Haruka's Wings

by EpyonZero23

Gundam Pilot Heero Yuy is strewn across time and space, only drawn to the image of a woman the ZERO System conjured during a desperate trial run. Will time prove to be a space that would keep them apart? Or will he defy the odds that separate them?

13. Chapter 13 Takeoff Into Confusion

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 13 - Takeoff Into Confusion

The day was perfect. The sun was shining warmly high above the skies, perched serenely among large wads of white clouds. Birds were chirping in harmony with the buzzing of cicadas, while a steady gale gently rustled the fine blades of grass along with the green leaves from trees and shrubs that surrounded the clearing. A small hill was found at the east most tracts where the grass lay evenly and a large oak tree stood guard by its center. The tree has a wide trunk strong enough to support its multitude of branches extending out in a globular manner. Each branch supplied a lavish complement of green leaves which provided an equal amount of shade on the ground directly adjacent to it. As such, when coupled with the cool flowing gale, the area was a perfect spot to rest and relax.

Underneath the oak tree, a young woman wearing a pure white sun dress and matching sandals could be seen with her back leaned comfortably on its broad trunk, her long flowing curly tipped raven hair swayed softly as the wind gently blew. The young lady had a contented smile painted on her lips while her cornflower blue eyes radiated an intense feeling dedicated solely towards the brown haired boy donning a green tank top, black trousers and light brown shoes, whose head was nestled across her legs. The young man had been gazing back at her with his deep cobalt blue eyes, which under normal circumstances, was extremely difficult to read any reaction or emotion from his stoic outlook. But right at this very moment, it was recognizable. The entirety of his affections for the lovely young woman was easily reflected through his eyes.

She smiled happily at him. Her sky blue irises were glittering and beaming with joy and affection. He subtly smirked in return, it was simple but everything he wanted to tell her has been relayed on that gentle curl of his lips.

"I'm so happy, Heero. I want to stay like this with you... always. Forever." Haruka sighed in satisfaction as a warm feeling brought a light reddish shade on her cheeks.

"Me too, Haruka." Heero replied in agreement, looking contentedly at the most precious individual that life has given him.

"Now... close your eyes and rest. I'll watch over you."

He grunted to her in acknowledgment before slowly closing his eyes as she began humming a soothing tune through her lips. He could feel Haruka lightly caress the locks of his chocolate brown hair while she continued humming that lovely rhythm. It was peaceful and relaxing. His girlfriend was perfectly attuned with the nature surrounding them. The sensation it brought to his senses was surreal and serene, causing him to easily lose consciousness as the sound of her humming gently drifted along with the cool passing gale.

Heero never knew how long he slept. The Perfect Soldier was awoken however by his highly sensitive instincts. It alarmed the young man subconsciously that someone had been looking at him carefully while he rested. The first rational thought that came into mind was to determine if the individual is a possible threat, but so far he has yet to receive any warning or alarm bells ringing from his highly reliable intuition. The Gundam Pilot slowly opened his eyes and saw a cute young girl wearing a white sun dress along with her chestnut brown hair covered by a round brim hat. Beside the little girl was a small white dog which she held in arm's length by a leash.

"Hello!" The girl cheerfully opened, smiling innocently at him.

He slowly pushed himself up before scanning his surroundings, searching for Haruka.

'Where is she?'

"Are you lost?" The little girl suddenly asked, causing Heero to shift his attention to her.

'Huh?'

"I said... Are you lost?" The precocious little lady once again inquired.

His response came out naturally, surprising him as he simply uttered it without any pretense or hesitation.

"I've been lost since the day I was born."

"Oh... that's so sad." The girl softly replied looking at him with concern before smiling once again.

"Well, I'm not lost at all. I'm taking Mary for a walk." She added while referring to the small dog who barked in excitement upon her mentioning its name.

'What's... happening?'

"Here, I'll give you this flower." The little girl stated as she handed him a small white blossom, though still confused, he reached out and accepted the flower.

Before he could say anything in response, they were suddenly distracted by the dog's excited bark. The little girl seemed to have understood its pet as she slightly steadied her hold on the leash, within moments the small white dog started to sprint away while pulling her young owner in the process.

"Hey! Wait for me!" The cute little lady gleefully remarked.

Heero's eyes curiously followed the little girl and her dog as they moved further away towards the horizon and out of his field of vision.

'Where is Haruka? It's getting dark already. I've got to find her.' The Perfect Soldier decided, reminding himself of what he was originally supposed to do. He spared one last glance at the small flower he held by his right hand before moving on.

True enough, the sky has already shifted to nighttime, he walked aimlessly across the wide clearing, till he came across a metal fence spiked with barb wires. The area contained by the fence was spacious. It was evident as even with strategic placement and distancing between the lamp posts, much of the expanse is still shrouded in darkness. A good distance from where he stood, the young man was able to make out a row of large installations, which he surmised as warehouses or possibly hangars line up by the right wing of the field. To compensate for the lack of luminosity on certain regions he noticed that the area employed the use of a network of roaming spotlights which covered specific orbits.

Curiosity aroused, his eyes followed one of the spotlight's trail. It made a rotary motion before its luminescence collided with a sizeable object still encroach in pitch black. The search light broke out from its designated path and shifted its focus on the large shadowy form. The object or entity was massive. Its rounded surface was painted pale green which he ascertained is made from composite metallic alloy. As the light weaved upwards, he noted that the plating was severely weathered with certain sections either blemished or charred. There were protrusions on various locations of the object's surface, but as he continued his observation these jutted out components occupy only a small space of the mostly arched edges and layering of the monolithic figure.

'This looks... familiar.'

The light seemed to have reached its destination as it finally settled on the topmost part of the figure. Or more appropriately... its head.

His eyes stirred in complete shock as he easily distinguished the red gill-like pattern located at the sides of its head which was shaped similarly to a helmet. The spotlight halted from its tracking and focused on the head's center or what seemed to be as its eye which was represented by a lone, dull yellow square lens. The behemoth now in full view seemed to have understood and communicated with the spotlight by sending a transmission through its square lens turning from yellow to red before blinking rapidly in a controlled pattern.

"A... Leo? What's it doing here?" Heero uttered in disbelief, as his chest began to stiffen with each passing moment. Unconsciously, his right hand shakily clenched the small flower given to him by the little girl, but instead of feeling the plant's rough and hairy texture he was welcomed by the cold hard sensation coming from the fine surface of a metallic object.

His cobalt blue eyes darted to the article being held by his hand.

And to his astonishment...

The flower was no longer present.

But in its place was a device he was very familiar with.

It was a long.

Cylindrical.

Metallic.

Grey.

With a retractable part acting as the trigger jutting out on its top.

'What... why...?'

A detonator.

No sooner had he recognized the device when a series of explosions erupted within the fenced area. It was immediately followed by the facilities and installations he earlier saw at the left wing blowing up in succession. The blare of electronic klaxons could be heard all over the area as chaos reigned everywhere, hell has been unleashed, the earth has been scorched and devastated beyond hope.

Another barrage rocked the field, this time coming from one of the larger building complex. His Prussian blue irises widened in shock upon recognizing the facility, it was a supply depot... or more accurately an ammo silo. The resulting explosion as its contents caught fire was tremendous, spewing volatile element in a wide radius with one of its fiery outbursts splashing over to the behemoth he had been observing earlier.

The force released by the violent combustion of the materials inside the ammo silo was impressive. Its power was more than enough to strew aside the Leo mobile suit like a gigantic domino tile into submission. The green colossus was burning and expelling smoke as it slowly tumbled out from the confines of the metal fences.

'No...' Heero could only manage to utter as his eyes stared in horror at the succeeding scene.

There was nothing he could do but stare helplessly as the events slowly and thoroughly unfolded in front of him.

A mid-rise building apartment lay squarely across the collapsing mobile suit's path. The behemoth was clearly powerless as it didn't budge or make attempt to stray from the expected crash zone. The sheer weight of the Leo coupled with the force of explosion resulted to the grand finale that Heero anticipated and will never forget.

Slowly but surely the collapsing gigantic mobile suit obliterated the mid-rise building apartment before ending its throes with a final detonation caused by its ruptured fusion reactor.

The explosion was deafening.

It instantaneously claimed the lives not only from the civilian apartment complex but everyone else from the blast radius.

Heero turned to look the other way as his hand shielded his face from some of the debris and ashes that were scattered towards his direction.

As the dust began to fall down, the stoic young man could not conceal the emotions raging within him.

Clearly reflected from his deep blue eyes were the consequences of the atrocity he has no doubt created.

Shame.

Regret.

Guilt.

He felt no more pain upon full realization of his transgressions... as it had already consumed every part of him. Drowning his mind, crushing his heart and burning his soul.

A murderer.

A killer.

A slayer.

"W-what... w-what have I... done...?" The Perfect Soldier could only mutter under his breathe.

'T-the girl... and her little dog...'

No sooner had the thought escaped from him when the detonator switch slid off his grasp. He didn't hear the clack it made as the apparatus landed on the ground. However, he felt his hands grow numb as one of his worst sins resurfaced from the annals of his memories. It pierced viciously into his mind, paralyzing his heart while his soul was tortured and condemned for the guilt it had to bear.

Even if it was only an accident, he had no right to feel any remorse or regret for his actions. Heero Yuy knew there was no forgiveness for his sins, absolutely, none.

Even if he would spend the rest of his days doing repentance or seek atonement for his aberration.

He will never be reprieved.

The brown haired boy walked slowly among the ruins of the mid-rise building, its walls crumbled and foundations collapsed while piles of debris from various materials lay scattered around the immediate radius. Columns and slabs made of concrete were either demolished or strewn aside, tiles of bricks could be seen across all directions, obviously hurled upon the mobile suit's impact and resulting explosion. Trusses made of beam rods have been bent and mangled beyond recognition while various struts jutting out from partly broken down walls could be likened to busted spear heads from a defeated army.

As Heero treaded the dilapidated building he noticed one particular strut defiantly pointing upwards the sky with a torn piece of fabric pierced through it.

The cloth was partly charred, blackened and grey due to the ash that had been disgorged on the atmosphere caused by the explosion earlier.

Parts of the cloth were distinctly blotted by an already dried liquid with streaks of it running astride the fabric.

His eyes barely changed as he easily determined the original, untouched and raw form of the residue which now painted the cloth's fibers.

It was stained crimson red.

Blood.

'I'm the cause of all this...' He mournfully thought, feeling his chest getting heavier without eliciting any sort of reaction from his cold and stoic demeanor.

'I have killed that young girl. Not only her, not only her little dog, but many other innocent civilians like her.' The Perfect Soldier grimly admitted, before grunting in acceptance to his inexpiable sin he has committed.

"This is a cross... I must bear."

He saw something hazed at the corner of his eye, a form, off-white, or more appropriately, used to be white, but is now similar to the piece of cloth sticking out from the strut.

Ashen grey, charred black and blood stained.

A small piece of his mind was already prepared on what he was about to see. He had been expecting it.

Was it the girl?

Or was it her little dog?

Heero turned to face the figure which was previously outside his peripheral. Fully anticipating, calm and mentally aware. His deep cobalt blue eyes widened in surprise upon focusing on form splayed on the ground as it was way different from his expectations.

It was bigger.

It was longer.

It was a full grown person.

The person was lying on its stomach, face down on the charcoal black surface. Heero carefully made his way towards the individual and as he got nearer, the Perfect Soldier could feel his chest beginning to pound furiously. As if foreboding something gruesome and painful would befall him. The ominous feeling began taking a firm grip on his mind. It was steadily escalating in his heart and filling his soul with restless agitation. The form became clearer and more recognizable as he drew nearer, the person, whoever it was, had long flowing hair.

The color could not be mistaken for it was raven but what truly made it distinct were the curly strands forming into locks by the ends.

His chest tightened as he got a better view.

The person was a young woman, her fair complexion had been marred by bruises and scars, the fire and explosion has left her clothes mostly in shreds and tatters.

Heero felt his heart pumping uncontrollably as he kneeled down beside the lady. Very gently he turned the woman's body to see her.

He froze instantly upon seeing her face.

It was Haruka.

"No..." Heero uttered in sorrow, upon recognizing the young woman he deeply loves.

Haruka must have heard him as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Heero..." She softly whispered before smiling weakly as fluid began building up from her sky blue orbs.

He held her tenderly in his arms while gripping her hand tightly.

"I'll take you to a hospital Haruka." The mobile suit pilot intently said as he started to lift her.

"I..." The raven haired beauty trailed as she struggled with her breathing.

"Just hang in there. Stay with me." Heero firmly stated but his irises were beginning to stir.

A pair of tears trickled down his girlfriend's eyes after hearing what he has just said.

