They piled off the bus outside the entrance to the church, mutters coming from the two trouble makers. Approaching the sister at the tall doors, Duo asked
permission for them to enter. Recognizing him, she quickly unlocked the doors, opening them as Duo gestured for the kids to enter. Following them, Duo let
them look around for a minute then turned quickly to stop the woman before she could lock the doors again.
"Oh, we're not staying," he said quickly. "Come on guys." Motioning for them to exit the doors again, Duo waved and grinned at the woman as he directed the
kids across the street. Once they were out of the woman's hearing, Duo turned to them, still grinning. "I told Zechs I was going to take you to the church, so I
had to keep my word. Now that I have, there's somewhere I wanted to take you. Follow me."
Leading them through the woods across the road from the church, he made his way up hill. Climbing slowly, he leaned down and picked Hilde up, resting her
on his hip when she started to lag behind. "Just a little farther." Finally, they reached level ground, Hilde squealing as she looked at the fields visible around
them. The church and the rest of civilization was hidden by the forest they'd come through.
Setting Hilde on her feet, Duo gestured for Rashid to drop the large basket he'd insisted on carrying. "Why don't you guys play while I set out lunch." They
looked at each other while Quatre slowly sidled off, Trowa in tow. Seeing their uncertain expressions, Duo sighed in exasperation. "Come on, you guys know
how to play. Dorothy, do you know how to fight?"
Dorothy looked at him with wide eyes, then she glared. "Of course I can fight. I know I could beat *you* up."
Laughing, Duo shook his head. "I wouldn't be so sure of that. Anyway, why don't you and Wufei wrestle. I know how much the two of you like violence."
"What?!" Wufei cried in indignation. "I would never fight an onna. I'm no coward. I won't fight someone so weak."
"Did you just say I was weak?" Dorothy asked dangerously, eyes narrowing as she eyed the boy. Growling, she launched herself on him, sending them both
to the grass.
"Hey! One rule you two," Duo said quickly. "The first one who leaves a mark or seriously injures the other has to kiss that person's feet!" The two froze for a
minute, staring at him in horrified shock, then they started fighting again, Wufei gripping Dorothy's arms as she tried to strangle him. Looking at the furious
fighters, Duo sighed knowing they weren't likely to hurt each other with such a degrading prospect in line for them if they did. Grabbing the basket before
Rashid could argue, he carried it a few yards away and set it down again before looking at the others.
"Hmm. What about you guys?" Looking at them, Duo noticed that Sally was biting her lip and not meeting his eyes, her hands holding the bag she'd brought.
"Hey Sally, what do you have there?"
Looking uncertain, she opened the bag and pulled out a small book, holding it out to Duo as if he would disapprove. Taking the book, Duo hid a smile as he
recognized it as a book of poetry by William Butler Yeats. Seeing the girl's solemn expression, Duo raised an eyebrow. "The Lake of Isle Innisfree is one of
my favorite poems," he said softly, smiling when her eyes widened. "I love the idea of being alone with nature, surrounded by peace."
"Me too," Sally said, nodding.
"Have you read anything by William Blake?" She shook her head, and Duo grinned, handing the book back as he took up a dignified stance.
"To see a World in a grain of sand,
and a Heaven in a wild flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,
And Eternity in an hour."
Grinning widely, Sally clapped softly as Hilde laughed. "That's beautiful."
"Yep, it's from Auguries of Innocence by Blake. I have the book back at the church. If you want I can pick it up on our way home later." Sally nodded quickly.
"Until then, that rock over there's great for reading in the sun."
"You don't mind?" Sally asked eagerly, looking across the field at the flat rock he'd indicated.
"Of course not, the whole point is for you to have fun. You like reading, so as long as it's fun for you I'm happy." Duo grinned as she smiled and turned,
walking across the field quickly.
"Okay, I guess that just leaves you three. Well Rashid?" Duo asked as he eyed the two girls for a minute before looking up at the tall boy.
"I wouldn't mind going for a walk."
