Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Family Curse Arc ❯ Mother Daughter Time ( Chapter 9 )

Warning: Angst, Possible OCC, Yaoi

Disclaimer: Don't own `em. Wish I were one of them though.

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Mother/ Daughter Time

Faith spent her first evening with the circus drawing patrons to her grandmother's tent. Between the costume and Faith's persuasive nature, Bella kept very busy.

By the time they closed up for the night, both of them were dead on their feet. Falling into bed, Faith heard the crinkle of paper and remembered the note stuck under her pillow. Curiosity made it impossible for her to sleep. Hearing her grandmother's soft snores beside her, she opened the note and began to read.

My Dearest Child,

What I wouldn't give to be there with you right now. I know Duo and Heero have done their best for you, but I regret not being able to give you a mother's touch. There's so much I wish I could have taught you. So much I wanted to give you, but it wasn't in the cards. All I could give you was your life. Don't waste it. The price was very high.

I don't mean my life, sweet one. My life was forfeit from the beginning. If you hate me after I tell you this, I'll understand. You've probably just lost a baby. It's my fault. While I was pregnant, I tried to read your future. What I saw was our death. I knew I couldn't save myself, but I could save you. To do so, I made a deal with Fate herself, but it cost your first born. The full extent of your gift was held back until the price was paid. I'm sorry. I just couldn't let you die. I love you. I always will. Remember that.

My mother is probably taken you as her apprentice. With your growing abilities you need her instruction. Play close attention to her. She can teach you much.

Take good care of your father, Heero, and that sweet little Yuy boy you love so much. Boys can be very needy critters. They do need you.

Take care of yourself too. Follow your heart. It will never lead you wrong.

All my love,

Your mother, Hilde

p.s. ask your grandmother for the small box I left for you. My last gift is inside. Use them with care.

Faith read the letter three times before putting it away. "Oh mama. How could I ever hate you? You did what you could for me. I hurt now, but I think I understand. I'm sure the pain will get better." "Good, because I need to speck to you." Faith whirled around, gun in hand. "I don't think that will do any good baby. I'm already dead remember." Hilde stood in the tent flap. A light blue haze surrounded her. "Mother?" "Yes sweetie. It's me. Let's go for a walk."

Faith jumped up and ran to her mother. "How are you here? Is something wrong?" Hilde placed a ghostly finger on Faith's lips. "I'll answer all your questions in a minute, but we need to go somewhere more private first. We don't want to disturb anyone." Faith nodded and pulled on her scarf and veil.

She followed her mother out of camp and down to a pond a short ways off. They settled down on the shore and just sat for a moment. Hilde spoke first. "So you read the note. You don't hate me. That's good. I'm just sorry my warning didn't come in time. Poor little Ophelia was dead before I could get through to you. Can you ever forgive me?" Faith smiled. "You don't even have to ask. You're my mother and you've done what you can. It's enough."

Hilde smiled and reached over to push back a stray lock of Faith's hair. "My little mystic. I wish we had more time." Faith blinked at her. "What do you mean? Can't we just sit here and talk for awhile?" Hilde shook her head. "The lady sent me only to retrieve you. She's the one who wants to speck to you." Hilde sighed. "But don't worry; we'll talk again one day. Till then, I'm watching you. Be a good girl." Hilde's form began to fade. "Wait mama. Where are you going?" Faith nearly screamed. Hilde gave her another smile and blew a kiss. "Back to watch over you. I'm always here if you need me." Then she faded from sight.

A sense of peace washed over Faith. She stared out over the pool of water in front of her at the half moon glowing just over the horizon. All sense of time was lost. As Faith fell into a trance like state, a woman in blue robes and bearing gossamer wings rose from the depths of the water, never disturbing the still surface. Her hair flowed out around her like live golden silk on a nonexistent wind. Her eyes flashed from one color to another so fast, one could not settle on one color before they were another.

She stepped forward and laid a hand on Faith's head. "Greetings little sister. Tell me; who are you, what do you know, and what do you seek?"

Faith's mouth went dry. Her head bowed and words, not consciously her own, began to flow from her. "I am Faith Duet Schbeiker-Maxwell. Daughter of Hilde Schbeiker; former Oz pilot and sometime seer; and Duo Maxwell; Gundam pilot and Preventer; he who calls himself Death. I am betrothed to Karl Peacecraft-Dorlin-Yuy, prince of the Cinq Kingdom and son of Relena Peacecraft-Dorlin; Queen of the Cinq Kingdom and Vice Foreign Minister between the earth and colonies; and Heero Yuy; Gundam pilot and Preventer, known as the Perfect Solder."

The woman's hand moved down and her finger landed on Faith's lips, silencing her. "No child, look deeper. Who are you? What do you know? What do you seek?" Faith looked up as her finger moved. "I know not what you want my lady." The woman smiled down at Faith. "I will tell you a story."

"Once upon a time there was a little girl who was not like other children. She laughed like them. Looked like them. Even sounded like them. But she was not fully human. Not like them. She was a force with no control.

She was Fate's own child. The weaver of life and dreams made flesh. Always alone, her mate, Time. Her father, Death and his lover, War. Her mother, an innocent with wide eyes.

Happiness was never granted her without equal pain. Everything she loved was sacrifice to the future that would live in the children she would never raise."

The lady in blue looked Faith straight in the eyes and extended her hands. "I ask you again child, who are you? What do you know? And what do you seek?" Tears flowed from Faith's eyes. "I am a lost child, who knows everything about nothing at all, and seeks only clarity." The woman smiled. "Now you are truly ready."

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Faith jerked awake on her cot in Bella's tent, gasping for breath. "What the …?" Bella sat down next to Faith and handed her a cold rag. "You were dreaming child. A vision perhaps?" Faith nodded as she bathed her face. "What did you see? Maybe I can help you to understand."

Faith told Bella about seeing Hilde and the winged lady in blue. Bella gasped as Faith described the woman in blue. "What is it grandma? Do you know her?" Bella brought her hand down from her mouth. "Yes child. You have spoken with Fate herself. Few are granted an audience with her, but to be summoned…what did she tell you?" Faith recited Fate's words and story to her grandmother. When she had finished, Bella nodded. "Fate's child. That explains a lot." Faith looked confused. "Explains what?"

Bella took Faith's hands into her own. "Did Heero or your father ever tell you about a prophesy made about you and Karl when you were babies?" Faith shook her head. "I didn't think they would." Faith cocked her head to the side and gave a questioning look.

Bella sighed. "The first time I saw the two of you, I offered to read your futures. I admit I couldn't see much. I fact I saw nothing. Someone or something else spoke for me." "What did they say?" Bella shook her head. "Most of it isn't important right now, but it did say that you would be a prophetess of the highest order. The highest order of seers in our family use to be known as the Daughters of Fate, but there hasn't been one of them for at least a hundred years." Faith's eyes brightened. "Do you think I might be that powerful?" Bella grinned. "Maybe child. We'll just have to wait and see. Get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be very busy." Faith quickly kissed Bella on the cheek. "Ok grandma. See you in the morning." Bella planted a kiss on Faith forehead. "Sleep tight."

2BC…

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A/N: ok. Word of advice: never mix Surge cola, the movie A.I., and the full collection of Pure Moods CDs. The result can be scary. The story may stay kind of Faith-centric for a few chapters. I'll try to fill you in on what's happening elsewhere, but I'm not sure how yet.

Dedication: To my grandmother (may she rest in peace), gone a year and a half and it still feels like yesterday. I miss you grandma. I wish you could have read this. You would loved it.