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: Okay, chapter 5 has been edited and reposted. Someone pointed out a discrepancy to me, something I do from time to time. I just get writing, forgetting what I put in previous chapters . . . good grief. What a dope. Anyway, everything makes sense now! Thanks to ckhushrenada for pointing it out to me! Hugs to you!

Zechs' Plot

Wufei lounged indolently on Heero's gilded throne, idly wondering how much the thing had cost to make. Some of the precious gems were as big as his fist. He couldn't keep the smirk off his face, and he didn't try. The royal court was assembled, waiting for the appearance of their king to greet his guests.

Zechs Marquise looked resplendent in robes of the richest crimson. It made his long blonde hair look almost gold. Daringly he wore the crown of his kingdom, to which Wufei knew Heero would take exception. He looked forward to it. And standing at Zechs' side was his younger sister, Relena Darlian. A pretty girl with equally long blonde hair, though hers was closer to brown than her brother's.

Relena wore a tasteful, lovely gown of teal blue, her only jewelry a delicate pendant around her neck of a bluebird. Wufei wondered if she was the kind of woman to whom Heero would be attracted. She held herself with quiet grace, her posture at once demure and yet not timid.

"Are you quite sure King Heero knows of our arrival?" Zechs demanded.

Wufei looked at him. "As I've told you before, he is not in the palace. He has a young charge who requires very specific care, and he is probably taking care of him."

Relena tilted her head slightly to the side. "A charge? A younger cousin or . . . nephew?"

"No relation, actually," Wufei said.

Now it was Zechs' turn to cock his head. "Orphan?"

"The boy's not an orphan," Wufei said, shaking his head. "His parents actually gave him to Heero to raise."

He watched that throw the man for a loop. "And Heero just . . . accepted?" Zechs sputtered.

Even Relena looked a little surprised.

Wufei smirked some more. "The boy's . . . special. You'll understand when you see him."

o8o o8o

At approximately this time outside, a little under half a league from the palace, Duo jumped out of a tree and landed on top of Heero. Heero actually went down to one knee before regaining his balance. Grabbing Duo's ankle, he flipped the boy and wrestled him to the ground, chuckling.

"I thought we were going home now," he said, mock-glaring down at the adolescent Shaman.

Duo pouted. "It's not dark yet."

"Yes, but Zechs and his sister will have been here by now," Heero said. "Possibly for an hour or two."

Duo latched onto Heero's arm and gnawed on his hand. "And you said you didn't care if you made them wait. I want to play!"

A sweet, high chirp rang through the air. Both Duo and Heero looked up, Duo's soft ears perking. There, perched on a low branch, were two huge bluebirds. They were the size of small hawks. Hawks weren't necessarily big, but bluebirds were normally the size of a human's palm.

Duo, of course, would have no idea what they were. The Shamans had requested that Heero never tell the kitten of his heritage. But Heero knew them for what they were. These had to be Shamans. Because their eyes were far too intelligent for simple animals. And they were watching Duo with keen intent.

Heero rose, pulling Duo up with him and pushing the boy behind him. Duo immediately clambered onto his back, curious and eager for new excitement, staring at the Shamans. Heero waited for them to move, wondering what they were doing. He didn't care what they were, he would fight them to his dying breath if they planned to take Duo from him.

"We know that boy is a Shaman," was spoken clearly in his mind.

He didn't hear anything, but he heard it just the same. "Yes," he thought back, eyes narrowing, "but you're not taking him from me!"

Both of the birds cocked their heads, making a little chirrup. Duo licked Heero's ear as if to express his curiosity and desire to run. Heero maintained his hold on the kitten. The Shamans fluffed their feathers.

"The Shaman Council requested that we watch over the two of you," said one. "That boy will be coming into his power soon. It will be a difficult time for you both. Perhaps there will be something we can do to help."

Heero doubted it. He resisted the urge to bare his teeth at them. "Thank you, but it isn't necessary. The Shamans gave Duo to me to raise, and as you can see, I've done fine without their help."

One of them preened its wing feathers. Duo climbed higher on Heero's back, arms resting on the human youth's head. "What are they, Heero?" he asked, tail twitching spastically. "They're so colorful!"

"Birds," Heero answered shortly, still glaring at them.

They both chirped in what sounded like an extremely miffed way and flew off. Duo watched them like he wanted to pounce, but he restrained himself. Then he leaped off Heero and gave him a very wounded look.

"I know they're birds," he said reproachfully, ears lowering a little.

Even when he was pouting he was adorable. Smiling, shaking his head apologetically, Heero grabbed him and snuggled him close. "Sorry. I can't help it, Duo. You're so cute."

Duo bit him (not all that hard), and that seemed to make him feel better because after that he immediately cuddled into Heero's arms, purring. "So are we going back to the palace now?"

Heero stroked one velvet ear. "I suppose we better, huh?"

o8o o8o

Duo followed Heero into the huge audience hall. He didn't like this cavernous room. Everything sounded much louder, and he'd never been one for loud noises. They bothered his sensitive ears. Heero looked extremely regal in robes of the deepest royal blue, his signature color. On his head he wore the crown of Cairon, a circle of eight swords. For some reason, it was oddly fitting for his guardian.

