Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Gundam boys. I'm just here to play with them.

Dragon Heart

Chapter 11

Heero and Treize had tracked Wufei for three days and Heero could tell that his Lord was getting impatient. He barely ate and Heero had to sleep with one eye open to make sure the man didn't run off in the middle of the night and confront Wufei.

They had agreed to follow Wufei and see what he was up to and if it looked like he was leading himself and them into danger, they would stop him. Or if they both agreed their journey had gone on for too long. But Heero was willing to give it five days of travel before he snatched Wufei up by his collar and demanded to know what the hell was going on.

"You honestly have no idea what's going on with him?"

Tired eyes glanced at him before facing forward again and following the path. It was too uneven to ride the horses through so they were on foot, guiding them along the treacherous path.

"My only guess is that dragon. But what specifically I couldn't tell you."

"The men noticed something strange when they were disposing of the carcass. There was a slice on its chest and when they investigated further, peeling back the flesh a bit, they saw a gaping hole. It looked as if something had been removed from inside the dragon's chest."

"Any idea what it might have been?"

"I took the liberty of perusing your library and found a book that made mention of something called a Dragon Heart. It seems to be more folklore than truth, but the Dragon Heart is supposedly what houses a dragon's spirit. And when the dragon dies, it takes other dragons to remove the spirit from the Dragon Heart to release it into the afterlife. But there's no mention of removing it from the body to do so."

"The Dragon Heart."

"I also got the impression from the story that the Dragon Heart isn't an internal organ like a regular heart. It's something solid and not flesh and blood."

They continued on in silence for most of the day, both lost in their thoughts of Dragon Hearts and what it could have to do with Wufei.

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Wufei was beginning to think he had miscalculated the direction of the dragon clan. He had been wandering the area all day and hadn't seen or heard any indication that dragons were nearby. He sat down dejectedly on a large rock and hung his head.

"Can't they sense you, Crimson?"

Suddenly, an echo caught Wufei's ear and he stood up, face skyward, scanning for the dragon whose roar just sounded.

"Come on, where are you?"

He dropped the reins of his horse and walked further out onto the plateau of rock. He heard the roar again and this time he could tell exactly where the dragon was coming from. He saw the large beast approaching and he stood in awe, his heart pounding.

Memories of being a dragon came crashing into his mind and he stood there, his eyes closed, lost in his past. He could recall the burning fire within and the underlying feeling of power that coursed through his veins. I took that feeling for granted.

He saw his family and friends soaring in the sky. He could hear their greetings bouncing off the canyon walls. He recalled hunts with his friends and bloody, satisfying feasts.

"Wufei! Get down!"

The sound of Treize's voice interrupted his blissful dream and he slowly opened his eyes to the sight of a dragon bearing down upon him. Before he had time to react he went crashing to the ground, a heavy weight pressing him flat to the rocky ground as the dragon soared past them, missing them by mere inches.

Heero's heart skipped a beat as he watched the dragon's talons barely missed Treize. He drew his sword ready to slay another dragon but a shrill scream caught his attention and he looked back to see Wufei's horse trying to escape its ties and run away. Heero turned his attention back to the approaching dragon and managed to dodge the dragon's claws, but as he turned to follow the dragon's momentum, he was struck from behind by the dragon's tail, sending him flying through the air only to come crashing down hard, head first.

"Tr….eize?"

"Wufei. What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you want to die?"

"Why…" Treize sat back on his knees and pulled Wufei up into a sitting position. "…are you here? How did you find me?"

"We've been following you since the night you left."

"We?"

"Yes. Heero---" Treize and Wufei turned at the sound of the dragon's roar and saw the beast coming back for a second run. Treize's eyes scanned the area for Heero and quickly found his prone body. "Heero!"

Treize scrambled to his feet and ran to his General. He dropped to his knees and began to check the unconscious man for serious injuries. The dragon roared again and Treize stood, drawing his sword, preparing to defend Heero and Wufei.

"Treize! No!"

Wufei ran for Treize who was standing over Heero, sword drawn and ready to defend against the charging dragon. Treize didn't notice him as he steeled himself for the collision. But the collision came not from the dragon, but from Wufei as the young man plowed into him, tackling him to the ground. Treize heard Wufei cry out as they fell to the ground, the dragon passing over them, creating a tremendous breeze in his wake.

"Wufei! Are you crazy!"

Treize immediately wrapped his arms around the cringing young man and rolled over so he could examine him and lookout for the dragon. Wufei's face was pinched tight with pain and when Treize pulled his hands away they were covered in blood. Rolling Wufei over halfway revealed three huge gashes down his back.

"Oh god, no…."

Treize cradled Wufei in his arms and tried to get him to focus on something other than the pain. He caressed his check and rocked them back and forth.

"Wufei, please, look at me. Why did you do that? If you die I'll….."

Wufei reluctantly blinked his eyes and focused on Treize.

"You're safe?"

"Yes. But the dragon---"

"He's looking for….this."

