Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Last Unicorn ❯ Chapter 8
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Arigatomina 
Last Part, minor angst at best.
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.08.2002 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.4K | Visits: 362 | Status: Completed
Last Part, minor angst at best.
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.08.2002 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.4K | Visits: 362 | Status: Completed
Category: Yaoi, AU, idea taken from novel The Last Unicorn, none of the script or actual excerpts will be reproduced here, just the main idea of the unicorn
Warnings: shonen ai, minor angst, possible slight violence, sap, Last Part!
Pairings: 3+4
Title: The Last Unicorn
Author: Arigatomina
Email: arigatoumina@hotmail.com
Part 8
He was wary, and he stood in the doorway for minutes as he worried how the boy would greet him. Quatre was seated alone at the long table they'd eaten from the day before, and Trowa couldn't help but be surprised by the pale boy's slight smile. The fact that he hadn't so much as glanced up, however, didn't help his worry. Finally he just made himself step forward.
"Good morning, Trowa," Quatre smiled, nodding to the tall boy. "It looks like my search is over, doesn't it?" He sighed and dropped his eyes to the table, his hands curled around his mug. "Thank you for helping me, Trowa."
"What..." Trowa swallowed sharply, his mouth suddenly dry as he realized Quatre was saying good-bye to him. In the back of his mind he wondered if things would have been different if he'd given in to him the night before. "What are you going to do now?"
"Hm, I think I'm going to stay here." The tall boy's mouth fell open, and Quatre stood suddenly, turning so his back was to him. "I like it here, and Robert said I can stay for as long as I want."
"But you don't even *know* him," Trowa cried, standing as well. Although he hadn't expected the boy to stay with him, the thought of him living with a complete stranger made his hackles rise. "Quatre, there are so many places you could go. Why would you want to stay here with someone you know nothing about?"
"Oh, I know Robert." Turning slightly, Quatre stared at the tall boy, his pale eyes narrowed slightly in a way that Trowa had never seen before. "I know that he wants me to stay, and he likes me. You may not want me to touch you, Trowa," the tall boy's eyes widened and Quatre turned again, stepping to the door, "but he likes it when I touch him. And last night he showed me what it's like to be with someone who enjoys touching."
"The *hell* he did!" Trowa lunged forward, and he stopped short as Quatre slipped out the door, shutting it in his face. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe as simple fury coursed through him, the door wavering before his eyes. Then he slammed his palms into it, shoving it out of his way as he stalked into the hall. //I am going to tear him apart with my bare hands...//
* * *
His legs stretched too far, passing over a step, but he didn't notice and his gait didn't falter as he simply landed a bit harder. Nothing mattered anymore, and his sight was blurred by wetness, the walls seeming darker and he barely realized it when he was no longer descending the curved stairs. He didn't blink when his hand reached out in front of him of its own accord, pulling open the door. Even if he'd tried, he couldn't see the empty hall, the vision of what he'd seen emblazoned on his eyes.
A slow shuffle brought him across the wide floor, and he finally blinked, angry trails imprinted down his cheeks. It hurt too much and if he'd been able to think he would have wondered when he lost his heart to the boy. The boy who was currently up those stairs, in a room on the right side of a long hallway, in the arms of a man he'd just met; a boy who was currently engaged in a kiss such as Trowa had barely allowed himself to dream of. Thought had ended, and he left it to his legs to take him away as if distance would lessen the pain.
* * *
The pain woke him, sharp and sudden and he felt the ache on the back of his head before anything else. His instinct was to blink, to look around in confusion and he was startled when he couldn't seem to open his eyes. Then memory woke as well and he realized his arms were moving. He pulled them down, his fingers feeling silky cloth yet they wouldn't obey him, curving upward of their own accord. It wasn't until he felt something wet on his mouth that he truly realized his dream was real, and he cried out as loudly as he could, wanting to moan when his voice gave a soft sigh, a sound completely opposite of what he'd expected. Then something moved into his open mouth and he cringed inward, straining to pull away. //What is it? Why?//
His back was squeezed, what felt like fingers pressing hard against him, and he panicked suddenly. //It's just like my dream! I can't move, and Trowa...he's not here.// The wetness left him and his mind grew very alert as he listened carefully, heavy breathing reaching his ear. Then someone was speaking.
