Authors: Snow Tigra and SkyLark
Rating: R
Pairing: 1x2, 3x4, OCx5, and many others from the first fic
Warnings: magic, tattoos, hunting, fantasy and blood
Spoilers: nope, this is an AU folks
Archive: Fanfiction.net
Marked for Blood Part 1
"How many are at the castle?"
"Three that I know of."
"Any hidden?"
"No."
"Any news on where the rest of them live?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"Then we must be patient."
"Yes."
~*~
Tree branches rustled overhead, causing the sunlight to move across the forest floor in patterns of living light. The light itself seemed alive as it danced over the ground, plants and people moving about their lives. Duo, the former Shadow, raised his hand to shield his eyes as he peered around the new clan home.
A year after the events that had brought him here with his new friends, he'd succeeded in finding a new home filled with many people who had no intention of ignoring them. He'd earned their trust long ago, and they'd earned his. Now, as he helped them to rebuild, he was seen as one of them, despite the lack of tattoos on his body. To his delight he was also allowed to let his hair run free among them and now it was rarely found in a braid, instead swimming around his head like a separate living creature. That constant movement behind him took some getting used to, but more then once it had become quite helpful. Now was not an exception, as it helped to keep him steady by anchoring him to a branch while he leaned off the tree to survey the roof of the new meeting building.
"Duo! How's the roof look?"
Duo turned at the voice and glanced down, a grin growing across his face as he spotted its source. A certain blond was standing below him with a bright smile. Pulling himself back toward the branch he waited patiently for the strands of his hair to de-tangle themselves, then jumped to the ground next to Quatre.
"Looks fine to me, and it seems to be holding quite well after last night's storm. They sure know how to build a house. I never would have thought that something made of sticks and leaves could hold up so well."
Quatre nodded his agreement. "You have some free time?"
Duo raised an eyebrow. "Something up?"
The half-breed shook his head. "No, just wanted to take a break and walk around with someone, that's all."
"Sure, I'm free until Heero gets back. Talk away Q-man." Duo said with a grin. Quatre smiled back at him and the two moved away from the building, walking around the clan home of the Marked Ones as they chatted idly about random things.
In the year that had passed some very interesting changes had taken place for Quatre. He certainly wasn't the same person who'd tried to steal their saddle packs on the journey. In very recent months, as he'd grown older, his Izardl side seemed to be taking more of a dominant role. While he and Duo were both growing taller with age -- like any teenager would -- Quatre had started showing other things.
For example, scales had actually started to appear around his body in scattered clusters. Mostly they'd grown over the scars on his legs from the Burnings, completely covering a good portion of the skin from his ankles to his knees. Otherwise the larger clusters had also begun to grow within his blond hair, succeeding in catching the sunlight and nearly always shimmering as a result. His scales were nearly iridescent with a small green tint, so they were easy to miss in the right conditions and if he chose to hide them.
Aside from the scales, his eyes had taken on a few reptilian-like aspects. If one looked close enough they could see that his pupils were just slightly longer then most, resembling a lizard's eyes or that of a large feline. Thanks to this trait Quatre's night vision had improved immensely and he'd been assigned as one of the many who watched the clan home during different times of the night.
As they talked and moved through the village, Duo's mind went to himself. He realized that Quatre wasn't the only who'd changed lately. Duo found himself to be changing as well, but not in the physical sense, and he certainly wasn't complaining about it. Mostly he'd just adapted to his new life among the Marked Ones. He wasn't afraid that people would ignore him any more and he had finally gotten used to asking others for help when he needed it, instead of solving the problem on his own. And he'd gotten very used to someone being very close to him, loving him no less. Yes, it was a life he enjoyed immensely and wouldn't trade for anything.
"Can I see it?"
Duo blinked and summoned his mind back to the current conversation. He and Quatre had paused in step near a small cluster of children ho were gathered around Hijiri as he recounted one of their many adventures in the castle. "See it?"
Quatre chuckled. "The necklace, silly. What else have we been talking about the last few minutes?"
Duo shook his head and flashed a slightly embarrassed smile. "Sorry, my mind was wandering there for a moment." Reaching into his shirt he pulled out the now very familiar chain so that Quatre could see.
The necklace was only a recent addition, a gift from Heero. In the culture of the Marked Ones they were called Promise Necklaces and were only recently coming back into practice. Previous to Duo's, the only ones that had existed were the ones which Brei and Yuki wore around their necks, because up until now they were practically forbidden. The idea was that a Marked One would have the necklace tattooed on their skin, then take the tattoo off and give it to whomever they loved most and wanted to spend their life with. The result of giving the tattoo to someone else left a permanent scar around their necks and some even said that it created a connection between the two lovers that couldn't be broken, not even in death.
