Dark Side 6/?

[Sissi]

Dark Side

By : Sissi

DISCLAIMER : I do not own Gundam Wing

Chapter Six : In my dreams, I promise you...






Warmth and softness. She could feel feathers touching and prickling her skin, teasing her senses. Her body felt hot, as if she were in a tropical country, with the sun bathing her white complexion, not that she would have complained, not at all. She welcomed this warmth which seeped into her bones and made her feel cozier and better, almost as being loved by Apolo himself

She was lying on humid soil, the fresh smell of greenery and life enticing her nostrils. She sniffed deeply, and the fragrance of roses and lilies assaulted her along with something spicy which she could not name. Was it cinnamon? It did not matter, for all she could think of was the fact that she felt like in Heaven, warm and protected.

Maybe too protected. As she tried to move her limbs, she found out they were restrained. She tried to move, forcing her arms and legs, to no avail. She opened her mouth and cried out, but no sound escaped from her throat. She jerked her head upwards and scrutinized her surroundings. Everything was dark, with silent shadows lurking everywhere, and she felt her forehead damp with sweat. Fear started creeping into her soul, drop by drop.

Where was she?

She willed herself to calm down. It was no use adrenaline coursing through her veins, clouding her better judgement. She needed a clear mind, and so, she would will herself to stay still until it happened. She breathed in and out slowly, and tried to relax her tense muscles. Her hands which had been in the form of fists relaxed and she sighed.

Opening her eyes ever so slightly, she blinked for several minutes as her pupils adjusted to the brightness offered by the sun, which was hovering above her lithe form. That darkess whcih had been surrounding her had dissipated as quickly as the steam formed by hot tea would disappear with a quick blow of the wind. She lifted her arm and placed a hand in front of her eyes, frowning as she still could not distinguish the form of objects displayed in front of her.

She licked her lips, noticing how dry they were. She needed to drink water as soon as possible. Her entire body hurt as if she had been run over by a truck, however she doubted it truly had happened to her. She massaged her temples and lifted her upper body up.

Grabbing a wood stick that had been lying beside her, she concentrated her strength on a single spot as she pulled herself up, grinding her teeth in the process. Her legs shook with the effort, but nonetheless, she made it in the end. Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she sighed deeply, closing her eyes, and resting her body from the exertion.

She opened her eyes once again, and lifted her face to the blue sky, where fluffy white clouds floated aimlessly around. She was in the middle of a green field, with long and tall grass hiding her presence from any strange visitors. Some trees were also in the field, but they were few and sparse, with bent branches and deep green foliage. She smiled at the perfectness of the day, so beautiful just like a fairy tale. She pinched her arms, but strangely enough, she felt nothing.

Was she dreaming? Impossible, it seemed too real to be a mere dream. Yet.... dreams can be deceitful...

The sound of hooves and laughter reached her ears, and a sudden fear infiltrated her heart. Turning around, her hair flying around her head like a golden veil, she looked frantically at her surroundings, searching, wanting, needing...

She ran to the nearest tree, falling in the process, having to crawl to reach her destination. Panting slightly, she sticked out her head and waited, as the voices grew stronger with each passing minute. She inhaled deeply, clutching the wood trunk with her bare palms, scratching them. She paid them no heed.

Two teenagers were riding on their horses, a boy and a girl. Both had blonde hair and blue eyes, the difference being the intensity of the colours. Hers was a little bit darker than his, yet, their bone structure was almost identical. They were brother and sister, she thought to herself.

The girl was laughing at her brother, her cheeks inflamed and red, her hands holding the reins with a lot of effort. Her back shook every time she had a laugh attack, which made her look somewhat comical if not lovely. She wore a simple pink dress, which made her look almost ethereal with her looks with the sun bathing her light form. Her small ruby lips parted and she licked her lips as the hot day eventually affected her body.

The boy, on the other hand, looked more real, if one could say this. He also looked more controlled concerning his laughing tendencies, for he was laughing as well, but he had his stance rigid and a bit stiff, as if ready for an unexpected escape. He had tanned skin and wore dark pants and a white t-shirt, open at the base of the neck in form of a ‘V’, showing off a part of his already well defined chest.

