Author's note: A big DANKE SCHÖN to all who read the story and gave me feedback. It motivates and inspires me a lot....For all who thinks, I'm swearing again: Danke schön means Thank you. ^_~ Warnings: a lot of curses (forgive me, but I have to do it somewhere >.<) Disclaimer: Nothing's mine. EXCEPT Chang Yulong.

The days in the Arabian Desert were hot, almost unbearable hot. But the nights...were definitely more pleasant...like a piece of smooth, black silk on your skin...caressing the heat away...making you shiver with delight... letting you forget everything...filling you with joy that you want to dance and sing all night long...this was the magic of Arabian nights.

That was what the poets used to say and Duo had read a long time ago about Arabia. He had laughed and thought it would be only ridiculous and...well, kitschy. All these feeling only because it became night?

N-O-N-S-E-N-S-E

But he quickly changed his mind when he was the first time in the Arabian Desert. The days were pure torture. It was so hot and he admired Quartre who even could smile in that heat. But when it turned into night...yes, he really was so happy that he could dance and sing. He even felt the said smooth, black silk on his skin, the shiver and everything...

But in time even he got used to the Arabian Desert what didn't keep him from going on to love the nights here. He just didn't lie in the garden anymore for cooling down. Sometimes he just spent the night on the roof of the mansion and looked up to the stars. Sometimes he did some work-out what was absolutely impossiible during the day.

Even for Gundam pilots. Sometimes he did some repairs on Deathscythe. Sometimes he played poker with some of the Maguanacs. And sometimes he played chess with Quartre...like tonight. As usual they played in the salon that led into the garden. The glass doors and windows were wide open and the soft and warm night air flowed into the room, filling it with the scent of flowers and grass. The room was dark only lighted up by the flames which crackled quietly in the fireplace and some dimmed lamps. The two boys sat facing one another at the chess board in very comfortable chairs. For Duo these moments were pure luxury...

Even when he had to think about his next move and that was really brain work. Quartre was the true master of this game. Nothing ever could distract him when he sat in front of a chess board. You could tease him until he blushed and politely asked you to stop or tell him any story to catch his attention...his mind never left the chess board. And that was why Duo loved to play with Quartre. He was a challenge...although he always won.

At the moment Duo frowned annoyed and fumed nerved. How did the Arab do that again? One little move and he found himself totally trapped. But trap or not. This time he would win the game!

And Quartre?

The blonde Arab tried to take a sip from his tea but he quickly set the cup down when he felt the urge to laugh. But he only took a deep breath and kept his face straight. But his eyes were bright with amused laughter. Oh, he loved to play with Duo. Not because he always won. It was so wonderful, so funny...relaxing.

To play with Heero or Wufei was a very serious business. Both of them saw chess as another way for training and the game always turned into "theoretical battle". And with Trowa...it wasn't that serious but very quiet...too quiet.

That didn't mean Quartre wouldn't enjoy to play with the other three friends. He really appreciated this trial of strength. But in his opinion they forgot something about chess: it was a game. Not so Duo. Although he seemed to take chess as serious as the others, he really enjoyed the game. He didn't only brood over the next move. He talked, joked, teased, cursed, lamented aloud when Quartre captured one of his chessmen or he tried to persuade him to deals like "Give me my rook back and in return you get two of your pawns".

Quartre snickered when he remembered the things Duo had told him few moments ago. It was unbelievable what could happen in one week. When he got home he was a little confused by his friends who had pick up the habit to have breakfast in the garden. And of course the time traveller wasn't a great help for him. When he left his home Yulong had thought he would be a owner of a brothel. She had cursed and screamed a lot. Then he came home and she greeted him with a smile and talked with Duo who actually had wanted to kill her in return for that what she had done to him. She even got along with Trowa, with who she had spent the last three days in the library. And the most astonishing fact was, Trowa seemed to be comfortable with her company.

He could see that something had changed and he badly wanted to know WHAT. So he immediately asked Duo for a game when the American groaned it would be another boring night with nothing else to do than to stare up to the stars.

