**Author's Note: Ok, here is Chapter 3. I hope you all enjoy it, it took me a few days to write this one. It is rather long, and I apologize for its length. Perhaps it should be two chapters, but I know you guys didn't want to wait any longer for a Ronin awakening...Yeah, I let what's going to happen in the chapter slip but I didn't say where it happens, or just who wakes up. You'll just have to read to find out, Muhahahaha! Take care, and please review :)**



Disclaimer: Non conosco chiunque importante, in modo da vi concluderete sullo spendere piùù soldi che guadagnerete se lo citate. (I got an "A" in Italian this semester :) ).



Chapter 3

"I cannot believe you are buying clothes for them," Heero walked behind Duo teetering haphazardously under a pile of clothes fresh off of hangers. Duo tossed another pair of jeans on top of the pile before turning, his eyes going wide as he realized he'd lost Heero. "Heero? I heard you, but I don't see you."

"Under here, baka," Heero grunted, and he felt the relief of weight being taken off of him. Duo peered at him from the pile of clothes he'd taken, "Um...I *am* going a bit over board, aren't I?"

"Just a little," Heero nodded gruffly. "You're not even sure what sizes they're going to wear."

Duo frowned, "Yeah...but judging from their bio-data I can guestimate their sizes pretty well."

"Hn."

"Hn, what?"

"Who's to say they'll like what you'll buy?"

Duo made a face, "You make a valid point Heero. Ok, so what do you suggest we get?"

"Perhaps we should wait for these *babies*, of ours, to wake up. Then we could ask them. But just in case they need to get up and roam, and don't want to flash the hospital staff...I suppose we could go for the basic blue jeans and plain t-shirts."

Duo stoked his chin as he thought about it, "Alright, sounds good to me." A wide grin graced his features. Heero was used to seeing Duo's face split into various grins and smiles so didn't think it was odd for one to be in place then, but his eyes were sparkling in an odd way. "What?" It made him blush. This was one of those smiles meant for only him, one of Duo's rare genuine smiles.

"You said 'babies of ours,' Heero! Does this mean what I think it does?" He was absolutely glowing, and Heero couldn't help but sigh, and nod. All Duo could go on about were his *babies*, and he and Quatre would pour over their files for hours. He tried to dismiss it as one of Duo's various hobbies that he would tire of eventually, but it hadn't been. Heero stood back, as Duo wanted him to, and let the baka work. Heero had loved taking care of Duo, but found he liked watching him work even more. He liked watching his face still with concentration, he liked watching his eyes glisten when he was intrigued with new information he was learning. He loved every aspect of the creature named Duo Maxwell, and as much as he would love to trap it and keep it for his private collection, it was more beautiful in the wild.

"This is so great Heero! Quatre and I have been trying to link their personalities with each one of us, you know give them each a buddy. We were gonna have to double up on some, but with you joining us I'm pretty sure Wufei will too, then we'll break even! Honestly Heero, I think Wuffie has a little crush on you. I've been noticing him staring at you really intensely lately," Duo spoke casually as he discarded jeans and shirts left and right from his own load and Heero's. "I think it's time we try to find Wu a match, don't you think? I mean there's plenty of people that will go for him. The guy's attractive. I've seen Ellen Murphy checking him out a few times after PE...but I don't know. If he's looking at you, he probably likes guys too. Hey, how about Connor Perkins, or Adriel Silva? They're cute....oh...but I hear Adriel's on the rebound...oh, wait, I think Connor was his ex. What in the world possessed me to..."

Heero walked along behind Duo listening to his voice, not his words. Duo could go on about nothing forever, and it would drive him mad if he tried to make sense of it all. A lot of the time, Heero believed Duo spoke because silence made him uncomfortable. Duo was never silent for long, not even in sleep. Heero liked the sound of Duo's voice, even if his words were meaningless, and he could listen to it forever, it was soothing.

"Ok, I narrowed it down to five pairs of jeans, and five shirts. Oh and look, I got the shirts in their colors. Uh... Heero?"

"Hn?"

"What do you think?"

"Hn."

Duo blinked, then waved a hand at him, "Have I mentioned I hate shopping with you. The only thing you're good for is being a clothing rack. Hmm...well, actually that's not so bad. Beats having to carry all that stuff myself."

They walked to the cashier where Heero deposited all of the clothes, he frowned when he noticed a 6th pair of jeans, "I thought you said you only got 5 pairs of jeans."

"I only got 5 pairs of jeans for *them.* Those my dear Heero, are for you. It's time to put those poor wranglers you have on now, out to pasture," Duo nodded down to Heero's worn blue jeans gravely. "I know it's going to be hard... but...I'll help you through it."

Heero scowled, "There is nothing wrong with these jeans."

"Nothing right with them either," Duo countered. "Come on Heero, I'm just gonna buy you these. I didn't say you had to wear them, but it would make me very happy."

Oh Gods...did he have to say those words. 'It would make [Duo] very happy.'

"Hn."

"Great," Duo grinned. "Um you guys do take plastic right?" he batted his eyes at the young cashier who cast his eyes to Heero trying to not gasp in panic. If the store didn't accept credit cards they surely would just for Duo, if Heero had anything to say about it.

"Um yes sir."

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Quatre looked up as the team of doctors entered the room, each holding a clipboard, he rubbed his hands together anxiously, "Well?"

The only female doctor in the center of the cluster of males smiled warmly at Quatre, "Everything looks great. The thawing process went without incident, and they are each resting in his own individual room."

"Wonderful," Quatre beamed, "Thank you Sally."

Dr. Sally Poe shook her head, "No need to thank me, Quatre. Now, you are allowed to go and visit them, but let me warm you there is a fair amount of medical apparatus in their rooms. Do not be alarmed, we're just making absolutely sure that everything is ok, and would like to keep them closely monitored."

