C&C is a good thing. Yes.

<Part 1>
 

In the palace of Rome, Prince Heero and Trowa faced their father in anger.

"We did not agree to this!" Heero growled.

"You rejected every match I made for you and you must marry soon for the good of Rome."

"You tried to betroth us both to Relenia Peacechariot! Do you know how obnoxiously obsessive that woman is?!"

"So what do you want in a bride my sons." The king sighed. He had had this conversation before.

Trowa spoke this time, surprising them all. "A woman who is more like a man."

The king stared at his son, "W. . . what?!"

Trowa sighed and continued the longest wordset of his exisance. "A man is a friend, always by your side to aid you. They are not flighty, fragile, or uncomfortable to be around. Therefor the ideal bride is a woman who is more like a man."

"You can not be serious." The king looked to Heero for help.

Heero only shrugged, "I agree. Woman do not suit us."

This discussion they had not had before. "You are crowned princes of Rome! Therefore, you will marry and produce an heir. Any more of this woman like men nonscene and I will marry you both to Relenia and Unia Peacechariot!"

The princes left very quickly.

After the chamber door closed the king sagged in his throne, "Gods give me strength!"

***

The princes stood in the royal gardens, both frowning furiously. Neither were men of many words, and each already knew what was on the others mind. Their fathers stupid plan!

Prince Heero's ice blue eyes glarred out over the city of Rome, who's warrior women would soon be competing for he and his brother like so much gold. //Father is an idiot. Does he not see that neither of us 'want' what he is so graciously offering us?!//

Trowa watched his brother carefully, last time he had been in such a dark mood three of the palace servents had dissappeared never to be seen again. //Heero, don't do anything rash. We will find a way out of this. I trust you, you always come up with something.// Heero had been Trowa's hero growing up, being the older by three years. He never doubted his brother could move mountains if he needed to. He still did not doubt.

When Heero's shoulder stiffened, Trowa followed the boy's gaze into the streets. Two boys were running from an angry vendor. One off them was tall and almost too thin, with a long chestnut braid, the other, the shorter boy. . . an angel! Trowa watched the two laugh and tease the vendor in their flight. The blond smiled and his heart was lost. Light glanced off of his blond lochs and made them rival the most pure spun gold! //He is the one!//

***

Heero's eyes devouered the other boy, even as his face was emotionless. The theif wore a smart grin that danced in his eyes. His hair was ridiculously long. . . but Heero found himself wanting to run his fingers through the silken mass. He is it. That is the one.

***

Duo munched on the melon he had stolen as he and Quatre ran. Their laughter brought smiles from all of the other street kids. The two of them were legends in Rome. The angels of death and life. Now though, they couldn't stay to play, they had to eat and run, to train and get into perfect shape. It was needed to survive the streets.

Quatre smiled as he thought of prince Trowa. He had watched him from the streets. When he and his brother walked through the city on their inspections. He had wanted him the moment he saw him. //I will have you Trowa. Someday. . . // In his daydreaming, Quatre stummbled and fell. He got back up, but his fall had lost him enough time for the vendor to catch him and call the guards.

Duo skidded to a halt and changed the course of his running. Food forgotten. He had to save his friend!

***

When Trowa saw the blond falter and fall, his heart almost stopped! When he was caught. . . !

Heero could only stare at his brother when he vaulted down off of the elevated guarden and landed almost on top of the guard. //Hn, baka's been hanging aroung the gypsy performers again.// He thought as he followed.

***

The vendor stared, startled, at the prince, "P. . . Prince Trowa!"

"let him go."

"But your highness. . ."

"Let him go."

Heero walked up behind his brother and took hold of the blond's arm, wenching him away from the vendor and throwing him into Trowa's arms. "Do not question your prince."

"H. . . Hai, Heero-sama."

"Hn."

"Quatre are you. . .?!" Duo rounded the courner and slammed into Heero's chest, "oh, gomen, I. . ." He looked up and all of his words abandoned him. Heero seemed to be suffering the same fate.

Trowa gazed down on the blond he held, unable to move, to think beyond him. Then the boy smiled and the prince's legs almost betrayed him.

"hello." The angel smiled. "Thank you."

Trowa nodded then realizing he was still holding the boy, he let go abruptly and took a step back. ". . ."

"My name Is Quatre." The boy smiled.

"Trowa."

"It's a beautiful name."

"Aa?"

Quatre stood on his toes and gave the startled prince a quick kiss then grabbed Duo who was flirting with Prince Heero, and ran.

***

Duo grinned at the startled prince as he found his words again. "You saved Quatre."

Heero nodded, "Aa."

The braided boy smiled and took the other's hands "Thank you."

Heero blushed.

Duo giggled and squuezed the hands he held lightly. "I'm Duo."

"Heero."

"Heero, You're our Hero." Duo quiped.

Again the prince found himself breathless and blushing. This boy just seemed to have that affect! He brushed a stray bang from the violet eyes and let out his held breath. Beautiful!

Duo smiled, a real smile this time and turned Heero's palm up, kissing the rough skin there. "I've been watching you, you know."

"Aa?"

