Bonded 13: Chaos
Heero heard another large explosion as he dashed through the palace. The ground shook, chandeliers dangled uncomfortably from side to side. The wolf picked up his speed as he banked around a corner and started to head down a long grand staircase. Below were a handful of soldiers, maids and cooks. They were talking franticly to Zechs as more bombs sounded.
" You're majesty!" one of the maids croaked when she saw him rushing towards them.
Zechs turned toward the king, " Treize is on his way to Trop Peak.." he began.
Heero nodded, trying to catch his breath, " Do we have any idea were the first blast originated from?"
" They say somewhere on the East part of the city." answered Zechs, " But it's very chaotic, so we don't know if that's exactly accurate."
Heero tried to calm down his breathing. If the East side of the city was indeed being attacked, then he needed to locate his mate immediately.
He turned to the soldiers," We need to start to evacuate the city, starting with the East side of the city. Take them all to Trop Peak, that's the only safe place... Also the forest near the west gate."
The soldiers bowed, " Sir!" they replied before disappearing out of the palace's main gate.
The king turned to the maids and cooks, " All of you head to Trop Peak as well. And go quickly..." Heero paused, " Where's Mandy?"
Out of the crowd came a small petite woman. By here effortless grace and alertness, Heero could tell what clan she originated from, the Deer.
She walked up to him cautiously, her body showing a slight vibration, " Sir?"
Heero slowly outstretched his hand and put it on her quivering shoulder. It was well known that those of the Deer clan could be easily frightened, " Do you mind searching the palace for mate?" he asked softly.
She looked a bit startled at first," Of course, your majesty... I'll search the library first and go from there."
Heero nodded, " Thank you. That sounds promising."
/
Cadet Reese sprinted across the city. His clan was built for speed. Today he was glad to put his genetic make- up to such good use. Reese stopped when he entered the town square. All around him, people were rushing towards the south-west part of the city.
The troops residing there had just received orders to get all the civilians to the forest or Trop Peak. Reese started to jog towards the fountain, from what he could tell the East side of city was engulfed in black smoke. Rumor was that the first blast originated in that part of the city.
Trop Peak had sent out several medic teams across the city. Reese was sure that they would arrive soon. He sniffed the air, his nose crinkled at the smell of the poisons fumes. As he entered the damaged area, buildings were collapsed and smoking. He swallowed thickly as he came across lifeless bodies scattered across the pavement.
Reese slowly walked further into the crumbling ruins. The smell had gotten worse and was making his eyes water. It was small, yet annoying price to pay for being a part of the Cheetah clan.
A low thunder was heard from above. The cadet sighed as drops of water started to fall steadily from the sky. The rain would help put out the fire, but would intensify the smell of rotting corpses if they didn't clear them out soon.
Reese walked slowly through the deserted street. He eyed the lifeless bodies of the fallen, hoping that one would make some small movement. He walked steadily taking point of how many buildings were hit; until he stumbled across a bright red door. It was the only remaining piece of the object, the rest was scattered around the mound of mud and cobblestone that it use to be attached too.
Reese walked slowly up the mound, he turned his head left to right then froze. Towards the top, a muddied cloth shaped like a cone was sticking out. It could of been an illusion of the eye... but seemed like something else. The young man quickly scampered up to the piece of cloth and grabbed it. From below the dirt a slight muffled sound of pain was heard.
Reese quickly got down on his hands and knees and started digging around the strange object. To his astonishment he found it connected to a leg, a leg that was connected to a body. It was someone's knee.
/
Rein tried maneuvering his way around the bustling refugees that poured into Trop Peak. He had to pick up some of his weaponry before heading to the battlefield. From spy's outside the wall, they relayed a letter describing a large army approaching. Troops had been dispatched as soon as the news arrived. He was to meet the leader of his squad on the left side of the surrounding trees near the city walls.
Rein had been showering when the first of the bombs hit. He still hadn't heard news on where, but the gut feeling in his stomach wasn't helping his nerves. The tall man pushed himself near his building, he tried hard not to fall as he moved against the traffic of people.
"Excuse me!" he had to yell as he entered his apartment building.
Rein hurried and started to unbutton his shirt. He ran up the stairs to the third floor and slowly stopped, his door was slightly ajar. Rein reached behind to his back pocket. He pulled out his pistol as he moved forward and pushed his door open. The apartment looked normal enough as he entered. Rein cautiously checked every room, his pistol in hand.
The last room he checked was his bedroom. He scanned the space, checked the closet and bathroom before putting down his pistol.
"Hey."
In a flash Rein had his gun out and was pointing it at the intruder. Duo stopped dead in his tracks, he slowly raised his arms.
"You left my door open." the Asian stated looking irritated.
