Title: Stripped of Glory Part 3
Author: Cloudy Daze
Rating: NC-17
Category: AU, Angst, Sap, yaoi, NCS, OOC (well of course since it's an AU)
Pairing: 3x4 and 2x1
Spoilers: Well it's AU so I don't think that's possible.
Feedback:Sure, if you like it tell me. It makes my muses happy and that's always good because then they'll write more. Don't care for getting a flame though. But if you feel inclined I'll have to show it to Lady Nagisa and we'll get a big kick out of insulting it.
Disclaimer: Do I have to say this? Bla bla bla. I don't own Gundam Wing. Writing fanfiction keeps me from being bored during my classes. I'm a college student so you know I don't have any money. If you really want to sue me you can get my college bill. ^_^.
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“How long until we get there, Trowa?” The long-haired boy asked, yet again.

His older brother sighed and patted the neck of his horse. He quickly glanced back at the two royal guards, who followed behind them. No matter how much begging and pleading the two boys had done, their father still wouldn’t let them go to the breeder by themselves.

“Come on, Trowa. How far? If you don’t answer, I’m going to act like a little kid and keep chanting...Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” Duo exclaimed.

“You asked me before and I said, I didn’t know. You’re the one that’s been down here before, not me.”

“I know but, I haven’t been to this town before,” Duo protested. He took view of their surroundings and grinned when he spotted a ranch only a short distance away.

“I see it,” Trowa stated, as he turned onto the dirt path that led to a barn and several small houses.

“Race you there!” The long-haired boy yelled and before his brother could even comment, he spurred his horse into a gallop.

“I can’t believe I’m going to do this,” Trowa murmured. He turned back and told the two guards to follow him before he raced after Duo.

The brunette laughed loudly as he clutched the mare’s mane. “You have to be faster then that,” he called out. As soon as the creature neared the stall, Duo pulled tightly on the reins. “Slow down, Lady. We don’t want you crashing into the barn wall. That would really hurt.”

He heard the long chiming of a bell and glanced over to the left, to find its source. The object was located right beside the corner post of one of the horse’s fences. A little girl about four or five was merrily pulling on the rope. The brown haired child looked up at him and smiled.

“Hi!” She said cheerfully.

“You’re a cute kid. Is it supper time?” Duo asked, indicating the bell.

The girl shook her head rapidly, causing her hair to fall in her face. She reached her hand up and pushed it out of the way. “Nope. My daddy told me to ring the bell whenever someone comes down the road. I did that,” She exclaimed proudly.

“That you did and a good job you did too,” Duo remarked.

She giggled faintly. The girl heard the thundering sound of horse’s running and watched as the other three finally caught up to Duo.

“Beat you, Trowa.”

“That’s because you had a head start and Blizzard isn’t used to racing,” The other commented.

Duo just grinned at the remark and got off his horse. His brother followed his example and they both stood there waiting for someone to emerge from the stable.

An older man finally made his entrance and walked up to them. “Sorry I’m late but, I had to finish up some last minute things,” He stated.

“It’s all right. Your daughter kept us company,” Duo exclaimed. He smiled at the little girl, who then giggled at the praise.

“I rang the bell just like you said, Daddy!” she said, a proud look on her face.

“That you did, pumpkin.” The man went up to his daughter and ruffled her hair, affectionately.

“However, I’m being rude. My name is Joshua Helms,” He announced as he shook hands with both Duo and Trowa.

He then glanced over at the other two men and noticed the royal emblem on the horse’s saddles. His eyes widened in surprise.

Duo watched this with amusement in his eyes and he chuckled. “Do us a favor and just treat us like regular customers. The special treatment can be a pain sometimes. However, if you could have our horses watered down, we would be grateful,” The long-haired boy remarked.

Trowa rolled his eyes. “Hypocrite. The royal guards can take care of that, if you could show them where,” Trowa added.

“Of course. While I show them the way, feel free to look around the stalls. I have a slave in there that will help you answer any questions you have,” Joshua informed.

Trowa slowly nodded and then handed the reins to one of the guards. Duo followed suit and they watched the others walk away.

“Looks like we’re buying off some more slaves,” The long-haired prince exclaimed.

“Now, Duo, we can’t purchase every slave we come across or we would run out of money,” Trowa remarked.

