Marked for Death Part 17
Wufei moved through the trees as fast as he could, adrenaline pumping through his body and coursing through his veins. The image of the piece of fabric that Shai had been holding was burned in his mind as he followed the silent Marked One, everything else around him a blur.
No, please let him be wrong!
Shai stopped up ahead and Wufei found himself standing at the very edge of a small ditch, damp from the small river which had been created from the rain the night before. It didn't take much searching for him to find the body lying there, twisted and lying face down in the mud and shallow water. His breath caught in his throat and his knees shook, giving him the notice that they weren't going to be able to hold him much longer. He staggered forward a bit and grasped on to a tree for only a fraction of a moment, then he moved quickly down into the ditch, slipping and sliding down the side.
Mud splashed around him as he trudged his way toward the body. All the while his mind was screaming loudly, yelling at him that this couldn't be true. It was all he could do to make his way to the fallen body and then stumbled down next to it on his knees. He didn't have to turn it over to see the man's face; he knew what he would find. He'd know him anywhere.
But this was the last place he'd expected to find his father's body.
Painful reality came crashing down. It seemed like years ago that Duo had come back with Heero and reported that the two messengers were found dead near the river. That all seemed so long ago he'd almost forgotten that his father had been missing during all of this. And now, suddenly, his father wasn't missing anymore. Instead his father's body was lying right in front of him, covered in mud and water from the storm and the newly formed stream.
The older man's skin was pale from exposure and the elements, and there wasn't a single wound on him that Wufei could see. He was killed from the front... and his sword was still clutched tightly in his cold hands. Wufei closed his eyes tightly and hugged himself as realization washed over him... his father had actually been killed in a battle; all the signs pointed to it. And then someone had just kicked his body down into the ditch, leaving it for the scavengers.
No one, no matter how despicable they were in life, deserved to die like this!
Taking a deep breath he stood to his feet and took his father's sword, slipping it in his own belt. Then he bent down and grabbed the front of his father's tunic, tugging him. The man weighed a ton, but Wufei managed to pull him, slowly, to the top of the ditch where the land was relatively dry. He found himself alone, none of the Marked Ones anywhere to be seen. Shai must have turned back to tell them what happened... or at least tell them to allow him some time alone.
He was thankful for that.
Wufei worked up quite a sweat, pulling the body up out of the ditch and to a small clear patch surrounded by trees. Wiping the sweat from his brow he pulled out his father's sword and stuck it hard into the ground. Numbly his mind guided his body in digging the hole, everything else shutting off. He didn't let himself think about what his father's body meant in this whole situation. He didn't let himself even consider that others could be watching, or that there could be others in the area. He didn't care that his arms ached with the strain of pulling the body up the small hill and digging the hole. He didn't pay attention to the sharp pain in his side from not resting... he just dug the hole.
When it was big enough he took the crown from his father's head then moved the body as gently as he could into the ground, dropping to his knees to push the dirt over the man's body. He didn't even let himself look at his father's body, just pushed the dirt over his face until he was completely covered.
When the king was finally buried Wufei felt the weariness in his body flow through him and he wrapped his arms around himself tightly. That's when the tears began to fall, flowing down his face in small rivers and landing at the edge of the grave. He sat there for a long time, hugging himself as the tears flowed silently down his face. He didn't know what else to do, so he just knelt there and wept... for the father he'd never known.
Behind him there was the sound of silent footsteps and someone timidly stepping into the clearing. A soft voice spoke. "Wufei?"
Wufei swallowed the remainder of his sobs and quickly wiped tears from his eyes. A final shudder moved through his body and he took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He didn't turn to acknowledge the woman standing behind him, even though he knew exactly who it was. He wasn't surprised that she'd showed up, somewhere in the back of his mind he'd figured she wouldn't stay back at the camp and wait, no matter who gave her the order.
He just sat there numbly as she approached on quiet feet. He watched as she knelt down and took a few flowers from a nearby patch and set them on the grave. He gave a very small smile at the polite gesture, even though he knew she had no idea whose body lay buried before them. Her hand came to rest softly on his shoulder and he closed his eyes, taking comfort from the small amount of contact.
Unexpectedly a small morbid chuckle slipped from his lips. "I hated him my entire life, only to find out now that I didn't even know who he was."
She gasped softly and squeezed his shoulder. Apparently that small line told her exactly whose body it was. "It's easy to point blame and hatred at someone we knew little of... it makes the guilt easier to live with until they're gone."
Wufei shook his head. "I had every reason to hate him." A small smile crossed his face in amusement as he opened his eyes and glanced at her. "He was a horrible father. But still... the last time I honestly went to talk to him was to tell him to keep his hands off of Duo. I can't remember ever saying anything nice to him. About him. Ever."
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Everything I knew about him was from what others in the castle said. The servants... the advisors... Duo... I only knew the horrible and uncaring tyrant they all knew him as. And now I don't even know if that was really him or not."
His eyes slid back to the grave as she reached forward and took one of his hands in hers, squeezing again it in another offering of comfort.
"Do you want me to go?" Annah asked softly.
"No." Slowly his hand turned in hers so he was clasping her hand back, holding it tightly as his hand trembled. "Please stay."
