There's No Place Like Home ch. 6

[Midge-14]

A/N: Yay, update! Sorry it took so long again, Uni started and I moved out so it took me a while to settle down. While I was writing, there were moments when I felt the scenes I was describing paralleled the series, see if you can notice them but they?re very subtle and slight so I don?t think they?re obvious. Virtual cookies to anyone who gets it right! ^_^

For those who have forgotten:

<i>Relena:</i> Dorothy
<i>Trowa:</i> Toto
<i>Duo:</i> Scarecrow
<i>Heero:</i> Tinman

New characters introduced in this chapter are at the bottom.

Previous Chapters:
1: Moving to Kansas
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9490">Part I</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9498">Part II</a>
2: Taking Him Away
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9517">Part I</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9528">Part II</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9542">3: Good Witches and Bad Witches</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9646">4: The Yellow Brick Road</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9683">5: Glass Eyes</a>

<hr size="1">

<p align="center"><b>CHAPTER VI ? Hunted</b></p>

??Swear Zero One?were planning?free you!? Mueller choked. The tin man did not release his grip nor his gaze from the huge wolf but Relena could see his fingers flex a little as they tightened with each second. She was sitting on the grass where she had moved away in order to escape being knocked aside as Mueller twisted to get free. There was a rustle somewhere behind her but she didn?t place it until the tin man turned his head to follow the sound. She then spotted Alex?s shadowy form around the edge of the clearing where the moonlight didn?t reach. He emerged through the bushes, his face full of anger. ?Let Mueller go.?

The tin man didn?t respond.

Mueller perked his ears up. ?Alex?help me,? He choked feebly.

Alex growled at the tin man, ?Kill us and others will come. There will always be others Zero One, you can run but you will never be free.?

The blue lights fluctuated uncertainly and Alex grinned, flashing his sharp teeth. ?I can give you a way out of this Zero One; let Mueller go and give the girl to us. You can return to your cottage in peace, chopping away at your wood and living your lonely, isolated life for the rest of your days and I?ll make sure nobody will know that you even exist anymore.? He drew the words out enticingly and placed one foot forward, ?You can?t refuse an offer like that Zero One.?

The loud sickening crack of bone reverberated through the trees and echoed in Relena?s ears. She saw Alex?s expression turn to one of horror and even though her mind quietly warned her what the sound entailed, she reflexively turned her head to follow its source. The tin man opened his fingers slowly and let Mueller fall to the ground. Relena gasped loudly as the wolf landed on the grass with an audible thud, head lolling to one side at an impossible angle. The tin man stared at the body below him with a vacant expression, then he spoke. A deep rumble from somewhere inside his chest reverberated through the metal of his body until it emerged from his mouth.

?I do not bargain with my enemy.?

His voice was slow and steady, each syllable emerging clearly as if he were unused to speaking. Relena almost shivered at the sound of it but she froze instead at the sensation of hot breath curling around the skin of her neck.

?You think you?re very clever don?t you?? Alex whispered in her ear hoarsely. ?But Zero One can?t save you from me.? He leaned closer and drew his tongue slowly up her neck and across her cheek. She shuddered visibly from the contact and began to tremble, taking shaky breaths to stop herself from breaking out into a loud scream. She lifted her eyes and fixed them on the tin man who was glaring at them silently. Alex chuckled and rested his head upon her shoulder. ?Don?t even think of making a move Zero One or I?ll delight myself in sampling this little delicacy here and you don?t want that; she saved you after all.?

The tin man?s eyes slowly dimmed as Alex?s triumphant laughter rang out across the clearing, until they were so dark, it was barely discernible that they were even lit at all. Alex moved his muzzle to brush against the bare skin of Relena?s collarbone and a whimper escaped her lips. In a flash, the tin man sprang forward. Relena watched, almost in slow-motion, as he lunged towards her, the ball-like joints in his knees rolling to accommodate the rapid movement of his legs. Before she could blink, her hair whipped backwards with the force of his fist flying inches past her cheek. Alex only had time to jerk back reflexively and utter a strangled ?How?!?? Before the fist smashed into him. There was a loud crunch followed by a painful exhalation of breath. The tin man drew his arm back and straightened.

