16-Oct-2000
Yes, this is what it looks like - the last installment of Mission: Arcadia.
The first post was June 30th. Weird, huh? ^__^ It was conceived as an experiment and it succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. In the two and a half months we have been doing this, Ravyn, Kateri, Von and I have become a real team and our online writing sessions have been a refuge and a joy, supplying so much more than merely new material for this story. In addition, you, the faithful readers of this epic, have responded with such sincerity and warmth that we have been constantly overwhelmed in the best of ways, and you have eventually persuaded us that the "family" of Heero, Duo and the kids is an extended family with beacoups of aunts, uncles and cousins - you guys! Some of you have even been generous enough to lend your own considerable talents to this story in the form of pics!!!
So it is with no small reluctance that I post this final chapter... but delaying it won't change the fact that it is the last. I will however offer this to anyone who may feel saddened - the Team (plus a new member!) is already working on a sequel, and at the bottom of this post, you will find a Preview or teaser of the next story in the saga of the Extended Family.
All our love to you, dear readers. With no further ado...
Title: Mission Arcadia
bonnejean & vonceia *present* RavynFyre & Kateri MarieCategory: yaoi, AU
in The B&V Guest Authors Series!
Duo - words, thoughts, actions - RavynFyre
Heero - words, thoughts actions - Kateri Marie
Rip & Jack, Their World and General Production - bonnejeanne & vonceia
After saying goodbye to the kids from the base, it was decided that the boys go and say farewell to Tryan's friend Sheba and some of the Carnivale people. It was agreed that they steer clear of Katrina and protect Tryan from being unduly annexed again. On the way out, Duan spotted Wufan who had left the make-shift day-care earlier and was sitting on the curb in front of the building.
"There he is," Duan said, with a wide grin. The smile dwindled and disappeared as he noticed that Wufan had his head down. Duan looked over at Kenny. "Hey, somethin's wrong," he said, taking Kenny's hand. He tucked his braid into the other boy's hand for safe measure.
Kenny held Duan's braid easily and walked over to Wufan, and sat down on the curb next to him. He didn't say anything. He figured Duan would do that but if not, sitting quietly by his friend was good too.
Tryan took Carter's hand and walked over. He sat down on Wufan's other side and didn't say anything either.
Carter was still somewhat in overloaded, having just met a bunch of new kids. But he sharpened to the concern coming from the other boys, which pointed his little antennae towards Wufan. He came and sat by Tryan, trying to filter all the new input carefully so he could get an idea of what was going on.
Wufan took a little ragged breath, at once comforted by the small circle of friends and distressed at his thoughts. Taking off his glasses, he put them in his pocket so they wouldn't get wet. He had been crying and large, fat tears welled in his dark eyes once again. This time he brushed them away from his eyes with his sleeve.
"What's wrong, Wufan?" Duan asked quietly.
Wufan sniffled, then looked down. "I don't think I can do it," he said, with a little sigh.
Duan glanced up at Kenny, then back to Wufan. "Do what?" he asked, feeling empathic distress.
"I don't think I can be... I can't be like... him," he managed. "I've been trying very hard to be like I'm supposed to be, but it's not working."
"How're you supposed to be?" Tryan asked, curiously.
Wufan took a deep breath. "I'm supposed to be... strong.. and righteous.. and quiet sometimes. I gotta think about stuff," he finished, with a shrug.
Duan looked at Kenny again. "Can we help?" he asked, hopefully.
Wufan looked over at Kenny and then to Duan. "I... I don't know?" he said.
Kenny said quietly. "Why you want that so bad?"
Wufan sighed a very deep sigh. "Because Ma says I'm going to grow up and be a man..." he answered.
"Huh?" Carter said, then clapped his hand over his mouth and blushed.
Tryan looked down at Carter and then he smiled. "It's ok. You can talk. We gotta get used to each other some time."