"Aa." Duo agreed playfully, "I wanted to meet you for a long time now."

"I. . ." Heero was cut off when The blond grabbed his companion by the braid and dragged him away. "Wait!" But they were gone.

"Are you. . .?" He asked Trowa breathlessly.

Trowa nodded, "I think I'm In love."

***

Duo and Quatre stood in the town square later that day. Duo was still a little mad that his friend had dragged him from the prince, but for now, his gaze was caught by a poster of the two princes and an announcement.

"Hear ye hear ye, all of Rome, There will be held a gladiators contest of strength and skill at the collosiem one fortnight from the new moon. Fighting pairs from all over the world are welcome to compete for two of the king's most prized treasures. . ." Duo turned from the poster he was reading to his partner. "Hey Q-man, Lets enter this."

Quatre was ever the voice of reason for his hyperactive friend. "Duo, it's a fight to the death."

"What are you worried about? I -am- shinigami! I can't die!"

The blond sighed and started to walk away. "that -is- what I'm worried about."

"But you didn't even let me read the prizes!"

"Nothing could make me risk my life in a stupid game."

"N~o~t~h~i~n~g~?" Duo sing songed, "To the winners go the king's two sons prince Trowa and prince Heero."

"What?!?!" Quatre spun around and read through the poster. "baka, it's a woman's contest!"

Duo grinned and played with his braid, "I'm a woman, aren't you Kathy?" He asked in a very convincing falsetto.

Quatre smiled as the plan sunk in, he responded in kind, "why of course Duet, what do I look like to you?"

"Oh. . . I think a size eight."

"wicked girl! I'm only a six!"

The two laughed and strode away, descusing the mischief they were about to embark upon.

<Part 2>
 

  Heero and Trowa snuck out of the palace that night and went searching for the two theives. When they found them, they were struck speechless.

  The two boy's had made their home in a small and forgotten Catacomb. The princes would have never found it had they not seen Quatre move aside one of the stones in the road and climb under it.

    Once inside they found it had never been used, it lacked the odor of the other tombs, but none of the dampness. Was this really how they lived?!

    When the tunnel opened into the boy's home, Heero and Trowa looked at each other as if trying to verify that this was real. Ratty old blankets made beds for twenety or so children of the street.
Quatre was feeding one sick little girl some herbs he had stolen, Duo was tending to the bloody back of a small boy who must have been caught. His eyes raised and met Heero's and he froze. Quatre
must have noticed his friends fear because he followed his gaze and froze as well.

    All of the dirty and sick children who lived there huddled behind the two oldest. Duo brought his
hand up to cover the wooden cross he wore round his neck, his eyes darted to tiny shrine Heero had overlooked. A crucifiction and statuete of the virgin stood there. A Christian. An offence punishable by death in Rome.

    Heero stepped forward and suddenly there was a knife in Duo's hand, "Stay back!" He ordered.

    The prince had him disarmed before he could blink.

    All of the children started to cry and plead. Quatre turned scared eyes to Trowa.

    That was when the other prince realized, "Heero, the tunnel we stood in was too dark, they don't
know who we are."

    The prince let Duo up and raised his chin to look at him.

    The tension was gone in an instant and Duo threw his arms around the prince, "I thought you were
a soldier! Quatre, it's Heero and Trowa!"

    The blond relaxed visably and Trowa felt guilt for having caused him fear. "How did you find us?"

    "We followed you."

    A little girl holding a ragged doll tugged on Trowa's pant leg, "You aren't going to take the angels
away are you?"

    He shook his head and she smiled. //All of these children, without food or homes. What kind of an empire is our father ruling?!//

    Heero was echoing his little brouther's thought.

    "Why?" Duo asked.

    "hm?"

    "Why did you follow us?"

    Heero blushed, "We wanted to see you again."

    "I guess we made an impression."

    Trowa nodded and put one hand over his heart, "Right here."

    Quatre had to glomp him for that. Trowa wrapped his arms around the blond boy as well.

    Heero still wanted some answers though. "Why do you live down here?"

    Duo smiled and shrugged as a couple of the younger children climbed onto his lap, "For me it's so
the soldiers don't stone me for this." He fingered his cross, "For the others though, it's warm, reletivly
dry,  and we take care of them."

    "How can we help?" Heero asked, touching Duo's face lightly.

    The boy smiled and turned to kiss his palm, bringing laughter from the children around them, "We
need medicine for Tandy, and warmer blankets, she has a cold inside her chest."

    Heero nodded.

    "I'm glad you followed us."

    "Aa."

    "I love you too."

    Heero jumped and Duo glomped him and planted a wet kiss on his lips. "Omae wa kuroso." He
growled.

    Duo chuckled and lay back long leg spread to either side of his prince, "I could use a 'little death'."

    Heero's eyes went wide and the children started to laugh again.
 
 

    Trowa smiled at the other boy's antics and Quatre turned in his arms to face him, "My room is that draped off area back there."

    "Aa."

    "Wanna see it?" He smiled.

    "Aa!" Trowa gasped when the little blond pulled him into the private room and kissed him so hard
his head spun.