Quatre leaned forward to look at the necklace. The design was simple, yet beautiful in its simplicity. Merely a chain of the familiar red metal which Marked tattoos became away from skin, it curved seamlessly around Duo's neck, blending behind his neck with his gently shifting hair.
"It's beautiful."
Duo smiled in agreement as he placed it back under his shirt, where it could rest against his skin. It wasn't that he hid it, but he liked to feel it against his skin, where it was a slightly warm and welcome weight.
"Speaking of which, where is Heero?"
"Out on patrol of the boarder, he should be back any time." Duo raised an eyebrow and glanced back at Quatre. "What about Trowa? Now that I think about it, this is the first time I haven't seen you two side by side in a long while. Thought you guys were attached at the hip or something." Duo smirked at Quatre with an expectant look.
Quatre frowned slightly. "He's asleep, in the main hut."
That got a reaction out of Duo who joined Quatre in frowning. "Sleeping?" The current leader of the Marked Ones almost never slept in. In fact, almost none of the Marked Ones did, most of them rose soon after the sun was in the sky. That had taken Duo some getting used to, though it hadn't seemed to bother Quatre in the slightest.
Quatre nodded but banished his worried expression. "Guess he was just tired."
Duo's eyes widened as he remembered something. A smile crept across his face as he remembered that Quatre and Trowa had been out late the night before, by themselves. Considering that all the Marked Ones slept in the same building, side by side, if a couple wanted to do 'other things' they would have to find their own private time and space. Duo's smile moved into a smirk as he jokingly hit Quatre in the shoulder. "You little mischievous imp, you."
"What?!" Quatre's eyes widened in realization at what Duo was getting at. "No! I didn't mean like that! Honest!"
"Then why are you blushing?"
"Am not!" Quatre turned away to hide the obvious red crossing his cheeks as Duo leaned back against a tree and laughed. Even after a year of him and Trowa being together, the blond was still so innocent and cute about it. Duo never missed a chance to bring it up, it was just too much fun to pass up.
Tree branches moved above Duo and he smiled, he didn't need to look up to know who was there. With barely a sound Heero dropped down beside them and replaced the weapons he'd been holding back onto his skin, where the tattoos flowed back to their normal spaces. Duo smiled brightly and wrapped his arms around Heero.
"Welcome back," he said.
Heero responded by giving him a small kiss on the side of the neck, his usual greeting.
By this time Quatre had recovered from his mild embarrassment and the red was gone from his cheeks... mostly. He smiled at Heero and took a few steps back. "Well, I'll let you two alone. See you tonight." With those words he turned and disappeared into the trees to attend to other things and to get away from Duo's teasing.
Meanwhile Heero took Duo's hand and pulled him farther back into the brush where they were out of sight from prying eyes. Without any protest he pushed Duo against a tree and proceeded to kiss him deeply. Duo made no move to stop him and kissed back just as forcefully, moaning in delight.
"Glad to see me?" Duo breathed out after they'd both caught their breaths.
"Always," Heero replied as he laid a few kisses down the side of Duo's neck. The former Shadow leaned his head back and smiled at the treatment, responding by letting his hands wander over Heero's bare back. He loved the fact that Heero almost never wore a shirt.
Heero stepped back and caught one of those hands, kissing it gently. Duo smiled and pulled him back for one more kiss, then relented and straightened himself so he wasn't leaning against the tree.
"Do we get to continue this later?" Duo breathed into Heero's ear.
"I have to make my report to Trowa. Then we have all the time we want."
Duo grinned. "Can't wait."
Holding hands the two emerged from the trees and headed for the main sleeping house to speak with the leader of the Marked Ones. Only as they walked did Duo notice a small cut across Heero's shoulder, but he passed it off as nothing. After all, it was quite common for Marked Ones to return from patrol with such small cuts. No matter how much time someone spent living in the woods, it was impossible to avoid all cuts and bruises from the trees. So it was nothing.
Really, nothing.
~*~
Despite feelings in the woods, back at Wufei's kingdom things weren't going nearly as smoothly. Over the course of the year that had passed, feelings in the surrounding territory had been heating up. It seemed that hoping for the humans to accept Marked Ones again was not going nearly as smoothly as anyone had planned. In fact, if anything, things were getting worse.
Yuki pushed the door open slowly and stepped into the meeting room, shutting the wooden door behind her with as little sound as possible. Beyond her, sitting at the table, the royal family was already deep in discussion with their advisors. Brei cast her a worried look from where she stood near the door and Yuki frowned. If Brei was frowning like that, things definitely weren't going well.
