(D2 Entry) Butterflies of the Night, ch 12

[Fallen Angel]

Author: Fallen Angel, fallen_angel_2012@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13 but lemon in ch. 13
Categories: Alternate Universe, Romance, Series.
Disclaimer: not mine

CHAPTER 12: KIYOMIZU
{

Relena knew Kiyomizu temple well. In spring and autumn, at New Years, she had attended the festivals, had bathed in the golden glow of the lanterns, had danced on the main platform she now stood on, had stood before the shrines and asked for the safe return of her brother and good luck to her family through the year.
This was not, she was sure, the Kiyomizu she knew.
It was cold, dark, menacing and?in a way which meant more than a lack of people present?empty.
The main platform seemed dark, abandoned. Behind her, the mountain loomed up like a shadow. To her right, the main temple section of Kiyomizu also seemed like a mountain, threatening to fall atop her. Beneath her, she could hear the mountain stream rushing along on its way to the Kamo River. She leaned over the railing just slightly to see it, a silver snake running through a dark forest of pine, many meters below.
No, this was not the Kiyomizu temple she knew. But then again, maybe present company had something to do with it. She looked to her right. Trieze was standing casually against the railing, facing the opposite direction: watching, she knew, the stone stairs leading up the mountainside to the platform on which they stood. This was the only way up. Her eyes fell on Trieze?s sword at his left and the pistol tucked into his obi on the right and had the horrible thought of what would happen if Trieze decided to use his weapons on Heero. She shivered subconsciously.
?Cold, my dear??
Relena levelled a cold glare at him. ?The only thing that leaves me cold, Kushrenada, is being in your presence.?
?Harsh words from someone brought up in the flower and willow world.?
?As one from the flower and willow world, I have been taught how to treat someone with tact and gentle understanding. And never in all my years there have I met someone so undeserving of either.?
Her words seem to jolt Trieze and he stood up straighter. ?It is a shame you do not believe in our cause, Miss Relena. Someone with your strength of character would be a great asset to our fight for peace.?
?Peace?? Relena asked. ?The only man who is capable of bringing about peace is Heero Yuy and all you want to do is stop him. No, Kushrenada, the path you walk is one to war. The worst thing is, you take us all with it. Heero Yuy?s life is worth more than any of ours because his being alive means the lives of many innocent Japanese. Even many innocent Chinese and Russians.?
Trieze sighed. ?So be it. You are wise, Miss Relena, but you do not think the way a soldier does.?
?And you do??
?I was a soldier once too,? Trieze said, and for all his lies, Relena knew he was telling the truth. ?I led men into war, and I lost them. We ? more than anyone else ? long for peace. But Heero does not realize that the blood of a soldier still runs though many people?s veins: our own, and our enemies. It even runs though his, though he has tried to bury it?? he looked sideways at Relena. ??perhaps in the softness of a woman?s arms.?
His head reeled back from the slap Relena had given him, the red mark visible in the pale moonlight.
?You are no gentleman,? she said, her voice low and threatening. ?To speak of such things.?
Trieze?s green eyes hardened. ?You are wrong, Miss Relena,? he said, and before she could even move, even react, his sword was at her throat, his other arm holding her shoulders so she could not move. ?I am a gentleman. But I am also a desperate man. And if Heero Yuy doesn?t show up soon, I shall have to do something desperate. Though I would hate to have to do something before he arrives.?
?Get your hands off her, Trieze, or you won?t be the only one forced to do something desperate.?
Trieze spun around, taking Relena with him. But she didn?t need to see who was standing behind them to know who it was: she would have recognized the voice anywhere.
Heero.
And he wasn?t the only one. Behind him, also half-hidden by the shadow of the mountain behind them, were four men and ? if Relena was any guess of stature and body language ? a young woman.
None of this seemed to have escaped Trieze?s attention either. ?I told you to come alone, Yuy. Step out of the shadows. All of you.?
