Chapter 15: "Truth Hurts"

    Heero knew something was wrong when he didn't see Wufei waiting for them in the jeep.
    "Ooo, coffee," Duo crooned happily, taking the styrofoam cup from where it had been left on the dashboard. "Hey, what's this?" He plucked a scrap of paper from the windshield while Trowa tossed the ropes they'd used for Tom into the back of the jeep.
    Quatre was massaging a headache from his temples and looking around wearily. "At least we know they don't know much," he pointed out. "Kushrenada gave them the order to find Wufei, but they seem to know very little about him."
    "Or why Treize is so intent on getting ahold of him," Trowa added grimly. He glanced towards the back alley, where they'd left their unconscious prisoner. "I still think we should take care of him permanently."
    Quatre gave him a hard look. "No," he said firmly. "Let someone else find him and deal with him. We can't kill a man in cold blood like that."
    Heero sent Quatre a sideways look, but didn't argue.
    "Uh oh," Duo said.
    Heero looked at him sharply. Duo offered a watery grin, quailing a little at the intense stare Heero was submitting him to. Heero's eyes went from him to the note and back again. His face turned to stone, voice flinty. "Where is Wufei?"
    "He, ah..." Duo cleared his throat, offering the paper. "Well, look for yourself."
    Heero snatched it from his friend and scanned the note. His face grew darker and darker as he read. Duo prudently moved around to the other side of the jeep, out of immediate reach, while Trowa waited passively for an explanation.
    Quatre tried to read the note over Heero's shoulder. "What is it? Is something wrong?" His voice sharpened in alarm. "Don't tell me they grabbed him while we were--"
    "Yeah right," Duo snorted. "There'd be signs of a struggle all over the place. Wufei ain't exactly the meek little hostage type."
    "No," Heero growled, crumpling the letter in his fist. "Just the willing kind."
    "What are you talking about?" Quatre demanded in exasperation, reaching for the note. "What does it say?"
    "Looks like Kush-boy came looking for Wufei himself," Duo explained, face somber. "Unfortunately, he must be as good at persuading in person as he is on TV. Wufei went with him."
    Quatre's mouth dropped open. "What?? But-- but he--"
    "You can't blame him," Trowa pointed out, shrugging. "We didn't give him many reasons to trust us. And perhaps he thinks Treize will be able to answer questions that we can't-- or won't."
    They all glanced at Heero. He was glaring in the direction of the road, expression hard, eyes cold. The note, forgotten, was crumpled in his tightened fist.
    "Relax, Heero," Duo murmured, reading the barely controlled anger in his friend's body language. "Don't flip out on us or go all homicidal. Tro's right. We haven't explained jack shit to Wufei, and technically, we did kidnap him. Kushrenada's supposed to be all civilized and shit; can you blame Wufei for going with someone who politely offered to answer all his questions?"
    "Why would he have gone with someone who sends thugs after him?" Quatre asked plaintively.
    Trowa shook his head slightly. "Treize is rumored to be a very honorable, polite man. Wufei would know that if he's been keeping up with politics at all. If Treize promised to talk and then part ways, it would have been hard to give up the chance to finally get some answers."
    "Treize doesn't know everything," Duo put in encouragingly, gesturing to the note. "Probably only things he's heard in passing. Rumors, legends, shit like that. He won't be able to tell Wufei much. Besides, Wufei said he'd meet up with us later."
    Heero's glare could have melted paint. "If he decides to after hearing what Kushrenada has to say," he finished coldly.
    Quatre groaned, passing a hand over his face. "Well it's too late to track them down now," he sighed. "Not that Wufei would come with us if we did manage to find them, pull over the car, and drag him out of it."
    Duo winced. "He'd prob'ly be a little uncooperative," he agreed.
