Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter of Good Sense -- Revised ❯ Distrust ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

This story is dedicated to Lili for her kindness and her wonderful support. Thanks so much, my dear!
I make no claim to any of the Gundam Wing characters. This story is written for my, and hopefully others' enjoyment and not for monetary profit. This chapter is unbetaed so please excuse any mistakes.

A Matter of Good Sense
by Michalyn
Chapter Ten: Distrust

Wufei hurried toward the throne room, lips pressed tightly together. The news of King Mueller's arrival had shocked him, but he quickly recovered, determined to face the situation with all of his skill. It did not need saying how delicate the ground they were walking on was. One misstep could break the tenuous peace Rossetti shared with the Northern Kingdom. Plus, he was too new here, his inner voice reminded him, but Wufei firmly shook off his doubts. He could not speak for Trey, nor had he been here long enough to know the people's wishes, but he had a lifetime of experience in diplomatic relations. True, it was not his ideal situation for he was still learning about his new home but hewould maintain the peace. He could not allow himself to doubt that; not with their men still recovering from the recent attacks and certainly not without the mage-fire weapons. Wufei thought of the letter newly-penned on his desk. If they got through this unscathed, he would send it to his father by the fastest courier in the city.

As he hurried through the corridors, one by one, his personal guard, the four Shenlong warriors who had accompanied him to Rossetti, materialized at his side. Wufei gave each a curt nod. He had fought with these men, even taught one of them. There was no need for words. Should a situation arise they would act as a perfect unit, their Shenlong training guiding them unerringly.

Outside the throne room, Wufei found Duo waiting, pale fingers lazily caressing the jewelled hilt of his sword. Here as with his own warriors, nothing needed to be said. The hard look in Duo's eyes said enough: he was prepared.Wufei would have expected nothing less from the Eirean nobleman and he squared his shoulders, reassured. Between the six of them, nothing short of Mueller's own army knocking at the city gates could stop them.

Taking one last deep breath, Wufei pushed the doors open and entered. The page who had summoned him was white-faced as he announced their entrance and directed Wufei to the throne, his throat bobbing violently as he swallowed. It was no doubt how the whole palace felt. Wufei had seen the nervous shifting of the noblemen and the stricken looks of the women as they strode past. A heavy sense of trepidation was in the air. Wufei only hoped nothing would happen to warrant it.

"King Mueller." Wufei rose to greet the foreigner. "What has Rossetti done to earn the pleasure of such an honored guest?"

Mueller was tall and broad shouldered but it was the cold glint in his eye that actually made him appear imposing. He was attractive in a rough kind of way, with pale blue eyes and short crop of blond hair, but the almost petulant thrust of his lower lip invited others to be wary of him. Mueller's eyes flickered over to the guards flanking Wufei on either side, and he smiled, a slow curving of the lips.

"So you must be the Eirean prince I've had the delight to hear so much about. What a most fitting time for my visit, then. After all, we hold our relationship with Rossetti quite dear." Mueller's smile spread. "You could almost say we are sister cities ... no ... brothers if you will. It is an honor, Prince Wufei."

"As I am honored to receive you." Wufei extended his hand, wary of Mueller's tone.

"Indeed." Mueller glance lazily perused Wufei's body. "If Your Highness would permit it, it is my wish that you receive me very often."

It was an old joke and a trite one. Clearly Mueller was looking to instigate something as a pretext to engage Rossetti. Wufei shook his head. If that was the best he could do then they truly had nothing to fear.

"Thank you, King Mueller. My only wish is to strengthen the goodwill between our lands, and I shall personally do my best to ensure that this wonderful amity between Rossetti and the Northern Kingdom continues. You must, however, forgive me if I am somewhat ... unfamiliar ... with the customs of your region and should I offend, I ask your pardon, for it is merely proof of my cultural ignorance."

Wufei returned to his seat. "I am a foreigner here and at the moment I often rely on Emperor Trey's wisdom to help me navigate these delicate waters so it is unfortunate he could not be with us today, but he has asked me to give you our warmest regards. So rarely do we have such an esteemed guest drop by unannounced." Wufei met Mueller's look head on and it was his turn to smile. "But of course, such formalities are not needed among friends, are they, Your Highness?"

Wufei was satisfied to see Mueller's smug demeanor waver as the other man pressed his lips together, a flash of anger burning in his gaze before it was quickly concealed. Good. Whatever happened, Wufei wanted it to be clear that though they would play this little game of friendly banter, he understood Mueller's intentions quite clearly. Mueller recovered quickly, but that tiny lapse in his composure was a chink in his otherwise innocuous armor. The knowledge was palpable between them and Wufei could tell it had roused the other man's ire.

