See all warnings and disclaimers in the first chapter.

A/N: Okay, I really enjoyed the last chapter. I love writing about this sort of thing, espionage and intrigue. It's just right up my alley! Heh. Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying this as much I am—don't think I have any questions to answer this time so on to the chapter! Oh, one thing. All pairings have been decided.

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5x13x5, 6xN (eventual)

Rules of the Game

Heero was up in an instant the moment he felt and heard Duo stir. Duo's sickness translated to his body as a strange physical weakness—Telmaran did not get sick. He didn't like it, and he hated that he didn't know what to do for his Bonded. He slid his arms under Duo's neck and lifted, cradling him close.

"Duo?" he queried softly.

Duo groaned quietly, shifting so his head turned into Heero's chest. "Why are you transformed?" he asked in a muffled voice.

"That human bitch found me out," Heero replied, kissing Duo's forehead, relieved to find it not as warm as before. "I was too worried about you to be thinking about anything else."

A faint smile crossed Duo's lips. "I'm sure she'll start divining some way to use that to her advantage."

Heero could tell his Bonded wasn't particularly angry at that thought, so he held him closer. "Don't worry," he whispered. "I'll get us out of here."

What he didn't say was, there's a reason I'm like this now, Duo. I can't speak with you mind-to-mind. Relena somehow blocked my telepathic abilities. I can't communicate with my people right now. We're cut off. If I transformed into a wolf, how would I tell you what to do when the time comes? What he didn't say was, I'm terrified, Duo. I've never been in a situation like this before. I don't want to see you hurt, but I'm not sure I could stop it from happening, either.

He realized he was squeezing Duo too tightly when his Bonded made a strangled little sound. Quickly loosening his hold, he settled more comfortably on the bed so his entire body was wrapped around Duo, shielding him from everything. It was a flimsy protection, but it made him feel a little better, at least.

"Do you feel better?" he murmured, his lips brushing over Duo's skin with each word.

"Yes," Duo replied. "Where are we?"

"Relena took us to some compound. We're on a planet now. Probably Terra. She had someone give you something. He told me it was medicine."

"Whoever it was must have been telling the truth," Duo mused. "I feel quite a bit better. I don't suppose you know where Zechs is?"

"No. When we were taken off her ship, she took Zechs to somewhere different."

Duo nodded and relaxed. Heero gazed down at his moderately peaceful face, the desire to do something burning so strongly within him it hurt. He looked around the room, scanning walls, floor, and ceiling in an effort to locate whatever strange device was blocking his telepathy. There was nothing particularly conspicuous in the room, though, except a big block of machinery on a cart next to one wall. This was obviously some kind of lab, but Heero could not glean its purpose from what little evidence was available.

Sighing, he closed his eyes and tried yet again to reach out with his abilities to communicate with his people on Tel'Mar. Distance had never really been an issue for his kind, unless it was extremely far. But there were enough Telmaran scattered through the galaxy to form a kind of bridge to their world if needed.

But he could sense no one, not even a glimmer. He could not even sense Duo, except through their Bond. It was disconcerting, and the more he tried the more confused and agitated he felt. He only stopped when a stabbing pain erupted behind his eyes and Duo made a soft sound of discomfort when the Bond sent that pain to him, as well.

"Sorry," Heero whispered, tension radiating from him in waves.

Duo didn't relax, either. "What is it, Heero?"

Heero had to force himself to calm down. "Nothing," he breathed, once more tightening his hold on Duo. "You just rest, all right? We need to conserve our strength for when we get out of here."

Though there was some hesitation in his mind, Duo obeyed Heero. It wasn't long before he drifted back to sleep, either. Heero stayed awake, holding Duo while wracking his mind for possible solutions. He had no idea how Relena was doing this, but there had to be a simple explanation. Perhaps she had some kind of device that interrupted his concentration. It did, after all, take a great deal of concentration to communicate mind-to-mind. Especially over long distances.

And that might explain the headache he got when he tried harder. He wasn't about to let that stop him. He would not let that bitch use him and Duo. Like all his people, he was tired of being made a victim. He would do everything in his power to make sure it never happened again—whatever it took.

o8o o8o

Lord General Treize Kushrenada swept in with elegant poise, his long and lean body wearing a constant aura of readiness and danger. Beside him walked the biggest animal Relena had ever seen in her life—a white tiger with large banded black stripes. The beast almost went up to the general's waist, and Treize was at least six feet and a couple inches. Relena swallowed involuntarily; those black eyes were the intelligent orbs of a Telmaran.

