Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Shinigami's Gem ❯ Obsidian ( Chapter 2 )

Warnings: Shounen-ai, language, angst, Duo-torture… the usual. Y'know. *giggles*

Pairings: Guess!

Disclaimer: I, KittyMeowMaxwell do hereby swear that I do not own any of the Gundam Wing characters or their affiliates. I do also swear that I have made no money off of this fic and nor will I. I swear this on my Rouroni Kenshin figurines and my Fruits Basket poster and will hand said items over to the authorities should I ever make any money off this piece of writing. ~_^ Oh, but I do own A'tryah and Catalina. So don't steal them!

Author's Notes: Well here it is! What you've aaaaaaall been waiting for… right? Right?! Ner… Well anyways, I hope you enjoy it. Um… There was something I wanted to say too… Um… Oh! I remember! If you, or anyone you know, happens to be reading "The Elven Mage" and are hanging out for the second part of the Alternate Ending, you'll be waiting a while. It will get done eventually, but the fic was destined from the very beginning to end sadly, so trying to write the happy ending is a long and gruelling task. I'm working on it, but it's going very, very slowly. So have a little faith and be patient with poor little me and keep checking back to it, because it will eventually get done, I promise…

Chapter 2: Obsidian.

The town, from a distance, was beautiful. In the very centre of a comfortable sprawl of buildings stood a shining keep, reminding a fanciful thinker, perhaps, of a father standing guard over his many children. The buildings higher up the hill atop which the keep stood matched its glory, sparkling along with it as laughing merchants and aristocracy walked their tidily-cobbled streets, never sparing a thought for what went on below them, though they benefited time and again from the labourers and bakers, the masons and the carvers, the butchers and herders. They and countless others supplied the aristocracy with their comforts, gaining little to call their own in return. But they weren't unhappy - it was just the way things were.

It was, however, clear upon closer inspection, that the town was not exempt from squalor or dirty streets. Thieves hid in corners waiting for an easy mark, bar brawls broke out at the slightest provocation. Whores patrolled the streets in more numbers than the city Guard ever did.

The underbelly of the city…

Shinigami hadn't lived there. He was the best of the best and he knew where and what to steal to keep himself living the high life. Or, as high as he could without having suspicion cast on him. Now? Now he was standing in mud that crept up between his toes and over his feet until he was ankle-deep in the cold, clammy stuff. He didn't like to think about what else might be mixed into the mud, so he didn't. Instead, he concentrated on keeping as far away from his master as he could, though the man never made a violent move towards him. In fact, he spoke civilly to the younger man and smiled at him, being kind to him.

This was the scene the city lord came across during his travels for a new slave. He didn't like to let his advisors and servants choose his workers for him, so he was regularly here.

His sharp, dark eyes rested on each slave individually as he ignored the people who flocked about him, murmuring his name.

Of course he was well-known, but he was well-liked as well. He was the kindest ruler the now-thriving town had had in a long time and it was by his hand that they prospered.

Thus it was that his eyes finally fell on a young boy - probably about his son's age - who cringed away from his master's every touch, though nothing about the man suggested any cruelty towards the slave.

"Lord Chang," the master murmured respectfully, and the lord nodded absently to him before reaching out and lifting the boy's face, studying him closely. There was definitely still a stubborn, defiant look in those violet eyes, but it was underpinned by a sense of deep hurt and an abiding fear.

Chang's eyes flicked to the man with whom the boy stood and he knew instinctively what had been going on - and what would continue to go on if he didn't buy the slave.

"Twenty gold…?" he ventured, peeling back the boy's lips to check the condition of his teeth.

"Gods, I hate that. If there's one thing I can't stand about this being a slave caper, it's whole teeth-checking shit. Makes me feel like a bloody horse…" the braided man muttered, and received a disappointed look from his master, which made him cringe away. Said master turned to Chang, then, and shook his head.