    "Hey Quatre!" Duo yelled in to them, "Remember I want so alone time too, you have to watch the
kids for me when you're done."

    "Hn." The blond giggled.

    Trowa's eyes went wide when the 'angel's' hands found a very sensitive place.

    Quatre smiled playfully, "more?"

    "A. . . Aa."

    "Mmmm."
 
 

*********
 
 

    The King watched his sons with worried eyes. They were acting out of characture. After his
announcment, Heero hadn't killed anyone. Both were even more silent than usual. They were gone
much of the time, only to turn up later with no explanation as to where they had been. Otherwise they spent most of their free time sitting on the garden wall, looking out into the streets. The king could see nothing worth looking at. Only the usual men and women, the vendors and street trash.
 
 

    //What is wrong? Have I erred in some way?//
 

    At that moment Heero and Trowa were sitting on the garden wall, waiting for Duo and Quatre to run by. They did so everyday, usually being chased by someone for some offense thay had made. Both princess had decided that they were completely and irrevocably lost to love. But they also suffered knowing that there father's contest was drawing near and soon they would no longer be able to watch from the garden walls and slip off to steal time with their theives.

    "Nah Nah, your daddy wears high heeled sandals!"

    Heero's eyes shot toward the voice he now knew more clearly than his own. Duo and Quatre
rounded the corner followed once again by an angry vendor. Duo looked up and saw Heero
watching them. He stopped, allowing himself to get caught, eyes darring Heero to rescue him.

    Of course the prince couldn't turn down such a dare.

    Trowa slid after him, folding Quatre into his arms in the shadows while they watched Heero in
action.

    The vendor was down in less than a second. Unlike Trowa's diplomatic approach, he preferred to
draw blood. Trowa grinned thinking about the kind of king his sibling would be without his littl
brother to curb his homocidal temper.

    Heero wiped the dirt and blood from his hands, that would teach the greasy man to leave his
hands off of -his- Duo.

    Duo smiled at the prince and cuddled cuddled close, "Arigato your highness."

    Heero led Duo into the shadows where Quatre and Trowa already stood, "That was dangerous."

    The street brat nodded and traced a finger up Heero's chest, "But I knew you'd save me."

    "You sound so sure."

    Duo's bright, violet eyes locked with the prince's cobalt orbs and neither moved or spoke for a full minuet before Duo smiled and kissed his saviors hands, "Because I am."
 
 

    Quatre stood in the circle of prince Trowa's arms, reveling in the warmth and strength of them.
"How long do you have?"

    Trowa sighed, "Not long enough."

    "Well the children are all out of the den during the day. . . maybe we could. . ."

    "Hn." Both theives were practically dragged to their hideout.

    The blond smiled at his friend, "I guess that means yes."

    "Hn." Duo agreed. They both burst into giggles.
 
 

    As Duo rid the prince of his clothing Heero spoke softly, "This is the last night we have. Tomorrow is the contest to determine who we'll marry."

    "Oh, I think we'll have plenty more time."

    "How?"

    "Leave it to us." Duo grinned and kissed his way over his prince's chest. "By the way, would you
marry me?"

    "Aa?!" Heero starred into his lover's eyes.

    "Well?"

    "If it were possible, Yes." He breathed, kissing him softly.

    "I'll make it possible. Trust me."

    "Aa."

    "Oi Heeeero, are you ticklish." Duo got a devilish gleam in his eyes.

    "Aaaa! hahaha, Duo! Stop tha. . . ahahahaha."
 

    Trowa smiled up at his lover, "Any other man would be dead by now."

    Quatre smiled, "The power of love is great."

    In Quatre's arms, the young prince was inclined to agree.

<Part 3>
 

    Dawn came too quickly for the lovers. They said their goodbyes, drawing them out as long as possible. Today was the first day of the competition. The prince's wouldn't be able to sneak of to be with them again. But if the two theives had their way, they wouldn't have to.

   "I will hold you in my heart." Duo whispered, kissing Heero with all of his love and honor. "forever."

 Heero held the boy and showered his heart shaped face with hundreds of kisses, "I too."

    Quatre squeezed Trowa to him, his mouth tracing patterns over the prince's neck, suckling at the
skin there, "Love will find a way." He promised.

    "Aa." Trowa tried to sound optimistic. //How can I sound sure when my world is crumbling down
around me?//

    Before they could change their minds and try to stay, They left the den, followed by the cries of the
children and the sound of Duo and Quatre holding them back. They would miss the children as well.

    Trowa walked with his head high, but his eyes were clouded. He looked to his brother who wore
the same inpenetrable mask and he envied his brother's ability to hide his emotion from the world.
//No, that isn't right. He couldn't hide it from Duo, just as I couldn't hide from Quatre. There are
times when I despise being royalty. Who cares how rich Rome is if we can't hold the one we love?//
 
 

    Duo and Quatre raced through the streets, disuises in place. Both of them had dressed in a
woman's tunic and toga and fixed their hair up in Pyches knots. A little well placed make-up and
some very tight underwear to hide them, and they were set. Now they just had to reach the palace in
time.
 
