Fitful Wishing pt 2: Awakening
Sequel to "Inside the Forbidden"
Prologue- Makaro Returns
Trowa opened the door to the trailer and walked inside. Makaro was laying on the couch, more asleep then unconscious. Her head hadn't caused any problems, but that might change when she actually woke up.
A smell wafted through the entire place. It smelled like... beef stroganoff. Sure enough, on the stove, was a frying pan, set on low, and a colander of noodles was in the sink. It was all still warm.
Makaro opened her eyes and sat up carefully. It had been interesting waking up from endless nightmares in the middle of nowhere and the bandage around her head had been particularly binding, so she took it off and folded it neatly on the window sill. Then she fell asleep again, after making dinner. It was a small thanks to whoever had been caring for her.
Trowa whirled around at the sound of a small laugh behind him.
"I'll clean up," she said. "I didn't mean to make a mess. It's just been awhile since I cooked anything."
"When did you wake up?" he asked. She shrugged and looked at her watch, then remembered it hadn't worked since she had woken up to find her alarm clock broken that first day.
"I'm guessing about an hour ago, depending on how long I've been asleep. I sorta fell asleep again after I finished dinner." She looked around. "Even if I don't remember going down..."
"Does your head still hurt?" He opened a cupboard and pulled down a couple of plates. She shook her head and winced.
"Only if I do that," she said. "So I won't anymore. No problem. And exactly how long have I been out?"
"It's been two weeks since the bombing. Nicca went with Duo after that and somehow, all of your friends managed to find the others too. Alex and Lee are with Quatre, Caia's with Wufei and Seneca's with Heero."
"Only Alex isn't hurt," she muttered. "Caia's got a fever, Seneca was shot and Lee... Lee has no spirit to keep her in this world. I'll kill him. I'll kill him and free my family."
"How did you know about Seneca?" he wondered, sitting down across from her. He handed her a plate, but she only picked at her food. "And Caia?"
"I saw them," she whispered. "Suffering. Suffering because of that damned... do you know where Shisama is?"
"Shisama is a General Commander of a group called the Jackals. They're raising hell in between the earth and the colonies. Again."
"I'm sorry," she said earnestly. "The last one must've been bad enough, but to have another one with the same... no, scratch that. The stakes are different. We'll help you. I know we won't be able to do much, but we'll help in anyway we can. I've got a vendetta with Shisama and it's gonna get settled."
"Personal vendettas are what makes a war more deadly then before, especially if those involved could end it with one word," said Trowa softly. Makaro stabbed a piece of beef and let her fork rest there.
"My mom... had a vendetta with Shisama towards the end of their war. He killed her parents, my 'Aunt' Houta's mom, and fourteen innocent human beings. But it was made to look like an accident."
"He's that good?" She lifted her head and gave him a confused look, then smiled gently.
"Yeah," she said quietly. "He's that good."
Chapter 1- What Limits a Dream
Wufei opened his eyes and glanced at the sunlight streaming through the window. It was morning already. He carefully took the cloth from Caia's head and frowned. It was warm again. Her fever wasn't getting worse, but it wasn't getting better either.
"Wufei-chan...," she murmured. "How did your meeting go? Did you find... all of your friends..."
"Yeah," he said, "I found them. Get some rest."
"If I sleep... I see my family... They think you're sweet... to do... this... Like... I do..." He dropped the cloth back into the water and rang it out. She wasn't as warm now.
Maybe it's finally broken, he thought. But I'm not leaving you, Caia. There's something wrong and you're too weak to take care of yourself. He turned and walked out into the living room. Everything was so confusing. Why was he still here, taking care of her? He didn't want her to die, that was the last thing on his mind, but why did he care so much? He laid on the couch and stared at the ceiling, trying to sort out what the hell was going on.
"Wufei." He looked up and saw Caia standing in the doorway. Her hair was loose on her shoulders, but her eyes were bright. "So. You stayed."
"You should be in bed," he said coolly. "Until your well." She threw her head back and laughed.
"I'm fine," she said. "The fever's gone. Completely. And I feel fine. Thanks to you." She walked into the room and sat on the table across from him. He sat up and leaned against the back of the couch. "Wufei, I don't get you. The first time I met you... you didn't want to have anything to do with me. But now you go and pull something like this. Why?"
"I don't know," he said, shaking his head. "But I wasn't going to leave you like that." He cast a glance over her shoulder back into the bedroom. There was something still lying on the bed. It shifted and he recognized Caia's muttering. The Caia in front of him swore.
