Kokoro Mitsukeru Heiwa - Chapter 3
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Quatre woke slowly, the feeling of something being 'not quite right' infiltrating his mind. Turning onto his side, he let out a gasp of pain as the muscles to either side of his neck spasmed without warning. He brought up one hand but found another there before he even knew it. Strong fingers kneaded at the muscle and he was vaguely aware of melodious speech floating past his hearing. There was an answer from the direction of the bed and his eyes flew open, staring towards a smirking Wufei.
"Good morning, Starshine. So much for you waking me when Nuriko got up." Wufei shook his head as Quatre blushed and began stammering an apology. "Stop that. He moves quietly, he even snuck up on me. We nearly put each other through a wall. It's no wonder you never woke up."
The blonde tilted his head back, wincing at the tensed muscles as they protested the motion. There, smiling down at him was Nuriko, looking much more cheerful than he'd been the night before. Groaning faintly, Quatre curled back up in the chair as he realized that there was sunlight outside the window, and from the looks of it, it was nearly noon. "WHY did you let me sleep this long?" There was a quick exchange in Chinese, and the Arab found himself hard pressed to keep up with it. He knew a little, but without being able to look it up, he was useless. He caught a few words here and there, however wasn't able to respond.
"He wanted to know what you said. That's why he came to find me to begin with. He recognized English, just couldn't understand it... but apparently you mutter in Arabic in your sleep and threw him completely for a loop."
"Remind me never to sleep in a chair again." Quatre grumbled, yelping as Nuriko's hands found a particularly stubborn knot. He looked up again, smiling softly to the fey seishi. The gesture was returned and Quatre could have sworn he felt a bit of relief from the other...
* * *
Nuriko was just happy that he was able to help. Wufei had told him how Quatre had been concerned for him, and had been the one to catch him when he fell. He'd woken this morning rather confused, and the first thing he'd seen was the blonde curled up in the chair next to the bed. Part of him was puzzled as to why someone he didn't know would do that for him... another part of him was flattered. No one had ever gone to that length before, just to make certain he was alright.
Wufei had explained everything that they knew, about how he'd gotten here and where 'here' was. It was still confusing. This place didn't seem anything like the world Miaka had told them of, it was far more violent, from what he could tell. These boys... he couldn't help but call them boys, they were even younger than he was... were fighting a war at their age. True, if they were in Konan, they'd likely be called to arms should the need arise, but that was a foreign concept in Miaka's world, really. He had flipped through the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho that they had here, half reading it while Wufei told him of this world and its ways. It was confusing, to say the least. However, from what he read, Chichiri and the others knew he was gone even if they didn't know why. Suzaku, HE didn't even know why he was here. Apparently the Phoenix God had determined the need, rather like when Miaka had come to Konan. Now he just needed to figure out what to do to get home.
The blond... Quatre, he'd been told, was nearly purring in the chair. Nuriko had known he'd be stiff as a board when he woke up. Sleeping in a chair wasn't good for anyone, no matter how young they were. Sure enough, he'd felt the muscles of his neck cramping, almost as if he'd slept awkwardly... when he and Wufei had come into the room, Quatre was just starting to stir. The Chinese pilot seemed surprised that Nuriko had felt it, and to be honest, Nuriko wasn't too sure of it himself. He'd heard of people 'feeling' things from others, but it had never happened to him before. He was just about to open his mouth to ask Wufei about that, when the third pilot came running in. Nuriko heard the urgency in the others voice and immediately tensed, even though he couldn't understand what was being said. Whatever it was, it made Wufei spring up from his seat on the bed and race out the door, shouting something over his shoulder to Quatre, who was already out of the chair and grabbing a few of the books that were scattered on the nightstand. Nuriko was barely able to register the fact that something was wrong before his hand was grabbed and he found himself racing through the house, half dragged by the smaller boy.
* * *
Quatre held the precious books under one arm as he pulled Nuriko with the other. There was no time to explain, no time to get Wufei to make the other understand. He could only hope that what was about to happen didn't traumatize the violet-haired seishi any more than the previous night had. Quatre caught himself almost laughing at that thought. This was likely to be far worse.
