19-June-2001
Title: The Katana Part 2/?
Author: Enigma
Written: June, 2001
Current Rating: PG-13 (possible NC-17 at conclusion)
Gift Fic for the [3x5_5x3list]
Pairings: (3+5)
Category: Angst Shonen ai Mystery [Conclusion based on Popular Vote]
Enigma Story Category: G-Boys High Adventure!
Archive: GW Addiction, Sweet&Sweet
Warnings: Angst, shonen ai, mystery, [due to conclusion being selected by popular vote after the first two parts are published, the final fic may also include: yaoi, death, sap, waff, children, celibacy, lemon, and the gods only know what else! your guess is as good as mine!]
Disclaimers: I don't own a katana or any of the Gundam Wing Universe. I'm not making any money off this story, so please don't sue me.
Important Notes: Chang Wufei's katana defended and protected both himself and those he loved, yet by the end of this deliberately open-ended fic, he will have it no longer. The ultimate choice of *why* he no longer has the blade will be left to the members of the [3x5_5x3list] and their choice will be reflected in the final installment after they get to vote on the matter. Also, in case you're wondering, I made up almost all of the scenes and embellished those I didn't create from whole cloth, but what else is new?
<<flashback beginning and ending markers>>
<<flashback: War: Heero Yuy>>
As the war against OZ devolved into the war against White Fang, Wufei once more found himself fighting with his blade against a man much older than he was for the sake of one who was the same age as himself.
Standing ready for the first parries and thrusts that Milliardo Peacecraft might offer, the Altron pilot glanced at the "prize" for the match, the unconscious form of Heero Yuy, slumped against the wall in the corner of one of Libra's numerous cavern-like hangars. Once called the "Perfect Soldier", the Japanese teen embodied the very essence of war, yet Wufei had no intention of losing this battle.
"How can I be sure that he's all right, you bastard?" Wufei growled at the man. "I suspect you would do almost anything to trick me into a duel with you!"
The platinum blond man laughed and then answered, "You don't really know, now do you? But the only way to find out is to fight me, dragon."
"Enough," Wufei growled, "spare me the misuse of my clan's name and get on with it. You believe that dueling Pargan of all people prepared you to face one such as myself? You are deluded in more ways than one."
Growling his impatience, the one-time Lightning Count raised his blade in salute and said simply, "You accept the stakes then, Chang? If you win, then you and Heero are free to go. If I win, however, you will become one of my soldiers here on Libra and you must renounce your position with the other Gundam pilots."
"What of Heero if I should lose?" Wufei asked suspiciously, casting a glance at the Japanese teen who struggled briefly for awareness, seeing his friend standing blade drawn as he faced his enemy before sinking back into oblivion before hearing the answer.
"No promises, dragon," the blond assured with a smug grin. "When you lose, his fate will remain in my hands and I will see the Earth destroyed!"Dropping into position for the duel, Wufei snarled back "Then I shall not lose, Peacecraft! I will defeat you and take Yuy with me when I depart. Now, en garde!"
The battle which ensued was evenly matched and fierce. Yet there was no room for failure in Wufei's heart knowing that to do so meant the death of billions of people.
Finding inner strength to compliment his own determination, he eventually defeated his opponent and left the Libra with an unconscious Wing Zero pilot tucked into a shuttle en route to join his other friends aboard the Peacemillion.
<<end flashback>>
Days later, Heero had asked what had happened during the duel with the leader of White Fang and Wufei merely shrugged and stated he'd done what needed doing to minimize the pain of war.
Whether he was speaking of Heero's pain or that of the world was never clear, but it didn't change the fact that the sacred blade of the dragon clan had helped him fulfill his destiny yet again. By the end of that war, though, Wufei's own internal views of right and wrong had been pushed to the limits and he had fled his friends seeking answers his katana couldn't help him find.
But Wufei was true to the oaths made at the tender age of twelve, and he kept the sword razor sharp and ready as life handed him the ultimate reward in the most bizarre manner possible.
<<flashback: Love: Trowa Barton>>
A year after the end of one war, Wufei was shocked to find himself standing on a platform, the tip of his beloved katana pointed straight at the throat of the boy he had once secretly loved.
Known by some as Trowa Barton, the handsome young man that looked up at him with pained emerald-and-gold-flecked eyes considered his own name to be "Nanashi", meaning "No Name" or the "Nameless One". However it had been his borrowed name that had been called aloud when his duplicity had been recognized by the father of the man who originally bore the name "Trowa Barton".
"Wu-wufei?" Trowa asked in shock, yet the other man only stared down at him, a sense of pain flooding his being as he wondered how far his new loyalties might require him to go.
