|
"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 "
The soldiers hustled Duo across the bailey and into the keep itself. He followed where they led; it was the least he could do, since this time they hadn't bound or gagged him. Duo scarcely had the energy to walk, let alone try to escape. Besides, running would avail him nothing, for he had nowhere left to go. Duo returned the stares of the revelers they met on the stairway. Never had he seen such fine clothes, nor so many people drunk. Several women, their corsets laced so tight Duo could have seen a flea bound beneath them, smiled invitingly at the guards and frowned at him. It was a relief when they stopped outside a chamber at the top of the stairs. Duo almost didn't care where they put him, so long as it was bright and warm. And if they brought him food, as well, he'd think he'd gone to heaven. They unlocked the door and motioned for Duo to enter. A maid followed him in and placed a tray on a stool next to the straw pallet. A chamber pot in the corner completed the furnishings. The maid and one of the guards left. The other guard kindled a lamp hanging next to the door. "Stay quiet and give us no trouble," he said gruffly before pulling the door closed. Duo heard the key turn in the lock with a curious sense of pleasure. This, his third prison of the day, was certainly the best appointed. It met his simple requirements amply. He'd already noticed that there was no window in this door, so he availed himself of the facilities with a sigh of relief. There was even a pitcher of water; he scrubbed off as much of the past few days' filth as he could before investigating the contents of the tray. It was simple fare, coarse bread and hard cheese, with a mug of warm ale. To Duo it seemed like manna from heaven. He savored every bite, setting aside half, lest they bring him nothing in the morning. Besides, after the scanty meals he'd had the past few weeks, his stomach could bear no more. More comfortable than he'd been since Sister Helen’s death, Duo settled on the pallet to mull over everything that had happened. He'd believed that coming to the Sank Castle would give him answers; instead, he had more questions than before. But he couldn't regret that he'd come here, despite his sojourn in the bowels of the castle. He couldn't regret meeting the Dragon. Absently working his fingers through his tangled hair, Duo tried to think, but his brain reeled with exhaustion and confusion, not to mention the lump still swelling on the side of his head. He needed sleep to clear his mind. Only then could he make sense of everything. But he'd no sooner closed his eyes than he heard the rattle of a key in the door. //Damnit, what do they want now? Did they give me the luxury of refreshing myself with food and drink, only to drag me back to that pit? If that is their plan, I am not going.// Duo had been too compliant, not wishing to anger Milliardo. //By Shinigami, what more does he want?// Duo refused to go against his nature any longer. When the door swung open, he stood ready with the tray, prepared to knock his jailer over the head, if need be. Duo hit the man in the head three times before he managed to wrest it from him, although Duo inflicted little damage. "Leave me be!" Duo shrieked. "All I want is a decent night's rest! I'll go wherever you wish tomorrow!" He held Duo’s wrists in one hand, making a mockery of his struggles. "You'll do as I wish, boy, else you'll pay for it." He chuckled, the sound slightly nasal. "They told me you were a quiet thing, and meek. Hn! What do those European bastards know? Undisciplined mongrels, most of them, with brains to match." Duo stared up into his face, intrigued by his strange looks and accent--and intimidated by the cold indifference in his expression. He was only slightly taller than Duo. Hair so dark brown it looked almost black was messily arranged over his forehead, and his eyes gleamed dark blue in his lightly tanned face. Even his clothing was odd, the strange tunic and pants cut wide and full, a sword strapped across his back. "Who are you?" he asked. //And, more important why is he here? He couldn't be from Sank. What business could he have with me?// "I am called Heero Yuy. Your prince sent me to take you to your new home. Here," he said, releasing him and tossing a bundle on the bed, "I have brought some clothes." His gaze swept Duo from head to toe. "Change into them quickly." He made Duo feel awkward--naked--in his dirty tunic and leggings. Turning away, Duo wrapped his arms about himself for a moment, then unfolded the packet. It contained an underdress of linen, softened by many washings and a faded wool dress. Though well-worn, they smelled clean. Duo held them up---disbelief on his face. //He wants me were where this?// Duo blinked and turn to stare at Heero, his mouth hanging open, a protest forming on his tongue. He didn’t intend on putting any dress, nor was he going anywhere with out the Dragon. "You put them on, then we will leave," Heero told him. He stood in front of the door and, drawing his dagger, flipped it through the air. It landed, quivering, in the opposite wall. "Would you go out into the hallway to wait?" Duo asked when he found his voice. If he'd done that trick intimidate him, it had worked. "No. You get dressed now." Heero crossed the room in three strides and retrieved his knife. "We must be from here before dawn." Another flick of the wrist, and he sent the blade into the wall just past Duo’s head. He'd made his point. Hands shaking, Duo picked up the undertunic and pulled it over his head, then, using the roomy garment as if it were a tent, slipped out of his old clothes. Duo had trouble lacing up the unfamiliar dress, but what did matter, so long as he didn't trip over the excess fabric. At least Heero didn't watch him dress--not so he could tell, anyway. The thought of traveling to some unknown destination with him frightened Duo, but he didn't seem to have a choice. //I might as well go with him willingly; he looks capable of killing me with his bare hands. He'd probably enjoy it, too.