Title: With Death Comes Sadness
Author: Cheska
Chapter 1/Prologue
PG – 13
Disclaimer: I don't have any rights to Sailor Moon and/or Gundam Wing. So please don't sue! *pleading eyes*
Author's Notes: It's been awhile since I wrote an anime fiction story, isn't it? Well, here's a new one for you. I'm still a bit unsure how this will go, but I hope it turns out even better than the ones I have written before. All I know is that it'll be a Heero/Serena story! Hope you all like it! *waves happily and then disappears off to start writing*
~.~.~.~.~
Light blue sky greeted the streets of Juuban with no cloud present and the occasional wind blowing through the crowds. Birds of all sizes and shapes flew in that terrific morning and tweets and twitters were sung to accompany the ones who are lonely. Trees were a full green and the flowers blossomed as it gave off its scent for those around them to enjoy.
"*sigh* There are times like this that I truly enjoy life, don't you think?" a little girl chirped out loud as she walked beside a tall woman with dark hair and a man who carried a little baby boy in his arms.
"I quite agree," the woman agreed.
"There they are, Ikuko," the man beside her pointed out in the distance where a couple waved toward them.
"You're right, Kenji, come on Serena…we're meeting some old friends of your father and mine," Ikuko urged the little blond girl on as they walked over to the friendly people.
"Ohayo minna!" a woman with dark blond hair greeted with an air of friendliness and jovial attitude as her blue eyes studied them.
"You know you don't need to speak in our language, we can talk in English if you want, you two…" laughed Kenji.
"You're right Ikuko, but I just wanted to make sure that my Japanese doesn't get rusty…" the woman smiled grandly before she noticed the little boy in Kenji's arms and the little girl beside her dark haired friend.
"Oh, you have children now…" the woman cooed as she stepped forward to Serena who smiled shyly up at the stranger.
"Serena, I'd like you to meet Miss Raberba…she's a very good friend of mine," her mother said as she quietly urged Serena to step forward.
"H-Hello, Miss Raberba…" Serena said shyly as she stepped forward and began to bow but the dark blond woman ignored all that and scooped Serena up in a warm hug which caused little Serena to become startled but slowly accepted and hugged her back.
"You know I don't care for formalities. And I've been married for awhile now, or don't you remember Mrs. Tsukino," the woman sternly said as she annunciated 'remember' to her comrades.
"Yes, we remember very well that you're married, but I do recall you saying that you wouldn't like to be known as any other last name other than yours," Kenji grinned sardonically.
"Well, that's before I found out how wonderful it is to be married…and with children might I add," she frowned before a smile appeared on her pink lips and stepped aside to let her husband stand forward next to her and revealed a five year old boy with platinum blond hair and blue eyes.
"I'd like you to call me by Winner now, if you don't mind Ikuko…Kenji…and you remember my husband? Well, this little boy is Quatre Raberba Winner, heir to the Winner corporation," she introduced.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Winner…" Serena greeted with a grand smile on her face as she bowed lightly toward the elder man.
"My, my…isn't she sweet?" Mr. Winner returned her smile as he kneeled down in front of her and produced a white lily which he offered to the small girl.
"Heir to the corporation, I thought that you had other children…about 29 who are in test tubes? I heard that about twelve of them are out of the test tubes while the others still lie in dormant sleep," Kenji conversed.
"Yes, Quatre's sisters are out of the test tubes while the others are still maturing to their teen years and under a deep sleep….but I found out I was pregnant years ago and…well here I am. I can't very well order the test tubes to be stopped, now can I? They may be engineered with modern technology, but I still feel responsible for them as if they are my own…" Mrs. Winner stated and smiled as she noticed Quatre come forward to Serena who smiled at him.
"I think our kids will get along fine, don't you?" Mr. Winner raised a brow as he took this into account.
"Oh look Kenji, our little Serena is with a boy!" Ikuko pointed out.
"Yes, she is but they better not get too friendly…she's still a baby girl… four years old if I might add! For now, it's okay for Serena to be with Quatre…but if in the later years…" Kenji began his ranting.
"Oh Kenji, lighten up…they're still kids…they have no idea what it's like yet…they may grow up looking to each other as more of a brother and sister than any romantic side…" sighed Ikuko.
"I hope so…"
~.~.~
Serena laughed happily as she ran away from the platinum haired youth; the two children were currently playing tag and as of now Quatre was 'it'. But as she turned around to hide behind the tree she noticed that there was a figure on top of a tree branch staring down at her, staring straight into her eyes once she gazed up.
Gasping lightly, Serena took a step back and the figure jumped down to the ground and Serena fell back on the grassy ground. Staring up at the figure, she noticed it was a boy of five years. He had Prussian blue eyes and messy dark brown hair.
"Who…who are you?" Serena asked curiously while she was being helped up.
