*....* indicates internal thought
~~~~ used to break scenes
Author's notes: ...... BWA HA HA HA HA!!!! I'm baaaaa~aaaaack!!!!
[Duo] *groans* now we're in trouble...
[Heero] ... hn...
Gundam Forest Book 1 Part 7
The walls of the underground cavern sparkled with the reflected backwash of the artificial lamps adorning both sides. The result was illumination that was soft and hazy, tending to soften the harsher edges of the rocks and crags that composed the ceiling of the cave. However, shadows of all shapes and sizes were created as well, lending that quality of nervous uncertainty to the atmosphere. But perhaps it was the perfect setting for shady activities to occur in; the right mixture of impending danger and foolhardy safety.
Little noise broke the air tension in the cavern, the atmosphere had a tinge of heaviness to it. It was interspersed with the slightly salty tang of seawater; the source coming from the deep pool at the bottom of the cavern.
The water of the cavern pool was anything but calm. Choppy and churning, waves lapped at the natural stone boundaries that prevented the liquid from encroaching further into the cavern. Although the stone walls surrounded every aspect of the pool, the deep underground current of the sea still managed to reach even the surface of the pool.
Although, it was not the sea current that was the source of the water's agitation.
Actually, the activity in the water was not really caused by anything outside of the pool, but rather from something in the pool.
Or rather, someone.
Several someones in fact.
The current from the sea beyond flowed into the pool from an underwater entrance on the north side of the cavern. Hidden from prying eyes, the entrance was well placed, allowing for the easy, untraceable passing of the pool's occupants into the rich, blue black depths of nature's womb.
Of course, leaving the cavern pool would be made much more feasible if the iron barrier was removed from the said entrance.
Then again, allowing the entrance to be free would also allow the pool's unwilling denizens free roam into the world again. An objective that the person responsible for that barrier obviously did not desire.
The atmosphere of the cavern was suddenly broken by the sharp, staccato sounds of a pair of footsteps sounding on the stone steps. Hidden in the shadows of the cavern, the steps were hard to see, even with the artificial illumination so thoughtfully provided. Where the steps led to, one could only guess, their destination enshrouded in the darkness provided.
The splashing in the pool suddenly grew softer and sparser, as if the denizens suddenly sensed a foreboding presence in their sanctuary. Swift movement carried them uneasily through the dark waves, pausing every now and then to break the surface for a quick glance around, only to dart back into the water.
And still the footsteps continued.
Two shadows suddenly detached themselves from the walls and moved forward toward the pool, their forms solidifying with each closing step. Finally they broke free of their dark surroundings and allowed the illumination from the lamp to fall upon their figures.
A tall, sharply exotic looking woman was the more noticeable of the two, her dark, ebony hair a distinctive contrast with her pale, ivory toned skin. Her thin, willowy body was clad in a soft silk and rayon dress, the material clinging faithfully to every curve and swell. Her ebony hair was brushed until it gleamed, even in the poor light of the cavern; teased until it fell over her face concealing half of her features. It fell in a straight opaque curtain, stopping just above her thin waistline.
As beautiful as the woman was, her beauty had a dangerous gleam to it. Perhaps it was in the fact that her dress was the color of death, black as sin. Or perhaps in the way she held herself, in unconscious grace and and ease, although poised to leap into action at a moment's provocation. It could also be the look appearing in the one visible eye, flinty blue peering out at the world, promising chaos and mayhem with just a tinge of fury. All in all, something about her appearance seemed to scream danger with the promise of death.
Of course, this could also be attributed to the fact that she was holding a VERY large harpoon gun at her side.
Whatever the reason for her dark aura, she clearly towered over her shorter companion, granting the assumption that she was the one in control.
However, looks can be deceiving, and in this case, it was not the larger of the two who held the puppet strings.
The figure at her side was short of stature, the features were characteristic of those bestowed on ones early in their life cycle. The young girl was wearing a very attractive looking sundress, yellow with white trim, and placed on her head was a white straw hat with a matching yellow ribbon. Neatly turned out in a matching pair of dainty, white dress shoes, the girl looked like she belonged out in the sunshine and among other decent folks, rather than slinking about an old, hidden cavern with a questionable escort.
