Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or Sailor Moon though I thought that was already established about a year back?
Thank yous to my beta-readers, DevilsDarling, Usagi Asia Maxwell, Autumn Hime, and Lady Artemis. I loved this chapter … after I wrote it and oddly enough, a majority agreed with me. Wow … we finally agreed on something. ^____~;;;
Chapter 9: Terror
The lights were out in her room, but she wasn't anywhere close to the shores of sleep. The crevice beneath her door promised that the living room lamp was still on but that Minako had turned in as well. Sighing, she carefully rearranged the pillows into the shape of a sleeping form. Flinging covers over it, she smiled sarcastically to herself – as if Hiiro or Mina would check on her.
…………………
He raced up the stairs agilely and swept past Minako's darkened room. The lights were out in Usagi's. Only pausing one moment to debate whether or not to go in, he quietly opened the door. Go in won by a landslide. Her sleeping form on the bed caught his eye, and he switched the light on. She didn't budge.
Mentally rolling his eyes, he sighed. Trust Usagi to be a heavy sleeper. He strode over. "Usagi." She didn't move. Smirking, he flung the covers off.
His heart stopped.
The artful parade of shaped pillows met his eyes. Panic fought with logic to gain control of his reactions. Whirling around, he sprinted to Minako's door, pounding on it. Two groggy and mildly curious eyes met his.
"Y'know Hiiro, I'm a supermodel. I need my beau-"
"Where is Usagi?" he broke in impatiently, eyes piercing into hers. She gave a small gasp and jumped.
"S-she's gone?" she stuttered.
He glared at her. "Would I be here if she weren't?" He didn't wait for an answer before turning and heading down the stairs.
"Hiiro! Put a coat on! She's probably just outside. You know how she loves stargazing!" she cried after him.
He turned back to face her for a brief second, throat dry. Slowly, eyes boring into hers, he replied, "No, I wouldn't know that."
Blue eyes stared, stunned, after him as her jaw dropped delicately. "I…" Shaking her head, she grabbed her robe, shrugging it on. Rushing down not five seconds behind her ex, she paused a moment and grabbed Hiiro's jacket as well.
…………………
Quatre easily drove into his estate and over to the back of the mansion, turning the ignition off and tiredly getting out. It was freezing, but he didn't mind. All he could think about was the velvety black box in his pocket.
Pensively, he strolled over to the private garden and paused at the decorative little stone bridge looking outwards to a small trickle of a fountain. He leaned against the cold stone and took the box back out. Gentle pallid gold and pure and intricate white flashed up. Staring at the hypnotic, muted sparkle, he gingerly took out the ring to the background of the soft splashing and rippling of the dark waters behind him.
"Quatre."
He jumped and hurriedly stuffed the box back into his pant pocket, looking around curiously. Trowa's tall, dark form greeted his relieved eyes and a faint green glimmered in the minimal lighting of a waning moon.
"T-trowa. Hey."
The quiet, thoughtful man walked up to him and joined him, leaning against the bridge, obviously unmindful to the numbing cold. Boston's weather this far into November wasn't particularly hospitable to simple long-sleeved shirts and khaki pants. Trowa didn't acknowledge the fact.
"Didn't go too well, did it?" he asked bluntly. Quatre glanced up quickly and then away.
"Hiiro dry-fired his gun at me," he offered quietly.
"I'll take that as a 'no, it didn't go well, Trowa,'" the tall pilot easily replied. Quatre let go of a short laugh.
The platinum head beside him bowed in concentration before Quatre arched his neck and looked up at the sky. A meteor flashed by.
"You know, we were going to view the shower tonight from an observatory," he mumbled softly. When Trowa didn't reply, he closed his eyes, face still upturned. In a barely audible whisper, easily drowned out by the quiet pitter-patter of the fountain, he murmured, "She was perfect. Utterly perfect."
Trowa shifted, and the blonde shot him a sidelong glance. "So?"
"So what?"
"So why did you let her go?"
Quatre smiled. "How do you know I let her go?"
Trowa snorted and looked away. "She isn't the type to turn somebody like you down. You were the one who suggested it."
"Perceptive."
"As always. Don't change the subject." A jade eye flashed warningly at him. Quatre laughed and looked up again wistfully. Another meteor fell from the sky in a stream of molten rock.
"The look in her eyes. The look in Hiiro's eyes. There was passion and love beyond anything I could offer."
"I didn't know you to give up so easily."
The blonde took no offense. "One look at that love and I realized she and I had almost nothing in comparison." He breathed in deeply and exhaled. "I just hope our Perfect Soldier isn't so perfect that he'd let her go."
Before Trowa could interject another word, Quatre stood from his leaning position and sighed, flashing a small smile. "I'm going in. Don't stay out too long – it's cold." With that, his blonde head bobbed towards the warmly lit windows.
Emerald eyes stared after him. Something flashed in his peripheral vision, and Trowa bent to pick it up. The purity of a diamond glimmered brightly in the dark. He found it difficult to breathe. Sadness welled up in his heart though he had no idea who he felt more concerned for – Quatre, Usagi or … Hiiro.