Quatre nodded, "Of course. I have to inform Trowa and Duo. They would probably be quite angry if I went to see them before they did. This should be something we do all together. When do you estimate they will regain consciousness?"

Sally looked thoughtful, "It depends on them, I'm afraid. I would like to say a week at the most." She laughed at Quatre's excited expression, "Well I hope you boys know exactly what you're getting yourselves into. Looking after 5 teenage boys is no simple task, I should know."

"Well I..." Quatre frowned gazing at Sally's expression as she gazed at him, he gave a slight snort, "We aren't that much trouble Sally... well maybe Duo, but not certainly not me."

Sally inclined an eyebrow, and Quatre raised his hands in defeat, "Don't be afraid to call me if you ever feel overwhelmed, and when Duo comes in with Trowa, have him come to see me after you've all looked at your... babies, as you call them."

"Has he skipped another appointment?"

"Baby shopping, he says," Sally rolled her eyes. "I have half a mind to call Heero and tell him to start bringing the brat in."

"He'd bring him, bound and gagged, if he had to," Quatre chuckled. "Alright, I'll make sure Duo knows you want to see him when he gets in."

"Thank you Quatre," Sally said, she moved to leave but stopped again, "Quatre?"

"Yes?"

"How is Wufei? I haven't seen him in a while. I think he is the only one of you who hasn't been in to see the babies."

"Wufei?" Quatre hid a secret smirk. He had always felt that Sally had a little crush on the black haired swordsman. He had been the first one of them she had gone to, when she needed a new partner to join the Preventers. They'd spent a few months working together before the rest of the ex-Gundam pilots finally decided to join in on the fun. Then Wufei had moved out off the Preventer home base, and had gone to stay with his fellow pilots in one of Quatre's many manors closest to the base and the high school they had chosen to attend. "He's fine Sally."

"Oh."

"I'll see if I can bring him with me next time I come in," Quatre took her hand briefly, "He's still not seeing anyone Sally."

Sally blushed, and was about to make a snappy comeback about not caring, but sighed instead, "Thank you, Quatre."

"Don't mention it Sally, you've done so much for me."

Sally dismissed herself then leaving the room with a content smile on her face, that made Quatre feel pleased with himself. Now if he could only talk some sense into Wufei. He'd been dropping hints left and right that the women liked him, but Wufei didn't seem to be catching onto them. Wufei was one of the harder of his friends to understand. He sensed Wufei harbored feelings of love for someone, but he could not tell who, and had always assumed it was Sally. But the more Quatre tried to push the idea on him, the more Wufei seemed not to get it, so maybe it wasn't Sally. Who is it? Quatre wondered. He would really love to meet the woman that had ensnared their Wufei. She really had to be something. In Quatre's eyes, Sally was something...so if this girl was better than her, then she must really be a gem.

He shook himself from those thoughts, and pulled his cellular phone from his back pocket to punch in both Trowa's and Duo's pager codes. They would be paged simultaneously, see the code, and come rushing to the hospital. If Duo wasn't with Heero, he'd probably be the first to arrive on that damn motorcycle of his. Out of all of them, Duo had to be the most reckless, and Quatre constantly feared he'd be seeing Duo's incinerated remains after a motorcycle accident on the news one evening. It was a good thing he was with Heero now. Heero would look after him, and keep him in line. Duo needed a line. After the war, Duo lost his sense of purpose. Never expecting to survive the war, he hadn't planned a prospect future for himself. He'd lived on adrenaline rushes, and didn't quite know what to do with himself afterward. After experiencing a mild bout of depression, he tried drag racing, and all sorts of thrill inducing extreme sports before finally joining the Preventers with the rest of them. He'd been the last one to come aboard. As a Preventer, Duo took unnecessary risks. He'd always said he hated fighting, but he never claimed to hate the feelings of excitement he got when he did. When he had gotten hurt, Quatre shuddered, the time they'd almost lost their beautiful Shinigami, and Heero finally admitted to caring for him, Quatre's heart soared. Maybe Duo would live for Heero instead of adventure, but it turned out to not be so. Duo Maxwell couldn't be changed, not even by Heero Yuy. He leaned on Heero at first, because he had no choice, but with his strength returning he no longer needed nor wanted that crutch.

They fought constantly, going without speaking to one another for days and sleeping in separate rooms. The problem was Heero and Duo's relationship, though they had fallen in love with one another long before, was based on Duo's need at the time. Heero built his foundation on Duo's weakness, and it was now crumbling because Duo's weakness was no longer there. Heero had sowed his seed in the relationship in the loose potting soil the plant came in when first purchased, instead of waiting until the plant was milled into real ground to firmly and permanently take root. He needed to dig up that seed that were already forming weak attachments to the growing plant that was ready to be placed into the earth, and replant it. Quatre feared they would break up before Heero ever realized what he needed to do, and it hurt him. They loved each other so much, for so many different reasons...but sometimes love just wasn't enough to hold two people together if they couldn't come to an understanding.

He'd had those problems with Trowa at first. He had wanted to shelter Trowa in his love, and show him nothing but good things to make up for all the bad Trowa had been shown all his life. It wasn't a bad idea, but it wasn't what Trowa wanted. Trowa didn't want to be sheltered, and his bad experiences in life helped shape who he was. He thought Quatre had meant to change him, that Quatre didn't like who he was. They had fought over Trowa wanting to join the Preventers.... going back into the danger zone. Trowa had walked out on him for trying to smother him. Allah... those had been trying times. They eventually talked things through, and Quatre ended up joining the Preventers as well. They transferred schools, and moved in together. The month they spent alone before Wufei came to join them was turbulent as they came to a fuller understanding of one another, but they were all the more stronger for it. He didn't want Duo and Heero to have to suffer through that, and it hurt to watch friends make the same mistakes he himself had made. He wouldn't interfere though. He would council those who asked for it, but he was not getting involved.