"No one of importance," the youth said off-handedly and noticed Quatre coming up, so before another word the youth climbed up the tree, disappearing in the leaves.
"Wait, can't you just give me any name at all?" Serena shouted up at the branches.
"Serena, I got you!" Quatre smiled as she tapped the girl's shoulders.
"So you have, Quat-chan! How about we play hide-and-seek now? I'll be the one to seek you, okay?" Serena proposed to play another game in which Quatre nodded to.
Turning around, Serena turned her back on him and prepared to count while Quatre ran off. After ten counts, since that's as far as she can count to at the moment… Serena turned around to face Prussian blue eyes once more.
"It's you again, I thought you were gone since you didn't answer me," Serena said.
"You can call me 01," the boy stated in an indifferent tone.
"01? All right, then…I guess it's better than anything else. My name is Serena, 01. Nice to meet you! Want to play?" Serena asked him.
"Play, what's that?" 01 inquired, his brows slightly furrowing.
"You don't know what play is? Well…uhmm…it's uhh… like tag or hide-and-seek or a game of hopscotch…" Serena listed out.
"What are all of those?" 01 asked once more.
"You mean you never played before?" Serena said in astonishment.
"No,"
"Well, what do you do then?" Serena asked.
"Train,"
"Train for what?" Serena cocked her head to the side.
"I don't really know; I just do…that's all I know how to do. I run every day, do my warm ups, practice shooting and other styles of combats…" 01 informed her.
"Sounds…hard…is it hard?" Serena questioned.
The boy merely shrugged and then began to turn away when Serena's hand shot forth and spun him around and into a hug.
"What are you doing?" 01 wondered with confusion written in his face.
"Well, from the sound of your words it sounds sad and hard. Whenever mother or father sees me sad, they give me a hug or kiss me in the forehead or cheek and tell me everything will be fine," Serena answered simply.
The boy fell silent, not sure of what to do until his hands slowly lifted itself from his sides and wrapped them around Serena. Serena lifted her head and then tiptoed up and kissed his right cheek and smiled.
"Feel better?" Serena asked innocently.
01's eyes widened up at her strange question but deep inside of himself he did feel a little bit better knowing that this girl was there for him, even though they just met. Slowly and cautiously, the little boy nodded his head dumbly which made Serena's face light up with glee. As Serena let go, 01 stumbled back a bit and stared at her and then slowly, ever so slowly, his lips turned into a small smile and his eyes lightened up from their hard indifference to a certain degree of warmth just for her.
"So do you want to play now?" Serena asked.
Shaking his head at declining the offer he turned away.
"Well that's okay; you probably have to…ano…train. But will I ever see you again; do you want to play tomorrow?" Serena inquired.
"I don't know…I don't think so…the doctor may not like it…" 01 answered.
"Doctor; like those in the hospitals? Are you sick?" Serena asked, her eyes turning to worry.
"No, I just call him doctor… he's the one who trains me…he wants me to become perfect he says…" 01 answered.
"Well, do you want to be perfect?" Serena asked.
"I don't know…"
"If it means anything to you, I'm sure you'll become the greatest and I'm sure you'll reach perfection!" Serena said with enthusiasm.
"Hn." 01 lowered his head and gave a quiet chuckle before he walked away from her.
"Sayonara 01!" Serena cried out and waved after his retreating form.
As the young boy disappeared into the distance, Serena turned away from there and stared at the trunk of the tree and gazed at it questioningly. Wondering what she was supposed to do now.
(What was it that I was doing before I talked with 01?) Serena asked herself as she rubbed the back of her blond head.
"Serena! Where are you?!" Quatre cried out as the young boy ran up to the tree and saw her standing there with a questioning gaze.
"There you are!" Quatre stated with relief in his blue eyes.
"Ohayo, Quat-chan!" Serena turned around and smiled.
"Where have you been all this time?" Quatre demanded with a slight frown.
"Over here," Serena innocently answered.
"You mean you've been here all this time?! You were supposed to find me minutes ago!" Quatre said with some slight exasperation in his tone.
"Gomen nasai, Quat-chan," Serena apologized as she bowed her head.
"That's okay, Serena… anyways, we have to go. Mother and Father are preparing to leave now," Quatre said comfortingly as he took her hands and the two walked off.
"Quat-chan?" Serena cocked her head to the side.
"Hai?"
"What were we playing before?" Serena asked which caused a big sweat drop to appear at the side of Quatre's head.
"*groan* You mean you don't remember?" Quatre said, hiding his groan but failed.
"Gomen nasai,"
"We were playing hide-and-seek," Quatre sighed as he answered.
"Quat-chan?" Serena asked once more.
"Hai?"
"Will I ever meet your sisters? Mama and Papa say that you have 29 older sisters," Serena stated.
