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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 9 Once again Duo waited outside the Dragon's chamber while he found his key, then turned it in the lock. But this time Wufei kept Duo behind him when he slipped through the door into the dark room, his dagger in one hand, the other wrapped about the hilt of his sword. Duo wondered at his caution, until Wufei shoved him backward as the room filled with light. Duo fell sideways into the corridor, landing on the floor and bumping his head against the stone wall. Though his head reeled, he sat up and groped for the lantern to use as a weapon. Before he got a good grip on the handle, someone wrenched it from his hand. Duo glared up at the soldier, then slumped back against the doorway. The Dragon slashed wildly at two armed men and laid open the face of one with his knife. As the fighter spun away, a voice cried, "Hold, Wufei! Would you murder our own people?" Duo blinked to clear his foggy vision. Lord Chang slowly lowered his sword and stepped closer to him. "Nay, milord," he said. Without turning to face Duo, he reached down to help him to his feet. Duo took Wufei’s hand and pulled himself up beside the Dragon. Wufei gestured to the guards in the room, meeting the wounded man's with a mirthless smile. "Do you threaten us?" The speaker came toward them from the shadowy of the room. Though dressed no differently than the others, he wore authority as if it were a mantle. He could only be Milliardo, prince of The Sank Kingdom. Duo couldn't interpret the look he sent the Dragon, he knew it didn't bode well for Wufei. "I see the boy didn’t leave after all," Milliardo said with a wry smile. "Clearly someone made a mistake---a costly one for him I'm sure." The Dragon sheathed his sword, but kept his dirk in hand. "No doubt," he agreed. "Mistakes happen." Milliardo moved closer. His gaze swept over Duo, taking in his figure, then staring into his eyes. Duo couldn't tell if he passed muster, or if the prince found him lacking. But Duo refused to back down or look away first. It was a relief when Milliardo ceased his scrutiny and returned his attention to the Dragon. "Trust you to find him before any knew he was missing, Wufei. I've always known I could count on you for anything." Milliardo said. He motioned to one of his men. "Take this boy to his quarters. It’s too late to discuss anything of importance now." When the Dragon stepped forward, he added, "He'll be perfectly safe Wufei. You've done your duty. This is no longer your concern. I've other work for you." Duo placed his hand on the Dragon's arm and looked earnestly at Milliardo. Duo couldn't understand why he refused to meet his gaze. "Milord, I don't wish---" At Milliardo’s nod, the guard took Duo by the elbow, tugging him away from his protector and out of the room. Wufei turned to watch as they led Duo away, his expression unreadable. ~~~(***)~~~ Outwardly calm, Wufei watched the two men lead Duo away. But inside he seethed with fury, a fury he did not intend to show Milliardo. He needed to tread warily. By looking for Duo after Milliardo told him he'd already left, Wufei had already committed a grave error. He didn't wish to compound his mistake now. The results were too important. Milliardo had made a mistake, as well, and Wufei had caught him out. Milliardo knew something about Duo, something he wanted to keep hidden. The trick would be to discover that secret--and soon. With a nod toward the door, the prince ordered the other men from the room. Wufei closed the door and leaned against it, waiting for the axe to fall. He didn't have long to wait. Milliardo stood tall, an imposing figure, though he didn't intimidate Wufei. He'd committed too many sins in Milliardo’s name--the other man owed him too much. But Wufei wasn't a fool. He knew how easily a powerful man's favor could turn to vengeance. "What were you about, Wufei? Do you doubt my word now, that you must go behind my back and foul my plans? If I thought you needed to know where the boy was, I would have told you." Thus he gave himself away. Wufei hid his satisfaction, and sought the words to free himself from this situation. "I understand that, milord. And I didn't doubt you. But I hear things from many sources. Word reached me that led me to believe you'd been given false information. I merely wished to verify what I'd heard. There's no harm done. He's back in your possession, to do with as you will." //For the moment.// Milliardo eyed him assessingly. He evidently passed muster. Wufei saw nothing but approval in the other man's expression. "Very well. It is forgotten. Besides, I have need of your expertise in the trouble with my sister Relena. She’s begun making noise about the fighting again as well as reclaiming her mother’s lands. I want you to go pay her a visit, make her understand my position, my goal, before she goes to far. I’d rather not be forced to harm my own kin." He added, his gaze steady. "Leave as soon as you can, and take as long as you need to make her see reason. We’ll manage fine until you return." Milliardo nodded and headed for the door. "As you wish, milord," Wufei said, opening the door and bowing as Milliardo walked past. His movements slow, Wufei pushed the door closed, then turned the key in the lock. He stared at the worthless piece of metal, then heaved it across the room. //Damnation! It didn't do much good to lock the door when someone else had a key. I couldn't have done worse tonight if I tried. Now Milliardo has taken Duo away. If Milliardo tries to hide him again, I will never find him again unless Milliardo allows me to. And by the time I get back from visiting Relena, Duo will be so well hidden, I will never find him. Assuming they let him live. Considering where Milliardo stuck him, that is a possibility.// Weary beyond belief, Wufei removed his sword and dagger and placed them within easy reach before he stripped off his clothes and fell into bed. He didn't even douse the light, hoping the brightness burning through his eyelids would show him whatever clue he kept missing. Letting his mind drift, it filled immediately with images of Duo. Wufei would never forget the expression of joy on his face when he'd opened the door to his cell. Again that jolt of familiarity assailed Wufei, the sense that the knowledge he sought hovered just beyond his reach. Duo’s smile lingered, and Wufei focused on it, the way his violet eyes glowed, the slight tilt of his lips at one corner... Wufei sat bolt upright. He knew that smile, had seen it a thousand times before. When he added the eyes and facial features---similar, but not quite the same—Wufei truly thought he'd gone mad. What he had in mind was impossible. There was no way that Duo could be related Hilde Maxwell Winner, marcher baroness. His cousin. ~ * ~ |
