Strike Force Five Part 2
Yin and Yang Come Together
Wufei slept in until 8 a.m. which was late for him. He usually rose with the sun and had practiced his katas for at least an hour before the solar giant fully bloomed over the horizon.
After a quick shower he secured his damp hair into a neat ponytail berating himself for wasting part of the morning. Dressed in navy blue lounging pants and a pale blue sleeveless tee shirt his soft-soled footsteps brushed along the carpeted staircase. Several servants, engaged in their daily routine, nodded to Master Quatre's guest as he paused by the foyer window.
There was a lot of activity outside as the grounds keeping staff trimmed and raked. "There can't be a blade of grass out of place." Wufei thought shaking his head at what he considered a foolish misuse of manpower.
Across the front garden Trowa was talking with two armed guards posted at the double-gated entrance. Another pair of well-fortified sentries patrolled along the walled perimeter accompanied by a large, burly guard dog.
"Quatre has always been pragmatic in his personal life and business management," Wufei continued with his thoughts, "but holding up in this fortress goes beyond reasonable precautions. When did you become so unsure of yourself?" Wufei sighed realizing that apparently even Trowa's protection could not put Quatre's mind at ease.
As if on cue Quatre walked down the hall, "Did you sleep well?" he inquired glancing out the window. Wufei couldn't help but notice how quickly Quatre's sight centered on Trowa and was happy to see that some sparkle had returned to his azure eyes.
"I was comfortable enough to oversleep." Wufei replied checking his watch. 9 a. m...if he wasn't careful the entire morning would be gone.
"You would not have slept in if you hadn't needed the extra hours. Now that you have caught up on your rest a good breakfast is in order." Quatre announced nodding toward the kitchen.
Wufei fell into step with his genuinely concerned friend knowing that skipping breakfast was a battle he could not win. Moments later special blend coffee dripped from the custom designed coffee maker and an array of freshly baked muffins were set out for Wufei's inspection.
"Sit." Quatre motioned to the informal kitchen table where he preferred to eat.
Wufei complied settling into a chair near the door. Quatre placed the assorted muffins on the table, poured two cups of coffee then joined his visitor.
"Did you give up your tea?" Wufei asked carefully sipping the steaming cup.
Quatre shook his head, "Not entirely. I like to share coffee with Trowa but only in the morning."
Wufei chose a blueberry muffin spreading on a thin coat of butter. "So when are the "loose cannons" arriving?" he wondered not certain he was ready to meet the odd pair.
"Heero should be here soon. Maxwell will come when he decides to show up. He is a hard person to pin down."
"Quatre I'm still not sure if this Strike Force idea will work." Wufei had to be honest about his feelings.
Quatre fiddled with his napkin thumbing at the edge, "I may be wealthy but I cannot afford to outfit an army," he declared with a heavy sigh, "but I can put together the best underground unit my funds will allow. Will you answer one question for me?" he asked pulling at the napkin's frayed corner.
Wufei nodded "yes".
"Truthfully?"
"Of course."
"With five specially trained people how much damage to you believe we could do if we used hit and run tactics to eat away at the core of OZ's operations?
Wufei considered the question, studied at all angles and probable courses of action. "If we could keep OZ off balance and minimize our exposure time I believe we could give the bastards a run for their money."
"If I can persuade Yuy and Maxwell to join Trowa and me will you take up the cause?"
"Without hesitation." Wufei pledged to fight at his comrade's side.
*********
Wanting his mind focused for the upcoming meeting Wufei was in the east garden doing Tai Chi as a form of meditation. His concentration was interrupted by the approach of a hard-topped Jeep. The white vehicle halted at the sentry station as the driver spoke with the guards. A quick conformation of the pre-registered name and license plate and the gates swung open.
Wufei finished stretching, slipped on his socks and shoes then crept to the garden's edge to spy on the new arrival. A young man whom Wufei guessed was about his age stood by the Jeep taking a moment to study the mansion. Golden skin tones and high cheekbones showed possible Asian decent. Windswept hair, not as black as Wufei's but definitely dark brown, gave the guest an untamed appearance but tinted sunglasses provided no clue as to whether the eyes behind the darkened lens were as wild as the tousled tresses.
It did appear that the man traveled as simply as Wufei. A single duffle bag and laptop case were extracted from the trunk. A third item, securely zipped up in an odd shaped carrier, sparked Wufei's curiosity. There was something familiar about the outline but he couldn't quite recall what it was. Another mystery but why not, nothing had been "normal" since Wufei set foot on the Winner estate. One recognizable shape was the tattletale holster bulge under the visitor's shirt. Clearly the man carried a pistol and probably various other weaponry hidden about his person.
