Ludi

The Deal.

As the monks and soldiers closed the temple's exterior and interior doors, WuFei carried Quatre in his arms to his room where he was tended and left to rest. WuFei took his hand in his and tried to reinforce his aura, but his own exhaustion made him drop beside him. 

When he woke up, the first thing he saw was Quatre watching him. The young master was pale and had noticeable dark circles. He seemed to regain his spirit when he saw WuFei move. 

“WuFei, are you okay?” 

“Master Quatre... I'm sorry” WuFei got up quickly but his body still hurt a little “I'm sorry... the doors!” 

“Calm down...” Quatre brought him a glass of water and motioned for him to drink “the situation is under control... I’m very sorry... I’m so sorry for causing all this...” the young master was saying between sobs, his voice harsh and tired “I, I just... wanted...” WuFei took his face with one hand and kissed him lightly on the cheek, making him blush in the middle of his crying “You didn't wake up... you didn't wake up! We thought you would die... I...” 

Quatre fell down crying on WuFei, making him drop the glass, while surprisingly a couple of monks entered who dropped the things they were holding and approached the bed, with tears in their eyes. 

“MASTER CHANG!! Master Chang is awake!! Master Sandrock, Master Chang woke up!” 

“We have to warn the others!” Said the other monk gesturing that they should leave the room, while Quatre stood up and wiped away his tears. 

“It's my room” WuFei was barely recognizing the place, and for an instant he felt disoriented “I was in your room… how did I get here? How much time passed? 

“They say that five days passed, that you left me in my room and while you were helping me you were unconscious... so they brought you to your room to attend you...” Quatre's eyes filled with tears again “thanks to you, I woke up on the second day, but you still didn’t wake up... We could barely hear your heart beat...” 

Quatre covered his face with his hands as the old man entered the room. 

“WuFei... it's true... your heart was so weak that we thought that you would not make it... thanks to Master Sandrock you have regained strength, and you certainly look much better than a few days ago... also you are on time, we will have a meeting with representatives of the village tomorrow at noon... let him recover, we must prepare everything for tomorrow.” 

The old man and the other monks who had come after him left, leaving both young men alone. 

“I better go too...” 

WuFei stopped Quatre by the wrist, and the young man turned away with eyes still watery, and somewhat embarrassed. 

“Master Quatre…" 

“I know it’s ridiculous, that we met recently, but I felt very scared... and I didn’t want to move from here... because the last time, I couldn’t be by your side...” 

WuFei pulled him and hugged him tight, causing Quatre to break into a heartbroken cry. He knew from the stories that his previous death had been horrible, and that Quatre remembered it all too well. He stroked his hair and kissed his forehead, while the young man sobbed and tried to calm himself in his arms. 

“Master Quatre... I'm sorry to make you go through all this...” 

“WuFei, don't apologize... it wasn't your fault... just make sure you're safe...” 

“Master Quatre, my duty is to protect you, even if...” 

“No, don’t say that! If something like this happens again, I will stay locked up doing nothing for what I came here to do... WuFei, if something like this happens again” Quatre looked up, with a serious look and tears in his eyes “I wouldn't know what to do... I wouldn't have strength to live...” 

“Master Quatre...” 

The young guard softened the hug, wondering if he was really understanding what the master meant. The monks always insisted that his own life meant nothing, compared to others, especially those who were and would be under his protection. No matter what happened to him, if his protégé was safe, everything was fine; and there he was, his more than protected, ordering him an impossible ... but he could see in his eyes that what he said was true... 

Quatre was very clear about what he was feeling at the time. More than for WuFei, he did it for himself. Since he regained consciousness he learned about the guard's condition and was unable to get away from him. No one in the temple managed to persuade him to even eat. He had no appetite, and despite how tired he still felt, he couldn't sleep. He had spent the nights lying on the guard's chest counting the slight beating of his heart, with an indescribable terror of not hearing the next beat. He knew very well that if WuFei ceased to exist, he could never overcome it. 

The young man put his hands on the guard's chest, but was not able to see his face. He was so ashamed. 

“I... WuFei...” Quatre clenched his fists, and felt his whole face burn, while the guard kept his embrace “... I love you... since before I knew it, I already loved you... and it's so strong, that... if something happens to you... I couldn't go on by myself...” 

WuFei was surprised and flushed. Quatre shook off the hug and left the room before he could stop him. He tried to stand up to follow him but his body ached too much and he was having a little trouble breathing. He was too weak. 

Quatre couldn't believe he had said he loved him... they hardly knew each other, but they had already done... things... He got redder than he was just remembering, and asked the monks in charge that all the food WuFei would receive, pass by his hands. That is the only thing he could do. 

