Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Lord of War ❯ Marshna ( Chapter 9 )

A shout out toYaoilovertash for beta-ing for me so quickly! Thanks!

Chapter Warnings: violence, and severe Duo ranting (aka: horribly bad language) *I’m not joking!*

Chapter 09: Marshna

Duo walked through the threshold into the house and sighed, the moves of his fight with Wufei still playing in his mind. He knew the man was going to be good; he was a warrior monk from the Temple of Life for fuck sake. How could he not be? But, the gap between Duo’s strength and Wufei’s pissed him off to no end. The guy had been playing with him! End of story.

To other people it may have seemed as if they were going all out, but that hadn’t been the case. The monk was just sizing him up, testing his skills. True, he did land a few good hits, but not enough of them to be proud of. The only thing that kept him from punching the nearest marble wall out of frustration was the fact that his shoulder wasn’t completely healed as of yet. That handicap made him feel optimistic about his sparring session. Considering he had a wounded shoulder, he hadn’t done half bad. It was when he compared it to the way he usually fought that pissed him off.

Still grumbling in his head, Duo made it to his room and retrieved a clean toga, and then traveled to the bathing room with his clothes in hand. Sighing at the sight of a hot bath, he climbed in and began to wash the sweat off his tired body. His hair would have to wait since Sally wasn’t here to give him the help he needed, considering how much of a chore it could be. At home, he could go a few weeks without having to wash his hair, but when he told Sally this, she demanded he at least wash it every other day. Striking the bargain that she would have to help, Duo agreed to her demands.

Normally, Duo would have soaked for a while, but since Trowa and Kat were here, he decided against it and climbed out of the tub, toweling himself off as he did so. Once he was dry enough, he slipped on his fresh clothing and made his way to the dining hall to meet Kat and his husband. But as Duo walked by Heero’s bed chamber, he saw the young Lord sprawled face first on the bed. Duo blinked once or twice at the scene then began to walk in to ask Heero what he had on his mind.

But before he even walked through the door, a hand came out of no where and wrapped itself around Duo’s neck, then pinned him to the wall, knocking his head against the hard marble. Duo’s vision blurred, making it hard to identify his attacker. Bracing himself to push off of the wall to fight back, he felt a sharp blade prod threateningly at his abdomen. Feeling the point of the blade press harder, Duo froze but kept his hands around the wrists of his captor.

“Where did you think you were going?” A familiar voice growled.

“Duo!” he heard Quatre yell. Turning his head, he heard, rather than saw, Quatre and his husband running up to them from the dining hall. “Wufei, let him go!”

Duo’s vision cleared finally, changing the blurred figure in front of him into a very pissed off monk with a gilded dagger in hand. //What the hell did I do, you fucker!?//

“I have every right, Winner.” Wufei declared, never taking his eyes away from Duo’s.

“Like hell!” Duo retorted. Wufei’s eyes darkened noticeably as Duo felt the dagger twist a little against his abdomen, breaking the skin and causing blood to trickle down his side. Hissing in pain, he glared at the man and tightened his grip on the offending wrist. “Do you always attack unarmed men from behind?”

“Don’t push me, Aiko.” Wufei warned, increasing the pressure around Duo’s throat.

Duo tried to ignore the pain in his side and lack of oxygen in his lungs as he narrowed his eyes and grinned at the monk. “Right back ‘atcha, Wu Fu.”

Wufei’s grasp around his neck tightened dangerously as he pushed the dagger in a little further, causing Duo to close his eyes at the sharp sting. “It is *Wufei*, Aiko.”

“Stop it!” Quatre choked out, close to tears.

“His crime doesn’t warrant this, Chang,” Trowa argued.

Wufei’s eyes narrowed. “That’s my decision, Barton.”

Quatre walked up and grabbed on frantically to Wufei’s shirt. “Wufei--”

“Enough!” Heero barked out, appearing at the doorway.

“Heero…” Quatre pleaded, sounding miserable.

Heero stayed where he was, folding his arms as he gave Wufei an angry look. “Release him, Chang.”

Surprisingly, the monk did as he was told, dropping him to the floor, and stormed away. He was about to pass Heero completely when he stopped and spoke, not even bothering to turn his head to look at the man. “Put him in his place as an Aiko, Yuy, or I’ll put him in his place: Six. Feet. Under.”

Heero turned to watch Wufei disappear around the corner while Quatre held back tears and inspected his injury. “I’m fine, Kat. Really. Just a little confused is all.”

“Confused?” Trowa echoed, coming to Quatre’s side.

Duo rubbed his throat gingerly. “What the hell did I do?”

Trowa and Quatre looked at each other in confusion, then back at him. “What do you mean?” Quatre asked. “You were about to walk into Heero’s bed chamber without permission, while he was sleeping no less.”

The memory of his first day with Tricieus came flooding back. He had said that, hadn’t he…but Heero never--

“It is my fault,” Heero announced without even turning around. “I never have enforced that rule upon you, have I?”

Duo shook his head as if Heero could hear it rattle.

“No wonder you’re confused,” Heero practically mumbled. It was silent for a moment before Heero said something Duo thought he didn’t hear right.

“I apologize.”

Stunned, Duo stared at Heero’s back while the young Lord walked away. He apologized…Tricieus said that a Lord never did that, unless it was to each other, but to an Aiko…even Duo knew what just happened wasn’t normal.

“Let me dress your wound.” Quatre offered, breaking the silence as he helped him to his feet.

Duo winced at the pain in his side, but still managed to give Kat a lopsided grin. “Thanks.”

They made their way down to the bathing room where Quatre began to fuss over Duo’s wound.