…………………
The cold air of the night hit him vengefully. It felt like a punch in the face.
"Usagi! Usagi, where ar-" He stopped short, gasps of opaque air settling down to gentle puffs.
Gold pooled around her on the wooden bench she had insisted he set up years ago. Her slight form was curled up in a ball with her legs pulled up to her chest, chin resting on one knee. Solemn eyes gazing up at the starry expanse of midnight turned to him, not a spark of surprise in them. He stomped up to her.
"What are you doing out here? Minako and I were worried sick! Y-" His fingers jabbed angrily at the house and then at her as he gesticulated.
She calmly interrupted him. Too calmly, he decided. "Would you like to join me?"
Livid blue eyes sliced into hers before dimming slightly and, grudgingly, he sat down. The cold nipped playfully at his uncovered face and arms.
"Quatre and I were going to watch the meteor shower tonight. Eight to eleven, you know," she explained soothingly, voice still as smooth as a mirror. He felt unease prick at him but ignored it. "After the, um, you know." Only then did she sound remotely flustered.
He closed his eyes and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, face indiscernible. Was now the right time? He really didn't know…
…………………
Minako rushed to the door but happened to glance out the large window by it. Her eyes widened. So there aren't any coincidences in life after all, she mused as she stepped up to the window, not five feet behind the two people outside. Had she gone outside and flung the door open, the prospective romantic moment would have undoubtedly been nipped in the bud.
They're … perfect. She sighed happily and hung Hiiro's coat back up. He would be cold, no doubt, but he'll get over it.
Before leaving the window, twin-streaking meteors flashed by, and she paused, stunned for a moment. Grinning, she closed the blinds. A good omen…
…………………
"Hiiro, I have something to tell you."
"Hn," he grunted, not opening his eyes.
"Ever … ever since St. Gabriel's and meeting you quite by accident, I have considered myself your friend…"
"Hn."
She didn't seem to mind his minimal answers. "No, more than that, I guess. I, uh, agreed to this, um, rooming deal with, um, " she paused to laugh. Her voice was chopped with uneasy silences. "…only one belief in mind."
He didn't know what to say to that. She didn't allow him any time either.
"I-uh-"
The thoughts in his minds battled to an end.
"Will you marry me, Usagi?" The black box he had been fingering was drawn out, and he handed it unceremoniously to her. She stared at him, her clear blue eyes wide and uncertain, afraid and cringing. Prying it open, innocent white contrasted with luxurious gold. His calculating eyes saw her visibly gulp.
She breathed in deeply and held the breath for a few trembling seconds before breathing out shakily, tears evident in her quivering lower lip. Closing her eyes, she snapped the box back shut. "No, Hiiro," rang out clearly in the sharp night air.
…………………
Quatre entered through the back door and smiled at the remaining two of his comrades lounging on the couch watching reruns of I Love Lucy. He barely looked up at the returning greetings before turning down the hall and trudging to his room. The door clicked shut.
Wufei glanced up from his weapons catalog and raised an eyebrow at the braided man beside him. "What's up with him?"
Duo craned his neck to peer after the blonde and shrugged, frowning worriedly. "I dunno…"
"Wasn't he proposing to that blonde tonight?"
"Hiiro's roommate?"
"Usagi."
Duo's eyes brightened. "Yeah! I think he was!" They dimmed again. "What do you think happened?"
"Keep your nose out of others' business," Wufei muttered, looking back down.
Duo rolled his eyes. "It's called concern, Wu-man. Look it up sometime … and for a second I actually thought we were holding a decent conversation." He sighed and looked back towards the flickering black and white program on the flat-screen TV.
…………………
"Usagi-"
"No," she repeated and handed the box back to him, silent once again.
He frowned at her profile. "Why?"
Her eyes turned downwards, and she softly replied, "If you can honestly tell me that you love me, I'll … I'll consider it."
"Wh-"
"Hiiro, please." Sincere blue eyes stared into his. Her face remained expressionless though her eyes betrayed a dizzyingly wide array of emotions, so tangled that he didn't know what to make of them.
"I, uh," he stuttered. Trying again, he managed a weak, "I-I…"
A dry smile twisted her face, and she looked away. No tears stained her voice though the words were wistful, "You see, Hiiro, that's the problem. I need love in my life." He didn't answer but sat up when she stood. Walking a few paces away, she turned back. Her lips twitched up in a small smile, half-hearted and nothing compared to her usual one.
"And, uh," she started quietly, "I'll be moving out tomorrow. You can find another roommate … I'll send a check over for this month's rent." She flashed him a tight-lipped smile and walked towards the door. He gaped after her.
Opening the door, her form basked in fiery light, she turned back. "And Hiiro? Don't stay out too long. You'll catch pneumonia."
…………………
Wufei barely glanced up as Trowa entered the room.
"Hiiro's in love with Usagi."
He finally looked up, but Duo beat him to the incredulous reply. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
Wufei stared at the tall brunette before finally grunting, "Yui in love … Nice one, Barton."
"It wasn't a joke."
