Hi! I guess I should explain to you all that this story is BEFORE the guys ever became Gundam Pilots. They have all gone through training before this [Hiiro was only about 8, 9, or 10 when asked to become a Gundam Pilot by Dr. J, as was Duo] with their doctors, and this is like the final training course before they can become pilots!! Whew, sorry for any confusions!!!
Oh yeah—HOLY COW!!!! Are you serious?? 82 reviews?? YAY!!! Thank you!!!
Disclaimer: Neither Sailormoon nor Gundam Wing belong to me. Now, if you want to hop into my ~mind~, however: YES, THEY'RE ALL MINE!!!
Well, here we go:
08 (the one you've all been waiting for!!!)
Recap:
Usagi curled into a ball on the cold ground and cried. Cried as the winds picked up and it began to sprinkle. Cried as the trees moaned and it began to pour. Cried for herself. Cried because she was still a baby. Cried because she couldn't make it here. But mostly, cried because she was wrong.
And that's how he found her, in a tight, secure, soaking wet ball.
Present:
His eyes wandered over the small boy in something akin to wonder and curiosity while he clutched the cloth. Suddenly, the boy lifted his head up and scared eyes met completely calm ones.
Usagi hugged her knees tighter to her chest and blinked through the rain. The sun was just beginning to turn the sky gray, and she was cold—but that wasn't the worst part. The worst part was that if she got up, her shirt would cling to her like a second skin, the bandages would be clearly shown and her cover as a guy would be ruined.
He threw a towel down to the boy. "Shenji, wasn't it?" he asked.
Usagi gratefully accepted the towel, wrapping it tightly around her upper half. "And you are--?"
"Not important right now. Come inside." He extended a hand to Shenji, pulling the boy up with a slight tug.
Usagi, amazed at the strength of this boy, wobbled a bit, but stood firm a moment later.
"Follow me."
It was a gentle, simple command, and she heeded it readily yet nervously. It was as if this boy could feel her fear of him. But why was she so afraid of him anyway? 'Something inside me just calls out to him, but at the same time it pushes away alarmingly.' She followed him nevertheless.
He led Shenji inside and out of the pelting rain, and into his dorm. "Sit." He pointed to the bottom bunk while closing and locking the door.
They were alone in his room. Usagi still didn't even know his name! For all she knew he could be trying to get her into trouble or something. Besides, she wanted to sleep and let her bruise heal up. Her nose hadn't even done that yet.
"Why were you training with Hiiro?" He figured he'd get right into the point, sitting in a chair across from the shivering boy.
Usagi shrugged. "Because." She was trying to act unafraid, but that was hard to do with loud sirens of alarm going off in her ear. Something was clearly trying to tell her to GET OUT OF THAT ROOM.
He nodded. "Well, would you mind answering me another question?" He folded his hands in his lap.
Usagi nodded, planning to evade it like the last one.
"Why do you have bandages around your upperbody?"
She froze. Her hands clenched the towel even tighter while she swallowed. 'Come on Usa, make something up!' "I have a breathing problem. The um, bandages, they tighten around my chest and make the air passage more round, so that air can go into my lungs. I was born with a squar-ish trachea. Asthma." 'Good! That'll throw him off.' She smiled.
He nodded once more. "You know, you're a terrible runner."
"What!" she yelled. "I'm a great runner! What are you talking about?" If there was one thing she was good at here, it was running. Fastest runner in her class.
He smiled slightly. "Have you ever come in first place?"
"Yes! I do it all the time!" she replied defensively.
"Ah. Then the other runners must run exceedingly slow."
Her eyes flared, her temperature sky-rocketed. "What the hell did you just say? The other runners run extremely fast, thank you very much! I'm probably the only person in this camp who could run as fast as them!" Now she was overdoing it, but she really ~was~ a fast runner.
Now, he smiled brightly. "And yet no one respects someone such as yourself? I can just see your plaque now: Faster than anyone in the world. Even guys."
Usagi smiled as she pictured the plaque. "Yup, sounds good to me." She sat back.
Now, his eyes narrowed. "Might I pry once more into your life?"
She noticed the change and nodded slowly, something making her heart beat speed up and her hands clench the sheets again.
