Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Search for Happiness ❯ Second Chance ( Chapter 14 )

I awoke with great pain; my side practically killing me. Running my hands down my sides I noticed that there were bandages wrapped tightly around my ribs. I found my self in a warm bed, but noticed that I wasn't at the Oz base. Where on earth was I? My ears then caught the sound of a door opening. A tall figure walked in, making my breath catch in my throat, and my eyes open wide.

"I see your awake," he said. "You had me worried, Rei."

"I must be dead," I said in disbelief, "or dreaming."

"No dream. I'm glad it's not."

I started crying and burried my face in my hands to control my sobs. He came over to me, and held me in a tight embrace.

"Oh god Trowa, I thought I killed you!" I cried. "After you got shot I self-detonated because I thought you were dead, but Zechs saved me. I'm so glad you're alive!"

"Why did he save you?" he asked confusedly.

"Because he was Miliardo."

His eyes narrowed in understanding. "No matter, we destroyed the base, and both Zechs and Treize were killed."

"They were?" I asked in amazement.

"Yes." He held my face gently in his hands. "I thought I had lost you forever."

"I thought the same," I admitted.

I then remembered the promise I had made to myself. That I wouldn't get involved with romance anymore. The battle, though, was over, so I had nothing to worry about. Still, in the far corner of my mind, something told me otherwise that made me not quite sure. I shook my head in thought. It matters not, Trowa is alive and well.

"Trowa," I asked, "are my ribs broken?"

"No, they're just a bit bruised. Do they hurt?"

"A little. Where are we?"

"We're at the cave where I keep my Gundam, remember?"

"Oh yeah. Where are the others?" I asked.

"The pilots and scouts are going around making sure that nothing is left from Oz."

"Will we be staying here?"

"No. Later tonight, we'll be going to a place where I hid myself from Oz. You might prove to be as useful as I was over there."

I raised a brow questioningly. "What do you mean by that?"

"You'll see. In the meantime, you should rest. I'll come back tonight and we'll leave." He walked out the door.

I was so happy and relieved that he was alive! All the pain that wrenched at my heart on many sleepless nights had finally subsided, and I could now rest peacefully. And on an even better note, the war with Oz was finally over. `Mission complete' I thought with a small smile, as I fell into a peaceful slumber.

I awoke when Trowa knocked on my door.

"Come in!" I called. Trowa walked in and smiled.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm feeling a lot better. My side still hurts a little, though."

"Glad you're feeling better. I came to bring this to you." He set some clothes beside me. "Change into these and then we'll be leaving."

"Okay," I said.

After he left, I saw that there were the exact same clothes that he wears. White jeans and a blue turtle-neck sweater. After I finished changing, I looked at myself in the mirror. The outfit is comfortable, it's no wonder why he wears it. I went out the door and met up with him.

"Thanks for the clothes Trowa," I said.

"You're welcome."

"You know, people would think we're related or something; since we're wearing the same clothes."

"I don't care. After all, you are like family to me."

"Really?"

"Yes. We've known each other for a long time. Even if we weren't together most of the time."

"Yes, I agree."

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said, "want to eat before we go?"

"Sure. Want some eggs?"

"Sounds good."

We sat down to eat after Trowa got the food.

"This is very good," I said.

"Thank you."

We were then silent. I had no idea what to say to him. I mean, after thinking that he was dead for all this time, it was almost like I was speaking to a ghost. I should apologize for what I did.

"Why the long face?" Trowa asked. "Is there something wrong?"

"Oh, Trowa. I hope you can forgive me for what I had done."

"What do you mean?"

"Trowa I'm so, so sorry for shooting you. Please forgive me. I feel so terrible."

"Rei, I don't know why you're apologizing. It wasn't your fault."

"I know, but I just feel so miserable when I think of how I almost killed you!"

"You didn't do it!" he said as he placed a hand on mine. "You shouldn't blame yourself for something you didn't do! Zechs was the one who did it."

"But-" I sighed as I looked down.

