Disclaimer: don't own the gundam characters just the girls and their children.
Runaway
By: Raven Moonshadow
Chapter 3
Tamora woke to the sound of glass bottles clanging against each other in the fridge. The auburn haired girl pushed herself up onto her elbows and let out a long yawn. Oni, the wolf pup, was draped across her waist and shifted unhappily when she moved. He whimpered slightly in his sleep. Tamora looked over. Her mother's purse was propped up against the kitchen doorway.
"Mom?" Tamora called out. Her mothers red haired head poked out over the kitchen counter (which was visible from the doorway).
"Yes?" Her mother, Kamori, was sipping on a mocha frappacino.
"What time is it?" Tamora rubbed her fist over her eyes. Her mother looked down at her wrist.
"It's 6:00."
"You're home early."
"Yeah we finished the shoot earlier than we expected. I came home to see my favorite daughter." Kamori winked. Tamora rolled her eyes.
"I'm your only daughter, unless there is something you're not telling me."
Her mother giggled.
"Of course you're my only child. And I'm glad. One is enough. You alone almost cost more than the animals."
"Thanks mom. I feel loved." Tamora said sarcastically, swinger her legs over the couch. Oni jumped down after being disturbed and scampered into the kitchen. Most likely going for food now that he was awake.
Silence ensued as her mother continued to drink the mocha with a smile. Tamora got up. "We had some messages." She said trying to make a little conversation.
"Oh? Did we?" Kamori walked out of the kitchen with the drink.
"Yeah. Mr. Cameron says that Saturday is the due date of the next project. The manager of the apartment said that he'll fix our stove for free." She saw her mother smile evilly at this. "And some woman called saying she was from the Preventers." Her mother totally froze. Kamori's light green eyes were wide and surprised.
"W-was that all?" Her mother asked quietly.
"No there was one other but I think it was a wrong number." Tamora said walking over to the answering machine.
"And what was that?"
"Here, mom, listen." Tamora pressed play and the message again played. Glass shattered. Tamora whipped around to stare at the shattered mocha glass on the floor, its contents spilling. "Mom?" Her mom looked afraid. No not afraid. Stunned. She looked almost…exposed. Like an airplane just crashed and all her friends and family were killed in it.
Tamora heard a whisper. She leaned in towards her mom. Her mother was whispering things in Irish. She hadn't heard her mother speak that in a long time. She picked up pieces of it. Found…god no…how…so long….can't…see him. But her mother spoke too softly and too quickly.
Tamora sighed. Slowly she began picking up the pieces of shattered glass. She would ask her mom later. Right now was apparently a bad time. She left for the kitchen and gently put the glass in the garbage before grabbing a towel. When she returned to the hallway her mother was gone. Tamora soaked up the mocha frappacino from the floor.
Why had mom reacted that way? Who was the man? Who was the woman from Preventers? All these questions ran through her head. Her mother was generally always cheery and never got shocked easily. Her mother had been through a lot. Maybe it had something to do with the part of her mothers past that her mother refused to tell. She sighed and disposed of the paper towels that were soaked a light brown, dripping wet, and smelled like coffee.
Tamora grabbed her messenger bag and headed into her room. She left the door open slightly just in case her mother needed something. Although she highly doubted it.
Her room was done to represent her own style. The bed was just a mattress on the floor with three different blankets. The one on top was a dark purple, between that and the thin dark red blanket was a black down comforter. There was an assortment of black, dark red, dark purple, deep gold and silver pillows. Her rug was a deep gold and her walls were a deep crimson.
Her ceiling was black and dotted with glow-in-the-dark stars that made up most of the constellations. Beside the bed, by the sliding glass door that led to the balcony was a small tree and on a shelf above that were two bonsai trees and a thing of bamboo. In the middle of the room was a small mahogany table with a tatami mat. The far right corner was occupied by a desk and bookshelf. Next to her door was another door that led to the connecting bathroom that lay between hers and her mother's room.
Tamora set her messenger bag down on the low table. She almost laughed when she pulled out her palm pilot from a note bookless bag. This was her entire collection of notebooks, all whipped into one handy little thing. The auburn haired teen plugged it into the laptop on her desk and printed out all her notes, vocab., and everything else that she had gathered from the day at school. After that, all she had to do was organize them into thin, neat little three ring binders. And it was all finished before dinner. It was a great relief. At least it was until Tamora remembered her mother.
