Face Behind a Mask
Chapter 5 - Masked Man
'I wake up in the morning
Put on my face
The one that's gonna get me
Through another day
Doesn't really matter
How I feel inside
'Cause life is like a game sometimes
But then you came around me
The walls just disappeared
Nothing to surround me
And keep me from my fears
I'm unprotected
See how I've opened up
Oh, you've made me trust
Because I've never felt like this before
I'm naked
Around you
Does it show?
You see right through me
And I can't hide
I'm naked
Around you
And it feels so right'
- Naked - Avril Lavigne -
The sound of soft steps on the cold linoleum floors of the hospital caught everyone's attention. It had been a short week since Erin's accident and everyday they came to visit, the petite blonde seemed to be improving. As the foot steps approached so did the sounds of yelling.
"No way! I am not staying in this place any longer! You can't hold me against my will!" She yelled as she sped past the Shuffles and other fighters. She had blue jeans on and her hospital robe tied up to look like a shirt.
"Erin! Wait! You can't just leave!" Domon stood quickly and ran after her. "You should stay in the hospital, you don't want to get worse do you?!" He yelled as he ran after her.
After a few minutes the pointless chase ended. Domon reached Erin who was sitting on the ground underneath a large tree. The lush green grass cushioned her tired body.
She took a deep breath of the sweet air and sighed.
"It's nice to be out, isn't it?"
"Yes, Domon, it feels great. I couldn't stand staying in that hospital for much longer anyways. They seem to always freak me out and the food there was gross," She made a funny face and gave a thumbs down.
"So what do you plan to do today?" He asks, taking a seat on the ground next to Erin.
"I'm not sure. Domon, if you don't mind me asking...do you remember me?" She asks, her voice going softer and more serious then it was several minutes ago.
Domon raises and eyebrow and averts his eyes to her direction. "Am I supposed to?"
"My name doesn't ring any bells?" She asks, her eyes searching his for answers. A bird sings overhead and the sounds of a waterfall echo in the distance but all is silent between the two fighters.
"Well, I think it sounds familiar but I just can't place it right now."
Erin took a deep breath as if she expected it to clam her nerves. "Domon, at one time I was engaged to your brother, Kyoji Kasshu," Erin managed to say.
'There it's out, finally...my secret is one no longer' She thinks.
Domon's eyes widen significantly. "I remember you now. I should have remembered before...it's just you look so different from what I remember. I mean, you hair used to be shorter with bangs and well...wow, Erin, I'm sorry. But now I do remember, back when you first met Kyoji and I."
"You have to admit, I haven't changed much though. I'm still my short little tomboy self," She says with a laugh. Domon had to agree with that.
"Erin, I need to ask you something...did you love my brother? When he was still here?"
"Yes Domon, I did. Yet, I never really knew it until...until it was too late to tell him so," She says, her eyes closing, as if she was fighting with herself to hold back a tear.
"Then, do you hate me? Because I was the one to kill him in the end...with the Devil Gundam?" Domon had to lie; he couldn't tell her...that his brother was now very much alive.
"No Domon, I couldn't be mad at you...because you had to. It was what Kyoji wanted and it was for the good of earth and the colonies. I just miss him a lot these days."
"Woah, so she was supposed to marry Domon's brother?!" Sai Sici asked from the bushes near where Erin and Domon were talking. Himself as well as the others were crouched down behind the bushes thanks to Sai's and Chibodee's ideas.
Rain nodded. "Yes, they were engaged several years ago"
"Wow, that must suck!"
"Chibodee!!" Mallory yelled smacking him upside the head, also attracting Erin and Domon's attention.
"I feel really stupid now," Erin said with a strained laugh. "Thanks for talking with me Domon, I'll see you and the others later." She walked off on her own, most likely back to camp.
"I feel sorry for her," Rain says, walking over and slipping her hand into Domon's.
"I don't think that's what she wants. She's not that kind of person," Domon said, his voice lower then usual. "I don't think she wants anyone's sympathy and that's why till now she hasn't really shared her feelings." Domon said as he squeezed Rain's hand lightly.
- - - - - -
'I'm probably not safe going off on my own...but oh well. I don't need babysitters that watch my every move' Erin walked along the small mulch path towards the waterfall which had recently become her new favorite spot to sit and think. She climbed steadily up the few rocks that lead to the top of the ledge. Upon reaching the top she saw Schwarz standing there, his lone silhouette facings towards the direction of the town.
