Painful Truths
One
The grave was cold like ice. Snow had lightly covered the headstone; soft, white flakes dusting a name that was truly glorious.
A figure knelt in front of the grave, onyx eyes closed, hand clutched over heart. It wasn't fair that she was killed. She was a best friend - one that had been married to a fine and just man.
He was here now. After the war with Mariemaya, he went to work for the Preventers. Now was the one-year anniversary, and he knelt here, head hanging low with his dark Asian hair dusted with snow.
A pain went through his heart as he realized that he didn't need to pretend any longer. He let the tight ponytail of his hair loose, letting it fall around his indignant face.
Bandages were wound about his chest, and suddenly he remembered the first time he had to wrap them there.
"I promised…" he said, his voice cracking, sounding a bit off-key. "I promised you…Merian. I promised to…to revel myself to them…now that the wars are over.
"You were my best friend, Merian. You married me to hide my identity - to make me the person I always wanted to become. I…" He touched the grave lightly with one finger and traced the engraved letters of her name out of the snow. "I never wanted to admit I was a girl."
Standing, the woman ran a shaking hand through her hair.
"I owe you everything. Thank you so much."
She placed a letter on the base of the grave, along with a white rose. Printed on the front was a name written in ancient Chinese.
Fei.
What will WuFei do now that he wants to unmask her true identity? Will the pilots still accept her, or will they turn away? And what about a certain Perfect Soldier? Or the Joker? The blonde Arabian? Who will accept her and who will defy her?
Next chapter the answers will be revealed!