Title: Chibi Syndrome
Author: Atarashii (golden_kitsune@hotmail.com)
Rating: PG; angst, language
Pairing: 1+2, 3+4
Archives: The Gundam Pilot Academy, Wistful Dreamer Collective

Disclaimer: Gundamwing Characters aren't mine. The plotline is. Please don't sue.

Warning: ...

Rambling: *cough* I know it's been quite a while since you've seen any more of Chibi Syndrome ('CS'). But lo and behold, here's Part Four *finally* for your enjoyment (thank Jessie-sama for prodding me to get it finished. =P [And for taking care of whatever spelling or grammatical errors she spotted ^^;])


***

Chibi Syndrome (Part Four)

***


The Yamaneko bit back a groan as his eyes started to fully adjusted to the light. Blinking twice in an attempt to quicken the process, Duo whimpered softly as he accidently moved his head a little. *Where am I?* he thought fuzzily, forcing his body off the cold, concrete floor. Amethyst eyes fell upon a darkened, yet small and shivering form huddled in a corner of the cell.

Even as he creeped silently towards 'it', the black fox cowered back, sapphire eyes meeting his and rendering Duo speechless. The delicate, charcoal ears were drooped, tail in equal deposition. Finally finding his voice again, the braided chibi's question was barely audible, "Q-Quatre?!"

Ears perked up at the sound of his name, and the fox cocked his ears to one side, saddened eyes lightening somewhat. :Duo...: the thought pierced through Duo's consciousness, and the Yamaneko swallowed with difficulty, falling to his knees.

"Cat, what happened to you?" he hissed, feeling his heart flutter and his head spin with new thoughts and questions.

:Feelings, Duo. This whole thing was based on emotions. I-I guess it was quicker for me because I can feel other's emotions as well as my own...: Thoughts drifted off into silence, and Duo crawled towards the kitsune[1], gathering the small animal into his arms. The fox let out a small cry as his cracked ribs started to throb with pain. Startled, Duo loosened his hold a little, soothingly running small hands through the soft, black fur.

"I'm sorry, Cat. Gods, I'm sorry," The chibi whispered, tears pricking at his eyes and blurring his vision again.

:Don't cry, Duo.:

"I-I can't stop, Cat. This whole thing's my fault...you being stuck like this...."

:STOP Duo!: The thought was urgent, commanding even as Duo felt his grip on Quatre slacken, his body shrinking and fur starting to sprout all over. Within a minute's time, a panther, slightly bigger than the fox sat blinking, round ears perked forward.

Both animals looked up at the sound of the room's sole door creaking open, two pairs of ears flattening at the sight of the two rough looking men. The taller one stepped forward, an evil grin on his face as he kneeled and picked Quatre up by the scruff of his neck. Crouching low, Duo snarled, baring his teeth at the shorter one, backing away slowly even as the former advanced.


***


Heero stared blankly at the wall, still trying to fully comprehend what had taken place just hours before. The sound of the bedroom door opening startled him out of his thoughts, eyes resting on Trowa's form. Seeing the distressed look on the latter's face, the 'Perfect' Soldier[2] stood up, heading over to the other, trying to remain calm, despite the fact that his instinct told him that something was definately amiss.

"What's wrong?" Heero asked in a controlled, emotionless tone.

"Cat's gone," Trowa replied, green eyes voicing his concern even though his voice did not. "Also, I can't find Duo anywhere either...Heero..."

"What?" the other snapped.

"Do you have any idea where they might be? I have this strange feeling that Cat's in trouble..."

Snorting in distaste, Heero brushed past the taller ex-pilot, stopping with one foot outside the door's frame. "I'm certain that Winner and Du-Maxwell are just fine, Barton," he snarled. "They're more than capable of taking care of themselves." He tried to continue on his way but a hand gripped his shoulder, Trowa's eyes burning into the back of his head. As calmly as possible, Heero stated softly, "Let me go, Barton."

When a minute passed and the request wasn't fulfilled, he spun around, fist flying out and quickly hitting its mark. Doubling over at the sudden attack, Trowa gasped for air, struggling to maintain his breathing even as he straightened back up, jumping the blue-eyed youth to the ground.

Emerald sparked against cobalt blue, before Trowa's own fist shot out, hitting Heero squarely in the jaw. "Don't *ever* say that again, Heero," Heavyarms' ex-pilot hissed, "Don't you dare say something like that again. I don't know what messed up your mind, but this is your *lover* we're talking about. He and Cat are missing, and you're telling me that they're capable of taking care of themselves? Damnit, Heero, they're more than vulnerable in their current state! Only Hell knows what can happen to them!"[3]

"Barton's right," a voice observed, and both looked up to see Wufei leaning against the wall, arms crossed against his chest as he regarded Heero with a cool stare. "It's not right to leave Winner and Maxwell to fend against whatever they may have against them."


***


"Here kitty, kitty, kitty," the man purred, gesturing for Duo to come to him. He only succeeded in the black feline inching further back, eyes narrowed and hard.

Quatre squirmed in his captor's grip, ignoring the burning pain in his stomach and letting out a small yelp as a hand struck against the side of his head. Startled by the pained cry, Duo stopped, looking up and towards where the fox was now sprawled, unconscious, at the feet of the taller man.

The moment's distraction was enough as to have his own pursuer close in, pouncing on the hapless panther. Surprised by the sudden attack, Duo struggled to get free, finding and sinking his teeth in the flesh of a single hand. His victim shouting in pain, stars impacting Duo's vision as he was thrown against the wall, landing on the ground with a dull thud.

The two men breathed heavily as they stared at the two animals laying sprawled on various areas of the floor, before looking at each other. The taller's orange eyes darkened when he saw his companion gingerly cradelling his left hand, "Did that little bastard get you?" he queried, and his companion's crimson eyes narrowed.

With an abrupt nod, Adam nodded, "That one put up a fight, but in the end I won, as always." He looked at his superior, inclining his head to one side, "What did you want to do with those two little shits?"

Jason's smirk was evil as he answered lowly, "I think it's time we do a little more experimenting."


***


[1] kitsune = 'fox' in Japanese

[2] Yeah, yeah, I know all of you've seen this description given to Heero one too many times. Hence the '..' around the term, 'Perfect'. ^_-

[3] Truthfully, I don't know what made me say that. ^_^;;;

I know, I know, this part was pretty short. But at least it was something, ne? And yes, I know, yet another cliffhanger. (I can't seem to stop with them, can I?) ^_^;; All and any feedback can be sent to golden_kitsune@hotmail.com. I don't know when Part Five will be out; guess we'll have to wait and see.