Category: Angst, Adventure, AU, Slave/Master

Pairings: 1x2, 4x3 (eventually), 5x?

Rating: R (?)

Disclaimer: Standard. You know them all by now so I won't bore you with a repeat.

Warnings: This story does show how a lot of people felt about the owning of slaves, a feeling that was very alive in this country not that long ago, as well as in many civilizations down through the ages. There are some good owners and some bad owners, like in everything. If someone owning another person bothers you, you might not like this fic. But then I'm not forcing anyone to read it. There are also M/M relationships in this fic (I'm very much a 1x2/3x4 fan.) so if boys being together (and I do mean together) bothers you don't read.

Golden Lights Part Twenty

By SilverLady

Duo moaned and buried his head deeper into the pillow as the light coming in the window hit him full in the face. He didn't remember very much of what had transpired yesterday and was glad. He had a feeling he'd probably made a fool of himself, acting like a scared girl.

A soft chuckle from across the room made him roll over. He was surprised to see Heero sitting in a chair near the doorway. "What ya doing way over there?" Duo whispered.

"Watching you."

"You could watch me from over here."

"I didn't want any unexpected guests last night."

Duo frowned a little. "Why? What kind of guests?"

Heero rose to his feet and walked slowly across the room. "Someone tried to kill you yesterday. I wasn't taking any chances on them trying again."

Duo shook his head, a perplexed look crossing his face. "Something just scared the horse and he bolted. No big deal."

Heero looked as his love for a moment. "No. There was a burr under the saddle. The pain made the horse run. You could have been killed if you'd fallen off."

Duo stared at him for another moment, disbelief very evident on his face. Suddenly he moaned and curled up into a small ball.

Heero was instantly in the bed and gathering the long haired boy to him. He could feel the tremors that were shaking Duo's body. "It's all right," he soothed. "I won't let anyone take you from me."

"Who?" Duo moaned. "Who would want to kill me?

Heero had decided earlier not to directly tell Duo his and Wufei's suspicions. He knew that Duo genuinely liked the blond slave and wouldn't believe anything bad about him. Yet. "I don't know. There was no real proof as to who could have planted that burr." Heero was quiet for a minute. "I want you to be careful. Don't be alone with anyone but me. Understood?"

Duo looked up and him. "Why? You don't think one of the others did it. That's ridiculous."

"I won't take any chances of loosing you." Heero placed a hand on either side of Duo's face. "I love you. I would die if something were to happen to you."

Duo searched Heero's face and found the truth in those fiercely spoken words. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized he had finally found the haven he'd always dreamed of. The haven promised in Heero's deep blue eyes.

Slowly he reached up and ran his hand across Heero's cheek. "I love you, too. With all my heart." The tears in his eyes spilled over and ran down his checks.

Heero brushed the tears away with his fingertips. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

Duo sniffled and smiled. "I know. It's just that… I'm happy. I never thought anyone would love me. I'm just a useless whore and…."

Heero placed a hand across Duo's mouth, silencing him. "Don't," he hissed. "Don't ever talk about yourself like that again. You are not useless, not to me. And you will never have to sleep with anyone you don't want to, not ever again. Understand?"

"But Heero.." Duo mumbled around the hand.

Heero glared fiercely at him. "Understand?"

Duo slowly nodded. A devilish glint lit his eyes as he looked at Heero. Suddenly, he stuck his tongue out and ran it across Heero's hand.

Heero shuddered. "Good." Heero removed his hand and stood up. "You need to get dressed. We're going shopping."

"All of us?"

"Yes."

Duo pouted. "I'd rather stay here and enjoy the privacy."

Heero smirked, but was already walking towards the door. He knew if he stayed, Duo would get his way. And a whole lot more.

"I'll meet you downstairs." Heero turned and looked back at Duo. "The quicker you get moving the sooner we can get back."

"Promise?"

Heero smirked. "I guarantee it." With that he turned and left.

*****

Fifteen minutes later Duo joined the others downstairs. Bounding happily up, he stopped before Heero. "Ready," he announced, sounding much more like himself.

