Chapter X: All Sorts of Arbitrary Happenings
"Chikori, what country?" Domon asked once everyone was inside his or her Gundam.
"Neo-Holland," Chikori replied.
"Why Neo-Holland?"
Chikori shrugged. "It's a place to start."
They traveled for two days before arriving in Neo-Holland. The city was like the rest of the world: trashed, polluted, and ugly. And to think that the world had once been beautiful!
"Let's go find the Nether Gundam," Chikori said. Everyone got out of their Gundams; it was less conspicuous. "Hans Deburg!" Chikori called out the name of Nether Gundam's pilot.
They walked around the city until they came to a Gundam ring. "Hans Deburg!" Chikori called inside.
"Hello," a head popped up. "You called?" he asked.
Chikori nodded. "I'm representing Neo-Denmark in this years Gundam fight and I would to have to honor of being your first opponent." (George had taught all five of the Gundam trainees how to politely ask for a Gundam fight.)
Hans nodded. "Can do," he said. "Come on in."
* * *
"Gundam fight ready." Hans started.
"GO!" Chikoir finished. The two were in the battle arena, ready to fight.
"Voice of the Siren Attack!" Chikori shouted as a sword appeared in his Gundam's hand. Chikori ran forward and attacked the Nether Gundam head-on. Hans was ready. He blocked Chikori with pure manual strength. Siren Gundam went flying backwards. Now the Nether Gundam attacked. Chikori dodged to the side. He lunged forward again and this time hit Hans accurately. The Nether Gundam fell backwards, onto the dirt floor. Once again, Chikori pulled out his sword and aimed it at the Nether Gundam's arm. "Ya! I surrender! I surrender!" Hans said.
"Wow, you're good," Hans observed as they got out of their Gundams.
"I was trained by the best," Chikori answered humbly.
"Not bad, Chik, not bad." Chibodee used his nickname for Chikori often.
"Thanks, Mr. Crockett."
* * *
"So, where to now?" Everyone had squashed themselves into Domon's 'Lander. They had long ago decided that traveling by Gundam attracted way too much unwanted and unneeded attention. Volta had already defeated Neo-Norway, Domon Neo-South Africa, and Brad Neo-Singapore and Neo-Iraq. Bunny still hadn't fought a singly Gundam.
"Come on, Rabbit. You need to fight sometime if you want to win this thing," Brad teased her.
"Humph. I'll fight who I want when I want," she replied sourly.
"Are you afraid?" Brad asked mockingly.
"Why would I be?"
"Because you haven't fought anyone yet."
"Are you calling me a coward?"
"Basically."
"I refuse to be pulled in by your little psychological trap!" Bunny said stubbornly.
"What are you waiting for? A personal invitation to a Gundam match? I'd challenge you, but." Brad let the sentence drift. All of the former and new Shuffle Alliance members had promised that they would fight each other closer to the end of the tournament.
"Fine. Have it your way," Brad said as he leaned back, "but don't come running to me when you loose the tournament."
"Mr. Kasshu, where are we going?" Bunny asked and leaned forward.
Domon shrugged. "Why don't you decide?" he suggested.
"Um.okay." Bunny glared at Brad, who shrugged at her angelically. "How about Neo-Mongolia?"
"Why Neo-Mongolia?" Brad asked.
"Maybe I could 'accidentally' throw you out of the 'Lander in the middle of the Gobi," Bunny replied sweetly.
"You wouldn't do that, would you?" Brad looked hurt.
Bunny laughed. "Don't be silly!"
"Can we throw Haaz out of here in Neo-Mangolia?" Volta asked, jumping into the conversation.
"Sure. I don't see why not," Bunny said.
"Hey! That's not fair! I let Volta fight instead of me and you guys still want to abandon me!" Haaz complained.
"Nothing personal, bro." Volta had also picked up Sai Sici's nicknames. "It's just that we need brain power here in order to come up with strategies to beat the other Gundams and well, all you have in a hollow head," Volta explained.
"No one has any respect for a guy," Haaz muttered.
"You're telling me," Chibodee put in. "I swear, your sister has no respect for the older guys around here."
"Mr. Crockett, I think I see another gray hair!" Volta said.
"See what I mean?" Chibodee asked Haaz, completely unruffled by Volta's comment.
* * *
"Are you actually going to fight in Neo-Magnolia, or are you just bringing us there?" Brad asked Bunny again, as they sat in their large hotel room., which all eight of them shared.
"I'll probably actually fight this time," Bunny admitted, staring at the floor. "Mirror Gundam needs some exercise."
"She's not the only one," Haaz said in passing.
"What did you say Haaz?" Bunny stood up and stared at Haaz with a penetrating look.
