Delicate Matters 1/8

By: Hotaru

Okie! Before I start, lemme explain what's going on here. It's AU, kinda in ancient times I think and full of yaoi goodness! Wufei (don't we love him) is 15 still and is living with his parents who are big important emporer king people! Uh…Wufei isn't heir to the throne just yet…yeah. Duo's gonna pop in too!

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Chang Wufei glanced up from his book as he heard footsteps. He quickly slid the book under his bed and closed his eyes. His door opened and his father, Chang Chen stepped inside. [1] Wufei opened his eyes innocently. "Is there something you wanted father?" he asked. Chen nodded. "There will be a conference today and..I need you to stay out of the way. There are very important people that will be coming that will affect our trade."

/Wonderful. Another day I will have to spend alone in my room./ The palace Wufei lived in was so large, there were rooms that he was yet to see or discover for that matter. "So, it is of upmost importance to China's import and exportation that you don't get in the way. Do you understand?" Chen asked. Wufei nodded, not wanting to speak for even he could be lashed for talking in an un-deserving tone to the king. [2]

Chen bowed before leaving and closing the door quietly. "At least he has the decency to tell me in person." Wufei mused, reaching under his bed for the book. He had to keep it hidden, because his father always wanted the books he read to be approved of by Wufei's private tutors. Books about fantasy opposed to reality were not tolerated in the Chang household. However, reading fantasy books was the only way that Wufei could escape his harsh life.

He had no friends. There were no children who worked in the gardens, or none that served the king and queen. He was tutored privately in a separate wing from the palace. He'd sit in front of a tutor and learn. Lunch was brought to him, and there was no free time. Or no time for expression. Wufei loved to draw or paint or do creative things but he never could.

/Maybe some of the people father is seeing will have children. But…even if they do, I won't be able to see them./ Wufei closed his book and hid it before walking down the long hall to the library. The soft carpet felt soft against his feet. It was a royalty that he had to beg for. Carpets would only get dirty and stained, forcing the cleaning women to have to work twice as hard.

Wufei promised he would be careful with the rugs. He didn't really know why his parents didn't want rugs in the house. Maybe too much dust, but Wufei knew it just wasn't the chore of cleaning them. "Oh, Master Wufei. How are you doing this morning?" A servant who was dusting in the library asked. "I am well." Wufei replied, looking at the long shelves of books. "You do know that your father has a very important meeting this evening don't you?" the servant asked.

Nodding, Wufei pulled a book off the shelf. "I didn't know that it was this evening. He neglected to mention that." He said, opening to the first page. The servant smiled and bowed. "If you will be so kind to excuse me, I have to prepare for his majesty's engagements." Wufei bowed back and shoved the book back onto the shelf.

Most of the time, he hated being the king's son. However, when he saw how it might be if he was poor, he'd much rather be the prince. "Wufei, good evening." Sally Po, Wufei's tutor said, in english. She always wanted Wufei to speak in English, for she said it was good practice. "Good evening Miss Po." Wufei replied. He didn't particulary like speaking English.

"You're father is busy tonight. You should return to your room." Sally said regretfully. Wufei cocked his head to the side. "I probably should but I won't." Wufei was always a stubborn child. Sally grabbed his queue and pulled his back to his room. "I have been told to keep you here all night, or as long as this meeting lasts. If you wander off, I'll be punished for it. Understand?" Sally said sternly. Wufei nodded. Sally was a nice lady and he didn't want to see her hurt.

She smiled and closed the doors. Wufei layed on his bed and stared up at his ceiling. /Maybe I will wander around. But I won't get caught./ he smiled to himself and pulled on his white coat. That was another thing Chen disapproved of. A blue tanktop and white pants were not proper attire for a young prince. Wufei pulled open his doors and walked to the stair case that led downstairs.

Making sure no one was around, Wufei crept quietly down the stairs. The 'conference room' was still a long way away so Wufei wasn't worried about his father finding him. There were little rooms in the hallway near the conference room where Wufei suspected any possible children would be kept. Once he reached them, he pulled open the doors. /No one in here./ He went to the next one. /Damn. No one here either./ He went to the last door and opened the doors.

