"Center Ring"

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: AU/Fantasy/Adventure, Angst, fluff, sap, mile gore at one point, mild lemons, mild language

Pairings: Eventual 1x2, Singular 2x4/5x2 encounters, 3x4, Eventual 5x6x9

Summary: The last of the world’s half animal hybrid’s face the adventure of a lifetime when they are sent to capture a rogue that appears determined to start a war. However, it is unclear as events unfold what his true purpose is and exactly who is hunting who.

This is an unbeta’ed version.

View Art for Center Ring: Pic 1, Pic 2

" Center Ring "

Ch 2

The moment they were close enough to the ground Hiiro dropped the slight blond into the waiting arms of his elliptical eyed lover before landing next to the fire Wufei was setting in a ring of stones with his smoldering breath. This was something that usually didn’t happen around the circus as well. One of the many restrictions that had been placed on the dragon whelp was no fire breathing. He wasn’t even allowed to do it in the shows as it tended to seriously freak people out.

“So,” Wufei grinned toothily admiring the small flame he had captured on the end of a stick. “Where do we start?” he asked before blowing a small stream of flame from between his lips to dance with his little friend.

“Tomorrow,” Hiiro informed them causing them all to cringe and fade back a little as he shook the night air out of his feathers. It wasn’t wise to be caught unaware by one of Hiiro’s wings. “We’ll investigate its last known location in the morning,” he added crouching by the fire to warm his hands.

“What about tonight?” Trowa asked cradling the still slightly shaky unicorn in his arms.

“Why don’t you go warm him up,” Hiiro smirked. Trowa only took a moment to mirror the expression before he seized the cerulean eyed stripling and disappeared into the bushes with a quietly contained roar.

“Was that wise?” Wufei chuckled casually lighting another branch on fire.

“We’ll need them thinking about the hunt tomorrow,” Hiiro reasoned. “Not each other.”

“Good luck,” the dragon scoffed tossing his play thing into the flames. “Have you thought about what we’re up against?” he asked rolling over onto his stomach in the soft grass, his elegantly tapered back arched just so; showing off the firm, round, half naked flesh of his golden ass where his pants where slit to accommodate his two meter long tail as he waved his glistening, transparent wings absently in the breeze. Hiiro knew what he was doing, he tolerated his constant temptations much the same as Quatre’s but at least he knew Quatre was only teasing most of the time. Wufei on the other hand had every intention of seducing him, the only stipulation being that he wanted top. Hiiro didn’t do bottom.

“No,” the Eaglet replied choosing to ignore the blatant display.

“Hm,” Wufei mused rocking his slender body gently by tipping one foot this way then that. “It flies,” he sighed picking a long blade of grass and slipping it into his mouth as he turned half towards the night sky. “Has a dark essence,” he went on curling his long, prehensile tongue around the bright green blade as he slipped it from between his supple lips. “And it appears to prefer small farm animals as its main meal,” he sighed finally setting the blade of grass on fire with a small puff of flame. Hiiro was on him with one graceful leap.

“Do not mock me,” he snarled into the dragons grinning face as he pinned him to the warm ground.

“Feeling a little frustrated after our flight with little Missss Fancy?” Wufei teased letting his black tongue slip out to tickle Hiiro’s chin on the miss.

“Don’t tempt me tonight,” Hiiro warned tightening his grip painfully around the taunting reptiles wrists.

“I will ease your frustration,” Wufei promised lifting his thigh up between Hiiro’s legs until it pressed firmly against his already rising need. “All you need do is let me,” he reasoned smiling that evil little smile of his. The smile disappeared instantly when he saw Hiiro’s will suddenly shift. “WAIT!” he snarled in his harmonic voice as Hiiro dove on him. He struggled violently knowing he didn’t stand a chance against the Eagles superior strength but he couldn’t cope with the idea of being uke again. This had happened before when he’d pushed the blue eyed aviator too far. Twice since he’d known him he’d managed to cause him to break and even though deep down he was honestly thrilled to be coupled with the powerful fledgling he really, really couldn’t deal with being bottom! “STOP!”

“Shut up!” Hiiro growled clamping both of his wrists in one hand so he could use the other to rid him of the thin white pants he always wore.

Wufei was a veritable mass of writhing limbs and furiously flapping wings as he desperately tried to escape. Hiiro; as well; had extended his long, heavily feathered boughs to give him the leverage he needed to hold the squirming dragon down. He wasn’t as strong as Hiiro but he wasn’t exactly a pansy either. Dragons were known for their great strength and dexterity so it was no mean feat to subdue him without actually breaking his bones.

