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"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 19 "Dragon, Duo. Welcome. Join me by the fire." Yuy reached out to take Duo, but Wufei had no intention of handing him over to Heero. He nodded to the Samurai as he walked past him into the cave, then knelt to lower Duo onto the ground near the leaping flames. The icy rain had soaked his cloak, and he'd begun to shiver. Duo’s teeth chattered hard. Wufei had to get him warm---quickly. Yuy rummaged through a bundle leaning against the back wall, then brought them a blanket. Wufei stripped away Duo's sodden cloak and wrapped the blanket about him, then sat behind him and drew him into his arms to give Duo his warmth, as well. Yuy's face, as always, looked cool and stern. Wufei couldn't tell what went on behind those cobalt blue eyes, a fact that infuriated him. But he'd take it as a good sign that he hadn't seen Yuy's infamous knife yet. Still, it wouldn't hurt to question him, see if he could discover what the Samurai was doing out here. It was far too coincidental, under the circumstances. "Tell me, Yuy--will I have to fight you again anytime soon?" "No, Dragon, not at all." He smirked. "You won. It was a fair fight. And I like your sense of humor. I hadn't realized before then that you had one." // Sense of humor--? // "It was a good trick, tying me up that way. I'd never have thought of it, myself. The scratches are nothing now, though they stung like the devil at the time. But it took a while to untangle myself from that bush. Excellent idea," he added, his voice tinged with admiration. Wufei shook his head. He couldn't understand Heero Yuy. It probably wasn't worth it to try. "Are you like the others now, out to capture the Dragon and claim the reward?" Wufei asked. "Or do you seek revenge upon me?" Yuy grunted. "Hn, don't include me with the idiots your prince sent out looking for you. He declared you outlaw soon after I left. I haven't been back. I didn't want to be there once he realized that I'd handed Duo over to you, not the abbess." He poked at the fire with a stick, staring into the flames. Then he looked up suddenly, snaring Wufei with that icy gaze. His eyes were bright with something, Wufei couldn’t name. "I didn't want to tell him that I'd handed Duo over to you." "Why?" Wufei truly didn't understand. "And why did you allow me to take him?" He shrugged. "He belongs with you. I could tell that from the start. And a boy like Duo should not be locked away as a pawn in a game not of his making." Wufei was impressed. The Samurai was obviously much more intelligent than he let on. "You were correct. Duo does belong with me, in the eyes of God, at least. We were married last night." "Good, good," Yuy said, nodding. "Perhaps now Milliardo will think twice about locking away the Dragon' s mate." "If you left before Milliardo named me outlaw, how did you know about it?" Wufei asked, puzzled. "Once it stops raining, I'll show the source of my information. You might be able to learn something of value from them, as well." "More men from Sank?" "Hai. Four of them. There were five, but one died," Heero said in a matter-of-fact voice. "I left them trussed up out there." He motioned toward the forest beyond the cave. "I didn't feel like looking at them." Duo stirred within his arms. "Are you getting warmer, lovely?" Wufei asked. He moved the blanket away from Duo’s face. His skin was pale, except for the two spots of bright color tiding high along his cheekbones. But he'd stopped shaking. His eyes drifted open. "Did I hear Heero?" he asked, his voice husky with sleep. "Yes," Wufei murmured near his ear. He wriggled about, trying to escape the constricting folds of the blanket. "We must go!" he cried. "He'll try to take you back to Milliardo--" "Hush, it’s all right." Duo stared at Heero, clearly attempting to judge the threat he posed. But, as usual, the Samurai just stared back, expressionless. He wouldn't be able to tell much from that. "Heero, do you swear you're not here to take us back?" he asked, his voice gaining strength with every word. He nodded, hand over his heart. "I have no intention of doing such a thing." "Then why are you here?" He sat up straight, not leaning his weight so heavily upon Wufei. He tightened his arms about Duo, unwilling to release him just yet. Heero picked up a metal cup set near the fire and brought it to him. Duo accepted the warm drink--ale, from the smell of it--and sipped at it, waiting patiently. Yuy's face settled into sober lines, the serious expression lending a grim cast to his attractive features. He looked very dangerous now, Wufei thought. He looked deadly. He'd known the man as a decent fighter, but despite that, he'd not considered him a threat. He would have to revise his estimation of him now. "I could stay at Sank no longer," Heero said. "What Milliardo wanted me to do felt wrong, and I owe him no allegiance. I came here to negotiate trade between my father and the prince, not to help him as he carries out some vengeance upon you." Disgust colored his voice, lending it a sinister air. "I