Duan looked at Wufan and then he took Kenny's arm leaning over his lap. "You don't have to do that unless you want to, Wufan," he said. "I'll bet if you ask Heero or Duo they would say that too."
"That's why I asked how come he wanted it," Kenny said, observing Wufan closely.
Wufan thought for a moment and then processed the information. "I ... don't have to do it because I'm supposed to..." he said, thinking very hard.
"Did you wanna be like Wufei?" Duan asked.
Wufan nodded. "He's like... perfect!" he said.
"Hn," Kenny said. Then, "No, he's not. No such thing." He got up and moved in front of Wufan, still holding Duan's braid loosely. He sat on his heels, facing his friend. "Wufan... I been watching them. Closely. They aren't just... a lot like us. They *are* us. I don't get it all, but that much I do get. So... there's no reason you have to be like him. It's... it's been done," he said, shrugging. "Why repeat that same thing all over? I can tell you something else. I know Heero and Duo don't *want* us to be just like them. I bet... if you asked him, that Wufei might tell you something like that as well."
"Yeah!" Duan offered, nodding.
Wufan looked down at the ground and then back up to Kenny. "Oh wow," he said, once again impressed with his friend's point of view. He nodded. "Ok," he said, taking his glasses from his pocket and cleaning them on a piece of his clothing. "I will remember that. That's like coming back... or.. no.. we are them.. so it's like side by side worlds or something." All self-doubt dissolved. After placing his glasses back on his face and pushing them back, he reached over and hugged Kenny hard. "Thanks! I feel lots better!" he said.
Kenny hugged Wufan back. "Good," he said, satisfied that he'd done what he could. He looked over at Duan and smiled slightly. "Now the lioness?"
Duan winked at Kenny, like he'd seen Duo wink at Heero.
Wufan nodded. "Yes, oh yes, the lioness, Sheba," he said, letting Kenny go. He wasn't satisfied, however until he had given a hug to everyone. Then, he dropped back slightly in protection mode for Tryan.
When Wufan got to Carter, the little blond was at first surprised to get a hug like everyone else, and then he threw his arms around Wufan and hugged him enthusiastically. He was still trying to get a grip on the cresting emotions he could feel round him, especially when these boys, his new family, all had their attention on one thing, setting their emotions in a kind of sync.
He let Wufan go and then blushed again, but he was smiling brightly.
Wufan smiled back, thinking how lucky he was to have such friends. This was going to be okay. He noticed Carter blushing and then remembered how they had rescued Carter from the bad place. "I hope I didn't disturb you too bad," he said as they began to walk.
Carter shook his head energetically. "I'm fine!" he announced. His own voice still seemed to startle him though.
Wufan smiled then took Carter's other hand as they all moved towards the animal tents.
Some internal alarm woke Heero up as the sun neared the horizon. How he knew that when the door was still closed even he couldn't say. But he knew that they didn't have much time.
He looked down at Duo and blinked for a moment. Duo was beautiful. Heero just had to stare at him until that nagging time sense reminded him of the sinking sun. He sighed and shook Duo's shoulder, "Duo... wake up."
Duo blinked sleepily, peering up through his bangs at his lover, and for once actually regaining consciousness without much of a fight.
"It's almost time, isn't it?" he asked softly, punctuating his question with a yawn.
Heero nodded, "Hai. We have to get up."
Duo grinned seductively while one hand snaked down between them.
"Okay," he replied innocently as he stroked Heero's manhood.
With a growl, Heero rolled out from under Duo, dumping him on the covers, and thwapping his hand, "Hentai."
"Of course," Duo agreed cheerfully as he sat up and ran a hand through his tangled mane.
"So, where did you leave my clothes, Hee-chan?" he asked curiously.
"Floor." Heero responded succinctly, smiling wickedly to himself as he remember what he'd done to Duo's outer shirt. "Hn... Closet is good." He added.
