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Part 5 - What doesn't kill us makes us stronger

Treize wasn't sure how Wufei knew that something had happened and where, but something told him that this wasn't the time to asked questions. He let the young wizard lead the way, somewhat surprised when he realized where they were heading.
When they entered the rose garden Treize saw Milliardo towering, sword in his hand, over a motionless figure on the ground, and the first thing that jumped into his mind was that somebody had attempted to assassinate the crown prince. But then he recognized the figure and his eyes widened.
"Your Highness, what happened?" he asked. As he moved toward the prince, Wufei crouched down next to Heero, turning the lifeless body on its back.

"I'm not sure, really." Milliardo shook his head. He looked at Treize and slowly released the grip on his sword. The weapon dropped to the ground. "We were just arguing and suddenly he attacked me. I didn't have any choice but to fight back."
As the first guards entered the garden confusion started to spread. Treize yelled out for somebody to get the healer and then directed his attention back to Milliardo. "Are you hurt in any way?"
"No, I'm fine. I just want to go to my quarters now." Milliardo answered.

Treize nodded. He gave the prince a concerned look. When he didn't find the least bit of concern or guilt in those ice blue eyes the captain concluded that Milliardo had to be in shock. Striking down another human being, even in self-defense, could be hard to handle. But it had to be a hundred times worse when that person was your best friend.
"Wufei, stay here and see if the healer needs your help," Treize ordered, then gestured two guards to follow as he accompanied the prince back to his quarters.

Just outside the prince's chambers the small group met up with the king. Somebody has already informed him about what had occurred.
"Milliardo are you aright?" Stephán asked concerned.
"I'm fine, father. I suppose Heero was not as good of a fighter as everybody thought. - If you don't mind I would like to be alone now." With a curt nod the prince entered his room.
The king exchanged a worried look with Treize. The captain waited until the door had closed before he spoke.

"I don't think he fully realizes yet what has happened, Your Majesty. Perhaps he should not be alone when it sinks in."

King Stephán nodded in agreement. "I'll have the healer check on him a little later. And I want guards around him at all hours. I trust you will take care of that, Captain."
"Yes, your Highness, as you wish."

"What about Heero? How bad is it?"
Treize lowered his gaze, as he slowly shook his head, unable to meet the monarch's eyes. He had seen the boy, had see the wound and the blood, and in his experience nobody could survive the loss of such an amount of blood. "I'm sorry, your Highness, but I'm afraid he is beyond help. The healer and Wufei are with him though."

***

It was long after midnight when Treize finally headed to his own quarters. He had assigned several guards to watch Prince Milliardo around the clock, and had made sure that the king's approved of them. He had also tried to talk to Milliardo one more time, but the prince didn't want to see anybody.

Now the captain was dead tired and hoping to get at least a few hours of sleep before dawn. When he entered his main chamber he found the candles in the room lit and heard somebody rummaging in the other room.

"Wufei?"
"Yes," Wufei answered.

Treize walked over to the draped doorway that separated the two rooms. As he pushed away the heavy curtain he found the boy stripping out of his bloodied clothes.
"Do you want to talk?" the ginger-blond captain asked.
The young wizard gave him a short gaze then shook his head. "Unless I'm still needed I'd rather just go to sleep." He sounded exhausted to the bone.
Treize nodded understandingly. "Right, I'd better get some sleep as well."

***

Milliardo woke up, relieved to see the first rays of the morning sun creeping through the window coverings. He had slept poorly, unable to shake those reoccurring images in his head. Visions of Heero's face; that expression of total disbelief in his blue eyes when the blade hit him, the blood…

Maybe there was some kind of guilt and remorse deep within him, but as soon as he opened his eyes it was gone, replaced by another nagging headache and that voice deep within him.

What am I feeling guilty about? I only did what I had to do. It's not like I killed him in cold blood. He had the chance to defend himself. It isn't my fault he was foolish enough not to take it. - But of course father won't see it that way. He will blame me like usually.
Milliardo got out of bed and dressed. He felt no desire to see or talk to anybody right now. He walked out onto the balcony from where he could look down onto the court yard. The crisp morning air felt good, but it did little to clear his mind. When he stepped back into the room somebody was sitting in the chair next to the fireplace. The prince's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Wufei?"
"You could begin by telling me the truth," the young wizard answered calmly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"The Truth?" Milliardo echoed.

"…about what happened last night. You said that Heero attacked you, suddenly and unexpectedly, yet you do not have as much as a single scratch on you, your Highness. Heero was an excellent fighter. I doubt you would have survived his attack unharmed."

Milliardo snorted in sarcasm. "Perhaps everybody just overestimated Heero's abilities." Suddenly he remembered that there were guards right outside his door and he frowned. "How did you get in here anyway?"