"I... lo..." She again attempted to say something at him but could not finish as she lightly convulsed while her breathing became shallower and irregularly periodic.

"Stay with me Haruka. I won't let you leave me." The brown haired boy pleaded, knowing the inevitable but still clinging on to that last remaining thread of hope.

"I… lov…" The cornflower eyed young lady repeated, straining herself even further, convulsing more violently in the process as her lungs gasped for air.

"Look at me, Haruka! Look into my eyes! Don't leave me!" Heero asserted in frustration with the lovely woman gazing longingly at him, her sky blue irises tear-stricken and twitching.

It was all she can do with her last ounce of strength, in a final manifestation of her love for the Gundam Pilot.

Haruka then smiled sadly at him before she slowly closed her eyes.

"Haruka?"

There was no response.

"Haruka?" He repeated, fear taking firm control of him.

Again, no response.

'No...' He could only mutter in his thoughts as the unavoidable or expected has occurred.

Her cornflower blue eyes that were always full of life... her lips that hold the special smile she only has for him... that lovely angelic face which glowed with happiness whenever they are together...

All of it was now gone.

"Haruka..."

The one woman he nurtured and treasured solely inside his heart, the only person he has grown to love and cherish... is dead.

"Haruka... don't... leave... me..." Heero spoke in grief, as his knees collapsed on the ground while he held Haruka tightly in his arms.

She would never respond anymore. Her face only exuded tranquility as a soft contented smile peacefully laced her lips.

His right hand gently brushed the few strands of hair which strayed on her face.

"Haruka!" He ruefully cried as realization finally dawned to him.

She was gone to him forever.

His hope.

His dream.

His love.

His actions had no doubt resulted to the death of his beloved.

He was solely responsible for her demise.

To put it simply, he killed Haruka.

Heero craned his neck upwards while his Prussian blue orbs stared defiantly across the skies.

"Noooooo!" He howled in anguish as the pain of accepting his loss gutted him thoroughly, crushing his heart, mind and soul completely.

He screamed at the top of his lungs in hopes of releasing all the feelings and emotions inside of him.

Repeating her name... over and over again.

Till it finally came to him that even in doing so, she will never be alive once again.

'So... this is how it feels... the pain... of losing the person you love most...'

"Haruka..." He poignantly whispered, looking into her face one last time before embracing her tightly.

---

His eyes shot wide open. His reflexes immediately took over soon as he lifted his back from the oak tree.

It was just a dream.

His Prussian blue orbs scanned the surroundings. The sun was still high above the skies surrounded by the large wads of clouds. He could still hear the buzzing of cicadas along with the chirping of birds nestled at the higher branches of the tree. The cool yet gentle gale still hovered around the clearing. And upon looking at his lap, there lay the most important person in his life.

He heaved a sigh of relief as he watched the raven haired young woman sleep contentedly above his thighs. Her lovely and angelic face held a certain tranquility he could not place any word to describe. She lay there peacefully with that ethereal smile painted on her lips. Haruka emanated an encompassing serenity which was otherworldly. Her beauty and state would even surpass the normal physical boundaries that surrounded the true essence of life.

She was transcendental.

She looked too peaceful.

She held a smile very similar to how he last remembered her.

It was soft, contented... peacefully lacing her thin lips.

"Haruka?"

There was no response.

The hairs across his skin rose as he detected that something was definitely wrong.

She lay there... rigid and motionless.

Her chest never moved, never showed any sign she was breathing.

She was in a state of supreme tranquility.

"Haruka?" Heero gently shook the young woman while alarm bells rang wildly in his head as a much tensed look now replaced his normally nonchalant disposition.

'She's... not that cold though...' The Perfect Soldier mused, noting the warmth still coursing through her body.

He felt something damp dribble slowly from her back, drenching his hand.

Instinctively he took his hand off from her backside and curiously examined it.

The fluid was warm, lustrous and crimson.

"B-blood..." Heero dreadfully uttered as the events from his dream earlier were happening... once again.

Cold sweat trailed down his temple as fear and anxiety struck him side by side.

Along with it comes the painful realization he was about to feel the anguish and sorrow of losing her once more.

'It... Can't be... why?' The brown haired boy mused as he stared on his bloodstained hands.

Blood flowing from the love of his life.

Heero's shaking hands were stained once again... but now with her own blood.

"Noooooooooooooo!" He screamed in grievance, languished at the truth, the prospect and the reality of Haruka leaving him alone.

'Why am I being punished in this manner? Take away my life... Take away my everything... But leave her alone... Haruka should not pay for my sins...' The brown haired boy despaired within his thoughts.

"You will only cause her sadness, pain, suffering and sorrow. Same as what you did to those who were left to mourn because of your actions." He heard a small voice calmly speak to him.

The Prussian eyed young man lifted his head to see the speaker and was astonished upon recognizing its owner.

Standing a couple of feet in front of him was the young girl and her little dog. An eerie smile graced her lips whilst an incorporeal aura was surrounding her.

"I... truly... love her..." Heero solemnly stated as he held Haruka tightly in his arms.

"Could you stand for that?" The girl challenged.

"I..."

"You would only leave her, taking away the very part of her that brings her joy. You would be the reason for her to lose the will to live." She hauntingly told him while the little dog simply stood beside her.

"Lose the will to live..." The mobile suit pilot repeated as he contemplated every word the young girl spoke.

"Yes, that's right." She seemed to have understood his thoughts before looking at him straight in the eye.

"Because..." He heard her continue while his heartbeat began to grow louder and louder.

"You will kill her. Same as how you killed me." The little girl finished, but was now smiling sadly at him.

"No... I will kill... Haruka..." Heero softly trailed as he stared once again at his bloodstained hands while Haruka leaned lifelessly on his chest. Grief overtaking him, the Perfect Soldier gently embraced the raven haired beauty... further tainting her with his bloodied hands.

---

His eyes forcefully open as he pulled himself out of the nightmare.

Cold sweat had been pouring from him when Heero finally woke up. Instinctively his eyes wandered around the immediate vicinity as he carefully studied the place. Even in darkness he could assess that the room was spacious, the ceilings were covered with exquisite wallpaper that no doubt was common only in Europe. After his pupils adjusted to the lack of luminosity, he was able to make out the large vanity mirror and the studying desk found adjacent to it. Before Heero could further ascertain the place, he felt the warm breathe of someone lying next to him.

He decided to turn and face its owner, what greeted him was the only sight that could calm his troubled mind and appease his anxious heart.

'H-Haruka... Thank... God...' Heero uttered in relief, speaking each word out of instinct.

The pretty campus idol had a contented smile painted on her lips as she slept sideways facing him. Despite feeling her warm exhale, Heero still worriedly looked at her chest and was finally relieved to note that she was just breathing normally.

'It's... that dream again...' He thought upon being reminded of the recurring nightmare he had been experiencing for the past three nights.

Since the day Heero rescued Chizuru Hotaru, and the subsequent realization of what he had inadvertently done to Haruka's future, the Gundam Pilot started the harrowing ordeal of facing his worst sin every night he sleeps. The dream or nightmare is exactly the same, every night and it was always double layered where he would need to wake up twice lest he does not want to come back to the real world. He was forced to relive his gravest mistake, and what's worst - face it's consequences with Haruka at stake. The mobile suit pilot had only recently learn the true pain of losing someone, and not just anyone but the most important and dearest person he has learned to cherish. In spite of witnessing such a traumatic incident only within the confines of his sleep, the effect on the Perfect Soldier had been far too serious and severe.

He greatly fears the same thing as Haruka fears - losing the most beloved person in your life. Heero has every good reason to be scared or worried even if the matter was only presented as a dream, because of his current situation, which is that of a time displaced person who seeks to challenge fate and destiny. His belief that he has destroyed Haruka's natural course of destiny was haunting him... in the worst possible way.

"Heero..." The cobalt eyed young man heard Haruka softly whispered before smiling contentedly while she slept peacefully.

The Gundam Pilot thought he would at least be spared this night after they had once again affirmed their feelings for one another. They had been intensely passionate, comparable to star-crossed lovers that had been separated for a long period of time before finally reunited. The flames of desire had been raging strongly inside their hearts and would not be deterred unless its embers were exhausted. There was rhythm and symphony in every movement, in every breath and in every kiss they shared. The fires of longing and yearning were chafed even further by all the profound feelings they have for each other. There seemed no satiation to both of them, as together they traversed and repeatedly achieved the pinnacle of expressing their true love for one another.

Only exhaustion caught up with them, forcing the two to finally relent and give way to a night's peaceful rest.

It was barely three hours since he slept before stressfully waking up due to his disturbing nightmare.

Careful not to wake Haruka, he silently rose from the bed and began fixing himself. It didn't take long for him to finish suiting up and soon enough he was all ready to leave. He cautiously went over to Haruka's bedside and studied the physical features of his lovely girlfriend. The pretty campus idol was still a sight to behold as she slept peacefully. Her curly tipped raven hair was flowing in a strikingly alluring manner while her face emanated the radiance of a goddess in quiescence. She was comparable to an angel perched serenely among the clouds, her beauty bathed from the warm rays of the sun.

He was utterly in love with her, not only due to such physical attributes but because of her unique aspects. She was everything he was not. She was everything he wanted in a simple and normal life. And she was everything he was willing to give up his everything for.

She was vibrant, full of life, fun to be with, happy go lucky, passionate, devoted, caring, affectionate and most of all a very loving young woman. He considered himself as a very lucky man for having been given the chance and opportunity to be the guy who she fell in love with. Even without the complete knowledge of whom he truly is.

His past and current circumstances have now caught up with him.

It was time.

"Sleep well, Haruka." Heero faintly whispered before planting a light kiss above Haruka's forehead followed by another one on top of her lips.

He turned and made his way to her veranda, sparing one last look at the raven haired beauty. Gently closing the door behind him, like a thief in the night he jumped off the porch and landed smoothly without making a sound on the ground below.

Heero felt an ominous sensation wash over him as he noiselessly moved out of the Morishima mansion.

Throwing one final glance at Haruka's room he could not help but ponder at the foreboding events that will soon roll into motion.

"What does a man do when confronted with his greatest dream... and his worst nightmare?"

---

"It's fairly obvious that things went well between you and your... fiancé." Hibiki ribbed at Haruka as they walked together on the way to school.

"Ehhh? How did you know about THAT?" Haruka blurted in surprise while throwing a wide-eyed look at her best friend.

"Let's just say, the head nurse told us exactly about THAT... future Mrs. Yuy." The swim team captain teased, smiling lightly at her.

"Huh?! Y-you mean even Heero knows about THAT! Oh... It's... embarrassing!" The pretty campus idol squealed, blushing furiously upon being reminded of her antics.

"I didn't have any choice... They won't let me in. One of the officers even thought I was a reporter! And then I..." She suddenly paused before realizing something, "...wait a minute, you would never know about that unless you followed me."

"I was worried about you too. Don't tell me... you only thought I fixed the matters at the gift shop and simply leave would you?"

"Uhm... yes, that's right."

"Haruka... you really are so much in love with Yuy-san. So much… your mind and reasoning flies out of the window on a lot of occasions."

"Hibiki, you know the situation that time. Oopps, sorry, let me rephrase that, you'll understand my situation once you have that youthful, responsible, kind, industrious, understanding, blonde dream boy of yours." The pretty campus idol retaliated smiling impishly at her friend.

"OK... I have to admit, you've got me there. Before we stray off any further from our conversation, how did things go with Yuy-san?"

"We were able to patch things up, Hibiki." Haruka promptly answered smiling dreamily at the horizon.

"That's good for the two of you, Haruka. Though, I was half expecting he'll be picking you up and go to school with him starting today."

"Well... I was also hoping about that, but I don't want to impose on him. I'll just wait till he willfully does those things without me... pressuring him." The raven haired beauty thoughtfully replied as they continued their stride towards the campus.

"Haruka, I never thought I'd hear such things from you."

"I want to grow and be matured enough for him. I may be a year older than Heero, but his maturity surpasses those of guys possibly five or even ten years older than him."

"Don't you think it's because of your natural qualities that made Yuy-san like you as well?"

"Hibiki..." She trailed feeling her cheeks burn lightly before continuing, "But yes, sometimes I do notice that. We truly are the complete opposites of each other. He's so responsible, very determined, has that cool demeanor and composure. While I'm so... happy go lucky and childish." The pretty campus idol pondered before being reminded of that one incident she saw a different, scary and fearsome part of him.

"I will kill you." Heero icily uttered, sending chills down to her spine while freezing her with fear from those pitch black orbs.

'I haven't asked him about that yet... but why does my heart feel so uneasy at knowing the truth behind that... side of him.'

The lovely young woman felt a cold sensation spike suddenly into her chest, leaving mixed feelings of unease, dread and anxiety.

