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Red over Lunar
Chapter iii…for my girl
"I wish I'd seen you as a little girl
Without your armor to fend off the world
I would have kept you underneath my wing
I would protect you from everything
Make way for the lemon parade
Make way for my girl"
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disclaimers: if I owned sm/gw, does anybody think I'll still be writing fics? Oh…all right, I would still be but, sm/gw does not belong to me. They belong to their rightful owners, whom I'm not sure of…^^;;
Notes:
I'm going over ROL and revising chapters to better suit myself. Format, structure and development are being changed.
-italics and bold emphasizes
-italics are also flashbacks
-these ----- separate and show time frames
-'…' are thoughts
-Nieve centered! =)
-swearing!
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Her mind was spinning. She wanted to lose her grip on the controls and let the machine skyrocket her into death. She expected something more when she had done it but it wasn't what she had expected. Instead, it made her adrenaline rush decline until it was a thin flat line. Now…it seemed unimportant, like a big stupid mistake. A mistake someone ruthless like her would do.
How was she going to face them after this?
/Levina punched the wall for the 4th time. It angered her. Lies, all the lies that had made her endure and believe, had gave her that boost when she said no more. They were rushing at her now, raping her delicate mind.
"Levina, have I not taught you anything? This long and you still haven't learned to control your temper. This is what I mean...you are not worthy pilot a Gundam. We cannot allow people who throw tantrums like a child to do such a thing. Piloting a Gundam is great responsibility…you…YOU…- You are just a mere girl." A girl.
'It almost seems like a waste…years…enduring…training…I…I…it's not even worth it…and all, ALL for you, all for mama.'
A girl. A girl. His image faded through the sliding doors as her eyes closed and water fell loosely down her face. Water…and tears…she decided she couldn't cry, not at this moment and harshly brushed the tears away. 'Let it melt into gumdrops.' Levina stood up with a dominating silhouette and walked toward the doors. She would prove it to them even if.
"I am no mere girl." 'Just another girl.'
She stopped at her room. Inside, in the kitchen, she worked gently and quietly...'like mommy when mommy smiled with all those tears in her eyes.' It was cooking, but rather it seemed to be from her moments of watching her mother work in the kitchen, that would calm her raging heart, or wipe away her tears. In minutes cookies were baking in the oven and she was nowhere to be seen. Her steady strides through the dorm were heard and sounds shadowed the dark tones of the room. Levina emerged later when the timer went off, striking the still silence. Quickly she pulled out her tray of cookies and placed them in a bowl. She set a single white card beside them...'Trowa'. He would understand she smiled knowingly.
On her back was everything she needed. In her mind, she was ready to expel rebellion and rendezvous.
She walked through hallways, through guarded doors…all allowing her access. Her heart beat with every step, anxiety ate every part of her confidence and fear was nowhere to be seen. Another step…and she would hold power.
She placed her pack on the ground and pulled out her materials. Another set of codes and she would have access to the machine that lied within, sleeping and waiting.
"Nataku. Here you are." 'Why Nataku?'
He will be mad, she thought. He will chase me to the edge of the universe. But I don't care, this is the only Gundam I have easy access to right now. I will take it and fly with it...I will prove to those assholes that I can take as much as any mere boy can../
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"Damn Nishi. Can ya drive any slower? Stoners want their shit. You know how those assholes are." She inhaled in another huff of her cigarette then let the smoke drawled from her mouth into the dark night air. Her window was open and raindrops whipped onto her face as their car raced through the dimly lit highway. Her companion smiled as he steered the wheel following the curve in the road.
He loved every angle of her nature.
"Chill, firebrand. It's all good." He kept his Prussian blue eyes on the road. She snickered but said nothing more. A few minutes later and the rain poured. She smiled and lay back against the wet seat. He glanced at her quickly and couldn't refrain the smile on his pale lips. Rainy days were their best days. They were the only days she smiled and the only days, they both forgot the troubles they were surrounded by. Rainy days, they were theirs and theirs alone: two best friends tied down by a bond of childhood monsters. Nieve, she was his and he was hers. They were not lovers in the sense dreamt by teenage girls, they were lovers in the sense of falling deeply in love with a sad cruel world and escapee due only to a whimsical stir through fantasy. You are my beekeeper, she had told him once. And you are mine, he had told her in reply. Promise me, she had asked holding out her hand. He had taken it, holding it firmly and then it burnt, it burnt so bad he forgot pain and felt only sickness. It had been the smell, the smell of human flesh burning. She was melting the solid boundaries of his skin. His eyes had glanced at her cautiously. She didn't smile, just looked like her old dark empty self. I promise you too then, and if you ever betray me, I will burn the entire world like I am burning you right now. He had shivered. Such an intense, fiery person.