Duo didn't disappoint him. He recapitulated the last week and there were some...well, very interesting stories. And especially one still amused him a lot. Only the thought of it made him laugh. But he merely tried hard to held back...

"Quartre," Duo suddenly said without looking up. "It isn't politely to laugh about someone who had to think."

"No! I'm not...," Quartre quickly replied, but couldn't held back anymore and burst out laughing. "I'm not...haha...laughing... about...oh my god...haha...about you..."

Duo grinned when he saw Quartre almost slid from his chair. "I...can't believe that," Quartre said when he finally worked out some clear words. His face was flushed and his eyes sparkled with mischief. He had to breath deeply and his sides were hurting.

"I swear, it was what she said." Duo's eyes were half closed and his voice got a low sexy tone, when he repeated Yulong's words again:

" 'Heero, you wear the spandex on purpose, don't you? And you're really only 15? What a pity.' " This scene was too delicious and should be written down for the next generations. "Oh Q-man, you really missed something. And this dirty grin in her face."

"I see."

"And you know what Heero did? He blushed!"

"He blushed?"

"It seemed to be the first time someone saw him as a sex object."

"Duo!" Quartre really wanted to sound indignant but laughed even more.

"Her looks ran along his legs and rested on his butt! I swear, she nearly made him an offer!"

The blonde Arab took a deep breath to calm down. Wiping a tear from the corners of his eyes he said: "Maybe she just likes his spandex."

"HA! I think she's more interested in what they cover."

"Duo!"

"I didn't tell you the best part yet, Q-man!" Duo grinned and leaned a little forward to end his story. "After a while I heard Heero asking Trowa for a pair of jeans."

"No, he didn't!"

Duo nodded violently. "I swear! And Wufei told Heero to stay away from Yulong."

That made it. Quartre's forehead dropped on the table and he wrapped his arms around his body that was violently shaking with laughter. While Quartre tried to wrestle down his uncontrollable laughter Duo took the time to move out of Quartre's trap. He was very proud of himself...well, till Quartre lifted his flushed face, glimpsed at the board and made his next move.

"That's why only Trowa or me have to keep an eye on her when Wufei takes a shower or has some private things to do." Duo crocked an eyebrow and stared suspiciously at the board. Quartre's last move was too harmless. Maybe it was a preparation for the next trap...He was a little unsure when he did his move.

"Ah yes, I wondered why he asked Trowa to look after her." Quartre almost immediately replied Duo's move. And again Duo was trapped. What did they say about Quartre? Master of strategy? That was an understatement!

"Don't you remember the scene in your office. Nobody could calm her down until he looked at her," Duo said and threw his hands in the air. "He only looked at her and she sat down and was completely reasonable." His gaze was on the board when he added: "I think Trowa is a lady-killer."

Quartre really had a hard time to keep his face straight. "Ah~ha." "I mean...I know guys who talks and talks and sends flowers and presents to get a girl and Trowa only stares at her," Duo explained.

"And the top of it all, he only use one eye.

"And heaven knows what would happen when he uses both eyes." Quartre dryly said. Duo nodded earnestly. Then both were silent for a while, only staring at the board.

"And you both also get along?" Quartre asked after a while. "What happened? I mean when I left you, you wanted to bury her somewhere in the desert."

Duo smiled sheepishly. "Well, she isn't such a pain."

"Aha."

"She can be really nice, you know."

"Aha."

"She apologised to me. She's really not that bad."

"Ahhhh."

"What ahhhh?"

"You like her?"

"I said, she's a nice girl."

"Not more? Oh, c'mon Duo."

"Gee, Q, I never thought you're so curious."

"I just want to know what's going on in my household. That's all."

"If you're afraid of something immoral between us, I can reassure you: there's nothing like that. She's just like the elder sister I've always dreamed of. A good fighter with a great sense for dirty jokes and tricks."

"But what did happen that you feel this way? Duo, tell me now!" Duo smiled a little forced and scratched his head. "I already told you. She apologised."

Quartre snorted quietly. "If Kushrenada apologises, will you see him as your elder brother?"

"Ah, Q-man. That's different..."

"So what's different?"

