Heero-Ella

Chapter Four

(Quatre POV)

Poor Duo must be getting it bad from his father right about now. It usually happens that way. After Duo is caught doing something "unbecoming of a Prince," he is summoned by His Majesty, King Treize, and lectured. He usually comes out of there in a bad mood but this time around, I think that attitude will be different.

I had a bit of trouble getting Trowa and Heero into the palace with Rowland being uptight (probably because he got chewed out for letting Duo escape without him noticing). Fortunately for us though, Wufei was just a call away and now we're happily sitting in one of Duo's rooms munching on fresh fruit pieces and drinking iced tea.

The room is medium sized and formal. The walls are a beige color with a golden tint to them and the large window has fine red velvet curtains with golden accents to it. The seats are comfortable, made with plush cushions and upholstered in crimson crushed velvet with ornate carvings on the wood of the legs, sides of the armrests, and the tops of the seats. This room mainly kept to tones of red, gold, brown, and beige as it was meant to entertain people that came to visit the prince that weren't intimate friends of his.

It's funny how structured this life is. There are certain ways to dress, act, eat, and sit when in the presence of certain people; there are even special places to entertain them. In fact, you know where you stand with everyone by just noting which room you're being "entertained" in.

Since Duo isn't here to lead Trowa and Heero to any of his private rooms and since neither Wufei nor I will take that liberty, we've decided to wait for his highness in the formal lounge.

(Heero POV)

After finally being let into the palace by that guard, I think his name was Rowland, Quatre and Wufei led us to what they said was Duo's lounge. Apparently he was attending some sort of meeting and would see us in here when he was done.

All this time to think led me to ponder Duo's behavior earlier on. He was wearing a cap and sunglasses that concealed his hair and eye color even if it wasn't bright enough to be wearing either indoors. Secondly, he spent over two thousand dollars in less than an hour without batting an eyelash, which gave me about six hundred dollars for my commission. The way he kept himself between Quatre and Wufei seemed a little suspicious, and now that I think about it, it makes perfect sense. Wufei is Duo's bodyguard so Duo has to be with him at all times.

That thought caused me to feel a little jealous. I'd give anything to be with Duo... err... His Majesty... 24/7. In fact, about half the kingdom would give their right arm to be with him, including my sister.

I fidgeted a little and took a sip from my iced tea as we waited for Duo to make his entrance. I don't know why, but I felt nervous now that I knew he was the prince. How do I act around him? Will he mind that Trowa and I came?

I didn't have time to finish that train of thought. He came bursting in through a door on the other side of the room, not the same one we had used to gain entrance.

"Q-bean, what's the big idea waiting for me in here? What is it? Are you mad at me for leaving you at the mall? Is that why you're trying to wound me by sitting in the formal lounge? I thought we were friends!!"

"Your Highness," Wufei interrupted, giving a little bow, "you have guests." By this time, we were all standing, and with the exception of Quatre who was looking Duo in the face, everyone had their heads bowed, as was the custom when royalty entered the room.

I heard, rather than saw, Duo giving a strangled little cry before he found his voice, putting his fists at his hips, "Oh no you don't!! I'll have none of that! If I catch any of you bowing to me or using any sort of formalities we weren't using at the food court, I'll kick you out!" He huffed and turned around; marching into the room he had just come in from, "Hurry up! I don't want to be in that room a second longer than I have to."

I looked up, seeing the last glimpse of his braid as he marched into the next room and grinned. Duo is still Duo. Where had that thought come from? I ignored it and walked into the "private" lounge with the rest of the guys.

If I had thought the other room was big, this room was gargantuan! It had ceilings that looked to be at least two or three stories tall, painted all in black and blue with little white specks that made it look like it was part of the night sky. Hanging from the high ceilings I could see what looked to be little colonies and spaceships, with two little winged robots hanging amongst the space themed objects. On the far wall, I could see a giant screen TV that could rival the screens of lesser theaters with rows upon rows of movies on the left side of it. On the right side of the massive screen, I could see the first four shelves from the ground up covered with different video game consuls and the 12 shelves above that filled with every video game imaginable. Directly in front of the TV was a large black leather couch that formed a "C" in front of the TV that could easily seat eight people. I looked over to the wall adjacent to it and saw a massive stereo system. The speakers, I noticed were mounted along the four walls of the room to get a full surround sound effect from both the TV and the stereo. I kind of felt bad for anyone who didn't appreciate Duo's music but didn't dwell on the thought for too long. Opposite the TV was a full functioning kitchenette complete with refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave, and assorted appliances. The round table in that area could seat five people comfortably. In the far corner of the room, I could see a full size outdoor trampoline with the walls and marble floor around it covered in what looked like black padding, the kind you'd expect to find in a gymnast's practice area.

I was vaguely aware that I'd been gawking when Duo's sweet voice called, "You guys hungry? I didn't mean to spoil lunch like that."

I blinked and smiled a little, about to answer when Trowa spoke up, "Steak and shrimp?"

Duo grinned a little, "Sure! Wu? Q? What'll it be?"

"Clam chowder!" Quatre piped up.

"Eggplant in spicy garlic sauce, if you still have any left," Wufei answered, his mouth practically watering.

"Coming right up!" Duo made his way to the kitchenette and began re-heating some clam chowder for Quatre and eggplant for Wufei. He then went to the freezer and pulled out two steaks and a bag for fresh shrimp and began preparing their meals.

I couldn't help but stare. Trowa had just been kidding... I think.