Wufei didn't even blink. "I'm a wizard, remember. And you couldn't even begin to imagine what I'm capable of."
"Non of this concerns you, so why do you even care?" Milliardo glanced over to the table where his belt and sword lay; making sure that he could reach it with two quick steps.

Following the prince's eyes Wufei almost smirked. As he raised his hand slowly, sword and belt rose from the table and hovered in thin air for a moment. Then the weapon slipped out of its sheath and the belt dropped to the floor.

Milliardo swallowed hard as he watched his sword move toward Wufei. Without even touching it the young wizard snapped the weapon in half like a twig.

"There is no reason to worry. I have no intention of harming you," he announced, as he let the now useless metal drop to the floor.
"Why would I worry?" Milliardo snorted again. "I know that you can't harm me with your magic. Treize had you put a spell on yourself that won't allow you to use magic against him or anybody in the royal family."

"True," the dark tanned boy confirmed, crossing his arms once again. "But then again, I was the one who created that spell. But as I said, I did not come here to harm you. I only want you to answer some questions. Why did you want to kill Heero? I thought the two of you were friends?"

"Friends don't do to friends what he did to me." Milliardo spit angrily. "He and my father were plotting on taking the right to the throne away from me. I didn't have much of a choice but to stop them."
"Them?" Wufei asked. "Does that mean that you are not done yet? You are planning of getting rid of your father as well?"
Milliardo smiled dangerously soft. "You know, for a slave you are quite smart, Wufei. But let me tell you, there is noting you can do to stop me."
"I could go and tell the king what you just told me."
The prince laughed. "I think I gave you too much credit. You are not really as smart as I thought. Go ahead; tell my father whatever you want. We will see if he is going to believe the word of a slave over his own son." Milliardo turned toward the door. "Forgive me for being rude, but this conversation is over. Guards!"

***

It was nearly noon when Treize decided to check on his slave. Wufei had left their quarters early in the morning, even before the captain was awake. Treize was surprised when he didn't find the young wizard in his tower, where he normally spent most of the day. But then, nothing that happened since yesterday fit the description of "normal".
Treize stopped a nearby guard to ask the man if he had seen Wufei.

"No Captain Treize, I have not seen him. But I've heard that Captain Septm had him taken to the dungeon a while ago."

"What?" Treize's jaw almost dropped. He stormed off, covering the distance between the South Tower and the Dungeon in record time.
"Captain Septm had my slave brought down here?" he asked the warden on duty. "Where is he?"
"Yes, Sir. He is in on of the cells in the back," the man confirmed "But I'm not allowed to let anybody…"

Ignoring him, Treize walked past by the man and headed for the back of the dungeon where a number of small cells for prisoners in solitary confinement were located. He could hear the warden follow him. Most of the cell doors stood open, only one was locked. The captain held his step in front of it. "Open the door."

"Sir, I'm not allowed to…"

"Open that door, now," Treize repeated. He gave the warden a glare that promised a slow and painful death in case he was ignored. The man cringed and pulled out a large ring of keys. His hands were shaking so badly that he dropped the keys twice before he was finally able to open the lock.
Wufei was lying on a makeshift bed of straw. When the heavy wooden door was opened he raised his head and pushed himself up on his elbows.

Treize's face darkened when he saw that the boy was wearing shackles. The chain leading from the manacles to a ring embedded into the wall was just long enough to allow him to lie down. But the captain was even more disturbed about a second pair of bracelets around Wufei's wrists. He had seen those devises before and knew were designed to stop the young wizard from using his magic power.
I promised him he would never have to wear anything like this again. Treize thought half angry, half saddened.

Noticing his master's look at his wrists, Wufei shook his head. "It's alright," he spoke. "It's not really that bad."
"No, it is not alright," Treize protested. He realized that the boy was only trying to pacify him. Wufei was a true wizard. He lived and breathed magic, and being depriving of it had to be torture. "That rotten son of a bitch had no right to do this to you."

Wufei blinked and his jaw nearly dropped, as his master blasted out another string of foul language. The boy had never imagined that words like this even existed in Treize's vocabulary.
"Take off his chains," the captain ordered the warden.

"I can't."
"I said take off his chains." he repeated dangerously low. He was in no mood to argue right now.
"I apologize, Sir, but I really can't." the man stammered. "I don't have the keys."

"Then, who has them?"
"Captain Septm, my Lord."

"Wufei, just hang on a little longer I'll be back soon." With that promise Treize left the cell. As he reached the warden's room he found Lieutenant Otto waiting for him.
"I have been looking for you. I suppose I should have guessed I would find you down here."

"Is something wrong?" Treize frowned.

