Disclaimer:
Gundam Wing is really great And selling at a high, high rate When people go to the producer's gate In a rather cheerful state Giving them money by the sack They say, "Baka!" and throw it back
Okay that was insane, and untrue, but in any case, I don't own Gundam Wing. Now, on with the story. . . _______________________
Part 2: That night:
"Would you just kick that guy out already? He's giving me the creeps!" The bartender glanced across the room and picked up another glass and began to dry out the inside with the worn cloth. She had seen plenty of peculiar men come in and out of the bar, especially at these late hours at the 'Calme en Nantes', but something about this guy just sent shivers up her spine.
"He's just a kid, Lucrezia. He can't do much harm." The manager grumbled as he walked through the area behind the counter, but just out of curiosity, looked over at the corner table a moment. The messy dark hair shot up and a blue eye glared straight through the manager, who cringed, looking back at Lucrezia. "On second though, just watch him a bit."
Lucrezia sighed heavily, putting the dried glasses back on the counter behind, and continued to observe the new member of their humble establishment that night. He came in a few hours ago, and bought a drink for his seat, but he didn't touch it for a whole hour, at which point a neighboring drunk snatched it off the table. The blue-eyed stranger didn't seem to mind.
She had really gotten off lucky with that one. Normally, of course, they wouldn't have given a drink to someone of his age, but he insisted, and Lucrezia was hardly one to argue with the intimidating young man. So, she gave him something to drink; not that it was alcohol, that is. The manager had told her to just serve him as a normal customer, but it was against her morals. Water is healthier, anyway.
Every couple of minutes, she noticed, he would stop his idle surveillance of the place to focus upon either the window or the wall opposite her where a copy of the news was posted.
"Strange kid. . ." Lucrezia looked over, before she was called over for a second round of rum for the table of regulars.
Heero looked around the room once more, trying to conceal whatever motives he may absent-mindedly reveal in this public place. He wasn't used to public places, and he was forbidden under any circumstances to show any fear, albeit the whole idea absolutely terrified him.
Heero couldn't stop thinking about the lady with the drinks . . . She was suspicious. He might have to kill her. He looked over at Lucrezia, eying her once more, but what was just observation, looked like sheer malice to anyone else. The bartender looked away quickly, but it didn't matter much to him. It wouldn't be long, now, before Heero would move on. Just as soon as he finished this job, he would leave.
Normally, he didn't take on such trivial tasks like the one Trieze had described to him. And, yet, Trieze assured him that this mere peasant's death would alter the course of history, and as twisted as Treize's word is known to be on the underground, any skilled assassin knows that a statement as that is not joked about.
Heero had gone out before without a weapon to see just who he was up against, because as skilled as he was, it was nothing short of idiocy to go into a battle without knowledge of the enemy's strength. It was not one of his better choices, he admitted, now. It hadn't occurred to him that anything could interfere with a mission, least of all emotion.
It was strange. He never could remember feeling sympathy before, and perhaps that is why Heero had stopped at the bar instead of finishing the job, but he would kill tonight. There was no way around it; he had given his word. It was a shame, he thought as he got up from his chair; that one with so much pain in his heart should have to die so soon in life. And yet, part of him wished someone would have the courtesy to return the favor.
Lucrezia looked up from her work to watch the mop-haired young man leave his seat and slide his coat on. She looked at the manager as she poured a drink for a man who had just placed an order, and as soon as she made eye contact, jerked her head over to the leaving customer.
"Ah, would you look at that? Three hours and not more than a shilling spent . . ." The manager mused in amazement at the randomness of it all before raising his voice to Lucrezia's ears, "There goes another 'un. We'll never see him again, you know."
She nodded absent-mindedly, but only half agreeing as she watched the door slam shut behind him. There's something about a guy like that which makes the assumption at a toss of a coin. Everything couldn't be right with that boy, not after sitting for four hours in a bar without speaking, moving, or drinking. And goodness, if looks could kill, that guy might've been an atomic bomb.
He didn't need looks to kill, anyway. A gun was weapon enough.
______________________________
Out on the streets, it was a considerably warm night, and Duo had followed Solo to the nearest 'safe space' that he had set around the city. This particular one was 'safe' only because it wasn't in enemy territory (or so to speak). Besides, there were buildings to either side as a windbreaker, and even a small patch of soft dirt. It really wasn't so bad.
"Hey Solo?" Duo glanced from the ground to his friend who was standing watch until he could okay the area for settling down. Solo had actually assumed Duo was asleep, because there had been silence for nearly three minutes. And if something wasn't up with Duo, he could have called it a world record.
"Yeah. . ." The older boy kept his eyes on the streets as another wanderer walked past. It looked like the last one, so he sat down on the dirt, leaning against the wall for support.
