Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Fates Intertwined: The Threads that Bind Us ❯ Chapter 9

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Author's Note: Guess what! I'm back again! Lookie, it's me and I'm finally updating. Didn't you miss me? (cricket chirp and a single cough) I guess not. Oh well! I'm back! And I'm bringing you another chapter of this fic that I almost forgot about during a bit of trouble. Let's move on shall we!

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is owned by Bandai and other random Japanese companies. If I am sued after this, even though I wrote a disclaimer, be prepared to become the owner of a broken Playstation 2. (sniffles) I miss it so.

Pairings: Whoo, that's a long one to list, but it was listed in Chapter seven I believe, if you want to look it over. It's a mess I tell you.

Warnings: The usual of course. Such as Heero bastardization, yaoi and/or shounen ai stuff, OOCness, some obvious sexual attraction between people, might get a little dark sooner or later, but you'll still love it, right? Please note that I raised the rating only to be on the safe side. Oh, and I give you an original character of a man from my original work that I've been trying to piece together. He won't be in here long though, so no worries. On with the fic!

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

Quatre couldn't help but fall quiet as he was dragged into an elaborately decorated room and the door was slammed shut. The lock seemed to echo in the sudden quiet as it fell into place and the prince was now face to face with who only had to be Hazib. Said man sat on a cushioned chair, with a woman on one side, her face veiled from her the bottom of her eyes to the end of her chin. On the other side sat a young man, dressed in only a pair of pants, with his face veiled as well.

Hazib stared at him from kohl-lined eyes and easily smiled at the treasure his men had brought. Quatre was dragged forward, brought closer so that Hazib could study him, the man reaching out to take hold of him. It was reflex that had him slapping the man's hand away, the two prostitutes by his sides stiffening in obvious shock.

Quatre gasped as he was pushed to his knees, a strong hand pressing down on his shoulder to keep him in his position. Hazib only laughed as he reached out again, this time managing to gently take hold of Quatre's chin, his thumb running over trembling lips.

"We found you one we knew you'd like.", the turban man who had first approached him announced, "What do you think, Hazib? You like him, don't you?"

"Oh, yes.", Hazib was smiling, sending a shiver of disgust down Quatre's back, "He truly is a beauty. He was the face of god."

Hazib was only shocked momentarily as Quatre slapped his hand away from him again, an amused laugh escaping his lips as he looked back to the angry and yet scared expression.

"Hmm, a fiery spirit, too.", the man said standing, leering down at Quatre with a smile, "And if I'm lucky, the body of a virgin."

Quatre's frightened expression was his confirmation that he had guessed right and he laughed outright, letting his hand pet through soft golden locks. His men had truly done well. He'd have to pay them accordingly.

"A job well done gentlemen.", he congratulated them, the men chuckling triumphantly amongst themselves, "We'll display him at tonight's auction. He'll go to the highest bidder, and I'm sure we'll get some high prices for our chaste little fire sprite. Take him to Anoki, he'll get our newest boy ready for his first night."

He was fighting as best as he could as he was dragged from the room and Quatre even managed a good kick to someone's groin, but he was successfully taken to wherever it was he was being taken to. Quatre was thrown into another room, luckily landing on a spot on the stone floor covered in cushions, and he looked back to glare at the men who had handled him so roughly.

They only laughed at him before they were turning away, closing the door behind them. The prince stood from the floor, rushing over to try and open it, but he heard the lock falling into place at just that moment. He gave a frustrated cry as he banged against it, wanting nothing more than to get out of there.

When he realized that he was stuck there, he turned to sag against the door, hoping that Wufei, Zechs, or even Duo came for him. Though it was the braided boy's fault that he had ended up in here. If the braided thief hadn't left him alone, or rather, if Zechs and Wufei hadn't left him behind with Duo, he'd never be caught in this mess.

"So you're Hazib's newest boy?"

The soft spoken words caused Quatre to look up and aquarmarine eyes stared up in near awe at the man in front of him. The prince couldn't help but blush as the one thing he could think was that the man was quite handsome. That and he didn't look like he was from these lands at all. He could have easily been from the East as Wufei was, but there was a slight difference in the man's features.