"Why are you lieing to me?"
There it was. Her mouth dropped and she coughed. "What? When—"
"You said you had a breathing problem. Asthma, I think—no, you said Asthma. That would have explained the bandages around your chest, yet once I began regarding your running as bad, you forgot what you told me and proceeded to explain to me about what a wonderful runner you are. I must agree; you're the fastest runner in your class.
"I believe I also commented about what kind of plaque you should have. Now, listen closely to what I said: Faster than anyone in the world. ~Even~ guys. That would lead me to my next, and final, conclusion. Either you wish to be a female, or you ~are~ one."
She just kept shaking her head as her tears fell from her eyes. 'How could he have known? What did I do?' Whatever it was, it was bad. 'I'm so stupid! This is just like you, Usagi! Just like you to be such an IDIOT! Just like you to forget everything because of your damned pride! You're such a coward, a failure; you'll NEVER amount to ANYTHING in this world! You should have just died when your mother did! You couldn't even make the person you loved to death keep loving you! He had to go find it in some other girl!'
He continued to watch, hands folded in his lap, while she cried, obviously unaware that she was speaking these harsh, cruel words aloud. Her hands were bunched fists, pounding on the bed with a fervent loathing.
She kept her eyes shut while her tirade of anger continued, spilling out of her and exhausting her to the maximum. "I hate you!" she finally screamed, aiming the words at herself. "I hate me! I just—HATE ME!" And she began to shake violently, breathing quickened with her crying. She coughed up saliva, straining to breathe while painful sobs choked her throat.
Eyes littered with sympathy, he reached forward and clasped her shaking shoulder softly.
She jerked, opened her eyes and stared into his. Immediately shame made her want to turn away and hide, but he grabbed both of her shoulders and focused her whole body toward his. She lifted her chin and looked into his eyes while hot tears left steamy trails down both cheeks. She hiccup-cried and brought her hands to her face, trying to hold down her emotions.
He let go of her, sat back in his chair and smiled as she fought to control herself. "Now." He said after she had quieted down considerably. "Let's talk."
"I don't want to talk." She said sourly, her voice broken and hurt. "I just want to die."
"Talk first. Maybe I can change your mind."
"Why would you want to?" she retorted, staring at him with heat in her glassy eyes. "You already proved I'm a girl—a stinking liar not worth living." She dropped her eyes.
He tapped his chin. "Those words never once came out of my mouth. Why are you degrading yourself?"
She made no move to answer and only curled into a ball, dropping her head between her knees.
"Is it because of something that happened before you came here?"
Ignoring him, Usagi sniffled and felt a tear drop onto her leg.
"Or is it because that is how you truly feel?" He saw he would get no answer from her and sighed slightly. "Well, you can ignore me as long as you'd like. I won't reveal your secret."
She snapped her head up in confusion. "What? Why?" she stammered, dropping her arms to her sides and uncurling.
He chuckled. "It's not my place, nor my business, to tell. I suspect that if I had not looked into this, I would not have known you were a female."
She nodded, still confused. "But aren't you supposed to tell General Kihono when something like this happens? If they find out I'm a girl—"
"They won't. Not unless you want them to." He gave her a mysterious smile.
A side of her lip lifted, then dropped. A false smile. "What do you mean? Of course I don't want them to, but how can I keep it a secret?" She sniffled. "You've seen me ever since I got here: I'm girlish in everything I do! I can't be a guy—"
"Who said you had to?" Again that smile.
She frowned. "You're not making any sense."
"You're not making any move to understand." He countered.
Usagi blinked, thoroughly dumbfounded. "Understand what? Have you noticed this is an ALL BOY'S military camp? I'm not a boy."
"True. But neither is Commander Mikoshi." He pointed out.
She frowned even deeper. "No duh. But Commander Mikoshi is like the assistant of General Kihono."
He smiled. "And how do you think she got that position? Through whining and disobediance?"
"No." she said slowly, a light flickering on and off in her mind.
"No." He confirmed. "She got that position through hard work, training, and dedication. Have you noticed you have done none of the above since you've been here?"
She dropped her eyes. "Leave me alone. I can't do anything. I'm a failure."
He shrugged. "You can let yourself out. But I do have some advice for you."
