Takeo – It’s chapter eight of Etherian Knights!
WuFei – Takeo doesn’t own GW or us. Don’t sue her and comments are always appreciated! Warnings; lime.

Chapter Eight : Search and Seek.

Shingami sat at a bar as he downed his fifth cup of Etherian mix, a very alcoholic beverage that had the sweet taste of nectar. He and his crew where in the providence of Winglies; the place where Shingami used to control. The place wasn’t in tiptop shape like it would have been, but with no one to lead the people; it was nothing more than a pit stop on any one’s journey. Around the bar was full of different beings that lived in Winglies now; pixies, elves, fairies, a goblin here and there, sorcerers and sorceress alike.

"Shingami, we have found a place to sleep for the night, and you need your rest." Deceptus said as he placed a comforting hand on his Lord’s shoulder. Shingami looked up, amethyst eyes tired.

"I suppose I have been pushing all of us too much. It’s been a week since we left Earth and gone without rest or sleep. I know, but all I can think about is WuFei." Shingami said as pain stabbed at his heart again, at the mention of his love’s name.

"I know. You’ll be up and about in no time. You just need a little rest." Deceptus said. Shingami smiled.

"I’ll meet you guys later on tonight." Shingami said as he offered a small smile for Deceptus’s benefit. The platinum haired daemon smiled and left the bar.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" a feminine voice purred as a silk scarf wrapped it self on Shingami’s hand. The daemon looked up into sparkling blue eyes and curled blond hair. The girl had small daemon wings on her bark. Her partner was another young woman with small angel wings, with hair that reminded him of Legalis.

"Nothing, but you’re both pretty. What are you doing in a place like this?" Shingami asked as he offered the women seats.

"Making money, what else? You look like one of the daemons that was locked in eternal sleep." The blond said as her eyes took on a serious expression.

"Yes, you’re right. I am Shingami." Shingami said with a bow and smile, showing two sharp fangs. The bar went quiet and several beings knelt at his feet. Shingami shook his head.

"Shingami-sama, we knew that you would return and rule over us as it was meant to be." The blue haired woman said as she lifted tear filled eyes.

"Let us celebrate our master’s return!" a pixie shouted from the back. A cheer rose from the room.

"Thank you all, but I need some sleep, as well do my generals. We are on a mission and we shall not rest until it’s completed. I shall see you all in the morning to arrange for the revival of this town, my home." Shingami said as he got up from his stool. The crowd acknowledged their Lord’s decision.

"As you wish our Lord. We shall anxiously await your return." The blond said. Shingami nodded and left, the blue haired girl running after him.

"My Lord?" she asked timidly as Shingami walked through the street, heading for the hotel where the other daemons were.

"What do you want?’ he asked wearily as he came to a stop.

"Something that might be of a great interest to you. She said that her name was Nataku. She came by here a few days ago. She was barely there, but she had in her arms the most beautiful creature that I have ever seen and it had so many injuries as if it had been in a great battle. She said that I should give this to you, because she knew that you would come here." The girl said as she handed Shingami a note. Shingami smiled.

"When I return. I shall make you and your friend members in my palace." Shingami said as he kissed the girl’s hand and she blushed. She bowed and then ran away. Shingami opened the note and read.

" Dear Shingami, by the time you have gotten this, I will truly be dead. I have done my best to save WuFei. I could only preserve him by coming one of your kind; meaning that his wings and weapon stay, but he longer has Justitia in him. I am eternally sorry for the damage I have done to such a life so young, and I could truly see how much WuFei loves you. He is resting in the Providence of Eternial, the center providence of Etheria. He might not have his full memory back, so please, be gentle once you find him. Knowing him, he’s probably watching over the weak and avenging those who are wronged.

I can only hope that his love will be a shinning beacon to you and you’ll find one another. Thank you, Nataku." Shingami put away the note, his heart soaring over all his hopes and fears. He headed back to the hotel and entered his room silently. His generals were there and all smiled in their own way as they saw the radiance on their Lord’s face.

"Good news?" Crudelis asked.

"Yes. I’ve found WuFei and I’m leaving tomorrow to go after him. Nataku did come through after all." Shingami said as he smiled broadened.

"You? Aren’t we coming with you?" Verrere asked, eyebrows furrowed.

"I need you to stay here and reconstruct our home. I feel that I shall be back to help with the building. Here are the plans." Shingami said as he pulled out a scroll from his shirt.

"Very well, but you should go disguised and I will make sure that word of our return does not spread outside the four walls of our providence." Legalis said.

"Thank you all. I doubt that I would have succeeded without your help. I shall rest and tomorrow, I shall be on my way." Shingami said. The daemons nodded and they all went to bed.

The next morning, Shingami set up clad in a long black cloak and set off as a sorcerer. He flew by night in order not to attract suspicion. As he neared the Providence of Eternial, he heard more and more about a girl with green wings that struck down those that carried out plots to harm others for no apparent reason. Shingami took this news as further encouragement. He had been traveling for days now and as night fell, he decided to rest in a forest. His blissful sleep was disturbed when a net was cast over him.

