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"In My Master's Arms "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, violence, slavery, cruelty, possible OOCness, AU/Fantasy/Drama Pairings: 1x2 Summary: In a society where sorcerers are feared
and hated, Duo is given as a slave to a powerful warrior in order
to keep his tremendous power under control. All he wants is freedom
from his cruel master, but nothing is as it seems . . . "In My Master's Arms "
Awakening The man, Duo learned, was the herbalist from whom Heero bought his supplies. He called himself Bane, and it seemed an ironically fitting name to Duo. He was strange and eccentric, but Duo was grateful to have inadvertently found someone like him. No one with loose lips who would gossip to half the kingdom about what had happened. When Duo finally awoke after collapsing, he felt frighteningly weak, so Bane gave him another dose of that liquid potency. It was enough to get Duo on his feet. He worked on healing Heero until Bane made him stop and eat something. Though Duo was anxious, there was no longer any fear of losing his master. Thanks to the collar he could tell Heero was healing and not dying anymore, but his body was weak from blood loss. Since Duo couldn't manufacture it out of thin air, he did the best he could with the physical injury. Which was far easier said than done. After day one, Duo ate and fell asleep in the middle of his second bout of healing. He woke the next day to Bane shaking him, forcing him to eat again and drink his toxic elixir. This time Duo made more progress, able to focus longer and stay clear-headed. It was tedious, painstaking work trying to heal Heero's damaged heart and lungs. The wounds themselves were relatively small, compared to some. Just nicks, really. But the fragile surrounding tissue would be so easy to damage beyond repair while he worked. Magic was more difficult to control, he quickly learned, when he tried to send an extremely focused, thin stream. It required all his concentration, and sometimes he simply didn't have it. But Bane was encouraging and a relatively good caretaker, keeping Heero's external wounds clean and bandaged. Duo didn't have the strength to focus on those, too. The internal injuries were more pressing so they took all his time. Duo cursed and cursed his 'training' in the Tower. He'd learned nothing there to help make this easier. Bane also made sure Duo kept up his strength, reminding him that he was the only one who could save Heero. And he did. After what felt like years but in reality was only days, Duo sucessfully repaired the internal damage. When he was able to release the spells keeping Heero from dying because he couldn't eat or breathe properly, it felt like someone had dropped a mountain on him. He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. When he woke, it was to find Bane clearing away what was obviously supper, and he slowly sat up. "Bane?" The strange man's eyes roved over to him. "Welcome back. You slept the sleep of the dead. Our prince woke while you slept. I managed to get some food and water in him, and he inquired as to your well-being. How is your well-being? You haven't gone and made a liar of me, have you?" Smiling a little at the man's demeanor, Duo shook his head and gingerly swung his legs over the edge of the makeshift bed. "I'm fine. Hungry and still tired, but fine. I'm more concerned about Heero." "Wounds are gone. Not so much as a scar. Fine work, Sorcerer. Once he regains the lost blood and weight, he'll be right as rain." The words made cold dread settle in Duo's stomach. He closed his eyes against it. I felt that . . . assassin. It was his thoughts I was sensing. I should have warned Heero. I could have prevented this if I hadn't been so distracted. "Good," he said faintly, rubbing his temples. "We should . . . return to the castle." "No," Bane said at once, moving to kneel in front of Duo. He gripped the boy's wrists and forced his hands away from his face, squeezing hard. "No, boy. Listen to me. You cannot return the prince to that nest of vipers when he is so weak. He would never, ever want that. You must remain here until he is recovered. Rumors will be circulating wildly about what has happened to him, but better that than some power-seeking individual attempting