"Haruka? Are you ok?" Hibiki obliviously inquired, interrupting her recollection.

The raven haired beauty had unknowingly stopped from walking while staring without any focus at the skyline.

"N-nothing... I just... remembered something." Haruka excused smiling timidly at the swim team captain.

"Hmm... Haruka, are you still thinking about that date last New Year's Eve?"

"Y-yes... actually... we did a lot of things at the Temple festival." She responded before breathing a sigh of relief upon being reminded of the last time they were together.

'I'll... probably ask him... no... I'll just... wait for him to open that up. I love him... I... trust him... completely.'

Taking her attention and mind off such things proved to be a good distraction for the time being as Haruka excitedly narrated most of the things that transpired during her date with Heero on the Temple Festival. Pushing the serious matters and thoughts aside, she was able to provide a highly detailed and colorful account of the events that occurred between her and the Gundam Pilot just two days ago. It allowed the young woman to relax and show her elation at the growing progress of their relationship. Haruka happily recounted the last time she was with Heero all the way to their school never noticing the increasing stares and looks she was receiving from both male and female population of Kibitou Senior High.

"My… is that… Morishima sempai? She looks more stunning than she was before…"

"I think the rumors are true, she's going out with that hot transfer student from 2-A."

"Look at her skin, her face is really glowing! I think that's the secret of being in love."

"Finally, the hunt for Morishima sempai is over and only that cool second year transfer got her!"

This however did not escape the watchful eyes and keen hearing of her best friend.

"Haruka... I might have forgotten to tell you this... but since the first time I saw you earlier and especially from the moment you started talking about Yuy-san, you had that... dazzling glow coming off your face... especially from your eyes. Haven't you noticed it yet? Everyone we passed by has been staring at you." Hibiki wondrously pointed out smiling kindly at her.

"Oh my... I..." The cornflower blue eyed young lady trailed, feeling her cheeks flush red with embarrassment.

A picture of her and Heero entangled together in a very passionate situation suddenly immersed the beautiful raven haired young woman's memories.

'He could be very intense... given the circumstances... but I can't deny that I too feel the same way...'

"That must have been a truly sumptuous Takoyaki meal, Morishima Haruka." Someone suddenly commented, causing both of them to look towards the speaker's direction.

Standing to their right were two of their fellow Third Years from the class next to them.

Class 3-A's Ruriko Yuzuki and Manaka Hiba.

"Takoyaki? What do you mean by that Ruriko-san?" Hibiki curiously asked before stealing a questioning glance at Haruka.

The raven haired young woman had deliberately avoided including the more intimate details of her New Year's Eve date with Heero. Knowing and feeling it is something best kept between the two of them especially in consideration of the Perfect Soldier when it comes to matters involving privacy.

"Public Intimacy." Manaka chimed in, smiling cryptically at Haruka.

'They were watching. Oh well, you have to deal with the consequences of your actions, Haruka.' She chided herself before smiling in return to the laconic young woman.

"Let's just say... it is but natural to get spoiled by your special someone while spending time with him on such a special occasion." Haruka confidently replied, winking an eye at Manaka and Ruriko.

"Your definition of getting spoiled is boundless, Morishima Haruka. But I have to admit, you played that one well." Ruriko conceded, smiling respectfully at her.

"Challenge. Let me try with Yuy-san." Manaka slyly commented, before smirking at Haruka.

"No! No! No! Hiba-san, you get your own first before we go for another showdown. Heero-kun is mine only. I don't share." The pretty campus idol strongly answered while blatantly declaring ownership to her territory.

"Fair enough." Manaka aptly replied getting riled up from Haruka's response.

Ruriko could only smack her forehead in disbelief while Hibiki shook her head sideways in apparent frustration.

"There goes all the maturity stuff." The swim team captain muttered while Haruka and Manaka are locked in a challenging stare.

---

Today should have been the first day of classes for the third and final term of the current school year. Yet despite the start of the last academic term, a young man from Kibitou Senior High's junior class could be seen staring somberly at the lightly falling snow and never ending sea line from the railings of the View Deck Park. Wearing the school's mandated winter uniform, Heero Yuy instead decided to go at the park and sort out the matters surrounding his relationship with Haruka.

It has been just yesterday since he last saw the pretty campus idol before taking off during the wee hours of the morning from her veranda. He decided not to wake the young woman or leave any note before he left. The mobile suit pilot had assumed she would readily understand his decision to leave quietly in order to avoid any suspicion or arouse any unwanted attention from her household once they arrive that same day. If only he could have it his way, the Perfect Soldier still wanted to stay by her side. Watch her from the moment she wakes up and open those two lively sky blue eyes. Be at her side to take care of her and possibly attend to her endless but adorable whims. A part of him looks forward to those light and silly moments when Haruka would ask him to accomplish something ridiculous just to spoil her. But most of him would never deny the given truth that she knows how to take care of his needs and readily gives her undivided attention whenever they were together.

However, now was the time to seriously ponder and contemplate the future of his relationship with Haruka.

His past and current situation has caught up with him, haunting him even in his sleep.

The guilt and conscience residing within his heart and mind would not give him rest till he resolves the matters surrounding his true identity.

Would he come out clean? Or would he continue to shroud the truth?

The second choice only delays the inevitable and deep within he knows that the lovely young woman deserves nothing less than knowing the whole truth about him.

He has a lot of skeletons hidden inside the closet, only waiting to be revealed.

'Why... can't I make up my mind? Why do I waver in the end after gaining the courage and resolve to tell her everything about me?'

Heero Yuy smiled bitterly as he knows full well the answer to his own questions, he was a man who has recently known fear and with his guilt alongside his conscience resurfacing... it all the more compounded the dreadful insights living within his heart. He was afraid of what Haruka might think once she knows the true identity of her boyfriend. He was scared at the prospect of losing her... of the lovely young woman unable to accept what he truly was.

The Perfect Soldier never knew that such emotions would only come into realization once he truly learns the meaning and feels the entirety of loving unconditionally. He adores her, cherishes her, treasures her... loves her wholeheartedly. And now the brown haired boy has reached the point where he must place himself under her judgment similar to that night she came all out to prove her feelings for him. The tables have been turned, it is now his turn to surrender himself and be scrutinized for what he truly was, currently is and would always be.

Haruka had been desperate. The pretty campus idol did all that she can, laid all her cards on the table, fought through every barricade he placed between them and faced all trials meant to break her will. Her perseverance was well rewarded. She won decidedly and now owns his mind, heart, body and soul. From head to toe, he now belongs to Haruka. But how would he truly stake his claim on her if he does not accord the beautiful young woman the same effort she had willingly endured for his sake?

He wanted to tell her... if only it was that simple and that easy.

But as he grew to love Haruka more and more each passing day, Heero just realized that his guilt, conscience and fear grew in similar proportion.

'Do I tell her that... I... I am an accidental time traveler? I saw her image being flashed by an advanced operating system and from there... things happened. How do I tell her that it was destiny... when I don't even know how to believe it? That I think... fate should be damned while my own rationale is as twisted as my current existence?'

'How do I tell Haruka that with these hands, I have caused a lot of pain and suffering? That I killed mercilessly during the wars back at my time. That I am not a simple and normal civilian. That I... am but a weapon and a professional soldier who was a necessary tool during the conflict. That everything she knew about me was all... but a lie.'

Heero was a person who would act on his emotions, but before that he is a man ruled by logic and discipline. Traits that were inherent to his training and conditioning which led to him being the finest embodiment achieved on the field of armed conflict.

He is the Perfect Soldier.

The ultimate weapon. The one man killing machine. The epitome of a warrior. The fearless slayer.

The best of the Gundam Pilots.

All those titles mean nothing to him now. All he wanted was to be with the raven haired young woman who meant the whole world to him.

It was getting more difficult each passing day. Every moment he spent with her was heaven while every minute they were apart was hell. He will be taunted by his memories, his past will stalk him, and his sins will reappear to remind him.

And of course... his crosses... they were waiting for him to continue carrying them.

"Haruka..." Heero uttered in despair as he looked forlornly on the gently falling snow.

---

It was thirty minutes past four in the afternoon and classes had already been dismissed barely half an hour ago. Most of the students save for those involved in club activities along with a few members of the faculty had already left the campus. This was expected as many were hurrying on their way home to avoid the usual crowding of public transport and jam-packed railway coaches brought by the afternoon rush once members of Kibitou's working class are cleared from their offices. However, there are still a few people left within the school grounds, among them were students conducting research or completing their assignments inside the library and personnel from the teaching staff still hauled up in the faculty room. Amidst the students still present at the school grounds was a certain raven haired young woman who was still waiting for her special someone in hopes of going home together with him.

'What's up with Heero? Where is he?' Haruka wondered as she sat impatiently on one of the concrete benches near the main exit while scanning all possible avenues of approach towards her location.

The pretty campus idol had not seen the Gundam Pilot for the whole day and was increasingly getting worried at being unaware of his current whereabouts. Earlier during lunch time, she was already expecting him to be waiting outside her classroom. This had been their daily routine on the weeks leading to the School Festival till the last days of the second term prior to the holiday season. She was unable to check on him after finishing her lunch break due to an errand requested by their homeroom teacher. The cornflower blue eyed young lady was more puzzled upon learning he was still nonexistent in his usual waiting spot when classes for the day were concluded. Ever since that time he showed up outside her classroom, exactly three days after his episode with Kaoru, surprising her as he waited, Haruka has gotten used to seeing Heero leaning by the building column while looking at her from his direction.

Haruka could not be blamed for expecting a lot on Heero, since they formalized their romantic status, the lovely young woman wanted to experience the joys of being in a relationship during her last term in senior high. She was proud of her boyfriend. She had no intent of showing him off, but more on placing ownership to what she considered as her territory. The raven haired beauty also wanted to make it clear that she is no longer single. She belongs to Heero Yuy now and vice versa.

The last time they had been with each other was during their date last New Year's eve which ended in a very climactic episode inside her room. The memory of the events along with their actions that night was more than enough for Haruka to blush beet red. She never thought that she'll be granted a truly unforgettable and immensely satisfying experience after asking 'I want to be lovey-dovey with him all the time too' during their time in the Temple. Their last date was simply perfect. From start to the climax till its conclusion.

This was the very same reason that she had been feeling edgy over the course of the day. She misses him.

Terribly.

'He didn't even wake me up when he left my room.' The raven haired beauty disappointingly mused, recalling the morning she woke up after they had spent the night together in her room. It was already New Years Day but she understood that he has to leave early in order to avoid getting caught in a rather... compromising situation once her family and household arrives. Still, she wants to be with him, all the time, if possible.

The cornflower blue eyed young lady had an inkling however on why he didn't even bother to wake her up or say good bye that time.

Haruka Morishima was a very bad person to wake up after sleeping late the previous night. For all the energy and vigor she possesses during her normal operation time, she was terrible when it comes to matters involving sleep. Like a little child, the pretty campus idol requires no less than eight full hours of normal sleep every night. Not meeting the said requirement would not by any chance mean she will be grumpy or be the devil for a day. She was comparable to the walking dead as Hibiki would always like to say, in other words... a zombie. Haruka smiled softly to herself upon remembering the occasion Heero discovered and confirmed this behavior of hers. It took the mobile suit pilot more than an hour just to wake her up completely. This occurred on that time she spent the evening in his room, Heero even had to take her back to her village after preparing their breakfast, she was certain he arrived late for work on that day. Whenever she does a marathon viewing of her favorite shows in the TV it was guaranteed that she'll be losing sleep due to turning in late. And this ensures a trip to the school clinic for what Haruka calls a 'small nap' to compensate for the time she should have sleeping, much to Ms. Kanae's disapproval.

The one and only time she woke up free from such burden was the morning after they consummated their relationship. Haruka would readily admit that the best times she slept was whenever Heero has her wrapped inside his arms and her body shrouded by the gentle warmth coming from his own. She feels safe, nurtured, protected, cherished and most of all... treasured. There was truly only one place in this world for her and it is in the tender embrace of Heero Yuy.

"Morishima-san?" A voice suddenly called to her, pulling Haruka out from her sentiments.

Her eyes widened upon recognizing the person, she had uneven bob-cut base dark hair falling just past her neck, charcoal black irises and a light smile gracing her lips. The woman was wearing a black blazer and a buttoned white blouse matched with a black skirt, her legs were covered by dark stockings while donning a pair of black leather shoes.

It was class 2-A's homeroom teacher, Maya Takahashi.

"Maya-sensei, I'm sorry... I didn't notice you." The raven haired beauty apologized, bowing respectfully to the teacher.

"It's OK, Morishima-san, you were deep in your thoughts when I saw you. Just making sure you're alright." Maya replied voicing out her concern.

