Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Gundam boys. I'm just here to play with them.

Thanks to all who have been reading and reviewing. I was a little worried about the premise of the story not getting a welcome reception but I'm happy to see it's accepted.

Dragon Heart

Chapter 3

Wufei was allowed to rest in the small room for four more days. The healer visited him on a rather annoyingly consistent basis and although he couldn't seem to get her to leave him alone, he had managed to instill in her his desire for a very warm room. She had the fire lit with instructions to keep it burning at all times. Treize came to visit him twice a day: once in the afternoon and once before retiring in the evening. He would try to get Wufei to speak just like all the others, but Wufei steadfastly refused.

"Answer one question for me, Wufei. Is it that you can speak but are unwilling to?"

Wufei hesitantly nodded his head, wondering if he would be punished for his reply. But the Lord seemed to draw the truth out of him and that fact alone was enough to keep him awake at night.

"I see. Well then, I will respect your wishes. Goodnight, Wufei."

Wufei sat up most of that night trying to figure out Lord Kushrenada. He seemed genuinely concerned for Wufei's wellbeing and that puzzled the young man. Why should a Lord be concerned with a slave? Wufei still had that uneasy feeling about Treize, but he had no choice in the matter now. He belonged to Lord Kushrenada and he would just have to be on his guard.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Once Sally Po cleared Wufei for whatever work Treize had planned for him with instructions of only light duty for the first week, Treize began his foray into slave ownership. He and Wufei were in the small room that Wufei had come to see as his own. Treize was standing by the window, arm casually laid on the sill, his attention on whatever was outside, while Wufei kneeled in the center of the room.

"I'd like to clear a few things between us, Wufei. First, you do not kneel. You will bow to me as others do and nothing else. Now please stand." Wufei quickly stood up and kept his head bowed.

"Secondly, if anyone lays a hand on you, report it to me immediately. I will not tolerate such treatment. And lastly…." Treize finally turned to face Wufei and frowned to see the young man's eyes plastered to the floor. "…since you do not wish to speak, I insist you carry a board and chalk with you to communicate properly with the staff of the castle."

Wufei nodded his head.

"And for heaven's sake, please look up. It's rude."

Wufei's head shot up and Treize smiled at the look of confusion.

"That's better. Thank you, Wufei. Now that we have that straightened out, follow me and I will show you to your room."

Wufei frowned when he heard this would not be his room. He liked it. It was small, warm, cozy and set away from the noise of the castle. But he obediently followed Treize from what seemed like one end of the castle to the other before stopping at a wooden door with two soldiers standing guard. Am I to be kept in some sort of cell!

A soldier opened the door and Wufei walked in to see a large sitting room with at least two rooms branching off. Wufei gaped in wonder at the luxurious surroundings and could not believe this was to be his quarters.

"Follow me, Wufei."

Wufei followed Treize from the sitting room into a smaller room that looked to be an office and library in one. Wufei didn't have time to check anything out as he kept pace with the long-legged Lord, who led them into yet another room. It was about the size of the room they just left but with a bed, chest of drawers, trunk, a large window, fireplace and two doors that Wufei guessed were a bathroom and a closet. As he stepped into the room a little further, he looked down and marveled at the deep, soft carpeting underfoot. It was softer than some beds he had slept in.

"This will be your room. There is the bathroom, the closet and I believe this room is set back enough so I will not disturb you. These are my private quarters in case you hadn't guessed and you will now be my steward. I hope this meets with your satisfaction?"

Wufei turned to gaze at the smiling man, wondering if this was some sort of ploy to get him to trust him so he could worm his way into Wufei's good grace's and then…..what? If Lord Kushrenada wanted him to do anything, he could simply order it. He didn't need to stoop to such levels and he surely didn't need to treat Wufei so kindly either. Who are you, Treize Kushrenada, and what do you want from me?

Treize could tell the young man was at a loss for words. He chuckled at the thought of the self-imposed mute being "speechless" then continued on, needing to get Wufei settled so he could attend to other matters.

He walked over to the closet and opened the door, revealing several jackets and pants and two pair of shoes and a pair of boots.

"I had you measured for clothes and shoes while you slept during recovery." He looked over to see a slight blush creep across Wufei's cheeks and his smile broadened. "If they don't fit, send for the tailor and he will adjust them."

Treize left the closet door open and moved to open the second door. "I have taken the liberty of ordering a bath prepared for you. After you have cleaned up and dressed, meet me in the sitting room and we'll discuss your duties."

Wufei watched in awe as Treize just smiled and walked past, leaving him alone in his new room as if everything that just happened was perfectly normal.