"Thank you, Prince Wufei for your kind words, and of course, there is no need to ask for pardon, since above all, as you say, we are friends. I am sure Emperor Rossetti would no doubt agree if he was with us," Mueller said with a dazzling smile. "Emperor Rossetti..." he repeated. "My dear friend, Trey... I've always found that abbreviation rather charming."

Wufei raised an eyebrow. "What abbreviation are you speaking of, King Mueller?"

"Why, to Emperor Rossetti's name, of course. Ingenious really, but then they say the best lies never stray far from the truth."

"I'm afraid I don't know what..."

"Don't tell me he forgot to share such ...intimate ... information with his beloved. No? Ah you jest, Prince Wufei. Surely you must know something as simple as your husband's real name?"

Wufei smiled thinly, refusing to give any ground to Mueller. Something dangerous was in the air and he did not like it one bit.

"Oh dear," Mueller drawled, "Brother Treize has been quite neglectful but it's so easy to forget the practical details in the whirlwind of romance. Of course, given the circumstances it had to be a love match. I'm sure King Zechs would not have tolerated a man of such birth for his prized son otherwise."

"Brother Treize?" Wufei asked slowly, his thoughts racing.

"Yes." Mueller's teeth flashed. "Our Dear Emperor Trey is none other than Treize Khushrenada, son of Lady Khushrenada, my father's favorite mistress and therefore my own bastard half-brother."

Wufei's world froze and in that second even his heart seemed to stop. Actually, Mueller never stopped speaking, for Wufei could see the rhythmic movements of his lips and the damnable smile that would not disappear from his face. He wanted to believe that Mueller was lying but the blond was entirely too smug for him to be telling anything but the truth. The look in his eyes dared Wufei to challenge him ...dared Wufei to give him a chance to aggravate the wound he had already opened. It was too late now to pretend nonchalance but at the very least, Wufei would not allow Mueller to draw him any further into his game.

Wufei's thoughts raced even as he managed to summon up a smile. The only question left was who had been deceived: King Zechs or Wufei? Had Trey willfully withheld the truth of his birth, knowing that King Zechs would never agree to engage his son to a bastard? Or had his father been so eager to get Wufei off his hands that he agreed to the engagement, even knowing of Trey's smirched heritage? Wufei found little reassurance in either option. The first at least incensed him, and that left him with a kind of strength, if only in his indignation, but the second, however, was too painful to even contemplate. The truth, no doubt fell somewhere in between. Perhaps Trey had never said anything because he simply was never asked. After all, was not such a critical detail something any father who truly sought his son's happiness would look to himself? Who was most to blame Wufei could not say. Most pathetic however ... surely that title would fall to him for having no choice of his own, for being tossed about in these other men's games.

"I appreciate your frankness, King Mueller but I'm afraid such news inspires no terror in us here," Wufei drawled with a conviction he did not feel. "Though in other lands lineage determines one's fate, in Rossetti such things are of little consequence. Skill is the word, King Mueller--and character. Look carefully at all the people of our court and you will find that our emperor surrounds himself with noble men in the truest sense. There are places," Wufei murmured, meeting Mueller's eyes, "where neither King nor countryman can lay claim to that title. In those places, the circumstances of Emperor Trey's birth would be a curse. Here it is a boon, for it is symbolic of the values that Rossetti holds dearest: virtue in one's own loyalty and good work. Values indeed which comfort me since in my own way, I too as a second son must make my own fortune. To us, therefore, there is no such thing as bastardy."

Wufei swallowed past the pain in his chest. "No doubt when you learned I was from Eires, where traditions are similar to the Northern Kingdom's, your own noble heart prompted you to caution me, but I can assure you that neither I nor my father have any such concern. I thank you, however, for your kindness, both to myself and your brother. I know you were thinking only of our best interests."

"Hmm. Did you know that my Father gave Treize the very land that Rossetti now sits on? Land that under normal circumstances he would never inherit." Mueller' pale eyes flicked over to Wufei. "Land that would have been part of the Northern Kingdom if not for the dear old man's generosity. I quite understand your sentiments about birthright, Prince Wufei for I too am part of a tradition of democratic familial relations. My father made no distinction between me and Treize.We were equal in his eyes, never mind Treize was the product of an illicit affair. Actually, he showed a great deal of affection to my brother. More so than even I received it seemed at times." Mueller's tone was bright. "In any case it made us all quite ... close." The smile he bestowed on Wufei was equally brilliant.

"In fact, all things considered, you could almost say that there's no real difference between Rossetti and the Northern Kingdom. What is mine is my brother's and of course what is his is mine. "

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It was just about mid-afternoon when Trey returned to the palace. He was tired from spending the day on horseback without anything to show for his pains. The report of the attack had been a false alarm, worse, Trey couldn't shake the feeling that the reports had all been a deliberate ruse orchestrated by Mueller. The Northern king was up to something; that much Trey was sure of. What he could possibly gain from this most recent hoax, however, Trey could not guess. The palace was buzzing with energy as he and Heero ambled toward the stables but since nothing in particular seemed to be wrong, Trey could only assume everyone was somewhat on edge after the rumor of the attacks. As soon as his advisors saw them ride up, they rushed forward, crowding about Porphyro's flanks.

