"Who?" Leaning forward, the drunken man nearly pitched off his stool, large hands catching himself on the bar at the last second before he leaned again, trying to see the figure hidden beneath the black cloak.

"Nanashi," Dorothy said with sarcastic patience, gritting her teeth at her fury. She despised having to ask such a fool, but she had yet to hear from the assassin and was about to turn to someone else. His name had trickled to her slowly when she put out notice of the original hit and she'd been under the impression that he had accepted it. But when she'd asked to speak to him, no one seemed to know who he was, the name, or lack thereof, actually had people running. Literally, as she remembered how quickly one drunken man had left the bar at her soft-voiced question. Her patience had quickly run out and she was faced with the prospect of killing the boys herself which would be dangerous. "I am looking for a hit man who goes by the name, Nanashi. Have you heard of him?"

Blinking owlishly at what he now saw was a woman, the man smiled widely and leaned back, wincing when he hit his back against the bar. "'Course I have. Everyone's heard of ole No-name. Ya don't want to be messin' with that one. Why just a couple day's ago he done killed my partner, slit Rally's throat like a melon. My boss was sure angry about it, too."

"Excellent. Where can I find him?"

"Oh, you won't be finding him, not if he don't want you to. That's a ghost, that boy is, sneaky as a rat in an alley. Does what he wants and's a neat killer too. Why, no one's lived who's gone up 'gainst him."

"Do you know anyone who could locate him or get a message to him?" Dorothy asked, catching the derogatory looks her guards were giving the man. She would prefer to ask someone else, but so far the drunk was the first one to tell her anything about this mysterious Nanashi. "I can pay." Smirking, she saw that those words still worked magic as the man's eyes glowed.

"Can ya now, well, my boss might be willing to talk to ya. So long as you can compensate him for his time, he's a busy one. But he just might know where that one is, has had a problem with that kid before and he don't like him a bit."

"How old is this Nanashi? Have you seen him yourself?"

Dorothy shot a quelling look to Justin, wishing she hadn't brought him. The man wasn't accustomed to the underground and he had a softness about him that was bound to get him into trouble. Unfortunately, he was also the dark side of a pair of identical twins and the only way he'd agree to his part of the upcoming plans was if he got to be there during the preparations. If his brother wasn't the good one she could have used him instead, but he would never participate in something like this. Eyes narrowing, Dorothy raised an eyebrow at Justin's stupidity. The man actually thought his brother would remain unharmed. The fool.

"Well," the drunk man said slowly, his eyes moving to the man. "He's young, but deadly. I can't be seen tellin' what he looks like, it's dangerous, know? Nope, I'll leave that to my boss."

"Fine," Dorothy said quickly. "Let me speak to your boss then, now. I don't really have the time to be wasting it on someone who can't tell me anything."

"Hey, if'n I bring you to him, you'll have to be compensating me. I have to work, you know, can't just take time off to take you to him."

"Work? Getting drunk?" She sneered but waved her hand at the door. "Fine, I'll 'compensate' you plenty. Now get moving. I haven't got all night."

.-.

He only moved a bit, but the strong arms around him tightened momentarily before relaxing and he smiled at the boy's reflex. Scooting back another inch, he was finally able to see Trowa's face, and he looked over it with a sigh. The boy had beautiful features, refined, aristocratic somehow despite the fact that he'd met him in an alleyway. And he was soft-spoken and polite and kind and gentle and... Sighing again, Quatre smiled. There wasn't anything about him that he didn't like, not a single feature or characteristic. He was perfect. And now they were lovers in fact as well as name. His face heated as he thought about the dull ache he felt, but he would gladly have had worse if it meant the same thing.

His worries were over, the act had snuffed them out. Before, the boy holding him had been an employee, merely acting out a part of Quatre's design, but now they were truly lovers. Although his sisters tried to shelter him, he knew about lovers. Trowa wouldn't have to leave now, he'd have a reason to stay even after his birthday had come and gone. Although he might choose not to stay in the house with him, Quatre was certain they could still see each other on a regular basis. Trowa wouldn't simply disappear from his life like a shadow. Relief surged through him and he wrapped his arms around the boy's waist, hugging him tight.

Watching through his eyelashes, Trowa saw the boy press against his chest and couldn't resist running a light hand through that golden hair. Quatre looked up quickly, and he held firm as he met the smaller boy's gaze, loving those bright eyes. Pressing a soft kiss to the boy's forehead, he flinched when a tongue brushed against his neck and he pulled back. "Quatre..."

