Never Parted (Part 3)
By SilverLady
Wufei barely even looked up as the door opened and a young girl stepped into his room. He continued to stare out the window at the world that seemed to be passing him by.
"Grandfather?" the girl whispered, not wanting to disturb him.
Wufei turned slowly. "What, Mei Ling?"
"You just got a phone call."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought you were asleep. I didn't want to wake you."
Wufei snorted. "Am I so old and frail to you, child?"
"No, grandfather."
"Then disturb me, next time. I have little else to look forward to."
"Of course, grandfather."
"Now, what was this phone call about?"
"Your old friends, Quatre Winner and Trowa Barton."
Wufei smiled slightly at the mention of the two other Gundam Pilots. He enjoyed their company, when they came. It wasn't as often as it had been, once upon a time. Especially not so much in the six months since Heero and Duo had passed away.
"Are they coming for a visit?"
Mei Ling lowered her eyes so that Wufei couldn't see the tears in them. "No, grandfather. They passed away in their sleep last night."
"Together?"
"Yes. One of the servants found them this morning. They say it was a peaceful death, for both of them. That they simply went to sleep and never woke up."
Wufei sighed. He was glad that neither of his friends would have to mourn the loss of the other and yet... he was going to miss them dearly. Now there was no one left to remember the past and share old stories with him.
Of all the Gundam pilots, Wufei was the only one to settle down and have children of his own. Four strong, proud, beautiful daughters. He had cursed a bit as each of his daughters was born, but he loved them all very much. As much as he loved the beautiful woman that had bore them.
He still missed Sally, even after all these years. He had hoped for a long and happy life with her, but it was not to be. Carra, the youngest of his children, had been barely three when Sally had died. She had been pregnant with another child when something had gone terribly wrong. Both she and the child, this one a boy, had not survived. Wufei had mourned the loss of his wife and had been angry at the spirits that had taken her from him. He hadn't even wanted to have a fifth child; that had been her idea. She was the one with thoughts of presenting Wufei with the son she thought he deserved. No matter how much he had muttered about being surrounded with women, Wufei had been perfectly happy with his four daughters.
He was glad that none of the others had had to go on without their partner. He knew how difficult that could be.
They had rallied around Wufei to support and help him through the difficult times following Sally's death, but he'd had no one when the nights were long and lonely. Though he had considered remarrying, to give his daughters someone who might understand them better, he had never found anyone who made him feel as Sally did. He had seen what a good partnership could do and he hadn't been willing to settle for anything less for himself. Selfish, perhaps, but that was the way he had felt.
Wufei sighed again. Suddenly he felt very old and very tired. Maybe, soon, he could join his friends in the peace of eternal sleep. He longed for it fiercely, now. He had done much for this world and now it was time to let the young ones take over.
"Did the caller say anything else?"
"There is to be a private burial tomorrow. In the same cemetery where Duo and Heero are buried."
Wufei nodded slightly. It had actually been Quatre's idea to buy the large plot of land as a final resting place for the five Gundam pilots and their families. Wufei had scoffed at the idea at first, but had changed his mind when Sally had been the first one interred there.
"Do you want to go, Grandfather?" Mei Ling walked up and place her hand on Wufei's arm.
Wufei looked down at the gentle hand on his. A hand that had never known hard times or war. A hand that had never killed a man just to stay alive. This was the hand that would hopefully carry the peace on for the next generation.
Carefully he put his own scarred hand on her's. "I think they would understand if I wasn't there. I am too tired to feel up to the trip. I will remember them in my own way, in my own home."
"As you want, Grandfather." Mei Ling placed a light kiss on his cheek. "Is there anything I can get for you?"
Wufei nodded. "Bring me several long white candles. And a bit of incense. I will hold my own small service for my fallen friends."
"Of course, Grandfather. I'll go and fetch them now."
"Thank you."
Mei Ling turned and hurried from the room, anxious to do her grandfather's bidding. She loved the quiet old man and the stories he told of the old day. Of all of her siblings and cousins, she was the most interested in the past. She wanted to understand what had led her grandfather and his friends on the path they had taken. She wanted to understand why they had felt the need to fight. Most importantly, to her, she had wanted to be able to take up the sword of justice she knew her grandfather would soon be putting down. To carry on in his and the others' names in keeping the peace they had fought so hard to achieve.
Wufei sighed as he got carefully to his feet and walked over to the low table where Mei Ling had things up to his specifications.
He bowed slowly and carefully to the small altar he had set up, before kneeling carefully in front of it. Moving in a slow careful manner, he lit the four white candles, whispering a name with each one. "Duo, Heero, Quatre, Trowa."
Then he bowed his head in remembrance for the four men that he gladly called friend. Duo's contagious laughter, Quatre's brilliant smile, Heero's strength, and Trowa's calm. They were all so important to him, even though he rarely admitted it out loud. Or to himself for that matter. Now they were all gone and there was no one else to remember.
"Wufei," a voice whispered, far away and soft.
Wufei kept his eyes closed, swaying slightly in response to the voice.
"Wufei."
Wufei looked up and stared blankly into the candlelight. The voice seemed closer and more familiar. "Sally," he whispered back.
Suddenly a soft laugh filled his heart. "Wanna come out and play, Wu-man," a soft voice teased.
"Baka." Wufei could here the low voice that would answer.
"It's time to go, Wufei. Your job is finished. You have done what you needed to do." The voice was soft and gentle to his ears.
Slowly he nodded. Yes, it was time to go. He would miss those he had to leave behind. But, like him, they would carry on.
With a soft sigh, he sagged slowly to the floor. "Goodbye," he whispered.
"Don't ya mean hello?" the laughing voice asked.
Wufei opened his eyes to find his four teammates standing before him. He smiled. "Am I going to have to put up with you for all eternity, Maxwell?"
"Looks that way," Duo replied, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Means things won't get boring."
"Wufei," again the voice called.
He turned to find Sally standing just a little ways away. Beside her stood another woman. "Merian," he whispered.
"It's about time you showed up," came the teasing reply.
Wufei sighed. "I know."
With a smile at the four men that were his closest friends he walked to where the two woman that meant so much in his life stood. "I am ready."
"Good," Sally told him, taking his hand. "Let's go."
He glanced over his shoulder to where the others followed. "I never knew that the phrase 'Never Parted' would apply to all of us."
"Destiny," was Heero's quiet reply.
Trowa nodded, but said nothing.
Wufei bowed his head for a moment. "Yes. Destiny."
"A bitch, ain't it?" Duo teased, before dashing on a head.
Wufei rolled his eyes, but willingly followed. He had a feeling things weren't over for the Gundam Five. Not by a long shot.