"My Lord--"

Trey made a weary sound. "Not now, gentlemen. Let us connect again after dinner.I will be sure to entertain your questions then."

"But my Lord..."

"I'll be down in the next hour or two." Trey shook his head and began leading Porphyro toward her stall. He shook off the stablehand who had come to take the horse from him, informing the boy that he would brush down Porphyro and feed her himself. The truth was even as worried as he was for Rossetti's safety, Trey had done nothing all day but long for Wufei. The younger man had been so charming last night that Trey was eager to return to him and spend the greater part of the evening together. Tonight there would be no titillating reading; he was hoping to do the titillating himself.

Trey was smiling as he pushed the door to their bedroom open. When Wufei did not answer his playful greeting, he frowned, but decided that the younger man had probably not heard him. He did seem rather preoccupied with his own thoughts at the moment, Trey thought as he watched Wufei brush his hair with brisk strokes. The dark mass was loose over his shoulders and visibly damp from what must have been a recent bath. Trey felt a surge of disappointment as he realized that Wufei was probably on his way out. So much for that evening in bed together ... unless...

"Did you miss me, Kala?" Trey murmured, nuzzling the fragrant skin of Wufei's neck. He was expecting Wufei to melt--albeit reluctantly--into his arms. He was not expecting the younger man to pull roughly away from him. He expected Wufei's voice, clipped with anger even less.

"Don't touch me, you charlatan."

Trey was so taken aback that for a moment he could not speak. "What?"

"You heard me correctly, Treize."

Trey's breath lodged in his throat. His thoughts were racing. How...? Who?

"What?" he found himself repeating dumbly.

"You're pathetic, a coward and a liar and I'll be damned if I ever sleep in the same bed with you again. Especially since I don't even know who the hell you really are!"

"But how..."

"Your darling brother paid me a visit." Wufei sneered. He whirled on Treize. "I'll admit that I'm not comfortable with the fact that you're illegitmate but I could have overlooked that. It's the fact that you have never once been honest with me from the moment we met. All this time you pretended you did not know why Mueller was so intent on attacking us and fool that I am, I offered to help you. Who knows what lies you told my father to get me here."

Mueller had been here? Treize remembered the agitated faces of his advisors and cursed. They had no doubt been trying to update him on Mueller's unexpected visit and if the relative calm of the city was any indication, Wufei had handled him perfectly. His advisors had been eager but not anxious. That Wufei had done so in the face of Muellers revelation made Treize cringe. He did not think it was possible to feel any more despicable than he did at the moment. He was indebted to Wufei in ways that belied description.

Treize saw Wufei's pained expression and his own vitals twisted. What he wanted to do was start this exchange all over again; to apologize, to tell Wufei that it was not so much deception that had motivated him but uncertainty. He needed this alliance between Eires and Rossetti, but he had always intended to be honest with Wufei. It was just so soon after they had arrived and formed the first fragile beginnings of friendship, that he had hoped to put things off a little longer, not wanting to shatter the tremulous happiness between them. He wanted to say that and more, but instead he heard himself laugh derisively.

"Don't flatter yourself, little prince. Your dear Daddy didn't even bother to ask. The deal has already been made. You can't run home claiming damaged goods now." Treize watched as Wufei's head jerked and his face became pinched and white.

"You're right. Both my father and I were fools for thinking you an honorable man. I'm going out. Could you kindly not interrupt the servants as they move my belongings to my new room?"

"What?"

For some reason, more than Wufei's barbed words and his painful rejection, hearing that particular proclamation inflamed Treize to the point of rage. It seemed all the tentative progress they'd made was suddenly reverted to mistrust. More than that, his was a rage tinged with desperation. He wanted so badly to have Wufei believe in him. He had seen another side of his young husband last night and the thought of being shut out forever from Wufei's life left him aching. To come so close and have fate snatch it away was too cruel.

Treize looked about the room and noticed for the first time that all Wufei's trunks were already packed. Just as Wufei said, they only awaited moving by the servants. Wufei had even stacked off to the side the extra floor pillows he'd lounged on during dinner last night. Clearly, he intended to erase all traces of his presence. He might as well be preparing to return to Eires. At that thought, something within Treize snapped.

"Damn you," he shouted, advancing on Wufei. He grasped the younger man by the upper arms and yanked him towards him. "What's wrong with you? How can you be so unfeeling after everything we've shared? Why must you always be so intractable? You never give us a chance to discuss things in a way that would allow us to arrive at a viable solution. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were deliberately sabotaging this marriage!"