Smiling, Quatre brushed those long red-brown bangs to the side, his hand cupping the tall boy's cheek. "I didn't get to tell you how wonderful that was. It was...beautiful." Looking down, he smiled. "Just like you."

"I'm not--" Trowa stopped when a soft giggle tickled his neck and he raised an eyebrow at the sound. "What?"

Rubbing his nose against the muscled chest, Quatre smiled, not looking up. "I always thought girls were supposed to be beautiful," he said softly, placing a kiss on the skin so close to him. "But you are. Deny it all you want, you're beautiful to me."

Coldness swept over him at the sweet boy's words and Trowa felt his heart contract with actual pain. "There are things you don't know about me, Quatre. I..." He didn't want to say it, couldn't. The thought of the boy leaving his arms was too much. He couldn't bring himself to ruin that one perfect night holding the angel. As much as he wanted to be honest with the blonde, he just couldn't do it.

"I know," Quatre said softly, breaking the silence. "I don't know anything about your past, but Trowa. I don't think it would make any difference. I know how you treat me, that's enough. It's all that matters."

Closing his eyes tightly, Trowa couldn't speak, couldn't disillusion the boy who seemed to think so much of him. Slender arms wrapped around him and he could feel Quatre's head on his chest. Minutes passed before the boy's smooth breathing reached him and he realized he'd fallen asleep. Letting out a deep shaky breath, he stared at the black ceiling, eyes burning in the dark air. I love you...so much...

.-.

"You should have told me." Dorothy stared at the blonde boy, taking in the coldness of his blank expression before she glanced to where Ireia was. Quatre's manner seemed off to her, and she couldn't help but feel that he suspected something. The girl looked very guilty, and Dorothy sighed slowly, brushing her long, pale blonde hair over one shoulder. "I won't bother to act as if I'm not upset," she said softly, "but...I was afraid of this. You see," her eyes widened and she looked at the boy's sister sadly. "I was so surprised when I first met you all, that Quatre hadn't already been...snapped up." With a fond smile, she let her eyes move over the blonde boy before staring at the tall one seated beside him. "You have a wonderful person in Quatre."

Trowa gave a sharp nod, keeping his own expression clear as he gave Quatre's hand a light squeeze. He knew how hard it was for the boy to sit through Dorothy's act, but it was no easier for him. If he'd had his way, he'd have killed her already. The fact that Ireia seemed completely taken in almost made him lose all respect for her. But even he had to admit, Dorothy was good. "I've never met anyone like Quatre," Trowa said, his tone void of any emotion as he tried to keep his eyes from blazing at the girl.

.-.

"I feel so bad for her," Ireia sighed, leaning her head on the man's shoulder as Christopher put an arm around her. "But Dorothy...she took the news very well. I'm amazed at her pride."

"I sympathize with her," Christopher said softly, his eyes glinting as he looked at the young woman beside him. "I'm sure I would have been furious if it had been me and I'd learned that you had a lover you'd never told me about. Although," he suddenly frowned and looked off into the corner of the room, his humor barely audible. "It would certainly explain why you don't want to marry me."

"Christopher." Ireia gave the man a light shove, her blue eyes glinting when he turned with a smirk. "I most certainly do want to marry you. I just want to be sure Quatre will be all right without me. Once I leave, the others won't stay around long."

"I guess you don't have to worry anymore. I'd say he's more mature that you knew. Hiding that boy like that..."

"I still can't believe he did that," Ireia scowled. Then she gave a light laugh. "I'd never have expected it from him. He's always been so sweet and naive, it's hard to remember how old he is."

"Ireia. You aren't still worried about him, are you? Didn't you say Trowa was strong enough to take care of him?"

"Physically," she muttered, "But he's so...emotionless. I'm not sure Quatre would be happy with him."

"But he is," Christopher smiled, noting how the girl flushed lightly.

"Definitely."

"Do you want to know what I think?"

"Of course," Ireia said quickly, smiling when he looked smug.

"Well, I think that you are the one who's afraid of being without him. Your little brother's finally grown up and you don't know how to let go."

"You know me too well," she muttered, but she smiled when he placed a light kiss on the tip of her nose.

"Yes I do, dear, I do."