They did and Relena saw a mixed ? though all equally determined ? group of young men. Some she recognized?Quatre was there, as was Trowa. One of the men, though she?d never met him, fit the description of Duo, Hilde?s boyfriend. After all, how many men in Japan had ponytails down to their waists and vivid violet eyes? The fourth man she didn?t recognize, nor the girl, who was currently being held still by Duo. She wasn?t bound, though, and didn?t seem in distress. Her eyes did seem wide, though, fixed upon Trieze.
?Father, please. Let the geisha go and we?ll just go home.?
To Trieze?s credit, he replied with, ?Have they hurt you, Mariemaia??
Mariemaia, Relena thought. So this was Trieze?s daughter.
?No, they haven?t,? said Mariemaia. ?Please father, let her go.?
Trieze?s grip didn?t losen at all. ?I can?t Mariemaia. I?m sorry, but you would not understand: so much rests on tonight, so many lives. I do this for you. Do not worry, though, I will not let them hurt you.?
?As I will not let you hurt Relena,? said Heero, his voice icy, his hand gripping the handle of his sword. He turned to Relena then, and his tone softened. ?Are you alright??
She shook her head. ?I?m fine. But you shouldn?t be here, Heero, it?s exactly what he wants??
Trieze?s grip tightened on her shoulders. ?Silence is a virtue, Miss Relena. And this does not concern you. It concerns us, doesn?t it, Heero? And it seems we have a stalemate.?
?If you would have it,? said Heero, ?I would rather let the women go and you and I may settle this as men.?
Wufei mumbled something about Trieze being inhuman, but Trieze only sighed sadly. ?I?m afraid the time for such a gamble is long gone, Heero. There was a time when I would have been happy to settle this with honour, but you have given me no choice.?
Heero frowned. ?In this case, Trieze, you have no more choice than I do. Unless you would be so callous as to risk your own daughter?s life.?
?I would never do such a thing.?
?Heero, be careful,? warned Duo, ?you can?t trust him.?
?You have that right,? said a voice at Duo?s side and before he could move, his arms occupied with holding Mariemaia, there was a katana at his throat. Out of the shadows, like a ghost from a tale of long ago, slid a tall woman in a black kimono, her brown eyes flashing.
?Lady Une!? cried Quatre as he and Trowa moved to help their friend. But Duo stopped them. ?Don?t come any closer, guys,? he warned.
?Clever,? said Lady Une. ?Because I am not my husband, Duo Maxwell. I have no schemes and no intricate sense of honour. I know only one rule of honour: protect my family at all costs. And I come from a long line of samurai: I may be a woman, but I know how to use this katana. If you do not unhand my daughter, I will slit your throat where you stand.?
?Mother!? cried Mariemaia, obviously shocked at this side to Lady Une.
Duo looked to Heero and could see by the disappointment in the other man?s eyes that they had been sadly deceived. Lady Une?s presence and skill had caught them completely off guard. ?Let her go, Duo,? he said finally.
?But Heero?? Duo said. Mariemaia was their upper hand in this. They couldn?t afford to lose her.
?I never liked the idea of involving Mariemaia anyway,? said Heero. His gaze then fixed on Trieze again. ?Only a cowardly man gets what he wants by using the loved ones of others.?
Resigned, Duo let Mariemaia go. She stood there for a moment, though, unsure of what to do, bewildered by all that had happened in the last few minutes.
?Mariemaia, go,? commanded her mother. But the young girl stood still, as if she wasn?t even sure this armed woman beside her even was her mother.
Finally Quatre spoke. ?It?s okay, Mariemaia. It would be better if you left now.?
The girl nodded and ran off, only casting a quick glance back before reaching the stairs.
?Now,? said Heero. ?I have let your daughter go, Trieze. Release Relena.?
?No.?
?Damn you, Trieze,? cried Wufei. ?You have no honour!? He rushed forward, katana raised, but Une was there first, moving like the wind, her own katana out. Their blades met with a high-pitched ring that was almost musical.
?So,? said Lady Une, smiling as their blades stuck again and again, so quickly that the others didn?t come to help: they could barely follow the fight, much less break it up. It was too risky - they could just as easily hurt Wufei as Une. ?I have come face to face with the spy from China. Chang Wufei, isn?t it? Trained by the Emperor?s own secret guard. I am glad to finally meet someone worthy of my skill.?
Wufei stepped back, lowering his katana briefly to try and take Une down with a sweeping kick. She anticipated it though, and as if her kimono weighed nothing at all, flipped over Wufei?s head. Wufei only just had time to turn and raise his blade when she was on the attack again. ?You are skilled,? said Wufei, ?but this fight doesn?t concern you, woman.?
