Cannibals

By DragonMage

Notes: Ah, this chapter took a bit longer than usual, ne? *sigh* Again, thank you to everyone who's commented on this fic! *V* Means a lot to me and helps me try and get these things done. I'm working on tooo many fics at the same time--and some of them aren't even GWing fandom. Oh well! *V* This is for Goldmund. *grin*

"Call no man happy till he is dead."

---Aeschylus

Chapter 4

Wufei pulled off the tie to his hair and ran his fingers through it before tying it back up. He was sitting in an expensive looking parlor room, on a plush velvet couch that probably cost hundreds of dollars. In front of him was a glass coffee table with flowers and magazines on top, giving everything a home yet elegant look. He had been sitting there for only five minutes when his contact appeared with his ever-present bodyguard and lover beside him. Wufei stood up.

"Wufei, I'm glad you could make it. I was afraid you had too much to take care, what with the Cannibal attack at Mariemeia's school," Quatre Raberba Winner said warmly as he walked over to Wufei and shook his hand.

"Quatre," Wufei greeted. He turned and nodded at Quatre's bodyguard. "Trowa."

"How are you? Is Mariemeia all right?" Quatre asked, gesturing for Wufei to sit back down.

"Mariemeia is fine. Thank you for asking," Wufei said kindly. He liked Quatre. The young Winner heir was a very kind and sincere person, someone Wufei could trust. He was also one of the few who believed Treize was innocent. Wufei had known Quatre and worked with Quatre longer than Zechs. Of course the platinum blonde man knew Quatre but only as the Winner heir. Wufei had decided not to tell Zechs *everything* because he didn't believe it was necessary. Both of them had their own ways of digging out information. Quatre was one of his. Besides, it wasn't like Zechs told Wufei all *his* contacts.

Quatre nodded. "I was worried when I heard. She wasn't affected in any way by it, was she?"

"No. In fact, she took out a Cannibal herself with one of those red balls you suggested I make," Wufei said, smiling slightly.

Trowa Barton raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's pretty brave of her."

"I know. So what is it that you have for me?" Wufei asked, getting down to business.

"Ah, well, my people have found another lair west of here in the outskirts of the city. It's nothing much but I thought you'd get some satisfaction with blowing up another one. You really do have a talent for that," Quatre said, amusement sparkling in his sea blue eyes. But then they turned serious. "The only problem is that an attack will be held on the east south side of the city the same night. I think it's better if you go for the attack and leave the--"

"It's okay, Quatre," Wufei said, his mind racing. "I have enough people to take care both sides."

Quatre looked startled. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, of course. Zechs can probably take out the lair with some help and I have someone with me, so the both of us can take care of that attack."

Trowa looked confused for a moment. "What are you talking about? There's only you and Zechs."

"Yes, and I really think you should tell him that we're on his side. He can come to us for help," Quatre added.

"You're probably right," Wufei said dismissively. "But we've gained some new allies. Apparently, they're also Cannibal hunters. They showed up last night to help out during an attack. Both Zechs and I had been overwhelmed when they appeared. They're names are Heero and Duo. They say they came from Steel City. I don't trust them although I believe their cause for fighting *might* be sincere."

Quatre and Trowa looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I think I'll do some research and see if I can come up with anything on those two," Trowa said slowly. "I think you're right when you say you don't trust them. Why did they suddenly appear *now*?"

"They said something about big trouble stirring here in Tier. I really don't know since they were pretty vague about it and when I pressed about it, Heero, the one who's working with me, started getting pretty defensive about it." Wufei looked pretty annoyed and put out. "I don't trust him *or* his partner Duo, who's staying with Zechs at the moment. But, if they're worth something in a fight against the Cannibals I won't say anything."

"What if they turn on you?" Quatre said worriedly.

"Then someone's going to find a sword in their gut," Wufei said ominously.

A smile touched Trowa's lips. "Naturally. You wouldn't have it any other way."