Wufei moved closer using a rose trellis as cover. As the man started up the semi-circle front steps Quatre opened the door. Trowa stood in the foyer choosing not to follow his partner outside.
"Hello Heero." Quatre said with an underlying tension that hinted that Quatre and Heero might not have parted on the best of terms.
Heero Yuy nodded to his host without slowing his stride. "Winner." he acknowledged pausing on the top step. Then catching sight of Trowa, Heero took off his sunglasses tucking them into his shirt pocket, "So you did decide to stay." he stated matter-of-factly.
Trowa tilted his head down at the shorter man, "You knew I would." was all he said before stepping back to let Quatre and Heero come inside.
As the front door closed Wufei retraced his steps to a shale stone patio and went inside. He quickly made his way across an intersecting hallway using the trio's footsteps striking on the hardwood floor as a guide. A servant hauling the visitor's bags upstairs recognized Wufei's searching expression and nodded in the receiving room's direction before continuing his climb.
Quatre and Trowa had taken a seat on the sofa. Heero was just sitting down in an embroidered armchair when Wufei appeared in the doorway. "Wufei come in." Quatre invited.
Heero locked his sight on the Chinese man. Blue eyes, not nearly as slanted as Wufei's, showed a European influence. Wufei was correct in his earlier assumptions; those brooding cobalt orbs were as wild as he supposed. They also reaffirmed Wufei's opinion that Heero Yuy was going to be a pain in the ass to work with.
"This is Chang Wufei." Quatre made the introduction. Heero neither replied nor offered his hand as he watched Wufei take a seat opposite Trowa.
Wufei couldn't decide whether Heero's indifference was deliberate rudeness or poor people skills or a combination of both. In a way Heero's aloof attitude was a relief. Wufei did not want to become any more involved than he had to with the independent soldier. All he had promised Quatre was that he would work with the man and that was all he intended to do.
Certain that any attempt at small talk would be a waste of time Quatre got right to the point. "I want to offer a deal," he began explaining his plan as succinctly as he could. Quatre knew that Heero had little patience with long, drawn out speeches and even less tolerance with anything that would not benefit him in some way.
Heero focused mainly on Quatre but still studied Wufei out the corner of his eye. There was something sinister in Heero's glare that made Wufei uncomfortable. The Chinese man was ever so tempted to marched across the room, grab Heero by his shirt collar and use his fist to put a permanent end to the unsettling attention. The only incentive keeping Wufei halfway calm was that he was a guest in Quatre's home and that bloodstains would be very difficult to remove from his friend's expensive Persian rug.
Of course the fact that if threatened the sinister stranger might go into defense mode, totally disregard Quatre's abode and possibly beat Wufei within an inch of life never entered his mind. No, Wufei would wait and if Heero did accept the deal he would measure the man by his own standards of combat.
Wufei was so intent on resisting his urge to do the staring soldier bodily harm that he didn't realize Quatre had ended his proposal and was awaiting Heero's response. As Heero contemplated the plan Quatre tried not to appear too anxious and Trowa displayed his usual attitude of indifference.
"If I agree my acceptance will cancel my debt to you." Heero stated refocusing his attention on Quatre.
"Do not accept because you feel you owe me." Quatre responded leaning forward in his chair, "I do not want you on those terms. This is not between you and me," he continued wanting the deal clearly understood, "you will be joining a team and I will expect you to perform as a team member."
"Will Chang be part of the team?" Heero asked aiming his glare again at Wufei.
Once more it took all Wufei's willpower to keep his seat. His hands tightened on the armrests but he gave no outward hint of annoyance. "You have an objection?" he wondered sending out a good glare of his own.
A slight grin tugged at Heero's mouth and Wufei swore tiny sparks danced in his blue eyes. "No objection." he replied lowly, "I just want to know all the players."
"I have asked one more person to join." Quatre spoke up with a bit of reluctance. He knew that Heero would have heard of Duo Maxwell's expertise but didn't know how he would feel about working with someone not as disciplined in his duty.
"Maxwell." Heero declared.
Quatre's eyes widened at the name. "How did you know?"
"I have my information sources." he stated allowing the grin to stretch further across his mouth, "If I was choosing an explosives man Maxwell would be at the top of my list."
"Then you have no problem?" came the next logical question.
Heero tilted his head glancing first at Trowa then back at Quatre, "As long as Maxwell doesn't try to tell me my business I will endure him but I cannot guarantee what will happen if he gets in my way."
