KC: "The kisses of the sun, were sweet I didn't blink, I let it in my eye like an exotic drink, the radio playing songs that I have never heard, I don't know what to say oh not another word just la la la la la, it goes all around the world, just la la la

KC: "The kisses of the sun, were sweet I didn't blink, I let it in my eye like an exotic drink, the radio playing songs that I have never heard, I don't know what to say oh not another word just la la la la la, it goes all around the world, just la la la la la, it's all around the world, la la la la la and everybody's singing la la la la la and now the bells are ringing--"1

Treize: Grarrr!

*stomps on KC repeatedly*

All: O.O

KC:...ow!...ooh...ah...OUCH!...ugh...ergh...

Treize: How dare you make me hurt my Wu-bear! Don't you dare start singing, you get back to work!

KC:...gah...say wha'...?

Treize: Fix your mess!

Trowa: Yeah, dammit.

All: O.O

Duo: Hey, he's out of character!

Trowa: So? We're all out of character. Wufei's crying, Treize is out of control, I'm acting emotional, Heero is afraid, and Duo...well, okay, not all of us.

Duo: Was that an insult or a compliment?

Wufei: *sniffle*whimper* I'm n-n-not c-crying...not one b-bit.

Treize: Oh, my poor lover! *snuggles Wufei*

Quatre: I hope you at least punish them a little. We didn't do anything.

Zechs: But...it was the zero! We didn't mean to do anything.

Quatre: You did something, too?

Zechs: Um...gotta go. *exit*

Wufei: Do we at least get a snuggle and apology?

KC: Why?

All: O.O

Heero: At this rate, all those O.O's are gonna stretch my eyes out of shape.

Quatre: But...*chibi-fies*...they hurt us without reason.

KC: So?

All: O.O

Heero: Damnit. I can't close my eyes now.

Quatre: But why?

KC: Well, what did you expect? You're slaves. Did you honestly expect them to be punished for hurting their property? Maybe they'll feel bad, but they were punishing you and that's allowed.

Duo: But...if we did that to them, we'd be whipped or even executed!

KC: Yup.

Wufei: That's not fair! Injustice!

KC: Duh, they call you slaves for a reason. Now hush and relax, I've got a story to write.

Duo: Wait a sec. If Heero's got a zero...and he doesn't know what it does yet...

KC: *grins darkly* It's a damn shame you guys caught this around October. I get mean during this month.

*

Wufei woke up in someone's arms, but he couldn't see whose. He opened his eyes and found himself still on Treize's bed, but now undressed and covered only by a sheet. Whoever held him accidentally nudged his arm, and he winced as a bolt of pain ran up the bone.

"Wufei, are you awake?"

The sorcerer gave a sigh of relief. "Sally?"

"Mm-hmm. How're you feeling? Do you think you could swallow something and keep it down?"

He shrugged. "Maybe."

Gently easing out from behind him, she set him against several pillows she'd propped up. "Good. You shouldn't be awake when I set that arm."

"I can take it," he grumbled. He glanced down at his right arm and winced. The skin had turned a bluish purple color with red streaks. "I don't need your...pain remedies."

She spilled a handful of crushed leaves into a bowl of clear water and stirred them around. "Then take them to satisfy a weak woman's sentiments?"

He didn't meet her eyes. "If you wish."

Poor thing, you really must be hurting, she thought. "Here, drink this. Slowly."

With a little help, he took the bowl in his better hand and sipped the contents. "What is it?"

"One of Une's garden creations. It's a funny little star shaped leaf." She took the bowl back and set it out of sight. "It's pretty potent stuff, so I only use a little."2

He sighed and closed his eyes. "Works fast. Sally?"

She finished dressing the cut on his left leg and looked up at him. "Yes?"

"Where's...where's Treize?"

Hesitating a moment, she picked up his left hand and washed out the cuts before answering. "He said he was going to talk to Trowa, that he was worried about Quatre."

He didn't respond.

"Wufei...what happened?"

"J's little experiment went wrong, that's all. I'm sure Treize will fix it." He brushed his loose hair from his eyes. "You said he went to Trowa?"

"He just left a little while ago. Now don't try to change the subject. What happened to you, Wufei? Did a spell go bad?"

He laughed bitterly. "I suppose you could say that."

