---

Dedicated to France and friends. You know who you are.

---

The gate guards saw the galloping horses and opened the small postern gate. The two horses thundered through and the guards shut the gates tightly after them.

Heero kicked out of the stirrup and hurried to Black. Black snorted once then allowed Heero to carefully pull Duo from the saddle into his arms. He snapped an order at one of the guards to take the horses to the stables and another to find Wufei and send him to quarters at once. His long strides carried him and his precious burden into the keep and up the stairs. He put Duo into the bed and smoothed his hair back from his face. Duo snuffled slightly then settled back in the bed again.

Heero poured some water into a basin checked the temperature to make sure it wasn’t too hot. He took a rag from the pile on the wash stand and carried the basin to the bed. He dipped Duo’s bloody hand into the water then rubbed it with the bar of soap he’d dropped into the water. Taking the rag, he washed the blood off Duo’s hand. Then he checked him for more blood. There wasn’t any anywhere.

Heero undressed Duo, looking for some reason for his collapse. He couldn’t find a wound of any kind, not even a bruise. He sat beside the bed, biting his lip, worried sick and wondering when Wufei would come.

As he stood watch over Duo he thought about all that he had learned, Duo was right. He’d done a very bad injustice to Duo. He wondered how many others he’d punished for no fault. He felt that he was learning these things too late. He was impatient, he knew, but he didn’t realize how frightening his temper could be until he started paying attention to the reactions of the servants. And his habit of shouting down people who didn’t agree with him was counter productive. He realized that too. They needed to air their opinions, not only to be fair, but to give Heero the ammunition he needed to convince them of his side. He held his aching head and wondered if he could abdicate and quietly hide here in the mountains. It was an idle thought and soon dismissed. He vowed to make reparations to as many people as he could. Starting with Duo. If he ever woke up.

Heero jumped as the door slammed back against the wall. Wufei rushed in with his box in his hands.

“Where’s he wounded? Did he hit his head?”

Heero got out of the way quickly. It wasn’t unusual for Wufei to toss someone out of his way bodily if they were between him and his patient.

Wufei quickly checked Duo over, pulling back the blankets and scanning Duo’s nude form for wounds when he didn’t see anything, he pulled the blanket back up to Duo’s waist and told Heero to hold him in a sitting position.

Heero braced his treasure in a sitting position, wondering when Duo had changed from ‘slave’ to ‘treasure’. Duo grumbled softly and Heero shushed him.

Wufei ran his hands gently through Duo’s hair and then gazed at him, puzzled. “There’s no injury that I can find. No wound, no bump, nothing. I don’t understand it. We’ll have to wait until his condition changes. He’ll wake up when he wakes.”

“Can’t you do something? He was fine, we were fighting a group of trash mercenaries then he just . . . froze. Then he collapsed, luckily we’d cleared out the trash first. I don’t understand it. If he wasn’t hurt in anyway, why would he pass out?”

Wufei paced, Heero watched; then Heero paced while Wufei watched. They took turns for most of two candle marks. Then a soft moan from the bed brought both of them to Duo’s side.

“Duo, love, wake up. Come, Pacchiri, open those bright eyes for me.”

Wufei made a face but continued to hover in the background waiting for Duo to come around.

Duo grumbled softly then opened his eyes. He was aware the moment his eye lids lifted.

“Move please.” Duo pushed gently on Heero’s chest so he moved aside to allow Duo to sit up.

Duo sat, brushed the bed clothes aside without embarrassment and stood. He picked up his pants and slid them on. Both Heero and Wufei watched with blank expressions on their faces.

Duo picked up a loose shirt and slid it over his head. He walked to Heero and knelt gracefully at his feet.

“Thank you. Thank you for saving my life. For being kind to me. For everything. I am yours to command. In everything, in every way. I will kill for you, or die. As you will it.”

Heero reached down and drew Duo to his feet. “That was very formal. What . . . happened? Are you all right? Please.”

Duo touched Heero’s lips with fingers that trembled slightly. “I remember who I am.”

Heero decided at once that he didn’t like the look in Duo’s eyes. “That’s good? You don’t look pleased. Why?”

Wufei interrupted at that moment. “Save your questions for later. I want to look him over. Come, Duo. Sit in this chair, I’ll give you a quick once over before your impatient master has a fit.”

Duo turned to Wufei and bowed, folding his hands in front of his chest. He replied to Wufei in his native tongue. “Thank you, High Master. Your attentions are much appreciated. Please, allow me to repay you in some manner. At a later date, as I am somewhat embarrassed at the moment.”

Wufei blinked then blushed. The only one who would know he was a High Master was Heero. Or someone in a position of importance.

Duo settled in the chair, his posture erect but easy. Wufei checked him over and declared him healthy.

“Well, why did he faint, then. There’s got to be a reason. And who the hell is he?”

Duo cleared his throat carefully. “Why don’t you ask me?”

Heero nearly pounced on Duo. “Very well, I will. Who are you? Why . . . what . . . oh, hell. Start talking before I burst.”

Duo smiled. “Don’t do that, you’ll never find out anything if you do. . My name is Duo Maxwell. I am high priest of Anchora. We are a warrior religion.” Duo gazed steadily at Heero. Heero just nodded. “You know about us? Good. That makes my explanation much quicker. I’m not sure exactly how I wound up unconscious, naked in the middle of a battle field but that’s what happened. I was picked up by scavengers and sold. My first master was very disappointed to find that I had amnesia. He sold me as a bed slave and everything went to shit from there. They cut my hair so no one would know who I was. Long explanation short. Any questions?”

