No, I'm not dead yet... at least, not that I know of I wasn't planning to take so long to write this chapter, but school! Argh! SO busy at the moment...

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. If I did, things wouldn't have went the way they went, so don't try and sue me -) I'm a pore student anyway

Previous time:

Trowa eyed Milliardo, trying to find out if Milliardo had already heard it from Treize.
'Trowa, don't worry love.' said Milliardo, not looking up from Innocence.
'How…do you know I was …watching you?'
'I'm a neko.' he teased. 'I can feel it.' he said smiling.
'O, okay.' said Trowa smiling sheepishly. 'Did the Master already tell you?'
'Yes he did. We talked about it when we were taking a bath…'
'And?'
'I'm staying. So are you and our kittens. I'm in no condition to accompany the Master right now.'
'I thought the same thing, but I also thought you wanted to go back to Japan some day.'
'I want to yes, but now it's impossible for me to go. The kittens can't come along, and someone has to stay with them, and I don't want to leave you alone.'
'I understand. I'm sure if you ask the Master later on he'll take you to Japan someday.' assured Trowa.
'I hope so…'

Kitty 18

'Too bad you have to leave before they've opened their eyes.' said Milliardo when Treize was standing in front of the limo, ready to leave to the airport. He held Frannin and Innocence in his arms, Phoenix lay on his shoulder, asleep. Trowa was standing behind the blond, hugging him.
'We'll miss you Master.' the brunette said. 'You'll call when you come back, right?' he added.
'Of course.' said Treize smiling. 'Do behave while I'm away.' he teased.
'We will.' said Milliardo smiling back. He stepped towards his Master and gave him a kiss.
Treize stepped into the limo. The driver closed the door, and stepped in himself, and drove away.

'The house all for ourselves…' said Milliardo smirking.
'Just the two of us…' added Trowa.

But suddenly Frannin gave out a mewl. She was hungry…again…

Milliardo and Trowa sighed. 'Not completely for ourselves.' added the brunette. 'Let me take Phoenix. We won't want you to fall of now little boy…' he said nicely, gently taking the kitten of Milliardos shoulder.
Both teens went inside again, and made their way to the kitchen. Treize had given Anna and Nathan the week of. He knew Milliardo and Trowa could take care of themselves, and he wanted to give his two slaves some real privacy with their kittens. Anna had made a supply of food for the kittens which should be enough for about a week.
Trowa opened the fridge and got three bottles of milk out. He put a pot on the gas, and filled it with water. He boiled the water while the bottles were in the pot.
'So…when we've fed them, what shall we do?' asked Trowa with a little twinkle in his eye.
'What do you suggest?' teased Milliardo back.
'Well…. I could think of a few things…'
'Like?'
'You really want to know?' teased Trowa.

One week later.

Treize still hadn't returned yet, though the meeting was already finished. He decided, he was in Japan now, so now he had the chance to meet Milliardos previous Master, Akira. He didn't notify the boys at home though.

Meanwhile Dermail had already flown back home.

Trowa and Milliardo were outside with the kittens, giving them some fresh air, and a chance to see how the world outside the mansion was. It didn't matter that the kittens were tired, every inch they saw was completely new to them, and they couldn't stop playing, chasing everything that moved, or teasing each other. Milliardo lay on a picnic blanket on his back, his head resting in his folded hands. He had his eyes closed. Trowa was slightly teasing the blonds tail by barely touching it. The blond moaned.
'Love… touch my tail, or don't… you're annoying me.' he said on a teasing tone.
'I know.' smiled Trowa friendly. 'That's why I'm doing it…'
'Hmm… figures you would say that… how are the kids? I'm to lazy to sit up.'
Trowa giggled. 'They're fine. Trust me. Do you want something to drink?'
'Yeah, I'd like to.' said Milliardo. He opened his eyes and stared into green orbs. Trowa kissed the blond and stood up. He made his way to the mansion to get some drinks and snacks.

Milliardo smiled and closed his eyes again. He really was tired. The night before had been a full moon, and he had overdone it a little in his tiger shape. He loved being active, but he'd didn't realise that night that he would be that tired the day after. He couldn't help himself from dozing off. Trowa was still in the mansion. So no one was watching the kittens, who were straying, not even noticing they were leaving Treize's property.