Before she could ask another question, Nataku flew in through the window and landed on the bed, crawling up one side. Mouth still a little bloody from whatever she'd eaten, she peered closely at Wufei's injuries.

I told you so.

"Sanctimonious little lizard," he grumbled.

Derivative reaction spells are dangerous and unpredictable, she lectured him. Little whelps shouldn't attempt them until they're at least two hundred.

"My apologies, I don't live that long,"he snapped.

Another reason to pay attention to your dragon.

"I didn't see you standing up to J," he said.

She didn't reply. Instead she lay down beside him and rest her head on his chest.

"What does J have to do with this?" Sally asked.

"It was his damn zero jewel," a sudden voice startled them.

Both looked up and saw Zechs standing in the doorway, the crystal in question in his hand. His clothes were rumpled and a dark bruise circled his cheek.

"I take it you didn't know what it does, either?" he asked Wufei, eyeing his injuries.

The sorcerer shook his head. "No, I just found out."

"Is Treize--?"

"His zero is shattered," Wufei interrupted him. "He's gone to talk to Trowa."

Zechs took a deep breath. "I'd better help him. That kid's dangerous."

"What happened to your face?" Sally asked.

"Lucretzia," Zechs answered simply. He turned on his heel and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Sally shook her head. "Hard to believe he's so silent in those boots. Now," she looked at Wufei, "what's this zero thing?"

*

Treize knocked on the door, straining to hear through the heavy wood. "Trowa? It's me, Trieze. May I come in?"

"You may."

He walked in, half-expecting to find Quatre's mangled body on the floor or huddled in bed. Instead there was only Trowa sitting in a chair, reading. The young monarch looked up with a slight smile. "I take it you've punished your own slut?"

Treize nodded once. "I've whipped and beaten him, yes. That's not why I'm here. While he was begging, he mentioned something about him intentionally sabotaging the jewels."

"For what purpose?" Trowa demanded.

"He didn't say. Well, he couldn't say." He flexed his hand, showing off the bruises on his knuckles. "His jaw broke. In any case, I came to warn you about the danger."

Trowa nodded slowly. "Still, we need to be able to use those gundam weapons. We need the gems for that."

Treize tilted his head and shifted on one foot. He could hear faint scratching from the closet and guessed that was where Quatre lay. "I don't think so. I managed to use the whip on him. Even so, I would rather try it out on a few of our newest soldiers, and make sure the gems are safe."

Trowa's smile broadened and unnerved the captain. "I understand. It makes sense." He unsheathed a dagger, and Treize expected him to cut the necklace off. Instead the captain only barely dodged the blade as it flew past his head and embedded itself to the hilt in the wall.

"You're a very good liar."

Treize drew his sword and took a step forward. "Trowa, you have to listen to me. You have to get rid of that thing. It's evil."

Rising slowly, Trowa slipped another knife into his hand. "No, it's telling me things. I can see all possibilities, every consequence of every action into infinity."

The captain shook his head. "Can you really, or are you just focused on your jealousy towards Quatre?"

Trowa frowned. "I'll treat that slave as I see fit."

"I thought you loved him."

Growling, Trowa lunged, bringing the knife down in a vicious slash aimed at Treize's throat. Moving only to adjust his stance, Treize brought his sword up and parried the strike. Trowa's blade slid down to the sword's hilt, and with one fluid motion Treize twisted his sword fully around, jerking the dagger out of the assassin's grip. Before Trowa could recover, the captain rammed the pommel into his adversary's face.

Knocked backward, Trowa went to one knee and drew his last dagger. While Treize tried to move away in the small room, the young assassin stood, bringing his knife up towards Treize's chest. The blade's edge passed an inch from his eye, but Trowa's stroke left him open, and Treize reached forward and grabbed the jewel. When Trowa jumped back, the chain snapped, and Treize was left holding the zero.

Trowa fell backwards onto the floor, staring stupidly at the captain while the knife slipped from his fingers. "Treize?"

He didn't sheathe his sword. "Are you all right again?"

Trowa put his hand to his throat. "...I...think so..." He looked around the room and frowned. "Where's Quatre?"

Putting his sword away, Treize glanced at the side door, where the scratching had stopped.