From then on, their oath under the moon, they had been together forever. First running off into the silent night together, escaping the hold of the orphanage and then into the streets, learning to deal and making it a piece of their life ever since. It had been from the orphanage, the punishment set on Nieve that had silenced her so much, had broken her tongue, making her a person of little words…but much anger and strength.
'When I die, will you burn me with your flames?' he had asked often when they laid next to each other on a faltering rooftop, watching the stars climb onto the night sky. She had looked ahead of her, her eyes unable to stare into his side. 'Promise me, Nieve? You'll let me die in your flames.' She never answered him.
"Nieve, what are you thinking about?" He slowed the car down a bit as the lane curved then sped the car up again. Her eyes snapped open and she stared outside into the darkness. They were on a bridge highway, speeding well over 90 mph on a limited 55 mph lane. He closed her window after she threw out the remainder of her cigarette. The rain had been whipping her features.
"I don't know, Nishi."
"Anymore premonitions?" He held his breath. He remembered all her premonitions and had taken every single one of them seriously. She was a special girl, he had figured as he drew a straight line closer and closer into her heart. She was odd and special and unique, totally different from everyone else he had met. He loved her so much because of this. She had a special magic that drew him in and embraced him and he in turned held a shield for her, trying to protect her, loving her and giving her everything an almost-brother would.
"I suppose."
"What was it of?"
"It was empty," she recalled calmly after a muting drive. "Then the blood came in raindrops, falling and emptying onto the floors. I couldn't see anything else but blood…and then She came. Again. She looked even more…beautiful."
"Nieve...what do you think it means?"
She said nothing and watched the road ahead. 'I don't know.'
They had been driving in silence, riding through the long bride when it came out of nowhere.
"SHIT!" Nishi screamed as a force crashed into them. Nieve and Nishi slammed forward, following the inertia of the car. The car was running out of his control, skidding forward then right, into the side of the highway. Nishi tried desperately for the brakes and managed to twist the steering wheel out of the side back onto the road.
"Nishi, what the hell is it?!" Nieve tried twisting her neck around to glance behind but all she saw was darkness…and sparks. She tried to climb out of her seat into the passenger seats when Nishi stopped her.
"Nieve, put on your seatbelt now!" He screamed, trying to put on his seatbelt and controlling the car. He didn't want to die now and he did not want to take any risks. The car was beginning and moving steadily again now, the speedometer moving up to 60 mph. His foot was still on the gas when that same force came again and lurched him forward. His foot slammed on the gas and the speedometer climbed to 85 mph. He removed his foot quickly to the brake when the force came again.
"Fuck, fuck!" Nishi screamed as the car skidded forward again and then whatever it was, slammed into them again. Sparks were flying behind and around them. This force lurched the car out of control and it slammed side-on into the walls of the highway. The impact slung Nieve's head like that of a rag-doll into her window, smashing it but not breaking it. Immediately, she fell unconscious, a stream of blood flowing from the side of her head.
"NIEVE!" he cried as he glanced at her quickly. He winced inwardly as he saw her window. No wonder she was knocked out. He tried to lean over to shake her awake but his action became short lived.
Quickly, he averted his attention to his windshield, twisting his steering wheel so he could move back into the road. He wasn't even able to back up before the force slammed into his car from behind.
"SHIT!" The car was spinning head on into the cement wall again…only this time, there was no cement wall but short rimmed fences. The bridge highway was just curving down, into the ground level streets... Then as if the car was being lift up, it flew over the fence and into the abandoned streets below.
BANG.
The fall, the flight, it was not that high but nevertheless, the sound and sight would not have been for the weak-hearted.
It happened quickly. Probably less than 20 seconds…then the car landed upside down. Smoke rose from it, gas dripped from the car's side.
Nishi could hardly stay awake and breathe. It felt like all of his organs were shoved up, trying to edge out of his body. Everything was rushing up, closing his windpipes, and suffocating him. He succumbed and blacked out. 'Nieve…'
The impact jerked Nieve out of the strange dream that seemed to be urging her to wake up.
