Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Shinigami's Gem ❯ Emerald ( Chapter 9 )

Warnings: Lime stuff, angst (isn't there always?), Heero bastardisation, language, shounen-ai, questionable time lines, time skips, even.

Pairings: Really, do I even have to tell you…?

Disclaimer: I own nothing but The Plot. If you steal The Plot, I do hereby swear that I will sic Nihrana on you, and believe me when I tell you that's not a good thing… I also make no money off this fic. It is written for the soul purpose of my own enjoyment, and that of others… Well and perhaps for a little ego stroking…

Author's Notes: Whee! My Two Towers soundtrack came in the mail today. And it has Legolas on the front. Mmm… Legolas. If you haven't seen Finding Nemo, go and see it. It's one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen.

One more chapter of this I think is all there will be, however, the ending I have written made my sister throw a book at me, so suffice it to say, it needs re-writing. Thus, it might be a little longer than expected. Also, there's some stuff going on in my life at the moment that's making it hard for me to think straight, let alone write. I'm doing my best, but life has a way of getting in the way. Then again, writing's the way I escape life, so maybe I'll be doing more of it, not less. *grins*

Elnoyles are evil incarnate… and I have to keep fighting the things because I need the Energy Crystals, and I'm not going to try and win ten bloody Elnoyle cards just so I can have one Energy Crystal… Yes, I've been spending much time playing FF8. Irvine is a god. ;) Okay, I'm sorry. Getting on with it, ne?

The Fic!!

Chapter 9: Emerald.

Wu Fei stared at the empty window, he didn't know for how long, until he was broken from his reverie by a soft, but worried summons.

"You're making a terrible habit of being late, sir! And we can't find Shinigami anywhere!" It was Quatre's voice from the other side, plaintive and, yes, worried.

Wu Fei strode over and pulled open the door, pulling his cool trained-in manner around him like a protective shield.

"I had important matters to attend to, Quatre, and I shouldn't have to explain myself to you. As for Shinigami… he's gone."

Quatre's eyes widened and he clutched at Wu Fei's shirt.

"You killed him?!" he cried.

"No! I didn't kill him! Don't be foolish… I let him go. Have no need for weaklings such as he under my command." Wu Fei snuffed the urge to wince at his own harsh words, his years of courtly training being drawn upon to keep his face straight and impassive.

"That's such a cruel thing to say! It's not his fault you nearly killed him and he's weak at the moment!"

Wu Fei did wince a little at that, but quickly regained himself a glowered down at the blonde.

"You will not question me," he growled, then strode past, sweeping Quatre to the side and nearly sending him off his feet.

"Bastard!" Quatre hissed, tears welling in his sea-blue eyes. He had previously thought Wu Fei, while outwardly stern and cold, was a naturally kind and caring person, but his treatment of Shinigami had forced the blonde to think otherwise. Quatre sniffled, the tears spilling over, and fled in search of his comfort.

He soon found Trow where he had thought he'd be, sitting in the well-lighted library reading quietly to himself. Though a large amount of Trowa's time went into his duties as Captain of the Guard, and he loved every second of it, he also loved to read and spent a large part of his free time here. A gentle, almost unnoticeable smile twitched Trowa's lips up as he rad, making Quatre smile himself through the tears still streaming down his face.

Quatre decided he didn't want to disturb his lover now, so he started to turn away.

"I know you're there. I've known you were there since I heard you half way up the corridor." Trowa lifted his emerald gaze to Quatre's. "You don't become Captain of the Guard without perfectly-honed senses."

"Oh…" Quatre whispered as Trowa put the book aside and beckoned to him.

"Why are you crying…?" he wondered the second Quatre was settled securely in his lap.

"Oh, I know it's stupid of me to let this affect me like it does, but I can't stand Wu Fei's treatment of Shinigami!"

"What did he do?" Trowa's hand stroked soothing circles across the blonde's back, his voice sympathetic.

"He sent him away!" Quatre wailed before burying his face in Trowa's chest and sobbing heartbrokenly.

Trowa blinked in shock.

"He… sent him away? You mean… freed him?"

"Yes! He said he couldn't have 'weaklings' under his command! It's his fault Shinigami's weak at the moment! It's not as if he asked for Wu Fei to nearly kill him! How can he be such a cold-hearted, stubborn, mean, uncaring pr-"

Trowa halted Quatre's tirade with a deep kiss then drew away and wiped the tears from the little slave's cheeks.

