Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing

AN: Hi there. I'm sorry it took so long to update. I got stuck at the end of the chapter. I'm still not really satisfied with it but I'm afraid it will have to do for now. I hope to update again next weekend.

I would like to thank my lovely reviewers. Your support made me continue!

China Dolly: Just keep asking me to update and I will!

Terra: Thanks! I watched Beauty and the Beast to see if I had the exact same plotline, but luckily my story and the movie just have some similarities. I added an AU warning in the summary. I'm sorry, this is my first fanfic and I just kinda forgot to add warnings.

Foxy McGee: Thanksa lot! I'm glad you liked it.

Wind dancer1981: I'm planning to finish this, however long it might take me. So don't worry.

Aya-chan: I'm glad you liked it so far!

Snowdragonct: Sorry for the wait, but here it is. Thanks for your review

Angel Infurnal: Thanks Angel, love to you too.

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Chapter 1: Exploring the terrain

The dawn of a new day awoke the birds and prompted them to sing and whistle their favourite tunes. At home it would have woken the boy instantly, signalling it was already morning and there was work to be done. Even if he overslept, there would always be someone to wake him, be it gentle or rough.

But not this time. Sunbeams tickled the face of the braided youth, but the sun got nothing more from his efforts than a slightly wrinkled nose. The boy in question was still enjoying his peaceful slumber. Lost in the oblivion of the sleep that eluded him.

**********

"Quatre, stop fidgeting!"

"But Trowa…."

"I know, I know." Sighted the tall man in the butler suit. "But we have to respect Heero's wishes; you know that, don't you?"

"Yes I do Trowa", answered the blond, "but it's just not fair and I feel.."

"I know you're hurting, but please bear with it for now." Trowa said, effectively cutting off Quatre's sentence.

"I will of course, I have to and I can take it, it's just…. I don't know….I mean…"

"Shhhh, it's okay. I know."

**********

He woke with a sudden gasp of air. Blinking helplessly against the sun in his eyes. 'That's what you get if you forget to close your curtains', he thought smiling. Then it hit him. It was too bright outside. Why hadn't someone woken him up yet? He was going to get in trouble again, he sighted. But when he jumped out of bed, intending to put some clothes on and to proceed downstairs, he notices his strange surroundings. Suppressing a light panic attack at the revelation, he took some deep breaths to calm himself down and told himself that even if he was practically kidnapped, he could handle it. He wouldn't break that easily, again.

He tensed again, noticing how late it was. Probably around ten o clock and it was only his first day here. He would be punished for being late for sure. He groaned. He didn't even know what his new master expected of him. He searched the drawers for some kind of uniform, but found none.

In the end he just put on his clean spare set of clothes, knowing that he hadn't much else to wear. Quickly he braided his hair again, sighting at the sight of the curls, but knowing how much worse his hair would be now if he had left it unbraided yesterday night.

He ran out of the door, intending to be there as soon as possible, but then the strange corridor reminded him of were he was, and that he had absolutely no idea whatsoever about where he should go. This mansion was huge and he had paid too little attention yesterday when that blond servant, 'what was his name again', brought him to this room.

The name of that blond servant had been something about a number, or the likes of it. He tried to recall yesterday's conversation, but his memories were a bit foggy due to his exhaustion at the time. He squeezed his eyes shut in concentration, he had to remember something, anything at all.

"I'm Quatre Raberba Winner." Ah yes, that was his name.

"Personal servant to the master of this house. The one who stood by the front door, waiting for you, is the butler Trowa Barton." Those guys sure had strange surnames

"Now you must be quite tired from your journey." Yes, he had been very tired. Only his anger and adrenaline had kept him awake and standing. Though he could feel the familiar feeling of meekness seep into his heart. Telling him to just let things rest. He was a survivor after all.

"It's also quite late already, so why don't you explore your rooms and wash up before you go to bed? Sleep as long as you like. I'll bring your breakfast to your room tomorrow morning." Oh, so he just had to wait. Okay, he could do that.

