05-Jun-2000
((Alright, here we go. Much plot coming at you. This is the first in 3 bits coming out tonight. I'd like to take this moment to extend grand thanks to Bonnie for helping me see a number of things. First, a side of Wufei I hadn't considered and second a whole new plot twist. This fic could not have continued in it's course without her assistance and she has my eternal thanks. Laekin.))
Category: Adventure, Angst, Romance, Friendship
Timing: After the events of OCT, the investigation continues.
Pairings: 3+4, 1+2 But there will also be a lot of scenes of the friendships between the five.
Disclaimer: Not mine, no money being sought just lots of wonderful feedback
and enjoyment by all.
Notes: I want it understood that Wufei is ALL Bonnie in this. She wrote him and spoke for him and did a remarkable job. Any comments about how great
Wufei is... and he is... are to be directed to her.
The two motorcycles took the turn in perfect tandem. Straightening back to center, Heero downshifted and slowed as he and Trowa entered the busier parts of town. Trowa braked a little harder and slide into position behind Heero. They were headed into town to meet with someone who claimed she had information they were looking for.
Trowa was getting a little better about leaving Quatre back in the safety of his estate, as long as either Duo or Wufei were in residence to keep track of the small blonde. Wufei had recently begun to work with Quatre on some of the martial arts disciplines. Trowa had originally been concerned about the physical exercise but the movements, while challenging, were no where near as jarring as push-ups or jogging. Trowa had been forced to agree that the exercise was good for Quatre and would help bring him back up to fighting form faster then originally projected.
The quick flap of Heero's dark longcoat as he turned down an alley, drew Trowa's attention back to there here and now. Leaning to the side, Trowa followed him into the quiet seclusion. Both boys slowed to a stop and turned the powerful machines off. Heero leaned the motorcycle on it's kickstand, tucked into a shadow.
"We'll leave these here and proceed on foot."
Trowa nodded his assent and positioned his own vehicle behind a dumpster where it wasn't likely to be noticed. Tucking his hands into the pockets of his own long grey overcoat he waited for Heero to finish masking the presence of his own transportation then the two young men walked out of the alley.
"Where are we supposed to meet her?" Trowa asked.
"We're not. The message said to go into Market and she'd find us."
Trowa looked around himself at the busy Market place. Men and women hurried about their daily shopping. People haggled over the price of fresh melons and fish. Looking down at himself and Heero he pulled a face.
"Guess we do sort of stick out like sore thumbs." Trowa commiserated
"We should buy something." Heero spoke, eyeing the melon stand.
Trowa followed his line of sight and blinked. "Do you know the first thing about buying a melon?"
Heero just gave Trowa a look and stepped off the corner of the sidewalk heading for the stand. Trowa shrugged. The action causing his longcoat to sway and brush along the back of his calves. Then he jumped lightly after the other boy, his long stride catching him up with Heero in a series of steps.
For a long while the two of them just stood there staring down at the neat pile of slightly green white fruits. At the other end of the stand a young mother haggled with the grower over the price of some peaches.
"I think you're supposed to thump them.. or something."
"Hmm."
Neither young man made a move to take his hands out of his pockets.
"Maybe it's squeeze." Trowa spoke thoughtfully.
"No. I'm pretty sure it's thump. Squeeze is for...eggplants."
Trowa looked over and down at Heero. "Eggplants?"
"Mmm."
Trowa opened his mouth to comment farther when Heero shot him a quick cold look. Closing his mouth the taller boy looked back at the small stack of honeydew melons in front of them.
"So... do you want to thump of shall..."
"Pst.." Came a hushed noise from a small shadow behind the stand. Heero and Trowa's heads snapped around, keen eyes focusing on the small movement of a hand motioning them off the street and into a doorway.
Hands dropping automatically to the small of their back where each young men carried a handgun they quickly checked around for any overly watchful eyes, then disappeared into the doorway. It took them both a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim light of the sheltered area. When everything did come back into focus they found themselves looking at a dirty young woman not much older then themselves.
Her hazel eyes darted nervously too and fro as she peeked around looking to see if they were followed. Trowa felt a small pang for her obvious air of desperation. Heero on the other hand seemed to want to get down to business.
"You the one who left word that you had information?"
The young woman jumped a little and licked her chapped lips. "Yeah.. yeah see I heard yous all were looking for some peoples in connection with tha shooting an all."
Heero's eyes narrowed. "You .. *heard*"
Hazel eyes snapped up to his face for a moment, then quickly looked away. "Well, yeah. Yous knows how things get around. Anyways you want the information 'bout tha shootings or what?"
Trowa fought down a sigh. He could already tell this woman had nothing. He and Heero had chased down a number of these very sort of "leads." People who had heard about the Winner shooting and had enough street connections to know that the Preventers were investigating matters. They never had anything useful and they always wanted some sort of reward.
Heero quickly and efficiently punched holes into the woman's 'information' leaving her nervous and even more desperate looking then before. Shaking his head, Heero turned towards Trowa.
"Come on."
"No! Wait!" The young woman skittered close to Heero, looking between he and Trowa with red-rimmed eyes close to tears. "You don't understand.. Is got to come back with something. Maybe.. maybe since the information doesn't please you.. something else would." With those words she gave both young men a suggestive look.
Trowa had to fight the urge to be sick as he just walked on out of the building back into the bright sunshine. Taking a couple of deep breaths of the clearer air he turned when Heero stepped out at his elbow.
"We'd better get back to the estate."
"Mmm."
Trowa nudged Heero with his elbow, pointing down the street towards a couple of stands. One of which advertised the selling of pocky. Well known Duo prey. Trowa gave Heero a long pointed look. Heero studied the stand, then dug into his pockets checking for the presence of his wallet. A small nod confirmed it's presence and the two young men turned and wove their way through the crowd towards the stand.
tbc
Laekin
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