Authors Notes: I DID NOT WRITE THIS CHAPTER! The VERY talented and intelligent Tenshi-Neesan did! (Another of my Oneesan's.) SERIOUS Ririna bashing ahead so don't read if that would offend you.
***
Chapter Twenty: The Silencer
Trowa watched in horror as his princess lay there so still, her life's blood
ebbing onto the ground below. He couldn't believe his eyes, the icy numbness
that had seeped through his system, before being replaced by an unbelievable
pain. He doubled over, and he didn't realise the small noise that he had made
hadn't gone unnoticed by Makoto. It was a sound of utter loss and despair, of
hopelessness. He hadn't known much in his life, living in the circus, and fighting
was all he had known. The mask he had thrown up, not unlike the one that Hiiro
frequently worn, was his defense against the world, a defense for the little
boy who had been hurt so long ago. But nothing he had ever done or trained could've
ever prepared him for this moment, of what it'd be like to have someone you
loved this badly dead in front of you. He would never see her beautiful smiles
again, or feel that contentment and happiness spread through him each time he
had her in his arms. Her silky hair beneath his fingers, the sweetness of her
kisses and how they never failed to take his breath away. It didn't matter that
she had been about to announce who she
loved. It wasn't about the choice she made, although he'd be lying if he said
he hadn't been hoping that it would've been him. All that mattered was that
she was alive in this world, the lone star of happiness in his life.
"You damned crazy psycho!!! What the hell have you done?!" Duo yelled out beside him, and he could feel the rage emitting from the other four pilots.
Aishiteru Trowa...
Something within him snapped, and to the others present, they swore there was a light from his eyes that no one had ever seen before. It was as if a flicker of energy had somehow zapped the room, and everyone was very aware of his actions. Ririna stood there smugly, laughing her head off, with her dead son by her side. Blinding fury rose in his blood, theintensity of it overwhelming him. All he could see was that she had stolen the only person he had ever loved. She had shot his princess.
"With that stupid girl out of the way, you'll be mine, Hiiro!!" Manic laughter sounded gratingly against everyone's ears, including his own.
He was vaguely aware of the tension in each of the pilots as they struggled within themselves to kill Ririna. He himself felt no such doubt. All he had left was the emptiness within his heart that Usagi had once filled, accompanied with the wretched pain that he knew would never go away.
"Yurusunai, Ririna." He announced with deadly calm. His soul was no longer his own. He'd sell it to the devil himself to make her pay for killing Usagi.
Before anyone could react, he'd somehow moved across the room behind Ririna, and from his hands, he produced a thin clear wire. It was an old weapon of his, one he had never chosen to use until this moment. It would have been too personal, and too hard to kill someone with that. But now, he wanted to feel her dying in his hands. He wanted to inflict pain, and make her feel as he did inside. Stretching it in a smooth move between his hands, he wrapped it repeatedly around her neck before she could even make a sound. She gave a squeak, and began grabbing at her neck, wincing as the wire cut through the skin and slowly began turning a blood red.
"Trowa..."
Applying further pressure, he whispered harshly in her ears, words meant only for her.
"You took away the only happiness any of us ever knew, and you killed the only woman I love. For that, you will suffer as I am now, and forever will be. I'll see you in hell before I let you continue breathing another breath of air while Usagi's there dead. Your pitiful life in exchange for hers."
She made a choked gurgle as he felt the wire against his callused fingers
that had long since been immune to any cuts it might have produced. He felt
her struggling to breath, kicking as he raised her off the ground. For all the
pain she caused him to feel, for all the feelings she raised in him that he
hadn't felt since he was a child, the strain in his muscles indicated his tension,
and she was gasping for air. He was unaware of anyone else present. All he felt
was the slow death of his soul, and his return to who he was before Usagi came
into his life. Except this time, it would be worse. He had tasted happiness,
and it had been within his grasp. Without his princess, life would be meaningless,
living only for missions. His hands tightened, and with one sharp pull, he heard
the tell-tale slump of the body in front of him that
indicated that Ririna was no longer in this world. But he couldn't stop. He
continued pulling, and his eyes shone with tears that he couldn't bring himself
to cry.
Aishiteru Trowa...
"Let it go, Trowa." Duo said softly beside him, touching his arm, causing Trowa to jerk slightly.