Duo let go of a low whistle and sat back. "You don't see a man for a month and what does he do? Goes and falls in love." He shook his head disapprovingly. Trowa ignored him.
"Quatre proposed."
"That's a definite snag," the onyx-eyed Chinese commented needlessly.
Trowa shrugged and turned to leave. "Just wanted to keep you up to date."
Duo gaped after him. "Hiiro … in love? The world is coming to an end." Wufei didn't choose to comment, embarrassed that he was thinking along the same lines as the braided moron.
From the forgotten show, Ricky started ranting in Cuban.
…………………
What had just happened? No, he knew what had happened. He had screwed up. Again. Sighing he bent down and cradled his head in his hands, frustration throbbing in his mind. Why couldn't he say those three simple words? Three simple words…
"I love you," he whispered softly into the darkness, head still bowed. Twin meteors streaked by overhead.
…………………
The proposal and refusal because of the inability to say "I love you" is derived from the Black Rose's Missing By a Mile.
I think I'm like utterly cruel and insensitive or something … the only time I felt bad for any of the characters in any fic: the lily scene at the end of like chapter four or something. -__-;;;
Pyro-Girl: I'm writing, I'm writing. :D Thanks for the compliments.
Key: ~blushes~ Erm … really? Wow … thanks! ^____^
Cristina: Really? I was afraid I had gone too far … it seemed like the opposite end of the spectrum from how I usually portrayed him and how he's usually portrayed in SM/GW so I wasn't too sure how people would react. But I'm glad you liked it! ^^ As for Quatre and Mina … err … know that they DO move on … but I needed them for something else so … they couldn't ~quite~ move on. I hate me too. -__-;;;
Brenda-chan: It's updated, it's updated! ^^
Heart Soul: Yeah, I'm horrible about it. They're near the end of college and it's still "the war". Lol. I really should plan these things out better. You anticipated it? Wow. You must be ultra-perceptive or something. ^___~
SilverGundamu BladeWingu Neo: Yeah. As in during the war. I'm afraid I can't really elaborate much … I still need to watch a majority of GW. ~blushes~ Actually, I had never realized how weird/affected Hiiro really was until I read the summaries for the episodes. I mean … he ~laughed~ maniacally for goodness sakes! And he' s suicidal to the point of … ridicule, I guess. As for an earlier question about author-author relationships … I'm not sure how exactly they develop. Some are connected outside of the fanfiction world and some … just get around to talking, I guess. My motley of beta-readers simply resulted from my brashly sending out emails pleading for an editor when I had first started … And I think everybody knows Usagi Asia Maxwell because she's so friendly. ^___~ I'm glad you don't hate Relena that much anymore. My mission is complete. ^___~
Jade Stellar: Really? I'm glad you think so. Though I chose that reaction simply because it required the least explaining and further chapters/developments/complications. Lol. ^^
Lilaclight: I've personally always loved the more volatile Hiiro … he's just a little too normal when he's not "himself" … but I suppose love could change anybody. ^^
Lady Espelle: Thanks! And here's the update. ^^
Obsessed: Define "coming to an end". Lol. I haven't touched it for awhile so I'm kind of out of it. I feel like it's coming to an end because I'm technically already done but … when you consider that there's still four or so chapters left, it's mathematically only about 60% of the way through. And chances are I will just leave it as it is … unless some amazing, utterly fantastic, cannot ignore idea comes up and I just ~have~ to write it in. But even then, I'd probably just start another fic or something … the ending already pieced itself together, and I'm pretty hesitant about cutting it up again. Too lazy. Lol. ^^
Celestial DreamBlaze: I don't think I emphasized the heart-broken level that much last chapter … but there's a slightly different take in this one. Minako … is probably not very heart-broken. I actually have not written in a scene with their meeting … because they have to add a slight "what-if" feeling later but … I dunno. Maybe if I'm in the mood, I'll add a line/scene here or there. Again, too lazy. Lol. -___-;;;
Crazygurl70: ~watches amusedly as Crazygurl topples over~ ^^
Alexz: Thank you, thank you, thank you! ^^
Ryouga Saiyuki: O_o Are you telepathic or something? It's kind of scary. Because I had exactly five chapters (including epilogue) when you said that … it's weird. ~shudders~ ^^
Jemjols: My writing is being compared to an anime? I'm flattered. I suppose not loving the insane Hiiro is not loving the real Hiiro, right? Lol. ^^
Cheska: I've always had a soft spot for the insane Hiiro … and it takes too much effort to pull off a sappy Hiiro … so you really don't see too many amazingly realistic sappy Hiiros running around … it worked out in the end. Here's more! ^^
Serena Yuy: I think we can all attest to the fact that Hiiro is stubborn. Lol. I never really intended for either Quatre or Mina to be hated but … I suppose it's better if they were at first and then loved later … it makes for a more topsy-turvy ride. I'm not sure Quatre and Mina will get together – haven't written it in yet but … might happen in the near future. ^^
Thanks to everybody for his or her continuous support! Yours, Angel.
Email: angelight97@yahoo.com