“Really, Kat it’s not that bad. It’s just a--aaahhhhhhh, ow shit! What the hell is that!?” Quatre had begun to swab the cut with a brown liquid, which stung like a bitch!

“Some warrior you are,” Quatre snorted. Duo just glared at him. “Now how still, this cleans the wound out. I said hold still!”

Duo began to dodge the evil brown liquid as Quatre tried to apply more. It wasn’t until Trowa intervened and held him down that Quatre managed to finish his torture he called ‘disinfecting’. Duo just kept glaring at the blonde, who reached up and patted him on the head with a grin. “Good Aiko.”

Duo’s scowl deepened and Quatre began to giggle at the sight. Only Kat could get away with that and live…//well, Sally probably could too//, Duo amended.

“Who was whining in here?” Phinneaus asked as he walked into the bathing room.

Quatre, still giggling, pointed an incredulous finger at Duo, earning him another glare from the Aiko. Phinneaus just blinked at him, waiting for an explanation until Trowa held up the glass bottle of the demonic brown liquid. Duo felt like hissing at the bottle //damn, evil, mother fucking…//. The shit hurt!

“Ah,” was all Phinneaus said, apparently understanding Duo’s plight completely.

Wanting to get his mind off of the earlier torture, Duo turned to Phinneaus and smiled. “So, I take it you didn’t get caught last night?”

“Last night?” Phinneaus looked at him in confusion until the meaning of the question dawned on him. “Oh, that…um, well…I kinda…” He began to scratch the back of his head as he studied the floor.

“He didn’t make it there.” Trowa cut it. “We found him passed out on the street while we were walking home.”

The image of Phinneaus sprawled out on the street in all his drunken glory made Duo throw his head back in laughter. “It’s not funny!” Phinneaus yelled over his laughter, blushing a deep red.

“Yeah it is.” Trowa said without even batting an eye, making Duo laugh even harder.

“Knock it off or I’ll strangle you with your own braid!”

Finally able to breath again, Duo smiled back at Phinneaus. “Ask Wu Fu, I’m sure he’ll do it for you.”

“Oh shit,” Phinneaus walked over to them. “You already had a run in with him?”

“Why do you think Kat is torturing me with that,” Duo motioned over to the bottle of disinfectant.

Phinneaus sighed and sat down beside him. “Don’t hate him for it…Wufei I mean. You can hate Kat all you want for his little torture device.” Quatre scowled at him but Phinneaus paid him no mind and continued. “Wufei is a complex guy to begin with, let alone the added identity of being a warrior monk. He really does have a lot on his plate, being Heero’s protector and all. The man doesn’t make it easy on him, hence the proverbial stick up his ass.”

Duo smiled at that.

“He owes Heero a lot, so he’s even more overprotective than he would normally be.” Quatre added.

Duo’s eyebrows furrowed. How would a warrior monk owe a Lord of Lorlia anything? How the hell would their lives even cross paths? “How so?”

“How much do you know about the Temple of Life and the monks that train there?”

“Just that they’re better than good, and they rarely leave the temple.” Which confused Duo even more: the monks of the Temple of Life were very well known for not interfering with the outside world, so why the hell was Wufei here?

Phinneaus nodded his head. “That is true, but they do leave for special occasions.”

“And this occasion would be?” Duo motioned with his hand for the man to continue. For once, he might actually get a question of his directly answered.

“Heero picked him.” Trowa interjected. Duo just blinked at the man. “Once Heero’s parents were killed, the Royal Court sent Heero to acquire a protector from the temple.”

Quatre smiled. “Believe it or not, Wufei was a struggling student back then.”

Duo was a little taken aback. “No shit?”

“Yep.” Phinneaus began. “We don’t know exactly what happened up there, all we know was Heero was supposed to come back with the priestess named Meiran, and didn’t, but brought Wufei instead. Ever since that day, Wufei’s skills increased exponentially and now he is know as one of the strongest monks in the order. And, in his eyes, this is all because of Heero. So, he’s a little over-protective of the man. Rightly so, however.”

Duo thought about that. //So, Heero’s parent were killed and the Royal Court freaked out and sent Heero to get a professional bodyguard//. “Why were Heero’s parents killed?”

“That was different.” Phinneaus blinked at Duo. “Most people ask *how* people are killed, not why.”

Duo didn’t comment and just waited for the answer. It was Trowa that stepped in. “There was a war scare all those years ago and a radicalist group assassinated the former Lord of War to stop one from starting.”

Short, sweet, and no details. What did he expect from Trowa? Duo sighed to himself. He was hoping to get a lot more information but when he opened his mouth to ask the Lord to elaborate, Trowa shot him a look that simply said ‘the end’. Needless to say, there was something more to that story. But, for now, the black and white version would have to do.

“I wish we could stay longer, but Trowa and I should be going.” Quatre noted the dark sky though the window. Duo nodded and followed them to the front entrance to see them off. Once the two were out of sight, he turned to Phinneaus. “So, do you have to leave too?”

“Why? Trying to get rid of me?” Phinneaus leered.

“How’d you guess?” Duo smiled and walked back into the house.

Phinneaus had a smirk on his face as he followed. “Hey! I thought we were getting along better.”

“You bought me as a spoiled rich boy’s fuck toy.” Duo stated, only half serious now days, since he really did like Heero deep down.

“At least he’s a handsome spoiled rich boy, not fat and ugly.” Phinneaus retorted.

Duo smiled back at him. “I guess I do have to thank you for that.” They made it to Duo’s room and he sat on the bed while the other man leaned on the doorway. He had to admit, he and Phinneaus were a lot alike. And yes, Heero was beautiful for a guy //fuckably beautiful, you mean//. As far as slavery goes, he had hit the jackpot with the man.

