Hunter
By: Jade Starlight
Chapter Three: Look What The Cat's Brought In
Heero sat at a table in the corner of the ballroom. He watched people young and
old dancing without worries.
Their life is so simple. They have no idea what goes on right under their noses,
he thought.
"Hey Heero, how's it going?" Duo asked, adding a sigh. He sat at the other chair,
also observing the carefree people.
"Did you find anything suspicious?" Heero asked, dodging the question. The
braided pilot shook his head and rested his chin on his hands.
"I'm afraid not." Duo sighed again, this time more sad. "Look at them. One year
ago today the most important girl in the world disappeared, and what do they do? Dance
and party like it's not a big deal!"
"Well, it isn't really." Heero stood up to leave, but Duo stopped him.
"You can't keep shoving your feelings away, man. It's not healthy, and it will
destroy you."
"I don't know what you're talking about. And Duo? Try taking your own
advice." Heero walked away, oblivious to a set of eyes watching him.
Quatre sighed as he sat with Duo, watching Heero hide in the shadows.
"No luck, huh? I wish we could do something," he said. Duo nodded.
"I know, but he wouldn't let us even if we could. He thinks it's all his fault
Relena left."
"There's more to it, Duo. I can see it. I just wish he'd talk about it, that's all."
"Yeah, well-" Duo stopped talking when he looked at the grand staircase where
everyone was entering.
"Duo, what is it?" Quatre followed his gaze. Apparently everyone else saw as
well, for it was completely silent now.
"Wow, look at those girls!" Duo exclaimed. At the top of the stairs were two
teenaged girls. One had short light brown hair and beautiful violet eyes. She wore a dark
purple dress that hugged her figure. The dress had a deep v-neck and a slit up the side.
The straps were thin and hardly noticeable.
The other girl had chocolate brown hair and cerulean blue eyes. She wore a light
blue dress that also hugged her figure. It had one slit that came to about mid-thigh, and it
was a tube top dress.
Piper smiled sweetly when she saw Duo staring at her. She looked right at him
when she came to the floor. Liz was right behind her.
"Time to get to work. See you soon," she said, walking towards Duo. The music
had begun again, and everyone was whispering about the two new arrivals.
Liz saw her objective and started to approach him, but Millardo Peacecraft
intercepted her.
"Good evening miss. May I have your name?" he said, bowing. She curtsied
elegantly, and flashed him her best smile.
"I am Liz Evans, Vice Foreign Minister Peacecraft. I am at your service."
"I don't think I've ever seen you before. Tell me, do you have family that works
in Preventers? Or perhaps the Earth Sphere?"
"Why yes, I do, sir." She flashed him another good smile.
"Millardo, who is this charming girl?" Lucrezia Noin asked as she joined them.
"I am Liz Evans, Mrs. Peacecraft."
"Tell me, do we know you? You seem familiar to me," Noin said. She inspected
the young lady, but she couldn't place her.
"As I was telling Mr. Peacecraft, I have family that works in the ESUN and the
Preventers."
"Really? Do we know them?"
"Yes."
"What are their names?"
"I'm sorry, but I cannot share that information with you at the moment. Excuse
me." Liz bowed, and left the two in confusion. She headed towards the hall, where she
saw an old friend disappear to.
Heero turned around when he heard footsteps behind him. He almost gawked
when he saw that girl there.
She seems so familiar. Why can't I place her? He continued to walk, ignoring
the butterflies in his stomach.
"Excuse me, are you Heero Yuy?" the girl asked. He spun around to face her.
"Yes. Who are you?" She walked up to him and curtsied.
"My name is Liz Evans." She smiled at him. He just stared at her.
"How did you know who I was?" he asked, growing suspicious. She almost
started laughing.
"I know quite a bit about you, Heero. Shall we sit and talk? Or would you rather
stand there all day, trying to think of how to complete your mission." Heero's eyes went
wide.
How does she know? He led her to a bench in the hall.
"Talk," he ordered.
"Very well. Where do I begin? Oh yes, how about your inability to kill Relena
Dorlain?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Mr. Yuy, I believe you do. I remember that very well. She found out who you
were from Dr. J, and she came to you when you were leaving St. Gabriel's. Instead of
running from your threats though, she stayed, and asked you to join her at the school
dance. Am I right so far?"
"Yes." How does she know this! He was screaming inside at this girl.
"Then I believe she told you she was on your side, which came as a shock to you.
You also saved her from falling debris when the school was attacked, and then you tried
once again to kill her, but could not."