Wufei groaned as he reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out an object that looked like a chuck of some pale yellow mineral.

"Wufei, is that…?"

"Dragon Heart. She needs to….go back to them. Her soul…..she's screaming….we have to help her."

"Then leave it and let's get the hell out of here!"

"N-no. N…need to explain….about other clan….."

"Other clan? Wufei, what are you---?"

Treize's words were interrupted by the almost gale force winds created by the crimson dragon as it landed several yards away. Treize immediately took a defensive stance but Wufei reached up, weakly pleading his case.

"Treize…..please….help me to my knees."

Treize looked down at the struggling man unbelieving. He had no idea what to think of anything that was going on, but he had a feeling Wufei knew more than he did so he did as he was asked. Wufei grunted his way up to his knees, clutching the Dragon Heart to his chest murmuring a plea to the powers that have governed his life even as a human.

"Please, great Cheitan, hear your humble servant's plea. Grant me the strength and power to communicate with one of your children that stands before me. I must return Crimson to her clan. Please, Cheitan, allow me this one last action before you take my life."

Treize couldn't pick up everything Wufei was saying, but he could tell that it was a prayer of some sort. What secrets are you hiding, Wufei? Who are you really? Suddenly a whirlwind surrounded Wufei and gave off such a terrible heat that he took a few steps back.

Wufei could feel the searing heat all around him, inside him, and it felt wonderful. He remembered this feeling and for so many years he'd taken it for granted. It was the feeling of being a dragon. It was the heat that gave them life. Thank you, Cheitan.

Thank you, human. You are risking much to return me to my clan.

Wufei's eyes shot open to see that he was looking out from behind the visage of a dragon.

"C-crimson?"

Yes.

"Please tell him that I just want to return you to your clan."

Ascaroth. This human is here to return me to you. He and his friends mean you no harm.

They attacked me!

"You attacked first!"

Both Wufei and the crimson dragon across from him stiffened in shock. We can understand each other? But how? Is this part of Cheitan's gift?

Please, Ascaroth. I just want to come home.

How did you die, Andras?

Wufei fell to all fours and hung his head. "It was my people that killed her. I offer my own life in exchange!"

"Wufei, no!"

Treize tried to approach Wufei but the heat was too great and he retreated. How is he surviving within that vortex!

You would sacrifice yourself for a dragon, human?

"I….I am….used to be….a dragon. My clan lives in the northern region, in the barren lands."

Blasphemer!

Wufei stood up, defiant in his stance, but his voice reeked of desperation as he pleaded with the great crimson dragon that was standing only a few yards away.

"Please! Go to them! They must know that your clan exists! I was searching for you when I was banished! I don't care what you do to me, just please go to them! Our numbers were dwindling when I was sent away!"

The crimson dragon swished its tail in annoyance and slammed it against the ground, sending a large enough shockwave through the ground to send Treize down to one knee and Wufei dropped back down to all fours.

"Please! Go to them! Help my clan!"

Enough! Give me Andras and I will consider not killing you and your friends.

"Will you go to my clan?"

You are in no position to be making demands, human.

"I am demanding nothing!" Wufei hung his head once again and his voice was suddenly very quiet, defeated, fading. "I am begging you, great crimson dragon."

Everything was quiet with the exception of the low howling of the whirlwind surrounding Wufei. Treize, Wufei and Andras had their eyes fixed on the crimson dragon as he contemplated Wufei's plea for several moments.

I will…..consider….your request. If I should happen to encounter your clan, who should I say sent me?

"N-Nataku."

The mighty dragon nodded its head once and Wufei bowed to him.

"Thank you, great crimson dragon."

Goodbye, Nataku, and thank you for your help.

Wufei stroked the piece of yellow mineral within his hand and smiled as much as his weakened body would allow.

"It was my pleasure, Andras. May you find peace and serenity in the afterlife with the blessing of Cheitan."

Wufei placed the Dragon Heart on the ground and as he slowly crawled backwards, the heated tornado around him dissipated. He cringed at the coldness that overtook his body but then he felt strong arms about his shoulders that generated their own heat and he melted into them, exhausted. He watched through half-lidded eyes as the crimson dragon approached and took the Dragon Heart within his claw and flew off, leaving Wufei, Treize and Heero in peace.

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Treize sat on the ground and stared at Wufei who was still sleeping. Once the dragon left Wufei had passed out, leaving Treize to deal with two unconscious comrades. Heero woke up as Treize carried him over to the small camp he had set up and was able to help Treize clean and dress Wufei's wounds. That had been two days ago.

Heero had refused to rest and immediately set out to retrieve help from a nearby village. Wufei couldn't handle riding with his injuries and needed to be carried properly. So he sat there with the young man and waited for help.

"Wufei…..I wonder how much you will tell me once you're awake."

The sound of approaching horses had Treize up, hand on his hilt and ready for unwelcome company. To his relief it was Heero and several men riding into the small clearing.

To be continued….