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"Aishiteru"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Angst, mention of NCS (brief), fluff,
nondescript lemon, mild language, AU Unbeta’ed Pairings: 1x2, 6xOC "Aishiteru" Ch 3 Relena attached herself to his arm the moment we emerged and though he was tolerant of her presence I could see the irritation on his brow. He obviously wasn’t going to get away with ‘I’m married to my work’ with her but I could almost see the gears in his head turning while he tried to figure out a solution. I was also powerless to stop the hateful glare he leveled on Zechs when he insisted I join him in a bath to relieve us of the afternoon heat because there was no way to explain before I was spirited away. “He shows great promise,” the prince commented while he lay lazily back in the cool water. “Who?” I inquired having trouble deciphering the comment as my skin had reddened the moment my clothes were off and his eyes drank me in. “Hiiro,” he chuckled at my discomfort. “He is a great warrior,” I agreed feeling marginally better once my lower half was submerged. “Is?” he smiled and I reddened further yet. “He is still young but there is honor in his way,” he commented. “Are you aware of his ambitions?” he asked laying his head back to close his eyes. “He will become the greatest knight in the kingdom,” I informed him feeling ever more uneasy when he cracked an eye open and peered at me. “Even greater than Sir Charles?” he smiled. I wasn’t comfortable with the subject but I wasn’t going to back down either. “Sir Charles is a formidable force,” I explained. “But Hiro’s destiny is unparalleled. He will serve our kingdom well.” “Hn,” he mused closing his eyes again. “I can’t help but wonder why a foreigner such as he would be so dedicated to this land.” “His heart is true,” I stated firmly. “It was our people who saved him from slavers.” “Then why not simply return to his homeland and defend his kin?” I had no ready answer because I’d never thought about it before. Why did he stay? “Perhaps he intends to enlist our aid in putting a stop to the raids,” I reasoned though I wasn’t sure over the prospect at all. “A noble intention,” he commented. “Though perhaps a bit too deep for such a barbaric mind.” “Hiiro is no barbarian!” I snapped then flushed when he raised his head critically. “He has a plan,” I insisted contritely. “He’s just been too busy honing his skills to study much.” “You appear to hold him in high regard,” he commented sitting up a little. “He’s…” but my tongue stopped when the term lover rested along the tip, “…my best friend.” “An odd conception considering you can’t even talk to one another,” he smirked. “There are other ways to communicate,” I argued but a hot flash washed over my skin when he smiled and replied… “Indeed.” I could feel the heat in Hiiro’s gaze when we returned to the yard and tried to reassure him with a smile that all was well but not even Relena’s insistent vying for his attention drew him away. She grew ever more frustrated as I crossed the yard then huffed and tossed her kerchief on the table before storming away. However, she paused before entering the house with a shocked expression on her face that he hadn’t followed then stomped her foot and went inside when he stood and joined me by the wall. He stood beside me as causally as one can manage with a scowl on their face but leaned ever closer as if trying to scent me and I giggled under my hand at the idea that he as trying to discern my activities over the past hour. We were in the bath so he wasn’t going to smell anything but water and soap but he was trying anyway. I felt bad for his discomfort though so I leaned my head over so he could peer at the healthy quality of my skin and he eased off a bit but I noticed Zechs watching us from across the yard and straightened. Hiiro scowled until I offered him a bit of the fruit I was eating and he snatched it up and devoured it arrogantly. His behavior was making it difficult to hide our involvement from his Highness but I couldn’t help but feel elated by his jealously. Sir Charles seemed out of sorts about the bath as well but I wasn’t sure if he was concerned for my virtue, as that would imply an accusation toward Zechs, or simply irritated that our guest was taking up my time. Considering his station I had a feeling he was aware of the prince’s love of men but there was no way he would address it and expose him so he simply stewed. He did managed to make sure I had extra duties that kept me too busy to visit with our guests for the remainder of the day but once dinner was prepared there was no way to separate us. Relena was right there ready to keep him company and though he patronized her I could see the effort it took to be civil simmering in his gaze. I hadn’t gotten a chance to explain about Zechs yet so there was also the promise of pain in his eyes whenever the prince spoke to me but when he insisted I join him for a nightcap in his room Hiiro nearly came undone. “See to the watchman,” Sir Charles interjected sternly before Hiiro could spit out whatever venomous tidbit rested on his tongue when he rose with singular purpose after the invitation. I could see the enormous effort it took for him to obey and the frustration in his stride as he left but there was little I could do. Even if I went after him there was no way I could explain in detail so I sighed and followed our curious prince to his chambers. “Your friend is very protective,” Zechs informed me while I sat rigidly on his couch. “He is wary,” I agreed. “Not without just cause,” he chuckled taking a long drink of his wine while his eyes looked me over. “Though I can’t help but wonder if you understand his true intentions.” “Hiiro is a good man,” I stated firmly rising to pace to the window for a breath of air though when I got there I couldn’t help looking for him along the wall. “Whatever his intention it is noble, that I can assure you.” He watched me for a time in which I discovered you cannot tell one man from another when silhouetted by the night sky then rose and came to stand behind me. I tensed when he reached out and took the end of my braid but was unable to do more than await his council. “You truly are a beauty,” he praised daring to bring the tassel of my hair to his mouth. “Don’t,” I breathed trying desperately to quail the burning desire to fly. “It is a small indulgence,” he bargained holding it just before his lips. “Please,” I begged feeling the trembling in my hands. “I’ve never been touched by any other hand.” “If that’s supposed to be a deterrent you need a new angle,” he chuckled but dropped my braid. I was just about to take a clear breath when he stepped up behind me and I felt his breath on my neck. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” he asked letting the heat in the question argue his case. “It is no longer a matter of choice,” I explained fighting the desire to climb out the window and get away from him. “Then your heart is truly lost,” he sighed but seemed unable to back away from the scent of my skin. “On the contrary,” I countered turning in a way that forced him to step back. “I know exactly where it is.” “Indeed,” he smiled in an odd way that made me glance over my shoulder but there was nothing but the night beyond. “Come,” he said while offering his hand but his manor had shifted to one of tolerant acceptance. “I wish to hear more about your youth.” I took his hand by way of an apology for his loss and let him lead me back to the couch where he sat me down and began his endless questions about my childhood. It wasn’t long before the many hours without sleep and gentle quality of the night took their toll and I began to slump in my seat and the next thing I knew daylight was streaming through the window and I came awake. “Hiiro!?” I gasped when my eyes shot wide open then I recognized the room and whipped around to confirm that Zechs was sound asleep in his bed. I got out of there as fast as my feet would carry me but had the misfortune of running into Sir Charles along the way to my room. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?” he groused while he slammed his sword belt down on a table. I noted that young Ceil, the stable boy, was by his side and appeared to be doing my job and paled while Sir Charles asked, “Or has the good prince finished with your favor?” “What? No!” I balked. “It’s not like that!” “Off with you,” he told Ceil who beat a path out of there before he turned to me with a scolding accusation in his eyes. “There are those among us who know Prince Zechs quite well,” he informed me. “You’ve no need to lie to me.” “But, I’m not ly…” I tried but shut up when his gantlet came down on the table so hard it splintered wood. There was fire in his eyes when he turned them on me and I backed away fearfully while he growled, “Did he force you?” “No!” I gasped. “I told you…” “Then coercion was the way,” he thrummed clenching his eyes furiously. “Nothing happened!” I insisted. “Don’t lie!” he roared throwing the table against the wall where it shattered into a million pieces. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you!” “But, I…” I stammered trying to quail his anger but he just kept getting more enraged. Neither of us got to say anything more as the noise had alerted the guards who stepped in then stopped uncertainly upon seeing the confrontation. I took a moment to consider all that had happened and decided it would be wise to address the situation when Sir Charles was in a more reasonable mood but when I bolted for the door he commanded my capture. “Hold him!” he bellowed and I was suddenly snapped up. “Bring him to the yard,” he commanded and fear split my chest. I didn’t understand. If he though Zechs had molested me then why was he so angry with me about it? It didn’t make any sense at all. He’d always been a kind and just employer, a man of honor and mercy so why?! Why?! “UN!” I grunted when the first lash fell. He had the men tie me to the whipping steak and meant to enact the punishment he’d promised on the day of our guest’s arrival but he was in such a rage the lash cut deep with every blow. “Ah!” I hissed when the fifth strike fell. The guards looked warily to one another as confounded by his actions as I but could do nothing but watch. I knew something was terribly wrong when the beating went well past the usual ten lashes and felt the strength bleeding from my legs but still the whip fell then suddenly it stopped and I turned just in time to see Hiiro slam into Sir Charles and take him off his feet. “Hiiro!” I shouted but couldn’t get loose from the steak while they lit into each other. “Get me down!” I insisted and though the guards looked uncertain they knew me well enough to comply. “Stop!” I yelled daring to come close to the fight then paled when everyone started filing into the yard. “Stop it!” I growled dancing in front of Sir Charles when Hiiro went skipping along the ground but he didn’t even slow down and knocked me clear before slamming into Hiiro again. “Put a stop to it,” Zechs commanded of Creole who cocked his head then went to the well. The fight stalled when he tossed a bucket of cold water on them but their eyes were still spiting fire in spite of the discerning eyes of our company. “If you’re finished,” Zechs intoned in an even and unfriendly tenor that brought a great deal of shame to Sir Charles eyes but it paled in the shadow of the sorrow that infected him when he looked my way. “Sir Charles,” I breathed wanting nothing more than to understand and put it right but he snorted disgustedly and swaggered toward the cellar where he disappeared into the dark. I didn’t understand what was going on but nothing moved until Zechs sighed heavily then walked across the yard to follow in Sir Charles foot steps. Relena was standing by the door still in her dressing robe looking as bewildered as a freshly shot sparrow but I hadn’t realized the extent of the damage I’d taken until my knees gave out and I tumbled to the ground. “Duo!” Hiiro shouted rushing to my side. “Duo?” he called lifting me gingerly but he refused to turn me onto my lacerated