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"The King and the Shaman "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, Fantasy/Drama/Romance, Yaoi, lemon, language (the usual), peril, violence, animal shamans, neko Duo, king Heero, impending war, sentient-formless evil Pairings: 1x2, others Summary: Heero is the young king of a country
he wants to expand into an Empire. One day he is approached by a woman
who claims she is an animal Shaman, creatures of legend and myth.
She makes an offer Heero cannot refuse. " The King and the Shaman "
The Grand Master Plan and the Grand Master Schemer Wufei and Muriel arrived at the palace a few hours before dusk. For once Heero was glad of noisy heralds and their announcements, because he was sound asleep when they did. He quickly roused himself, his movements disturbing the still-sleeping Duo. He made a few inquiring grunts before falling right back to sleep. Heero used the chance to clean himself up a little, straightening his sleep-mussed hair and clothes. He was quite presentable when a knock sounded on the door, and this time Muriel didn't just barge right in. After calling an invitation to enter she opened the door, followed by Wufei Chang. Heero's height to within a hairsbreadth, the tall Lord swept in with the aura of grace, mystery, and danger that he always carried with him. His long black hair was swept back in a tight tail at his neck, and he wore white robes swirled with black. Belted at his waist was an ornate sword, and Heero knew Wufei was one of the few men in his court who'd earned the right to wear a sword like an article of clothing. None were better than he with that weapon, not even Heero, his perfect equal. "Welcome back to the palace, my friend," Heero said, clasping the other man's hand tightly. Wufei pulled him into a brief hug. "Muriel explained things to me on the way," he said. "Where is the kitten?" Heero turned to look at the bed. "Sleeping," he said, guiding him toward the little bundle. "Muriel, would you mind bringing the three of us refreshment?" The cook smiled, nodding and leaving the way she'd come, closing the door behind her. Wufei smiled slightly. "He's very small, isn't he?" he mused. "Too small to tell what kind of wildcat he is." "Leopard," Heero supplied. "The Shamans who brought him told me they hoped he would be a Storm Shaman, one supposedly rare and powerful." "Indeed. How long until we know for sure?" "Not until his first transformation stage almost two years from now," Heero replied. "Sit, my friend, and I will tell you everything they told me." Muriel brought them drinks, fruit, and warm milk for Duo when she returned. Then she left again, and Heero gathered Duo in his arms. The kitten woke quickly, instantly requesting food. While Heero fed him, he filled Wufei in. "The Shamans wished to make me sympathetic to their plight," Heero finished, setting the mostly-empty bottle aside and rubbing Duo's round belly. "They believed that by raising one of their own, I would have no desire to reach beyond the Dragon's Spine into their territories beyond. The outer edges of my country are pressing ever closer." Wufei nodded thoughtfully. "I see." "All the more reason I wish to begin my campaign sooner rather than later," Heero said, leaning forward a little. "I plan to get rid of my father's heads of state by the beginning of next month. While you fill in for me, I want you to keep an eye out for potentials to fill these positions for me. Strong men who will support my efforts to assimilate all the countries into my empire." A smile quirked the corners of Wufei's mouth. "I know a few off the top of my head," he said, "and I have a suggestion already. For you new chamberlain. I know you don't like that man." Heero resisted the urge to make a face. Instead he let his displeasure show in his eyes. "Who do you have in mind?" "She's a woman," Wufei said with a slight frown, "but she's strong. Though not of noble blood, she is a scribe at the public library." Heero had never been to the library. He knew a few scholars who brought him everything he needed on the off chance he needed anything. "What's her name?" "Sally Po," Wufei replied, "and I hear she also has a strong knowledge of herbs and ointments." Heero raised an eyebrow; that might come in handy since he was raising a Shaman kitten. "I would like to meet her," he said at length. "In a few days. I trust your judgment, of course, but I would still like to see if I at least like the woman." Wufei gave him a crooked grin. "I understand. For your new lords of the land, I have a few in mind. I suppose I go without saying." Heero snorted, causing his kitten to shift and give a little mewl of inquiry, tucking his face in the crook of Heero's elbow and promptly falling asleep. "Yes, you go without saying." "Good," Wufei said, sitting up straighter with a pleased look. "Then there are three others I am thinking of. Trowa Barton, Lucrezia Noin, and Treize Kushrenada." Of those names, Heero only personally knew one, Barton. He was a man of few words, but he held himself with the same easy grace that both Wufei and Heero boasted in their carriage. He was Heero's approximate age, which was good. The time of the old was past. It was time for the young to step forward and claim their future. Like Heero had so boldly begun to do. "You have my approval for Barton. Get in contact with the other two, tell them I would like to meet them. What are their ages?" "Noin is a few years older-and she's a woman," Wufei replied, "and Kushrenada is in his mid-to-late thirties." "Both are skilled fighters?" Heero asked. "Indeed," Wufei confirmed with a smile. "Excellent." "After appointing new heads of state, what will you do then?" Wufei asked. "Are you ready to implement other parts of your plan yet?" Heero gave him a somewhat dark smile. "More than ready. You and I will head two different divisions of my army to strike first at our neighboring countries Pengria and Saurav. It is my hope they will bow without conflict." Wufei gave him a rather savage smile. "I can't believe it will be any other way," he said. "Your reputation has spread like wildfire, and your intent is already known. The other countries are fussing and fretting, because many wish to leave their homelands simply to join your armies." A hint of ruefulness entered Heero's smile. "How is it rumors leak out even when there is no leak?" "And with your open scorn of the traditional way of doing things?" Wufei countered. "It is too much to hope that you don't plan to change that." "That's true. Very well, thank you Wufei. You can stay in the palace if you wish; it may be more convenient for you." Wufei bowed his thanks and took that dismissal for what it was. Smiling, Heero lightly kissed the head of his sleeping kitten. "By this time next year, little kitten, I will be the emperor of a united empire instead of the king of a country. And if everything goes well, I will see to it that your people are never threatened again." Duo shifted in his sleep, turning his warm, slightly damp nose into the crook of Heero's elbow. A sleepy little sound drifted up from him, making Heero smile. "Sweet thing. Sleep well. Until you wake me in the middle of the night demanding food." He chuckled. For some reason, the thought didn't bother him all that
much.
tbc |
