Part 23: Preliminaries

It took about ten minutes for Kurama to recap their different abilities, and the fact that they were currently waging attacks on OZ. Red eyes focused on each of them as their specific talents were described again. Zechs blinked when those red eyes remained on him after Kurama finished.

The small black-haired boy stared at him until he shifted, glancing at Wufei. Wufei shrugged, frowning, and Zechs looked back to Hiei with a frown of his own.

"What?" asked Zechs.

"You're the healer?" asked Hiei.

Kurama had just said as much. Zechs nodded, not sure what to make of Hiei's smirk.

Hiei lifted a hand, pulling off the white scarf wrapped around his neck. He shrugged aside his black cloak, letting it fall over the back of his chair, and drew the sword strapped to his back. Zechs' eyes widened when Hiei set his left arm on the table and swiftly sliced a deep wound.

Quatre let out a surprised cry and Kurama groaned, leaving the table just as blood began to coat the surface.

"You could have done that over a sink," Kurama scolded.

Kurama frowned in disapproval, but Hiei ignored him. He was still watching Zechs.

"Well?" Hiei prompted.

Zech flinched, breaking out of his surprise, and Hiei's smirk widened.

As Zechs moved to heal the boy, Duo shot a doubtful look to Heero, his voice low. "They don't waste any time, do they."

Heero was scowling, and Duo prodded him to get his attention, which he directed to Zechs' angry expression.

"He doesn't look very happy," said Duo.

Kurama moved behind the two boys, lowering his voice as he caught Duo's eye. "That's because Hiei wanted to get a rise out of him. If the problem in his healing is the delivery, we don't want to give him time to think about what he's doing." The violet-eyed boy raised an eyebrow at the towels in his hands and Kurama sighed. "Of course, I wouldn't have done it here, but...that's Hiei."

Circling the table, Kurama frowned at Hiei and dropped the towels with a pointed look. He wasn't about to clean up this mess.

It didn't take long to heal the wound, but Zechs was surprised by the hard muscle that meshed back together beneath his hands. He remembered what Kurama had said as he accepted a towel from the redhead and wiped his palms.

"I'd appreciate it if you gave me some warning, next time," Zechs said to Hiei.

Hiei turned his arm, frowning at it before glancing up to look at Zechs. "It burns when you do that." Kurama shoved the pile of towels toward his hand and Hiei snorted, cleaning his sword before sopping up the blood on the table. "What do you think when you heal like that?"

Taking his seat again, Zechs shook his head.

"I just concentrate on healing the injury," said Zechs. "For a cut like that I imagine the flesh sealing itself."

"Do you envision it?" asked Duo.

He knew what Hiei meant about the burn, and he could see how a person might will something to happen. That was how he turned invisible, after all.

"I mean," said Duo, "do you actually think about a wound healing, or does it happen naturally?"

"I just...focus on the wound and it heals."

"But you touch the person you're healing," said Trowa. "With me, it felt as if you put some sort of energy into the wound. You sent that through your hands."

"Yes," Zechs nodded quickly, "but your wound was internal. I couldn't touch the wound itself, so I had to work from the inside out."

"Then you do send out some sort of energy when you heal," said Kurama. "And you direct that when the wound isn't one you can see?"

"Yes, but I don't know much about how it works," Zechs admitted. "I see from the outside wound what sort of damage there is and I...imagine whatever it is that lets me heal being sent into a person. Then I imagine it being directed to the injury. Once it's there I heal it, the same as I would a flesh wound."

"You didn't just use your hands with Duo," Heero commented. Zechs flushed and Heero raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting. "Care to explain?"

"Yeah," Duo put in. He scowled over at Zechs. "That was the most painful kiss I've ever had."

He realized what he'd said when Wufei let out a snort, the boy's smirk making his cheeks burn. Zechs was just as red, and Duo leaned back in his chair when he saw the way Kurama was raising a curious eyebrow at him. He abruptly bit his lip and dropped his eyes.

