Genre: AU/Fantasy/Drama

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 4+2, 3+1, 5x6, 6+2, 5+1 (good grief!)

Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words

Warnings: Yaoi, lemon (copious amounts, probably), slavery, magic, nekos, some smut, sap, peril, abuse

Return to Venya

Duo startled awake for reasons he couldn't define. His pupils widened as he blinked, adjusting instantly to the lack of light. He thought it must be somewhat late, and he felt quite a bit better than he had during the afternoon. Quatre, he noticed, was also awake. Watchful, but not tense. Duo followed his gaze to the door. A soft knock, then Heero walked through with the sorcerer and Trowa. And, in the wide empty space between the bed and door, materialized a Phoenix.

Caught completely off guard, Duo stared at her in amazement. He'd seen a few Unicorns, but never a Phoenix. He blinked against her radiance, and Quatre sat up, transforming into wild form.

"I never would have expected to see one of your kind here," the older Myda said.

"These are dangerous times," she replied aloud, causing the three humans to look at her without understanding.

Of course, they didn't speak the nonverbal language of Myda and other Mystic beings.

"I am Wildfire," the Phoenix went on. "Heero told me you are Quatre and Duo?" Both nodded. "Your clan asked me to find you. What can you tell me about the human who captured you and brought you here?"

The Myda exchanged glances. "Little," Quatre replied. "We only know we were part of some kind of plan."

Her black eyes slowly blinked. Then she looked at Heero. "You have a traitor in your midst. As I flew over these lands yesterday, I sensed a strange pattern of energy. It took me some time to recognize it as a thread of necromancy. He was communicating with someone near the castle, and someone inside it."

Heero's eyes narrowed. "Relena, I have no doubt. But the other?"

"Emeria," Trowa said immediately.

"You can figure that out on your own," Wildfire said. "My only concern is that these two leave here. Heero, I want you to take them to Venya no later than dawn. They are vulnerable here."

Duo didn't protest. He didn't want to stay here any longer, either. And he was excited to see Venya. The Phoenix looked down at him, moving to the bedside. He followed her line of sight to the heavy bandage wrapping his leg. Knowing what she was thinking at once, Duo shifted eagerly.

"Sorcerer," Wildfire said, "please remove those bandages."

Duo sent Wufei a pleading look, managing to drag his leg to a more easily accessible spot. Trowa frowned.

"Is that wise?"

Wufei gave Trowa a reassuring look. "Don't you read mythology? Surely you've heard of the healing power of Phoenix tears." He moved to the bed and began removing the bandages. "With my skills, the best I could do for Duo is help him walk again, and he would always have a limp. Wildfire will erase the injury as though it never was."

Duo thought Wildfire looked pleased with Wufei's words, but he hardly noticed. He wriggled impatiently until Wufei looked at him with a smirk.

"Hold still kitten, or I'll put you down."

Hissing at him, Duo stopped moving. Quatre panted laughter. The jerk.

When the bandages were gone, Duo gritted his teeth against the pain. They'd been the only thing holding his mending bones in place. He could swear he felt them sliding to wrong angles. Wildfire didn't waste time. Blood red welled up in her black eyes, and she tipped her head forward so the liquid beaded on her hooked beak. When gravity defeated its surface tension, it spilled down onto Duo's leg. His eyes snapped shut as heat flashed through the appendage. He could literally feel it healing. Now liquid gold welled up in Wildfire's eyes, and this time when the liquid hit his leg he felt a soft cooling rush. Soothing.

Wildfire fluffed her wings a bit. "It will still be another few days until he walks well on it. But your leg's strength will return quickly. Exercise it as much as you can, little one."

Duo promptly sprang up and tried a little running. His leg felt strange and weak, and it collapsed after a few seconds. Heero caught Duo before he fell, and Duo laughed as the human lifted him.

"Not that much," Wildfire said dryly. "Heero, I'm sending Wolves to Venya. They will form a Mystic bond with you, so that we may - "

"No!" Duo snapped. When all eyes landed on him, he flushed and swallowed. "I-I mean . . . why can't I do it?"

Wildfire looked a bit bemused. "Because you can't travel Dream."

