Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or Magic Knight Rayearth. They belong to Bandai and CLAMP, respectively.
World 2 World
Chapter VII: The Change
"Morning," Umi greeted the small group gathered on the patio, suppressing a yawn. "Where is everyone?"
Noin waved to her and replied, "Quatre's giving your friends a tour of the library."
"Hikaru willingly went along to the library?" Umi pondered as she spread butter on her toast.
"Actually, she was more interested in our dogs," Dorothy explained, stabbing at the fruits on her plate. "The dogs usually follow Quatre around whenever he's here, and now Hikaru's following him around like a puppy."
Umi grinned at the blonde's resentment and opened to reply, but a large yawn escaped her mouth and she blushed in embarrassment.
Dorothy smirked and poured her a mug of coffee. "Tired?"
"Thanks," Umi answered with a nod as she took the offered drink, inhaling the strong aroma in pleasure. "I don't usually drink coffee without lots of sugar and cream, but I think I'll make an exception this time."
"It was a rough night," Noin agreed as she watched Umi scrunch up her face at the bitterness. "I normally wake up much earlier than this."
"I'm not much of a morning person, but I usually manage to wake up early enough," Umi said, still trying to adjust to the taste of plain black coffee. "So is everything okay now?"
"More or less," Dorothy sighed. "But I'm still surprised he managed to pass the security. It had to be someone from the Preventers. I should bring them all in for an interrogation."
Umi gulped at the sinister look crossing the other's face, mentally noting that this was not a lady to mess with.
"Fortunately Heero was here," Relena said, smiling at the thought of her savior.
Umi winced at the reminder of the blood splattering across her face, the feel of the thick liquid staining her smooth face. She noticed how they all seemed fairly detached from the assassin's death, not even caring about the death of another human being. Not that she wanted the assassin to be alive for another chance to kill her, but she personally knew that only first-hand experience with numerous deaths could cause anyone to be so detached. She wondered if these young men and woman had seen as much death and destruction as she and the other knights, suddenly feeling as if someone else understood the guilt and pain she constantly carried within her heart.
"Umi-san!"
Umi snapped out of her thoughts at the bubbly voice of her blonde friend. Fuu bounded into the room, hands clasped together and eyes sparkling with excitement. Umi narrowed her eyes at the blonde suspiciously, wondering why Fuu was exhibiting Hikaru-like traits.
"Yes, Fuu?" Umi replied cautiously.
"Quatre-san just showed me his library!"
"That's nice, Fuu. But didn't you already see the library yesterday?"
Fuu nodded her head. "That was only one room! There are five other rooms!"
"Impressive," Umi said, genuinely surprised. "That one room was already the largest library I've ever seen."
"Quatre's a bit of a bookworm, I'm afraid. He's read all the books in his library already. Actually, he's planning to add another room to that wing so as to add to his immense collection of books," Dorothy said as she examined her finely manicured French-tipped nails. "However, I still say we need a virtual battle arena."
"Eh? Fuu disappeared." Umi looked around in confusion.
"Probably back into the library with Quatre," Dorothy said, resentment dripping back into her voice.
"Do you have a garden?" Umi asked hoping to move onto another subject, not wanting for Dorothy to hold a grudge against the other two knights.
"That way and turn the corner," Dorothy directed, pointing a slender finger down a path. "Careful though—the garden's a maze."
"I'm sure it's not that confusing," Umi said as she stuffed the last bit of toast into her mouth and stood up.
"No, I mean it's literally a maze."
"That's cool!" Umi exclaimed, deciding she was in the mood for a challenge.
Dorothy snorted. "Even I haven't figured out that stupid maze. Stupid Quatre and his intellectual ways of decoration."
"You're losing your touch, Zechs," Heero said as he dodged yet another series of punches and kicks.
"No one trains daily like you," Milliardo snapped, panting as sweat dripped down his forehead.
"I do not train daily," Heero retorted, looking for an opening. "Weekly."
Milliardo snorted. "Sure."
"You're getting old," Heero said as he grabbed Milliardo's swiping hand and flipped the older man onto his back. The blonde kicked with a leg but Heero released the arm and moved back with a smirk.
"I'll still be as good a fighter when I am old as Bob Hope is a comic in the latter part of his life."
"Hn. Even Duo's funnier than Bob Hope."
"How dare you insult a legend! He may be old and deceased, but he was an incredible comic! Don't you dare compare him to the likes of Maxwell!"
Heero blinked as Milliardo charged at him like an angry bull. He had not known that then was a Bob Hope fan, and he was joking anyways. At least now they were getting somewhere in this sparring session.
Umi squinted through the tall shrubbery, trying to see the other side. This green wall looked familiar, but then all the walls looked the same, so she couldn't be sure. Groaning in frustration, she decided to keep walking to the right in hopes of finding an exit—hopefully there was more than one so the greater her chances of getting out of this maze.
