Part Two

By Figgy

Email: tura14@hotmail.com

        “Well this is great… We’ re stuck, god knows where, because of Mr. Heero Yuy… Now we find out from the furry rat that he’s suppose to be off fighting a duel for some princess babe with the same name as Rel… We also have to try and stay in character at least a little bit according to furry because if we don’t this place could seriously be messed up… How the hell does a LUCK FAIRY ACT!?” Ruby yelled from where she was perched on Wufei’s shoulder. The group was slowly walking, or in Heero’s case riding, through the forest. Foxy was leading the way, every now and then making a comment about the firefly’s big mouth.

         “It could be worse!” Foxy cried cheerfully, “It could be raining!” They all groaned as the sound of thunder reached their ears.

         Heero glared at the fox-girl; “You had to say something.”

         “Hey! Don’t blame me! Blame her! She’s the one toting around all that bad luck!”

         Ruby started to mutter under her breath about how she wouldn’t mind showing Foxy REAL bad luck. Wufei sighed and shook his head, ‘women.’ He looked up at the dark clouds forming above and sighed again. The first drops of rain started to fall and they all groaned again. Heero was really starting to hate this armor… It’d probably rust in this weather.

         Ruby fluttered ahead of the group, disappearing for a second. She returned soon though. “I found a cave! See! I don’t bring bad luck! I found shelter!”

         Foxy rolled her eyes as the group followed the fairy to the shelter and they crammed into the small opening. Only the opening was small, the rest of the cave was large and luxurious, as caves go any ways… Heero and Wufei searched it for some dry wood and began to build a fire, while Foxy and Ruby continued to bicker.

         “Hey! Cool a fire!” They all jerked as a voice chirped happily from the cave entrance. Three mouths dropped open in surprise at the sight in front of them, only Foxy wasn’t surprised. She grinned, “A water nymph! Don’t usually see one so far from the water!”

         Hilde’s blue dress rippled around her as a raindrop landed on it. The strange dress absorbed the drop, adding it to the fabric. It was made completely out of water and to Hilde was a little too close fitting, but absolutely heaven when it came to comfort. She smiled happily at the sight of her friends, “Guys! What are you doing here!?”

 

         Duo trudged down the long, dusty road, cursing armor. The sun was shining down on him, but it wasn’t really that that bothered him. After all he was used to wearing black and being hot… What bothered him was the weight of the cursed thing.  The noise of a wagon rattling down the road made him stop and look behind him. An old man with a long gray beard pulled the wagon to a stop and gaped at him; he was missing a lot of his teeth and Duo grinned.

         “Why if it ain’t the Black Knight! The Fey has been up to their tricks I see! Climb aboard sonny, can’t keep the princess waiting!” Duo didn’t protest but happily climbed up, listening as the old man gabbed about the princess, knights, and other various topics.

 

         “That was just awful…” Relena whispered to Quatre as the two walked along the royal garden. Quatre had just come back from a quick talk with Trowa. The two had found on that the kingdom, their kingdom, held many slaves. Trowa was one and so was the songbird…

         Quatre nodded his agreement, “I can’t believe no one noticed… They just ignored her.”

         “Poor Trowa… Did he mention anything else?”

         The blond boy hesitated, “He did mention something that I thought was a little strange… Something about knowing we were here before he saw us… Like an itch in the back of his mind…”

         Relena looked at him strangely, “What do you mean?”

         “Don’t you feel it? Close your eyes.” She did as she was told and he continued. “Now think of the others and, don’t you feel it?”

         She gasped and her eyes snapped open, “I can sense them, but they’re far away… but I can’t tell who it is.”

         He nodded, “That’s what Trowa said. It’s almost as if we can feel the presence of people that don’t belong here, that are from our world… But we can’t pick out individual people. We just have to focus.”

         “This could come in handy… I wonder how many of us are here. What are we going to do? How do we get back?”

         Quatre shrugged, a little sadly, “I don’t know… I think we’ll have to face that when we’ve found everyone…”

 

         Trowa vaguely listened to the advice the other servants and slaves were giving him. They pretty much said the same thing, ‘don’t displease the king, keep the king happy, do what the king said.’ He sighed and stared straight ahead, nodding slightly at something someone said.