"You'd ask, wouldn't you, if you could. Why? That's what you'd ask." The man shook his head, running his fingers through the blonde's soft hair as his lips curved into a smile. "But you can't. Maybe I was wrong, to get rid of them all. I never dreamed of this, not once. And you, Quatre, you could live for so long, your kind does live for so very long in captivity."
//Robert?! But why? I don't understand...and how is he...doing whatever this is? Trowa...Where are you, Trowa? You wouldn't let anyone hurt me, so why aren't you here?// He couldn't speak, so he knew crying out would be impossible. //But he heard me before, if only I wasn't in this body, how can Robert *do* this? Trowa, where did you go? Did you leave me? Is...is this another dream?//
* * *
"Qua...Quatre...?" He stopped walking. Even if he'd wanted to keep moving, he simply couldn't. For a moment, he'd heard something, felt something and he froze as his entire body grew tense, waiting. //You fool. Why would he call you? You rejected him and he's found someone else. Just go, go now before you die from this.// His throat clenched painfully, but he swallowed and forced his legs to move, lifting and falling, two steps. Then he froze again.
//Please, Trowa. Please? Trowa, Trowa...wake me up, Trowa. Please, he's scaring me...Trowa?//
Choking, he turned suddenly, his damp eyes moving across the hall to the door he'd passed through as he blinked sharply. The boy was speaking to him, no doubt, but it made no sense. Quatre sounded frightened, hurt, yet he'd seen the boy, he'd seen it with his own eyes, the way those slender arms wrapped around Robert's waist, hands holding him close. Then he shivered as a fear that wasn't his own filled him and suddenly he was running, his feet barely touching the smooth floor. //I'm coming, Quatre.//
The room was the same as before, the door left open a few inches, just enough for him to see the two of them. But this time, he had no intention of turning away in agony, and Quatre's voice sounded in his mind as he shoved forward. The door made no sound as it gave beneath his heavy push, and he nearly flew across the soft carpet, his hands curling into fists. The man never so much as straightened, and Trowa caught him from behind, hitting him over the head with his balled fists. Then he grabbed Robert's shoulders and jerked the now limp man off of Quatre, not calming at all as the blonde boy lay still on the sofa, his eyes closed.
"Quatre!" His heart clenched tightly, and he flinched, hearing a slight movement from the man he'd thrown to the floor. While he fully intended to kill him, he felt a twinge of something, a coldness that screamed for him to run; to take Quatre and get him as far away as possible. Then the still boy twitched, just a bit and he bent, lifting the light form in his arms as he listened to his instinct. He held him close, taking the stairs at a full out run. It wasn't until he finally made it outside the castle that his burden finally moved, pale blue-green eyes slowly opening to gaze at him.
"Trowa," Quatre whispered, blinking slowly as he could move. Whatever had controlled him before seemed gone, and he held the tall boy tight, burying his face in Trowa's neck. "Thank you, Trowa. I don't know what happened." The arms around him tightened, but Trowa didn't slow and he blinked suddenly, turning to stare around him. "Trowa...why are you running? What's happening?"
"I don't know."
His eyes very wide, Quatre was about to say something when a scream sounded and he shuddered in reaction. It was low, guttural yet piercing somehow and he cringed, his body swamped with a harsh pain. Then he screamed, his own voice cracking and Trowa dropped him onto the sand.
He tried to hold on, he'd have given his life to be able to hold onto the boy, but Quatre had become blazing hot, a white fire circling his form. Trowa felt himself fighting an instinct to cringe, then he let out a sharp cry as the pale boy changed forms suddenly, his clothing shreds on the sand. The form was infinitely familiar, yet he found himself in shock as Quatre kneeled on the sand, his long neck curved downward. The unicorn was shuddering, but he lifted his head suddenly as that inhuman scream sounded again, pale eyes very wide. Turning to follow his gaze, Trowa's heart stopped. It was a bull, a huge red bull that blazed with a bloody light. And it was standing mere yards away. Then it moved.