"Yes, I do. About 12 of them are out of the tubes now while the others are still in there and growing up to become teenagers or about 10 years old," Quatre told her.
"What do you mean? I don't get it," Serena said, scratching the back of her head.
"Well, from what Father tells me, you keep them in there until they mature at a certain age and father told me that he programmed it so that my sisters will come out at that time…" Quatre explained.
"I'm still confused,"
"Maybe when you get older, Serena. And anyways, I'm still confused about what I said, too." Quatre grinned.
"Good!" Serena laughed and as they approached the adults they noticed that their expressions were grim.
"Mama? Papa?" Serena uncertainly called out.
"Serena. Quatre. We want you two to stay behind us, do you understand?" Mr. Tsukino murmured, not taking his eyes off of whomever or whatever was in front of them.
"What's going on, Papa?" Serena whispered with fear evident in her voice.
"That's not important right now," Mrs. Tsukino said and as Serena stared up at her mother she could see that her mother's eyes were quavering with worry.
"Come on, Serena… let's go over there…" Quatre said as he tugged on Serena's wrist toward the back of the tree near their parents.
As the two kids began running off a shot of a bullet was heard, startling the two adolescents causing them to stop in their tracks.
"Run!" Serena's father shouted out loud as he urged them on.
However, as the two started up once more another bullet was shot near their feet creating them to shout out in unison with fear as they had discovered that whatever this situation was it was linked to death and trouble.
"Quat-chan…" Serena whispered with fear, her eyes beginning to water as the little girl clutched to her friend's arm.
All the parents' heads turned to their children and as another shot was fired Quatre moved forward to block Serena's view.
"Don't worry, Serena…I'll protect you…after all you're like a sister to me," Quatre said comfortingly.
"Quatre!" a bullet shot rang out and started to head for Quatre's heart when his mother came into view and blocked Quatre. Instead of the bullet hitting the little boy it hit his mother instead. Waves of golden rivulets tossed and turned as if in slow motion and the woman's knees buckled as she fell to the ground. Slowly her figure turned to her son for one last glimpse, a smile appearing on her face and her kind gray eyes twinkling in content at finding that he wasn't harmed.
"Quatre; my little gentleman…" she whispered before her arms came around him but lowered and then she fell forward.
"Mother!" Quatre shouted out, his blue eyes widening.
At that time, three shots fired and then silence came around. Serena turned her head away from Quatre and her mother to see what happened and noticed that her parents and Mr. Winner were staring at Quatre's mother. All of them were in a state of shock just like Quatre was. As her gaze fell away from the adults, she noticed that there were three men lying down on the grass with blood staining the grass and one figure stood in front of them with a gun positioned in its hands. As she took a step forward, the figure looked up and locked its gaze with Serena's and then turned its head away to stare to its right. Looking his way, she noticed an older man near a far tree staring at all of them.
"01," Serena whispered as she identified the person who fired at the men.
As if the figure heard her speak its name, he turned and gave a small smile before pocketing his gun and walking away from the scene as if he has never been there.
(He….saved all of us…) Serena stated in her mind, keeping that in her head before facing the dreaded scene of a mother lost as she gave her life up for the safety of her son.
"Mother! Mother!" Quatre shouted over and over again.
Mr. Winner was now kneeling beside his wife and cradling her head, tears falling from his eyes while the Tsukinos watched somberly as their dear friend departed.
"Mrs. Winner…" Serena croaked out as the tears finally came into her eyes, "okaa-san? Otou-san?"
Her parent's head came up and stared over at her, tears brimming in their eyes.
"Yes, dear?" Ikuko quavered.
"What's going on? Why won't she open her eyes?" Serena innocently asked.
Ikuko touched Kenji's arm and her father came over and kneeled down in front of her, embracing her.
"Because…she's gone now, princess…it's what you call death…it's when someone's life has ended and they can't come back to life," Kenji murmured softly.
"She can't wake up?" Serena whispered.
"She can't…I'm sorry, Serena…" Kenji affirmed while hugging her tightly as Serena's tears dripped out and she began to cry.
"There's no pulse…" Mr. Winner informed them all as he hugged his wife's body closer to his.
(The death of someone is a sad thing….they can't wake up anymore…can they?) Serena thought inside of her head.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Six Years Later:
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"Come on Serena, we mustn't be late to Quatre's own birthday!" Ikuko shouted from down the stairs as she drummed her fingers against the banister.
"I'm coming!" Serena cried out from inside her bedroom door.
"That girl, only ten years old…what is she doing up there?" Ikuko wondered out loud while shaking her dark hair.
"Okaa-san, when are we leaving?" an innocent little boy of six years asked, his brown eyes looking up at his mother.
"Ohh, Shingo you got your hair all messed up…" Ikuko bent down and took out a brush from her purse and began combing back her son's hair, "Well, we're leaving as soon as your sister comes down from her room."