Duo blinked at Heero, his eyes narrowing suspiciously as he flipped their lamp back on and peered around for his things. Seeing the separate halves of his favorite black shirt laying in a puddle of black cloth on the floor, he scowled and sighed at Heero.
"That had been one of my favorites, Heero," he muttered as he swung out of bed and, taking Heero's advice, started rummaging through the closet.
Heero raised an eyebrow at the remark. "You would prefer me not to next time?"
"Did I saw that?" Duo replied, shrugging into the outfit he'd gotten just before their first base assault.
Heero watched appreciatively before retrieving his clothes from their puddle on the floor and slipping into them. "Gun." He reminded Duo casually, as he tucked his own egg gun back into the spandex.
"Of course," Duo replied, already bending down to retrieve it from the floor.
"Like I'd forget this baby," he continued, stroking the weapon fondly as he slipped it back into his own waistband.
Heero snorted and moved towards the door, "It's almost time."
Duo skipped past his partner, tossing him a blown kiss along the way as he taunted childishly over his shoulder, "Then whatcha waiting for, Hee-chan?"
Heero sighed. "Baka." He said affectionately as he joined Duo on the way to the elevator.
"You think we have time to check on Gun before we leave? I'd like to thank him," Duo asked Heero as the elevator arrived.
Heero considered for a moment, then lifted his shoulders to drop them in his almost shrug, "We'll ask at the desk."
"Cool. Wonder how the kids are doing," Duo mused, punching the button for the Lobby.
Heero chuckled at the thought. "I wonder." He said dryly, images of mass destruction dancing in his head.
Duo sighed, shaking his head as he watched his partner's face and guessed at Heero's thoughts.
"I doubt even those guys have had much of a chance to break too much stuff yet," Duo replied dryly.
Heero raised an eyebrow in slight incredulity, remembering a small boy slicing easily through plastic explosives and another setting the detonators with almost as much ease as them. Kami only knew what the other three were capable of.
Down in the lobby, they saw Faun at the front desk, dressed in another of her crisp outfits.
When she saw them, she smiled, with a slight hint of sadness, cheerfully masked.
Duo waved at her and wandered over towards the desk.
"Hiya Faun."
"Hi Duo," she said. "Heero. Checking out, right?"
"Yeah, unfortunately. I'm going to miss it here," Duo replied with a slightly maudlin grin.
"Say... Do you know where we could track down Gun? I wanted to say good bye to him too," Duo asked.
Faun nodded. "He'll be at City Hall. You'll see him at the Renaming Ceremony."
"Renaming Ceremony?" Duo replied curiously, cocking his head as he peered at her.
She nodded. "As a City Official, he gets a gold watch and a nice Renaming ceremony, so that everyone will remember to call him by his new name from now on."
Duo blinked in confusion as he contemplated Faun.
Faun noticed Duo's expression. She leaned forward and said quietly, "He doesn't have the... gun anymore."
"Ah. That makes sense," Duo replied with a secretive smile.
He turned and peered through the windows, judging the time.
Before Duo and Heero could leave the desk, Faun stepped around the end of it, carrying two excellent quality leather overnight bags, each of which had "Hyatt Regency Arcadia" stenciled in gold on it, discretely of course.
She held them up. "These are for you!"
She handed one to Duo and then opened the other to show the contents.
"Hyatt Arcadia towels. Also a supply of our Margarita Mango bath and bedroom amenities... as well as," she pulled out an embossed plastic cardkey. "This is an official Standing Reservation for the Presidential Suite, for anytime, in perpetuity."
She put the items back and handed Heero his bag. Then she hugged him warmly, and then hugged Duo. She wiped a little moisture from the corner of her eyes.
"We'll miss you," she said simply, smiling.
Duo blinked back a little moisture of his own as he returned the hug enthusiastically.
"I'll miss all you guys too," he replied.
Heero blinked a bit in surprise for the hug, but then recovered and said, "Domo arigato."
