Author's Notes: This is a fusion with the book: So Worthy My Love by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. While there will be no text reproduced here, the story line will follow the book's almost exactly, any changes made not too drastic.

Category: Yaoi, AU, Gundam Wing, fusion with a book
Pairings: will be 1x2, vague hints at 3x4
Warnings: crossdressing; out of necessity
Author: Arigatomina
Email: arigatoumina (a) hotmail . com
Website: www . geocities . com / arigatomina

Bonds of Love

Part 4

Even if Trowa hadn't threatened to gag and carry him, Duo wouldn't have tried to get too far away from them. He found himself moving through a very dangerous district. Although he'd never been there personally, he knew of places like these and that law had stopped going into them. As a result, all low-lives and criminals used them as hide-outs, shelters from which to make their plans.

Duo wasn't looking forward to escaping into this area since freedom would probably end worse than captivity. Instead, he gave little resistance as he was drawn down twisted and winding alleys. His eyes were worried when the men stopped before a wooden door in the back of a building.

A young woman answered the door and after a few whispered words from Trowa, she let them inside. As far as Duo could tell, the building had a lower level and he was led down some stairs before the three halted outside a door.

The red-haired woman unlocked this and Duo was gently pushed inside, Quatre giving him a regretful smile and telling him to wait. Not that he had much choice since the door was immediately closed and locked behind him. For a moment, he stared at it, then he turned so he could view his new prison.

The room looked more like a closet than a room and as far as Duo could tell the cot, the only thing in the room, had just been brought in recently. Even it was dirty and he scuffed his old slippers over the dusty floor, staring at the cleaned spot in disgust. He didn't care how poor the people were, there was no excuse for such disgusting laziness.

With a loud sigh, he settled on the cot, grimacing as he was certain the brown skirt he wore was as dark as the blanket despite the fact that the covering had once been white. Still, the stains on it made him wince and it wasn't until he looked at the closed door that he understood why the filth irritated him so.

Obviously, his mind was trying to divert him from the real problem.

He'd been placed in a room with nothing but a bed. Not a good thing.

When the door opened again, Duo let out a silent sigh of relief that it was just the woman from before. His relief was short lived, however, as he spotted definite malice and distaste in her gaze. She set the tray on the floor at the foot of the bed and stood, staring at him.

"Well," she sneered, "I can't say I'm not surprised to see something like you here. I'd have thought he'd have better taste than that."

He knew he looked bad with his hair falling out of its braid and his dress very poor, but he was taken back by the blatant distaste on the woman's face.

"Do I offend you?" asked Duo, raising an eyebrow when she let out a harsh laugh.

"Offend me?!" she laughed, staring down at where he sat. "How high and mighty you talk, I'd say you're a might drubby looking to be talking like that."

Duo wasn't hurt by her snide comment, but then, it didn't matter what she thought of him. He reminded himself that he needed to escape.

The woman turned and bent over the tray and Duo's mouth fell open as he saw that she'd left the door wide open. Obviously, she wanted him to escape. He didn't pause to wonder why.

He was on his feet quickly. Without so much as a glance at the woman, he bolted through the door and shut it behind him, grinning as he found she'd left the key in the lock. It was an easy thing to lock her in. He left the key and turned to view the darkened hallway.

Again, he thought of what might happen to him in the area they were in, but possible risks were better than taking his chances in that room. Throwing his fears aside, he ran for the stairs.

He nearly stumbled when he heard a door open beneath him and he threw a glance over his shoulder to see Quatre and Trowa looking up at him in surprise. They were joined by a third man and Duo shoved himself up. Holding his skirt out of his way, he practically flying up the stairs.

He hit the door running, and he groaned when he found it locked. He closed his eyes in the agony of defeat as strong arms wrapped around his waist and he was lifted against a man's chest.

Unwilling to be carried back to the room without a fight, Duo kicked at the man holding him and let out a sharp scream. Then a hand was clamped over his mouth and he was brought back downstairs.

The man didn't seem to mind his kicks. But then, it wasn't as if he could do much damage with the thin slippers Trowa had given him earlier. Duo eventually stilled his struggles, vaguely aware that the man might notice his lack of breasts if he moved too much. He still glared when Quatre unlocked the door, and the woman turned with a disappointed expression.

The man dropped Duo with a sharp gasp. He stared at the tooth-marks on his hand before looking back to him. Since Duo didn't know who'd ordered his kidnapping, he was expecting to find it was this new stranger. The black-haired man stared at him in shock. Then the man gave a small smirk, black eyes seeming to warm as he again glanced from his hand to Duo.

"Well, that was quite the greeting, I must say," he said smoothly, shaking his head when Duo glared daggers at him. "I am Chang Wufei, at your service, my lady."

Duo blinked when the man gave a slow bow. He heard what sounded like a growl and glanced back to find the woman glaring at him. He gave her a glare of his own before making a face at yet another ruined escape attempt.

"Is she always so difficult?" asked Wufei, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at Quatre's unhappy expression.

"Well..."

The blonde seemed hesitant, and Trowa stepped forward, giving Duo a sharp gaze.

"Yes," said Trowa, his deadpan response saying wonders.

"I see," Wufei smirked. "And how did you manage to escape?"

He turned to Duo, but looked past him to stare at the woman, who was currently scowling.

"He caught me with my back turned," she said quickly, making it sound as if Duo had done something horrible that she'd never expected.

"Yeah, and you obviously didn't mind," Duo returned, scoffing as he gestured to her. "She left the door wide open. She was begging for me to escape."

