Faded Feelings (a Gundam Wing AC fanfic)

Summary: Sally left The Preventers after Wufei embarked on a journey for North America. Wufei got to know the news after he returned. His search for her brought him shocking news: Sally's about to get married to someone else.

CHAPTER 1: PROLOGUE

This part took place in Episode 42 when Wufei was ushered in the space shuttle Sally Po was piloting. S means Sally, 05 is Wufei and 01 is Heero.

S: Long time no see.

05: So you're still fighting?

S: You can talk…!

05: There was a machine that Zechs was using. Are you riding it now?

01: Yeah.

05: The other one?

01: It's Trowa's, but it can't be used yet. It has to be modified for use in space.

05: I see. Where are we heading? Libra's in the other direction.

S: We're headed for Peacemillion which Noin has joined up with. There are three Gundam pilots there. (Smiles) Don't say you're getting off because we've got just enough fuel to get there.

05: Didn't you know that I could take over this ship and head for Libra?

S: That's right; it didn't even occur to me. But Peacemillion has spare parts and technicians that could repair your Gundam. It won't be too late to hit Libra after that.

05: So you're telling me to join you?

S: You can use Peacemillion for the justice you are fighting for. I do think I'm proposing a good deal, ne, Wufei?

05: I'll accept your kindness, but not you're deal.

S: Wufei…

01: Leave him alone. He's got his way of doing things.

S: Seems like it.

This part took place in Episode 43 when Trowa went out of Peacemillion, took Wing Zero and head for L3 Colony to save his sister Catherine. Quatre and Duo followed him in pursuit, with Quatre worrying that with Trowa's state of mind, he's not capable of piloting Wing Zero. Wufei and Heero remained.

S: You look awfully calm. Shouldn't you at least show a little concern for your comrade?

05: There's no point in intervening this battle. As long as Nataku is unable to move, I'm powerless.

Wufei went to the cafeteria to grab some drink. His throat was parched and he needed to clear his thoughts. Nataku had been under repair, thanks to Howard and his team of technicians. It was also a big thanks to Sally for finding him and bringing him to Peacemillion. White Fang had been a headache to deal with. He had ridden on Wing Zero, and he almost got fooled of the intricate system in the cockpit. How could Heero manage to ride such a dangerous thing? Even Nataku doesn't have the Zero System.

And Sally had been too nosy around him, asking him some silly questions that were easy to answer. Like, duh! He knew he was never concerned for the other Gundam pilots. He never thought of them as friends either. They were just like him, pilots who were also seeking justice for themselves. So why would Sally ask him if he was calm when Trowa's in trouble?

Heero entered the cafeteria and found Wufei seated near the mirror. His co-pilot had been thinking about too many things too, just like him. He went over to where Wufei was and sat across him.

"How was it riding Wing Zero?"

"It was intricate, but I just closed my eyes when I felt that something was going wrong. Why do you ask?" Wufei asked, suspicious that Heero might find him too lousy for a pilot.

"None at all. I was just asking you," Heero replied.

"Say, Heero, is that Onna Sally asking you millions of questions? She's been bugging me since I arrived today. She's like a fly pestering me."

"She sure talks, but she talks nonsense," was Heero's defense.

Wufei sighed. Sally had never changed from the first time they met. She had always been behind him in everything that he does. She was his staunch ally, not only to him, but also to the other Gundam pilots. She also had that certain smile of hers which irritates him. He didn't know if she was just making fun of him or not. She never had that mien when she's around Heero.

Heero knew what Wufei meant. Sally seems to smile more often when she's around Wufei. She also plays her little pranks on Pilot 05. Sally's mien is one happy-go-lucky gal when she's around her men, and around Heero. She treats him like a brother. But things are different when she's around Wufei. Heero smiled. The smile she displays for the Chinese guy looks like the same smile Relena had for him. Grins kept dancing and flying around his face. He can sense something funny and exciting between his co-boarders.

"What's with that smirk, Yuy? Are you making fun of me?" asked Wufei, quite irritated. First, it was that Onna, then now, Heero? What the --?

"I was just thinking of something funny…and it's not about you," Heero lied. He never wanted to get involved in the lives of other pilots, especially Wufei. But it seems that he had just to watch as events would unfold themselves.

It was a good night, if ever it really was night (of course, they are all in space, how could one tell the rising and the setting of the sun?). Sally was unbraiding her hair. Her roommate, Noin, seemed to be in deep thought. She probably must have been thinking about Milliardo Peacecraft, better known as Zechs Merquise. The person she secretly admires and the source of her inspiration had turned into a rival of Earth. She still didn't understand why Zechs had to join the White Fang. Tears started to fall from her eyes.

