January 1st, 2005
Happy New Year, everybody! And, yeah, people I'm not dead. Sorry to take sooooooooo long to post this. I hope you hadn't forgot about me! Anyway, for those who may be interested, I already have next chapter of Angels with Singed Wings written, it just needs to be translated and – obviously – posted .
Dedication:
I dedicate this chapter to my two internet buddies Athena Kyle and Kourui.
Guys, this is for you for your support and insistence LOL. Thank you, sincerely.
Diclaimer:
I don't own either GW or SM, and the purpose of this fic is solely for entertainment – hope so… Ah! And I also don't own the gods and goddesses of the Greek and/or Roman mythology
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Chapter Four
The day of Princess Persephone's sixteenth birthday meant many great things for the Jupitarian Kingdom; amongst them, the assertion of the Silver Alliance - and even more important to the King – the princess safety.
Throughout the first years of the youngest of Zeus' daughters' life, the secret of her parentage was no mystery at all - especially after Demeter's relocation to Jupiter. The Jupitarian people knew the young goddess lived all of her existence on Earth and now – all of a sudden – she decided to move to Jupiter once the birth of the little princess was announced.
However, just as it usually happens with these kinds of things, Persephone's parentage secret was condoned once the people of Jupiter started to care for the little girl.
Persephone was not your average kind of princess. She inherited her father's impulsive and hotheaded character; her older sister's vitality; her "mother's" grace and her "aunt's" maternal instincts and ability with plants.
Persephone adored her sister Athena, and she followed her everywhere – sometimes driving the older Princess nuts. And she grew just as athletic and adventurous as her older sister. At an early age, she already climbed trees, rode thunder horses and sneaked out of the palace to take baths on the kingdom's rivers. Even the peasants would help her get out of trouble when Zeus came barging like a caged lion looking for his youngest daughter.
The little Princess also admired her "mother's" elegance and, every moment that she could, she would try to imitate her. This won Queen Juno's affections, even when – at the beginning – it seemed she didn't care for the girl. But as soon as the regal Queen saw the admiration and love the little princess bestowed upon her, her heart was won over and the high walls of ice she tried to build around it to protect herself and her overbearing pride were melted. Queen Juno always kept an eye on her, making sure Persephone acted like a lady – at least, when she attended formal gatherings. Princess Persephone's spirit was not an easy one to tame.
But of all of her relationships, the one she valued the most, was the one she held with her "aunt". She felt as if Demeter could read her thoughts…
"Persephone? I knew you'll be here", Demeter said.
The young girl turned and smiled at her. "Aunt Demeter!" she said, while her smile grew upon her brilliant face.
But her aunt noticed the presence of the young man behind her niece. "Apollo! It's been so long. I didn't know you were here already."
"I just got here, Demeter," he said, taking a step forward to take Demeter's hand and place a kiss on it.
"Oh, I see," she murmured, arching an eyebrow with a playful expression on her big verdant eyes. "And you just had to come and see my niece before you report to her father, King Zeus?"
Luckily, for him, Persephone's expression help disguise his own, although he was a master in keeping his face as blank as a sheet of paper even when distressed. The young princess was protesting, all flushed and embarrassed. She never saw the faint pink tint that stained his cheeks for just a couple of seconds.
"Oh, Aunty, the things you say!" Persephone said.
Demeter laughed, enjoying the youth's reaction.
Persephone, still flushed and self-conscious, refused to look at Apollo. In her mind, the memory of what went on between them the last time they met was still too fresh… and it still embarrassed her.
On the other hand, Apollo was looking at the princess out of the corner of his eye, enjoying her profile with a soft smile on his handsome face.
A smile that wasn't lost to Demeter's eye…
"The truth is, Persephone, that I'm looking for you," Demeter said, regaining her formal air. "Your mother is about to go crazy looking for you all over the palace. Remember that you have to prepare for your party…"
"True, Aunty!" Persephone said, before turning on her heels and looked at Apollo. "Talk to you later, Apollo. I have to go."
The young god just nodded to accept her departure, while Persephone hurried to reach the palace.
"Wait a second, Sweetie!" Demeter called.
Persephone stopped and turned. Demeter went to her, but – before that – she asked Apollo to wait for her there. Apollo nodded and Demeter went to her niece.
"What is it, Aunty?"
Demeter smiled, looking at her with adoration. Her face lit up while she looked at the young princess and so many emotions – love, pride and sadness - crossed her face, so fast, even Persephone couldn't perceive them.