"You shouldn't have done that," she said. "It would've worked." She pinned him against the couch with amazing strength. He couldn't move, no matter how he tried.
"What are you?" he asked angrily. "How do you look like Caia?"
"She looks like Caia because she is Caia. In a way," said a voice. The door was kicked in, revealing a large man with a gun. "Chang Wufei, you are not a smart as you think. It was too easy to manipulate you. Get the girl," he said. The other girl released her death hold on Wufei and trotted off to the bedroom. Wufei jerked, but the gun clicked. "Move, and you both die. Cooperate, and you'll live. You wouldn't want her to die, now would you?"
"What do you want?" asked Wufei. The girl came out, carrying Caia over her shoulder. She looked at the man with an eagerness that could only resemble a dog.
"What do you wish me to do with her, Lord Shisama? May I dispose of her?" Shisama... the leader of the Jackals? What did he want with them?
"No, Macei, she will have to live. These children are more cunning then I had anticipated. Take her back to the base and make sure she lives. You can be easily replaced, remember-" Wufei kicked the guy's gun free and caught it. He fired at the girl holding Caia and just missed actually hitting Caia herself. Both of them crumbled and he turned on Shisama, but somehow, he was gone. One of the Caias moaned softly and sat up. There was blood on her shirt, but it wasn't hers.
"Wufei-chan?" she asked. "What the hell is going on?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alex stood on the cliff's edge over the river and watched the waterfall splash down. It was such a beautiful thing... why wouldn't Lee wake up? It had been almost two months since the attack. And she wasn't getting better. She was becoming more and more pale. But still, right now, she was alive, and safe, back at Master Quatre's estate.
"Mistress Alex." She turned around and smiled warmly at Quatre. "You're worried about Lee."
"There's no reason that she should still be out," said Alex, turning back to the water and the sunrise. "Master Quatre, there is nothing that should be keeping her away from helping in this war. But it's not that that's scaring me. If something can still be affecting her here, what might happen to you and the Maganac soldiers if it spreads?" Quatre joined her, but kept his eyes forward.
"We owe you a lot, Mistress Alex. You've helped all of them with the feelings left over from the war. You didn't have to come."
"Master Quatre, in all due respect... stop calling me Mistress Alex. I don't like it. I haven't done anything of worth for you, despite what you just said. I helped them. I haven't helped you. Please, call me anything but 'Mistress Alex'."
"If you insist, Miss Alex." She sighed.
"Close enough," she said. The first rays of the sun made it over the mountain ridge and Alex turned to go back to the camp. "I had better start breakfast. See you back there, Master Quatre." She started down the path and disappeared into the forest. A few minutes later, Quatre took the longer way through the trees to the camp.
"Where's Alex?" he asked. Ahmad shrugged.
"We thought she was with you, master," he said. Quatre shook his head.
"She was on her way back almost ten minutes ago," he explained. "She should've been here before me."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alex picked up her jacket and walked into the forest. Quatre, she thought. You're cute, sweet, and absolutely wonderful. Don't ever lose that. It's what makes you a great soldier. The trees closed in around her. Something didn't seem right. Why was everything so quiet? There were no birds, no crickets, none of the sounds that made a group of trees a forest.
"Time to die, Alexi Date. Join your sister." The ground beneath her gave way and before she could utter a sound, there was a flash of light. Blackness invaded her mind...
Drip. Drip. Drip. Alex opened her eyes and sat up. Instantly, water started dripping on her head. She yelled out Nicca's name, but this time, the fault was not of her friend. Who knew where Nicca was? Who knew where she was?
Alexian... If you could have one wish... what would it be...? Alex looked around. No one knew her full name, except her parents. Even the other girls called her Alexi when they used her full name. Shisama gains more and more human power. He doesn't need his old strength. He has many many underlings that do his killing for him. But he has certain people he wants to kill personally. Do you know who they are, Alexian?
"He wants to kill the guys," said Alex, standing up. Light was filtering in from somewhere. But where? And could she use the hole to get out? "And my friends and I want to protect them." There was a laugh. It wasn't evil or harsh like Shisama's. Instead, it was almost familiar.
