AN:Disclaimer as always the same. Not like I could afford to be sued, $84 and a cat..I'm seeing a trend here with writers and cats, are you?

H: Yes, this was already written and posted many months ago, many many moons. But a very nice reviewer asked me if I was going to finish this Blush and I couldn't help but complying.

Yet when I read it again, I was blown away with how many plot holes I could see just waiting to rip. So, yeah, I'm rewriting. And I have to say that I'm much happier with how this is going.

All I can say for my long periods of absence and recurring trend of scatty posts is that my life is screwy. Hehe, no really. From car accidents to college blunders, life is just …yeah. I am trying to write more and I think it's really all that I have that keeps me in any way sane. So, hopefully I can keep regular updates. At least once a month. I hope! Love everyone!

Thank you Nakita! I hope you like this version too.

PS: am I right in guessing the spelling for Heero's name is actually Hiro? I'll continue to use the former, but I just wanted to know. It makes more sense.

Wind swept the waters of the lake, sending white caps dancing on the surface and breaking the reflection of a perfect twilight. Stars were just visible in an evening the color of cornflowers mixed with the last lingering hints of red, violet, and orange. It was what every summer evening should be, the lovely calm end to an energy filled day. It was the type that filled the endings of novels and childhood memories, with days spent fishing and running the fields of a favored grandparents home. This was what back porches were made for. There was a feeling in the air that spoke of magic, real, or just the wonder of the natural beauty was yet to be seen. The west was still just lit up by the suns descent, and to the slender boy on the dock, it was beautiful.

Touma trailed a toe in the water as the he let the day fade around him. This was his favorite time, that quick intermission between day and night. He gazed adoringly up at the first twinkling stars and unabashedly smiled secretly to them. Taking a deep breath of cooling air, he let himself unwind.

" Ahh!" His sharp cry was followed by a splash.

Breaking the surface of the water, Touma coughed out the liquid he had swallowed and shook long bangs out of his eyes.. The dock that had apparently ejected him began to laugh. He rolled his eyes and attempted a scowl up at his offender who had the nerve to stick around after his crime and gloat.

" Very hilarious Ryo. I'm really amused." Touma ground out dryly as he tried to pull himself up onto the dock. Strong arms wrapped around him and hauled him back onto his feet. He could feel his friend shaking from laughter.

" Sorry Tou." Ryo snickered. " You just looked waay to comfortable. And what would I have done if you had fallen asleep and dropped off the dock like a rock?"

" So you pushed me in." He didn't bother questioning. Ryo logic was always right, to him, when it came to a good laugh. At least, he thought, I can forget the shower.

" Don't forget to shower dude, you really need it." Ryo mock gagged and staggered as they began they're way back up to the house, holding his nose when Touma leaned into his chest and held onto him.

" You're just full of it tonight, aren't you Ryo?"

" Awww, and you got me all wet. Now I need a shower too." Ryo complained.

" Yeah, well, me first. And hurry up, we still have to meet everyone downtown in a couple hours."

" Why do you think I came to wake you up. If I hadn't you'd have been out there all night."

" I was about to.."

Ryo abruptly took off toward the house, calling first rights to the shower after him. Touma glowered belligerently at the man before giving chase.

The house was large enough to fit several people stranded there for days without being cramped in the least. At least four bathrooms dotted the 'mansion', and there were several routes to choose from for each of them. But Nasuti thought nothing of it when two loudly yelling, and laughing, blurs streaked past her in the hall to get to the one bathroom in this wing of the house. Calmly continuing her walk toward the stairs, she turned her head to watch the boys struggle to get in the doorway at the same time. Smirking she placed her bets on the slimmer blue headed figure who appeared to be successfully wiggling his way past his opponent. She shook her head and called back a warning not to break anything, only turning back around when a loud thump indicated a winner to the fight. She giggled at the sight of Touma sitting where he had been knocked on his bum across the hall from a locked door. Sighing happily she headed briskly down the stairs to start some tea; she would need something to get through a night with her boys.

Touma stared indignantly at the closed wooden door for a moment. Ryo had pulled out the cheap moves on him to get that shower. Exploiting his ticklish spot just because he could was cheating. Given he was thinking like an eight year old at the moment he decided to let the subject drop. He picked himself up while rubbing at the abused flesh of his neck. It looked like he would be getting a nap in before that shower, and he was still wet. Scowling he silently contemplated going down and shutting off the hot water heater. It wasn't like he'd get a hot shower with the way Ryo used hot water, so why should Ryo get to. He smirked at the possible retribution for his unexpected dunk in the lake, but when his vision blurred briefly in the wake a large yawn he decided he was better off with a quick nap. Ryo would get his, later.