"He, he. Nothing," he replied.
Bunny stared at him some more. "I'm watching you, Lao. Always watching you," Bunny said at last, mockingly serious.
Haaz scrambled away from that end of the room. "Do you really think she's watching me? Did she see that donut I stole from her lunch the other day?" Haaz confided in Volta.
"Idiot!" she said and hit him on the head. "She was joking!"
"Okay, people! Off to bed! If you want to fight a Gundam tomorrow, you need your rest," Chibodee said, ushering people to their beds.
"We're twenty! We don't need you to tell us when to go to sleep!" Volta complained.
"Evidently, you do, considering that every time you stay up late you seem to be excessively hyper and then suddenly tired."
"Uh! I hate being under-age!" Volta complained.
"One more year, one more year," Chibodee reassured her. "Now git!" He pushed Volta towards her bed.
"Ow," Volta said as she rubbed her back. "I'm going, I'm going."
"Okay. Goo' night, children!" Chibodee said and closed the door that led to the adjoining room, where Domon, Rain, and Chibodee slept.
Volta threw a pillow at the door just as Chibodee closed it. "That was childish," Chibodee said as he blocke the flying pillow. "Ow! You don't have to hit me with both of your pillows! Don'tcha need one to sleep with? Guess not. Bye!" Chibodee slammed the door shut as five pillows came flying towards him at once.
* * *
Bunny woke up earlier that any of the others. She got dressed and walked outside and down the hall silently. Her first official Gundam battle. Boy, was she nervous! What if I loose? What if I disgrace Neo-France? What if no one ever wants to see me again because of my embarrassing defeat? Oy, vey! Before she knew it, everyone else was awake.
"Bunny, get back in here!" Volta screamed through the door.
"Why?" Bunny turned around and started walking back towards her room.
" 'Cause I said so!" Evidently, Volta was not in a good mood that morning.
"Coming, coming," Bunny mumbled and quickened her pace. "What's the matter?" she asked and closed the door behind her.
"Look at him! Just look at him!" Volta pointed in disgust at her sleeping brother.
"What's wrong with him today?" Bunny asked, puzzled.
"He's still asleep and snoring! The morning of your first battle and he oversleeps!" After a moment of frustration, Volta continued. "Will you help me get a pail of cold water?" she asked, turning to Bunny.
"Sure," Bunny replied.
"AHHH-" Haaz's scream was cut off as he started sputtering water instead. Bunny and Volta stood over him, looking rather pleased with themselves, an empty bucket beside them. "Why'd ya do that?" he asked and started getting out of bed.
"It served its purpose," Volta observed.
"Sure did," Bunny agreed and started walking away after Volta. "I just wonder if Haaz is even worth that much trouble. Hauling a bucket of cold water all the way from the bathroom to his bedside."
"I'm not sure either, but think of it this way: now we don't have to listen to him sing in the shower today!" Volta said.
* * *
Mirror Gundam and Temjin Gundam stood ready for battle in the Neo-Mongolian arena. Bunny was walking towards her Gundam; the match was starting in five minutes. Suddenly, Brad pulled her over to the side of the hallway.
"Bunny, I need to talk to you," he said as he cornered Bunny against the wall, a common habit. Bunny hated when he did it because she had to look into his eyes. You could just sink into them without even trying. They were like wells, never-ending wells.
"Sure, Brad," she said and tried to make her escape from between the wall and Brad.
"Bunny, it's serious," he said, and reluctantly let her go.
She walked into the arena. The Mongolian fighter was waiting for her. He was sweater and jeans; obviously, he had not changed into the Gundam fighting suit yet. "Nice suit," he eyed her up and down.
"Thanks," Bunny said and jumped into her Gundam. Her outfit was read, blue, and white, in the same order and pattern as the colors on the Neo-French flag.
The Mongolian fighter-Bunny thought he had said his name was Addi Fu-also entered his Gundam.
"Gundam fight ready."
"GO!"
The Termjin Gundam attacked. Mirror Gundam's arm mirror shot out like spikes and deflected the attack, sending it right back at Addi.
"How did you do that?" Addi asked in awe.
"I'm not telling," Bunny said secretively.
Addi shrugged and tried attacking again, with the same result. The Tamjin Gundam fell backwards. Bunny ran at it, pulling out her sword as she did so. Addi rose quickly, just before Mirror Gundam attacked. Mongolia's Gundam evaded the head-on charge. Bunny twirled around quickly. All mirrors popped out at the Tamjin Gundam sent another attack heading Bunny's way. The attack bounced off the mirrors and hurled itself right into the Tamjin Gundam's left arm.