“Oh please. We’re not allowed to go out by ourselves enough to save that many. Usually we have one advisor or another to stop us from doing it.”

His brother nodded in agreement. They made their way to the stable and glanced at the two long rows of stalls.

“Damn! That’s a lot of horses.” Duo commented.

Trowa remained silent as he slowly walked down one row. He gave each horse equal attention and occasionally stroked one on the nose. The Prince stopped when one particular creature caught his eye. “Duo, come take a look at this one,” The boy called out.

The other glanced up and jogged over to his brother. His gaze landed on the magnificent stallion standing in the stall. That animal was jet black except for one white sock and a small star on it's forehead.

Duo looked down on the stall door to the small gold colored nameplate. He gingerly ran his fingers over the letters. “Shinigami,” The long-haired boy murmured.

“Why would anyone name their horse, death?” Trowa wondered.

“Probably because of his appearance and attitude,” Duo remarked.

“He doesn’t look that mean,” Trowa commented as he continued to gaze at the creature. The prince raised his hand to pat the horse when he was stopped by a voice.

“I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.”

They both turned to view the speaker. The boy was about their age, maybe younger, with dark brown hair that stuck out in every direction and piercing cobalt blue eyes. However, whereas Trowa’s gaze stopped after the initial look, Duo’s violet eyes continued to wander.

The older brother sighed and looked back at the horse. Here we go again.

“And what might your name be?” Duo asked.

“Well Shinigami, that was to be expected. At least he didn’t use the ‘what’s a beautiful guy like you doing in a place like this’ line,” Trowa murmured to the creature.

He quickly forgot the warning and leaned in to the stall. The horse reared back and just missed biting the Prince.

“He almost bit me!”

The slave snickered. “I told you not to touch him. It’s not my fault if you get hurt. As for your question, does it really matter? All I’m here to do, is help you pick out horses,” The blue-eyed boy remarked.

“You’re too beautiful to be a slave,” Duo commented.

“Then you obviously don’t know that much about slaves. Besides, I’m not beautiful.”

The longhaired prince slowly made his way over to the slave. He raised his hand to touch the boy, who then flinched at the movement. Duo didn’t let the action faze him and gently ran his fingertips over the other’s cheek.

“Sure you are. Now, could you please tell me your name?” Duo inquired.

The confusion was evident in Heero’s eyes. Why is he being so nice? No one is ever nice to me. The touch had been tender, totally unlike what he was used to. He said I’m beautiful, but I’m not. I’m dirty, vile, filthy. He’s being decent to me though. There were a million thoughts a minute racing through the slave’s mind.

“Heero,” The boy finally said.

“Heero,” Duo repeated faintly, “That’s a nice name.”

Trowa rolled his eyes and walked over to the both of them. “If I give you a description of the kind of horse I want, could you give me several suggestions?” Trowa asked, figuring that it was time to get down to business.

The brunette slave nodded slowly. He was actually a bit surprised at the question. Even though he was always around when people bought horses, most didn’t ask his opinion on anything. Usually they waited for his owner to come back and talked to him instead.

“You two talk. I’m going to go look at the horses some more,” Duo exclaimed. Most conversations of this nature bored him. He always let Trowa ask the questions for him. He knew his brother would find the best horses in the lot for him to pick from.

Duo was so lost in thought that he didn’t even realize he had stopped in front of Shinigami’s stall. “Do you not like people in general or is it just my brother?” he asked the creature.

The stallion snorted, his gaze staying on the Prince.

“What about Heero? Do you like him?” Duo grinned at the horse. “Yeah, I like him too. I know, I know, I just met the guy. I guess there’s just something about him.”

Shinigami leaned into the stall door and tried to stick his nose in between the metal bars.

“Oh no. I see your little ploy. As soon as I stick my hand in, to pet you, it’s off with my fingers.”

The horse neighed and tapped the bar with his nose again.

“Ok, I’m going to do it. I warn you though, you even try and bite me and no sugar cubes for you,” Duo exclaimed.

The creature continued to look at the long-haired boy.

“Ok, so I don’t have a sugar cube but, I could get you one very easily,” Duo stated.

He slowly lifted his hand and ran his fingers over the stallion’s head. Each new touch was more drawn out and firmer. “Alright, Shinigami. You’re a good horse. You just don’t like people that treat you like you're stupid,” The boy commented.

