Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Spirit of the blue-eyed Wolf ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

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Spirit of the Blue-Eyed Wolf

Chapter 3

Treize woke when someone slipped into bed beside him, and he knew that it was nearly morn. He opened his eyes and turned to face his lover.

“Did I wake you?” Milliardo asked softly.

“Of course you did,” he replied teasingly. “You are as stealthy and light-footed as a 2000 pound bull. I could have slept for another while, you know.”

“Maybe you should have gone to bed earlier instead of sitting all night in the library talking with that monk.”

Treize raised one eyebrow in a mixture of surprise and amusement. “Do I detect jealousy in your voice?”

The other man huffed as he embraced his lover and pulled their bodies closer. “Do I have any reason to be jealous?” he whispered into Treize's ear.

“Of course not.” The other man smiled as he huddled against Milliardo's bare chest. For a long time the two men lay silently, simply enjoying each other's presence. The time they were able to spend together like this was precious. Finally Treize stirred and freed himself from his lover's embrace.

“Where are you going?”

“The sun is about to rise.”

“So what?” Milliardo reached out, trying to hold the other man back. “Stay until it does.”

“No way. You know how much I hate to have wolf's hair on my bed,” Treize replied, but even his joke didn't completely cover the hint of bitterness in his voice.

Wufei yawned as he tossed another load of straw through the hatch in the barn floor down into the stable. Even thought, he had been sitting and talking with Treize - the man insisted on being called by his first name- long into the night, he had woken soon after sunrise.

When he went to the kitchen he had realized that he was not the only one to rise early in the castle. Trowa had already cooked the morning meal and his two masters had headed into the forest to log firewood.

Since everybody seemed to be pulling his weight around here, the young monk decided that it was only fair for him to lend a hand as well. In spite of Trowa's assurances that there was no need to, he insisted on at least helping clean the stable and feed the horses.

“Alright,” Trowa called up to him. “That should be enough. You can come down now.”

Wufei put aside the pitch fork, closed the hatch and climbed down the wooden ladder. As he entered the stable the young man noticed something odd. Even though Trowa had told him that the two lords had left the castle together there was only one empty stall in the stable; meaning that they could only have taken one horse. But then again, there could be a simple explanation. Perhaps they had taken a one-horse wagon, or both of them went on foot and took the horse only as pack animal.

“So, you are going to leave tonight?” Trowa asked.

“Yes, I have taken advantage of your masters' kindness for too long already. I recovered from my fight with the demons, so I should be on my way.”

“I don't think either Master Treize or Master Milliardo would mind if you were to stay longer. We don't get too many guests around here and I think they enjoy your company.”

The monk shook his head. “I'm sure they are just trying to be polite. I can not impose on them any longer.”

“If you say so…” The other man shrugged while he moved a big load of straw from the pile to the stall he had just cleaned. “But I assure you, they don't mind.”

Wufei shook his head again but didn't say anything. He had made up his mind already and there wasn't anything that could change it.

After finishing their work in the stable, a light meal and some tea, Wufei picked up the book he had started to read the evening before and headed for the inner courtyard. It was just too beautiful of a day to sit inside. He settled down in the lush green grass in the shade of a large oak tree, crossed his legs and started to read.

The monk had no idea how much time had passed when he heard the soft whinny of a horse and the sound of wagon wheels on the cobble-stone road. He raised his head to see Lord Peacecraft direct a small wagon toward the woodshed behind the stable. Wufei was surprised to notice that the blond nobleman was alone, but didn't waste much time pondering about it. From what he could see, the cart was filled with freshly cut logs and he could imagine that those needed to be unloaded before nightfall.

With his book in hand the young man returned to the study to put it back in its place, then he headed back downstairs. By the time he reached the shed Trowa was leading the gelding away and Milliardo had already started unloading the wagon.

“Let me give you a hand,” Wufei suggested as he stepped closer.

“There is really no need,” the older man argued. “Trowa told me that you already helped him clean the stables…”

“It's the least I can do.” The monk pushed up his sleeves and reached for one of the logs. Each piece was about one and a half to two feet long and at least a foot around. The wood was fresh and still heavy, and its awkward shape made it difficult to carry more than one log at a time. They needed to be carried all the way into the shed and stacked against the wall.

After taking care of the horse Trowa retuned to help as well.

“Let's make a chain,” Milliardo suggested. “It will be better than us stepping on each others feet when we try to get in and out through that small door.”

