Hye sat beside his father, his face impassive, as the older man went about his weekly, hobby. Running his eyes over the scantily clad bodies that writhe and twisted in front of them in a semblance of dance. Stifling a yawn he watched his father oogle the gyrating bodies. Feeling a small frown on condemnation form on his brow, Hye picked up his goblet and wondered when he could leave.
" Ah Hye my boy." The older man said patting his son on the back. " You must learn to relax! It is your birthday after all enjoy yourself!" He boomed smiling at his cranky son. Rolling his eyes Hye absently wiped a bit of wine from his mouth. Adjusting his crisp white himation into a more comfortable position.
" This is hardly what I'd consider enjoyable Father." He said with more than a small amount of boredom oozing from his words. " If you don't mind I'm leaving." He said evenly rising to his feet. His father's strong hand landed lightly on his shoulder.
" Ah! Not before I give you your present my boy." He smiled wicked...and a bit drunkenly. Sighing Hye brushed his black hair out of his eyes, and waited.
" And what is my present father." He said, as if he didn't know already, but hoping against hope that it wasn't. His father's lecherous grin squashed what little hope he had, as he raised his hand to gesture around the room. A small smirk formed on Hye's lips. " Really father all of them? You shouldn't have." He said settling back in the chair to wait. His father shook his head.
" No need to mock an old man, I meant for you to take your pick.... Since the last gift I gave you didn't seem to meet your standards." He said, Hye perceived a slight shudder of disgust crawl over his father, at the memory of what he'd done to his last 'present'. Hye smiled warmly at the memory of the girl's screams for mercy, before going silent eternally.
" She was weak.... And she whined a great deal. " Was all he said, turning glittering eyes on the people displayed before him.
" You consider the Gods to be weak Hye." His father mumbled beside him. Hye ignored him as he continued to stare down the people before him. The sooner he chose the sooner he could leave.
" What's true is true." He answered still looking at the dancers half -heartedly, not really seeing any that caught his fancy. With a bored sigh his eyes settled on a black haired dark eyed young woman dancing a bit away from the group. Giving her the once over he decided she'd do...and might actually live longer than a fortnight. He was about to open his mouth to say so when someone bumped his arm and sent the contents of his wine glass spilling all over his pristine white robes. Growling he jumped to his feet and backhanded the individual who was apologizing profusely. Hye looked down at the huddled form on the floor before him, small he thought.... Running his eyes up the person's body, pausing at the exposed thighs before continuing on toward their face. Hye looked at the long brown braid that lay sprawled on the marble floor winding away from the shivering figure like a snake. Reaching down he grabbed the braid and dragged the person to their feet. A boy...definitely a boy. He thought bringing the boy's face closer to his he gave him a rough shake, and came face to face with the most beautiful violet eyes he'd ever seen. A wicked smile curved his lips as he turned back to his father. " This one will do nicely." He said evenly. His father just nodded and turned to the owner of the establishment, who was at that moment running towards them.
" I am sorry sir.... But he is not for sale. You see he-"
" I want him. " Hye said evenly. Wrapping his hand tightly around the braid. Enjoying the boy's wince of pain, as he looked at the trader with fear in his eyes.
" But sir. He is my ward...my sister's only child and now that she has passed on he is my responsibility." The man explained hastily as he edged closer to Hye and his captive. " If you want any other here, you are welcome to them...I'll even give you half price but he is- erk" the man stopped mid-sentence when the knife met his throat.
" How much?" Hye said coolly, reveling in the man's fear, as he pulled the nervous boy closer to him. He looked like he was about to protest again, so Hye pressed the knife harder against his neck drawing a trickle of blood. He could see the defeat and apology in his blue eyes as he looked over at the braided boy. Apparently understanding the boy whimpered.
" 1900 gold pieces." He finally said. Hye arched a brow and then smirked. Grabbing the boy's arm roughly he turned a smile on his bewildered father.
" He'll take care of that." He said whipping the dagger back into his belt while turning toward the exit his new toy and servant close behind. The man nodded and looked at the boy who was valiantly trying not to cry as he was dragged away.
" I'm sorry Dasha." He said lowering his head. Hye looked at the boy he was holding.
