Protecting the Fox

Pairing: 1x2 (nothings better), 3+4 (nothing explicit), and another favorite 13x6x5 (ah, poor Wufei) but much later, more 6x5 though (I've come too really like that pairing and the angst and drama it brings).

Warning: hopefully I will bring myself to get past a (+ to an X) but I don't know yet. There's action/adventure, romance, drama, angst, humor (I hope), and a past rape that's hinted here and there, don't worry though, I'm not so cruel as to draw it out into one long thing and torture Duo until he cracks (not into that much angst). Set in the Renaissance…sort of.

Disclaimer: In a nutshell don't own, wish I did, have no money, so don't sue.

Chapter 3: Pretty in Pink

Relena's winter estate, for most of the nobles move from their summer homes to their winter ones before the first snowfall was on the outskirts of the Peacecraft lands, was surrounded by mountains in back and valleys in front. It was beautiful…almost too beautiful for the likes of Relena. No doubt she begged her daddy till she was blue in the face to buy the pretty penny of property. He could have made the property a little more useful and turned it into a small farming town. The land seemed fertile enough as trees and flowers grew in abundance on one side of the valley while shin high grass grew on the other. The path between a pleasant balance of forest harmony and grassy unity.

I was extremely relaxed and knew I loved the place already, no matter if Relena owned it or not. She could ruin the castle but the land she couldn't touch with her spoiled lady fingers. For some odd reason I wanted to just jump off ol' Shinigami and go running through the endless grassy field, falling down and digging my fingers in the rich soil. But decorum rear ended its ugly head and I sighed in annoyance as I turned back to look ahead. There were five guards total including Heero that were accompanying me on the trip. Two ahead and two behind, while Heero rode along side me, blocking my path to the grassy field.

Father had insisted on me bringing at least three more guards along with the few I had already chosen to accompany me. But having nine guards trail after me just so I could go to Relena's for two days was by far too much. What, did he think someone was stupid enough to attack me on the road? So my fathers paranoid…aren't they all.

Oh yeah, I'll be spending a wonderful two days with the girl, leaving early in the morning on the third day. Father had also insisted on a carriage but…I put my foot down hard and said I'd ride like anyone else…with out privilege.

So, here I am, out in the elements, the wind had picked up, whipping our cloaks about our body's and threatening to pull us off our mounts. It certainly wasn't a pleasant experience but it was far better then being treated like a weakling if I had to suffer through a carriage ride. Sometimes I think I'm not made out of royal material.

But one thing I am beating myself up over is the fact that I forgot my bleeding gloves. My hands were numb and I knew I would most likely loose one of my pinkies. Both of them were now huddled as far as they could possibly go under the blanket covering Shinigami, my horse. His warm body, though, still didn't help as much as my gloves would have.

Groaning as the wind picked up, I unfortunately had to take my hands out and pull the reins to keep Shini straight. He didn't like the wind. Made him testy.

"Here." I looked over at the pair of offered gloves, salivating at the prospect of putting them on. The only thing stopping me though was that they were Heero's. I glanced at his naked flesh, eyes narrowing.

"I won't take your gloves if you have nothing to put on your hands. I will suffer for my mistake." I turned around; ignoring the glare he gave me. I never ever said I would be nice to him. Never ever would I agree to that, yet for some reason he still gave me disapproving looks whenever I said or did something un-prince like. Nope, I like who I like and that does not include guards unless I think it should.

Suddenly Heero was right beside me, placing the gloves on top of my hands before trotting ahead. What a cheat! And they were still warm. Oh, I'll get him for that. I quickly put them on, relishing in the warmth that Heero's hands brought to the supple leather. The guard was good for something I guess. I guess I'll let it slide…for now.

"Your highness, we should be reaching the Peacecraft estate in an hour." One of the front men had pulled back, the captain of the squad and all around pain in my ass. That's right, he keeps insisting on calling me 'your highness' even though I repeatedly tell him not to. No one listens to me.