Flushing, Duo buried his face in Heero's neck and didn't pout. Really, he didn't. But why should he have to share Heero with another Mystic? And for that matter, why did the thought bother him so much? Lifting his head, he peered into Heero's eyes. The prince was watching him with a small smile. Was that satisfaction glimmering there, just out of sight?

"As I say, I will send six Wolves to Venya. They are a small pack, and two of them will bond with you, Quatre, Duo. Wufei, one will bond with you. Trowa, one with you. And Heero, two with you."

No one had any arguments about that, and Wildfire shifted her wings. "Myself, I am taking a few others to search Tsorkran for this necromancer. The Wolves will keep you apprised of our progress, and us of yours. I want your primary focus to be learning what the dead human wanted with our Myda kittens. Myda are rare and unusual Mystics, they are the only ones who cannot actually use magic but rather manipulate it once it has come into being."

Heero shifted Duo a little in his arms. "We had planned to return to Venya in the morning," he said. "We will wait for the Wolves there, and they will be made welcome, of course."

"I know they will," Wildfire said. Her black eyes pierced into him. "The Warrior King is the only human we have ever trusted. I know you will not betray that trust." And she vanished in a cloud of gold-and-red sparkling dust.

"Wufei, Trowa," Heero said in a quiet voice, "I'll be retiring soon, and so should you."

Not taking his eyes off Heero, Duo was peripherally aware of the two humans leaving. Firming his hold on Heero, he waited for the human to speak.

"What is a Mystic bond?"

Duo sighed. He put a hand on Heero's forehead. "You have a bond with the sorcerer now. Sort of. It's like that, except it's less . . . big. I can't really explain it. You'll be able to hear each other's thoughts when you want to, and you can sense when the other is in danger. Mystics usually only bond with each other." He grinned. "Me an' Quatre bonded like that a long time ago."

"You can share this bond with more than one other?"

"Yep. As many as you want, really."

Heero appeared to mull that over. Then he laid Duo down on the bed. "Thank you. I'll see the two of you in the morning. Good night."

Duo relinquished Heero's warmth reluctantly. "G'night," he agreed, snuggling down beside Quatre with a little sigh.

He couldn't quite puzzle out the feelings tumbling through him. "Quatre?"

"Mm."

"You trust Heero, right?"

After a moment Quatre re-took his secondary form. "Yes," he said. "Why are you asking?"

Duo's ears went back. "I . . . I don't want Wolves to bond with him."

Quatre blinked. "Why not?"

"Because!" Duo snapped, feeling defensive, ears flattening to his skull. "What if he won't pay as much attention to me?"

After a moment, Quatre's lips teased up in a small smile. "It's just business, Duo. Opening a means of instant communication. That's all."

His low, calm tone soothed Duo. He rolled onto his side, flexing his once-injured leg. "Why do I feel like this?" he muttered, rubbing his chest. "It feels hot. And funny. I don't like it."

Quatre's smile widened into a grin. "Because you like him," he said. "You like him in the same way that a female Myda likes a male."

Blink. "I do?"

A soft laugh. "You do. And what you're experiencing is jealousy. It's normal. But take your time, Duo. Explore what you feel for him thoroughly. You could be feeling extreme gratitude because he saved us."

Nodding, frowning thoughtfully, Duo sighed and snuggled back into Quatre's side. He folded his leg under him just because he could. It hurt a little, but he ignored it. "Quatre?"

"Mm."

"I'm not a female, am I?"

A quiet snort. "No, you're just as male as I am."

"Then why do I feel the way a female would?"

"You're special."

"Oh." Duo thought about that. Then, "Are you special, too?"

Quatre chuckled and rolled over until Duo was squashed beneath him. "Shut up and go to sleep already!" he said, purring. "And yes, I am."

Smiling, content and satisfied, Duo shut up and went to sleep.

o0o 0o0

"You're a beautiful boy, Prince. Almost perfect. Absolutely unlike any other being in this miserable world."

Who are you?

"I am the one who will put a collar on your neck and chain you to my will."

"Heero, my darling, don't listen to him."

Mother?

"Ah, you are still here, protecting your child from afar. You're a wonderful mother."

"Heero, you can't be here. Leave this place, my lamb. You're in terrible danger here."

"There's no danger, Prince. Stay with me awhile, let me get to know you. I have only ever seen you through the eyes of others."