don't make war upon children. Whatever you did, I cannot believe you deserve to be locked away in a church. It would be a terrible waste." Wufei and Duo shared a look; then they both laughed. Wufei wondered what reason Milliardo had given Yuy for sending Duo to the church. Whatever the reason, it obviously hadn't mattered to him. "Were you taking me to Saint Winifred's?" Wufei could feel Duo shaking again, but he didn't think it was from the cold. It was probably from laughter, or disbelief. Heero nodded. "It’s a damned shame to lock away a beautiful person like that," he said, clearly angry. "It would be an outrage." "I thank you for saving me from that fate. But if Wufei hadn't arrived and fought you, where would you have brought me?" "I hadn't really decided. Probably to my father's home in the East." His face creased into a smile. "But I knew the Dragon would find us before then." "How could you know that?" He shrugged again. "I just knew." He rose and searched through his pack, then returned with food. They accepted it with thanks. He did not join them. "What did you do, Duo, to anger Milliardo?" he asked. "It must have been something terrible." "He angered him by escaping the church," Wufei said. "You'd been there before?" he asked, surprise coloring his voice. "I lived there all my life." "Then why--?" "I have only myself to blame for everything that's happened," Duo said. "I came to Sank in search of answers, answers I believed only Milliardo could supply. But he didn't want to tell me. He didn't want me, or anyone else, to know." "We've spoiled a scheme he's nurtured for almost sixteen years," Wufei added. "He'll not forgive us--especially me--for that." Heero appeared more confused than before, but Wufei didn't intend to tell him anything further at this point. He still wasn't certain he could trust him, not since he'd seen the man behind the mask of indifference. "May we stay here by your fire for the night?" he asked. "Of course. You are welcome." Wufei noticed that Yuy held his dagger in his hands. He was toying with the weapon. Wufei thought the man looked nervous. It must be a trick of the light, he decided. Heero didn't strike him as the type of man to become nervous about anything. "My father will be enraged when he hears that I have angered Milliardo," he said, staring at his knife. "He wanted to set up a trade route with Sank very badly. I'm sure that will be impossible now." He finally looked up and met Wufei's gaze. "I wish to join your household, Dragon. If you will allow me to." "Why?" // Could Milliardo have sent Heero as a spy? Everything he said might be true, but how do I know if the Samurai has really fought men who are after me? It might be a lie, and this might be a trap. // Still, the man was a bold fighter. If he was loyal, it would be an asset to have him on their side. "You are a warrior," Heero said. "I respect that, and I admire your courage. Few men would be willing to risk what they already have to do what is right. And it is a fine thing to go into battle at a warrior's side." His mouth quirked up into a smile. "Besides, I like your sense of humor." "I will think on it," Wufei told him. He didn't need to decide tonight. He would have been vigilant, staying here with Duo, even if he knew he could trust Heero. There would be plenty of time to ponder it, while Duo slept. Despite his protests, Wufei carried Duo to a place along the wall and lay between him and the entrance to the cave. His sword within easy reach, he would keep watch over him. Sometime during the night, Heero rose and left the cave. Wufei feigned sleep until the other man left, then followed him outside. It seemed he'd only gone to answer nature's call. Wufei stayed far enough away to give him privacy, but he refused to simply accept what he thought to be true and go back into the cave. Yuy came up beside him. "I thought you were-awake," he said quietly. Wufei scanned the trees surrounding them, although it was virtually impossible to see far. The rain had died down to a drizzle, but once again fog shrouded the land. The flesh on the back of Wufei's neck tingled. "Something's not right here," he murmured. He tightened his grip on his sword. Heero looked back the way he'd just come, his face uneasy. "I went to check on the men I left out there. Two more have died--the others were sleeping. I feel it, to--like someone is out there. And it's not those men." A rustling in the bushes startled them both, and they leaped forward, until a rabbit came bounding out of the trees. "Nataku," Wufei snarled, heart thundering in his chest. "Hai," Yuy agreed. Suddenly there was movement and noise everywhere. Two men jumped from the overhang above the cave, while an unknown number swarmed from the trees and headed for them, weapons flying. "The fire!" Wufei cried, whirling to douse the flames. The light shone like a beacon in the darkness, marking where they stood as clearly as any banner in battle. Heero laid about him with his sword and knife, kicking and dodging and laughing like a lunatic, Wufei stomped out the blaze, sending sparks flying into the air