?Never underestimate me.? He commented quietly.

Shakily, Relena twisted her head slightly to look behind her. Alex lay unmoving, chest completely caved in from the impact and blood dripping from his mouth to form thick pools on the grass. His eyes were wide open in shock. She clamped her hands over her mouth and struggled to retain her composure as bile rose up in her throat. Squeezing her eyes shut, she turned away from the sight.

Silence filled the clearing.

The hum of nightly insects intensified the quiet and added a heavy weight to the air. Eventually, Relena removed her hands and clasped them by her chest. Tentatively, she stared up at the tin man to find he was staring back at her. She struggled to find her voice.

?Thank you,? She finally croaked and almost laughed hysterically. He had just singly dispatched two huge wolves with nothing but his bare hands and yet she wasn?t afraid of him at all. Metal shutters lowered over his eyes as he narrowed them at her in a sharp glare. Suddenly, he grabbed the upper part of her arms and hauled her to her feet.

?Who are you and why did you free me?? He demanded.

His grip was cold and bruising but Relena met his gaze calmly. ?My name is Relena. I don?t know why I freed you, I just knew I had to?you?you deserve to be free.?

The shutters rolled up in surprise and his jaw lowered slightly. ?I deserve to be free?? He repeated, his fingers tightening momentarily. His head snapped up in a certain direction with a slight creak and he let go of her to step back a few paces. Relena gave him a confused look, ?What is???

?Relena!??

Scarecrow rushed into the clearing frantically and came skidding to a halt as he saw the lifeless bodies on the ground. He immediately turned to survey Relena and breathed in relief when he saw she was unharmed. His eyes softened and he walked towards her. Relena made an alarmed noise when she realised the little brown bundle in his arms was Toto and moved to take the unconscious dog from him.

?He?s okay, just out of it,? He explained. ?He got hit trying to stop snarly and growly. He?s a brave little tyke isn?t he??

Relena hugged Toto close, ?Yes he is.?

Scarecrow watched her and sighed inwardly. Her kindness had her destined to find trouble and land herself in the middle of it. He would?ve cracked a joke on the matter if he wasn?t so afraid that next time, she might not escape unscathed. That ugly thought was pushed away as she bent her head and rubbed her cheek against Toto?s fur, closing her eyes. A cheeky smile crossed Scarecrow?s face as he wished he was in Toto?s place, the damn poodle had it pretty good right about now. Unbeknownst to him, someone else was watching the same scene intently.

There was sudden shift in the periphery of Scarecrow?s vision and he jerked away with a start, causing the tin man to pause in his movement. Scarecrow clutched at his chest and drew in a deep breath.

?Jee-eez! Can you please give a warning next time you do that!??

The tin man gave him a blank look. ?Forgot you?re not a statue,? Scarecrow grumbled, then cleared his throat and gathered himself together again. ?Sooo?you got rid of them,? He looked over at Alex and Mueller. ?Deadly piece of work aren?t you?? He whistled. When the tin man made no reply he chuckled and stuck his hand out, ?I?m Scarecrow.?

The tin man gave the hand a rather cold look and Scarecrow drew it back hastily. ?Hey, just trying to be friendly, no need to turn to sub zero temperatures.?

?I don?t need friends.? Replied the tin man gruffly.

?He speaks!? Scarecrow threw up his hands. ?Buddy, you <i>do</i> need friends?wolves?oil?rusted joints?ring any bells??

Now the tin man ground his jaw in irritation with a harsh scraping noise. He turned his head away and happened to meet Relena?s eyes again.

?It was no business of yours to get involved.? He said with a bluntness that could cut steel.

Scarecrow saw Relena?s face fall as the words bit into her and he turned on the tin man crossly, ?Can?t you see you hurt her saying that? You don?t have to be the bad guy here you know, she risked life and limb to free you man, have a heart!?

