"It was tradition for heirs of the Dragon clan to marry at fourteen. My wife and myself were no different. Her name was Meilan. Believing herself to be the strongest of her clan she called herself Nataku." Wufei began, his fingers laced together as his elbows rested on his knees. He stared at the floor as he spoke.
"I can only assume you calling your Gundam, Nataku, was your way of remembering her." Trowa speculated, "Am I right?"
Wufei nodded, "Yes, and I'll explain that in a minute. We didn't get along at first. I had barely returned from boarding school, when I was told I was to marry a girl the same age as me, within the week. She laid eyes on me and immediately disapproved. After our first marital spat, I went to my favorite meadow where I would often read."
Wufei turned thoughtful, "She found me, questioning my manhood, and saying that she expected me to have changed after becoming her husband. She asked me why I didn't actively practice my martial arts like the others. I asked her why she fought."
"You asked that from us a few times. . ." Heero commented, causing Wufei to nod.
"It was my way of finding my own answer. Justice was her answer." Wufei's face turned solemn, "It was always her answer. She decided to challenge me then, confident she was the stronger. I won. She questioned how she could lose when she was the strongest in the clan. I berated her, saying, 'Justice exists. . . Only for one's convenience. . . A battle grounded on such a value is pointless.' Her response was that we still had to fight. It was our way."
"Do you disagree with her now?" Trowa gently asked, pulling a very quiet Quatre to his side. Heero watched as Quatre didn't resist, but melted into the gentle embrace, a hand on his heart. Heero assumed Quatre was feeling what Wufei was feeling as he spoke.
"It's not that I agree, or disagree, with her. She wanted justice in the world, where in truth there was none. When OZ and the Earth Federation attacked she left in the Tallgeese-"
Duo jumped up, "Wait a minute, the Tallgeese, as in that prototype Leo that Zechs piloted?"
Wufei sighed glaring at Duo, "Yes, though I'm sure what he piloted wasn't the same one, since hers was destroyed beyond repair."
When Duo sat down Wufei continued with a sigh, "She went to defend our home, foolishly in my opinion. When I saw her in danger, I couldn't stand by and watch. I would be a cowardy husband if I didn't at least fight along side her, if not for her. So, I took the unfinished Shenlong and followed her. I saw Alliance soldiers planting YO-448 capsules, and became outraged, so I attacked. I ordered Meilan home. Reluctantly, she listened. As I fought them, one of the soldiers mentioned Treize. I remember questioning if he was the one behind the events."
"That explains why you wanted to go after Treize so badly." Heero stated in his usual monotone.
Slowly, Wufei nodded, "Shenlong lost power about that time, leaving me vulnerable to the enemy. Meilan placed herself between me and the enemy, saving my life by sacrificing hers. She survived long enough for me to acknowledge her as Nataku, and bring her to my meadow. She asked if she had been strong. I told her she was stronger than anyone. She smiled and told me that I was stronger before resting her head on my shoulder and dying.
"Because her spirit then resided in Shenlong, I renamed it Nataku. She was by my side through all my battles." Wufei finished looking at his fellow pilots waiting for their response.
Quatre smiled, tears falling unchecked down his face. "I don't know what to say Wufei, I felt everything as you told your story. I wish I knew what to say that didn't sound so pathetic and pitying."
Trowa petted Quatre's hair softly, "Perhaps words aren't needed. Simply understanding that even Wufei had his reasons for fighting, and now we know them is enough."
Duo grinned with a nod of agreement as Heero stood and offered his hand to Wufei, "It seems she was the one to justify your desire for justice. Isn't that enough to make Justice the answer to your own question?"
Wufei gave a half smile as he took Heero's hand, "I can live with that."