Hey-o, and welcome to my Lil' World of Weirdness!!

I state for the record that I don't own Gundam Wing, or the wonderful characters that will be gracing this story. . . I do however lay claim to Ensign Saratone *again*, and I use him here purely as a replacement for your average Nameless OZ Minion. Other Characters I lay claim to are Faye Bloom, the wizened old man, Chang Xiao Fao Lan, and the Angels.

Let's just say . . . when my writer's block breaks, it's like a dam breaking . . . [shakes head slowly and winces]

Parings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3 . . .. Eh, heh, not that anyone reads up here, but I realised I'm giving away certain parts of my story with these!!

Okay, that's the legal stuff out the way!!

Please ENJOY AND PLEASE R&R!!! THANK YOU!!

Also, thanks to my beloved Bluegoo for her ever wonderful betareading, I thank her for the many hours that she has put in with me on this one, be it correcting my terrible grammar and spelling, or listening to me mumbling large chunks of it down the phone to her . . . You're great, Blue!! Even if you are Commander and Chief of the Apostrophe Gestapo . . . [ducks and runs off, screaming over shoulder] GO READ AND REVIEW HER STORIES!!

//Thinking//

"Speaking"

*Stress/Emphasis*

Writing/Dream sequence

Telepathic thoughts

~*~

For The Grace Of Knights And Angels

By Doctor Megalomania

Arch One: Bonds Made And Renewed

Part Nine: The Old Ways

Wufei forced himself to draw deep, slow breaths as he stepped out into the warm afternoon sunshine.

He blinked and looked around, nothing had changed. Almost nothing.

There was a little wear and tear here and there, but nothing that would imply that the colony had ever been missing. He frowned and looked around; still the streets were filled with tradition Chinese stalls, filled with the sounds of honest commerce. Sally touched his arm, and looked around in awe, "It's just like old China."

Wufei nodded, his voice hushed, "The Chang and Long families always strived to keep . . ." He paused as a rickshaw raced past them, "The old ways alive . . ."

Quatre smiled as he looked around, "Reminds me of the desert base . . ." His mother nodded, and pointed to a stall with fine silks, making Quatre chuckle, "We will have to have a better look around this place . . ."

"You are welcome to stay for a little while."

The group turned at the reedy voice, and found a small man sitting in a travelling chair. Master O and Wufei both showed a little shock, but bowed respectfully, as the little old man got out of his chair. "Wufei."

"Master Fao." Wufei straightened, "It's an honour to walk amongst you again."

"The honour is ours . . ." The elderly old man smiled, his small black eyes squinting, "I trust you have won the war . . ." He shifted his gaze, "Or all five of you would not be standing here now."

"Indeed." Wufei answered, "The war is over, and human kind is at peace."

Master Fao nodded, "Until the dark force arrives and destroys us all . . ." He turned and tapped his stick on the ground. One of his attendants came to his aid, "Send for more rickshaws . . ."

Duo helped Sister Helen down from their rickshaw and thanked the runner sincerely. He turned and looked up. The gate to Wufei's home was huge . . . Wufei's home was massive!

"Whoa . . ." Duo murmured, as the small group made their way in. Quatre smiled, as he touched the old stone, and the carvings in the wall. The Chinese characters were gold leafed, and imbedded into the wall. "Wufei . . . it's beautiful . . . this is such a beautiful home . . . you must have felt much at peace here . . ."

Wufei nodded, and bowed to a small statuette of a dragon. It was a snarling stone dragon, with proud carvings, and perfect scales. It looked like it would come to life at any moment, and its most impressive piece was attached to its raised claw. Wrapped around the wrist of the dragon as a red metal cuff, in the shape of a dragon, the tail wrapping around the wrist with a dragons head on the back of the stone dragon's claw. He straightened, and touched the small shrine gently. "Thank you." He murmured to the stone dragon, before he turned to his friends, "I did indeed . . . I loved this place . . ."

After Master O completed his respect to the Chang shrine, they moved into a courtyard. Servants dressed in blacks and dark browns moved around swiftly, one or two bowing to the guests, and smiling for Wufei. One of them was carrying a beautiful white, blue and red saddle as they walked past, and Wufei stopped him. He spoke in swift mandarin, and the servant answered just as quickly, pointing in the direction of the small set of stables near the gateway.

"Master O . . ." Wufei nodded, "Please go ahead of me . . ." the Chinese Preventer started off in the direction of the stables, "I'll be back in a moment!"

The group stood still for a moment as Wufei broke into a jog and rounded a corner, Duo glanced from O to his friends to where Wufei had disappeared, "I dunno about you guys . . . but the suspense is gonna kill me . . ." He ran after Wufei, "Yo! Wu!! Wait up!!"