“NO!” Wufei roared feeling Hiiro push himself against his body.

The heat curled in his bowels, his body betraying his mind; his throat betraying them all as he reached the pit of his desperation and let loose a thick column of red hot flames right in Hiiro’s face. He realized his mistake as the sizzling fire split six inches away from the Eaglets nose flaring out to the sides to harmlessly die in the air, his black eyes blinking without closing as the second set of transparent lids opened and closed protecting his eyes from his own fire and any debris it might have caused. However, all it appeared to do was seriously piss Hiiro off.

There was a low gurgling sound deep in his throat as his pupils contracted and expanded. He was one of the few creatures on Earth that could actually see the intricate texture of the dragon whelps skin. It wasn’t skin really, but a collection of fine, golden scales so tiny they were invisible to the eyes of a human but Hiiro could see them as easily as he could see the terrified surrender in his black eyes as he lifted him up, turned him over and slammed him against the ground. In this position Wufei wasn’t able to breathe fire on him and he didn’t dare utilize his sharp tail unless he wanted Hiiro to jerk a knot in it for him. He was helpless to do much but flail about as the Eaglet had is way with him.

For all his teasing, tempting and ridiculous antics Hiiro was still fond of the idiot dragon but he held no sympathy for him at that moment. He’d pushed it too far and would have to pay the price. The last time this had happened Hiiro hadn’t had to endure anymore of his bullshit for almost a month. But then, they weren’t on a hunt then and he hadn’t released him for three days having carried him off to the top of a cliff where he nested and mated him almost continuously. He figured he should get at least a weeks peace out of this one as he carefully released him and backed away leaving him panting and spitting flames in his climatic rage.

“Do not tempt me again,” he warned earning a hateful glare and nasty hiss before the violated dragon suddenly burst into the sky leaving a trail of bright yellow flames in his wake. Yeah, at least a week.

Wufei was considerably more subdued the next morning. He’d apparently slept in the stony crags above their campsite in lieu of being anywhere near the Eagle. Quatre and Trowa had reemerged about three a.m. and curled up together by the dying fire. Neither questioned the dragons absence until they saw the way he was leering at Hiiro over breakfast preferring to use Trowa as a shield between himself and the slight unicorn instead of his usual favorite.

“Are you feeling ill Wufei?” Quatre asked in mock concern earning a fiery glare from the sulking dragon. “You appear a trifle... peaked this morning,” the blond grinned munching on the salad he’d made himself from the surrounding foliage. Neither he nor his courtly lover had missed the fact that he hadn’t made a single lurid suggestion all day.

“Where is the site?” Wufei grumbled indignantly ignoring the teasing as Hiiro threw the bones of the fish he’d been munching on into the fire.

He hadn’t had fresh trout in so long. It was pleasing to know he hadn’t lost his ability to hunt for himself. Trowa as well had proven his skills bringing in a small rabbit meant mostly just for himself as Hiiro preferred the aquatic meal and Quatre was a strict vegetarian. Wufei’s preferences were still as yet unknown to any of them as he made it a habit to dine... elsewhere. None of them had ever so much as seen the dragon take a drink of water.

“South,” Quatre smiled coyly tossing an amused glance at his long maned lover. “You know,” he giggled “The bottom of the range”.

Wufei was on his feet hissing madly, his great wings spread menacingly as he bared his fangs at the delighted unicorn who was now safely tucked behind Trowa’s imposing visage as he placed himself between the warring pair.

“Ooooooh,” Quatre teased darting back and forth behind Trowa with glee as the dragon fumed so hotly smoke poured from the corners of his mouth. “Bit off a bit more than you could chew?” he taunted laughing and dodging as Wufei’s tail poked at him from the left as the dragon moved to the right. The two encircling the sagacious lion cub as they danced dangerously close to the edge of a potentially damaging confrontation. It ended when Quatre suddenly found himself doused in the stream water Hiiro had collected to kill the fire.

“AHHHG!” the colt cringed feeling the sting of the icy water drench him clear to the bone.

Even Trowa couldn’t help but chuckle at the dripping wet foal standing there shivering in the early morning air. Wufei was down right hysterical over it literally rolling around on the grass holding his ribs.

“What the..!”

“Stop teasing,” Hiiro told him.

“You!...You! uhg!”

“You’re as bad as he is,” the Eaglet snapped. “Behave,” he ordered as they began to settle down again.