"Thank you." I sighed and returned my eyes to the grassy field but instead found Heero, eyes locked on mine. "What? You really have a problem with this staring thing don't you?" He didn't answer except he looked away only briefly before turning back to scrutinize me. I was going to pull my hair out. That look was going to drive me insane. Why couldn't he just leave me alone?

Let me tell you something. I've never had a strong relationship except that one time with Wufei…which was a major mistake and we agreed wholeheartedly that we were just friends afterward. Ah, friends with benefits. Best type of friendship in my dictionary. Anyway, I've never been allowed to…establish any relationship of my choosing before. Usually my father monopolized the entire thing and stared spouting of marriage and children and scared the girl off or gave disapproving glares in our direction and therefore scaring the boy off. I've never really gone the distance with any boy…consensually after Wufei. No one really appealed to me afterwards. I blame it on his exotic looks. But here I have this hot, very exotic beauty as my protector and I can't touch.

"Where do you come from?" I don't know why that question seemed to suddenly pop out of my mouth. But the fact of the matter is…is that even though Roberts said Heero was one his most trusted men he still knew nothing about him.

"I beg your pardon?"

I paused, but hurriedly looked straight ahead and plowed forward with my line of questioning. "If you're going to be my guard for the time being mind you, then I want to know certain things about you. Is that so hard?" Boy I'm a snot sometimes…

"No…" he stopped looking away also. For awhile he kept silent, I was almost afraid that he would never answer me. I hate repeating myself. It only means that the person in question is brainless and dumb. "I come from the east…over the seas. I really don't know where I really came from. I was brought here when I was a baby on a ship with my…surrogate father. He raised me well here in the inner circle of the king's guards." He stopped then, sitting straighter in his seat. He looked like a man on the verge of ruffling his proverbial feathers. Eyes set in a hard glassy line…almost enough to make me back off in my questioning…almost.

"Oh…so you've been trained since you were young to be in this kind of work?"

He glanced at me briefly eyes now completely glazed over in an icy fire. "Yes."

He really enjoys giving me those short answers. "Well…when did you realize you wanted to follow in his footsteps?"

"Follow?" He shook his head, the wind picking up once again enough for everyone to slow down their mounts and grab for their cloaks and belongings. "I wasn't given a choice." I almost didn't hear his answer as another gust picked up. The captain turned around and yelled that he could see the top of the battlements and that they'd be there shortly. To tell you the truth…I wished we could just stay out in the blistering wind, getting ripped to shreds then having to go and be social to Relena who so kindly would host us.

It took barely twenty more minutes before we arrived before the grand metal gates, which were opened slowly by five very annoyed and cold looking young men. I graced them each with a 'thank you very much' smile and grinned as each tipped their hats in greeting at me. A few having to hurry and chase them down as they had blown from their hands. The castle was as any castle is…big, bulky, and made of white stone and fit for a princess. Meaning it was made with all the luxuries a princess would want but not necessarily need. A handful of stable boys took our mounts, while the young men from the gate hurriedly scrambled to take our belongings off and into the castle. Before I could so much as move away a hand grabbed the back of my cloak, effectively halting my progress. I glared behind me, knowing fully well who it was.

"One rule…do as I say." Heero nudged me forward, eyes dangerously checking out the grounds and any potential threats as we made our way inside. Relena in all her pink and white splendidness was leaning over the grand staircase from above, exclaiming that she was so busy she didn't realize we had arrived. Yeah right. She just wanted to make an entrance. I groaned as she slowly trailed down the stairs, eyes alight on Heero behind me. The dress was extremely extravagant for a meeting with ones guests that was for sure. The bodice was pulled taut exposing her rather…overgenerous bosom to the sight of my men. Who I would have to watch closely in case they got out of line. I would have to remind the captain of Relena's wily ways and that she should be treated like a…hard to say this…a lady.

"Oh Duo, I'm terribly sorry about the weather misbehaving. I do hope you'll forgive me?" She ran daintily up to me and hugged me like a sister would to a brother she was made to love by a parent.

