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"Boot Camp"Written By: Snowdragonct Disclaimer: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing or the characters, more's the pity. This is for fun...no profit involved. Warnings: AU (sort of), yaoi, swearing (lots), some OOC (probably), some violence, references to NCS (especially in later chapters) Pairings: 1+2, 3+4 (to start with) A/N: This is the first time I'm getting up the nerve to post a story...hope it's not too similar to anyone else's (haven't seen one just like it). Candid, kindly-delivered critiques will be greatly appreciated...please don't rip my head off too much? Um, and the old "don't like, don't read" phrase holds true. Oh, and it's fiction, and I don't have a law degree, so there's sure to be some inaccuracies...can we just pretend, please? Thanks in advance. Rating: NC 17 Summary: Four boys in the juvenile justice system
receive a last chance to make something of their futures. Will boot
camp make or break them? And can they ever learn to be a team? "Boot Camp" Chapter Twelve: Gone to the Dogs Duo didn’t know how much time had passed, but when a quiet knock sounded on the door, and Quatre’s voice called to him, he sighed, getting up and shutting off the water. “Are you okay, Duo?” Quatre asked again. “Fine,” he replied shortly, walking over and flushing the toilet so it sounded like he’d had a reason to be in there so long. “Carter’s waiting for us…for a hike,” Quatre said through the door. “Heero and Trowa went ahead.” Duo breathed a sigh of relief, and opened the door. “I don’t suppose the hike is optional?” Quatre gave a snort at that. “Is anything in this place optional?” His aquamarine eyes searched his friend’s face. “You look awful. Do you really feel alright?” He started to reach as if to feel for a fever, but Duo flinched away. “I’m okay, Quat.” He walked over to his foot locker and fished in it for a windbreaker to bring along. “Did something happen while we were gone?” Quatre pressed. He sat on the edge of his bunk. “You know I’m…empathic. And right now, the—turmoil—you’re giving off is just unbelievable.” Duo stiffened, turning a glare to his friend. “Stay out of my head, Winner.” “I’m not in it,” Quatre retorted. “It’s not like I have a choice, Duo. Strong emotions just sort of push into my space, whether I want them to or not.” “Sorry,” muttered the braided boy. He turned a less venomous look to the blonde. “It’s just typical Maxwell-Yuy shit, y’know?” He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.” Quatre nodded sympathetically. “If you need to talk, you know I’ll be here for you, right?” “’Course I do,” replied Duo, managing a wan smile. He felt even guiltier at having invaded Quatre’s privacy as well as that of the other two; the blonde had been friendly and open with him from day one. There was certainly no need to protect himself from the kind-hearted boy from L4. “You’re a good friend, Quatre.” “You too.” Duo refrained from a skeptical snort, knowing he could never explain it. Instead, he threw an arm around Quatre’s shoulders in a familiar gesture as they headed out the door. Heero and Trowa were waiting with Corporal Carter near Wufei’s office when the others arrived. Duo didn’t look at Heero. He couldn’t. He kept his gaze fixed on a neutral point somewhere between Carter and Heero. “Good…you’re all here.” Carter glanced at the office. “Captain Chang should be out any time to deactivate your ankle bracelets so we can leave the prison grounds to hike up to the lake.” Quatre looked at him curiously. “How come we get to go?” “Chang wants me to scope out the terrain for a preliminary survival exercise, and he decided since your team shows so much promise, you should get to help.” “Promise?” Duo mumbled, glancing up at the soldier. “Carter, I just can’t picture Captain Stick-Up-His-Ass Chang using that word in a sentence with my name in it.” “Your name wasn’t in it, Maxwell,” came Wufei’s icy voice, as the Captain stepped out of his office with impeccable timing. “Team Wing was.” Duo winced. “Sonofa--. Would someone just shoot me now and get this over with?” he demanded in exasperation. “I can’t catch a break!” He turned a woeful look to the Chinese officer. “I suppose disrespecting an officer is on that list of rules somewhere--?” “Naturally,” came the smooth, dangerous response. Wufei gave a feral grin, turning a slightly predatory look to Corporal Carter. “I can’t help but wonder, though, where you might have heard a phrase like that, Maxwell.” Corporal Carter blushed at that, glancing at Duo, mirroring his discomfort. “I’m sure I can’t imagine, sir.” Wufei gave him a knowing look, and then glanced at Duo. “We’ll let it slide this time, Maxwell. But watch your tongue in the future, or you’ll find out what’s worse than KP duty.” “Yes sir,” Duo said, thoroughly abashed. “Now, let’s get those barbaric devices neutralized so you can carry out my orders.” Captain Chang used a handheld device to deactivate the shock mechanism on the anklets, leaving only the GPS capability. “That should do it. Get them back before supper, Carter.” “Yes, sir.” “And Carter?” “Sir?” “Don’t teach them any more creative nicknames from your boot camp, eh?” “No, sir.” Wufei returned to his office, while Carter and the four boys set out on their cross-country trek.