Black tresses flowed past his shoulders and down his back to stop a few hair's breath away from the man's waistline. A single white feather hung from his hair, an odd decoration, but it suited him. Dark and somewhat sloed eyes watched him carefully, lined with dark blue kohl. A silk robe, which was tied loosely about him, covered much of his brown skin and thankfully his waist down to mid-thigh. Though some of his chest was exposed, chisled and toned, and it had Quatre blushing. He wasn't shocked that much by the man's state of dress, being that this was after all a brothel, but he was still had modest.

The man smiled, obviously amused by Quatre's innocent embarrassment, and easily made his way to where the prince still sat. He offered his hand to help him up, and Quatre accepted.

"Thank you.", he said meekly, trying his best not to stare.

The man gently laughed, which had Quatre's face lighting again.

"No need to act so shy; this is a brothel."

He was walking away after that, heading over to a small table with two cushioned seats in front of them, gracefully seating himself in one.

"I guess you're Anoki?", Quatre inquired, not sure if he was suppossed to follow.

"Yes.", Anoki was answering, taking to opening the small vials and canisters on the table, "And you are Prince Quatre of the Middle Continent."

Quatre gaped, eyes wide and mouth hanging open, at the man's knowledge of who he was. Anoki only smiled at him, and gently patted the other seat with his hand, indicating that Quatre should join him. The prince did so cautiously, still curious as to how Anoki could have possibly known who he was. Out this far from the royal city, his face wasn't well known by the locals. In fact, it wasn't well known inside of the city as well.

"How did you know my name?", Quatre began to ask, as Anoki stood, "How did you know that I was the prince?"

The dark haired man walked to a wardrobe, Quatre not sure if he was being ignored, and began searching through the various garments.

"Anoki-"

"How I know is not important.", Anoki was telling him, pulling out a garment and putting it back to reach for another, "It is why I know that should concern you."

There were a few moments of silence, in which Quatre contemplated on asking any further questions, and Anoki searched through the wardrobe.

"Ah, this one will do.", he announced in satisfaction, returning to Quatre, "What other color for a virgin, yes?"

He was holding out the clothes for Quatre to see, the prince slumping as he stared down at the white vest and matching pants. He hated white and gold, since it was the royal colors that he wore back in the palace. He had only gotten a change when he had grouped up with Wufei and Duo, eager to be rid of the blanch color.

"Go behind the screen and change.", the older man was ordering him, handing him the garments.

"Why?", he questioned, Anoki merely smiling.

"To attract a prospective buyer's attention of course."

"I don't want attention.", Quatre objected, "I don't want to be a pros-"

"Your Highness.", the title made him pause in his speech and Quatre waited for Anoki's next words, "You must do as I say and trust that I am only trying to help you."

He wasn't sure why, but it was something in the man's eyes that had Quatre nodding in agreement. He disappeared behind the screen and after a few moments, emerged dressed in the clothes he had been given. Anoki smiled up at him, obviously pleased and eagerly handed him a pair of matching slippers. Soon enough, Quatre was seated again, as Anoki took to adding gold jewelry on his arms, wrists and to hang from his neck.

"Who are you truly?", Quatre was asking a few minutes later, as Anoki lined his eyes, "Where did you come from?"

"From a land across the waters.", Anoki simply answered, finished with Quatre's eyes before pondering out loud, "Should I add color to your lips? No, they're colored nicely already. Just be sure to pout."

As Anoki rambled on, Quatre quietly thought things through. Anoki had said that he had come from across the waters. Which waters were those? The seas to the North were his first guess, but he had reason to believe that it was the much larger waters you found when traveling West and reached the coastlines. Had Anoki truly come from so far?

He was pulled from his thoughts as Anoki took to pinching his cheeks, causing Quatre to yelp at the small amount of pain.

"There, now you look all the more the blushing virgin."

Quatre's cheeks tinted further at the words and he sat patiently as Anoki fussed with his newly aquired gold jewelery. He was still curious however, as Anoki had never answered his first question. It was obvious that this man was something more than the caretaker of the harlots in a brothel, and the prince was determined to find out just who he was.