something foolish, such as poisoning him and blaming it on the injury." Duo's eyes narrowed. "That would never happen," he muttered, rising and forcing Bane to let go of him. Still, the man had a point. "But I agree." "Good," Bane said. "Now, you must be hungry." After he gave Duo a meal, he sat and watched Duo eat. It was a bit disconcerting, but Duo didn't protest. The man had something on his mind, he just wanted to sort it out before he spoke. A few moments later it came out. "Fuck." The vulgar curse made Duo swallow too hard, and he coughed. "What?" Bane shook his head. "You're so young. You're just a kid! How're you gonna save this kingdom?" Duo blinked. Apparently Bane was in Heero's confidence deeper than he'd thought. Of course, thanks to an earlier restriction placed by Heero, Duo couldn't say a word. He just shook his head, going back to eating. "He doesn't really talk to me," Bane went on, "but I watch. I can tell sometimes what he's thinking, even if he never says it. He's not easy to read, but I'm very good at reading people." Duo simply nodded. "He wants to help Corai," Bane said, voice fading out. "I know that. I don't know how, or what his plans are, but I know he's doing this to save Corai. Tell him . . . tell him sometime that if he ever needs someone, I'm here. I'll help if I can." Still unable to speak, Duo met his eyes and tried to communicate that if that time came, he would let Heero know. Bane bowed his head to let Duo know he understood. o0o o0o It took a ridiculous amount of effort, prying open his eyelids. The sight that greeted Heero wasn't one he expected. A dingy little room that smelled of dried and rotting herbs, the sickly sweet scent of decay. His chest felt heavy, but the reason for that was readily apparent. A fluffy cat lay on him, purring noisily. He frowned. Then this was Bane's herbal shop. What in Cestera's name was he doing here, of all places? Smokey memories drifted into his mind. He'd awakened. Eaten. He'd been weak then, too, but even more so. And very, very cold. Thanks to the rumbling cat he wasn't cold, but the weakness . . . then he recalled. He'd been shot. Anger boiled up in him. Who would dare attempt the assassination of the Black Prince? He wondered if there were any way for his beautiful Duo to find out. Closing his eyes, he lifted a hand and scrubbed fingers through his hair. It felt oily. My Duo? It would be fine if he'd been thinking in the context of a slave. But no, that was too affectionate. I can't care too deeply for him. Else I won't be able to use him as I need. As I must. The cat miaowed at him, and he resisted the urge to touch its mind to awakening. Really, it was a cute fluffball. Pushing it off his chest, which earned him an irate glare, he sat up and carefully rose to his feet. Testing his strength. He wobbled a bit but didn't fall. Opening his shirt, he examined the area where the wound should have been. Not even a scar. No residual soreness or pain, either, which meant Duo had healed it completely. The weakness was from blood-loss, then. He'd made it to the door when it opened and Duo almost walked right into him. With a startled sound he stepped back, then his countenance brightened into a small smile. A very small one. "You're up. Does it hurt anymore?" "No," Heero replied, placing his hand over the site. "Not at all. We need to return to the castle." "No." Blink. Heero looked down at him. "What do you mean, 'no'?" Unwavering indigo eyes regarded him. "I mean, we're not going back there until you're fully recovered. Bane was right when he said you can't walk back into that nest of vipers when there's any weakness left in you." For the first time, Heero felt real anger toward his slave. "And when did it happen that the slave commands his master? Move, Duo. We're returning today." Something pained entered Duo's eyes, and an invisible wall pushed Heero back. Not hard, but gently and inexorably. "I'm sorry," Duo all but whispered, "but I don't want anything to happen to you." He shouldn't, Heero thought incredulously, be able to turn magic against his master. The collar should have prevented it. So then why-? The answer came at once. No matter the restrictions on him, Duo would always be able to protect himself and his master. If Duo's intent truly was Heero's