Une seemed to bristle at this. ?Oh, so I may have all the skill of the best male warrior, but this fight does not concern me? Heero is free to bring four men of his own but my husband may not let me fight? Would it be better for me to stay at home and let him fight you on his own, die on his own?? She continued to fight as she spoke, her blade flying, her drooping kimono sleeves sweeping, distracting Wufei and covering her moves. Finally she made her final move: a sweeping blow that forced Wufei?s blade to lower, followed with her arm. With the side of her palm she struck Wufei on the neck.
The pain was lacenating, pulsing - it seemed - through Wufei?s entire body. He fell to his knees and Une took her opportunity, driving her katana through his shoulder.
?Wufei!? Quatre rushed forward to his fallen comrade?s side. Trowa pulled his own blade and moved to face Lady Une, but she didn?t even raise her katana.
?Honestly, Mr Trowa,? she said. ?I have watched you many times on the stage and admire your skill. But you and I know that this is my stage, and I am the one with greater skill.?
?You may have the greater skill,? said Duo from her other side. ?But I am the one with the pistol aimed at your head. And trust me: from this distance, I will not miss. Drop your weapon.?
?Will you kill me?? asked Une, though she didn?t seem very worried by it.
?No,? said Duo. ?But perhaps we?ve made a mistake. Maybe none of us should have gotten involved in this. I only wish now that we had left Heero to deal with this on his own, since that?s how the fates seem to have chosen it to happen.?
Une smiled and turned to the American. ?Wise words, Mr Maxwell. I see now why Heero chose you as his right-hand man. Like me, you are not what you seem. For that, I will do as you ask.? The clear clanging of metal falling rang out across the pagoda as Une?s sword dropped to the ground. ?I hope you will also take your own advice,? she added.
?Of course.? Duo turned to Heero. ?Well, buddy, it looks like you?re on your own.?
?That?s perfect,? said Heero. ?This should?ve been between us all along, Trieze. I won?t have anyone else I care about put at risk for our quarrel.?
?Very well,? agreed Trieze. ?But there never should have been a quarrel between us, Yuy. We are both soldiers: the same blood flows through your veins as through mine. We are the ones who have bled for this country, died for this country, and you would now offer all we have fought for to the enemy? I cannot have that.?
Heero gritted his teeth. ?I can understand your hesitancy, Trieze, but this treaty will work. I trust in the people?s desire for peace
?Then you are a fool!? cried Trieze, one hand releasing Relena as the other gripped his katana. With a swiftness that had made many men tremble before him in battle, he rushed at Heero. But the younger man was just as quick and - prepared for Trieze?s attack - rose his own katana in defence. Yet - even as steel struck steel - Heero?s eyes turned to meet Relena?s.
?Relena, go!?
She shook her head defiantly. ?No, not without you. Heero, stop this. You?re only going to get killed.?
?Listen to your woman,Yuy,? said Trieze, raising his sword high and striking blow after blow against Heero. ?I would rather not spill your blood for all the good you have done for this country but I must have your alliegance.?
Heero could not answer, so busy was he fighting off Trieze?s attack. Relena watched, fearful and puzzled. Heero was the Emporor?s general. Surely he was the best swordsman in Japan, even if Trieze had training from his samurai wife. And then her sharp eyes caught what only someone who knew Heero well might have spotted. He was injured, favouring his left side. It was slowing his motions with the sword and making blows that would have otherwise brought Trieze down merely defensive blocks. Relena glanced at Duo and the others and she could tell they saw the same thing and were worried.
Finally, it happened; the moment she?d been dreading. Trieze made his final blow and Heero?s sword flew from his weakened grasp and slid across the floor. Defeated and exhausted, Heero feel to his knees, his chest heaving from the effort of fighting with his injury. But what evoked more pity in Relena than anything was the expression on his face as he looked up at Trieze, an expression of sadness as Heero watched all he?d fought for slip through his fingers.
?Do it, Trieze,? he said, his voice full of resignation. ?Maybe it is for the best. Maybe it should end this way.?
?Heero, no!? Relena cried out.