She nodded and leaned close to him. "As long as you want me to."
The two sat there in silence for a long time, Wufei just staring at the grave before them as his mind tried to comprehend what this all meant. In actuality he'd been operating for a long time as if his father were dead and he never expected to see him again and now that he'd found the body not much had changed... except how he viewed the situation. Finding his father's body didn't change anything really; it just cemented a few things into place in his mind. However that didn't stop it from being a painful discovery and his mind was refusing to accept it. His father couldn't be dead... couldn't be...
"Gods, Wufei I'm so sorry."
Wufei took another shaky breath and banished the rest of his sorrow, wiping away his tears. "At least he died fighting... he didn't die from a wound to the back and his sword was in his hands... he died fighting." The words were more for his own comfort than anything else. Oddly though, speaking them out loud did make him feel a bit better, and provided a very small amount of closure on the subject.
She nodded. "If anything, I can see where there would be comfort in that." Gently she turned and cracked a small smile at him. He made no move to stop her as she reached up and soothingly cleaned the mud from his face. Any other time and he might have stopped her... anyone else and he might have stopped them, but at this time the action was comforting so he did nothing.
"Of all the people that I have come to know outside of mine, you are the last I can think of who deserves any pain." Her eyes shifted up to meet his with a determined look. "I swear I will do all in my power to protect you... with my own life if need be."
"And what if I want to protect you?" He asked in a barely audible voice.
That brought a smirk to her face and she winked at him. "I can take care of myself. Your life over mine, silly. You have a kingdom to save, I'm just a Marked One."
Wufei shook his head and took a deep breath, trying to search for the right words. "No, I mean... I..."
She blinked at him in confusion.
Swallowing he locked eyes with her and took another deep breath, summoning up his courage. He was running on instinct, this wasn't planned at all. He hadn't even realized that he'd actually intended to ask her this. But at this moment it just felt so right. "You're not just a Marked One, and if you'll permit me I... I want you to stay, Annah. With me. Always."
Her blue eyes widened and her skin paled as the words seemed to sink in. Standing to her feet she faltered slightly and took a step back. "W-Wufei... you don't know what you're asking."
"I know exactly what I'm asking. I would like you to be my queen after all of this... if you'll have me."
Her legs shook at those words and her arms moved, unconsciously searching for something to aid in her failing balance. She finally settled against a tree trunk and just stared at him in disbelief. "You would... really take me?" She raised her arms and looked down at them, looking over the tattoos and whispering softly. "Like this?"
Wufei stood up and moved toward her, wrapping his hands around hers. "I wouldn't dream of you being any other way." He said softly, a smile moving across his face.
Tears glimmered lightly at the edges of her eyes as a wide smile crossed her face. "Wufei I... I would be honored to be your wife."
He closed the space between them and wrapped his arms tightly around the Marked One in a warm and loving embrace. After a moment he pulled away and gently kissed her lips, then kissed away the tears, which were lightly slipping down her face.
She responded with a soft giggle and swallowed the rest of her sobs. Reaching up she caressed the side of his face with her hand. "When we were back in the caves, I knew I'd fallen in love with you."
"I think I knew then too," he cracked a smile. "When you threatened to slap me."
Annah threw her head back at that and laughed, completely shedding her nervousness. Winking at him she smiled brightly. "Well, just be sure not to be so demeaning of yourself again, or I'll see that it becomes more than a threat."
Wufei returned the laugh and nodded, glancing down at his feet. There lay the crown, which had once adorned his father's head. "Looks like I got a new crown to make up for the one I lost," he murmured.
Her hands slipped lightly from his as she knelt down to pick up the crown, then stood up and raised it over their heads. With a soft smile she placed it on Wufei's head and nodded. "It looks better on you then it would on Darrin."
His eyes narrowed just slightly at the mention of that name. "And my first order of business as king will be to give that dog the death he deserves."
"All in due time, love." Stepping in front of him she wrapped her arms lightly around his shoulders and locked eyes with him, a smirk crossing her face and gleam entering her eyes. "Now what are you going to do?"
Wufei responded with a smile and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Their lips met in a deep kiss and both closed their eyes. Annah returned Wufei's kiss with just as much need, moaning softly into his mouth.
Beyond the two there was the sound of rustling bushes. Wufei chose to ignore the sound and just kept kissing Annah as someone stumbled into the small clearing.
"Hey, Fei, you all ri-"
The Shadow's voice dropped off as his eyes widened in surprise. Wufei couldn't help but smirk at the expression on his friend's face as he and Annah separated to turn and look at the flushed boy.
Annah let out a gleeful laugh. "Man, Duo you look just as shocked as when I threw that blade at you!"
The Shadow recovered quickly and a pouting look crossed his face. "So what's this? I get a blade thrown at me, nearly killing me when we meet and he gets a kiss? Where's the fairness in that?! Real harsh."
Annah giggled and gave a small smile. "Aww, I'm sorry Duo!" Then, without any warning, she let go of Wufei and pounced on Duo, sending him to the ground in a tight hug as he cried out in surprise. "Guess what?!" She cried out happily.