    "He'd kick our butts," Quatre said firmly. He turned a stern gaze on Heero. "There's nothing we can do right now but wait. Give him some time to talk to Kushrenada. It's his choice. Trying to change his mind-- especially forcefully --will only cause him to lash out at us. I don't like it any more than you do, but what choice do we really have?" He glanced at his watch. "We'll give him until eight tonight, then--"
    "Six," Heero cut in.
    "Seven," Quatre compromised with a sigh. "If he isn't back by then, we'll go find him. All right?"
    Heero didn't look happy, but the other two boys nodded slowly.
    "No hero shit," Duo added, offering his friend a warning look. "Pun not intended."
    Heero scowled. "How do we know if Kushrenada will keep his word?" he demanded. "Or if Wufei decides to stay with him?"
    Duo winced. "Our orders are to bring him back," he allowed. "But we won't know any of that until seven, Heero."
    "Maybe you won't." Heero turned on Trowa, holding out a hand demandingly. "Give me your keys," he snapped.
    Duo straightened. "What are you doing?" he asked sharply.
    Trowa took one look at Heero's expression and handed over his bike keys without a word.
    "Trowa," Quatre gasped. He quickly stepped in front of Heero. "Wait, Heero, don't do anything stupid," he said hastily.
    "I'm just going to watch," Heero growled, stepping around Quatre and striding towards the motorcycle. "If something goes wrong, Wufei's going to need someone to get him out of the mess he got himself into. And if he decides to stay, someone needs to drag him back. I've been to Kushrenada's place once before; I know the layout of the grounds the best."
    "Heero-"
    "Oh, let him go," Duo sighed, looking aggreived. "He isn't going to listen, anyway. If playing surveillance guy will calm him down, let him do it." He raised his voice so Heero could hear. "But if he isn't back by seven, we'll go in for both of them."
    Heero ignored the warning, not even bothering to look back as he mounted the bike and roared off.
    Duo watched him go for a moment, hands on his hips as he frowned disapprovingly. Finally he shook his head and offered his friends a dry smile. "So! Who's driving this heap of junk?"

~+~

    Wufei couldn't decide if Treize Kushrenada's house was a mansion or a fort.
    The house in and of itself was large and impressive, but there were guards at the gate and a few patrolling the grounds, and even a training field and building where military personnel practiced with firearms, hand-to-hand combat, and worked on tactical vehicles.
    Walking down the path towards the main house, Wufei stopped to gaze in the direction of the mini base, eyes narrowing as he took in the sight. Some of the men were in ordinary civilian clothes, while others were in uniform. The hangar door was open, and he caught a glimpse of what looked like an updated MS.
    Treize also stopped, following his gaze and giving a small smile. "Politics may be what drives me now, but I am a General," he pointed out. "Most of these people went to the same military academy as I did."
    Wufei hesitated, then strode towards the building decisively. This could be the only chance he got to see just what tricks and forces Treize had at his disposal. He was surprised when Treize followed him without complaint.
    The men called out greetings to Treize as they approached, and those in uniform threw smart salutes, faces shining. Looking around at them, Wufei frowned slightly. The men were proud to be under Treize, following his lead and practicing on his grounds. They fought for him out of love and loyalty, not out of some contract or oath. It had been said that Treize's forces were fiercely loyal, but seeing that loyalty so plainly on their faces brought the point home more than words. These men, Wufei mused, would die for Treize. He didn't see any Suits, and wondered if they were inside the house or worked for Treize through outside contacts.
    Treize walked among his men, smiling and nodding, occassionally stopping to give a suggestion, a comment, or inquire about someone's family. He spoke to officers and enlisted equally, and while he was occupied, Wufei took the time to get a closer look at the hangar. The soldiers sent him questioning looks, but said nothing. Being with Treize seemed to give him free reign of the "base", and he took full advantage of it.