Heero thought, then shook his head. “Very few. Why were you on the battle field at all?”

Duo gave Heero a rather disgusted look. “The High Priest of a Warrior Religion must lead, not hide in the back. I am the avatar of Shinigami, Death on Earth. Anchora’s right hand. I . . . feel that something . . . happened.” Duo staggered slightly, Heero grabbed him and eased him back into the chair. “All my memories haven’t returned yet. Could we please keep this secret for now?”

Wufei nodded, he was going to do some serious reading, he knew a little about Anchorites; he wanted to know more quickly. Heero also agreed, the back of his neck was creeping. He wanted to speak to both Quatre and Trowa before the news got out.

---

Trowa listened to the Master at Arms then sighed. He tried to hold his temper, he really did, but the men he’d sent out to collect the wounded found only corpses. He wanted to throttle Heero, how was he supposed to protect him from threats if he couldn’t get any information. With a soft growl he gave up the effort and stormed off in search of Heero. He blew past Quatre who just sighed ‘oh, hell’ and followed.

Trowa slammed the door open so hard it bounced off the wall, he caught it with his hand then froze. There was a very sharp edge resting against his Adams apple. He looked into blazing violet eyes and shivered. This was not Heero’s loving slave. This was . . . Shinigami.

“Trowa Barton. You don’t want to live long, do you?” Duo put down the blade he’d snatched up. “I remember. You don’t recognize me, do you?”

Trowa shook his head slowly. Quatre demanded entrance so Trowa moved aside. Duo smiled at Quatre gently. “Hello. Again.” He looked at Heero then suggested. “Perhaps we could take this somewhere a little more . . . roomy and comfortable. This might take a while.”

They retired to the library, seating themselves around the fireplace while Duo stood in front of it.

He explained that as the high priest it was his duty and privilege to decide who got their aid and who did not. He was disliked by many as he was incorruptible, refusing some rather mind boggling bribes. No only that but there was a prophecy that said he would destroy the order, but that the thing was open to several different interpretations. He tended to ignore it because the prophetess was notoriously unreliable. Duo talked for several minutes then ended with, “and that’s all I can remember. The last few weeks before the battle, the battle itself and about three weeks after are a complete blank. And . . . I’m very tired.”

Heero scooped Duo up and set him in a chair. “Sit. I’ll ring for refreshments. Wufei . . . is there anything you can give him?”

Wufei produced one of the ever present packets of tea. “Tea. I’ll prepare it now.”

Duo snickered. He’d teased Wufei several times about his teas although he had to admit that they usually worked. He was tired, the battle had been quick but fierce and then his collapse, his reserves were drained.

“My lord Heero. I request your permission to sit.”

Heero blinked once then shook his head. “Since when did you get so formal. I don’t like it. Sit down before you fall down.”

Duo smiled at Heero. “I’m sorry. I just . . . things have changed. I wasn’t sure if the old, comfortable ways were appropriate now. It’s up to you. I’m still yours.” At Heero’s relieved expression, Duo’s heart leapt. He hadn’t been sure Heero would want him once he found out who he was.

Heero couldn’t help the relieved sigh he let out. He hadn’t been sure Duo would stay with him, now that his memory was returning. Duo smiled at Heero again.

This byplay wasn’t lost on the other occupants of the room. Wufei handed Duo a cup of tea then proceeded to hand everyone else tea as well. Quatre and Trowa got plain green tea, Heero got a claiming cup of chamomile and Wufei jasmine.

They all drank tea for few moments then Quatre put his cup down. “What now? Your Holiness should perhaps . . .” Quatre trailed off as Duo snickered. “Excuse me?”

“Please don’t call me that. I’m not a Holiness. If you want to address me properly, you call me High General. Or Duo. I haven’t given up my office, but I’m sure someone else has taken it over by now. Please. You do realize that I’m still Heero’s slave, unless he deigns to free me. Which I doubt. As well as the fact that I now have a life debt to him. And I will pay it. So . . .” Duo sipped at his tea smiling around the rim of his cup.

Heero cleared his throat. “So . . . a life debt? I see. And your order is probably very strict about repayment of such debts, isn’t it?” Duo smirked at Heero. “I see. That leaves me with several choices to make.” Heero stood up to pace back and forth under the watching eyes of his council. “I’m not sure how I should do this. There are several things I need to think about.” He looked out the window. “It’s late now. I have to check with the master at arms to see what he found out.” Heero turned to Trowa. “I am sorry I didn’t leave you one. But they endangered Duo. That’s all the excuse I have.” Trowa nodded his understanding. He’d have done the same if someone had endangered Quatre.

Heero turned to Quatre. “I have to thank you for getting the cooperation of all the local minor lords. I’m not sure what I was doing wrong exactly, you’ll explain it, now that I have sense enough to listen. I hope.” Quatre gave Heero one of his sunniest smiles and shook his head in wonder. When Heero had a break through it was always dramatic.

Heero spoke to Wufei next. “I’ll be up late. Please see to it that lord Duo has everything he needs . . . Duo don’t make that face. I have some papers to write out and arrangements to make. I don’t want to start out with things hanging over my head. Now that we know who you are, we need to find out exactly how you wound up naked on the battle field at risk. So, I’d like it if you would get some rest. I don’t want you falling sick from stress. Please?”

Duo started to argue, then decided that Heero was under enough stress and Wufei’s tea was making him sleepy. “Very well. I’ll obey, under protest. If you need me send a page.”

Heero knew better than to argue with such a concession. “I’ll do that. I promise. Go now.”

