YO! ^^ Naza here, for a second go at the fanfiction world. I want to thank everyone who reviewed my previous story, because you are all so wonderfully nice! I got such great feedback, which is why I'm here again. Thank you. *hugs everyone* Anyway, I was reading over this fic again today, and I realized that the writing style is almost painfully awkward at the beginning, but it gets better in later parts. So stick with me, peoples! ^^;; I love you all, and stuff. Read. o.o;;
CONFESSIONS part 1 (or 2, depending on how you look at it. o.O;;)
Dr. I pulled up the drive way, a long paved semicircle, and slammed the car door angrily behind her. She stalked into the house, and beckoned to Dr. J.
Dr. I then stomped outside, and Dr. J went with her. "Dr. I?" he asked worriedly.
"This is going terribly!" she cried.
"Why?"
"She hated the idea of disguising her gender to become a pilot, and she refused to cut her hair. She's over there in the car sulking."
Dr. J peered over Dr. I's shoulder. Indeed, there was Hikaru, sitting with her arms crossed over a curiously flat chest. Dark brown locks of hair fell into her face, and they were much longer than Dr. J found comfortable.
Dr. J shrugged uneasily. "I told you from the beginning this wouldn't be easy."
"I was so certain this would work," grumbled Dr. I. "I never counted on her being resentful about it. She picked us, not the other way around."
"Are you sure this isn't a terrible decision you're making?" Dr. J asked her after long pause.
"No, Dr. J, despite my complaints, I'm certain what I'm doing is the right thing," Dr. I told him. "She'll make a wonderful Gundam pilot. And Hellraiser is perfectly suited. Except she's being so difficult!"
"I agree, to a point," Dr. J replied. "She is a talented pilot, and she has just the understanding of battle tactics to make herself immensely useful...but...she's a young budding woman, surrounded by six attractive young men." He paused. "Any rumors or secrets, or perhaps, privacy difficulties we may come across will create intergroup rifts. Do you see?"
"Is that the only thing you're worried about, J?" Dr. I asked him. "What if she proves unsatisfactory in her position as pilot of Hellraiser? What do we do then?"
"Destroy Hellraiser?" Dr. J suggested.
"No!" cried Dr. I, turning to face Dr. J. "No! We simply bring in another pilot. A female, of course," she added slyly.
"All right, so maybe that problem is solved. Sort of. But what about the conflicting genders problem, Dr. I? I am convinced that is the largest problem at hand."
Dr. I shrugged. "She's a smart girl. She'll figure it out."
Dr. J sighed. "I certainly hope you're right, I."
"I am," the woman told him. "I know I am." She turned around so her back was to Dr. J. "Will you please talk to her, and see if you can persuade her to cut her hair? If not all off, then partly, so it's not as long as it is now?"
Dr. J shrugged. "I'll try, but I'm not saying I'll work any wonders."
Dr. I smiled. "Thank you, J."
Dr. J walked to Dr. I's dark blue Explorer and opened the door. He slid into the seat next to Hikaru and got his first good look at the girl, the next new Gundam pilot.
She looked tall, even sitting down. Her hair was a dark brown, slightly wavy, that fell over her face in locks. Her nose was sort of snubbed, with light freckles across the bridge and tip, and she had large blue eyes, ridged with gold. Her lips were molded into a childish pout, and her arms were wrapped around herself in a hug. The way she slumped in the seat and the expression on her face seemed to radiate defiance and stubbornness.
"I'm Dr. J," he said, looking desperately for a conversation-starter. This girl did not look easy to budge.
"It took me the better part of the last six years to grow this hair. It took me all of puberty to grow this body. I am not changing either of them, so stop wasting your breath," she growled.
Dr. J inhaled sharply.
"That crazy bitch made me wrap my chest up in an Ace bandage!" Hikaru cried, turning to face Dr. J. "Do you have any idea how painful that is?!"
Dr. J shook his head, sighing. "No, thankfully, I don't know."
Hikaru made a frustrated sound in her throat. "And then she insists on calling me Kinjiro! My parents named me Hikaru for a reason!!!"
Dr. J put a wary hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "I know this identity transition is very hard to deal with at first, but it is necessary in the process of becoming a Gundam pilot."