She looked up. "Leave?"
"No, push yourself. General Kihono has this one saying: 'Stop warming the seat.' Commander Mikoshi was probably just like you when she started her training. And believe me, if you think the girl's military camp is any easier, you're mistaken. And you obviously believed you could make it here if you signed up for the ~boy's~ military camp." He smiled.
Usagi let out a small giggled. "Yeah, I guess. What are you saying?"
He stood, pulling her up. "That you can succeed here. Just try. Go find Hiiro and continue your training with him."
Usagi stood too. Yes, she COULD do it here! Commander Mikoshi wasn't any better than her when she had first started: Usagi could prove herself! "Thank you." She said sincerily, whirling around to hug the boy.
A pink tint came upon his cheeks and he patted her back softly.
She let go of him and smiled, noticing she had dried considerably to the point where the shirt was damp, hanging off of her but concealing her breasts. "Can I sit with you at lunch?" she asked hopefully. "I never eat in the lunchroom anymore. I don't have any friends in there, and I can never find Duo."
He nodded. "I sit in the very back with a few—others. Join us any time." He turned her around and unlocked the door.
Usagi opened the door and almost left, but turned suddenly, only after making sure no one else was in the hallway. "My name is Usagi, by the way. You can call me that when we're alone or something. What's yours?"
He took the door handle in his hand and smiled lightly.
"Trowa." And he closed the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
How many of you knew it was going to be Mr. Barton [or Bloom, whichever you prefer] himself! Hehe, well, at least I found a way to add him into the story!!!
Oh, and sorry all about the chapter 7 mix-up. I did it myself and it told me the same thing: There is no chapter 7. I dunno why, it just did that. Anyhow, it's all fixied up now! Oh, and some of you had some questions and suggestions too:
Kimeno-pebols: Yes, I agree: Hiiro's a meanie! But then again, people change, ne? Not saying that Hiiro will—but I'm not saying he won't either hehehe
Celestial DreamBlaze: I liked all of your reviews! And I will try to be more in-depth with Usagi's feelings and stuff. I tried to do that in this chapter; can you tell? Thanks for reviewing, and keep on with more suggestions and stuff! I'm all ears!
(_hot_chick_1231@excite.com): I know, I'm so cruel! ~whines~ but I'm sowy! I'll be nicer just as soon as I can! Or maybe I'll continue to be the writer that every character loathes, just for fun—hmm. Thanks for reviewing!!! ~ja
FaIrY AspHoDeL: First off, what does your name mean? Lol, it's cool, but I was like 'Wow!' Asphodel is beyond me—in other words, your name rocks! Secondly, thanks for your comment! I'm trying as hard as possible to make this original hehe! Thanks again, what you said lifted my spirits!
DaughterofDeath: Will do, and thanks for reviewing!!
Hey: Hey yourself! Hehehe, I can't wait to read more either—just as soon as I write it! Thanks for reviewing!!!
Tenshi-Chikyuu: Ha ha ha! I AIN'T TELLIN WHO HE IS—yet. Anyhow, sure I'll e-mail ya! You know, I'm so lucky I have a friend like you who always gives me HINTS instead of asking [hint, hint]. Mwahaha lol, see ya soon! Thanks for reviewing too!!!
Furie: Nah, Duo's too playful to train himself lol. But thanks for your suggestion, I'll make sure Usagi and Duo do something together, just for you!!! ~ja
Ishtar: Mwahaha!!! So it WAS a cliffie!!! Yay!!! Lol, maybe I should just not review and make you wait and wait for my next chapter. Lol, just kidding! Thank you for reviewing!!!
Moon: I think Zechs is still a bad guy while this training camp is going on. This is before the guys ever became Gundam Pilots. You reminded me I needed to explain that, thank you!!!
Lireal: I agree—Usagi is too lucky! I should make her have her cycle just to be mean! JOKING! ::quickly hides from (_hot_chick_1231@excite.com):: Nah, I've been mean enough, eh? Anyhow, the lil voice in your head is very persuasive. Haruka is already being planned in future chapters!!! Thanks for your review!!! ~ja
Alexz: I like the way you spell your name! Thanks for saying this was a great chappie! Hehe, I like the word chappie! Thanks again for reviewing ^^
And to all you otherssses out there:: THANK'S A PICKLE-BUNCH!!!
