Part 6
"Itai!" Quatre jerked back as Relena's hand touched his bare chest.
"Hold still, I'm almost done." She scolded with a frown.
Quatre nodded and winced as her cold hand rested on his chest and the glow moved from her hand across his body. It grew from a light gold to a bright red and covered his entire body with a comforting heat. After a moment the glow disappeared and Relena pulled her hand away to reveal most of the damage done by the armored man's punch was gone. Quatre looked down with surprise and stretched to make sure the pain was gone. He grinned back at her.
"Thanks."
Relena shrugged and stood up, turning back to the others in the room. She settled her glare on Duo, who was now dressed in a clean dress and had her hair neatly braided once more. "Baka!" She yelled. "How could you have done that? You could have gotten Heero-sama killed!"
"Me?! It wasn't my fault! I could have gotten us out of there no problem. Besides," she said pointing an accusing finger in Relena's direction. "I didn't see you rushing in to our rescue, ojo-san."
Relena's eyes narrowed even more. "Why didn't you bring the Priest back as soon as you found him?" She countered. "You caused all this trouble by making Heero-sama sneak out of the palace to find you and into enemy territory! As for me rescuing you why would I want to? It's not a proper woman's place to get her hands dirty."
Duo emitted a low growl and began to clench her hands into fists. "I'll show you proper!"
"Duo! Don't!" Quatre yelled quickly.
Duo dropped her fists but continued to glare at Relena. Beyond them the door slid open to reveal Heero back in his richly decorated robes. Immediately he fixed both Relena and Duo with a dangerous glare then turned his attention to Quatre. The Emperor didn't need to say anything, that one look had gotten his meaning across. The two women stopped glaring at each other and Duo walked over to the side of Quatre's bed, ignoring Relena.
"How are you feeling, Priest?" Heero asked, stepping up to the bed.
"Better, Relena's power made the pain go away. I think I can walk without stumbling now." Quatre offered a sheepish smile and Heero gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"I don't mean to be rude," Hilde said, stepping out of the corner of the room. "But what is going on here? What's with her power and these symbols? And what was the Emperor of Konan doing in Kuto?"
Heero turned and regarded Hilde with a suspicious glare. "We could ask equally as concerning questions of you. They say you are a Suzaku warrior, which is what your symbol would represent. If such is true then it is your destiny to protect and serve Quatre, the Priest of Suzaku."
"That's news to me," Hilde said with a shrug and she scratched her forehead absentmindedly. "I guess I can't argue though since I have the symbol. So does this mean that I have powers like hers?" Hilde gave a nod in Relena's direction.
"No one has powers like mine," Relena retorted rather smugly. Duo rolled her eyes.
Heero ignored both of them. "The Priest was abducted along with Lady Duo and taken to Kuto. As one of the Suzaku warriors I can not allow either of them to be executed."
"Well, I guess I should thank you then, even though you rescued me as a spur of the moment kind of thing. I shudder to think what Zechs would have done if you'd left me in there after finding out about my symbol."
At her words Duo's eyebrows flew up and she glanced toward Heero quickly in question. Heero caught the look and took a step toward Hilde. "Zechs?" he asked.
Hilde nodded. "The man who hurt Quatre… I heard them say his name when they brought me to the cell. I think they called him a general or something."
Heero frowned at this new information, but shrugged it off a moment later. "In any case being that you are one of the warriors of Suzaku you are welcome to stay in the palace. However, I'm afraid the only room I have to offer is in the harem."
At that Relena stepped forward. "In the harem? Why-what for?"
Duo grinned and laughed. "It makes perfect sense, ojo-san. We can't very well have a female just staying anywhere in the palace; people in the kingdom might get ideas. Besides, the harem has the most comfortable rooms of the whole palace… and like Heero-sama ever comes to the harem anyway."
"It's fine with me," Hilde added quickly. "Anything is better then that cell."
"Relena, take her to a room and get her some clean clothes. Then show her around the palace so she doesn't get lost."
Relena gave a short bow and nodded, then led Hilde from Quatre's room.
After they left Quatre stood up and faced the two. "Anou… Heero, Duo…" He frowned and looked away from them, hanging his head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left the palace like that. I almost got us both killed." Quatre gave a quick bow and ran out of the room, not even looking back. Duo watched him leave in surprise and moved to follow, leaving Heero to walk back to his throne room in silence and thought.