back. “Sorry,” was all I could manage. He looked at me as if I’d lost my mind then broke my heart all over again when tears leaked from his beautiful eyes. I couldn’t stop him and didn’t want to when he leaned down and kissed my hair while he held me gently until a stretcher could be brought. I was taken to my room and cleaned up then left for the healers who anointed me with strange oils and applied poultices to the cuts. It wasn’t as bad as I first thought as the emotional turmoil had robbed me of a good deal of my strength but it stung and had stolen my energy away. I just couldn’t reason why he did it but Hiiro’s appearance at my door brushed the thoughts away. He came to my bedside and sat slowly while he looked hatefully at the poultices on my back then reached out to brush his fingers down what healthy skin he could find and hissed, “K’so.” I didn’t know exactly what the word mean but he’d used it enough times when busting a knuckle to reveal it was a curse of some sort and I smiled. “I’ll live,” I sighed wishing he could understand me. I froze when he lifted my braid not only because he had brought it to his mouth but the fact that he was mirroring what Zechs had done did not escape me. He was unable to stop me when I rose up enough to turn my head and gape at him but what I saw in his eyes stole my breath away. There was such longing there it broke my heart but I didn’t know how to put it right so I did the only thing I could think of and pushed the tassel a little closer to his mouth. If he was watching when Zechs attempted to kiss it then he also knew he had failed and I was rewarded with a slow smile when Hiiro laid his lips along the strands. There was nothing we could do when we realized Relena was standing in the door then she turned silently and left. I was permitted to rise the following day though my torso was wrapped under my clothes to prevent seepage. It didn’t hurt all that much anymore so I returned to my duties only to discover that our company was preparing to leave. “I’ll expect you at the tournament next month,” Zechs was saying to Sir Charles who stood tall by his side. “Of course,” he nodded curtly and though I tried to catch his eyes he refused to look at me. “Perhaps you should bring your apprentice along,” Zechs suggested standing expectantly beside his mount. Sir Charles ears reddened but he leaned down to cup his hands and helped the prince into his seat. “Considering his performance here I should think he would stand a decent chance in a legitimate contest.” “He’ll need a squire…” Sir Charles began but Zechs cut him off. “I should think Duo would suffice.” My heart raced upon the implication though I would miss Sir Charles greatly. However, if I were assigned as Hiiro’s squire there would be no reason for anyone to question us staying together. Sir Charles opened his mouth to object then stalled and flashed a glance at me. His eyes then turned to where Hiiro stood by the stable before he closed his mouth and gave a curt nod. “Splendid,” Zechs smiled leaning down just far enough to touch Sir Charles chin sweetly before commenting, “I will sleep better knowing he is well cared for.” My jaw was slowly dropping while my mind worked it out but the idea that the prince was sleeping with Sir Charles was too much. No wonder he was so angry! I was so thrilled to know it wasn’t something I had done I couldn’t stop myself from beaming a smile so bright even my reluctant master got the message. He cocked a brow that seemed confused but obviously understood I didn’t blame him for beating me then Relena bustled in the gate drawing everyone’s attention. “Where in the world have you been?” Zechs grumbled but she ignored him and marched right up to me, many layered skirts and all. I wanted to run from the determination in her eyes but there was nowhere to go then she grabbed my hands and forced something into them before whipping around and heading for her carriage. “What have you been doing?” Zechs inquired. “You’re filthy,” he observed looking at her soiled hands while something bounced about inside my brain. “Treasure hunting,” she smiled then turned and wrinkled her nose at me. “Wait!” I gasped rushing in so fast not even Zechs could stop me before I had her in my arms and hugged her tight. “Thank you,” I whispered wishing with all my heart every maiden in the world could be just like her. “Hold him dear,” she advised pushing me to a more respectable distance and it struck me that here was the one woman in all the world who could understand. I turned to see a soft smile on Zechs lips confirming my revelation then she climbed in the carriage and they disappeared. “The tournament is less that five weeks away!” Sir Charles suddenly bellowed. “If you’re to be ready you’ll have to start training today!” Hiiro stood up curiously as he didn’t understand what exactly was going on then smiled when I breezed by and led him into the shadows. “You’re going to compete,” I told him giddily while he tried to crawl under my clothes. “You,” I said indicating him with a touch to his chest. “Are going to the tournament,” I smiled shaking a lance that was hung on the wall and his eyes lit up. “Yes!” I laughed then he snatched me off the ground, dumped me in the farthest most stall and loved me blind. It wasn’t until the fire had dimmed and he held me gently in the afterglow that he raised my hand and kissed the ring upon my finger then whispered, “Aishiteru.” We had a lot more time for such things once I was assigned as his squire but I had to cut him off when he refused to study. Using this method gained him the power to engage in short conversations by the time the games began and I finally learned what aishiteru really means. It’s so much more than a simple I love you. There is timeless devotion and unending desire in the word. It is unconditional acceptance, irrepressible passion and unwavering loyalty. Aishiteru means I love you in every possible way, for better or for worse, undeniably, uncontrollably and irrefutably forever.
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