His phone rang suddenly, and he jumped with a start, "Hello?"

"Quatre? I received your page, and I am on my way. Have you gone in to see any of them yet?" Trowa. His voice was calm, but from years of experience Quatre could hear the undercurrent of excitement.

"No, not yet. I'm waiting for you and Duo to arrive. How long do you think it will be before you get here?" Quatre strolled idly down the hallway feeling perfectly content. He would never take advantage of how good it felt to walk around in a public place without constantly having to look over his shoulder for could be enemies.

"Maybe 15 minutes more, I had some work to turn in to my history teacher. I'm just leaving the high school."

"Don't rush, Trowa," Quatre said, a little alarmed. The high school was 30 minutes away traffic allowing. Just how fast was Trowa going?

"Don't worry about me Quatre. I promise to arrive in one piece. I assume you have already called Duo, and it is him I feel you should worry about. He would make this trip in 5 minutes."

"He would," Quatre agreed, not amused. "Slow down, love. The babies are not going anywhere, and I won't go in until you and Duo arrive."

There was a sigh, then, "Alright Quatre. Perhaps I'll be 25 minutes more then."

"That's better," Quatre smiled, "I'll see you then, I think Duo's on the other line. Even his call waiting beep is impatient!"

Trowa chuckled, "I'll see you then." He hung up, and Quatre hit the talk button to take him over to the other line, "Duo?"

"It's about damn time. You took so long to come on I'm practically in the parking lot. Oi, was that a stop sign, Heero?... It was? Eh, they should really make those things bigger, and paint them...hot pink. I'd notice that."

"Duo, you ran a stop sign?"

"Two, and a red light," Duo said sounding chipper. "So how are the babies, did you go see them yet? If you did, omae o korosu!... Yeah, I know that's your line Heero. You'll just have to come up with something new now, won't you?"

Quatre rolled his eyes, "Duo, no, I have not gone to see them yet, and I won't until both you and Trowa arrive. He'll be here in 25 minutes. Slow down, there is no reason to speed."

"Twenty-five minutes? Where is he coming from that takes twenty-five minutes to get to base from? Beijing? He drives like a tortoise! Ooh, ooh, stop sign, police officer." Quatre winced at the sound of tires screeching to a halt. "Duo, perhaps Heero wouldn't mind driving the rest of the way. It's obvious you're very excited and it's clouding your better judgement."

"Heero's too busy covering his eyes right now, Quat. I'll suggest what you said after we've parked. We'll meet you in about 10 minutes."

Quatre grimaced as Duo hung up. He thanked Allah he was not the one in the car riding with Duo at the moment. He'd only made the mistake of riding with Duo once before, and he would never ever do it again.

He came to a halt in front of the first room documented on the paperwork Sally had let him see that one of his babies was occupying, 416. He didn't remember which one was inside. He was tempted to peak in and see, but he felt a little threatened by Duo's "Omae o korosu." While the hyperactive brunette might not exactly kill him, he would probably tackle him to the floor, or glomp him and embarrass him to no ends in public.

He began tapping his foot on the floor wishing he'd brought something to read, and now regretting his telling the others not to hurry.

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Trowa was the last to arrive. He approached the small group of Quatre, Duo, and Heero crowded around room 416. Before he could even call out to them they were turning, Quatre brightening at the sight of him, Duo breaking into a wide grin, and Heero looking impassive. "Trowa, you're here!"

"Finally," Duo snorted. "Where were you coming from?"

"The high school," Trowa supplied giving Quatre a quick hug. They were not ones for big public displays of affection, unlike Duo who'd hug and kiss Heero whenever he deemed it necessary. Trowa always found it amusing to watch Heero flush as he gazed around to see if anyone had noticed them.

Duo looked incredulous, "The high school? Our high school? Did you walk?"

"Shut up Duo," Trowa rolled his eyes. "Can we go in now? You were only waiting for me right?"

Three nods, and Trowa gave a small smile, "Sorry for making everyone wait. Heero? What are you doing here? Duo, I thought we made it clear to you not to drag anyone to.."

"Relax Tro, I didn't drag him. He came of his own free will. Well, I guess he kind of had no choice but to come, because we were at the mall and I was driving. But before we left the mall Heero decided he wants to help us out," Duo shrugged. He opened the door to the room gently.

"Who's in here?"

"We're about to be surprised," Duo grinned deviously, then bounced into the room with Heero following. Quatre shot Trowa a small look, one that asked if he was ready to go inside and see one of his new responsibilities outside of his capsule. Trowa smiled in return taking Quatre's hand and together they walked inside.

Kento Rei Fuan lie flat on his back sleeping peacefully. His wide face was smooth, with a broad nose, a capacious mouth, and thick eyebrows. His body beneath the sheets displayed not one ounce of fat or large muscles, but was big boned with broad shoulders. When this boy woke up and was able to feed himself with what he liked, and began to work out, his bulk would be intimidating.

"This guy is gonna be huge! He did not look this big in that capsule!" Duo exclaimed. "Look at him, he could be a tackle on the football team! I'd drop the ball and run if I saw him coming at me!"

"Hn," Heero grunted. "Size is not everything. You've taken on plenty of people larger than you Duo."

"Yeah, with a weapon," Duo snorted. "You think you could take him?"

"Hn," Heero nodded.

Duo smirked, "Well according to their files, they're all warriors Heero. This guy's gonna know how to fight, and he's big as Goliath!"

Heero frowned, "Goliath?"

"Biblical reference," Duo explained. He reached out to run a hand through Kento's shoulder length ash colored hair. "Think he'd be mad if I braided this?"

Quatre tittered, "I think you should wait until he wakes up Duo." He walked around the bed and touched the bare arm lying on top of the sheet with a single IV feeding fluid into it. "His skin's so soft. I don't know what I was expecting it to feel like, but not like this."