**
Duo found Quatre a while later in the garden pavilion, sitting on a bench hugging his knees as he gazed out into the pond with sad eyes. Silently she slipped onto the bench beside him.
"Quatre, nobody blames you for what happened."
Quatre didn't respond, he just watched the pond quietly, seemingly not even noticing that Duo had sat down next to him. After a long moment of silence he moved to hug his knees tighter and sighed, burying his face from sight.
"I know that," his muffled voice replied.
"Then why so down?" Duo asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Quatre lifted his head and gazed back out at the pond. "We just left him there, Duo. We left him there with that man…"
"Him?" Duo frowned. "You mean the boy you were searching for? He was the other one in the room with Zechs?"
Quatre nodded. "Trowa was the whole reason I left the palace in the first place and we just left him there."
Duo regarded Quatre quietly for a moment, and then a small smile began to form on her face. "Oh, now I get it." She gave a quiet chuckle and stood to her feet, leaning against the railing that surrounded the pavilion.
"Get what?" Quatre asked in confusion.
"You, him, it all makes perfect sense." Duo turned around and faced Quatre, smoothing out her skirts. "You like him don't you?"
Quatre sweatdropped, his depressed mood disappearing to be replaced by surprise and embarrassment. "What?"
"You like him." Duo restated with an even wider grin. "You like this Trowa."
"I do not!" Quatre protested feebly.
Duo simply winked at him. "Oh come off it, you can't fool me. It's not like I'm going to tell or anything, so you can tell me the truth."
"I honestly don't know what you're talking about." Quatre stood up and crossed to the other side of the pavilion, turning his back on Duo. "I just followed him to the library and then accidentally ended up with his book… and when I tried to return it we ended up here…" Quatre trailed off.
"Yeah, sure. Quatre, you're not fooling anyone here."
Quatre shook his head for a moment then sighed, remembering those bright emerald eyes in his mind. His cheeks reddened slightly. "Well I guess… maybe…"
Duo chuckled and walked over to Quatre, nudging him in the shoulder. "Tell you what. I'll tell you my secret and then you'll know that your secret is safe with me, ok? So if I ever tell anyone you can just yell to the entire world what my secret is."
Quatre frowned. "I wouldn't do that Duo, I wouldn't tell your secret anyway."
Duo just shrugged. "Yeah, well, I need to tell someone, it's been bugging me for a while." She glanced toward him with what seemed like nervousness. "So can I tell you anyway?"
Quatre nodded.
"Well, heh, you see I love Heero-sama. But that's not really a secret is it?" Duo turned away from Quatre and pulled herself up to sit on the railing, glancing out across the garden with glazed over eyes. She actually appeared to be blushing. She remained silent for a moment then glanced around, making sure there was no one else who could listen in, then looked back to Quatre. "See, truth is I'm not really who I seem to be."
Quatre frowned. "I don't understand."
Duo sighed softly but retained her trademark grin. "I know you feel something for Trowa, because well… I feel the same way about Heero, but…" A sad expression crossed Duo's face as she played with the sash on her dress. "But I know he could never love me back."
"Why not?"
Duo met Quatre's eyes and frowned. "He couldn't love me if he knew… knew that I'm not really a woman."
"Not… really… a woman?" Quatre's eyes grew wide with realization. "You're a guy?!"
Duo's face suddenly lighted up and she grinned brightly as if nothing ever happened. "Yep. Well, there you have it, Q-man. Your secret is safe with me and I won't tell as long as you won't tell mine. If you're really concerned about that friend of yours then you might want to go talk to Heero-sama about it. You're the Priest of Suzaku after all, so you've got some influence to throw around."
Duo stood up and quickly walked off, away from the pavilion, tossing an excuse for her abrupt departure over her shoulder. "I'm going back to the harem to make sure Relena isn't driving Hilde up the wall, heh. See ya!"
Quatre watched her walk away in silence and a small smile crossed his face. "Thanks for telling me Duo," he murmured. "You're secret's safe with me."