"I could have, but I didn't want to. It would've spoiled my mission." The girl
started laughing, but it wasn't genuine. There was anger hidden in it.
"So very like you Heero. Always worrying about your missions, and nothing
else." He saw her eyes turn dark, pain in them. "Not even those who care for you."
"Relena was a symbol for peace. That's all she stood for to me. She was strong,
and she never gave up. She gave others strength when they had none. She helped me."
"Relena strong? Relena was weak, and so were her ideals. She was always being
rescued, she never fought for herself. I think I am glad she's gone!" Heero fumed at her
words, though he didn't show it. He simply got up and started leaving.
"Did I upset you, Heero?" she asked mockingly. He turned around, and she
gasped at what she saw. His eyes held anger, sadness, and pain. A tear trickled down his
cheek, glistening in the dim light.
"I think it would be best if we didn't talk anymore."
"What will you do if I keep talking?"
"I will kill you." The girl smiled genuinely at his words. Her eyes filled with
love and happiness.
"I haven't heard that in a while. It's good to hear."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I-" she stopped when she heard the doors fly open. A man in a tux was
darting passed Liz and Heero, heading down the hall. A couple of seconds later Piper
appeared.
"He's the one Liz! He's the assassin!" she screamed, pointing to him. Heero
looked puzzled, and then the other four pilots came barging through the doors.
"Is Millardo alright?" Liz asked.
"Yeah. The assassin missed because someone pushed him out of the way." Piper
pulled out a gun from her purse. Liz did so as well.
"Alright, let's go." The girls started running, but the five pilots stopped them.
"Leave this to us," Heero said.
"Sorry Heero, but this is our mission. Now move," Liz commanded. She glared
at him as he stood his ground.
"This is no job for girls," Wufei hissed. He received a glare form Piper.
"We were assigned this mission, now move!" Liz punched Heero while he was
off guard. Then she broke into a run, Piper right behind her.
"Should we go after them?" Duo asked. Heero nodded.
"And get the assassin." The five broke out into a run, heading out into the garden.
Liz crept silently in the shadows, spying the assassin. He was too busy searching
for an escape route to notice her. She stepped into the clearing, gun pointed straight at
his chest.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you to plan ahead of time?" she asked.
"Who are you?"
"The name's Liz Evans, and this is my partner, Piper." Piper stepped out behind
him, covering his back. He had nowhere to run.
"Well, nice job ladies. We'll take it from here," Heero said, stepping into view.
He held a gun to Liz, as Duo held one to Piper. The other three guarded the assassin.
"Heero, you don't know what you're doing! Leave him to us!" Liz pleaded, never
lowering her gun. He shook his head.
"I don't care who gave you orders, ladies, we aren't handing him over to you,"
Duo said. He took the gun from Piper, as Heero did from Liz. She attempted to
approach him, but he held his gun to her face.
"This is so comforting. I almost feel at home," she said, half sarcastic and half
serious. The gun didn't faze her at all. Heero was perplexed.
"You're pretty brave, Liz. Only one person ever defied me at gun point."
"And only one person always will," she said.
"What do you-" he stopped, thrown off track. She could see in his eyes that he
knew.
"That's right Heero, I'm home. Well, sort of." He lowered his gun, in shock.
"Lena, you spoiled the mission! We weren't supposed to tell!" Piper said. She
laughed again.
"You might as well reveal yourself too, Hilde." The five pilots were utterly
confused now.
"Relena? And Hilde?" Duo stuttered. Everyone was so caught up in this news
that they didn't realize that the assassin had disappeared.
"That's right, but there's no time to explain right now. We have to complete our-
Where is he?!" Relena/Liz cursed. Hilde/Piper looked at her and nodded.
"Sorry," they said, before punching Duo and Heero, grabbing their guns, and
taking off again. The boys snapped out of it and followed.
Relena and Hilde sprinted up the stairs to the second floor. Quietly they entered
another stairway that led to the roof. When they got there, they ducked behind some
vents and windows rising up from the floor.
"On three. One, two, three!" The girls jumped out, and met the assassin, but they
also met some of his friends.
"Surprise girls. Get them!" The group of seven guys charged at the girls, who
stood their ground, prepared to fight.
"Bring it on, boys!" Relena said. The first guy stopped in front of her and smiled.
He was much bigger than she, but that didn't scare her. He punched, and she dodged it,
kicking his legs out from under him. He fell to the ground. She didn't notice the guy
behind her, preparing to hit her.
