Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Sea in I ❯ VI ( Chapter 6 )

Italics ~ thoughts
Warnings: Duo torture, yaoi = MXM goodiness, hinting of Mpr
Pairings: 1x2 eventually, minor 3x4

AN: Long chapter … did some editing, bemoans the time when I used to have a beta… Oh how I miss thee!! *snickers* I do. .. Anyways you guys, ^_^ enjoy and thanks for reading.

Feedback - appreciated.

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I don't own any of the sexies in Gundam Wing AC, I just love to help them live a little.
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VI

 

A long, low trilling chirp echoed and died quickly in the night. It was sorrow filled and beautiful. She shifted through her layered robe and brought one gloved hand up to rub along the ridge of Nue's ear. They stood side by side where the air at the entrance changed from warm to frosty. There seemed to be no in between, at least when the day slipped into night you have time to brace for the cold that came with it. But she already knew that. There didn't have to be an intermediary.

 

She eyed their surroundings and looked out across the dune sprinkled sea of sand, the wind kicking up a swirl of it to sparkle when it caught the moonlight just right. She followed Nue's line of sight when the great lizard's head snapped to the right and she could barely see the mouse running along a dune then disappearing into a small hole mere moments before something slithered past. Hiding, she sighed quietly at the thought, much like we're doing. She wished she could have stayed longer, stayed ignorant of the truth. Or something more gradual, so she could have taken a few people she, now, greatly missed with them and not have the whole of Maheran on their tails. It made her wonder how many of their people made it to the mountains, ill equipped as they were, in their desperate flight away from the place they never thought they'd have to leave.

 

Lost in thought, she didn't see much of anything else but she knew there were other things about. She felt the vibrations of Nue's next low trill beneath her hand through his warm skin. It was a risk, letting the animals more dangerous than the snake hearing them, but the moon was high and Nue left with them, leaving his mate. Gua, as a species, were inseparable, bonded in a way she had hoped to be one day - life mates. Nue carried them with the knowledge that he may never return to his mate, Newt. She petted Nue, wishing they could have taken his mate. Two Guas would've gotten them farther a lot faster but two missing would've been noticed sooner than one. The Gua had motioned for them to go and she could only guess what they talked to Millardo about, which wasn't much. And Millardo wasn't trying to tell her anything more than what she already knew - that the Gua would hide the fact that Nue was gone by hiding his mate. It irked her that there was something more and the only person that could tell her was Nue since she knew her brother wouldn't.

 

Relena looked back at her brother, huddled in on him self and shaking, even with his heavy robes and the blanket. He had them moving at a grueling pace. They took turns sleeping and riding on Nue and they covered a greater distance than she had thought was possible. If they had brought the other Gua, they'd be days away from the mountains instead of two weeks. Her brother knew the desert and had found them this rocky enclave, a cave beneath a towering dune.

 

Relena stepped back from the entrance when dust billowed in the air above her head. Nue stretched his neck out so his head was directly under the next windy gust that brought a shower of sand with it. Nue's tail thumped the floor as he enjoyed the sand shower, dust pluming around his head and rolling off him to scatter and dust the cave floor with more sand. She retook her position by Nue once the wind died down, and brushed the red-brown remnants off of Nue's head. She hugged the faithful Gua then let him go with a pat before he could lick her face. They had come far. She had her suspicions about how they managed it and the three days they had spent here confirmed it for her - Millardo had been using his abilities until he became too weak to move. Her hand dropped to her side as Nue left her standing at the mouth of the enclave. Relena watched him nuzzle into the loose hair at the top of Millardo's head, which was close to the fire.

 

She sniffed the air, her eyes stretched at the smell; he was too close to the fire.

 

Nue licked Millardo across the forehead then and moved aside, seemingly content in watching Millardo's hair melt, bubble and pop. He settled down behind Millardo as he watched Relena through narrowed eyes. Nue pressed his body around Millardo's huddled form, so close that it looked as though he was cradling Millardo. Relena skidded on the sand-dusted floor and dropped to her knees, wincing when she felt the bite of the stone floor through her robes. She pulled Millardo's hair away the fire, started sweeping sand from the floor until it was covered in it and anxiously, she patted it, her lips puckered in a frowning pout and her eyes stinging from the smell. She sent a glare Nue's way when she heard the Gua make a half nasally trill that could've been derisive or as close to a human sounding laugh she's ever heard them make. She had a feeling it was both.

