A/N: This chapter is for Sankekorafi. Happy Birthday!

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Fun With Calling and a Troubled Healing

"Firsts."

"What?" Wufei gave Duo a blank look.

The two boys were sitting on the low stone wall that protected the inn's tiny garden from being trod on by passer-by. Heero and Trowa were off to find the Healing, wanting to check out the area before they all went, and the gods only knew where Quatre was. Wufei, or Duo, should have been with their First and Third, but Duo was in high good humor today.

Which meant he was playing tricks on anything that breathed.

Which was why Heero had glared him into sitting on this wall, asked Wufei to 'keep an eye on the lunatic', and vanished with Trowa.

"Firsts. As in, Hee-chan? I'll tell you the Basics about Firsts, then we'll move on to other things."

"Oh. All right."

"'Kay." Duo leaned back a little, lifting his face to the morning sun and closing his eyes. Where to start? What did he most want to know when he first found out that Heero was in charge of him?

"To start with, Heero's our Leader, but he's not our god. He has final say over where we go, the important things that we do, when we fight. But it's okay to question him, and it's okay not to agree. We're family, not some poor helpless people trapped under a dictator. Some Firsts do try to rule their Others, but the Others don't have to put up with it." Purple eyes looked at Wufei to see if their Fire was getting this.

Wufei's smooth bronze face was emotionless, but he was definitely listening.

"Your First doesn't have the right to tell you how to live your life. You're still a person, you get to keep your own wants and wishes. They can't tell you what to think, or feel, or hope." Another glance. "Or love." Important, definitely get that bit in. "But we're lucky, Hee-chan doesn't try to make slaves out of us. Oh, he's the boss, for sure, but... well, it's hard to explain. He's the Leader, but a leader's nothing without someone to lead. And Heero knows that."

Okay, he was definitely getting a blank look now. Why, oh why, wouldn't Wufei just ask some questions? It would make all this a bit easier. "What don't you understand?"

The reply was instant, making Duo wonder if Wufei had only been waiting for permission to ask questions. "Why he should care what we want. We don't separate, right? You... you said you wouldn't..."

"No. We don't separate. Heero cares about what we want because he cares about us. It took me a long time to accept that, but it's true. We're lucky, Fire. Never doubt it." He sat up straight, shook himself slightly. "Okay. More Basics. Heero Joins with each of us individually. Before you guys Join, he can sort of sense your emotions, and if you're really upset he can read your thoughts. But he can't MindSpeak to you, and you can't MindSpeak back. All you can do is Speak with your Talent - remember? It's really called Calling." He studied Wufei again - no confusion.

Good. But he had to get a little lesson in here, after yesterday.

"And Calling is a good thing. Something you can do all the time. You Call if you need one of us, or if you're lonely, or just to say 'Good Morning.' We really like it when you do it, okay? And you've only done it twice. Have pity on your poor, starving Others, 'Fei. We need to know you're really with us."

Wufei frowned at him. "If it's so easy, why...?" He caught himself and shut up abruptly. He'd never been allowed to ask questions before. Even with Torlin, he'd had to spend his time listening, soaking in every bit of information he could get. There hadn't been time to ask questions with his Trainer.

And Harris would cheerfully beat him if he even gave the man a questioning look.

"Why, what? You can ask anything you want, 'Fei."

Fine, then he would. "Why haven't you done it, then? You've only done it twice, too."

Duo smiled rather sheepishly. "You're right. We didn't because we didn't want to pressure you. It's our fault again - we just assumed you didn't want to Call to us. Did they make a big deal out of it back at that village?"

Wufei shrugged. "I didn't hear much about it. I just thought it was something special, since you only did it that first day."

"Well, it is special. But it doesn't mean you can't do it any time you want. Call to me now?" His voice was hopeful.

"Won't the others wonder why? What if they think something is wrong?"

"Just Call to me. Think about me and your Fire at the same time, and I'm the only one who'll feel it. And then I can brag, too." He added, grinning at Wufei.

The Exotic rolled his eyes. "Think about both, huh?" Well, he was willing to try. He thought about Duo, about laughing eyes and a living braid and the cool feeling of his Water Talent, and tried to think about the incredible heat of the Fire hidden inside himself at the same time. He wasn't sure it was working until Duo gave a blissful sigh and nearly melted down off the wall.

