Chapter three!! Not very exciting I'm afraid, but it should get better after this (I hope!). Thanks to Rocky and Kasra, you're reviews really brightened my day! Anyway, on with the fic!

Chapter 3

Quatre, wake up! Duo shook the blond empath again, who moaned and then rolled over. Quatre! Duo sighed in frustration. Normally he was the one who had trouble getting up. An idea came to him and, grinning wickedly, he went to grab a bowl of water from the kitchen.

Trowa and Wufei were already there, Wufei finishing his firstmeal while Trowa drummed his fingers against the table nervously. Is he awake yet? he asked, a bite of impatience in his thought. Duo shook his head and flashed a grin at Wufei. How long did they say they were going to be, Duo? Wufei asked, trying to keep the worry from his voice. Duo just shrugged. They said they'd be checking after the traders going to the Moonfair have passed. They shouldn't be too long. He grabbed the bowl and a cup and returned to Quatre's room.

Once inside, he tried a final time to shake Quatre awake, to no avail. he said and grabbed the cup, holding it above the blond's head and then tilting it, letting the cold liquid splash onto his friend's face. Quatre sat up immediately and gasped, then glared at Duo as he wiped his face. What was that for? I don't need to get up for at least another hour.

Sorry, but the Soldiers from Guannette want to inspect the ship and they told us to wait in the kitchen until they finished.

Quatre paled. Why?

Duo shrugged. Just a routine inspection because of the moonfair. Trowa has the papers and has sorted out the extra ones for Wufei, but he says he wants everyone there for the check.

I'll be up in a minute, Quatre sent, making sure that Trowa heard, and then climbed from the bed, muttering about having to get up. Laughing quietly, Duo left and headed for the kitchen once more.

They sat in silence for a few minutes until Quatre appeared in the room and then Trowa took charge. Final checks. Certificates?

Duo grabbed a few sheets of paper from the table and handed them to everyone. Wufei inspected his carefully. They were a certificate of normalcy and some identification papers, very well forged, that would ensure that the soldiers had no excuse to drag any of them off.

Duo said brightly, speaking rather than thinking for Wufei's benefit. Quatre smiled at the way his friend always managed to stay cheerful, even when they were about to be searched by people who wouldn't think twice about throwing them in prison. Are all the healing supplies hidden? Trowa asked. Quatre shrugged and looked at Duo who nodded vigourously. Yep. I put the herbs in the cupboard along with the food, and any other stuff went next to the engine.

Wufei watched the exchange with interest. He could see how nervous all of them were. Trowa had been fidgety since the soldiers had announced their intentions, Quatre was a little too pale and Duo was being too exuberant, even for him. It surprised Wufei for some reason. He had expected them to be used to Soldier inspections and able to just whisk them through the impending one with calm confidence. I was expecting them to be that way because then I'd feel safe, he realised with a start, berating himself for having become so dependent on the trio over the past couple of days.

...... about you if they ask Wufei? Wufei brought himself out of his thoughts when he found himself being spoken to by Quatre. He frowned slightly, trying to figure out what the question was. That bruise on your face is still noticeable even if it has faded, Quatre continued.

We could just tell them that he chased a thief in the marketplace in Murmoth and it ended in a fight, Duo suggested. How does that sound? Wufei nodded his confirmation, realising what the original question had been.

The communication system beeped suddenly and Duo walked over to the vid-screen, switching it on with hands that trembled slightly. A Council Soldier appeared and the occupants of the room all tensed involuntarily. We'll be docking with your ship now, was the message and Duo smiled respectfully.

Of course. Can we provide you with anything when you come on board? The Soldier shook his head and then ended the transmission as the Sandrock shuddered. They waited in silence while the Soldier's ship docked. Finally they heard the airlock opening and loud feet echoing across the floor.

The captain of the Soldiers walked into the room, followed by two of his group, and Wufei concentrated on keeping his breathing even and calm. the captain snapped at them, holding out his hand expectantly.

One by one the four of them handed over their false certificates and identification papers, each of them sure that the beating of their hearts was loud enough to be audible. The captain scrutinised the papers carefully, checking every document while the misfits waited with bated breath.