Hikaru snorted, but said nothing.
"Now, I know you may be violently opposed to this, but I think it would be for the best if you cut your hair."
Hikaru pulled a thick lock of hair from her haphazard bun at the top of her head and stared at it wistfully.
"Humor me. It won't take long to grow back," tried Dr. J.
Hikaru sighed. "Why me? Grr! I should have put that note through the shredder the moment I got it. God, Hikaru. Haven't you ever heard, curiosity killed the cat?" She looked down at her ridiculously baggy clothing. "Or, curiosity killed the sense of dignity, more like it."
Dr. J patted her shoulder and withdrew his hand. "Are you willing to cut your hair now?"
"I wouldn't exactly call it willing, but I'll do it." Hikaru leaned her head against the headrest on the seat, and Dr. J smiled gratefully.
"We owe you one, Kinjiro," he said, and opened the car door.
"I am a man," Hikaru murmured to herself. "I am a man. I am a man. My name is Kinjiro. I hock up loogies and I take ridiculously large dumps and I smell like a rotting corpse. I am a man."
"That's the spirit, Kinjiro!" cried Dr. I, sliding into the driver's seat.
"I don't know why you're so gung-ho about it," grumbled Hikaru. "I am a man."
"Repeat that over and over again until you feel like a man."
"I am a man," shouted Hikaru. She placed her hands on either side of her on the upholstery, turned her face to the sky, took a deep breath and yelled as loud as she could, "I am a man!!!"
There was a long pause.
"Hm," Hikaru shrugged. "I don't feel any different."
Dr. I facevaulted.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Hikaru stared at herself in the mirror, stunned into silence. Her hair was cut within an inch of her scalp, and it was dyed black from the roots to the tips. A definite rebel look, and not one Hikaru's soft face and large eyes were suited for.
"What have you done to me?!" Hikaru cried.
"I like the spikes a lot, if I do say so myself," Dr. I said. "You think I should do the same?"
Tears brimmed in Hikaru's eyes, and she ignored Dr. I's half-hearted attempts to cheer her up. "This is terrible!" she cried.
"Look, next we go to pick up Hellraiser," tried Dr. I meekly.
Hikaru brightened immediately. "Really?" she gasped.
"Yeah. It's having the finishing touches added to it - small things, like the seat belt in the cockpit, some repaneling, you know. All the minor things. It should be ready later today." Dr. I smiled widely at Hikaru.
Hikaru swiped at her eyes. "Let's go!"
Dr. I paid, and thanked the stylist repeatedly, who was afraid she had done something wrong because of Hikaru's reaction to it.
The two loaded into the Explorer, and Hikaru stared at herself in the mirror for several moments without saying anything.
"The black clashes very attractively with your freckles and blue eyes," Dr. I told her.
"You think so? Yeah, I guess it's not bad." She closed the mirror. "So. What kind of missions am I going on?"
"Only minor ones at first, where you'll be accompanied by one of the other pilots. Then when you've proved to be the best pilot we can find, we begin to send you on missions by yourself. They'll start out small, like playing assistant to Wufei or Duo if they need to infiltrate a base. Then they'll get bigger, such as blowing up a base or battling OZ soldiers on your own. Then, you'll be doing stuff like infiltrating bases on your own, blowing buildings up with absurdly large amounts of explosives...that kind of thing." Dr. I shrugged. "We always start them off small, but you especially. You must learn to avoid getting too badly injured in battle, because there are certain complications that come with being a girl among a society of men."
"Yeah, I see what you mean," Hikaru said.
"Good, because I thought I was going to have to explain it to you, or something awkward like that."
Hikaru laughed.
"See, there's the smile I liked so much when I first met you," Dr. I said fondly, squeezing Hikaru's hand. "Trust me, Hika-chan; things only get better from now on."
Hikaru smiled, and squeezed back. "That's good to hear, though I doubt anything could be worse than this." She looked in the mirror again and sighed. "Every day, life teaches me that I can get used to anything."
Dr I laughed. "I like your haircut."
"I think you're the only one who does," Hikaru snorted. "Damn. This sucks."