"Anoki-"

"I saw you coming to me, long before you had even reached.", Anoki was saying, as if reading Quatre's mind, "I am a sorcerer, who has been chosen to guide you. I will help you on your journey, and help you escape becoming the most wanted of Hazib's boys. If you stay here, the women would lose their business as well."

Quatre didn't let himself be distracted by the words, though he couldn't help the flush that took his skin as Anoki said them.

"Siren in the mist."

His eyes snapped to Anoki as the words were softly spoken, an image of Howard flashing through his mind as well.

"How-"

"Tonight we will let you be just that and draw the right ones to you.", Anoki announced, reaching for a mirror and handing it to Quatre, "Though, you will not promise your heart to any other but the one who you have already ensnared. The one who longs to have you and will do all he can to protect you."

Quatre could say nothing at that, and he had to wonder just what the man could mean by that. He was urged to look into the mirror and Quatre did as told, a bit stunned by what he saw, as well as a bit miffed. He had always been told that he could pass for a girl, and now he was sure he would easily be mistaken for one if it wasn't for the fact that the vest he wore showed he had no breasts. None the less, he was a sight to behold and he wondered a bit shamefully just how many bids there would be and how high they would reach.

Anoki was soon behind him, gently holding him by the shoulder and smiling at him through the mirror.

"You really are beautiful.", he told the boy, gently stroking his hair, "Just as beautiful as your mother."

The mirror fell from limp hands, as Quatre's shock had caused him to momentarily go limp, his eyes looking up to Anoki.

"My mother?", it was whispered, as he was now breathless.

Anoki had known his mother?

"I have been waiting for you, Prince Quatre.", Anoki told him, sitting once again, "There is much that must be told and I have waited too long to meet you."

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

Wufei frowned up at the building that he had been pointed the way to, ignoring the men and women in the windows and along the street who tried to gain his attention. He couldn't help but wonder how they had all ended up in such a place, and why they didn't leave and save what little bit of honor they had left.

With a scowl fitted on his face, he pushed his way through the front door, avoiding the reaching hands of any of the cortesans he passed by. Once inside, he looked about, aware that this was a successful place of business, which made sense. Selling pleasure had always been a good business endevour, no matter how degrading the Eastern man thought it was.

He was aware of a man entering the door behind him, and he kindly moved out of the way, as his hand stealthily reached for the man's belt. The purse that hung from it was easily snatched away and Wufei silently promised himself that he'd find a way to make up for stealing. Though he had to say, Duo wasn't the only one good at pick-pocketing.

"Welcome!"

He was greeted by a smiling woman, who took to draping her scantily dressed form over him, her fingers running through his loose locks. They had managed to come that way when he had returned to ask the sleazy man for directions, but found his camels gone. After tracking him down, and finding him without said camels, he had presumed to beat the man sensless, his hair losing its tie in the process.

The animals had already been sold, but Wufei wasn't concerned with that, he had only wanted directions to this Hazib's brothel. He had received them and had been on his way, letting the man keep the money. It was his way of apologizing for the senseless beating.

"You look like you could use a good time.", the woman was drawling, her nose nuzzling his cheek, "Would you like to spend it with me?"

Wufei gently pushed her away, glaring at the woman and causing her to stumble back from the intensity of it.

"I'm looking for a boy-"

"Oh, so that's what you're into.", she said with a smile, cutting Wufei off and sending the warrior into a spluttering fit, "Well you're just in time. Hazib's got a new one and I'm sure you'd like to try and win him."

"Woman! I-"

"Come on!", she urged, latching onto Wufei again, "I'll take you to the bidding room."

Wufei could only grumble under his breath as he was dragged off, hoping that it would give him somewhere to start. There seemed to be a lot of places that he'd have to look and he figured he'd start wherever the woman was taking him.

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

Zechs watched in wide-eyed disbelief as he came to the spot where the camels were located. No, had been located was more the term. Duo and Quatre were no where in sight and it would seem that Wufei hadn't returned either. He heard the woman growling behind him and he sighed tiredly, his head hanging. This wouldn't be good.

"You told me there were camels, Zechs.", she seethed, her men tightening their hold on his bound arms, "I don't see any."

"Look, there has to be some sort of mistake.", he was trying to plea with her.

The woman only snarled at him, her face set with anger as she stared back at him. There was no getting out of this one it seemed.