"Shh… don't say something you might regret."

"I won't regret saying it about him!" Quatre spat with feeling.

"Oh, you would…" Trowa dropped his mouth to kiss Quatre's neck. "If you knew the whole story…"

Quatre's head had been dropping back under Trowa's ministrations, his eyes sliding closed, but at these words, his eyes snapped back open and he lifted his head again.

"Ooh! Tell me!" he whimpered plaintively, giving Trowa his best set of puppy-dog eyes.

Trowa laughed softly and brushed a hand through the bangs over Quatre's face.

"You can't tell another living soul. I think only Heero and Zechs know besides me, because they worked it out from the signs, just like I did." Trowa cleared his throat, being dramatic, and grinned when Quatre hit him lightly. "Alright, alright. Here we go. There was once a lordling who was tired of sitting around doing nothing while his people were robbed and beaten, so, without his father's knowledge, he went to the Captain of the Guard and all but begged him to let him masquerade as a mercenary and patrol nights whenever he could. It took time, but eventually, the Captain gave in and off went the lordling. The other members of the Guard only knew him as a mercenary, and he was the butt of more than just a few taunts and jokes.

"He was ecstatic, therefore, when it was he who captured the elusive, untouchable thief who was called Shinigami and whom superstition stated was Death and that was why he was so good at what he did. So, he, the one around whom every joke was centred, bagged Death and sent him into slavery, knowing Death would rather die than be a slave.

"By an ironic coincidence, the lordling's father picked up Death some time later at a slave market and bought him home to be the lordling's body slave. Though they couldn't stand each other at first, gradually, things changed and they fell in love."

"Love?!" Quatre squeaked, unable to contain himself.

"Shh! Let me finish!" Trowa cleared his throat again. "They acted on that love, not knowing the lordling's arranged bride was coming the next morning. It shocked them both. When the lordling could escape the official ceremonies, he went to his lover and freed him, knowing he would be happier away than playing the part of something akin to a mistress…"

"Oh… Oh… Trowa, that's…" Quatre's words were swamped by a new fit of crying.

"Shh…" Trowa whispered, holding Quatre close and stroking his back as heaving sobs wracked his small frame.

"Oh, Trowa, I didn't know! I thought… I mean I didn't know he was only saying those things to cover it! He must be dying inside…"

"Yes… I… couldn't lose you like that…"

Quatre looked adoringly up at Trowa. Though the blonde knew Trowa loved him, the emerald-eyed man had never come even this close to saying so out loud.

"I love you, too, Trowa," he said softly, snuggling further into Trowa's embrace for the comfort he needed after the sorrow of his lover's tale.

"Let's go back to my room…" Trowa suggested huskily, his hand wandering up under Quatre's shirt. Quatre could only nod and they left quickly lest they make a rather… interesting scene.

* * *

Wu Fei sat listening to Sally's inane prattle, not really paying all that much attention. He supposed her conversation probably wasn't really inane, he only thought so because she wasn't D- he cut the thought off quickly.

It had been six months since Duo had left. Wu Fei and Sally were married and she was two months pregnant with their first child. Wu Fei was hoping it would be a son, as then he would no longer be obligated to provide an heir.

Sally, for her part, held no illusions that she was loved or even wanted, but she adored Wu Fei and was ecstatic just to have the title of his wife and his child's mother. She, of course, was hoping the child wouldn't be a boy, so that she could spend at least one more night with Wu Fei. She also knew he wasn't listening to her, but she kept up the act for the people lining the tables. At least, she thought, he knew the appropriate places to nod or shake his head…

She wondered who the woman was that haunted his thoughts. She knew there was one, and that it wasn't herself. He was thoughtful enough of her to keep whomever it was out of her sight and no one else in the place was even suspicious that Wu Fei might be sleeping with another, but Sally was sure he was.

Wu Fei glanced across at the wife whom was forced upon him, nodding at whatever it was she said, though he wasn't certain what that was. She thought he was sleeping with another, he knew that, but he didn't bother to tell her he had only ever slept with one other besides herself or that he wasn't doing so now. She was smart and knew what to ask and, more importantly, what not to ask.

