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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 "
A light glowed before Duo, shining through a small slit set high in the door. He had to be dreaming. Duo raised his head from his up drawn knees and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He looked again, but the light didn't disappear. Instead, it shone brighter. "Who's there?" Duo called, slowly rising to his feet. A strange shuffling noise, accompanied by the rustle of fabric, came from the corridor. No one answered. Duo had no way to mark the passage of time, but his rumbling stomach told him that many hours had passed since he'd eaten breakfast. //Perhaps one of the guards has returned with food. They have to feed me sometime--don't they?// Though his body protested with every step, Duo made his way towards the door. The wide, metal-banded planks felt solid and impenetrable when he leaned his weight against them. Duo ran his hand along the edge, where the door met rough plaster and stone, but he couldn't find a handle, anyone lodged here was meant to stay. Duo had to crane his neck to see out the window. The glare from the torch blinded him, but his nose worked all too well. Coughing, Duo moved down from the opening and slumped back against the wall. He couldn't imagine anything that could cause such an indescrible stench. Whatever it was had to be on the other side of the door. Even the dank, fetid air of his cell smelled better. Duo filled his lungs before rising to tiptoe to peer out once more. He blinked several times, until his vision adjusted to the brightness. The sight that met Duo's eyes had to be a fiend of Shinigami. Duo couldn't imagine how anyone could suffer such injuries and live. He'd seen cripples before--many had come to the church for help--but never had Duo encountered such a horrifying combination of infirmities. Bent almost double, he leaned on a rough stick, one misshapen foot twisted at an unnatural angle. A scraggly beard covered most of his face, but though the sliver-shot hair Duo could see that his nose and one cheek had been smashed flat. His left eyelid drooped closed. His forehead, and the hand that held the torch in an unsteady grip, were covered in scars. "Might not want to look," he rasped. "I'm not a pretty sight." His laugh had a maniacal quality to it, sending a shiver down Duo's spine. Duo was grateful that this unfortunate creature couldn't see him--or the loathing and pity he couldn't hide. "Who are you? Why are you here?" Duo asked when he found his voice. Duo backed away from the door to catch a breath. "Are you here to let me out?" "No, I saw the guards bring you here. This was the first chance I've had to follow. I wanted to see you for myself." He shuffled away from the door and placed the torch in a bracket on the wall. "A shame I can't reach the window--I didn't get a good look when they dragged you from the other cell. But I heard about you." //He'd heard about me? Is his mind as twisted as his body?// Even if Duo had the Dragon to thank for his new accommodations, Duo couldn't believe the Dragon had discussed him with this...creature out there. "Who are you?" Duo demanded. He laughed again, a humorless sound. "I had a noble name, and power once not so long ago. But that man is dead--or so I hear." He coughed, sounding as if he was choking. "Until I can prove them wrong. You can call me Toad. It's as good a name as any, for now." Duo stared at him again, forcing himself to take in every wretched detail. //He must be a madman, he isn't a noble anymore than I am.// But even a madman deserved pity, as long as he did no harm. And from the sound of him, he wasn't long for this world--a blessing, Duo was sure. Duo would listen to him ramble, just to hear the sound of another human voice. But he didn't have to look at him. Duo stepped away from the door. Toad's image was already etched upon his mind's eye. And he wouldn't know whether Duo could see him or not. Duo moved to the middle of the floor and sank down upon the cold stones, drawing his knees to his chest and gulping great breaths of fresher air. "So tell me Toad, what have you heard of me? I've been here for a day--hardly anyone knows I am here." "My honored kinsman knows. Though he isn't quite certain what to do with you. Have a care--you've upset his schemes. He doesn't like it when that happens." //Do all madmen speak in riddles? Their words make no sense to any but themselves, and woe to those who try to understand them.// Duo found it was best to let them wander. It harmed no one--although it frustrated Duo to no end not to understand. "Should I fear for my life?" Shinigami knew Duo had thought of little else since the cell door had slammed shut behind him. He chucked again, an evil sound over the restless shuffling as he moved about. "Perhaps." Duo had kept his gaze on the window while they spoke, grateful for even the dim glow from the corridor. But suddenly the light faded. "Wait! Duo sprang to his feet and rushed to the door. "You cannot leave!" //Especially not after that last remark. I need to know more--// Duo stretched, catching a glimpse of him, but he'd almost disappeared from view. "Toad! Come Back!" "Sleep well, milady," he called as he rounded a bend in the corridor. Leaving Duo to wail after him, "Why does everyone think I am a girl?" in total darkness.
"Quit your pacing and sit down, milord," Trowa snapped. He shoved a stool in Wufei's direction. "All this stomping around is making me crazy. You’re acting like a spoiled brat. Christ, man, use the brain God gave you." Wufei forced himself to stop, and faced Trowa, letting the words sink in. //Nataku, when will I learn to listen with my head instead of my emotions?// Most of the time, Wufei could keep his temper contained. But Trowa had witnessed it often enough that it had no effect on him. Nodding, Wufei righted the stool and sat down. "He's lying. We both know it." "Yes. And why would he do that, milord? I think you'd better tell me more about this boy." "Boy," Wufei snorted softly. "More like some fey creature." "Is he? Is that what’s got you acting this way, milord? I'd never have taken you for the type, but there's a first time for everything. Even a dragon needs a mate." //Trowa knows me too well.// "Something about him haunts me," Wufei admitted. "There's a ...beauty about him. He won't leave my mind." "Tell me about him, and what you want me to do." It didn't take Wufei long, he knew so little about Duo. "I want you to go to Saint Winifred's Church and find out all you can. Something about this bothers me--all the more because of Milliardo's reaction. I'll nose around tonight. Duo could still be here." "I will leave in the morning, no use in arousing any suspicions." "Good idea, take two men with you as well. If anyone asks, I'll say you are taking care of business for me at Raven's Crest. But get back to Raven's Crest as soon as possible. If I cannot meet you there, I'll send word. I don't like this entire situation, the sooner it’s resolved the better." //The wisest course would be to return to the hall, but I will learn nothing of value there tonight. Perhaps if I go share some ale with the castle guard I might learn something. And no one should question my actions, I have drank with the guards before.// Whether Duo had left the castle of his own volition, as Milliardo claimed, or had simply been moved, some one had to have seen something. Wufei would find him. //And when I do, someone will pay.//
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