    The hangar was filled with the newest version of the war Mobile Suits, as well as a handful of tanks and smaller tactical vehicles. Wufei stepped into the hangar and walked around slowly, gazing up at the hulking metal giants with a frown. Across the hangar, several men were working on an unfamiliar suit. Hesitating, Wufei looked up at it curiously. He'd never seen anything like it on the internet or the news, or in any of the military and mecha magazines Hilde had shoved in his face. And something seemed.... off about it.
    "No hatch," he realized out loud.
    Treize had come up behind him, hands clasped behind his back. He gazed up at the strange MS almost fondly. "Good eyes," he approved. "You're familiar with MS models?"
    "Vaguely," Wufei admitted gruffly. "I'm no expert."
    "What do you think of them?"
    Wufei shook his head. "They're weapons," he said bluntly. "No matter how humanoid engineers try to make them look. But they give men the chance to walk into battle and fight each other hand to hand."
    Treize nodded in agreement. "I look at them as suits of armor," he said. "They put a man at level ground with large tactical vehicles, but also put him in the position to stride into war and fight each other. And loss of life is less than it would be if we ran across a field at each other waving guns and swords as they did in the past. You can cripple an MS and leave its controller alive." He gave a quiet sigh. "However, they can also be dangerous. If one is destroyed, the pilot is destroyed along with it. And men can be unpredictable. Putting the wrong man at the controls could get innocent people killed. Did you hear of Robert Gray?"
    Wufei scowled. "He was in the news last year. A soldier that went berserk; went through an unprotected town in an MS and laid it to waste. He killed almost thirty innocent civilians before he was stopped."
    "Yes." Treize's face was grave. "That is a risk I cannot accept. That and the dangers to the men inside. And of course an MS isn't that easy to control. Only our best pilots and controllers are given an MS in a wartime situation. Most men are just too limited."
    Wufei followed his gaze to the unfamiliar MS. "Is that suit supposed to change that?"
    "Yes. I call it a Mobile Doll." Treize gave a small smile. "You've noticed there's no hatch. That's because these versions don't require a pilot. They are completely automated."
    Wufei stared up at him in surprise. "You'd send robots to fight your wars for you?" he demanded incredulously.
    Treize sighed. "As much as I would like to go over the specifications and ramifications of the Dolls, I believe you are here for another reason. We can talk about this later. Would you like to go to the house now so we can talk?"
    Wufei nodded jerkily and followed Treize out of the hangar. He sent one last look over his shoulder at the Doll, feeling his mouth twist in scorn. The Mobile Suits were weapons, yes, but they were as Treize had described them: enormous suits of armor that helped balance things in war. But to be so arrogant as to let a mindless, emotionless robot go into battle....
    He forced the topic from his mind, ignoring the soldiers as he trailed after Treize to the main house. Kushrenada was right, he reminded himself firmly. He wasn't here to question the nobility of war. He was here for a much more personal reason. And if Heero wasn't willing to answer his questions, he wasn't about to pass up the chance to talk to someone who would.
    Heero, he thought dryly, must be very angry at him right now.

~+~

    Almost carelessly Heero tilted the unconscious gate guard off of his chair and onto the floor, his eyes already scanning the monitors connected to the surveillance cameras.
    These were the basic ones; they only showed the grounds and just outside the fence. He claimed the newly vacated chair and tugged the keyboard into his lap, eyes glued to the screens as his fingers flew across the keys, searching for a way inside. There had to be a main surveillance room that had cameras everywhere. They were most likely sharing the same camera and line to see the grounds. If he could hack into that feed, he should be able to see the rest of the house.
    He tightened his jaw and scooted a little closer to the desk, eyes flicking towards the window to make sure no one was coming.
    This could take awhile, he mused.

~+~

    "We'll talk in my quarters," Treize announced as he led his guest up the stairs in his mansion. "It should be more private there."
    Wufei grunted his acknowledgement, eyes already flicking left and right, taking it all in. The decor of the place was screaming sophisticated money, though at least he saw maids more often than he saw random guards patrolling the rooms.
