Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Mended Wing ❯ Mended Wing - Chapter Eleven ( Chapter 11 )

Authors Notes: Okay, did that count as action? I think it did! Something actually happened!! Even if you didn't see it! Haha! Sorry that this chapter is so short, but everyone knows that it's been a long time since I worked on MW, and I decided that I just needed to end this chapter and get it over with, or I'd never get past it. But now that I've finally finished it, I may be able to write more. But I'm also going to keep working on Harry Potter and the Tsuki no Hime. And I've also still got school work to do; impending graduation and all. I hope everyone enjoys this long-awaited chapter!

 

Anon: Again I'm going to say that Quatre is NOT cheating on Triton… because Triton is not Trowa. However, when their minds do come back to them, we'll see what happens. ;o) Hime: Yes, I know the chapter was short. It costs more for my slave drivers if I write longer ones. Sakura Yuy: Dark chapters are goooood. And… Um… was this too long? Girl-chama: I don't know. Could he? Couldn't he? Did he? Didn't he? Dooby dooby doo…

 

Thankies: Fuuzaki-chan, Tensei-san, Moon Faery (from fd.net), Daniel, ILirial and ALS, and Isis. And, oddly enough, my mother, who won't read this but is being too cool to tell her to her face. Thanks, Mom.

 

Disclaimer: ::sighs:: Fine. Not mine. Except the story. That's mine.

 

 

Mended Wing - Chapter Eleven

 

 

Quatre's heart gave off a small pang as he watched them settle the shaking Masurao on Hotaru's couch. He didn't know why such a sight should unnerve him so, or cause him discomfort, but the more agitated Masurao became, the more Quatre became uneasy watching him. Finally he had to sit down as well and look away.

“What you're experiencing is the empathic sharing of emotions.”

Quatre looked up into Hotaru's violet eyes, the ones that so frightened and delighted him at the same time. For a moment he couldn't make sense of her words, until they broke through his haze.

“How do you know anything about what I'm experiencing?”

“First of all, Usagi-chan had something similar, although for different reasons. Second, I know that your original self could sense the emotions and pain of others. I see no reason why a different past should change your genetic structure. You're still what is called a newtype, aren't you?”

“No.”

Hotaru looked puzzled.

“They call us HMWeapons. Short for Human Weapons. Our kind were originally created for war, even though there hasn't been a war in generations. They still call us that.”

“Ah,” she said, with a distant, thoughtful expression. “A different manner and purpose for creating the same type of human being. I see.” Her eyes became unfocused as she paused, and he could almost see the thoughts flickering beneath the surfaces of her violet pools. “You are like me, in a way. Given wonderful and potentially healing abilities for the purpose of death.”

Before Quatre could respond she walked towards Masurao, holding out a pale hand. The moment her fingers touched the bruised places on his face and arms, a green glow issued from them. As her hands moved away Quatre saw the flesh restored. She seemed to heal him without a thought, as though healing were the only facet of her power. Quatre knew, however, that underneath that smile and the gentle, healer's hand lurked a darker side that feared release, feared the day it might be called to duty. She feared herself.

I am like you, Hotaru-chan, more than you know.

Quickly, before any of them could notice, Quatre hid the tight, concerned expression that could betray him. He certainly didn't want these people believing that he actually cared for them.

“You'll be fine,” he heard Hotaru assuring Masurao, “Now can you tell us what happened?”

Quatre watched the boy's eyes widen as he shook his head. No matter that Masurao was supposed to be the same age as Quatre, he still seemed like a boy in this quiet, subdued state. Hotaru attempted to lift Masurao's head so she could look in his eyes.

“Please, Masurao-kun. We need to know what happened.”

“He killed them.”

All eyes turned to Rei, who seemed to have recovered her equilibrium. At least enough to speak. Quatre wondered who she spoke of.

“What do you mean, Rei-chan?” Minako sat beside her raven-haired friend and they were as two side of one mirror, light and dark, blonde and black, blue-eyed and violet.

“I mean he,” Rei pointed at Masurao, “killed those two men. They were going to rape me, but he stopped them.” She shuddered, her eyes losing some of their focus as she spoke. “I don't know how he managed to get out of the ropes, but the next thing I knew he was there. He snapped one of men's neck, took his gun and shot the other one.”

Quatre watched the group exchange glances. None of them seemed to believe Masurao capable of such carnage. Quatre knew how they felt. It was a ridiculous thought. One only had to look at the quivering boy to know that he couldn't possibly kill with such cold blood as Rei claimed. He wasn't even strong enough.

“But, Rei-chan . . .” Ami paused to share another glance with her gathered friends, “Masurao-kun-“

“Hiiro-kun.”

Ami blinked, and the other Senshi looked as shocked as their doctor.

“Nani?”