"You are more than welcome," Faun said as her smile widened slightly. "Wherever you go, remember you will always be welcome here in Arcadia. And... take good care of yourselves."
"That's a promise," Duo said, reaching out to take Heero's hand in his own.
"Oh, Duo... there are some things for the boys in your bag too." she added. Then she stepped back, clasping her hands in front of her.
"Bye bye."
Duo smiled and nodded his thanks.
"Good bye, Faun. I'll tell the boys you said bye to them," duo said, turning to leave.
Heero offered her a smile of his own. "Goodbye."
Duo dragged Heero behind him, picking up his pace as he practically skipped out the door, trying to ignore the vague sense of... loss settling over him.
"Come on, Hee-chan. We'll be late. Kenny would never let us live it down!"
"Hn." Heero replied as he let himself be dragged.
Once out of the door, both Heero and Duo heard the roar of a small, but loud crowd. They could see that people were gathered in the direction of City Hall with the park directly across the street.
After someone spoke, they could hear distinctive voices of familiar children say, "Goodbye!" in unison. The crowd cheered once again.
"Okay, maybe we won't be late," Duo chuckled, peering over the crowd.
Heero was debating frowning at the crowd or chuckling over the kids and ended up settling on the traditional stone face. "Hn."
Duo gave a long suffering sigh as he glanced over at his partner.
"And thus it starts again," he murmured melodramatically.
Heero heard the low words and grimaced a little. Then he leaned over to brush a strand of hair behind Duo's ear, "Iie, Duo-koi. Iie."
As they approached, the people in the crowd saw them and parted, so they could move past. Looking towards the steps of City Hall, Duo and Heero saw Tryan, Carter, Wufan Duan and Kenny standing with a tall man dressed in a long, black coat, black pants and white shirt. Next to him, was the man they knew as Gun, also dressed well, along with Baun, the former Mayor Shane and Stormy.
"And so," the tall man said. "I would also like to say a personal thank you to the young men who have brought us much joy and hope. They're a bit shy as we've found out, but nonetheless, Heero and Duo, on behalf of the City of Arcadia, I, and the citizenry, do thank you with all of our hearts. We wish you the best in your upcoming adventure and good wishes. In case no one has informed you two yet, I am Arkady LeBon, once and now again, Mayor of the City of Arcadia."
Duan and Tryan ran from the stage and pulled Heero and Duo closer. "You'll thank us in the morning!" Duan said.
Duo chuckled and grinned down at the boy.
"Nah. I'll thank ya now," he said with a wink, turning to smile at Arkady.
"Congratulations... But letting us steal these guys from you all... That's all the thanks we really need," Duo replied easily.
Arkady LeBon smiled down at Duo from his six foot, two inch frame. There was a look in his blue eyes that Duo would recognize as quite wolfish. He extended his hand. "That would depend on who was getting stolen, eh?" he said, quietly. "I think it would be more accurate to say that your group has been infiltrated.. if you want to speak in military terms, that is," he added with a wink.
The crowd cheered as Duo finished his comments.
Heero had felt a low growl rumble up in his throat almost unconsciously as he caught the look in LeBon's eyes when he looked on his lover. But he forced himself to remain still. It wouldn't do to get his toy riled up.
"Mmmmm," LeBon responded, turning his attention to Heero. "I don't think it would do to tempt me, dear Heero. Besides, you are to leave shortly and I wouldn't want to make you two late," he said, with an appreciative glance towards the Perfect Soldier.
Heero graced him with a glare for a moment before wrapping his hand around Duo's braid tightly and giving it a slight tug at the mention of the time.
Baun edged over behind the two and said softly to Heero, "This is Daddy... and he, uh... grew up with Jack and Rip. No use getting annoyed. Does no good. Don't worry... I'm on your side." She only barely suppressed the snicker at the end.
"That would explain a lot." Heero said, in a voice that would have made a marsh dry up. "But arigato." He said to the last.