“Well, I’m gonna head off to my room for the night, see you in the morning.” Phinneaus yawned for effect and headed off down the corridor. Duo shook his head. What was he thinking, becoming so friendly with the people here? It was getting to the point that he liked being here, that is, until a certain high strung monk reared his holy head. Groaning, Duo flipped onto his stomach and buried his face in the pillow. Like he really needed another fucking obstacle.

“Duo,” Sally called from the doorway. He just grunted in reply. “Heero is calling on you for the night.”

Groaning yet again, Duo slid off the bed and trudged himself towards Heero’s bed chamber. Heero was already in bed when he got there, so Duo just slid in on the opposite side and fell asleep, unconsciously aware that this was the first night ever that they had not talked before hand.

# # # #

One night and two whole days went by before Duo saw Heero again, the man was so busy. It’s true that Heero was normally pretty busy, but ever since his birthday a few days ago, the young Lord was up to his neck in duties and meetings. Even Duo felt sorry for the man, and was starting to miss him, despite how irrational his mind told him that was. He even found it hard to fall asleep without Heero sleeping next to him, which made him blush one moment and then berate himself the next.

The night they didn’t see each other, Duo ended up sleeping in his own room. In the morning, he found out that Heero had gotten back after he was asleep and then left before he woke up. Normally, Duo would have waited in the man’s room last night to greet him and would have fallen asleep in their bed…// What the hell am I saying! It’s *his* bed!//, but since Wufei was lurking around the house, Duo didn’t press his luck. He felt the monk’s presence the whole day yesterday, though he didn’t see him even once with his own eyes, he knew he was there. He felt him lurking around today as well.

The only reprieve he got from the monks ever watchful gaze was when Duo was bathing. Suffice to say, he stayed in the water for as long as he could manage. He spent most of the day working out yesterday and was in the process of doing the same today, honing his rusty skills as well as he could without an actual partner. He was tempted to ask Wufei again for a match, but he wasn’t so sure how serious the man would take it and didn’t feel stupid enough to find out. So, with nothing else to do, Duo worked on his movements until the moon was high in the starry sky.

He finished with his workout and was changing into his night clothes when Sally came to fetch him to Heero’s room. “He’s back?”

Sally nodded, her eyes downcast as they made their way to Heero’s bedchamber. “Yes, and he left at sunrise this morning again. Duo, if every day from now on is going to be like this…”

He knew where she was going. Heero didn’t usually manage to fall asleep until sunrise, as least for a good amount of time, and if he has to leave at that time nowadays…//he’ll die from exhaustion at this rate//. “Don’t worry Sally. Maybe now he’ll sleep sounder because he’ll be more worn out than usual.”

The woman just sighed in response and motioned Duo into the bedchamber. He slipped in and looked around for Heero, who he spotted sitting out on the balcony, and joined him there. “Long day?”

Heero looked over at him as he sat down and sighed. “You could say that.”

The man looked bone tired, making Duo wonder if he slept at all the last few nights. “Is every day going to be like this?”

“No, but I have to do a lot of preliminary things before my role is finalized. The last step is tomorrow actually, thank the Gods.” Heero sighed and poured himself, then Duo, a goblet of wine.

Duo accepted it gratefully and took a sip. “What’s the last step?”

“Military review.” Heero downed the whole goblet.

Duo blinked at him. “Huh?”

“Basically, it’s when all the commanders and generals and such stand in a line and I scrutinize them. Then, they do a few mock fights and show off how much they are improving…or not improving, depending.” Heero’s tone lowered at the last part. Something told Duo that the mad hadn’t been pleased the last time he went to one of these ‘military reviews’. Was it possible that the only strength his army had was in numbers and not skill? Now Duo was curious. But, an outsider, a fighter of a well known tribe to be exact, asking permission to see the skill of another tribe’s army wasn’t exactly kosher. Actually, the fact that Duo was even thinking about asking was risky. What if Heero began to think he was a spy or something?

Whatever the man thought, Duo’s inquisitive mind got the better of him. “Hey Heero,” he started.

“Yes?”

Duo studied his wine goblet, afraid to look into those piercing blue eyes if he was rejected and branded a spy. “Can I come tomorrow?”

Heero blinked. “To the military review?”

“Yeah…” Duo dared a look into Heero’s eyes and saw no anger there, just confused interest. “You see, I don’t have much to do here and all…so, I could keep you company tomorrow. Besides, you sound like you’ll need it.”

Heero sighed once again and turned his gaze to the moon //he does that a lot//.

“You’ll be bored out of your mind.” Heero warned.

A light smile graced Duo’s mouth. “I don’t mind.”

Heero sighed once again and turned to look at him. “Very well, you may come.”

Duo’s smile widened //I guess I won’t be as bored tomorrow//.

# # # #

They talked for a while out on the balcony before climbing into bed. Heero had been surprised that Duo would want to go to something like a military review //he must really be into that type of thing, being from a warrior clan and all//. He knew that Duo was a skilled fighter, but that was about all. He didn’t really know anything about the man: his likes, his dislikes, nothing. And surprisingly, he found himself wanting to know. But besides their little conversations before bed, which Heero had been missing lately, they never really got the chance to talk. An idea came to Heero as he was staring at the ceiling and a smirk graced his lips //Maybe he would like the Court…//.

Proud that he thought of something that Duo may enjoy, Heero closed his eyes and slid into a deep sleep.

# # # #

Duo lay on his side, gazing up at the moon. What did Heero find so interesting about it anyway? The man always looks at it when he’s thinking. Duo’s brow furrowed as he thought of possible reasons for Heero’s love of the moon when he heard the said man mumble in his sleep. Turning around, Duo watched him as he mumbled in some incoherent, dead language.

