Chapter 1

Duo Maxwell sat down on the bench in the park that was across the street from Reed Private High School. He flipped open a folder and skimmed down the facts. His boss had ordered him to kill--or for a better, elegant term, assassinate--Chang Wufei who was the next heir to the Dragon Clan and a major threat to many other clans who held much power in China. If Wufei took the "throne" then everything would change. His father was weak but his son was strong. Once Wufei gains control of the Dragon Clan all the other clans would lose their power immediately. Many feared Chang Wufei for his power and strengths despite the way he looks.

And boy was that kid a looker! Silky black hair that framed a delicate face that showed much determination and strength in it. He had nicely arched eyebrows over almond shaped eyes that seemed to see everything underneath those coy lashes. His sweet lips were just begging to be kissed. His skin was a delicious caramel color that shone in the sun. He wasn't very tall but tall enough to intimidate most people.

In the photo Duo had of Wufei the kid was standing straight and proud dressed in traditional white Chinese robes with his shoulder length hair pulled back in a smart ponytail. Yes, he was a strong young man and would be a strong leader when he gains control of the Dragon Clan. That's why so many feared him and the power that he would bring to his family once his father dies. And his father was dying from cancer. Everyone was holding his or her breath, waiting fearfully for the moment the old man breathed his last breath.

But if Duo did his job, Wufei won't take control of the Dragon Clan and everyone would breathe easy again. And Duo was going to do his job. He was getting a *lot* of money for taking out this boy. It was just too bad he had to. Wufei was really handsome and it wouldn't be bad to get to know him a little more.

There was only one little difficulty. People and his bodyguards, Heero Yuy and Trowa Barton constantly surrounded Wufei. It was going to be hard to kill the kid. Duo had to get close enough.

Smiling, Duo pulled out another file that had his school transcripts in it. he thought as he flipped through everything and read his "history" over. He was using his own name since he wasn't known as Duo Maxwell to the world but as Shinigami. No one would recognize that name so it was safe to use. Besides, he liked his name and wanted to use it anyway.

The bell rang suddenly, bringing Duo out of his thoughts. He slid his sunglasses down a bit as he watched all the uniformed students pour out from the doors of the school. He waited patiently until he finally spotted Chang Wufei.

The boy was talking animatedly with his friends and the girls that were always gushing at his feet. His bodyguards were right next to him. Two stoic looking people who stood a few feet away but within reaching distance of the boy. Both of them were totally on guard, their eyes taking in everything. They spotted Duo.

Duo smiled and pushed his sunglasses back up. Then he stood up and disappeared into the crowd.

~*~

"I don't think that's totally possible," Chang Wufei laughed as he joked with his friends.

"Come on! Just think about it," one kid urged.

Wufei just laughed and shook his head as they all stood at the front of the school as Wufei waited for his limo.

He smiled and glanced over to his bodyguards. They were both silent as they looked around the place before turning their attention to the fan club around Wufei. They were now *always* at his side, never leaving him alone for one moment.

"Wufei! Wufei!"

Wufei snapped out of his thoughts and smiled sheepishly. The fan club sighed at the sweet sight.

"I'm sorry, I kinda zoned out," he said, biting his lip.

"That's all right. I just asked you if you're gonna be able to go to Relena Dorlian's party tomorrow night," Dorothy Catalonia repeated.

"Of course! Wouldn't miss it for the world," Wufei assured them.

"Great!" Dorothy beamed.

Suddenly Heero and Trowa were at his side.

"The limo is coming," Heero said quietly.

Wufei sighed. "All right." He turned to his friends and waved good-bye as the limo pulled up and the door was opened. Wufei slid in with his bodyguards behind him and the door was closed. Wufei smiled slightly. He knew that his personal manservant had a crush on the Winner heir and Wufei delighted in teasing Zechs to no end about it. Wufei didn't mind the fact that the people around him were homosexuals. He wasn't sure he himself of being straight although he was attracted to Meiran, the toughest girl at school so that just left him confused.

The drive home was quick and soon Wufei was in his room studying for a test that was going to take place in three days. He sat at his desk, which was against the window where he could look out and enjoy the sight of the garden. A place he liked to visit once in a while when he found time. Being the heir to the Dragon Clan wasn't very easy. There were so many things he had to learn before he became leader of the Clan.

"Wufei? Do you want something to eat, sweet?"

Wufei turned around in his sweet and smiled at his most favorite person in the world, Sally Po. She had been with Wufei since he was a baby being his nanny and all. Even now while he was fifteen years old, Sally always stayed to take care of him. To be the mother he never had.

"No, it's all right, Sally. Thanks anyway," he said, still smiling.

Sally nodded and closed the door.

