Eternity In His Hand 9/?

[Goldberry]

Berry: *bouncing up and down* I get to go to CHICAGO and completely immerse myself in ANIME! *continues to bounce*
Wicked: *shakes head* Is she STILL going on about that convention?
Melville: *grimaces* It appears so.
Berry: *excited* And then I'm going to find someone dressed as Sesshoumaru and drag him off into a corner and...
Tornin: Oh my virgin ears...
Berry: andthenI'mgoingtowatchanimeuntilmyeyesfalloutandthenI'mgoingtobuyeverythinginsightandthen... *thump*
Engrish: *puts mallet away*
Wicked: Thank goodness. Her chatting was driving me nuts! *steps over prone Berry*
Melville: Now I can read this chapter in peace!
Berry: @_@



Hehehe.


Eternity In His Hand
Chapter Nine



The breakfast tray clattered to the floor with a crash and Hilde jumped a mile high, squeaking with surprise as she whirled, a hand to her throat. Among shards of broken glass, pottery, and the displaced contents of the tray, Relena knelt on the floor, her eyes shut against a pain that was visible in her face. Forgetting her fright, Hilde hurried to her friend?s side feeling a bud of worry blossom in her heart.

?Relena, are you alright? Did you cut yourself??

The sun-haired girl glanced up at her, a strained smile instantly crossing her face. A shaky hand tucked a lock of long hair behind her ear. ?I?m fine, Hilde. Just a little clumsy, that?s all.? Turning the tray right side up, she began to pick up the pieces of glasses and plates that had held Heero?s breakfast until a few moments ago. ?It?s seems I?ve made a mess of everything. Sorry about that.?

Hilde shook her head and slapped Relena?s hands away from the ruined tray. ?Don?t worry about it, silly. There?s plenty of food left. Now don?t touch this stuff. I?ll clean it up. You sit at the table.?

Surprisingly, instead of resisting, Relena nodded and sat herself down at the kitchen table without a qualm. Hilde watched her for a moment as she slowly put everything back on the tray, her mind racing behind her navy eyes. It had been two days since Heero had gotten hurt but Hilde was sure Relena had still not completely recovered from the long nights by his side. Everyone was so focused on Heero that Relena went unnoticed but Hilde knew there was something wrong. The usually graceful, polite girl had grown clumsy and blunt, when she said anything at all. She seemed to have very little energy, dark circles under weary blue-green eyes. Could it be that Relena simply wasn?t sleeping? After all, she cared a lot for Heero, and after he had been injured in that fencing match with Wufei, she had to be a bit upset. As for herself, Hilde was furious. Why two fully intelligent men decided to fence at night was beyond her. She hadn?t even been aware that Heero was on the fencing team. It just went to show that a man?s ego always got them into trouble.

?Relena, you shouldn?t worry so much about Heero. He?s going to be fine. It?s time you started looking after yourself. It?s been days since the accident but you still look exhausted.?

Relena nodded. ?I will be more careful.?

Hilde felt her mouth fall open and closed it with a snap as the other girl took a sip of tea from her cup. Relena was always gentle but she rarely admitted that she had a problem. For her to acknowledge her own weariness meant there was definitely something wrong. What it could be, Hilde didn?t know.

Throwing the remains of the tray in the trash bin, Hilde began to pile biscuits and glasses of juice on another plate for Heero, all the while keeping an eye on Relena. Hilde was no fool. She knew Heero and Relena had been keeping something from her for awhile now. She had always thought it had to do with their relationship and so had not pressed them about it, but now she was beginning to believe there was something else going on. Something infinitely more dangerous.

?I?ll take this in to Heero, Relena. You stay put and I?ll be right back.?

The other girl nodded and Hilde pushed open the kitchen door with a hip, letting it swing shut behind her. Masking her worry with a pleasant smile, she walked carefully up the stairs and knocked twice on Heero?s door.

?Come in.?

Turning the knob, she slipped inside, brightening cheerfully as Heero glanced at her over his shoulder from his seat by the window. He was shirtless, the dark stitches and bruises clearly visible down his back. Fortunately, the muscle was healing well and the doctor had proclaimed him fit enough to go back to class. He was ready, too, feeling too confined in the dorm building. His pacing had begun to drive her crazy.

?You?re happy this morning.?

She set the tray down and pulled up his desk chair, taking a seat as she broke open a biscuit and dripped some honey on it. ?Why shouldn?t I be? After today, I won?t have to baby sit you anymore.?

