A Kiss Good-bye
Trowa winced as he felt his own blood run through his fingers as he forced himself to run down the hallway blindly, running from the soldiers behind him. Applying pressure to his side the young pilot edged around the door and seeing no one stumbled into the next hallway, hoping that it was the right one to chose. Breathing hard Trowa stared blindly left and right, barely seeing it as he struggled to stand up right from loss of blood, knowing that he was in a lot of trouble that was getting worse by the minute.
"I should have listened to you, Quatre." He muttered as he blinked in dismay around him though his face as always gave nothing away. He was going to die. Leaning up against a wall Trowa slid down it, in too much pain to care anymore about running. Catherine was going to be really mad he thought wearily as he watched the room spin around him. She and Quatre had told him that this mission was a bad idea but he hadn't listened and now he was going to die without even being able to tell her Happy Birthday.
"How badly are you hurt?" Not even bothering to raise his head Trowa remained slumped as he waited to see what the voice would say next. He was beyond caring at the moment who it was or what she wanted.
"If you're dead I'm going to be really mad." The voice said and with a start Trowa realized that the voice was that of a young girl's, not sounding the least threatening or mean. Turning his head carefully Trowa struggled to make out the face in front of his as it swam and blurred in front of him. Blinking Trowa shook his head; he must have lost more blood then he'd thought. "I'm just going to see how bad it is. You make any move to stop me and your condition is going to get worse real quick." The girl said as she carefully moved his hand away from the wound so that she'd have better access. Trowa winced as he felt her fingers part his shirt and carefully prod the wound, too weak to care to try to stop her. "You're lucky, it went straight through." The girl said as she removed a scarf from her long dark hair and begin to straighten and line up the ends carefully and efficiently.
"What are you doing?" Trowa said suddenly finding the strength to straighten up taking the girl by surprise as she'd thought him nearly dead before.
"I'm going to use this to stop the bleeding so just keep quiet and with any luck the guards won't find us till you're patched up and in any condition to be seen." The girl said as she used a switchblade that appeared in her hand somehow to cut his shirt away from the wound. Taking the piece of fabric the girl carefully pressed the material against the wound then used her scarf to tie the material in place. "That should work for now."
"Who are you?" Trowa said as he stared at the girl, too weak even to properly make out her features but getting the impression that she couldn't be much older or younger then himself or at least the age he thought himself to be.
"My name's Keyda. Now shut up and help me get you off the floor." The girl said as she wrapped her arms around his upper chest.
"They'll kill you for helping me." Trowa said flatly as he allowed her to pull him to his feet. Surprised at her show of strength Trowa turned towards her, wishing that he could see her face clearly as all of a sudden it seemed important. Who was this girl that had come to his rescue or at least appeared to. It could all be a trick, but somehow he didn't think so. Of course that was pure instinct. "How old are you?"
"I'll tell you how old I am if you tell me your name handsome." Keyda said with a grin he couldn't see or at least well enough to know that it was a grin. He had most definitely seen better days.
"I have no name." Trowa said as he struggled to stand without her help, pride and stubbornness being the primary reasons. "Leave me here, I'll wont have your death on my conscious along with what's already there."
"From where I'm standing you're the one dying not me. So what do you say you do us both a favor and look as sick as possible for whoever is coming." Keyda suggested instead having absolutely no intention of leaving the pilot to die. He was only a boy.
"Miss Yamachi! What are you doing here? Who is that with you?" One of the soldiers who'd just rounded the corner demanded as they came to a stop in front of Trowa and Keyda. They were heavily armed and Trowa wouldn't have been surprised if they had been the soldiers responsible for his current predicament. Damn why hadn't she left him like he'd told her to.
"Since when have I not been allowed in my grandfather's home?" Keyda asked as she struggled to keep Trowa standing which was taking every little bit of strength she had in her at the moment. "As to who he is he's... my boyfriend."
Startled Trowa blinked at the girl and wondered what the hell was going on. The soldier had called her Miss Yamachi, which meant that she was probably related to the man that he'd come to rob of some very valuable information. Why was she helping him?
"What's wrong with him?" The guard demanded as he tried to get a better look at Trowa who had already tucked his head into her shoulder to prevent the guard from possibly recognizing him. It wasn't hard to look sick at all, he was struggling not to pass out as it was.
"His dad's learning how to cook now that his parents have split and his supper isn't agreeing with him at all. I'm going to go and get Matt to drive him home since he's in no condition to get there by himself. Unless of course there's a problem with that." Keyda said sarcastically as she glared at them with disdain. They wouldn't dare stop her, they valued their lives and jobs too much to cross her.
"You're not suppose to be in this area. Take your boyfriend and leave." The guard said motioning to the exit, having a bad feeling but not about to question his boss's granddaughter. He wasn't suicidal after all.
