Title: Of
Cats and Wolves
Author: Sol aka Zefyr
Muse & Beta: Katikat
Pairings: 1+2, 3+4, 5+TBA... hehe.
Rated: PG or PG-13 at most
Warnings: Minor OOC due to AU situations; shonen-ai;
fantastical animal/people mixes; gratuitous use of improper Gaelic; crazy
adaptations of Siberian and Native American traditions.
Archiving: Please ask separately for this fic and one of us will get
back to you, since it's a collaboration. Also found at www-geocities-com/
mystera_k... Replace dashes with appropriate punctuation.
Disclaimer: We don't own, but we're having fun anyway. No harm meant.
Summary: In a world of Creatures, Heero is a young
half-Wolf who wants only to help his adopted brother, Wufei, find a good mate.
Really. Trowa, a half-Jackal, helps, and it goes downhill from there...
NOTE:
This is a joint effort. KatiKat wrote the teaser, then I saw Asuka's art for
the werepervs, and then I watched Cat People right after re-watching GW
episodes 1-5, and... the rest is history. The prologue (chapter 1) was written
by KatiKat, and edited by Sol. The rest of the chapters are written by Sol,
with beta comments and additional muse-inspiration provided by Katikat.
The blessing used by the Jaguar Chieftain is an Apache wedding blessing, as suggested by KatiKat. Also thanks to those who wrote me after the last chapter, most of whom want Relena to get fleas for some curious reason... cryearthstearsfalltou, Sevenall, CZ, Kasifya, Calic0Cat, MayLin, Maldoror, Xero Sky, and Morgan. Thanks, ya'll make my day! ;D
The party was breaking up, and in the firelight Heero could make out the flash of a red bushy tail. Setting his shoulders, he headed in that direction only to come up short as he realized it was Une, the Fox Leader's second-in-command. She was waving a wineskin at a Bobcat, as the two vehemently discussed training techniques for young dancers.
The silver Wolf scowled and turned in a circle. Trowa and Quatre hadn't seen Duo leave, so perhaps he was around and just being hard to find. Heero's gaze was caught by another red flash, and he was off in a heartbeat after the sight. This time, however, it was three Foxes settling down for some arm-wrestling with two of the Prairie Coyotes and a Cougar.
"Hey, Heero," one of the Coyotes called, and Heero realized it was Sano. "You look lost. Not enough wine?" The rest of the Creatures laughed.
Heero glared. "Where's Duo?"
"No idea," Sano said.
"Try wherever they've got the food," Kio added helpfully. "Or stick around and watch me beat this guy single-handedly!"
"You're only allowed to use one hand," the Fox snorted.
"Maybe the way you play it..."
Kio's voice was lost in the crowd's chattering as Heero turned in another circle, heading off after the next flash of red. This time it was Treize, who was discussing sword hilt styles with Wufei, Osag, and Huisne, the Valley Wolf swords master. Heero sighed and rolled his eyes. The stupid thief had to be around here somewhere. The Wolf-boy's tail drooped slightly as it occurred to him that perhaps Duo really had left.
Why would he leave? Heero scratched an ear with a claw. All his friends are here. Or maybe... the Wolf was startled as a thought occurred to him, one he hadn't considered before. Maybe he doesn't like me. Heero froze, his hand unconsciously going to the leather pouch, slipping inside to finger the soft silk against his claws. What have I done? I've growled at him, and glared, and acted like he was nothing but a nuisance. I never even thanked him for making that bridal gift. I never even let him know I liked it when we were swimming and he... the Wolf's ears went back, annoyed at the way his mind was wandering.
Fifteen minutes more searching, and he was certain the thief was gone. The young Wolf's shoulders slumped, and he looked around for one of his friends.
Maybe Trowa could tell me, Heero thought, and then decided against that. He didn't want to stand around while Trowa and Quatre finished each other's sentences, and it had only gotten worse after the half-Jackal mentioned he wanted to go to the desert. Heero had concluded morosely that he was about to lose one of his best friends to the traveling urge again. Sighing, he scuffed at the dirt with a foot, and decided he would just head back to his own tent.
Turning, he nearly ran into a taller Wolf, whose arms were crossed as the Creature glared at him. Heero glanced up, realized it was Zechs, and scowled deeply. This is the last thing I need, he thought.
"Heero, I've been looking for you," Zechs growled. "We need to talk."
"We don't have anything to talk about," Heero said, moving sideways to go around the white Wolf.
Zechs quickly sidestepped to block Heero. "Yes, we do. I don't want tomorrow's wedding to put any ideas in your head."
