Quatre stared outside the window waiting. Waiting for them to come back. Ever since they had been so rudely shoved out on their bums they had not returned. He was beginning to get worried about them. The moon once again was his only companion. Shining brightly down on his almost luminescent features. Soft blue eyes reflected the desert stars light, as deep as the universe. He felt lonely there all alone. Only a little kitten to keep him company. The old women had left too a while ago and had yet to return. He was alone, and his heart ached again for the friends he would walk through fire for and with. He wanted them to get out of there too. The reports he had seen and his first hand experience showed him these men were more then dangerous, they were deadly. Not that they had not dealt with that before. Sighing he realized that once agin he would have to hurt, maybe kill. He prayed not, he wanted never to kill again. He knew though that he could not just stand by and let them take apart the peace and peoples lives. He would fight them, but he would not do it ruthlessly, and he would give them their chance to surrender if possible. Of course he did not have Sandrock this time, but he wasn't going to let them start another war. He would do whatever it took to keep that peace he loved so much.

His eyes fluttered as the moon continued to light up his small figure. Blinking he looked again at the window. He was sure he had seen a shadow out there. There, again a shadow flickered across the frame. Glancing at the wall he could make out the shadows form as it played on the wall. Making sure not to move too much he flicked his gaze to the window again, someone was standing just outside. He knew it wasn't one of the guys, the form was too large. Watching the shadow on the wall intently he saw the man pull out what looked to be some sort of box and, bending down, place it next to the wall. His eyes widened as he heard the small beep. Pushing his anxiety down he forced himself to be still as he waited for the man to leave.

Once the man was gone he pulled him self up on his elbows. Pain shot through his battered legs as he moved them hurriedly off the soft bed. Standing, he immediately fell onto the ground, pain shooting once more through him. He bit back a scream and began puling himself across the hardwood floor, grabbing the cat as he went by. Pulling himself up to the door he fumbled with the lock on the door, willing it to open as he pulled desperately on it. Yanking it open cool night air met his strained face as frightened blue eyes searched the street for help. Another, louder, beep met his ears and time came to a standstill.

The blast brought the four out of their thoughts as they walked down the street toward the house. The bright fire lit the sky in a dazzling display. They stood mesmerized by it for a second. Then realization set in. Duo felt a sense of deja vu come over him and he flashed back to a similar sight of a conference building. Snapping back the same fear drove him forward and he prayed that he would be as lucky this time and Quatre would be alright.

Reaching the seen, they pushed through the throng of people surrounding the sight, many desperately trying to quench the raging flames that reflected in Heeros eyes. The blazing building left nothing in resemblance to the home of the old women. Nothing gave any indication that a teenage boy had been safely tucked inside to heal. Nothing gave him hope that Quatre had made it out of there alive. Looking to his right Heero saw the tears streaming down Duos cheeks, but in his eyes there was a glimmer of hope. Trowa was quickly searching the other buildings hoping that they had found the wrong one, yet knowing that they had not. Wufei looked ready to kill, as was he. Turning back the fire caught and reflected in the deep blue that burned from within dazzling the fire itself. He relaxed the tension that had built up suddenly and let his heart wander, searching. There! Moving to the left he searched for what his heart had felt. Though he did not understand it, he trusted the feeling in his heart, and Quatre. There! Laying, partially concealed, in an ally lay Quatre.

He swiftly knelt by the still form. The pale locks framed a smudged face and delicately closed eyes. Heero squelched the rising anxiety and chastised himself for feeling it. He felt Quatres neck for the precious pulse, sighing as he found it weak but there. Bending he inspected the boy for new injuries or irritated old ones. Finding nothing serious he picked him up in his strong arms. Heero could not help but feel pride as he looked upon the soft features. Quatre had once again proved he was not helpless. Smiling a real smile it was then he notice the kitten wrapped warmly asleep in the boys arms. Much like Quatre was in Heeros. He slight laugh escaped his lips and his eyes softened. Only Quatre would pull himself, severely injured, from a building about to blow and save the cat too. By the looks of it the cat had slept through it all too. With a smile on his lips he moved off toward the others, precious cargo in his arms.



Duo sensed someone watching him and quickly darted his eyes around the crowd for his friends. Heero wasn't there. Something sparked in Duo and he turned around as slowly and normally as he could manage in his rising excitement. What he saw nearly set him whooping up into the air and busting them all. Heero had a smile on his face and was holding a sleeping Quatre in his arms, both nearly hidden in the shadows of an ally. ' Oh yeah, thats my boy!' Swinging around he grabbed the nearest Gundam pilot and moved off to round the rest of them up. He was stopped abruptly as something grabbed and pulled maliciously on his precious braid.

" Hey!" Looking over his shoulder he smiled sheepishly. Apparently Wufei did not like being dragged by the front of his shirt through crowds. " Uh.....hehe....oops?

" Maxwell, what do you think you're doing?!" Wufei looked questioningly at him as he quirked to the left away from the crowd, a mysterious smile on his lips. Looking over his eyes lit up at the sight of Heero and Quatre. Looking back to Duo he met his eyes and nodded. Duo set off after Trowa who was silently staring at the charred ruins of the place, the flames mostly died down. Wufei set off down the street planning to go the round about way to meet the others.

Movement in an ally to his right caught his eye. He kept walking, eyes following the shadow that slipped in and out of the darkness. To the normal person the well trained assassin would have been invisible, but Wufei wasn't your normal seventeen year old. Cursing under his breath he kept his pace and searched the area for a place to lose his unwanted shadow. ' That's right, keep up you fool. Do you think were incompetent. You couldn't even take out one of us injured. And if you had.....' Pushing his anger down he focused once again on the swiftly moving shadow and turned the opposite direction of his friends. The shadow matched his pace.