It was the woman…the same woman she often saw of when she was a child: the beautiful woman with long ebony hair and sad violet eyes. She had held out her hand for Nieve, smiling softly. Fireflies were dancing in her palms, their light almost waiting to lead her. "Come on, Nieve…you have to wake up. We still have so much growing to do. Wake up, Nieve…wake up…" The woman had chanted and chanted until she faded off, but her voice remained.
'I…' Nieve raised her head, groaning as the pain struck her from her head through her neck and onto every part of her body. She tried lifting her hand but it ached so awfully, she was unable to crack a finger. She opened her eyes and winced as the pain hit her like a sword slicing through her flesh. She lifted her head to see her surroundings for she had no idea where she was and she was disorientated. It was a mistake but she ignored the pain. It seemed she was shackled, hanging upside down, her arms and legs beaten and cut brutally. Awkwardly, she unbuckled her seatbelt and slipped through her shattered window, after figuring out that the door was jammed in. She fell out onto the pavement. She began crawling…crawling, trying to remember.
She had crawled to the back of the car when she smell something thick and awful and saw liquids dripping. It wasn't the rain. It was dark. Gas leak. Then it hit her. Accident.
NISHI.
"NISHI!" she screamed as her mind raced. Speaking…moving, it was heavily thick with pain. She had to get him out; she had to save him no matter what. The car could explode at any time; quickly she gripped the car for support and ran as fast as she could to the other side. Her mind raced…'NishiNishiNishiNishiNishiNISHINISHINISHINISHI.
Nishipleasebealivepleasebealivepleasebealive. Ohpleaseohpleasebealive...'
She reached the other side and screamed in anger and tears. She could make out his figure, slumped in white outlines. His window was partly broken. She gripped the door handle and tried to open it and no matter what she did, she couldn't pull it open. She tried and tried and it wouldn't budge.
She reached through the broken window and touched his face. Her touch woke him up, almost like the magical touches of a fairy tale prince to his princess. Nishi's eyes glanced at her face sadly but a smile played on his bloody and bruised lips. "Nieve..."
'My girl...' His arm shakily reached for her face as she leaned in and gingerly his thumb wiped away her unknowing tears, smearing his blood on her stained face. "Hey firebrand…" His eyes twinkled as if they were laughing themselves. He coughed and his eyes closed slowly. His eyes ached; they were tired of the black skyline. They were so tired. Never had he ever been so tired, too tired to keep his eyes open, too tired to breathe…
She broke the remaining pieces of the window and reached inside. She unbuckled his seatbelt then wrapped her arms under his armpits, breathing onto his neck and tried pulling him. It ached, it killed and it hurt.
"Nishi, please hold on. I'll get you out of this. Please open your eyes and stay awake ok?" Never had she cried in front of him and now she was crying openly. She couldn't lose him. She couldn't lose her only friend. He groaned.
"Nieve…damnit, let me go. The car might explode," he said softly, barely even seeing her face.
"No! NO! I won't let this happen, this can't happen!"
She tried again. He, sensing something used the last ounce of his strength and pushed her back. As soon as her back touched the wet pavement under the raining sky, the car exploded into flames.
"NISHI! NISHI! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO………noooo….nooooooo…..NOOO…!" She screamed in terror and tears, her hands straining herself, tugging and pulling the strands that had came loose. "NISHI! NISHI!"
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Nieve sprawled her figure out, her arms wide open, almost as if losing its grip on fallen stars. Her tears had long stopped and it was not midnight. No one had came, no police cars, no cars of any kind. She didn't care. This was poverty…this was destruction; people didn't care for people like her. She wanted this silence.
'Nishi you bastard. You fucken, fucken bastard. I will never forgive you! How can you be so cruel…? Why? Why? WHY?! I don't deserve to live, you do! You do! You have so much to live for…I don't…I've nothing at all.. What will I tell your little sister? That her brother was killed because of some shit that happened while we were delivering drugs? Haha…she will never forgive me. Fuck it! FUCK YOU NISHI! Damnit…i…this…this…is cold. So cold…Nishi…Nishi…Nishi…you always said, if we die, then let us both die because you will never leave me behind and I will never leave you behind. What now…? You lie…just like every other fucker in this world…such a liar…You just had to go and be the knight, didn't you? Save…your Princess Mars from despair…and die in the process…'
"Nishi," she whispered, rain running down her face as the tears that wouldn't drop anymore. She couldn't lift her head, her eyes to meet that of the dead flames of the car, the black rust and soot and ashes that were rained down. "Nishi…did you not ever think of yourself?"
