Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Time's Wheel ❯ Ch. 4: School Days/ Farewells ( Chapter 4 )

Dragon Lady

Time's Wheel

Ch.4: School Days/ Farewells

Disclaimer: Much to my regret, I don't own either anime.

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Tokyo, Japan: Gundam Boys' Apartment

Quatre turns off a loudly ringing alarm clock and gets out of the chair he has been sitting in for the last hour. Even though he had set the clock for seven o'clock, he knew that he would be up long before that. Old habits die hard. Walking over to the closet, he pulls out a school uniform and gets dressed.

It feels strange to be going to school. I haven't been to a class since before I became a Gundam pilot, and even then it was an individual class. Unlike Heero or Duo, I never had the need to hide my identity.

Quatre walks out of his room and joins Heero and Trowa, who are all ready up and eating breakfast. "Good morning!"

"Hn."

"Morning."

"Everyone ready?" Quatre asks. The other two nod, neither seeming nearly as jovial as Quatre. The boys leave the apartment and start towards Juuban High School. I know our situation seems pretty bleak right now, but I find this to be a little exciting. Quatre's face falls, an unwelcome thought entering his mind. Duo would have loved this. He always said he liked going to school. He was such a people person. You never really know how much you care about someone until they're gone. Duo, you really should be here.

Relecos

Hotaru rises slowly out of the darkness to the painful throbbing in her head and the terrible weakness of her body. A soft pillow cushions her head and soft, clean sheets cover her body. Sleepily, she opens her eyes to view the area around her. The room is dark except for one candle, almost out now. The room is littered with weapons, everything from small daggers, to swords, to staffs, to huge battle-axes. A small worktable is set up near one of the corners, a piece of draft paper on it. The only other furnishings in the room are the bed, a wooden chair, and a small chest of drawers.

What happened? Where am I? Hotaru rubs her eyes, trying to clear the fuzziness that has set in. Memories come back to her in a rush, from meeting Drako, to healing the boy in the room. No wonder I feel so tired. I have no energy left. I wonder if that boy's okay?

Flinging the covers aside, Hotaru slowly steps out of bed. As she stands up, she quickly reaches out a hand to the bedpost to steady herself. Maybe I'm a little weaker than I thought I was. I spent and incredible amount of energy healing. I wonder what happened to that boy to put him in that condition.

Hotaru eventually makes it to the door and steps into the kitchen. Drako is sitting in the corner near the fireplace, fingering something on some flute-like instrument, but the instrument is making no sound. Hotaru's face lights up as she spots the boy on the other side of the room, drinking from a cup of something, his eyes closed.

Hotaru takes another step into the room and the boy's eyes snap open. Frigid blue eyes catch hers and hold them. He stares at her openly and narrowly, then shrinks back. Is he afraid too? He's just like everyone else. He doesn't understand what I am and shrinks away, yet, for some reason it doesn't appear to be in fear. It looks like he's ready to attack me! Hotaru can't keep a small smile from coming to her lips. Most people run and hide at this point, yet he's still here. Hotaru studies the boy closer. Even though his eyes seem cold, she senses laughter and a certain love of life beneath his frozen exterior that could burst forth any second. What an odd boy, I don't believe I've ever seen anyone quite like him before.

Drako turns from the fireplace and sees Hotaru standing in the doorway. "Well, it looks like our little sleeping beauty is up. Are you alright now?"

"Yes, thank you."

"What happened."

"I only expended a little more energy than my body could take. I should be completely fine in a little while."

Drako nods and spoons something that has been simmering in the fireplace into a bowl and hands it to her. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I should be fine." Hotaru walks to the table and sits across from the boy. "You look better," she tells him.

"Yeah, even the scars are starting to fade."

Hotaru hesitates for a moment. "My name's Hotaru Tomoe."

The boy leans further back in his chair. "Duo Maxwell."

Drako comes over to them and stands directly in front of Duo. "Come on boy, don't be so cold to the girl. She did save your life after all."

Duo looks back at her, but says nothing at first; then, he mutters something under his breath. Hotaru didn't quite hear it, but apparently, Drako's hearing was much better than hers was.

"You ungrateful little beast!" Before Hotaru can blink, Drako has the sword that he wears at his waist out of its scabbard. Duo reflexively jumps up from the table and backs away.

"Perhaps I should chop that braid off your impertinent little head."

Duo backs away. "Oh no you don't. I don't let anyone near my hair. I get enough of this from Wufei, I don't need some Demon coming after me too."