?I have no wish to kill you, Heero,? said Trieze, though his blade remained at the other man?s throat. ?Give me the seal and I shall let you go. You will be dishonoured in the eyes of the Emporor but you may live in peace knowing you have done the right thing.?
And then the strangest sound broke the silence that had settled over all of them. The sound of laughter. It took Relena a second to realise that the sound was coming from Heero.
?What is it, Yuy? Now is not the time for laughter.?
?But it is,? said Heero. ?I?d completely forgotten till now.?
?What? What did you forget??
?I don?t have the seal,? said Heero, still laughing. ?All your effort for nothing, Trieze - I don?t even have the seal.?
Trieze?s face went through a bizarre set of contortions as he held in his rage. ?You laugh at the risk of your neck, Yuy! If you don?t have the seal, where is it??
Heero was still smiling. ?I gave it to a loved one. Certainly where you will never get your dirty hands on it. You don?t honestly think I wasn?t aware of your treachery??
Trieze was the one now who bore the look of resignation and disappointment. But quick on the heels of that was cold rage and softly, so only Relena heard, he said, ?Then you will die without honour, Yuy. There is nothing more anyone can do to save you.?
She watched it all happen in slow motion. She saw Trieze pull his pistol with his free hand, saw that the others could not see this movement from where they stood, saw that Heero had closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate.
And then, like a desperate message from her memory, she heard his words.
I gave it to a loved one.
But Heero had told her himself he had no family, no loved ones.
No one except her, that was.
And even as her mind began to put the puzzle pieces together her hand went to her hair, to the ornament Heero had given her last week. Though it felt like a year ago now. At the time, she?d wondered briefly that it was so heavy for a wood ornament only, but hadn?t given it any more thought. Now, as she slid it from her hair, she felt its weight again and was sure of it. With trim nails, she felt around the edge of the flowers, finding a seam in the wood, tugging?
It fell open in her palm and there, within the circular wood that had formed the body of the ornament, was a tiny but intricately carved piece of wood, the characters on it so well-defined Relena could read them even in the dim light.
On the right, the character for Yuy.
On the left, Heero.
The seal.
?Trieze!? she cried out, finally finding her voice.
He raised his head, the gun still poised at his side. ?Begging for your lover?s life, Miss Relena??
She ignored his taunt. ?I have the seal Trieze. Let Heero go.?
?I see. Or you?ll do what??
Relena stepped back to the edge of the platform and held her arm over the railing. ?Or I?ll drop this seal into the river below.?
Trieze narrowed his gaze, then raised his pistol. Not to Heero?s head this time, though, but to hers. ?I think, Miss Relena, you will do no such thing.?
His heart gripped in fear, Heero turned to Relena. ?Relena, you don?t know what you?re saying. Do as he asks. Give him the seal.?
?Listen to him, Miss Relena,? said Trieze. ?Your courage is admirable but it tries my patience. Give me the seal.?
Relena?s hand tightened on the seal, her gaze dropping to the river below. It was flowing strongly, fed by the melting snow of the mountains. Then her gaze went to Trieze, to the gun pointed at her heart. Then finally, she saw Heero, the man she loved, the man who could bring them all peace if only given a chance. And with a sense of purpose Relena never knew she had, she understood what it was she had to do.
?Never.?
?What?? Trieze was incredulous.
?Relena, no!?
But Relena would not be swayed. ?Do you take me for a fool, Trieze?? she asked. ?If I give you this seal, I sign Heero?s death warrant. Once you have the seal, he cannot be allowed to live. Only with his death would you be able to use the seal, to take his authority. While he lives, he may yet challenge you. But without the seal, you must hope to sway Heero to your cause and you will certainly need him alive for that.?
Trieze sighed. ?You are too clever for your own good, Miss Relena. As it is, you have forced me to make a choice: his life or yours.?
?Relena!? cried Heero, desperately. She could see he was dying to move but couldn?t for Trieze?s sword. ?Don?t do this. Give him the seal, please.?
Relena smiled at her love sadly. ?I?m sorry, Heero, but your life is worth more than mine. I am only a butterfly, to come and go like the seasons. But you need to live on.?
?No,? tears were gathering in his eyes. ?Relena, I love you??
She smiled. ?I know.?
And with that, she closed her eyes, opened her hand and dropped the seal.