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Her eyelids swallowed her vision up and tears really did fall this time. In her head, she could almost hear him humming soothingly… 'Make way for the lemon parade, make way for my girl... Nieve, this is your song...' Her fist pounded into the streets harder, splashing the dirty water.
She remembered him, every part of him, from meeting him to catching crickets and fireflies to running off into the night. She remembered storming with him into a museum to see an art gallery. She remembered as they weaved themselves in and out of the many elegant people. The pictures, she remembered clearly, were beautiful and exotic. There were many, of Princesses and Kings of legends. There was the sad Princess of Venus in the arms of a silver haired King. There was the beautiful Princess of Mercury and Princess of Jupiter. Then there was the last Princess. She was the Princess of Mars. When Nishikada saw it he had smiled, exclaiming how Nieve looked so much like her. 'You'll be my Princess of Mars from now on,' he had said smiling. 'And I'll be your knight and King of the East.' Who is the King of the East? She had asked. He smiled. Behind the Princess of Mars, stood a man with a gentle face and blonde hair…and Prussian eyes. 'He is the King of the East, Jadeite.' How do you know so much about this, eh? She had asked. He laughed seriously. 'My mother…before she died used to tell me tales of the Moon Princess and her court. She told me of the sad lives of the Inner Court and the tragic ending the Moon Kingdom faced. My mom said I looked and acted so much like the character of the King of the East that she nicknamed me Jadeite. Funny…isn't it? She told me that one day maybe I'll find my Princess.' He had turned to her and smiled. 'You are my Princess, Nieve. You are that Princess.' Don't you think you are dreaming too much? I could never be that Princess…
'No, Nieve, you are my Princess, Nieve.'
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The rain continued and poured into dark shadows in the night.
Nieve had lain, bathed in the rain's raindrops until she was soaked through and through. Her hair was matted across her pale cheeks and lips. Her nails were torn and bleeding and so were her hands.
She sat up and stared into the sky for 30 minutes, staring into the brilliance of stars shimmering off and on in the far distance. The Colonies are out there, she thought randomly, twinkling like stars in this night sky. She breathed. She could see her exhaled breath.
'If Nishi was here he would through me on his back and take me home…he would build a fire and we would sit in front of it…'
'Nishi…'
As if caught in a trance, Nieve staggered up, and limped over to the junk that was the remnant of their car. Her eyes were locked on the hand that hung outside of the window. She felt her heart throbbing…aching. Her eyes were itching, almost eager to cry and let everything out.
'You need to cry more, firebrand…you are human after all and you deserve everything.'
She stopped in front of the hand and picked it up, dragging it's scarred and burnt hand to her cheek. She caressed the hand gently, smiling…smiling like she had never before. And slowly, her tears learned to come back, falling gently onto the black skin, rinsing it away. Slowly they came then they fell more and more. Her eyes could see it now, the mark she had given him.
She unraveled his hand after tracing lifelines across the front. Clasped within his fingers was the key on the chain. She took it from him and tucked it inside her pants.
Nieve sat by the side of the car, weaving her fingers into his stiff ones, holding them tightly, afraid to let go. She looked off into the distance and could hear the ocean roaming with thunderous hatred. She could sounds of crickets and then she saw fireflies, dancing palely among the dead grass. She stared in a mute nature, her figure almost frozen in place and if she could have, she would have chosen to stay like she was now…forever…'eien ne'.
She finally crawled into the wet "car" and unlocked Nishi from the car's grip. She gently pulled him out and put him on her back. She carried his weightless body as she walked. Just like he always did to her. Let me be your knight for once, Nishi…she thought as she walked in rhythm to the fallen raindrops. Let me feel like a savior for just one night. Nishi's burnt head bent down over her shoulder. Almost like he was burying all of his sorrow and happiness into her so they could both share the pain. She smiled.
"Just a little while more, Nishi…just a little while more then I'll return to what I was before."
She trudged down the long empty road with him. 'We look almost like children…so innocent and not a care about what war the world was waging…sometimes I wish I could return…maybe you'll be there.'
"You look so peaceful, almost as if you are satisfy with what has happened. It's like everything has been lifted off your shoulders and you couldn't care less about the world. Did you forget me, Nishi? Your Nieve?" She talked and murmured the whole way. This circled one-way conversation would keep her company.