Stripping off the wet clothes as he went, Touma headed to his dresser and pulled on a pair of warm pajamas, then flopped in the general direction of the bed. It felt so good to snuggle in the warm blankets he was nearly asleep in seconds. He couldn't believe how tired he was after a day just spent lazing around getting a sunburn. He promised himself he would think on it more later, now he was quickly losing any coherent thought process.

Something cold and wet pressed against the back of his neck and he shot up, wide awake again in an instant. Turning, he came nose to nose with warm brown eyes.

" Blaze?" He blinked sleepily at the tiger. " Nap time boy, find your own bed." Wiping his neck he made a face. " Yuuck."

Ignoring the frustrated sound the giant cat made, Touma rolled over and was quickly back to half asleep. The rumbling sound next to his ear made no sense in his muddled mind until it escalated into a roar.

" Blaze!" Touma once again shot up and leaned his head to the side, cradling his ear. He glanced dubiously at the tiger. " You got a set of lungs, I give ya that fur ball."

He started laying back down, but at the first growling rumble from the tiger he gave him his full attention.

" Something I can help you with kitty?" Touma inquired, rubbing one of the soft ears. The big cat rubbed into his hand, but made no other move. Yawning, Touma curled back on his side and contented the big cat by running his hand through the thick fur, too tired to wonder at the strange behavior. He was nearly asleep, again, when a wet tongue traced up his face. It appeared he wasn't getting that after all.

" Blaze, what-"

" Touma! Shower's all yours!" Ryo's voice bellowed from down the hall.

" Sorry kitty, can't go," he yawned again, " smelling like this."

Standing, he desperately wished he could have slept for a while. He sighed again when saw a wisp of what could only be steam, or Ryo setting the house of fire, drift from down the hall.

" Jeez, it'll be like a sauna in there." Silently he cursed not giving Ryo a cold shower and hurried down the hall.

Warm, feline brown eyes followed his retreating figure, a deep concern radiating from their depths.

Ryo wandered around the living room impatiently. Glancing at the clock on the mantle he resisted the urge to look at his wristwatch too. They both said the same thing every other time he looked at them. They were going to be very late. He rolled his eyes toward the ceiling as if he could see through it to where his friend was. He had already made the mistake of calling Touma worse than a woman in front of Nasuti. His ears were still ringing from the smack on the back of the head he'd received when he wasn't looking, and the point she made of the fact he himself had taken longer than her. All he had wanted was to look nice for tonight. He couldn't help that a month of summer vacation had taken it's toll.

He let his mind wander to thinking about the summer he had spent here with Touma. Nasuti had let them use the house by the themselves for a few weeks, and joined them two days ago. The others hadn't been able to join them until tonight. But still he had spent the last few weeks having a blast with his best friend running the little bookworm ragged in the woods surrounding the house. He could tell Touma had been having a blast, and as a 'gift' had let Touma drag him up to the roof and all over the hills star gazing at night. Not to mention spending the last few days just laying around, per Touma's request, or demand. It had been one of the best summers he could remember, and he wanted to hold onto that feeling just a bit longer. His mood deflated slightly when he remembered that in just another week Touma would be returning to Osaka, and he would be heading back to school. He wasn't about to lose his friend again though. A year had nearly passed this time without any contact between the five of them, and he finally had them back, at least Touma, and he wasn't letting go of the family he had left. Nasuti had called it sweet when he had vocalized this to her, but to him it was a necessity.

He glared again at the ceiling. Touma had five seconds. Exhaling an impatient breath, Ryo glanced again at the clock. His concern rose again when he saw just how long Touma was taking. Two hours was way too long for someone who normally took five minutes. Telling himself he was being irrational he turned his back and reminded himself that the guys were always telling him he was paranoid. But, just as he gave into the urge to glance at the clock guiltily a picture that had been sitting unassumingly by the edge of the mantel gave a plunge toward the stone hearth of the fireplace. Ryo leapt the few feet and caught it in mid fall. The edge cut into his hand, drawing a point of blood that dropped down onto the glass over the two faces smiling at him.

Ryo felt a shiver run down his spine and tired hard not to read into any symbolism. He was just being paranoid again. That didn't stop the anxiety from welling up in him. Quickly he shoved the picture, frame and all, in his jacket pocket and made hurriedly for the stairs.

" Touma?" He called, wincing as his voice rose with his adrenaline.

When Touma didn't answer Ryo tired again to calm himself by talking his nerves down.

" Come on Tou, rationality was never my strong point." He muttered as he checked the bathroom, happy not to find Touma sick but also worried not to have found him at all.

