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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 "
Master Shaman and Decisions Inexplicably, Duo was very nervous when Sally sent word to Heero that the Shaman had arrived. "He has a sweet face," she told them with a smile. "I think he's genuinely glad to be here." Duo fussed about what to wear while Heero watched him with a smile - it annoyed him. "This is the first Shaman I've ever met to spend any time with," he said somewhat waspishly. "You've been around humans all your life. I've never spent any time with my own kind!" Heero chuckled. "You'll be fine, my love. As long as he keeps his promise to not persuade you to leave me, I'm sure we'll get along fine, the three of us." Duo tossed his gleaming hair. "Huh. That's not even possible. Oh, what should I wear, Heero?" His lover rose. "I believe this is the first time I've ever seen you fretting about clothing," he mused. "Here, go sit down and fix your hair. I'll find you something." Muttering under his breath, Duo nonetheless obeyed the new emperor. He brushed his hair a few dozen strokes before pulling it away from his face with glittering gemstone barrettes. By the time he finished, Heero was waiting with an outfit of silk. After all, it was the only fabric Duo willingly wore. It didn't cling, and it hugged his frame like a caress. The full-leg breeches were a soft charcoal black. The tunic fell to mid-thigh, embroidered designs of silver tastefully decorating the front. It too was black, and the silk shirt to wear beneath was a warm violet that both perfectly matched his eyes and drew attention to them. Heero cupped Duo's chin, thumb stroking over his lower lip. "You're beautiful, love." Those tactics were unfair, he thought. Feeling himself blush, he pushed Heero's hand away and tried on a glare. It felt weak, and apparently Heero either saw through it or was immune. He just chuckled and leaned forward, kissing him. Duo allowed this, not really wishing for any distance between them, anyway. Still, Duo fussed a little while longer even after finishing dressing. "I don't like breeches," he said. "Maybe I should meet with him in my leopard form? But no, then how would I communicate with him . . . ?" Laughing softly, Heero stopped his pacing and pulled him into a tight embrace. "Just calm down, love. Here, let's just go down and meet him. I'm sure he's a perfectly nice individual. He probably won't even notice what you wear. After all, when the Shamans first visited me, they weren't wearing court regalia or anything of the sort. You'll be just fine." Duo frowned at him. "It's weird that I'm the one freaking out. Didn't you used to be the one—?" "Yes, but I finally had you last night. I made you mine. Now you can't leave me without expiring from sheer sorrow." Rolling his eyebrows, Duo pushed him back. "I'm ready, Your Majesty. Just lead the way." Sally had the Shaman waiting in the audience hall. Duo knew Heero had set that up to immediately intimidate the Shaman, but it didn't seem to be working. They entered to find him smiling and looking quite at ease. Like Heero had suggested his attire was simple, yet for some reason it gave no impression of poverty. He turned at once to Duo, his bright aqua eyes catching the light like gemstones. They were filled with genuine warmth, and there was no duplicity in his scent at all. His golden hair reminded Duo strongly of summer, and he stood about four inches taller than Duo. Which put him still shorter than Heero by a finger-width or two. "Duo," he said, smiling. "I'm Quatre, Star Shaman. And you must be Emperor Heero. I'm pleased and delighted to meet the new champion of our people. Your decrees made all of us very happy." Though Duo still knew nothing about his own people, he suspected Quatre wasn't a young Shaman. He certainly looked young. But there was something about the way he carried himself that suggested wisdom - the kind that could only come with age and experience. "Pleased to meet you as well, Quatre," he said, nodding. "I am a Storm Shaman, but you probably know more about me than I do." Quatre laughed, a rich and pleasing sound. "Only where you come from, Duo. I look forward to getting to know you. Before we start, may I settle in a bit?" Duo flashed Heero a quick look. "Yes. I'll show you to the suite set aside for you. I'm sure Heero has . . . things he could be doing. After all, running an empire has to be nonstop business." His lover gave him a funny look. "I'll see you both over dinner, then." Nodding, Duo led the Shaman out of the audience chamber. o8o o8o Duo had been right in his silent guess. Quatre was not a young Shaman. In fact he was - by human standards, at least - old. Shamans lived significantly longer than humans, and Quatre had been alive for one-hundred and ten years. He would probably live three times that long yet. He watched the painfully young Shaman before him. Duo had no idea how important he was to his people, that was plain. But obviously the boy was equally important