Chapter 14
By Tenshi no Mugen & Moonlightchic
Previously-
"Your turn, Riko!" Kimaru called as she left the circle. Yuriko sighed and stepped in the middle, where Julie stood looking fierce.
"I will defeat you! You are not fit to be captain of this wing!" Julie yelled, her fists clenching at her sides. Yuriko yawned and crossed her arms. "Whatever. Are you done?" she drawled. "It's not like we've got all day."
O.o--- (say what?)
"I'm not feeling particularly evil today, so your losers' consequence is to wear a straight jacket to dinner every night this week," Yuriko stated. Birch stared at her like she was out of her mind. "Which means you'll have to eat like the bottom feeder you are," Yuriko elaborated, an evil smirk darkening her features.
Julie ran forward and leapt in the air, her fists ready to pound Yuriko into a bloody pulp. Yuriko outstretched her arm lazily and flipped Julie over her head, where she landed on top of Rich and James. "Then again maybe I am feeling a little evil," she conceded, watching the bullheaded soldier get off of the pile.
Rebecca shook her head. "I hate it when she does this," she complained to Jerome. He let out a huff and crossed his arms. "Tell me about it. She's gonna screw with this chick's mind while beating on her until she's got a body to match."
The watching cadets winced as Yuriko decided to take out all of her frustrations and worries about Heero out on Birch. Birch, on the other hand was not getting a clue that she had no chance against her attacker, consequently coming back for more and more.
----- Meanwhile, in the crowd… -----
"This is her 'not particularly evil' payback? It makes Capt. Azuma's punishment look like a picnic!" exclaimed one exceptionally daring (or incredibly stupid) cadet by the name of Xivan Prind (pronounced: shi-von).
Kimaru, who had been on her way to check something out in her room, turned to grin at him. "How about I shove my shiv up your ass to make a point, Xivvy?" Xivan nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise. It was rather amusing to see the 5'4" captain stare down the 6'1" cadet, who slowly backed away from the murderous look in Kimaru's eyes. The minute he felt he had put enough distance between himself and the crazed officer he sprint for the door. "Humph! Kids these days," she thought to herself.
"That was the most venomous, cheesy pun I have heard in a while, Maru," came a very familiar voice. Kimaru's mind froze, though her body gave no indication she heard it. "Then again, whoever named their kid 'Xivvy' was askin' for it…" continued the voice.
Kimaru turned her head just enough to make eye contact with the speaker. In that moment blue-green met sparkling purple in an emotion filled clash. To continue the charade that she heard nothing, she disengaged her stare in favor of brushing past the figure close enough to whisper, "Northwestern warehouse, 10 minutes."
She made an inconspicuous loop around the awed cadets back to Rebecca, Jerome and Adam's side. She could see that Yuriko's human punching bag was going for broke even though she could barely stand without wobbling. Kimaru gave her another minute at most so she turned to Rebecca. "Can all of you meet me and Yuriko at the northwestern warehouse in about five minutes? I think we're gonna blow this popsicle stand in the next week or so."
Rebecca gave her a funny look. "I thought we were gonna wait for the quintet to show their ugly mugs before we split?" Kimaru raised an eyebrow at the old vernacular she was using, though her grin gave away her reasoning behind the abrupt departure. "I'll get them there, but this had better mean what I think it does," Rebecca threatened discreetly.
----- O.o ----- ----- O.O ----- ----- o.O -----
"Hey, dummies, we gotta roll." Rebecca said walking up to Jerome and Adam, who were eyeing Yuriko in awe and disgust.
Jerome hit Adam on the shoulder and pointed to Yuriko, who was currently glaring at a swaying Birch, daring her to attack for one last time. "Sometimes I wonder if she is really my sister, or some evil ploy by the government to annoy me to no end."
Adam chuckled. "Well, if she is a plan by the government, at least she's nice to look at."
Thoughtful looks appeared on both Adam and Jerome's faces as they cocked their heads to check out Yuriko, whose body was glistening with sweat from the sun and the strenuous activities from the fight. Unfortunately, their musings were soon interrupted by Rebecca bitch slapping the both of them in annoyance.
"You're both sick!" She yelled at them, fury radiating in her eyes. A couple of onlookers cautiously moved away from the trio, having heard rumors of Lt. Rebecca's temper. "You!" she pointed at Adam. "Don't even get me started on you!"
Rebecca then rounded on Jerome, who was already shrinking under her penetrating gaze. "And you're her brother….her twin!" Jerome had the sense to look ashamed. "I don't even know what to say!"
She then grabbed the two of them by the neck and marched them over to the northwestern warehouse.
"Umm…" Adam ventured bravely, "Where are we going?"
"Shut UP, Adam!"
----- O.o ----- ----- O.O ----- ----- o.O -----
Kimaru looked at Yuriko, who was slowly advancing upon her opponent for the kill. With a predatory gleam in her eye, there was no doubt that Yuriko would not finish with Birch until she had caused the girl much bodily harm. It seemed that most of the audience had caught on as well because worried looks crossed their faces.
"Okay, time for intervention" Kimaru sighed as she marched into the ring. Yuriko, not noticing Kimaru advancing towards her, pulled her right arm back for the final punch that would declare her victorious. "This is for Heero" she whispered, one single tear slipping down her cheek which went unnoticed by everyone except Birch. As her arm moved towards Birch's face, the punch was suddenly blocked by Kimaru's hand.
Kimaru and Yuriko's eyes met one another as the field around them became silent….and then "FUCK!!!" Kimaru yelped, pulling back her hurt hand and cradling it to her chest.
Yuriko blinked in surprise and then smirked. "Thought you would've learned by now not to get in the way of my fist"
Kimaru glared at Yuriko. "You were really going to hit her that hard? Are you crazy?"
