Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Hating a Phoenix ❯ Chapter 14.0 ( Chapter 14 )

Hating a Phoenix

Chapter 14

By: Firey Angelwings

 

 

***Hello everyone! Wow...I can't believe that we're so near to the end of this piece of fiction. I really hope that you're enjoying it, and please just do your part and review. I answer everything, no matter how many (the highest toll for one day has been 137 emails) and it takes a minute...vs the three hours that I put in per chapter. Have a conscience!

Note:Limey chapter, and a bit of insinuating....be warned.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or its characters, just as I haven't in any of the previous chapters.

 

****************

 

(Next day, Breakfast)

 

  As the day broke through the night's darkness and turned the red earth of Mars back to its regular fiery glory, the inhabitants of Milliardo's mansion emerged slowly from their rooms and headed downstairs. They all arrived around the same time, quite stuck in habit, in the dining room where the previous night's outburst had taken place.

 

  Remarkably and notably silent, they only smiled semi-graciously at the house staff as they handed them their breakfast plates. The group ate slowly, and only Heero looked in his normal state; uncaring.

 

  Uncomfortable in the unnatural silence, Quatre cleared his throat nervously. A couple of people looked up in a tired manner, but they reverted back to their state. Finally Quatre shook his head, finding a topic to grace their non-existent conversation.

 

  “Uh, guys?”

 

  This time only Duo looked up, but he continued, “Um...has Relena already eaten or something?”

 

  Most of the other individuals looked up in a little more interest and flicked their eyes around the room. They were ungratified in their search for a sign of Relena's presence.

 

  Cathy seemed puzzled. “Has anyone seen her today?”

 

  None of them answered. In the returned silence, Milliardo let out an soft yet undisguised groan, leaning back and covering his face with his hands.

 

 Hilde inquired quietly, “What is it, Milliardo?”

 

 Answering from beneath his hands, his reply was muffled. “She didn't come back.”

 

 Sounding a bit more alarmed, Sally demanded sharply, “What do you mean by that? She left?”

 

  Righting himself in his chair and ignoring Noin, who had started massaging his shoulder, Milliardo dutifully elaborated, “Last night, I saw Lena fly out from her balcony.”

 

  They were all slightly startled at his direct mention of Relena `flying', but it wore off very quickly and Wufei stood violently from his chair. “And you just let her go?”

 

  He stood up as well, to defend himself. Thrusting one strong arm out in Wufei's direction, Milliardo growled, “I needed to give her space.”

 

  Nodding with her eyes closed, Dorothy spoke in her rgular, calm voice. “Do not worry. I know Miss Relena, and I'm certain she just needs a little time to herself. Leave her alone for a while.”

 

  Shaking his blond head in the negative sense, Relena's brother spat out, “No. Not only am I worried about her health, which should probably now be monitored, but we need her help HERE.”

 

  Hilde agreed with argument, but declared certainly, “I nominate Heero to go and look for her.”

 

  Everyone at the table looked in her direction very suddenly and exclaimed, “WHAT?”

 

  She looked sheepish and embarassed for a second, but regained her sense of confidence soon enough. She elaborated, “Well, it's only logical. Someone has to go and look for her. Lena's angry at practically everyone, but we all noted that Heero went after her last night and didn't return in a body bag.”

 

  The table went silent and nobody noticed Heero roll his eyes slightly.

 

  In agreement, Quatre stated solemnly, “You're right, Hilde.”

 

  Milliardo didn't share his sentiments. He spoke in a raised voice and eeryone winced as he did. “This WON'T work. Yuy doesn't even know where to look.”

 

  Frustrated all of a sudden, Noin retorted in a haughty fashion, “Oh, and do you know where to look? Just admit that Heero should go. Relena doesn't need you at her elbow all the time. Give someone else a chance for a change.”

 

  Simmering, Milliardo sat down while refusing to look at her. He mumbled incoherant obsenities under his breath. None were giving him any attention, however, for they all were focused on Heero at the far end of the table.