"Ah!" Addi screamed out in pain.
Bunny winced inwardly. She hated attacking people; a little of her palace attitude still remained within her. As Addi tried to recover from his attack, Bunny ran forward, sword still in hand. She pushed it against the enemy Gundam's throat. It was her way of saying, "It's time you surrendered."
Addi growled. He couldn't let a rookie win that easily. He could feel the sword pressed against his throat. "All right," Addi surrendered. You win."
Was it really that easy? Was that all it took to win a Gundam fight? Bunny was surprised. At that rate, she would easily win the tournament.
She jumped out of her Gundam. "That was easy," Bunny said as she walked towards away from the arena. "Thanks for the great battle, Addi!" she called back over her shoulder.
Addi roared in anger. His annoyance and frustration got the better of him. No one walked away from him that easily! No one! Especially not some fancy Neo-French girl who hadn't known what a Gundam was until three years ago!
"Bunny! Watch out!" Brad called to her in warning.
Bunny whirled around to see the Tamjin Gundam launching an attack right at her. "Addi! What are you doing?" Bunny screamed, too petrified to move.
"No one defeats Addi Fu that easily!" Addi answered.
What did I do? Bunny wondered silently in horror as the attack came nearer and nearer and nearer.She tried to move but it seemed like her legs were glued to the ground. She couldn't budge an inch, just stare at the Tamjin Gundam and the attack aimed straight at her.
Suddenly, Bunny was on the ground, rolling away from the Gundam. All Addi's attack had done was make a hole in the ground. "You're disqualified!" Domon shouted. "You know attacking any Gundam fighter who is not in his or her Gundam is against the rules!"
Addi simply stormed away in his Gundam. He had been a fool, thinking that he could get away with attacking someone in front of a live audience.
Bunny stopped rolling. She was all dirty, but alive. She could fell someone next to her. "Ugh," Bunny said and sat up unsteadily. The world was spinning around her. She flopped back down on the ground.
"Bunny?" Brad shook her. "Bunny, are you all right?" he asked, concern filling his voice.
"Fine, I think," she mumbled, her eyes still closed, as shy lay on the ground. "Ugh," she added.
"That's sure an intellectual comment," Volta said. " 'Ugh!' It's almost as deep as Haaz's 'Look at my Shining Gundam model fly! Weeeeeee!' " Volta commented, imitating her brother.
"What's wrong with you, Volt?" Chibodee asked, liberally using his nickname for the Neo-Nepal fighter.
"Never call me that again! I am not the International System unit of electric what-not!" Volta retorted.
"Wha-what happened?" Bunny asked weakly and she tried to sit up again. Brad supported her. "Thanks," she looked up at him and said.
"Isn't it sort of obvious?" Volta snapped.
"I think it would be better if we just ignore Miss-electric-unit-system," Chibodee advised.
"Urrr!" Volta growled in anger at Chibodee. "Some day, Mr. Crockett, I'm gonna get you!" Volta warned, remaining as polite as possible.
"What happened?" Bunny asked again, leaning against Brad.
"You got out of your Gundam, Tamjin Gundam fired an attack at you. Like the idiot you are-sometimes I think you're almost as bad as Haaz-you just stood there expecting someone to come along and save your little stupid self. Well, it-" Volta said acidly.
"Volta, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all," Bunny advised.
"I was just telling the facts-"
"With a bit of unwanted and unnecessary commentary," Chibodee put in.
Volta ground her teeth, looked at Chibodee, and stormed off, cursing in Indian under her breath.
Chikori took off from where Volta had stopped. "Brad pushed you aside just in time and both of you went rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and-"
"Are you done yet?" Bunny intervened.
"-and rolling and rolling and finally stopped," Chikori finished.
Bunny rose, a bit unsteadily. "Thank you Brad," she said as she started to blush.
Brad looked down at his dirty shoes and mumbled a, "You're welcome."
The princess of Neo-France walked off in the direction of the building that was next to the battling arena. She entered a room and plopped down on the bed, exhausted. Rolling around on the ground could really wear a person out.
* * *
"Hey. Can I come in?" Chibodee opened the door to Volta's room.
"No one had any sense of personal space around here. I swear, I'm gonna get a big bubble and stick myself in the middle," Volta replied sourly, but made no move to keep Chibodee out. Why him? she thought miserably.
"What's wrong with you today, Volt?" Chibodee asked, leaning against the wall.
"Nothin'," Volta replied quietly, pretending to focus on brushing her hair.
"Yeah, right. And this is not a nose," Chibodee said, pointing to his nose. "You've been acting sour all day. No one else had the guts to come in here and face the wrath of Volta Lao, but someone had too. Otherwise we'll all be stuck with this annoying, bratty, sharp person who'd we all want to drown."
