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"The Negotiator"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,
Sexual favors from a dragon? ^0^ (non graphic), Eventual Lemon, Mild
violence, My corky humor lol ^-^ Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xM Beta’ed by the wonderful Mechante Fille *hugs*
You’re the best baby! ^__^ Summary: Duo Maxwell finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime when he is hired by the future king of Lagrange to aid in dealing with an encroaching Dragon. However, he quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems. Wizards, Dragons and magic abound in this epic tale of adventure and discovery when one young man finds himself between two worlds and suddenly the future depends solely on his skills as The Negotiator. View art work commissioned
by SkyLark and drawn by t_shirt for "The Negotiator" - Click
HERE "The Negotiator" Ch 14 It was unclear how but Quatre’s men were already prepared for the trip by the time the small group arrived in their camp the next morning. Rashid, a huge, dark man with a voice like rolling thunder had greeted them with a hearty hello and respectful kiss to Quatre’s hand. It was made very clear, very quickly that the men of the Maguanac Corp were explicitly loyal to the Winner Sage, many of them coming to happily welcome their wayward master back into the fold of their family personally. Quatre greeted each by name asking after this or that and gifting them with his warm smile and Duo wondered how such a kind and adored leader could have become the enraged sorcerer he’d seen on the mountain but a soft smile from Hiiro helped him to understand. ‘I’m afraid our Arabians are not as wide in stature as your eastern war horses,” Rashid was saying as some of his men brought the group’s mounts around. “But I’m sure you’ll find them quite accommodating.” “They’re magnificent,” Wufei beamed, heading for a young stallion with dapple grey haunches. Since it was assumed Wufei and Duo would be flying back with Hiiro’s aid once they found the proper spell, Quatre had offered his steeds to save the necessity of returning Wufei’s to him once the deed was done. It appeared the Dragon Lord was more than happy with the arrangement as he stepped lightly into the stirrup and swung into the saddle of the tall, elegant stallion. Meriy followed suit but when Hiiro stepped up the gelding he approached whinnied alarmingly and danced away. Hiiro’s brow knit in such a way that the entire company was hiding their smiles as he stepped forward and once again the horse shied and retreated. “Maybe you still smell like a dragon,” Wufei teased, expertly stepping his own mount in a side cantor just to show off. “Maybe I should make this fool animal my first meal when I am returned to my true form,” Hiiro snipped, once again moving forward only to have the horse side step and shriek. The beast became so distraught as Hiiro attempted to tame it, it finally broke free of its handler and galloped off like the devil himself was hot on its heels. “It would seem,” Quatre chuckled at the confounded expression on Hiiro’s face, “That we will need a wagon.” ~ “Don’t sulk,” Trowa grinned as he hovered beside the wagon Hiiro sat upon. “It is unbecoming of a dragon in any form,” he laughed, narrowly avoiding getting smacked as he banked and rose into the sky. The day was bright, filling each of their hearts with hope as they set out together on their journey. It would be eight days before they reached the sandy dunes of the desert where Oasis was fabled to lie. There were those who swore such a place could not exist but the promise of treasure and fame often out weighed common sense, leading many young adventurers to their doom. The sands surrounding the mystical sanctuary were fraught with danger from the hand sized scorpion to the dreaded siabrie whose magical power was said to rival even that of the mighty dragons. The truth of their power or even their existence was unknown in the world of men however, as none had ever survived an encounter with one to tell the tale. The first two days passed by with relative ease. They headed southwest toward the Camerian pass in spite of the Camera leader’s volatile attitude. If they went north and surpassed the southern mountain range it would add days to their trip that Wufei felt they simply could not afford. The plan was to keep a low profile and avoid contact with others once within Camera. Once they were through the pass the road would be relatively safe until they reached the dreaded sands then it was all up to Quatre and his men to keep them alive. Hiiro had spent a good deal of his free time learning about his new body. It was frail and tired easily, leaving him frustrated and edgy at times but he gave credit for his bad temper more to Duo’s seemingly unavoidable absence than the fact that his sword arm was no better than Wufei’s. Meriy had given himself a headache from rolling his eyes at the man-dragon’s harping about weakness and endurance and finally told him in no uncertain terms that beating Wufei with a blade probably made him the best swordsman this side of the moon. Still, Hiiro was not used to the limitations and without Duo’s soothing presence he became more and more irritated. There was something wrong between them, something he couldn’t name or comprehend, but he was certain his mate was avoiding him and it did not sit well in his mind. “He’s amazing,” Trowa chuckled from where he sat beside Hiiro on his wagon and watched Duo chat amiably with his horse. The beast whinnied happily as if laughing at something his rider had said and kicked his knees high as he did a little side step and pranced around. It was almost as if he were showing off for the beautiful creature on its back but the sight