Yuriko shrugged. "Jerome says that I am."
"Why am I not surprised" Kimaru muttered under her breath. Turning to Yuriko, who was flexing her fingers, she grabbed her by the upper arm and dragged her from the ring and towards the warehouse.
When the two girls arrived at their destination they met up with an annoyed Rebecca and a sulking Jerome and Adam. "Okay, what's going on?" Rebecca asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "If this is some crazy ploy to get to the mall, then I'm notdoing it."
"Yeah" agreed Jerome. Adam also nodded his head vigorously. "Especially if it involves bananas, a wagon, and togas."
The four of them glanced at Adam and then wondered to themselves why they still associated with him.
"Okay, now that was a little weird even for you, Adam," came a familiar voice from the shadows.
Yuriko cocked her head thoughtfully. "Is that who I think it is?"
Kimaru grinned happily and ran forward into the shadows. A moment later she arrived with none other than Duo Maxwell standing beside her. Duo winked at all of them and then planted a loving kiss on Kimaru's lips.
"Hey guys! Told you that I'd be back. Duo Maxwell may run and hide, but he never lies!" Duo claimed proudly as he snaked an army around Kimaru's waist.
Jerome and Yuriko exchanged glances. "That was just gay," they said in unison in reference to Duo's self-proclaimed motto.
Before Duo could reply, Wufei stepped out of the shadows as well. "Finally, someone who agrees that he needs to get a new saying."
"Wu-man!" Duo whined, making a puppy dog look on his face. Unfortunately, Wufei did not seem to hear Duo's complaint. He and Rebecca were looking at one another, Wufei looking unsure as to whether he should go to her.
Rebecca stood a few feet away from him, arms crossed in a defiant expression and her face devoid of any emotion. She raised one groomed eyebrow and quirked her head to the side. "Well," she said, "Are you going to kiss me or not?"
The tension in the room broke as Wufei showed a rare smile and Rebecca laughed as she closed the space between them with a tender kiss and a hug.
Yuriko, Jerome, and Adam looked at each other and smiled, though Yuriko's was rather strained. She tore her eyes away from the happy couples and found something interested to look at in the ceiling. Jerome looked at her and knew that this was her way of preventing herself from crying.
"Come here, sis." Jerome pulled his other half to him and she held onto him, burying her face into his shoulder. "You'll always have me, you know that right?" he whispered as he gently rubbed her back.
Yuriko nodded and continued to hold onto her brother. She could feel her heart breaking and she was glad she had her brother to fall back on. After all, he was all she needed.
"Excuse me, but do you mind if I get a turn?"
Yuriko froze at the sound of Heero's voice. Slowly letting go of Jerome, she turned around to face Heero, who looked more god-like than ever.
Heero frowned as he took in the tears on Yuriko's face. "Never cry because of me." He said softly as he wiped a tear away from her eye. "I'm not worth your tears."
Yuriko bit her bottom lip. "Yes, you are." She walked towards Heero and he pulled her body into his. "You're always worthy my tears." She whispered against his chest.
Jerome looked from his sister to the infamous Gundam pilot and grew angrier with each passing second. How dare this guy hurt her so much and then try to walk back into her life? He had seen his own flesh and blood cry herself to sleep at night. He had been the one to comfort her with every passing week that Heero failed to show. Afraid of what actions he might take to vent his anger, he stormed from the warehouse.
Adam, who had been busy checking out the Rebecca, Kimaru and Yuriko's asses, noticed Jerome leave and quickly followed after them.
"So you finally found us." Kimaru remarked after the happy couples finished their reunion.
"Yup!" Duo said happily, fingering the cross around Kimaru's neck that he gave her before departing. "All thanks to this tracking device that I placed in this baby!"
Wufei snorted. "You hadn't even built a device to track the tracking device, you idiot!" He turned to Rebecca to explain. "That's why it took us so long to find you. We had to wait for him," Wufei pointed a finger in Duo's direction, "to build a device to find you all."
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Figures."
"Hey!" Duo protested, "At least I left a tracking device."
Yuriko laughed. "Yeah, you sure did. One that didn't work."
"Yes, it did!" Kimaru chirped.
Yuriko scoffed. "Yeah, after we beat it against a table a couple of times."
Duo's mouth hung open and he was about to continue the argument when Heero spoke up. "Not that I actually care, but where are Jerome and Adam?"
All eyes turned to the open door which led outside. "Jerome, don't!" They could hear Adam's pleading outside.
"Shit." Yuriko, Kimaru, and Rebecca said in unison as the headed towards the door.
----- O.o ----- ----- O.O ----- ----- o.O -----
Chapter 14 Authoress' notes
Moonlightchic: Okay, finally it was updated after how many months? Too many to count. I apologize for the lack of updating, but it was my fault. I've been away at college and it's been hard to write, but now here it is! Yay! Enjoy…or else!
It took long enough! Man, I was gettin' old waiting for the reviews I asked for. Is it really that hard to review? At least you gave me an excuse to ignore the story for a little and do my college writing essays. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking college is all parties, IT'S NOT.
Alrighty, anyone reading this that's willing to, I wanna know what you think the Trowa and Quatre are up to without the others, 'cause you know they get bored without him. I might put in some of the suggestions in the next chapter.
Also, for the love of all things holy, will someone please e-mail or review to say they want to be our beta-reader?!? I'm on my hands and knees! It's a good chance to get my lazy ass into gear for writing, AND you get to see the chapters before anyone else. Please? Moonlightchic is at West Point, so she can't intimidate me into writing or check my bad spelling and grammar any more!
Tenshi no Mugen