Chapter SIX!

For a long time Duo didn't sleep, he'd been doing too much of that lately. Heero was long gone, sprawled out in his sleeping bag and just barely snoring. Without much else to do Duo scooted over to the edge and watched Heero sleep. Stupid human. In fascination he watched the japanese man's muscled chest rise and fall rythmically. Eyes slipping closed Duo sniffed the relaxing smell. It was nice.

A sudden sharp tang of fear tainted its pleasantness and Duo looked back down with an aggravated frown. Heero had curled up and was making distressed little noises in his sleep, clutching at the blanket. An adorable crease drew dark chocolate eyebrows together as a spasm rocked down his back.

Damnit, he's having a nightmare. Duo chewed his bottom lip. He knew how that was, nightmares were horrible, especially when you couldn't wake up. And now he cared, he didn't want the passive invader to suffer like he was used to. Sighing Duo gathered his blanket and slipped off the bed pulling it behind him. Crawling over to Heero he carefully spread the blanket over him as well and snuggled against him.

"S'okay Heero. It's s'okay." Mouth near Heero's ear Duo started to mutter random condolences in a low soothing voice. The little unhappy noises stopped and when Duo slipped an arm over Heero's shoulder he felt the other man relax. Rubbing a cheek against the soft chocolate locks Duo continued mumbling nonsense.

Tucking his chin in Duo rested his forehead on Heero's shoulder. Mmm warm. It was so comfortable, like he'd known Heero for years. Heero yawned and rolled over, stretched out once again and wrapping his arms around Duo. Purring Duo let himself be captured. Waahhrrrrrrrrrmm. With a gentle sigh he tried to snuggle in close as possible, even though he knew he shouldn't. Any minute now Heero could wake up and here he was, in a damn close to defenceless position.

Now that Heero had gotten over his nightmare he should go back to bed. Yeah, he'd leave...just one more moment...in a sec...

Surrounded by warmth Duo drifted off.

The sun was well up when Duo woke. Actually he was jerked awake by rather insistant knocking. Shaking his head he stretched before realizing that oh crap he was still wrapped up with Heero. Luckily the man hadn't woken up yet. With a whimper Duo wriggled out of his warm prison and scampered off to the bathroom. Behind him he heard Heero groan and the shuffling of blankets.

Leaning against the door he slide to the floor and whimpered. Why did I do that? Head down mournfully he picked at the flaking paint of the bathroom wall. It had been white once but over time had faded to a dirty yellow. His sensitive ears listened as Heero, swearing softly, left the room and weaved through his veritable maze of boxes to reach the front door. After he was certain that the human was out of the room he cautiously opened the door and sneaked out.

Clean clothes, oh god he needed clean clothes. The ones he was wearing smelled so thickly like Heero he couldn't breathe. Sneakily he slipped into the front room, Heero was outside talking to someone. Desperately he reached over the couch back and grabbed the first things that came to hand before running back to the bathroom. With a growl he stripped down and threw the rejected clothing into the bathtub before he looked at what he had gotten ahold of.

Faded black jeans and an oversized white button up. It'd work. Dropping the shirt he wriggled into the jeans. Ah! No way in hell these belong to Heero! They were small, almost unbearably tight. He had to suck his breath in to do the button. When they were zipped he panted a little, before bending to grab the shirt and tug it on. He started to button up the shirt but froze when the voices migrated into the living room. One sounded so very familiar...

Bursting out of the bathroom he streaked through the door, losing his balance as he skidded to a stop. After crashing into three boxes and the couch he bounced back up to stare into the shocked looks of Heero and two others, a blond and brunette man. Blinking and sweeping his gaze over the brunette he turned to look at the painting on the wall then back so fast his braid slapped him in the face.

"You!!" Trowa took a surprised step back but it didn't save him from the screeching bundle of Duo that wrapped itself around his neck. "KITTY!!!!" Giggling giddily Duo nuzzled Trowa's neck and starting chanting at the top of his lungs "KITTY!! Kittykittykittykittykitty!!!!"

Next to him Quatre bristled, looking like he wanted to strangle Duo and Heero growled jealously. Both were shocked however when Trowa chuckled and reached around to drag Duo off, then hugged him fiercely.

"Duo!"

"Kitty!" With a giant smile Duo batted at the grafity defying uni-bang and squealed cheerfully. "What'd you do to your hair?! It's so weird! I didn't recognize you in the painting!" Giggling he wrapped arms around the much taller man's neck and squeezed.

"Trowa." Quatre's voice was tight and it made his boyfriend's laughter cut off quite abrubtly. Duo pouted when he was set back down but latched onto Trowa's arm, still giggling as he rubbed his cheek against the lightly furred forearm.

Heero crossed his arms and half turned away from them, glaring hard enough to burn a hole in the wall.

Smiling weakly Trowa patted Duo on the head and turned his attention to Quatre. "Um, koibito, this is Duo, my cousin. I haven't seen him in years."

"Oh!" At these words Heero perked up like a neglected flower under water and Quatre instantly became charestically bubbly once more. "Nice to meet you Duo!" Smiling widely he grabbed Duo's right hand in both of his and pumped it vigorously. Duo sniffed, smelling Trowa all over the little blonde. Tilting his head to the side he scanned the short man and turned to back to his cousin, genuine confusion apparent on his face.

"He's your choice? But, he's not a girl. Isn't that gross?" At Duo's innocent questions everyone in the room stiffened. Quatre dropped Duo's hand like it burned and stepped back, hurt apparent on his face.