"Your Majesty!" Trowa was cut off by a glare, "err... Duo..." The glare disappeared, "We.. I was only kidding, you don't have to go through the trouble! Heero and I will eat sandwiches or something. Isn't that right, Heero?"

I nodded dumbly and added, "You don't have to cook for us, Duo, if anything, we should be cooking for you!"

"Don't be silly, I love to cook! You guys just relax and put on a movie or something. Oh! I just got a new game if you guys want to play it while I finish cooking."

Wufei and Quatre went and sat down on the comfortable looking couches followed by a moony-eyed Trowa. I on the other hand, went to the kitchenette to help Duo stir the warming chowder.

"Hey! I'm the one who's cooking!" he said, grin still on his lips.

I smiled a little and shook my head, "I need to be doing something and I can't just sit there while someone else cooks. I won't get in your way, I'll just keep an eye on this for you."

Duo nodded and placed all of his attention on the steaks he was cooking while the others played a racing game in the background. "I'm sorry I lied to you and ran out like that. I don't lie... and I never said I wasn't the prince, but I didn't tell you the truth either...I'm sorry."

Duo was staring intently at the food he was making, his whole body stiff as if he were waiting for some kind of blow. He seemed afraid of something... but I couldn't figure out what.

"Don't worry about it, Duo. You had a good reason for keeping your identity a secret. I'd probably do the same if I were you."

"You... you don't hate me for it?" He looked up at me, blinking his big soulful eyes at me.

"Of course not! Also I wanted to say thanks." I think I was blushing now, but I had to thank my benefactor.

"Huh? What for?" He looked genuinely confused as he stared at me.

"I'm going to get a very nice commission thanks to you... and I just wanted to say thank you. Pretty soon, I'll have enough money to move out... maybe even leave town."

"Why would you want to do that?"

I couldn't figure out what to make of his expression so I just shrugged, "It's a long story. Home isn't too good right now..." I paused looking at the re-heated food, "I think this is ready."

(One hour later)

The food was to die for and the dishes were washed and put away. We were currently seated on the "C" couch with Duo jumping on his trampoline.

"Stupid Hilde! Why did she have to be at the food court?!" Duo spat as he jumped. Quatre had informed us that the trampoline was a way for Duo to get rid of excess energy and that King Treize had gotten it for him after he broke his third bed by jumping on it in the same month.

"At least your stalker lives in another house, Heero's stalker is Relena, his other sister." Trowa snickered.

"Huh?" Duo asked, folding his legs and bouncing on his bottom before standing again and bouncing with his socked feet. I also got a pair of curious glances from both Wufei and Quatre, both wondering about Trowa's comment.

"Other SISTER?!" Wufei shrieked, "How can you possibly be related to those onna's?!"

"Well, they're technically my stepsisters since my guardian married their mother."

"I don't envy you," Duo said as he continued bouncing.

I smirked, "Does this mean I can tell dear Hilde that you don't want to marry her?"

"WHAT?!" Duo squawked as he landed on his face on the trampoline. He bounced a little after that and recovered, sitting still in the middle of the black bouncing net. "I'd rather marry Wufei than even touch Lady Hilde!!"

"HEY!" Wufei sounded indignant as he jumped off the couch, "You insult me! Injustice! I refuse to be compared to that... that..."

"Brain-dead baka?" I interjected.

Wufei looked at me for a second before falling over laughing, as did the rest of the guys. He landed on a couch cushion that gave a little growling sound. He jumped as a white paw smacked his arm, letting a white and black fuzz ball out from under the cushion.

The thing stretched on the floor and made its way to me. It jumped on my lap and began to purr/growl in what I only hoped was happiness.

"....What is this?" I asked the room.

"That's Duo's pet," Quatre answered. "She's a snow tiger that was brought to him from a Siberian ambassador this summer.

"AWW! Shini likes you!" Duo cooed from his perch on the trampoline. "She doesn't like just anyone, you should feel honored she's taken your lap as a pillow."

"Well.. She is cute..." I said, petting her. She blinked up at me and settled on my lap for another nap.

(Some time later)

Wufei had been summoned away for the evening and Trowa and Quatre were snuggled away with some pillows underneath the trampoline with Shini sleeping on the tarp right above them. Duo and I had just finished playing Mortal Combat and were lying back on the couch.

"Hey Duo..." I asked a little softly, I didn't want to disturb Trowa and Quatre.

"Yeah?"

"Are the rumors about you true?"

"What rumors?"

"That you're going to take the throne a little after your birthday and that's why you have to pick a bride..."

Duo sighed, putting his controller down, "Yeah..."

"I'm sorry. It must be a lot for someone to deal with. At least all I have to deal with is a messed up home life. You on the other hand, have to deal with the problems of an entire kingdom!"

"Rub it in, why doncha?"

"Sorry," I mumbled. "I hope you find someone that won't try to just use you... you deserve something better that," I tried sounding cheery, if only to give him a little hope. It really sucked having to choose someone to marry in such a short time... especially since most of the people he had to choose from he'd never even met.

"Thanks."

I sighed and looked at my watch, seeing it was half-past nine. "Crap... I had to be home half an hour ago!" I got up and put my shoes back on (we had all taken them off when we got a turn at the trampoline), "It was very nice meeting you, Duo... I had a lot of fun here... maybe we can see each other some other time?" I barely let Duo nod before I dashed out of the room calling out, "Trowa knows where to find me if you want to hang out or something... uh... thanks for dinner, but I have to go."

From there, I took off running. I ran past the guards, down the streets, and all the way home. I don't have a car and I've gotten used to the exercise... Lady Une would not be happy with my tardiness.