"You're trying to kill me, aren't you!!"
Behind them Wufei let out a small laugh, turning to watch with a twinkle in his eyes that wasn't missed by Duo. Duo cocked an eyebrow in question as Annah answered his silent query.
"Wufei and I are promised!"
Wufei watched the Shadow's eyes widen to an incredible size as he glanced between the two. Those violet eyes looked at Wufei in question, then went to Annah, then back to Wufei and then...
"He... you... When did this happen? How much did I actually miss when we split up?" Duo mocked a frown at Wufei. "Looks like we missed all the fun."
Annah stood up with a bright smile on her face and moved over to Wufei, happily wrapping her arms around him. Meanwhile Duo stood up and brushed himself off, looking at the two in expectation, his question still hadn't been answered.
"Just now, Duo." Wufei said simply.
Duo smirked. "It just may be me, but isn't a grave a kind of morbid place to ask someone to marry you?"
Annah shook her head and smiled. "Not to me. It's actually very sweet." She tilted her head back and met Wufei's eyes. "Sealing the past and starting anew..."
Wufei nodded his agreement. She smiled and nuzzled his neck, closing her eyes in a soft smile of contentment.
"Well, I guess if you look at it that way... I think I'll let you two get back to your uhhh... kissing." Winking at the two he turned around and started walking away, perfectly intent on giving them some well-deserved time alone. But Annah apparently had other things in mind.
"Wait! Duo!"
Duo paused and glanced over his shoulder in question.
The happy red head turned to Wufei and whispered something in his hear, causing him to nod in response. Moving slowly she walked up to Duo as he completely turned to face her. He watched in surprise as she reached forward and lightly touched his braid. A few of the stray strands responded on their own to the touch and reached out to wrap lightly around her fingers.
"Heero told me about your hair... and Sorata."
"When did he..." Duo's words dropped off as he took a small step back.
Annah smiled reassuringly and shook her head in awe. "Who ever would have thought that he would find love and what he was sent to find at the same time."
Duo's face flushed red slightly and his eyes dropped to the ground. "Funny how things work out, I guess, huh?" He murmured.
She leaned forward and kissed Duo's cheek gently. "Thank you for helping him find happiness." Then her expression changed and a smirk crossed her face. "And next time someone like Heero tells you not to move... don't move!"
Duo cracked a smile at that and broke into a laugh. "I'll say the same thing to you, thanks for making him happy," Duo nodded in Wufei's direction. "Just don't tackle him like you did me... I swear you shaved ten years off my already short life with that one!"
She laughed and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I promise I'll take care of Wufei, just as I know you'll take care of Heero."
He nodded and she gently touched his braid again with a smile. "Watch over him, Sorata," she whispered softly.
"He always has."
Annah flashed a genuine smile and nodded as Duo smiled back at her. Grinning lightly he took a step back and gave them both a small bow.
"Now I think I'll let you two love birds get back to what you were doing... not to ruin your fun but just remember, we do have a mission to carry out. Join us when ever you're ready."
Duo smirked and turned, leaving the two to chuckle behind him.
~*~
Heero glanced up as Duo stepped back into the camp area where the rest of the Marked Ones were. The small group which had been assigned to attack the castle were all sitting in a small cluster around Trowa's rock waiting patiently. Quatre and Heero looked to be the most concerned when Duo reappeared through the trees, the others watched silently, all waiting for Duo to answer their silent question.
He hadn't seen the body but he had seen the crown around Wufei's head and he could easily guess from that who the body had belonged to. Frowning lightly he went to join the others.
"The king," he said simply, "is dead."
Heero nodded lightly, as if that was that. Quatre's expression fell to one of deep sadness, promoting Trowa to lightly place an arm over his shoulders in comfort. The leader of the Marked Ones looked to Duo as he sat down next to Heero.
"Does this change the situation?" He asked quietly. He hated to ask the question, because he knew what it was like for someone close to die, even if you didn't completely respect them. But he had to keep their goal in mind, even if that meant seeming heartless and uncaring. It was his job as leader... he just hoped they understood that.
Duo shook his head. "No, it just means that we can charge Darrin with plotting to murder the king, which was kind of a given any way. It doesn't change anything, just tells us not to expect him to ride back into town during our little adventure." Duo leaned his head on Heero's shoulder and glanced back at the woods.
Brei's eyes followed his, watching and waiting.
"Annah's with him," Duo said softly, as if sensing the question on her mind. She nodded and seemed to relax slightly.
The entire group sat silently, just waiting. They weren't eager for night to fall or for the sun to rise on the next day. Tomorrow was the day they split up from their kind. Tomorrow was the day they started travelling back to sneak into a castle and try to solve a problem that they were well aware they weren't prepared for. However, they didn't have much choice.
A secret siege on a castle was risky enough, but when one didn't know anything about the castle they were sneaking into? Any other time they would have had at least one spy go in to discover the situation before hand, but this time they weren't allowed that luxury. They all realized this would highly depend on their instincts and ability to adapt to the unpredictable. Not a favorable situation at all.
But it was the best they could do.
And some how they had to fix this. Some how they had to make it all work.
TBC...
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