Disclaimer: What is this shortness of breath? No … it couldn't be! I own Gundam Wing and Sailor Moon? WOW! NOW who's laughing, huh? Wait … what? Oh. False alarm. I still don't own either Gundam Wing or Sailor Moon. :P
A bit depressing … well … my "a bit" might be "a lot" but I'm just weird like that. Think about the title – think about the ending … I hope you get it! Lol … but no. This isn't the ending ending. There will be more! If just a little…I'll talk more at the end of the chapter. (audience: no thanks…)
Chapter 20: The Meaning of Love
"Okay, Quatre. I know it's rude to disturb somebody who had recently gone through intense emotional trauma but … do you think even Hiiro would stay in her room for," Duo paused to glance at his watch, "twenty-eight hours?"
The blonde sighed and wearily put down the book he was reading. "You're right, Duo. We should go check on him." They both automatically glanced at the third person in the room – Trowa.
"What? I'm not going!" The tall pilot held his hands up defensively.
"Afraid that Yui might be in a suicidal mood?" Wufei bit out sarcastically.
Trowa scowled. "That's the least of my worries. What if Hiiro's in a murderous mood?"
"Besides, Wu-man, you're one to talk! While we were sitting here, our hearts breaking because Hiiro and Usagi were separated, you were upstairs in the bathroom chucking up last night's dinner."
"Shut up, Maxwell. Only morons like you with iron-cast stomachs could stand all those bananas." Trowa glanced askance at the Chinese pilot and smirked when he caught him blushing. Wufei was obviously not used to being the weak one of the group, even when it came to stomaching strange and unusual meals.
"You guys…" Quatre sighed exasperatedly. "We need to check on him. Since nobody wants to brave it alone, we'll all go together."
"Deal," Trowa and Duo replied in unison. All three turned to Wufei who grumbled a bit about indigestion and finally muttered a skeptical, "Deal." A pensive Relena started when Trowa shook her shoulder and beckoned for her to come along too.
………………..
He mentally smiled to himself as they walked down the downtown sidewalk, Usagi clinging happily to his arm, chattering away about her family. The sky was cerulean blue, indescribable when illuminated by a pale golden sun. He swore to himself that he would get used to this world and live here forever.
"And Minako! You have to meet Minako! She is the coolest! She's gorgeous – with blonde hair and these amazing blue eyes that are just the right shade of blue. Plus she's famous! And an actress! Kind of like an manga character except real."
He nodded distractedly when she paused and waited expectantly. Seeing his indication of agreement, she continued cheerily.
"And I know you'll get along with Ami just perfectly! You two can probably discuss Plato's Republic together or something … nobody else in the family can hold a decent conversation with her so I'm sure she'll be delighted to have you here! Oh! And Hotaru is the darlingest girl! She's only about four years younger than the rest of us and instead of inheriting the traditional blonde hair of our family, she got the recessive dark, dark hair that glows purple! And…"
He tuned her out to admire and study the passerby around them, for once at peace with the world.
…………………
"Oh, Usagi! Who is this?" Ikuko greeted, wide-eyed as a smile slowly stretched over her face.
"Mom, meet Hiiro Yui … he's a guy that I've met."
"And how long has this been going on?"
Usagi blushed. "Quite a while actually…" She smiled to herself as Hiiro didn't object and Ikuko ushered them in hurriedly.
"Well, honey, we're glad that you're both here. I do believe everybody else is here already and the dinner can begin now."
"Usagi! What is this? Late again? Always the last one to get here!" Minako grinned as she stepped into the entrance hall. Before catching an answer from the returning Tsukino cousin, she called over her shoulder, "Everybody! Usagi's back! And she got somebody with her!" Her tone was so suggestive that Usagi had the urge to take back all the nice things she had said about her and stomp up to her to wring her neck. But before she could make another move, a tidal wave of cousins rushed onto her, flocking around her and exclaiming compliments. Only one person failed to join the fray and as Usagi glanced up, she locked eyes with Lita.
Lita's wide green eyes glanced away from Usagi and settled on the person by her side. Only one word touched her lips but that one word made Usagi's blood run cold. "Hiiro…"
…………………
"Duo, you go in first," Trowa ordered.
"What?! Why me?" the braided pilot protested valiantly.
Wufei snorted. "Because if Yui blows off your head, it wouldn't be much of a loss to you, considering you never use it anyway."
"Okay, okay! Stop arguing. I'll go in first," Quatre groaned exasperatedly and turned the doorknob. The other four fell into a semi-orderly line behind him with Relena bringing up the rear as the door swung open.