Heero looked Duo over and began to shake his head. The outfit Duo was wearing was typical clothing for slaves and was similar to the one Quatre was wearing. The specific coloring and embroidered pattern told everyone that he was a slave.

Duo frowned as Heero continued to shake his head. "What?" He looked down at himself. "My fly open?"

Heero looked over at Trowa. "We'll be right back." With that, he grabbed Duo and hauled him up the stairs.

Wufei sighed. "We might as well get comfortable. You know we'll be lucky if they come back down in the next hour.

Trowa looked over at Wufei but said nothing. He knew there was really no need for him to make a comment.

*****

Much to both Trowa and Wufei's surprise, Duo and Heero returned in less than five minutes.

As shocking as the two boys quick return was the outfit Duo now wore. It consisted of a pair of dark blue, almost black pants made of soft leather that hugged every curve of Duo's legs and a soft cream-colored shirt that clung lovingly to the body it covered. There was absolutely nothing on him that indicated his position as Heero's slave

"Now we're ready," Heero announced as he headed for the door.

Wufei shrugged and followed.

Trowa glanced over at Quatre. "Stay with me at all times. Understand?"

Quatre nodded. "Yes, master."

"Good."

Turning he headed out into the street, certain that Quatre would follow dutifully along. He had noticed that as soon as they had gotten to town, Quatre had reverted to calling him master, but for some reason he didn't feel inclined to correct it right now. He was still torn by uncertainty in the face of Heero and Wufei's accusations. He didn't want to think the little blonde was capable of such an act, and yet. He really didn't know him all that well.

The thoughts and doubts chased merrily around in his head with no sign of letting up. Hopefully the problem would soon resolve itself.

As Trowa stepped out into the street he was surprised at the number of people. There hadn't been nearly this many the day before. "What's going on?"

"Don't know." Heero replied, watching the crowd.

A passing stranger had heard the question and stopped to answer. "It's the Feast of Treisama, one of the biggest feast days in the city. You'll want to watch your purses today. They'll be a lot of pickpockets out hoping to lighten your load." Flipping his long blonde hair over his shoulder, the man nodded and head of down the street, waving to pretty dark haired girl that had just come out of a shop.

Heero looked at Duo. "You stick with me. No wandering off."

Duo made a face at him. "What are you going to do? Put me on a leash?"

Heero paused for a moment, then his hand suddenly shot out and grabbed Duo's braid. "You already have one."

Duo frowned. "Woof, woof. What you want me to do, get down on all fours?"

Heero leaned in and leered at him. "Later."

The others laughed as Duo turned bright red. He knew he'd walked right into that one.

Suddenly he squawked as Heero, maintaining his iron grip on the long hank of hair, started down the street. "Hey," Duo protested, being dragged along. "That hurts. Dammit Yuy, let go of my hair. It's not a damn leash, contrary to what you say. Ow!"

The others simply followed along, letting Duo's voice tell them where they were when the crowd got to thick to see them.

*****

The sun was beginning to set as Duo stood outside one of the small stalls, looking at the collection of knives on display. He was absently rubbing his hand on the back of his head, which still stung from Heero dragging him around earlier.

He'd been staring at the knives for the past five minutes. Slaves weren't supposed to have or even touch dangerous items, such as these knives, even though many slaves were trained bodyguards. His first master had had a thing for knives and had taught Duo a lot about them, including how to know a fine one from one that was just pretty to look at.

Suddenly he remembered the way he was dressed. As far as the man in the shop was concerned he was just another buyer. Looking around to make sure no one was going to jump out and yell "Slave!" he reached over to pick up one of the knives.

Instantly the owner of the shop materialized in front of him. "That is a very fine and beautiful knife, is it not?"

Duo balanced the blade in his hand. "A bit unbalanced."

"Look at the craftsmanship. The detail in the carving and the way the jewels highlight it."

It was obvious to Duo that this man really wanted to sell this fancy, and probably very expensive, knife.

"It is made of the finest metals," the man continued. "Just feel that edge."

Duo shook his head and put it back. "Fine for prettying a rich man's belt, but not much else." He looked over the display again. Just as he was beginning to think that maybe the man really didn't have anything he might be interested in he spotted it.

