Disclaimer: All characters mentioned belong in the animé series Gundam Wing. The plot is taken from the book Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié. So ALL credit goes to her. Please don't sue me…?

My goal in life is to own a ring like the one in the manga "Only the Ring Finger Knows."

Summary: A mermaid story like never before. They say that the prince was bonded to a man who was not what he appeared & that another man who saved the kingdom vanished without a trace. Some said it was witchcraft. Some said it was only a legend. For those who knew the truth, it was magic… (eventual 3x4 and 1x2)

Warnings: Still, OOCness ensues in this chapter. It is an AU after all, so I took the liberty to tweak their (especially Heero's) attributes, drastically for others. Gomen if I insult/piss off people for the completely inaccurate rendition of Heero and any character in this fanfiction. You could always click the back button, after all.

Out of the Sea

By Ninetails

Chapter 4

Quatre reached the doors of the temple, his steps halting and his heart hammering in his chest like a frightened bird. Tears fell down the satin of his cheeks. It was supposed to be good luck for someone who would be bonded to cry. Quatre was afraid, though, that no amount of luck could save him.


Quatre stood near the fruit cart, trying hard to ignore the fact that he was only a stone's throw away from the blacksmith's forge. He tried to pretend he couldn't hear Thomas's booming voice as he greeted passersby. It wasn't working. Chills danced up his spine as he spotted a female figure beside the older man's hulking form.

"Well, are you going to buy something or just stand there gawking?" asked the lady attending to the cart.

Quatre jumped and muttered an apology. He hurriedly picked out what he wanted, filled his basket with fruit, and paid for it. He started to turn, longing to be away from the blacksmith's shop. A stone twisted under his foot, though, and he fell headlong, apples spilling out across the ground in front of him. Stunned, he lay for a moment, willing the earth to open and swallow him.

"Quatre, are you alright?"

He looked up to see Natasha staring down at him, her eyes too chilly and intent for his comfort. He felt himself flush as he slowly scrambled back to his feet. She helped him retrieve the apples and handed them back to him. Her fingers brushed his, and he jerked involuntarily, her clammy fingers a shock to his sensitive skin.

"My father has been meaning to speak with you, Quatre." She looked at him, his heart filling with strange dread at the blankness in her eyes. She motioned towards her father, who was looking at them over his anvil.

He opened his mouth to say something, anything, to keep her from continuing. Nothing came to mind.

"Make way for Prince Heero!"

The herald's cry saved him. Natasha turned to look and to back out of the way of the royal entourage. Quatre took the opportunity to slip away. He dashed through the crowd, hoping to go unnoticed. He stopped only when he had put a good distance between himself and Natasha.

As he paused to calm himself, he caught sight of Heero coming toward him. Dressed in finery and wearing a cloak of rich velvet, he looked so different than he did when in the simple clothes Quatre normally saw him in. As he drew abreast of him, he bowed like everyone else. After all, Heero might be his friend, but he was his prince first and foremost.

Heero paused almost imperceptibly in front of him and cast a sideways glance. "Meet me after dinner," he instructed, his voice so low, Quatre scarcely heard him.

He dipped his head in understanding. His heart was in his throat. Never before had Heero risked speaking to him in public, and rarely had he asked him to meet on a different day. Then he swept on, followed by guards, attendants, and the curious. Once they had passed, Quatre made his way through the crowd and headed for home.

He was halfway there before his heart stopped pounding.


Inside the cottage, he found Quaterina preparing a goose. Quatre grinned at the thought of the coming dinner. Quaterina looked up from her work and waved a finger at him. "I see you smiling. It's scandalous that a fisherman's son of all people prefers goose to fish."

"I can't help it. I feel sorry for the poor little fish."

"And not the goose?" Quaterina shook her head. "You've always been a strange one, Quatre."

"Why, mama?"

"Why what?"

Quatre swallowed hard. "Why am I so different from everyone else?"

Quaterina's brow furrowed. "You're not, little love. I didn't mean it that way."

"No, this isn't about the goose. It's about everything… my hair, my skin, my legs."

His mother didn't look up, and appeared to be very intent on her preparations. The way she began to hack at the goose with a knife was erratic, though, a sign of strain. "What's wrong with your legs?"