"The only mistake here was me taking your word!", she fumed loudly, "I should have known never to trust you!"

"I swear to you there were camels here.", Zechs continued, "My friends must have-"

"Take him out of town and make sure he never returns.", were her orders, before she was turning and walking away.

It sent a cold sweat down Zechs back, and he could do nothing but allow himself to be pulled away, as the last time he had tried fighting had earned him a few bruises. He decided to give it a shot, as bruises didn't mean much if he was going to die. A heavy punch to his gut had him stilling, his breath wheezing at the hit, and he fell to his knees in pain.

He didn't have the time to feel embarrassed as he was lifted onto one of the men's shoulder and toted off. He had to think of a way out of this and fast. He didn't come this far to just die.

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

Trowa's face was set in an annoyed expression, his body stiff and unresponsive. He had been allowed to ride Heero's horse for the remainder of their journey, since the swordsman claimed that Trowa was too slow when following. Trowa could find no reason to be grateful, even if he had been riding the horse on his own. As it was, he had to ride with Heero, and the man had insisted that Trowa ride in front of him, rather than behind him.

He slapped Heero's straying hands away for what had to be the hundreth time. The brown-haired man had been trying relentlessly to touch him since he had first climbed on. If he hadn't been so damned tired from walking who knew how many miles in the desert, he would have gladly climbed down and walk the rest of the way.

He was growling as Heero's hands were at it again, and he went to take hold of them, but was stopped as his chin was taken a firm hold of. His neck was slightly arching back, as Heero turned his head so that he could easily nuzzle his cheek, Trowa's body tightening in anger. It was just his luck that the one man who was able to bind him had to be the most lecherous ass in all the continents.

"I suggest that you behave.", Heero was murmuring to him, his free hand trailing over the symbolic scar of Trowa's chest, "You wouldn't want to face the consequences now would you?"

The same hand that had been running fingers over his chest, were soon pressed against his stomach, easily sliding down toward the hem of his pants. Trowa could only keep still and wish that Heero would fall from the moving horse, as he wasn't holding onto the reigns. Sure he'd end up falling as well, but that was only a small price to pay if it meant getting the man's hands off of him.

He gasped as a shiver ran through his body, as Heero's hand traced along the hem of his pants, teasingly pushing it down. Heero's pleased chuckle had him cursing himself for even reacting to the touch, as he was sure that the man's advances were bound to get worse.

He was stiffening as another feeling passed over his skin, this one a sense of nearby magic. It was familiar magic, one that he had had the misfortune of encountering before. The grip one his chin slackened and then left all together to go about his waist, as Heero's other hand took the reigns once again.

"What is it?", Heero seemed to have realized that there was something out there as well.

Green eyes were searching the darkness of the desert, trying his best to focus on finding the source of this particular magic, when he noticed the dim lighting of a town not too far off. There was magic there but the one he felt was closer, and he let his eyes scan over the sand again.

The dim light of a lantern caught his eye and he easily made out three men. Normal eyes would have just seen shadows, but Trowa saw every detail and every face with clarity. The one he had been looking for wasn't too far away.

"What do you see?", Heero was asking him, Trowa not sure how the man knew he had found something.

He smiled at the question none the less.

"A chance for revenge.", he answered carefully, knowing Heero was smiling as well at his words.

"Then take it.", the swordsman was urging him, releasing him completely, "And be stealthy."

Heero's orders, for that was what they were, he followed only because he had planned on doing so to begin with. That and with his "master's" pemission, he could use his magic, which was bound by Heero's spell. One moment he was there and the next he was gone, a shadow gracefully moving along the sand to his unsuspecting victims.

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

Zechs wasn't really surprised as the two men that had brought him out here had decided to beat him instead of getting right to killing him. The punch that was sent to his face he couldn't feel, as he had long gone numb to any amount of pain they had tried to send to him within the first few minutes of his beating.

He just had to kneel in the sand and bear it all, at least until they grew tired of it and finally decided to kill him. Unlike before, there was no one to distract them so that Zechs could make his escape, so he had to try and actually think of something. Unfortunately for him, nothing was coming to him.

