-1Okay, so this chapter doesn't really explain the universe as I said it would….I'll write about it in other chapters. Anyways, it was getting long so I decided to cut it short and write the rest in the next chap.
Thanks to all that reviewed and sent comments hugs.
This chap is still apart of the intro so there's not much going on, it will get more interesting in later chapters.
Enjoy.
Bonded: Arrival
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing
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His bed was covered with dozens of garments and shoes. He had discarded them all, he didn't need them. Wufei's attention was on the door and what was between it. Mingmei looked calmly at her son before scanning over the now dirty room. It was littered with clothes and different accessories; she guessed that all that was important was already stowed into the two medium sized bags that the Chinese boy was holding.
"Thinking of running away?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
Wufei sat slowly on his bed and gazed at the window, he would always be trapped, so it seemed. His father would indeed find him as soon as he found out Wufei had decided to run. And worst of all; he would find him and drag him back home (scolding him) now doubt on the way back. Another weight settled itself on the bed next to him. Wufei sighed, feeling rather tired, "Your going to stop me?"
"No." his mother answered causing Wufei to look up, "It's your choice." she began, "But remember the consequences."
"He would find me."
Mingmei paused, "He has an advantage." She said slowly, "But if you really want to go…"
"I want to be free." He said more to himself then her.
She gave a small smile, "Sometimes you have to make sacrifices."
Wufei glared, "And what about my wants!" he protested, "Don't I deserve happiness?"
His mother sighed, "Even though one deserves it doesn't mean that they'll get it."
Wufei gazed at her, his face fallen into deep sorrow, "You speak on experience." He stated quietly.
She nodded slowly, gazing at his open window, "I had dreams too." She simply said.
Wufei grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly, "Your unhappy."
Mingmei shook her head vigorously, "No." she answered sharply, "I love my life and glad I was forced into it."
Wufei frowned, "Not everyone is as lucky as you…"
"I know that." She said quietly. She turned to him, "I just want you to give it a chance."
Wufei snatched his hand away from her, "Why?!" he yelled, "Why should I be unhappy!"
"It might not lead to that."
"And if it does?"
She shrugged, "You never now until you try it out."
Wufei stood up from the bed and walked to the window, "I already hate him." He stated glaring at the palace.
It was lit in an unnatural glow. The white and cerulean surface seemed to mirror the stars.
"Then you have nothing to worry about." His mother said.
Wufei turned to her, "What do you mean?"
Mingmei stood up gracefully from the bed and automatically started to pick up the clothes that scattered the floor, "You are only one of the suitors." She explained.
Wufei frowned, "One of them?"
"Yes. He said 'suitors' as in plural."
Wufei turned back to the palace, this time with a bit of curiosity riddled on his face, "Plural."
"The plan is for you to try to win the Princes heart by competing with a number of others that want to be his mate."
"Nobles…."whispered Wufei.
His mother gave a curt nod, "No doubt." She replied, "Most of them in fact."
Wufei ran his hand through his hair, "Then why did he pick me?"
His mother shrugged again, "Maybe attraction, maybe interest…or maybe to feel in space."
Wufei's eyes widened, "Space?!"
His mother was currently examining a long shirt; she looked at it with distaste, "Is it so bad to be thought that way?"
Wufei glanced at his mother who was now looking at him with a sly grin.
"Go to the palace Wufei." She said, "Most likely you only be there to fill in space and you'll likely be sent home in a week or two."
Wufei cocked his head to the side, "You knew this all along?" he asked suddenly feeling better.
She smiled at him, "I have theories on why you are being called there…this is just one of them."
"And the other?" he asked curiously.
"You don't want to here the other." She said in a low voice.
Wufei smirked; he crossed his arms playfully as he looked at his mother continuing to pick up his clothes. He knew he had to go, it was foolish to try to run away and his father wouldn't let him hear the end of it. Plus, his mother was right. He was probably filling up space, besides; the Prince was expected to marry anyone at noble statues or higher. He had nothing to worry about.
A carriage arrived at the shop a hour later. Wufei tried to calm his nerves as he walked down stairs to the shops main room. Even though what his mother said was comforting, the man still couldn't shake off the sense of dread that was slowly creeping up his spine. The carriage was black and had two windows on the side. One could tell it was for a royal, since the design had the family symbol carved on either doors on the side.
