Mastery and Servitude;
Part Seven ~Sharing~
By Lady AngelFiren

Heero calmly set the memory feeding device down and sat on the bed, looking at the startled man sitting there, touching his own skin and looking at his hands and legs. The frightened voice came out sounding like a cross between Duo and the slave, it was weird.

"ThenMaster Duo is"

"On this disc." Heero held up Duo's disc, trying not to show that he was fascinated by the slave's fear and wonder.

"But he was in so much pain, he deserved to live! Heero, I was never born, I don't matter! Get rid of me, put Master Duo back. This is wrong! I don't want to be alive if Master Duo had to die to make it possibleplease Heero"

"You are staying, and Duo isn't dead. I have a plan for him, but first you need to calm down. And you need a name. I'm Heero now, we aren't sharing anymore. What do you want to be called?"

The man on the bed pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, resting his chin on top of his kneecaps. He looked at Heero and appeared to be contemplating a name for himself.

"I don't know any other names, the only one I can think of is Kenjii, because I never heard any other names"

"Do you want to be called that?"

"Well, isn't that kind of yours too? I mean, that's what they called you before"

"And aren't you kind of me?"

"I guess so."

"Then you can be Kenjii. Unless you want a different name"

"Its ok. Kenjii is fine."

"Good. Then lets get some sleep."

Heero put the memory equipment away, then went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth and washed his face. It was nice to have privacy in his head, but he couldn't help feeling as if there was something missing. The low buzz of a second consciousness called to him, and it veritably screamed that there was something lacking.

Ignoring the uncomfortable sinking feeling in his stomach, Heero peeled off his jeans and sweatshirt and pulled the sheets back on the bed. Blood was streaked over the sheets, and Heero remembered what had happened while he was drugged. He could smell the blood now, he didn't want to sleep in it. Kenjii was standing and staring, now naked and ready to sleep.

"Kenjii, I am not sleeping here. Lets go find another hotel."

"Would you like me to get dressed then?"

"Yeah, we're leaving."

Heero pulled his clothes back on and waited for Kenjii. It was Duo's body, but the fearful body language and timid undertone in his voice made it very obvious who was really inside. Heero watched the braid swing across Kenjii's back as he put his clothing on. He looked at the floor and tried to ignore the temptation presented by the pale, soft skin.

They left through the window, dragging along a bag containing what Heero thought they would need. Kenjii followed Heero very closely, not sure of how he should be acting in public. Fortunately the next closest hotel was across the street, and Heero checked in using Duo's ID.

They went up to their room and locked the door. Kenjii was standing, waiting for Heero to tell him what to do. Heero just said that he was going to sleep, and left Kenjii to make his own decision.

There was a queen-sized bed in the middle of the room, clean white sheets and a cool blue comforter. Thin gray carpet with blue undertones, and a pair of lamps, one on either side of the bed. There was a TV unit in the wall, so that you could watch television or play vids while laying in bed.

Heero pulled back the comforter and top sheet and crawled into the bed, once more wearing his boxers and T-shirt. He laid on his back and looked at the white stucco ceiling while Kenjii stripped and went around to Heero's side of the bed.

"Where do you want me to sleep?"

Heero looked at Kenjii seriously. "You don't have to ask, you can sleep where you want. I would have gotten a double room but its late, and all the doubles were full. You can share the bed with me if you want. I don't mind."

"I don't have a Master anymore" Kenjii stated quietly as he went around the bed and got in. Heero's gaze followed him.

"You don't need a master. You'll get used to it."

"Butwho will tell me what to do? Who will I serve?"

"Nobody. You're your own person now. I have to learn this too, I'm used to taking orders, not making decisions. In a way, we're the same."

"I'm scared."

"I think I am too."

Heero felt the body in the bed beside his scoot closer. He quickly found himself pressed against Kenjii, who was snuggling up to his side and asking if this was alright. Heero replied with a low 'ah' and tried to sleep.

Heero dropped off to sleep, eventually turning around to face Kenjii in the bed and throwing an arm over him in a not-so-casual manner. He couldn't ever remember feeling so calm.

~o0O0o0O0o~

Morning sunlight streamed into the room through the large window opposite the door. Kenjii cracked his eyes open, wondering where he was and who was beside him. He was startled to be greeted by a pair of very blue eyes watching him calmly. He looked into them with fear at first, but the arm tightening around him sent calm through his form and he relaxed a bit.

Heero was ok with this? He must be, since the arm around his waist was Heero's, and he didn't seen like he had any intention of moving it. Their legs were tangled, and Heero's hair was sticking out strangely. His eyes were so blueKenjii thought that they surely had never been so clear when he was in control of Heero's body, it must have something to do with who was inside.