Duo gave an apologetic smile, "Sorry."
Rein put down his pistol. He was glad he hadn't used a bullet. The gun was only good for one shot anyway.
"What are you doing here?" asked Rein walking to his closet.
Duo cleared his throat, "I just wanted to see how you were."
Rein said nothing as he changed into his traditional white cotton collared shirt. He started reached for his jade green uniform jacket.
" I've heard you've been called to fight... I just wanted to see you." the fox nervously explained.
" You should be at the palace." he began. Duo nodded in agreement. The braided man knew this wasn't going to be easy. He was sure that the other hadn't forgotten what had happened a few months ago. It was a horrible mistake and a major setback in wooing the tall man.
Rein reached for his sword and another gun hidden on one of the shelves of his closet. He placed the pistol in the holster of his belt and sheathed his sword.
" You had no right." he plainly said as he reached for the other pistol on the table.
Duo nodded again " I know... But I had to see you."
Rein lips tightened. Foxes were sly, he shouldn't expect nothing less of the clan. The Asian walked up to the nervous fox and stopped. What happened should have bothered him more than it did, but Rein was never the one to hold grudges. Though Duo Maxwell's made a serious error, he couldn't help but be intrigued by the man. The fox wasn't bad looking, was at least as tall as him and slightly entertaining.
But the older dragon wasn't going to make it easy for Duo to have him. It was in his clans nature, the dragons, to dance around almost anything. Mating was probably the number one pass time of this 'dance'. Or what others liked to call, playing hard-to-get. In fact, Wufei's wooing was based on the whole concept.
Rein cleared his throat and pulled out something from his pocket. He held the shiny object at Duo's eye level," This watch is important to me." he began," It's been passed down through my clan..."
Duo gazed at the decorative watch in amazement, like in a trance.
" It's exquisite." he said.
"Keep it for me." replied the officer.
Duo's eyes went wide as he was handed the precious object, "But-"
" I'll get it from you when I get back." said Rein quickly.
There was an awkward silence, Rein cleared his throat again and left the room. Seconds later, the front door opened and closed leaving the apartment quiet. Duo's thumb glided on the silver pocket watch. He had a small smile on his face as he gazed at its shining surface. He wasn't lying when he said it was exquisite, on its surface was etched a long serpent with wings. It's eye was a tiny ruby.
/
Several simple single horse carriages arrived minutes later after Reese started digging up the unconscious body. The body was now fully unearthed and the person appeared to be covered with mud. Reese quickly put the body on the carriage.
" We've found some other bodies in the rubble, Reese!" called out a medical officer.
" Good!" replied Reese, "Put them all on the carriage."
A few more bodies were loaded on, each with blood and mud over their clothes.
"Take them to the forest on the Westside." he instructed, " Our medics should have built a camp by now."
Another carriage rode into the space as one left. Quickly a young blond haired man jumped out and started looking over bodies that had been pulled out of the rubble. He fast and quiet, carrying a black doctors bag as he went to each one. Reese thought he was clearly albino. His skin was so fair and fresh looking, almost like a newborn baby... And his hair was a golden yellow that shined like silk in the sunny haze. Reese looked up at the sky and breathed an agonizing sigh. He never dreamed this sort of bad luck would be bestowed on the city.
He walked up to the medic who had just finished patching a young girl that had been found on the street. The man wiped his now sweaty brow and turned to the cadet.
"Hi, I'm Reese Lorrence." the cheetah greeted.
The other smiled and shook his hand, " Quatre Raberba Winner."
Reese smiled, " It's good to have you apart of the team. You seem pretty fast..."
Quatre nodded, " Yes. That's why I was called here first. I'm sure my sisters are in other parts of the city...that or the forest camp."
"Sisters?"
The blond laughed, " Oh yes, my whole family was destined to be medics." he explained, "Though I'm the only boy ... I have 28 sisters."
Reese couldn't help but do a double take, " 28! And there all medics?"
Quatre smiled, " Indeed, but truthfully it's in my clans blood to help...to have sympathy. This job suits all of us."
Reese cleared his throat, " May I ask what clan-"
" I'm from the Dove clan." the blond stated before walking down the street.
Reese followed after him. That explained the pale complexion of the other and even his hair. But he never would of that that the Dove clan would have so many residing in their family line. The Dove clan was somewhat solitary and kept to themselves. Though Reese could fully understand that, him being a part of the Cheetah clan and all. But it still seemed strange that a solitary clan could have so much people, Reese had never heard of such things.
He couldn't imagine how many of the Dove clan there actually was...especially since one branch had 29 children. Reese's clan could only dream of such numbers, they always birthed one or two kittens. Having three or more was highly irregular.
"How many bodies have you picked up?" The blond asked curiously.