However, if one took the time to look into the little girl's eyes, they would see quite a different tale in the pale depths. Although from far away, the color seemed to be that of a warm, summer sky; close up, the color changed to frosty chips of blue ice. Years of bitterness and steel, mixed with selfishness and fury, and finally wrapped in layers of impatience and experience screamed their presence in those eyes; things that definitely did not belong in the eyesight of the young or innocent.
The young girl and her companion came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the pool, staying back far enough to avoid the possibility of being splashed by its nervous and unruly occupants. The girl stared impassively at the swimming figures while her companion's face began to grow an anticipatory smirk.
The woman looked at the young girl and murmured, "Which one shall it be this time?"
The girl reached up and twirled a thick strand of her honey brown tresses around one small finger. With a bored look she perused over her choices as if she were selecting a new bauble and finally settled on one target. With her finger, she pointed to the lazily swimming figure that was alternating between ignoring the intruders and giving them furious glares.
In a small, higher pitched voice, the young girl whispered, "That one. It's Yukana's turn. She has lived longer than any of them."
"Very well." With that, the older woman wrenched her arm around to bring the harpoon gun level. With a small glance, she addressed her companion once more. "You may wish to back off, ma'am. No need to spoil your new dress with blood."
The girl nodded her agreement to her bloodthirsty companion and started to back away. She continued to speak, her voice filled with her ennui. "Once our task is completed, we will send this new shipment off to Dr. J so that he may continue with his experiments. Perhaps Valenta and his cronies will provide him with more entertainment than they provided me with."
The woman gave a brisk nod to indicate her acknowledgement of the young girl even as she targeted her objective. In the same detached tone of voice, she asked, "And then what shall we proceed to do?"
The girl shrugged her slim shoulders and said, "I believe that I may have another pawn to play with. Someone who played a small, insignificant part previously. But giving the matter more thorough and careful consideration, I have decided that my new ally-to-be may proved to be more effective in achieving my goal than previously believed. After all, he has broken my intended target once already. There is no evidence to believe he cannot do so a second time."
This speech, both in tone and wording, did not belong on the lips of one so deceptively young. However, the girl and her companion showed no surprise at the speech, both more than comfortable with the surprising level of maturity emanating from the young girl. The woman nodded again even as she prepared to shoot.
Using the sophisticated tracking and guiding system on the gun [1], she allowed her finger to press the trigger, releasing the deadly harpoon from its housing. With a silent whoosh and small splash, the harpoon slide into the dark water, seeking out it's intended target. Although the victim had by this time disappeared under the waves, the blood tinged water that soon appeared made it clear that the woman's shot was accurate and good.
As the woman activated the retrieval mechanism, allowing the gun to reign in the yards of rope attached to the end of the lethal harpoon, the girl allowed a small, sinister smile to corrupt her youthful and innocent visage. As the silvery tail of the attacked target began to slide up onto the rocky ledge, the girl's smile widened even further.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Teishu stood still as he surveyed the damage done to room 21. He held a cool and collected front, his demeanor not betraying the lethal fury that he was feeling in his black soul. Unmitigated fury was welling up in the dark abyss that was his mind as he contemplated the time and effort he had spent 'training' his lost toy. He had spent too much of his own personal time molding and shaping that young boy to be what he wanted him to be to allow this insult to go unheeded or unpunished.
While he had been planning on using the boy to line his pockets with dirty money, he had also been planning on keeping the boy for his own dark purposes. He wanted to howl in rage at the loss of his toy, but he settled for a low growl instead. His fists unconsciously curled into tight fists even as he whirled his bulky form away from the damaged room. As his beady little eyes alighted upon his unwilling companion, he barked out his orders in a snarling undertone.
"I want the account used in last night's auction traced and the location of that bidder found now!!! I will personally hunt him down, gut him, and string his severed limbs and braid on the nearest sharp object that I can find. And then I will take back what is mine! GO!!!"
This last word was roared so loudly the walls of the Girou shook with Teishu's anger. His servants and property scrambled to do his bidding, not wanting to tempt fate and relearn the price of disobedience. As he stalked from the room with as much dignity at his stature would allow, Teishu's dark thoughts gleefully skipped ahead to what he held in store for his naughty escapee.
*Yes, I will get you back, little Wing... and then I'll never let you go. Those that helped you to escape will pay with their lives, and you will live the rest of yours regretting your foolishness.*
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"We need to talk."
