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


Christmas came and went, bringing with it parties of the season preparing one for the arrival of the New Year. So far, the peaceful tidings were apparently holding. For Relena, it was one of give and take. She learned new meaning of the word patience. With her mysterious friend, she gave up on him telling her his name and just accepted their unlikely friendship for what it was. With him, she was able to pour out her thoughts just as they were and trust that they wouldn't be misunderstood, nor would she be judged, as she would have been in her world.

For her, this was a gift beyond compare in her world where status and image was everything; she had to constantly be on guard. For her new friend, she was simply Relena, a girl that sometimes crossed his path whenever his desire for company outweighed his usual reticence. For them both, it was a small respite from each other's trials and tribulations.

She slowly made her way to the lake, its icy stillness showing one a beauty just as alluring as spring's offering. The dying sun reflected off the iciness of the lake and icicles on the trees created prisms of colors ranging the spectrum of the rainbow. It was quite an effort to make it to the lake now, but with teeth chattering, she forged on though, hoping that today he would be there. Tomorrow would be too late, tomorrow they were leaving for the capital. As much as she would miss her friend, nothing could stand in the way of peace.

She heard him and, as was their unspoken agreement, she didn't turn. "I'm glad you came, I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye."

"Where are you off to?” he asked softly?

She rubbed her hands briskly. "The capital, more negotiations. My brother feels I should be there to help represent the family."

"He's right. It is a matter of honor."

"I know,” she sighed. “Will you…will you miss our time together?” she asked wistfully?

"I won’t have time for such nonsense and neither will you,” he said gruffly.

"No of course not,” she looked down, “well, I should go, it gets darker earlier now and I still have things to do before we go. And, well, I didn't want you to think I just abandoned you. So you will be careful, won’t you?" She sighed when he didn't answer and moved off up the hill.

"Relena ... it's Wufei."

She paused glancing off to the side; but stopped short of looking at the place where his voice was coming from. "Wufei,” she murmured, “I like that. Be safe, Wufei, until we meet again."

He watched her struggle up the incline, feeling so confused. For a split second, he was so tempted to call her back it was crazy. How fond he had become over the girl! She was such a fragile thing, but she didn't let it affect her choices. She plowed ahead as if she was warrior-born. If the truth were told, he had a grudging respect for her. She wasn't a useless piece of fluff after all. Any minute now she would be out of sight and somehow it wasn't as hard to admit anymore a small part of him was already mourning her absence.

~ ~ ~ ~


Spring had come, bringing with it renewal of the land and a sense of hope for all those willing to stop long enough to appreciate nature’s bounty. Relena and Wufei continued to meet by the lake, their tentative steps growing into a friendship that both were unwilling to loose. The witch hadn't returned and Wufei really had no logical reason to linger here any longer, yet he continued to do so. Each time he pondered the reality of going back to his home, another part of him found a reason to delay.

As much as Relena's friendship had come to mean, a part of him felt unworthy. While she held nothing back, he had yet to let her see him as he currently was. He felt ashamed. He had become her friend under false pretences. He resolved to make right this situation before this one poisonous weed ruined the entire garden that was their friendship. From his spot, he watched her approach the lake, anxious to make things right between them. He had for once gotten there ahead of her.

She approached the lake and sat on the old tree, letting the serenity of the lake drain the last bit of the tension from the ongoing argument to find a nice young man and stop spending so much time alone brooding. Wufei watched her agitation with a worried frown. Perhaps today wasn't the best time to confide his transgression. He shook his head in disdain; he had grown so weak letting the opinion of another dictate his sense of justice. No, it had to be done, his honor would allow him no other option.

"Hello, Relena."

She straightened suddenly. "Wufei, hello, you're here early."

He could hear the pleasure in her voice and it firmed his resolve to deal with this situation once and for all. He frowned, noticing she was upset. "What's wrong?"

She smiled ruefully, “Nothing of importance, a new variation of an old theme."

"What? Onna, if you don't want to say, then just say so."