and singeing his clothes in the process. In the last flare of light, he spied Duo, crouched in the back of the cave, both hands wrapped about the hilt of Trowa's sword. His hair swirled all around him, giving him the look of an avenging angel in the dying light. Wufei kicked dirt over the last embers, plunging them into darkness. He couldn't worry about Duo now, he told himself as he jumped into the fray. He and Heero would survive, and so would Duo. But to ensure that, he needed to keep his mind upon his work. A glorious surge of battle lust roared through Wufei's veins, lending him the strength and agility he needed to vanquish these foes. They had the advantage of numbers, plus the element of surprise in the dark, but he and the Samurai were clearly the superior fighters. The darkness sharpened his senses so that he felt where his opponent would be, heard the sounds of his breathing. Instinct took over. He wound up back-to-back with Heero as they finished off what seemed to be the last two attackers. Afterward, they leaned against each other for a moment, catching their breath. Wufei realized he heard nothing from the cave. "Duo?" he called. He didn't answer. He headed for the cave, while Heero quickly stirred up the embers. There was enough sparks left to kindle a stick. He didn't wait for the light; with the other man trailing behind him with the torch, he turned to where he'd left Duo. He found him slumped over a body. Wufei grabbed the torch from Heero and shoved the end of the stick into the ground. Then, grasping Duo about the shoulders, he lifted him away from the corpse. Blood covered the front of his tunic and dripped from his hands, but he appeared unharmed. "I killed him!" he sobbed, holding his hands out before him, horror in his eyes as he stared at them. Duo had pierced the man straight through the chest with Trowa's sword. Wufei was amazed he'd been able to drive the heavy weapon with such force; the blade had passed straight through. Yuy joined them. "Good work, milord," he said softly as he surveyed the scene. Duo snarled and reached for him with his bloody hands. "I killed a man. You call that good work?" Heero evaded his grasp. "Hai. Otherwise, it would be your bloody corpse lying here. Which would you prefer?" he asked pointedly. Duo met his gaze for a moment, then lowered his to his hands. Picking up the hem of his tunic, where the blood hadn't reached, he began to wipe his hands. "Are you hurt?" Wufei asked. He felt shaken, looking at the body and Duo and thinking of how it might have turned out. He sat back against the wall, suddenly grateful for the support. "No. It was just the one." He looked up. "And you?" Heero grabbed Duo's victim by the heels and dragged him out of the cave, then returned with Trowa's sword, wiping the blade clean on a scrap of material. "The Dragon is as skilled in battle as I had heard. I wish there had been light, so that I might have seen him better." Wufei snorted. "You were busy enough yourself. If you'd stopped to watch me, we'd be laying out your body come morning." Wufei’s words sank into Duo's still-stunned brain. He could have been killed---they all could have. It amazed him that they had survived, while apparently none of the others had. It was a testament to the skill of both men and perhaps himself, he thought with a swift glance at the puddle of blood in the dirt. How had they known, he wondered? He hadn't suspected an attack in the night, during a storm. And he hadn't heard a thing until the battle began. Duo knew that the sound his attacker had made as the sword blade slid into his body would haunt his dreams. And even though he was glad he'd survived, still it was no easy thing to take someone's life. In truth, taking a life was easy; it was living with what he had done that would prove the most difficult. Now that the battle was over, he felt drained, exhausted. His entire body ached and throbbed with pain. He'd been through so much in the past weeks, both physically and emotionally, that he couldn't think clearly. But he didn't regret a moment of it. Duo shook his head. Not so long ago, he'd believed that he would need to travel to foreign lands to find adventure. Shinigami help him, it was all he could do to survive the fight here at home. ~~~ (***) ~~~ At first light, Wufei roused Duo from sleep with a steamy kiss. "Come with me, Duo. I've a gift for you." Curious, he dragged his aching body off the ground and tried to stand. But his legs refused to cooperate, and he slumped against Wufei, groaning. "No matter," Wufei said as he swept Duo into his arms and carried him from the cave. "Your weight's not likely to cripple me." Duo poked him in the ribs, and he swooped his arms as if to drop him . Smiling, he clung to Wufei’s shoulders and kissed his smooth cheek. The sun shone down on them as brightly as if yesterday's storm were nothing more than a dream. Wufei carried Duo away from the cave and into the trees, which had been washed clean by the rain. The air smelled fresh, scented with pine. Although morning's chill lent a bite to the air, it wasn't unpleasant. They broke