Title: The Little Cinder Boy
Author: Angst Faerie
Rating: T
Disclaimers: I don't own Gundam Wing our Cinderella written by the Grimm brothers.
Notes: After new revolutions it's a rush to save Trowa's family and Quatre. There is a lot of jumping around since it switches POV quite a bit in the beginning just to see what's happening at both locations.
Another little fact:
I know that being gay wasn't accepted well in Europe just like it wasn't in many other countries. I could say they were in Rome where it was common for older men to have younger boys as lovers and it was viewed as okay but had to stop after marriage. I wanted to keep the focuses on the social standings more than gender since my next story will be all about that.
Chapter 7, Part 1: The Fight for Freedom
Back at the Barton's Castle, Trowa paced back in forth in his room, he seemed to be doing this more often after meeting Quatre. His anger had not yet subsided and he felt so stupid, what was worse than that was the sense of extreme guilt he kept feeling. The look on Quatre's face haunted him and he felt awful for the stuff he said, but it was true. There was no way his father would accept Quatre, but he did say he was the son of Lord Winner so in a way he was of noble class. The conflicting thoughts like those were causing Trowa's stress, and headache, to worsen.
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Suddenly the door slammed open and before Trowa had time to notice who it was, he was flat on his back and the taste of blood filled his mouth. "What the hell!" He looked up into Heero's cold eyes.
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"Get your ass up so I can beat you properly." Heero stated rolling up his sleeves. He showed no concern that this could be considered mutiny. Trowa was shocked after being hit not once but twice today, and in the face of all places. "Heero you better…" before he could finish his threat though, Hilde had run into the room.
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"Stop it you two, just stop it." She was crying. "You two are best friends, grow up Trowa." Hilde then broke down. "Your father…he's sick, very sick, you're wanted." Trowa's world stopped and without thought he ran out of the room.
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Heero stared on; a little upset he didn't get to talk to Trowa about Quatre. Maybe if Heero hadn't been so keen on kicking Trowa's ass to straighten him out he might have solved this a bit better, at the moment though the King's health was more important. Heero could wait until later to have his talk with Trowa. Ignoring Hilde, Heero steeped out of the room to get some of his own work done.
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Quatre's mind swam in confusion as dreams mixed with the past mingled with the future. He saw his father leaving and his collapse that one faithful day, Une taking everything he once knew away, the first day he meet Duo, the Ball, and the way Trowa threw it all away. His mind then focused on the Duke and Une's conversation. They were going to kill the King and Trowa.
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Quatre jumped to consciousness. He had to do something he wasn't going to let Trowa suffer; he still cared for him too much for that to happen. Looking around he took in his surroundings for the first time. Quatre knew he was definitely not at the Winner mansion. In fact he appeared to be in a room of a house that had to be worth ten times more, he began to vaguely wonder just how long he had been out. Getting out of the huge bed he had been laying in he made his way to the window. His vision took some time to settle but by the time he reached the large window he yanked the curtains back he could see perfectly clear.
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"Oh no, this isn't good." He looked down stories to the ground. He appeared to be in a castle tower but it wasn't the Barton Castle because it didn't look down on the vibrant village of Lynnet. Instead it looked upon one so trashed and small you could tell from just one glance it was a town full of suffering and extreme poverty. If this wasn't Lynnet it had to be a neighboring village, and remembering Dekim, Quatre assumed it was Durham the Duke's own Kingdom. He had once heard about how Durham had suffered in anguish for years at the hands of Dekim but he didn't think anyone could be that cruel.
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"Well I see you are finally up." A female voice said directly behind him and Quatre jumped. He didn't hear anyone enter the room and when he turned around he was face to face with a girl in servants clothes. She was thin and taller than him. Her auburn hair was cut short and curled under and she had very familiar green eyes.