"Hey, what are you doing up here?" She asked with interest.
No reply.
"Okay...oh! Were you one of the people listening to my conversation with Domon earlier today?"
"No." He replied simply. She shrugged and walked over to stand next to him. She peered over the edge of the ledge to look at the crystal blue water below inhabited by many species of fish and other creatures like small Sea Turtles and even dolphins. It was pretty much like a lagoon, a perfect place, untainted by man made pollution.
"Isn't it weird how none of us have fought in a gundam fight yet? It's like nobody wants to. Then again I didn't make things better by hurting myself..." she muttered the last part with a frown.
"If you want, I will fight against you," says Schwarz, his dark colored eyes looking into hers.
"Actually, that would be really great. I need to get better for the 14th gundam fight in 3 years," She replies. Schwarz nods in approval. "Let's go then." She says as she climbs down the cliff again. They both walked towards the town where their gundams were kept. It was designed like a giant hanger. The gundams didn't have to be kept there but for the first 2 weeks gundams needed to be inspected for regulation so that's where they stayed since everyone got to the highlands.
"Oh yeah, and don't go easy on me because I'm a girl, okay?" She says as they walk into the hanger.
"Wouldn't ever think of it."
Erin grinned. "Good."
They checked in with the main office to make sure their gundams were free to go today. Everything was clear, much to their relief.
"It's good to be able to fight again," Erin said as she took to lift up to the cockpit of her gundam.
"Hey Erin!"
"Mallory? Hi! How are you?" Erin looked to her left where neo-Australia's gundam, Kickbox was kept. Mallory was peering out of the cockpit of her gundam, most likely there doing a few tune ups in it.
"Okay, just fixin up my Gundam for some matches. Are you gong off for a gundam fight? That's what the others did," She says, wiping some sweat from her forehead.
"Yeah, I'm planning to fight against Schwarz"
"Oh okay, I'll see you later in sector B where the others are fighting then," Mallory says turning back to her work.
"Ready Yin Yang?" Erin asked her Gundam. 2 Years ago, right before the start of the 13th gundam fight Erin had been chosen as Korea's gundam fighter and representative. Her gundam, Yin Yang, was named after the balance of light and dark she saw within herself.
"Are you ready Miss. Lee?" asked a voice coming from the Spiegel gundam.
'Can't he call me by my name?' She wondered.
"Almost!" She replied as she climbed into the main control area of the gundam. The machine stirred and the ceiling and floor began moving together, pushing her body through a stretchy material. The colors of her mobile trace suit were that of the South Korean flag, since with Erin winning the match and her being from South Korea the colors would remain for her nation even though she would be representing both sides of Korea. The main section of the suit was white with a red outline on the right side of the suit and a blue outline on the other side. In the center of her chest was the emblem, Taegukki that is held in the center of all South Korean flags. It is a red and blue yin yang type symbol with the 4 universal element symbols; heaven, earth, fire and water, surrounding it. Erin quickly tied up her hair in a messy bun to keep it out of her face in the fight and walked with her gundam out of the hanger to meet Schwarz.
"Where is sector B anyways?" Erin asked as she approaches her opponent in his black colored Gundam, Spiegel.
"In the plains by the river and waterfall," Erin shrugged, still not knowing the exact place and just followed the other gundam.
"Did you represent neo-Germany in the gundam fight?"
"Yes."
"Didn't you fight against Domon? I think almost everyone did actually..."
"Yes, the others in the Shuffle Alliance did as well."
"Oh...okay," Silence. "Hmm...let's see." Erin said as she opened a drive in the interior of her gundam and placed a disk inside and out blasted U+K by Gackt, a popular Japanese singer. She laughed, as she seemed to have surprised her fight partner.
"Isn't that Japanese music?" He asks a few minutes later.
"Yup! Even though I'm Korean I know a lot of Japanese and American from friends and family." She says with a grin.
"Okay, I think we're here."
"Oh, you're right. Looks like Chibodee and George are goin at it," She watched Gundam Rose trying to dodge the fierce punches of gundam Maxter.
"Wow, they're really good," Erin climbed out of her Gundam and hopped down to the ground. Schwarz joined her at the bottom.