"Well, my friend.", one of the men called for his attention, "Are you ready to die?"

Zechs could only sigh and let his head hang in defeat. It would seem that, ready or not, he was going to die anyway. He heard as the other man, the one holding a sword, stepped forward, but then he also heard a strangled gasp. Zechs tried his best to back away as the back of the man's head was in his line of sight, his would be executioner having fallen foward; obviously dead.

He looked up just as the other man screamed, watching as he dropped into the sand right beside his partner. Then he was looking up again, only to find a pair of glowing green eyes staring back at him in the torch lit darkness.

"I wanted the pleasure of killing you myself.", Trowa explained, as if Zechs had asked.

Zechs staggered back as best as he could on his knees as Trowa stepped forward. It didn't help that he was tied up and whatever caused him to become weirdo magic man seemed to be taking a break at the moment. He was officially screwed as it was and he only hoped that Trowa killed him as quickly as possible.

The sound of a horse whinnying drew both of their attention and Zechs was gasping as a huge sword came crashing down between them, effectively seperating Trowa and him. The acrobat was now glaring up at the man who sat atop the horse, the same guy that had attacked Wufei, and Zechs wasn't sure if he should thank him or not.

"Leave him.", were Heero's words and Zechs sighed.

His relief was short lived as the next words from Heero's mouth were spoken.

"We'll kill him later."

Had he not been bruised and beaten, and not to mention, in an awful lot of pain, Zechs was sure he would have said something to that. However, he was way too tired and sore, so all he did was slump back into the sand and watched as Trowa reluctantly clmibed onto the horse with Heero. Then the two were gone, riding off in the direction of the town.

He wanted to move, wanted to follow after them, as he was sure that Heero knew that Wufei was there, but he couldn't do anything. He was far too hurt, and not to mention tied up, to do anything at all. So instead of attempting to move, Zechs gave in to the unconsciousness that took him.

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

The unmistakable feeling of hands were the first thing that Zechs recognized. They were carefully prodding him, obviously checking for injury, and immediately he knew whose hands they were.

"Milliardo?"

The soft laugh was his confirmation and then he heard water trickling, and then pouring over his skin. It was then that he realized he was in water, obviously being washed from the sand and blood that adorned him. He wanted to open his eyes and finally see Milliardo, but they wouldn't open, no matter how hard he fought.

"You can't see me.", Milliardo sadly told him, Zechs relaxing as his sore muscles were massaged.

"Can you see me?", he was questioning, feeling a warm sensation traveling over his skin at the touches he were receiving.

He knew as much as he felt, that he was being healed, and he wondered exactly how Milliardo was managing it.

"No.", came the answer to his question, and his curiousity grew.

"Then how do you know what to do?", was his next question.

He heard Milliardo laugh, as if he had asked a silly question, and Zechs couldn't help but frown. He was being serious; he wanted to know after all.

"I just feel."

Milliardo's words were accompanied by a soft stroke along his battered stomach, which tightened at the touch as Zechs gasped. He relaxed when it came again, and the pain that he had been feeling there melted away.

"Feel?"

He had no idea why he was asking so many questions, but he was glad that he was doing so. This was the the most he had actually spoken with Milliardo inside of his mind, other than him making promises and Milliardo begging him to never leave him. His hand was taken and pressed against a cheek, and Zechs felt his breath catch at that.

"Yes.", Milliardo was softly murmuring, "Can you feel me?"

Could he feel him? Zechs let his hand gently caress the face, before moving to feel silken hair. He did feel him and he felt. . . wonderful. He wasn't sure if this was just his mind making what he wanted Milliardo to feel like or not, but he cherished it just the same.

He realized that his hand was wandering a bit too much and he jerked back a bit in shame. His hand was caught though and pressed back against the plane of Milliardo's chest, Zechs unsure of what to do.

"Milliardo-"

"It's okay, Zechs.", the soft voice reassured him, gently guding his hand over his skin, "I want you to feel."

Zechs could only wish that his eyes were able to open as his hand glided over Milliardo's torso. It seemed as if Milliardo's skin would be as tempting as it felt, and gradually his hand made its way lower, Zechs' breathing having grown heavier. In the back of his mind his wasn't sure if he should be doing this, but Milliardo had wanted him to feel, and damn it, he wanted to feel, too.