Suddenly, she had an idea. "Hey! What if I didn't meet the pilots the conventional way, but stormed their mission one day with Hellraiser? That would be phat!"
Dr I shrugged. "Fine with me, girl - I mean --"
"Shut up," Hikaru warned.
"Sorry. But you have to get used to being labeled as a man."
Hikaru pulled the collar of her shirt away from her chest and peered down. "Oh my god," she whispered. "Well, at least I know I'll never sag when I get older."
Dr. I burst out laughing.
"I guess I feel better now," Hikaru said simply. "Now, are we there yet?"
"No." Dr I kept her eyes on the road.
"What's wrong, Dr I? Something tells me you're not taking me to the base where Hellraiser is..." Hikaru said nervously.
Dr I turned to face her. "Don't worry, Hikaru, we're going to the base. I'm just letting my worries get to me."
Hikaru shrugged. "It can't be that bad."
Dr I ruffled Hikaru's hair. "I'm glad you finally think that."
"So. We there yet?"
"No."
A few minutes later: "We there yet?"
"No, Hikaru."
"How many more minutes?"
"Only a few, darling."
Several minutes later, she said, "We're not there yet, dammit."
"No, Hikaru, we're not."
Hikaru sighed and began to fidget. "I hate long car trips."
"Hikaru, we've only been in the car for twenty minutes." She punched Hikaru's shoulder. "Think of Hellraiser as a goal to be reached."
Hikaru reached her hand up to her neck to twist her hair up into a messy chignon, a gesture she was prone to do when she was bored, but blinked in surprise when there was no hair to twist. "Oh, yeah," she murmured dejectedly.
"Look! We're here!" Dr I called as they finally reached the base.
"Where's Hellraiser?" shrieked Hikaru, launching herself out of the car before it even stopped moving.
Dr I stared wistfully after her, thinking of how nice it would have been if Hikaru were her daughter. She realized how much Hikaru resembled Duo - if not physically, she had the same disposition, cheerful smile, and eagerness that was Duo's trademark.
"Hellraiser is inside," Dr I said slowly.
"Oh. Heh heh. Yeah, I knew that," Hikaru said sheepishly. Then she brightened. "I wanna see Hellraiser now!"
Dr I laughed. "All right, all right, come on, you little bundle of energy."
"Yep yep yep," Hikaru said, twirling around happily. "That's me!"
"Calm down," Dr I said, placing both hands on Hikaru's shoulders. "Receiving Hellraiser isn't that big of a deal."
"Ha!' laughed Hikaru. "Says you! You're not the one getting it!"
"True," admitted Dr I. "But you need to seem as level as possible when we get inside, so the scientists won't doubt you."
"Doubt me?!" shrieked Hikaru angrily. "Why, if they so much as even look at me funny, I'll --"
"Now, Hikaru," interrupted Dr. I, "Let's not take your new role too far..."
"Don't patronize me!" shouted Hikaru. "And I'm being serious!"
Dr. I grimaced. "You are? Uh-oh."
"Shut up. Not funny." Hikaru pouted. "Hn."
"Okay, now be calm. Emotionless as possible. We're going through the sensors now, and if they detect an increase in your heart rate, they might be given more reason to doubt."
"What, the bastards might think I'm part of OZ or something?" Hikaru asked.
"Perhaps. If we're not careful. We're breaking an established rule here, you know. This won't be all peaches-and-cream from the minute you take your seat in Hellraiser. There will be difficulty along the way, some of it unavoidable."
Hikaru frowned. "I knew that. Now where's my Gundam, dammit?"
"These are the sensors," Dr I said, pointing to large black orbs lining the walls. Hikaru took several deep breaths before walking beneath them, and she walked with a steady gait and a straight back.
She certainly looked regal and composed from behind.
The two took an elevator up six floors to the top floor, the mechanics room, where Hellraiser was waiting.
"Close your eyes," Dr I said, wanting to have a little fun.
Hikaru smiled, and shut her eyes expectantly.
Dr I lead the girl by the hand out into the cavernous room, where the sound of clanging metal and blowtorches echoed loudly.
And there was Hellraiser.
"Open your eyes," murmured Dr I.
"Oh..." gasped Hikaru.