"Well they aren't called the Shuffle Alliance for nothing," Schwarz says to her last comment. She nods and goes over to a nearby tree to sit in the shade. She gladly sat down on the cool grass and watched the fight continue on.
"If you don't mind me asking...but, why do you wear that mask?"
"Because, I do not want anyone to see the face beneath, at least not yet," His answer was straightforward but still so confusing.
'What does he mean?'
Okay, that's that for chapter 5. The next chapter will be "Yin-Yang vs. Spiegel" if you hadn't guessed that already. It will also feature a match between Mallory and Erin. I hope I'm not moving this too slowly...or too fast for that matter and that it's okay to read. Umm...so far by hand there are 19 chapters written and it's still going...so...this is probably going to be quite long. I hope everyone stays interested in this until then ^^ Thank you for reading and please review!
-Nuriko
To reviewers (from chapters 3 and 4)...
Dracou Malfouy: Eh, Kenji, I was kidding about the Mary Sue stuff ^^ Except I really do think all my characters are that way *coughs* Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter and that with future chapters you will be happy before your surgery ^^
Angel123292: Thank you for being a constant reviewer of this fic! I am very glad you like it and that you're still interested in reading it! Sorry for all the suspense!
Nicole: Thank you for reviewing :) I too believe Kyoji deserves some happiness or another chance. I am glad you like it and I hope this chapter was enjoyable for you too!
DaHaloChick: :D Yeah! Glad you liked it!
Piccoloslove: Thank you so much for the criticism! I don't take it in a mean way and it'll really help me. I know my fics are not very descriptive but I am trying to work on that as I go along. I'm still learning to write well and I'm sure I will never be as good as some other writers out there but I try. I am glad you enjoyed it and I hoped you liked this chapter!
Yam19cha: Thank you for reviewing! I hope you liked this chapter too and I'm sorry for taking so long to type it!
(): Glad you want me to write more, hope this chapter was to your liking!
Bob: ^_^ Yup! He is alive yet again and later you'll find out why!
Monica Chung: It's alright that you couldn't review, just the fact that you read it is good for me ^_^ I hope you liked it!
Athena Masterson: It's alright ^_^ I know it's hard to keep up with things. Can't wait to read more of your fic!
Chapter 5 - Masked Man
'I wake up in the morning
Put on my face
The one that's gonna get me
Through another day
Doesn't really matter
How I feel inside
'Cause life is like a game sometimes
But then you came around me
The walls just disappeared
Nothing to surround me
And keep me from my fears
I'm unprotected
See how I've opened up
Oh, you've made me trust
Because I've never felt like this before
I'm naked
Around you
Does it show?
You see right through me
And I can't hide
I'm naked
Around you
And it feels so right'
- Naked - Avril Lavigne -
The sound of soft steps on the cold linoleum floors of the hospital caught everyone's attention. It had been a short week since Erin's accident and everyday they came to visit, the petite blonde seemed to be improving. As the foot steps approached so did the sounds of yelling.
"No way! I am not staying in this place any longer! You can't hold me against my will!" She yelled as she sped past the Shuffles and other fighters. She had blue jeans on and her hospital robe tied up to look like a shirt.
"Erin! Wait! You can't just leave!" Domon stood quickly and ran after her. "You should stay in the hospital, you don't want to get worse do you?!" He yelled as he ran after her.
After a few minutes the pointless chase ended. Domon reached Erin who was sitting on the ground underneath a large tree. The lush green grass cushioned her tired body.
She took a deep breath of the sweet air and sighed.
"It's nice to be out, isn't it?"
"Yes, Domon, it feels great. I couldn't stand staying in that hospital for much longer anyways. They seem to always freak me out and the food there was gross," She made a funny face and gave a thumbs down.
"So what do you plan to do today?" He asks, taking a seat on the ground next to Erin.
"I'm not sure. Domon, if you don't mind me asking...do you remember me?" She asks, her voice going softer and more serious then it was several minutes ago.
Domon raises and eyebrow and averts his eyes to her direction. "Am I supposed to?"
"My name doesn't ring any bells?" She asks, her eyes searching his for answers. A bird sings overhead and the sounds of a waterfall echo in the distance but all is silent between the two fighters.
"Well, I think it sounds familiar but I just can't place it right now."
Erin took a deep breath as if she expected it to clam her nerves. "Domon, at one time I was engaged to your brother, Kyoji Kasshu," Erin managed to say.
