Half A Chance – At Innocence

Minako: Two weeks… sorry people… school is SO draining… not to mention I think I sprained my wrist…

Trowa: Your LEFT wrist no less. Have you been messing with my mech?

Minako: No honey. Run along now.

Trowa: //.^**

Minako: Don't think I don't know what you are saying Trowa Barton! I've been watching a bunch of GWing tapes, but only up to episode 19, and I watch EWaltz!

Trowa: I don't think anyone cares, just get on with the story!

Minako: Sheesh, calm down honey!

Trowa: *Through gritted teeth* Stop calling me 'honey' or I might decide I need some target practice

Minako: ^.^******

Disclaimer: I don't own them! I don't I swear! I don't own them! I'm sure you don't care! Hey, I made a rhyme!

 'Try, sometimes it's kindness we bear our fangs at

When there's something we want to protect'

EVO, Tamers Evolution Theme. I like that song, I might run it through this.

'I kill crazy people'

Hiiro, of course.

Outside the stars blinked, their masses shining through the dark that penetrated every corner. The moon was new, no longer hanging in the sky as it usually did. There was not a cloud in sight, and had he known anyway, he was sure he would have seen constellations clearly.

Hiiro Watched through the cold glass pane, as he though carefully, looking at the sky with the look of a child who had never seen stars and a man who had walked among them. In reality, both side were true. He'd never really looked at stars before, never seen their beauty, their strength. They had a habit of staying put. The stars didn't move, the Earth did. It was amazing in a way. But still, he looked into the night sky and subconsciously plotted the Lagrange points in the studded sky. He couldn't remember living on Earth for very long as a child, only for a week or so in fact. So when he was a child the moon was simple, a satellite that orbited Earth, where many companies owned factories and the like. But whenever he was on Earth… the moon had a slightly eerie feel about it. Sometimes it hung far away, a crisp white against the cloudy dark. And others, it hung low in the sky, almost like a sun that refused to set, and everywhere looked brightened by the creamy color. It was always weird for him to watch the moon cycles on Earth, as in the colonies it was just there.

But then, everything in this world seemed irrational. He could remember the names of places, and they were here. But anything else was beyond them. He wondered if in this place the moon and the stars were something special, something powerful, as opposed to simple bundles of gas and rock. It was an odd thought. Illogical. Instead, he focused on what was happening to him. In this place, he felt different. He felt like someone he was once. It was… interesting. Here he was, displaying kindness and compassion and concern and friendship and many other things openly, unlike the usual subtleties he used to hide that side from others. He was so discrete, people didn't tend to know when he was doing something to benefit them. He masked it well. But then, there would always be some people who could see straight through him…

He wondered if it would be the same back home. Would this new attitude remain with him? Would he stay the same? These people, those who he had met in this place, seemed to know him so well. How would they react if they saw his other side? That dream… Well, it wouldn't matter, because when he got back home, if ever, he would never have to see them again. He could go back to being the Hiiro Yui everyone knows and fears. He would have to keep acting, keep the mask of disposition. Everything he had here… it was all weakness. Those traits in a person were weaknesses, things the enemy could exploit. Weaknesses…

Quatre…

Was that the answer he was looking for? Quatre. He was fighting, but still… he still held on to weaknesses like compassion, kindness… but… Quatre was strong, stronger than he knew. Hiiro could see it. Hiiro wanted to hide the side of him that cared, brought up believing it was a weakness. The only people who could stand to be around him long were the other pilots, and Relena… he couldn't even get close to those who wanted to, but he was strong… right? He had strength, but what he wanted perhaps, was respect. He didn't have respect, only people fearing him and his abilities. People stayed away, and Hiiro gave them no real reason to approach him anyway… but Quatre… was different. He was kind, compassionate, and as approachable as they come. People liked to be around him, and he respect, not for what he was, but who. His weaknesses were his strengths. So how was Hiiro so convinced that this side of his own personality was useless?

"So you found a way to send them home, huh?"