"I can't. I don't know how..."
His purple eyes mirrored Trowa's grief, and for one moment, Trowa hesitated.
"She's dead," Duo continued, not making it clear who he meant, but it had its intended effects. Trowa's arms loosened, as Ririna's lifeless body slid to the floor, along with the clear wire that was no longer so.
Instead of satisfaction with Ririna's death, he felt nothing. He lifted his head to look at Usagi's body laying there and he once again was assailed by emotions he couldn't quite control.
"You need to say goodbye, just as we have."
Goodbye? Never. He wanted to be with her for always. She was the balm to his
soul, giving him happiness when he hadn't known any in his life, not that he
remembered anyway. Without her, he didn't know what he would do. He couldn't
go back to the life he had once had, not when he'd tasted what life was meant
to
be. He was meant for loving her, that much he knew now. His feet somehow moved
beneath him, one foot after another, walking over like a zombie.
The three other remaining pilots had gotten to their feet, standing around her protectively even in death. Only Quatre was unashamed of the tears that trickled down his face. Hiiro and Wufei were icily silent, though their eyes shone with unshed tears, much like him. Helplessly he sank to his knees beside his beloved princess. He would never get to see those blue eyes that held the world's pain and yet still managed to remain so lively some how. He raised his hand slowly to touch the skin that was still warm, and he felt his heart breaking, never to recover. She seemed so serene in death's embrace, despite all that her body had taken. She was a gentle soul, one who hurt as much as he did. Yet, she never stopped loving. He knew that in her own way, she had loved him, perhaps not the way he had wanted, but she was the kind who would sacrifice her own existence so others could go on living. The tears threatened to spill, as he wondered to himself how this could be called living at the moment. What was life without sunshine?
"Gomen Usagi-hime... I let you down," he whispered hoarsely, his voice reflecting the sadness that his body wouldn't allow him to release. But perhaps there was a reason for this. If he shed those tears, there was a finality to that moment, as if that somehow meant she were truly dead. Realistically, the evidence was in front of him, but he didn't want to believe that she was gone. With haunting poignancy, he traced the outline of her face, as if memorizing every feature in his mind that he already knew. Smooth skin, soft rosy lips, beloved face. He loved her so much. How could she leave him? How could he go on when his heart and his soul was forever gone? He remembered the moment he had stopped her from killing herself, and the words echoed in his ears.
"You should move on, Usagi-hime. As cruel as it sounds your husband is dead and nothing you can do can bring him back. You need to move on and let go."
At that time, those words seemed so reasonable. He had just fallen in love with her, for the first time in his life. He had fallen in love with someone. He wanted her to let go of the pain. At that time, those words had seemed so easy to say. In hindsight, he understood her feelings fully and completely. He couldn't let go, not of her, not the beat of his heart. He would give up his life gladly if it meant that this world could know what it was like to have hope and sunshine once again.
Aishiteru Trowa...
He would never be able to bask in the warmth of her presence, feel how his lips would move in response to a simple smile from her. He couldn't stand it anymore. He threw himself on top of Usagi's body, harsh sobs coming from him. He didn't care if anyone else saw. The grief was all too real, too heart wrenching. Her body was still warm, the blood spreading across his own shirt, but it didn't matter. Nothing did anymore.
Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation in his body, almost like the silvery fingers of light filling his soul. He lifted his body up abruptly to stare at Usagi's body, while loud gasps sounded from behind him. The other pilots immediately wound up beside him, as they looked on in astonishment. The blood was gone.
His heart pounded. How his heart just pounded like the thundering of cannons being fired. He didn't want to hope, yet there was no other way of explaining the scene in front of his eyes.
"...Trowa,"
His eyes flashed and a spasm shot up his body, causing him to jerk back slightly. Masaka. Did she just say something? And say something he thought she just said?
Her eyes fluttered open slowly, blinking in confusion at the scene in front of her, and the four faces that peered at her in open-mouthed shock (and a few others in the back). But the only face she wanted to see was not there. She let out a soft sigh of disappointment and hurt. Her memories were fuzzy, and she wasn't quite sure what had happened. She had the vague recollection of talking to the five guys, and then suddenly, things just went black for her. Suddenly, bodies were being shoved aside as deep green eyes appeared in front of her. Missing pieces of her memories finally fell into place when she gazed into those eyes, and stared at his beloved face. Groans of pain and defeat were uttered, and largely ignored by the two who couldn't stop drinking the sight of each other's face in. The room around them disappeared, and the world just held the two of them in its hands. His eyes, shining with tears and happiness, were smiling at her as she felt her own lips answer in response.