"Sally…"

"Hn? What is it, Noin?" Sally asked, looking at Noin from the mirror.

"What would you do if…what if the faith you have for that one person you love fades?"

Sally stopped combing her hair. She shrugged and looked at Noin.

"That's a difficult question, Noin, you know. I've never been in love yet."

"Really?" Noin asked, looking up at her roommate, smiling weakly and eyebrows knitted. Someone with Sally's face could have launch a thousand ships. It was impossible that no guy would court Sally.

"Really, never. But with regards to your question, it can also apply to someone else, right? Well, if I were in your shoes…I don't know, Noin, I don't think I can answer your question. Maybe it would just wear you out if you keep on thinking about him. Zechs has changed. Even if you give him your understanding, he'll still never reveal to you his real intentions. I also was puzzled why he chose to join White Fang. Howard told me earlier that Zechs also joined Peacemillion just before he embarked on his journey towards Earth to a mission God knows what."

Noin smiled and mumbled her thanks. Then she lay on her bed and closed her eyes. She would probably be dreaming of some long-haired Lightning Count whose path in life she chose to understand but could not decipher.

Sally continued brushing her hair. She changed to her night clothes and then decided to go outside and drink water. Noin's dilemma seemed absurd to her, yet she feels sorry for Zech's classmate. It must be so hard to be torn between two entities: one of believing what is right and believing in someone who chose the path opposite what she believes in. Oh, what love can do?

"Still roaming around the premises, Onna?"

Sally turned towards the source of the voice.

"Ah, Chang Wufei, what brings you here, my boy?"

"Going to the cafeteria?"

"Yeah. I decided to cool myself off…after hearing something disheartening…"

"That other onna? Hmph! I didn't believe that Zechs would really choose the path that she chose. She should not be so foolish to think of him. Such a weakling!"

"Wufei!..."

"Is it not right, Onna? Women like you are weak. You always act according to you emotions, and when things go wrong, you cry over it and put the blame on that source of adoration—"

A slap was heard.

"Take it back, Chang Wufei!"

"I won't," was his calm reply before returning to his room.

Sally clenched her fists, gritted her teeth in anger, hot tears falling from her eyes. How could such chauvinist hurt the race of women? Damn Chinese misogynist, damn him!

"MATTE, CHANG WUFEI!"

And another slap touched Wufei's face.

"How could you be so insensitive?" Sally asked angrily.

"Why were you so affected? What's your problem, Onna?"

Sally stopped. Yeah, what was her problem? Why would she react that much towards Wufei? She was deeply hurt because she was a woman. Yet, was that the only reason? Suddenly, Noin's question marqueed through her head. Moreover, did she suddenly have feelings for Wufei for her to react this way?

"My problem? You're my problem, you misogynist! I hate it when you don't answer me properly!...and I have a name!"

Wufei cocked his head. She indeed had a name. Yet he didn't want to call her by her first name. He simply had no respect for people weaker than he is. It then occurred to him to make fun of her. He smirked.

"Onna."

"MY NAME IS SALLY PO!"

"Onna."

"It's Sally!"

"Onna."

The tirade continued. Meanwhile, Heero was listening near the door. He smirked. His suspicion had been right after all. Sally did like Wufei. If she didn't, she'll not react too much.

"Seems like it," Heero smirked.

"Where's Wu-man? What's that noise?" Duo asked, quite irritated. He was too drowsy after the fight the whole day. All he wanted was to have a quiet good night's rest. And some cat-and-dog fight was heard just outside their room.

"Oh, it must be Ms. Sally and Wufei. But I wonder what that could be?" Quatre asked innocently. He was leaning unto Trowa who was brushing Pilot 04's golden hair.

"It's not our business. Let's just rest now, everybody, okay? You sleepy now, my little one?" Trowa asked Quatre, smiling down to him. Quatre nodded and rose up to face Trowa. Then the golden-haired pilot kissed Trowa good night. Duo gagged at what he saw.

"Since when did you officially become 'it'?"

"Well…it's a secret between Quatre and me," Trowa smiled.

Heero, who was listening to his comrades' conversation, shifted his gaze from them to Wufei. He was surprised to see Wufei smiling. Ah, the catfight was over. Heero was sorry for Sally. Yet, if he were in Wufei's shoes, he'd get irritated too. He knew how it felt to be stalked by a girl.

"Women are the same," he thought to himself before closing the door.

TO BE CONTINUED