Disclaimer: I don't own anything…so don't bother suing.

Author's Notes: Okay, Okay…so I promised before the long weekend…but as someone so aptly wrote, I downloaded a social life. Fortunately, I have a little spare time today (between the mountain of classwork I have to do to certify as a teacher). So if you don't hear from me, it means one of three things: A) I've been buried under assignments and lesson plans; B) I'm out partying or C) I have writer's block (which happens often). Plus, the play I did this summer will be doing a tour of high schools in Winnipeg so I'm going back into rehearsal. I'll try to make my chapters longer but I can't seem to think that far ahead. Anyways, enjoy!

Brothers and Sisters

Chapter Nine

Honesty is The Best Policy…To a Point

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"Ummm…well you see…"

"Spit it out already Onna!"

Rei gave Wufei a death glare very similar to the one Heero had on his face at the moment. "If there are no more interruptions, " she stated icily, "I can explain."

Looking around at everyone calmly, she continued, "None of this is to leave the room. And if it does, trust me, I'll know and it won't be pretty."

Wufei snorted, getting up, "Riight…I realize that you're my sisters but what could you possibly have to hide that is so damned important."

Before he realized it, Ami was beside him and had shoved him back into his seat. "Trust me," she said, "You need to hear this."

"Hotaru and I are human…for the most part, " Rei explained, "We simply have…talents…that make us…different from other people. Your friend Quatre appears to have similar abilities to us, though not quite on our level."

Heero stared at her unwaveringly for a few moments then finally said, "So you're both empaths? That doesn't explain why your DNA is different from that of most humans. Quatre shows up as completely normal on tests."

"She told you, " Hotaru replied, "Quatre's not on the same level as us. Plus, we've had to use our abilities often in the past. Most likely more than Quatre has ever had to. And no, we're not solely empaths. I have more skill in the empathic area than Rei does because of my ability to heal. Rei's abilities are more along telepathy and clairvoyance."

"That's impossible, " Heero said, "No one can see the future or heal. If they could, there would be no wars. Empathy I can sort of accept because I've seen Quatre use his, but what you're talking about is impossible."

"Do you want proof?" Rei whirled on him angrily, "Fine."

Rei stormed over to the table and grabbed a scalpel from it.

"What do you think you're doing?" Wufei asked, alarmed at what his sister might do, "Put it down!"

"No! He wants proof, I'll give him proof!"

With that, Rei brought the scalpel down onto her arm, creating a gash along her wrist.

"Kuso," Heero swore, looking around for something to stop the bleeding.

"Why are you so calm, "Wufei yelled, in a state of near panic, "She's bleeding!"

"She'll be fine, "Ami replied, "Hotaru, if you would?"

The younger girl nodded and headed towards her older sister. "Did you have to make it so bloody Rei?"

"You know me, anything to prove a point."

Hotaru laid her hand over the gash and closed her eyes. To Heero and Wufei's amazement, a purple glow came over her hand and when she took it away, the injury had vanished. Hotaru's eyes snapped open with disapproval. "Rei, that was worse than it looked. If I hadn't been here to heal it, you could have ended up in the hospital or worse."

Rei looked away from her sister's admonishing gaze to meet a pair of icy blue eyes watching her speculatively. "Well that proves Hotaru's abilities, but what about yours? "Heero challenged.

His breath caught when Rei's own eyes accepted the challenge and lit up with an inner fire. "Ever the skeptic Mr. Yuy," she replied, "Fine, but don't hold me responsible if you see things you don't like."

She closed the distance between them in a few steps and took his hands into hers. Suddenly he was bombarded with images that obviously came from Rei.

* "Ojii-chan, where did Mommy go?" chibi-Rei asked her grandfather.

"She went to Heaven," he replied.

"But who will protect me when daddy is angry and hits?" *

* "Witch!"

"I heard she put a spell on Yuki."

"Better watch out or she'll sic her crows on you." *

* "Kaidou?"

"He's not coming Rei. He's out wedding shopping with his fiancée. She's the daughter of a leading politician. He knows what's good for his career."

"But he said he loved me." *

Rei was bombarded by images from Heero's past as well.

