Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is © to Bandai, Sunrise, and Sotsu Agency. All original characters mentioned within this story--with the exception of Mea, Quatrina, and Kailai--belong to them. This fiction piece is made solely for my own entertainment purposes, as well as for the entertainment of others. I'm not making any money or profit out of this. All rights are reserved. Comments, questions, and constructive criticisms are welcome and can be directed to me at Mishee926(at)gmail(dot)com.

This fiction is rated PG for some violent language and mature themes. You have been warned. Please read at your own discretion.

A Continued Dream: Quatrina's Story
Written by: Mishee

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Chapter III
Another Goodbye

"Why are you staring at me?"

Kilai Winner gave a start. He had quietly been watching his sister for some time now. She had been studying silently on her desk, her back facing him. How could she have known he was watching her?

"I know how it feels to be watched by someone, especially you, Kai. You're my twin, remember?" There, she had done it again. She had read his mind. He grinned nonchalantly and said, "You know me too much."

"I do." Quatrina turned around to face him. Her blue-green eyes bore into his own. "What's up? You do this only whenever you want to talk."

"Like I said, you know me too much." He sidled over to her bed and sat. She regarded him in silence, crossing her legs in a sitting position.

"Kai…get to the point, please? I have this major physics test tomorrow, and it's not easy."

Kai's eyes traveled up to her wall.

"I never noticed those pictures up on your wall," he remarked.

She blinked, then her eyes narrowed. "What are you—"

"They're pretty. Where did you get them?"

"Kai—"

"Did you draw them?"

Quatrina sighed impatiently. "Kilai Winner, if you have nothing to say, then just—"

"I'm going to join."

Quatrina stared at him. He didn't look back at her and kept his eyes up on the wall. Finally, she took a deep breath and cleared her throat.

"I…beg your pardon?"

"I will. I'm going to do it."

"Kai…this is nota good time to be joking with me. I really do have a test and—,"

"I'm not joking, Kat." This time, Kai turned to look at her, his eyes determined and face a mask of seriousness. Quatrina looked at him. She rarely saw him this way and knew that he was serious. Her face fell. She wouldn't look at him.

"Why?"

"That's the same thing I've been asking myself these past few weeks." He sighed and collapsed into her bed. He fingered the ring--their father's ring--which had been given to him from his mother as a remembrance present. "I'm angry, Kat. Maybe you've noticed it. I'm…I'm furious. I mean, how can they just start another war in the middle of our peace settlement? Didn't we fight in a similar war seven or eight years ago so that we can get rid of wars? Didn't father die doing that?"

Quatrina didn't say anything.

"Tell me, Kat. Did he die in vain? Did he give his life up fighting for a dream that would never come true?"

She was still silent. He sighed and turned to look at her. "Don't you have anything to say?"

"That doesn't mean you have to risk your life doing the same thing," she said, not looking at him.

Kai stared at her and said nothing.

"Father died trying to achieve a dream that he hoped would come true," she continued, her face amazingly expressionless. "And now you're going to risk your life fighting for a dream you know won't come true. Kai…what's wrong with you? There's no sense in that."

"I didn't say I'd die doing it," Kai said quietly.

"Then, tell me, Kai. Why are you doing it? Why do you want to fight?"

"I already told you, Kat. I want to show them how stupid this war is; how wars can only cause hurt and pain. I want to bring peace into this world, Kat."

"How can you achieve peace while fighting, Kai?"

"How can you achieve peace by just sitting here, Kat?"

The two stared at each other in silence; both were angry.

"I just want to do something, Kat. Something. I just can't sit here hoping for peace to come."

"Oh, Kai…" she murmured, tired of arguing with him. As twins, both knew more about each other than even their own mother. The two had grown up together and lost the same father. They had both shared in the same sorrow and pain in losing him, and both had found the strength to live, despite the loss. Their rarely had their differences. The two had always been close. But now, a wall seemed to separate them, and Quatrina felt more distanced from Kai than she had ever felt before. She looked down at the soft carpeting, her eyes filling with tears.

"Now even the war is separating us."

Kai looked up, startled. He saw her sad face, her drooping shoulders, and his face softened. He slowly made his way toward her and put an arm around her shoulder.

"That's why I'm fighting this war, too. I'm fighting to keep us from falling apart. Do you understand? Kat, please say you will."

Quatrina looked up at him and saw that his own eyes were filled with regret for hurting her. She surrendered to a trembling smile.

"I think I do now, Kai."

"You sure?" Kai's eyes were searching her face for some proof. She widened her smile, but inside she felt sick to the stomach.

"Yes. I…I'm sorry for arguing with you like this. It's your decision, your life," she said simply, "and I really shouldn't be interfering."

"Kat, I'd never make such a decision if I knew it'd hurt you or mom." He stared at her again, searching for some sort of reaction—or answer—from her. He found none. He sighed, then stood up. "Well, I'd better leave you to study for that physics test for yours. Call me if you need any help; I'm a whiz at physics."

With that, he exited the room and closed the door gently behind him. Quatrina stared at the door for a long time, then whispered, "You already are hurting me, Kai. You already are…"

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Angry words were exchanged the next evening. Mrs. Winner could not convince her son otherwise from his decision and Quatrina simply did not say anything.

"Kilai…son, how could you? This war is not a game! Real combats are taking place each day with real people getting killed. What can you hope to accomplish by joining this mess?"

"Mom, I'm fighting to keep you safe; both you and Quatrina. I can't just sit and watch for peace to come. Peace is not something that can be served to you on a silver platter. One must have to fight for it!"

"Fighting is not always the answer, Kai!" Mrs. Winner trembled in frustration, but there was fear in her eyes.

"Then what is?" Kai shot back. Mrs. Winner didn't say anything, but her eyes brimmed with tears.

"I…I just don't want to lose you the same way I lost your father," she whispered in such a soft voice that Kilai barely heard her. He turned away, somewhat ashamed and angry at the same time. Silence dominated the air for a few minutes. Then, Rashid, still strong in his old years, stood up from the armchair from which he was observing the two of them silently.

"Kilai," he began, his voice low. "I know I cannot convince you otherwise from your decision…but I do believe it would be wise if you would spare your mother and sister the anxiety of your leaving by choosing to stay here."

Kai just shook his head.

"I won't. I can't, anyway. I've already signed up. My orders are to report to the nearest spaceport tomorrow." He turned and was about to ascend the staircase when he paused. He turned around, his eyes filled with regret.

"Mama, Quatrina…" He paused. "Rashid. I'm sorry to cause you such anxiety. I really am. But I do believe that I'm doing the right thing. Please don't take this away from me."

Mrs. Winner didn't say anything. Quatrina looked down at her feet. Rashid merely nodded, and murmured, "Yes, Master Kilai."

Kai stared at all of them for a few more moments, then turned and disappeared up the staircase and into his room. After his door shut close, Mrs. Winner collapsed into the sofa, her face in her hands. Rashid went over to comfort her. Quatrina stood and went outside.

The day had turned hot again, but now that it was dark, the temperature had dropped mildly. The sky was clear and a full moon shone bright in the blue void. Quatrina looked up to the North Star, her eyes searching for an answer she would not get. She had no control over anything anymore. Everything was going past her too fast, and she didn't know what to do about it. Secretly, she wished she could do something, as well, like her brother was doing. But she knew that she had a duty at home, a duty to protect her mother. But…was that really what she wanted? To spend her life just waiting for a dream that had been the cause of so many lost souls, both past and future? She didn't know. Sighing, she turned her eyes once again to the stars, wondering if they may hold the answers. Nothing seemed to hold any answers for her these days, anyway…