Eternity In His Hand 4/?

[Goldberry]

Thanks so much for the kind reviews, everyone. *gushes* It just makes me so happy! Oh! And a note to Rose, don't worry dear, all of your questions will be answered at some point! I promise, and my fingers aren't crossed behind my back either! ^_~


Eternity In His Hand
Chapter Four



Quatre Winner stood in the doorway of the piano room, sheet music tucked carefully under one arm as he watched the lithe figure at the old grand sway gently back and forth as she played, fingers skimming the ivory keys with a grace that was otherworldly. He always practiced early in the morning, right before his first class, when the sun was just starting to slant through the large plated windows. Not many students used the music room and he had been surprised to find someone at the piano before him. Not many people had time for art or music at the Academy. Classes were strenuous and most students were involved in some sort of sport. Music belonged only to the talented few and Quatre was pleasantly shocked to find Relena Darlian humming lightly under her breath, playing completely from memory. It was a song that was light and cheerful with a tinge of sadness as for something long lost but still remembered. It made his heart ache and he stepped into a ray of sunlight, moved deeply.

The notes stopped as she noticed him for the first time, her hands stilling over the keys, blinking at him in surprise before inclining her head to him politely.

?Good morning, Quatre. I?m sorry if I disturbed you.? She made a motion as if to rise but he shook his head and came to stand beside the piano.

?Think nothing of it, Miss Darlian. After all, you were here first.? He smiled gently and was rewarded when she settled herself back down on the bench. Standing in the sunlight so near her, he could almost feel the music surrounding her even though she wasn?t playing. It was an odd feeling really, almost as if anything was possible when she was close.

He glanced at her carefully. She was certainly beautiful and that alone was enough for any man to fight for her, but she carried such an aura of serenity that anyone who met her must feel as he did, that miracles really could happen. It was easy to believe anything around the Rose Bride.

He looked around the room but saw no one else. ?Where is Master Yuy? I would have thought he would have been with you this morning.? Ever since the last duel with Wufei, the new Champion had been more dutiful towards the Bride, something that both pleased and annoyed Quatre. Not to mention he was sure Heero Yuy didn?t have a taste for music.

Relena smiled and there was something so?simple in it that he felt a flair of sudden jealousy towards Heero. Blinking at the unexpected emotion, he squashed it ruthlessly in time to hear the Bride?s answer.

?Master Heero is in class right now.? Suddenly she stilled and looked at him with an unidentifiable look. ?If you wish to speak with him, he?s in the third floor laboratory.?

He straightened, music crinkling under his arm as he realized what she was thinking. ?Oh no, Miss Relena, I have no intention of challenging Heero Yuy.? He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. ?Actually, I?m not much for fighting.?

The Bride nodded and her eyes seemed warmer. ?Did you come to play, then?? She nodded towards the music under his arm. ?Everyone says you are very talented with the piano.?

This time he did blush, pale locks of hair obscuring his expression as he looked away. ?Well, I do love to play but I?m not sure how much talent I have.? He handed her the sheet music. ?This is something I?ve been working on for two years and I still can?t get it right.?

Blue-green eyes looked over the scrawled notes before lifting to meet his sincere blue ones. ?May I??

He nodded, ?Of course.?

Laying the music in front of her, she positioned her hands and began to play, slowly at first as she got used to the melody before working up to the proper tempo. He leaned against the side of the piano, watching her more than listening to the music. Every note that was struck was perfect and his song seemed to come alive under her fingers. He was almost depressed when it came to an end.

?That was beautiful, Miss Relena. I never knew you played so well.?

Her eyes shined at him. ?I?ve known how for a long time, even before?? Something flitted across her face and out of sight. ?Well, for a long time.? She stood then and he straightened with her, watching the grace of her movements. ?Thank you for letting me play, Quatre. Your song is lovely.?

?Your welcome,? he answered softly as she walked away. After a moment spent in pure fantasy, he looked back at the piano, sighed, and sat down to play.

* * * *

Hilde sighed as she flopped down into the grass, a lunch basket on her lap. The sun was warm and the day was bright but a darkness hung over her as she unloaded the day?s lunch onto the white blanket Relena had spread under a sprawling oak on the edge of campus. The cloud darkened as she uncovered dessert and when the rain began to fall, she erupted.

?A 38!? she fumed, clenching a fist. ?I got a 38 on my Algebra test! This is completely unfair! What am I going to do??

Seated across from her on the blanket, Relena blinked. ?Well, it looks like you?re going to have to take a make-up exam.? Heero snorted from where he lay on his back a few feet away, arms crossed behind his head, eyes closed. Hilde threw a bread roll at him.