His friend grimaced and took a deep breath before answering. "I have orders to take you to his Highness; if necessary by force."
"What are you going to do, slap chains on me?" Treize asked lightheartedly.

Otto grimaced again then nodded once.

The captain just stared at him in disbelieve. "You can't be serious."

"Please Treize," the lieutenant pleaded. "Don't make this any more difficult for me than it already is."

Treize sighed. "Do what you got to do. I was hoping to speak to the king anyway."

***

"Why did you brainless fool not tell me that there is a wizard in the royal palace?" the dark-haired woman yelled, her red eyes sparkling with anger.

Mueller cringed and tried hard not to show his fear as he stammered. "But, Mistress…I've heard that he is only a boy… I thought…"

"You thought? You aren't supposed to think. You are supposed to follow my orders. If he is only a boy we should be even more concerned. From what I'm feeling I can tell that he is quite powerful now. I do not want to have to face him when he is older."
"I understand, Mistress. Please forgive my foolishness."

"Next time leave the thinking to those who have the brains for it," she snarled.

"Yes, Mistress." Mueller bowed even deeper, and sighed in relieve about the fact that there was going to be a next time. The Sorceress had killed people for lesser mistakes.
"You will kill that wizard before he becomes a greater danger to our plans." She ordered.
Mueller's eye's widened. "But I can do nothing against magic power."

She snorted. "Don't you think I'm aware of that, you fool? Right now he is in the dungeon and unable to use his power. Get rid of him while he is helpless."
"Yes, Mistress." The man bowed again and when he looked back up the image of the sorceress was gone.

***

Treize paced restlessly forth and back in his room. After his meeting with the King and Septm, he had been ordered to surrender his arms and had been confined to his quarters. Two guards stood outside his door and two more guards were with him in the room to make sure that he didn't attempt to break his confinement.

The captain was still bewildered. He had been told that Wufei had entered the crown prince's quarters and threatened him. Treize had a hard time believing that, because it didn't seem to make sense. Wufei had no reason to do anything like that. He had nothing to gain from it, only to loose. Sure Wufei had been spending a lot of time with Heero and the two could be almost considered friends. But even if Wufei blamed Milliardo for Heero's death he had more self-control and brain than to give in to his anger.

Septm and the king, who didn't know Wufei as well as Treize did, saw things of course very differently.

:::Begin of Flashback:::

Captain Sept glared at the ginger-blond knight as he was let into the room by two guards. Treize tried hard to keep his expression blank. Being chained up and treated like a common criminal hurt. And that anybody would question his loyalty and devotion toward this king was even worse.

"Your Highness, I told from the beginning that that slave boy should have never been allowed to set foot into the palace." Septm spoke.

Treize snorted.

"Oh please, Captain. Don't you mean I should have never been allowed to set foot into the Palace again?

You had a problem with me from the moment I arrived, although I have no idea why. I have not shown you anything but the utter most respect. And you don't even have enough honor to solve your issues with me like a man. Instead you have to take you anger out on the boy who has nothing to do with it."
"That's not true." Septm snapped.
"But let me warn you, Septm. If you harm Wufei in any way, I'll kill you and if it is the last thing I ever do."
He could hear the guards behind him stir, and he almost grinned.
For god sakes, my hands are shackled together behind my back. What do they think I'll do? Bite him?

"Enough!" the king cut them off. "Sir Treize, with all do respect, you are barking up the wrong tree. Captain Septm had nothing to do with Wufei's arrest. I personally ordered the boy to be taken to the dungeon. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt only because your family has been serving this kingdom for a long time. But make no mistake. If I get any resistance from you, you will join your slave in jail. Did I make myself clear?"
"Crystal clear, your Highness." Treize confirmed grimly.

:::End of Flashback:::

Well, perhaps threatening Septm had not been such a good idea in his position. Treize sighed. He hated the feeling of not being in control. He was locked into his room without knowing what was going on.

It could be worst, he tried to tell himself. At least they had removed his shackles, served him a decent meal for supper, and he was allowed to sleep in his own bed. Wufei wasn't that lucky.

I'm sorry, little dragon. I wish I could do something for you. I would change places with you in a heartbeat if it was possible.

Treize stopped and turned at the sound of the door being opened behind him. The soldier who entered was wearing a uniform in the read and white colors of the king's personal guard.

"Captain, his Highness wants to see you. I have orders to take you to him. Please turn around and put your hands on your back."

Treize complied and allowed the guard to chain him up again.
I wonder what the king wants? Perhaps he changed his mind and is going to throw me into the dungeon after all, he thought grimly.

***

Milliardo felt miserable, mentally as well as physically. He had not left his chambers all day. His meals which the servants had brought him were sent back nearly untouched.