"Oh... I'm fine sensei. Please don't worry. Uhm... By the way, I was wondering if you've seen Heero before classes were finished for the day."

"Huh? You did not know he was absent today?" Maya asked in return, while looking at her doubtfully.

"H-he was absent?" She repeated out of astonishment.

'Why didn't you tell me, Heero? Why?'

"Yes. I was expecting you of all people would be the first to learn since you're his girlfriend." Ms. Takahashi stated, smiling subtly at Haruka, teasing her gently in the process.

"I... I didn't know." The pretty campus idol honestly worded while her eyes quivered slightly in apparent discomfort.

Maya frowned upon hearing her response and seeing the troubled look on her face, before deciding to sit down on the bench beside Haruka.

"We were just informed that he was not feeling well today. Heero must have called the school hotline earlier when he felt he'd be out for the day."

"But... he should have at least... told me." Haruka reasoned with pain evident from the shift in tone of her voice.

"Morishima-san, Heero must have his reasons for not telling you. Being a very responsible guy in his own right, I think he doesn't want to make you worry."

"I'm only getting more worried now that I know he's absent."

"Don't be upset, Morishima-san. It is natural that guys don't want us to see their... vulnerable sides. Especially, knowing how mature your boyfriend is, the least he would want is for you to worry about him as well." The lovely teacher carefully explained to her.

"I honestly think you are right Maya-sensei. But there's a part of me that can't help but get worried. There's a side of me that wants to rush by his side to take care of him. There's this something inside of me that won't be appeased until I'm sure he's fine." Haruka truthfully said, sharing her thoughts about the matter.

"What you are feeling is very normal, Haruka-san. That is our natural reaction as a woman to the man we truly love. And we don't need an expert here to see how deep your love for Heero is."

Seeing her finally smile, the kind teacher softly nodded before continuing.

"You have to give him that space... Allow him to always be a man in front of you. I'm just guessing this but... observing Heero's maturity and composure while knowing your... tendencies Haruka-san, for sure by now he's allowed you to simply be what you wanted or wished in front of him"

"Maya-sensei..." Haruka uttered, blushing furiously upon being reminded of the many incidents she had gotten her way with the mobile suit pilot.

The time she asked him to teach her swimming.

Which was soon followed by that situation she pretended to be drowning.

Of course she would never forget that occasion she cooked and almost poisoned him at his apartment.

Lastly and most recently, when she had him spoil by personally feeding her with Takoyaki balls.

Plus there were many more similar moments or situations that transpired between them even before they started their relationship were considered.

"Give him a day or two, for sure, he'll be resuming his duties and responsibilities as your special someone once he returns."

"Alright, thank you, Maya-sensei." Haruka said with gratitude while smiling more openly after reminiscing all those times they shared with each other.

'I trust you Heero... I just can't help but worry about you. This love I have for you is... definitely... resounding deep inside me.'

"Don't think about it, Morishima-san. I was about to go home as well, you want to walk along with me?"

The sky blue eyed young woman nodded in agreement.

"On a personal note Haruka-san, I honestly think, he's been taking care of you in a very exceptional way." Maya mildly stated, subtly implying the non-platonic aspect along with a genuine interest on the conventional facets of her relationship with the Gundam Pilot.

'Maya-sensei... you like to approach that subject in a two-pronged manner. Hear the usual stuff between lovers while elusively broaching the more sensitive topics discreetly.'

"You're the one teasing me now, Maya-sensei."

"Haven't you looked in the mirror? You've been the talked of the campus since classes resumed today."

"Eh... you mean you've heard those... rumors too, sensei?"

'I'm... really too transparent when it comes to Heero. It easily shows how much I love him. But it's ok, though I might feel abashedly at times... the feelings I have for him is something I want everyone to see.'

"A rumor is something based from false assumptions or hearsay. But seeing you... just by looking at you... certainly feels like its springtime already despite we're still in the middle of winter."

Again, various images of her and Heero locked in an intensely passionate situation flashed inside her memoirs. However, along with the knowledge and experience she has only recently gained from such actions comes a highly deductive reasoning finely attuned to her senses. Now those heightened senses allowed the cornflower blue eyed young woman to notice and detect the apparent awe Ms. Takahashi silently conceals on her relationship with Heero.

'Ohh... I see. I understand you now, sensei. You also want to experience being loved and cared by that one special person.'

"I'm very happy with him sensei. By the way, I'm no longer affected with that aspect of your teasing anymore. Especially now I'm positively sure that I should be your sempai on such matters."

Haruka smiled impishly upon seeing Maya instantaneously flushed deep red from her last comment.

"Maya-sensei, I owe everything to that wish I made on that shooting star a few months ago. It gave me a soul mate! Maybe you should try it too."

"Morishima-san... I still remember you saying that just a few days back. But I'm telling you, such matters are on the least of my priorities right now."

"Really, sensei? Then why are you very keen and easily take notice on such matters? Are you perchance... looking for what they refer as THE ONE too?"

"W-well... it's just..."

"Trust me Maya-sensei... springtime will come for you, just make a wish on a shooting star once you see one."

She noticed the young teacher fidget uneasily while her face was still painted red with embarrassment.

"Besides, I think someone out there will no doubt be attracted by your sable irises." Haruka delightedly teased before winking at Maya.

"Haruka-san, I really have to commend Tsukahara-san for putting up with you all this time."

Both of them giggled heartily after hearing Ms. Takahashi's retort. They were already near the main intersection where Haruka has to take a left turn which leads to the exclusive village where her house was located. Ms. Takahashi meanwhile would just have to go straight ahead, since that would be the road leading to the suburbs where the apartment she rents is situated.

"Maya-sensei, I just want to be sure though... but once you hear something from Heero and he's still not coming to school... Please inform me immediately, there's no one to take care of him since his family is outside the country." Haruka seriously pleaded after turning to face the charcoal eyed teacher.

"Rest assured that I will do so upon first notice. That fact completely got out of my mind, thank you for reminding me, Haruka-san."

Haruka bowed slightly at Maya who nodded in return before smiling back at her. She waved her hand at the teacher before beginning the ten minute trek en route towards her village.

'I miss you so much Heero. I want to visit you and take care of you. But Maya-sensei is right... you might need that small space of privacy to compose yourself at times and always appear in your usual cool demeanor. Nevertheless... my feelings for you will never change no matter what side of you is present.'

The lovely young woman felt an icy wind suddenly blow past her, ruffling her curly tipped raven hair while gripping her heart with an unknown fear causing the hairs of her skin to rise in dreadful response.

"I told you. I'll kill you." Heero frostily stated while his cobalt blue irises had turned into pure pitch black orbs easily comparable to darkest and deepest abyss.

"H-Heero... why does my heart feel uneasy right now... the memories of you... that night... is being summoned unconsciously by my thoughts..." Haruka worriedly whispered after stopping dead on her tracks.

The skies were rapidly getting darker.

Light fading... like a flicker of hope... diminishing.

'The events that night... of a different you... that side of yours... why is it being shown to me subconsciously? The desire to know you... everything about you... is inducing a great deal of questions inside me.'

---

"Are you sure about this?"

He softly nodded his head at the older man as he struggled to reflect any determination in his cobalt blue orbs.

Mr. Takeda looked at him straight in his eyes as if confirming the hesitation he caught earlier before sighing in understanding.

"Times are currently rough with our company but I can't place any blame on you or anyone for opting to resign."

The disastrous accident barely a week ago at TCC Telecoms along with Minoru Takeda's secret coming out in the open had resulted to drastic consequences for GDT Builders. With results of the investigation still pending, all field operations for the construction firm have been placed on indefinite hold. This resulted for a good portion of its manpower to abandon their posts and search for greener pastures to sustain and support their own families. The mobile suit pilot had just tendered his own resignation letter, submitting it personally to Mr. Takeda. His reason was in no way affected by the recent fiasco experienced by the company but rather more on... personal matters.

"No Mr. Takeda, my reasons for resigning is not in anyway related with the recent problems GDT is facing." Heero admitted, out of respect for the man who has helped him in many ways. The Gundam Pilot paused slightly, allowing himself to exhale deeply before continuing.

"My... family, I have to go back with them."

The elder man smiled in apprehension while repeatedly nodding his head.

"I understand. Your stay with us for the past 3 months has been nothing but a marvel. Your performance is exemplary and the field Engineer and Architect has been full of praises with regards to your performance. GDT Builders will surely miss an asset like you." Mr. Takeda summarized the assessment on him, grinning at the brown haired boy with mixed feelings that clearly showed pride and regret.

Pride similar to that of a father seeing his son grow up and move on with his life.

Regret like that of a father who has no choice but allow his son leave his wing in order to stand up and be a man of his own.

"On a personal note which I hope you would never take against me, you have been like the son I always wanted but never had." The elder man admitted, smiling slightly at him.

Heero was taken aback by Minoru Takeda's fatherly confession as the young man was never in any way offended or insulted. It was different however, not that he took it with pride or great appreciation. He acknowledged the thought as something distinctly notable. The former pilot of Wing Zero never experienced a normal life or growing up with a conventional family. He was raised by an assassin, the closest he could ever consider as someone who provided him a fatherly image. His subsequent training presided by Doctor J later on molded him into the consummate killing machine.

A small part of him... valued the way he was regarded by the big guy of GDT Builders. He wondered if the sentiment was brought upon by his present circumstances, him being a time displaced individual.

Until an image suddenly pushed its way out of the libraries of his memories.

That of a young woman... Curly tipped raven hair held in place by a black hair band, lips smirking mischievously and cornflower blue eyes gleaming with joy as she looked upon him.

The face of his beloved... that of Haruka Morishima.

'Haruka...'

"None of which is taken. I am truly grateful... and honored, Mr. Takeda." The Perfect Soldier replied, bowing his head in good respect to the man in front of him.

"I am also grateful and deeply appreciate what you did for... Chizuru. Thank you, Heero." Minoru Takeda said wholeheartedly, bowing also in return.

He knew what Mr. Takeda meant.

Him rescuing her daughter, saving the life of Chizuru Hotaru.

Him... playing the role of a god and unintentionally altering the young woman's fate.

"If it weren't for you... I would have died out there."

The thought... the idea... the truth... of what he did was... troubling him, shaking him deeply within his core.

"Heero? Are you... OK?" The older man's voice interrupted his musing, bringing him back to the present.

"Huh? Yes, I'm fine." He answered, expertly covering his tracks and wanting to avoid the topic of rescuing Chizuru, he inadvertently asked that fated question. "Chizuru is... leaving. Won't you stop her, Mr. Takeda?"

The big man of GDT Builders smiled sadly at him before heaving a long, deep sigh then throwing a somewhat mesmerized gaze at the window's direction, "There is a saying that if you truly love somebody, you have to set them free."

"Set them free? If you truly love them?"

"It works not only on the romantic aspect of love but also in a familial sense. In a nutshell, if you think or feel that you would only hold back the growth or natural progression of a person very important to you, the best thing to do is let them go. Grant them the chance to leave the nest and venture out... let them face life's challenges without any restraints."

"In a romantic point of view, it is much more self explanatory. If you believe that the person you hold dear deserves something better, you release them. You let them go. It signifies complete selflessness by placing the best interests of the person you love above your own desires."

"I-I see..."

"But that is not the end of it, my young friend."

"What do you mean, Mr. Takeda?"

"Naturally when they do not return, you would only wish they fare well on their journey. But if they come back..."

"If they... come back?" He repeated in wonder, curiosity was easily visible in his Prussian blue orbs.

"Never let them go. For it is the premise of forever." The older man finished while smiling sagely at him.

'Haruka... I am totally in love with you. My decision places your welfare and fate above everything else.' The Gundam Pilot grimly thought as he tried convincing his mind and imploring his heart that he was doing it for her.

However both his heart and mind believed otherwise.

---

'There is still no news of him. I can't stand it any longer. Heero might be sick and has no one else to depend on. I'll have to visit his apartment just to check on him. I want to make sure he's ok.' Haruka resolved, her focus obviously wandering while thinking only of the young man she cherishes above everything else.

Earlier she was fortunate to run into his homeroom teacher, Ms. Maya Takahashi while on the way to school. She was asked by the charcoal eyed instructress if Heero had already contacted her, sadly there had been no phone calls to her personal line even as the raven haired beauty patiently waited till the late hours of the previous evening. Once again, she kindly requested that Maya would give her feedback upon receiving any update from the Prussian eyed boy she had grown to love deeper as days continued to slip by.

It was only the middle of the third period and being a Tuesday, time seemed to be crawling very slowly for the pretty campus idol. Each passing hour seemed a lifetime, every passing minute felt like forever and each passing second took an eternity. Barely two days since the term started and the anxiety dwelling inside her heart has grown substantially. The young man she has given her heart, her mind, her soul, her everything... was consuming her thoughts and gnawing at her emotions.