"It's alright Relena. Do calm down. It was just wind. My men are much stronger then they appear. A little of Mother Nature will not frighten them away." A few of them chuckled, while the captain took insult. The man's very touchy…I don't know why yet.

"Marvelous! Oh and you brought sir Heero with you. How do you do sir?" She curtsied then, one of those exaggerated bows that women had to do with both legs crossed, dress held high off the floor and faces nearly touching their knees. How those are appealing…I'll never know.

Heero nodded his head in acknowledgement, grunting out a small 'Hn' before going back to searching the castle. I swear the man never relaxes. It's as if he expects some creature to pop out of the stone and kill us all just because it had the possibility of being true.

"Relena, I'm sure my men are extremely tired after that long…trek through the wind tunnel you call the road to this lovely…home. I would be most appreciative if they are seen to their rooms as well as mine own." Relena blushed as she hurriedly apologized…mostly to Heero then to me. Even though I was the one talking.

"Of course if you follow me Duo I'll personally see you and sir Heero to your rooms. And Pargan will take your kind men to their rooms." A kind old wrinkly looking man bowed out of the shadows and started walking up the stairs, my men following without question.

"If you don't mind. I wish my room to be next to his highness…so I can keep an eye on him." I looked back at my silent shadow…or my once silent shadow. 'Keep an eye on me?' What am I, a dog?

Relena stuttered momentarily before nodding solemnly. No doubt she planed to have Heero next to her rooms…how unladylike.

"Of course sir Heero. Anything you like. If you'll follow me?" Heero glared at me to move it…yes I know what his glare means as I purposely pushed myself to follow her queenyness…at a snails pace. I love pissing him off. I'm going to have to give him a sharp talken to when were alone though. I'm the prince…I'm the one that gives the orders not my guard. How humiliating.

"Now, dinner will be served in about an hour, which gives you enough time to freshen up. And afterwards we can have tea in the parlor and then have a nice game of chess. Wouldn't that be nice? I'm sure you're brilliant at chess, aren't you sir Heero?" Again he nodded, eyes narrowing minutely at the repeated title of 'sir'. Good, at least something was getting to him.

"Sounds, like great fun Relena." False enthusiasm never makes its way past her understanding part of her brain.

"I know! I did have planed for us a wonderful walk through my gardens but the weather has soured that affair till tomorrow. I hope you don't mind?" We had made our way past the staircase, and one long and meaninglessly empty hall until we made it to a rather pink appearing wing. Okay, I'm sure it's a salmon color, but it was rotten none the less. I could see Heero visibly cringe at the sight, which brought him one notch higher in my book. But since he had negative points to start out with it didn't bring him far. "This will be your room Duo. Inside you will find your things, as well as a bathroom. So you don't have to go to the one down the hall. Sadly sir Heero, your room doesn't have one. I had a room for you already set out with one in it if you have changed your mind?" The saccharine hope that dripped from her rather provocative statement almost had me reeling. I can't believe I agreed to stay here.

"No. It will be fine." Heero quickly opened my door, glancing around the well lit room before walking past us towards the door down the hall. It was a fair amount of distance between my room and his. I wasn't too worried though. No one in their right mind would attack me under such circumstances…although; Relena's house wasn't exactly a fort to withhold the troops.

Relena worriedly glanced between me and Heero, eyes debating whether she stuck with decorum and made sure her royal guest was kept safe, or go and take her royal guests guard…again under her petticoats. Ok, that's dishonorable and I have no proof that she has slept with any of them but it's still an option…a very large option with a door that says it's a big possibility.

I shook my head and opened the cream colored door. Only Relena would frivolously paint the woodwork in her castle. At least she left the stones alone, I mused. "So, dinner's in an hour yes?" she nodded, "Good, thank you for seeing me to my rooms Relena, I'll see you then." She smiled brightly and darted away from my door. Yes, I know its evil and I know I was previously spouting how much I hated her for messing with my guards…that was my job alone, but I wanted Heero to sweat. Plus, since I wasn't able to do any of my major tricks on him I had to go through the back door…or code name, Relena tornado storm.

