Title: With Death Comes Sadness
Author: Cheska
Chapter 33
Pg – 13
Disclaimer: *big gush of wind and tumbleweed comes by*
Cheska: *sweat drop*
*a big bunny hops by and stops in front of her*
Cheska: What a cute bunny…in a weird place.. ^^;; *tries to pet it when the bunny shows its razor sharp teeth*
*gah* *face faults* *bunny can be seen snickering and jumps into some tumbleweed and rolls along*
Cheska: I think I'm in a dream…
*lawyers from GW and SM pops up with briefcases*
Cheska: This has got to be a nightmare.. -_-;;
Lawyers: Cheska you are here under orders that you say the following disclaimer.
Cheska: ….whatever.
Squall: *pops up and wields his weapon threateningly* That's my line!
Cheska: *gulps* I mean…uhh…I can't say anything else other than whatever!!
Lawyers and Squall: *sweat drop and Squall vanishes*
Cheska: Heheh…ano…sure I'll say it, even though it'll kill me.
*Ami pop up*
Ami: Technically, words you find to dislike can't actually kill you…emotionally it will be quite painful but due to a series of examinations and tests it is highly unlikely that by saying a disclaimer will actually kill you.
Cheska: *sweat drops along with the lawyers* Uhh, thanks Ami… @_@
Ami: Anytime, *vanishes*
Lawyers: We're waiting…
Cheska: Hai, hai… I don't own Sailor Moon and/or Gundam Wing. There, can you get out of this place now?
Lawyers: *vanish*
Cheska: Weird… *sees another hopping bunny* Uhh, I think I'll be going now.. *vanishes as well*
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, and yes, I'll still try to keep in mind. Hehehe, it may be awhile until I write another fanfic after this one. It seems that this story has proved to be a great challenge for me.
~.~.~.~
Swinging her book bag over her shoulder, Serena flipped aside a strand of hair that got in the way before turning away from the window and towards the doorway that would lead out of the school. Throughout the rest of the day, she hasn't seen a sign of Heero and was on the verge of believing that he wasn't on Earth after all and that her imagination just ran away from her during that brief period of time. Sighing, the young teenager decided to just let it go and try to move on with her life.
(It's doubtless that he'll come back to me after what happened a year ago. I told him, I can't be with him and like a soldier it's likely that he'll heed to my words and leave me be.) Serena criticized herself as she passed through the arch way and to the outside world.
(I still remember my last words to him while I was in the shuttle, before take-off.) Serena reminisced.
*Flash*
The moderate hum of the shuttle ran, but despite its gentleness, it didn't soothe the anxiety and fear that Serena held for herself as she sat quietly by the window side.
"It's as if, what I may be doing now is wrong. That I should remain here, on the colony…in order to be with…" Serena trailed off, as she sadly stared out the window and spotted the one that managed to steal her heart.
(01…no, not 01…Heero…hai, Heero…)
Placing a hand upon the window, Serena stared out and gazed at the pilot. The one who made her feel safe, warm, and capable of making all her fears dissipate as long as she was near him. And the one who now possesses the star locket, a symbol of the love that she held for him…and hopefully what he held for her. Without either feeling, the locket would hold no real value, therefore, incapable of playing its haunting melody. Something she had managed to find a long time ago…
While she continued to watch him, she noticed Milliardo's form next to the man as well. It seemed that he was speaking to him, asking him questions…but she did not pay heed to it as her attention fixed solely on the ex-Gundam Pilot. As Serena stared at Heero, she couldn't help but feel remorseful and a deep longing settled right in her heart.
(This feeling…) Serena sensed a deep pang of hurt, unbearable and yet she wondered why she was still alive for that brief moment.
By the time she took away her attention from her inner feelings and toward Heero, she saw his form moving away from Milliardo and toward the other side of the shuttle port where Wufei was currently stationed at. It was then that her heart beat came to be faster, almost frantic at the sight of his leaving.
"H-Heero…" Serena mouthed out just as Heero turned.
Heero only caught her words before he turned away, quite possibly walking out of her life forever. Slumping back, Serena watched him leave and the pain in her heart never leaving afterwards.
*End Flash*
It was a year ago since she even mentioned his name, but that didn't mean that she hasn't forgotten about him or constantly thought of him. In fact, ever since the uneasiness of stepping out of that shuttle and trying to find a home had passed, her attentions were drawn to her love life and the confusion behind it.
"Milliardo…" Serena wistfully uttered as she passed by a greenhouse followed by a rose bush: their red petals held out before her alongside white and other multi-colored paraphernalia.
