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Leo looked all around, his eyes wide. "everything is exactly like i remember-" he moved to a set of rocking chairs near the fireplace and ran his fingers over the backs before he closed his eyes and just breathed in the scent of home. "i-when i was first taken. i'd come here, in my mind. it's where i would hide when i was hurt and couldn't take any more. i'd pretend mother and father were sitting here, that they would hold me in their arms and i was loved." tears slide down his cheeks but he shook his head, "it's all gone now, but this-this remains and that's enough for me." he ached, but right now there were more important things. "Mast-Elliot. will you hold me? i, i need to think. would you mind? you can go back down if you wish..." he moved to the stairs that continued up the trunk of the tree, "my room is-was up here. you can, can come if you want or go back down. i don't mind."

Leo let himself curl up against the master, but it wasn't enough. he lay down on the bed, taking the master with him and curled against the man, tucking his face in against his neck. "thank you." he whispered, his hands clutching the other's shirt. what could he do? what should he do? he didn't know anymore. all of his training, everything that had been forced upon him all these years screamed one thing while the part of him that once had been, Leonard was rising once more and demanding he do another. he felt ripped in two with both sides warring for control within his tiny frame. he shivered and pushed himself impossibly tighter against the man, just holding on.

it took a long, long time before he was able to pull away, but when he did he was more stable. he still felt as if there were two of him, but he had come to a decision. "i'll commune with them," he whispered. "it may be the only chance we have to get mother back and our people need her. if i-if there is any way to get her back, to get my father back i have to try."

Leo nodded and swallowed, "if the-if the trees decide to take me then, just...have them take my body to my mother's. maybe they will accept me and i can be with her like that." he sighed, not wanting to move away, wanting to stay there int he master's arms and forget that the rest of the world existed, but knowing it wasn't possible to do so. "we-can we go out the back door? there is a path that leads away, we can go down at the elder tree." he didn't want to have to face everyone now that his decision was made. "will-will you stay with me? i-i know it wont be-that you wont understand. but-if there is someone to come back to, maybe the elder trees wont keep me like they did mother."

the kiss made Leo want to push the prince down and strip them both, but Leo's desire all but shut down as he felt his lower half starting to stir. a sick feeling filled his stomach and he was glad the other pulled away. "ok, that's a good-a good plan." he stood and kissed Elliot's hand before leading the way out. he wasn't going to wait for Birch, he would have too long to think about it if he did. he lead the way out to a suspended bridge and lead the way deep into the forest, not once letting go of Elliots hand. soon they came to a clearing with a single tree in the exact center and Leo paused. "An Elder Tree." he whispered softly, "One of the many that are around the city, but-this is th e one used by our family alone." he bit his lip before sighing, "no time like the present." he climbed down the spiraling steps along the tree where the path ended and stood just outside of the clearing. "I, if morning comes and i have not moved go and get the others. they will be able to tel if-if i was taken. just take the path back" he was scared, his hand was shaking in the prince's, but he knew he had to do this.

Leo shook his head, "You are an outsider, the trees wouldn't accept you." he sighed and let go of the prince's hand. "El-Elliot, i..before i go i just want to telly ou that i..." he looked up into the silver eyes and had to swallow hard. "i think i love you-" he whispered, his voice barely heard before he ran away, going to the base of the tree. he turned and sat down against it, closing his eyes. it took just a second before he was falling into the blackness that was the first entry to the trees. his body remained sitting against the tree while his mind and soul entered into their world.

he was surrounded by warmth and comfort and let out a tiny sob, it felt like he was being held in his mother's arms and for an insane moment he didn't want to leave. but he was pulled out of the embarrassing darkness and into a beautiful glen. the colors were brighter, sharper. the sunlight was almost too bright, but at the same time perfect. he looked around and saw the lady of the trees and his eyes widened. "Oak-sensei..."

hours passed with Leo's body not moving, barely even breathing, but it was time spent in the arms of his teacher of a woman who was second only to his mother. she said he couldn't see his mother,t hat even here she was in a deep slumber. but at least he was able to see Oak again. all too soon she pulled away, "leo, my darling, you can't stay much longer. the trees wished to let you have this time to be with us and to know that we see your pain and know your suffering. you are not alone my dear, you are never alone." her smile grew, "but there is more. Leo, we give you a gift." he hand rested on his stomach, "one you must protect for it is a gift never before given."

"What-" he started to ask, but the woman smiled and touched his lips.

"shh, you will learn soon enough. now return to your mate, he isn't doing too well waiting for you." she laughed and kissed him on the top of the forehead. Leo felt like a fever spread through him from the point where her lips touched him and he arched. she laughed and gave him small push, "we're always with you, Leo. never forget."

Leo arched away from the tree with a gasp and fell tot he side, his body feeling like it was on fire. he ws hard, achingly so and his eyes fell on the only other living soul in the clearing. "help me-" he whispered before trying to tear off his clothing, needing to get the constraining things off

Leo groaned and reached up to the prince, "master, Elliot, please. help me." he was crying, but it was out of frustration. he stood and pressed himself against Elliot, pushing the man against the tree as he kissed him, taking rather than submissively recieveing like he had for all this time. he forced his tongue into the prince's explored that hot cavity before breaking away and removing the other's clothing with shaking hands. he didn't even notice that his manhood no longer was that of a submissive bentien, but that of a young man as it should be. all he wanted was to feel Elliot's skin against his, to feel himself taken by this man. "please, please, Elliot. i can't, i need you." his eyes met the man's and there was fevered lust in them, "take me, oh, by the spirits, take me, please. i need you so bad-" he groaned and fell to his knees, Elliots pants were open and he knew on sure way to get the man in the mood.

Leo woke as the morning light filled the clearing. something warm was wrapped around his naked form and he smiled as he snuggled closer to that warmth. the night before was hazy and coming back to him in bits and pieces. something struck home and he sat up with a gasp. he'd become aroused. his body had grown hard and responded as any male's would. a shiver a fear ran through him and leo brought his knees to his chest, his hands clasped upon his groin as if it would somehow erase what had happened. but-the master had never responded so strongly before. was it because of leo's body? or was it that strange fever that had consumed him? he couldn't be sure, but one thing was certain. the master hadn't been disgusted by his reacting, in fact he'd seem more pleased than anything else. maybe-maybe that part of him working properly could possibly be a good thing?