Almost absently, Wu Fei wondered how he was going to survive the rest of his life…

* * *

Duo ran his gaze over the woman laying facedown, sprawled across the entirety of the bed and he grimaced. Why had he done it? Again? It hadn't been worth it and it never was. He hadn't even picked a decent-looking partner this time. Her hair straggled around her, limp, greasy and caked with so much grime that it was impossible to tell what colour it should have been. Her skin was pale and a touch jaundiced and the memory of her face made his stomach turn.

He pondered on escaping before she woke, then remembered this was his place and he didn't trust her to leave without taking anything… Sighing, he moved to the only other room in the small dwelling.

It had been a year and a half now, since he had left Wu Fei's room via the window and the lordling still occupied his mind all the time. When news of the baby girl had reached him, he'd been shattered but soon recovered. It was, after all, a lordling's duty to produce an heir.

Duo sat on a pile of golden coins with a heavy sigh. He'd amassed a good share of wealth over the last eighteen months, but still preferred to live in a small, inconspicuous place. It was smarter to do that than advertise the fact that one as wealthy and yet obviously held no job.

His thoughts wandered to the baby and what she was like. Was she more like her mother or her father? He hoped it was the latter. It suddenly occurred to him that, as the baby had been a girl, there was the need for another one, since women couldn't succeed. That would mean-

"Fuck!" Duo spat jealously, jerking a hand through his hair.

"Mmm… again…?" murmured a voice from the door. It was evidently trying to sound sultry, but only succeeded in sounding childish and faintly whiny.

"You. Out. Now," Duo said sharply, waving at the door. She tossed a glare in his direction, obviously severely pissed off, but when he reached towards the shining, carefully-tended sword leaning against the wall, she scampered to her clothes and hurried out.

Maybe a male partner next time… It was at least closer to being Wu Fei and there was the chance (small as it might be) that it might fill the aching emptiness within him. He needed something to fill it, or it would swallow him whole. The threat of it was getting more real every day, a list of ways he could quietly die…

He sighed yet again and stood. He needed food.

Dressing quickly in his usual black garb and belting the sword Wu Fei had given him around his waist, he left, securing the door with the residual magic the collar had left him with.

"Hear ye! Hear ye!"

It was the first thing he heard as he stepped into the bustling streets, and he wondered what the Crier had to say today. Thieves and streetwalkers and common thugs, plus the odd assassin, had been getting caught thick and fast lately and the executions had been frequent. Perhaps that was happening again and Duo absently wondered if it was anyone he knew.

"By the command of his Lordship I do hereby decree that there will be a celebration for the new baby to be born to the Lady Sally Po and the Lordling Wu Fei Chang. All are welcome to attend the festivities in the courtyard and gardens of the castle!"

A great cheer rose up from the gathered crowd while Duo's mouth dropped open. The first baby was only five months old! Duo sneered. Evidently, Wu Fei wasn't so averse to women as he'd made out…

The Crier placed his notice on the wall and Duo slunk about in the shadows until the crowd had dispersed, back to their business, and he was free to slip up to the parchment unnoticed.

He read quickly through the notice again, then noted the date. It was to be held two days from now.

"Well why not? A free feed and a few careless pockets to pick…"

Duo licked his lips, not admitting to himself that all he really wanted was a glimpse of Wu Fei Chang. His mind shifted back to the immediate focus on food and he went in search of someone to either steal food directly from or steal the funds for food.

* * *

"Father, why must you insist on this? I don't want to go!" Wu Fei snapped at his father, folding his arms indignantly.

"They expect it, Wu Fei. They need something to cheer them right now the prospect of failed crops on the horizon," the man replied, looking out the window at the fervour of activity.

Stalls were going up everywhere selling everything imaginable. Travelling troupes were setting up their areas for whatever entertainment they provided. Scents of food drifted up from both his own kitchens and the various food sellers.

"He's right, Wu Fei. They need a festival," Sally said by his elbow, laying a hand on his arm.

Wu Fei snorted, wondering why they couldn't just have their festival without having to see him, but he realised arguing was useless. He was going to this thing and there was nothing he could do about it.

"I just pray this baby is a boy," he hissed under his breath as his father and wife moved out of earshot. He sighed deeply, then followed after them, hoping he'd only have to make a token appearance.

