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Chapter 2
Reunion
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iWufei was walking in a forest, one similar to the woods outside the abandoned factory. It was nighttime still, and he had to make his way more by feel than by sight. There was something he was looking for, something long since lost. But he couldn't see anything.
Suddenly he entered a clearing. There stood the woman, her dress and face glimmering in the starlight. Her violet eyes were filled with tears. Though she was staring straight at him, he had a feeling she was looking for something, too./i
He sat up. Light streamed in his window, causing his head to pound right behind his eyes. It was already midmorning. He tried to jump out of bed, but the pounding only increased. Wufei groaned and sat back against the wall. He placed a hand on his forehead. The skin only felt slightly warmer than normal. He slowly tried getting up again, and he was able to stand and walk over to the small stove. He crouched down, loaded the stove with wood, fumbled with a match, and got a fire going. Then it was on to the morning ritual of setting a pot of water on for tea and for porridge. As the fire warmed the water and the room, Wufei sat back down on the bed and wrapped the blanket around his shoulders. He looked out the small window. A flock of birds flew into view, then away.
Wufei blinked sleepily. His muscles were sore, but the room was growing pleasantly warm. And maybe his head would stop pounding if only he closed his eyes—yes, that was better. It was so warm.
Wufei was suddenly aware of being pulled, his feet barely dragging across the ground. The air was very warm, and smoke wormed its way into his nose and down, to his lungs. He coughed against the smoke, and his head started pounding again. An arm tightened around his torso, under his arms, just enough to hold him steady. They passed through fire, and Wufei wanted to stop, to get away. Then a breath of blessed clear air swept his lungs. His savior dragged him further into cool air and lowered him to the ground. He started coughing against the smoke still inside his lungs. A hand patted him on the back.
Wufei looked at the person. He blinked, and his fuzzy vision cleared. Duo Maxwell reached out a hand. "You okay, pal?"
Wufei blinked again. "Maxwell? What are you—" A cough erupted, racking his lungs. Duo thumped him gently on the back. He tried to wave him away. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm supposed to be meeting someone."
"Here?" Wufei glanced at the open plain in front of the warehouse and the forest backing it. Fortunately, the trees were not close enough to the warehouse to be in danger, and the ground next to the warehouse was bare dirt.
"No, at the town. I was on my way. Hey, Wufei?"
Wufei stared at the building. "Nataku." He started to stand, but Duo grabbed his shoulders and pushed him down.
"Whoa. Pal, listen. Nataku's a Gundam. A little heat won't hurt him."
"Her," Wufei whispered. "I have to get Nataku out."
Duo motioned to the building. "Do you see that fire? Nataku will be fine, seriously, and you're in no condition to run into a burning building. End of story."
Part of Wufei knew that Duo was right. Another part wanted to run in anyway. Wufei could still feel the fire's heat himself, though faintly. He didn't want to leave Nataku in there alone.
"I need to get her out." He pushed himself to his feet, and he swayed. Duo caught his arm.
"You can't. Look." Duo sighed. "Look, I'll get Nataku out. You stay here. I promise, I'll take care of…your Gundam." Duo lowered Wufei again, and he ran towards the warehouse. He paused, then darted through the open doorway.
Wufei dug his clenched fists into the earth as he sat, waiting. He could feel the heat growing. Sweat started forming, a drop running down his face. He knew he needed to move back. It had been too long. It was too hot, even for a Gundam, and now Duo was in there, too…far too long for a human.
Wufei tried to stand again, but his legs refused to support him. He couldn't move, not far enough at least, and definitely not fast enough. He hit the ground.
"Here, we'd better get you back. There's no telling what that building will do when a Gundam comes out." Hands reached under Wufei's arms and lifted him to his feet. Before he could react, someone had his arm over their shoulder and was pulling him further back, onto the cool greenness of grass. It was the woman.
