Relax, read and enjoy! I managed to get it out JUST before October-WHEE!
Disclaimer: Not mine
Forgotten Love:Part Eleven
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The door opened, and the expected woman rushed in, furious. "Where the hell have you all been? I kept trying to get a hold of you and the only reply I got was 'Master Quatre and his companions have taken a trip to the colonies'. You all left without one word to me!"
The blonde haired young man sighed softly, leaning into the comfy chair of his desk. "Sorry you worried about Heero, Relena. He's in his room, still asleep, however you might want-"
The Peacecraft daughter had already slammed the door to Quatre's office closed before he finished. "Knock first. . . It's not even eleven yet for Christ's sake. Her Heero-radar must have been going off since some awful hour."
He heard a shriek- muffled by the heavy oak door- that was mingled with the sounds of laughter, which no doubt belonged to Duo and, perchance, Wufei? He sighed again and shuffled out into the hall and to the left where, at the far end of the sunlit hall, Trowa, Duo and Wufei stood, doubled over, trying to contain their crack-ups, but occasionally a short laugh would escape. Relena was currently (almost) screaming at Heero the same things she had said with Quatre.
"-Never in my life have I been so upset! You disappeared on me! You usually let me know but this time you didn't and I worried about you for the past weeks! I-"
Heero's eyes rolled heavenward, unnoticed by Relena as she continued to rage. Keiko watched the young woman fume with mild interest as she had her arm linked with his. Quatre noticed that they were both dressed at least. Heero in soft black jeans and a white shirt with some band name on it, and Keiko in overall shorts and a navy blue shirt with a v-neck that didn't descend too low. Quatre smiled trying to recall the Heero from six years ago. Heero had gotten rid of his black shorts long ago, apparently only wearing them for their usefulness during missions.
"Why didn't you let me know where you were?" Relena whined.
Heero hid the look of annoyance but finally managed to add a word in his defense. "I don't need to inform you about my every move, last I knew of. There are some things I like to keep private-"
"Like her!" she returned indignantly. "How long have you kept her a secret from me? I thought-"
Heero shook his head in disbelief as well as sending the obvious statement to Relena. "We were never together Relena. The only things we ever did- dates as you consider them- was go to the balls you dragged us all too. This woman is no mistress of mine- understood? She was one of my first people to befriend me and she's also my girlfriend."
Her hands tightened into fists, and her mouth was dangerously straight as Relena glared at Heero. Part of her anger was directed at herself, for being so naïve all these years, but the majority was to him, partially for insulting her in front of everyone. Him and his little mistress who seemed to be a growth on his arm. Asshole, she thought. Insulting me in front of everyone. It had occurred to her that she could have talked to him in private but she had meant to humiliate him in front of the others and send the would-be little mistress on a guilt trip.
Keiko inclined her head sideways at a very slight angle, studying the Princess. "You look familiar. . ." she stated, a gentle smile on her lips. "Have I seen you somewhere?"
"Relena Dalian. Also known as Relena Peacecraft," she replied with a sneer.
"Keiko Yamigachi," she returned, and then her face lit up. "You're the Peacecraft heir?"
Relena took the stress on Keiko's first word and the smile on her face to be another blow to her pride. And it was finally crushed.
"Pleased to meet you," she returned stoically, gently shaking Keiko's hand. " And I am the same Peacecraft you think of. I'm sorry to have been. . .rude. I wasn't fully aware of your. . .relationship with Heero."
"It's understandable," Keiko replied, thankful that this hadn't escalated into any physical fight. Relena seemed like the overpowering type of person to do such when she didn't get her way. Hard to think that I respected her at the time of her crowing. . . But hey, that was years ago and I was young and stupid. She acts so callow- it's both funny and disappointing.
A dead smile forced itself to her lips. "I need to talk with Heero alone, if I may" she stated and turned away from the others. "I'll be waiting downstairs in the living room."
"That wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be. . ." Duo laughed. "I had expected her to go off on Keiko. Jeez, my stomach hurts now from holding in my laughs. I should have just done it while she was up here. . ."
Wufei smiled and replied, "Too bad Maxwell, you lost your chance."
"Yeah. . .I'm going to hate myself over it now though. . ."
* * *
Wandering absently to the beige couch, Relena plopped down and stared at the blank television across from her. A low glass table was in front of her near her feet, with several mugs of cold coffee sitting on delicately painted ceramic coasters. Something was sticking halfway out from underneath one, trapped between the coaster and the glass. A brief battle was fought in her mind, whether to see what the thing said or not. Her curiosity won the best of her. She picked it up, unfolded and let her gaze wander across the quickly scrawled lines
La più cara donna, Della purezza e la virtù, Voi hanno interferito l'occhio delle bestie ed ora caccerà voi, Inseguimento durerà una quindicina, Allora io chiuderà in, Con desiderio e la lama, Voi non può fuoriuscire la vostra situazione difficile. . .