“...Kaa-sama…chichi-ue…naa…okiru . Onegai, okiru…” *

Duo blinked down at the dreaming man. There was that “chichi-ue” word again, but the rest was new. Heero began to move and jerk in his sleep as the nightmare deepened, making Duo feel sorry for man. No man, no matter how brave or high in station, can control their dreams. ‘In sleep, we are equal’ a wise man in his village once said.

The braided man felt his body move on its own as he slid over to Heero and wrapped his arms around the dreaming lord. Tucking the dreaming man’s head under his chin, he began to move his hand in soothing circles on Heero’s clammy back. After a while, Heero’s breathing slowed as he practically melted into Duo’s arms. Duo’s heart rate, however, skyrocketed as he realized what he was doing, //’the hell am I thinkin’?//. He was about to shift away when he felt Heero sigh and burrow deeper into his arms, making him blush. Looking down at the man cuddled under his chin, Duo let out a sigh of his own //I guess this is okay…for the night, and for Sally’s sanity//.

Giving in, but not enough to admit that he was just as comfortable, Duo closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.

# # # #

//I’m warm. Really warm…and comfortable…//

Heero groggily opened one eye and took note of his surroundings. He was curled up with Duo, who was still sleeping soundly with a small smile etched on his face. Heero wasn’t awake enough to question if he really was in the man’s arms or if this was just a dream and truthfully, he didn’t care //…most likely a dream anyway//. Inhaling deeply, Heero took in the smell of Duo and listened contently to the beating of the Aiko’s heart which soothed him back to sleep like a lullaby.

A few hours later, Heero heard his name being called softly.

//Sshhh…tired.//

“Heero, get up.” The voice cooed.

//No…sleep…//

“You’ ll be late.” The voice persisted with a noticeable smile behind it.

“Don’t care,” Heero groaned out loud.

“That’s a first,” a familiar voice chided.

//Phinneaus?//

“Maybe we shouldn’t wake them…”

//…Quatre?//

“He 217;ll kill us later if we don’t.”

//Shut up, Fin.//

“But they look so cute,” Sally giggled.

As soon as he heard the word ‘cute’ being referenced to himself, Heero shot up out of bed. “I am not cute.” He glared at the group of onlookers by his bed, who were just smiling back…even Trowa.

“Yeah you were,” Quatre smiled incredulously.

Heero’s glare deepened. //Why the hell would I be…//, he looked down and noticed Duo still sleeping beside him comfortably and flushed. Perhaps that wasn’t a dream. “Uhh…”

Phinneaus’s grin widened. “Its okay, we won’t tell.”

Heero scowled at him as he felt Duo stirring beside him.

“Wazat?” Duo mumbled as he sat up and blinked at the intruders, still half asleep. It took a little while for Duo to recognize the situation. When he did, his face did a great impression of a beet as he tuned away from their smug looks, Phinneaus’s being the worst. “Aw, their so shy.”

Duo and Heero looked at each other, and with a silent understanding, threw their respective pillows at Phinneaus, beaming him right in the face. Trowa stepped to the side as the man stumbled and smirked as he fell to the floor, swearing as his ass hit the marble.

Sally laughed unabashedly at the man as Duo and Heero kept glaring at him, basically saying ‘serves you right’. Quatre reached down to help the fallen man while Trowa’s grin widened in amusement. “Nice shot.”

“Thank you.” Duo and Heero grinned in unison. Sally recovered from her laughing as Phinneaus made it to his feet, swearing under his breath yet smirking at the same time.

“Why is everyone here?” Heero asked, finally realizing how strange it was to have so many people in his bedchamber.

“I came to say ‘goodbye’, Sally came to wake you up, while Tro came to get you for the military review…and wherever there’s Tro, Kat isn’t far behind.” Phinneaus explained with a smile.

“Sally didn’t come to greet us,” Trowa filled in, “So we came looking for her and found her here with Phinneaus, practically beaming at you two in pride.”

“Can you blame me?” Phinneaus chided, then turned and pointed an accusatory finger at Sally. “She practically squealed in delight.”

“I did not!” Sally defended herself and slapped Phinneaus’s arm.

“Could everyone please start acting their age?” Heero grumbled, then his head shot up as he remembered what Phinneaus had said. “Wait, what time is it?” //The military review, oh fuck!//.

“Half past nine.” Quatre blinked.

“Shit!” Heero tumbled out of bed. “Trowa, go ahead without me. Phinneaus, could you please help me dress and Sally, take Duo to his room and get him something suitable to wear.”

“What for?” A new voice questioned.

“He’s coming with me.” Heero answered to no one specifically as he began to rummage through his dresser.

“Is that wise, Yuy?”

“I don’t have time to argue, Chang.”

Wufei walked over from where he was standing near the doorway and leaned against the dresser Heero was throwing clothes out of. “Then don’t argue with me and leave him here.”

Heero turned around and saw every one still standing there. “What are you all doing, move!”

Apparently snapped out of their reprieve, Sally yanked Duo out of bed and disappeared as Trowa and Quatre took off towards the practice grounds while Phinneaus made his way to the closet and retrieved Heero’s armor and sword. Wufei, however, kept glairing at him. “Yuy…”

“I said not now, Wufei.” Heero shot at him as he slipped into the toga that Phinneaus handed him. Phinneaus began to layer the cloth and armor on Heero as he and Wufei continued arguing.

“There is no reason for him to go.”

“There is no reason he can’t go.” Heero shot back.