"What marriage?" Wufei struggled within Treize's grasp. "This is nothing but a farce. I have accepted my duty and will do it, but even a marriage of duty cannot be held together by lies. I don't have to sabotage it. You did that yourself when you chose to keep something as basic as your identity from me. How can you blame me now?"

Treize's jaw tightened. "Every time something happens, you shut yourself off or run away. I was wrong for not telling you. I'm sorry! But how am I supposed to guess when you'll listen to me and when you'll shut me out? I try, Wufei, but you're not an easy man to deal with. How am I supposed to figure out when it's safe to approach you, when you'll hear me out and when you'll turn me away? I don't know any magick; I can't see into that head of yours. The only way I can do right by you is if I can actually talk to you. Right now, every day is a guessing game. Sometimes, you want nothing to have to do with me..." Treize's fingers loosened; he took a shuddering breath.

"Sometimes, all I have to do is look at you and you melt in my arms."

Wufei was staring at him in shock, his dark eyes wide and his lips soft and parted. A few mussed strands of his hair had fallen into his face as a result of Treize's rough handling and he looked so stunned, so vulnerable, so god damn beautiful that Treize groaned. He knew Wufei cared nothing for him, knew that even if desire prevailed now, if they could not sit down for once and speak honestly with each other, it would make no difference. He shouldn't but gods knew he could not help himself. Pulling Wufei closer, Treize dipped his head, eager to touch those tender lips with his own.

He never felt them.

A sudden pain hit Treize squarely in the chest and one minute he was bending to kiss Wufei, the next he was flung half-way across the room, his back slamming against the side of the bed. He lay dazed, the wind knocked out of his lungs. Across the carpet, Wufei lowered his hands, recovering from a fighting stance. His gaze was hard as he came to stand over Treize, who remained where he had fallen, unable to move.

"You've made a fine habit of laying hands on me at will, Emperor Treize, but consider this a warning that you would do well to heed. You seem to be under the mistaken impression that I am a doll you can use and abuse to your content."

"That's not true," Treize gasped out, "I have never--"

Wufei made a chopping motion with his hand, quickly overriding him.

"How dare you talk to me about rational discussion and agreeableness when all you have ever done is try to force me to your will by manipulating my lack of experience? I suppose you thought that if you kept me in the bedroom long enough, I would just let you have your way. You know that I have lived a devotee's life, with little experience of sex and instead of guiding me as one would a partner or a friend, you continually use your greater experience as a weapon against me to suit your own selfish needs. You touched my body and realized it was the one area in which you could have me in your power and you have been exploiting it ever since. You dare talk to me about trust?" Wufei sneered.

His words hit Treize like blows. He had made mistakes but did Wufei truly believe him to be so despicable? Yet, even as Treize argued with himself, he began to fear Wufei's accusations held a ring of truth.

"Wufei, you have to believe I never intended to hurt you," he whispered. "I ... I ... care for you and only wanted to show you that it was all right to lean on someone else." As soon as he said them, Treize winced at the irony of his own words. He made a helpless gesture. "You were unhappy in Eires and even if we did not love each other I hoped I could make a better life you. Forgive me for saying this, Wufei but your family did a poor job by you. I wanted to show you how different things were in Rossetti." His voice rose with conviction. "If you were my son--heir or not--you'd never have to worry about anyone gambling on your future."

Treize looked up, willing Wufei to believe in him, but it was clear his words had fallen on deaf ears. If anything, Wufei seemed more incensed and his features were twisted in pain.

"You with your council and court and your rhetoric of hard work and a land with no class distinctions, you make me laugh at your own hypocrisy," Wufei ground out between clenched teeth. "Ask yourself, Treize, why, if you're such a noble man who cares for the feelings and rights of others, why, out of all the titles you could have chosen for yourself in this new land did you decide on Emperor? You may laugh at our magick and our old-fashioned ways, but at least in Eires we are honest about our intentions.

Yes, this body of mine can be weak, can be helpless, can be vulnerable to your touch, but I realize now that in my confusion, I let you believe that you could impose yourself on me and I would somehow be enamored. Listen carefully to what I have to say for I won't say it again. You wanted to know all the secrets of this body? Tell me, how do you like a taste of the first one of them? Don't underestimate me, Treize, for I can assure you, I will quickly show you the error of your ways." Wufei made a disgusted sound as he looked at Treize.

"I don't know who to despise more, you or myself." He spun on his heel, abandoning the room with its stacked trunks.

Behind him, Treize was stunned. He lay panting, unable to utter a word.

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Wufei almost barreled into Duo as he rounded the corner to the stables. He began to apologize, but Duo was already springing gracefully away. He gave Wufei a half-bow. "Sorry, Prince Wufei, I didn't see you coming."

Wufei shook his head. "No, it's my fault. I was not paying attention. Are you ready to go?"