" Dasha hm?" he smirked. Looking the boy over again." Fitting. Say goodbye to Uncle." The boy just lowered his head and allowed Hye to drag him out of the house. Once outside Hye paused to listen to his father trying to explain away his son's behavior, as well as settle up the debt.... Probably pay the man extra no doubt. Hye smirked, then looked down at his prize, who was at that moment looking back to the house with tears in his eyes. Snorting he pulled Dasha toward the main street. Toward his home. The servant moving close behind them with head lowered.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dasha watched his new found home disappear in the distance, his Uncle had sold him....no he didn't have a choice the man was- a hard yank on his arm brought Dasha's attention firmly back on his owner. Swallowing hard he lowered his head and followed obediently. It wasn't long before they were passing through the arches of what he presumed was his new master's home. As soon as the door opened several people rushed out to meet them. All looking nervous
" Sir." One of the females stepped forward. " You have a guest." She said. Hye sighed and rolled his eyes.
" Then find them a room for the evening, I do not wish to be disturbed." He said dragging Dasha inside the house, the servants followed immediately.
" But Master he-"
" It's quite alright Drucilla." A deep male voice called from the hallway. Hye paused at the voice and looked back with a smile, as a brown haired young man wearing an off-white chiton much like his own in simple solider fashion it stopped mid-thigh his himation thrown sloppily over his right arm. A broad grin broke out on Hye's face at the sight of his friend.
" Well if it isn't Theron." He said. " What brings you to Athens?" Hye released Dasha's arm for the first time that evening. Dasha took advantage of this situation to reinstate circulation to his fingers, while his new Master greeted his guest.
" I just thought it was time to visit an old friend. I haven't seen you since you left the gymnasia." Theron said pulling his friend close and laying a kiss on his cheek.
" I had better things to do with my time." Came the snide reply. Theron just shook his head.
" Same old arrogant Hye." He sighed. At some point during the exchange...Dasha had slipped back toward the door, like a cat, he was outside and halfway down the street and noone even noticed his absence.
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~
Dasha walked swiftly through the now empty marketplace, his head lowered doing his best to not draw attention to himself...he just knew the man that had bought him wasn't good if he stayed he'd be killed or worse...if he got caught.... Dasha shuddered at the thought of the penalty given to runaway slaves and sped his step...he had to get away. Finally reaching his uncle's home he slunk around to the back, quickly skittering over the wall and through the courtyard he made it to his room without being seen. Just as quickly he gathered his belongings and left the same way he'd come. Apparently the Gods were on his side, as he wasn't seen this second time as well. Quickly offering up a prayer of thanks, Dasha scurried over the wall a second time his movements slowed slightly by his satchel. Landing lightly on the grass he looked around him seeing no one he dashed off into the night completely unaware of the roars of anger coming from a house a few miles away. His only concern was getting out of Athens and quickly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~
Hye glared at each of his servants in turn. Theron standing just behind him looking grim.
" You are all telling me that he is nowhere in the house?" Hye said between clenched teeth. " And that none of you saw him leave?" the servants before him trembled in fear knowing their master's temper very well. Swallowing hard Drucilla stepped forward to face his wrath.
" We-" Hye held up his hand for silence heading toward the door.
" Have a horse readied immediately." He snapped listening satisfied at the shuffling to do his bidding. Theron's voice cut through his angry haze.
"Hye. Since this is partially my fault let me come with you." He said a wry smile touching his lips. As he walked out the door behind him. Hye glowered down the empty streets frowning, absently he nodded a thank you.
"He couldn't have gotten far in so short an amount of time." Hye frowned as a stable hand brought his favorite horse to him.
" Assuming he had little to no money he couldn't have even left the city yet." Theron offered soothingly.
" He couldn't have had money on him, he didn't even have suppli- that's it!" Leaving the horse Hye headed off toward the slaver's home, a deep frown etched in his brow. Someone would die for him escaping, and he would pay for doing so, oh would he pay. A near evil gleam came to Hye's eyes as he thought of how he would punish his slave when he got him back. Pulling open the door with more force than necessary Hye growled. " Slaver!" the man in question looked up from the floor, where he had a skin of wine clutched to his chest. Stomping to him Hye kicked the container out of his hand, and grabbed the man by the front of his tunic. " Where is he?" he hissed, the man just looked at him stupidly, his eyes were glazed over and unfocused in his drunken state.