After the guards had taken Wufei away, he had tried to get some more sleep, but sleep wouldn't come easily. As soon as he closed his eyes he was forced to relive the events of the night before. But every time they became more blurry and confusing.

"I want to know the truth about what happened last night." He could Wufei's voice once again.

The truth? I'm not sure that I know what the truth is anymore. Milliardo thought. What is happening?

Milliardo had noticed that his father had doubled the guards in the hall. He was a complete fool. He realized that those guards were not only there to protect him but also to watch him at all times. But neither his father, not anybody else seemed to remember that Milliardo was quite athletic. Climbing down from his balcony to the courtyard was rather easy for him.
By nightfall his headache had finally subsided, which was somewhat of a relief, and Milliardo decided to go on a little stroll.

For somebody who had grown up in this castle and knew where all the guards were posted, it was easy to avoid them. The prince made his way into the rose garden without being seen. He stopped as he entered the garden, and took a deep breath before he walked slowly to a patch of fresh dirt. Apparently somebody had tried to cover up the bloodied soil; a remainder of what had occurred less than a day ago.

Milliardo stared at the dirt, and only then and there realization finally hit him. Overwhelmed with shame and guilt he suddenly broke down. For the first time since in, he couldn't even remember how long, he sobbed.
What have I done? What's happening to me? Why am I doing these things? I don't really want to do them, do I?
Perhaps there was one person who could answer his questions. Wufei had come to him for a reason. Milliardo was convinced that that boy knew something that he didn't. Determined to find out what it was the prince headed for the dungeon.

***

Wufei woke when the door to his cell was opened. He sat up and glared suspiciously at the soldier who entered the cell. It was not the same guard who had brought him his meal earlier that evening and as far as he knew nobody was supposed to visit him.

"So, you are that wizard they all talk about?" The man snorted. "I somehow imagined you to be bigger and more intimidating. Or perhaps you just look this pathetic because you can't use your magic powers."

"Did you only come to mock me? Or is there another reason for you being here?" Wufei asked calmly.

"Actually, there is," Mueller confirmed. "I'm here to kill you."

"And why is that?" Wufei moved a little so that he could bring his arms behind his back. For his visitor it looked like the boy was just trying to crawl away from him. The man grinned cruelly.
Wufei's eyes never left Mueller as he started to work on his bracelets. They were supposed to open. For god sake, why don't they? For a moment he almost panicked when he realized the bracelets didn't come off.
The sparkle of panic in the boy's eyes didn't escape Mueller. He smiled evilly. "Are you afraid? You should be. You are about to die, you know."

Wufei didn't answer but moved further back. With his back braced against the wall he pushed himself up and got slowly on his feet. Mueller pulled a dagger from his belt. The young wizard waited patiently for the man to come closer, then he exploded suddenly. His jump-kick connected with the attacker's right hand. The man was stronger than Wufei had expected. Although he lost hold of his weapon he didn't lose balance.

Mueller grunted angrily. "You little bastard," he growled, as he swung at Wufei. His large fist connected with the boy's stomach, knocking the air out of him. As Wufei doubled over in pain Mueller took hold of the chain that shackled the boy to the wall. He wrapped it around Wufei's neck with one swift move and started strangling him.

Wufei kicked and struggled. He tried to push away the larger and much heavier attacker but to no avail. He opened his mouth and gasped but was unable to get any oxygen into his burning lounges. Soon Wufei could feel darkness tickle on the edge of his vision, as the lack of air started to overwhelm him.
Am I going to die like this, chained up like a dog, and suffocated? This wasn't how he had imagined his life to end. But at this point he couldn't even fight back anymore. He became sluggish and disoriented. His own heartbeat pounded so loud in his ears it drowned out every other noise around him. Why isn't anybody coming? It wasn't supposed to be like this? Something must have gone wrong. I'm sorry, Treize! I'm sorry for not telling you. I thought I could do this one my own.

***

"Mueller!"

The voice seemed to come from far away, and Wufei was too far-gone to recognize it, but suddenly the pressure around his throat eased. He coughed and wheezed as his lounges filled with air, the very essence they had been deprived of for almost too long. Instinctively he untangled the chain from around his neck; all the while wondering why Mueller had not finished him off. Slowly the fog around his brain began to lift and the blackness in front of his eyes disappeared. And when he was finally able to see clearly again he found his attacker fighting with no other than crown prince Milliardo. Still panting he watched the two men knock each other around in the small cell.