It's not them he's after. Ask Makaro. She knows his real targets. But that is not the reason for this. I saved you for a reason. There is a battle raging now, and unless you help, no one will survive. Not Rasid, not the Maganacs, not Quatre Raberba Winner. This war will kill them all, unless you girls help. There was a flash of light. Alex shielded her eyes and when her vision cleared, there was a mobile suit before her. It was blue, with green wings and a staff. This is the IceShadow. It is not a Gundam, only modeled after one. It will be the deciding factor in the battle. Hurry, Alexian. Time passes those who wait. Something rocked the world above. Alex stumbled on the ground, but made her way over the rock to the suit. Quatre wouldn't die. He couldn't leave her. Not now.
The half opened rose bud fell from her pocket. Despite lack of water, it was still growing. It landed on the floor and she bent over to pick it up. Another tremor rocked the cave and her head slammed into the computerboard. There was a chuckle.
"Damn it!" she swore. "I'll get the hang of this, I promise, mother. I won't let them down." She sat up, the rose resting on her lap. "Let's get a move on and kick some Jackal ass!"
Quatre sliced through the mobile dolls. God, he hoped Alex wasn't anywhere near this. They had already destroyed half the forest with the battle.
"Master Quatre, there is a large fleet of more Virgo dolls coming this way!" said Rasid. "We won't be able to stand against them!" Quatre hesitated. They couldn't leave Alex behind, everyone knew that, but if they stayed, they'd die. Either way, she'd be in trouble.
Suddenly, the ground exploded. Another mobile suit had joined them when the fleet came. The tip of its staff lit with blue fire and resembled a yari, but it didn't attack them. It was the first to attack the Virgoes.
"Is that a..." Ahmad trailed off uncertainly. "It looks like a Gundam, Master Quatre. Sort of."
"That's not a Gundam, only a copy," said a cold voice. The new suit stopped, but the tension grew on the battle field. The Tall Geese joined the remaining Virgo dolls. "Modeled after the Gundams and those damned Soul armors. But it has an incompetent pilot who will be of more use to me then to you. So you might as well give-"
"No," said Quatre. "He helped us. We won't let you take him." In her suit, listening to the conversation, Alex had to laugh. Fine. If the game was set, it was set. She would remain a he and a help only to Quatre and Maganac. She opened a link only to Shisama.
"You're plan won't work," she said. "Somewhere in his heart, he knows I can't die, even if he's confused as to who I am. So. Shall I see you in hell then?"
"In hell and beyond," said Shisama with a cold laugh. "I don't know how you managed such a magnificent suit, but it won't help you. You don't have a clue how to work that beautiful piece of art." She stabbed the yari into one suit and then sliced through three more without much effort. The only problem: her body wasn't used to the strain. That single act left her breathless. "Is there a problem, Mistress Alexi?"
"Bite me!" She lunged for him and all hell broke loose. But it was ill fated. For Shisama. Alex's suit was amazing. It was as strong as Quatre's Gundam, but she knew he would always be stronger. "Die, demon!"
"Until another time, child." He fired his beam cannon at the ground. Alex stepped back and looked around. It was her time to leave too. But something slammed into her from behind.
"Damn!" she swore. When the dust cleared, she was still there. And Quatre and the Maganacs blocked her way. "Lousy son of a-" The front of the SandRock opened and Quatre stepped out.
"Who are you?" he asked. Alex had no choice. She opened the front of her suit, but didn't move.
"I am a Soul Wing," she said in a soft voice. The shadows of the setting sun hid her face. Carefully, she lifted the rose that had remained in her lap during the battle and tossed it to him. "Keep it in luck. You'll need it." She closed her suit up and hit the rockets. But she didn't go far, only made it look like she did. She couldn't leave them. Not now.
When she stumbled from her suit to the ground, her body argued with her. It wanted to rest, to stay right where it had landed, but she had to get back to Quatre.
Rest, child. You have earned it. Don't worry. Your secret will be safe. Your suit will go on its own. When you need it, you will be able to call it. There is a device implanted in this headband. It will send an electronic signal to your suit, bringing it to your location. Sleep, Alexian, sleep. They will find you soon enough. Despite everything her mind told the rest of her, she sank into a deep sleep, full of dreams. Caia... dead. Evil laughter standing over her. Makaro, a half mask covering her face. Seneca, her red hair stained with blood. It wasn't her own. Nicca, her blue eyes shining with white fire. And then Lee... she had wings, like an angel, but they were a deep orange that kept changing to black.
"Mistress Alexi..." Alex's dreams ended slowly, the images coming and going. At the last second, she saw all of her friends together, all wearing headbands of varying colors: Nicca with white, Makaro with red, Seneca with green, Caia with dark blue, and Lee with orange. Her sleep ended with the final image of the angel of death her sister would become... "Mistress Alexi, are you alright?"