Heero smirked and padded over to take the biscuit right out of her hands, earning him a glare as she made herself another one. He glanced at the door as he went back to the window and Hilde grinned inwardly.

?Relena?s in the kitchen.? She paused, wondering if she should voice her worries about the other girl. The decision was taken from her when Heero noticed her hesitation.

?What is it??

Hilde shrugged. ?Mmmm, it?s not really anything.?

He frowned. ?What is??

?Well, it?s just?? she crinkled her nose, not sure how to say it. ?It?s Relena. I think, I think she might not be feeling well.?

?Why do you think that?? Heero asked, a note of worry in the deep tones of his voice. She could see his shoulders tense as he waited for an answer and berated herself for wondering if it was innocent concern for Relena or concern for whatever it was they were hiding from her.

?She?s?been different ever since you got hurt.? She gathered her courage. ?Heero, did something happen that night? Something you?re not telling me??

A closed look came over his handsome face, a door being shut. ?It was just a match, Hilde. It was an accident.?

?Was Relena involved??

His dark eyes regarded her evenly. ?I?ll check on her later, Hilde. You should get to class or you?ll be late.?

Breathing out in an attempt to control her temper, she stood stiffly. ?Alright then. I?m studying with Duo for my make-up exam this afternoon so I won?t be back to check on you. Try not to make a pest of yourself.?

?I?ll try.?

Giving her childhood friend a sniff full of contempt, she hurried out of the door and started back towards the kitchen to grab Relena for their class, making a silent promise to find out what was going on if she had to kill someone to do it.

* * * *

?You?re planning something.?

Dorothy glanced briefly at Quatre before turning back to her contemplative study of the Rose Seal on her finger. If the light hit it just right the engraved rose blossom glowed almost like a prism. ?I?m always planning something, Mr. Winner.?

Quatre?s voice hardened fractionally, steel under velvet. ?It?s worse this time. I can feel it. What are you going to do??

She laughed low in her throat and turned the full power of her pale blue eyes on him, adjusting her body so that she sat languidly, her slim body displayed to full advantage. Quatre swallowed but stood firm and she laughed again. She knew him right down to that strong, pure heart of his. ?Well,? she purred silkily, ?I was thinking of taking a bath. Care to join me??

?You know what I mean, Dorothy. Stop your games and tell me the truth.?

She sighed impatiently and stood, placing a hand on her hip as she glared at the Vice President. ?You don?t really want to know, Quatre, so run along and play your piano or something else equally as trivial. Leave the real world to me.?

?I can?t do that. If you are going to hurt the Champion or the Bride in some way??

She scoffed, hiding her anger. ?Really, Quatre, do you think so low of me? I may not like the Bride or what she stands for but I do have my standards.?

Quatre stepped towards her, his words an invitation to confide in him. ?Please then, Dorothy, tell me what you?re thinking. The duels destroy anyone who fights one.?

?Even you?? she asked quietly.

?Even me,? he answered just as quietly.

She smiled and he blinked. ?You shouldn?t worry. I?m going to bring an end to the duels, an end to all dreams. Soon no one will have to believe in false hope.? She looked away from the sadness in his face, the pity. ?After all, there?s no such thing as miracles.?

* * * *

Something was wrong.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Relena sat down carefully on the edge of her bed, struggling to control her breathing. The attacks had come and gone all day, each time a little more harsh than the last. She felt clammy, cold and hot at the same time, and the dizziness often left her reeling. Worst of all, she didn?t know what was affecting her this way. It was impossible for the Rose Bride to catch a cold but she didn?t know what else it might be. Perhaps the horrible night on the platform had somehow weakened the bonds that had been placed on her. She shivered. The very thought made her stomach turn with anxiety. If she lost the Sword, what would happen to?

?Relena??

She straightened her spine and turned to smile at Heero as he entered their room, his books under one arm. ?Good afternoon, Heero.? She stood slowly, and almost breathed a sigh of relief when the floor didn?t come up to meet her. ?How was class?? She looked over at him and found him watching her intently, his dark eyes analyzing everything about her and filing it away. She stood straighter under his scrutiny and tore her eyes away from his to turn towards her desk, anything to get away from his all too-knowing gaze.

Before she knew it she was on the floor, her breathing erratic, her fingers cramping. She could hear Heero calling her and his footsteps as he hurried to her side, careful of his own wound. A buzzing in her ears kept her from hearing anything else he said as he bent over her, pulling her up into his lap as he smoothed the hair away from her face. There was something unidentifiable in his gaze but she didn?t have time to figure out what it was as she tried to take enough air into her lungs.