The tin man stepped back, eyes flickering in consternation. Scarecrow dismissed him and walked to Relena. ?Want me to sock him for you?? He asked, ?It would probably hurt me more but??

?No Scarecrow it?s okay,? Relena smiled, ?I don?t think he??

?I don?t have a heart,? The tin man interjected and they both looked at him in surprise. He was standing with his head bowed and his fists clenched by his sides.

?Well heck, I don?t have a brain but you don?t see me being mean and unfriendly.? Scarecrow crossed his arms. Relena gently nudged him, ?Scarecrow, he?s trying to say that having no heart is the reason why he?s mean and unfriendly.?

Scarecrow pondered for a moment before a look of understanding crossed his face, ?Oh?oh! I get it, right.?

She approached the tin man. ?Would you like to come with us? We?re on our way to the Emerald City where the great Wizard of OZ lives. I?m going to ask for a way home and Scarecrow wants a brain. You could ask him for a heart.?

The tin man looked at her, ?Ask for a heart??

?Why not?? Relena shrugged with a laugh, ?Oh I?ll have to warn you though,? She said seriously, ?I?m being chased by a wicked witch, that?s why those two were after me.? She jerked her chin towards Alex and Mueller. ?So I guess it?s not very safe.?

His eyes narrowed and he nodded curtly, ?I?ll come.?

?You will?? Relena and Scarecrow uttered together in disbelief and gave each other a bemused glance. ?I?I mean, I thought it would be harder to convince you,? Relena explained.

?I?m tired of running away,? The tin man replied vaguely, and with that, he strode off.

?Wait!? Relena called, setting off after him. ?Zero One!?

He abruptly stopped and she almost crashed into him. He swivelled on his feet and turned to face her with his eyes flashing. ?That is not my name,? He growled.

?But it?s what they called you,? Relena explained. The tin man hesitated and looked hard at her, ?And you called me Tinman. If I must have a name, use that.? The way he looked at her while he spoke had her heart dislodging from its place and falling with a splash into her stomach. She flushed deeply, recollecting the moment when she had found him and realised that he had been aware of all she said and did during that time.

Scarecrow coughed slightly, unable to hide the grin on his face when she started. ?Right well, we need to get away from here. Those dead guys are giving me the heebie jeebies,? He shuddered.

?We need to find a place to rest for the night,? Relena let her shoulders sag, ?Here hold him for me please?? Tinman glared at her in response but she simply thrust Toto gently into his arms where he was forced to cradle him awkwardly as she moved away. Scarecrow stifled his laughter as he stared at the sleeping dog with a strange expression. Relena picked up the oil can, ?We can?t forget this now, who knows when you might rust again.?

Using one hand, she pulled the long blue ribbon from her hair, letting it flow free, and created a loop by tying the ends to the handle of the oil can. She placed the makeshift sling diagonally across her so the oil can hung unobtrusively at her side. She gave a satisfied smile and walked up to Tinman who started to hand Toto back to her.

?It?s okay, you?ve got him,? She smiled gently and walked on. He stared after her and then stared down at the little body tucked away in his arms with an impassive look.

?It?s not so bad,? Scarecrow grinned, walking past him to follow Relena, ?It?s actually pretty comforting holding poochy like that.?

<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>

They journeyed through the forest, following Tinman as he found his way with ease and led them quickly back to the cottage. They tried the wooden door and discovered with dismay that it had become stuck through lack of use and would not open. Tinman stepped forward and rammed his shoulder against it, taking care not to jerk Toto harshly in the process. The wooden door flew open and crashed against the wall. Scarecrow patted Tinman?s metal shoulder as they entered, ?Good to be home??

?This place was here long before me, its just shelter.? He replied bluntly and a strange ache filled Relena?s heart as her mind suddenly whirled with thoughts of her ?home?.