The meeting broke up. Each man headed for his well-earned rest. Quatre and Trowa would spend the time before retiring, finding out everything they could about the Anchorite religion. Wufei went to his lonely quarters and made up more tea. Duo settled in the huge bed and thought carefully. Falling asleep still trying to remember exactly what had happened.

---

Heero shut the library door carefully lest he slam it hard enough to crack the panels. He walked along the shelves of books until he found the one he wanted. He remembered reading it a long time ago. He’d resented the time he’d spent then, but now he was glad his instructors had been strict enough to make him read. He tugged it off the shelf and carried it to his desk.

He read carefully, took notes and worried. This book was old. Was it still relevant? He hoped so. He, in his impatience and stubbornness, had created an inter-kingdom incident of hellacious proportions. How he was going to smooth this over, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was he had to. If he didn’t, he was sure to lose Duo. He’d do anything he had to to avoid that.

Heero wrote instructions to Trowa, the master at arms and Cook. He wrote a message to Wufei, asking him what he thought. Then he settled on the hearth, wrapped in a blanket and slept, without Duo, again.

---

Duo was awakened by one of the maids, who shook him by the shoulder quite roughly and announced in a nasal voice. “You better get up, master slept in the library . . . on the floor.”

Duo couldn’t help but wonder what that had to do with anything. He crawled out of bed, scrounged in the ‘press for clothing and dressed. Then he went to the kitchen and sweet-talked Cook into giving him a tray for Heero. Not that it took much to do that. Cook was a soft touch as far as he was concerned. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and headed for the library.

He put the tray on the floor and patted Heero on the foot. It wasn’t smart to shake him by the shoulder, the only reason the maid didn’t get hurt was that Duo was awake. Heero was awake too.

“I’m awake. I was just thinking.” Heero sat up. “Duo? Are you staying with me?”

Duo handed Heero a cup of milky tea. “Do you want me to?”

“Very much. Please stay with me. I’ll do whatever it takes, I swear.”

Duo picked up his own cup. “I owe you.” Duo shook his head at Heero’s look. “I do. But I’ll admit that it’s only an excuse. I was . . . trained from the time I can remember to be High General. My birth right and obligation, you know. I was never really happy. I’m happy now and I intend to keep that happiness. If it means being a slave for the rest of my life, so be it. You’ll never abuse me. I know this. So . . . you have something to say?”

Heero nodded. “Yes. I have read this. . .” Heero showed Duo the book. “How accurate is it?”

Duo opened the book and glanced through it. “Accurate. It’s old but the traditions haven’t changed in hundreds of years. Why?”

Heero stood up and folded the blanket, leaving Duo standing cup of tea in his hand. He didn’t bother to try to straighten his clothing, it was too rumpled. Duo waited patiently, sipping his tea.

“How much have you remembered? Do you remember how you wound up in that mess?”

Duo shook his head. “No, but I will. I remember as much this morning as I remembered last night.”

“Ok. I . . . you want to stay with me?” Duo nodded. “You’re sure? I don’t want . . .” Duo reached out and put one finger on Heero’s lips.

“Do something better with those than say stupid things.”

Heero just pulled Duo into his arms and kissed the breath out of him. Neither one of them noticed the broken cup nor would they have cared if they did.

Heero kissed Duo frantically clutching at his shoulders. Duo allowed this and replied with enthusiasm.

They kissed each other until their weak knees gave out and they collapsed onto the fur rug in front of the hearth. The same rug where Heero had made his cold bed the night before. Somehow it seemed warmer now.

Duo crawled over Heero and settled onto his chest. Heero pulled the edge of the fur over them both and tried to put his arms around Duo. Duo gently caught his wrists and pressed them to the rug. Heero allowed Duo the privilege. He left his hands over his head and waited to see what Duo would do.

Duo spent several moments tormenting all Heero’s sensitive places. Heero writhed and groaned but left his hands where they were. No matter that he longed to touch Duo, he would do as Duo wished.

Not that he regretted it. Duo cooed and hummed. Heero whimpered and moaned. Duo licked and caressed. Heero fought to stay still until he was drenched in sweat. Finally he could stand no more.

“Please, Duo, love. I can’t stand it anymore. Do something. Please.”

“Very well. Stay right there.” Duo’s bright eyes darted around the room. He wasn’t about to mount his lover dry. It would hurt both of them. But what could he do? His eyes lit on the breakfast tray. The food was still there, including the butter. He scooped up a dollop of it and smeared it on Heero, Heero caught his hand and scraped some off.

“You’re not mounting me unprepared. You’ll hurt both of us. Hold still”

Duo wondered if he could get away with strangling Heero. Hold still, indeed. How was he supposed to do that when Heero was doing such delicious things to him? Heero’s fingers probed and stretched him. It felt so good, all he wanted to do was force himself down on Heero’s hand. But Heero held him still with one hand while he eased his way with the other.

Duo didn’t fight although he had wanted to have his way with Heero he was satisfied with this too.

Duo eased himself down on Heero and began to move. Heero murmured soft words of encouragement to him. Holding him under the thighs so that he was supported, helping him to move. Duo moaned softly, it felt so good. He didn’t want it to end, but he did. When it ended there was the cuddling. But it felt so good.

Heero also was in ecstasy. He had wanted this for sometime now. But an angry Duo submitting to him wasn’t what he had wanted so he’d waited until Duo wasn’t mad anymore. Now he was reaping the rewards for his patience. He panted softly, trying to stave off his satisfaction. He wanted this to last. If he could.