She was worried... yet doesn't know why.

She feels a certain fright... but couldn't place a name on.

She wants to see him.

She needs to be with him.

She has to get to him.

Her instincts and intuition were reverberating... alarmingly and wildly.

Both have been tugging earnestly at her heart and mind to do something... to take action.

It was a hunch that was driving her insane.

But Haruka was torn - the fear that she might be overreacting because of a misplaced assumption had been the only thing stopping her.

She also wants to prove her trust and confidence in Heero.

'Maya-sensei might be right... Guys don't want us to see them when they're at their weakest.' The cornflower blue eyed young woman perceived, convincing herself that whatever possible consternation ringing inside her thoughts and feelings were driven by the intense love she has for the mobile suit pilot.

"Morishima, Haruka, class 3-B, please report to the faculty office."

Her deep thoughts and musings were purged forcefully by the announcement relayed through the school's intercom speakers.

The professor, a skinny, middle-aged man wearing a pair of spectacles spared her a quick nod in approval before resuming his lecture, evidently irritated at having been interrupted.

'Hmm... What could it be?' Haruka wondered as she stood up and excused herself before leaving the classroom.

---

Every step she took on her way towards the faculty room brought back that indefinable feeling of terror inside her heart and mind. The raven haired beauty could clearly hear the echo of her footsteps alongside the drumming of her heartbeats. Her chest was being gripped by that unknown fear in a frigid embrace. For reasons obscured even to her, the hunch that has been silenced earlier by the announcement was brazenly making its presence known. A part of her is currently pondering the rational of being suddenly called out and informed to visit the faculty room. As normally, students who were required to 'pay a visit' on the faculty area are those in trouble academically. Despite the guaranteed knowledge she doesn't have any problems with any of her subjects, it still left her at a loss on why she was summoned to the faculty office.

The few times she was asked to come there were mainly due to... trivial matters. Those occasional situations have mostly been at the behest of Ms. Kanae, the school nurse, reporting her excessive usage or sleeping incidents at the infirmary. While on the remaining circumstances, she has been called upon to participate on a certain event as the representative or more accurately, act as the face or image of Kibitou Senior High.

'I still don't understand why I have to visit the faculty room, when I haven't caused trouble for Kanae-sensei since THAT accident.' Haruka thoughtfully mused, remembering the last time she was confined at the infirmary with Heero performing THE treatment to her pulled muscle.

The memory brought a soft smile from her, she decided to capitalize on remembering the past event as it allowed the young woman to shift her focus on whatever reason it was that awaited her inside the faculty area. Apart from ignoring the ever growing fear and anxiety residing inside both her heart and mind caused undeniably by that lingering undetermined hunch.

'Well... even if I slapped him reflexively... it's also the first time I kissed someone on the cheek.' The raven haired beauty recalled, smiling warmly as her own face glowed a faint touch of pink.

As the incident flowed out of her thoughts, Haruka was slightly surprised upon realizing she is now but a couple of feet away from the faculty room.

Haruka gently knocked on the door before sliding it open and politely announcing her arrival.

"Good morning sensei. I was informed to come here." The cornflower blue eyed young lady said while bowing softly.

"Morishima-san... please... come in and... take a seat here." She heard a familiar voice calculatingly spoke. A hint of hesitation was barely noticeable from the tone.

The pretty campus idol raised her head and easily distinguished the person. Aside from her, the individual was all alone inside the faculty office.

"M-Maya sensei?"

'Well... of course the morning classes are ongoing, it's understandable she'd be alone here. Ohh... Wait a minute... she probably has news about Heero!' Her mind quickly processed, her earlier wonderment changing instantly to anticipation.

Excited at the prospect of getting to hear that much awaited update on Heero's condition, she felt her feet move rapidly towards Ms. Takahashi's desk which was located at the far corner of the room.

"Sensei, what's the news about Heero? He's still out today right? How's he doing? I'll pay him a visit at his apartment later." Haruka excitedly inquired one question after another.

Maya Takahashi flinched uneasily while seated on the chair by her table, the kind homeroom teacher of class 2-A had been faring badly at containing the troubled look at her face.

"Morishima-san, please... sit down for a while." She heard the instructress say to her in a somewhat measured pace.

Doing as she was told, Haruka took a seat on the chair located at the right hand of Ms. Takahashi's table.

"Sensei, my apologies for getting too excited. I just want to know if he's doing alright. You know he's all alone and no one's taking care of him."

"About that, Morishima-san... it seems you truly are... unaware..." Maya trailed while looking at her worriedly.

'Why do you have that... nervous look, Maya-sensei?' Haruka mused as she felt the sinister shadow has again made its presence known and is beginning to shroud her heart... with fear and anxiety.

'What is happening... something feels wrong...' Her thoughts crunched while her heartbeat began increasing its pace.

"Haruka-san... we... received this today. The Principal visited me during the first period and... gave this." Ms. Takahashi weakly uttered while handing her a folded piece of paper, worry was now evident on the features of her gentle charcoal eyes.

The raven haired beauty did not understand the reason why her hands were shaking as she received the note from Maya. She exhaled slightly, releasing the trapped air from her lungs before slowly unfolding the paper and began reading its contents.

Her sky blue eyes widened in shock upon absorbing the meaning of the first set of words written on the parchment.

"L-letter of... t-transfer...?"

She saw Ms. Takahashi nodded apprehensively before the next words escaped from her.

"H-Heero... h-has... t-transferred... out...?"

The kind teacher could only give her a sympathetic gaze as everything else came crashing down for Haruka.

Everything she held dear.

Everything she believed in.

Her dreams.

Her hopes.

Her happiness.

Her joy.

Her fate.

Her destiny.

Her... Heero.

All of it was taken away from her in the blink of an eye.

In its place she was left with nothing... but only desolation and torment.

'Why... Why is this happening...? What have I done...?' She pondered as tears quickly filled the edges of her eyes.

"T-there must be a mistake!" Haruka blurted out in confusion, unable to fully comprehend the situation.

'Heero... I'm getting scared...'

"T-this is not true sensei!" She strongly stated with frustration evident from the tone of her raised voice.

'Heero... where are you...'

"This... this can't be happening!" The pretty campus idol voiced out, her composure... rapidly deteriorating by the second.

'Heero... I need you...'

"Haruka... The Principal told me the letter was already at his table when he arrived this morning. It was stated there that Heero has transferred to a school in Europe..." Maya Takahashi attempted to explain in an effort to calm her down.

'Heero... I trust you...'

"You are lying, Maya-sensei! I refuse to believe you!" Haruka shouted in defiance, shooting up from her chair, unable to accept the painful truth as her mind raged in turmoil while her heart was shattered into pieces.

'Heero... you won't do this to me...'

"Heero won't leave me! He would never leave without me!" The raven haired beauty lamented, warm tears were now freely trailing down her sky blue eyes.

"Haruka..." Ms. Takahashi worriedly uttered as she rose from her chair in another attempt to console the lovely young woman.

Seeing the teacher move towards her, Haruka shook her head sideways while taking a step back. "He loves me, Maya-sensei! Heero loves me! I won't stand for this!"

She immediately turned her back on the charcoal eyed teacher before storming out of the room.

Haruka never returned to her classes that day.

---

The sun is at its peak during midday yet despite the cold climate brought by the ongoing winter season, it was still not enough to deter the sweat pouring from Haruka's face as she ran earnestly towards her destination. She had left the school grounds barely half an hour ago by following the hidden route that Heero utilizes whenever he brings his red motorcycle to the tool shed outside the western fences. The lovely young woman exerted just enough effort in lifting the torn down portion of the zigzag wired fence before skillfully crawling to the other side. From there the raven haired beauty sprinted down the small hill their school was situated at, on the way to the place where she knew the love of her life should be.

'Those are all lies... he will never leave me.' The cornflower blue eyed young woman adamantly thought, pushing herself to stand fast even as reality was setting upon her.

She continued to run, notwithstanding the difficulty of moving over snow covered ground. Her breaths were short and calculated while pacing herself to reach her destination in the soonest possible time. A plethora of emotions have been waging a brutal battle for control on her psyche, she was confused, unsettled, upset, frustrated... but most of all... desperate. The pretty campus idol still refuses to accept the knowledge that Ms. Maya Takahashi has imparted to her inside the faculty room. Her love for the Gundam Pilot was the sole empowerment driving her onwards, amidst the chaotic thoughts raging inside her mind and the troubling feelings now crushing her heart.

'I trust you with all my heart, Heero. Wait for me...' Haruka hopefully uttered as she saw the apartment row he rented becoming more visible every second.

-oxo-

"Honey... I'm home." Heero announced with a bit of hesitancy upon seeing her open the door.

"Welcome home... anata (dear)..." She sweetly greeted before ushering him inside.

'Now I get to drop the line I've always wanted! Then... I'll have the opportunity to see his cute reaction for sure!'

"Your dinner is almost ready. But after that what would you like? Is it coffee? Tea? or... me?" The pretty campus idol offered in a very sexy and enticing voice while softly batting her eyelashes at him.

"Uhhmm... Y-you of course... a-anata..."

"Wow! You're really good, Heero! I've always wanted to say something like that once we get married! You just need a little more conviction, ok?" The cornflower blue eyed young woman happily stated while looking at him with a very pleased expression.

-oxo-

'I'll always greet you each time you come home... I'll wait for you, make sure you will never feel alone, because you have a home in me... deep inside my heart.'

As the memory slowly ebbed away, Haruka realized she was about to ascend the flight of stairs leading towards the second floor where her boyfriend's apartment was situated. The raven haired beauty paused for a moment, catching her breath while panting heavily, as it was only due to the rush of adrenalin still coursing through her veins had carried the young woman all the way from the school to where she currently is. Her feelings for him drove the pretty campus idol to push herself well beyond her limit, similar to that fateful evening in the back alleys of Kibitou's commercial center.

The surge of energy, giving her the needed strength to stop him from what he was about to commit that night.

'I'm almost there.'

She prayed deeply that the contents of the note were just a bad joke. But she could no longer turn a blind eye to the suffocating fear brought about by her intuition. Whatever it wanted to warn her... was nothing less than can be considered as deadly serious. She was feeling that familiar sensation coming from that unknown dread that she could not place a name on. And right now as she climbed the stairway to Heero's room... the sky blue eyed young woman sensed that the resounding aura emanating from the Gundam Pilot whenever they were in good proximity... was missing.

'Why can't I feel you Heero...? I can sense when you're near me, even if I have not seen you yet... my affections for you would notify me...'

Haruka was distracted off her musings after realizing she was already standing in front of his apartment door.

"H-Heero..." She muttered in disbelief upon noticing one very important detail.

It was left ajar.

---

Hands shaking.

Heart thumping.

Thoughts racing.

She slowly opened the door.

The room was basically still the same as she last remembered seeing it. Nothing practically changed. Every detail from the Spartan-like apartment room has been what it was since that night she spent with him. The small living room, dining area and bedroom adjacent to it were no different the last time she was there. However, it was missing two things: his personal belongings and Heero himself.

"No..." Haruka dreadfully uttered as she felt her strength, determination and hopes being sapped out from her body.

"W-why..." She asked while failing to suppress a sniffle, her heart desperately attempted to search for answers even as it steadily lost footing.

-oxo-

Haruka knew her cooking was yet untested, well aware that she needs a lot of professional guidance and actual practice. Sheer determination and an indomitable fighting spirit could only bring one to a certain point. And as such, her best efforts were rewarded with not-so-presentable results. Even she could not bring herself to taste or let alone handle the aroma of the food she somehow prepared.

'I'm sorry Heero... I really tried my best in hopes to impress you. I want to be someone you can be proud of. But right now, obviously I bit more than I can chew... I wasted a lot of ingredients. We'll just call for delivery if we want to have something edible for dinner.' The raven haired beauty sighed after placing the last of dishes she had prepared on the small dining table.

"Uhhmm... I know cooking is not yet among my strong points, but given some practice I'll surely improve..." Haruka meekly trailed in deep embarrassment, her sky blue orbs unable to look at Heero.

'Ok, now on to the part I have to amend the situation and apologize so that Heero won't think I'm such a failure.'

"We could just order something over the phone... I'll just throw them away and buy you something... I'm really sorry Heero." She muttered uneasily, obviously worried after noticing his unchanging reaction as she queasily held the wooden ladle by her apron while moving restlessly.

Heero smiled subtly at her before sitting on one of the chairs, "Don't worry Haruka, we'll never know how it tastes till we try, right? Besides... looks could be deceiving."

With that he dipped his spoon over the small bowl of miso soup and dunked it all the way to his mouth.