"Nothing, if I were a horse."

"They're just… a little long."

"They're very long, they don't fit with the rest of me, and I'm constantly tripping over my feet."

"You'll grow into them," Quaterina hastened to reassure him.

"Mama, I'm sixteen. My growth spurt has all but finished."

"Quatre, there is nothing wrong with you. My mother had skin nearly as pale as yours, and the baker's children in the next village all have light, yellowish hair."

"And the legs?" he asked gloomily.

"Some people have big hands, large noses. Your father has huge feet – even the cobbler says so. So, you have long legs. There's nothing wrong with that."

"I guess," Quatre whispered, unconvinced. He took a breath and pressed further. "Where do you think I came from?"

"My, you're full of questions today."

"Haven't you ever wondered?"

Quaterina set the goose down hard and stared into Quatre's eyes. "No, I haven't. You were a gift from the Light, a child He wanted to be protected, and that was all I ever needed to know. You worry too much, dear."

Quatre nodded, recognizing the tone in Quaterina's voice and knowing there was no use trying to talk to her more about it. It has to be painful for her when I ask such things, a reminder that she's not my birth mother. A wave of remorse swept over him. "I'll go wash up so I can help you."

"Quatre." Quaterina's voice trembled slightly. "I love you. I couldn't love you any more even if I'd given birth to you. Sometimes I think I love you more because I didn't. You are the most precious gift I ever received. We want only your happiness."

"I know, Mama," Quatre answered softly.


The rays of the setting sun seemed to touch the ocean. Quatre knew that he should probably be getting home, but Heero still hadn't said a word, just paced up and down the sand. His sky blue eyes followed his friend as the fading sunlight danced across his dark hair. He must have come straight from dinner. He was still dressed in all his castle finery, and it unnerved him a little. Sometimes Quatre almost imagined that his friend was two different people: the prince of Arad Doman, and his friend Heero.

"How was your day?"

Quatre jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice and laughed shakily. "Well, I embarrassed myself in the marketplace and had to face Natasha."

"Natasha?" Heero's brow furrowed in thought. "You mean the blacksmith's daughter?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid I don't understand. Was she scathing to you?"

"No." Quatre took a deep breath. "Last night my father told me that Thomas had asked that his daughter and I be bonded."

"What! But she's an absolute witch!"

"Heero!"

"You refused, of course."

He hesitated long enough that Heero spun around and locked eyes with him. Quatre sighed. "It's not that simple, I'm afraid."

"Of course it is. You just say no. That's all there is to it."

"No, that's not all. If I am to be a dutiful son, I should accept. Her father is a prosperous man and she will make a good housewife… and I… it is bad to make my parents lose face to the village people."

Heero's eyes narrowed and he pursed his lips. He stared at Quatre long and hard, and it unnerved him. He wanted to look away but couldn't; there was something in his cobalt eyes that shot through him. Heero stepped close to him suddenly. "Is Rashid forcing you into this?" he asked, grasping his upper arms in a tight and none too-gentle grip.

"No. I know he thinks I should accept, though," Quatre answered, shaken by his friend's intensity.

Heero barked a short humorless laugh. "Ha, you can do much better than Natasha."

Quatre felt tears welling up in his eyes. "Look at me, Heero."

He did, staring deeply into his eyes. His hands still grasped his arms, and Quatre realized with a shiver just how close he was standing near him. Another step and he would be in Heero's arms.

Quatre swallowed hard, forcing himself to continue. "All the other men my age are already bonded. Natasha is the first one to ever ask me, or even accept my proposal for that matter… and there won't be any others."

Heero released him and stepped back. "Of course there will be," he said, with the ease of someone always surrounded by possibilities and a variety of choices.

It was moments like these when Quatre felt how different they really were. Any man would gladly lead the life of a prince; Heero could have anyone he wanted. He, on the other hand, was just the son of a poor fisherman, with a strange appearance and dismal prospects. Frustration welled up inside him. "Look at me! Who else would want a useless consort who looks so strange and who is constantly tripping over his own feet? Nobody, that's who! It's not like I'm royalty that I can pick and choose whomever I want. I'm lucky my father even took my feelings into consideration."