They would tell him his duties after breakfast, he was certain. Not knowing what he had to do or what was expected of him was driving him nuts. He tried to read a book, but had to put it back after reading the first page thrice without remembering what it was about. He tried to relax on a nice comfortable looking chair in front oaf the fireplace, only to jump up by every sound he thought he heard. In the end he decided to play on the piano, but when he played the first key he felt a shiver down his spine; the piano was horrible off-key. Probably unused for years. He wondered why there was such an old off-key piano in his room, well rooms, to be more precise.

He was startled when he heard a few knocks on the door. He was on his way to open it when it sway back already to reveal a smiling Quatre, with a tray filled with food. When the servant notices him, he smiled wider and said:

"Good morning Duo! I brought you breakfast. I hope you slept well, despite this being a foreign place for you. You look at least better, but that isn't really my place to say. A good night's sleep was just what you needed. I'll put your breakfast on the table here. If you're finished, maybe you could come to find me and Trowa. We're most of the time somewhere near the kitchen." The blond gave him an encouraging smile. "The whole ground floor is accessible to you, so explore as much as you like. You'll find us soon enough, and that way you get to know the mansion. Now enjoy your breakfast and till later, yes?" And with those words the servant turned around and exited the room.

Duo eyed his food suspiciously. Years of poisoned, rotten or 'filled with strange objects' food had taught him to be wary of all sorts of jokes played with his food. But he had to agree with his rumbling stomach that this breakfast looked fantastic and smelled even more delicious. And after a first tentative bite, tasting that the food actually was delicious, he dug right in, eating everything on his plate, feeling stuffed, but content afterwards.

One relaxed look around his room told him that there, besides the horrible off-key piano and the old looking books, wasn't really anything amusing to pass the time. 'Might as well go down to the kitchen and explore' he told himself. Besides he needed to give the master here some piece of his mind.

Yesterday he had been tired and therefore not been able to get his point across, but he would damn well make sure he was going home. He wasn't some kind of possession, he was a human being with rights. No one could kidnap him wihtut consequences, and he definitely wasn't going to be some kind of prisoner, or worse slave, in the hands of some sort of creepy lord.

The mansion was huge but barely decorated, as Duo found out when he made his way downstairs. 'Strange', he mused. 'If you were wealthy, and judging by the size of the house alone that had to be the case, why not show your wealth?' His mother had definitely liked to flaunt her wealth around; all the corridors were packed with statues, vases of al shapes and sizes, preferably filled with fresh flowers or peacock feathers and there were paintings and tapestries wherever your eye might wander.

So comparing to his mother's mansion, it was very bare and sober, if not downright plain. Still it made his stay, however short he intended it to be, all the more pleasurable. Because for a person born with natural clumsiness there were fewer chances to demolish an expensive item or two, and the more basic colour scheme made his eyes less tired than the screaming colours of peacock feathers or paintings from old masters. Basically he liked it here, but he couldn't. He shouldn't.

When a quick check to the windows informed him that he was indeed at het ground floor, he gave the garden one longing look, no one had given him permission to go outside after all, and went to explore the variety of rooms.

The hall was majestic and spacious with a giant staircase and balustrade dominating the room. Like the rest of the house he had seen so far, it was not overly furnished, but with the way the staircase was decorated, the red carpet, the few paintings and beautiful Greek statues, no one could mistake the house for anything less tan a very rich manor.

Duo felt himself giddy with excitement. It was a long time ago since he had aloud himself to play. And being the curious person he was, he just knew it was going to be fun, although at the same time he reprimanded himself to behave and focus on his goal of going home and demanding an explanation from Earl Yuy.

The two voices battled on in his head as always, with the strict one telling him there was simply no time for frivolities, and to stay calm and collected, while the other seemed to persuade him to let it out for once, to have a bit of fun and just enjoy. Normally the strict voice guided him as he was taught back at his mothers mansion, but today he was neither there, nor was his mother here to witness him, so he aloud himself to compromise.