Demeter sighed and took Persephone's chin with tenderness. "You're such a darling girl," she said, and her eyes welled up with tears. "I love you so much…"
Persephone blinked, a little surprised with the emotion behind those words, because – even though, she was used to them – this time it felt as if her own mother was uttering them. And just then she noticed how particular a bond she had with her aunt. It was not normal – for some reason she couldn't comprehend. And it was clear in the way her aunt looked at her right at that moment that she noticed… it was stronger than when Juno looked at her…
"I love you, too, Aunty. You know that," she whispered.
"Just remember this, Persephone, that no matter what happens, I love you with all my heart."
Persephone nodded with teary eyes. "Yes, Aunty. But … why are you telling me this? Is something wrong? Why are you crying?"
Demeter sighed and placed a small box on Persephone's hands. The princess looked at it and blinked, awed. A crystal box lay on her hand, holding the smallest buds of pink roses she's ever seen. "Aunt Demeter!" she whispered, still awestruck. She opened the box and the sweet aroma of the little roses reached her, intoxicating her. "How beautiful! These are the most precious roses I've ever seen! Where are they from? I'll plant them. I've never seen roses this tiny in my life -," she kept saying, marveled with the tiny pink wonders in her hand. The little petals seemed extremely fragile and nearly transparent, but – when she touched them – she noticed they were firm as if they were little pieces of stone.
Persephone frowned, while Demeter smiled.
"Those are not simple rosebuds, honey," Demeter said. And she took one out ofher "niece's" hand and placed it on her earlobe. "These are earrings. I had them especially made for you."
"Earrings?"
"Yes," Demeter smiled. "Those are my gift to you. They represent the things I see in you: a beautiful girl, magnificent as a rose, but strong, honest and firm like a rock."
Persephone laughed. "It looks as if my unlady – like behaviorgave me great luck today."
Demeter laughed once more. Then she looked at her, with adoration clearly on her eyes, and she gave her a kiss on her forehead and a hug.
"Go! Go with your mother…" she whispered faintly, a hint of sadness lingering in her voice.
"Yes, Aunty. I'll see you at the ball…"
Apollo, who was sitting on a bench beneath the cool shadow of a tree, didn't loose a moment of the conversation between mother and daughter – even if one of them didn't know of this fact.
But that would change soon, he thought.
The young deity hung his head, feeling sad because he knew what was about to happen to that young princess he had watch grow into a beautiful young woman. If only he could change things…
"I'm so glad you waited for me, Apollo," Demeter said.
He looked up and noticed the goddess smile at him. "You have something important you want to tell me, did you not?" he said, more than asked.
Demeter smiled. "There's hardly anything we can keep from you," she half joked. "Why don't we take a stroll down the garden?"
Apollo nodded and followed.
Demeter sighed sadly, in spite of the grand view that extended before her. There were trees that went beyond her line of vision, trees that created a dark green canopy through which honeyed rays filtered form the golden Jupitarian sky. The weather was warm – although Demeter knew that on Earth, it must have been very cold, even snowing in certain parts of the planet.
The plants of the garden did what they always did whenever Persephone was around, started to respond to Demeter's presence and bloomed, regaining their brilliance and wonderful scent.
Demeter looked about her with tears in her eyes. "I'm so scared, Apollo," she whispered.
The young god didn't respond, just continued walking beside the saddened goddess.
"For a couple of days now I've had this feeling… something is not right. Something awful will happen today."
Once more, Apollo didn't say a word, making the goddess look at him and sigh with frustration. There she was, trying to get an answer out of him, and he didn't say a word. Sometimes it was unnerving to try and talk to him. He was so secretive and so wise that to gain a reaction or comment out of him without pushiness meant your worries were unfounded. But now…
"You won't tell me anything," Demeter said, her voice sounded weak. "Am I correct, then? Something terrible is going to happen today?" Her beautiful verdant eyes widened with worry.
Apollo turned and stood in front of her; a sad smile grazing his lips "I've been having the same feeling as you do, Demeter. But you know that I cannot see the future as well as I used to, especially if it has something to do with Persephone. I know something is about to happen, but I do not know what, when or how."
"I know Juno will insist in telling my daughter the truth today." Demeter said, turning her back on the young god ."There is nothing I can do to prevent that. Juno told me that the day Persephone turned one. She promised. And you know that Juno always keeps her promises."
"But there is something else that's worrying you, isn't it?"
Demeter looked at him. "Can you feel it, too?" she asked.
