<b>Author:</b> Midge-14
<b>Warnings:</b> None
<b>Disclaimer:</b> I don?t own Gundam Wing or the 1939 Wizard of OZ film.
Read previous: <a href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 90">1/1</a>, <a href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 98">1/2</a>, <a href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 17">2/1</a>
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<p align="center"><b>Chapter II - Taking Him Away</b></p>
<i>Part 2</i>
It was another lazy day.
Relena had been milking the cows with Wufei who silently accepted her presence without complaining for once. She had made good progress until the cow had suddenly moved and knocked over the bucket, spilling milk everywhere. Relena had fallen backwards off her stool and landed in a clump of hay. Everyone had laughed at the spectacle; even Heero had smirked at her. Wufei had helped her up and advised her not to squeeze the poor cow so hard. She had apologised for the spilt milk but Zechs let her off.
Relena flushed with embarrassment at the memory. She was in the fields now; sitting and making knots in the blades of grass she pulled up; Toto was lying beside her and the hum of crickets was making her drowsy. Her eyes started to drift but she was brought to attention by the sight of someone far away, riding a bicycle along the road towards her.
Toto growled.
Relena turned to him. He was looking towards the approaching bicycle. His green eyes were bright with fear and it was a look she had seen before; when he had run away from her in town.
She reached out for him and he trembled in her arms. The creaky rattle of the bicycle drew closer until it screeched to a stop right in front of her. Brown eyes looked over Relena sitting in the grass and came to stop at the sight of Toto in her arms.
?I believe we haven?t met,? Miss Une said in a impassive tone.
Relena recognised her but refrained from mentioning it. She felt uneasy around Miss Une and didn?t like the way the woman was staring at Toto.
?No I don?t believe we have,? Relena replied cautiously. Une smiled coldly and got off her bicycle letting it clatter against the ground. Relena winced at the harsh sound.
?I must thank you for cutting my endless search short.? She said in a tone that mocked gratitude, ?You seem to have found him.?
Relena felt a lump settle in the pit of her stomach, ?You mean Toto??
?Toto? Is that what you?re calling him?? Une gave a dry laugh. ?It certainly fits doesn?t it? Well I?m afraid I must ask you to hand him over to me.?
Relena felt Toto whine and bury his head into her arms. She got up, ?Why do you want him??
Une?s spectacles glimmered, ?He?s been a very naughty dog. He escaped from a special place where he belongs.? She said firmly.
Relena turned away from Une?s outstretched arms; there was something wrong here. Why was Toto so frightened? ?I don?t think Toto wants to go anywhere.?
The calm expression slipped and an impatient look crossed Une?s features. She stalked up to Relena and grabbed her arm, pulling her sharply, ?Hand him over!? She demanded. She cried out as Toto snarled, jumped forward and bit her. He bounded away across the grass and Une set after him outraged. ?Why you??
?Toto watch out!? Relena called.
Toto scampered beneath a lone tree and then poised himself, tensing on his front legs. Relena couldn?t believe what happened next. As Une drew close and made a grab for him, Toto sprang into the air and landed on a high branch. He jumped his way further up until he was indistinguishable among the tangled boughs.
Une made a frustrated noise and straightened her dress as she stared up at him. ?You cannot run forever! I <i>will</i> get you my little prince.? She said venomously and headed back towards Relena. Une swept past her and picked her bicycle up from the ground. She turned to glare through her spectacles, ?And don?t think you?ve heard the last of me girl.?
Relena let out a shaky breath as she watched Une?s bicycle ride off down the road. She walked over to the tree and peered up into the branches. Toto?s furry head came into view and he barked. Relena nodded, ?She?s gone, but it seems like I?ll have to climb up there and rescue you again.?
Toto made no reply and simply leapt down from branch to branch till he landed on the ground gracefully and rushed into her arms with a joyful bark. ?What a little acrobat you are!? She mused as he licked her tenderly. ?So that?s how you get up into trees. How come you didn?t jump down when I first found you??
Of course he couldn?t reply, but something in his silent gaze made her feel that he had been amused to watch her climb up after him. She brushed the fur out of his eyes, ?Little ruffian,? She said fondly and hugged him close, ?I won?t let anybody take you away.? She promised.
<p align="center">~~+~~</p>
When Relena finally headed back to the farm, it was nearing dinnertime. She hummed a happy little tune as she pushed open the gate. Normally she would see everybody finishing up for the day but nobody was around. <i>They must have already finished</i>, she thought.