"Going to check up on Quatre?" Duo asked slyly, smiling when the boy stiffened. "Go ahead, just be nice, okay?" Nodding, Rashid turned and walked away,
still looking embarrassed. Kneeling, he faced the two girls who were watching him expectantly. "Well, what do you want to do?"
"Play!" Hilde said happily, eyes shining as she glanced at Catherine.
"Play what?" Catherine said, giving her a disgruntled look before putting her hands on her hips and cocking her head as she looked at Duo. "This was your
idea, what should we play?"
"Uh," Duo blinked. "Um...why don't you guys run around. Play tag or something."
"Tag?"
Sighing, Duo slapped his hand over his forehead. //This is going to be a long day.//
* * *
Pulling Trowa with him, Quatre ducked into the forest. Wrapping his arms around the tall boy's neck, he sighed as Trowa's hands slipped around his waist.
Standing on his tip-toes, he brushed his lips over Trowa who lowered his head, deepening the kiss. Pulling back slowly, Trowa led him to a moss covered log.
Taking off his coat, Trowa spread it over the log, sitting down and pulling Quatre down with him.
"There's something I need to tell you," he said gently, reaching a hand up to brush back Quatre's thick blonde bangs.
"Trowa? What's wrong?" Concern filled Quatre's eyes as he looked up at Trowa.
"You know I said I wanted to marry you, right? Well, I've decided to join the army." At Quatre's sharp cry, Trowa moved his other hand to the pale boy's
cheek. "Quatre, I want to take care of you. For that I need money."
"But Trowa, you can't fight now! You know war's going to start, you can't involve yourself in this. Don't you know what type of army OZ is?! They're horrible..."
"I know," Trowa said softly. "But I've made up my mind. You know me. I wouldn't do anything to make you upset if I could help it."
"Why do you have to take care of me? Money means nothing! Trowa..."
Pulling the smaller boy close, Trowa kissed him again. "I love you, Quatre. And I *will* take care of you."
* * *
After lunch, Duo put things away in the basket, eyes moving over the kids. Quatre and Trowa were looking rather depressed, but Wufei and Dorothy were
another matter. Despite their disheveled appearances, their eyes glowed and they actually looked happy. The same could be said for the others. Having put
everything away, Duo took a deep breath and smiled at them.
"Well, fun's over. Time for the lessons." Hilde groaned and he frowned playfully at her until she stopped. "That's better. As I was saying, time for lessons.
And we'll start with a *music* lesson."
"But we're not supposed to sing!" Dorothy cried, staring at him.
"Hey, I'm the teacher and I'm going to teach you guys to sing. You're much to old not to know how, especially Wufei." Waiting for the boy to get mad, Duo hid
his grin.
"I can sing! We all can! We don't need *you* to teach us how." Glaring, Wufei crossed his arms over his chest.
"Great. In that case, It'll be easy to teach you a song. I thought it would be nice if you sang a song for Relena when she comes."
"No way!" Dorothy yelled, jumping to her feet. "There's no way I'll sing anything for that--" The rest was cut off as Rashid jumped up, a hand thrown over her
mouth.
"Why don't you guys like her?" Duo asked, motioning for Rashid to release her. "I mean, what did she do?"
"She's horrible," Hilde said angrily. "She hangs all over Heero and she totally ignores us."
"Maybe that's because you aren't nice to her," Duo said slowly, catching the girl's eyes and pointing to the blanket until she sat again. "Look, even if you guys
don't sing it for her, it wouldn't hurt anything to learn, would it? It's a nice song."
Pouting, Hilde looked down for a moment then back up at him. "I guess I could learn it," she said finally.
* * *
"Heero, it was so nice of you to invite me to your home."
Looking at the sandy-blonde girl beside him, Heero nodded. Turning again, he leaned forward to speak to Treize who was driving. "You haven't asked," he
said quietly, smirking when the brown haired man glanced at him.
"I've been thinking about the war that's coming. You know they're going to want you fighting for them. I'm surprised they haven't asked yet." Raising an
arched eyebrow at Heero's angry expression, he started to say something but Relena spoke first.