Who are you?

"Leave, Heero. Leave NOW!"

Heero bolted upright in bed, perspiration making his hair and nightshirt cling to his skin. His heart raced as though he'd run for leagues, and it was several moments before his breathing began to slow and even out. He ran a hand over his eyes. What a bizarre dream. That had been his mother's voice, but the other he didn't recognize. He felt a pang in his chest. His mother had vanished from Venya, and no trace of her had ever been found. He'd had been six. He could still remember her face, the unusual crimson of her hair and the rich brown-black of her eyes.

Disliking this dark turn of his thoughts, Heero steered them to something far more pleasant. Duo. He started smiling at once, thinking of last night's display of possessive jealousy. It had surprised him, but it deeply pleased him. It seemed Duo was developing an infatuation. It would be far easier to properly seduce Duo if the feeling was mutual. Both of them were still a little too young, but they wouldn't always be. Besides, there were things they were not too young for.

Kicking off his blankets, he went to the bathroom and washed his face and neck in the cold water. Feeling refreshed, he dressed in simple garb and headed for the kitchens. As he neared the temporary infirmary door, it opened to yield Wufei. The sorcerer wore his traditional black, but today it wasn't broken up by any color. It made him look especially dark and dangerous. Right behind him came Duo, Quatre at his side in wild form. The gold Myda almost reached Duo's waist, and his eyes flicked about. He looked every bit as dangerous as Wufei.

But it was Duo who captured and held Heero's attention. The Myda was wearing clothing. Not the one-piece undergarment he'd been wearing for a few weeks now. The breeches fell to a hand-span below his knees, buffed leather dyed black, specially tailored to make room for his chestnut-cinnamon tail. His shirt was the richest crimson, soft sleeves gathered at the wrist with hints of silver thread. The vest-tunic was the same black leather as his breeches, brocaded at the hem with tiny runes.

He broke into an impossibly sweet smile when he saw Heero. "Look, Hee-ro!" he chirped. "Wufei said he enchanted these clothes so that when I can transform, they will transform with me!"

Heero wasn't quite sure what he meant, but Quatre showed him. He took his secondary form, and Heero blinked to see him fully clothed. His outfit was Duo's twin, but his shirt was an aqua that matched his eyes. He gave Heero a little smirk before retaking his wild form. Wufei looked satisfied.

"It won't do for them to run around naked if they must transform quickly," he said. "I'm going to go see to the royal scribes. There are a few last minute things to take care of. Oh, and you have one more public announcement to make before we go. Throw on your ceremonial robe and you'll be fine."

Ah, yes. To announce who would be his regional Governor. He'd labored over that decision after finding out Relena's treachery. "I still want to locate her brother," he said. "He could become a thorn in my side."

Wufei snorted. "Aptly put. Yes, I will arrange for the search to continue. But you three should go eat breakfast. There's plenty of time before we leave." He strode off down the hall.

"What's a regional governor?" Duo asked, glomping Heero's arm.

Smiling, resuming his pace, Heero led them on. "Someone who will directly rule Sheneva, but who answers to me and my father," he replied. "Someone to keep an eye on things here for me, because Venya is many hundres of leagues north."

"Oh," Duo said. Then he brightened. "I'm really happy to see Venya! What's it like?"

Heero was looking forward to going home, too. "Much prettier than Sheneva. It's probably a lot colder than where you're from, though. It's surrounded by the Highland Mountains, and their peaks are covered in snow year-round. There are forests and rivers everywhere, and the capital was built right up against the mountains. From the castle, the north-facing view is stunning."

"I can't wait!" Duo sang, hugging Heero's arm. "I've never seen mountains before! And what's snow?"

It was impossible not to get caught up in Duo's cheer. "Wait and see. It's hard to describe."

"Kay! Oh, it's so nice I can walk again!" He released Heero's arm to bolt to the end of the corridor, only to come racing back.

Heero didn't miss the way he staggered on his weak leg, but he didn't make a fuss as Duo glomped him again. Wildfire had said it would get strong quickly. And Quatre looked perfectly at ease.