'There it's out, finally...my secret is one no longer' She thinks.
Domon's eyes widen significantly. "I remember you now. I should have remembered before...it's just you look so different from what I remember. I mean, you hair used to be shorter with bangs and well...wow, Erin, I'm sorry. But now I do remember, back when you first met Kyoji and I."
"You have to admit, I haven't changed much though. I'm still my short little tomboy self," She says with a laugh. Domon had to agree with that.
"Erin, I need to ask you something...did you love my brother? When he was still here?"
"Yes Domon, I did. Yet, I never really knew it until...until it was too late to tell him so," She says, her eyes closing, as if she was fighting with herself to hold back a tear.
"Then, do you hate me? Because I was the one to kill him in the end...with the Devil Gundam?" Domon had to lie; he couldn't tell her...that his brother was now very much alive.
"No Domon, I couldn't be mad at you...because you had to. It was what Kyoji wanted and it was for the good of earth and the colonies. I just miss him a lot these days."
"Woah, so she was supposed to marry Domon's brother?!" Sai Sici asked from the bushes near where Erin and Domon were talking. Himself as well as the others were crouched down behind the bushes thanks to Sai's and Chibodee's ideas.
Rain nodded. "Yes, they were engaged several years ago"
"Wow, that must suck!"
"Chibodee!!" Mallory yelled smacking him upside the head, also attracting Erin and Domon's attention.
"I feel really stupid now," Erin said with a strained laugh. "Thanks for talking with me Domon, I'll see you and the others later." She walked off on her own, most likely back to camp.
"I feel sorry for her," Rain says, walking over and slipping her hand into Domon's.
"I don't think that's what she wants. She's not that kind of person," Domon said, his voice lower then usual. "I don't think she wants anyone's sympathy and that's why till now she hasn't really shared her feelings." Domon said as he squeezed Rain's hand lightly.
- - - - - -
'I'm probably not safe going off on my own...but oh well. I don't need babysitters that watch my every move' Erin walked along the small mulch path towards the waterfall which had recently become her new favorite spot to sit and think. She climbed steadily up the few rocks that lead to the top of the ledge. Upon reaching the top she saw Schwarz standing there, his lone silhouette facings towards the direction of the town.
"Hey, what are you doing up here?" She asked with interest.
No reply.
"Okay...oh! Were you one of the people listening to my conversation with Domon earlier today?"
"No." He replied simply. She shrugged and walked over to stand next to him. She peered over the edge of the ledge to look at the crystal blue water below inhabited by many species of fish and other creatures like small Sea Turtles and even dolphins. It was pretty much like a lagoon, a perfect place, untainted by man made pollution.
"Isn't it weird how none of us have fought in a gundam fight yet? It's like nobody wants to. Then again I didn't make things better by hurting myself..." she muttered the last part with a frown.
"If you want, I will fight against you," says Schwarz, his dark colored eyes looking into hers.
"Actually, that would be really great. I need to get better for the 14th gundam fight in 3 years," She replies. Schwarz nods in approval. "Let's go then." She says as she climbs down the cliff again. They both walked towards the town where their gundams were kept. It was designed like a giant hanger. The gundams didn't have to be kept there but for the first 2 weeks gundams needed to be inspected for regulation so that's where they stayed since everyone got to the highlands.
"Oh yeah, and don't go easy on me because I'm a girl, okay?" She says as they walk into the hanger.
"Wouldn't ever think of it."
Erin grinned. "Good."
They checked in with the main office to make sure their gundams were free to go today. Everything was clear, much to their relief.
"It's good to be able to fight again," Erin said as she took to lift up to the cockpit of her gundam.
"Hey Erin!"
"Mallory? Hi! How are you?" Erin looked to her left where neo-Australia's gundam, Kickbox was kept. Mallory was peering out of the cockpit of her gundam, most likely there doing a few tune ups in it.
"Okay, just fixin up my Gundam for some matches. Are you gong off for a gundam fight? That's what the others did," She says, wiping some sweat from her forehead.
"Yeah, I'm planning to fight against Schwarz"
"Oh okay, I'll see you later in sector B where the others are fighting then," Mallory says turning back to her work.
