Hey, people. It's me again.
You know, I've been working so much on this story lately that I barely get to write for any of my other fics. I'm probably going to discontinue- or at least put on hold- a lot of them, since I just can't seem to work on them anymore.
To Merina- Hey, your mind isn't my mind. We're wired differently, so it's only natural that we react differently to the same things. If you like Dilandou, why do you want us to kick his ass? You know what? I think I'll let you do that. A good drop kick, followed by ass-kicking, face-whacking frying pan action sounds good. Just kidding. No one's gonna kick my D- kun's ass. Not even Sango.
To BlackyGirl- Do you know how long it's been since I've watched Kikaider? And I think they took it off Adult Swim, so I'm basically screwed until my mom gives in and buys it for me. Waah! *sits on the floor and wails* But you know, a few Kikaider Bishies would make a good addition to the team... I'll seriously think about it for you, kay? I always did like Jiro and his guitar.
To Songwind- You think I'm good? Yay! *rescues Dilandou* Stop smacking him! It's not like he likes what he does! *turns Dilandou into a chibi neko and starts petting him* Heehee.... And as if working on this would kill me. Actually, the opposite is probably closer to the truth.
To Saisaishi- Well, if you're gonna be cryptic and weird like that, then I've got nothing I can say, either. Guess we're just a couple of speechless bakas, ne?
How long should I wait until I tell my loyal fans all of Donn's deep dark secrets? I think I'll start this chapter.
Got Neko?
~*~*~*~
"Why do I always find trainers that are trouble magnets?" Anya grumbled to herself, shaking sweat out of her eyes. "Do I have some sort of sign hanging over my head that says 'Troubled Trainers Come Here'? My life sucks."
"What's the matter?" Merina asked, keeping pace with the taller girl easily.
"Dammit, what the hell are you? A gymnast?" Anya demanded, glaring at the redhead. "You aren't even breathing hard!"
"My Bishies keep me in shape." Merina said simply. "So, you got any idea what this 'safety zone' stuff they're babbling about is?"
"Not a clue." Anya responded. "Can you tell where your Bishies are? I can't."
"Me neither. Something's definitely up with Donn. I just wish I knew what."
~*~*~*~
Bikky paused at the entrance to the cave Dilandou had brought him to, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.
"You coming, Shorty?" Dilandou asked, glancing over his shoulder. "My trainer doesn't like waiting."
"Who gives a damn what your trainer likes?" Bikky shot back, spitting out of the corner of his mouth. "I sure as hell don't."
"Well, I do, because when she's pissed, she takes it out on me. Don't you?" The older Bishonen's red eyes glared venomously at a darker shadow in the back of the small cave before he dropped to one knee, turning his gaze to the ground.
"Everyone needs a punching bag." The shadow agreed, becoming a woman as she walked past Dilandou and moved to stand in front of Bikky. "You have great fire in your eyes." She said. "Your hatred will be useful, once I make you mine."
"Good luck, Lady." Bikky said as rudely and sarcastically as he could manage. "You're gonna need it when my parents and Donn catch up to you. Sango-mama's gonna kick you're a-"
Before he could finish, the woman backhanded the Chibi, her eyes the color of an angry storm cloud. "Watch your mouth, little boy." She spat. "I do not tolerate disobedience or insolence. Am I understood?"
"Perfectly." Bikky said, matching the woman glare for glare. "Now, since you decided to kidnap me before breakfast, can I have some food? Please?" The last word was an afterthought; an insult, almost, in timing and delivery.
The woman fumed for a moment, visibly restraining from harming Bikky. "Dilandou, make yourself useful for once and feed this brat, would you? Vicious and I are going to check for pursuit." With that, she stomped out of the cave, muttering under her breath.
"What a bitch." Bikky said as soon as she was out of earshot. "And she's your trainer? I feel sorry for you, dude."
"Shut up, kid." Dilandou muttered crossly. "I don't need you to tell me what I already know. And I don't want your pity, either."
"Jeez, but you're a catty bitch. Where's the grub? I'll make you something."
"You can cook? Aren't you a little young for that?"
"I may be a Chibi, but I can sure as hell take care of myself." Bikky replied as her rooted through what food he'd found already. "Hey, cool! Steak! My favorite! Say, you aren't, like, Vegan or something, are you?"
Dilandou chose not to answer, opting to glare at Bikky instead.
~*~*~*~
"The fear is gone, Ko-chan!" Donn exclaimed suddenly. "And we're so close to him, he'd hear us if we were to shout!"
"Good." Nuriko stopped running, assuming a slow, deliberate pace Heero had drilled into all of Donn's Bishies. "Now we just have to kill whoever took him, and everything will be fine."
~*~*~*~
"Anya, Merina, we just got a message from Donn!" Daughter exclaimed, flying parallel to the two trainers. "She says they found Bikky, and we should act as decoys so they can snatch him back!"
"That's good news." Anya said, relieved. "Thanks, Daughter."
"No problem." Daughter responded with a sweet smile. "Donn also said to tell you that 'those damned Heeros are in charge till Ko-chan and I get back.' She thought even you should listen to them."
"Was she a war general in a past life or something?" Merina asked. "Cause she's throwing orders around like she might have been."
"Could be." Anya replied. "Could well be."
~*~*~*~
"You were right, kid." Dilandou said finally. "You can cook."
"Glad you think so." Bikky said, acting like the child he was for the moment. "When Papa caught Mama teaching me, he got really mad. Donn had to throw her shoe at him to get him to calm down." The Chibi's eyes grew sad, dwelling on the hazy memories he had of his birth parents.
"You okay, kid?" Dilandou asked. "You looked real out of it for a second there."
