A/n: Thank you for the reviews! I really like them. Usually, if you review, I'll go and check out your stories. So PLEASE review.
Thanks: Thanks go to Tyoko, Chibi Ayame, princessrei, Abby Maxwell, Little Hoshi, BloodMoon (twice ^.^ thanks for waiting!!), Shinotenshi Maxwell, Ping and Jeremy. Most of you- I have read your stories. But for those who I haven't, don't worry. When I finish all these... ::slams little black notebook against com:: STORIES... ::girr...:: I'll read them. ^.^
Disclaimer:
RC: Well, ::sigh:: what can I say?
Rabid Lawyer: ::sneaks up behind her:: YOU DON'T OWN THEM!!!!!!!!
RC: ACK! What are you doing here?
Rabid Lawyer: You don't OWN them!! ::presses knife to her throat:: You must say you don't own them!!!
Trowa: ::walks in Rae chan's room and sees guy with knife to her throat:: HANDS OFF! ::He draws a gun and shoots the rabid lawyer's hand::
RC: Thanks, Tro.
Trowa: No prob.
Rabid Lawyer: You... must... say... you... don't...
RC: ALL RIGHT! Jeez... I don't own Gundam Wing, okay? ::sigh::
~~Walks to computer~~
RC: Hopefully you know what is about to happen in this chapter.
Duo: Yea... -.- riiiiight. No one's as smart as ME, the one and only, SHIGINAMI!!! Brahahhahahaha....
RC: Okay, who gave Duo peanut butter? And why is he sooo off topic?
Quatre: I think it was caffeine, Rae chan.
RC: O.O
Quatre: ::sweat drop:: ^.^ No worries! We can calm him down... hopefully. ::sees Duo jumping and springing around Rae chan's room:: Maybe not. ::face vault:: -.-
Duo: What's wrong with you guys? ::looks at Trowa and Heero::
Heero: -.- Hn.
Trowa: ::blink:: ...
RC: Okay... here's chapter 2! Ciao!
Mission: Cowgirls and Garters?
Chapter 2
Women, Saloons, Shopping and Horses
The five Gundam pilots landed on the ground. THUD. They all rubbed their backsides and grimaced.
"What the HELL?!" Wufei looked into the clearing in front of him. He, along with the other pilots, were in a clearing that looked like a cross between a desert and a prairie.
"Looks like we're on Earth," Quatre said, feeling a little dizzy.
"Yep!" Duo chimed in. "But... how did we get here?"
"Beats me," Trowa said quietly, getting up.
"We better walk and find the nearest town," Heero said, lifting himself from the ground.
"I bet there isn't a city around here for miles!" Wufei snarled. The thought of walking a few miles didn't please him at all.
Suck it up, Wu-man, Duo looked at him. You're a Gundam pilot.
How did this happen to us? Quatre asked, a bit of fear in his voice. I mean, look around. There isn't a house in sight; much less a house. You'd think there'd be some towers or skyscrapers or SOMETHING!
Chill, Winner. There's gotta be a reason that technology got sucked down the drain and chewed by the garbage disposal. Duo sighed. Whatever just happened to us, there's GOT to be a way to fix it.
Heero eyed him.
What's wrong with a bit of optimism? Duo asked.
A galloping noise was heard behind them. What could that be? Wufei rolled his eyes, turned around and gasped. Well, that might be what.
A black stallion was cantering towards the group; sweat making its onyx coat shine in the afternoon sun. There was a rider on it's back, who wore all black; a black cowboy hat to complete the ensemble.
Horse and rider made their way to the teens, and stopped in front of them.
Automatically, all pilots had their handguns pointed at the rider. (Quatre looked a bit uneasy about pulling in on an innocent stranger, but did it anyway.)
The rider jumped from the horse's back and landed almost non-audibly on the ground.
Duo gaped and pointed. you're a
An onna, Wufei finished.