The door slammed back against the side of the safehouse as they raced out, heading for a cluster of trees not far from the building. There was the sudden sound of a blast nearby and the Arab found himself thrown to the ground, dirt scattering and landing over him. He saw Nuriko land not far from him, and was amazed to see the slender man immediately jump back to his feet and fall into a defensive position. Oh Allah, no... he has no idea...
He scrambled to his feet, making sure the books were still intact as he closed the distance between himself and the seishi. "Nuriko!! You can't fight them, not this way!!"
Nuriko spun around, eyes widened in barely veiled fear as another explosion nearly took out half the house behind them. He focused on Quatre, recognizing him for a friend as he began to shout. #"What the hell is happening? What's causing this??" #
Even if Quatre had understood the Chinese, he could barely make out the words amidst the blasts that were intent on bringing down the house and everything around it. Just then, things went from bad to worse. Duo had apparently made it to the Gundams, because Deathscythe rose above the treetops and moved to engage the OZ suits that were closing on the two people still on the ground.
Nuriko took one look at the Gundam and moved to run back towards the only safe spot he knew... the house. His mind wasn't working right, he knew that much. However, all reason had just gone out the window when that... that... THING appeared. Sweet Suzaku, this can't be happening, he thought to himself as he turned to bolt. That was the last thought that crossed his mind before everything went black.
"Damnit." Quatre swore as he brought back his hand form where it had just impacted with the back of Nuriko's neck. "I hope you forgive me for that." He muttered as he dropped the books and picked up the fallen one, slinging him over one shoulder. At least he wasn't that heavy, or this would get even worse. His free hand scooped up the one book that mattered, leaving the rest behind as he made his way to the shelter of the trees.
Shenlong came to rest in the clearing they had just vacated, Wufei keeping himself and his Gundam between the OZ troops and the remaining pilot while Quatre got himself and Nuriko to safety. Wufei hadn't thought of their 'guest', his mind geared only for survival as they had fled. It would have been better if Nuriko had come with him, he would have at least been able to explain what all this was. Although in this situation, he couldn't blame Quatre for incapacitating the seishi. This was dangerous enough without worrying about someone who had never even dreamed of machines such as the mobile suits.
"05, clear out. We're safe and heading away." Quatre's voice crackled over the comm link as Sandrock took off, heading away from the safehouse as fast as it could. There was no reason for him to stay, the OZ mobile suits were almost completely destroyed. Deathscythe was mopping up a small cluster that had tried to flank Atlong and get to the last Gundam in the trees, but that would be over soon as well. There was only one thing left to do. Wufei brought Atlong around, extending the arms of his suit as the dragon's head flame throwers snapped into place. They had no warning about the attack, and there were items left in the house that could possibly mark them as Gundam pilots and reveal the identities that they'd fought so hard to keep hidden. As the twin blasts of flame seared across the distance between Atlong and the building, Wufei smiled inwardly. There would be nothing left when he was finished.
Peripheral vision told him that Deathscythe was away, taking to the skies and leaving what remained of the OZ ground troops to whatever fate would befall them for failing. Now was the time. Wufei saw the small metal canister drop in front of him a moment before he sprang away, closing his eyes as Deathscythe's flash grenade exploded, blinding those left behind so that the Gundams could make their escape.
"This is 05... split up and get to ground. We'll fight again another day."
Duo's image flickered on the screen for just an instant, saluting him. "Roger that, 05. Until then, keep your ass alive." The transmission ended as quickly as it had begun and Wufei saw the Deathscythe's ECM's take effect. cloaking the Gundam from sight and effectively making it vanish before his eyes.
"04 here. What am I supposed to do with my passenger?" No visual came across, however it was normal for Quatre to use audio only.
Wufei just smirked, shaking his head as he punched coordinates into his navigation system. "Either learn Chinese or teach him English. I'll contact you after things settle down." He ended the transmission then, wondering exactly how much Quatre was going to curse him for that statement. If he had heard or could understand the diatribe of Arabic insults that were leveled his way from the cockpit of the Sandrock at that moment, it likely would have given him a coronary.