"He's…"
"Gone." The five glanced around puzzledly.
"Hey! What's that?" Duo cried curiously as all five headed towards the bright, silvery object. They crouched over it, shoulders touching.
"Gundanium…" Wufei stated decisively.
Duo's hand reached out to pick it up.
"Duo! Don't t-"
A bright light surrounded all five.
…………………
"Hiiro … Hiiro Yui?" Lita shakily took a step closer. "This … can't be real!" The entrance hall had settled down and became deathly quiet as Lita advanced and Usagi cringed back.
"Lita! It's not what you think!"
"Not what I think? How can anybody deny that Hiiro Yui, a fictional character in your manga is here, right beside you?"
"I-"
A flash of light blinded all thirty-some people in the vast hallway as another five joined the group, standing up from a crouching position and blinking around perplexedly.
"Duo! Wufei! Trowa! Quatre! Relena!" Usagi cried, eyes wide and jaw lax as Lita's dazed eyes flew to them as well.
"W-what is this?" Relena was the first one to recover and glance around, bewildered. "Where are we?"
"Wow! So this is the real world!"
"The … real world?" Ikuko muttered quizzically. "Usagi … who are these people and how did they just plop into my reception hall?"
"I…"
"These people came from the manga Gundam Wing," Lita finished definitively.
Everybody in the hallway started, some from confused surprise and others from the shock of hearing the truth finally being voiced. Silence gathered over the crowd like gray storm clouds.
Relena was the first to break it. "Hiiro … come back. This world isn't right for you! You're not real!"
Hiiro stared at her and then looked back at Usagi. Turning to her, he laid his hands upon her shoulders and glanced at Relena. "How can you say that when she's right by me and tangible? I am real if I want to be."
"Hiiro…" Quatre uttered softly before backing down at the sight of Hiiro's challenging stare.
"Usagi." Everybody jumped at the sound of another voice breaking the silence. Luna walked towards her charge. "Have you noticed? Do you conceal yourself from the truth? Look closely at him, Usagi. Look closely at all of them. They have no shadows."
Everybody seemed to tense as they sought for the proof of solidity and found none. Usagi felt her eyes water. "You're not real … after all this … you're not real." She chanced a quick glance around her and caught sight of Mamoru standing protectively at her other side. Usagi was quickly brought back to the matter at hand as Hiiro slowly let go of her and backed away to the crowd of pilots. She stepped towards them.
"I suppose … you all have to go back?"
Trowa nodded solemnly as Usagi looked away.
She slowly walked up to Wufei first. "Goodbye, Wufei. Keep the justice in your heart and never give it up." Hugging him, she moved on. "Trowa … I finally understand you and I promise I'll try harder to portray you as the character that you are … so that you might become real for the readers." She repeated the action and traveled to the next person.
Duo, never give up your laughter and smiles. You'll need them in the future.
Quatre, don't ever go insane on everybody. You need to remain the wonderful, sweet self that you are.
Relena, keep that courage and desire for peace in your heart and one day it will come true. Work hard for it but never let go of your ideals.
Hiiro…
She stopped and caught herself before the tears escaped her eyes. "I'll always remember you and I-" She gasped as all five people started to fade. Before another word could be said, they were all gone, smiling hazily at her tearful eyes.
"I love you," she finished quietly to herself. Everybody parted to allow her to slowly climb up the stairs and enter her room.
…………………
A soft knock interrupted the thoughts of Usagi as she looked up and Ikuko walked through the door, carrying a tray of food. "I thought you might be hungry."
She smiled. "Thanks, Mom."
"Ah, I see. Just like you were when you were little. Always resorting to drawing when you're in a bad mood … I see you're finally continuing that manga of yours."
Usagi nodded and smiled half-heartedly. "It's a very important scene I've never been able to bring myself to draw."
"Well, honey. I'll leave you to your work. If you want to talk, I'm always willing to lend an ear."
The blonde smiled gratefully and whispered, "Good night."
She turned back to the drawing at hand and stared at the wrinkled dots where tears had landed, brushing them away. Gripping her pencil decisively, she completed the drawing in graceful, easy strokes and smiled down at Hiiro stealing a kiss from a shocked Relena.