"I'm fine." Bikky said. "Just...thinking. You know, about Mama and Papa. And my name's not kid. It's Bikky."
"All right, Bikky. Feel like talking about them?"
"Only if this means we're friends." Bikky replied. He'd never really had another guy he could talk to. Kurama was the father figure in his life, which made him off-limits for soul-searches in Bikky's eyes. Nuriko was too busy taking care of Donn, Heero was just plain scary, Kenshin was always practicing with his sword, and the girls were....well, girls. And growing boys just did not talk to girls about anything important.
"Friends?" Dilandou repeated thoughtfully, polishing off his meal. "I suppose we could be. Although I can't for the life of me think why you'd want to be friends with someone who threatened your trainer."
"Hey, when she's pissed, she takes it out on you, right? So your number one goal in life is to not piss her off. I can understand. Moms are the same way, sometimes."
~*~*~*~
"Hell of a diversion, Heero-no-baka!" Anya yelled over the sound of rapid gunfire. "That's the fifth time I've almost been shot!"
"Sorry, Anya, but it's the best we could come up with without knowing who we'd be facing!" Her Heero shouted back, pausing long enough to return fire.
"At least Usagi's being useful!" Merina called cheerfully, a few feet in front of Anya. "I'm tellin' ya, I had no idea Eternal Sailor Moon could fly!"
"Neither did I!" Eternal Sailor Moon yelled. "Wasn't aware of the fact that I could shield, either!"
"Donn and her Bishies are just full of surprises, huh?" Merina grinned back over her shoulder, stepping suddenly to the left to avoid an energy blast.
"How the hell can you be so happy at a time like this?" Sango demanded, hurling her boomerang.
"Just trying to keep the mood light!" The redheaded trainer said with a grin. "Almost there, troops!"
~*~*~*~
"They're escaping, Michelle." Vicious said, growling under his breath as the long-haired Bishonen managed once again to save the small- winged, large-chested twit from a bullet.
"Doesn't matter, V-baby." The blue-eyed trainer said, firing her own gun at the girl with the long red ponytail just to see her jump again. "I don't see the Nuriko or the Bikky's trainer with them."
"That pathetic weakling's probably back at the camp, crying her eyes out." Michelle's Wufei snorted, easing back on the trigger of his gun. "It would be unwise to pursue them past the tree line; we're risking notice enough as it is."
"I know that, Wufei." Michelle snapped. "Saturn, go see if that lazy-ass Dilandou of mine's taking care of our guest, would you?"
"Yes, Mistress Michelle." Super Sailor Saturn said, bowing slightly before hefting her glaive and turning towards the cave.
~*~*~*~
"Man, your life sucked." Bikky said after Dilandou finished his story. "I don't know what I'd've done without Mama and Papa."
"Can't miss what you've never known, right?" Dilandou countered, lying down on the ground with his arms under his head. "But from what you've told me, I think I would have liked having parents. It sounds fun."
"Hey, do you hear gunshots?" Bikky asked suddenly, leaning towards the entrance to the cave.
"Now that you mention it.... Must mean your friends followed us, cause the bitch-boss doesn't waste bullets."
"Think now would be a good time for me to run?" Bikky asked slyly, grinning at Dilandou.
"A very good time." A strange voice said from the entrance of the cave. Framed by the bright sunlight was a young man with black hair dressed in bellbottoms and a jean jacket with a guitar on his back. "Donn's waiting for you in the forest to the left with Nuriko; I'll hold off any pursuit that may come this way before you can escape." "And just who the hell are you?" Bikky asked, pushing himself to his feet. "My name's Jiro, not that it matters. You really should go; Donn will worry if you wait too long." "Whatever." Bikky shrugged. "C'mon, Dilandou. Donn'll figure out how to rescue you from the clutches of the Bitch Queen."
~*~*~*~
"Here he comes." Nuriko said, his eyes locked on the rapidly growing figure near the cliffs. "Someone's following him."
"It must be a friendly someone." Donn said calmly. "Bikky isn't afraid at all. He's worried a little, but that's to be expected at a time like this."
"Donn!" Bikky yelled, skating into a tree before he could stop himself. "Boy, am I glad to see you!" The Chibi exclaimed, hugging his trainer and the Nuriko carrying her in turn. "I made a friend, Donn! His name's Dilandou! He's the Bitch Queen's, but I'm sure you can get her to let him go! And what was up with that freaky Jiro dude? Is he with us? When'd you catch a new Bishonen? He sure as hell wasn't with us this morning. And-"
"Bikky!" Dilandou exclaimed. "That's too many questions too fast! Slow down, take a deep breath, and be quiet! Saturn just got back to the cave, and I'd really rather she wasn't the one who found us, okay?"
~*~*~*~
"Message from Donn!" Daughter called happily, flying over to Anya, Merina, and the Heero. "They've got Bikky, and we might wind up with two new members of the team. But first she has to confront the trainer who kidnapped Bikky and beat the living...I refuse to finish that one."
"I'm sure you don't have to, Daughter." Donn's Heero assured her patiently. "It seems that Donn has everything under control. We'll set up camp here and await her return."
~*~*~*~
"I'm going to kill him!" Michelle screamed, throwing her gun against the cave wall so hard it broke. "Find that bastard and bring him here now!" She ordered.
"No need." Donn said. "He's already here."
Michelle whirled to find Bikky, Nuriko, Donn, Dilandou, and a strange Bishonen standing between her and the outside.
"Hi, Bitch Queen!" Bikky said cheerfully, flipping the blue-eyed trainer off with both hands. "You picked the wrong trainer to mess with, let me tell you!"