"Did you say what I think you just said?" He asked huskily.
He had been crying. For her. She knew her heart would be safe with him right from the start. There was a gentleness in him, and he had been constantly by her side no matter what. He was unselfish, and he loved her. He would never hurt her like her husband did, for it wasn't in his soul that was displayed in his eyes. She could see through them, without the mask that he usually wore to disguise his feelings. She felt so blessed, as the tingle of happiness spread throughout her blood.
"Hai... Aishiteru Trowa," she whispered, as the uncharacteristic Trowa gave a loud whoop of joy before grabbing her into a passionate kiss. She gave a giggle of happiness against his lips and he opened his eyes to stare at her.
"No more hiding, Usagi-hime."
Her eyes softened and she thanked him with her lips for everything he had done for her. Around them, though there were four heartbroken pilots, the joy that went through them at the sight of Usagi alive was more than enough.
With a sigh, Duo glanced at the other guys, who were looking on the scene enviously.
"You knew that this was coming." His eyes reflected his surprise as he stared at Wufei. "Are you crying, Wu-man?"
"Don't call me Wu-man!!" He roared out, katana flying out within
seconds as Duo screamed and took off. "I'm going to slice that braid off
and burn it if I ever get my hands on you!!"
Loud hollers came from down the hallway, along with the pounding of feet, running
as if the wolves of hell were after him, which in Duo's case wasn't far from
the truth.
"Shouldn't koneko-chan need air by now?" Haruka grumbled to no one
in particular. Usagi laughed and broke away from Trowa, who looked just a bit
dazed.
Her laughter fell at the sight of Hiiro and Quatre staring at her. She stood
up slowly, unwillingly leaving the warmth of Trowa's embrace and made her way
over.
Before she could say anything, Hiiro had put his hand up as if to wave off anything she was about to say.
"All that matters to me is that you're alive."
"We knew only one of us would win your heart, and all that matters to any of us is your happiness. We know Trowa will take good care of you. And he loves you so much, just like we all do."
Her eyes bright with tears, she took each of their hands into her own. "You all have been so wonderful to me. I hope you will continue to be a part of my life."
"For as long as we live," Quatre replied.
Trowa came behind her, and she could feel his presence even before his arms came around. She leaned into his chest, filling as if her heart would burst from happiness.
"You better treat odango well."
"Otherwise we know where to find you," Ail added. Usagi's eyes flashed
with surprise as she took in a complacent Ail and Seiya. There was a sadness
around
both their mouths, but she could not miss the look of happiness in their eyes
that she was still alive.
"I'd rather have you alive and with someone else than the other option we were presented with. I meant it Barton. You hurt her. You'll have me to answer to."
Her eyes watered as she gave Ail a tight hug. "I don't deserve people like you in my life."
"Hai, you do. For all your sacrifices, and all that you've done for us, Odango..."
"And me," Ail said softly. "Be happy."
"And be free."
A strange disturbance in the air alerted them as all their bodies froze. Trowa switched their positions immediately, shielding Usagi's body with his own as a shimmering light suddenly exploded. A high-pitched cry sounded out as they all heard a loud thud on the ground.
Frowning slightly, Seiya began mumbling to himself. "You know, that almost sounds too familiar..."
"I was about to say the same myself," Ail said as he readied himself. A voice whimpered slightly before dragging itself up from the ground. The young boy appeared no more than seven years old with a shock of blond hair, and a green eye peeking through the bangs that hung over his forehead. He swiped at it ineffectively, and it still flopped back.
"Tousan, sometimes I really hate your hair," he grumbled, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind whose child he was. Of course, Usagi was well used to future children dropping in on her, as was Seiya who had known Chibi Usa. Trowa and Ail, on the other hand, weren't.
"Nani!?" He exclaimed, looking at the young boy who was staring right back at him.
"Isn't Puu supposed to be here?" Usagi asked.