~azure_chan~ Review!!!
Oh yeah—HOLY COW!!!! Are you serious?? 82 reviews?? YAY!!! Thank you!!!
Disclaimer: Neither Sailormoon nor Gundam Wing belong to me. Now, if you want to hop into my ~mind~, however: YES, THEY'RE ALL MINE!!!
Well, here we go:
08 (the one you've all been waiting for!!!)
Recap:
Usagi curled into a ball on the cold ground and cried. Cried as the winds picked up and it began to sprinkle. Cried as the trees moaned and it began to pour. Cried for herself. Cried because she was still a baby. Cried because she couldn't make it here. But mostly, cried because she was wrong.
And that's how he found her, in a tight, secure, soaking wet ball.
Present:
His eyes wandered over the small boy in something akin to wonder and curiosity while he clutched the cloth. Suddenly, the boy lifted his head up and scared eyes met completely calm ones.
Usagi hugged her knees tighter to her chest and blinked through the rain. The sun was just beginning to turn the sky gray, and she was cold—but that wasn't the worst part. The worst part was that if she got up, her shirt would cling to her like a second skin, the bandages would be clearly shown and her cover as a guy would be ruined.
He threw a towel down to the boy. "Shenji, wasn't it?" he asked.
Usagi gratefully accepted the towel, wrapping it tightly around her upper half. "And you are--?"
"Not important right now. Come inside." He extended a hand to Shenji, pulling the boy up with a slight tug.
Usagi, amazed at the strength of this boy, wobbled a bit, but stood firm a moment later.
"Follow me."
It was a gentle, simple command, and she heeded it readily yet nervously. It was as if this boy could feel her fear of him. But why was she so afraid of him anyway? 'Something inside me just calls out to him, but at the same time it pushes away alarmingly.' She followed him nevertheless.
He led Shenji inside and out of the pelting rain, and into his dorm. "Sit." He pointed to the bottom bunk while closing and locking the door.
They were alone in his room. Usagi still didn't even know his name! For all she knew he could be trying to get her into trouble or something. Besides, she wanted to sleep and let her bruise heal up. Her nose hadn't even done that yet.
"Why were you training with Hiiro?" He figured he'd get right into the point, sitting in a chair across from the shivering boy.
Usagi shrugged. "Because." She was trying to act unafraid, but that was hard to do with loud sirens of alarm going off in her ear. Something was clearly trying to tell her to GET OUT OF THAT ROOM.
He nodded. "Well, would you mind answering me another question?" He folded his hands in his lap.
Usagi nodded, planning to evade it like the last one.
"Why do you have bandages around your upperbody?"
She froze. Her hands clenched the towel even tighter while she swallowed. 'Come on Usa, make something up!' "I have a breathing problem. The um, bandages, they tighten around my chest and make the air passage more round, so that air can go into my lungs. I was born with a squar-ish trachea. Asthma." 'Good! That'll throw him off.' She smiled.
He nodded once more. "You know, you're a terrible runner."
"What!" she yelled. "I'm a great runner! What are you talking about?" If there was one thing she was good at here, it was running. Fastest runner in her class.
He smiled slightly. "Have you ever come in first place?"
"Yes! I do it all the time!" she replied defensively.
"Ah. Then the other runners must run exceedingly slow."
Her eyes flared, her temperature sky-rocketed. "What the hell did you just say? The other runners run extremely fast, thank you very much! I'm probably the only person in this camp who could run as fast as them!" Now she was overdoing it, but she really ~was~ a fast runner.
Now, he smiled brightly. "And yet no one respects someone such as yourself? I can just see your plaque now: Faster than anyone in the world. Even guys."
Usagi smiled as she pictured the plaque. "Yup, sounds good to me." She sat back.
Now, his eyes narrowed. "Might I pry once more into your life?"
She noticed the change and nodded slowly, something making her heart beat speed up and her hands clench the sheets again.
"Why are you lieing to me?"
