Part 6: The Game
Duo wheeled around, almost stomping his foot in frustration. "If you don't stop it, Yuy, I'm going to kick your ass!"
Smirking, Heero stole the ball again, using his speed to get out of the livid boy's range before tossing it to Trowa. Without blinking, Trowa leapt into the air and made a dunk.
"That's not fair!" Duo wailed. His hands were on his hip as he glared at the two boys. "If you two don't stop using your powers, I'm going to start playing dirty too."
He turned on Heero. "See how well you can steal the ball if you can't see it!"
"Okay-okay!" Quatre cried. He raised his hands in an attempt to calm his partner.
Wufei smirked from his place in the sidelines.
"No more cheating," said Quatre. "Play fairly, all right?"
He pinned Trowa with a disapproving look and the tall boy's lips twitched.
"Heero?" prodded Quatre.
"I can't be blamed if he's slow," Heero shrugged. He watched Duo, waiting for him to explode. He didn't have a long wait.
"You!"
Duo leapt for the Japanese boy. Quatre threw himself on him and barely held him back.
Wufei let out a sharp bark of laughter that caused Duo to stiffen and turn on him abruptly.
"You think this is funny!" Duo accused.
"Hilarious," said Wufei, his expression dead-panned.
Duo growled, glaring his frustration.
"Are we going to play or what?" he grumbled. "Come on, Wufei. Trowa, you're out of this one, I need to teach these two a lesson."
Nodding, the tall boy stepped off the court.
Duo pulled Quatre off to the side, whispering furiously. After shaking his head rapidly, the short blonde finally nodded once and Duo beamed.
Catching the two waiting boys with an evil grin, Duo grabbed the ball. "Let's play."
.-.
"I still think he should have killed you," Quatre commented. Humor glinted in his eyes as he smiled at Duo.
"Come on, Quatre," said Duo. "It's not like I was invisible the entire time. Besides, he started that speed thing again. I couldn't very well allow that now could I? I do feel kind of sorry for poor Wufei though."
Duo's smile belied his words. "Man, that was so great! I haven't done anything like that in a long time."
"You're lucky we played inside," Quatre teased. He watched the other three boys, who were playing an intense game of one-on-one-on-one. "If we'd been outside, Wufei would probably have struck you with lightening."
He laughed when Duo's eyes suddenly widened, a dumb-founded look on his face.
"I didn't even think about that," said Duo. "I just wanted to beat him and I knew we wouldn't have a chance with Heero and Trowa both. And since Wufei's powers are elemental I...didn't even think about it."
Duo smiled, flicking a glance at the game still going on. "But they sure got over it quickly. Man, this is so cool! Hey, Quatre, got another ball? We can play some one-on-one with the other hoop. What do you say?"
Quatre nodded and followed Duo across the gym.
.-.
Why had he provoked him? He didn't do things like that.
Heero sat against the wall, watching as Quatre and Duo played. Trowa had won the game and was having a rematch with Wufei.
Heero sighed.
He didn't know what had inspired him, but...it was...fun. He'd have to remember to thank Quatre. He was glad he'd asked the boy to rent the place, even though it was really an unnecessary expense.
Watching Duo, he could practically see the joy the longhaired boy radiated.
Yes, he was glad.