* The little boy looked at the man standing before him. "Remember Odin…the perfect soldier shows no emotion...has no emotion. You have to be strong."

With that, the man walked away, leaving Odin on his own once more. *

* Heero surveyed the wreckage he had created with apathy until something caught his eye. Walking over to it, he discovered it was a teddy bear. The heart that he thought he had turned to ice squeezed painfully in his chest when he realized what he had done. *

* "Heero?"

"What am I doing here Trowa? I should be dead."

"Don't talk like that Heero. You're still needed."

"There's no place for me in a world of peace." *

They broke apart, identical looks of shock on their faces.

"What was that?" Wufei demanded.

Rei recovered her voice and replied shakily, " I…I don't know. I don't understand…that's never happened before."

"Are you all right?" Hotaru asked worriedly as Ami scanned them both with her computer.

"I'm fine," Rei replied, "Just a little surprised, that's all."

Wufei looked to Ami, "What do your scans show?"

Ami continued to look at the screen intently, "Physically, they're both fine. I'm just picking up higher brain activity in both which is normal with telepathic activity."

"I believe you."

"I know," Rei replied, not meeting Heero's eyes.

"Since Ami-san knows your secret. What about the others? Do they have 'abilities' as well?" Wufei asked.

"It's not for us to tell you, nor is it any of your business," Hotaru replied shortly.

Everyone in the room seemed to tense, shifting uncomfortably in the awkward silence that followed. Finally, Ami took the initiative and stated, "We should go tell everyone the news. They're probably anxious to find out the results as well."

They all agreed and filed out into the living room where everyone had eventually gathered to wait.

"Well," Hotaru began, "It's official. Both Heero and Ami have confirmed it. Wufei is mine and Rei's older brother."

Minako eyed each person critically, "Then why do you all look as though someone killed your donkey?"

All the girls sweatdropped.

"Um, I believe the expression is 'killed your cat' Miss Aino."

"Cat, donkey, same thing," she replied, flashing Quatre a cute smile, making his entire head go red.

"I can name a few cats that might object to that," Makoto told her friend dryly.

"Have you ever tried to give Artemis a flea bath?" Minako shot back.

"Now that we've gotten completely off topic," Hotaru interjected, causing Makoto and Minako to shoot apologetic looks in response, "I think we're all just a little overwhelmed by the entire thing."

"That's completely understandable Miss Chang," Quatre replied, "And I'm sure we're not helping matters any. Why don't we all just go and let this sink in for now. We can come back at a better time if you'd like."

"No that's all right. In fact, why don't you all stay for dinner," Rei said suddenly, "From what I remember of Fei-chan here, he was kind of a stick in the mud. He's changed a lot since then so it would be nice to get to know his friends. I can tell that he relies on you for a lot."

She was answered with silence and a sea of surprised faces. "What?" She demanded.

"Nothing Rei-chan," Makoto replied hurriedly, "That sounds like a great idea. Why don't I call for take-out? I don't think I can whip anything up for this many people in such a short time."

"That's great!" Duo replied cheerily, "Of course we'll stay. Won't we guys?"

Everyone agreed albeit some a little apprehensively. "Sugoi!" Hotaru exclaimed, her happy mood restored, "Why don't we take you on a tour of the house?"

Duo practically bounced from his seat to offer Hotaru his arm. "You can take me anywhere Hota-babe."

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. It disappeared rapidly when Wufei realized what had just been said. "Maxwell…you stay the hell away from my baby sister!"

"Whoops, look like this is going to be the speed tour babe, c'mon!"

Duo and Hotaru took off down the hallway, an irate Wufei on their tails. Everyone else soon followed, leaving Rei and Heero alone in the living room.

Rei got up, intending to join everyone else when she was stopped by a hand on her arm.

"I think we need to talk."

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Wow. I think this is my longest chapter yet. Thanks everyone for the reviews. Keep'em coming. Remember, 10 or no chapter 10. Like I said, I'm busy, busy, busy but I like this story too much to leave it alone for too long. That's all for now because I'm tired and I have class and student teaching tomorrow. Review…please?