The next day, WuFei felt as if nothing had happened. His wound had quickly healed, and his exhaustion disappeared. He took a bath, ate breakfast and after getting dressed he made a short meditation, checking that his ability was as strong as before. He left his room, and after checking the preparations for the meeting they would have that day, and that everything was in order, he went to the young master's room, from where a young monk was leaving. 

“Good morning Master Chang... Master Sandrock is still resting, but I left his breakfast in the room, in case he feels hungry.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“You didn’t know?” The monk got closer to the guard to avoid being heard from the room “Master Sandrock has been purifying all the food from the temple... especially yours... he tried the four silos, and finished a couple of hours ago. He did it even though he was without appetite, and exhausted. We warned him that he should rest, but he said that he had to be able to do it before the meeting... although we don't know why...” 

“Make sure everything is ready, and tell the guards to reinforce surveillance. The Army could take advantage of the opportunity.” 

The monk withdrew and WuFei entered Quatre's room. Food was laid out on the table, and the young master slept soundly. He approached silently and couldn't help stroking his head. Apparently, his quick recovery had been thanks to him. 

Quatre was so tired, he wanted to keep sleeping, but he knew he had to get up, even though his stomach was upset. He felt that one of his hands was warmer than normal, and when he opened his eyes, he found that WuFei was holding it between his, sitting next to the bed. 

“Good morning, master Quatre.” 

“Ah ...!” The young man withdrew his hand in a reflex act, and blushed noticeably when remembering everything he had said to him “Good... good morning... WuFei... How do you feel?” 

“Much better...” WuFei couldn’t help feeling a strong emotion when he realized that he was still treating him without formalities “much better, thanks to you.” 

Quatre sat on the bed, and covered part of his face with one of his hands. 

“I asked them not to say anything...” 

“It’s impossible for them to keep any secret from me, about you... it’s our job.” 

“I'm glad to know you're better now” said a blushing Quatre while smiling at him “I will prepare for today's meeting...” 

“You must have breakfast, Master Quatre.” 

“I'm not hungry…” 

WuFei sat up, picked up a bowl of fruit, and sat back on the edge of the bed next to Quatre. 

“You must eat, Master Quatre.” 

“I can’t eat” The young master watched him with sad and tired eyes. 

“Something happens?” 

“... I... I dreamed of your death again... but this time, it happened in that garden... and in front of me, at the doors of the temple. And in your room while you slept... all at once. That thought does not leave me, and I...” 

WuFei put some fruit in his mouth; with one hand he took Quatre by the nape of the neck, and with the other he took him by the chin, making him open his lips. He brought his mouth closer to his and forced the fruit into him, making him swallow. 

Quatre parted a little from him, red to the neck, covering his lips with one of his hands and the other trying to push the guard away. 

"What... what are you doing WuFei?!" 

“You must eat, master Quatre” said the guard while he took another fruit and repeated what he had done ignoring the young master's efforts to push him away “I will not die so easily, so please stop thinking about it” he said against his lips, and then force-feed him again “I'll keep doing this unless you eats on your own...” 

Quatre was red as hell, and saw that WuFei was serious; he just couldn't help but recall their deaths in the previous life. He had given it many turns, while he was waiting for his guard to wake up, and that had him without appetite. He dropped his hands and stopped resisting. 

WuFei handed him the bowl, but the young master didn’t receive it and instead avoided his gaze, still with a red face. 

“…I'm not hungry…” 

Quatre felt the guard take him gently by the chin and feed fruit through his mouth, one by one, until after a while he only felt WuFei's warm lips on his, and his tongue exploring his mouth. They parted as they felt the bowl roll on the floor. Quatre was too agitated, and WuFei seemed to be using all his willpower to not continue his advances. 

“You must get up master Quatre... the meeting will be soon...” 

“WuFei…"the young master clung to the sleeve of his clothes, pulling him to get a little closer “... I...” 

WuFei pulled him up and lifted him off the bed. Quatre hung around his neck, as he watched them go to the bathroom. 

He left the young master on the bench by the large tub to remove his clothes, and then leaned over him to remove his. He lifted him back up into the tub and felt his white skin quiver with anticipation. He smiled to himself as he got into the water and left the master sitting on the edge of the large tub, so that he could place himself between his legs. 

“Master Quatre... I'm not going to stop... I don't want to stop...” 

“What... what are you doing...!” Quatre was too flushed, and felt his heart leap from his chest when WuFei approached him to kiss him deeply while he felt that he took his semi-erect member with one of his hands and with the other he lifted one of his legs, causing him to expose himself completely. “nn... !!” 

