Disclaimer: One penny, two pennies, three pennies…
AN: *swoons* *muses pop out of nowhere* She'll be alright… it's just the first
time a story has actually passed the hundreds mark for her. Oh, and she a bit
tired from walking around the community in snow… lazy bum…
To Anrui Shino: Yeah… she'd probably be awesome. Really quick witted, isn't
she?
Hououza: Actually… no, I think I've
heard of him, but I don't know if I've read one of his books. Ha, finally, you
actually do tell me your age! Lol.
The Fic Critic: Mary Sue? Heh, I don't
think Aki completely fits into that category, but I sure do have a habit of
using those kinds of characters. ^^
Ha ha!! 100 reviews!! *hands out Gundam Wing chibi toys.* Thank you!!! Enjoy
the chapter!! Pumpkin seeds got me hyper this time, or was it the tea??
Black Hair and Gray Eyes
Chapter 19
"So… What do I do now that I've
explained everything?" Aki eyed everyone in the hallway suspiciously. When her
mother glared at her impatiently, she shrugged. "Old habits die hard."
"Aki…" she warned, still eyeing the younger
dark-haired girl warily.
"I know, I know, try and be more
friendly. Got it." She made an okay sign with her hand and walked off, letting
her parents talk to Lady Une alone. "More friendly my ass." Down all of the
hallways she wandered, finding nothing of interest to her; they had already
been ordered not to let her near the ammunition and weapons.
She looked from side to side, bored. Naturally,
all of her attention was drawn away from what was in front of her, and she
walked right into someone else, scattering papers everywhere.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" Natural
instincts took over as she rubbed the sore spot on her wrist after she had
fallen on it. The words slipped right out of her mouth before she could stop
them.
"Sorry." The person who she had just
walked over sounded kind of young… like her age. The words sounded odd with her
voice though, like she was supposed to be the one yelling or something. She
finally opened her eyes to look at the person already picking up the papers; a
red head not that much older than her, with shoulder-length hair.
"Umm…" Aki went on her knees and started
to pick up a few pieces of paper too. The other girl looked at her oddly with
her blue eyes. "I shouldn't of been so rude. Sorry about that." Aki forced a
smile as she tried to gather her thoughts. She remembered this girl from
somewhere. Then it hit her.
Sure, the hair was longer, and the face
a bit more matured, but there was no doubt who it was. The daughter of Trieze
Kushranada herself; Marimaia.
"Who would've thought it?"
*~*~*~*~*
"Ha, and to think I was bored earlier! I
would've come here no question had I known you'd be here!" Aki laughed when the
girl blushed slightly. She was only three years younger than Aki, but she
seemed so mature. "Lighten up, chat with me!" The redhead fidgeted slightly.
They sat in a diner place by the headquarters. They had come after Marimaia had
delivered those papers to Lady Une, and Aki had practically dragged the younger
girl there. The both sat, stirring their hot cocoa.
"It seems… Like I know you from
somewhere…" She chose her words carefully, a bit embarrassed that she had met
someone who she had once met, but forgotten. Aki simply grinned.
"Well, it was a long time ago, Bluebird." Aki winked as she recited Marimaia's
nickname from the group. "About… five years, maybe? That time you ran away from
your uncle... Remember?" The younger girl's face brightened up considerably as
she remembered that certain incident.
"Yes… of course! How is your sister?" Aki's face darkened and
the girl knew what that meant. She immediately apologized. "I didn't know.
Sorry." She turned to her lap, grieving silently for the both of them.
"Hey…" Aki touched the girl's shoulder. "It's
alright, I'm okay with it… but I know how close you two were."
"Yeah…" she laughed a bit. "But it was
hard not to be friends with her…" Aki
hesitated a bit as she remembered what had happened yesterday. It was supposed to be a secret… but she was
part of the group, and they had a vow to trust each other entirely, and never
turn their backs on their fellow grouper. But… she was taken away soon after
meeting everybody… could she be trusted.
Aki peered over at the younger girl.
Sure, she seemed different from three years ago, during the Christmas Battles.
Besides, she was being cared for by the leader of Preventers. Things had
settled down, but how much trust could be put into her?
"Hey… can you keep a secret?" Aki leaned
forward slightly. Marimaia looked up at her for a moment before nodded. "Are
you sure? It involves Arika." Now Marimaia nodded vigorously, eager to hear
about her old friend. "Ok…" and she proceeded to tell Marimaia about everything
that had happened to the group since she had been taken away…
*~*~*~*~*
On Friday morning, Aki stepped to face
her Lee… One of the two she had been trying to avoid since the day with her
locket. There was no wonder why he looked annoyed with her.
Um… Hi?" she waved weakly, knowing that
he would not be happy with the way she had been acting. "How are you?"
