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'

***

Duo eyed the couple as they swept into the room silently, Heero sitting down beside Relena as they watched the dishes streaming out of the kitchen in swift actions. Hilde, Catherine and Dorothy were hungrily staring at the grand splendour laying out before them on the table. His sharp observation brought his attention to the familiar black coat draped around Relena's body.

[ What's she doing with HIS cloak huh … fishy … ]

Heero had a faraway look in his eyes as he looked down at his plate. Relena was just as distracted as she propped one hand on her chin and turned her head away from him.

[ If what Hilde told me was true, why aren't they on more friendlier terms ? ]

Duo had almost gagged to death when Hilde swore that Heero was embracing the lady back in the privacy of their room. He had been the only other person who knew of this private moment and Hilde wanted to keep it a secret until an appropriate time in the future.

" Duo ? "

" Eh ? "

Duo's line of thought was interrupted by Quatre's gentle voice.

" I'm sorry, but have you seen Sally and Wufei ? "

" No I didn't … come to think of it … where are they ? "

This time, Relena turned her head around and addressed them.

" Sally said she wanted to pop by the gym to greet him. "

" Wufei should know better that dinner usually starts at this time. "

" Should we go see what happened ? "

Hilde's eyes flashed as the suggestion came up from Quatre. She wondered whether another embarrassing kodak moment would occur if someone should step in innocently.

" If Wufei knew, then I'm sure they would come if they want to. "

Heero and Relena unanimously threw her this look which she couldn't quite place for the time being. She smiled a little sheepishly and averted her eyes elsewhere under the burning glare. Duo couldn't help but feel sorry for the pair. Obviously they were uncomfortable with each other and having a third party stumbling upon their secretive moment wasn't enticing.

" Okay then ! Let's eat ! "

Duo's loud announcement broke the tension and everyone started tucking in noisily with their utensils. Just then, the door swung open loudly and the missing pair strode in slowly.

" Sally ! Wufei ! "

Quatre greeted them warmly as Sally smiled cheerily back while Wufei remained rather stone-faced. He was shooting narrow glances at the woman beside him, apparently having been annoyed by her earlier.

" Where did you guys go for the past few hours ? All the while in the gym ?! "

Sally chuckled amusedly while Wufei's glare started becoming more intense. He was trying to make Duo stop from asking anymore questions which might cause Sally to unravel something he didn't want anyone to know.

" Yes Duo, we had a pretty GOOD workout didn't we, Wufei ? "

This caused some reaction from the rest at the table, since the sentence was REALLY misleading. Even clueless Heero had temporarily stopped his actions for a short second in response to the wordings. Most of the girls were flushed while Duo flashed a mega-watt smile at an embarrassed Wufei. Trowa merely smiled his little smile while Quatre looked slightly red in response.

" You just have to put me down in front of everyone, don't you ? "

" No ! Of course not Wufei ! It's the truth anyway. You were pretty good actually. "

This was followed by more gasps by the listeners and choked cries from Wufei who was starting to chomp on his food. Heero had completely turned his head to look at Wufei in silence. Relena was blushing like a ripe tomato, Hilde was sniggering, Dorothy was stunned, Catherine was shooting admiring glances, Trowa remained smiling his little smile, Quatre flushed even redder and Duo was already laughing heartily.

" Sally ! Don't say anything more ! "

Wufei turned to shout at a giggling Sally as she held her hands up in a polite surrender gesture.

" What really happened ? "

" Eh ? You wanna know Hilde ? "

Hilde nodded ethusiastically and it was obvious the rest wanted to know too.

" Well … "

Sally decided to ignore Wufei's death look.

" I tried to scare him when he was threading on the exercise gadget. Since the music in the gym drowned out my movements, I had an easy time staking him out before making my kill. "

Wufei groaned and shook his head while muttering something in Chinese.

" Then I pounced from behind him and he actually YELPED in fright !! "

This caused an uproar from the ardent audience, except Heero of course. Wufei turned several shades of red in embarrassment and anger. Inside him, he was already plotting ALL kinds of possible ways to torture and probably murder the woman.

