Category: Angst, Adventure, AU, Slave/Master Pairings: 1x2, 4x3 (eventually), 5x? Rating: R (?) Disclaimer: Standard. You know them all by now so I won't bore you with a repeat. Archive: Darkflame's Gundam Wing Fanfiction (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/skully/1652/gwfics.html), on the q.t. (http://members.nbci.com/hfox36/ontheqt.htm ) Boys in Chains (http://www.ravenswing.com/bic/), The End (http://www.oocities.org/maxwellcave/fanfics.html ) , Angel Ran's Gundam Wing Fanfiction (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/stevenson/1973/haven.html) , The Best Yaoi/Fanfiction (www.bestof.iwarp.com.), Shades of Color (http://www.fanfictiongw.homstead.com/Shade_of_color.html) , anyone else who wants it Warnings: This story does show how a lot of people felt about the owning of slaves, a feeling that was very alive in this country not that long ago, as well as in many civilizations down through the ages. There are some good owners and some bad owners, like in everything. If someone owning another person bothers you, you might not like this fic. But then I'm not forcing anyone to read it. There are also M/M relationships in this fic (I'm very much a 1x2/3x4 fan.) so if boys being together (and I do mean together) bothers you don't read. And thanks to my beta reader, Kit Door, for checking up on all my mistakes. We'll get this right yet. Golden Lights Part Thirty-One By SilverLady Quatre balanced precariously on one foot as he tried to get his pants on. He was still a little dizzy, but it was bearable now. It just made maneuvers like getting dressed tricky. Suddenly the door opened, startling Quatre and causing him to loose he balance. He gave a little cry as he braced himself for the pain of his body coming in hard contact with the floor. But it didn't happen. He found himself being held upright by whoever had opened the door. Looking cautiously up, he found himself staring into a pair of emerald green eyes. I don't think I've ever seen both eyes. He blinked when he realized Trowa's mouth was moving. "Huh?" "I asked if you were okay. You shouldn't be out of bed just yet." Quatre suddenly blushed. Something about the statement, and the fact that he was in Trowa's arms with very little clothing on made him very embarrassed. Extracting himself from Trowa's embrace he leaned over to pick up his pants, which he had dropped. Trying not to reveal any more of his body than he already had, he moved across the room and sat down in the chair near the window. "I am fine, Master. You just startled me. The doctor says that as long as I am careful everything will be fine." Trowa inwardly winced at the formal tone in which Quatre spoke. He was also a little disappointed that the blonde was quickly covering up his lovely body. He still didn't understand why Quatre was so ashamed of his figure. His skin was smooth and flawless, quite a sight to behold. Plus, he was loosing the last vestiges of baby fat and was beginning to gain the muscle definition that came with maturity. All of that, combined with his unusual coloring, made him a very beautiful sight indeed. Unlike Trowa's own scarred form. "Since the doctor did say it was now all right for you to travel, we are planning to leave in the morning." "As you wish, Master." "Quatre." "Yes, Master." "I'm changing my orders. It's all right for you to talk to Duo or whomever you wish. Plus, I don't expect you to hover behind me constantly. Sal will continue to be in charge of the camp, but you can assist her in any way she wants." Quatre blinked in surprise. "Why, Master?" "There has been some things that have been brought to my attention that have made me realize I was much too hasty in accusing you of committing the attacks against the others. I apologize for that. I no longer believe that is the case. In fact, I would appreciate your input into who you think might be behind the attacks and why." Quatre ducked his head and stared at his feet. Was what had happened the other day part of the reason for Trowa's change in attitude? "I.... I haven't really thought about it, Master. I would not presume to understand such things." Trowa frowned slightly. "Quatre. I will not tolerate you playing the stupid fool. I expect you to be who you are. Is that understood?" Quatre looked up in surprise. "Yes, Master." "Good. We will be eating in the dining hall in an hour. Please be ready." "Yes, Master." Trowa looked at him for a minute longer before turning on his heel and limping from the room. Quatre shoulders sagged as soon as Trowa was gone. He is so confusing. I really don't know how to behave around him anymore. ***** Later Quatre could never be certain what had roused him from a sound sleep. All he knew was that one-minute he was asleep, the next wide-awake. Sitting up he scanned the room. Nothing seemed out of place and yet.... Moving quietly, Quatre slipped from the bed and made his way over to the door. Opening it just a bit, he peered into the other room. Nothing. He sighed. My imagination must be playing tricks on me. I could have sworn.... Just then an odd odor reached him. Wrinkling his nose in distaste, he frowned. There was something distinctly familiar about the smell. Suddenly he realized what it was. It was a strange chemical that the Midori used for starting their campfires. He had smelt it one time when his father had taken him with him to visit with the head of the tribe, a man that his father was good friends with. Moving quickly but silently he headed out into the hall, trying to find the source of the smell. There was no smell of smoke, so whatever fire the chemical was meant to start hadn't happened. Yet. Just as he came around the corner, he spotted a flicker of movement ahead of him. It appeared to be coming from the direction of Duo and Heero's room. Breaking into a run, Quatre headed down the hall, hoping to grab the person before he could get away. He was barely halfway down the hall when there was a flash of light and the door to Duo and Heero's room erupted in flames. "No!" he shouted. The figure looked up in surprise at Quatre's shout and, in the light of the fire, Quatre was able to get a look a the person. The face was that of a female, with pale skin and nearly black hair. Glaring angrily at Quatre, she jumped to her feet and bolted down the hall. Quatre was torn between chasing the woman and doing something about the fire. But his indecision only lasted a minute. The woman would have to wait for another time, his friends were more important. As he raced down the hall he remembered that there was a bath across the hall from the room. Hopefully the last person to use it had been to lazy to dispose of the water. Shoving the door open he heaved a sigh of relief to find the old wooden tub nearly full of water. Grabbing a bucket he scooped up as much water as he could and went back into the hall. The door of the room was now totally engulfed in flames and a thick smoke was beginning to billow down the hall. "Help!" Quatre shouted. "Fire!" Even as he shouted, he flung the water onto the door. He couldn't hear any sound coming from the other side of the door and he reverently prayed that Duo and Heero were awake and had already managed to escape. He dreaded the thought that the fire had been set to quickly dispose of a couple of bodies. Shoving that thought from his head, he returned to the bath to get more water. Thought he knew that his pitiful amount of water would do little, he was determined to do what he could. He barely heard the shouts from the other people in the inn as they realized there was a fire. There were sounds of slamming doors and running footsteps as people quickly escaped. Suddenly Quatre felt a hand on his shoulder. "Quatre." Trowa spoke firmly, trying to catch the frantic blonde's attention. He had been calling the boy's name from the moment he had rounded the corner and realized who was struggling to fight the fire. But Quatre was so focused on what he was doing he hadn't heard him. Quatre tried to escape the tight grip. There was still some water left. He couldn't stop now. He had to save Duo and Heero. "Quatre, come on. We have to get out." Quatre shook his head, blinking back the tears the smoke was bringing to his eyes. Every breath burned his lungs, but he ignored it. "No," he gasped out, his voice raw. "Have to stop it." "I'm sorry Quatre. I have to do this." Suddenly, there was a strange stabbing sensation in Quatre's neck and the blackness rose up to engulf him. "Duo. Heero," he managed to croak out as he sank into Trowa's arms.