She frowned at the words. She could've sworn she knew this language. . . Something clicked in the back of her mind and she suddenly recalled it. She skimmed the words again, and her cerulean gaze lit up in surprise as the translation came to her.
"What are you doing?"
Relena spun around, something clenched in her fist. Keiko's eyes were drawn to her tightened hand, and her brow furrowed as she tried to recognize the crumpled object.
"Why do you have that?" she asked softly, yet there was a hint of anger in her voice. She wouldn't blow up at this girl, no. She was determined to prove to herself that she was much more mature than her and wasn't susceptible to fits of teen-like jealousy.
Relena's gaze dropped. She hadn't meant to read it, but it had just been sitting there- plain as day on the table- it was an open invitation to read it!
"That's not yours," Keiko was saying, stepping towards the former queen of the earth. "Give it back." Her arm extended, palm open and waiting to receive the paper back. The blue eyes woman mumbled something undistinguishable then raised her head.
"Where did you get this?" Relena asked, reading the few sentences over again and then holding the note out to her.
Keiko grabbed the letter and held it to her chest. "I found it outside my house and since it was addressed to me I assumed it was from a fan; I get letters from foreigners often you know."
The woman's voice was dark and serious. "That's not something a normal fan would write. When did you get that letter?"
"Almost two weeks ago, why? You can read it? What's it say?"
"You've surely heard about those killings taking place on your colony?"
"Of course!"
Relena smiled grimly. "You do know that there was another one last night?"
"What does all this have anything to do with my letter?" Keiko asked, starting to lose her patience.
"Well, there was a note found next to the body, and somehow the press got a hold of it and it's been all over the major news channels. . ."
"You're point?" Keiko prompted.
"You've been given the same thing."
Keiko stared at her. Just a simple, unbelieving stare, which wasn't quite the reaction Relena had hoped for. She wanted Keiko, this person who took all her hopes for a chance with Heero and crushed them, to show some sign of fear. Just to prove that she was human, because, so far, she had failed to see any flaws in her. And this made her spine tingle with malice and envy.
"You do realize that you are holding a piece of evidence in your hands, Keiko?" Relena stated with a tiny trace of hope.
She smiled. "Sure I know it.
"Then you'd best go to the authorities."
The smile turned into a grin. "Oh contraire, your highness, I'm not giving this up until everyone has had their say and you tell me what the thing says." She could see Relena's jaw clamp while a muscle by her temple ticked for a second and she concealing a laugh. You were the Queen of the Earth six years ago? Did you accomplish anything at all? You're acting like a twelve year old when you're twenty-one. I don't see how you did it!
So, what does it say Relena?"
The woman snatched the note from Keiko's hand and snapped, "It says as follows: Keiko- Dearest woman of purity and virtue, you have caught the beasts eye, and he will now hunt you, the pursuit will last a fortnight, then I will close in, with desire and the blade, you cannot escape your plight."
Keiko nodded. "Interesting."
Relena wanted to yell. Scream to her about the stupidity of her calmness. "All you can say is 'Interesting'" she asked in disbelief. "Why are you so composed?"
"Well, let's think logically here," Keiko replied with deliberate slowness. "This was given to me on the colony. I'm now on Earth. If someone wanted to harm me I don't think they would have an easy time finding me. All things considered."
"You are a foolish person Keiko," Relena returned. "It will get you into trouble one day- your naivety."
Keiko watched her stomp out of the house and murmured, "Let's be logical Relena."
Relena was several blocks again before her anger faded enough for her to remember that she was supposed to converse with Heero. "Damnit," she hissed, pounding the empty seat beside her. It was entirely that girls fault. She fogged up her head worse than a London night. Relena couldn't recall the last time she had been so frustrated.
"Whatever," she muttered. "Let it rot, it's dead anyways."
* * *
"Personally, I don't think that person is a threat to you anymore," Trowa said leaning back in his chair. Their meal was done, but the table remained uncleared and they were just enjoying the simplicity of talking and drinking their champagne.
"That's what I said. Then I got a mini-lecture," she replied, sipping at her glass.
Heero smiled and shook his head. "I meant to tell you about her sooner but I kind of forgot. Hope she didn't frighten you too much."
She waved her hand at him. "Nah. Although I was rather annoyed by the fact that she read that letter without permission, but then I wouldn't have known what it said. . .So I guess it worked out for the best."
"She gave me the best laugh I've had in a while," Duo remarked, filling his sixth glass of bubbly and suddenly cracking up.
"I think that's your last one Duo," Quatre muttered pulling the bottle away.
"Yeah. Keep it. I don't want to get hashed on that."
"You were going to stay home anyways."
"Stay home from what?"
"While we took the letter to the police and went out and got some food."
"When did we all vote on this?" he cried indignantly.
"About five minutes before dinner," Wufei replied.
