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- Chimera of Life -
Story Two: Probe the Psyche
~*~
The glass behind her shattered to a million pieces and before she could stand up, someone tackled her from behind. Indescribable pain erupted through her as her head was knocked against the stage floor while her breath was snuffed from her body… Then, along with the soft ringing sounds that came out of nowhere, she heard a familiar voice shout a string of commands…
…
The hands deep in his
pockets shook. He saw Relena’s head hit the stage floor… Saw her wince because
of that sloppy tackle….
“You were late….” The words
escaped from tightly clenched jaw. He was furious and anybody who could see him
right now would be able to tell even without glancing at the burning look of
death in his eyes. “Wufei… You were late.” The words left his mouth once again
while the crowd around him pushed and shoved to get to where the shooting
happened.
One more second and Relena…
could have died in front of his eyes-
“Hey Heero! Wazzup with
everyone?! What happened? People around here look stressed out.”
The voice reached his side
but he didn’t acknowledge the owner as his eyes glared at the fuzzed screen.
One of Wufei’s orders was to cut the press connection and unconsciously, he
couldn’t help but think that if anything had happened today… to her… Relena… he
would never get the answers he’s been looking for…
“Yo, Heero? Yah okay, man?”
A double scoop vanilla ice
cream with dripping chocolate syrup atop a waffle cone bobbed up and down his
vision.
“I’ve got ice cream.” The
singsong voice announced while he turned the ice cream’s bobbing motion to a
swaying one.
“You eat it. I’m going
somewhere.” Heero turned away, a million things in mind.
“But-”
“He was late.”
Those dangerously said words
reached Duo’s ears and sent a shiver up his spine. “Whatcha talking ‘bout?” Duo
shouted at Heero as he walked into the crowd. In a few more moments, he
disappeared, and, as always, no answer came from his tight-lipped friend. Duo
rolled his eyes in frustration, walked to the stand with the television, and
sat on one of the stools while he held on to the two ice creams. “Now what’s
gotten into him?”
“Duo!”
Duo quickly turned in his
chair to face the direction of the voice, and then a loving smile parted his
lips as his vision was encompassed by loveliness.
“Hey sweetheart.” He opened
his arms as the woman stopped in front of him and then promptly embraced him
like there’s no tomorrow. He nuzzled her neck then kissed her cheek.
“Where’s Heero?” She sat on
his lap and leaned her body against his frame while he placed his chin at the
crook of her shoulder.
“Off to murder someone, I
think.”
Hilde chuckled. “Not you, I
hope. I don’t want to spend that honeymoon by myself.”
Duo grinned. “Nah. I don’t
think so. He had plenty of time to punch and shoot me while I was
showing him the ice cream.”
She glanced at the ice creams. “They’re melting.” She followed a drop that slowly made its way to Duo’s finger.
“You know that one of them
is for you.” Duo brought the vanilla ice cream near her mouth while he brought
the chocolate one to his lips.
Hilde smiled mischievously.
“Why thanks.” She leaned forward.
Duo felt her velvety tongue
lick his hand slowly and then reach the cone. He gulped. God but he loves her!
“Aw heck with the ice cream.”
He dropped the two cones on the table, turned the woman on his lap around and
feasted on her lips instead. Thankfully, everyone on the street was clustered
outside Kwairy Hall where Relena had been giving her farewell speech.
Hilde placed her hands on
his chest, intent on pushing him away, but she clutched his shirtfront instead
and brought him closer. “We have to stop. Remember, honeymoon.”
Duo’s teeth grazed her lower
lip. “Count of three… One” He kissed her full on the lips then moved a
millimeter away. “Two.” Their lips met. His tongue played with hers and when
they parted to take a breath. Against his will, he said the last number.
“Three.”
Their foreheads touched and
their breaths mingled.
“Are you okay?” Hilde asked
in a whisper while her hands slid around his neck.
“Not exactly…. But I’ll
live.” Duo smiled as he kissed her chastely on the cheek. “Few more weeks then
we could leave.”
A happy laugh escaped
Hilde’s lips. “Yes… I can’t wait.”
His embraced tightened.
“Neither can I.”
“So, are you planning to
tell anyone about the plan?”
Duo shrugged. “Nah… Maybe…
but I don’t think so. I’ll invite all of them to our other wedding though.”
A content sigh escaped her
lips as she snuggled in deeper. “Why not…? I do love to hear you say yes.”
Duo laughed. “You forget,
I’ll hear you say that word again, too.” They stayed in each other’s arms while
chaos ruled the people around them- the radios, newspapers, press and…
someone’s mind.