Izzy sighed and nodded. "Yeah, Gennai sent an email, saying he had everything ready for whenever they are."

Taichi' turn to sigh now. "I know that they should go home and all, but… I'm gonna miss them, I guess."

"I know what you mean. They've become a regular part of our routine. The death-threats, the constant holes in the walls… I'm going to miss that…"

"Well, I guess going home is the best thing for them, I mean, they both probably wanna get back to fighting a war or something… I guess that's what's best…"

The Next Day

As we visit our wonderful group of chosen children gathered in the infamous computer room, there were smiles and sighs of nostalgia already.

"So they can go home, then? I'll bet they were relieved when you told them!" Miyako pronounced proudly.

"Well… that's the thing, we haven't told them yet. They may not WANT to leave," Taichi commented quietly.

"How could you not have told them?"

"They aren't in school, I don't have a phone number or address, and Hiiro seems to have his computer turned off. I just can't help but wonder why…"

Sora sighed. She knew why…

"Yeah, well, that's all we have to say on the matter. As those high-up dudes in big companies would say, MEETING AJOURNED!" Daisuke crooned, as all made their separate ways. It did, however, seem that some of them were having a meeting of their own. Sora walked past Taichi and Koushiro with inconspicuously slow movements, but as she was about to pass them, she whispered,

"Meeting in the library. Now."

"Sora, what exactly is this about?"

"I don't think we should send them back."

Taichi and Koushiro looked at Sora, stern expression firmly in place.

"Why not? Surely it would be better for us, and them!"

"NO!"

This was a little odd. Sora wasn't one to shout. But when she did, it was important.

"You don't understand, I can't let them go back!"

"But why not?"

"Don't you see it? I can't. I just can't. I don't want them to have to go back to fight a war where they'll eventually lose their lives. People only have so much luck, and I can't help but think theirs has run out!"

"They know the risk, and it seems they want to go home. It should let them."

"I don't expect you to understand…" Sora stopped to gather her thoughts carefully, "because you haven't seen what I have. Do you really think that when they are where they came from they'll be the same people we've met?"

"Well, this is goodbye, I guess." Taichi smiled lightly, though a little depressed at having to say goodbye to new friends so quickly. And he was just getting used to the casual friendly threats on his life. Likewise feelings were shared by most of the others. Over the past couple of weeks, they'd learned a lot about Hiiro. It felt like they'd known him forever, and were sure that this was just the kind of person he was. Still, Taichi thought he didn't know nearly enough about Quatre. He was quiet, and there seemed to be something about him. But it didn't really matter. None of the Chosen were going to see these two for a long while, if not ever.

"Yeah. See you."

There was a flash of light, and then-

"WHAT THE--?"

A cloaked figure sat toying with a tiny sphere of an odd blue color. His hands never once touched it; the sphere floated of it's own accord. A second cloaked figure approached the first, and pulled back it's hood to reveal the youthful form of Gennai.

"Did you really have to do that?" Gennai asked the cloak guy.

"Yes. They need to see."

"But what is that you have?"

The cloak guy gave an odd sort of laughing noise. "See for your self why don't you?" The sphere glowed dimly and a tiny blast of sorts shot out.

Gennai looked shocked, for certain. "How did you--?"

"That's not for discussion," the cloak replied sternly. "All you need to know is that I will find out the access."

Gennai slumped his shoulders in defeat, and the cloak pushed back his own hood, to reveal a man about as old as Young Gennai, with short dark hair with eyes that matched. He returned to throwing the sphere around.

"You've probably figured out how I got this, and from who So I won't tell you."

"From-- you don't mean--?"

"Yes. Yes I do."

"But do you even know the consequences?"

"If I cared, they might matter. All that matters is finding the access." The man smirked, and faced away,

"Mr Clay, I can't believe that you would do something like this…"

"Believe it old man, believe it."

Clay smirked more, and clutched the sphere firmly in his hand.

TO BE CONTINUED

What did Minako do? Screw with the plot more? Bet you wanna know what happened. Guess! Oh, and please, review! Criticism is oh so very welcome!