Drako takes a wild swing for Duo's head, but misses, Duo jumping over a chair, putting more distance between them. He looks like he's done this before.

Picking up the chair, Duo uses it for a shield, dodging Drako's swings with expert skill. Drako's eyes widen in surprise, sensing that his opponent is perhaps a bit more skilled than he first realized. With a frenzy of quick, agile swings and lunges, Drako quickly backs the smaller Duo into a wall near the fireplace.

"I've got you now boy!" Drako swings once more at his opponent and Duo once again easily moves out of the way.

"You missed again! Even when you have me backed into a wall, you still miss."

Drako smiles evilly, his red eyes blazing with malevolence. "Oh, I didn't miss, I was right on target," Drako replies, dropping his sword and leaning up against the wall.

"Huh?"

Hotaru takes on look at the fireplace behind Duo and gasps. Then suddenly, a giggle burst forth. "Duo, your hair! Be careful!"

Duo turns around and pulls at his hair. "What the…shit!" Duo drops down to the ground and begins to roll, trying to put the fire that had caught in his hair out (stop, drop, and roll! J )

After Duo managed to put his hair out and calmed down and Hotaru was finally able to stop laughing, the three sat down at the table to finish eating. Hotaru ate hungrily, for it seemed like she hadn't eaten in ages. Hotaru asked Drako where exactly they were and he gave her the same answer as he gave Duo.

"Okay, so were on a continent called Relecos, in the Black Woods. There are two worlds here, a Human realm, and a Demon realm. The Black Woods is one of the portals between the two words. Am I right so far Drako?" Hotaru asks.

"That is correct."

Hmm, no wonder I didn't recognize anything, I'm no on Earth anymore. So, am I stuck here with these two?

Duo seemed to have read her thoughts. "Drako, you wouldn't by any chance know of a way from this world back to ours, would you?"

Drako shakes his head. "Unfortunately no, I don't."

"Oh."

"But may want to try at Silveren."

Hotaru and Duo look at him, very confused.

"Silveren is the capital of Relecos. There is a man there by the name of Veranain. He's one of the advisers to the King and an expert on the old legends and myths of this country. If anyone would know of a way back to your own worlds, it would be him."

"Great! That sounds easy enough," Duo says, his mood brightening.

"Unfortunately, it's not as easy as one may think. First, you have to get out of this forest, and that isn't an easy task."

Hotaru smiles. "I'm sure I can do it, it'll be no problem."

"You?" Duo says sarcastically. "That I would love to see. I doubt you would last three minutes out there on your own!"

"Is that so, well, I'd like to see you try it!"

"You will, and I'll make it!"

Drako's fists clench as he watches the two argue and until he can contain his anger no longer. "Stop it both of you!"

Duo and Hotaru stop immediately. "This is no joking matter. This forest is dangerous with demons and other things hunting here. If you two go, you will go together, and I will hear no arguments." Drako stops for a moment, able to tell by the looks on the children's faces that he had made his point. "Okay, once leave, head west, that will take you toward the city."

Drako stands up and walks toward the door. "Come on, before we leave, you should at least be properly armed."

Hotaru follows him out into the yard, Duo behind her. Armed? Drako leads them to a forge outside the house. Hotaru hears Duo's loud gasp of surprise as they enter the room and for once feels like she can agree with him. The forge is covered wall to wall with weapons. A large fire roars in one corner and an anvil sits in front of the room. Tools are lain about, scattered around the room with very little order.

"Take your pick of weapons. You can have whatever you want, I won't even charge you," Drako says, giving them the run of his shop.

"Thank you," Hotaru replies, "but why won't you accept payment if you don't mind me asking."

Drako stares at her for a moment and then begins to howl in laughter. "The faster you two are out of here, the faster I can get back to my work in peace and quiet."

Hotaru smiles at him, accepting his response. Taking Drako up on his offer, she looks around the shop. Duo has already chosen a bright silver long sword with a gold hilt and is swinging it around with expert ease. Well, I'm impressed. He actually looks like he may know what he's doing.

After about fifteen minutes of looking around the shop, Hotaru still has not found the weapon she had been looking for. Finally, she turns to Drako. "You wouldn't my any chance have a glaive, would you?"

"A glaive?" he asks, surprised.

"Yes, a glaive. Why do you seemed so surprised?"