"Puu-basan got stuck in some other emergency, so she gave me the time key to come get people home."
"MATTE!!!!"
"Nani?!!?" Seiya, Ail, and Trowa all yelled out at once, as Usagi merely giggled.
Another bundle sparked and appeared out of nowhere, landing gracefully as
opposed to the one before her. She smiled mischievously, her long sandy brown
hair
tied loosely in pigtails. Big blue eyes shone with brightness, and they were
the type of eyes that no one could say no to.
"TWO OF THEM, odango?!"
"Rai-niisan!" She complained plaintively as her brother merely shook his head in disgust.
"I thought I told you to stay behind Mi-chan."
"Demo, it's boring!"
"Wasn't Fei-jiisan supposed to teach you how to use a sword?"
"He says I'm strong for a chibi onna," she grinned impishly.
Then suddenly, both children stared at Usagi and Trowa with identical looks of shock on their faces.
"'tousan and "kaasan weren't supposed to know, you baka!" The boy chided.
"Twins..." Ail whispered, imagining the force of destruction the two would be, since apparently, they took after their mother.
"Demo they said it was okay for Hii-jiisan to teach Momo-niisan how to use a gun."
"Be quiet! We're not supposed to let them know all this stuff yet. You remember what Puu-basan said."
"Koneko-chan!!! THREE children?!"
The twins merely blinked at them with wide innocent eyes as the adults present just groaned.
"Who's Momo?" Usagi asked curiously.
"Her real name is Shinjitsu, demo everyone has called her Momo since she was a baby. She's your oldest daughter."
"'Duo-jiisan says she was born exactly nine months after you were married.
He said you two behaved, demo you didn't afterwards because more of us popped
out,"
the boy offered helpfully. "What did he mean by that, kaasan?"
Usagi nearly swallowed her tongue; Trowa blushed furiously; Haruka choked while the two other guys just grinned. Usagi made a mental note to have a conversation with "Duo-jiisan" about appropriate materials to be discussing with seven year-olds.
"Never mind whatever Duo-jiisan says," she grumbled.
"What are your names then?" Haruka inquired once she regained her
breath, while shaking her head. Setsuna must've really had her hands tied to
send these two in
her place.
"I'm Misora! And that's Raiden."
"You know, Mi-chan... you're not helping things any. Puu-basan said to come here and take them back."
"Look at how cute "tousan and "kaasan looked when they were younger though!"
"'kaasan looks different doesn't she?" Raiden observed, while shoving his hair back once again.
Misora nodded enthusiastically, and then whispered (though unfortunately she said it loud enough for everyone to hear), "She's not having babies again though!"
Usagi flushed, while everyone else just stared. Trowa merely passed out on the ground. She giggled once she had made sure he was still breathing.
"Is "tousan going to be okay?"
"He's just not used to future children coming to visit him like I am."
"Q-jiisan says it better not be twins again," Misora laughed.
"Seiya-jiisan, Ail-jiisan, Haruka-san, are you ready to go?" Raiden asked, apparently the slightly more level-headed out of the twins. He yelled out as his hair poked him in the eye. "KUSO! I'm going to cut my hair, I swear it!"
A gasp came from the remaining adults, and Misora who stared at her brother wide-eyed.
"You've been either talking to Fei-chan or Haruka too much, haven't you?" Usagi scolded.
"Gomen "kaasan!"
"Which one is it??" Usagi demanded.
"Uhh..."
She found herself being enveloped with hugs all around as each of her friends bid her farewell.
"I guess I'll be seeing you around, ne odango?"
"Hai, Seiya!"
"And me too, Usagi-chan."
"Take care of yourself, koneko-chan."
"Count on it, minna-chan!"
The twins with a twinkle in both their eyes grinned at their parents. "Ja ne, "tousan, "kaasan!" They chorused, as a flash of light enveloped them all once again. "Gomen about destroying your favourite knitting needles though, "tousan!"
Usagi fell to the ground, laughing helplessly. She cradled Trowa's body close
to hers. If the future was any indication of things to come, she knew her life
was going to be surrounded with friends and love.
***
Authors Notes: AGAIN this was written by the great Tenshi-chan (Chibi Tenshi)
if you like her style of writing be sure to look up her author name on my favorites
list and read some of her work.