The girl pulled the reins, halting her mare to a stop. She patted its neck, calming the restless animal. She turned her head, and watched her brother do the same. She smiled and suddenly pouted.

“This place is so lovely, why do we have to leave?” she asked, watching the landscape with scrutinizing eyes. He shrugged.

“I love this, doesn’t mama understand this?” she pressed on, receiving no answer from him. She sighed, and slumped her shoulders in defeat. “This is going to be our last day here...”

“It’s going to be alright, I promise you,” he started, and she turned her face to him, smiling at his words. She kicked her mare’s side, urging it to move. She lifted an eyebrow to him as he made to motion to copy her.

“Let’s go; I need to change for the departing party,” she yelled as she she flew away. He shook his head, an amused smile spreading over his face. Kicking the sides of his horse as well, and putting all his weight on his legs, he forced his horse to run faster, the wind blowing hazardly against his face. He bit his lower lip as he felt his horse almost collapsing under him, but he only urged it on. He could not lose to anyone.

Relena stepped out of her hiding place, watching them disappear in the horizon. She sunk against the rough trunk of the tree, releasing her breath. She hugged her knees, frowning at what had happened. They had not heard her when she had stepped on that stick, breaking it into two. She scratched her chin thoughtfully. It was very strange.

Standing up, now with more ease, she followed those two, her mind asking for answers. Her heart was beating very quickly; that boy had been Derek when he had been young.

She had some doubts concerning his identity in the beginning, for the eyes shone different feelings and the boy was not as cold as the Derek she knew. But, she reasoned, people can change, and Derek was human as well. She was human as well, was she not?

She walked with as much care as possible, and when she reached the iron gate, she stopped. It was locked. She shook it slightly, but it would not bulge. She tried once again, with more force. Nothing. She bit her bottom lip, tracing the bars with slender fingers, frowning at her predicament.

She walked along the gate until she reached the brick wall. She patted it, her fingers touching every hole, looking for any hint of a secret door. Maybe she was being foolish, but it never hurts to try. She pressed on each possible stone, on each hole, nothing. Again. She frowned and felt her eyes sting. She placed her hands over her chest and started breathing slowly, calming her soul.She would not cry there, she told herself almost desperately.

She punched the wall slightly in frustration, as her crying attack passed. Not a very smart thing to do, but Hell, she needed to free her anger!

She looked around her. It was starting to get dark, and the temperature had already fallen considerably. Rubbing her bare arms, she waited for some miracle to happen.

“Hey, are you lost?” Relena could have swore her heart had leaped out and fallen on the floor, the beating organ still pumping blood to her supposed body. She placed a shaking hand on her chest, and felt it beating wildly, bombing as much blood as possible to her very affected body. She turned her face to the voice. Her eyes widened and she gasped at her unexpected visitor.

“Hey, are you okay?” Marianne approached the blonde girl with a grin, her palms outstretched. Relena did not move, though her eyes did not leave the other girl’s eyes.

“Why don’t you come in?” She pointed behind her. Not waiting for an answer, she unlocked the gate and walked back to her house, each step as certain as the fact that the sun would rise in the east. Relena watched her with eyes in turmoil. What to do? It was now or never. Breathing deeply, she followed her to her home, entering the threshold, up the stairs, and eventually, reaching her bedroom, where she sat combing her hair. Relena stopped at the doorframe, her fingers tracing her arms as she watched the girl. Without even noticing it, she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Come in, don’t be shy,” Katherine urged on, placing the comb down and moving to the bed. She patted the place beside her, warm eyes inviting her.

“I’m Marianne, what about you?” she asked once Relena was beside her, still uncomfortable with the situation. “You’re not one of talking, huh? Not a problem to me, but I’d feel much better knowing that you’re not here to kill me or something,” she teased.

Relena widened her eyes.

“Oh, sorry, it was only a joke!” Marianne corrected herself, noticing how pale the other girl had gotten. Had she said something wrong? “Anyway, it’s a pity I’ve just met you today. I am leaving tonight , but you can stay for the party.” She tried again, but received no response. Okay, what was wrong with her? Katherine felt the urge to frown and pout, but stopped herself. She was fifteen, almost an adult, and she would not act like a child. She looked at the strange girl and smiled.