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"I'm sorry if I frightened you. I'm the head servant in the Durham Palace, Cathy Bloom. I was asked to come up here and clean you up. The Duke doesn't believe his possessions should look like they lived in a garbage bin their whole life." As she spoke Quatre noticed how dull her eyes became, it was like the life was sucked from her. He contained a shiver at her words. "If you'll follow me I have a bath drawn and new clothes to replace those rags." She turned to leave and Quatre followed. Until he fully knew what was going on it was safer to just play along.
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Trowa sat next to his father's bed he had stayed by his dad's side all during the night but it seemed the King was in some sort of unconscious state, he seemed to fall asleep the other day and wouldn't wake. Trowa was at a lost and didn't know what to do. He learned from the Doctor his father was suffering from something but they didn't know what. If the doctors didn't figure it out soon though the King might die. Maybe this was part of his punishment for the way he had been acting these past weeks.
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He had to find Heero and apologize, he had done something to piss him off the other day and Hilde was right the two were best friends. Trowa needed Heero and couldn't imagine if the other boy ever left him. Trowa wanted to talk about something other than the possibility his father might die, so getting up he decided now was the time to find Heero. He was stopped short though when a hand gently grabbed his.
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"My son." said the weak voice of Triton Barton.
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"Father what is it?" Trowa was slightly relieved his father was conscience finally.
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"I heard from Heero you were going to meet your love soon. How did it go?" Trowa sat back down and tried to think of a response. He couldn't let his father know the truth it might upset him. "No," Trowa started. "I didn't meet him it was a mistake of identity."
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Triton sighed. "There is something I need to tell you, something I kept quiet about for years'." Triton went into a fit of coughs but brushed away Trowa's helping hands. "Dad you need to rest." Trowa pleaded.
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"No Trowa I need to say this. Before you were born and before I was married to your mother I feel in love. Galina was her name and she was a servant that worked here. As you are aware our difference in stature forced us to keep it quiet. When it was time for me to get married and my father had already picked my future bride out for me I had to end it. She refused to stay and watch me ruin what could have been and gave me the option to run away with her, but I refused, I had my responsibilities as the heir to the throne. So she left the night before mine and Larisa's wedding and she took our daughter with her." Trowa's mouth dropped.
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"Yes Trowa, you have an older sister. I don't know her name she was only a few months old when her mother left and she never told me. I think I used that to excuse my actions assuming the child might not be mine that's why she never told me, but after you were born I realized I was only fooling myself. What I'm trying to say is go and find your love and don't let him go. I made the mistake of doing it and though I loved your mother Larisa, it wasn't the same as what I had shared with Galina." Trowa sat quietly for a while thinking. He did notice his father had a knowing look in his eyes but wasn't sure why.
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Trowa had unknowingly let it slip Quatre's gender and if he hadn't met him yet he wouldn't have known for sure what Quatre was. Trowa didn't realize this but his father did. It also helped that Heero told him all about who Quatre was beforehand, but he was keeping that a secret until Trowa figured it out for himself what he had to do. If Triton was going to die he wanted his son to know no matter what he decided he would approve as long as Trowa was happy.
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Quatre felt awkward in the huge bath, it was like a personal swimming hole. Quatre was also a bit embarrassed that Cathy had stayed; she wasn't watching him but stood by the door. He had a feeling it was to keep him from wondering off on his own. They talked a bit and he learned that her and her mother came here from Lynnet when she was very young. Dekim took them in and gave her mother work but her mother died mysteriously and Cathy soon took up her mother's role. She seemed like she was keeping more to herself but he didn't push it.
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"Are you done? His highness is waiting for you. He has things to discuss considering your position here in the Castle." She asked after a while. Quatre just nodded and got out to get dressed. He was amazed by the clothes Dekim had given him. The shirt was made of fine silk and was more of a crème color then white, and while the trousers weren't made out of such fine fabric they were expensive and were black. He put on the soft clothes and walked over to Cathy who fussed over his messy hair trying to straighten it with her hands. With one last sad look she led him out and towards Dekim's throne room where he was waiting.
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Dekim was satisfied with what he saw when Quatre entered. Cathy didn't follow but went back outside to wait. "Come closer so I can see you better." Quatre did so nervously.