Yes, I am a woman. She tipped her hat up so she could see the teens better. My name is Ro-reru Reikoku . Call me Ruth." She held out a hand, obviously not afraid of five men holding guns pointed in her direction.
"Drop your weapons," Wufei commanded.
"You've got the wrong cowgirl. I don't carry weapons."
"You have two knives: one in your boot, one in your belt; a hand gun in the saddlebag, and a rifle on the other side of your pony," Heero said nonchalantly. "Don't try to pull anything on us."
"Fine," she answered coldly, " I will." As quick as lightning, she had Quatre in a headlock and Duo bleeding from the arm; Trowa on the ground and Wufei on top of him; ultimatly aiming her spare gun that she hid in her garter (under her shorts) pointed at the stoic pilot.
Duo looked at his bleeding arm with interest. "Damn." He would go as far as to say he was impressed with the woman.
"Baka onna! You'll pay for this!" Wufei got to his feet, katana in hand.
Ruth caught him off guard, kicking him in the shin, making him fall back on Trowa. "Don't get me upset."
Of course, Heero shot his gun. She side-stepped the attack. "Damn you, Yuy!" She went up to him and pressed her knife against his throat, causing a small trickle of blood to ooze from the line.
Everyone went silent. Duo stared, mouth agape. Trowa raised an eyebrow. Wufei blinked a few times. Quatre coughed.
"Miss? Could you let go, please?" He was still in her headlock and turning a slight shade of blue. When she obliged, he looked down at her. "How did you know his name?"
"I know all of your names. You are Quatre Raberba Winner, son and heir of the millionaire, brother to twenty-nine female test-tube babies." Ruth turned to face Duo. "You are the infamous Duo Maxwell, Shinigami, or God of Death. You were raised by Father Maxwell (hence the last name) and Sister Helen on L2. You joined a gang when you were young and met a teenager named Solo, who treated you like a brother, and you named yourself 'Duo' after him." She glanced at Wufei. "You are Chang Wufei, the great but young warrior. You named your gundam 'Nataku' after your late wife, because you believed she was the only woman strong enough to stand up to you." She stared at Trowa. "You are No-Name. There is a rumor that your real name is Trinton Bloom, but you took the assassinated Trowa Barton's name instead. You lost your memory during the war in AC195." She finally looked at Heero. "You were trained to be the Perfect Soldier. Your past is unclear and I have no official information about it. But you did save the Queen of the world during the second major war against Mariemaya Kushranada's forces back in AC196."
She stepped back to her horse and patted it's neck, feeling completely pleased with herself. She reached in her saddlebags. "You know, Heero, you have good eyes. Thanks for tellin' me where this gun was," she said, pulling it out, "I've been looking for it for a while." She took the saddlebags off the horse's back and swung it onto her shoulder. She flapped the other side open. Reaching inside, Ruth pulled out a water bottle, and walked to the horse's head.
"Open up, Zorro." She poured cool water down his eager throat. He whinnied as a thank you. "Would you like to know where you are and what year it is? I mean, if I was traveling back in time, I would like to know what year it was at least."
Duo looked at her, grinning. "You've got to be kidding."
"This is the year 1825, and you are currently standing in North America. Colorado, to be exact."
"You mean- 1825... AD?" Quatre asked.
"Yes."
Duo ran around in circles with his hands in the air. "Hot damn! I get to see women in dresses! WOO-HOO!!!"
Wufei rolled his eyes. "Here we go again. The braided baka and his damned sugar-highs."
Trowa stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Where is the nearest city?"
'
~
~~***~~
~~
~
'
"What do mean we'll have to go shopping?" Wufei yelled. "You baka onna!"
"Hey- be grateful that I'm leading you to this town. I could've left you and the other guys to rot back there."
The six teens were heading towards town. Ruth was on Zorro, and for the boys, well... let's just say they'll have sore feet.
"The town is about five miles away." She smirked and added a little sarcasm. "You should be able to handle it."