"Of course," Wufei said, raising an eyebrow a bit.

"You two!" But Quatre was also smiling. "Just be careful, Wufei. I don't want you hurt. You also have Mariemeia to think of."

"Of course. She's my reason for almost everything."

Trowa pulled out a map and unfolded it on the coffee table for all of them to see. "Getting back to business, we better detail you in on the attack *and* the lair."

"Good. We don't want anything to screw us over, do we?"

Quatre shook his head and began explain everything.

~*~

Quatre and Trowa didn't fight although they did do the background research and helped find lairs for Wufei. They also, occasionally, supplied Wufei with weapons when they could get away with it. Weapons were illegal in the country and anyone who sells them and gets caught is punished with either life in prison or death.

The Winner heir was too important to too many people and official and political offices to involve himself in such dangerous responsibilities of Cannibal hunting and Trowa followed Quatre in whatever he did, never mind he's also his bodyguard, assigned to make sure he stayed alive. Both of them hated the Cannibals for pain the brought to people and wanted to help, in anyway, to make sure that the pain and suffering stopped. But although they didn't spill blood they were pretty good at making it damn hard for the Cannibals to get around and get their evil work done.

For that, Wufei was grateful. He might have a lot of resources but he didn't have as much freedom as Quatre and Trowa did. They could do things and make sure they stayed quiet. They had enough money and power to do so, and everyone knew those two things could get you almost anything life.

~*~

"So, you really think these two will be able to back you and Zechs up?" Quatre asked, still a bit suspicious and worried over these two new comers. In this world, trusting someone before you got to know them meant death--and even after you thought you knew them, there is still the risk of betrayal. But Quatre trusted Wufei. They had faced some situations together that made solidified their trust in each other.

"Yes. If not, well, I've been doing this alone for two years," Wufei said confidently as he folded the map up and slid it into one of his pockets. "Thanks you two. You know all of this really helps."

Trowa nodded and stood up, helping Quatre up as well. "You know we want this to end. That's why we're all involved, isn't it?"

"Of course."

"Be careful. I don't want to lose you as a friend, Wufei."

"I'm always careful. Now, if you don't mind, I have to go and prepare for tonight. And brief Heero on everything as well as get in touch with Zechs." Wufei smiled wryly. "Who knew our little team would expand so much in less than a day?"

"Amazing," Trowa murmured in amusement. "Just make sure you come back alive."

"Come on now. I always do." Then Wufei bowed and left the room.

"Trowa..."

"You worry too much, love. Of course he's going to be okay."

"You're right. I should stop worrying. It's just...He's risking so much, don't you think?"

"He's Wufei. He risks everything for what he believes in," Trowa said, shrugging.

Quatre frowned. "You're right. I just hope he doesn't get himself killed because of it, one day."

~*~

Zechs woke up the next morning to find Duo on top of him, straddled over his waist with a cheerful smile on his full, kissable lips.

"Good morning!" the man-child chirped. "Had a good night?"

"What the fuck--?!" Zechs exclaimed, unused to this type of wake up. Usually he woke up alone, slowly and comfortable. *Not* with a one hundred some pound man on top of him. _That_ was certainly new.

"Tsk, tsk, such language," Duo said, smirking. He leaned down, his lips close to Zechs'. "You're really hot, do you know that?"

"Duo, get off me," Zechs grunted, trying to push the man off but to no avail. He was strong and currently had the advantage.

"Why? I like my seat here. It's so comfortable!" Duo cooed. Then to make his point he *wiggled*. *Wiggled* for gods' sakes!

Zechs bit back a moan and sat up, causing Duo to fall back on his long legs and lie there in front of him, panting softly. The braided boy smiled slyly and wrapped his flexible body around Zechs' waist, pressing himself against the older man's stomach.

"Duo...I don't want to play. Get off. I have work to do and it will not be right to have servants coming in here with you in my bed like this," Zechs said, shaking his head. He tried to untangle Duo from his waist and legs but the man was like an octopus or something. He refused to budge.

