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"Time Walker"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, WAFF *g*, mild language, light lemons or perhaps more like mention
of lemons. Pairings: 1x2, eventual 3x4, unrequited Rx1, eventual
6x9, eventual 13xU (can’t really put 1 now can we? O.o), Summary: When a historic timeline is thretened
a celebrated Time Walker is called in to correct the problem. However,
when he meets a beautiful young thief everything he has ever believed
in begins to shift and change as he faces the adventure of a lifetime
and fights against the complexity of his own willful heart. " Time Walker" Ch 2
“Nice night for a walk, eh mate?” a graveled voice spoke the moment he’d entered the largest of the tunnels. “I seek a thief,” Hiiro explained not bothering to turn toward the man or his accomplice who was hiding in the shadows just off to his left. “Do ya’now?” the man chuckled coming into the light where Hiiro could see his grizzled, grey mane and light blue eyes. “Well, we’re all looking for something, right?” he laughed hooking his thumb in his belt beside a short dagger. “This one has violet eyes and a long, brown braid.” He knew he’d struck a nerve when the man’s eyes flashed with recognition but it disappeared as quickly at it had come. “Here, now,” he drawled leaning back on the wall. “You give tell of what you’re looking to pinch and we’ll see what we can do.” “I do not wish to hire him,” Hiiro said smoothly shrugging his cloak from his sword arm. The man shifted uncomfortably upon seeing the golden hilt but it was unclear if he were scared or simply enchanted by the value of the weapon. “He has stolen from me and I’ve come to take my effect back.” “Those are strong words to be accusing someone of,” the man laughed pushing off the wall and Hiiro did a mental check noting that there were two men hiding in the shadows now. “I’m sure this fella didn’t know the trinket was your’s. People are always finding stuff here and there, no harm in claiming it for yourself.” “He found this trinket in my pocket,” Hiiro explained growing tired of the conversation. “Finders keepers,” the man grinned toothlessly just before one of his men stepped out and tried to sever Hiiro’s head from his shoulders. Hiiro was fine with this however, as he’d wasted enough time and dealt with him and his unseen companion with systematic precision. It was policy not to kill unless absolutely necessary as any one of these men might be the great, great grandfather of someone important to the timeline but wounding was acceptable so he left them moaning in their misery and turned to find his conversation partner with an entirely new attitude. “Violet eyes and a long brown braid,” Hiiro stated wiping the blood from his blade. “Why didn’t you just say so?” the man smiled glancing nervously at his friends as they pulled themselves together and began nursing their wounds. The escort provided only a small measure of security. Hiiro knew from experience there were probably as many enemies as friends to the man in the bowels of the mine so he kept his guard up and remained silent in spite of his guides persistent rambling. He went on and on about anything from the weather to how Hiiro should conduct himself once in the presence of Solo, the guilds current lord but all Hiiro was concerned with was retrieving the tracker. He took a moment as they neared the guild, the noise of people talking and merry music drifting up the corridor as he peeked beneath his robe and noted the device was indeed still inside. The receiver was crudely disguised as a flint box and could only tell him generally where the device was but it was enough to get him close, the rest was up to him. He knew simply finding his way into the proximity of the tracker was only half the battle and sighed impatiently when the tunnel widened and spilled into a large chamber crawling with the retched rejects of the lower city. “Wait here,” his escort grinned leaving him at the threshold of a small stair that led to a raised dais along the eastern wall. Upon this dais was settled a group of people, most of who were of the female persuasion, scantily clad and obviously inebriated. Hiiro side stepped when one such maid noticed him and lurched forward landing head long on the floor in the absence of his person. Her peril called the attention of a young, blond man in the center of the throng Hiiro could only assume was Solo as his guide was toothily whispering in his ear while the Thieves Lord laughed at his fallen maiden’s plight. After a moment the blond man’s eyes narrows but his amused smile remained as he turned to address the newcomer. “Come!” he boomed demanding Hiiro’s compliance but he had no intention of giving even the slightest lea way. “Are you deaf, man?” he was asked when he neglected to obey. The displeasure began to shine in Solo’s golden eyes and Hiiro was just about to use his irritation to his advantage and speak when a soft tone cascaded down the nape of his neck in the form of a gently spoken warning. “To the wise man go the spoils.” He didn’t have to look to know who the voice belonged to; he’d inhaled his scent only an hour before and knew the unique sound of his breath. Solo’s expression turned curiously displeased. “You know this man?” he asked dumping the girl who had been taking up much of the expanse of his wide chest in the pillows as he sat up and took full notice of his audience. “A fortunate encounter,” the violet eyed boy smiled stepping from behind Hiiro to stand by his side. “Fortunate for some,” Hiiro countered. “More so for some than others,” he smiled and Hiiro felt his ears flush when those incredible eyes glanced at his lips. Solo eyed