"You kidnapped my Bikky." Donn said in a dangerously quiet voice. "You ordered your Dilandou to kidnap my Bikky and threaten to kill me if he refused. I must say, I don't like that. I don't like it one little bit."
"And what do you plan to do about it?" Michelle sneered. "Yell at me?"
"Nuriko, I'll be handling her myself. Keep her Bishies out of this."
"Okay." Nuriko said cheerfully, setting Donn on her own two feet. "Just don't over-do it."
"Whatever." Donn walked to Michelle, a little shaky on her feet. "Here's what I'll do about it." The smaller girl stated, backhanding Michelle across the face. "I'm going to kick your ass."
~*~*~*~
Bikky had earned a new respect for his trainer. For a frail little girl six months pregnant who'd barely walked for the past three or four weeks, she was damned good at kicking ass.
And she'd already forgiven Dilandou for the whole kidnapping thing, which rated her very high indeed with the Chibi. Now he had someone to talk to, as soon as the other Bishies got over it, which could take a while.
But in the meantime, there was still the freaky Jiro dude to get used to. He was really quiet, but not like the Heeros. The Heeros were quiet because they didn't believe in wasting words. Jiro was quiet because he didn't think he had anything worth saying. He just kind of sat there playing his guitar.
As far as Bikky was concerned, traveling with his trainer was about to get a lot more interesting.
~*~*~*~
"WHAT?!?!" Sango screamed, staring at Donn and Nuriko in open shock.
"I've taken in the Dilandou who kidnapped Bikky." Donn repeated calmly. "And if any of you threaten or harm him in any way maliciously, I will personally kick your asses, got me?"
"She can do it, too!" Bikky piped up from behind Dilandou, grinning like a maniac. "She beat the Bitch Queen up like it was nothing!"
"Watch your language, young man!" Sango admonished, glaring at the Chibi. "You, young man, have dishes to do. Get to it!"
"On second thought, I think I may be glad I never knew my mom." Dilandou whispered to Bikky. "She's scarier than Michelle."
"Only most of the time." Bikky responded. "C'mon; you can help me with my chores."
"Oh, no he won't!" Sango interrupted. "He and I need to have a chat. Kurama, come get my boomerang. I don't want to kill him on accident."
"But Sango-momma!"
"You. Dishes. Now!"
"I'm goin, I'm goin! Calm down!"
"Don't make me say it again, Bikky." Sango said, forcing herself to calm down. She grabbed Dilandou's wrist and dragged him into the surrounding forest, muttering under her breath.
"All right, Dilandou." Sango said tiredly, letting the silver-haired Bishie go and sliding down the trunk of a nearby tree. "If Donn agreed to take you in, you can't be all that bad. But as of right now, I do not like you."
"Understandable." Dilandou agreed, dropping cross-legged to the ground. "I did kidnap your son, after all. There's no excuse for that, no matter what some would say. I'd understand completely if you hated me for that alone."
Sango gave a bark of humorless laughter. "That alone means I couldn't possibly hate you." She sighed heavily, resting her elbows on her knees and dropping her chin into her hands. "You're too damned honest to hate. You're not making excuses; anyone else would have blamed in on the trainer. You admit your crime without being prompted, and you act as if you expect to be hated for it. I want to hate you, but I can't."
"And here I thought I'd made myself an enemy for sure." Dilandou said, sighing in mock-disappointment. "Bikky and I get along rather well; I hope you don't mind if I spend most of my time with him."
"Not really." Sango said, smiling suddenly. "And I'll keep the other wolves off your back about it, too. After all, a growing boy needs friends, doesn't he?"
~*~*~*~
Jiro smiled tolerantly at Bikky, adjusting the Chibi's small hands on the neck and strings of his guitar. The young blond had the makings of a true musician, if he could get an instrument of his own. Jiro's guitar was too big.
"Like this?" Bikky asked, playing the simple scale Jiro had spent the past few hours teaching him.
"Yes." Jiro said. "Now try it a little faster now."
"Sure thing!" Bikky tried again, this time missing the last note. "Damn!"
"It's the guitar." Jiro said thoughtfully, leaning back against the log behind him. "It's much too big for you. You need one your size."
"What's going on over here?" Donn asked suddenly, seeming to appear behind Bikky, hanging on to Nuriko's arm. "Learning to play guitar, Bik- chan?"
"Yup!" Bikky affirmed happily. "Jiro's teaching me, but he says I need a smaller one, cause his is too big."
"I would imagine so." Dilandou said from the ground on the other side of Bikky. "Then again, what in this world isn't too big for you, Shrimpy?"
"Ah, shaddup." Bikky muttered, throwing his hat at Dilandou. "I'm not gonna be a Chibi forever, ya know! I'm gonna grow up to be a big, strong Sama, just like Papa!"
"That's right." Donn said quietly, leaning forward and hugging Bikky. "You'll be just as strong and kind as your dad." Her eyes grew sad, sparkling with tears. "And just as brave as your mom. I know you will."
"Don't get all sad, Donn." Bikky said, patting Donn's arms. "Heero's gonna start worrying about you again if you get sad."
"Heero always worries too much." Donn retorted, plopping down on the log suddenly. "Ko-chan, take me to my sleeping bag? Kicking ass takes a lot out of me."
~*~*~*~
Donn woke in the pearly gray light of false dawn, unable to sleep any longer. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed that Dilandou and her Heero were not in their sleeping bags. Rather, they were about twenty feet to her right, in the trees on the edge of the clearing.
~Heero would not give Dilandou guard duty so soon after joining.~ she thought, slipping out of her sleeping bag, careful not to disturb Nuriko. ~I wonder what they're doing.~ Pulling on her jacket, she made her slow, wobbly way toward the two Bishies.
