Disclaimer: This story was written by a fan only for the enjoyment of other fans, without any monetary compensation. Gundam Wing and its characters are registered trademarks of Bandai Entertainment Inc.™ and Sotsu Agency. All rights reserved.

Thank you to kt for proof reading this story for me.

How else to properly celebrate the most important days of the century (5/6/13 and 6/5/13) than with a 5+6+13 fic. I hope you enjoy.

Happy 5+6+13 day!

Dragon Quest
Prologue

"There he is." Thrusting his chin forward Treize Khushrenada gestured toward the large clearing in the wood.

There, at the shore of a small, crystal-clear hot spring, stood the creature the two men had been waiting for in anticipation; massive and fierce, with a triangular shaped head and large, watchful eyes the color of molten lava. It's dark scaly skin sparkled in the glow of the warm afternoon sun, as the beast leaned over the water's edge to drink. A pair of enormous wings were folded tightly against the body and a long powerful tail curled on the ground beside it. There was only one word to describe the creature... majestic!

"Silence now!" Milliardo whispered at his companion.

The prince nodded. One false move and the dragon would notice them.

The two of them split as they slowly and carefully drew closer, one cautious step at the time. No more than a couple of dozen feet separated men and beast when it happened. A carelessly set foot.. the sound of a dry twig breaking beneath a heavy leather boot...and then everything seemed to happen at once.

The dragon jerked his head around, red eyed turning even darker as it open its mouth, sending out a plume of smoke and fire. Treize swallowed a curse as he dove for cover. He landed painfully on his shoulder and rolled sideways just in time. The searing fireball missed him by mere inches, scorching the left corner of his cloak and singeing his hair in a few places.

Milliardo jumped to his feet, his right arm stretched out as he shouted a binding spell.

A ball of bluish energy flew toward the dragon, encircling and restraining the creature in the fraction of a moment. The dragon roared once in surprise as it tried to break the spell, then a soft glow enveloped it's body, and suddenly it's shape began to change. Within moments the creature had disappeared and in its place stood a young man with dark tanned skin, raven hair and slightly slanted black eyes.

"Milliardo!" he shouted, annoyed. "Release me at once. You know how much I hate when you do this."

"My apologies." With a wave of his hand the mage broke his spell. "But I had little choice. You were about to roast Treize."

"Yes," The prince confirmed, a smirk forming at the corners of his mouth as he brushed some dirt and black soot off his clothes. "You truly need to do something about that breath of yours, Wu Fei. "

The young man huffed in a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Serves you right. You ought to know better than to try sneaking up on me while I am in dragon form."

"How was your journey?" Treize asked, finally seriously.

"Somewhat tiring, but mostly enjoyable," the other man replied. "Speaking of journeys; were are your horses? We should be on our way, should we not? We were invited by the elders of the sprites, and I believe it is bad form to be late."

"True." Milliardo agreed. "But arriving too early is also considered bad form. We are not expected until tomorrow night."

"How so?" Wu Fei eyed the older man warily.

"I sent Bubo with a message last night, to let the elder's know you were delayed due to an ice storm over the western mountains, which forced you to take an indirect route."

"How did you know about the..." His browns knitted. then realization hit. "Milliardo!" the young man admonished. "You used magic to manipulate nature simply for your own pleasure?"

"Why not?" The mage shrugged. "It was only a little storm, and I do not think it caused any real harm. Besides, be truthful. If I had not forced you to make this detour, would you have stopped over on your own account?"

Wu Fei dropped his gaze. "I apologize. You are right. I have not been visiting much of late. It has been nearly five years since we all parted, but so much rebuilding still remains to be done. However, I reckon, that should not be an excuse for neglecting my friends. I promise to call more often from now on. "

"That," Treize replied. "Is an excellent idea. We shall hold you to it. And now I suggest, while we are here, how about a nice and relaxing soak in the hot spring? And perhaps a little massage?" he added with a smile in Wu Fei's direction. "You ought to be sore from the long flight."

"Hmm," the younger man replied thoughtfully and warily. "What else have the two of you planned?"

"We shall spend the night at Milliardo's cabin," the prince replied as he undid the clasp that held his cloak together and dropped the garment to the floor..

"I have a supper cooking better than anything you have ever eaten," Milliardo added. "And for afterward I opened a keg of whistleberry wine for us. I figure we can sit by the fireplace, have a glass or two, revel in old memories...or perhaps create a few new ones..."

Wu Fei felt a soft heat creep into his cheeks at the suggestiveness in the mage's voice, and he quickly turned to hide his blush.

"A hot bath for starters does sound enjoyable," he said as he begun to slowly undress.

The slowly sinking afternoon sun was bathing the clearing in a soft golden light by the time the three men stepped into the warm water.

"This," Milliardo remarked as he settled down on one of the carefully arranged boulders, "reminds me of the time when you and I first met. Do you remember that day, Treize?"

The other man smiled softly. "How could I not?"

"Yes, pray tell," Wu Fei dipped one toe into the water to check the temperature. "How did the two of you meet? I believe I have never been told that story."

"Well," Treize's smile widened a little as he exchanged a look with the fair-haired mage. "It begun somewhat like this..."

TBC

Author's Note: