Fushigi Onna
By: Hotaru
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Part 2
The next morning, Heero was getting ready for school. (The war was over and all the Gundam pilots were in the same school.) Matsuri was still sleeping and nearly falling off the couch in the process. He put his gun in the holster on his hip as always, which was hidden under his uniform. Heero turned the small kitchen t.v. on to the news. "We have a new story here, its about a girl who escaped once again from the police. She is known only as Matsuri, and is very dangerous. The police did not tell us any information on why she is wanted, they just want her taken down."
Heero glanced over at the couch where she still slept. He stood up to leave, and grabbed his bag. Matsuri then fell to the floor with a loud thud. "Ow.." she mumbled, standing up. She noticed Heero and pulled the blanket over her body. "Hey! You perv!" she said, clutching the blanket tightly. Heero sighed and walked outside to school. On the way, he met up with Quatre. "Good morning Heero." Quatre said politly. Heero nodded and continued walking to school. Eventually, everyone met up by the time they arrived at the school. Duo held up a piece of paper with a doofy grin. "Hey guys. Quatre's performing for the school again." He said.
Quatre blushed and turned his head. "It's no big deal." He said shyly. Duo slapped him on the back and said, "Well, once you've done it a million times it's no big deal." Heero's eyes remained on the ground. ~Who is that girl. Can I trust her?~ he thought. The bell rang and everyone rushed to their morning classes. Heero's thoughts remained on Matsuri, although he had a hard test in history. "Mr. Yuy, can you please come here for a moment." The teacher called. Heero stood up and walked down the steps to her desk. "Yes ma'me?" he asked. "Releena is asking for you." The teacher said, pointing outside.
Heero nodded and walked down the long halls to the big mahogony doors. Carefully, he pushed them open. Releena was sitting at a large desk looking over some papers. "Releena?" Heero asked, standing in front of the door. "Oh, Heero. Thank you for coming by. I need to ask you something. Are you interested in going to a fencing bout with me?" Releena said, gesturing for him to sit. "A fencing bout? What for?" he asked, still standing. She smiled and stood up. "It's a long awaited rematch. Dorothy Catalonia and Quatre Rabarba Winner are the two fencers." She said, leaning against her desk.
"Hm. No thanks." Heero said, turning to the door. Releena ran after him but he already closed the door. "Heero." she sighed. Quatre's concert was after lunch, and the former gundam pilots met at the same table everyday. "Hey, Wufei, you seem distant." Duo said, gobbling down some rice. Wufei turned his head slightly as he stared at the field where the students were riding horses. "I'm fine." He muttered. As always, Releena made a royal entrance as she walked over to the table. "Hello everyone, how are you doing?" she asked, sitting next to Heero.
"Are you nervous Quatre?" she asked, unwrapping her lunch. The young Arabian smiled and shook his head. "Not really, although I would feel better if Trowa accepted my offer for him to play with me." He said, glancing over at the tall boy. "I'm not a performer." Trowa said simply. Duo slammed his hand on the table and laughed. "Not true! You just contradicted your past. You were in the circus, performing for people. What's the difference if you play your flute?" he said, picking up a glass of water.
Trowa sighed and looked up at the sky. Grey clouds were moving in quickly. "It looks like rain. Don't you walk home Heero?" Releena asked. Heero nodded and finished off his lunch. "It doesn't matter." He said, standing up to leave. Duo looked around and said, "Hey, do we gotta leave already? I don't like learning!" Releena giggled as everyone headed inside. Releena escorted Quatre down to the stage he would be performing on. Everyone else filed into the huge elegant auditorium.
Heero pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Wufei. "What's this?" he asked, unfolding it. "It's about that girl, Matsuri. I looked online all night but could hardly find anything." Heero replied. Duo snatched the paper and said, "Oi, Heero, is this the same girl that was in your apartment last night?" winking. "Yes Duo, it is and she might be trouble." Heero said, facing forward as Releena walked up to the microphone on the stage. "Good afternoon everyone. Today, one of our students will be performing once again." Releena began.
