Sally looked out from the port side of her ship into the harbor as she fiddled with the jade bracelet that had been a midwinter gift from her Partner and friend Wufei. It was made of carved beads of dark green jade. The carvings on the beads faintly reminded her of scales all except for one which looked like a long snout with teeth biting onto something, she could make out the eyes and the teeth. Sally recognized quality jade when she saw it, and the jade was nice enough and the carving detailed enough to be a family heirloom. She would have worn it all the time, but she didn't dare wear it on missions for she couldn't stand the thought of it getting lost or broken, still it should be safe enough on this trip home.

Here I am, home at last, she thought. The last time I was here I was a freedom fighter fighting against OZ and the Alliance both. I met Wufei here. What could the Council want with me? Maybe they're here to finally disconnect me from my father. A girl can hope after all. For a tiny second she felt guilty for wishing such a thing, what girl in her right sense would wish so badly to rid her father from her life? Then she remembered just exactly what her father was like and the guilt disappeared.

She looked down at her bag. It was the same kit that she brought on all of her missions, filled with the necessities: toiletries, med-kit, portable tools, and clothing. The clothing was the kind she usually wore in the Outlands, under-things, white blouses and pants. She wore her Preventors Uniform with small tie and jacket….She was definitely going to stand out at Home unless she changed her clothing to something like what she'd been forced into as a child (when she wasn't wearing her martial arts gi). But doing that seemed too much like bowing and giving in to them, so she decided she'd just shock everyone and show up exactly as she was. She would make it clear right from the beginning that she was not going to change who and what she had become.

I'm proud of who I am, she thought. I'm proud of what I've become and no amount of disapproving frowns and elderly Mama's shaking their heads and muttering within earshot about shameful women who don't know their place is going to make me ashamed of who and what I am. If they don't like it, they can just ship me back out to the Outlands.

With that notion firmly in mind, Sally walked off the gangplank and went to the nearest Preventors Office to borrow a jeep from them. The final leg of her journey would be using mostly country dirt roads it would take a few hours, but due to the time zone difference in this part of the world, she should reach Po Village by early afternoon.

* * *

Wufei had to fuel up at different stops a multitude of times, at one of the stops he'd had to wait five hours for the fuel he'd needed to be delivered. At another stop, he'd had to have his plane inspected inside and out for drugs or some such, it ws only at the end when he'd lost his patience and shown him his badge for the Preventors Agency that they'd finally let him go in peace. Wufei had fretted and grumbled about that one for a time.

Finally, hours later, he arrived in Hunan Province, Po Village would not be far. He still couldn't get his mind around it. Sally had belonged to the Clans all this time and she'd never said anything. Then again, given what her sister Ming said about the lengths she had gone to to gain her freedom, it really didn't surprise him that she didn't want to speak about it. Given her independent nature it must have really galled at her to have to constantly look down to every man instead of meeting his eyes like an equal. He really couldn't see her settling down to become a meek subservient housewife. It was said that among some of the Clans, the ones more isolated along the Border, that if a wife was not meek and subservient and obedient in all things she could be beaten until she was. Wufei tried to picture that, but could only see Sally as the one administering the beating to the guy with the nerve to strike at her. She didn't fight very well against groups, but in a one on one fight she could more than hold her own (as she had already proven by those matches she'd fought at Midsummer to earn her freedom.)

In my Clan she would have never known such utter distain, Wufei thought righteously. Once she'd proven that she could hold her own in a fight she would have been asked to give up the marriage nonsense and spend her time honing her fighting skills. Her warriors spirit would have been appreciated, even nurtured. In fact, such strength would likely have given "Sai-Li" her choice of suitors, for in a Clan that valued strength and justice as much as Dragon Clan did; strength and intelligence were generally prized more highly than a woman's ability to hold a perfect tea service. That wasn't to say that those women who were good at the domestic arts weren't appreciated, it was wiser by far to appreciate a person for what they are good at. Wufei had learned this.

Wufei wasn't sure entirely why he was in such a hurry to make it to Sally's side. Perhaps it was that he did not like the thought of her walking into a trap blindly without him there to help, or maybe it was that she had done so much to help him when he'd needed it the most that it was only right and honorable that he would return the favor. It couldn't be because he wanted to prevent Sally from getting married off before he was ready to part with her. His earlier ponderings came back to haunt him. Was he being selfish and only wanting to keep her all to himself, not wanting to share her even with her own family…

But from all I've gathered, Sally doesn't want to share herself with her own family. So I think in this case I am doing the right thing. She does not wish to be married, and I do not wish to see her unhappy- well that brought him up short. As a caring friend he would naturally not wish to see her made unhappy whether it was by her own Clan and family or even by himself, but still he was surprised that the thought had occurred to him. It must be more of the woman's influence on him.