"Master Rasid?" she asked weakly. "What's going on? Where am I?"
"You're alive," said Quatre. "That's what matters. We should have left you at the estates." She sat up and gave him the severest look she could manage, a light blue headband glittering in the sunrise.
"If you had left me behind, I'd have killed you myself. When you came back alive," she said firmly. "I'm not a person to stay behind while her friends rush into pointless battle. Remember that in the future." Rasid helped her to her feet and she brushed dirt from her arms.
"I thought we had lost you, Miss Alex," said Quatre quietly. Alex lifted her head and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Master Quatre, if I didn't know better, I'd say that was the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me." She gathered up her skirts in one hand. "And if I hear it again, it will be your last."
Chapter 2- In the Sainted Life
"Duo!"
"What?!"
"Oh for the love of- don't make me tell you again. Stay out of the kitchen! Cripes. You're worse then Uncle Kento." Nicca turned and walked back into the kitchen. Hildi was standing by the stove, trying not to laugh. Duo followed Nicca in and she finally gave up. "Fine. But make yourself useful. And stay away from the food."
"You know, Nicca, I haven't had any fun since you came here," said Duo. He grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and leaned back in his chair. "So whatcha making?"
"Something my aunt used to do for... shrimp fried rice," she said. Sadness flooded into her. God, she missed her family. They were all trapped in the... man, there was a word you didn't expect in this world: Dynasty. Where her parents were. Well, this was turning out to be a damn happy birthday if she'd ever had one.
"Hey Nicca, a thought occurred to me," said Duo. She shook her head. Duo wasn't born to have thoughts. They just didn't work with his instinct. "Isn't today your birthday?" She nodded slowly, keeping her eyes on the rice in front of her.
"Why didn't you say anything?" said Hildi. Nicca shrugged.
"It's not a big deal and I didn't want it to become one," she answered quietly Hildi and Duo exchanged a glance, then nodded at each other.
"Alright. Let's go," said Duo. Nicca looked at both of them in confusion. "It's your birthday. Let's go out and celebrate."
"But I-"
"Oh, come on," said Hildi. She grabbed Nicca's arm. "Let's go have some fun."
"But I-"
"Nicca-so, come. On." They all went out the door, still talking. A few seconds later, Nicca ran back in. She bolted to the kitchen, grabbed her jacket, and turned off the stove, then ran to catch up with her friends.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Makaro-chan, does your head hurt? What about your soul?
You're an annoying pain in the ass. Go... blow up a base of something.*
Your friends and you have given me an advantage by falling for the young pilots. What would you give to keep them alive? Her eyes narrowed at the page of the book in front of her, but she had long forgotten the storyline. Then she chuckled softly.
If you think you can use that against us, you're wrong. We know their lives are high risk: that doesn't matter. They die, they die.
We shall see. We shall see. Makaro shook her head as Trowa walked into the trailer.
"How was the show?" she asked, giving up on her book and setting it on the table. He grabbed a duffel bag from the chair by the door and started out again. "Hey! Wait a minute! Where are you going?" He stopped and turned around. She had gotten up and was leaning against the edge of the couch, her hair falling on her shoulders in waves.
"I'll be back," he said after a moment of silence. "Just stay here."
"Hold on!" She grabbed his arm as he reached the ground. "Where. Are. You. Going?" He looked at her, hesitating.
"I'm going to see Quatre." It was her eyes that did it. They had become deep turquoise in a matter of seconds and were glittering in the afternoon sunlight. "But you're staying here." He turned and disappeared into the forest. Makaro crossed her arms over her chest as she walked back into the door.
And I've got to check on Lee, she thought, picking up a red headband that was laying on the table next to her book. Let's see who gets there first.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Trowa dropped to the ground and grabbed his bag. Quatre met him halfway to the house.
"Hi Trowa!" he said.
"Hey Quatre," said Trowa.
"Let's get out of the sun," said Quatre. Trowa nodded and followed him back to the house. It was nice and cool inside. They walked into a side room and Trowa dropped his bag by the door.
"Where's Alex?" he asked.
"She's in the garden with-"
"Master Quatre!" Alex came into the room, her dark hair soaking wet. She was laughing. "Come on! It's too nice to be inside!"
"Miss Alex, what happened to you?" said Quatre, trying to hide his laughter. She giggled and raked her fingers through her hair.
