Runaway Part 4
Commander Treize studied the two mercenaries in front of him. It was rumored that the pair never failed to eliminate their target. "Please be seated."
The pair shared a look before sitting in sync. The golden skinned one spoke first. "What is our target?"
Treize nodded... satisfied to be getting straight to business. "Your target is a thief that escaped this prison seven years ago. Every assassin I have sent after the thief has died at the hands of the group of gypsies he has found sanctuary with."
The second mercenary spoke. "Seven years... you seem to be going to a lot of trouble to catch a common thief! And assassins are fair game to anyone who can catch them. If this thief has sanctuary with the gypsies, they have every right to protect him." He pushed himself from the chair. "Why seek US out for a thief?"
"No one escapes Oz prison and lives." Treize placed a pouch in front of them. "Half up front... half when the deed is done."
The golden skinned mercenary picked up the pouch and threw it at Treize. "We are not assassins. We don't take blood money up front. We trust you. Besides... we have a contract. If you don't fulfill your half, we can kill you with impunity." He motioned to his partner and left the room. Once outside, he turned to his companion. "What do you think, Heero?"
"He's hiding something." Heero shrugged. "I can't put my finger on it... but he's not telling us everything. You sure you worded the contract as usual, Wufei?"
Wufei nodded. "Yes... we take whatever action we deem fit. It is not stated that we will kill the thief... just that we are not to expect payment if we don't. I'm glad you feel as I do."
"We'd better get ready and leave at first light. I want to take a quick look around the prison."
Wufei's face softened as he smiled at Heero. "Don't be too long, love. We have no knowledge when we can relax behind a locked door again." He gave Heero a quick kiss on the cheek.
Heero snorted, even though he did smirk at Wufei. "I don't intend to do much relaxing tonight. I don't trust Treize for some reason. He's TOO anxious for that thief to be caught. Do you know he hired ten assassins? All of which were known pedophiles."
Wufei scowled. "What are you insinuating?"
Heero shook his head. "I wish I knew... but each of the assassins were paid less than would be asked for a grown man. It doesn't add up."
Wufei watched as Heero headed for the main prison. "Your hunches are NEVER wrong, love. The idea of what you're hinting at sickens me."
If Heero heard him, he didn't answer.
*****
Later that evening, Heero entered the room he was sharing with Wufei.
Wufei sat up. "What did you find?"
"A lot of kids. I was confused why they were here until I was informed that they were children of dangerous criminals... and that they were only here because their blood is believed tainted."
Wufei frowned. "That's ridiculous!"
Heero nodded. "I think we're searching for a kid, Fei! All the children here have a number after their designation... like the so-called thief we're searching for. Seeing as he escaped seven years ago... I think he might be in his teens."
Wufei nodded. "It would explain why the assassins weren't paid the full amount." He let out a breath. "So what do we do?"
"I want to meet this thief. If he has, indeed, fallen into a life of crime... we do the job. If not... we protect him and send word that he is under our protection."
"There's something else." It wasn't a question.
Heero nodded and scowled. "A lot of kids... a lot of adults. But there are no teenagers. None of the kids are over ten. Something about this stinks, 'Fei! I want to find the thief and see if he knows why Treize is going through all this bother for him. If my hunch is correct, he can't be older than we are."
Wufei frowned at the thought. "I have a feeling we shouldn't wait until daybreak." He got up and grabbed their packs.
"I agree. If something sour is going on around here, I want to get to the bottom of it."
*****
A month later
"Hey, Q, I'm going to get some firewood! Solo's busy, so he can't go with me. You wanna tag along?"
Quatre smiled warmly at his friend. "I wish I could, Duo. But it's almost time for our evening prayers. I would only slow you down. And you can't wait to gather firewood. The nights are getting cold."
Duo nodded in agreement. "Gotcha. See ya later, Q!" With that, he headed into the forest. He whistled merrily as he gathered some sizable branches. A low growl from nearby caught his attention. He looked and froze when he saw a big grey wolf standing there. He swallowed as several smaller wolves joined the first. The way the big one was looking at him triggered his instincts and he bolted. A part of his panicked mind knew he was not heading for the troupe, but he couldn't worry about that at the moment. At the moment, he had a pack of wolves chasing him. He screamed in terror as he tripped on a branch and plunged into the stream that was already icy cold.
*****
Heero looked up from the fire he was building. "Hear that? Wolves."
