BACK TO SCHOOL !
( The Vacation Saga )
Author's Notes
Note that I don't own ANY of the characters throughout the fanfic. * sob *
Don't flame me for any pairings and there's no yaoi for you people out there ! 0_0'
***
Sally peered at the beautiful gold-plated carvings which were directions leading her to where Wufei was. She turned right as instructed and was confronted with a spacious hall, filled with all kinds of equipment one could ever imagine. Wufei was panting slightly as he was adjusting some meters on the treadmill and was oblivious to her arrival. A crafty smile curled up her lips as she slipped in easily, keeping her eyes focued on Wufei like a hungry panther stalking its prey. Wufei blissfully continued listening to the techno music blasting around him, courtesy of the latest surround dolby deluxe on The Imperial's stereo system.
[ Just a little bit more … ]
Sally bit her lips to prevent her from making any sounds. She knew how well-trained Wufei was in the past and she did not want to take her chances.
[ I can judge whether he had slackened since leaving Preventers ]
Sally found herself dangerously close to Wufei now, but the boy was too engrossed in his workout rhythm to notice anything suspicious.
[ GOTCHA !! ]
Sally pounced lightly onto the figure in front of her … and everything else was a blur after that …
" Hilde ! I can't believe it took you sooooo long ! "
Duo chided as he caught sight of Hilde flying down the staircase. As she approached him, he realised that she had the biggest conspiratory grin on her face. She was trying her best to hide it but it seemed that she was failing miserably.
" I only requested for you to ask Ojou-san what she would like for dinner before I bring you around. So why did you come back smiling like you've won a jackpot ? "
" I'll let you in with the details during your tour. "
Duo scratched his head curiously as Hilde continued smiling mysteriously at him before dragging him off.
Trowa carefully observed Catherine as she gasped at the splendour of the scenery outside the window.
[ She's still the same … ]
At this point, Catherine turned around and smiled at him as she walked towards her bag. Unzipping it, she digged through it for a while before fishing out a green box.
" The Ringmaster wants you to have this. "
" Why ? "
" I don't know, but he did say that he would be very happy to have you back once you finish College. "
Catherine laughed lightly, her smile was one held with slight sarcasm and doubt.
" Of course I told him that you wouldn't come back. Who would after getting an education ? "
Trowa stared at her, his mind was a complete blank.
[ I totally did not predict this situation ]
Catherine's violet eyes landed on him again, seemingly urging him to say something.
[ How do I reply ? I didn't even know the exact reason why I came to College ! ]
His first reaction was to handle the box, opening it slowly in a bid to stall for time. There was a small silver-coated tiepin embedded within the velvetry cushion beneath it. His eyes opened wider in surprise at such an exquisite gift. Lifting up his startled gaze at Catherine, she smiled genuinely back at him this time.
" He wants you to have it. "
" Naze … ? " ( English : why ? )
" He treated you like his own son … you do remember that in the circus … "
" Hai, we're all family. "
Catherine remained silent as she nodded her head instead. She covered his hand with hers and closed the box gently.
" Well ! Now that I've delivered the gift to you, I've successfully completed my obligation to the Ringmaster ! It's a relief ! "
Catherine laughed out loud, burstling around the room in sudden movements. As she unpacked, Trowa's eyes lingered onto the box and then finally to the figure who was now complaining about the wardobe's space. He was glad that he had gotten out of that tricky situation.
[ Kazoku .. ga .. ] ( English : Family huh .. )
Dorothy peered in deep concentration as she typed expertly on Quatre's laptop. She was trying to find loopholes or faults of any kind in Quatre's new strategic plan based on an online game they were competing against. So engrossed was she that her bag was lying forgotten on the bed. Quatre gently placed a steaming cup of fragrant jasmine tea beside her and this seemed to steer her into the present time.
" Oh .. arigato Quatre .. "
" How's it going ? "
" You've gotten so much better now. Is it because of your school ? I should have enrolled into Saint Thomas instead ! "
Quatre laughed and shook his head in amusement.
