Chapter 15 - Home
Mercury awoke to find Duo staring down at her, his face inches from hers and she let out a petrified scream that startled the others who were still asleep. Duo fell back away from her in fright and Mercury jumped to her feet and moved away from him by a few metres.
"Youch, babe, you scream like you just saw the devil," Duo said rubbing his ears indignantly and Mercury stared hard at him.
"For a moment there, I thought I did," Mercury murmured to herself turning away from him to go check on the other senshi.
Duo looked around and saw that the youma were gone. In their places were hoards of unconscious people, the people whom the youma were before they were turned. Jedite was unconscious among them.
Mercury shook Venus whose eyes snapped open and she jumped to her feet ready for battle.
"Woah, head spin," Venus said, feeling the effects from getting up to quickly as she swayed unsteadily, and out of nowhere a hand on her lower back steadied her.
Looking to see who helped her, she saw Trowa's back walking away from her to check on his other knights.
Mars and Jupiter were slowly getting to their feet and immediately their thoughts went to Saturn and Rini, the two were curled up in a little ball together, and gently, Mars and Jupiter woke the two.
Heero was standing by himself, he had been awake before any of the others and he had just stood there on the silent battlefield, thinking. Trowa was waking Wufei and Duo had gone to wake up Quatre.
As soon as they were all awake, they all changed back into their ordinary forms and approached the still unconscious people, heading for Jedite. It was Rei who knelt beside him and gently touched his shoulder, shaking him a little to wake up. Jedite's eyes snapped open and his once ice blue eyes were now a warm sapphire colour, full of emotions and warmth. When he saw Rei, his face was one of relief as he hugged her tightly to him. Rei recognized him now as the child she had played with when she had been a child. She saw him as their friend.
"Jedite, are you okay now?" Rei asked softly and Jedite looked up at her.
"Yes princess, I am," Jedite said giving a warm smile and Rei smiled back glad that they had been able to save one of the four generals.
"Do you remember anything?" when Ami asked this Jedite's face became pained and full of guilt.
"Yes, I wish that I didn't, when the evil had me it felt like I was inside my body but I was only a spectator, I couldn't make myself do anything, I couldn't stop what I did, however much I wished I could," Jedite said slowly, his face wincing as he remembered all he had done under control of the evil and Rei's face was one of sympathy.
"Well that is over now, you are coming with us to Crystal Tokyo, I know Endymion will be delighted to see you," Venus said to him and Jedite's face brightened at the thought of his friend and prince.
"I would like that," Jedite replied getting to his feet and looking around and his gaze fell on the people who had been following him.
Some were beginning to stir, but most still slept.
"What about them?" Jedite asked referring to the people and Ami scratched her head.
"We will have to organize something," Quatre said surely and the others nodded thinking.
In the silence Rini skipped up to Heero and beamed up at him and Heero held out his hand to her, the Silver crystal nestled in his palm.
"Here you are Rini," Heero said handing her back the jewel and Rini clasped it her hands and returned it to her brooch.
"Thank you uncle," Rini said smiling, not seeing Rei sneak up behind her, and evil glint in her eye.
Before Rini knew what was happening Rei had grabbed her.
"And over we go," Rei sand happily as Rini was bent in an undignified heap over Rei's knee blushing furiously and Ami ran and latched onto Rei's hand as she raised it to the sky.
"Rei, what are you doing to the princess?" Ami asked desperately and Rei smiled sweetly.
"Spanking her," Rei replied and Rini let out a squeal of horror.
"Duo help me, Heero grab Small Lady," Ami shot out her orders and Duo and Heero obeyed without question.
Small Lady clung to her uncle, relieved she had gotten away from a spanking and Rei was loudly and profanely cursing Ami and Duo for stopping her.
They were still arguing when Relena and her troops drove up. They all because silent as she approached.
"Okay, well who wants to explain this to the Vice Minister?" Quatre asked and when no one else replied he sighed deeply knowing it would be him.
By the time Quatre had finished explaining what had happened, the youma turned human people were beginning to awake and Relena had her troops start to help them as she organized somewhere for them all to stay. These hundreds of people would all need identification to become citizens of the Sanq Kingdom, so Relena had a lot of work on her hands. The senshi, Knights and Jedite were sitting together recovering and eating the food Relena had supplied when she came up to address them.
"I have organized that all these people shall become citizens and be taken care of," Relena advised them and everyone smiled at her, gratefully for her assistance.
"Thanks Vice Minister, these people deserve a chance at a good life," Venus said getting up to shake Relena's hand and Relena smiled at her before looking at Heero.
"Heero, a word please," Relena said tightly, and Heero stood and moved away from the group so that he and Relena could talk in private. They were still in view of the group and Heero had seen Rei's back stiffen when Relena asked for him, even as he watched her out of the corner of his eye now Rei was staring at them both, the jealous streak in her coming to rear its ugly head. She had been like that in the past too. How Heero had laughed at her the time she had stomped her foot and demanded he never spend any time with another girl. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Relena didn't say anything straight away and Heero was getting impatient.