Quatre just sighed, staring at the screens in front of him long after his imagination had left him at a loss for describing what he was going to do to Wufei when he caught up with him. His gaze dropped to the side of the pilot's seat, to the figure that was strapped into place with a jury-rigged harness. He hadn't wanted to take the chance of having to make evasive maneuvers. The last thing he needed was for Nuriko to get slammed around. Bad enough the seishi was probably going to kill him when he woke up.
"Nuriko... I'm sorry."
* * *
Nuriko could hear words... he heard the apology and was surprised to be able to understand it for its meaning. *Amazing what can happen in dreams,* he thought, letting himself remain in the soft security that was his own mind. For a moment, he could have sworn he'd seen Hotohori, seated against his throne as he always had been. Then Chiriko and the others flickered into view... but something wasn't right. They were on a boat that Nuriko had never seen before. Was he seeing them in his own world? They'd been about to make the trip to Hokkan, he remembered that... Had the others already left? How much time had passed there? Suddenly, he saw Chiriko turn and stare at him with widened eyes.
"Nuriko-san??"
"Chiriko!! Can you hear me?" Nuriko threw himself towards the image, reaching out his hands as if to grasp hold of the other seishi. Just when it seemed that he would grasp the other and be pulled back to the safety of his friends, a brilliant flash of red light drove its way between them, sending Nuriko flying back. He shrieked, bringing up his hands defensively, his eyes closing against the brightness.
He felt himself come to rest once more, curled on his side. As his eyes opened, the vision was gone, replaced only by the slightly surreal dreamscape that he had always known. A strange keening cry filled the void, rising in pitch until it seemed that it was all that existed. It remained, varying in degrees until it simply became a staggered sob that echoed around him.
It was only when Nuriko felt the hot streak of tears sliding down his face that he realized the sound was coming from his own lips.
* * *
Quatre reached up suddenly, clutching as his chest. He couldn't breathe, the dull ache in his heart increasing with each passing moment. A soft moan made him turn and he saw the still-unconscious Nuriko struggling against the harness, trying to curl forward. At that moment, he knew exactly where the ache came from... and what was likely causing it.
"I'm sorry, my friend... I wished for a way to make things better and it appears that all I've done is cause you trouble. This is my fault. And I swear to you, I will find a way to make it right again."
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TBC
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Quatre woke slowly, the feeling of something being 'not quite right' infiltrating his mind. Turning onto his side, he let out a gasp of pain as the muscles to either side of his neck spasmed without warning. He brought up one hand but found another there before he even knew it. Strong fingers kneaded at the muscle and he was vaguely aware of melodious speech floating past his hearing. There was an answer from the direction of the bed and his eyes flew open, staring towards a smirking Wufei.
"Good morning, Starshine. So much for you waking me when Nuriko got up." Wufei shook his head as Quatre blushed and began stammering an apology. "Stop that. He moves quietly, he even snuck up on me. We nearly put each other through a wall. It's no wonder you never woke up."
The blonde tilted his head back, wincing at the tensed muscles as they protested the motion. There, smiling down at him was Nuriko, looking much more cheerful than he'd been the night before. Groaning faintly, Quatre curled back up in the chair as he realized that there was sunlight outside the window, and from the looks of it, it was nearly noon. "WHY did you let me sleep this long?" There was a quick exchange in Chinese, and the Arab found himself hard pressed to keep up with it. He knew a little, but without being able to look it up, he was useless. He caught a few words here and there, however wasn't able to respond.
"He wanted to know what you said. That's why he came to find me to begin with. He recognized English, just couldn't understand it... but apparently you mutter in Arabic in your sleep and threw him completely for a loop."
"Remind me never to sleep in a chair again." Quatre grumbled, yelping as Nuriko's hands found a particularly stubborn knot. He looked up again, smiling softly to the fey seishi. The gesture was returned and Quatre could have sworn he felt a bit of relief from the other...
* * *
Nuriko was just happy that he was able to help. Wufei had told him how Quatre had been concerned for him, and had been the one to catch him when he fell. He'd woken this morning rather confused, and the first thing he'd seen was the blonde curled up in the chair next to the bed. Part of him was puzzled as to why someone he didn't know would do that for him... another part of him was flattered. No one had ever gone to that length before, just to make certain he was alright.
