Disclaimer: I do not own GW or anything cannon associated with Gundam Wing. I do own Takai.

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Chapter 3

Conflict

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She gently lowered Wufei to the ground, and she knelt next to him. "Don't worry," she repeated. Her voice was low, but rich and lilted in its accents. She brushed off his shoulders.

Wufei narrowed his eyes at her. "Who are you?" He hesitated. 'And Duo is in there,' he thought.

The ground started to rumble. Wufei turned towards the burning building. The rumbling increased to cracking and a whirring. Like a sigh, the building's wall slumped away, revealing a humanoid shadow. Nataku slowly walked out of the fire. Smoke covered the Gundam's paint, but it was moving.

Duo took the Gundam away from the building, stopped it, and turned it off. The cockpit opened, and the American pilot jumped onto a pulley. It slid down, but it jerked to a stop at ten feet. Duo jumped to the ground. "It's a bit sluggish, Wufei, but it's fine. Are—" He blinked, then grinned broadly. "Takai!" Duo ran forward. "I thought you were in town."

The woman stood. "I was, but you're a good half-hour late."

"Yeah, well. I saw a fire."

Takai smiled. "Yes. I'm sure your friend appreciates it, too."

Wufei frowned. Sitting on the ground in front of Duo and a woman he didn't know just was not what he wanted to do. Once again, he struggled to stand.

"Hey, easy. What's wrong? Too much smoke inhalation?" Duo asked.

Wufei sank back, breathing a little more heavily than before. "I…"

Takai crouched down. "If I may?" She slowly reached a hand towards his forehead. He grimaced and jerked away.

"Whoa. Wufei, come on. Are you sick?"

He looked away.

"It's all right." Duo placed a hand against his forehead. "Ouch. How long were you in there? You're burning up."

Takai stood and looked at Nataku. "We can't leave your Gundam out where anyone can see. However, seeing as the warehouse is no longer of much use…"

"Any idea what happened?" Duo asked.

Wufei cringed within himself. The stove. "Huh. It's nothing. Not sabotage."

"You're sure."

"Yes."

Duo shrugged. "Okay, not sabotage. Well, there are the woods and open land. And those hills in the distance. But…well, no offence…but Nataku doesn't seem to be up to going that far."

"Hm…this is a problem," Takai said. She tapped her lips with a finger. "I think we'll have to try the woods for now. Shenlong is far too large a mecha to just take somewhere else in its condition. What do you think?" She turned to Wufei.

He glared at her. "The woods will be fine."

"All right, but where?" Duo asked. "Those trees look to close together. Well, I'll have a look around."

"Thank you, Duo. As for you, sir—"

"Oh. Wufei, Takai. Takai, Wufei." Duo waved to each of them.

Takai smiled. "Thank you, Duo. Go on. We'll just move somewhere less conspicuous ourselves. Meet you just inside the trees, about there?" Takai pointed to a place not too far from the currently burning factory."

"Sure. Maybe we should do something about that fire."

"I doubt it will spread. It has nothing to burn beyond the factory. But I'll keep an eye on it. Now go on."

Duo nodded and headed back to the Gundam. Takai looked at Wufei. Her slanted eyes really were violet. "May I help you?" she asked, reaching out a hand.

Wufei pursed his lips, and he tried to stand. His legs simply wouldn't work. He clenched his teeth. Takai was casually studying the sky, marred by black smoke. Wufei sank back, and he closed his eyes. He relaxed, and his thoughts started to settle into calmness and serenity. He focused on himself. His legs were still weak, and his lungs burned. All his muscles seemed too warm, and he was tired.

He looked at Takai. She was now carefully watching a flock of birds in the distance. Nataku was already slowly walking towards the woods. 'I'm sorry, Nataku. Now I am in no better condition than you. I have failed. I am a fool.'

Takai's head snapped around, and her eyes met Wufei's. They glimmered, as if with anger. But the look softened. She sighed and turned away.

Wufei pursed his lips and tried standing again. His legs trembled, but they started to support him. He pushed himself up off the ground—and tumbled. Takai's long arms caught him.

"There is no dishonor in becoming ill. Mortals are generally susceptible to that once in a while," she said quietly. She helped him to stand. "Especially among people who push themselves too hard. Now, shall we try for those trees over there? The weather is quite pleasant today, but the sun might get too warm before long. And I much prefer to picnic with the choice of sun or shade."

She started walking slowly, pausing to let Wufei take a step. He glared at her, and she simply looked back steadily. 'I will not yield to this…woman,' he thought.

The tilted eyes narrowed slightly. "You place shame and dishonor too easily, Chang Wufei."

"How—who are you?"

"I am a messenger. Now come on. Do you want to make Duo wait?" She smiled gently.

Wufei sighed. He had no choice, especially if he didn't want Maxwell to see him being supported by a woman. But this would not be the end.