Disclaimer: The Gundam boys are not my property. But you probably already knew that, didn't you?

Mission: Chance

Chapter 6

"So what do you want to do for your birthday, 'Fei?"

"I already have plans actually."

Duo practically choked on the soda he was drinking. "What? With who? Doing what?"

Wufei frowned and waved his hand as he finished chewing and swallowing. "It's nothing special. I just made plans to take a trip a long time ago, not paying attention to the fact that it was my birthday."

"Well cancel it! We always spend your birthday together! Wherever you're going can wait, can't it?"

Wufei shook his head slowly and hung his head. "No, actually, it probably can't wait. I'm going to visit an old friend. My sensei. He's an old man and I don't know when or if I'll be able to see him again." There, I told him enough of the truth that the lying part was easier. Oh, Duo, I'm so sorry.

"But….but it's your birthday!"

Wufei saw people in the cafeteria staring at them and he sighed, accustomed to Duo drawing attention to them. He knew this was coming and had been dreading it for weeks. Slowly a sad smile graced Wufei's lips and he looked up to face his friend, his voice sounding wistful and apologetic.

"I know we've always spent the day together but…..things change, Duo. I'm sorry. Rain check?"

The younger man with the chestnut braid crossed his arms over his chest, pouting. Wufei remembered when the sight of those lips puffed out would put his willpower to the test. Now he looked upon his friend and saw just that. His friend. Not his crush. Not the man he secretly loved. He saw Duo Maxwell, friend and partner.

"Yeah, sure, whatever. I should have known you'd be busy anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"'Fei, you've been busy a lot lately and I can't help thinking you're keeping something from me."

"I…Duo, I'm…"

Duo saw the panic in the onyx eyes and it hurt because it just confirmed his worst suspicions. He really has been keeping something from me. Damn. But he didn't want to have this conversation right now. Yes, he wanted Wufei to tell him of his own accord, but not in public. Because if it's something that bad, I'm not sure how I'll react. So he smiled and winked as he held up his soda, ready to take another sip.

"Relax, man, I'm just messin' with you. I know you'd never keep anything important from me. I'm your best friend after all."

Wufei could feel the guilt rising up like bile and he quickly took a drink. I can't keep doing this. I have to tell him and soon.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Heero sat in the car, watching the city give way to rural landscape. He'd promised Wufei that he would do whatever Wufei wanted for his birthday and today was that day. When Wufei came to pick him up this morning and Heero inquired for the tenth time what they would be doing, Wufei's only response was a sly smile.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to do anything. He trusted Wufei to pick something appropriate. They had very similar sensibilities. But no matter the situation, Heero hated not being in the know. It was his job for as long as he could remember to know everything. That's how he stayed alive for so long.

"Relax. You'll know soon enough."

Heero chuckled and turned his face away from Wufei as much as possible, knowing his cheeks were pink. It had become apparent to Heero that spending so much time with Wufei had led to two alarming observations: Wufei seemed able to read his mind and this unsettled and excited Heero at the same time. He wasn't accustomed to having such a bond with someone. And that close bond led to his other observation. Wufei was the first person he'd ever encountered that could make him blush. It was a power the ebony haired man had acquired ever since they attended the performance at the temple. The first time Wufei had taken the initiative and kissed him. Even now he could recall the surge of heat that ripped through him as Wufei pressed his lips against his own. And then he parted those soft lips….

A cool touch to his neck jolted Heero from his recalled memories and he jumped, turning to face Wufei. The young man was laughing as he faced forward.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"Then what was your intent?"

"I wanted to know what you were thinking about just now."

"Why?"

"Because you had this faraway, dreamy look on your face. I want to know what could affect you so much."

Heero turned away again, resting his chin in his hand, his mouth mostly covered as he mumbled his quiet response.

"You."

Wufei felt his entire body catch on fire at the small word uttered by the man sitting next to him. They'd been steadily dating for a few months and they kissed and held each other often but hadn't taken their relationship to the next level. They were still keeping everything a secret and the topic of sex hadn't really been brought up and Wufei was grateful for Heero's patience. But the sound of Heero's voice just now saying that one simple word had kick started Wufei's desire.

Heero wasn't sure if Wufei heard his answer or not. Since he didn't respond, he assumed that the other man did not. However, Heero wished he had. Maybe then they could discuss taking things further. He was getting frustrated by being so close to Wufei and not being able to do much about it. He was thankful for their relationship, but he was not a man of half victories. He wanted Wufei to be his completely.

"We're here."

Heero blinked out of his thoughts to see they'd stopped at what appeared to be a compound of sorts. They were parked in front of what looked to be a large house while three smaller buildings rested in the back. As his eyes wandered over his surroundings, he caught a very familiar sound drifting from the back.

"Are we attending a tournament?"

"No."

Wufei grabbed Heero's hand and led him past the main house and back towards one of the smaller buildings. As they approached, the sound of raised voices increased in volume. They entered the building and Heero could see a group of boys paired up and sparring. All actions stopped upon their arrival. Three of the boys bowed to them and the others quickly followed suit.

"Master Chang! Welcome!"

Wufei smiled and bowed to the person who stopped before them.

"Please, do not call me that, Aoe-sensei."

"There's nothing you can do to stop me so quit whining." The older man turned his shining eyes on Heero and bowed. "Welcome. I am Aoe Reiji, sensei at this dojo."