"Zechs!", the name was gasped as his hand moved even lower and it was the last thing Zechs heard before he was pulled into consciousness.

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

Zechs jumped up from what had to be the most confusing dream he had ever had. He realized soon enough that he wasn't hurting, and it was then he figured out that it hadn't been a dream at all. Somehow, he and Milliardo had connected and Milliardo had healed him. His hands, which were for some odd reason no longer bound, reached up to feel at his face and found that it was normal again. There were no bruises, no cuts and no swelling. He was as right as rain.

He paused as realized that meant that Milliardo had been able to physically heal him, just through their link alone. Then he was blushing, something he hadn't done in a while, as he realized what that meant. If Milliardo's touches had been as real as if he were here, than that meant. . . he groaned to himself, glad that they hadn't met face to face. Hopefully, they had a long way before they ever did. He had to build up the nerve to face him.

He could worry about that later, right now, he had to go and see about his friends. Pulling himself from the ground, Zechs carfeully started his way back toward town. It would take him a while, since he was on foot, but he had to get there as fast as he was able to. The others were in trouble and he was sure that they would need his help.

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

Milliardo woke from his sleep with a gasp, his body trembling as his cheeks tinted a light shade of red. He couldn't believe what had happened, or rather, what had nearly happened. Hell, he was mostly shocked because he had been so forward. This Zechs, whoever he was, was still still a complete stranger, no matter how much he felt that they knew each other. And here he was, just basically throwing himself at him.

Well, he hadn't started out with the intentions on trying to seduce Zechs. Hell, it had just happened. He sat up at the sound of someone clearing their throat and he looked to where Treize sat watching him from his bedroll. In the dim firelight, it wasn't hard to see that the man was blushing and that had Milliardo flushing as well, as he realized he had probably been talking in his sleep.

"It's safe to assume that you can travel, seeing as you're now up?", Treize questioned, and Milliardo could only nod.

The older man stood, taking to packing away their makeshift camp and Milliardo followed. Well, at least with that last mental encounter, he knew in which direction to go. When they were mounted on their horses, Milliardo willingly took the lead and Treize followed without objection or question.

At least Treize wasn't the nosy type. That or the man was far too embarrassed to ask any questions. Milliardo was grateful all the same, as he really didn't want to think about what had nearly transpired. He just wanted to find wherever it was that Zechs was leading them to.

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

Duo happily lazed in his cushioned seat, as he was fed fruit by the beauty he had seen outside, sighing in contentment. This had to be the life. Lying about with beatuiful women by your side. Someone was offering him wine and he looked up to the young boy that was now beside him, offering the boy a smile and a wink. He stood corrected, beautiful women and men.

It was a shame that this would only last as long as his money did, and he had already spent a lot of it on the food and drink he was now being fed. He'd enjoy it while it lasted, because after this, he'd have to deal with cranky ol' Wufei. Right now, he didn't have a care in the world.

"Duo, what the hell are you doing!"

The shouted words had startled him and Duo was soon choking on the grape that he had been recently fed. Just when he thought that things were going great, reality came to bite him in the ass. When he was done hacking and wheezing, he turned to look at Wufei, who stood staring down at him with a scowl on his face. It was clear that the dark-haired boy was none to pleased with finding him here and Duo was about to get an earful.

"Why the hell are you here, when you should have been watching the camel's with Quatre!", Wufei demanded of him.

"Quatre's a big boy, Wufei. He can watch the camels on his own.", he simply said, leaning back into his seat again, "I just thought I'd come relax a little. I'm sure he's doing a fine job."

He was soon choking again, this time on a strawberry, at the words that came from Wufei's mouth next.

"Quatre's been stolen.", Wufei announced with a snarl, watching as Duo choked, "And the camels are gone, too."

When he had finally managed to dislodge the piece of fruit from his windpipe, Duo turned to Wufei, gasping for air, a shocked look on his face.

"First off, are you trying to kill me?", he asked, Wufei merely rolling his eyes, "And second, what do you mean Quatre's been stolen? Where the hell could he have gone?"