"You never really knew my parents, did you?" Duo didn't look to the side, but he knew that Solo was looking at him. How long did he really expect Duo to buy that story anyway?
"No," it was said plainly.
"Then how do you know me?" Duo looked at his friend, who looked back, still remembering the exact moment.
He must have only been four at the time, but it was the first revolt he could remember. Seeing Duo on the steps of the Maxwell Church, Solo realized that he wouldn't last long with the city in such a condition and quickly took Duo with him to escape; promising that he would take the child back to the Maxwell Church as soon as it was safe. And they did bring Duo back to the exact place where Solo had found him, only to find the church in ruin. Solo had been credited with the saving of the child's life, and 'The Sweepers' soon came to call the boy 'Duo' after the one who saved him from the tragedy.
What happened from then on was a struggle for Solo, but with the help of his friends and family, 'The Sweepers', they were able to bring Duo up on the streets as best they could. Still, Duo had turned-out dangerously malnourished, but there was nothing more they could do. Solo hadn't been able to ell Duo about any of this, and thought of a clever lie to cover up curiosity temporarily, but Duo was more perceptive than he looked and acted.
"I've taken care of you ever since you were a baby." Solo said after a slight pause, and Duo threw an annoyed glance at his friend.
"You know what I mean, and it's not that." He brought himself up to a sitting position as well, leaning against the wall. After a long pause, Duo felt a little bad for bringing up such a delicate subject and changed the topic, "That guard's still on the job tomorrow."
Silence prevailed . . . again.
"Solo!" Duo, in growing impatience, yelled as loud as he could whisper.
"What?" he answered casually, but with a slight coarseness to his voice, as if it were difficult for him to speak.
"Don't play me for a fool." Duo crossed his arms indignantly and looked up beyond the tops to the building and to the cloudy night sky. They could barely see anything anyway, so he couldn't even tell that Solo was struggling with himself.
He and Duo had become like brothers in the past 12 years, and he was afraid that saying something might endanger their friendship, or brotherhood, as it were, because maybe his actions were not as Duo had hoped. Solo was sure there must have been something else he could have done to help Duo find his family, and this made him guilty. Somehow, he became so selfish in thinking he needed Duo to be part of his family even more. He hoped Duo would understand, but somehow, Solo knew he wouldn't.
"I'm sorry, Duo. I know you're not a fool, but it's just a hard topic, you know?" Solo glanced nervously at his friend, who he could only barely see through the darkness. Duo hadn't even turned, because he hadn't seen any movement through the blackened hiding spot, but he awaited a response, assuming it was a rhetorical question. He was right.
"When I found you, you were just a baby, and it was the middle of the first uprising of the people against royalty. You don't remember, but you've heard enough to know what went on, right," Solo paused to recall, and let Duo fill in the emptiness.
"Well, everyone says it was the best thing that had happened in a long time for them, but I don't see how killing can ever be good." Duo said in apprehension.
"I found you on the steps of the Maxwell Church, and I knew I had to get the hell outta there if I wanted to live, but I couldn't very well sleep at night knowing I had left a baby on the streets to die." Duo's eyes widened in disbelief as Solo nodded. It was a lot to take in.
"Where's the Maxwell Church? I've never heard of it before." Duo asked tentatively.
"You wouldn't have. It was burnt to the ground by angry revolutionaries hoping to make a statement only hours after I took you away. I found out when I tried to take you back." Solo said wistfully, but only because he was numb with emotion.
"Oh, uh . . . thanks," Duo stuttered, still disbelieving to a certain extent exactly what Solo was telling him, and minutes passed in silence before he had the courage to say anything, "I haven't been a burden?"
"Always," Solo smirked in remembrance, "But it was worth every minute. You're the best little brother, and the best darn thief I ever saw. You can't imagine how shocked I was when I had to bail you out today." Solo chuckled a little, "You aren't angry at me are you?"
"What for?" Duo adjusted his position against the wall, and brought his hands crossed behind his head, still looking at the sky, from which was the only light available, now. The light from an oil lamp in the window across the street had expired more than ten minutes ago, and the sky darkened still.
"Well, just 'cause I thou-"
A shadowy figure could be seen across the street, and Solo instinctively cut himself off as he and Duo scurried farther against the wall, to avoid being seen. There was no point in digging themselves deeper into the alley.
"Oh, no!" Duo looked back, realizing at once their poor choice of sleeping quarters. There was no way out, not even a fence to climb over. There was nothing but wall all around. They hadn't slept there before that Duo could remember, and now, he realized why. Growing up on the streets, you could never be too careful. He had slipped-up, but it was still two against one.
