Disclaimer: I don't own anything I didn't create.
It's been a year since I came here. I was currently dancing out on the lawn, washing Bullet and getting into the little nooks and crannies of her that she didn't have when she was in any other mode than flight- i.e., what the boys called Gundam. Everyone turned 16 last year, and I met Relena for the first time, standing just behind Duo's shoulder when she entered the house, holding onto Heero's arm- her boyfriend. I'd be in hell before I understood how they actually fell in love with each other. Heero had all the interesting qualities of a rock, and in my opinion that made Relena one hell of an interested Geologist. I wonder what she saw in him. Heero was nice, but decidedly stony.
Relena herself was a good girl, though a bit stuffy. Made me as curious as hell to see what she was like when she cut loose. If she ever did. If she stayed like this all her life, married Heero and had kids with him, their kids would definitely be hippies. Supporting the peace, but so sick of the clenched-buttocks-ness, they'd be lying all over the place lethargically and doing whatever the hell they wanted to do. At least, that's what I thought would happen. Kids loved rebelling against authority.
It was a warm summer's day today, about a week after Wufei's 17th, and the radio I'd placed in Bullet was playing jaunty tunes by the Vandellas and the Beatles, the Jackson Five and Elvis Presley. It was a time to be happy, and I smiled while I worked, dancing in the sunshine, Duo working in the garage while I did so. A gentle breeze ruffled the new, light green leaves on the trees, and I smiled, before it happened.
A vision hit me between the eyes like a professional straight punch, like a battering ram knocking the wind out of my chest, and I just had enough time to gasp and let my eyes go wide before everything around me faded into black. I was no longer aware of my body, apart from a slightly cold feeling that was so small I could barely be bothered with it, the play of actions in front of me being much more important.
I saw the house where the boys and I lived, myself standing on the lawn out front, washing Bullet happily while jaunty tunes cascaded from her cockpit, Duo working in the garage as Quatre came out with a couple glasses of water in his hands, a content half-smile on his lips. The scene changed when one of the bushes among the trees rustled unnaturally. A familiar-looking man peered through the bushes, and my heartbeat picked up at the sight of the M-16 he held close to himself as he crouched in a camouflage uniform, the insignia of a black sheep embroidered on his shoulder. My breath caught and my heart froze as I recognized Viktor Skeil- the leader of the welsh Black Sheep gang. He was here for revenge. The vision was shattered as I heard a gunshot reverberate through the air of the lawn of my vision, followed by a pained gasp-scream and a spray of blood erupting from my vision self's chest as she fell to the ground. They're after me. Get the fuck in the house. I gasped, and my eyes snapped open as I looked up.
Bullet was standing in front of me, proud and tall in her gundam form as jaunty tunes spilled out of her from the radio in her cockpit. I glanced down just in time to see the bushes rustle, my keen eyes picking out the camouflage uniform and the Black Sheep insignia. I glanced over at the garage, my heart freezing with masked fear as I saw Duo happily working away in the garage, Quatre stepping out with two glasses of water in his hands, content smile turning into a grimace as he felt my fear. Well, that was good. Meant at least he knew something was up. I looked back to the bushes just in time to see the barrel of an M-16 poking out of the bushes, aimed towards me.
Make a choice.
BANG! I ducked behind Bullet's leg as one of her namesakes buried themselves in my shoulder, biting back a yelp of pain as blood began to soak my shirt, my eyes watering as I bit my lip, reaching up with my other hand to try and restrict the blood flow from my now useless arm. There was no way I could climb up into Bullet's cockpit like this, but I had to. We were surrounded. I glanced up at the garage to see both Duo and Quatre standing there on high-alert, shocked beyond belief, and alarmed at the sight of the blood flowing freely down my arm as Heero sprinted into the garage, M-16 clutched in his white-knuckled grip, Wufei on his heels with a pistol, and Trowa coming after him with an assault rifle. What soldiers. I felt warmth flood me at their reaction, but they were moving towards me, and I couldn't have that.
"STAY!" Heero froze at the direct barked order, and he watched me with cold, calculating cobalt eyes. I hoped he'd get what I was going to say. "12-to-12 night! Zero-one to zero-five safe! Trio targeted! Old enemy!" His eyes widened at the concealed message, and I felt a wave of relief at seeing the recognition in his eyes as he turned to scan the surrounding woods. I glanced up into the opening in Bullet's armor that'd allow me to climb up into her cockpit. I frowned in worry, pursing my lips as I felt the looming threat of the enemies in the trees. They'd fire for sure if I moved. But I had to.
Bullet, old girl. I'm going to need you more than ever now. I thought, and I bowed my head solemnly as I rested a regretful hand against her leg. Keep me safe. Keep them safe. Please. I sighed, and that was the only preparation I gave myself as I bent my legs, and launched myself straight up, hand releasing my bloody arm to reach up into the darkness, grabbing a hold of the edge of her armor, blood-slicked hand making my grip doubtful before I persevered and swung myself up and out of sight, bullets clanging against gundanium as her armor closed after me.