In the kitchens, the staff smiled at Heero but gave uneasy looks to both Quatre and Duo. The fur on the back of Quatre's neck raised and his expression went from alert to aggressive in an eyeblink. Heero was reminded pointedly they were not mild-mannered boys when Duo reacted exactly the same way. Not an iota of hesitance rolled off them, and he wondered if they would ever easily accept the presence of humans.

The humans themselves were easily cowed. Being stared down by an enormous wildcat with far too much intelligence in his eyes would do that to anyone, and it was even easier to see the hostility on Duo's face. Mind-boggling, really, how fast he could go from kittenish innocence to snarling predator. Heero vowed never to forget again. He lightly gripped Duo's elbow, steering him to the right and - consequently - into Quatre. It bumped the gold Myda's head to the side, which broke his fixated focus. He glanced up and went along. The tension in his shoulders didn't relax for a second.

Duo made a rude sound as he sat. "Weak. Humans are weak."

The head cook moved over to them. "What are you doing down here, Prince? Really, you should send a servant to fetch you a meal." She plopped several thickly-sliced chunks of steaming bread in front of them, each smeared with butter.

Quatre glanced at Duo and stalked out the back door. He vanished into the foliage at once. Duo watched Heero as he took a slice of bread, and he sampled it himself. He bit into it and made a face, putting it back onto the plate.

"Deer-food," he said contemptuously. "I want meat, Hee-ro. Or fish? Is there fish?"

Grinning, glad the Myda had dismissed the staff as no threat, Heero looked up at the head cook. "Meat, certainly. But I doubt fish."

She shook her head woefully. "None. Too far inland. Perhaps with the trade resumed we'll have some in the castle again." She went back to the ovens.

Duo's claws slid free of their sheaths, and he drummed them idly on the tabletop. "Is there fish in Venya?" he asked.

"Yes," Heero replied, "though I'm sure not the variety you're used to. But we have river salmon aplenty."

"Salmon?" Duo repeated, ears perking. "I've never had salmon. It's good?"

"I like it. I'm sure you will, too."

The head cook returned with their meal. Eggs, fresh fruit, and sausage for Heero. For Duo it looked like lightly cooked meat, perhaps deer. Duo wrinkled his nose a little, but he ate it.

"Doesn't taste fresh," he grumbled.

Heero would have been perfectly happy to go hunting with him for fresher meat, but that could wait until they were home. He had a few more duties to attend here. Thanking the cook, he rose and led Duo out. Wufei was in the study leaning over the shoulder of one of the scribes, and he glanced up when Heero entered.

"The court was gathered. You ready to make your announcement?"

"Yes," Heero replied. Reaching over, he brushed Duo's hand with his fingers. "You want to be there?"

Duo sneered, upper lip peeling away from his sharp white fangs. "No. All that weak prey around? I might do something you'll regret."

Wufei let out a short bark of laughter, which amused Heero as much as Duo's words. The sorcerer was pretty stoic. "He's probably right, Heero. You know those nobles will coo and fuss like idiot doves." He draped a blue robe trimmed in white fur around Heero's shoulders.

Heero grinned. "Yeah. You can stay here if you want."

"Kay!" Duo chirped, plopping down on the couch in the corner. "You won't be long, will you?"

"No. Just long enough to make my announcement and answer any questions."

Duo thus ensconced, Heero followed Wufei to the large audience chamber. The gathered nobles were all chattering, looking quite animated. The herald called for silence, and Heero ascended the dias. Sitting down on the throne, he faced them with a neutral expression.

"By now you're aware of Princess Relena's imprisonment and consequential escape. For the crime of capturing and imprisoning two Mystic beings and participating in their torture and abuse, she is hereby stripped of all her titles and material wealth. Her exile from the Highlands was self-imposed, but it will be enforced from here on out. If she ever returns she will be hung."

A murmur rippled through the nobles. Execution of nobles and royals was always beheading. Hanging was for common thieves.

"If any are found to be aiding or abetting her in any way," Heero went on, "they too will be hung."

This time the murmur was more of a dull roar. The herald demanded silence.

"That, of course," Heero continued, "leaves the matter of who will fill the position of regional governor. Arch Duke Gavrel Withen, step forward."

Absolute silence followed as the arch duke obeyed, looking a bit stunned. Heero forced himself not to smile. Wufei moved to the fore, pointing to the step below Heero's feet.

"Kneel," the sorcerer said.

