Captivity Part 1
Milliardo walked past the bars and cages, his hand clasped tightly in that of his son. Blue eyes traveled over the various slaves, watching each closely for their reactions. He had to pick the right one, one who could be trusted in his household and with his children. But that was such a hard thing to do when the sellers wouldn't let you talk to them in private, not to mention that the class difference made it even harder to gain their trust.
He hated how the world was divided by a simple thing as hair color, but wasn't in any position to change it. He certainly would have changed it if he could, this wasn't the type of world he wanted his two boys to grow up in, but he didn't have any other choice. The most he could do was select a pair to live a freer life then they would with any other master. Not to mention that his other son needed a companion for the long days he spent trapped in the house.
Milliardo paused as he felt Quatre pull away from him, walking closely to one of the cages. The young blond boy frowned as he watched the ones behind the bars. Like his father he hated the idea of slavery, he didn't even like the idea of his father secretly buying their freedom. He would rather have just set them all free, no matter what the public said, but he knew his father would never let him make such a rash action, being that it would mean death to his entire family.
Quatre tilted his head quietly and watched the two boys who'd caught his attention in the back. One held the other cradled in his lap, the second having fallen unconscious. The first boy glanced up and met Quatre's eyes, something that was expressly forbidden for them to do. Quatre's breath caught in his throat as he peered into those deep emerald eyes. He'd never seen one with that color eyes before, he felt like he was staring into a pair of precious jewels. Yet they were sad jewels, sadness and fear dancing behind the sparkles as they shown through the boy's thin bangs. The boy with the emerald eyes clutched the one in his lap tightly, and Quatre realized he was afraid. Afraid the two would be separated. Quatre blinked in surprise and turned back to his father.
"Father?"
Milliardo walked to his side and followed his son's finger to the two sitting in the corner. The green eyed boy was still watching them closely, the fear plain on his face.
"Those two?" Milliardo wondered softly, Quatre nodded, going back to watching the boy with the emerald eyes. He smiled softly at the boy, trying to show that he meant no harm, but the boy quickly looked away, pulling himself and the one in his lap closer to the wall, farther away from Quatre and his father.
Quatre's father nodded and turned to the guards, telling them of his choices in purchase. He wanted to buy the two huddled in the corner, the one with the emerald eyes and the one he was holding in his lap.
The guard smirked. "Sir, pardon me for saying so, but you don't want that one. He's feisty, won't listen. He'd be better off dead, he'd probably hurt your son over there."
Milliardo's eyes narrowed. "Are you implying that I can't control my property?"
"No! Of course not! My mistake, please forgive me, Sir Peacecraft. I will fetch the two for you."
Nodding to two of his co-workers, the guard marched to the doors. As he turned the key, those inside moved as far away as possible, afraid of being chosen for whatever fate was in store. None dared risk escape; they were all too scared. The two men approached the emerald-eyed boy and his silent companion, and the boy bit his lip, practically shivering in fear. They easily grabbed onto the unconscious boy, lifting him from the other's arms. The emerald-eyed boy's arms lingered for a moment, almost as he were silently begging them not to take the boy, but he knew better then to put up a fight. He stood to his own feet and followed them at their beckoning, keeping his eyes on the floor, concentrating on walking. He was practically shaking with fear as they fastened the collar around his neck, pulling it tight.
Quatre watched him quietly, sad, wishing he could comfort the boy and tell him that it was all right, but he didn't dare while others were watching. It was too risky to show that much care for slaves, people would immediately turn on him and his father. Instead he led them, with Milliardo, to the carriage and remained silent as the boy and his companion were pushed into the seats, the chains on their collars attached to the side of the carriage.
All four settled in for the ride to their home, watching each other silently, while the one slept soundly in the emerald-eyed boy's lap, unaware of where he was headed or what would happen when they reached their destination.
~*~
Trowa stepped out of the carriage on tentative feet, and stopped, unable to completely move. The house before him was over whelming, magnificent and horrid at the same time. His mother had once told them of a house like this, one where she lived for a couple of years before she escaped. Like the one she'd been in there were high pillars and perfectly kept gardens, and many people rushing back and forth inside. Trowa took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves and his fear. In silence he watched as a servant from the house, also with brown hair, attempted to pick up Duo. Trowa's eyes narrowed and he slapped the man's hands away; no one would touch his brother!
