A/N Here is the next chapter for Gifts and Curses. Thanks to the anonymous reviewer, it was the only review I got which makes me sad but oh well. Hopefully people will read and review more.
The characters will probably be a bit OOC as this is AU and none of them have been through a war so they are all a little less jaded. I tried to still keep their core character the same though. So please keep that in mind.
I am trying to write some more chapters for my other stories but I am so busy at the moment trying to organise my stuff as I am going on holiday for like a month! I am excited. Due to this there may not be a new chapter out for a while, though I am pretty bad and updating. I am trying my best though to improve this but I have so many ideas, not enough time to write or lose motivation for some stories and get writers block. I will try my hardest though!
Anyway please read and review!
A group of teenagers sat around the cafeteria table. The group was an unusual one as they weren't just a clique like the rest of the tables, they seemed to be a rag tag bunch.
Sitting at the end of the table with her nose in a book was 17 year old Ami Tenoh. She was 5'4 skinny and petite. She had dark blue hair and matching blue eyes. She loved swimming, playing the harp and studying. Ami was the smartest girl in the school and used to be bullied for her love of knowledge, her shyness and the fact that she had two mothers. The bullying had certainly decreased thanks to her friends, her brother Trowa and her boyfriend Wufei White.
18 year old Wufei White was sitting next to Ami with his arm around her waist. He had black hair tied into a ponytail and had dark brown almost black eyes. He was quite muscular and was just over 6' tall. He was often seen as the bad boy of the school due to him getting into fights. He was stubborn, strong and had a temper. Most students didn't want to cross him because of his reputation and his talent with a sword and martial arts. The main reason he had his reputation for fighting was because he had a fierce protective streak when it came to his girlfriend, his friends and his younger sister Mina.
Mina White was 17 and was the youngest of the group. She looked like the opposite of her brother and was absolutely beautiful with golden blonde hair, stunning blue eyes and lightly tanned skin. She was 5'8 with a body most other girls would kill for, fit but with a perfect hourglass figure. She was the head cheerleader, captain of the volleyball team and part of the drama club. She was very popular due to her bubbly and kind attitude towards everyone. She may have been a cheerleader but she was nice to those around her. She got a lot of attention from boys but never dated any as her brother and father were extremely over protective of her even though they knew she could take care of herself. They had both taught her martial arts and she had become an expert with weapons such as chain whips and swords. She was sitting next to Wufei and was talking to her best friend Rei Yuy who was sitting on her other side.
17 year old Rei Yuy was seen as a strange girl by the rest of the student body. She could have been really popular with her looks as she was just as pretty as Mina. She had jet black hair, sultry purple eyes and pale skin. She was 5'6 and had a nice figure as she was skinny with subtle curves smaller than Mina's but bigger than Ami's. Rei was called a witch because of her pet crows and her personality. She was very intimidating and bitchy towards those that she did not like, which was pretty much anybody but those in her group. She was further ostracized by her peers as she liked archery and never dated boys as she did not trust most men apart from those in her group and her brother Duo, who happened to be sitting across from her.
Duo Yuy was also 18 years of age and didn't have much in common with his sister. He was 6'1 and was a jock which meant his body was quite muscular. He had chestnut brown hair that he always wore in a braid and indigo eyes which were quite similar to Rei's eyes. He was the most popular guy in the school as he had looks, the class clown personality, was the quarterback and captain of the basketball team. He used to be very popular with the girls and many thought that Mina and Duo would end up together due to him being the quarterback and her being head cheerleader but to each other they would always be more like siblings as he was Wufei's bestfriend and she was Rei's. Eventually he settled down with Lita Shields and they had been dating for over a year and everyone could see they were in love as his arm was around her and he was nuzzling her.
Lita Shields was a tall tanned girl standing at 5'10with curly auburn hair and dark green eyes. She had a muscular body but a fairly large chest. She was the eldest girl in the group having just turned 18. She often acted like the mother of the group as she loved to cook, garden and take care of the others. Though she was the kind and caring mother of the group the rest of the school saw her as the tough girl as she got into fights to protect her best friend Ami and did boxing and martial arts. Her favourite sparing partner was Mina who she was pretty evenly matched with. Lita may have been stronger but Mina was faster and had better technique due to her years training with Wufei and her father.