"'Fei - you've got to do that more often..."

Wufei snickered, then he felt Duo Speak - Call - back to him, and he abruptly joined the other boy, both sitting limply on the walkway with very dopey grins on their faces.

*

They were still sitting there half an hour later, when Quatre and several packages showed up.

The blond Air Talent frowned at them. Duo was giggling, a very silly smile spread across his lovely face. Okay, that was normal.

What wasn't normal was that Wufei looked exactly the same.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on.

"Duo...! You're supposed to be teaching Wufei Basics, not getting him drunk on Calling!"

Duo looked up at him, purple eyes blissful and hazy. "Q-chan! Koi... where've ya been? Been missin' all the fun..." He giggled again, and Wufei echoed him, his own dark eyes glazed.

Quatre sighed and set his packages on the wall. He dropped down to sit beside his Others, shaking his head as he watched them snicker wordlessly at each other. "Duo, you know better. We have things to do today."

"Yeah. No problem... we c'n anything! Right, 'Fei?"

Wufei nodded, trying to look serious.

It wasn't working.

"Duo." Quatre dropped his head in his hands and moaned. What were they going to do now? It wouldn't take that long for them to sober up, but he had to get them to want to sober up. To stop Calling to each other. He had a feeling that wasn't going to be easy.

"Hey, koi, I know! You just needta join the party! 'Fei, Call to Quat!"

"Duo, as much as I'd like that, I think one of us should stay... whoof!" The blissful heat of Wufei's Talent was suddenly wrapped around him and he nearly fell over. He gave a moan of pleasure and slumped against Duo, who snickered evilly and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"There, now, all better."

Quatre gave a sigh of disappointment when the warmth retreated. It was wonderful, feeling that after wanting it for so long, but once was enough. He wouldn't get drunk off of once... or maybe twice.

Wufei was blinking at him, looking rather sad. "Not gonna do it back?" he slurred, his voice disappointed.

Well, Quatre couldn't stand to upset his Fifth...

*

'That's the place.' Trowa's voice spoke very clearly inside Heero's head.

The Spirit Talent leaned against a wall and studied the building across the street. It was a long, low structure, with big windows that would leave it open and airy. It was situated in the nicer part of this Township, where the buildings had open spaces around them and people had room to breathe. It was very nicely built and the yard around it was immaculate.

'It doesn't appear to me as though they need money.' He remarked to his Third.

'Nor to me.'

The front door swung open and they went silent. A tall, slim woman with thick red hair and a long, thin nose came out, a basket over her arm. She said something over her shoulder to someone still in the house, then started down the street.

'Follow her.' Heero told his invisible Third, and sensed the other boy's wordless agreement. Trowa was adept at hiding in plain sight - even Heero wasn't sure which of the people on the street was his Earth Talent. He waited until the woman was out of sight, then he moved toward the house.

He decided that being bold and casual would be his best bet - so he knocked on the door. There were some shuffling sounds inside, then a young boy with a wary expression opened the door. "Yes?"

"This is the Healing?" Heero asked cooly, surveying the lad. Water Talent, not a very strong one, but enough for a moderate Healing. More than adequate for this little Township, with the war so far away.

"Um, yes. This is the Healing. Are... are you hurt?" The boy was clearly uncomfortable.

"Not me. One of my friends." Best not to let them know that they'd be dealing with other Talents. It would put them too firmly on their guard. If the Spirit of this Healing was of the same strength-level as this boy, Heero could easily hide his own Talent and those of his Others from them.

"B-badly?" The boy was looking more and more nervous.

"No, not badly. Some heavy bruises. Is your Spirit present?"

"Um, yes, but he's ill. Can you wait for Gwenneth to come back? She's our Air, she's his Second and takes care of business."

"Your Spirit Talent is ill?" Heero didn't find it very hard to put disbelief into his voice. "He's a Healing, isn't he? Why doesn't he Heal himself?"

"Um... it's made him... uh, weak, and he can't yet. We - we have to buy some very... expensive medicine for him..."

"Corbett!" A sharp voice called, and an older girl came running into the room. Fire Talent, and about on this boy's level. A little stronger, perhaps. "Corbett, why didn't you say we had a visitor? Do you need Healing?" This last was directed at Heero.

"A friend of mine does. May I bring him? I understand your Spirit is unwell."

