Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, Amagami SS or any of its characters. I wrote this fanfic for my own pleasure and purely entertainment.
Chapter 08 - Scenario for Bloodshed
The abandoned warehouse was sprawling with activity. It was the hideout of an insurgent group that has taken captive an important political figure from a European nation. The Gundam Pilot known as Heero Yuy had used his pistol's suppressor to carry out the assault undetected. Using stealth and silence he was able take down the perimeter defenders one by one with relative ease while avoiding discovery. As Heero ventured deeper inside the complex, his presence was eventually detected by one of the enemy troopers, who managed to raise the alarm alerting everyone about the intruder. The ensuing gun battle was intense, using only a SIG-P229 pistol and a couple of magazines, the Gundam Pilot brought down four hostiles bearing high powered sub-machine guns and assault rifles. As the brown haired boy progressed further, he encountered six more enemy soldiers. Diving into the nearest obstacle, his timing was just enough as he was met with a hail of gun fire. Wasting no time, he immediately disposed two of the insurgents with four well aimed shots from his pistol. However, Heero was almost a second late to notice that one of the four remaining enemy commandos has fired a rocket propelled grenade towards his direction. The projectile exploded exactly as he ducked for safety, while shards of glass shattered all around him with the hostiles unyielding in raining bullets on his location.
'Damn.' Heero cursed under his breathe while reloading his pistol.
He heard shouts and movement from the enemy soldiers, knowing they were going into position to surround him. To avoid being caught in such a scenario, the mobile suit pilot proceeded with his own counter attack. The Prussian eyed boy silently strafed from where he hid to an adjacent wall and let loose three bullets from his gun. The cry of one insurgent bearing an assault rifle was heard, it was followed by another two shots from the brown haired boy's pistol which made their way squarely to the chest of the RPG bearing hostile earlier. The two remaining enemy soldiers panicked and unleashed a salvo of vicious gun fire to the racks and shelves near him. Various materials volatile to fire exploded upon contact, forcing Heero out and making a break to the nearest cover which was an array of rusty gigantic motors. Seeing the Gundam Pilot give up his location, the pair of armed auxiliaries wasted no time in pursuing him to the block of massive equipment. It turned out to be a wrong move on their part as Heero had no difficulty in dispatching them with six well placed shots, with each enemy combatant taking hit from three bullets landing at his head and upper body.
With the route towards the command center paved clear, the Perfect Soldier fed another clip and reloaded his gun before making a cautious advance.
The hostage was being used as a human shield by the group's leader. There were six other henchmen scattered across the area. They had their guns pointed at the door in anticipation of the intruder's entry. Heero stealthily made his approach and continued to observe the situation prior to making a decision. He could enter the front door with guns blazing or he could use the glass window at the side and pick them out one after another through a flanking assault.
'Let's try something new.' The mobile suit pilot decided as he dashed to his selected point of entry.
Heero Yuy was never in any way a thrill seeking daredevil or a fan of dramatic entrances. The brown haired boy knew his decision at times were suicidal with complete disregard to his own safety. But it was always supported by the fact that his given assignments were logically impossible to succeed without raising the stakes. Plus, he was one man who never knew fear, he was bred and created for the battlefield, thus it was understandable that during the wars he fought, the Gundam Pilot had little regard for the value of his own life.
Choosing the front door fire-at-me-with-everything-you-got-then-I-kill-all-of-you plan, Heero pounded two bullets directly into the heart of hostile wielding a pair of Uzis. He proceeded on nailing three more bullets to the chest of another insurgent bearing a submachine gun before being forced to take cover behind a thick slab of reinforced steel. Meanwhile the remaining enemy soldiers wasted no breath in converging to his direction, with inhuman reflexes the cobalt eyed young man responded by taking down another pair of auxiliaries. He shot down the first one by drilling a bullet at the center of his forehead while the second guy was unlucky enough to receive four gun shot wounds embedded around his heart. The last two henchmen along with their leader took the opportunity and showered Heero with a torrent of bullets from his known position. The mobile suit pilot again evaded enemy fire by sliding behind a panel table, again various items and articles were shredded into bits as gun fire was directed at his location. Placing another magazine inside the German made pistol, the Prussian eyed boy unleashed a pair of bullets that pierced their way into the neck and face of another insurgent. He disposed the last hostile with three shots that made their mark at its upper torso. Thus only the enemy boss and Heero were left as the final combatants. The enemy leader clutched the hostage tightly in front of him, effectively shielding himself from any threat coming directly towards him. The Gundam Pilot decided to take a peek at his last enemy but was greeted by a flurry of gun fire from the opposing commander's machine gun.
'Time to finish you off.' He decided, before raising himself while aiming his sights at the enemy boss.
A single ringing shot was heard.
The bullet left the chamber of his weapon with deadly precision. The projectile traveled towards its target fueled by the shooter's grim determination and unwavering resolve. It entered the enemy commander's skull through his left eye's socket, cleanly pushing through the cranium before leaving the head, leaving a splatter of blood in its trail.
The hostage was unharmed. The mission was successful.
The words "Final Stage Clear!" appeared on the screen before he was prompted to enter three letters signifying ownership of his record.
Aiming the gun back at the screen, he shot 'Y-U-Y' on the letters placed on standard keyboard format before shooting 'END' as the credits rolled up.
After holstering the replica gun back into the machine's holster, a small crowd yelled its cheer and appreciation in response to Heero's completion of the game.
'Not able to beat my old record, I had to settle for third.' The Gundam Pilot uttered, who was also mildly surprised at the gathered people around him while he was playing the video game.
As the crowd dissipated, Heero also started making his way to the game arcade's exit. Today was a free day for him, once a week, he stops by the game center found along the commercial area to play "Virtua Commando III" a gun controller shooting simulator. It caught his attention during that one occasion he was convinced by Junichi and Masayoshi to accompany them after being dismissed early from school. Without anything else to do and wanting to kill some time before going to his part-time job the brown haired boy went along with them. He had always played the game with the intent to keep his senses sharp and focused. A small part of him enjoyed the simple pleasures brought by the shooting sim. It allowed him to relax and keep his mind off some topics that he wanted to avoid for the time being. The mobile suit pilot knew it was a bad excuse to play the game as a means of reprieve for the lack of action he was experiencing right now. Of course it was also out of line to say Heero's means of enjoyment is a way to vent out the building frustration from being unable to do some live fire target shooting with his sidearm.
Lastly, it was so wrong to compare a plastic finished, laser sight, light gun to the metal and stainless steel the brown haired boy's firearm was made with. No recoil, no counter mass, no live bullets, no jams, no nothing. He just simply wanted to have a small piece of that gigantic pie the normal civilian populace commonly refers to as fun.
Heero was already near the exit when he noticed a young woman wearing a black headband with long raven hair that was curly by its ends playing at one of the UFO catcher games. The Prussian eyed boy silently made his way towards her direction and began observing the young woman as she toggled with the joysticks that controlled the UFO's arm.
Haruka was so intent with whatever she wanted to capture that the sky blue eyed lady did not notice he was already standing behind her.
"How have you been, Morishima sempai?"
"Eeekkkk! It can talk!" Haruka squealed, while jumping in surprise as she let go of the joysticks, allowing the UFO Catcher make its way down the pile of souvenirs inside the glass panel.