"Ah! There you are my boy. Don't tell me you've killed off another one already! Why it hasn't been more than a few hours!" his father's slurred voice called to him from the other side of the room. Hye looked up sharply and frowned at his father, where he lay on a pile of pillows surrounded by half dressed women.
" No father he escaped." Hye bit out tightening his hold on the man's tunic. His father's eyes widened slightly at that.
" Escaped you say? A smart one he is then, good for him." He grumbled before passing out. With a snort Hye turned back to his captive.
" Well? Are you going to tell me where he is hiding are will I have to break something?" he asked the wicked gleam returning to his eyes. The slaver swallowed and looked at him slightly confused. Gripping his wrist tightly Hye grabbed the man's pinky in tight grip and pressed it backwards till he heard a satisfying crack. So intent on what he was doing he missed both his father's and Theron's winces of pain. "Well?"
" I-I don't know you took him I haven't seen him.....and if I had I wouldn't-OWW please!" the man said trying to pull away from his iron hard grasp. Hye's eyes never waivered from his face.
" Tell me, where he is. Believe me when I say I can do this far longer than you can take it." He said evenly.
" Aie! Boy he does not know! He has been here all evening not once leaving my sight to busy begging me to talk you into letting Dasha go. He offered to pay three times as much as I paid to get him for you. Plus he'd give you one of these lovelies free eh? I thou-"
" I don't want one of those 'lovelies' father. I want my slave back and I want him now. And if 'he' doesn't tell me where to find him. I am going to kill him, his lovely little wife over there and all of his little 'lovelies' in slow and painful ways." He hissed again missing the sick look that passed over Theron's face.
" Hye really don't you think you are over reacting." Hye never took his eyes from the slaver. He smiled maniacally. Pulling the dagger from it's sheath on his hip he pressed the weapon against the man's stomach and leaned closer to his ear to whisper.
" He's mine now, I paid for him and you know what I'm going to do to him when I find him don't you. You know because you sell new ones to me every year, even though you know. Now it's so close to home with your precious nephew, and I just know you're hiding him...and you just know you're going to die. So why don't you tell me where he is and I will only kill you." He said pressing the dagger firmer against his stomach. The man now sobered swallowed hard and looked into Hye's hard blue eyes. Surprisingly a smile touched his lips.
" I don't know where he is.... And I pray to Zeus himself that you never find him." Those were the last words the slaver ever said, when Hye's dagger found its mark in the center of his stomach. A slow painful death that would be, but the man managed to smile. Even as Hye kicked him in the face and stormed away, leaving his father and several terrified slaves behind him.
" Dear Gods...My son is a monster." Theron stopped to look at the man and nodded his agreement before following Hye out. Finding more and more with every step that he as well prayed that Dasha was never found. Shaking his head Theron's mind turned to his love waiting for him in Corinth. His Quella.....ah Quella images the bright blond young woman assaulted him each step he took behind Hye.
" Oh Quella what would you think of this dearest." He said aloud with a shudder. She wouldn't approve that was for certain.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dasha was cold, Dasha was hungry, and worst of all Dasha was scared. Clutching his satchel to his chest Dasha looked around the crowded street fearfully. He had bought passage to Asia(1) last night only to be informed that the ship wouldn't be leaving till that night. He had thought to stay on board to keep from being seen, but one look at the burly leering men stopped that idea right there. Frowning he made his way to an alley to hide till it was time to go, swallowing hard he looked fearfully around the milling crowd, doing his best to blend with the shadows. Again offering up a prayer of thanks that he did not get caught. Peering around the corner cautiously Dasha prepared to bolt across the street, not wanting to stay this far away from the boat, a warm hand landed on his shoulder restraining him. Squeezing his eyes shut Dasha waited for the first blow to come....He'd seen his Uncle and what he did to slaves that dared to runaway. It took him a moment to realize that the blow wasn't coming. Cautiously he cracked an eye open and peeped, violet eyes met dark green and blinked.
" Going somewhere?" Dasha swallowed hard and shook his head, taking in the young man before him. He had hair so black it gleamed blue, pulled into a painful looking knot on the back of his neck, cat shaped eyes peered at him from a deeply tanned face, lowering his eyes a bit he took in the rest of the young man's clothing as strange as his hair....a foreigner he guessed.
