Chapter 11

Wufei woke up slowly, confused and wrapped in a thick blanket of haze. He slowly opened his eyes and winced as the sunlight shone directly into his eyes. He turned his head away and blinked as he took in the familiar yet different surroundings. What--? Where am I? He laid there, staring at the room that had been his before his capture...And then all his memories came back. He closed his eyes and swallowed back the wave of sadness as he tried to sit up.

"Whoa! What do you think you're doing?" a stern voice demanded.

Wufei's head jerked up and he blinked as Tian walked in with a cup in his hand and smile on his face. Wufei's heart squeezed tightly as he took in the beautifully familiar face of his older lover. "Tian." His eyes misted.

"Now, Fei, you aren't going to cry on me, are you?" Tian teased as he sat down beside the younger man and gave him the cup. "Drink and get better."

Wufei took the cup and sniffed it. He wrinkled his nose in disgust and gave Tian a narrow glare. "You're not making me drink this foul herbal crap Ming makes, are you?"

"Drink it and get better. You know better not to argue with me," Tian scolded.

Wufei grunted and held his breath. Then he swallowed the warm liquid in one quick swallow. He coughed and choked while grimacing at the disgusting taste in his mouth. He shoved the cup into Tian's hands and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Ugh, I hate that stuff," he grounded out as he resisted the urge to spat out the nasty tasting residue of the liquid.

"But you know it's good for you," Tian said, as he placed the cup down on the floor. He reached out and brought Wufei gently into his arms. He smoothed his hands over the other man's back, mindful of his wound. "I missed you, Wufei. Where have you been these last month?"

"At the castle," Wufei murmured as he melted immediately into Tian's arms. Ah, this is what he wanted and needed right then. He was absolutely content with Tian holding him, he missed the warm arms wrapped around him when he needed them the most. He smiled dreamily as his eyes slid shut and he breathed in Tian's wonderfully familiar and musky scent mixed with the woodsy smell of their home.

"What have you been doing at the castle?" Tian asked as he lifted Wufei into his arms and held the man gently. "I missed you so much. You couldn't make any contact at all?"

Wufei shook his head, his eyes still closed as he drowned in the wonderful sensation of being home again.

"Are you even listening to me?" Tian asked, laughing softly as he leaned over and kissed Wufei on the forehead. "Do you know how much I missed you, little lover?"

"I'm so sorry, Tian," Wufei sighed as he opened his eyes.

"For what?"

Wufei took a deep breath and, in a rush, began to explain everything that had happened to him since he had been captured. It took a while but he finally told Tian every single detail--even the little fact of sleeping with the prince. When he was finished he felt relief and fear at the same time. Would Tian hate him? He hoped not, he couldn't bear it if Tian hated him.

Tian was silent as he rubbed Wufei's back soothingly, running his little lover's words over in his head. When he finally accepted what Wufei had told him, he asked a question.

"Was he good?"

Wufei was absolutely horrified, caught between laughing out loud or hitting Tian. In the end he did both as he fell against Tian's strong chest and laughed until he cried. He cried for all that had happened to him, what he had gained and lost. He cried for the pain in his heart and the fact that he was finally home again.

Tian held Wufei until the bandit finally stopped, hiccuping every once in a while until he held his breath and waited for it to go away.

When Wufei had gotten a grip on himself he decided to answer Tian's question.

"He was wonderful," he admitted quietly.

"Hmm...Better than me?"

Wufei blushed.

"Oh, that's not good," Tian teased. "I guess we've been apart too long and you've forgotten my skill."

Wufei breathed a bit heavier as he realized Tian's offer. He felt his heart race and the knots in his stomach tighten. He looked up and wrapped his arms around Tian's neck and leaned up to kiss his lover.

"Show me, help me remember your skill," he murmured as he kissed Tian all over. Help me forget Heero. Help me let him go, a deeper part inside of him begged. He almost cried in relief as he felt Tian lay him down on the bed and began to shower him with kisses. Yes, please. Let me forget...Let me forget it all and be content again, without this ache in my heart for the prince to be between my legs. [1]

Then Wufei let go of everything for a little while as he lost himself to Tian's passion and Tian's love.