"I didn't start it, I'll give you that much." The door opened further and there was Makaro, her own blue hair pulled back, but soaking too. A red headband was wrapped around her head.
"Hello Master Quatre," she said, grinning. She barely glanced at Trowa. "Are you in a meeting? We can-" Suddenly, Alex jerked. A cold feeling rushed through her.
"What the hell?" she muttered.
"Master Quatre." Rasid opened a different door and stepped in. "It's about Miss Lee."
"Lee?" said Alex fearfully. "What's wrong with my sister?" She didn't wait to hear what. She ran past Rasid and vanished into the hallway. Makaro didn't hesitate to follow her. Neither did the two boys.
What they found was something none of them expected.
"Alliana!" said Alex happily. She hugged her sister tightly. The confused, but awake Lee cautiously hugged her back.
"Lex-chan... what the hell is going on?" she said. Makaro's hand flew to her mouth and tears welled up in her throat.
"Oh, god..." she said. "Lee-so, you don't know how much we've wanted to hear that."
"I'm so lost," said Lee. "Where am I? And where are the others?" She saw the guys in the room with them. Alex grinned at her sister's fear.
"It's okay," she said reassuringly. "They're friends." Her eyes fell on Trowa. "I think." Makaro chuckled and wrapped her hand around Trowa's.
"Lex-chan, Lee-so, meet Trowa Barton. Trowa, these are my friends: Alexi and Alliana, but mostly they're just Alex and Lee."
"Can I talk to you?" said Trowa quietly. She nodded, and grinned.
"Be right back." He pulled her gently into the hallway and shut the door. "What?"
"What the hell are you doing? How did you get here?"
"Let's see. I took a plane, got in yesterday morning and thanks to a quick phone call, was here by yesterday afternoon. I'm here because I thought Alex might need a friend, but... Lee's awake! Isn't it wonderful?!" He caught her arm as she did a happy turn.
"The last time you were with one of your friends, you almost died," he said firmly. "You can't risk that again."
"Alright, Trowa, you're right." She pulled her arm away, her eyes darkening to turquoise. "The last time my friends were together, we almost lost one of us in a city attack. And then, when Nicca and I showed up at the meeting with you Gundam pilots, we almost got blasted. No, scratch that. I got blasted. You all came out fine. But the thought occurs to me. Excluding the first time, which was random, you've been around too. It's not us Shisama wants dead. It's you. You wanna know the real reason I'm here?" Her eyes were deep green now, and lit with a fire that he hadn't seen before.
"What?"
"I came here to watch you. And Quatre. Because I had the same idea: every time you're together, something blows up, gets killed, or basically goes to hell. And I didn't want that to happen to you, the Maganacs, Quatre, Alex, or Lee. Happy now?" She crossed her arms over her chest and set her jaw. He studied her intently, then smiled softly. She was beautiful, but danger was all around her.
"You could've been killed if one of Shisama's soldiers saw you," he said. She laughed.
"Trowa. Believe me. The last thing any of his soldiers would do is try and kill me. They've got more sense then that. I think." Somewhere in the house, a phone rang. Quatre answered it from inside the room, then opened the door and motioned to Trowa. Marako stayed in the hallway, leaning against the wall, thinking. He cares too much, she said to herself. It's gonna kill him. Use them against us. Ha! Trowa came back out, grim. "What?"
"Hildi's dead," he told her. "Some of the soldiers attacked her, Nicca, and Duo while they were out last night. She was their target." Makaro slammed her fist into the wall, leaving a dent.
"Damn!" she said. "I knew this quiet was too good to be true. How are Duo and Nicca?"
"They're alright. They weren't hurt. Quatre says you can use the phone to call her. It's in the next room." She nodded and walked in through the door. Makaro cursed Shisama silently while she picked up the phone. A sudden movement caught her eye, but it was too late. The snake struck, sinking its teeth into her hand and emptying its poison sacks into her bloodstream. She jerked back with a cry of pain and hit the animal with her other hand. It flew across the room, hit a wall, then recovered and slithered into a well rounded hole. Trowa came in just as it vanished. "Makaro, are you okay?"