Realizing that they were staring at each other and not saying anything, Kenjii swallowed and said good morning.

Heero released him and stretched, then got into a sitting position. Kenjii also sat up, getting out of the bed with the intention of making breakfast when he remembered that they were in a hotel, and there was no kitchen. He turned to face Heero with a confused look.

"There is nowhere for me to make your breakfastI'm sorry."

"Sit down Kenjii, you aren't making me breakfast. I'm not your goddamned master. You have to learn not to do that."

"I'm sorry Heero."

"Well don't be. We're going to get something to eat after we get dressed."

"Yes Heero."

"Kenjii"

"Yes?"

"Don't start that, I'm not going to treat you like a slave."

"Very well. What should I wear?"

"Make your own decision."

"Ok"

Kenjii was unsure what to put on, but the only thing he had to wear was the clothing that Master Duo had been wearing, so he put them back on. Heero was wearing the same faded jeans and black hoodie as before. His arms were crossed over his chest and he looked impatient. His gaze kept shifting to the bag that contained their equipment, and Duo.

They left the hotel room and Heero led Kenjii down to the lobby. They asked if there were any good restaurants around at the front desk, and the young lady there gave Heero directions to a small diner that she personally thought was an excellent place to eat.

Heero found the place without any problems and opened the door. A waitress seated the two of them and Kenjii looked around.

"What am I supposed to do?"

"You read the menu and tell the waitress what you want, and then she'll bring it to you. You just sit here and let them serve you. I will pay for the food, you can have anything you want."

"But Heero, I'm a servant, I should-"

"No, you shouldn't. Like I said before, get used to things like this. These people are all paid for what they do, let them do their jobs."

Instinctively being uncomfortable with this, Kenjii regretted his actions every step of the way through breakfast, although Heero reminded him several times that he was not supposed to be serving anyone right now. He got the same thing as Heero even though he had no idea what it was. Waiting for his food to arrive, he couldn't help fidgeting in his seat some, because he felt like he would be reprimanded any second. Heero noticed and told him to calm down.

"I just feel like I'm being badlike I should be getting food for people, not watching them do it for me. I keep expecting someone to come and tell me I've been disobedient and beat me for it."

"No-one is going to do that."

"I know, it just feels like it."

"Our food's here."

The waitress came and set two steaming plates in front of them, and Kenjii watched Heero take a fork and eat. He did the same, felling awkward, because he wasn't used to all of this. He stopped halfway through his meal.

"Is something wrong with your food?"

"Nothere's too much. I'm really full"

"Then don't eat anymore."

"Butisn't that wasteful?"

"No. I'm full too, we can go back to the hotel."

Kenjii thanked Heero profusely for their meal as they were walking back to the hotel. Heero checked them in and they went into their room. Turning around, there was a ghost of a smile on Heero's face.

"You're doing really well Kenjii, it must be hard for you to do this, to act completely different than you are accustomed to. I'm proud of you."

Kenjii sat down in surprise, glad that the bed happened to be behind him, otherwise he would have ended up on the floor. The real Heero was proud of him! He couldn't keep the smile off of his face, and it felt good to smile.

"Thank you Heero."

"Ah. I have an idea, but I want to ask you first. I know everything is going well right now, but after watching Duo's memoriesI think he deserves another chance."

"Thenoh. I understand. Heero, you know you have every right to get rid of me. Its ok."

"I don't plan on getting rid of you, I wanted to warn you. I'm going to put Duo into my body. With me. If it doesn't work, I don't know how we can get rid of him, but I was hoping that he would be ok if he shared with me.

"Duo hates me"

"Yes, but he doesn't understand you, he doesn't have all the information. If I can keep him from killing you for a few days, maybe just a few hours, then we could probably be fine together."

"Heerothis doesn't make senseDuo tried to kill us both!"

"He needs someone to give him another chance."

Kenjii could feel terror ripping at his insides, and tears filling his eyes. He was scared of Duo, Duo hated him. And if Duo had Heero, then he would have no problem doing something to himeven if he was in Duo's body. All he had to do was put his own memories into his original body, and destroy Kenjii.

Heero was coming closer to him, wrapping his arms around himHeero was holding him now.

"Shhh, Kenjii, I have to do thisunless you want me to put you back in my head, but then we'd be back where we started. I want to give Duo a chance to change, He was a good person before and he saved a lot of people. Without him I'd probably be dead. I'd like to think that he can recognize what I'm trying to do as beneficial for himself. Don't cry Kenjii."

Looking through his tears at the calm blue of Heero's eyes, Kenjii felt himself nodding in agreement, although he still felt terrified.

"W-What do you want me to do?"

"Thank you."