Sitting next to Lita was the other blond of the group Quatre Meioh. He was the youngest male of the group having only turned 18 a month ago. He was well liked by most of the school because he was a gentleman. He was brought up by a single mother and was sensitive, kind and polite. His looks also matched his gentle personality as he looked quite angelic with his platinum blonde hair, light blue eyes and pale skin. He was the student body president and was on the fencing team. He was quite popular with girls but was often too shy to talk to those outside of the group.
On the end of the table next to Quatre was his best friend Trowa Tenoh, Ami's brother. He had a fair bit in common with his sister but looks was not one of them. He was 18, the oldest of the group and the tallest standing at 6'4. He had an olive complexion and green eyes, though one of his eyes was always covered by his brown hair that hung over his face. He had a lean but muscular body due to his love of basketball, track and gymnastics. He was often teased because he had a very reserved personality, was studious, played the flute, liked gymnastics and had two mothers. Like Ami the teasing ceased when his friends were around. He was very handsome but was single because most people weren't able to stand his silence.
Everyone in the group was having small conversations until Duo looked up and saw that Mina had a sad smile on her face. A smile like that was rare for Mina as she was usually one of the happiest people always trying to cheer others up.
"Hey Mina, what's wrong you look sad?"
Mina broke from her thoughts to look up at Duo. "I was just thinking graduation is here in a week and most of us are going to different colleges. Rei is going to Yale to study Law, Duo is going to be an FBI agent in Virginia, Lita is going to the Institute of Culinary Arts and Wufei is going to Princeton for History. Lucky Ami and Quatre will be at the same University as they are both going to Harvard, Ami for medicine and Quatre for business."
Rei put her arm around Mina and smiled. "You will be close to Lita since you're going to NYADA and the Culinary Institute is in New York. Plus when you are there and blowing everyone away with your talent you will miss us less. Just remember to get us a ticket for your first Broadway show."
Mina pouted and looked over to Trowa. "Well what about Trowa, he hasn't even told any of us what he is doing yet."
Duo snorted and laughed. "Probably joining a circus we knew he always wanted to."
Trowa remained impassive and looked briefly at Mina. "I want to be a cop."
Mina smiled thinking that he would make a great cop, he was a great listener and always protected her since they were kids. "You would be great at that but where are you going to be a cop. Here or somewhere else."
"Don't know yet."
Mina sighed and put her head in her hand. "Not that it matters, the point is that we will no longer be together, we will be scattered. It's just going to be hard, we grew up together all of us and it won't be the same without all of us together."
The others all smiled sadly. They had all been together so long that it would be hard to leave each other.
Ami was the first to speak up. "Well our parents are planning a nice dinner after graduation."
Mina shook her head. "As much as I adore all of our parents and come to think of them as my family, I feel like we should do something just us. We should go away for a couple of days or something. "
Wufei smiled evilly at his sister. "It's been ages since we went camping maybe we should do that. I know how much fun that would be."
Immediately everyone except Mina began agreeing. Mina on the other hand looked horrified she hated camping. She was definitely a city girl, she hated nature. There were always way too many bugs for her liking.
Rei nodded. "That sounds good. The weather should still be good and we could all sit around the fire like we used to."
Makoto grinned widely. "We could make smores!"
Ami spoke up next. "We could camp by the lake."
"Just lying on the earth." Wufei smiled as he looked at his girlfriend.
Trowa added quietly, "The soft breeze."
Duo laughed and smiled Mina. "What a great idea Mina. We can ask our parents tonight and go away after dinner on graduation night."
Mina struggled to smile. "But its outdoors with bugs and stuff. I was thinking more in a spa or somewhere."
Wufei raised an eyebrow at his sister. "Why would we guys want to go to a spa? Save that for your girly weekend."
Mina went to protest but saw the joy on everyone's faces even Trowa's who rarely showed emotion.
"Fine, I am in too. Cause as long as we are together that's all that matters."
The rest of the table cheered except for Trowa who just smiled at her.
All Mina could think was that it was going to be a long but special weekend.
She just didn't realise just how special it would be.
The final week was finished in a blur for the 8 friends. They had all cleared their weekend camping trip with their parents who were happy for them to spend some time together.
It was finally Friday the day of their graduation. All of the families had planned to get to the school a bit earlier for a catch up and pictures.
The first to arrive was Ami and Trowa. Ami was the first out of the car and was dressed in a blue dress that reached her knees. It had a modest scoop neck and slightly puffy sleeves. She paired the dress with a pair of white ballet flats and simple hair and makeup. Trowa followed her out of the car clad in a pair of black slacks and an emerald green button up shirt. As he got out of the car he gave his sister a quick hug to calm her nerves.