Today they were going to visit Meiran's clan. Wufei had followed up his initial encounter with the little girl with a formal letter to the head of her clan announcing his visit and he received a favorable reply immediately. It seemed Meiran's clan was as eager to meet him as he was to meet them.

"Have a lot on your mind?" Duo asked as he followed Wufei inside to the horses' stalls. Sunlight was spilling in from the open door and the sweetness of freshly turned hay mingled with the earthier aroma of horses. The stable hands had already saddled the mares and they brought them over to Duo and Wufei as they approached. Wufei looked up to find Duo's expression pleasantly neutral. Since Duo was also nobility, his rooms were actually not that far from his and Treize's and Wufei wondered if the other man knew how bitterly he and Treize had just parted ways. When nothing in Duo's look betrayed that he had overheard them, Wufei shrugged.

"I suppose you could say that," he murmured as they walked out together, leading the horses across the courtyard. When Duo did not answer he turned to find the other man staring at him and this time there was no mistaking the odd expression on his face.

"Is something wrong?" Wufei asked.

"Ah ... no." Duo's smile was sheepish. "Forgive me, it's just this is the first time I've seen you without your hair pulled back in some way."

Wufei cursed. In his anger, he had completely forgotten about his hair. Treize had so infuriated him that he had not trusted himself to leave the older man unharmed. He had run to meet Duo, focused on putting a safe distance between them. Now though, he felt his hair tickling his face and he knew how troublesome it would be to have it loose through the windy ride to the clan site. He would also look a mess by the time he got there. Sighing, Wufei smoothed his hair as best as he could and began to plait it, but with Nataku's bridle draped over his arm, he only succeeded in making his hair a different type of mess.

Duo chuckled. Tethering his black mare to a nearby post, he patted Wufei's shoulder. "Need some help with that?"

Wufei made a grateful sound. "Please."

Duo grinned and stepped behind him, combing his fingers through Wufei's hair, then braiding it tightly. When he was done he tugged playfully on the dark rope. "There."

Wufei raised a hand to his head in surprise. Not a hair was out of place. He could not have done a better job if he was sitting in front of a dressing table with comb and brush in hand.

"Thank you," he told Duo. "Where in Eires did you learn that?"

Duo led his horse away from the post. "Well you could say I got a lot of practice over the years. Being able to get dressed in less than five minutes is especially helpful when you wake up in the morning and can't remember a thing about the man sleeping next to you, or when you need to slip back into a meeting without anyone guessing exactly what you were doing on your lunch break." Duo's violet eyes twinkled with mirth.

Wufei stared and then he couldn't help it; he burst into laughter. Duo was just too outrageous. "I think I am grateful I did not have that particular education."

Duo laughed. "You'd be surprised at some of the lessons I've picked up along the way...."

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Treize undressed but it felt like someone else was performing the motions. Wufei's accusing words still rang in his ears and with each moment they became more painful. Was Wufei right? Was he the biggest hypocrite of them all? Had he been cruel and controlling? Treize stared at his hands and as if in a dream, all his encounters with Wufei rose in his mind.

He remembered their very first meeting and the way he had compelled Wufei to accompany him outside, the way he'd embraced him in the garden ... how at their engagement party he'd callously stolen caresses from Wufei when King Zechs was sitting close enough that if he'd only turned he would have seen Treize's hand beneath the table... and just now, hadn't he been about to use desire to bend him to his will again? When they first met, it all seemed a delightful game to him, part of the chase. Now Treize could find nothing funny about his behavior. He had never stopped to think how he was hurting Wufei. Treize sank onto the bed.

Did he even know himself?

The man facing him was a bully, a tyrant--despicable no matter how he looked at him. Instead of gently wooing Wufei, Treize had only made him more skittish with his inconsistency. One minute he played the thoughtful lover, the next he sought to overwhelm him. No wonder Wufei was so reluctant to come to his bed. How could he trust Treize after all that had happened? It was a wonder they had made love at all. And was it lovemaking if Wufei did not trust him?

Pain squeezed Treize's vitals. He was so focused on Wufei's shortcomings that he never stopped to think that the difficulties in their marriage might also stem from him. How foolish, how arrogant he had been and now with his most recent betrayal, how could he ever hope that Wufei would listen to him much less forgive him? Growing up in his father's house, Treize had been taunted because of his birth, and yet not till that moment did he know shame. It was one thing to know that he had no control over the circumstances of his birth, another thing entirely to realize that he had failed the one most precious to him through his own lies.

Treize pulled his robe about him and moved toward the bathing chamber. As he passed the balcony, he saw Wufei and Lord Maxwell leading their horses toward the west gate. The sight of Wufei alone was enough to cause fresh pain to well in him. The two men were talking and Wufei looked pensive. Suddenly they stopped and Treize watched as Wufei tried to braid his hair, only to have Lord Maxwell take the job in hand himself. He trailed his fingers through Wufei's hair, plaiting the dark silky mass with deft movements. When he was done he tugged affectionately on Wufei's braid.