Silence reigned for a few seconds before Kurama gave into a smile.

"Then you...send your healing force orally as well?" asked Kurama. He didn't think a person's face could get any redder than Zechs'. He calmed his smile as well as he could. "He must have had extensive internal damage."

"He did," Zechs said sharply.

He wasn't used to being embarrassed, but he hadn't considered it a kiss when he'd healed Duo. It was simply the quickest way he could think of to put that power into the boy.

"I know the...force comes from inside of me," said Zechs, "so I imagined it flowing into him and to where the wounds were. Then I used my hands to center it on healing the worst ones from the inside out."

"I think I understand," said Kurama. Hiei gave a sharp nod, and Kurama glanced to the side. "You were directing the energy, the healing force through him, and then pulling it back out again as it completed the healing. Then the pain either comes from the healing itself, or the movement of that power."

"The power," Hiei stated. "You put too much out when you heal." Lifting his arm, he inclined his head to where the wound had been. "For a flesh wound, you need less energy. But you used the same amount you would have for an internal wound. Am I wrong?"

"I..." Frowning at the boy, Zechs shifted in his seat. "I'm not sure. I didn't hold anything back, though, I do know that. I don't really think about the amount of energy it takes to heal someone."

"You said you never experimented with your power," Kurama nodded, "so it is understandable. You might want to practice healing minor wounds, watching to see how much effort you use. Then you could try using less effort. Either the wound won't heal, meaning it's always going to burn, or the pain should lessen."

"It's a good idea," Duo murmured. His eyes glinted as he shot a look at Kurama. "But who's he supposed to practice on?"

He wasn't about to forget how Heero had used him as the guinea pig for Quatre's little test. Kurama smiled at him and he blinked when those green eyes darted to the side.

"I think Hiei already volunteered for that," said Kurama. "Didn't you, Hiei."

Kurama's smile widened when Hiei looked at him, appearing startled for a second before glaring sharply. He didn't argue, though. With a satisfied sigh, Kurama pushed back from the table.

"But that can wait until another time," said Kurama. "You weren't planning to leave anytime soon, right?"

Zechs glanced at Heero, who shook his head.

"Good," said Kurama. "We can talk more about your abilities in the morning, if that's all right with you."

That sounded like a dismissal to Duo, even if it were a polite one. He stood with a quick smile. A glance found the others standing as well, and Kurama crossed the room, holding the door for them. It was rather abrupt, but Duo really didn't think the boy was trying to be rude. After all, he'd done the same thing with Yukina earlier.

Duo followed the others as they trailed out of the office, but he paused in the doorway, his eyes sparking at Kurama. "Can I ask you a question?"

Blinking in surprise, Kurama smiled. "Of course."

"Where's the last place you saw my picture?" asked Duo.

The boy looked more curious than anything, but Kurama could tell there was dull anger behind that slight smile. "I think it was in a bus terminal, but I didn't see it there. Hiei had it."

"What?" Duo started in surprise, his gaze darting to the black-haired youth still sitting at the table. Hiei's arms were crossed over his chest and he returned the stare with a slight frown.

Duo blinked. "Why-"

Kurama put a light hand on Duo's shoulder.

"It's wrong," Kurama said softly, "for pictures of mutants to be put up as if they were wanted criminals. That's all." Violet eyes turned to him and he smiled, stepping back. "We'll see you in the morning. I look forward to this, you know. I've never had the opportunity to work with so many A class mutants. You and your friends will wage a magnificent battle, I'm sure of it."

.-.

Dinner was being served when they reached the first level of the school, students filing through the halls in one general direction. They joined the flow and none of them spoke as they went through the serving line. Once they were seated, Heero looked at Zechs.

"I'm going to do a search on those two," said Heero. His voice was quiet in the general murmur of the cafeteria. "If Relena won't tell us anything, then it's the only option."