"It's only me, Morishima sempai." Heero calmly stated as he moved beside the raven haired beauty.
"Eehhh? Y-yuy-kun?" The pretty campus idol said with her cornflower blue eyes staring wide open at him in disbelief.
Heero's cobalt irises softly gazed at Haruka's own sky blue orbs, tactfully conveying his gladness to see her. Haruka's warm and tender smile immediately appeared from her lips as she understood the brown haired boy's discreet gesture.
'I'm happy to see you too, Heero.'
"We always seem to run into each other at the most unusual places." Haruka thoughtfully noted as her eyes sparkled while looking at Heero.
"I never would have thought you also like going into game centers, Morishima sempai."
She smiled back at the Gundam Pilot as both of them stared deep into each other's eyes in silence. Despite the noise coming from various arcade games and machines around them, no amount of distraction was able to take their attention away from one another. The raven haired young woman always wondered the joy and comfort it brought to her whenever their eyes are locked and in union with each other. Her heart was always filled with happiness every time and moment spent with the brown haired boy. Right now her thoughts were quite rattled after seeing him in one of the places she never expected they'd meet.
As the pretty campus idol pondered if it was fate or blind luck or coincidence brought the two of them together in such an unusual location, they heard the sound of a metallic clank within the machine Haruka was playing with.
Both of them turned and saw that inside the prize redemption window of the UFO Catcher was a souvenir keychain. Apparently, Haruka's last attempt before Heero accidentally distracted her was successful as the raven haired beauty caught the prize she had been aiming for.
"Lucky! Look Yuy-kun! I got it!" Haruka exclaimed, proudly showing the ornamental keychain to Heero after retrieving it.
The keychain was circular and made from light metal, one side was colored gray with an etched and slightly embossed design of a puppy dog's paw print painted in black. The other side was the opposite, as it was shaded in black while the paw print was painted in gray.
The Gundam Pilot smiled subtly at her, causing Haruka to remember the purpose of her newly acquired prize.
"Now that you're here, this makes it all the more convenient. Yuy-kun, hand me your bag!" The pretty campus idol excitedly said as she requested Heero to pass her his school bag.
Heero complied and gave his bag to the raven haired beauty. Haruka wasted no time and tore down the see-thru packaging of the souvenir keychain. Smiling brightly, the blue cornflower eyed young woman then proceeded to attach the keychain on the zipper handle of the mobile suit pilot's bag before returning it to him.
"Nice! Even if I say so myself!"
A look of confusion could be seen in Heero's eyes before being surprised yet again when Haruka swung her own bag before him. There, gleaming and dangling on the zipper handle was an exact replica of the same keychain that was now similarly attached to his bag.
"Now we have a matching pair!"
"I really got that one for you... It's ok right Yuy-kun?" Haruka added while giving Heero her best poor-eyed-puppy-look.
The Gundam Pilot nodded at her subtly while a small barely noticeable smile curved on his lips. Haruka grinned widely in satisfaction after seeing his reaction, she then took a moment to check her wristwatch and saw that the time was only5:30pmin the afternoon.
'I better not waste such a golden opportunity!'
"Yuy-kun? Do you have any plans for today?"
"Nothing in particular. I'm on day off in my part-time job."
"Well, in that case... It's decided! You have to accompany me for the rest of the day!"
Without waiting for Heero to respond, Haruka wrapped her arm around his own while looking at him with an impish smile on her lips. The brown haired boy grunted in acknowledgment before allowing the raven haired beauty to drag him inside the arcade complex. They checked out the different arcade games and various entertainment machines located inside the gaming facility before Haruka suddenly stopped in front of one. The game was entitled, "Destined Names", it had caught her attention after seeing the excited looks from the faces of the current players which happened to be a girl and a boy. The pretty campus idol briefly observed the pair and easily concluded that they were a couple in a romantic relationship. With her curiosity aroused, Haruka then proceeded to read the game instructions which were printed beside the machine. A smile of mischief made its way on her lips after she finished reading, for his part though, the Perfect Soldier was slightly startled upon hearing Haruka's next set of words.
"Let's play this game Yuy-kun!"
Destined Names was a love simulator intended for couples, both parties will enter the initials of their first and last names using allocated button pads. After both initials have been selected, a big red button located at the center of both controllers is needed to be pressed in order for the machine to process the result. A percentage score is then shown representing the probability that the couple will remain together. As they waited for their turn, the pretty campus idol noticed that Heero had an unsettled look on his face while they watch the pair in front of them.
She was about to ask him when the machine released the couple's score.
Compatibility Rating: 56%
They heard the girl cry in disappointment while the young man's attempts to console his girlfriend ended in vain.
"Don't worry Yuy-kun. We will get a high score. I guarantee you that!"
'Because we're meant for each other.' Haruka solemnly thought as she tenderly gazed at the boy her heart desires alone. The mobile suit pilot subtly smiled back while looking at her deeply through his piercing cobalt blue eyes.
Finally the couple left, leaving Haruka and Heero to take their places in front of the video machine. After the brown haired boy dropped a game token inside the coin slot, both of them entered their initials by selecting the letters through repeated pressing of the designated buttons.
H.M. for Haruka Morishima.
H.Y. for Heero Yuy.
The sky blue eyed young woman smiled confidently as she pushed the big red button. Heero's brows were furrowed as he looked intently at the screen while the machine began processing their score. Haruka discreetly stole a glance at the boy next to her and noted the serious look in his face.
'Ohhh... His brows are closely knitted again. How cute! Don't worry, no matter what our score is you're the only one for me.'
They were both shaken off their musings when they heard the sudden blare of trumpets followed by what seems to be a congratulatory music. Haruka's playful laugh and Heero relaxing his scrunched brows clearly indicated the outcome of their score as it appeared on the screen.
Compatibility Rating: 95%
"That's a high score, Morishima sempai."
"But that's not high enough for me! Insert another token, Yuy-kun!"
The Gundam Pilot did as he was told and again they repeated the same process of placing their corresponding initials.
H.L. for Haruka Morishima
H.Y. for Heero Yuy
"Morishima sempai, you misspelled your initials." Heero pointed out on the video screen while informing Haruka.
"No No No! That's just fine. My middle name is Lovely."
"Lovely?"
"My grandfather on my mother's side was British, that makes me a quarter British!"
It was that fact which basically explains the high quality of beauty that Haruka Morishima possesses. Her lineage was a mixture of European and Asian cultures, resulting into one fine, stunning and extremely beautiful young woman.
"OK! Now that it's settled lets try again!" Haruka announced as she pressed the red button once more.
The percentage score that appeared on the display said it all, this time an orchestra ensemble preceded the celebratory music. The screen was flashing a rainbow of vibrant colors as graphic confetti and fireworks showered across the video monitor.
Compatibility Rating: 100%
"See! We're perfect together!" Haruka squealed in joy as she wrapped her arm tightly around Heero's own.
'You're perfect for me.' The pretty campus idol mused while she took a longing glance at the young man who owns her heart. Haruka was even more satisfied upon seeing her reflection embedded within the irises of Heero's cobalt blue eyes.
"Perfect..." The mobile suit pilot could only utter as his eyes spilled out a bit of the emotions he had always safely guarded while Haruka nodded in agreement to him.