"Well, it's not a weapon most people commonly ask for. Most warriors consider it a weak weapon, so I really don't bother to make them. In fact, I only have one. It was one of the first weapons I made, but when no one bought it, I decided to put it in storage. Hang on a moment."

Drako pulls out a key ring and uses one of the keys to unlock a door on the adjacent wall. Hotaru can hear him shifting and moving things around until finally, he comes out, a glaive in his hand. "Here," he says, "see if this suites your fancy."

Hotaru takes the glaive from his hands and examines it, nearly gasping. The glaive is very thin and small, almost delicate and made from a metal she has never seen before. The metal is nearly black and covered in intricate carvings of dragons. If it had not been a weapon of destruction, Hotaru would have called it beautiful. It isn't the glaive itself that draws her attention however, but the blade on top, sharp and deadly. Hotaru draws the blade in a smooth ark and then stands it beside her.

"This will serve very well Drako."

Drako stares at her for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yes, I can see that. Anyway, let's see if you can use the weapons of your choice." Before the other two can complain, Drako picks up a battle-axe that has been lying by his forge. He removes the sword from his waist and steps outside, motioning the other two to follow him.

"Duo, you're up first. Come at me with all your skill." He smiles wickedly. "I assure you, I'm much better with my axe than I ever was with a sword."

"It's been awhile since I've used a sword, but I think I can take you on."

Drako charges, letting out a huge battle cry, Duo dodges his swing, but isn't prepared for the kick that follows it. With a grunt of pain, Duo clutches his stomach and backs away. Drako uses this moment of weakness and advances toward him, reading for another blow. This time however, jumps up and slashes downward, Drako hastily dodging the attack. Duo turns back around and falls into a fighting stance.

"Alright, I can see that you can use the sword! Enough. Hotaru?"

Hotaru steps and takes Duo's place in front of Drako. She brings the familiar weapon down in front of her. I'll have to be quick. I can't let him wear me down.

"You can't be serious Drako! She's just a little girl, and she's still weak. If she's coming with me, she shouldn't have to fight," Duo says, a little bit of worry creeping into his voice.

Drako doesn't turn to look at him, but smiles slightly. "I wouldn't worry about her boy, it think she's knows exactly what she's doing."

With that said, Hotaru leaps up into the air, bringing her glaive down in an arc. Drako uses a back flip to escape harm, but Hotaru doesn't stop her onslaught. I can't let him make a move. Drako risks a swing and Hotaru ducks, but Drako recovers quickly and his soon ready for another attack. There it is. His swings are powerful, but he leaves himself open for a split second afterward. Now she smiles, she has him. You are strong Drako, but I'm faster. Hotaru allows him to take another swing, which she gracefully jumps. When he swings again, Hotaru moves under it and brings her glaive up, blunt end first, toward his unprotected side. The force of the blow and his own momentum bring him down with a grunt. Drako looks up to see Hotaru standing over him, the sharp end of her glaive at his throat.

Hotaru moves aside and allows him to stand up. Duo is staring at her in utter astonishment. "You'd better close your mouth boy, or you'll be catching flies," Drako says, retrieving his axe from the ground.

"How did she…?"

"Never mind that. You two are free to go and do as you please as long as you don't come back here and bother me again."

After a quick meal, Drako gave them enough provisions for three days as well as two daggers. Good-byes were swift and before she knew it, Hotaru was on her way out of the forest with Duo.

As Drako disappears, becoming a tiny dot on the horizon, Hotaru turns back. Farewell Drako, until we meet again.

Tokyo, Japan: Juuban High School

As Heero maneuvers his way through the crowded halls of Juuban High, he pretends to ignore the stares the other students are giving him. They act as if they've never seen a new student before. Students make every effort to move out of his way as he comes near them.

Heero takes a seat on a bench near the steps and pulls out a piece of paper from his bag and begins to look over it. It looks like I have gym first. Lucky me. Why did I have to come here? It's not like I need to be at school.

"Hey! Didn't you hear me kid? I said move it!"

Heero looks up to see a group of boys standing over him. The one in front is taller than Heero with sharp, gray eyes and black hair, and a very muscular frame. Five other boys stand around him, looking very annoyed. Heero meets the strange boy's eyes, silently asking him why he is standing in front of him.

"You're sitting in our seat kid, move!"

Heero shrugs, but makes no effort to move. The bigger boy leans down and lifts him up by the collar of his shirt. Heero says nothing and his face curves up into a smile. They have no idea what they're doing, do they?

"Hey, leave him alone!" a voice cries from behind them.