"You don't trust them?" asked Quatre.

He'd been quiet through the last part of the meeting below, but he didn't see any reason to doubt the two mutants. From what Duo had said, they probably were as powerful as Kurama had claimed. But they'd also seemed able and willing to help them, not only to master their talents, but in their fight against OZ.

Heero frowned at the table, and Quatre glanced to Trowa.

"It's because they didn't ask us anything about ourselves," Trowa explained. "Even if we're all mutants, they should have asked us something about our past besides out talents."

Zechs nodded at Trowa and glanced at Quatre.

"I don't think it was because they weren't interested, either," said Zechs. "Kurama didn't ask us about our past because he didn't want us to ask about theirs. He never let the conversation turn more personal than our powers."

"That's true," Quatre admitted. His expression remained doubtful. "But we don't know that they wouldn't tell us if we just asked." He looked across the table to Duo. "You said Miss Relena wouldn't say anything about them, right? That we should ask Kurama if we wanted to know. But we didn't ask him. I can see why you'd be wary of trusting another mutant," he said to Heero, "but I don't like the idea of investigating them without asking straight out first. Give them a chance to tell us before you find out for yourself."

"I plan to ask after I do the search," said Heero. "It's better that way. We can compare what they tell us with what we find."

Quatre was frowning now, but Heero met his gaze calmly.

"We can't afford to trust them blindly," said Heero. "What happened down there could easily have been a ruse to gain our trust. We won't be taken in twice."

Zechs winced at the reminder of their first meeting with Une, and he had to agree. "Heero's right. But I, for one, don't think that was a ruse. What would be the point? We were all together in a closed-in room. If they were working for OZ, they could have gassed us and taken us without lifting a finger." Dark blue eyes snapped to his and he nearly smirked at Heero's startled expression. "The fact that it didn't happen is a point in their favor."

"You guys are being way too paranoid," Duo commented. Unlike the rest of them, he wasn't going to wait for his food to get cold, his words coming in between bites. "I have absolute confidence that they're on our side. Besides, who would offer to play guinea pig to Zechs just to get on our good side? No one's that dumb."

Zechs frowned and Wufei smirked at the man before looking to Duo.

"What did he say to you when we left?" asked Wufei.

"Oh," said Duo, "I just asked him about that picture of me he said he'd seen, that's all." The others had begun to eat now, and Duo took another bite of his food before grinning suddenly. "You know, I still can't believe Hiei just cut his arm like that. I definitely wasn't expecting it."

Wufei could tell Duo was changing the subject, and he gave a slight nod. "His sword is very old-fashioned. I was surprised it cut so easily."

With a quick laugh, Duo smirked. "I didn't think people even carried swords anymore. But he did cut through weird plants earlier, so it had to be pretty sharp. What gets me is that he barely flinched when he did it. As bad as Zechs' healing burns, he took it like a man."

Pale blue eyes sparked at him from a droll glare and he smiled at Zechs.

"Kurama did say he resisted heat, though," Quatre put in. "If it burns, then maybe it wouldn't affect him as much as it did you and Trowa."

"That's true," said Zechs. He was tapping his fingers on the table, a little irked by the talk. He didn't like to be singled out for the flaw in his main talent, it was irritating. "I thought he was a child when I saw him earlier, but he's obviously older than that."

"What was your first clue?" Duo teased. He smirked as Zechs' eyes flashed back to him. Teasing him was nearly as fun as teasing Wufei. "The voice, or the eyes?"

Wufei raised an eyebrow at Duo, his own lips curving into a smirk.

"His eyes?" asked Wufei.

There was a definite insinuating tone to the Chinese boy's voice, and Duo blinked when Heero shifted beside him. A quick glance found Heero's gaze on him as well and he leaned back a bit, frowning at him, and then Wufei.

"All I meant was that he has that same bored look that Heero gets, and Trowa, too," said Duo.