"Quartre!"

"Duo!"

Duo shifted on his chair. He couldn't run or hide. Quartre's turquoise eyes nailed him on his seat. He had to answer. Now. Who the heck said Quartre would be an angel? Would an angel enjoy torturing a friend with questions and such looks? Hell no!

"Du~o..." Quartre almost sang his name and there was a serene tone in his voice. It was like staring in the barrel of a gun. Duo took a deep breath and..

"ShethoughtIwouldbeapriestandaskedmetohearherconfession." For a very long time Quartre only looked at him. There wasn't one hint in his face that could tell Duo what he had to expect. But actually he didn't care for Quartre's reaction because he felt very relieved now. After he had told it someone he really felt lighter. Quartre meanwhile leaned back, resting his elbows on the arm-rests and looked at this friend over his folded hands. "You. Have. Done. What?"

Duo shrugged helplessly. "I had no other choice but to shut up and listen."

"Duo!" Quartre groaned and buried his face in his hands. "What have you done?"

"Q-man, it wasn't my fault!" Duo cried with despair. "Wufei went in the bathroom and Trowa had to do something on Heavyarms. Heero wasn't around and so I was left with her alone. Then She dragged me in your office and I really hadn't any choices because there were three letter openers on your desk. - Why the hell do you need THREE?"

"My letter openers?" Quartre wide eyed looked at Duo. This went beyond his mind. "What's that for an excuse?"

"A VERY GOOD ONE!"

"Duo, what have my letter openers to do with this now?"

"A LOT!"

Both stared at each other. Duo completely out of rage and Quartre more confused than ever.

"Okay," Quartre sighed and shook his head. "Let's forget the letter openers. - Why didn't you tell her that you aren't a priest when there weren't any letter openers around?"

Duo grimaced and sighed. "Q-man...that's more complicated than you think...you know..." Suddenly he sat upright and his expression changed. Very serious and worried. Even his tone changed. Calm and a little husky he went on: "You know...somehow she's just like me...she also grew up on the streets and the only person she ever trusted outside her family was a priest...and...oh Quartre, she just needed someone who listens...I mean, everyone needs someone who just listens and it's like you said about her. She feels a little forsaken here. She's in wrong time and at the wrong place and nobody knows why...Wufei clearly showed that he doesn't want to deal with her...and would you go to Heero or Trowa? You weren't here and your staff's English is really poor, you know. To who she should have go, if not to me?"

When he ended, he leaned back but his frown didn't disappear. He had a clear conscience. He hadn't lied, he only had withheld the truth. That wasn't as bad as lying, was it? Yet he unsure looked through his long bangs to Quartre.

Quartre had settled his chin on his folded hands and some blonde locks fell in his face, hiding it. After a while he finally softly said: "I would have done the same way." He smiled understanding. "I'm glad, you could forgive her and even listen to her problems."

"Hey, she apologised to me," Duo casually replied and his bright smile returned. "How could I resist a repentant sinner? I've got a soft spot for those guys...especially when they also like to drive Wufei or Trowa crazy."

Quartre lifted an eyebrow. "But I still think you should tell her the truth as fast as possible."

"But..."

"Letter openers or not," Quartre interrupted him determined and added inwardly: "Why is he suddenly afraid of letter openers?"

"Okay," Duo lamely said. "I intended to do tell her anyway..."

Quartre nodded content and reached out to make his move.

"And...check mate."

"What the..." Duo incredulously blinked at the chess board. Silently he traced back Quartre's last few moves. With an outraged cry he scowled at his friend. "Damn, Q-man! You tricked me!"

"I wouldn't do such things!" Quartre exclaimed laughing. "I've won fair and square."

"You've distracted me!"

"You aren't a match for him. That's all," a monotone voice said from the door.

Both boys turned around and saw Heero standing there.

"Welcome back and thanks for the flowers," Duo dryly said. "I really missed you."

"Hn."

"That I missed the most."

Quartre giggled. "Welcome back, Heero. Everything went fine, I think."

"Was a joke of a mission," Heero answered and walked to a sofa. With a sigh he took seat. "And too long."