Wufei turned back around in his seat and continued to stare out of the window as the soft wind blew into his room and ruffled his school papers. He caught a sheet before it flew out of the window when he thought he saw someone standing below his window. When he looked again whoever was there was gone. Did he see a flash of black and brown? He wasn't sure.

"Wufei!" Quatre Raberba Winner's gentle voice rang out as the blond opened the door and strolled in. He was dressed in a white dress shirt with a vest over it and khakis with loafers. His light blond hair was somewhat wind blown. "Always studying, huh, Wufei?" He walked over to his friend and sat down on the desk. "Man, I almost couldn't come today 'cause Dad wanted me to learn how to read stocks! I told him I was only fifteen but he insisted pretty forcefully if you asked me." Quatre said the last bit dryly, earning a chuckle from Wufei.

"Well, you are the heir to the Winner fortune," Wufei pointed out.

Quatre sighed and nodded. "Yeah, sucks, huh?"

"Exactly," Wufei agreed as he closed his books and stuffed his papers into folders. Then he straightened up his desk. "Let's go into the library. You're here early than usual." Wufei wasn't sure but he could have sworn he saw a slight blush on Quatre's cheeks as the boy bounced out of the room.

They strolled downstairs to the library, meeting Zechs there who was reclining on the couch and reading a book. Zechs was really more like family than a man-servant so he was pretty relaxed around them without all the usual stiff servant formalities that Wufei had to deal with when it came to the other servants.

"Good book?" Wufei asked, startling Zechs.

His head shot up and he almost dropped the book. Then he glared at Wufei. "Ever thought about making noise?"

"Not really," Wufei laughed as he picked up the book he had been recently reading and flipped it open. He looked over to Quatre who was selecting a violin from the music case at the far end of the library.

"Humph," Zechs snorted. Then he lowered his head and went back to his book but Wufei could see that he was barely looking at the words. He was too busy trying to watch Quatre as the blonde pulled out a violin and walked back over to them.

Wufei smiled secretly.

"What shall it be today?" Quatre asked cheerfully as he set the bow on the strings.

"Anything," Wufei sighed. "You always did play good music."

"All right..." Quatre slowly started out on an unfamiliar note. Then he began to play rapidly as an upbeat sort of music began to flow from the strings. (AN: Think of the time Quatre and Trowa were playing together in the early eps. That's the song.)

Heero and Trowa appeared out of nowhere and stood in the shadows as they watched Quatre play. All of them agreed the boy had much talent and should be out in the music world than having to deal with family business. Trowa separated from the stoic Japanese boy and picked out a flute from the music case. Then he followed Quatre's lead and started playing.

Wufei's face was totally alit with joy. He never knew Trowa knew how to play the flute! Or any instrument in fact. His book laid forgotten as he listened to his friends play.

Heero moved to the near-by grand piano and listened to the music for a moment before adding his own.

Who knew all of them knew how to play something! Wufei thought in shock. He thought his bodyguards only knew hand-to-hand combat, how to use any kind of weapon and protect him when needed. He certainly underestimated their ability to perform all sorts of things.

When the music died away, Wufei and Zechs broke out in enthusiastic applause.

"That was wonderful!" Wufei exclaimed. "I didn't know you both knew how to play instruments!"

Heero and Trowa smiled slightly. Trowa replaced the flute and Heero stood up from the piano.

"We know all sorts of things," Trowa said quietly.

Quatre was grinning at Trowa and Heero. "You guys have got to play with me more often. It's nice to play but it's even better to have others!"

"Maybe," Heero agreed.

Zechs was looking very impressed as he closed his book and sat up.

The door opened and Sally appeared, smiling. "Do you all want something to eat?"

"A drink would be nice," Trowa said quietly. His mouth was a little dry from playing the flute. He hadn't for a long time and was a little out of practice. "And pudding?"

"Wonderful. What do you want Quatre? Wufei? Heero? Zechs?"

"Sandwiches," Quatre said, smiling. "And some tea."

"Same here," Wufei and Zechs chorused.

"Heero?"

"Same," Heero said, shrugging. "No tea. Soda."

Sally grinned and nodded. Then she disappeared from the door.

"How's school?" Zechs asked the younger boys.

"As fun as high school can be," Quatre replied. "How's college?"

"Easy," Zechs said, smiling.

"Then there is no challenge whatsoever, huh?" Wufei asked as he glanced down at his book. He just didn't feel like reading. He closed his book and began a conversation about Relena Dorlain's party. When Sally returned with the sandwiches and drinks, Wufei thought he caught a flash of black from the window.

"Wufei? What's the matter?" Sally asked, frowning.

Wufei smiled absently and shook his head. "Nothing."

~*~

Duo smiled as he walked down the street, away from the Chang mansion.

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So, what do you think so far? This is my first GW fanfic so I hope it doesn't suck or something....

Started: September 23, 2001