"If it's not serious, he can Heal him - so long as he has some medicines to restore him afterwards. I - I hate to ask, but is there a possibility you could help purchase these? We've spent all our own money, we have to rely on donations now."

Heero could tell she really did hate to ask this. And Corbett looked absolutely miserable. Strange, he'd expected them to be scheming, not like this. He nodded.

"We can pay. How much?"

"How badly is your friend injured?"

"Bruising. Heavy, from here to here." He indicated on his own arm.

"That won't be very expensive." Said a warm voice behind him, at the same time Trowa's voice echoed in his head.

'She's back, First.'

Heero spun around to face the tall woman, who was smiling gently at him. "I am Gwenneth. Where is your friend? Can you bring him here?"

"Yes. When?" Heero limited himself to a few words, feeling vaguely uneasy as the three Talents kept glancing toward a doorway that led down a dark hall.

"Anytime. We're sure you want to limit the amount of time he suffers." Her voice was gentle and caring, but there was anxiety in her deep brown eyes. Anxiety for what? For the idea of someone hurting, or for the desire to get money for medicine?

He needed to go get Wufei, and find out.

******( Traveling With An Army)******

Zechs shifted in his saddle, relishing the heat beating down on his face. It was the first time in over a month that he'd been on this horse without wearing fifty pounds of armor and he was very much enjoying it. Usually, the armor made him so hot and sweaty he was miserable within minutes, but not today. With the security of two hundred armed soldiers around them, the officers had been able to forgo their heavy protection.

This was definitely the life...

Cool blue eyes searched the column behind him until he saw Sally's shining blond head, riding close to the wagons. He couldn't help but watch out for the people under his Protection - although he could MindSpeak with the Healing Spirit, he preferred not to with so many other Spirit Talents around. You never knew who might decide to listen in, and use private information for blackmail material.

Not that he really had anything to hide, but better safe than sorry.

"You worry too much, you know," said a pert feminine voice from beside him.

He turned and grinned at Lucrezia, his Earth Talent, his Second, and his blood sister. "I'm not worrying right now. I just want to make sure everyone is here."

"Oh, we're all here, mighty Leader," she mocked gently, "you're not getting away from us that easily. We're going to make sure you stick to your responsibilities."

"Slave driver."

"Aren't I? Where are we going, do you know?"

"Not really. North, that's all I know, and I'm glad of it."

"Because Heero went North?" Lucrezia's voice was innocence personified.

"Lu! Don't start!"

She giggled.

********(Cordia Township)********

Heero laughed.

He couldn't help it. Beside him, Trowa was grinning like a maniac.

When they'd asked for the whereabouts of their companions, the innkeeper had directed them to their room. The man had seemed amused and they'd wondered why.

Until they got here.

Quatre was sprawled over a chair, singing a ballad in an off-key voice that was nothing like his usual melodious tones. Duo was asleep, snoring loudly, and Wufei was hunched over him, having unbraided the long chestnut hair. Now he was rebraiding it in the last of what seemed to be several hundred tiny braids, each ending in a small shiny ribbon bow. He'd lifted solemn onyx eyes to them and said, "Calling is fun. But he wouldn't give back my hair tie."

Oddly enough, that had explained it all.

They were very tempted to get Wufei to Call to them, too, but they needed to get his arm taken care of. And to find out about this messed-up Healing.

They set about trying to sober their Others up, still snickering over Quatre's song and the fact that Duo had met his match when it came to pranks.

It would take hours to get those braids out...

*

Wufei felt drowsy and very content.

Heero and Trowa had talked to them, fed them, and made them drink a lot of water. Now that they were alert - sort of - they were on their way to see the Healing. Heero had his arms around both Quatre and Duo's shoulders, and a very amused Trowa had an arm slung casually around Wufei's waist.

Good thing, too, because his feet had a tendency to drift.

And his face had a tendency to smirk, because Duo had yet to notice his new hairstyle.

They reached the Healing's home, and paused for a moment to study the area. It was afternoon, bright and sunny, but the long, low building seemed strangely dark. Wufei shook off the warm, drowsy feeling, and went on high alert. He wasn't sure why, but some instinct inside him screamed 'danger!' and he wasn't inclined to ignore it.

The same instinct had kept him from trouble more than once.

The door of the house opened, and Gwenneth looked out. She saw Heero immediately, and waved for him to come over.