“It’s Peacemillion Lake…one of the most pristine bodies of water in the state,” Carter rattled off as if reading from a tourist brochure. “You see those mountains on the other side? That’s where our good Captain wants us to have mountaineering training.” “And how will we get there?” Heero asked, arching an eyebrow questioningly. “Canoes,” grinned Carter. “I think Captain Chang plans to have us carry ‘em up here, cross the lake, and then climb the mountains.” Duo groaned. “I knew it. I just knew it. When we turned off the paved road I should have jumped out the bus window!” Carter gave him an amused look. “Not an outdoorsman, Maxwell?” “For Christ’s sake, I grew up in the slums of a colony!” Duo burst out hopelessly. “It’ll be okay,” Carter assured him. “I was a colony rat myself, but after Captain Chang’s training, I could survive just about anywhere I landed.” “He’s that good?” Heero asked, wondering at how quickly Wufei had established a reputation. “The best.” “But he’s only…what…nineteen?” “Almost twenty,” Carter corrected him. “From what I hear, he graduated early from high school, entered the Academy and breezed through in two years…had his first commission at eighteen…taught boot camp for a year…and became the youngest Captain ever at nineteen years old. He’s a phenomenon.” “Sounds like a maniac, too,” Duo noted. “But a good maniac,” Carter insisted. “He never asks us to do something he wouldn’t do. He works as hard as any of his men.” Heero smiled vaguely at that. It sounded like Wufei hadn’t changed much at all since they grew up together. He’d been ambitious, focused, and determined to succeed. And he’d always been the most honorable man Heero had ever met. Duo noticed the wistful smile on Heero’s face, having inadvertently allowed his eyes to stray to the face that so fascinated him. But when the deep blue eyes looked back at him, the braided boy looked hastily away, throat tight again as he wondered what price Heero would demand for his silence. Yeah…well, you only have yourself to blame for that, Maxwell. You stupid shit. “We may as well head back,” Carter said with a shrug. “I have a good idea of the terrain on this side of the lake, and by the time we get to camp, supper will be ready.” They turned around and headed back the way they’d come, Carter first, followed by Heero, Trowa, and then Quatre and Duo. At some point in the hike, Heero dropped back so that he was walking just ahead of Duo. He wanted to talk to the braided boy…to clarify their interrupted conversation. He could see that Duo was avoiding him. But it wasn’t in Heero Yuy’s nature to avoid a confrontation, or skirt an issue. He wanted to resolve things promptly. Duo noticed the team leader’s proximity, and his shoulders stiffened with tension. He didn’t want to be any closer to Heero right then…not until he’d come to terms with the mess he was in. He didn’t fail to see the irony of the situation. He’d watched the Japanese boy, daydreamed about him, and fantasized about him for days…and now he just wanted to be as far away from him as possible. He wanted to regain his equilibrium…his feeling of control and security…before dealing with Heero. “Maxwell--?” He looked up sharply in alarm, his glance sliding past Heero to see that Quatre had turned. Ah…bless the dear little empath! He had to have felt the rush of panic from his braided friend. “Hey, Heero? Carter said he heard something crashing through the leaves up ahead,” Quatre interrupted the team leader. Okay, maybe the empath missed the signal after all. Screw empathy anyway! Heero turned, walking quickly up next to Carter, as Trowa and Quatre edged to the sides, straining to hear whatever the soldier had detected. The sound of a low growl caught their attention and all five stopped in their tracks, looking around in alarm. “—at four-thirty,” Heero whispered, slowly turning to face that direction. Standing at the edge of the clearing were four of the prison guard dogs, hackles raised, and teeth bared. “Fuck!” swore Carter in an undertone. “Are you armed?” Heero asked him. “Just a small-caliber in a leg holster.” “How many shots?” “A clip holds ten.” “Um…I’m sure you two are having a nice conversation,” Duo interjected in a hissed whisper, “but what are we gonna do?” “Show no fear!” Trowa’s voice cut in, even and measured. “Riiiight,” Duo murmured. “Um…how?!” “Don’t move.” The lead dog was stalking slowly closer, snarling steadily. It was closest to Quatre, who glanced at Trowa with wide eyes. “Don’t move?” he asked in a near-whisper. “Don’t. Move.” Trowa took a step towards the dogs, and the lead animal turned sharply towards him, going into a crouch. “If it goes for Barton, you go for your gun,” Heero said to Carter in an undertone. “I’ll try to buy you time.” He tensed, preparing to intervene