Heero had insisted Duo wear a nice outfit, too. The black breeches hugged his legs without clinging, leaving his tail to move freely. He wore a dark purple shirt of pure silk under a velvet tunic of the same jet as the breeches. Duo had refused to wear shoes, and eventually Heero stopped trying to insist. Personally, he thought he looked very nice. Heero pulled his hair into a loose braid to keep it out of his face and make it look respectable.

At the huge double doors the herald announced Heero, and then the king swept in like an icy wind. He was wearing that look Duo didn't like - the hard one that made him seem . . . so cold. And it only ever softened when he looked at Duo. He quickened his pace so as not to lose his guardian.

A hush fell over the grand hall, of course, but this time Duo could tell he was a large part of it. Very few people here had seen him, and suddenly he was the center of a lot of unwanted scrutiny. Reaching out, he grabbed Heero's hand, and Heero pulled him against his side.

Wufei rose from the throne with a lazy smirk. Heero returned it with one of his own, and the two swapped positions. Heero gently pushed Duo toward Wufei, then sank down onto his throne. Drumming his fingers a few times, he finally looked at the blonde pair currently center-stage.

"Welcome to Cairon," he said in the most insincere tone Duo had ever heard him use.

The tall man with long, platinum blonde hair strode forward, sweeping an elegant—but shallow—bow. "We are welcomed, Lord Yuy," he said. "I would—"

That was as far as he got. A very pregnant silence fell over the hall as Heero leaned forward, his eyes flashing colder than an arctic winter. "Lord?" he repeated. "You would do well to remember, Zechs, that I am your lord." Then that terrible threat was gone from his eyes, replaced by something mild and uninterested. "How have you found my court? Pleasant-enough company, I hope?"

Zechs, who had gone a few shades paler, swallowed and nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty. May I introduce my younger sister, Relena Darlian Peacecraft?"

Relena took a step forward, curtsying gracefully. "Pleased to meet you, Majesty," she said in a refined voice. "I do not mean to seem abrupt, or step out of place, but is that your charge? Lord Wufei was telling us about him."

Duo's ears lowered a little to suddenly find himself being looked at again, and he cast Heero a nervous glance. Heero, however, smiled gently at him.

"Yes. This is Duo, whom I've raised from infancy."

Relena looked at Duo, and she gave him a very soft, warm smile. It made her look quite lovely. "He's darling," she murmured. "How old are you, Duo?"

Duo was well aware that he looked like a twelve-year-old human. He looked to Heero, wondering what to say. He wasn't human, after all, and for some reason Heero didn't seem to like others to know what he was. His guardian came to his rescue.

"Not a baby, Relena," he said mildly.

She took the hint.

Heero drummed his fingers. "Relena, would you like to be escorted to your chambers now? I'm sure you are tired from your journey."

She bowed her head. "I would like that, Majesty."

Heero nodded to the herald, who soon brought the chamberlain. Rising, Heero looked at Zechs. "You, come with me."

Duo grabbed Heero's arm. "I can take her," he said hopefully.

Though Heero looked a little surprised, he nonetheless nodded. "All right. I won't be long, okay?"

Nodding, Duo hurried off the dais to Relena's side. She smiled down at him as he led her out of the audience hall. Once they were free and into the relative quiet of the palace, he sighed in relief. And started when she took his hand and tucked it under her arm.

"Thank you, Duo," she said in that soothing, dulcet voice of hers. "I tend not to like gatherings of court, either."

He gave her a very dramatic look. "It's too loud," he explained, ears twitching.

She laughed softly. "I quite agree."

He took her to the guest suites, opening the door for her. "So how come you and your brother came here?" he asked, following her inside and perching on the edge of the couch. "Heero said Cairon was out of your way."

She drew off her cloak. "Heero is right," she said, frowning. "My brother is . . . let us say, fond of his position. He knows if Heero forms an empire, he will lose his crown. There can't be two emperors of an empire, now, can there? He's been trying for years now to form alliances with the other kingdoms to fight Heero, but they are too scared. Your guardian's armies are very impressive."

Duo grinned brightly. "I know. He tells me when I'm older we'll go campaigning together."

Relena looked surprised. "And do you know what that means?"

"Of course," Duo said. "Heero started reading to me clear back when I was a kitten. I learned to read in a week. Well, maybe two. Heero told me I have a huge capacity to learn." He giggled.

Now the young woman smiled. "You're obviously very bright for your age. Duo, would you mind me asking your age now that we're alone?"

Duo hesitated, ears twitching. She seemed so nice, and he couldn't smell anything but kindness or warmth. "Well," he said slowly, "I just reached adolescence a few days ago. Before that I was a kitten. For a long time, Heero told me. A year and a half, I think." He sighed, ears drooping a little. "I'm not sure what I am, though. I just know I'm not human."