The figure approached quickly, but it was impossible to tell anything from the darkness other than that it was indeed a person, a very swiftly-gaining person who they had already revealed themselves to. This was not good.
Duo felt the figure's presence before seeing it, and his breath rapidly increased. The figure was nearer to Solo, but that made it worse. What if something happened to Solo? Duo would never forgive himself. The figure made a rush for something from his side and pointed it at the wall, where he heard a noise.
The noise was a sharp intake of breath from Solo, who now had a gun placed not more than an inch from his cheek. One jerk of a finger, and Solo would be dead, so he wisely revealed himself to the stranger.
"Who are you?" Solo spoke as the stranger allowed him to stand, and lowered his gun.
"I am sorry. I seem to have made a mistake in this darkness. I was looking for another, but you might be in danger." The elder man's eyes softened, but they couldn't tell anything more than that. At least he had lowered his gun.
"Geez! Get a lamp!" Duo rose to his feet, having a gun only briefly pointed at him. Obviously he was not the target, either. "You scared us half to death!" Duo crossed his arms in discontent, but actually very relieved this situation wasn't as bad as it seemed. They only knew the half of it, and one of them wouldn't live to find out.
"You shouldn't be here tonight. It's not safe," The befriended stranger tucked his gun safely around his waist, completely ignoring Duo's comment, and motioned for them both to follow.
The two looked at each other in confusion, but whatever this stranger had to offer must have been better than anything they already had. It could have been a trap, but the thought quickly went from their minds, replaced by the thought of an adventure, which turned out to go only as far as the 'Calme en Nantes'.
Both their heads turned up to the sign to the small inn and bar. They had passed it many times, of course, but never had gone inside. They had nothing to buy. It was lower than all things to accept the hospitality of another without anything in return.
The lights from the small open building shone through and lit the man's long blond hair splendidly as he opened the door, and looked back at the two younger boys, who hesitated to enter the establishment.
"Don't worry about it, I'll get you something, just don't stand there. I told you it wasn't safe!" The opening lightened, then dimmed the darkened outside streets upon its closing.
"We'd best do as he says." Solo said, still a statue on the ground, to Duo, who was no different, and nodded at the sentiment. Oddly enough, it took near thirty seconds before either of them made a movement to pass through the door.
______________________
Lucrezia was washing the countertop in preparation of closing when the blond-haired man unexpectedly stepped through the door. Her heart skipped a beat as he locked eyes with her across the empty room, and she lost words for a minute until she quickly remembered her manners.
"Please come in," She continued to pick up empty glasses and dampened a new cloth to wipe up the mess, "I was just about to close-up, but if it's just you, you're more than welcome to stay while I get things sorted out."
"There are two more. They should be along in a second," He said, hesitating to take his coat off just yet, "Is that all right?"
"Yes, fine." Lucrezia looked out from underneath long bangs and up from the counter to look once more at the man who so captivated her interest, "Can I get you anything?"
"Do you have anything to eat?" The blond man asked, just having removed his coat, and glancing outside the window to watch the two boys approaching the door.
"Sure."
"Then just cook up two meals of whatever's filling. These kids could use it." He said quietly, and almost sympathetically, as Solo was the first to walk in the door.
Looking at the two in the light, they were an odd sight to behold in their peasants' rags and dirty disposition, but were a motley pair even so. Solo was about 4 years older and stood nearly as many inches above the younger boy with dark, dirty hair and menacing green eyes. Duo, on the other hand, looked quite a bit more fragile than the other; the assumption quite a few had paid for with bruises and various other indentations on their pride. His appearance was not only thin, but quite lovely, had he been a girl. On the other hand, if you told that to his face, you'd probably be unconscious before you could regret it. Duo's eyes were brilliantly purple, too, one of the strange things about his appearance that no one could miss easily, quite like his braid, which hung down beyond his waist. It was usually filled with dirt and needed washing, but despite how hard it was to come across means of cleaning materials, Duo managed somehow to find a way to keep it in good condition. For some reason, it was extremely important, and it was something he had only told Solo once.
It was the eyes, though that first caught both Lucrezia's and the blond- haired man's attention. It was likely that neither of them had ever come across these same hued eyes in their lives. And in Lucrezia's case, this was true, but not so for the blond.
"Have a seat." He offered two chairs at his table, whereupon Duo and Solo sat down, "I hope you can forgive me for that little incident, and keep secrecy. In this case I'd be more than happy to explain, because I've been looking for someone. . ."
"With a gun?" Duo raised his eyebrows at the older man who nodded gravely.
"This is a terribly serious matter, that I hope neither of you have to concern yourselves with, but it will effect everyone in this entire country when you come down to it." He looked over to the counter, where Lucrezia was still cleaning-up dutifully, and he lowered his voice considerably, "I can trust you to keep this secret?"