As soon as his mother finished, she rose back up at the sound of footsteps coming from above.
~.~.~.~
Four minutes earlier:
~.~.~.~.~
"Oooh!! Where'd I put that thing?" Serena cried out in silent frustration as she dug through her possessions.
"I know I put it here…somewhere.." Serena bit her lip lightly as she rubbed the back of her head, furrowing her brows.
"Come on Serena, we mustn't be late to Quatre's own birthday!" her mother cried out from downstairs.
"I'm coming," she shouted in response as she growled softly and put her hand under the bed, hoping that it may be down there.
"I know I hid that gift somewhere over here…" Serena sighed.
(Okaa-san and otou-san already got a gift that Shingo and I chose for Quat-chan….demo…I want to give him a separate gift as well…) Serena quietly added to herself.
"I can't find it anywhere…" Serena frowned and decided that she can't afford to take anymore of her as well as her family's time and began to re-brush her mane of hair that was slightly tousled.
"Sorry, Quat-chan…hopefully next time I'll find that gift again…" Serena apologized to a picture of her and Quatre that was set down on the mini desk.
The picture showed the two of them in the age of 4 and 5 when they first met six years ago. Quatre's eyes were filled with sadness as well as Serena's, even though their eyes were sad their lips were formed into happy smiles. The day was quite sunny in the background on the park and they were side by side and appeared to be great siblings, even though they weren't even related.
(Naru says that Quatre looks like he's my brother and wondered if we were when I first invited her to my house….)Serena commented with a small smile and began to leave her bedroom and go downstairs.
~.~.~.~
"Are we there yet?" Shingo asked once again after five tries.
"Almost, Shingo…almost…" his father, Kenji, sighed as he kept his eyes on the road ahead.
"Yeah, Shingo…you must be patient…" Serena chirped from beside Shingo.
"But I haven't seen Quatre in awhile! I heard that his last three sisters woke up from that machine they're kept in!" Shingo said in a loud voice.
"Dear, please be quiet…we're almost there," Ikuko calmly stated.
"Oh! There it is otou-san! Okaa-san!!" Serena said out loud with a bit of excitement shining through her as she pointed at the large structure close by.
"That's where Quatre lives?! I thought he lived over at that colony we went to visit at…" Shingo frowned slightly.
"He also lives there; he just has a lot of places to live in!" Serena reasoned out as she jumped up and down in her seat, eager to leave the car and run up to the house.
"These kids…" Kenji chuckled quietly as he shook his head and drove over to the front to let them out.
"I'll go find a parking spot while…" Kenji trailed off as a man came up and to the man's side.
"Tsukino; am I right?" the man stated.
"Yes," Kenji nodded in response.
"They're waiting inside, I shall be the valet…I'll park the car close by for you," the valet man said with calmness in his tone.
"Oh, well then…okay…" Kenji Tsukino nodded numbly as he unbuckled his seat belt and left.
Walking up to the large abode, Ikuko rang the doorbell as the two children waited with some slight impatience. However, just as the doorbell rang a man opened the door and bid them welcome as he led the group to the living room only to reveal Mr. Winner and fifteen of his daughters with no sign of Quatre anywhere.
"Ahh, it's been awhile hasn't it?" the elder
man said with some trace of weariness evident in his voice.
"It sure has, we haven't been able to
visit you for two years…" Mr. Tsukino agreed as he shook hands with his old
friend.
"Well, with work and all…" Mr. Winner began to explain but was stopped by Ikuko.
"No need for explanations…we quite understand seeing that we've been reading up on you in the newspapers and magazines…not to mention the television."
"Well you didn't come here to discuss about me…you came here for my son's birthday…" Mr. Winner grinned as he led them to the couch where most of his daughters waited in.
Sitting down, the Tsukinos waited and gave the gift to one of the many daughters.
"Mr. Winner, where's Quatre?" Serena asked suddenly, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Well, if my memory serves me correctly…the last that I've seen that boy is over at the music room…" Mr. Winner guessed.
"Would you like me to lead you, Serena?" Iria, one of the daughters, asked.
"Could you, please?" Serena gratefully said.
"I'm coming too!" Shingo cried out, but his mother held him down as she shook her head.
Pouting, the little boy watched the two girls leave the room.
~.~.~.~
"The door to the music room is just two doors down more, I'm going back to the others to finish the decorations…" Iria said apologetically as she turned around and strode back down where she came.
"Thank you," Serena called out softly before walking into the music room.
"Quat-chan?" Serena uttered as she stuck her head in.