" Who-"
" Forgive me I saw you buy passage on the ship, but you left rather quickly I just wanted to return this to you..." he said draping a black thick piece of material over his shoulders. Frowning Dasha looked at it.
" This isn't mine." He said slightly puzzled. The man smirked, and tucked it in his hand.
" It fell out of your bag when you turned and left..." he said evenly then turned back the way he came. " I'll see you on the ship." Nodding again Dasha watched the man walk away from him. Shaking his head he turned to go the way he had intended but stopped and slammed his body back against the wall when he saw his new master come out of the alleyway. Pulling the material tight around him he clutched his bag tightly. Why if it hadn't been for that stranger..... Dasha looked sharply in the direction the man had disappeared. With a cautious glance backward he went after him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Theron looked after his friend's ridged back, this was very much not like Hye to get this worked up over a slave. Hye didn't get this worked up over anything much less a new toy his father bought for him. When Theron had asked him about the slave, Hye just said his father had paid a great deal of money for him. Which didn't make any sense either because, Hye usually didn't give a damn how much his father paid for anything for him. He usually went out of his way to irritate him by buying overly expensive items and then destroying them as soon as he got them...That included his toys. Shivering Theron remembered what he'd witnessed Hye do to one of his many toys over two years ago. It was a long time ago but by the Gods he'd never forget it. That boy that poor boy.....Shuddering Theron closed his eyes and tried to block the image of the bloodied boy lying on the stone floor naked and shivering. While Hye absently wiped the blood from his...snapping his eyes open he moved to catch up to his friend. As much as he loved Hye, and as close to him as he was, there were some things even he couldn't accept about his friend. His treatment of his toys was one of those things. And he'd be damned if he'd purposely let Hye find this one. He didn't know how but he knew he just knew there was something different about this new toy. He just knew that if Hye found the boy...suppressing another shiver Theron began walking beside his friend, carefully masking the disgust he felt with an arrogant smirk. " Really Hye why so much trouble for a slave, he can't be that pretty." He said haughtily. Hye gave him a look that froze the blood in his veins.
" He's mine." Was all he said before he resumed his search walking ahead of Theron again. Willing the sudden knot in his stomach away Theron followed him, praying all the while to Zeus that luck be with the boy and his escape. 'He's mine.' Echoed in Theron's head as he watched Hye move. Those words kept playing over and over...Till finally it hit him, and he had to stop walking. Hye...surely Aphrodite did not hate Dasha enough to allow Hye to be in love with the boy. Shuddering again Theron began moving more determined than ever to stop Hye from finding him. If there was one thing he knew about his friend, he shunned all things idle and in his mind love was not a necessity, but if he did love this boy. He'd deny it to the end, and he'd punish the boy for it. Again the image of the broken young man on the floor flashed before his eyes. Gods Hye could be cruel, Hye was cruel but this was worse, far worse than anything else. He hadn't felt anything for that boy, and he'd beaten him bloody and took him for doing nothing more than looking away from him when he was speaking. Theron didn't even want to imagine what he'd do to the boy named Dasha for even less....since his emotions came into play. Falling back a bit more he began to murmur a prayer to Zeus, Aphrodite, and anyone else that would listen to be with the boy.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dasha saw the young man as soon as he rounded the corner, he was standing at the end of the narrow street his ankles crossed one over the other as if waiting for someone. Dasha started towards him, and the boy looked up and smiled. Uncrossing his feet he disappeared around the corner, Dasha followed suit a moment later. Actually starting to enjoy the game despite the circumstances. He'd spot the boy, the boy would spot him and then sprint off to the next place. Then Dasha would follow him at a bit more sedate a pace. They had been playing this game for a few hours now and Dasha almost forgot to look around for his master. Almost. Dasha dashed around the last corner his playmate had disappeared around and came to an abrupt halt when he ran smack into him. Rubbing his forehead Dasha frowned slightly then broke into a broad grin. When he noticed they were right in front of the ship. Pulling the black cloak around him tighter Dasha started toward the plank, the mysterious young man behind him. Climbing on board, swiftly he never noticed the glittering eyes watching him from the street.