|
"A Hidden Heart "Written By: Hemlock Inyx Disclaimer: This chick does not own any of the
Gundam Wing characters because they belong to Bandai and Sunrise.
I am borrowing them for this fict and will return them in good (if
somewhat sticky) condition.This fict is written out of love and not
for profit, don't sue. Thanks and enjoy! Rating: NC 17 Warnings: yaoi, lemon, midieval alternate universe,
some angst, violence Pairings: 5x2, 4xH, 13xS Summary: They called him Milliardo's Dragon. A warrior bold as the Chinese legend, his temper as fiery; Lord Chang Wufei was the prince's right hand. Men of power quaked at word of his arrival, for he was the sword to carry out Milliardo's judgement. 'Twas rumored he'd do any deed at the prince's bidding, avenge any slight to his master's name. Only Milliardo had the might to direct the Dragon's fury, to shape thr form of his vengeance. Or so the prince believed. But shrouded deep beneath that scaly hide, the dragon's true nature slumbered. Obscured by fire. Hidden from harm. Burried beyond reach of pain. Until he met him. The boy with the power to free the heart of the Dragon.
"A Hidden Heart "
Chapter 1 Duo stared up at the obstacle before him. Of rough stone, darkly menacing in the moonlight, the wall surrounding the castle rose above him. Removing his cloak and hiding it in the shadows at the base of the wall, Duo prepared to climb. The wind whipped about him, pressing his threadbare tunic against his quivering flesh. The cold didn’t make him shake, Duo had suffered worse. He couldn’t even call it fear. It was the desperation that he felt that made him shiver. But this desperation lent him the strength he needed in the weeks since Sister Helen’s death. Without that to goad him on he would never have escaped the confines of the church, let alone found Milliardo. Little good it had done him. Duo cupped his icy hands together, trying to rub some warmth into them; it was a vain attempt. Exhaling deeply, he pushed all his qualms to the back of his mind. It was no use thinking about it yet again. //This needs to be done, so I had better get started. It’s now or never Duo!// He focused on the rough-cut stones, and with hands and feet began his ascent. ~ * ~ Wufei leaned back against the wall arms folded across his chest. If only he could shut out the noise of the over crowded room. Thunderous revelry filled Milliardo’s hall, spilling out into the anterooms and up the stairs to the gallery above. Wine, mead and ale flowed freely. But Wufei stood apart, as alone among the raucous crowd as within the cool green depths of the forest. Ever silent, ever vigilant, he derived nothing more than mild amusement from the scene unfolding before him. He had been invited to join the revelry, but such foolishness held no appeal for him. A woman stumbled towards him, skirts bunched in her hands and raised to her knees, exposing her legs. "Care to dance Milord?" She asked coyly, leaning close until her breasts pressed against his folded arms. She freed one hand to trail her fingers down the front of his tunic. "Come, I’ll teach you,’ she said, her eyes promising more than a dance. Something deep within Wufei recoiled. Perhaps it was due to the smell rising from her – old sweat and new ale – or maybe it was simply because she was a weak oona. Whatever the reason, he pushed her away. A burly soldier came up behind her and slipped him arm about her waist. "Here Sara are you mad? What do you want with him?" Her lips curled into a pout, before she allowed the man to lead her away. Wufei breathed a sigh of relief, then shifted into a more comfortable position. As he settled back to observe the evening’s entertainment, he noticed one of his men elbowing his way across the hall. "Beg pardon, Milord." Trowa leaned close to speak near Wufei’s ear. "The guard on the south walk sent word someone’s climbing the castle wall." His single visible eye twinkled with humor. "It appears they’ve lost their stomach for it partway up." "By the gods, not another one." Wufei pushed away from the wall and headed for the door, crossing the long room easily as a path opened before him. Not two weeks past, some half-wit from the hills had tried the climb at first light to prove his valor to Milliardo. His scream of terror and the sight of his body lying broken at the rocky base of the wall should have been warning enough to any fool tempted to follow his example. Who could be so stupid as to attempt such a feat in the dark of night? Wufei ran lightly up the stairs to the walk, tugging his cloak close about him against the icy wind blowing in from the mountains. The guard joined him as he peered over the lip of the wall. "Didn’t hear him till he’d gotten near where he is now, milord." The guard’s eye shifted nervously beneath the brim of his helmet as he made the admission. "At