" Of course I've NEVER heard such an un-manly reaction from him and he was shaking with anger after that. He then very naturally challenged me to a fight of course. "

" A fight ? "

Duo queried as he stared at Wufei.

" I thought you would never spar with a woman !? "

Wufei remained silent, choosing to concentrate on his dish instead.

" Well Duo, let me tell you then. He wanted a fight because I had been very disrespectful of his privacy .. so I agreed anyway. We were about to have a hands-on combat so it required close contact with each other. "

Meaningful glances were immediately thrown towards the poor Chinese boy.

" As he was about to throw me around while grabbing my collar, my shirt kinda tore under the violent tug of his. "

MORE meaningful glances were thrown quickly towards the poor Chinese boy.

" In the end he kinda gropped me and my first reaction was to scream of course. "

Duo threw an envious glance towards Wufei.

" Then it sorta snapped Wufei back to reality as he slowly realised that he was fighting with a woman … and ME specifically … and that he did something very pervertic, though accidentally of course. Then … "

Sally trailed off, thoughts were obviously occupying her mind as she recounted the later events. Wufei was about to sink through the floor already.

" THEN ?!! "

Almost everyone shouted as they couldn't wait to know the conclusion.

" Well, I don't know what really happened … but in the confusion while I was being tugged and Wufei releasing me in shock, I lost my balance and before we knew it, Wufei was crushing the breath out of me on the floor. "

Wufei seriously swore he was going to make the woman PAY.

" Woah … "

The silence was deafening to Wufei as everyone's piercing look was directed solely at him. Even Heero was looking in his way though there was virtually no expression on his face. The dishes laid forgotten on the table.

" I would say it could have been a romantic moment … after all … Wufei blushed so badly I think I'm the ONLY one to see it and live to tell the story. "

[ I'll make sure I torture her slow and bad ]

" But what did you mean when you said Wufei was pretty good at it ? Good at what ? "

" Ah Dorothy, that would be our secret. "

Sally smiled brightly at Wufei who flared up again and huffed loudly. With renewed vengence, he attacked the food quickly and ignored Sally for the rest of the meal. Relena passed Hilde a worried look, wondering whether Hilde might take the chance to reveal what she had seen in their room but Hilde seemed contented to have her dinner and talking to Duo at the same time.

" I'm glad that Hilde did not say anything about us during dinner. "

Relena quietly commented as she pulled the band holding her hair loose and gently combed through her golden tresses. Heero stood against the wall, silently agreeing with her.

" Where will you be sleeping tonight, Heero ? "

[ A challenge ? A jeer ? ]

Heero looked up into her eyes and only found genuine warmness there. Against his logic, he started to soften considerably and almost answered when there was a knock on the door. Quickly, he shifted and walked soundlessly across the room. Relena sighed inwardly to herself as she placed her comb down onto the small dressing table and sat onto the bed.

" Duo. "

" Hey, I need to talk to you. "

" Ah. "

Heero slid out of the room and closed the door behind him. As soon as both of them were in a safe distance away, Duo peered at Heero fiercely.

" Man, what have you been doing ? "

Heero peered at Duo for sometime, contemplating his question.

" Hilde ? "

" At least you managed to figure THAT out … don't lead Ojou-san to the moon and then let her drop down to the earth. "

" Re-phrase that. "

Duo rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his hips. He groaned out loud before continuing.

" Well look ! Even Hilde who only had a one-second-glimpse of the both of you knew *something* was happening. You do FEEL for Ojou-san right ? Not just because we asked you to take care of her from danger right ? "

" Professor J again ? "

" This has nothing to do with Professor J in the least ! I'm talking to you about YOUR feelings ! Answer me honestly, would you do what you had done to any other girl ? Say, any of the other girls in this resort ? Would you ? "

Heero stared blankly at the floor, uncertain of his answer.

[ Should I just answer based on my instincts ? ]

When Heero carefully looked up again, what Duo saw next shocked him.