Duo frowned, "It's like touching a baby isn't it? Feels fresh and new."

Quatre agreed and moved aside a bit to let Trowa come forward and touch. "I've never touched a baby before," he admitted softly.

Quatre smiled at him, "Next time I visit one of my sisters with children I'll have to bring you along. I learned how to feed, burp, and change a baby in one weekend."

"It took you a weekend?" Duo snorted. "It's not hard stuff, Quat."

"You have not met any of my sisters' children apparently," Quatre rolled his eyes. "I'm never having any as a result. When did you become a baby expert Duo?"

Duo blinked, he had been reaching to peel back Kento's eyelids and check his eye color. He glanced up at Quatre through veiled eyes, "The orphanage, at the church." He shrugged lowering his eyes, and pulling his hand away from approaching Kento's face.

"There were many babies there?" Quatre asked curiously. Duo never spoke much about his past, other than to tell the others it was not pleasant.

"Oh yeah, lots... Plenty of people out there making babies, just nobody wanting to keep them," for a moment his eyes darkened and his lips turned down. "But, the babies never stayed with us for long you know! Plenty of people from rich colonies wanted little babies, and they would come get em'. Saved us the trouble of having to take care of the noisy things for long. Though there was one..." he stopped, shaking his head slightly. He lowered his head, his silky brown hair catching the sun light shining in through the window creating a myriad of colors upon his crown. His voice had been so layered, far away on top of reverence, misted with sadness, his expression docile and rather solemn, but when he raised brought his face to them again his ever present smile was back intact, "Hey, what say we go see the rest! Oh, and then I have to show you the clothes I bought for all of them. I just got jeans, and t-shirts. I originally had more, but Heero told me I was overdoing it with all the junk I was getting. I mean, who's to say they'll like what I buy for them. So I just got basics, but hey, the shirts are in their colors. I even got Heero a new pair of jeans. He refuses to put those old ones he's got on now out to pasture, but just you wait until it's my turn to do the laundry again buddy." He hopped off the bed stretching his back and tossed his braid over his shoulder, "So? We going?"

Quatre stared at him, every time he felt as if he was breaking ground with Duo, Duo created yet another ocean for him to have to cross. Though he seemed to be the most easy going and cheerful of all of the ex-pilots, he was also the one with the most to hide. '"I may run and hide, but I never lie."' Duo Maxwell in a nutshell.

"I think we should," Trowa said, he was watching Quatre trying to make eye contact. Quatre felt his lover's eyes on him, and turned. Trowa didn't have to say anything, his expression spoke for itself, as it usually did to Quatre. Leave him alone... it said. His eyes then averted in Heero's direction, willing Quatre's to look and understand. Quatre frowned, and looked to Heero who was staring intently at Duo, and comprehended Trowa's message. It was Heero's job to get their Shinigami to open himself, not his. He would only be another stone in their path, and he didn't want that. Heero and Duo deserved a fair chance at fixing what they had, and he had already vowed not to interfere. But... even if he trusted Heero to keep Duo from being too reckless with his life, did he trust him to help him heal when Heero himself had so much healing of his own to do from his past? He felt as if he was walking Duo down the wedding aisle, and when he reached then end of it, he would have to be the father that gave him away.

It seemed Quatre had been so focused on Heero and Duo getting their relationship on the right track, he hadn't even thought of his own relationships with the two. If Heero finally got his act together, his Duo wouldn't need him as much anymore, and that saddened him. He looked once again at Trowa who gave him a slight smile in total agreement with the emotions that were washing over Quatre. He felt the same way. "Lets go then!"

Trowa and Quatre once again followed after Duo and Heero, watching as Duo pranced happily from the room with Heero's protective hand on the small of his back. "It's like giving away your only child, isn't it?" Trowa asked, startling Quatre. It never failed to shock him at how well Trowa could read his mind at times.

"Yes, it is," Quatre said once he'd recovered, "but we are gaining five more. Perhaps it is time to let one leave the nest to make room for the rest."

"Yes," his lover agreed. Hand in hand they followed on their way to the next room.



All of their precious babies were sleeping soundly, with such angelic looks of contentment on their sleeping faces Duo wanted pictures. He actually dashed to the gift shop for a small disposable camera, which Heero had to relieve him of. No one liked when people took pictures of them when they were asleep without their permission. Duo had of course replied, Well duh Heero, how can they give you their permission if they're sleeping. Needless to say, Duo didn't get his camera back that evening.

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They returned to the manor in good spirits with Chinese take out. Wufei was sitting out on the porch reading when all three cars pulled into the driveway, Duo's first, rounding the corner on two wheels and screaming to a stop just missing the garage door, then Quatre's, and Trowa's vehicles.

"Hey Wu-man, we brought dinner! Hope you didn't start cooking anything," Duo chirped swinging the large brown paper bag he had to carry in both hands. Heero followed behind Duo also holding a large brown bag, he greeted Wufei with a nod, and slipped inside the house to get rid of his extra load. Quatre and Trowa arrived at the porch together, "Hello Wufei."

All of them had a sort of strange glow about them, that told Wufei they were very pleased about something. Duo was practically walking on air, he pranced about, shifting his weight from side to side. Trowa snatched the large bag of food away from him, "You're going to spill food everywhere."

Duo made a face at him, "Was not, but I'm glad you took that bag. Now... I can.." Wufei gasped when he suddenly found himself buried beneath Duo Maxwell's petite frame glomping onto him. The porch swing rocked violently the delicate metal chains holding it up threatening to snap and dump its contents onto the wooden ground. "...glomp Wufei!"

He sputtered in shock, speechless at the sheer closeness of the long haired demon. He smelled of outdoors and cinnamon. The warmth of his body on top of Wufei's made the Chinese teen want to wrap his arms around the boy and pull him closer, crushing him against his chest. He wanted to become a part of him. "Wufei! We had the best day! First, I went to the mall with Heero, and I bought all of these cool clothes for..."