Wufei had explained everything that they knew, about how he'd gotten here and where 'here' was. It was still confusing. This place didn't seem anything like the world Miaka had told them of, it was far more violent, from what he could tell. These boys... he couldn't help but call them boys, they were even younger than he was... were fighting a war at their age. True, if they were in Konan, they'd likely be called to arms should the need arise, but that was a foreign concept in Miaka's world, really. He had flipped through the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho that they had here, half reading it while Wufei told him of this world and its ways. It was confusing, to say the least. However, from what he read, Chichiri and the others knew he was gone even if they didn't know why. Suzaku, HE didn't even know why he was here. Apparently the Phoenix God had determined the need, rather like when Miaka had come to Konan. Now he just needed to figure out what to do to get home.
The blond... Quatre, he'd been told, was nearly purring in the chair. Nuriko had known he'd be stiff as a board when he woke up. Sleeping in a chair wasn't good for anyone, no matter how young they were. Sure enough, he'd felt the muscles of his neck cramping, almost as if he'd slept awkwardly... when he and Wufei had come into the room, Quatre was just starting to stir. The Chinese pilot seemed surprised that Nuriko had felt it, and to be honest, Nuriko wasn't too sure of it himself. He'd heard of people 'feeling' things from others, but it had never happened to him before. He was just about to open his mouth to ask Wufei about that, when the third pilot came running in. Nuriko heard the urgency in the others voice and immediately tensed, even though he couldn't understand what was being said. Whatever it was, it made Wufei spring up from his seat on the bed and race out the door, shouting something over his shoulder to Quatre, who was already out of the chair and grabbing a few of the books that were scattered on the nightstand. Nuriko was barely able to register the fact that something was wrong before his hand was grabbed and he found himself racing through the house, half dragged by the smaller boy.
* * *
Quatre held the precious books under one arm as he pulled Nuriko with the other. There was no time to explain, no time to get Wufei to make the other understand. He could only hope that what was about to happen didn't traumatize the violet-haired seishi any more than the previous night had. Quatre caught himself almost laughing at that thought. This was likely to be far worse.
The door slammed back against the side of the safehouse as they raced out, heading for a cluster of trees not far from the building. There was the sudden sound of a blast nearby and the Arab found himself thrown to the ground, dirt scattering and landing over him. He saw Nuriko land not far from him, and was amazed to see the slender man immediately jump back to his feet and fall into a defensive position. Oh Allah, no... he has no idea...
He scrambled to his feet, making sure the books were still intact as he closed the distance between himself and the seishi. "Nuriko!! You can't fight them, not this way!!"
Nuriko spun around, eyes widened in barely veiled fear as another explosion nearly took out half the house behind them. He focused on Quatre, recognizing him for a friend as he began to shout. #"What the hell is happening? What's causing this??" #
Even if Quatre had understood the Chinese, he could barely make out the words amidst the blasts that were intent on bringing down the house and everything around it. Just then, things went from bad to worse. Duo had apparently made it to the Gundams, because Deathscythe rose above the treetops and moved to engage the OZ suits that were closing on the two people still on the ground.
Nuriko took one look at the Gundam and moved to run back towards the only safe spot he knew... the house. His mind wasn't working right, he knew that much. However, all reason had just gone out the window when that... that... THING appeared. Sweet Suzaku, this can't be happening, he thought to himself as he turned to bolt. That was the last thought that crossed his mind before everything went black.
"Damnit." Quatre swore as he brought back his hand form where it had just impacted with the back of Nuriko's neck. "I hope you forgive me for that." He muttered as he dropped the books and picked up the fallen one, slinging him over one shoulder. At least he wasn't that heavy, or this would get even worse. His free hand scooped up the one book that mattered, leaving the rest behind as he made his way to the shelter of the trees.
Shenlong came to rest in the clearing they had just vacated, Wufei keeping himself and his Gundam between the OZ troops and the remaining pilot while Quatre got himself and Nuriko to safety. Wufei hadn't thought of their 'guest', his mind geared only for survival as they had fled. It would have been better if Nuriko had come with him, he would have at least been able to explain what all this was. Although in this situation, he couldn't blame Quatre for incapacitating the seishi. This was dangerous enough without worrying about someone who had never even dreamed of machines such as the mobile suits.