Ruth was sitting high on Zorro, who was an amazing 16 hands (A/n: 5'3 ft. app.). His stride was heavy and long; but when need be, it was short and light-footed (A/n: good for sneaking up on things... or people ^.^).
The group made it to town just after sundown. Ruth, being her usual (A/n: dramatic) self, burst through the inn on her black steed.
The crowd of people eating dinner suddenly stood up at her presence. Drunkards at the bar laughed and women light of heart fainted.
"I need a place to stay," she told them in a low tone. "Who here can give me three rooms?
The cook ran out of the kitchen, took one look at her, and ran back in. A suave young man in his later twenties strolled from the kitchen. What's this? His blue-eyed gaze met Ruth's stern glare. You need a place to stay?
was her cold reply. She tipped her hat and jumped off the horse. I need three beds, if possible.
You need *three*? He looked shockingly at her. You don't look like the motherly type. Why would you need *three* beds for?
Ruth walked the length of the crowded dining area up to the man. She quickly flicked a knife a small blade from her belt and held it point-down. I need three beds. Give me the keys or I'll slice of your little man and feed it to my dog.
He quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out three keys.
Ruth promptly took six coins from her pocket and threw them on the ground at his feet. She turned around, got back on Zorro (A/n: with the aid of a table), and left the inn.
Once outside, she flicked the blade back in her belt. She looked at the guys who looked like they'd seen a ghost (A/n: except Perfect Solider boy -.-).
You guys ready to sleep? She waited for a response, but all she received was Duo's mouth opening and Quatre following the same procedure. Heero and Trowa, you get room number 14. Duo and Quatre, you get room 16. Wuffie- looks like your stuck with me. She eyed him. You give me anything that includes the words onna' or baka' in it, you'll wish you were walking back that fifteen miles you were so dead tired from.
This time, Duo spoke. Damn! No woman has *ever* spoken to Wu-man like *that*!
I'm not every woman, was her quiet reply. She cleared her throat. Everyone get some sleep. We have a big day ahead of us.
~~***~~
The six got some much wanted sleep that night. The morning after, the gundam teens were up at 5 am, trying to wake a certain braided pilot (and I'm not saying any names ^.^).
Dammit Duo! Get up! By this time, the blonde Arabian was tired of trying to wake the chestnut-haired teen. That's it, I'm getting Ruth! He ran one room down the hall and knocked.
A girl in her late teens opened the door, clad in a black camisole, black leather pants, and black boots. WHAT THE HELL- oh, Quatre! I'm sorry. Come in! She held the door open and Quatre walked in, aware that Wufei was not happy sleeping with a woman. Well, sleeping in the same *room* as an onna.
Wufei looked up at the door from his place atop a pillow on the floor. What do you want, Winner?
Sorry to interrupt your meditation, Wufei, but I need Ruth to wake up Duo.
You need an onna like *her* to do a job like *that*? Wufei snarled. Get her out of here, he said as she threw on a yellow t-shirt, rolling up the sleeves. I don't want to stay within ten feet of her! One night on the floor was enough! He glared at her.
Make me, she drawled, storing her guns in their specific places. She took her knife and stored it in her belt. Thank you for getting me Quatre. I can handle it from here.
~~***~~
BANG! Ruth's gun sounded clear at 7 am. She had the gun pointed at the ceiling. She shot the gun in the same place again. BANG!
The piece of concrete fell. It landed right on top of the sleeping Duo's stomach.
His violet eyes flew open. What the HELL was *THAT*?! He looked up to see Ruth over his bed. Damn. Just who he wanted to see in the morning: a trigger-happy babe decked out in tight, black leather.
Good morning. Now move. We've got places to go, things to do and people to meet, she said coolly.
What *kind* of people?
I'm sure your favorite. Politicians.
Duo laid back down on the bed. He didn't need this. He thought he knew what the mission was, but it certainly didn't include her.
~~***~~
Why do we have to go shopping, Ruth? Quatre asked as they walked down the street across the inn.