Trowa paled. "Oh no...Quatre..." He took the long key hanging on the wall and unlocked the door, flinging it wide. "Quatre? Are you...?"

"Don't. Come. Any. Closer. Trowa."

Trowa peered in through the scant light and spotted his lover huddled in the far corner, knees to his chest and arms around himself, staring into the distance. Blood ran down his fingers and stained his clothes. He shifted as the light hit him, burrowing his face deeper into his arms.

"Oh...Quatre..." He stepped farther, kneeling and reaching one arm out to touch the blonde's bloodied cheek.

Quatre's head snapped up before he could touch him. Before Trowa could move, his slave pounced, knocking him to the ground and running into the main room. Seeing Treize at the far door, hands up to catch him, Quatre turned to the window and climbed out, sliding along the narrow ledge.

"Shit," Treize cursed. "Trowa, are you all right?"

Trowa nodded and stood. "Where'd he go?"

"Out the window." Treize moved towards the door. "I think he's heading for roof. You'd better follow him."

Without another word, Trowa eased onto the ledge and disappeared.

Treize watched him go, then opened the door and walked out, nearly colliding with Zechs. "What the...oh, you, good. Zechs, come with--" He paused and stared at his second's face. "What happened?"

"The same thing with you and Wufei," Zechs answered. He held his zero out. "Except Noin can fight back."

Treize took the jewel and pocketed it. "Is he awake?"

"Yes, with Sally and that dragon of his. Captain, I don't think any of us should have those zeros, I don't care how much those gundams will help us."

"Then we'll have to use them without the zero," Treize said. He winced. "Epyon was...effective...even without benefit of the zero."

"You whipped him?" Zechs breathed.

Treize shook his head. "But not for lack of trying. I tore the bed apart...Zechs, may I ask a favor of you?"

"Anything."

"Trade me the Talgeese for the Epyon." He shook his slightly. "I don't think I could stand being near that whip again."

"All right," the platinum blonde agreed, unfastening the sword hilt from his belt. "But I must warn you, it demands things when you use it."

"Demands things?" Treize repeated, taking the hilt.

"It wants a challenge, the harder the better. It...can be quite insistent." Noticing the silence in the king's chambers, he glanced inside. "Where are Trowa and Quatre?"

"I'll explain on the way," the captain promised. "Follow me."

*

"Duo, hush."

"I didn't do anything."

"Your footsteps are making the floor creak."

"You're the one making all noise, telling me to shut up."

"Then shut up."

"But I didn't say anything."

"Duo, be quiet."

"Heero, relax."

The king glared at his slave, who grinned.

"Impossible for you? Then being quiet is impossible for me." Duo glanced around a corner, then motioned for Heero to follow as they moved into a long hallway filled with tapestries. "Any idea where we're headed?"

"I told you, Dermail's private chambers," Heero snapped.

"Yes, I know that," Duo said far too sweetly. "But what do they look like?"

"I don't know, I've never been here before."

His slave turned and patted Heero's cheek. "Then be a good master and hush and let your thief do his job."

The master narrowed his eyes. "You're getting too uppity for your own good."

"Look, look," Duo interrupted, pointing down the hall. "Get back here."

Too busy looking where his lover had pointed, Heero had to be pulled to one tapestry. Duo flung the cloth back and grinned when he found a hidden cubby hole embedded in the wall. "Perfect," he whispered. "Come on."

Duo eased back into the niche and pressed his back against the wall, pulling Heero against himself. Just as they settled in the tight spot, they both heard a door open from down the hall. Falling silent, they listened to heavy footsteps stomping across the floor.

"Make sure you get this message to his Lord Barton as fast as possible. He must be here to flesh out my forces before that whelp of a prince suspects anything."

"Of course, grandfather."

Duo's eyes widened while Heero growled.

"And Dorothy...don't forget. If Relena is still here when war breaks out..."

"I remember, grandfather. She will not live to lend Heero what pitiful forces she has at hand."

"Very good. Now be sure no one sees you on your way out."

"Not at all. I'll go through your window."

"Such a good girl. I don't know what I would do without you."

Duo and Heero listened to Duke Dermail walk down the hall and out of earshot. A moment later, the tapestry was pulled back and Dorothy stood in front of them, an exasperated look on her face.

"Heero, you must learn not to growl," she whispered. "You nearly gave yourself away."