"Hikaru, here comes one of the scientists. You have to pass his inspection. Make yourself look taller, deepen your voice, and just...well...be as manly as you know how, okay?" Dr I squeezed the girl's shoulder, and she tensed.
"Hello," the scientist said. He was tall, with deeply wrinkled face and a bald head. He extended one of his large, callused hands. "My name is Master O."
Hikaru shook his hand, grasping it tightly, and said in a gruff voice, "I'm Hik-- Kinjiro," she corrected herself quickly.
"Do you have the hiccups?" Master O asked, smiling amusedly.
"Um...yes," Hikaru said softly.
"There is water in my office. Follow me." The man led Hikaru away from Dr I and she followed him down two long flights of steps. They stopped at a mahogany paneled door and stepped inside. The room was small and cool, with books lining either walls. There was a desk in the middle of the room, and the only light came through two large windows at the back of the room.
Master O took his seat at the desk, and motioned for Hikaru to sit. She couldn't see anywhere to sit, so she remained standing.
Master O leaned back in his chair, sighing. He steepled his fingers. "You didn't pass."
"What? That was only, like, five seconds!" Hikaru protested. "All you did was hear my name!"
Master O didn't reply, only regarded her with blank eyes.
Hikaru sucked in air through her teeth. "Okay. Should I try again?"
"You must, after this, pass another test that is much more difficult than this," Master O told her.
"What test is that?"
"First, piloting Hellraiser. Second, you must pass the scrutiny of your six fellow pilots. Theirs is much harsher than my own."
Hikaru shrugged uncertainly. "Would you mind telling me their names? I mean, I've heard so much about them, but I don't really...know...them, you know?" Hikaru asked.
"Certainly. There's Chang Wufei - he's Chinese. I myself constructed his Gundam, Shenlong."
"Chang? Or is Wufei his first name?" Hikaru asked.
"His first name is Wufei - and never confuse that. There will be grave consequences to pay if you do."
"Oh? Like....?"
"He'll make attempts on your life."
Hikaru grimaced. "Wufei," she said. "Okay. Got him in my memory. Who's next, big guy?"
Master O sighed.
"Sorry. Guess that wasn't very 'man' of me, was it?"
Master O shook his head. "Next is Trowa Barton. Not even Doktor S, who created his Gundam, knows much about him. He's secretive, and quiet. You'll know him right away; he combs his hair over one eye in a rather flamboyant and unattractive fashion."
Hikaru laughed. "Okay. Trowa. Cool."
"Next is Quatre Raberba Winner. He's the little brother in the group. You'll know him immediately as well. He's Arabian, blonde, and adorable."
Hikaru hid a giggle behind her hand. "Cool. Adorable. I can deal with that. Next?"
"Heero Yuy," Master O continued. "Antisocial as they get. Admittedly handsome, and the best pilot I've ever come across in my life. He is the undisputed 'leader' of the pilots."
Hikaru nodded, leaning her chin in her hand.
"Then there's Duo Maxwell. He's the joker of the group. He keeps the missions enjoyable, to say the least. He's American, and there's not much else to say about him, I guess. I'm assuming you'll like him the most. He seems more your style."
"Is that it?"
"No, there's a last. His name is Sakura Hitaki. He's only been part of the Gundam pilots for a few months. He seems rather suspicious, but his benefactor - Prof X, who created his Gundam Dragonlair - refuses to reveal his true identity."
"You mean, you think maybe he's a girl?" Hikaru asked hopefully.
"Perhaps. We don't have any evidence, other than he's more girlish than most males. But that's just the way he is, I suppose." Master O scratched his bald head.
Hikaru smiled widely. "So. Yeah. Those are my copilots. I worked out with Dr I that I would storm one of their missions one day to make myself look, you know, cooler."
Master O shrugged. "A typical plan. That's all right. Duo and Heero have a mission late tomorrow, infiltrating an L2 colony MS base."
"Cool!" Hikaru exclaimed. "Can I try to fly Hellraiser between now and then?"
"Yes, if you want. It won't be ready before four hours from now, but if you'll be patient, you can fly it tonight."