"I'd be selling cheap for forty at least. He's still in the prime of his youth. Strong. Healthy. Good looking…"

"Forty? After his display? You'd be lucky to get fifteen out of me for him."

The master grunted.

"Well… I'll do you a better deal, then. Thirty gold."

Chang snorted, idly fingering the young man's braid and receiving worried looks from violet eyes.

"Twenty, no more."

"Twenty five."

"Twenty three… and five silvers," Chang held his hand out and, with only a slight hesitation, the master passed over the small sapphire that held the collar's power.

Chang handed the man his money and turned on his heel, wanting to get his newest worker away from his erstwhile master and torturer. They walked in silence for a long while, pausing at a stall every so often to look at the wares.

"Shinigami…" the young man said eventually.

"Hmm?" Chang asked absently as he examined a stall for a present for his wife.

"My name's Shinigami," he repeated. "And this one's nicer than that one…" He held up a perfectly-crafted aquamarine tear-drop pendant akin to, but indeed nicer, than the diamond one his new master held.

Chang smiled and took the pendant, giving it a quick once-over. He nodded and reached out to pat Shinigami's head, but the young man pulled away.

"I swear that won't happen to you anymore…" Chang promised softly as he paid for the pendant and he knew Shinigami was well aware of what he meant.

He offered his master a tentative smile, which was returned before they set off for the keep at the centre of the city.

* * *

The keep was massive. That was the first and only thought that registered with Shinigami as they passed through the fifteen-foot thick wall and into the courtyard. Everything was shining white brick, solid and secure, while maintaining comfort. People passed back and forth across the courtyard on different errands and Shinigami's eyes didn't know where to halt.

"Your Lordship!" came a cry from somewhere in the centre of the yard. "Your Lordship, I - oof! A'tryah, don't do that! Don't - aah!"

A huge black-and-tan dog burst from the milling people and bounded in Chang's direction, dragging a small blonde man after it. It barked excitedly, a gutteral chest bark that echoed off all the walls, and knocked Lord Chang to the ground while its speed dragged the boy atop both of them.

"Quatre, you can't control that damn dog and you know it. Why did you bring her out with you?" came another voice.

A young man with impossible hair walked casually over to the tangle of slave, dog and lord and began to take care of the problem. He lifted the blonde man - who was now nearly hysterically giving apologies - to his feet and gave him a gentle push, telling him to go prepare a room for their newest addition. The rope about the dog's neck he handed to Shinigami, who subdued the excitable canine fairly efficiently. He helped their lord and master to his feet and gave a slight bow before vanishing into the tide of people again.

Shinigami blinked. Both men had been wearing collars, but neither carried themselves like slaves…

Chang smiled at the dog and patted her head.

"You're just excited to see me, aren't you, A'tryah?" he said with a smile.

"Your Lordship, Quatre was coming to tell you you're needed with the ambassador. It's something about Tys withdrawing their support from the border dispute… I don't know… I don't get told these things, really…"

This new voice belonged to a tall man who's blonde hair fell to just past his waist and whose blue eyes pinned Shinigami to the spot. The thief found his stomach drop to about the level of his feet and bounce back up again, telling him in no uncertain terms that the blonde was gorgeous and he should be with him. Now. Shinigami suppressed it skilfully and gave the much taller man a hesitant smile, that cringing, fearful attitude imparted to him over the last few months so deep-seated, he couldn't hide it.

Meanwhile, Lord Chang frowned slightly at the news from the blonde and walked off, leaving Shinigami holding the dog and wondering what to do.

"You can let go of A'tryah. She'll go straight back to Quatre now she's seen His Lordship," the Adonis said.

Shinigami looked doubtfully up at him, but did as he was told and the dog bounded off.

"What do I do now?" he asked, eyes travelling the lines of his companion's face and catching on the collar about his neck. So, another slave who didn't behave like one…

"You tell me your name, since I'm about to tell you mine is Zechs."

"Shinigami…"

"Shinigami? A god of Death? I think not. Your real name, please."

