Trick or Treat
Two weeks had passed and though Hotaru was still growing she was growing more slowly for some reason. They really didn't know what age she was at, but there was one way to find out. It meant though she would need another examination by Sally. In fact near the end of October that's exactly what they were doing. Heero had Hotaru on his lap, while Relena was sitting beside them. It was kind of strange, even though Relena insisted that Hotaru was Heero's child and was just helping out. The two had both been quite involved when it came to raising the little girl.
When Sally came in they sent Hotaru off with Duo. Though Duo was sometimes immature, his happiness helped get Hotaru's mind off of what the grown-ups were talking about. There were some things not even Heero wanted her to know about herself. Sally looked up from her chart. Hotaru was still healthy and happy. Clearly it seemed that the experiments had no effect on her besides fast growing, but now it seemed like she was slowing down. It could be possible there would be more time than they thought? She wasn't completely sure of Hotaru's age though.
"We're going to need a few x-rays and maybe a bone density scan to determine the age," Sally said slowly, "I know you're not big on tests like that Heero."
Heero nodded, "Hn."
"But unfortunately there's no other way. Trying through mental development is out of the question since it's clear that Hotaru is way above the grade they would have put her in," Sally paused, "Do you know where she stands as far as learning goes? I know you're training her and it's showing. She's stronger than she was last time."
"She already knew a bit of Japanese, and now knows that on top of Mandarin," Heero explained, "Currently at a third or fourth grade level. Probably higher in some areas," he paused, "She's curious so she reads a lot about different things. There's a chance we're underestimating her, but it's hard to tell."
Sally nodded, it was to be expected that Heero would say something like that. In more ways than one it should be nearly impossible to consider so much of a young girl, but this young girl was not normal.
Sally shrugged, "Well, it's not like she's developing any special abilities. At least not any that people would be alarmed about. She's stronger than most children her age but not overly strong. Hotaru is not going to accidentally hurt anyone."
"Sounds good," Relena smiled.
"Well, don't celebrate too soon," Sally warned, "She's still young. Her eyesight is normal 20/20, if they did anything to that it might be that she'll never need glasses. Hearing is normal, a bit better than some people, but again she's young so that could be the reason."
Heero nodded slowly, "Anything unusual?"
Sally thought about this for a moment, "For you Heero it wouldn't be. When Hotaru scraped her knee last week it healed over pretty quickly. So I'm guessing she is quick to heal. What this could mean about how many times she could get sick I don't know," Sally shrugged, "If it weren't for her aging problem I'd swear she was just a normal little girl."
"In truth she's not," Heero stated, "I'm more worried about if she keeps aging like this. I'd like to find a way to make that stop."
"I agree with you," Sally just shrugged, "The problem is I don't even know why they did that in the first place. Wouldn't it be better to let her age normally? For all her fast learning it still takes time to train a soldier. I'm starting to wonder if the aging isn't just some accidental side effect."
"Accidental?" Relena was horrified at the idea.
Sally gave Relena a sad look, "No matter how smart these people are we still have to face facts. Fooling around with human genes comes with a price. We don't know what every piece of DNA does or what turns something on or off. That's why there's a law limiting genetic experiments on humans to nothing. It's surprising that Hotaru just hasn't burnt out from just growing that fast. Then again, there's a lot about Hotaru that just doesn't make any sense."
As much as Heero hated to admit it, a lot of what Sally said was true. Not only was Hotaru a mystery in body, but in her creation as well. So far her personality, her abilities and even her gender didn't quite match up in what Heero knew about the scientists or about Dr. J. If the doctors had the ability to make Hotaru age faster. Then why not to change her personality? So far her cheery, sweet and sometimes mischievous deposition had very little to do with the way they raised her. Maybe, Heero figured that when they caught this mysterious colleague they would find the answers they needed to help Hotaru.
Duo grinned as he watched Hotaru tumble about with her pets. Out of everyone Duo figured Heero would be the last of have kids, but here he was. Looking after Heero's daughter, not by blood of course. It seemed close enough though as Heero would always make time for the little ragamuffin.
Hotaru sat down, between each dog and looked up at Duo, "Uncle Duo, tell me about Halloween."
"Sure," Duo grinned, "Why are you asking now?"
"Because I heard a lot of kids passing here that they're going out for Halloween," Hotaru said, "I want to know what's it like."
Duo leaned back, "Well, Halloween is when people, mostly kids. Dress up in costumes and go trick or treating," he adds, "They go up to people's houses and ask for candy."
"Is it fun?" Hotaru asked.
"Lot's of fun," Duo nodded.