The moonlight followed them meekly through and gave up, shrouding half of the cottage in darkness. Fresh air wafted through the open doorway and gently alleviated the damp smell assaulting their senses. The bed was useless since the mattress had completely sagged due to mould so they dusted the faded and worn rug to sleep on instead. Relena stumbled over it?s the edge and nearly fell on Scarecrow, ?Sorry, I can?t see anything.? Maybe we could make some light? There?s a fireplace over there I think??

?No! Not that!? Scarecrow cut in with a yelp and grabbed Relena?s arm.

?I don?t like fire,? He said defensively when he made out Relena?s raised eyebrow, ?It?s the one thing that scares the hell out of me okay??

?Fair enough,? Relena laughed, ?That?s why you wouldn?t hold the oil can??

He scratched his head, ?Yeah well, you know straw is good food for a hungry fire and I don?t need anything to speed that process along.?

Relena nodded sympathetically, ?I understand,? The moonlight was enough to see the faces of her companions and they were going to rest and sleep till morning anyway. They settled down, Tinman leaning back against the wall with Toto still held securely in his arms. He closed the shutters over his eyes with a snap and became a statue again. He made such a peaceful picture.

?It feels good to be free doesn?t it?? Scarecrow stretched and flopped backwards on the rug with a sigh. Tinman opened his eyes and stared at him. ?Yeah?? He answered slowly.

?What?s with the whole ?Zero One? thing anyway??

Tinman narrowed his eyes and remained silent for a moment before turning his head away. ?Zero One is my designation. I am the first creation of the tinsmith who made me. His name is J.?

Scarecrow immediately sprang up and drew Relena away with a stricken expression. ?But he works for the witch!?

?Yes,? Tinman replied without moving.

?And you?? Relena asked, shifting out of Scarecrow?s tight grasp.

?I worked for the witch too.?

?No way!? Scarecrow looked like someone who had just been betrayed. Relena however, picked up the past tense and moved closer. ?What did you do??

He lifted his head, ?I was the perfect soldier,? He emitted and there was a slight bitterness to his deep tone. ?Nothing but a worthless, expendable weapon.?

?So you ran away,? Relena stated and he looked, not for the first time, at her in surprise.

?I ran away too,? She admitted ?But it just landed me in a heap of trouble. That?s why we?re not going to run anymore. You?re among friends now so you don?t have to be alone,? She fought back a tired yawn and her eyes lowered wearily. ?It?s not nice being alone,? She gave a sad smile, ?I feel lost and sad when I?m alone but when I?m with you all then I feel like all my wishes could come true?silly isn?t it??

?Nah not really.? Scarecrow cut in smoothly, sensing her weariness, ?Go to sleep Relena, you?re tired.? She nodded and lay back on the rug, closing her eyes and curling up comfortably. ?Mmm, goodnight?? She murmured.

Scarecrow scratched his head, ?She?s something isn?t she?? He sighed heavily. Tinman just stared at her sleeping form in troubled silence.

?Why am I still here?? He mumbled, ?I saved her in return for freeing me so I should have left by now, shouldn?t I??

Scarecrow cocked his head but could only make out the low tremor of his deep voice. He shook his head, ?You look troubled dude. I wonder?hey you?re awake!?

Tinman looked at him and realised he was looking towards Toto who had lifted his head.

?You little scamp you, how long were you listening for eh?? Scarecrow grinned, receiving a calm green-eyed look, indicating that he would never know, in return. Toto then lifted his head and stared at Tinman, his visible eye conveying a thousand questions to receiving blue lights.

?I?m no threat to you,? Tinman said in a low voice. Toto placed his paws on Tinman?s arms and seemed to say something, yet no sound passed his lips. Tinman seemed to hesitate and in his eyes, there was the storm of some internal struggle brewing. He glanced towards Relena and the metal bars above his eyes angled into a frown with the sound of metal scraping against metal. That area it seemed had not been oiled so well in the haste to set him free. ?I wouldn?t ever hurt her.? He murmured. Toto relaxed, despite no outwardly change in his serious expression. Scarecrow glanced between the two with his eyebrows raised; there were no words and yet with the way they were staring at each other, it seemed like a whole conversation was taking place. Something important but indiscernible passed between them and there was an understanding. Toto gave a satisfied, ?Wuff!? And leaned up to lick Tinman?s jaw. Tinman tolerated the gesture silently and Toto jumped off his lap, tottering over to Relena where he crawled under her arm and snuggled against her sleeping form.