Both Wufei and Trowa could only agree to that. While the monk climbed onto the wagon to hand the wood down to Trowa, the older man removed his sword and belt. Using the handle of an axe that was sticking out from the chopping block like a hook, he hung them up. Then he unlaced and removed his jerkin. Finally he slipped off his tunic as well and was left wearing only his tight brown leather pants and a pair of matching knee-high boots.

The young nobleman's skin was fair and nearly flawless, except for one small scar marring his left shoulder. The darker tanned line around his neck was barely visible behind his ponytail. His body was lean and well-toned from years of swordplay; his chest and abdomen muscular and perfectly chiseled. “Let's get going!” he directed.

The three men quickly developed a routine and in no time the wagon was unloaded. Wufei wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand as he jumped to the ground. Milliardo propped himself against the chopping block while he uncorked the water-skin Trowa had handed him. He was breathing heavily, his torso covered with a thin sheen of sweat.

“Good work!” he remarked with a smirk after a long gulp of cold water. “We make quite a nice team.” He wiped his mouth and handed the pouch off to Wufei, then he rose, reached for his clothes and weapon and headed toward the castle.

The monk drank his fill before passing the water-skin back to Trowa.

“I heated the water in the bath earlier,” the young man told him. “If you wish I can show you the way.”

“Really? I'd love that.” A good soak in hot water sounded perfect right now.

“Here we go.” As the two men entered the bath in the basement of the castle Trowa handed Wufei the towel and soap he had been carrying. “Take your time and enjoy yourself. I'll put some more wood in the fire so the water will stay warm.”

“Thanks.”

With a silent nod of acknowledgement the young man left. Wufei stood for a few moments looking around in awe. The bath chamber was large; its walls and floors covered with marbled tiles of different colors. A large oil lamp was burning in each of the four corners of the room. The lamps were surrounded by some kind of crystal that magnified and increased their lights. A basin large enough to accommodate several people had been cut into the ground and filled with water. From what he could see, the walls and floor of the tub were covered with colorful tiles as well. A set of stone steps on one side of the basin made it easier to get in and out.

Wufei walked to the other side of the room and put his towel and soap down on one of several wooden benches. When he slipped of his sandals the monk realized that the floor beneath his feet was warm. He had seen that before in a large public bath when he was a child. Back then he'd assumed the floor was heated by a spell or charm, but his teacher had laughed and told him that it wasn't magic but hot air from a fireplace running underground through large clay pipes that did the trick. One thing was sure: whoever had this bath built hadn't avoided any expenses.

Looking around the young monk saw several water-filled buckets near a drain in the corner. He quickly undressed, folded his clothes and put them next to his towel. He then reached for his soap and went over to the buckets to clean himself off before getting into the tub.

The young man didn't bother using the stairs but dipped right into the deep end of the basin. The water reached almost to his chest and the temperature was perfect. As he looked around Wufei noticed that several seat-like grooves had been cut into the sides of the tub. He settled down in one of them, surprised how comfortable they actually were. With a content sigh he leaned back and closed his eyes.

A few relaxing moments passed then he could hear the door to the bath chamber opening. Wufei's first thought was that Trowa had returned for one reason or another, but when he opened his eyes he realized that it wasn't the servant but his master who had entered the bath.

“Ah, so monks like to indulge themselves too?!” the still shirtless nobleman remarked casually as he stepped closer.

Wufei swallowed. He can't possibly be planning to…

Oh yes, he could. Milliardo flung his towel onto one of the benches and slowly, and very much to the young monk's horror, began to undress.

Wufei's mouth went dry. “Um… would you like me to leave, Sir?”

The other man turned his head giving him a surprised look. “Don't be silly. There is more than enough room for both of us, don't you think?”

“I suppose so,” the monk stammered weakly.

Milliardo kicked off his boots and slipped out of his pants. Unlike Wufei, whose garments rested neatly folded on a bench, the young lord discarded his clothes carelessly on the floor. Naked like the day he was born he walked over to the drain and picked up the bar of soap Wufei had left there.

As he started to lather his body the young monk developed a sudden interest in the tile pattern on the walls. By the time the nobleman was finished cleaning himself he knew that there were twenty-one blue and forty grey tiles in the designs on each wall. Milliardo rinsed the suds from his body, and Wufei threw a shy gaze at the tall, lean figure.