Afterwards Wufei laid curled up beside a sleeping Tian, ignoring the sharp pain in his back. He closed his eyes, tired but unable to go to sleep. He had far too many things running through his head. Many of his thoughts were occupied by Heero's face, Heero's touch, Heero's voice. I just made love with Tian and all I can think about is Heero. What is wrong with me?! Wufei hated himself as he pressed himself tighter against Tian and tried so hard not to give into the tears burning his eyes.

Everything he had gone through had added up to pure hell. And now that he was back home he was still unhappy. Heero had released him, he should have been ecstatic to go home and sleep in the same bed with Tian again. Tian actually loved him, cared for him. Heero didn't love him, not like Tian. He was sure Heero didn't love him, but that didn't stop him from loving Heero.

A single tear slipped and fell onto Tian's arm.

~*~

A few days later...

"Hold still," Ming scolded later that afternoon as he tightly wrapped some white linen around Wufei's back and chest. The wound was closing up and healing wonderfully with the healing salve Ming had rubbed on it. All Wufei needed to do was stop moving around so the wound wouldn't always be pulled open.

"I am," Wufei said defensively.

"Sure you are," Ming drawled as he tied off the bandage and patted Wufei on the shoulder. "What are you so impatient about?"

"Nothing," Wufei said tightly as he stood up and grabbed his shirt off the chair and slipped it on. It's only that today is the crowning. I wonder if anything is going to happen. Wufei sighed mentally and shoved the dark thought from his mind. Of course nothing was going to happen. The last assassin had been executed. No one would dare try another attempt at Heero or Trowa's life.

"What do you mean nothing?" Ming demanded as he stood up and started putting his things away. "What? Isn't Tian satisfying you enough? I swear, I *have* to tell him to stop making love to you if he wants you to heal."

"I like it when he does. Don't make him stop," Wufei said, frowning as he tied the strings of his shirt and then grabbed his belt.

"But if he keeps doing it, you won't heal!"

"Like I really care."

"It'll infect."

"I'll be fine."

"Do you have a death wish?"

"One little infection isn't going to kill me," Wufei huffed.

"I've seen strong men die from infections, Wufei," Ming said seriously.

"Look, I know you care but I just want to be alone right now. You've treated me and it's done. Now...I'm going to go hunt," Wufei said as he grabbed his sword and clipped it on.

"Hunt? Now??" Ming exclaimed as he followed Wufei out of the room.

"Yes, now," Wufei repeated, throwing Ming an exasperated expression. "Stop following me. Why isn't Huang here?"

"He's off with the others in town," Ming said, smirking.

"Jeez, I wish he was here to keep you busy and your mouth shut," Wufei muttered.

"Just because he's my lover--"

"Ming, stop mothering me!" Wufei exclaimed as he stalked into the weapons room and grabbed his favorite bow.

"I'm mothering you because I care, Fei. I don't want you dead. And neither does Tian. He wasn't exactly the greatest guy to spend time with while you were gone," Ming huffed.

Wufei ignored the healer and stalked out of the room with his bow and arrows. "Leave me alone. Unless of course you want to be my prey?"

"Hmph." Ming then smirked as a mischievous glint shone in his dark eyes. "You know, we haven't done it in a long time..."

"Oh no!" Wufei shook his head forcefully as he wagged his finger at Ming disapprovingly. "You are *not* keeping me in bed."

"Oh, come on!"

"I thought you wanted Tian to stop doing that," Wufei said, jabbing his finger at Ming.

"But if it keeps you in bed--"

"No."

"Wufei!"

"No."

"Fine! Go ahead and die! See if I care!" Ming threw up his arms and stalked off.

Wufei rolled his eyes and went to hunt.

~*~

Huang laughed as he shoved Feng aside as they all continued to amble down the streets of the city. They were sure to wear simple clothing that wouldn't catch too much attention since they were bandits after all and some of them had a price on their head. But today was the crowning of Prince Trowa and they didn't want to miss it. Even bandits had to worry about what kind of king they were going to get. Most of their ambushes determined on the trade routes and if the king decided to cut off trade routes they would have some trouble.

"Why didn't you bring Ming with you?" Feng asked as he walked beside Huang.