“Do I look pretty?” She said, standing up and dancing around the room. Her dress, so much like those of Medieval times, along with her pretty and lively face made her look like a real princess. An exquisite one. Relena had to smile at this girl who resembled the purity of a child.

“You’re beautiful,” she told her with her heart. Marianne grinned. The ice between them had been broken.

“Thanks! Hey, I have an idea! I’ll lend you one of my dresses and maybe we could apply some make-up on you!! Oh, I can already see it! You’re gonna be so beautiful!” She claimed giddily, her hands clasped together in front of her heart, dreamy eyes staring at nothing. Relena shook her head, a benigne smile on her face. She did have much time.

“This is your night, don’t bother with me. I should be going,” she stood up, but the girl caught her wrist with ease.

“Aw, please?”

“I’m sorry,” she apologized.

“Oh well, nothing I can do. Maybe we could see each other some other time, right?”

“... Right.”






* * * * *





Fairy tales are full of magical nights, especially when the prince dances with the princess and they fall in love, madly, deeply and without regret. That night was supposed to be a happy one for the entire Kettering family. Derek watched the guests with bored eyes, a cup of champaigne between his fingers. Sipping it slightly, he looked outside the window, at the twinkling stars.

A white point was moving in the dark velvet, leaving a trail of silvery behind. A shooting star. Placing the glass down, he clasped his hands together and thought of a wish, desiring with all his heart that it would somehow come into reality.

A hand touched his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Marianne asked, sitting beside him.

“Wishing. I saw a shooting star,” and he pointed to the sky. She watched amazed the star travel through the vast universe, and imagined whether it felt lonely or not, visiting new and wonderful places all by itself, with no one to share it with. Whoever said that the brightness of stars was useless was completely wrong, for it is the brightness that inspires poets to write beautiful poems and it is under the silverbeams of stars that lovers confess their love to each other.

Stars... They always brought her new hopes.

She clasped her hands together as well, and did the same things as Derek. He nudged her when she was done. “What did you wish for?”

“I am not telling,” she teased, sticking up her nose in superiority. He laughed, and patted her head. “Smart girl,” he teased back, and she puffed her chest. Her eyes beamed with happiness.

Suddenly, more and more shooting stars appeared in the sky. They frowned.

“What’s happening?” she asked, her voice tainted with worry. He pulled her to him, leading her through the hall and into her room. “Stay here,” he ordered, hands on her shoulders, serious eyes staring deeply into her afraid ones. She nodded and waited for him to leave. She watched as the door was closed and sat on her bed, waiting with a heavy heart. Somehow, she knew this night would not end well.

She put her hand together and knelt down, and started to pray.

Dear God...

She could not remember the words. It had been so long since she had last prayed, it was her fault, really, for her mother had always preached her on it. Oh well, it was too late now, right?

So she could not remember the right words, it did not matter. God would listen to her words, no matter what, as long as they were true ones. They would be coming from her heart, and that was enough. God would forgive her for her lack of memory. The edges of her mouth lifted upwards at that thought.

Dear God, please, protect me, I don’t wanna die...

The house suddenly shook, and outside, a huge humanoid machine landed on her garden. She clasped her hands with more force as the huge robot reached for its gun and started to aim it at the house.

I don’t wanna die, please, I don’t want anybody that I love to die...

Dust fell onto her face, and she had to close her eyes. She bit her bottom lip, but kept praying in her mind. Her knees hurt, but she did not care. Her heart was racing, and she could feel perspiration on her forehead. She wanted to wipe the sweat away, but it could wait.

The sounds and the screams were getting higher and higher...

The house shook as something crashed into the house, making the beige walls shake almost as if it were afraid of death itself. Katherine, not being able to keep her mouth shut, screamed. She stopped yelling when something hard and heavy hit the back of her head, and she could feel herself losing consciousness. Her body hit the ground with a thud, but she did not feel it. She had drifted to the dark world before her fall. Her prayers ceased as the battle began.