{

Heero could only watch it happen as if in some bizarre nightmare.
Trieze?s curse of anger as he saw the seal fall, his almost instinctive pulling of the trigger. Heero saw Relena stumble from the blow of the bullet, her body forced back against the railing, her eyes widening in pain, then closing slowly. And then, in horror, he saw the railing give way, her body begin to fall. Taking advantage of Trieze?s distraction, he stumbled to his feet, ran to her.
He was but a meter away when Relena fell, reaching out for her but unable to grasp her. She fell over the edge and then was gone.
Pain shot through him like a dagger wound and he fell to his knees, crying out in agony.
?Releeeeeeeeeenaaaaaaaaaa!? Heero?s cry was like a knife cutting though the silence, echoing out over the night sky. But it was too late. She was gone, the broken railing the only sign she?d ever been there.
No one moved. No one knew what to do.
No one except Heero.
The rage rushed through him, moving his body before his mind had even come to terms with what had happened.
He picked up his fallen sword and went for Trieze like a man possessed. Trieze only just had time to raise his own katana in defence before Heero was on him, his strokes strong and deadly, each one a potentially fatal blow. Trieze, bewildered and unnerved by this side to Heero, raised his pistol. But Heero was there first, wrenching it out of his hand and sliding it into his own belt.
?You have enough blood on your hands, Trieze,? he hissed. ?I will not let you add mine until I?ve had my revenge.?
And for the first time in his life, Trieze was afraid. Because he knew that Heero wasn?t fighting now as a general, nor as a soldier, but as a man?a man who had lost the only thing in this world he had ever loved.
Heero knew this too, and the knowledge fuelled his hate, so much so that it was not long before Trieze?s sword was brutally knocked from his hand, his fingers bleeding from Heero?s blow.
?Heero?have mercy?? the older man begged, holding his injured hand, his eyes wide.
?Mercy?? Heero laughed, a cold, chilling sound that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present. ?You would now beg for my mercy, Trieze. Very well, I will be fair. I shall let you live.?
?Thank you??
?But your wife will die.? And with that, Heero raised his pistol and aimed it at Lady Une?s head. She didn?t move, fearful of setting him off. For it seemed to her, as it did to the others, that Heero had gone insane.
?Heero,? it was Duo who said this, very carefully. ?I don?t think you wanna do that.?
?Why shouldn?t I?? asked Heero, though it was directed at Trieze this time. ?You killed the one thing I loved. Why would it be unfair for me to kill that which you love??
Trieze was shaking now at Heero?s words. ?General Yuy, I beg you??
?Then would you give your life for hers?? asked Heero. He turned the pistol back on Trieze and levelled his gaze at him, the brown depths of his eyes so dark they were almost black. Cold. Black. Empty. ?Answer me, Trieze. Would you sacrifice everything you are, everything you?ve worked for?for her? Would you die for her??
?Yes,? Trieze answered without blinking, without thinking. ?In a heartbeat.?
?Then you know how I feel.? Heero sighed, his anger dying. With a tiredness that seemed beyond his years, he let the pistol fall to the ground. He then turned to his men. ?Trowa, Quatre, take Lady Une and this?creature?away. I don?t care where. Just make sure they are safely detained. Any attempt to escape, Trieze, and not even the mercy of the Gods will save you. Do you understand? I have let you live tonight, beyond all my want to see you die. You would be wise not to give me a second chance.?
Trieze nodded solemnly. ?I understand.?
As Trowa and Quatre led the two away, Heero went to the edge of the platform. Seeing him, Duo left his place beside Wufei.
?Heero, buddy?um?you aren?t going to do anything stupid, are you??
Heero remained where he was, his hand against the broken wood of the railing, gripping it so hard the splinters made little cuts in the palm of his hand. But he barely felt them. He could have swallowed the splinters and it wouldn?t hurt nearly as much as he was hurting now. He blinked and his vision blurred. Surprised, he raised one hand to his eyes and it came away damp. Tears. His tears. In all his time in battle he had cried for no one. Their sacrifice had been noble, he?d told himself. Why couldn?t he feel that way now? Was it so different when you loved the person?
Yes, his heart answered. Excruciatingly so.
?Um?Heero??
Finally Heero registered that his friend was still waiting for an answer.
?Don?t worry Duo. She died to save my life,? he said. ?The last thing I would do is waste her gift.?
?Heero?? Duo went to comfort his friend, then thought the better of it. Words seemed so pitiful now. Yet he felt like he had to say them anyway, to fill the awkward silence that had fallen around them. ?Heero, I?m so sorry.?
There was no response for so long that Duo thought maybe Heero hadn?t heard him. It was only when he began to make his way back to Wufei that he heard the reply. It was said with such remorse, such heartbreaking honesty, that Duo could barely believe it had come from Heero?s mouth.
?Not nearly as much as I am, Duo. Not nearly.?


Translations:

The flower and willow world: another name for the geisha districts in Japan.

[dragonlady9]

So sad. I wish Relena had lived through this mess. I hope this isn't the last chapter, though!! I want to see how Heero handles this.