They will never take Nataku.

If they do, they'll have to get past me first--kill me first! And even then, if I'm dead, I won't let them take her.

NEVER!

~ * ~

"Wufei! Wufei, answer me!" Quatre slammed the controls in frustration. Communication with Wufei had been down for the last hour, and he was getting worried. "Trowa! Trowa, what's Wufei's position?"

Trowa's voice came through immediately. "The last time I saw him was ten miles away, fighting some Leos. I was going to help him but I got caught--"

"I found him!" Duo's triumphant voice replaced Trowa's. "My monitor caught a slight movement-- DEFINITELY Wufei's--just a few miles down south. Let's finish this and go meet him. I think he's stopped!"

With that, Deathscythe sliced another batch of Aries.

~ * ~

Nataku. You are the only one who understands. For me, you are real, no matter what anyone says.

Embrace me as I embrace you.

I will never let you go.

~ * ~

Heero climbed out of his Gundam, ignoring the sudden flash of the light against his eyes. Quatre had already gone out and was running towards Shenlong.

That was when Heero noticed it. And although he was trained not to show any expression, he couldn't help but gasp at the sight and get a sinking feeling.

Shenlong was wrecked.

"Holy shit!" Duo exclaimed as he climbed out of Deathscythe. "What the hell happened?!"

"Quatre!" Trowa quickly followed the blonde pilot towards Shenlong.

Quatre, meanwhile, was wondering why Wufei still hasn't come out. 'He must be hurt or he's already gone,' he thought to himself. 'What am I looking for, anyway?'

He threw the door open, unprepared for what he might see.

~ * ~

Fight for you. Die for you.

Let me do these for you, Nataku.

Justice will be served if I can serve you. You come alive in my touch--breathe and feel as we all do.

I was born to serve you.

~ * ~

"Ohh-h-hh--" Quatre's moan reached the ground.

"Quatre?" Alarmed, Trowa stopped below Shenlong and watched as the other climbed down, a pale look on his face. "Is it that bad? Should we call for the medics?"

"No need." Quatre drew in a shaky breath.

"Whaddaya mean?" Duo called from behind.

Suddenly, Quatre threw himself to Trowa. The brown-haired pilot caught him in surprise as he sobbed. "He's dead! Wufei's dead! He--"

"WHAT?! Trowa's arms around him tightened.

"He--he--must've been dead for--for--over an hour--I can tell--he was--pale and--and--it was terrible--" Quatre choked and buried his face in Trowa's chest.

Duo looked blank. "But--I saw his Gundam moving in my monitor! He landed just fifteen minutes ago!"

"How can Wufei," came Heero's quiet voice, "even if he was still alive at that time, be able to land Shenlong in that state?"

Duo only stared.

Trowa began to lead a hysterical Quatre away from Shenlong. He, too, was shaken, but, trying to be composed, nodded at Duo and Heero. "Let's remove Wufei and destroy Shenlong so--"

At that moment, before he can get another word out, Shenlong burst into flames.

~ * ~

If I die, let it be with you. Don't let me be far from you.

I want to be with you all my life. Until death.

You are a part of me. I can never let you go. Never will...ever.

Nataku...

~ * ~

Everyone stared in shock as Shenlong continued to burn...with Wufei's unrecovered body still in it.

"How--" Trowa started.

"Maybe," Heero cut in, "Wufei's love for Nataku served a purpose. Maybe...they had an understanding."

Duo shot him a sharp look. "How would you know?"

Heero became momentarily confused. "I--don't know," he stated shortly.

Quatre clutched Trowa's shirt. "He--Wufei's really dead," he whispered, as if trying to come to grips with reality. Trowa didn't respond, just drew him closer.

Before their eyes, Shenlong--"Nataku"--and Wufei returned to the ashes on the ground. Probably where they belonged...together...

~ * ~

Nataku...until death do us part.

...Nataku...I love you...