Hilde was too late. There was no way she could warn Relena now. She punched
a guy, sending him into the wall, and turned to brace herself for a ram from another, but it
never came. Duo had tackled him from behind, saving her.
"Hey Hilde," he said, smiling. She smiled back, and turned to find Relena. The
other boys had joined them now.
Heero jumped onto the guy's back, sending them both crashing to the ground. He
looked up and saw Relena, staring at him.
"Once again I am saved," she muttered in annoyance. She helped him up, and
they faced the other direction, watching everyone finish off the remaining men.
"Relena! Are you okay?" Hilde asked. She came up and hugged her friend.
"Of course I am. When wouldn't I be?" she said with a smile. Hilde laughed.
"I guess I should've known better than to think you would be hurt."
"Where's the assassin?" Duo asked. He had disappeared again.
"Um, excuse me, but what's going on?" Quatre asked. He, Trowa, and Wufei
were joining them, out of breath.
"We'll tell you in a minute, but first," she held up her gun and shot at a window.
The glass shattered as the bullet passed through one and then the other. Then there was a
scream. Relena walked behind the windows, Hilde on her heels. A couple of seconds
later they had the assassin in their possession.
"That's amazing! How did you know he was there?!" Duo said.
"Yes. I didn't notice him," Trowa added. The others shook their head in
agreement.
"That's because you've been off of training for a year. Hilde and I, on the other
hand, have been training since exactly one year ago tonight," Relena said. "Now if you'll
excuse us, we have to be going now, including him."
"Wait a second Relena. You don't get to show up out of no where and leave
again, let alone with a criminal in your hands." Wufei stepped forward, but stopped
when he saw a gun in his face.
"Not so fast Wufei. We have strict orders from Dr. J, and we intend on carrying
them out. If you don't like it," Hilde shot right past Wufei's ear. He swallowed hard,
clearly shaken.
"Anyone else want to challenge us?" Relena said. When no one moved or said
anything, they nodded and started hustling the guy towards the door.
"Relena," Heero said quietly. She heard him, and turned to face the group.
"You can come if you wish, but if you tell anyone about us or where we are," she
gritted her teeth and glared, "I guarantee you'll regret that decision." The boys followed
behind, and everyone was silent the entire way there.
By: Jade Starlight
Chapter Three: Look What The Cat's Brought In
Heero sat at a table in the corner of the ballroom. He watched people young and
old dancing without worries.
Their life is so simple. They have no idea what goes on right under their noses,
he thought.
"Hey Heero, how's it going?" Duo asked, adding a sigh. He sat at the other chair,
also observing the carefree people.
"Did you find anything suspicious?" Heero asked, dodging the question. The
braided pilot shook his head and rested his chin on his hands.
"I'm afraid not." Duo sighed again, this time more sad. "Look at them. One year
ago today the most important girl in the world disappeared, and what do they do? Dance
and party like it's not a big deal!"
"Well, it isn't really." Heero stood up to leave, but Duo stopped him.
"You can't keep shoving your feelings away, man. It's not healthy, and it will
destroy you."
"I don't know what you're talking about. And Duo? Try taking your own
advice." Heero walked away, oblivious to a set of eyes watching him.
Quatre sighed as he sat with Duo, watching Heero hide in the shadows.
"No luck, huh? I wish we could do something," he said. Duo nodded.
"I know, but he wouldn't let us even if we could. He thinks it's all his fault
Relena left."
"There's more to it, Duo. I can see it. I just wish he'd talk about it, that's all."
"Yeah, well-" Duo stopped talking when he looked at the grand staircase where
everyone was entering.
"Duo, what is it?" Quatre followed his gaze. Apparently everyone else saw as
well, for it was completely silent now.
"Wow, look at those girls!" Duo exclaimed. At the top of the stairs were two
teenaged girls. One had short light brown hair and beautiful violet eyes. She wore a dark
purple dress that hugged her figure. The dress had a deep v-neck and a slit up the side.
The straps were thin and hardly noticeable.
The other girl had chocolate brown hair and cerulean blue eyes. She wore a light
blue dress that also hugged her figure. It had one slit that came to about mid-thigh, and it
was a tube top dress.
Piper smiled sweetly when she saw Duo staring at her. She looked right at him
when she came to the floor. Liz was right behind her.
"Time to get to work. See you soon," she said, walking towards Duo. The music
had begun again, and everyone was whispering about the two new arrivals.
Liz saw her objective and started to approach him, but Millardo Peacecraft
intercepted her.