 

    Heero and Trowa sat beside their father in a raised box in the coloseum. Next to them was their
uncle Wufei who was already starting his speach about stupid onna and useless fights that had nothing to do with justice.

    When the women walked by to be presented, Heero and Trowa fought to keep their boredom
hidden. The girls were beautiful by their father's standards but held not a candle to their beloved
theives. Just then, two late arrivals slammed into the doors of the arena and fell into the line knocking
everyone to the ground.

    Wufei snickered as his point was proven but the king's eyes were on his sons and their reactions to these newest entries. Both boys were staring as if they had been struck dumb! Even Heero wore a
slight expression of some untold emotion.

    "Do you think. . .?" Wufei asked in a whisper.

    "Yes, I do indeed!" The king was thanking every God he knew that his sons found interest in at
least one pair of fighters.

    "Present yourselves." The sentry ordered.

    The brunete grinned and flashed a victory sign before her partner jambed her elbow into her ribs. The other immidiatly dropped into a curtsy and smiled brightly. "Duet Maximous Your highness."

    The little blond who had put her friend in place smiled shyly, "Kathy Victorious."

    Heero and Trowa stood, their eyes never leaving the two, "And I hope you are victorious." Heero
tossed down his ring as a token to his favorite, Trowa did the same.

    Their father grinned at the goans of protest from the other ladies. His sons had finally accepted a
pair of strong women, but it was too late to halt the contest, he could only hope that they won.
 
 

    Heero and Trowa stared at the two dusting their toga's off and fixing their hair after they had
caused such a mess. The one with chestnut hair grinned and Heero turned to stare at his brother who
nodded. //Duo! Quatre!//

    The sentry hauled them up to face the royal box, "Present yourselves."

    After a slight fiasco the tallest curtsied, "Duet Maximous."

    "Kathy Victorious." The other also dipped in a curtsy.

    //It is them!// Trowa gasped, //they're here!//

    Heero started to stand so Trowa followed suit, his mind was still a haze.

    "And I hope you are victorious." Heero tossed his ring to Duo and Trowa tossed his to Quatre.
Claiming them as the one's they hoped for to win. Claiming them. Quatre's eyes sparkled as he
slipped the token on his. . . her finger. She blew him a hidden kiss and Duo winked at Heero then
they got back in line.

    The king stood, "Let the games begin!"
 
 

    The day was long and bloody. Soon even Heero was loath to watch as the women cut eachother
down in a shallow effort to win fame and fortune. By the end of the day five of the pairs had been
killed and three were too injurred to fight anymore. The last battle of the evening was announce and
brought the princes back to their feet.

    "Next Maxine and Trinity against Duet and Kathy. Fighters to the ready. . . begin!"

    Heero and Trowa locked their hands on the stone wall so hard it cracked as they watched. Duo
and Quatre hadn't time or money to find good armor, they had only shields and blades, probably
stolen and much too light for them. One good hit by the opponents and it would be all over.

    //Come on Quatre, you can't die.// Trowa prayed to himself.

    //Duo, if you die, Omae wa kuruso.// Heero growled in his head.

    Duo struck first, his chosen weapon was a scythe and not a sword but he wielded the blade with
great skill, it tore into his opponent's protection as if the sheild was nothing more than foil. The girl
tried to jab back at him but his lithe body easily dodged most of her blows. The fought hard but Duo
was the quicker of the two and no matter how strong her armor and sword were the opponent could
not touch him. Heero let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. Duo was safe, his opponent
was injured to baddly to continue.

    Quatre held twin scymitars and attacked without the glee Duo had shown. He didn't want to hurt
anyone least of all a girl he didn't even know! She swung at him and he disarmed her quickly and
stepped back, slipping her sword into his belt, "Please give up."

    "You let me live?"

    "Yes."

    Her eyes narrowed, "Big mistake!" She lunged at him with a knife and was just as quickly
dispatched.

    "I'm sorry." He whispered softly, wiping the blood from the cut she had opened on his shoulder.
"Duo. . . et are you ok?"

    He nodded, his hand pressing against the gash on his collar and another against the bloody cut
across his leg. "Fine."

    "The winners of this round are Duet and Kathy!"

    The watchers applauded but the two boys had eyes and ears for no one but their princes. Heero
nodded and tossed Duo a black orchid which the boy caught deftly. Trowa threw Quatre a yellow
rose.

    Duo pressed a kiss to the velvet petals and tossed it back to Heero.

    Quatre smiled softly and blew a kiss to Trowa as he tucked the flower into his hair.

    Wufei stood and addressed the crowd, "Only ten teams remain, tomorrow will be the final fights.
Contestants are welcome to sleep in the palace or to go home and return tomorrow at dawn."

    They all lined up once more and bowed the turned to walk away.
 
 

    That night,  Heero heard a knock at his window. He opened it to find Duo and Quatre, still
dressed as women and holding their weapons. "We couldn't find Trowa's room." Duo explained.

    Heero told Quatre where to go and then locked his door and turned back to Duo. "You're still
bleeding."

    "She got a couple good hits in that's all."