The 14 year old got up and peeked through the crack of her door to access the hall where her mother's room lay beyond the shut door. She could hear talking. Her mother must have been on the phone. Tamora knew that dinner wasn't done and wouldn't get done. She didn't want to push her mom because of what had happened earlier but Tamora was hungry. The auburn haired girl smacked her fist down into her open palm.
"I'll cook dinner tonight. That'll show mom that I'm here to help." Tamora said quietly. She slipped out her door quietly and headed into the kitchen.
The green eyed girl found that the stove had been fixed. Mom must have let Mr. Christian fix the stove while she was doing her homework/schoolwork.
So at this revelation Tamora began preparing a meal while she played some soft rock.
An hour later, when the food was done her mother emerged into the kitchen looking disheveled in her silky PJ pants and cotton tank-top.
"Hey, mom. I made dinner for us." Tamora said proudly, draping the apron across the back of a chair. Her mother nodded quietly and sat down. Tamora pulled out a chair for herself and sat down. Both ate in awkward silence. Tamora idly picked and moved her food around and avoided her mothers gaze whenever her red haired mother looked up.
"Tamora." Tamora kept her head down.
"Yes?"
"I called a few people."
"Yeah, so?"
"I think it's about time I tell you about your father."
Tamora took in a sharp breath as she snapped her head up to look at her mother. Something was wrong. Her mother never wanted to tell her about her father. She had avoided the questions whenever Tamora had asked.
"You what?" Tamora said staring. Maybe she had heard wrong.
"Your father. I think you should know about him." Tamora set her utensils down.
"W-why?" Tamora said quietly. Her mother shrugged and looked out the window at the setting sun. The sky full of oranges, pinks, and purples.
"Just…because." Her mother finally said. Tamora gulped and nodded. She wasn't sure she was ready now that it was time to find out.
"Go on." The auburn haired girl said hesitantly. Kamori nodded to her daughter.
"Your father and I met during the last and final war. He was a gundam pilot and so was I. We fought together and I…I fell in love with him." Her mother paused like it was something that she almost regretted. "It was wrong of us to do what we did but I don't regret it. I wouldn't have had you if we hadn't done those things during the war. But when the moment came I let it happen. It was the only time that he showed feeling for me and I took the chance. He was kind, brave, strong, and had a love for animals. Of course, he did have a habit of being unemotional and I've only heard him laugh maybe once or twice."
Her mother stopped and reminisced. Tamora could tell by the look on her mothers face.
"Why are you telling me this?" Tamora asked. She was suspicious and frightened. Her mother never divulged this kind of information. Never. She waited for her mother.
Kamori seemed to snap out of her daze.
"…Because that call has resurfaced memories. I called back the Preventers woman and the man who called me Nightmare. Gods…I haven't been called that in years."
"You still haven't answered my question."
"I called to find out what that woman wanted. She told me that they have been looking for me. They say that there is a new organization resurfacing, Midnight or something, and the help of the gundams might be needed. They…they want to train you to use the gundam, to fight. Just in case a war breaks out."
Tamora stared at her mother. "What?"
"They're going to train you to be a soldier like I was." Her mother looked like she was uncomfortable and about to burst into tears. Her eyes had taken on that certain glassy look.
"Are you going to let me?" Tamora asked. Green eyes locked with light green eyes. Her mother sighed.
"I don't want you to go. If anything were to happen to you I'd have no one else but…you're strong, just like your father and I. You'd probably be very good at saving the world." Her mother giggled slightly. Probably in an attempt to cheer herself up.
"So…you're going to let me go?" Tamora said. She wasn't sure she could leave her mother to go train. Kamori nodded.
"I want you to be strong. What am I saying I just said you were strong? This will be good for life. Besides, you said you wanted to drive. It'll be just like getting a car, except you're fourteen and it will be a gundam. Probably a remodel of my Nightmare gundam." Tamora's redheaded mother said absently. She was staring out the window with forlorn pale green eyes, just brimming on the edge of tears.
Tamora was captured by the sadness in her mother's eyes. It broke her heart. She wanted to do what her mother thought was best but on the other hand she needed to stay with her mother. They tore at her.
Tamora rose. She looked down and noticed that she had finished off her plate. In all her thinking she must have just, started eating. The auburn haired teen shrugged and began clearing up her side of the table. That's when she noticed.
Her mother had also finished and was out of sight. Probably back hiding in her room. So now she cleared up the entire table, cleaned it, and then fed the animals, before going back to her room.
Tamora lay down across her bed. She couldn't think coherently. Maybe she could ask for some advice. But from whom?