It would of looked pretty to most that laid their eyes on it, but Wufei thought it was ugly. It was just another realization, a reminder of what was to come.
He turned back to the shop to catch his mother as she hugged him tightly. She whispered in his ear, " Make it count." she said quietly, " remember that this is a privilege, even if you got forced into it."
Wufei frowned at this but made a curt nod as she drew back from him. His father was standing by the shops entrance looking at him with a steady gaze. Wufei gave one glance to him before getting into the black carriage. His bags were picked up by the carriage man and placed on the top. After a few minutes the carriage jerked suddenly and started to move forward. Wufei waved to his mother as he drove down the street into the empty square, she disappeared out of sight once they turned a corner.
Normally the journey to the palace wouldn't be so fast. Even though Wufei lived close to the castle, the journey was still long when it came to going on foot. His anxiety wasn't helping matters either, it seemed like the more he wanted to relax and see the sights the more nearer he came to his destination. It was a lose lose situation and Wufei could only stare helplessly at the familiar buildings that moved pass him and disappear into the night.
His mind went blank as he ventured through the shadowed streets to the grand lighted palace. It was beautiful at night, he had always thought so, but now, it seemed to be a false advertisement. The palace was beautiful, but as it came into Wufei's view it seemed more like a well designed prison. The carriage rode between giant black gates that held the symbol of the royal family like the carriage. It stopped at a flight of stairs that led to the palace entrance.
Wufei stepped out and gazed at the staircase. It was so simple and yet so elegant.
"Right this way, my lord." said a rather high tenor voice. He was a short round man that wore robes a little more higher then normal. On his feet were white shoes with heels and under those he wore the same colored leggings. Wufei bit back a laugh as he was escorted inside.
He entered a marble hallway that had two staircases connecting to each other from by balcony that led upstairs. A statue was there to greet them, a giant wolf…of course. Wufei followed the small man passed the wolf and into a dim hallway that held large double doors. Torches were lit on either side of the doors and flickered uncontrollably as they passed by. The hallway ended and they entered a grand room. The walls were littered with exquisite paintings with decorative frames. It reminded the Chinese man of a ballroom.
"Right this way sir." the man said as he opened a door. Wufei nodded his thanks and walked into a large spacious room that had a fire place at the very end. Maroon velvet couches were in the middle and sat comfortably on a decorative rug. A table was in the middle of the couches.
" Are you here to see what we want for dinner?" came a snide voice.
Wufei turned to a dozen of young men that sat on the three couches. They all had expensive robes on and looked vigorously groomed. In fact, most looked father feminine to Wufei's liking.
The voice spoke up again, " Didn't you here me?"
Wufei turned to the him, "I did." he stated plainly.
"Then why didn't you answer?" asked the man with a hint of irritation in his voice.
"…I'm not here to bring you food." he answered.
The man looked slightly taken aback, " Then what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to serv-"
"I'm not a servant." interrupted Wufei as he glared at the snooty boy.
The man had long brown hair that was left down. His skin was ivory and smooth and his eyes were an icy blue.
"You're a suitor?" he asked in disbelief. He looked at Wufei up and down and grimaced. "You've got to be joking."
Wufei placed his hands in his pockets, " I rarely joke." he stated coldly.
The man bristled, clearly affected by Wufei's lack of respect, " But your not even in our rank." he smiled slyly, " You might as well be a peasant."
The room was already tense. The other suitors were looking between both men quietly and with caution. Around the brown-haired man was already a group of others that looked the Chinese boy as if he was lower the a bug. The others that scattered the room were just looking at him with a hint of curiosity, but also fear. It was clear to Wufei that the groups had already been situated by individuals that had the least and most power. It was typical circumstance in society and between different clans. Since they were all in a competition, all were claiming their territory to get ahead…to the goal.
"You don't have a chance." The man said with a nasty smirk.
Wufei gave a small smile, "Good."
A door opened softly and a familiar tall figure stepped into the room. Wufei immediately recognized him from the shop. Treize's fiancé.
The blonde man looked at them all for a couple of seconds before speaking, " Welcome. My names Zechs Marquise for those who don't know. I'm here to escort you all to the dining room." he paused and looked at the brown-haired man that had been insulting Wufei, " I'm sure you're all very hungry."
They were all walked to a large dining room that held a long dinner table that was made of fine mahogany wood. On it's surface was a equally long white table cloth that held candles, pastries and dinner dishes.
