Cannibals

By DragonMage

Notes: Okay, so there wasn't any action whatsoever in chapter 5. I wanted to do it but then I got _that_ particular idea and that just didn't involve any violence whatsoever. But there will be more violence for those blood and gore lovers out there, just not right now. *sweatdrop*

Key:

//Dream sequence//

"Death but entombs the body, life the soul."

---Young

Chapter 6

Duo watched his brother as his brother watched Wufei sleeping on the bed, looking disturbed and far from peace. He frowned slightly, playing with the end of his braid nervously. He and Zechs had came back to Wufei's place bickering about Cannibals and humans and all that fun stuff in between--insert sarcasm here--when Heero came out and uncharacteristically yelled at them to shut up and be quiet because Wufei was sleeping. His brother had been very disturbed and upset--something Duo didn't regularly see in Heero. That had worried Duo more than he cared to admit. Heero was never upset or disturbed or distraught. He was always calm, always in control, never betraying his feelings. But something had happened and now the Japanese man was on the edge.

<What happened?> the braided man wondered as he stared at Heero, who was currently ignoring him, sitting on the bed near Wufei. <He won't tell us anything except the went to the attack and found that it had already happened. Of course I already knew that. Didn't we agree to set it up like that? The Cannibals were supposed to get there earlier than planned so the damned hunters wouldn't be able to stop them. Gods, what is wrong with Heero?> But as Duo watched, he realized just exactly what was wrong with Heero--and that scared and frustrated him. <He can't...Aw hell, he can't! Doesn't he know he can't?> Suddenly Duo wanted to grab Heero and shake him, yell at him for being such an idiot. They were supposed to come up here and hurt the hunters, not fall in love with them. <And it's been less than two days for God's sakes! Not that there is a God, shit. But he always told me to follow my emotions...Aw, fuck, Heero. What are you doing?>

"Heero...What happened?" Duo asked lowly. He wanted to keep it quiet even though he knew Zechs was currently in the kitchen, entertaining Mariemeia and keeping her from asking too many question about Wufei. They just didn't know exactly what to tell the young girl. Duo would have preferred to tell her the truth and see how she dealt with it but Zechs refused to do that, knowing Wufei's wishes. Duo had dropped it after he saw the slight anger in Zechs' eyes. It was almost as if the man's disapproval had actually hurt him! Ha! No one could hurt him. He never gave a damn for emotions--his or anyone else's. They were inefficient when it came to the relationships he liked to get into.

Heero looked up and sighed softly, running his fingers through his messy hair. "We went to the site and found everyone in the neighborhood slaughtered."

"Yeah, so?" Duo demanded. "What else?"

"Wufei didn't take it so well," Heero said quietly, swallowing hard. "He...he lost it and withdrew into himself. I spent an hour trying to pull him out."

Duo snorted. "Why didn't you leave him there?"

Heero's eyes flashed, then the anger died. "I don't know," he answered tightly, looking away.

Suddenly at loss, Duo hissed, "You can't, Heero! You know you can't. We're going to have to..." Duo's eyes flitted to Wufei and saw the man still deep asleep. He looked back at Heero. "You know we're going to have to kill them, eventually. They're a threat to everything we've been working for."

"I know," Heero said tightly. His Prussian blue eyes suddenly pained. "You think I don't know?"

Duo walked over to Heero and stared down at him incredulously. "You've got to be kidding me," he pleaded desperately. "You have to be!" He dropped down to eye level with Heero. "He's the enemy!"

"It's not like you aren't trying to get into Zechs' pants," Heero pointed out harshly, refusing to meet Duo in the eye.

"That's different! I want to screw him, yes, but I'm not going to fall in love with him or even come close to making any emotional ties with him!" Duo almost shouted. But he remembered to keep his voice down and ended up whispering harshly. He looked over at Wufei. "What is so special about him? Why couldn't you pick another person, someone who *isn't* a Cannibal hunter and doesn't hate Cannibals?"