    They took the spiral staircase up to the third floor, and when Treize held open one of the doors for him, Wufei only hesitated a moment before entering the room.
    My mother could fit her living room and kitchen in here, Wufei thought drolly as he took in the impressive bedroom, complete with lush tapestries and canopy bed. He thought he even spotted a jacuzzi through the bathroom door. Beside the fireplace was an ornate swordrack with several katanas, a broadsword, and a wide-bladed saber. Wufei eyes lingered on the weapons, his hands itching for the security of a hilt in his grip.
    Treize was watching him with a small smile. "I like to be comfortable," he murmured when Wufei arched a brow at him after a moment. He gestured to the bed. "Please. Take a seat. I'll be with you in a moment." He disappeared into the enormous walk-in closet.
    Wufei hesitated, eyeing the bed warily, before perching on the edge stiffly, ready to jump up and leave the moment he heard or saw something that didn't agree with him.
    "How much have your captors told you?" Treize called from the closet.
    It took Wufei a moment to realize he was referring to Heero and the others. When, he wondered a little irritably, had he stopped thinking of them as his kidnappers? It wasn't like they were... well, friends or anything. "Next to nothing," he admitted crisply, admiring a tapestry hanging by the bed. "Most of it I've had to try to figure out on my own."
    "I figured as much," came the dry reply. "Their orders must have been very specific: find you and bring you to their employers without giving anything away. Foolish, I think. How can you trust a man who won't even be honest with you?"
    Wufei glared towards the closet. "And you?" he demanded. "Do you plan on being honest?"
    Treize emerged from the closet, straightening the front of the uniform he'd changed into. "As honest as possible," he answered smoothly. "I'm afraid I don't know everything about you or your kidnappers, but I do know something about your employer. And I know the rumors concerning you and your... 'return'."
    Wufei frowned at the change the other man had undergone. While he had seemed like a sophisticated aristocrat in his three-piece suit, the uniform made him look commanding and confident. Though no less cultured. "Such as?"
    "First I must know how much you know," Treize pointed out, buttoning up his sleeve cuffs and studying Wufei with a calm but thoughtful expression. "Do you know who Mr. Yuy's 'employer' is?"
    "No."
    "Family." Treize finished with his buttons and padded over to his dresser mirror to fix his hair. "They are working for one of the few remaining relatives you have left. I suspect it's your grandfather. He always was a tough man, and I can't imagine him letting something like war end his life."
    Wufei took in a sharp breath. Family. He'd wondered if he'd had any remaining family left, but had never dared hope too much. And a grandfather? He felt his heart quicken a little in excitement. His grandfather was the one behind all this? He was trying to see his grandson again? A moment later his mouth pulled down in another dark frown. "If that's true, why all the secrecy?" he snapped. "If Hee- If Yuy had said my grandfather wanted to see me, I would have gone with him willingly."
    Treize was quiet for a long moment, finishing his hair before turning towards Wufei with a solemn face. "I'm going to tell you something important, Wufei," he said gravely. "There are very few people that know your family still exists. Common knowledge is that your entire family was wiped out during the last war when your home colony was destroyed."
    Wufei felt his breath freeze in his lungs. It was several moments before he could get his voice to work, and when it did, the words were harsh and strained. "You're lying."
    Treize looked vaguely disappointed in him. "I've already assured you I'm willing to be as honest with you as possible," he said quietly but firmly. "I'm sorry you have to find out like this, but as I said, I don't know how much about your past and family you already know. I know great pains have been taken to keep you sheltered and in the dark, and I've heard a rumor that you seem to remember nothing from before you came to earth, but--"
    "Which colony?" Wufei interrupted.
    Treize hesitated, then sighed, giving Wufei a sympathetic look. "L5."
    Wufei blinked. "L5?" he repeated incredulously. His eyes narrowed. "Do you think I'm an idiot?" he spat. "There's no such colony. The Federation had the first colonies named L1 through L4, and the rest of the colonies had random numbers."