them for a moment then let his wide mouth spread in a dangerous smile. “We will grant this man sanctuary!” he boomed over the din calling most everyone’s attention to the pair. “As any friend of Duo’s is welcome here!” There was a small cheer from those still paying attention that, coupled with the slight pinking of the boy’s face warmed places in Hiiro’s chest he had long since forgotten. “Have you a name?” Solo asked turning his attention back to the pair as he grinned, “Or should I make one up for you?” “Hiiro Yui,” Hiiro replied firmly gathering his wits back together. “And I have not come in the name of friendship.” “Do tell?” Solo breathed seeming flabbergasted by the declaration. “I would have my effect back,” Hiiro stated holding out a hand to the smirking Duo. “A lovely trinket by any measure,” Duo smiled ignoring the hand in favor of stepping well inside Hiiro’s personal space. “I can’t help but wonder what price would be worth its return?” Hiiro swallowed the large rock that had appeared in his throat but refused to coward and retreat. “I’ll not pay you for the return of something that is already mine.” “Then you intend to take it?” Duo smiled fiddling with the tassel adorning the caller of Hiiro’s cloak. “I will,” he replied but was unhappy with the broken quality of his voice. “If you force me too.” “How did you find me?” Duo asked. Hiiro’s breath caught when he slowly turned his gaze upon him, his will trembling in the onslaught of dark desire that bade him take the young man in his arms but he was a soldier first and foremost and nothing would stop him from completing his mission. “The piece you stole…” “Such accusations,” Duo chuckled glancing as if to make sure Solo and the others had returned to their previous activities. Once assured that this was the case the color of his eyes seemed to deepen as he inched closer still and asked, “Does it call to you?” “Y…yes,” Hiiro stammered licking suddenly dry lips. “In a way.” “Sorcery,” Duo breathed reverently. Hiiro took a very deep breath that felt as if it had started in his toe and instantly wished he hadn’t as Duo’s heady scent penetrated his being. “Science,” he choked unwittingly realizing his mistake only when Duo suddenly pulled away. “I’ve heard of this magic before,” the boy smiled. “Can you show me?” Perhaps it wasn’t such a blunder after all. “I’ll need the device.” Duo’s smile brightened excitedly giving Hiiro reason to believe his mission may yet be successful in short order then suddenly he was being pulled along toward one of the dark tunnels that adorned the walls and his heart skipped a beat when Solo shouted over the din… “Bed him well!” He must have misunderstood. He’d seen their exchange and assumed… that had to be it. Duo was only taking him to the device, that’s all it was but if so then why did his heart beat so? “Where are we going?” “It’s bad form to return an item rightly acquired without proper trade,” Duo explained tugging him down a small shaft that ended in a doorway that spilled into a tiny chamber. “I told you I’m not going to buy something that’s already…” Hiiro began but the moment the door closed Duo was suddenly in his arms kissing him soundly. He cursed himself silently as his mouth began to feed on the boy’s sweet mouth willingly siphoning his scorching passion into his throat. It was wrong and he knew it, there were regulations against it. Trowa would laugh, Relena would faint, Dr. J might just kick him off the team but in that moment he was consumed with a desire that refused to yield. But he couldn’t… there was a purpose to his being there and it had nothing to do with how sinfully Duo’s lithe body felt in his arms. “Where is it?” he gasped finding that he had pushed the boy against the wall. “What’s it for?” Duo countered smiling sweetly as he nibbled along his jaw. A bell sounded in Hiiro’s mind bringing with it a sneaking suspicion. “Give it to me and I’ll show you,” he bargained testing his theory by sliding a hand down the roundness of Duo’s firm ass. His grin widened when the boy instantly shied twisting out of his arms though he didn’t go far as he was obviously not willing to give up the game. “It’s not here,” Duo smiled leaning into him again now that his back wasn’t against the wall. “But if I knew what it did…” he purred biting gently at Hiiro’s bottom lip. Hiiro shut his eyes tight against the onslaught of desperate desire that rushed through him snatching up the boy’s wrists in his fists as he growled deep and low, “Kiss me again and I will take you regardless of its retrieval.” Duo chuckled but refrained from drawing away reaching instead to drape his arms lazily around Hiiro’s neck. “Are you even aware of my gender?” he laughed laying his lips tenderly on the corner of Hiiro’s mouth. In an instant he was taken off his feet and dropped in the bedding below, a quick ‘eep!’ sounding from his throat as the wind was knocked momentarily from his lungs and his eyes growing large and uncertain as he looked up into the intensity of Hiiro’s stormy, blue eyes. “Nnn!” he grunted when Hiiro kissed him with forceful intent, his hands working quickly to remove his trousers until Duo suddenly broke free of the kiss. “Stop!” the braided boy gasped wriggling fitfully as Hiiro’s strong hand jerked at his clothes. “You had fair warning,” was the only consolation Hiiro offered before crushing their mouths together again. It was an odd and exhilarating encounter. Duo fought but responded with an eagerness that belied his resistance. He was enjoying Hiiro’s touch in spite of having lost the point. However, Hiiro was in no mood to play games anymore and proved as much as he succeeded in divesting his reluctant partner of his pants and forcing