Well, most of you look like came from the future. So now we have to buy clothes and things for you all. She quickened her pace at the thought.
Why did you choose *me* to come with you? Quatre asked.
Look around. He obeyed and saw men wearing jeans and chaps, holding guns and wearing vests. Now look at yourself. He looked up and down his body.
He saw khakis, a blue vest, and a dressy shirt that was colored a light blue. what else did you drag me out here for?
Ruth blushed for the first time, honestly not knowing what to say. you have good fashion sense.
Quatre was quiet as he entered the store. He looked at all the cowboy-type clothing. Allah. He didn't know how to dress like this! But it seemed like he'd have to.
~~***~~
Nice. I like it. Trowa held up the pair of tall blue jeans and the white-cuffed shirt. He looked over at the hunter green vest that laid on his bed. Thank you, Ruth.
She walked to the divided wall in the room holding Heero's clothes. She knocked hesitantly on the small, wooden door.
Omeo o korosu, was heard through the door.
Too bad. Ruth kicked open the door with her boot. She faced the barrel of a gun in front of her face. Moving to the side, she laid the new clothes on his bed. "There. If you want to get a method of transportation, you might want to change." She walked out the door to leave him alone.
In Duo and Quatre's room, the blonde Arabian was already changed in light blue jeans and a white shirt. And he was trying to get Duo to change as well. Quatre yelled at his roommate. "Would you get IN the clothes?"
"Damn, Q. You never yell!"
"Right now is an exception!" Quatre looked at the door and saw Ruth. "Thank Allah. Can you get him to change? He won't listen to me."
Ruth glared at Duo, who was across the room from her. "Okay. We can get this over with now," she said as she walked towards him, "or you can make it difficult and give me the chance to kick some Shinigami ass."
Duo's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Ruth glared at him. "Really, really." [1]
"Then I guess you'll have to 'cus I'm not getting in those clothes." He pointed to the pile of the aforementioned articles, which consisted of a frilly white shirt and tight black jeans.
"Don't make me dress you."
"Aww... I was looking forward to it!"
She flicked her hand, now holding a small knife. Then she drawled out her words. "Quatre? Should I start by peeling off the skin and cooking it-"
Quatre's eyes got big.
"Or should I throw him out the window and shoot him?" [2]
Quatre looked at her with large, pleading eyes. "No... no Miss Ruth! Don't shoot Duo!"
He was silenced by the knife being waved point-first in his direction. "I think..." Ruth pondered for a moment, then continued. "I think I should do this." She threw the knife down and listened as it cracked the hardwood floor.
Duo's eyes widened. "I get the idea." He grinned when he came up from the floor, knife in hands. He offered it to her. "I'll get changed, Your Majesty." He pretended to bow and walked off with the clothes.
~~***~~
Ruth looked out towards the mountains. It was her dream to someday ride up them when she was a child, because she lived on a colony. But she shook her head and concentrated on the here and now.
At the moment, she was dressed like she was when she first ran into the Gundam pilots. Well, she did know not to go out in public not dressed like a boy. She had to wear her hair in a black cowboy hat, wear very loose shirts and jeans. This obliviously hid her identity, especially when she deepened her voice to match. An actress at heart.
"C'mon guys. Time to get your transportation." She waved to a nearby rancher. When he came to her, she asked in her acting voice, "Do you know where my friends and I could buy horses?"
"Of course! Why don't you come with me, sir, and I'll sell you my finest."
Duo was about to complain when Heero's hand slapped on his mouth. "You must've learned something in history. Women around this time didn't jump on horses and still be treated fairly. Keep it shut, Maxwell." Heero managed to remove his hand before Duo bit it.
Shinigami scowled and walked with the rest of the pilots. They arrived at the man's barn a few minutes later.
"Here's a beauty," the rancher said as he grinned into the stall. "Pure white. Arabian."
Quatre stood on his toes to get a better look. 'Wow. I've never seen one this beautiful in... well, since history books!' He took an over exaggerated look over the horse's coat, which was a bright white, and it's mane, that sparkled in the small ray of light coming from between the large pieces of wood that made the walls.