Hikaru jumped up and down excitedly and pumped her fist in the air. "Things are definitely looking up," she said, laughing delightedly. "This is so cool."
---
So thassit! Fer now. *evil grin* What do you think? More? No more? Gratuitous sex? Tell me. Review. Now. o.o;;
CONFESSIONS part 1 (or 2, depending on how you look at it. o.O;;)
Dr. I pulled up the drive way, a long paved semicircle, and slammed the car door angrily behind her. She stalked into the house, and beckoned to Dr. J.
Dr. I then stomped outside, and Dr. J went with her. "Dr. I?" he asked worriedly.
"This is going terribly!" she cried.
"Why?"
"She hated the idea of disguising her gender to become a pilot, and she refused to cut her hair. She's over there in the car sulking."
Dr. J peered over Dr. I's shoulder. Indeed, there was Hikaru, sitting with her arms crossed over a curiously flat chest. Dark brown locks of hair fell into her face, and they were much longer than Dr. J found comfortable.
Dr. J shrugged uneasily. "I told you from the beginning this wouldn't be easy."
"I was so certain this would work," grumbled Dr. I. "I never counted on her being resentful about it. She picked us, not the other way around."
"Are you sure this isn't a terrible decision you're making?" Dr. J asked her after long pause.
"No, Dr. J, despite my complaints, I'm certain what I'm doing is the right thing," Dr. I told him. "She'll make a wonderful Gundam pilot. And Hellraiser is perfectly suited. Except she's being so difficult!"
"I agree, to a point," Dr. J replied. "She is a talented pilot, and she has just the understanding of battle tactics to make herself immensely useful...but...she's a young budding woman, surrounded by six attractive young men." He paused. "Any rumors or secrets, or perhaps, privacy difficulties we may come across will create intergroup rifts. Do you see?"
"Is that the only thing you're worried about, J?" Dr. I asked him. "What if she proves unsatisfactory in her position as pilot of Hellraiser? What do we do then?"
"Destroy Hellraiser?" Dr. J suggested.
"No!" cried Dr. I, turning to face Dr. J. "No! We simply bring in another pilot. A female, of course," she added slyly.
"All right, so maybe that problem is solved. Sort of. But what about the conflicting genders problem, Dr. I? I am convinced that is the largest problem at hand."
Dr. I shrugged. "She's a smart girl. She'll figure it out."
Dr. J sighed. "I certainly hope you're right, I."
"I am," the woman told him. "I know I am." She turned around so her back was to Dr. J. "Will you please talk to her, and see if you can persuade her to cut her hair? If not all off, then partly, so it's not as long as it is now?"
Dr. J shrugged. "I'll try, but I'm not saying I'll work any wonders."
Dr. I smiled. "Thank you, J."
Dr. J walked to Dr. I's dark blue Explorer and opened the door. He slid into the seat next to Hikaru and got his first good look at the girl, the next new Gundam pilot.
She looked tall, even sitting down. Her hair was a dark brown, slightly wavy, that fell over her face in locks. Her nose was sort of snubbed, with light freckles across the bridge and tip, and she had large blue eyes, ridged with gold. Her lips were molded into a childish pout, and her arms were wrapped around herself in a hug. The way she slumped in the seat and the expression on her face seemed to radiate defiance and stubbornness.
"I'm Dr. J," he said, looking desperately for a conversation-starter. This girl did not look easy to budge.
"It took me the better part of the last six years to grow this hair. It took me all of puberty to grow this body. I am not changing either of them, so stop wasting your breath," she growled.
Dr. J inhaled sharply.
"That crazy bitch made me wrap my chest up in an Ace bandage!" Hikaru cried, turning to face Dr. J. "Do you have any idea how painful that is?!"
Dr. J shook his head, sighing. "No, thankfully, I don't know."
Hikaru made a frustrated sound in her throat. "And then she insists on calling me Kinjiro! My parents named me Hikaru for a reason!!!"
Dr. J put a wary hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "I know this identity transition is very hard to deal with at first, but it is necessary in the process of becoming a Gundam pilot."
Hikaru snorted, but said nothing.
"Now, I know you may be violently opposed to this, but I think it would be for the best if you cut your hair."
