Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing (but I had fun using its characters for my story)

Warnings: Language, abuse, rape, slavery

Thanks to my beta readers: , SFA and Cylina Nightshade

Prologue: Heroes or fools

As if on autopilot, Heero Yuy's left hand moved the paper to the pile on the left while at the same time his other hand moved to the right. His right hand, however, was not met with the familiar texture of paper, but with the cold, hard feel of wood and surprised at that, Heero frowned, glancing at his hand on the desk. Already done? What time was it? He rubbed his eyes and straightened his back. That had gone faster than he had anticipated. He looked at the stacks of paper on his desk, two larger ones with denied requests and requests he still had to consider and a smaller one with approved requests. This weekly part of the job usually took him into the early hours. The midnight chime had not even sounded yet.

As Landkeeper for his king, it was mainly up to him to see to the farmers that worked for the king, or rather, it was up to him to govern the nobles who looked after the farmers. His father did the same, but with the nobles running the cities.

He frowned at the pile with requests he would have to consider and wondered if he should do some now, when the doorbell was rung, indicating someone was here to see either his father or himself. That made his decision easy. He had a feeling tonight's visitor would be here for the latter. He neatly put away the papers and then retreated to his sitting room where a closed bottle of fine wine and a clean glass were waiting for him as expected. And sure enough, just as he had poured himself a glass and made himself comfortable in the chair by the fire, the familiar sound of the butler's approaching footsteps reached his ears. A rap on the door was his queue to answer "Enter."

The large, wooden door opened and the slender, middle-aged butler Geoffrey stepped forward with a bow, his black hair remaining neatly in place despite the movement of his head. "His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Quatre Raberba Winner is here to see you, My Lord," Geoffrey said in his slow, monotonous voice. Unexpectedly, Prince Quatre strode inside without waiting for an answer from Heero, his sky blue eyes immediately finding Heero's darker ones through his blond bangs. Of course, as crown prince he was allowed to enter as he pleased, but usually he showed more respect for other people's privacy.

Heero stood up, hiding his frown and bowed to the prince. "Your highness," he greeted.

"Lord Yuy." Quatre barely inclined his head, another sign that he was aggravated, which at times Heero had thought was nearly impossible for the usually kind-hearted young man.

Heero straightened and looked up at the tall butler. "Bring another glass for our guest please, Geoffrey."

"That won't be necessary. I shall not be staying long," Quatre interjected rather shortly. "Leave us please."

Heero nodded at the servant and the man bowed curtly and moved out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"To what do I owe the pleasure at this hour?" Heero asked, taking his glass from the table. He had a pretty good idea of why Prince Quatre was here, although he was mildly surprised it was Quatre himself who had come.

"I'm here because of Shinigami," the sovereign answered. "I hear you are the one who bought him."

"You heard quickly," Heero answered calmly and sipped his wine.

"It is my business to keep track of murder suspects in my land," Quatre answered simply. "Don't tell me you haven't heard the rumours that surround him."

"I have," Heero admitted. This was exactly why he'd expected a visit from the Royal Court.

"Then why on earth did you buy him?" Quatre asked, not without a hint of disbelief. "Heero, you know those rumours are most likely true. What would you possibly want with a slave such as Shinigami?"

Heero savoured the taste of his sweet wine for a moment before he answered. "The challenge."

"The challenge?" Quatre shook his head. "You bought him because you wanted a challenge? Are you so bored with your life that you will risk it for a 'challenge' like this?"

"Basically," the Lord answered vaguely. Quatre had never understood his need for a thrill in his life.

"If it is challenges you want, you should have come to me. I would have given you challenges that are much safer. The courts need to be reorganised. The temples need to be kept in reign. The west is growing increasingly dissatisfied with the food supplies they get. Any of these challenges could have been yours."

"That's not what I mean." Heero set down his glass. "My father is refusing me the hunt more and more often. Politics are making me feel dull. I need the physical aspect of a challenge."

"Then join the sword fighting tournament," Quatre answered exasperated.

"That is not the same," Heero retorted. "It's not real. There are always the same tricks. It's predictable and short lived."

"So you decide to up the stakes instead, is that it? You don't even care that his previous owners all met their deaths under questionable circumstances?"

"If my father will not allow me to go to the wild beasts, I have to bring the wild beast to me instead."

"A slave is not an animal," Quatre said disapprovingly, narrowing his eyes.

"Speaking of slaves," Heero decided to change the subject, "don't you have a private party to attend to?" He knew he was one of the few who could speak to the crown prince like that and get away with it. They had grown up together, perhaps not like brothers, but at the very least they were like cousins. Heero considered Quatre a friend and that was not a status anyone gained quickly with him.

"I am not going to convince you to abandon this ridiculous plan of yours, am I?"

Quatre knew him well enough to get realise that by now. "No."

"Fine." The blond haired man gave him a warning look. "But I will be keeping an eye on this."

"As you wish." Heero acquiesced, blue eyes following Quatre as he turned to leave.

"And Heero?" The future king of Elfor turned to regard his friend once more. "Don't get yourself killed."

"I won't." With that, the blond opened the door and headed out into the hallway, greeted by the butler Geoffrey, who had been waiting for him to come out.

princess/rlyblue

This story has 20 chapters, more than 100k words and is as good as finished. I know this is a dying fandom, but this story took a lot of effort and I wanted to share it with you despite that.

Also note: title may change.