    "Hn, come on." Heero led him into the bath room and gently washed the boy's bleeding neck with
a silken cloth. The blood slowed but didn't stop.

    "I guess it was better than good ne?"

    "Hm." Heero agreed softly and pressed his lips to the injury.

    Duo arched his neck and groaned deep in his throat, "H. . . Heero."

    "Mmm, bed."

    Duo nodded and started to stand but Heero scooped him into his arms and carried his to the huge
mattress.

    "Better now?"

    "Ah." Duo grinned, "My hip is bleeding too."

    Heero grinned and slowly pulled Duo's hoes from his firm, long legs and ran his tounge over the
gash there. "Mmm."

    Duo gasped as Heero's wayward mouth found another place to play over, "T. . . that wasn't
bleeding!"

    The prince grinned against Duo's member, "It was swollen."

    "Ah Gods!"
 
 

    Trowa was sound asleep in his bed when Quatre slipped inside and locked the door. He crept to
his prince's side sheding his clothing as he went. //My prince is beautiful!// He thought fondly.

    The blond pulled back the covers to reveal the man of his desire, fully nude and already starting to
grow hard. He mounted his lover's legs and slipped the rose from his hair, running it slowly and softly
over the alabaster skin of the Prince's chest, teasing his nipples and neck mercilessly before moving
lower.
 
 

    The prince was haveing the most wonderful dream, when he felt himself waking he fought against
it, until he noticed the familiar weight on his legs. "Quatre."

    "Shh." The blond smiled and ran the rose over the other boy's soft lips.

    "How did you. . ."

    "I said Shh." He lowered his own lips to tease the rosey peaks that the flower had prepared.

    "Nnnn!"

    "We don't want to wake anyone do we?" Quatre whispered in a hushed and naughty tone.

    Trowa shook his head (not that head hentai!).

    "Then don't make a sound."

    A silent nod answered but when Quatre's lips slid over his lover's inner thigh, the boy groaned
again.

    Quatre smiled and pulled out five silk scarves he had stolen during the battles, "You just can't
behave can you. I'll have to punish you now."

    Trowa's eyes went wild and his heart raced as his angel bound each of his arms and legs to a
seperate bed post and then tied the final scarf firmly over his lips.

    "Mmmm, all tied up and no one to do, yes? I guess I should give you a. .  .hand."

    Green eyes fell closed in extasy as Quatre ran his hand over the boy's swollen sex and down to the tight opening hidden by his ivory ass. "Mmm, Ahhh!"

    "Shhh." The blond giggled and slid backwards to lay his head bettween his lover's legs and replace his questing hand with his delicate tongue.

    Trowa bucked against the moist hot muscle and moaned as it was trust inside him.

    "You like that?" Quatre purred and licked his captive lover's entrance slowly.

    "Mmmm." Trowa moaned an affirmative and almost sobbed with his need for release. "Mmmm!"

    "Pacence is a virtue." The arab singsonged lightly, giggling when Trowa rolled his eyes and
growned. "One you don't possess at the moment I see." Quatre moved up again, this time straddling
Trowa's chest. "You're all slick and ready now but I'm not. I can't take dry you like this." He pouted
prettily.

    "Aaaa."

    "Would you be good if I take the gag off? Would you get me wet?"

    Trowa's breath was ragged as he nodded and the instant the gag was removed, he took his lover's full length into his lips.

    Quatre cried out in surprise before he could silence himself then startled to issue little yelped
moans and pant as the prince worked him into a frenzy. "Tr. . . owa." He pulled away and the prince
lashed against his bonds, "Ah ah ah, we play -my- rules tonight."

    ". . . like y. . . . your rules." He panted.

    "I know." Quatre smiled.

    "I. . . Ahhhh! Quatre! Now!"

    The blond ripped the silken ties holding Trowa's legs and rested them over his shoulder ramming
hard into the prince who grunted his aproval and raised his hips higher to allow him in further.

    "H. . . harder." Trowa begged.

    Quatre thrust into him, ramming up into his lithe boy and teasing that point that made his whole
body jump.

    Their speed increased until both boys spilled over into a sea of exctacy, Trowa's seed covered
both of them and Quatre's warmed Trowa's insides as it claimed him.

    The blond collapsed onto his lover, and they rested that way, Trowa's arms still bound and the
silken shakles still tied round each ankle even as he wrapped those long legs around his lover's waist.
"My angel. My theif."

    "Mmm, No more."

    "Hm?"

    "Not a theif anymore." Quatre mumbled sleepily, "Stole the most perfect prize, nothing better."

    "And what is that?" Trowa asked softly, hopeing it wouldn't get his lover into trouble.

    "Your heart."

    For a moment the prince was silent then he pressed a light kiss to his love's soft hair. "No."

    "Wha. . ."

    "I gave you my heart." Trowa smiled, "And you gave me yours."

    "Sounds wonderful."

    Trowa smiled as they both slipped into sleep, "Just like you."

<Part 4>
 

    When the valet came to awaken the two princes, they found the doors locked. After trying unsuscessfully to waken Trowa, the poor man turned to his brother's door, "Your highness? Prince Heero! The fights will start in two hours. Prince Heero please! The girls would like to spend some time with the people they are fighting over.