"Hai, we do."
Quatre released the breath he didn't even realize he had been holding as Wufei's quiet response reached his ears. He hadn't known what to expect upon approaching the quiet, subdued young man lounging in his estate's gazebo. Of any reaction, the last thing he had expected was for the dark haired man to agree with him.
The last thing, but perhaps, knowing the other man as he had, once so long ago, it was the first thing he should have expected. Wufei was not the type of person to beat around the bush. He may have previously run from the truth, but when cornered with stark reality, he would not cower from it, but rather boldly confront and embrace it. It was a trait that both annoyed and endeared him to the golden haired aristocrat.
Quatre subtly turned his face so that he was staring at the same scenery that had captured Wufei's attention. The morning sun had risen to bequeath its life to the earth beneath its immediate domain, spreading across the land in its golden path. As he quietly watched the earth awaken and greet the new day, he contemplated what he should start off by saying.
For months on end he had fantasized, imagined, and dreamed of a moment like this, when he could finally bare his very soul for his former lovers. He had contemplated every possible scenario and result that his current situation could merit, had invented thousands upon thousands of reactions. He had speeches planned; phrases that ranged from heartfelt pleas to quiet demands. Yes, in his imagination he had envisioned what the perfect scenario to winning his lovers back would be like.
And now that the moment of truth was upon him...
He couldn't remember a damn one of them.
Faced with HIS reality barrier, he floundered in his mind as to exactly how he was to tell Wufei that after a year of chaos and confusion, his world was now calm and organized. He wasn't sure how he was going to explain that after a year of pain, remorse, and loss, that his world was suddenly right. That what was skewed was now back on track. That after a year of spiraling out of control, his world had righted itself on its axis and once more left was left and right was right.
And it was only possible because they were together again.
A year ago, Quatre would never have hesitated to pour out his heart, unafraid of the results, so confident that his love would be accepted and returned with equal fervor. However, the golden child's dreams had been shattered with a few, well placed blows, and his level of trust had been seriously impaired. He was now more cautious of whom or what he bestowed his affections upon, ruthlessly guarding himself against further destruction and heartbreak.
And still, he knew, on some instinctive level, that he could trust Wufei and Trowa both. His heart had once guided him to the two quiet men, assuring his soul and mind that they were his true mates. He couldn't argue the sense of rightness that lingered whenever the three of them were together, the sense of belonging. Although he feared reopening his heart and trust to the world again, he feared the loneliness and emptiness even more.
Perhaps the events of the past year were nothing more than a test. A simple test from the heavens above to ensure that they would have the strength to overcome any obstacle in their future. His heart had never lied to him before and he had no reason to believe it was lying to him now. Not when it was screaming at him with every fiber in its muscles to reclaim what was floating at his fingertips.
But how to convince the others that they needed each other? What possible words existed that could bridge the gaps and caverns between the three of them? What could he possibly say that wouldn't sound thin or false? What phrases could he utter that wouldn't send Wufei scurrying back to his forced exile or send Trowa leaping off to another unknown destination?
He didn't know how, nor did he know why, but for some reason a sense of calm suddenly pervaded his soul and spirit. A sense of quiet resignation entered his mind, a calm voice whispering to him to just tell it like it is. To say the truth and let what happens happen. Perhaps in this case, as corny as the saying was, honesty really was the best policy.
With a course plotted and a decision made, Quatre tore his eyes away from the morning scenery and faced the quiet man beside him. As liquid ebony eyes gazed into his, a quiet question in their depths, Quatre opened his mouth and let the first thing he could think of slide out.
"I've missed you."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As the morning deepened, the hazy rays of dawn melting in the face of the fiercer morning light, many members of the Winner staff were awake and already deeply engrossed in their daily activities. Their jobs, for which they were handsomely paid for, were to care for the estate and the well being of their employer when in residence. They were happy to care for the man most of them had watched grow up, sprouting from the adorable innocence of childhood, into the honorable man he now was. He was a good man as well as a fair and honest boss, so the few orders he gave were obeyed without hesitation or questioning.
One such order was to leave the room on the west wing of the estate alone, its occupants were not to be disturbed until they emerged from the room on their own.
The household staff was happy to oblige, continuing on with their other duties and jobs. If Master Quatre wished for the room's occupants to remain undisturbed, then undisturbed they would be.