Sitting next to her husband at the head of the table, Annah rubbed her forehead with a look of annoyance and fatigue. The meeting had only just started moments ago, but already it felt like hours had passed and nothing was getting done. However, results were hardly expected when this discussion was merely an echo of arguments that had taken place millions of times before.
"Highness," began one of the advisors. "The situation over your wife is growing out of hand. The people simply have not adjusted to a Marked One standing beside you."
"At this rate, it seems they will never agree," interjected another advisor.
The king frowned deeply at all of them. He'd heard this argument dozens of times before and Yuki could tell it was wearing on his patience as well. Rubbing his temples a few times he frowned in thought, attempting to come up a solution. But solutions had evaded them for a year and there wasn't any sign of any showing up now.
Annah, on the other hand, was not content to just sit and ponder the current situation. She spoke with a firm voice, showing her frustration and standing on the situation. "I'm not about to end my marriage with Wufei just because a few people are upset that two races happen to share the same bed."
The first advisor shook his head. "You misunderstand us. We had no intention of suggesting that you two be separated."
"It is not just a few people, Highness. Perhaps..."
"No." Wufei cut off that thought before the advisor could finish, his eyes icy in threat.
"Highness, please consider for a moment-"
"I said no. I thought I'd made it clear that our separating was a last resort, a very last resort."
The advisor tried again. "Perhaps, a separation would be best. To make everyone happy."
"Absolutely out of the question!" The queen stood up from her seat and hit both fists on the table in anger. "I will not leave this castle just to give in to old fears that we all know are completely irrational!"
From behind the group Brei jumped back at her sister's out burst. "Oh man, they pissed her off." She whispered softly, so only Yuki could hear.
Wufei sighed gently and reached over, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder. The entire table remained silent as he quietly urged her to sit back down. Once she did, he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. After a moment he turned back to everyone else.
"Hiding from the problem will change nothing, we simply must come up with another solution."
Silence filled the room again. Many of the advisors fidgeted in their seats while others frowned deeply in thought and frustration. Behind them all Yuki sighed. These meetings were getting them nowhere and she'd sat through one too many of them. She and Brei, not to mention a good number of people in the castle, had seen just how angry the current situation was making the townspeople. If things weren't fixed soon, the results could get out of hand, to a point that no one could fix.
Frowning deeply to herself she took a step forward. She almost never spoke up at meetings like this; it wasn't her place as a King's Protector. But it was her place to protect the king and her queen. If the current situation erupted in the way she feared it might, her job would suddenly become that much harder. So, for once, she decided to voice her thoughts on the matter.
"As much as I hate to admit is," Yuki said softly, yet firmly. Everyone turned to face her. "Perhaps this change was made far too quickly. No one was given time to adjust."
Annah sagged slightly in her chair. "Yuki, do you really think that if this happened a hundred years from now, the marriage would really be accepted?"
Yuki shrugged lightly. "Maybe. Maybe not. All I'm saying is that perhaps we moved too quickly. We should have allowed them more time to adjust to the current situation."
The second advisor spoke up quickly, his smile showing exactly how happy he was that someone else seemed to agree with him. "I agree with Yuki. Thankfully, someone here has a good head on her shoulders." His eyes brightened. "It's a shame his highness could not find a mate like you in a human girl."
Yuki's eyes immediately narrowed at him, but she said nothing.
Wufei shook his head. "Enough! Annah is my wife, and that will not change. If she were from another kingdom and this were a marriage for treaty purposes none of you would ever dare say such things."
Several advisors opened their mouths, but Wufei cut them off by standing up and waving his hand in a swift motion. "We will continue this when any you feel that you have come up with better ideas. But since there are none at the moment this meeting is over."
Despite protests the king had spoken and all the occupants in the room seemed to realize he would not budge on this subject, for better or for worse. Each rose without saying a word and headed for the door. Many cast distasteful glances at the Marked Ones as they left. The one who had agreed with Yuki cast her a smile of satisfaction and she glared at him fiercely, resolving next time to keep her mouth shut.
Annah groaned softly and dropped her head into her hands at the table in exhaustion. Wufei turned to her and gave her a hug for support and comfort before standing up. "We'll get through this, love," he said softly in her ear.
She nodded and squeezed his hand. "Of course, I know."
A single advisor remained in the room. He waited silently for a moment, then stepped up to Wufei and cleared his throat to gain their attention. Wufei glanced up.
"Yes Iason, what is it?"
"May I have a few words with you, highness?"
Wufei sighed. Leaning down he kissed Annah on the cheek then turned back to the advisor and nodded. Both headed for the door, speaking in hushed voices. Annah glanced up from where she sat and watched them walk away and out the door, the sadness clear on her face. For a second she met Yuki's eyes, then looked away.