He couldn’t. Duo rode him like he was posting a trot. Heero groaned, whimpered and then spasmed. Duo settled down on him and ground his hips, gave a little yelp and collapsed on him.

“Good?”

Duo mumbled. “Mmmmm. Very.”

They cuddled for a moment or two then Heero pulled the breakfast tray toward them. It was a cold tray, Cook had sent. There was cheese, bread, the remains of the butter, cold meat and fruit. The tea was hot because Duo had put the pot near the fire.

As Heero sipped his tea, he wondered if he was doing the right thing.

“Duo? I need to ask you a question.”

Duo settled cross-legged with his plate on the floor in front of him. “Very well, ask, I might not be able to answer but I’ll try.”

“Were you a judge as well as a general?”

“Sure was. Pain in my ass too. Some of the cases that came before me were tragic, but others were just plain ridiculous. I really hated those. One man brought his brother to court for a potato.” Duo shook his head at Heero. “You really don’t want to know. But that’s not the real question, is it?”

“No. I treated you shamefully. I swore I loved you but I couldn’t even listen to you when there was a tiny problem. You can’t be perfect. No one can. But I expected it of you. I’m sorry for that. And I made some very bad decisions here. Ones rooted in my impatience and prejudice. I have to make up for that. And I scare people. I’m not sure how yet, but I do. And I have to stop doing that and make up for it somehow. You’ll help me won’t you?”

Duo nodded. “I see that you’ve been doing some thinking. I’m proud of you. Now I need to change the subject. I need to read that book. It’ll tell me things I need to know. I hope. I get the feeling that something bad happened. And it’s not getting wounded on the battle field. Something else.”

Heero nodded. “I’ve got a cold wind blowing across the back of my neck. I have some more arrangements to make. Then we need to sit down with Trowa and Quatre, maybe they know more. And Quatre has birds or I miss my guess.” Duo raised an eye brow in question, mouth full of fruit. “He has some sort of bird that he can give a message to. It’ll go where he wants it to. I have no idea how it works. If you’re interested, ask him. But after birds, messengers arrive for days.”

Heero stood up and went to the door. He looked over his shoulder at Duo and hoped he would understand what he was doing and why.

---

Wufei read the note he was given with a small frown. He wondered if Heero knew what he was doing. A judgement that he couldn’t pass himself? That was unusual. But Wufei had been trained in law and was competent to do the job. He sighed and fished out his most formal red and black robes. The ones with the dragon in gold on the back and ivy embroidery around the slit hem and the sleeves. The loop and ball frogs that closed the front were red against black trim three inches wide. The body was red. His slippers of silk were black with gold tops. He eyed the formal cap and decided against it, for some reason the thing made these people snicker at him.

He walked slowly to the audience chamber and went to the chair placed in front of Heero’s. He settled in the chair and waited. The doors opened and the crier began introducing the entering people. He only introduced the members high in society, poor people just wandered in, took a place along the wall and waited.

When all the spectators were in place, the plaintiff entered. One was the master at arms, who took a place to Wufei’s left. The other was Trowa who took a place to the right. Wufei nodded to the master at arms who began to speak.

He entered a complaint against an anonymous person. His points of argument were that this person was incapable of listening to plaintiffs without prejudging cases. He worked the men in his command excessively in search of perfection. Wufei winced. When the master at arms finished his complaints, it was Trowa’s turn.

Trowa stepped forward and pled the youth of the person. He explained that he, the defendant, had taken office way too young. He pled the exigencies of the defendant’s own training which had been extremely harsh. When he was finished, he stepped back with a small bow.

Wufei grimaced this was going to be a hard judgement to make he didn’t really have all the facts but Heero had asked him to make the judgement so he would. “I’ll take a small break in order to make my decision. Please bring me the written complaints and the reply. I’d like to read them over before I make a decision. Thank you.” Wufei stood up and walked behind the throne, entering a small retiring room there.

---

Wufei paced rubbing his forehead wearily. He was taking a long time to make his decision. He wished he knew more of the circumstances. Heero hadn’t given him enough background on this person. According to all the information he had, the man wasn’t malicious just ignorant. And impatient. If he set too harsh a punishment, it might ruin an otherwise good man. If he was too lenient, he wouldn’t learn anything. This was one of the reasons he wasn’t a judge he took things too seriously for Heero. Heero wanted quick decisions.

Wufei froze in place so suddenly that he nearly tripped. “Damn him! He . . . that fool . . . I’ll . . . ” Wufei quit sputtering as he came to a decision. ‘If he wants me to judge him, I will. Now that I have enough information I’ll . . . oh, he’s going to be so furious. But maybe he’ll learn something. I hope.”

Wufei called the bailiff and told him what he wanted. The bailiff just nodded and left to make his arrangements while Wufei re-entered the court.

The crier called the court to order and Wufei sat back in his chair. “Is the defendant available at this time? If he is, please ask him to enter the court room and call His Holiness, the High General Duo Maxwell from wherever he is as well.”

There were some surprised exclamations from the room, which were called to order by the crier. Wufei settled back with a satisfied expression on his face. He was going to drop another bomb in just a moment.

Heero entered accompanied by Duo and Quatre. Heero sent his companions to stand near Wufei. He stood in front of him and waited.