through the trees into a small glade. A waterfall splashed down onto moss-covered rocks, and mist rose from the surface of the pool. It looked to be a place of magic, set here among the craggy hills. Wufei lowered him to his feet next to the pool. "Would you like to bathe?" he asked with a glance at Duo’s bloodstained clothes. Duo found the thought appealing, though the water was bound to be cold as ice. Still, it wouldn't do to arrive at his sister's gates in his present state. There was little enough he could do about his clothes, but at least he would be clean. He bent and trailed his fingers in the pool, gasping in surprise at the warmth of the water. Wufei watched him, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Now what do you think of your gift?" he asked, grinning. "It's wonderful," he said, grinning. "I only wish I had a gift for you." His fingers toyed with the laces of Duo’s tunic. "You do." Duo looked at him questioningly. Wufei leaned down and captured his lips in the softest of kisses. "You." "What if Heero should come while we're here?" Duo asked, eyeing the pool longingly now. He could already imagine the warm, soothing water caressing his aching body--and Wufei's hands working their magic upon him, as well. "He's already been here. He found it yesterday, when he was looking for a place to put Milliardo's men. He's agreed to stand guard, in case more fools come in search of us." He knelt and slipped off Duo’s shoes. "No one will see us here," he assured him as he helped removed the rest of his clothes. Still uncomfortable about Wufei seeing him nude, Duo sank into the pool's warm embrace and watched him disrobe. Sunlight highlighted the muscular planes and whipcord leanness of Wufei’s body. The warmth Duo felt now had little to do with the water, and everything to do with his husband. Wufei joined him, scrubbing playfully at his hands, then urged Duo to stand in the waist-deep water while he moved his ministrations to the rest of his body. In turn, Duo ran his hands over him in a teasing foray. He captured Wufei’s swollen shaft beneath the water, cupping him in his hands with a boldness that surprised him. Wufei’s tongue darted out to capture the stray droplets scattered over Duo’s shoulders, then followed the water's path down over his chest. Never ceasing his own caresses, Duo used his free hand to press Wufei’s head to him as he suckled his aching nipples. He licked his way back up Duo’s body, then melded his mouth to his in a sipping, tasting kiss. Placing his hands about Duo’s waist, he drew him into deeper water. Pulling Duo flush against his chest, Wufei lowered him onto his shaft, the water easing his entrance. Duo moaned at the onslaught of sensation flooding him. Wufei's heat within him, the warm water caressing them, the friction of his own hardness trapped against his belly, and the delicate mastery of Wufei's mouth on his, swiftly sent spasms of release flooding through Duo. His mouth tight against Duo’s, Wufei groaned as he joined him in satisfaction. Arms and legs still wrapped about Wufei, Duo slowly returned to an awareness of his surroundings. The air was cold now on his wet flesh, and he felt exposed, self-conscious. "What is it?" Wufei asked. He kissed Duo tenderly and held him more tightly when he clung to him. "I feel strange here...like this," he mumbled against the curve of his shoulder. "May we get out now?" His gaze searching, Wufei examined Duo’s face and stared into his eyes. "I didn't hurt you, did I?" "No. It’s just that I feel so exposed, out here in the open. What if more of those men come here looking for you?" he asked, his voice shaking. Wufei carried Duo from the pool and wrapped his shirt about him. "We'll be all right, Duo. Don't worry." He rummaged in the pouch on his belt and pulled out his comb. "Just concentrate on where we're headed. We'll be at Maxwell Abby before nightfall." Duo took the comb and worked it through his tangled hair as Wufei rinsed the blood from his tunic and wrung it out. "You'll have to wear just your hose and under-shirt for now," he told him. "But perhaps by the time we're close, this will be dry enough to put on." The tunic bore little resemblance to the lovely thing he'd put on at Ashby. Faded, bloodstained, wrinkled and torn beyond repair. He'd look an impressive sight to meet his sister, Duo thought with dismay. Yet it wasn't anyone's fault--and he hoped it wouldn't matter to Hilde. It was only a tunic. He could blame Milliardo, he supposed, though that would grow old quickly. Duo held him responsible for much of what had happened of late. Still, they would triumph over him, of that Duo had no doubt. Neither he nor Wufei was a person to give up easily. For something as important as this, they'd never give up. Wearing his pants and boots, Wufei came to retrieve his shirt and help Duo dress. "You are so beautiful," he whispered against his cheek. He smoothed Duo’s still-damp hair away from his face. "I am the most fortunate of men." Duo couldn't help wondering, as they headed back to the cave, why Wufei's words had held the sound of goodbye. ~ * ~ |