Their parents watched their two kids and were so proud of them. Michelle was around 45 years old with wavy teal hair and matching eyes. She was wearing a classy long sleeve blue wrap around dress and white heels.
Standing next to her with a hand wrapped around Michelle's waist was Amara. A tall woman though she was still shorter than Trowa's 6'4 frame. She had short dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a pair of navy blue tailored pants and a dressy white top.
"Come here you two. We need some pictures before you put those stupid gowns on."
Michelle lightly hit her life partner. "They aren't stupid. You know how much Ami has been looking forward to this. Though I can tell she is hyperventilating from the thought of having to do a speech."
Ami blushed. "Mum! Please stop."
Amara laughed as she wrapped an arm around her youngest. "You know we are just messing with you. We are so proud of you both. "
The family took plenty of photos. They just finished when a tall woman with tanned skin, green hair and red eyes walked up to them.
"Would you like me to take a family photo for you?"
Michelle and Amara smiled widely at the woman. "Trista. You look beautiful."
Trista blushed slightly and smoothed down her black pencil skirt and deep red, tight halter neck top. She also adjusted the sleeves on her matching black blazer. "Thanks, Michelle."
"Good Morning Amara and Michelle. You both look beautiful."
Amara and Michelle smiled warmly at the polite young man.
Michelle gave him a motherly hug. "Always the gentleman, aren't you Quatre and don't you look dashing."
Quatre was wearing a pair of tan slacks, a light pink button up shirt and a tan suit jacket that matched his pants.
Amara smirked at the young man. "I am sure Rei will think so too."
Quatre spluttered at Amara's comment making the others laugh as they all knew of his secret crush and liked to gently tease the kids about their love lives.
Luckily Ami and Trowa walked over to greet Trista and Quatre, causing relief for the shy and embarrassed Quatre. "Hello Trista. It's good to see you again. Hi Quatre why is your face so red?"
Trowa nodded with what Ami said as Trista turned around to smile at her son's best friend and his sister.
"Just something Amara said. Don't you two look great. Ami I hear congratulations are in order, valedictorian is a huge honour."
Quatre looked at his mother with thanks at changing the topic. He knew he had a crush on Rei but was embarrassed when others brought it up because he didn't think a girl like her would ever like a guy like him.
Ami blushed and was about to answer when a crash was heard. They looked over to see Duo lying on the floor with Rei standing close by. Rei rolled her eyes at her brother as their mother that looked quite similar to Rei just shorter and older with shoulder length hair, shook her head at him while his father a man with brown hair and Prussian blue eyes just stared at him.
Duo jumped back up and dusted off his black pants and black button up shirt. His mother scolded him and fixed his white tie.
The six already there smiled warmly at the group as they made their way over.
Amara laughed at Duo. "You may want to get all that out of the way now. Don't want to be falling like that during the ceremony."
Duo winked taking the good natured teasing. "That was my plan. You ladies look great and Trowa and Quatre you scrub up nice."
Trowa stared at the boy and just raised an eyebrow. While Quatre smiled in thanks.
Ami smiled at Duo. "Thanks Duo, you look nice too. As do you Heero, Hotaru and Rei."
Hotaru was dressed in a Black Maxi skirt and a long sleeve purple peasant style top. Her husband was dressed in a pair of dark black jeans, a black button up top with purple vertical stripes and a black blazer. Rei as always looked beautiful in a tight red dress that had spaghetti straps and reached down to just above her knees. She had added a black cardigan and a pair of black high heeled pumps. Her makeup was done natural with bright red lipstick.
Rei smiled and gave her friend a hug. "Thanks Ami. You all look great too. Congratulations on being Valedictorian Ami. "
Ami again just blushed and smiled at the growing group. She never did like all the attention on her and wasn't sure how to respond to all the praise.
While they were waiting they took more photos each with a different combination of people.
They stopped when they heard a car pull up. The first out of the car was Darien Shields a tall man about 6'3 with black hair and dark blue eyes. He was wearing grey slacks, a black turtle neck sweater and a green blazer. He was 48 and still had his good looks. Next out was his wife Serena. She was still pretty at the age of 42 with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a pink babydoll dress with a white cardigan and little white strappy heels. Her hair as always was up in her odango style.