As she poked her head inside she heard a soft melody playing, entrancing her and her voice grew quiet. Staring ahead, she saw a platinum haired boy of eleven years wearing a long white sleeved formal shirt and black dress pants. In his hands was a musical instrument; a violin that he was currently playing right now. A sweet melody drifted off and rebounded off the white bleached walls that made it sound even louder with her head poking inside. The boy's eyes were closed and his face appeared focused on just the violin and its song. As he bowed his head, his ears near the surface of the instrument, his platinum blond bangs playfully covered his eyes as it shielded them away from the girl's view. The harmonic tune wafted through the air, enchanting and timid at the same time. Its euphony gave the room a sense of peace and desire and as its last chord rang out, the head of the boy straightened up and its eyes slowly flickered open; revealing a set of blue orbs that immediately traveled to the guest inside the room that had slowly drawn itself into the room and now stood in front of him.
"It was such a pretty song, Quat-chan…when did you start playing that? I never heard you…before," Serena commented as she strode forward.
"Serena, I d-didn't know you came in," Quatre said while blushing as he placed his violin on top of the piano.
"Yeah, I was told you were in the music room and your sister, Iria, showed me the way… I came in and you were playing so beautifully that I didn't want to disturb you," Serena explained.
"Thanks," Quatre said as he smiled.
"No problem, everyone's probably waiting for you by now. I don't know how long you've been playing…but…I think that they want the party to start…especially Shingo…he wanted to come here and eat cake…" Serena said and her stomach chose to growl at the time, sending Quatre into a quiet chuckle that he quickly stifled.
"And I guess…me too," Serena blushed at the loud growl in embarrassment.
"Well then, we better get going…" Quatre chuckled and opened the door to the hallway.
~.~.~.~~.~.~
3 years later:
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
A young teenager with long golden blond hair done up in odangoes woke up from her sleep and stared out at the window into the night sky, glancing at the clock beside the mattress she noticed that it was only two in the morning. Sighing she tried to go back to sleep but found that she couldn't. Grumbling lightly, she slipped out of the mattress and put on her slippers and put on the robe cast aside on the floor. Rubbing the back of her neck she opened the door to the hallway and decided to make a trip to the nearest kitchen.
"Man, this place is huge," the girl commented with a touch of a grumble.
While walking down the corridor, she didn't notice where she was going and bumped into sending her into a startled yelp.
"I'm quite sorry, Miss Serena…I didn't mean to startle you…" a man said in apology.
"Oh, that's quite all right…" Serena said cheekily.
"If I may, what are you doing out so late?" the man inquired.
"I was just looking for the kitchen so I can get a glass of warm milk…I can't get back to sleep," Serena explained.
"Then I shall show you," the older man said with gentleman like fashion as he began to lead the way.
"Thank goodness," Serena silently uttered under her breath, "I was beginning to think I'd guess my way to that place."
Walking in-step with the man, she glanced sideways and noticed that it was one of the men she knew from years back. He was a tall middle aged man with a beard and slight hints of white hair. His black hair was slightly tousled and his eyes were calculating but with a slight hint of warmth in them at this time.
"Hmm…" Serena sighed lightly and began to yawn but stifled it with her hand covering her mouth.
"You know, Miss Serena, I've known Master Quatre for about ten years now and yet…I have no recollection of how the two of you met," the man began as he quickly glimpsed at the small girl walking beside him.
"I thought that you already knew how Quat-chan and I met, Rashid," Serena stated as she waved the thought aside.
"For so many years I've kept it quiet, but seeing that there's nothing too important going on right now I figured it was a good time to ask. You see, you and Master Quatre have known each for quite a number of years yet…all I know is that the Tsukinos and Winners have known each other for most of their life because of the link the parents have shared as children in elementary. I came to know Master Quatre as he grew up since the Maguanac Corporation joined up with the Winner Corp. and it's not my business to interfere with personal relations. But I can't help but wonder, so I simply ask how it is that the two of you met." Rashid explained.
"All right, I'll tell you…" Serena said as she stepped inside the kitchen and sat down on the kitchen chair as Rashid opened the refrigerator and prepared the milk.
As Serena reflected back to the past, she came to mind that their meeting was both filled with sadness and happiness: happy to have met him and sad at the event that followed since their meeting. Folding her arms on the kitchen table, her eyes reflected off sadness as her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Serena asked softly and a touch of regret that this topic came up.
"Is it that painful?" Rashid inquired.
"Yes…and no…if you want, I can tell you…" Serena said.
"That's okay, you don't have to…"
"I'll tell you this much, though, the day that I met Quat-chan was great but also regretful. It's probably why me and him are so close…" Serena said with a small smile on her face, " The day was sunny and filled with laughs…and I was four at the time and Quat-chan was five…Shingo was still a little baby…" Serena related to him as she reflected back on the happy parts.
Rashid nodded politely at the small details that Serena revealed to him.
"Well, thank you for the milk, Rashid…I'm glad that I met up with you or else I would've gotten lost!" Serena laughed heartily as she set the empty glass down on the sink and prepared to leave.