(I remember…his flowers, its sweet scent as he stands outside the door holding it before me.)
Shaking her head, Serena decided to cast those past memories aside. They weren't truly a part of her life anymore.
*Flashback*
"Milliardo?" Serena cautiously called out as she stepped into line of view to stare out and see the white-blonde haired young man in his 20s.
Letting out a small smile, Milliardo whirled around and held between his fingers a single white rose: similar to the first flower that he gave her only a short time ago.
"Do you remember?" Milliardo tenderly inquired as he handed it out to her and she took it, smiling a little before sniffing its light fragrance.
"Hai, and it was also the first time you told me…"
"That I loved you, and I still do…remember that," Milliardo murmured.
"What…are you saying, Milliardo?" Serena slowly enunciated.
Milliardo smiled again, although forced now, as he motioned for her to come closer and stand by him as they watched the clouds waft.
"I told you that I would come with you to Earth, and I've fulfilled that obligation because of my love for you."
"You're…leaving?" Serena averted her gaze from the sky to focus her attention upon Milliardo himself who didn't meet her gaze but continued to stare out the sky.
"I feel that my emotions set upon you weren't exactly as fulfilling as it should be. I know that you care for another,"
"Demo…"
"And that I care for another as well," Milliardo added before he could let Serena continue.
"You care for…?" Serena was at a loss, it didn't occur to her that he could feel for someone else but here it was.
"Hai, for a long time I have though I'm not sure if it's exactly as long as you have cared for him…Yuy," Milliardo stated.
"Who is it?" Serena inquired.
"Lucrecia Noin."
(Lucrecia…Noin? Demo…)
Seeing, Serena's confused façade Milliardo couldn't help but chuckle slightly before pushing back a strand of hair that got in the way of her angelic face.
"Do not worry, about me Serena. I know fully well that Lucrecia has died but I still care deeply for her. I'm afraid that my feelings for you have been misplaced after her death, that I put all the love I held for her and burdened you with it. Now, I see that truth and so…" Milliardo turned away from Serena and leaned against the balcony, breathing deeply the fresh air before continuing on with his words.
"I still care for you, Serena, never forget that. But despite my emotions, despite my love, I know that I shouldn't be with you and hold you down from the one that loves you. Relena let him go, because she knew the truth and so…it was only a matter of time before I do too."
"I…" Serena shook her head, unsure of what to say.
Milliardo leaned in and tipped her head back so he could see her eyes, caressing her cheek in the process as he tried to soothe her fears and the anxiety she was feeling away. As it began to vanish, he kissed her lips softly and then backed away, looking at her lovingly before going back to the scenery facing him.
"He-Heero and I…" Serena began but was interrupted with a shake of Milliardo's head.
"You believe that he doesn't care for you, but he does. You consider the fact that he may have moved on or quite possibly, tries to forget any memories with you in them. However, it's not always easy to forget when you truly care for that person…when you love that person. No, he still cares for you and it's only a matter of time before he comes again. Whether to see how you fare, or whether he's just there to try it once more before disappearing from your life all together. When that time comes, I hope you accept."
"Arigatou, Milliardo…" Serena murmured softly before turning to leave him alone with his own thoughts.
"Hmm, one more thing…"
Turning her head, Serena waited for his words.
"Whatever happens, no matter what your decision is…let it be one that leads you to happiness? I already know that a life with me won't accomplish that…hopefully he can grant you what I can not…" Milliardo said and then leaned against the railing of the balcony with his head towards the sky.
Serena didn't say anything, although her eyes told all. That she was and still is grateful for what he had granted her, freedom. A freedom and a chance at true happiness: a hope that maybe, just maybe there can be a possibility that the one she cares for would still accept her.
(Arigatou, Milliardo…arigatou…)
*End Flashback*
Blinking, Serena grimaced at the pain from the sun's affect. She did enjoy the warm ray and sunshine but sometimes it was a hassle whenever her head tilted upwards towards its glare. Her face contorted as she cast her head aside and blinked out the sunspots before her eyes rested upon the familiar scenery of a tree and the fresh cut grass. Letting out a small smile, Serena moved closer and placed a hand on the tree trunk before leaning against it with her forehead resting over the back of her hand.
"This tree…" Serena whispered softly as warm memories enveloped her of the first time she met Quatre and 01.
"How I remember it," Serena added as an afterthought as she turned around, pushing her back against the trunk before sliding down on the cool grass to fall into a spell as old memories resurfaced.
