Well, I'm finally getting around to typing chapter 12! This fic is going to be a long one, I can tell you that right now! So, please review, and I'll keep writing!

Last time, Nataku was sent for Trowa and Heero and Quatre just entered Wufei's room, where Aria is unconscious, on Wufei's bed, from performing too many spells, or so we think………………………

Ok, I don't own gundam wing or the characters. The idea for the dragon Nataku came from KC's 'Willing Slave'.

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Chapter 12 The Darkness is Revealed

Heero and Quatre entered the room in time to see Nataku fly out the open window, and in time to see Duo turn to face Aria and gasp. They glanced at her as well. A muffled cry came from Quatre, and Heero remained expressionless. *big surprise*.

Aria was standing, staring straight ahead, eyes blank. Duo noticed that once again her eyes were darkening, but this time, her shirt was experiencing the same change.

"Heero!" Duo hissed. "her eyes."

Heero glanced at Aria's eyes. "What about them?" Wufei asked.

"Her shirt is darkening with them." Duo said, ignoring the weather mage's question.

Heero shook his head. "They look ok to me, but the shirt darkening as well doesn't surprise me."

Duo nodded.

"Why not?" Quatre asked, also watching Aria.

"A mage's clothes are bound to the mage magically. They can protect you, and they're used for certain spells." Duo explained.

"Quatre, what colour is Aria's shirt?" Wufei asked the blond.

"It's a darker green than it was before, now that you ask." Quatre replied.

Duo spun around to look at him. "You can see it too?" He received a nod from the other boy, then he turned his attention back to Aria. She lifted her gaze slowly, looking around the room. Quatre watched in amazement as she went almost completely black before it faded and she collapsed on the bed.

Duo approached her slowly, and found that he could touch her once again. He placed a hand on her forehead, and closed his eyes.

Trowa entered the room to find Duo explaining that she was magically tired, and that she just needed time to rest. "Although we will need someone to watch her." Duo said.

"I'll do it." Quatre volunteered.

"No." Duo replied. "if she wakes up in another trance, she could hurt you, or you could accidentally hurt her."

"Croik!"

"Nataku?!?" Wufei asked. He nodded his head after a minute or so. "She can get us if anything goes wrong."

Duo thought for a moment then agreed. "She owes us an explanation when she wakes up. Did she perform any spells? And why is she in your room Wufei?"

The weather mage explained what had happened, leaving out the part where he'd been blown across the room *of course.*

Duo nodded. "That Is a hard spell to perform, and it was combined with the summoning spell she did earlier."

"Not to mention that she summoned mage clothing." Heero added. "She had to create the magical ties."

"Mhmmm." Duo agreed.

"You do need to realize that Aria is not the type to forget these types of important facts. She is the most powerful mage that there is, and she knows what she's talking about." Trowa added. "I think something came up that she wasn't expecting."

Nataku then flew in the room, disturbing the thoughts of every person in the room with a happy "Croik!" clearly stating that she delivered the important message efficiently.

Wufei patted his pet on the head, and went over to Aria. He picked her up gently and headed for the door. "I'm putting her back in her room. She's certainly not staying in here." He said as he left.

Duo grinned. "I need to check something in the library." He said. "Heero, will you come with me?"

Heero nodded and followed the braided boy out of the room.

Quatre returned to his book, and his exit was followed by a very amused king.

"I must admit, I am a little surprised at the relationships, however friendly they are, that are forming." He said to himself, as he headed down the passageways that led to his study.

"Croik!"

Wufei sighed. "Yeah, I guess I can keep you company for a bit."

"Croik!"

The weather mage looked questioningly at the dragon. "Chess?" He asked. "I didn't know you knew how to play."

"Croik!"

"Fine." Wufei sighed. He glanced at the girl on the bed. Duo had done all he could for the now sleeping mage, but he sensed that this was not an illness that they were fighting. "It seems like something more serious." He thought. "and there's something that they're not telling me."

"Croik!"

"No, I'm not thinking about her." Wufei mumbled to the dragon. He turned back to the chessboard, completely absorbed in other thoughts.

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Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that italics were someone's thoughts. Okie, please review! I'd also like to thank all of you who did, and if you leave a signed review, I'll try to find one of your fics and review them? *no, it's not bribery, I just get bored and I need something to do!* ok, well, please review!

Aria

Sorry, I know this one was kinda short as well, but I'm almost finished my other fic, and I'm working on two others, and I haven't written in anymore of this one. I had to add some at the end of it as it was. Um, please don't hurt me! It's bad for my health!