Trowa brushed the dripping, golden bangs out of his lover’s eyes still obviously amused by Hiiro’s solution but doing his best to comfort the shaken foal just the same.

“We have a job to do” Hiiro reminded them dumping the remaining water on the fire. They took off for their southern destination before the steaming white cloud had fully dissipated on the wind.

What they found when they arrived both shocked and sickened them. In a cave on the west side of the southern most peak they found the remains of what appeared to be the disemboweled bodies of the local farmer’s livestock. Even Trowa was set ill at ease at the sight and he came from a lineage that regularly tore their supper from their prey with bared teeth. Still, his human half was revolted by what his slit eyes were perceiving. The smell alone was enough to knock him off his feet.

“What could have done this?” Quatre asked feeling a little contrite for it as he glanced at his feline lover. “Well,” he amended knowing Trowa would have been easily capable of creating the carnage before his eyes. “What would have done this then?” he rephrased the question covering his nose against the foul stench.

“They look... gnawed upon,” Wufei grimaced checking one of the bloated hogs that appeared to be half eaten.

“Can you pick up a scent?” Hiiro asked anyone that cared to listen.

“In this horrid stink?” Wufei scoffed making a sour face. “You’re joking right?”

“Me neither,” Hiiro confirmed scanning the caves recesses with his superior eyesight. “Check outside,” he instructed going to have a closer look in the caves shadowy depths. He rejoined his partners a few minutes later to find them gathered just outside the caves mouth.

“Humans,” Trowa informed him. “They’ve been here,” he surmised pointing out the shuffling foot prints in the dirt. “If They’ve seen this there’s no doubt their up in arms over it,” he concluded gaining nothing but agreement from his colleges.

“Bet it scared’em shitless,” Wufei chuckled swallowing the mirth as Hiiro’s dark blue eyes seized his gaze.

It really wasn’t funny when humans got scared. They tended to shoot first and ask questions later. Whatever it was it was digging its own grave behaving like this.

“It must fly in and out,” Quatre mused catching a small sparrow on his out stretched finger and nuzzling it against his pale cheek.

There were no unicorns left in the world but he was as fluent with the other creatures of the forest as his pure blooded counterparts. He couldn’t actually speak to the animals but he understood their feelings and these weren’t telling him anything horrible had been there. Actually, they appeared fairly pleased with the turn of events save for the short invasion of humans that had temporarily disturbed their peace.

“Confirmed,” Trowa offered as well. “We found no scent other than the usual wildlife around the parameter,” he reported.

“Wufei?” Hiiro asked making sure to keep an honorable distance from the dragon whelp.

“Confirmed,” was his only reply.

Yep. At least a week. Hiiro grinned under his breath. Peace was a good thing. Getting laid didn’t hurt either.

“He’s black,” Hiiro informed them turning his face to the brightening sky as the others considered him curiously. “So keep your eyes trained on the shadows,” he instructed pulling what looked like a long, ebony black feather from his shirt.

“Another male?” Wufei asked sounding disappointed.

Hiiro held out the feather which upon closer inspection wasn’t a feather at all though it truly did resemble one. It was more like a leathery plate. One thin shaft like a feather but the membrane protruding from the sides was more like Wufei’s wings. Smooth, flesh like, thin enough to see through if it hadn’t been for the absolute pitch of the color and as soft as a babies bottom to the touch. It definitely reeked of male pheromones. Wufei sniffed it twice breathing the scent in deeply and making absolutely no effort to hide his obvious fascination with the aroma. It didn’t appear that he was disappointed about it being a male anymore though.

“We’ll make camp in the clearing fifty meters to the south,” Hiiro instructed.

“A stake out?” Quatre mused sounding as if he agreed.

“You think he’ll return?” Trowa asked.

“We’ll have a look around but one of us should stand watch just in case,” the Eaglet reasoned. “Why don’t you and Trowa find us a soft spot while Wufei and I scout the surrounding hills?” he suggested gaining two nods before the couple went off to take care of the camp. Soon, he and Wufei were flying north combing the countryside for any sign of their elusive target.

Their only hope was to locate him and convince him to join them. Otherwise there would be a full search and destroy mission that would not only end with the renegades death but probably wipe out half the mountain range as well. The government didn’t play games when it came to ridding the world of what they considered dangerous abnormalities. This particular hybrid was already on their bad side with the horrific scene back in the cave. Why in the hell would anyone with half a mind do such a thing? Surely it wasn’t just for the sake of food? That was easily enough obtained without the necessity of wrenching creature’s limb from limb like that. Perhaps he was trying to frighten people away? It wasn’t an unheard of ploy but it wasn’t really all that intelligent in today’s world either. This wasn’t the middle ages. Frightened people didn’t run scared to other parts of the land. They called in big air planes with huge guns and big bombs that would effectively eliminate the scary stuff and make them feel safe.