protection, then there might be a circumstance where he could use magic against him. Such as right now. He genuinely wants to protect me. The anger evaporated. "All right, Duo," he relented, sitting back down on the bed. "We'll stay here a few more days." That pain didn't leave Duo's expression. "I'm going to bring you something to eat, and enough water that you can drink continuously through the day." He stepped back through the door, and Heero watched him erect a barrier of shimmering blue light. It surrounded the entire room and blocked the door. "I'm sorry," he said again, "but you won't be able to leave this room. No one but me will be able to enter, either, unless I allow it. Even if you put a restriction back on me, the barrier will stay in place now until I bring it down." Unable to figure out what was bothering the boy, Heero merely sighed and nodded. Duo closed the door, and Heero heard him pad away down the hall. Bemused, he reached out and touched the wall of light. A soft, pleasant tingle ran over the tips of his fingers and up his hand. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against it. The tingling sang across his scalp, soothing away his headache and making him feel pleasantly numb. He smiled faintly. It shouldn't have done that. How bizarre. Duo came back with a tray stocked with red meat, dark greens, and several pitchers. He offered a tentative smile as he set it down. "I brought enough for us both," he said, sounding hopeful. Heero nodded, moving back to the edge of the bed. He accepted the food, but Duo didn't touch his. Instead he watched Heero, and after a moment he finally spoke. "It was my fault." Heero blinked, savoring the taste of thin-cut steak. "What was?" Duo closed his eyes. "That you were injured." Not what he'd been expecting. "Did you fire the crossbow?" "No-" "Did you conjure it?" "No-" "Did you somehow spell someone to make them do it?" "No-" "Then pray tell me, how is it your fault?" Duo gave him a wry smile. "Are you done with the interrogation?" The words almost startled laughter out of Heero. "Go ahead and tell me how it's your fault." Duo's eyes fell to his lap and stayed there, hands clasping tightly. "I could . . . sense something was wrong. I could feel someone was afraid of something, so afraid it was almost paralyzing them. And this person was fixating on you so strongly it was as if nothing else existed to them. I could feel it, but I said nothing to warn you. I didn't do anything." Heero watched him for a time, observing Duo's anxiety and able to clearly feel how upset he was. Eventually he sighed. "You weren't exactly prepared for this sort of thing when I brought you here," he said. "You were expecting to be sold into some rich, powerful lord's house, someone who never leaves and plots all things behind the scenes. There are people who want me dead, though most of them wouldn't have the guts to attempt killing me. Duo, I'm well aware what it must have cost you, healing me. You would have been dying right along with me, but you still managed to save us both with a barely minimal knowledge of your power. So I should be thanking you." The misery didn't leave Duo's face. "But I knew something was wrong." "And probably no one warned you about political intrigue," Heero countered. "Duo, you can't be expected to know everything right away. You averted disaster, you didn't cause it." "But . . ." Duo started, but he trailed off without finishing. "Come here," Heero ordered gently, patting the mattress beside him. Duo came, but hesitantly, as though he expected some physical reprisal. Heero gripped his arm and pulled him down, clasping the boy to his chest. "You did nothing wrong," he reiterated. "Perhaps you didn't do all you could have initially, but now you have learned a valuable lesson. Next time I may not be the target, it could as easily be you." Duo rested his head on Heero's shoulder. "I never thought of that." "I'd be surprised if you had. Instead of beating yourself up about this, chiccira, make sure from now on it doesn't happen again. Turn your despondency into determination." Duo didn't speak again, but Heero could feel something change within him. Deep, down by his core. Stroking the cinnamon hair under his hand, he sighed softly and hoped whatever this change, it was for the better.