"Who do you think you?" he shouted as he struggled against the net. A spear shot out of the darkness and jabbed his side. Shingami winced as he heard a sizzle in his side. Poison! The bandits came out into the opening and met burning amethyst eyes.

"We caught a pretty traveler Cain. One of then sneered as they approached the daemon. They surrounded him looking at his dark cloak.

"Maybe we could have some fun." The biggest bandit declared, probably the ringleader. Shingami felt his head whirl. That arrow probably had a sleeping potion in it. Shingami pulled out his weapon, the figures blurring in and out of his vision.

"You really shouldn’t mess with me." Shingami said as the pale moonlight glinted off his weapon.

"Won’t do you much good pretty boy." The goon said as he approached Shingami.

"Never fall to these bandits. Nothing more than children." A voice said from the treetops. All eyes flew skyward and a lithe figure stood against the cloud covered moon; a silhouette. As the cloud rolled away, a caramel face was revealed with dark almond eyes. Green wings stretched from the exquisite body clad in white pants and shirt with a green sash. A weapon glinted dangerously in the light. Shingami was sure that his love never looked more alive and beautiful.

"Well you must be the beautiful lass that everyone’s been talking about. Put away that weapon of yours and lets discuss this prisoner in my bed." The head goon croaked as he licked his lips. Obsidian and amethyst eyes narrowed in disgust.

"Keep your mind to yourself. Release your captive before I hurt you. And I’m not an onna!" the being screamed in annoyance.

"Onna?" the goon said. He had never heard the word before.

"Not a woman dumbass." The boy said, clearly pissed. He swooped down and cut Shingami free. Shingami fell onto the smaller boy’s frame, his vision quickly failing him. The goons were clearly angered and pulled out their own weapons.

"You’re gonna get it now." Shingami slurred. The boy raised his weapon and decided not to kill the bandits but scar them, doing so in a few minutes. The captor didn’t look well and he feared that the boy would die.

"And I am Shenlong." The boy said as he gathered the boy in his arms and took him away. The bandits groaned as they tired to move but to no avail.

"We’ll get him men, wait and see." The leader said as he slipped into unconsciousness.

 

"Ummh, Fei, is that you?" Shingami asked as a liquid slid down his throat.

"Fei, how did you know daemon?" the boy replied. Shingami stood up. He looked around. His cloak was being used as a blanket and his wings were unfolded, how the daemon couldn’t recall. Twin velvet orbs peered at him, a silk black curtain surrounded Shingami’s face. Outside that were trees and the moon.

"Those bandits… Where are we?" Shingami asked as his head began to clear. The boy blinked and then blushed sheepishly.

"You were heavier than me, and I couldn’t fly that far. But we’re a day away from them, and as soon as your head clears, we can go our separate ways." The boy said. Shingami was fully awake. He took in the fire and the vegetables and bits of meat strung on a stick, roasting in the fire.

"How did you know that I was a daemon?" Shingami asked as he sat up.

"Once I laid you down and took off the cloak, you were moaning so I rolled you on you back. Your wings unfolded and stretched. They looked like they hand been cramped for a while, so I left them alone. I hope that you’re all right. The drink I gave you will remove the poison your system and clear your head, you can have those roasting in the fire." The boy said as he yawned. Shingami nodded and tore into the food. He hadn’t had anything this good since he left Earth. The boy watched in wonder. This scene reminded him of something that he couldn’t remember.

"Thanks Fei." Shingami said as he pulled out his patch and drank some water.

"How do you know my name?" the boy asked.

"I’m Shingami, but you can call me Duo. I’m always running and hiding and I never lie. And your name is WuFei Chang." Shingami said as he smiled again, even broader, his fangs showing off once again. WuFei hid a blush as sparkling amethyst eyes lifted to meet his, promising so many things.

"You didn’t answer the question, but I feel as if I know you from somewhere. Why can’t I remember?" WuFei screamed in frustration as he pound his fist into the ground. He got up abruptly and headed to the lake near their campsite. He gazed into the pool, tears rippling his reflection now and then. He remembered everything; Merian’s death, going to Earth, his gundam, his quest, Justitia, the angels and daemons. But he always felt that something, no someone important was missing, someone that he had strong feelings for. And amethyst eyes that looked down on him with so many different expressions. Forgive me, please…

Shingami clutched his hand to his chest as he heard quiet sobs from the lake. He knew that WuFei was hurting; he could feel it in his bones. Nataku said that I should be gentle, and I hunger for my love, he’s so close, he’s alive, he’s real and I can’t kiss him or take him, gods, why must my love be in so much pain? WuFei returned to the campsite, eyes a bit red but otherwise fine.

"Sorry about running off. I get caught up in the past so much." WuFei said as he shivered, the wind blowing the light out.

"We should rest." Shingami suggested.

"Hai. That sounds like a good idea." WuFei said.

"We can share my cloak, you don’t have one." Shingami said innocently, trying hard to restrain his increasing desire.