It would be best to hurry, there was no telling how long after her arrival in her Homeland they would call her before the Council. It might be right away, or they might take a day or two.

* * *

Sally walked up to the main Gate to Po Village. Everything looked pretty much as she'd left it eleven or so years ago. Po Village had remained pretty much unchanged for generations and generations. It was like one large stagnant pond that way. Spires of decks stcked one atop another reached up towards the sky. Clay shingled roofs bent slightly before shooting out to sorm gutters on the buildings. There were ornamental ponds with equally ornamental bridges crossing over them in carefully tended gardens with stone benches and lanterns. She suppressed a feeling of nostalgia at being surrounded once again by such familiar sights, and proceeded to walk straight down the cobblestone street to the heart of Po Village the House of Po, the place where she had grown up.

Sally looked around, noting one or two minor changes, the pillars had been repainted, there was a new ornamental phoenix decorating the top of one of the spires. There certainly seemed to be a lot of people around, Sally didn't recognize half of them, but by the colors of their robes they were from all different Clans.

I wonder if they're here to see about this thing that I've been summoned for; whatever it is, she wondered as she wandered down the familiar streets of her childhood.

With a feeling of trepidation, Sally walked up the steps of her familiar family home. Her father was waiting for her at the open door, resplendent in his robes of scarlet and gold silk stiff with embroidery in real gold thread in a stylized Phoenix symbol repeated over and over in between embroidered sunbursts with red gems sewn into the center and clouds embroidered of scarlet and edged with gold. The jewelry and trappings of office he wore were heavy and extensive. Sally was amazed he could still move in the entire get up because he looked like a walking shrine. Gold and scarlet jewelry had worked into his hat as well which was a tall pointed affair, more Phoenix and sunbursts.

He frowned with severe disapproval when he saw her.

"Daughter," he said stiffly, his frown becoming, if possible, even more disapproving.

"Father," she said with stiff formality, determined not to let him see how much his disapproval still hurt her. Oh, she knew that he'd never change his mind about her and that he'd never approve of her for following her own path, but it still hurt.

"I trust that you will be changing into something more appropriate." He said after taking in her shirt and pants and jacket, attire that more traditionally was reserved for a man rather than a woman, and no woman of the Clans would be dressed so outlandishly. It just Wasn't Done.

"I find this entirely appropriate," she replied, trying to keep her voice even and full of unruffled calm. "This is my uniform for the Preventors after all, but I would like a good wash to clean the grit of travel off me. It has been a long journey."

With that she proceeded inside, only to be attacked from both sides as soon as she'd crossed the threshold. Before she could react she was wrapped in a fierce hug of welcome. Then she was passed on to another.

Her eldest younger brother the Heir, Po Lang was first, followed by her two youngest twin sisters Po Shae-Ka and Po Shai-Hii, who were born after Ming-na. Then came the third eldest Younger Brother Po Kai and the fourth eldest Younger Brother Po Juu for their greeting hugs and last came her youngest Younger Brother Po Shang and her eldest Younger Sister Po Ling-La. She was passed around and pounded on the back by the young men of her family and kissed on the cheek by her sisters.

"We are all glad to see you Little Mother," said Lang when the furor died down. Sally smiled briefly at the nickname. She'd been called that years ago when she had been Little Mother to them all in deed. "But even though we are so glad you are home again and we can see you, I would also wish that you had not returned here. We sent Ming-na and Fa out to warn you not to come home but I suppose they must have missed you."

"What's wrong?" she questioned turning from exulted and happy to deadly serious in the time it takes to draw breath.

"We cannot say. It is forbidden, these walls have eyes and ears. You will find out shortly, but be on your guard Little Mother."

 "I promise that I will be careful. Don't worry about me, I'm sure that whatever comes up I will be able to handle it," she said putting on a cheerful face. Her brothers and sisters exchanged troubled looks, but they said no more, allowing her to take her bath in peace.

Ah, now this is one of the few things I missed about Home, she thought with a sigh of pleasure as she sunk into the steaming hot bath. The bathing facilities in the Outlands were adequate, but nothing compared to what Home could boast. There were pools of varying degrees of hot and cold steam rooms, saunas, sweat baths, and pools for soaking. Some were for communal soaks, others for the solitary individual wishing to soak in peace. Scented soaps of various kinds were available, as were lotions and rinses. The smell of herbs from the soaps and sulpher from the spring-fed mineral baths permeated the room and Sally allowed herself the luxury of a good soak followed by a double wash.

