Part 7
"Catherine?"
Catherine looked up from the book the next morning as her mother knocked on the door. The door swung open and her mother glanced around the room, finally settling her eyes on her. Catherine slowly closed the book, keeping one finger in to mark the page.
"Have you seen your brother?"
Catherine shook her head. "Ummm… he left early this morning to do some work with a friend… at the library."
Her mother looked worried for a second then shrugged it off. "Listen I'm heading out and won't be back 'til late. You going to be ok?"
Catherine nodded. Her mother left the room after that, shutting the door behind her, and leaving Catherine to return to her book. Slowly opening the book and turning it back to the page where she'd left off Catherine glanced back down at the words on the page and her brother's name.
"Trowa," she said softly.
With a deep breath she turned the page and began reading once more.
"The Emperor left the Priest of Suzaku in the hands of his advisors in order to prepare. Meanwhile Emperor Heero went to his harem to confirm Hilde's identity. It turned out that Hilde did indeed have the fan that Wufei had spoken of, but Heero was still not reassured and required her to show her symbol. However his suspicions were shown false as the symbol for 'the maiden' appeared on her forehead. Satisfied the Emperor left without explanation, only telling them to prepare for the ceremony. Still the young Emperor worried as he slept that night. Something didn't feel right."
Catherine stopped reading and gave a long sigh. Standing up she stretched and grabbed a snack from the kitchen. Returning to her room she regarded the book on her bed from her place in the doorway.
"If only Trowa was the main character instead of Quatre… this is driving me insane not knowing what's going on with him!"
Taking a drink of her newly opened can of pop she picked up the book and carried it into the living room where she dropped down on the couch in front of the fireplace. Sighing once again she turned the page and went back to reading.
**
Trowa walked silently through the halls of the Kuto palace, heading for the library. Beyond him the sharp early rays of the rising sun dropped spears of light across the hallway floors and walls, lighting the long passageway up with bright colors. As he walked Trowa pondered many things. He had long since gotten used to the strange blue and green robes Zechs had given him and now moved around in them as easily as if they were a second skin. Though he still would have preferred his usual set of jeans and turtleneck, or at least his school uniform, the long robes made too much noise for his comfort.
Turning a corner he frowned. He was headed for the Imperial Library to learn more about this strange place. He didn't completely trust Zechs, but then he didn't really trust anyone. In any case, even if he had trusted Zechs completely, he needed more information before rushing head-on into things. He needed to learn about the strange blue dragon called Seriyu, which decorated the entire palace. Zechs had spoken to him and told him that Seriyu was one of four gods that protected this world but that wasn't good enough. He wanted to see proof of this, in writing if he could. Not to mention that he wanted to learn about the other three gods Zechs had mentioned.
Genbu. Byakko. Suzaku.
Especially Suzaku. He wished to learn about Suzaku the most because that was who controlled the Konan empire, which was where Zechs said that group had taken Quatre. Once he had gathered his desired information then he would decide the best course of action, but not before.
He reached the library soon after and opened the door, to find Zechs sitting inside at one of the many tables, a worn out scroll in his hand. As Trowa stepped through the door the man stood and rolled up the scroll, giving a low bow.
"We must speak."
Trowa met his cold gaze and said nothing, he only nodded.
"There is no time for further delay. We must strike the Suzaku warriors now." As Zechs spoke he placed the scroll back on the shelf. Trowa's emerald eyes followed his every movement and he immediately memorized where Zechs placed the scroll among the others, deciding to take a look at it later.
His eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Zechs closed his eyes and spoke softly, leaning against the bookshelf. "They already have what they need to perform the ceremony, to summon Suzaku. If they succeed we will all be engulfed in his flames of destruction. Especially you."
Trowa said nothing and gave no response; instead he waited silently for Zechs to explain further.
"You are the Priest of Seriyu. So you would be the obvious one to eliminate. It would destroy all the power to resist that we have. Your death would mean that their Emperor, Heero, would enslave everyone of our nation. And I can assure you he will show no mercy, he is as ruthless as Treize."
Trowa frowned; his skin crawled from the mention of the man who'd bought him at the slave market. But still, he wasn't ready to take just Zechs' word, not yet. "There is no guarantee of that," he murmured.
Zechs pulled up a chair and sat down. "I only wish to protect you. I think this is a chance you should not take. Heero is ruthless beyond words; he killed his own parents at a young age to assume his throne. I'm sure he has conveniently forgotten to explain to the Priest of Suzaku that he can only summon Suzaku at the sacrifice of his own life." Zechs looked up and met Trowa's silent eyes. "You and our kingdom are not the only ones in danger. Everyone in the four empires is in danger if Suzaku is called."
Trowa still didn't respond, electing only to mull over Zechs words in his mind, trying to decide carefully what to do.
Zechs gave a great sigh. "If I were as ruthless as them I would have already had you summon Seriyu and you would be dead now. But I will not risk your life even if it means our loss. The choice is yours. I doubt, however, that Emperor Heero is as kind."
