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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 "
Duo opened his eyes for the first time three weeks to the day after he first arrived in Heero's care. Heero, who had been watching him like a hawk for the last three days, was delighted beyond belief when Duo woke up - and opened his eyes. They were the palest lavender imaginable. The kitten, who'd more than doubled in size during those weeks, peered up at Heero with a sort of curious intensity, ears straight and alert. He was so cute Heero grinned and cuddled him close, making Duo let out a funny, ruffled little sound. Laughing, Heero immediately lowered him back to his former position, and Duo went on peering at Heero. The young king got the feeling the kitten was memorizing his face, committing it to memory. Which, in all reality, was possible. He had no idea when Duo's mental capacity would begin to grow and develop. He stroked the kitten's chin. "You curious as to what your guardian looks like, hmm?" he asked softly, tenderly. Duo gave him a mewl that sounded so much like an agreement the youth laughed and hugged him to his chest. "Is there anything as cute as you?" he murmured. Moments later he was struck by inspiration. Carefully setting his precious burden down on the floor, he began backing up. "C'mere, Duo," he called softly, backing up until he hit the wall and squatting down. "Come on, little kitten." Duo energetically romped toward him, still too small and round to truly run. He mewled the whole way, keeping his eyes on Heero's feet, the only part of him in the kitten's line of sight. He pounced on Heero's feet, a tiny little bounce taking him there with a satisfied grunting mewl. Laughing, Heero moved away again, backing away from his kitten, once more calling his name to encourage him to follow. The kitten Shaman somewhat awkwardly changed direction to follow, once more mewling the entire time. By the third circuit, his noises started to sound a little more desperate, proving he did not yet like to be far from his guardian. Heero instantly scooped him up, holding him close, kissing his head. "Sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to upset you." Duo tucked his head into Heero's neck with a little mewl of agreement. Smiling, Heero continued to hold and comfort him until Muriel knocked and entered with a tray bearing the usual. "Good morning," she greeted them cheerily, setting her burden down. "How are my boys today?" Grinning from ear-to-ear, Heero lowered Duo just enough so she could see him. Duo immediately stared at her, looking caught between fright and familiarity. Muriel's hands clapped to her mouth, eyes widening. "Oh, oh, his eyes are open!" she whispered. "Oh, isn't he darlin'? Oh, Heero, they're lavender!" She approached slowly, carefully reaching out to tickle under the kitten's chin. "Oh, aren't you precious!" Duo didn't allow much attention before he backed up as far as he could, twisting to bury his face in Heero's neck. Hopelessly charmed, Heero chuckled and sat down. "A little shy, I guess. Thank you, Muriel." Looking completely enchanted herself, Muriel gave the kitten one last look before exiting. Heero, already prepared to give Duo his full attention for the rest of the day (which he had for the last three weeks anyway), settled the kitten in for his breakfast, feeding himself with his free hand. As soon as Duo finished he wriggled free of Heero's hold and began exploring the bed. His bright eyes darted this way and that as he romped over the uneven surface created by the rumpled blankets. Every few seconds he would stop and look at Heero as if making sure he was still there and wasn't going anywhere. Heero, watching with unfathomable happiness, crooned reassuring words at him between bites. It seemed to comfort his kitten, for Duo immediately went back to exploring. After about fifteen minutes of this, Duo seemed to lose his nerve, for he came scampering back to Heero with tiny mewls. Smiling, Heero picked him up and snuggled him for awhile. Then soon Duo started wriggling, so Heero put him back down. He began his tentative explorations anew, digging into the blankets to crawl underneath them. He didn't like it one bit when they caved in on him, completely burying him. Heero instantly answered his cries of distress, picking him up and holding him. Duo buried his face in Heero's neck, and for a long time after that he lost his nerve. But soon his kitten curiosity overpowered him again and he wriggled until Heero once more put him down. And at first his explorations were a little more careful, never straying far from Heero. Then he got bolder, making it all the way to the edge of the bed. But when he saw what lay beyond, the huge drop, he actually hissed and went hurrying back to Heero. Laughing, Heero once again lifted him in his arms and held him close, planting a kiss between his big lavender eyes. Duo mewled, yawned, and promptly fell asleep. Heero folded his legs and settled Duo in his lap, reaching for a book on his bedside table. "Poor little kitten," he murmured with a smile. "Been a stressful morning, hasn't it? Traumatized by blankets." He stroked the soft fur, which had gotten a little darker in the last three weeks. He couldn't wait until spots started appearing. There were places in Duo's fur where indistinct blotches were a little darker than the surrounding fur, but only just. It would probably still be awhile. The book was interesting, but Heero was practically jittery with anxious energy. He wanted to play with Duo so much it was making him sick. Sighing, he closed the book and leaned his head against the headboard, letting his eyes shut. He let his mind wander for awhile, slowly relaxing. He was ready to pick the book up again when Duo woke up, sending Heero a mewl of inquiry as he stretched and yawned, his tiny paws prodding at Heero's hand. "What?" Heero murmured, smiling down at his kitten. "You want something? You hungry, hmm?" Duo gazed into his eyes for a time, his only movement his breathing and the somewhat spastic twitching of his little tail. Eventually, though, he lost interest and again ventured off Heero's lap. His explorations began anew, and he bravely approached the edge of the bed. He peered over the edge for a few heartbeats, then gave a mewl before fleeing back to Heero. He only wanted a little comfort before romping halfway to the edge. Here he paused, throwing Heero a look over his shoulder. "What?" Heero said, smiling at him. Duo came back at once, sitting by Heero's knee. He let Heero pet him a little, then stood and went back to the center of the bed, mewling in inquiry. Heero grinned, laying down on his stomach. "You want to see down there, but you want me right there, hmm?" he mused, giving Duo a kiss. Duo mewed in agreement, seeming quite happy with Heero's nearness. He romped quite boldly to the edge of the bed, sticking his head over as if daring it to be scary. Laughing, Heero kept his hands at the kitten's sides to keep him from falling. Duo uttered the most adorable grunt/growl/mew and turned his back on the edge, pouncing on Heero's hand. "Silly kitten," Heero crooned, grabbing Duo and rolling him onto his back, ruffling his fur. Duo happily gnawed on his thumb, his teeth far too tiny to do any damage or even hurt. o8o o8o Duo stayed awake most of the day. He did take one more nap, this one lasting a little longer than the first. When he woke he pestered his guardian into playing with him. The feisty little kitten was quite a pouncer, seeming to love it when Heero laughed. Several times he tried pouncing on Heero's face when the youth lay flat on his back on the bed. By dusk he was already a little better at bouncing, though he still far lacked the strength to truly jump. When Heero fed him dinner, he collapsed on Heero's chest and didn't stir. Smiling, Heero carefully repositioned the kitten on his pillow. Duo curled into the depression, seeming comforted by his guardian's scent. Heero used the time to finish his own dinner and get ready for bed. When he climbed under the covers, Duo snuggled into
his traditional spot right against Heero's neck, under his chin. His
warm little body expanded in a huge sigh. Smiling, Heero kissed him
between his eyes and relaxed. Moments later he followed Duo into dream-filled
bliss.
tbc |