         “Escape boy. That’s my advice to you.” He turned and stared at the figure in surprise. It was the girl who’d sung at the banquet. She watched him with wide solemn eyes and leaned against the wood wall. “Don’t listen to them… They’ve been here too long… Run while you’ve got the chance… Before they find something to bind you with…”

         “Why haven’t you taken your own advice?” Trowa’s voice was its usual emotionless self.

         She chuckled and pushed away from the wall and walked around the room. He noticed the others either stood out of her way or had already left the room. “I suppose I’m too much of a coward… Too weak to escape… Actually I’ve tried it more times than I can count, but they catch me every time…” She shrugged, “A person can try only so many times before giving up… I’ve settled down into this life. The only thing I wait for now is Death. But you have talent. I’m sure you could break free…”

         Trowa stared at her; “You seem to be courting it… I heard you openly scorn the king and his court in your song.”

         She chuckled again, a low exotic one. “He and his bloody court don’t hear a word I say… And even if they did he won’t kill me till my voice has gone out… Then he will call the axe and chop, my waiting for death will be over.” She smiled at his    slightly surprised look and started to walk out of the room, “Take my advice, boy.”

         “My name’s Trowa… What’s yours?”

         She hesitated beside a torch and the flames danced across her face. “Jewel… My name is Jewel.”

 

         “So… Hilde’s a nymph… At least I’m not the only female…” Ruby sighed and Wufei tried to comfort her, while Foxy made some comments about how if the firefly’s bad mood continued, then they were all going to die because all the mosquito brought was bad luck. Ruby stuck her tongue out at Foxy.

         “How did you find us?” Heero asked Hilde who was sitting on a rock, making ripples flow through her strange dress.

         She looked up and grinned, “I wasn’t meaning to find you, didn’t even realize you were here! But I was bored in that darn pond so I left and next thing I know I’m following some itch in the back of my mind and I found ya’ll!”

         “Itch?!” That came from all of them and she was greeted with four very confused faces.

         She shrugged, “It’s like an itch in the back of your mind… If you focus or just let your mind wander you can follow it and it leads you, or it leads me to you guys… Close your eyes and try it.”

         They all did so and Ruby began to glow, “Ah! She’s right! Ew! I’ve got Duo in the back of my mind!” The little fairy shuddered.

         “Let’s leave and find the others then and get home! Now!” Wufei jumped up and Ruby fell off in the sudden movement. She fluttered her little wings and gave him a venomous glare. “Sorry…”

 

         “Thanks for the ride!” Duo called out to the old man as the wagon rumbled away. He looked upward at the large castle and paled. “I’m suppose to get in there? They aren’t gonna let me in!” He scratched his head and shrugged, “Oh well.”

         “OY! YOU THERE!” A guard yelled from one of the towers. “AH! It’s THE BLACK KNIGHT! LET HIM IN! BY ORDER OF THE KING LET HIM IN!”

         Duo raised an eyebrow as the drawbridge lowered and he was escorted across. ‘Maybe this armor isn’t so bad.’

 

         “Princess Relena? The Black Knight is here and word has come that the White Knight is not far.” The servant bowed and wandered away, leaving her to stare outside across the green fields below. She sighed and the wind ruffled her light brown hair.

         “Heero… No knight is going to steal my love for you away…”

         “Relena? Did you hear the news?” Quatre stepped up beside her and she raised an eyebrow.

         “Unfortunately… Let’s leave Quatre. We can’t play at being prince and princess much longer… I’ve noticed the maids giving us suspicious looks.”

         He nodded and looked out toward the fields, “The guards too… But let’s wait… Just a little longer. I have this feeling and the others are getting close…”

         She sighed, “If some knight hits on me, I’m gonna blame you Quatre…” Relena grumbled and Quatre smiled.

 

         “On the road again, can’t just wait to get on that road again!” Hilde sang, ignoring the moans and groans around her. Ruby fluttered in her face, “If you don’t shut up I’m going to-to-to, change you into HIM!” She pointed at Heero and Hilde blanched. The girl’s mouth snapped close and she kicked at a rock, then muttered, “That’s just cruel, Ruby.”