"His name is familiar to us all, so let me proudly introduce him. Quatre Rabarba Winner!" The students clapped loudly as Quatre walked onto the stage. "I think you should go with him next time." Duo whispered to Trowa. Quatre began playing a sweet melody on his violin. "I don't get it guys. He fences, does the concerts and is an A student. How does he do it?" Duo asked quietly. Heero sighed and thought about Matsuri. She was so mysterious. "He doesn't slack off like you do." Trowa said. "He goes home and does all his work, then he practices. Unlike you who follows girls around trying to look up their skirts." Wufei added with a snicker.
Trowa's eyes focused ahead on Quatre. He was remarkable. Minutes later, the song was finished and Releena walked back onto the stage. "That was absolutly beautiful. Quatre will be in a fencing bout tonight, in the fencing arena, so please do try to make it." she said. Quatre bowed respectivly and walked off the stage with Releena. Everyone else was going back to their classes. Duo made a fairly large explosion in chemistry. "Mr. Maxwell! What on earth were you thinking?!" the teacher yelled. Wufei, who was Duo's lab parter, coughed and dusted off his coat. "Great job Duo." He said. Duo grinned and was pulled into the Releena's office.
"Another explosion Duo? When are you going to learn?" Releena asked, putting her head in her hands. "I'm sorry Releena, I'll try my hardest not to do it again." He apologized. Releena shook her head and said, "That's what you always say. Alright, you can go home now." Duo nodded and ran out of the room. He found Heero walking home through the woods. "Hey Heero! The woods are dangerous when you're all alone." He said, running to catch up with him. "Hn." Was Heero's reply. They walked out of the woods and into the street where Trowa and Quatre were waiting for a bus.
"Hey guys!" Quatre said waving. Duo grinned and ran over to them. "That was a great concert Quatre." He said, punching the young Arabian on the shoulder. "Thank you, but I could have done much better." He said sheepishly. Heero smirked and turned toward his apartment. "No one noticed." He said reassuringly. Duo stayed with Trowa and Quatre while Heero headed home. ~I can't leave Matsuri all alone again. I shouldn't have left her for school. Dammit.~ Heero unlocked the door to his apartment and stepped in quietly. Inside it was pretty dark. "Where is that damn girl?" Heero muttered, slinging his coat over a chair.
He walked into his room and flopped on the bed. ~I wonder if there's any aspirin lying around.~ he thought, rubbing his head slowly. Eventually, he wandered into a dreamless sleep.
Quatre and Trowa were headed toward the Winner mansion from the bus, talking about the fencing match. "Aren't you mad at Dorothy for nearly killing you the last time you fenced together?" Trowa asked as thy walked up the marble steps. Quatre shook his head. "She won, but stuck me in the side in the process. I'm eager to see how she's improved over the years." He said, pushing open the huge doors. "Welcome home Master Quatre. Oh, you've brought a friend home?" Rashid said, bowing respectivly. "Hi Rashid. You know Trowa. Trowa, this is Rashid." Quatre said, walking towards his grand library.
Trowa nodded and followed Quatre. "I've been practicing as much as I can. Miss Releena told the whole school about the bout tonight and I wouldn't want to dissapoint everyone." Quatre said, picking up a fencing sword. He offered one to the tall European boy, who shook his head. "No thanks. I'm not a sports person." He said. Quatre nodded and began practicing as he always did. Trowa eyed the hundreds if not thousands of books that lined the walls. There was a knock on the door and Rashid entered. "Master Quatre, you have a guest." He said, opening the door, reavealing a teenage girl with long blond hair.
"Dorothy?!" Quatre exclaimed. Dorothy entered the room and marveled at all the books. "Hello Quatre. It's been a long time hasn't it?" she said resting against a leather couch. Trowa looked back and forth as the two began talking. "I haven't seen you in school lately. Where did you dissapear to?" Quatre asked, putting away his sword. "I've been with Miss Releena, helping her in my spare time. But of course, I've been awaiting tonight, practicing each day hoping I'll still be able to defeat you again." Dorothy said snootily. Trowa balled his hands into fists. "Don't be so cocky. Quatre will beat you this time." He said defensivly.
Dorothy's snake glare turned to Trowa. "We'll see." She hissed, pivoting on her foot and leaving the room in a huff. Quatre breathed a sigh of relief. "How does she know that I live here?" he moaned. Trowa glanced at his watch. "She's been working with Releena. She probably had access to student information." He said, standing up. Quatre twisted his mouth and pondered the thought. "Sorry Quatre, but I need to get going." Trowa said, walking toward the door. Quatre ran after him and walked him to the door. "Good luck tonight." Trowa said walking down to the street. "Thanks." Quatre sighed.