There it was. Her mouth dropped and she coughed. "What? When—"
"You said you had a breathing problem. Asthma, I think—no, you said Asthma. That would have explained the bandages around your chest, yet once I began regarding your running as bad, you forgot what you told me and proceeded to explain to me about what a wonderful runner you are. I must agree; you're the fastest runner in your class.
"I believe I also commented about what kind of plaque you should have. Now, listen closely to what I said: Faster than anyone in the world. ~Even~ guys. That would lead me to my next, and final, conclusion. Either you wish to be a female, or you ~are~ one."
She just kept shaking her head as her tears fell from her eyes. 'How could he have known? What did I do?' Whatever it was, it was bad. 'I'm so stupid! This is just like you, Usagi! Just like you to be such an IDIOT! Just like you to forget everything because of your damned pride! You're such a coward, a failure; you'll NEVER amount to ANYTHING in this world! You should have just died when your mother did! You couldn't even make the person you loved to death keep loving you! He had to go find it in some other girl!'
He continued to watch, hands folded in his lap, while she cried, obviously unaware that she was speaking these harsh, cruel words aloud. Her hands were bunched fists, pounding on the bed with a fervent loathing.
She kept her eyes shut while her tirade of anger continued, spilling out of her and exhausting her to the maximum. "I hate you!" she finally screamed, aiming the words at herself. "I hate me! I just—HATE ME!" And she began to shake violently, breathing quickened with her crying. She coughed up saliva, straining to breathe while painful sobs choked her throat.
Eyes littered with sympathy, he reached forward and clasped her shaking shoulder softly.
She jerked, opened her eyes and stared into his. Immediately shame made her want to turn away and hide, but he grabbed both of her shoulders and focused her whole body toward his. She lifted her chin and looked into his eyes while hot tears left steamy trails down both cheeks. She hiccup-cried and brought her hands to her face, trying to hold down her emotions.
He let go of her, sat back in his chair and smiled as she fought to control herself. "Now." He said after she had quieted down considerably. "Let's talk."
"I don't want to talk." She said sourly, her voice broken and hurt. "I just want to die."
"Talk first. Maybe I can change your mind."
"Why would you want to?" she retorted, staring at him with heat in her glassy eyes. "You already proved I'm a girl—a stinking liar not worth living." She dropped her eyes.
He tapped his chin. "Those words never once came out of my mouth. Why are you degrading yourself?"
She made no move to answer and only curled into a ball, dropping her head between her knees.
"Is it because of something that happened before you came here?"
Ignoring him, Usagi sniffled and felt a tear drop onto her leg.
"Or is it because that is how you truly feel?" He saw he would get no answer from her and sighed slightly. "Well, you can ignore me as long as you'd like. I won't reveal your secret."
She snapped her head up in confusion. "What? Why?" she stammered, dropping her arms to her sides and uncurling.
He chuckled. "It's not my place, nor my business, to tell. I suspect that if I had not looked into this, I would not have known you were a female."
She nodded, still confused. "But aren't you supposed to tell General Kihono when something like this happens? If they find out I'm a girl—"
"They won't. Not unless you want them to." He gave her a mysterious smile.
A side of her lip lifted, then dropped. A false smile. "What do you mean? Of course I don't want them to, but how can I keep it a secret?" She sniffled. "You've seen me ever since I got here: I'm girlish in everything I do! I can't be a guy—"
"Who said you had to?" Again that smile.
She frowned. "You're not making any sense."
"You're not making any move to understand." He countered.
Usagi blinked, thoroughly dumbfounded. "Understand what? Have you noticed this is an ALL BOY'S military camp? I'm not a boy."
"True. But neither is Commander Mikoshi." He pointed out.
She frowned even deeper. "No duh. But Commander Mikoshi is like the assistant of General Kihono."
He smiled. "And how do you think she got that position? Through whining and disobediance?"
"No." she said slowly, a light flickering on and off in her mind.
"No." He confirmed. "She got that position through hard work, training, and dedication. Have you noticed you have done none of the above since you've been here?"
She dropped her eyes. "Leave me alone. I can't do anything. I'm a failure."
He shrugged. "You can let yourself out. But I do have some advice for you."
She looked up. "Leave?"