Lita stepped out of the car last and was immediately greeted by Duo with a quick kiss on the lips. She looked very pretty with natural makeup and frosted pink lips. Her hair was left down and curly, held back on one side by a simple pink rose. She was wearing a pair of brown tailored pants and a hunter green top. It was a cowl neck, which showed off just the right amount of cleavage.
The family walked over to the group everyone sharing a friendly welcome.
Again they all exchanged compliments on what everyone else was wearing. The girls all hugged each other and again more photos were taken to satisfy the mothers of the group.
"Mina is last here as always." Rei said after taking photos with her friends.
Ami laughed and smiled. "You think that Wufei would have rubbed off on her by now."
Trowa interjected into the conversation. "You all know that Wufei is wrapped around her finger."
Duo laughed and made a whipping sound. "He tries to act tough but he is such a softy when it comes to Mina or Ami."
They group heard a door slam and arguing from across the parking lot. There was Wufei clad in a pair of black slacks a red button up shirt and a black vest. He was facing Mina who looked stunning. She had her blonde hair out and curled. Her fringe was swept to the side adding softness to the look. Her makeup was natural with gold and browns on her eyes and a lovely peach colour on her lips. She was wearing a peach coloured strapless dress that was tight around the chest and flared out slightly just below the waist. She had paired it with a simple gold belt around her waist and a pair of high heel strappy gold shoes. In her hand was cream coloured cardigan.
"I told you to get up earlier Mina. I knew you would constantly change what you wanted to wear!"
"Well sorry I wanted to look good. I do have a reputation to uphold. Plus I had to make sure you dressed well too"
"We agreed to get here an hour before we needed to be to get photos in. We are 10 minutes late because of you."
"I'm sorry Wufei. I know I should have listened to you but I was so nervous for today."
Wufei looked at his sister who was looking up at him with her big blue eyes.
He groaned as he knew as always he would give in to his sister. "Damn those Disney eyes. Fine it's ok. Let just go say hi to everyone."
Mina jumped up and hugged him as their parents watched on lovingly. The two were so opposite but loved each other dearly.
Wufei was walking towards them next to his mother. The two looked similar, she was serious like Wufei with black wavy hair and clear blue eyes. She was wearing a yellow and black dress with matching black flats.
Behind the two were Mina and her father Artemis. He was a tall man just a bit shorter than Trowa. He had platinum blonde hair and green eyes. He was wearing a pair of light grey slacks matched with a light blue button up shirt and a matching grey jacket.
Anybody could clearly see that Mina was still a daddy's girl. She was clutching onto his arms and smiled up at him. You could see just as much love in Artemis' green eyes when he looked at his daughter.
Once the family reached the group they all greeted each other warmly. Mina immediately went to Rei and Trowa who were standing next to each other.
"Hey guys sorry we were late."
Rei rolled her eyes but smiled fondly at her friend. "I think we expect that from you now."
Trowa smiled slightly as Mina leant in to give him a hug.
She smiled warmly at him. "You're always my favourite person to hug Trowa."
Artemis who was standing near laughed. "What about your dear old dad's hugs."
Mina blushed as she pulled away from her friend. "Well yours are good too but Trowa's are nicer."
Duo nudged his friend and everyone laughed at the blush that covered Trowa's face.
Everyone could tell that Trowa had a thing for Mina. He had ever since they were young and Mina had kicked a boy in the shins for teasing Trowa about doing gymnastics.
He had never done anything about it as he didn't think that a girl like Mina would ever like him as more than a friend or big brother.
Wufei studied the two as Mina kept her arm around Trowa's waist and his arm was around her shoulder.
Ami walked up next to Wufei and took a quick picture of Mina and Trowa without their knowledge, just as the two turned to each other and smiled softly.
"Why are you staring Wufei? Do you not approve?"
Wufei shook his head as he gathered his girlfriend in his arms. "Actually he is the only guy I want to see her with. He has been protecting her just as long as I have and I trust him with her completely. If only the two would get their heads out of their asses."
Ami slapped his chest slightly as she looked up at him. "Don't be rude. Besides it took you a while to ask me out judging by what Mina told me. She said that you liked me for 2 years before asking me out."
Wufei scoffed but blushed slightly. "Whatever, its still nothing compared to those two."
Ami just giggled and pulled him with her back to the group.
Finally it was time for the kids to go get their gowns.
The ceremony was long and boring and at the end Ami gave a lovely speech. The ceremony finished around about 5. They had decided on an early dinner so they kids would have time to get to the camping grounds and set up before it got too late.
