Genre: AU, Fantasy/Drama/Romance

Pairings: 1x2, others

Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words

Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, language (the usual), peril, violence, animal shamans, neko Duo, king Heero, impending war

A/N: It's been a few days! Eep! This chapter will be nice and long. I think. We'll see what happens. Enjoy!

Noble Peace, Royal Pain

Duo woke to find himself tangled in Heero's arms, his guardian looking peaceful in repose. His ears perked, tail twitching with the desire to pounce on him. He should be good and not wake him. But it was afternoon, after all. He shouldn't be sleeping during the day. He wouldn't be able to sleep at night. His desire to make mischief won.

Muscles bunching for the intended pounce, he sprang in the air and landed on Heero. The man about fell off the bed he started so hard. Duo rolled off him, laughing. He immediately jumped on Heero again, landing on his chest.

"Wake up!" he demanded. "I'm bored!"

A warm hand cupped his chin. "I liked how you woke me better when you were a kitten," Heero lamented. "So quiet and polite. None of this jumping around like a wildcat."

Duo grabbed his wrist and flopped over, gnawing on Heero's hand. Sighing, Heero slid his free arm under Duo and lifted him with ease. Content to stay there, Duo didn't give up chewing on his guardian. He was careful, of course, not to apply his sharp teeth - he didn't actually want to hurt Heero. The human seemed not to mind at all, or he was very good at ignoring the adolescent cat as he carried him into the bathroom.

When Heero began lowering him, he finally saw where they were headed. Hissing in alarm, he instantly shifted positions to latch onto Heero with all four paws. A full bathtub of water waited for him. His pale violet eyes searched Heero's, wondering if his guardian really meant for him to immerse himself in . . . ugh . . . water.

Something faintly amused entered Heero's eyes. "Your hair's a mess," he explained, "and you were covered in perspiration last night. Remember?"

It was true that this body didn't regulate hygiene like his former shape. But he was a cat, and cats didn't like water! He refused to relax his hold, legs clamping around Heero's waist, claws digging into the human's arms.

Wincing, Heero reached up and pried his fingers open. "I won't let you drown, Duo. I'll hold you the whole time, all right? I'll be right here. It won't be so bad. It's just water."

"You won't . . ." Duo began. Swallowing, he tried again. "You won't let go?"

A gentle smile crossed Heero's lips. "Of course not. And it's not that deep, silly kitten."

Duo hissed at him, but it lacked any real venom. He slowly unwound himself, allowing his bare feet to touch the still surface of the water. It took every ounce of his self-control not to jerk away. He didn't like being wet! Licking his lips, he didn't take his eyes off Heero as his guardian lowered him into the deep copper tub.

Duo tightened his fingers around Heero's arms in a death grip, unable to stop the low sounds of distress bubbling up from him. Heero's expression was gentle, and he lightly stroked Duo's hands. Once he was sitting in the water he calmed down. If he didn't move about wildly, the water didn't try to close over his head and drown him.

Then Heero began to let go of him, reaching for the shelves where he kept his bathing accessories like soaps, sponges, and shampoo. A strangled sound caught between a frightened mewl and hiss fought free of Duo's throat and he lunged, once more latching onto Heero. This time his claws found purchase enough to draw blood, making Heero grimace.

"Don't let go!" he gasped, heart pounding.

Heero's arms were around him in an instant. "It's all right, Duo," he murmured, stroking Duo's back. "I won't let you drown, I promise. It's okay. Just calm down; I've got you."

It took a moment, but soon Duo felt calmer. It was a little ridiculous, maybe. Okay, probably. But his inexplicable fear of water left little room for reason. "I-I know," he panted, breathing deeply of his guardian's scent.

After a moment, he heard the grin in Heero's voice. "I can't bathe you like this," he pointed out a little dryly.

Duo licked his lips again, pulling back to look in Heero's eyes. "Maybe . . . maybe you could come in with me?" He looked up at his guardian with a hopeful expression.

Heero looked torn between amusement and sympathy. "All right. Can you stand in the water while I get undressed?"

Duo thought that over, still dubious. Heero grinned.

"If you don't move, you won't fall and drown," he pointed out.