The warmth was gone. Wufei almost moaned aloud as Duo's body was pulled from his by Heero. "Duo, let Wufei breathe. Tell him your story while sitting next to him, not on top of him."

Duo pouted, purple eyes momentarily disappointed at not getting his way, "Fine. Wuffie! Our babies are all thawed out, and in regular hospital rooms. Sally says in a week they should all be awake! Oh, and Heero decided he's going to help us too."

Trowa had gone inside to put down the bag of food he held, and Heero walked past them again into the house balancing 4 large shopping bags. Quatre stood just beside Duo who was now kneeling before Wufei with his hands on his knees as if literally holding Wufei's attention on him.

"Heero? Heero being a mentor?" Wufei couldn't help but ask aloud. Heero trying to help someone else fit into a society he barely squeezed himself into.

"Yes," Quatre nodded. "I believe it will be a good learning experience for him. Some people end up helping themselves in helping others. He will definitely have to learn how to express himself better."

Duo grinned, "And how to use sentences with more than one word in them. Come on Wuffie, I made sure to order that weird soup you like with the ...ugh...raw meat in it. Hurry up and get it out of the bag with my food before the Ecoli that stuff has to have swimming around in it gets in my pepper steak!"

"Miso soup does not have Ecoli, Maxwell. The meat cooks in the juices of the soup. How many times will I have to explain that to you before you get the picture?"

"The only picture I get is of nasty little bacteria playing Marco Polo in your soup," Duo grumbled. "If you spent most of your work days looking into microscopes like I do, you wouldn't mess around with anything that wasn't cooked until it was dead, and then some, either."

"Ok, alright, you talk about my soup...but you never say anything about Yuy's sushi. Now that's raw, and stays raw."

"Don't get me started on sushi... He at least has the decency not to eat it around me anymore," Duo grumbled. "I studied a sliver of it once, put it in a petri dish..." he shuddered.

"Duo, you can find bacteria on all food," Quatre said, taking hold of Duo's braid and tugging him towards the front door.

"I know this! But the most harmful, nastiest looking bacteria is found on raw stuff!" "So is this why you burn everything you attempt to cook in the kitchen, to purge it of

bacteria?" Wufei questioned, with a smirk.

"Well yeah, have to make sure it's sanitary. A temperature of....HEY! I don't burn everything!"

"Come on Maxwell, we must hurry before my bacteria contaminates your pepper steak," Wufei chuckled watching Duo's eyes widen as he moved briskly into the house to the kitchen to rescue his meal.

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The next few days Wufei observed as his friends left at various hours of the day to visit their slumbering charges in the hospital, spent hours studying and restudying their files, and buying variegated gifts to place in the rooms that would be given to them when they arrived. Wufei shuddered thinking about the presence of 5 new people in his home. He was never used to gregarious living conditions, always having his own room and private space. It was enough having to share his space with four other people...soon it would be nine. Five new personalities to make himself acquainted with. What if one was as vibrant as Duo? He could never adjust himself to another Duo Maxwell. He supposed he should have spoken up and told the others of his discomfort, but they were all so excited, even Heero. One time he'd caught the boy reading a book entitled "How to Make Small Talk, for Dummies." Duo had bought it for him as a gag gift for Heero's designated date of birth that he'd determined for himself. Wufei had thought the Japanese teen had thrown the book out, but it seemed he kept it.

He was already the 5th wheel of the group, he didn't want to be annoying as well. What could he do to help himself fit in better? He could join the others on their project, but he didn't want to do something his heart wasn't in, and they didn't wouldn't want him to either. But perhaps...perhaps, he could learn more about their expected guests. It wouldn't hurt to be prepared. He would ask Duo for a copy of the files, he was sure the demon carried them in his pockets now-a-days.

Duo had made the cloning project his life as of late. He headed the research team, always came home with boxes full of print outs for him to study and find new keys buried within. The original cloning process was something of an anomaly, being that it couldn't be reproduced by the Preventers laboratories. What had made it work in the first place, was what Duo and his team were determined to figure out. The boy left earlier than any of them in the mornings to get to the labs, and often skipped his first period classes to ponder the predicament. Then in the afternoons he would go to the hospital spending at least 15 minutes with each of the..babies... then go back to his lab to slave for hours, missing dinner, and collapsing into bed as soon as he returned home. It wasn't healthy, and Wufei watched as Heero barely held his tongue to reprimand Duo. Duo seemed to appreciate Heero's opinion on his work ethic being kept to himself.

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"Do you carry that stupid little computer with you everywhere, Duo?" Quatre asked rolling his eyes as he and Duo sat in Ryo's room. Duo was staring at the screen of his small palm pilot reading some information at a rapid speed, he stopped at Quatre's comment. "I'm so close Quat... I have to know why this project worked, I want to understand them. There had to be something we've over looked. We've gone over the process so many times, and every replication we've tried to do has failed. Why did Dr. Koji's project work?"

"Maybe you should stop being so scientific about it Duo, and think that...well maybe Dr. Koji was right. These boys weren't meant for death when they left this world, and it was only right for them to return. Maybe Fate had a hand in this, and She looked over human mistakes and made it right. Maybe this is a process that could only be done once, our babies are special. Dr. Koji sure seemed to think they were...the legend, the armor, the astrology charts, and research. You've only been looking at her science, not her history like I have Duo. She was not a heretic, or a mystic, or anything weird like that in her youth, she was always a scholar. Some of the legends, the things she wrote...those pictures..."

"You're telling me you believe in magic armor?" Duo raised an eyebrow, and Quatre noted the dark circles of exhaustion under his eyes.