"Serena?"
"Yeah?" Serena said, hoping that he won't say anything about what she just told him.
"Don't you want me to show you the way back to your room?" Rashid asked her.
"Oh yeah…hahah…" Serena laughed at her foolishness and let Rashid get to the front and lead her back.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
A few days later:
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"What do you mean, you don't care?!?" Quatre's voice sounded loud and surprised.
"It's none of your business, Quatre" his father's utterance appeared gruff and filled with tenseness waiting to burst.
Serena heard all of this once she stepped near the door to the work room of Mr. Winner's mansion in Japan. Curious and yet not wanting to unveil herself to the two, she crept over and near the open door hoping to not make a sound. Bending down, she flattened her back with her head facing the door.
"It should be my business, father! I am fourteen years old and well capable…" began Quatre.
"That's correct; you are fourteen and still a minor! You are my heir, Quatre, but you are still my son that has much to learn on when to set its own limitations on certain topics such as this…" his father interrupted.
"But…the Maguanacs are our…" Quatre began while trying to lower his voice, trying and hoping to bring some sense into his father's mind.
"The Maguanacs are our top investors…"
"They are also our friends!" Quatre quarreled.
"To you, they may be…to me they are our investors and workers…" Mr. Winner stated.
"You know very well that the war is starting up and yet you do nothing to protect the workers over at Colony L5! Father, please, can't you just stop the process over at that company?" Quatre pleaded.
"You know very well how important the company in L5 is. There is a great production of the gundanium, and at this point there are large orders because of a secret project occurring," his father explained with reason.
"If anything happens to them, father…"
"I know you care for them, Quatre…but I can't do anything about them…soon the new order of the metal will be sent off and you have nothing else to worry about…because that will be the last order until the next. Therefore, they will be evacuated," Mr. Winner said.
"But still…" Quatre whispered softly as his feet shuffled as he turned his back from him.
"Quatre there are many things you must learn in order to run a company. There are consequences as there are benefits,"
"All will be…"
"Well?" Quatre finished for him as the sound of the phone rang.
There was a click as Mr. Winner answered the phone.
"What?"
"…."
"When did this happen?"
"…."
"I see, very well then…"
*click*
"It wasn't good news, was it?" Quatre guessed.
"There is some good news,"
"And what would it be?"
"The gundanium has managed to be delivered on time from the colony," Mr. Winner softly relayed to his son.
"The colony…what happened?" Quatre pressed.
"An attack," Mr. Winner answered.
"No! I told you that it was a bad thing to do that to them!" Quatre shouted.
(Quat-chan…I'm sorry for your loss…just like I said before…death is a bad thing…) Serena said to herself sadly, her eyes watering at the sound of anguish from Quatre's outburst.
She hugged her body to herself as she listened to Quatre shouting at his father.
"Quatre, calm down! This is the price of being a politician and a CEO. There are sacrifices in order for good to come!" Mr. Winner tried in vain to get his son to calm down.
"There were so many innocents in that colony, Father. So many! And I will stop it!" Quatre vowed.
"And how would you do that?"
"I'll fight!" Quatre shouted and marched to the door and opened it.
Serena heard his out burst and widened her eyes in surprise and began to scramble and walk away, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt. Just as she turned around, the door closed and she couldn't help but glimpse in back of her.
"Quat-chan…" Serena whispered as her voice softened and her eyes damp.
"You heard, didn't you…" Quatre guessed as he grew solemn and walked in step with her.
"I couldn't help but hear the argument, Quat-chan. Are you angry with me?" Serena wondered.
"No,"
"Do you mean what you said, with you fighting against the enemy?" Serena asked, hoping he would say no.
"Yes, I can't let anymore innocents die. I don't want them to lose someone special to them…like with…" Quatre trailed off as old memories played over in his mind.
Serena saw his eyes flicker with solemnity and drew him into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Quat-chan…I'm sorry…" Serena apologized over and over again.
"About what, Serena?" Quatre pulled away from the embrace with a trace of a blush in his cheeks.
"About…your mother…she died because of me…" Serena said.
"No, no Serena…she died because of me…not you. Therefore, it's my fault…" Quatre corrected.
"Quat-chan?" Serena called to him once more as they continued on walking down the hall.
"Yes?"
"When will you be leaving?" Serena wondered.
"Don't worry just yet, Serena…I'm still here," Quatre assured her.
"I'm glad," Serena smiled grandly up at him, her blue eyes sparkling with happiness and innocence.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Two Days Later:
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Serena was digging around her bedroom, looking for something that she hasn't found since years ago and after a few minutes gave up as she collapsed on the bed.
(Man, I'll never find that darn thing…) Serena sighed in frustration and then her eyes fell on the mirror as she stared at herself. Her eyes meeting with her eyes and at the corner she saw the window and an idea formed inside her mind.
