Itooshi Hito No Tameni Part 10
"...So the Elwan advisors are suggesting that you go visit their king."
King Duo the Third could barely contain his excitement. Going back to Elwan, back to Heero...after five years!
Mueller continued. "But we know the awful things that man has made you do, and of the terrible memories that must haunt you from that place. So I have seen to it that a representative be sent in your place."
WHAT?!?!?! "I gave no such order!" cried Duo, lurching out of his throne and nearly strangling the advisor.
Mueller blinked. "Your Majesty, please calm down! Surely you are not thinking to really take up on such a ludicrous idea."
"As a matter of fact I am! Er...it would be impolite to refuse the invitation."
"But it is not official, Sire. They were merely suggesting it."
"I know that!" Duo said impatiently. "But still, cancel that plan and I will go myself."
"...Yes Your Majesty." Mueller prepared to bow out of the room.
"And I want to clear something with you."
He once more kneeled down before his king.
"This kingdom would not be half as successful and powerful as it is had it not been for Hee--the Elwan king. He was the one who repaired for the damanges his army had made, as well as the buildings and libraries that had not had attention for decades. He was the one that brought Eltwo under his wing as his empire grew larger and larger over the past few years. Now I want no more of this negative LIES about him."
"But Duo-sama! What of those things he forced you to do during his reign?"
Duo stiffened. "They are to be dealt by me and me alone."
Mueller swallowed his snarl. "Yes, Sire. But I must insist on accompanying you."
"Very well."
~*~
Duo, coming back! Heero felt his breathing beginning to quicken as Trowa delivered the latest news of the Eltwo kingdom. After five wasted years...!
"He's bringing two advisors, six maids, four manservants, and one personal guard."
"So little..."
"He is said to be one of the fewest requirements, Heika." Trowa continued. "It is in regard the possible union of our two empires. The OZ kingdom is quickly rising in power and has their eyes on us. Wufei is unsure whether or not our defenses alone will be enough, and we will probably need their help."
"Trowa."
The uni-banged advisor looked up. "Yes, Heika?"
"Prepare a procession for daybreak tomorrow. I will send Wufei and a troop to meet hi--them at the border-lands."
"But Your Majesty!" One of the lower advisors protested from behind Trowa. "What if they attack and hold him hostage?"
Quatre sent him an annoyed glance from where he was beside his lover. He didn't like anyone doubting his friend.
"Do it. They wouldn't attempt anything dangerous with how things are going. Tell Wufei that I want the Eltwo king escorted to the palace without any trouble or harm in any way." Turning back to Trowa, he said: "I'm guessing about fourteen days at most, so make sure supplies are plentiful. And that this time of year a sandstorm is almost guarrenteed, so make the necessary adjustments to that."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Quatre, prepare a suite for His Majesty before the general gets back."
"Hai."
Heero stood up. "That will be all for today I think."
~*~
Kisha glared at the maid. "Him? Coming back?!?!?"
The poor girl winced at her mistress' angry tone. "Y-yes, m'am; I heard it when one of Heika-sama's maid told me."
The concubine clutched the armrest of her chair until her knuckles were white, then she hit it with an animal-like shriek of pure jealousy. "How dare he?! It was because of him that Heero-sama didn't touch me for over a year...! Think about that, an unwanted concubine, having the FACE to return to her--his master after being cast away. I'd be too ashamed to even see him!"
The maid nodded, as it was an unspoken rule to always agree with one's mistress. "Hai. But he IS a king now..."
"Quiet! I didn't give you permission to speak." She jerked her head suddenly, sending the diamond earings Heero-sama had given her flying. "Taeko," she called to another servant.
"Yes Mistress?"
"Go call Heero-sama's other Favorites to come and see me. They won't refuse because I am of higher rank."
"Right away."
Kisha relaxed slightly. "He may be a king, but not in our land. Here, he is still a cast-away concubine."
The first maid looked somewhat panicked. "But Kisha-sama! Will Heika stand for it?"
"Quiet!" Like a dog.
~*~
Duo had went up the Hundred Steps of the Elwan ceremonial platform once before. Only this time, instead of walking up, he was being carried in a chair. His head was held high as he was lowered to the ground before the emperor of Elwan.
He stood just like he had once before, and bowed. Not as deep as a concubine would after being taken in, but just enough to show respect to the host emperor.
"Emperor Heero, it is truly an honor that you have not only welcomed me into your empire, but also sent a general to insure my safe arrival."
Heero forced himself to be calm and he raised a palm, signalling that the gratitude was noted. "Not at all, King Duo. It is a pleasure to have you here."
Duo hesitated before taking his rightful seat beside his former lover on the long, beautifully decorated bench, the buckles and jewels on his clothes voicing his every movement.
~*~
Duo nearly fell in the Imperial Baths. He was exhausted, felt filthy and was in an over-all terrible condition. He washed himself quickly before lying at the edge and soaked. Sitting in a bumpy panlequin, however spacious, for days at a time was not something to be enjoyed. His muscles were so knotted it surprised him that they didn't verbally screech each time he so much as twitched.
As much as he would've like to just lay there for the rest of the month, his skin was still as tender as it was years ago and was already starting to prune. So he dragged his aching self out of the water only to collapse onto the lush grass and basically pass out.
He woke up to someone leaning over him, awfully close too. He groaned, and a familiar, sensual voice asked him how he felt.
"Like I just got run over by a herd of elephants," he said quite matter-of-factly. He hated using Proper language when it was not absolutely necessary.
Heero chuckled. "I'm not surprised."
"Heero, do me a favor and kill me."
"Certainly."
Duo opened his mouth to protest, but found himself unable to, since warm lips covered his own and he could do nothing besides let out a little moan. Heero's hand settled at his bare hip, thumb stroking.
"Hee--ah..." Those same, maddening lips closed on his throat, teeth nipping the parts the Elwan emperor knew was sensitive.
"I missed you," Heero whispered before biting into the jugular of Duo's neck.
"Missed you too," he somehow managed to reply.
When Heero's hand began to wander, violet eyes popped open and he stopped it.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
Heero smirked. "Are you trying to tell me that you don't want this?"
Duo cursed, pushed the other man off of him, and threw on a robe. "I'm not your concubine anymore, Heero. You sent me away yourself, remember?"
The emperor glared at him. "By Elwan law it was either that or kill you." He tangled his hands in the damp locks of Duo's unbound hair. "And I didn't want to do the latter."
"I know, but..." But what? But I still wanted to stay with you? I still wanted you to make love to me every night?
Heero kissed him. "You must be starved. Lunch will be ready in a few minutes."
Duo nodded. "Alright."
TBC...
*_*_* I think this is the best chapter so far! :)
Yay! Duo's back! The last chapter probably seemed like it came out of the blue, but if you look really carefully, you'll notice that I've been hinting at what's going on all through the fic.
Much Love,
A-chan
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