He stepped down and face her. "What are you doing here?"

She put her hands behind her back as she smiled. "Well, I wanted to know what grandfather was doing, and it didn't look like you were doing anything." She pulled a slip of paper from the front of her shirt and handed it to him. "This is from Dermail to Barton. I trust you heard our conversation."

"His private chambers?" he asked, shoving the note down his boot.

"This way."

*

Trowa had lost sight of his slave, but he could follow the bloody smears on the wall where Quatre had put his hands. The ground wasn't too far down, but every time his foot nearly slid off, his body ran cold. He twisted around one corner and finally spotted Quatre scrambling along a window ledge, trying to climb onto the high patio they'd stood on when watching Duo and Heero run along the wall.

"Quatre," he called out. "Stop."

The blonde whimpered as a shudder ran through his body, and he continued to climb.

"Quatre, hold still."

The slave's geis sent another rush of pain, stronger than the first, through his muscles, just as he dragged himself onto the patio. He didn't move except to wrap his arms around himself and cry. The pain gradually eased as he complied with Trowa's order, but it vanished entirely after a minute. He forced himself to his feet and ran for the newly rebuilt door.

"Dammit, Quatre," Trowa cursed. Barely climbing over the wall, he watched his slave duck inside. "All my fault."

Once inside again, he spotted a red handprint on the wall to his right and followed. When he turned the next corner, he nearly ran into a troop of guards marching through.

"You men," he said between breaths, "have you seen my slave run through here?"

The commander shook his head. "No, your majesty. Is he trying to escape?"

Trowa shook his head. "No, he's under a spell. He can't control himself right now. Fan out and search for him. He must be found and brought back before he hurts anyone."

The commander frowned. "What? That boy's nothing but a kitten."

"He's only a kitten around me. Be careful, he's extremely dangerous." Trowa suddenly glared at the man so hard they thought the soldier's skin might fall off. "And he is not to be harmed. At all. Understood?"

"Your majesty, he is just a slave. If he hurts one of my men--"

"You're supposed to be the best guards in the kingdom." The king clenched his hands into fists. "If I find out you've needlessly hurt him I'll personally see you and anyone else with you broken on a wheel. Now go." He turned and ran back the other way before the commander could respond.

*

"You still haven't answered me," Heero said. He turned and watched Dorothy close and lock the door. "Why are you here?"

"He wants to kill Miss Relena," she answered. "And take over the Sank kingdom. I can't let him do that. No one hurts my Relena."

Duo sat down at Dermail's table and rummaged around the piles of paper. "Heero, what's this?"

The king glanced over his shoulder. "It's a map." He looked closer and pushed the stray papers from the edges. "Of the three kingdoms."

"Grandfather's planning on a split between him and the Bartons," Dorothy told them. "He just wants Sank and a piece of your kingdom, but I don't think he realizes how greedy Dekim Barton can be." She slid her hand underneath the table and something audibly clicked. Half a second later, a roll of papers dropped into her hand from a hidden compartment. "I think these are what you're looking for."

While Heero examined them, Duo took the time to look around the room. "Mind if I take anything?"

"Hn," Heero shrugged. "Just make he won't notice for awhile."

"Gotcha," the thief grinned, jumping to his feet and heading straight to a small cabinet gone gray with age, stuck beneath some rusty swords and shields in need of repair. He quietly moved each item and brought the cabinet out, opening it. "Oh yeah..." he grinned.

Dorothy frowned and looked over his shoulder. "Ah, so that's where he keeps it."

Duo reached in and pulled out handfuls of rubies, stuffing them back into the spilled little bags strewn through the box. "What is it?"

"Money for Barton," she told him.

"But...Barton's a lord or a duke or something, right?" Duo wondered. "Why would he want more money?"

"Oh, you are so sweetly naive," she smiled, taking a bag of rubies. "Barton's country has just gone through ten years of civil war. Trowa may be a decent ruler, but Corazon will take years to recover. Money goes a long way in a place like that."

Duo nodded thoughtfully, then noticed something on the bag in his hand. "Hey, how come these bags have hearts on 'em?"

"What?" She stared at the bag and the single heart branded on the front. "Oh...I hadn't noticed. Probably to mark it as Barton's when it goes through. His family crest has...a...heart..." She looked up just as Heero did, their eyes meeting.