Reese scratched his this black curly hair, " Probably a dozen..." he answered, " We've been also charged with clearing out the dead bodies."
Quatre gave him a sad smile, " I can imagine that being quite difficult..."
Reese nodded silently. In truth he had never seen so many dead bodies before...so many pieces. The sight was unnerving and very surreal. He had seen some younger soldiers give in to their emotions. Some crying in the alleyways, others vomiting at the sight of torn limbs. Reese couldn't bring himself to show any such emotion. He knew if he crossed that line, then it would be hard to do the task at hand. But he knew he would be in the same boat as the other soldiers, he would grieve...but later.
Quatre gave a sad sigh. He had a bad feeling, every since he arrived it had been growing at the pit of his stomach. The man had known that Wufei had once lived in this side of town. He also knew that Wufei's entire clan had resided here as well. Typically clans stayed close to each other, for everyone clan that seemed like the case. But hearing the report on how many bodies had been taken was discouraging. There was a chance that they all could have perished.
The blond man walked along a now empty street. Most of the bodies had been taken outside of the city to be buried or burned. They had been at it for several hours before Quatre had a arrive and indeed only a handful of survivors had turned up. Quatre thought about the events that happened earlier that morning. His mate Trowa was summoned to the palace to talk military strategies after the bombs went off. Quatre was no infant, so instead of waiting around for Trowa, he decided to do the best thing and go tend the wounded. The blond was never a part of the military, but being mated to Trowa gave him an idea on what to expect. He had volunteered immediately and set off to work.
Quatre stopped near a half collapsed building. He could see inside the blackened walls of the two story brick apartment. Attached to the front of the building was an old rickety sign. He could barely read out the word 'seamstress'.
/
Heero poured himself a glass a scotch and downed it quickly. He knew it wasn't very appropriate to drink, but he hoped the strong liquor would bring some warmth back into his body. Heero had been going over battle strategies with his military captains all day. He had sent them out a hour ago and was about to head out himself. The royal family and castle crew were all sent to the military base in Trop Peak. Heero was sure they would all be safe there, especially his mate.
"Heero? Are you ready?" asked Trieze as he walked into the poorly lit sitting room. He glanced at the bottle on the crystal table, "Is that what I think it is?"
Heero stood up and put on his military jacket, " Don't worry, it's just to keep me warm."
Treize smiled, " Reports say that an enemy army is approaching from the East side of the city gate."
"Do we have our forces set up like we discussed?"
Treize nodded, " Yes, it looks like the battle will be in are favor...Uncle Royce must be desperate..."
Heero glared, " Honestly, I thought he'd be senile by now..." he said bitterly.
Treize sighed, " It could be...are cousin."
Heero grabbed his sword, " Whoever is responsible will pay. They BOTH should know better."
They both walked quickly out of the sitting room and towards the palaces side gate. Two horses were there ready and saddled. The two royals mounted the large beasts and quickly headed toward where the troops were stationed. Around them were people in large carriages being carted off towards the back of the city.
Medics and soldiers gave them a salute as the galloped passed. They reached the cities gate in record time. Heero and Treize dismounted their horses and hurried through a hidden door at the gates wall. In front of them was a clear open meadow. The space was usually used for the cities grazing animals and farm workers. Today, the meadow was completely empty. A shallow fog had descended on around the open land. Heero smiled as he and Trieze started to walk towards a thick row of trees.
Surrounding the meadow on both sides were two patches of thick foliage and trees. It was indeed adequate enough to hide the soldiers from enemy fire. The Wolf clans ancestors had cleared the middle of the forest for two reasons: One, pasture lands for farming and Two, ambushing an enemy.
Both wolves made their way through the thick trees until they saw a small camp. It was hidden perfectly with foliage and plants from the forest itself.
"Halt!" Came a strong clear voice.
Both royals stopped in their tracks as they gazed at a lone gunmen. He only had one pistol in his hand, but Heero knew better. This soldier was not to be taken lightly.
" Captain Barton." Greeted Heero.
Trowa quickly put down his gun, " I'm sorry for the confusion, my lords." he apologized with a bow.
Trieze shook his head, " No need. We expect this."
They both walked into the camp with Trowa by their side," What news?" asked the eldest wolf.
" All the troops are in place." started Trowa, " One of our soldiers, Rein, just got confirmation from the forest across from us."
Heero looked at Trowa curiously, "Rein?"
Trowa nodded, " Yes, Wufei's cousin. He was assigned to my team."
"Where?"
Trowa pointed to his left, " Beyond those trees..."
Heero nodded his thanks as he walked through the thick leaves of the ferns and trees that surrounded the area. He saw a tall cut man crouched down, sharpening his sword with a black smooth stone.