// After Duo gathered the Dragon's cloak about him, he ripped a square of material from his old shirt and wrapped the extra food to take with him, then joined Heero by the door. Reaching into a pouch at his waist, Heero pulled out a slender piece of rope. //Shinigami save me, but I am growing tired of this!// Duo remained silent while Heero took his bundle of food, then bound his wrists. He picked up Duo’s torn shirt from the floor and eyed Duo consideringly. "You going to be quiet, or do I need to tie your mouth, too?" "I won't say a word, I swear," Duo assured him. Heero nodded, his face grim. "Good. But it won't matter if you do. No one will hear you where we're going." Heero moved to the wall and shoved at one of the wooden panels. It slid open to reveal a dark, gaping passage. "Come on, then, …girl." Grabbing Duo by the rope wound about his wrists, Heero drew Duo into the wall with him, and they plunged into darkness. ~~~(***)~~~ Duo would never forget his journey with Heero long as he lived. The man didn't understand how to be tired, he just plodded along and carried Duo with him, alternately bullying him and encouraging him to keep Duo moving. They traveled through the passageway seemingly for hours before they emerged from a rocky outcropping well outside the castle walls. No one would even know he'd left, unless they came looking for him. //Since no one had seen us leave, how long might it be before that happened?// A horse stood tethered in a copse of trees, loaded with several small packs, awaiting their arrival. After checking the area to be sure they were alone, Heero tossed Duo into the saddle, then climbed up behind him. Heero held Duo steady before him, but he didn't like Heero’s arm wrapped around his waist, nor his body pressed against his back. He was more muscular than the Dragon, but Duo would far rather have had that enigmatic lord holding him close than this cold man. However, Duo didn't have a choice. Looking back over his shoulder, Duo caught his last glimpse of the Sank Castle as the moon set behind the towers. Would he ever see it-----or the Dragon--again? That question haunted Duo as they jogged along, both man and horse apparently tireless. Duo fought sleep as long as he could; once the sun rose, he concentrated on taking note of anything unusual along the way. If he managed to escape Heero, he needed to know the route back to Sank. Not if, Duo reminded himself firmly as he stifled another yawn. When. When an opportunity to escape presented itself, he must take it. His chances of getting away--and staying out of Heero’s reach--were much better here in the hills and forest than they'd be once he was locked up again. If Heero hadn't been his captor, Duo would likely have found him an amusing companion. He might not talk much, but he listened to the endless stream of chatter from Duo without telling him to shut up. "I don't know where you're from, but do all in your homeland talk as much as you?" Duo finally asked in exasperation. Heero snorted. "Not all, but most. My home is far east of the Sank lands." Here was a chance for Duo to quench his insatiable thirst for news of foreign places. "You miss it." Duo heard it in his voice. "Hai…yes." "Then why have you come here?" Duo looked back at his face. "Why are you doing this?" Heero’s expression told him nothing. //What made this man so inscrutable?// Duo found it far easier to read the Dragon’s face, though perhaps it was only that he'd had spent more time with Wufei. Duo poked him in the gut with his elbow. Heero grunted, but appeared unharmed. "You cannot go silent on me now," he chided. "Do you owe Milliardo a debt? Or has he offered you riches? I don't understand why he wants me locked away. It makes no sense, since I cannot possibly be of any value to him, but nothing that's happened since I scaled the castle wall has--" "You climbed the wall?" Heero gave a muffled grunt that could have passed for laughter. "I would like to have seen that. Did you make it all the way up?" "Almost. The Dragon pulled me over the top of the wall." Grabbing Duo’s chin in his callused palm, he turned him and stared down at his face. Finally Heero shook his head. "Quiet and meek! Milliardo’s men are fools. And I worried that this would be an easy task, boring, a waste of my talents. I will need to watch you carefully," he said. An evil smirk crossed his face. "Good." Duo jerked free of his hand and turned his back to him. That slip of the tongue would cost Duo dearly. The last thing he wanted was Heero watching him more closely; those eyes already saw too much. Beneath his silent mien was a sharp mind--and a dangerous man. He'd been a fool to underestimate him. Exhaustion made Duo’s mind too dull to focus on anything important now. Instead, he badgered Heero for more information about his home. Finally, Heero’s nasal voice rumbling in his ear, Duo drifted off to sleep. Heero looked down at the boy, his face resting back against his shoulder, his body slumped against him with the bonelessness of utter exhaustion. This youth surprised him. As he'd told Duo, he was nothing like those idiots had led him to believe. Perhaps everything else they'd told him was a lie, too. They expected him to accept Duo as an orphan, escaped from the church to run away from his vows to take up the cloth? It hadn't rung true even before he met Duo. And now that he had... He didn't believe a word of it. Milliardo wanted Duo out of Sank, Heero knew that much. Duo hadn't wanted to leave. And the look in Duo’s eyes--and something in his voice when he said Lord Chang’s name---pointed toward the Dragon as the man Milliardo wanted to separate him from. For Duo’s protection, or the Dragon's? This grew more interesting by the moment. Heero shifted the boy in his arms, savoring the way Duo nestled against him. If he belonged to the Dragon he had no intention of enjoying more than this. A pity, but he didn't poach on another man's territory. Especially the Dragon's. Lord Chang could be on their trail even now. Heero’s blood heated in anticipation. This situation might to be far more enjoyable than he'd imagined. He gazed at Duo's face once more. Soft skin, violet eyes, chestnut mane. And courage. The Dragon would find them. Heero smiled. He loved a good fight.
~ * ~ |
