-"

"I don't know! I DON'T-"

"Cath-"

"LEAVE US ALONE!" she bellowed, shoving them before running back towards the door she came out from. Duo and Quatre watched her go.

"Man! That was some experience!" Duo commented after some time. "Take it you had a history with her?"

Quatre nodded. "Hai. We met at least once in the war when Trowa was staying here and well it didn't really go okay."

"Must be pretty bad to come up like this."

"I can understand that actually." Quatre replied. "She cares for Trowa as an older sister. As a result, she doesn't want anything to happen to him. Unfortunately, we're a group who usually attracts some kind of trouble."

"Let your heart lead you, my boy." a man in his 80's stated, gaze locked with a blond haired boy.

"Instructor H…" the boy murmured.

"Use this device only when you need it." the man continued, handling him a helmet. "Follow what you think is right."

The boy's eyes hardened. "Yes, sir!" he replied before making the jump. His fingers flew fast on the control after that, only hearing the sounds of engine starting after that and a pained scream of someone calling his name - a voice he would not hear again until later when everything was too late.

"Quatre?" Duo asked, looking up at him. "Daijabu?"

"Hai. I was just remembering something."

"Aaaah… old memory?"

Quatre looked up the sky, a rueful smile on his lips. "Perhaps. Anyway, I never apologized the way I acted before haven't I?"

Duo shooked his head. "Don't worry about it. You can't help but worry about your friend."

Quatre smiled. "Thank you."

A/N: There reposted per comment! ^_^. Oh FYI I'm using some Japanese words because I that is where the series originated. Ah but I also see the point so I will limit the Japanese as I see fit. Enjoy!