Milliardo was standing with his back toward him and the monk couldn't help but notice how well built the nobleman's body was. Muscles shifted beneath flawless cream-colored skin with every move the young man made. In the flickering light of the oil lamps his moist skin was sparkling and his hair shone like silver. Even more so when he removed the leather band holding it together and the long hair fell over his back like a silver veil.

He is beautiful, Wufei thought, even as he could feel his cheeks burn. What am I saying? I should not have such thoughts, especially not about another man.

Dipping one toe into the water, Milliardo checked the temperature before he slowly stepped into the tub. He settled down across from the young monk. “Ah, perfect,” he remarked with a satisfied smile as he submerged himself in the warm water all the way to his neck.

Wufei found his gaze once again wandering to the other man. He looked relaxed with his eyes closed, his head resting against the rim, long, pale-blond hair floating in the water around him.

After a few moments Milliardo opened his eyes lazily. “Are you alright? You look flushed.”

The color in Wufei's cheeks only intensified as he nodded and quickly averted his gaze. “I'm fine.”

“If the water is too hot for you should cool yourself down.” The older man gestured at the buckets with cold water.

But that would mean I would have to get out of the water and … “No, I'm fine, really.” The monk shook his head vigorously.

“Alright then.” Milliardo closed his eyes once more and relaxed, while the younger man berated himself for leaving his towel on the bench.

What am I going to do? I have no choice but to wait for him to leave.

Lucky for him the nobleman soon rose from the water and climbed out of the basin. With his back turned toward Wufei once again, he started to dry himself off, and the young monk tried desperately not to watch him. He breathed a sigh of relief as Milliardo finally left the bath. After waiting a few moments he too got out of the tub, but before he even reached his bench the door opened again. Wufei nearly jumped and quickly grabbed his towel to protect his modesty.

“Did I drop my hair band?” The fair-haired nobleman looked around then smiled sheepishly. “Silly me, it's right here in my hand. Sorry about that.”

The monk glared at the door long after Milliardo had left again. He did that on purpose, I swear.

Wufei was standing by the door to the courtyard, trying to decide if he should take a walk before supper, when he noticed a silvery shadow moving along the cobblestone road behind the castle.

It's Miri, he realized. He had not seen the wolf all day. I wonder where he is going. Curiously the young monk followed the animal. It looked as though he was heading into the forest. For a brief moment Wufei considered returning to his room to fetch his staff, but he realized that the wolf wasn't just going to sit and wait for him to return. In the end curiously won over caution.

The young monk managed to remain unnoticed as he followed the silver wolf. They took a narrow path along a stream until they reached a small clearing. The evening sun was draping the glade in a reddish-gold light, and Wufei was surprised to notice a second wolf, which seemed to have been waiting for Miri. The two canines wagged their tails as they approached each other; their noses touched as they met. They were about the same size, but the other wolf's fur was shimmering reddish brown in the light of the slowly setting sun. Two powerful and deadly animals, yet they were playful as puppies as they started to chase each other over the clearing.

Wufei watched them for a few moments, but somehow it felt as though he was intruding on something very private, something he was not supposed to see. He slowly retreated and headed back to the castle.

So that's the secret, he thought. The people in the village got it all wrong. There are two wolves, not just one. But I'm certain they are no demons. But what about that curse; could it be they are mistaken about that as well? Maybe there is no curse at all, or maybe it's just a rumor spread by the masters of Wolfstein castle, because they don't want anybody to intrude? Hmmm…Lot's of questions. But somehow I have the feeling that I wouldn't get any answers, even if I was to ask.

Breathless from chasing each other the two wolves eventually settled down by the water's edge.

How was your day? The copper-colored animal asked his companion telepathically.

Today I got to spent time with our guest.

Pray tell, what did you do?

First we unloaded wood together.

Oh really? That sounds like fun. He gave the silver wolf an amused look. I'm heartbroken that I could not partake.

Miri gave a sound very much like a snort. That was only the beginning.

Oh?!

Next we took a bath.

Together?

Together, the silver wolf confirmed. Although I don't think he had planned on it. You should have seen his face when I walked in.

You were teasing him?

Just a little. Watching him blush was just too cute. He is still so coy. I'm willing to bet he has never been laid before.

Milliardo! The other wolf nipped playfully at his ear. You are wicked.

The silver wolf did not answer, but his upper lips curled back into a mischievous smirk.

T.B.C.

Author's Note: This chapter is a little shorter since it is more or less a filler that was written simply for fun and not for plot development.