Author's note: I don't own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing. I realize that my friend who
loves Rei and hates Wufei will kill me for this fic, but I think the pairing is fun! So Beth,
this is for you. Anyways, Rei is 15 and Wufei is 16 in this fic. Yuuichirou has left
the shrine to pursue a career in music. Rei was very sad for a while, but she
is over it now. He doesn't enter her mind much any more.
dinochick80@yahoo.com

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"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love
is a war; love is a growing up."
-James Baldwin

Defiance
By: Veronica Cereta

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"We have a new student joining us today."

A boy, his black hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, surveyed the martial arts
class intently. His gaze rested on one of two girls in the class. She was a beautiful
creature with long raven hair. He had no idea why he was so drawn to her.

"I am Wufei," he informed the class.

The teacher nodded and turned to the boy. "In order for me to get a feel for
new students' strengths and weaknesses I have them fight the current class champion.
Rei, please come forward." The girl who had caught Wufei's eye gracefully stepped to
the front of the class. His heart leapt. *She* was the class champion.

"I don't fight women."

Justly angered, Rei was about to set the boy strait, when she sensed a deeper
reason behind his comment. She couldn't quite place it, but it was clear that the
reason for his statement was seeped in tragedy and pain. The priestess bit her tongue.
Although, she thought to herself, she would teach him a lesson when they fought.

"If you don't fight Rei, you will fail the class." The professor was obviously
unhappy with the boy's demand.

Normally Wufei would have left, but he felt something from Rei. There was a
strength and determination to her, also a deep spirituality. He wanted to get to know
her, but even more, he *wanted* to fight her. This was truly strange, but for some
reason, he felt she might be his equal. He wanted to test her. 'Forgive me, Nataku' he
thought as he walked proudly to the mat. Rei joined him silently.

"Begin!"

The two fought fast and hard. Every move the pilot threw the priestess
countered and vice versa. Rei was graceful, though passionate. Her raven hair flowing
as she maneuvered. She couldn't believe how well the new student was doing. She
realized that he probably wasn't used to loosing. 'Well, get used to it," she decided.
Still, he was very handsome, in an ancient fighter kind of way. The fact that she could
see his face was nice. She didn't think ill of that other man she had dated, but his hair
had always been a bit of a drawback. That certainly wasn't a problem with this guy.

Wufei was determined. He would not loose to a weak woman. Though,
admittedly she wasn't very weak at all, and she was beautiful. The look on her face
was so ardent; she was obviously trying her hardest. Still she had a grace that made
he movements look easy. Not knowing why he was thinking these thoughts, he forced
himself to concentrate on winning the match.

The class was mesmerized by the pair. It was like watching recording of a
beautiful ballet on fast forward. The teacher honestly couldn't tell who was the
stronger of the two. He would have to see when the match was over.

The fight went on for most of the class, and the two began to tire. Just when it
looked as if the new boy would win, Rei ducked under a high kick, delivering a low spin
kick that landed Wufei on his back. The class cheered and the professor pronounced
Rei the winner, though he added many comments about how evenly matched they
were, which only angered Rei and sounded like pity to Wufei. The teacher chose
another pair to spar for the few minutes remaining in class.

As always, the raven-haired girl used this time to meditate. She was trying to
get a feel for the new student. He interested her, and she wanted to know more. She
could read that the reason he didn't want to fight women, had to do with his past. He
had once fought a woman that he cared deeply about and it hadn't turned out well.
She almost felt sorry for beating him . . . almost. She also felt from him a lot of pain.
He had seen and been through a lot. It was the same sensation she would get from a
solider who had been in many battles. This made her want to know more.

Unbeknownst to the Rei, the boy was doing the same thing to her that she was
doing to him. His ability to read people, though not as refined as hers was rarely
wrong. He could feel great loneliness. She had been alone for most of her life, very
little family or friends. Eventually she had made some very close friends, but
sometimes she still felt very different and alone. He also sensed a pride from her, and
a determination. He couldn't tell much about what she was determined to do. It
seemed like she was driven to protect something . . . no someone . . . he didn't know
who or why. This made him want to know more.

Finally the last bell rang and the student filtered out into the hall. Most of the
classmates came up and congratulated Rei. The new boy watched silently. As she
made her way beyond the crowd she noticed that the new student was still behind her.

"I want a rematch," he stated.

"I can't now, I have archery club."

"Skip it."

The demand caught Rei off guard. For some reason she didn't want to give this
guy what he wanted. Still, she had gone every day to archery, it wouldn't really hurt to
miss one day. Plus it was a chance to get to know this boy a bit better, and she didn't
want to look like a coward.

"Fine. Let's go." She led the way to her grandfather's shrine. It was peaceful
there and they would have room to move around. They walked in silence. He didn't
ask where they were going, and she didn't supply information.

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When they arrived, Rei led him around back. He was impressed. He knew that
if he were to be involved with a girl, she would have to be spiritual, and a priestess
was about as spiritual as he could hope to find. He made himself stop these thoughts.
The girl ceased in the middle of an open area. He looked at her intently for a moment
and then muttered, "Begin."

They fought more passionately than before, like twin flames flickering around
one another, joining and separating again and again. The fight lasted much longer
than before. Both of them were determined to win, but there was playfulness to the
fight. Every now and then the girl would grin in admiration as Wufei landed a good
kick, and he found himself grinning back. He was actually enjoying this fight; it had
been a long time sense he had fought hand to hand with such an equal. Rei was also
happy. The chance to work on some finer skills was definatly needed, and she had
never met a boy who could keep up with her. Sure Makato could beat her much of the
time, but never a male. It was different fighting Wufei.

The fight raged for quite some time, as if neither wanted it to end. Finally Wufei
delivered a blow to Rei's stomach. As she doubled over he kicked her down, but
managed to loose his footing and fall on top of her. Panting, trying desperately to
catch their breaths, the two stared at each other. Then the pilot kissed the priestess.
He didn't know why, and he certainly wouldn't be happy about it tomorrow, but at the
moment he just had to. His kiss was as hard and passionate as his fighting. 'Baka!'
Rei thought. 'Jerk! Just because he beat me doesn't give him the right to do whatever
he wants! Baka!' It took the Rei a while to realize that she was still kissing him back,
and even longer to realize that she was enjoying it.