    But Treize was shaking his head slowly. "History is how people write it and remember. Or how people want to remember it. In school they teach that there are only those four major colonies, but in truth there were five of them."
    Wufei shook his head fiercely, but couldn't think of a denial that wouldn't make him sound ignorant.
    "L5 was destroyed in the last war," Treize continued quietly. "When you were very small."
    "If it wasn't that long ago, why don't more people know about it?" Wufei demanded harshly.
    Treize gave a slight shrug. "For one, L5 wasn't technically recognized as a major colony by most people. While the other four colonies are populated by many different denominations and races, L5 was run by one family, commissioned for and funded by one of your ancestors."
    Wufei opened his mouth and closed it again helplessly.
    Treize walked over to the window and gazed outside, hands clasped behind his back. "Politically, L5 was a thorn in the foot. They governed themselves, and pledged allegience to neither the Federation nor Earth. They were a colony unto themselves. It was run and inhabited by your family and their retainers. There were many wild rumors and legends about your people, but as very few outsiders were allowed on the colony, not much was really known about them. Your family has always been full of warriors, and they have always been wealthy, which got them some of the best technology available-- including Mobile Suits to help discourage pirates and other overly curious people from getting too close to their borders."
    "Why?" Wufei's voice was almost a croak. His head was spinning with all the information. "Why was L5 destroyed?"
    "As I mentioned, they were a political blemish," Treize admitted. "It isn't surprising that they were targeted during the war by a rogue faction of the Federation." He frowned slightly, still gazing outside. "Some of Milliardo's men who decided to take the war into their own hands. I'm sorry to say there was very little warning. Many people-- many of your family and friends --were killed. Only some managed to escape. Including you, obviously."
    Wufei felt sick. The same man he had secretly felt sorry for, the man he had thought was fighting for a real cause, had been behind the destruction of his home and family. He opened his mouth to speak, and through his mind flashed--
    Fire, explosions rocking the stars, bright red flames seen through wet eyes, smoke in the lungs, making it hard to breathe, everything so hot.... A woman screaming.
    Heero's face, young, a child. Eyes wild, his grip on Wufei's arm numbing as he pulled at him, pulled him away, away from the flames. Panic on a face he'd thought was unable to express anything. "WUFEI!!"
    Wufei took in a sharp breath, closing his eyes tightly and clenching his teeth furiously as he pushed the images back, digging his fingers into the bed's comforter to root himself to the present.
    No-- not like this. This wasn't how he wanted to recover his memories. And what made it worse was that the images only gave Treize's words more truth.
    Treize, who was still facing the window, didn't notice his reaction. "You were sent to earth so you could hide and be safe. I suppose they figured they could bring you back when things were settled."
    "What do you mean 'settled'?" Wufei managed to ask.
    "Well, obviously, they had to find a new place to live," Treize pointed out. "I've heard rumors that they've been rebuilding, but their exact location cannot be found, even by military intelligence."
    Wufei stiffened, looking quickly at the older man. Suspicion churned in his gut. "Why would anyone care?" he asked slowly. "They're no longer a threat, are they?"
    "They could become one," Treize said gravely, turning to face him again. "Some people are worried. Even Senator Peacecraft has raised the question a few times. They don't teach students the tragedy of L5 because they don't want history to repeat itself. L5 was more of a myth than anything else to the majority of the people. But there are people in the government who know. And while Senator Peacecraft wants to settle things peacefully, he still worries about the future. As do we all."
    Wufei could only glare at him in silence.
    "You must understand." Treize's voice was soothing. "Your family was one of fierce warriors. It was a large family, influential and wealthy. There were whispers that they might try to revolt against the Federation, or take over trade between Earth and space, or even just between the colonies."
    "My people were wiped out over rumors?" Wufei growled from behind clenched teeth. "Because the government was worried about money?"