A few tears escaped his tight rein and poured from his cheeks, unable to contain his frustration and anger any longer. He sank down upon the sand, and Heero dropped down beside him. They sat for several minutes, him gently cryung and the other letting him. When at last the tears began to dry up, Heero put a hand under his chin and pulled his head up. When Quatre met his eyes, he saw tears in them too.

"Quatre. It is not so easy for royalty, either. Last night my father told me he wanted me to be bonded. He suggested a princess I barely know and cannot much tolerate. Still, it would be a good political alliance for Arad Doman. He has not said that I must bond with her, but he has made it clear that I must bond quickly. I think he wants to see a grandson before he dies."

Quatre's heart sank as a fresh wave of tears leaked from his reddened eyes. Heero reached out and gripped his hand with his own. His fingers entwined with his and the intimacy of the touch startled Quatre and sent ripples of shock through him and stemmed the flow of tears. "Hope that the Light gives me wisdom, and I shall hope to discover how I might help you," Heero whispered.

Quatre could only nod, his mouth having gone dry. Heero's thumb was tracing a path across the back of his hand.

With his free hand, Hero reached out and touched the pearl around his neck. His fingers brushed against the skin of his pale throat. "You are incredibly special, Quatre. Do not agree to marry the blacksmith's daughter."

Quatre nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

Heero took a deep breath. "We should both get back before we're missed. Do you need me to accompany you home?"

Quatre didn't know what to say. Heero had never before offered to walk him home; it wasn't necessary after all. For one brief moment, he wondered what his parents would think if he showed up with the prince. They would probably be appalled to find out about our clandestine meetings conducted without the benefit of a guard.

"No, I can manage," he muttered.

They rose to their feet, Heero still clasping his hand. "Quatre, everything will be all right."

"For you as well."

Heero's fingers lingered on his as they pulled away from each other. Quatre watched him walk quickly away until he was lost to his sight. He stood, rubbing wonderingly at the hand that Heero held just a few moments ago. Ten years and Heero had never even touched him voluntarily. What made him start now?


In the morning, Quatre had trouble meeting Quaterina's eyes across the table. He had barely slept, his emotions being in such turmoil. He wasn't even hungry, and the aroma of boiling fish was making him nauseated.

"Hello in there!" a voice called from outside the cabin. Quatre jumped in bewilderment. They rarely received visitors, and none this early.

"Hello, yourself!" Rashid boomed as he started to stand.

A figure darkened the doorway, and Quatre caught his breath as he recognized Heero. He was without his finery, wearing only the simple clothes he normally did for their walks on the beach.

"I hope I have not disturbed the house," Heero said.

His face was a study in blankness as he said it. It was a ridiculous sentiment, though. Given the time of morning, it would have been impossible for a peasant not to disturb the house, let alone the prince of Arad Doman. For a moment, there was a shocked silence as Rashid and Quaterina realized who he was.

"Your Highness!" Quaterina gasped, rising and curtsying.

Rashid bowed deeply. "You honor us with your presence. Would you care to sit, milord?"

Quatre felt an urge to start laughing. It was unreal, seeing Heero stand there in his home in front of his parents. All the times he had agonized over wanting to tell them about his friendship with the prince, and yet he had always felt compelled to keep silent. Now he strode in as nonchalant as though he had breakfast there every morning.

Quaterina suddenly noticed that Quatre hadn't risen to pay respect to their prince. "Quatre," she whispered urgently. "Greet our guest."

A smile twisting his face, Quatre complied. He rose to his feet, bowed formally, and said, "Good morning, Heero."

Quaterina and Rashid both gasped at his familiarity. Quatre had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. He sank back down into his chair, his legs feeling weak.

Heero's lips were quirking into a half smile. "Good morning, Quatre. I trust you slept well."

The familiarity of the question made him blush. Heero had asked him such things before, but never in the presence of others.

He drew a shaky breath. "Horribly, and you?"

"About the same, I'm afraid."

Quaterina and Rashid stared back and forth between the two, horror and disbelief mingling on their faces.

"I believe I will take you up on that offer of a seat, good man" Heero said in a monotone.

Rashid hastened to bring a chair to the table for him, and Heero took it with grace.