Quatre trembled, his body still recovering from the forced transformation, but he knew what he had to do. The bull was pawing at the sand, its large nostrils letting out steam as the sun seemed to have disappeared. //Has time moved faster...? The sun...where did it go...//
//Move! Run, damnit! Run!//
He jerked, his ears flattening backwards as his eyes flew around. The scream had sounded in his mind and for a moment he thought it might have been Trowa. Then the bull was running forward and he listened to the command, shoving himself to his feet and dodging away from the tall boy. His dream was right there, in the back of his mind, but a backwards glance at Trowa showed the boy had no knife in his hand, nothing he could throw to turn the bull's attention to him. //It won't happen that way!//
His hooves seemed to fly over the sand, and he was reminded of how difficult it had been to jog the day before. But he couldn't think about it, he had to run. //What can I do? If he kills me...he'll kill Trowa next!//
//Run. Run till you reach the water, then turn.//
Again, he wanted to turn, to seek out whoever was there. This voice was different, calmer somehow, but he could hear pounding behind him, he couldn't hesitate. //I'll falter if I don't pay attention. I'll fall, and then...then Trowa turns him and he dies!// Even as he thought it, his front legs slid, hooves buried too deep for traction. //No! No!//
Trowa gasped, breathing fast, and he was grateful for his boots as they let him run faster. He'd started to run the moment Quatre had bolted from him, and his hand worked its way into his belt, reaching for the only weapon he had. His original flight had been so sudden he'd never thought to get his bag, and the knife, while tiny, it was all he had. But it was nothing, and he nearly fell when Quatre did, his heart stopping again. They were so far away, the unicorn so small where he lay crumpled on the sand and the red bull bearing down on him. Not slowing, he ran, his grip turning as he put his strength behind the throw.
//He did it...// Quatre moaned, wanting to bury his head in the sand as a bright blade glinted through the suddenly dark air. But he didn't, knowing in his heart that he'd play the dream out the way he'd seen it, even if it was for nothing. //Trowa...//
//Run *faster*. Cut him off and then you do it. Turn and lower your head, do it...Quatre.//
//Do I...know you...// It was as if his mental voice was as affected by his panting breaths as his real one would have been. But he didn't wait for an answer, he was running already, as fast as he could, yet he was supposed to go faster. //How?// The bull was closing the distance, Trowa not running away as the tall boy stood still, arms at his sides. Suddenly, his heart blazed in his chest, and he screamed a challenge, racing across the sand.
Trowa waited, his body seemingly frozen, and he knew he was watching a red death rush toward him. But he also knew he'd never be able to run away from it, no human could. //And it's going to kill Quatre. If the unicorns couldn't stand against him, what hope is there?// He never saw the white flash, and he was on his back before he even realized that Quatre had reached him, the unicorn's shoulder shoving him down. Terrified, he pushed himself up onto his elbows. "No! Quatre!" The unicorn's back was to him, the long white tail nearly touching his legs as Quatre seemed to crouch. He watched, frozen.
Lowering his head, Quatre stilled his shoulders, his breath pouring into him and he braced himself for the impact, closing his eyes as bright red eyes blazed at him. Then his head jerked, and he moaned at the tearing pain in his forehead, the hot liquid that dampened it pouring into his eyes and mingling with tears. //My horn...// He knew the bull would tear him apart, but suddenly he didn't care, and he moaned again, knowing Trowa was next. Then he sank down on his knees, his head pulled by something heavy and strong.
//You did well.//
Trowa shook his head, eyes very wide as he heard a voice in his mind that wasn't Quatre's. He knew it must be aimed at the unicorn, and he slowly got to his knees, crawling to the white form. His palm burned from the hot blood, and he ripped his shirt off, wiping the unicorn's eyes before shoving against the bull. It was impaled on that long, crystalline horn, and he pushed desperately, groaning when he couldn't budge it. Then red eyes blinked at him, blazing with hate and he gritted his teeth, expecting it to recover. And it disappeared, and he was thrown back across the sand. White pain shot through his closed eyes, the insides of his eyelids blazing with red sparks, and he barely registered a heavy something nearly lying on top of him.
