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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 "
Obedience It was readily apparent to Quatre that Duo had indeed been raised by a king. The leopard Shaman resisted obeying without question - which was a human tendency, not a Shaman one. The young cat had the personality of an angel, for sure. But he was remarkably stubborn, and he questioned nearly everything Quatre asked him to do. It was getting annoying. "Duo," Quatre finally said, rubbing his temples, "I'm not going to be able to teach you anything if you keep resisting everything like this." Duo didn't even have the good grace to blush. "Some of it just seems weird," he said with a shrug. Quatre raised an eyebrow. "Transform," he instructed. This, at least, Duo obeyed. The beautiful leopard shook himself, auburn coat gleaming. Reaching out, Quatre lightly stroked Duo's face, between those luminous eyes. "You certainly look lovely and healthy," he commented. "Now shift back." Nothing happened. Duo stared up at him, looking quite alarmed. Quatre smiled. "Can't use your power?" Duo shook his head. "Good. I'm not going to let you change back into a human until I'm satisfied your stubbornness is gone. I'm here to teach you, kitten, not baby you." Darkness and anger sprang up in those eyes, and Quatre saw sleek muscle bunching. "If it's a contest you want, you won't win," he warned. "I'm older and more skilled by far." The leopard subsided with a hiss, though he looked far from happy. Pleased, Quatre stroked his cheek. "Better. I'm sorry if this seems harsh, Duo, but it takes discipline to correctly manipulate our powers. I know you've learned rudimentary control, but that's not enough. Are you ready to begin?" Looking a bit sulky, Duo nodded. o8o o8o "Your engagement has been formally announced," Sally said, "but everyone is waiting to hear who she is and who your consort will be. Your regional governors—" she smirked at the words—"have been asked to stay for your wedding ceremony. I've set the date for next week, on the night of the new moon. It's a good symbol for new beginnings. As soon as the day is over, the regional governors are free to return. I've also sent word that new maps of the empire be drawn up for mass-production. Your armies have been notified to stand ready for the return of the ex-monarchs, just in case they decide to make trouble." Heero, lounging on the chair in his private study, just gazed at Sally in amazement. After his previous chamberlain, she was a godsend. "I adore you," he said when she finished. "I feel like I don't have anything to do anymore. You run my empire so smoothly." She smiled. "I don't make any decisions, Heero. I just follow through with yours. I take responsibility for nothing." Heero laughed. "Best position, my friend. Best position. Now, where is General Blackstone? I thought he would be here, celebrating the start of something big. Or is he out with his officers, betting how long until open war breaks out?" Sally's smile broadened into a grin. "The latter. He says it will be less than two weeks. His officers say inside the next month." Sighing, Heero rose. "I hope it doesn't come to that, but I honestly don't care one way or the other. Now, where is Zechs? I thought he was going to sign the marriage contract, since Relena is his responsibility." "Ah, yes. He is over the moon, you should know." Heero snorted. "I'm going to let you take care of it. Meanwhile, I'm going to find Duo." He didn't get far before Relena found him. Rather, he found her. The golden-haired princess looked lovely in a sleeveless gown of dark green. The waist, hemline, and neckline were all embroidered with swirling gold lines, and the high neck drew attention to the low-scooped back. She always dressed so tastefully. Heero smiled at his fiancé. "Good morning, Princess. Even though it's closer to afternoon. Did you sleep well?" The smile she gave him was a little sad. "I have slept beautifully since coming to Cairon, Heero." And there was a nearly imperceptible tremor in her voice. Heero frowned, reaching out to touch her face. "Are you all right, my lady? You look as though . . . you are troubled by something." She leaned into his touch, her eyes closing briefly. When she opened them, tears were sparkling on the surfaces of her eyes. "I'm sorry, Heero. Please don't worry yourself about me. I'm just so happy for Duo." Heero blinked, taken aback. "What makes you say that?" Relena gave him a slightly . . . bitter smile. "I know he's your consort. He told me, Heero. He told me he loves you, asked my advice on winning you over." She offered a thin laugh. "He's such a sweet boy. I love him so much, Heero. He's like a darling