"Would you like breakfast, my lord?" Quaterina asked.

"Only if everyone else is eating."

It was settled. Quaterina and Rashid slowly reclaimed their seats after setting a plate of food before the prince. They picked up their own forks, but didn't eat, just continuing to stare.

Quatre had no idea what Heero was up to, but he was sure that if he let himself laugh, he would never stop. The secret of their friendship would now be known to his parents, and although the thought made him a little sad, it mostly brought him relief.

Heero attacked his food with gusto, and Quatre wondered if his friend had skipped breakfast or was just being polite. "This is wonderful. You are an excellent cook."

"Thank you, my lord," Quaterina stammered.

After he had consumed half his food, Heero put his fork down. "I suppose you are wondering why I am here."

"The thought had crossed our minds," Rashid answered.

"I have some things I need to discuss with Quatre this morning."

"With… Quatre?" Quaterina asked wonderingly.

Heero nodded politely. "For years, he has been my friend and loyal adviser. I can tell from your shocked faces that he has never told you of this. Please do not blame him, for he was only doing as I asked. I swore him to secrecy years ago and I am greatly impressed that he has kept his word."

Quatre glanced at his father's astounded look and nodded. Heero's grin only grew broader.

Realization dawned in Quaterina's eyes. "When you are walking on the beach?"

"Just on Tuesdays," Quatre quickly told her. "At least, normally."

"Why Quatre?" Rashid questioned.

"The best reason in the world. He is a good listener. Also, he doesn't have any notions about what a prince should and shouldn't do – at least not until recently. He always shows a fresh perspective. At any rate, I came by this morning because I need his advice and it cannot wait until next week. I decided that it was time to meet you as well, since there is no longer truly a need to keep our meetings a secret."

What Quatre could only do was stare at the unusually animated face of his friend, quite at ease with his parents' apparent astonishment.

Heero gave an almost silent snort. "It's funny. I feel like I already know you both. I've seen you both before, and Quatre has told me so much about you and has been such a large part of my life for so many years that I feel as though I know you."

"I wish we could say the same," Quaterina said with a weak smile.

For a moment there was silence at the table. Quatre clenched his hands in his lap, trying to hide their shaking. "When he was little, he used to sneak out of the castle and he didn't want anyone knowing where he was going," he explained.

"Three hours of freedom once a week isn't too much to ask for a child, isn't it?" Heero questioned.

"No," Rashid hastened to reassure him. "It must be horrible for a child not to have any time for himself to play, to constantly be watched over, and to be cooped up. A gilded cage is a cage nonetheless."

Heero smiled. "I should have had you speak with my father years ago."

It was Rashid's turn to flush red and drop his eyes.

"So, would it be all right if I borrow Quatre for the day? I promise I'll have him back by late afternoon."

Quaterina and Rashid exchanged glances. Finally Rashid spoke. "We would be honored to have our son advise you, Your Highness."

"Wonderful. Now, let's finish our breakfast, shall we?"

The rest of the meal was eaten in the same awestruck silence. It was just as well, for Quatre's thoughts were far too many to allow him to speak coherently. What could Heero want to talk about that couldn't wait? It had to be drastic to bring him here. He felt sure that it had to do something with both their impending betrothals, but he wished he knew what it was.

When everyone had finished eating, Heero pushed back from the table and rose to his feet. "Thank you for your kind hospitality."

"Should I send a midday meal with you, my lord?" Quaterina asked as she stood.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you."

"Thank you for honoring our home with your presence," Rashid replied.

Any expression on Heero's face vanished and his voice was grave and sincere as he answered, "It is an honor for me to be here and to meet the people who have raised and sheltered my friend."

While Quaterina quickly put together some bread and cheese, Quatre braided his hair and put on his shoes. He finished dressing just in time for Quaterina to hand him a striped bundle.

"I hope it's enough," Quaterina whispered with a worried frown.

Knowing Quaterina's tendency to provide more food than was needed, Quatre squeezed her hand. "I'm sure it will be fine."

After Heero said good-bye to Quaterina and Rashid, he and Quatre headed out the door and walked quickly toward the beach. The day was warm and fair, and Quatre breathed in deeply, filling his lungs with the salty air.