"I don't know."

"Well you'd better! 'Cause when time comes, you're going to have to kill him. And you know we can't betray Mother. Think of all she's done for us! She's only asking this little thing from us. We have to give it to her."

"I'm..."

Duo's eyes widened. "What??" he demanded desperately, not wanting to lose his brother. "What is it Heero?"

Heero closed his eyes. "I'm not going to betray Mother."

~*~

Zechs tried to fight down the worry inside of him as he entertained Mariemeia by teaching her how to cook a little. He figured the girl needed to know *something* in order to keep from starving when Wufei wasn't around. And he *knew* Wufei wasn't around a lot.

"So, you pour the oil and--"

"Zechs, do you got any alcohol?" Duo asked tiredly from the doorway of the kitchen. He had been watching Zechs and Mariemeia cook for a moment, feeling a bit strange, and decided to interrupt it before he felt stranger. <Damn. Ever since we joined these two, everything's gone to hell. Heero loves Wufei and I'm not sure what *I'm* going through at the moment. One thing's for sure though, we're not going to betray mother. Not if I can help it. I might be younger than Heero but he needs someone to think for him at the moment.>

Mariemeia made a face at Duo. "Papa Wufei says that drinking is bad. You shouldn't do it."

"Yeah, I bet Papa Wufei says a lot of things," Duo remarked almost nastily. "Look, I am totally stressing out right now and I need something to calm me down. I don't smoke so alcohol is the only thing left."

Zechs wiped his hands with a dishcloth. "Yeah. I think Wufei has something." He paused. "Speaking of Wufei. How is he? Heero won't tell me anything and..."

"And I'm worried," Mariemeia piped up.

Duo shrugged. "He'll be fine, really. He just needs time to recover."

"Is he awake?"

"Not yet. I don't know when he'll wake up."

Zechs nodded slowly, wondering what got Duo in a such a foul mood. It had been bad before--why, Zechs still didn't understand although he had a hint but it seemed ridiculous--but now it was just plain nasty.

"Mariemeia?"

"Yes, Mr. Zechs?"

"Why don't you go see and if you can wake your father up. I'm going to make some dinner. I don't think any of us has eaten yet," Zechs said quietly.

Mariemeia nodded. She had planned to throw something in the microwave but Papa and Mr. Heero had came home earlier than she had planned so she hadn't been able to eat. Her stomach hurt just a bit from hunger but she was fine. And now that she was being given the permission to see her father, she was more than happy to take it.

"All right, Mr. Zechs," she said before taking off the apron she had put on and running to her father's room, hoping he was awake already.

When Mariemeia was gone, Zechs narrowed his eyes at Duo. "What's wrong? You were being really nasty to her. She's just a kid."

"I'm in a bad mood and *she* tells me that alcohol is bad for me?? How the hell did Wufei raise this child?" Duo knew he was being totally unfair and snippy but he couldn't help it! Not when everything that they had worked for seemed to fall apart before him. Heero and him were supposed to ruin things for these Cannibal hunters and then kill them when time came. The attack their mother had been planning years for was only a handful of weeks away. But now Heero was in love and *he* was feeling things he wasn't supposed to...How were they going to pull this off when it could hurt them? Heero mostly. <Damnit, he's my only family besides Mother. I can't see him get hurt. What are we going to do? He says he won't betray Mother and I know he's probably not lying but who knows what might happen when he actually *does* have to kill Wufei. Will he do it? Or will he run?>

"Wufei raised this child to a good girl. And she is. She's been through a lot, Duo, she doesn't need your attitude," Zechs said tightly, not understanding why Duo was like this. He couldn't see what would have the normally cheerful young man that.

"Wufei, Wufei, Wufei." Duo ran his fingers through his bangs. He sighed heavily and looked up at Zechs. "Sorry. I'm just--" He sighed again. "Never mind. I don't really have a reason to be like this. Maybe it's just tonight..."