"Can you make it?" Keyda said under her breath as she pretended to get a better hold on his waist which she needed to do anyway.
"Do I have a choice?" Trowa responded under his breath as he pulled himself up straight, ignoring the blinding pain it caused. Together the two walked past the guards and with a slight grin of triumph Keyda opened the door.
"Don't worry no name, I'm going to get you out of here if it's the last thing I do."
Keyda stared down at the unconscious boy in her arms and sighed. He'd fallen asleep or passed out as soon as she'd gotten directions from him and he now lay against her side as Matt drove through the busy streets. This was definitely not how she'd planned to spend her evening she thought with a twisted smile as she tried to figure out how she was going to explain her absence. I have got to be out of my mind she thought as she wondered how she'd gotten herself into this. Sure she was his granddaughter but that wouldn't matter to Sako Yamachi. His goal was to see Trieze continue his control over Oz and he would not take kindly to his granddaughter rescuing a rebel spy sent to undermine his leader' power. Yet here she was and in all honesty she couldn't regret it.
"You'd better not die on me, Trowa." Keyda whispered as she brushed his hair out of his eyes with gently fingers. The bleeding had finally lessened and provided Trowa's contact was at the meeting place he stood a good chance of making it. Pushing thoughts of what was to come Keyda concentrated on saying long forgotten prayers for the boy beside her. Holding him to her a little tighter Keyda sighed and wondered what the world was coming to that they were sending children out to do a man's job. But he was no child Keyda thought as she watched the traffic race by. He was probably not much older then her but his eyes were that of a warrior, the eyes of a man who's seen far too much in his short time on this earth. Though only fourteen and a half Keyda had a good idea what had put that look in the boy's eyes. Before he'd collapsed she'd asked him his name and in his weakness had whispered the name Trowa.
"And I'd bet my family's billions that you're the Gundam pilot Zechs Merquise talks about. You're one of the rebels." Keyda said as she shifted so that his head could rest more comfortably on her shoulder. " Tell me Trowa, given your name is it going to be three times a charm or three strikes and we're out."
Turning her head Keyda wished that they were both in a different time and place where war was not an option and the two of them would be busy with schoolwork and the opposite sex instead of attending barely disguised war rallies, fighting and killing in the hopes that it would bring peace. Unfortunately so far it had only bred more violence.
"Where am I?" Looking down Keyda smiled as his beautiful green eyes stared up at her. He was awake and his eyes were relatively clear.
"You're on your way home." Keyda replied for the benefit of the driver. Leaning closer Keyda whispered into his ear softly. "We're almost at Gramer Hall."
Trowa just stared at her. He'd been so convinced that she was just a dream or that maybe he'd already died and she was an angel come to take him to judgment. Then again he'd always figured that when he'd die he'd be headed in the opposite direction of heaven; that they wouldn't even bother with judging him. So unless the devil liked to disguise himself as a pretty girl about his age he wasn't dead as of yet.
"We're almost there, Miss Yamachi, where's his house from here?" The driver asked as he stopped at the red light.
"His street is currently under construction and it's all blocked off so it will be impossible to get near his house. You can just let us out at the Hall and I'll help him get home and then meet you back here. It'll only take a couple of minutes." Keyda said as she met Matt's eyes in the mirror. She didn't want to involve him anymore then she already had. Her grandfather would only forgive the long time employee so much.
"Yes, Miss." The driver said as the light went green, nodding his head. A few minutes later he pulled the car in front of the building that she'd specified. "Do you want some help getting him home? This is a fairly good neighborhood, the car should be fine on its own."
"I can handle him, Matt. You better stay and watch the car, just to be on the safe side. I'll be as quick as possible so don't worry, I'll be back in a flash." Keyda said as she helped Trowa from the car, carefully wrapped her arms around him again as they made their way away from the vehicle.
"Over there." Trowa said biting back a groan as he pointed over to an eroding statue tuck away in the shadows after they'd climbed the stairs and were well out of Matt's and others prying eyes. Buildings making it impossible for anyone to sneak up from behind surrounded the statue on two sides making it rather ideal for its purpose as a meeting place.
"Interesting choice." Keyda noted as she half walked, half carried him over to the statue he'd indicated. The statue was unrecognizable as anything more then a former human form and Keyda wondered what it had commemorated as they reached it finally.
"What do you expect in return for helping me?" Trowa said without emotion or signs of pain as she gently helped him lean back against the statue which though crumbling would hold up under his weight better then she could no question.
"What do you mean?" Keyda asked as she stretched out her cramped muscles while taking in the lack of scenery; and people. Perfect for a meeting between spies she added to herself as she turned back to face him with a curious look though she had the feeling that she knew what he meant.