"05, clear out. We're safe and heading away." Quatre's voice crackled over the comm link as Sandrock took off, heading away from the safehouse as fast as it could. There was no reason for him to stay, the OZ mobile suits were almost completely destroyed. Deathscythe was mopping up a small cluster that had tried to flank Atlong and get to the last Gundam in the trees, but that would be over soon as well. There was only one thing left to do. Wufei brought Atlong around, extending the arms of his suit as the dragon's head flame throwers snapped into place. They had no warning about the attack, and there were items left in the house that could possibly mark them as Gundam pilots and reveal the identities that they'd fought so hard to keep hidden. As the twin blasts of flame seared across the distance between Atlong and the building, Wufei smiled inwardly. There would be nothing left when he was finished.
Peripheral vision told him that Deathscythe was away, taking to the skies and leaving what remained of the OZ ground troops to whatever fate would befall them for failing. Now was the time. Wufei saw the small metal canister drop in front of him a moment before he sprang away, closing his eyes as Deathscythe's flash grenade exploded, blinding those left behind so that the Gundams could make their escape.
"This is 05... split up and get to ground. We'll fight again another day."
Duo's image flickered on the screen for just an instant, saluting him. "Roger that, 05. Until then, keep your ass alive." The transmission ended as quickly as it had begun and Wufei saw the Deathscythe's ECM's take effect. cloaking the Gundam from sight and effectively making it vanish before his eyes.
"04 here. What am I supposed to do with my passenger?" No visual came across, however it was normal for Quatre to use audio only.
Wufei just smirked, shaking his head as he punched coordinates into his navigation system. "Either learn Chinese or teach him English. I'll contact you after things settle down." He ended the transmission then, wondering exactly how much Quatre was going to curse him for that statement. If he had heard or could understand the diatribe of Arabic insults that were leveled his way from the cockpit of the Sandrock at that moment, it likely would have given him a coronary.
Quatre just sighed, staring at the screens in front of him long after his imagination had left him at a loss for describing what he was going to do to Wufei when he caught up with him. His gaze dropped to the side of the pilot's seat, to the figure that was strapped into place with a jury-rigged harness. He hadn't wanted to take the chance of having to make evasive maneuvers. The last thing he needed was for Nuriko to get slammed around. Bad enough the seishi was probably going to kill him when he woke up.
"Nuriko... I'm sorry."
* * *
Nuriko could hear words... he heard the apology and was surprised to be able to understand it for its meaning. *Amazing what can happen in dreams,* he thought, letting himself remain in the soft security that was his own mind. For a moment, he could have sworn he'd seen Hotohori, seated against his throne as he always had been. Then Chiriko and the others flickered into view... but something wasn't right. They were on a boat that Nuriko had never seen before. Was he seeing them in his own world? They'd been about to make the trip to Hokkan, he remembered that... Had the others already left? How much time had passed there? Suddenly, he saw Chiriko turn and stare at him with widened eyes.
"Nuriko-san??"
"Chiriko!! Can you hear me?" Nuriko threw himself towards the image, reaching out his hands as if to grasp hold of the other seishi. Just when it seemed that he would grasp the other and be pulled back to the safety of his friends, a brilliant flash of red light drove its way between them, sending Nuriko flying back. He shrieked, bringing up his hands defensively, his eyes closing against the brightness.
He felt himself come to rest once more, curled on his side. As his eyes opened, the vision was gone, replaced only by the slightly surreal dreamscape that he had always known. A strange keening cry filled the void, rising in pitch until it seemed that it was all that existed. It remained, varying in degrees until it simply became a staggered sob that echoed around him.
It was only when Nuriko felt the hot streak of tears sliding down his face that he realized the sound was coming from his own lips.
* * *
Quatre reached up suddenly, clutching as his chest. He couldn't breathe, the dull ache in his heart increasing with each passing moment. A soft moan made him turn and he saw the still-unconscious Nuriko struggling against the harness, trying to curl forward. At that moment, he knew exactly where the ache came from... and what was likely causing it.
"I'm sorry, my friend... I wished for a way to make things better and it appears that all I've done is cause you trouble. This is my fault. And I swear to you, I will find a way to make it right again."
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TBC