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"Dawning"Written By: Honor Disclaimers: Not ours. They belong to rich people. We just snuck them out of the high-security vault when they weren’t looking. Pairings: 3x4, 5x2, 1+(um…eheheh…we have no idea.) Warnings: Angst (which is fixed), AU, Fant, violence, character death (a couple of the bad guys, don’t spaz), questionable humor and LEMON!!! Rating: PG-13 to NC-17 Summary: When a man of obsession turns to the powers of darkness to curse two lovers that are against him, then those that can must do everything they can to break the chains that ensnare them all. *emphasized* //spell or thoughts//
"Dawning" Chapter Five: Truths and Traps
“I can only do so much.” Cesar informed him through the gummy black beard on his face. He looked almost wilder than the creatures that he hunted, the piercing blue eyes tinted with animalistic derangement. “My traps are full. Since the plague there’s been more wolves than men.” Treize inhaled, walking up to a platform. He knew that for the hunter to do his job, he would have to give him more information to work off of. “There is a man.” His eyes almost softened in memory. “A beautiful man. Skin of fine porcelain, hair of spun gold, eyes bluer than the sky… He travels by night, only by night. His sun is the moon. Find him and you’ll find the wolf. The wolf that…loves him.” The hunter started grinning. So. Apparently it wasn’t *just* the wolf that loved the boy either. At the very least the archbishop was obsessed with him. “And wot’s his name?” “Quatre.” The word almost came out reverently. Abruptly Treize realized what he had done and snapped a cold expression back onto his face. “Now go.” “Quatre…” Cesar bowed, a touch of mockery in the gesture, then turned and went back out to find this boy who traveled with a large black wolf. + Wufei watched as Duo shifted once again, trying to find the most comfortable position to sleep in. It had been a hard couple of hours after the arrow had been removed from Quatre’s shoulder and now that he was resting fairly comfortably, Heero had suggested that Duo try to get some sleep as well. They had settled in the room next to the one Quatre was sleeping in, not wanting to disturb him but be near enough to hear him if he called. Biting back a groan, Wufei sat up on his pallet and resigned himself to the inevitable. He knew—intimately well by now—that if Duo wasn’t secure for whatever reason with his surroundings, then he didn’t sleep. Period. Well…he didn’t sleep unless there was someone nearby to ensure that he would be ‘safe’. Apparently the thief had decided that Wufei qualified. With a silent sigh, Wufei got up and dragged his blankets over to where Duo had bedded down. Without a word, he pushed Duo over and slid in next to him, arranging the blankets over them. With a happy murmur, Duo immediately snuggled up against his side, draping an arm across his chest. Within minutes he was asleep. Wufei looked down at the face nestled on his shoulder so peacefully. “This does not make you my huggy toy.” He informed the oblivious boy firmly. Duo emitted a soft snore. “So long as we understand each other.” Hearing a slight noise at the entrance to the room, Wufei looked up to find Heero standing in the doorway looking at them, an eyebrow arched. Wufei glared back. “What? I’m making sure he doesn’t go anywhere.” “Riight.” With a wise nod, Heero turned and left the two in peace. Wufei growled softly. He shifted a hand to rub at one of his temples, only to find that it was wrapped in several layers of chestnut braid. Starting, he stared at it in dawning horror. “When did I do that?!” He hissed to himself. Then he let his head thump back onto the furs. “Confound it. I’m being ambushed on all sides…even on my own…” Duo continued to sleep on, unaware of the war going on over his head. + From the other end of the wall there came a soft whimper of pain. Duo’s instincts had him awake and ready for flight before he could fully register where he was…and who was in bed with him. Wufei. Then who had whimpered…? Ah. That must have been Quatre. Duo looked down at the man sleeping so peacefully under him, and saw that he was going to have to do some interesting contortions in order to get out of the bedding without waking up his companion. As Duo started working on freeing his braid he heard Heero enter the other room and soothe the patient with gentle words. It relieved the urgency for Duo’s exit of the bed, but he still wanted out. Four hours of sleep were enough for him right now. What he truly wanted was the full story. He now had no doubt that Quatre was the hawk, and Trowa the wolf. What he wanted to know was *why* HOW and who. As Duo slid out of the blankets at last, Wufei grumbled under his breath. Duo didn’t understand the words, being as they were in a different language…but he knew that tone. Curse words, if he were any judge. Hm… Duo