“Yuy, he is a warrior from another tribe, and you’re bringing him to see our army’s best…and worst. Don’t you think that is a little reckless on your part as a Lord of Lorlia?”

“Wufei, my friend, Duo is a warrior bored out of his mind that just desires some fresh air and new surroundings. You of all people should understand that.” Heero glared at the man, knowing that he had won.

Wufei bit his tongue and turned away. “Very well, but I request that you keep Trowa by your side as well.”

“Granted,” Heero agreed. “Not that you won’t be lurking in the shadows as well, I’m sure.”

Wufei snorted at Heero’s comment and then excused himself. As soon as he left, Heero heard Phinneaus chuckle below him as he tied Heero’s sandals up. “He never changes.”

Heero inspected Phinneaus’s work and found everything in order, not that he was surprised. “You expected that he would?”

“Not really,” he smiled then got up to fix the clasps of the cape to the shoulder guards, “One thing ‘s for sure.”

“What is that?”

Phinneaus’s grin widened as he cocked his head in the direction Wufei had left from. “The guy needs to get laid.”

# # # #

Duo fixed the wide bracelets around his wrists so they covered the sai rings and adjusted the silver rings around his biceps. Glad that this was the extent that Heero liked as far as jewelry went, Duo smiled at himself in the mirror: nice but not overblown like Tricieus usually was.

“There!” Sally announced as she finished lacing up his sandals. “All done. Now, Heero will introduce you but only if anyone asks, so otherwise stay quiet and only talk to Heero if you’re alone. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, have fun!” Sally pushed him out the door and he made his way to the front of the house where Heero was waiting for him on his horse and holding one by the reins for Duo. Heero handed him the reins and he mounted the white mare. It was a bit strange since the horse had a saddle on her and Duo had never ridden with one before, but he soon got the hang of it and they were off.

About five minutes later, they rode though a gateway that lead into a large arena where people in armor were already lined up. They all bowed as Heero rode up to them, then looked at Duo quizzically as they stood up. Feeling a bit out of sorts, Duo rode closer to Heero and kept his eyes ahead of him. Heero dismounted and Duo followed suit, handing the reins off to the servant who walked up to him.

Trowa walked up to them and greeted Heero with a bow and tipped his head to Duo. Duo did so back and listened in as the two lords conversed. “I’ve done the basic preliminary for you, now all that is left are the sparring matches.”

Heero nodded in thanks then stepped up to a podium to address the men. Duo basically ignored Heero’s speech as he looked around him. The men were well dressed, each wearing full armor and clean togas. Some gave him curious looks while others tried to pay attention to Heero, though they too gave Duo a side glance. He was beginning to feel a little self conscious, especially when one of the commanders caught his eye then licked his lips and winked at him. But, despite what the man most likely expected from Duo (blushing and turning away), his eyes grew wide as the Aiko calmly flipped him off.

Duo heard a quiet chuckle and turned to see Trowa raising an eyebrow at him. The braided man mouthed ‘what?’ and Trowa just shrugged and shook his head. Duo glared at Trowa for a bit before returning his gaze ahead of him. He could tell that the Lorlian army had to be pretty massive if the people standing in front of him were just the leaders. They filled the whole arena, which was about seventy yards in diameter, and there were even people in the stands, though Duo didn’t know if they were part of the army as well or not.

Once Heero’s speech was over, the men broke up into groups and began sparring in their respective squares, which were drawn out for them. Heero came down from the podium and walked up to Duo. “Now we wonder around and watch some of the matches.”

Duo nodded in understanding as they began to make their rounds. Quatre and Trowa came to join them as they made their way down the middle of the arena. The men were pretty good, but their moves were too easy to read, then there were some that were barely even mediocre. “So these are the commanders and generals of your army?” Duo didn’t mean to sound disappointed, but he couldn’t help it. Some of these guys he could have beaten when he was ten.

“No,” Heero nodded up to the stands, “those are the commanders and such. These men are the select few that they chose to represent them.”

Duo just blinked at the man. “Huh?”

“You see,” Quatre stared, “this review is to see how well the leaders of the army have trained their respective platoons, not how well the commanders themselves’ fight. It’s for Lord Yuy to see how good their leadership and training skills are, which are considered very important. And, of course, to scout out any rising fighters as possible commander material.”

“Ah.” He could understand that.

Duo started to enjoy himself once they got to some of the better groups in the arena. He even found himself learning a few things as he watched one of the matches. Heero seemed pleased as well, his face even lit up as a new pair entered the ring. One was a bit shorter than the other, but was bulkier and had blonde hair and brown eyes. The other, who was pretty handsome, Duo had to admit, was leaner and had brown hair and clear blue eyes.

“Who do you have your money on?” Duo whispered to Heero.

The Lord smirked and nodded his head at the taller one. “Kushrenada. He’s very good, especially in fencing.”

Duo caught a curious smile in those cobalt blue eyes as Heero watched the match, which intrigued him. Is that pride in his eyes?

Logging that thought away, Duo paid attention to the match. It took Kushrenada no time flat to defeat the man with a grace that may rival even Zechs’s. Not only did the man wipe the floor with his opponent, but he did it with a style that practically screamed natural talent. And with those piercing blue eyes, there was no doubt in Duo’s mind that the man probably had a mind just as sharp as the sword he was holding. //Wonder what would happen if he and Zechs met…//

Heero nodded at the pair and announced his pleasure in how well they had done. A man from the stands stood up and walked down to the railing, then bowed. “I am glad you are pleased my Lord. And may I take this time to recommend Treize Kushrenada for a commander position in one of the new platoons?”

Heero nodded. “I will take that under deliberation.”

Both Treize and the commander bowed and talked in unison. “Thank you, my Lord and Commander.”