Heero blinked, then frowned. "What are you blathering on about?"
"My sister, you idiot," Zechs replied. "I don't want you thinking you're good enough for her, because you're not."
"You're assuming I want her," Heero replied, tiredly. "Now get out of my way. I'm going back to the camp."
"No, you're not, not until we have this out. My sister is so far out of your league---" Zechs' voice cut off as he registered what Heero had said, and his white bushy tail waved against his ankles, a warning gesture. "What did you say?"
"I said, you're assuming I want her. I don't. Now, leave me alone." Heero stepped to the side again, preparing to go around.
Zechs blocked his move a second time, and now the white Wolf was growling. "She's the prettiest Wolf hunter in our Clan. What the hell do you mean, you don't want her?" The hackles were clearly up on the older Creature.
Heero stared, somewhere between exasperated and stunned. "I'd think you'd be thrilled to hear me say that."
"Don't give me that," Zechs snapped, and stabbed one claw at Heero's chest. "Any Creature in our town would give their eyeteeth to have such an intelligent, beautiful, cultured young Wolf on his arm!"
"You think so highly of her, you marry her," Heero barked, his patience worn thin. "You'll get no competition from me!" And with that, he shoved Zechs out of the way and stomped off.
Trowa watched Heero storm off, and turned to Quatre with an amused expression. "I don't know if it'll get that girl to leave him alone, but it's a start," he announced. Then the Jackal warrior noticed his friend's troubled expression. "What's wrong?"
"I think Heero likes someone other than Relena," Quatre said slowly.
"What do you mean?" Trowa glanced around the crowd still gathered around the dying bonfire. "Who?"
"No one here," the Lynx said, a smile beginning to pull at his lips. "If it were someone here, do you think he'd be leaving so early? I'd think he'd stay, and sleep with his foster-brother one last time before Wufei's married. Didn't you say they were like littermates growing up?"
Trowa nodded. The Jackals and Wolves had the same traditions as many felines, where littermates would spend the night with a sibling the night before a wedding. The newly married Creature wouldn't be sleeping with littermates once they left their parents' home. The realization was driven home as Wufei arrived, looking worried.
"Have you seen Heero?" His black hair was falling out of his gold hair-clasp, and he brushed impatiently at the strands falling in his face. "I can't find him anywhere."
"He just left," Trowa said quietly.
"Left?" Wufei gaped. "But tonight..."
"I'll go get him," the Jackal said, and smiled. "He was arguing with Zechs. That probably put everything out of his head." With that, the red-brown tail swished behind the half-Creature as he disappeared into the night. Wufei was left staring at the Lynx, who filled him on the overheard conversation.
"I don't know if I've said this before," Wufei responded quietly when he'd heard everything Quatre and Trowa had witnessed. "But that whole family is a little touched in the head."
When dawn came, it found two Jaguars, a silver Wolf, a red-brown Jackal and a Desert Lynx in a pile. Sali woke first, and tugged on the silver tail tickling her nose. Her younger brother was curled in her arms, still lost in dreams. Heero responded with a sleepy growl and snuggled up closer on Wufei's other side. Quatre was lying across their feet, with Trowa curled up between Wufei and Quatre, his tail over his nose.
The eldest Creature sat up, regarding the friends with a bemused expression, and slowly extricated herself from the pile. Looking over to the other side of the fire pit, she grinned as she saw Solo doing the same. Kio snorted and rolled over, and Taro muttered something in his sleep and pushed the smaller Coyote off him. After several seconds of careful moving, Solo managed to get himself clear.
"Sleep okay?" Sali grinned when they met in the middle, by the fire's dying coals.
"As well as can be expected," Solo replied, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. "Since Leo always hogs everyone's tails." He lowered his hand and gave the Jaguar warrior a measuring look that quickly melted into a mischievous smile. "I get the littermate thing, being a wedding day, but is there any chance I can claim your company the first night after the Gathering ends?" The Coyote stepped a little closer, encouraged when the Jaguar didn't move away.
"I wish," she said, but her smile faded. "I have to escort Anjie's trading wagon back to our town. And aren't you leaving this afternoon, after the wedding?"
Solo sighed, and gave her a sheepish grin. "Yeah...but it was worth asking. Maybe we could take a nap, right after the wedding?" He looked hopeful, and his sandy brown ears flicked forward.
Sali tapped one of his ears with a delicate claw and grinned. "And miss all the good food and wine?"