[ His eyes … ]

Duo knew that Heero was capable of emotions, but when Heero showed them to him the first time that significant evening, he was not prepared for it at all. His eyes were shimmering, almost to the breaking point of being soulful and they were portraying the hidden side of Heero which was left buried and forgotten for a very long time. The steel look was replaced by something soft and glistening, something alive and living. Duo lost his capability to speak at that instant, but he knew he had gotten his answer.

[ Heero had chosen Relena … although he himself did not know it, but his heart was already stolen by the young lady ]

A smile etched lightly across Duo's face while Heero remained silent. Somehow, an understanding was established between the two boys. Whether it was purely coincidental or a hidden telepathy, both of them did not really care at all. Heero was truthfully glad inwardly that he was not forced to answer verbally. It would seem too weird to do so.

" Well Heero, you've come a long way since we last met indeed ! I'll leave you for now … see you tomorrow ! "

Duo smacked Heero on his shoulder before walking back to his room. Heero looked at the departing figure for some time, still contemplating, still rather confused. It seemed that Duo had impliedly pointed out to him where his feelings stood, but now he was still rather lost. What was he to do now ? Run in and tell Relena that he had feelings for her ? He felt even more guilty to share a bed with Relena now that he was certain that he felt for her. It was too intentional. Mind reeling, he walked back to his room in a dazed state.

" I'll not forgive you for saying all those humiliating words during dinner. "

" Wufei, you know that it was meant as a joke. "

" You carried it too far. "

" You're acting like a child. "

" Any sane person wouldn't like it. "

" Hey, at least I did not blurt out the last scene between us .. "

Wufei glared daggers at Sally as she stuck her tongue out in mock childishness. He was still blaming himself for being so unprepared for the sudden attack by Sally. Although he had recovered pretty well, things turned out for the worst in the end.

" I give up .. "

Wufei sighed heavily as he fell onto the bed in exasperation. Closing his eyes, he realised that his anger was dissolving rapidly.

[ All those training finally worked … but I'll rather remain angry at this time ]

Rubbing his temples, he was trying to relax when he stiffened again. Sally had gently grasped him by his shouders from behind and was trying to make him sit up.

" NOW what ?! "

" Will you sit up for a while ? "

At Sally's gentle coaxing, Wufei sighed again before hesitantly obeying her. As soon as he did so, Sally started kneading his shoulders and Wufei thought he felt his entire body melting immediately. Sally massaged him expertly as Wufei tried to stifle a groan. It almost felt as though he had all his aches and pains all gradually taken away by her.

[ Damn, she's good … ]

" How do you feel Wufei ? "

" Ah .. "

Wufei's voice betrayed him in the end, the pleasure he felt throughout his body was too much for him to cover up. Sally smiled wickedly as the poor boy was totally under her control. She felt as though she was able to manipulate Wufei by some puppet strings now. He had his eyes closed and his face was a picture of pure bliss. His shoulder-length hair was tied back in a loose manner and Sally caught sight of the ring he was wearing on his finger. She couldn't help but smile appreciatively. Taking the chance to scruntinise him after a break of 6 months, she realised that he was still working out continuously. The 18 year old student had broad shoulders, taut muscles and a well-developed body from all the intensive physical training during his time with the Preventers. They weren't bulky, just nicely packed in with his Chinese frame. Now slightly tanned and sometimes sporting a black-rimmed pair of glasses when he was reading, Sally had to admit that Wufei was becoming more and more attractive to her as he grew older.

[ He's even controlling his temper considerably well now ]

Wufei felt Sally's movements becoming slower and less purposeful, breaking his state of oblivion. Sally, who was so caught up in her own thoughts, was forgetting that she was supposed to massage Wufei. He suddenly turned around to face her, leaving her to gasp involuntarily.

" What's wrong ? "

Wufei stared at her intently, causing a surprised Sally to stutter.

" You're actually really good at massaging. Maybe you should turn professional. "

Sally had to smile as Wufei passed her one of his rare compliments.