She saw his brows twitched while his throat seemed to have stiffened as the liquid traveled all the way down his esophagus.

"H-how w-was i-it... Heero?" Haruka hopefully asked with her expectant blue irises looking at the Gundam Pilot as she waited for his response.

"I-it...was intense, really." Heero simply said in what she somehow thought was a forced but determinedly convincing tone.

"Heero... please don't push yourself anymore... I'll practice more before I try cooking for you again..."

He smiled tenderly at her, bringing butterflies to flutter at her stomach before replying, "I should at least give the main course a try."

Her boyfriend was knocked out cold the second he placed his fork with what was supposed to be gyudon in his mouth.

"Heero!" Haruka yelled in surprise upon seeing the love of her life slump unconsciously face down on the table.

The sky blue eyed young lady cringed in fear and worry during that time, it was only through her unquestionable devotion and unwavering affections for him that she managed to get him on the sofa, feed him spoonfuls of sugar, contemplate on performing CPR or calling the emergency hotline before Heero regained consciousness and consequently gagged out the food's residue on his kitchen sink. Those moments have been among the scariest she ever felt, the fear of losing the man who means so much to her became a lingering possibility and truth for her. Haruka knew she would never forgive herself with the knowledge that she could have gotten the mobile suit pilot an early trip to heaven through poisoning.

Yet after clearing his throat and regaining his ever admirable composure, Heero never once blamed her. He even took responsibility of everything that happened, assuring her that it was by no way her fault. She should never blame herself and even ask forgiveness for worrying her.

"I told you before. You can never do anything that will make me mad or angry at you. It's entirely my fault for being persistent despite your warning." Heero honestly, his deep blue Prussian eyes gazing at her in calm assurance. "I'm sorry I worried you." He added smiling subtly yet sincerely at her. She was all the more surprised as he gently laid her head on his chest after putting one arm around her waist.

-oxo-

The memory softly and slowly tapered off, like smoke dissipating into thin air, Haruka threw a sorrowful glance at the sofa as if picturing out that tender moment with Heero calming her down in light of her failed attempt of cooking for him. The remembrance was heartrending as it only reminded Haruka about how certain, how deep and how seriously she fell in love with the brown haired boy.

He knew how to appease her mind and calm her heart. The young woman promised to herself that she will cherish him more as each day passes in response to how he handled that situation.

She did not have any problems in doing that, as loving Heero was so natural and effortless for Haruka. By allowing it to grow faster than usual and substantial was but normal and encompassing for Haruka.

'I love you so much... Heero... why...' She pondered as tears trickled down freely from her cornflower blue irises.

-oxo-

"Merry Christmas, Haruka. I hope you like it."

She was left speechless and blushing in crimson red as Heero handed her the package covered in sky blue wrapper.

"I... was supposed to give it to you back then, during Christmas Eve. I forgot to bring it along with my bag after I had to leave the motorcycle at GDT Towers."

'You... even thought of giving me something that time... when I confessed my feelings for you. Yet I only thought of expressing my emotions for you.'

Haruka could not help but smile openly at the Perfect Soldier, both of her cornflower blue orbs were gleaming and sparkling in happiness. It was something she never expected from him, his thoughtfulness caught her fully surprised and tongue tied. There was this unexplainable feeling that consumes her which permits an innate twitching of her lips into forming a smile reserved only for Heero. It was very instinctual and free flowing for her that the only times she has been aware of flashing such a heart moving smile were on occasions she would caught sight of herself at the mirror while thinking of the Perfect Soldier.

"This is so cute!" She excitedly marveled while looking at the little white puppy stuff toy that the brown haired boy had given her. "I like it a lot! Thank you so much, Heero!"

'I'm really so silly at times... But I'll probably hug it too whenever I miss you, Heero.'

"You're welcome Haruka, I'm glad you like it."

"No... I don't just like it. I love it, really!"

She gently rested her head on his shoulder, the pretty campus idol was all the more satisfied after feeling his arms tenderly enclose around her.

"I love you, Heero."

-oxo-

Haruka felt more of the crystal, clear and warm liquid rolling down from her eyes as the phantoms of that scene between her and the young man who owns her heart slowly vanished into nothingness. His room held a good number of memories that she would always treasure, but now he has gone... the stoic and gentle boy she has profoundly love and cared... has left her.

"Why...?" The raven haired beauty wondered before falling to her knees in despair with the knowledge and reality of Heero leaving her has now fully sunk in.

She could only clasp both hands to cover her mouth as the young woman let out the anguish that has built up inside her fragile heart.

Haruka's croaked sobs and muffled crying was witnessed in silence by the empty room.

It was solemnly painful.

---

"Onee-chan, Hibiki onee-san brought your school bag here a..."

Haruka barely gave notice to her younger brother Toshio who happened upon her while she was on the way to her room. It was already past dinner time when the raven haired beauty got home, she had even ignored her mother calling for her to eat supper. All she wanted to do was go inside her room, lock herself and be alone. She had no appetite for dinner and would not want anyone to discover that her eyes were sore and puffy from all the crying she did at Heero's former apartment.

She has to be alone, by herself, without anyone else to bother her.

Slamming the door shut, she walked towards the component system at the far end of the antechamber connecting to her bedroom. The pretty campus idol opened the stereo system and pressed the FM radio function, absentmindedly scanning the frequency channels for nothing in particular, she stumbled upon a station that caught her attention after hearing the loud blaring sounds of heavily distorted guitar riffs, hard picked low bass keys and steamrolling percussion beats. She was never a fan of modern punk alternative rock but everything has been chaotic and rebelling to the unjustness of life seemed just right. Twisting the volume knob to the max, the small receiving room was filled with a rhythm of sound and noise that would block anyone from hearing and disturbing her.

The raven haired beauty moved to her bedroom and went directly towards her study table. There a lone picture frame stood idly by the left hand corner of her table. Every night as she studied or completed her school work she would always take a glance on the photo contained in its glass. Ever since that fateful evening when destiny made it possible for them to meet at the Arcade Center, she has taken the necessary measures of preserving the most prized and cherished memento of their time there.

Haruka gently took the picture frame and gazed lovingly at the photo within. It was a collection of shots taken inside the photo booth after he had relented to her rather incessant way of convincing. Highlighted on the upper right corner was the biggest portrait that she had selected when they were arranging the final template.

The image was that of Haruka deliberately intending to press her lips on his cheeks but ended by accidentally kissing Heero on his lips precisely at the instant he turned to face her while the camera flashed simultaneously.

The memoirs of that moment have always been vividly clear and deeply cherished within Haruka's mind, heart and soul.

Even now.

Looking at him... remembering that time... seeing his face... staring affectionately into his cobalt blue orbs...

The lovely young woman gently caressed the area where his face is set on the portrait using her right hand.

Soon drops of tears fell on the glass surface of the frame, wetting the crystal panel.

Everything about him was being summoned inside the depths of her recollections.

A surge of memories focused only about him showered her thoughts and immersed her emotions.

"Ugh..."

Only about Heero.

"Ugh..."

Precious moments filled with joy and happiness whenever they were together.

"Ugh..."

But right now, considering her situation it was extremely painful.

"Heero!" Haruka woefully wailed while clutching the picture frame in both hands pressed closely on to her chest.

She yowled his name with sorrow repeatedly... each one more heartrending than the previous.

"Heero!" The pretty campus idol ululated as she cried her heart out.

Tears were freely falling down, unabashedly and unrestrained. Haruka has already given up any hint of poise within the confines of her room.

'Nothing... nothing beats the pain of losing the one you love without knowing why...' Haruka lamented as she wept and sobbed in despair.

"Heero!" She bawled defiantly, pouring out her feelings, her affections, and her true love for him.

"Why did you abandon me? Was it something I said or done? If you disliked something, why didn't you tell me? I told you we have to be honest with each other. You could tell me everything and I promised that I'll try to understand you. I will do anything... no... everything for you. That's how much I love you! Yet you still left me!" Haruka uttered in frustration while looking at the picture of her and the Gundam Pilot once again.

"I cared for you! I fell for you! I... I trusted you! I gave everything to you! Isn't that enough for you to realize how much you mean to me? How much I love you? I did all of those because you are everything to me! But why do you have to abandon me? Don't you want me anymore? Don't you need me anymore? Don't... don't you love me anymore?" She continued, talking to the picture frame she held as tears streamed down her sky blue orbs.

"If there was something troubling you why didn't you approach me? If there was anything you don't like about me, just tell me... I will change... I will do it for you! I am willing to, because I love you! But why... why did you have to leave me? I thought we belong only with each other? I belong to you alone... Don't you want to belong to me anymore? I could feel how much you care for me, how much I mean to you, how much you love me! My heart feels your heart... and we feel the heartbeats of one another... Heero... tell me... please... The pain is truly unbearable... It hurts too much... my heart could not take this... I'm going to die without you!" The lovely young woman truthfully admitted, overtaken with grief, hapless in her current state.

Haruka Morishima cried her heart out and wailed pitifully throughout the evening amidst the loud blaring of her stereo system. Drowning her sorrows and pain from losing the love of her life.

She was startled a bit when her cordless phone lying carelessly on the study desk suddenly rang.

Haruka initially did not want to answer the telephone but somewhere inside her... a part of her... deeply wished... prayed... it was...

"Heero?" She auspiciously thought, while staring at the cordless phone with her bloodshot eyes till it rang once again.

'Please... please let it be Heero, I want to wake up from this nightmare...'

"H-Heero..." The pretty campus idol hoarsely croaked in between gasps, hoping against all odds that the caller would be him.

"H-Haruka? It's Hibiki. Are you alright?" She heard a familiar female voice greeting her from the other end of the line.

"H-Hibiki..." She softly said, acknowledging the caller.

'No... I'm not fine.'

"What happened to you? You didn't return to our classes after getting called at the faculty office. We thought you got sick, I was surprised when your mom told me you were not home yet. I just informed her you forgot your bag at school when I brought it there earlier. Tell me, what's wrong?"

"Hibiki..." She weakly uttered, feeling her heart was about to burst once more at being reminded of what she had lost.

"Haruka... I understand if you and Yuy-san are having problems. I would not pry anymore, but just know that I'm here when you need a shoulder to cry on."

"Hibiki..." Haruka choked as tears made their way down her cornflower blue eyes.

'It's... too painful... like something got stuck in my throat... It's too difficult to accept... But I have to get it out of my chest...' The pretty campus idol mused no longer caring at her current state and apparent loss of composure.

"Heero... he left me." She revealed before succumbing to the agony of its meaning.

"Haruka... please stop crying, why would he leave you? How could you have learned about something when he has yet to return from absence?"

"Hibiki, he's no longer returning. Heero already transferred out. Maya-sensei told me when she summoned me at the faculty room."

"Haruka..."

"It's too painful, Hibiki! I love him so much! You know how much he means to me! Yet he still left me!"

"I think there must be a good reason for him transferring out. But I believe Yuy-san won't just leave you without saying anything."

"That's why it hurts too much! He abandoned me without telling me in person or at least even by leaving a single note! Maya sensei showed me the transfer papers! I don't mean anything to him, Hibiki... What have I done to disappoint him? Am I being a burden to him? Did he even love me in the first place? I'm confused... I'm frustrated... I... I want to wake up from all of this! What's worse is despite all that is happening, everything about me is crying out for him! I need to have him back! You have to help me find him, Hibiki!"

"Haruka... calm down, this is..."

"I can't calm down Hibiki! Losing Heero... the pain... the agony... the sorrow... is similar to that of a bird losing its own wings!"

"Haruka..."

"A bird... losing its ability to fly... that's what I am right now. Can't you see Hibiki? Heero... he's my wings... with him... I'm complete... I could soar high and reach the heavens... But now that he's gone... It would be better if I just die!"

"Haruka! Get a grip of yourself. Your relationship with him only lasted for a week. He might be your first love but he definitely won't be the last. I'm not saying you replace him immediately but just let your wounds heal first. Go back to being yourself before you met him. You'll be a stronger person now that you have experienced..."

"No, Hibiki. You truly can't understand me. You have to experience it to have a grasp on how much he means to me. He's the only one for me. He'll be the only one that I'll love for the rest of my life. He is my everything. He makes me feel complete. He is where my heart is! He is my joy and happiness!"

"Haruka..."

"But now he's gone. He's taken away all of those... with him... when he left."

'That's right... I can't go back to how I was before I met him. I have only been truly alive since he came into my life.'

"Good night, Hibiki." The raven haired beauty said, closing their conversation before hanging up, not even bothering to wait for her best friend's reply.

'Heero... I love you...' Her train of thoughts continuously processed as she tenderly gazed at his face inside the picture frame.

'I love you...'

'I love you...'

Haruka firmly clutched the photo frame closer to her chest as she wept in sorrow and frustration.