Quatre had stashed her out of sight until the time came to let Treize know she was here, and the woman was struck by the easy grace with which the two men greeted each other. They were very different, but each in his own way was perfect. Quatre, who only reached to Treize's shoulder, embraced the older man with a warm smile on his lovely face.

"Welcome back, Treize," he murmured. "It's been a long while."

"It has indeed, Prince," Treize said with affection and no irony. "And the last time, Dorothy was between us."

Quatre made a soft, amused sound. "I believe she was afraid you would seduce me."

Treize sighed dramatically. "Little does she know you are the seducer of the two of us."

Now Quatre laughed outright. "Trowa, would you and Wufei like to go outside?"

Panther and tiger both nodded, sending unmistakable looks of love and gratitude to their coinciding Bonded. The panther, several inches shorter than the tiger at the shoulder, butted the tiger's head with his own, and a rumbling purr emitted from both as they walked out of the parlor, muscle rippling under their sleek fur, speaking of undeniable power and strength.

Relena could almost wish she had a Telmaran of her own. Perhaps a bear. Resisting the urge to giggle hysterically, she busied herself with rearranging her skirts. The simple action calmed her mind, soothing her to more rational thought processes. Sighing, she waited for Quatre's cue.

o8o o8o

"So," Treize said, seating himself, "what can I do for you, Quatre?"

Quatre put off responding for a moment, considering his words. "Do you believe in giving people second chances?" he asked after a pause.

Treize blinked, leaning back in his chair. "That's a strange question," he mused. "I suppose it depends on what the original crime was. What was the original crime?"

Grinning, now in his game, Quatre folded his arms. "Conspiring against the crown."

That brought Treize up in a big hurry. "I knew it," he almost hissed. "You asked me to come because Relena is here."

Comfortable now, Quatre gave the general a liquid shrug and impish grin. "Guilty. So? I would still like an answer to my question."

He could see the general was angry and wanted an outlet. However, Relena wasn't anywhere in sight. "There can be no forgiveness for treason."

Quatre let his grin slide with a sigh. "There's only one problem with that, Treize. We don't actually know that Relena committed treason. When Dorothy stripped her, she did it all wrong. There's no proof of any wrongdoing. At all."

That made the man pause. "Are you siding with Relena?" he asked slowly.

"No," Quatre replied, "but I'm not condemning her, either. Whether she was guilty or not, she deserves the chance to defend herself, wouldn't you agree?"

He could see instantly that he'd won the fair-minded general over. "Yes," Treize agreed, however reluctantly. "You might as well tell her she can come in now. I won't kill her on sight."

Laughing lightly, Quatre rose from his chair. "Relena, you can come in."

o8o o8o

Trowa and Wufei shared the intimate greeting of Telmaran reuniting after a long time away from home. Away from the eyes of all, they transformed into their human forms, both wearing smiles as their fingers intertwined. They leaned into each other, nose-to-neck, both purring in pleasure as they inhaled each other's scent. Their fingers tightened and loosened by turns, minds reaching and linking.

"It's good to see you, Trowa," Wufei purred, nuzzling the slightly smaller Telmaran's neck. "How have you and your Bonded been?"

"We are both well," Trowa replied, purring, tipping his head back to enjoy the attention. "Very curious, admittedly, as to the strange occurrences of late."

"As are myself and Treize," Wufei agreed. "But there is other, pressing news. The Yuy clan sent out the son of the O'Daija. Do you know him?"

"Heero? I met him once some time ago. They're wolves. You know how wolves are."

Wufei snorted. "Yes. I tried explaining that to Treize. I don't think he understood."

"Humans never do. So what about Heero? He was contracted? Bonded?"

"Yes. But though I've been trying to reach him, communicate, I cannot," Wufei explained. "It is worrisome. He only left Tel'Mar a few days ago, and even wolves should at least contact their packmates to let us know how he and his new Bonded are doing."

"Do you know to whom he Bonded?"

"Yes. It was the Prime Chancellor Denan Maxwell who negotiated the contract, and it was for his son, Duo. Duo is even younger than your Quatre. Only eighteen. And he is blind as well."

Wufei felt Trowa's surprise. "I see. No wonder his father wished a protector for him. A blind Bonded would appeal to a wolf. I can see Heero jumping at an opportunity like that."