Quatre didn't understand, but he too had been thrown back, and he almost collapsed on Trowa as he tried in vain to protect the boy. His head burned, his gaze blurry, but he could hear and see the waves that rose up high above the sand. It was as if the ocean was rushing toward them, and the white against the black of the sky was horrible to look upon. Then, just as he was about to duck his head, something glinted in that white wave and he gasped, blinking quickly and shaking his head. It wasn't water that flowed towards them in a rising and falling wave, but unicorns, so many they were as if a sea themselves. The ocean behind them was stirred by their running bodies, but Quatre gave a glad cry and stood steadier, trying to hide how badly his legs were shaking.
The weight was gone, and Trowa opened his eyes, blinking as his vision was filled with white glare, then slowly, the darkness of the sky was visible. His body hurt, but he sat up and his muscles clenched. Quatre was standing a few feet in front of him, and Trowa watched as too many unicorns to count ran past them, the multitude separating to make a path around them, parting like fluid water. They seemed to run by for hours, but mere minutes passed and finally, only two stood still on the beach. His heart dropped as Quatre took slow steps toward the pair and he slowly recognized that the two were about the same size as the one he loved. //Brothers? Friends? ...family...//
Quatre shook a bit as he stared at the two unicorns who stood so close to him, the thrill of them so very wonderful. Then the one on the right gave a sharp nod, pale horn glinting slightly.
//You did well.//
He blinked at the sheer coldness of the voice, and wondered what he'd done wrong. But the other unicorn was kinder, and it strode forward, rubbing cheeks with him quickly. //I...//
//Thank you, Quatre. You've made us all very proud of you. But we have to go now. Live a good life.//
Quatre stared as the unicorn took a long step back, and he shook his head. //But I'm going with you//, he said quickly, his eyes very wide. //Why are you saying good-bye to me?//
//You aren't a unicorn.//
Trowa's jaw tightened as that cold voice reached his mind, and he lunged to his feet. Regardless of any danger he might be putting himself in, he moved to Quatre's side. "How can you say that?" he demanded, his narrowed green eyes nearly sparking with his anger. "He *saved* you, freed you."
//He'd be worthless as a unicorn, he has no place with us.// The unicorn stared at him for a moment, then slowly walked around them, not glancing back.
//You wouldn't be happy, Quatre. You're in love with a human, we all felt it. If you went home, you'd be heartbroken. There is nothing worse than a heartbroken unicorn.//
The creature seemed to smile, and Quatre ducked his head as it brushed cheeks with him again. Then he turned, watching as it ran after the other one, nipping its shoulder lightly when it caught up. The two promptly began running and they soon disappeared. Quatre sighed slowly, shaking his head before turning to glance at Trowa. The tall boy was staring at him, those green eyes so very bright. //Trowa?//
"What they said...was it true? You love me?" Trowa stood, his back stiff as he waited. Then he looked away sharply, his heart leaping as Quatre transformed.
"Of course," Quatre whispered, shaking his head as the boy slowly turned to face him. It only took him three steps to reach Trowa, and he tentatively wrapped his arms around the boy's waist. He was confused by the boy's gaze, and he wondered how Trowa could possibly doubt his word. "Trowa?"
"You love me, and...you're going to stay with *me*? You wanted to find your kind so badly..." His voice trailed off, and he didn't want to remind the boy, eager to embrace the decision that had been made.
"I was lonely, Trowa. I didn't want to be alone anymore and with you...I wouldn't *be* alone, would I?" The tall boy shook his head, and Quatre's eyes suddenly sparkled. Without warning, he stretched upwards and placed soft kisses over the boy's surprised face, smiling the entire time. "Trowa! You want me to stay with you, right?"
"Yes," Trowa said quickly, his voice a bit strained as his throat closed. The boy's smile made him want to kiss him, and he found himself bending slightly without even thinking about it. "I love you, Quatre, I do." Then he was touching his lips to soft ones, and he sighed, feeling Quatre's smile. "I love you so much," he whispered, and he pulled the boy closer as he kissed him again, neither noticing the gentle water that lapped over their ankles, the salty breeze ruffling their hair. They were oblivious to everything but each other.