Quatre sighed faintly as he watched Relena pace. She'd asked admittance to his chambers and not spoken a word since entering. Her crystal facade of calm had slipped a little, but then again she was with one of her own. Still, Quatre was getting tired of watching her. "Relena, what is it? Or, rather, since I know what it's about, why don't you tell me exactly what about it is bothering you?" Relena stopped moving, her eyes narrowing on some point to the left of Quatre. "Where in the name of Gridanja did the little boy take Heero? According to that worthless group of peons in the city, Duo used magic to make them both disappear. But there's more here that bothers me. In order for Duo to use magic, it had to have meant Heero never placed a total restriction on him. Unless, of course, Heero died." Trying not to roll his eyes, Quatre stood up and moved to take up the center of her field of vision. "Or he placed a restriction that would always allow Duo to protect him and the prince. Heero has a vested interest in his own life, don't you think?" Relena snorted. "True enough. But if Heero is still alive, where did the little brat take them? Why wouldn't he have brought Heero straight back here?" Hopefully because he has enough sense to see what a fantastically idiotic choice that would have been, Quatre mused. "He was probably terrified out of his mind. I can imagine the press of people made him feel too vulnerable, so he simply teleported himself and Heero away from them and focused all his energy on healing his master." A half smile, half grimace flickered over Relena's lips. "If he bothered to heal him at all. Perhaps he feels he would be better off without his cruel master and simply let him die." "As much as that would elevate the Council's position," Quatre said carefully, "we can't assume Heero is dead until we know. No one in this kingdom would accept less." Now the woman practically growled. "As I am perfectly aware. For whatever reason, the fool peons love their barbaric prince. I will never understand it, Quatre. Pray, tell me, do you in your sensitivity to human emotion, understand it in the slightest?" Quatre drew in a long, slow breath. "Yes and no. I believe they fear him to the point where they believe he isn't even human. I've watched the way they watch him. Many of the simpler folk treat him as though he is some sort of wrathful demon. It's . . . unusual, to say the least. And if they believe him to be some sort of deity, it's not a stretch to assume they believe they deserve his wrath. As for his soldiers, well, that's easier to divine. His army is undefeated and his reputation is such that most will lay down arms rather than cross blades with him. They think he's invincible." Relena shook her head. "Men are such fools. Forgive me, Quatre, I don't really see you as a man for some reason." She laughed slightly, a low golden sound. "I don't see you as a woman, but you lack the typical foolishness of men. Perhaps it is your unique position as Voice of Nirande." Knowing his face gave away nothing, Quatre smiled a bit. "I take no offense, Relena. I'll be the first to admit I tend to be more clear-headed than most men. And why don't we send Wufei to look for them? Since we requested he keep an eye on Heero anyway, surely someone in Cera must have some idea where they are." She nodded, clearly ready for something to do. Any action was better than none. "Yes, I agree. Will you see to it? It has been six days. Perhaps it is time to hold open court and let the people know our prince is missing and the Council will take up a temporary position as Regent." Quatre swallowed the urge to say that was unnecessary. After all, Heero was only the prince. Corai still had her king. Instead he smiled. "I believe you and Treize would be good choices for that announcement. If you'll excuse me, I'll go find Wufei." She nodded graciously, and Quatre took his leave. Inside, he thrummed with adrenaline. Why, oh why would the idea that she had something to do with this not leave his head? Surely she wasn't so confident yet she would attempt Heero's assassination? Then again, perhaps his purchasing a young sorcerer ramped up her fear to the point that she acted rashly. Rubbing his temples, he didn't stop until he found Wufei. "Quatre," the black-haired man said, looking up in what could have been disinterested surprise. "I need you to find them, Wufei," Quatre said in a low, urgent voice. "I can't be sure, but something tells me Relena had a hand in the attack on Heero. Find them before her people do." Wufei rose, ebony eyes glittering in the dim light. "Even she is not that bold." "That's what I thought," Quatre agreed, "but I just spoke with her. I can't get the feeling out of my mind, now. I've no doubt I'd never be able to prove it, but that's not my main concern." Reaching out, he gripped Wufei's arm. "Find the prince. If he's hurt or sick, don't bring him home until he's strong again. If he is dead . . ." Wufei grabbed his chin and squeezed. "He is not. He must not. I will find him, Quatre. Do not fear." Nodding, trying to be reassured by Wufei's quiet confidence, he stepped aside and the man glided past him. If Heero was dead . . . but no. That did not bear thinking of. Wufei was right. He was alive. He had to be.
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