The room unfortunately was painted the same as the doors. A wonderful cream and salmon pink color. Oh joyous day. I sure feel more like a man now. True to Relena's word, my belongings were set nicely by my bed, ready for me to unpack. But I didn't see a point. I was leaving in two days and I didn't want a thing like packing and repacking to get in the way of that. The servants under Relena's care knew me well and I disliked the idea of other people unpacking my things. What if I had something hidden away that I didn't want anyone to see but I couldn't get to it in time because decorum states that the prince i.e. me, regard the host and or hostess with care. Not that I usual travel with such things but the point of the matter is…I could and that scares me. So the servants drop my stuff off and think no more of it. Unfortunately when I travel with my father that's not the case.

There was a quaint little living room with a white couch, and a pink chair that surrounded a maple table set in front of a magnificent fireplace. Relena sure did go all out. There were white carpets thrown every which direction on the beautiful white marble floor. Why she felt the need to cover them up with the awful rugs was beyond me. Then beyond that was the bed, or basically the center calling card of the room.

It was like Relena was inviting me to have someone over for some randy wrestling. The 'thing', for that's all that I can think to call it, was set up on a dais, white silk sheets falling over and off onto the floor in a haphazard fashion as salmon pillows dotted about as if thrown last minute. The bed was…interesting, to say the least, because it was one of those beds that rose about three inches off the floor…I believe Wufei had told me about them. They were all the craze now with in the inner courts. Made for quick liaisons.

"I hate pink and white." I grumbled as I picked up a pink pillow and threw it far from me into a corner. I would not sleep in a bed with pink anywhere near it. Doesn't Relena think that not everyone is as passionate about the color as her? Guess not. The only good thing about the room was the twin balconies on either side of the bed, no doubt connected. I hurriedly went to them, pushing the gauzy white and pink fabric out of the way before throwing them open.

The wind, which had previously been roaring was now a rather comforting breeze. But knowing nature it probably wouldn't stay calm for long. I walked out onto the balcony, noting that in fact it did connect to the other door. The view was breathtaking. I've always had an obsession with balconies with awesome views. I never really cared about the accommodations, only if it had a balcony or window with an overwhelming view. The mountains were on the right and the valley of grass was on the left. I could see the garden Relena had talked about below as well as the forest making a sort of bridge between the valley and mountains. I could hug Relena for this. Could, but wont.

Sighing, I leaned down onto the white marble rail, another feature I could enjoy during my stay. Marble was a beautiful commodity. One my father thought too frivolous to deal with.

It seemed strange; Heero had said he wasn't given a choice of what he wanted to do with his life…much like me. But if that were true then ultimately he wasn't given a choice about being my guard, even though Robert said he would be 'honored' to take up the position. Did he really want to protect me or was he forced to under the assumption that if he refused he'd be refusing his position as being in the king's guard? Maybe I'm just looking too much into it. If Heero didn't want to be my guard he would have said so. Roberts wasn't the type of man to force a guard to protect someone. If that were the case then the protectee would not be well guarded.

"I don't know…" the wind picked up, carrying my words away from me. I was always confused when it came to my guards. Was I so spoiled that I needed to go through them like Relena's love interests, literally, until I could find one I trusted again…someone like Wufei. Someone that I could trust, which definitely sounded nice to me. Someone that would allow me to let my guard down…to let them protect me? Or was it something far more selfish…maybe I was still a child down deep.

"If you stay out here any longer you're going to catch a cold." I can't believe how quiet that guy is, my heart just sunk like a cannibal in water. I turned around glaring at the intruder. Yes, intruder, before walking past him into my rooms. I was sorely tempted to just close the door behind me but I knew it would have done no good. The man's insufferable.

"What do you want? Did she finally nab you?" the décor was making me irritated. So I lied, I had my limits when it came to the accommodations and not just a view. I can't stand pink and white. It wasn't a big lie anyway. More of a personal fib that can't possibly be considered a lie.