"What do you want in return for helping me? I doubt you're expecting money seeing as you're Yamachi's granddaughter." Trowa said as he moved slightly so that he was even more in the shadows and out of sight. If her request was too much he needed to be prepared to leave, possibly putting her out of commission temporarily. If he could, Trowa added to himself as he bit back a groan, his calf having bumped a jagged piece of stone.
"You think I did this because I want something from you?" Keyda asked with a small sound of amusement. She should probably be insulted except for the fact that she probably would have asked the same thing if the roles were reversed. How sad it was that they'd both automatically assume that the only reason another would help them is because they want something in return. "What do you want?" Trowa asked again as he stared at her from the darkness of the shadows, his face now completely hidden from her as if he were melting into the shadows to become a part of it. Cool trick Keyda thought admiringly.
"Well what do I want?" Keyda said with an exaggerated look as though the idea was a very serious matter to consider. Then an idea popped into her head and Keyda couldn't help but allow a smile to curve her lips. That idea would definitely make up for the tongue-lashing or worse she was going to get when she got home. Besides as Grandfather was fond of telling her, there's nothing gained by being a coward. Taking a deep breath Keyda smile widened as she slowly walked towards Trowa with what she hoped looked like confidence. "I know exactly what I want in return." Keyda said as she came to a stop in front of him with a stare that froze him in his place and wipe all thought of disappearing from his mind.
"What?" Trowa asked wearily, not sure what her game was but feeling as though he were under some kind of spell that froze him in place.
"This is all that I want in return, Trowa." Keyda said softly as she lifted her hands, placed them on either side of his face then before he could suspect her intent drew his head down and kissed him gently on the lips. Surprised Trowa remained frozen for a minute then slowly forgot that he was currently bleeding from a bullet wound, on a mission and had no business kissing the enemy's granddaughter. Instead all he could think was that this was one debt he was glad to repay and that even if he were to die today he would at least go out with the remembrance of Keyda on his lips. Forgetting everything but her Trowa kissed her back and for a few precious moments they were simply a boy and a girl kissing under the stars without awareness of anything other then each other. But this boy was a seasoned soldier and this girl was no simpleminded fool and so reluctantly they drew back and for a moment stared into each other's eyes before taking a step back. Placing a hand on Trowa's cheek Keyda smiled sadly then slowly pulled her hand away. "Good bye Trowa." Trowa watched her turn and walk away into the night and for the briefest of moments he was tempted to call her back.
Years later
Eve couldn't believe they'd done such terrible things to other human beings, to her. But they had. There was no way in Hell she was going to let them begin again, had sworn to prevent it from happening. She and the others had suffered for over six years and by God they weren't going to let it happen to anyone else. Swearing under her breath Eve leaned up against a nearby tree and stared at the crumbling building that had been her own Hell on earth. Pushing a lock of her now white hair out of her eye Eve cursed the people who'd made it so. "I swear I'll never allow you to rise again Oz. I'll fight you to my dying breath, I swear it." She yelled out loud as she pushed off from the tree and continued down the path. She was heading for a mission that would aid in her mission to keep the peace, even if it wasn't a peaceful mission. Staring at the building responsible for turning her into what she was Eve closed her eyes and silently prayed for those who had not survived their stay behind those walls. So many hadn't.
Staring into space now Eve wondered how her life had become so different from what she'd planned. She had wanted to be a singer Eve remembered with a sneer. What a joke. Though she had achieved that status she hadn't kept it long. Thanks to Oz her life now revolved around staying alive and ending the lives of others. God it seemed like only yesterday that she'd been a girl practicing her math and now look at her. Wouldn't her mother just roll in her grave. That is if anyone had even bothered to bury her, or if there had even been enough left to bury. Funny Eve thought as she threw a pebble at her reflection sending ripples through the pool. She probably wouldn't be buried either. In her line of work you'd be luck to die quickly and painlessly. Being buried was not a common occurrence.
Eve really wasn't surprised to see that the area was deserted. Anyone who could read Chinese knew that something wrong had happened here and most considered it cursed and to be forgotten as a dark part of the area's history. "I wonder how long it will take me to infiltrate the Preventers." Eve said under her breath as she moved over to stand under the shade of some trees. Seeing a large rock Eve effortlessly jumped onto its top giving her a view of the land for a fair distance. That's why she'd come, to prepare for her next mission by seeing the building, reminding her of what was at stake.
You'll wish you'd never created me, Lady Une. You'll rue the day you ever attacked me and my family, destroying it. "Stupid building." Eve suddenly said with anger heavy in her voice as she stared back in blinding hatred at the building. "This is all your fault, you stupid pile of rubble."
"What's the building's fault?" An amused voice said from behind her and turning around Eve stared at the boy who was standing too close to her for comfort. The boy obviously wasn't Chinese with his brown hair and blue eyes, he showed no curiosity or interest towards the building meaning he probably hadn't been able to read the signs. She'd sensed his presence long before he'd spoken but she'd hoped that he would leave once he realized she wasn't interested in company. "What do you want?" Eve said as she tried to decide whether or not to walk away or stand her ground and ignore the stupid boy. Eyeing him carefully Eve quickly jumped from the rock and landed just beside the boy with determination in her eyes as she watched her prey carefully.