Apollo nodded and lifted his right hand. A weak ray of sunlight touched his skin and he concentrated his powers. And, before his closed eyes, the misty veils that protect time were lifted, giving him a quick look of the past, the present and the future. In his hand, the three currents of time gushed like water in a fountain. He concentrated and tried to look forward in time. He asked for Persephone, tried to find a signal of her essence, but the more he tried, the more his powers weakened. Sweat brushed his eyebrow and his expression was one of great effort. Finally, he got a glimpse…
There were many trees… a forest! And he could hear the faint sound of someone sobbing… Persephone?! She was distraught, crying her heart out over a broken tree trunk.
Persephone!
Then, it was gone.
Apollo opened his eyes, tightening his fists; trying to quench the anger that his frustration sparked in him.
"You got to see something, didn't you?" Demeter asked.
But what he saw was not sufficient enough to come to any conclusions. Persephone's tears could be because of the news of her heritage or – and this was what he really feared – because of what her betrothed could do or say today.
"Persephone's future is forbiddento me, Demeter. You know I cannot see but a glimpse of it."
"So that's just how tied your future is to hers," Demeter said, smiling softly at him.
The young god turned his face, trying to hide the sudden blush that took over his cheeks. But it was already too late, since Demeter noticed it. "I always knew it, Apollo," she told him. "Even when you insisted on the contrary… even when you broke her heart a few years ago… I knew. You did it because of love… because you are in love with her."
"I cannot love, Demeter," he said.
"That's just an excuse, Apollo. That's the same old reason you use when you don't want to compromise your heart. But love does not know of excuses or reasons…"
"I've done terrible things in my life, Demeter. I am not the best person…"
"And yet, you were about to tell my daughter how you feel," she interrupted him.
Apollo looked at her, surprised, while Demeter just smiled at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You thought I would not notice what you were trying to do just a few minutes ago?" she asked him. "When I came out of the palace to look for her – after Zeus commented on just how late you were – I found you with my daughter, and I knew. I just knew without a doubt".
Apollo kept silent.
"It is your destiny, too, Apollo. That is why you cannot see her future," Demeter said and, suddenly, her face brightened up. "I know! I understand now! You cannot see into my daughter's future because to see it – for you – it could mean to see your own future. And you can't do that."
Apollo breathed in deeply and walked towards a tree. "It is so strange, Demeter", he said softly. "Of all the women I've been with in all of my existence, why did it have to be her?"
Demeter smiled bitterly, "Those are the mysteries of love, Apollo," she said. "Who would've know I'd end up living here, nearly like a freeloader, just because I'm Persephone's mother."
Apollo jumped at that, "Do not say that, Demeter! You know its not simply because you're Persephone's mother why you are here." He walked towards the goddess, his expression intense and firm. "Both you and Persephone are in great danger," he said. "Mars is still at large and we don't know when he'll attack."
Demeter paled at his words and her knees weakened with the force of the truth. She slowly slipped till she sat at the roots of a tree. "Do you think he could… do something to her, Apollo?" she whispered bringing a quivering hand to her chest.
Apollo hated this but he had to be the voice of reason. "To him, Persephone is nothing. You know Mars won't stop till he gets what he wants. And if Persephone is an obstacle to his end, he won't have any trouble disposing of her."
Demeter shook with Apollo's words. She's been trying to deny the truth for so long, she has come to believe Mars won't be as merciless as Apollo has just made him to be. But she knows the truth; she knows Mars won't mind destroying what he may consider a hindrance. Mars is cold, scheming, and feels any emotions are nothing but obstacles stopping him from getting what he wants. And for a long time what Mars has wanted, is her. And if he needs to use her own daughter to get to her, he won't have any qualms doing so – and he would do it without mercy, even if Persephone is Demeter's beloved and only daughter. That won't stop him for getting his revenge.
"He could hurt her," the words slipped from her mouth without her knowing; like an echo of her thoughts.
"Don't even doubt it, Demeter," Apollo said coldly. "We all know Mars wants retribution for your unfaithfulness. With whom better that your own daughter Persephone?"
Demeter's hands were shaking, fueled by the power of her own distress. Her eyes welled up in tears of desperation and, with a start she took Apollo's hands in her own and pulled him to her until their faces where just but a few inches apart. "That's why I wanted to ask you," she whispered urgently. "… For you to be the one who asks for Persephone's hand! I want you to be the one who marries her. You are the only one who can protect her! I know it! It's in your future!"
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Makoto couldn't put a name to what she was feeling right at that moment. Too many feelings were stirring inside of her and each and everyone of them took turns to control her mood for a couple of seconds before another would overpower the former.
