Chapter 4
Fire Arrow

ìHey, I have some good news,î said Quatre as he entered the room, ìThe repairs on the Gundams are almost done.î

ìGreat. I really appreciate your help.î Duo sat at the edge of a bed, looking out the window. ìI wonder what ever happened to Heero.î

ìYeah, and Kasen.î

ìDo you really think that she came here to stop a war?î

ìIím not sure.î

ìSeems like all she cares about is Heero.î

ìMaybe she isnít who she says she is.î

ìMmm..î

The crowd below was busy as a daily market took place. People bought and sold from each other, until some where distracted. A strange wander came, unusual to the rest. She came in a long sleeved, black turtle neck shirt, and black pants that were covered by a green dress. Her shoulders and head where covered by a dark green cloak. Though the breeze continued to become more fierce, and blew the hood off, revealing her fiery hair.

The locals were fascinated by it, and immediately took great notice of her. More and more began to be interested, talking among each other in their native tongue. Eventually they began to talk out loud. This made Duo and Quatre take notice of what was going on down below from the building in which they stood.

Suddenly, all bowed down on their knees as if they were praying to their goddess. Kasen, who did not fancy such a gesture, went to one of the locals in front of her.

She gently grabbed his hands, lifted him from the ground and said, ìNo, you donít have to do that. Iím no better than you.î He looked in her eyes and took heed of her words.

The man bobbled his head and turned to the crowd, speaking in his peopleís language. They rose to their feet and continued on with their own business, but still kept a slight attention to her.

Kasen looked up, and noticed Duo and Quarte.

ìIíll be damned,î said Duo.

ìI guess I better get another room ready.î

Kasen made herself comfortable in the peaceful desert town. The locals followed her around, inviting her into their homes, which she accepted. Kasen wanted to know everything about them, their songs, their food, their language that she found exotic.

On one such ocassion, they had been invited to stay with the mayor of the town, who had opened his heart to their cause. While he and Quatre talked business, Duo hanged around the garden built in the center of the home. It wasnít very entertaining, but it was better than listening to the polite boring discussion.

ìLesila bairnon paydema,î sang a voice from behind him.

He glanced over his shoulder to see Kasen, dressed in the locals garb and jewelery, wrapped in green and silver. She leaned onto a small olive tree with a smile.

ìOh itís just you,î he said casually.

ìWhatís that suppose to mean?î she said putting a hand on a hip.

ìNothing. Trying to blend in are we?î

ìNo, not really. They were gifts, and it would be rude of me not to wear them.î

ìSure whatever.î He turned back around.

She came and sat next to him. ìBesides, itís fun to try something new. To be around a different culture.î

ìYeah I suppose.î

ìOh I forget that such things donít matter to you. Just fighting right?î

ìI never said that.î

ìWell you certainly act like it.î

ìEven I know fighting isnít everything.î

ìTell that to Heero,î she said as she laid down on a rock, her hair draping down to the ground. ìI wish I could make him see that.î

ìSpeaking of the grouch, where did he go?î

ìI donít know. He said there was something important he had to do. Repentance for a mistake.î

ìAnd you didnít go with him?î

ìWhy should I? No one controls me, not even Heero. This fire arrow will fly on its own free will.î Her tone had changed, becoming more serious and distant.

ìWhat was stopping you before?î

ìThe silent bow.î

ìOh there you two are,î said Quatre from the doorway.

ìHi Quatre.î She sat up from the rock, greeting him with a smile.

ìI hope you both are enjoying your stay.î

ìI know I am.î

ìI can see that,î he said referring to her outfit. ìThe locals are having a celebration tonight, and weíre all invited.î

ìHow cool! Iím gonna see if I can help.î She ran off, her feet slapping on the wooden floor until she exited on solid ground outside.

ìThat girl sure is strange.î

ìDid she say anything about Heero?î

ìShe said something about him correcting a mistake. Iím guessing that it was the Martial Noventa incident.î

ìI see...Do you think he will come back?î

ìCome on this is Heero weíre talking about. Even if he was a zombie he would still do whatever it took to get the job done.î

ìYouíve got a point there.î

ìIím more worried about Kasen.î

ìKasen? Why?î

ìIím beginning to sincerely doubt if she really is a ninja. I mean come on, how many ninjaís act like her? Sheís more concerned about having fun than fighting.î

ìWell there really isnít much else to do right now. Everyone needs a break now and then. So are you coming tonight?î

ëYeah Iíll go though I donít know why.î

All day Kasen had spent her time helping set up for the celebration, stringing marigolds, learning the dance and song that would be performed, and trying to help cook though not very successfully. The other women usually gave her something easy like rolling dough or shaping dumplings. They only teased her slightly, saying that if she were their daughter sheíd be the most wanted bride once she was taught how to cook. Kasen just laughed and thanked the stars that she wasnít.

As night fell, all the men in the village began to start a bonfire and opening the alcohol that would be gone once the night was through. Instruments were being warmed up as the drums pounded and the flutes trilled. All the decorations were strategically placed, the food lined up on tables, bringing the townís center to life. Once all the work was done, the party was set off with the blow of a horn.

Quatre and Duo showed up just as a song started, the locals singing in their native tongue, dancing a dance they all knew. They had done the same thing every year for longer than any elder knew.

ìHey whereís Kasen?î asked Quatre as he looked for her in the crowd.

ìOver there,î said Duo, pointing in the group that was dancing.

Sure enough she was there, dressed in red and gold, her skirt flared out as she spinned around with the other women. Neither Duo or Quatre knew what the song was about but they figured it had something to do with a man and woman arguing in a comedic fashion by watching their actions. They danced around the fire to the beat of the drums, going faster at the climax and striking a pose at the end.

Once the song was over, the feasting began, everyone digging in to the food and drinks. Kasen came over to Duo and Quatre, her face lit up with excitement.

ìWow Kasen, you fit in so well here, I wouldnít be surprised if you stayed here when we left,î said Quatre.

ìNo, I will go where ever you do. As much as I love it here, I canít isolate myself from the world and pretend that all the horrible things that are going on are not occurring. I just couldnít live with myself.î

ìWe understand.î

She wrapped an arm over each of theirs shoulders. ìCome on, you guys have to try some of this food.î