"You have nothing to fear from us." Solo spoke quietly before Duo had a chance to belt something out, so instead, agreed with his silence. In his case, these were as valuable as any words.
"You two look something awful!" Lucrezia addressed the two young men as she brought matching cold plates of something-or-other in front of the two thieves that neither Duo nor Solo had ever seen in their lives, and stared wide-eyed at the food being offered to them. Their first inclination would have been to say that they couldn't pay, but they quickly realized that both the older people knew this, and looked at the smiling blond-haired man who nodded at them both.
Duo started to pick at his food slowly and guiltily at first, but began ravenously devouring the first chance he comprehended the full extent of his hunger. He finished without any trouble at all, still empty, but the lessened emptiness felt wonderful in his stomach; and to him, it had felt as if he had eaten a feast.
"Thank you." Duo said, watching Solo finish the last of the meal, "You don't know how long it's been since we've had something to eat. Solo, especially. He often gave his share to me, saying I needed it more. I don't believe a word of it, do you?"
"He's just trying to look out for you . . . like a good older brother would." The blond reminisced before looking back at Duo and noticed seriously for the second time those purple eyes. The last time he had seen those eyes was not a pleasant memory, and yet, an essential one if he was ever going to change the course of the nation's history.
It was hard to believe that he was the only one standing up against Treize and his twisted ideals. Perhaps no one knew of his plans, or maybe it was as he feared, that he was the only one willing. These common thieves could prove very useful in his investigations, and a very valuable ally if he played his cards right. After all, he had no chance of defeating Treize alone.
"What's your name?" Duo snapped his head back to the long-haired older man, and green eyes awoke from his thoughts with surprise.
"You can call me . . . Zechs." He turned around to find Lucrezia at the counter, done with her closing chores, and leaning against the counter patiently. "I am sorry if we've kept you waiting." The blond said apologetically.
"It's no problem. Just remember that we close around 1:00 in the morning, so try to be here be here a little earlier than three minutes before closing." She smiled gently, awaiting their departure.
"Actually, this is an inn as well, is it not?" Zechs asked the bartender casually.
"Yes, it is." Lucrezia smiled at the notion.
"Then I'd like a room." He threw a few coins down on the table before walking back to the table to retrieve a coat. Lucrezia stared at the money a minute and counted it out. He had grossly overpaid.
"Sir, I think you may have made a mistake." Lucrezia let the coins fall from her hands as Zechs slipped into his coat, "Where are you off to?" She asked incredulously.
"Why, my inn of course. Make sure these two have breakfast tomorrow morning. That much should cover it." Zechs smiled quickly and raised his eyebrows at the two stunned thieves, "I'll expect to see you tomorrow."
With that said, he waited a moment for a response, but when he received only stunned stares, it made him chuckle a bit as he closed the door behind him.
"Well, it's . . . upstairs and to the left, I guess. . ." Lucrezia said to Solo and Duo as she stared out the door until Zechs was out of view. She then picked up the dirty cloth she had been using on the tables to face them, "You're really lucky to come across a guy like that." Lucrezia sighed as she turned away and ran up the stairs she had motioned to before, leaving the two statue-like figures behind in their confusion.
"Solo?" Duo looked up at his friend with wide, purple eyes.
"Yeah?"
"What's going on?" He asked still quite staggered by the past minutes' events, but Solo had always had all the answers. Weather it was when the rain would fall or how to sew a pocket onto his clothes with a dull needle and an old handkerchief someone threw away.
"You know what, Duo," He looked down at his chestnut-haired friend, "I really don't know."
**************Replies to Revered Reviewers***************
Minerva Blue: in answer to your question I'm really sorry but I, uh, *gulp* don't know what 'AU' means. You've got to understand, though, that I'm fairly new to this. *is glared upon by everyone* Okay, I get the point. Read more, write less. I can tell you about my story, though. It has no romantic relationships as of yet, and might turn out to be a Heero and Duo fic, if you all so desire. It's not important to the plot, though.
Kris Yamaki: Thank you! That really made my day, and prompted on my writing this second part to the story. Minority definitely rules! ^_~
Sidney Maxwell: Your favorite's list? *faints* I feel so special! Thank you! ^-^
***************Desperate plea for Reviews***************
As for you wonderful, new people who might have happened to read this:
Please review! I love to hear what you think, and if you think I should continue! I need motivation because I keep my self esteem inside a gum wrapper with my ego. I'm really pathetic that way. Big thanks to my reviewers for boosting my opinion of my writing. My self esteem may even have to graduate to the tic-tac container soon! (. . . I don't own tic-tacs either, just in case you were wondering . . .want me to write a poem about it? I didn't think so. *is laughing*)
Gundam Wing is really great And selling at a high, high rate When people go to the producer's gate In a rather cheerful state Giving them money by the sack They say, "Baka!" and throw it back
Okay that was insane, and untrue, but in any case, I don't own Gundam Wing. Now, on with the story. . . _______________________
Part 2: That night:
"Would you just kick that guy out already? He's giving me the creeps!" The bartender glanced across the room and picked up another glass and began to dry out the inside with the worn cloth. She had seen plenty of peculiar men come in and out of the bar, especially at these late hours at the 'Calme en Nantes', but something about this guy just sent shivers up her spine.