* * *

Duo wondered through the gathering crowd, having something resembling fun despite himself. A hot leg of chicken appropriated when its cook wasn't watching had provided enough to keep him satisfied for at least the next half-hour and a half-finished mug of ale rested very easily in one hand as he moved through the people, unseen even though he was right there.

His attention was taken by a set of performers who were actually acting out his story! Of course, it was widely unknown by most exactly where he had vanished to during his time off the streets and this particular play told of his dying. He apparently returned after striking up a shady deal with Death himself.

Duo laughed softly.

"How dashing of me…" he murmured, highly amused. He grinned, flipping his braid back over his shoulder then turned warily when the crowd in the immediate vicinity fell silent.

His Lordship, his daughter-in-law and his son passed through, nodding graciously to all around them. Duo kept out of their view, smirking slightly at the disgusted look on Wu Fei's face. The smirk turned to an aching loss within him. However, he gave another little grin before darting up beside and behind the trailing Wu Fei.

"No fun…?" he murmured in the dark-haired youth's ear, then darted away again before Wu Fei had even started to turn. The lordling frowned around at the smiling, laughing faces surrounding him before dismissing his hearing of the voice as imagination.

Duo laughed softly and darted close again.

"Lighten up. It's not so bad," he said into the other ear before vanishing expertly again, confident he hadn't been seen at all.

Wu Fei growled and whirled again, still not seeing anyone.

Duo smirked, knowing he was annoying Wu Fei. He invoked every last scrap of what magic he had been bequeathed by the collar and drew it tight around himself, encouraging the eyes to slide past him and ignore him, effectively making himself invisible. He didn't have long, he knew, but nevertheless, he slipped up behind Wu Fei and slid an arm around his waist. He put his mouth to the lordling's ear.

"No play, 'Fei…?" he purred, sliding his free hand over the fabric of Wu Fei's pants in an altogether knowing movement.

"Duo…?" Wu Fei whispered, but the thief was gone, his spell quickly disintegrating around him. No matter. He wasn't doing something as attention drawing as turning on Lord Chang's son anymore. And turn him on he had! Even from here he could see Wu Fei's quickened breathing and the evident bulge in his pants which he quickly hid by slipping out his jacket and laying it over his arm, then folding the arm very casually across his stomach.

Wu Fei shook his head. He must be delirious. There'd been no one there! He'd looked down and seen neither the arm he felt around his waist nor the hand that had slid so intimately over his pants. He couldn't have heard that voice. He just couldn't have! It was impossible. He wanted to hear the thief's voice and to feel his arms wrapped around him and his mind was playing with him. He should rest.

"Father… Sally… I am not feeling the best… I'll… have to go and rest," he said softly.

"Don't you try to beg this off, Wu Fei," his father said dismissively.

"No, father… I… must rest," Wu Fei said distantly, his voice slightly shaky.

"He rally doesn't look well, Father," Sally said, looking in concern at her husband.

Lord Chang turned to regard his son shrewdly, frowning slightly when he realised the youth did indeed look pale and perhaps a touch feverish.

"Very well. Go, rest," he said shortly, waving a dismissive hand and turning away.

Wu Fei turned on his heel and headed single-mindedly for the keep.

Duo saw his lover - huh, he still referred to Wu Fei as that - begin moving toward sanctuary, reading the look on his face very easily. The lordling plainly thought he was going mad. Duo darted off and slipped, unnoticed, into the entrance of the keep, weaving his way into the shadows about mid-way between where Wu Fei would enter and the lordling's room.

Wu Fei paced quickly down the halls on the way to his rooms, his mind telling him over and over that Duo couldn't be here. That couldn't have been the thief he heard. And no one had touched him out there. No o-

His rushed thoughts faltered to a floundering halt as his body encountered another, slim, well toned and lithe. Arms slid around his waist and a long-missed mouth descended upon his for a deep kiss, full of heat and love and everything Wu Fei had ever wanted but couldn't have.

"Mmn… Duo… oh, Duo, Duo," Wu Fei whispered chokingly, tears streaking down his cheeks.

"I know, 'Fei… I know," Duo replied in an equally choked whisper, silver paths tracking down his own face and reflecting the uncertain torchlight.

"A year and a half…" Wu Fei murmured, pressing against Duo, all his façade of cold indifference dropped, as he had only ever been able to drop it with Duo.

"A year and a half, a week, three days…" Duo replied, fingers tangling comfortingly in Wu Fei's hurriedly unbound hair.