Brightening, Duo smiled. "Kay!"

Heero undressed quickly and efficiently, and Duo watched with a modicum of interest, ears perked. When Heero saw him watching, he raised an eyebrow.

"What?" he inquired.

Duo cocked his head. "Your skin is really a different color than mine," he noticed. "How come?"

"Tis a curiosity," Heero agreed, stepping into the tub and making Duo sit down. "Probably because this is the first time in your life you've actually had skin, so it's never been exposed to the sun before."

Blinking, Duo settled down in the safety of Heero's arms. "Can we play in the sun a lot?" he asked, sighing happily. "I like playing outside."

"Of course," Heero said, sliding a wet sponge up Duo's arms and chest. "If you want, I'll train you in combat. I'm sure you'll excel with your reflexes."

Duo tipped his head backward against Heero's chest, looking up at him. "Do I need to learn to fight?" he asked innocently, tilting his head back further to lick Heero's chin.

Heero pushed his head down with a grin. "I think everyone should know how to defend themselves."

Giggling, Duo wriggled around to face Heero. "I don't care what we do, as long as it's fun and I can spend time with you."

Grunting, Heero gripped Duo's arms and squeezed firmly without hurting him. "Hold still, silly kitten. How am I supposed to wash you?"

Duo nibbled on his neck. "Mm, I dunno."

When Heero made him turn around, he settled down. And because Heero's gentle ministrations felt really good, he relaxed and started purring. Especially when Heero began massaging shampoo through his long hair.

"Tilt your head back, Duo," Heero murmured in a low voice.

Feeling in a trance, Duo obeyed without a word, limp and compliant. Every touch was warm and soothing, tender and gentle. He was ready to doze off despite being surrounded by water. But with Heero all around him he felt completely safe. In fact he scarcely remembered he was in water until Heero told him he was done and to stand up. Purr tapering off to a faint rumble, Duo stood up.

He immediately voiced his displeasure at having his thick tail sopping wet and plastered to his leg. Chuckling, Heero wrapped him in a thick towel and lifted him out. Then he quickly dried, slipping into a robe to give Duo his full attention. He chafed the soft towel over Duo's skin, gently drying his tail and ears. Duo held still, soaking up the attention. He loved having Heero's hands on him.

Then his guardian directed him to the bed and brushed his hair until it was dry. Duo sat still long enough for Heero to braid it, then pounced on him.

"Play!" he begged, tail lashing excitedly.

Laughing, Heero motioned to the door. "Play. But lunch first. Let me get dressed and—"

Duo didn't wait for him to finish. He streaked out the door for the kitchen.

o8o o8o

"—and we can go to the kitchen," Heero finished, amused, to an empty room. "Or you can go now and I can follow. Whichever." Snorting, he pulled the robe off and dressed in plain garb he didn't mind getting dirty.

He had a feeling that now, Duo would use up more of his time rather than less. He'd put his campaign to unite the countries under his rule off for more than a year now because he didn't want to commit the kind of time necessary. It would mean less time with Duo, and frankly Duo needed him more.

Which of course meant the countries were getting very edgy. They didn't know what he was doing, taking his time and it probably stressed them no end. The thought of them being on edge made him grin. Wouldn't hurt them any. Duo was more important. Pulling on his soft boots, he left the bedroom to head for the kitchen.

The scene that greeted him was only a little different than it had ever been. Muriel and her serving girls were all clustered and cooing over Duo, but instead of just purring Duo was giggling too. Muriel looked up at the young king when he entered the kitchen, wearing a big smile.

"There you are. Are you two ready for breakfast, hmm?"

Duo let out one of his adorable trills, instantly garnering Muriel's attention. Laughing, she grabbed his arms and lifted him off the floor, plunking him on the bench at one of the tables. At least, that was obviously her plan. Duo did a fantastic leech impersonation and latched onto her.

Heero watched in amusement as she tried, unsuccessfully, to peel the kitten off her. He finally took pity on her and urged Duo off, who promptly glomped Heero instead. Shaking her head with mock annoyance, Muriel sat them down to eat.