to this human emperor. There was something different about Heero. Quatre didn't quite know what to make of him. The Storm Shaman's power ran deep. Strangely, Quatre could sense in him other powers, too. Hints of Earth, Fire, and even Shadow. He couldn't remember ever hearing of a Shaman with more than one power. Whether they were weaker than the Storm power or just buried deeper there was no way to tell. Not yet. With time and training Duo would be able to tap into them all. "What are you transformed?" Duo asked. For a moment, the question caught Quatre by surprise. He forcibly had to remind himself Duo had been raised by humans. Any youngling Shaman could sense these things, or at least smell it. Duo would not have been taught even these basic skills by a Shaman mother. He just smiled. "I am a puma," he said. Duo nodded and held open a large carved door. "Here is your suite. Any time you need anything you can pull this cord - it rings for a servant." Quatre looked around. It was certainly far more luxurious than any place he had ever dwelled. "It's beautiful," he said. "Tell me, does this palace have gardens?" "Yes, but they're somewhat lacking," Duo said with a cute frown. "When Heero is married, I'm going to ask the queen to do something about it." Now that managed to completely throw Quatre off. He stared at the pretty young Shaman. "What? I thought Heero was in love with you?" Duo smiled. "Yes, but as he explained to me, an empire still needs a queen. Apparently people feel more sympathetic to women than men. I suppose that makes sense, but I still don't understand human politics. I've had little chance to learn. When I was a kitten, Heero mostly taught me history. At any rate, when he marries he will announce me as his consort. I don't know what I'll do when they wish to have children, though." The agony that thought caused Duo immediately made Quatre's heart ache in sympathy. Smiling gently, he gripped the boy's arm and squeezed. "There are ways to conceive a child without intercourse," he said. "A Star Shaman could do it. So could an Earth Shaman, and possibly even a Shadow Shaman. If that is their wish, I will see to it." Duo blinked, eyes lighting up with hope. "Really? You would do that for me?" "I would. Now, will you indulge me? I should like to see you transform." o8o o8o Zechs told Relena of Heero's proposition. That gave her several days to mull it over in her head before Heero approached her to formally request an answer. There was much to think about. On the one hand, being Heero's wife was everything Zechs could have wished for. She would never want for anything, her future would be secured, and she would marry a man close to her own age who would always treat her gently and with respect. On the other hand, she didn't know if she could marry a man she loved who did not nor would ever love her in return. The thought of being that close to him and unable to touch was almost unbearable. They would never share a bed, except when they wanted children as heirs. Heero would certainly leave when they were through to go be with his consort, whom Zechs had told her Heero would announce in the same breath as taking a queen. That consort would be Duo. Zechs didn't seem to know who the consort was, and Relena wasn't about to enlighten him. It wasn't any of his business, and her love for Duo kept her silent for his own safety. And that was the final problem. There wasn't any way she could ever compete for Heero with Duo, and that simply because she could never cause that angelic boy any heartache. She loved him, too. He was like a precious treasure to her, a little brother whom she would always cherish. And it would be wonderful to spend the rest of her life close to him, as well. She knew he genuinely liked her company, for his part. Perhaps they could become close confidants. Share stories about Heero, laugh and conspire to cause mischief. The thought of that made her heart warm with delight. And the last part of Heero's deal. He had promised Relena would be able to take a consort, should she ever find anyone to love. That was unbelievably fair of the young emperor. Truly he was treating her as an equal. His kindness and thoughtfulness only made her love him more. She spent those days trying to make a decision and constantly battling against tears. And yet, there was only one answer. She knew that from the beginning, but it didn't make the decision any easier. By the time Heero came to her she was prepared, and she was ready to enter into life with him with eyes wide open. She knew it wouldn't be easy. But for her brother's sake, for Heero's sake, and - most importantly - for Duo's sake, she said yes. Who knew if any other woman would be so supportive of Heero's love for Duo? Another woman might try to undermine the Shaman, get rid of him even. Her brother would be happy that she was in good hands. Heero would have a good, dutiful wife who would enrich his empire. It didn't seem fair that there wasn't any room for her
own sake in the deal.
tbc |