smiled to himself as he slipped out. He’d get the other man to admit a few things. All in good time. Right now, he wanted to check on Quatre. Slipping into the other room quietly, Duo made his way over to the bed. Seeing that Quatre had fallen asleep again, he stood for a moment and just looked at the boy. He seemed to be resting more peacefully now. Without a sound, Duo went out of the room and walked down to the hall where there was a healthy fire blazing. Heero was settled in front of the fireplace, a cup of something steaming in his hands. Duo sat next to him on the rug, eyes focused on the fire crackling inside the wall of stones. “Who did it? Who made them like that?” “Ah. You want the full story. Hn. Can’t blame you.” + Wufei turned over, his hand searching for the missing warmth that had been at his side. “Where’s my hugg- urp.” Waking up, Wufei
glared at his hand. “I meant where’s that thief.” //Yuh
huh. Suuuure you did.// a voice said. “Shut up.” “Ah. You want the full story. Hn. Can’t blame you.” Coming up behind the two in front of the fire, Wufei added his voice in. “Yes, please. I for one only know so much and at most, it is rather sketchy.” Heero turned to look at him as he came around and settled next to Duo. He noticed with concealed amusement that Duo immediately scooted closer to the major, and that Chang didn’t notice. Ahh…this was going to be so much fun to watch… Forcing his mood to sober a little he started at the beginning. “His name is Quatre Raberba Winner. He was the only son of Henry Winner. When his father died he came to L’Aquila to live with an older sister until the day of his inheritance. I never met him face to face but a handful of times, and then only briefly. But I remember that he was always kind…and had an uncanny knack for understanding people. We all loved him in one way or another—” Wufei nodded slightly, ruefully. “—because it was rather impossible not to love someone when they cared so much for you. His Grace was the most zealous in his pursuit. But Quatre sensed his wickedness and shrank from him. He sent his poems back unread, his gifts unopened. His heart, you see was already lost. To the captain of the guard.” Heero took a sip from his mug, eyes reflecting the dancing flames in front of him. “What happened?” Duo whispered, snuggling in closer to Wufei for comfort. “They were betrayed. A clergyman overheard their betrothal vows, and told his superior in a drunken confession everything he knew. His Grace seemed to go mad. He vowed that if he could not have him then no one would. It took four days for him to reach this place—” Duo sucked in a surprised breath. “—and he asked me for a curse when he came. I’ve no love for the bishop, and refused. Adamantly when I discovered who the curse was for. I knew of Trowa Barton and Quatre Winner. They were not friends, but I knew of them and knew they were of the better part of this earth. He had me restrained, ordered my house searched until he found the spells he needed, the ingredients that were called for. Then I was knocked unconscious so that he would have time to leave. I followed as quickly as I could but… In his fury and frustration the bishop called upon the powers of hell and spat up a terrible curse. By day, Quatre is the beautiful hawk that you brought to me. While at night Trowa is the black wolf.” Heero lowered his cooling tea and met Duo’s unwavering gaze. “It is a tragic story that you have come upon, Duo Maxwell. And now, you are lost in it with the rest of us.” Wufei nodded, his gaze lost in thought as he worked his way through the story. Looking back up at Heero he spoke. “And was there no way for you to break the curse?” Heero shook his head. “Not at the time. The spell used had been one that was forbidden, the counter of it lost a long time ago.” Duo let out a small sound and Heero held up a hand. “But, after much research, I believe that there *is* a way to break the curse.” “And that is?” Wufei watched as Heero took another sip of his tea. “In a week’s time there is a phenomenon that is going to happen. Where the sun will be covered and night will be without day and day without night.” Duo’s eyes widened. “If Trowa and Quatre can go before the archbishop, together, he will be forced to see that all is lost and the curse will be broken.” Heero paused. “There is a catch.” Wufei said, narrowing his eyes. “Yes. Captain Trowa is hellbent on killing the archbishop.” Duo started nibbling on the end of his braid in agitation. “He can’t do that.” Heero informed them, worry tightening the corners of his eyes. “The curse will never be broken.” Wufei groaned, letting his forehead sink against Duo’s head. “We’re going to have our hands full then. Trowa makes a mountain look docile.” “In a few hours it will be dawn.” Heero murmured. “Let’s get some rest while we can. I’ll deal with Trowa tomorrow.” “Can I watch?” Duo inquired hopefully. “Try