Disclaimers: I don't own Gundam Wing, as much as I want to. I'm just borrowing them. I'm not making money.

AN: Another new idea!!!! I know I'm not finishing the other ones either, but...I can't help it...^_^''' So I hope the readers like!!

Thank You SILVER HAZE for the comment that you love my work and my way with words! That meant a lot to me! This chapter, as well as the next (read bottom note for a bit of info on the next chapter) is dedicated to you! HOPE YOU LIKE IT AS WELL!! Thank You as well to all my other reviewers, whether you reviewed on the site, or by my email! (miaka28@hotmail.com)


'blah blah' denotes thoughts
[blah blah] are Chinese words, but in English...as in English..but said in Chinese...u get it ...o.k...going on..

Silent Child
Part 4: Decision Made Too Late...


It was two hours later before Wufei reappeared at the mansion, his mind still a blur. It was late in the afternoon, and he entered the back door to the kitchen. Inside, Quatre was making something at the counter, Siu Guan perched on one of the counter stools, watching him. Both looked up when he entered.

"Wufei, are you all right?" Quatre asked, concerned. "According to Siu Guan's gestures, you two dueled?"

Wufei nodded. "Yes, we did." He answered. He was close enough then to see Quatre preparing crackers and cheese, undoubtedly for the children. He leaned against the counter next to Siu Guan.

[I have one more question.] He said.

[Ask on.] The boy turned in his seat to face the older Chinese boy.

[If you are from the future, why are you dressed in ancient clothing, and why don't you speak the language we speak? I mean, if Chi Ling were my daughter, and I speak not only Chinese but also English, won't she speak that too?]

Siu Guan took a moment before answering. [We wear traditional clothing because that's what you wear.] He started. [The colony consists of all Chinese citizens, apart from the delegates and other workers. It's only natural that we speak Chinese. But as for why we don't speak your language, I'm not sure. Chi Ling is very smart. She knows what she's talking about. But because her Baba turned away from her when her mother died, she had almost no one to teach her things. Which is why she doesn't converse too well, as you may have noticed. She doesn't usually speak. I don't speak English because I speak what's easiest for me, and surviving in a Chinese society, it's only natural that I speak Chinese.]

Wufei nodded slowly. It made sense. In a Chinese society, people would rarely leave the area, much less an orphan boy. There wouldn't be a need for him to know other languages yet; he was much too young to have a need for it, despite the encouraging of bilingual children.

"What's up?" Duo asked as he bounced into the kitchen.

"Duo! I thought you were watching Chi Ling?" Quatre asked. Duo shrugged.

"Yea, but she didn't talk, and kept wandering out of her room. Keeps stopping at Wu-man's room. I told her she couldn't go in there, though I doubt she understood. Then, I had to go to the bathroom, so I sat her on her bed and closed her door, told her to stay put, and went. When I came back, she was holding a sword, looks like Siu Guan's. I tried to take it away since it was dangerous, but she wouldn't let go." Duo picked up a can of coke from the fridge and popped it open, drinking half the can up in a single gulp.

"And?" Wufei asked. Siu Guan was holding his own sword at the moment, which meant Chi Ling most likely had his sword…but how?

"I couldn't get her to let go, and she fell asleep after a while. Still had a tight grip on it, but don't worry, the sword is sheathed."

"You left a 5-year-old with a sword and you think it's safe?" Wufei snapped before stalking out of the kitchen toward Chi Ling's room quickly. Duo shrugged.

"She's sleeping, and I didn't think you cared either." He said defensively before picking up a piece of cheese and eating it. "Good stuff Quatre."

"Great. Have some, Siu Guan." The blond pushed the plate toward the boy. Following Duo's example, Siu Guan experimented with a small nibble. His eyebrows furrowed, as he tasted the cheese, then he shrugged and finished it up before picking up the cracker. That, he ate with no problem.


Wufei knocked on Chi Ling's partly closed door before pushing it open enough to stick his head in. Sure enough, the little girl was sleeping; Duo had most likely tucked her in. Beside her, in her tight grip, was his sword. With a sigh, he made his way to the sleeping child and sat down in the chair by the bed. Studying her face, Wufei realized that Chi Ling did indeed look like him; high forehead, similar nose, and he knew she had black eyes as well. Those thoughts in mind, he knew in his mind that he accepted Chi Ling as his own child. But being 15, he couldn't handle it. With a silent sigh, he reached over to remove his sword from the girl's grasp. As he tugged at it gently, Chi Ling tightened the grip.

[Mama, Baba says to wake up. Wake up.] She murmured. Tears fell from her eyes. [Mama, wake up, Baba won't talk to me, tell him he has to talk to me. You've been sleeping for two days.]

With a start, Wufei realized Chi Ling was dreaming about her own mother's death. Her grip tightened. [I'll be strong and fight for Baba.] She whispered. [I will find him…] Her talking stopped, but her grip didn't loosen. He watched her sleep, leaning back on the chair. What was he to do?

