OK well most background info was given in the little prologue thingy so I will not go through it all again. If you really want to know why I wrote this bloody thing then read it, if not just read the little history lesson then come back here. If you do not read the little history lesson it does not matter, but you might be the one confused when I start going on about the different races and stuff. If you get confused it's your own fault for not reading what I suggested you read and I have no sympathy for you. :p

WarNingS: OOC, AU, Mild violence, Shounen-Ai content, and all the stuff I mentioned in the prologue and really do not feel like listing again. These are the important ones anyway.

Aishi Say

"Your heart often knows things before your mind does."

OK I copied this down but was in a hurry so I forgot to write down who said it. If you know feel free to tell me because I'm drawing a blank here.

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"My prince welcome to Lenes'ka! It is good to see you well old friend," Hiro greeted his friend with a friendly smile holding out his arm. Quatre smiled clasping his friend's navy clad arm it had been a while since they had seen each other. "Are you alone?" The brunet questioned frowning slightly in thought.

Quatre shook his head, "No Hiro, Rashid is around here…" Soft aqua eyes glanced around before he frowned slightly himself, "Somewhere." He finished not sure what else he could say. 'How does he do that?' "Why the crowd Hiro?" Quatre asked, after all his friend had not known of his plans to visit so surly it had not been arranged in his honor. Hiro was good but he was not that good at this kind of thing, he was not one to make a fuss.

Hiro smiled a smile the blond would know was one of success, "A successful battle My Prince, a band of Beastials has been dealt a mighty blow." He explained proud of his victory, he had been a solider after all.

"So it is a Triumph is it?" Quatre asked curiously, he had read of them but he had never seen one.

Hiro nodded, "The Ancients were my kind of people. If had known you were coming…" He started to explain only to stop when Quatre raised a hand.

"Please parades and such are such a bother, my rank is a circumstance of my birth nothing more. You on the other hand earned theses lands former general." Quatre smiled at his friend, though young he had proven his abilities and was given command. For his victories he was rewarded both by the king and his mentor, and rightfully so.

Hiro smiled, long navy cape billowing in the winds, he was proud of his accomplishments but he was also not a boastful man. He did what he did for his kingdom, and for his friend not for personal gain, "Come, you have never seen a wild Beastial before have you?"

"No, I have not," Quatre admitted, taking Hiro's offered arm and allowing his friend to lead him to the edge of the high balcony watching the people below them.

"The younger ones can normally be trained, but the older ones are usually too wild to keep as loyal pets, or even servants," Hiro explained gesturing at the horse drawn cages. Quatre watched them too, there were so many chains it was hard to count them all. "It is customary to present a gift of the spoils to the ruling house if they are present, so speak up if anything catches your eye." Hiro reminded his friend when he noticed his eyes studying the caged spoils with interest.

"They look human to me Hiro," Quatre admitted, turning to look at him for a moment. Each captive had a collar on that kept him or her human so of course they looked human, it was done to humiliate and control.

"Looks, as you know, can be deceiving, especially when it comes to the Third Race," Hiro reminded him eyes still on the crowd, his people were cheering madly tonight they would sleep well. Quatre nodded as he turned back to the cages noting one in particular was kept separate and was heavily chained. Hiro fallowed his train of sight and smiled slightly, "That one is…particularly wild." He informed him amused for some reason Quatre would not know.

"Who is he?" Quatre asked curious for some reason he wanted to know, he wrote it off as simply curiosity, after all he did not know much about Beastials.

"He was given the name Nanashi, since he refused to ever give us one," Hiro answered not surprised Quatre had singled the most feared and deadly one out, he was the most interesting.

"What will become of him Hiro?" Quatre asked not turning form the streets as he asked, curiosity still getting the best of him.

"Well some nobles like breaking the wild ones, but most likely death," Hiro informed him unconcerned with its fate. His job was to defend the land, what happened to the enemy did not mater as long as they were the one who lost.

"Death?!" Quatre gasped, he had not considered that at all though it made perfect sense, they were not wild animals.