By then, Treize's heart was beating fast. He was gripping the railing so hard, the metal dug into his flesh. How easily Wufei gave into the other man's ministrations, how comfortable he seemed with Duo's hand brushing his shoulder and smoothing over his hair. The pain in Treize's chest expanded. When Duo turned to face Wufei again, his husband's face lit up and he laughed in a way Treize had never seen before. Even from where he stood Treize could tell that Wufei's expression was warm and open as he gazed up at Duo. If he remembered their argument, he did not show it.

In fact, as he strolled along with Duo he didn't seem to remember Treize at all.

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Meiran's clan was camped near the fertile banks of a river some two hours ride away from the city gates and by the time Wufei and Duo rode up to the rows of tents the sun was sitting low in the sky. Looking up, Wufei couldn't help a shiver of wonder at the knowledge that the rosy color behind the clouds would slowly fade into true night. The camp was alive with movement and as they drew closer they could hear the chattering of voices and the sumptuous aroma of cooking rose from amidst the tents. A feast was being prepared.

A lump caught in Wufei's throat as children peeked out from behind their mother's skirts and everywhere, dark-haired men and women turned to look at Duo and Wufei, intrigued by their regal dress. A young girl in rough linen trousers cast him a shy smile and Wufei felt tears burn behind his eyelids. Everyone here looked like him. He wanted to say something to Duo to hide his nervousness but he could not speak, too overcome with emotion.

How many times in his lonely boyhood had he imagined a place just like this? Wufei remembered hiding in the library while Quatre searched the halls, calling him to play. Curled up among his books he would dream of fitting in and of having playmates who looked like him and never thought him too odd or shy to be their friend. As he grew older, that dream crystallized into a painful knot in his chest. With time, it faded to a dull but persistent ache so that Wufei no longer even noticed it. It was a part of him, and he assumed it was just a natural condition of his existence, like the food that gave him nourishment or the air he needed to breathe. Even as Wufei was shaken by having that pain become fresh again, as he looked at Meiran's clan, for the first time in his life he was faced with the possibilty of it being forever muted. More than anything else, it was the prospect of that freedom that suddenly made Wufei realize the extent of the burden he had been carrying all these years. He wanted to weep. Was this what it felt like to come home?

Duo presented their letter of invitation to one of the guards and the man let them pass through to a large tent at the center of the site. Warriors lurked around it, armed with bows and spears. As they dismounted, Meiran ran forward, flanked by a noblewoman with cropped hair and an old woman dressed in gray silk who was carrying a roll of parchment which Wufei recognized as his own letter from the seal.

"Prince Wufei, you came!" Meiran called, jerking to a stop in front of him.

Wufei smiled. "Yes, I did. Thank you for inviting me."

"Welcome, Your Highness," the woman with the cropped hair told him. I am Lady Zhen Long, Meiran's mother and this is Grandmother Long, who leads our clan," she finished indicating the older woman at her side.

Wufei bowed. "It is an honor. May I also introduce Lord Maxwell of Eires who is here both as a warrior and a friend?"

When they finished the introductions, Wufei was led to the main tent, while Duo stayed outside to wait for him. Once inside, Meiran looked excitedly from Wufei to her mother. "See, Mama? I told you Prince Wufei was like us!"

Lady Zhen patted Meiran on the shoulder, shaking her head in gentle disapproval. "Hush, child. You are much too forward." She turned to Wufei with a laugh. "That is why even if the arrangement may be somewhat unconventional, we would welcome some form of disciplined path for her. As you can tell, she is a strong girl and outspoken, but it takes much more than courage to lead a clan."

Wufei nodded as he gratefully accepted the steaming cup of tea a servant placed before him. "Yes, but it is admirable that she has sought this opportunity out herself. I also saw it as something quite radical when she first proposed it, but the more I thought about it, the less I could think of any good reason to not allow it. Besides ... I am eager to learn more about your clan as well."

Lady Zhen smiled. "I hope you don't mind my saying so, Prince Wufei but we are curious about you too. Meiran tells us that you are from Eires, yet I would almost certainly have thought you belonged to our people. Even your name is similar to those we normally choose."

"Before I met your daughter, I thought there were no others like me," Wufei admitted, explaining the cicumstances of his birth. "As for my name..." he laughed. "I think the priests made a lucky guess. Meiran tells me you too observe special astrological rituals?"

"Yes. All of our people are born during the fifth moon cycle. It's a tradition that goes back hundreds of years."

"But why?" Wufei asked.

For the first time, the old woman spoke. "Zhen, Meiran, leave us. I would like to speak with this young man alone."

Wufei was so startled that he did not even have a chance to speak as Lady Zhen and Meiran rose. When he began to protest, Grandmother Long roughly interrupted him.