**
*Author's note: Duo will from here on be referred to as 'he' (since he is actually a guy and not a girl) but he is still wearing a dress until otherwise noted.*
**
Later that night Duo stepped out of one of the harem rooms into the hallway and paused. The hallway around him was almost pitch black save for a single lit torch down toward the other end. Turning slowly he faced a set of shadows and wasn't a bit surprised when the Emperor stepped out into view. Silently he thanked Suzaku that Heero hadn't followed him and Quatre to the pavilion earlier.
Outwardly he chuckled and grinned slyly. "Never thought I would see you in this part of the palace," he joked.
Heero frowned, the expression on his face deadly serious, despite Duo's playful and teasing tone. "We need to speak. This way."
Duo picked up his skirts and followed quickly, dropping into step beside him as they moved down the hallway toward the throne room. Moon and star light shone in through the windows as the cricket chirped outside. Other than that the night was silent, and safe. They walked for a long time in silence until Duo decided to speak up.
"You don't trust her," he spoke softly.
Heero nodded and opened the doors to the dark, empty throne room. "Her story is too coincidental."
Duo nodded in agreement, the trademark grin was gone from his face, this was serious business. "It is a bit strange that she just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
"She knew the name of their commander, Zechs, which I find highly unlikely. Soldiers do not throw around the name of their general lightly. Either she was meant to hear it or she knew it long before she was thrown in that cell. There are too many questions she hasn't answered or conveniently doesn't know the answer to."
Duo paused. "What about Quatre?"
Heero responded with a shake of his head. "He doesn't need to know. He's troubled enough as it is, better to keep this in the dark."
"All right, but we don't know for sure. For all we know she could be the fourth warrior."
"Yes, but I am not taking any chances. Keep your eyes open for now. You are around the harem more then I and if I send guards to follow her she will notice. For the time being just keep an eye on her. That is all."
Duo nodded and gave a small bow, then turned and left the throne room, leaving Heero to once again sit in silence and thought. Though this time, as the door closed, he noticed a small glowing of red light off to his left. Yet Heero didn't so much as turn his head as the familiar figure stepped out of the shadows.
"You again," he merely stated softly.
The figure walked up to the throne and removed his straw hat. "It appears all the warriors are assembled. Why are you not preparing to summon Suzaku?"
Heero frowned. "There are other matters to attend to first."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"You've been around, haven't you?" Heero growled impatiently. "You should know the situation by now."
"Of course. You… distrust that woman."
A short nod. "That is what I feel, yes."
"If you do not trust her then test her. The fifth of the Suzaku warriors is said to carry a fan of flames. If she is the fifth warrior she will have such a fan at her beck and call."
"And if this man Zechs took it away from her before placing her in that cell?"
The man offered a faint smile. "It is the weapon of a warrior of the Priest of Suzaku. Such weapons can not be taken away, and if they are they are available upon calling. If she is truly the warrior you seek then she will be able to summon her weapon in a time of danger."
"Are you suggesting we purposely put her in danger?"
The man shook his head. "There is no point in fighting that woman."
"Then what would you suggest?"
He shrugged; black silk hair falling from his shoulders. "Threaten her, ask her… which ever you prefer. But if she is the last warrior she will have the fan and you will be able to summon Suzaku. Do what you will, it does not concern me." The man placed his straw hat back upon his head and turned to leave once more.
"Where can we find you, once we wish to start the ceremony?"
The man paused but did not look back. "I will return when you assemble and all is ready."
"And your name?"
The man glanced back over his shoulder with a ghost of a smile. "Wufei," he said softly, then stepped into the shadows and disappeared. Heero frowned, he'd heard that name before but he couldn't place it. Standing up he moved to leave the throne room and head for the royal library but when he opened the door he found Quatre standing there in the moonlight, fidgeting sheepishly.
"Priest?"
Quatre took a deep breath, gathering up his courage. "I want your help. We need to go back to Kuto and save Trowa."
"That boy you called out to?"
Quatre nodded quickly.
Heero frowned and shook his head. "Out of the question, it is too dangerous. We can not risk your life." Walking past the boy he headed down the hall for the imperial library, repeating the name in his head. Wufei, Wufei… why was it familiar?
"Heero-sama."
Heero paused as he heard Quatre's voice ring out, hard and cold. It was unmistakably an order for him to stop. Despite the fact that he was the Emperor he was also a warrior of Suzaku and therefor bound to listen to Quatre's orders. Resisting the urge to glare at the boy he turned around and waited for Quatre to speak. He knew it was dangerous to venture into Kuto again, but if Quatre ordered it… then he could not disobey. Silently he hoped Quatre wasn't smart enough to realize this, or at least wasn't angry enough to demand it.