Hotaru smiled, "Can I go out for Halloween?"
"Ask your dad, but he'll say yes," Duo grinned, "We just need to get you a costume."
"What kind?"
"Oh I can think of something," Duo got this grin that said 'trouble' on his face.
Hotaru, even though she was quite young didn't miss her uncle's manic grinned that promised chaos, nor did her father when he came out of Sally's office. Duo tilted the chair back to look at Heero. Heero gave Duo a look before looking at Hotaru just to make sure she was still there. The other pilots, whom just walked in so that they could hear from Heero and Relena what they heard from Sally also caught sight of Duo's grin.
Wufei shook his head, "What are you up to now Maxwell?"
"Me?" Duo asked, "Now what tro-"
"Duo the last time you said that Shadow and Neo was dragging Hotaru halfway across the mall," Heero reminded him.
Duo grinned sheepishly, "Okay, okay! So it was bad, but it's innocent really!"
Quatre was curious, "What was your idea?"
"It's three days until Halloween!" Duo chirped, "So I figured we all go shopping for a Halloween costume for Hotaru and take her out for trick or treating. At least now she won't grow out of her costume before she can wear it!"
"Sounds like a great idea!" Quatre smiled at Hotaru, "After all she's still a child."
"Can I daddy?" Hotaru asked.
This after all sounded like so much fun. With the fun of dressing up at something and being allowed to go out at night. There was also the promise of candy. Like any child candy, and lots of it was a good thing.
Heero sighed, "Okay," he turned to Relena, "Will you be coming?"
"Why not?" Relena asked with amusement, "It'll be interesting to see what you all chose for costumes."
"I think Hotaru will love this," Duo rubbed his hand together.
Relena just gave Duo a look, "Don't forget it's Hotaru that will be used as a dress up doll until we find a costume both she and we will like."
"Why of course," Duo gave her an evil smile.
Hotaru looked warily up at her Uncle Duo, for if there was anything she learnt, it was never to trust the God of Death. Only fate would know the irony of the Goddess of Death and Rebirth fearing Duo Maxwell.
Before any of them, minus Duo knew it they were all in the children's section of a department store looking through what seemed to be hundreds of different costumes. None of the guys knew where to start, but Duo on the other hand headed straight for a purely black costume. He yanked it out and ushe aru to the nearest change room.
"Try this one sweetie, I'm sure this will make you the coolest kid on the block," Duo crackled.
Hotaru asked warily, "Are you sure about this Uncle Duo?"
"Of course I'm sure! Try it on!"
Hotaru looked at the black piece of clothing dubiously, unsure if this was such a bright idea now. Still, if Daddy said it was all right for her to go out on Halloween, then what Uncle Duo was doing must be okay. A few minutes later Hotaru came up all dressed up in flowing black robes and she held in her hands a wooden stick.
Wufei looked at Duo, "What is she suppose to be Maxwell?"
"An Auror of course!" Duo explained proudly.
"An Auror?" Trowa repeated raising a brow.
"You know from Harry Potter."
"Maxwell, what in the hel-heck is Harry Potter?"
Hotaru piped up, "Not what Uncle Wufei, who. Harry Potter is a character from a book and that's the name of the series. And I'm an Auror out to get evil wizards and witches, and I'm gonna trip over these robes."
"Maybe we should try something else," Quatre suggested as he shifted through the racks.
Five Minutes Later.
Hotaru held out her arms as she looked down at the white fluffy dress. It was several layers of sheer white with the final layer being a clear sparkly kind of fabric. The sleeves were short and puffy and on her back was a big white bow. Slowly small gloved hands gingerly touched the fake silver tiara on her head. Though Hotaru certainly looked stunning in her princess costume, Hotaru herself was also looking stunned.
Duo shrugged, "Look at it this way… At least it isn't pink. Most princess costumes are pink."
"Still, it looks like she's going to fall over," Trowa commented, "And I don't think Hotaru is completely thrilled with the idea."
Heero shook his head, "The white is washing what little colour she has out."
This comment was quite true, even for something as fashionable handicapped as Heero could see that. Hotaru was still as pale as when he first found her on the doorstep. Even when Hotaru spent hours out in the sun she never developed a tan. The white dress was making Hotaru look like a ghost at this point.
"We could always try the pink princess dress," Duo suggested.
Hotaru glared at her Uncle Duo.
Duo backed up, "Okay… Your kid is giving me your famous I-will-kill-you glare, I'll take that as a big no."
Heero smirked as he patted Hotaru on the head. Pleased that her daddy was pleased Hotaru smiled up at him looking completely angelic. It made a cute scene, something passing mothers commented on. After all how many fathers came and helped their daughters with costumes.