"He's just a kid, Lucrezia. He can't do much harm." The manager grumbled as he walked through the area behind the counter, but just out of curiosity, looked over at the corner table a moment. The messy dark hair shot up and a blue eye glared straight through the manager, who cringed, looking back at Lucrezia. "On second though, just watch him a bit."
Lucrezia sighed heavily, putting the dried glasses back on the counter behind, and continued to observe the new member of their humble establishment that night. He came in a few hours ago, and bought a drink for his seat, but he didn't touch it for a whole hour, at which point a neighboring drunk snatched it off the table. The blue-eyed stranger didn't seem to mind.
She had really gotten off lucky with that one. Normally, of course, they wouldn't have given a drink to someone of his age, but he insisted, and Lucrezia was hardly one to argue with the intimidating young man. So, she gave him something to drink; not that it was alcohol, that is. The manager had told her to just serve him as a normal customer, but it was against her morals. Water is healthier, anyway.
Every couple of minutes, she noticed, he would stop his idle surveillance of the place to focus upon either the window or the wall opposite her where a copy of the news was posted.
"Strange kid. . ." Lucrezia looked over, before she was called over for a second round of rum for the table of regulars.
Heero looked around the room once more, trying to conceal whatever motives he may absent-mindedly reveal in this public place. He wasn't used to public places, and he was forbidden under any circumstances to show any fear, albeit the whole idea absolutely terrified him.
Heero couldn't stop thinking about the lady with the drinks . . . She was suspicious. He might have to kill her. He looked over at Lucrezia, eying her once more, but what was just observation, looked like sheer malice to anyone else. The bartender looked away quickly, but it didn't matter much to him. It wouldn't be long, now, before Heero would move on. Just as soon as he finished this job, he would leave.
Normally, he didn't take on such trivial tasks like the one Trieze had described to him. And, yet, Trieze assured him that this mere peasant's death would alter the course of history, and as twisted as Treize's word is known to be on the underground, any skilled assassin knows that a statement as that is not joked about.
Heero had gone out before without a weapon to see just who he was up against, because as skilled as he was, it was nothing short of idiocy to go into a battle without knowledge of the enemy's strength. It was not one of his better choices, he admitted, now. It hadn't occurred to him that anything could interfere with a mission, least of all emotion.
It was strange. He never could remember feeling sympathy before, and perhaps that is why Heero had stopped at the bar instead of finishing the job, but he would kill tonight. There was no way around it; he had given his word. It was a shame, he thought as he got up from his chair; that one with so much pain in his heart should have to die so soon in life. And yet, part of him wished someone would have the courtesy to return the favor.
Lucrezia looked up from her work to watch the mop-haired young man leave his seat and slide his coat on. She looked at the manager as she poured a drink for a man who had just placed an order, and as soon as she made eye contact, jerked her head over to the leaving customer.
"Ah, would you look at that? Three hours and not more than a shilling spent . . ." The manager mused in amazement at the randomness of it all before raising his voice to Lucrezia's ears, "There goes another 'un. We'll never see him again, you know."
She nodded absent-mindedly, but only half agreeing as she watched the door slam shut behind him. There's something about a guy like that which makes the assumption at a toss of a coin. Everything couldn't be right with that boy, not after sitting for four hours in a bar without speaking, moving, or drinking. And goodness, if looks could kill, that guy might've been an atomic bomb.
He didn't need looks to kill, anyway. A gun was weapon enough.
______________________________
Out on the streets, it was a considerably warm night, and Duo had followed Solo to the nearest 'safe space' that he had set around the city. This particular one was 'safe' only because it wasn't in enemy territory (or so to speak). Besides, there were buildings to either side as a windbreaker, and even a small patch of soft dirt. It really wasn't so bad.
"Hey Solo?" Duo glanced from the ground to his friend who was standing watch until he could okay the area for settling down. Solo had actually assumed Duo was asleep, because there had been silence for nearly three minutes. And if something wasn't up with Duo, he could have called it a world record.
"Yeah. . ." The older boy kept his eyes on the streets as another wanderer walked past. It looked like the last one, so he sat down on the dirt, leaning against the wall for support.