She stopped dead when she saw a familiar bicycle leaning against the wall of the house.
She broke into a run and stormed through the door into the kitchen with her heart hammering in her chest. Everyone was standing but Noin was sitting at the dinner table opposite a woman Relena was dreading she?d see. They all had serious expressions.
?Relena,? Zechs began, ?This is Miss Une and she?s here to ??
Relena lifted Toto into her arms immediately and held him close, ?I know why she?s here!?
Miss Une pushed her spectacles up her nose, ?We met in the fields Mr Merquise,? She explained, ?The meeting was far from pleasant.?
Zechs frowned, ?Relena I?m shocked...?
?You don?t understand! She?s here to take Toto away and he doesn?t want to go with her!?
Noin looked distressed as she came forward and put her arm around Relena. ?Miss Une is from an animal agency. I know you found Toto Relena but if he belongs with her...?
Relena backed away, ?He belongs here with me!?
Une turned to Zechs, ?I?m afraid I must insist Mr Merquise. This dog is known to be aggressive and troublesome, which is why I must bring him in. I cannot allow him to stay here and pose a risk to anyone.? She rolled back her sleeve to show the red bite marks that Toto had inflicted on her arm, ?As you can see,? She added. Zechs eyes narrowed as they went from the bite marks to the little dog whining in Relena?s arms.
?It?s not how it seems,? Relena explained frantically, ?Toto bit her to protect me. He would never hurt anyone but she was scaring him. You have to believe me!?
Zechs looked uncertain but Miss Une ventured smoothly. ?What if he attacks one of you next??
Zechs looked aside, ?I?m sorry Relena.?
Relena turned to the others desperately. ?Somebody please! Duo??
Duo hid under his straw hat and looked confused, ?I?don?t know.?
?Wufei??
He avoided her eyes.
?Heero!??
Heero looked at her blankly, ?There?s nothing I can do.?
Relena backed away and shook her head stubbornly.
?Come now Miss Darlian,? Une crossed her arms, ?Don?t be difficult; the dog needs to be taken care of.? There was something sinister behind her words and she had a gleam in her eyes which made Relena feel that if she gave Toto over then something terrible would happen to him.
She looked down at Toto. Blue eyes met green ones. His eyes flickered as if to say he understood what she was trying to convey. She lowered her arms, dropping him, and he ran for the door. ?Go!? She yelled in encouragement but before he escaped, Une appeared and grabbed him effortlessly. Nobody had seen her move yet suddenly she was there even though she had more distance to cover.
Une smirked, ?Got you at last.?
?NO!? Relena cried out. Une walked to her bicycle and Toto was flung with a yelp into the little straw basket attached to the back. Relena tried to get him but Une held her off.
?I won?t let you! You?re going to have him killed!?
Une sneered at Relena, ?For biting me he deserves just that!?
Relena gasped and let go in shock. A furious look stole over her face. ?If he hadn?t done it I would?ve bitten you myself; you?re nothing but a mean old witch!?
Une gave her a look of pure malevolence that had Relena stepping back. She advanced menacingly but reconsidered when she heard the others coming after them.
?You should hope we do not meet again Miss Darlian,? She threatened, ?Goodbye.? Her voice made Relena shiver inside but the familiar rattle of a bicycle riding off brought her sharply back into focus.
Relena wailed and desperately flung herself after her. A pair of strong arms circled her waist and she was pulled back against a rock hard body. ?Let me go Heero!? She fought wildly. Her anger mingled with grief and the contrast caused a sudden explosion inside her that left a gaping hole in her heart. The more she struggled the more it grew and consumed her into a deep well of fear and emptiness.
?Relena please calm down!?
That was Noin?s voice. She didn?t listen and wrenched herself from Heero?s grasp with renewed vigour. She whirled round and everyone halted at the wild storm contained within her eyes. The intensity was reminiscent of Heero but for the uncontrollable rage and despair that showed openly on her face.
?You?re all going to let her kill Toto!? She accused.
Zechs and Noin looked guilty while Duo looked stricken and Wufei looked away. Heero crossed his arms, ?You?re overreacting,? He stated plainly. She turned her full gaze on him and he was taken aback by what he saw.
?I?m overreacting?? She laughed bitterly, ?He was my closest friend but none of you seem to care!?