"Just go away," Volta said coldly.
"I'm not leavin' until you tell me what's up," Chibodee said stubbornly.
"I told you, nothing is wrong!" Volta stook up and shouted.
"Fine, be that way. I'll just stand here until I drive you totally insane and you finally spill it."
"Humph," Volta replied and turned around. She started to vigorously comb her short hair and hummed a tune. After about ten minutes, Volta turned around. "Will you go away already?" she asked, annoyed.
"Nope. I told you I was staying and I'm staying."
"You're almost as annoying as Haaz!" Volta insulted.
"You think your brother is annoying? You should see me when I'm in good form," Chibodee replied.
Volta turned around again, and, sure enough, in ten minutes she was facing Chibodee again. "Get out," Volta said a bit too calmly.
Chibodee shook his head.
"I told you to leave!"
The Neo-American fighter didn't budge.
"Go! Get out! Leave! Be gone, evil spirit! Shoo! Bye bye!" Volta stood up and directed Chibodee to the door. "This is a door. It opens and closes. Now, I want you to open it and GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" Volta shouted.
Still, Chibodee made no move to turn the doorknob. Instead, he turned around so that he was facing Volta again. "Ya know, you look pretty when you're angry," he observed.
Suddenly, all the anger drained from Volta's face and she looked down at the wooden floor. "Out," she said weakly and pointed to the door.
Haaz opened the door a creak, and, seeing that no one was killed yet, entered the room bravely. He looked from a somewhat blushing Chibodee to a completely red Volta. Haaz looked at Chibodee, then Volta, Chibodee then Volta. His eyes widened in understanding. "He he!" Haaz started laughing hysterically. "Oh, god! Volta's in love with Chibodee! Volta's in love with Chibodee!" Haaz teased his sister.
"OUT!" Chibodee and Volta said simultaneously.
"Volta's in love with Chibodee! Volta's in love with Chibodee!" Haaz repeated again and again, not moving towards the door at all. Volta moved forward and pushed Haaz out the door. "Ah! What was that for? All I was saying was-"
"SHUT IT!" Volta screamed at her brother and slammed the door shut. "Well, that takes care of one pesticide," Volta said.
Chibodee was looking at the floor. "Now to get rid of the other," Volta murmured and pulled up close to Chibodee. She kissed him soundly on the lips. Slowly-but definitely willingly-Chibodee put his arms around Volta and kissed her back.
* * *
Bunny woke to the sound of a gently knock on her door. I guess I fell asleep, she thought. "Who is it?" Bunny asked through the door.
"Brad," Brad replied. "May I come in?"
"Sure," Bunny said.
Slowly, Brad opened the door and walked in. "Rabbit, you know how earlier I told you I wanted to talk to you about something?" he started slowly.
Bunny nodded.
"Well, could we discuss that something now?" Brad asked and sat down on the bed beside Bunny.
"Sure," Bunny replied.
"Well, I'm not very good at this stuff, and this is sort of hard for me to say, but, well.let me start with this: what do you think of Chibodee and Volta?"
"What do you mean? I think they're both great people. Why?" Bunny replied, puzzled.
"No-not as people, but as, well-having a sort of romantic relationship?" Brad jumped in.
"Them? Both of them in love with each other? Well, well, I think.I think it's absurd! Volta is always ready to kill Mr. Crockett and Mr. Crocket is always ready to annoy Volta. They practically hate each other!" Bunny said. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I sort of.sort of saw them." Brad let the sentence go.
"You mean you were spying on Volta?" Bunny asked.
"No! As I was walking to this room, I passed Volta's room and, well." Brad obviously wasn't comfortable discussing this topic.
"Brad, it's insane!"
"I know. I certainly hope it is, anyway."
"They weren't doing anything more that kissing, were they?" Bunny asked.
Brad shook his head.
"Good," Bunny sighed. There was a moment or two of silence, then, "So, Brad. There was something you wanted to talk about with me?" Bunny asked.
"Never mind," Brad said and shook his head back and forth. "It's not important. It can wait. Good night, Rabbit," he said and left the room. Bunny looked at the clock. Ten o'clock at night! It was time to get some rest. They would probably be traveling some more in the morning.
* * *
Two shadowed figures stole into Bunny's room. They were wearing black, and it was impossible to identify them. Slowly, they entered the room through the window. Bunny didn't make a sound. Good. She was still asleep. The two men quickly gagged Bunny gently, so not to wake her, and put her in a bag. Silently, they climbed back out the window.
"Gently, now," one of them said quietly. "We don't want to wake her up." They put her in the back of the black truck, and drove away.