Quatre and Milliardo looked up in surprise at Trowa's sudden movement and nodded, Milliardo dismissing the servant. He turned to Trowa. "You may carry him into the house if you wish, we have a room he can sleep in until he wakes up."
Trowa watched silently as Milliardo undid the collars from the side of the carriage then stepped back, allowing him plenty of room. He picked up Duo, holding his limp body tightly, and stepped back out of the carriage, following the two blond men up to the house. It struck him as odd that these two seemed so trusting, it was nothing like what his mother and the others had told him. The last thing he expected from these men was for them to turn their backs on him and let him follow, unwatched, as they moved toward the house.
There was plenty of room to run and Trowa considered it, but tossed the idea aside quickly. At the moment his younger brother was unconscious and running would be hard with him unconscious. He certainly couldn't leave Duo here by himself and he wasn't about to run unless he knew he could take his brother with him. So he opted to follow silently, they'd leave when Duo woke up. Besides, these two blondes in front of him acted so differently from everything he'd ever heard of, he wanted to see what was going on. Was everything he'd heard a lie? Were they acting? Or were they actually different? And why?
The young blond boy beckoned to Trowa and led him to a large room in which there was a soft bed with many covers. Trowa swallowed away his awe and amazement at his rich surroundings and walked to the bed, getting the boy's meaning easily. He laid Duo down on the bed and smoothed the bangs from his forehead, then sat next to the bed. He hoped he got his point across to the boy, he wasn't about to leave Duo alone until he knew he was all right.
The blond boy stood near the door, watching them quietly as Trowa sat there, stroking Duo's bangs, more for his comfort then for Duo's. He needed to reassure himself that nothing bad had happened yet. Nothing they couldn't escape from, yet.
"Do you have a name?" The blond boy asked quietly.
Trowa looked up in surprise, then immediately diverted his eyes. He wasn't stupid, he knew that you weren't supposed to meet their eyes, even if they were younger then you. Once bought you don't look at them, even when they tell you to. No matter what, that's what his mother had always told them.
The boy took a few timid steps forward. "My name is Quatre, do you have one?"
Without looking up Trowa watched the boy walk up to him and reach for him. Quatre paused and swallowed, then reached forward again, touching the collar around Trowa's neck. Slowly, and carefully, he undid the buckle and pulled it off, setting it aside on the bedside table. Turning to Duo he reached for the boy. Trowa's eyes narrowed as he saw the boy reach for his brother, and he moved between the two of them, blocking the boy's hands. His emerald eyes flickered to the boy's face and narrowed, conveying his silent message.
"I won't hurt him," Quatre said softly. "I just want to get that collar off his neck. I don't like those things, and you probably don't either. I just want to undo the buckle then you can take it off if you want. I won't even touch him, I'll just undo the collar."
Trowa's eyes traveled over the boy's face, searching for any sign of deception, but he didn't find any. Slowly, his eyes still narrowed, he slipped back, allowing the boy to reach Duo. He sat there and watched in surprise as the blond moved forward and undid the buckle just as he said. It was strange, seeing him taking such great care not to touch Duo. The boy's small fingers undid the buckle and never once brushed Duo's skin. Pulling away he allowed Trowa to remove the collar, and Trowa tossed it to the floor, forgotten. He let his eyes travel to the blond boy again, just watching him quietly.
"Are you two related?" He asked.
Trowa said nothing.
Sighing softly in defeat the boy turned and headed for the door. He paused before stepping through, and peered over his shoulder at Trowa and Duo. "Despite appearances and our differences I want to be your friend. You and him are safe here; you won't be hurt, by anyone. My family would never hurt you. What... what do I have to do to gain your trust and make you believe that?"
Trowa's eyes narrowed and he looked away from the boy.
"You may not believe me, but trust me please. We would never hurt you or your kind, I swear it."
Trowa didn't look up but he wasn't able to stop the word that slipped from his lips. "Why?" it came softly, quietly and he froze as soon as it was said. He waited for the backhand or worse that his mother had always spoken about. You were never supposed to speak to them, it was forbidden.