"Hey, just because the lair was a dud or they emptied out before we could get them doesn't mean we lost. There'll be another day and we'll get them then," Zechs said soothingly. He poured some coffee he had made earlier. "Here. Have some coffee. I think Mariemeia was right when she said alcohol is bad for you. I don't think it'd be healthy for you to be drinking at the moment. Loss of inhibitions isn't very wise, not when there might be another fight tomorrow."

"Is there a fight every day?" Duo asked quietly as he took the offered mug and gingerly sipped the hot liquid.

"Almost. The Cannibals attack almost every day, stealing supplies, killing people, and taking children to add to their horrible army." Zechs brushed long strands of hair out of his eyes. "It's hard but we have to keep up with them or they'll win one day."

<We steal supplies because we need them down there. It's not like we can just *make* them. And we kill people because they deserve it! They shouldn't be living under the sun when the rest of us are rotting down in the sewers just because we're different. And we do not steal children! Why does he keep saying that?> Duo thought furiously as he drank some more of his coffee, ignoring the burning sensation down his throat. <I don't understand. We *don't* steal children. We pick up children that have been abandoned and take care of them! We feed them, cloth them. Give them a better life than they would have living on the surface alone!>

Turmoil, confusion and just plain exhaustion worked their way through Duo and he was soon ready to hit the sack. All he wanted to do was crawl underneath some covers and go to sleep. This whole night had been impossible and he wanted it all to go away for a little while. Maybe then things might start to look up. Ah, well, it was hoping.

"Duo, you're tired. Why don't you go lie down? You'll feel better," Zechs suggested. He walked over to the young man and placed his hand on his shoulder. He squeezed comfortingly.

Duo leaned against Zechs without really thinking. "Can we just go home, Zechs? I don't want to stay here any longer. I just...Please?"

Zechs debated with himself. He wanted to stay here and make sure Wufei was okay when he woke up. But Duo was tired and he hated to admit it but he had taken to the young man...and...<Aw, hell. Admit it, you like him. *sigh*>

"All right. Heero can take care of Wufei and Mariemeia without any trouble. We'll check in tomorrow, okay?" Zechs said softly.

Duo looked up at Zechs and smiled briefly. "Thanks a lot for dealing with me." And strange enough, he meant it.

"It's okay. Get your things and I'll go tell Heero that we're going." Zechs left the kitchen and walked to Wufei's bedroom. He knocked lightly on the door before peeking his head in. He found both Heero and Mariemeia sitting on the bed, silent, and waiting for Wufei to wake up. <Heero really likes Wufei. Damn, I hope they get together. Wufei needs someone in his life and Heero might be that someone.>

Heero looked up when he heard the door open. "What is it?"

"Duo and I are going to head back to my home. He's tired and needs to rest. I'll check in tomorrow to see how Wufei's doing, all right?" Zechs informed him.

Heero nodded. "That's fine. Tell Duo...Tell him to take care of himself and not to worry about anything, okay?"

Zechs didn't understand the message but nodded. "I'll tell him. Don't worry. I hope he wakes up by tomorrow."

"Me too," Heero replied.

Nodding and waving good-bye to Mariemeia, Zechs turned around and found Duo in the living room, his things in hand. Zechs reached out and wrapped his arm around Duo's shoulders. "Come on, let's go."

~*~

Once Mariemeia was in bed, Heero went back to Wufei's room and slipped inside. He had already taken a shower and now was dressed in a loose T-shirt and boxers that he had found in the back of Wufei's drawer. He had some clothing of his own but they were all dirty and the ones that were clean weren't comfortable enough to wear to bed.

He walked over to where Wufei slept almost peacefully. Heero had stripped him down to his boxers while he was sleeping and now he was tangled in blankets from the waist down, revealing a smooth golden chest that had only a few faded scar marks. He had found that Wufei did indeed heal faster, even faster when he slept. Most of his wounds were gone and the bruises and burns were almost invisible. He had a scar or two on his skin from the times when his wonderful Dragon Blood couldn't heal the wounds completely, but other than that, his skin was virtually flawless. Skin that Heero wanted to touch very badly.