Then he felt the silence. It was a big house for sure, but with any of them inside it was anything but devoid of sound. And, it wasn't the silence of a house unoccupied, but an oppressive moment where the weight of the world is sitting on spot just before something happens. At least that's how it had always felt before a battle to him.

" Tou?" Ryo's voice held an undisguised command in it with his worry. He wanted him to answer, now.

Pushing aside any doubts aside for now, Ryo headed straight for the little room Touma called his. He reached out a hand to push open the half open door just as he came in range, but a large white mass pushed him aside before he could touch the door. He hit the door jam with his shoulder, catching himself and then pushing inside the room. His eyes immediately locked on the scene before him and for a moment he stopped. He had known the minute Blaze had brushed past him who had beat him to Touma's room, but for a moment he was surprised to see him there, a quiet rumbling sound growing louder as the guardian tiger nuzzled a slender shoulder before butting the motionless boy on the bed with his head. Fear gripped him when Touma didn't respond at all to the gentle nudges. No matter how much Blaze pushed at him or licked the boy remained curled loosely on his side seemingly asleep. Ryo was by his side in an heartbeat.

" Touma?" He called harshly, pushing the obviously concerned tiger away with one hand, the other he laid steadily on one soft cheek. The cold made him panic. " Touma, answer me!"

Ryo stood, pulling Touma's much too light body with him into his arms. He nearly dropped him in relief when he felt the tiny tickle of air on his neck that told him his friend still lived. His grip tightened as he turned and headed out into the hall.

" Nasuti!" His voice was rough to his own ears. " Nasuti, call an ambulance!"

Ryo sprinted for the stairs, a sharp pain rising in his chest every time he heard Toumas breath hitch. How could this be happening? Touma had been fine. He hit the stairs at a full out run, his steps sure but hurried. Something struck his leg and suddenly he was air borne. A cry wrenched itself from his throat as the ground rushed up at him, but all he could do was turn to protect the one in his arms. The world turned white.

Duo didn't bother suppressing the yawn that overtook him. He stretched out his lanky frame in the hard chair, popping joints loudly. He'd never though he could be so bored in his job, aside from paperwork of course. Absently he scanned the room for anything of interest, his gaze straying longingly at the gloriously beautiful summer day passing outside without him. There had to be some sort of law against holding a man against his will on a day like this. A soft snore drew his attention to his right and he couldn't help but snicker. Trowa was quietly snoozing through the meeting, but he couldn't blame him. He thought about joining him.

" What the hell were you thinking?!"

He winced at the sudden reminder why they were here. Though the reprimand wasn't directed at them, he could still feel the effects, even from across the room. When the woman was mad, everyone knew.

Sympathy was given in due to the three who bore the burnt in front of him. They had made a mistake, and now Commander Une was taking it out of their hides, and their paychecks. As sympathetic as he was for them, the question was why did he have to be inside on a day like today. It had to be a sin. A chuckle from beside him drew his attention to Trowa and he smirked back at the understanding grin on the mans face.

The slamming of a fist on wood brought them both forward with a casual start. Une continued to rave at the three individually, starting with the slight figure in the middle and working her way out to the two darker ones flanking him. Neither of them would have traded places with their companions and be put in her wrath. The woman was scary sometimes, but Duo wished she had let the others at least sit. Quatre looked about ready to fall over at any moment. He found it odd that any of them had let something like this slip past them in the first place. They were an efficient team to say the least, the best if you asked Duo, or even if you didn't. He'd chalked it up to that one in a million ratio throwing them an odd one before, but he wondered on it now. They had been assigned to take out a wacko with a collection of nuclear materials and a penchant for making bombs and detain him while cleanup was done by another crew. It had been relatively easy, he had thought, but for some reason or other the man himself hadn't been checked when he was brought out. It seemed he tinkered with grenades on the side, a hobby, and snuck one out with him. Luckily the only thing really hurt by the blast was a half million dollar car parked across the street. He and his fellow lounger, who he noticed was dozing again, had been over with the clean up trucks helping out. That was the only reason he was confined to this rather stiff office chair, but not getting chewed out by the pretty lady with a mean bite in front of him.

If he hadn't nearly had a heart attack when it happened, he'd be enjoying this a lot more.

" I want answers, now." Une demanded firmly. No one answered her. " This lapse put you and another team in danger, this is serious gentlemen. Are you listening Mr. Barton?" She didn't miss a beat.

" Raptly." He answered immediately, never opening his eyes. Duo glanced at him dubiously.

" Good. Punishment.."

" Wait."

The light voice that called from the middle of the room was swiftly stopped by hands clamping on either biceps of the speaker, but all attention had already been diverted to him. Wide blue eyes captured Unes, and she waited patiently for what she already seemed to suspect.