She was angry, upset, confused, excited, and sad …
Isn't this a little chaotic?
But that's how she was feeling, though now a confusing mixture of sadness and anger were overwhelming her.
She turned and left the park crying. She was so… confused. She didn't noticed that her crying was upsetting someone else…
Lita.
The little girl looked scared. "Mommy, why you crying?" she started to cry, too. "Why? Why?"
Makoto had to control her crying so she wouldn't scare her little sister any further. She put a fake smile on her lips and looked at her darling little sister, "Don't cry, Sweetie. Nothing's wrong. Nothing's wrong" she tried to sooth her.
But it all seemed kind of ironic. There she was, saying there was nothing wrong, and yet she felt as if everything felt wrong. She even felt strange, as if she was having a dream. Everything felt oddly familiar to her – that is, the whole situation with Duo and Trowa.
"Duo baaad, Mommy! Duo baaad," Lita wailed openly, her pouty lips trembling.
She pressed that little girl to her chest and tried to calm her, while she opened the door to her café. The tinkling welcome of the bell perched high over the door suddenly died when Lita's sobs overpowered it's merry sound.
Soon Mina and Ami appeared, followed by Rei. The three of them were using aprons and – especially Mina – had flour on their faces. (Mina also had it in her hair, shirt, and shoes…)
"What happened?" asked Ami, alarmed.
Rei was the first one to come out of the kitchen and take the wailing girl in her arms. She started to look in the little girl's knees and elbows to check she wasn't injured. "Are you hurt, Lita?" Rei was asking. "Did you fell from a swing?"
Mina scowled and crossed her arms over her chest – a thick cloud of flour coming out of her shirt. "Did that Billy boy hurt you?" Mina asked.
"Mina, don't start with that," Ami admonished.
"That boy is a pest, Ami!" Mina counteracted.
"She's not hurt," Rei said, looking rather menacingly towards Mina, to see if she could bully her into silence.
The blonde young woman shut her mouth, sniffing and scowling angrily, while Rei looked up to Makoto. "What happened, then, Makoto?"
Makoto blinked and was about to answer when Lita filled them in, when Lita cut in. "Duo baaad! Duo baaad!" she cried, two thick tears falling from her squeezed-shut eyes.
Now it was Ami, Mina and Rei's turn to blink.
"What?" Mina asked.
"Eh…" Makoto babbled.
"Duo made me fall!" Lita said.
"Oh," Ami said, softening her features. "He probably didn't mean it –"
"But he was fighting with Trowa! And there were many, many people and he… he made Mako cryyyy… whaaaa!"
"Fighting?" Rei asked, looking confused.
"He made you cry, Makoto?" Mina asked, looking furious. "And who the hell is Trowa?!"
Ami cleared her throat. "I believe a better question, the one we should be asking you right now, is:" what happened, Makoto?" Ami asked.
Makoto opened her mouth to answer the questions she was bombarded with. But she didn't make out a syllable when the bell perched high above the door tinkled.
Everybody's attention flung to the door.
Mina smiled broadly and threw her long, wavy hair over her shoulder and, unconsciously, put her hands on her hips.
Ami blushed and smiled timidly.
Rei raised one eyebrow, sizing up the newly arrived person. Something didn't feel right with this fellow.
Makoto's eyes grew wide by the second and her mouth hung open.
Lita looked over Makoto's shoulder and … smiled. "Trowa!"
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It was weird the way he won over the three friends Makoto had. He already had won over little Lita. Now he had to find a way to get to Makoto's good graces. He knew that his confrontation with Duo didn't get him any points, so he was doing the unbelievable and trying to be as charming as he could.
He apologized sincerely for what happened and seem to found a common ground with her easily. Fortunately for him, he didn't have to stretch the limits of his charms to get Makoto to feel comfortable around him. The fact that Lita was so awed by him was enough to get her attention.
And while he spent a good few hours talking to Makoto on her restaurant's dinning room, Mina, Ami and Rei were in the kitchen with little Lita, who was eating from a batch of fresh cookies Ami made.
Mina kept an eye on them, spying on their conversation, while Ami scolded her for her behavior. Both of them were too engrossed on their little argument to notice just how calm little Lita was. In fact, the little girl – who usually got too restless if she was kept away from Makoto for too long – curiously was very quiet and still, keeping an eye on Rei, who seemed to be nervous for some reason.
"Is there something wrong, Rei?" little Lita asked in that sweet, childish voice of hers that she was still trying to get used to.