The man obeyed without question.

"During my time in Sheneva, you have demonstrated a quick willingness to offer counsel and aid where it might be needed," Heero said, rising and accepting his sword from Wufei. "I have ascertained that you will serve me well and faithfully. I will hear your oath of fealty, with all these here as witness."

Withen pressed his fist to stone. "With every last breath in my lungs I will serve you, my lord. I will do my utmost to see your laws are obeyed to the letter, and that all bow to your justice, your strength, and your rulership. Until my death or until you release me, I am yours."

Heero struck the stone with the tip of his sword. "Rise and be recognized, Governor Withen. You are now my eyes, ears, and voice in Sheneva, answerable only to me. You have the authority to act on my behalf in the best interest of Sheneva, her people, Venya, and all the Highlands."

Withen took Heero's hand and kissed the back of it. "I live to serve," he murmured.

This time the outburst was pleased. Heero could see the arch duke's daughters giving him coy, measuring looks and ignored them. He answered a few basic questions, then drew Withen out of the audience hall back to the study. The scribe handed him the first copy of Sheneva's new laws.

"Read each of these and familiarize yourself with them, Governor," Heero said. "You will announce them to your people as soon as you are able. You also have my permission to form an advisory council, though each choice will have to be approved by me first. I would stay until everything is finalized, but yesterday my general issued an Imperial order that I must return to Venya." He shrugged helplessly. "I must obey."

"Your general?" Withen repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Venya is a warrior kingdom," Wufei inserted, "and though the Warrior King and his heir have ultimate authority, when his safety is threatened the general of the Imperial Army may issue orders to protect him. It is an old tradition honored to this day."

Withen nodded. "I see. Well, I must say I agree. Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll be perfectly able to complete these trivial details in your absence. I assume your sorcerer has a way to keep us in contact?"

"Several," Heero replied dryly. He held up a ring with a single red stone. "Touch the stone when you have need to speak with me. Wufei will answer as soon as he is able, and anything you would say to me you may say to him."

Withen gave Wufei a respectful nod. "Yes."

"Then I will take my leave," Heero said. "All other matters can wait until Sheneva has become fully stable once more. At that time, I will issue a formal summons for all my regional governors to attend me in Venya. There you will all learn of my plans together and at the same time."

"As you say, my lord," Withen said. "I will look forward to it. If there is nothing else, I will begin my new duties at once."

Heero nodded, and the man left. Duo, who had been so quiet Heero had forgotten he was there, hopped up and moved to Heero's side.

"He's not as weak as some of the others," he said with a little frown, "but he's still prey."

Heero couldn't help it and ruffled Duo's ears. "You think everyone's prey," he teased.

Duo glomped his arm. "Everyone is!" he exclaimed. "Quatre's not. I'm not. You're not!" For some reason, he glowered at Wufei. "He's not. Oh, and your brother's not. But everyone else is!"

Heero snorted. "I suppose we should round everyone else up, Wufei. Where is Trowa?"

"I'm here," the man said, striding into the office with his usual silent gait. Quatre was right behind him.

Wufei nodded. "Good."

He looked at the empty space in the study, and an eyeblink later a shimmering gateway appeared. Heero was used to seeing them by now, but they still impressed him. Trowa, as usual, stepped through first. Quatre, to Heero's surprise, followed him right away, the light rippling over his golden fur. Heero waited a full count of ten before stepping through, Duo clinging to his arm and looking excited. The world whited out, and when everything came back into focus he was standing in the courtyard of the royal castle in Venya.

Unlike Sheneva, this one was built for function, not form. It was a well-protected fortress, and the high turrets were fully manned at all times with the royal guard. Heero could see at least a dozen archers train on them instantly, and just as quickly recognize him. The cry went up at once.

"The prince has returned!" one of them yelled. "Inform King Yuy!"

"Welcome back, Prince!"

"Welcome home!"

Wufei stepped through the gateway last, and it winked out of existence. He would return to Sheneva later to fetch Heero's captains and bring the Imperial Army home. It was incredibly handy, Heero thought with an inward smile, having a powerful sorcerer when long distances needed covering in a short period of time.

The heavy doors swung in at their approach, and Heero breathed deeply of the cold mountain air. It was good to be home.