“I, Chang Wufei, last Prince and heir of the Dragon Clan . . .” the crier had to quiet the rumble of comment before Wufei could go on. “. . . Do hereby pass judgment on the defendant. Guilty of charges read.” Heero flinched. “In justice there must be mercy. In mercy there must be justice. Therefore here is my judgment. Reparations are impossible in some cases. But any person who feels that he or she has been misjudged must be allowed to re-present their case. You . . .” Wufei gave Heero a sharp look. “Will listen to them with all due patience. What seems to you to be inconsequential information, might turn out to be much more important than you think, do you understand?” Heero nodded. “As to the other charge, that of treating the High General cruelly. Yes, you were cruel to him, but you also saved his life and have been kind to him. This, his unjust punishment was due to your usual impatience and hasty judgement. Therefore, you will suffer the same punishment that he did.” There were gasps from the bystanders and Duo protested loudly. They were all told to come to order or leave the room. “As well as this, he will serve High General Maxwell as his personal servant for thirty days. That he might learn patience with him in service as he has never been a body servant and should learn from experience what it is like. That is my judgement. Guards, take King Yuy into custody. Take him to the same cell that the High General was placed in. He gets what was given. I have spoken.”

The guards approached hesitantly, they weren’t sure what to do. Heero was better than all of them combined. If he chose to put up a fight they were doomed from the start. Heero gave them a disgusted look and turned his back, crossing his wrists at the small of it.

Duo stood with a stunned expression on his face. This was unbelievable. Heero was actually going to submit to this? He thought carefully before he did anything. He was well aware that Heero had set this up. He just hoped that he knew what he was doing.

Duo reached out to Heero, Heero stepped away from the guards and as close to Duo as he could. Duo put his arms around Heero and whispered, “You’re a fool. I’ll love you no matter. But if you insist on doing this, I honor your choice. I’ll not interfere.” Duo kissed Heero gently on the lips then drew back. Heero kept contact with Duo as long as he could, finally his neck wasn’t long enough and they separated.

---

Heero was taken to the same cell Duo had occupied, only this time it was clean. He remembered ordering all the cells cleaned. It was still a dismal place, furnished as it was with nothing but a thin pallet. He waited a moment, back turned to the guards expecting to be untied. When they just shut the door, he remembered, Duo had spent the whole night bound. He resigned himself to an uncomfortable night. He wondered what would happen if he needed the jakes.

The guard spoke just then interrupting Heero’s ruminations. “If you need the convenience, kick the door. And . . . I’ll tell you. We’re none too fond of you. The Captain of the Guard took it out of our hides that your slave stayed tied up. But you didn’t give us any orders so we didn’t know what to do. So we didn’t do anything, so you wouldn’t blame us for over stepping our bounds. Talk about not knowing what to do.” The guard poked Heero in the back to make him step into the cell farther. Then he slammed the door.

Heero walked over to the pallet and managed to lie down on it without hitting his head on the floor. It was very awkward to lie any way but on his stomach. No matter which way he squirmed, he couldn’t get comfortable. And he was cold.

Heero settled himself to sleep, demanding his mind and body to do so. His control was good enough to set him to sleep, but not deeply or well. He woke time and time again as his sleeping body tried to find a comfortable familiar position. He woke cranky, hungry and thirsty. He also needed the jakes.

The guard who came to get him took him there first.

He was untied and allowed to relieve himself then retied. He grumbled to himself. The guard gave him a smack upside the head. “Shut it. You don’t get smart.”

Heero wondered if the man knew who he was or if it was just that he didn’t care. It didn’t make much difference he was a prisoner and had better make the best of it.

The guard led him out of the dungeon and into the early morning sun. Heero shivered. So this was what it was like to know that you were being led to the post and there was nothing you could do to save yourself.

He didn’t resist as his shirt was stripped down to his waist, his hands were unbound. He shrugged his arms out of the sleeves of his shirt then waited to be told what to do. He wasn’t told, they just grabbed him and hauled him bodily to the whipping post and shackled his arms over his head. He ‘kissed the lady’ and waited.

He heard a soft, ‘oh, fucking shit.’ which he attributed to Duo. There were a few other exclamations so he turned his head as best he could to look over his shoulder at the gathering. It was small, no more than fifteen people all together. Of course Duo was there, as well as Trowa and Quatre. Wufei stood with his box, looking sour. But one was a lord that he knew thought him an oaf. There was also the high priest of the local temple. He had insulted the man somehow or other. The rest were assorted local land owners and merchants, minor lords and the mayors of the three nearest towns. And the master at arms, the stable master, and Cook. He turned his head back. Their disbelieving looks would soon be answered. He was going through with this.

He heard the rustle of clothing and knew what was about to happen. That didn’t make it any easier.

The first blow drove him into the post and stung. The second was worse as the whip master crossed the lashes. Heero sucked in his breath between gritted teeth. He tried to remember that there were only twenty lashes to endure. He counted as he used to do thinking ‘only ten more to go. Only nine more.’ until there was only one last lash. He grunted as it landed and let himself relax. His back was a mass of fire and he realized that he had become unfamiliar with the pain.

The whip master reached up, unshackled Heero and held his elbow for a moment to make sure that he wasn’t going to fall. When he was satisfied he folded the strap and walked away, leaving Heero standing where he was.

Duo went to Heero immediately. He bit his lip. This was going to be problematical. He couldn’t carry Heero, if he couldn’t walk they would have to get a stretcher. Duo wasn’t sure Heero would cooperate with that.

“Well, can you walk or do we have to carry you?”

Heero grimaced. “I can walk. I’m fine.” Duo snorted at this asininity. “I can.”

“Yes. But am I going to let you?”

Heero glared at Duo indignantly. “Excuse me?”