?Augh! This is just terrible! If I don?t get my grades up my parents will kill me!?

?Maybe you could get a tutor,? Relena offered after taking a bite of her sandwich. ?I?m sure there are lots of students who would be willing to help you.?

Hilde made a face. ?You really think so??

Relena smiled and clapped her hands together brightly. ?Of course! A number of the upperclassman have crushes on you. You might end up with more than one tutor if you?re not careful.?

?Really?? Heero asked dangerously, still managing to look almost asleep. ?I hope you?re not encouraging any of these boys, Hilde.?

Hilde giggled nervously. ?Of course not, Heero. A nun, remember??

?What?s this about a nun??

Hilde looked over her shoulder for the owner of the strange voice and abruptly felt herself go red all over. Approaching them at a leisurely walk was Duo Maxwell, Student Council member and all around great guy. His long braid swung behind him as he bowed to Relena and when those violet eyes fell on her, Hilde suddenly felt faint. Had he read her note? Had he even gotten it?

?Good afternoon, Duo,? Relena said. ?How are you??

?Just fine, pretty lady,? he said, winking at her. Heero opened one eye to glare at the other man and Duo coughed suddenly, straightening where he stood. ?Ah, yes, well, I was just walking past and heard you two talking.? He glanced at Hilde. ?You must be Hilde. I?m afraid you?re more beautiful than I imagined.? He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it gallantly. ?As you might know, I?m Duo Maxwell.?

By now, Hilde was sure her face must outshine the sun. ?Uh, yes, I know.? Duo grinned and released her hand. From his position a few feet away, Heero rolled up and onto his elbow, his dark cobalt eyes piercing the other duelist where he stood.

?What do you want, Maxwell??

Hilde frowned at his rudeness but Duo seemed to think nothing of it. ?Well, if you must know, I was wondering if Miss Hilde might want to take a walk with me. There?s nothing wrong with wanting to be seen with a pretty girl, is there??

?In your case, I?m sure there is,? Heero grunted. ?What do you really want??

Hilde stood up suddenly, eyes flashing, hands on her hips. ?Heero Yuy, I?ve never been so insulted in all my life! I guess it?s just not possible for a man to want just to be with me without having some ulterior motive.? With a little sob, she stomped off, refusing to let any of the angry tears that welled in her eyes fall down her cheeks.

Behind her, Duo watched her go disappointedly but Heero wasn?t satisfied.

?If you?re trying to use her in some way??

Duo made a negative motion with one hand. ?I wouldn?t dream of it. If I really wanted to win the Bride, there?s only one way, and that?s one I?m not prepared to do just yet.?

A muscle moved in Heero?s jaw but he nodded once. ?Alright then.?

?Alright then,? Duo repeated and suddenly grinned, bowing once more to the Rose Bride.

?If you?ll excuse me, Relena, I have a butterfly to catch.?

With a little wave, Duo hurried off and Heero sat all the way up, watching until he and Hilde were out of sight. Relena glanced at him before leaning over to rewrap their lunch. Perhaps they could reheat it for dinner.

?Relena,? he said suddenly and she stopped what she was doing to look over at him expectantly.

?Yes??

He turned to meet her gaze, an almost gentle look on his usually stoic face. ?Let?s go for a walk.?

A delighted laugh escaped the Rose Bride?s throat and Heero looked at her in surprise. He had never heard her laugh before and the sound of it was like birdsong. Surely a man would do anything to hear that laugh and know he had caused it. Anything.

Even fight a duel.

* * * *

Fresh water droplets cascaded down soft petals as the Rose Bride stood watering her flowers, a scrolled bronze can with a looping handle showering a rainfall onto the blossoms. He stood watching her through the crystal glass of the greenhouse as she moved in a circle making sure every plant got watered. Her music from that morning had stayed with him all day, even now the notes trickled through his mind. There was just something about her that brought his song to life and he had to find out what it was. If he could fill the void within himself with her light then his own music would move any heart that heard it. To have that power?

He pushed open the door of the greenhouse and stepped inside, feeling the humid air cling to his skin. The small glass structure was built to look like a giant bird cage, gilded with gold along the edges and domed at the top. Only this cage held a girl, not a bird, and her song was one heard with the soul. She looked up at his entrance, aqua eyes widening when she saw it was him.

?Oh, hello, Quatre.? She tilted the spout of her can up to stop the flow of water. ?Is there something you want??

A shining thing.

?Well,? he ran a hand through his pale blonde hair absently, ?I was wondering if you would play the piano again for me in the morning? I feel as if you hold the key to completing my song and I would like to hear your rendition of it once more, if you don?t mind.?