Wufei's obsidian eyes widened to the farthest they could go. His father, King of China, dressed royaly in silken garbs, was in the arms of a woman other that his mother, Lan-Hui. Wufei stepped backwards in shock. Chen was kissing this woman with so much passion, it nearly made Wufei sick. She didn't look Chinese or Asian at all. She looked European, perhaps American. Chen's eyes opened and they looked towards the door.

Wufei took off and ran back towards his room. About half way there, he crashed into something. "Aye ya…" Wufei muttered, touching his hand to his head. "Son of a…" another voice mumbled. Wufei sat up, only to meet a pair of playful violet eyes. Before the boy had a chance to apologize, Wufei hopped up and grabbed the boys hand. He ran all the way to his room and locked the doors. "Uh…do you speak English?" the boy asked. Wufei had forgotten he was there.

"Some, yes…who are you?" Wufei replied breathlessly. The boy grinned. "I'm Duo, Duo Maxwell. My parents are here for some big important trading thing. Who are you?" he replied. Wufei cocked an eyebrow. How could someone of royal blood be so…playful and energetic and…happy? "I am Chang Wufei. My father is the King." Wufei refrained from adding, "Bow down before me."

Duo smiled and stuck his hand out before pulling it back in and bowing. "Sorry, didn't recognize ya. What were you running from?" Duo asked. Wufei was about to reply when there was a rather loud knock on his door. "Chang Wufei!" Wufei winced and shoved Duo into his wardrobe closet before opening the door. "Yes father?" he asked, bowing. Chen looked nervous. "Have you been in here since I left?" he asked. "I visited the library for a short while before Miss Sally made me return. Why?" Wufei asked.

Chen growled and grabbed Wufei's collar. "Do not lie to me! I saw you there!" he growled. Duo pressed his ear against the door. /What the hell is going on out there?/ Wufei winced again. "…Yes father I was there and I saw what you were doing." He replied solemnly. Chen pressed his lips together. "You stay here and speak not one word to anyone. I will return to discuss this matter." And with that, he was gone. Wufei locked the door once more and sighed.

Duo stepped out of the closet and looked concerned. "What was that all about?" he asked. Wufei shook his head. "It's a private matter. Shouldn't you get back to where ever you need to be?" he asked crossly. Duo smiled. "My, my. You're not a very friendly person are you?" he asked. The Chinese teen crossed his arms. "I wouldn't know how friends would act. Due to my lifestyle, I cannot have friends." He said rather sadly.

Duo frowned. "Wow…so you have no friends huh. Well…I can be your friend!" he said with a smile. Wufei looked down at his carpet. "I…I do not think it would work out so well. You will only be in China for a short while and then what will happen? We will never see each other." He replied. The grinning American shook his head. "Well, my parents can't leave if I'm not with them. I'll stick around here for awhile. How does that sound?"

Wufei raised his eye brows. /He's so daring. I suppose things are less harsh in America./ "Won't you get in trouble?" Wufei asked, putting a hand his tense neck. Duo ran over and said, "Here let me!" Wufei blushed at how close Duo was to him. He had never been so close to anyone, rather not a guy. "Nope. Since my parents are too busy to actually love me, they pay for my love. So, if they get mad, I'll simply say that it was result of their neglection of me over the years." Duo said, his strong fingers working out the kinks in Wufei's neck.

"That is a rather remarkable plan." Wufei said softly. Duo moved down to Wufei's back. "Damn you're back is like a brick. Here, lay down so I can massage it better." He said. Wufei obeyed and layed on his bed. "Don't you have guys that'll do this for you here?" Duo asked. Wufei mumbled a no. "Mm…good." He sighed. Wufei noticed Duo was getting awfully close to his back area. He started blushing. "So what can we do other than massage each other here?" Duo asked, flopping onto the bed next to Wufei.

Hotaru

[1] Chang Chen or Chen Chang is a Chinese actor that was in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. I didn't want to bother Azzie by asking her for some more names! T_T

[2] Unfortunatly, I don't know much about this stuff, so Azzie, and anyone else who does, if I give false information (which I hope I don't do) please please please let me know!