"You never really knew my parents, did you?" Duo didn't look to the side, but he knew that Solo was looking at him. How long did he really expect Duo to buy that story anyway?
"No," it was said plainly.
"Then how do you know me?" Duo looked at his friend, who looked back, still remembering the exact moment.
He must have only been four at the time, but it was the first revolt he could remember. Seeing Duo on the steps of the Maxwell Church, Solo realized that he wouldn't last long with the city in such a condition and quickly took Duo with him to escape; promising that he would take the child back to the Maxwell Church as soon as it was safe. And they did bring Duo back to the exact place where Solo had found him, only to find the church in ruin. Solo had been credited with the saving of the child's life, and 'The Sweepers' soon came to call the boy 'Duo' after the one who saved him from the tragedy.
What happened from then on was a struggle for Solo, but with the help of his friends and family, 'The Sweepers', they were able to bring Duo up on the streets as best they could. Still, Duo had turned-out dangerously malnourished, but there was nothing more they could do. Solo hadn't been able to ell Duo about any of this, and thought of a clever lie to cover up curiosity temporarily, but Duo was more perceptive than he looked and acted.
"I've taken care of you ever since you were a baby." Solo said after a slight pause, and Duo threw an annoyed glance at his friend.
"You know what I mean, and it's not that." He brought himself up to a sitting position as well, leaning against the wall. After a long pause, Duo felt a little bad for bringing up such a delicate subject and changed the topic, "That guard's still on the job tomorrow."
Silence prevailed . . . again.
"Solo!" Duo, in growing impatience, yelled as loud as he could whisper.
"What?" he answered casually, but with a slight coarseness to his voice, as if it were difficult for him to speak.
"Don't play me for a fool." Duo crossed his arms indignantly and looked up beyond the tops to the building and to the cloudy night sky. They could barely see anything anyway, so he couldn't even tell that Solo was struggling with himself.
He and Duo had become like brothers in the past 12 years, and he was afraid that saying something might endanger their friendship, or brotherhood, as it were, because maybe his actions were not as Duo had hoped. Solo was sure there must have been something else he could have done to help Duo find his family, and this made him guilty. Somehow, he became so selfish in thinking he needed Duo to be part of his family even more. He hoped Duo would understand, but somehow, Solo knew he wouldn't.
"I'm sorry, Duo. I know you're not a fool, but it's just a hard topic, you know?" Solo glanced nervously at his friend, who he could only barely see through the darkness. Duo hadn't even turned, because he hadn't seen any movement through the blackened hiding spot, but he awaited a response, assuming it was a rhetorical question. He was right.
"When I found you, you were just a baby, and it was the middle of the first uprising of the people against royalty. You don't remember, but you've heard enough to know what went on, right," Solo paused to recall, and let Duo fill in the emptiness.
"Well, everyone says it was the best thing that had happened in a long time for them, but I don't see how killing can ever be good." Duo said in apprehension.
"I found you on the steps of the Maxwell Church, and I knew I had to get the hell outta there if I wanted to live, but I couldn't very well sleep at night knowing I had left a baby on the streets to die." Duo's eyes widened in disbelief as Solo nodded. It was a lot to take in.
"Where's the Maxwell Church? I've never heard of it before." Duo asked tentatively.
"You wouldn't have. It was burnt to the ground by angry revolutionaries hoping to make a statement only hours after I took you away. I found out when I tried to take you back." Solo said wistfully, but only because he was numb with emotion.
"Oh, uh . . . thanks," Duo stuttered, still disbelieving to a certain extent exactly what Solo was telling him, and minutes passed in silence before he had the courage to say anything, "I haven't been a burden?"
"Always," Solo smirked in remembrance, "But it was worth every minute. You're the best little brother, and the best darn thief I ever saw. You can't imagine how shocked I was when I had to bail you out today." Solo chuckled a little, "You aren't angry at me are you?"
"What for?" Duo adjusted his position against the wall, and brought his hands crossed behind his head, still looking at the sky, from which was the only light available, now. The light from an oil lamp in the window across the street had expired more than ten minutes ago, and the sky darkened still.
"Well, just 'cause I thou-"
A shadowy figure could be seen across the street, and Solo instinctively cut himself off as he and Duo scurried farther against the wall, to avoid being seen. There was no point in digging themselves deeper into the alley.
"Oh, no!" Duo looked back, realizing at once their poor choice of sleeping quarters. There was no way out, not even a fence to climb over. There was nothing but wall all around. They hadn't slept there before that Duo could remember, and now, he realized why. Growing up on the streets, you could never be too careful. He had slipped-up, but it was still two against one.