" I-"

" Quatre." Wufeis voice held a warning.

" It was my lapse that caused that incident. I was put in charge of the detainee but did not check him."

" Say the rest then." Wufei pushed in irritation, but Quatre merely shot him a pleading look before he leveled his gaze on Une.

Une herself seemed to be trying to stare the information she wanted out of him, not satisfied with what she had gotten, but she broke her eyes from his first. Frustration pinched her face. All of this had gone against her from the start, and now her next meeting had made their way in to watch the proceedings unannounced. Heero, though occupied with other matters, was already scowling in the direction of the little party of three. Duo for one thought it was the most interesting distraction of this entire bash. What could be happening to bring the Lighting Count and his right hand back from the dead? He'd have to grill Sally later.

" Fine. Quatre Winner you are here by suspended until I have full report," she studied him for a second, " and the results of a physical and mental evaluation on my desk."

Quatres eyes widened even further in almost panic, then narrowed.

" All due respect Ma'am, but I quit."

Duo was on his feet in an instant, Trowa already standing and moving toward the front.

Lady Une held up a hand to stop the protests that were on their lips and stared coolly at the young man in front of her. After a moment she heaved uncharacteristic sigh a nodded her head, though more to herself than in agreement with the proclamation.

" Mr. Winner, you are released of you duties and are to return to your home until such time as a suitable evaluation is done," She softened her features, " when you feel fit."

Duo looked quickly back and forth from her to Quatre, hoping his friend would take the opening given. He didn't bother to question the Lady's motives for leaving open a clear opportunity for his friend to have a little time, he just prayed Quatre saw it. The silence lasted only a moment, but it felt like a crushing hour.

" Yes, Ma'am." Quatre didn't seem grateful.

" You're all dismissed."

She sat and began sifting through the reports on her desk, not giving even a glance at her next meeting still standing unannounced on the sidelines.

Duo was on his three friends the moment they stepped out the door.

" What the hell was all that about?" He dodged the hand Wufei swatted at him and pinned them all with an questioning look. It would be useless to pin Quatre. He had already proven slippery when it came to answers.

" Please Duo," Quatre pleaded tiredly, " don't push."

Duo opened his mouth to retort that, but stopped when he saw how much Quatre was leaning against Heero for support. His pallor had only gotten worse the longer he stood, and now Duo was even more anxious for answers. Ones that he apparently wasn't getting, at least not now. At the first wince of pain in indigo eyes Duo turned his nose up and looked away in mock indignation.

" Fine, beee that way." He sniffed self-righteously.

The soft chuckle that came from Wufei surprised him, but he was worried at the weariness that pervaded it. Something was definitely wrong here that he wasn't being let in on, and he really didn't like that at all. Beside him he could hear Trowa mumble something about secrets and stubborn women. He decided not to ask.

" If your done, I'm taking him home." Heero's deep voice was quickly followed by a lighter tone.

" Heero, you don't-" He was silenced with a look. " But I'm not incapable-"

Heero took Quatres arm and with a tiny sigh the boy let himself be led down the hall.

It was simply a reaction that shot his hand out and caught the unoccupied arm of the tired boy. In a heartbeat Duo found himself looking wonderingly into blue eyes that looked much too old.

" Let go Duo."

Duo did as told, but a chill went down his spine at the tone of the words. For a moment he had entertained the thought Quatre had meant forever.

The car was dark in the evening twilight, lit only be the dash lights and stereo. The soft sounds of jazz band were coming from the radio, barely heard above the purr of the engine and singing of speeding tires on pavement. The space between the two young men wasn't awkward, but loaded like a twelve gauge. Quatre was at a loss on just how to start the conversation he knew was coming. For now he stared sadly out at the stars that were becoming more and more visible the farther they got from the city. They would be close to the shuttle port soon. He wondered just how far Heero would accompany him. A part of him wanted him to come all the way home with him, while another said it was better to break it off here. He didn't want to hurt any of his friends, and he would if he didn't say goodbye now. No matter how much it hurt.

A twinge of pain in his chest made his mind up for him.

" Heero, I'm sorry."

" Quatre--Hold on!" Heero's alarm was his only warning before the car swerved, headlights shining blazingly though the window from an oncoming truck. The sounds of grindng metal on metal filled his ears painfully as the car hit the guardrail, then there was the sensation of falling. Hands sought and met, holding tightly as the car plummeted. The world turned white.

ANI'll try my best to get the next chapter out very soon. I really want this to be good. And you have no idea where my mind is going with this when let run rampant. But I'll behave. Again, HeeroHiro?