“This is funny… we’re going
on our honeymoon before our wedding.” He placed a kiss on her midnight blue
hair as she whispered in his ear.
“Hey! We’ve got an overdue
honeymoon. Then…” He grinned mischievously as he nuzzled her neck. “We could do
it again.”
“I wouldn’t mind at all…”
Hilde quickly stood up and pulled Duo along. They have to start moving around
if they don’t want to do it in daylight. “Let’s go check out those brochures.”
“Okidoki.” With a hand
around one another, they started walking. They passed the crowd of people who
demanded for information but the couple was separated in their own beautiful
world…
…
‘He’s going to be here…. I
could feel it…’ A stream of expletives left his lips before he faced his
subordinates. “Well?! What are you all doing just standing around here?! Go and
get more information on the attempt!”
The three gave their leave
and left just as the adjoining room’s door opened.
“Wufei, calm down… I’m fine.
No one was hurt… Please calm down.” She
had been waiting until the others left so she could at least talk Wufei’s anger
down and not let anyone else get hurt.
Wufei pushed himself away
from the table then stood up, his back to the woman who had just walked into
the doorway. “You don’t understand anything.” The assassin didn’t leave a
single mark of existence! That was what bothered him!
“I do not? Wufei, we’ve been
together for nearly nine years. How could I not understand you? You like green,
you love spicy foods, you are responsible, caring and sweet- once people get
past what you initially say, that is...”
He knew that she was just
trying to make him feel better, but he was too worried for her sake, and angry
with himself to care. “You don’t understand!”
He turned around to face her and instantly grimaced at the bruise that
was starting to appear on her ivory cheek. “It was my duty to protect you! My
duty! It was my honor on the line! If you…” His voice faltered at the
unacceptable thought. “If something happened to you today, I would have been
disgraced!” There was more… but he couldn’t… he doesn’t want to think of it. He
was not used to thinking about it. Better to say what he had thought was
priority.
Relena met his gaze
steadily. “Wufei, you have done your best to protect me. You have stopped
numerous assassination attempts on my life before they even happened. If I was
destined to die… I will die.” She walked to him then placed a hand on his
shoulder. “Wufei… death is my only freedom.” Her fingertips grew cold with
trepidation at what she had just said, but she had come to that reason a long
time ago.
Wufei frowned at her but she
only smiled unhappily then walked back to the adjoining room and closed the
door behind her.
She treaded to the only
window in the room while her words echoed in her mind. If she had wanted
freedom… why did she ended up doing what the note had asked and, thereby, escaped
the only way to obtain what she had been longing for?
From the other side of the
door, Wufei turned away, confused… What had she meant? He knew that lately, she
had been unhappy… but now that she’s free… Isn’t this what she had been
wanting? Couldn’t this new freedom extricate her from her unhappiness?
Before he could find an
answer, a knock came from his main office door and he scowled as he opened-
Knuckles rammed against
cheekbones. Wufei’s ears roared with a ringing sound. He stepped back with eyes
closed as he let the wave of pain pass by and hold back a curse. His left eye
would be black and blue tomorrow. Damn! He didn’t even see that one coming!
There was only one person who’s got the nerve to do that. “I knew you’d come.
Was that for the assassination attempt?”
“No. That was for the sloppy tackle.”
Wufei opened his eyes and
one of them squinted in pain, while the other glared into the open hole of a
SAR model 3.
“This is for the
assassination attempt.”
Wufei unflinchingly met the
gun’s opening. “Careful. She’s just in the other room.” He calmly jerked his
head to the other door.
Heero followed, gun still in
place… She’s just in the other side. The real image… Not a photograph on a
newspaper, not in the screen, but the real one… and there’s always that
something different… when in person. He had avoided her for so long… Now, there
she was, only a few steps away…
“What did you mean, you knew
I’d come.” He levered the gun away then clicked on the safety. He felt better
after the punch and after pointing his gun at Wufei… more in control, but right
now… She dictated his actions again- Damn! Why does she always affect
him like this?!
Wufei turned to face the
other room. “You think I never see you when I raid attempters?”
Heero didn’t answer. He couldn’t
make up his mind whether he was happy that she does not know that he was there,
or not… “I know that you don’t.”
Wufei shrugged. “You didn’t
say that you weren’t there, either.”
“You’re putting words in my
mouth.”
“I’m just saying what you’re
not voicing out.”
“Wufei, you’ve grown soft.”
Wufei’s eyebrows shot up
then gave an incredulous snort. “I haven’t, but you have… and you don’t even
know it.”
“An observation from someone
who was blind with today’s assassination attempt…” Heero gave Wufei an irritatingly
superior smirk. “I will definitely keep that in mind.”