 

  Leveling his stony gaze with the rest of the table's occupants, Heero sensed that he should say something now. He sighed inaudibly and spoke softly. “Accepted.”

 

  Duo couldn't help but grin at one of the familiar catchphrases of his close friend. He didn't get a chance to poke fun at Heero, though, because the man in question rose silently from his seat and headed out the door without another word.

 

  Finding nothing else to say, the large room fell back into its uneasy silence. The only sounds were that of knoves and forks scraping across the plates.

 

  Annoyed beyond words, Milliardo eventually jumped up from his own seat as though he had been shocked. Glaring around the room from under his long bangs, he stormed loudly from the hall in the opposite direction that Heero had left.

 

  It was Noin's turn to roll her eyes as she burst into light chuckles. The sound lightened the atmosphere a bit, but she did not wait for any start of conversation. She rose in a swish of fabric and lightly followed Milliardo's exit, her objective unknown.

 

  Slowly, quiet conversation broke out between pairs of people. Hilde watched them all and said softly, “I'm going to my room.”

 

************

 

  In some hidden recess of the mansion, Milliardo Peacecraft's temper was in its fullblown stage of fury as he paced back and forth, turning over the current situation in his hands. He was very stressed, not only because of his untamed sister, but also because of the current war they were fighting with the Purifiers.

 

  All their battles were highly publicized, on Earth and on the colonies, and even here on Mars. He had seen the papers, seen the news reports, seen the articles. It was getting harder and harder to conceal their location from their enemy, and amazingly, from the media. He finally understoof what Relena had talked of when ranting about her troubles with the press.

 

  Not trying to hide her presence, Noin entered the room. She looked extremely relieved at finding him. Milliardo, however, snapped ruthlessly at her. “What is it? I have things to think about, and I'd like to do so in peace.”

 

  Unperturbed by his outburst, she strode up to him and rested a hand on his arm. Noin stated matter-of-factly but softly, “I think your problem is that you spend TOO much time thinking about things `in peace'.”

 

  Annoyed even more at the calming effect she always had on his temper, Milliardo turned and faced her. “Lucrezia. What is it?”

 

  She was smiling serenely, but behind it there was a flash of her impish nature. Noin cocked her head to the side and answered slowly, “I've decided what I have to do with you.”

 

  Sighing and closing his eyes, doing his best to block everything out, he inquired pointlessly, “Should I ask....?”

 

  Letting her hidden grin cross onto her features, Noin tugged a bit on his forearm. “I must take your mind off Relena and everything that troubles you.”

 

  Trying unsuccessfully to shake off her grasp, Milliardo declared firmly. “That's impossible. Priorities, Lucrezia.”

 

  Evidently not taking `no' for an answer, she tightened her grip and grinned wider. Devilishly, Noin pulled him up the nearby staircase in the direction of the vacated bedrooms.

 

**************

 

  Racing speedily over the extensive, rolling scarlet plains of Mars went a small hovership, close to the ground. It was manned by only one person: Heero Yuy.

 

  As always, out of the whole group of people back in the mansion, he was quite calm and collected, considering the circumstances. Nor did he consider this `search mission' any different from another possible mission.

 

  Heero's mind was blissfully blank as the hovership slowed when it came near to a large forest. He began wondering how the Mars terraforming project had managed to transplant such an abundant amount of plantlife in such a small amount of time.

 

  The trees, however, made it a lot more difficult for him to see who or what was on the ground. He slowed the ship substantially and hovered only about a meter above the treetops.

 

  In a flash, a monitor to is left flashed excitedly and loudly, but even before he turned to see what it was screaming about, something caught his eye.

 

  From Heero's very far right, a blur of orange and red came streaming towards the ship. He was fast, but not fast enough to reach for the controls and perform a quick set of evasive maneouvres.