The sound of a gong had Duo and Wufei looking up, only to find a man dressed in purple looking out at the occupied room from atop a small stage. With everyone's attention on him, he smiled, Duo noticing the curtain behind the man, which held the sillouhette of someone behind it. What the hell was going on?

"Gentlemen, and those few ladies, I welcome you!", the man started, introducing himself, "I am Hazib, as you might know, and I hope that you have been enjoying your evening so far."

The whoops, hollers, and laughter filled the room, Hazib smiling again in satisfaction. Duo had been one of many that was cheering, but a punch to his arm caused him to shut up, Wufei offering him a threatening glare. He sure did know how to ruin all the fun.

"Allow me to make it much more exciting.", Hazib was beginning again, after quieting them down, "For you see, I've stumbled upon a very rare beauty. And might I add, he's a virgin."

That caused the men and few women to become excited and loud again. It also gained Duo another punch, since he had once again joined in with the masses.

"As you know, viginity can be lost only once, and so for his first night here he will only have one lucky man or woman.", Hazib announced, his words followed by murmers of speculation, "So let the bids begin, as he will only be sold to the highest bidder."

Those words had Duo and Wufei looking at each other curiously, before both theirs eyes were looking back at the stage.

"I give you, my very own, siren!"

Duo watched eagerly as the curtains parted and then his smile was fading as he recognized the person on stage. Well, at least they had found him.

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

Quatre sat nervously as Hazib took to riling up the crowd and Anoki looked him over one last time. He had spent the last half hour talking with the strange man, learning things he had never thought possible. He had learned more about himself that he had never known and had been shocked to learn.

Anoki had never truly known his mother, but they had met before, when his mother had been brought here as a prisoner. She had been caught out on her own in the desert, and brought here to be made to work as a prostitute. Anoki had helped her though escape, not wanting to see her trapped here, in place he claimed would have killed her.

She had been hidden in a gypsies' caravan and was taken to the royal city, where it was obvious she had met his father. Though she wasn't a princess, he had married her anyway, most likely through loopholes in the law and a few years later Quatre was born. Being a sorcerer, with a talent for Seeing, Anoki had watched as time progressed and had seen his mother's death. He seemed to know things to come and he knew that Quatre would find his way here.

As Anoki had predicted, Quatre had reached, by the same way his mother had. And now, the same way that he had helped his mother, Anoki was helping him. Though since he sat waiting to be auctioned, his right ankle chained to the floor of the stage so that he couldn't run, he had to wonder just how Anoki was going to do that.

"You are uncertain.", the man observed quietly, Quatre looking to him.

He watched as Anoki finished dusting what skin of his that showed with gold powder, dark eyes then looking up to Quatre's aquamarine.

"I can feel it."

Oh, yes. He had nearly forgotten. Anoki had told him he was an empath, meaning he felt what others' emotions were and others could feel his as well. It would seem it was more so the later at the moment, as the prince had no idea how Anoki was feeling right now.

"What if it doesn't work?", he asked timidly, his eyes shimmering in his doubt.

Anoki only smiled at him reassuringly, one of his hands reaching up to cup his face.

"You need only have faith.", he encouraged him, "Your friends will save you."

It would seem Hazib was winding down and Quatre nodded at Anoki's words. The sorcerer had told him that two of his friends were close by and he would be saved. He just had to believe him and trust in this gift of Anoki's that let the man See just that.

"I give you, my every own, siren!"

At Hazib's words, Anoki stepped back as not to be seen and Quatre steeled himself as the curtains fell open.

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

Wufei could only stand there, eyes wide in shock, as the curtain pulled back to reveal no other than Quatre. He had known that the prince had been taken to this brothel, but he hadn't expected that he would be the main event of the evening. The anxious and lust filled laughter that filled the room, had him in a cold sweat and he felt his stomach sink as he realized that Quatre would be given to the highest bidder.

"I bid twenty rupees.", the first bid rang out, and amount equal to a substantial amount of gold.

Wufei gritted his teeth with a growl as a higher bid was placed. No one was going to win Quatre; not if he had anything to do about it.

"Fifty rupees!"

It was called out before he could open his mouth and Wufei turned to look at Duo with a stunned expression. What on earth was Duo doing? Had he been thinking along the same lines as Wufei?

