05-July-2001
Title: The Katana Part 4/5
Author: Enigma
Written: June - July, 2001
Rating: PG-13
Gift Fic for the [3x5_5x3list]
Pairings: (5x3/3x5)
Category: Angst Shonen ai Yaoi Sap WAFF
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?
Even as the five friends spoke quietly amongst themselves, the next portion of the ceremonial proceedings was about to occur. A young woman, roughly the same age as the former pilots approached the group accompanied by an older woman who nodded fondly at Heero Yuy whose eyes widened as he turned to greet her with a formal bow.
"Mrs. Noventa, what a surprise to see you again, ma'am," Heero felt a little nervous as he turned to the younger woman. "Sylvia, what brings you here?"
"Wufei asked that we come, Heero," the granddaughter of Field Marshall Noventa smiled, "You'll see why in a moment."
"All right," the Japanese man finally accepted the mystery with a slight shrug.
"May I have your attention please?" Wufei's mellow voice called out, quieting the crowd. When all eyes were turned to the front of the room once more, he nodded to the elder of the tiger clan and the old man sighed unhappily.
"Are you quite certain, Wufei?" The elder kept fighting the young Chinese man's decision, "I really do *not* see why this is necessary even if you have changed your name, your blood remains the same and you may keep the katana, it is your right."
From where he stood, Trowa covered a slight smirk with one hand, he of all people knew that once his beloved had set his mind to something, that was how it would be.
"I am quite certain, elder," Wufei smiled at the man, "This is my decision and that, too, is my right, please, proceed."
"Very well," the elder sighed and straightened the rich orange and black robes once more before saying, "It is now my duty to remove the sacred katana of the dragon clan from the possession of Cha… um, no, Pa…" The man paused in slight confusion and asked, "How do you want the new name to be spoken?"
"Wufei Pax," the younger man said in a firm voice, surprising Trowa yet again, leaving the emerald-eyed man to smile warmly at him in appreciation. He turned and explained to all those who were listening to this with rapt attention, "If I have accepted a romanized surname then I might as well embrace the naming conventions that accompany it, now shouldn't I?"
"As you wish," The elder had become rather tired of all the unexpected changes, but he recalled that this ability to shift and adapt was characteristic of the dragon clan, allowing them to adapt to the move into space and grow and flourish under the most demanding of situations. Clearing his throat he spoke again, "Wufei Pax, you have chosen to deny your heritage and give up this blade. To whom do you wish to entrust it? Do you have an heir perhaps that you wish to designate as its new guardian?"
"Hardly," Wufei snorted softly, "No, elder, I have no heirs beyond the men who stand beside me, all of whom the blade has either guarded or, sadly, threatened at one point or another."
A sad glance was cast at Trowa who shook his head since he had no regrets at all about the way they were reunited during the Eve War.
"Well, then, what would you like to do with it? I assume these two women have something to do with the matter?" The old man smiled at both of the Noventas then turned to pick up the katana, light glinting off its polished surface as he moved back to present it with a formal bow to Wufei.
"Yes, elder, these two women shall become the katana's new guardians after a fashion," Wufei nodded to the older woman who stepped forward. In a voice that carried an almost mystical level of power, the Chinese man stated, "Madam, please allow me to present this to you as a symbol of respect for your strength through the years of sorrow that you have witnessed. Further, if it is worthy of inclusion, consider this a donation to the Noventa Peace Museum that you wish to construct."
A whisper of confusion ran through the crowd and all eyes turned to regard Wufei even as a broad smile spread across the younger woman's face.
Sylvia Noventa spoke up for her grandmother as the older woman fought back a desire to hug the seemingly untouchable young man before her, "We accept this noble relic of not only two of the worst wars our civilization has been forced to live through in recent memory but also of many conflicts of the past. I did some research into the history of this sword and it has a long and illustrious past, Wufei, we are doubly honored by your gift. Thank you."
Bowing slightly, Wufei smiled and cast a meaningful glance at a number of one-time high ranking officials from all aspects of the conflict that the new museum would attempt to commemorate, "I hope that others might add something to your efforts to remind people of the foolishness of unnecessary bloodshed. May this only be the beginning."
Quite a few people were temporarily lost in thought as to what they might add to the Noventa Peace Museum even as the older woman finally said simply, "Thank you again, Wufei, we will do our best to see to it that the past is not forgotten."
Bowing a last time to both of the women and then turning to the elderly oriental man who stood contemplating these changes, Wufei asked simply, "Do you see now why I wished to give up the sword, elder? My oath was to carry and use the blade in war and peace, to defend those that I love, and to protect honor and justice. Perhaps, now that my life has changed so completely, the katana can achieve those goals without me? I believe that it may inspire hope and courage for generations to come if it is included in a museum dedicated to peace."
"I believe I understand this now, thank you for explaining, young dragon," the elder agreed and then asked with a slight note of exhaustion in his voice, "Are we perhaps done with all of this? I believe that you have found more ways to change your life in one afternoon than most people might."
Snorting softly at the very idea that he had exhausted all the surprises he had in mind for that day, Wufei elegantly dropped to his knees once more and bowed deeply to the man. From his position on the floor, he offered, head bent, "Yes, elder, I believe that we have accomplished much and I thank you for your guidance and wisdom as I sought to redirect my life into harmony with the one that I love as well as the memory of my family."
"Very well," the elder smiled and reached out to briefly touch Wufei's head as if in benediction. "Then arise Wufei Pax, take your new husband by the hand, and walk into the sunshine no longer the holder of the sacred katana of your clan, but a dragon in heart and soul all the days of your life."
Bending slightly lower before standing erect, Wufei smiled at all those around him and then reached out for Trowa's hand which was gladly offered to him. As the elder and the two women stepped to one side, Wufei turned to Trowa and asked playfully in a very soft voice, "Care to attend a small party, love? I think that Catherine and Sally had something set up nearby."
Trowa laughed quietly and answered equally softly, "If I thought we could get out of going to the reception, you know I would, but you're right, let's get on with it, love."
"As you wish," Wufei smiled and then unexpectedly drew him into a third deep and passionate kiss before practically running from the room, pulling Trowa along behind him grinning as their friends applauded.
Standing outside the building embracing his new husband in the bright afternoon sun, Trowa laughed softly, smiling at his adoptive sister who was walking towards them with a frown.
Mildly irritated, Catherine asked, "How can you two go from being so formal to being so silly in a fraction of a second?"
Trowa shrugged and then let go of his husband to pull her into a warm hug, teasing, "Ah, Cathy, you should know by now. Wufei can't stand being stuck inside so long and he just wanted to get some fresh air."
Chuckling softly, the Chinese man nodded and moved to briefly embrace the woman he now considered a sister-in-law. "Yes, Catherine, please allow me some small eccentricities on my wedding day, wont you? After all, I only plan to do this once and it was getting rather stuffy in there."
"Damn right you do that only once," Trowa mock-complained, "You're stuck with me, Wufei Pax, and *god* but that name sounds good to say!" With a laugh, he plucked his spouse into his arms and held Wufei's feet off the ground even as he claimed his lips for a deep kiss that made them both forget that they had a growing audience.
Duo grinned at his friends as they kissed before clearing his throat noisily and asking, "Oi, when do I get to kiss the bride?"
"Never, Maxwell," Wufei teased even as Trowa put him back on the ground. "There is no bride involved or did you miss that aspect of the situation?"
"Aw, hell," the American man frowned and was shocked when Trowa pulled him into a hug, kissing him lightly on the cheek before releasing Duo who simply glowed with the shared joy of his dear friends.
End Part 4
Enigma
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