"Well?" he asked and Relena looked up at him with tear filled eyes that were threatening to fall and Heero looked away. He couldn't stand seeing girls cry.
"Heero, I wanted to ask you, that girl, Mars, you are in love with her?" Relena asked, her voice quivering and Heero frowned.
"It is none of your business," Heero replied to her bluntly turning and preparing to walk back to the group but Relena clutched onto his hand, forcing him to stop.
"Please Heero, I need to know," Relena asked desperately and Heero stopped, not facing Relena, looking over at Rei who was talking with Hotaru, but her eyes were watching him and Relena, her eyes narrowed.
Relena didn't really want to hear his reply, for in her heart she already knew his answer. She just needed to hear it from him. She needed to hear that he Heero, would never love her Relena, ever.
"I loved her once," Heero said turning back to Relena whose lower lips quivered but she forced herself to hold in her tears.
"I can see why, she is very beautiful and brave, a real fighter," Relena said looking over at Rei with admiration and Heero shrugged his shoulders.
"Hn."
"You will be returning with them, to their world?" Relena asked desperately and Heero shrugged again.
"I don't know."
Relena inspected his face for the longest time without saying any thing before she went on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
"I think you do know, good luck Heero," Relena said softly and as she kissed his cheek she stopped to whisper in his ear, "I wish that you and I were destined to be, but I guess that isn't so, even in our past I could never truly have your heart, it always did and always will belong to her."
Heero watched her go and was suddenly struck by a memory of the past and when he had told Relena that he wanted to marry Princess Raye instead of her. He had never told her then how much she meant to him. He wouldn't let history repeat itself.
"Relena," Heero said to her and Relena turned and gazed at him with those soulfully devastated eyes.
"Yes Heero," she said meekly and Heero took a deep breath.
"In our past, you were a true friend to me, I looked on you and loved you as a sister," Heero for once told Relena his feelings and instead of smiling, a tear rolled down Relena's cheek.
"I know you did, that's why it hurts," Relena whispered before turning and running away from him.
Heero watched her go before turning and he noticed Wufei was standing behind him.
"Wufei," Heero acknowledged him and Wufei bowed his head.
"Heero."
"I have been thinking," Heero said, of a mind to apologise, realizing how much the past had affected time now, but Wufei already seemed to know what Heero was thinking.
"I know Heero, we were hot headed and stupid, both trying to protect her in our own ways," Wufei said looking over at Rei who was sitting by herself, back straight, head tilted looking up at the sky.
"She doesn't need our protection anymore," Heero said dismissively and Wufei frowned looking at his fellow pilot and knight.
Heero had been married to his sister, yet it surprised Wufei how little Heero knew of Rei's games. Perhaps it was because Wufei and Rei were twins, that Wufei could see through Rei's façade but Heero couldn't.
"Don't judge her just by outward appearances, Rei needs protecting as much as anyone does, especially now," Wufei replied and Heero raised an eyebrow at Wufei.
"Have you spoken to her?" Heero asked Wufei who shook his head.
"How can I? After all I have done?" Wufei replied softly and Heero frowned.
"This situation cannot fix itself," Heero said wisely.
Wufei stared at Rei before turning away.
"I cannot approach her, my shame is too great."
"Self pity is for the weak Wufei," Heero said coldly, knowing how that would rattle Wufei before turning and walking back to the group.
Wufei opened his mouth to respond angrily, but instead he looked over at Rei again before shaking his head and joining the group again.
By nightfall, the area had been cleared, all that was left were the senshi and the knight's and of course Jedite.
Minako hated to be the one to break up the party, but they had completed their mission, it was time to go home.
"Well its time we went back," Minako said and Hotaru ran towards her, grabbing her hands desperately.
"Minako, I…I don't want to go…I want to stay," Hotaru said shakily, and Minako frowned disapprovingly at the girl.
"Hotaru, are you going to deny your duty to protect the Princess, your best friend?" Minako asked her and Hotaru looked over at Rini whose beautiful face had crumpled with sadness upon hearing Hotaru's words. Rini and her mother had planned to have all the men come home with the senshi, not have the senshi stay with them.
"I just want to be with Quatre," Hotaru said weakly, giving up as she turned and buried her head in Quatre's chest.
Quatre took a deep breath. He had already considered that Hotaru wouldn't be able to stay and so had already made a decision that would change his life forever.
"May I come with you?" Quatre asked and the knights all turned to him in surprise and Hotaru smiled widely looking over at Minako.
"Oh Minako, please!" Hotaru begged and Minako rubbed her temples.
"Fine, yes," Minako gave in and Hotaru and Quatre hugged each other tightly as Minako muttered to herself, "Haruka is going to murder me."
Putting Hotaru down on the ground Quatre walked over to her and bowed his head thankfully smiling.
"Minako, even if you do not think of us as siblings, I truly do, and I am honored to have a sister as strong and as loyal as you," Quatre said sweetly and Minako blushed, as she remembered how close she and Quatre had been in the past.
"Oh Quatre," Minako said hugging him shaking her head and she held up her key and the others did the same.