He was going to explore the rooms because he needed to find Lord Yuy and he could be there. Besides there was also the matter of possible escape routes. This way he had effectively silenced both voices and he walked happily towards the first double doors on his right, a bounce in his step.

He remembered being on one of his mothers parties. He had always admired the beautiful couples on the dance floor; smiling only to each other, almost in an other world, dancing to the music made by a little orchestra.

It had been great to watch, even from the outside through a window. He pictured himself dancing on a great party with lots of fun and laughter. He swayed around the empty ballroom with his eyes closed. And on his arm a wonderful, beautiful…., there his imagination left him. He couldn't come up with someone to dance with. He sighted, it was no use dancing like this. He didn't even know the proper steps.

One proper look told him Lord Yuy most likely wasn't here. He saw only himself reflected in the countless mirrors. He wondered who cleaned the place though, he didn't see or hear any servants, yet everything was spotless and blinking. Well, the windows were too high to climb through so no use, but the locks were easy. He wouldn't have much trouble picking them if the need would arise.

At the other side of the ballroom, doors gave way to a room which seemed to be the place when one could relax if not dancing and where refreshments were served. He sighted deeply. He wanted to go home! But how? And When? He didn't even know what part of the country this was and why the heck he was here. He needed answers and he needed them now. Off to the kitchen it was.

From his experience with living in his mothers' manor, he knew that a kitchen was usually located at the back of the house, close to the servant quarters, so that the rest of the house would be free of the smell of food.

Passing some other very large rooms, all affiliated with food like dining chambers, and a breakfast room, he finally came upon the one chamber he had been looking for; the kitchen. The kitchen doors were obviously less decorated and imposing; common for the place which connected the servant quarters with the rest of the mansion.

He opened the doors, expecting to be greeted by a kitchen full of liveliness, chatter and smells of food being prepared. Instead there was only silence. The little corridor in which he was currently standing had only one door at the end of it, and one to his left side. He opted for the door in front of him, correctly guessing that it led to the kitchen.

The kitchen turned out to be very large, very white, very spotless and also very empty. His own footsteps echoed loud in his ears. His earlier fears about ghosts and haunted houses returned tenfold. What the hell was this place. Why was it so empty and lonely. He felt as if he was the only visitor of a bewitched mansion in which time stood still for eternity.

Softly he walked to the other door, slowly turning the knob, almost expecting to stumble upon a bunch of sleeping servants waiting to be freed from the spell they were under. But he was instead met by the sight of a cosy sitting room, currently occupied by the guy he remembered as the butler Trowa Barton, and a sleeping blond Quatre Raberba Winner.

He and Trowa just stared at each other for a couple of seconds before Trowa closed his book and gently shook Quatre awake. Quatre stirred, his blond hair a sleepy mess and rubbing his eyes he asked Trowa: "Why did you wake me? What's the matter?"

Trowa didn't say anything but only indicated Duo, who was still standing in the doorway.

"Duo" Quatre smiled. "Come in. You're earlier than I expected. I estimated it would take you a lot longer to explore this floor. But obviously I was mistaken. You're very quick and silent too because I'm a light sleeper and you didn't wake me!" The blond chatted happily. "Come on, sit down on the couch over here. I won't bite you", he added.

Duo chuckled for a few fleeting moments, then his serous determined expression was back in place again, leaving Quatre to wonder why the youth didn't smile more often. It certainly suited him.

Duo sat down on the appointed couch and mentally prepared himself for the upcoming conversation. They had to tell him why.

"Mr. Winner" Duo started "you were probably right with your calculations. I didn't explore much of this floor before I decided just to go and find you and Mr. Barton."

"Please Duo", interrupted the first "just call me Quatre. And I'm sure Trowa would also much prefer to be called just Trowa. Am I right?" The last with a questioning glance at the butler.

"Hn" was the only response the blond got, but Duo was pretty sure it meant 'yes'.