Rein looked up, "Your majesty!"
Heero shook his head, " Don't stand." he replied as he sat across from the other, " How is everything?"
The Asian man looked puzzled by the question, he shrugged, " It's fine. The soldiers seem to be in their right minds."
Heero nodded, " Rein, I want to ask you an important question..and I want you to be honest with me."
Rein stopped sharpening his sword, he looked warily at the king, " What is it?"
"What clan are you and Wufei from?"
Rein eyebrows raised, " Shouldn't you be asking Fei this?"
Heero nodded with regret, " I should. But I want to know now before this battle starts."
Rein sighed as he rubbed his neck, " Were a part of the dragon clan." he said simply.
Heero blinked, " Your what?"
"Apart of the Dragon clan."
"You.." repeated the king.
"And Wufei." finished Rein.
" Your.."
"Apart of the Dragon clan."
Heero blinked again, " That's impossible. The Dragons were said to be in extinct centuries ago."
"Good." Rein simply stated.
Heero frowned, " What do you mean?"
"We've worked very hard to make others believe that."
Heero stood up and started pacing slowly, "Why?"
Rein sighed, " Cause we knew if we stated our origins we would be targets."
"Targets?"
"For mating and other purposes." explained the man, " We like our simple lives. Were all solitary at heart."
Heero shook his head, " You shouldn't be fighting. It's too risky."
Rein laughed, " That's the kind of thinking that prevents us from coming out with the truth."
Heero glared, " But you're the rarest breed-"
"But we still are people and still have rights to do whatever we want."
Heero went silent for a few moments, he turned to Rein, " How many are you?"
Rein let out a long breath, " We have three branches in are clan. In total maybe 40 people."
Heero started pacing again, he suddenly stopped abruptly, " Where are you most located?"
" East side of the city."
The king's breath caught in his throat, he looked at the lone dragon, " You can't fight." he whispered.
Rein frowned and slowly stood up, " Why?...What happened?"
Heero reached out to touch the taller man but touched air. Suddenly, Rein was forced back against one of the trees that littered the forest. He gasped in pain and turned to look at his shoulder. An arrow was sticking out from his uniform, already red liquid was staining his jacket.
"SHIT!" yelled Heero.
He grabbed Rein as the other stumbled away from the tree. They moved back deep within the forest.
"Treize! Trowa! Start the attack! The enemy is here! Give the signal!"
/
Rose walked through the medical camp as swiftly as possible. Carriages were pouring in by the minute and they were hard on staff members since most of the soldiers had went off to prepare to fight.
"Rose! Help me with this one!" yelled her sister.
The blond woman quickly hoisted the unconscious individual up and put him on a stretcher. Both woman grabbed each side of the cotton stretcher and lifted it up slowly.
"Where are we taking this one?" asked her younger sister Anabelle.
Rose moved her elbow to the right, " Over at that tent, " It has a table in it."
They both hurried through t he crowd and chaos as they entered the tent and rolled the body carefully on the table.
Rose looked over the person, " Looks like he's been bandaged..." she said as she noticed fresh wraps around the man's flat chest and legs, " Annie, can get a bowl of water and some cotton cloths?"
Annabelle nodded before she left the tent. Rose quickly went to work stripping the man down to his undergarments. His shirt was taken off, but underpants left. Out of her black bag she pulled out a stethoscope and started checking the patient's heart and lungs. She moved down to his stomach and listened carefully.
"Here's the water and cloths." stated Annie as she entered the tent, " Looks like Quatre's job...don't you think?" she said eyeing the tight clean bandages.
Her sister only nodded as she listened carefully to the man's stomach, " Can you start cleaning him up."
The young woman winked, " Already ahead of you."
She wet the tan cloth in the warm water and worked on the man's face. Slowly golden skin was revealed under the dry blood and mud. She moved to his forehead and a little pass the hair line to reveal jet back hair. Once Annie was half way done with the face she stood back and looked at her handy work, " He's very pretty don't you think?" she said proudly.
Rose smiled, " Indeed. Can you hand me that antibiotic shot?"
Annie put down the muddy cloth and wiped the rest of the dirt on her white apron. She reached for the needle and handed it to her sister, " How does he look? Nothing infected I hope."
Rosie shook her head and she tested the needle, spraying some of the liquid from its tip, " He doesn't seem to be having puss coming from his wounds, so that's good..."
Annie nodded, " So the anti biotic is just a precaution?"
Rosie nodded as she wiped the junction between his upper and lower arm, " That and he's pregnant."
/
Alright, that's chapter 13. Sorry to all that was a bit confused by chapter twelve's format. I hope this one is easier to read and also sorry for any grammar mistakes that I couldn't catch.
Chow
Qhernadez07