After what seemed like hours of waiting nervously, the captain returned the papers to the desk as one of his Soldiers walked into the room. Anything to report? the captain asked. Wufei had to stop himself from gulping nervously as he had visions of the Soldiers dragging them all away and returning him to that place. He was just about ready to start screaming in frustration at not being able to protect himself when the Soldier shook his head and answered. No sir! We found nothing. The captain turned to face Duo. Well, everything is in order. Thank you for your co-operation and we shall be letting you go on your way.

As soon as the Soldiers left, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. Thank Lud that's over, Duo muttered.

Quatre nodded enthusiastically. Just our luck to get a captain who actually takes his job seriously.

Yeah, I kept expecting him to have us dragged off at any second! Duo laughed nervously. I'm just glad Hilde is so good at forging the things!

Who's Hilde? Wufei asked, happy to talk about anything to get his mind off the Soldiers. Duo shrugged. She's a Teknoguilder friend of mine. She, Fian and a few others specialise in languages and creating any documents Obernewtyn needs. Anyway, we should probably start off again. Duo stood but was pressed back into his seat gently by Trowa. I'll go Duo. I want to make sure that our course isn't followed so we'll have to take a few detours. He left silently giving Duo no chance for disagreement.

It amazed Wufei that the cheerful braided boy was the same one that he had held in his arms to ward off nightmares for the past two nights. Wufei wondered if Duo remembered his dreams because of their vividness. Probably not, he decided, looking at his extravagant behaviour. Wufei's attention turned to Quatre. The blond empath and healer was an enigma to him. The boy had at first seemed gentle and almost innocent for someone of his age, but Wufei could sense that Quatre had a core of steel and had found out first hand how stubborn he could be when Wufei had tried to refuse a check-up on his health. The boy would be dangerous if he chose to be. Trowa was obviously the leader out of the three of them and also the quietest. In fact, in his entire time on the ship, Wufei had never heard Trowa speak out loud, only in the mental speech that they were all capable of. There was something almost...sad in Trowa that tainted subtly everything he did. Wufei wondered what had happened to the trio to affect them like this.

Wufei? Are you okay? Wufei shook himself from his thoughts to see Duo leaning over the table and looking at him in concern. Wufei nodded. I was just thinking and was distracted for a moment.

Duo laughed and glanced at Quatre before returning his gaze to Wufei. You're as bad as the Futuretellers. They always do that.

A smile spread across Quatre's face and he chuckled. Yes. I heard Roland complaining about how Maryon had drifted into a trance during a Guildmerge a few weeks ago.

So, tell us. Do you get visions of the future Wufei? Someone must go somewhere before full moon or else grave danger will befall us!?! Duo said mockingly, imitating the speech of the Futureteller Guildmistress, Maryon.

And do you have a strange liking for housework? Quatre piped in making Duo roll his eyes. They're nuts for taking care of the House. If I was a Futureteller, I'd tell everyone that I'd had a vision saying that everyone else had to do my shifts in the kitchens.

Then everyone at Obernewtyn must be very glad that you aren't a Futureteller, Wufei said softly.

Depends on whether Duo would be doing the cooking or not, Trowa sent, returning to the kitchen. Duo glared at him. Trowa ignored him and went to stand next to Quatre, laying one hand possessively on the blond's shoulder. I set the computer to take us home but we'll be passing close to the blacklands to make sure we aren't followed. It should take us another half day.

Duo cheered. What do you want to do till then? Does anyone want to play cards or something while we wait?

*******

Several hours later and Sandrock was a hive of activity while the four of them prepared to land. Wufei who had no belongings on board was whisked away by Duo to help him pack. While the braided boy finished shoving his clothing and possessions into his bad, Wufei found himself entranced by the view from the window.

Duo looked up at him from his seat on the bed. Beautiful isn't it? he asked, noticing the direction of Wufei's attention. Wufei just nodded. Through the thick glass he could see the blackness of space but set into it like a jewel was a startlingly green planet, interspersed with areas of blue and red.

Duo, done with his packing came to stand next to him, staring down at the planet with the same awe that showed on Wufei's face. That's home. The planet of Obernewtyn.