"I won't let go until you give me a kiss," Duo said, shaking his stubbornly. "I want a kiss."

"Why?" Zechs demanded, frustrated. Why did this man insist on throwing himself at him like this? It made no sense! Duo was beautiful enough to have anyone he wanted, so why did he want *him*, Zechs?

"Because, you're handsome," Duo said, sitting up and pressing himself on to Zechs' chest. "Pleeease.."

"Fine! If I give you that kiss, will you leave me alone?" Zechs asked, annoyed.

"For a little while," Duo conceded.

"I guess that'll do," Zechs sighed. He then leaned forward and kissed Duo softly. He intended it to only be a chaste kiss, soft and brief, but it was far from that as Duo tangled his long, slim fingers in Zechs' hair and *pulled*. Zechs yelped but it was cut short as warm, sweet lips planted themselves against his own, ravishing for a moment before seeking entrance. Without thinking, Zechs opened his mouth.

Duo moaned happily, finally being able to kiss the man that just made his blood warm up. He closed his eyes and smiled wickedly, kissing Zechs with tongue. He was able to get in a few moments of dominance before Zechs got his wits back and started kissing back, quickly taking over. Duo didn't mind at all as he melted against him, letting the older man do all the kissing and sucking.

Then came the knock on the door.

Without meaning to, both mean groaned in disappointment and pulled away.

Duo glared at the door before turning back to Zechs. "Do you *really* need to answer that?"

"Yes. Now off, Duo. You said you'd leave me alone if I gave you a kiss."

"Yeah, yeah. You're no fun." Duo sighed and rolled off Zechs, landing on the soft nest of blankets and pillows. He moaned happily and buried himself in them, making it obvious he wasn't going to budge this time.

Zechs rolled his eyes and climbed out of bed. He pulled on a robe and answered the door. A maid was standing there with his breakfast tray.

"Good morning, Mr. Merquise! I have your breakfast right here," she chirped in a light Southern accent.

"Thank you, Isabelle. Can you bring up another tray? I have a guest," Zechs said, taking the tray from the young lady without allowing the girl to see exactly *who* his guest was.

Isabelle flushed a delicate shade of pink. "Of course, Mr. Merquise. Right away!" She turned and hurried down the hall to get another tray of breakfast.

Zechs closed the door and carried the tray over to a small table in front of the double French doors. He pulled open the white curtains, allowing the sunlight to pour into the oak; gold and white trimmed room.

Duo, who had been pretty comfortable on the bed, involuntarily hissed at the sunlight and turned his head away. His eyes watered and he quickly wiped them away, his sensitive eyes unused to the sunlight, and he didn't have his sunglasses to take away most of the harshness. Sometimes being raised in such a dark place had its disadvantages in the surface.

"Are you all right?" Zechs asked when he noticed Duo burying his face in the blankets and pillows around him.

"Fine," came the muffled reply. "I just don't like sunlight."

"Ah, a vampire."

"Almost."

Zechs smirked and sat down to eat his breakfast. "Do you want some toast to eat while your food comes?"

"No thank you. I think I like it here in the bed."

"Whatever. Just get out sooner or later, okay?"

Duo wiped away more stinging tears and replied a bit thickly, "Yeah."

~*~

Heero, himself, wasn't having as much trouble dealing with the sunlight as his brother. The curtains in the moderate apartment were closed, allowing only slivers of sunlight to come through. He was currently sitting in front of the television set, watching the morning news, and waiting for Wufei's return. It was almost the afternoon and Mariemeia had already woke up. After making something simple for her to eat for breakfast, he sent her back to her room to do whatever she wanted. The young girl had been a bit worried about where her father had disappeared to but Heero had assured her that he would come back, eventually.

The anchor lady was just announcing the weather when the apartment door swung open and Wufei stepped inside. The man pulled off his sunglasses and pocketed them. He closed the door behind him and turned to find Heero sitting there, staring at him.