Suddenly Mueller had another dagger in his hand, or perhaps it had picked up the same that he had lost earlier. As Milliardo jumped back to avoid the blade he hit the door hard, and slammed it shut. The blond teen reached up and grabbed hold of the doorframe with both hands. He pulled up both legs he kicked Mueller in the chest. The impact sent the man tumbling back toward Wufei. Although the young wizard had only limited use of his hands, he wasn't necessarily helpless. Before Mueller knew what was happening Wufei had jumped up and taken his neck into a lock between his well-muscled legs. With one quick move the boy snapped the would-be assassin's neck, and the man went limp. Wufei let the lifeless body slide to the floor and leaned against the cold stone wall, exhausted.

"Are you alright?" Milliardo swayed slightly. His right hand moved up to wipe at a faint trickle of blood starting to slowly streak down the side of his face.

Wufei just nodded, not trusting his own voice. His throat burned.

The prince checked the door, only to find that there was no lock from inside. "I don't think it's meant to be opened from in here," he remarked dryly.

"Why isn't the warden coming? We must have made quite some noise." Wufei wondered, his voice hoarse.

Milliardo shook his head. "The warden is dead. I found him when I came down here. I suppose Mueller took him out first." The prince moved Mueller's body into the furthest end of the cell, then gestured to the pile of straw at Wufei's feet.

"Do you mind sharing?"
"Make yourself a home, your Highness," the young wizard croaked. "And thank you for saving my life. May I ask what you are doing down here anyway?"

"I had come to asked you some questions," Milliardo told him, as settled down in the straw and he made himself as comfortable as the circumstances allowed it. "I thought that you might be able to clear up a few things that I don't seem to understand."

"Go ahead and ask. I don't think we will be going anywhere, any time soon."

***

Treize frowned in surprise when he realized that the guard was taking him directly to the king's personal quarters.

King Stephán was waiting for them in his study. "Take off his restrains and leave us alone," he ordered.
The guard removed the shackled from the captain's arms, saluted and left the room. Treize rubbed his wrists and gave the king a confused look. "You wanted to see me, your Highness?"

Stephán nodded and gestured at a chair "Please, Sir Treize, have a seat. I believe I do owe you an explanation and an apology as well. I'm sorry for the way I had to treat you. Let me assure you that I'd never ever doubt your loyalty to me. But once you hear me out you will understand why it is important that certain people think that I don't trust you or Wufei."
Treize's frown deepened. "What is going on?" he asked puzzled.
"I'm afraid I'm not totally sure myself. I think the only person who fully understands what is going on is Wufei?"

"Wufei?" the captain echoed.
King Stephán nodded. "He came to me early this morning and told me that he didn't believe Milliardo's story about the events of last night. I've got to admit it is hard to believe that Heero would have done anything to harm Milliardo. But then I found it equally hard to imagine that Milliardo would lie about something like that. But Wufei is convinced that somebody is controlling my son with some kind of spell…"

"A spell?" the captain asked in shock. "What kind of a spell?"

"Wufei was not sure. He said that are quite a few spells that could be used to control somebody's mind." The king answered.

"But there is nobody in this castle that can use magic besides Wufei. At least that's what I thought. And he would feel it if another wizard was around."
King Stephán nodded. "I thought so too. But according to Wufei it is not necessary for the person who performed the spell to be inside this castle physically. He said he suspected that the person was using a medium to channel his energy through. He told me that I did feel something a few nights ago, but wasn't sure what it was then."

"You mean a wizard took possession of the body of another person here in the castle. I had no idea that something like that is possible." the captain remarked concerned.
"That's just what I said. But Wufei explained to me that it is not as simple as that. Only very powerful wizards are able to perform that kind of magic and secondly the medium has to absolutely willing to allow another entity take possession of his or her body."

"I see." Treize nodded. He wasn't sure thought if that was a very comforting thought; because it meant that somebody inside the castle was a traitor. "Do we know yet who is behind this?"
Stephán shook his head. "Not yet. But we are working on it."
"Everything what you told me makes a lot of sense, your Highness. But I still don't understand why you had Wufei thrown into the dungeon." The moment those words were out it hit the captain. Suddenly he understood and everything made perfect sense. He was right, Wufei had no reason to break into Milliardo's chambers and threaten the prince, unless of course he was trying to get somebody's attention.

"You are using him as bait," the captain exclaimed. "You are hoping that the person who is controlling Milliardo will try to get rid of Wufei as well."
"I'm sorry, but that was his plan."

"Why wasn't I informed about this earlier? And with all due respect, your Highness, I don't like the idea of Wufei being put in this kind of danger." And I don't like the idea of being used as a pawn either.