Duo, Heero, Quatre and Trowa rounded the same corner, and found Wufei petting a large grey horse with shiny black hair. He was murmuring to it quietly, and it licked and muzzled his cheek. Trowa walked up instantly, and reached out to touch it, it was a tall horse, very powerful. "Yours?" He asked quietly, as the horse snorted quietly.

"Never . . . I can't stand horses . . ." Wufei murmured, closing his eyes and hugging the animal tightly, "One thing you'll never catch me on is a horse."

"If you can't stand them . . ." Duo began as he looked at the other horses, "Why are you huggin' that one?"

"We put this one down after Nataku died . . ." Wufei opened his eyes and stared at the horse, "He was her favourite, and he wouldn't let anyone else ride him . . . that was her saddle back there . . . she loved her family's colours and always insisted that her saddle and fighting clothes were made up in such . . ."

"The same colours as your Gundam." Heero murmured, as he looked around, he kept his distance, not that he was afraid of horses, just that he wasn't too fond of them.

Wufei fell silent for a moment, as Quatre moved to coo at an Arabian pure bred, and Trowa went deeper into the stables to investigate the other horses. Wufei moved to stand by Heero, "I wasn't the pilot destined for Nataku . . . she was . . ."

Duo walked back to where Heero was standing, "I've never seen so many horses in one place!"

"The Chang estate covers many, many kilometres . . . the horses are kept for travelling." The group turned to the new voice, an elderly Housekeeper bowed respectfully, "Young Master Chang."

"Lun Suo San." Wufei bowed back, and the old man smiled slightly, "It's good to see you, San."

"The honour is met with pleasure, Master Chang." San bowed again, "Tea is ready, and Master Fao wishes for you to rest for a night before he greets you formally. I will show you and your guests to your rooms."

"Shie, shie . . ." Wufei nodded, he motioned his friends as they gather around him, "This is Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton and Quatre Winner." The four gave varying degrees of bows, as the old man bowed to them. "These are my brothers," Wufei intoned, "They will be given the same respect as myself and any member of the Chang family would expect."

San frowned, looking slightly insulted, "I give you my word, not a single member of this household would ever dream of dishonouring you so!"

Wufei nodded, and smiled, "I know." He looked up, twilight was beginning to descend. "Has the order for the lanterns been given?"

The old man's eyes narrowed fondly, as he shook his head slowly. "No, Master Chang."

His friends looked between themselves with curiosity, as Wufei smiled warmly. "San . . . Light the lanterns."

San smiled fondly as he bowed once more, and walked to the archway of the stables, yelling out a short command in Chinese. The former Gundam pilots looked up as the same order was shouted around the compound. Soon, the air was filled with the beating of Chinese gongs, and many servants wheeling the lantern carriers around. The pilots were treated to the sight of the magnificent lanterns being lifted from their racks and hooked onto the buildings. A few portly men carrying long lighter tapers walked around and lit the lanterns, soon the courtyard was bathing in the warm glow from red and yellow lanterns. A younger servant than San ran up, carrying a smaller lantern on a long stick.

"Master Chang, Masters Yuy, Maxwell, Barton and Winner . . ." San spoke grandly, clearly pleased at the awe on their faces, "Please follow me to your rooms . . ."

Staring from upstairs, she watched with some amusement. He'd acquired some foreign friends. San led the way, the soft light from the lanterns hiding their expressions from view. She smiled, and glanced back into her room. Her dress, picked with some care, was laid out on the bed. She breathed in and looked out the window, in time to see San lead them around the corner. A smile pulled up the corner of her lips, as she pulled the old brush through her sleek black hair. "Fao would have me wait for an eternity . . . very well. . ."

She turned and looked in the mirror, pulling on the dress with care. She smoothed it out, and easily did the buttons up. Her hands briefly trailed over her body, smoothing out the wrinkles. In the years since her death, her body had filled out. She bit her lip, and lifted her eyes up.

"If you do not come to me . . . I will come to you."

"Mind your step."

Wufei murmured as they stepped into the small guest apartment. He lifted his foot exaggeratedly to show them the small raised panel in the doorway. Duo nodded his thanks, as he stepped over it. He'd been too taken back by the sheer pride and honour that the household took in its appearance. The four friends were going to spend the night in a guest apartment, which adjoined to Wufei's rooms. San stepped in last, "You have some servants assigned to you . . ." He called out their names and they appeared almost instantly, the old housekeeper smiled, "Just call out their names and they will attend you . . ."