"Yuy-kun! Relax and drop your shoulders, you look like a soldier in attention!" Haruka teased at the Gundam Pilot as they posed in front of the digital lens.
She had been successful in convincing Heero to have their portraits taken at the photo booth before capping off their coincidental meeting inside the game center. The raven haired beauty was utterly pleased and delighted from the time she spent in the company of the brown haired boy. After playing the game designated for couples, they continued their tour around the spacious arcade complex. Both of them got content on simply watching the people inside enjoying the different types of games. However, when Haruka saw the poster and advertisements for the new photo booth, she wasted no time in pleading with the slightly apprehensive Gundam Pilot to have their pictures taken together.
Heero tried to loosen up by softening his expression, still Haruka noticed him being somehow alarmed when she innocently mentioned the word 'soldier' a few moments ago. Shrugging such thoughts aside for the time being, the raven haired beauty instead smiled sweetly at him before pressing the shutter button, giving both of them 10 seconds to strike a pose before the shot is taken.
SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!
Their first photo was similar to an ID picture with Heero looking seriously at the camera while Haruka held a playful pout from her lips as they stood beside each other. The second shot showed Haruka smiling while softly staring at Heero who in return was looking back at her with his intense Prussian eyes. The third picture had the pretty campus idol grinning impishly while latching her arm possessively around the brown haired boy's own, who in return was looking at her with a faint twinkle in his cobalt orbs. The fourth photo displayed Haruka on a wacky pose, sticking her tongue out while flashing a "V" sign on her right hand with her left arm still wrapped around Heero's elbow.
"OK! One last shot, what would it be Yuy-kun?" Haruka curiously asked at the Gundam Pilot.
"It's your call Morishima sempai."
The raven haired beauty seemed to be giving it some serious thinking before a sly, mischievous grin suddenly appeared from her lips.
"I'll make it up to you..." The words and succeeding scene repeated itself inside Haruka's memory before vanishing like smoke in thin air, enough to bring her senses back to the present.
"Let's just do a candid shot."
"A candid shot?" Heero repeated, while a questioning look could be seen from his cobalt blue eyes.
"Yes, a candid shot... you just... stand still and do what you normally do." Haruka answered as she pressed the shutter button to start the 10 second timer.
Not knowing exactly what she meant, Heero followed her instructions and prepared himself for the final shot. He failed to notice the naughty smile hanging at the corners of the pretty campus idol's lips. As time winded down, the raven haired beauty steeled her self to push through with her plan. She did so by calming the excitement and anticipation running through her veins. Each and every second that expired brought her a step closer to probably one of the boldest moves she had ever conceived.
3...
2..
Haruka turned her head sideways facing Heero before closing both eyes. She could feel the wild and unsteady beating of her heart as the moments seemed to have slowed down considerably. Each passing second seemed to crawl unbearably longer than the previous. Every instance seemed to linger more than the usual. Haruka held her breathe as she closed the small distance between them.
'Heero...'
1!
"Morishi-" The raven haired beauty heard Heero say as she leaned towards him and pushed her lips to where his cheeks should have been.
Instead, her smooth, thin, red pinkish lips landed on top of another pair which definitely, most certainly and absolutely belongs to none other than him.
Heero Yuy.
SNAP!
Their lips barely moved while in contact with each another. Despite the predicament, both were mesmerized as they tasted an unknown sweetness emanating from the other's lips. Haruka was almost tempted to nibble Heero's upper lip as she felt him tense and quiver. The warm breath that managed to escape from the mobile suit pilot gently tickled her. She felt her cheeks were burning bright red while her chest was drumming wildly from within. For Haruka and Heero, everything else have faded, sound was consumed by the void. Leaving the two of them alone, on a vast and endless space covered with nothing but a background painted entirely in brilliant white. Time stood still within the borders and confines of that scene. Their thoughts seemed to linger, lost into each other's sea of emotions, tempting them to last for an eternity. Before everything went back to how it was. Sound announced its flagrant return and time resumed its constant pace. Haruka felt her eyes flutter open as she softly and reluctantly parted lips with Heero.
Indeed, the raven haired beauty deliberately planned the kiss, but she never counted the possibility or scenario of Heero facing her precisely at that moment - resulting for both of their lips meeting each other. Her actions were always spontaneous as she had always wanted to enjoy life by living it to the fullest. However, she has to face the results or consequences, since it was out in plain sight, there could be no doubt, as the cards are now laid down across the table. Definitely, no amount of excuse, avoidance or even ignorance could possibly have any hope of misleading the young man before her.
Haruka Morishima had bared and involuntarily proclaimed through action her feelings for him.
"N-now... T-that's c-candid... Yuy-kun." The pretty campus shyly uttered, blushing furiously from all angles while unable to look at the Gundam Pilot.
Hearing no response from him, the cornflower blue eyed young lady got worried as she was currently incapable of facing Heero to see his reaction.
"A-are y-you angry at me?" She asked with her voice threatening to crack at the same time dropping her head in shame.
Haruka felt the abridged tendons of Heero's thumb and index finger land softly on her chin before gently tilting her face to meet his. Her sky blue irises were held by Heero's deep cobalt orbs in a soothing and assuring gaze. He was looking at her tenderly when Haruka saw her reflection appear within his intense piercing eyes.
"No... Morishima sempai. I never will." He replied, allowing a subtle smile to break from his lips.
"It was... candid." The brown haired boy reasoned, slowly stating the words and hoping to calm the building stress between them.
"Yes... it was." Haruka softly replied as her eyes remained fixed at Heero while her cheeks blush a light shade of pink.
The Perfect Soldier nodded in agreement to her before gently removing his hand away from her chin.
'Heero...'She thought to herself, instantly missing the touch of his palm from her face. However, she was fully relieved that the air of tension between them had already dissipated.
"Thanks... Yuy-kun. Now, let's arrange the template and print out our pictures."
Haruka could not help but smile as she heard the mobile suit pilot's gentle grunt of confirmation, with her taking the lead they started the process of selecting the template, outlook and placements of their pictures before having it printed.
'That was my first kiss, and no other person would ever have my lips except you, Heero.'
The time was already 8:30pm in the evening of November 16th 2011, it was Wednesday, being a weekday situated at the middle of the week there were very few people left on the streets along the commercial area of Kibitou. Heero and Haruka were among them, as they walk closely beside each other on their way to young woman's village. The Gundam Pilot and the pretty campus idol had enjoyed the company of one another after meeting accidentally inside the game arcade complex found near the center of Kibitou's shopping boulevard. It was uncommon to see the normally ecstatic, precocious and highly energized Haruka being quiet, demure and shy. While Heero was in his usual and normal self: silent, serious and nonchalant. But still, all in all, it was rather unusual to see them both being silent at the same time. Normally, Haruka would always field in a plethora of questions and observations to Heero seeking confirmation or requesting for his opinion. But they have been so ever since leaving the game arcade, it was understandable, as both of them were deep in thoughts mainly caused by the raven haired beauty's earlier actions.
Faintly illuminated by each lamp post they passed by, Haruka's face was glowing in happiness while her cornflower blue eyes were sparkling in joy. She was the portrait of a woman in love. While Heero had an encompassing calmness on his face and a gleam of contentment could be mirrored in his Prussian blue eyes. He was the picture of a man who has received his beloved's most awaited reply. But deep inside, he could feel himself being torn asunder. As much as he wanted to claim the piece of happiness being promised and guaranteed by the beautiful young woman beside him, he knew he can't.