--Owari--
Warnings: shonen ai, minor angst, possible slight violence, sap, Last Part!
Pairings: 3+4
Title: The Last Unicorn
Author: Arigatomina
Email: arigatoumina@hotmail.com
Part 8
He was wary, and he stood in the doorway for minutes as he worried how the boy would greet him. Quatre was seated alone at the long table they'd eaten from the day before, and Trowa couldn't help but be surprised by the pale boy's slight smile. The fact that he hadn't so much as glanced up, however, didn't help his worry. Finally he just made himself step forward.
"Good morning, Trowa," Quatre smiled, nodding to the tall boy. "It looks like my search is over, doesn't it?" He sighed and dropped his eyes to the table, his hands curled around his mug. "Thank you for helping me, Trowa."
"What..." Trowa swallowed sharply, his mouth suddenly dry as he realized Quatre was saying good-bye to him. In the back of his mind he wondered if things would have been different if he'd given in to him the night before. "What are you going to do now?"
"Hm, I think I'm going to stay here." The tall boy's mouth fell open, and Quatre stood suddenly, turning so his back was to him. "I like it here, and Robert said I can stay for as long as I want."
"But you don't even *know* him," Trowa cried, standing as well. Although he hadn't expected the boy to stay with him, the thought of him living with a complete stranger made his hackles rise. "Quatre, there are so many places you could go. Why would you want to stay here with someone you know nothing about?"
"Oh, I know Robert." Turning slightly, Quatre stared at the tall boy, his pale eyes narrowed slightly in a way that Trowa had never seen before. "I know that he wants me to stay, and he likes me. You may not want me to touch you, Trowa," the tall boy's eyes widened and Quatre turned again, stepping to the door, "but he likes it when I touch him. And last night he showed me what it's like to be with someone who enjoys touching."
"The *hell* he did!" Trowa lunged forward, and he stopped short as Quatre slipped out the door, shutting it in his face. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe as simple fury coursed through him, the door wavering before his eyes. Then he slammed his palms into it, shoving it out of his way as he stalked into the hall. //I am going to tear him apart with my bare hands...//
* * *
His legs stretched too far, passing over a step, but he didn't notice and his gait didn't falter as he simply landed a bit harder. Nothing mattered anymore, and his sight was blurred by wetness, the walls seeming darker and he barely realized it when he was no longer descending the curved stairs. He didn't blink when his hand reached out in front of him of its own accord, pulling open the door. Even if he'd tried, he couldn't see the empty hall, the vision of what he'd seen emblazoned on his eyes.
A slow shuffle brought him across the wide floor, and he finally blinked, angry trails imprinted down his cheeks. It hurt too much and if he'd been able to think he would have wondered when he lost his heart to the boy. The boy who was currently up those stairs, in a room on the right side of a long hallway, in the arms of a man he'd just met; a boy who was currently engaged in a kiss such as Trowa had barely allowed himself to dream of. Thought had ended, and he left it to his legs to take him away as if distance would lessen the pain.
* * *
The pain woke him, sharp and sudden and he felt the ache on the back of his head before anything else. His instinct was to blink, to look around in confusion and he was startled when he couldn't seem to open his eyes. Then memory woke as well and he realized his arms were moving. He pulled them down, his fingers feeling silky cloth yet they wouldn't obey him, curving upward of their own accord. It wasn't until he felt something wet on his mouth that he truly realized his dream was real, and he cried out as loudly as he could, wanting to moan when his voice gave a soft sigh, a sound completely opposite of what he'd expected. Then something moved into his open mouth and he cringed inward, straining to pull away. //What is it? Why?//
His back was squeezed, what felt like fingers pressing hard against him, and he panicked suddenly. //It's just like my dream! I can't move, and Trowa...he's not here.// The wetness left him and his mind grew very alert as he listened carefully, heavy breathing reaching his ear. Then someone was speaking.