"Relena said you went against your advisor's wishes to come and rescue me, why is he any different? It's my fault he's in this world and…" Quatre's voice grew quieter. "What's the point of life if not to risk it for others?"
Heero stood there, awe struck. For a child born of a different world Heero could have sworn he raised in Konan. Those were the exact words Heero's mother and father had spoken to him before they died and he took the throne. It had been the memory of those words which had sent him after the Priest in the first place even though he knew Advisor J was right and he couldn't afford to leave. He'd risked it anyway in a rare selfless act to save both Quatre and Duo. But to hear those words from Quatre now was quite a blow, and he found himself planning to return to Kuto, against his better judgement. Heero quickly shook his head to rid himself of such crazy thoughts.
"It does not matter," he spoke with care, careful not to show in his voice what he truly felt. He truly did want to help, no matter how out of character for him it seemed. "Such a venture is an impossibility right now, you must trust me on this."
Quatre clenched his fists in anger but it soon melted away and he frowned, his head dropping to look at the floor. "So what now?"
"We prepare to call Suzaku."
Quatre looked up in surprise at that. "But don't we need one more warrior? We only have four."
"The final warrior will arrive when the time comes, he has said as much."
Quatre smiled happily. "That's great! Then I can just wish for Trowa to return with me, and he'll be safe!"
Heero nodded.
"So… what do I have to do to call Suzaku?"
**
Quatre - the Priest of Suzaku
Trowa - a boy who traveled into the book with Quatre, he is in Kuto
Heero - Emperor of Konan, a Suzaku warrior
Duo - a male pretending to be a female in Heero's harem, a Suzaku Warrior
Relena - a female in Heero's harem, also a Suzaku warrior
Wufei - a mysterious monk, also a Suzaku warrior
Hilde - a Suzaku warrior found in Kuto
Zechs - the general of Kuto and the one who saved Trowa from slave traders
Catherine - Trowa's twin sister who is reading the Universe of the Four Gods
"Itai!" Quatre jerked back as Relena's hand touched his bare chest.
"Hold still, I'm almost done." She scolded with a frown.
Quatre nodded and winced as her cold hand rested on his chest and the glow moved from her hand across his body. It grew from a light gold to a bright red and covered his entire body with a comforting heat. After a moment the glow disappeared and Relena pulled her hand away to reveal most of the damage done by the armored man's punch was gone. Quatre looked down with surprise and stretched to make sure the pain was gone. He grinned back at her.
"Thanks."
Relena shrugged and stood up, turning back to the others in the room. She settled her glare on Duo, who was now dressed in a clean dress and had her hair neatly braided once more. "Baka!" She yelled. "How could you have done that? You could have gotten Heero-sama killed!"
"Me?! It wasn't my fault! I could have gotten us out of there no problem. Besides," she said pointing an accusing finger in Relena's direction. "I didn't see you rushing in to our rescue, ojo-san."
Relena's eyes narrowed even more. "Why didn't you bring the Priest back as soon as you found him?" She countered. "You caused all this trouble by making Heero-sama sneak out of the palace to find you and into enemy territory! As for me rescuing you why would I want to? It's not a proper woman's place to get her hands dirty."
Duo emitted a low growl and began to clench her hands into fists. "I'll show you proper!"
"Duo! Don't!" Quatre yelled quickly.
Duo dropped her fists but continued to glare at Relena. Beyond them the door slid open to reveal Heero back in his richly decorated robes. Immediately he fixed both Relena and Duo with a dangerous glare then turned his attention to Quatre. The Emperor didn't need to say anything, that one look had gotten his meaning across. The two women stopped glaring at each other and Duo walked over to the side of Quatre's bed, ignoring Relena.
"How are you feeling, Priest?" Heero asked, stepping up to the bed.
"Better, Relena's power made the pain go away. I think I can walk without stumbling now." Quatre offered a sheepish smile and Heero gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"I don't mean to be rude," Hilde said, stepping out of the corner of the room. "But what is going on here? What's with her power and these symbols? And what was the Emperor of Konan doing in Kuto?"