his hips between his thighs. “Please,” Duo rasped wriggling beneath him. “You can have it! Just please… stop…” The distraught tone of his voice caused Hiiro to slow, the slick evidence of his arousal spreading thickly over the boy’s excited entry even as he paused and looked into eyes that seems suddenly innocent and frightened. He considered the beautiful boy thinking quickly over the events of the past few hours and made his decision. “You are no longer a child,” he hissed feeling every vibration of Duo’s cry as he thrust forward and slowly impaled him. Duo’s resistance ended with the penetration, something shifting in his manor and attitude as he began to accept what was happening. His kisses were no longer reluctant, his touch giving and eager and Hiiro thought he might loose himself completely when he opened himself to him and began begging for more. The remainder of the night went by in a blur of passion and heat as he rolled in all the delights of Duo tenderness. It was unclear to him when wakefulness returned to his mind just how long he had been asleep but it took less than a thought to realize that Duo was no longer with him. Groaning at his own stupidity he wondered what else he had lost in the bargain rolling over to find his clothes pilled on the floor, his brow creasing curiously when he saw the tracker blinking its rhythmic beat where it laid atop his things. A quick check confirmed nothing else was missing and that the mine was now empty of any human presence but he felt no sense of peace as he wandered out into the light of day. His chest ached more than his eyes in the blinding mid-morning sunshine as he wondered if he hadn’t unintentionally taken something infinitely more precious than the tracker from the beautiful boy. Or perhaps, he thought feeling the ache settle into his bones, he had lost the game after all. ** “What happened to you?” Noin deadpanned. Hiiro shook off the melancholy that rested upon his shoulders but the memories remained. “I’ll be in my room,” he told her ignoring Pattle’s curious gaze where she polished cups behind the bar. “You picked an unfortunate night to sow seeds,” Noin grinned wiping a bit of scrambled egg from her chin. Was it so obvious? He paused to wonder at her playful tone and wrinkled an inquiring brow her way that prompted her to add, “Good King Dermail has requested the pleasure of your company.” He snorted at the title and took his leave. There was nothing ‘good’ about Dermail. He was a dictator at best and had achieved his position as king through coercion and oppressive dominance. The history books called him an autocrat which appeared to suit his totalitarian style of governing fairly well. He believed in keeping power and wealth securely in the hands of the powerful and wealthy while the general masses were forced to support their extravagant lifestyles and fend for themselves. However, the king’s policies were not his concern. All that mattered was neutralizing any threat to the natural progression of history. There had been countless atrocities committed in the history of man that were a constant temptation to those who currently held the power to change them but everyone knew meddling with any event that had already happened could change the course of history drastically. In the best of scenarios some good may have come of such an intervention but there were too many variables to calculate the detrimental effects any alteration might cause. He had to find out who was backing this Zechs Marquise and what their plans were. The castle was modest to Hiiro’s eyes but to the poor people of Cherryton it represented opulent sophistication. Unlike the gilded palaces of ancient Asia, a time and place he had enjoyed very much considering his Japanese heritage, Romafeller was built of stone and sat high on a mountainside overlooking the town in the valley below. The highest of its towers housed great stacks of weathered wood that, in times of attack, would be lighted and cast down on any who would threaten the keep giving it the ominous appearance of an enormous, clawed hand set in the side of the mountain. Hiiro noted the presence of wooden culverts that jutted from beneath the walls as he approached revealing a reasonably adequate expulsion system and suppressed a smile as he witnessed the birth of modern plumbing. “Hold!” came a stern cry when he approached the black iron gate. He paused letting his cloak hang smoothly over his left hip to moderately conceal his sword. “State your business,” the soldier demanded brandishing the pike he held firmly in his hands. Hiiro moved slowly so as not alarm the man pulling the kings invitation from his vest to present it. The man took it and looked it over while his fellows watched from the parapets above on either side of the gate then eyed him warily. “From where do you hail?” “I am an entrepreneur from the Far East,” he replied. “I believe your king may be interested in some of my wares.” The man looked the letter over again paying particular attention to the broken wax seal then handed it back to him and snipped, “This way.” The courtyard was busy with the daily routine of those who abided within the castle walls. Young boys ran here and there performing the duties of pages and squires just as he had expected. The presence of several fine ladies was also within the norm and they smiled whispering giddily to one another as he passed. A little further on there were two men sitting at a table beside a small building that, oddly to Hiiro’s mind, had curtains on the windows. It was uncommon to see such a thing but he quickly deduced their purpose when a young girl exited the lean to, her womanhood barely concealed and was summarily