         Heero glared, “What’s that suppose to mean?”

         “Well, this is YOUR fault.” Wufei pointed out, and Heero sent him a glare, too.

         “Well, excuse me! Why are we going to the castle?” Heero griped and Foxy jumped near him and grinned, waving her foxtails.

         “You have to rescue your lady love, dolt! Then disappear into the night, find a nice secluded place, and there your lady love shows you just how much she appreciates all your---.” The fox girl was cut off as Hilde slapped a hand over her mouth. Heero had turned red and you could almost see steam coming out of his ears.

         “Run, Foxy. Just run.” Hilde whispered as she removed her hand.

         Ruby started to laugh gleefully, “KILL THE FURRY RAT!”

         “RUBY!” Wufei yelled and she stared at him, “What? What!?”

 

         Trumpets announced the arrival of the Black Knight as Jewel and Trowa watched from the kitchen. Jewel snickered, “He looks like a black kettle. The White Knight must be the pretty white teapot.”

         Trowa didn’t say a word, but glanced at her. She was wearing a loose blue dress and the gold manacles still adorned her wrists and throat. A guard nearby held the end of a gold chain and sent her a glare at her comment. “Hush slave!”

         She sneered, “Hush? This is a first, usually I’m suppose to sing.”

         He yanked at the chain and she was forced to her knees. He raised a hand and brought it down to slap her, yelling. “How dare you speak to me like that, slave!” His hand never reached her face. Trowa reached out and grabbed his wrist and bent it backwards, then pushed the guard away.

         “I advise you not to harm her.”

         “Why you dirty little---.”

         “YALEN!” A guard nearby yelled and the man stopped and turned. “Did you dare to raise your hand at the King’s songbird?”

         “She was being too arrogant for her own good!”

         The new guard growled at Yalen, “You harm her and it’ll be YOUR head!” He stomped off, leaving a very enraged Yalen behind. However, Yalen took the warning and didn’t even glance at Jewel or Trowa the rest of the time.
         Trowa helped Jewel to her feet and she stared at him. “You shouldn’t have done that.” She said then turned and walked away, the now released gold chain trailing in the dirt.

 

         Duo stared at the horse warily, “You want ME to get on THAT?”

         The servant stared at him, “Why of course, Sir Knight. How else are you to fight the White Knight?” The horse was pure black and stared at Duo. Duo was positive it was sneering at him…

         “I ain’t getting on that! He’s going to kill me!”

         “You are an even match for the White Knight, sir.”

         “Not the White Knight! The horse! The horse is gonna kill me!”

 

         “Are we almost there?” Ruby moaned, trying to massage her shoulder blades. Flying hurt… Running into trees hurt… Slamming into Wufei hurt… ‘Stupid Wufei.’ She thought remembering how she’d been turned around, taunting Foxy when he had stopped and she’d run right into his head.

         Foxy nodded happily, “Yep! And here we are!” She pointed and they all stared at the castle in awe.

         “Reminds me of one of Quatre’s places, except I doubt this place has a killer Jacuzzi.” Hilde sighed, “Oh well.” Hilde nudged the horse to go forward. Heero had long dismounted and let the girl ride in his place. The horse neighed and started going downhill and the others trudged along.

        Relena and Quatre sat on ridiculously decorated thrones with their father and stared out at the arena area before them. Quatre looked around, ignoring the nobles and focusing on where the some of the servants were. The songbird was standing near the king, according to the slaves she was being honored by having him hold the end of her chain. With the rest of the servants Trowa stood and Quatre felt a small smile dance across his lips as he saw that his friend’s eyes were glued on the girl.

         The air was heavy with excitement as people took their seats or stood, trying to get a sight of the knights. Beside him he could hear Relena muttering something about how her heart belonged only to Heero and that if these knights even GLANCED in her direction she’d scream, pick up a sword, and kill them both---save herself a lot of trouble. The blond paled as he saw her eyes light up and her nod, “You know killing them both isn’t such a bad idea.” She started to laugh lowly and he lightly pushed her. Relena blinked and stared at him, then blushed. “I wouldn’t really!”

 

Disclaimer: I do now own Gundam Wing or any of its characters!

(End of Part 2! Part 3 cummin!)