He could still taste Wufei's lips on his own. They had been sweet, warm and giving. Better than any whore he had slept with in the past. But that was it. Wufei *wasn't* a whore. He was probably one of the most purest people Heero had ever had the chance to come across. He truly believed in justice and what was right and what was wrong. It didn't mean he necessarily saw things black and white, but he just saw what needed to be done and he decided to take up the job. He still believed that there was a chance out there for the human race if you just fought for it. And that made Heero wonder about his Mother's cause and whether or not it had been the right one this whole time.

Couldn't humans and Cannibals live in peace? No, not really. Why? Because Cannibals ate human beings. It was a normal thing, something that Heero had been exposed to all his life. Eating humans was a perfectly normal thing in his book and mind. But he had only tasted human flesh once or twice in his life. When he had had asked his mother why Duo and he didn't eat what the others ate, she had told him, truthfully, that what the others ate changed them, made them stronger but also unable to think entirely on their own. If Heero and Duo wanted to stay sane so they could rule the Cannibals when she was gone, they would have to eat normal food just like the humans on the surface. He had accepted that answer and ate his broiled chicken that the servants had brought him.

Suddenly Heero thought about a Cannibal getting his hands on Wufei and eating him...And it made him sick in the stomach. He had never had anything against eating human flesh but the mere thought of someone tasting Wufei's flesh made his stomach turn and he wanted to throw up the simple dinner he had made for Mariemeia and himself. Wufei was someone who could think and feel...To die and be eaten...

Heero stopped his train of thought before it got too dangerous. Or at least he tried. But he couldn't help it as his mind continued to develop new ideas and thoughts and soon...He almost admitted that eating human flesh might be wrong. Because they had to kill to get that flesh. They had to kill people who thought and felt just like Wufei...and Zechs...Was it right to kill something that can think and act on its own, who desires to live, for food?

Feeling suddenly panicked, Heero walked over to the window and threw it open, letting the cool night air wash into the room. He took a deep breath and tried to calm the confusion inside of him, the feelings that Wufei had triggered and the ideas that were coming into his head. He wasn't stupid; he knew what was going on. But he could have been...deceived? Was that right? Did Mother deceive Duo and him this whole time? It was possible...yet why? He didn't understand and it scared him, almost. His whole world was suddenly ripped from right underneath his feet and he had no place to stand, no real idea of what was going to happen and where he was in life. Before it had been training and learning to be the leaders of the Cannibals when they finally took their rightful place on the surface, but suddenly, he couldn't see himself leading the Cannibals in an attack for dominance and food. And all because of one man.

He turned around and stared at Wufei's sleeping figure. He walked over to him and reached down and brushed his lips cross Wufei's brow. He would think about this later. Tonight he would go to sleep. He was exhausted and he just didn't feel like thinking anymore, didn't feel like tasting the turmoil and war raging inside of him. He just wanted to rest.

He slid into bed and pulled the blanket up over both of them. Wufei turned and fell into his arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He almost smiled at the warm feeling of having Wufei against him. He wrapped his arms around the smaller, younger man and closed his eyes, allowing the exhaustion to pull him down rather than fight it.

~*~

//He just a child with his mother, standing in the middle of a dark street, with only one lamp post for any kind of light. They were waiting for something. His mother had told him that tonight something special was going to happen and she wanted him to stand there and watch with her. He had nodded, a bit excited about this 'special thing'. He and his brother were always underground, living with the others. They never got to go up much. Just being on the surface right now was a treat. Now there was going to be more? How nice was that?

Suddenly the whole street filled *them*. The people he lived with. The people his mother told him were his friends and servants. The ones who ate the ones on the surface. They were the ones he was supposed to rule over when she died. She knew that one day she would pass away--every time she told him about that he felt an urge to cry--and she wanted *him* to take her place. It was a great honor and he took it seriously. This was what his mother wanted and he would do almost anything to please her. She was the one who took care of him all this time. She was his *mother*.