"Um, Duo, can I talk to you, in private for a moment?" Though Trowa addressed the question to Duo it was Quatre he looked towards for approval. Quatre shrugged in an expression of hurt 'I don't care'. Heero was staring at his shoes.

One arm over Duo's shoulder Trowa led him out of the room. With a sad mewl Duo blinked up at his cousin asking, "Did I say something wrong?"

Once they were out of earshot Quatre breathed out and hugged himself. "He didn't have to reject me to my face..."

Heero looked after them sadly. You think you feel rejected?

Out in the backyard, if the overgrown tangle could be called that, Trowa sat on what was once a picnic table. "Duo could you-?"

Still confused Duo plopped down on the scraggly crab grass and looked up at his childhood idol. "What did I do wrong Tro-kitty?"

Sighing softly Trowa ran his fingers through the non gelled bit of his hair. "Are you upset that my mate's not a girl? Does it disgust you?"

Frowning Duo thought carefully before answering, "not really I just..." his frown deepened, "I thought boys mated with girls. Isn't that the only way it is?" Innocent violet eyes caught forest green one, begging for help with his confusion.

No wonder he's confused about this. Trowa mused. He's been on his own for years now, almost never seeing people. "Duo, when you love someone it doesn't matter if you're a boy and a girl, two girls, or two boys. It doesn't matter that Quatre isn't like us either, I love him. Can you accept that?"

Duo brightened, the world made sense again, well at least this subject did. "I'm glad you found your mate Trowa. I understand. I should apologize, shouldn't I?" Without waiting for affirmative Duo bounced up and raced back to the house. Tearing through the kitchen he skidded into the living room, avoiding the boxes this time and pounced on Quatre. Grinning he hugged the blonde man who was just the tiniest bit shorter them him and squealed. "I have a new cousin! Sorry for being rude earlier!"

Both Heero and Quatre were startled by the sudden glomping. "Um, accepted?" Quatre wiggled around a little to free an arm which he used to pat Duo's head. Heero watched Duo hug the blonde and felt the bite of jealousy again. There was Duo, looking all sexy in tight jeans and that open shirt and hanging all over everyone but him.

As if noticing Heero's attention Duo looked over before releasing his "new cousin" and brushing his braid back off his neck. Heero swallowed roughly as violet eyes sparkled before Duo pounced on him too. "Hugs for everyone!" Before he even had a chance to hug back the slippery Duo had let go and run off to find Trowa.

Much happier now Quatre dragged Heero into the kitchen to make tea.

Outside Duo looked around. Where did Tro-kitty go? His gaze slowly scanned the overgrown backyard until he saw a large pawprint in mud pointing into the thicker brush where backyard become woods. Whooping he shed his shirt and took off into the trees, he Loved this game!

Out of sight of the house Duo stooped to examine another track. The claw mark was very deep, it made him a little nervous. Slowly he waded through the scrub, painfully aware of the squelch his feet made in the wet sod.

Apparently Trowa didn't feel like waiting for Duo to hunt him out because as soon as the braided wonder got to a fairly clear spot he pounced, sending them both tumbling. With a growl Duo fisted his hands in Trowa's mane and threw his weight to keep Trowa from pinning him. Duo bounced to his feet and crouched as the lion rolled into a similair position before lunging forward again. Velvet paws raked across his stomach in a move that would have disemboweled him, if the claws had been out.

"Aw! Already? Not fair." The now "dead" Duo sat up from where he'd been knocked back into the mud and pouted while Trowa strutted around him cheerfully. Sitting back on his paws the lion were flicked his tail, watching amused as Duo chased and grappled it like a kitten.

Trowa froze and sniffed, catching the wafting scent of tea. Heaving his furry bulk up he nudged Duo with his muzzle, walking off in the direction of the house, Duo trailing after him. Halfway there the tawny lion disappeared from sight, Duo just kept walking and by the time he waded through to the kitchen door Trowa was right behind him, immaculate save for a smear of mud on his cheek. Not missing a beat Duo picked up the sodden shirt, wincing at the muddy water it had absorbed. Oops.

Shouldering aside the door Duo stepped into the kitchen, barefeet slipping on the linoleum. With a yelp he lost his footing and fell, directly into the arms of Heero. Who was carrying a tray. With several cups of hot tea on it. "OW!!" Duo shrieked as the scolding tea hit him and he shoved away from Heero, slipping again and this time ending up on the floor in a puddle of tea along with the japanese man. Heero swore and punched a cupboard door in anger. Whimpering Duo scooted back, afraid that he'd be next.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry!!" Tears in his eyes Duo scrabbled to his feet before he turned tail and ran out the door, burnt and freaked out.

"Duo!" Heero tried get up from his sprawled position but ended up slipping in the mixture of mud and tea.

From the table Quatre fumbled for towels and rushed to Heero's aid while Trowa bolted out the door after his cousin.

By the time Trowa returned the whole mess was cleaned up and Heero was sulkily rinsing out towels. When his friend came in Heero turned to look at him pleadingly.

"Did you catch him?"

Nervous Trowa looked down at his hands then back up. "I couldn't find him anywhere, it's like he disappeared."

Fist clenched around a towel Heero started swearing gradually gaining volume and potency until even Trowa winced. "I'm going to go find him!" Pushing past Trowa he set off into the gathering dark, determined to drag Duo back to the house.









And there's chapter six. Wow, I updated TWICE in the same day! :D