Trowa frowned deeply. "You mean to tell me that…" he paused briefly. "Quatre's life is in danger?"
Zechs' cold blue eyes met Trowa's. "He will be dead if the ceremony is completed."
Trowa turned away and folded his arms across his chest in thought. For a long moment he just stood there, going over Zechs' word in his head and considering all possibilities. In the end he had to admit that Zechs had a point. Whether what he said was true or not Trowa couldn't risk them using Quatre to call Suzaku. If there was even the slightest possibility of it resulting in Quatre's death… it wasn't a chance he was willing to take. He spoke softly without turning back to face Zechs. "What would you suggest we do?"
"You should come, and be the one to seize Quatre during the ceremony. He trusts you and will not put up a fight, no matter what they have told him to the contrary. That would maximize our resources and be the safest for you."
Trowa closed his eyes and massaged his forehead. How could Quatre be siding with Konan? Was he siding with Konan? It sure seemed like it that night he'd been spotted in the palace. But it still bothered Trowa that Zechs hadn't told him Quatre was in the castle. Still… he couldn't afford to be wrong on this. "All right," he agreed, turning back to Zechs.
"You have made a very wise decision." Zechs reached into his robes and pulled out a small half-mask. "I request that you wear this when we leave. It will protect you."
Trowa took the mask carefully and turned it over in his hands. "Protect me? Please explain."
"It has been specially crafted to hide the power within you. It would not do for you to reveal yourself as the Priest of Seriyu in their presence. This will help hide your identity from them until we are safely back in Kuto."
Trowa looked down at the strange white mask with blue markings around the eye. Glancing back at Zechs he nodded. He would wear the mask.
**
Quatre leaned back in the fresh cool water, letting it cover his entire body up to his neck. He'd never dreamed that the Emperor's personal spring could feel so good. For a moment he closed his eyes and allowed himself to imagine what it would have been like if he were an emperor. To have a palace like this, complete with such springs. To be waited on hand and foot, to have his every wish fulfilled by a whole host of servants… and to have Trowa by his side.
Quatre's face grew red at that thought and he opened his eyes, dismissing the tempting vision. From behind him he heard a soft chuckle and turned to see Duo sitting on a rock by the spring, towels in hand. The man wore his normal good-natured grin and a dress made of bright red silk with deep gold embroidery down the edges and curving along the sleeves. His long chestnut colored hair was coiled upon his head expertly and he looked every bit the royal harem girl… if you didn't know that he was a guy.
"You're going to shrivel away if you stay in there much longer." The harem 'girl' commented with a grin.
Quatre turned over in the water and leaned against a rock near the edge. "Duo, if you had three wishes what would you wish for?"
Duo set down the towels and glanced up at the starry sky, his own eyes going a little starry. "Well, you know one of the wishes, Quatre. That Heero-sama could love me as much as I love him."
"Can you do that? Can you wish for love?" Quatre sighed. "I always thought you had to wish for different things, that you couldn't wish things that would makes others feel differently."
Duo shrugged. "Maybe… but I'd still wish for it. Because maybe it would come true."
"What else would you wish for?"
Duo snickered and tossed one of the smaller towels at Quatre, the towel landing on his head and covering his eyes. Quatre reached up and pushed the towel away but didn't let it land in the water.
"Quatre, they're your wishes, you're the Priest, not me. You have to make your own wishes. And you don't need to make any for me or Heero. I'll make him love me on my own," Duo flashed a broad grin. "Besides, that's half the fun."
"You're right," Quatre smiled.
"Good, now get up here and dry off, the others are waiting. We're supposed to start the ceremony soon." Duo handed Quatre a large towel and gestured toward a pile of gold, red, white and orange colored clothing before gracefully bowing out and leaving Quatre to his own thoughts.
Quatre dressed in silence, the entire time his mind was on one thing. What in the world was he supposed to wish for?
**
Quatre stepped into the room; his eyes set with determination. All around him the great hall of the palace was arranged for the ceremony to call Suzaku. Everything was ready. The four Suzaku warriors he had gathered - Heero, Duo, Relena and Hilde - all wore matching outfits of red, gold and yellow and stood at ready around a large ornate fire pit. The remaining Suzaku warrior, Wufei, stepped forward and gave a low bow to Quatre.
"I am called Wufei, a monk from the temple of the five gods. I am at your service as a warrior of Suzaku."
Quatre nodded. "Take your place," he said softy.
Wufei rose to his feet and walked with silent steps to stand with the others. Meanwhile Quatre continued toward the open space on the other end of the fire pit. After taking the ritual bath he'd dressed in the outfit Duo had left, which was an ornate arrangement of reds, oranges, golds and yellows. The outfit was loose, yet not too loose, in fact it strangely felt like a second skin… like something that had been made especially for Quatre, yet he knew it had not been.
As he took his place he let his eyes wander for a moment to the five warriors who stood around him. In his mind he memorized each of their images, for if he was really going home he would probably never see them again. And though he'd hadn't been in Konan for more then a month he was good friends with all of them, he knew he would miss them.