?Would you look at that, you get a warmer reception than me!? Scarecrow exclaimed, ?And you?re the dangerous one!?

Tinman ignored him, closing his shutters once again.

?Hey, I was talking to you.?

No reply.

?Hello??

Silence.

?What?s your problem anyway? We come along and rescue you all nice like and you don?t even acknowledge it.? He shook his head, ?Why did Relena have to save an antisocial, gloomy guy like you huh? You should be glad I?m around to liven things up?? He looked around smugly only to sigh when it was clear that everyone really was asleep. ??And now here I am, talking to myself just because Mr Autonomous over there hardly ever talks??

?Can you keep it down over there?? Tinman opened his shutters slightly to emit a thin slit of blue light. Scarecrow sighed, ?Yeah sure,? And lay back on the rug, closing his eyes.

?I don?t know why I bother sometimes.? He mumbled.

<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>

A small mound of metal spikes shuffled forwards, its tips glinting in the morning light, and paused as a buzzing sound filled the air. A round head slowly lifted with a slight creak to stare at the myriad of flies swarming before it and yellow lights flickered decisively. It raised a paw to its neck and a single claw was extended to press a button on the metal collar around its neck. The button retracted inwards and a LED upon the collar started flashing.

?Four Six,? The tin porcupine stated.

There was a crackle from the speaker on the collar. ?Go ahead.?

?The wolf brothers are dead.? It replied.

?Really?? There was a harsh chuckle, ?Well isn?t that a shame? How did they die??

?One?s neck was broken and the other?s ribs were cracked inwards, rupturing the heart. Both died almost instantly.?

There was a pause wherein a faint clacking emanated through the speaker, ?It would seem she has picked up allies,? Another chuckle emerged. ?Interesting, very interesting. I wonder who is with her. It is no easy task to dispose of the Alex and Mueller ?could it be??? The voice became silent and the clacking stopped. Four Six remained silent, awaiting orders. At length there was a cough, ?Are there tracks??

It glanced along the ground and picked out areas where the grass had been trampled. ?Yes master,? It answered.

?Good, follow them Four Six. That is your mission.?

The spikes on its back chinked against each other as the creature shifted its metal body. ?Understood.?

The creature paused a moment, to gather its thoughts perhaps, and with a grim expression, set off into the forest in search of a girl with her dog, and whoever may be accompanying her.

<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>

Relena stirred and stretched as she began to wake. Toto awoke when she lifted her arm and licked her face in greeting when it lit up at the sight of him alert and well. The cottage seemed dim even in the light of the morning and her eyes took a while to focus. She absently ran a hand through her loose hair and glanced around before she realised that someone was missing. Automatically, her eyes roved for Tinman?s outline against the stark walls and found nothing. Anxiety pooled in the bottom of her stomach and she made her way to the open door, blinking rapidly against the glare of light peeking through the trees. Toto followed her obediently.

<i>Where could he have gone?</i> She searched the immediate area and stopped when she reached the edge of the clearing. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she called out loudly into the trees, ?Tinman!? But there was no reply. She quickly glanced back at the cottage and wondered if she should go further looking for him. Then she noticed the blackberry bushes to her right.

Immediately her stomach rumbled, an indication that she had not eaten properly for a while. She picked up a blackberry but instead of putting it in her mouth, she bent and placed a few on the grass for Toto. He stepped forward and sniffed at them dubiously before taking them into his mouth one by one. Relena found as she started eating, that one, the berries were deliciously sweet, and two, that she was terribly hungry. She could barely constrain herself from smearing dark juice over her chin in her haste to eat.

?What are you doing??