Meanwhile, Duo had crossed one arm over his chest and rested his other elbow against it. He propped his chin up on his hand and graced Heero and Baun with a bemused expression.
"Are we finished hosing the area with testosterone, Hee-chan?" he asked sweetly.
"Bakayaro." Heero replied, tugging the braid once more, a little harder.
"Heh. At least I earned that tug," Duo replied, grinning unrepentantly.
Heero's narrowed eyes promised revenge... later.
"You two are priceless," Arkady remarked. Turning back to the crowd, he said, "All right, that does it for our ceremony. I shall be visiting you all soon and as before, my door is always open. It is a pleasure to be back."
The crowd raised a deafening cheer at the last statement and music played as the events came to a close.
Ronnie Shane walked over and smiled at the two young men. "Good luck guys, all of you," he said.
"Yeah, you too," Duo replied, offering his hand.
Ronnie shook Duo's hand, warmly, then nodded over at Heero. "Don't forget to return," he added.
Heero nodded, both in farewell and acknowledgment. With a wry smile he said, "Nimou ryoukai."
Duo sighed indulgently at his partner as he glanced around looking for Reg.
Reg was standing nearby, looking remarkably healthy.
Duo nodded one last time at Ronnie before he wandered over to offer Reg his hand.
"I wanted to thank you," he said.
"Funny, thought I should be doing that to you, Reg said, taking Duo's hand. Duo could see the remains of bruises, other injuries, but they looked... older. Like they were about two weeks healed. "Thanks for your help."
Duo shrugged uncomfortably, glancing away.
Heero's eyes surveyed Reg quickly and his eyebrow arched in inquiry as he met Reg's gaze.
Reg smiled. He looked meaningfully over at Baun, who was talking to the new Mayor and the old one. "They do have some excellent timing," he said. "She has some skills... help put life back into a fella," he commented.
"Aa." Heero said, glancing at the lady in question. "We heard... something about that."
"Well, you are leaving... and I'm officially retired. I suspect your lot won't be as pleasant as mine, but I wish you the best," Reg said, to both the boys.
Heero inclined his head in a bow.
"You too, man. We'll try to stay out of trouble, but," he glanced back at the group of smaller boys nearby, "Somehow, I doubt we'll succeed."
Reg chuckled. "Don't stay out of trouble, just stay on top of it. Oh, I have something for you, both of you," he said reaching into the immaculate suit. He took out two small, plastic appearing cards. He handed one to each.
"These are now the only two licenses to carry a gun in the City. For when you come back. You've been named official Protectors of Arcadia."
Duo stared down at his new license with a mixture of relief, perplexity, embarrassment, and wry humor.
"I gotta admit... This has been just about the most eventful and interesting week of my life," he said ruefully.
Reg smiled. "Best of luck with the Crown," he said.
Duo nodded, his eyes already taking on a familiar gleam of excitement and feral hunger. New challenge.
"Good," Duo heard from behind him. "You'll need that," LeBon said with the utmost seriousness to his tone.
Duo turned and gave him a crooked smirk.
"Yeah. Last time I checked, Rip was gonna be there too," he quipped.
LeBon shrugged. "But as always, it will be up to you chaps to do what you need to do... for the sake of your people," he said.
"As always," Duo agreed fatalistically.
He turned and grabbed Heero's arm.
"Come on, Heero. We'd best grab the kids and scat for the park. Before someone talks me into staying here," he said with a grin.
LeBon raised a hand. "You'll both do well, I can tell," he said. "You have the advantage of knowledge and your skills as well as the others to help you. The reason these people have welcomed me back so enthusiastically, is because when I came here the first time, there was no Arcadia." He glanced over at Reg, Baun and Ronnie Shane. "We created it. I'm just happy to know that there are places left that don't have to build from the ground up. Take care and Godspeed," he said, looking at both of them and then to the kids.