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I buried him this morning...in the dawn. I dug a hole under our tree and tossed him in. I was too afraid to burn him...he's too beautiful to melt into ashes...I couldn't do it Nishi...I just couldn't. I was shoveling, digging up your grave then I fell into your grave...and I lay there, letting the rain beat down on me, letting the rain melt the dirt onto me. I tried to get out and I dragged your body down with me. I curled next to you and that was all I could. Hug you knowing I would never see you again...I remember you so much I can't let you go. I held onto your waist and laid my head on your chest... You're still alive, my Nishikada...still alive, it was just the world who was cheating me...I laid with you until I gave up and the dirt was covering both you and me. I didn't care, bury me alive.
I wanted to die, six feet underneath the earth. It had always occurred to me how much I was afraid of living. I never thought I would welcome death as openly as that. I should have died…it was always living that I was afraid of.
Somehow though, I couldn't give in to the urge yet. Not yet, Nishikada. I feel like you're still here or at least somewhere, watching me. I can feel your gaze. It was your gaze that had always intrigued me and scared me. I've never seen anything so compassionate…and yet sad. It sometimes seemed like you were carrying the whole weight of the world yet you always smiled. You remind me of someone…someone with golden hair…
I climbed back out, bathing in the dirt. It was so fresh, it almost seemed like I was a little kid again…and you were still alive.
I hate them. I hate them so much. Those fucking assholes that did this to us, to you. I hate them, IHATETHEMIHATETHEMIHATETHEMIHATETHEMIHATETHEMIHATETHEMIHATETHEMIHATETHEMIHATETHEM!
I will kill them. I swear it Nishi, I will kill those assholes and dismember their corpses. I'll fuckin kill them. I will make them pay. I am going to burn them, burn them until their skin melts…I'll make them suffer. I swear it Nishi. I know you can hear me, read me.
If I can't find them, I will burn the entire world instead.
I will devour this world in flames for taking you.
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She was caught sitting on the ledge of the bridge, her feet sticking out and her eyes staring off into the deep depths. In another time, if she remembered, someone would have told her to look closer and she would see more than her reflection. Nieve was wearing a long raggedy black trench coat, fragrant with Nishi's scent. It was all that she had of him that was solid in their rundown apartment. And she would cherish it as if her life depended on it. In her hands was the key. She ran her hand up and down the key, touching it unknowingly then moving onto the necklace around her neck.
Nieve didn't even turn around when she heard a stampede. She knew who they were and expected them but she didn't expect the news they carried. The first man was tall and had sleek black hair. He looked dangerous like a killer with pale blue eyes. "Nieve, we found out that a Gundam is on earth right now." His voice was husky and low.
"Gundam." She spoke the word like she was questioning it yet thoroughly examining it.
"Yeh. Apparently, the pilot lost control. From what I've heard, it was bound for the states, for the Red Federation Base."
"If its here, where is it now?"
"We think it's at the bottom of the ocean...the pilot however is at the beach at this very moment."
"We saw her swimming from the ocean. She is quite tall…and odd."
Nieve raised her eyebrow slightly at the other man's comment. He shrugged uncomfortably. "How so?"
"A she. It's a 'her'. She's piloting a Gundam. From what I heard, only men can pilot Gundams."
She sprang from her spot, grabbed his collar and threw him against the railing. The man was shaking and sweating. He was afraid of Nieve. Everyone was, except for Nishikada. "I wouldn't talk such shit." She released him and turned her back to the group of man. She was a woman and never would she let a man insult her.
It was true she controlled them. They were too afraid of her to resist but she had never taken advantage them. She only wanted to instate fear, instate the cruelty of the world to them. They were Nishikada and her own group, a spy of sorts if there were to be labels.
She didn't even snicker like she usually did and took off running. The man rubbed his forehead as he watched her go. He was glad she was leaving. He hated her. He hated working for her. He wanted someone to kill her. He wouldn't have minded if he, himself, did it.
"Did you hear? Nishikada's dead," one spoke hazardously watching her back fade.
"Really? Hmm…I wonder what that bitch is gonna do."
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She was going to die.
She climbed over the fence and jumped down. On the sand below, Nieve could see the 'pilot'. So, that is the pilot. Fuck that, girl or not, the pilot was still going to straight into death's arms, after she suffered first. She jumped down from the fence and ran as fast as she could down the hill.