"My real name is Shinigami!" Shinigami snarled out. He didn't want to get himself in trouble, but Zechs had touched on a sensitive subject.

Zechs arched a pale eyebrow and searched Shinigami's eyes, then finally shrugged a little.

"Hmm… very well. Follow me… Shinigami…"

A slight hesitation, then Shinigami was off after the tall blonde man, having to trot slightly to keep up with Zechs' longer legs. He didn't complain. It wasn't his place… Besides, he had the most beautiful view of the taller slave's behind from here…

They entered the slightly warmer keep and Shinigami only just came to the realization that he'd been cold out there in the scant clothing his ex-master had put him in to show him off. He was almost as cold here and he instinctively drifted toward the meagre heat of the lanterns lighting the corridor.

He kept careful note of the twists and turns and staircases on their way, wanting to at least partially know his way around. They passed many large doors and branching passages before they came to a set of huge oak doors carved with all manner of birds and animals. These doors were thrown open as they approached.

"Zechs, sir, I can take care of him from here if you'd like…?"

It was the little blonde again, the one with the dog who'd been called Quatre. His eyes looked up at Zechs respectfully, but definitely not fearfully and Zechs gave a slight nod.

"Clean him up and dress him in something more sensible, then explain to him about duties. If you need anything, I'll be down in the kitchens making sure that idiot Relena hasn't burnt anything else… Why His Lordship insists on letting her stay is beyond me. Sister or not, I wish…" Zechs' words faded away as he strode off and Quatre gave a soft laugh and shook his head, as though well used to the taller slave's behaviour.

"I'm Quatre, just in case you didn't catch it," the little blonde said eventually, turning to Shinigami with a sparkling smile. "I'm dreadfully sorry, but I didn't get your name…?"

"Shinigami…"

It gave the shorter man pause, but he nodded fairly soon and took Shinigami's hand, leading him through the carved doors and into a calm central area off which branched myriad corridors.

Quatre set Shinigami down in front of a huge mirror and scampered about gathering clothes. When he came back with an armful of pastel-coloured clothes, Shinigami grimaced despite his best efforts not to.

"Oh… you don't like these? I'm sorry! I should've asked first!" he cried, dropping the clothes where he stood and darting off again.

"Hey, I don't wanna be a bother, Quat…" Shinigami murmured.

"Oh, it's no bother! There's stuff everywhere."

"But… you're slaves…"

Quatre smiled his bright smile and shook his golden head slightly.

"Only by name. We have a lot of freedom here. Look at Zechs. He's second only to Lord Chang and his family. Oh, and His Lordship's advisor. Trowa, he's captain of the Guard. Me… well… I take care of everyone. Even A'tryah!" Quatre laughed again before touching two fingers to Shinigami's collar. "These… they're only strips of metal."

"Then… why doesn't he just free you?"

If he freed us, he'd have to pay us to work for him, and then he'd not be able to afford to keep us well fed and clothed and warm and dry. We cope.

"I like black…" Shinigami said abruptly, changing the subject effectively as Quatre gave him another sunny smile.

"Sure! Then when you're cleaned up and dressed and your hair's done, it'll be time for dinner!"

Quatre padded off, and when he returned, he was laden with black clothes and followed by the dog who could easily take the little blonde's head off. Shinigami had the strongest feeling it just wouldn't.

* * *

"You are simply gorgeous!" Quatre cried an hour later.

Shinigami was dressed in simple black pants and soft-soled shoes. He wore a tight black tunic beneath an open black vest and his arms were bare from the elbow down. Quatre had tried to get him to wear his hair down, or at least half and half, but Shinigami had refused point blank to have it in anything other than a braid. Although, the blonde hadn't exactly tried overly hard to change his mind.

For the hour, A'tryah had curled up in a corner, watching everything that was going on and, Shinigami had a feeling, keeping guard over them and ready to defend them in the unlikely occurrence that they would need defending.