The boy drops Heero back into his seat and turns around to see who is addressing him. "Shit! You again?"

Lita stares up at him, and evil grin on her face. She slams a fist into her palm and then steps into a fighting stance. "Haven't I told you boys to leave people alone? What must I do to convince you to behave?"

One of the boys runs up and tries to throw a punch, but Lita grabs his wrist and throws him to the ground. Seeing the defeat of their friend, two of the boys try to come at her at once, but they are far to slow. Lita throws a kick at one, sending him flying with a broken nose. An uppercut soon takes care of the other.

"Anyone else?" Lita asks, turning to the remaining four boys, who are backing away.

"No ma'am," cries the boy who had been threatening Heero.

Lita watches them as they runaway, but the moment they are out of sight, then turns back to Heero who has reclaimed his seat on the bench. "Are you okay?"

Heero nods, but says nothing.

"Good. They shouldn't be giving you much more trouble." Lita walks off towards the nearest hallway and disappears out of sight.

The moment she is gone, Heero allows the smile that has been tugging at his lips to come forth. Well, that was interesting. It seems like she can do more than cook. Looks like she has a bit of a rep too. This might be more amusing than I thought.

With that, he grabs his stuff and starts heading toward the gym, something that is almost a smile still on his lips.

Mina wanders through the halls, waiting patiently for the bell to ring, signaling the start of class. Oh how dull! I'm so bored. I don't know why I let Ami talk me into coming in so early. She might have to study, but I have absolutely no plans. I should be at home sleeping. I bet that's what Artimis is doing right now. A mental image of Artimis on her bed fast asleep flashes through her head and she winces. Yup, that's exactly what he's doing.

She makes a turn down the arts hall and suddenly stops. What's that? The soft, gentle melody of a violin can be heard echoing through the hallway. Without thinking, Mina follows the sound to the music room.

A boy she has never seen before is standing by the window, a violin resting on his chin. His eyes are closed and he is swaying gently with the melody. His hair is a bright blonde color, a shade or two lighter than hers and his features make him look a little Arabic.

That music is beautiful, and yet, it sounds so melancholy. I don't think I've ever heard anything that sad before. Mina listens to the melody for a little while longer and eventually catches it. With no hesitation what so ever, she opens her mouth and begins to sing (I have no idea if Mina can actually sing or not, but I needed something to fit in here and I really don't think she plays and instrument). Her voice weaves in with the melody of his violin, forming a harmony. Mina allows her eyes to close, letting the music run through her. Before she can stop herself, her voice rises to fill the room, rising gently into a great crescendo, matching the rise of the violin.

Then as soon as it began, it stops. The violinist turns and drops his violin from his chin. His eyelids flicker open and reveal bright blue eyes. For a while, he only stares at her, stretching the silence in the room. After what seems like an eternity, he smiles and drops a slight bow. "That was beautiful. You have a lovely voice Miss…"

"My name is Mina Aino, and you weren't that bad yourself."

The boy's smile broadens, his cheeks becoming a deep crimson. "It wasn't much. My name is Quatre Rebaba Winner. It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Aino."

"Likewise." Well, if nothing else, he most certainly is polite. "Please, just call me Mina."

"Oh where is it! The librarian said it was in, so it should be here!" Ami shuffles through another row of books on the top shelf, using the end of the bookcase to move the ladder. "That book on Confucius should be here! This is so frustrating!" Ami, who has been looking for the same book all morning, is finally almost ready to give up.

The doors to the library behind her open up and someone walks in, but Ami is far too busy searching to notice.

"Excuse me, miss!"

Ami jumps, surprised. She tries to recover her footing on the top rung of the ladder, but fails and before she knows it, the ground is rushing up to meet her. This can't be happening! Her stomach rushes up to meet her throat and blackness threatens to swallow her whole. Ami's body clenches, bracing for impact, but it never comes. Strong arms come around her and cradle her body as she falls, bringing her safely to the ground.

After a moment, she works up enough courage to open her eyes. Dark green eyes are staring back at her, catching hers and keeping them there, locked. Ami shakes her head to clear it and looks at the boy who saved her. His hair is brown with extremely long bangs covering one eye. His face is expressionless, yet at the same time, open.

Gently, he sets her back on her feet. "Thank you," Ami says, sounding a little out of breath.

The boy nods but says nothing.

"Um…"

Reaching to the table behind him, he picks up a book labeled Confucius and hands it to her. "I believe this is yours."

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