*They*--later he learned were called Cannibals on the surface. They had no name for them in the underground, though--started tearing through buildings, down the streets, throwing open doors with their inhuman strength and savageness. People screamed, horrified, as they were dragged out of their homes and ripped apart in front of a child's innocent eyes. He watched as the blood flowed down the streets into the sewers and storm drains. It was like the wine he watched his mother drink sometimes, except this time it was thicker, richer. And there was so much of it.

Behind him his mother was laughing, almost cackling except it wasn't high. It was a deep-throated laugh/cackle that always sent chills down his back. It bordered the lines of sanity and insanity, as if she was laughing at the world for all her pains, rejoicing in the blood that flowed. She had lost her mind a long time ago.

Body parts flew. Hands, arms, fingers, a leg here and there. A head rolled to his feet. With a small smile, he kicked it away from him. Watching as the head rolled away and hit the sidewalk, coming to a stop with it's eyes wide open in horror and its mouth open in a soundless scream of pain and fear. This was the special event. This was good. He was going to be happy just like his mother. He was going to laugh and rejoice in this as well. His mother had told him he was part of the surface at one time but his bad parents had thrown him away because they didn't want him. There was something wrong with him and they wanted him gone. But his mother, the one behind him, didn't find anything wrong with him. She always called him her 'little perfect soldier' and said he wasn't flawed in anyway. He was just what she wanted and those stupid humans on the surface didn't know anything. He was happy he was raised with Mother instead of those people who had made him. They wouldn't have told him he was perfect.

"This," Mother whispered in his ear, "is what you want. This is victory, my love. Once we're strong enough, once we have enough numbers and we've weakened the surface, we'll attack and win! We'll win and take this world over. All of them will pay for my pain."

"Yes, Mother," he said, nodding and smiling sweetly. "Anything you say."

His mother reached out fondly and cupped his cheek, leaning down to kiss his other. "That's my little soldier. You follow every order. I love you, Heero."

"I love you too, Mother," he replied with all his heart.

Mother smiled and nodded indulgently.

Suddenly a loud scream filled the air.

He whirled around from his mother and watched as a small boy was dragged forward. He was dressed in all white except the pure white was tainted with splashes of dark red blood. His long black hair was hanging down his sides and in front of his eyes. Two Cannibals walked forth with the very young boy between them and threw him down before Mother.

"This is the Cannibal hunter!" one of them said in a gravelly voice that was anything but human. "What will we do with him?"

He frowned slightly. "Mother, what is a Cannibal hunter?"

His mother's voice was like poison. "They kill our own kind! Cut down on their numbers and attempt to weaken us! But don't worry. We've been working on this for years. This Cannibal hunter has only been around for a little while." She pulled out a long sword from beneath her long, dark purple robes. "My perfect soldier, kill him! Take away this enemy, this pesk, of ours. He's only a small annoyance that needs to be brushed away to make the way easier!"

He reached out and grabbed the sword, slowly. He turned to look down at the boy, who's head was still bowed. But the minute the sword glinted underneath the dim lamppost light, the boy's head snapped up and he was met with the most beautiful face he had ever seen in his life. He was just a child himself but he could see this other boy-child was impossibly beautiful. With dark defiant eyes that were exotically almond-shaped and elegant cheek bones that gave his face a delicate look, smooth pink lips, and all of it framed with that silky black stuff that he wanted to touch so desperately.

"Kill him!" Mother ordered, hissing in his ear.

"I..." He lifted the sword high, ready to bring it down in a sharp arc that would take off the smaller child's head. But he made the mistake of looking into the child's eyes before bringing the sword down. The child was looking up at him with adoration and so much love that it stopped his heart.