"I'm afraid that was Wufei's idea as well. He was afraid that you might not agree wit his plan. However, Sir Treize, I assure you that the boy is in no danger. The shackles that he is wearing are real but he can remove them whenever he needs to. I also assigned one of my most trusted guards as a warden in the dungeon for tonight. He will sound the alarm as soon as he notices anything suspicious."
There was a moment of silence as Treize mulled over and idea. Then he looked up and at the king. "I suppose you will have to make true on your threat and throw me into the dungeon as well."
King Stephán blinked in surprise. "I beg your pardon?"

"I want to be near Wufei so that I can be sure that he is safe," the captain explained.

The king nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Very well, Captain. But before I have you "arrested" there is something else I would like to tell you. I think you should know that Heero is not dead."

"Excuse me?" Treize was sure that he didn't hear right.
"Heero is alive," the king repeated.

"But how?" Treize frowned. "Nobody can survive a wound like that? Besides, if he is still alive, why are you allowing rumors to spread, that he has died?"
"I have my reasons." Stephán assured him. "Only the healer, Wufei and I know that he is still alive. And now you know it as well. There are a few things you don't know about Heero. This wasn't really the boy's first brush with death. When Heero was about eight years old, one winter day he decided to cross the frozen lake. The ice broke and he got trapped. By the time people were able to free him he was under water for so long that nobody, including myself, thought he was still alive. But once he was brought to the shore he begun to breathe again and he survived the incident with little more than a cold. And then two summers ago he wanted to find out if one can jump from the bell tower to the outer wall of the castle. I suppose he found out that one can not."

"He fell, and survived?" Treize's eyes grew wide in shock.
"With little more than a broken leg and some bruises," the king confirmed.

"But how? He is just a normal boy, isn't he?"

"I'm afraid he is not." Stephán replied. "Treize, I suppose you've heard the Legend of the Knight's of Destiny, haven't you? But have you ever thought of it as anything else but a legend?"

***

The same guard who had taken Treize to the king escorted him also down to the dungeon. The plan was for the guard to take the captain into the cell just across from Wufei's, and leave him there without locking the cell door.

However, the two men never came that far, because when they came down the stone stairway they found the warden sprawled on the floor in a large puddle of dried blood. The wooden handle of a dagger was sticking out of his back.

"Wufei!" Treize exclaimed in shock. He rushed down the dark corridor toward Wufei's cell.

Please, be alright, Wufei. Please be alright.

The captain found the heavy wooden door locked, and he wondered if that was a good sign. A large ring with keys was lying on the gray stone floor. Treize bend down to pick it up.

"Wufei?" He called out as he tried to find the right key. "Wufei, are you alright. Answer me!"

"Master? We are fine, don't worry," Wufei confirmed from inside the cell, and the captain let out a sigh of relieve.

When the door opened Treize stared in surprise first at Wufei, then Prince Milliardo, then Mueller, and finally back at Wufei. He hadn't expected to find anybody but his slave in the cell. "What in the world happened here?"

"That's a rather long story." Wufei answered. His voice sounded a little hoarse.

As the captain stepped closer he noticed the bloody bruising wrapping across his slave's throat. "What happened?" he asked alarmed, as he took the boy's chin in his hand and examined the wound.
"It's not as bad as it looks, Master," Wufei mumbled, somewhat embarrassed. He gestured toward the dead soldier. "He tried to choke me with a piece of the chain. Luckily Prince Milliardo came just in time to save me."

Treize frowned as his gaze moved down to the shackles around the wizard's wrists. "I thought those were supposed to come off?"

Wufei nodded. "They were. I'm not sure what went wrong. It worked when we tried it earlier. I'm sorry…"
"You are sorry?" Treize's frown turned to a scowl. "Is that all you have to say? You could have gotten yourself killed, Wufei."

"Please, Treize, don't be too harsh on him…" Milliardo interjected.
The captain's head snapped around. "What are you doing here anyway?" he asked suspiciously.

"I came because I wanted to talk to Wufei. Perhaps it will be best if we till you the whole story."
"That will have to wait," Treize decided, as he unlocked Wufei's shackles. "First I'm taking Wufei to the healer."
"I don't need a healer. I'm fine really. It's just…" Wufei tried to protest, but the captain wasn't so easily convinced.
"We will see about that."

***

Wufei spent the next three days reading through magic books and scrolls, trying to find a way to remove that spell from Prince Milliardo.

Treize seemed still angry with him, and Wufei couldn't say that he blamed his master. The captain escorted him in the morning to the south tower and picked him up after he had finished his duty. Other than that Wufei was only allowed to leave their quarters to visit Prince Millairdo.

The young wizard poked around in his food, listlessly.
"What is wrong?" Treize asked. "You don't like the roast? I can get you something else."
Wufei shook his head. "No, it's fine. I'm just not very hungry."

"You need to eat," the captain urged. "You will need your strength tomorrow when you are performing that counter spell on the prince."