She found them near a small, noisy brook, in a very unusual position for two Bishonen who had only met yesterday.
Dilandou was asleep with his back against a smooth gray boulder, a light blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Heero was on the ground next to the silver-haired Bishie, his head cradled in Dilandou's lap. (A/N~ this is me, people. You had to expect at least some yaoi action!)
"Well, this is unexpected." Donn said quietly. Of course, considering the two asleep in front of her, it wasn't quietly enough.
Heero woke up almost immediately, drawing a gun from under his blanket and pointing it at Donn. "Who's there?" he asked in a low voice.
"It's me, Hee-chan." Donn responded in the same whisper, moving closer. "Donn. Now kindly point that gun somewhere else, okay?"
"Sorry." Heero put the gun back where it had come from and sat up, gently shaking Dilandou awake.
"What's going on here?" Donn asked, slipping under Heero's blanket. "I could have sworn that you only met each other yesterday, and I know for a fact that you don't believe in love at first sight, Heero."
"Actually..." Dilandou started nervously, smiling a little. "We grew up together. I kind of wandered around after I got old enough to. We met when we still Chibis. Then one day, after we both hit San, Heero up and disappeared. I found out he'd been captured and set out to find him."
"You remember how I seemed to hate you when you first caught me?" Heero reminded his trainer. "That was because D-chan and I really were in love, and I held you responsible for my loosing him. After a while, I forgave you, thinking it couldn't really be helped. And to think you'd wind up bringing us back together again." The Gundam Wing Bishie chuckled, shaking his head. "Guess life's funny that way."
"That's a sweet story." Donn admitted, smiling at the two. "But why did you two come all the way out here? Why not just tell me, at least, if not the others?"
"To tell you the truth...I didn't think you'd understand." Heero said, ducking under the blanket. "After all, we don't really talk about things like that."
"Well, now I know, and you know I don't mind, so let's get back before Nuriko wakes up and finds me gone. Carry me, D-chan?" She added, turning her best puppy-dog eyes on him. "Pretty please?"
"Your wish is my command, Lady." Dilandou said, standing up. "After all, we owe you one, don't we?"
"What were you doing up so early, anyway?" Heero asked, neatly folding the two blankets. "Usually, you're one of the last ones awake in the morning."
"I was...I was dreaming about Bikky and Carol again." Donn admitted. "But it was one of the good dreams. Bikky's birth, in fact. I don't think Carol was ever happier, once the whole labor thing was over with."
"Yeah..." Heero agreed quietly. "I told D-chan about Carol and Bikky. You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all. He's a member of the team now. Tell him anything you want to. But-"
"There's always a but." Dilandou sighed. "Wherever there's a woman, there's a but."
"Yes, there is. But, you have to tell the others about you two sometime soon. I hate keeping secrets from Ko-chan."
"Yes, ma'am."
~*~*~*~
Donn yawned hugely, snuggling into Nuriko's chest. She purred under her breath, a trick that had been drilled into her in the human world that she had yet to get rid of. The late afternoon sun felt good on her back, and she was totally comfortable surrounded by people she could consider friends.
"Umm...Donn?" Bikky asked, tugging on the leg of Donn's jeans. "Did you know you're purring?"
"I am?" Don asked, giggling. "Sorry. I still can't break that habit."
"Hey, unusual talents like that can win you awards back home." Anya said, kicking Sanosuke in the shin.
"I am home." Donn whispered, her eyes taking on a sad, defeated look. "I'm never going back to that horrible place again."
"What was that?" Bikky said curiously. "I couldn't hear ya, Donn."
"I...don't think she wanted you to, kid." Dilandou said, pushing Bikky forward a little. "Why don't you go bug the Heeros with Usagi and Chichiri?" He suggested delicately.
"Sure!" Bikky agreed, running ahead.
"You gonna make it till nightfall, Donn?" Nuriko asked. "If you want to stop, we will."
"No." Donn said, forcefully as she could and still whisper. "We...we have to get out of the woods before sundown, or something bad is going to happen."
"You sure?" Nuriko asked, stopping in his tracks.
"Y-yes." Donn said. "It's another one. For a few minutes now, and it's getting really strong."
"What are you two talking about?" Anya demanded, having stopped as well. "Another what? What's going on?"
Donn stared at her new friend uncertainly, as if just realizing that someone else was there. "We...we have to go." She whispered finally. "Now."
"I'm not moving one step until I know what the hell is going on here!" Anya snapped angrily. "How the hell can you tell where your Bishies are? What's this 'safety zone' you keep babbling about? How do you know we have to be out of the woods by nightfall? Answer me, or we aren't going anywhere!"
"We don't have time!" Donn yelled desperately, looking ready to cry. The rest of the group doubled back, alerted to the stopped trainers by Donn's shout. "We'll barely make it out as it is! We have to go now!"
"What's going on?" Merina asked, looking from Anya's stormy expression to Donn's anxious one. "Why are you two yelling at each other?"
"We have to get out of this forest." Donn asserted in a trembling voice, her eyes filling with tears. "We're all in danger if the moon finds us still within the bounds of these trees without shelter."
"I told you, we're not going anywhere until I get some answers!" Anya yelled.
"I think we should wait until we're out of here for those answers." Merina disagreed. "Donn's about ready to break down crying, and I seriously don't think she does that often. Let's get out of here, then you can pull the third degree on her, okay?"
"Fine." Anya snapped. "But if it's so goddamn important, let's get a move on."
"Thank you." Donn said, sighing heavily with relief. "Thank you so much."
~*~*~*~
And that evil power we've all been waiting for finally rears its ugly head... kinda.
We're running into ten pages here, though, so I'm stopping now, with a poor excuse for a cliffie.