least there is just the one, milord." "Yes, this time." Wufei growled, he’d have to speak to the captain of the guard, lest some morning they wake to find the castle taken. "Bring me rope," He commanded, turning his attention to the dark shape huddled against the wall. "I’ll deal with you later." Wufei hardly noticed the guard’s hasty retreat as he tossed aside his cloak and unbuckled his sword belt. His attention remained fixed on the motionless fool below him as he climbed on top of the uneven wall. He lay on his stomach and hung as far over the edge as he could. "Are you hurt?" He shouted. "Or just afraid?" The shadow shifted, the movement resolving the dark blob into the form of a man. "I fear nothing," he said. He slowly turned his head toward Wufei in a surprisingly arrogant manner, revealing a face too youthful for a full-grown man. "I’m simply resting." "I should leave you here to ‘rest’ all night." Wufei said. "Idiot halfling," he muttered to himself. Inching farther over the edge, he tried to judge whether his sword belt would reach, for he doubted the boy’s strength would last much longer. Faint moonlight gleamed off white knuckles that held the wall in a death grip. He might have to lower someone just to pry those rigid fingers free. But another glimpse of that pale face convinced him the guard would return too late. Moving quickly, Wufei pulled back off the wall and slipped the scabbard from his belt. He untied the other belt he wore about his waist and joined the trips of leather with a firm knot. Even with the two belts together, they didn’t look quite long enough. He’d need to stretch as far as he could. "I’m going to lower a rope," he said, then whipped his tunic over his head and tossed it aside. Wufei wrapped the belt twice around his hand and, gripping the leather tight, he levered himself over the lip of the wall and lowered himself and the makeshift rope. The end stopped a foot short. "Looks up." He kept his voice even, afraid the lad would loosen his hold. "See the rope?" Face pressed tight against the rough stone, the boy tilted his head and opened his eyes. "Yes," he answered, then squeezed his eyes shut again. "You’ll have to climb a bit more. Do you think you have the nerve for it, boy?" Wufei asked, infusing the question with just enough mockery to raise the lad’s temper. "Or do I need to come down after you?" The boy immediately eased one hand from its death grip upon the stone. A quiet moan blended with the soughing wind as that hand inched closer to the dangling leather. The lad had courage, he’d give him that-despite the foolhardy climb. The provocation had the desired effect. In no time at all, the lad had scrambled close enough to grab the belt. "Have a care," Wufei warned, as the leather stretched taut under the youth’s surprisingly slight weight. He wound the end tighter about his hand. Now, if the knot would hold. . . Muscles bunching from the strain, Wufei pulled the boy toward him. Strong hands grabbed at his feet and held him, allowing Wufei to haul the lad into his arms. They flopped over the wall together and landed in a heap at the guard’s feet. //Sweet Nataku save me from drowning in those violet eyes. This is no lad! And look at her hair!// Cursing, Wufei shoved the girl aside and stood, tugging her upright to stand beside him. The guard stepped forward to take her. Wufei shook his head and jerked the woman’s arms behind her. "You see to your duties," he told the other man. "I’ll take care of this." There was no need to have the guard carry this tale, at least not until he’d discovered why she attempted the wall. One hand a vise about her upper arm, Wufei snatched up his sword and tunic and dragged the woman towards the stairs. They had not taken but two steps before she dug in her heels and pulled to a halt. "Come on, " Wufei growled. She remained rooted to the spot. His sword clattered against the walkway as he spun to face her. "Are you deaf, as well as stupid?" "I wish to see Milliardo." The faint moonlight lighted her face, highlighting her mulish expression. But her stubbornness didn’t matter. Two could play at this game- and he had no doubt that his strength of will could over power any resistance. "Indeed?" Her pale lips tightened into a grim line, and her chin rose another notch. "Yes, Take me to him, if you please." Her expression didn’t change, making a mockery of her attempt at courtesy. "Come." He tightened his grip on her elbow. She pulled against his hold, mouth opening to speak. //By Nataku, does she mean to defy me again!// Tossing his belongings aside, Wufei tossed her over his shoulder, then scooped up his sword. She’d come with him whether she wanted to or not. Accompanied by a stream of insults and curses from his captive, Wufei ran lightly down the stairs, his lips curved into a smile.
~ * ~ |