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Theron looked up toward the docks where he and Hye were looking for Dasha, just in time to see a swirl of black and a long braid disappear onto a ship, followed closely by a darker haired young man who was looking around smugly. Theron found himself for the first time that day almost genuinely smiling. He didn't allow himself that luxury until the ship pulled away from the shore. He'd have to go to Zeus's temple and give an offering for this.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dasha huddled against the far wall of the dingy little room that he shared with four of the crew. Galas, Valisis, Ronan, and Ducas, all nice guys but they stunk to Mount Olympus. Wrinkling his nose he cringed when one of the men let out a snore loud enough to rattle his teeth. Shivering Dasha wondered what he'd gotten himself into. Whatever it was he decided had to be better than what would have happened to him if he had stayed. Willing that thought away he focused on the positive, it wasn't like he was going somewhere he'd never been. His father had been a merchant dragging his mother and him wherever he went. He could speak the language and he was more than certain he could find work.... Somewhere. Maybe one of the men that his father had sold to. If all else failed he knew how to live in the wild.... It would probably be safer there. He thought, huddling tighter into the cloak as a pair of cold dark blue eyes swam before his vision. Along with images of what could have happened. Another ear-splitting snore broke him from his morbid thoughts. Climbing to his feet careful not to step on anyone Dasha headed for the door. Cracking it open slightly he slipped out into the night. Walking across the deck on silent feet.... Cat's paws is what his father used to call it. Dasha made his way to the front of the ship (2) wandering across the deck he stopped at the base of the crow's nest and looked out over the water. It was calm tonight just the barest hint of a wave, "Poseidon must be in a good mood." He said aloud looking up at the moon.
" Or he is resting like any sensible person is right now." A soft voice said. Dasha nearly jumped out of his skin, looking around him frantically. With a chuckle a boy stepped out of the shadows to stand before him. Dasha relaxed instantly upon seeing it was the boy from earlier. He stood before Dasha with his arms folded across his chest. He had let his hair down since the last time he'd seen him and it flowed around his shoulders like black silk. Blushing Dasha looked away.
" I couldn't sleep. My bunk-"
" Yes I know I could hear them when I passed your room." He said stepping closer to him, a slight frown marred his brow. " You are not a solider are you." He said looking Dasha over....well tried to at least the heavy black cloak he had given to him earlier covered him completely from neck to ankles. Smiling slightly Dasha found himself blushing.
" What gave me away?" the young man actually smiled. Stepping closer to Dasha he placed his hands on his hips.
" Well one thing is your looks. You look so soft and gentle I thought you were a woman, then there is your hands." He said taking Dasha's smaller hands in his and turning them over. " They are to soft to smooth to belong to a warrior." He said running a rough finger over the skin. " Beautiful...." He murmured still stroking the hand. Blushing bright crimson he looked away from the watchful eyes.
" I wanted to thank you for the cloak it's-" the man held up his hand and smiled.
" No need to thank me." He said still clutching Dasha's hand.
" Then may I ask your name at least?" Dasha asked.
" Yes. Only if I can ask yours." He said.
" What is your name?" smiling the man led Dasha down the deck back to his room, the sound of snoring had stopped and a great deal of rustling and growling could be heard. Then the door was thrown open and Ronan's massive form blocked the doorway.
" Aye there you are Dasha! You shouldn't be wandering around on your ow-" Ronan looked at the young man beside Dasha and nodded.
" He is not alone Ronan, he is with me. Nothing to worry yourself about." The boy spoke Ronan nodded then backed back into the room.
" Dasha is it? Gift from God...fitting." Giving Dasha a little shove into the room he walked away. Peeking his head out Dasha frowned after him.
"Wait! You never told me your name!" Dasha stood in the doorway, the boy stopped and looked back at him smiling.
" Shing." He said simply and walked away. Dasha was about to question him, when Ronan's meaty hands lifted him from his feet and pulled him into the room, shutting the door behind him, he laid him on the bed gently.
" You should not be wandering about the ship on your own young one." He said, scrunching his face into a frown. " There are many a man that would like to get his hands on a nice little piece like you." Ronan ruffled his hair and went back to his hammock. " Now stay put till morning." Nodding Dasha curled up on his side on the bed and closed his eyes. He was almost asleep when he heard one of the men say.
" Heh. Nothing much to worry about there no one would put their hands on someone under Shing's protection....."