Hiro nodded, use to his friend and future king's emotional outbursts, "He is of a conquered race, they serve us or they die. Your father has declared it so," He reminded him simply, the laws were the laws that is how the empire worked.

Quatre nodded, absently frowning in thought for a moment, "May I meet with him?" The prince asked, he had always hated to order his friends or even sound like he was, prince or not.

"Whatever for?" Hiro asked confused but not surprised the prince was a curious one after all, sometimes though he got in trouble.

"I have never meet one," Quatre admitted as justification, he was curious…only curious.

Hiro chuckled softly, amused with his friend's timidness, "Very well satisfy you curiosity. Tenha?" He called turning his head, his people knew how to be around when he needed them to be.

"My Lord?" The young red head asked bowing his head, one knew to be respectful or suffer for their folly.

"Take Nanashi to his majesty's cambers and make sure he is secured, I do not want any …accidents." Hiro ordered gently, knowing his people did what they were asked without him having to bellow at them. Those who respected serve well, those who fear are a poor subsisted Odin had taught him that.

Tenha bowed to the very different pair of nobles, "My Lord, My Prince."

"He is a fascinating creature, if you want him he is yours," Hiro informed his friend with a smile, there was nothing wrong with praising a worthy opponent even a defeated one.

Quatre turned obviously confused, people did not offer other people as gifts to him often, well not seriously, "If I want…?"

"Of course, he is part of the spoils," Hiro reminded the blond causally as Quatre bit his lip. "I will be in the meeting hall if you have need of me My Prince," The former soldier informed his friend as he bowed, he did have things to attend to.

Quatre nodded goodbye to his friend, Hiro was often too busy to speak long, "Thank you. Hiro."

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"Mi Lord the beast is tied down like a good lit'el critter. He'll not be any trouble for ya," A man Quatre did not know assured him with a smile that was slightly disturbing to the Empath.

Quatre nodded, "Thank you. Leave me please?" Not liking the feeling he was getting from the man at all the prince used his right to dismiss without question.

The man nodded at him, "Aye Mi Lord. The keys are by the door but be carefu' Beasties be demon spawn." He warned as he bowed, the young man seemed like a nice one but a tad too trusting for his liking.

"I will. Thank you again," Quatre said thanking the Goddess when the man left, the thoughts that had been going on in the man's head were most disturbing, and he was glad to see him go. He nodded politely at the two guards, they he liked so he smiled at them as he walked through the doors they opened for him. "You two may leave as well I will be fine," Quatre assured them dismissing them gently, their minds were alert and focused but not disturbing.

"My Prince," The two guards bowed as they walked out, closing the door and walked down the hall fallowing their orders without question.

Quatre smiled, Hiro trained his people well and he was thankful for that. He glanced at the chained and battered youth chained to the left of the canopy bed, "You are called Nanashi, it is a pretty name. I am Quatre Winner." Dark green orbs watched him as he sat down across from Beastial, moving slowly Quatre studied him curiously trying not to appear rude. Nanashi was chained loosely to the wall by his wrists, ankles, and his throat, hands encased in armor. His long sleeved hunter green tunic was shredded and stained with blood and mud, as was his tall black leather boots and black leggings, which were in better shape. Quatre watched the gold in his long, half tied back, hair catch the light as the other tilted his head slightly. Long bangs hiding his right eye, left was narrowed in a studying glare. "Do you know that name?" The prince asked wondering if he could get the stranger to talk to him, after all the Third and some Second Races could speak. To his disappointment Nanashi only nodded at him refusing to speak. "Please speak with me, I will not harm you?" Quatre pleaded frowning slightly, was Nanashi afraid of him or was he only angry?

Deep forest green orbs blinked before their owner decided to speak, "Why not simply order it of me?" Nanashi demanded voice cold and changeling, human nobles were bossy things, they did not often take time to ask.

Quatre smiled glad Nanashi had decided to say something, before frowning when he realized what he had said. "I do not order people to speak to me, I am not my father," He explained simply, after all the Beastial would not know that he was not a noble.