"So why don't you go sleeping while I'll try to beat Q-man in our next game?" Duo remarked and quickly put the figures on the board.

"A mission just came in."

"Ahhhh, not now!"

"You or Trowa are going to meet Wufei in Hong Kong in 5 hours. The target is the new base on Victoria Peak "

"Ahhhh!" Duo fell back in his chair and sighed long and deep. "Okay, I'll go."

"You go?" Quartre asked blinking.

Duo shrugged and smirked a little. "I'm very sorry. But Trowa is teaching her and I don't think we should interrupt their studies when she makes such great progresses."

Heero looked bemused between his friends "He teaches her what?"

Duo smiled broad. "To read and write. Believe it or not."

Heero blinked. "And? Where are they?"

As if they wanted to answer him by themselves. Their voices were heard in the hall.

"That's not fair, Trowa! You said I could read anything I like."

"Excluding gossip sheets and Duo's comics."

"Ahhh, you're no fun."

"I'm your teacher. I'm not supposed to be fun."

The door swung open and the two entered the room. Trowa followed a pouting Yulong who still tried to persuade him to let her read what she wanted to but then she discovered Heero.

"Hey Heero, you're back!" She cheerfully said and smiled brightly.

"How was the mission?"

Heero froze and gave his friends a puzzled look. Somehow he could understand Quartre. What happened in the last three days?

"She knows everything," Quartre quickly answered. Yulong smirked mischievously and nodded confirming.

"Hn."

"And where's Chang?" She curiously took a look around for her charming descendant.

"Right after our mission he got a new one," Heero explained.

"A new one?" Yulong dumbly repeated. "Alone?"

"No, with me," Duo answered and stood up. He walked to her and quickly hugged her. "I'll keep an eye on your precious descendant. Don't worry."

"Better keep an eye on yourself, too," she dryly replied and softly yanked his long braid. "Just come back...in one piece." Duo grimaced offended. "Somehow everybody thinks I'm unable." Quartre shook his head and opened his mouth to calm Duo down, but Trowa was faster.

"Need some help with Deathscythe?" He asked in his usual flat tone. Duo mock scowled at him and answered in a dry tone: "That was funny, Tro."

"That wasn't a joke, Duo," Trowa replied and followed Duo out of the room. "That was a serious offer."

"Ah, don't scare me by developing a sense for humour!"

"What do you mean by this?"

The door fell shut with a quiet click behind them. But for a while you still could hear them talking behind the door.

"One back and two out," Yulong whispered with a bitter smile.

"It's maybe only a routine mission," Quartre quickly reassured. He was surprised when he felt a burst out of fear and sorrow in her. Although she didn't look like that, he clearly felt panic, too. A weak smile crossed her face when she looked at him. "So they're good in their job, aren't they?"

"Very good," Quartre smiled confidently. "Don't worry about them."

Her smile became sad and a little wistful when she nodded. Quartre almost couldn't reply her smile. He felt her sadness and fear growing deeper in her, torturing her soul but she still smiled, shrugged and even said: "They're big boys. Why should I worry about them?"

"That's true." Quartre smiled a little and wanted to comfort her. But something held him back. Her expressionless face. Her self- control...just like Wufei. She fought against her inner pain. Grim and...experienced. So this sort of pain wasn't new to her...because she knew every sort of pain? Quartre shuddered inwardly. He haated the thought that someone who was so young could know pain in every way.

All three looked to the door when they heard a soft knock. It opened and Trowa stepped in.

"Didn't want your help, did he?" Yulong asked. Her voice was more steady and even sounded as casual as always.

There was a faint sign of a amused smile on his lips when he shook his head. "Let's go back to your reading exercises, Yulong."

"O~kay!" She sang cheerfully and followed Trowa out of the room. But suddenly she stopped at the door and looked back. Her eyes sized Heero curiously up, then she asked pouting: "Hey Heero, where are your spandex?"

Quartre immediately looked at Heero to catch his reaction. Now that she asked he realised Heero wore blue jeans. They didn't seemed to be one of Trowa's because they were more baggy and a bit darker. With delight he registered a slight blush on the Japanese boy's cheeks.