?Relena?? Zechs began.
?You?ve had your chance.? She thrust up her hand to stop him, ?You know it wasn?t that long ago when the most treasured people in my life were cruelly taken away from me. I came here because they would?ve wanted me to move on and be happy.? Her voice shook with emotion.
?All I got was a brother who looks after me but doesn?t care to find out who I?ve become in all the years that he?s missed, and three antisocial jerks who won?t talk to me properly!? She clenched her fists, ?I didn?t care because I had the friendship of a little brown dog who made me feel alive again!? She didn?t notice the tears rolling down her face. ?And now he?s been taken away from me too!? She looked at Zechs, ?I?m left with??
??Brainless?? She turned to Duo.
??Heartless!? She turned to Heero.
??Cowards!? She turned to Wufei
She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered, ??And I?ve never felt more alone in my life.?
Without a word she ran back into the house, up the stairs and locked herself in her room.
Lying on her bed, she was reminded of how Toto used to snuggle with her and lick her tears away. She had never realised how, by trying to distance herself from everyone, she had drawn closer to Toto and sealed him into her heart. She clutched her pillow in his absence and cried on and on because there was no one to make the tears go away anymore.
<p align="center">~~+~~</p>
A lone bicycle pedalled furiously down the road. In the straw basket at the back, the lid lifted slightly to reveal a little brown head with green eyes. Toto tilted his head and pushed forward till he could take the strap holding the lid down into his jaws. Furiously, he chewed and tore at the material until it snapped. As quietly as he could, he clambered out of the basket and leapt to the ground. He tumbled and rolled before coming to a stop and turned to watch with his head cocked to the side as the bicycle rode on unaware. He turned and pattered in the opposite direction as fast as he could on his little legs.
<p align="center">~~+~~</p>
It was a while before somebody rapped at her door. ?Relena please come down and eat something at least.? Noin pleaded.
?I?m not hungry,? Relena?s voice sounded hoarse from crying. There was a shuffle of noises by her door.
?She has to come out.? Zechs deep voice was low.
?No, she?s too upset and she wants to be alone so we should leave her be. Tell the boys to stop fretting and go get some sleep. I?m sure she?ll feel better by morning.?
The noises receded from her door and Relena shifted on her bed and closed her eyes.
<p align="center">~~+~~</p>
She awoke to the sound of scrabbling against the window and got up in fright. A furry face with one gleaming eye stared through the glass. Relena choked back a cry and flew to the window, throwing it open. Toto leapt into her arms and she twirled him around. ?How are you here? Are you a dream?? She said in a daze. Toto gave a low bark and licked her face tenderly.
?I guess you?re pretty good at escaping then,? She giggled and hugged him close. Toto wriggled out of her arms and nosed his way under her bed sheets with a whine. Relena lifted them and peered at him, ?You?re still frightened??
Toto gave a low pitched growl in agreement.
Relena stood thoughtfully, ?She?s going to come back isn?t she??
Another low growl.
Relena turned to her wardrobe. She put on a light blue checked dress with lots of white petticoats that went just below her knees and tied her honey-coloured hair in a matching ribbon. Toto emerged out of the sheet and watched as she pulled on some socks and shoes. She rubbed away the last traces of sleep in her eyes and picked Toto up.
?Come on,? She said hurriedly, ?We?ve got to go, we?re not letting her take you away again.?
?Wuff!? Toto agreed quietly.
Relena climbed out the window and slipped into the night. She skirted well clear of the barn and climbed over the white fence surrounding the farm. With Toto safe in her arms, she turned away from where the town lay and towards the open road in the opposite direction; to freedom.
<p align="center">~~+~~</p>
The night gave way to lighter skies and Relena had walked far. There was nothing but open land around her and no one in sight. Greyish clouds loomed in the distance and a gentle but firm wind whipped her hair back. Her feet ached a little but at least she wasn?t tired. She stopped when the sound of a horse appeared behind her and waited as it approached. It was a magnificent beast and the rider sat straight and powerful upon it. He slowed his horse when he saw her and tipped his black hat in greeting.
?Relena what a surprise!? Said Treize softly.
Relena smiled faintly in reply.
?The sun has barely begun to rise yet you?re so far from home,? He observed. ?Where could you possibly be going??
Relena flushed.
Treize nodded knowingly, ?Ah I see. You?re running away.?