    "That's only a part of it," Treize cut in. "And of course not all of us thought that. And as I told you before, it was an independant faction that took out L5. There was no order to do so, only whim. A whim driven by fear and distrust and hate."
    Wufei leapt to his feet, fists clenched. "I think I see where this is going," he snarled. "You want me to show you where their new home is. Do you think I'm stupid?"
    "We wish only to speak with them," Treize assured him smoothly. "Settle things in a civilized manner before things come to a head. It's not just the government; obviously your family has a reason to be angry and desire ramification for what was done to them. If anything, they're more dangerous than before." He paused. "And then there's you."
    "What about me?" Wufei demanded. "I'm just your map, right? I let Yuy and the others drag me to my grandfather, and you follow."
    "I would appreciate that," Treize agreed. "I won't lie to you. But wouldn't you rather it be me and my men that went? Besides..." he smiled, "you are much more than just a 'map', Chang Wufei."
    Wufei's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
    Treize started towards him slowly, never taking his eyes from Wufei's. "The legends, rumors, and general stories about your people are quite interesting," he murmured. "And coincidentally, you happen to be right in the middle of said legends."
    "What legends?"
    "Your people have a code of honor all their own," Treize went on, ignoring the question. "I think it goes, 'Honor comes not in the strength to wield the sword, but in the strength it takes to defend the weak'."
    Wufei balked, taken aback as the words he'd read countless times from the dragon blanket were thrown at him. "How--"
    "It makes me think better of your people," Treize admitted. "They sound very honorable. Obviously they see violence only as a means to protect, which is admirable. Those words, however, are doubtless meaningless now. Your family is angry. They have every right to be. And we are in the middle of a war. It is the perfect opportunity for them to strike."
    Wufei had heard enough. It was obvious he was useful to Treize only as a guide. And he'd be damned if he'd lead a full military force to his people.
    He dodged around Treize and leapt across the room to the fireplace. Snatching up the saber, he rounded on the older man, sword snapping up in a defensive position. "You're insane if you think I'll help you," he snarled. "It's because of people like you that I'm here. It was people like you and your damned soldiers that took my family from me. I'm leaving. And if you try to follow me, I'll kill you."
    Treize looked amused rather than disappointed. He came forward slowly, and Wufei circled around him, looking for a clear path to the door. He was irritated that Treize didn't seem in the least bit concerned.
    "It doesn't have to be like this," Treize said softly. "I admire your people, and to be quite frank, you fascinate me. I wanted to meet you, to see what this focus of so much fancy and legend was like."
    "I don't know what you're talking about," Wufei snapped, "and I don't care. If you're going to keep insisting about this nonsense, then get yourself a sword and we'll settle this once and for all. And after I defeat you, you can tell your damned Suits to stay the hell away from me."
    Treize only smiled. "So violent," he chuckled, and retrieved the broadsword from the rack. He held it up straight in a salute, a smile still hovering on his lips. "I must admit, I'd almost hoped this would happen," he said almost apologetically. "To fight a Chang one-on-one is a rare priveledge. En guard." And he sprang forward, sword flashing to the side in a deadly arch.

~+~

    Heero had his gun out and aimed at the doorway the moment he heard the scrape of feet on gravel, his eyes still on the computer screen before him. The sound of a round being chambered was very loud in the small room.
    The person in the doorway froze, and out of the corner of his eye he saw hands raise to the sky. Then came a familiar chuckle. "Whoa, simmer down, Heero, it's just me."
    Heero put his gun back on the desk, eyes flicking towards his unwanted visitor as his fingers continued to fly over the keyboard. "Duo. What are you doing here?"
    Duo grinned, dumping himself in the other chair and using one of the unconscious gate guards as a foot rest. "I figured you might need a little backup if things got crazy. And I was bored, so..." he shrugged. "Quatre an' Tro are waiting for us at a hotel about an hour away from the shuttle port. What's happening so far?"