"Good evening miss. May I have your name?" he said, bowing. She curtsied
elegantly, and flashed him her best smile.
"I am Liz Evans, Vice Foreign Minister Peacecraft. I am at your service."
"I don't think I've ever seen you before. Tell me, do you have family that works
in Preventers? Or perhaps the Earth Sphere?"
"Why yes, I do, sir." She flashed him another good smile.
"Millardo, who is this charming girl?" Lucrezia Noin asked as she joined them.
"I am Liz Evans, Mrs. Peacecraft."
"Tell me, do we know you? You seem familiar to me," Noin said. She inspected
the young lady, but she couldn't place her.
"As I was telling Mr. Peacecraft, I have family that works in the ESUN and the
Preventers."
"Really? Do we know them?"
"Yes."
"What are their names?"
"I'm sorry, but I cannot share that information with you at the moment. Excuse
me." Liz bowed, and left the two in confusion. She headed towards the hall, where she
saw an old friend disappear to.
Heero turned around when he heard footsteps behind him. He almost gawked
when he saw that girl there.
She seems so familiar. Why can't I place her? He continued to walk, ignoring
the butterflies in his stomach.
"Excuse me, are you Heero Yuy?" the girl asked. He spun around to face her.
"Yes. Who are you?" She walked up to him and curtsied.
"My name is Liz Evans." She smiled at him. He just stared at her.
"How did you know who I was?" he asked, growing suspicious. She almost
started laughing.
"I know quite a bit about you, Heero. Shall we sit and talk? Or would you rather
stand there all day, trying to think of how to complete your mission." Heero's eyes went
wide.
How does she know? He led her to a bench in the hall.
"Talk," he ordered.
"Very well. Where do I begin? Oh yes, how about your inability to kill Relena
Dorlain?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Mr. Yuy, I believe you do. I remember that very well. She found out who you
were from Dr. J, and she came to you when you were leaving St. Gabriel's. Instead of
running from your threats though, she stayed, and asked you to join her at the school
dance. Am I right so far?"
"Yes." How does she know this! He was screaming inside at this girl.
"Then I believe she told you she was on your side, which came as a shock to you.
You also saved her from falling debris when the school was attacked, and then you tried
once again to kill her, but could not."
"I could have, but I didn't want to. It would've spoiled my mission." The girl
started laughing, but it wasn't genuine. There was anger hidden in it.
"So very like you Heero. Always worrying about your missions, and nothing
else." He saw her eyes turn dark, pain in them. "Not even those who care for you."
"Relena was a symbol for peace. That's all she stood for to me. She was strong,
and she never gave up. She gave others strength when they had none. She helped me."
"Relena strong? Relena was weak, and so were her ideals. She was always being
rescued, she never fought for herself. I think I am glad she's gone!" Heero fumed at her
words, though he didn't show it. He simply got up and started leaving.
"Did I upset you, Heero?" she asked mockingly. He turned around, and she
gasped at what she saw. His eyes held anger, sadness, and pain. A tear trickled down his
cheek, glistening in the dim light.
"I think it would be best if we didn't talk anymore."
"What will you do if I keep talking?"
"I will kill you." The girl smiled genuinely at his words. Her eyes filled with
love and happiness.
"I haven't heard that in a while. It's good to hear."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I-" she stopped when she heard the doors fly open. A man in a tux was
darting passed Liz and Heero, heading down the hall. A couple of seconds later Piper
appeared.
"He's the one Liz! He's the assassin!" she screamed, pointing to him. Heero
looked puzzled, and then the other four pilots came barging through the doors.
"Is Millardo alright?" Liz asked.
"Yeah. The assassin missed because someone pushed him out of the way." Piper
pulled out a gun from her purse. Liz did so as well.
"Alright, let's go." The girls started running, but the five pilots stopped them.
"Leave this to us," Heero said.
"Sorry Heero, but this is our mission. Now move," Liz commanded. She glared
at him as he stood his ground.
"This is no job for girls," Wufei hissed. He received a glare form Piper.
"We were assigned this mission, now move!" Liz punched Heero while he was
off guard. Then she broke into a run, Piper right behind her.
"Should we go after them?" Duo asked. Heero nodded.
"And get the assassin." The five broke out into a run, heading out into the garden.
Liz crept silently in the shadows, spying the assassin. He was too busy searching
for an escape route to notice her. She stepped into the clearing, gun pointed straight at
his chest.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you to plan ahead of time?" she asked.