They arrived at the restaurant and were seated at a round table. The seating arrangement was Wufei, Luna, Artemis, Mina, Rei, Hotaru, Heero, Duo, Lita, Darien, Serena, Trista, Quatre, Trowa, Amara, Michelle and Ami.
They had each ordered fairly quickly and talk soon turned to the memories of the kids growing up.
"Do you remember when Mina first learned how to sword fight. The girl was such a natural that she caught up to Wufei's skill level so fast. He was so grumpy and refused to go to class as he didn't want to be shown up by his little sister."
"What about Junior year when Duo finally realised what Lita meant to him. So cute."
"When 3 year old Ami decided she didn't need her water wings in the pool and took them off and just casually walked down the steps and across the bottom of the pool talking to herself."
"Duo trying to run up and flip off the wall and instead falling into a glass table breaking it in the process."
"My favourite was Lita trying to clean the fishbowl and spraying the detergent straight into the fishbowl and killing all the fish. She didn't realise that she was meant to take the fish and water out before she cleaned it."
"Or when Rei was only about 5 and that mean boy was teasing her and Quatre was like her knight that rescued her."
"I remember Ami coming home from her first date red as a tomato but giggling like a schoolgirl."
"Trowa killing that bird that one time when he was like 3. It jumped onto his woollen jumper and got stuck. He freaked out and ran around the house so fast. We weren't able to catch him and by the time he stopped the poor bird just dropped off dead from the shock."
"When Mina was about 5 and that boy tried to kiss her and she cried and cried. She wanted Trowa to be her first kiss. He was always the prince in her stories and only he was allowed to kiss her. She didn't stop crying until Trowa kissed her, even if it was only on the cheek."
The memories kept on coming and by the end of the night all the kids were red in the face from the embarrassment.
At the end of the dinner Darien cleared his throat and smiled around the table.
"I would just like to say I am so proud of all of you. You have all turned out to be such smart, confident and great children. I am so happy that I got to share in your experiences and be part of this family."
The other adults nodded in agreement as the kids blushed and smiled at the compliments.
After dinner they all went back to their own homes to get changed and grab everything they would need for their camping trip.
By the time it was 9 they were at the camping grounds after driving their together in the White's minivan.
Most of them had set up their tents and were doing other little chores.
Ami and Quatre had gone to collect some water.
Wufei and Duo were collecting some more fire wood.
Lita was preparing the ingredients for smores.
Rei was happily starting the fire.
While Trowa was trying to help Mina set up her tent, inflatable mattress and bug nets.
Once all of that was done they each sat in their chairs in front of the fires with marshmallows on sticks.
Lita smiled at the group as she snuggled into Duo's arms. "This was a really great idea Mina. We get a weekend of relaxing together."
Wufei nodded and kissed Ami on the cheek. "Everything is going to be different."
Mina laid her head on Rei's shoulder as the two were the single girls and were cuddling up to each other. "I know but we will always stay friends. We have always had such an amazing bond even though we all should have drifted away in high school because of our cliques."
Ami smiled. "I was the shy nerd."
Trowa whispered. "Quiet emo."
"I was the creepy witch."
"Bad boy"
"Tough girl"
"The student body president."
"Mina and I were the most popular people in school." Duo laughed as he kissed Lita.
Mina smiled at each of them. "Yet we all stayed friends, we never bullied each other. We stood up for each other. I am sure that no matter what we will always be there for each other."
The others all nodded in agreement and settled down until the heard Lita gasp.
"Look a shooting star!"
The others all looked up and saw more than just one. Ami bolted up and studied them.
"It's more like a meteor shower but there shouldn't be one tonight."
The others all stared up and were shocked to see 8 coloured lights heading straight towards them. They were each hit by a different colour.
Rei was hit by a crimson red one and collapsed to the ground.
Next Quatre was hit by a maroon beam before falling to his knees and passing out.
The next beam was purple and Duo had a thought of how girly the colour was until he blacked out.
A blue light headed straight for Ami and she fell back unconscious.
Lita was hit by a green light before collapsing to the ground.
Wufei was hit by a brown light that seemed to push him to the ground.
A yellow light was heading towards Trowa and he fell to the ground and passed out.
Lastly Mina was hit by an orange light before she was engulfed in the light and like the others had passed out.
Hope you liked it. It's still just sort of filler chapters but I think its the next chapter where we get a huge chunk of information crucial to the story so keep an eye out for it!