Hikaru pulled a thick lock of hair from her haphazard bun at the top of her head and stared at it wistfully.
"Humor me. It won't take long to grow back," tried Dr. J.
Hikaru sighed. "Why me? Grr! I should have put that note through the shredder the moment I got it. God, Hikaru. Haven't you ever heard, curiosity killed the cat?" She looked down at her ridiculously baggy clothing. "Or, curiosity killed the sense of dignity, more like it."
Dr. J patted her shoulder and withdrew his hand. "Are you willing to cut your hair now?"
"I wouldn't exactly call it willing, but I'll do it." Hikaru leaned her head against the headrest on the seat, and Dr. J smiled gratefully.
"We owe you one, Kinjiro," he said, and opened the car door.
"I am a man," Hikaru murmured to herself. "I am a man. I am a man. My name is Kinjiro. I hock up loogies and I take ridiculously large dumps and I smell like a rotting corpse. I am a man."
"That's the spirit, Kinjiro!" cried Dr. I, sliding into the driver's seat.
"I don't know why you're so gung-ho about it," grumbled Hikaru. "I am a man."
"Repeat that over and over again until you feel like a man."
"I am a man," shouted Hikaru. She placed her hands on either side of her on the upholstery, turned her face to the sky, took a deep breath and yelled as loud as she could, "I am a man!!!"
There was a long pause.
"Hm," Hikaru shrugged. "I don't feel any different."
Dr. I facevaulted.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Hikaru stared at herself in the mirror, stunned into silence. Her hair was cut within an inch of her scalp, and it was dyed black from the roots to the tips. A definite rebel look, and not one Hikaru's soft face and large eyes were suited for.
"What have you done to me?!" Hikaru cried.
"I like the spikes a lot, if I do say so myself," Dr. I said. "You think I should do the same?"
Tears brimmed in Hikaru's eyes, and she ignored Dr. I's half-hearted attempts to cheer her up. "This is terrible!" she cried.
"Look, next we go to pick up Hellraiser," tried Dr. I meekly.
Hikaru brightened immediately. "Really?" she gasped.
"Yeah. It's having the finishing touches added to it - small things, like the seat belt in the cockpit, some repaneling, you know. All the minor things. It should be ready later today." Dr. I smiled widely at Hikaru.
Hikaru swiped at her eyes. "Let's go!"
Dr. I paid, and thanked the stylist repeatedly, who was afraid she had done something wrong because of Hikaru's reaction to it.
The two loaded into the Explorer, and Hikaru stared at herself in the mirror for several moments without saying anything.
"The black clashes very attractively with your freckles and blue eyes," Dr. I told her.
"You think so? Yeah, I guess it's not bad." She closed the mirror. "So. What kind of missions am I going on?"
"Only minor ones at first, where you'll be accompanied by one of the other pilots. Then when you've proved to be the best pilot we can find, we begin to send you on missions by yourself. They'll start out small, like playing assistant to Wufei or Duo if they need to infiltrate a base. Then they'll get bigger, such as blowing up a base or battling OZ soldiers on your own. Then, you'll be doing stuff like infiltrating bases on your own, blowing buildings up with absurdly large amounts of explosives...that kind of thing." Dr. I shrugged. "We always start them off small, but you especially. You must learn to avoid getting too badly injured in battle, because there are certain complications that come with being a girl among a society of men."
"Yeah, I see what you mean," Hikaru said.
"Good, because I thought I was going to have to explain it to you, or something awkward like that."
Hikaru laughed.
"See, there's the smile I liked so much when I first met you," Dr. I said fondly, squeezing Hikaru's hand. "Trust me, Hika-chan; things only get better from now on."
Hikaru smiled, and squeezed back. "That's good to hear, though I doubt anything could be worse than this." She looked in the mirror again and sighed. "Every day, life teaches me that I can get used to anything."
Dr I laughed. "I like your haircut."
"I think you're the only one who does," Hikaru snorted. "Damn. This sucks."
Suddenly, she had an idea. "Hey! What if I didn't meet the pilots the conventional way, but stormed their mission one day with Hellraiser? That would be phat!"
Dr I shrugged. "Fine with me, girl - I mean --"
"Shut up," Hikaru warned.