"Chikori, what country?" Domon asked once everyone was inside his or her Gundam.
"Neo-Holland," Chikori replied.
"Why Neo-Holland?"
Chikori shrugged. "It's a place to start."
They traveled for two days before arriving in Neo-Holland. The city was like the rest of the world: trashed, polluted, and ugly. And to think that the world had once been beautiful!
"Let's go find the Nether Gundam," Chikori said. Everyone got out of their Gundams; it was less conspicuous. "Hans Deburg!" Chikori called out the name of Nether Gundam's pilot.
They walked around the city until they came to a Gundam ring. "Hans Deburg!" Chikori called inside.
"Hello," a head popped up. "You called?" he asked.
Chikori nodded. "I'm representing Neo-Denmark in this years Gundam fight and I would to have to honor of being your first opponent." (George had taught all five of the Gundam trainees how to politely ask for a Gundam fight.)
Hans nodded. "Can do," he said. "Come on in."
* * *
"Gundam fight ready." Hans started.
"GO!" Chikoir finished. The two were in the battle arena, ready to fight.
"Voice of the Siren Attack!" Chikori shouted as a sword appeared in his Gundam's hand. Chikori ran forward and attacked the Nether Gundam head-on. Hans was ready. He blocked Chikori with pure manual strength. Siren Gundam went flying backwards. Now the Nether Gundam attacked. Chikori dodged to the side. He lunged forward again and this time hit Hans accurately. The Nether Gundam fell backwards, onto the dirt floor. Once again, Chikori pulled out his sword and aimed it at the Nether Gundam's arm. "Ya! I surrender! I surrender!" Hans said.
"Wow, you're good," Hans observed as they got out of their Gundams.
"I was trained by the best," Chikori answered humbly.
"Not bad, Chik, not bad." Chibodee used his nickname for Chikori often.
"Thanks, Mr. Crockett."
* * *
"So, where to now?" Everyone had squashed themselves into Domon's 'Lander. They had long ago decided that traveling by Gundam attracted way too much unwanted and unneeded attention. Volta had already defeated Neo-Norway, Domon Neo-South Africa, and Brad Neo-Singapore and Neo-Iraq. Bunny still hadn't fought a singly Gundam.
"Come on, Rabbit. You need to fight sometime if you want to win this thing," Brad teased her.
"Humph. I'll fight who I want when I want," she replied sourly.
"Are you afraid?" Brad asked mockingly.
"Why would I be?"
"Because you haven't fought anyone yet."
"Are you calling me a coward?"
"Basically."
"I refuse to be pulled in by your little psychological trap!" Bunny said stubbornly.
"What are you waiting for? A personal invitation to a Gundam match? I'd challenge you, but." Brad let the sentence drift. All of the former and new Shuffle Alliance members had promised that they would fight each other closer to the end of the tournament.
"Fine. Have it your way," Brad said as he leaned back, "but don't come running to me when you loose the tournament."
"Mr. Kasshu, where are we going?" Bunny asked and leaned forward.
Domon shrugged. "Why don't you decide?" he suggested.
"Um.okay." Bunny glared at Brad, who shrugged at her angelically. "How about Neo-Mongolia?"
"Why Neo-Mongolia?" Brad asked.
"Maybe I could 'accidentally' throw you out of the 'Lander in the middle of the Gobi," Bunny replied sweetly.
"You wouldn't do that, would you?" Brad looked hurt.
Bunny laughed. "Don't be silly!"
"Can we throw Haaz out of here in Neo-Mangolia?" Volta asked, jumping into the conversation.
"Sure. I don't see why not," Bunny said.
"Hey! That's not fair! I let Volta fight instead of me and you guys still want to abandon me!" Haaz complained.
"Nothing personal, bro." Volta had also picked up Sai Sici's nicknames. "It's just that we need brain power here in order to come up with strategies to beat the other Gundams and well, all you have in a hollow head," Volta explained.
"No one has any respect for a guy," Haaz muttered.
"You're telling me," Chibodee put in. "I swear, your sister has no respect for the older guys around here."
"Mr. Crockett, I think I see another gray hair!" Volta said.
"See what I mean?" Chibodee asked Haaz, completely unruffled by Volta's comment.
* * *
"Are you actually going to fight in Neo-Magnolia, or are you just bringing us there?" Brad asked Bunny again, as they sat in their large hotel room., which all eight of them shared.
"I'll probably actually fight this time," Bunny admitted, staring at the floor. "Mirror Gundam needs some exercise."
"She's not the only one," Haaz said in passing.
"What did you say Haaz?" Bunny stood up and stared at Haaz with a penetrating look.