~.~.~.~
Heero had been following the girl ever since she left the school grounds; his eyes filled with longing but also with a held back emotion that he made sure were kept in check. He still didn't forget the fact that there may be a part of her that still didn't wish to be with him. He knew that they each cared for one another, maybe even more so than he first believed but he wasn't exactly sure as to the limitations of these sentiments.
Noticing that she was passing through the greenhouse, he stealthily followed along his distance from her not too great that he would miss her. And as she stopped for a moment, he did as well noticing the various types of roses surrounding her.
(Roses…Milliardo…) Heero frowned at the memory of the blonde ex-pilot of Epyon.
(He told me…to visit her…a few months ago.) Heero recalled but pushed those thoughts aside for later, seeing Serena move along.
As he ran quickly through the sidewalk, memories filled him as he saw the star locket peeking from his pocket and decided to snatch it up before it might fall to the ground. Pausing slightly, he caught the chain of the locket and held it up to him, seeing that it opened. A warm glow and a snatch of the recognizable tune let out before he closed it again.
For a moment, a piece of the pilot's emotions leaked out before he noticed his surroundings and saw Serena's silhouette form turn down a corner. Holding the locket in his fist, he dashed forward.
(Those girls…they told me about the locket…) Heero said to himself and frowned to himself, wondering if the story was true even if it was far-fetched.
As he rounded the corner, he saw Serena approaching a tree and after a few seconds had sat down with her form leaning against it, her face peaceful.
Quietly, Heero walked up to the tree and then with grace he jumped up to the first tree branch and sat on it, watching the form of the one he loves serenely sit on the cool, green grass.
Opening his fist, he gazed momentarily at the object and thought back to what those girls he met earlier on comment on it.
*flashback*
Heero walked down the sidewalk and as he did, he bumped into a small form. He recovered quickly and then stabilized the tottering form of a young girl a year younger than himself. Catching her arm, he helped her and then let go once certain that she would be okay.
"Gomen nasai, I didn't see you there," apologized the 17 year old.
From his observations, she was about 5ft. 2 with short, boyish blue hair and slightly dark blue eyes. She work a common school uniform of white and blue and in her arms were a set of advanced school books.
"Hnh" Heero nodded, accepting her apologies and prepared to go.
But stopped when she paused and then stooped down, picking up a familiar object at the corner of his eyes. As she rose up, he noticed that in her hand was the star locket that Serena had given him. Frowning a bit, he decided to take it back.
"That's mind," Heero stated, grabbing it from her outstretched hand and made sure that no damage was on it before pocketing it.
"That…locket, where did you get it?" the girl questioned.
The boy, in turn, merely narrowed his eyes in slight annoyance at the girl's interrogation even as innocent it was. Before any words could be opened from the girl's mouth, a familiar form came up: Hino Rei.
The raven haired, purple-eyed girl came up with a smile upon her face and as she came closer, it turned to a shock at the sight of Heero.
"Heero, w-what are you doing here?" Rei asked.
Heero didn't reply, indifference taking over as he made no motion to answer her question.
"You know him, Rei?" the blue haired girl inquired.
"Mmm, Heero was staying over at Quatre's house at the same time as Serena. I'm surprised that she didn't say anything about what happened during our stay. Demo…I can sort of understand why she didn't," Rei softened her tone by the end of her reply.
"Ano that means he was…" the teenager began.
"Yes, he went through the same thing…he can be trusted, Ami-chan," Rei nodded.
"Ano…Heero-san, how did you come by with that locket?" Ami tenderly and cautiously inquired once more.
Rei quickly turned her head, as she recalled the fact that indeed Heero did possess the star locket.
"I remember, Serena gave it to you…and made sure you kept it as well," Rei stated, her tone of voice filled with slight awe and hushed excitement.
Heero narrowed his eyes once more, before producing the star locket out and held it out to the two girls.
"Hey, that's Serena's locket!" another voice came up and turning his head while setting up a guarding hand around the object, a girl that remarkably looked like Serena came up. There were only slight differences between the two, this one had a lighter shade of hair with a red bow and let loose aside from Serena's odango shaped. Her eyes were lighter, while Serena's were darker and not to mention this one appeared to be much more perky and hyperactive.
"This is Minako Aino, another friend of Serena's…Heero," Rei introduced as Minako bounded over and inspected the star locket.
"You're probably wondering why we're so curious about you having Serena's star locket," Ami uttered softly, almost apologetically as the girls gathered around.
Heero only nodded in reply before opening the latch on the object, producing the haunting melody once more, making the girls' eyes widen as they heard it.
"It even plays…" a whisper gasped out.
