CHAPTER ONE
Commander Heero Yuy looked at the young beauty before him. She was his height, jet black hair loose and shoulder length ; bronze skin that looked like satin reflecting under the sun ; and onyx eyes full of life.
"Did they hurt you Ojousan ?", he repeated.
Lifting her chin, she looked at him with defiant eyes, "I could have beaten them by myself ! I only needed a few more seconds..."
Heero arched an eyebrow. The girl had a rather curious voice, smooth and deep, with a slightly high pitched intonation... curious... What's more, she was being aggressive, even knowing he could have her executed, 'interesting, he thought. She seems to have a very challenging temper... and she is beautiful looking... Too bad I prefer guys.'. He coughed and said instead, "Well then how could I make you forgive me for this incident ?"
"You expect me to accept something from a bloody Japanese ?"
Heero's eyes narrowed, "Watch your manners Ojousan. You are talking to a man."
"Huh !"
"... What's your name."
"..."
"Don't you remember your own name ?", he teased with a mocking gleam in his eyes.
Her stare firmed and with a frown she answered, "My name is Wu...mei. Chang Wumei."
"Delighted to know you, Wumei-san. Now maybe....", he was interrupted by a low growl. He arched an eyebrow again. This was coming from the girl but not from her throat... much more... from her stomach. Her empty stomach it seems ! He smiled a little, "I think I found the way to excuse myself. Come with me, I bet you didn't have any breakfast."
"I am not...."
"YES YOU WILL !, "he shouted with force, making her jump, "stop being such a stubborn girl ! I know I'm the enemy, but it will not make a traitor of you just because you accept to eat with me. Now follow me !"
She thinned her lips, understanding that she had no choice. She could still run away but with her dress it would not be easy and he was a trained soldier. She sighed and got the feeling that this was going to be a long day. Reluctantly, she followed him.
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The girl shifted, very uncomfortable under the stares of other Chinese people who were noticing her companion. Oblivious to their icy glare, the Japanese commander ordered some rice and vegetables and led her to a small table in a corner. She gritted her teeth but let him do it. However she wouldn't meet his eyes, too aware of his inquisitive looks. Finally he broke the silence.
"So where are you from ?"
"... Beijing"
He arched an eyebrow, "This town is still under Chinese influence. Why coming here on Japanese territory ?"
"My only family left is living here..."
"Much is explained. You looked lost however. Is it the first time you come to see these persons ?"
"No but as they became wealthy, they bought another house."
"Must be in ruins now."
"... No he surrendered without fighting... I mean... my oncle."
Heero gave a disgusted snort, "Peuh, just a coward then I suppose. Even if you are afraid to die, surrender like this to the enemy is a kind a betrayal to one's country."
She gave him a surprised look. She had felt a flash of anger upon listening of how he was speaking of her uncle but after all... He had said out loud what she was thinking deep inside.
The dishes arrived and they ate in silence. Stealing glances toward him, she finally took her time to look at him. Dark tousled hair, short but with long bang falling on his face ; a wealthy completion, very well made body and she could guess those clothing were hiding a splendid musculature ; and eyes within the deepest blue, hard and soft all the same, as if... as if he was constantly on guard, not knowing if the person he had in front of him would be a friend or an enemy. Suddenly he turned his head just as she was watching him, and she turned, ashamed of being caught eyeing an enemy.
"Well Wumei-san, it seems you are finished. So now tell me where your uncle lives and I'll ride you there."
"What ?", she looked stunned and outraged, "How can you think that I would accept another favor from you ?"
"Because since you are a pretty looking girl, other comrades of mine might enjoy to ride you in a very different way, whether you accept it or not."
She reddened but counter attacked, "And what proves me that you don't have the same intentions?"
He smiled, "Because miss, I prefer a well endowed crotch than well endowed breasts."
She jumped on her seat and sent him a furious glare. His smile broadened.
"Come on miss. Time to go."
Scowling, she didn't resist and followed him to his horse. Why did she even get up this morning?!