Heero mumbled grumpily : "In the laundry."

"Aha." Her answer was accompanied with a dirty smile. Heero growled and turned away from her.

"See ya!" She shouted over her shoulder and ran after Trowa. Heero's eyes caught Quartre's who was trying to keep his face straight. But unfortunately his lips trembled treacherously. Both stared at each other.

"I already heard she likes your spandex," Quartre finally said and coughed a little to hide his laugh.

Heero growled threatening. "Don't. Even. Mention. Them."

"Okay," Quartre whispered, not trusting his voice, and nodded. Heero glared when he left the Arab, who almost died of hysterical laughter.

~°~*~°~*~°~*~°~*~°~*~°~

...two days later...

It was a peaceful evening...well, as peaceful as it could be. Quartre, Trowa, Heero and Yulong sat together in the salon and enjoyed the warm air from the garden. Yulong still tried to persuade Trowa letting her read Duo's comics or some gossip sheets while she had to copy a page from a book. She had made astonishing progresses in last few days. Trowa said she had sense for languages but Quartre knew that she had spent some nights with exercises. He had met her several times in the library when everyone was asleep. Her laconic remark was: "An assassin never sleeps till his job is done."

Heero sat at the table and played chess with...er, against him while the tv was on. They had eaten dinner and around this time it was usual they waited for the evening news. It was important for them to know what happened in the world. And if it was only about Kushrenada's favourite flowers. But for this evening there was a live special about Hong Kong's role in the Earth Alliance. The beginning was quite boring. "This is Nancy Wang for WNTV. Welcome to Hong Kong...blablabla..."

A little explanation that came along with a historical overview about Hong Kong as an important strategic point followed. A lot of pictures of Hong Kong were showed but actually nobody in the salon in the Arabian desert was interested in them. Yulong still wanted to read gossip sheets while Trowa insisted on some more higher levelled books.

Heero and Quartre concentrated on their game. It was exciting like always, especially when Quartre found out, Heero played with a new strategy this time.

Meanwhile Nancy Wang had changed the setting and introduced an interview partner. Then the camera panned from the sea-view to where the new OZ base was. And this finally got the attention of the boys.

"It's still there?" Quartre frowned and gave Heero a worried look.

The Japanese boy stared at the tv screen and his eyes darkened with every scene he saw.

"Something went wrong," Trowa remarked.

Yulong looked up when she suddenly heard his voice. She had given up to persuade him and started to copy the page. Her handwriting still was lousy. She took a look around and felt a tension in the air. The three boys were too silent and stared intensely at the tv. So her gaze also fell at the tv. The speaker was interviewing a woman with blonde hair and in a military uniform of a high-ranking officer. She was young but looked very authoritarian. So even the leaders were young...

"Who's that?" Yulong asked.

"Lady Une," Trowa answered without looking at her.

Yulong just nodded and stayed silent. It seemed to be very important to the boys. So she watched and quickly got bored by the interview. OZ here and OZ there. They only wanted peace with the colonies but the rebels always blocked every step towards peace and harmony. His excellency was sad and worried about the activities of the colonies. His sympathy always was only for the citizens of Earth and so nobody should be afraid of this new base in Hong Kong.

Yulong's eyed widened. Hong Kong? While Lady Une went on explaining, some pictures of the new military base were showed. She watched the pictures in the same silence like the boys.

"Is that Hong Kong Island?" she suddenly asked.

"Unfortunately yes," Quartre mumbled. He didn't pay attention to the interview. In mind he still asked why the base was still there and where the heck Wufei and Duo were.

"Is this Victoria Peak?"

"Yes, it is." Quartre wondered why Yulong's voice was so dangerously flat. When he turned to her, he saw her scowling. He even heard her quietly growling.

"They...have...built...a...military...base...on...my...mother's...gr ave?" She slowly said and with every word her voice became a little shriller. "These BASTARDS are walking over MY mother?" Now she got the full attention of all in the room.

"Your mother?"