"I'm thinking you don't know the story behind it, ne?" Minako turned and winked at the boy who shook his head, saying 'no' he didn't.
"Well then, we'll…or well, Minako-chan here will tell you," Rei said in reply, motioning toward the blonde haired girl who smiled brightly.
"Years ago, that star locket you hold before you now used to be in the possession of a princess from the moon. It was said that it's made out of a precious metal from the moon, its value worth more than gold itself…
Special powers were entrusted to the star locket once it was created given from the goddess of Love powered with the power from the goddess of the moon: Aphrodite and Selene.
That light would forever shine once opened, it would play and display the sight of a crescent moon, creating hope and a lightened heart regardless of how hard life was…no matter how everything appeared to be. This was what Selene placed over the star locket.
As for Aphrodite herself, hers was more imaginative than what the goddess of the moon gave. It is said, that with her powers she placed an enchantment over the locket. Overall, the gifts that were given the special, intricate object hers would represent true love. That whosoever owned the star locket, would find the one that they are meant to be with. To find out, a special melody would play just for the two of them…and only they would be able to create that special magic.
This brings us to, this star locket…" Minako retold to the attentive Heero Yuy.
*End Flashback*
Heero shook his head from the flashback and stared down at the star locket lying on the palm of his hand. If the story is true…then that would mean that…
(I don't know if I'll really believe it but I do know one thing…) Heero stated inside his mind and with a small smirk, Heero let fall the star locket.
~.~.~.~
Serena blinked in surprise as an object fell onto her lap. Opening her eyes, she stared down at her lap to see her star locket and as she sat upright, the locket opened up and that same familiar, evocative tune played itself in front of her as she cupped it in her hand. Her eyes tender and filled with so much memory of the one she now loves.
((Fighting evil by moonlight.
Winning love by daylight.
Never running from a real fight.))
The melody played on, but before she could truly get into it…she recalled that it came from up above. Tipping her head up, she saw Prussian blue eyes stare down at her and from that moment on, her heart paused and skipped a beat.
(01…)
Seeing him there, made her heart leap with joy but also a dread spread throughout her body at the countless possibilities for his appearance. Not too long after their gazes locked, he flipped down and landed in perfection: their gaze never breaking for a single moment.
"I thought I told you…to take care of it," Serena let out a teary smile as she held the object out to him.
Heero stared at her for a moment before picking up the object in silence.
"I needed to catch your attention," he remarked but didn't pocket the object.
"Oh," Serena softened her gaze before staring at the tree and then at him.
Silence ensued.
"I heard you were doing well with Wufei at the Preventors. I also heard that Sally was there," Serena commented.
He nodded in response.
"How are they?"
"Sally's with Wufei now, they're relationship is good. So is Duo and Hilde at Colony L2," Heero replied and added.
"Hilde, that's the one that Duo has waiting for him…" Serena recollected, remembering at one point when Duo mentioned the girl though not sure from where.
"And Relena?" Serena questioned.
"Over at the Peacecraft Academy with Milliardo, he's accompanying her to several areas. She is to speak and promote peace as her duty requires of her," Heero said, his voice dripping with slight bitterness near the end although Serena couldn't quite find out where with his even, monotone.
"Milliardo…" Serena murmured under her breath, but Heero caught up and stared at her with a sharp eye.
"What about him?" Heero questioned, wondering if she still had any feelings for the blonde man.
"N-nothing…it's just…it's been awhile since I heard about him. A few months now since I saw him last. You see, he and I…" Serena began.
"…Are no longer together. He told me himself," Heero finalized, adding his reasoning for having that information.
"Then…that's why you're here," Serena reasoned out softly, her eyes glittering with unshed tears as she stared up at him.
He merely nodded in response before she shook her head.
"After all that's happened, after all that we've been through, and after all this mess that I've caused you expect it to be that simple? To just get together, just like that?" Serena questioned, shaking her head with tears freely falling down her cheeks.
Heero stepped forward, tipped her head up, staring at her watering eyes, and tenderly used his thumb and forefinger to wipe away the tears falling from his eyes. His eyes holding an emotion that Serena could only remember from those few moments she and he shared during the night when no one else were around.
"I don't expect it to,"
"Then why…?"
"I'd rather try, than not let an opportunity pass."
"Ano…"
"You once said that 'with death comes sadness'. And there's been deaths shared for so many years, but there's also another one to come with that saying of yours," Heero calmly and coolly stated, never letting his hand leave from her face as he tenderly stroked her chin.
Serena didn't say anything in reply, her eyes conscientiously focused on his features.