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"You sure do clean up nicely. Une was so great to give you to me as a present and it's only a matter of time until your Prince finds out I have you. Don't look so frightened you won't die. I said it before I can make some use out of you, my little bird!" Quatre got a really bad feeling from the tone in Dekim's voice.
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"Your wrong though, Trowa won't come, there is nothing between us." He said boldly.
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"We'll find out then, won't we? Now come closer." Quatre took a step back and with a growl Dekim stood up and marched over to him. Grabbing him by the chin he forced Quatre to look in his face.
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"I don't think you fully understood what position you were given here. Trowa stopped me last time but now you are mine to do with what I feel like. Maybe Catherine should have explained what was expected of you better, you just lie down and take it." With that he crushed his foul mouth to Quatre's. With a sickening realization Quatre did finally understood what Dekim had kept him for and he bite down on Dekim's tongue as it forced it's way in his mouth. He tasted blood for a second before he felt the floor contact with his backside.
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"You bastard I swear you'll pay for that." Stumbling up Quatre ran for the door. Pulling it open he was relieved to see no one was there. He picked a way to go and began to run; Dekim didn't follow but was yelling for his guards. Quatre had to hide and fast. Turning down a few more halls and began to try the doors looking for one that was unlocked. He thanked the Gods when he found one, after going in locked it behind himself. Still not feeling safe he opened the wardrobe and hide inside that as well. Safe for now but he knew it wouldn't last long. It would be only a short while before someone found him.
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"Trowa, Duo, anyone help." He whispered before closing his eyes and trying to listen for any sounds of someone coming.
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Heero was waiting for Trowa to finish up with his dad, he knew enough not to expect him soon with the fate of the King still unknown. So he continued to his work as a guard and patrolling the castle for any dangers when he heard a commotion down stairs. There was yelling and Heero glanced down the railing to see a guard come running up them. "Sir Yuy, Rasid apprehended a thief in the castle but the thief in question says he knows you and wants to speak to you. He won't settle down until you talk to him and Rasid asked you to come and help. I already got a black eye I can't imagine what Rasid has now that he has to hold the kid by himself so we must hurry." Curious Heero began to follow the guard Abdul down the stairs and towards the kitchens.
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Coming into view of the Captain, Heero snorted. "I should have known. You can let him go Rasid he's with me." The Captain released an angry boy with a long braid. "Duo what brings you here?" he asked with a smile dismissing the guards that gathered.
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"Damn! Why does that always happen, look I'm sorry I broke in but I have to get a message to you. It's Quatre, he's gone. He didn't run away his possessions are still there, well were, I think Une is getting rid of them as we speak. If she killed him it's my fault." He began to cry.
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"He was sick last night and passed out. He had a fever and I was worried his back had got infected so I got Une. I thought she wouldn't be stupid enough to let something happen but he's gone, nowhere to be found and the sisters they know something. Dorothy can't stop laughing. Please find him." He looked up with begging eyes.
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Heero even began to worry. "Go to my room and wait, I'll be back soon. I'll go find him I promise." Without waiting he ran up the stairs and made his way to Trition's room. Trowa had to know this. As he neared the door he was relieved to see Trowa leaving.
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"Listen I don't care why you did what you did to Quatre but if you value him the slightest bit you better get ready to ride." Trowa looked confused a bit before anger took over. He had thought about what his father said and he was going back for Quatre but the urgency in Heero's voice worried him.
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"Why? What's happened?" Heero just shook his head. "I'm not sure but I bet Baroness Une might have an idea." The two grabbed a few things and prepared to set off for the Winner estate.
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Quatre froze when he heard the door unlock. He was still in the wardrobe and tried to scoot back even further. "See my door was locked he couldn't have gone in here." It was Cathy's voice and he heard another repeating what she said and someone leaving. The door shut again and locked and someone walked around the room. At this point Quatre was holding his breath as the wardrobe door swung open.