if the animal attacked. “Shhh…” Trowa soothed, never taking his eyes from the dog. He stood his ground as it came closer, and then glared sternly at it. “Stay!” “Is he talkin’ to us, or the dogs?” Duo asked Heero. “Shut up, Maxwell!” “Don’t move…stay…shut up…” Duo rolled his eyes. “You guys are bossy.” “Quiet!” came three intense whispers. Trowa alone remained silent, moving almost imperceptibly towards the snarling hounds. The auburn-haired boy held out a hand, keeping a steady gaze on the lead dog and curling his lip in a gesture that resembled a snarl. He growled low in his throat and moved within reach of the big animal. “Sit.” Amazingly, the dog backed a step, cocked its head, and sat. The others grudgingly followed suit. “Good boy,” Trowa crooned gently, easing up next to the dog and allowing it to sniff his fingers. “There…no threat…good dog.” Duo breathed an audible sigh. “Can we move now?” “Not yet,” Trowa cautioned, scratching the dog behind the ears. “They’re trained to respond to motion. Run, and they’ll attack. Fight, and they’ll attack.” “Is breathing okay?” Duo asked in a snide undertone. “For fuck’s sake, if you get us mauled, I’ll kill you myself, Maxwell!” Heero snarled. Trowa had eased into the middle of the dogs, allowing each to thoroughly smell him, before he tried petting them. But within moments, all four dogs were pressed close, tails wagging loosely and tongues lolling as they warmed to the quiet boy. “I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it--,” breathed Carter in amazement. “I like animals,” Trowa shrugged, dropping to one knee and thoroughly scratching and stroking the dogs. The sound of voices, crackling brush, and whistles broke the near-silence, and several prison guards came jogging into view. The dogs spun around and ran to their handlers, bounding happily up to them and barking a greeting. Warden Kushrenada was with them, his voice raised in agitation. “—inexcusable! If those animals injured any inmates--.” He stopped upon seeing the four boys and Carter standing motionless in the clearing. Carter stepped forward as the handlers slipped leashes onto the wayward dogs, and the warden stood open-mouthed in astonishment. “Corporal? What are you doing out here? Was anyone hurt?” Duo eased up behind Heero as the four boys joined Carter in front of the warden and the dogs and handlers. “No, sir,” Carter replied, darting a wary glance at the big animals, a couple of which were now straining at their leashes as if eager to reach the boys. “Thanks to Barton.” He gestured to Trowa, who had walked over to the lead dog again, and was running a hand through his fur as if examining something. “Barton?” The warden spun to fix a tawny glare on the green-eyed boy. “What? How?” He gestured feebly. “That’s a trained attack animal, boy. Be careful!” Trowa glanced up distractedly. “It’s okay. He knows we’re not running, so there’s no need to attack.” He straightened to his full height, facing the warden. “But this animal needs vet care, sir. He’s got some pretty severe sores on his neck.” His green eyes shot a dangerous look at the man holding the dog’s leash. “Has someone used a prong collar on him?” “Only for training,” replied the handler, glaring back. “You do know you aren’t supposed to yank on it?” Trowa asked. “Or tie him with it on? It looks like someone’s deliberately used it to hurt this dog--!” “Listen, you little punk--.” The warden stepped in smoothly, raising an elegant hand. “Back off, Lorenzo. Get the dogs back to the kennels and find out how they got out.” He glanced at Trowa’s angry expression. “I’ll call the vet myself, Barton, the moment I get back to my office.” He placed a companionable hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Thank you for bringing the dog’s condition to my attention.” Trowa smiled slightly. “Thank you for taking care of him, sir.” Duo made a strangled sound from behind Heero, and the warden’s sharp gaze turned his way. A sneer curled the man’s lip before he turned to Carter. “I’m terribly sorry about this incident, Corporal. I can’t imagine how the dogs got out—and I wasn’t aware anyone had gone beyond the perimeter fence.” “I brought the boys out for a look at the lake,” replied the soldier. “Captain Chang ordered it, and deactivated the shock mechanism on the anklets.” “Ah, I see.” The warden’s cool gaze went to Duo again—faintly mocking—and the boy glared back with unconcealed hate. “I’m glad no one was hurt.” Riiight…liar! Heero glanced back at Duo, frowning at the intense expression on the braided boy’s face. But Duo merely looked away, scowling. “Are you on your way back to the camp, Corporal?” asked Kushrenada. “Yes, sir—especially after that little episode.” Carter gave a nervous chuckle. “I’ll walk with you.” The warden walked