Standard disclaimer: The only things we own are Marle, Saira, Jacob, the kids, and the song in this chapter. Everything else belongs to Takeuchi-sama and some insignificant film companies.
To Find Their Way
Chapter 3"Why don't we get down to business, Mar?" Saira said as she settled on a couch in the entertainment room. "We have about an hour to tell these boys why we're here."
Nodding, Marle sat on the arm of the couch saying, "True, but we need only tell them part of our mission, for now at least." She reached into a small hip pouch, which she used as a cover up for pulling her data computer out of her sub-space pocket, and stated, "They wouldn't be able to handle the whole thing right now."
"Are you implying something?" the self-righteous Chang growled.
"Yup," replied Saira. "There are more things in heaven and in earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in your philosophies (1)."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Just keep an open mind, Dragon-butt. It'll make things easier on your poor brain."
"What do you take me for, onna? The braided baka?" They continued to throw insults at each other until catching Marle's cold glare. They both twitched…
Glaring still, Marle said firmly, "If you two are done acting like toddlers, we can continue discussing the mission, if not, then I will be going for a walk until you two care to act your ages." Standing up, she started for the door.
"All right, all right. Cool your jets, Mar. We can behave, can't we, Wu-chan," she said with the slightest bit of mockery in her voice. Wufei was indignant, but he chose to hold his tongue in favor of finding out how to get rid of the two women.
Marle leaned against the doorframe, facing away from the group so they could not see the pain that she had been pushing back since Saira and Wufei starting arguing. Closing her eyes, she tried to compose herself. It was hard.
They may not have noticed, but those two were acting a lot like she and Yaten had during the first part of their life together. Watching those two brought back all of those memories. Memories that always ended the same way, her gazing down at Yaten's dead body. She wouldn't be able to keep her composure if she stayed here. She needed time, preferably alone.
She began to speak as evenly she could, but was unable control the slight tremor in her voice.
"You can explain the mission to them, Saira. I... I need to take a walk, to clear my head." With that she walked out of the house without glancing back.
Saira looked at the retreating form of her sister. And that was exactly what she was doing. Little by little, she was retreating from life.
"Marle..." Behind her, Wufei made one of his little comments. On it's own, it would have made no difference. But right now, she just wasn't going to put up with it. Marching up to him, her eyes spitting blue fire, she slapped him squarely across the face.
"Listen up, and listen good, because I'm only warning you once. Don't mess with my family. Now, if you can keep your smart-ass mouth shut, I'll tell you why we're here. Got that you chauvinistic, little rat-boy?" Twitch…
His black eyes were burning almost as bright as hers and Saira vowed to silence his pride, even if she had to use her own two lips to do it. 'Well, that certainly would shut him up,' she thought to herself.
She saw Duo following Marle and filed it in the back of her mind for later use. Preferably blackmail.
"We are here," she began, "because we need the help of the Gundam pilots. This may sound a little strange, but if you need it, I can prove every word. As you all know, I recently lost my husband," Saira stopped for a moment to blink back a stray tear.
"What you don't know is that he was murdered protecting our nieces and nephews from losing their own lives." She bit her lip and forced the mental image of broken bodies away from her thoughts. "He was a crack shot, could have run circles around Alexander the Great, and was not bad at hand to hand combat either. There was only one problem. Jacob was a normal human, and he was killed by things that weren't even close to human."
That had peeked their interest.
"What exactly do you mean by the phrase, normal human," Heero asked emotionlessly.
"By normal human I mean that he was exactly that. Twenty-four chromosomes, two arms and legs, two eyes and ears, all in the right places mind you. However, by being a normal human, he did not possess extra physical or mental abilities."
"What do you mean by physical or mental abilities?" Quatre seemed to be catching on to this without even realizing it. She sighed and debated telling them.
'Oh, what the heck, it's close to the truth.'
"I'm what you might call a New Type, I have extra strength, speed, and stamina. I also have a psychic ability, like yours Quatre-san, but more refined."
They stared for a moment. As Gundam Pilots, they were some of the few outside regular military who knew of the New Type experiments. And there weren't many inside the armies of earth that knew. Made of the recombinant DNA of several 'gifted' individuals, (whether animal genes were used was known only to the scientists) these lab-grown soldiers were highly controversial. The real question on their minds was how one, possibly a whole group, could have escaped confinement. Thankfully though, they didn't ask.
"And what do you mean by refined?" Poor boy. He was going to have a rude awakening, but not today. Saira would string out these secrets a little more.
"You can feel the pain of another. I can do the same, but it's stronger. I can feel their emotions as well. Under proper conditions, I can contact others across vast distances." She continued, a little uncomfortable. "That was how I knew Jacob was dead, and why I was so distraught."
"That sort of thing could be useful on a battlefield," Heero murmured.
"Yes it is. Quite painful too."
* * * * *
As soon as the house was out of sight, Marle collapsed to her knees, and dropping her head in her hands, she refused to cry.
'Why can't this pain just leave me alone? It hurts... it hurts so much and it will never stop.' As she sat there unwelcome, bittersweet, and torturous memories came flooding back.