However, Quatre's wishes extended only to his staff, and not his former lover.
Trowa Barton had no intentions on disturbing his former friends and ex pilots from their exhaustive, and hopefully healing, slumber. He merely wished to ensure himself that they were on the road to recovery before he himself moved on. Uncomfortable now in the place he had once called home, he was eager, although he would never show it, to move on.
After all, he still had unfinished business to take care of.
He quietly cracked the door to the chamber beyond, the well oiled hinges gave no shriek or groan of protest as the wooden panel swung inwards. As his piercing, green gaze fell upon the room's occupants, he gave a sincere sigh of relief even as his mouth curled up in a small smile.
Ensconced on the bed, intertwined as if they had never been apart, were the sleeping forms of Duo and Heero. Spooned together on the massive bed, the white sheet pulled up to cover them both, the two were deep in dreamland.
Heero was curled up in Duo's arms, the taller American protective even in sleep. One of Trowa's eyebrows raised up as Heero suddenly started to whimper; a low mewling cry that seemed to well up from nowhere. His other eyebrow shot up to match its partner as Duo's embrace around Heero tightened, pulling the Japanese man closer to his body. Heero, even though they had been parted for an entire year, seemed to understand that it was Duo who held him. His body understood this and communicated it to his mind, signaling that he was 'safe'.
Heero's impromptu mewls of distress ceased as he snuggled in closer to the American and his breathing once again evened out. It seemed that even a year apart, filled with horror and misunderstandings, was not enough to destroy the deep soul bond the two pilots had. For that, Trowa was intensely grateful. Over the past year, he had finally come to understand just how much each pilot meant to him in their own ways.
However, his time of reunion was not now. He had a few things he had to take care of, a few promises he had been putting off for months, before he could settle down and resolve the situation between himself and his former lovers. After months of living in depression and despair, this new, soul warming experience, had reopened his eyes and allotted him a new perspective on life.
He only hoped that Wufei and Quatre would rediscover happiness together and would welcome him back when he was free to return to them.
Feeling a bit like a voyeur, Trowa quietly withdrew from the silent room, bidding a silent farewell and wish of good luck to the slumbering couple. Trowa stealthily strode through the rest of the house, finally emerging at the rear service door of the kitchen area. Having once lived in this house, he was aware of and remembered the schedule of operations of this particular estate. He was counting on not much having changed.
Wishing to escape from the estate without Quatre or Wufei's knowledge, he planned to leave on the service van as it left for its morning run to the nearby town. Every morning, without fail, like clockwork, the van would leave the estate to pick up fresh supplies, heading back sometime late morning. Only Trowa didn't plan on accompanying it back.
Several minutes later, and a short prayer of thanks that the household staff had not deviated from its usual routine, Trowa found himself bumping along the road towards the nearby town. As the Winner mansion faded into the distance, Trowa found himself giving a brief prayer to the same powers that be that Quatre and Wufei would someday understand why he must now leave, instead of staying like his heart was urging him to.
*I will return soon, I promise. So please, wait for me.*
OWARI
yup, you read right... this is the end of GF Book One: A Mermaid Never Smiles. But, if you're unhappy with how abruptly I've ended it without wrapping up anything... never fear! I am writing a second book *ignores groans from audience*, GF Book Two: Nor Sheds A Single Tear. Hopefully the prologue will be up soon... and not take me as long as this chapter was to update... *dazed* haven't updated since July... but please, let me know how this chapter was.
[1] yeah I know, probably unrealistic and whatnot... gomen, I don't know guns very well... it's a fic, WORK WITH ME PPL!!
[Duo] um, Alana-sama, you do know that you're shouting in caps again, ne?
[Alana] *sweet sugary tone* of course I do, Duo. It's intentional on my part.
[Duo] *sweatdrop* okay, whatever... *mutters* that's the way to lose readers...
[Alana] *zero mode - i.e. quiet and very very very dangerous* what was that, Duo?
[Duo] EEP!! Uh... nothing... nothing... HELP HEE-CHAN!!!
[Alana] Duo! OMAE O KOROSU!!! *chases after fleeing-braided-baka-who-dares-to-mutter-at-the-all-powerful-fic-writer-who-is-working-on-three-hours-of-sleep*
[Heero] Hn... *mutters* that's MY line...
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