Rei, as if waking from a dream as soon as she heard the little girl's voice, shook her head and smiled. "I don't think this is as serious as it looks, Sere," she whispered.
As soon as the nickname was heard, the other two young women in the kitchen sprang into attention.
"Rei!" Ami hissed urgently while nearing the raven-haired young woman. "Be careful!"
"I'm sorry, guys," Rei looked apologetic. "It's just that I'm tired and, for some reason, I can't shake off this feeling…"
"What is it, Rei? Tell us!" Mina said, sitting beside her friend.
Rei's eyes turned glassy; unconsciously falling in a trance. And before her eyes an image, as old as time, appeared. A man, dressed in golden armor, shinning and bright as the sun, overwhelmed her. A man she used to know and has been lost for many centuries appeared in front of her glassy eyes.
"No. It can't be him. He's different," she thought.
"Tell us, Rei. What's going on?" – Ami asked her, shaking her out of her trance.
Rei brought a shaky hand to her forehead and made a face, as if in pain, "I don't know, guys" she whispered. "Something's not right."
"A messenger?!" Mina asked, alarmed. "Do you feel a messenger near us?"
Rei shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to concentrate her powers. "I don't know… He… he…"
"Who, Rei!?" Ami said. "Duo?"
"No," Rei said and then, pointed a finger to the dinning room of the restaurant. "Him… Something's not right with him."
"Is he a messenger, then, Rei?" Ami asked.
"I'm not sure. I could be mistaken… but I've a feeling –"
Then, little Lita's eyes widened and the sweet, innocent and ignorant gaze of a three-year-old child turned into the knowing gaze of an old, wise soul. "I think you should make a reading, then, Rei," Lita said.
The three young women looked at the little child, eyes wide.
"Sere…" Mina started.
"Sh! Mina!" Lita hissed and, then, looked at Ami. "Go and try to contact Haruka and Michiru, Ami. Maybe they know something."
Ami nodded and stood. "I'll call them right now"
"I'll go make a reading, Sere – Lita! " she caught herself before finishing. "I'll be back. Ok?"
"Sure!" Lita said with a big smile in her face.
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"I can't contact Haruka, Michiru or Setsuna" Ami said. "I'm really worried, Mina."
The blonde young woman nodded and looked back at the dinning room. There, Trowa was trying to convince Makoto to go out with him to some get together his friend was throwing at his house. And it was sad to say they were starting to feel desperate.
They hadn't heard word from Rei since she left. Neither they'd being able to get a hold of either Haruka or Michiru, but now Setsuna, too?
"Something bad is going on, Ami" Mina said. "I just can feel it."
"We have to have faith either of the girls will contact us soon. I've left a few messages on their communicators. They ought to answer."
"Guys, this is turning for the worst." Lita said, entering the kitchen. "I think she's about to accept his invitation…"
"We have to do something!" Mina exclaimed. "Can't we say that you feel sick or something?"
"I don't think that's a good idea, Mina. We don't want to worry Mako too much" Lita said.
"We have to come up with something!" Mina said.
"What, then? We can't tieMakoto here. We want her to have as normal a life as she can," Ami said.
"Maybe – No, it wouldn't work" Lita said.
"What? What, Lita? We'll pretty desperate here," Mina exclaimed with wide eyes, looking frantic.
"I don't know… Maybe if I insist on going –," Lita said, squinting her eyes.
"That's not such a bad idea," Ami said. "Then, he'll be forced to take Mako to a public place, full of people. We don't know for sure if he's a messenger, or if he knows one…"
Mina looked down at Lita and winked at her with a mischievous glint to them. "Go charm them, Sere!"
"Don't call me that!" Lita admonished, stomping her way to the dinning room.
He needed to try just one more time. He felt so bad that just the thought of not being able to see or talk to Makoto was making him miserable. And to think is been just a few hours since the incident at the park… he wanted to give her space to cool down, so they could talk like two adults.
But what a surprise he got once he neared Makoto's café. Just when he was about to turn the corner to reach her building, he stopped dead on his tracks at the sight of a very familiar vehicle.
No… It can't be!, he thought, incredulous. That mother…!
He just couldn't believe it! Right in front of Makoto's building was a white van and, while Duo squinted his eyes to better read what was written on the side of it, he clearly saw a small logo…
"Damnit!" he muttered, pounding a fist into the nearest wall. He was so angry – so jealous – that he didn't feel the pulsing pain that cursed through his hand, or the hot, sticky blood that ran through his knuckles. He just wished that – instead of the wall – it had been Trowa's face what he had just punched.