"Fuck! YES!" She shouted and fumed with rage. "How dare those arseholes build a base on my mother? Damn fucking shit! Don't they have any fucking respect for the dead?"

"You're mother is gone?" Quartre asked surprised. During the last few days he and she had talk a lot. About their families for instance. Why didn't he notice that she never had talked about her mother? A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Uhm...come in."

"Master Quartre?" The good spirit of Quartre's household - his butler - entered the room and bowed a little.

"Yes, Alfred?"

"Master Duo just has returned."

"He has returned?" Quartre repeated stunned. He looked between his butler and the tv screen. The military base in Hong Kong was still there.

"Master Quartre..."

"Yes?"

"He doesn't leave his Gundam."

"Did he say why?"

"No, sir, Master Duo didn't say one word since his arrival."

"Now that's strange," Yulong remarked. "I mean...even I know he never shuts up."

"That's really strange", Heero also said and stood up. Trowa and

Quartre immediately followed him to the hangar. Because she had nothing else to do, Yulong ran after them.

And yes indeed...Deathscythe stood in his place. Whole and without any visible damages. But there was no Duo jumping around and complaining about rude Oz soldiers. It was absolutely still in the hangar. Nothing happened

"Why doesn't he come out?" Yulong asked after a while.

"That's a good question," Trowa remarked and walked to the Gundam. Heero followed him. Together the two boys climbed up to the cockpit and opened it. Heero gasped surprised when a limp and unconscious bundle of loose chestnut hair and black clothes suddenly fell out of the cockpit. Instinctively he dodged and realised too late that it was Duo Maxwell himself. But Trowa had the presence of mind to catch him, even without loosing his balance. Heero came to help and they carefully carried him down to Deathscythe's feet where Quartre and Yulong already awaited them. Both stretched their arms up to take Duo from them. Slowly and absolutely carefully they laid him down, after they made sure he was still breathing and he hadn't any spine damages.

"He doesn't look good," she murmured and her experienced hands moved over his body.

"Oh Allah!" Quartre whispered horrified while he stroke Duo's loose hair out of the pale face. "He had bruises everywhere..."

"And his left arm looks strange," Yulong added with a frown and softly examined Duo's shoulder. "It's dislocated."

"We should fix it while he's unconscious," Heero suggested flatly.

"And we should make it fast. Duo never is long unconscious." A shudder ran along Quartre's back. "We better wait for Abdul..."

"Heero is right," Yulong frowned and looked up to Heero and Trowa.

"Did one of you ever relocated an arm?"

Both shook their head. "You?"

She gave them a forced smile. "You learn a lot things when you haven't any money.

Both quickly kneed next to Duo and offered her their assistance by holding Duo down. Yulong firmly grasped Duo's arm.

"Ooooohhh, Allah..." Quartre turned away. That he really didn't want to see.

She looked to the two boys and they almost breathed and moved at the same time: she pulled Duo's arm till it snapped back and the boys held him down.

With a shocked grasp Duo's eyes flung wide open and with a roar of pain he got back to conscious. His whole body hurt, he wanted to jump up and ran away. But hands held him back, comforting words were whispered, soft fingers stroke his hair back, caressing his pain away...well, almost...

"Everything's fine, Duo," Yulong whispered and carefully let go of his arm. "You're safe now."

His wild flickering eyes tried hard to focused her face and when he recognised her, he sighed relieved and smiled weakly. Closing his eyes he limply fell back on the floor. "I'm back."

"Yes, you're back," Yulong whispered softly.

"In one piece." They all smiled. Even in his condition he still joked. That was a good sign...

"I'll call Abdul," Quartre announced quietly, stood up and ran in the quarters of the Maguanacs.

"Tell him I'm alright," Duo weakly protested. "Wufei needs more help."

"Wufei?" Yulong felt something slowly squeezing her throat. "What's the matter with him?"

"That lady spotted us before we could get in the near of the base. We should have know that she was more carefully after Cairo. Guess, we were to light-headed. We both got injured on the run," Duo reported with half closed eyes. "Didn't that stubborn idiot show you his injuries?"

"Wufei hasn't returned yet," Trowa calmly said.