" Then who will be your partner when you come back to HQ ? "

Wufei looked away, immediately remembering Sally's new partner. The familiar bittertaste flavour was stinging his mind.

" Wufei ? "

" … how is he ? "

" Jacqués ? He's fine, he sent his regards to you. "

" I'm sure I'll be allocated a new partner when I return to HQ after school. "

" No, I'll make sure we're in a team again. "

" Why ? Sally, why are you so adamant that we should be in a team ? "

" Well, if you don't like it .. we can always .. "

" Sally. "

Wufei gazed at her, rendering the poor woman speechless for the second time. It was really unusual for Wufei to soften his look whenever he was talking to her. He did that once and it was only because he was too drunk after one of the Preventers' Annual Dinner & Dance which Sally had forced Wufei to attend. Sally sent Wufei home out of guilt and when they were about to reach his apartment, Wufei had embraced her abruptly, his gaze melting her insides and spinning her mind crazily out of control. Thankfully her logic alerted her that THE MAN WAS DRUNK and so half-heartedly, she had to kick him into his room before driving out of his reach as fast as she could that night. Apparently, Wufei remembered not a single damn thing the next morning, much to Sally's disappointment.

[ I love Wufei, maybe not to the extent of knowing that I want to marry him .. but I still love him ]

Sally was a woman who knew what she wanted, but she would never hasten things. Wufei was not a person who could open up easily and Sally knew she had to be very patient with him. It seemed to have succeeded because Sally was sure Wufei felt jealousy after knowing that she had a new partner. Call it a woman's intuition. It was flattering of course, but it did not imply that Wufei was madly in love with her … yet. She wanted to make sure, she wanted to make things happen between them and so she had agreed wholeheartedly about the idea of this vacation when it was suggested to her.

" … Wufei ? "

[ Gawds, when did I become so demure ? ]

Sally's usually firm and confident voice had dwindled down to a soft feminine one, against her will.

" I … I didn't like it … your partnering with Jacqués … "

" Really ? … "

" … erm … "

" Wufei, are you … jealous … ? "

Normally, Wufei would burst out indignantly and storm out of the place whenever Sally made such jokes on him. However, Sally's tone was of such concern and gentleness that Wufei could not help but voice out his true feelings.

" … maybe … "

[ Oh no, I did not expect that Wufei would come clean ! ]

As she surveyed Wufei's expression, she realised that he was no longer playing games with her. He seemed to be giving up, sitting in front of her, not intending to escape anymore. He continued peering into her eyes, half pleading her to lead him. He was lost, swallowed up by this sudden rush of honesty to his true self.

" Oh Wufei … "

Sally brought Wufei down to her shoulder, caressing his hair and one hand holding his. Their rings met as they slowly intertwined their fingers.

Author's Notes

Sorry for the late chapter ! Things had heated up in school and I've never been this busy before ! PHEW. I wish school never started … . … stupid tutors and stupid school assignments. If I ever make it through alive by June, I'm a survivor !!

As you may have realised, this chapter was to tie up the lovey-dovey loose strings between 2 couples here : Wufei + Sally and Heero + Relena. Of course I'm leaving the latter couple on hold for more wicked chapters between them …

* Already having tons of plans swimming in her head *

Next chapter should be about Quatre + Dorothy but I'm not too sure on how to approach Trowa + Catherine. Some people are stuck with the ' sibling notion ' and I found it rather hard to digest when I thought along that line as well. It's kinda impossible to write on that thinking unless you're talking about Angel Sanctuary which is totally so acceptable .. weirdly .. 0_0 [ Yes, I'm talking about sibling-cest ] But I don't want poor Trowa to end up being single ! He's too kakkoii to be left alone ! Any suggestions ??

The vacation saga wun be too long, I hope. As soon as I've added Zechs + Noin into the picture, things will BLAST OUT during their precious vacation and then we'll have a showdown with the ever-irriatating Michael as they troop back to College. Remember, my fanfiction is a school theme ! ^__^ I dun really know how many more chapters that would mean … would everyone want it short and sweet or long and messy ? X_X

Read AND review !!

19th January 2002