Wu Fei couldn't help but laugh.

"You kept that close a count?"

"I couldn't think of anything but you."

"Then I wasn't the only one."

"Not by a long shot."

"But… but what… now?"

It was the question Wu Fei didn't want to ask, but knew he had to. They couldn't just stand here in this corridor forever, much as he wished they could.

Duo smirked. He lifted the lordling into his arms and carted him off to his room, closing and bolting the door. Moving swiftly across the room, Duo deposited Wu Fei carefully on the bed, then commenced a hurried discarding of clothing. Wu Fei licked his lips in anticipation as the candlelight bathed more and more of Duo's revealed flesh in a warm copper-gold glow. Then sense got the better of him.

"Duo, Sally and my father, they…" he trailed off as Duo halted and looked at him.

"The choice is yours, 'Fei. What do you want?" he asked. He hadn't intended any of this to happen, but he wasn't sorry it had. He'd been yearning for Wu Fei ever since he'd climbed out that window. But if the lordling said no…

Wu Fei's mouth opened then shut with a snap when he realised he couldn't think of anything intelligent to say. He looked down at the pillows so he wasn't so distracted by Duo's near-naked body and groaned softly, torn. His entire life one thing had been drummed into him; duty, duty, duty, and it was a difficult habit to break. Yet… his heart cried and begged and screamed for Duo, throwing itself against the cage of his ribs as if in an effort to get to the thief all by itself. His soul added to the clamour, singing a mournful, pleading song. A song that was only half a song without the counterpoint provided by Duo's soul. He groaned again, but this time, the groan ran quickly into words.

"You. I want you…" He lifted his eyes to find Duo smiling at him in a way that made his heart flutter and his soul soar. Then, his love was in his arms and he was in his love's arms and nothing else mattered as they danced their way to heaven.

* * *

Heero's eyes snapped open and he shout of the trance he'd been holding. He'd been keeping Lord Chang closely shadowed by his mind so he could keep a tight watch without alarming the townsfolk. It had been on the lord's request, and Heero wasn't entirely satisfied, but he was bound, always, by Chang's rulings.

Heero had seen Wu Fei leave and not thought much of it. The lordling had seemed sincere enough, and he had found no reason to doubt his word. Not so now. Now, he knew the real reason.

"Shit!" he spat with feeling at both what he'd felt and the state his head was in after leaping so quickly out of trance.

"What is it?" Zechs asked, quickly bringing Heero a gentle drug the mage always used if he encountered a headache due his magic. For once, Heero waved it away.

"No. I'm going to need my wits about me tonight when all breaks loose," he muttered.

"What? Why?" Zechs asked, putting the potion aside.

"Shinigami's back," Heero stated flatly, two fingers rubbing absently at one temple.

"Truly? How do you know?"

"I just felt Wu Fei's power in trance. There's only one thing that makes a power react like that: pure ecstasy. Only one person could and will ever be able to give Wu Fei that."

"Shinigami," Zechs said, followed quickly by a harsh curse.

"Precisely. Wu Fei won't be able to part from him a second time and Duo's far to independent and possessive to share with the Lady Po. They'll leave, but Wu Fei's too proud and headstrong to leave without lecturing his father on the wrongs of arranged marriages and the injustices visited on his person. In short-"

"All hell will break loose," Zechs finished for him.

"Correct. But… we can stop it, Zechs," Heero said softly as Zechs helped him to his feet.

"Only by - oh…"

"Exactly."

"But can we-"

"We have to. There's no room for emotions here, Zechs. Our duty is first and foremost to his Lordship."

Zechs closed his ice blue eyes for a moment, an image of the morning he'd woken Shinigami in Wu Fei's arms springing readily to his inner vision. His heart gave one painful wrench and he murmured a soft apology, before opening his eyes again and giving Heero a curt nod.

"You're right, Heero. Come on."

Heero nodded in return and the two of them set off for Wu Fei's rooms. Hopefully, they could get this done and leave no trace before Lord Chang and Lady Po returned from the festival…

* * *

Author's Notes: Fun! I think I'll be glad when I'm done with this one. I think the plot is very weak. I actually wrote it before Elven Mage and, in my opinion, Elven Mage is much, much better. Oh yeah… time jumps again. Because I'm slack and couldn't think of anything to fill the time I jumped.