To the one who started this, to the one who spurred the muses within my mind, to the one that gave me a reality smack in the forehead...
GundamPilot03! -super hero music plays-
Bouquet of Gold
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"So, what was the nickname you told us was merely for friends?" questioned Quatre timidly.
"It was Baci."
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Quatre stood in stunned silence for a second, his mouth going ajar for a fraction of a second. Raising an eyebrow, he almost began to ask how he came upon this name, but then decided against it. His thought process was suddenly interrupted by the taller man's words, "Well, we are going to have a tough day ahead of us tomorrow, I would recommend some rest."
Not wishing to argue, Quatre lay his blond head down upon a soft tree root, willing sleep to come to him. The last words he heard before falling asleep were, "He looks like an angel..." With a smile on his lips, the blond headed man fell into a deep slumber.
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Trowa saw that his angel had fallen asleep, and walked to the other side of the tree to make sure that the other's brother had fallen into a slumber also. He glanced at him and noted how the breathing was slow and steady. Smirking, Trowa walked away from the two snoozing men and into a large clearing. Lightning glanced across the sky, temporarily lighting up the field. Trowa scanned the tall grass for a figure. He heard a snapping noise from close by and then watched as the lightning lit up the sky once more. Trowa knew he was there, he just had to find him. The snapping noise was heard once more and Trowa squinted at the field, waiting for the lightning to dance amongst the cloud again. Finally seeing the silhouette of a figure, he made his way towards the center of the field.
"Master, I see you are in the mood to play games?"
"Aye, I am in a pleasant mood."
"The two men you wished for me to summon are now resting."
"This I know, Trowa. However, I have a change of plans. I do not wish for you to bring them to me in the state that they are in. I wish for -you- to train them instead."
"Me, sir?"
"Yes, train them so that they may fight me."
"But, master..."
"Do it!"
Trowa let out a long sigh, this was going to be a long day...
"Yes, sir."
"I'm glad you agreed, now my little Baci, fly away!"
The man snapped his fingers, and a streak of lightning flew from the night sky striking a tree. Then, with a smirk, the man turned and vanished. The only sound that could be heard in the field was the flapping of wings.
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Quatre awoke with a start as a loud boom filled the air. Sitting straight up, he crawled to the other side of the tree where Duo lay. He smiled as he noticed that his older brother could sleep through even a tornado. Snuggling up against him, Quatre fell back into a deep sleep, assuming that the boom had merely been lightning.
Trowa slowly walked back to where his two captives lay, a moment of panic flying through him as he realized Quatre was not where he had been only moments before. Walking frantically to the other side of the tree, he let out a sigh of relief at the sight. Quatre had merely moved to where his brother was sleeping. Lightly sitting down on the other side of the tree, Trowa dozed off, only to be awoken by bright beams of light shining down upon his face. Rubbing his eyes, he awoke with a start, cursing at himself for falling asleep. Rising quickly, he stretched out his arm and back muscles and suantered over to the other side of the tree.
Smiling at the sight he gently placed a hand on the blond man's shoulder, lightly shaking him from his dreams. The turquoise eyes met his jade green as a smile lit the smaller boy's features.
"Morning," he mumbled.
Trowa smiled, but said nothing, and walked over to flick the braided man in the head.
Eyes snapping open, the first thing out of Duo's mouth was, "Hey, what the hell?" Quatre laughed as Trowa gave a smirk. "You will find that you are not hungry in the least, and I would like to inform you that there has been a change of plans."
"Oh, great," Duo mumbled under his breath, rubbing the part of his head that had gotten so rudely awakened.
Ignoring the complaining braided man, Trowa continued on, "I was supposed to bring you to another man for training, however, it seems that that privilege has gotten passed onto me. So if you will, please follow after me."
Trowa turned and began walking into the clearing that he had before, not bothering to see if the others were wandering after him or not. Suddenly veering to the right, he smiled as he heard the crunching of leaves underneath feet. He then dashed to the left, and gave out a small laugh as he could tell the two were desperately trying to keep up with him. Suddenly, Trowa began to sprint as fast as he could, only slowing down when he could tell he was losing them. Now in the center of the field, Trowa paused and turned, almost laughing at the two as they stumbled after him both gasping for air. Trowa slowly walked a circle around the two, "Seems we need to get in shape, huh? Well, I am here to do just that. If you are not in better physical shape by the end of day, you most likely not be able to take the man I am to pass you on to."
Duo gave Trowa a weary look but ignored the rising fear that seemed to be easing its way into his mind.
"Let us begin, hm? Each of you has a special power and a guiding animal in this world, I am not too sure what they are, but you will find them by the end of the day. I want you to close your eyes and try and view your surroundings."
"CLOSE our eyes and still SEE what is goin' on around us?"
"Yes, Duo, that is what I said, is it not?"
Grumbling, the chestnut haired man closed his eyes and attempted to concencrate on his surroundings. Surprised at how clearly he could see everything, he was suddenly surprised to see himself in his vision. He could see his long braid swinging as he wandered into the woods. Suddenly, he froze in his spot, looking at something. Struggling to get a better view, the envisioned Duo squatted by some underbrush, slowly lifting it up. He was quite surprised at what he saw, a single, lone baby fox was snuggled up under the bushes. Duo could hear a voice in his vision, one he had never heard before. It was deep and crisp and almost held a sort of commanding tone, "Pick it up, Duo." Duo gingerly placed a hand around the tiny fox, tnederly placing it in the palm of his hand. He could feel a searing pain in his palm that held the fox, but not wishing to wake up the baby, he gritted his teeth and bared the pain until it slowly started subsiding.
"Now, wake up," he heard the voice say again.
Duo groggily opened his eyes to see a concerned Quatre standing over him.
"Duo, you okay? You just passed out, we've been trying to wake you for over an hour!"
Duo looked at the palm that no longer had his finger lines on and was taken aback. An image of a baby fox was scalded in his hand. Trowa stepped up to him and gazed into his palm, "Ah, no other animal would suit you better."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, foxes are sneaky and sly, and often a pain in the ass, just like you."
Duo glared at Trowa, then looked at Quatre, "You didn't have a dream?"
Quatre bit his bottom lip before raising his shirt above his head, Duo gasped as he saw two wings burnt onto the back of his brother.
"It seems like a hummingbird really liked me," Quatre mumbled, wincing as he put his shirt back on.
Trowa looked at the men and smiled, "It seems step one of our training is completed. Each time you see this animal, they are warning you of impending danger, do your best to take heed to their warnings."
"Now, sadly, I must pass you onto your next trainer. I know that I did not train you all much, but you will be surprised at how naturally certain moves will aid you, trust your instincts. With this, I must ask you to take the rest of the journey on your own. You will walk through the western part of the woods, and I warn you to be careful of the dragon with one yellow eye and one black. You must fight him and if you succeed, then take heed to the fox with a coat of tawny brown."
Duo stared baffled at the other man, and then shrugged his shoulder and walked on, not bothering to mutter a good-bye. Quatre looked a little frightened at the idea of being alone in a world he didn't know, but was comforted when he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry little one, I'll watch over you."
Quatre looked up into the eyes of Trowa. Trowa leaned down and gave a light peck on the blond boy's forehead. Smiling softly and blushing, Quatre turned to walk away with his brother, turning around once to flash a smile at the taller man. He was surprised to find that he had vanished.
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Trowa slowly walked into the tavern and kneeled down, "I have completed the first part of my mission, sir."
"Very good, I see that you have found a liking for that little blond?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do not get too attached my servant, you know they may well be dead before the morrow."
"Yes, sir."
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TBC...
M-Chan