 

It made her think and sadly enough she realized she been neglecting her brother. He'd made sure she slept, ate, and well covered. She hadn't noticed anything different. He was always strong like she remembered except for what had happen in the garden with Treize. Relena's brow furrowed in thought, she hadn't seen how careless he was being with himself but she could sense it. She looked at the now dirty, frayed end of Millardo's hair and was thankful that she… she glanced at Nue whose eyes were watched her knowingly and it made her wonder if he could read her thoughts. A small, contrite smile curved her lips and she was thankful that Nue had noticed and in turn, got her to notice in time before Millardo had no hair at all.

 

Relena shook her wrist to dislodge a dagger from her sleeve. She took a deep breath, glanced nervously at her brother who hadn't moved the entire time she was trying to save his hair. His hair was nearly as long as hers and she wondered how much of it had been his choice that it had grown so long. She picked up the damaged handful and severed the burnt end quickly with a wince. She tossed it into the furthest corner of the fire away from them. She made a face when she heard it popping in the fire and rushed over to shift the stones over it.

 

Relena sighed, her hand slipping into her sleeve and replacing the dagger in its holster. She looked to Nue beneath lowered lashes, a light flush staining her cheeks, “Thanks Nue. I agree, I can't be letting myself get so distracted. We're in this together.” She nodded her head and Nue blinked, yawning hugely and closing his eyes like he didn't know what she was talking about.

 

Relena sat on the sandy floor and scooted back until she could lay her head on top of Nue's snout.

 

Nue snorted his briny, moist breath in her face and nudged her with one scaly knuckle.

 

“No.” She grumbled, faking a tired voice.

 

Nue nudge her again, took a deep breath and blew it into Relena's face.

 

“Mm, Nue, you don't have to do anything extra. I'm warm enough, thank you.” Relena said with a smile against her arm and snuggled up closer to his snout.

 

Nue snorted, without as much air this time as if saying `yea right.' Nue shook his head, not giving up.

 

Relena propped her chin on her crossed arms. She smirked and gazed into Nue's intelligent gold and brown flicked eyes, “Tell me what you and all the Gua know about my brother and aren't telling me?” She arched a brow and pouted more towards herself than to make any impression on Nue. Perhaps she was a little possessive of her brother.

 

“Ok a lot.” She whispered to herself, glancing at him then back at Nue. I just got you back, and she was determined to never lose him again.

 

She stared long and hard at Nue. Nue stared back unblinkingly. Her eyes started to itch but she stared on even though large, but wise lizard eyes said nothing to her. She blinked, her eyes watering as she exhaled heavily in frustration and then sat up.

 

She couldn't talk to animals.

 

Having a staring contest with Nue wasn't getting her anywhere and she knew no more about Millardo's condition then she had before. But she was aware of things now. She looked into the fire, something she often did. Relena reached over and turned one spitted rabbit.

 

“I could just touch him,” she suggested to Nue with none of the pettiness while looking down at her open fingered gloved hand. She glanced at Nue who looked back at her calmly, his eyes attentive but showing little interest in what she did, or said at the moment. Nue trusted her enough to not do something so invasive like that to her brother. But can I trust myself? She looked at her brother, really looked at him since they fled Maheran, his cheeks were gaunt, his skin looked clammy, and it didn't seem like he could get warm enough. She knew only faint lines of the shackle scars on his wrists remained but he wouldn't let her touch his bare skin.

 

It stung that someone… that her brother didn't want to be healed by her or touched by her. She wanted to know what had happen to him to make him not want to be touched. She wanted to know what he was hiding, but she could tell it pained him to talk about it. So she'd wait until he was ready, since her ability couldn't heal the nonphysical. She was starting to accept that even though she still wanted to try.

 

Relena sighed, stretched and fell to the side and back onto Nue's nose. Nue chirped in annoyance and swatted her with his hand mindful to keep his claws retracted. Relena laughed, then quieted remembering her sleeping brother. She smiled shamefacedly at her brother who looked up at her with an odd smile.

 

Millardo sat up, lying back against Nue. He let his head rest on Nue's back and closed his eyes.

 

Relena watched the lines that creased his face while he slept fretfully fade as he allowed himself to be lost in memory. Her smile fell and she picked up the knife she'd used on the rabbits to poke at the debris in the fire and not stare at her brother. She pressed her lips together firmly, I will not pry. I will not pry. She repeated to herself, stabbing at the charred remnants at the bottom of the fire pit.