"I know." He took a few more bites before pushing his plate away.

"What are you worried about?" Treize asked softly.

"I'm not sure if I'm powerful enough to remove that curse." Wufei confessed. "I have never done anything like it before. I wish we would have been able to capture Mueller alive. Getting some information from him would have helped a lot."
The captain reached out and covered the boy's hand with his own. "You will do just fine," he assured him. "We should probably go to bed early and get a good night's sleep."

Wufei nodded, as he rose and put their dishes together. He set the tray outside their door where one of the servants would pick it up later. "Good night, Master."

"Good night, Wufei."

As Wufei retreated into his bedroom Treize got up as well. He took off his uniform, and switched into his night clothes. A few moments later he blew out the candle on his nightstand and slipped into the bed.

Hours later Treize was still lying awake, staring into the dark. He felt tired, but sleep just didn't want to come. He turned over once again trying to find a more comfortable position. Moments later he could hear movement in the adjacent room.

"Why are you not sleeping?" the captain asked, as Wufei entered the main chamber, dressed in his usual white pants but no shirt.

"You aren't sleeping either," the boy retorted. With the snap of his fingers the young wizard lit a few candles in the room. He walked over to the dresser and retrieved a small vial.
"What are you doing?" his master asked curiously.
"I'm going to try to get both of use some rest. You can't sleep because you are too tense and I can't sleep because you are tossing and turning. Let me help you to relax and we both shall benefit."

"Hmmm…" Treize wondered what exactly it was that the boy had in mind.
"Take of your nightgown and turn over," Wufei commanded, as he climbed onto the bed next to the captain. "I need you to lie on your stomach."
Treize obeyed, and the boy pulled down the bedcovers to his master's hips, revealing the smooth and silky skin of his back. The captain turned his head to the side and watched as Wufei turned off all but one of the candles before he opened the small vial.

"What is it?" he wondered.
"Scented oil." Wufei held the small bottle under Treize's nose so he could smell the substance. It had an herbal scent to it, very pleasant and a little…relaxing. Wufei poured some of the oil, into his hands, coating them generously. He begun to he run his hands along his master's strong shoulders; carefully working those tense muscles.

Treize closed his eyes in delight and let out a slight moan. "This feels wonderful."

Wufei smiled a little, as his hands moved down the back gently pressing and kneading the soft skin. The captain shuddered when Wufei pressed his thumbs into a pressure point near his spine. The boy's hand moved even lower down to his hips, his fingertip brushing softly against the firm buttocks.

Treize tensed a little and bid his lips. He could feel a prickling heat somewhere in his groin and suddenly he was glad that he was lying on his stomach.

God, I wonder if he even realizes what he is doing to me? Probably not. He is still so innocent…

Wufei's hands worked their way back up to his shoulders, and Treize forced himself to relax. As he surrendered body and mind to the gentle pleasure of the young wizard's massage, it didn't take long before he drifted off.
When Wufei noticed that his master had fallen asleep he continued his massage for a little while longer then removed his hands. Carefully, not to wake Treize, he pulled the covers back up over his smooth, silky back.
I wonder when he finally realizes that I'm willing to give him so much more. What is he trying to protect me from? Doesn't he know I lost that kind of innocence a long time ago?

With the ghost of a smile playing around his lips, Wufei bend forward, and placed a tender kiss on the man's lips. Treize cracked open one eye. "Wufei?"

The boy jerked back, and his face turned crimson red in embarrassment. "Master! I…I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't…"
Before Wufei could slip off the bed and escape Treize seized his arm. "Wait, Wufei. I think we need to talk."

Wufei's blush deepened even more and he lowered his head. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "I…"

Treize dipped his head and captured the boy's mouth in a gentle kiss, successfully drowning his apologies.

Wufei closed his eyes and moaned in delight. His lips parted invitingly. He buried one of his hands into his master's hair.

"Gods," he breathed as the finally broke their kiss. "I have been waiting for such a long time for you to do this."
"Oh, Wufei." Treize whispered. "I had no idea you felt this way. You are shivering. Are you cold?" The captain pulled up the bed quilt and covered the boy.
Wufei huddled against his master's warm body. Treize gently put his arm around him.

"Are you still angry with me?" the young wizard asked quietly after a moment of silence. "I really am sorry about going to the king behind your back."

"I really was never angry at you," the captain assured him. "Just worried. I care a lot about you, Wufei. I don't want you to get hurt. Now let's try to get some sleep, shall we?" He placed a soft kiss onto Wufei's forehead before he closed his eyes and fell asleep with a content smile.