He heard a squeal and his eyes narrowed when he got a glimpse of Lita's bouncing pigtails. He pressed himself to the wall, eyes narrowed, scowling and lips tightly pressed. His fists were clenching and unclenching.
"Lita, be careful there honey!" he heard Makoto say, but he couldn't see her.
His eyes softened for a moment when he heard her voice. Then, when he finally got to see her, he was breathless.
She was looking stunning in a short, sleeveless and square – necked black dress. The garment hung loosely but sensually on the right places, giving a tempting idea of just how small her waist is and how well rounded her hips are. The dress reached mid-thigh and, from there, her legs looked endlessly well- rounded. She had on high-heeled sandals that were laced at her ankles.
But what really caught his attention was the way she was wearing her hair. She wasn't wearing her usual ponytail. Her hair was neatly tucked into a chignon at her nape.
She looked graceful and elegant. And he was awed out of his breath… Until he saw Trowa. And his stomach filled with bitter bile.
Trowa was opening the sliding door of the van, while Lita jumped excitedly at his feet.
He's not a fool, Duo thought bitterly. He's gaining points with her while taking Lita with them…
"Now, you won't unfasten your seatbelt, Lita. You hear me? I mean it," he heard Makoto say while she laid a black and gold shawl around her slender shoulders.
Trowa was lifting Lita and then seating her. Makoto stood by him the whole time. And Duo felt as if his heart was breaking. They did look good together – he had to admit. And he didn't know whether to feel angry at this fact or the one that he just seemed to be -unconsciously - always looking for a reason to put himself down.
"Remember what I told you about cars, Lita," Makoto was saying while Trowa seemed to be very occupied with the young girl's seat.
"Yup!" Lita exclaimed lifting her arms up and nodding excitedly.
Even Trowa had to crack a smile at Lita's exuberant reply. Neither of them knew just how the whole scene was fouling Duo's humor. He was starting to see red. And after her saw Trowa close the van's door and then place a hand on Makoto's waist to guide her to the passenger's door, he just lost it.
He growled deeply in his throat and didn't even think while he came out of his hiding place. He walked, determined towards them, but – after three long strides – he suddenly stopped. A flash of Makoto and Lita's sad faces made him stop.
He just can't see them like that again.
No.
He must calm himself. So he breathed in deeply while his ears picked up the sound of Trowa shutting the van's door. He looked up and saw him moving in front of the van to reach the driver's seat.
They're leaving! She's leaving! But…where? He thought, alarmed. And his eyes landed on Makoto's building. There, at the door, he could make out the silhouette of one of Makoto's friends.
"Ami," he whispered, walking towards the café. And she, as if hearing him, looked at him and her eyes widened.
"Oh… Hi! Duo…" she said with a wavy smile on her lips. He knew then she must have heard of his little incident at the park with Makoto and Trowa, and he could see she didn't know how to treat him.
But Ami's voice alerted someone else. Someone Duo was not too thrilled to know has heard.
Mina looked at him as if he was made out of junk. "What are you doing here?" she spat, eyes narrowed.
Duo winced, but he guessed he deserved what he got for being such an ass. "I came to see Makoto," he whispered. He didn't want to provoke Mina's rage.
"You really have a lot of nerve!" Ami reproached. Duo was speechless. He never thought Ami would treat him like that, ever. "HOW DARE YOU?!"
Even Mina was surprised. "Eh… ok, Ami. Take it easy," Mina said.
"Where's Makoto?" he went directly to what he wanted. Although he had a good idea of where they could be. I mean, Trowa was driving the circus van. It was no brainer.
"None of your business!" Ami said.
"Ami!" Mina said.
"No, Mina. She's right," someone said from Duo's back.
Mina and Ami looked behind the braided young man and saw the imposing figure of Haruka flanked by a very furious looking Rei and two other quiet – but deadly – young women. Haruka was standing tall and had her arms crossed over her chest, looking at Duo with a menacing glint on her eyes, daring him to do something.
Duo turned and looked at Haruka, not all fazed by her angry expression. "I want to apologize," he sincerely said.
"Will have to do it some other day," Rei said.
"There are some pressing matters we have to deal with right now," Setsuna said.
"Something wrong with Makoto?" Duo asked, worried.
"None of your business!" Rei cried. "Now, GET OUT!"
"But… I want to know if it's something concerning Makoto – " Duo started, but he was cut off by Michiru's hand on his shoulder.
"I doesn't have anything to do with her," she soothed in a melodious voice. "It's another friends problem we're talking about," she lied with a graceful smile on her lips.