Duo was stalking some girls from school when he noticed Wufei by the lake. He looked from the girls to Wufei, trying to decide which to go after. "Oi, Wufei. What are you doing?" he said, running after the Chinese boy. "Duo?" he asked, turning around. Duo grinned and swung his arm around the other boy's shoulders. "Not chasing after girls today? What's the occasion?" Wufei asked sarcastically. Duo grinned. "I saw you." He said, nuzzling Wufei's neck with his nose. A few minutes later, they arrived at the fork where they went their separate ways. "Are you going to the fencing match tonight?" Duo asked, kicking a stone. Wufei shrugged. "Maybe, why?" he asked. "I was probably gonna go so I thought that if you were too we could meet up or something." Duo replied, grinning.
._-_._-_._-_.
A door creaked open, and Heero shot awake. His eyes remained closed however. There were foot steps, some one was walking in his room. Carefully, his hand drifted to his gun. The floor boards creaked and someone cocked a gun. Heero flipped backwards off the bed and pointed his gun straight ahead. Matsuri stood there, wide eyed with a glass of water in one hand and two pills in the other. "What are you doing?" Heero asked, keeping his gun pointed. Matsuri showed her hands to him and said, "I thought you had a head ache so I was giving you some aspirin." Heero sighed and put his gun back. She put the water and pills on the table.
"You never did tell me your name." She said, fixing her hair. Heero walked around his bed and picked up the glass and the pills. "Heero." He said, before swallowing the pills with a gulp of water. Matsuri grinned. "Heero? As in, a saviour? A man distinguished for exceptional courage or bold enterprise?" she said, taking the word 'hero' out of the dictionary. Heero wrinked his brow and walked out of the room. "I'm going..out. You're going to stay here." He said, pulling his coat on. There was a knock on the door. "Heero, it's me." Releena said through the door. Heero pulled it open. "Hey Releena." He said. He turned to Matsuri and said, "You stay here and don't touch anything." The young girl frowned as he locked the door.
"I'm glad you decided to come." Releena said as they walked down towards her pink limosine. Heero looked over to her and said, "I wouldn't want to dissapoint you." She giggled and got into the limo. "I wouldn't really be dissapointed, I'd just have to get another date." She said as they began to drive off. Heero's eye twitched. "I'm sure Quatre will be happy you came as well." she said, trying to make conversation. Heero's gaze stayed out the window as he watched the trees and houses fly by. "We shall be arriving shortly Miss Releena." Pagan said, stopping at a red light. "The war's over Heero. You can stop being the perfect soldier and start being a normal teenager." Relena said sounding slightly annoyed.
"I know it is. This is how I want to live my life. Do you have a problem with that?" Heero said, whipping his head forward. Releena sighed and shook her head 'no', They arrived at the fencing arena a short while later. The other former gundam pilots were waiting outside, except for Quatre. 'Hey! Heero! There you are!" Duo shouted waving his arms wildly, trying to get their attention even though Heero and Releena were only a few feet away. "Hi everyone. I'm glad you all came." Releena said smiling. Trowa nodded, as did Wufei. Duo grinned like a madman. "Let's go in." Releena said, walking past the guards at the door.
"Do we get box seats?" Duo asked, as he swung his arm around Wufei's shoulder. "We get to sit in front if that's what you're asking." Releena said, walking down to their seats. Quatre stood behind the curtains (yes curtains!) waiting for everyone to go inside. He had his fencing uniform on, except for the helmet. Dorothy appeared behind him. "Hello Quatre. How are you feeling?" she murmured, lacing her hands into Quatre's hair. "Dorothy. Stop that." He said, swatting her away. "Hey you two! We're letting everyone in now so be ready when your names are called." Someone said, running over to them.
"Thanks." Quatre said, feeling nervous again. Heero peered at the doors and hundreds of students, mostly girls, piled in. ~They're all in love with Quatre. They're always trying to hang all over him. Poor guy.~ he thought, turning his gaze to Duo and Wufei. Only a few days ago, Wufei accepted Duo's love and ever since then.that braided baka's been hanging all over 'his dragon'. Releena had to go on stage to give her opening speech as usual. She winked at Heero before she walked on stage. "Good evening everyone. This bout has been brewing for a long time, and tonight is the night!" she began.