"You'd ask, wouldn't you, if you could. Why? That's what you'd ask." The man shook his head, running his fingers through the blonde's soft hair as his lips curved into a smile. "But you can't. Maybe I was wrong, to get rid of them all. I never dreamed of this, not once. And you, Quatre, you could live for so long, your kind does live for so very long in captivity."
//Robert?! But why? I don't understand...and how is he...doing whatever this is? Trowa...Where are you, Trowa? You wouldn't let anyone hurt me, so why aren't you here?// He couldn't speak, so he knew crying out would be impossible. //But he heard me before, if only I wasn't in this body, how can Robert *do* this? Trowa, where did you go? Did you leave me? Is...is this another dream?//
* * *
"Qua...Quatre...?" He stopped walking. Even if he'd wanted to keep moving, he simply couldn't. For a moment, he'd heard something, felt something and he froze as his entire body grew tense, waiting. //You fool. Why would he call you? You rejected him and he's found someone else. Just go, go now before you die from this.// His throat clenched painfully, but he swallowed and forced his legs to move, lifting and falling, two steps. Then he froze again.
//Please, Trowa. Please? Trowa, Trowa...wake me up, Trowa. Please, he's scaring me...Trowa?//
Choking, he turned suddenly, his damp eyes moving across the hall to the door he'd passed through as he blinked sharply. The boy was speaking to him, no doubt, but it made no sense. Quatre sounded frightened, hurt, yet he'd seen the boy, he'd seen it with his own eyes, the way those slender arms wrapped around Robert's waist, hands holding him close. Then he shivered as a fear that wasn't his own filled him and suddenly he was running, his feet barely touching the smooth floor. //I'm coming, Quatre.//
The room was the same as before, the door left open a few inches, just enough for him to see the two of them. But this time, he had no intention of turning away in agony, and Quatre's voice sounded in his mind as he shoved forward. The door made no sound as it gave beneath his heavy push, and he nearly flew across the soft carpet, his hands curling into fists. The man never so much as straightened, and Trowa caught him from behind, hitting him over the head with his balled fists. Then he grabbed Robert's shoulders and jerked the now limp man off of Quatre, not calming at all as the blonde boy lay still on the sofa, his eyes closed.
"Quatre!" His heart clenched tightly, and he flinched, hearing a slight movement from the man he'd thrown to the floor. While he fully intended to kill him, he felt a twinge of something, a coldness that screamed for him to run; to take Quatre and get him as far away as possible. Then the still boy twitched, just a bit and he bent, lifting the light form in his arms as he listened to his instinct. He held him close, taking the stairs at a full out run. It wasn't until he finally made it outside the castle that his burden finally moved, pale blue-green eyes slowly opening to gaze at him.
"Trowa," Quatre whispered, blinking slowly as he could move. Whatever had controlled him before seemed gone, and he held the tall boy tight, burying his face in Trowa's neck. "Thank you, Trowa. I don't know what happened." The arms around him tightened, but Trowa didn't slow and he blinked suddenly, turning to stare around him. "Trowa...why are you running? What's happening?"
"I don't know."
His eyes very wide, Quatre was about to say something when a scream sounded and he shuddered in reaction. It was low, guttural yet piercing somehow and he cringed, his body swamped with a harsh pain. Then he screamed, his own voice cracking and Trowa dropped him onto the sand.
He tried to hold on, he'd have given his life to be able to hold onto the boy, but Quatre had become blazing hot, a white fire circling his form. Trowa felt himself fighting an instinct to cringe, then he let out a sharp cry as the pale boy changed forms suddenly, his clothing shreds on the sand. The form was infinitely familiar, yet he found himself in shock as Quatre kneeled on the sand, his long neck curved downward. The unicorn was shuddering, but he lifted his head suddenly as that inhuman scream sounded again, pale eyes very wide. Turning to follow his gaze, Trowa's heart stopped. It was a bull, a huge red bull that blazed with a bloody light. And it was standing mere yards away. Then it moved.