She gasped and whirled round. Tinman stood there with his eyes boring into hers. ?I was looking for you,? She said with relief. He tilted his head. ?Why??

?I was worried.?

Tinman gave her a perplexed look. She smiled and shook her head to dismiss the matter, ?Do you want some??

Tinman turned away, ?I don?t need to eat.?

?I hear speak of food!? Scarecrow popped up behind her and she nearly choked in surprise.

?Here,? Relena held some berries in her hands out for him. Scarecrow advanced with a joyous grin, only to be stopped by Tinman?s solid hand grabbing his collar.

?You?re made of straw?you don?t need food.?

?Shhhh!? Scarecrow scowled at him. ?Don?t spoil it.?

Too late, Relena was staring at him in a puzzled manner. ?But you said you were hungry??

Scarecrow crossed his arms defensively, ?I was hungry, I had been strapped to a pole for years! Just because I don?t have a stomach doesn?t mean I can?t appreciate the human art of eating.?

?But?? Relena gave him a queer look,? If you don?t have a stomach?what happened to the apple you ate??

?Oh that?? Scarecrow plunged his hand down his shirt and rummaged around, ?It?s around here somewhere?I can feel it among the straw.? Relena choked down her laughter and stopped him, ?You?re displacing the straw, leave it.? Toto barked disapprovingly.

?Oh yeah? Well it?s not like you have to ea?damn.? Scarecrow slouched in defeat and Toto gave him an amused look. Scarecrow pointed a finger at Tinman, who was staring out into the empty forest. ?This is all your fault.?

?We should leave.? Tinman said bluntly and the playful mood was killed as the weight of their journey came back to them. Relena went back to the cottage to get the oil can while Scarecrow sneakily popped some blackberries in his mouth when no one was looking. Toto sat back on his haunches and tilted his head curiously at Tinman, who was still staring out into the forest. He lifted a hand unconsciously to his neck, his metal fingers grazing some invisible mark, and frowned.

<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>

?She?ll be angry.?

J looked up. A tin mouse lay clamped in his metal claw of a hand as he attached a collar around its neck with his other hand. A strange creature crouched in the window of the tower that was J?s workshop. It seemed almost nightmarish; a metal helmet with a plate over the mouth covered all of its face except for the eyes, which blazed with green intensity from within. The armor over its torso was centred by a huge green orb that gave an overall bulky appearance yet, judging by the agile way in which it hopped off the windowsill, seemed light. Most distinguishable of all were the great white wings that spanned above it, curling up as they were drawn in. Inside this external shell, the creature was monkey-like, the greyish fur on its long limbs and tail being ruffled by the breeze that trailed through the window and into the room.

?She?s in deep sleep Wing,? J replied, ?She can?t be angry about anything.?

Wing stretched and flexed his wings a little, ?When she wakes up she?ll know the girl hasn?t been caught yet.? His voice rattled through the gaps in the plate over his mouth.

?She will be,? J said dismissively. ?I?ve sent someone.?

?Sent to <i>follow</i>, <i>not to capture</i>,? Wing pointed out. ?What is your motive here J??

?I find her very interesting,? J bent his head and tinkered with his creation. ?She was last seen in the Munchkin lands and now I hear tell she may have reached the South Forest; there has been no word from G and the Wolf brothers are dead.?

?She?s dangerous then,? Wing?s eyes flashed.

?Oh yes,? J chuckled and his spectacles glinted, ?Let?s see what she can do eh??

?Her ladyship will be angry,? Wing repeated.

J stopped working and looked at him with a big grin, ?If you?re so worried then grab your comrades and capture her yourself, it would be a simple task for you.?

Wing shook his head and hunkered down on the stone floor, his tail twisting around the table leg in a tight grip. ?Only her ladyship can command me to do so and even then, she has commanded us once before and we can only be called upon twice more. I will not interfere. I am simply pointing out that you are a fool J, to let the girl roam free.?

