Title: It Was The Challenge

Author: Karina

Rating: PG

Pairing: Duo + Wu Fei

Notes: Challenge 184. Baby Series 4 #8. Takes place immediately following The Greatest Challenge.

Spoilers: None

Warnings:

Many thanks to Shenlong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.

Title: It Was The Challenge

"This is where we find out how strong we are. Where we learn if all that tempering during the war turned our hides to steel or iron. Or just maybe it forged us into a sheet of pure Gundanium. I like a good challenge, Chang Wu Fei, and believe me, I don't expect an easy fight. I've never had it easy and, to be honest, I would not know what to do with myself if anything came easy. It's the challenge that makes the end result worthwhile."

To that he could only incline his head and acknowledge Duo was correct. It was the challenge of living that made the rewards of living worth while. He himself appreciated the things he struggled to achieve more than the hand outs others expected him to be grateful for.

He had his Clan to provide for, to protect, but he would not merely be providing for their needs, nor would he expect them to cater to his needs as they, traditionally, would have in the past. He was not intending to walk back through time and initiate the strengths and weaknesses of that feudal system. He had been forged to a new strength, and that forging had not come easily. He would see those who looked to him for guidance and protection worked for their future and that they would appreciate it.

Sanc was no holiday for any of them. It was a country struggling to recover from war, from an invasion and an occupation that had held them for near a generation. Occupation had become liberation at the hands of Oz, though they had not known it at the time, at the hands of their own Prince's battalion. Freedom had suffered under yet another invasion and occupying force, though this time the subjugation had been brief.

Sanc had suffered in the recent past. Sanc had healing yet to do, and her sovereign had been tempered by the same vicious trials as had tested his people's resolve. Milliardo would stand firm, offering a guiding hand, supporting those who required it, but he would not offer hand outs… to anyone.

The aid he was offering to the Chang Clan was far from hand outs. An opportunity was given, what they made of that opportunity was up to them… up to him as their leader. He could not make the best of this opportunity without their aid, freely given.

They did not know it yet, but they would work, and work hard to shape a future. He expected no less effort from his people than Milliardo expected of his.

"What does not kill you makes you stronger. Physically, perhaps not, it can certainly weaken you, but your character… That indeed is forged stronger."

"Yeah, that's the truth." Duo grinned. "I expect to have to work hard, but I expect one hell of a reward for my efforts in the future. I look forward to the cold winter nights… and to a bed warmer than any other."

End

Karina Robertson 2012