"No, push yourself. General Kihono has this one saying: 'Stop warming the seat.' Commander Mikoshi was probably just like you when she started her training. And believe me, if you think the girl's military camp is any easier, you're mistaken. And you obviously believed you could make it here if you signed up for the ~boy's~ military camp." He smiled.
Usagi let out a small giggled. "Yeah, I guess. What are you saying?"
He stood, pulling her up. "That you can succeed here. Just try. Go find Hiiro and continue your training with him."
Usagi stood too. Yes, she COULD do it here! Commander Mikoshi wasn't any better than her when she had first started: Usagi could prove herself! "Thank you." She said sincerily, whirling around to hug the boy.
A pink tint came upon his cheeks and he patted her back softly.
She let go of him and smiled, noticing she had dried considerably to the point where the shirt was damp, hanging off of her but concealing her breasts. "Can I sit with you at lunch?" she asked hopefully. "I never eat in the lunchroom anymore. I don't have any friends in there, and I can never find Duo."
He nodded. "I sit in the very back with a few—others. Join us any time." He turned her around and unlocked the door.
Usagi opened the door and almost left, but turned suddenly, only after making sure no one else was in the hallway. "My name is Usagi, by the way. You can call me that when we're alone or something. What's yours?"
He took the door handle in his hand and smiled lightly.
"Trowa." And he closed the door.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
How many of you knew it was going to be Mr. Barton [or Bloom, whichever you prefer] himself! Hehe, well, at least I found a way to add him into the story!!!
Oh, and sorry all about the chapter 7 mix-up. I did it myself and it told me the same thing: There is no chapter 7. I dunno why, it just did that. Anyhow, it's all fixied up now! Oh, and some of you had some questions and suggestions too:
Kimeno-pebols: Yes, I agree: Hiiro's a meanie! But then again, people change, ne? Not saying that Hiiro will—but I'm not saying he won't either hehehe
Celestial DreamBlaze: I liked all of your reviews! And I will try to be more in-depth with Usagi's feelings and stuff. I tried to do that in this chapter; can you tell? Thanks for reviewing, and keep on with more suggestions and stuff! I'm all ears!
(_hot_chick_1231@excite.com): I know, I'm so cruel! ~whines~ but I'm sowy! I'll be nicer just as soon as I can! Or maybe I'll continue to be the writer that every character loathes, just for fun—hmm. Thanks for reviewing!!! ~ja
FaIrY AspHoDeL: First off, what does your name mean? Lol, it's cool, but I was like 'Wow!' Asphodel is beyond me—in other words, your name rocks! Secondly, thanks for your comment! I'm trying as hard as possible to make this original hehe! Thanks again, what you said lifted my spirits!
DaughterofDeath: Will do, and thanks for reviewing!!
Hey: Hey yourself! Hehehe, I can't wait to read more either—just as soon as I write it! Thanks for reviewing!!!
Tenshi-Chikyuu: Ha ha ha! I AIN'T TELLIN WHO HE IS—yet. Anyhow, sure I'll e-mail ya! You know, I'm so lucky I have a friend like you who always gives me HINTS instead of asking [hint, hint]. Mwahaha lol, see ya soon! Thanks for reviewing too!!!
Furie: Nah, Duo's too playful to train himself lol. But thanks for your suggestion, I'll make sure Usagi and Duo do something together, just for you!!! ~ja
Ishtar: Mwahaha!!! So it WAS a cliffie!!! Yay!!! Lol, maybe I should just not review and make you wait and wait for my next chapter. Lol, just kidding! Thank you for reviewing!!!
Moon: I think Zechs is still a bad guy while this training camp is going on. This is before the guys ever became Gundam Pilots. You reminded me I needed to explain that, thank you!!!
Lireal: I agree—Usagi is too lucky! I should make her have her cycle just to be mean! JOKING! ::quickly hides from (_hot_chick_1231@excite.com):: Nah, I've been mean enough, eh? Anyhow, the lil voice in your head is very persuasive. Haruka is already being planned in future chapters!!! Thanks for your review!!! ~ja
Alexz: I like the way you spell your name! Thanks for saying this was a great chappie! Hehe, I like the word chappie! Thanks again for reviewing ^^
And to all you otherssses out there:: THANK'S A PICKLE-BUNCH!!!
~azure_chan~ Review!!!