Wufei didn't realize he had been thinking for a while until Chi Ling stirred about 20 minutes later. Her sleepy eyes blinked open slowly, clouded with sleep as she woke up.

[Baba?] She asked with a yawn. Letting go of the sword, she stretched and turned over to her side. [Can I sleep a bit more?]

[Yes. Go ahead.] Wufei answered, before his eyes widened as Chi Ling's closed again. Had he just answered to 'Baba'?

"Great. Now what did you do Chang?" He muttered. He reached over and took the sword from the bed to examine it. The intricate designs were indeed that of his dragon clan. This sword was his prized possession, and he kept it unused. A thought crossed his mind. If this sword was kept unused, and he was really the person from the future Chi Ling and Siu Guan came from, why did Siu Guan have the sword, and used it?

He put it down next to him when he noticed someone staring at him. Looking up sharply, she saw Chi Ling, her eyes wide.

[Sorry…] She stuttered. [I was half asleep; I thought you were my Baba.] She hurriedly explained. She sat up, still eyeing him before she snapped her mouth shut.

[It's all right Chi Ling. I need to talk to you, or do you still need to sleep?]

Quietly, Chi Ling shook her head. Wufei noticed with a sigh that her impassive look was back. Without another word, he knew that she had reverted to her non-speaking stage.

[I admit that you may be my daughter Chi Ling.] He started slowly. [But even if you were, it isn't for another 10 years, at least. And I need a reasonable explanation about why and how you and Siu Guan are here.]

Chi Ling shrugged.

[I'm also confused as to why you and Siu Guan acted the way you did. If you were from the future, why did you act as if you didn't know anything from now?]

Again, the girl shrugged. Wufei sighed in frustration.

[Chi Ling, we aren't getting anywhere with your silence.] Wufei ground out. Panic flashed in her eyes, which glossed over with unshed tears and she seemed to instinctively back away. Wufei mentally smacked himself, realizing how mean he had sounded.

[I didn't mean for it to sound so stern Chi Ling.] He murmured in apology. She shook her head and climbed off the other end of the bed. Wufei stood as well. She stood still for a moment, staring him down with a gaze Wufei recognized was what his late wife, Meiran, had named 'unemotional'. He realized she was right. The young 5-year-old was staring him down with an almost cold gaze. He almost shivered at the intensity of the black eyes. The next moment, Chi Ling fled from the room and out the door, which Wufei had left open. He mentally smacked himself before following at a jog after the girl, assuming that the 5-year-old would not be able to run too fast. Or so he hoped…

By the time Wufei had reached the stairs, Chi Ling was nowhere in sight. Listening closely, he heard light footsteps running downstairs. He frowned. He was on the third floor. And Quatre's mansion had about 3 different staircases just leading from the third floor to the second, first, and even the basement. He started down the stairs he was standing at, still listening carefully. Almost immediately after that he ran into Trowa.

"Wufei?"

"Barton. Have you seen Chi Ling?"

"That way." Trowa pointed to his right and Wufei nodded before jogging after the girl. He was silently thankful that Trowa didn't ask questions. He just didn't have the answers.

It was hard to pick up Chi Ling's trail. Wufei realized that she was either lucky, or actually knew what she was doing. His mind told him it was the latter. Even he, a trained Gundam Pilot, was having a hard time going after a 5-year-old!

He soon met Siu Guan, leaning against the wall with his sword.

[You scared her.] He said as Wufei stopped in front of him. He looked up at Wufei. [The older you, her father, yelled at her constantly when her mother died. Because she looked so much like her mother, your beloved wife, you couldn't stand to look at her. Like I said, we're here to try and change the future.]

[So she fears my voice? Why didn't you grab her?] Wufei asked. But Siu Guan shook his head.

[Fears the raising of your voice, I guess. I wouldn't know. I didn't grab her because she would have gotten away. She needed to get out. It's happened before. She's like you, very stubborn.]

[Where is she now?]

[Don't bother looking. You trained her yourself. You won't find her unless she wants to be found. You never have.]

Wufei shook his head. [I'm a trained Gundam Pilot. Of course I'll find her, even if I search the whole house.]

[Suit yourself, I guess. But it won't be easy. You've never succeeded-]

[I will.] Wufei cut him off. [Are you going to help me or not? You know her better.]

Siu Guan shrugged. [I'll look around, but she's probably outside.]

[Outside?]

[Most likely. I had a hard enough time getting her off the roof of the 27-floor building last time. She likes to sit on the edge and look out at the city. She won't fall, of course, but…there are still chances of slipping.]

Wufei chose not to answer and headed towards the quickest door that led outside. He was still on the second floor, and settled for the balcony. Looking out, he scanned the vast grounds, noticing that he couldn't see past the trees.