not to kill each other.” Wufei added sardonically. “Hn.” + Duo woke abruptly to Heero shaking his shoulder. “Whaa--?” “Duo, I need you to wake up.” Duo emitted a sleepy sound of protest. “Don’t wanna. Wufei’s comfy.” “Yes, I gathered that. Unfortunately, soldiers are coming.” The words ‘soldier’ and ‘coming’ impacted through Wufei’s subconscious and he snapped into alertness. “What? Where?” “Here, within a few minutes. Soldiers. Any other details you want?” Heero was becoming a little impatient with the two sleepyheads. He didn’t care how cute they looked curled up together in front of the fireplace. Besides, Duo snored. “What do you need me to do?” Wufei questioned. “I need Duo to get Quatre and take him further into the castle and for you to guard them. I will try to keep the soldiers occupied meantime.” Duo nodded and scrambled out of the blankets, heading toward Quatre’s room as Wufei reached for his sword. Giving a nod in Heero’s direction, he followed after the braid as it disappeared around the corner. Heero looked up at the horizon, frowning. “A half hour or so until sunrise…a prayer unto all the gods that it will come in time.” Casting a last look back to where the two had disappeared to, Heero sprinted out the castle door. + “Quatre. C’mon Quat, you have to wake up.” Duo gently urged the sleepy blond to his feet, taking care to not jostle the wounded shoulder. Quatre mumbled sleepily, catching hold of Duo’s shoulder. “What’s going on?” “There are soldiers coming, Quatre.” Wufei answered, looking out of the door. “We must move further in.” Hearing the word ‘soldiers’, Quatre came fully awake and sent a panicked look to Duo. The thief smiled in reassurance. “C’mon, let’s go.” Nodding, Quatre followed Wufei as he moved out of the door, Duo keeping a steadying arm around his waist. They moved through the hallways, steadily climbing upwards toward the twin towers that were miraculously still standing. “Where are we going?” Quatre looked around, trying to see where they could hide. “As high as we can.” + Heero peered over the edge of the castle and spotted the soldiers as they crept along the wall. A soldier stepped away from the stones and looked up, spotting Heero. “Open up in the name of the Bishop!” Heero smirked. “This is a house of the gods, not a brothel!” The soldier drew in a breath and glared. “I said open up in the name of the Bishop!” Heero’s smirk grew. “I meant the bishop!” With a curse the soldier gestured to the other men. “Break it down!” Heero leaned back against the wall, smile smug. “Well, that oughta keep them occupied for a while…” *Fifteen minutes later* the soldiers gave up on that route and went around the castle, finding a different way in. Heero frowned at that, for there were breaches in the walls that he hadn’t been able to fully repair. Within minutes a handful of soldiers were in. Heero moved into position, poised for the arrival of the ‘point’ guards. As they passed over a small bridge that he had rigged across a portion of the castle that had fallen away, he pulled on a rope next to him. With cries of surprise the two soldiers that had been crossing scrambled to keep their balance as one side of the bridge *dropped*. Heero chuckled as they lost and tumbled onto the rocks below. He only enjoyed his victory for a moment before going back to the other side of the castle. There, he watched as a foolhardy soldier charged the main bridge to the livable section of the castle. The boards he ran across fell through, dropping him with them into a shallow moat below. “Well, that’s three.” Crossing over he looked down at the sinking guardsman. “Sorry, I’m a shaman, not an architect. You must remember to walk on the *left* side.” He was caught unaware when he was hit from behind with the flat of a sword. With a grunt he dropped to the ground as the soldier who had hit him sprinted around him and up the bridge to the doors. Wufei saw the approach and swore. “Back! Go back the other way.” Duo looked up, saw the soldiers approaching, and nodded sharply. He turned Quatre around by his shoulders and urged him back into the tower that they had just gone through, hoping that they could find a place to hide somewhere there. “Go up, my lord!” With a gentle, but urgent push, Duo got Quatre moving up the stairwell and looked back down at Wufei. The major waved them up. “Go! I will try to keep them off. Go!” Duo nodded and quickly followed Quatre up. He heard the first sounds of swords engaging as he climbed and sincerely hoped that Wufei would be able to keep the soldiers back. They came abruptly to a dead end, the trap door above them leading to the top of the tower. With a look behind them, Duo cursed. Two soldiers had slipped past Wufei’s guard and were rapidly gaining on them. He turned back to Quatre and pushed him at the door. “Go through! Quickly!” Quatre had glanced behind as well, and his eyes widened. Pushing at the trap door, he got it to open and climbed through. Duo was climbing up behind him when the first soldier reached them. He grabbed onto Duo’s leg and attempted to pull him back. “No! Get off! Get off, get off!” Duo kicked out and caught the soldier across the head, knocking him back. He quickly scrambled through the opening and slammed the portal behind him. “Duo, don’t. It’s me they’re after.” Quatre huddled against the side and watched as Duo flew from one side to the other, looking for a way down. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Duo said sharply, looking over the side. Quatre cried out as the door was pushed open and Duo flung himself onto it, pushing it back down. He tried to keep his balance as it was repeatedly pushed back up and bearing down as hard as he could, keeping it closed, tried to get the lock slid into place. With a cry, he scrambled back as a sword was thrust through the cracks, backing into Quatre and tumbling him over the edge. Quatre cried out as he went over. Instinct propelled Duo to the edge, catching one of Quatre’s flailing arms around the wrist and holding on tightly. He could feel the muscles straining to hold the boy’s weight, and he knew that he was holding onto the arm that was connected to the injured shoulder. Neither of them would be able to hold on for long. “Wufei!” Duo screamed, panicking. “Don’t let go!” Quatre pleaded. “Please, Duo, don’t let go!” “I won’t!” Duo promised. “Hold on, just hold on. WUFEI!!!” Wufei jerked around at the panicked screams and cursed. Throwing the last soldier off of him, he took the rickety stairs as quickly as he could, coming up behind the soldier that was trying to force it open. Driving his sword into him, he pushed him out of the way and down the stairs before looking back up at the locked door. “WUFEI!!!” “Hold on!!” Taking a deep breath, he began to push against the door. When it didn’t yield, he drew in a focused breath and slammed the hilt of his sword against the thin lock. Lock or no lock, he was going up. Duo desperately tried to hang on to Quatre, but he could feel the boy slipping. “Duo!! Please!!” Duo strained to bring Quatre up, but his hand slipped further out of his. “No!” He grasped at Quatre’s fingers as the hand slipped out. “Quatre!!” “DUO!” Duo cried out as Quatre screamed and began to plummet. Duo felt his heart die as he watched in horror. Hearing the lock break behind him, he scrambled over the side of the tower. The bolt snapped under the pressure and Wufei scrambled upwards to see…no one. “DUO?!” He heard a scream of fear and bolted for the side of the tower, seeing Quatre fall. “NO!” Over the tops of the mountains the sun began its ascent, unnoticed until this moment by the humans in the ruined castle. Before Wufei’s and Duo’s astonished eyes the white tunic that Quatre had been wearing fell away as he metamorphosized into the hawk that they knew so well. With an agonized squawk, the hawk gained an air current and flapped back into the air. Wufei felt immense relief flood him. But where was Duo?! Oh, no… “DUO?!” “’Fei?” Looking to his right, Wufei began to breathe again as he saw Duo huddled on a ledge next to one of the gargoyle statues. Holding out a hand, he grasped the hand Duo held up and pulled him up over the edge. Once he had him safely on the tower he wrapped his arms tightly around the slender body and buried his face in Duo’s hair. “Don’t *ever* do that to me *again*!” Wufei muttered, squeezing. Duo was a little surprised by this. He hadn’t suspected that he meant that much to Wufei. A grin broke out over his face and he returned the fierce embrace. “No problem. I don’t like heights to begin with.” “I’m not joking, Duo.” “Neither am I, Fei.” Duo assured him softly. Nuzzling against the other’s face he wished that they weren’t on a tower in plain view…he could do something else to reassure his um…lover?, if they weren’t. Once Wufei felt that he was in control of his emotions again, he pulled back enough to search the skies for a certain hawk. Seeing that Quatre was still in the air, he sighed softly. “That was too close.” “Yeah.” Duo rubbed at his forehead. “Let’s not mention just how close to the captain, okay?” “Too late.” Wufei grumbled. He jerked his chin to indicate where Trowa was standing on a boulder just outside the castle. He did not Look Happy. He held out an arm and they watched as Quatre swooped down and onto it. Though they couldn’t hear his words, they knew that Trowa was reassuring the bird and probably threatening their lives. “We’re in so much trouble.” Duo groaned, burying his face into Wufei’s neck. “Hn.” Wufei absently ran a soothing hand up and down Duo’s back. “If we ran now, do you think we could make it to safety?” Wufei found himself considering the idea. “No.” “I was afraid you’d say that.”
Velvet: Well…that was intense. *fanning self*
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