Quatre trembled, his body still recovering from the forced transformation, but he knew what he had to do. The bull was pawing at the sand, its large nostrils letting out steam as the sun seemed to have disappeared. //Has time moved faster...? The sun...where did it go...//
//Move! Run, damnit! Run!//
He jerked, his ears flattening backwards as his eyes flew around. The scream had sounded in his mind and for a moment he thought it might have been Trowa. Then the bull was running forward and he listened to the command, shoving himself to his feet and dodging away from the tall boy. His dream was right there, in the back of his mind, but a backwards glance at Trowa showed the boy had no knife in his hand, nothing he could throw to turn the bull's attention to him. //It won't happen that way!//
His hooves seemed to fly over the sand, and he was reminded of how difficult it had been to jog the day before. But he couldn't think about it, he had to run. //What can I do? If he kills me...he'll kill Trowa next!//
//Run. Run till you reach the water, then turn.//
Again, he wanted to turn, to seek out whoever was there. This voice was different, calmer somehow, but he could hear pounding behind him, he couldn't hesitate. //I'll falter if I don't pay attention. I'll fall, and then...then Trowa turns him and he dies!// Even as he thought it, his front legs slid, hooves buried too deep for traction. //No! No!//
Trowa gasped, breathing fast, and he was grateful for his boots as they let him run faster. He'd started to run the moment Quatre had bolted from him, and his hand worked its way into his belt, reaching for the only weapon he had. His original flight had been so sudden he'd never thought to get his bag, and the knife, while tiny, it was all he had. But it was nothing, and he nearly fell when Quatre did, his heart stopping again. They were so far away, the unicorn so small where he lay crumpled on the sand and the red bull bearing down on him. Not slowing, he ran, his grip turning as he put his strength behind the throw.
//He did it...// Quatre moaned, wanting to bury his head in the sand as a bright blade glinted through the suddenly dark air. But he didn't, knowing in his heart that he'd play the dream out the way he'd seen it, even if it was for nothing. //Trowa...//
//Run *faster*. Cut him off and then you do it. Turn and lower your head, do it...Quatre.//
//Do I...know you...// It was as if his mental voice was as affected by his panting breaths as his real one would have been. But he didn't wait for an answer, he was running already, as fast as he could, yet he was supposed to go faster. //How?// The bull was closing the distance, Trowa not running away as the tall boy stood still, arms at his sides. Suddenly, his heart blazed in his chest, and he screamed a challenge, racing across the sand.
Trowa waited, his body seemingly frozen, and he knew he was watching a red death rush toward him. But he also knew he'd never be able to run away from it, no human could. //And it's going to kill Quatre. If the unicorns couldn't stand against him, what hope is there?// He never saw the white flash, and he was on his back before he even realized that Quatre had reached him, the unicorn's shoulder shoving him down. Terrified, he pushed himself up onto his elbows. "No! Quatre!" The unicorn's back was to him, the long white tail nearly touching his legs as Quatre seemed to crouch. He watched, frozen.
Lowering his head, Quatre stilled his shoulders, his breath pouring into him and he braced himself for the impact, closing his eyes as bright red eyes blazed at him. Then his head jerked, and he moaned at the tearing pain in his forehead, the hot liquid that dampened it pouring into his eyes and mingling with tears. //My horn...// He knew the bull would tear him apart, but suddenly he didn't care, and he moaned again, knowing Trowa was next. Then he sank down on his knees, his head pulled by something heavy and strong.
//You did well.//
Trowa shook his head, eyes very wide as he heard a voice in his mind that wasn't Quatre's. He knew it must be aimed at the unicorn, and he slowly got to his knees, crawling to the white form. His palm burned from the hot blood, and he ripped his shirt off, wiping the unicorn's eyes before shoving against the bull. It was impaled on that long, crystalline horn, and he pushed desperately, groaning when he couldn't budge it. Then red eyes blinked at him, blazing with hate and he gritted his teeth, expecting it to recover. And it disappeared, and he was thrown back across the sand. White pain shot through his closed eyes, the insides of his eyelids blazing with red sparks, and he barely registered a heavy something nearly lying on top of him.