" No, you've not observed the plan long enough. I'm sure you will crack something after sometime. "
Quatre casually placed his hand onto Dorothy's shoulder and she immediately turned red at the contact. The unknowing Arabian boy proceeded to the bathroom to adjust some of the accessories inside to create space for her belongings. Dorothy stared after him, her heart in a mess and her brain in a mush.
[ When did I fall so hopelessly in love with you ? Quatre … ]
He was of the most noblest and gentlest character she had ever gotten to know and it attracted her to him like a bumble bee to a honey pot. Many times, she was tempted to confess her feelings to him but fate had a strange hand in it. All her attempts always came to naught and gradually, she took it as a sign that she should just remain silent and regard Quatre as a friend.
[ Urgh, since when did I become such a timid coward ?! ]
Dorothy shook her head adamantly before turning her attention back to the screen. Anything else could wait.
Relena walked along the huge balcony which was situated on the 3rd level after the Conference Room. She had chanced upon it while doing her own exploration when Heero wasn't around. Of course it always ended with the gruffy soldier almost man-handling her back by force … if she had not persuaded him that she would leave willingly.
[ That baka … ]
Relena breathed in the sweet evening air as the sun was slowly setting before her eyes. The girls had arrived during the afternoon but each had their own plans seemingly and most had disappeared into their rooms immediately upon arrival.
[ I could still remember everything ]
She couldn't compel herself to remain in the room after Heero had retreated to the bathroom. Coming to the balcony seemed to be the correct choice for her. It was the closest to nature without stepping out of the territory and she could be spared being with Heero and having to deal with more awkwardness. Maybe Hilde was broadcasting this to the whole of Sanc Kingdom right now but she was more concerned on how she was reacting towards the whole matter.
[ I'm going insane if this goes on ]
Letting out a small sigh, she cupped her face with her palms and leaned into the balcony railing.
[ The embrace, his voice, the eyes, that body … ]
" AAARRGGHH !!!! "
Relena lightly smacked herself as she tried to knock the images out of her mind.
" Great, now my whole brain is filled with such thoughts. How am I supposed to continue staying with him in a room ?! "
Relena paced up and down anxiously, trying to come up with some backup plan.
" I should be able to think of something ! I've been through worse situations than this ! "
Unfortunately, they were just political obstacles. They had nothing to do with her personal life, nor her feelings or what her heart was feeling. Heero wasn't involved in THAT way either … it was Gundam Zero, war, the importance of human lives and nothing else. She had absolutely nothing to do with Heero himself … until now …
" I enjoyed it, didn't I ? "
Relena asked herself softly as she came to a stop abruptly.
[ Yes, you did ]
" Why would I enjoy it ? It's Heero we're talking about ! "
[ That's the whole point ]
" I wouldn't like Heero ! He's not what most woman would dream of. "
[ That proves that he's special ]
" I'll be flattered if any other guys did the same to me. "
[ Are you sure ? ]
Relena became speechless as her analytical side queried her relentlessly.
[ You rejected Michael ]
" That was because he was an insensitive jerk. "
[ Would you have enjoyed it if it was the other Gundam pilots then ? ]
" Heck no !! "
Relena surprised herself by her feverish reaction as she gripped the railing more tightly.
" No … it's not possible … I … I can't be … "
Heero fought against all his reason to search for Relena. For the first time in his life, he was actually reluctant to pursue the target of his mission upon knowing that it was missing. Lying carelessly on the bed facing the ceiling, he was battling with himself and reason was winning. Sighing heavily inside, he sat up again and glanced at his watch. It was almost 6:30 pm.
[ I have to go fetch her for dinner anyway ]
Heero had no recollection why he brought along a cloak, but he was angry with the laughing devilish voice echoing things that he did not want to hear. Mentally shutting it out, he proceeded straight to the 3rd floor. He knew where she would be. A rather chilly evening breeze greeted him as he opened the doors of the Conference Room. Right across him, the other door was flung open and the petite girl was standing motionlessly, her back facing him. The brilliant white balcony sprawled under her and she was a stark contrast to the colour, having donned on a black dress.