Relena laughed. "I'm sorry, I was trying not to bore you. I should have known we're past the polite stage. My brother and his wife feel I spend too much time alone ‘brooding’ as they put it. They feel I should…” She paused, trying to say it tactfully, “date more than I do."

He watched her shrug. "If they knew I already had a friend, they would probably feel relieved and stop harping on the topic."

His eyes slid closed. Drawing a breath, he mentally kicked himself for the pain his cowardice was about to cause.

"Relena. I have something I have to tell you."

Relena slowly stood, her body gradually stiffened at the seriousness of his tone. She nervously cleared her throat, "Go ahead, you can tell me anything."

"I have to go home,” he said abruptly. His eyes slid closed. It wasn't what he had planned to say, but he found he wanted her to hold on to some semblance of fond memories rather than the truth.

"You're leaving?" He watched as her head lowered and her hair slid forward, shielding her expression from his keen eyes.

"I realized, of course, you would eventually. I just,” she stumbled over her words, “didn't want to think that one day would arrive so soon…” she trailed off. “We could still stay in touch if you wanted,” she said hopefully.

He looked down at himself and flinched. "I'm not sure if that will be possible. In any case, without me taking up so much of your time, you could satisfy your family's wishes."

"Wufei, have I done something to offend you?"

"No, of course not, it's simply that it's time for me to return to my home."

"Then I guess this is goodbye."

"Yes,” he murmured, “goodbye.."

She listened to the sounds he made as he went to leave. Biting her lip, she tried once more. "Wait! Wufei, is this because of the way you look? Because if it is, it doesn't matter. You're my friend."

The silence stretched on and she panicked. Maybe she had waited too long. Swinging around, her eyes widened before meeting his stunned gaze. Her eyes traveled over his body, committing his image to memory. He was smaller than what one saw pictured in books of fairy tales, yet somewhat larger than a horse. Solid black in color, the remaining rays of the sun glinted of his scales, creating iridescent effect. His wings were translucent and shimmered as they nervously shifted. Taken as a whole, he was beautiful.

His eyes narrowed. "You knew. How?"

She spread her hands helplessly. "I was told there was a dragon sighted several miles from here. When you never let me see you, I guess I started searching for reasons why that might be. Besides, you are my friend. Does it matter so very much what you look like?"

His temper flared, "Of course it does. Look at me."

"What happened to you?"

He growled low in his throat. "This witch showed up, spouting riddles about lessons and this travesty,” he gestured at his body, “is the result. I tracked her here then lost her."

Relena frowned thoughtfully. "Did this woman have a name?"

He grinned, showing razor sharp teeth. "Yes,” he hissed, “Themis, and when I find her I will show her the meaning of justice."

"O no!” she shook her head, “no,” she whispered.

Wufei stared at her speculatively. "You know something."

"I don't know if I do or not. I've always been what you could call solitary, even as a child. When I was younger, she started showing up every now and then. She never told me her name so I made one up. I called her Thea. Then one day last spring, she suddenly showed up again and we started talking as we always did before." Relena looked up her eyes pleading. "I didn't know. She was the one that mentioned the dragon. Then, right before she left, she said her name was really Themis. I'm sorry."

She cautiously moved closer, leaning her forehead against his side in empathy. "I am so very sorry."

He stiffened a moment before relaxing. "There is no need. You had nothing to do with it. But you see now why I must go?"

Relena straightened, "No, why? It's what is on the inside that counts, not the outside."

He snorted. Moving off, he looked over the lake before turning his head back to stare piercingly at her. "Perhaps, but usually one's friend does not appear as a dragon."

She bit her lip, tears made her eyes more luminous than normal and once more he reminded was of what a beautiful woman she was inside as well as out. "So you're still leaving?"

He nodded stiffly, "It is for the best."

"Then I won’t make this any more difficult. Goodbye,” she whispered. Hugging her arms tightly, she forced a smile then slowly turned for home.

He watched as she got further and further away. Goodbye, Relena.