    "G'way." Heero groaned from inside.

    "Oh thank the Gods you're awake! Come on! Hurry Hurry!"

    "They hav'n won me yet. Come back in an hour."

    "Prince Heero!"

    "G'WAY!"
 
 

    A moment later the king sent Wufei up to rouse them. "Heero."

    "Shut up."

    "You are to come downstairs this instant!"

    "No."

    "Heero! You are being most difficult."

    "Hn."

    "It is not just to keep the ladies waiting."

    "Screw justice."

    "GET YOUR BUTT OUT OF BED BEFORE I BREAK THIS DOOR DOWN!!!"

    "It's solid marble, do ahead and try."

    Wufei heard a distinct giggle. "Who is in there with you?"

    "No one."

    "I heard someone!"

    "Hn."

   "Who is it?!" Another giggle and the sound of Heero sushing the person answered his question. "Is that Duet?"

    "Aww, Hee-chan he caught us." Duo giggled as Heero tried to shut him up.

    Wufei stared at the door as distinct sounds of pleasure came forth. //I guess he reeeealy liked that one!// "The fights begin in
two hours at least give her time to prepare."

    "Hn." the sounds came louder and Wufei hurried to Trowa's door.

    "Trowa."

    "Hm?"

    "Time to get up."

    "No."

    "Damnit what is going on with you two?!" inspiration hit as soon as the question was out, "Do you have a girl in there with
you too?!"

    A soft whispered of sheets and. . . silk? and the sound of talking followed.

    "Trowa!"

    "What!?"

    "Oh I give up! Two hours to the fights."

    "Fine."

    Wufei hurried back to the king who was delighted with the news.
 
 

    Quatre smiled and ripped the scarves that bound Trowa's arms. When the prince moved to remove them, he grabbed his
hands, "Don't."

    "Hm?"

    "Leave them on." He smiled, "Please, for me?"

    Trowa kissed him softly, "Ok."

    "I have to get ready."

    "You have two hours."

    "That's hardly any time!"

    Trowa groaned and stood with his lover, "We both need a shower." He led the little theif to the huge bathroom.

    "Wow!"

    "Hm?"

    "I've never seen a real bath before!"

    Trowa chuckled and showed him all of the special gagits one finds in a royal bath-hall.

    "You're really rich!"

    That made Trowa laugh, "You didn't realize that?"

    "Well I knew but I hadn't thought about it." Quatre smiled, "Does this thing really pour out hot water?!"

    "Mhm."

    "Let's try it!" Before Trowa could answer he was being pulled into the large bath by a very naked, very sexy street theif.
 
 

    Heero licked Duo's ear happily as they rode out the after glow of their union.

    "Mm, that tickles." Duo giggled and cuddled closer.

    "You could die today." Heero said softly.

    "I won't."

    "Would you accept my armor to fight in?"

    "Hee-koi. . ."

    "please."

    Duo smiled and nodded, sniggling with his beloved, "Anything you wish."

    "Marry me."

    "What do you think I'm fighting for?"

    Heero kissed the smirking lips and wrapped the theif in a tight embrace.

    "What time is it?"

    "8:00am"

    "Fights start at 9:30?"

    "Aa."

    "We have another hour to cuddle."

    "Aa." Heero agreed by running his lips sleepily over Duo's neck.
 
 

    Once again Duo and Quatre were the last to run into the arena, this time though the princes escorted them. Heero lifted
Duo's visor and kissed his pert nose, "Good luck."

    "Always." Duo smiled and gave a victory V sign with a giggle.

    Heero actually amiled then and walked to his brother who was just staring at Quatre, holding his hand, "We have to go."

    He nodded and followed after Heero with one last glance at Quatre.

    When they were seeted in the royal stand their father looked at them carefully, "They didn't have that armor before. In fact I would say it's very familiar."

    Heero just mumbled somthing short and then turned to watch. The first match was chosen by a contest of strength, the strongest went first and they fought down to the weakest so by that time they had a conciderable handicap. Duo and Quatre
were one of  the first two teams.

    "Is that your armor?" The king asked his sons.

    Trowa nodded absently and returned his gaze to the little blond who wore his leg and arm guards and breast plate, none of the other armor pieces would fit the shorter boy.

    "Why did you give them your armor?"

    "Theirs wasn't protecting them enough."

    "I take it you've choosen your brides."

    Heero nodded and Trowa smiled.

    "They are strong girls, they'll win." Wufei comented.

    Heero only nodded again.

    "Are they the ones you bedded last night?" The king's question was asked almost casually.

    Both pairs of eyes shot to their father and then to Wufei.

    "Yes I know what you've been up to." He grinned, "Do you realize you could have empregnated them last night?"

    "I doubt it." Heero said blandly before he turned back to the battle. The fighting was fearce, already two teams were already down and Duo and Quatre were prepairing to face the next.

    "What does that mean? They aren't infertile are they? You need heirs."

    "We'll have them."

    "You are full of riddles today."