What was happening to her?

* * * *

?Relena.? He shook the girl in his lap slightly, his grip harder than necessary from worry. ?Relena.? She was looking right at him but was clearly not seeing him and that frightened him.

He didn?t like being frightened.

Suddenly there was a single knock on their door before it swung open, rebounding against the opposite wall and stopped in its arc by a slender, white hand. Dorothy Catalonia stood in the hallway, her cool blue-silver eyes seeming not surprised to find Relena in the throes of some seizure. She had a saber in her hand.

?Ah, here you are. Just as I thought.? The tip of the saber lifted to point directly at him. ?Heero Yuy, Champion of the Bride, I challenge you to a duel.?

?What are you talking about, Dorothy?? he growled, turning back to Relena. ?I don?t have time to deal with you right now.?

?I think you do, Mr. Yuy. You know as well as I do that once challenged, the Champion and challenger must duel for the Bride. If you don?t, she?s mine. Besides, the fit will pass. Once the forkleaf works its way out of her system she?ll be fine.?

Heero stilled and looked back up at Dorothy, his gaze smoldering with fury. Surprisingly though, his voice came out ice cold.

?Let?s go.?

* * * *

Cradled against his knee, Relena seemed only dimly aware of what was going on. Dressed in the lavender attire of the Rose Bride, the long gown ruffled in the high winds that whirled around the Dueling Platform. She was sitting against him as he kneeled on the marble floor, holding her upright as the Cat faced them thirty feet away. Dorothy had a small smile on her face and the light danced along her saber and caught in her ring as she raised a hand to touch the petals of the yellow rose in her breast pocket. She was entirely too confidant.

Above them, the mysterious Castle revolved in silence, its turrets and spires pointing downwards towards the Platform. It was strange. He had almost forgotten about it in the whirl of Relena?s kidnapping and his own injury, but now he wished he had asked her about it. Wufei had said that Eternity could be found inside but Heero thought there was more to it than that. That same night, as the Castle shattered and fell from the sky, he had heard Relena crying only, when he looked, she had shed no tears. The more he thought about it the more he was sure he had heard her crying no matter what the physical evidence was, and that her tears had been tears of joy. There was something in that Castle that Relena loved. What did it mean that it had appeared again?

?Ah, yes, elusive, isn?t it?? Dorothy had followed his line of sight and stood smirking at the mystical vision, locks of sunflower hair drifting in the wind. ?This is the first time I?ve seen it.? She glanced down at him again coolly. ?It is a good sign that it graces our duel.? The point of her saber lifted into a ready stance. ?Call your sword, Yuy. The sun is setting and I mean to have Eternity before night falls.?

His jaw clenched but he held his anger in as he looked down at Relena, noting the sweat on her face and the widening of her pupils. The drug Dorothy had given her was slowly leaving her system but it still left her weak and unstable. Her aqua blue eyes looked at him only vaguely when he touched her cheek.

?Relena.?

She blinked at the sound of her name and seemed to come back to herself a bit. Gritting her teeth and breathing heavily, she lifted her hands and cupped her palms together. Her voice was raspy when she spoke.

?Rose of the noble castle. Power of Peace that sleeps within me. Heed your master and come forth.?

Nothing.

Relena groaned and swung her eyes to Dorothy who laughed lightly, seemingly amused.

?Hate me all you want, Rose Bride, it won?t make a difference in the end. It seems the Sword of Peacecraft does not want to appear today. What a shame. And I was so looking forward to a good fight.?

?The drug,? Heero said suddenly, his blood running cold. ?You gave it to her so she wouldn?t be able to produce the sword.? He voice fell flat. ?I thought you were more intelligent than that. I guess I was wrong.?

Dorothy shrugged, unconcerned. ?No matter how it came to be, you are weaponless, Heero Yuy. I wasn?t sure the drug would work. Who can know when it concerns the Bride? But now that it has, it seems you will have to fight without the power of Peacecraft.?

?She?s wrong.?

Relena?s voice was soft and he looked down to meet her teary gaze, surprised to find angry determination with her usually placid eyes. Her fingers tightened weakly on the sleeve of his uniform.

?It will be alright, Heero. He is with you. He protects you and he will fight with you.? Air rasped in her lungs. ?Trust yourself and it will be alright.?