'I would never allow myself to hurt her...'
While walking alongside Haruka, the Perfect Soldier pondered at the most recent moments he had spent with the sky blue eyed young lady. Heero knew that he was not helping make the situation any better for everyone becoming closely involved with him. The brown haired boy only hoped that through the passage of time whatever pains, sorrows or damage he had caused will be healed after his inevitable departure.
'You would just have to forget me and all the memories we had together, Haruka.'
"Yuy-kun, those men are harassing that girl!" Haruka said while pointing to a group of guys that had encircled a young girl in one of the back streets they were passing by.
'I can't just do something that will affect the natural course of time.' Heero contemplated to himself, divided into taking action or not as he remembered the principles and repercussions of time traveling.
"Oh no! I know that girl! It's Ai-chan! She's also a student from our school... We have to help her, Yuy-kun!" Haruka stressed after knowing the identity of the threatened girl.
Ai Nanasaki is a freshman from Kibitou Senior High, Haruka knew the girl personally, being a member of her friend Hibiki's swimming team. The young lady showed promise and possesses admirable traits that included being determined and dedicated. Despite being only in her first year, Ai already participated on a few swimming tournaments as her expertise in the backstroke had impressed Hibiki. She had short bob cut length jet black hair, mysterious dark grey eyes and a well toned body kept in shape through swimming practice. Ai is kind, loyal and pretty, however, her cold, serious and formal manner gives other people the wrong impression that she is snobbish and prideful. The truth is, Ai has some issues when it comes to her own self-confidence, a good thing going for the young girl were her two close friends aside from her swim teammates along with the sempai-kouhai relationship she shares with Hibiki and Haruka.
The girl with jet black hair was on her way home after buying a present for her younger brother. Wanting to get her house immediately, she took a shortcut by passing into one of the dark alleys instead of using the longer route but well lighted streets from the commercial shopping center. Ai then had the misfortune of running into a group of men that formed the most feared gang in Kibitou City.
The Mad Hyenas was a street gang composed of five persons all in their early twenties. They thrive on harassment, various smuggling activities, extortion and small time drug dealing. The group had claimed the back alleys and dark streets at the edge of Kibitou's commercial area as their territory and base of operations. Their leader, Basho, sported green Mohawk hair, he had dark purple eyes and a rough stubble on his chin. He was known for always wearing his signature brown sleeveless leather vest with white fur collar and matching dark brown leopard pants. He was tall and muscular, as the mere sight of him was enough to incite fear on an ordinary person. Leaning by the brick wall to his right was Lee, he had white hair, tempting brown eyes and stands at an average height with toned muscles. Lee was considered as the group's playboy being smooth, slick and good looking. He was wearing tight black pants and a buttoned grey collared shirt. Next to him was Daigo, who had short sleek black hair, thick eyebrows over mean dark eyes. Daigo had put on a white muscle shirt and faded blue track pants, emphasizing his stocky built, he was also the shortest of the gang standing only at a height past an inch over five feet. The fourth guy was commonly referred by his gang mates as "Psycho", donning a red leather coat and black cowboy jeans. He had long spiked blonde hair, cruel slit eyes and a nasty smile hanging on his face. 'Psycho' is a known sadist and torturer, he can already be considered as mad and mentally unstable, as even his gang mates, the only remaining friends or allies of the disturbed man, never truly understand the thoughts racing inside his troubled mind. Arms folded and standing at Basho's left, was Migel, the massive, man-mountain, giant of their group. He has long curly black hair, deep set black eyes and a wide jawed chiseled face. Standing at around six feet and nine inches, while weighing somewhere around 330 lbs. He was physically the strongest and considered as the enforcer of their group. Migel however was dumb, dim witted, had the slowest understanding and possesses the lowest IQ in the gang. He makes up for it through the use of brute strength and overwhelming power. Being a childhood friend of Basho, he had acknowledged his friend's high common sense, street smarts and natural leadership skills. Following Basho all the time, he acts and protects him as his personal and loyal bodyguard. All five of them have encircled Ai and were anticipating a night of pleasure with the young girl trapped at their center.
"Please... Let me pass, I need to go home to my mother and little brother." Ai pleaded, her voice sounded calm but deep inside the young girl was already shaking with fear.
"We'll be having some fun first little lady, before we let you go home." Daigo answered while licking his lips with his tongue.
"He's right my wildflower... I'll have to let you experience pleasure first with me." Lee added as his eyes glowed with desire for Ai.
"Now let's all make this easier for everyone if you..." Daigo said before being cut in mid-sentence by someone from behind.
"You leave her alone." A deep and cold voice interjected, startling the entire Mad Hyenas gang.
The full moon nestled above a few clouds while being surrounded by a swath of stars was the only source of illumination on the poorly lighted back street. Heero cautiously approached the group while keenly surveying his surroundings. He noted that the street was probably wide enough to only allow a single vehicle pass through. There were a few trash cans and garbage bins that littered the street. Save for the faint barking of a dog heard from some distance away, there was virtually no other noise coming through the place. The Gundam Pilot had requested Haruka to remain and stay hidden behind a few wooden cargo boxes across the main street where they came from. As he got nearer, the brown haired boy knew that even if he resorted to a peaceful diplomacy, there was no reasoning to the type of people he would be dealing with. He finally passed the shadow of a building and noticed that the gang of thugs already has their full attention on him.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Daigo barked as the mobile suit pilot came into open view.
"No one. Hand over the girl and we could all leave peacefully." Heero answered in a low baritone voice.
"Oh... Such brave and inspiring words Romeo, so you believe you're this maiden's knight in shining armor?" Lee said in a mocking tone.
"We outnumber you! Yet you have the balls to threaten us?" Daigo replied causing both Lee and Psycho to laugh alongside him.
"This is the last warning. Or else."
"Don't you know us? We're the freakin' Mad Hyenas! We're the most feared and strongest gang here! So you better know who you're..." Daigo fumed after hearing Heero's response but stopped when he heard Basho intervene.
"Let the girl go, Daigo."
The short muscular man unwillingly stood aside allowing Ai to run beside Heero. It was only the first time that the freshman swimmer from Kibitou High met him, but the young girl immediately understood that considering the circumstances, he was basically her savior for risking his own safety to protect her. The young lady was already standing behind the Gundam Pilot when she heard him whisper to her in a barely audible voice.
"Ai Nanasaki right? Morishima sempai is just behind those wooden boxes across the street. Get out of here and take her with you. Don't look back." Heero said in a low voice enough only for Ai to hear. The girl spared a glance on the cargo boxes at the other side of the street before nodding back at him.
"Go." Hearing his order, the young swimmer broke into a run towards Haruka's direction.
"Boss that was one fine piece of..." Daigo said as he noticed Ai running away from them.
"We'll get her later after we're finished with Romeo over here." Basho sneered at the brown haired boy while his gang mates readied their weapons.
Daigo fitted a four-finger brass knuckle on his right hand, while Lee pulled out a retractable stun baton from his side. Psycho was swinging a steel chain with both hands. Migel only stood beside Basho and seemed to be content in observing the Gundam Pilot.
"Come on let's get him!" Daigo shouted before freezing with fear right on the spot.
