Forging harmony.

CHAPTER 19: SLOW ROT.

Dorothy's kisst was upset; partly due to their leader's battle cat being so sick, but the rest was not so easily explained. The platinum blond woman was running a fever and could not keep any form of substance inside her. Catharine was literally living in the big cats' area so she could attend Dorothy's cat, charged with trying to save its life.

Sally popped in now and then when she was not dealing with the stubborn fiery temper of Dorothy. Both human and cat had been struck at the same time with sickness on the morning they were due to leave for their own kingdom home. Long cries from the other kisst cats let everyone know they were feeling as distressed as their bonded ones.

Relena had bags under her eyes, refused to leave Dorothy's side but for the most pressing matters and then quickly dashed back to her lover's side. No one was spared the sharp tongued woman's anger.

"Any improvement on our patient?"

"No Sally, I can't understand it. We checked the food, water even her sleeping den. There was no sign of drugs, poisons, weapons. Nothing. Still I can't stop the blood flowing or find its cause. With the cat unable to eat solids it will die in a week." Catharine worked changing the dressing on the cats shoulder, a slow welling of blood sprang up as soon as the thick pad was removed. Quickly she replaced the pad and rebound the area. Pushing a bowl filled with blood so the golden head could lie in her lap and allow the life giving substance to be eased into the frail body.

"I have to go back, but just after nightfall I will be back. We should ask for help, no matter what Dorothy says." Sally walked away thinking, turning over in her mind what could do this. It was so unusual there was a nasty thought in the back of her mind that it was magically connected. Dorothy was wasting away too quickly like the life was draining out of her, which did nothing but upset the proud woman having to be so helpless.

Sally paused by the door to Treize's office, he was not there; still strong words had been passed between herself and her mistress. Relena eventually had dragged Sally out to cool down. Giving a sigh she moved on to again try and persuade one of them to have sense and ask for help from the pack.

Eyes watched as the hurrying water passed wrapped up in her own thoughts, eyes that dropped to the floor so to fight back a feeling, should the dark know about, would bring those eyes pain. Regret and disgust was replaced with the feeling of hopelessness. With the light, with the others it was hard to feel like one day they could be free. The little boy kept telling them there was a plan that he and the spirit had come up with before she had been broken to a zombie. A feeling of doom hung over the hunched form watching the kisst.

Rain plummeted down in torrents, coating everything in a shining wet coat, warm summer rain that brought blessed relief to the hot air that preceded it. Sitting on a bench in the gardens, Quatre was soaked to the skin and smiled as he tilted his head up to the sky, a silent prayer on his lips for the cleansing feeling.

Since the attack he had been found most often in the bathing room, sometimes just chatting as one of the others took a bath, other times sitting in the hot water till his skin pruned and shriveled and was hauled out by a worried Wufei or Zechs. Now the rain was just too much of a chance to let pass by and he was not the only one out in it. Wolf still wobbly on her feet had snuck out from the over-protective arms of Duo, ducked the stiff glance Heero had parsed as Trowa led the earth out to see why the battle cats were being so noisy.

Quatre watched the dark woman shake like a dog, rain flying off the long strands of hair and bare slightly colored skin. She was crouched on the edge of a wall not far from the golden haired young man, reminding him of a wolf on watch. A long cry broke the air, stiffening them both as they for a moment thought it was their own cat, calling in pain not Dorothy's lioness.

"We going to go help them even if she's too proud to ask?" Wolf's voice was cracked and uneven, a side effect off the attack.

"Trowa and Heero were going to see if Catharine would see any sense, it's been two days. Do you think they are connected?" Darks eyes swung round to look at the water element.

"No...." Wolf cocked her head tilting her face to the sky much like Quatre had moments before. It was easy to see her thinking slowly. "This was not the same as with us. Not a hint of dark magic in the whole palace except mine."

"You did not say they were not connected, I notice."

She gave him a look of agreement before turning back to the rain. Quatre lifted his eyes skyward again, he loved summer rain here, it was like being held by Treize.
"You two planning of joining the sea?" Soft low voice brought Quatre out of his thoughts to look into blue eyes confused at not only the question but the smile of teasing on the prince's lips.

"Hmm." Firm but gentle hands took his smaller form into a reassuring hug. Quatre happily let himself be molded to the broad chest supporting him. Leaning back his rain soaked head instantly made the prince's white top transparent with water.

"You my little water have been spending a lot of time about your element, so I was wondering if you were turning from a desert oasis to a sea siren." Zechs nuzzled his nose into wet strands and placed a kiss to Quatre's crown as his own unbound long tresses fell about them like a curtain.

A soft growl of a suppressed laugh made Zechs smile, pretending to have not seen the crouching woman he continued. "I would willingly drive my ship onto your rocks to drink of the wine you offer my siren." More amused noises and Quatre's own lovely free laugh.

"Are you trying to make us come in out of the rain Silver blade?"

"Me try to make you do anything you do not want to!"

Zechs reply was still light so she would understand he was not mocking their fragile fresh bond. "You have made it most plain how I am in no position to order you." He did not need to see both their faces to feel the love and happiness at the playful banter. The bond let him know.

A soft sigh and Wolf rises, unsteady but refusing to ask for help. Neither man felt like having their head bitten off so diverted their attention till she was up and steady. Zechs let his eye roam over her naked form. Of all the things he had learned about her it was her annoyance of clothing that baffled him. A hand was offered to them both freely.

Quatre smiled and took her left hand, while Zechs took her right and all three walk back into the warmth and dryness of indoors.