"Well, that went well," Heero commented, his face expressionless.

Quatre laughed. "I cannot believe you did that."

"Are you sorry that I did?"

"I guess not. It just feels odd."

"There's no going back now."

It was a strange comment, and when Quatre glanced at the other man, he saw a gleam in his eyes. He decided to let it drop as the beach came into sight. A small, dark object stood out against the light sand, and Quatre craned his neck trying to see what it was.

It looked like a boat, and disappointment washed over him. Of all the days for someone to show up on our beach!

Heero picked up speed and headed straight for the boat. "I thought we might actually go out on the water today instead of just sit by it," he said, glancing over to the slender form behind him.

Fear wrapped itself around Quatre's heart and began to squeeze. "I… I don't think that's a good idea," he stammered.

"It's a wonderful idea. If I can't get you into the water, I can at least get you out on the surface. And, technically, since you won't be in the ocean so much as on it, you'll be safe." He smiled. "I'll keep you safe, I promise."

Quatre looked back at him with wide eyes. "Well, this is a day of surprises."

"That's the plan," Heero answered cryptically with a slight glint in his cobalt eyes.

He took Quatre's pale hand and pulled him toward the boat. Quatre's heart skipped a beat at his friend's touch even as he struggled to make sure he didn't trip. Once they reached the boat, Quatre deposited the bundle of food in it.

"You get in and I'll push the boat out into the water," Heero instructed.

"Should I help?" Quatre asked, terrified that he might say yes. He hadn't so much as put a foot in the ocean since the night Rashid had found him.

"No, it is alright, Quatre."

"But a common peasant shouldn't have his prince to – "

"I thought we'd been through this already. We really do not know who or what you are."

"But – "

Heero held up a hand to silence his protests. "No. Today, Quatre, you are a lord, a prince, and someday the whole world shall know it."

Quatre scrambled into the boat. Once seated, he tried to settle his gangly legs in the cramped space, trying to look at least slightly regal. If Heero wanted him to be a prince, couldn't he at least pretend for a little while? It's just the two of us; what harm can it do?

Heero pushed the boat into the water and once it was a few feet out, he hopped in and began to row. Still struggling to pretend that he was royalty, Quatre bit his lip to keep from offering to help again.

Heero kept rowing until the little boat was quite a distance out from the shore and the water was peaceful. At last he stopped rowing and secured the oars. Leaning back, he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.

For a long time neither of them spoke. Quatre stared down into the water, watching all the shifting colors of blue and green and wishing as he had many times before that he could dive beneath the surface and explore the depths of the sea. What secrets would he find there?

"What are you thinking?" Heero asked at last.

Quatre looked up to see his blue eyes studying him intently.

He shrugged. "Silly thoughts."

"Tell me."

"I was just wishing that I could dive down and swim with the fish, see their world."

Heero nodded as though it was the most natural wish in the world. He always seemed to understand him. For one wild moment, Quatre wondered what it would truly be like to spend his life with Heero. He dropped his eyes, afraid the other might read something in them that he did not wish him to know.

Heero did not let him retreat though. He leaned forward. "Quatre, look at me."

He complied reluctantly.

"You always duck your eyes when you talk to me and I hate it. Is it because I am a prince or are you hiding something from me?"

Quatre felt a guilty flush creep up his throat, and his cheeks began to burn.

"I mean, sometimes I think I know everything there is to know about you, and other times, you seem like a stranger to me."

"Sometimes, I seem like a stranger to me too," he admitted.

Heero shook his head and sighed. "Well, that's not what I wanted to come out here to talk to you about."

"What did you want to talk about?" Quatre asked, his heart beginning to beat faster.

"I think I have a solution to our problems."

"Really?"

"Yes," Heero said. His eyes grew soft, and he took Quatre's right hand in his. "Quatre, we've known each other for a long time, and you are my best friend."

"And you are mine."

Heero squeezed his hand and stared into his eyes.

"There's something I want to tell you." He leaned toward him, and Quatre held his breath.

"What is it?"

Suddenly his eyes went wide and he seemed to be staring at something just behind Quatre. "We've sprung a leak."