Hearing the sound of running water, Umi frowned and jogged to an opening, only to enter a square clearing of roses and a fountain. Umi sighed as she realized she reached the center of the maze rather than the exterior. Tired from walking for nearly an hour, Umi moved to sit down at the edge of the fountain and glanced up at the three water-spouting dolphins. The fountain was very beautiful as was the surrounding mini-garden, so she decided to enjoy the quiet.
After a few minutes, Umi finally noticed that the sun was unbearably hot, strange considering it was the middle of winter. Then she remembered Fuu reciting from one of the books in the library that the colonies had artificial weather conditions—it was just her luck that this colony decided it was the middle of summer.
"I want to get out of here," Umi whined to her reflection in the water.
"Then get off your lazy butt and start walking," a deep voice replied from behind her.
With a startled yelp, Umi whipped around to see Heero leaning on one of the shrub walls. Seeing his smirk, she turned her nose up at him and spun back around, her back to him.
"Easy for you to say. I don't—" She cut herself off as she didn't want him to know that she was lost. Although Dorothy did say even had yet to successfully come out of the maze, Umi was loathe to admit to Heero any kind of weakness.
"You don't?" Heero echoed, an amused smirk gracing his features. He knew she was lost because only Quatre and himself knew how to get out of this maze.
"I don't…want to be anywhere near you," Umi replied helplessly, still refusing to turn around. "Seeing as you were in the house, I decided to come out here. But now that you are here, I think I will leave."
Too late the words were out of her mouth before she realized that she dug herself into a deeper hole. Not only did it not make sense with what she had stated before, but now she had to get out even though she didn't know how. Huffing dramatically, she walked for the nearest opening in the walls.
"Well, if you're leaving, at least go the right way."
Umi froze in mid-step. She could hear the smirk on his face and she whirled around only to find him a few paces in front of her. Glaring up at his taller form, she stalked up to him and jabbed a finger at his chest.
"Excuse me, Mr. High and Mighty. No need for you to act so tough and arrogant just because you saved the world."
Umi recalled glancing over Fuu's shoulder to read the book on the Gundam pilots. She was surprised that five young men also went through the experience of war, much similar to the magic knight themselves.
"Don't presume to know what I or any of the others underwent during the war," Heero hissed, his face darkening.
Slightly taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor, Umi recomposed herself and retorted, "You're so self-centered. You think that you were the only one who truly suffered during the war, that what others went through was not as bad compared to your own experiences."
Heero was offended. "I don't—"
"Don't deny it," Umi interrupted him. "You may not show it, but you mentally look down at others who say they suffered during the fighting. But if you actually took the time to care, you would see that someone who wasn't directly involved in the fighting might have suffered more than you."
Feeling her mind reeling at her words, Umi quickly turned away and moved toward the opening that Heero had come from. But before she turned behind the wall, she stopped and looked down at the floor, feeling his anger fade away to be replaced by guilty awareness.
"I guess you and I aren't so different after all."
Heero glanced up from staring at his tightly clenched fists, only to catch the ends of her blue hair disappear. He was even more surprised by her last statement, not certain of what she meant. But the rest of her rant had caused him to look inside and he had realized that what she had said was true. He never noticed or showed it, but subconsciously he had thought that no one could have suffered as much as he because of the war.
Frowning, Heero stared at the opening in which Umi had disappeared into. She was either incredibly perceptive, or she understood from experience. As much as she annoyed him, he felt his heart ache at the thought of her suffering in the war because of the stupidity of other people. People like himself.
Umi laughed as one of Quatre's Labradors jumped into the pool right beside Hikaru, causing the shorter girl to giggle and move away. Hikaru had convinced Quatre to join her in the water, but Umi and Dorothy refused and were basking the sun.
Hikaru grinned as retrieved the ball from inside the dog's mouth and threw it next to Quatre. The second Labrador, who had been enjoying Umi's scratching of his ears, dashed away and into the pool next to Quatre. Hikaru somehow produced another plastic toy and threw it at the sputtering Quatre, who dodged and tried to swim away as Hikaru and the dogs chased after him.
"How sad," Dorothy commented as she turned to lie on her stomach.
"Huh?"
"They're acting like five-year olds."
Umi laughed again. "As long as they enjoy themselves. They deserve to be happy and take advantage of the few luxuries afforded in this world."
"My, aren't we the optimistic psychologist."
"Don't you want Quatre to be happy?"
"Of course I do," Dorothy defended.
"Aren't you happy?" Umi inquired, taking a venture at what was bothering the blonde.
"Of course I am. I mean, why wouldn't I be? There's no more wars, I've got a cute devoted boyfriend, lots of great friends, a well-paying job—it's every woman's dream."
"So then why do you not allow yourself to enjoy life?"