Hiiro landed after several hours of fruitless searching to rest his wings and drink from a crystal stream that trickled down one of the mountains. It was so beautiful. The air was clean and the trees were so old he could almost hear them whispering to each other of eons gone by. Gods, how he wished he could remain. He dreaded going back to his little nest in the back of the fifth wagon in the train. If he had to do one more stupid show where kids shot spit balls and young girls swooned in the aisles as the great angel did pallor tricks for them he really just thought he might hurl. The discontenting thoughts faded from his mind however, as he took flight once again. Nothing could really dampen his spirits when he was free to fly. He’d deal with it when the time came. Right then, it was his time to soar and that’s just what he did.

After searching for over ten hours in every little cave, nook and cranny he could find he headed back to the campsite and his odd little pack. They really had nothing more in common than the fact that they were all half human. Their species were just about as far apart as you can get but they were a family all the same. The hard reality was they were all they had and it had formed a tight bond between them. Hiiro knew that they all secretly hoped with all their heart that this new arrival would be another strong link in the chain that held them together. Wufei was already there when he touched down, the windstorm from his thunderous wings fanning the campsite; blowing up dust and making the fire dance in protest.

“Any luck?” Quatre smiled turning the fish Trowa had caught for Hiiro on the spit over the fire. Hiiro merely shook his head as he shook out his wings before coming over to join them.

“Me either,” Wufei sighed. He seemed much less agitated this evening. Whether it was from the romp with Hiiro the night before or the long day flying couldn’t be discerned but it was a welcome change either way.

“Smells good,” Hiiro smiled leaning over Quatre’s shoulder to pinch off a piece of the perch he was roasting.

“Thanks,” the blond replied smiling while the fledgling hovered near his cheek chewing the bit of fish.

“You catch this?” he asked.

“Of course not!” Quatre huffed indignantly.

“But your cooking it,” Hiiro grinned.

“HE caught it and skewered it!” the colt informed him pointing the stick he’d been tending the fire with at Trowa accusingly. “I’m just turning it over,” he huffed lifting his pert little nose in the air.

“Thank you,” Hiiro grinned patting his pert little ass twice before retreating to get himself a drink.

Quatre’s eyebrows shot up along with Trowa’s who stood stock still in shock over the Eaglets odd behavior since he never, never took the playful initiative.

Hiiro ended up dousing his head in the cool water they had collected as well as getting his drink to wash away some of the days grit. Trowa almost forgot to turn the partridge he’d caught for himself as he watched the dark haired fledgling all but playing in the water, tossing his hair about as he breathed in the refreshingly cool air. It wasn’t until he turned around that even Wufei gasped at the light shining in his eyes.

“What?” he smiled tossing his wet hair one more time to rid his long bangs of the dripping crystal drops of pure mountain spring water.

Quatre could not have helped the huge grin on his face if his life had depended on it as he replied; obviously feeling decidedly giddy just looking at the shimmering, white winged Eagle, “You look … positively radiant,” he heard himself laugh delightedly.

“Really?” Hiiro mused turning to look at himself in the surface of the water. He saw nothing out of the ordinary, perhaps the smile was what was throwing them off?

There seemed to be a general consensus to let the subject go as they turned their attention to filling their bellies and updating each other on the day’s events. No one had much to offer however. Wufei had scouted much the same way Hiiro had. Quatre and Trowa wandered into the nearest village being capable of passing as normal humans as long as the green eyed feline didn’t look anyone straight in the eye but They’d come up with nothing new either. As suspected, the villagers were in a fit over recent events and none to anxious to welcome new comers but there were no new abductions of live stock or anything out or the ordinary.

The following two days yielded much the same results. The lion and the foal visited three of the other small townships coming up with much the same story while the two aviators scoured the sky and land unsuccessfully. Each night when they returned to the camp they checked the cave again but found nothing but the odd carnivore chewing on what remained of the hybrids work. After the third day they decided not to go back there anymore. Nothing living would brave that scene again, nothing with a sense of smell at least.

His companions oddly amused expressions whenever they looked at him was beginning to annoy Hiiro. He once again stood by the collected water bathing himself like a sparrow in a birdbath after his long day’s flight. He felt decided well for having had the chance to soar so high for so long in such a beautiful place when he realized they were all standing behind him grinning like idiots as they watched.