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"Come on out ,I lied for you they won't be back for a while." Cathy reached in her hand and helped him out. "Dekim is tearing up the Castle grounds for you, I'm sorry I didn't warn you sooner." She sat on the rug on the floor in front of the wardrobe and made room for Quatre.
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"He did the same thing to me when my mother died but I was too scared to run. You can't stay here now, you realize that right?" Quatre nodded. "I'll help you get out. I can distract the guards but you'll have to travel through the servants halls and go out the back way. From there on out you'll be on your own but I'll draw you a map to help you through the Castle. Also I want you to use this." Reaching under her mattress she pulled out a small knife.
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"My mother, Galina Bloom, gave it to me to use the day I wanted out but I don't think I'll ever get the nerve to do it."
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"Thanks Catherine, if I make it out…when I make it out, I'll get back to Lynnet and let Prince Trowa know what his Uncle is doing. I'm sure he'll come back and I'll tell him to get you out. If he doesn't then I'll do it myself, I have to show my gratitude someday." Quatre stood up and hooked the knife and its sheath on his trousers and made sure his shirt covered it. "Let's get to work then."
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Riding up to the Winner residence Trowa practically jumped off his horse at full run. "Be careful you moron." Heero said angrily while he did the same thing. They didn't stop to knock but just barged in.
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"UNE!" Trowa yelled and looked up the staircase to see the lady approaching.
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"Your highness I had no idea you would be joining us. You should have let us known sooner I don't have anything ready so I can't be the best hostess at the moment." She smiled smugly as she descended the stairs.
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"Where is Quatre Winner?" Trowa moved closer. "We know he's alive that you made up that story of finding him dead in the forest. Do you have a good reason for this?" Une looked angry.
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"Of course your highness, I did lie but I did it to protect him. The young Lord is always gone and when he does show up stuff goes messing. The little thief probably did a lot in the village too but I loved him like my own son so I told people he was dead to protect him. If he was thought dead he couldn't be blamed for the stealing. He was here last night but is gone again. It's the same as always I don't know where he goes and I don't know when he'll be back. If you're here to punish me for lying then go ahead but I won't admit what I did was wrong." Une let her face show emotions like she was really concerned but Trowa knew it was an act.
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"I know your hurt your highness, how he seduced you at the ball but he never wanted any more than that. I tried to force my daughters on you to make you forget him but I failed, you were too blinded by him. Quatre at most is and will always be a whore, if it's any constellation though my daughter Dorothy really does love you." Une added this last bit bravely.
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"I don't want your daughter Une and I never will and don't you dare call Quatre that ever again in my presence." Trowa gave her a hateful look before walking back outside. "Damn'it what else can we do?" he kicked a wall in frustration. He couldn't force the information out of Une and he didn't have proof she was lying. He was at a dead end.
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"Your highness," a meek voice said and Relena stepped around the house, Heero at the moment slightly stepped behind Trowa as if to hide. "I know where he is. I woke up late in the night and saw Quatre being loaded into a carriage." Trowa ran over to her and grabbed her shoulders. "What else can you tell me?"
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Relena glanced at the house and noticed her mother watching her through the window. She knew if she said anything she would seal her own fate but she had to help Quatre, her mother might have gone too far this time. "If I tell you can you have someone take me to safety?" Trowa agreed. "Yes Heero will take you back to the Castle until everything is straightened out." Heero had a disappointed look on his face but didn't protest.
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"It was your Uncle, the Duke Dekim, so I'm guessing he brought Quatre to his homeland, Durham." Trowa did notice the absence of his Uncle and did know it was likely, but it was fishy why it was playing out like this. "Thanks. Heero take her home I'll ride ahead." He let her go and prepared for the fight of his life.
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I dedicate this chapter to my Grandfather who entered the new world on June 19, 2006. He always showed me from a young age that literature is important and used to read to me all the time. He loved my writing and always thought if you had something to say the whole world should hear it. I miss him dearly.
-Angst Faerie.