Heero nodded to them once again then left. As they walked, Heero stopped a few more times at different groups. Sometimes he just watched quietly, then nodded his head and left, while at others he had an obvious frown through the whole match. It was at one of these that he stopped the fight and waved down the commander of the platoon.

Duo was happy to see Heero end the match…it was too painful to watch. The men were obviously not nearly as in shape as they should have been, especially compared to the platoon that Treize was in. One of the men never watched his footing while the other stuck to his basic training katas. Duo could see him counting his steps for fuck sake.

The platoon commander came down from the stands and bowed as he made it to Heero. “Yes, my Lord and Commander?”

“How often does your platoon train?” Heero asked in a flat tone.

The man kept his head down. “Two times a week for three hours, my Lord.”

Heero shook his head. “Not nearly enough. That match was a disgrace.”

Duo watched as the men around the ring hung their heads in shame. It was obvious they all knew it was true, but Duo still felt sorry for them. It wasn’t their fault, it was their commanders. //If Heero is the Lord of War, he should at least see that--//

“They have great potential, do not misunderstand me. However, it is not even close to being discovered yet.”

All the men around them lifted their heads at Heero’s words while Duo just beamed at him. Instead of shaming the men into harder training, he encouraged them, like a real leader should. //No wonder the army is loyal to him//.

Duo was broken out of his thoughts when the commander lifted his head. “They train very hard, my Lord.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” Heero’s eyes shifted from the soldiers around them to the commander in front of him. “It is their quality and amount of training that I am referring to.”

Duo saw as the man’s face grew red in either embarrassment or anger, he wasn’t sure which. It was then that he heard Trowa chuckle by him once again. Duo cocked his head and lifted an eyebrow at him and was graced with an explanation since they were both out of ear-shot. Trowa leaned in and began to whisper in his ear. “It is up to the commander to decide the amount of training their own platoon does, and the type of training to incorporate into their routine. Basically, he just questioned the commander’s competence.”

Duo nodded in understanding as Trowa moved away.

“Increase their training to four times a week and re-think your routine,” Heero demanded.

The commander opened and closed his mouth a few times before anything came out. “Four times a week and re-think--my Lord, isn’t that a bit uncalled for?”

It was obvious Heero didn’t like being questioned. “How so?”

“W-well my Lord, we’re, that is…”

“Why is he so adamant in not doing as he’s told?” Duo whispered to Trowa.

“Reorganizing your routine takes a lot of time and obviously so does upping the hours of training. Commander Maxus doesn’t want to have to work more.” Trowa whispered back.

“My Lord,” Maxus finally got his speech strait. “I would understand completely increasing their training if we were in the threat of war. But as it stands, my Lord, we are not, thanks to your great leadership.”

Surprisingly, Heero didn’t even flinch from the obvious brown-nosing. Duo expected him to call the guy on it, but Heero just ignored it. “So you think that since we are not in any threat that we shouldn’t bother being prepared for one?”

“Of course not my Lord! It’s just that…” The man broke off for a moment, most likely noticing the audience was starting to build in number around them. “My Lord, we are the strongest army in the world!”

Duo heard a lot of murmurs of agreement and saw many nod their heads. Heero, however, kept his eyes on the commander in front of him and crossed his arms as he spoke flatly. “Don’t you mean the biggest?”

Maxus was lost for words, as was the rest of the audience, Duo noted. He couldn’t help but smirk…it was true, and everyone here knew it.

Heero sighed, then unfolded his arms. “It is obvious that you base the strength of an army on the numbers that it possesses, but that is only one component in a battle. While quantity is grossly looked at, quality is what usually determines the victor of a battle. One well trained individual can take out ten others that weren’t. I wish our army to be full of those well trained individuals not--”

“My platoon was trained by me, so I assure you my Lord, they *are* well trained. Put them against any of the rabble outside our borders and they would be victorious.”

Duo’s eyebrows shot up at the tone Maxus was using. Not only that, but he cut Yuy off. From his eyes, Duo could tell Heero was quietly fuming and he was right along with him. That man had the audacity to call tribes like Duo’s rabble…

Heero quickly glanced sideways at Duo and smirked, confusing the braided man. Yuy then raised an eyebrow at Maxus. “If you believe that anyone in your platoon could beat a member of one of the many tribes outside of Lorlia, then that means that you also believe that you could as well.”

Maxus stood up proudly. “Of course, my Lord.”

“Really?” Heero asked flatly. There was a short silence before he spoke again. “Duo, come over here.”

Duo cocked his head back at the request //he can’t be planning to…//. Whispers all around him broke his train of thought as he moved the few steps, which felt more like a mile, over to Heero and Maxus.

“This is my Aiko, Duo,” Heero announced. “He is a member of the Belvomanians, a warrior tribe west of our Kingdom.” Heero turned his attention to Maxus. “Do you believe that you could best him?”

“Of course, my Lord.” Maxus sneered as he eyed Duo with disdain.

“Then do so. If you fail, then you will be removed from your position.”

“Humph. As you wish, my Lord,” Maxus said in an overly certain tone. Turning his back to Duo, the commander yanked a practice sword out of one of the soldier’s hands and took his place in the ring.

Heero turned to walk away and give them more room. While Heero’s back was to the crowd, Duo felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning slightly to see the side Heero’s face, their eyes met and Heero smiled. “Kick his ass.”

It was all Duo could do to suppress the menacing grin that dawned on his face.

# # # #

Trowa watched Duo’s face light up as Heero whispered something to him before making his way towards himself and Quatre.

“Oh dear…” He heard his little love mutter under his breath.