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It was not easy to stay on the horse while trying not to touch the Japanese commander. The young girl nearly fell twice but each time, Heero caught her until she resigned herself to lean a little against him.
Finally they arrived before a huge door, a big temple showing behind it. Heero looked a bit suspicious.
"That's the place on the paper... But are you sure? It looks like a very rich place... How did it get through the attacks?"
"I have no idea... Now let go of me!"
He let her slid to the ground and followed her, to make sure she was indeed at the right place. The moment she was about to make her presence known, a faint cough was heard behind them and they turned over to face a young man, about the same height as the girl, with hair falling to his jaw, looking wealthy and delicate all the same. He was truly beautiful, Heero's heart stopped a few seconds.
"May I help you?" the onyx eyed beauty asked.
"Y-yes. This young girl here claims that you know her. Is it true?"
Surprised, the young man looked at her, even more surprised by her pleading looks; "I don't think s... WU.....!"
He stopped, seeing her jumped nervously, almost panicked and he tried tentatively, "Wu? Is that you?" encouraged by a smile, he continued, "Gods... you've changed so much! ... Come inside, Father and Mother will be so pleased to see you..."
Heero calmed a bit; "So I get you are Wumei-san's cousin then?"
"Y-yes ! Wu...mei's cousin. My name is Zhou Shen. Pleased to meet you Mr..."
"Yuy. Commander Heero Yuy. And the pleasure is mine."
The girl looked disgusted by this exchange. Her cousin's eyes were now gleaming in a way she didn't like. Oh no, she really didn't like it!
Shen for his part was thrilled and his mind worked fast. This officer was blatantly masculine, and seemed to have a good rank within the army. The perfect passport to get out of this annoying place. Apparently, He had reacted upon seeing him, so that would mean this officer had the same... preferences as him! How lucky!
"I have to go now."
"Oh please, stay a while! We owe you the safe arrival of Wumei; you can't just leave without any reward," with that, he half closed his eyes, looking almost like an innocent virgin.
"I'm sorry," Heero answered regretfully, "My duty is calling me."
The Chinese teen was obviously disappointed, "At least... Could I see you again?"
Heero smiled; "Maybe" then he turned to the young girl and bowed before handing discreetly a paper to her, whispering "You are a brave and strong woman. If you need anything, come to me," he went back to his horse and with a quick nod to them both he sped up his horse back to the town.
Then, the young man turned to the girl, all warmth gone, "You really transformed yourself, " he smirked "You can take the room behind the third panel in front of the stream." With that he laughed and took the path to the temple.
She said nothing but simply went to the room he had indicated and closed the panel behind her. A small table, a few shelves, a bed and... a mirror? Why would there be a mirror in there? 'Oh to hell with it,' she thought. She stood before it and took long moments watching her reflection. Then slowly she started unbuttoning her dress, letting it fall on the floor; and she unbandaged her chest shoving aside the two scarves rolled in it...
In front of the mirror, stood Chang Wufei. Sighing, he turned away, disgusted. Dressing like a woman, looking so much like one that he had been in danger of rape. How humiliating. With that, he had to do a lot of efforts to make his voice, if not more feminine, but at least less masculine. He had no choice however. He was the son of Chang Qi, the leader of the imperial troops against the Japanese. His father had been killed in the battle and Wufei had to run away. The problem is that his escape made bad people talk and they started making supposition. And the rumor started to grow. Chang Wufei had revealed to the Japanese the way to defeat his father's troops. He was a traitor who should be executed. When people suffer, they need someone to blame. And he was this unlucky someone.
Opening the panel he made a few steps outside and saw a little fire burning on the alley pavement. Leaves had been burnt. Slowly he made his way toward it and held the small paper the Japanese had given him. He read it once, twice and refolded it. His excellent memory was always admired as a child.
He approached the paper to the fire, until a corner was blazing. He held it then in the wind, watching it slowly being consummated turning into ashes in his hands and then holding his hand to the sky, letting it be blown. Becoming ashes in the wind.
END CHAPTER ONE
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