"The family of hearts," they both realized.

Duo blinked. "Huh?"

"The riddle," Heero said. "The family of hearts will drop a meteor, a bloody hammer of light..."

"Through blatant violence," Dorothy added. "That must mean during a battle."

"Dorothy, how long would it've taken you to get that message to Barton?"

"The trip usually takes two and a half months," she started.

"Dermail seemed to think you could get it there faster."

She grinned. "Usually two and a half months. But if you travel alone on a magic carpet...a week. Tops."

"You mean flying carpets really exist?" Duo gasped. "Wow..."

"Dorothy," Heero said lowly, "whose side are you really on? You sit too well on the fence."

She scowled at him. "Come now, don't be silly. I'm on whatever side best favors Miss Relena."

He didn't answer.

She folded her arms and looked away. "Fine. I'm Dermail's granddaughter and his only living blood relative, which means if he dies, I inherit all of Romafeller. With them in my grip, I can get rid of all these attempts on Miss Relena's life and give her a hand in Legrange, so she is sure her precious little alliances are honored."

Duo laughed as he pocketed several bags, and she turned her anger on him. "What's so damn funny?"

"Your entire life centers around Relena," he chuckled, "to where you'll even risk your life to keep her safe. You're as much a slave as I am."

Her eyes opened as her jaw dropped.

Heero smirked. "You're right," he said, holding the papers up. "I think these are exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for your help. Duo."

His slave immediately stood and nodded at the window near the top of the wall. "That's the fastest way out. Ready?"

"Let's go."

Duo pulled the table to the wall and climbed on top to open the window, going first to help Heero out after. Left behind to reset the table, Dorothy fumed and kicked the small cabinet back in place.

"As if I even brought the damn carpet with me," she grumbled on her way out.

*

Treize and Zechs walked side by side through the palace's halls, bypassing several of their own men wandering around. For the most part they ignored the sudden rush of soldiers, deciding that Trowa must have commandeered them.

Treize glanced sideways at his second. "I don't mean to pry," he started, "but are you going to get another mask?"

Zechs nodded once. "The silver smith always has a spare around. I was going to see him next, but...this sort of came up."

"Is Noin all right?"

"As well as can be expected. I got in a few slaps before she knocked me on the ground." He sighed angrily. "I was so sure she was trying to take over the White Fang until she took the zero off me."

"Why did you chose another name for our traitors?" Treize wondered. "This will just alienate them further."

"I don't think so. They have a lot to lose if Dermail wins. He won't give his traitors any quarter." Zechs smiled. "I think they'll fight even harder than our regulars."

Treize fell silent thinking. Zechs' hand fell on his shoulder, halting him, and when he looked up, he saw a small blonde figure running closer, followed by one guard. The taller man's stride easily overtook Quatre, but to their surprise, the slave turned and lashed out with one hand, slamming his fist into his pursuer's face. His other hand seized the dagger from the guard's belt and jerked it free, driving the guard back with two slashes that missed their mark. With the guard back-peddling rapidly, Quatre continued running until he spotted the two officers in front of him.

"Quatre, it's all right," Zechs said softly.

"We're not going to hurt you," Treize added. "Put the dagger down."

Clinging to the hilt with a death grip, Quatre held it up as if he could threaten them away. When they didn't retreat like the guard had, he looked around for another route. Finding one, Quatre darted to the left, through an open door and into the baths.

"I don't think he can understand," Zechs whispered.

Treize shook his head. "He's not insane, he's terrified. Go around and lock the other door. We'll keep him in the baths until Trowa comes."

*

Quatre froze in the large room, turning several times to make sure he was alone. His heavy breathing echoed with the sound of water lapping against tile. On the other side of the room, he heard a door slam and the lock click in place. He tightened his grip on his knife and slowly backed towards the small private rooms to the side.

Choosing the farthest one, he slipped inside and closed the door. He sat down in a corner and drew his legs up, closing his eyes as he rested. His breathing slowed to a normal pace. Wondering when they would come again, he lowered his head and started to cry.

He didn't have long to wait. He heard one of the doors open and shut, and then light footsteps came closer to the private baths. One by one, the person checked each room until Quatre heard the door to his room open. Instead of looking up, he listened as the person came in and closed the door again.