"What food? What wine?" The Coyote slipped his hands around the Jaguar's slim waist and pulled her closer. "We ate everything, and drank all the rest of the wine." When Sali looked skeptical, he laughed softly. "We must have, because my head feels like sixteen Foxes are doing a jig in the inside of my skull."
"Hey, you two," Taro's voice suddenly bellowed across the clearing. "There are Creatures sleeping over here!"
"Not anymore," came Wufei's grumpy reply.
"Little brother, shut it," Heero warned, without opening his eyes.
Sali giggled, and Solo wagged his tail, whispering something in Sali's ear. A second later, Wufei registered that his sister wasn't next to him, and lifted his head to look around. The clearing was empty. Frowning, the black Jaguar flipped over and went back to sleep, his head resting on his brother's chest.
"Quatre! Hide me!"
A desperate cry echoed across the morning clearing. The Desert Lynx looked up to see his best friend hurtling towards him with a frightened look on his face. Quatre smothered a laugh with a paw.
"So Heero found you?"
"Heero? To hell with Heero, it's those girls!" Duo slid to a stop between Quatre and Trowa, squeaked, and ducked down behind the tall Jackal, who simply raised an eyebrow at the Lynx. Quatre shrugged. In the distance, they could hear two girls approaching, chattering happily. Duo squeaked again and tried to curl himself in a tighter ball.
"Your tail is showing," Quatre observed dryly. The Lynx leaned over and tugged on the red bushy tail. "Give it up. They're here."
"Where is he?" Xing demanded.
"I see him!" Luyin pointed. Both Jaguar-girls sprinted across the clearing, piling up on Duo as they began pelting him with demands.
"Can you make me one with green beads?" Xing asked, tugging on Duo's right arm.
"I want one made from silver," Luyin demanded, taking Duo's left arm. She glared at her friend. "And I get mine first. I asked first!"
"That's only because you tripped him and pounced on him," the shorter Jaguar-girl retorted, yanking Duo back to her. The Fox yelped, and cast a desperate look at his two friends. Xing tugged on the Fox's arm again, emphasizing her words. "You were rude, so he shouldn't make yours first. I was nicer!"
"Please," Duo cried, trying to pull his arms away. "I can make both, but isn't there a wedding you're supposed to be getting ready for?" His tail wagged, and he opened his deep blue eyes as wide as possible. A second later he gave up, realizing the innocent look was lost on the determined Jaguars.
"A wedding?" Xing blinked, paused, and then glowered at the thief. "That's right, and I want a comb to wear for the wedding! You've got three hours to make me one!"
"What about mine? He's got to make one for me, first!" Luyin pulled on the Fox's left arm, digging in her heels.
"Ow! Two? By sun-height? It took me all day to make the one for Meiran!" Duo struggled to keep his balance, as Xing pulled on his other arm with all her weight. The smaller Fox was sadly out-sized and out-numbered, and he spared a baleful look at his friends. His expression clearly said he would get them back, but Quatre just waved and led Trowa away from the clearing.
"Hey!" the Fox managed to yell over the two girls arguing. "Quatre! Please!"
The Lynx merely waved over his shoulder without turning around. The thief's cries eventually faded in the distance. It wasn't until Trowa and Quatre had reached the edge of the Lynx encampment that both finally burst into laughter.
Duo didn't reappear until a few minutes before the wedding, but Quatre and Quinta had saved him a seat. Iria was smiling for once, pleased that the half-Fox had been kept so busy all morning he'd not had a chance to steal her necklace for the twelfth time. Its disappearance twice, the night before, had had her ready to pull Duo's tail fur out, one hair at a time.
"Did I miss anything?" Duo settled in, wagging his tail hard as he grinned at everyone.
"They won't start for another minute or two," Quinta said, and Cara leaned past him to smile at the half-Fox.
"The Bobcats are hosting," she said. "They're almost here."
Duo nodded, his eyes immediately seeking out the company of a half-Wolf and a spotted Jaguar warrior, standing on either side of Wufei. The bridegroom looked nearly green, and the thief giggled as he watched Heero nudge his little brother.
Trowa leaned over from the far end of the blanket, next to Quatre, and nodded to Duo. "It appears you survived the two girls," he observed.
The thief's expression immediately soured. "Not entirely. My paws are going to hurt for days. I've never worked metal so fast in my life."
"The threat of having your arms ripped off can do that to you," the white-blond Lynx said.
Quatre's voice bubbled with laughter, but when the Fox glanced his way, the Lynx's expression was completely serious. Duo muttered something rude and stared at the blanket. Any response was buried by the sudden pounding of drums, and the Jaguar dances began.