The figure approached quickly, but it was impossible to tell anything from the darkness other than that it was indeed a person, a very swiftly-gaining person who they had already revealed themselves to. This was not good.
Duo felt the figure's presence before seeing it, and his breath rapidly increased. The figure was nearer to Solo, but that made it worse. What if something happened to Solo? Duo would never forgive himself. The figure made a rush for something from his side and pointed it at the wall, where he heard a noise.
The noise was a sharp intake of breath from Solo, who now had a gun placed not more than an inch from his cheek. One jerk of a finger, and Solo would be dead, so he wisely revealed himself to the stranger.
"Who are you?" Solo spoke as the stranger allowed him to stand, and lowered his gun.
"I am sorry. I seem to have made a mistake in this darkness. I was looking for another, but you might be in danger." The elder man's eyes softened, but they couldn't tell anything more than that. At least he had lowered his gun.
"Geez! Get a lamp!" Duo rose to his feet, having a gun only briefly pointed at him. Obviously he was not the target, either. "You scared us half to death!" Duo crossed his arms in discontent, but actually very relieved this situation wasn't as bad as it seemed. They only knew the half of it, and one of them wouldn't live to find out.
"You shouldn't be here tonight. It's not safe," The befriended stranger tucked his gun safely around his waist, completely ignoring Duo's comment, and motioned for them both to follow.
The two looked at each other in confusion, but whatever this stranger had to offer must have been better than anything they already had. It could have been a trap, but the thought quickly went from their minds, replaced by the thought of an adventure, which turned out to go only as far as the 'Calme en Nantes'.
Both their heads turned up to the sign to the small inn and bar. They had passed it many times, of course, but never had gone inside. They had nothing to buy. It was lower than all things to accept the hospitality of another without anything in return.
The lights from the small open building shone through and lit the man's long blond hair splendidly as he opened the door, and looked back at the two younger boys, who hesitated to enter the establishment.
"Don't worry about it, I'll get you something, just don't stand there. I told you it wasn't safe!" The opening lightened, then dimmed the darkened outside streets upon its closing.
"We'd best do as he says." Solo said, still a statue on the ground, to Duo, who was no different, and nodded at the sentiment. Oddly enough, it took near thirty seconds before either of them made a movement to pass through the door.
______________________
Lucrezia was washing the countertop in preparation of closing when the blond-haired man unexpectedly stepped through the door. Her heart skipped a beat as he locked eyes with her across the empty room, and she lost words for a minute until she quickly remembered her manners.
"Please come in," She continued to pick up empty glasses and dampened a new cloth to wipe up the mess, "I was just about to close-up, but if it's just you, you're more than welcome to stay while I get things sorted out."
"There are two more. They should be along in a second," He said, hesitating to take his coat off just yet, "Is that all right?"
"Yes, fine." Lucrezia looked out from underneath long bangs and up from the counter to look once more at the man who so captivated her interest, "Can I get you anything?"
"Do you have anything to eat?" The blond man asked, just having removed his coat, and glancing outside the window to watch the two boys approaching the door.
"Sure."
"Then just cook up two meals of whatever's filling. These kids could use it." He said quietly, and almost sympathetically, as Solo was the first to walk in the door.
Looking at the two in the light, they were an odd sight to behold in their peasants' rags and dirty disposition, but were a motley pair even so. Solo was about 4 years older and stood nearly as many inches above the younger boy with dark, dirty hair and menacing green eyes. Duo, on the other hand, looked quite a bit more fragile than the other; the assumption quite a few had paid for with bruises and various other indentations on their pride. His appearance was not only thin, but quite lovely, had he been a girl. On the other hand, if you told that to his face, you'd probably be unconscious before you could regret it. Duo's eyes were brilliantly purple, too, one of the strange things about his appearance that no one could miss easily, quite like his braid, which hung down beyond his waist. It was usually filled with dirt and needed washing, but despite how hard it was to come across means of cleaning materials, Duo managed somehow to find a way to keep it in good condition. For some reason, it was extremely important, and it was something he had only told Solo once.
It was the eyes, though that first caught both Lucrezia's and the blond- haired man's attention. It was likely that neither of them had ever come across these same hued eyes in their lives. And in Lucrezia's case, this was true, but not so for the blond.
"Have a seat." He offered two chairs at his table, whereupon Duo and Solo sat down, "I hope you can forgive me for that little incident, and keep secrecy. In this case I'd be more than happy to explain, because I've been looking for someone. . ."
"With a gun?" Duo raised his eyebrows at the older man who nodded gravely.
"This is a terribly serious matter, that I hope neither of you have to concern yourselves with, but it will effect everyone in this entire country when you come down to it." He looked over to the counter, where Lucrezia was still cleaning-up dutifully, and he lowered his voice considerably, "I can trust you to keep this secret?"