Levina tensed as she felt an aura coming her away. She had been resting, trying to catch her breath. Immediately, she turned around and stood up, face to face with a dark haired girl. The girl looked petite, with a small frame and figure but her clothes were baggy and raggedy. Levina guessed she probably wasn't more than 5 feet 6 inches yet one look into her eyes and Levina could feel a wave of power that even she was slightly afraid of. Something about those violet eyes... "Can I help you?" Levina asked, breaking the silence with her own cracking voice. The girl looked Levina over and over again. Seizing me up? She thought dryly.
"Are you the pilot of the Gundam?" Gundam? Why was she questioning her? Levina stiffened and folded her arms in front of her.
"Why do you ask?"
"You deserve to die." The girl lunged a punch at Levina, right into her jaw line. She was thrown back a couple of feet, breathing hard as she swiped the small droplet of blood from her lips. Such a small girl...but her strength were immensely non-human and surpassed her small stature. She spat out some saliva and stood up taller, holding up a dominating figure. She sent a kick at Levina who managed to block before it set another impact on her towering figure. Levina had to admit although she seemed two times as big as the girl, the girl was using Levina's size against her, proficiently.
Levina aimed for her stomach but she blocked with her arms, getting pushed back several meters.
"You aren't that bad," Levina admitted loudly but the girl was pissing her off. Without explanation she had attacked her, telling her she deserved to die. In any other case she would have dropped the matter and fled but the girl was persistent in provoking her and trying to kill her.
"You aren't that strong either." She sent a punch right into Levina who blocked and gave a good kick, throwing her off balance into the sand. She got up in time, as Levina was quick to attack again.
"What the hell is it that you want? I don't want to kill you without knowing what it is you are after. You would have died in vain-" Levina jumped back, missing a kick.
"You deserve to die!" She came right into Levina's path and attacked her, throwing kicks and punches that Levina countered easily and uneasily.
30 minutes later...
Levina was trying to drown the girl, holding her head into the angry waters. The girl was struggling, her legs dangling in the ocean liquid and arms grabbing Levina's feet, trying to pull her under. Finally the girl regained her balance in the water and pulled her head up, away from Levina's grip. She punched Levina angrily and then grabbed Levina's auburn ponytail and dunk her in the water.
Payback was sweet.
Levina struggled and escaped her hold, pulling her under water and trying to strangle her pale neck. She kicked Levina and tried the same ordeal.
30 minutes later...
No one seemed willing to give up her part of the fight. Levina just had more spunk and fighting power and the other girl...she seemed to increase in strength as the fight increased...as there was more blood from the two.
Levina stood across from her, 10 feet away. The other girl was standing tall in her wet black trench coat and torn jeans. A smirk came across the girl's face as she held both hands out. Levina prepared for a defending stance, to counter. She had less than a second to think before something came flying at her.
It was on fire.
She ducked as it missed her by a centimeter. The aim was startling accurate. Levina looked up in time to see another one flying her way. She jumped out of the way. She looked closer and realized it was an arrow...a burning arrow. She looked directly to her opponent and felt the temperature in her body rising. The girl was holding a flaming bow and arrow. 'It doesn't burn, does it? How does it feel like then?'
Nieve released her hold and the arrow came at Levina again. Levina angrily jumped out of the way just right into another arrow. This girl...she really wasn't ordinary. Her fiery display of her "power" proved so.
Well, she could play too.
Levina held both hands in front of her and a disc appeared, sparkling with lightning. She threw it like a Frisbee. Nieve's eyes were wide, as it didn't register in her mind to duck. The thing flew right into her, hitting her left shoulder. She was knocked down to the ground, her bow and arrow disappearing as she gripped her left shoulder. Blood was already dripping down the longitude of her skin.
"Shit," Nieve cursed loudly as she got up. She did not expect such an attack. It meant a challenge…something she felt the world lacked. Her bow and arrow appeared again and the two started fighting again, this time using their odd powers.
Fire vs. lightning.
1 hour later...
They were still at it both bleeding, breathing hard and cold. Levina was on the ground and so was Nieve, kneeling across from each other, holding her bow and arrow in place, ready to strike at the given time.
"Tell me why you are after me. People just don't kill other people for no reason!" Levina spat out another mouthful of blood. Her lips were bruised but her hands were together, ready to throw another "disc" at the girl.
"You. You piloted the Gundam."
"Yeah? What about it? I don't deny it."
"You killed Nishikada." Her arrow was released right into Levina. Levina was too slow and it scorched her skin as it pierced through her right arm.