"Why I never!"

Enraged, the woman took a step forward, her hand raising as if she meant to slap Duo, who merely raised an eyebrow at her.

Wufei caught her quickly, his dark gaze making her flush. Staring at the woman in disapproval, he drew her to the door and gave her a small push out of the room. "I'd say your services are done here, wouldn't you?"

He waited until she'd left before turning to smile at Duo. "Well, no harm done. Trowa, why don't you go get the chest, there really isn't any time to waste."

The tall one nodded and left, returning almost immediately with a large trunk held on his shoulder.

As soon as he spotted it, Duo had a horrible suspicion. He took a step back when Wufei turned to look at him.

"Tell me you're not thinking of putting me in that thing," he said slowly, his eyes impossibly wide. "No way!"

"Don't be afraid," said Wufei, his voice calm. "We simply can't have anyone spotting you as we take you to the ship. Also, you've proven that you're determined to escape and we can't have that either."

Since his reassurances didn't seem to help, he nodded his head toward the trunk. "I will make a deal with you. If you give me your word that you won't try to scream or make any move that will draw attention to yourself, I won't tie and gag you."

"What?!" Letting out a frustrated groan, Duo rubbed his palms over his face before bowing his head in defeat. "Why can't you just let me go?"

"It won't take long," Wufei said, not liking the hopeless tone Duo spoke with. "If there was another way, I assure you, we'd use it. But there isn't."

In the end, Duo climbed into the trunk on his own, and he kept his muscles taut as the lid was slowly shut and he was surrounded by darkness. If he'd ever had fears of his death, this beat them all. He felt as if he'd been placed in a coffin that was much too small. As it was, he'd had to curl into a near ball in order to fit into the thing.

Had it not been for the padding that lined the inside, he was sure he'd have been bruised all over. Mostly because Trowa accidentally dropped the trunk as he was carrying it up the stairs. While the boy had given a heart-felt apology, Duo promised to hurt him later, badly. Still, the ride really didn't take that long, no more than an eternity.

When the lid was finally thrown back, Duo was again assaulted by light after blackness and he winced painfully. Then he winced again as he found himself unable to move at all, barely getting into a sitting position. His legs were completely numb. Had Wufei not lifted him, he might have stayed in the trunk inevitably and he was grateful to the man.

At least, he was grateful until he was set on his feet and he nearly crumpled to the carpet. Then, his mind shut down as his legs screamed at him and he closed his eyes until the last of his muscles had finally awakened. It was then that he realized he was still being supported by the black-haired man. His pain-fogged mind pinpointed the man's hand on his stomach and the muscled chest pressed close to his back.

Fear sprang to mind unhampered and he lunged away, turning to glare at the man while Wufei looked back at him in surprise. He didn't care if the man had been helping him. Duo could still feel those fingers touching his side and the way the warm breath had reached his ear.

The danger he was in once again became apparent and he grabbed the oak staff that was leaning in the corner of what he found to be a cabin. It may not have been meant as a weapon, but he intended to use it as such. He watched the three men warily, spotting Trowa and Quatre behind the black-haired man.

Wufei took a small step forward and Duo swung the staff in a fast arc, warning him to stay back.

"The first one of you who tries anything is going to seriously regret it," he ground out, hoping his fear wasn't apparent in his voice.

Again, he was convinced they had guns but as he couldn't see any, he left room for a bit of hope that he might be able to fend them off at least for a while.

"Please, English," Wufei said softly, his eyes glowing as he stared at Duo.

There was something attractive in a girl with spirit and he found himself captivated by those sparking violet eyes. Most women he'd met were much too passive and he gave a mental compliment to Heero for having chosen such a spirited bride.

"No one will hurt you," he said.

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the pair standing behind him, humored by their uncertainty as they seemed wary to leave him alone. Once they were gone, he turned back to Duo. "In truth, you are my guest. You see, this is my ship and as it is the only cabin suitable for a lady, I give you leave to mine."

"Is that supposed to comfort me?" Duo asked, his incredulous tone not hidden. "So you'll keep me in your cabin, that's a real relief."

Wufei smirked again. "Well, as I was saying, I will find it necessary to come in every once in a while as this is where I keep my charts."

Directing Duo's attention to one of such papers, he inclined is head. "But other than that, the room is yours. Once we set sail, you will, of course, have leave to the deck of the ship, but I can't risk it just yet. I can't have you jumping and trying to swim to shore, now can I?"

He'd never had much chance to swim, and Duo didn't really care if he missed that opportunity to escape. He knew he wouldn't make it to shore unless it was very close nearby. Still, he was irritated that the man thought he'd be reassured by the knowledge that he'd only be intruding occasionally.

"You're so very kind," he said sarcastically, glaring at the man.

"I will announce my arrival with a loud knock," said Wufei.

He almost laughed at the anger heating the room, but he wasn't prone to laughter so he resisted the temptation. "I'll see you again once we've set sail. Till then, English."

Duo didn't move until the man had left the cabin. He sighed when he heard a lock turn. He wasn't reassured, but at least he hadn't been attacked.

Maybe they really were taking him to someone else. But who?

He sat down on the soft bed that was bolted to the floor at the side of the room and rested his head in his hands.

He called him English. Duo wondered if it wouldn't be better to tell them he was a boy. But then...that might make things worse.

If they were sent to find a girl, then he wasn't the one they were after. They might release him. But then...they might also decide to kill him for witnessing their attempts at kidnapping.

He didn't know what to do...

- - -
TBC