Trowa arched an eyebrow as Duo took the practice sword offered to him and entered the ring. //Oh dear indeed//.

“Lord Yuy, what are you thinking?” Quatre hissed at Heero once he was in earshot.

Heero just smirked and stood beside Trowa. “You may begin.”

With his word, Maxus lunged for Duo. The Aiko obviously saw it coming and stepped out of the way. The man stumbled for a bit before regaining his footing and looked back at Duo with disdain evident in his eyes. Trowa just snorted. This fight was like asking a man to juggle three balls, balance on one foot, and sing the hymn of the Gods backwards all at the same time: You know the guy is going to fail, but it’s still funny as hell to watch. Although, from the moves Maxus was trying to use, this fight may turn out to be more pathetic, than funny.

It wasn’t because of the fact that Maxus wasn’t any good, but the fact that he was severely underestimating his opponent. And, by the time he figures that out, Duo will have his ass served on a platter. //Yuy, you can be cruel sometimes// Trowa couldn’t help but shake his head as the fight continued.

“I know.”

The green-eyed lord jumped as Wufei suddenly appeared beside him. “Chang?”

“The Aiko will wipe the floor with him.” The monk stated then grinned, “as soon as he’s finished toying with him that is.”

# # # #

Duo grinned as the man tried a spin attack after a fake lunge. Twisting his wrist, Duo connected with the hilt of the sword and knocked it out of Maxus’s grip then used his own sword hilt to clock the man at the base of his neck, aiming to be merciful and knock him out. But, he was tougher than his skill showed and he stayed standing, grabbing the training staff that was on the floor near his feet as he straitened up.

Maxus swung low, aiming for the ankles. Duo caught the motion and jumped to avoid the attack. Maxus then used his time in the air to flip the staff and aim at his midsection. Duo brought the sword to his side and stopped the weapon, pushing it away from him then lunging towards his opponent. The man blocked the sword, knocking it down, and leaving Duo’s chin and neck vulnerable. Maxus tried to use the tip of his staff to sideswipe Duo’s neck, which would have left him gagging if he hadn’t ducked in time. Using the backwards force, Duo sacrificed his sword by leaving it on the ground to kick the man in the stomach and used that leverage to catapult into a high back flip. Landing on his feet again and raising his guard, Duo heard some appraising whistles from the crowd. Surprisingly, his opponent once again managed to remain on his feet. //He’s not horrible, I’ll give him that//. Holding his fists up high, Duo waited for the man’s attack.

“You shouldn’t have given up your sword,” Maxus sneered as the circled each other.

Duo shrugged. “I’ll be taking yours soon, so I’m not worried.”

Maxus let out a growl as he pressed forward, using the end of the staff as if it were a spear and lunged it at Duo. Using his agility, Duo managed to dodge each attack until he saw an opening and caught the end of the staff. Using the centrifugal force of his spin, Duo and Maxus ended up back to back, both having their hands on the staff. Duo pushed backwards to knock him off his feet then pulled him over with the staff, flipping Maxus so they were face to face. Using the man’s surprise, Duo kicked him in the gut causing Maxus to let got of the staff and fall to the ground, effectively stealing the staff from the man as he promised to.

Maxus’s move to get himself off the ground was cut short by Duo holding him down with his foot to his chest. The man snarled and tried to get up again only to find the tip of the staff pressed dangerously under his chin. Duo couldn’t help the smirk on his face as he eyed the man on the floor.

“I believe you called my tribe a bunch of rabble,” Duo said only loud enough for the two of them to hear.

Maxus glared at him in anger. “Watch yourself, Marshna whore.”

The dull murmur of the onlookers disappeared with his words, which he had spoken loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. Duo’s body shook and eyes widened with rage at the slant as he gripped the staff, ready to crush the man’s windpipe with deadly precision. Maxus’s eyes widened in fear as he realized what Duo was about to do.

“Enough!” Heero roared.

Even Yuy’s voice didn’t break through Duo’s rage-filled mind as he raised the staff the few centimeters he needed to drive the weapon into the man’s throat. His eyes narrowed as he was about to shove the staff down and silence the man by making him choke to death on his own blood when an arm came around his waist and a hand closed over his own, holding the staff from striking.

“Let me!” Duo growled in a whisper, knowing full well who was holding him by his smell.

“Calm yourself Duo, he isn’t worth your life.” Heero murmured in his ear. Duo didn’t budge, his heartbeat still pounding in his ears. “You proved yourself better, Duo. Now calm down.”

Duo was about to tell him to fuck off when Heero lightly kissed him behind the ear. “Please?”

Still staring down at the terrified Maxus with death promised in his eyes, Duo slowly loosened his grip on the staff. Once Heero managed to pull the staff from his grip, Maxus lost the fear in his eyes and stood up, rubbing his throat gingerly. “He was going to finish me, my Lord.”

Duo glared at him and was considering finishing him off anyway when Quatre came and took him by the arm. Seeing those light blue eyes pleading with him, Duo allowed himself to be pulled away, but refused to take his eyes off Maxus as they moved. It wasn’t until they slipped into one of the deserted halls leading to the seats above that Duo boiled over.

“That fucking son-of-a-bitch!” Duo punched the stone wall and was furious enough to not even feel the skin over his knuckles split open and bleed. “How dare he! How dare that no good shit-rat, cock-sucking, ass-licking, bastard--fucking son of a whore say that to me!!!”

Duo punched the wall again, ignoring the blood marks he left there. His head was swimming in anger, to the point he didn’t even notice Trowa and Wufei were also with them. “Fucking dick!”