"BITCH!" she howled. Acting rashly, she threw her lightning disc at Nieve, who barely had enough time to duck then sprang onto her, surprising her. Such closure gave her an advantage. She tossed Nieve onto the ground and grabbed her neck, tightly grasping it. Up close, Nieve seemed like nothing more than a rag doll. Nieve coughed for air as she tried to pry Levina's hands away. "What the hell are you talking about? How did I kill him?"
"Bitch," Nieve managed to spat. Levina's grip became tighter. Nieve kneed her hard in the stomache and she let go. As soon as she did, Nieve jumped on top of her and grabbed her throat. "You killed Nishikada, you bitch. I'll make you pay. I'll kill you!" Levina struggled endlessly as she tried to register the meaning of those words. Levina slammed her forehead into Nieve's then punched Nieve's stomach, knocking the wind out of her.
Nieve laid in the sand, breathing hard, her eyes closed. Nishikada was in front of her, smiling with his Prussian eyes. She opened them and stared into emerald eyes. "I don't know what the fuck you were talking about but I was sent by the Colonies. I didn't mean to kill your friend but if you want revenge, destroy the Colonies." She loosened her grip on Nieve's torn shirt, tossing Nieve back onto the ground like a rag. She turned around and started walking off.
"Yamate." 'Stop…'
Levina stopped in her tracks, turning around. Had the girl not had enough? Nieve staggered up, limping as she walked towards Levina.
"The Colonies? You are not lying are you?"
"No."
"Good. You will take me to them, then." Levina's widen a bit. This girl…she wasn't serious was she?
"I…you do know who you are going to be up against, right?" Levina rubbed her temples. If this girl seemed crazy, she was beyond that now. How exactly did she plan on throwing a tantrum at the colonies?
"Of course. All I ask is that you lead me to them…in any way possible and I'll keep your cover for you. Or else I will make sure you're dead." Levina's face scrunched into a frown. "You are on the run, aren't you. What will they do when they find you, huh?" Levina glared at the girl. "You are from the Colonies and are running from them, even if they sent you. It's kind of odd…yet I'm willing to fall into your..'truth'."
Levina growled. The girl was mocking her however she did not know anyone else on Earth so this would have to do while she was also low on funds.
"Fine. I'll help you but you must agree to my terms."
"Agreed."
"I haven't even stated them!" Levina roared. Nieve grabbed Levina's hand and clasped it tightly. In moments, Levina let out a shrill scream, pushing the smaller girl back as she looked at her hand. The very smell seemed to rot her whole core. Her skin seemed to be melting and was bright red. It hurt. Burnt. The girl had burnt her flesh. Levina slapped her across the face. "What the hell did you do that for?"
"That's our agreement." The girl turned around. "You better keep your words or next time, it'll be your whole body burning. That burnt marks our pact." She started walking. "Are you coming or not?"
Levina was still a bit shock but she ran up to catch up with the girl. "What's your name?" Levina asked. "I'd at least like to find out who my "boss" is gonna be."
"Nieve."
"Nieve?"
"Something wrong with that?"
"No. Nothing. By the way my name is Levina."
She snickered. "I didn't ask you for your name yet." Levina growled in anger. It seemed trying to get along with this girl would be hard. This 'Nieve' did not seem the type to talk much either and when she did talk, she had a temper and a fowl mouth. Levina decided to forget it so she smiled. Something she learned from Piloting School.
"No you didn't but since you seem to have a problem, I figured what the hell."
Nieve glared at her.
"What can you do?"
"I can do anything."
"Cook?"
"Cook? Of course. You're looking at the #1 cook in the Universe."
"Aren't you being a little bit cocky?" Nieve asked slyly.
"Considering your attitude? Nah, I don't think so at all."
"Good." Nieve hid a smile but inside she couldn't help smile a bit. She had to admit, she was quite sick of her cooking since Nishi…died.
"Eh?" Was that a smile? Levina thought as she ran up to walk next to Nieve.
Nieve…what a strange name for a little Japanese girl…
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"A woman? You sent down a woman to investigate the disappearance? How screwed up is that? First a woman escapes with my Gundam then another woman is sent to investigate? I don't think it would be wrong of me to think that they might be conspiring together."
"Hah, WuFei, you are so paranoid. Now all woman are uniting to join against you?" The Chinese man glared at the 'stupid' soldier.
