Disclaimer: Dammit! I confess I've been hording Gundam Wing! It's MINE ALL MINE MWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No not really, but that's ok cause Sunrise does.

AN: Hey all thanks for reading my stories and don't forget to review, it's the only thing keepin' us authors goin'. You might find this story a little off the wall 'cause I'd seen a really boring trend and decided to break it. Comments and criticisms welcome, flames will be fought fire with fire.

Warnings: Yoai, bondage (not that kind!), AU to the max, and maybe a little lemonade later.

Italics denotes thoughts.

Spoils of War

Quatre sighed as he watched the city below the castle. The bustle of the marketplace with it's shouting merchants and the happy laughter of children playing brought a smile to the prince's face. The hot summer sun shone through the palace's windows bathing the prince in it's golden light. His serene smile faded into a slight frown as the very day sounds of Sudest faded into silence. In the still quiet Quatre could hear the sounds of a large number of horses, wagons, and soldiers.

A cheer erupted from the people as the gates of the palace were opened and the Sudest army marched in. Quatre's frown deepened as he watched numerous horse drawn wagons enter. They had left with a relatively small number of wagons. The war had been a "profitable" one. The young heir sighed; he failed to see how a blood bath could be considered profitable. The lives lost were more precious than all the riches they could possibly win. Another melancholy exhale passed Quatre's lips as the wagons and soldiers stopped in the palace courtyard. It would be expected that he make an appearance to welcome the soldiers back.

The soft shuffle of footsteps reached the prince's ears. Great, already here to pick me up. He thought dejectedly.

"Your Majesty,"

Turning Quatre saw his personal advisor and best friend, Duo flanked by two guards. They bowed before Duo continued.

"The soldiers have returned from the war."

"Yes, I watched them come in."

"Duke Dermail has requested an audience with you. My presence was also requested."

"Where is Duke Dermail now?"

"He awaits us in the courtyard."

"Then let's go see what he wants shall we?"

"As you wish Your Highness." Duo nodded then turned to his escorts. "You're dismissed."

With a nod and a parting bow the two armed men left the prince and his advisor. As soon as the guards were out of earshot the two began talking again.

"Quatre," Duo began, "I don't know what Dermail wants, all I know is it can't be good."

"I agree," Quatre replied as they walked. "He hates you for being chosen as my personal advisor instead of him. And he hates me for choosing you!"

As they neared the courtyard the happy chatter of soldiers come home was deafening. With a nod to each other Duo and Quatre resumed their roles of Crown Prince and Royal Advisor. The talking immediately died as Quatre and Duo emerged from the shadows.

"Ah, Your Highness." Duke Dermail greeted stepping forward. The Duke was a tall man with white hair, a receding hairline, and bushy bread that would have probably made him look friendly if it weren't for the sarcastic smirk on his lips and disgust in his eyes.

"Duke Dermail," Quatre returned nodding in respect.

"As you know sire, the war we have been waging against the Kingdom of Nord has ended. I have brought a gift back for His Highness and his Advisor."

Quatre felt ready to groan out loud. He knew Dermail was only trying to win his favor, and what would Quatre do with more treasure? He watched bored, as Dermail waved the two nearest officers toward one of his private wagons. The clatter of chains from within the wagon confused the royal heir. What could he have brought to require chains? The prince wondered.

The two soldiers emerged with two more boys and Quatre and Duo's eyes widened in shock as the two where forced to their knees in front of them.

"Yes impressive aren't they?" the Duke smiled misreading the twin looks of horror on the prince and advisor's faces. The taller russet haired boy was clothed in the dark green uniform of a soldier. The other who was slightly shorter with messy mahogany locks wore an identical uniform in dark blue. "I know soldiers are rarely spared as slaves, but these two were so exquisite I knew they should be yours."

Quatre glanced over at Duo and saw the braided boy was glaring at Dermail in disgust. Quatre knew how against slavery the violet-eyed boy was; Duo would rather die than keep a slave. However, Quatre had to consider the slaves. If they did not except them, Dermail would take them home…Quatre shuddered reflexively and swallowed the bile that had risen in his throat. Duo's voice snapped Quatre's attention back to the matter at hand.