"Ready Yin Yang?" Erin asked her Gundam. 2 Years ago, right before the start of the 13th gundam fight Erin had been chosen as Korea's gundam fighter and representative. Her gundam, Yin Yang, was named after the balance of light and dark she saw within herself.
"Are you ready Miss. Lee?" asked a voice coming from the Spiegel gundam.
'Can't he call me by my name?' She wondered.
"Almost!" She replied as she climbed into the main control area of the gundam. The machine stirred and the ceiling and floor began moving together, pushing her body through a stretchy material. The colors of her mobile trace suit were that of the South Korean flag, since with Erin winning the match and her being from South Korea the colors would remain for her nation even though she would be representing both sides of Korea. The main section of the suit was white with a red outline on the right side of the suit and a blue outline on the other side. In the center of her chest was the emblem, Taegukki that is held in the center of all South Korean flags. It is a red and blue yin yang type symbol with the 4 universal element symbols; heaven, earth, fire and water, surrounding it. Erin quickly tied up her hair in a messy bun to keep it out of her face in the fight and walked with her gundam out of the hanger to meet Schwarz.
"Where is sector B anyways?" Erin asked as she approaches her opponent in his black colored Gundam, Spiegel.
"In the plains by the river and waterfall," Erin shrugged, still not knowing the exact place and just followed the other gundam.
"Did you represent neo-Germany in the gundam fight?"
"Yes."
"Didn't you fight against Domon? I think almost everyone did actually..."
"Yes, the others in the Shuffle Alliance did as well."
"Oh...okay," Silence. "Hmm...let's see." Erin said as she opened a drive in the interior of her gundam and placed a disk inside and out blasted U+K by Gackt, a popular Japanese singer. She laughed, as she seemed to have surprised her fight partner.
"Isn't that Japanese music?" He asks a few minutes later.
"Yup! Even though I'm Korean I know a lot of Japanese and American from friends and family." She says with a grin.
"Okay, I think we're here."
"Oh, you're right. Looks like Chibodee and George are goin at it," She watched Gundam Rose trying to dodge the fierce punches of gundam Maxter.
"Wow, they're really good," Erin climbed out of her Gundam and hopped down to the ground. Schwarz joined her at the bottom.
"Well they aren't called the Shuffle Alliance for nothing," Schwarz says to her last comment. She nods and goes over to a nearby tree to sit in the shade. She gladly sat down on the cool grass and watched the fight continue on.
"If you don't mind me asking...but, why do you wear that mask?"
"Because, I do not want anyone to see the face beneath, at least not yet," His answer was straightforward but still so confusing.
'What does he mean?'
Okay, that's that for chapter 5. The next chapter will be "Yin-Yang vs. Spiegel" if you hadn't guessed that already. It will also feature a match between Mallory and Erin. I hope I'm not moving this too slowly...or too fast for that matter and that it's okay to read. Umm...so far by hand there are 19 chapters written and it's still going...so...this is probably going to be quite long. I hope everyone stays interested in this until then ^^ Thank you for reading and please review!
-Nuriko
To reviewers (from chapters 3 and 4)...
Dracou Malfouy: Eh, Kenji, I was kidding about the Mary Sue stuff ^^ Except I really do think all my characters are that way *coughs* Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter and that with future chapters you will be happy before your surgery ^^
Angel123292: Thank you for being a constant reviewer of this fic! I am very glad you like it and that you're still interested in reading it! Sorry for all the suspense!
Nicole: Thank you for reviewing :) I too believe Kyoji deserves some happiness or another chance. I am glad you like it and I hope this chapter was enjoyable for you too!
DaHaloChick: :D Yeah! Glad you liked it!
Piccoloslove: Thank you so much for the criticism! I don't take it in a mean way and it'll really help me. I know my fics are not very descriptive but I am trying to work on that as I go along. I'm still learning to write well and I'm sure I will never be as good as some other writers out there but I try. I am glad you enjoyed it and I hoped you liked this chapter!
Yam19cha: Thank you for reviewing! I hope you liked this chapter too and I'm sorry for taking so long to type it!
(): Glad you want me to write more, hope this chapter was to your liking!
Bob: ^_^ Yup! He is alive yet again and later you'll find out why!
Monica Chung: It's alright that you couldn't review, just the fact that you read it is good for me ^_^ I hope you liked it!
Athena Masterson: It's alright ^_^ I know it's hard to keep up with things. Can't wait to read more of your fic!