"Time Key, take us to the Gates of Time," they all whispered and a tunnel appeared to the gates of time.
Quatre turned to his pilots, tears in his eyes.
"It has been quite an adventure my friends, I hope you all come, but if you do decide to stay, know that my friendship with each of you means the world to me," Quatre gave his small speech before Hotaru waved good bye and yanked on his hand dragging him into the tunnel with her and Rini.
Rei walked up to Wufei and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I have been thinking brother," Rei said to him, as their eyes met and Wufei nearly trembled at her touch.
"What did you think little sister?" Wufei enquired of her and Rei smiled at his teasing.
"That I have a lot of forgiving to do, and I am going to start with you," Rei said decidedly and before Wufei could respond Rei hugged him tightly.
Wufei's usual reaction would have been to push her off him but instead Wufei hugged her back. When she pulled away, Rei's eyes were glistening with tears.
"I hope you come to our world brother, there are many beautiful things there," Rei said looking pointedly at Makoto before pulling away, walking towards the portal when she found herself stopped by Heero.
"Is my sister through that tunnel?" Heero asked of her and Rei nodded.
"Yes, as well as a beautiful world full of peace and happiness."
"I will come," Heero decided for himself and Rei smiled briefly, ruing the thought that he came not for her but for Serenity. Always, everything was for Serenity.
"You will not regret it," Rei told him, moving aside so he could pass and Heero walked into the tunnel without another look at her. Jedite came beside Rei and gave her a comforting smile.
"All will be well," Jedite told her and Rei smiled wistfully.
"I hope so," Rei replied thinking of returning home and of Neo Queen Serenity.
Together Rei and Jedite passed through the tunnel, leaving Ami, Makoto, Duo, Wufei, Trowa and Minako behind.
Minako paused at the tunnel entrance and turned to Trowa.
"And you Trowa, will you come?" she asked hesitantly and Trowa shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not have much to keep me here, I shall come," Trowa said and Minako's face brightened with happiness.
"Trowa I…" Minako wanted to tell him everything she had been feeling, but Trowa grim face froze her words on her lips.
"It is not because of you I come Minako, I come for my friends," Trowa told her hurtfully and Minako felt like he had slapped her in the face.
"I understand," she replied bowing her head and Trowa walked through the portal. And then there were five.
"Amy, babe," Duo grabbed Ami by the hand, forcing her to face him.
"It's Ami not Amy, what is it Duo?" Ami asked of him snappily and Duo smiled a little unsurely. His Ami seemed to hate him so much, Duo didn't know what he had done wrong, he just wanted everything to be as it was in the Silver Millennium.
"I have weird feelings in my chest, I know its crazy cos we only just met in this life but I think I love you," Duo said this honestly and Ami shrank away from him.
"Just because we loved each other then, doesn't mean it will happen over again, even though I remember the Silver Millennium, I was in love with the past Duo, I don't even know you and to be honest, what I do know of you, I don't like very much at all," Ami said tightly before turning and running through the portal, Minako followed shooting Duo a sympathetic glance.
"Ami!" Duo cried out after her but it was no use, she was gone.
"Are you going to let her talk to you like that Maxwell, she's a woman, she doesn't know what she wants," Wufei hissed in Duo's ear having caught the end of Ami's response and Duo shook his head, feeling heartbroken.
"Oh sure, I know I've really hit rock bottom when Wu-man is giving me woman advice," Duo said to himself but so Wufei could hear and Wufei bristled with rage.
"Do not call me Wu-Man!" Wufei yelled in anger but Duo wasn't listening, he just sat on the ground and starting brooding.
Makoto walked up to her brother and placed a loving hand on his shoulder.
"Wufei is right Duo, you can't give up on her, show her the you that made her fall in love with you a millennia ago," Makoto encouraged him and Duo looked up and smiled sadly.
"Whatever you say sis," he said unconvincingly and Makoto gave his head a scruff before turning to Wufei.
"Wufei," Makoto approached him cautiously and Wufei was determined not to show her he was weak.
"Onna," he replied coldly. He had to be strong in front of her, he couldn't let her know his shame, and all he felt back then when Heero had destroyed him.
"I just want to ask you, why wouldn't you speak to me after what Heero did to you?" Makoto asked softly and Wufei glared at her. He didn't want to remember what happened.
"Its none of your business onna," Wufei snapped at her and Makoto nodded.
"I see, goodbye Wufei," Makoto said raising her hand in a goodbye before walking into the portal leaving Wufei and Duo behind.
Duo had been pondering Wufei and Makoto's words and when the portal began to close, Duo grinned broadly at Wufei who didn't like the way Duo was smiling at him.
"Come on Wufei, we can't let them get away, they need us," with that Duo grabbed Wufei's hand and skipped through the portal, dragging a protesting Wufei all the way through.
AN: wow this story is nearly done. Then I am gonna focus on finishing my other stories one by one. It will be tough! Oh going on holidays for two and a half weeks next Wednesday so there won't be any updates from me from the 22nd March – 08th April. So sad!