"Meeting go well?" the Japanese man asked.

"Immensely. Where's Mariemeia?" Wufei asked, blinking as he allowed his eyes to adjust to the dimness of the apartment.

"She's in her room doing whatever she does," Heero said, shrugging. "I made her breakfast--sorta. More like she told me how to make it and I did it for her. I think I burnt the eggs."

Wufei stared at Heero for a moment before smiling slightly and nodded. "I see you've never cooked before."

"Well, I always had other people do it for me."

"You have money?"

"You can say that."

Wufei nodded and took off his jacket. "I learned some new things and I wish to discuss them with you." He nodded to the kitchen. "If you don't mind? I'll make some coffee." Then, without another word, he walked into the kitchen.

Heero turned off the TV and stood up. He walked into the kitchen, finding Wufei closing the top over the coffee machine. He sat down on the table and waited as Wufei pressed a few buttons on the coffee machine before sitting down himself.

"What did you find out?" Heero asked, mildly curious.

"There's another lair that needs to be burned down west of Tier, around the outskirts as well as an attack east south of here. I decided that we can take care of the attack while Zechs and Duo burn down the lair," Wufei explained calmly as he pulled out a map and spread it out on the kitchen table. "What do you think? Do you think you're up to a fight against a dozen or so Cannibals?"

"Of course. I don't think it'll be that hard," Heero said, shrugging nonchalantly.

Wufei looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "You've went up against more before?"

"And survived."

"Obviously." The Chinese man smiled slightly, just a bit thrown off by Heero's confidence. "Well, I guess it's settled then. We'll take the attack and Zechs and Duo can take care of that new found lair." He stood up and walked over to the phone. He picked it up and quickly dialed Zechs' number. He just hoped the man was in the house at the moment and not away at business.

The phone rang for a few minutes before it was finally picked up.

"Hello?" came a rather breathless voice.

"Zechs?"

"Wufei? Good morning. What's wrong?"

Wufei frowned and turned slightly to look at Heero. "Why are you so breathless, Zechs?" Heero raised an eyebrow at that comment.

"Duo decided he likes me too much," came the muttered reply.

Wufei tried not to laugh. "Ah, I see. Getting on to business, can you come over to my place sometime this afternoon? It's important."

"Sure. No problem."

"Wonderful. And bring Duo."

"I don't think I have a choice in that. He's practically attached to me at the moment."

"Good-bye, Zechs. And have fun." Wufei placed the receiver down and looked at Heero with an amused expression. "Does he *always* come on that strongly?"

"Hmm...Is Zechs being harassed?" Heero asked mildly.

"As a matter of fact, yes."

"Then, yes, Duo *always* comes on that strongly. I have idea where he gets it from though," Heero said, shaking his head. "His mother isn't exactly like that but then we don't even know his father."

Wufei walked over to the sink and began to clean the mugs and bowls in there. "They're coming over in the afternoon. We're going to discuss everything with them and work everything out then."

"What's to work out? They go to the lairs, we go to the attack. It's pretty simple," Heero said, shrugging. He stood up and walked over to the sink as well. He grabbed a towel and began to help Wufei with the dishes.

Throwing at glance at Heero, Wufei smiled slightly before turning away and concentrating on the mug he was washing. "Well, we have to make sure we have enough weapons and some sort of transportation. I have a motorcycle hidden away if you're willing to ride behind me."

"You won't let anyone else drive, huh?"

"Nope."

"I guess I can't argue then," Heero said, looking amused. He watched as a lock of hair fell forward and into Wufei's eyes. The Chinese man looked annoyed but couldn't brush it away because his hands were soapy. He tried to blow it back but it was futile. Finally, Heero reached out with a slightly wet hand and tucked the lock of hair behind Wufei's ear. He found himself liking the feeling of Wufei's silky hair as he smoothed it back. It was really nice.

"Heero..."

