The Search

 

          Wufei rubbed his forehead slightly as he started to sit up.  His left eye had a bandage over it and his whole body felt cold and sore.  Tossing the blanket off of his body and edged his legs over the side before sliding out of the bed entirely.  He stood for a moment but his legs were too weak to support him.  In an attempt to remain upright he grabbed onto the nightstand, causing the lamp to fall over and shatter at his feet.

          The door to the bedroom swung open and Wufei caught the sight of blond hair before he was being set back on the bed and gently covered.  It was a moment before he realized it was Quatre and his room was obviously part of the Winner Mansion.

          “Wufei?”

          His one chocolate colored eye flickered to his host but he refused to say anything in reply.

          Quatre’s blue eyes seemed watery.  “Promise me you won’t try that again for a few days, please?”

          Wufei’s one eye blinked in surprise, using his tongue to wet his dry lips he said, “I promise.”

          Quatre relaxed visibly as he moved over to the intercom.  “Rashid, tell the others that he’s awake.”

          “Yes, Master Quatre.”

          Wufei waited until Quatre turned back to him before he croaked out a question.  “What… hap-happened?”

          Quatre’s face seemed to crumble as he poured a glass of water and helped Wufei drink it.  When he’d done that he pulled up a chair and sat next to him.  “You were caught in an explosion… you saved Duo and Trowa by pushing them out of the way…”

          “Where?  Where are they?”

          Quatre gently pushed him back down, “They’re on their way, Wufei please just relax.”

          Wufei opened his mouth to protest when the door swung open and Duo nearly flew into the room.  “Wu-man you’re awake!”  Trowa and Heero followed at a much more subdued pace.

          Wufei was going to retort but hi body was suddenly rocked by a coughing fit that made his headache.  He missed the worried glance the others exchanged as he slipped back in the darkness.

…………………..

          Duo glanced at the Chinese pilot’s fevered form solemnly.  “He’s not doing too well is he?”

          Both Heero and Trowa though seemingly uninterested had turned and were listening for Quatre’s answer as well.

          Quatre tucked the blankets around Wufei’s body before speaking.  “No he’s not.  But I doubt it’ll stop him from trying to walk out of here as soon as he wakes up.”

          Duo’s eyes went to the sleeping boy.  “Wu-man has to be one of the most independent and stubborn people I know.  Trying to get him to stay down will be nearly impossible.”

          Heero’s eyes narrowed, “Baka!  We’re Gundam Pilots!  Surely we can keep one sick person in abed for a few days.”

          Trowa nodded slightly, “We’ll consider it our new mission.”

          Duo cocked his head to the side, “Anything goes?”

          It was Quatre who spoke quietly, determination on his face.  “As long as it injures no one, doesn’t destroy the house entirely and does no harm to Wufei… everything a go.”

          A dangerous twinkle entered Duo’s eyes.  “Then we’d better get started before sleeping beauty wakes up.”

……………….

          Wufei’s eye opened slowly and he was met with a wildly grinning individual.  “Hey Wu-man, glad to see you’re awake?”

          Wufei grunted a reply, watching Duo warily.

          Duo bounced backwards and Wufei’s eye followed him as he did.  But it was the other three’s smug faces that made his stomach flopped apprehensively and he wanted to run from the room, especially since he had a bad feeling that Duo was the mastermind behind whatever they did.  But, as was his way, he waited.

          Quatre blushed and cleared his throat, “Uh, Wufei.  This is for your own good.”

          Wufei felt his eyebrow rise in question but permitted no other show of emotion.

          Duo laughed and three an arm around Quatre, effectively silencing the blond.  “Come one Quatre, let’s let Wufei rest.  See ya Wu-man!”  He virtually dragged the others from the room.

……………………

          Alarms sounded in Wufei’s head as soon as the door closed behind them.  Not daring to move a muscle his good eye scanned the room, noting the small camera in the corner.  The curtains on the window were drawn shut, and Wufei knew that would be the easiest way to get out.

          He tried to sit up and found himself unable to move.  For the first time he glanced down at himself and noticed brown, leather straps over his chest and legs.  He must have been really out of it, not to notice.  Wiggling his body slightly he felt the familiar weight of his knife pop into his hand and through expertise born of experience he cut through the blanket and the chest strap.  The effort drained him enough that he had to lay back down to catch his breath before he sat up and sliced the one on his legs.  Only than did he realize he was only wearing his briefs.  A quick glance around the room confirmed that his cloths were nowhere in sight, letting out a sigh he knew there was only one person who could be responsible for that.  Wufei’s lips firmed into a thin line, he owed Maxwell one.

          Swallowing his pride he stepped in the direction of the window gritting his teeth against the assault of pain he tore open the curtains and… his jaw dropped.  The window had been boarded up and on the boards was a note:

          Sorry Wu-man.  Not this way!  Think again.  Now back to bed!

                                                                   Duo

…………………………………

          Duo grinned as Wufei’s voice echoed through the house.

…………………………………

          The window was effectively blocked, the door locked.  It seemed as though any effective way of leaving was blocked.  Wufei’s eye spotted the fireplace and a sly smile spread over his face.

………………………………..

          Duo and the others listened in astonishment as Rashid reported Wufei’s disappearance.  Even the camera had been fooled somehow.  The servants were already searching the premises but duo knew exactly where Wufei would go if he got loose.  Meeting the two pairs of blue eyes and the single green eye all four of them started at a run towards the hanger where their Gundams were stored.

…………………………

          Duo’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, “He turned… Death-Deathscythe into a Barbie Gundam!”

          Out of the corner of his eye he saw Quatre shaking his head in disbelief, Heero smirking and Trowa wearily eyeing his Gundam’s new looks.  A huge bow of pink and white was around it’s neck, and somehow Wufei had been able to paint a few smiling faces, flowers, cats, dogs and hearts in pink all over it.  The paint wasn’t even dry.

          Leaning up against its leg was a note:  Maxwell.  A caged animal always strikes back at its captors.  This Dragon has claws, do not forget again.  Wufei.