Quatre's eyes widened when he heard the boy speak and he stepped back into the room. "Why?"
Trowa swallowed and didn't look up at the boy. For a long time they simply stood there in silence, the blond watching him as he watched his brother. That word had slipped, it wouldn't happen again. He wouldn't let it. Finally the boy got the point and nodded, knowing he wasn't going to get Trowa to say anything else. Quatre turned and left the room, shutting the door behind them and leaving the two alone. Now that was an amazing amount of trust, especially with the huge windows in the room leading to the yard out back. It would be so easy for them to run if Duo would only wake up.
Almost as if he heard Trowa's silent plea Duo's eyes fluttered and he suddenly dropped into a small coughing fit. Rolling on to his stomach he coughed as quietly as he could for a couple minutes, then dropped back on the bed. He lay still for a few moments then his eyes opened and he looked at his brother. He blinked until his eyes opened fully and then suddenly sat up staring at the room around them. Trowa jumped forward to catch him as a wave of dizziness hit the boy and he nearly toppled over on to the floor. "Where are we?" Duo whispered quietly as soon as the dizziness had faded and Trowa had helped him lie back down.
"We were bought, just after you were knocked out." "K'so," Duo swore softly. "We have to get out of here before they come back." He sat up and glanced toward the window but his head began to spin again and his stomach lurched. Duo collapsed back onto the bed with a groan. "How hard did they get me?"
"Pretty bad." "Damn, I'm in no condition to run, I can't even get the room to stop spinning, much less follow you out a window."
Trowa shook his head. "I'm not going, so don't worry." Duo's eyes narrowed. "Are you nuts?! You have your chance, take it! Get out of here before they come back, you know I'll follow when I can. We can't stay here, and you can't miss such a perfect chance to escape."
"No." Trowa said firmly. "Baka!" Duo was going to yell more but he dropped into another small coughing fit and groaned loudly, holding his head.
"I'm not leaving without you," Trowa stated. Turning away from the bed he grabbed the collar that had been around his neck and walked to the door, leaving the room. Duo barely seemed to notice, his head hurt far too much for him to protest.
Trowa stepped outside of the room and frowned at the hallways before him. Lowering his head and his eyes he walked toward where he heard voices. Clutching the collar tightly in his hands he walked to the doorway to the sitting room, only to find the blond boy and his father sitting on the couches, talking in hushed voices. Quatre looked up as Trowa stepped to the door.
"Is he all right?" Quatre asked, Milliardo just remained silent.
Trowa stepped forward and dropped the collar into the boy's lap, still not making eye contact. "No." He spoke softly, carefully choosing his words. He knew he shouldn't be speaking, but he couldn't think of any other way to get his message across. "He's sick. He needs a doctor."
Quatre's glanced to the collar, trying to understand why the boy had dropped it before him.
"He needs help," Trowa repeated softly. "I swear I won't run away, if you help him."
"Oh," Quatre said softly. He understood now. This boy was giving up his freedom to gain help for his friend. That seemed to speak volumes to Quatre, but he couldn't think of what to say. Instead Milliardo stood up and took the collar from Quatre's lap, tossing it into the garbage can on the other side of the room.
"You don't need to make any such promises. I'll call a doctor in right away, and have him checked on."
Trowa watched Milliardo leave the room in silence and he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Trowa whirled around and jerked away from Quatre, who'd tried to place a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Quatre swallowed, startled by Trowa's sudden movement. "You don't have to promise anything, all you have to do is ask. I know my father will find a doctor willing to look at him and help him get better." Quatre's eyes shifted to the floor. "Please trust us."
Trowa stood there silently, just looking at the boy in wonder. Why was he being so kind? Was his offer of friendship and trust a truthful one? Trowa frowned quietly, unable to completely decide. Something about the boy seemed too truthful and honest, but he couldn't bring himself to believe it. It was too good to be true. There was too much luck in the fact that they'd spent most of their lives running and now they were supposed to trust the one family that bought them? Trowa shook his head; it was too good to be true.
"Please trust us," Quatre said softly, without still looking up. "Please trust me." His eyes shifted up and met with Trowa's and both boys stood silent.
Trowa couldn't tear his own eyes away from those caring blue orbs. He'd never seen blue eyes with so much care and honesty in them before. It was a beautiful sight. He blinked and realized that suddenly he wanted to trust this boy. He wanted to believe him, even though he knew he shouldn't.
But then trust required two.
"Trowa," he whispered softly.
Quatre blinked in confusion. "What?"
"Trowa. You asked for my name. It's Trowa."
"Trowa." Quatre repeated quietly, then a smile slid across his face and his entire expression seemed to brighten. "Thank you, Trowa."
Trowa nodded once.
"Does your friend have a name?"
"If he wishes to tell you, he will."
Quatre nodded. "I understand. But at least thank you for your trust."
Trowa shook his head. "My name is merely a word, you do not have my trust."
The blond boy's expression fell. "Oh."
Turning away, Trowa headed back to the room where his brother lay. He left the blond boy to sigh softly and sit back down on the couch. It would take some work, but it was possible for the blond boy to gain his trust. He just wasn't sure it was a wise thing to give the boy. But then trust required two, and the boy had offered so much of his own trust all ready.
~*~
Duo sat silently as the blond doctor looked him over, a look of disgust crossing his face. Yet Duo remained silent as the old man poked and prodded him for check-up purposes. Finally he put away his tools and turned to speak to Milliardo and Quatre, who stood on the other side of the room.
"Just buy him, did you?"
Milliardo nodded. "Just today."
"You better think of returning him, this here is damaged property and ain't worth much. He's defective thanks to that bump on his head. He won't be able to do anything for a while, much less get out of bed. You'd be better off shooting him and demanding a replacement."
Duo glared at the doctor something fierce, but bit his tongue. He knew when to stay silent.
"Will it heal?" Milliardo asked.
The doctor glanced back at Duo. "Yes," he said slowly and with much thought. "If you can keep him in bed and get him to eat it'll take a month or so. Not worth your time, though, if you ask me-"
"I didn't." Milliardo replied quickly, pushing a small amount of money into the man's hands.
"Well then, I best be on my way then. Call me if there's any trouble, Sir Peacecraft. Nice doing business with you." The doctor let himself out and Quatre stepped out of the room, returning moments later with a very relieved looking Trowa.
Duo crossed his arms and sat up in bed, glaring at the blond men. "So you going to shoot me or what?"
Trowa's eyebrows went up in surprise and he fixed Milliardo an Quatre with a worried expression. No, they couldn't!
Milliardo shook his head and ran a hand through his long hair. "No," he said softly. "We're not going to shoot anyone."
"Why not?" Duo scoffed. "I'm worth more to you dead."
"Duo!" Trowa scolded softly, wishing his brother would remain silent.
Duo's eyes narrowed. "They don't keep me chained, so I'm free. I may not be able to leave this bed yet but I can still move my mouth and I plan to! You want me to shut up then you better cut off my tongue or shoot me right now!"
Trowa bit his lip and watched the two blond men, afraid of what they would do in response. If Duo kept this up he was going to get himself killed!
But instead Milliardo simply shook his head again, turning to his son. "Quatre, go get Heero. It's time we explain things."
Quatre nodded and stepped out of the room. Trowa glanced warily at Milliardo as he moved to his brother's side and took a seat on the edge of the bed. Quatre returned a moment later and stopped at the door, looking and almost pleading with someone else just out of their sight. Milliardo frowned quietly.
"Heero, will you step into the room please?"
Quatre moved into the room, clearing the doorway. A second later another boy, about Quatre's age, stepped into the room. Unkept brown hair fell around his face and shaded his eyes. He wore simple clothing, simpler then the fancy clothing of Quatre and Milliardo, yet fancier then Duo and Trowa's. Duo narrowed his eyes at the boy.
"What? Another slave?"
Quatre flinched at Duo's words and harsh tone and looked away from the two sitting on the bed, yet the brown haired boy didn't respond.
"Heero," Milliardo said softly. "Show them your eyes."
The boy nodded and tilted his head up, the concealing bangs falling away to reveal creamy white skin that was so pale it had obviously never seen the light of day. Trowa and Duo both gasped quietly as a pair of bright cobalt blue eyes locked with their own. The brown haired boy before them had blue eyes and that could only mean one thing.
"A fucking half-breed." Duo hissed.
TBC...
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