"Yeah," she said, holding her hand. There was barely any blood, and the venom wasn't fast acting. "Damn thing bit me, though. Guess there are hazards out of civilization, huh?" She sat down in a chair and wiped off the access blood with her shirt. Then she giggled. "A snake! Who would've thought that a big snake like that would be in here, just waiting to bite someone?" She fell off the chair, laughing, and Trowa knelt down on the floor next to her. He lifted her shoulders off the ground and she started giggling again, her eyes dull and lifeless. "You know what, Barton?" she asked, half babbling. "You're the most gorgeous and wonderful guy I've ever met, but I can't tell you that because I like you a lot and don't want to lose our friendship and oh, god, I don't feel well." She groaned and collapsed against his shoulder. Alex- whose curiosity over her friend's half sane laughing finally won over the rest of her- followed by Quatre, Lee, and Rasid walked into the room.
"Oh, Christ!" she said. "Not again!" Lee took a step backwards. What was this feeling? Her best friend was dying, but she felt... pride. Joy almost. Makaro was going to die slowly...
She had to die...
Chapter 3- Death of Twin Lives
She was dead.
That's all Duo could think about. He had lost his best friend. And Nicca...
He put his arm around her shoulders as she sobbed quietly. She was shaking and felt pained. The man up on the stage was talking about Hildi, but what did he know? He hadn't known her. Nicca straightened, her green eyes angry.
"Shisama," she whispered. "You'll pay." The man finished and people started to get up to leave. Quatre and Lee approached Duo and Nicca. Nicca gave Lee a quick hug and they started talking quietly.
"Quatre," said Duo. "Where's Trowa? And the other girl? Alex?"
"There was another 'accident'," said Quatre. "Only this time, we might lose Makaro again. She was bitten by a snake and it's killing her."
"What?" asked Duo. "No way." Quatre nodded.
"Trowa and Alex stayed with her to watch her, but it's not looking good. They've tried the anti-venom, but... Duo, it was deliberate. The doctors said that it was a King Snake that bit her. Those aren't on that side of the world."
"I don't get it," said Duo. "Shisama's not actually trying to kill *. He's going after our friends. Lee, Nicca, and Makaro by the time of the meeting, Makaro at your place, and... Hildi." He trailed off painfully. Quatre put a comforting hand on his shoulder and smiled softly.
"It's okay," he said. "She's safer where she is now then in the middle of this war." Duo nodded and Nicca gently took his hand.
"Come on," she said quietly. "Let's take a drive. I want to show you something. Lee, Quatre, you can come if you want to." They drove in silence. Duo looked at Nicca and noticed that she was wearing the white headband that Hildi had given her just moments before they were attacked. He swallowed tears and leaned back in the seat as they pulled into the cemetery. "Duo, I wasn't sure of what to do. Hildi's parents died awhile ago, so they couldn't decide... but then I heard about this place." She lead him to two graves set off to the side.
"Trieze and Zechs," said Duo. "Both casualties of the last war."
"And Hildi's one of this war," murmured Nicca. "Her death and their deaths won't be in vain. Shisama will pay." He glanced at her and saw the angry look back in her eyes. It made her look more intense and, on some level, more beautiful. Lee and Quatre came up behind them.
"It's nice here," said Lee. "There's peace all around." Quatre nodded. "Nicca-so, be safe, okay? We've got to go back to Makaro-chan. Duo, I'm sorry about your friend, but we'll get the bastard that did it. Promise." She brushed a stand of blonde hair from her face and glanced at the headstones, then both of them turned and walked away.
"Duo?" asked Nicca. She swallowed a lump in her throat. "Can we..." He looked at the graves, then put his arm on her shoulders.
"Ni-ko," he said. "Let's go home."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Seneca stirred the sauce and tasted it.
It still needs something, she said to herself. But what? The door opened in the living room. "Hey!" she said. "Dinner's gonna be ready in a few minutes." The kitchen door opened partly.
"I'm not hungry," said Heero. It was back to his usual monotone. She froze as the door closed again. Chills ran down her spine.
You're gonna get yourself killed, she thought darkly. And I don't want to lose you, Heero. "Damn!" The sauce was burning over.
Heero pushed open the door to his room a few hours later and listened. Seneca had fallen asleep on the couch, her homework on the table in front of her. He walked around her and stopped. She turned over, muttering to herself.
"Mother," she said. "Father... demon..." He pulled his jacket off and lay it on her shoulders, then started out the door. "Heero, be careful. I can't lose you now..." He glanced back, but she was still asleep facing the back of the couch. He shook his head and closed the door gently behind him.
Seneca waited for the click of the door before sitting up. She stood and walked to the computer against the back wall.