little brother." A single tear streaked down her cheek. Heero brushed it away with his thumb. "Relena," he murmured, "tell me what's wrong. Are you unhappy with the engagement?" She shook her head, covering her mouth. "No. Yes. I . . . I don't know what to tell you, Heero. I want Duo to be as happy as a person can be. I really do love him. But you . . ." she broke off, shaking her head again. "I'll be a good wife, Heero. I will fulfill my duties as your empress. So please, promise you will always be a kind, attentive husband." Well, that was not at all what he'd been expecting. It hit him a split second later what she must really mean. "Relena . . . do you love me?" The tears spilled freely down her face. "Yes!" she breathed. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Heero . . ." Heero pulled her into his arms, squeezing gently. "Why are you apologizing? Thank you for telling me. Trusting me." She quietly wept on his shoulder, and Heero held her until she composed herself. For some reason, when she finally stepped back her eyes didn't look red and swollen. The tears glistened on her cheeks, and she wiped them dry with slim fingers. "I'm sorry, Heero," she said, voice a little rough. She gave a small laugh. "You're a brave man, dealing with a weeping woman. My brother usually rushes for the doctors, exclaiming that I'm ill." Heero rolled his eyes. "Grief is not illness. And please, don't apologize anymore." He brushed an errant tear away. "If you don't want this, I will understand." She shook her head. "No. I can't bear the thought of another woman becoming jealous of Duo and trying to cause him grief or harm. And I will be a good empress, Heero. I understand how people think. How they feel. I spent a great deal more time with ordinary folk than my brother ever did. They really do feel more comfortable with noble and royal women." Heero chuckled. "Yes, that was one thing my father impressed upon me." He kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Relena. You've been looking out for Duo all this time. I sincerely hope you will find your own love someday. There's nothing like it. Nothing better." She drew in a rather shaky breath. "I wish for that, too. Thank you, Heero." She gently pushed him back. "You were looking for Duo, weren't you?" A little surprised, he nodded. "Then don't make him wait anymore." She wouldn't accept anymore fussing. He left her, but she was smiling. Duo was with Quatre. The two were often together these days. That wasn't what surprised Heero. His lovely little Shaman was in leopard form, and he looked extremely unhappy. Quatre had him collared and leashed, and there was a muzzle strapped around his face. Heero could see the straps were covered in silk to cause the Shaman no undue discomfort. He blinked, taken aback. "What's all this, Quatre?" he demanded, not sure whether he should command the Star Shaman to remove the restraints. Quatre just gave him a serene smile. "Consider it a lesson. Duo must learn discipline if he is to glean anything of use from my training. And until he forms obedient habits, he will stay in this form and leashed thusly." Heero's temper instantly rose. "He most certainly will not stay in that form. Duo is my charge, not yours." "Not so anymore," Quatre said, voice still pleasant and mild. "He cannot change back until I release my hold on his power." Duo was glaring, and Heero felt adrenaline surge through his system. No one would force Duo to do anything that made him unhappy! He was prepared to act, to force the issue, when Quatre suddenly stood. That normally sweet face darkened ever-so-slightly, something imperceptibly dangerous entering those aqua eyes. He was silently daring Heero to do anything. And Heero was made forcefully aware that Quatre was a Shaman. He had no idea what the puma's powers were. Nor how to combat them. No. Realistically, he couldn't combat them. The tension drained from his frame. Quatre smiled as though nothing had happened. "Now, I'm going to take my kitten for a walk. We'll be back some time before nightfall. Unless you would like to come with us?" Heero nodded jerkily. "If you wouldn't mind." "Not at all!" Quatre said, smiling brightly. "Come along, Duo. I would like to see a city for the first time." Duo was glaring fit to kill, but he rose without resistance, padding gracefully along at Quatre's side. For some reason, it didn't look unusual in the least that the man was walking with a leopard at his side. There was something decidedly exotic about Quatre. Something Heero couldn't define. One way or another, Heero determined to make Quatre
change his mind. He didn't want to spend the next who knew how many
days without Duo in his arms.
tbc |