~o0O0o0O0o~

Heero wiped a few tears away with his fingers and got up, thanking Kenjii and getting the memory input machine, and the disc with Duo on it. He set it up and retrieved the handcuffs from the bag. Heero taught Kenjii how to release the cuffs, then had him put them on and take them off a few times, to show that he knew what he was doing. Heero asked him to put them on once more, and then told Kenjii to pick up the memory input machine and attach the single wire to his head.

Finally, Heero was laying back on the bed, and Kenjii was sitting nervously beside him. Heero nodded, and Kenjii pressed the activation button.

~o0O0o0O0o~

Duo opened his eyes. Something was different. He closed them again and tried to think. Where was he? Somewhere unfamiliar, he didn't recognize the pale stucco ceiling above him. But that wasn't it, something felt different. He opened his eyes again and went to sit up, realizing that his hands were cuffed together. He looked down at himself, and his eyes widened in shock. He was skinny and small, but his whole body felt like it was coiled with strength, as if everyinch of him had been laced with lean muscle.

~Duo.~

Duo jumped, looking around fearful. There was a voice in his head! What the hell was going on? He knew he wasn't exactly sane, but he had never heard voices beforehe'd never felt as if he was sharing his mind with someone. The presence wrapped itself around him with a strangely familiar edge.

~Duo, are you alright?~

"Who the hell are you?" he tried aloud, looking around the room with a frown.

~You don't have to speak aloud, try thinking at me. I'm inside. With you.~

The familiarity struck him then, and Duo latched onto the presence. // H-Heero? //

~Yes.~

Duo didn't say anything. He looked around the empty room in confusion before his thoughts darkened. // Where is it? The slavewhere is it? What year is it? //

~Its only been a few hours Duo, you didn't miss much. Before we go anywhere, you are going to make me a promise. Kenjii is here, he will unlock the cuffs after I tell him to. I decided to give you another chance Duo, after watching your memories, I decided to play god and give you another chance.~

// ButI'm in here with you? You put me in your head? //

~Yes, I don't mind, but I want you to learn not to hate Kenjii, that's the name he picked. And understand that this is my body, and I am in control here. You're on probation Duo. Don't do anything stupid. You drugged me and you cut me. You fucked Kenjii, and killed a librarian that didn't need to die. You have made a royal mess, just because you're obsessed. Now you have me. I'm right here, sharing my body with you. You've got what you wanted Duo, and I'm not going to die on you. Now smarten the fuck up and apologize.~

Duo blinked in shock. He could feel Heero clearly, like he was proving that he was indeed stronger. He could feel what Heero thought about the situation, he knew that Heero was watching what he was thinking. Suddenly Duo didn't feel so hateful anymore, he felt like he wanted Heero to take care of him, and let him rest. Let him heal. Heero overpowered him and took control of histheir body.

// Just relax Duo. Remember. You are trying to convince me you're sane now, don't do anything stupid. No more knives, no more attacking innocent slave boys, I might not even carry a gun anymore if I can't trust you. Show me that you're not crazy Duo. Can you do that? Can you prove to me that as long as you know I'm not going to leave, that you can handle existing? //

~YeahI think so.~

// Good. //

Duo watched from within, staying wrapped in Heero's strong essence and feeling safe. He felt like it would be easy to relax. Heero said Kenjii's name and Duo was shocked to see his own body peek out from the bathroom and look at them fearfully. Kenjii took a step closer.

"H-Heero?"

"Ah. And Duo. He is not going to hurt you now."

Kenjii looked uncomfortable, and Duo felt some of his rage coming backthat thing was in his body now! Of all the things it could possibly have done, it was in his body! Duo growled, feeling sick. Heero turned his attention inwards and soothed him.

// Duo, calm down. He has a right to life, just like you do. //

~He's in my BODY Heero! How can you just sit here, don't you feel like he's unnatural? Like he deserves to pay for being a parasite like he is?~

// No. Look at him, he's terrified of you. You really hurt him Duo. I know you aren't like that, you don't go around destroying lives senselessly. Come on, calm down. //

Kenjii was standing, watching awkwardly. He had no idea what they were saying, obviously. Duo tried very hard to make Heero happy by closing their eyes, overriding Heero's control, and forcing himself to breathe evenly.

When he was calmer, he felt Heero's will sliding back into place over his own. It was ok, it felt good to have someone taking care of him like this.

~Thank you, I'm sorry.~

// Ah. //

~o0O0o0O0o~

Heero asked Kenjii to unlock the cuffs. He did so, hesitantly, watching Heero's eyes with healthy fear. He had seen the change in Heero's disposition when Duo took over for a second, had witnessed the rage. But he also saw Duo actively calming himself, and then he was looking at Heero again, and Heero was calm.