Meanwhile Dermail decided to check on his property, also to find a wandering slave of his own. He couldn't find Quatre after he'd come back yet, so he figured he would be somewhere outside. Which he had strictly forbidden, but Quatre didn't really keep himself to the rules when Dermail wasn't home, and Dermail knew it. He told one of the slaves to saddle his horse.

Milliardo was between sleep and being awake. He suddenly woke up because he heard one of the kittens let out a scream. He shot up, and looked around to find the kittens. To his surprise they weren't nearby. To his disgust, he saw Dermail standing next to his horse, but what shocked him was that he had Frannin in his hand.
'Let go of my daughter!' warned Milliardo. He changed into his tiger shape, and roared loudly. Trowa, who was still in the mansion 'cause he had started a conversation with Nathan, heard the growl, and immediately got to them.
'What's going o…Duke Dermail?' Trowa turned to Milliardo when he saw the thickness of the neko's tail, and bared teeth. 'Milliardo, don't do anything rash…'
'He's got Frannin! What do you want me to do!' snapped Milliardo. He was close, very close to jumping the man, and slitting his throat.
'Duke Dermail.' said Trowa politely. 'Could you please give us back our daughter?' he asked.
'Now why would I do that? I found it on my property, and a slave on someone else's property, without master/mistress present, can be
claimed.' he said.

It? He found it on his property! I'm so going to… thought Milliardo.

'Give me one good reason why I shouldn't take this one.' added Dermail.
'You bastard.' hissed Milliardo.
'Love, Master Treize isn't back yet. He's right. We cannot do anything about it…'
'We can.' said Milliardo, thinking fast. He directed himself to Dermail again. 'Duke Dermail. When you give us our daughter back, you may take me instead.' he said. He knew Dermail couldn't refuse that offer. Milliardo didn't want to go back to the man, but he'd rather be with Dermail, than to have one of his kids having to go through what he went through. At least Milliardo knew he could handle it. Meanwhile he turned his head and looked at Trowa with tears in his eyes.
'Milliardo, … love… no… I'll take you're place.'
'Trowa…no. Ill do it. You try to contact Master Treize. I do not know how to do that. You do.' again Milliardo turned to Dermail. 'Do you accept my offer Duke Dermail?'

Dermail was smiling evilly. He tossed Frannin to her sister and brother, who were hiding behind Trowas legs. The roar of their father had made them realise it wasn't a good situation.
'Come with me.' ordered Dermail.
'Yes…Master…' said Milliardo as he followed Dermail. The man jumped on his horse again, and nudged the horse to leave.

'Daddy…' said Phoenix…

Trowa picked up Innocence, Frannin and Phoenix and immediately went to the mansion. He was so lost in thoughts he didn't even realise Phoenix had said his first word. He was only thinking about a way to contact his Master.

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Milliardo was following Dermail without saying a word. He assumed the old man was going straight back to the mansion, but when he felt a lash on his back and glared up to him, he said: 'I'm not going back quite yet, and that means so are you. I've got to find a disobedient slave first.'
'I would've followed you if you had told me. You don't have to whip me to listen…Master.' said Milliardo.
'Why you!' Dermail slid of the horse, and was about to hit Milliardo hard with the whip he used on the horse, when he was pushed in his back. Dermail stumbled, en fell on the ground.

Milliardo stared at who had done it. While Dermail was slowly getting up again Milliardo walked near the person who saved him a couple of lashes…at the moment.
'Hi.'
'Hi.' answered Milliardo dryly back. 'You're…Quatre?'
'That's me.' said a white lion while Milliardo walked a circle around him.
'You're transformation is beautiful.' said the tiger.

Quatre didn't have time to say thanks, because when he wanted to he was pulled away by his collar by Dermail.
'Where have you been!' snapped the man.
'Outside, making sure I wouldn't leave a mess in the mansion…Master…' said Quatre.
'Fine. Don't think I believe you, but I need to get inside. Follow me! Both of you!'
'Yes Master.' said both felines.

Quatre stared at Milliardo. 'Master?' he growled softly.
'Long story…' purred Milliardo back

TBC

Again, I'm soooo sorry for the late update. I hope I can keep you all satisfied with this chapter for a while…(knows it won't, but hell don't spoil my dreams :P)