"Oh," Duo said, eye drooping. "Well, why do you need to go shopping now?"
Four pairs of eyes slid towards Keiko, who smiled nervously. "It's not my fault if I need chocolate ice cream and Quatre doesn't have any!"
"Do you really need the ice cream though?" Wufei asked.
Her lower lip stuck out in a pout. " 'Fei!"
"It's alright, we needed to make a quick run anyways," said Quatre.
"Are you sure it's alright?"
He smiled. "Positive."
"We're out of sour apple Schnapps!" Duo cried and let loose a river of expletives. ". . .Gawd, the only thing left that is remotely good is the butterscotch Schnapps. Quatre. . .how could you let this happen?" He continued whining softly to himself as he poured a shot of the amber liquid into his glass.
"Don't look at me- I don't drink. It's your job to buy more when you're getting low on that stuff."
"Yeah yeah. . .Shinigami hears your sermon about the evils of drinking. . ." he slurred walking away.
"I wasn't preaching Duo!"
"The evils of drinking Quatre," the braided man repeated, shuffling into the living room and falling into the couch.
Trowa leaned towards Keiko and whispered, "Just let him watch his shows and he'll be fine."
"What's he like to watch?"
"The Food Network."
"Oye. . ." She sighed, hiccupping softly as she finished off the liquid in her glass, feeling slightly buzzed.
* * *
Her eyes followed the receding vehicle until it disappeared behind the trees, then she sat down on the stone steps and turned her attention to the west. She stayed there, sitting cross-legged with her knees to her chest, watching the evening sky catch on fire and blaze magnificently until the sky turned ashy blue.
Finally, Keiko returned inside, pondering as to how to pass the time. She sat down next to Duo, who looked like a dead weight just sitting there. Keiko eyed him, debating as to whether or not he still had the sense enough to carry on a conversation.
"Just out of curiosity, how did you come to know Heero?"
"We were both Gundam pilots," he said after a short hesitation.
"Well I know that but how did you two meet?"
Duo smiled. " He was going to shoot Relena for her snooping, I shot him, and Relena got pissed at me. I was just trying to be nice. I should have let him shoot her. . ."
He rested his face on his fist and sighed, the alcohol working steadily at clouding his mind, staring blankly at the game show on the television.
"C'mere, I want to show you something. C'mon," Keiko said, swaggering to her feet and tugging his hand. He wearily followed her up the stairs to Heero's room, aware of the fact that she was talking, but not processing it. He made sure to mumble a "Yeah" and an "Uh-huh" every now and then so as not to seem too rude. He really wanted to sleep; his head was starting to hurt from all his drinks.
He followed her into Heero's room and collapsed at the foot of the bed, zoning out as she rummaged for something. There was a sound- like she had slammed her finger or something- and he turned groggily as she swore and the finger went into her mouth.
Duo's eyes were dim in his drunken stupor, but they lit up as his vision wandered from her head to her toes. God in heaven, how he lusted for this woman- even from the first day he had. He knew he was supposedly dating Hilde. . .but he was a lady's-man and a flirt.
"This is what I wanted to show you," she said, putting a photo from the nightstand into his hands. "It's me and Heero, when we were both fifteen, on my birthday actually. . . Duo?"
He was staring at her full pink lips, feeling dizzy and sluggish but still good. One little kiss won't hurt. . . No one will ever know. He took the picture gently from her hands and set it on the nightstand, then touched her long golden hair.
"Duo?"
He put a hand on her mouth to silence her, and then kissed her. She melted into him, prolonging the kiss that had only meant to be a short union. She must be as buzzed as I am; there's no way she'd do this of her otherwise. Duo smiled, his mind and integrity falling farther and farther away. Soon it had totally faded to invisible and all that was left was his Neanderthal desire.
Neither of them was aware of how much time had passed, only that it seemed like seconds but in reality was much longer. Through the tangle of their twisted bodies, Keiko felt Duo's hand, blazing with heat, touch her stomach and continue upwards. She shoved it away, and instead of trying to crawl up her blouse, the fingers undid the buttons, but did nothing more. Even in his mindlessness Duo was still somewhat respectful.
Suddenly. Keiko wrenched back, her large doe eyes full of terror an instant before the tears bubbled up. She flung her face to the side and cried, "Forgive me!" before breaking down.
Duo frowned. One minute he'd been joyously kissing her, now she had pulled away and had tears streaming down her face. A strangled sob broke from her mouth and her eyes wandered over his shoulder, then down to the ground. "What's wrong love?" he whispered, reaching to stroke her face. She jerked away with a cry and her emerald gaze once again looked at something over his shoulder.
The hair on the back of his neck tingled and a shiver ran down his spine. He clenched his jaw and slowly turned his head to see what Keiko had been staring at.
Heero stood in the doorway, fists clenched, and a look of utmost disgust on his face and daggers of steel shooting from his deep blue eyes.
~ ~ ~