***

Prince Milliardo had spent the past three days confined to his quarters. Wufei had sealed his windows and the door to the balcony with a protection spell, which was as much supposed to keep him in as anyone else out. In fact, the young wizard had been his only companion during these days. But that had been Milliardo's own choice. I didn't want to take the risk of hurting anybody else. He had been told that Heero was still alive, which was quite a relief.

Milliardo was lying stretched out on his bed. It would be an understatement to say that he was nervous as he watched the young wizard make the last preparations for his counter spell.

"Relax," Wufei told him. "You are not going to feel a thing. I'll first put you to sleep and then I'll remove the spell."
"But there is no guarantee it will really work, is there?" Milliardo asked, voice barely above a whisper.
"Chances are it will work," the young wizard answered evasively. "Now close your eyes and trust me." He leaned forward to put his hands on the prince's forehead, but Milliardo caught his wrists in mid air and held them.

"I want you to promise me something." He said. "In case this doesn't work, Wufei, I want you to kill me."
Wufei's eyes widened. "Your Highness, do you have any idea what you are asking?"

"Yes, Wufei, I know. I know exactly what I'm asking. I have thought about it thoroughly. I don't want to live like this. Never knowing what I might do. Who knows who I might hurt next? My father or perhaps even my sister." He shook his head. ""I just can't live like that. I want you to give me your word; your word of honor."
The young wizard took a deep breath, then nodded once. "You've got my word."
"Thank you." Milliardo settled back into his pillow and closed his eyes. He trusted the young wizard to do what ever had to be done.

***

After successfully removing the spell from Milliardo Wufei had, with the king's permission, set up a number of wands around the castle and put up a spell that would allow nobody but himself to use any kind of magic inside the royal palace. It took him nearly two days to complete his work, and the research he had done had created a state of chaos in his tower. Books and scrolls were lying everywhere.

When Wufei heard the door opening behind his back he turned his head. He expected to see Treize, who was really the only person who ever came to visit him here. But instead it was Prince Milliardo who had entered the room.

"What happened here?" The prince gazed around. "It looks like a tornado came through?"

"A wise person once said. Those who keep order are only too lazy to search for something." Wufei replied cheekily.

Milliardo gave him a half-hearted grin.

"Is there something I can do for you, your Highness?"
"No, I think you have already done more than enough. I really came only by to thank you. I'm greatly in your debt, Wufei."

Wufei shook his head. "You saved my life in the dungeon, remember. As far as I'm concerned you don't owe me a thing, your Highness."

"Fair enough," Milliardo nodded. "But do you keep calling me your Highness. I insist that you start using my first name."
"I'll try to remember." Wufei promised. "How are you feeling?"
"I have been better, I suppose," Milliardo answered.
"Do you remember anything that happened?"

The crown prince nodded grimly. "Everything."

"Hmm…" the black-haired boy exclaimed. "I wasn't sure if you would."
"I wish I wasn't." Milliardo grimaced.
There was a long moment of silence before Wufei asked. "Did you go and see Heero yet?"

The prince shook his head. "How can I? After what I did to him, why would he want to see me?"

"That wasn't really you. It was the spell. There was nothing you could have done. Believe me, Milliardo; I know what I'm talking about. Besides, Heero asked for you yesterday. In fact, one of the first things he wanted to know, after coming to, was if you were well. You should go and see him."
"I'm not sure I'm quite ready to face him yet." Milliardo answered.

***

"What took you so long?" Heero asked. His voice was still lacking its usually strength, but his blue eyes sparkled bright as always.
For a long moment Milliardo just stood there and stared at his friend. - Former friend more likely. He didn't think that he had the right to call Heero his friend anymore, after what he had done.
Should he tell him that he had made several attempts to visit before, but every time he had lost his courage before he had reached Heero's chamber? Should he tell him that he had been standing outside Heero's room for what seemed forever, before he found enough guts to open the door? What in god's name should he tell him?

Finally he just managed to whisper. "I'm sorry…"

The younger boy pushed himself up into a sitting position, and tried hard not to grimace at the pain in his belly.
"It wasn't your fault, Milliardo. I talked to Wufei, he told me everything. You weren't yourself. And besides I'm alive aren't I?"

"Yes, but not thanks to me." The prince starred at his feet, unable to meet the other boy's eyes.
Heero shook his head. "I think you are wrong about that."
Milliardo's head jerked up and he gave the brown-haired boy a puzzled look.
"Think about it. If you really wanted to kill me you would have stabbed me in the heart. It wasn't like you didn't have the opportunity when I was lying there. If I can forgive you, Milliardo, don't you think you could find it in your heart to forgive yourself?"
"Perhaps," the prince answered voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps in time I might be able to."

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T.B.C.

Author's Note:

Feedback is greatly appreciated, constructive criticism is welcome :-)