 

  The ball of fire came in direct contact with the ship's right wing and exploded in a small, controlled burst of flame. As it did, the ship began swerving violently and careening towards the ground.

 

*********

 

  Extremely worried about her best friend's whereabouts and physical condition, Hilde wasn't in the greatest of spirits. She put up a great front to all the others, but inside it was as though all was slipping out of her control.

 

  She wished hopefully to be able to talk to Relena, to reassure her, to make her feel loved. But what was there really for her to do? Hilde was no medical scientist. She knew next to nothing about advanced diseases such as Lazuria. How could she survive if Relena actually died? For real.

 

  In this jigsaw puzzle of a war they were fighting, most of the important aspects of her life were falling to pieces. She was in a big standoff with Duo, her best friend was going to die, the list would never stop growing.

 

  Sighing, Hilde ambled her way down the west corridor en route to her rooms. All she wanted was to get away from this, even for a short period of time. She was certain that she'd be more of a help to everyone if she could rejuvenate her energy somehow. How did the rest of them remain so upbeat in these hard times? How did Relena do it?

 

  Her room was dark when she entered. Fumbling around on the wall to her left, Hilde eventually located the lightswitch and flicked it on.

 

  A blur raced into her view. She was mildly disoriented and alarmed for a second, until one grinning, boyish face materialized in front of her.

 

  Throwing his arms out with a flourish, Duo exclaimed loudly, “HELLO!!”

 

  As this all happened in a matter of seconds, Hilde was startled, to say the least. She tripped backwards and emitted a high-pitched, short-lived scream. As she did so, she tripped on a fold in the carpet and her back hit the door, hard.

 

  She was unhurt, nonetheless, but her mind was spinning with possible reasons why Duo was standing before her. Finally, Hilde regained her footing and demanded, “What're you doing here?”

 

  The grin never left it's station as Duo declared triumphantly, “Making up!”

 

  Confused even more, Hilde waited for him to elaborate. Duo rolled his eyes and explained while scratching his head sheepishly, “You know...we're in a fight...so here I am...?”

 

  Straightening and righting herself, Hilde looked a lot more confident. “Oh really? So....say something, then.”

 

  Now Duo seemed a lot more uncomfortable. He looked down and examined his shoes. He mumbled something incoherant and inaudible.

 

  Hilde wasn't going to let him off that easily. She took a step towards him and needled, “What was that?”

 

  Starting to fidget, which was one of his nervous habits, Duo traced a line across the floor with his shoe. He mumbled a bit louder, “ImsorryIknowthatIwaswrong.”

 

  Smiling to herself at his adorable cuteness when he was nervous, Hilde prodded a bit more. “Can you separate those words?”

 

  Finally exceedingly frustrated, Duo burst out, louder then he wanted, “OK!! I WAS WRONG!!! I'M SORRY!!! ARE YOU HAPPY??”

 

  Her smile getting wider as he shouted in irritation, Hilde shifted her weight onto one foot. A sly glint appeared in her eye as she stated, “I suppose.”

 

  Knowing exactly what she was insinuating, Duo groaned exaggeratedly and questioned reluctantly, “Ok. What do ya want?”

 

  She couldn't hold back her laughter anymore, but managed to get out, “Nothing. Just....be a little more ensitive the next time.”

 

  Nodding eagerly, Duo made a good resemblance to an energetic puppy. Hilde gained control of herself, and when she had, Duo took her arm and steered her towards the exit of her room. Grinning still, she inquired playfully, “Where're we going?”

 

  He made an overzealous bowing motion and decreed, “Out. I think you need a little down-time, and I've got the whole day empty for whatever you wanna do.”

 

************

 

  What had once been a hovership was now nothing but a twisted wreckage of burnt or melting metal. The flames had gone out a few minutes ago. The setting was completely still for a few moments, before a roar of screeching and scratching metal started, as the main area lifted slightly and a man rolled out from underneath.