The rest of the Mad Hyenas felt it too, as Heero was staring at each of them with cold deadly eyes. It was not what they were expecting from an outnumbered foe. Most would make a break for it and flee rather than stand their ground. Heero Yuy was different, he could not be described as normal, he was far from ordinary and by all means would not qualify as average. He was a trained professional soldier. He was the perfect killing machine. He was the ultimate weapon.
With his training and experience comes the natural mastery of one of his most well known traits.
Death Glare. Eyes of a cold blooded, professional killer.
Glaring at the Mad Hyenas with cold, focused and unfeeling deep blue eyes, Heero reminded himself that whatever happens, he would try his best not to take the lives of his opponents. Especially considering the number of repercussions his actions might affect the flow of time. The Gundam Pilot made a mental note to only incapacitate the group of thugs before him.
"Don't tell me you're scared of him! Kill him!" Basho growled, brushing aside the cold sweat of fear that completely overcame him a few seconds ago.
Recovering from the earlier shock, Daigo, Lee and Psycho nodded to their leader before noticing Heero had already taken a fighting stance.
"Heh! Don't worry Basho this pretty boy is all talk, I'm already more than enough for him." Daigo huffed as he stepped forward with his left arm outstretched in a gesture to stop his gang mates from any intervention. The others smirked and nodded at Daigo as they watched Heero clenched his fists preparing to fight.
Daigo rushed head on towards the mobile suit pilot, swinging his right fist wearing a brass knuckle to the Perfect Soldier's face. Heero ducked just in time evading Daigo's punch while winding his right arm then letting loose a brutal blow with his right fist landing directly to the short muscular man's liver. Daigo flinched in pain before Heero connected with another punch, this time hitting the thug squarely on the stomach. The Gundam Pilot was not yet through as he finished the combination with a devastating right hook that smacked Daigo's left temple, sending the hot headed gang member crashing on the cemented pavement.
Heero slowly approached the unconscious small man before pulling out the brass knuckle from his hand while cautiously looking at the other street thugs.
"Who's next?" The brown haired boy taunted at the rest of the Mad Hyenas, as he fitted the brass knuckle to his own right hand.
Lee and Psycho were initially taken back after seeing Daigo crumple unconsciously with the beating he took from the Perfect Soldier. Heero swiftly evaded as Lee swung the stun baton vertically at him. But it was also the opening he needed as the brown haired boy unleashed a crushing left uppercut that snapped the playboy gang member's head backward. The force of Heero's attack was so strong that Lee was lifted off the ground while dropping his weapon. Psycho laughed maniacally before twirling the steel chains around him and started a frenzied attack on Heero. The mobile suit pilot was forced on the defensive end as he dodged the steel chains that Psycho was throwing blindly at him. While figuring out a way to counterattack his opponent, Heero was alerted by his senses that Daigo had already regained consciousness and preparing to attack him from behind. Still feigning ignorance, the Gundam Pilot waited for the right moment as Psycho continued to close in on him while Daigo silently crept from his rear.
'Now!'
Just as Daigo lunged himself at Heero, the Perfect Soldier swerved sideways catching the small hot headed man's left arm before flinging him towards Psycho. Daigo collided with Psycho after being thrown by Heero, however Basho had already lost his patience and had joined the fray. The green haired leader of Mad Hyenas began throwing punches at the mobile suit pilot, who had no problems in evading his attacks. Heero dodged to his left avoiding a punch from Basho before unleashing two quick jabs with his left fist and a powerful straight right hand. Basho staggered and stumbled backward but was replaced by Lee who was swinging his stun baton furiously at the Gundam Pilot. Heero smoothly leaned back before pressing forward and clobbering the good looking white haired gang member with a vicious right hook. The brown haired boy felt his opponent's cheek bones splinter due to Daigo's brass knuckle he was now wearing. He followed it up with another hit on the stomach with his left hand then two more bone breaking body blows shattering Lee's lower ribs with his right fist.
"M-my f-face! My ribs are broken... help me!" Lee cried and howled in pain before Heero's left fist smashed on his right eye immediately knocking him out conscious.
"Damn you!" Daigo shouted after seeing the Perfect Soldier brutally assault his best friend in the group.
Heero easily deflected the short man's attack before twisting and dislocating the bones of Daigo's left shoulder. As the hot headed small man yelled from the nerve wracking pain, Heero proceeded on continuously pounding Daigo's right torso with brutal hooks breaking his ribs and puncturing his appendages. He was finally released by the brown haired boy after being incapacitated by a powerful blow at his solar plexus.
The Perfect Soldier jumped back exactly as Psycho threw the steel chain at him. The crazed gang member renewed his assault on the brown haired boy as he slashed the metal chains on interchanging diagonal slashes reminiscent to drawing the infinity symbol. Heero had noticed this pattern and timed his counter assault from Psycho's diagonal slash to the left torso by catching the steel chains with his left palm. Wrapping the chains around his arm in quick fashion, Heero held the metal links in firm grip even as Psycho desperately tried to pull back. Exerting his own force, the Gundam Pilot pulled the chains towards him drawing the off balanced crazed thug at the other end. He struck Psycho's chin with a well aimed kick, not contented he whipped his opponent's head with the steel chain sending the blonde spike haired gangster flying backward before hitting the ground. However, Psycho was far from finished, as he slowly tried to pick himself up, but the crazed man was unprepared when Heero had already rushed towards him before striking his left eye with a ferocious right straight from the brass knuckle. Blood spurted from his eye socket as the Gundam Pilot had perfectly landed the metallic knuckle squarely on his eyeball. Psycho was spared from further pain when Heero finished him off with a vicious left fist uppercut completely shutting down his consciousness.
'Three down, two more to go.'
"Migel! Get him!" Basho shouted as he raised himself from the cold cemented pavement.
The man mountain Migel had only been watching and observing everyone since the fight started. Though he was a man of limited knowledge and common sense, the big guy easily understood that they were clearly outclassed by the young man they were trying so hard to defeat. Indeed, though they outnumbered the brown haired boy, it never worked to their advantage and mattered so little when one by one his friends were badly beaten up and rendered unconscious. However, as much as he did not like the way things are going on right now, only Basho owns his loyalty and dedication. Flexing both arms sideways before taking his stance, Migel stared grimly at Heero after clenching his fists and charging towards the young man.
Seeing Migel rush at him, Heero also sensed that the green haired mohawk was moving to attack from behind. Deciding to eliminate the minor threat first before facing the more serious one, the mobile suit pilot leaned sideways as Basho was about to pounce him. Heero elbowed the Mad Hyenas leader, hitting and cracking the fragile bones of his nose. A dazed Basho again stumbled and fell backward as blood oozed down his nostrils.
"Basho!" Migel said in gritted teeth as he drew nearer to Heero.
The Perfect Soldier knew that he had an overwhelming advantage in terms of combat skills against the behemoth of a man he was currently facing. But it seems that his current opponent knew he could make up for the disparity in terms of utilizing his own advantages: size and durability. Heero dodged and evaded four successive blows from Migel and counter attacked using the brass knuckle fitted on his right fist. He landed three punches at the giant's torso, however, the mad hyenas enforcer barely flinched even after getting struck twice by the solid metal knuckle. Migel countered with two powerful hooks, one from each hand, hitting Heero on both cheeks in good succession, throwing the Gundam Pilot off the ground.