"Magic armor is more believable than your scientific method which seems to be failing Duo," Quatre sighed, resting a hand over the information on Duo's palm pilot. "Give up Duo, the key is not in that computer. If you want your answers, you're going to have to read Mia's books and journals."

"I don't believe in Fate and magic, Quat. You know I don't..."

"Well, this time you just might, because you're not making any progress going in the direction you are. Please stop, Duo, ok? You're not sleeping enough, not eating properly... Sally said..."

Duo rolled his eyes, "I've only bailed on one appointment since..."

"She says your iron levels and blood sugar are low, your red and white cells are..."

"Why is she talking to you about me?" Duo frowned. "Geez, Heero backs off, and you're stepping up to take his place."

"Someone has to, you're going to run yourself into a collapse. I'm trying to help you. I know you won't stop, can't sleep, until you get your answers. You hate leaving problems unsolved, so I'm trying to tell you the answer to your problem is not in your lab. Just give me an afternoon Duo, and I'll show you what I mean. If you still think I'm crazy and childish after that afternoon, I'll leave you be, ok?"

Duo sighed deeply blowing his bangs out of his face, he gazed at Quatre, purple eyes slightly amused, "You swear you ain't gonna waste my time Quat?"

"I swear, Duo."

"Alright, one afternoon," Duo agreed. He shut off his palm pilot and tucked it into his coat pocket. He stood and walked to the bed to peer down at the raven haired Ryo Sanada for a moment, he touched the skin between his eyes, "Quatre says you're special Ryo my friend, and that I should believe in Fate for once to answer my questions about you. If you'd hurry and wake up, then perhaps I could ask you."

"What would you do if he confirmed Mia's legends?" Quatre came to stand beside him and also peer down at Ryo.

Duo groaned, and ran a hand over his braid, "Geez..."

"Come on Duo, lets finish seeing the rest, and then let me show you what I know."



Quatre's main job with the Preventers besides being a field agent was in the business department, therefore he had his own office which he'd filled with Dr. Koji's books. He watched Duo sitting as his desk thoroughly engrossed in the first book of Dr. Koji's series of ancient Japanese legends. Duo could read just about anything with vigor, one time Quatre had caught him deeply involved with a medical dictionary. He had to be one of the most intelligent people Quatre had ever known, and it bothered to think of all the people who have, had, or will underestimate his long haired friend.

He began packing a small box of books for them to take home so Duo would ponder through them that evening. Once Duo began reading a book in a series, he wouldn't stop until he'd reached the end, and that...Quatre smirked wickedly...would keep him out of that lab for at least a week. If Duo was home, Quatre and the others could make sure he ate and slept regularly. He plopped down after he'd finished with the packing and picked up his phone to order a late lunch for the both of them, they would be shut away inside the office for a few hours yet until Duo finished the first book.

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Heero rolled over away from the lamp light disrupting his sleep. For the past two days Duo had come home, and slept in his bed across from Heero. Pleased as he was Duo was home, he was still getting little to no attention. Quatre had given Duo something new to play with. Duo spent his free time reading thick books on Japanese lore. If Heero pushed food in his direction Duo would eat it, so guessed he couldn't be too mad at Quatre. He sighed, and pulled out a book he had been reading on companionship. He'd seen Wufei snickering at his reading choice before, and since then hidden the books in question in his room to be read in private.

He was still very unsure of his people skills. The only people he'd ever really interacted with on a daily basis were the other pilots. He didn't have to talk to the kids at school, and at headquarters it was all business. What did it matter to his fellow pilots or co-workers if he only grunted two words to them all day? The co-workers only wanted their data, and the other pilots could read what they needed from him to know what he meant by things he said. Five new people looking to him to be a sort of guide, would not as likely to follow Heero's rather antisocial behavior as well as his friends, so he figured he'd better learn to be polite. Sure he'd learned a lot by watching Quatre, Wufei, Duo, and Trowa, but it wasn't enough. He couldn't just copy the others, he needed something of his own to give them.

"What are you reading Hee-chan?" Duo was creeping onto his bed, and he didn't have enough time to dispose of the book. Heero sighed as Duo rested his chin on his shoulder and peeked at the book cover, "A self-help book Heero, on companionship?"

"Hai."

"Heero, I think you're a wonderful companion. This isn't because I've been so busy and ignoring you lately, is it?" Duo was frowning.

"Ie," Heero shook his head negatively. "It's for them, when they wake up. I am aware that I make others uncomfortable in uncontrolled settings, like social gatherings of classmates, and such. I do not wish to make them uncomfortable if they are ever left alone with me." He waited for Duo's laughter, and when he heard none he shifted positions to face him, "You aren't going to laugh at me?"

"Why would I laugh?" Duo asked giving Heero a sincere smile, "I think it's...kinda..." he paused.

"What?"

"..cute," Duo finished. "I'm really happy that you're taking this so seriously."

"I..."

"You know, they are Japanese, and so are you Hee-chan. They might wanna hang out with you more than the rest of us," Duo said turning a page in Heero's book.

Heero blinked, he hadn't thought of that. What if they were not multilingual, and only spoke Japanese? He frowned, the other spoke Japanese well enough, but their accents could be hard to decipher at times. "Duo, do they speak English? I don't recall reading anywhere in their files..."

Duo raised an eyebrow, "Sage and Cye should speak English, but I'm not sure about the other three. Hmm...I wonder if Quatre knows. He's been...doing as much research as I have Hee-chan. I didn't even know. I locked myself away in a lab discovering and rediscovering that the whole Project Ronin was a lucky fluke, and trying to find the key...and Quatre's probably had it all along."

Heero set down his book and gazed at Duo, "Quatre is studying Dr. Koji's lore and personal diaries... You don't believe in legend."

"Legend is starting to make more freaking sense than genetics!" Duo grumbled unhappily. "But you know, some of the legend sounds a lot like the chemistry and genetics I've been worshiping for the past few weeks."