You know, I've been working so much on this story lately that I barely get to write for any of my other fics. I'm probably going to discontinue- or at least put on hold- a lot of them, since I just can't seem to work on them anymore.
To Merina- Hey, your mind isn't my mind. We're wired differently, so it's only natural that we react differently to the same things. If you like Dilandou, why do you want us to kick his ass? You know what? I think I'll let you do that. A good drop kick, followed by ass-kicking, face-whacking frying pan action sounds good. Just kidding. No one's gonna kick my D- kun's ass. Not even Sango.
To BlackyGirl- Do you know how long it's been since I've watched Kikaider? And I think they took it off Adult Swim, so I'm basically screwed until my mom gives in and buys it for me. Waah! *sits on the floor and wails* But you know, a few Kikaider Bishies would make a good addition to the team... I'll seriously think about it for you, kay? I always did like Jiro and his guitar.
To Songwind- You think I'm good? Yay! *rescues Dilandou* Stop smacking him! It's not like he likes what he does! *turns Dilandou into a chibi neko and starts petting him* Heehee.... And as if working on this would kill me. Actually, the opposite is probably closer to the truth.
To Saisaishi- Well, if you're gonna be cryptic and weird like that, then I've got nothing I can say, either. Guess we're just a couple of speechless bakas, ne?
How long should I wait until I tell my loyal fans all of Donn's deep dark secrets? I think I'll start this chapter.
Got Neko?
~*~*~*~
"Why do I always find trainers that are trouble magnets?" Anya grumbled to herself, shaking sweat out of her eyes. "Do I have some sort of sign hanging over my head that says 'Troubled Trainers Come Here'? My life sucks."
"What's the matter?" Merina asked, keeping pace with the taller girl easily.
"Dammit, what the hell are you? A gymnast?" Anya demanded, glaring at the redhead. "You aren't even breathing hard!"
"My Bishies keep me in shape." Merina said simply. "So, you got any idea what this 'safety zone' stuff they're babbling about is?"
"Not a clue." Anya responded. "Can you tell where your Bishies are? I can't."
"Me neither. Something's definitely up with Donn. I just wish I knew what."
~*~*~*~
Bikky paused at the entrance to the cave Dilandou had brought him to, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.
"You coming, Shorty?" Dilandou asked, glancing over his shoulder. "My trainer doesn't like waiting."
"Who gives a damn what your trainer likes?" Bikky shot back, spitting out of the corner of his mouth. "I sure as hell don't."
"Well, I do, because when she's pissed, she takes it out on me. Don't you?" The older Bishonen's red eyes glared venomously at a darker shadow in the back of the small cave before he dropped to one knee, turning his gaze to the ground.
"Everyone needs a punching bag." The shadow agreed, becoming a woman as she walked past Dilandou and moved to stand in front of Bikky. "You have great fire in your eyes." She said. "Your hatred will be useful, once I make you mine."
"Good luck, Lady." Bikky said as rudely and sarcastically as he could manage. "You're gonna need it when my parents and Donn catch up to you. Sango-mama's gonna kick you're a-"
Before he could finish, the woman backhanded the Chibi, her eyes the color of an angry storm cloud. "Watch your mouth, little boy." She spat. "I do not tolerate disobedience or insolence. Am I understood?"
"Perfectly." Bikky said, matching the woman glare for glare. "Now, since you decided to kidnap me before breakfast, can I have some food? Please?" The last word was an afterthought; an insult, almost, in timing and delivery.
The woman fumed for a moment, visibly restraining from harming Bikky. "Dilandou, make yourself useful for once and feed this brat, would you? Vicious and I are going to check for pursuit." With that, she stomped out of the cave, muttering under her breath.
"What a bitch." Bikky said as soon as she was out of earshot. "And she's your trainer? I feel sorry for you, dude."
"Shut up, kid." Dilandou muttered crossly. "I don't need you to tell me what I already know. And I don't want your pity, either."
"Jeez, but you're a catty bitch. Where's the grub? I'll make you something."
"You can cook? Aren't you a little young for that?"
"I may be a Chibi, but I can sure as hell take care of myself." Bikky replied as her rooted through what food he'd found already. "Hey, cool! Steak! My favorite! Say, you aren't, like, Vegan or something, are you?"
Dilandou chose not to answer, opting to glare at Bikky instead.
~*~*~*~
"The fear is gone, Ko-chan!" Donn exclaimed suddenly. "And we're so close to him, he'd hear us if we were to shout!"
"Good." Nuriko stopped running, assuming a slow, deliberate pace Heero had drilled into all of Donn's Bishies. "Now we just have to kill whoever took him, and everything will be fine."
~*~*~*~
"Anya, Merina, we just got a message from Donn!" Daughter exclaimed, flying parallel to the two trainers. "She says they found Bikky, and we should act as decoys so they can snatch him back!"
"That's good news." Anya said, relieved. "Thanks, Daughter."
"No problem." Daughter responded with a sweet smile. "Donn also said to tell you that 'those damned Heeros are in charge till Ko-chan and I get back.' She thought even you should listen to them."
"Was she a war general in a past life or something?" Merina asked. "Cause she's throwing orders around like she might have been."
"Could be." Anya replied. "Could well be."
~*~*~*~
"You were right, kid." Dilandou said finally. "You can cook."
"Glad you think so." Bikky said, acting like the child he was for the moment. "When Papa caught Mama teaching me, he got really mad. Donn had to throw her shoe at him to get him to calm down." The Chibi's eyes grew sad, dwelling on the hazy memories he had of his birth parents.
"You okay, kid?" Dilandou asked. "You looked real out of it for a second there."