The loud music booming from the antechamber may have been enough to drown the lovely young woman's pain filled cries from anyone listening outside her room within the house.

But not from someone who was carefully hidden by the wall outside her small veranda.

---

He saw her pitifully anguished.

He heard her poignant lamentations.

He felt her sorrowful wails.

He witnessed everything.

'Haruka...' Heero silently spoke in his mind, while seeing the sorry state he had placed Haruka in.

The love of his life... was crying her heart out. She was bleeding tears from her cornflower blue eyes.

The scene was exactly how he saw it.

Deja Vu.

Yes, everything has come to pass.

It was the last image of Haruka that he saw inside Wing Gundam during that ill-fated Fold Generator run.

The final image that ZERO has showed him.

It was fated to happen.

It was destined to occur.

He made it all possible.

He was the cause of all her pain, sorrow, agony and suffering.

He had thoroughly broken Haruka Morishima's heart.

'Haruka... I...' The brown haired boy's thoughts scrambled for reason while both of his hands were balled into fists. His knuckles were shaking... he wanted to hit himself. He wanted to get punished and take away everything Haruka was experiencing right now. He knows he deserves it... not her. Not the lovely young woman who's only fault was to fall in love with him. Her affections, care, devotion, passion and profound emotions for him have been immense. It was very intense and powerful. There was no doubt, hesitation or second thoughts. She gave him everything. Yet he threw them all away. Including what Haruka considers as her most cherished and prized possession... the love she has for him. The feeling that made both of them whole. Completed them not as two individuals but merged only as one. It took them to greater heights and allowed them to transcend high above the heavens.

The Perfect Soldier only wanted to see Haruka for one last time. One final memory of her that he could burn deep inside his heart and mind when he goes back to his timeline. He had silently made his way to the Morishima mansion and stealthily scaled the walls to her veranda to catch one final glance at the lovely young woman he was seriously and utterly in love with. Expecting to see her sleeping face at peace during nighttime, he was instead given a front row seat on the cornflower blue eyed lady's moment of utter frustration and absolute desperation. During the last few days, he has been reliving the nightmares of his past. The brown haired boy fervently thought that in releasing her, he would be freed from his guilt and conscience.

Yet... seeing the lovely raven haired young woman in such a state: miserable, tear-stricken and hopeless, soon dawned to him that he has but only replaced his old nightmare with a new and far worst one. Heero knows he will forever be haunted for the rest of his life... the memory of Haruka, the one woman he has allowed to enter his heart, pouring out all her grief for losing him.

Every word that came out from her lips crushed his heart, because everything she mentioned was true. He simply threw her aside. He gave no consideration to her feelings. He shutdown every right she had on their relationship.

He just left her.

'It is for your own good Haruka. Endure the pain now. It will make you a better... stronger person in the future. You deserve to be with someone else. Someone not tainted and damned like I am.'

A killer.

A murderer.

A slayer.

The words sear deeply into his soul, cutting cleanly like knife on warm butter. Burning everything he wanted, cherished and dreamed with the woman he has come to nurture more than anything else. It was ironic, he became a man of affluence whose value could not be measured by monetary means but has in abundance the wealth desired by the simple common folk, he had hope and a home through the love of the beautiful raven haired woman that meant the entire world to him. A chance of salvation in light of all the sins he committed in the past. A shelter to rest his wearied soul from the entire might of carrying the crosses of his dark yesterday.

A hope.

A home.

From a love... now lost.

He gave her the happiness and joy she had long sought. He provided her the protection and safety she had long yearned. He allowed her to experience the magic of being cared, nurtured and cherished, the chance to grow and mature which she had long wanted. He took her repeatedly, claiming her as his, drowning both of them in a fiery chasm brought forth by passion and affection. And he loved her, the one thing she held dearly above everything else, the only matter that gave meaning, that gave reason, that gave value to his otherwise... hollow existence.

But he took them all away from her in one single instant.

The Perfect Soldier wanted to undo everything that he did. He wanted to take the pretty campus idol back into his arms. He wanted to claim her once again. He wanted her back. Every part of him wanted her… needed her. It took all of his willpower to stop himself. To prevent him from further ruining Haruka's life, meddling her fate and trampling her destiny. Even if it will cost him the last remaining shards of his humanity, he would pay the price of losing her dearly till the day the reaper claims him. Even if it would leave his mind battered and disarrayed while his heart lay mangled and trounced for the days that are yet to come.

His nightmares indeed had come true, for that night, the mobile suit pilot never knew that he killed a part of Haruka.

And in doing so, he had unknowingly killed that very same part of him as well.

It would have been better if he had ended her existence right there and then. Because she would have been better off dead in the aftermath of their breakup.

A bird that has lost its wings... or more accurately, the ability to fly.

Losing your purpose, losing your nature and losing your everything.

He was her everything.

He was all to her.

He was the entirety for her.

Heero Yuy is Haruka's wings.

---

3:14am, 4th of January, 2012 A.D. (GMT +8:00 Tokyo)

'Betrayer...'

The word was only a whisper, from a source unknown but its effect resounded with intensity similar to the message of a prominent speaker at the podium. He raised his head and looked grimly at the portrait clipped on the lower left corner panel of the main screen. It was the picture of him and Haruka, accidentally kissing each other while inside the Arcade Center's specialized photo booth. One of the many memories he was bringing with him once he returns back to his time.

Wing Gundam continued to hold orbit at the far side of the Moon, the portion of Earth's lone satellite not readily visible to humanity's naked eye. He has been there for almost half an hour already, contemplating all of his recent actions and pondering his next move. His chest was heavy, rebelliously hardened and constricted, the result and reaction of what lies past his rib cage. While his mind was wracked with turmoil and great unhappiness, no doubt the consequence of his latest decision.

'Betrayer...'

It was repeated using the same raspy tone he heard from earlier, taunting him, mocking him. Every part of the Perfect Soldier was against him. His mind strongly disagreed, his heart vehemently pleaded he discontinue and his soul fiercely implored him to reflect first before doing anything. All three have every reason to stop him because she was the only one that breathes life to them. She gave him a sense of purpose, a reason to dream and a promise of hope. Haruka had given the cobalt blue eyed boy her complete trust. She fully believed in him. She regarded him with good faith. Heero repaid such notion by giving up on her.

"... I will do my best and please let me prove to you that my trust and faith in you is without equal."

He never gave her that chance.

Looking forlornly at the portrait, his Prussian blue eyes spilled out all the emotions he had been keeping. Heero grunted in contemplation as he seemingly spoke with the picture in front of him.

"Haruka... it seems that all I end up doing is making you cry. I thought... I could handle it, I would fight for you, fight for us... fight for what we have. But I'm scared. My fears got the best of me... I'm afraid that you'll end up hating me for all the things that I've done. It would be better if you never know that the person you've come to care was a killer... a murderer. I... I can't even look at my face in the mirror without hating myself. I don't want to drag you down with me. That's why I'm running away... it's the only thing I know to keep myself from hurting you anymore. You deserve someone... far better than me. Not a person whose hands are tainted by the blood of the innocent. I'm not throwing you aside... I'm letting you go for your own good. I'll never forget you... till my final breath, that's... that's how much... I..."

He felt something wedge itself firmly in his throat. The mobile suit pilot wanted to say that he loves her, bid her goodbye and tell her sorry.

But Heero knew he lost every right to utter even one of those three words.

He was a traitor to everything that the sky blue eyed young woman believed, trusted and had faith in.

However, traitor is a word used for reasons that focus on loyalty, matters involving one's allegiance, similar to a cause or belief that is worth fighting for.

His case was different, as it involves the bond forged between two souls.

He deserves a more fitting term.

It was something more personal... more appropriate.

'Betrayer...'

He felt his chest tighten up after hearing the word once again. His breathing was heavy, repeatedly exhaling and inhaling air as he attempted to calm himself down.

'What's... wrong with me...?'

Focusing instead on the task at hand, he shifted his attention to the front display panel and began preparing the Wing Gundam for the journey back to his own time.

"ZERO, plot the reverse course based from the Fold Generator trial run using simulation model twenty three. Include time intervals for attained velocity and the changes in acceleration per corresponding distance traveled."

The system followed his voice command, a three-dimensional scale representation showing the required rate of velocity on every succeeding navigational point alongside the distance separating it from the next target waypoint. The diagram was based on the Wing Gundam's original Fold Generator flight plan, he accomplished a lot of simulations but could only pattern his successful trial run based from the details of the twenty third test model.

"ZERO initiate Fold Generator run number two. Let's go back…"

Home.

He could never say that word ever again.

Heero Yuy lost everything that day.

He was homeless.

He was hopeless.

---

The Wing Gundam zoomed ferociously towards the first nav-point, Heero spared a quick glance at his console displays and noted that he was approaching mach 20. Holding the left throttle firmly he pushed the right lever-stick controlling the mobile suit's acceleration forward to increase velocity. Wing Gundam's neo-bird mode mightily surged onwards like a phoenix burning everything across its path. The Gundam seemingly shrieked in fury as it began breaking speeds many times faster than that emitted by sound.

His cobalt blue eyes were focused at all three display screens as he successfully passed the nav-point and proceeded to get to the next one. The mobile suit's cockpit has yet to enter the next stage where he expects to be jolted from his seat. All telemetry systems have been working fine while the Gundanium plating was holding pretty well despite getting banged up slightly from the last run. He had the ZERO system perform an ongoing diagnostic run to monitor the status of Wing Gundam's primary and secondary systems. Satisfied that all seems going well he increased the output on the mobile suit's Vernier thrusters.

"ZERO, disengage safety thresholds."

The unique system followed his command, allowing the Perfect Soldier to further push the acceleration of his mobile suit. Wing Gundam's High Mobility Vernier Thrusters growled in response, flaring a trail of azure on its wake. Throwing another look at his console, Heero was silently pleased to see that he was already passing the mach 35 mark.

"ZERO, prepare to activate coolants once we hit 45."

Wing Gundam rushed cohesively, expertly guided by Heero's phenomenal piloting skills. The mobile suit never strayed from its flight plan, streaking viciously to the next nav-point while increasing acceleration to mach 40. He grunted in grim determination before pushing the Gundam to further exceed its operating threshold.

"Releasing coolants… in… 3… 2… 1." The brown haired boy calmly stated as cool air mixed with liquefied gases was sprayed out from exhaust vents.

Everything was moving faster as he anticipated, he was about to hit mach 47 in a span of 20 seconds and at this moment he has to accomplish the next stage of the flight plan.

"Initiating Fold Generator."

A bluish stream of energy with an intense luster rivaling that of lightning began shrouding Wing Gundam.

The Fold Generator was now active.

He was also mid-way through mach 48 when energy was redirected to all five mirror points, slowly conjuring a time-space transit hole. The power and force involved was considerable as the luminous intensity being dispersed was blinding. Streaks and bolts from mixed hues of blue energy blanketed the area around Wing Gundam. But Heero remained dauntless. His eyes glinted decidedly as he made the final push towards the target velocity while the mobile suit approached the final nav-point.

'50!'

Fold Generator completed opening the spatial time warp hole while ZERO system worked in parallel as it navigated the threads separating time, space and reality.

It was also then that everything turned against him.

"So, let's wash off your sweat before we meet them! Come on, let's go!" Haruka exclaimed as she latched her arm excitedly around Heero's own before eagerly pulling him out of the Town Square.

As the words drifted off, a storm of images began barraging his mind.

Showing him the time he first saw Haruka in her swim suit. It was followed by the two of them splashing water at each other as the raven haired woman laughed wholeheartedly. Then it was followed by him teaching her supposedly how to swim. It was succeeded by both of them rushing downward the pool's slide. Before finally showing the brown haired boy getting reprimanded by Haruka after mistakenly thought of flirting with the other women on the pool.

The next set of images showed him and Haruka inside that hotel room. Of course, he would never ever forget that time. It was the moment she confessed all her feelings for him. It was also the instance that he allowed himself to freely express his emotions for her.

"I… I like you!"

"I'm so much in love with you!"

"I really do!"

Haruka's words echoed clearly in his mind, those were her purest emotions she had courageously spilled out. Her deepest feelings, the affections she held for no one else but him.

"ZERO, what are you doing?"

A group of images then presented themselves at the Gundam Pilot, each one flashing thoroughly, reminding him of the happiest moments he spent in the company of the beautiful raven haired woman. The first showed him and Haruka giggling happily as they threw snowballs at one another. The second was that of them building their respective snowman while the cornflower blue eyed young lady teased him in delight. While the third and last one was the picture of them plowing through the snow covered ground with Haruka stepping solely at his footsteps before ending with him hugging her tenderly.