Relena sat by his side and reached out to lightly stroke one of his ears. "What race you are doesn't matter so much, Duo," she said kindly. "I hope it doesn't make you uncomfortable if I tell you, you're an absolute lamb."

Duo canted his head to the side, grinning crookedly. "Actually, I'm a cat," he told her. Just in case she had missed it.

She laughed lightly, the sound as crystalline as a bell. "How true. Duo, do you mind if I take your hair down and braid it again? It's just so lovely, I would love to feel it."

Delighted, Duo sat down and folded his legs. "Sure!" he chirped. "I love it when Heero braids my hair. He's always so gentle. In fact, I love doing anything with Heero. Especially when he comes outside and plays with me. We go into the forest sometimes and play hide-and-seek. Have you ever played hide-and-seek, Relena? If you haven't, maybe Heero will let you play, too! It's a lot of fun. I'm really good at hiding from Heero. Of course, I can cheat with my nose, but don't tell him that!" He giggled.

Relena's fingers combed through his hair with skilled ease. Then again, her hair was only about a hand's-length shorter than his. She was probably used to it. The very light tugs at his scalp soon had him in a semi-doze, purring under her ministrations. Soon he heard her make a soft sound, sort of like a sighing laugh.

"That's adorable, Duo," she murmured. "You purr, too. Would you mind me petting your tail?"

He twitched it lazily in invitation. She stroked it in the right direction, too, starting at the base and caressing all the way to the tip just like he liked. After a few long strokes he was half asleep, eyelids heavy. Well, even if Heero didn't like her brother, Duo really liked the sister.

A knock on the door startled him awake. He'd been so absorbed he'd not heard anyone coming. Relena rose with that easy grace, gliding to the door. "Your Majesty," she murmured.

"Am I disturbing you?" came Heero's voice.

Duo was up in a heartbeat, bounding for the door just as Relena shook her head, stepping aside. "Not at all."

Heero managed one step inside before Duo was on him, landing solidly against his chest. Heero grunted in surprise, but he still caught Duo with ease. After all, he'd spend the last many months being jumped on by Duo in much the same fashion. Duo giggled, tucking his head under Heero's chin.

"Your hair's down," Heero remarked.

"Yes," Relena spoke up. "I asked him if I could re-braid it, but we never got that far. Did we, Duo?" Gentle amusement colored her tone.

Perfectly content, Duo shook his head, nuzzling Heero's throat. "She's nice, Hee-ro," he purred. "We should let her play with us, too."

Heero chuckled. Looking at Relena, he actually smiled at her. "Thank you for entertaining my bored kitten," he said, and he sounded sincere. "Duo's a little . . . high-energy. I hope these rooms are to your liking?"

"And then some," Relena said, at once demure and confident.

Duo liked that. Growing up around Heero it was easy to pick up traits, and like his guardian he didn't like timidity. He thought it was weak. Oh, how he loved tormenting the chamberlain! He grinned at that thought.

"I'm glad," Heero said. "I'll bid you good night, then. "Duo and I are early risers, but please don't hesitate to take your time in the morning."

"Thank you, Majesty," she murmured, giving a liquid curtsy.

Heero inclined his head in acknowledgement, then he turned and walked out, Duo securely tucked in his arms. Shifting, Duo raised his head and licked Heero's ear.

"I like her, Heero. She must be nothing like her brother."

Raising an eyebrow, Heero didn't stop until they were back in his rooms. He locked the door and deposited the kitten on the bed. "Let me change, kitten, and I'll be out to bathe you."

Duo made a face and flopped over on the bed, his hair fanning out around him. Closing his eyes, he instantly started dozing. A few minutes later Heero came back to the bed, gently lifting him. Moments later he felt Heero lower them both into the warm water of the deep copper tub. All of Heero's movements were so slow and soothing that Duo didn't truly wake until his guardian laid him back on the bed, rubbing him dry with a thick towel.

Trilling, he finally looked up at Heero with a yawn. Heero smiled down at him, sitting on the edge of the bed to massage Duo's feet. Falling back with a happy sigh, Duo once more started purring.

"What did she say?" Heero asked after a moment.

"Mmm . . . about what?" Duo asked sleepily.

"Her brother," came the clarification.

"Oh." Duo yawned again and sat up. "She told me Zechs was trying to get the other kingdoms to unite against you." He giggled. "But they were too afraid."

His guardian didn't look surprised. "Was she kind to you, little kitten?"

Smiling, Duo crawled into Heero's arms, snuggling against his chest. After all, he was still naked, and though it wasn't yet winter it could still get quite cold in this big palace. "Yes. She called me a lamb." He giggled, nuzzling his cold nose against Heero's neck. "I corrected her, of course."

Heero snorted. "You goof. All right, I guess you're ready for bed. Come on, sweet one."

Duo happily climbed under the covers with Heero and curled up against his guardian's side, head resting on the smooth, flat belly. In moments he was sound asleep.

In other stories, I have made you hate Relena. Now I'm going to make you love her. Because I am all-powerful! BUAHAHAHAAAHAHAHHAHAAAAAHAAA!

Heero: (GUN)

Jewel: (runs away)