The grin that Duo threw his way, caused Wufei's eyebrow to twitch in pure agrrevation. Duo just planned on winning. So it was up to him to play hero; again.

"Seventy rupees!", was his bid and he cast Duo a careful glance.

The boy had at first been frowning at him, but his face changed as he settled for a sly smile. Wufei didn't feel good about this at all.

"Eighty!", was Duo's number and Wufei growled again.

He was sure that he didn't have much more than one hunded and he had no idea how much the thief had been able to gather for himself before coming here. He'd just have to keep bidding and see.

"Ninety rupees!"

It would seem that he and Duo were now the only ones bidding, everyone having gone quiet to see just who would triumph in this private battle.

"One hundred rupees.", Duo bid with confidence, leaning back into his seat, his eyes trained on the sloe-eyed warrior.

Wufei cursed under his breath as he realized he couldn't bid any higher, or at least he didn't want to risk it. He wasn't sure how Duo could try to take advantage of his friend, and at the moment, he felt like killing the braided idiot.

"Two hunded rupees."

The new bid was a surprise and both boys turned to see who had made it. It was an older man, who watched Quatre greedily with a hungry smile, his choice of wardrobe making it painfully aware that he could afford it. With some desperation, Wufei turned to Duo, who was now sulking.

"I have one hundred rupees.", he began, turning Duo's gaze to him, "We can combine our money and probably win, but only to save him; nothing else!"

Duo scoffed with a roll of his eyes, sitting up in his chair to turn and face Wufei.

"Geeze, Fei-Fei, what do you thinking I was doing?", he asked, Wufei stiffening at the nickname, "I'm not that much of a bastard."

"It didn't look like you wanted to save him to me!", the ebony-eyed boy was hissing in his defense.

"I was just teasing you.", Duo laughed, before pulling Wufei closer, "Though, I also have some bad news."

Bad news? Wufei could only wonder what it was.

"I was bluffing.", Duo announced with a huge grin, a vein throbbing in Wufei's forehead, "I only have about ten rupees on me."

"Duo, you idiot! I-"

"Will there be no other bidders?", Hazib was pushing, cutting Wufei's rant short.

He panicked as he realized that there was nothing they could do. He and Duo didn't have enough money, even if they combined what they did have. Duo had been bluffing the entire time. A light went on in Wufei's head at that moment and he realized what he could do. Duo had been. . . bluffing.

"Three hundred rupees!", he cried out, the crowd gasping in awe.

Hazib's grin grew far too wide at that and the man easily closed the bidding without giving any one else the chance to outbid him.

"It seems we have our lucky winner!", the owner announced.

Wufei sighed in relief, his body sagging in relief as well at the words. He had no idea how he would explain this when the money had to be collected, but he figured he'd deal with that when the time came.

"Congratulations, Fei-Fei!", Duo laughed, slapping the Eastern man on the back, "I knew you had the hots for him."

With the urge to suffocate Duo stifiled, Wufei merely glared down at the laughing idiot, who had continued to let himself be pampered.

"So, how are you going to deal with the fact that you can't pay?", Duo was asking, Wufei merely hmphing.

"I'll deal with that when the time comes.", Wufei informed him, before he was ordering him, "You go see about sneaking him out of here."

"Yes, sir!", Duo shouted teasingly, jumping up to salute him.

Wufei only ignored him, but stopped him before the thief could actually leave.

"If you lay one hand on him I swear-"

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry.", Duo brushed him aside, slinking off as stealthily as he could, "I won't touch your boyfriend."

With Duo gone, Wufei turned just in time to find Hazib, as well as two heavily muscled guards, coming his way. Well, he had grown up a diplomat and scholor before learning how to fight. It was time to put what he had learned to good use.

T.B.C.

Yes, I know crappy chapter, but I'll try my best to make the next one better. Again, sorry for the long wait. Don't worry about Anoki, he's just in this chapter and the next. He'll barely be mentioned after that. His character's actually way nicer in this fic than I intended him to be in my original fiction. He's the main bad guy; evil mo fo, too. Please, please, please, leave reviews. Let me know that you're still with me and that I'm making the right choice in keeping this fic alive. Tata for now!