"Trowa doesn't look bored," Quatre countered with a slight frown. Duo turned to stare at him and he felt a little warmth creep to his cheeks. He knew Duo hadn't been insulting Trowa, but he'd spoken without thinking. The rising heat strengthened when he felt green eyes on him as well, and he fumbled for something to say. "I think it's more serious than bored..."

Duo continued to stare at him for a long moment before the boy smiled suddenly and Quatre sighed, dropping his gaze.

"Anyway," Duo smirked, "I look forward to meeting up with them tomorrow. Hopefully we can do more than just watch Zechs work."

"That reminds me," said Quatre. "Kurama didn't say when to meet them." Turning a bit, he looked around the crowded cafeteria. "And they didn't come up with us. They couldn't have had time to eat before we came down there, not with Hiei asleep."

Duo shook his head, leaning back since he'd finished eating.

"They probably have their own kitchen down there," said Duo. "Let's just meet up here in the morning and go down when we're done. I have a feeling they'll probably be up."

"They can't help all of us at once," Quatre mused. He frowned at what was left of his meal. "I think I'll stay with Une tomorrow. I don't think it's good to leave her alone for too long, and I want to start working with her."

"You're going to try bringing her softer side to the surface?" asked Zechs.

"Yes," said Quatre. "And since we have an added incentive for staying here, I won't have to rush her." He relaxed when Trowa nodded beside him.

"I'll join you," said Trowa. He sent a sober look at the others. "It's not a good idea to have anyone alone with her. She appears stable at the moment, but," he glanced at Heero, "we aren't taking chances."

"Good." Heero nodded to the boy, his brows drawn in a frown. "I'll stop by there before joining up with the others. I want to see this 'other side' of hers. I need to contact my informer with a report as soon as possible, but I don't want to do that until we know we'll be able to work on Une."

"Well," Duo sighed, "that looks like a plan to me. If you guys don't have anything else, I think I'm going to turn in."

Wufei's eyes glinted suddenly and he cleared his face, blinking at the longhaired boy.

"Do you plan to share your room with Une tonight?" asked Wufei. "You could bunk with me if you like."

Duo's eyes widened in surprise and Wufei's lips twitched when he felt a hot glare blaze at him. Eyebrows rising, he turned an innocent expression to Heero.

Wufei was just taunting him, Heero was sure of it, but he glared anyway, his eyes narrow slits of dark blue.

"It's taken care of," Heero said tightly. Snatching his tray, he left the table, his expression relaxing a bit when he heard Duo let out a light laugh behind him.

"Yeah," Duo smirked, "thanks anyway, Wufei." He waved to the others before grabbing his tray. "See you in the morning."

Duo bounced away and Trowa turned calm eyes to Wufei.

"You know he and Heero are sharing a room, don't you?" asked Trowa.

"Of course I do," Wufei snorted. "It's very obvious."

Zechs glanced at the black-haired boy, shaking his head. "I'd be careful," he warned, "Heero doesn't look like the sort to take taunts lightly. I think he might be a bit possessive, judging by that glare he shot you."

"I agree," Wufei smirked.

He didn't say any more as he cleared his own tray. Quatre and Trowa finished before him, and he nodded to them as they left for their own room. Zechs was a bit behind him and he waited, not wanting to leave the man alone in the room full of teens.

"You know," said Wufei, "Heero should be possessive." Pale blue eyes flicked to him in surprise and he stood slowly, picking up his tray. "I actually admire that about him. If he hadn't been assertive they never would have gotten together." Zechs blinked at him and Wufei smirked. "I'll see you in the morning."

Zechs opened his mouth, but he didn't wait. The man was simply far too passive and there was no point even trying to change that. After all, even if Zechs had shown interest in him, Wufei wasn't about to lower his standards. He wasn't that lonely.

.-.