Quatre opened his eyes and looked down at the red scroll before him. Picking up the scroll he signaled the start of the ceremony. Slowly he unrolled the old and yellowed paper, silently reading the contents within. The room around him grew completely silent save for the sound of the six occupants breathing softly and the whispers of the tapestries against the stone floor. Quatre took a deep breath and began to read out loud, while watching the large fire before him out of the corner of his eyes.
"Suzaku. Firey Phoenix of the East."
The fire before him sputtered loudly, throwing sparks around the room and Quatre felt himself grow warm, the now familiar red light surrounding him. The room around him seemed to flash with power, but he kept his eyes on the scroll and forced himself to concentrate.
"I call you."
Those three words issued from his mouth, echoing loudly throughout the room and there was a large crack, like thunder. Quatre looked up in surprise as three figures appeared in the room, surrounded by blue light. Immediately he recognized the leader, Zechs. The Kuto general was flanked by two other warriors, both dressed in blue. The male crouched protectively and immediately raced off to the side, disappearing behind the many pillars in the room, while the female warrior stepped forward and settled her eyes on the warriors.
Hilde raised her fan and turned to the two. "You aren't welcome here," she hissed.
Duo stepped up next to her and rolled up the sleeves of his dress, a grin crossing his face. "You up to fighting me this time, blue eyes?" He glared angrily at Zechs.
"Perhaps later. Une?"
The female stepped forward, in front of Zechs, and up to Duo. "You will cease, young lady. We have business here."
Duo's eyes narrowed. "Who are you to order me around?" Duo growled and moved forward, ready to fight.
Meanwhile Hilde raised her fan and ducked around Une, heading straight for Zechs. Raising her fan she waved it toward the general and screamed two words.
"Lekka shein!"
Flames exploded from the fan and headed straight for Zechs, but the general simply raised his hand and the flames reversed direction, knocking Hilde backward to the ground and singing her skin and clothing. She landed hard on the ground and didn't get up.
Zechs turned his attention to the other three warriors, but paused. His eyes immediately moved to Relena, who had darted behind Emperor Heero. Zechs' eyes narrowed dangerously as Relena tried to shrink farther behind Heero.
"Keep him away from me," she pleaded quietly.
Wufei stepped forward, holding his staff out in defense. "The Guardians of Seriyu are not welcome in this place," he growled dangerously.
The edges of the general's mouth pulled into an amused smile as Heero also drew his sword. "You have gained the Emperor's protection, but even that is not protection enough." Zechs raised his hand as blue energy began to circle around his fist.
"Zechs."
The blue energy disappeared and he seemed to relax. Heero glanced around but couldn't see the source of the voice. Zechs turned back toward Une, who was still battling to keep Duo from punching her face. Une immediately caught Zechs' signal and moved toward him.
"Oh no you don't!" Duo gave a yell and pounced forward, but Une spun around and pulled a dagger out of no where, slashing him across his lower stomach. Duo stumbled to the ground with a cry, clutching his chest as the blood soaked his clothing.
There was a flash of blue light and the three warriors disappeared, as did an unconscious Quatre which the third warrior held in his arms. Heero raced forward with his sword but not in time to reach them, instead he ended up slashing at thin air. Spinning around he found that he and Wufei were the only ones left standing in the room; Duo and Hilde lay on the floor injured and Relena seemed to have fainted.
"Wufei, help Duo, now." Heero raced over to Relena and tried to shake her awake as Wufei moved to look at Duo's deep cut. At first Relena didn't respond so finally Heero just slapped her across the face, her eyes snapped open and she winced in pain.
"Wh-what happened?" she murmured groggily.
"No time now. You need to heal Hilde and Duo, before they get any worse."
Relena struggled to her feet and moved to Hilde's side. The symbol on her hand lit up almost immediately and Hilde's skin slowly began to knit back together. Meanwhile Wufei worked to bandage Duo's large wound. Heero walked to his side.
"How is she?" He asked quietly.
"She'll live, she may not be able to jump around or fight like that for a few days but she'll live." Wufei finished tying the bandage around Duo's stomach and helped the harem 'girl' to sit up.
Duo glanced around the room. "Where's Quatre?" he choked out.
"Gone, they took his with them back to Kuto."
Wufei frowned deeply. "Not only did they take the Priest… but the scroll is gone as well."
Duo coughed. "Damn."
**
Quatre - The Priest of Suzaku
Trowa - a boy sucked into the book with Quatre, staying in Kuto
Heero - The Emperor of Konan, a Suzaku warrior
Duo - a boy posing as a girl in Heero's harem, also a Suzaku warrior
Relena - a girl from Heero's harem, a Suzaku warrior
Hilde - a Suzaku warrior discovered in Kuto
Wufei - a mysterious monk from the temple of the 5 gods, a warrior of Suzaku
Zechs - general of the Kuto army
Une - a warrior working for Zechs
Catherine - Trowa's twin sister who is reading the Universe of the Four Gods