For a moment, Quatre wasn't sure what he had said, and then it hit him as he felt cold water seeping into his shoes. He looked down to see the bottom of the boat rapidly filling with water. He turned and saw it bubbling up between a crack in the wood on the floor behind him. Quickly, he scooped up the bundle of food and pulled off the outer cloth. He tried plugging the crack with it even as Heero picked up the oars and began to row.

"There's nothing to use to bail out the water," he called to Quatre.

Quatre nodded grimly as the water kept seeping in. He tore some cloth from his shirt and continued to try to stop up the leak, but it was no use. The water was creeping past his ankles, and the boat was sitting lower and lower in the water. He could feel himself panicking. I'm not safe, I'm not safe, he kept thinking over and over as the water lapped at his legs. "It's not working," he finally said, turning towards Heero.

He nodded grimly and pointed toward the shore. They had made a lot of progress, but it was still quite a ways off. "I'll get us as close as we can, and then we'll have to swim for it."

"No, the water… I can't!"

"Quatre, I will not let anything happen to you. I'm a strong swimmer, and together we will make it back to shore. Trust me."

"Is this another one of your surprises?"

Heero gave a sound that was half laugh, half grunt as he continued to strain at the oars. "Afraid I can't take credit for this one. This is definitely not how I envisioned this boat ride ending."

Quatre tried to stop himself from imagining how he had wanted it to end. There would be time enough for that later. Still, his heart was racing and he wasn't at all sure as the water crept up his calves.

"I'll manage."

"Okay, relax and you'll be all right. Jump away from the boat so it won't pull you under when it sinks. Kick with your legs and move your arms back and forth like you're grabbing something in front of you and pulling it toward you. I'm going to be right behind you. Just shout if you get in trouble. We've only got a few more seconds. Get ready to jump."

Quatre nodded and poised himself. Terror wrapped its icy hand around his heart and began to squeeze. Heero abandoned the oars and stood up beside him. "On the count of three. Ready? One, two, three!"

Quatre jumped as far away from the boat as he could. He hit the water and a second later heard another splash as Heero joined him. He panicked and flailed his arms about wildly. He started to cough violently as water entered his nose and mouth. What had Heero told him? Relax. As he bobbed up and down in the water, he thought, I should have let him teach me to swim. I wish I could swim.

He stopped flailing wildly and began to move his arms back and forth rhythmically. He made a little bit of headway. Heero was right. He felt his clothes weighing so much more than usual, slowing him down. Even his braid seemed too heavy all of a sudden. He kicked free of his shoes and that at least helped. Focusing on the land, he started to kick.

The water became more rough the closer he got to the shore. He started to panic again, but a memory stirred. He had once seen Heero carried into the shore by cresting waves, riding in their peaks on his stomach. He fixed the memory in his mind, studying it, remembering the way Heero had started to move just a second before the wave hit him.

The waves began to crash around him and he swallowed seawater. His arms and legs felt as if there were dead weights attached to them. As he turned, he spied a large wave coming that he judged would make it all the way to the beach. Moments before it reached him, he started to swim again. The wave caught him and lifted him up. It carried him all the way to the beach and he ended up on the sand, where he coughed and gasped for air.

He crawled farther up the beach, away from the waves crashing around him, and then finally collapsed. He lay for a minute, catching his breath and gathering his strength. I'm alive! he thought. Relief and gratitude flooded through him as he grabbed fistfuls of fine sand and let it run through his fingers. Finally, he struggled to his feet.

"Heero, we made it," he called. He moved his hand to his throat to stroke his pearl and reassure himself that he hadn't lost it in the ocean. It was warm to his touch, but as his fingers twisted about it, it slowly regained its coolness.

There was no reply, and he glanced down the beach in either direction.

Nothing.

Panic began to swell in his chest as he cast his eyes back toward the sea. There was nothing, no dark figure, not even the remnants of the boat.

Heero was gone.

TBC


Author's Notes:

… And the plot thickens! (manic laughter)

Quaterina is such a hard name to type and pronounce. I think it's pronounced "Katrina," since Quatre is pronounced "Katra," right? Easier on the tongue, but not on the eyes. Moving on, I only ate goose once; I was on a plane, and it's ok, I guess. Or was it duck! Now I'm just babbling again.

