AN: Hey it's me again! @.@ (She finally updated!) Yes indeed, I did. Sorry for the delay, I actually have a few chapters of this ready to be typed and a lot of chapters in other stories, but you know how school is…I hate it. Plus I don't have a computer at my house to work with….I hate my life… But enough of me being melodramatic, on with the fic!
Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, I don't own the characters, blah, blah, blah, they are the property of Sunrise and Bandai, yadda, yadda, yadda. Enough with the legal shit already let's have some fun!
Italics denotes thoughts
* * * * *: denotes scene change
Warnings: Shonen ai hints, some sappy-ish stuff and a wee bit o' melodrama later on…
Spoils of War: Chapter 15
"Hi, Duo." Quatre chirped cheerfully, unmindful of his current position. Trowa nodded his greeting and continued his ministrations. The slave was straddling the back of Quatre's upper thighs as he rubbed oil gently into the prince's back. With smooth rolls of his hands he kneaded the once tight and knotted muscles, now lax and pliant under his hands. Quatre sighed and dropped his head onto his arms. The milky skin of Quatre's back gleamed with oil from a small jar sitting next to Trowa.
Duo's mouth shut with an audible click and his skin began to glow bright pink.
"I'm giving Quatre a massage." Trowa shrugged.
"I was really sore," Quatre smiled lazily, his eyelids drooping as Trowa rubbed the will to move from his muscles.
"What do you think we were doing?" Trowa raised an eyebrow in Duo's direction, smirking when Duo's face color shifted to a darker red. A snort of laughter from directly behind him made Duo whirl around to glare at his slave. Heero had an amused and obviously smug smirk on his lips.
"Oh, shut up." Duo growled as the color in his cheeks began to fade. Straightening he looked back at Quatre who was donning his discarded shirt once more. "Quatre, we'd best get this meeting started. I still have more paperwork to do."
Quatre nodded and stood. "Is that what Heero came for?"
"No," the blue-eyed boy moved toward Trowa. "I have something to discuss with Trowa."
"All right then, Duo lead on."
The two aristocrats left the room and entered into one a little farther down. Taking note of which room Duo was in, Heero turned to Trowa.
"That was the nosiest massage I have ever heard." Heero smirked at Trowa.
"What can I say, he tends to get vocal." Trowa shrugged.
"Oh? You know that for a fact do you?"
Heero's comment was met with an amazingly flat look.
"Not funny. I don't think I've ever met anyone who's as naïve as he is. He doesn't seem to know what personal slaves are used for."
"And you want him to use you?" Heero raised a questioning eyebrow.
"No of course not…" Trowa turned his glare to Heero. "I've had enough of that to last me a lifetime. It's just…strange to be around someone to innocent."
Heero's reply was a low noise of affirmation. The blue-eyed boy studied his comrade carefully. The boy's brow was creased and his green eyes distant as Trowa's lips set themselves in a grim line.
"You're worried." Heero stated suddenly.
Trowa looked up in surprise, "I am not, I just…" Trowa sighed and closed his mouth, ceasing his denial.
"Trowa he's an innocent. I know how you feel about innocents. You don't have to explain." Heero assured his comrade quietly.
Trowa nodded in agreement. "I can't imagine anyone being able to dislike Quatre, he's so trusting!"
"Yes, it's a wonder he hasn't been assassinated already. Unfortunately, I find the guard extremely inept."
"Duo and Quatre seem very close and Duo is an incredible fighter. He's also extremely loyal, he'd defend Quatre with his life, I know."
Heero nodded then looked contemplative. "Has Quatre been working hard?"
"Working hard?" Trowa asked incredulously. "Other than a few hours a night that I happen to see him sleeping, he's always rushing around doing things. Meetings with the council, meetings with Duo, and meetings with his father, ceremonies, paperwork, and every other indoor job you can think of short of cleaning the castle."
"I know same with Duo, only I've been to every meeting and ceremony, and he has a desk in his room. He hasn't been outside the castle walls in a week. I think they're working themselves to death."
Trowa nodded. "I don't understand why the rest of the council isn't helping them. It is their job."
"The council doesn't exactly agree with Quatre and Duo's opinions." Heero winced as he remembered a particularly heated debate between Duo, Quatre, and several older members of the council.
"It's not as if it's the council's decision anyway." Trowa's eyes narrowed.
"They need to get away from their duties."
Trowa gave Heero an incredulous look. "You of all people are encouraging rash, unplanned, and unorganized behavior over disciplined maintenance of responsibilities? Well, I can die happy. I've seen all there is to be seen."
Heero scowled. "I believe in surviving and if they are working themselves to death I have to do something. It is my job after all."
"So you've turned this bodyguard position into your own personal mission. You and your missions." Trowa shook his head.
"It's to late to do anything about our situation." Heero replied curtly. "I am simply elevating my position. It's not as if Duo needs a bodyguard. I have the distinct feeling he was humoring me when he allowed me to keep the position." Heero grumbled irritably.