"I've of course been in contact with the clan O'Daija of all three clans," Wufei said, "but so far none of them have heard from Heero. His father is worried. His whole family is. You know how wolves are."

It was Trowa's turn to snort. "Indeed. I wonder if all this is interconnected somehow?"

"Being Bonded to a human who is mired in politics has taught me a lot," Wufei said, "including how they think. Though I have never met this Relena, Dorothy is very devious and cunning. And Relena is supposedly her greatest adversary."

Trowa sighed, the heat of his breath washing over Wufei's neck. "I don't like this. None of it. And the part I like least is the fact that Heero seems to have vanished. I think we should contact the Yuy clan and have a search mobilized."

"I agree," Wufei said at once. "And if Heero is missing, so too is his Bonded. I will tell Treize, and you should do the same with Quatre. Humans have far greater numbers, and their skills are useful at these sorts of things. Perhaps someone has seen them."

"Where is the Prime Chancellor? The father of Heero's Bonded?" Trowa asked.

"On Andaria, I believe. Or perhaps even here on Terra. I do know the three Prime Chancellors were meeting for something."

The pair separated reluctantly. "We should probably go back inside," Trowa murmured.

Wufei nodded, and both retook their primary forms.

o8o o8o

Relena thought things were going quite well. Quatre was a skilled diplomat, talking Treize around to his way of thinking with ease. In the space of twenty minutes the lord general had promised Relena a hearing in front of the Court to defend herself for what had happened two years ago. She was surprised; she'd honestly expected a longer, more grueling battle.

Which meant now she would win. For one thing, the three Vice Chancellors were in her pocket. They would vote in her favor against Dorothy. The problem was the Prime Chancellors. If it came to a tie, the Prime Chancellors would automatically win—they were higher ranking in the parliamentarian Court. But if even one of them voted in Relena's favor, she would win the trial and be pardoned. Placing her back as second in line for the throne, and back in a position to challenge Dorothy.

With Duo secured in a top-secret facility here on Terra, that was within the realm of possibility now. Everything was going her way, and she couldn't believe it. Her glee was somewhat diminished when those two monstrously huge Telmaran wildcats came back inside, their slow, lazily graceful gaits always speaking of understated alertness.

Especially the tiger. The beast gave the brown panther a love with its massive head, then went to sit in an incredibly dignified way at Treize's knee. Man and beast exchanged a look so full of love and fondness Relena felt sick. Then the tiger's onyx eyes traveled to hers, and she could feel the mistrust and hostility like a knife. She resisted the urge to shrink away, holding herself erect with pride. Relena Peacecraft was not easily cowed.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Lord General," she said in her most formal, appreciative voice. And she really meant it, too. "I knew I could count on you to not allow a grave injustice to occur."

"Why did you choose me?" Treize asked, idly stroking the head of his great tiger.

Relena lowered her eyes demurely, smiling. "Because you are the only one who can make this happen within the Court. I know only you have the power to call a trial without going through all the long delay-processes."

"I in no way decide the outcome," Treize pointed out.

"No," Relena agreed, "but it says a great deal about my position that you're willing to at least give me a chance. It means there's a part of you that believes I have been wronged, and I hope that fairness will rub off on the Chancellors when they gather to decide my fate."

She could see her words have the desired affect on Treize. A sort of contentment stole across his countenance as he leaned back, nodding. "I want our system to be fair to everyone at every time," he said. "You will have your trial, Relena."

She rose, dropping a low, graceful curtsy. "That is all I ask. I will take my leave of you both, to prepare. Thank you again, Lord General, Prince Quatre." With a final curtsy, she left.

Time to pull Denan Maxwell into her plans. She could feel her victory. It was eminent, it was inevitable. One way or another, she would be the next empress of the Andarian Empire!

This is quite a bit more intense than "Duo, My Pet" was! But when I get an idea, my mind just totally runs wild with it! I hope you all don't mind, because I'm so hopelessly hooked on this story now.

Heero: They're still reading, aren't they?

Jewel: You're a mean, mean boy, you know that?

Heero: Hn. When are you going to let me . . . you know . . . what we discussed?

Jewel: All in good time, my furry wolf-friend.

Heero: . . . That's not good enough. (GUN) Oh, Relena . . .

Jewel: (sweatdrop) Um, see you all next chapter. Gotta stop him from doing something rash! Heero! (Runs after gun-toting Heero)