“Remember the rest of your sentence?” Heero froze then gave a jerky nod. “Well, I don’t want you falling on your face. So we’ll take it careful until I’m sure you’re not going to fall. Come on.”

Heero followed Duo up the stairs, smiling at him every time he looked over his shoulder to check on him. Duo didn’t smile back.

When they reached their quarters, Heero started to tend to Duo. Duo pulled back, “What the hell? Are you completely crazy? Where’s Wufei?”

“Here. I followed you up.” Wufei stepped into the room carrying his box. “Lay down on the bed.” Heero started to protest but Duo poked him gently in the back. His arch and grunt were enough answer for all of them. He settled on his stomach vowing to get clean as soon as he could. He felt crawly.

Wufei checked Heero’s back. It was bruised as badly as Duo’s had been. But Heero wasn’t even wincing as he poked gently to see how deep they ran. Wufei got out the bottle of liniment and his applicator. He smiled at Duo’s giggle. It did look a little silly. The ball of cotton wadding attached to a stick with a bit of string worked quite well. It applied the medicine without aggravating the bruised skin.

He poured the medicine in a small bowl, handed it to Duo to hold and started his ministrations. Heero just lay there, unmoving and allowed them to do their work.

---

Duo grimaced at the sight of Heero’s back. If he thought that Duo had wanted this he was sadly mistaken. But Duo knew Heero’s sense of honor was as rigid as his sword. Now he had one final lesson to teach. The lesson of forgiveness.

“Well, that’s a hell of a way to wake up. I’m for breakfast. Want to take a bath then go pester Cook?”

Heero nodded then heaved himself up from the bed. He groaned softly. He really wasn’t in the mood or condition for a hot bath. He really wanted to lie down on the cold slate floor of the bathing camber and stay there for a while. But he was filthy from sleeping in his sweat all night and the flogging had made him sweat even more. Now he stank. He sighed and headed for the bath.

He checked the water in the jugs on the hearth and found that it was hot. He poured it all into the tub and added enough cold to get a comfortable temperature. He added Duo’s favorite scent and swished it around with his hand.

Duo came in from the bed chamber, carrying an armful of clothing.

“I was going to do that. As soon as I was finished with the tub.”

“That’s all right. I wanted to do it. Is my bath ready?”

Heero backed away from the tub and nodded. His back pulled and he winced slightly. Wufei’s medicine had helped greatly but no one could endure a beating like that and not feel something.

“I’ll put some more medicine on that as soon as we’re done bathing. Come, get into the tub. I want you to wash my hair.”

Duo knew that hot water wasn’t that good for Heero’s back, but he wasn’t going to be in the tub long enough for it to do much damage. And he did so like having his hair washed. Heero’s strong hands worked wonders on his scalp.

Heero didn’t object he just got in the tub. Duo settled in front of him and waited while Heero dipped water over his head. Heero gently poured the water over Duo’s head then rubbed in some shampoo. He massaged the shampoo into Duo’s scalp. Duo sighed with pleasure.

“Close your eyes so I don’t get water in them.”

Duo obeyed closing his eyes while Heero rinsed the shampoo out. He silently urged Heero to hurry. He knew that the hot water had to be making him ache.

“Be quick. You need to get out of this water soon. And I want you to rub that salve Wufei gave me into my scalp again. It seems to work better if my scalp is damp.”

Heero just grunted and checked to make sure he got all the shampoo out. He helped Duo out of the tub and started to kneel to dry his legs but Duo just handed him a towel. He dried himself off and patted Duo’s back for him when he turned around. He also wrapped a towel around his head to blot up the moisture so his hair wouldn’t drip down his back.

—
Heero eyed Duo. Instead of his usual black, servants garb he was wearing a pair of riding pants and a loose shirt. The clothing was still black but instead of looking subdued and servile, he looked elegant, regal. Heero smiled slightly. He was proud of Duo.

Duo raised an eye brow at Heero who was standing naked staring at him. Heero jumped to finish his work, wincing again as his movements aggravated his bruised back.

“Heero! Take it easy. I don’t expect you to jump like that. Go easy. Come on. Come back to the bed chamber and sit down.”

Heero smiled, a little tremulously, but shook his head. “I need to empty the tub. And find some clothing.”

Duo pointed to the small pile of things still on the dresser. “That’s what I want you to wear.”

Heero nodded his understanding. Duo decided to let Heero have his way as being quicker than arguing with him. He returned to the bed chamber to wait for Heero to come to him.

Heero hurriedly emptied the tub, took a few moments to lie on the floor, allowing the cool slate to ease his bruises. He lingered longer than he really should have and entered the bed chamber with a guilty expression on his face.

“Took a whole second and a half for yourself, didn’t you?” Heero’s head jerked up and he examined Duo’s smiling face for signs of irritation. Duo just grinned at him. “That’s good. You’re so dedicated that you give me a pain. Come here and brush my hair for me. Please?”

Heero brought the salve with him and settled behind Duo’s chair. He massaged the stuff into Duo’s scalp thoroughly then brushed his hair, tied it back with a strip of leather and patted Duo on the shoulder.

“There. All done. I think you’re right. Your hair is getting longer. It all tied back today. It wouldn’t just two days ago.” Heero’s stomach gave a loud growl. “Oops. Sorry.”

Duo laughed, “Well, come on then. I’m hungry too. Cook will be expecting us.”

---

Cook was in her usual place in the kitchen when they entered. She called them to the table and sat plates in front of them. Heero waited until Duo started eating then he tucked into his own plate. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he smelled the food.