"Where are you going now, flyboy?" she wondered to herself. For a moment, there was silence in the room, broken only by the typing of keys. Then she sat back and scratched her arm. "So. It was a mission. Well, Shisama won't get you. Not if I can help it." She picked up the jacket that had fallen to the floor and rushed out the door, her red hair tossed back to reveal a green headband.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heero ripped through three or four suits with the beam sabre. But there were too many. They came at him from all sides and attacked. He closed his eyes, ready to accept death. Something suddenly tore into half of them and he managed to avoid the other half and destroy them.
There was another suit. It resembled a Gundam, but at the same time, it was different. It was dark green and carried a large nodaochi looking-weapon. There was a laugh.
"Don't be so surprised, flyboy," said a familiar voice. "Haven't you ever seen a Soul Wing?"
"... Seneca?" he asked hesitantly. More suits came, and there was no reply. They fought against the suits until everyone of them fell, then he faced the other suit, his sabre raised. "Who are you?"
"Hey hey hey, don't do something we'll both regret." The front of the suit opened and she stepped into the light, her arms raised. "But if it helps, I surrender. There shouldn't be fighting between us."
"What the hell?" He stepped out into the light. "Seneca-chan, where did you..."
"How should I know? Besides, you wouldn't believe me if I tried, so I won't. Just let it be with the fact that you're the last person I'd kill right now. Shisama's first."
"Why didn't you stay back?" She shrugged.
"Because I like you alive more then dead." She turned to go back into her suit when something struck her hard in the side. Her balance faltered as incredible pain tore through the old wound that had only been half healed. "Damn it!" she said, catching herself on the side of her suit. "Shisama! You bastard!"
"Seneca!" said Heero. He looked in the direction the bullet had come from and saw a flash of light. There was sniper! Seneca's hold slipped and she collapsed.
Chapter 4- Suddenly Evil
Alex and Lee sat across from each other by the side of the fountain, a card game between them. But neither of them had any interest in the game.
"If this war goes on, we could lose everything," said Alex. She leaned over the side of the fountain and looked in the water's reflection. "Lee-so, why does it have to be so complicated? All of the wars back home were simple. You had the good guys and the bad guys, depending on how you looked at it. But now... it's hard to know who to trust." She ran her fingers through the image and sat back down. "Lee, that snake was there for a reason." Lee nodded, forcing more of the feeling out of her.
"Your move," she said stiffly. Alex laid down a card without much thought.
"The doctor said it was deliberate. But why would it be in your room?" wondered Alex thoughtfully. "That's the part that worries me."
"Good timing, I guess." The feeling was turning into a rage of dark emotions. "Excuse me a second, Lex-chan. I'll be right back." She ran inside and leaned against the wall in the darkness. Intense pain ripped through her.
Alliana, you are my pawn. Release your soul to me...
"No!" she screamed. "Leave me alone, demon!" Alex heard her sister yell and started towards her, but the ground rocked, sending her into the fountain.
"Damn!" she said, rubbing the back of her head. She pulled herself out, prayed that the water hadn't affected her headband and concentrated hard. The Maganacs and Quatre had already left, assuming she would stay behind where it was safe.
Yeah. Right.
"Here comes that suit," said Rasid. But the Soul Wing went past them and headed towards the house. "It seems that we have been tricked. He is after Mistress Alexi and Miss Lee." Quatre had a flash of Alex, her brown eyes shining.
"Miss Alex..." he whispered. "Miss Lee..."
"You incompetent fool boy!" yelled a voice. "She won't die! Fight me or I'll kill you!" The Tall Geese was back and mad as ever. "You aren't worthy of that Gundam! Give it to me!"
"Bastard!" The blue suit slammed into the Tall Geese just before it attacked Quatre. They hit the ground, sending up clouds of sand. When it cleared, they were facing off. "You're a dumb ass, Shisama. Attacking now. What're you trying to do? Destroy this beautiful place? I won't let you!"
"That... that's..." Quatre trailed off. "Miss Alex?"
"Fight, damn you!" she yelled at Shisama, who was unmoving. "I won't attack first." The Virgoes were attacking the Maganacs. "Master Quatre, help them. I can handle this guy."
"Be careful, Miss Alex," he said, going to fight with the Corps.
Lee knew there was battle. And she knew who was in it. Alex. Quatre. Lord Shi- no! No, that was all wrong! Shisama was evil!
You are evil, child. Give me your soul. I will win... no matter what... Lee screamed. She had to get out. And leave, before whatever darkness inside of her got to Alex and the others.