Heero turned and regarded Hilde with a suspicious glare. "We could ask equally as concerning questions of you. They say you are a Suzaku warrior, which is what your symbol would represent. If such is true then it is your destiny to protect and serve Quatre, the Priest of Suzaku."
"That's news to me," Hilde said with a shrug and she scratched her forehead absentmindedly. "I guess I can't argue though since I have the symbol. So does this mean that I have powers like hers?" Hilde gave a nod in Relena's direction.
"No one has powers like mine," Relena retorted rather smugly. Duo rolled her eyes.
Heero ignored both of them. "The Priest was abducted along with Lady Duo and taken to Kuto. As one of the Suzaku warriors I can not allow either of them to be executed."
"Well, I guess I should thank you then, even though you rescued me as a spur of the moment kind of thing. I shudder to think what Zechs would have done if you'd left me in there after finding out about my symbol."
At her words Duo's eyebrows flew up and she glanced toward Heero quickly in question. Heero caught the look and took a step toward Hilde. "Zechs?" he asked.
Hilde nodded. "The man who hurt Quatre… I heard them say his name when they brought me to the cell. I think they called him a general or something."
Heero frowned at this new information, but shrugged it off a moment later. "In any case being that you are one of the warriors of Suzaku you are welcome to stay in the palace. However, I'm afraid the only room I have to offer is in the harem."
At that Relena stepped forward. "In the harem? Why-what for?"
Duo grinned and laughed. "It makes perfect sense, ojo-san. We can't very well have a female just staying anywhere in the palace; people in the kingdom might get ideas. Besides, the harem has the most comfortable rooms of the whole palace… and like Heero-sama ever comes to the harem anyway."
"It's fine with me," Hilde added quickly. "Anything is better then that cell."
"Relena, take her to a room and get her some clean clothes. Then show her around the palace so she doesn't get lost."
Relena gave a short bow and nodded, then led Hilde from Quatre's room.
After they left Quatre stood up and faced the two. "Anou… Heero, Duo…" He frowned and looked away from them, hanging his head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left the palace like that. I almost got us both killed." Quatre gave a quick bow and ran out of the room, not even looking back. Duo watched him leave in surprise and moved to follow, leaving Heero to walk back to his throne room in silence and thought.
**
Duo found Quatre a while later in the garden pavilion, sitting on a bench hugging his knees as he gazed out into the pond with sad eyes. Silently she slipped onto the bench beside him.
"Quatre, nobody blames you for what happened."
Quatre didn't respond, he just watched the pond quietly, seemingly not even noticing that Duo had sat down next to him. After a long moment of silence he moved to hug his knees tighter and sighed, burying his face from sight.
"I know that," his muffled voice replied.
"Then why so down?" Duo asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Quatre lifted his head and gazed back out at the pond. "We just left him there, Duo. We left him there with that man…"
"Him?" Duo frowned. "You mean the boy you were searching for? He was the other one in the room with Zechs?"
Quatre nodded. "Trowa was the whole reason I left the palace in the first place and we just left him there."
Duo regarded Quatre quietly for a moment, and then a small smile began to form on her face. "Oh, now I get it." She gave a quiet chuckle and stood to her feet, leaning against the railing that surrounded the pavilion.
"Get what?" Quatre asked in confusion.
"You, him, it all makes perfect sense." Duo turned around and faced Quatre, smoothing out her skirts. "You like him don't you?"
Quatre sweatdropped, his depressed mood disappearing to be replaced by surprise and embarrassment. "What?"
"You like him." Duo restated with an even wider grin. "You like this Trowa."
"I do not!" Quatre protested feebly.
Duo simply winked at him. "Oh come off it, you can't fool me. It's not like I'm going to tell or anything, so you can tell me the truth."
"I honestly don't know what you're talking about." Quatre stood up and crossed to the other side of the pavilion, turning his back on Duo. "I just followed him to the library and then accidentally ended up with his book… and when I tried to return it we ended up here…" Quatre trailed off.
"Yeah, sure. Quatre, you're not fooling anyone here."
Quatre shook his head for a moment then sighed, remembering those bright emerald eyes in his mind. His cheeks reddened slightly. "Well I guess… maybe…"
Duo chuckled and walked over to Quatre, nudging him in the shoulder. "Tell you what. I'll tell you my secret and then you'll know that your secret is safe with me, ok? So if I ever tell anyone you can just yell to the entire world what my secret is."