Dorothy frowned. ?What is she talking about??

Ignoring the other duelist, Heero concentrated on Relena, trying to read what was in her eyes. She was telling him something, or trying to, but he didn?t understand. Who was with him? Who would fight with him? It was crazy, perhaps only the words of the drug inside her, but?she seemed so sure.

He touched her cheek again and lowered her to the smooth floor where she lay quietly, concentrating on her breathing. He stood then and turned his attention to Dorothy, stepping in front of the prone Rose Bride with a dangerous air.

?Now,? he whispered and, to everyone?s eyes but his, a white figure came down from the Castle, falling through the air as if flying. Dorothy gasped and took a step backwards as the figure overlapped Heero, the ghostly form superimposing itself over the Champion until both could be seen at once, and two voices spoke from one mouth. ?Begin.?

Heero lunged forward, ducking under Dorothy?s saber as she brought it up towards his head. He felt the wind of it as it passed but he had a clear opening and his fist found her stomach. She fell backwards from the force of his punch, still clutching her saber. She looked at him and there was a sudden fear in those pale eyes.

?Who are you?? she demanded.

Heero smirked, appearing not to hear the double toned voice that answered her. ?I am the one you have challenged.? His eyes were chips of blue ice. ?Now, get up.?

She stood angrily and lunged for him, the point of her saber scratching across his shoulder as he moved to the side almost lazily. He dropped to the ground, pivoted on his heel and brought the length of his leg against the back of her knees. She crumbled into a kneeling position and then rolled to the side as the back of his hand sliced through the air her head had previously occupied. Slipping up onto one knee, she pointed the tip of saber at him, fury painted over her face.


?I challenged Heero Yuy and you are not he.?

Heero raised an eyebrow and the other figure did as well. ?I am the Champion. If you were not prepared to duel with me, you should not have come here. I believe it?s time to end this.?

The bells in the tower began to toll even before Heero?s viper fast strike landed on wrist and her saber went skittering away, her arm falling numb at her side. She couldn?t keep her mouth from falling open as the figure with Heero stepped out, almost as if just continuing to move after Heero had stopped. The image was that of a man, taller and older than Heero, with long almost silver hair, and piercing sky blue eyes that saw directly into her soul. Perhaps even more unsettling was the empty sheath that was strapped to his waist. What in the world was going on?

She couldn?t utter a word as he abruptly disintegrated before her eyes, sparkling away to leave only the Champion and the Bride. Something about Relena caught her eye and she turned to the fallen girl, frowning.

Laying on her side, the Rose Bride?s eyes were focused on the place where the mirage of the man had faded, and tears ran freely down her face. It was almost eerie that she didn?t make a sound.

So stunned with the events of the duel was Dorothy, she barely noticed when her rose withered and died in seconds leaving behind a dry stem and brown petals, the only testimony of a fight fought and lost.

* * * *

The sun dipped below the horizon, melting into the earth in a sudden flare of gold, orange, and red. Heero watched it slide out of sight, the stars glittering into existence as light faded. After a moment of silent contemplation, he turned to regard the girl seated next to him on the window bench, her head cushioned on her arms as she watched the world outside. Her color was back to normal, her eyes the same summer ocean blue they always were. She was wearing one of his sweatshirts and her pajama pants, barefoot feet crossed over each other nonchalantly. She looked comfortable and at peace, something he had secretly worried she would never be again. After returning from the Platform, he had fairly doused her with fluids and the drug had finally been washed out of her system. Her energy would be awhile coming back but until then she was to eat as much as she could hold. The empty plates on the low table were a testament to her returned appetite.

He must have been looking at her particularly hard for she turned to him, a small smile curving her lips. ?I feel much better, Heero.?

He grunted and turned back to the window. His own wound had been bothering him a little since the duel. It was strange but during the fighting it hadn?t hurt him at all, only after Dorothy?s rose had crumbled before his eyes had it begun to throb. In fact, most of the match was a blur to him. He remembered it, but with a detachment greater than usual, almost as if he had watched it rather than participating in it.

And Relena?

?You were crying,? he said quietly and she shifted. He glanced at her, ?but you were happy.?

She turned to meet his gaze. ?Yes,? she answered softly.

?The Castle in the sky, what is it? What does it mean??

She breathed in deeply. ?The Castle is where Eternity dwells. It is where the last duel, the duel called Revolution, will take place. Only the Champion and I can enter.?