Wait…
In the corner of her darkened room, on her desk, sat her quiet laptop, glowing peacefully. She strode across the room and sat down at the computer. The green eyed teen brought up her Instant Messenger: SagittarianTigress08, and typed in Victor's screen-name, GoldenboyWinner204. It popped up instantly.
SagittarianTigress08: Heyy
He took a few seconds to type back.
GoldenboyWinner204: Hi, Tamora. What's up?
SagittarianTigress08: Nothing much. Just need to talk to someone.
GoldenboyWinner204: Oh? About what?
SagittarianTigress08: I need some advice. I can't think right now.
GbW204 (sorry. I had to abbreviate the screen names now): What kind of advice?
ST08: My mom and I were talking and she wants me to do something that would be very good for my future but I don't want to leave her alone. She's my only parent and leaving her would cause stress for both of us. I don't want her to worry about me.
GbW204: Well you can do what your mother wants but still stay in contact with her. Call her every day or something. Write to her. Instant Message her. Tell her you're okay and that you'll see her on the weekends or something.
ST08: That sounds like a good idea.
GbW204: Yeah don't sweat it. If you ever need anything just ask me. I'll do my best to help.
ST08: Thank you Victor. You're a life saver.
GbW204: You're very welcome ^.~
ST08: G2G. I'll see you tomorrow in school.
GbW204: bye.
ST08: bub bye Victor ^o~ ßkiss
GbW204: lol ßblushing
ST08: *giggle* night Victor
GbW204: You too.
Tamora signed off. She was grateful; she'd probably start thanking him tomorrow. She felt, now, closer to Victor. She smiled to herself and went for a midnight snack.
The next day her mother padded into the kitchen wearing a fashionable red, black, and gold skirt with a thin black leather belt slung low on her hip, a short white blouse, and black necktie. Tamora blinked.
"Is there a show today?" The auburn haired teenager inquired. Kamori shook her head.
"No. Just wanted to look nice so all the men can drool over your mom." Kamori said. Tamora rolled her eyes.
"What's the real reason, mom?"
"Fine. We're going to the Preventers today to meet everyone that you'll be training with and the teachers." Her mother said. She grabbed a bagel and smothered it with butter.
"One, I wasn't informed of this and I have school today…" Tamora said munching on her cream cheesed bagel.
"It'll be after school. What's the second part?"
"You're going to get fat if you have that much butter. You're not as young as you used to be, mom." Tamora said nonchalantly. Her mother growled.
"My eating habits are none of your business."
"On the contra, you're my mother. Everything you do is my business." Tamora smirked at her mother's flustered face.
"Why you…"
"Never mind. It would be a waste of a perfectly good bagel to just throw it away." Tamora said getting up and grabbing her messenger bag. She knew full well what she was doing to her mother. Behind her she heard her mother make a distressed noise as if deciding to eat the bagel, now, was right. She smirked. "Bye mom. Love you."
And then she was out the door and off to another day of horror at school where she had to unfortunately endure a certain braided idiot prancing around like a playboy.
* * *
Surprisingly, the braided idiot had been more subdued today maybe even a little serious. Or maybe it was the fact that he had virtually ignored her. She smirked to herself as she waited outside the school. Then there were clicks of heels. Turning, she spotted a group of girls that she had gotten in a fight with earlier in the day. All were glaring at her. Their ringleader, Julia Catalonia, had told her to stay away from Derek. Apparently he had a fan club and they had gotten a report that she had talked to him.
Tamora had no problem telling Julia that she could keep the play boy. Then Julia had the nerve to tell Tamora not to go near Victor, Lucius, Michael, and a whole list of guys. Tamora told the blond girl to shove it and get lost. Thus a fight had started, ending with the boys dragging them, Victor grabbing her and Derek dragging Julia, away from each other. The words exchanged between the two girls could not be repeated by anyone.
Luckily none of the teachers had found out and she hadn't gotten in trouble.
"Whore." Tamora muttered under her breath while watching the blond girl. Her group kept giving Tamora dirty looks.
A silver Porsche pulled up and her mother poked her head out.
"Come on Tamora." Kamori said. Tamora looked back at the group of girls and took in their looks of surprise. She smirked to herself. Apparently they recognized her mother as both a fashion designer and a model.
Tamora hopped into the car and they drove off.
"So, how far away is this place?" Tamora asked. Kamori looked over at her daughter out of the corner of her eye.
"There is a base nearby. They said that we'd meet there." Her mother said. Tamora nodded and looked out the window.
"Can you at least put on some music?"
"Evanescence work for you?"
