"Shadows of The Past" Pg 21

Disclaimer/Notes: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of it's wonderful character, they are owned by some rich guy.
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Valleys seemed to be all this side of the country was made from. They passed through several, deciding at night to stop on the crests of either side. Giving them better escape possibilities if trouble came along. To their strange delight they met no more between the battle and their destination.

In the bright mid-day light a large flat open clearing appeared before them. Everyone looked around feeling like this place was out of place.

"You realize we're here," Duo said turning his horse to look at the others.

"Why do I feel like this place doesn't belong here?" Quatre asked wiggling his hand into Trowa's.

"Didn't you teach me that the spring could only be found if it lets someone find it?" Heero asked looking at Milliardo.

"Correct, I did."

"And to find it you must find the floating platform?"

"Also correct."

"So we are on a floating piece of land?" Wufei asked for clarification.

"Actually to be more precise, you are on a floating piece of land that appears paper thick if you're looking for it," Milliardo clarified.

"It feels solid," Duo said his horse stomping at the ground.

"Well it is, but it doesn't appear that way."

"Oh I see what you are saying," Trowa caught in understanding the concept.

"So where is the spring?" Quatre asked.

"That I can't tell you, like Heero said, only when it wants to be found will it be."

"Thanks for the pithy statement," Wufei scolded the blonde lightly.

"I assume this will be like in the mountains," Trowa observed. "So whose turn is it?"

Duo turned and stared deeply into Heero's cobalt eyes, only the young prince couldn't seem to look away from the searching violet eyes. Then he felt a wave of sensation wash through him just before Duo broke the eye contact. "Wufei."

Wufei dismounted and looking up at Milliardo he smiled softly before walking toward the middle of the clearing. He walked around letting his instincts guide him until he came upon a shallow pool. 'This can't be it.'

As he walked toward the center, the pool seemed deeper then it actually looked. Taking another step forward he disappeared under the surface, which didn't even move at being disturbed.

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"I guess we should set up camp. Seems reasonable to me that no one is going to find us here," Duo asserted dismounting.

Milliardo also dismounted, "Yes that is a reasonable assumption to me. Why don't we use those trees for protection from the elements?"

Quatre and Trowa both dismounted leading their horse toward the area Milliardo had pointed out. Trowa turned to Duo. "So all we can do is wait? And how did you know who was to go?"

"Pretty much," Duo replied as he offered Heero help from the horse. "And that..."

"I can get down myself!" Heero spat knocking Duo's hand away before jumping down. Duo watched him stalk over to sit under a large tree, going over he plopped down next to him. Milliardo joined Quatre and Trowa in setting up their camp.

"Heero I think we need to talk," Duo suggested glancing over at the prince.

"What could we possibly have to talk about?" Heero sneered his eyes looking straight ahead.

"I know you don't mean that," Duo said his voice gentle.

"What do you know? Just leave me the hell alone!" Heero yelled jumping to his feet and quickly moving to run. Only a hand grasped his wrist stopping him. Turning he looked down at Duo his eyes about to betray him.

"Heero..."

The young prince ripped his hand free and took off heading further into the small cluster of trees. He collapsed to the ground feeling his eyes moistening without his consent. Several moments later a hand rested on his shoulder causing him to jerk away. Turning to see who it is his eyes met soft blue ones.

Milliardo sat down on the ground and almost instantly his had a bundle of tears and pain in his lap. His arms encircled the boy he felt as close to as any parent.

"What's wrong?" His voice was soft and rhythmic.

Heero's hands trembled as they gripped Milliardo's clothes. "It hurts so bad..."

"To be around him?"

Heero looked up startled his eyes red from fallen tears. "Yes... How did you know?"

"I'm not blind."

"He... loves someone else," Heero sobbed his voice thick with pain.

"How do you know that?" Milliardo asked running his hand up and down Heero's back.

"I asked him, he said so."

"Did he tell you who?"

"Well... no."

"Then how do you know it isn't you?"

"I... who would love me?"

"Well I do and you parents do..."

"This is different."

"Let me finish, and I bet you anything he does too."

Heero looked up at his teacher and mentor, his eyes searching the blonde's. He was almost to afraid to think it possible. He didn't want to feel this pain anymore. Milliardo's fingers gently wiped the tears from Heero's cheeks and under his eyes.

"Do you... think so?" Heero's voice was soft, almost afraid.

"Yes, defiantly. I suggest you talk to him about it."

"I was... so..."

"He already forgives you for that, he was afraid he had hurt you."

Heero's fingers released Milliardo's clothes as he sat up. Using the back of his hands he wiped at his eyes. "I will, tomorrow."

"Don't put it off to long... you might lose your chance."

"Thank you, Milliardo. I know you will be happy as well."

"What?"

"With Wufei, he is a good young man and he cares deeply for you. I'm glad you decided to move on." Heero stood up and started walking back toward camp leaving Milliardo alone with his mouth hanging open.

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Wufei felt himself floating but the dark water surrounding him wasn't wetting him and he could breath just as if he were standing on land. Reaching out he touched the water that rippled under his finger but he still didn't feel any moister. Finally his feet his solid ground or at least that's what he thought it was.

The water he had come from stood above his head unmoving. Looking at it he felt a shiver tumble down his spine.

"Welcome creature," a voice spoke softly startling him. Turning his eyes fell upon a large hawk who stood on a branch of a tree he hadn't noticed before.

"Did you say something?" Wufei asked his voice giving way to disbelief that he even asked.

"I welcomed you," the bird replied. "Come your test will being now."

The hawk took flight; Wufei watched it fly, frozen in his spot. The hawk swooped at his head causing him to duck. He finally could pick up his feet and followed the soaring bird.

Coming out to the large groove he discovered that it looked very similar to the home he had left behind. The hawk landing on the window sill as Wufei crept closer. Looking inside his past began to unfold before his eyes.

"You could kill these men before they can do anything," the hawk advised watching them grab the two females inside. Wufei blinked his mind telling him to step away.

"If I do, it all changes. I would have never met Milliardo or became as strong as I have. No this had to happen even if it destroyed me at the time."

"So cold." The hawk visibly shuddered.

"Yes that is the only way to survive, I learned that because of this. Books don't teach you what you really need to know. No, life teaches you those lessons and this is the life that the Gods gave me, so I will keep it."

Suddenly the grassy scene sifted and Wufei found himself in the water floating just below the surface. Holding his breath as a soft glow appeared before him.

"Your convictions are strong Winter Dragon, keep them close to your heart. Go no finish the quest we have sent you here on. You have passed."

Wufei broke the surface of the spring sucking in air. Pulling himself out his clothes dripped of watered that they had soaked up. Taking off his shirt he rang it out and gently waved it in the soft breeze. Putting it back on he realized it was completely dry. Doing the same to his pants and he wielded the same results. Leaning the spring he headed back toward the others, wondering just how long he'd been gone as the suns were sitting low in their late morning positions.

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