"Nab me?" I fell down into the couch by the fire, glaring at the salmon monstrosity of a chair nearby. They would have to kill me in order to get me to sit in that thing.

"Yes, nab you. Did I forget to tell you? Dear me…well, Relena has this thing about 'nabbing' my guards for a little one on one if you know what I mean?" Once again I don't know anything about her liaisons with my guards, except that she failed to 'nab' Wufei. Sensible guy just kept calling her 'baka onna' before pulling me away. Ah, the good ol' days.

"No…she didn't nab me. Whatever that may mean." Heero approached the chair, but quickly decided to only stand beside it. What good was a piece of furniture if no one wanted to sit in it?

"Oh, by the way Heero. We have things to talk about before dinner. Seeing as your new, and are reining in the power that I can't get rid of you, there is still things for you to take into account." I stood, walking closer to the rather…um…muscular and lean fellow, before stopping next to the chair. It seemed like a good amount of distance for me to run without the guard snatching me and beating me to a bloody pulp. Not that he could but the thought was scary enough as it was. "There are some rules, I need to put down. You may be my guard, and are privileged to making a 'few' rules within reason of my safety, but I will not be cowed into submission. I do things my way and you follow. I don't take orders from you. You take orders from me, my father and Roberts. Is that understood?" Yep, my heart was about to explode.

Heero was presently…doing the exact same thing as he had been doing for my entire short speech, glaring down at me, arms crossed over a hard chest. Or what looked like a hard chest…bad Duo. The room was silent for about five minutes I think. It was a rather long five minutes, as no one was talking, let alone breathing. I know I had held my breath long enough for my face to start turning a rather nice insipid shade. Then he finally moved, arms falling down to his waist and head moving up just slightly. Oh, was I in trouble. I had woken the beast and I was going to be a nice juicy meal.

He took three steps then to reach me, startling me enough to take at least a step back in turn. Invading personal space is a big thing for me, and I don't take to it well. I can invade others but no one can get into my space without authorization. But this man hadn't gotten the message yet. You know those times when you think you did something right but in fact it was an extremely bad choice? Well, this moment is about three times as bad.

I abruptly found my chin captured and head tilted back until I met two very angry looking eyes. Personal space…gone.

"Wrong. You follow what I say. End of story." His grip tightened causing me to wince slightly. This was the first time any of my guards laid their hands on me in such a way. The others were too afraid of the repercussions and if Wufei had something to say, he'd just tackle me when we were out of the public eye and threaten to kill me if I did it again. To say this moment felt exactly the same as those would be an understatement. I guess I'm tired of everyone bending to my will…except my father, and giving me whatever I asked for…within reason though. Here was finally someone that wouldn't take it…and it scared me, more then I'd ever admit to.

"Do you understand?" I nodded as best I could with the grip on my chin. I knew for sure my face was as red as a cherry, embarrassment level having reached its peak. He also nodded, a short conformation tilt of the head before slowly releasing my chin, fingers sliding leisurely until they reached the point of my jaw before letting them fall to his side.

My flesh was on fire, I don't know of any other way to explain it. His rough and calloused fingers had etched themselves permanently into my memory as a beacon of what would happen if I did something 'wrong' or 'out of line' again. Which, a little voice I knew to be my alter ego supplied, you wouldn't mind that now would you? No, he is my guard and I will not go beyond a professional level. I looked back up into his eyes that were still trying to burn their way into my skull, noticing for the first time that he had yet to move back. His body heat was enough for me to catch my breath.

"Excuse me…but I have a dinner to get ready for." I slid away from him, hands gripping my rather fluttery stomach. I didn't know if I was going to be able to hold onto my dinner.

A/N: Someone asked me why Duo's a fox…well the only answer I can give you is that…you'll have to read and wonder.

What did you think I'd tell you something like that just right out. It'll be explained since it's part of the story. But it was a good question.