Dinner was a quiet a fair, at least to Wufei. He found out that the man that had insulted him in the study room was named, Sarrine and he that he was apart of the white leopard clan. A clan that was indeed very rare and very sought after, which was probably the reason why he was to obnoxious. Wufei unconsciously picked at his food as he glanced at Sarrine talking animatedly to Prince Heero. The young Prince had came late to dinner and by the time he sat down Sarrine had introduced himself to the man. Wufei sneered at him, it was pathetic to see the man grovel at the royals feet. Obviously the noble was trying to get on the princes good side by leaving a good expression.
About 30 minutes in Wufei wanted to be excused from the table. He didn't feel like eating, in fact he didn't feel like doing anything at the moment but sleep. He sighed softly and diverted his eyes to the ends of the table. Sarrine looked to be talking Heero's ear off. Black suddenly met cobalt blue and they stared at each other for a few seconds. Wufei quickly diverted his eyes and looked down at his plate. His plan was to not cause that much attention to himself and let the others swoon over Heero. That way he would be reassured a quick departure from the palace.
Far away, in the square at the heart of the city an old clock rang at 11:00. The chimes were heard softly through the palace walls and carried to the dining room. Treize smiled and sipped at his champagne and turned to his brother, " Were going to retire, little brother." he said.
Heero nodded and stood up from his seat as the couple left. Before Treize turned the corner to another dark hallway he glanced back, " I suggest you all go to sleep. Tomorrow going to be a long day."
He disappeared around the corner , leaving ninety to most of the suitors. The small man that had escorted Wufei to the sitting room suddenly emerged from the kitchen. He walked over to Prince Heero and murmured something in the mans ear. Wufei found himself surpassing a laugh as Heero had to bend down low to hear the mans speech.
He straightened up and looked around the table, "Your rooms are prepared." he started with a blank expression, " I will see you all tomorrow."
With a small bow and a bow returned back by everyone else, Heero left the room down the same hallway that his brother departed. After he had left, the small man was gestured for all the suitors to follow him up a flight of stirs on the other side of the large room. One by one, suitors were placed in rooms that they were assigned too. Sarrine sneered at Wufei with distaste as he entered his bedroom for the night. It went like that tell Wufei was the last suitor left. They both walked down one of the many hallways. Around them were tapestries and paintings. Wufei couldn't help but notice how far away he was from the others. They all seemed to be of equal distance away, but Wufei had already been though enough twist and turns to riddled himself lost to the others. He had no idea how to get back to the dining room, let alone the front entrance.
Finally they stopped at two double wooden doors. The small man bowed to Wufei and left him in front of the entrance. Wufei watched nervously as the man disappeared out of sight. He turned his attention back to the door and slid his hand to the golden hook latch, then turned. The room was spacious, more large then he had expected. There was a fireplace on the left middle wall, already lit. In front of it, against the right wall was a queen size canopy bed, that had blue covers and dozens of pillows. On either side of it was two side tables with blue shuttered lamps. The room looked cozy, more cozy then Wufei would of thought. On the wall to the far side of the room stood dressers and a large mirror. Next to it was another doorway that had a luxurious bathroom with a tub and shower. But the thing that really caught Wufei's attention was the balcony that sat next to the dresser and connected to the bathroom.
The Chinese man walked outside to be greeted be lush trees and flowers. His room was right behind the palace gardens. Wufei smiled warmly as he looked at the nice pathways and floral that scattered the place. It was hard to see at night, but it still looked lovely. Reluctantly he walked back into his room and spotted his bags. A sudden weariness possessed his body and he yawned before getting his night wear on and climbing into the bed. He fell asleep instantly.
The next morning Wufei was woken by a few knocks on the door. He squinted his eyes from the sunlight that streamed through the open balcony. A woman came in with a plain dress and apron, she gave him a slight smile and bowed, " Sorry to wake you my lord…but you and the others are summoned to the dining room."
The Chinese man slowly lifted himself from the bed and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, he had slept good last night, " I'll be there in ten minutes." he replied. The woman nodded and watched Wufei get up from the bed and stretch. He walked over to his two bags and started rummaging through his clothes. He picked out a simple outfit that had white cotton pants and a sleeveless shirt. Over that he wore a long robe that was jade green. He turned to change and instantly saw the same maid that had woken him up. She looked at him with a far off expression of admiration on her face. Wufei shifted his weight, " Was there something else?" he asked.