"But nothing," he said. "It's Okay now. Everything is fine."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

We continued eating. After we finished, Trowa got his transporting device and set some coordinates.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"I'm ready," I said. He pushed a button, and before I knew, we were outside a huge tent.

"Here we are," he said. "Follow me."

He led me around the back of the tent. Inside, there were animals of all kinds. There were also people all dressed up in costumes. The place was full of hustle and bustle and exited chatter.

"Trowa," I said slowly, "are we at the circus?"

"Yes."

"You hid from Oz at the circus?!"

"Uh-huh. Why?"

"No reason. Just a bit surprised."

"Hey Trowa! Long time no see!" called a voice.

"Hey there!" Trowa answered.

A girl came over to greet us. She was tall and slender, with blueish, grey eyes and wavy short brown hair.

"Rei," said Trowa, "I want you to meet Catherine. Catherine, this is Rei."

"Nice to meet you Rei," she said.

"Likewise," I answered.

"Trowa, is this a relative I don't know about? She's wearing your clothes," she teased.

"Oh, no," he answered, "she's just borrowing them."

"Rei, are you the one that was involved in Trowa's accident?" she asked.

"I wish I wasn't," I said softly.

"Catherine," Trowa said, "she didn't do it." He gave her a warning glance.

"Oh I'm sorry," she apologized. "Well, I've got to go. I'm up on stage next. See you later!"

"Good luck!" he called. "Catherine's kind of like my older sister. She didn't mean to say that. She just worries for me."

"I know," I answered. "I was just thinking about not thinking about that."

We watched Catherine do her act. She's the `knife throwing star of the circus.' She started doing all theses fantastic tricks. After she was done, her next act was throwing knifes at a clown. Each time she threw a knife, it barely missed the him.

"While I was here," Trowa said, "I was the one that Catherine was throwing knifes at. Looks like I'll be doing it again."

"You had knifes thrown at you? Wow, I could never be brave enough to do that!" I said.

"Just think how Catherine feels. She has the pressure of making sure the knifes don't hit the guy."

"Oh! I don't want to think about it anymore!" I said as I shivered. "Anyway, what am I supposed to do here?"

"The boss doesn't have a fire act," he said to me with a sly smile.

"Oh no! I don't think so! I'm not going to transform in front of all those people! Then they will know my identity!"

"You don't have to transform. Just make up a costume and change before you go out there. You'll be fine."

"Then people will know where I am! Don't you think people will grow to be suspicious if they see-"

"The war is over, remember? You don't have to worry about the enemy coming after you," he reasoned.

"I guess so. Still, I'm not so sure about this."

"You'll be fine. Trust me."

After Catherine was finished, the show was over. People then began to leave the huge circus tent, taking the joyous chatter along with them. When they left, Catherine came over.

"So," she asked, "what did you think of the act?"

"It was great!" I said.

"Thank you. I really, though, miss doing that act with Trowa," she said smiling with a wink.

"I don't," Trowa said. "I got tired of just standing there. I hope I won't have to do it again."

"So you're staying with us?" asked a voice.

"Yes I am," Trowa answered. "I also brought someone that will make the circus a big success."

"Really? Who?"

"This is Rei Hino. Rei, this is our manager. We call him Boss."

"Nice to meet you," I said.

"Pleasure's mine," he answered. "So what do you do?"

"I'm a specialist with fire."

"A fire act! There's something we don't have!" exclaimed Catherine.

"It's sounds good," Boss said. "Will you be needing any props of some kind?"

"No, I supply everything myself. You'll see later."

"Rei," Trowa said, "why don't you go get changed and we'll do an audition?"

"Good idea Trowa," Boss said. "We'll be waiting in the arena."

"I have a spare costume that you can borrow," said Catherine. "It should fit you."

"Sure, thanks."