She started, ?How did you guess??
?I recognised the look in your eyes.? Treize leaned his head to the side casually. ?I warned Zechs not to let you slip away.?
Relena looked up at him curiously, ?Have <i>you</i> ever run away?
?It is my belief that a man cannot live with dignity if he spends his life running away from the things he cannot face. ?
?Oh,? Relena looked uncomfortable. The silence heightened the noise of the wind rustling through the tall grass on either side of the road.
Treize smiled, ?I do however, believe that everyone has a journey to make in their lives. One has to search for what defines them. A greater understanding of one?s capabilities and strengths is the only way to be content with the life you live.?
?Is that why you travel Mr Treize??
Treize stared out in the distance and quietly replied, ?I travel because I love the Earth. Sometimes we forget that we all shelter together in its great beauty. I only wish others would see it as I do.?
Relena considered his words. ?Toto and I could be travellers like you and see the world!?
Treize looked at her in amusement, ?And what exactly do you plan to see??
?We could go to other lands? She said excitedly, ?See big mountains and forests and oceans!?
?But what do you want to find out there?? Treize queried.
Relena looked up with her eyes shining, ?Why a place where me and Toto could be happy of course! My mother always used to say there was happiness somewhere over the rainbow. I could go there and never have to worry about that horrible Miss Une coming to take Toto away again!?
Treize went perfectly still. ?Miss Une??
The wind whipped Relena?s hair with more force about her shoulders as she frowned, ?Oh yes, she tried to take Toto away and kill him!? Treize glanced at Toto for a moment before looking away.
?Lady?? His expression became serious. He leaned down and lifted Relena?s chin, staring into her eyes.
?Things are now set in motion but will you be the one??
His words rang ominously in the air but Relena didn?t understand what he was saying. Treize let go and gave her a dashing smile before tugging on the reins sharply and turning his horse around in a spin that brought up a cloud of dust.
?You must excuse me, I have something I must do. Farewell Relena, until we meet again.? He tipped his hat quickly and spurred his horse into action. It reared like a perfect statue and set off in a gallop back in the direction he had come. Relena stared after him in wonder while Toto?s eyes glimmered with some unknown emotion.
She should go but her feet wouldn?t move. She wasn?t sure she was doing the right thing anymore. She realised with a pang that Treize could tell Zechs and the others that he had seen her and they would come looking. The thought made her continue down the road in a hurry.
She walked for a while before a sudden gust of wind caused her skirts to flutter against her and she faltered at the strength of it. She brushed her hair away from her eyes and looked up to the sky. The orange glow of the rising sun glimmered weakly and the grey clouds that had been so far were now above her looking much darker. Why hadn?t she noticed before?
The fields bent in submission as a more powerful gust of wind pushed against her and made her stumble backwards. Toto whined in her arms but she held him close protectively as a dim flash among the clouds caused the skies to rumble. Relena started to feel small threads of apprehension in her stomach but she calmly reassured herself that it was just rough weather and she needed to find shelter. She scanned around her and made out the small form of a house across one of the fields. She left the road and ran among the heads of wheat, which brushed against her as she parted them to make her way.
A furious gust sent her sprawling with her hand shielding her face against the force. She glanced up at the skies again and noticed wispy areas swirling beneath the towering clouds. As she stood there a sharp spear of light flashed down from the sky far away to her left. The air shattered with the sound of a tremendous crack and thunder erupted in a deafening boom. Relena screamed and crouched down in a ball like position hovering over Toto with her eyes squeezed shut. She wanted to stay here among the protective wall of wheat around her but she knew it wasn?t safe. Toto licked her encouragingly although his ears were flattened and he was trembling too.
She lifted her head boldly, got to her feet and began to run for the house. She shouldn?t have stopped to look when she heard the terrifying roar behind her but she did. A mass of cloud had gathered and swirled into a funnel that spiralled towards the ground making a noise that sounded like a freight train. It was still far but it was definitely heading in her direction. Relena was horrified and stood rooted to the spot.
It was a twister.
<p align="center"><b>TBC</b></p>
<b>A/N: </b>What's going to happen next?
This brings the story up to date with FF.net and hopefully I'll have the third chapter finished soon. Please tell me what you think, feedback's appreciated.
....But I'll live. Heero on the other hand might have a few objections....MWHAHAHAHA!!! Your's trully..(wink)