But it was too late and his sword was already descending, slicing through that slim, elegant neck without much trouble. The head stayed there for a moment but then the body fell forward and the head rolled away, right to his feet. But this time he didn't kick it away, he stared down at it in horror. The child, who had seemed to love him so much, was dead. By his own hand. He looked down at the sword in his grip and saw that the blood was already dripping down the blade and pooling in his fists. He dropped the sword and looked down at the child's head. He fell to his knees and reached out to touch the silky hair he had wanted to touch before the order came to kill. But then he was abruptly yanked away by his mother's hand and he couldn't touch the hair anymore.

"That, my child, was beautiful! Perfect, just like I would expect it!" Mother laughed and lifted him into her arms, gleefully. She started down the street, cradling him close, her slippered feet splashing through the pools of blood that surrounded them as the killing, the massacre, continued at an unholy and wanton pace. Screams sung through the blood scented air, ringing into the night as the people screamed for the God that will never come and save them.

<My child...> The words echoed through his head. But, Mother, he wasn't a child anymore.//

~*~

The next morning was a bit strange for Heero. He had woken up from his dream--or nightmare--feeling a bit more than disturbed. His heart had been banging against his chest and he felt a cold sweat break over him. Something akin to fear and hysteria had caused him to quickly check if Wufei was there beside him in the bed, and indeed, the Chinese man was. He was sleeping peacefully, his breath deep. Unable to resist it, Heero had reached out and touched the silky hair, loving the feel of it. He hadn't gotten many chances to touch it and it was bliss when he did. He never knew how Wufei had gotten underneath his skin so quickly, but he did and Heero had a feeling that it wasn't going to go away anytime soon.

He had managed to get out of bed without waking the other man and stumbled into the bathroom. After a rather refreshing shower, and trying to hash over his dream, he came out to find Wufei already at the stove with Mariemeia. Both of them were smiling and making jokes about Mariemeia's cooking, just having a fine time with each other. In short, Wufei was acting as if last night hadn't happened.

Not knowing if that was a good thing or not, Heero just shrugged it off and asked when was breakfast ready.

"It'll be done in a few minutes," Wufei assured him. "Just sit down and have a cup of coffee." Said coffee was brought to him by Mariemeia, who was looking absolutely delighted that her father was safe and sound beside her.

These two were so happy together. Sometimes it baffled Heero but other times it made sense. They only had each other and they treasured that. Absently, Heero wondered if they had room for him.

*That* thought had felt like a bucket of icy cold water had been dumped down his back. He stiffened and clenched his hands around the mug of coffee, telling himself that was stupid and he shouldn't think things like that. How could he be made part of a family that was going to die at his own hands? He tried to shake it off and watch Wufei cook.

Wufei, himself, was trying to ignore the feeling of Heero watching him. Usually, when people watched him, he really had no problem with it. He didn't care what they see when they watch him. But with Heero, it was different. He was afraid that the other man would see how much he affected him, how his very presence would make him giddy and nervous. There was just something *about* Heero that made him feel as if he should be careful, watch his steps. He remembered last night clearly, never mind his somewhat catatonic withdrawal. He remembered Heero's kiss the most. It had been so passionate, filled with so much emotion and heat. It made him feel shaky just thinking about it.

<What is it about him? I don't understand. Damn, I hope I'm not letting Meia get to me,> he mused. His daughter had been teasing him all morning before Heero appeared about sharing a bed with 'Mr. Heero'. He had just told her that there wasn't another bed in the apartment so it was only right and polite to share. Mariemeia had just rolled her eyes and told him that 'Mr. Heero' wanted to get into his pants. To say the least, he had never been so shocked in his life. He had no idea Mariemeia knew that kind of language! He certainly didn't teach it to her. He had a bad feeling that two women by the same Po and Noin were involved but he wasn't going to point fingers yet. He had just told Mariemeia that her coffee was going to burn and sent her on her way. Not that you could burn coffee with the technology these days but Meia didn't have to know that.