    Heero gave a small grunt of satisfaction as the view on the video screens around him changed abruptly to rooms in the house. Duo leaned forward curiously, studying the images. "Not bad. I don't see 'Fei anywhere, though."
    Heero ignored him, tapping in a few more commands, eyes glued to the screens.
    "Wait-- there," Duo said sharply.
    Heero lifted his hands from the keyboard sharply and leaned forward slightly to look at the screen Duo was pointing at.
    "Uh oh," Duo muttered, face suddenly grim. "Looks like they're not hitting it off too well after all." He grabbed Heero's wrist before he could seize his gun. "Hold on a second, Heero. You know Wufei can handle himself. And what reason does Kushrenada have to kill him? Just hold on a minute."
    Heero had to fight to keep still, his mouth tightening as he watched the fight on the screen with his heart in his throat. What if Duo was wrong? If Treize decided Wufei was better off dead... He forced himself to keep his seat. No. Another man might want Wufei out of the picture, but that wasn't Treize's way. And if he had promised not to harm the other boy, he would keep his word. Hopefully.
    Treize and Wufei were dancing across the room on screen, swords flickering and smashing at each other. Wufei's face was contorted in rage, teeth bared as he threw all his strength into his attack. Treize remained composed, a faint smile on his face as he met Wufei blow for blow. This went on for only a few minutes before Treize suddenly began hacking at Wufei with more strength and speed. It wasn't long before Wufei was forced to go on the defensive, pressed back under the savage assault.
    Duo drew in a sharp breath as, with one thundering blow, Treize knocked the sword from Wufei's hands and sent it spinning across the room.

~+~

    Wufei couldn't hold back a gasp of shock as the last blow struck his sword away, leaving his hands numb and ringing. He stumbled back, clutching his right hand unconsciously and gritting his teeth against the pain as he glared furiously up at the man who had beaten him.
    Treize offered a slow smile, placing the tip of his sword to Wufei's chin so he was forced to lift his head and meet the older man's gaze. "Not bad," Treize complimented. "And don't feel disappointed; I've been trained in the art of war since before you were born, no doubt. It's simply more experience."
    And strength, Wufei thought sullenly, hands starting to throb. He glared in silence.
    Treize's smile widened. "You know, in these legends I spoke of earlier, there's mention of... a weakness. Your weakness."
    Wufei bared his teeth in a silent snarl of defiance. "Do you think this is some stupid game?"
    Treize chuckled. "No. No game." He applied more pressure to the blade, and Wufei was forced to tilt his head even farther. Treize stepped forward, into his personal space. Wufei quickly retreated a few steps, as much to remove the sword from his skin as to get away from the older man. But man and blade followed, and after two more backwards steps, the backs of his legs hit the edge of the bed.
    Trapped.
    He lowered his fists by his sides and glared venomously up at Treize. "What do you want with me?" he demanded. "What are these 'legends' and rumors you keep babbling about?"
    "Now that's something you can find out on your own," Treize pointed out, amused. "Now that you know what to look for..." The swordtip skimmed down Wufei's chin and pressed warningly against Wufei's throat. Wufei held his ground until he was sure the blade was about to cut into him, then slowly forced himself to sit on the edge of the bed.
    Treize turned the sword sideways so the razor-sharp edge was against Wufei's throat, and pushed abruptly. Wufei jerked back to get away from it, and tumbled onto his back. In a flash Treize was on the bed with him, knees on either side of his hips. The sword was lifted, and a hand twice the size of his own seized a fistful of shirt and hauled him up so that he was lying in the center of the bed.
    "Hey-!" Wufei squawked, twisting quickly to roll off, already struggling to pull the hand from his shirt. The hand left his shirt to snatch his wrist. He jerked his free hand up to get a blow in, but Treize dropped the sword and snatched that arm as well.