only soured Hiiro’s stomach further yet. “Duo!” he called, feeling the need to confront whatever was building this wall between them. Duo smiled and said something to his mount that made him canter over and match the speed of the wagon. “Sit with me,” Hiiro smiled, patting the seat beside him. “There’s barely enough room for the two of you,” Duo laughed. “Come,” Hiiro insisted, inching back until Trowa was forced to take flight. “I want to speak with you.” Duo glanced warily at the seat but then smiled and slid out of the saddle and into his mate’s arms. “I missed you,” he was told as Hiiro’s mouth began nipping at his lips. “It shows,” Duo grinned, accepting the kiss but again the dragon felt the barrier rise up. “Duo.” “We should be stopping for dinner soon,” Duo cut in, turning as if to gage the position of the sun which was two hours too high for the dinner break. “Why are you avoiding me,” Hiiro asked bluntly. “I’m not…” Duo began but sighed in defeat the moment he looked into his mate’s accusing blue eyes. “Wagon’s make my stomach hurt,” he sighed, knowing full well it was a lame excuse Hiiro was never going to buy. Duo unconsciously shied when Hiiro’s hand brushed his shoulder, the action bringing the truth of the matter to light and Duo sighed again before he confessed, “I don’t want to… tease you.” “Tease me!” Hiiro grinned, emphasizing his enthusiasm over the idea by nibbling at the tender spot behind his mate’s ear. “Stop,” Duo chuckled but he was ignored until he repeated it in a more serious tone. “Duo, please,” the man-dragon groaned softly against his temple. “It feels like you’re slipping away from me.” “No!” Duo barked, wrapping him up tight. “I just… thought it would be easier if…” “I need you here,” Hiiro cut in. “Beside me. I’ll really go mad without your touch.” “I’m sorry,” Duo sighed again as he hugged him tight. His arms squeezed fiercely for a moment before he softly intoned, “How will we go back?” “Duo?” “If we go there,” he whispered, burying his face in Hiiro’s shoulder as he rasped, “How will we ever be satisfied with what we had?” “Oh, Duo,” Hiiro breathed. “Is that what’s bothering you?” Duo nodded as his throat suddenly didn’t wish to speak. “Mother’s eyes,” the dragon groaned, holding him close. “It doesn’t matter what body we’re in or if we even have one with which to pleasure each other,” he told him. “As long as I’m with you nothing else matters.” There was a long pause before Duo wept, “I… don’t know if I’m that strong.” “Of course you are.” “I want you so badly.” “And I you.” “But I want more…” “I know.” “What we had…it wasn’t perfect but I was ok with it.” “Shhh.” “And now… I’m scared…” “It’s ok.” “So scared… if we…” “Then we won’t.” Duo wiped his eyes and pulled back to gape at his smiling mate. “Hiiro,” he breathed reverently. “This could be your one chance…” “I’m sure it would be wonderful,” Hiiro smiled softly, caressing his cheek. “But I already have everything I need.” “You’re really ok with it if we don’t?” Duo asked uncertainly. “I would hear your voice hoarse and raw from screaming my name,” Hiiro told him, tensing with the words in a way that sent a sudden shiver down Duo’s spine but then he was there, his gentle kiss filling the braided one with peace and contentment as he proclaimed, “But I do not love you for your body alone. This,” he smiled touching a fingertip to Duo’s chest, “Is what my heart yearns for, as long as I have your spirit with me… I will be at peace.” “I love you,” Duo choked, falling into him. “Aishiteru,” Hiiro softly replied, unable to truly convey his meaning with any other word. The trek through the lower mountains was a pleasant enough journey. The weather had been good to them and there were ample resources to replenish their supplies. Wufei called a hunting party together on their fifth day out in which he and his men brought in a large deer and Hiiro claimed the lives of three hogs, a pheasant and a wild goat. He spent the next day and a half apologizing to Duo and trying to explain that only a few days before this would hardly have satisfied him for one meal. Duo finally forgave him but made it quite clear the wasting of unnecessary life was a heinous sin and would not be tolerated. The extra meat was left on the doorstep of a butcher in a small town just outside of the Camera boarder and they set out to traverse the country as discretely as possible. However, King Maldan was not without resources of his own and having known of the Winner Sage’s passing a short time before, set patrols along his boarders and roads in anticipation of his return. “There’s no way around,” Trowa reported, landing lightly among his companions. “How many?” Wufei inquired. “Fifteen on the road,” the jade replied. “Two more scouting ahead. They’ll find us within the half hour if we stay here.” “It would help if they were not forewarned,” Meriy commented. “I’ll handle them,” Duo interjected flipping the safety on his bow before slipping it back into its harness. “I’m coming…” “You wait in the wagon,” Duo cut his mate off. “Abdul, Carter…” Wufei began but the braided one merely sauntered off on his own. “I can move faster alone,” he called back. “Duo!” “Stay in the damn wagon!” Duo growled, leaving Hiiro with the most god awful, whipped puppy expression but he didn’t get to see it as he had already faded into the shadows of the trees. “Should we send someone after him?” Wufei mused but decided against it when Hiiro simply said… “I trust him.” It was easier to simply try to bluff their way though the King’s patrol than to attempt to skirt around them. With a little luck and Duo’s success with the scouts they would have the element of surprise on their side and would be able to convince the soldiers of their aspiring adventure for riches and fame in the burning