"Yeah sure. That's fine."
Her mother popped the CD in and let the music play. Tamora lost herself in the music and remained in her thoughts, wondering what it would be like once they got there.
Time past quickly and before Tamora knew it, they had stopped in front of a huge building. Her mother turned to her.
"I warn you, you're father will be up there." Kamori said almost regretfully. Tamora nodded, remaining calm.
* * *
"Why haven't we started yet?" Duo asked impatiently. Une shook her head.
"We have one more coming." Duo looked around.
"But all of the original pilots are here with their child that will be trained." Duo said. Heero also nodded. Morgaine shifted uncomfortably as well as Irene.
"We are waiting for Trowa's child." Une said. Quatre blinked.
"But Trowa doesn't have any children." Quatre said. Trowa nodded with a slightly confused look.
"Untrue." Une said, and at that time the door opened and Tamora stepped in. Victor, Derek, and Lucius all looked at her in shock. Tamora stepped forward and bowed.
"I'm sorry I am slightly late. My mother was crying a river and now she has to build a bridge and get over it." Tamora said nonchalantly. Une nodded.
"I understand. Where is your mother now?" Une asked. Tamora shrugged.
"Probably still building the bridge." Une blinked.
"Well then, why don't you take a seat?" Une gestured to a seat next to Trowa.
"One question."
"Yes?"
"Which on of you is my father?" Tamora said leveling the room with a sharp green gaze.
The only one that she looked similar to was the man that sat in the seat next to "her" seat. Her mother pushed through the door with a tissue.
"Hi. Sorry. The bridge broke and I had to build another." Kamori said sniffing. Tamora rolled her eyes.
"Good job mom." Kamori laughed slightly then her eyes focused on the uni-banged man. She stared slightly. Tamora looked between the two. Bother were staring at each other.
"Trowa…" Kamori whispered quietly. Tamora looked at him.
"I'm guessing that you are my father." Tamora said giving him a look.
"Tamora!" Kamori yelped.
"Yes that is your father. I believe you're meeting him for the first time." Une said. Tamora nodded and sat down next to Trowa. Kamori sat down on the other side of Tamora and peeked quickly over at Trowa. Tamora again looked between the two, her mind cranking its thinking wheels.
Une droned on about why the children were needed. So far Tamora had picked up the name Brooke Moonblade-Yuy, the blond girl with Prussian blue eyes that looked about 12 yrs old, Lann Chang, the black haired teen with dark brown eyes about 13 yrs old, Derek Maxwell, Victor Trent Winner, and Lucius Merquise. They were all going to be specially trained in the basics and then each one of the children was going to be put in their own special fields. Stealth, arms, strategies, combat, etc. and the training would take place on a lunar base on the moon.
"So when will this training begin?" Lucius asked.
"Tomorrow."
"What about our schooling?" Lann asked.
"We have teachers on the base. You will continue to learn as well as train."
"Is this over?" Brooke asked. Une nodded and stood.
"You are all dismissed. This meeting is now over. Please make sure to be here by 6 am tomorrow morning." And with that Lady Une exited the room. None of the families moved, all chatting amongst themselves. While they chatted Tamora stayed quiet, watching her parents out of the corner of her eyes, who were obviously trying not to look at each other and give their feelings away. It was really starting to get annoying.
Tamora stood abruptly and pushed her chair in.
"Alright you two. I want you to stop trying to hide that you are happy to see each other." Tamora said glaring. Both of her parents look thoroughly surprised, but still didn't make a move. Tamora rolled her green eyes. "At this point in time, mom, I'm going to be gone tomorrow and you won't see me in person for a while. I know you'll be lonely but now here is your chance to be with dad. I know you two want to be together so get over your pride and make up already! I want to have a family and that means a mom and a dad. I'll take some getting used to but I'm fine with that." Tamora said. Kamori and Trowa looked at each other.
Her mother looked embaressed by her daughter's outburst and at that moment her father cracked a small smile. Tamora smiled as she watched her mother suddenly burst from the chair and into Trowa's arms with a hug. Her redheaded mother cried and smiled. Tamora was happy. Looking out the window she wondered what was to come next.
No she knew. She would train. Make her mother proud. Tamora would rise to the challenge.
~Owari
Raven: wow that was a long chapter. It took me forever to write. For some reason I've been getting chronic writers-block. So for anyone who has been waiting forever for me to update this story of In The End or any of the others…well I'm sorry about it. Stay tuned for the next chapter. Hehe…whenever I get that up. :-P.