"I'm fine." Bikky said. "Just...thinking. You know, about Mama and Papa. And my name's not kid. It's Bikky."
"All right, Bikky. Feel like talking about them?"
"Only if this means we're friends." Bikky replied. He'd never really had another guy he could talk to. Kurama was the father figure in his life, which made him off-limits for soul-searches in Bikky's eyes. Nuriko was too busy taking care of Donn, Heero was just plain scary, Kenshin was always practicing with his sword, and the girls were....well, girls. And growing boys just did not talk to girls about anything important.
"Friends?" Dilandou repeated thoughtfully, polishing off his meal. "I suppose we could be. Although I can't for the life of me think why you'd want to be friends with someone who threatened your trainer."
"Hey, when she's pissed, she takes it out on you, right? So your number one goal in life is to not piss her off. I can understand. Moms are the same way, sometimes."
~*~*~*~
"Hell of a diversion, Heero-no-baka!" Anya yelled over the sound of rapid gunfire. "That's the fifth time I've almost been shot!"
"Sorry, Anya, but it's the best we could come up with without knowing who we'd be facing!" Her Heero shouted back, pausing long enough to return fire.
"At least Usagi's being useful!" Merina called cheerfully, a few feet in front of Anya. "I'm tellin' ya, I had no idea Eternal Sailor Moon could fly!"
"Neither did I!" Eternal Sailor Moon yelled. "Wasn't aware of the fact that I could shield, either!"
"Donn and her Bishies are just full of surprises, huh?" Merina grinned back over her shoulder, stepping suddenly to the left to avoid an energy blast.
"How the hell can you be so happy at a time like this?" Sango demanded, hurling her boomerang.
"Just trying to keep the mood light!" The redheaded trainer said with a grin. "Almost there, troops!"
~*~*~*~
"They're escaping, Michelle." Vicious said, growling under his breath as the long-haired Bishonen managed once again to save the small- winged, large-chested twit from a bullet.
"Doesn't matter, V-baby." The blue-eyed trainer said, firing her own gun at the girl with the long red ponytail just to see her jump again. "I don't see the Nuriko or the Bikky's trainer with them."
"That pathetic weakling's probably back at the camp, crying her eyes out." Michelle's Wufei snorted, easing back on the trigger of his gun. "It would be unwise to pursue them past the tree line; we're risking notice enough as it is."
"I know that, Wufei." Michelle snapped. "Saturn, go see if that lazy-ass Dilandou of mine's taking care of our guest, would you?"
"Yes, Mistress Michelle." Super Sailor Saturn said, bowing slightly before hefting her glaive and turning towards the cave.
~*~*~*~
"Man, your life sucked." Bikky said after Dilandou finished his story. "I don't know what I'd've done without Mama and Papa."
"Can't miss what you've never known, right?" Dilandou countered, lying down on the ground with his arms under his head. "But from what you've told me, I think I would have liked having parents. It sounds fun."
"Hey, do you hear gunshots?" Bikky asked suddenly, leaning towards the entrance to the cave.
"Now that you mention it.... Must mean your friends followed us, cause the bitch-boss doesn't waste bullets."
"Think now would be a good time for me to run?" Bikky asked slyly, grinning at Dilandou.
"A very good time." A strange voice said from the entrance of the cave. Framed by the bright sunlight was a young man with black hair dressed in bellbottoms and a jean jacket with a guitar on his back. "Donn's waiting for you in the forest to the left with Nuriko; I'll hold off any pursuit that may come this way before you can escape." "And just who the hell are you?" Bikky asked, pushing himself to his feet. "My name's Jiro, not that it matters. You really should go; Donn will worry if you wait too long." "Whatever." Bikky shrugged. "C'mon, Dilandou. Donn'll figure out how to rescue you from the clutches of the Bitch Queen."
~*~*~*~
"Here he comes." Nuriko said, his eyes locked on the rapidly growing figure near the cliffs. "Someone's following him."
"It must be a friendly someone." Donn said calmly. "Bikky isn't afraid at all. He's worried a little, but that's to be expected at a time like this."
"Donn!" Bikky yelled, skating into a tree before he could stop himself. "Boy, am I glad to see you!" The Chibi exclaimed, hugging his trainer and the Nuriko carrying her in turn. "I made a friend, Donn! His name's Dilandou! He's the Bitch Queen's, but I'm sure you can get her to let him go! And what was up with that freaky Jiro dude? Is he with us? When'd you catch a new Bishonen? He sure as hell wasn't with us this morning. And-"
"Bikky!" Dilandou exclaimed. "That's too many questions too fast! Slow down, take a deep breath, and be quiet! Saturn just got back to the cave, and I'd really rather she wasn't the one who found us, okay?"
~*~*~*~
"Message from Donn!" Daughter called happily, flying over to Anya, Merina, and the Heero. "They've got Bikky, and we might wind up with two new members of the team. But first she has to confront the trainer who kidnapped Bikky and beat the living...I refuse to finish that one."
"I'm sure you don't have to, Daughter." Donn's Heero assured her patiently. "It seems that Donn has everything under control. We'll set up camp here and await her return."
~*~*~*~
"I'm going to kill him!" Michelle screamed, throwing her gun against the cave wall so hard it broke. "Find that bastard and bring him here now!" She ordered.
"No need." Donn said. "He's already here."
Michelle whirled to find Bikky, Nuriko, Donn, Dilandou, and a strange Bishonen standing between her and the outside.
"Hi, Bitch Queen!" Bikky said cheerfully, flipping the blue-eyed trainer off with both hands. "You picked the wrong trainer to mess with, let me tell you!"