"Thank you Kenjii. We're going to go back to Duo's apartment now. We'll take a taxi."

Nodding, Kenjii waited for Heero to tell him what to do, but it was Duo that came through and called a cab, then turned to him and smiled a bit.

"KenjiiI'm sorry I tried to kill you and Heero"

"You are?"

"Yeah. I am. I still need to work some stuff outbut I think I can do it, if you and Heero would help."

Kenjii hesitantly nodded, but didn't go any closer. This would take some getting used to.

They went back to the apartment. Heero and Duo took a nap in the black room, and Kenjii was left to ponder the situation. He went into the kitchen and started dinner, thinking over what was happening.

// This is going to be hardfor all of us. I have to learn how to be normal, not a slave. Heero needs to learn how not to be a soldier all the time, and DuoI don't know what he needs to learn, maybe how to feel loved, and secure. I hope we can do this//

Kenjii stirred the pasta in the pot and went to go wake up Heero and Duo.

~o0O0o~ ~ Epilogue ~ ~o0O0o0O0o~ ~ Five Years Later ~ ~o0O0o~

// Ohayo Duo. //

~Morning. Ahh! Gotta piss, get up!~

Heero slowly got out of bed to relieve his bladder, then he stumbled into the kitchen to see if he had some pop tarts or something for breakfast. Duo chuckled in his head.

~Twenty-six and you still have a sweet tooth. That's sad, you know.~

// Shut up, its your sweet tooth too. //

~Welluhm, what's Kenjii doing today, maybe we could go catch a movie or something?~

// I think he's taking his ferret to the vethe spends more time taking care of that stupid thing than I thought possible. A pet was a really good idea Duo. //

~I know.~

A grin broke over Heero's face as Duo slipped into control and proceeded to wolf down a bowl of cereal and drink orange juice.

~That has to be one happy, spoiled weasel.~

// Just think how he would treat a girlfriend or boyfriend, sometimes I just wanna ask him out so he'll be nice to me and cook for me and stuff. //

~Shut up, that isn't funny. Kenjii Is trying really hard to be independent, getting his own place was a big step, but I think he could probably use some human company once in awhile. You remember when we visited the first timenothing on the walls, all the furniture arranged exactly like it was when he moved in. He doesn't make choices yet, he still needs to learn.~

// But I thought he was doing better? We talked to him last night and he seemed ok //

~I think he's lonely. I also think he's afraid to do anything for himself.~

// Would you wanna go out with himI mean, it would be weird, but he understands us, he knows us. We're probably the only people he would trust to take care of him for a little while. Maybe we should make a move. //

~You don't think that would be weird?~

// I like him. //

~Ah. Then maybe we should.~

Heero and Duo finished their pop tarts and got dressed, then called up Kenjii on the vidphone and asked him out. Kenjii seemed relieved and pleased to hear from them. Well, mostly he heard Duo, rapidly speaking and laughing and giving Heero a few seconds here and there to inhale and maybe even say something.

Then Kenjii's ferret decided to chew through the phone cord, so Kenjii said he would meet them at their apartment later, after the vet appointment.

Duo hung up the phone and flopped down on the couch with a grin. He began to channel surf, Heero controlling one hand and trying to watch something that Duo found unbelievably boring, while Duo wanted to watch sci-fi. They eventually settled on something funny, and Heero was content to listen to Duo shout at the screen and laugh wholeheartedly at what was happening.

// Ne Heero, lets take a nap before Kenjii gets here, we went to bed too late last night. //

~Ah, didn't I tell you that we shouldn't have had that much to drink?~

// Oh come on, it was fun! I swear we are getting Kenjii to make a video of us drunk one day, its funny. //

~Hn.~

// Don't 'hn' me, it was your idea! //

~So it was, weren't we taking a nap?~

// Yeah, wake us up in an hour, ok? //

~Ah.~

The pair dropped off to sleep, sunlight filtering over them from the window. Real Earth sunlight felt so good on their skin, and Duo rolled over so that they could feel the warmth beating down on their face. Heero eventually dragged Duo into a dream, where they could see each other and speak face-to-face for a little while, before they had to wake up again.

~o0O0o0O0o~

In his apartment, Kenjii grinned at his ferret and stuffed her into her carrier, then went off to the vet, thinking about his date that night with Heero and Duo. He felt good, he felt happy. Even the vet thought he was kind of cheerful.

Kenjii got back to his apartment and got ready for later, remembering Heero's stern tone telling him to try and make his own choices before he was interrupted by Duo, who decided to babble about something for a few minutes before Heero had a chance to finish his point.

Grinning to himself, Kenjii left his apartment and headed for Heero and Duo's place.