pulled into one of the men’s lap. She didn’t look terribly pleased about it and though Hiiro knew slavery was not a legal commodity in this time for this region it was clear the well-to-do took what they wanted regardless of ownership or the personal preferences of those that served them. “What have you there, Calic?” a large man who stood in brilliant armor asked as they approached the main entrance. “He has been summoned,” Calic replied holding out his hand for the letter which Hiiro placed in his palm. The soldier at the door took it and Hiiro took a quick inventory of his station while he looked it over. It seemed King Dermail had the means necessary to secure a decent force for his personal protection as the man was aptly armed and well supplied. His armor was of gilded steel and glimmered happily in the strong sunshine where it lay upon his shoulders and chest. He’d never understood why men such as this bothered with the heavy shielding then left their legs all but bare as he wore nothing more than a slit skirt of leather strips over them leaving them as bare to attack as his naked arms. If all men were so dense as to believe a man could still fight with an injured leg or arm his job would have been much easier in other times. Still, he was a sight to behold and no doubt a favorite among the ladies because he flashed them a comely smile before ordering Hiiro to follow him. Inside the main hall more aristocrat’s lounged about on large poofs or deep cushioned furniture and turned to regard him as he was led toward the throne that sat on a raised dais along the back wall. Seated upon the throne was a man of statuesque features, his grey beard and sharp eyes giving him the look of the regal monarch his was pretending to be but it was the presence of two small boy’s that were attending the man that caught Hiiro’s eye and made his jaw clench furiously. He’d seen it before but hadn’t thought to be subjected to such heinous practices on this assignment. It was difficult enough to turn his head while young women were forced into servitude but to see children misused was beyond his capability. He was relatively relieved when he saw that both of the boys’ seemed to be in good health and readily clung to the man for protection as he approached. “Mr. Yui, I presume,” the king said after being presented with the letter. “Hai,” Hiiro replied bowing his head respectfully. “Thank you for your kind consideration, my Lord,” he recited knowing very well what protocol would be acceptable to these people. The king nodded then looked him over appraisingly and Hiiro relaxed a little more when he smiled reassuringly at one of the boys. “I have received your letter,” the man told him shifting slightly in his seat. “You’re claims are intriguing but I find them difficult to believe.” “Perhaps a demonstration would aid you in your deliberation,” Hiiro offered. The man’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he chewed on the idea. “You have the means to do so?” “Yes,” Hiiro replied. “But it will take a day to prepare.” “What station does your father hold?” “A mere merchant,” Hiiro explained. “The substance I am offering is quite common in my home land.” The king looked him over again and Hiiro’s jaw clenched again when his arm moved to absently embrace on of the boys but there was no hesitation in the child’s reaction, no fear in his eyes so he retained the hope that they were not there merely for the king’s entertainment. “You have our blessing,” the king finally said. “My Lord,” Hiiro curtly intoned bowing shortly before taking his leave. His heart raced with the rage that always ignited inside him when confronted with such arrogant indifference. How people could live with themselves after committing such sins was beyond his reasoning but there had been no concrete reason to believe the man had misused those boys so he put a lid on the mounting rage and turned his attention to the task at hand. He paused as he passed through the outer gates when he felt eyes upon him and turned to gaze up at a window in the west tower where a striking young man with long, white hair stood and gazed down on him. This had to be Zechs; Hiiro could understand why Noin had been so easily enchanted as he was one of the most beautiful people Hiiro had ever seen. An image of Duo flashed in his mind, the heated memory of his body as it lay in writhing enrapture beneath him and reminded his heart that there was one whose beauty went far beyond the resplendency of the flesh. “He want’s proof?” Noin asked for confirmation when Hiiro explained. “It’s a reasonable request,” Hiiro countered tucking the powder she had made into his pack. “What’re you going to do?” “What is necessary,” he snipped growing intolerant of the events of his mission. He had hoped to have time to enjoy the quite of an undeveloped world but with the possible presence of child consorts and the lingering memory of Duo’s breath upon his lips his patience was wearing thin. “We cannot allow…” “I am well aware of my duties,” he growled slinging his pack over his shoulders. “You would do well to remember yours.” She said nothing more as he turned to leave but he knew she was right. It was a risk to provide the monarchy with a means to overpower its enemies but as long as they were ignorant to its composition the danger was minimal. It was a chance he was willing to take in order to gain the favor of the king and the attention of whoever was trying to dethrone him. Anyone that was intent on overthrowing the monarchy would not stand idly by while he tripled his strength. It was a bold plan but Hiiro trusted in it just as he had trusted in everything Trowa had guided him through in the past.
~ * ~ tbc... |