"You kidnapped my Bikky." Donn said in a dangerously quiet voice. "You ordered your Dilandou to kidnap my Bikky and threaten to kill me if he refused. I must say, I don't like that. I don't like it one little bit."
"And what do you plan to do about it?" Michelle sneered. "Yell at me?"
"Nuriko, I'll be handling her myself. Keep her Bishies out of this."
"Okay." Nuriko said cheerfully, setting Donn on her own two feet. "Just don't over-do it."
"Whatever." Donn walked to Michelle, a little shaky on her feet. "Here's what I'll do about it." The smaller girl stated, backhanding Michelle across the face. "I'm going to kick your ass."
~*~*~*~
Bikky had earned a new respect for his trainer. For a frail little girl six months pregnant who'd barely walked for the past three or four weeks, she was damned good at kicking ass.
And she'd already forgiven Dilandou for the whole kidnapping thing, which rated her very high indeed with the Chibi. Now he had someone to talk to, as soon as the other Bishies got over it, which could take a while.
But in the meantime, there was still the freaky Jiro dude to get used to. He was really quiet, but not like the Heeros. The Heeros were quiet because they didn't believe in wasting words. Jiro was quiet because he didn't think he had anything worth saying. He just kind of sat there playing his guitar.
As far as Bikky was concerned, traveling with his trainer was about to get a lot more interesting.
~*~*~*~
"WHAT?!?!" Sango screamed, staring at Donn and Nuriko in open shock.
"I've taken in the Dilandou who kidnapped Bikky." Donn repeated calmly. "And if any of you threaten or harm him in any way maliciously, I will personally kick your asses, got me?"
"She can do it, too!" Bikky piped up from behind Dilandou, grinning like a maniac. "She beat the Bitch Queen up like it was nothing!"
"Watch your language, young man!" Sango admonished, glaring at the Chibi. "You, young man, have dishes to do. Get to it!"
"On second thought, I think I may be glad I never knew my mom." Dilandou whispered to Bikky. "She's scarier than Michelle."
"Only most of the time." Bikky responded. "C'mon; you can help me with my chores."
"Oh, no he won't!" Sango interrupted. "He and I need to have a chat. Kurama, come get my boomerang. I don't want to kill him on accident."
"But Sango-momma!"
"You. Dishes. Now!"
"I'm goin, I'm goin! Calm down!"
"Don't make me say it again, Bikky." Sango said, forcing herself to calm down. She grabbed Dilandou's wrist and dragged him into the surrounding forest, muttering under her breath.
"All right, Dilandou." Sango said tiredly, letting the silver-haired Bishie go and sliding down the trunk of a nearby tree. "If Donn agreed to take you in, you can't be all that bad. But as of right now, I do not like you."
"Understandable." Dilandou agreed, dropping cross-legged to the ground. "I did kidnap your son, after all. There's no excuse for that, no matter what some would say. I'd understand completely if you hated me for that alone."
Sango gave a bark of humorless laughter. "That alone means I couldn't possibly hate you." She sighed heavily, resting her elbows on her knees and dropping her chin into her hands. "You're too damned honest to hate. You're not making excuses; anyone else would have blamed in on the trainer. You admit your crime without being prompted, and you act as if you expect to be hated for it. I want to hate you, but I can't."
"And here I thought I'd made myself an enemy for sure." Dilandou said, sighing in mock-disappointment. "Bikky and I get along rather well; I hope you don't mind if I spend most of my time with him."
"Not really." Sango said, smiling suddenly. "And I'll keep the other wolves off your back about it, too. After all, a growing boy needs friends, doesn't he?"
~*~*~*~
Jiro smiled tolerantly at Bikky, adjusting the Chibi's small hands on the neck and strings of his guitar. The young blond had the makings of a true musician, if he could get an instrument of his own. Jiro's guitar was too big.
"Like this?" Bikky asked, playing the simple scale Jiro had spent the past few hours teaching him.
"Yes." Jiro said. "Now try it a little faster now."
"Sure thing!" Bikky tried again, this time missing the last note. "Damn!"
"It's the guitar." Jiro said thoughtfully, leaning back against the log behind him. "It's much too big for you. You need one your size."
"What's going on over here?" Donn asked suddenly, seeming to appear behind Bikky, hanging on to Nuriko's arm. "Learning to play guitar, Bik- chan?"
"Yup!" Bikky affirmed happily. "Jiro's teaching me, but he says I need a smaller one, cause his is too big."
"I would imagine so." Dilandou said from the ground on the other side of Bikky. "Then again, what in this world isn't too big for you, Shrimpy?"
"Ah, shaddup." Bikky muttered, throwing his hat at Dilandou. "I'm not gonna be a Chibi forever, ya know! I'm gonna grow up to be a big, strong Sama, just like Papa!"
"That's right." Donn said quietly, leaning forward and hugging Bikky. "You'll be just as strong and kind as your dad." Her eyes grew sad, sparkling with tears. "And just as brave as your mom. I know you will."
"Don't get all sad, Donn." Bikky said, patting Donn's arms. "Heero's gonna start worrying about you again if you get sad."
"Heero always worries too much." Donn retorted, plopping down on the log suddenly. "Ko-chan, take me to my sleeping bag? Kicking ass takes a lot out of me."
~*~*~*~
Donn woke in the pearly gray light of false dawn, unable to sleep any longer. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed that Dilandou and her Heero were not in their sleeping bags. Rather, they were about twenty feet to her right, in the trees on the edge of the clearing.
~Heero would not give Dilandou guard duty so soon after joining.~ she thought, slipping out of her sleeping bag, careful not to disturb Nuriko. ~I wonder what they're doing.~ Pulling on her jacket, she made her slow, wobbly way toward the two Bishies.