Words were spoken, orders were issued, and it wasn't long until Wufei was escorting the boy he had known as Trowa to a holding cell still holding the katana at the ready, yet uncertain he could ever use it against the one had cared so much for even if those thoughts had never been shared.
Arriving at their destination, Wufei gestured for Trowa to enter. Once inside the doorway, the auburn-haired teen turned and looked back at him, smiling and saying quietly, "I'm glad I came here, Wufei, I got to see you again."
"Nani?!" Wufei exclaimed, shocked by the unexpected warmth in the sad green eyes. He'd been ready for angry denouncements or even questions about his role in the uprising of Mariemaya's forces, but that wasn't what Trowa had mentioned. "That's highly illogical, you are now a prisoner of war with an unknown future! Aren't you at all afraid for your life?"
"Not really," Trowa shrugged, "My life meant relatively little to me after you vanished at the end of the war against OZ. If Catherine hadn't needed me at the circus, I doubt I'd be here to even have this conversation in the first place."
Stunned, Wufei took this information in and puzzled over its meaning, then asked, "How did my leaving after I murdered Khushrenada have any impact on you, Trowa? I doubted it had even been noted."
"You're wrong, Wufei," Trowa shook his head sadly, "We all missed you. Duo and Heero looked for you but found nothing. Quatre was afraid you'd killed yourself. But as for me, without you, life was empty."
Trowa looked long and hard at the boy who had unknowingly held his heart for over a year somehow hoping that he might find out if his feelings were returned or not. Wufei gazed at him with a sense of sorrow deeper than any he had felt up to that point, as he realized they were both fools.
With a sardonic smile, Wufei noted that they had reached the same conclusion nearly simultaneously and he stated, "You realize that if Dekim wants you dead, I'll be expected to carry out the sentence with this," he nodded towards the blade he held at his side.
"I can't think of a better way to go, dear friend," Trowa shrugged with a half-smile.
"Really?" Wufei was astounded that he'd found the strength to tease even as he heard the elder Barton approaching, undoubtedly intending to interrogate the prisoner. "Then you need to broaden your imagination since I can think of far more enjoyable ways to die than being impaled by a sword."
"Wufei!?" Trowa exclaimed and blushed slightly even as he caught the uncharacteristic wink from the Chinese teen who was turning to face the commander of the rebel forces.
It had taken a great deal of persuasion on Wufei's part to keep Trowa alive that day, yet he bartered his own life and position in the rebel army to not only keep him alive but even get him a mobile suit to fight in. Wufei had no doubts that Trowa would follow his emotions and quite possibly be forced to kill him later, but this suited them both perfectly.
In point of fact, Wufei tended to agree with Trowa. If one was to die in battle, it was best to die at the side of one you know, or even better, one you love rather than at the hands of an anonymous enemy. In realizing this, he began to find the peace he would need to eventually forgive himself for Treize's death.
It would be months after the end of the war with Dekim's forces that the young couple would meet again and finally discuss the feelings they'd kept from each other for so long, but it had been a start and the katana had borne silent witness to this event, too.
<<end flashback>>
Yet time continued to flow as it is wont to do and now, years after the day he had nearly killed the one soul that had found its way past his barriers, the sacred katana of the dragon clan was to be Chang Wufei's no longer.
The large and crowded room, which had been decorated with all the appropriate solemnity due such an event, fell silent as four battle-hardened warriors walked in quietly.
First in the silent procession was Heero Yuy, scowling as he took his position at the table where the katana rested.
Next to approach the table was Duo Maxwell, yet he seemed far less angry than Heero was and simply found his assigned place and stood there.
Following was Quatre Raberba Winner, completely at ease with such formal gatherings, easily locating his assigned position and remaining there.
Last of the four, and perhaps the most solemn, was Trowa Barton, a soul who had finally fully embraced the name he had used for years. Nervous, the emerald-eyed young man sighed and seemed to walk even more slowly as he got closer and closer to the podium which held the glimmering blade for all to see.
Silence ruled the room and Trowa stepped forward and called out, "We are here to honor the last of the Dragon Clan, a man who leaves that affiliation behind for all eternity here and now."
A slight gasp ran through those assembled.
They had had no idea why the katana was on such prominent display, but for those who understood best, the moment of that announcement was extremely painful. A few eyes blinked back tears as the beautiful young man that had been the blade's owner finally was brought into view as a curtain behind the table that bore the katana was raised, exposing Chang Wufei, dressed exclusively in black and utterly motionless.
The world quieted in that moment and none could predict the future.
End Part 2
Enigma
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