* * * * *






Relena watched with terrified eyes as the mobile suits invaded the propriety, guns in hand, firing and killing the people, creating a huge massacre. She shut her eyes, and clutched her head, unable to witness such violence. What had these people done? What were the mobile suits doing there?

She ran to a clearing and found bodies lying on the ground, red pools of blood forming under them. She forced her mouth to remain shut, as she felt her insides turn wildly, the taste of bile already very strong. She gulped, hard. She tried to focus her mind, and kept telling her that that was not real. It could not be real.

She urged her legs to move, to leave that horrifying sight. She wiped her eyes diligently as she felt her eyesight blur. Her throat burned as her chest jumped with the force of the hiccups.

She stopped right in her tracks when she spotted familiar blonde locks under thousands of debris, a single hand left unharmed, with a tricklet of red liquid oozing out from the upper arm, invisible to the eye. Relena clenched her teeth, and ran to the body. She knelt down and started to throw away the stones and rocks covering the body. She shuddered. Body... She could find a body under the stones.

It took her a lot of time, each stone big and heavy. Relena wiped her forehead, her back killing her, but she kept on. She had set her face into a determined one, and she would not let despair conquer her.

One more stone, she told herself.

As she placed the last rock beside her, she gazed at the body anxiously and averted her eyes. She could feel her tears flowing on her cheeks and falling on the collar of her clothes. She touched the arm. It was cold. She gripped it almost madly, afraid to let it go. It must be a joke, she she tried to convince herself. Just a joke.

“Marianne?” She asked, shaking the limb with an unknown strength. “Wake up, please?” She pleaded. It was her time to feel the silence permeating the air. She gulped, shaking the arm frenetically.

One of the fingers bent, and Relena felt her mouth dry with anticipation. It moved again, it was no illusion. She had to control herself not to yell madly as she watched the other girl’s eyelids slowly lift up.

Blue eyes linked with her own, and Relena caressed her cheek fondly, her fingers tracing her pale skin, watching for any injuries. Her face was not hurt, mainly because she had used her arms to protect herself. She moved Marianne’s bangs away from her eyes. She was only a child, yet, now, she had witnessed what even adults abhorred to see.

“It’s a beautiful night...” Marianne whispered, her eyes trailing the sky. The falling stars had already returned to their own abode, leaving death behind. Marianne held Relena’s hand in her own, stealing some comfort from her warmth.

Her body felt incredibly cold, her limbs sore and her breathing hard. She turned her head and saw Relena watching her, her lips trembling with the cold. She tried to smile, however the muscles of her face hurt with the movement.

“I can’t even smile..” she told the other girl sadly, clutching her hand with more force. A spasm took hold of her body and she jerked back, her back arching and her mouth opening to scream. Slowly, ever so slowly, she returned to normal, warm liquid trailing her cheeks.

“Marianne!” A male voice called, catching their attention. Derek shouted far away from them, searching for her under the debris. She wanted to cry; he had remembered her!

“Derek...” she tried, her voice starting to fade. Her time was approaching. Sadness enveloped her entire being, her soul becoming numb with the distress of the situation. She sighed, turning to the strange girl whom she met that day. She looked like an angel. Was she the angel of death, and have been waiting for her the entire day?

“Marianne? You’ll be okay, I know it,” Relena tried to convince the girl, her own voice trembling with the fear. She rubbed Marianne’s arms, as she had nothing else to protect her from the chill of the night. As she spoke, white clouds of condensed air formed, and if it were winter and if she were with her friends, she would have found it interesting and fun, almost considered it as a magical night. Just like in the fairy tales.

“Marianne!!” Derek yelled once more. His voice had been one of despair and Relena turned her head and shouted back to Derek, indicating him their location. Yet, he heard nothing. He kept screaming and pulling out the rocks, his hands bleeding with the action. His bangs were glued on his forehead, along with his clothes, however he payed them no heed. His eyes were focused on the debris. He was losing everything he has ever loved.

“Over here!!” Relena shouted but the figure would not move. She frowned. How could it be? She was going to stand up when a cold hand encircled her wrist, pulling her down. She eyed the girl, a question written on her face.