 

Millardo's head lolled toward her and he gave her a small, tired smirk. “I - I hadn't realized how much I missed hearing you laugh.” He said after a while.

 

“If I could, I'd-”

 

“No.” Relena turned to him, stunned at the finality and strength in the quiet refusal. He stared at her, their eyes locked. “Don't you ever say that again! Even if it was possible, I'd never want y-you…” Millardo bit his lip and Relena sorely wished she'd kept her mouth shut.

 

Millardo blinked several times and smiled again at her. “I'd go through it…” his smile wavered but never left his face, “through it all again to see you as well as you are. To see you smile little sister. I-”

 

Relena swiped away the warm trails flowing down her face and watched, curiously, her brother's nose wrinkle up. It was cute actually. The next moment she saw the color drain from his face.

 

“What's that smell?” he asked, smile becoming more of a frown.

 

Relena blushed and pointed to the uneven lock of hair she'd cut. He looked at the hair resting over his shoulder, both brows cocked.

 

“Umm, you got too close to the fire.” She regretfully muttered.

 

Millardo gave her a wobbly smile at that, “Oh well, it needs to be cut. And that?” He pointed to the three dark, skewered shapes roasting over the flames.

 

“Rabbit. Nue and I are great hunters.” Millardo tried smiling at her boast but it came out looking queasy. She didn't notice, making quick work of one rabbit by cutting it into strips and laying them on several hand-sized stones close to the fire. “We might as well ration our supplies. We don't know how long this journey will take. Salted jerky can be made into lots of things.”

 

Millardo looked at her with pride in his eyes, “I hadn't meant to sleep that long. I wish you'd woken me.” He ran his hand through his hair and smiled at her, this time the smile was stronger, “And who did you learn this from?”

 

“Heero. Did you know his clan was originally nomadic?” she queried excitedly, “that they were involved in the first civil dispute between our people-” she glanced at her brother, he was looking out toward the entrance his expression grim. Relena sighed and worked on another rabbit. She picked up a piece of meat from the heated stones using the tip of the blade and offered it to Millardo.

 

Millardo pushed it away quickly, one hand flying to his mouth as he swallowed against his hand. He shook his head, “No you go ahead.”

 

“But you haven't eaten at all today!” She walked on her knees over to him and he turned his back to her when he saw the roasted brown morsel dripping between her fingertips.

 

“Relena, I-I… I'm fine. I eat.”

 

Relena shook her head then stopped, knowing the affect was lost since he wasn't looking her way. “No, you don't. I can tell and you're not even trying now.”

 

“Relena-” he tried to turn to her and will away the queasiness but the smell was too strong to him and just seeing it that close had him heaving, his shoulders jerking.

 

“Ok, maybe you do since you haven't passed out or anything but barely enough for all we burn off out here.” She sighed heavily, sitting on her knees behind him and putting her forehead to his robed back and escaping hair. “It's been little over a week… no almost two weeks and you eat like a bird. I'm so worried about you. Please eat-”

 

Nue knocked her aside and Millardo scrambled to his feet, body heaving as he stumbled out of their shelter.

 

“Millie!” She ran to the mouth of the cave and saw Millardo running, slipping and sliding down the dune and then around another one before she heard the sounds of him retching.

 

He's sick. Her mouth dropped open as the thought repeated itself. Relena flinched at Nue's narrowed eye regard of her then laid his head down with a roll of his eyes. He's sick and it's bad. That's why he didn't want me to heal him. That's why he's pushing us extra hard to get there… he doesn't think… he doesn't th-think he'll make - I'm so stupid! She ran, her boots coasting over the sand dusted floor and nearly crashed into a wall as she scooped up a water gourd.

 

“Millie!” She ran down the hill, shaky and a little queasy herself as she tried not to think about it. He'll get better. He'll get better. She thought repeatedly, so frantic was she that she couldn't catch herself when she tripped on her robes and fell on her chin, sliding the rest of the way down. The sudden pain blotted out her fears. She groaned, her mind quiet, her jaw aching as she growled and slammed the bottom of the gourd onto the cold sand. This cannot be happening! She grabbed at her robes, slipped and sloshed through the sand until she was at his side.

 

“Millie,” she called to him again, her chin quivering though her voice was strong. She wouldn't allow it, I can heal him and together we'll start our families in the mountains where we'd be safe. Our families can grow and be strong again. N-no one would have to die. She swallowed, shaking her head as if it would stop the images and words she was thinking. I won't have to be alone.