Quatre sighed as he wondered if he had taken on more than he had bargained for. "Duo should be here this afternoon then we will see if we have a team."
Heero stood stretching the kinks from his back, "If you will point me towards my room I'll keep to myself until manic Maxwell gets here and begins to turn this place upside down."
After Heero followed a servant upstairs Trowa relaxed from his protective posture, "That was fun."
Wufei nodded in agreement, "Are you sure about this?" He had to ask seeing how worn out Quatre was just from the meeting. "This will get harder."
Quatre shifted sideways leaning heavily on Trowa's chest, "Please Wufei don't be difficult. I have to make this work." he declared with another sigh, "I will need both you and Trowa." he admitted taking his lover's hand.
"You know we will be here for you." Trowa promised for him and Wufei. "Now let's take it easy until Maxwell thunders in." he advised.
*********
Three hours later:
The roar of a powerful engine punctured the estate's peaceful atmosphere abruptly ending Wufei's reading. Going to the library window he watched the reason for the ear-splitting racket tear through the gates.
Like a jet breaking the sound barrier a black motorcycle raced up the pebble driveway sending up a dust cloud in its wake then the mechanical terror fishtailed around the circle throwing up a spray of tiny stones.
A slender leather encased figure set astride the loudly purring beast. A black helmet with a tinted shield hid the person's face but it didn't take a genius to know that the wild rider was Duo Maxwell.
Mercifully the cutting off of the engine stopped the window's vibrations and eased the ringing in Wufei's ears. The helmeted figure scanned the area causing the sun to glint off the face shield. The obscured eyes studied Wufei's helicopter mentally noting its size and firepower for future reference.
Sliding long legs over the seat Duo dismounted and pulled off the helmet. A long braided rope of chestnut hair uncoiled and flopped down. As Duo undid the elastic cord securing a backpack to the seat the braid swung back and forth across his trim black-clad backside. Wufei had to admit that the unusual hairstyle was not only interesting but sexy as well.
Duo took the front steps two at a time bouncing by the servant who had been brave enough to open the door. Dropping the backpack on the foyer floor he used the helmet to point first ahead then up the stairs to the exposed hall above. The helmet's wide range of motion prompted the attending staff member to move quickly between a valuable 15th century porcelain vase and the swinging headgear.
"Hot damn this place is impressive!" Duo exclaimed as bright lavender eyes darted about trying to take in all the splendor at once.
The servant shook his head in silence then muttered under his breath something about "a bull in the china closet". "May I take your bag sir?" he asked politely willing to endure the brash houseguest for Master Quatre's sake.
"Yeah, sure." Duo responded picking up the backpack and handing to the household employee but decided to hold onto the helmet putting the servant on notice that there could be other treasures that would need protecting. "This Winner fellow must have done good for himself." the review continued as Duo wasted no time looking around. "Damn good."
Quatre intercepted Duo's self-guided tour as he came down the hall. "Hello Mr. Maxwell." he said offering his hand.
Completely opposite of Heero's unresponsiveness, Duo grabbed Quatre's hand in a strong grip and gave it an enthusiastic shake. "Call me Duo." he instructed smiling at his host, "You really have some house here." he commented as the helmet came around again to emphasis his point.
Always diplomatic Quatre tried to figure a way to relieve his houseguest of the helmet without being rude, "That is an interesting decoration," he declared nodding to the helmet, "may I see it?" he requested then breathed a sigh of relief as Duo handed him the hard-shelled menace.
Turning the helmet in his hands Quatre studied the single word imprinted on either side. "What does this mean?"
Duo seemed please at his host's interest, "That word is Shinigami, it means God of Death or something like that. A friend tagged me with the nickname years ago and it sort of stuck. I have it printed on my motorcycle's tank, too."
Quatre eyebrows raised at the explanation, "That is a curious title. Does it also describe the proficiency of your work?" he wondered trying to figure out this enigma that called himself Shinigami.
"Haven't had any complaints so far." Duo answered with a hint of hardness that gave Quatre the distinct impression that behind the easy-going smile and carefree appearance Duo was someone who needed to be dealt with seriously.
Despite his casual attitude Duo was dangerous to anyone he perceived as an enemy making Quatre hope that this "God of Death" would be as dedicated to an employer as he was deadly to those who made the mistake of opposing him.
In the upstairs hallway a shadow slid along the wall betraying the fact that the exchange between Quatre and Duo was being observed. Heero stood just out of sight scrutinizing the new arrival. "So that is Duo Maxwell." he whispered under his breath, "I'll have to see if he is as good as his reputation." he decided before returning unseen to his room.
TBC...
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