Author: A-chan
Pairings: 1x2 (just like all my other fics)
Warnings: Past-lifetime thingie; Lime/Lemon; ...potential sap (I don't know, though)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but this fic.
Note: Heika-sama and Kotei-Heika both mean 'Your Majesty' (the latter is more formal).
[The legend begins to unfold
And the real me inside unfurls
(The distant echo of "I love you")...
...leads me to you.
My awakening soul shines
In this other world.]
Itooshi Hito No Tameni (For the One I love) Part 1
"Kotei-Heika, now that the last heir of the Maxwell kingdom is in our hands and the land under our rule, perhaps we should began preparations to conquer the Peacecrafts as well."
Heero watched the black-haired man knelt at his feet through the rose-colored glass he held. He twirled it in his fingers, pretending to think. He finally snorted, a small smirk curling the sensual line of his lip. "Why the rush, General Chang?" In truth, Chang Wufei was not to be a general, but rather an advisor like the other two of his emperor's personal friends. However, he preferred leading his army into a glorious battle over anything, so Heero-sama had granted his wish.
"Heika--"
The young emperor held up a long-fingered hand, glittering with jewels. "The Peacecraft kingdom is large but their army small, for they believe in total pacifism--fools. It should take no more than a flicker of your wrist to topple it, correct?"
"Yes, but if we do not act soon, it may fall in the hands of others who desire their land."
"Surely that is no threat to you." Heero leaned forward in his throne slightly. "It was because of you, Wufei, that the Yuy kingdom is so powerful and all fear my name."
The general smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Heero set his glass on the silver platter held by the servant standing beside his diamond-encrusted throne, taking time to admire her pretty face. She blushed, and he smirked in satisfaction. Wufei swallowed the urge the growl at his Lord's amorous nature.
In one smooth motion and a flutter of his cape, the young emperor stood, ready to walk out of the room, his personal maids following.
"Heika-sama."
"Nanda?"
Wufei climbed to his feet. "What would you like me to do with the Maxwell prince?"
Heero stopped mid-step. "Take me to him," he commanded.
The general looked uncertain. "If I may, Sire, I would like to suggest him being brought to you."
Heero scowled. "A gave a command, and I expect you to follow it."
~*~
Duo banged his head against the stone wall yet again, and winced yet again. It was really the only thing he could do to pass the time until 'Heero-sama' came to see him. He sighed, slumping to the same dirty floor that he'd almost thrown up on at first sight--he was the Crown Prince of a powerful kingdom for crying out loud!
Duo missed his father, mother, his friends, cousins, and most of all, his servant and mentor, Howard. At the thought of the gray old man, his already low spirit sank even lower. Howard was more than a teacher to him; he played the role of the father Duo never saw. ...and the much-feared army of Chang Wufei had killed him. The young prince rested his arms on his bent knees and buried his face in the crook. He silently vowed to himself that when he gets out of this dingy dungeon, he would see to the revenge for every single life the Yuy kingdom had taken.
So deep was Duo in his thoughts that he didn't hear Emperor Heero enter his cell until the braided prince found himself jerked roughly to his feet and staring into bottomless blue eyes.
~*~
Heero couldn't help but cringe at the sight of the dungeons, and the odor was nauseating. The smell of burnt flesh, dead bodies, blood, and other body fluids Heero didn't want to think about had hit him full force the moment his manservants had opened the large iron doors. The rugged stone steps revealed by them lead downwards towards a cold darkness where occasional moans of agony and pain could be heard.
"This way, Your Majesty."
Heero hadn't even realized he'd stopped and just stared. Quickly composing himself, he nodded, following Wufei down the narrow staircase. The general exchanged some rapid words with the soldier at the bottom, and with a bow, the man led them through the dark passage before stopping in front of the most inner cell and unlocking the metal gate.
By the dim light of the torches held by his servants, the emperor could see the outlines of a slender form with a long rope of hair dangling over one shoulder.
Heero snorted and crossed the space between them in two long strides. Pulling the boy brutally to his feet, he got his first good look at the startled face. What he saw took his breath away...literally.
The unmistakable smack of a fist connecting with someone's jaw resounded through the entire dungeon, followed by shocked cries and gasps. One of the soldiers present immediately leapt forward to land a solid kick to the back of Duo's legs, forcing the young captive to scream and fall to his hands and knees before Heero.
For several moments, there was no sound other than heavy breathing. Heero rubbed his jaw, face devoid of any readable expression. Finally, he let out a low chuckle, and with two fingers under Duo's chin, gently lifted his head until the prince was staring straight at the emperor. Heero grinned wolfishly at the sight of the other's eyes, spitting violet sparks.
"You have spirit, I see," he said finally. "All the more fun it will be to break you."
"You'll never break me!" was the defiant reply. Duo was rewarded with a hard slap that almost knocked him over.
A minute later, the metal gate to his cell slammed closed and footsteps died out. And yet he didn't move, just sat on the dirt floor, hand against his bruised cheek. There was a shuffling next to him, and he looked through the imposing bars at the man watching him.
"Who are you young 'en?" The stranger's voice was smooth with a distinct royal accent.
"Duo Maxwell."
The man started, then relaxed. "So that's it," he smiled, "that's why the emperor himself came to see you."
Duo didn't answer.
"Well Your Highness, I don't think you'll be staying here long."
A violet blink. "Why do you say that?"
The man gave a humorless laugh. "None of the important ones do. That's why this prison is hardly ever full."
"What's so special about this prison?"
"It's where royalty and other significant people go."
"...Oh..."
The ginger-haired stranger extended a hand through the bars. "I'm Treize Khushrenada, former guardian of His Majesty."
Duo shook the offered hand. "What did you do to displease him?"
Treize grinned darkly. "I deflowered one of his concubines."
The braided boy looked faintly sick. He'd always been disgusted at the 'Concubine System', and felt sorry for all the women. But in truth, they didn't seem so displeased with it and fought constantly to be the one in his father's bed the most. Duo gulped. "I take it he's very possessive of them?"
"Oh yes, more than any other man I know." Treize gave Duo a searching look. "And I have a feeling..." His sentence trailed off.
"What?"
The older prisoner shook his head. "Nevermind."
The next morning, Duo was woken up by the sound of one of the guard's voices. When his eyes finally opened, he looked at the armor-clad figures in front of him. For the first time in over a week, someone bowed to him. Eight someones.
"Prince Duo, we have come to escort you to your--"
The young man didn't let him finish, and got up. "Lead the way. If I'm to be killed, then I'm going to be killed with pride."
TBC...
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