~~~
"HOW THE **** DID WE TIME WARP TO ANCIENT JAPAN!" Not ready for Saira's mental yell, Marle cried out in pain and fell to the ground. Putting her hands out to brace herself for impact, she felt someone's arms catch her. Looking up she saw the most beautiful emerald eyes in the world.
The young man connected to afore mentioned beautiful eyes asked, "Are you alright."
"Yes, I am. Thank you for catching me." She was cold as ever, but she was thinking, 'Who wouldn't be ok after landing in a gorgeous guy's arms? MARLE NADIA TOKI, SNAP OUT OF IT YOU NEED TO FIND A WAY HOME! But with a guy this gorgeous who would want to go home? You've been hanging around Saira too long.' "But just who are you?"
Eyes widening in surprise, Yaten asked, "You really don't know who I am?"
Playing dumb, Marle says, "No, I don't."
"We've been in America for a while," Saira said stepping in. "For several years in fact."
"Oh," said Yaten, thinking, 'I was pretty sure even people in the U.S.A. knew who we were, oh, well. I guess I'll have to speak to our Public Relations guy.' Keeping eye contact with the pretty girl, Yaten said, "My name is Kou Yaten. I'm one of the three Lights." After waiting a couple seconds Yaten added, "Who are you?"
"My name is Toki Marle. It's nice to meet you, Yaten. And once again, thanks for helping me." Marle said as she held out her hand and she returned Yaten's gaze.
Taking her hand, Yaten shook it gently. "Your welcome, Marle. Perhaps we will see each other around, one day."
Returning her hand to her side Marle said with a calm, relaxed voice, "Perhaps... Good night, Yaten."
~*~
A very familiar voice came over the loud speaker and he was saying her name.
"This next song was written for and is dedicated to Toki Marle," Yaten said. Instantly the crowd started to buzz.
'I am going to kill him for this, I really am,' she thought. But, something else put words of it's own. 'But it's so sweet of him to go to the trouble of writing a song. But never the less he is still a dead boy when I get my hands on him,' Marle thought as she glared at Yaten, showing no emotion.
The keyboardist started first, creating a slow, bittersweet melody. A guitar and other instruments then joined it. When it finally came time for the words, Yaten sung alone hesitantly at first, Marle's stare was having the desired effect.
No one,
Ever managed,
To find their way into my heart.
But somehow,
You knew which road to take.
And now...
I'm so sorry,
That I ever hurt you.
And I know,
My words don't always come out right.
Please, don't go.
I don't know,
What I'd do without you in my life.
I want you there,
In my darkest hours.
'Cause you give me strength,
When I can't go on.
Please.
I'm saying this tonight.
I'm so sorry,
That I ever hurt you.
And I know,
My words don't always come out right.
Please, don't go.
I don't know,
What I'd do without you in my life.
I'm so sorry,
That I ever hurt you.
And I know,
My words don't always come out right.
Please, don't go.
I don't know,
What I'd do without you in my life.
Please.
Will you forgive me?
Everyone turned theirs eyes to Marle. On the outside, no one could tell what see was feeling, but on the inside she was a mess. The others in the room looked from Marle to Yaten, and back to Marle. Though Marle's face was unemotional, something flashed through her eyes.
'I can't forgive him. He will only hurt me, but why do I feel only half alive with out him?'
'What was that?' Seiya thought. 'Come on Marle! Give Yaten a second chance.' From across the stage, Taiki was having his own thoughts as he looked at his brother's face.
'Come on Marle,' Saira thought with an edge of desperation. She was so tempted to go inside her head and find out what she was thinking, but if she did, it would only cause trouble. 'You're too good at hiding emotions,' she continued. 'You've managed to hide them from yourself.'
Closing her eyes Marle pondered the situation, 'Why won't the thought of him leave my mind?'
Nodding his head sadly Yaten began to turn.
"Alright," he said. "If that's how it's going to..." he didn't get to finish that sentence. A hand latched onto his and whirled him around. Yaten did get to finish his sentence as Marle opened her eyes and let her emotions, and a few tears, cross her face. As Yaten opened his mouth Marle silenced him with a kiss.
~*~
"YATEN! I'm going to kill you," screamed Marle as she clenched her teeth as another contraction hit her.
Holding his wife's hand in his own, Yaten swallowed nervously and asked Saira, "Should I be hiding?"
"Don't take it personally, it's just the pain talking."
"I thought so, but you know how long Mar can hold her temper...." Yaten replied as he closed his eyes, concentrating on sending soothing energy to his love.
Several hours and numerous death threats later found Marle holding her first-born, her son, their son. Smiling as she looked down at the little bundle she asked, "Isn't he just so beautiful?"
"Yeah, he is." Yaten replied with a little aw.
Looking at her husband Marle said, "Oh, yeah. By the way..."
"Yes?"
Smirking, she finished her sentence, "I'm still going to kill you."
~*~
After seeing her children safely through the portal she looked around and froze when she saw her husband's dead body.
He was lying on his back not so far from where the children had been. A pool of his own blood was gathering around him.