"He, he. Nothing," he replied.
Bunny stared at him some more. "I'm watching you, Lao. Always watching you," Bunny said at last, mockingly serious.
Haaz scrambled away from that end of the room. "Do you really think she's watching me? Did she see that donut I stole from her lunch the other day?" Haaz confided in Volta.
"Idiot!" she said and hit him on the head. "She was joking!"
"Okay, people! Off to bed! If you want to fight a Gundam tomorrow, you need your rest," Chibodee said, ushering people to their beds.
"We're twenty! We don't need you to tell us when to go to sleep!" Volta complained.
"Evidently, you do, considering that every time you stay up late you seem to be excessively hyper and then suddenly tired."
"Uh! I hate being under-age!" Volta complained.
"One more year, one more year," Chibodee reassured her. "Now git!" He pushed Volta towards her bed.
"Ow," Volta said as she rubbed her back. "I'm going, I'm going."
"Okay. Goo' night, children!" Chibodee said and closed the door that led to the adjoining room, where Domon, Rain, and Chibodee slept.
Volta threw a pillow at the door just as Chibodee closed it. "That was childish," Chibodee said as he blocke the flying pillow. "Ow! You don't have to hit me with both of your pillows! Don'tcha need one to sleep with? Guess not. Bye!" Chibodee slammed the door shut as five pillows came flying towards him at once.
* * *
Bunny woke up earlier that any of the others. She got dressed and walked outside and down the hall silently. Her first official Gundam battle. Boy, was she nervous! What if I loose? What if I disgrace Neo-France? What if no one ever wants to see me again because of my embarrassing defeat? Oy, vey! Before she knew it, everyone else was awake.
"Bunny, get back in here!" Volta screamed through the door.
"Why?" Bunny turned around and started walking back towards her room.
" 'Cause I said so!" Evidently, Volta was not in a good mood that morning.
"Coming, coming," Bunny mumbled and quickened her pace. "What's the matter?" she asked and closed the door behind her.
"Look at him! Just look at him!" Volta pointed in disgust at her sleeping brother.
"What's wrong with him today?" Bunny asked, puzzled.
"He's still asleep and snoring! The morning of your first battle and he oversleeps!" After a moment of frustration, Volta continued. "Will you help me get a pail of cold water?" she asked, turning to Bunny.
"Sure," Bunny replied.
"AHHH-" Haaz's scream was cut off as he started sputtering water instead. Bunny and Volta stood over him, looking rather pleased with themselves, an empty bucket beside them. "Why'd ya do that?" he asked and started getting out of bed.
"It served its purpose," Volta observed.
"Sure did," Bunny agreed and started walking away after Volta. "I just wonder if Haaz is even worth that much trouble. Hauling a bucket of cold water all the way from the bathroom to his bedside."
"I'm not sure either, but think of it this way: now we don't have to listen to him sing in the shower today!" Volta said.
* * *
Mirror Gundam and Temjin Gundam stood ready for battle in the Neo-Mongolian arena. Bunny was walking towards her Gundam; the match was starting in five minutes. Suddenly, Brad pulled her over to the side of the hallway.
"Bunny, I need to talk to you," he said as he cornered Bunny against the wall, a common habit. Bunny hated when he did it because she had to look into his eyes. You could just sink into them without even trying. They were like wells, never-ending wells.
"Sure, Brad," she said and tried to make her escape from between the wall and Brad.
"Bunny, it's serious," he said, and reluctantly let her go.
She walked into the arena. The Mongolian fighter was waiting for her. He was sweater and jeans; obviously, he had not changed into the Gundam fighting suit yet. "Nice suit," he eyed her up and down.
"Thanks," Bunny said and jumped into her Gundam. Her outfit was read, blue, and white, in the same order and pattern as the colors on the Neo-French flag.
The Mongolian fighter-Bunny thought he had said his name was Addi Fu-also entered his Gundam.
"Gundam fight ready."
"GO!"
The Termjin Gundam attacked. Mirror Gundam's arm mirror shot out like spikes and deflected the attack, sending it right back at Addi.
"How did you do that?" Addi asked in awe.
"I'm not telling," Bunny said secretively.
Addi shrugged and tried attacking again, with the same result. The Tamjin Gundam fell backwards. Bunny ran at it, pulling out her sword as she did so. Addi rose quickly, just before Mirror Gundam attacked. Mongolia's Gundam evaded the head-on charge. Bunny twirled around quickly. All mirrors popped out at the Tamjin Gundam sent another attack heading Bunny's way. The attack bounced off the mirrors and hurled itself right into the Tamjin Gundam's left arm.
"Ah!" Addi screamed out in pain.