    Wufei was watching the fear and anxiaty dance over the face of his nephews as each blow was blocked or dodged by their
lovers, "You had no right to force this brother." He said softly.

    "What?!"

    "Look at them." He shook his head, "If those girls die you've lost them. It is of the highest dishonor, what you are doing."

    Heero almost sprang into the ring when one of the fourth team pulled a dirty trick on Duo and almost felled a killing blow.
Duo's years on the street were all that saved him as he moved purely on reflex to dodge. when his sword pierce his opponents
heart the prince settled again, but the king had seen enough.

    "One night couldn't have caused this kind of emotion. They know these girls. Have known them for a while."

    "You suspect they've been seeing them?"

    "Mm." He nodded and watched his sons carefully, "But why wouldn't they tell me?"

     "Don't worry highness." Wufei smiled, "At least they both like someone."

    "I never thought I'd see the day. and yet. . ."

    Duo and Quatre finished the fifth team and stood looking up at the princes as the next team prepaired. They were breathing heavy and the borrowed armor sported it's share of dents, but both of them were smiling, all for of the lovers were pleasently blinded to the gears turning in the mind of their king and father.

<Part 5>
 

  By the time the shadows were long and stretching toward the east, there were only two pairs left. The king announced the end of the day and Duo and Quatre Trudged wearily out of the arena and into the arms of their princes.

    Duo smiled and gave Heero a victory sign, "One more fight."

***************

    Their father was growing suspicious however. If his sons had known these girls why All the arguing about a girl who could be more like a man? Why not just tell him they had found someone? He was thoughtful for a moment then entered the guest quarters.

    The girls who had been beaten were being tended all around him but two stood healthy and grinning, the eldest sharpening her sword with precision.

    "Unia. Relenia." The king smiled and embraced the daughters of his most trusted diplomat. "How fare thee?"

    Relenia pouted, "I would fare better if that whore Duet wasn't hanging over my Heero."

    "They can do as they want until beaten." He reminded her.

    "Well when Trowa is mine," Unia growled with a grin, "That bitch Kathy, will be too dead to distract him."

    "Have either of you ever seen them around before?"

    "They are strangers to us both." Relena blinked, "Could they be spies? Are the Princes in danger?"

    "No, I think not danger, but I feel they are hiding something."

    "You mean they are in on some sub rosa agreement with those harlots?!"

    He nodded. "And I want you to find out what is going on."

    "How sir?"

    "Just be devious. You do it so well."

    Unia grinned and Relenia giggled, "Yes sire."

***************

    Duo lay stomach down on Heero's bed. He had just had a long hot bath and now Heero was rubbing sweet smelling, hot oils into his skin to sooth him. "Mmm, that feels good Heero."

    "Aa."

    "Don't you want to. . ."

    "Not tonight."

    Duo turned his head to look at his lover, "Why not?"

    A soft kiss pressed to his lips and he sighed. Heero kissed him again and whispered, "You are exhausted little Christian. There is time."

    "I love you Heero."

    He nodded, overwhelmed with emotion to a point near tears. "And I love you."

    Duo curled up next to him and pulled the covers up over their heads, "Come 'ere."

    "Duo you don't . . . oooh! Mmmm! Do that again."

    Laughter filled the usually silent room.

*********************

    Relenia stood outside the locked door fuming, Heero was not just sleeping with someone instead of her, but a whore who didn't even go by her true name! Still, it was nothing she could use against the girl.  Christian though. The slut was a Chrisian. That would be enough to seal her fate. The king would be pleased. With that little pearl of information tucked away, she hurried to join Unia at Trowa's door.

*********************

    Quatre lay prone on Trowa's bed and the prince smiled and slid in beside him. The prince gasped when he rolled on top of him and began planting tiny kissed over his face, throat, and shoulders.

    "Mm sleepy. "He yawned and Trowa chuckled and rolled him back to the bed, holdign him tightly as he began to drift into sleep.

    "After tomorrow we will have all the time in the world. Sleep now, you have  long day ahead of you."

    "'k."

    Trowa traced a path over his loves face. gently memorizing each curve and dimple. //I love you.//

********************

    Unia turned hopeful eyes to her little sister, "Please say you got something on Duet."

    "Nothing on Kathy?"

    The warrior princess growled, "All we can say against them is that they're sluts, but that may not be seen as a bad thing since the king wants heirs."

    Relenia nodded.

    "Damn! It looks like we might have to actually beat them fairly!"

    "We could do it." Relenia smiled, "But Duet did give me one little tidbit."

    "Oh?"

    "The bitch is Christian."

    A fire flared in the talle girls eyes, "She's good as dead."

    "But to win the Prines wont we still have to fight?"

    "Yes."

    "Well, we can beat them. How hard can it be?"

    "Sure we can sister, I'd just hate for you to dirty your armor."

    Relenia's eyes widened, "I'll get dirty?!"

    Unia sighed in resignation, "Come on."

    "You were joking right?"

    "Relenia."

    "I hate being dirty!"