"Quatre?"

He held the dagger close. "Go away."

Trowa stepped forward until his slave looked up and raised the dagger. "Quatre, don't move."

"Don't come any closer," the blonde snapped.

More afraid the boy would hurt himself than hurt his master, Trowa sat down cross-legged on the floor. He took a deep breath and stared into Quatre's eyes. "I'm sorry."

"'Sorry'?" Quatre repeated, lips curling back slightly as if he wanted to bite. "You're sorry? You lock me up again and you're 'sorry'?"

"Quatre..."

"It was dark," the slave murmured, tears coming faster. "And I couldn't hear anything and there was no one else...and I couldn't even breathe..." The dagger fell out of his hand and clattered on the floor, and he covered his face with his free hand. "I thought you loved me..."

Trowa crawled close and knocked the blade aside before he sat next to his lover, putting his arms around him. He easily pulled Quatre's smaller body into his lap, and his slave immediately responded, resting his head on Trowa's shoulder as he sobbed. His curled his fingers around Trowa's shirt.

"I'm sorry," Trowa whispered.

"I never did anything with Wufei...I swear."

Trowa kissed the top of his head. "I know. I've always been jealous, but...I know."

Quatre pulled away an inch to look up. "Then why?"

"The zero jewel," Trowa answered. Quatre only gave him a blank look, and the king breathed in sharply. Part of Quatre's pale face had bruised over, leaving his right eye and cheek circled in blue marks. "I forgot...we didn't tell you."

Quatre swallowed and blinked a few tears away.

"It...King J developed crystal to help us use the seven weapons he made," Trowa explained. "But he didn't tell us it was evil. He didn't tell us it would show us lies and make us believe them. I was so sure you'd been unfaithful."

Quatre shook his head and sniffled. "Where's the zero now?"

"Treize has it. He had to fight me for it, I thought...I thought he was trying to kill me."

"Trowa...?"

"Yes, love?"

"I'm sorry I ran."

Trowa shook his head. "Don't be sorry. You had every right not to trust me." He gave him one more kiss and looked into his eyes. "You probably don't want to go back to the bedroom, no?"

Quatre shook his head.

"How about the garden? Outside, in the sun, maybe next to the fountain...?" He slipped one arm under Quatre's legs and kept the other behind the thin back, and then carefully stood up with Quatre cradled in his arms. "And I'm sure Lady Une'll be out there. She can give you something to help the pain."

The blonde put his arms around Trowa's neck and leaned against his chest. "Just...hold me. That'll be enough."

*

Author's Notes:

1. Lyrics to "Around the World (La La La La La)" by ATC's album Planet Pop, Universal Records.

2. Yes, it's marijuana being used for medical purposes. I neither endorse nor condone medical marijuana, as I don't know much about it, but Sally is using it, so there it is.

*

KC: Another chapter!

Wufei: Down the drain.

Quatre: Well, at least I got a snuggle.

Treize: And at least I got a decent fight scene. Now I don't look like such an inept Disney-like captain.

Duo: Aren't you sleepy? It's 12:30 at night, and I know you only got like five hours sleep last night.

KC: Yeah, I'm out of it. You're right, let's just end the conversation here so I can get some sleep.

Treize: But...I haven't made up with my Wu-Wu yet.

KC: Don't worry, that's a major part of next chapter. That, and Duo finally learns his secret!

Readers: About damn time!

Trowa: Major character development in one of the last chapters...completely amateur.

Heero: At least we figured out part of that stupid riddle.

KC: Well, duh, anyone with a bit of Spanish should've known the main family in Corazon would be a family of hearts.

Zechs: Wait a second. This is one of the last chapters?

KC: Well, we're definitely over the halfway point now. I doubt we'll have more than fifteen more chapters, but you never know.

Wufei: But...where are the other doctors?

KC: Hey, plot details change sometimes. I'll wrap them up in here, don't worry. But see, I was gonna do the slave abuse of these past couple of chapters in the sequel, but since I got 'em in here, I'll have to do something else for the sequel.

Duo: Like what?

KC: Look, I'm really sleepy. We'll chat later, 'kay?

Treize: But--

KC:...zzzz...

Trowa: She's out.