I won't let you control me, she thought, tearing the chain from her neck. She threw it into the fountain as she ran from the estate. Alex, understand. You're still my sister. That won't change.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Miss Alex!" said Quatre. She stood up shakily and walked into the sunlight. "What in the world?"
"Quatre, you wouldn't believe me if I tried," she said. "Let's just say that we're on the same side, no matter what."
"Mistress Alexi," said Rasid. "Why didn't you say anything?" She brushed her hair over her shoulder and spread her hands out in front of her.
"If it didn't make sense to me, why should it make sense to you?" she said. "And I didn't want you to worry about... this." She motioned to the suit. "It's not easy, but I will get the hang of this thing. It won't control me."
My sister. That won't change. Alex wavered. She fell back into the seat and rested her head in her hands.
"Lee-so," she muttered. "Don't do anything stupid. Please." She closed her eyes. IceShadow, EarthAbsolute, FireWing, AirWind, LightIllume, InfernoBlade, Dimsera, Semakai, Jusai, Hillia, Nicho, Wisdom, Virtue, Life, Justice, Trust, please. The powers that run in the blood of my friends, myself, my sister, protect us all from the destruction that is coming. I can't make a simpler wish for peace. She slowly woke from the dream of death and looked up directly at Quatre's blue eyes. She bolted up in surprise. "Master Quatre!" she said. "Where... what..." He smiled gently.
"It's okay, Miss Alex," he said quietly. "You're back. Just rest."
"Where's Lee?" He frowned.
"She was gone when we arrived back," he explained. "We've looked everywhere for her." To his shock, she laid back down with a soft smile.
"She's not coming back," she said, tears burning the back of her eyes. "She knows that Shisama's evil rests in her. Oh, Alliana. Why couldn't I protect you?" A sob escaped her throat. Hopelessness and loss overcame her. She had had her sister back, all of her friends well and safe. Now Lee was gone... Makaro was dying... she had no hope for the future. Shisama was going to win because he had corrupted their love for each other. Lee was gone... her sister was on the side of evil. All because of Shisama! Their parents were dead. Hildi. Makaro. The Gundam pilots would be next. Heero. Trowa. Wufei. Duo. Quatre. The Maganac Crops. The entire world, all gone to that damn bastard!
Suddenly, Alex felt warmth over throw the negative feelings. She opened her eyes and looked at Quatre. He tightened his grip on her hand and brushed away one of her tears.
"Miss Alex," he said firmly. "You can't give in. He wants you to feel despairingly about this war. But you have to stay strong. For your friends and for the Maganacs too. We all care deeply for you and couldn't stand to see you lose to such an enemy when you alone could beat him. You have to believe in your friends and Lee. They'll come through." Alex sat up and for a moment, they both sat in silence, looking at each other.
"Master Quatre..."
"Miss Alex, please," he said. "You've saved my life twice now. Call me Quatre." She smiled.
"Only if you don't call me 'Miss Alex'."
"What should I call you then?" She giggled.
"Just Alex," she said. "It's what my friends call me."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wufei sat crossed legged, pinning Caia's feet beneath him. She sat up, then lay back down and had been for the last fifteen minutes. She still wasn't tired.
"I can't believe you let me sleep for that long," she said. "For crying out loud, Wufei-chan, I didn't need that much rest."
"So I noticed." She sat up again and stayed long enough to give him a curious look.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You've been at this for almost twenty minutes." Caia stayed up this time and rested her hands on her knees.
"Bored, Wufei-chan?" she asked with a smile. "I'd think that you'd had enough excitement to last you a lifetime."
"I don't think I'll ever have that," he said. She considered this, then nodded.
"Right. You're a Gundam pilot. Sorry. Forgot that one." He shook his head and stood up. She sighed and followed him into the kitchen. "Okay. So I'm energetic. Live with it, Wufei-chan. You'll get it a lot."
"I almost liked you better asleep." Suddenly, he had a dagger at his throat. Caia sighed at her own lack of sense and pulled the blade back.
"You had better not mean that," she added, slipping the knife back into the sheath on her arm. "I feel so bad about Hildi. She shouldn't have died."
"It's war, Caia. Everything dies in some way." She leaned against the table and closed her eyes.
"If I had just woken up sooner... I could've warned them. And Maka-so."
"Huh?" Her cheeks reddened when she realized she had spoken aloud.
"Nothing," she muttered. "It's nothing. Just something I should've been thinking instead of speaking." She grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair. "I'm going for a walk. Wanna come?" He shook his head and she walked out of the kitchen.
He wouldn't be there by the time she got back.
The End