    Wufei watched silently from the shadows. //So the king _is_ playing dirty. I believed it was so.// His eyes narrowed at the retreating girls. //What do they hope to earn?//

********************

    The next morning the two final teams met for battle. Heero and Trowa refused to sit in the box with their father, instead standing to the side of the arena to watch their beloved theives fight. The whole consept was useless! Why should they have to watch the boys they loved battle for their hands when they had already given them their hearts?!

    With a shout the fight commenced. Duo easily dispenced with Relenia. She wore her armor too tight and covered with too many trappings, the silly princess hyperventalated and was carried out of the arena in the first few minuets. Unia on the other hand, was the general o fher father's army and more than capable with a sword. The two street boys fought herback with all they had but she matched them blow for blow. Soon, unused to the weight of the armor, both of them began to tire. Unia pressed them relentlessly until Duo's eyes flashed, "Enough!"

    She skidded to a halt and stared at her opponent.

    The street child took of all of his armor and walked over to Heero.

    "Duo. . ." He whispered.

    Duo looked back out into the field where Quatre was struggling to remain upright. "This is the only chance we have." He smile saddly and handed the armor to his prince, then took up his simple scyth. "Don't fear the reaper." He joked quietly.

    Heero pulled him close for a kiss then glarred at the crowds finding amusment in their plight. "Come back to me." He ordered helplessly, tracing the line of Duo's cheek tenderly.

    "God will be with me." He touched his tunic, under which Heero knew was the crude cross he wore. "If the worst happens take care of the kids for me. Treat them like they were ours."

    Heero nodded, unsure if he could trust his voice at the moment and Duo kissed him once more, "I love you."

    "Love you." Heero breathed with a nod.
 

    Duo turned to Unia and grinned widely, death sparkling in his stance, "Go on Kat." He nodded towhere Trowa stood, "Death is here to finish this."

    Unia just laughed, "Oh so now I should be scared right?"

    "Lady." Duo grinned, "You should be terrified."

    "And why is that?"

    "Because no one who hears the name of death can live to tell about it."

    "Oh?" he blocked Duo's blow but it brought him up even with her ear.

    He breathed out, "my name is Duo." Then bit down.

    She clutched the side of her headand screamed and Duo jumped back and spit her ear onto the ground, his face covered in her blood.

    "Afraid yet?"

    She charged him and cried, "Afraid not!"

    Duo dodged her blow and swiped out with the scyth, cutting her hip open down to the bone. "Woah! Heero!" He laughed, "You sharpened it!"

    Heero would have laughed if the situation hadn't been so dire.

    Duo's speed and agility was finally his savior and Unia fell dead before him.  Heero and Trowa latched onto their brides and faced their father in the royal box. Duo clung to Heero, bloody and tired, but more happy than ever before in his life.

    "We have defeated all challengers." Quatre sighed, "We claim our prize."

    The king frown, "You claim your prize." He pointed to Quatre, "But the Christian claims nothing. Seize him!"

    Duo gasped and looked down where his cross lay hidden beneith his shirt. How did they know?! His eyes scanned the arena and he found no way out of his fate. Heero saw this too. Both of them tensed.

    "Trowa, I give you the crown."

    "What?!"

    Heero held Duo close and faced the approahing guards, "I go where he goes." the prince stood firm.

    "Heero. . ." Duo tried to reason with him, tears running down his cheeks.

    The prince smiled then, a real smile. "Don't fear the reaper."

    Quatre fought against Trowa's hold, "Duo!!!!! NO!!!"

    The bright amethist eyes turned to his friend and brother, "Watch the brats for me ok?"

    "Duo! Don't do it!"

    Trowa felt tears fall over his cheeks silently and he met his brother's gaze steadily. "Safe journey."

    The blond watched his partner face the guards bravely as he had every challenge. As the swords fell, Trowa covered his eyes and pulled him closer, his own emerald gaze never leaving the two bodies as they fell. Two heads split free of the necks they once sat on and rolled to a stop forehead to forehead, eyes closed and faces at peace. As the bodies landed with a thud, their hands never seperated. They were together.

    A keening wail rose from Quatre's throat and was echoed by many of the people watching unil it was split by a harsh cry, "JUSTICE!!!!"

    The king glarred at his brother, "What are you doing?!"

    The sloe eyed man grabbed him up by his robes, "You would sacrifice your own flesh and blood for hatred and fear!" He lifted him high, "You are no brother of mine." And tossed him into the angry mob, "Justice will be served."

    Trowa caught the crown Wufei threw him and placed it upon his head. His uncle raised a cry, "Hail Cesear! Hail Cesear! Emporer of Rome!"

    "Hail Cesaer!"

    "Hail The Emporer Trowa!"

    "Hail The king!"

    Trowa accepted their praise with a sad heart as he joined his beloved who knelt beside their brothers.

    "Duo." The blond sobbed.

   The emporer took his brother's body into his arms, "Heero." He closed his eyes, //You were everything I ever wanted to be, even in death you hold your ideals.// He glanced up at Quatre, their tear falling over both corpses as the steam from their hot blood cooled, //I hope I can live up to your memory.//

    A soft wind brushed his tears softly and Quatre smiled slightly. "They are together."

    "Aa."
 
 

~Owari~