Duo nodded, turning away and wandering back towards the kids.
"Okay, guys. We've got a date in the park. Everyone ready?"
Kenny nodded. "Hai," he said, clasping Duan's braid.
"Check!" Duan replied.
"I'm ready!" Wufan said.
Carter nodded happily. "Me too!"
"I was ready yesterday," Tryan added.
"I bet you were, kiddo," Duo replied.
"Okay then, let's head em up and move em out!" he called, waving the kids ahead of him.
As they moved out, Baun kissed Arkady LeBon on the cheek and said, "Now that all that stuff is taken care of... I've been back almost a day and I haven't visited my other firstborn yet. See ya."
"Bye, love." Arkady replied.
"Say hi for me, Mum," Stormy said.
Baun waved at the departing teens and their troop of small boys. Then the wind around the front of City Hall whipped up suddenly and the young woman in question rose up into the air, with an answer coming from the clouds above in the form of a flash of lightning and a semi-distant peal of thunder.
The people left in the area cheered again. From somewhere in the street someone said. "Auntie Em! Auntie EM!"
Duo chuckled, glancing around to spy out the speaker.
"Yer no fun at all, Heero," Duo replied with a grin as he jogged to catch up with the kids.
When they arrived at the park, they saw Wufei waiting with his arms crossed, and Sallah not too far away, with a small bag in her hand, looking nervous but committed.
"Heya Wu-chan! Sallah!" Duo called as soon as they were within earshot.
Wufei lifted his chin in acknowledgement. Sallah smiled slightly.
Behind Duo, Heero and the boys, a low British drawl said, "Take hands please."
The boys moved to comply, then looked up at the older folk.
"But it's only our second date," Duo replied cheerfully as he reached for Heero's hand again.
Heero yanked the braid once more before catching his partner's hand up and offering his other to the nearest mini-me.
Kenny took the offered hand. Wufei rolled his eyes but took up position next to Sallah, whose other hand was grabbed by her son.
They all sorted out into a rather large circle, and behind Duo, Rip said, "At least you *got* a date," with a laugh. Then they heard the beginnings of a strange music which built and penetrated every cell until something twisted and...
They were gone.
-Owari-
And now, a Preview...
Chasing the Crown
Duo and Heero looked around, as they became aware that they had again completed the trip from one universe to another.
They found that they were standing in the same park from which they had departed.
Also with them of course were Wufei, Sallah and the five small boys.
Heero blinked a bit to reorient himself and then glanced around, counting mini-me's. He had a strange feeling that calling them 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 would be a mental habit.
He nodded when he saw everyone present and accounted for.
Duo made a strange face, nose scrunching up in displeasure, as he tasted the air.
"Dang. Definitely gonna miss that," he muttered peering around to get his bearings.
"Everyone okay?" he asked, glancing down to take his own tally. Not really concerned that Rip or Jack would have lost anyone in transit, but more out of newly formed habit.
Duan put his hands on his hips and looked around. "Well, it smells funny and it looks different... but I guess it's ok," he said.
Duo grinned down at the smaller boy and tossed him a wink.
"No matter what they do, they just can't seem to get the air clean enough out here in space. It's all that used and reused thing, I think."
"In... space..." Kenny said softly, his eyes widening.
Tryan bent down to inspect a blade of grass, then looked up as he heard the word.. *space*.
"This is space?" Wufan asked, looking around as well. He then looked up and all around and smiled.
"Yeah, this is space. Not that you can really tell right now. We're on a colony. It's like a giant town floating in an even bigger tin can, circling between the moon and the Earth," Duo replied, clasping his hands behind his head and looking pointedly up at the artificial sky.
"It's... moving," Carter said softly. "I can feel it..."
"And the horizon is weird... Very interesting." Wufan added.
"It goes up," Kenny nodded.
Heero chuckled at their comments. He'd never looked at the colonies through those eyes before.