"Trowa, would you make me some fresh orange juice? And also some for Duo please. He needs the vitamins."

And with a nod of acceptance Trowa left for the kitchen, leaving Duo alone with Quatre.

"Quatre", Duo spoke, trying to sound as reasonable and determined as possible "I want to go home. That Lord Yuy has no right to keep me here. He practically kidnapped me. You work for some criminal! You know that?" Duo's voice was loud and angry. So much for being reasonable, he thought. Well, it didn't really matter as long as he got his point across.

"Lord Heero isn't such a kind of" Quatre paused "man." He finished.

"Listen Quatre, I've been brought here without my consent. That makes him clearly a kidnapper."

Quatre just looked at him with a sad smile on his face, fidgeting with his fingers and clothes he answered: "Maybe, maybe not. You're underage right?"

Duo squirmed with rage. "My mother has nothing to do with this. Your Lord Heero", he pronounced the word as if it was the filthiest thing on earth, "must have threatened her somehow. How else would she willingly hand me over to such a freak. She only wishes what's best for me. And I haven't even seen your Lord Heero's face yet, so it could be Trowa for all I know. Or just a bewitched talking chair. Who knows?"

A discreet cough silenced Duo again. Trowa was back with a tray containing three tall glasses of orange juice and some sandwiches. Trowa put the tray on the wooden coffee table before joining Quatre on the couch opposite from Duo.

"I assure you Duo", spoke Quatre softly "we're not playing some game with you. Trowa is definitely not posing as Lord Heero, and Lord Heero is just as real as we are, as you are.

"Tell you what, the gardens are lovely around this time of the year. Why don't you have a look?"

Duo recognized a dismissal when he saw one and obediently followed Quatre to the door. The gardens looked lovely and he loved to be out of doors after all. He was tired. He could argue with those two an other time.

**********

"He is like a caged tiger", sighted the blond. "So much anger, confusion and hurt, I couldn't deal with it anymore. It makes me so tired Trowa."

"I know, come here."

**********

The garden was beautiful. Duo knew he could spent days in it, just relaxing under a tree in a hammock, fishing in the lake, walking in the forest. The garden of his mothers' mansion had been artificial. It was trimmed in unnatural patterns with arranged flowerbeds. It had made him just as nervous as he was inside. Afraid that he would somehow step out of line and ruin something, again.

That feeling was gone in this garden. He felt as if he could relax here. He could see that someone tended to the garden, but only to make sure the paths were accessible and the trees and roses were trimmed. It was wild nature, only slightly tamed, and he loved every bit of it.

It was not until he reached the forest that he felt like he was being watched. He tried to tell himself that it was nothing, but couldn't help the shiver that crept up his spine and stop the urge to watch over his shoulder.

He barely had the time to register what happened before he dropped on the ground. It hurt, the moss had broken the impact somewhat, but his knees and hands stung. His face, hands and clothes were muddy, but that turned out to be the least of his worries when a good look around him told him were exactly he was lying.

Broken stone crosses, old tombstones and cracked plates were the forest had overgrown the last resting place of people who lived years ago. It was a long forgotten and deserted graveyard.

He wasn't afraid of death, but the slightly white things sticking out from tree roots looked suspiciously like bones and skulls and it made his blood run cold. The braided youth tried to get up and leave, only to grab his ankle when pain jolted through him. 'Great' he thought 'now I've twisted my ankle, and as if that's not bad enough it is raining too'.

He was getting soaked due to the heavy rain, he crawled to the nearest tree, hoping that it would give him some shelter from the cold water. It wasn't much, but it was something. He was kept mostly dry, but despite that, he shivered in his already drenched clothes, waiting for the rain to stop.

He had lost al count of time when he suddenly noticed the quietness of the forest around him. It had stopped raining and there was a tentative beam of sunlight shimmering among the graves.