Dark eyes narrowed once more, this time Quatre could feel suspicion from the young man and not just curiosity. "Yet you order me brought here?" Nanashi challenged clearly considering him a hypocrite. "What do you want of me human?" The last word was hissed as if it just saying it left a vile taste in his mouth.

Quatre frowned, surly the other's hatred was misplaced after all he had done nothing to him, could the other simply hate all humans on sight? If so it would be very hard to carry on a civil conversation. 'Perhaps I should just explain myself, after all he is not some dumb animal he can understand.' "I would like to get to know you," Quatre answered softly not liking being so mistrusted.

"We will never bow to human rule!" Nanashi hissed eyes flashing, that was all the human needed to know.

Quatre meet his glare with gentle eyes, "I do not want you to." He caught the blink of surprise and decided to continue as if he had seen nothing. "I believe all races can live in relative peace if we all just respect each other's ways." That was the truth, his mother had taught him that when he was very young. If it worked for humans why not half humans as well? Quatre blinked when once again rage flared in green eyes.

"Humans do not respect the Third Race, you think us nothing but stupid animals, to be used for your pleasure and amusement. We just happen to be animals," Nanashi informed him voice a low growl.

"Animals have a right to be treated humanely as well," Quatre countered, beating animals was frowned upon as was beating people.

"Only pets!" Nanashi spat the word like a curse, he was no pet, and he would kill any human who tried to keep him as one.

"No!" Quatre cried in protest, "That's…" He trailed off when Nanashi lunged at him, falling at his feet on hands and knees, heavy chains clanking. His sudden fear turned into sympathy and even pity. "Please don't, you'll hurt yourself?" He pleaded with him not wanting the young man to do any such thing.

"So what?" Nanashi muttered head down, frustrated past the point of anger, "You're kind will torture me before killing me anyway. It doesn't matter what I do to myself chain up in this place."

"Because you lost?" Quatre asked not wanting the other's words to sink in, he did not want them to.

"Yes," Nanashi answered simply not feeling like elaborating, even he was purely human he had lost and would be executed.

Quatre knelt before Nanashi fear forgotten, he was not all that frightening really, "That is unfair…Father is so blind."

Nanashi looked up, eyes as cold as the gems they were akin to, "Do you think this act of pity will endear you to me?" He sneered fang showing, "I am a demon, we have no use for such feelings."

Quatre shook his golden crown in protest, "No! You are what you are, just as I am what I am." Nanashi snorted slamming armor encased hands on to the floor. "Please don't do that the guards might hurt you?" 'Why must he insist on being so reckless? Does he wish to die now and not later if even?'

"I do not care, let your protectors come if they wish," Nanashi muttered, why the human thought his protesting would stay his hand he was not in the mood to even try and figure out. He noticed the human prince stand and head towards the door. "Typical human," Was absently sneered at his back, "Simply walk away when you do not get your way."

Quatre turned from the door keys in hand getting another blink of surprise, such a human expression. "I am not I am Gifted, and someday I will not only be king but a powerful mage," He informed Nanashi knelling back down before him.

"Not a War Caster," Nanashi said thinking out loud, none he met pitied their enemy simply killed.

"No I hate war," Quatre stated with a smile at lest the other saw that much, "I prefer spells that help people."

"War magic helps you survive," Nanashi countered using logic to reminded him of a simple truth, kill your enemies before they can kill you.

"To survive at the cost of other people's lives is too high a cost, I am unwilling to pay it," Quatre sighed softly. Yes he had guards but he hated to put them in danger, however he had no choice at times. He could feel the other's confusion but the blind rage had subsided for now, his words were being listened to at least.

"My people are warriors…we have to be," Nanashi informed him voice calm but slightly distant.

Quatre frowned slightingly, swearing there was more then a hint of regret in his tone.'His voice must be so soft when he is not so frustrated. I wish to hear it.' "I am sorry."

"Don't be, wild animals must fight to survive," Nanashi reminded the blond without any anger in his calmed voice, it was a fact all races knew.