"Sorry. But you have to get used to being labeled as a man."
Hikaru pulled the collar of her shirt away from her chest and peered down. "Oh my god," she whispered. "Well, at least I know I'll never sag when I get older."
Dr. I burst out laughing.
"I guess I feel better now," Hikaru said simply. "Now, are we there yet?"
"No." Dr I kept her eyes on the road.
"What's wrong, Dr I? Something tells me you're not taking me to the base where Hellraiser is..." Hikaru said nervously.
Dr I turned to face her. "Don't worry, Hikaru, we're going to the base. I'm just letting my worries get to me."
Hikaru shrugged. "It can't be that bad."
Dr I ruffled Hikaru's hair. "I'm glad you finally think that."
"So. We there yet?"
"No."
A few minutes later: "We there yet?"
"No, Hikaru."
"How many more minutes?"
"Only a few, darling."
Several minutes later, she said, "We're not there yet, dammit."
"No, Hikaru, we're not."
Hikaru sighed and began to fidget. "I hate long car trips."
"Hikaru, we've only been in the car for twenty minutes." She punched Hikaru's shoulder. "Think of Hellraiser as a goal to be reached."
Hikaru reached her hand up to her neck to twist her hair up into a messy chignon, a gesture she was prone to do when she was bored, but blinked in surprise when there was no hair to twist. "Oh, yeah," she murmured dejectedly.
"Look! We're here!" Dr I called as they finally reached the base.
"Where's Hellraiser?" shrieked Hikaru, launching herself out of the car before it even stopped moving.
Dr I stared wistfully after her, thinking of how nice it would have been if Hikaru were her daughter. She realized how much Hikaru resembled Duo - if not physically, she had the same disposition, cheerful smile, and eagerness that was Duo's trademark.
"Hellraiser is inside," Dr I said slowly.
"Oh. Heh heh. Yeah, I knew that," Hikaru said sheepishly. Then she brightened. "I wanna see Hellraiser now!"
Dr I laughed. "All right, all right, come on, you little bundle of energy."
"Yep yep yep," Hikaru said, twirling around happily. "That's me!"
"Calm down," Dr I said, placing both hands on Hikaru's shoulders. "Receiving Hellraiser isn't that big of a deal."
"Ha!' laughed Hikaru. "Says you! You're not the one getting it!"
"True," admitted Dr I. "But you need to seem as level as possible when we get inside, so the scientists won't doubt you."
"Doubt me?!" shrieked Hikaru angrily. "Why, if they so much as even look at me funny, I'll --"
"Now, Hikaru," interrupted Dr. I, "Let's not take your new role too far..."
"Don't patronize me!" shouted Hikaru. "And I'm being serious!"
Dr. I grimaced. "You are? Uh-oh."
"Shut up. Not funny." Hikaru pouted. "Hn."
"Okay, now be calm. Emotionless as possible. We're going through the sensors now, and if they detect an increase in your heart rate, they might be given more reason to doubt."
"What, the bastards might think I'm part of OZ or something?" Hikaru asked.
"Perhaps. If we're not careful. We're breaking an established rule here, you know. This won't be all peaches-and-cream from the minute you take your seat in Hellraiser. There will be difficulty along the way, some of it unavoidable."
Hikaru frowned. "I knew that. Now where's my Gundam, dammit?"
"These are the sensors," Dr I said, pointing to large black orbs lining the walls. Hikaru took several deep breaths before walking beneath them, and she walked with a steady gait and a straight back.
She certainly looked regal and composed from behind.
The two took an elevator up six floors to the top floor, the mechanics room, where Hellraiser was waiting.
"Close your eyes," Dr I said, wanting to have a little fun.
Hikaru smiled, and shut her eyes expectantly.
Dr I lead the girl by the hand out into the cavernous room, where the sound of clanging metal and blowtorches echoed loudly.
And there was Hellraiser.
"Open your eyes," murmured Dr I.
"Oh..." gasped Hikaru.
"Hikaru, here comes one of the scientists. You have to pass his inspection. Make yourself look taller, deepen your voice, and just...well...be as manly as you know how, okay?" Dr I squeezed the girl's shoulder, and she tensed.