…………………
A brief note on the compliments Usagi threw at Minako: I truly don't understand why so many Minako fans insist on hating Usagi. In fact, Usagi is probably most familiar with Minako and admires her quite a bit … especially since she thought Mina was the moon princess before the truth was revealed and honestly … the two act so much alike and look so much alike … what's the difference? Sorry. Just had to get it out of my system. I have nothing against a Minako/Hiiro pairing … in fact … I've supported it before and I'm writing a fic regarding them but … it just irks (heh heh … irk…) me when I read profanity aimed at Usagi. Again, sorry for venting. ^^;;;
Weeeelllll…how was that for some drama, ne? ^^;;; Does this sound familiar to you? I hope it does … and you'll see why … next chapter! Heh heh … actually the next chapter is the epilogue but … well … you'll see. It ends happily! I SWEAR! Well … in my world it ends happily…hmmmm. :D Thanks for reading. Yours, Angel.
Asia-chan: It doesn't seem like me? ~blinks~ Wow … I'd take that as a compliment but … ^^;;;
Shadow Wolf: I led you on? Hmm … oh! You mean with Usa returning and everything? Heh heh heh … or with Hiiro "dying"? Lol. I've led you on too many times already to tell which one. Yeah, I've seen Kurama in demon form and … it makes me wonder if either the makers of Inuyasha were plagiarists or if the makers of YYH were. And I know IY isn't done yet … but it should go to episode 106, right? Plus movie? Lol … I don't believe Cartoon Network is showing all of that…And I agree with you about Kenshin … I was so excited when they finally introduced Saitoh and and and … ~sigh~ The next day I had to "meet the Battousai" again. Epilogue's coming next and I'm very, very flattered! :D
Heart Soul: WOW! Thank you for taking all that time to tell me all about it. :D It really helped … honest! ^^ Well .. about the epilogue … heh heh. It's the next chapter. ^^ As you have probably deduced by now. Kurama … heh heh heh … tsk. What do people see in Hiei? ^^;;; Just kidding. Have you been watching it lately? Yukina and Kuwabara … those two. And actually … I found out who the masked fighter was one week before they actually showed it (on Thursday). Can't wait for the episode tomorrow! :D
Sunshine Fia: Mean? Well … isn't "mean" a bit strong of a word? How 'bout … hmm … sly? ^^;;; Ahh … well. I'm glad you're happy with the ending (it was happy! O___O I still can't believe it…) but … heh heh. I'm evil. Okay. I'll admit that. Unfortunately, the "real world" isn't quite right for Hiiro Yui…~sigh~ But there is a … fairly happy ending at the end of the epilogue. If you think this chapter sounds familiar … you're probably on the right track. ^^
Callisto: You hit the problem right on! Hiiro's problems … heh heh. Will he help draw his friends? That'd be scary … imagine what he'd do to them! O____O ~whispers~ Can you see it?
Naïve Dreamer: Lol. Thank you so much for taking the time to fuel my obsession! :D I know what you mean by the STAR testing and everything … except … we have TAKS testing and … I hope we're talking about the same thing … the state tests, right? That they give you 3 and ½ hours for when you only need 45 minutes? Lol.
SakuraMona: Thanks for telling me about it! Hmm … I'm not surprised that Yusuke beat Jin but … ~sigh~ I actually liked Jin. Lol. Not as much as Kurama but … well .. nobody really competes with Kurama … (except maybe Yuki but that's an entirely different series…) Goldfish? Where? Where? Sakura: ~stares at Mona and Angel~ Ahhh … are you two related?
Cheska: ROFL. So … you try to jump into the computer, ne? Heh … ~mental picture~. Hmm … I actually wish I had a brother … but I suppose older is better. Instead I'm stuck with … ~looks down at cat~ … well … with…
The Desert Fox: I was a bit confused while reading your review but maybe it was just me … for about … two minutes I thought you were referring to Usagi … heh. Artemis and Luna? Aww … then I have to redeem them … but sadly ~shrugs~ no more room. -____-;;;
Lady-Tomoyo: I wish all my readers were like you! Listen to happy songs when the chapter is happy and listen to sad songs when the chapter is sad … heh heh … the perfect world. :D So much more impact, ne? ^^
Firefly Princess: Even though you didn't review for this chapter (which I don't mind at all!) I'm eternally grateful to you! Lol. Thank you so so so much for taking so much time out of your personal life to review for … ~glances at fics and tries to burn computer~ well … those. Lol. You're really too sweet and I promise I'll pay you back! ^^ For the self-esteem boost and the amazing effort. ^^;;;
Thanks everybody for the reviews and in particular those who took the time and effort to actually respond to my request/plea. Lol. You're all too sweet and I'll go through another bout of depression when I'm done with this fic … lol. ^^
Kurama … heh heh heh … ~runs after him~
(Anybody also obsessed with Fruits Basket? I'd have to say it is the "kawaii-est" anime I've ever watched … even if a few parts scared me. )