As soon as they finished, Heero took Duo outside into the courtyard. Duo did his level best to get into everything, climbing on top of everything big enough to hold him and leaping down at Heero. Heero tried to make him hold still long enough to teach him even basic defensive stances, but Duo seemed more intent on making mischief. Not that Heero minded; he loved Duo far too much to ever get angry with him.

Then his mousy chamberlain found him. "Y-Your Majesty?" he all but squeaked.

Duo leaped down off the wall, landing square on the chamberlain's head. He fell with a terrific shriek and crash, making Duo hiss, flatten his ears, and bolt for Heero. It about took more will power than Heero possessed not to laugh out loud as he caught Duo and held him, stroking his ears.

"Yes, chamberlain?" he said politely.

The man, flushed bright red, gathered himself and said with as much dignity as he could muster, "There's a messenger from the country Sanc to see you," he announced.

Heero's mood evaporated. He knew the king of Sanc. An impressively pompous man who believed he and his younger sister were a true gift of benevolent gods to all creation. He felt the best way for him to maintain power when Heero formed his empire was to marry off his younger sister to Heero.

An appalling thought. He'd never met the girl but he couldn't stand her brother. If she was anything like him, he would despise her and probably kill her long before they ever wed. Duo's ears were still flat against his skull, and a faint growl reverberated in his chest. He radiated anger and displeasure. Even as a kitten he'd been jealous of Heero's time, wanting him to pay all his attention to him and not matters of state.

Of course, he'd spent a great deal of his time outside which meant it seldom got the chance to matter. Sighing, Heero absently stroked Duo's arms. "I'll be in shortly. Take him to the audience hall and have him wait."

The chamberlain bowed so low his nose about scraped the stones of the floor and scuttled out. Duo immediately leveled Heero with an extremely sulky look.

"You're going to play with some dumb messenger now instead of me?"

Unable to help it, Heero smiled at the word choice. "I'm not actually going to play with him, silly kitten. But I'll send him away as quickly as possible, all right?"

That didn't make Duo stop sulking, but he lowered his feet to the ground and stood on his own. Kissing his forehead, Heero brushed his hair back and retreated into the palace. He dallied long enough to change into his formal robes before sweeping into the audience hall. The messenger leaped to attention, giving Heero a very low bow.

"Your Majesty," he said grandly, "I have traveled from Sanc to see you at the behest of my lord, King Zechs Marquise."

"Yes, I have been made aware of that," Heero said dryly. "I'm less interested in who sent you than why."

The man paled just a little, swallowing and nodding. "Of course, Majesty. His Majesty King Zechs wishes to bring his sister to Cairon for a visit. He sent me ahead to tell you he would arrive within two days' time."

Heero's mood vanished. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne. "How thoughtful of him to warn me. I don't suppose it ever occurred to him to ask if I had the time to cater to him and his spoiled brat sister?"

The man paled some more, swallowing harder. "They are returning home from some travels, and desired to see you—" he began.

"So they went far, far out of their way?" Heero sneered. "Isn't that good of them. Go! Return to their caravan and tell them they'll be made welcome when they arrive."

The man actually fled. Snarling wordlessly, Heero stalked back to his room and flung his ceremonial robes onto the bed, jerking his informal clothing back on. This was the biggest reason he wanted to do away with the monarchy system. He hated the way they acted. Whirling, he nearly trampled Duo who had entered so silently he'd not even heard him.

Duo, bright eyes wide, leaped away with a startled look. Heero instantly moderated his expression, holding out his arms.

"It's all right, Duo," he soothed, contrite.

Looking reassured, Duo came right back, climbing into his arms with a little trill. "What's wrong?" he inquired, nuzzling his nose under Heero's jaw.

Heero made a vexed sound. "People who like taking advantage of their positions," he replied, hoping Duo didn't misplace his anger.

The kitten didn't. "Oh," he said, nodding wisely.

Chuckling, Heero mussed his ears. "Do you even know what I'm talking about?"

"Nope!" Duo chirped.

Laughing, Heero let his kitten's sweet cheeriness melt his sour mood away. "Come on, let's go back outside."

"Kay!" Duo sang, bounding out of Heero's arms.

Smiling, Heero followed him. He did love that silly kitten.