"Ah, I'm sorry. I was just trying to help," Heero murmured as he looked away and concentrated on drying the dishes.

Wufei nodded jerkily and went back to washing the mug in his hand. But try as he might, he couldn't banish the warm flush that had swept across his cheek. No one--absolutely *no one*--had ever touched him like that before. His mother had never smoothed back his hair before. It was new and, although he hated to admit it, it was nice. The feeling was almost comforting yet he couldn't understand why.

The dishes were finished in silence.

"They won't show up in another two hours, why don't you go watch TV or something while we wait?" Wufei suggested as he hung up his towel.

"What are you going to do?" Heero asked.

"Bills," Wufei said with a small rueful shrug. "Even superheroes have bills."

Heero smiled warmly. "Of course. Well, I'll go see what's good on." He walked past Wufei and into the living room. But not before giving the other man a slightly heated look. Then he was gone from Wufei's side, sitting on the couch with a remote in his hand.

Wufei flushed again and smoothed back his hair. <What the hell was that?> Shaking away at the strange feelings that Heero had stirred inside of him, he went to get his bills and calculator.

~*~

"I love this car," Duo grinned as he wiggled in against the leather interior of Zechs' Porsche. "It's so nice. I've never been in such a nice care before."

"Wonderful, just don't spill anything on to the seats," Zechs muttered as he slid into the front seat of his car and stuck the key into the ignition.

"Don't worry, I won't spill anything on it," Duo said as he sipped the bottle of soda in his hand.

"Good." The older man turned on the engine and drove out of the garage, down the smooth, cement path and onto the streets. It was pretty easy driving down the streets of Tier. Only people who could afford it had cars so people on the streets were either walking or on a bicycle. He navigated smoothly, careful of where he drove. He didn't want to hit any pedestrians--especially since there were so many of them.

Duo was staring out of the window with wide-eyed excitement, his lips wrapped around the straw of his soda bottle, sipping away. When he had been told that Wufei had some work for them, his violet eyes had lit up immediately and he pushed Zechs to hurry up with his morning duties and *go*.

"So, what do we do once we get to Wufei's place?" Duo asked, looking over at Zechs with a curious expression on his cherubic face. Duo had such a sweet, almost child-like wonder about him despite the fact he could easily be twenty years old. Unwillingly, Zechs found that very endearing.

"We'll see once we get there. I've never really worked as a partner with Wufei. This is very new."

"And I'm taking a guess that this is new because of me and Heero, huh?" Duo asked.

"Yes. Now that we actually have four people working against the Cannibals we might as well operate as a team--or at least learn to. Both Wufei and I like to work separately but I believe that doing this team thing might actually work to our benefit."

"Hm-mm."

Zechs ignored Duo's distant agreement--a sign that the other man wasn't really listening. He pulled to a stop in front of Wufei's apartment complex and turned off the engine. He pulled his key out of the ignition and easily stepped out of the car. Duo followed both closing their doors. Zechs set the alarm on and they started up the stairs to the second floor where Wufei lived. They walked down the open walkway and stopped in front of the apartment number. Duo reached out and banged on it.

Both could hear someone move inside of the apartment before the door opened and Heero appeared, looking totally relaxed. Duo raised an eyebrow at his brother and smiled slightly. What had made Heero so relaxed?

"Wufei's in the kitchen doing the bills," was the first thing that came out of the Japanese man's mouth as he stepped aside and allowed the men into the apartment.

"Well, hello to you too," Duo said in dry amusement.

Wufei appeared at the doorway to the kitchen. He nodded at the men before stepping back into the kitchen, signaling them to come inside.

All three men moved into the kitchen and took their seat at the kitchen table. Any signs of Wufei doing the bills had been cleared away and now there was only a map spread out on the table as well as some red pencils.

"All right men, let's get down to work," Wufei said in a no-nonsense, all-business tone.

~*Owari Chapter 4*~

*sweatdrop* I don't think this was very good, but oh well. There'll be action in the next part! *V*