Duo's eyed opened again. His eyes were confused and blood-shot. "But he left first...Where's he?"

Yes...where was Wufei?

~°~*~°~*~°~*~°~*~°~*~°~

"Keep her busy." Trowa sighed inwardly when he remembered Heero's words that were spoken almost twelve hours after Duo's arrival. They had had to wait until Duo was awake to tell them more about their failed mission. His injuries were tended and he was strong enough for a meal. After this Heero had call all pilots for a meeting...with a suspicious look at Yulong who innocently had blinked back. "Keep her busy," he had whispered to Trowa.

That was easier to say than to do. Especially in Yulong's case. He had spent the last week with her and knew that she could be as bad as Duo. She was quick minded and very keen. But she also liked to ask questions. If he could answer her properly she left him alone and did what he wanted. If not, she could be like Duo said "a real pain in the ass". Just like now.

"Yulong, it'll be a intern meeting. You won't go anywhere," he said in a strict tone. "Stay here and copy this page." Arrogantly she raised her eyebrows and looked in his deep green eyes - well, in this one that was visible. "I'm older than you and you dare to treat me like a little child?"

"You wanted me to teach you read and write," he calmly replied and she swore she heard a slight hint of a laugh in his flat voice. "So do what I tell you to."

She continued to stare at him, ignoring the paper he gave her to copy. He stared back. This game they played a lot of times and he always won. When he saw her blinking he knew, he would win this time, too. But she surprised him by lifting her hand and brushing his long bangs aside.

"Didn't anybody tell you, it's scary to be stared by one eye?" She asked a little furious although he saw her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Since she had asked him to be her teacher she had tried it many times but she never succeeded in catching him off guard. It was like a sport for her. He always kept his stoic calmness and hoped she'd give up. But this time she got him. For a moment he just blinked and blushed.

"You're cute, you know?" She suddenly stated and stared surprised in his face.

His blush deepened when he cleared his throat. Nobody ever did what she had. It was strange to be touched by her. It wasn't erotic and he was sure she didn't mean to do something in this way. It just felt strange, not offending or unpleasant...just strange...but somehow also very normal...

She smiled delighted when she stepped away from him. To her total amusement she heard him quietly sighing with relief when his bangs fell back in its usual form. She didn't mean to shock him but he reminded her so much of her little brother Tam...cute, intelligent, patient, the personification of stoic calm and shyness. And she so missed teasing him...But this was Trowa. That poor boy really tried to teach her and she teased him. That wasn't very fair. So she sighed and grabbed the paper. She cursed under her breath when she looked at the tiny letters which covered the whole page. That would take a lot of time to copy.

"Do I really have to?" She asked pouting.

He looked at her - with one eye again - and suddenly a smirk appeared. It almost looked wicked. "Yes, you have to. You know your handwriting is still very terrible. I hope to see your version before dinner time, okay?" With that he left her in the library. She counted to ten and sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."

She sneaked out of the library after she made sure nobody was in the hall. As an assassin she had learned to be noiseless and invisible like a shadow. So there was no problem to get to the first floor where the four boys were. She bet they were talking about Wufei's destiny. Everything that had to do with that chauvinistic clan brat, she had to know. She had adopted him, right? She pressed herself against the wall next to the open door and listened.

"NO!"

She jumped when she heard Quartre's horrified scream.

"We won't do that!" Quartre added furiously. "Heero, are you nuts?"

Yulong smiled a little. The little Arab seemed to be very upset. She really would like to know what...

"We won't blow up the base with Wufei in there!"

The smile in her features died and a cold hand wrapped around her heart, slowly crashing it till she could the feel the pain in her whole body. The same feeling when they told her, her mother would die.

~End of part 6~

Herrje, das wird immer länger...*clears her throat* ...uhm...I mean... Actually I never have been to Hong Kong so I don't know if on Victoria Peak really is a cemetery or even if it's a nice place for the final rest. I just heard there'd be a wonderful view of Hong Kong.

C&C please to lapoetica@hotmail.com
And greeting to all Dir en grey fans!! ^_^v