By Hitori

~*Chapter 2*~

Disclaimers: No, again, I don't own Gundam Wing. I think it belongs to Bandai, Sunrise, and a bunch of other companies, but I don't know.

Summary: In this part, you'll find out more about Kazuki and also a lot about the people who sent her.

~Part 2~

"I'll destroy you..." Heero Yuy whispered to Relena Dorlian.

Or... that was what it looked like he was saying, anyway, but Kazuki had found in the past that reading lips was not her strong suite. What she had just seen confirmed her fears, no person belonging in a place like this reacted this way to any invitation, that was for sure. Most of the boys she had come to know at spoiled-kid schools like this were reasonably polite, and if they wished not to attend said gathering, would refuse the invitation in a more eloquent, subtle way. Her green-blue eyes narrowed in a glare as cold as his had been So there was something different about him...

*It's not like you're the average spoiled rich kid yourself, though.* a nagging voice commented in her mind. Kazuki had chosen to observe this event with a pair of binoculars from the window of her room at the institute. It was reasonably far from the balcony on the main building where Heero was, and no person would have sensed being watched from so far away.

Her computer blipped, and Kazuki was shaken out of her thoughts. A message, from a familiar source. She clicked the cursor on it, and read the message, a slight but sincere half smile of sorts twisting at the corners of her mouth.

~*~*~*~

Someone had been watching him, and Heero had a sneaking suspicion of who it was. Well, if his suspicions were justified, he would know soon enough. Upon reaching his room, he clicked it on, then searched, though, and he was not surprised... Nothing could be found on Kazuki North-Seikage on the more conventional sources. Of course, that didn't deter him either, other, less public sources were easy for him to access too.

A while later, he was well rewarded for his efforts. He read the extensive file he had found in the database of some small rebellion organization, which, surprisingly had taken a notable amount of effort to break into, some of his suspicions confirmed. Written in a brief, mechanical form, it nevertheless provided most of what he had needed to know.

- Kazuki North Seikage

- Age: 13 (14 by year's end)

- Height: 152 cm

- Weight: 39.5 kg

Replacement pilot for Gundam-class mobile suit designated Pheonix, replaces deceased former pilot-in-training Ryan Starr. Noteworthy accomplishments include completing sufficient training to pilot 'Pheonix' in less than a year. Constantly accompanied by Hoshima faction 'Wild Strike'. <See file for details> Wild Strike is currently out-of-action after destruction of their mobile suits and 75% of their personnel. This subject is sufficiently resistant to physical pain, but is very suspectible to being controlled by her emotions when under stress.

The Hoshima, or "Star Devils" were another rebel organization based in the colonies, like the one that had sent him. So she didn't work for Oz, but it was true that she was no normal girl either. Chances were, she didn't even know what he was here for, but if he was a threat to his mission here, Heero swore that she wouldn't get in the way, that would make her as much of an enemy as Oz was. For now though, those matters would rest where they were. If he didn't get ready now, he would be late for his next class here, although it wasn't on the top of his priority list to attend any of the classes here, he had made up his mind not to draw too much attention to himself. Right now he couldn't afford to be any more conspicuous, especially after that episode with his target earlier today.

~*~*~*~

That night...

Kazuki was no longer dressed in the stuffy, impractical school uniform. A day's worth of fake smiles and bright cheeriness had taken it's toll on her patience. As a result, if she happened to run into anyone wondering what a student was doing out at 1:30 in the morning, chances were she'd just knock them out cold instead of trying to talk her way out, as she knew she should. Dressed in a long, black jacket, dark blue jeans and a white shirt instead of a purple and white dress outfit, she looked much more like what she really was, a soldier of the rebellion against the power-hungry organization known as Oz.

"Sorry I'm late." she stated as she got to the lonely churchyard, seeing the three people she was here to see.

Nagi Katsunami, Josh Starr, and Sara Jordan were the three remaining fighters in the 'Wild Strike' unit of the Hoshima faction, and Kazuki considered them her only true friends. Nagi was, at the age of 20, already one of the most capable mechanics in the entire organization. Sara was 18, an excellent fighter in all forms of battle, and also possessed of a notoriously cheerful attitude. Josh was 19, and more quiet and thoughtful than his teammates.

"Shhhh..." Sarah mock-whispered, "Josh is thinking."

What would have been a joke in another place wasn't as funny here. The plaque right in front of them, in a row of many other such commemorative markers held a special meaning to Josh, and he had good reason to contemplate things here. The plaque read simply:

Ryan Starr

A.C. 180 - A.C. 194

It was though, more symbolic than useful, and there was no body here. Ryan, another of Kazuki's friends that had been in "Wild Strike", the one who was supposed to be the pilot of the "Pheonix" had died in an explosion during an assignment. Josh had loved his little brother a lot, and the loss had hurt him badly.

Then, Josh straightened up, silvery-gray eyes steely, "Kazuki, we're here to discuss your next mission, it's in two days, it's just explorative, I'll send the coordinates to the "Pheonix" tomorrow." he stated shortly, leaving no time for questions.

"You know, you guys were supposed to be doing desk work back at HQ, weren't you?" Kazuki inquired suspiciously, remembering something.

Nagi laughed, "Have we ever followed orders to the letter, the higher-ups just said not to do anything involving a comfrontation with Oz, and we're not doing any fighting."

"Anyway, you should start giving me my missions by transmission instead of in person." she added.

"So Kazuki doesn't like us hanging around all of the time like unwanted relatives." Sarah teased.

Meanwhile, Josh went on, ignoring their conversation. "Something big fell into the ocean, and Oz is intrested in it. Intelligence thinks it's a Gundam."

~End Part 2~

Authors notes: Hm... not such a great ending, hm? But I had to end it somewhere... I also feel I over-exaggerated Heero's personality a bit, oh well... It's the first time I've written a fic for Gundam Wing...