Quatre frowned. "I wouldn't do that Duo, I wouldn't tell your secret anyway."
Duo just shrugged. "Yeah, well, I need to tell someone, it's been bugging me for a while." She glanced toward him with what seemed like nervousness. "So can I tell you anyway?"
Quatre nodded.
"Well, heh, you see I love Heero-sama. But that's not really a secret is it?" Duo turned away from Quatre and pulled herself up to sit on the railing, glancing out across the garden with glazed over eyes. She actually appeared to be blushing. She remained silent for a moment then glanced around, making sure there was no one else who could listen in, then looked back to Quatre. "See, truth is I'm not really who I seem to be."
Quatre frowned. "I don't understand."
Duo sighed softly but retained her trademark grin. "I know you feel something for Trowa, because well… I feel the same way about Heero, but…" A sad expression crossed Duo's face as she played with the sash on her dress. "But I know he could never love me back."
"Why not?"
Duo met Quatre's eyes and frowned. "He couldn't love me if he knew… knew that I'm not really a woman."
"Not… really… a woman?" Quatre's eyes grew wide with realization. "You're a guy?!"
Duo's face suddenly lighted up and she grinned brightly as if nothing ever happened. "Yep. Well, there you have it, Q-man. Your secret is safe with me and I won't tell as long as you won't tell mine. If you're really concerned about that friend of yours then you might want to go talk to Heero-sama about it. You're the Priest of Suzaku after all, so you've got some influence to throw around."
Duo stood up and quickly walked off, away from the pavilion, tossing an excuse for her abrupt departure over her shoulder. "I'm going back to the harem to make sure Relena isn't driving Hilde up the wall, heh. See ya!"
Quatre watched her walk away in silence and a small smile crossed his face. "Thanks for telling me Duo," he murmured. "You're secret's safe with me."
**
*Author's note: Duo will from here on be referred to as 'he' (since he is actually a guy and not a girl) but he is still wearing a dress until otherwise noted.*
**
Later that night Duo stepped out of one of the harem rooms into the hallway and paused. The hallway around him was almost pitch black save for a single lit torch down toward the other end. Turning slowly he faced a set of shadows and wasn't a bit surprised when the Emperor stepped out into view. Silently he thanked Suzaku that Heero hadn't followed him and Quatre to the pavilion earlier.
Outwardly he chuckled and grinned slyly. "Never thought I would see you in this part of the palace," he joked.
Heero frowned, the expression on his face deadly serious, despite Duo's playful and teasing tone. "We need to speak. This way."
Duo picked up his skirts and followed quickly, dropping into step beside him as they moved down the hallway toward the throne room. Moon and star light shone in through the windows as the cricket chirped outside. Other than that the night was silent, and safe. They walked for a long time in silence until Duo decided to speak up.
"You don't trust her," he spoke softly.
Heero nodded and opened the doors to the dark, empty throne room. "Her story is too coincidental."
Duo nodded in agreement, the trademark grin was gone from his face, this was serious business. "It is a bit strange that she just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
"She knew the name of their commander, Zechs, which I find highly unlikely. Soldiers do not throw around the name of their general lightly. Either she was meant to hear it or she knew it long before she was thrown in that cell. There are too many questions she hasn't answered or conveniently doesn't know the answer to."
Duo paused. "What about Quatre?"
Heero responded with a shake of his head. "He doesn't need to know. He's troubled enough as it is, better to keep this in the dark."
"All right, but we don't know for sure. For all we know she could be the fourth warrior."
"Yes, but I am not taking any chances. Keep your eyes open for now. You are around the harem more then I and if I send guards to follow her she will notice. For the time being just keep an eye on her. That is all."
Duo nodded and gave a small bow, then turned and left the throne room, leaving Heero to once again sit in silence and thought. Though this time, as the door closed, he noticed a small glowing of red light off to his left. Yet Heero didn't so much as turn his head as the familiar figure stepped out of the shadows.
"You again," he merely stated softly.
The figure walked up to the throne and removed his straw hat. "It appears all the warriors are assembled. Why are you not preparing to summon Suzaku?"
Heero frowned. "There are other matters to attend to first."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"You've been around, haven't you?" Heero growled impatiently. "You should know the situation by now."