Is he insane? He defended me, a slave, against his own cousin, had me tended to by his personal healer, then makes me his steward with a room that's part of his personal quarters?

Wufei went over to run a hand over the jacket, but as soon as he felt the soft and fine fabric he snatched his hand back, not wanting to get it dirty. Then he slowly wandered around the room, opening all the drawers and finding new clean clothes in all of them. The trunk was empty and he had no idea what he was supposed to do with it. And as soon as the thought of asking, Treize popped into his mind and realization dawned on him. I don't have time for this! He's waiting for me.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Treize looked up at the sound of a door opening to see Wufei standing there, looking uncomfortable. Wufei had chosen to wear the black pants and jacket with a cream colored shirt and the knee-high boots. The clothes fit perfectly. They weren't snug, but they showed off the young man's petite frame just enough. A big improvement from the loose pants and tunic he was wearing earlier. Treize noticed he had pulled his hair back tightly and that was the only thing he saw that he would change.

He patted the spot next to him on the sofa and Wufei obeyed, coming to rest about a foot away from Treize.

"Here is your tablet and chalk. I will need you to have certain duties fulfilled per my instructions and you will need to relay that information perfectly. The staff has already been informed of your new position and knows to follow whatever instructions you give them. In addition---"

Treize saw the look on Wufei's face and stopped his speech. "Is something wrong, Wufei? You can write, yes?"

Wufei blushed and took the tablet and chalk and scribbled something quickly and showed it to Treize.

A little.

"Well, in that case, we'll start you off slowly. You can work for me half the day, and the other half you will have a tutor."

Wufei reached out and placed his hand on Treize's arm, a small gasp coming from his throat.

Why is he doing this? Why would he bother to educate a slave? That's what I am whether he wants to admit it or not. I am a slave! He can't keep doing this. Surely it will cause resentment among the others of the castle. And then it will happen all over again. No….I can't…won't live that way again.

"Wufei?"

Treize put his hand over Wufei's and the sensation brought Wufei back to his senses and he withdrew his hand quickly and hung his head.

"What's wrong?"

Wufei just shook his head and looked up into the concerned blue eyes that reminded him of the oceans he would see on his trips to the human world. They were deep blue, sparkled, and full of life.

Treize didn't believe the young man was fine, but he wouldn't press the issue. He wanted Wufei to be comfortable around him and tell him things without being commanded to do so.

"Good. Now for today you will simply follow me around and observe. You will walk three paces behind me and when we are in the presence of other noblemen, you will stand back six paces. Understand?"

Wufei just nodded.

"Ok then, let's go. I have some matters to attend to with General Yuy. I believe you know him. He was the one who kept Zechs from killing you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In the next four months, Wufei learned how to read and write properly, learned the little nuances of his Lord, and made a few friends within the castle. In all his human years, he couldn't remember being so content. And one of the reasons was sitting next to him right now, blabbering on about his favorite topic.

"And I worry you know, because he's being sent out there to fight some crazies and I won't be there to protect him! He's refusing to let me go with him, the selfish bastard!"

Wufei closed his eyes against the bright sun and basked in the warmth as he listened to his friend Duo express his outrage at being left behind by his master while he went off to quell an uprising. He and Duo had become instant friends the moment they met during a meeting between their masters. The outgoing young man with the long chestnut braid and lively amethyst eyes left no room for argument. He was Wufei's friend and Wufei would just have to accept it.

"Maybe I can sneak into the convoy and hide among the men. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. They understand how much I want to protect him. What do you think, Wufei?"

Duo waited until he heard the scribbling stop before he looked over to read the tablet.

Listen to the General. You will only be a distraction. He may get hurt because he's too busy worrying about you.

"Geez, I hadn't thought of that."

And if you sneak off you'll be leaving me behind.

"Awww, you'll miss me?"

Of course not. I need you as an accomplice for stealing apples from the kitchen. It's a two person job.

"You jerk!"

Duo threw a handful of grass at Wufei and the young man sat up, spitting grass from his mouth. He glared at his friend who wisely let out a shriek before running away. Wufei ran him down and a wrestling match ensued, which was the norm for their rare afternoons together.

When the dust settled and the two lay staring up at the sky, Duo told Wufei of his decision.

"You're right, Wufei. He should go alone. I'd hate for him to get hurt on my account." Duo looked over at his friend whose eyes showed his concern and determination to help him. "Thanks, Wufei. I know you'll be there for me, no matter what happens."

Wufei nodded and the two continued their afternoon, heading back to their original spot to collect their picnic basket and make the trek back to the castle.

To be continued…