"Aw… isn't that sweet?"
"Look at those two and the way he's smiling at her. He's such a good father."
"I wish my husband would spend time with our daughter like that."
"No kidding my husband treats Lily like she's from a different planet."
"He looks so proud…"
Wufei coughed politely and whispered to Quatre, "I wonder what they would say if they knew Yuy is probably proud of Hotaru glaring at Duo."
"You think so?" Quatre watched the father-daughter scene.
"Give her a few years and she'll have Yuy's glare," Wufei muttered, "Just you wait."
Another Five Minutes Later
"Absolutely not," Relena stated after seeing Hotaru's latest costume.
Hotaru at this point could certainly be called daddy's little girl. She stood, grinning at attention wearing commando style pants and tank top. The original dog tags she had scene she was a baby twinkled under the lights. At this point the only thing she was missing was a gun, though Duo tried to help out by giving her a fake one. This only got him a disapproving glare from Relena.
Heero shrugged, "It could be worse, I don't see a problem."
"Heero, not that," Relena shook her head.
Duo grinned, "I think she makes a cute commando."
Relena scowled at Duo.
Duo then hastily added, "But I'm sure there's something in here that'll make her cuter."
"Coward," Wufei muttered under his breath.
Duo whispered back, "Yea, well I think Relena has been hanging around Heero too long."
Trowa chuckled and Quatre smiled.
Over Twenty Minutes Later
"Hotaru please come out," Relena called.
"No."
"Please?"
"Uh-Uh."
Heero rapped on the door, "Hotaru come out now," he said sternly.
"No!"
The five pilots and Relena were standing outside the change room. They had given Hotaru another costume to try on. So far Hotaru had been in there for over ten minutes. For some reason she refused to come back out. No matter how much they asked, pleaded or coaxed she just refused to come out.
"Come on Little Yuy," Wufei growled, "How bad can it be?"
"Remember when Uncle Duo dyed your hair pink?"
"Yes."
"It's worse than that."
They all looked at each other in confusion, what on earth could possibly be worse than having your hair dyed pink? It made no sense at all.
Heero looked at Wufei, "What did you pick out?"
"I don't know. I just grabbed the warmest thing I could think of," Wufei explained, "It's always cold on Halloween so I thought just get her something that was thick and she wouldn't get cold in."
"Maybe you should have checked to see what it was," Quatre sighed.
Relena knocked, "Come on out sweetie, I promise we won't laugh."
"You promise?"
Duo drew a cross over his heart, "Cross my heart and hope to lose my hair."
"Isn't it hope to die?" Trowa asked.
"Yea, but I think losing my hair is worse."
"Don't be silly Uncle Duo."
Duo pleaded through the door, "Please come out? Pretty please…"
"… Fine…"
Hotaru huffed out with her arms crossed giving them a pout, as she stood there unhappy at the latest try at costumes. Duo stared at her several minutes of silence passed before he broke out into pearls of laughter. Everyone watched as the DeathScythe pilot collapsed in a heap of chuckles.
Hotaru stomped her foot, "Uncle Duo! You promised!"
"Sorry… hehe… H-Hotaru, but… chuckle… I can't… haha… believe… chuckle… that Wufei…."
The reason for Duo's laugher could be clearly seen. The costume was certain fuzzy just as Wufei had claimed. Hotaru was dressed up in a white fuzzy unicorn costume complete with a hood that had the mane and horn. There was even a tail stuck on her little bum. She was not a happy camper to be put in something so degrading.
Relena murmured to Heero, "With that look she's giving Duo, I'm half expecting her to threaten him with bodily harm."
"Now what gives you that idea?"
Hotaru glared at Duo with as much seriousness as a seven-year-old could muster. Put it mildly being seven didn't make one very scary.
"I think we should stop now," Quatre suggested.
Heero agreed, "Before she really does pull off something I would do to that braided baka."
Heero walked over to Hotaru, picking her up and carrying her back to the change room. He might not have been the most emotionally adept person around, but he knew when his little girl needed some comforting.
"I don't like Uncle Duo now," Hotaru pouted.
Heero nodded absently, "Don't worry, you'll like him again. Till then, you can let Neo and Shadow loose in his room."
Even children needed a bit of revenge now and then.
Author's Notes: Done, but not completely, I realized after a while this chapter was going to get really long, so to off set that it's being split into two parts. What happened here was the original idea of what I wanted to happen on Halloween with some parts cut out. The next part is the newer idea, which was thought up over a month ago. Sadly enough the first three pages of this story were written last year. That's how long ago it was.