Duo seemed to calm at those words and his eyes looked a little hazy. "Ok," he nodded, numbly. "Tell Makoto I was here to see her. And that I'll be calling her tomorrow."
"Will do, Duo" Michiru promised.
"Ok," Duo said, turning to leave.
They waited till he turned on the corner and disappeared from their sight.
"Wow, Michiru!" Mina exclaimed, awed. "You gotta tell me how you pulled that one off?"
Michiru gave one of her mysterious smiles and said, "Just one of my siren enchantments."
"That's why I love you so much, Michi," Haruka said, putting her arm around the other woman's shoulders.
Setsuna cleared her throat. "We have some pressing matters to attend to, girls," she said.
"Right," Ami said. "Come inside."
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They were certainly in shock.
They weren't expecting to see Trowa arriving at their little get together in company of a beautiful young woman… and her little, cute, baby sister.
"Oh… eh…" Quatre babbled, trying to come up with something to say, but his mind seemed to go into shutdown. Why was it that this felt bad… really bad?
Let's see…, he thought, She has a little sister – just like Duo's friend. And if I'm correct, someone told me of a little incident at the park near the Preventer's Head Quarters this afternoon. I think someone said they were looking for Heero to go and see what the commotion was all about, but Heero was no where to be seen, so they contacted me. But, when I got there, they'd already left. So… could it be - ? Oh, no!
And while Quatre pondered on the situation at hand, Sally Po smiled, looking at the young woman's legs, where a young girl returned her gaze with a cheerful smile and big, twinkling green eyes; a stuffed cat clutched tightly to her chest.
Wufei narrowed his eyes, recognizing the toy instantly… and then, the little girl's face. Sudden realization struck him. "She's – "
But Trowa's voice was louder than Wufei's, "Let me introduce you to Miss Makoto and Lita Kino," he said.
Now, everybody was more than in shock… they were petrified.
"Oh, we're in deep shit," Wufei muttered, surprised himself for his Duo moment.
Sally Po looked at him, with incredulity in her eyes and then, looked from Makoto to little Lita and back. Her face was pale and her eyes held confusion.
Lucrezia Noin blinked and did pretty much the same Sally Po did – the only thing different was the hearty swig she took from Zechs' drink. "Oh, boy… I smell trouble," she said in a singsong voice.
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"She left with him?!" Haruka cried. "You let them go with him? Are you nuts?"
They just learned Makoto and Lita left with Trowa. And it didn't make matters any better.
"Yes, Haruka," Ami said, "What's wrong?"
Rei sighed, looking pale. "Guys," she started, "I did the reading on him, as Serena asked me. And, what I found won't make any of you happy…"
"What you mean?" Mina asked.
"He's Febus, guys," Michiru added with a somber expression on her face.
"Febus!" Mina fell heavily on the bench that was near her. Ami looked very pale and speechless. "This is terrible," Mina whispered, "what are we going to do now?"
"And he knows Shinigami, guys," Ami said. "Both of them are fighting for Mako's attention, what would happen if – " her eyes widened in shock and her head whipped to the side, looking directly at Rei. "Does he know, Rei? Do you think he knows?"
"I don't think he's aware of it – for now, " Rei sighed. "But if they continue fighting –"
"That's the least of our problems now, girls," Setsuna interrupted. "I think something awful is going to happen – and soon."
"What you mean, Sets?" Mina asked.
"Guys," Haruka spoke, "the reason why you couldn't contact us a couple of hours ago was because we were at the Astral Dimension with Setsuna – "
"Something happened?" Ami asked.
Setsuna nodded with a somber expression. "Girls…" she said, "the Parcæ left their looming room."
"WHAT?!" Rei, Mina and Ami screamed.
"They attacked me," Setsuna continued. "Girls, I'm afraid something terrible is about to happen to Makoto."
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Things seemed to be getting worse by the second.
Quatre was trying to calm a maddened Duo while Wufei got near Makoto and Trowa. "I think you should go," Wufei said quietly, so Duo wouldn't hear him.
Trowa just nodded as Makoto clutched Lita's arm. "Duo's bad, Mommy! I don't like him anymore!" Lita said, looking up to Makoto.
Makoto's eyes were glued on Duo. Her vision turned misty. She was feeling so ashamed and sad for the whole situation she didn't dare look around her at any of Quatre's guests. She was feeling awfully bad.
Her vision went down to the floor, trying to hide the tears that were so difficult to contain. And her heart was beating slowly. She couldn't even breathe right. That's just how much she wanted to cry.