Wufei let that one go,
though his hands tightly gripped each other behind him. He turned to stare at
Relena’s door instead. “One thing about that assassin… he’s got stealth and
could hide himself very well. He left no marks, Heero.” Memories of the attempt
assailed him and all other thoughts left his mind as he focused on that event.
An assassination attempt on her last day of office… Someone out there had been
planning for this day. They want her dead.
Heero shook his head.
“Wufei, keep your options open. It could have been a woman.”
An incredulous ‘Hah!’ left
him but before he speak his mind, his office door opened wide-
…
“How is your training coming
along?” She needn’t ask. Her daughter’s supervisor’s reports had cried out
their praises.
“Wonderfully well, mother.”
She opened the door for the stately figure and followed right behind.
“Mariemaia, walk beside me.”
She obeyed the soft order
instantly. “Yes, mother.” They walked on a few steps more until she was able to
calm her frayed nerves… “Thank you…”
Une stopped then turned, her
soft brown hair swayed as she faced the teen. “For what? I haven’t done
anything.” Her gentle brown eyes questioned the teen.
Mariemaia smiled, her green
eyes lighting up. Oh, she loves her mother so much- even if she was just an
adopted one. “For giving me the chance to prove myself and… trusting me.”
Une reached out to touch
Mariemaia’s shoulder length red hair as love for the child shone in her eyes.
When Mariemaia had asked her if she could call her mother… the joy she had
felt! She doesn’t look anything like Treize, except for the shape of her eyes,
but she has her father’s fondness for people and nature. For courage and
strength. For life… She knew exactly what the child meant. Mariemaia hadn’t
forgiven herself for her actions when she was a child. “There is nothing to
make me believe otherwise.”
For a few moments, mother
and daughter stared at each other, smiled then resumed their walk.
“Whom will we pair with Ms.
Relena after we take Wufei away from his duties?”
“His second. There is no one
else.”
Mariemaia sighed. “If only
Heero stayed a bit longer.” She smiled as she pictured a happy couple. Her deep
respect for Heero and Relena earned them a place in her heart. There’s nothing
more in the world she would like than for them to be together. And with the
recent attempt on Ms. Relena’s life… she should work faster. “It’s not as if
he’s got anything to do, anyway.”
Une just smiled at her
impatient voice. “You don’t know that. Anyway, be careful, little matchmaker.
The last time your father plotted something like that, the people he wanted to
be together ended up with the other partners.”
Mariemaia grinned
cheerfully. “He’s a man. Girls are better with this game.”
“Planning and tactics… I
should have known.” Her voice held amusement rather than the severe note most
of the people around her were used to.
They reached Wufei’s office
and Mariemaia instantly walked in front of Une to open the door. She looked inside to grin at Wufei but her
eyes fell on the man she thought they would never see again, at least, for a
while! She couldn’t stop the gasp of surprise that left her mouth. “Mother…!”
Une stepped forward and saw
who caught Marie’s attention. Perfect. She didn’t waste any time. “Wufei, you
are officially relieved from your duties to protect Ms. Relena Peacecraft. Go
to wing 27 and receive your new orders.”
Wufei’s jaws slackened and
whatever retort about women assassins left him while Heero frowned at the new
twist.
“Heero Yuy, I was planning
to ask Wufei’s second to head the investigation and Ms. Dorlian’s protection.
But since I see a more qualified person in front of me, the position is open to
you. This arrangement will only last until Wufei finishes his assignment.”
Heero was definitely knocked
on his blind side, but he didn’t lose his footing as he kept his stoic face and
unflinchingly stared on Une. “Wufei, assess your second.”
Wufei grunted. He wants to
question Une’s sudden change but… “Mr. Jhos is competent but… slow.”
Mariemaia stole a glance at
Heero. Her mother was actually helping her!
Slow… The job requires
skilled, competent, fast workers. There was nothing else he could do but
to say- “I’ll take it.” The words seemed ripped from his throat. What did he
do!? He had reason enough to realize all possibilities against volunteering and
yet he still said yes?! A niggling thought that he might still be able to back
out snapped from the back of his mind, but he never backed out of a mission
before… and he’s not about to start doing so, but this is going to be one
agonizing mission. He knew he just sealed his doom. Damn his old habits.
Mariemaia clapped her hands
happily. “Wonderful! I know that you will protect Ms. Relena from all harm,
Heero. I just know it.”
Heero glanced at Marie,
nearly a woman. It was a bit hard to keep in mind that she’s Treize’s daughter-
especially since she’s so cheerful.
“Shall we tell Ms. Relena,
mother?”
Une nodded. “Come with us,
Heero.”