“I sometimes wonder if father didn’t drop you on your head when you were born.”

Duo glanced over at his brother and rolled his violet eyes. “You’re just mad cause Shinigami likes me and not you.”

“Duo, he’s just a horse. He doesn’t care,” Trowa remarked.

The long-haired boy turned to the horse. “Yes I know. My brother isn’t that bright.”

Trowa sighed. “Come on. You need to pick out a horse. I already chose one and Heero’s getting her tacked up.”

Duo glanced a few times, back and forth, between Shinigami and his brother.

“I think I’m going to try Shinigami here, out,” Duo finally said.

“You don’t even know if he does cross-country jumping or racing,” Trowa protested.

“I think he’ll do fine,” The boy remarked as he patted the horse.

“I feel a headache coming on. Fine, if you can get a halter on him, then take him back to Heero.”

“Come on Shinigami, buddy. We’re going for a ride,” Duo exclaimed.

Trowa shook his head but said nothing.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Duo leaned against the fence post, quietly observing the actions within the ring. He had already had his turn and knew that Shinigami was definitely coming home with them. The longhaired Prince realized that the horse would be expensive because he was a stallion and one of the farm’s best studs, but he really didn’t care. It wasn’t like they couldn’t afford it.

“Hey, Shinigami. You want to come home with me?” Duo asked.

The creature nudged the boy with his nose.

“I take that as a, yes,” Duo exclaimed with a laugh. His gaze landed on Heero, who was changing the height of several jumps.

Shinigami then neighed faintly and actually shoved Duo to the ground. Violet eyes glanced up at the horse and he could almost swear that the animal was smiling.

“Very funny. Is it a crime for me to stare at someone, who’s attractive?” The boy exclaimed. He slowly got up and patted the stallion’s neck. “It’s ok, I know you're just playing with me. I’m never going to have a dull moment with you, am I?”

“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!”

Duo turned his head and saw the little girl, he had met earlier, climbing under the fence.

“What is it, Pumpkin?” Her father asked.

Trowa had halted the horse as soon as he heard the shouts and slid off the horse as the child entered the ring.

“The horsy had her baby! And I wanted to see it but, Quatre told me he wanted to clean it first cause it was all icky and told me to get you and that’s what I’m doing. Why would the baby be icky daddy?” The girl asked, her voice high and filled with excitement.

“Umm… Your mother will tell you later. Could you two excuse me?” The older man asked.

“You think we could come with you? We don’t get to see a lot of foals at castle,” Duo remarked.

“Be my guest. You can just tie the horse’s reins to the fence posts. We shouldn’t be gone too long,” Joshua stated.

“Be right back, Shinigami. I’m off to see one of your kids,” Duo exclaimed as he tied the reins to the post beside him and followed the young girl as she raced into the barn.

Trowa shook his head and turned the horse breeder.

“You’ll have to excuse him. He’s much too hyper sometimes for his own good.”

Joshua laughed. “He reminds me of my children,” The man commented.

“Come on daddy! You’re too slow!” The small child called out. She led Duo to one of the stalls on the left and slipped under the cord running across the doorway.

The brunette glanced inside and was shocked to see blonde boy about his age inside. Damn, you don’t see many of those around.

The slave looked up and smiled sweetly at Duo. He had a gentle air around him and amazing blue eyes.

“Hi. Are you here looking for a horse?” Quatre asked.

“Sure am and I already found the horse I’m buying. I had to come by here though cause it’s not everyday that I get to see a baby foal, that was just born. Can I touch him or her?” Duo asked.

The boy glanced down at the horse and stroked her head. The baby horse was quietly suckling on her mother. “Well you can touch the mother but not the foal. The mother is unsteady right now and any contact with her baby will worry her,” The blonde answered.

The Prince nodded and kneeled down beside the slave. He then raised his hand and softly ran his fingers down the mare’s head, just like the blonde had done.

“That’s right. Just like that.”

Just then the other Prince and Helms made their way to the stall. Trowa froze when he viewed what was happening inside. Or more precisely who was there. He’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone as gorgeous as he is. The golden hair, the baby blue eyes, the slender arms…

“Umm… Trowa are you listening to me?” Duo asked.

“What? I’m sorry I was distracted,” Trowa murmured.