Trowa, as if sensing her discomfort, grabbed her elbow gingerly and guided her to the marble staircase.
When Duo saw them leaving, he just lost the last bit of control he had on his emotions and actions. The combination of blind fury and the force he put to his struggle made him growl deeply, like an animal, as he shoved Quatre to the floor; nearly stomping all over him when he started to run. He didn't wait to stand just behind Trowa and confront him; he jumped over to him when he was just a few feet away from the taller young man. And he moved so fast, that the others didn't have a chance to stop him.
Duo jumped on Trowa, growling and clamping his shoulders. Trowa nearly landed on his face, but he, being so flexible, turned just before hitting the floor and landed on his side with Duo still clutching his shoulders.
"DUO!" Makoto screamed as she jumped out of the way.
And before anyone could do something, Trowa turned. But Duo already had one fist flying and it landed with a sickening 'smack' on Trowa's cheek.
After that, everything became a blur of fists, kicks, blood, swearing and cries.
It all happened so fast.
Fists were flying and landing on each other's faces, chest and stomachs. Trowa was growling while Duo shocked everyone with a very picturesque list of curses. Noin and Sally were yelling. Lita started to cry. And Relena was shocked still.
Duo and Trowa were now rolling on the floor. And they were getting too near the edge of the marble staircase.
Makoto, after telling Lita to stay away, went to the fighting young men and tried to stop them – a very silly thing, really. And she coincided with Quatre and Wufei on that task.
Wufei picked up Duo while Quatre got to Trowa. Makoto ran and stood between them, extending her arms and placing them on their chests. Both Duo and Trowa were struggling to get free.
"Please! Stop this!" Makoto cried, looking from Duo to Trowa.
"I'll stop as soon as he stops interfering!" Duo spat, glaring daggers at Trowa.
"Interfere in what, Duo? You're not her boyfriend!" Trowa said in a soft, menacing growl.
Duo struggled against Wufei's hold. "Let go, damnit! Let go, Wufei!"
"Duo, stop it, now!" Makoto pleaded, but to no avail.
Duo was possessed by jealousy and he was blind.
And Trowa was just as angry as Duo was.
Both had their faces swollen – Duo in particular had a closing eye while Trowa has a cut on his lower lip. Their knuckles were bloody and their clothes and hair were in disarray. They were struggling to break free for the one whom where preventing them form kicking the shit out of the other.
But the greatest shock of the night was Trowa's fierce expression and struggle. Nobody ever thought he could be so affected by one young woman.
And the surprises weren't ceasing that night.
On their fight, Makoto ended standing just a few inches away of the edge of the staircase, her back facing the steps, and her sandals were slipping on the waxed marble.
"Damnit, Wufei! LET GO!" Duo yelled, about to kick – or bite, whatever he was able to do first – the young Chinese man.
"Calm yourself, Maxwell. This is ridiculous."
"Yeah, Duo. Calm yourself;" Quatre said.
But Duo was either deaf or so mad it was like he was deaf, because he didn't comply. He just pulled harder against Wufei's grasp and managed to free himself. Then, he swung a fist in Trowa's direction. But Trowa saw the fist coming his way and bended, surprising Quatre. The blond man loosened his grip on Trowa when he tried to get away form Duo's fist.
And all hell broke loose…
Makoto saw the fist coming her way and she backed, but her feet slipped.
A cry of surprise came out of Makoto's lips and her verdant eyes widened in shock when she found out there was just air behind her. She tried to turned, to stop her descend, but the heel of her shoe slipped the first step, so she tried to grab something to prevent her fall.
"MAKOTO!" Trowa called, wide-eyed and pale.
"MAKO!"
"Mommy!"
Duo ran to try to save her, but he reached her too late.
She landed on her side. Her ribs seemed to crack and burn on impact. The air was knocked out of her and, before she could stop herself, she rolled. Her left arm twisted in a painful angle. She screamed, rolling down the stairs. She faintly heard the cries of Quatre's guests, calling to her. Time lost it's sense while she rolled and rolled and all she could think of was how painful her ribs and arm were hurting, and just how difficult it was for her to breathe.
The fall seemed to last an eternity, and when she landed, her head banged against the floor.
The last thing she remember seeing where three women standing around her. An old woman, a young woman and a little girl stood around her, looking down at her with eerie expressions on their faces.
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OMG! 21 pages! Now, how's that for an update, huh?
Hope you liked it and dying to know what you think may happen to our beloved heroin!
See ya!