"Yuy-kun!" He heard a female voice shouted worriedly from behind.
'No! Why are you still here, Haruka!'
"Stay hidden behind these boxes while I go and get her, Morishima sempai. Whatever happens do not reveal yourself, those men will only react differently if they see another girl accompanied by only one person. Understood?"
"Yes… Yuy-kun. But please... Take care and get back here with Ai-chan safely, OK?"
The Gundam Pilot nodded to her before leaving to confront the group of men surrounding Ai Nanasaki.
Haruka did as she was told and hid behind the wooden boxes overlooking the events across the street. The pretty campus idol had been increasingly worried for the safety of the young man who she hoped would be able to negotiate with the street thugs to release Ai. The sky blue eyed young woman only realized that she had placed the life of the man she deeply cares for, in a dangerous scenario after finally understanding the situation their underclassman was dealing with. But the raven haired beauty also knew that what they were doing was definitely right since the life and safety of another person was in line if they did not intervene.
After a few minutes, she was able to breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing the gang members release Ai. Haruka saw the freshman swimmer instinctively went behind the young man she deemed as her rescuer. Heero then said something at Ai as she nodded in understanding before running to Haruka's hiding place.
"Morishima sempai!" Ai finally cried in reprieve when she got beside Haruka who was waiting for her behind the wooden boxes.
The pretty campus idol immediately embraced and comforted Ai as the freshman swimmer broke down in tears while shaking with fear.
"Thank goodness you're alright Ai-chan. You're safe now. We'll just wait for Yuy-kun and be on our way home."
"H-he t-told me we should get out of here and leave him. Sempai, that young man knows he won't be able to avoid fighting with those crooks." Ai sniffed while informing Haruka of what Heero told her to do.
"No! We can't leave him alone! I... I can't leave him alone!"
'Why are you being like this? You mean so much to me!'
"S-sempai..." Ai uttered, unable say anything else after seeing Haruka's reaction.
The raven haired beauty threw a look of frustration across the street, her cornflower blue irises fixed at Heero. Seeing that their situation was desperate, she decided to try and take another approach in solving the matter.
"Ai-chan, I know this is selfish of me. But you have to go ahead and look for help."
"B-but s-sempai?"
"I can't forgive myself if something happens to him. I won't leave him, Ai-chan. So please, go and look for help."
Confusion was written all over Ai's face upon hearing her request. Haruka noticed that the younger girl's eyes were full of questions as if trying to distinguish the thoughts racing inside her mind. She quickly spared a glance at Heero's direction as they heard someone from the gang members started shouting. The pretty campus idol could not help but worry as she knew that a brawl will break out any time between Heero and the street gang. As she shifted her attention back to Ai, Haruka was slightly surprised when the freshman swimmer smiled and nodded in understanding before leaving her to search for help.
Heero was already fighting with the street thugs when Haruka turned her focus back to him. The raven haired beauty held one hand to cover her mouth as she witnessed first hand the efficient but brutal fighting skills of the young boy her heart yearns for. The Perfect Soldier was very precise and accurate in landing what seemed to be powerful blows as Haruka noted that the street gang members were forcefully strewn aside after absorbing a savage beating from his fists and feet. She was not an expert in such matter, but the cornflower blue eyed young woman noticed the grace and finesse displayed by Heero as he fought the group of men. It made the Mad Hyenas look nothing but amateurs, novices or rookies going against a highly trained and experienced fighter.
Despite the thrill and excitement she felt while observing the brawl, Haruka was getting more worried for Heero's safety and increasing tension with the ongoing situation. She felt her heart beating fast while her hands becoming cold and numb as the fight continued to rage. Haruka could not help but cringe upon seeing the pain filled cries and badly beaten faces of the street thugs that had felt the wrath of the Gundam Pilot's hands. The raven haired beauty was able to breathe a sigh of relief as Heero defeated his third opponent. However, it was short-lived as the next guy who joined the fracas was massive. The man was taller by at least one foot from the Perfect Soldier. The muscles in his arms seemed to be aching to explode while his upper body look like it could withstand any sort of punishment that Heero is capable on dishing out.
She held her breath as the two began squaring off with one another, Haruka was tempted to call his attention when she saw the green haired Mohawk try to make a move from the brown haired boy's rear. But Heero seemed to be aware of this as he effortlessly elbowed the man directly into the face, causing the gang member to fall backward at the cemented pavement. Free from any more distractions Heero and the big man began trading punches with each other. Haruka saw the mobile suit pilot perfectly dodge the attacks thrown at him by the huge gang member. Heero then made his counterattack unleashing a combination of punches hitting the body of his enormous opponent, however, to Haruka's own shock the gigantic man barely flinched even after receiving such punishment. She was unable to stop her reaction when Heero got hit by two powerful blows from the street thug. The Prussian blue eyed boy was lifted off the ground and landed heavily on his back from the brute force of his enemy's attack.
"Yuy-kun!" Haruka cried worriedly as she felt her feet move on its own accord, rushing towards the fallen man's direction.
His focus was shaken upon hearing Haruka's scream, as he picked himself up. The Gundam Pilot spared a moment to check the direction her voice came from. True enough, the pretty campus idol had left her hiding spot earlier and was now running to his side.
'This complicates the scenario.'
"Yuy-kun are you ok? Let's leave this place now!"
"Morishima sempai, get out of here. Go with Ai." Heero callously responded, looking seriously at Haruka after throwing a glimpse on his opponent.
"NO! I won't be leaving here without you!" Haruka yelled in frustration, her eyes were starting to get watery while glaring at Heero.
Heero nodded slightly before turning his focus back at Migel, the hulking man had both fists clenched above his face in a peek-a-boo stance. The Gundam Pilot had his left shoulder in front while facing the huge gang member sideways. Both hands were leveled to his chest, the left palm was raised upfront with the right fist balled a small distance behind. They stared at each other silently, as Heero was calmly waiting for his opponent's next move when he caught sight of the sudden change in Migel's eyes. Anticipating the taller man's attack, the Perfect Soldier lunged just at the same time Migel decided to resume their hostilities. Heero unleashed a series of punches and kicks that were either parried or blocked by Migel. The bigger man also made his counterattack but was unable to land a blow as the brown haired boy either dodged or deflected his assault. The exchanges between the two were downright brutal and savage, as Heero banked on speed and precision while Migel depended on brute force and durability. However, it is highly unlikely for their match to end in a stalemate, because try as he might, Migel lacked two things that Heero had in abundance: knowledge and experience. Dodging two successive blows from Migel's fists, Heero feinted to his right causing the mad hyena enforcer to launch another ill-timed attack.
'You're open. Now it's my turn.'
The Prussian eyed boy winded his left fist and connected a punishing left uppercut that landed on Migel's neck. It was followed by a fearsome right hook that smashed the bigger guy's face. His enemy staggering forward, Heero rushed to meet him and connected his left knee on Migel's chin. It was then succeeded by a crushing uppercut from his right knuckle before ending with a vicious straight using his left fist. The taller man flew backward and landed heavily on the ground, but it was not over with Migel as he again stood shakily while resuming his stance.