Quatre smiled having been proven right, the other's voice could be very soothing, "Hold out your hands?" He ordered gently, they were not friends so making a suggestion would likely be a waste of time.

"Why?" Nanashi demanded mistrust once again shining in his eyes, he did trust mages after all.

"Trust me and I shall trust you in turn," Quatre answered holding up the keys in case the other was still unsure of his intentions. Green eyes narrowed but Nanashi obediently held out his hands, he seemed willing to show a little trust. "Why did they do this to you anyway?" Quatre asked pulling the armor away, Nanashi seemed the type to bash an enemy in the head with armor encased hands. Nanashi calmly held up his hand before turning it, long wicked looking ivory claws extended towards him. Quatre swallowed imaging those very claws imbedded into his pale skin, "Umm…you will not use those will you?" 'He's not transformed so how did he do that?'

Nanashi shook his head getting a sigh of relief, "If you give me a reason I will." He warned not wanting the human to relax too much, he could still do small transformations bound like he was.

"Fair enough, after all I am a human Nanashi," Quatre agreed with a nod, every living thing had a right to defend itself when attacked human or not.

Nanashi frowned at him, "Nanashi is not my true name, it is the one these soldiers have given me." He reminded the human, he had no hatred of the name it was pleasant sounding, humans so did enjoy naming things.

"Hiro mentioned that. He allowed me talk to you," Quatre said knowing the other already knew that, this was his birthplace after all.

"Of course you are his superior," Nanashi stated as if it was a given that Hiro would do as he was told.

"In rank only," Quatre corrected gently, "I could never hope to beat him." He felt no shame in admitting this he was a Healer not a warrior, let alone a Warrior Mage.

"If I did he would die," Nanashi informed him with a sneer as if the idea of killing Hiro was pleasantly amusing one.

The blond Mage frowned not liking that sneer at all, "He's just fallowing father's orders." Quatre admitted trying to explain and defend his friend. Nanashi growled low in his throat confusing Quatre with his sudden flare of anger. "What?" He asked wondering what he had said to set him off this time.

"You defend him, why?" Nanashi demanded clearly angered by Quatre's defense of Hiro.

"He is my friend and-Hey!?" Quatre yelped as long claws racked at the air where he had just been a heartbeat ago. "Why?" He asked too shocked to say anything more coherent, he had no idea anything could move so fast wounded.

"Deceiver!" Nanashi raged at him but did not try to slash at the human again, he was too far away now anyway it would only be a frustrating waste of energy.

Quatre could sense the other's feelings of betrayal and they hurt him like an unbleeding wound, "No I'm not!" He cried back, he hated lying to anyone and he had not lied to this youth, he had been only honest. 'I have to make him understand…but how?'

"You are friends to a Beastial slayer and yet you stand here and preach peace and tolerance among our kinds." Nanashi growled allowing his hatred to drip from each word like blood from a bleeding wound, "You humans are all alike liars, deceivers, enslavers!"

The last word hit like Quatre like a blow, his people were enslavers of Beastials Nanashi had every right to feel the way he felt, but he was not like that. "I have known Hiro for years," He explained trying to use logic to make him understand, "He is only fallowing orders, please?"

"Be Silent!" Nanashi snapped covering his ears as he shook his head, he did not want to hear the deceiver's sweat sounding voice anymore. "Send me away for I will speak to you no more," He informed the blond lowering his head, fingers still in his hair.

Quatre fell to his knees, the anger Nanashi felt was so intense it hit him like a physical blow, "Nanashi please hear me out? I do want peace between out all the three races but I am not king, my father is. Hiro is loyal to me, and he will end this war if told but he must obey my father." He explained, trying to make the Beastial understand that things were not entirely in Hiro's control or in his. "Look at me?" Quatre pleaded as dark green eyes closed, head turning away with a sharp jerk as if slapped. "Please? Goddess I just want to save you! Do you really want to die?" Quatre screamed almost in tears, "Would you prefer death to my help?" He demanded lowering his own head.

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Hope you all like kitties because this is the first of many fics with neko staring in them. Does this make me a bad person? Keke, on with purring.