Kitty-chan 1: We do not...
Kitty-chan 2: own any
Kitty-chan 3: of the
Kitty-chan 4: Gundam Wing Characters!
Kitty-chans 1,2,3, 4: NO SUE US!
Quatre: Uhh... at least she's found a use for all of them... heh...
Duo: You consider that a use? Why couldn't we do that? It's our story!
Heero: I prefer that she do it...
Wufei: You would...
Relena plastered a shiny smile to her face as Ranya showed Trowa Barton, Catherine Bloom, and Quatre Rebaba Winner into the main living room. "Trowa! Quatre! Glad you could make it safely!" she cried, standing to shake hands with them.
"Thank you for allowing us to stay here, Miss Relena." Quatre said quietly, bowing.
"It's no trouble, Quatre. That's what friends are for." Relena answered, her eyes shining.
Trowa lead Catherine to a couch where she sat down. He motioned for Quatre to do the same. Quatre shrugged and sat down next to Catherine, admiring the beautiful house. After the two had been safely seated, Trowa turned to Relena. "May I have a private word with you?" he requested.
Relena's smile wilted and she nodded. Her glance flashed to Quatre for a moment and she suddenly realized that the three of them each had a small duffle bag. She motioned to Pagan. "Pagan, will you show these two to their rooms?" she requested. Catherine looked a bit nervous when she realized Trowa wasn't going with them right now, but she instantly latched onto Quatre's arm. Relena motioned toward the next room and the two entered to sit on two of the armchairs.
"Did Heero receive my mail?" Trowa wondered immediately as soon as they were settled in.
"Yes. He did."
"Did you get a chance to read any of it?"
"No, but Heero explained what you wrote. About Quatre and what happened."
"Did he tell you the specifics? How much do you know?"
"Well," Relena began, sitting back in her seat. "I know that he is traumatized, but not on a serious level. I know the sight of blood can send him into hysterics. Heero explained to me exactly how he was traumatized. But that's all."
"There's one other thing. Don't mention the Maguanacs. Quatre knew all the ones killed personally. He's still trying to get his mind over the initial shock. Once this thing is over, we can…" Trowa hesitated briefly, and then continued. "We can get him some professional help after the issue of the Confinement Act is dealt with."
Relena nodded. Quatre's so delicate right now, yet he's such a sweet person. How can so much bad happen to such a sweet person. And why? This is getting so painful, and I have a feeling that it's going to get worse before it gets better.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"You are sure that this is the place?" the man demanded, looking at the many pictures of the large residence.
"Yessir. We have some satellite pictures of Relena out on the back lawn with one of the pilots." He set two pictures down on the desk in front of him. The man leaned foreword in his chair to better examine the black and white photo. The first one was a picture of a boy lying on the grass on his stomach. A white material was wrapped around his middle and he looked tired. The girl, obviously Relena was sitting in front of him, talking. The man put down the first picture and picked up the second. A boy with dark hair, the same one as before, laid on the grass, on his back this time, one hand on his chest, the other behind his head. The girl next to him lay on her stomach, her face only inches from his. The girl was plainly Relena Darlin/Peacecraft. He pointed sharply at the secretary. "Bring be the pictures of the Gundam Pilots."
"Yessir." The secretary scurried out of the room and returned after a few minutes, many small photographs in his hands. The man grabbed the small stack and began comparing each individual picture to the boy with Relena. The first one was a boy with long braided hair. The man shook his head and went on. I think this is him! The picture was of the boy's back. He looked as if someone had called his name and he had just barely turned around when the picture was taken. His head was turned to face the camera, though his front faced away. "This is him. Pilot 01. Real name; unknown. Code Name; Heero Yuy. Talk to Katome and request that we send troops to that residence!"
"Yes, Suuchin-sama!"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"How'd you get here anyway?" Relena wondered.
"We rented a car when we arrived on earth." Trowa answered, with his usual absence of feeling. "Where's Heero, by the way?"
"Pagan went and got his motorcycle back from where he had to abandon it. He's cleaning it." Relena sighed and shook her head. "He loves his bike."
"Hmmm… Why'd he have to abandon it?" Quatre wondered.