"Heero Yuy. It's nice to meet you."

"Is everything ready, Aoe-sensei?"

"Just as you requested. However, I'd like to make a humble request."

"Yes?"

"Could we spar together for old time's sake? It's been so long."

Wufei hung his head and chuckled in defeat. It was a rare occasion when he could deny this man. He'd known him since he was five years old. He wasn't a member of his clan, but very close friends with his family. He didn't reside on L5 so he escaped the oblivion that wiped out his family. He took Wufei in whenever he needed it, not asking any questions and always taking good care of him. And although he'd had a teacher on L5, Wufei considered Aoe his true sensei. He not only taught him the art and skills necessary to become a master swordsman, but about life as well and how it should be lived. I knew he was going to do this.

"Of course, sensei."

"Thank you. I have clothes for you and your friend waiting in the back. Would you like one of the students to assist you in dressing?"

"Why would you need help dressing?"

Wufei saw the spark in Heero's eyes and he felt his chest tighten. Was it jealousy? Protectiveness?

"Aoe-sensei and I will not be fighting hand to hand. He would like the honor of embarrassing me in Kendo."

The older man chuckled. "Don't let him fool you, Yuy. I will be hard pressed to hold my own against him."

"Enough of your foolishness. I'll go change and be right back. And, Heero? Don't believe anything he says."

Heero just nodded, a smirk in place as he watched Wufei disappear behind a screen. He felt a hand on his shoulder and found himself being led towards a bench.

"So, how long have you known Master Chang?"

Heero sat down and looked out at the students as they sparred. They were young, probably anywhere from ten to thirteen years old.

"Since the last war. I was a Gundam pilot." Heero wasn't sure how much of Wufei's past this man actually knew so he didn't divulge Wufei's role at all. But I'm not going to hide who I am to this man. I sense it's important to be honest with him. It's like…I feel I am being tested somehow.

"I see. Master Chang was very upset when he had to destroy Nataku. Did you have a similar attachment to your Gundam?"

Heero turned and faced the kind looking older man. He could see no hidden meaning behind his question. His curiosity is sincere.

"I destroyed mine in battle. We both agreed it was time to stop fighting."

"Hmmm. It takes bravery and wisdom to be a mighty warrior. I can see why Master Chang has you as his companion."

Heero wasn't sure what the sensei meant by 'companion' and he didn't have time to ask because Wufei emerged from the screen dressed in a keikogi and hakama with a tenugui tied firmly in place. Heero couldn't hide his appreciation as he took in the striking figure striding towards the center of the room. He saw the proud young man fighting to control his obvious discomfort at being admired so openly, especially in public, but Heero didn't care. It's his own damn fault for looking so good.

"No protection?"

The older man chuckled and pats Heero on the shoulder as he stood up. "Do not worry. We will be using helmets. But I thank you for your concern towards my wellbeing." He heard Heero's scoff as he walked out to face his former student on the now empty practice floor.

Wufei secured his helmet and took sonkyo while a student handed Aoe a shinai and helmet. The older man sat, secured the helmet in place and took sonkyo.

"This is called 'osame to'." Heero didn't take his eyes off the two men readying to spar. He just listened to the kid next to him explain what they were seeing. "It means they take sonkyo, retract their shinai, stand up, take five steps back and then bow."

Hero watched as Wufei and his sensei did exactly what was just whispered.

"Now for the fireworks."

Heero and the students watched in silence as the two masters faced off. He knew enough about sword fighting to appreciate the skill being displayed before him. He felt a sense of awe and pride as he watched Wufei stand firm against his sensei, the opponents on a constant give and take, always watching and calculating their opponent's next move. They were strong, fierce and beautiful as they danced around the open space, relishing the feel of the battle.

The contest went on for quite some time until they reached that defining moment. Everyone in the room knew the battle's climax had come. Sensei and student stood facing each other once again, chests heaving with their effort. Through the whole process, their faces had remained intense, their only thoughts that of defeating their opponent. But now, they had knowing smiles on their faces and Heero detected the slightest shift in their stances and he could have sworn Wufei changed the grip on his shinai.

Suddenly, with mighty cries the combatants came together once again for one final exchange. It was quick, definitive and dramatic. And when all was said and done, they stood there frozen in their positions. They had their backs to one another with Aoe's shinai straight out, level with his shoulder, indicating a smooth follow through. Wufei's shinai on the other hand, not only had a smooth follow through, but kept going in its motion and it now rested against his sensei's neck, his arm extended completely behind his body.

As Wufei broke his stance and turned around to face his sensei, he met a pair of cerulean eyes that burned with a fire that seared his very soul. Soon, Heero. Soon it will be our turn.

To be continued….

Terms & such:

I looked up some Kendo terminology to at least describe what Wufei and his sensei were wearing. However, I've never seen a competition before and so don't know the proper moves so please forgive my imagination.

Dogi – uniform used in Kendo. Consists of heavy cotton jacket (keikogi) and pleated trousers (hakama).

Tenugui – cotton head towel worn under helmet.

Shinai – bamboo practice sword used in Kendo for sparring.

Sonkyo - crouch with sword facing your partner/opponent

Osame to - means to take sonkyo, retract your shinai, stand up, take five steps back and bow.

Also, the name of Wufei's sensei came from a character's name in the yaoi manga Love Mode by Yuki Shimizu. I just love the name.