Bunny winced inwardly. She hated attacking people; a little of her palace attitude still remained within her. As Addi tried to recover from his attack, Bunny ran forward, sword still in hand. She pushed it against the enemy Gundam's throat. It was her way of saying, "It's time you surrendered."
Addi growled. He couldn't let a rookie win that easily. He could feel the sword pressed against his throat. "All right," Addi surrendered. You win."
Was it really that easy? Was that all it took to win a Gundam fight? Bunny was surprised. At that rate, she would easily win the tournament.
She jumped out of her Gundam. "That was easy," Bunny said as she walked towards away from the arena. "Thanks for the great battle, Addi!" she called back over her shoulder.
Addi roared in anger. His annoyance and frustration got the better of him. No one walked away from him that easily! No one! Especially not some fancy Neo-French girl who hadn't known what a Gundam was until three years ago!
"Bunny! Watch out!" Brad called to her in warning.
Bunny whirled around to see the Tamjin Gundam launching an attack right at her. "Addi! What are you doing?" Bunny screamed, too petrified to move.
"No one defeats Addi Fu that easily!" Addi answered.
What did I do? Bunny wondered silently in horror as the attack came nearer and nearer and nearer.She tried to move but it seemed like her legs were glued to the ground. She couldn't budge an inch, just stare at the Tamjin Gundam and the attack aimed straight at her.
Suddenly, Bunny was on the ground, rolling away from the Gundam. All Addi's attack had done was make a hole in the ground. "You're disqualified!" Domon shouted. "You know attacking any Gundam fighter who is not in his or her Gundam is against the rules!"
Addi simply stormed away in his Gundam. He had been a fool, thinking that he could get away with attacking someone in front of a live audience.
Bunny stopped rolling. She was all dirty, but alive. She could fell someone next to her. "Ugh," Bunny said and sat up unsteadily. The world was spinning around her. She flopped back down on the ground.
"Bunny?" Brad shook her. "Bunny, are you all right?" he asked, concern filling his voice.
"Fine, I think," she mumbled, her eyes still closed, as shy lay on the ground. "Ugh," she added.
"That's sure an intellectual comment," Volta said. " 'Ugh!' It's almost as deep as Haaz's 'Look at my Shining Gundam model fly! Weeeeeee!' " Volta commented, imitating her brother.
"What's wrong with you, Volt?" Chibodee asked, liberally using his nickname for the Neo-Nepal fighter.
"Never call me that again! I am not the International System unit of electric what-not!" Volta retorted.
"Wha-what happened?" Bunny asked weakly and she tried to sit up again. Brad supported her. "Thanks," she looked up at him and said.
"Isn't it sort of obvious?" Volta snapped.
"I think it would be better if we just ignore Miss-electric-unit-system," Chibodee advised.
"Urrr!" Volta growled in anger at Chibodee. "Some day, Mr. Crockett, I'm gonna get you!" Volta warned, remaining as polite as possible.
"What happened?" Bunny asked again, leaning against Brad.
"You got out of your Gundam, Tamjin Gundam fired an attack at you. Like the idiot you are-sometimes I think you're almost as bad as Haaz-you just stood there expecting someone to come along and save your little stupid self. Well, it-" Volta said acidly.
"Volta, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all," Bunny advised.
"I was just telling the facts-"
"With a bit of unwanted and unnecessary commentary," Chibodee put in.
Volta ground her teeth, looked at Chibodee, and stormed off, cursing in Indian under her breath.
Chikori took off from where Volta had stopped. "Brad pushed you aside just in time and both of you went rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling and-"
"Are you done yet?" Bunny intervened.
"-and rolling and rolling and finally stopped," Chikori finished.
Bunny rose, a bit unsteadily. "Thank you Brad," she said as she started to blush.
Brad looked down at his dirty shoes and mumbled a, "You're welcome."
The princess of Neo-France walked off in the direction of the building that was next to the battling arena. She entered a room and plopped down on the bed, exhausted. Rolling around on the ground could really wear a person out.
* * *
"Hey. Can I come in?" Chibodee opened the door to Volta's room.
"No one had any sense of personal space around here. I swear, I'm gonna get a big bubble and stick myself in the middle," Volta replied sourly, but made no move to keep Chibodee out. Why him? she thought miserably.
"What's wrong with you today, Volt?" Chibodee asked, leaning against the wall.
"Nothin'," Volta replied quietly, pretending to focus on brushing her hair.
"Yeah, right. And this is not a nose," Chibodee said, pointing to his nose. "You've been acting sour all day. No one else had the guts to come in here and face the wrath of Volta Lao, but someone had too. Otherwise we'll all be stuck with this annoying, bratty, sharp person who'd we all want to drown."