"Thank you." He said. He cleared the campsite and rested his weapon next to Shingami’s. Both snuggled under the cloak, WuFei facing away from Shingami. The Chinese boy felt his pulse quicken as a warm head rested against the hollow of his back, warm and rhythmic breathing against him. The boy shrugged and settled into sleep; the warmth the most comforting thing in the world to him.

Once the boy was in deep sleep, strong ivory hands worked their way under WuFei’s shirt and hands ran over the muscled chest. WuFei moaned in his sleep. Shingami withdrew, pleased to hear that sweet tenor capable of voicing its pleasure. His sleep was laden with dreams of he and his love’s only night joining in a sweet dance of desire. It lasted till the rays of Etheria’s sun peeked out.

Once Shingami awoke, he found no signs of WuFei. He yawned and got up and headed to the lake. He stopped before he reached the lake as he spied WuFei bathing in the water, suds everywhere. The boy as if sensing that he was being watched looked around and saw no one. Shrugging, he finished his bath and returned al dressed and with a smile on his youthful face. He saw his visitor just waking up.

"The lake is nice enough to bath in. Hurry up, we must be on our way." WuFei said. Shingami nodded and headed to the lake. WuFei mused as he collected berries and fruits for breakfast. He wasn’t sure but all he could feel nothing but desire from the boy that called himself Shingami. He remembered hands tracing his chest in his sleep and chalked it up to a nice dream.

WuFei felt something stir in him every time those violet orbs looked at him. How can I feel so strongly for someone I don’t know? WuFei stopped his musings as he got back to the camp. Shingami had his long chestnut hair unbraided and was braiding it. The daemon blushed as he felt shy eyes watch him. WuFei silently sat and divided up the food and gave half to Shingami. The daemon finished braiding his hair and the two set out, while eating the food. They reached a path and WuFei spoke up.

"This path will take you anywhere that you want to go. This is where we part ways." WuFei said as he slung his little knapsack over his shoulder. Shingami turned around in alarm.

"Now?" he croaked. WuFei nodded.

"You are very capable of caring for yourself; I can see that and I work better alone. Finish whatever journey that you’ve started." WuFei said as he sighed softly. He couldn’t understand why his decision that seemed so firmly planted in his mind the moment he met Shingami was now melting away.

"Do you have your own journey to finish?" Shingami asked.

"In a way," WuFei said. He smiled. "It was nice meeting you. I rarely meet people along my way, well good people that is. Be safe." WuFei said as he turned to leave.

"No hug?" Shingami said as he wrapped his arms around WuFei. The Chinese boy reluctantly returned the action. Before he pulled away, Shingami’s lips brushed against his lightly. WuFei blushed and then pulled away.

"Goodbye Shingami." He said. The boy tucked in his wings and he headed off back into the forest. Shingami felt a wail leave his throat. I won’t lose you now my love, we’re so close. I will follow you, please, I long to hold you in my arms once again…

WuFei made his way through the forest. Once again, he had a very sneaky feeling that some one was watching him, but he remained silent. His mind replayed the last few hours when he had said goodbye to Shingami. He could see the hurt in those violet orbs, just like the ones in his dreams. Have l let you down? I am sorry. WuFei was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the unfamiliar shift of the forest and well-disguised bandits surrounded him. He pulled out his weapon and faced off against the men, the ones from the previous night with a lot of reinforcements.

"The pretty Shenlong. Like I said, we’ll discuss our issues in my bed." The ringleader said as he snorted, his injuries still tell tale on his body.

"You guys never give up." WuFei said as he untucked his wings and pulled out his weapon. A brief fear flashed in some of the bandits’ eyes but a growl stopped their retreat.

"We’re sorcerers as well and many a thing can be done to break such a exquisite dragon like yourself." The bandit said as he muttered something under his breath and steel cuffs clamped WuFei’s hands together, and a tight chain around his neck. WuFei swore under his breath as his eyes flashed.

"You’ll pay dearly for your ignorance if you lay a finger on me." WuFei said as almond eyes narrowed as he saw the hot lust burning in the bandit’s eyes.

"Who shall pray tell?" the bandit said as he moved closer, the cuffs biting into WuFei’s skin, causing pain to shoot throughout WuFei’s body as he fell to his knees, his weapon still in his hands.

"I will. No one hurts him and gets away with it," A voice said from the bushes as a figure clad in black came out, the sun shinning off daemon talons." Remember me? You won’t, too bad since I’ll be the last thing that you ever will see." The voice said, as it grew dangerously low. WuFei looked up. Pain and dizziness overcoming his senses. Flashing amethyst eyes smiled at him and that was the last that he saw as he drifted into a painfully sleep.

End of chapter eight

Takeo – Oh, vacation making liquid of my mind. Actually, I’m verrry sleepy.
WuFei – Taking this vacation was a nice idea. I feel very relaxed.
Duo – There are more ways to make this fun…
Takeo – Delete that train of thought this instance!
Duo - *pouts * Are you sure?
Takeo – Yes I am! Ohh, ice cream!