"Quatre, you do the talking. I want to make sure no one senses us." Heero spoke aloud so Wufei would know what was going on. He really wanted to Join with his Fifth soon, it would be so much better when they could Speak silently.

"Right." Quatre agreed, squaring his shoulders and smoothing down his slightly rumpled shirt. One would never believe, to look at him, that he'd been drunk on Calling and singing love songs at the top of his lungs barely an hour earlier. He looked every inch a nobleman.

The five of them crossed the street together, and Gwenneth beamed at them before her eyes settled on Wufei. She blinked at him in surprise, then looked at his arm.

"Oh, that's some nasty bruising, all right, but we'll get you fixed up. The four of you can wait out here, or you can come in."

"We'll come in." Quatre said firmly, stepping forward. "And can you tell us how much pay you require?"

Gwenneth winced. "Not pay, please. Just... a donation." She named a rather small sum and Quatre nodded.

"Now?"

"After the Healing will be fine. Come in, come in." She waved them further into the room.

"Gwenneth?" A quiet voice asked, and a tall, broad man with a defeated expression came into the room.

'Earth Talent, fairly strong.' Heero informed the Others that he could Speak to.

"Paulos - we have visitors. Is Markin awake?"

Paulos was staring at Heero, sad eyes turned wary. "Y-yes, he's up. Corbett told him we might have visitors." His eyes settled on Wufei's wrist and he frowned. "That looks rather painful. Come, laddie, let's get you fixed up." He took Wufei gently by the shoulder and led him down the hall, four boys and Gwenneth following along.

They entered a shadowy, still bedroom dominated by a huge four-poster, canopied bed. Corbett and the female Fire Talent were already there, sitting quietly in chairs and gazing at the floor. Gwenneth and Paulos joined them.

A man lay resting in the bed, a small man with an angelic face. He was propped up on pillows and a book lay near one hand, a bowl of berries near the other. He smiled sweetly at them and Wufei felt a shiver run straight to his toes.

There was something wrong about this man.

Heero was staring, too, and let loose a carefully blocked bit of his Talent. It resounded off of the other Spirit and he had his answers.

'Be careful.' Three boys heard the words, and the grave tone they were Spoken in. 'He's dangerous. He has Common Joined with these four, to save them when their Spirit never appeared.'

'How does that make him dangerous? If we hadn't found 'Fei, we'd have had to Common Join with a Fire Talent so we wouldn't go bonkers." Duo said, slightly distracted by catching sight of some tiny, bow-bedecked braids spilling over his shoulder. What...?!

'Yes, but you know Common Joining is never supposed to exceed a month. He should have let them go for a few months, then they could have Common Joined with another Spirit. He's kept them for over a year.'

'That's illegal and immoral.' Quatre's voice was hot in Heero's head.

'Yes - and I think that their Spirit is here now, but this one won't release the Joining. Get ready, I believe I will have to Battle him. I can't let this go on. And don't let him touch Wufei, a Common Joined Healing can backlash rather nastily.'

"Hello, boys. I am Markin, welcome to my Healing. Come here, little one, let me see you arm." The Spirit beckoned Wufei closer, but even though the Fire couldn't hear Heero's warnings, he dug in his heels and refused to move, shaking his head. He didn't like this man and he wasn't going near him.

"Now, now, no need to be frightened. It won't hurt a bit. Just step over here, and I'll..."

"Do nothing." Heero stepped in front of Wufei and dropped his sheilds, letting his Talent surge free of the mental restraints.

The man on the bed gasped and recoiled, and all the Healing Others looked up, frightened.

Heero spoke again, and his voice was very soft. "Let them go."

********(Somewhere Else)********

"They have found their Fifth."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, I just received the report."

"Does their Commander know of this?"

"Not yet, sire. They are out of Speaking range."

"What sort is their Fire?"

"A rare type, I am told. An Exotic, small and looks frail."

"And is his Talent powerful? Or is it a 'her'?"

"According to the Mayor of the village he was in, no."

"Good. Very good. Then he will be easy to dispose of."

A/N: I know Noin isn't Zechs sister, Relena is - but this is AU. And Relena annoys me. Too much pink...

Also, I had more information to fit in here than I thought, so what I posted on chapter 10 as happening 'over the next two chapters' will probably take three chapters.