Heero knew that the only opponent capable of at least giving him some workout was already finished. He avoided Migel's right straight and deflected the huge man's left punch before punishing him severely with his next attack. The brown haired boy sent two straight punches, first with the left fist followed by the right. He then planted a vicious low kick squarely on Migel's left knee, breaking and shattering its cap bone completely. The mad hyena enforcer howled in pain before Heero placed a kick on his right torso. Wasting no time, the Gundam Pilot dealt a devastating left hook that smacked Migel's right eye. Heero decided to finish off Migel with a debilitating hook using the brass knuckle enclosed on his right fist. The blow cleaved and smashed through Migel's left eye, causing blood to splatter as the giant collapsed unconscious.
Breathing heavily, the Perfect Soldier saw that his huge opponent was finally defeated. However, Heero was totally unprepared at the sight that greeted him when he turned to check on Haruka. The raven haired beauty was being held hostage at knife point by the green haired Mohawk he thought had been already decommissioned from their earlier encounter. The thug was holding a dagger that has its shard edge directed at Haruka's throat. He could see the fright and scared look from the pretty campus idol's face as she tried to free herself from Basho's grip.
"Yuy-kun!" Haruka cried, with her sky blue orbs filled with fear as she looked nervously at Heero.
"Shut up! I'll kill you if you move!" Basho shouted to his hostage before sneering at him.
"You'll pay dearly for what you did to my buddies!" The purple eyed leader of Mad Hyenas announced with a menacing stare.
The brown haired young man looked back at him critically with his icy and pitiless blue eyes.
He was trained for such a scenario.
He had faced different situations similar to the one being played out right now.
And he had been very successful in every occasion.
However, the circumstances were different this time around.
Heero never lets his emotions decide the course of action on such a situation. He had always faced it with a strictly professional outlook in order to avoid complicating the matter when decisions affected by emotions could spell the difference on saving another person's life. His track record speaks for itself, as he had successfully rescued hostages by using an efficient, logical and hard-line approach. Heero was the Perfect Soldier. He never flinched or wavered on completing the task at hand.
But right now the hostage is Haruka.
And it certainly complicated the situation.
Deep inside the bowels of his soul, he was burning with rage from immeasurable anger. His unbounded fury would know no limits or restraints once unleashed. Heero was seething with hatred on the man holding the raven haired beauty hostage, as he will not find rest or any comfort unless Haruka's safety is secured. And right now he was rapidly nearing the edge of his self control.
'What is happening to me? I must... retain control... Or else...' He thought while observing and analyzing Basho, his eyes never leaving sight of the Mad Hyenas Leader.
"What's wrong Romeo? You scared now that I have your woman?" Basho taunted the Gundam Pilot while tightly holding on to Haruka.
Breathing deeply to contain the flow of adrenalin and manage his anger, the brown haired boy willed to at least warn the last remaining thug.
"Lay your filthy hands off her."
Basho began laughing after hearing him, as the gang leader obviously did not know who he was dealing with. Instead, the green haired Mohawk pulled Haruka closer and smiled wickedly at him.
"I'll say it again. Lay your filthy hands off her."
"You don't seem to know your place. I have the upper hand here! And I'll be sure to lay my hands on her after I kill you!" Basho replied, before licking his tongue on his lips and teeth.
'Wrong answer.'
That was all Heero needed to see and hear before all hell broke loose.
His piercing Prussian blue eyes reverted into pitch black orbs that could be likened to the deepest and darkest abyss. Never before has he allowed rage, anger and hatred to consume him, but as of the moment, he was already past the limit. Heero was never ruled by his emotions in the past. However, he will do all necessary measures, underhanded or extreme to protect the life of THAT person.
Even if it means, going back to the person he once was.
Breaking that promise he made almost a year ago in the underground presidential bunker.
Unleash without restraint the full potential of his skills and capabilities.
"I will kill you." Heero simply uttered in a deep, frosty and uncaring voice that caused Basho to cringe with fear while Haruka gasped in shock.
The brown haired boy calmly smirked upon seeing the man's reaction.
"I'll personally make sure of that."
He was no longer in 2011 A.D.
He was back in After Colony 195.
There was no doubt, the Heero Yuy of two years ago has returned.
The killer without fear.
The slayer without remorse.
The murderer without mercy.
In the blink of an eye, before his enemy could react, Heero closed the distance between him and Basho. He struck down his opponent with a powerful left straight sending Basho off the ground, flying a couple of feet backwards. The leader of Mad Hyenas had barely recovered when he was violently kicked on the face by Heero. A loud cry of pain was heard as the Perfect Soldier savagely stomped down at Basho's knee splintering its knee cap off the socket. The Gundam Pilot proceeded to grab the green haired Mohawk by the neck before slamming him on the wall of a closed down establishment along the back street they had been fighting. He began hammering the gang leader with a rapid succession of brutal punches. Using the brass metal knuckle fitted on his right fist, Heero began smashing Basho's ribs through repeated punches at the torso while holding the Mad Hyena's neck with his left hand.
Seeing Basho cough blood, Heero flung him to the ground, twisting and dislocating the gang leader's arm in the process. Taking position above the fallen green haired Mohawk's body, Heero pummeled Basho's face alternately with both fists, splattering the blood of his opponent across the pavement. The brown haired boy also broke Basho's teeth and jaw as he continued his relentless beating on the Mad Hyena leader.
"P... please... h-have... m-mercy..." Basho cackled incoherently, as he was barely able to move from all the broken bones on his body.
At the corner of his vision, Heero saw the glint of moonlight reflected from the dagger Basho had used to threaten Haruka just a few feet away from him. Picking it up, the Gundam Pilot raised the dagger above him with its tip pointed directly at Basho's heart. He could see the fear from the remaining yet swollen eye of the barely conscious gang leader. However, he didn't have the slightest hesitation or regret for the next course of action he was about to do.
"I told you, I'll kill you."
His deep pitch black irises barely changed as he drove down the dagger aimed at Basho's heart.
Haruka was slightly thrown off after Heero came to her rescue and started pounding the gang leader viciously. Earlier, she had witnessed the sudden change in aura and personality of the boy she deeply cares for. His usual intense and piercing cobalt blue eyes were replaced by cold, dark, lifeless orbs comparable to the abyss. There was something different about him that she could not put into words yet, till she heard him say that line.
"I will kill you." Haruka shuddered anxiously from the words that escaped him while a paralyzing fear took hold of her.
The succeeding scene was a picture of cruelty and ferocity as Heero mangled the gang member without any restrain. The pretty campus idol could not avoid getting more scared and frightened at the actions being committed by the person she had grown to cherish. However, try as she might, the sky blue eyed lady was unable to peel her eyes off the rampaging young man with whom she had an irrevocable affection. Heero slammed the green haired thug on a wall before brutally thrashing him down senselessly with a flurry of punches. She tried calling him out to cease his actions, but no words came out from her lips. The raven haired beauty then attempted to move her legs and knees to stop him from the savage treatment he had been dishing out on his opponent, but no movement could be willed from her body.
She was strongly gripped with fear, glued to the spot with her knees splayed on the ground.
'Something's wrong, he's different...'
Haruka began to despair as warm tears began trailing down her eyes. The cornflower blue eyed young lady was unable to prevent the sobs of sorrow that murmured out of her lips.