"Oh, there's no need, we can take care of ourselves!" Duo blurted out, stunned by the offers.

San shook his head, "It's our purpose . . ." He nodded, "A change of clothes for dinner has been laid out, and nightclothes will be laid out when you return . . . tomorrow, a new change of clothes will be brought to you . . ." The servants bowed, and moved away quietly, as San continued, "I trust Master Chang, you remember the toll for dinner."

Wufei smiled and moved over to the waiting tea table. "Of course San, thank you."

San bowed once more and moved away.

Quatre turned and took in the apartment, Chinese architecture lined the walls, and furniture, the four beds were all curtained, red ties holding back the almost see-through drapes. Various clothes were neatly put out for the four, with traditional strapped and wooden shoes nearby. Wufei sat down at the low-lying table and motioned the pillows nearby. "Please . . . have a seat." He closed his eyes and breathed for a moment. "This is truly my home."

Trowa sank down, next to him. "It's very . . ."

"How rich are you, Wu?" Duo picked up Trowa's line; he glanced at the tea set as Wufei began to pour each of them a cupful. "And why didn't you say anything about it?"

"In terms of political power. . .  I command nothing more than this household, and I have certain weight with the government on this colony . . ." Wufei paused and carefully put down the pot of tea, "Money . . . I'm just a little poorer than Winner."

Duo shook his head and blew on the dark tea, "I've said it once . . ." He sipped it, and winced at the taste, "And I'll say it again . . . Whoa . . ."

Noin frowned as she followed the man; he was trying to lose her.

She had been walking down a corridor, reading a report and drinking her coffee, when out of the corner of her eye she saw something she never thought she'd see again. A federation uniform. She'd frowned, and turned back, to see the dark blonde man turn a corner. "Hey!" She had called after him, but he'd disappeared. Noin disliked it when people disobeyed her, so she'd given pursuit, and now . . . here in the Preventers HQ, an old federation officer was trying to lose her.

She growled, and broke into a jog, determined to catch up with the man.

Wufei stepped out of his room and nodded to San, "Will any of my family be eating with us tonight . . .?" He shook his head, answering his own question, "No, it's already too late . . . they'll have retired by now . . ." He glanced at the lantern carrier in front of them as he lead them to his friends' rooms. San chuckled, "You still remember the old ways . . . good . . ."

The Chinese boy shook his head, "How could I forget . . .?" He smoothed down his sleeves, his white garments were a little snug at the chest, but billowed out at the limbs. The time-honoured Chinese cut of the suit, tailored by talents and traditions lost on the Earth Sphere, brought back many, many memories. "It's good that you always seem to know the right sizes . . ."

"It's my job to ensure everything is perfect for Young master." San slowed to a stop outside the guest apartments, "It would be an insult to my ancestors if I did anything less that my best."

Wufei nodded, "The same rings true for me . . ." He stepped up to the door and knocked. "Are you ready?"

The door opened and Quatre stepped out, the deep blue Chinese dress clothes looking a little large on him. He stepped out carefully, the wooden sandals clacking slightly. Quatre smiled at San and bowed, "Thank you for the magnificent clothes . . . they fit wonderfully."

Quatre moved aside as Heero and Trowa stepped out, Trowa in a long grey and silver suit, and Heero in a brown suit that had forest green cuffs and linings. Trowa tipped his head gracefully, and Heero dipped a short polite bow. Duo was the last to emerge, pulling the back of his hair from the collar and trying to do up the looped buttons. His suit was a deep purple, with lighter lilac cuffs, he smiled a little helplessly. "Can do pretty much anything with these fingers . . . but do up a simple loop button!"

Heero batted away his hands, and frowned slightly as he did up the frustrating little buttons. Duo flushed slightly as Heero pushed his face closer, to see better in the dim light. Heero's deep blue eyes flickered up to him, "You look good . . . stop fidgeting."

Duo smiled at him, as the former pilot pulled away. He reached up to straighten the small violet silk ties in his hair, "Yeah? Well, uh, you too . . ." He glanced at his friend fondly, "Thanks Heero."

Dinner was filling, simple but filling.

The table were small and intimate; the women were placed at one, the scientists at another, and the former Gundam pilots at the one in the middle of the room. The high backed chairs made conversation between the tables difficult, but the chatter flowed freely. Wufei cleaned his fingers and dried them on a napkin, as he sat back. "It has been too long . . ." He murmured, sipping slowly at his drink, before offering Heero some more wine.

The doors opened, and Duo groaned, "I never thought I'd say this but . . ." Sister Helen laughed quietly, as Duo threw his arms in the air, "No more food!!"

The small group chuckled as San entered, "Master Chang?"

