Jaid: Hey guys. I’m not feeling so well. I think I have stomach flu, but am not sure. So I don’t know how comprehensive this chapter is.

I saw Moulin Rouge today. For some reason the story kept reminding me of Midii Une’s “Price of Redemption”. I mean the story line jealousy thingy…never mind.

Purple Ghost! I need your e-mail address. I lost it :-(

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Chapter Eight

            Heero coughed again. Relena looked up and frowned at him.

            “Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked, standing. She walked over and placed a cool hand on his head. “I think you have a fever.” she looked down at him and their eyes met for a brief moment. Heero then glared at her and she withdrew hastily.

            “I’m just worried about you.” she said in an injured tone.

            “There’s no need for you to be.” he answered. Relena whirled around, hands on her slender hips.

            “And what if I want to?” she asked. Heero looked at her, his gaze cold and un-emotional.

            “Then keep your worry to yourself.” he said, then walked out. Relena turned and faced the wall.

            “He’s infuriating.” she murmured to no one in particular. “But, he needs so much help.” she leaned her head against the cool stone wall. “I don’t think any one has ever loved him…he seems so lost and sad.”

*  *  *

And what are you now? What is Relena to you now? Dorothy’s questions raged un-mercilessly through Quatre’s mind as he climbed and walked through the forest that surrounded Sanq. He felt uneasy, since he could no longer answer these questions honestly. He stopped, wiping sweat from his brow and finding a place to sit in the tree he climbed. Quatre leaned his head against the smooth white bark.

            “I love her.” he said out loud. “Don’t I?” He looked up at the sky, wishing for his mother. The one person he could always talk too. But she was gone, because he had failed. Quatre lowered his head as tears streamed silently down his cheeks.

*  *  *

            Trieze stiffened again and looked around. Rashid, who had been riding next to him, noticed his friend’s unease.            

            “Something wrong, Lord Trieze?” the big man asked. Trieze looked at him.

            “Not really.” he said. “I just have this feeling that evil is near. Like something meaning ill intent is stalking us.”

            Rashid frowned. “There are many things in the South that merit watching, but I have not noticed anything. If it makes you feel better, I’ll have the rest of the men keep a look-out.”

            Trieze nodded. “I don’t want to cause trouble, but that would probably be prudent.”

            Rashid nodded, then wheeled round to confer with his lieutenants. Treize’s dark blue eyes scanned the desert, sparkling under the moonlight, again. Something tugged on the edge of his mind…something that seemed all too familiar, but at the same time was completely strange to the wizard. Tallgeese nodded his gray head, his yellow eyes gleaming and fangs slightly bared. Trize calmed him down, then turned as Rashid came over again.

            “We’ll press harder.” was all the man had to say. Treize nodded.

*  *  *

            “Oh, Sercan!” Une said in a surprised tone. Sercan quickly dropped Mariemeia’s hand and she turned, blushing.

            “Nice to see you again.” Une said sincerely, smiling. Sercan gave her a slight smile and polite greeting in return.

            “I see you have met Mariemeia.” Une went on. Sercan’s smile eased somewhat.

            “Yes.”

            “I assume your parents are here for the Council?” Une asked. Sercan nodded again.

            “Good.” Une said. There was a short pause. Une broke it.

            “Well, I just wanted to find a book.” she commented. “I’ll see you both later.” With that, she briskly walked away. Mariemeia and Sercan stood there, awkwardly, for a moment.

Say something! Mariemeia’s mind shouted. “It’s nice here.” she finally said, then winced at the lame comment.

            “Yes.” Sercan answered. Another long pause.

            “Would you like to see the gardens?” Sercan asked. “Unless you’ve already-“

            “Yes.” Mariemeia cut him off. Sercan blinked, then smiled and offered her his arm. Mariemeia took it and blushed as they walked out to the garden. Une, feeling quite pleased with herself, began to earnestly look for the book she had come to retrieve.

*  *  *

            “Hilde!”

            “Go away, Duo!”

            “Oh, come on! Wait for me!”

            Hilde stopped and turned, dropping her blue skirts to cross her arms. Duo stood in front of her, hands on hips.

            “You didn’t have to walk away.” he said accusingly.

            “I had nothing more to say to you.” she answered. “I’m not getting involved in other people’s business. If Quatre wants us to know, then he’ll tell us!”

            “You know that’s not true.” Duo shot back. “I’ve traveled with him for only a little while, but I know he’s the type to keep things to himself. He doesn’t like to share his problems.”

            Hilde’s lips pursed. “Look, Dorothy can be dangerous if you meddle with her affairs. And you don’t even know if they’re in love.”

            “How do you know they’re not?”

            “Because Quatre loves Dorothy’s younger sister, Relena!” Hilde told him. Duo blinked.

            “Oh.”

            Hilde couldn’t help but smirk. “See?”

            “Well, maybe-“

            “Duo!” Hilde interrupted, exasperated. “Don’t you ever give up?”

            “No.” he was grinning again. Heaven knew how she hated that know-it-all grin…but it was so cute. Stop it! she commanded herself.

            “I’m not going to play match-maker…” her voice trailed off and Duo turned to follow her gaze.

            A slender red-head with blue eyes and long, black wings was walking with a tall young man with golden blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and grayish white wings. He was dressed in white, gold and dark blue. The girl, by contrast, was dressed in a simple white, sleeveless top with a simple red skirt that had black designs. A gold bracelet was on her left arm, and she was barefoot, several anklets twinkling.

            “Who are they?”

            “I don’t know.” Hilde frowned.

            Duo snapped his fingers. “I know who they are. Kerah-kamstenien; the Skye-borne.”