Duo grinned as he realized where his brother’s gaze was. Oh yeah, he is totally smitten. During this time the owner had entered the stall had was glancing at the horse and her new baby. He leaned down to touch the creature when Quatre stopped him.

“Sir, I don’t think you should touch the foal. The mother is a bit nervous and she might lash out,” the blonde stated.

“Nonsense. The horse is mine and wouldn’t dare do that,” The older man retorted as he tried to touch the foal. The mother snorted and turned her head, trying to bite the individual that was trying to lay a hand on her baby.

“It’s ok, Cherry Blossom. He won’t hurt your baby. Calm, be calm,” Quatre whispered softly as he ran his fingers against the mare’s back.

“Why you stupid little…” Joshua raised his hand to strike the blonde slave and was stopped when a firm hand grabbed his. He glanced over with a scowl on his face.

Heero slowly let go of the hand, his face an emotionless mask.

“I remember our little deal, boy. Come along!” The man ordered as he dragged the slave away, completely ignoring the two Princes, who had witnessed the whole thing.

“Well, that’s something you don’t see everyday,” Duo finally remarked.

He turned to his brother, who had an identical frown on his face. Trowa slowly bent down beside the blonde boy. The slave sighed and continued to run his hands down the creature’s back.

“Are you ok?” Trowa inquired.

“This always happens. I don’t know why he keeps sticking up for me. Every time I do something wrong, Heero gets the blame. Master always hurts him,” Quatre murmured.

“Does he hit him a lot?” Duo asked.

“Heero always comes back with bruises after the master takes him off to the tackle room. He tries to hide them from me but, I can tell. He doesn’t seem to think that I know but, it hurts me too,” The blonde answered.

“Does he just hit him, or worse?” The long-haired boy questioned.

“It’s worse. I don’t know what he does but, Heero always feels awful afterwards. I don’t know what I can do to help him,” Quatre whispered, as his eyes watered and the tears gently fell down his cheeks.

“Trowa, stay with him. I think, I’m going to have a talk with our abusive slave owner, here,” Duo announced as he gave the blonde a pat on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry. We’re going to get you both out of here,” Duo promised as he exited the stall and made his way down the barn.

He walked to the tackle room, where Heero had saddled Shinigami up earlier. The door was locked so he pounded on it a few times. The brunette heard a muffled curse as well as rustling before the door was pulled open and Joshua stuck his head out.

“What is it can’t you…” The man froze when he realized who it was.

“I think we need to talk,” Duo exclaimed.

“Give me a second,” Helms said as he shut the door again. Duo tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the man to come out of the room. It only took a few moments for the slave owner to return.

“So where do you want to talk? I suggest somewhere private,” The long-haired Prince remarked.

Joshua said nothing but, led Duo to a feed room a few feet away. They both entered the small area and the older man turned to the Prince.

“So what do you want?” The horse breeder questioned.

“Well, first off, I want to buy Shinigami and the horse that Trowa was riding. I assure you the price will be fair for both of them.”

The man almost sighed at the statement.

“Oh, is that all?” he asked, “That’s fine.”

“No, that’s not all. We’re also going to buy Quatre and Heero from you,” Duo said firmly.

“No way! I need those slaves!” The man exclaimed.

“Now, I’m sure we can reach some form of agreement. As you can tell money really isn’t an issue here,” the Prince commented.

“They’re my major source of work. Quatre is great with horses and Heero is strong. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to take care of all the horses,” Joshua protested.

“So you hire normal workers. That’s what most people do,” Duo said.

“You’re not having them.”

“Oh, but I am. If you won’t let me willingly pay for them then I’ll just have to do something drastic,” The long-haired boy remarked.

He then cleared his throat and squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the tears to form in them. “Oh father! It’s so horrible! I came into the tack room and saw Joshua Helms raping one of his slaves! It was awful! We have to get them away from there!”

The man gasped in shock and clenched his fists shut in rage. “You didn’t see anything!”

“Maybe I didn’t but, who are they going to believe? Some common horse breeder or the Prince of the Kingdom?” Duo inquired, a small grin on his face.

“But… that’s blackmail!” Joshua stuttered.

“I know it is? So what’s it going to be?”

The older man frowned and threw his hands in the air. “Damn it all! You have a deal. I’ll sell them but, you better pay me well for them.”

The Prince smiled brightly and nodded.
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TBC…