She led me to her dressing room and pulled out from a closet a red outfit. It came with black tights and red shoes. It was a red spandex like material around the bodice, and I could only inwardly moan as I thought of the other senshi and pilots laughing about the spandex; since it is a Heero trademark. It had a low v-neck, and the whole outfit was sparkled with red glitter. The sleeves were long and frilled out at the wrists, and was as equally frilly at the short skirt. I quirked a brow at the silly looking thing but consented to putting it on, and she left. Once I was ready I stood behind the curtain.

"Are you ready Rei?" Trowa asked.

"No!"

"Why not?"

"I'm not coming out looking like this!"

"Oh come on!" exclaimed Catherine. "It's not that bad!"

I reluctantly stepped out with my arms crossed, glaring at Trowa. "I don't know how you talked me into this, Trowa, but talk me out of it!"

He stifled a chuckle. "It's not so bad, quit fretting. You look very good."

"Shut up."

I pulled out a black box that I would use to conjure up my fire. Just by whispering words to myself to create my fire while my hand was in the box, I pulled out an arrow that I used as a batton. I twirled it rapidly like liquid fire between my fingers, while doing gymnastic stunts. The tricks Dr. J taught me really came in handy. After that I threw the arrow and made a bull's eye on the target board. The next thing I did was summon my fire rings, also behind the cover of my black box. These rings were also done with gymnastics.

"That was terrific!" Boss exclaimed, "One of the best acts I've ever seen! You've got the job!"

We all walked backstage. Boss went to see the other actors and Catherine went to her trailer.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" Trowa asked. "I told you it would be all right."

"Yeah you're right," I said, "but I still don't know how you talked me into this. Hey, where you going?"

"Visiting an old friend," he said. He started walking towards a lion cage. The lion came to him and let Trowa pet him. It purred loudly in content.

"It must be amazing to have a relationship with a wild beast," I said. "You must have a unique power to be able to make friends with them."

"I suppose I do. Would you like to try?"

"What? Me?"

"It's Okay. He won't hurt you. He is kind to kind people. You are definitely such a person."

"Thank you," I said with a raised brow. I slowly made my way to the lion's cage. Trowa took my hand and put it between the bars of the cage.

"Come here now," he said still holding my hand.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked nervously. He nodded. The lion then came over and put its head under my hand. I stroked it's massive mane and scratched behind its ears. It purred with great pleasure. My nervousness was gone was filled with amazement. I drew my hand away and sighed.

"That was amazing," I said. I looked at him, but he didn't respond. He had an empty look in his eyes. "Trowa, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just have this feeling. Don't ask me what."

"I think I know what you mean. I had the same feeling a little while ago."

Trowa shook his head to get rid of the thought. "We should head to my trailer. Come on."

We walked out of the tent and out back. There were a bunch of trailers and we went to a blue one.

"You can take the room," said Trowa, "I'll sleep on the sofa. A bed comes out of there so I'll be fine."

"Trowa you don't have to do that. It's all right, I'll sleep on the sofa. You go ahead and sleep in the room. You can't worry about me so much."

"Like you don't worry about me," he said with a chuckle.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked puzzled.

"You were afraid that I was dead, remember? You do worry, don't try to keep it from me." He lifted my chin. "I wish you wouldn't hide things from me. You admitted your feelings at the dance, remember?"

"I..."

I didn't know what to say. I knew something would happen soon, so I decided not to get romantically involved with him again. I couldn't afford to let anything else happen to him.

"Please, take the bedroom. I'll be fine." With that, I went to the living area and set up the sofa.

"I wish you wouldn't do this," Trowa sighed as he went to the room.

"Do what?" I asked.

He stopped and turned to me. "Push me away again. You're acting all stubborn and driving me away once more."

"I'm not doing anything of the kind."

"Go ahead; put yourself in denial. But deep down you know that I'm telling the truth. I just wish you'd understand."

"Trowa-" I started, but he was already gone. I sighed and went to the bathroom to change out of the rediculous clothes I was wearing and back into Trowa's comfortable ones. I then went onto the sofa, wrapping myself up in blankets, smelling his scent all around me. I only wished that he was really beside me, wrapping his arms around me as I fall asleep.

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~*~Lady Pheonix~*~