 

Millardo heard his childhood name, the name the little ones had called him sometimes because Relena had called him that often. He slouched backward, sitting heavily on his knees with the back of his hand pressed against his mouth before he pressed it to the hard but still small curve to his stomach beneath his robes. His other hand shook against the sand. He coughed and frowned at the sand beneath his hand. It was getting harder for him to focus and shift the sand. Too much, he thought. He was so tired all the time because he used his ability so much in this sea, but it was worth it if it shortened the time it would take for them to get to the mountains. He had to get them there, And maybe they can save it. Relena was still young and he didn't want to leave her with such a responsibility on top of … him not making it. He knew there was something wrong and how fast it was growing scared him.

 

I won't … He dismissed the thought and tried focusing again on the sand. The sand was varied, powdery and fluid like water - not as cohesive or as solid as earth. His brow furrowed, sweat trickled down his nose and the sand shifted until it swallowed down the water and fruit he'd tried to hold in his stomach deep into itself. He swayed but slid his hand behind him, panting and mindless of the sands' cold stinging bite or the shivers that slowly took over his limbs, to keep himself upright.

 

Relena crumpled to her knees and slid toward him, the gourd falling from her hands to settle against the side of his leg.

 

“Mil-” She stopped, biting her lip.

 

Millardo closed his eyes in response to her half-formed question. Relena shuffled over on her knees until she pressed up against his side, the both of them holding each other up as their breath made clouds in the clear night sky.

 

“I'm sorry.” Relena's apology drifted up to his ears, this time she stopped him from speaking with a kiss to his clammy cheek.

 

He looked into her shimmering eyes in the moonlight and stayed quiet, his sister was as beautiful as the eunuchs and all the kingdoms' whispered rumors said she was. He would protect her for as long as he could hold out, Until the mountains.

 

“I will look after you just as you have me. I will pay attention! I promise!” She grabbed his bare hand quickly and held it in both of hers.

 

Wide-eyed, Millardo tried to pull away, but she held his hand firmly in hers and shook her head. “I won't. Unless you ask me, I won't. You shouldn't keep using your ability here. We are far enough away. There are no wind wielders among them. We'll make it there at a slower pace and we'll do it together.”

 

Millardo nodded feeling, oddly, more sure of everything. He hadn't realized how alone in all of this he'd felt until now or how it felt that Relena was just along for the ride. He looked at their joined hands in his lap and how close they were to his stomach. Moving one's element was like breathing. It was always there, took little effort to employ and never hurt its wielder. Even though sand was another form of terrain and a second nature to him, it worked best with wind wielders. He'd trained to learn how to move it but he'd never used it this much before.

 

Millardo resisted the urge to rub the swell and squeezed Relena's hand instead. He was worried how it would be affected and at the same time he didn't want to know. He didn't want to bare it. If he hadn't been suppressed, he wouldn't have had too.

 

Relena caught his forlorn expression as he stared down at their hands. She ran her thumb over the three squiggly lines the size of her thumb on fleshy part of Millardo's hand between his thumb and index finger. It was the same birthmark that she had over her left breast, but the color was off. It wasn't the usual light tan-blue, the ring around it was, but the mark itself was a shade of brown. She rubbed it once more before hugging him. He wrapped her up in his arms and hugged her back, pulling her hood over her head when the wind blew hard at them. She smiled up at him, rising and doing the same with his hood before she helped him to his feet. They held onto each other as the wind picked up and the sand shifted beneath their feet.

 

The wind blew a cloud of sand off the dune toward the siblings' back. It swished and twirled toward them to stop fingers away from Millardo's hooded head. It twisted its way back to the dune in reverse and rejoined the rest of the sand there. A gloved hand slid along the side of the dune and its fingers shifting then running through the sand and causing more of it to slide down the dune's side. The siblings slipped, feet sinking into the sand as the fingers pressed deeper into the mound with their every step. A hooded head joined the gloved hand, resting against the hand then the side of the dune. The sand that slipped between gloved fingers slowed at the same time Millardo and Relena found it easier to lift their feet. The hooded figure swirled a finger in the sand, the displaced sand shifted but remained, frozen in place.

 

The siblings made it back to the enclave unaware of him or the lack of loose sand on their trek up the dunes' usually slippery slope.

 

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