"Aki, we need to talk." He grabbed her
hand and dragged her towards the gates of the school, giving her only a glimpse
of the skeptical looking Heero inside the limo still. Well, this time, she was
thankful it wasn't Pagan.
"Lee! Aki!" Dawn waved as she approached
the both of them. Oh great, the other person she had been trying to avoid. When
Dawn stopped running, she shot Aki a quick, unprofessional glare. "Aki, you
need to explain something." She laughed weakly, still stuck in place by Lee.
"Aki… why have you been avoiding us?"
Quick and straight to the point… Aki looked at the two of them and stood up
straight, letting Lee know that she would not run away.
"Well… it's complicated…" Aki trailed
off, hoping they would just give up. When they didn't she sighed. Not good. "You
know how my dad was shot, right?" they nodded. "Well, I got a lead earlier this
week, that's why I was late for class. But besides that, we've talked to
Preventers, and they agree that there will be a mission soon after Christmas.
The thing is… I plan to go… and I know…"
"And you know what, Aki?" Dawn trembled
a bit with uncertainty as she spoke, fearing the worst. Lee laid a hand on Aki's
shoulder, telling her to go on.
"I'm not going to make it through this,
but I have to go, it's me thy want." The two people gasped as Aki let this out
very quickly. It was not what they had been expecting.
"So you're going to let yourself get
hurt? You can prevent this, by not going!" Lee panicked, he didn't like what he
was hearing. Aki, dying?
"It's more complicated than that guys…"
She sighed again. "My days are numbered, no matter what. If this doesn't
happen, I don't know what will. But… if there is any possible way… I'll try my
best to make it through all this, alive." This didn't help them much,
especially since Aki was a dear friend to the both of them.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Dawn all but
yelled in Aki's face, tears beginning to form at the thought of betrayal.
"I… I had hope to ease whatever you feel
by making you hate me… or something…" Honestly, Aki didn't even know her
reasoning behind this, and she sighed in defeat.
"We deserve to know…" Lee held a firm
grip on her shoulder still, and he squeezed it gently.
"I know that now… is there anything
else?"
"What do you mean… your days are
numbered?" Dawn asked slowly, getting a hold of herself. There was no point in
questioning her… Sighing, Aki pulled the locket from around her neck, and
showed them the interior. For the first time, they heard about the twin sister
of their friend…
*~*~*~*~*
They had taken it better than Aki would've
thought. Lee was silent and still, and Dawn had only cried a bit. She had told
them the entire story, and the reason behind the news. Aki walked down the
halls, feeling content at the fact that she was practically normal. She liked
this, being like everybody else. Arika would've liked it too…
All day, her thoughts seemed to be going
to her sister more and more, and she thought of what had happened in those days
with her. Aki remembered vivid details of their childhood, such as the games
and parks, and some of the not so vivid ones of their first parents. The day
dragged on, with a few glimpses of her friends. The school day was a busy one,
and it was hard to chat at times.
Though, she had seen Lee and Dawn
whispering amongst themselves. Aki wondered only briefly what they were talking
about, but was soon rushed off by her music teacher… to whom punctuality was
everything. Her fingers had flown swiftly over her flute during the test, awing
her little fans who seemed to really love her playing. A sad, deep tune floated
out, impressing even the teacher.
Creative writing had been interesting
too, when Aki had been announced as the top writer in the class. She, of
course, had stealthily crept out of the room during the cheering and clapping
and was back in by the time they were done discussing. So, even though she had been
the main centerpiece of that class, her presence wasn't even missed. Then
again, they had been reading her story whilst she was gone, and the tones had
greatly effected some of her classmates.
Lunch, though, was to be her highlight of the day. Lee and walked right up to
her, much to some other girls' disgust, and asked to speak with her, in
private. Curious eyes and jealous glares were directed at her as he took her
hand and led her out of the cafeteria.
"What is it Lee?" Aki asked the moment
they were out of any kind of earshot. He looked at her solemnly and forced a
smile.
"Aki… I know we've only known each other
for a few months… But I have to say… you've really fascinated me…" Now he was
smiling gently at her as he cupped her chin in his hand and pulled her a bit
too close to him. For her to breathe normally, anyways.
"And…?" She mentally kicked herself for
that one.
"I just wanted to say… that no matter
what happens…" she was blushing now, at the warm breath tickling her face. "You
are my black haired and gray eyed angel." He closed off the statement with a
soft, sweet kiss…
*~*~*~*~*
Whoa… How's that for a bit of side
romance? Lee and Aki got it way sooner than Relena and Heero… And you finally
learn about the locket's secret, well, some of it anyways. But what does Arika
have to do with Akira dying?? Why does the locket itself turn black?? What was
with that hourglass scene last chapter?? Hee hee,
stay tuned and find out. Lastly, Thanks again for all the reviews!!