Cook smiled as both young men finished off their plates and Duo asked for more. She turned to Heero and watched in amazement as he just got up and went to fill both plates without comment or protest.

“Well, well. It looks like you’re smarter than I thought. Seems to me, you learned your lesson the first time. Good for you. You’ll make a good king yet. Not that you weren’t before but . . . well, there you are. You’re a good boy, you know. A little too stiff and business for the likes of me. But nobility is what it is. Now . . . here! What’s this?”

The motherly woman had been patting Heero’s arm gently as she talked and was astonished to find her self with an arm full of sniffling Heero. Duo moved to put his arms around Heero, careful of his back. Heero buried his face in Cook’s ample bosom and sobbed. “I’m sorry. Really sorry. I don’t know what to do. I’m such a bad king. I didn’t want this job. I’m not prepared for it. All I ever wanted to be was a soldier. A general maybe. How the hell did I get myself into this mess.”

Cook patted and cooed until Heero wound down. He settled at the table looking weary, tearful, and stressed. Duo had expected this sooner or later so he was ready with one of Wufei’s ubiquitous teas.

“Here. It’ll help you calm down. And don’t make that face at me. I know it tastes like boiled grass but it’s good for you.”

Heero accepted the tea and drank it with a minimum of fuss. Cook on the other hand fluttered and fussed over Heero which made Duo smile. Heero took it with a bemused sort of expression that Duo found endearing. He waited until Heero finished his tea then suggested that they return to their quarters until Heero could get hold of himself a little better.

“Then maybe we could take a swim in the moat. The water is fresh. There’s several springs feeding it. What do you say?”

Heero started to shrug, gave Duo a somewhat watery smile and agreed that that might be fun.

He soon found himself back on the bathing chamber floor, shirtless and covered with a blanket. He gazed a bit blearily at Duo who smiled gently back. ‘You’ll feel better after a nap. Now that your belly is full and you’ve relieved your nerves. Go to sleep, if I need you I’ll call you.”

Duo shut the door on Heero and settled himself in a comfortable chair. He sighed and picked up his book. He’d finish reading it while Heero napped.

---

When Heero woke, he realized that Duo wasn’t in the room. He started to sit up, tossing the blanket aside. He clenched his teeth and wished, not for the first time, that he’d been gentler with Duo. He knew he deserved the punishment, he also knew that Duo had not. He gave up on worrying about it.

“Duo? Oh, there you are. Um . . . do you want me to call you master? I will if you wish it.”

Duo looked up from his book and smiled. “I’d rather you called me lover. Have you read this?”

Heero glanced at the book and shook his head. “No, not really. My teachers made me read it, but I skimped anything I thought I could get away with. Should I?”

“Not really. It’s depressing. I’m glad I’m not the High General any more. And if they try to take me back I’m counting on you to keep them from it. I’m remembering more and more all the time. Most of it I don’t like much.”

Heero grunted softly, he picked up a hair brush and went to stand behind Duo’s chair. “I’ll brush your hair out again. Tell me about it.”

Duo shook his head shaking his hair into his eyes. “Not much to tell. I was born to be Shinigami. I was trained all my life to fill my office. Never allowed to be a child. Never had friends until I went into the field. Then I learned from some of the best officers around. I learned how to endear myself to the common soldiers which pissed off the higher ups in the temple. Never made much difference to me. I had friends now. But . . . that prophecy came back to bite me in the ass. Someone betrayed me. I’m not sure who. I haven’t remembered yet. Now . . . my past doesn’t make much difference. I’m not going back there. If I was betrayed once, it could happen again. And I’m not going through that again for anyone.” Duo turned his head to gaze worriedly at Heero. “You do really want me, don’t you?”

Heero smacked Duo gently on the shoulder with the hair brush. “Don’t be stupid. Of course I want you. More now than ever.” Duo blinked once. “Yes. I like this confident, proud man. I love you no matter what, but now I’m sure that you love me for myself, not just because you’re afraid to make me angry. Kiss? Please?”

Duo laughed, “Greedy man. You’re supposed to be subservient to me. Not the other way around. But . . . yes . . . kiss.”

Heero knelt in front of Duo trying to look humble, he only managed to look beautiful, at least to Duo’s eyes. Duo leaned into Heero’s shoulder and kissed him. First a careful nibble at that delicious, pouty lower lip, then a stronger kiss. The next thing he knew Heero was kissing him open mouth, tongue stroking and pressing into his mouth. Neither of them paid attention to anything for quite a while.

“Mmm . . . stop. Now. Duo . . . we can’t. Not right now. The girls will be coming to clean in a moment. And you promised me a swim. Not that it’ll be much fun. I can’t swim very well. Like I told you before.”

Duo pulled back. “Very well.” He pouted, sticking out his lower lip, which Heero nipped gently. “Stop that. I’ll watch you and help you learn. How were you taught to swim?”

“Master Swordsman Feemster rowed me out to the middle of a pond and tossed me in.”

Duo’s horrified expression showed what he thought of that particular lesson. “No wonder you swim like a barge. You trust me. I’ll teach you to swim like a fish. How long can you hold your breath?”

Heero shrugged, stood up and went back to brushing Duo’s hair. “Don’t know. I’ve never really tried it.”

Duo sighed, Heero was as ill prepared for real life as he’d been when he’d taken his office. He had been lucky. The old campaigners had taken him under their collective wing. He’d learned a lot from them. He was determined to pass it onto Heero. Heero seemed just as determined to learn.
“All right. Try now. Just hold your breath while you’re doing that.”