"Heero won't be fighting with OZ anymore," she said firmly, looking at Treize in disapproval. "After all, he has his family to take care of and," she smiled at
Heero who'd turned to look at her, "he has his future to think of."
"Of course," Treize said, glancing from the road to Heero. "Alright, Heero, how's Zechs?"
* * *
"Heero, do sit down and talk to me. You know I *detest* being ignored."
Glancing at Relena where she sat at a small table on the patio behind his house, Heero paused in his pacing. He was furious. Before Zechs had disappeared
with Treize, he'd informed Heero that the children were not home. Evidently Duo had taken them somewhere. Not sure who he wanted to kill more, Heero
continued to pace back and forth across the patio.
"Really. This is very rude of you. The children are fine, I'm sure. Now sit down, I want to talk to you." Relena waited, one eyebrow raised. Looking at her
again, Heero finally nodded sharply and slowly joined her. "You need to get away more often, Heero. You're young, you need to enjoy yourself more."
"With you?" Heero asked, voice monotone as he looked at her.
"Well, you could do worse. With *my* money, you wouldn't have to worry about fighting anymore. You could simply retire right now."
"I'd go insane. I couldn't live an inactive life."
Relena suddenly smiled, a sly smile, lowering her head so she could look through her lashes at him coyly. "Who said your life would be inactive?"
Sighing, Heero shook his head. They'd had the conversation before, but she simply wouldn't give up. "Relena, you wouldn't be happy with me."
"You don't know that," Relena said urgently, leaning across the table. "If you'd only give me a chance..." Her words were suddenly drowned out by the sounds
of happy yells coming from the lake. "What sort of trashy people let their children...." Relena trailed off, eyes widening as she looked out at the lake behind
the house. "Heero...Heero, look!"
Following the girl's wide, shocked eyes, Heero's own eyes widened. "Uso..." Glaring in shocked fury, Heero vaulted over the short railing that circled the patio,
stalking across the yard. Still trying to deny what he saw, he looked at the row boat filled with his family. Flicking from person to person, he saw all seven of
the children, his eyes stopping on Duo. Seeing him, Catherine and Hilde leapt to their feet, waving to him and calling out happily. As he stood frozen in
disbelief, the boat rocked dangerously for a moment, then capsized, flinging its contents into the water with startled cries.
Eyes widening in horror, Heero was about to go after them when they started to break the surface, one after the other. Grabbing Hilde, Duo swam to
Catherine, slinging an arm around her while Rashid went after Sally, the other four treading on their own. The youngest secure, they made their way to the
shore, breathless yet relieved laughter coming from Dorothy as her feet touched the bottom and they trudged through the shallows and scrambled up the
bank.
Grinning at Heero, Duo set the girls down, watching as they ran to their brother. Then the kids noticed Heero's expression and an abrupt change occurred.
Eyes wide, Duo stared as they abruptly reverted into the obedient children he'd first met, quickly forming a line in front of Heero. Angry at Heero's cold
welcome, he glared at the boy as he approached the line of wet kids.
"How can you act so immature," Heero growled in fury. "Look at you. Get in the house and change out of those filthy clothes. We'll discuss this later." Still
fuming, he watched as they ran into the house.
"You insensitive jerk!" Turning abruptly, Heero stared at Duo's furious expression with disbelief. "Do you have any idea how long it took for them to be
happy?! Then you come back and in less that a minute they're dead again! What is wrong with you? Why are you so horrible to them? Don't you care about
them at all?"
Shaking his head at the boy's gall, Heero advanced a few steps. "I will *not* tolerate this," he spat. "You will *not* speak to me like that." Voice cold, he glared
into Duo's violet eyes, the equal anger he saw there spurring him on. "You are finished here. Pack your bags." Turning, he walked to the house, fists
clenched at his sides. Not seeing Relena where he'd left her at the table, he jerked the door open, letting it slam behind him.
.-.
PART 7
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