sands and would be allowed to pass. “Hold!” a big, burly man with a white feather in his helmet called, holding up one gantlet in warning. “Good day to you!” Wufei smiled but reined in his mount, stopping the procession behind him as well. “Who are you and where have you come from?” the soldier demanded as his men milled around behind him. Wufei frowned, taking the time to adjust his tired rear in the saddle before replying. “As it is you who are detaining me I would expect better manners than to demand a man’s name without giving your own.” “We are agents of King Maldan,” the man snapped. “You need know no more. State your business in Camera!” “One would think Maldan would teach his men better form,” Quatre smiled, letting his wispy, silken hood slip off to reveal his entire head and the big man paled as Wufei’s brow knit when the soldier at the furthest rear of the line slumped and slid off his mount to pile on the ground. “You’re…” the soldier, gasped back-stepping his mount slowly. “I am,” Quatre smiled, ignoring it when a second man at the end of the line hit the ground. “You…” the big man began shying again when Rashid’s large mount sidled up beside Quatre making him look frail and small by comparison. His face paled considerably when Trowa descended from the sky to take the place opposite the large Maguanac but he managed to collect himself enough to speak. “Our King has… he knew of your journey to the east…” Another man fell at the end of the line. “We have been instructed to extend an invitation…” “I’m afraid I have no time to visit,” Quatre cut in. “Make way,” Meriy demanded, spurring his mount into stomping aggressively. “I’m sorry,” the man said, sounding as if he truly meant it. “But we must insist…” “Captain!” a shout went up as the growing number of fallen men in the rear was discovered and three more went down before all heads had turned. The sound of metal singing from sheaths filled the air and Wufei charged the captain only to gasp and veer his hopping mount right when the man went down horse and all, almost taking the Dragon Lord down with him. Wufei glanced back at Quatre but the wizard looked as shocked as he did. A moment later the rest of the enemy’s mounts suddenly began to rear up, tossing their riders, hooves flashing and teeth bared as they attacked, stomping a good number of them into the ground before thundering off in a cloud of dust. When the smoke cleared there was a lone figure standing in the middle of the road between the remaining soldiers and the travelers, his chestnut braid blowing in the wind as incandescent, amethyst eyes bore down on the men who would threaten the one he loved. “He’s a fighter,” Wufei commented matter-of-factly and a huge grin split Hiiro’s face as he added… “He’s everything.” The seven men remaining had no way to retreat so they advanced, encircling their thin opponent. Duo did nothing, standing perfectly still, his sword drawn and ready but no movement marked his next attack. When it came he moved so fast the soldier had little time to blink before he took a blow to the head and fell. Another moved in on his left and another on his right while the remaining four took advantage of the opportunity to turn their attention toward the others. Quatre raised a hand but Wufei held his out to stay his assault, sliding from the saddle to face the oncoming threat. “Save your magic,” the Dragon Lord grinned as Hiiro and Meriy stepped up to his side but they were forced to duck when a man’s body suddenly sailed over their heads. “Duo!” Hiiro barked but his mate was already engaging the two men that had meant to challenge he and his comrades. “Damn it!” “Leave some for us!” Wufei snapped stepping forward to clothesline a man that was fleeing Duo’s wrath. “He fights like a demon!” Meriy enthused, smacking one of Duo’s opponents in the back of the head with a rock. “I believe he’s venting,” Hiiro mused starting slightly as one of the fallen men jumped up then fell again when he punched him in the face. “Perhaps some stress relief would be wise,” Wufei commented shoving a staggering man back at their rampaging friend. Duo stepped in front of them then taking down a man that was intent on attacking anything but Duo then spinning tightly to leave the last of them groaning in pain as he slid to the ground. Hiiro watched as he slowly straightened, his sword moving fluidly around to slip silently into its sheath but all he could see was the glowering violet irises of Duo’s eyes as they slowly devoured him. A moment later Duo was in his arms, his mouth as hungry as his eyes and Hiiro almost fell flat on his ass. “You were supposed to stay in the wagon,” Duo breathed, inspecting his mate’s face as if looking for injuries. “I’m sorry,” Hiiro grinned, accepting another kiss. “Are you hurt?” “No,” the man-dragon smiled, flashing a sappy glance at the confounded Wufei. “You’re not yourself,” Duo went on, ushering the grinning Hiiro back to his wagon. “You shouldn’t push yourself…” Wufei shook the cobwebs out of his head and made a mental note to ask Duo if he would like to join in on their evening sparring in which Duo proved to be a formidable opponent. Even Hiiro had trouble dealing with his erratic and often unpredictable style of fighting. He had left Wufei with a sore rib, Rashid a new hair cut and Hiiro’s ass stinging more times than any of them cared to admit in the days that followed. When they reached the edge of the great sands the play fighting was forgone as Hiiro had obviously gained full control over his foreign body and nobody really wanted to face having to make up excuses as to why Duo had spanked them again and Quatre’s men set about guiding the others in gathering the things they would need before stetting out over the barren dunes the next day.
tbc... |