"It couldn't be, could it?" Serena uttered softly as she slipped out of the bed, entranced by the window and slowly opened it that caused the wind to come in and ruffling the soft velvety white drapes.
Stepping up to the edge of the balcony, the wind ruffled her long golden blond hair and her eyes falling onto the tree that stood in front of her with a branch extended that was close to the window. Staring at the tree in front of her, her mind fell back to the early years that let her remember.
*Flashback*
Serena was standing in front of the tree from her bedroom window with a wrapped gift in her hand and a smile on her face. As she stepped to the edge of the window, she gazed at the small gap between her and the tree and gulped at the height she was in. Her small legs wobbled a bit and as the wind grew strong she let out a small yelp that was stifled by the twinkling chimes from down in the porch of the front door. Letting out a small whimper she jumped and landed safely on the extended branch.
"Phew, it's a good thing that I made it…and with Quat-chan's gift," Serena stated and crawled over to the trunk of the tree where a small hole was formed.
Gazing at the gift momentarily, she smiled and then bent down to place into the hole.
"I'll keep you in here until it's time," Serena whispered as she bent back up and took one last glance at the gift before crawling back to the outer branches and then took a deep breath before jumping back into the open window of her bedroom.
*End Flash*
"I remember putting that gift months before Quat-chan's birthday…but I suppose I forgot about it," Serena murmured to herself.
After a few more seconds, she sighed and braced herself as she took a leap to the nearest branch and successfully made it. Bending down low, she felt a small waver and then sighed in relief at her safety. With utmost care, Serena scrambled/crawled over to the trunk of the tree and to the hole. As she reached inside to take it out, she noticed that the wrapper had come off with only pieces of the old wrapping paper here and there that were lined with tape. Dust particles covered areas all around the place and the edges of the box had bite marks and scratches but other than that, the interior would apparently be safe and still in good condition. With a small smile, Serena ambled out of the tree to its branch that was nearest to the window and braced her self for a jump. A gust of wind blew itself past her, sending her long mane of hair in rivulets of glistening gold. As she jumped into the window, she landed with a thud and toppled over and landed on her side. Whimpering, she held in the pain that it jolted through her and gazed at the package in her arms that was still safely in tack.
"I can give it to him," Serena said optimistically despite her pains on her body.
"Serena, honey; are you okay? I heard a loud thump from downstairs," her mother inquired about her safety.
"I'm okay, okaa-san!" Serena shouted as she stood up and placed the box on top of her bed.
"Are you sure?" her mother asked with a tone of worry.
"I'm fine! Ano…okaa-san?" Serena called out.
"Hai?"
"Is it okay if I drop by for dinner at Quat-chan's house?" Serena suddenly grew an idea inside her head of how to give it to her old friend.
"I suppose that's fine, would you like me to call their house? I believe that Quatre will be leaving Japan by tonight…" Ikuko informed her.
"What, he's leaving tonight?!" Serena's eyes widened as she flew the door open to see her mother standing there with calmness.
"Yes, tonight. His father called me just this morning to tell me that Quatre will be leaving to travel all around space as well as Earth," her mother stated.
"But…why?" Serena asked with curiosity.
"I don't really know," Tsukino Ikuko shrugged her shoulders and began to walk down the stairs.
"Okaa-san?"
"Hai?"
"I would like you to call their house to inform them that I'll be dropping by," Serena quietly answered her mother's earlier question and closed the door.
"He's fighting in the war…but what I don't get is why? Sure, I dreamed of being a great big heroine and all that…being famous and disappearing into the darkness… but, Quat-chan…he hates to fight. The whole Winner family dislikes the idea of fighting…they prefer a peaceful way of negotiating…" Serena wondered out loud as she glanced at the box before picking up her brush and re-doing her messy golden tresses.
"I hope I'll reach you in time, Quat-chan…before you leave," Serena sighed to herself.
~.~.~.~
Quatre packed his belongings inside his suitcase and sighed to himself. Just minutes ago he was informed that Serena would be coming over for dinner and inside his heart he knew that she was miffed about his leaving without telling her first.
(I really thought I could get away from this without telling her…but I should've known better. I heard my father call someone and it didn't sound too business like…) Quatre rubbed his temples before picking up a picture of him and Serena with his sisters and Serena's baby brother.
"It seems sort of pathetic that she's my only friend along with her brother…" Quatre mused to himself.
"All these years and I can't help but get attached to her and Shingo, as if they're my own family…"
With another sigh, he dropped the picture inside his suitcase and closed the lid when a knock sounded in the door.
"Master Quatre, Miss Serena is here…" Rashid stated from outside.
"Send her into the dining room; we'll be eating shortly…" Quatre ordered and checked the clock.
(7:15p.m….my shuttle leaves at 9:05…)Quatre noted before leaving for dinner as well.