Wufei nodded, and was about to dismiss the wolves when a human scream was heard. "Sounds like the wolves are attacking someone." He stood up. "We should help."
Heero nodded. "Heh... you're a big kitten when it comes to people in distress! Who am I to talk? So am I!" With that, he grabbed his sword as Wufei nabbed a bow and a quiver full of arrows and the pair ran into the forest.
*****
Duo somehow managed to drag himself from the river, trying to get his body to run more. He didn't get far when the huge wolf was on top of him. He screamed in pain as one huge paw swiped at him... causing three gashes on his chest. The wolf swiped a few more times. He braced himself as the wolf's jaw started for his neck.
Suddenly, the wolf was gone. He heard voices talking and whimpered with relief as someone picked him up and carried him away.
Wufei watched as Heero carried the youth away for a second before turning his attention back to the pack. As they growled, he spotted a stag. He used one arrow to kill the stag and nodded as the wolves ran towards the scent of blood. With that, he headed for camp.
"... so stop struggling!"
Wufei blinked at what he saw. The boy they had rescued was crying with what seemed to be terror, and slapped Heero's hands whenever Heero went to remove the boy's sodden clothing. "Having trouble?"
Heero frowned and grabbed the youth's shoulders. "LOOK at me! We will NOT harm you! Your clothes are soaking wet and you'll freeze if you stay in them! Aren't you cold?"
Duo whimpered. "Y-yes..."
Heero's eyes softened. The youth had every right to be terrified. "It's okay... we won't hurt you. We have to tend to your injuries and get you warm. All right?" Heero frowned at how the boy went limp... as if he expected to be hurt regardless of Heero's words of reassurance. He worked quickly. "Fei... bandages and the ointment. None of these cuts need to be stitched up."
Wufei and Heero quickly bound the wounds before wrapping the shivering youth up in a blanket.
Heero cradled the youth close to the fire as Wufei prepared some broth. "Do you have family that we should get in contact with?"
Duo was confused. He had expected them to take advantage of his weakness. And the question totally threw him. He nodded weakly. "My brother and sister. Someone's gotta let 'em know I'm okay."
Wufei placed the broth in Heero's hands. "Where are they? And what is your name? If they worry, they'll be calling for you."
Duo felt drowsy. "My sister's name is Catherine. My bro's Trowa. I'm Duo." He yawned and struggled to keep his eyes open. "We're part of a troupe of travelling performers."
Heero continued to hold Duo. "It's okay, Duo. Go to sleep. I won't harm you." He felt his mouth turn up in a smile as Duo's eyes fell closed. He glanced at Wufei and nodded. "Find his family."
Wufei nodded. Even with the wolves, he would be able to trace Duo's path. He followed the trail for about ten minutes when he heard voices calling for Duo. He ran towards them and spotted a young woman looking around frantically. "Hey! Are you Catherine?"
Catherine heard the voice and jumped. "Yes... I'm Catherine. Who are you?"
"My name is Wufei. I believe my partner and I found your brother. Will you follow me?"
"You found him? Is he okay?" Catherine felt worry and relief swell within her. Duo was so defenseless.
Wufei nodded. "He was attacked by wolves and fell into the river, but he'll be all right." He turned and headed back to his camp. 'We only just found him... that they're looking for him so soon shows that they really DO care about him enough to notice when he's not back when he should be.'
Catherine followed Wufei into the forest and gasped when his camp came into sight. "DUO!" She ran to where the other person was holding her little brother.
Heero willingly relinquished his hold on Duo and Catherine knelt beside him and held her arms out for her brother.
Duo stirred during the exchange and opened his eyes. He smiled a little at Catherine. "Hey, Kate!"
Catherine placed two fingers on Duo's mouth to hush him. "Shhh! Sleep now, Duo. You're safe." She pressed a kiss to his cold skin. "You poor baby!"
"Not a baby!" Duo yawned and finally relaxed completely.
Catherine stroked Duo's wet hair away from his face before looking at the two young men sitting across from her. "Thank you for saving him! He usually has someone with him when he goes to gather firewood."
Heero nodded and stood up. "If you lead us... we could carry him back to your home. It really would be better for him to be in a familiar environment. Plus... it'll help if he's inside out of the cold."
Catherine nodded and held onto Duo as the pair broke their camp. She reluctantly let the one with the impossibly blue eyes take Duo before she stood up as well. "Our caravan is this way." She walked into the trees with Heero and Wufei following.
TBC...
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