"He said that at one point a little over a week ago, he was spotted by the government while heading home. He had entered a more woodsy area of the city, so he drove onto a bike trail. The cars continued to follow, but they couldn't keep up with the bike. So, he eventually lost them and hid his bike and a cluster of bushes. He ran off on foot, but their searchlights spotted him, and so he ran until he got to my house and collapsed. That's when we found him." Relena explained, trying to recall all that Heero had told her of his adventures prior to coming to the house.
"Is it wise for him to be standing out in the front like that? Completely out in the open?" Catherine looked cautiously out the front window. She couldn't see Heero, but she could see his bike, shining spotlessly in the sun.
Relena gave an exasperated sigh. "No. But that guy doesn't concern himself with safety."
Trowa opened his mouth o speak, but was cut off when the sound of a revving engine filtered in from the garage. Catherine looked out the window again to see that Heero's bike was gone. All heads then swiveled to look toward the garage. The motor didn't get distant or faint… it just ran. A few tense moments passed, until Trowa gathered up the guts to break the silence. "Is Heero getting ready to leave?"
"I don't know. He shouldn't be going anywhere. Not with things as they are and him in his condition." Relena answered, her blonde brow furrowed.
"Maybe he's testing?" Quatre cut his own sentence short as Heero marched purposefully into the room, a pair of binoculars hanging about his neck, and a motorcycle jacket and helmet under his arm. The frown that creased his face gave the sign to everyone that something was wrong. He dumped his cargo on Relena's lap and pulled her to her feet. "Heero, what's?"
"Move… now." He commanded evenly. There was little room for argument. He commanded a certain type of respect at certain serious situations, and right now was one of those situations. Quatre couldn't resist asking one question.
"But, Heero!"
"Now!" He yelled, cutting Quatre off. This intimidated all of them, even Trowa, who refused to show it. Heero was intimidating enough with his calm collected voice, and power full body to match, but when he was mad, he could be one of the things nightmares are made of. Thoroughly freaked out, Relena, Catherine and Quatre ran to obey. Trowa calmly showed himself out. Heero jumped to the suitcase as he yelled to Relena. "Relena! Put those things on! Trowa! Get the girl and Quatre into the car and start it!"
Heero leapt up the stairs, taking three at a time. He reached his room and stuffed the binoculars into his black bag. He threw his blazer on over his tank top and long jeans, then slung his bag over his shoulder, so it hung across his chest. In an instant he was back downstairs and at the garage door. The others, luckily for them, had followed his orders, and were now waiting for his command. He darted over to the window of Trowa's Toyota and handed him a small, what looked like, stage microphone. "Follow me. Hook this radio onto your collar. I'll explain things on the way."
Heero returned to his motorcycle where Relena was standing. He knelt on one knee and looked up at her, pointing at the knee that wasn't supporting his weight. Relena found herself entertaining brief flashes of him asking her to marry him. His next words shattered those thoughts. "Hop on the back of the bike." He commanded. Relena sighed at her ridiculous thoughts and obeyed. She put her foot on the indicated knee and hopped onto the back. Heero stood, popped the kickstand up, righted the bike, then swung himself onto the front. "Pull the faceguard down and hold on tight."
Relena obeyed by pulling the faceguard down and latching her arms around Heero's waist. Heero quickly backed out of the garage, then turned around and sped down the driveway, Trowa's car close in tow. "Heero, what's this all about?" Trowa's rich voice asked from the microphone.
"The government found us."
"What? How? And how'd you find out?" Catherine's voice called from shotgun.
"I don't know how they found us, but I spotted a government helicopter headed this way. We need to get someplace else."
The sound of sirens struck dread into at least four of the five fugitives. Relena took a chance and looked back at the police cars racing after them. She turned around and let the side of her helmet rest against Heero's back. I think I know what was wrong with him now.
"Trowa! Follow me!" Heero called into the radio. The bike lurched foreword as he picked up speed. Trowa's Toyota fell into line behind him and attempted to match his speed.
Gunfire issued from the cars behind them, and Heero's eyes narrowed. Trowa looked in the rear-view mirror for a spilt second, then yelled to Heero. "Keep in front of me! I'll shield you two from the guns!"