“I am alive, master Quatre...” the guard said to him while he continued caressing his member, and released his leg so that he could insert his fingers into him “forget those thoughts... I’m here... don't you see?” 

Quatre dropped onto the floor, covering his face with his hands, feeling his body burn, while WuFei grabbed him by the hip and pulled him towards him, so that he could take him completely with his mouth, while his fingers continued to explore his inside. The young man writhed with pleasure as he relaxed and released more and more. Then the guard dropped to his knees between his legs, on the edge of the tub, and penetrated him at once, making him gasp. 

He was already fully inside him, and made him raise his hips a little more and then take him by the waist and ram him hard. 

“AHHHH...!!” Quatre made an effort to restrain himself by covering his mouth with one of his hands and with the other he clung tightly to one of the guard's legs, burying his nails making him scream. 

“Ah!! master Quatre... I'm alive... never forget it... 

“WuFei!... WuFei!!” 

The guard made the young man turn to face the floor, placed himself on and inside him with all the weight of his body, penetrating him as deep as possible, and grasped the trembling hands of the master, who bit his fingers to bear the onslaught. It was tight, and warm inside him, and it was something he wanted to feel whenever he could; from the first day they saw each other he wanted it. He wouldn't die so easily, especially having someone he wished he were with for the rest of his life. 

Quatre bit the fingers of the hand that clung to his, lustfully, feeling how it entered him so easily. He was too absorbed in the sensations WuFei caused him, carrying his weight as he charged him; it was a complete act of possession, and still he didn't care, because he had forgotten the deaths and the nightmares, and he was there, making him his own, as he wished to be. 

With each onslaught he made him moan and scream his name, and writhe and tremble, until he felt his core burn, spilling onto the floor, as WuFei did it inside him, feeling his heartbeat and heat amid his own contractions. 

They stayed there, on the bathroom floor, for a long time, waiting for their racing hearts to calm down, WuFei gently kissed Quatre's back, and he kissed his hand. 

“Are you okay, Master Quatre?” He asked against the soft skin of his back. 

“I will be…” 

They both slipped into the tub, and WuFei used a sponge to run water over the young master's body. 

"...I'm sorry, master Quatre..." the guard muttered, blushing, as he hugged him tightly on the back and kissed his neck on the side. 

“WuFei... nh!” He could feel the skin on his neck nibbling, making him shiver “we must... go out” 

“Why is it so important?” 

“It was the only way to prevent them from invading the temple. A representative of The Army will also come.” 

The guard stiffened, and Quatre turned to see that WuFei's face was very serious and thoughtful. So far, he hadn't seen him put on that face. 

“You must be very careful with The Army, Master Quatre... promise me that you will not go with them, whatever they say.” 

“... I... I can't... promise something, about which I don't know...” 

WuFei hugged him tightly and without saying a word, they left the tub, put on their clothes, and left the room, to meet the monks and soldiers prepared in case of any altercation. Going to the main hall of the temple, Quatre noticed that there was no Green-Fingered Monk, even his guests, Kohgi and the children, were not there. As they got closer and closer to the room, the soldiers grew and the onlookers increased. Some villagers had been selected to enter as witnesses to the meeting, while the others watched from the temple doors. 

The old man was at the entrance of the room announcing to everyone who entered. 

“Everyone is here now, Master Sandrock. The doors will remain open so that everyone can listen and we can ensure your well-being.” 

“My well-being?” 

“You are about to enter a wolf cave, Master Sandrock. And you are the most important... above all of us.” 

WuFei put his hand on the young man's shoulder, implying that he would be with him, and so he entered the great hall, where a small group of villagers, and a couple of soldiers, who seemed to be representatives of The Army, were waiting for him. Among them, the one that most caught his attention was a tall young man with green eyes and brown hair that covered part of his face. 

“Now entering the room” announced the old man in a loud voice “Master Sandrock.” 

Everyone began to stare at him, without hiding their curiosity. Not their ambition. 

Quatre began to feel the environment somewhat heavy, but still tried to avoid using his ability. He didn’t want to be unconscious or suffer any consequence in the middle of such an important meeting. 

WuFei directed him to a ground-level seat in front of the large table prepared for the occasion. He sat down and everyone else took his place, including the guard, who sat on the ground next to him and kept looking at the brown-haired soldier. 

“We agreed to come in peace, in exchange for treating our lands...” said one of the villagers, with severe and unfriendly features. He seemed to be the ruler of the village “he must clean all our gardens, and also...” 