"…that with life comes happiness." Heero murmured and let his hand stroke once more upon her cheek before letting it fall to his side and he made a motion that he was about to turn but Serena shot her hand out and reached for his wrist, holding him down.
"Ano…I was once told that a chance like this may happen and if I let this opportunity pass, I may never have this chance happen again."
"…"
"I don't intend to let you walk out of my life, Heero. I never did, I care for you…even love you. As long as we're alive, I'd like to spend the rest of my life in happiness and happiness is with you….if you're willing," Serena whispered out, just barely enough for Heero to hear.
"Heero…01" Serena uttered out once again.
"Heero," Heero stated.
Serena blinked questioningly up at him.
"You said my name, instead of the other. I like it…" Heero said and turned to face her.
She only smiled wanly in response to his words.
"And…I like you, no-not like…not even love…"
Serena blinked in surprise at his words and for a brief moment, he felt as if her heart would break.
(He-he doesn't love me?)
Serena made a motion that she was about to cast her head aside but his next words refused her to stop staring up at him.
"I don't love you, Serena…because…what I feel for you is stronger than that, much stronger…"
Shining crystalline blue eyes broke out from her eyes, happiness wafting through her like fire. Not too long after, Serena fell onto his arms and embraced him and he hugged her back.
"I thought that this was only for when one feels sad?" his dark voice broke through her consciousness.
Looking up, tears fell from her eyes, bliss ultimate bliss and contentment shining in her eyes. Shaking her head, she continued to embrace him.
"Heero…"
"Serena…I'm willing to do anything to be with you…anything."
She only let out a muffled response, her head nodding in accompaniment.
"We'll be together from now on, won't we?" Serena tipped her head up.
Her only response: Heero's head moving downward and soon kissing her as he poured his emotions and hers to him in response.
~.~.~.~
Not too far away, Quatre stood alone with a smile on his face. He had planned to visit the spot where he first met the golden blonde haired girl and also the place where his mother died only to find Serena wrapped up in Heero's arm, the two of them sharing an intimate kiss under the shade of the same familiar tree where they had played years ago.
"You've found happiness…Serena…I'm glad," Quatre whispered softly under his breath before turning around to let the two be alone for the time being as he made his way back down to where the limo awaited him.
~.~.~.~.~
Time Gates:
~.~.~.~.~
Pluto stood there with her Time Staff clutched between her hands. Her garnet orbs staring fixedly at two scenes displayed before her.
One showed the present circumstance. The world well on its way for a bright future as it was expressed with the couple, wrapped in each other sharing a kiss: happiness and joy illuminating itself around their auras.
The other exhibited a peaceful world at the sight of Earth, glowing brighter than ever with the moon overhead: trees, grass, flowers, growing beautifully without fail. As the images started to slow down its view it focused upon a single figure; the future queen kneeling beside a bedside full of flowers on the green grass and next to her was her king, except instead of it actually being a crystal utopia it only showed them in their common clothes. Emphasizing the fact, that there would be no real utopia but as the world, itself was.
"There may not be an actual queen and king in the future, but the world won't end up as it would have with a place full of chaos and despair. With the trials placed upon you, hime, and you exceeding, you have overcome all and that itself is enough for the world. Let us now hope that no other trials will face you: be happy hime…I wish you well," Pluto murmured into the contented face of Serena before she raised the Time Staff, disrupting the image and making it vanish into thin air as Pluto took up her place by the Time Gates to watch over for the rest of eternity.
The End…
~.~.~.~.~
Ooh boy, sucky ending but that's all I can think of for the moment. *wipes sweat off her forehead* As I've said overhead *points to the top of the screen* This'll be the last story I write for awhile, since Junior Year is actually quite a challenge and I need to quit it for awhile until things settle down and my mind straightens itself out. Meaning, until I get off my butt and actually pass through my classes. ^^;; So that'll take awhile, but until then wish me luck! And hey, I think my next story if I choose to make one again…that is, if I get the right inspiration. It'll be a SM/Lotr or a Slayers one. I've been thinking of starting on the Slayers…always wanted to make on. ^_^ After that, I'll go back to writing these crossovers…not sure if it'll end up being a Heero/Serena story. Oh, yeah, as for the SM/Lotr….I'm thinking of my fave Serena/Legolas! Yeah, yeah I know that one again!?!? But I can't help it, I like Legolas…*eyes twinkle* *ahem* Well anyways, the ending in this story wasn't quite the one I was thinking of but it'll have to do…it came out as close as it can be to my intended version. I'll need to work on it in future stories. *sigh*