“What!?” he snapped but the animosity died a horrible death as his own infectious laugher overshadowed it and spilled from his throat. What the hell was their problem?

“You’re just so beautiful when you do that,” Quatre chuckled.

“Amazing,” Trowa added laughing lightly as well.

“Ssssssavory,” Wufei hissed slithering up so quickly Hiiro didn’t have time to squash him before he twined himself around his body like a snake climbing a tree ticking everything he could get his nasty little claws on all the way up.

“AH HA HA HA HA!” Hiiro laughed, the sound of it slamming into Quatre and Trowa like a tidal wave of pure, unmitigated joy sending their own adrenalin levels right through the roof as they gave into their desires and dove on the giggling Eagle tickling him madly until they all lay in a panting heap on the ground trying to catch their breath. They ended up laughing at each other and telling stories from their youth before the war had changed all their lives instead of mulling over their failure to produce any progress in their search that night.

It was obvious that the two lovers had found enough time during the day to enjoy each others intimacy because they tended to stay at camp at night. Wufei was quickly reverting back to his usual self however, but it didn’t seem to bother Hiiro half as much as it usually did. This was the only reason the dragon was currently laying on his side with his wings folded tight against his back and his head on Hiiro’s thigh as they watched the fire and their companions sleeping faces.

“Do you think he’s moved on?” Wufei asked absently stroking Hiiro’s calf with his thumb.

“Maybe,” the Eaglet replied staring at the black, feathery defector that had once been a part of the creature they sought as he twirled it between his fingers.

“Think they’ll let us keep looking?”

It was possible that they would be called back once they returned for the show the next day if they had nothing to go on. That meant slipping back into the shackles gifted them by their loving government. Hiiro chose not to speculate instead running the ebony feather under his nose once more, breathing in the scent that somehow compelled him to keep searching everyday. The impossible softness of the thing as he drew it across his lips tasting its odd complexity with a tongue that could discern the individual flavors of even the most complicated fare; yet he couldn’t figure out what this being might be. The flavor was distinct but like nothing he’d ever come across before. What rare creature could this human have been crossed with that even he, a god of the earth and sky, had never come in contact with it?

“Quatre?” Trowa’s groggily concerned tone interrupted his thoughts. His brow furrowed worriedly when he got a look at the sweat beading up on the foals pale forehead. “Quatre!?” Trowa said again coming fully awake, his despair over his lovers intensifying trembling growing more frantic by the moment. “Quatre! Wake up!” he said firmly as Hiiro moved to their side with Wufei in his wake but the blond boy only screwed his sublime face up as if in some sort of pain and tried to push his lover away, the fear in his chest manifesting itself in waves as it crashed over his teammates. “Quatre!” Trowa shouted getting to his knees and shaking the blond hard but still he wouldn’t wake. The lion cub looked up into Hiiro’s eyes clearly terrified of what was happening and desperate for a solution but all Hiiro could do was lay a hand on his pale forehead and call his name as well.

“Quatre?... hey… wake up,” he coaxed feeling his chest tighten as he watched helplessly.

“Quatre!” Trowa tried again; his voice bordering on hysteria. “What’s wrong?! Wake up!” His emerald eyes shot open in pure horrific terror as the blond boy suddenly surged as if he were going to vomit but all that came out was a ragged scream that left his voice horse and jagged as he fought for air in Trowa’s arms and rasped “He’s north... now... gotta find him.”

“Quatre?” Trowa breathed in relief as the other’s scrambled in their preparation to leave.

“Now,” the blond gasped again trying to stand on still wobbly legs.

“Rest a minute,” the feline insisted trying to force him back down again but he refused to budge.

“We’ve gotta go,” the colt insisted gripping his shirt for support as his big, frightened eyes met Trowa’s uncomprehending gaze. “He’s taken a child,” he told him bluntly stopping all motion in the camp for a long moment as they all absorbed the meaning of that statement.

None of them were willing to entertain visions of that cave they’d been guarding and a child in the same thought. It wasn’t possible. Hybrids didn’t do things like that. They didn’t kill for fun or revenge like the humans did. It wasn’t in their nature. Still, they had to find him and return the child no matter what the cost. If they didn’t the consequences would most likely be fatal to them all. This was just the type of thing that the government had constantly hyped about when Treize was working so hard to earn them their right to survive. They had to find him. Now.

~ * ~

tbc...

Chapter 3

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