"So you're giving up all your lab work?"

"No way Hee-chan, I worked too hard on all that... I'm just gonna see if I can, maybe add a little of this stuff to it. There's got to be formulas, or some sort of method to this that I can replicate. I have to know how it works."

Heero shook his head, "So you're willing to accept that the whole process must have been magic, but now you want to learn how to practice this magic?"

"Yeah!"

"You're hopeless, Duo," Heero chortled lightly, he smiled softly as he felt Duo making himself comfortable against his body. "I know," Duo purred, "that's why you love me."

"Aa, that's why."

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Trowa sat in the shoe store watching Quatre travel the aisles as he searched for the perfect shoes for their babies. Duo and Heero had supplied clothing, and Trowa himself had contributed undergarments, so Quatre volunteered to find shoes. If it had been anyone else shoe shopping would have taken less than an hour. Duo, Heero, and Trowa would have grabbed tennis shoes in the sizes given, and been perfectly content, but not Quatre. He said shoes had to match the personality. He wandered about the shoe store picking up this shoe and that pondering and weighing in his mind just what each shoe would express about their owner.

Trowa wished he'd brought a book, or a Duo. A Duo would have been fun, though they might have gotten thrown out after Duo became bored and began to take it upon himself to entertain himself and Trowa. But, if he was kicked out, Trowa would have a feasible excuse to leave. His uncovered green eye stared longingly out of the glass store window toward the book store. "Trowa.... look at these! Who do you think of when you see these?"

Trowa rolled his one eye toward the pair of shoes Quatre held, they were Timberland boots, the material a dark green and tan, that laced neatly in front. "Sage?"

"Yes!" Quatre grinned triumphantly, and Trowa couldn't help but chuckle. The blond set the box of shoes aside and continued on down the aisle, two attendants flocking him diligently.

Quatre Raberba Winner in ones store apparently was a great honor. While Trowa had been brushed aside to sit in a waiting chair, which he did not mind, Quatre had been pampered and flattered by every store attendant they past by. So far Quatre had found shoes for Cye, Kento, and Sage, and it had taken 2 hours. Trowa knew Quatre would understand if he asked to leave and meet him later, but he knew his little one would be hurt. He enjoyed showing Trowa his finds, and having Trowa be able to guess just who he'd had in mind. He'd gotten a pair of black Nike sandals with orange checks for Kento, light blue Converse tennis shoes with white laces for Cye, and the boots for Sage. Trowa didn't have the heart to tell him the colors gave the shoes away, though the style of shoe did match the written personalities they had memorized for each.

He wondered what kind of people these babies of theirs would be. They'd read about them, but would they really be identical personality wise to their parents? He hated to label them before they woke. He rubbed his face to rouse himself, what if they didn't like them? He frowned, well.... ok, he couldn't see anyone not liking Quatre or Duo, what if they didn't like him? They, after all, would not get to choose where they would live, or who to stay with when they woke. What if they were resentful?

He, Quatre, and Duo had spoken of it, and Quatre and Duo had brushed the worries aside. They figured the babies ought to show some gratitude toward them, and they'd probably be polite enough to do so. He frowned, they were assuming a lot about their children. Quatre was basing everything he knew about them, and how they would turn out on Dr. Koji's writings. He was very taken with Dr. Koji's theories, and lore studies, and he believed that it was more than science that had restored Dr. Koji's children. He even had Duo about to join him in his beliefs, with all his scientific ventures failed, he was ready to believe anything. Trowa was not as quick as the other two to jump to magical conclusions, but he would not argue with them. He'd never asked Heero's opinion on the genesis of their charges. Perhaps Heero was like him, Trowa didn't feel how they had gotten there mattered. He only cared about how they would spent their time there, the present. He'd learned a long time ago not to dwell in the past.

He smirked suddenly, he couldn't wait for their mysterious children to awaken. Then all of their questions would be answered, he wouldn't have to spend hours in shoe stores with Quatre, he wouldn't have to pretend not to notice Heero reading self help books, or ignore Duo's messes of paperwork and tablets with long unfinished scatterbrained equations scribbled on them. And maybe Wufei would start to feel more included, or would include himself. He hadn't joined in on the prenatal excitement as the others had, but there was no way he could disregard the presence of 5 new roommates. It sort of upset the balance of the household with Wufei seeming so distant. Though he had been distancing himself from the others before they had ventured into the caves.... Trowa scowled to himself, why was he just now realizing that? What could have occupied his mind so much for the last few months to make him not wonder over Wufei's aloofness. Wufei had always been a loner...but.... Trowa thought deeply, when had Wufei changed, or rather reverted, and what had clouded his mind from noticing... The answer came to him immediately. The mission, Wufei and Duo's mission. Everyone's attention had gone to Duo's recovery, and then the relationship spurring between Heero and Duo. Trowa and Quatre had been placing bets with people at headquarters as to when Heero and Duo would finally acknowledge their feelings toward one another. In all of that chaos, Wufei had been forgotten.

He felt horrible, and would have to ask Quatre if he'd noticed anything. Trowa felt certain about one thing though, when he returned home he was going to play plenty of attention to Wufei. What was bothering their Dragon warrior?

"Trowa! Look at these!" Quatre held up a pair of white athletic sneakers with red souls, laces, and tongues. He snapped his head toward his koi, with a little smirk once again the color giving away the identity, but for Quatre he said, "Hmm...Ryo?"

Quatre's smile was enough to erase the feelings of guilt from his system for the time being. Right then he would enjoy making his koibito smile, he'd feel guilt and worry for Wufei later....with the others after he informed them.

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Wufei sat in lotus position on the rug before the blank television screen. With Duo obsessed with Dr. Koji's books, the television was rarely on, and the manor was so quiet Wufei could leave the confines of his room to meditate. He was breathing deeply and clearing his mind when the phone rang, and he heard Quatre answer it.