The blade was made of some gleaming black metal with symbols etched into it. The handle appeared to be carved of a dark wood stained even darker. The only color at all on the knife was the blood red jewel in its pommel.

Almost reluctantly Duo picked it up. He smiled as he weighed the blade in his hand. Who ever had made this knife had known what he was doing. The balance between the blade and the hand were perfect. Even the jewel enhanced that balance. Turning it, Duo looked carefully along the blade. He didn't have to touch it to know that it was honed to a razor sharpness.

With a deft twist of his wrist, Duo flipped the knife into the air, watching it flip end over end. Reaching out he snatched it out of the air, please by the way it had moved. This was any man's dream knife. Perfect for close in fighting or for throwing.

"What does the etchings say?" he asked.

The man looked at him strangely. "Shinigami."

Duo almost moaned out loud. He was almost afraid to ask the next question. "How much?"

"For you. Two thousand."

Duo swallowed. He didn't know if he could persuade Heero into letting him spend that much gold on something as simple as a knife. Reluctantly he put the knife back, allowing his fingers to brush almost reverently across it.

"It takes an unusual man to appreciate such a fine blade. I can give it to you for… say eighteen hundred"

Duo sighed. "Still more that I have, I'm afraid. Maybe some other time." With one last glance at the knife, he turned and walked away, hoping to find Heero nearby.

*****

Heero was standing outside another shop, glaring at anyone who dared cross his path. Where the hell is that braided idiot? I told him five minutes, not twenty.

Just as he was ready to pound something, Duo walked up, followed by Wufei, Trowa and Quatre. "It's about damn time," he growled to Duo.

"Sorry."

Heero suddenly grabbed Duo's chin and forced him to look up. "What's wrong?"

The odd look in Duo's eyes disappeared replaced with his usual gleam. "Nothing."

"Don't lie to me. What is it?"

"Really it's nothing. I just saw a nice knife. Too expensive though."

"Where?"

"A couple shops down. Really, it's no big deal."

"How much?"

"Heero I said…."

"How much?" There was a hint of iron in Heero's voice.

Duo looked down. "Eighteen hundred."

"Was it worth it?"

"Yeah. It was a really nice piece of work."

Heero nodded. "Then let's go and get it."

Duo started to shake his head. "Its way to expensive. It's just a knife."

"That you want. That's all I need to know." He started to walk down the street, back the way Duo had come. "You should know…."

Duo looked up at the odd creaking sound that suddenly trickled through the sounds of the crowd. To his shock and dismay he realized that the small empty stall that Heero was passing had begun to sway ominously. "Heero! Look out!"

Heero looked up and realized the danger he was in. Without a second thought, Heero flung himself to one side, just as the walls of the stall collapsed into the space he'd just been in.

Duo dashed over to where Heero had landed. "Are you okay?" he asked, running his hands over Heero as he checked for injuries.

"I'm fine," Heero reassured him. "Though I won't be if you keep that up," he muttered under his breath.

Duo glanced down and blushed as he realized just what was happening. "Sorry."

"Are you all right?" Trowa's anxious voice came from one side. He and Wufei were pushing though the crowd to get to Heero.

Heero was already standing up and brushing himself off. "I'm fine."

Duo was looking at the remains of the stall. He shuddered to think about what could have happened if Heero hadn't managed to get out of the way in time. "You could have been killed," he choked out in a tight voice.

Heero pulled Duo close, not caring what the crowd that had gathered thought. "I'm fine. No harm done."

Suddenly Wufei looked around. "Where's Quatre?"

Trowa started. "He was right here."

Just then Quatre pushed his way through the crowd. "What happened?"

Wufei glared at the blonde. "As if you didn't know?" he answered acidly, nodding to the dirt on Quatre's hands.

Quatre looked down and blushed. "I was looking at potatoes and they were rather dirty."

"I told you to stay with me," Trowa's voice was flat.

Quatre blinked. "I thought you saw me, master."

Trowa only watched the boy, saying nothing. Is he telling the truth or did he just try and kill another one of us?