"Who are you?"
"The name's Liz Evans, and this is my partner, Piper." Piper stepped out behind
him, covering his back. He had nowhere to run.
"Well, nice job ladies. We'll take it from here," Heero said, stepping into view.
He held a gun to Liz, as Duo held one to Piper. The other three guarded the assassin.
"Heero, you don't know what you're doing! Leave him to us!" Liz pleaded, never
lowering her gun. He shook his head.
"I don't care who gave you orders, ladies, we aren't handing him over to you,"
Duo said. He took the gun from Piper, as Heero did from Liz. She attempted to
approach him, but he held his gun to her face.
"This is so comforting. I almost feel at home," she said, half sarcastic and half
serious. The gun didn't faze her at all. Heero was perplexed.
"You're pretty brave, Liz. Only one person ever defied me at gun point."
"And only one person always will," she said.
"What do you-" he stopped, thrown off track. She could see in his eyes that he
knew.
"That's right Heero, I'm home. Well, sort of." He lowered his gun, in shock.
"Lena, you spoiled the mission! We weren't supposed to tell!" Piper said. She
laughed again.
"You might as well reveal yourself too, Hilde." The five pilots were utterly
confused now.
"Relena? And Hilde?" Duo stuttered. Everyone was so caught up in this news
that they didn't realize that the assassin had disappeared.
"That's right, but there's no time to explain right now. We have to complete our-
Where is he?!" Relena/Liz cursed. Hilde/Piper looked at her and nodded.
"Sorry," they said, before punching Duo and Heero, grabbing their guns, and
taking off again. The boys snapped out of it and followed.
Relena and Hilde sprinted up the stairs to the second floor. Quietly they entered
another stairway that led to the roof. When they got there, they ducked behind some
vents and windows rising up from the floor.
"On three. One, two, three!" The girls jumped out, and met the assassin, but they
also met some of his friends.
"Surprise girls. Get them!" The group of seven guys charged at the girls, who
stood their ground, prepared to fight.
"Bring it on, boys!" Relena said. The first guy stopped in front of her and smiled.
He was much bigger than she, but that didn't scare her. He punched, and she dodged it,
kicking his legs out from under him. He fell to the ground. She didn't notice the guy
behind her, preparing to hit her.
Hilde was too late. There was no way she could warn Relena now. She punched
a guy, sending him into the wall, and turned to brace herself for a ram from another, but it
never came. Duo had tackled him from behind, saving her.
"Hey Hilde," he said, smiling. She smiled back, and turned to find Relena. The
other boys had joined them now.
Heero jumped onto the guy's back, sending them both crashing to the ground. He
looked up and saw Relena, staring at him.
"Once again I am saved," she muttered in annoyance. She helped him up, and
they faced the other direction, watching everyone finish off the remaining men.
"Relena! Are you okay?" Hilde asked. She came up and hugged her friend.
"Of course I am. When wouldn't I be?" she said with a smile. Hilde laughed.
"I guess I should've known better than to think you would be hurt."
"Where's the assassin?" Duo asked. He had disappeared again.
"Um, excuse me, but what's going on?" Quatre asked. He, Trowa, and Wufei
were joining them, out of breath.
"We'll tell you in a minute, but first," she held up her gun and shot at a window.
The glass shattered as the bullet passed through one and then the other. Then there was a
scream. Relena walked behind the windows, Hilde on her heels. A couple of seconds
later they had the assassin in their possession.
"That's amazing! How did you know he was there?!" Duo said.
"Yes. I didn't notice him," Trowa added. The others shook their head in
agreement.
"That's because you've been off of training for a year. Hilde and I, on the other
hand, have been training since exactly one year ago tonight," Relena said. "Now if you'll
excuse us, we have to be going now, including him."
"Wait a second Relena. You don't get to show up out of no where and leave
again, let alone with a criminal in your hands." Wufei stepped forward, but stopped
when he saw a gun in his face.
"Not so fast Wufei. We have strict orders from Dr. J, and we intend on carrying
them out. If you don't like it," Hilde shot right past Wufei's ear. He swallowed hard,
clearly shaken.
"Anyone else want to challenge us?" Relena said. When no one moved or said
anything, they nodded and started hustling the guy towards the door.
"Relena," Heero said quietly. She heard him, and turned to face the group.
"You can come if you wish, but if you tell anyone about us or where we are," she
gritted her teeth and glared, "I guarantee you'll regret that decision." The boys followed
behind, and everyone was silent the entire way there.