 

  When Heero was finally out of the wreckage and felt the soft earth under his chest, he stopped and regained his bearing. He flipped over and stared at the sky for a small length of time before vaulting up and looking around. He was annoyed and wanted to locate the origin of the mysterious ball of fire that had hit his ship.

 

  A soft, smooth voice came from behind him. “Sorry.”

 

  Heero whirled around and discovered...Relena. She was a few meters away from the wreckage, sitting on a rock with a small flower in her hands.

 

  His flaring annoyance dimished a tiny bit. At least he had found her. Heero appraised her visible physical condition in a clean sweep. She seemed fine,  though reserved.

 

  Neither said anything, until Relena felt a need to explain why she was her, why she had...um...almost killed him. Her voice was cool and strong. “I come here to think. I don't like to be followed.”

 

  Shrugging at this information, Heero informed her, “The others are concerned.”

 

  Twirling the flower between her fingers, Relena let her head fall back and laughed melodiously. She replied, “Of course they are.”

 

  He wasn't in the mood for word games. Heero was thinking what he would do to get back to the mansion. Relena was pensive, but asked quietly, “Heero. I am troubled.”

 

  Answering coldly, he said, “Of course you are. You have a deadly disease residing in your spinal cord.”

 

  This brought a small smile to her lips, because of his misunderstanding. She said, “That is not the subject of my thoughts. No...I wonder at...why you have to break every rule that governs my life, why you must turn it upside down at every chance.”

 

  This wasn't what he expected, and Heero stilled. Though he tried, he could not regain the same cold timber in his voice. “Meaning...?”

 

  Relena stood and let the flower drop from her hands. She regarded him through her brilliant scarlet eyes. “Let it mean whatever you want it to mean. But know that it is the truth.”

 

  She started walking towards him slowly. It was as though the amount of time between each footfall wasn't a few seconds, but a few hours.

 

  Confused beyond words but not willing to let it show, Heero did what he always did in such a situation. He became very defensive. He assured her, “I am dangerous.”

 

  This made her chuckle, which irritated him in some recess of his soul. She was not intimidated. “Why do you tell me what I already know?”

 

  His eyes narrowed and he fought to keep his words in the same emotionless tone. “I belong to no one.”

 

  That same smile crossed her features. “Indeed you don't. For nobody belongs to anybody, and you are no exception.”

 

  Not able to find his words, Heero repeated himself. “I'm dangerous.”

 

  She was a lot closer now, and it was as though he was in a battle. He could feel the same endorphines coarsing through his veins, a reaction that only occured when he encountered a worthy enemy. Relena retorted playfully but gently, “Agreed. But everything in existence is dangerous in some way. I am dangerous.”

 

  Another step closer. “Max Pavey is dangerous.”

 

  The expression in her eyes bored through his soul. It was as though she was reaching out to him as nobody had ever done before, with such...understanding. “Cars are dangerous. Ships are dangerous. Gundams are dangerous. Running is dangerous.”

 

  He could not find words to shoot her back down, because Heero knew that she was right. Finally, he managed to say, “Why...how do you know what I believe--”

 

  She cut in beofre he lost his receding control. “This is what baffles you, what leaves you confused. You know how everyone else thinks, how they react, what they will do. But you haven't understood how I think and how I live. And what eaves you without defenses is that you know that I understand you. But you don't want anyone to know you that well. Yes, you are dangerous. Yes, you kave killed.”

 

  Reaching slowly forward and taking his hand, she examined the many fine creases there. “But so have I. So has every living thing, in some way or another. And I live in danger every day of my life. You are no different and I do not fear you. I never have, for I have that knowledge in my head.”

 

  So that was her secret. That was the reason why she was fearless, even when she had been naive and young at fifteen. Baffling.

 

  She finished, softly. “You cannot hurt me, you cannot taint me, no matter what you do. It did no harm to me when you committed the greatest hurt of all to a Phoenix: touching my wings. That confirms it. Heero, just know that no matter what should come to pass, there is nothing that you can do to destroy me, because I am a power which you don't understand. And you haven't learnt how do destroy something you don't understand.”