"Duke Dermail…" Duo ground out trying to stay civil. "We don't—"

"Know how to thank you for your generous gift." Quatre cut in, smiling forcefully at the older man.

"Your Highness?!?!" Duo gasped.

"Really you are too kind."

"Your Majesty!" Duo seethed, hissing.

"Take them to the baths, clean and clothe them, then send them to our rooms." Quatre directed to the present guard. The two men nodded before dragging the two slaves to their feet and forcing them through the palace doors and down the hall. Quatre turned back to the Duke.

"Thank you again sir. I would love to stay and discuss the war's outcome but I must go."

"Yes," Duo agreed grabbing Quatre's arm and glaring at him. "He has a few pressing matters to attend to…"

With that Duo pulled Quatre back into the palace. Walking rapidly down the corridor Duo began his "royal" dressing down.

"Quatre how could you except a slave from that slime-ball! Why I should just…mpphff!"

"Shhh…." Quatre hushed holding his hand to Duo's mouth. "Despite what you may think I did not enjoy kissing up to Dermail. Look this place is too public. I'll explain in private."

Nodding Duo followed Quatre to their private halls. Selecting a deserted sitting room Quatre collapsed into the nearest chair. Duo came and stood before him, looking down at Quatre as if he were an errant child.

"So, explain."

"Duo, they are prisoners of war, right?" Quatre rubbed his temples to ease his headache.

"Yeah, so?"

"Can war slaves be set free?"

"Not for at least ten years, so!"

"Where would they have gone if we didn't except them?"

"Probably to Dermail or one of his friends, so?!"

"Duo, who would you prefer as a master, yourself for Dermail?"

"Myself, so?!?!" Quatre what do these bizarre questions have to do with them?"

"Everything! Dermail treats his servants horribly. And he keeps them until they die. At least with us they have some hope of humanity. If I could I'd abolish slavery but I can't. Not yet anyway. Until then I'll do what I can. While they are still slaves they won't have to go through what most slaves do."

Duo had staggered to a chair across from Quatre as the realization had set in. Duo regarded the prince a moment.

"You're right…I hate it when you're right." Duo smiled warily.

"All right now that our little argument has been resolved, what are we going to do about our little 'present.'"

Duo shrugged helplessly, "I only hope they don't try any of my stunts. Remember, Quat, these guys are trained soldiers. And I know they can't be happy."

"And people wonder why I choose you as my personal advisor." Quatre smiled at his best friend who returned the look wholeheartedly. "Well since it will take a while for them to get ready would you like to play a game?"

"Game?" Duo perked up. "What kind of game?"

"This kind," Quatre replied pulling a board from under the low table between them. The black and white marble that made up the chessboard was dull and scratched from many games.

"Oh Quatre!" Duo groaned as the small blonde began to set up the pieces. "You always win!"

"I do not always win," Quatre protested, "And even if I do it gets annoyingly boring always winning." Please Duo, just one game?"

"On all right." Duo rolled his eyes.

Soon Quatre's "one game" turned into several.

"Quatre that's seven straight wins. Can we call it a day?" Duo beseeched.

"Oh, look at the time. I'm sorry I kept you Duo, though you are improving."

"Thanks Q," Duo replied flatly, standing and stretching. "I'll see ya' tomorrow."

"Not coming to dinner, Duo? I thought you never skipped a meal." Quatre teased.

"I don't and won't. I'm having mine sent up to me." Duo grinned.

Laughing Quatre put the game away and stood as well. "You just don't want to have to go to the banquet. 'Cause you and I both know it'll go on for hours with the war celebrations. Come on admit it, you just don't want to have to deal with all those people."

"You're right." Duo replied snappishly. "I don't relish the thought of seeing G again."

Quatre's, eyes widened in surprise. "Oh Duo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you think about him."

"No, I'm sorry I snapped at you." Duo smiled genially but a certain sadness lingered. "I'll catch you later Quat."

"Bye Duo," Quatre called as the door closed. Heading out the opposite door Quatre turned down a very familiar hallway. Reaching his bedchambers Quatre opened the door and slipped inside. Walking past the first room he unclipped his cloak and threw it on his large four-poster bed. Turning to his favorite sit by a large picture window Quatre was surprised to find it already occupied.