"Let them go. You have come searching for answers have you not?"

"I ... yes," Wufei stammered.

"Then let us begin."
--------------------------------

It took them a long time to get back home, or so it seemed to Duo as he watched Rossetti's lights grow closer. Perhaps it was because Wufei was so quiet. Though not talkative, on their way to the clan, he had been pleasant, laughing quietly at Duo's jokes, at times even offering his own. Now though, it seemed nothing could rouse him from his thoughts.

Once Duo had seen Meiran's clan he knew there would be no turning back. He had to suppress a moment of shock at seeing so many dark-haired people like the Prince. How was it possible? He always thought Wufei was unique and if he was surprised he could only imagine what the prince must be feeling. Was he scared? More than likely he felt comforted after the treatment he had received in Eires. The way most Eireans shunned Wufei had always pissed Duo off. He wondered what they would have to say now.

In the darkness, Duo's smile broadened as he snuck a glance at Wufei. In another time and another place, he wouldn't have minded courting Eires' surly prince. There was something about the brooding types that had always appealed to him. Well ... there was no helping that now. Wufei was married and Duo thought he just might have stumbled onto the one man who could keep his attention for good. Still, there was no denying today had been a day of big discoveries. There were many things Duo wanted to ask, but he was not sure Wufei would welcome his questions. They had developed a rapport since arriving in Rossetti, but he could not say for sure that they were friends. For now he would have to wait until Wufei felt comfortable enough to talk to him. Not that he didn't have enough on his mind already, Duo mused with a sigh.

As they pulled up to the gate, Duo thanked the gods. While Wufei had lingered with the clan leaders, he feared he would not make it in time for dinner, but luckily they had made it back earlier than expected. It would have been a shame indeed to squander the evening. Staying long enough to see Wufei safely back to the palace, Duo said his goodbyes, then turned around, urging Shinigami down the cobbled streets at a gallop.

When he got to the inn, he had a hearty dinner and trudged upstairs to his room. Truth be told, he had been staying at the inn since the first night they'd arrived in Rossetti. No matter how many titles they bestowed on him, somehow Duo never really felt comfortable in the lushness of palaces. This was modest but comfortable and they served a damn fine ale. Besides, he was close enough to the palace to respond at a moment's notice and he had the added advantage of being able to talk to the local people to get a real sense of what was happening in the city and not the watered-down version that so often passed in the courts.

Duo opened the door and felt around in the darkness for the oil lamp. Moonlight was streaming from the window onto his bed, leaving the room in shadow but giving him just enough light to fish out his matches and guide the flame to the wick. The lamp sputtered to life and Duo was just stepping backwards to remove his boots when he bumped into something warm, solid and very muscular. His breath caught. Damn it, the bastard was as quiet as a cat. He had been here all this time and Duo had not noticed him.

"So you made it," Heero rumbled, his arm snaking about Duo's waist and pulling him to his chest.

Duo shivered at huskiness of the other man's voice and immediately, he felt heat flare in his veins. Laughing softly, he turned in Heero's arms. In the same movement, he tugged the other man's shirt out of his pants, his feet tangling in Heero's as they stumbled toward the bed.

"Of course. Did you think I would stand you up?"

"Hn," Heero grunted, pressing him into the mattress and then Duo couldn't think anymore as Heero's weight covered him, his blue eyes dark, his skin fevered as his mouth descended.

--------------------------------

Wufei was both moved and disappointed as he pulled back the covers and climbed into his new bed. The visit to Meiran's clan had not gone quite as he imagined. Did he know any more than he did before? Wufei could not say. Still, whenever he recalled Grandmother Long's husky voice and her piercing gaze, it was as if a cold wind suddenly blew into the room. Wufei shivered, pulling the covers up to his neck.

"You are unhappy, aren't you, child?"

She had known without him saying a word. All this time, Wufei thought he was presenting a brave face to the world, yet Grandmother Long had lain his pain bare with a glance. In a single moment, his entire life story tumbled out of him, from his childhood, to the engagement to his present misery. Wufei's face warmed. He had even spoken to her of the terrible spells that left him helpless to Treize's touch. Wufei still could not understand it. He had not wanted to speak of these personal matters; it was merely that the words were compelled from him. He was as helpless to stop them as he was the turning of the tides.

"You say you suffer from fever--an uncontrollable longing for this man?"

"Yes ... do you know of anything like this?" Wufei's voice was urgent even as he lowered his head in shame. "Please ... can you help me?"

The candlelight reflected in Grandmother Long's eyes made them seem as though they glowed from within. "Perhaps... But why should it matter if you love him? Would it not be better to let him embrace you instead?"

"Love him?" Wufei choked. "No! There is nothing between us but a bed of lies. I would rather die than be held by him again," he whispered.