Ducking into an ally he waited for his new stress reliever to join the party. Soft foot steps sounded behind him and he tensed, waiting for the right time. Closer, closer..... He swung around, his foot connecting with the mans head. He was knocked out instantly, falling heavily to the sand. Wufei looked down slightly disgusted. ' Pathetic.' His head snapped up and he swung back around in a fighting stance. Met with Duos smiling face.

" Duo?" He looked up, wondering slightly why Duo was tall. He followed Duos pointing finger down to the man he was standing on.

" You really should be more careful ya know." Duo stepped of his step stool smiling roughishly.

" I never even heard you." A glint of admiration sparkled in Wufeis eyes as Duos shined in pride.

" Well you were kinda busy kicking that guys ack!" Wufei pulled Duo out of the ally and slide in the shadows heading back to the others who were bound to waiting on the other side of town.





Quatre opened weary eyes to the dark blue of a midnight sky, the stars shining even brighter now the flames were all gone. Flames? Flames! He sat lightning quick, then regretted it. His ribs screamed in pain as soft hands pushed him back, settling him onto something soft that smelled softly of gunpowder and ....roses. A strong heart beat lulled him back to sleep.



Trowa let himself relax as Quatre fell back into a peaceful sleep against Heeros chest. Looking up he met the others eyes as he wrapped thin arms around the boy to hold him in place to keep him from moving his injured body. Only now did Heero himself relax, no longer awkward in being this close to someone else. Standing Trowa crept to the entrance of the stable and looked out searching for Wufei and Duo. Duo had taken off after Wufei did not meet up with them. Chuckling Trowa shot a glance at the sleeping duo. Duo had placed a sleeping Quatre into Heeros surprised arms and just stood up and left silently. It was almost as if he had vanished in thin air he was that good at stealth.

The missing roof left them with a spectacular view of the desert sky. Trowa diverted his gaze up to the painted sky and totally missed the shadow that slipped by. The second was wasn't so lucky. Hearing something move outside Trowa tensed, then sprung as it came up next to him. Knocking the man to the ground he flipped him over and looked into Wufeis rather ticked off face.

" Hmm." Sliding off the indignant boy he moved over to where Duo was leaning over Heero and Quatre quickly. He yanked Duos hand back just as he poised to tweak Heeros nose. Duo looked up at him with puppy dog eyes then sat down and setteled against the wall next to the two. Putting his arm carefully around Quatre Duo attempted to pull him away from Heero sure that he wasn't too happy about the arrangement. Frowning he tried again, but Heeros arms only tightened. A small smile came on Duos serious face easing the tension that was so carefully hidden. As the rest of their group sat in front of him his smile broadened and a wicked gleam shone in his violet eyes. Quicker then the others could move Duo tweaked Heeros nose happily. He scooted away a little as Heero cracked an eye and scowled.

" Yes Duo?" Heeros voice was strained and his hand twitched resisting the urge to do something mean to the other boy.

" Hehe... my aren't we happy when we wake up." Heero sighed and looked down at his sleeping friend. Not wanting to but knowing he had to he gently shook him awake.

" Morning already?" The tension in the room eased as Quatre blinked sleepily at them wondering what they were smiling at. " Wha..huh?"

" I don't understand these guys." Trowa turned serious as he addressed the problem at hand.

" They're either playing with us or clueless." Duo leaned back putting his hands behind his head. He shot forward as something latched onto his braid and pulled, tangling in the chestnut silk. " What the!? A.a.a.a.a.a.a.."

" Cat."

" Yeah Quat." He picked up the little ball of fur and deposited it on his lap petting it into purring ecstasy. The rest shook their heads and turned back to the conversation.

"They have us trapped here, they must not be in any hurry to finish their mission. We can't let them pick us off. I say we go through with our original plan and deal with the rest as it comes. We can hardly guess their moves if they only send out scouts to take us out." Wufei looked at them each in turn.

" Wait, what's your plan?" Quatre turned inquisitive eyes to the others.

" Trowa going to sneak out of here and get a message to Une and the Preventers."

" Wouldn't Duo be better for the stealth. No offense Trowa." He added quickly. Trowa just nodded kindly at him.

" We have another mission for him. Duo are you ready?"

" You bet. These creeps have a date with Shingami!" He popped his back loudly. The cat hissed at him and jumped into Trowas lap and resettling. Duo blinked at it.

" Duo will find where they're hiding. We figure there somewhere in the town itself or just outside. Once that's done all we can do is wait for the Preventers." Heero finished. Quatre looked up at him quizzically. " If we need to, we will strike." He frowned briefly before continuing. " You'll have to stay here. Ahh!" Heero quickly cut Quatres outburst off. " Your hurt. You can't even walk. Trowa will bring them back here to you and then we will progress to finish the mission." None of them looked happy about the rest of the plan but under the circumstances even Quatre couldn't say a thing.

" Alright. Trowa be careful." Quatre smirked at him and Trowa raised a fine eye brow. " You too Duo." His smirk got wider and he winked at Duo. Duo burst out laughing. The rest looked at them like they were crazy.

" Right buddy, you too."Duo winked back at him and smiled wider. He knew that look on his friends face. He wasn't one to sit back even when injured. Heero seeing th exchange tightened his grip on Quatre getting a squeak. " Ya know, these guys are getting irritating."