Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Masquerade ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Chapter Five

Sage blushed and looked down.

"Sorry.." she whispered. Duo lifted her head up and looked into her eyes.

"Anytime you want to do that again, I'm right here." His eyes were kind, and she felt relieved, a little angry with herself. "Shall we go back?" Sage nodded.

As they made their way back to the base they didn't talk much, only to occasionally remark on the events of the war. Sage stepped through the door, and turned to Duo.

"Thanks again. I would have been air if it wasn't for you." She still couldn't meet his eyes, even though it had been a while since their kiss.

Duo fought down a grin. He just blushed slightly, and after they said their goodbyes, brushed past her and to his room. Sage snorted at herself. Ugh. Romancing two guys at once? I'm sick... That fall whacked my brain funny… Sage trembled a little bit, and had to go sit down. The closest sitting spot was her chair in the sitting room, and to it she went. A small sigh escaped her as she sunk deeper, and soon her tired body and mind gave way to slumber's pull.

She awoke maybe three hours later, with a crick in her back.. Someone had thoughtfully covered her with a blanket, and she shivered slightly under its warmth. She glanced at the chairs around her, and saw Heero occupying his.

Sage sat up with a start.

"Relax.." Heero said, typing away.

"You could have killed me while I slept, but you didn't. Why not? Don't you hate me enough?" Her voice was bitter and resentful.

"I could have. But then I would have had three pilots at my throat." Heero glanced up a her coldly. "Bring a female into the midst of males and there is bound to be trouble. I see you have taken care of Quatre and Duo… Trowa likes you because you are sensible and quiet." He chuckled. Sage shivered again.

"You treat me like a spy…" Sage recoiled from his nonchalant glace.

"Perhaps you are. Perhaps you're not. But you stay out of my way, got it?" He stood up, snapping his laptop shut as he stalked away. Sage curled up tighter, eyes closed. Her muscles relaxed.

Trowa walked in. Sage looked at him quietly, with a sort of pleading glance on her face.

"Don't worry about him. He resents having you here. His heart is hard…" He said quietly, looking at her as he sat down also. Sage gave no reply.

"I think I'll go up to bed now." Sage stood, gave him a little smile and a nod, and walked to her room.

Someone had made the bed, and placed a vase of flowers in the window. She looked at the card, which was blank, and sighed. As she put on her pj's and slipped into bed, a piece of paper fluttered to the floor. Sage picked it up:

Sage:

Report to my office on the third floor tomorrow morning at ten for your first mission. Good luck!

--Dr. J

Sage made a face. Wonder what I get to do…

The next morning, Sage awoke and dressed. When she opened the door, she felt a petal brush her hand. Looking down, she saw a blood red rose tied to her doorknob. Sage flipped open the card. Blank-again.

"Ugh.." Even though she was a little disappointed, Sage gently placed the rose in a vase by the window. As she climbed the staircase to the third floor, she thought about who the rose-leaver could be. On the top step was yet another red rose. Sage smiled to herself, and picked it up. It was thornless, and she tucked it into her hair bun.

Finally she found Dr. J's office. One could hardly miss it! Sage took a deep breath and stepped inside.

"Ah! Welcome Sage! I trust you are finding everything here to your liking?" The Dr. smiled at her as he dusted his hands on his lab apron.

"Yeah.." Sage looked around. It was a big lab, but didn't remind her of chemistry.

"Well-your first mission. Treize Kushrenada is holding a Masquerade ball in 5 days, I would like you to attend. But, as you cannot go partnerless, I will provide Quatre as an escort."

"Quatre?" Sage looked baffled.

"It's relatively easy for him to get into operations of state. Even though he is well known, both of you will be wearing masks, so it is no problem." Dr. J handed her a beautifully written invitation. "You will be going as Anita Piers. I would like you to get their battle plans for me. They should be on the second floor, in the General's room. I cannot say where, but I'm sure you will have no trouble."

"Anita Piers?" Sage raised an eyebrow. "And who does Quatre get to go as?"

The doctor snorted back a laugh. "Anita's fiancée, of course. Bradley Michaels."

Sage paled. "F-Fiancée? I'm supposed to pretend I'm going to be MARRIED to him??? Aren't we a bit-erm-young?"

Dr. J didn't look worried. "Not at all."

Sage sighed and smiled. "The I guess I need a dress.. I'll go ask Relena." As Sage was leaving, the Dr. spoke.

"Oh-and Sage?"

"Yes Dr.?"

"They are weapons of war, as you are. Don't let them fall in love." Sage looked at the ground and stepped out of the lab. Weapon of war? Is that all I am? What will happen to me when the war's over? She fingered the invitation to Anita thoughtfully. But for now, I must concentrate on being Anita Piers. Sage walked to Relena's room, and knocked.

The girl answered. "Sage! How nice to see you..I trust everything is going well? What brings you to me?" She invited Sage in.

Sage sat in a poofy chair. "I need a dress for a ball I'm going to in a couple of days. I was wondering if you could lend me one."

"Lend? Why lend when you can buy?" Relena smiled at her.

"Ohhhh no! I hate shopping… There is no way you can-"

Several minutes later Sage was riding to the most expensive shop in the country in a limo with Relena.

"I can't believe you made me go shopping." Sage snorted and looked out the window. When they reached the store, Relena immediately rushed Sage to the formal aisle.

"Nothing too flashy!!!" Sage cried as Relena held up a sequined dress.

"Too poofy!" was the complaint when she tried on a ball gown.

And so it went. For 3 whole hours, they searched for a dress. And then-

"What about this one?" Sage held up a beautiful green silk dress. It was an off the shoulder boat neck, with a long slit up one side.

Relena clapped. "Well, try it on!"

Sage did. It looked perfect on her.

"We'll take it!" Said Relena to a very frustrated clerk.