J lifted his metal claw and brandished it before the winged monkey, ?If I had my perfect weapon, I would have sent him and she would be at my feet in an instant.? His grin faded for a moment, ?But he has been lost to me and there is no one else who can succeed at this task. I wonder?? He paused thoughtfully, ?If he has been found.?

Wing cocked his head, ?What are you saying old man??

J grinned and brought the mouse close to scrutinise it. ?We?ll see in time.?

Wing shook his head exasperatedly. There was a beep somewhere on J?s person and he swept back the edge of his white coat to reveal a light flashing on his belt. He pressed a button and immediately a voice came through, ?Four Six.?

?Go on.? J glanced at Wing to see him poised and listening.

?I have come upon a dwelling that was recently inhabited. The occupants are heading north, towards the Nevenmere.?

?Follow them,? J ordered. There was hesitation on the other end of the line, ?What is it Four Six??

?I?do not wish to follow them anymore master,? Four Six?s voice sounded more hollow than usual.

J pressed the three fingers of his left hand together in irritation, ?You will do as you are bid!? He pressed a button and immediately a sharp cry of pain echoed through the speaker on J?s belt. Wing winced.

?The Nevenmere is just a jungle, nothing more. Do not be foolish enough to believe the tales you hear. You are my creation, you do not fear anything. Now go.?

?Yes master,? The porcupine replied miserably and ended the communication.

?I can?t make them like I used to,? J wheezed with a sigh, sounding very old as if all the long years of his life had come upon him in a second. ?My first, he was perfect?the best.?

Wing nodded, indulging the old man?s ramblings. ?But you know the Nevenmere is not just any jungle??

?Of course not,? J remarked, ?It is older than the border between the Central Kingdom and the South Lands that it lies on. That young girl is foolish to venture through there.?

?Well let us hope it succeeds in stopping her,? Wing said darkly, ?If she makes it into the Central Kingdom, Lady Witch?s anger will know no bounds.? He jumped up onto the windowsill and unfurled his wings. ?Till then J,? He said in farewell and fell from the tower, swooping upwards in a flurry of white feathers. J watched him fly out of sight and turned back to the mouse, admiring his work for a moment before passing his hand lightly over it. The tinsmith then bent his head and blew softly where his hand passed with a whispered word that crackled through the air like electricity. The tin mouse twitched and then jerked awake, its eyes lighting up and filling with fear as they beheld him. It leapt nimbly out of his hand and landed on the floor with a clang, scurrying towards the crack in the tower wall. J calmly reached for his belt and the little creature fell over with a cry, writhing in pain. Scooping it up into his hand, J headed for the staircase; down into the dungeons of the castle, shaking his head and muttering to himself along the way.

?Nothing like the first?my best?my Zero One.?

<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>

?We?re heading into the Nevenmere.? Tinman remarked, eyes narrowing at the growing darkness caused by the way the trees were closing in slowly around them. He walked a little ahead of them instead of walking alongside, but now he fell back till they were all in a line.

?What?s the Nevenmere?? Relena asked.

?A jungle,? Tinman said, ?I have never been this way.? He stopped, lifting his head and surveying the surroundings. ?There is danger here, it may be better to take a different path.?

?Is the unstoppable metal man afraid?? Scarecrow teased. Tinman shot him a deadly glare that made him lower his straw hat over his eyes in mock terror.

?This is the way we must go,? Relena insisted, ?We follow the yellow brick road and if it goes through this Nevenmere then we shall go too.? Tinman stared at her hard and she stared back defiantly. His eyes lightened and they started moving again, Relena in the middle with Toto in her arms and Scarecrow and Tinman on either side of her.

The forest began to change and become wilder, neat lines of trees became erratic and were overgrown with vines that appeared out of nowhere and seemed to entwine everything in their path. The grass became littered with wild bushes and large sweeping plants with heavy leaves. The Nevenmere was taking over the forest slowly.

?What kind of danger do you mean?? Relena asked meekly after a while. ?Are there more?wild animals in here??

?Could be,? Tinman shrugged.

?How about animals that eat straw?? Scarecrow suggested.