The girl jerked suddenly out of her trance and bowed to him, " No, that is all." she said. Wufei watched her leave the room, he shrugged at a strange her behavior and went to take a quick shower.
True to his word Wufei emerged from his room in ten minutes and started his way to the dining room. He knew for a fact that he would probably get lost, the palace was huge and thing looked different in the morning light. After many twist and turns he walked through a door that was streaming with sunlight and gazed in amazement at the lushes gardens before him. They were indeed far more beautiful then at night.
" Lord Wufei." said a smooth voice."
The Chinese man turned around to see Zechs walking up to him.
He bowed, " Prince Zechs." he said.
The blonde man smiled warmly at him, " You're a bit far from the dining room."
Wufei nodded, "Agreed." he said, " I've lost my way."
The taller man chuckled, " understandable." he said, " When I first came here I had no idea where I was either."
Wufei nodded and gazed back at the garden.
"I'm afraid that the others have already left the dining room." spoke up Zech's, " They will probably in the stables by now…"
Wufei nodded, " Right…" he murmured, " I'm guessing the stables are somewhere in the gardens?"
"Of course." the man said, " I will take you."
Wufei shook his head, " That's alright. I don't want to get in the way of you daily activities."
"No trouble." replied Zechs, " I'm heading there anyway."
They both entered the gardens and went down a orange brick path, " you're the merchants son?" asked Zechs.
Wufei intently tensed up, even though he could stand Sarrine talking lowly to him, it was entirely different when a royal bad mouthed his family origins.
"That's right." he responded.
Zechs nodded, " He make beautiful robes." he replied honestly.
Wufei gave a small smile, " Thank you."
"Do you make clothes as well?"
Wufei nodded, "I never liked the seamstress life…" he answered.
Zechs looked at him curiously, " What kind of life do you like."
"Free life." responded Wufei automatically. He cleared his throat as they walked further into the gardens. Up ahead the horse stalls were coming into view. Neighing could be heard as the entered the entrance.
Wufei saw the group of suitors looking around at the different horses, some even petting them.
" You're here, lord Wufei." said a the same small man that led him to his room the other night, "Were picking out horses for the afternoon ride."
Wufei nodded as he walked passed him and gazed at the many large animals. It seemed that all were already taken. Wufei turned the corner and stood face to face with a large black horse that had a long mane. It grunted and scraped it's front hoof on the ground as Wufei neared him.
" You're the only one left." he said walking up to the stall. The horse backed up a bit before walking back to meet Wufei dead on. Cautiously, the Chinese boy outstretched his hand. The horse sniffed it for a few seconds before nipping it and walking further into the hands embrace.
Wufei smiled, " Good girl…" he whispered as he patted her gently.
"That's a first." said a smooth voice from behind him.
Wufei jerked around quickly as he laid eyes on Prince Heero leaning against the doorway, " She usually doesn't let people touch her."
Wufei moved away from the horse, all he could do was stare at the man. He didn't know why he was so nervous around the prince, he was fine with Zechs….
"You were late." stated Heero.
" I got lost." relied Wufei to quickly to his liking.
Heero stood there for a couple of seconds then out stretched is hand. Wufei glanced at the hand with a bit of confusion. He looked back at Heero, who was looking at him with unreadable expression. With slight hesitation he extended his arm near Heero hand and let the man grasp it. The Chinese man was pulled toward the silent prince until he was standing face to face with him. Wufei frowned and diverted his eyes from the others piercing stare.
"How do you like your room?" asked Heero.
Wufei glanced at him in surprise, " It's beautiful." he said true fully, " Very comfortable." he whispered as he lowered his gaze from Heero's again.
Familiar hands touched his chin and moved his head up, Wufei found himself looking in cobalt eyes again, " Never look down at me again." the prince said coldly, " I want to see those beautiful eyes."
Wufei stared in shock as Heero released the others chin and hand and walk off to the other part of the stables. The Chinese boy looked back at Heero with wonder and found himself smiling shyly.
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Uh-oh! Is Wufei starting to like the Prince? What about his plan to go home?
That's the end of this chapter, hope you all liked it!
As you already now I LOVE comments and reviews. Thanks for reading and the next chapter will be coming soon.