"Ah, the damned healer wanted to take care of Wufei and his wound," Huang sighed as he thought of his pretty lover back in the camp.

"Hmm...It's nice to have Wufei back," Jian said, smiling as he caught up with them after having a quick fight with Yi and Shitou about what was better--cake or pie. The two were still behind them arguing about it.

"Oh yeah. Now Tian won't be such a grouch," Feng laughed.

"Come on! The crowning's going to start!" Shitou shouted as he ran up to them and grabbed Feng's arm.

"Who won?" Jian asked, grinning as they all broke into a run towards the church where the crowning would be held.

"I did," Shitou crowed.

"Yeah right! We'll settle this back at the camp," Yi grunted as he jogged beside Huang.

They all laughed and ran harder. They didn't want to miss the crowning. It was going to be a public affair and anyone who wanted to see it was welcomed to.

All five men pushed past the people around them until they finally reached a good spot where they could see everything without any trouble. They stood there, at the doors and took the scene around them. Everything was decorated beautifully and the princes stood at the alter where the priest was and several other important men. Prince Trowa was decked out in some very fancy royal clothing and Heero only looked just a bit less fancy than his older brother.

The music started up and the crowning began.

"Man...Look at Prince Trowa," Shitou murmured appreciatively. "Too bad he's betrothed."

"No kidding," Jian agreed, nodding.

Huang rolled his eyes and smirked as Yi and Feng snickered.

The minute the crown was placed on Prince Trowa's head all of hell broke out. Prince Heero cried out and fell, a dagger protruding from his back and blood spilling everywhere. Everyone screamed and began to run while the bandits stood there and gawked, pushing anyone who came near them. They stared as the guards rushed in and quickly took the fallen prince and the new crowned king away from the scene.

"Let's get out of here," Huang said quietly after a moment.

They all nodded and fled.

~*~

Wufei was sweaty but happy as he walked back to the camp with three hares tied together in his hand. He dropped them off with Chen and went to his room so he could wash up and maybe take some medicine. The hunt had taken a lot of out him and he knew he shouldn't have done it but he couldn't help it. He hated being cooped up.

When he was dressed in fresh new clothing he sat down on the bed and laid back down. He sighed and closed his eyes as he felt his body relax and his mind slow shut down. He was at the brink of sleep when he heard the door to his room open. His eyes flew open and he sat up slowly, careful not to aggravate his wound.

"Tian? What's wrong?" Wufei asked, frowning at the expression on his friend's face. "Something happened."

Tian nodded slowly as he walked over to Wufei and sat down beside the man. He pulled Wufei into a tight hug and sighed softly.

"What is it?" Wufei asked, a ball of fear unfurling inside of him. Something *very* bad had happened. Tian was never like this unless it was something very, very serious.

"Prince Heero was taken down by an assassin," Tian said quietly.

Wufei stiffened as he felt the cold fear shoot through his system. He couldn't even begin to explain the fear, pain and sorrow that was churning through him like a merciless storm. He pulled away from Tian and stared at his friend straight in the eye.

"You're lying," he breathed. "You're lying!"

Tian shook his head. "I'm sorry, Wufei, but it's true. Huang came and just told me. It was during the crowning of Prince Trowa."

"No! No! It can't be! I took the arrow for the last assassin!! There weren't suppose to be anymore!" Wufei shouted as he stood up and started pacing. "That isn't true!!"

"Wufei! You know Huang would never lie," Tian exclaimed as he stood up and walked towards his distraught lover.

Wufei shook his head. "NO! Get out!"

"Wufei--"

"I...I need to be alone right now, Tian," Wufei said loudly, his voice cracking.

Tian nodded and left.

Wufei stumbled over back to the bed and fell down beside it. Closing his eyes, he buried his face in his arms and cried. This is all my fault!! If only I hadn't left...I should have stayed and protected him. Instead I was being a selfish bitch and I left him. I should have stayed...He shouldn't have gotten hurt! For the rest of the day Wufei cried and berated himself as he prayed Heero lived.

The next day it was announced that Prince Heero had died.

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Ah...Hmm...Heero's dead. Go figure! Comments, please!!

[1] *fidgets and blushes* Ooooh my...I can't believe I wrote that...