"Fuck off. I'm not waiting here for some woman to find my Gundam." He turned around and started walking, calmly, against all of his rage towards the doors. He would find the Gundam. It was that Gundam that had caused him to lose everything important in his life and if it was the only thing he could have, solidly, then he was not willing to lose it. If everything that had happened had been for it then everything now was worth sacrificing.
"WUFEI! Hold it. You are not going anywhere. Lately, the tensions between the Earth and Colonies have been really intense and your entrance will only make them more suspicious. We can't blow our covers yet." The man behind the desk was picking his teeth with a toothpick and he looked pissed. "I am ordering you."
"I can't do that. I'm going either way." He continued walking.
"WUFEI! Do you wish to relinquish your right to pilot the Gundam Shenglong? I demand you get your ass back here!" He stood up and slammed his humongous fists into the desk, the impact shaking several things sitting on his desk and his framed pictures on the walls.
"Sorry but I can't do that. Even if you strip me of my piloting rights, there's no one else who can pilot that Gundam." The doors slipped closed. The commander pounded his hands into the table in anger again.
"That asshole!"
"You want me to stop him, sir?" The commander glared at the soldier.
"You can't do jack, if that stubborn idiot wants to go…he can go but if he dies, I don't give a shit. How is Tsara doing?"
"She's to reach Japan tomorrow morning, sir."
"Good. I hope she understands this is no reunion. This is an important mission."
"I'm sure she does, sir. She is our best leading Officer."
"Good. Now get your ass out of here."
"Yes, sir!"
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"I'll see her again…tomorrow…heh. It's funny." The blonde-haired girl drew pictures on the window with her index finger. She breathed onto the window again, her gaze following the stars as they danced from far away, tempting her to catch them.
D would love it, she thought, she would.
'I wish you were here, sitting by my side and blabbering on the constellations and the galaxies…even that would do more than enough to fill the empty silence but as usual, you're caught up in your work…Too busy for life, D.'
'Hey, Tsa…I hope this is something more than just a mission,' she offered a smile. 'It'll do you a lot of good.' She hugged her then leaned and whispered into her ear softly. 'I hope you find the answers you're searching for too.'
She sighed as she reached into her coat pocket pulling out a crumpled letter smeared with ink and dirt and blood.
Come if you like. I really don't care.'
She snickered, feeling pained. That was all that she had said with a scribble of an address. She contradicted the information given but…well, she would. She would go even if Nieve didn't care. It had been too long. They are both almost adults now, missing most of their childhood and she would be damned if she missed anymore of her stepsister's life. She would show Nieve she loved her.
But really, all that was thumping in Tsara's heart was the desperation to know and find; she wanted to know if Nieve missed her…or even loved her.
'Did you ever wonder about me all these years? Did you ever miss me? Did you Nieve? Did you miss me when I didn't come back? I'm sure Father came back to you, though. He just left me behind after mom died. You were his real kid after all…'
"Nieve…what am I going to do?"
Tsara closed her eyes and leaned against her seat. She wanted to give in to the sleep and forget everything but even that didn't come easy. Not without all the nightmares, longing for her. Trying to swallow and kiss her. They were the men in white jackets.
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/a.n/ all right…I'm really sorry for all the swearing if anyone was offended at all. The reason for all the swearing on Nieve's part is because I'm trying to show her personality and where she's from. I'm trying to make it as realistic as I can. If I screw up on anything gimme a holla! Also…I have this fascination with the whole Generals/Senshi thing and I decided that if the senshi can't really even have them at all…then I'll let them at least be friends so they can be a little bit happier. I tried to make this chapter as emotional as I can and if I did not succeed…gah…I suck! :P oh yeah, this chapter was also a lot about "Nieve/Nishi" but really, this story is about all of the senshi so have faith in me…I'm gonna unravel it as best as I can.
I'm also SORRY for the LONG LONG delay in this story! I kind of lost my touch with it after my computer died on me and I did not get it back until a while ago. But anyways, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to ALL WHO REVIEWED! I reread those reviews again and it gave me confidence and inspiration to FINISH this so…give yourselves a pat in the back! =) you all deserve it for inspiring such a bad authoress like me!
Also thank you's to these fine people: Crystal Dragon, island_gurl, Princess Jupiter, Girl-chama, anna, allegra, Marsgoddess, Priscilla, IsleofSolitude, marzy001, The 80lb Carrot, makoto, Sandra, key, star25801, Kasumi, JupLuna, Kaze, and Cade! And also to everyone else I forgot to mention! I've bad memory so if I forgot anybody…3x thank you's! =)