Forging harmony.

CHAPTER ELEVEN: WATER FUN.

The sound of clashing swords rang down the hall. Quatre rolled his eyes and dove to hide his head under the pillows, on his bed alone. Alone that was not right! Last night he and Wufei had curled up in each other's arms quite tired out from bonding so deeply. A smile played on his hidden lips, parting them with a sigh. The thought of how his lover would react to the next time they were together, so where was the object of his thoughts?

(Wufei love! Where are you?)

Quatre was shown a mental picture of Treize and the fire practicing swords, the younger man pressing the advantage he had over their master.

(He is quite fierce little one) Zechs spoke marveling at the display of skill before him.

Not wanting to get up this early if the two Princes were practicing swords, trust his lover to be an early riser as well. Why any of them felt that the crack of dawn was the only time to do such things bemused Quatre. Snuggling further under the covers seeking the warmth he was already missing.

Trowa was restless, Duo was making him hot. Untangling himself from the spirit he had draped over him like a flesh blanket, grabbing some cloths from his room and wanting to see what the bathing room would be like. He moved out of the communal room into the hall, hearing clearly the sound of Wufei sparring.

(I wonder who he found awake at this time.) Noting the long shadows of early morning as he mused.

Trowa's feet did not take him past the practice room and on to the bathing room. But back before the ritual room, the twin trees seemed so alive; their stone leaves just needing a summer breeze to toss in. Hovering hesitantly just outside in the hall way.

(Come in and be welcome our blood.) Warm copper voice, hints of... Trowa could not quite decide. But still he stepped in. It was as before when they had looked inside, walls blended into trees, here it was also early,' light falling on the packs marks on the ground. The ritual room suddenly felt peaceful, safe and comforting. Trowa took time to look at the entrance arch. Both were strong, tall oaks, symbols of inner spirit strength. Heero's trees. The copper voice spoke again in his head. (We can be more than just a prop in man-kind's mind.)

Trowa looked about not really expecting to see anyone. "How can you speak to me?" He refused to mind speak his question. The sound of his voice gave him comfort, only his pack could do such a thing he thought.

(We are you and you are us. Bound but not. Without you we die, with us you're strong.)

Frustrated at not getting a straight answer. Answer from whom? It's not like rock can talk or be alive. Trowa's element out of all the ethereal was the most solid. Blood ran once you cut or pierced its host skin. Rock did not bleed. Even rock carved to look like very living trees or animals. Long legs quickly carried him away, locked in his own thoughts he missed the soft (We are sorry.)

Trowa collided with a hard wall of damp muscle. Dazed he could do nothing but stare up at Zechs as he turned about to offer a hand to him.

"Bath time my emerald one."

Mouth hanging open like a simple fool, he followed his master's commanding presence beside Wufei. Sweat damp hair making the fire look inviting to Trowa.
Trowa caught him self at that idea, no Wufei was Quatre's, last night had proven that.


The bathing room had no windows; so many tea lights gave the room a bright warm glow. Tiles from floor to the ceiling, painted with animals from the depths. The room was relaxing, humid air clung and danced over the huge pool, deep enough to swim in. The sound of water falling from the left told of a small man made creation that helped keep the water fresh. Benches ranged about the edge of the room held towels, cloths, bottles of scent and also a drowsing Duo. Long unbound braid flowing in waves across the bench and down onto the floor. He looked up as the four walked in.

"Where did you go Tro baby?"

Trowa just shrugged not sure how to explain what had happened in the ritual room or since coming to this castle. It had been one hell of a day with nothing but questions and no answers for him, later he would talk to Heero, maybe together they could figure out what was going on. Green eyes took in the room, how Quatre was already in the warm water juggling balls of water over his small body. Duo finally seemed to be starting off the bench he had been laying on. Heero and Wolf walked in just behind the four of them in the doorway.

Wufei could not help the slight blush heating up his cheeks while stripping. He still was not used to the idea of mixed sex bathing, at home it never was, at least here it would only be pack. Glancing over to where Wolf and Heero were, he noticed a cascade of silver lines on the dark's back.

(Don't ask) was the warning growl of velvet.

(Forgive me) He thought back to her, a softness of understanding to his mental voice.

Wufei descended into the water and was swamped by a splash as Duo dove in.
Duo! Every voice said as one only to be greeted by one of the brightest smiles the man had produced yet. Wufei wanted first to clean off the sweat of practicing swords. Both Treize and Zechs were good. He had expected the Princes to be soft not the quick men he found.

Clean and feeling relaxed he swam up beside Wolf, who had her head laying on her arms on the side of the pool. Seeing him she roused slightly, having been caught napping.

"We did not keep you up?"

A soft smile crept into Wolf's eyes. "No, no Draco."

"This is good to know. Draco?" Dark eyes leveled with Wolf's sleepy ones not quite understanding the pet name.

"It means dragon, you wear one on your back. I like it better than Fei."

Wufei had to admit he was not pleased at Duo calling him that, but requesting he stop had just resulted in more twists to his name. Nodding to the dark as he rolled the word about growing fond of it.

Gently he touched her arm to wake her, "Zechs said you practice swords with them most mornings." He was puzzled at the merriment in her eyes.

"No not swords, blades, I dance blades. Different styles. Like your home land is again different." A yawn broke her face. "More later Draco... thank you for not asking about the scars." Wolf pulled herself out the water, padding over to the pile of towels. Zechs held one out to her which she tied about her hips, drawing the watching fire's eye to the sway of them as both of them left the bathing room.

Duo begged and pleaded with Quatre to wash his hair, the water could do some trick that made it quicker to dry later. Quatre cracked under the cute violet puppy dog eyes of Duo. As his hair was washed, not a quick task for Duo prized his mane of auburn, they chatted.

"Q you see how tired some people are this morning."

"Hum. . ."

"You think she snuck in his room like. . ."

"Duo! You hentai!" Quatre tugged his hair.

"No she did not." Heero surfaced in front of the pair, blue eyes burning into them both before he crossed to Trowa for a quiet word.

"Oh he's grouchy." the bubbly man said to the turned back.

Treize called the remaining pack out of the water once Duo's hair was done. Breakfast would be ready for them in the common room.