"This may be one reason why I don't want kids." Wufei mumbled as he glanced over to the pipe by the balcony and without a second thought, grabbed it and slid down to the ground. He stopped again, listening for any signs of Chi Ling, but heard nothing. With a sigh, he headed toward the trees in hopes of finding the girl.

Chi Ling came to a stop in the clearing that Wufei and Siu Guan dueled in, not that she knew. Seeing a rock, she slipped behind it and sat down quietly, closing her eyes. She kept herself conscious of any sounds of footsteps as she debated with what to do. She may be 5, but her father had been a scholar and warrior. It wasn't surprising that she had the wits and the training. It all came naturally for her. She most likely knew more things than any average 7 year old; maybe even more that Siu Guan. It was clearly shown, and couldn't be helped. Right now, she had to decide if she should simply find a way to go back to her own world and leave Siu Guan to deal with the situation. But the people who sent the two of them back had not only known the past but saw the future. She was going to die if she went back. Did it matter that she did? Would her Baba care? Not likely, since he had shut her out of his world anyway.

Crack.

Chi Ling blinked open her eyes at the sound of a twig snapping. She had placed several twigs along to path so anyone coming towards her just may step on one and notify her. The strategy depended on luck, but she had estimated the approximate steps of an average teenager as well as Siu Guan. She was surprised that the twig was so close to the clearing. She stood silently, her back against the rock, listening carefully. She heard a curse as another twig was snapped, this one at the edge of the clearing. Her pursuer wasn't far.

Wufei stopped outside the forest-area of the mansion. It'd be hard to find the girl inside the forest of the trees. He turned, changing his mind. He'd search the other areas first before this one. There'd be no point in searching the forest if Chi Ling could be elsewhere. The forest would take the most time. He started to the front of the mansion. He'd work his way from the front to the back.

Chi Ling blinked when she heard English being spoken. She didn't understand the words, but the voices were definitely not of Wufei, or any of the teenagers she had been staying with. She froze. These were most definitely intruders. Suddenly, in the distance, she heard the alarm of the security system go off. There were more quiet curses from the people in the clearing; she now counted 5 different voices, all men. Fear grew within her but she refused to acknowledge it. The people were nearing her. She had no way out. She knew how to fight, but she was too small to take down 5 people at the same time. And there could be even more. Her best bet may be to stay silent and but prepared. She could only hope not to be found.

Wufei cursed and ran for the house. He doubted there would be any intruders, and was willing to bet the Chi Ling had tripped the alarm. He ran into the kitchen to see the others, including Siu Guan, gathered there.

"Where's Chi Ling?" Duo asked.

"Ran off, I think I scared her because I spoke a bit too stern. She probably tripped the alarm." Wufei answered. But Quatre shook his head.

"Wufei…it's OZ. Rashid called from the security house. They somehow got in. They're hiding in the forest."

Wufei blinked in surprise and let out a string of curses.

[Chi Ling isn't in the house!] Siu Guan spoke in panic. [I checked!]

Wufei cursed again before snatching Siu Guan's sword and running outside. Moments later, Duo, Trowa and Heero joined him, and they left Quatre with Siu Guan in the kitchen. Maguanacs swarmed the room to protect them.

Chi Ling heard the voice of a man right above, her. The shadow cast over her showed that the man was sitting on the rock, talking and ordering his men by the tone of his voice. She shivered when the men laughed, partially from fear. There were definitely more then 5 men there, and he could hear weapons.

Without warning, she sneezed, clapping her hands over her mouth. Snapping at herself inside her head for her stupidity despite the fact she couldn't control the sneeze, she shot from her hiding place into the woods ahead of her. The trees were less dense, and she heard the men pause in their quiet whispering before there was an urgent call, most likely from seeing her. She sprinted as fast as she could, but yelped when someone grabbed her hair. She was lifted straight off her feet by the back of her shirt, and the person who was holding her said something she couldn't understand. She thrashed around, kicking and connecting with the man's stomach before more men caught her. She was immediately overpowered, as predicted as another man grabbed her and held her still. She gave one more go.

[BABA!] She screamed as loud as she could before a large hand was clapped painfully over her mouth.

In the distance, about 50 meters from the forest, Wufei froze upon hearing the scream that was cut off. He ran even faster, already pulling the sword from the sheath. No one had to tell him that the intruders had caught the girl. A strong sense of urgency and wanting to protect the girl coursed through him.



And in the back of his mind, he decided that Chi Ling was indeed his daughter from the future. His daughter he had endangered for his carelessness, and hesitance. He would not forgive himself if Chi Ling got hurt.















Saori: Sorry that took so long! As to how OZ got onto the property...well...they just did...um..I dropped them in there to get some action into the story...so...please..don't question!! ^__^....Next chapter...will be more based on Wufei's emotions and turmoil within himself. Will he get to Chi Ling before OZ takes her away, or get to them but still not save Chi Ling as she is held hostage? Stick around to find out! Review and give me ideas!