" Yes, they'd be a damned fool. "
" And a dead fool." Hearing that Dasha smiled to himself and cuddled lower under the cloak. Wondering why would anyone be afraid of Shing? He seemed like such a nice man.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hye paced the confines of his 'special' room, glaring every now and then at the bleeding girl in the corner, then at Theron siting on the couch, a goblet of wine being swirled in his hand looking for all the world amused at the whole situation.
" Feel better?" he asked his voice oozing sarcasm. " If not I think there is a bit of flesh on her thigh that doesn't have a lash mark you may want to get that bit as well." He said taking a sip of his wine. Hye glared at him. Theron was the only living soul besides his toys that were allowed in the 'special room' the fact that his toys would rather not be in there that was beside the point.
" Do not start with me Theron." Arching a brow Theron placed his free hand up in a consoling gesture.
" I apologize don't mind me...." He said with a wistful sigh.
" Ahh Gods! Theron what's wrong with me? " he hissed swinging the lash about. Theron smirked and arched a brow.
" Where do you want me to start?"
" Theron I'm serious!" clenching his teeth Hye flopped down on the couch across from his friend pouring himself another glass.
" So am I." Theron muttered.
" What was that?"
" I said so what do you think is wrong with you?" Hye frowned and poured himself a cup of wine as well.
" Him." He snorted taking a gulp. Sitting back against the couch, Theron waited.
" Him? A bit vague don't you think?" Snapping his eyes from his cup Hye glared at his friend blue eyes frozen solid.
" You know who I'm talking about." Hye snorted.
" Oh him...." Theron faked an indifferent shrug. " He was just a slave Hye.....admittingly a very pretty very expensive slave....but a slave nonetheless, not worth wasting this much time on." Theron said. Shaking his head Hye slammed his cup down on the table.
" No. He was more than that...he wasn't even a slave be-"
" A commoner then, a poor orphaned wretch, who has never been on his own, in a few days he'll probably come crawling back once he realizes his 'uncle' as you say is no longer capable of caring for him." Theron suppressed a shudder for what that homecoming would be like. He ended up suppressing another when he saw the look on his friend's face, as he obviously contemplated what he'd do to the poor creature when it did return. For his sake Theron prayed he never did. Smirking Theron shook his head. Praying to the gods for mercy on another. Quella must really be having an effect on him....
" Your right Theron." Hye finally said, looking down into his cup swirling the red liquid about. " He'll be back."
" That's the spirit." He said hiding a look of relief behind his cup.
" But if he isn't back in a week's time...I'm going to look for him...and when I find him. I'll make certain he never leaves me again." Leaning back against the couch goblet in hand he looked up at Theron again, the gleam in his eyes made all the more errie by the flickering candles. Again Theron found himself praying, as Hye rose in one smooth motion, the lash that had been draped across his lap like a lazy snake slithered down his bare thigh onto the floor. Hye let the tip of the lash slide until he reached the girl who had remained huddled in the corner this whole time. " I'm ready to play some more how about you hm?" he said to the girl, Theron took another sip of his wine and prepared for the screaming. Still he winced when the first blow of many to come landed on the girl's back with a resounding * TWACK * Soon after they came down faster as her screams got louder, mingling with Hye's nearly insane laughter. Rubbing his temples Theron sighed, and prepared for a long night. Settling his feet over the edge of the couch he lay back on the pillows and waited for Hye to tire again. Hopefully it would be soon, they had a long trip tomorrow, a very long trip. Tossing an arm over his eyes he worked on blocking out the noise around him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dasha frowned leaning his forearm on the railing, the men wandering behind him doing their various jobs. For the fifth time in so many minutes he pushed his hair back from his face. Growling a curse at Ronan for taking his thong. So what if it was so that they could secure the sails, his hair was getting in his face. And he felt like he was going to puke.
" You seem a bit angry." A familiar voice said close to his side....a bit to close, Dasha yelped and spun on the man. A huge grin broke his features when he saw who it was.
" Shing!" he said smiling, catching a mouthful of his hair, sputtering he pushed it out of the way, again only to have it come right back. Shing laughed and pulled the hair away from his face, and held it. Smiling down at Dasha.
" Having difficulty?" he asked arching a brow. Dasha blushed and nodded. Without saying anything else Shing moved behind him, and tucked the hair into a loose knot.
" Thanks. I know I should just cut it, and I just might do it." Shing curled a lock of Dasha's hair around his finger.