“It wasn't Masurao-kun. It was Hiiro-kun.” Rei's eyes regained their focus and hardened. “You're all right. Masurao-kun couldn't have done it. I know that's what you're thinking, and you're right. But it wasn't Masurao-kun. For a few moments Hiiro-kun was back.”

Everyone turned to Masurao. He shrunk away from their eyes. Quatre felt fear mounting up from his deepest soul. This Hiiro person who Masurao once was had risen from the death of stories told by the Senshi and become a real person. The cold-blooded killer Makoto and Minako spoke of was REAL. Not a myth. Not a lie they told to make the five men do what the women wanted. And if this Hiiro was a real person, existing in some foreign Timeline, then there also lived a different Quatre Raberba Winner, one who hadn't been exiled from his family, one whose sisters maybe didn't hate him. A Quatre who knew what it felt like to be loved but also knew what it felt like to kill.

“NO!”

The word echoed in the room for a moment before Quatre realized he had shouted it. Now everyone looked at him. He stood, fists clenched and shaking. He stared back at them, throwing back their odd expressions and accusations and dislike.

“I won't become someone else! I won't be someone I don't know! I am Quatre Raberba Winner, I am ME! I didn't pilot some stupid machine! I didn't leave my family willingly! MY FATHER ISN'T DEAD!” As if he cared whether his father lived or died. Because he didn't. He didn't care. Didn't he? “I don't know this other Quatre and I don't want to be him! I want to be me!” And why? He hated his life. He wanted to end it. But why was he so determined to fight for this life if there was a better one out there?

Confused and hurt, Quatre stepped over the people sitting on the floor and left Hotaru's apartment.

 

 

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~

 

 

Haruka watched the boy run out and Hotaru follow. She wondered what exactly was happening there and what would happen when Quatre and Triton were returned to the way they were supposed to be. Maybe Hotaru and Quatre were merely becoming very good friends. After all, they had much in common when one thought about it.

“We can worry about Masurao-kun versus Hiiro-kun later,” Ami was saying, “Right now our priority is Usagi-chan.”

“Usagi-chan . . .” Setsuna murmured. Her maroon eyes settled on the carpet as her lips kept moving in a silent litany. Was she praying? Was she holding an imaginary conversation with their departed princess? Haruka almost wished she knew, then decided against it. If one knew what insanity felt like, would one then be insane?

Ami proceeded to explain to Rei and the shaken Masurao about the legend of the Eye of Hecate. Rei immediately agreed. She didn't care about the lack of a fifth person.

“Why can't we just substitute one of the others,” she asked, looking towards Haruka and Michiru, “They're still Senshi, aren't they? Whatever guardian or tests are watching over can't tell the difference between one Senshi and another, can they?”

Ami blinked.

“I hadn't thought of that. You know, that might just be the solution.” Blue-black eyes turned to the pair. “Would one of you be willing to face a challenge?”

“Of course,” Haruka said at the same moment Michiru nodded. Perfectly in sync, as usual. Haruka continued, “Usagi-chan is our princess as well. Our vow may have been to protect the solar system, but we care just as much about her as you do.”

“Besides, protecting Usagi-chan means protecting the solar system.” Michiru smiled. “We realize this now.”

Makoto piped up from her corner, where she'd been brooding about something or other. “Should we take Hotaru-chan, just in case?”

“No, I think it's safe to say that Haruka or Michiru can take care of whatever challenge there is.” Minako shook her head. “If we need Hotaru-chan we can contact her and she has the power to take herself to the Moon.”

“T-The Moon?” Father Duo stuttered as he looked on them. “You're going to the Moon?” When they all nodded, he began to shake and pulled his Bible to his chest like he was wont to do when nervous. Or angry. Or scared. “B-But what will happen to us? Where will we stay? How long will you be gone?”

Haruka looked at Ami, who pressed a hand to her mouth at this unforeseen but inevitable complication. Ami turned to Minako, who looked just as surprised, and Makoto began to glower even more darkly. Rei looked from Masurao to Duo to Triton, then sighed.

“We'll have to take them with us,” she finally said. She was greeted with incredulous glares from all parties.

“WHAT?!?” Makoto shook her head, obviously ready to begin a spiel.

“We can't-“ Minako was interrupted by Haruka.

“That's insane, if they don't get us all killed they'll get themselves killed!”

Mamoru, who'd been completely silent until this point, finally spoke.

“It's the only thing to do.”

They looked at their prince. Ami finally sighed and nodded.

“I agree. We simply can't leave them here. Duo-kun is right, we don't know how long this will take or how long we'll be gone. And if we get killed, they'll have no one to help them. Maybe if we take them along they can actually help.”

“Help?” Makoto sniffed. “How?”

“I don't know, Makoto-chan, but it's a possibility. And we really have no other choice if you stop to really think about it.”

So it was decided. The next day would see them all on the Moon searching for an artifact that could possibly have the power to resurrect their dead princess. And along for the ride would be five useless former Gundam Pilots.

 

 

End Chapter Eleven.