Quatre grinned brightly at Shinigami before dashing off to quickly change and put a brush through his short hair. That done, he dragged Shinigami off to dinner.

As they entered the huge banquet hall, Shinigami's violet eyes widened. Almost every person around the table wore a silver collar and yet, almost everyone was smiling and having a good time.

Quatre lead Shinigami over to a couple of empty chairs and they sat down. Shinigami looked around. He caught sight of Zechs reprimanding a sandy-blonde girl who held a plate of charred and smoking food.

"That's Relena. She's Zechs' sister. She used to be a princess in a far off country, but her parents were killed in a violent take-over and she and Zechs were shipped off to the slave markets before they could blink for whatever profit could be made off of them. They were lucky. His Lordship found them and bought them before they could be sold to bad masters…" Quatre's bright eyes darkened with memory for a moment before he grinned at Shinigami again. "Help yourself, Shinigami. Each servant serves a day's worth of meals a week and cleans up after the eating's done. There's enough of us that there's usually around twenty doing meals each day. Washing clothes works the same way, as does cleaning the keep…" Quatre paused to think and nibble delicately on a chicken leg.

"What about T… T… um… Trowa…?" Shinigami wondered.

"Oh, people like Trowa and Zechs have their own duties to do, so they don't clean or serve… I don't know what His Lordship wants you to do, but I'm sure you'll find out tomorrow morning… or even tonight maybe. For now, eat! You're too thin!"

Shinigami could only blink and do as he was told, hardly believing how easy life was here. It was almost as good as being a thief… almost.

Shinigami's eyes fell on an intense young man around his own age sitting on Lord Chang's left. His cobalt blue eyes never missed a thing and he often leaned over to whisper something in the Lord's ear, to which he normally responded with a slight nod or shake of his head.

"Who's that…?" Shinigami asked, pointing discreetly at the un-collared man. Quatre followed his point.

"Oh, that's Heero Yuy. He's the King's advisor and - this is only what I've heard in whispers, mind - Zechs' secret lover. Although, that's only a rumour."

Shinigami shuddered despite himself. Heero Yuy frightened him.

He let his gaze wander to Zechs, who'd slipped in beside Heero now that he was finished with Relena. Heero barely spared him a glance and Zechs was the same toward Heero in response. It piqued Shinigami's curiosity, even as it made him think how annoying it was that the blonde was already attached.

His violet eyes slid to the Lord's right where the Lady sat. She was beautiful, Lady Catalina. Raven hair fell to the back of her knees and set off her huge chocolate-brown eyes perfectly. She was slender and delicate and oh so graceful - even in the act of eating. Two beautiful people in the space of just a few hours… Zechs and The Lady Catalina… Lucky Shinigami… Bar the fact he was still a slave and neither of them were single.

"You're drooling…" Quatre murmured out the side of his mouth with an amused giggle.

Shinigami blushed slightly and spent the nest few minutes concentrating solely on eating. Eventually, however, his curiosity got the better of him and he lifted his eyes again. He watched Zechs and Heero for a while, but they didn't give any hints to what Quatre had said about them so he soon got bored and his eyes shifted to the Lord who was laughing with his wife.

Shinigami didn't want to get caught staring (or drooling) again, so he let his gaze travel to the next face - well… head. All he could see was black hair the same shade as the Lady Catalina's, pulled back severely into a tight tail, as the owner of said hair was intent on his meal. Shinigami watched him, knowing he would have to look up eventually. The slave was soon proven correct as the young man lifted his head to reach for the goblet belonging to him.

Shinigami's own eyes widened as he recognized the mercenary who'd sold him into slavery.

The other's eyes widened as well as he slowly made the same connection.

Shinigami's lip curled and violet clashed with obsidian.Heerof

~ ~ ~

Author's Notes: Oo… Is that a cliffhanger…? Who put that there…? On another note, any guesses as to why Shinigami's so sensitive about his name? We all know who he is, so why's he going around calling himself Shinigami instead of Duo? I know why! *grins*