The crowd roared. "But before I begin, with the person with a green 1984 honda licence plate E6G7YN please come forward. Your lights are on." Duo said with a snicker. Everyone glanced at him with a strange look. "American joke. At every big event some stupid person always leaves their lights on and they gotta announce it." he explained. "Now, without further adeu I proudly introduce you to, Quatre Rabarba Winner and Dorothy Catalonia!!" Releena said clapping her hands. The two walked on stage from behind the maroon curtains. Dorothy stalked on stage proudly, waving to the audience while Quatre simply walked like a normal person would.
Releena hopped off stage and the bout began. Dorothy charged at Quatre swinging wildly. "I won't lose to you again." Quatre said, blocking her attacks easily. "Yes you will Quatre Winner! I wish I could have fought you when your father died, that way I could know what you're like when you get angry." Dorothy hissed. Quatre felt the rage inside of him boiling up. "Yes, you're angry now aren't you? Come and get me!" she said, temping him, by leaving an opening. Quatre's breaths were short and ragged as he swung desperatly trying to get past her sword and strike her chest.
Duo whisted and said, "She's after Quatre's blood. What the hell's wrong with her?" Everyone leaned forward as the bout continued, each swing using more force than the last. "What's the matter Quatre? Why are you crying? Afraid you'll lose?" Dorothy taunted. Trowa gripped the arms of his chair tightly. ~You can do it Quatre. Show mercy to only those who deserve it!~ he thought. Quatre smiled as the tears rolled down his face. The audience was cheering loudly and nearly falling out of their seats. "I have to tell you something Miss Catalonia." Quatre said, still swinging and blocking each attack.
"Oh? And what's that? Do you give up? Do you realize that I am superior?" she said nastily. Quatre laughed quietly. "No. You, Miss Catalonia are an evil, kniving, deviant bitch!!" he shouted, thrusting his sword forward. The arena erupted with cheers. The G-boys and Releena stood up in their chairs clapping wildly as Dorothy dropped her sword in shock. "Ladies and gentleman! The winner is Quatre!!!" The young Arabian smiled and watched the light flicker off the tip of his sword which was resing right on Dorothy's heart. Duo ran on stage and glomped him. "That was so cool Quatre!!" he shouted, lifting the young boy onto his shoulder.
Camera's flashed and the rest of Quatre's friends ran/walked on stage. "That was so amazing!" Releena said, kissing his cheek lightly. Heero smiled slightly. Wufei stared down at Dorothy who was on the floor crying. "Weak woman." He muttered. Trowa smirked.
Heero managed to slip out while everyone was congratulating Quatre. Matsuri shouldn't be left alone any longer then it was necessary. "Sorry Releena." Heero sighed as he walked home. The night was bitterly cold for fall. Heero felt the goosebumps rise on his arms and legs as sharp winds blew. It was a long walk from the arena to his apartment but he needed to get home. His headache remained despite the aspirin he took earlier. "Hey there stranger. Want a lift?" someone called from the road. Heero turned his head and peered through the darkness. "Releena? What are you doing?" he asked, walking over to the car.
"I was looking for you. Why did you leave so quickly?" she asked, opening the door. Heero got in and shivered. "I have a headache." He said simply. Releena nodded and stopped the car infront of his house. "Thanks for the ride." Heero said, stepping out of the car. "Thanks for coming." Releena said as Heero ran into his apartment. Matsuri sat by the window waiting for Heero to come home. She glared angrily as Releena drove away. Before Heero opened the door, she hopped on the couch and pretended she was asleep. Heero glanced at the girl sleeping on his couch, as he walked into his room to get changed.
Matsuri opened one eye then the other. She grinned devilishly and crept over to Heero's door. In the room, Heero placed his gun on the table next to him and started unbuttoning his shirt. Matsuri smiled even wider as Heero slid his shirt off revealing his smooth muscled upper body. "What do you want?" he said. She jumped and stood up. "I..um..did you have a good time?" she stuttered. Heero smirked and pulled on his green tank top. "I guess so. When are you leaving?" he replied, slipping his pants off. The girl's eyes sparkled as she got a glimpse of Heero's boxers. He pulled on a pair of cotton pants and walked to his laptop. "I'll leave when you tell me to." She said, following him. "Leave." Heero instructed.