Grandmother Long stared at him. "Very well, but I cannot make any promises. No matter how closely you resemble us, you are a foreigner and our techniques may have no effect on you. Listen closely, but do not expect any miracles. I can only tell you of our people and what has been unique to us for many generations. Do you understand?"

Wufei nodded.

"We are water diviners. As nomads it is essential that we are able to quickly find the most fertile areas for our encampments. For generations our people have been led by powerful diviners, and this is what has made us so successful when other nomadic clans have been forced to settle or end up scattered to the winds. You can therefore see why it is of the utmost importance that the gift be kept within our clan. We try our best to ensure that all our people are born on or around the fifth moon cycle just as the first clan leader was. It means of course that we can never venture into lands like Eires where there is no regular moon cycle. We have no need to worry, however, for there are many fertile lands ahead of us, most we will never see even if we should travel for two generations."

Wufei listened, holding his breath. He was trembling, but he could not say why. He only knew that he must listen to this old woman as though his life depended on it.

"All our people have an aptitude for sensing water but the symptoms you describe are almost identical to those experienced by our most gifted diviners just before they come into their full power. I watched as my own daughter, Zhen trembled with fever." Grandmother Long shook her head as she heard Wufei's hopeful gasp. "The sensual longing you have spoken of, however, that was absent. Nevertheless, I shall do my best to help you. In exchange for your teaching Meiran your fighting techniques, I will help you uncover your powers and hone them."

"But how do I know? How do I begin?"

"You are fortunate in that tonight there is a full moon, for then is the seat of our power most accessible. Tonight, when the moon is brightest, stand in its circle and focus all your energies inward as you do with your most rigorous meditation techniques. You must open yourself fully to its call, reaching a state of utter stillness. When your spirit is quiet, call up the image of the silver light falling upon you and transform it to water in your mind. If you are a diviner, you will know the instant the pathway to your power has been opened. I cannot describe it except to say that is unlike anything else you will feel in your life. There is no mistaking it."

"If you succeed in this first step, return to see me in two weeks, practicing every night until you can call up the power with relative ease. Then, I shall take you to the next step," Grandmother Long finished.

As she spoke, rain began to fall softly against the tent and a high wind howled through the trees. Wufei could hear the scurrying of people outside trying to find shelter and the delighted shrieks of children as the unexpected shower drenched them. In the tent the candlelight flickered, casting long shadows against the walls. When Wufei moved to shield the taper nearest him with his palm, a sudden fierce gust of wind raised the flap of the tent. In a moment, all the candles were gutted.

They were left in darkness.

Even now Wufei could not shake the unsettling feeling that had come over him. He thought of Grandmother Long's words and remembered how the previous evening he had stumbled onto the balcony and was brought to his knees under the moon's clear light. Was that the feeling Grandmother Long was referring to? Had he somehow accessed it without realizing?

Throwing off the covers, Wufei moved to the window. Last night the moon had been a modest circle; tonight it was large, almost monstrous. Wufei had never seen anything like it. His breath came fast as he gripped the window sill. This was no good. If connecting to his powers depended on meditation, he had to stay calm. Breathing deeply, Wufei closed his eyes and tried to focus his thoughts as Grandmother Long had instructed him.

At first, he felt nothing. Then, somewhere inside him, he felt a faint echo, like a tiny ripple caused by the silvery dropping of water. Wufei honed in on that small stirring, trying to grasp it with his mind and little by little it began to intensify, building to an incredible crescendo. Wufei shook as the sensation filled him and every nerve became hyper-sensitive, so that even the smallest stimulus bordered on pain. The sound of the crickets beneath his window was like a piercing whistle, the gentle breeze like sandpaper against his skin and most of all, the burning bright light of the moon seemed to singe his pupils. Yet, when Wufei tried to tear his eyes away he found that he could not. He could only stare as the tremulous vibration within him burst into a roar.

"What--" Wufei gasped and slumped to the carpet. Sweat was streaming from his forehead and a burning pain shot through his side and through his limbs. He clutched his arms around himself, crying out to the night, to the gods--to the moon itself for mercy.

And just as abruptly as it began, the pain stopped.

Wufei lay on the carpet for a long time, first simply trying to catch his breath and then trying to comprehend what had just happened to him. He could not move and his hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat. Wufei shuddered. Now what? What was he supposed to feel? If he followed Grandmother Long's advice he had expected to be sense the living presence of water just as she had said, but Wufei felt nothing. He sensed nothing different within him. Being different from Meiran's people, perhaps he had somehow failed, had been unable to complete the process. Grandmother Long had cautioned him against expecting miracles.

Groaning, Wufei sat up. "Well, I guess I have failed," he murmured to the empty room. "What do I do now? I..."

He froze as something prickled the hairs on the back of his neck. Wufei turned slowly toward the darkened entrance to his room and this time a different type of sweat broke over his skin.

There, near the door, something was moving in the shadows.