Quatre didn't understand, but he too had been thrown back, and he almost collapsed on Trowa as he tried in vain to protect the boy. His head burned, his gaze blurry, but he could hear and see the waves that rose up high above the sand. It was as if the ocean was rushing toward them, and the white against the black of the sky was horrible to look upon. Then, just as he was about to duck his head, something glinted in that white wave and he gasped, blinking quickly and shaking his head. It wasn't water that flowed towards them in a rising and falling wave, but unicorns, so many they were as if a sea themselves. The ocean behind them was stirred by their running bodies, but Quatre gave a glad cry and stood steadier, trying to hide how badly his legs were shaking.
The weight was gone, and Trowa opened his eyes, blinking as his vision was filled with white glare, then slowly, the darkness of the sky was visible. His body hurt, but he sat up and his muscles clenched. Quatre was standing a few feet in front of him, and Trowa watched as too many unicorns to count ran past them, the multitude separating to make a path around them, parting like fluid water. They seemed to run by for hours, but mere minutes passed and finally, only two stood still on the beach. His heart dropped as Quatre took slow steps toward the pair and he slowly recognized that the two were about the same size as the one he loved. //Brothers? Friends? ...family...//
Quatre shook a bit as he stared at the two unicorns who stood so close to him, the thrill of them so very wonderful. Then the one on the right gave a sharp nod, pale horn glinting slightly.
//You did well.//
He blinked at the sheer coldness of the voice, and wondered what he'd done wrong. But the other unicorn was kinder, and it strode forward, rubbing cheeks with him quickly. //I...//
//Thank you, Quatre. You've made us all very proud of you. But we have to go now. Live a good life.//
Quatre stared as the unicorn took a long step back, and he shook his head. //But I'm going with you//, he said quickly, his eyes very wide. //Why are you saying good-bye to me?//
//You aren't a unicorn.//
Trowa's jaw tightened as that cold voice reached his mind, and he lunged to his feet. Regardless of any danger he might be putting himself in, he moved to Quatre's side. "How can you say that?" he demanded, his narrowed green eyes nearly sparking with his anger. "He *saved* you, freed you."
//He'd be worthless as a unicorn, he has no place with us.// The unicorn stared at him for a moment, then slowly walked around them, not glancing back.
//You wouldn't be happy, Quatre. You're in love with a human, we all felt it. If you went home, you'd be heartbroken. There is nothing worse than a heartbroken unicorn.//
The creature seemed to smile, and Quatre ducked his head as it brushed cheeks with him again. Then he turned, watching as it ran after the other one, nipping its shoulder lightly when it caught up. The two promptly began running and they soon disappeared. Quatre sighed slowly, shaking his head before turning to glance at Trowa. The tall boy was staring at him, those green eyes so very bright. //Trowa?//
"What they said...was it true? You love me?" Trowa stood, his back stiff as he waited. Then he looked away sharply, his heart leaping as Quatre transformed.
"Of course," Quatre whispered, shaking his head as the boy slowly turned to face him. It only took him three steps to reach Trowa, and he tentatively wrapped his arms around the boy's waist. He was confused by the boy's gaze, and he wondered how Trowa could possibly doubt his word. "Trowa?"
"You love me, and...you're going to stay with *me*? You wanted to find your kind so badly..." His voice trailed off, and he didn't want to remind the boy, eager to embrace the decision that had been made.
"I was lonely, Trowa. I didn't want to be alone anymore and with you...I wouldn't *be* alone, would I?" The tall boy shook his head, and Quatre's eyes suddenly sparkled. Without warning, he stretched upwards and placed soft kisses over the boy's surprised face, smiling the entire time. "Trowa! You want me to stay with you, right?"
"Yes," Trowa said quickly, his voice a bit strained as his throat closed. The boy's smile made him want to kiss him, and he found himself bending slightly without even thinking about it. "I love you, Quatre, I do." Then he was touching his lips to soft ones, and he sighed, feeling Quatre's smile. "I love you so much," he whispered, and he pulled the boy closer as he kissed him again, neither noticing the gentle water that lapped over their ankles, the salty breeze ruffling their hair. They were oblivious to everything but each other.
--Owari--