They'd taken a tray to Une before going to their room, and Quatre was thoroughly depressed by the time they reached it. The woman had flat out refused to eat anything. He'd been tempted to let that pass, but he knew he couldn't. If he did it once he knew she'd begin a hunger strike. He didn't have to be telepathic to know that. And it bothered him to force a person to eat. It was one thing to invade her privacy to make her answer questions, but to do it for such a simple thing made him feel dirty somehow.

Trowa must have known, because the boy pushed him into a chair the moment they reached his room.

"You can't get this upset over something so simple," Trowa said. He pulled off Quatre's vest so he could get to the boy's shoulders better. "I didn't read her mind, but I think part of her wanted you to intervene." Bright eyes turned up to him and he nodded. "If her unyielding side thought of the refusal, you know the other side was against it. Either way, you did what you had to for her own good."

Trowa was rubbing his shoulders and Quatre smiled, relaxing in the chair.

"You could rationalize anything," said Quatre, "couldn't you, Trowa. I know I did what I had to, but I don't like using my ability on something so personal. I wouldn't even let her decide if she was hungry or not..."

"You think you're being too controlling?" asked Trowa. Quatre nodded and Trowa smirked, curling his fingers tighter when the boy's shoulders remained tense. "I don't think you are. I think you're just choosing to blame yourself for something that can't be helped."

Quatre didn't respond and he sighed. He leaned against his back and slipped his arms down over his chest. Rubbing his hands over Quatre's arms, he rested his forehead against the boy's soft hair.

"Don't blame yourself," said Trowa. "Just think of all the good you'll do her. It's up to you to undo all the damage Treize did to her. That should be enough to occupy your mind."

"I know," Quatre sighed. "We've had such good news today, I don't know why I got depressed so easily."

He felt Trowa nod against his hair and smiled a bit. He pulled away so he could meet those dark green eyes.

"You know," said Quatre, "you don't have to stay with me while I work on Une. I'm sure the others would take turns. If I didn't know better, I'd think you volunteered with ulterior motives."

Trowa smirked at him and Quatre reached up a hand to pat his cheek.

"And I'm not talking about those motives," said Quatre.

Trowa blinked in surprise, a bit wary and confused by the glint in the boy's eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Well," said Quatre, "if you're with me, then you won't be able to explore your powers. Tell me you didn't think of that when you decided not to go down tomorrow." Green eyes widened and Quatre smirked in satisfaction, shifting in the chair as he folded his arms over his chest. "See? I know you as well as you know me. You will figure out as much as you can while we're here, Trowa. Whether I'm nearby or not."

"Orders?" asked Trowa. A playful but definite nod answered him and Trowa's eyes narrowed, only the glint revealing his humor. "Then I don't have much choice, do I. Although, I hadn't actually thought of that until you said something." Quatre turned back to him in surprise and he smirked. "I wouldn't risk angering you again. You should know better."

Quatre frowned at that, dropping his eyes for a minute. He didn't really like the thought that Trowa had to go out of his way not to anger him. But he couldn't help being a bit satisfied that he wasn't going to argue about using his powers.

Trowa moved away from his back and he looked up quickly, blinking when his lover rounded the chair, green eyes watching him from a frowning face.

"Trowa?"

"You need a bath."

Trowa's lips twitched when Quatre straightened suddenly, pale blue-green eyes widening in outrage. He smirked at him.

"Excuse me?" blurted Quatre. He glared at Trowa's expression and bristled. "You know I took-"

Trowa abruptly moved closer to him, and Quatre flinched back, not sure what to make of the calculating look he was given.

"Trowa...?"

Hesitating for a moment, Trowa enjoyed Quatre's startled expression.

"Allow me," Trowa murmured.

He smirked and bent to lift Quatre out of the chair. Hands flew to his shoulders and he almost laughed at how quickly Quatre's cheeks turned pink.

"Oh." Understanding dawned and Quatre blushed even darker as he shot a light glare at Trowa. "You could have just said so..."