Quatre's hair is long because Quaterina flatly refused to cut it short to avoid ridicule from other people. It, according to her, is simply too beautiful to be cut. So, she thought of the next best thing which is to start braiding her son's long hair to minimize its unusual appearance (meaning a blonde braid is slightly less conspicuous than blonde hair flowing around in the breeze). Gomen, couldn't find anywhere to insert this in the story.

Yeah, Quatre isn't very tall. Let's just say his legs outgrew him in this fic. Or maybe there's another explanation… A polite Heero in this chappie… Geez, diplomacy could really change people.

Next chapter: the enchantment begins!


Replies to Reviews (Chapter 4):

Fairren Waaaah! Gomen for updating too slow! I'm trying my hardest to update at least once a week so please pardon my incompetence. Don't worry, chapter 6 will be out by next week (would you kill me slowly if I update it at Sunday! Ehehehehehe…) Thanks SO much for being the first reviewer of chapter 4! (snuggles) Here's a star-shaped cookie for you!

Romie (cowers in a corner) Err, yeah, I guess that Quatre is someone who could be paired to anyone 'cause he's a very sensitive lover. He's a kind soul and a great friend to have so… Still, as stated in every warning that I have, this fic is gonna be a 3x4 because that is the pairing that I support and frankly, it works. Ugh, excuse my dribble. 'Nyways, I'm excited too about how you guys would react to Trowa's appearance. It's gonna be in the next chapter and I'm revising like crazy! The people in the house are like "Get away from her, she's talking to herself!" and I'm like, "Aaaaaaauuuuuggghhh!" Um, I hope I didn't scare anyone out there. Thanks for enjoying this fic (so far) and here's a spiral-shaped cookie for you!

GundamPilot03 Vanyel? Quatre! Perish the thought! (laughs maniacally for a few minutes before people in the house shut her up with a pillow) Ow… 'Nyways, yeah, it would cause interesting problems if they get together, ne? I hope they don't. Thanks SO much for the review! Here's a jellyfish-shaped cookie! Hope you like it!

Tri Did I scare you! Did I traumatize you even! Gaaaah! I hope not! They may or may not. All I know is, what'll happen next is all part of my dastardly plot to finally finish this crappy story! Nyahahaha! Thanks for the review(?)! Here's a bear-shaped cookie! Whee!

joyce EH! (sigh) I guess I asked for it. Yeah, they could make a good pair, if not for the 3x4 warning I state in all my chapters. They could work, but Trowa is still gonna show up to persuade Quatre to be, well, his. Oops, was that a spoiler! Ehehehehehe…. (sweatdrops) 'Nyways, thanks for thinking it was great, although it is OOC, and here's a dodecahedron-shaped cookie for you!

Crystal Ketchum Darklight Err, the wait is long! Waaah! I try to update at least once a week 'cause I'm also working on a Weiss Kreuz fic. My head's aching too much already! Waaaah! 'Nyways, hope you like the new installment. Thanks for the review and here's a clam-shaped cookie for you to munch on while you wait… or should I have given you a limited supply?

Nerb Err, you're gonna read about Trowa and Duo in the next chapter, and I bet you won't get enough of them (starts to drool). Err, moving on, I gave Quatre a braid 'cause I just wanna. I have ulterior motives too which you'll learn about in later chapters. If not, ask me again (hides under table) Err, about the whole Wufei and Treize thing, I think Wufei is still in denial (snickers). Augh! The dreaded Tomoyo outfits! (tried to shield her eyes) Err, don't get me wrong, I love some of Sakura's outfits but, well, they're JUST TOO MUCH! I'd rather see Touya and Yukito having kawaii "moments" (don't we all?) As much as a spearmint- striped Wufei (with an apron, no less!) is amusing, I think he won't agree to even go near that outfit (unless someone persuades him to with promises too unsuitable to print here). Wai! Show me anyways, onegai! If you think the braid is too much, tell me and I'll shorten it for ya! (unless anyone else protests…) Thanks for thinking this is fantastic! Here's a heart-shaped cookie for you! You can fill it in with any filling you want! (not pink though. It's scary. Or purple. Purple is mine!)