Relena paused. ?If Master Heero says it?s alright, I will come.?

Quatre exhaled slowly. It was what he thought she would say. ?You have to ask his permission for everything??

She tilted her head at him as if the answer were obvious. ?I am the Rose Bride and I am currently Engaged to Master Heero. His will determines everything.?

The Student Council Vice President nodded. It was the only thing he could do in light of her complete faith in her Champion. ?Then I will ask Heero to let you play for me. I?m sure he will agree with something so harmless.?

Relena just smiled as if to say she didn?t know what the answer would be and he bowed to her and left, closing the green house door behind him. He leaned back against it for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He had been the Bride?s Champion almost a month ago but their Engagement had been short lived after he lost the duel with Wufei. He had not had a lot of time to understand her power but know he had an idea of what it was and he realized he wanted it for himself. Everyone in the Council wanted it too, of course, but if it were his? Perhaps he would be the one to Revolutionize the world.

?Well, if I didn?t know better, I would say you were thinking about dueling, Quatre Winner.?

Quatre looked up, startled, and noticed Dorothy as she slinked from the shadows, a sly look on her face as she watched him. At her words, he stepped away from the greenhouse and cleared his throat.

?I?m not much of a duelist, Miss Dorothy, and I hear Heero Yuy has almost perfect technique.?

Dorothy gave him a half-smile and slipped an arm around his shoulders, leaning against him as if sharing a secret. ?Technique isn?t everything, Quatre. Sometimes just a strong will and a quick hand are enough.?

Quatre looked at her, brow furrowed. ?Are you saying that if my will is stronger than the Champion?s, I can win??

Her answer was almost a purr. ?Of course. How do you think Heero Yuy won in the first place? His desire to protect the honor of that little friend of his was greater than Wufei?s arrogance. But now, what does the Champion have to fight for??

?The Bride, of course.?

The Cat laughed and languidly curved against him, making a blush rise in his cheeks. ?Oh Quatre. Do you really think Yuy knows the power of the Rose Bride? He didn?t even know what he was doing when he challenged Wufei and his anger against the insufferable man was the only reason the second duel took place at all. No, I think Heero Yuy wants nothing more than to live his life without the Power of Peacecraft. For you, defeating him will be a snap.? The Rose Seal flashed on her finger as she touched a lock of his hair before springing away, turning to disappear in to the shadows. ?Remember Quatre, a strong will can be more deadly than the sharpest sword. If you change your mind about dueling, let me know. I might be able to help.?

Quatre watched her go, mixed feelings clouding his mind, but a new wish blooming in his heart. Perhaps Dorothy was right.

?Perhaps it?s time I find out for myself just what it means to fight.?

Behind him, in the greenhouse, Relena stilled, feeling something cold brush against her for a moment. It left just as quickly as it had come though and she went back to tending her roses, oblivious to a new threat that was just starting to unfurl its wings but would soon discover how to fly.

TBC

[aku_ryo]

oooh quatre!! Im so disappointed in you!!! what were you thinking listening to dorothy? you should know better mr. empath!!

love it gold-chan
keep it up

aku aku

[TigerQueen]

*shivers* Ooh...I'm really lovin' this...I've never seen "Revolutionary Girl Utena," but I've read a little about it in a book on the history of anime (yes, I am THAT pathetic). Not only does your fic fit the setting with the GW characters very nicely, but the darkness of "Utena" makes me delightfully nervous. Wonderful! -- TQ

[wicked]

*raises eyebrow* And just where is my Trowa?!?!

I have to say, I like our normal sweet little Quatre boy acting not so...oh how should I put this? Pansy-like? Is that suitable enough? I'd love to see him duel Heero, just to have him duel. Let the boy get a backbone!! It'd be most interesting to see what would happen if Heero lost the duel to Quatre. What would our Heero do?!?! Besides rechallenging Quatre and all that good stuff.

Poor Hilde! First a bad grade then she feels Heero insults her! DUO to the rescue!!! Go Duo, Go Duo! It's your birthday! Okay so it isn't and I won't know why I wrote that and I REALLY don't know why I haven't deleted it. Maybe I just feel like taking up space. It doesn't really matter though cause this fic is absolutely amazing and I can't wait for the next installment.

~Wicked

[Naoko]

Wonderful. YAY! Quatre's here! *hugs the life outta Quatre* I WUV him!!! So cute and sweet...and oh so confident sometimes. *siigh* Go away Dorothy. Bad influence on my baby. Anyway, MORE!

Luvin it!

Love,
Naoko *hugs*