    Then Treize was leaning over him, pinning his hands to the bed by his shoulders. Wufei went tense as a wire, staring wildly up at the face only inches from his.
    Treize's eyes scanned his face almost thoughtfully, mouth still quirked in a tiny smile. "I've wanted to meet you for a very long time, Chang Wufei," he admitted in a low, rumbling tone. "And now here I am. Meeting the legend, as it were. You fascinate me."
    Wufei's mouth felt dry as cotton, and it was a struggle to swallow, much less keep his breathing even. He tested the grip on his wrists, but Treize had weight and strength against him. He tried to relax, to prepare himself for an opening, but tension was humming through his body, his muscles stiff and unresponsive in shock.
    "Get off of me," he managed to grind out.
    "You must understand," Treize murmured, lowering his head so that he was speaking in Wufei's ear. "I, like Senator Peacecraft, would prefer a peaceful end to all of this. But I need your cooperation to do this. I need your help. You must be the go-between. Your family must be willing to talk."
    Wufei twisted his head to the side in an attempt to get away from the mouth brushing his earlobe. "Stop it," he gasped, incensed.
    "Unlike Senator Peacecraft, however," Treize continued, moving his mouth so that his lips hovered just over Wufei's throat, "I am willing to do what must be done for the good of mankind. If your family poses a threat, it will be I that is forced to deal with the problem. And I would really rather not."
    Wufei strained, struggling to free his arms from Treize's firm grip. "You'd do it again?" he shouted. "Wipe them out like cockroaches? Get off of me!!"
    "Pity," Treize sighed, barely audible. He released one of Wufei's wrists.
    Wufei brought his fist down hard and quick for a blow to the temple, but evidently Treize was anticipating it; he jerked his head to the side, at the same time sliding his hand between Wufei and the bed and up under his shirt.
    Wufei gasped, mortified. "What are you--"
    Then tapered fingers brushed against his Mark, and pain exploded up and down his spine.
    Wufei screamed in shock and pain, arching off the bed. Treize lowered himself more so that Wufei was forced back down, his voice calming. "Shh. It's all right. I can't have you creating havoc." He pulled his hand away.
    Wufei lay gasping for breath, his body shuddering in the aftermath. It was as if someone had taken a sledgehammer to his lower back. Not only that, he felt as if he'd barely escaped drowning. His breaths were ragged, and exhaustion was in every limb. Only stubborn pride kept him conscious.
    "Interesting," Treize was musing. "I'd wondered how it would work, exactly." He lay there for a moment more, still studying Wufei's face and tapping his fingers thoughtfully against Wufei's pale cheek. Abruptly he rolled over and rose to his feet in one fluid movement. "Please accept my apologies," he said, voice back to its normal confident tone. He straightened his uniform, watching the gasping boy on his bed with hooded lids. "I have no wish to kill you. You should consider yourself fortunate that it was I who found you. All I have done is made sure you are no longer a threat."
    Wufei attempted to sit up and fell back with a sharp gasp of pain. He closed his eyes tightly and clenched his teeth, trying to concentrate on anything but the exhaustion and the agony still rippling up and down his spine like an aftershock. "What... did you... do to me?" he gasped.
    "Your Mark is vulnerable right now," Treize informed him, heading over to his desk to collect a few pieces of paper. "I suppose it won't have its own defenses until you're of age. You may rest here; you're not really in any position to leave. If you still wish to meet those children, you may leave when you feel up to it. I would prefer it if you would stay, however." He turned to offer Wufei a small, polite smile. "If you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I must go. I'll return in an hour to--"
    Outside, the birds cut off their songs abruptly as the sounds of gunfire exploded on the air.
    "What in the--" Treize strode to the window and whisked the curtain aside, looking out into the grounds with a small frown on his aristocratic face.
    Wufei wondered why there was no doubt in his mind at who it was causing all the fuss.
    His mouth twisted into a painful but savage smile.
    Heero had come after him, after all.

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