"Just go away," Volta said coldly.
"I'm not leavin' until you tell me what's up," Chibodee said stubbornly.
"I told you, nothing is wrong!" Volta stook up and shouted.
"Fine, be that way. I'll just stand here until I drive you totally insane and you finally spill it."
"Humph," Volta replied and turned around. She started to vigorously comb her short hair and hummed a tune. After about ten minutes, Volta turned around. "Will you go away already?" she asked, annoyed.
"Nope. I told you I was staying and I'm staying."
"You're almost as annoying as Haaz!" Volta insulted.
"You think your brother is annoying? You should see me when I'm in good form," Chibodee replied.
Volta turned around again, and, sure enough, in ten minutes she was facing Chibodee again. "Get out," Volta said a bit too calmly.
Chibodee shook his head.
"I told you to leave!"
The Neo-American fighter didn't budge.
"Go! Get out! Leave! Be gone, evil spirit! Shoo! Bye bye!" Volta stood up and directed Chibodee to the door. "This is a door. It opens and closes. Now, I want you to open it and GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" Volta shouted.
Still, Chibodee made no move to turn the doorknob. Instead, he turned around so that he was facing Volta again. "Ya know, you look pretty when you're angry," he observed.
Suddenly, all the anger drained from Volta's face and she looked down at the wooden floor. "Out," she said weakly and pointed to the door.
Haaz opened the door a creak, and, seeing that no one was killed yet, entered the room bravely. He looked from a somewhat blushing Chibodee to a completely red Volta. Haaz looked at Chibodee, then Volta, Chibodee then Volta. His eyes widened in understanding. "He he!" Haaz started laughing hysterically. "Oh, god! Volta's in love with Chibodee! Volta's in love with Chibodee!" Haaz teased his sister.
"OUT!" Chibodee and Volta said simultaneously.
"Volta's in love with Chibodee! Volta's in love with Chibodee!" Haaz repeated again and again, not moving towards the door at all. Volta moved forward and pushed Haaz out the door. "Ah! What was that for? All I was saying was-"
"SHUT IT!" Volta screamed at her brother and slammed the door shut. "Well, that takes care of one pesticide," Volta said.
Chibodee was looking at the floor. "Now to get rid of the other," Volta murmured and pulled up close to Chibodee. She kissed him soundly on the lips. Slowly-but definitely willingly-Chibodee put his arms around Volta and kissed her back.
* * *
Bunny woke to the sound of a gently knock on her door. I guess I fell asleep, she thought. "Who is it?" Bunny asked through the door.
"Brad," Brad replied. "May I come in?"
"Sure," Bunny said.
Slowly, Brad opened the door and walked in. "Rabbit, you know how earlier I told you I wanted to talk to you about something?" he started slowly.
Bunny nodded.
"Well, could we discuss that something now?" Brad asked and sat down on the bed beside Bunny.
"Sure," Bunny replied.
"Well, I'm not very good at this stuff, and this is sort of hard for me to say, but, well.let me start with this: what do you think of Chibodee and Volta?"
"What do you mean? I think they're both great people. Why?" Bunny replied, puzzled.
"No-not as people, but as, well-having a sort of romantic relationship?" Brad jumped in.
"Them? Both of them in love with each other? Well, well, I think.I think it's absurd! Volta is always ready to kill Mr. Crockett and Mr. Crocket is always ready to annoy Volta. They practically hate each other!" Bunny said. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I sort of.sort of saw them." Brad let the sentence go.
"You mean you were spying on Volta?" Bunny asked.
"No! As I was walking to this room, I passed Volta's room and, well." Brad obviously wasn't comfortable discussing this topic.
"Brad, it's insane!"
"I know. I certainly hope it is, anyway."
"They weren't doing anything more that kissing, were they?" Bunny asked.
Brad shook his head.
"Good," Bunny sighed. There was a moment or two of silence, then, "So, Brad. There was something you wanted to talk about with me?" Bunny asked.
"Never mind," Brad said and shook his head back and forth. "It's not important. It can wait. Good night, Rabbit," he said and left the room. Bunny looked at the clock. Ten o'clock at night! It was time to get some rest. They would probably be traveling some more in the morning.
* * *
Two shadowed figures stole into Bunny's room. They were wearing black, and it was impossible to identify them. Slowly, they entered the room through the window. Bunny didn't make a sound. Good. She was still asleep. The two men quickly gagged Bunny gently, so not to wake her, and put her in a bag. Silently, they climbed back out the window.
"Gently, now," one of them said quietly. "We don't want to wake her up." They put her in the back of the black truck, and drove away.