"Stay close!" Heero warned. He spotted the same off-road trail he had abandoned his bike on a little over a week ago. He held out his right hand to signal to the car behind him to turn right. The two turned down the trail where Heero lead them in circles and curves until the sound of the sirens and gunshots vanished into the trees. They came to an intersection where Heero pulled over and turned the engine off. He set the kickstand down and lifted Relena off the bike. She removed the helmet and Heero took it from her hands. "Get in the car." He commanded with a stern voice.
"Why?"
"Just do it. The government will be firing at us, and you have a smaller chance of getting shot in the car. Go. Now." Relena pulled the jacket off and handed it to Heero before climbing into the back seat next to Quatre.
As soon as she sat down, Trowa began barking orders. "Quatre and Relena," he began, backing up and following Heero's retreating motorcycle through the forest. "Keep down below the seat. Catherine, keep yourself below the top of your seat as well." The three passengers quietly obeyed, realizing the fact that a stray bullet at this time could mean the end of their lives.
Heero kept his icy eyes trained on the forest trail in front of him at all times, not knowing where he lead them. But, if they continued winding, there was no way that the government would find them. The forest was extremely safe compared to the house as well. It seemed like over an hour before the roughed tires of the motorcycle and the car hit the smooth pavement of the main road they had started on. Heero stopped them, hopped off his bike and walked over to where Trowa had rolled down the window. "We lost them."
"Yeah, but where do we go now?" Trowa inquired slowly.
"There's a more quiet part of town I'm familiar with up ahead. We shouldn't have a problem staying there."
"By quiet, you mean bad? Shifty?" Trowa wondered, his visible eyebrow going up.
"Whatever you wanna call it." Heero shrugged and returned to his bike.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Relena, stay close to me." Heero ordered. "Trowa, keep the girl- "
"I'm his sister!" Catherine cried indignantly.
"Whatever. Keep her close, Trowa. Quatre, guard our backs." The group nodded at the suddenly charismatic man. Heero grabbed Relena's wrist, pulled her close to him, and began walking down the alleyway. Relena went willingly, liking the feeling of having Heero this close to her. The feeling of his hand on her wrist sent delightful shivers down her graceful spine. His grip was a bit tight, so she let a small yelp loose. Heero looked at her for a moment, then loosened his grip and continued. They had ended up in this alleyway after they had safely locked up their vehicles. Heero had insisted that he knew someplace that they could stay. Relena had sworn she saw a small spray of sorrow sprinkle his eyes, but the minute her mind acknowledged it, the spray was gone.
Relena looked around at the many men and women lying about the alley. Punks… gangsters… all looked like common lowlife. Of course, their most baffled looks were sent toward the group of well-dressed strangers. The lowlife actually looked down on them like they were proud lions, strutting their stuff amongst dirt. Showing off their manes and silky coats to those who have none. Relena became a bit unnerved as glares, and seductive looks were sent in her direction. She moved closer to Heero, her protection and shield against their undressing eyes. Heero apparently noticed the closer presence and let go of her wrist for a brief second to firmly grip her hand. Relena looked down at her small hand nestled in his iron grip. She never thought she'd have the opportunity the feel his hand willingly closed around hers. She let a smile curve her lips and gripped his hand back.
Quatre looked about, nervous, but not showing it. Heero had grown up on the streets. He knew how to deal with these types of people. But Quatre had come from a wealthy family. He had no expeirence with punks and gangsters. The looks he was getting were making him severely uncomfortable. He swallowed his doubt, trying to convince his mind that Heero knew what he was doing. He didn't have any weapons with him, save for a pocketknife on his belt, so he wasn't sure how he was going to guard their backs. But, he hoped Heero had a plan.
Catherine gripped Trowa's hand tighteras they moved into the pool of vision of the people about the alley. She wasn't sure if this Heero guy would protect him, but… her brother trusted him, and she'd force herself to take comfort in that. But there was something about Heero that unnerved her. He was like an empty shell. He never showed any emotion. He had an ever-present look on his face that seemed devoid of all feeling. He definitely gave her the creeps, but she would make her mind believe that he could be trusted.
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