As he scrambled the eggs he tried not to think about what had happened before the kiss. He still blamed himself and that guilt laid heavy on his soul. It hurt. It really did. He could have saved those people but because they had been late, of all things, they were dead. The Corps probably had half of the bodies bagged this morning and the other half were probably being pieced together by family members. If there were bodies--or body parts--that weren't claimed by family or relatives, they would go into the crematory and then dumped in a room stacked almost to the top with dated boxes of ashes, waiting for any errant chance that someone *would* come along and claim them.

His fingers clenched around the spatula he was holding and he fought back a wave of pain and guilt. He took a deep shaky breath and continued to work with force. He wasn't going to breakdown and cry like a child. He was stronger than that. He wasn't weak. He would find justice for those people who had been killed. Their souls deserved to find some peace. All of the souls of the dead, murdered and eaten. He would wipe out the Cannibals, one day, and then everything would be laid to rest. He wouldn't have to fight anymore and people won't have to die so horribly. That was all he wanted.

"Breakfast is ready!" he announced as he dumped the eggs onto the plates laid out with the bacon and sausages. The toast was already on the table thanks to Mariemeia. He turned off the stove and carried the plates over to the table. He placed them down and sat down across from Heero and beside Mariemeia.

"Papa," Mariemeia began between bites of her sausage.

"Yes?" Wufei grabbed a piece of toast and tore a bit off, looking up and meeting Heero's intense Prussian blue eyes for an almost heart-stopping moment. Then he adverted his eyes to Mariemeia, but he could still feel Heero staring at him. It was hard not to. Not when you have someone like Heero sitting across from you. The older man just radiated intensity and checked passion. Although you could almost not tell behind his indifferent and almost icy manner.

"School starts tomorrow. Will Aunt Sally and Ms Noin pick me up and drop me off again?" Mariemeia asked curiously. "I got all my homework done and everything."

"Yeah. I'll call and tell them. Don't worry, you'll get to school," Wufei assured her.

Heero raised an eyebrow and sipped his coffee. "You like school, Mariemeia?"

"Yes, very much," Mariemeia said, nodding. "My favorite subject is history and politics."

"Politics is dangerous," Heero commented mildly. He bit into his eggs and eyed Mariemeia with slight curiosity.

"I know," Mariemeia said, a shadow flitting across her pale face. "But I think if I ever get into it, I might be able to change some things."

The sudden mention of politics and change jerked Wufei back into the past when he had been living with Treize and Mariemeia before the other man had been framed and executed for treason.

He had met Treize during a dinner party his parents held for their friends and business partners. It was one of those social gatherings that allowed everyone to size up their match in a polite and discreet way. He had been sitting at the dining table, bored out of his mind as everyone around him chattered about parties, laws, business, etc. Things he was *not* interested in. He had managed to escape after the dinner to the library. He had thought he was alone when he found Treize sitting near the window, reading something. They had startled each other. Treize dropped the glass of brandy he had been sipping and Wufei dropped the cookie he had smuggled from the kitchen.

"Oh dear! The brandy!" was the first thing that he had blurted. He had grabbed some tissues out from a tissue box and began to wipe up the mess. He had been thankful that the flooring was wooden near the window and the brandy hadn't spilled onto the carpet.

Treize had laughed. "You scared me, boy!"

Wufei had glared up from his position on the floor. "I am not a boy!"

"Really? How old are you?" Treize had asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Twelve..."

"You're a boy."

"How old are you??"

"Twenty-one."

Wufei had 'humphed' and continued wiping up the mess. "What are you doing in here? Aren't you suppose to be talking about business with the other people in the dining hall?"

"I got tired of it and decided to sneak in here for some decent reading," Treize had answered honestly.

"Who gave you permission to come in here?" Wufei had been insulted that Treize called him a 'boy'. Just because he was twelve didn't mean he wasn't capable of doing things a man can. He knew how to fight with a sword, he was smarter than probably half of those guests his parents were catering to, and he knew what was right and wrong as well as justice and honor that his grandfather had taught him. He *wasn't* a boy.