The rancher showed off four more horses; one that Duo claimed as his as soon as he saw the dark red coat and black mane. Wufei took a dapple gray, Heero pure black, and Trowa a chestnut-coated horse.
"Thank you." Ruth shook the man's hand and pulled out a small bag of golden coins, laying them carefully in the man's hand. "That is for your patience and beautiful steeds."
"But what about you, sir?" he asked, obviously not noticing that Ruth was a woman. "Won't you need one?"
"No. I have one already. Thank you anyway." She added a nice comment to her rash one, "I know where to come to get one if I ever need a top-breed."
The man blushed and watched the six leave.
~~***~~
"Watch out for the..." Ruth was cut off by the sight of Wufei being dragged by his foot around the expansive field. She heard him cuss, yell 'injustice' every 10 seconds, and attempt to get on the mare's back.
"Why the HELL did I get an ONNA for a horse?!" Wufei barked, despite his distance from the pilots. I hate this, he told himself, I got set up. Dammit.
"Sooo..." Duo drawled in a southern Texas accent, "What about you, Heero?"
The stoic pilot issued a famous Deathglare TM in Duo's direction. "Hn." Turning back to the horse, he stopped at it's head. Heero quickly drew a gun on it, watching to see if it would flinch.
It didn't budge. He glanced up at the western saddle and in one smooth moment, slid into the saddle. "Zero," he pronounced. Obviously he liked the horse so much, he named it after his precious gundam.
Trowa eyed the horse, patting it gently on the neck. He whispered in its ear inaudibly, then stepped back. The horse whinnied and shook it's head. Trowa jumped high into the air, landing perfectly on the beast's back. "Nanashi."
Ruth sighed and walked over to the green-eyed boy. "Okay, Trowa. Now you have to sit on it. That's right, in the saddle. Thank you." When that was finished, she glanced at Duo, who was trying his damnedest to get on the horse, but obviously not succeeding.
"Damned DEMON PONY!" he yelled. (A/n: That's Sorrel's pony. He's literally named Demon Pony'. Well, his real name is Bobby but that's not the point, is it? Enough of my idiotic ramblings. ::sigh::)
"Uh..." Quatre innocently started, "If I'm correct, that isn't a pony."
"THAT'S ITS NAME! IT _HAS_ TO BE!" Duo backed a good fifteen feet away from the horse and when he got to the mark, he hurled toward the horse. It didn't move. Duo attempted to jump, but instead rammed into the side of a very large horse. "Oi..."
Quatre stifled a laugh hidden by his hand. It was evident that Duo had no idea what he was doing... but did he even have an idea? "Uh, Ruth?" he questioned.
"Yeeesss???" she drawled. "What's the problem?"
"Can you _show_ us how to operate one of these things?"
Ruth laughed, "Of course. Duo, move." She placed her left foot in the stirrup and glided into the saddle, followed by an accomplished look on her face. "Easy enough, Shinigami?" Pause. Duo, what are you doing?
"Oh. Just lookin' for the ladder."
Ruth choked back a laugh. There is no ladder!
Duo's eyes sunk. Then howdja get up?
You jump in the saddle. Remember how I did it?
Duo sighed and nodded. He jumped into the air, only to painfully very painfully land in the saddle.
Now it was Quatre's turn. He petted the white horse's head. Good horse. He followed Ruth's example and sat on the beast.
Now that all that's done, Ruth sighed dramatically, looks like you'll have to learn how to ride them.
~TBC
A/n: Hope this kinda wrapped things up. I personally thought it did, but, ::insert evil smirk::, next chapter will be even better heh heh.
[1]- this is from "Shrek". If you haven't seen it, you won't get the joke.
[2]- this is from the episode where Col. Une throws that guy (can't think of his name) off the plane and shoots him. ::grin:: That was the best part of the episode...
~~**Rae chan