"I—"
Umi waited patiently as the other girl paused, hesitating in telling a complete stranger her innermost feelings. Umi understood as she wouldn't just want to spill herself out to a random person she's only know for a few days.
"I'm afraid," Dorothy whispered, watching Quatre and Hikaru splashing each other. "I'm afraid that it will all be taken away from me, like the rest of my family. I'm afraid that Quatre will realize he doesn't want to be tied down by me and find somebody more fun and smart—someone better."
"We all feel that way," Umi replied, smiling sadly. "But I've learned that it doesn't help to feel sad when you have such great people who care so much about you around—you'll only ruin their happiness by feeling sorry for yourself. And you're lucky you have Quatre—he's with you because he loves you and doesn't want anyone else."
Dorothy turned her head to look at the girl beside, noticing the other's eyes brimming with tears. She heard the pain and sorrow in Umi's voice, and couldn't help but wonder what kind of heartache this girl had experienced.
"Besides, he fought so hard so others can be happy. The least you could do in return is be happy. Just be content that you have him by your side."
Umi wiped her eyes and smiled at Dorothy, who nodded and smiled as well.
"You're right," Dorothy replied. "I didn't expect you to be so understanding."
"If you told me I'd be giving out psychological advice two years ago, I'd call you crazy. I was the most self-centered and spoiled brat. But things happen and things change."
"Well, you still seem a little self-centered and spoiled to me."
Umi grinned and rolled her eyes. As she was about to retort, Dorothy suddenly stood up and grabbed Umi's arm. Before Umi could process the blonde's actions or protest, Dorothy had managed to drag the water knight to the edge of the pool and ungracefully pushed her in.
Sputtering, Umi glared up at the laughing young woman and growled, "That was so not funny!"
"Sure it was," Dorothy managed between her bouts of laughter.
"Well, it wasn't very nice," Umi muttered as she swam to the edge.
"Well, I enjoyed myself."
Heero walked down the stairs, glancing as someone banged on the door and continuously rang the bell. Seeing that Quatre's butler was obviously too busy to answer it, Heero made his way to the door and unlocked it. Pulling it back, he found Umi's date standing in a tux with his hand poised to knock on the door.
Eyes wide, the blonde man gulped and quickly saluted, "Uh, General Yuy! Sir."
"Taylor," Heero acknowledged, staring the other man down.
"I—uh—that is—I'm, well," Taylor fumbled over his words, intimidated by his superior despite the fact that Heero was two years younger.
"I don't believe you have a shift tonight," Heero interrupted as he smirked inwardly. "But if you were reporting for duty, your uniform would be a more appropriate attire."
"I'm not, uh, reporting for duty. Sir," Taylor added as an afterthought.
"Then why are you still addressing me as 'sir'?"
"Well, sir, I mean Heero, I mean Yuy-sama, uh," Taylor stuttered, not sure how to explain his situation without angering the ex-Gundam pilot.
"Stop standing in the doorway and get your butt into the dining room," a feminine voice called from behind Heero. "Why are you holding the door open anyways?"
"Nothing of your concern," Heero replied, glaring at Taylor who was trying to see over his shoulder.
"Actually Taylor should be here soon, and you'll scare him away if you keep standing there," came the reply, although the voice was now closer to the two men.
"Really," Heero said monotonously. He was thoroughly amused messing with Taylor, but that girl had to come and ruin his fun.
"Yes, now move before—you're here, Taylor!" Umi said in surprised as she peered from behind Heero.
"I, ahem, yes I am, Umi," Taylor answered nervously, darting glances at Heero.
"Come on in," she invited, shoving Heero to the side. "I hope this idiot here hasn't given you any trouble."
Seeing Heero's cold look, Taylor quickly replied, "No, no—of course not."
"Taylor-san," Quatre greeted as he walked into the foyer. "I'm glad you could join us for dinner."
"Uh, I'm sorry?" Taylor glanced at the three in confusion, failing to notice the amusement in Heero's eyes.
"It's not a problem at all," Quatre said with a smile. "We're always glad to have more people in the house."
"You didn't really need to dress so formally," Umi noted, giggling.
"Well, I—"
"It's quite all right," Quatre waved him off. "Follow me and I'll show you where you can hang your jacket."
Taylor, intimidated by the presence of two ex-Gundam pilots, gave Umi a confused smile and followed Quatre. Umi, however, noticed the smirk on Heero's face and turned to raise an eyebrow at him.
"What's so amusing?"
"You."
Umi pouted. "And why is that?"
"You honestly don't know?"
Umi sighed in frustration. "Know what?"
"He asked you out on a date yesterday morning."
"He asked me—what? Oh, shut up."
Heero glared at her. How dare she tell him to shut up?
"Why would he want to ask me out on a date? That was good though, Heero. You almost got me."