"You have nothing to fear from us." Solo spoke quietly before Duo had a chance to belt something out, so instead, agreed with his silence. In his case, these were as valuable as any words.
"You two look something awful!" Lucrezia addressed the two young men as she brought matching cold plates of something-or-other in front of the two thieves that neither Duo nor Solo had ever seen in their lives, and stared wide-eyed at the food being offered to them. Their first inclination would have been to say that they couldn't pay, but they quickly realized that both the older people knew this, and looked at the smiling blond-haired man who nodded at them both.
Duo started to pick at his food slowly and guiltily at first, but began ravenously devouring the first chance he comprehended the full extent of his hunger. He finished without any trouble at all, still empty, but the lessened emptiness felt wonderful in his stomach; and to him, it had felt as if he had eaten a feast.
"Thank you." Duo said, watching Solo finish the last of the meal, "You don't know how long it's been since we've had something to eat. Solo, especially. He often gave his share to me, saying I needed it more. I don't believe a word of it, do you?"
"He's just trying to look out for you . . . like a good older brother would." The blond reminisced before looking back at Duo and noticed seriously for the second time those purple eyes. The last time he had seen those eyes was not a pleasant memory, and yet, an essential one if he was ever going to change the course of the nation's history.
It was hard to believe that he was the only one standing up against Treize and his twisted ideals. Perhaps no one knew of his plans, or maybe it was as he feared, that he was the only one willing. These common thieves could prove very useful in his investigations, and a very valuable ally if he played his cards right. After all, he had no chance of defeating Treize alone.
"What's your name?" Duo snapped his head back to the long-haired older man, and green eyes awoke from his thoughts with surprise.
"You can call me . . . Zechs." He turned around to find Lucrezia at the counter, done with her closing chores, and leaning against the counter patiently. "I am sorry if we've kept you waiting." The blond said apologetically.
"It's no problem. Just remember that we close around 1:00 in the morning, so try to be here be here a little earlier than three minutes before closing." She smiled gently, awaiting their departure.
"Actually, this is an inn as well, is it not?" Zechs asked the bartender casually.
"Yes, it is." Lucrezia smiled at the notion.
"Then I'd like a room." He threw a few coins down on the table before walking back to the table to retrieve a coat. Lucrezia stared at the money a minute and counted it out. He had grossly overpaid.
"Sir, I think you may have made a mistake." Lucrezia let the coins fall from her hands as Zechs slipped into his coat, "Where are you off to?" She asked incredulously.
"Why, my inn of course. Make sure these two have breakfast tomorrow morning. That much should cover it." Zechs smiled quickly and raised his eyebrows at the two stunned thieves, "I'll expect to see you tomorrow."
With that said, he waited a moment for a response, but when he received only stunned stares, it made him chuckle a bit as he closed the door behind him.
"Well, it's . . . upstairs and to the left, I guess. . ." Lucrezia said to Solo and Duo as she stared out the door until Zechs was out of view. She then picked up the dirty cloth she had been using on the tables to face them, "You're really lucky to come across a guy like that." Lucrezia sighed as she turned away and ran up the stairs she had motioned to before, leaving the two statue-like figures behind in their confusion.
"Solo?" Duo looked up at his friend with wide, purple eyes.
"Yeah?"
"What's going on?" He asked still quite staggered by the past minutes' events, but Solo had always had all the answers. Weather it was when the rain would fall or how to sew a pocket onto his clothes with a dull needle and an old handkerchief someone threw away.
"You know what, Duo," He looked down at his chestnut-haired friend, "I really don't know."
**************Replies to Revered Reviewers***************
Minerva Blue: in answer to your question I'm really sorry but I, uh, *gulp* don't know what 'AU' means. You've got to understand, though, that I'm fairly new to this. *is glared upon by everyone* Okay, I get the point. Read more, write less. I can tell you about my story, though. It has no romantic relationships as of yet, and might turn out to be a Heero and Duo fic, if you all so desire. It's not important to the plot, though.
Kris Yamaki: Thank you! That really made my day, and prompted on my writing this second part to the story. Minority definitely rules! ^_~
Sidney Maxwell: Your favorite's list? *faints* I feel so special! Thank you! ^-^
***************Desperate plea for Reviews***************
As for you wonderful, new people who might have happened to read this:
Please review! I love to hear what you think, and if you think I should continue! I need motivation because I keep my self esteem inside a gum wrapper with my ego. I'm really pathetic that way. Big thanks to my reviewers for boosting my opinion of my writing. My self esteem may even have to graduate to the tic-tac container soon! (. . . I don't own tic-tacs either, just in case you were wondering . . .want me to write a poem about it? I didn't think so. *is laughing*)