Duan walked over to Duo and hugged him. "Thank you, Duo. You brought us to a cool place!" he said.
"Hey, you think this is cool, just wait till I get all you guys out there in a shuttle or something. When you can see the whole world and all the stars and everything spread out like come huge cosmic carpet. Now THAT'S cool!"
"Ooooh," Duan remarked, obviously impressed.
Wufan looked up at Wufei. "Do you live here too?" he asked.
Wufei looked down. "Um," he said. "I live different places. I may live here for a while now."
"Do you go on the shuttle too?" he asked, trying to work out transportation.
"Don't worry about it," Wufei said. "We'll work it all out."
"Ok," Wufan said.
Tryan nodded to himself. "The weight level is different here, too. Gravity." he said
"Artificial." Heero commented as he watched the kids absorb and dissect their surroundings.
Duo nodded his agreement as he peered around himself, looking for Rip and Jack. He'd hate to think that their guides into the nicer parts of paradise had abandoned them already.
Duo saw the two people in question, sitting on a nearby park bench as if waiting for the group sorting out process to take place.
Although they hadn't noticed in the park in Arcadia, Duo now realized that the two were dressed... a bit like colony people. Nicely dressed, in fact.
"Actual wardrobe change, or another useful little talent?" Duo asked amiably as he faced the two.
"Wardrobe change?" Jack drawled. "Ummm... from your point of view perhaps," he said. "We've actually been here a while..."
Duo cocked his head at the, affecting a curious look.
"Is this some weird magical scientific stuff that's likely to melt my brain, or is it just you two being yourselves?"
Heero snickered at the first part of Duo's sentence but wisely kept his comment to himself.
"Oh, both probably," Rip said amiably. "Having the ability to travel in time at will... is very convenient. For example..." the redhead tossed something small to Duo. It was a handheld minicomputer.
"Address and directions, as well a security code, for a little house we happen to now own on this colony," Rip said. "You may borrow it for a while until you find your own. Or you might be able to talk us into letting you stay as permanent tenants." He shrugged.
"Hm. Do I even wanna know what rent would be?" Duo asked with a leer.
Heero sighed and jerked his lover's braid. "Hn. Baka."
Rip grinned back. "If I thought it was an option," he said simply.
Duan jumped up and snagged Duo's braid from Heero's hand. He shook his head.
Heero grinned at the small boy slightly then reached down and grabbed Duan's braid and gave it a small tug before straightening with a slight smirk.
Kenny turned and took the end of Duan's braid with a mock-scowl at Heero. "You don't pull mine, I won't pull yours."
Heero blinked then nodded. "Ryoukai." He chuckled slightly under his breath and returned to tugging Duo's braid.
"Hey!" Duan protested.
"That's it. I'm planting joy buzzers in our braids, kiddo. Swear I am," Duo muttered to Duan as he reached around and snagged the end of his braid from his lover's hands.
Heero's eyes took on a wicked gleam. "And when it hits you in the face, baka?"
"Heero!" Duan called.
Heero looked down at the boy with mirth still lurking in his eyes, "Hai?"
Duan sighed and tilted his head. "You don't wanna hurt Duo, cause he might...get his hair cut off."
Heero's body shuddered slightly, which almost passed for convulsions in him, and he reclaimed Duo's braid and wrapped it gently around his hand. "Never." He said fervently.
Duan looked up at Duo and winked.
Duo winked back, his jaw twitching a little as he tried to contain the giggle tickling the back of his throat. After a moment, he turned his gaze back up to Jack and Rip.
"So. Feel like giving us the grand tour of the place, or do you have to flit off to other universes again?"
"You can find your way around," Rip said. "But we plan to be *here* for a while. Until we find what we are looking for."
"Coolness," Duo replied, his expression switching from jovial to serious, "Any ideas yet?"
"Several," Rip answered. "The last person who would have known the whereabouts of the Crown would be someone known as Treize Kushrenada..."