"Anyone humoring you has a death wish." Trowa replied flatly.
"Not him," Heero winced. "As much as I hate to admit this, our lives are in their hands."
"Yes, escape at this point would be virtually impossible. Even for you and me." Trowa concurred. "But this is beside the point, what do you propose WE do about Quatre and Duo's total disregard for personal welfare?"
"Well, I have to do something about Duo, his welfare is now my responsibility, however, I was wondering if we could work together on this little endeavor."
"Helping Quatre relax might be nice…" Trowa shrugged. "I won't be woken up at odd hours anymore. But what should we do? Do you honestly think they'll listen to us?"
"We make them relax." Heero replied firmly.
"How?" Trowa replied dryly. "by abducting them?"
He paused as Heero's mouth twitched up into a small smile.
"You can't be serious…"
"Trowa," the blue-eyed ex-soldier admonished gravely. "I'm always serious."
* * * * *
"I trust Trowa with my life. He's been so patient with the situation." Quatre frowned at Duo.
"Quatre, you're too trusting. I don't doubt their personal feelings, but what if their just pawns of Dermail?" Duo argued.
"Duo he was your friend and Heero saved your life." Quatre insisted.
"I know, I am eternally grateful for that, but time can change a person Quatre! I only wish I could trust them completely…"
Quatre was ready to deny Duo's arguments when he saw the turmoil in Duo's eyes. With a sigh he drew back.
Duo…
The door suddenly swung open in that instance banging against the stone wall with a resounding slam. Quatre whirled towards the door about to demand an explanation for the interruption, however, the sight of a grim faced Heero and Trowa made him fall silent.
"Heero, has something happened?" Duo stood a small worry line on his brow. When neither slave answered Duo's frown increased. "Heero, what are you-"
"We're going on a little trip, master." Heero interrupted, stressing master.
"What are you talking about?" Quatre tilted his head in confusion. "Trowa?"
"You're coming with us." Trowa's cool clipped tone made Quatre flinch back.
"Heero, what is the meaning of this?" Duo demanded, edging back slightly.
"We're leaving the castle," Heero answered blandly,"and you're coming with us."
"What!" Quatre rose from his chair so fast it fell to the floor with a clatter.
"You can't kidnap us!" Duo exclaimed.
"Really." Heero smirked. Duo glared at his slave a moment before he felt something snatched from his sleeve. He turned in time to see his own dagger held against Quatre's neck who was restrained in Trowa's firm grasp.
The blonde gasped as the cold blade made goose bumps rise on his skin. Duo glared at Trowa who smirked and pulled Quatre closer until the small body rested against his. The blonde bit back on his instinct to struggle, It might cost me my life…
Taking deep breaths, Quatre found, much to his surprise, he wasn't scared. Trowa's grip was firm, but not painful, far from it in fact. It was almost as if he were cradled against his slave's strong body. The dagger rested against his neck, feather-light with the flat of the blade pressed subtly to his pulse. And in his heart, Quatre could not find it within himself to doubt Trowa. It wasn't that he didn't want to distrust Trowa, he couldn't. Calming his breathing, Quatre quietly listened to Heero.
"I want you to write a note." The messy-haired boy commanded.
"Never, I'll never help you." Duo's voice cracked slightly as he glanced from the slave in front of him to the one that had been his friend so long ago that now held the crown prince and Duo's best friend hostage.
Quatre's heart ached at the hurt and betrayal swirling angrily in Duo's indigo eyes.
"Do as he says." Quatre commanded softly, three sets of eyes turned to him in surprise. "Duo, do as he says, write the note."
Duo studied Quatre a moment before nodding grudgingly. He slowly sank into his seat. Grabbing a piece of parchment carelessly, Duo dipped his brush into his ink well. Holding the soaked bristles over the paper he glared up at Heero poised to write.
"I want you to request that Sandrock and Deathscythe, as well as, Heavyarms and Wing are saddled and brought to the spot under the third window on the fourth floor to the left of the west wing."
"How did you…" Duo's face registered shock a few seconds before he schooled his features to angry disgust.
"You have blueprints of the castle on your desk. During the times of your many absences, I took to learning them." Heero smirked smugly.
"Why you-" Duo half rose.
"Write." Trowa interrupted calmly running the blade he held down Quatre's exposed neck.
Shutting his mouth, Duo drew a deep calming breath and began to write. He wouldn't have Quatre suffer because of him. The faint sound of brush on paper was the only noise in the room.
Quatre shifted slightly and Trowa's arm slid tighter around his waist, but still not enough to cause pain. The blonde head tipped back, resting on Trowa's shoulder and exposing more of the pale throat, almost as an act of defiance. Trowa could feel the fine saffron strands slide along his neck and collarbone almost teasingly, the lithe, slender chest contract and expand slowly with each deep breath the petite prince took.
The auburn-haired boy swallowed hard as he felt a long suppressed desire rise in him. The blonde's head tilted more until the soft blue eyes looked up at Trowa, hazy with confusion and question, the soft blush lips parted in askance. Keeping his face carefully neutral, the former soldier silently begged that Quatre not fear him for this.