"Hello," the scientist said. He was tall, with deeply wrinkled face and a bald head. He extended one of his large, callused hands. "My name is Master O."
Hikaru shook his hand, grasping it tightly, and said in a gruff voice, "I'm Hik-- Kinjiro," she corrected herself quickly.
"Do you have the hiccups?" Master O asked, smiling amusedly.
"Um...yes," Hikaru said softly.
"There is water in my office. Follow me." The man led Hikaru away from Dr I and she followed him down two long flights of steps. They stopped at a mahogany paneled door and stepped inside. The room was small and cool, with books lining either walls. There was a desk in the middle of the room, and the only light came through two large windows at the back of the room.
Master O took his seat at the desk, and motioned for Hikaru to sit. She couldn't see anywhere to sit, so she remained standing.
Master O leaned back in his chair, sighing. He steepled his fingers. "You didn't pass."
"What? That was only, like, five seconds!" Hikaru protested. "All you did was hear my name!"
Master O didn't reply, only regarded her with blank eyes.
Hikaru sucked in air through her teeth. "Okay. Should I try again?"
"You must, after this, pass another test that is much more difficult than this," Master O told her.
"What test is that?"
"First, piloting Hellraiser. Second, you must pass the scrutiny of your six fellow pilots. Theirs is much harsher than my own."
Hikaru shrugged uncertainly. "Would you mind telling me their names? I mean, I've heard so much about them, but I don't really...know...them, you know?" Hikaru asked.
"Certainly. There's Chang Wufei - he's Chinese. I myself constructed his Gundam, Shenlong."
"Chang? Or is Wufei his first name?" Hikaru asked.
"His first name is Wufei - and never confuse that. There will be grave consequences to pay if you do."
"Oh? Like....?"
"He'll make attempts on your life."
Hikaru grimaced. "Wufei," she said. "Okay. Got him in my memory. Who's next, big guy?"
Master O sighed.
"Sorry. Guess that wasn't very 'man' of me, was it?"
Master O shook his head. "Next is Trowa Barton. Not even Doktor S, who created his Gundam, knows much about him. He's secretive, and quiet. You'll know him right away; he combs his hair over one eye in a rather flamboyant and unattractive fashion."
Hikaru laughed. "Okay. Trowa. Cool."
"Next is Quatre Raberba Winner. He's the little brother in the group. You'll know him immediately as well. He's Arabian, blonde, and adorable."
Hikaru hid a giggle behind her hand. "Cool. Adorable. I can deal with that. Next?"
"Heero Yuy," Master O continued. "Antisocial as they get. Admittedly handsome, and the best pilot I've ever come across in my life. He is the undisputed 'leader' of the pilots."
Hikaru nodded, leaning her chin in her hand.
"Then there's Duo Maxwell. He's the joker of the group. He keeps the missions enjoyable, to say the least. He's American, and there's not much else to say about him, I guess. I'm assuming you'll like him the most. He seems more your style."
"Is that it?"
"No, there's a last. His name is Sakura Hitaki. He's only been part of the Gundam pilots for a few months. He seems rather suspicious, but his benefactor - Prof X, who created his Gundam Dragonlair - refuses to reveal his true identity."
"You mean, you think maybe he's a girl?" Hikaru asked hopefully.
"Perhaps. We don't have any evidence, other than he's more girlish than most males. But that's just the way he is, I suppose." Master O scratched his bald head.
Hikaru smiled widely. "So. Yeah. Those are my copilots. I worked out with Dr I that I would storm one of their missions one day to make myself look, you know, cooler."
Master O shrugged. "A typical plan. That's all right. Duo and Heero have a mission late tomorrow, infiltrating an L2 colony MS base."
"Cool!" Hikaru exclaimed. "Can I try to fly Hellraiser between now and then?"
"Yes, if you want. It won't be ready before four hours from now, but if you'll be patient, you can fly it tonight."
Hikaru jumped up and down excitedly and pumped her fist in the air. "Things are definitely looking up," she said, laughing delightedly. "This is so cool."
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So thassit! Fer now. *evil grin* What do you think? More? No more? Gratuitous sex? Tell me. Review. Now. o.o;;