“I don’t wanna stay alone,” she confessed. Relena smiled and nodded, reclaiming her place beside her. White snowflakes were starting to fall from the sky, creating a new blanket to the earth, washing the tainted soil. The red colour was being replaced by white, a pure white.

The temperature was very low now, and Relena rubbed the other girl’s arms with more velocity with each stroke. The skin would get red quickly, but nonetheless, as quick as it would get warm, it would get cold.

“I’m not afraid of dying, you know?” Marianne said, watching the girl’s frantic movements. The edges of her mouth lifted upwards. It was futile, why try? She said nothing though, only kept watching the girl. She was very vulnerable at that moment. Maybe it was time...

“You never told me your name,” she said, startling Relena.

“Relena,” she asnwered.

“Pretty name,” she whispered. “Could you... do me a favor?”

“...”

Relena watched the girl, blue eyes linked to the fading blue of the other girl. She could feel the girl’s heartbeats slowing as time passed, the coldness creeping in, the skin getting colder and stiffer. Hints of death. She touched the girl’s cheek, cleaning it with her fingers.

“I don’t want to leave Derek alone,” Marianne started, turning her face and watching her brother’s useless attempts to finding her. His torn shirt and bleeding hands brought tears to her eyes. She shut her eyes to the scene.

“I want you to live my life. Please?”

Relena’s hand stiffened, and her eyes widened at the favour. Was she asking...? She shook her head. Could she give up her life? What exactly did that mean?

“Please? Derek’s going to be all alone, I can’t stand it. Please?” She tried again, staring at the girl, though she was seeing nothing. Her eyes were already opaque.

“I...” Relena started. Could she give up her life? Could she? What about her friends? What about...Heero? She licked her lips, tasting the saltiness of her tears.

“Please?”

Her heart was beating wildly in her chest, her body softening as she felt dreamy and tired. She rested her head beside Katherine’s, closing her eyes, and letting the numbness take her.

“Relena?”

“I...promise you...” she replied, her mind not working anymore. All she wanted was to sleep serenely, and forget about everything.

Strangely enough, images of her childhood were displayed in front of the eyes of her mind. She watched the happy and satisfaied faces of her foster parents, her friends, and classmates at St. Gabriel. She watched the moment she saw that shooting star flying in the direction of Earth. She saw when she took off Heero’s helmet and was stunned by his handsome face. Then, his threat. And then, she met the other Gundam Pilots, Duo, Trowa, Quatre, Wufei... so many people in such a short time, yet they would affect her life forever. Heero...he would forever affect her.

Could she leave them all behind? Her soul was tired. Tired of fighting, of having to be strong to the world, when she did not feel like it. Tired of being rejected. Tired of everything. Maybe, being someone else would not be that bad. She would be free, and be able to start her life anew.

Yes, she could be alive again.

She would be doing a favor, anyway. Why not?

Why not...

The sight displayed in front of her turned black, and she felt a void inside her soul. The images of all the people she held dear disappeared within a second, and slowly, images of a grinning man with blond hair and blue eyes appeared in front of her. He kissed her forehead tenderly and tucked her in her bed, whispering loving words and caressing her cheek.

Her heart thundered inside of her chest. This man loved her very much, she could see it in his eyes. She smiled at the man, no, the boy in front of her. He loved her very much, and she knew she loved him as well.

He would protect her from all the harm the world would plague her with. She nodded at him and closed her eyes. Unconsciousness was calling for her, and she did not feel like disobeying it at that moment. As her mind started to shut it to the exterior world, she heard the blond man whisper her name tenderly. Her body jerked back as something warm came flooding inside her body.

She could feel memories filling her mind, strange ones yet she knew they were hers now. She let her tears pour down her cheeks, and slowly, she fell asleep, with white and fragile feathers encircling her nude and unprotected body, forming a small cocoon where she would be able to rest until it was time for her rebirth. She would rise once again when the time came, but until then, she would have to rest and let her pure black satin wings hidden to the world.

“Marianne...”








TBC

[RDP]

...Wow...intriguing fic. The angst was rather disheartening (as all good angst tugs at the heart)... Hope things get better for everyone...where is Heero? Great job, Sissi.

[melrose_stormhaven]

Whooo...cool.