._-_._-_._-_.
There was a party being held at the Winner mansion to celebrate Quatre's victory. Dorothy was invited but she wasn't there. "You took her down man! How does it feel?" Duo said, gulping down some wine. Wufei shook his head as his koi reached for another glass. "I feel bad for her. She was crying when it was over." Quatre said sadly. "Don't feel bad for her! I could only hear a couple of the things she was saying to you but they weren't nice." The American said, sipping at the wine. Trowa nodded and patted his young friend on the back. "Don't have regrets Quatre. They might be your worst enemy some day." he said quietly.
Releena smiled slightly. "I wish Heero had come. He wasn't feeling too good though. I suppose it was a good idea for him to go straight home." She said apologetically to Quatre. The young Arabian smiled and glanced at the large grandfather clock in the hall. Nearly ten. "Why don't we go outside for some fresh air?" Releena suggested as the music played louder and more and more people were coming in. Everyone agreed and they headed out to the back patio. Quatre leaned on the railing and tilted his head back. "Tell me Releena, who's the best and worst student in the school." Duo said, leaning on Wufei's shoulder. "Well, I believe that Quatre is by far the best. His academics are outstanding, and so is his fencing. And the worst student? I'd have to say that would be you Duo." Releena said giggling.
"Hey! I try my best." Duo said sadly. Wufei wrapped his arm around him and shook his head. "No you don't. You can try studying every now and then. Maybe doing homework would help too." he suggested. Everyone laughed and decided to go back inside. There was someone waiting for them. "D-D-Dorothy?" Quatre said shocked. She looked angry as she glared forward. Trowa stepped forward as to defend Quatre. (aww!) "What are you doing here?" Releena asked. "I was invited wasn't I?" was the twig-browed girl's response. Wufei, who didn't like Dorothy all that much growled. Quatre nodded and tried his best to ignore Dorothy the rest of the night.
Wufei dragged Duo to the black car that was going to take them home. "Thanks for coming guys." Quatre said, waving. Wufei nodded and the car drove off. "Congratulations once again. See you in school tomorrow." Releena said as she was driven home in her pink limousine. Dorothy had left earlier, and Trowa was the only one left. The two walked inside and sat in the living room. "I'm sooo tired." Quatre moaned, rubbing his eyes. Trowa smirked. "Then you should get to sleep. Have a nice night." He said, standing up to leave. Quatre smiled and headed towards his room. "Oh my God!!" Trowa bolted up the stairs hearing Quatre's scream. He was at his bedroom door, staring at the torn sheets, ripped up pillows and torn down curtains.
._-_._-_._-_._-_.
Matsuri watched sleepily from the couch as Heero clacked away at his laptop. "Don't you ever get tired of doing that?" she asked. Heero turned his head towards her. "Why do you ask so many questions?" he retorted. Matsuri frowned and walked over to him. "What are you doing anyway?" she asked, leaning on his shoulders. Heero sighed deeply. "Nothing that would interest you." He replied simply. Matsuri rested her chin on his head and took in a deep breath. "Your hair smells nice." She sighed happily. Heero tried to shake her off. "It's a different smell to me. I'm used to oil and grease, not moon berries or something." She said.
"Oil and grease? What do you do that makes you be around oil and grease?" Heero asked, remembering the article about the girl who built her own mobile suits and dolls. He pulled out the paper and shoved it in her face. "Is this you? Tell me now!" he demanded. Matsuri fell to the floor and flinched. "Well, is it?!" Heero shouted. Matsuri eyed the front door which was locked tightly. She'd never make it. "..yes." she said finally. Heero whipped his gun out. "You want to avenge Treize's death by doing what?" he asked calmly. Matsuri stared into those Prussian blue eyes. "By killing all the Gundam pilots." She said evilly. "You wouldn't happen to know any would you?" she asked, standing up.
Heero shook his head and put his gun down. "Why do you have a gun Heero? If you are a normal boy, you wouldn't need one." She asked, sitting on the couch again. Heero sighed and flopped across from her. "Mind your own business." He muttered. They sat there staring at each other for hours until they fell asleep.
TBC
Hotaru