 She had made certain to bring her clothes and kit bag in with her so she could keep an eye on it for she did not trust that her father would not order her Outlander clothes taken and disposed of. She wanted to go on wearing her comfortable clothing instead of being stuffed into some impractical, stiff robe that wouldn't allow her legs to swing naturally when she walked. Sally dressed and walked out of the bathing chamber to meet what awaited her.

It was nearly sundown now. Dinner would be called shortly. The perhaps she would finally learn why she had been summoned.

"Po Sai-Li," said one of the House guards. "Your Father has ordered that you be shown to your quarters to take your meals there and await the time when you are called before the Council," said one of the guards, smiling as if he knew something she didn't. He probably did, and that made Sai-Li nervous.

"Can't I even seek out my old Sensei and speak with him?" she asked, stalling and mentally cursing herself for a fool for not thinking of that before she got her shower. If anyone could tell her what was going on, it would be him. He had status not only as a warrior and  hero, but also as one of the Eldest men in the entire Clan.

"No. You are to be escorted to your room immediately," the guard answered. Sai-Li recognized him now, and wanted doubly to wipe that smug look off his face.

"Ah, I know you! Zan Chou! I defeated you once in a match, it only took me three moves," she said rubbing it in a little. He scowled deeply at her and motioned with his spear that he was to escort her to her private quarters. It wasn't the room she'd stayed in as a child, for that room she had shared with all the rest of her sisters. Sally reckoned that it was a guest room, an unwelcome guest room. She sat on the bed and took a book out of her bag; she might as well resign herself to the wait for she was hesitant to act without more information.

She sat down on her bed and was surprised to hear the crinkling sound of paper crumpling under her hand. She rose immediately and looked down at the folded message lying on her bed. Someone had left a note for her? She recognized the handwriting of her old sensei and unfolded it. With a frown of puzzlement, she began reading.

* * *

Meanwhile Ming and Fa arrived home to tell their sister's supporters, namely the other siblings and her old Sensei Dirhann, of their failure in the outlands, but also of the help that Ming had gathered. True, he was an outlander, but he had seemed uncommonly confident that the Council would agree to hear him. Ming was certain he had to be a warrior of some kind.

"But he's an Outlander, what good can he do. The Council will not allow him in to see them, much less listen to what he has to say when he gets there," protested Juu.

"He seems to know of our ways and he told me that he was familiar with Clan life. Maybe he's a member of the Twelve Clans who works and lives outside his Clan like Sai-Li does."

"Or maybe he's an outcast," Juu pointed out to Ming.

"Speculation, younglings," said Dirhann patiently. "And do not forget that your own sister can be a formidable and canny opponent. She may yet find her own way of resolving these charges against her without our help. If this Outlander is able to help her it is good. But there is nothing we can do now that has not already been done."

At the smug smile on the old man's face, the siblings turned to look at him.

"What do you mean old man?" asked Shang.

"These men seem to think they can outwit me at a game I myself taught them," he said. "I merely had a message awaiting your sister slipped into the chamber she would be staying in. She should be reading it right about now. Then we shall see if she decides to slip their grasp or stand and fight like she usually does."

"I bet she'll stay and fight," said Po Shae-Ka. "Sai-Li is too strong and brave to run away."

"Yeah, besides even if she does get away, you and I both know that Father will merely send the Hounds of the Phoenix after her," said Lang cynically. The Hounds of the Phoenix were special assassins that once loose would not give up until their quarry was either dead or apprehended. They had been turned on errant Clan members in the past and no matter how far or how fast they had run, the Hounds had eventually caught up with them.

"I imagine she had already thought of this," said Dirhann. "She is my protégé after all."

"All we can do is wait now, and see how events unfold themselves." asked Po Shai-Hii, the most Zen-like of the sisters. She had a face like a still pond, and didn't ofen spean much, but when she did it was worth listening to. It was a direct contrast to her twin who babbled like a river all of the time.

"Yes child. We shall see what we shall see. And if all else fails, she will have to rely on my training to survive. I do not think she will do too badly, she knows the terrain better than the Hounds, knows the Outlanders customs and has enough friends to assist her. One way or another, my daughter in spirit will prevail I'm sure. We have only to wait until sundown."

* * *

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. The show and its characters are the sole creative property of Sunrise, Bandai and Sotsu Agency as well as its creators Yoshiyuki Tomino and Hajime Matate. The Twelve Clans and all of its affiliated work is the sole creative property of me.