~~~
Feeling a hand on her shoulder Marle snapped her eyes open and glared at the one who dared to invade her reverie.
Seeing the unshed tears in her blue-green eyes, Duo asked, "Do you want to talk?"
Looking away Marle said, "No." He settled down beside her and looked off into the distance.
"There's no shame in crying," he said after awhile.
"Leave me alone," Marle replied icily.
"No, I don't think you should be alone."
Marle closed her eyes and mumbled, "You wouldn't understand. Go away."
"You're not the first person to lose someone important to you," he replied, a little angry.
"I know that, Duo!" Marle snapped, her eyes flashing as she shouted at him, "But you don't understand what its like to have half of your soul ripped away from you, permanently." Standing up Marle continued, "You may understand the pain of loss, but you don't understand MY pain."
"I know that! I didn't say that I understood your pain. All I said was I know what it's like. Gees," he turned slightly grumbling. "You're too stubborn." Neither she nor Saira had said anything, but he had seen the bejeweled gold band on her left ring finger. And why else would she act like this?
Marle stood there for a moment, watching the braided baka kick at the ground. Just why was she doing this to herself? She was made of tougher stuff. And after all, Yaten wouldn't want her to live in pain for the rest of her life. He would have wanted her to be happy.
Closing her eyes Marle thought, 'Why do I have the feeling you had some small hand in Duo following me, huh, Yaten? I know you're watching and can hear my thoughts so hear this. Thank you my love, for watching over me even in death, and yes, you got your message across. Goodbye, Yaten.'
Smiling she mumbled, "Thanks, Duo."
* * * * *
Saira looked at the clock on the wall and counted down the seconds. "Five, four, three, two..."
"Haha!(1) I'm hungry," bewailed one little voice.
"Sai-oba! Drake is pinching me!" Two pairs of feet came pounding down the corridor with unnerving familiarity. The duo appeared with Hope in the lead.
"Hope kicked me!" Saira steeled herself against the madness of dealing with Marle's brood on her own.
"How did they find their way here," Quatre asked. "They were asleep when we took them to the guest room."
"ESP runs in the family," Saira said going over to separate the two.
"I would assume attitude does as well," Wufei muttered as the boy took a swing at Hope, who in turn swept his feet out from under him.
"They're just ornery after their... All right!" she shouted after a tiny hand pulled on her hair a little too hard. They stopped their casual beatings. "Every one, outside. Give me five laps around the house. Move!" They grumbled, but obeyed knowing the kinds of punishment their Mother would deal out if they didn't respect their Aunt's rule.
The Gundam boys looked at her with expressions ranging from amusement to puzzlement, if they had expressions at all.
"The point is to make them tired enough to take another nap. Now, which way is the kitchen from here?" They looked at her again with an incredulous expression on each face. "I haven't eaten in two hours, and I have to make up for that week I spent unconscious. Now, where's the food?" Wufei risked his health by asking a question.
"Aren't you going to supervise them?" Saira merely scowled over her shoulder. Another twitch.
"They know how to run laps, and they know they can't lie to a me."
* * * * *
Sensing the grumbling minds of her children, Marle grinned as she thought, 'Saira must have made them run laps again.' Keeping her eyes closed, she reached out through their bond and sent a knocking noise into Saira's mind while asking, 'Hello? Anyone home?' She felt Saira jump, and nearly laughed.
'Very funny, Mar,' her sister ground out. 'Why don't you come back here and take care of your own demon-spawn?'
Marle knew better than to argue over her tone. Saira just got mad when taken by surprise. She had learned that when they fought together in their first lives, and it still left her in stitches whenever she managed to surprise her.
She mentally stuck her tongue out at her and thought, 'Fine, grump, I'll be there in a couple minutes, and don't call my children demon-spawn or I'll have to hurt you, sis.'
'Fine,' the elder stuck out her tongue as well. 'Don't call me grump. And if you want to get technical, then don't call me sis. After all, we're not blood related.'
Mentally rolling her eyes, Marle cut the contact and looked at Dou saying, "You can go now."
For just a second, she could have sworn he blushed. But the moment was over with his shrug. After brushing herself off she leaned forward and kissed Dou on the cheek while whispering in his ear, "Thank you, again, Dou." With that she turned on her heel and walked towards the house.
'That's it, mess with my head,' Duo thought as he watched the slight, retreating, form. She was already...distracting. He didn't need this. He didn't need someone to make a fool of him. 'Yeah, you can do that on your own,' the mean little voice in the back of his mind reminded him.
"Oh, shut up," he mumbled, exasperated as he began the trek back to Quatre's mansion.
1) Shakespeare's Hamlet
2) Haha is another term for mother, or mommy.
Well? What do you think? Please review. I love all reviews, even the ones that say I can't write worth a darn. I just like the thought of real people reading my stuff.
I would like to thank my two muses, co-authors, and editors: Matt (the Evil Mecha Engineer) and Princess Healer. I send my thanks to our Beta-reader, Mike (who doesn't even watch Sailor Moon, but was still kind enough to do this).
I would also like to thank all those who review. You guys make this an even better experience.
