Standard Warning: Gundam Belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental. As always I hope you find some enjoyment in this offering.

Tears for the Dragon
By: Amber



He stumbled across her by accident every evening about this time. She would come down to the lake. There was something about her that drew him her. Aloneness was something you could almost touch. It almost drew him against his will, he who needed no one. Not since the death of his clan had he allowed the welfare of another to remotely reach the inner walls he had so painstakingly built. He lifted his head, checking the surrounding area for strangers. Since the witch did this to him, all his senses had become much more acute. He hated to leave her here alone, it was getting dark and still she showed no inclination to leave. No, he shook his massive head, he was not going to get involved. This was not his affair; he had his own problems. He turned back the way he came, but before he moved beyond sight, he looked back at the slender girl gazing across the lake as if it held the answers to the universe.

She released her breath in a rush of sound. It had come again, always at the same time. Her need to know out weighing common sense had her staying longer, almost waiting for it. She never heard anything, but she could tell the moment it arrived and the moment it left. There was something in the air that changed. Curiosity rode her relentlessly. "Hello is someone there?" Just when she thought her question would be ignored he spoke.

"You are foolish onna to come out here alone. The countryside is full of unrest and you take needless chances to stand out here alone."

Relena smiled wistfully, "To live is a chance, don't you think?"

“Exactly,” the voice said triumphantly. "So why court such risks needlessly when day to day life is challenge enough?" Relena started to turn. "No don't!"

She froze. "Very well, I won't if it makes you uncomfortable. Why…” she murmured. “Why not if there truly are no safe places, why miss the beauties in life because one is always worried about what might occur?"

He snorted, "You are a romantic."

She shrugged. "Do you think so? I would think I'm a realist." Silence followed her comment and Relena thought for a second he was gone and, oddly enough, she felt disappointed.

"A realist? How so?" She sighed in relief, not really sure why it was so important for him to stay. She wasn't even sure why she wasn't more frightened. After all, she was out here alone at dusk with a shadow. But strangely, there was no fear, just curiosity. Shaking off her thoughts, she considered the question he asked. Oddly enough, he didn't seem to mind that she had been standing there silent for some time.

"Well,” she said, choosing her words carefully, “who but a realist acknowledges what could happen, accepts the consequences should something happen, yet still forges on determined to live life to the fullest?" The silence grew and Relena knew he had left as quietly as he came. For a moment, she felt the loss keenly. "I didn't even get your name,” she whispered.

~ ~ ~ ~

It became a ritual. Some times he came, sometimes not. He never stopped lecturing her on her foolish behavior, yet, in spite of that, for reasons she didn't want to examine too closely, these talks had become such an important part of her life. She looked across the lake and sighed. It looked like he wasn't going to come tonight. Tightening the shawl around her shoulders, she turned, preparing to leave, when she heard him or at least she hoped it was him. "Is that you?" The silence grew until she had almost decided it was wishful thinking on her part.

"And if not, what then?” his voice groused.

Relena smiled. "I'm glad you came. I've grown fond of our talks."

"Yes, well, someone has to make sure you don't foolishly get your neck wrung."

"Ah,” she said, feeling slightly disappointed.

"What?" he demanded.

She shrugged. "Nothing. You know,” she said changing the subject, “we've been chatting for months now and I don't know your name. Mine is Relena, can I know yours?" When he didn't answer, she swallowed her disappointment and tried to make light of it. "It's not important, really, I just thought you might like to call me something other than woman."

"Hello, are you there?"

She slumped. He was gone again. This was the pattern: whenever she said something that got to close to his personal boundaries, he would vanish like a ghost. She sighed. Well, there was no need in staying, he wouldn't return. She glanced once more at the serenity of the lake and wished for a fraction of that peace before she turned, slowly making her way home.

Wufei watched her leave. Silently, he followed her until she entered the castle on the hill. He felt angry with himself. He had no time for this, he was the end of his line, he couldn't afford to become distracted. These feelings were a weakness and ones he refused to encourage. So, then why was he here following a woman he normally wouldn't give a second thought about? He lifted his head to the sky, seeking answers he had searched for within to no avail.

He had caught wind of witch's scent and traced her to the lake where it then disappeared. Part of him reasoned there must be a connection to the girl, so it was logical to stay here on the off chance she returned. And when she did, his eyes gleamed amber in the night, she would taste his fury for what she had done to him.

His head swung back toward the castle. Still, the girl did ground him, remind him of his humanity he had been avoiding while he out right ignored her subtle and not so subtle attempts to learn more about him for months now. She wouldn't be placated much longer, he reasoned, then shrugged, turning back to his lodging for the night. Just as well, none of this could go anywhere. Caring about others opened the door to weakness and that he couldn't allow.

~ ~ ~ ~

Relena stood at her bedroom window gazing toward the lake. She couldn't see it in the dark, but in some small part she was still comforted by its blurry image. She sighed. She would miss her visit. Those early evening talks had grown to mean a great deal. A knock sounded at the door, drawing her from her thoughts. "Come in."

"Princess, I've brought the dress your brother requested you wear."

Relena indifferently watched the servant's reflection in the glass. "Just place it on the bed, please." She bowed.

"Milady, I was told to stay and assist you with your preparations for tonight's ball."

"That won't be necessary, I can dress myself." She watched the servant start to protest then close her mouth. She bowed, quietly leaving the room. As soon as she was gone, Relena turned to look at the gown. It was exquisite; a dress, without a doubt, for a fairy tale princess, which meant…she sighed. There would be more eligible young men here appropriate for her station.

~ ~ ~ ~

She raced to the lake faster than was proper or dignified should someone be around to see her, but it couldn't be helped. She had stayed and did her duty with her brother's guests for as long as she could. It suddenly occurred to her that her friend might take her absence as a sign she no longer wanted to visit with him and she panicked. By the time she arrived at the lakes, she was winded. Slowing so she could catch her breath, she moved over to sit on a downed tree. She sat there as the sun lowered and finally winked out. And the wind picked up, causing ripples to gently slide across the lake, blurring the moon’s reflection. She was still there as the stars coquettishly winked into sight, until cold prompted her to finally move. Standing, she hugged her arms to her chest. Autumn was coming. Already, the nights were getting cooler and longer. It was time to go. She had never stayed this late before and she couldn't risk staying any longer without her absence being noticed. Glancing around once more, she accepted he wasn't coming. Silently, she prayed for his return before reluctantly heading for home.