" Why? Your hair is beautiful." He said gently . Dasha blushed.
" Thank you...." Shing nodded and smiled.
" No need to thank me for speaking the truth." Not knowing what else to say Dasha looked down at the water....and promptly got sick again. " The trick is not to watch the waves." Shing smirked.
" Easy for you to say!" Dasha shot back immediately. Shing just shook his head...black hair falling into his eyes.
" So Dasha care to tell me why you were running away from those men?" he asked cascually.
" M-Men? What men?" Dasha stumbled out, a firm hand gripped his chin, Dasha swallowed hard when he met fierce green eyes.
" It matters little to me why you were running away from Lord Hye and Lord Theron a colder bunch of bastards I've never known...but do not lie to me. Now if you wish not to tell me just say no. Don't lie never lie. Understand?" Dasha nodded slowly. This seemed to please Shing. " Now Dasha care to tell me why you were running away from those men?"
" No."
" Alright then." Shing said running his thumb over Dasha's lips. " See that wasn't so hard now was it?" he whispered leaning closer to the braided boy.
" No." Dasha answered a bit breathless. Shing leaned closer to him, and Dasha's blush deepened even more.
" Dasha get yer pretty little tail back in the cabin!" snapping his head up immediately Dasha recognized Ronan's gruff voice.
" Yes Ronan!" he called back, giving Shing one last look before he dashed away. Shing turned to Ronan a brow cocked.
" Is that your way of saying you don't trust me?" Ronan's frown deepened.
" No that's my way of saying I don't trust you around Dasha....the boy is just to damned lovable for his own good." Shing nodded his agreement then turned to look out over the water. Indeed he'd have to be to make the most vicious man in Greece chase after him like that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Groaning the boys sat up, rubbing their eyes. Heero had a pensive frown on his face, Duo sitting next to him was staring at Wufei who was staring right back. Quatre was scratching his head in confusion and Trowa was well....staring blankly as usual.
"So what happened?" Quatre asked first.
" Dasha escaped went to Asia somewhere..." Duo answered scratching his head. Quatre frowned looking confused.
" Dasha?"
" How did he escape anyway?" Heero asked glaring at Duo.
" Well he uh-"
" He got on a ship." Trowa answered. " Theron saw him do it..."
" But did nothing?!" Heero snapped. " Hye trusted Theron with his very life and Theron let the one thing he wanted more than anything else get away?!" Trowa turned blank eyes onto Heero.
" Theron knew what kind of man Hye was, you were in his mind...you were him actually. You saw the kinds of things he'd done and would do to him."
" And Theron was any better? He was as much a murdering bastard as Hye was!"
" Theron! I recognize that name!" Quatre spoke up. " Theron was Quella's-"
" Husband." Trowa finished gently.
" Yes exactly!" Quatre smiled. " And Hye was the man you would go visit....the one you said...."
" Went insane." Heero finished. Turning his head down.
" What?" Duo asked tearing his gaze away from Wufei's.
"After Dasha disappeared." Trowa explained. " Hye began obsessing about him...."
" He couldn't think of anything else...but Dasha." Heero went on, shaking his head. A haunted look in his eyes. " He had sculptures made....and pictures painted....and his dreams.....his dreams were the worst. Near the end before he finally took his own life....Dasha was the only thing he saw."
" He killed himself?" Duo asked. Trowa nodded.
" A dagger to the throat." Heero shivered and turned away. Duo looked at Wufei again. " What happened to Shing?" Trowa asked. Wufei looked away....a red blush staining his cheeks.
" Forget Shing....what happened to Dasha?" Heero asked. " Hye-I went insane over him-you I should at least know what happened."
" I told ya he escaped to Asia.....and lived with Shing...for the rest of his life....He was very happy." Heero's glare intensified.
" Shing? That would be you wouldn't it Wufei?" Wufei looked Heero in the eye again.
" Yes." He answered simply. Heero curled his arm around Duo's waist pulling the surprised pilot against his chest.
" Oh boys boys! This has only begun, what you've seen is merely life number one, coming your way, later this night, life number two will cause much more of a fight!" the voice broke in.
" Life two? How many are there?!" the voice didn't answer but instead said.
" Rest well boys some of you may wish others dead."
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Yeah I know it wasn't all that great this was just to prove that little things can become big things very quickly.....You'll see what I mean.
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