"Of course. You… distrust that woman."
A short nod. "That is what I feel, yes."
"If you do not trust her then test her. The fifth of the Suzaku warriors is said to carry a fan of flames. If she is the fifth warrior she will have such a fan at her beck and call."
"And if this man Zechs took it away from her before placing her in that cell?"
The man offered a faint smile. "It is the weapon of a warrior of the Priest of Suzaku. Such weapons can not be taken away, and if they are they are available upon calling. If she is truly the warrior you seek then she will be able to summon her weapon in a time of danger."
"Are you suggesting we purposely put her in danger?"
The man shook his head. "There is no point in fighting that woman."
"Then what would you suggest?"
He shrugged; black silk hair falling from his shoulders. "Threaten her, ask her… which ever you prefer. But if she is the last warrior she will have the fan and you will be able to summon Suzaku. Do what you will, it does not concern me." The man placed his straw hat back upon his head and turned to leave once more.
"Where can we find you, once we wish to start the ceremony?"
The man paused but did not look back. "I will return when you assemble and all is ready."
"And your name?"
The man glanced back over his shoulder with a ghost of a smile. "Wufei," he said softly, then stepped into the shadows and disappeared. Heero frowned, he'd heard that name before but he couldn't place it. Standing up he moved to leave the throne room and head for the royal library but when he opened the door he found Quatre standing there in the moonlight, fidgeting sheepishly.
"Priest?"
Quatre took a deep breath, gathering up his courage. "I want your help. We need to go back to Kuto and save Trowa."
"That boy you called out to?"
Quatre nodded quickly.
Heero frowned and shook his head. "Out of the question, it is too dangerous. We can not risk your life." Walking past the boy he headed down the hall for the imperial library, repeating the name in his head. Wufei, Wufei… why was it familiar?
"Heero-sama."
Heero paused as he heard Quatre's voice ring out, hard and cold. It was unmistakably an order for him to stop. Despite the fact that he was the Emperor he was also a warrior of Suzaku and therefor bound to listen to Quatre's orders. Resisting the urge to glare at the boy he turned around and waited for Quatre to speak. He knew it was dangerous to venture into Kuto again, but if Quatre ordered it… then he could not disobey. Silently he hoped Quatre wasn't smart enough to realize this, or at least wasn't angry enough to demand it.
"Relena said you went against your advisor's wishes to come and rescue me, why is he any different? It's my fault he's in this world and…" Quatre's voice grew quieter. "What's the point of life if not to risk it for others?"
Heero stood there, awe struck. For a child born of a different world Heero could have sworn he raised in Konan. Those were the exact words Heero's mother and father had spoken to him before they died and he took the throne. It had been the memory of those words which had sent him after the Priest in the first place even though he knew Advisor J was right and he couldn't afford to leave. He'd risked it anyway in a rare selfless act to save both Quatre and Duo. But to hear those words from Quatre now was quite a blow, and he found himself planning to return to Kuto, against his better judgement. Heero quickly shook his head to rid himself of such crazy thoughts.
"It does not matter," he spoke with care, careful not to show in his voice what he truly felt. He truly did want to help, no matter how out of character for him it seemed. "Such a venture is an impossibility right now, you must trust me on this."
Quatre clenched his fists in anger but it soon melted away and he frowned, his head dropping to look at the floor. "So what now?"
"We prepare to call Suzaku."
Quatre looked up in surprise at that. "But don't we need one more warrior? We only have four."
"The final warrior will arrive when the time comes, he has said as much."
Quatre smiled happily. "That's great! Then I can just wish for Trowa to return with me, and he'll be safe!"
Heero nodded.
"So… what do I have to do to call Suzaku?"
**
Quatre - the Priest of Suzaku
Trowa - a boy who traveled into the book with Quatre, he is in Kuto
Heero - Emperor of Konan, a Suzaku warrior
Duo - a male pretending to be a female in Heero's harem, a Suzaku Warrior
Relena - a female in Heero's harem, also a Suzaku warrior
Wufei - a mysterious monk, also a Suzaku warrior
Hilde - a Suzaku warrior found in Kuto
Zechs - the general of Kuto and the one who saved Trowa from slave traders
Catherine - Trowa's twin sister who is reading the Universe of the Four Gods