?That?s why duelists try to win you. They need you to get to the Castle.?

She nodded and looked away. ?Yes. If they manage to win Revolution, then they will have a chance at Eternity.?

Heero turned the Seal on his finger. ?What is Eternity??

This time she smiled again and her look was soft. ?It?s whatever you want it to be.?

He looked out at the night sky and a moment passed before he spoke. ?When I was little, my mother told me a story. When she was fifteen, she spent a day at the lake. After dropping an oar in the water, she leaned over to retrieve it and her small boat overturned. My mother wasn?t a very good swimmer and she quickly tired. She was too far from shore and there was no one in sight. She cried out for help just as her head went under the water and she began to sink. She was frightened, knowing she was going to die, but then arms caught her and was lifted to the surface again. Before she knew it she was back on the shore, dripping wet, and a man stood before her. He was dressed in white and carried a sword. He gave her this.? He lifted his hand and light flashed off the ruby rose. ?I always thought it was just a story. A fantasy of a young girl after such a traumatic event, but I think I was wrong.? He met Relena?s aqua blue gaze. ?He was real, wasn?t he.?

The Bride?s answer was almost a whisper. ?Yes, he was.? She said nothing more and Heero noted the past tense.

?Is he dead??

?He lives, but not as he once did.? She grimaced suddenly and touched her forehead. ?Forgive me, Heero, but I cannot say any more, not as I am now.?

He nodded, having seen this reaction from her before. Whatever bound the Bride to the duels was still as strong as ever despite all the recent events. Perhaps the only thing that could truly free her was Revolution.

Find something eternal, Heero. Only then will you be free.

* * * *

Dorothy walked slowly along the path from the Arena Forest, the tip of her saber dragging in the dirt behind her as she walked, completely engrossed in her thoughts. She barely noticed when Quatre fell in beside her, a worried look on his boyish face.

?Dorothy, I saw the duel.? He hesitated, ?Are you alright??

?It can?t be,? she murmured, sounding half angry, half fearful. ?It just can?t be.?

Quatre frowned, concerned. ?What??

She shook her head. ?It can?t be. I don?t believe in them.?

?What don?t you believe in??

She shook her head again, perplexed. A deadened rose petal drifted from her breast pocket.

?It can?t have been a miracle.?



TBC

[Numena]

Another chapter!!
Wonderous! I love this fic, I never would have thought to mix GW and Utena...but I'm glad you did! Makes a wonderful story.
Hope you have a great time in Chicago!

[zipdos]

Hurrrayyyyy!!! It's another chappie!!!!! This is getting better and better. I feel like the end is coming soon. Hope you have a nice time in Chicago!!

Ciao!!

[Chibi Reli]

OMG! Another great chapter. This is getting sooo good. I can't wait for another to come.

[Melville's Best Friend]

Another great chapter, Beery! I eagerly look forward to the next chapter, where you will ONCE AGAIN make the story better than the last time...^_^


Keep up the good work!


~MBF

[The Engrish Spy]

Berry *Glomps Berry till she is blue in the face*

Love this chapter. Want more soon. Have fun at Chicago. You lucky Duck...

MBF: You can go to Anime North and see all the GW guys.

Engrish: *looks down at feet* No I can't I have to work.

Keep it up Berry!

[wicked]

Another wonderfully done chapter Berry!

Maybe I'm not reading carefully but I'm still not sure what's wrong with Relena. *frowns* What really happened when Chang took her by force?

Dorothy still needs to get beaten and I'm not talking just duels. I can't wait until the next chapter. Hurry up MO girl!

~Wicked

[Kiyoko]

Things are starting to get really crazy! Dorothy is such a fiend! She is quite unbelieveable sometimes. I'm so jealous you get to go to a convention. Anime Expo doesn't start until july in california, i'm so anxious to go! last year I practically lived in the movie rooms. Anyway, awsome job on this chapter, i just wish they were longer! What can I say, i'm greedy.
::bows low in homage::

[aku_ryo]

oh man your goignto the chicago one your soooo lucky their giving away robotech toys there i want one!!!!!! lucky lucky girl!!!!

wah!!!!!!!!

anyway onto somethign compltely different

wicked chapter on to read the next one now!!!

akuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[maverickhunter]

So you were in Chicago that weekend huh? Should have told me, I could have met you at the convention. Anywho...this is a great fic, never watched Utena either, but this concept is intriguing to say the least. Glad Wufei's out of the way, he can be such an idiot sometimes.