"You don't know me, do you?"

"Am I supposed to?"

"You're Wufei, aren't you?"

"Yes..."

"My name is Treize Khushrenada."

Wufei had looked up at him in confusion for a moment. That name vaguely familiar yet he couldn't put his finger on it...Then suddenly it clicked. He gasped and fell back on his bottom.

"You were that boy who teased me when I was a seven! I was using a wooden sword to practice with while you had that fancy rapier of yours," he had accused.

Treize had laughed. "That's right. I'm terribly sorry about that but you just looked so adorable--"

"Adorable?!"

"Well, yes--"

"I am *not* adorable! I am a warrior! Warriors are *not* adorable!"

"You are adorable."

"And you're a pain in the ass!"

That had began their friendship. Treize came over more and more often, occasionally inviting Wufei out for a ride around the city or shopping at the few good shops on the block. He had so many good memories with Treize.

A year later Treize had married a woman named Leia Barton--no relation to Trowa Barton--and they had a child together, Mariemeia. But Leia had died in childbirth. It had been too hard on her and she had been too slight to handle it. Treize had been crushed and Wufei had been the only one there, pulling him together and taking care of the newborn Mariemeia at the same time. He had only been thirteen going on to fourteen at the time.

Only a few months later, a month after his fourteenth birthday, his family died in that horrible fire. He had been away, doing his best to help and support Treize through Leia's death and caring for Mariemeia who was a beautiful child now left without a mother. He had came home to the fire. It had torn him apart but he swallowed the pain and focused on helping Treize get through his own. Treize had only learned of the fire through the news. His best friend had been furious that he kept his family's death from him and told him that it was okay to cry. He had cried. It had been so good to let go of the sorrow he had been bottling up and just cry in Treize's arms. Afterwards, they worked on helping *each other* through their pain and loss.

Wufei didn't bother rebuilding the house. He just cleared the property and sold it before moving in with Treize in the Khushrenada Mansion. The laws were different from the past and even though he would have been considered a minor twenty years earlier, at present times he had the rights and power of a full grown adult. The Government didn't care who as handling the property and land rights as long as there was someone else besides them. Treize had helped as well.

He had lived with Treize for four years before his friend had been accused of treason and executed for crimes he couldn't prove himself innocent in. He had been taking care of Mariemeia for almost five years, maybe even a little more.

"Papa?" Mariemeia's hesitant voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Hmm?" He looked up from his plate and blinked. Mariemeia looked a bit concerned and so did Heero with a mix of curiosity.

"Ah, Mr. Heero asked if you are involved with politics," Mariemeia told him. She paused for a moment, considering her thoughts. "What were you thinking about, Papa?"

"I...I was just thinking about Papa Treize, Mariemeia and how much fun we had together," Wufei admitted honestly.

Heero frowned slightly but made no comment.

Mariemeia nodded. "I miss him too, Papa Wufei."

Wufei smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair. She had been almost five when Treize had been executed. She had actually remembered Treize, too. Most children didn't remember much around that age but Mariemeia did. She could tell Wufei about the many times they had went out on picnics or to the opera or when Wufei and Treize made dinner together instead of having the servants do it. They always made a mess of the kitchen but the food was still edible and good. It was amazing and filled Wufei with a warm feeling, knowing that Treize wasn't forgotten in his daughter's memories.

Heero watched the little private memory that was going on between Wufei and Mariemeia. He frowned slightly and silently ate his food, while a question burned itself in his head. <Who is this 'Papa Treize'?>

~*Owari Chapter 6*~

Ah, done! *V* Not much action, again. But I'll get around it! Don't worry!! *laughs* I just needed to fill in some of the past and get that done. I have no idea, really, what's going to happen in the next chapter. We'll both be surprised, for sure! *laughs and hands out some Yan Yan*