Wufei, nearest to the door,
opened it and led the group inside. Relena heard them come in but she didn’t
move from her spot by the window, still staring at the endless blue sky…
“Hello, Ms. Relena.”
“Good afternoon, Mariemaia.”
Her voice sounded tired - and she was… Not to mention that she could feel a
distinctive glare on her back… She had felt that before… oh yes… ‘What is he
doing here?’
“Relena,” Une started her
news.
“Wufei Chang has a new assignment. I have assigned Heero Yuy to fill his shoes.”
Heero saw her shoulders stiffen. ‘So… she’s not fond of the idea…’
‘No! Not him!’ Relena closed
her eyes. He still hasn’t spoken. Fine… Let him think that she doesn’t know
he’s around. “Have you notified the person? Has he approved? He may not wish to
protect someone he had wanted-” Relena shook her head as she corrected herself.
“No… vowed to kill so long ago.”
Heero almost – almost -
opened his mouth to explain but… explain what? The question he asked himself
turned him mute and he tried to remain calm though he was churning with
numerous questionable feelings… That’s why he stayed away from her… He could
never understand himself when he’s around her. One minute you want to kill her,
the next, touch her and kiss her to kingdom come. So, why the hell had he
accepted this assignment? One answer: to finally settle his confusion.
Une’s eyebrow rose to prompt
Heero to speak but Heero didn’t acknowledge her. Well, she knew this game well
enough. “Heero Yuy was notified, and he acknowledged.” She turned away and with
a quick look, gave Wufei the message to follow her. “I have a meeting. Excuse
us.”
She opened the door this
time, the first one to walk out, Wufei, and then Mariemaia after she gave a
wave to Heero and closed the door. They were finally alone… after all the years
that had passed… they were alone again.
“So… when were you going to
start talking, Heero?” Relena asked, still facing the window, forcing herself
not to turn around with much enthusiasm. He will not know that she’s excited…
No. That will never do.
Heero’s eyes widened, ever
so slightly. How did she know that he was there? What should he say?
Tongue-tied again. Before, he never really had anything to say to her, and then
it was all about war. Yet, war was a familiar subject to him, one he could
easily talk about. Now, though… there was no familiar ground to stand on…
Relena finally turned around and her eyes fell on him. “It has been a long time.” She took in his casual jeans, white shirt, and blue jeans jacket while he took in her immaculate white, long sleeved dress in classic style. Then her eyes traveled to his face and hungrily memorized him, engraving his features in her heart.
“Yes, it has.” He couldn’t
understand why he suddenly couldn’t breathe when her clear blue green eyes met
his own… He had forgotten how beautiful her eyes were… Heero scowled… ‘Beautiful?!’
That word had never been in his vocabulary before!
She couldn’t deny it… Her
pulse was faster, her stomach was fluttering, and she still found him extremely
handsome. But… he shall never know these things. She made a fool of herself
before, and she will not do that again. When she saw him frown, her courage
rose.
Relena walked to him,
stopped just a step away, then looked straight into his Prussian blue eyes. She
will take in everything like a modern woman. She opened her lips to tell him
off and to finally close that one chapter in her life that had left a hole in
her heart.
Every single thought he just
had flew out of his mind as her scent invaded his senses. He couldn’t think…
couldn’t grasp his thoughts… He knew this would happen. He had accepted that
she could truly affect him… Why wasn’t he able to prepare?
“Heero Yuy, you are such an
ass.”
She could have called him
something worse and he wouldn’t have cared. He seemed mesmerized by her moving
pink lips…
His unfazed look irritated
her some more and years of pent up frustration, years of trying to understand
him, years of one-sided love finally came out in anger. “Life really gave you a
hard blow, huh? Too bad, Yuy. All of us get that. I hate what you’re doing to
yourself and to everyone else! You think we don’t care?! Well! We do! You’re
the one who couldn’t care less!”
Heero blinked a couple of
times to make sure that this was Relena in front of him, with flailing arms and
a scowl of unadulterated anger.
“You know what? I’ve always
thought that you were strong, but maybe I was wrong.” She should stop… Every
situation has its different point of views, and reasons. But right now, what
she’s raving about were her own. Heero has his own side, but she couldn’t stop
herself! Besides, she had wanted to tell him these things for such a long time.
“You’ve closed yourself up. I bet that even if somebody tried to teach you, you
wouldn’t even try!”
Now, the words he hadn’t
wanted to say escaped his lips… The words he’d been hiding from the day he
soberly realized that one thing as he walked under a starless sky. He wants to
learn something… something his instincts told him only she could teach. Like a
whisper in the wind, the words came out… “Then try me, Relena… Teach me…”