Duo finished the note and Heero picked up the still drying paper. Scanning it over to make sure Duo had not done something foolish, such as try to warn the guards of a danger that did not exist, Heero moved toward the door. Seeing the message requested what he'd said, Heero summoned a guard who stood at the end of the hall and sent him to deliver the message.
Turning back inside, he closed and locked the door. Leaning against the frame, he remained silent, watching Duo who was studying Quatre and Trowa carefully.
Duo's gaze shifted to Heero who blocked the door. Growing desperate his eyes snapped to the window.
"I wouldn't if I were you." Heero's voice interrupted Duo's thoughts. "There's no way you could survive that high of a drop."
Growling lowly in his throat, Duo leaned back into his chair. He didn't relax for a second. As soon as his spine touched the chair's back he heard approaching hoof beats. He could faintly hear two stable boys conversing quietly before that began to fade. The horses hoof beats ceased and he watched curiously as Heero moved to look out the window.
If he'd been prone to smiling, Heero would have been grinning like a maniac. He just hoped Duo would forgive him for this stunt. The two stable boys left after a moment, completely oblivious to the slave who watched them from four stories up.
"All right," Heero turned to Trowa, "the coast is clear."
Trowa nodded and, much to Duo and Quatre's surprise, scooped the prince up so that the petite blonde was indeed cradled in his arms. Duo watching in horror as Trowa approached the window, mounted the sill, and jumped out.
"NO! Quatre!" Duo leapt from his chair, sending the abused furniture skidding across the floor. He rushed to the window, leaning his upper body out to search for his, undoubtedly, dead friend. To his astonishment Quatre was fine, still nestled in Trowa's arms like a child as the slave tied the reins of Quatre's horse to Heavyarms' who was bareback, as usual. While anger still coursed its way through his veins, Duo couldn't help but acknowledge how right the two of them looked perched on the giant chestnut's back.
"How…?"
"I never said WE couldn't survive that fall." Was Heero's smug retort.
Before Duo had a chance to reply he was hauled into a pair of forceful, yet gentle arms. Gasping he struggled automatically. His heart jumped into his throat as Heero stepped up onto the sill, then off. Duo's eyes clenched shut, the sight of ground rushing toward him making him feel nauseated. The impact was soft and well supported. Heero stood from the crouch he'd landed in, still carefully restraining the gasping boy in his arms. Freeing one hand momentarily, he snatched up Deathscythe' s reins and jumped up onto Wing's back. The warhorse made no complaint to the abrupt mounting and waited patiently as Heero tied the black thoroughbred's reins to his own. Wrapping an arm around Duo's waist to help support the advisor who sat sidesaddle on his horse, he grabbed Wing's reins and gently nudged his flank.
The firm press of Heero's heels to his side made Wing take off for the woods as a canter, Heavyarms a pace or two behind. Breaking through the border of bushes Trowa and Heero raced with their masters deep into the woods.
* * * * *
After riding for a little while, Duo felt Heero slow then stop his horse. He opened his eyes as he felt himself being lifted Wing's back. He stared up at Heero perplexed as the blue-eyed boy placed him on the ground. Behind Wing, the braided boy could see Trowa lift Quatre, who obligingly released his grip from around Trowa's neck, and then gently lower the blonde to the ground beside Heavyarms.
Violet eyes blinked in surprise as reins were laid in his hand. Glancing up he found himself looking into Death scythe's wild brown eyes. Reaching up with a small smile he stroked the velvety muzzle. Feeling an intense gaze on his back, Duo turned to look into Heero's solemn blue eyes. The messy-haired slave watched him from his seat on Wing's back.
"Heero, why did you bring us here?" Duo asked quietly. He didn't know whether to be angry or not. Quatre and himself were unharmed, but he was still confused.
"I had to bring you here." The blue-eyed slave replied calmly.
"What?" Duo turned to him questioningly.
"I had to bring you here." Heero repeated. "I'm protecting you."
"Protecting me?" Duo shook his head, "From what?"
"Yourself." Heero replied seriously before nudging his horse forward.
"Myself!" Duo exclaimed. "Heero wait!" the advisor sighed as the horse's retreating back disappeared into the foliage. Quickly mounting his own horse, Duo took off after his cryptic slave as a swift trot.
Quatre rested his head on Sandrock 's shoulder, combing his fingers through the silvery mane, as he watched, first Heero, then Duo, disappear into the surrounding forest. Lifting his head to look at Trowa who was sitting astride his massive chestnut, Quatre sighed.
"I'm afraid I do not understand either."
Trowa's gaze softened as he watched Quatre tangle his fingers in the palomino's pale mane.
"Well follow me, and I'll try to explain." Trowa replied.
Nodding, Quatre mounted Sandrock and the two coaxed their horses into slow walks.
AN: HA, how was that for sappy ending! Ugh and they aren't even together yet!