?Probably,? Tinman admitted, ?But mainly lions, tigers and bears.?

His eyes flickered in amusement as Scarecrow and Relena glanced at each other and looked around warily. They seemed to press together as they made their way deeper, Tinman stiffening slightly when Relena drew closer towards him as well. He turned his attention away from her desperately and tried to concentrate on their surroundings instead.

<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>

Four Six scrambled after the group, following them at a safe distance. Oh how he longed to run and leave the Nevenmere far behind but the weight of the collar and the remembered sting tingling throughout his body made him forge his way on relentlessly. His eyes traced over the tall metal form of the tin man and lingered on the neck where the absence of a metal collar was noted. Perhaps he could give himself up and maybe the one who was first would release him too? He paused and trembled with fear. No! If he betrayed J then he would be hunted like those walking in front, and eventually killed. There was no escape. His metal spines quivered miserably and he continued on in defeat.

He didn?t like it here, the jungle was suffocating and the undergrowth seemed to close in around him, the vines twining lazily below his feet, urging him to trip over them.

And trip he did, stumbling over a fat vine that seemed to deliberately wrap around his foot. He fell and closed his eyes, waiting for the sound of the large clang his metal body would make when it hit the surface of the road. Instead, his body landed with a thud against soft grass. This was strange, when had he strayed off the path of the yellow brick road? Confused, he lifted his head and his vision was filled with vines blocking his view. Scrambling to his feet, he moved backwards and immediately became entangled. Fear consumed him, fast and sudden and he struggled to get free. The vines were relentless, it seemed wherever he moved, he just became more trapped and panic took over as he thrashed blindly, his spines scraping and rattling.

He soon became tired and hung limply, letting the vines hold him above the ground. There was a rustle and two slanted yellow eyes appeared through a gap in the vines. Four Six begged death to come quickly.

?The Nevenmere does not bear unnatural abominations like you.? The voice was sharp and slightly arrogant. ?The jungle finds you unworthy.?

?The others?? Four Six choked desperately. Perhaps if he claimed allegiance with them he would be set free.

The slanted eyes narrowed into slits. ?The Nevenmere will deal with them soon enough.? The voice scoffed, ?Your time however, has come.?

Four Six nodded and didn?t even struggle. The vines went taut and there was a splintering sound. Limbs and metal parts crashed down on the ground, spines littered the floor like large thorns. ?You were weak,? The voice declared, ?You lacked the strength to break free from the control over you.? And the eyes turned away, leaving with the soft crunch of large paws padding gently across the grass.

The light in Four Six?s eyes faded into darkness.

<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>

Tinman glanced behind him and frowned. Their pursuer, who had been following behind out of sight, was gone. The air had become tense, as if something was waiting, and it had become too quiet, the only sound being the hum of background noise that was too faint to be considered. He glanced down at Relena and noticed she was rigid, a frown on her face as her eyes kept flicking around nervously. Toto gave a low whine and Scarecrow was not only amazingly silent, but his step was lighter, more cautious. They felt it too.

They were being watched.

<p align="center"><b>TBC</b></p>

<hr size="1">

<b>A/N:</b>

Let me know what you think about the developments in the story!

Character equivalents:

<i>Dr J:</i> J, the tinsmith
<i>The Gundam Wing Zero:</i> Wing, leader of the winged monkeys

[Fate Lowe]

1.) Heero and the puppy=Tinman and toto.
2.) The words Tinman said before Toto woke up mirror the words Heero said after he saved Lena the first time in Wing.
3.) The exchange between Tinman and Scarcrow before they fell asleep mirror the exchange between Heero and Duo in episode 3 (I believe that's the one).

Those are the three that I was sure of. I think that I saw a couple more but I wasn't sure. Anyways, I absolutly love this story and was soooo happy to see an update. Keep up the good work; can't wait for the next one.

[Midge-14]

Wow Fate, you clocked it

[epyon]

i really like the parallels you've made between the two stories as well as the lines you've pulled out of gw and put into your story keep it up!