"Nice moves." The boy said grinning at Eve as he gestured towards the rock with a charming grin. Obviously the kid was slow to realize and understand things.
"Don't you know that this area is off limits to pedestrians." Eve said grabbing him by the shoulder and with a slight push sent him shuffling a safe distance away from the security lines. "There are security alarms all over the place and if you set them off you'll be in a Hell of a lot of trouble."
"Geez you didn't need to get pushy." The boy said as he pushed a lock of his brown hair out of the way. "And if no one's allowed here why are you here having a conversation with a building. Seems to me that means you should be in a mental hospital instead of sulking around here attacking defenseless pedestrians."
"I was not having a conversation with the building and it's done all the damage it can to me already so I don't think it matters if I wander around here, especially since I won't get caught doing it like you would."
Eve said sarcastically as she brushed past the boy to leave. She'd been working on controlling her temper lately and this dumb kid was certainly trying it.
"Hey, what's your name oh cursed one." The boy said dramatically before going into a stupid little bow. "I'm Duo Maxwell by the way."
"None of your business." Eve said shortly as she picked up her backpack that she'd left beside a tree. If this was Duo Maxwell the Gundam pilot it would be in her best interest to stay away from him for the time being. They'd be meeting up later on anyway and the less contact they had now the easier meeting later would be.
"Well None of your business, what's the building done to you lately?" Duo asked with another dramatic flourish, enjoying riling her as she rather reminded him of his best friend. "Does it turn you into a frog at night, can't get a date, related to the Wuman?"
"None of those things." Eve said as she shifted the pack on her back, finding him more annoying by the second. "Stay away from this building too, it's a health hazard."
"Say mind if I walk back with you? I kinda got lost and I need to get back before the guys send out a search party." Duo said as he fell into steps beside his new interest, unconcerned with the fact that she obviously didn't want his company. "You wouldn't by any chance have a long lost relative by the name of Heero Yuy would you?"
"I don't believe so." Eve said as she picked up the pace, hoping that the chatterbox wouldn't be able to keep up. Unfortunately he could. Imagine comparing her to Heero Yuy too, Eve thought as she went on a slow boil. She was nothing like that suicidal, gun toting maniac. The only thing they did have in common was a love of guns and that was it.
"So why are you here? Where are you headed? Why were you talking to the building? "Duo asked who was quite used to being ignored thanks to Heero and Wufei. Besides he was a naturally curious person and there was something about this girl that sparked his interest.
"I don't see how that's any of your business." Eve stated before she suddenly was overcome with dizziness which was never good as it was often a sign that she needed her medication. A while ago.
"Hey you all right, Beautiful?" Duo asked as he grabbed onto Eve's waist as she began to wobble a little. She didn't look so good all of a sudden.
"I'm just fine." Eve stated before she collapsed in a heap against Duo.
"You'd better not be dead, Pal." Duo said as he slugged his new unconscious friend over his shoulder and hoped that this road would take him to Chang's house soon. "I don't think Wo-man will be happy if I bring a corpse home."
"Is she dead?" Duo asked as he leaned over to get a better look at his new friend. She was quite beautiful and he'd intended to ask her out when he'd first seen her but he had a feeling that wouldn't have gone over well at all with Ms No Name. So instead he'd see if she wanted to be his new friend and then they could see about proving that she was related to Heero because they could be twins personality wise.
"No Duo, she's just exhausted and tired." Sally said as she tucked the bed covers around the young girl currently resting soundly. "She just needs to rest."
"When will she be able to leave?" Wufei asked from the doorway as he frowned at the still unconscious and unexpected house guest. There was something about her that made him feel uncomfortable, like she wasn't what she seemed to be at all.
"Wufei!!!" Sally and Duo said together as they glared at him.
"If it's inconvenient I'll leave now." Eve said weakly as she sat up in bed. She didn't recognize any of the voices besides that of the longhaired and obnoxious boy she'd met by the building so she aimed her question for him.
"You're in no condition to be out by yourself." Sally said as she laid a gentle hand on Eve's shoulder, carefully forcing her to lay down. "You'll stay here till you're in better shape."
"I have a friend nearby, I can go and stay with her. I was headed there anyway and I wouldn't want to put you out." Eve said as she brushed her bangs away from her face.
"Are you sure?" Duo said with a slightly concerned look. "Maybe you'd better stay here where Sally can take care of you."
Eve actually managed a smile at him but shook her head. "I'll be fine there, Keyda will take good care of me. If you have a phone I'll call her now and she can send someone to get me."