“And also, what?” WuFei interrupted, violently “you have no right to demand anything, you abused us, you have taken our monks by force and killed them from exhaustion only for your own satisfaction. I know very well that you had five, just for your ‘garden’ and they all died of exhaustion.” 

“It’s the duty of the monks...!!” 

“NO IT ISN’T! The duty of the monks is to fulfill their tasks, and to help others... not to facilitate your existence or be your slaves.” 

“He can grow our gardens again...” said another suffering villager “I saw him when he was at Kohgi's house...” 

“And part of the meadow came back to life...” 

“All that” Quatre began to say “I did it without knowing...” 

“Master… “ 

“It’s okay, WuFei... I still don't know my abilities. They were training me, and I wanted to try to help the village next to the temple. I am not yet aware of what I can and cannot do. The deal is as follows. I will go to the village, I will do what I can, and in return, you must rebuild the home of Mr. Kohgi, you will not disturb the people of the temple and all the monks must return. You have two days, otherwise I will continue with my trip, and I will do nothing for you.” 

“He really is Sandrock?” The other soldier belonging to the army interrupted “I mean, he doesn’t seem to have anything of the lady Sandrock described in the stories: sweet, merciful, pious... will you let us die for a few monks? This kid is kidding us all!” 

“The truth is... I saw how the plants in the garden grew at his feet” said one of the villagers present “and healed Kirie's baby in front of all of us...” 

“Did you know that the king has been looking for you for... his personal use?” The brown-haired soldier asked, without taking his eyes off Quatre. 

“It’s not relevant.” WuFei stated with a threatening look “the master will do what he must do, and will not belong to any kingdom, as on other occasions.” 

“That will not be easy... our business is...” 

“Your business has killed hundreds of us over the years... and thousands of other people, in exchange for just a few coins...” The guard was clearly angry, and clutched the sheathed sword at his belt “perhaps the life of a god who will also save you, must be given to a selfish sovereign? Our whole world depends on assuring our master, that he will not be disturbed, and that you will do your part” He stands up and with the other hand took the handle of the sword “the meeting ended, you have an hour to give us your answer.” 

The villagers and soldiers were intimidated to feel the strong and aggressive pressure that WuFei's aura was emitting in the hall. They were upset with so little information, and the soldiers conversed among themselves outside the temple. 

Quatre and WuFei were waiting in the main garden, watching closely all the movement that was taking place outside the temple. They were still open doors and that made the monks and soldiers a little nervous. 

From the gates, the brown-haired soldier kept watching Quatre, and that bother WuFei in a disturbing way. 

“WuFei ... I haven’t seen the Green Hands Monks, nor the children...” 

“They are hidden. They’ll be fine... but the others care about you. They already know about you, and are likely trying to take you away, as they have done with others...” 

Soon the brown-haired soldier, the regent, and the temple elder were escorted by a group of soldiers, before Quatre and WuFei. 

“Master Sandrock, my name is Trowa Barton” said the soldier, that represented The Army, making a small bow “and on behalf of The Army we will return the monks who are under our power... however...” 

“No” Quatre replied with a sad face “there is no ‘however’ or ‘but’... is what I asked for, or nothing.” 

“Well, Sandrock...” 

"Master Sandrock" stressed WuFei, standing next to Quatre, "don't forget who you are addressing." 

“Master Sandrock," Trowa corrected, without taking his eyes off Quatre. “First thing tomorrow morning, we will return the monks to the temple.” 

“Very well” 

“We, the villagers have recognized in you our goddess...” the regent said “many have seen you, so we will leave you alone on your way through the village, and we will leave the monks alone.” 

“You must also free the monks who are with you.” 

“But we…” 

“I warned you already.” 

“...well... I will warn the villagers... they will be here tonight.” 

“All right. Elder, you know who the captive monks are, right?” 

“We all know... also those who have died...” 

“Then you will be the one to tell me if they do their part, since I do not know who is missing, I must make sure of it before doing my part.” 

"You can leave now" WuFei warned, expanding a little his aggressive aura. 

“I would like Master Sandrock to come to our citadel... when you finish with the village...” 

“How dare you request something, if you still don't do your part ?!” The guard bellowed, creating a small blast wave. 

“You better leave now... we’ll be waiting” stressed the old man. 

The villager and soldier withdrew from the temple, and the monks and children emerged from their hiding place, from somewhere in the temple. The soldiers continued to stand guard, and remained at their posts, with WuFei making rounds in each monitoring point. His aggressive aura filled the temple, making Quatre, who was somehow more sensitive to him, very uncomfortable.