'Heero… what's happening to you?' The pretty campus idol thought as she wiped the tears falling unabatedly from the corners of her sky blue eyes.
Overtaken by anguish at seeing a different, daunting side of Heero, Haruka was powerless to stop herself from crying hard. Covering her face with both hands, more tears soon fell as she began to somehow understand the situation they were currently in.
'You are not this person... This is not the Heero I've come to...'
The raven haired beauty tried to ignore the feeling of dread if the fact that her assumptions on the boy she cares for was true. She knew however, that something had to be done or else risk losing him to the burning hatred and hellish fury he was unleashing on the already defeated gang leader. She had also discerned that the time to act was now before Heero eventually does something which can't be changed or undone later. As tears streamed down her eyes, Haruka was shaken off her musings upon hearing his next choice of words.
"I told you, I'll kill you."
'No! I won't lose you to this person right in front of me! I will never allow it! Not when I'm already so much in love with you!'
Some say that in desperate times, one finds courage at the face of overwhelming adversity. In Haruka's case, the raven haired beauty felt strength returning back to her legs and knees. As she raised herself off the ground, the pretty campus idol sincerely prayed that her resolve and feelings is enough to prevent him from doing what he was planning. Her reflexes seemed to have drastically increased upon seeing him raise the dagger. Haruka dashed swiftly towards Heero before closing her eyes as she saw him drive the blade downward to stab his fallen enemy.
She yelled in frustration as tears fell down uncontrollably from her sky blue eyes.
Hoping her words would reach him.
"Heero! No! Stop it!"
The dagger was mere inches away from Basho's skin when her words brought him back to his senses. Heero felt a pair of arms wrapping themselves tightly around him. It was followed by the tender warmth of a body closely hugging him from behind. Shortly after, a fresh, warm moistness began drenching through the mid-section of the coat on his back.
There was no mistaken, those were tears. Her tears. She was shedding them on his behalf.
'Haruka...'
Without a doubt, it was the young woman who had entrenched herself deeply into his mind, heart and soul. Haruka was crying in sorrow while sobbing every now and then as her arms clung tightly around Heero's chest from behind. In between chokes as she poured out her emotions, the raven haired beauty pleaded for him to put an end to his actions.
"Don't kill him, please!" She implored in grief, embracing him tightly from behind.
He felt his rage and fury drop considerably upon hearing her voice. Heero's eyes slowly reverted back to its natural color, while the dark thoughts that earlier clouded his mind began to clear off as his expression began to soften.
"Heero... I'm scared... please..."
The Gundam Pilot felt Haruka bury her face further in his coat as tears continued to stream down from her cornflower blue eyes. By now he was fully supporting her body which was leaning on his back, but somehow it had a calming effect causing him to finally relax.
"I don't want to lose you... You're the most important person in my life." She whispered softly, but audible enough for the brown haired boy to hear.
"Morishima... sempai..."
He finally dropped the dagger to his side, before gently peeling away from Haruka's embrace and turning to see her. The raven haired young woman lifted her face and eventually met his gaze. He saw the initial worry reflected on her red puffy eyes as she slowly looked into his own. Haruka blinked repeatedly before a soft smile appeared from her lips followed by a few more tears trailing down her eyes.
"They're... blue..."
Heero was unsure on how to react upon hearing what Haruka had just mentioned. He softly took a glance at her eyes and finally understood the meaning of her words.
"It is you... Heero..." The pretty campus idol concluded as she caught glimpse of that rare twinkle in his Prussian blue eyes.
He smiled gently and subtly before grunting in response.
"Welcome back, I'm... so glad. Thank God."
Heero was slightly surprised as Haruka threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around the Gundam Pilot in a warm and tender embrace. The raven haired beauty was unable to suppress her relief as she continued crying. The brown haired boy felt something different as her tears made their way through the fabric of his cloth. It was no longer of anguish or sorrow.
They were tears of joy.
He pulled her closer to him, hugging Haruka tenderly within his arms.
Then it dawn on him, as light was shed to his musings and thoughts - making everything clear.
It was impossible for him to get away and stay clear from her. Set a distance on her.
Not when she was already past the outer defenses. Not when she was already beyond the inner shell. Not when she was already this close.
Haruka had slowly managed to tear down the walls Relena was previously unable to break through.
And for the first time in his life, Heero Yuy, the man who knows no fear, was scared.
He was afraid. He already knew.
His decision was wavering.
His determination was buckling.
His resolve was faltering.
Crumbling to its very foundation.
Haruka was making it impossible for him.
Author's Notes:
The events inside this massive update occur only within the span of a few hours. I wanted to provide a highly detailed account of probably one of the highest and lowest moments between our main pairing. Admittedly some parts were inspired by canon Amagami SS (Haruka's arc) while others from various anime/manga works. I fully enjoyed making this chapter but at the same time also worried, since this is the first time I wrote an action scene for the story. Hopefully, it would meet the quality and connect rightfully in place with the earlier chapters.
In line with this, please send me your feedback or reaction of what you think about 8. Thanks so much!
Epigraph for 7 - forgot to mention this on the previous chapter (7 - Triangle), but it was created specifically for that update (Haruka and Kaoru's lines). I'm not sure though if I'll ever make another Epigraph in the next chapters.
Gun action - I was laughing after completing this scene, especially when it came to reading the part he was typing his last name as game initials on the screen. But I wanted to give it a try. However, I also have to limit the action on Heero's part since it was only a gun simulator. The game he was playing with is similar to one of those step-pedal-to-duck-and-reload machines. Some action selection is made through flicking the gun into another direction.
Damsel in distress scene - Ok, this is dedicated to a few friends here essential to its creation and conception. To operation meteor for providing the idea, concept and suggestion (which I first thought was quite cliché but its importance and effect will be seen later on). And to drake202 & p17oyDONyu9n for requesting I try my hand on writing such a scene (hope it meets your taste, guys).
(Ai Nanasaki) Fan Service - finally, I have completed my goal on having all 6 main heroines appear on this story. To RyuujinHaou and p17oyDONyu9n, alongside all the other Ai Nanasaki fans, this one is for you.
Amagami SS+ (Plus) - To the fans of the anime and others who wanted to know more about our heroines, this series (which is a sequel) is currently being shown. So far I've already finished watching two arcs (Tsukasa Ayatsuji's and Rihoko Sakurai's), with each heroine having 2 dedicated episodes. Please check this one out (man, the anime translators for it are really good and dedicated - they release ASAP!).
I think that's it! My thanks and deepest gratitude to the reviews, feedback and reaction I've received for the last 7 chapters. You guys are one of the motivations driving me to have this project completed, please bear with me and let's see this one together till its end. To all the readers - I am very thankful for the attention this story had received. It has drastically increased no doubt because of you.
Please tell me what you think of 8! And see you in 9 for the conclusion of the Kaoru/Love Triangle Arc!
You've heard her wish on a 'shooting star'...
Seen how she first saw him...
Been there when they first met...
Why she got closer to him...
When she began to notice him...
You've heard her initial denial...
Seen another side of her past the happy-go-lucky one...
Been there when she accepted her feelings...
When her jealousy was at it's fullest...
Witnessed her first kiss...
Her happiest moments with him...
And times she felt down because of him.
But such tribulations is just a part of things yet to come and times yet to occur as she will learn the difficulty of loving a Heero Yuy.