up beside Trowa, striking up a conversation about the dogs as they set out for camp. They continued to talk animatedly throughout the hike. Carter and Heero were in the center, and Duo and Quatre brought up the rear. “What do you suppose K.’s up to?” Duo whispered to his friend. “I don’t know,” Quatre said with a frown. “Nothing bad--.” Duo snorted. “Nothing that man does is good,” he asserted. “Maybe he likes dogs too.” “Kushrenada?” Duo demanded. “Bullshit, Quat. He’s up to something.” He frowned, trying to figure out what. Then he stepped in something squishy and looked down in disgust. “Aw…man…” Quatre couldn’t help chuckling at the woeful expression on Duo’s face, as he tried to wipe his shoe on grass to get the dog poop off. When they reached the compound again, the warden paused, turning to Carter. “Corporal—does Barton have to be anywhere right now? He’s expressed an interest in seeing the kennels.” He smiled indulgently. “A fellow dog-lover, you see.” “Yuy?” Carter asked. “We were just going to get supper, and then back to the barracks to do a bit of studying,” shrugged Heero. “Studying?” Duo demanded. “On Sunday?” “As long as Barton’s back before lights out, it should be fine,” Carter told the warden. “I’ll make sure he gets supper as well,” promised the warden. Kushrenada and Trowa headed off in the direction of the kennels, while Carter and the other boys walked towards the barracks. “I’m going to go report the incident to Captain Chang,” Carter told them as they walked. “He’ll want to know how the dogs got out as much as I do.” They had stopped in the middle of the yard, and he fixed a pensive look on Heero. “Offering to distract the dogs while I got to my gun was a pretty bold plan, Yuy.” He smiled grimly. “I gotta admit, you got balls, kid.” He slapped Heero’s shoulder, and then strode off towards Wufei’s office. “Oh, for the love of--.” Duo rolled his eyes at the slightly smug look Heero gave him. “Get over yourself, Yuy.” Duo was regaining a little of his composure around the team leader, especially when there was taunting to be done. “At least I wasn’t cowering in a corner,” Heero said in a lofty tone, eyeing Duo mockingly. “Need to change your shorts, Maxwell?” Duo’s eyes widened. “Oh, fuck you, man!” He started towards Heero, fully intending to throttle him, but Quatre caught his arm. “Easy, Duo! He’s just teasing. Don’t let him get to you!” warned the blonde. He gave Heero a scolding glare. “And as team leader, Yuy, shouldn’t you be the mature one?” Heero glared back, turned on his heel, and stalked off towards the barracks. “Heh.” Duo eyed Quatre appraisingly. “You just got a good shot in there, Quat. Thanks.” “Any time.” They strolled to the barracks, but sat on the steps so Duo could try to scrape the rest of the dog poop off his shoes instead of tracking it inside. He scraped at it with a twig, trying to pick the stuff from between the treads. “Y’know, Quat, sometimes my luck is downright--.” “Crappy?” Quatre asked with a twitch of a smile at one corner of his mouth. Duo shot him a sideways glare. “I was gonna say ‘rotten.’ But I suppose ‘shitty’ is more appropriate.” Quatre grinned, and then his aquamarine eyes narrowed slightly as he saw Austin and one of his buddies walking towards the showers. “Wish we had a few more piles of that to leave outside Team Chase’s barracks…” “Aw, yeah…get ‘em while they’re running out to morning calisthenics,” Duo agreed. His eyes slowly lit with a devious gleam. “Hey…Quatre…I have the perfect plan!” Quatre eyed him warily. “For what?” “To pay back Austin and his pals.” “Duo--.” The Arab boy’s tone was fraught with worry. “Naw—it’s perfect!” Duo insisted. He was warming to his idea now. “You almost got sent off to L2 a couple of days ago, Duo. You can’t afford to get caught breaking rules again.” “Then we won’t get caught!” Duo asserted. “We?” Duo’s indigo eyes widened into a pleading look. “Please, Quat? At least hear me out…it’s perfect! And really we’d only be breaking one itty bitty rule…and no one will catch us, I promise!” “I know I’ll regret this,” sighed Quatre. “Go ahead…” Duo outlined his plan, complete with histrionics and vivid description, and the blonde actually found himself believing it made sense. “Wow…you have thought this out,” Quatre mused. “When did you get this brainstorm?” “Just now,” Duo shrugged, scraping the last of the dog poop off his shoe. He grinned at his friend. “You inspired me.” Quatre rolled his eyes. “So when do we execute this master plan of yours?” “Tonight…after bed check.” Duo smiled evilly. “The moon’s less than half full, so we’ll have a little light, but not too much. And tomorrow’s Monday morning; no one will be at their most alert. It’s the perfect time.” Quatre gave him a wicked grin in return. “Count
me in.”
tbc... |
