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Trowa had promised to wake Treize. He had failed to specify exactly how he would do so. Truthfully, the former general expected his enhanced senses would inform him the moment the younger male set foot on the stairs. Instead he found himself jolted awake by a rather blatant mental nudge. **They're here.** The young telepath's thoughts intruded on his own with the intensity of a peal of thunder. 'Understood, thank you,' Treize focused his thoughts in the telepath's direction as he arched his back and stretched arms and wings together before climbing out of the bed. He took a moment to make himself as presentable as possible given his current circumstance.
Yuy was not in residence. Treize had been aware of the fact as soon as he closed the bedroom door behind him and descended the stairs. Contrary to what he had led Echo to believe earlier he was not…unaffected by the other Alpha's manner and bearing. He was simply determined to keep his instincts in check around the other male...as best he was able. "I'd like a word with you, Winner." Treize informed the younger blonde almost a soon as he crossed the threshold several steps behind Maxwell.
"Go ahead" The Braided youth told his companion, waving in an offhanded manner, "I can manage to stow the supplies without you."
"Thanks Duo." Quatre beamed at his companion before schooling his features to 'executive' mode and turning to Treize. "What did you need?" He asked.
Treize paused for a moment and thought how he might frame his request. Various scenarios danced behind his crystal blue eyes with the speed and clarity only one intimately aquainted with the Zero system could fully appreciate. Then he dismissed them just as quickly, opting to be straightforward with the blonde. "I want you to speak with Yuy."
"About…" Winner pursed his lips and crossed his arms speculatively.
"I've seen the DNA tests Dev conducted on us. We aren't classed as human. The eugenics wars may have happened generations ago but the stigma that surrounds splicing still runs deep. The Duke was technically within his rights in his attempt to auction us off…I'd very much like to prevent a re-occurrence of that if possible." Treize admitted. "Yuy has mastered reversion and successfully hid his true nature during the war. We need to learn how he did it. I doubt he would tell me if I asked."
"You are probably correct. I must say the knowledge you seek was not easily won. The Doctors went to great lengths to ensure he couldn't break cover during the war and we had to resort to extreme measures to find out the little we do know. But reversion can't save you from direct scrutiny. Zechs knew Heero wasn't human from the outset, when they fought during reentry. Duo knew it almost immediately as well. Sally suspected it after his stay in the alliance hospital. But it is more than the fact that he is Icarin that makes it difficult for Heero. He wasn't socialized normally." The blonde looked pensive as he gave voice to his concerns, "Trowa thinks you and Heero are going to have issues. Is he right?"
Treize sighed. "I do not intend to challenge Yuy's leadership of his pack, I have said as much. My upbringing was quite civilized and I cling to that fact, but the instincts paired with this form are …intense; and not always predictable. Dragon is ours. What has been done can not be undone…nor I expect should it. I accept he has more of a history with you four than with us. I will not keep him from you. I know you may be able to provide him with facts about his past that Miri and I cannot. Forcing him to choose between us would not be in his best interests. Heero does not seem to see this. If we are to continue living in such close quarters I fear I may do something…regrettable if provoked. You are a member of his pack. He listens to you. You are an empath. You have the ability to make him see reason. I suggest you use it."
"I am not accustomed to using my ability in that way. And Heero generally shields his mind so completely I can barely read him. I will speak to him on your behalf. I expect he is fully aware of the need to acclimate you three to the intricacies of your new form. I suspect the fact that you are both alpha's complicates the issue. But Fei isn't is he? Additionally, he's familiar with Heero's…idiosyncrasies. Would your Alpha sensibilities take exception to leaning from WuFei second hand?"
"Miri and I trust Dragon. It would be a sensible precaution for him to act as intermediary. Maxwell said he was a good teacher and enjoyed it. I have no objections, provided you can get Yuy to agree. Though I am concerned about discovery from the outside; we felt safe here before but it was largely illusion. The lab is just over the hill and the Duke knew we would be returning to roost. We played right into their hands."
"Well both Dermail's are securely in custody with Lady Une and Pyatr is no condition to harm anyone ever again. His insanity was dangerous, I felt him tipping. He was trying to destroy Zechs. I suspect Zero emerged and used my empathy as a weapon to break him. Once your lady realizes where we are I'm sure she will turn over responsibility for securing of the facility to us. To utilize…or destroy as we see fit."
"My lady…Analise Une?" Treize raised his brow in a way that could be interpreted as either thoughtful or incredulous. "You've mentioned her before and I'm not sure I understand."
"You know she is Director of Preventers?" the blonde asked.
"Yes…but Anne was just a friend…we went to the academy together and she helped with my lesson plans. I think she had a crush on me…just how far did we…my daughter…Is she…"
"Lady Une was a commander of OZ the same as Zechs was, she also acted as your personal assistant." Quatre explained carefully.
"A crush is putting it mildly; she practically worshipped you during the war. It wasn't exactly…healthy." Trowa snorted from where he was leaning against the doorframe.