"Umm... I should go make sure they don't try to work him up about this." Brei said quickly and Yuki thought she must have noticed that small look. Turning, she rushed out after the king and his advisor, falling into step behind them as they disappeared down the hall.
Left alone in the room, Yuki glanced to Annah for a moment, then turned as well, preparing to leave and make her rounds of the castle. Her mind drifted to checking out the town as well, if time permitted. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to walk around down there in disguise and see what people were discussing. If they were planning anything-
"You think this was a mistake, don't you?"
Yuki's head lifted up and she paused before the door, her back to Annah. Without turning around she nodded slowly. "Yes, I do."
Behind her she could hear the queen rise slowly from her chair. "Not just the marriage, but my being queen, a leader." It was more a statement then a question.
Statement or question, though, it was true. Yuki winced just slightly and sighed. "Annah, don't take this the wrong way, please. Had he been anyone else I would have no objection. But Wufei is a king. And a king isn't allowed to put himself before his people... not matter who or what is involved."
"You didn't answer my question." Annah said softly.
Giving another sigh Yuki finally turned around and regarded Brei's sister with serious eyes. "You aren't the type for the job."
Pain reflected in Annah's eyes at that statement and Yuki immediately regretted the harshness of her words and tone. But she doesn't move to retract them, because like it or not they needed to be said by someone. Annah needed to know the truth, even if it wasn't pleasant, Yuki just hated to be the one to deliver it. After a moment Annah nods slowly.
"I could tell you never approved of me to guide others. You haven't exactly been hiding your feelings on this."
"Annah, I can tell you two love each other, anyone can. But from a political perspective this was a huge mistake."
Annah shook her head and her voice raised a little. "For someone who faced judgement for her own love, you certainly are quick to judge what Wufei and I share. What makes it any different from you and my sister?"
"This isn't about love! We're talking about a country here. Had you two just been a simple couple I wouldn't even consider saying anything. But this isn't just about you two."
"I understand that!" Annah yelled back, leaning over the table. "Of course I understand that, Yuki! But you certainly never showed me any kind of respect as such. I didn't walk into this marriage and position with blinders on!"
Yuki frowned. "Are you so sure? Blinders or not, Annah, this was and is a bad idea. Both of you jumped into this without thinking."
Annah's eyes narrowed. "Trowa told me before that everything happens for a reason."
"Damnit, Annah! Aren't you listening? You are not Trowa!"
Annah gasped at that and the color faded from her face. Standing frozen she struggled to take a breath and Yuki froze as well, just realizing exactly what it was she'd said. Before her, the queen stood up and walked swiftly from the table, pushing past her toward the door.
"Annah... I..." Yuki reached after her, intent on taking back her words.
"If you'll excuse me," Annah said softly in a forced voice. "I wish to find my husband."
Yuki let her hand fall as she watched Annah step from the room. Left standing by herself she closed her eyes and clenched her fist. Without warning she turned and slammed it into the wall, hard, cursing in a sharp voice.
What had started as an attempt to try and improve things had only made them worse for everyone. That certainly wasn't what she'd intended, but then she should have known better. Yuki knew she was never good at expressing things like this, she should have just left well enough alone and minded her own business.
Glancing down at her throbbing fist she gave a soft sigh and turned to head out of the room. She wasn't about to let this problem fester, it needed to be solved. Maybe if she could catch up with Annah and apologize...
Yuki stepped out of the meeting room and glanced down the hallways to try and discover which way the queen had gone. But, instead of seeing anything, she was greeted with the sound of someone tumbling down the flight of stone stairs. Yuki's eyes widened and she rushed to the top of the stairs.
"Annah?" She called out.
Her eyes moved over the stone in worry, only to stop at the bottom as she let out a gasp. Lying at the bottom of the stairs, in a tangle of fabric and very pale skin, lay Annah. Her eyes were shut and her face twisted in pain.
"Annah!"
Yuki hurried down the stairs, reaching the bottom just as Brei arrived from down the hall.
"What happened?" Brei asked in worry as she caught her breath.
"I'm not sure." Yuki knelt down next to her and touched Annah's forehead, her eyes widening. "She's warm."
"She did look a little pale during the meeting... Wufei! Get over here! Quick!"
Wufei raced down the hall, followed by Iason. It didn't even take a second for him to spot his wife's condition and respond. Dropping to his knees he gently scooped her into his arms and turned to the Marked couple as he held her protectively and stood back up.
"Get the nurse to our quarters, immediately!"
He didn't even wait to see if they would follow his order, and instead rushed off toward their bedroom, Iason following behind with a worried expression. Yuki and Brei wasted no time. Jumping to their feet they took off in the other direction, splitting up to find the royal nurse that much quicker. Yuki cursed herself softly as she raced through the halls, and hoped that this wasn't her fault.
TBC...
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