The drumbeat was steady, until a second syncopated rhythm started up, which was met and countered with eight singers running both harmony and melody against the beat. Their voices mingled, a swaying cadence, the light-hearted syncopation giving a lift to an otherwise monotonous main melody. As the audience listened, it became clear the interplay was more complex than the simple melody the singers had laid over the two meshing beats. Then the sound of bells could be heard, and the audience fell silent, trying to hear that faint jingle floating on the breeze.
The Jaguars parted, and eight Jaguar-girls appeared between them. Meiran was in the lead, with Luyin and Xing on either side of her. Meiran was wearing her comb, and it sparkled brilliantly in the sun. Luyin and Xing were also wearing combs, though smaller and much simpler. The five Jaguars behind the three girls spread out in a fan-shape pattern, dancing in a half-circle around the three girls, with Meiran slightly ahead of her two friends. All of the girls had their chins up, their expressions proud as they danced into place.
Their garments were dark blue, and covered completely with cone-shaped bells. Each girl carried a dark blue shawl, holding it out and away from her body, arms outstretched. The entire effect was of a chiming, glittering jingle flock of dark birds, as the girls jumped in place with the main drumbeat. At the same time, their feet nearly flew in rapid footwork, causing them to appear to float in one place, the bells pealing with every move. The shawls drifted on the breeze behind them.
Then the counter-beat shifted, and Meiran pranced forward, breaking into a wild, spinning leaping that merged with the rapid beat of the higher-pitched drums. Behind her, the girls laughed and cheered her on, continuing their frenetic footwork as they bounced in place with the big sonorous drum. The singers' descant soared higher, and the audience held its breath, watching the young Jaguar-girl leap into the air, spinning and twirling. As she landed, her feet never stopped moving. She'd duck, bending low as though bowing, and was instantly leaping into another spin. The movement was entrancing, powerful, and unrelenting. The beat increased, and the Jaguar-girls' movements never hesitated, picking up the challenge and laughing as they danced harder, their feet pounding against the dry ground of the Gathering circle.
Meiran gave one last, great leap, spinning twice. As her feet hit the ground, the entire dance came to a halt, the drums silent. The girls stayed as they were, their arms outstretched. Ahead of them, Meiran was bowing to the hosting Bobcats, panting with the exertion but a wide smile across her face. She lifted her head, then, and looked over her shoulder to throw a happy smile at Wufei. The young Jaguar-boy blinked, then smiled back, a little shyer than the girl.
There was a sigh, as though the audience finally realized it was over, and the crowd was on its feet. The athletic abilities and entrancing glittering dresses were always a favorite, but every Creature also knew the young woman in the foreground was about to become a bride. This was additional reason for cheering, and the noise went on for several minutes before the Jaguar Chief's calming motions were noticed and acknowledged.
He motioned, and Meiran stepped forward, flanked by her two friends. Wufei didn't move, then finally stumbled forward as Heero shoved him from behind. Tossing a glare over his shoulder, the Jaguar-boy straightened his formal ankle-length loincloth, visibly gritting his teeth, and marched forward. Heero and Sali followed along behind, their expression studiously blank.
"Bobcats, Coyotes, Foxes, Wolves, Jaguars, Lynxes, Cougars, and all who traveled far to join us," the Chief's voice rang out across the silent field. "We invite you to join us in witnessing and celebrating the wedding of these two young Creatures."
The announcement was greeted with another huge cry rolling up from the audience. Duo yipped with the rest of the Foxes, while Quatre and the rest of the Desert Lynxes cried desert whoops. The Wolves and Jackals were giving their high-pitched barks, and the Cougars and Jaguars screamed cheerfully. It took several more minutes of the Chief waving his arms before everyone calmed down, during which Meiran smiled bashfully at Wufei, while Wufei blushed deeply and studied his toes.
"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other," the Chief said, his deep voice easily reaching the farthest watching Creatures. He smiled at his youngest child as he spoke. "Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other." He paused, and seemed to struggle with a smile at the way both young Creatures were giving each other quick looks out of the corners of their eyes. The Jaguar Chief took a deep breath and continued. "Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness, and may your days be good and long upon the earth."