"Hey Quat-chan!" Serena greeted the blue eyed, platinum blond haired teen that came towards the dining table.
"Hello," Quatre greeted as he sat down across from her and his father signaled for the food to be brought in.
"So what brings you into this part of the neighborhood?" Mr. Winner inquired Serena from the side.
"I heard that you were leaving Japan and decided to say good-bye," Serena answered simply, hiding the fact that there were other hidden reasons.
Serena picked up her utensils of fork and spoon and stared at it momentarily when she recalled how to use them. It was awhile since she used these utensils other than the chopsticks she occasionally has and shrugged it off as she picked up the fork and began to eat.
Dinner was soon over and Mr. Winner excused himself as well as a few of the sisters that stayed at the house in Japan which left Quatre, Iria, and her self. He was quiet and once he finished his last dish, he mumbled about having to leave for awhile and got off the table which left Serena by herself with one other in there which was Iria. She came by the house just two days ago to discuss some matters with the local clinics over the free check ups and etc. At this point, Serena didn't really understand what in the world she was talking about but simply nodded and agreed with whatever Iria had to stay to her.
"Excuse me," Serena murmured as she got off the table and walked away.
Fingering the object she brought with her in her pocket she was assured that this was the right time and place to give it to him, her friend, and like-brother.
As she turned a corner, she noticed Quatre in front of her heading for the exit door and in his hand was a suitcase. Immediately, it hit her that he was leaving now.
"Quat-chan, wait up!" Serena called out as she began to run after him.
Turning around, he smiled at her upcoming form and slowed down to a stop as he placed his baggage on the ground.
"You're leaving already without saying good-bye?" Serena cried out, her eyes beginning to water.
"I know it's quite rude of me to do so, but I left a letter for all of you about my leaving. You see, you're my friend Serena. You're like a sister to me…" Quatre began.
"And you're like my big brother, so why do you do this?" Serena interrupted.
"I'm leaving for war and I don't like saying good-byes with promises to come back if I don't even know if I'll survive out there," Quatre reasoned out.
"War…I knew that was why you were leaving. Why would you go to war when you hate to fight and worse…to kill," Serena asked.
"I'll fight if I have to, and if I don't then all for the better. But I'm doing this mostly so that no one else will get hurt," Quatre answered with a small, sad smile.
"I won't ask for a promise Quat-chan, but before you leave…" Serena stepped forward and dug into her pants to retrieve her gift for him.
"What is it?" Quatre asked, waiting patiently.
"Here; call it what you will but I know you will be important in this war. I overheard one night when you argued with your father about a secret project that included gundanium…I have a hunch you'll be in that project, right?" Serena uttered softly as she grabbed a hold of Quatre's hand and opened it up.
"Yes, I am…but don't tell anyone, please?" Quatre asked of her.
"I won't, you're like my brother and I your sister. So what is family for?" Serena smirked and handed him the gift.
"What?" Quatre looked down and saw goggles.
"It may need some adjustments, but there it is. As kids we used to play in the pool and sometimes pretend we were like spies or something, remember? Or when it was really windy on those rare days, we'd go out and pretend we could fly from the balcony…so I got you this years ago but I lost it. Just a few hours ago, I found the hiding place and decided that now would be the best time to give it to you. After all, your birthday is in a few more weeks so…" Serena shrugged.
"I love it, I'll wear it every time there's a mission," Quatre smiled and adjusted the straps to fit him and then placed it around his neck.
"You'll do great," Serena smiled.
"I have to catch my plane now," Quatre sighed as he checked his watch and then picked up his suitcase again and began to head for the exit.
Serena watched his retreating form and as he passed through the doorway, she ran after him and opened the door wide just to see him driving away in a limo. She stepped on the doorstep and waved.
"Bye onii-chan!" Serena called out and as though Quatre heard her, he turned his head and waved back.
(I hope that we'll see each other again) Serena whispered in her head before heading back but before she did, she saw someone in the trees looking at her but as she stepped forward once more she noticed that nothing was there.
(I'm just imagining things, no one's there…) Serena convinced herself as she walked back inside and shut the door.
Deep in the lush green leaves of the trees, Prussian blue eyes watched the blond haired girl…studying her and trying to remember why she appeared so familiar.
(I...know her, don't I?)
To be continued…
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Okay, that was probably the longest first chapter I've had created in awhile! I didn't expect it to end up this long, but I wanted some introductions included in this…that and so I can wonder to myself on how I'll do this story but as of yet, I'm still contemplating but I liked the way it ended up so far. ^_^ I hope you enjoyed it too. I'm not too sure when the next one will be out, but I'll be sure to continue this. So see ya later!!! *waves*
*Flashback*
let her remember.
eng at the tree in front of her, her mind fell back to the early years that let her remember