A G Gundam ficlet by Maria.
Disclaimer: G Gundam, Domon, Rain, etc. belong to Yasuhiro Imagawa.
Summary: Domon made a pinky promise years ago. And Rain never forgot about it.
"Ouch!".
"Well, sheeesh, Domon. You were asking for it".
The nine-year-old girl with the pink hairband finished bandaging her friend's hand. "There, I'm done. But next time you go picking on fights, I don't think I'll be taking care of your wounds again".
"You're one to talk, Rain!", the dark-haired boy replied vividly, tightening the non-bandaged hand into a fist. "Who was the one who was screaming for help when Kiku got attacked by those older kids!".
"I was asking for help from a teacher, Domon, not from you". Rain sighed. "Those boys were older, and almost unrivaled in fighting in our school. They wouldn't listen to any reason coming from anybody but teachers".
"So, I made them stop using my fists! And even won my fight and managed to protect Kiku from them". He tilted his head and laughed cockily. "Did you see how they yelled and whined and cried...?".
"Yeah, right, I did. And I didn't like it one bit". Rain blinked and lowered her head a little.
"... Why!".
Rain pouted a little. "Because I don't like guys who pick on fights".
"What...?".
But whatever Domon was going to say, it almost died in his lips. He looked at Rain, but she avoided his glance. He didn't exactly know why - all that he wanted was to protect the little girl who was being bullied, but now Rain was mad at him...
So, he temntatively called out to her, using his sweetest voice. "Rain-chan...".
As he thought, Rain looked up at him angrily. "I told you I...".
"Gotcha!".
He snapped his fingers and laughed. Rain blinked, then understood why Domon called her by the nickname she hated the most, and pouted again.
"Hey... sorry. I just wanted you to look at me...".
Rain looked up. "What for, huh?".
Domon cheerfully smiled at his best friend. "Hey, Rain, want me to promise you something?".
She stared at him in a suspicious manner. "First tell me what you want to promise me".
"Okay". Look at the hand that you just bandaged, Rain. Do it".
She didn't. "I'm not kidding, Rain. Please do, huh?".
"All right".
She stared at his bandaged hand. Domon then slowly opened it and kept his palm up, like he was in front of a gypsy who'd read his future in it.
"You see it?".
The girl sighed. "Yeah...".
"I make a vow in front of you". He breathed in, then spoke clearly and firmly. "I, Domon Kasshu, won't pick up any fights in purpose, and will from now on only fight to protect the people I care about". He swallowed, then continued his speech. "I will not abuse anybody or use my fists only in my own benefit. And if I fail, may God strike me...".
"Domon, we're in the colony. There aren't real thunderstorms here, you see."
"Whoopsie, then", the boy said, blushing a little.
"But even then... I think there's something else I can do to make sure you will keep the promise you made".
Rain then smiled and held out her pinky finger. Getting her hint, Domon did likewise. As they repeated the words that he said just minutes ago, the vow turned into a pinky promise...
Ten years after all of this...
A young lady in a blue kimono looks at the man kneeling in front of a woman's tomb. His expression somber, he doesn't seem to fully aknowledge that she's there.
"Domon...", she murmurs as she dries away some furtive tears. "Your promise... I won't let you forget it through the Gundam Fight".