He leaned forward, rubbing noses with his daughter before turning and rubbing noses with Wufei. Heero watched, and made no effort to hide the impossibly huge grin on his face and the way his tail was wagging. The Jaguar Chief glanced over Wufei's shoulder and winked at the Wolf, a sight that made a number of Creatures in the audience giggle quietly. The Wolf's tail simply wagged harder. The Jaguar Chief stepped back, and nodded to the two young people, who had somehow ended up clasping hands. Before the Chief could open his mouth to announce the marriage was final, the crowd was on its feet.
This time the noise was even more thunderous, and Quatre laughed to see the way the new couple instinctively shrunk towards each other as the Creatures streamed out onto the Gathering ground. Somehow the Bobcats managed to bestow their gifts into Jaguar hands, despite the Creatures flooding the area and getting in the way. Cougars were screaming along with the Jaguars, while the Foxes kept up a steady stream of yipping. Several Creatures managed to get to the drums. The Desert Lynxes spontaneously burst into a traditional celebration song, while Wolf mothers began their flowing spiraling dances around the couple and the knot of friends with them.
The whole Gathering was busy cheering, dancing, shouting, clapping, yelling, and twirling about. Iria laughed as Duo dragged her into one circle, the Creatures dancing rings around and through other circles, trailing and twisting around the couple. Heero looked over to see the red tail flash past, and nearly broke for it, but Sali restrained him, jerking her head at Wufei. As a brother, he still had responsibilities. A little forlornly, he watched the Fox embracing Quinta as the Desert Lynx joined the dancing circle, and Heero sighed. Putting a smile back on his face, he grinned at Wufei and began his duty of helping his brother and his new sister make their way out of the mad crush of well wishers.
"Heero, stop fidgeting," Sali snapped, poking her adopted little brother. "They'll be here. They can't leave without saying goodbye," she added. Her gaze turned a little distant as she looked over the long line of Creatures waiting their turn to wish the couple well.
The silver Wolf nodded, his eyes on Wufei's back. As the brother of the groom, his job was at this point was mostly to make sure his little brother didn't fall over from exhaustion. The reception line was impossibly long, streaming back towards the Gathering grounds. Meiran, next to Wufei, was swaying in place, her eyes a little glazed from so many nose-rubs and hugs. Wufei's smile was starting to look strained. Heero was baffled as to how the Jaguar Chief and Meiran's three brothers could still look thrilled as the entire Gathering filed past to bless the couple. Nearly every Creature was carrying food and wine for the party, and Heero's mouth watered as he watched various dishes pass just a few feet away.
"Our best wishes for you and yours," a deep voice said, and Heero perked up. Solo glanced over Wufei's shoulder as he pulled away from rubbing noses with the bridegroom. The Coyote grinned, and stepped around the bridegroom to rub noses with the surprised Wolf-boy. "Heero, there's a place for you with us, if you ever want to see the world," he said softly.
Heero could only blink, watching as Solo stepped over to Sali to rub noses and whisper something in her ear. The Wolf's eyes went wide as the Jaguar warrior blushed and nodded. Then he was distracted as Kio stepped in front of him to rub noses and whisper nearly the same thing, followed by Taro, Sano, Leo, and Rio. The Wolf's vision was crowded by an array of Coyote tails and ears, from dark auburn to a sandy blond. But once the Coyotes had rubbed noses with the entire wedding party and left, Heero realized there hadn't been a Fox with them. He frowned, and turned to Sali, who shrugged.
"He was there," she said, knowing exactly what Heero was thinking. The Wolf paused for a second, trying to figure out how she knew, but she only answered his suspicious expression with a knowing smile. "That Fox wished the couple well, and before I could say anything, he was gone."
The Wolf's tail fell, as it slowly stopped wagging. His ears lay back on his head, and he growled deep in his throat. I can give the loincloth to Meiran, he decided. I guess I was right. The stupid Fox doesn't like me, after all. Serves me right, I guess. I should've told him... His thoughts were interrupted by Sali's soft voice.
"They're leaving now," she said. "If you want to find him, you should go now. I'll cover for you."
"But---" Heero was startled. "They're not staying for the party?" He glanced around, his blue eyes wide as he tried to pick out the Fox's long braid in the crowd of Creatures.
"Ah, no," Sali replied, her eyes dancing. "Apparently some of the Coyotes had a little too much fun at the River Bobcats and Valley Wolves encampments while everyone was getting ready for the giveaway. Solo's thinking it would be wise to be gone by the time everyone gets back to their tents."
"Oh." The Wolf-boy sighed, and shrugged. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway."
"What doesn't matter?"
Heero turned, and nearly yelped in surprise. Duo was standing in front of him, but not quite looking at him. Heero's tail immediately wagged, and he struggled to look annoyed at being caught off guard with such an undignified reaction.
"Nothing," he said gruffly, and stared at his toes.
"Oh," Duo said, nodding, as if this made perfect sense. There was a pause, and Heero noticed the half-Fox was chewing on his lower lip.
"Don't do that," Heero said automatically, just like he would have to Wufei. "You'll get chapped lips."
The thief's eyebrows shot up, and his cheeks went a little pink. "Yeah, I guess I would."
There was another pause. Duo kicked at the dirt, his red bushy tail waving gently behind him. Heero stared at the chopped brown loincloth Duo was wearing, and swallowed hard. Slowly he moved his hand to his leather pouch, undid the clasp, and slipped his hand inside, feeling for the soft silk.
This is a good time, he decided. I can give it to him now, and if he jumps up and down, it's okay. There are so many other Creatures around. No one will notice one Fox yipping happily. At least, I hope he does. I mean, I don't even know if he likes purple. But if he does, Heero thought rapidly, then maybe he'll even give me a hug, because one hug wouldn't be too bad. Maybe even two, if he really likes it...
"Hey, Heero," Duo called softly, and the Wolf froze, his hand still in his pouch. The Fox giggled nervously. "It's okay, I haven't stolen anything. You don't need to check. Look, I'm sorry if I bugged you the whole time...I didn't mean to."
"Bugged me?" Heero gaped. What was the Fox babbling about?
"Yeah, you know, pestering you an' stuff." Duo kicked at the dirt with his feet again. "I just...you know, you're really cool, an' everything."
"I'm what?" The Wolf-boy could only stare. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, but the Fox was looking at him strangely, and his stomach flip-flopped. He felt like he had drunk too much wine, and his head was spinning a little. The Wolf started to scowl, but before he could do anything, the Fox launched himself at Heero.
Heero leaned forward, expecting a nose rub, but was stunned when soft lips were pressed against his. His eyes opened wide, and he could see deep blue eyes, frightened, staring into his. Several heartbeats went by, pounding louder than Gathering drums in the Wolf's silver ears. Before Heero could react or even more, the touch was gone and the Fox was several feet away again, smiling nervously.
"Well, maybe I'll see you again the next Gathering, right?" Duo's tail wagged once, hopefully. "I promise I won't bug you too much, okay? Make sure your girlfriend knows..." The deep blue eyes were wide, and then the half-Fox forced a smile on his face. "But even if you don't like me, I like you...anyway."
And with that, and a flash of red bushy tail tipped by white, the half-Fox was gone, disappeared into the crowd.
Heero could only lift a hand to his lips, still trying to figure out what had happened. It was then he realized he was holding the purple silk loincloth in his other hand, and he nearly growled in frustration.
The Fox was right there, and I didn't give it to him, he cried silently. He said he liked me, and... The Wolf looked around, frantically, then tugged on Sali's shoulder. She was chatting with a Bobcat.
"Where'd he go?"
"Where'd who go?" She turned puzzled blue eyes on him, and looked around. "The Fox? I don't know. But if you want to catch him, you'd probably have to run. I'm sure they're on their way by now."
The silver Wolf shoved the purple loincloth in his leather pouch and took off through the crowd, nearly clawing past Creatures in his effort to get out of the crush around the wedding couple. He could hear Wufei's bewildered voice shouting his name, but ignored it. Trowa waved, but the half-Wolf ignored him, too.
Heero was running flat out by the time he got to the Coyote encampment, and stared at the remains of the campfire. The area was completely empty. The Wolf stared, walked in a circle, then turned to the swimming hole, hoping somehow that Duo was waiting for him. No one was there, and Heero's shoulders slumped as he turned in another circle. The forest was quiet, and the Wolf dropped his head, berating himself silently. Finally he sighed and pulled out the loincloth, studying it for several minutes before carefully folding it up and placing it back in his pouch.
I didn't even get to give it to him, he thought sadly.
Suddenly lonely, and certain it wasn't just the previous night's wine that was making him feel bad, Heero began the walk back to join the wedding party. By afternoon, he thought, he'd have his own few traveling goods packed up, and his bow and arrow slung over his shoulder. He'd probably hunt some, on the way home, and if he planned right, he could spend the first few days back home airing out the locked-up house rather than replenishing his stocks. And then he would hunt, and train with the other Wolf warriors. And eventually summer-start would turn into summer, and then it would be summer's end. Heero sighed and his fingers drifted back to the pouch.
The next time I see that Fox, he decided, I won't wait to tell him...I like him, too.