Okay! I think I should clear up the whole Quatre Duo and Trowa thing! When I first started it, I had *no* idea what I wanted to do with them relationship wise, only that they start out as just close friends... really close ^_^;; it seems. So that's where their relationship is at this point in time, (really) close friends. But expect more to develop! ::grin::

Name: Story Time With Trowa or Once Upon a Cross Dresser
Author: Nataku's Child
Archive: Nikki's Realm http://www.geocities.com/mageofthewinds/
Feedback: Please! Nataku@linkline.com
Warnings: Shounen-ai and maybe a lil' cussing in this one...
Couples: 1+5 and 2+3+4 eventually

Disclaimer: I dun own it, that I don't. If you sue me, I'll be sad, that I will. Any resemblance to people (dead, living or fictional) or events (other then afore mentioned Ever After/Cinderella plot) is regrettable and unintentional. This is for my enjoyment (maybe yours as well) only, no harm!

Story Time With Trowa
or
Once Upon a Cross Dresser

Chapter Four

Quatre sighed and snuggled deeper into the fluffy pillow he was hugging.

When the fluffy pillow snuggled back, Quatre was immediately awake. He sat up quickly and blinked to clear his vision so he could see whom he had wrapped himself around.

Duo looked drowsily back at him and yawned. "Oh...morning Q." Duo stretched and rubbed a hand across his cheek. "What's up?"

Quatre blinked, shrugged and got out of bed. "I'm not sure...the last thing I remember was Trowa telling us that story..."

Duo fell back into bed. "Lord...how long did we sleep?"

Quatre glanced at the clock. "It's almost seven...PM, so...four hours at the most."

Duo groaned and pulled the covers over his head.

Quatre laughed softly and sat back on the bed. "Come on Duo, you've slept enough, you wont be able to sleep tonight!" he said, pulling at the covers that Duo held tightly over his head.

"Too late, might as well let me sleep now." Came the muffled reply.

Quatre laughed and pulled harder. "Duo! Come on!"

"I just need a few more-"

"Nnnyyyeeeeww!!"

Quatre stopped pulling and Duo stuck his head out from under the covers.

"What was that?" Duo whispered.

Before Quatre could answer, it happened again.

"Nnnyyoooooooooowwww!!!"

Quatre's eyes widened. "Kobi!" he ran for the door.

Duo laughed. "That little kitten made that much sound?"

When Quatre opened the bedroom door, little Kobi ran in and up Quatre's leg. Quatre winced as the kitten clawed its way to his shoulder. "I guess I forgot to feed him today." Quatre said, taking the purring fuzz ball off his shoulder and holding it in his arms to pet.

"The lil' guy must be hungry..." Duo said, climbing out of bed.

Quatre nodded and held Kobi up to his nose. "Come on Kobi-chan, we'll feed you and go find Trowa!"

The kitten purred and wiggled in Quatre's hands until he was free from his grip. Dropping to the floor, Kobi patted away, followed by a smiling Quatre and chuckling Duo.

They found Trowa in the kitchen making dinner. After feeding Kobi and themselves, Quatre and Duo begged Trowa for more of the story, but the boy wouldn't speak a word of it, telling them that they would have to wait until tomorrow afternoon (he emphasized the afternoon part) until he would tell more of the story.

The next day came slowly. Quatre and Duo had a hard time sleeping after their nap, but Trowa hadn't slept at all, so he went right to bed, much to the displeasure of Quatre and Duo.

(See Note at End)

But finally, the next day came. At twelve o' clock sharp, Duo and Quatre pounced on Trowa, begging for more of their story.

Trowa laughed lightly and put down the book he had been reading. "Alright..."

Duo and Quatre, grinning, got into more comfortable positions.

When Trowa figured they were ready, he continued the story.

~()~

Their dance seemed to last forever for Wufei, but to Heero, it was quite the opposite.

Heero watched Wufei the whole time, not able to tear his eyes off of the 'girl'.

Heero was usually oblivious or unimpressed by beauty. He had heard men talking about women, how a certain courtier had the softest hair or the biggest breasts, the most breathtaking eyes or the best figure. All of it had been pointless and boring to Heero. He found beauty to be shallow and women themselves to be dull and weak. All in all, Heero had been uninterested in women for the whole of his life. In fact, no one interested him, women or even men. Lord knows Zechs came on to him at least once a week. Heero just...didn't care.

But as Heero danced with Wufei...he couldn't help but notice the beauty of the creature he held. Silky black hair was wound tightly against the back of her head, only a few pieces fell from its prison to brush her face. Her skin had a golden tan, as though she spent most of her time outdoors. And her eyes... Heero had never seen eyes so dark. They reflected everything, holding anything personal inside. Shaded windows to a mysterious soul. Everything about this person intrigued Heero in an odd way, though he wouldn't even admit to himself how deep it already went.

The song changed and the girl pulled away, bowed, and quickly turned to leave.

"Wait!" Heero's voice was harsher then he meant it, the words coming out as reflex.

The girl winced and turned, eyes turned to the floor. She bowed. "Yes, your highness?" toned her soft, musical voice.

Heero wasn't sure what to say. He didn't want her to leave, but he didn't actually have something he wanted to do or say.

The music had changed to a waltz, loud and extremely annoying. The woman near him was laughing shrilly near his ear and someone reeked near by. Lord, Heero hated people...

"Follow me," Heero nearly growled at Wufei before turning and quickly leaving.

~

Wufei hesitated a moment, wishing not to go, but knowing better then to disobey what sounded like an order. He quickly followed after Heero, trying to keep his head down and still be able to see the Prince at the same time. It was hard, but he was still afraid someone would suspect him.

'I hate this plan more and more by the second...' Wufei thought darkly.