The only thing he could feel now was the cold and the pain in his ankle, but he had to go back to the mansion. He couldn't stay in the forest. It would be dark in a few hours, and he was sitting next to some graves.

"Aarhg", groaned Duo. His ankle was swollen and unable to support his weight. There were two possible options now. He could wait here and call out for help and pray that Trowa or Quatre heard him, or he could crawl back to the mansion.

Actually there was only one acceptable option since he wasn't some damsel in distress. Because of his long braid and slim built he was often mistaken for a girl, but he was a man and he would show it too.

He limped to the nearest building in sight. It turned out to be much farther than he had first estimated. Strange how short a walk seems to be when you're enjoying yourself instead of hobbling on one leg, trying very hard not to slip on the wet grass.

For a while it all went well, he had almost reached a white stone building, which he now identified as a stable. That brought a smile on his face. He liked horses, and for a short time the pain was forgotten as he stumbled to the stable.

One moment caught of guard, one moment paying more attention to the horses than the ground he was walking on. That one moment was all it took for him to trip again. He succeeded in protecting his already twisted ankle, but Duo was sure he would be severely bruised tomorrow.

When he tried to get up again his hand brushed against something hard and smooth. He frowned. What was a wooden walking stick doing here. It was beautifully decorated and looked expensive. There was most likely even a knife hidden somewhere. How could anyone lose such a thing here of all places.

'Well, some luck at least', he mused. 'I can use this just fine'. He grabbed the walking stick, surprised for a moment that it was dry after such a downpour, but was too tired to really care. He leaned heavy on the stick and dragged himself to the stables, he was in need of a rest.

The smell of hay and horses made him feel save and sheltered. The horses were well bred and clearly well looked after, they eyed their visitor with mild interest visible in their postures. A black stallion caught his interest. The animal looked almost surreal with next to him a box with a white horse, which seemed fit to carry a prince from a fairytale.

But the horse was not alone. Leaning against the back of the box there was a boy, or rather a young man. For a few fleeting seconds he looked straight into the most piercing blue eyes he had ever seen. He was drowning in those orbs and he didn't mind one bit, but then he blinked and the eyes were gone. There was no one there.

"Quatre, you're fussing too much! You look like a mother hen."

"Well someone's got to do that since you are obviously under the impression that twisted ankles don't need any medical attention!"

Duo grinned, "Maybe you're right. Where's Trowa by the way?"

"He is away with Lord Heero. He had some business to attend to. Why?", asked the blond.

"Well", said Duo nervously, "I got the feeling that he didn't like me very much, and I was going to ask him what I did wrong."

Quatre smiled. "Don't worry Duo, I'm certain Trowa doesn't dislike you."

"But he didn't talk to me and…"

"Like I said Duo, don't worry", interrupted Quatre. "Trowa is just no good with strangers. He will talk to you more once he gets to know you and is used to your presence." Quatre gave Duo a reassuring smile.

Duo was relieved. He thought he had done something to make the man dislike him.

"Oh yeah Quatre, there was something I meant to ask you; who's that stable boy, the one with the piercing blue eyes?"

"I'm sorry Duo", answered Quatre softly. "We don't have a stable boy."

**********

Duo felt stuffed, content and warm. Dinner with Quatre had turned out to be quite pleasurable. The blond servant was an excellent cook and an even better host. They had even played some games together but when Duo tried unsuccessfully to suppress a yawn, Quatre had stated that it was time to go to bed. He would accompany Duo to his chambers and help him dress for the night, making sure his ankle was treated with the outmost care.

"I don't understand why I can't stay with you and Quatre in the servant quarters", whined Duo. "I'm used to living there!"

But Quatre just tucked the braided boy in and wished him sweet dreams.

AN: Thanks for reading this. I'm very glad you did!

Btw, I don't know if every Gundam Wing character is going to make an appearance in this story. So if there's someone you can't live without, just let me know in your review and I'll see what I can do

Heero's going to play a bigger part in the upcoming chapter.

Till later,

Scattered Reflection