            Hilde looked at him blankly.

            “Come on,” he said. “Don’t you know…you don’t, do you?” he sighed, then took her arm. “I’ll tell you about it.”

*  *  *

No, don’t!

            Mother! Help me!

            Stay back, kerishna!

            No, leave him alone! Please!

            Mother!

            Don’t hurt him!

            Mother! No!

            Quatre’s eyes snapped open and he shook his head. Looking up, he was startled to see how dark it was getting. The voices were still ringing in his head. He wished they would go away.

Stay back Quatre, you’re too young for this.

            No I am not!

            “Why didn’t I listen?” he murmured to himself, remembering his dark-haired brother. Dropping lightly to the ground, he walked on silently, then stopped and stiffened as he heard a noise. He smiled as he heard voices. Presently, Dorco crashed into view, followed by a bemused looking Duo and a silently laughing Hilde.

            “There you are!” Dorco shouted, in his customary roar. “Where have you been all day?”

            “Here and there.” Quatre answered, shrugging easily.

            Dorco snorted.

            “Lord Peacecraft asked us to find you.” Duo said. “It’s almost time to eat.”

            He and Dorco turned and walked away, while Quatre followed, staying in step with Hilde.

            “Quatre,” she said softly. “Is something wrong?”

            “What do you mean?” he asked.

            “I don’t know.” she answered. “It’s just that…you’re different.”

            “I’m not a child anymore Hilde.” Quatre said.

            “I know!” Hilde told him. “But today, when you were shooting with Dorothy today, it felt like…” her voice trailed off.

            “Like what?” Quatre prodded.

            “It felt like you had come back.” Hilde said. “I mean, really came back. Not just physically…Oh, I don’t know.” she finished hastily. “Never mind.”

            Quatre nodded and looked away.

*  *  *

            “There are many things to be addressed.” Zechs said gravely. The group gathered nodded. It was a little over a week later. Zechs hesitated, then went on.

            “The news of new Evil from the South was brought to me by my daughter, Relena. She and the mage Heero Yuy have gone East to warn the peoples there.

            “This morning, an eagle brought a message from Treize. He now knows that the threat is the Xry, the shadow demons. Someone has released them form their prison and has set them loose on the world again.

            “Long ago, one thing was created to stop the  Xry. It was the Rinekin na Kamen, which meant ‘Pure soul jewel’. The mountain elves and dwarves wrought it together, back when our peoples were still friends. The Rinekin na Kamen has come back into our possession.”

            Quatre felt a sudden sinking feeling and the leather bag slung over his chest and shoulder seemed to become very heavy. Sure enough, Zechs looked at him.

            “Quatre, would you bring it out?”

            The Elf stood, lifted the jewel out of the bag and handed it to the Elvish Lord. It glowed beautifully underneath the sun.

            “This is what Treize needs. We have to get it to him, before the Xry overwhelm us. They have already caused much destruction; according to our messengers.” He nodded to Sally and WuFei, who had arrived late last night.

            “So, does this mean some of us are taking a trip South?” Duo asked. Hilde nudged him hard and gave him a glare. Zechs smiled.

            “Yes.” Zechs looked over them coolly. “Now the only question is who to send.”

            Quatre sighed. He had felt this coming. “I’ll take it.” he said wearily. Zechs seemed relieved.

            “Good, I was hoping you would volunteer.”

            Quatre bit back a sarcastic remark as he retook the gem and placed it back in the bag.

            “A word of warning Quatre,” Zechs cautioned. “Don’t let your heart be blackened by revenge or hatred while it is in your possession. The jewel reacts to it’s owner’s heart and if you allow your heart to become bitter and hard, it will damage the jewel’s powers for the good.”

            Quatre nodded and returned to his seat.

            “Wait,” Duo stood. “You’re not sending him alone, are you?”

            “He won’t be alone.” Dorco stated. “I’ll be with him.”

            “Yeah, and some help you’ll be.” Duo snorted. “I’m coming too.”

            WuFei stood. “I will accompany them as well. I need to speak with Treize.”

            “I’ll go too.” Hilde stated.

            “No!” Lucrezia and Zechs said at the exact same time.

            “Why not?”

            “You’re a girl, that’s why.”

            Hilde frowned. Why did it always come back to that stupid reason. “I can fight as well as a boy. Besides,” she brightened. “I almost look like a boy. Just longer hair, that’s all.”

            Lucrezia sighed. “Hilde- “

            “I know, I know!” the girl sighed. “It was too much to hope for.”

            “All right, the four of you-“ Zechs was cut off by a cloud of steam descending on the group. He looked up into Deathscythe’s toothy grin.

            “The five of you.” he corrected himself. “Will go. Prepare to leave as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Mariemeia, Une and I must talk with you.”

            The winged girl nodded and followed the Lord and sorceress out of he room. Duo went over to Quatre and grinned.

            “Together again, huh pal?”

            Quatre smiled. “Thanks for coming. It’ll be a lot easier with you guys along.”

            “I wish I were coming.” Hilde said gloomily. Quatre put a hand on her shoulder.

            “There are things you can do here, Hilds.” his face fell. “Especially if I mess things up again.”

            “You won’t.” she assured him, and gave him a friendly hug. “I know you won’t.”

            Dorothy paused by the doorway and met Quatre’s eyes. They stared at each other for a moment, then Dorothy walked away. Quatre looked down at the ground.

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Jaid: If anybody mentions Lord of the Rings in the reviews, they have a date with my frying pan…

Naga: Wow, insulting the readers. Didn’t know you had it in you, Jaid.

Jaid: Shut up…don’t bother sick people. *goes to bed*