Treize tensed wondering how he had failed to note the other youth's presence. The Blonde was unaffected by the others sudden appearance and merely took his comment in stride. "Perhaps not, But we all did things we regret during the war. She has gotten much better…more balanced. She is Marie's legal guardian and they are good for one another."
"Still not sure I trust her where He is concerned." Trowa nodded his head, inclining his prodigious forelock in Treize's direction "Une and the girls along with Rashid and his lot will find their way here. It is only a matter of time. Those keeping an eye on them may discover us as a consequence. It is best we are prepared…How did things go in town?"
"I set the ball rolling to have several of WEI's subsidiary organizations buy up the valley as a private wildlife sanctuary. Heero thought it might be useful to have Relina list Icarins as an endangered species indigenous to Sanc. That way you can have legal protection that will circumvent the slicing laws. She is working on slipping it into other wildlife and natural preservation initiatives without arousing the interest of the senate. That way it is on the books before it becomes an issue."
"That may work." Treize looked thoughtful, ruffling the russet feathers folded over his shoulders and crossing his wingtips behind him. "Have her give a vague description of the Icarian genotype: winged predator, varied plumage, intelligent, pack minded, reclusive, that sort of thing.
"Extremely cunning, dangerous if crossed." Quatre smiled, "Just what we had in mind. You will only be protected in Sanc but it should be enough to ensure safe refuge from any who are intent on taking advantage of your situation. Hopefully no one will look too closely until after the protection order has been ratified."
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Duo was humming and dancing about the kitchen as he systematically put the groceries and other supplies away in various cupboards. There was really no telling how long they would be staying here but he liked the homey little cabin and he liked having all his brothers under one roof even more. It felt like he was back with Solo and his old gang…perhaps even a bit better. He and Solo had never had a cupboard let alone anything to fill it with. He had always been hungry on L2 and most of the food they managed to procure went to the littlest kids. Now there was plenty for all.
He didn't even particularly mind the inclusion of Zechs and Treize into the gang if it meant having their WuFei back, winged or otherwise. Duo hadn't dealt with either man directly during the war so the fact of their association was a far cry easier to accept than Une's had been. That woman still freaked him out. The only consolation was that the feeling was generally mutual; a fact that had been the key to working together in the Preventers.
His second-sight had been quiet since telling Heero to use his ability on Zechs in the arena. That could mean things were going to be relatively peaceful for a while…or it could be a side effect of having been 'enhanced' by Heero. Duo half suspected that was the case. His psychic abilities had more or less overloaded and it might take a while for them to recharge. So for the time being he was virtually normal…well as normal as an L2 street rat, terrorist, savior of the world could be.
Duo didn't have a mysterious mind warping power, he didn't have wings or a tail…he couldn't turn into a carnivorous beastie or anything. Duo grinned to himself thinking that with his luck G would have got it wrong and he would have turned into a two-headed fire breathing snail or something. At the moment it seemed he was the most normal one of the bunch. He'd stolen the title from Trowa...who: as it turns out, hadn't actually deserved it in the first place.
"What has got you chuckling?" Zechs asked slipping into the kitchen and curling into a chair, one long leg tucked up beneath him. He sat gingerly, sideways in the chair so his tail and wings were not in direct contention with the chair back.
"Um just thinking. Random stuff mostly." Duo idly tossed a can of soup from one hand to another before placing it alongside the others that stood like tin soldiers on the shelf. Then, having completed his self appointed task, he turned and leaned against the counter to regard the winged prince, "humph," he exclaimed.
Prince raised an eyebrow in silent query,
"I think I just figured something out." Duo clarified. "My pal Trowa always chooses to lean against a doorframe. When he sits in a kitchen chair it is usually straddling the back. In a big comfy chair he usually has a leg slung over the arm or leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees. It's because he doesn't want to cramp his tail isn't it? We never knew Tro even had a tail but all the signs were there all along, we just didn't know how to recognize them. "
"That is pretty random Maxwell." Zechs agreed stretching his wings briefly. He still looked sleepy and a bit mussed from his nap and his normally pale skin still looked a bit ashen. It would take a while to recover fully from expending so much psychic energy to transport them here. In fact Duo was stunned he was functional at all. He watched with a critical eye as the big blonde licked the palm of his hand and began running clawed fingers through his hair. "You are correct though," Prince yawned, "Echo is like us. He might have hidden it from you before but he isn't entirely human. Noble, Dragon, Yuy and I are even less so. You smell normal enough."
There it was…confirmation from an outside source. Duo felt the grin returning. "I am normal: Perfectly normal." He agreed.
"Good, well, that is settled. Now, since you are standing in front of the fridge, do you think you could pour me some milk?" The blonde asked.
"Of course my prince…" Duo snorted bowing in what he assumed was a regal fashion. "How would you like it?"
"In a shallow bowl please." the blonde answered without so much as a moment's pause. Duo raised an incredulous eyebrow and did as he had been directed.