"Hm. 'Dead men tell no tales'," Duo intoned quietly.
"And you are certain, he is," Jack said in his usual bored tone.
Wufei's eyes flashed but he said nothing.
"Heh. I was certain Heero was dead once. Or twice. A few times... heh. Look where that got me," Duo quipped cheerfully.
"Do you have other information?" Heero asked curiously, looking at the two.
"We have... an understanding of how the thing works," Jack answered. "We believe that the Crown was physically sealed inside the mobile suit you call Epyon. Your historical records show reasonable indications of its influence on persons who have been in contact with that suit. Including you."
Heero nodded, his face stoic. It wasn't something he preferred remembering.
"The actions of this Treize were... unusual," Jack said. "Voluntarily giving it up..."
Heero frowned slightly. "He gave it up to gain... power. It wasn't giving it up... It was almost an extension." He settled back into frowning, his blue eyes dark as he remembered returning in Epyon.
"It's an interesting problem," Rip commented. "The Crown will not stay hidden for long. It will seek a holder... someone to further its influence."
"Zechs had it last," Duo suddenly interjected, "Right, Heero? Wufei?"
Wufei nodded. "While he was making war on the Earth."
Heero cocked his head, "But you said he lost it."
Wufei shook his head. "No. I said it wasn't where he left it. At least, it wasn't where he claims to have left it. He doesn't respond very well to being asked, either."
Heero snorted.
"Perhaps he could be persuaded to be more forthcoming?" Rip suggested, looking from Duo to Heero.
"Oh man, I think I'd pay money to see that," Duo replied, a wicked gleam lighting in his eyes.
Heero shook his head, tugging the braid still wrapped around his hand, and considered for a half second. "Iie. I don't think so."
"Yeah," Duo replied after a moment of thought, "That could be scary."
"In that case, since you seem to know the chap, what would your suggestions be?" Rip returned, grinning.
Duo held his hands up in deference to Heero and Wufei.
"Not my area of expertise. I started staying out of his way when he started blowing holes in the earth. Ask them," he said, pointing at his partners. "Unlike some Japanese guys I know, I HAVE a healthy survival instinct."
That remark earned Duo yet another braid pull before Heero's face went completely in soldier mode. He ran ideas through his head then realized the chance for overlap and turned to Wufei, "What have you done?"
"Well, I *have* talked to Zechs. I can't say I believe he told me everything he knows. I have looked for the suit, in the area of the battle. Searched resource satellites, talked to the Sweepers about the debris from the area. If it's been found, no one is telling," Wufei said, scowling slightly.
Heero listen to Wufei's recitation and then thought, "Have you checked his estate? Trieze's?"
Wufei shook his head. "It's... been declared off-limits by the Preventers. I'd been planning on trying to get in but it will take preparations."
Duo's eyes lit up at the prospect.
"Breaking and entering? Joy," he murmured gleefully.
Heero nodded, "That would be where I'd start."
"You do that," Rip said. "And let us know what you find."
"What? Leave a note on the fridge?" Duo asked cheerfully.
"No," Jack said. "Leave a message with our answering service. Gemini Ltd."
Heero nodded. "Ryoukai. How long?" He looked at them. "Time limit?"
"This is your world," Jack said. "Your time. The longer you wait..." he shrugged.
"In other words, Time limit is preferably before world catastrophe. Again," Duo replied.
"Up to you, old man," Rip said grinning.
TBC in the near future.....
With love from the authors:
RavynFyre, Kateri Marie, Vonceia and bonnejeanne
May you find your way to Arcadia!!!
bonnejeanne & vonceia present
RavynFyre and Kateri Marie
Please feel free to direct feedback to any or all of the authors!
ravynfyre@hotmail.com,
nacl3salaris@hotmail.com,
vonceia@yahoo.com,
bonnejeanne@yahoo.com.