Heero slid quietly up behind her, stopping right at the door leading to the balcony. She was still gazing into the horizon, many thoughts obviously running through her mind.
[ Is she thinking about what happened ? ]
A sigh escaped her lips as her shoulders slumped in a depressed manner.
[ She isn't happy ]
The wind blew lightly against her figure, teasing some strands of her hair and causing her dress to flutter playfully. Heero thought he could see a small smile forming as one hand went to the back of her head, trying to regain control as some wisps flew freely through the evening sky. It was then that Heero realised that the strong-willed and stubborn 15 year old girl had evolved into this mature young lady whose smile was now much softer and her eyes held in them many things which by far surpassed many of her age. Heero's legs started to move involuntarily as his heart was slowly taking over his mind. He gently draped the cloak around his 'mission' and she turned around sharply.
" Heero ! … you scared me. "
" It's almost time for dinner. "
The frightened look in her eyes was gradually replaced with a gentle and relieved one. She gave a small chuckle to herself and shook her head, as if she was trying to comprehend something.
" You only came for me because it was dinner ? I thought you'd normally be hot on my heels once I was gone for a minute. "
Heero remained silent, wondering why she was so deadly accurate in making him REALLY speechless.
" I was actually thinking of what happened between us. "
There was some silence hanging in the air as both of them recounted the embarrassing event.
" Heero, I really want to know why. "
" … why ? "
Heero's voice had gone all soft and uncertain. He certainly wasn't trained to handle such confrontations.
" Why did you look at me with … with THAT expression ? … Why did you hug me ? … Why did you … why did you not shake off this whole thing like a leech ? You're good at that ! I'm always the one who had to make you talk … but … but now … you're so different. It's confusing me. You seemed to treat me differently now. "
[ Tell me about it ]
" Is it because we're sharing the same room and it's freaking you out ? "
" No. "
[ Liar ]
Heero grimaced as the devilish voice taunted him once more. It was bad enough having to deal with one, now he had to deal with TWO. To make matters worse, it was his other alter ego poking fun at him.
" Heero, you had better say something. I really wanted a vacation and I don't want any more mind games. "
" Relena … "
[ That's it, tell her that you actually think that she's a very special woman ]
Heero shut his eyes, mentally cursing that voice to quit talking. It was messing him up badly and he was on the verge of an outburst soon.
" Heero ? Are you all right ? "
[ It's your chance now ! … or are you too chicken to do so ? ]
" Urgh .. "
" Heero, are you unwell ? "
Relena started feeling worried as she held Heero's arms and peered into his face. He was rapidly becoming disoriented. The sudden skin contact caused Heero to snap and he grabbed Relena roughly by her shoulders, causing a sharp gasp from the surprised girl.
[ No … I can't do this … I can't say it … I don't know what I want … ]
Heero blinked twice before he gradually calmed down. Relena was still looking at him, concern brimming through her similarly cobalt-blue eyes.
" Are you fine now ? "
" Ah .. "
Relena was immediately reminded of the Marimeya incident, whereupon a tired Heero had fallen straight into her arms. She remembered how after comforting him that all was over, he finally relaxed and slipped into a deep slumber. Somehow, they seemed to be replaying it, except that she was sure Heero wasn't going to pass out now.
" Let's go. "
Heero briskly walked off, leaving Relena to her thoughts.
[ Well, at least he's back to normal again. Yet, he was struggling with something earlier on. I wonder how long he'll last before he actually loses his cool completely. Something is troubling him so bad .. he's actually very worried .. ]
Relena tightened her hold on the cloak and followed Heero out of the Conference Room. The noise emitting from the ground level was a positive signal that dinner was ready.
[ I'll probably talk to him about it tonight ]