She found them near a small, noisy brook, in a very unusual position for two Bishonen who had only met yesterday.
Dilandou was asleep with his back against a smooth gray boulder, a light blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Heero was on the ground next to the silver-haired Bishie, his head cradled in Dilandou's lap. (A/N~ this is me, people. You had to expect at least some yaoi action!)
"Well, this is unexpected." Donn said quietly. Of course, considering the two asleep in front of her, it wasn't quietly enough.
Heero woke up almost immediately, drawing a gun from under his blanket and pointing it at Donn. "Who's there?" he asked in a low voice.
"It's me, Hee-chan." Donn responded in the same whisper, moving closer. "Donn. Now kindly point that gun somewhere else, okay?"
"Sorry." Heero put the gun back where it had come from and sat up, gently shaking Dilandou awake.
"What's going on here?" Donn asked, slipping under Heero's blanket. "I could have sworn that you only met each other yesterday, and I know for a fact that you don't believe in love at first sight, Heero."
"Actually..." Dilandou started nervously, smiling a little. "We grew up together. I kind of wandered around after I got old enough to. We met when we still Chibis. Then one day, after we both hit San, Heero up and disappeared. I found out he'd been captured and set out to find him."
"You remember how I seemed to hate you when you first caught me?" Heero reminded his trainer. "That was because D-chan and I really were in love, and I held you responsible for my loosing him. After a while, I forgave you, thinking it couldn't really be helped. And to think you'd wind up bringing us back together again." The Gundam Wing Bishie chuckled, shaking his head. "Guess life's funny that way."
"That's a sweet story." Donn admitted, smiling at the two. "But why did you two come all the way out here? Why not just tell me, at least, if not the others?"
"To tell you the truth...I didn't think you'd understand." Heero said, ducking under the blanket. "After all, we don't really talk about things like that."
"Well, now I know, and you know I don't mind, so let's get back before Nuriko wakes up and finds me gone. Carry me, D-chan?" She added, turning her best puppy-dog eyes on him. "Pretty please?"
"Your wish is my command, Lady." Dilandou said, standing up. "After all, we owe you one, don't we?"
"What were you doing up so early, anyway?" Heero asked, neatly folding the two blankets. "Usually, you're one of the last ones awake in the morning."
"I was...I was dreaming about Bikky and Carol again." Donn admitted. "But it was one of the good dreams. Bikky's birth, in fact. I don't think Carol was ever happier, once the whole labor thing was over with."
"Yeah..." Heero agreed quietly. "I told D-chan about Carol and Bikky. You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all. He's a member of the team now. Tell him anything you want to. But-"
"There's always a but." Dilandou sighed. "Wherever there's a woman, there's a but."
"Yes, there is. But, you have to tell the others about you two sometime soon. I hate keeping secrets from Ko-chan."
"Yes, ma'am."
~*~*~*~
Donn yawned hugely, snuggling into Nuriko's chest. She purred under her breath, a trick that had been drilled into her in the human world that she had yet to get rid of. The late afternoon sun felt good on her back, and she was totally comfortable surrounded by people she could consider friends.
"Umm...Donn?" Bikky asked, tugging on the leg of Donn's jeans. "Did you know you're purring?"
"I am?" Don asked, giggling. "Sorry. I still can't break that habit."
"Hey, unusual talents like that can win you awards back home." Anya said, kicking Sanosuke in the shin.
"I am home." Donn whispered, her eyes taking on a sad, defeated look. "I'm never going back to that horrible place again."
"What was that?" Bikky said curiously. "I couldn't hear ya, Donn."
"I...don't think she wanted you to, kid." Dilandou said, pushing Bikky forward a little. "Why don't you go bug the Heeros with Usagi and Chichiri?" He suggested delicately.
"Sure!" Bikky agreed, running ahead.
"You gonna make it till nightfall, Donn?" Nuriko asked. "If you want to stop, we will."
"No." Donn said, forcefully as she could and still whisper. "We...we have to get out of the woods before sundown, or something bad is going to happen."
"You sure?" Nuriko asked, stopping in his tracks.
"Y-yes." Donn said. "It's another one. For a few minutes now, and it's getting really strong."
"What are you two talking about?" Anya demanded, having stopped as well. "Another what? What's going on?"
Donn stared at her new friend uncertainly, as if just realizing that someone else was there. "We...we have to go." She whispered finally. "Now."
"I'm not moving one step until I know what the hell is going on here!" Anya snapped angrily. "How the hell can you tell where your Bishies are? What's this 'safety zone' you keep babbling about? How do you know we have to be out of the woods by nightfall? Answer me, or we aren't going anywhere!"
"We don't have time!" Donn yelled desperately, looking ready to cry. The rest of the group doubled back, alerted to the stopped trainers by Donn's shout. "We'll barely make it out as it is! We have to go now!"
"What's going on?" Merina asked, looking from Anya's stormy expression to Donn's anxious one. "Why are you two yelling at each other?"
"We have to get out of this forest." Donn asserted in a trembling voice, her eyes filling with tears. "We're all in danger if the moon finds us still within the bounds of these trees without shelter."
"I told you, we're not going anywhere until I get some answers!" Anya yelled.
"I think we should wait until we're out of here for those answers." Merina disagreed. "Donn's about ready to break down crying, and I seriously don't think she does that often. Let's get out of here, then you can pull the third degree on her, okay?"
"Fine." Anya snapped. "But if it's so goddamn important, let's get a move on."
"Thank you." Donn said, sighing heavily with relief. "Thank you so much."
~*~*~*~
And that evil power we've all been waiting for finally rears its ugly head... kinda.
We're running into ten pages here, though, so I'm stopping now, with a poor excuse for a cliffie.