“Duo, please, calm down,” Quatre begged. “I know what he said--I know he insulted you--”

“Insulted me??!! He did way more than fucking insult me, Quatre, and you fucking know it!” Quatre flinched as he yelled, shaking at the sight of Duo in a rage. Trowa wrapped his arms around the blonde as Wufei watched Duo with cautious eyes, his hand on the hilt of his curved sword just in case.

Duo didn’t care. The slight Maxus had used was the lowest of the low, something that you didn’t even hear in un-civilized conversation. And he couldn’t stand letting the man get away with it, since Duo knew he would. He had insulted an outsider: no one would give a flying fuck, even if he was Heero’s fuck toy. That fact probably even gives the ass hole even more the right to attack his dignity. Who the hell would care if some slave was just offended in the worst way possible? Only him, that’s who. “Fucking fucker! I’m not going to let him off! No fucking way!”

Duo turned to return to the arena floor, shoving Quatre and the others off of him as they tried to stop him.

“Duo, please, No!!” Quatre squealed.

Ignoring the protest, Duo turned around the corner…then froze at the sight that beheld him.

# # # #

Heero watched as Duo was dragged off by the others, still fuming. Not that Heero blamed him in the least. Marshna was the bad-lands of the world, a shit-hole where nothing but lower creatures lived, feeding off the sludge and few putrid plants that grew there. The highest form of life that lived there was at the border. Beast-men known as Yuoors, the ugliest creatures anyone had ever seen with the most disgusting habits imaginable. Trowa had seen them once when he was traveling and said he almost puked when he saw them and, more importantly, smelled them.

Saying someone was from Marshna, let alone adding more to it like Maxus did…Heero glared at the man in front of him, slowly cooling himself down enough to converse with the trash with dignity. “Tell me, Maxus, who was the man you just insulted?”

“A foreign slave,” he scoffed.

Heero felt his glare deepen as people flinched away from him. “Be more specific.” Heero gritted through clenched teeth.

“A whore from Belvo--” Maxus was cut off from lack of oxygen as Heero pinned him to the nearest wall by the neck so fast the man no one saw it coming. The crowd looked on in fascination, never had they seen their Lord this angry, and no one blamed him for it.

“Who is he, Maxus?” Heero growled, lifting the man from the ground by the neck with one arm. Realizing of how strong Lord Yuy was, the eyes’ of the soldiers around Heero and the choking commander widened in shock. Having never seen the man fight before, they had no clue. Lord Yuy was holding a full grown man, dressed in armor, a foot off the ground…with one hand.

Maxus coughed and tried to answer the enraged Lord. “He-he’s your Aiko. My Lord.”

“Correct. He is my Aiko; therefore, any insult you deliver to him is reflected upon me.” Heero lowered him none too gently back down to the ground then got within an inch of his face. “Am I to understand that you believe I am consorting with a Marshna whore?” Heero hissed into his face.

“*Ack* no, my Lord,” Maxus choked out, his face beginning to turn purple. Heero released the suffocating man, letting him slide down to the ground while gasping for air.

“As our agreement, you are stripped of your title,” Heero stated coolly, though his glare continued to bore into the man. “Insult my house again, and I will see that you are banished to the place you speak so fondly of.”

Maxus got down bowing, his forehead touching the ground. “I am deeply sorry, my Lord. I did not mean--”

“Silence!” Heero cut him off causing the man to flinch along with the rest of the crowd. “Get out of my sight.”

Maxus scrambled to his feet and ran out of the nearest exit. Heero let out a deep breath and softened his gaze as he addressed the shocked onlookers.

“Kushrenada,” Heero yelled out, knowing that he was most likely looking on like everyone else had been. Treize appeared at the front of the crowd and bowed, “my Lord?”

“As was recommended, you are now the commanding officer of this platoon.” He announced calmly.

Heero saw Treize’s eyes light up before he bowed yet again. “Thank you, my Lord and Commander.”

“The rest of you, continue the examination.” With a wave of his hand, the crowd dispersed and returned to their respective sparring courts. Heaving a deep
sigh, Heero continued through the arena, knowing full well that the whole Kingdom would hear of his little outburst by the time he returned home.

# # # #

Duo stared in awe during the whole confrontation from behind the corner, all the way until Maxus came running past him in a panic. The only indication that he ever had about how strong Heero was, was when he had caught the staff Duo had swung at him days ago in the practice ring…but now…He barely saw the man move when he pinned Maxus to the wall, then Yuy hoisted the man, with one fucking arm //fully extended arm no less//, into the air. Then with a wave of his arm, everyone scurried off in an astonished stupor. And for what…?

Duo knew damn good and well that Heero could have written off what the man said and no one would have thought the lesser: but he didn’t. Instead, he made a show of his authority, shocking the hell out of everyone, almost choked the man to death, then basically threatened his life if he ever saw him again…//…for me?//.

A hand on his shoulder broke him out of his reprieve just long enough to turn and see Quatre smiling at him. “Come on, we’ll take you home.”

Duo was still in his stupor as Quatre turned him from the scene and walked him out of the arena. He shook his head, still not understanding why Heero would even care. “Why…?”

“It’s obvious,” Wufei grunted, annoyance completely evident in his voice.

Duo just shook his head. “What is?”

The monk rolled his eyes, shook his head, then returned to the arena to guard Heero. Duo watched him leave and was still so far in to his own mind that he didn’t see Trowa and Quatre knowingly smile at each other.

//Heero, you…//


TBC…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
W hew, sorry I haven’t updated in a while, I was fighting RL…and I lost for about a month >_< .

* For all of you who know Japanese, you get a bit of a spoiler in this one about Heero, but rest assured people who don’t, the story is written as if you don’t ^_^.

Anyway, tell me what you thought!