 

  Was that the reason why he could never kill her, though he said that he would do it time and time again? The logic made complete sense, and his whole point of view came into a clear perspective, because of this...Relena. She was the one person he couldn't harm. Heero no longer had to hold back.

 

  It all clicked in his mind. But it made no difference, because there were other matters.

 

  Time sped up again. Without hint or warning, Heero suddenly shot forward and caught Relena in a vice grip, no longer afraid that he might break her, as he would a sheet of glass. His lips crushed against hers, melding into a timeless kiss of earthshattering power. She did not resist, nor flinch, and he knew that it was bcause she wasn't afraid.

 

  The world tilted drastically before Relena's eyes. She was completely taken aback, but almost a certain weakness took over her limbs so she couldn't run. But she didn't want to, anyways.

 

  She felt his fingers slide up her back and rest at the base of her skull, tilting her head to the proper angle. Their lips slanted and almost tore at each other with a complete abandon of where they were. Relena's senses were utterly overwhelmed, as she could see bright images from behind her closed eyelids, smell the woodsy odor of his shirt, feel the iron muscles which surrounded her own so completely now, taste his lips covering hers and hear the sound of both of their ragged intakes of breath.

 

  Fisting her strong, slender fingers in his shirt, they pulled closer to each other, as though they couldn't bear to be two separate entities. Relena opened her mouth wider to allow him greater access.

 

  Heero pushed her whole body until her back met a tree. Relena felt his lips move tothe right side of her jaw and near to her neck. His hands moved down and tugged the hem of her shirt upwards.

 

  She didn't stop him.

 

**********

 

  Striding self-importantly down the walkway, Maxwell Pavey surveyed the large array of space mobile suits displayed before him. The preparations were almost complete and he was extremely excited.

 

  The day before, he had finally decided to go for the gold and not waste his time with the petty battles that he had been losing mobile suits with. The Gundams were too skilled a bunch of fighters, so he decided to follow the age-old strategy of strength in numbers. The Gundams were good, but not this good.

 

  He had almost all of his troops assembled nearby, prepping for their attack. There was no time to avoid what he wanted. In order to be successful, he had to go for the most powerful place to rule.

 

  Target: Earth.

 

**********

 

  The forest and the red planes and canyons whizzed by as Relena flew back in the direction of the mansion. Her great wings were spread completely, the flames on the tip flickering at their full length.

 

  On her back, with his arms around her neck, was Heero. He was enthralled, though he would never admit it aloud, at the experience of flying on the back of a Phoenix, an experience which no human had ever undergone before.

 

  They were not without conversation, though it was not about their new addition to their relationship, but about strategy and their main priority: war.

 

  Heero's voice was loud, even over the roaring wind. “Last night, I did a lot of research and discovered that Pavey is planning a massive attack on Earth, and very soon. We need to rally ourselves and prepare.”

 

  Squinting at the horizon, Relena answered, “Alright. That's our biggest priority right now. Is that it?”

 

  Shaking his head, though it wasn't visible to Relena, Heero added, “No. I got in contact with Dr J last night. He wanted me to inform you that he has decided the best way to attempt to get around the Lazuria is by an operation which he is preparing for.”

 

  Stiffening at the mention of Dr J, Relena replied, “Ok. I'll contact him and see what I can do, time-wise. There's the mansion up ahead. Let's do this.”

 

***************************************************************** ******

 

AN:

Yay! Aren't you happy, all you HYxRP fans! I know it sortof took a while, but...there! I'm looking back and I can't believe that I wrote that! How uncharacteristic! Oh well, in respect of most people's wishes, I did not write a lemon, so use your imaginations (everyone's got one) and do what you want with it.

Stay tuned for the next chapter, it's important!

Cheers,

Firey