Heero led him out of the hall and out into castle grounds. The night was warm but had a cool, fresh breeze that was a relief after the stuffiness of the crowded hall. A few people were walking across the large spans of grass. Some couples looking to get a little privacy were walking quickly along the paths down towards either the woods or the gardens.

Wufei fell into step with Heero, staying a pace behind him and feeling nervous and annoyed at the same time. He wanted to be at home, or rather the woods near home. He wanted to be alone! Although he needed to be back in the party, doing what he came to do. But no, he was doing neither of those. Instead he was trying to keep up with an aggravating prince who was walking to fast for Wufei to keep up with in his god-forsaken dress.

'For the love of...how do they walk in these?!' Wufei mentally screamed, taking three tiny steps for each one of Heero's strides.

Thankfully, once they were a good distance away from the castle, Heero slowed to a slow walk.

Wufei nearly sighed in relief. He still kept his distance, walking a little ways behind Heero.

He noticed and stopped. "Are you having trouble walking?" he asked.

Wufei couldn't tell by his voice if he was being rude or concerned, so he took it as the former. Wufei gritted his teeth. "No," he nearly growled before taking the last few steps to be at Heero's side. He stayed there from then on.

As they walked seemingly nowhere, Wufei's aggravation grew. Where the hell were they going? What was the point of this walk? Though he had to admit that he preferred being outside, rather then in the noisy hall... but still! Why did the prince have to take an interest in him of all people? Luck wasn't with him at all...

Wufei clenched his jaw tighter and glared sidelong at his silent captor.

In the back of his mind, he wandered if any of them women inside were jealous of him...he had to admit, Heero was handsome... sharp, well chiseled features, soft if messy hair... and he walked with a certain strength, confidence...purpose... for a moment, Wufei wandered if Heero practiced martial arts, but he immediately banished the thought. Someone who practiced wouldn't be so...

Wufei started to think arrogant, but why? Was he just making a flash judgment?

"Where...are you from?" Heero asked suddenly, jerking Wufei from his thoughts.

"Near a west village," Wufei replied vaguely, thickening his accent in hopes of discouraging any more questions.

It worked, Heero only nodded.

Suddenly, Wufei was stricken with brilliance. The western village he lived by was pretty far, and his house was even farther! "I...have to go." He said suddenly.

Heero stopped walking. "What? Why?"

"Long walk...it is late..." Wufei answered, trying to keep his words unnatural and clumsy. With that, before any more questions arose, Wufei walked quickly away.

~()~

"I feel bad for Heero," Quatre commented softly when Trowa paused.

"The boy needs to work on his people skills." Duo said, absently petting Kobi, who was curled up in his lap.

Quatre and Trowa sat in the big chair, Quatre was snuggled quite comfortably against Trowa and Duo sat on the floor near their feet, his head resting slightly on Quatre's leg.

Trowa smiled softly at Duo's comment and went on with the story.

~()~

Wufei nearly ran into the forest, only feeling comfortable once he was in the shade of the trees. He ran to the spot where he had hidden his clothes, almost missing it in his haste. He changed quickly, bundled up the dress and took off running again, the bundle held tightly in his arms.

It wasn't that he needed to get back home soon, he only ran because he wanted to run...in a way, needed to run, needed to get away from what he saw as major failure. As he got farther away from the castle, guilt started to seep into his heart and mind. He didn't find a husband. He had a chance to help his sister, maybe save her life...and he failed.

So he ran. He ran to get away from his failure, he ran to get away from those people, but most of all he ran to get away from Heero. The awful prince that probably would have him killed if he found out what Wufei really was. He was glad to get away, to just be alone again in the quiet of the forest.

He finally stopped in a familiar clearing. It was his favorite place to train and it was his place to get away. The best part about it was that his family didn't know where it was. He placed the bundle at the edge of the clearing before walking to the center. He sat down, folding his legs into the lotus position and closed his eyes.

He concentrated on his breathing until it slowed and became more regular, then he expanded his mind, letting all his thought drift away into the near silence of the forest.

He wasn't sure how long it had been, but after some time, he opened his eyes and sighed.

It was time to face his parents.

~()~

"That's so sad..." Quatre said softly.

Trowa looked around. "Did you like it?"

"Like what?" Duo asked, poking at the sleeping Kobi to get him to wake up.

"The story." Trowa answered.

Quatre blinked. "What do you mean? That's the end??"

"Well, yes, I thought-"

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!" Duo said, looking up at Trowa.

Trowa frowned. "But it had all that you wanted...it wasn't entirely happy, it had some romance...I suppose. And...I don't know what else to do with it."

Quatre sat up straight. "Romance! That wasn't romance! Trowa, you have to tell more! That's not even an end!"

Trowa sighed. "But that's all I have..."

Duo moved Kobi off of his lap and stood up. "Well start thinkin', 'cause me and Q aren't letting you off with that half-ass ending. Come on Kobi, let's go find something to do while Trowa thinks." Duo walked off with little Kobi trailing behind.

Trowa was frowning after Duo when Quatre turned to him and smiled brightly. "You'll think of something!" he exclaimed. He kissed Trowa quickly on the cheek before getting up and following Duo out.

Trowa watched them leave before a hand crept up to his cheek. He raised and eyebrow before a slight smile twitched at his lips.

With a sigh, he sat back to think of more to tell.

To Be Continued!

Next chapter:
In which the Chang family gets a visit from a rather unwelcome guest.

End Note:
Okay, so at that point in the story, Quatre and Duo sleep together. It's kind of an important part, and I'm working on the lemon, but it's gonna take a while and I didn't wanna keep you guys waiting for this part! So in short, they have sex (for the first time…well, first time *together*) and are now a couple...more...kinda... _ hard to explain! ::sighs::