Duo leaned back more in his chair, practically purring with pleasure. Having his hair brushed was one of the simple pleasures he’d learned to enjoy. No one was supposed to touch his hair, but he wasn’t worried about that any more. His hair was a visible symbol of his dedication to Anchora. The longer a man was in the priesthood the longer his hair would be. Duo’s hair had never been cut in all his life. It had been trimmed to keep it even, but never more than four inches or so at a time. He realized that he really missed his braid.

“Heero? Do you think that if we use more of that salve Wufei gave us, my hair will grow faster? I miss my braid.”

Heero let his breath out with a whoosh. “I don’t know. We could ask him when he comes to check on me again.” Heero paused for several brush strokes. “Would you tell me about it? Your braid?”

“Yes. That was a good time on holding your breath.” Duo told Heero about his hair’s sacred meaning, telling him everything he could remember. When he told Heero about how his hair was cut to the scalp, then later pulled out just for the cruelty of it, Heero snarled, “I’ll find those men and they’ll regret it.”

Duo grinning in an altogether unpleasant way. “We will. I remember them. And I remember where they are.”

“I have some ideas too. Do you remember real addresses or do I have to put Trowa on the job?”

“I remember real addresses. I didn’t know why it might be important to remember but I did it anyway. Are you going to have them arrested?”

Heero shrugged then winced. “I’ll have to see if they have proper licenses or not. If they don’t, they’re in a lot of trouble. And I doubt seriously if they even bothered. Raids all round and they get what they gave. That’s the sentence for unlicensed dealing. They’ll be sold out of the country.”

“Seems a little harsh.” Duo shuddered, he was well aware that some men had no idea what some of their minor business partners got up to.

“If a man knowingly deals in slaves against the stated laws of the land, he gets what he deserves.”

“What if some poor fool just happens to be in partnership with a slaver unknowingly?”

Heero snorted. “He gets exactly what he deserves. The books are examined and the person is fined the amount of money they earned in two years. That money is used to rehabilitate slaves.”

Duo sighed. “Oh, and what about you. If slavery is illegal . . .”

Heero interrupted Duo. “Slavery is still legal. Buying, selling or trafficking in slaves is illegal. What would all the current slaves do if they were just suddenly cast out of their homes? We’re easing slavery out of fashion. Long, difficult road. But the chaos of just freeing them is . . . frightening. Could we change the subject? I’m finding this one uncomfortable.”

Duo agreed, deciding to let sleeping dogs lie for now. “Sure. You were telling me that Trowa and Quatre are doing research on me. Tell me more.”

Heero put down the brush and reached for Duo’s hair tie. He was going to see if he couldn’t braid it now.

“Not much to tell. Yet. But when Quatre gets on a job, he’s like a dog with a rag. He never gives up until he’s got the problem unraveled. And Trowa helps him when he’s not working on jobs of his own. And don’t ask me what Trowa does, he’s a ghost.”

Duo snickered softly. “That tells me all I need to know.”

Heero braided Duo’s hair, it only took three twists, but it was definitely a braid. Duo’s hair was growing so rapidly that Heero wondered if whatever was in that salve was really good for Duo. He decided to ask Wufei.

---

Duo watched as Heero waded into the moat. He was glad he’d managed to persuade Heero to go swimming with him. They both needed some fun. And the cold water would be good for Heero’s back.

Heero waded out until he was shoulder deep in the cool water of the moat. He allowed his shoulders to tip forward until his was floating on his stomach, head out of the water, looking like nothing so much as a large otter. Until he started to swim, then he resembled a drowning man. Duo sighed, stripped down to his smalls and swam out to Heero.

He slipped up behind Heero and put his arm around his chest. “Relax against me. I’ll hold you up. Lay back as if you were on a bed.”

Heero trusted Duo to keep him safe so he did as Duo asked, relaxing against his lover.

“Like this?” Heero tipped his chin back. “What next?”

“Yes, just like that. Now kick with your feet. Up and down. Don’t bend your knees. You’re not climbing stairs.”

Duo coaxed and coached Heero for the next thirty minutes, alternating with demonstrating what he was asking Heero to do. Heero caught on quickly and was soon swimming smoothly with a minimum of splashing.

They swam around for a while, until Duo realized that Heero was getting tired. He called a halt to their swimming and climbed onto the bank.

They settled under a willow tree and sprawled out to rest. The sun was still warm this late in the day so they didn’t bother to do more than put on their shirts. With their smalls, or small clothes, it was enough.

“Heero, you need new smalls. Those are going to give over the butt at any moment. Underwear is important. You could chafe something I’m fond of.”

Heero laughed. “Very well. I’ll see to it in the morning. We should go through all our clothing. Make sure we have what we need. I have to go back to the capital soon and it wouldn’t do to arrive with an incomplete wardrobe.” Heero managed to sound serious.

Duo eyed Heero in dismay. Had he fallen down on his job somehow? Heero’s laughing eyes gave him away.

“You bastard. You . . .” Duo laughed and swatted Heero on the arm. “. . . had me going there. We’ll make sure we dazzle the peasantry.”

“Not worried about them. Court is like a battlefield. It doesn’t do to go in unarmed. I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry for now.” He yawned and stretched. “I’m amazingly tired. It’s unbelievable how tiring swimming is.”

Duo just snorted. “Uses every muscle in your body more or less. I’m tired too. Let’s just lay here for a little while. We don’t have anything we need to be doing just now. Things are going to get busy soon.”

Little did Duo know how true that was.

---

As Skippyscatt pointed out, butter isn’t the best lubricant. But this is fiction, so they made do.