"Yes, San?"

"Someone wishes to welcome you back . . ." He frowned at the person hidden in the doorway, "And she will not wait for the formal introductions . . ."

Wufei stood, "Who is it?"

Quiet descended as the girl entered. She was short, just shorter than Wufei and looking to be around the same age as him, with long black hair separated into two ponytails, which fell either side of her head, on one side of her head there was a beautiful white flower hair pin, with long red ribbons trailing down from it. Her fringe was as long as Wufei's hair was, and was scrapped back from her face, locks of it brushed behind her ears neatly. She wore a simple dark blue dress, embroidered with butterflies, with long slits that ran high up her thighs and short sleeves that came to a stop half way on her upper arm. A stiff collar made her hold her head high, and her arms were folded. She looked around, with an annoyed, angry look very similar to Wufei's. Her deep brown eyes looked around the room before they fell on Wufei. A thin black eyebrow rose slowly.

The Chinese girl stepped in, her walk slow and deliberate. She walked up to the small table, and leant over to poke Wufei in the stomach.

"Hmm . . ."

She hummed as she looked at him critically. Duo glanced between the girl and Wufei, her perfume was light and airy, with just a hint of the tea that Wufei was always drinking. //So that's why Wuffers always is drinkin' th---// He blinked.

It happened so fast.

One second Wufei was standing there, the girl poking his stomach, the next he was on the other side of the table, just by Professor G's feet, with the girl straddling his lap. She bounced a little, "Not only have you gotten old and fat . . ." The girl barked out, "You've gotten slow! You stubborn mule, do you still refuse to practice?! Does the clever brat's precious studies keep him from practicing the ways of his elders, and letting him become weak?!"

Quatre stood, his eyes wide at this unprovoked attack on his friend, "Excuse me . . . but who are you?"

The girl paid him no heed. "Wufei . . ." The anger in her face broke, and she leant over kissing the surprised former pilot lightly, "Wufei . . . I missed you . . ."

As she leant back, Wufei sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist; he glanced at the girl in his arms with little contained amazement. "You've . . ." He blinked and looked into her face, "You've grown up . . ."

She blushed and pressed her face into his neck, "As have you . . ."

Wufei looked at his concerned comrades, "Nataku . . ." The girl shifted and turned her head to stare with a fierce and proud expression at the four boys, each getting the distinct impression if Wufei's Gundam had a equivalent, then this woman was the human incarnation of the feared Gundam. "She is . . ." Wufei pressed his forhead against her cheek and whispered again as his dark eyes slid shut.

"My wife . . . Nataku . . ."

They walked into darkness at first.

It was a soothing, anonymous dark, where make believe and reality seemed to clash. Wufei's room, his apartments that he'd once shared with his wife remained unchanged. Almost as if he'd never left, as if she'd never died, as if. . . Wufei closed his eyes and swallowed hard. He could hear her, her light breath behind him. He'd been able to hear her behind him as he walked, her slippers – unusually feminine for a girl who denied her womanhood – were almost silent on the old cobble paving stones. Servants acknowledged them both, and Wufei could almost believe that she was there. Despite having held her after dinner, Wufei's mind refused to accept that she was here . . . that she really existed. He was almost certain that—

"Wufei?"

--that she would disappear again the instant he turned around. He clenched his hands, almost shaking. He willed her silently to break the spell, to reach out and touch him herself so he knew she was no imagining, no illusion. And yet—

"Please, Wufei. . ."

-- He almost hated her. He'd believed her dead, believed himself unworthy for so long, he imagined that maybe she felt . . . something for him before she'd died, that the love he'd suddenly found for her after her unexpected death was some how reciprocated in the afterlife.

"Wufei . . . won't you face me?"

He felt his eyes close, useless in the darkness. When he opened them, his dark eyes had adjusted to the slight light, the minuscule glow of the lanterns that poured into the room. Swallowing again, Wufei held his head up. "You've returned, Nataku . . ."

 There was silence behind him; he thought he could hear breathing.

"Returned . . ." His voice failed him for a moment, "Returned from the dead . . . for what purpose?"

Still silence behind him, still no real proof that she was there at all. Maybe . . . his eyes widened with horror, maybe it had all been wishful thinking on his part, perhaps Nataku hadn't returned at all. And he was talking to an empty room. "Na. . ." Once again, his strong voice became weak. "Nata . . . ku . . ." He walked forward, in the direction of his bed. A nausea building deeply in the pit of his stomach, his head swam. He had to lie—

Was that a footstep echoing his?

-He paused before his bed, and listened. Still silence. The nausea swelled, punishing him for being so foolish, making his head pound with pain, and his stomach roll. He could feel the old anger, the anger that had sustained him throughout the war rise up. He was undeserving of her, Nataku wouldn't come back from the dead for him; he'd yet to prove himself. He hadn't even defeated Treize properly; he'd accepted that Onna-Peacecraft at her word, he assumed that because the world was at peace that that had been enough? His shoulders tensed, and his fists clenched hard. No. Of course not. He had slacked in his duties to her, his mission to become the strongest warrior in her place.

"Why won't you face me?"

The fury bled out of him, leaving hot blood to run cold. Her voice was hushed, completely different from the loud, boisterous voice she used to berate him with. "Why won't you turn around and face me, Wufei . . .?" Her voice was quiet, almost afraid of the answer, "Do you still resent me for being your wife?"

"Resent you?" Wufei closed his eyes again, and listened for any other sound of her, anything to make sure she was really there.

"I know . . . you and I, we were married too young . . . we were barely out of our youth. We couldn't help our natures that were so different from one another. . ." She seemed sad, reflective, "I think we would have . . . been . . ." She faltered and swallowed, he heard her draw a shaky breath, "Why won't you face me, Wufei? Why won't you look at me now?!"

"Because I'm afraid." Wufei blurted out, the pain in her voice echoing in his heart, "If I turn around, will you still be there?!"

"Of course!!" She snapped back. "I'm here now, my flesh and my blood, my heart beats so loudly, I am here, Chang Wufei!"

"How do I *know*?!" Wufei felt helpless, and this feeling made him angry, "How do I know that?! If I turn around, and find you not there . . . but merely in my mind—"

"Wufei, face me!!"

"No! *NO*!!" Wufei growled out, "You'll disappear, you'll go away again, and I'll be alone again, I'll never be able to tell you. . . how I feel, tell you everything I meant to say!! I don't want to drive you away again!"

"Wufei. . ."

"I've spent so long hoping, praying that you were with me all this time, for you to be here . . . Nataku, I won't sacrifice this chance, I'd rather stand on the darkness and hear your voice, than see in the cold light of day, that you were never here!!" He stormed to the window, to look out. The estate was lit softly with soft yellow lanterns, the colony's 'moonlight' clung to the rooftops with a dull bluish tint, and the darkness shadowed everything else. The guards at the gate of the house were silhouettes, shadowy ghosts as they drifted from side to side of the gates. His own reflection was wraithlike as he stared at it, "I'm . . . I'm not strong enough for that . . ."

He glanced over his reflection's shoulder in the glass. She stood like a ghost, a beautiful ghost behind him.    

"Wufei . . ."

Her lips were pale as they moved. He closed his eye, and willed her to break this cold spell that had fallen between them. All it would have taken would be her to touch his shoulder, to turn him around, and free his anger from him. "Wufei, that's so . . ." She breathed, "So sappy . . ." Her eyes crinkled at the corners, as she broke into a small smile, "But it's so true . . . I will always be by your side, in life and in death . . ."

He swallowed hard.

She stepped forward, her body radiating a slight warmth. "I would give my life for you again, Wufei—"

"No!" Horror filling him, Wufei spun around to face her, "No, I will not allow it!"

She seemed so real now, her chest heaving as she stare fiercely her expression defiant, "I will, I will sacrifice myself for whomever I choose!"

"I forbid it!"

A frown creased her brow as she tried to explain, "No, this is a gift that I shall give to you."

"I forbid it, Nataku—"

"Wufei!" Her voice turn icy cold, "You have no right to . . ."

"As your husband, I have every right," Wufei snapped, making a swift movement with his hand, "I forbid you to sacrifice yourself for me! I'm not worthy of such a—"

"I would expect the same dedication from you."

He blinked, shocked as if slapped by her quiet admission. "Nataku . . ."

"Wufei, I would die for you because I am your wife . . . I've done it before, and I am prepared to do it again, because I am Nataku, and I must protect justice, and those who try to uphold it."

He stared at her for a moment longer, and decided that he needn't wait for her to break the spell . . . and reached to hold his very real wife tightly.

----------------------------

And Now It's Time to LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!!

DrM: [sighs happily] so sappy, so cute. . . [sighs again] Yay. . .

Wufei: [rolls eyes] Baka Onna.

Nataku: [rolls eyes in the same way] Baka Onna.

DrM: [glomps both tightly] I love you two, I almost wish I could havre seen the anime version of Nataku because of the relationship you two had!! [holds up sign to Gundam Wing creators] Please make Episode Zero!! Short authours notes, because I don't want to ramble, when I could be getting the next chapter up and ready, please R&R!!