He tried to focus at piloting the mobile suit as it traveled the spatial time hole in precision, the Perfect Soldier felt the cockpit shudder as various forces and energies threatened to throw him off his path. Severely straining himself to keep his attention from straying away the ZERO system again threw him another salvo of images.

Things he cherished most involving the one woman he loved more than anything.

Heero was reminded by the first image of that occasion when they were praying in front of the shrine. Next to follow suit was the scene were both of them exchanged reading their fortunes before Haruka kept his parchment inside her pouch.

"You belong to me and I belong to you. What is mine is yours and what is yours is mine."

"You can take all my fortune, all my luck and even everything that I have. I'll take all your misfortune, troubles and hardships in return."

Indeed, he took away everything that she has. Everything that matters to her most. Everything that was Haruka was him, Heero Yuy.

"It's because I love you, Heero. You mean everything to me. As long as I have you, even if I'm the unluckiest girl in the world... I'll still be the happiest." Haruka earnestly said as she removed her pointer finger atop his lips.

The third scene was of Haruka smiling lovingly at him, that precious smile she only had for him, alone. They had finished catching goldfish and Haruka already asked the stall owner to place the biggest pair inside the plastic bag filled with water.

"They're like us you know, even if separated from the rest they could survive as long as they have each other." She mused, her cornflower blue eyes glimmering under the bright lights surrounding the festivities.

The last image was that of him feeding the pretty campus idol with Takoyaki balls as they sat on a granite bench.

"Haruka…"

He knew what would happen next. Haruka flailed her hands helplessly while he moved to give her the water bottle. The young woman had other plans though as she shook her head desperately beckoning him to move forward. Haruka then skillfully placed her hand at the back of his neck before lunging at him and planting her lips firmly next to his own.

He would never forget that moment.

But the ZERO system was far from satisfied.

"W-what… is… t-this…?"

The next set of images was far different from the ones he had seen before.

The previous ones he was familiar with, as they were moments that had come to pass.

While the current scenes…

The first showed Haruka sitting all alone at the fountain looking despondently at its flowing waters.

The second had the lovely young woman standing by the railings of the view deck park while tears roll down from her eyes.

The third displayed the cornflower blue eyed lady shaking uncontrollably while kneeling in front of the temple altar.

"No… Haruka…" The Perfect Soldier whispered in disbelief.

Heero was unfamiliar with any of them. The brown haired boy however deduced and conceded as he realized… that these moments are yet to happen.

It was the future.

"I love you so much, Heero. I really do."

"Stop doing that ZERO!" He angrily shouted after hearing her voice full of affections directed only to him.

The images kept on surging, one way or another. His consciousness was being obscured while his heart and mind were tortured at seeing every scene involving Haruka in a state of hopelessness and frustration. It was soul crushing. It was mind blowing. It was heart breaking.

He struggled to contain his breathing and soon cold sweat began pouring down his temple. The Wing Gundam continued its blazing approach towards the end of the spatial time hole which was still barely visible from his current location. The luster and luminosity being excreted by the mobile suit clashed furiously with the rampaging energies of the black and blue lightning lancing through his path.

The cockpit shuddered more violently and the jolts became more frequently, he was not sure if the unknown powers storming the Wing Gundam while they threaded the inter-spatial warp had anything to do with it anymore. His mind was being pummeled by the images that ZERO has been showing him while his heart was being shattered and spliced continuously at seeing Haruka in her hapless condition.

He froze and almost jumped from his seat as the final image dawned to him.

Haruka was crying while running at the streets, she had reached the main intersection when…

"NO!" Heero howled in desperation as the scene unfolded.

It was too much for him as the Gundam Pilot blacked out while his mobile suit passed the spatial time hole.

---

Author's Notes:

The Golden Days are over and with it marks the dawn of the Dark Times for Heero and Haruka.

Now everyone… please be calm, put down all those pitchforks and don't hang me to burn by the stakes. I won't be able to finish the story should that happen.

Chapter 13 officially kicks off the fourth and final arc of Haruka's Wings. Thank you so much for the continued patronage and hope you enjoyed the work completed on the Haruka/Love (3rd) Arc.

3rd Arc – Spanned for 3 lengthy chapters (10-12), showing Haruka and Heero at their finest moments. Thus, I informally refer to this part as the "Golden Days" since it shows how they formally started their relationship and all those nice, fluffy moments involving the two as they worked towards building that long desired romantic commitment.

Acknowledgment – 13 is for all the long-time supporters and followers of the story as the chapter marks the first anniversary of the story. Thank you so much guys for bearing with me for the past year and as we head towards the final stretch rest assured that I won't disappoint everyone.

Drama – OK, staying true to the second tagging of the story please expect the chapters moving forward to deal heavily on this subject. The occasional humor might still be there, however I could guarantee one thing new that you could look forward on the next chapter. You'll realize what it is as we move onwards.

The Dream – It was two-layered, this was inspired by a movie I think most of you guys are aware of. Well, I have to watch EW again to reenact the scenes between Heero and the little girl. This was very challenging but at the same time fulfilling to complete. I was listening to EW soundtrack particularly "Heero's Dream" as motivation while finishing this scene.

Haruka's Wings – Yes my friends, it is Heero. The title refers to our main protagonist.

To all the reviewers and readers, again I am deeply grateful for the response and reactions. It is a constant source of motivation and inspiration.

Please review! I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinions on this tragic breakup.

---

4:03am, 4th of January, A.C. 198

The mobile suit Wing Gundam drifted aimlessly in outer space. Silence prevailed by the borders of nothingness as it floated lazily in the wide expanse. However, inside its cockpit, the lone occupant could be seen drowning himself in a fit of empty, hollow laughter.

Heero Yuy laughed indifferently, similar to that instance he first destroyed two Aries MS when Operation Meteor was initiated or that time he had successfully planted the explosives which resulted to a lot of civilian casualties in L1. The laughter was maniacal yet as much as he tried it could not conceal the excruciating pain that congested his heart.

He was broken. He was back to how it was or much worse even before the Eve Wars took place.

'I'm back and I'm as empty as the void.'

The Gundam Pilot spared a glance at the console's clock and it reflected what he expected.

January 4, A.C. 198, 4:05am.

Not sure of what to do next, he switched the commlink to the secured private channel they had used during that ill-fated Fold Generator trial run. Heero was surprised as the frequency cackled into activity the instant he tuned in. He did not expect any ongoing activity with Quatre's private frequency and decided to listen on the transmission as the ZERO system adjusted its reception to better receive the current broadcast.

"…Maxwell and that infernal machine have failed once again! It's the ninth run already and I'm telling you to replace him with Barton instead, Winner."

"Wufei, we're truly grateful for you lending us a hand. But we can't spare Trowa, besides Duo has a higher compatibility rating with that mobile suit. Please return to the hangar and we'll try once again after three days…"

'No… It can't be… They're doing it again.'

He inhaled deeply, realizing and understanding the context of the conversation. His fellow pilots were trying to repeat the experiment that resulted to his current misery. The brown haired boy was unsure though on how it was being attempted and on what type of mobile suit is being utilized to carry out the testing.

"Quatre's right, Wufei. We have to do all that we can to find Heero." A familiar tepid voice responded which he surmised could be no other than Trowa.

'Find out what happened to me? No, you would never want to find out. I am more wretched right now than the first time I left.'

He was perturbed.

His guilt and conscience was gnawing at him.

His mind was mangled even more at the images that ZERO showed him while the Wing Gundam navigated through the spatial time hole.

His heart was splintered into pieces upon witnessing that most disturbing final scene that the vaunted Operating System presented him.

The memory… brought an ever consuming rage and sorrow to burst out in full comprehension.

"Remember... I'm yours now. Call me Haruka. I'm your... Haruka." She spoke tenderly while looking deeply into his eyes.

"You cared for me…" He said in trance as the memories began flooding his mind.

"I'll prove it to you. We are meant for each other. And I'll never tire of it, even if it takes me a lifetime." Haruka seriously told him as her cornflower blue eyes glowed in response to her statement.

"You gave your whole self, you never thought twice of sharing everything with me…"

"I love you, Heero. More and more each passing day." The raven haired beauty sincerely whispered while Heero embraced her softly that time he gave the cute white puppy stuff toy.

"You never got tired of proving how much I meant to you… yet I…" Heero admitted as he stared solemnly at their portrait by the front display screen.

"I am so much in love with you, the moment I learned of the tragedy... I want to see you, I have to be at your side, I need to be sure you are safe. I thought I lost you, Heero. I was really worried. You are so precious to me. Losing you to an accident or to another woman... I could never take that."

"I forsake you… gave up on what we had… cast you away… never knowing anything…"

"If that happens... I don't know if I could live on. No... I'm sure of it... I... I would die if you leave me."

DIE. Haruka. Dead.

All monitor screens of Wing Gundam suddenly blazed a sheer luminescence comparable to the brightness of the morning sun. Everything became clear to him as he did not only lose her in the past, but for all of time… for eternity.

He killed Haruka Morishima, not by taking her life, but by taking away her reason to live.

By removing himself from her existence.

"…You would be the reason for her to lose the will to live." The words from the little girl hauntingly reminded him while his heart began thumping unbearably stronger each passing moment.

"No!" Heero painfully roared, finally realizing and accepting the truth of his actions.

The Wing Gundam growled defiantly as its Vernier thrusters sprang into life. Pushing both throttles to maximum, the mobile suit snarled into action. The Gundam accelerated rapidly, leaving a trail of azure from its origin. His cobalt blue eyes reverted into the lifeless, deadly pitch black orbs that appear whenever he was intent on facing the grim reaper.

Heero had no intent of defying death in fact he was now desperately pursuing it.

---

The Tallgeese III was already on a steady course towards Quatre's hidden installation at L4. Wufei Chang has been recalled by his fellow Gundam Pilots and was moving onward while musing at the latest failure of the Fold Generator Mk. II. He had been working under direct orders by Lady Une to provide technical assistance for his former comrades through a special agreement known only between the upper echelons of the Preventers and Winner Group of Industries. The fiery warrior of justice skimmed through his sensors one last time before being alerted to the presence of a yet undetermined contact.

"I have a contact appearing on my wide-array radar, Winner." He simply radioed and was about to dismiss it as a civilian craft but became alarmed as it was madly accelerating while making a beeline towards him.

'What the hell… such speed… could it be?' Wufei pondered with his brows furrowed closely together, however he has to act quickly as whatever it was, the unknown blip was coming in terribly fast.

"It's rapidly closing from behind… hold on a sec… the signature… it's…" He reported as the image became clearer from his rear camera.

'Good Lord… It can't be...' The fiery pilot of Altron Gundam muttered under his breath as the object came into full view.

"Command Control… the Wing Gundam has reappeared!"

'There's… something wrong about it, though. Wait a minute...' He carefully observed but realized that it was bearing right where he is.

"And it's heading directly towards me!"

"Could you give us a long range feed? Please confirm if it's Heero!" Quatre pleaded, responding almost instantaneously after his last transmission.

Wufei halted the white behemoth and turned to face the streaking Wing Gundam in neo-bird transformation, still at a loss for words to its stoic pilot's behavior. But nevertheless he forwarded the visual feed coming from his mobile suit's camera.

'We only do this if we're pursuing an enemy.'

"Heero! You're in a collision course with the Tallgeese III, change your heading or stop your advance!" Quatre broadcasted in their private frequency while looking intently at his screen.

They only heard a familiar grunt coming from his commlink.

"What the hell are you doing, Yuy?!"

"He is closing the gap fast, Wufei!" Quatre's alarmed voice rang over the channel as the Perfect Soldier rushed towards his position.

Instead of replying, the Wing Gundam twisted counter-clockwise and transformed from aircraft configuration to mobile suit mode. Its right hand swiftly pulling out the glowing green harlequin beam saber previously concealed from its shield.

The Gundam's bright green eyes were smoldering with fury as it brandished the harlequin beam saber to its side.

'Damn!' Wufei hissed between gritted teeth as he readied the Tallgeese III to defend himself, cyan energy began emanating from the beam saber as he drew it out from his own mobile suit's shield.

Within the flash of an instant the Wing Gundam lunged furiously towards the Tallgeese III, the Perfect Soldier then unleashed a vicious diagonal strike forcing him to swing his beam saber in return to prevent his mobile suit from getting shredded.

"Have you gone mad?!" Wufei agitatedly screamed from the private channel as he crossed swords with the cobalt blue eyed boy.

"No, Wufei." Heero's cool, nonchalant voice finally responded to his inquiry.

"I am not your enemy, Heero!" He reasoned out as the fiery warrior of justice felt the Gundam release even more energy to its blade and began pressing back at his own saber.

"You're right because… I am the ENEMY!" Heero growled as the Wing Gundam pulled its right arm bearing the beam saber into another slashing motion.