"Hello?"

He was working on blocking out the voice when, "What? He's....really? When? Oh my... Do.... Ok, ok! We'll be right there!" The receiver was slammed down, "TROWA! HEERO! DUO! They're waking up! One's already awake! Hurry up or I'll leave you all!"

Wufei's eyes snapped open at the stampede of pounding feet coming down the stairs. He watched Duo, who was in the lead, jump onto the rail and slide the rest of the way down, hopping down to grab Quatre by the shoulders. The two engaged in a amusing two-step, that made both Trowa and Heero chuckle at them.

"We'll go in my car!" Quatre directed. "We have to hurry... we should have been there already!"

"Chill Q, we'll get there," Duo said, ruffling Quatre's hair and jogging into the kitchen. "No, no time for snacks Duo! We've got to get to the car!"

"I'm just grabbing the oreos, I need sugar or I'm gonna crash!"

"No sugar this late at night for you!" Heero couldn't help but cry out running into the kitchen to wrestle double decker oreos from Duo's clutches.

Quatre was already shuffling around for his keys, "Dammit where did I put those things? Who moved my keys?"

"They're here, koi," Trowa held out the car keys to Quatre who snatched them and dared Trowa to say a word about where he'd found them. "Lets go, or I swear I'll leave the lot of you!"

"Give me my damn oreos Heero, or..or I'll call Relena and give her this address!"

"NOO!!"

"Now!!" Quatre bellowed, oblivious to Trowa's laughter at the scene they were making. Duo and Heero tumbled into the hallway spilling chocolate and creme cookies all over the floor. Duo scrambled to gather them up, as Heero tried to kick them away from him.

Quatre was moving toward the back door going to the garage. Trowa was doubled over laughing, and Duo and Heero continued to struggle for dominance. Wufei watched the scene as a bystander watching a circus, "EVERYBODY JUST STOP!"

Quatre halted in his march to the back door, Trowa straightened wiping the tears from his eyes, and Heero let up on Duo. They stared at Wufei.

"You're all acting like children, and what will your babies think when they meet you all like this. Calm down, all of you. Take deep breaths and get control of yourselves. You've been waiting for this day for weeks, and you don't want to ruin it by being over zealous. You'll scare them."

They all blinked at him like chibis, and he groaned. Stalking to Quatre he held out his hands for the keys the blond held, "Give me those, I will drive you children to the hospital, and hopefully by then you will remember how to behave in a civilized manner. Come on, now."

Quatre looking subdued and pouty, Trowa still looking highly amused. Heero was scowling as he'd realized during Wufei's speech Duo had managed to cram all of the fallen and scattered oreos into his mouth. Duo looked very pleased with himself, and glomped onto Heero's back as he stood to walk towards the door. Wufei let them all pass before him, and shook his head at them all. Children, all of them...and they were vowing to be responsible for the lives of 5 more. He sighed deeply if Dr. Koji's children were to have any proper guidance at all, he knew he would have to join the project.

Perchance it would provide a sufficient distraction from Maxwell... He could only hope.

The drive to the hospital was uneventful, no one really spoke, and Duo sang along to the radio occasionally when a song he knew came on in a pleasant voice instead of the loud obnoxious one he usually used to annoy his friends.

They were a motley crew upon arrival. No one had noticed the current state of under dress they were in. Everyone had been in some stage of their pre-bed rituals. Quatre was in sweat pants and a t-shirt, Heero and Trowa in gym shorts and a wife beater, Duo in an over large black t-shirt with obscenities painted all over it that fell to his knees hiding only his boxers. Wufei was the only one dressed for the occasion in his usual white cotton pants and blue tank top. He smirked at his friends, who hadn't given a second thought as to how they were dressed... in fact, they still didn't. They charged to the nurses station to alert personnel of their arrival.

"We've got a live one!" Duo called with a whoop. He launched himself onto Heero's back once again. Heero groaned, "I hate Duo on oreos."

"You love me!" Duo insisted.

"No I don't."

"Hey, love birds," Quatre got their attention quickly, he gestured toward a room. Duo slid off of Heero's shoulders significantly sobered. Wufei joined the small group as they walked slowly toward the door to a room. Wufei wondered which it was, he didn't know which rooms any of them were in.

"Should we knock first?" Duo asked nervously, he clutched one of Heero's hand, and then...Wufei nearly jumped when he felt Duo reach for and clamp his small fingers around his hand as well. Wufei blinked, when had he come to stand beside him?

"Should we all go in at once?" Quatre asked.

The door opened suddenly and Sally Po stood before them all, "I was wondering when you all were going to get here... Nice...Pj's guys. Come in, I've been trying to explain to him what's happened, but I think he'd take it better coming from one of you. Seems he could hear your voices as you spoke to him... he requested you."

Duo's eyes sparkled, Quatre's eyes watered, Heero flushed a bit, and Trowa blinked. Wufei was the only one unaffected because he knew he wasn't one in question. He pushed the others inside the room, "Go on then, you've been invited inside."

He was turning to leave but realized Duo's hand was still attached to his, and he was being pulled inside along with him.

The room was white and sterile, a few choice items adding a little personality to the room. A poster of dolphins on the wall, a large stuffed sea lion on a chair.... and on the bed sat a small boned Auburn haired boy who stared at them through light blue eyes cautiously. "Hello," he spoke, his voice small and laced with a British accent, "I'm Cye Mouri, and I was told you are the ones who brought me here. If you don't mind my asking, just who are you, and where are my friends? And...what's happened? I get the feeling it was something terrible, but I just can't remember. Do you think you can help me?"





**Author's Note: Well, what did you think? Too long? Too short? Should I have held out for longer? I promise the next chapter will be better if you didn't like this one ;). Please review and let me know.**