"Don't think so little of yourself."
"I don't—was that a compliment?"
Heero ignored her and followed Quatre's path.
"That was! You just complimented me," Umi teased as she skipped alongside him, already forgetting what he had said earlier. For some reason, she felt happy that he found her somewhat attractive, although those weren't his exact words.
"Don't flatter yourself."
Umi merely grinned as she clasped her hands behind her back. She didn't need to—he already did it for her.
Umi sat on the couch, staring listlessly at the crackling fire before her. Taylor was still blabbing on beside her, slightly intoxicated and praising himself incessantly. Sighing, Umi glanced at the clock to see that it was already midnight.
"Taylor," Umi interrupted, not even bothering to look at him. She had been trying to be polite all night, merely nodding and smiling as he talked, but she could not take another minute less she strangle him.
"Umiiii," Taylor replied, giggling as he tried out her name.
Umi grit her teeth and took a breath, calmly saying, "It's getting late."
"Oh?" Taylor squinted at the clock. "It's only…twelve minutes."
"No," Umi said as she bit back her frustration, "it's midnight. And I think you should go sleep now. Quatre offered you a spare room."
"But I don't wanna," Taylor pouted as he leaned over and grasped Umi around the waist.
"Look," Umi began as she tried to pry his hands off of her—he was surprisingly strong considering he was drunk. "I'm tired and I want to sleep. Besides, you have work early tomorrow morning."
"S'okay," Taylor answered as he tried to kiss her.
"Taylor, stop it!" Umi hissed, not wanting to wake up the rest of the household, knowing that the politicians had an early meeting.
However, Taylor didn't take heed and instead moved his mouth to her neck, trailing sloppy kisses down her throat despite her pushing. Umi growled and kneed him in the stomach. But he only winced a little before roughly grabbing her arms and pinning her to the couch. Umi snarled and prepared to kick him further south, but he was suddenly pulled up and away from her. Blinking, Umi saw Heero's angry dark blue—almost violet—eyes and watched as he flung Taylor onto the floor.
"Wha?" Taylor mumbled as he sat up, trying to focus on whoever attacked him. Narrowing his eyes at his attacker, Taylor tried to stand up while muttering profanities.
As Taylor sloppily swung an arm, Heero dodged to the side and grabbed his arm, flipping him over onto the floor. Taylor groaned and got on all fours, wincing at the pain from his headache and from being thrown onto the floor.
Heero grabbed him by the collar and threw him harshly against the wall, ready to pound the other man into pieces. However, small hands gripped his arm, and through his angered eyes Heero stared down into the concerned blue eyes of the young girl he was trying to protect.
"No," Umi whispered softly, shaking her head and asking with her eyes for Heero to drop the other man.
Relenting, although reluctantly, Heero released his grip and Taylor slid to the floor unconscious. Heero turned to glance at Umi, searching her eyes in question, wondering why she didn't allow him to simply beat Taylor—the dishonorable bastard deserved it.
"People do stupid things," Umi explained, understanding the question in his eyes.
"And they should be punished for it," Heero grumbled angrily. However, his anger dissipated when Umi smiled and reached for his hands, placing them between her own.
"Sometimes, you should give them another chance."
Heero frowned, but her soft eyes held such faith and her warm hands felt so safe that he could only nod. As she released his hands, he turned to Taylor and picked up the unconscious man, swinging him over the shoulder.
"I'll take him to a spare room," Heero informed the girl. "You should get some sleep."
Umi chuckled. "I think I'll come with you. You'll probably handle him too roughly and he'll wake up with bruises all over."
"Serves him right," Heero muttered as they walked out of the room.
Umi shook her head but moved by his side, fingers reaching out to grasp his free hand. Her other arm came up encircling around his free arm and she leaned into him.
Despite the burden of carrying a man on his right shoulder, Heero found that he didn't have the heart to tell Umi to stop leaning into his left. Because he liked it.
Author's Notes:
I wrote this chapter right after Bob Hope passed away—I wanted to make a small memorial to him. I'm sorry if it sounded offensive the way Heero made fun of him, but at Milliardo defended him!Anyways, I attempted an understanding and sweet Umi. Anyone catch that she had her own pains? Hm. I wonder what happened with her.
After revising this, I took out the jealous Heero as that part seemed long and pointless. But I kept the drunk Taylor in there, because Taylor's an idiot. Should have let Heero beat him up, but Umi had to make a point so he couldn't. Shame. Oh well, Heero will have his chance later. Hehe.
I don't like the title, but I can't think of what else to call this chapter. This was basically a chapter to reveal some things, such as Umi's past pains in love and Heero's subconscious thoughts, plus Umi picking Heero's brain. So basically, they've come to some realizations of how they've each changed over the years. Well, if you have any better ideas, let me know. Thanks!
