Chapter Thirteen of Worlds Collide

Life...
by YEN
version (12/20/99)
final edit 02/05/2000

Yui lay back against the pillows, gasping and feeling wonderfully lethardic. She let her body went limp, closed her eyes and slowly, steadily extricate her deliciously numb limbs entangled with her lover's.

... He's only distracting me... She told her muddled brain firmly, struggling to regain her senses. ...but what a distraction. Even as her body agreed enthusiastically with that, she pushed away from Hyuga, rolled to the side of the bed and got out. A moment later, she almost collapsed to the floor had she not fell back unto bed when her legs literally refused to support her. Yui panicked.

"I know what you are thinking." Hyuga's tone was definitely amused. "And no, I did not poison you." He smiled innocently when she looked distrustingly at him. "It is simply unwise to get up so soon after lovemaking." Now, he sounded like a professor. "You have to allow your body, especially the lower and pelvic regions, to recover and allow blood to circulate normally again."

She did not believe him and tried to stand up again. Her legs trembled uncontrollably, but she made herself wobble away from him. She heard him chuckle behind her and winced with every painful step. I cannot and should not trust him... "...I was able to walk fine before," she managed to whisper through gritted teeth. ...What did he do to me?!

He sighed. "That time, only approximately fifteen minutes elapsed. It was, as Sigurd would have termed it, a quickie."

"Who's Sigurd?" She asked, pretending to play along as she finally made it to the nearest chair, which fortunately was only an arm's length away from her sword, suspended from a magpin. She manuevered herself carefully and sat down, relieved. My arms are not yet affected... She breathed in deeply, each gasp sounding harsh to sensitive ears. Her head felt leaden, and she struggled to remain focused on her enemy. I should have been more careful! Both pain and shame boiled within her. How could I've been so careless?!

Yui straightened, took a slow steadying breath and reached for her weapon. I will not make it easy for him!

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Hyuga watched quietly as she unsheathed her sword and placed the blade across her lap. She does not believe me... Part of him wanted to laugh at the ridiculous situation, while the rest of him ached that she didn't trust him. ...What did I expect? She has little reason to trust me... and she is also in the right.

... I must prove myself to her.

Determined, he sat up and shifted his legs over the side of the bed. Yui's eyes widened then narrowed, her hand tightened around the sword handle.

Hyuga pressed the soles of his feet firmly against the floor and breathed deeply. He kept his muscles relaxed, allowing his blood to return to its normal circulation faster. As soon as he felt a warm tingle spread through his lower torso, he stood up carefully.

When he turned back towards her, the point of her blade was aimed directly at him. He sighed again. Now, she certainly does not believe me.

*******************************

"Stay away," Yui said warningly as he approached her slowly. It did not help her situation at all that she was bare, half-paralyzed, and that her opponent was walking towards her stark naked as well. Her stomach turned liquid and her breathing shortened. ...Effects of the poison are increasing... or something else...?

Kill him now. Her swordhand trembled, and she shook her head angrily, cursing silently at herself for the predicament she was in. Damn it! I am stronger than this!

*******************************

Hyuga stopped when she stood up suddenly. Her face was set, and her eyes flat with anger. He could see her tremble despite efforts to conceal it. Her sword remained leveled straight at his heart.

...It has already struck... He took one more step and the tip brushed against his chest. Her eyes widened, and the sword moved the barest fraction back. Hope flared up in him, a bright spark driving away the pain. ... She cares...

"Don't take another step." There was something else in those golden eyes now besides anger, and he closed his own eyes, warm relief flooding him. He looked back at her again. "I did not poison you."

Another step, and the blade tilted up to rest against his shoulder. He felt a prick and glanced down to see a faint scratch of blood. He swallowed.

"Don't worry," he heard her whisper, "there is no poison this time." He glanced back at her. "I do not need it to kill you," she continued softly. He could feel the sword trembling ever so slightly. He raised his hand carefully, slowly, the action smooth as slipped the blade between his index and middle fingers. Her eyes remained locked on his

...Yui... One more step, and he tilted his head up and guided the sword-point to rest instead against his throat. He closed his eyes.

"I am telling you the truth," He said softly, "I did not do anything to you, except," a tiny smile curled the edges of his lips, "the act of pleasure itself."

"... You were able to stand..."

"So were you." Hyuga almost bit his tongue for responding so cheekily, and though he couldn't see her face, he knew she was glaring at him.

"I still feel so weak..." Yui's voice faltered, and he felt the sword fall away. He opened his eyes to see her sitting down again, pain and weariness apparent in her face and posture. She was staring up to him, and her swordarm, limp against her side.

"Yui." Concerned, he kneeled in front of her.

"It hurts, Hyuga," she whispered. She began trembling violently, and her sword dropped from listless fingers. "It feels like knives are sticking into me."

"What?" He frowned and cupped her face in his hands. She felt cold. "Yui!" He quickly checked her pulse and felt her forehead. Her heartbeat was erratic, and her temperature, low.

Ignoring her protests and very weak resistence, he lifted and carried her to the bed.

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"Does it hurt here?"

"Yes." Yui watched him adoringly as he began massaging her calf. However, each time Hyuga looked at her, she appeared to be merely observing him curiously.

Happiness was bubbling crazily in her, and it took all her skill to school her expression; otherwise, Hyuga would find her smiling at him like a love-sick school girl, which quite accurately described her current state.

...He cares for me! Yui felt like running mad through the whole of Shevat and back. It was more then she had hoped for. She knew that he found her attractive just as she did him. The respect was there from the beginning. The only thing that marred her tryst with him was that simply they belong to opposite camps.

Even when I was totally in his power, he didn't take advantage of me. Yui sighed and smiled at him when he glanced at her questioningly. His answering smile made her feel giddy. I love you, Hyuga Ricadeau.

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Hyuga frowned when she suddenly withdrew her foot. "Thank you, Hyuga." He looked up to see her smile gently at him. "I feel so much better now."

Reluctant that his services were no longer required, he nodded and stood up, pulling down the lower flaps of several blankets to cover her legs. He proceeded to tuck her in snugly.

"Uhm... That is not necessary." His frown returned when Yui sat up and began removing the blankets from around her. He stopped her. "No, Yui, you need to stay warm."

Yui tossed a blanket away. "I'm fine, really. In fact, it is too hot now." Hyuga caught the next blanket she threw away and replaced it. "Your body temperature was dangerously low, Yui."

"It isn't now," she replied cheerfully and removed two more blankets.

Hyuga stared at her silently as she continued demolishing his work and bend over to check her pulse and temperature.

Yui smiled at him reassuringly and toss another blanket aside.

...Pulse normal, slightly high... temperature, a bit high also... Slender arms suddenly wound around his neck, and he stiffened in surprise when Yui kissed him.

Her mouth was aggressive, her lips pressing his apart as her tongue entered his mouth. He groaned at the sensuous intrusion and leaned against her only to jerk away when he realized that nothing was separating their bodies except his clothes.

"What's wrong?" She asked softly, her eyes meeting his all too directly.

"... You need to rest, Yui." He managed to say firmly although not convincingly.

"Why?" Her hands were running over his shirt, and he pried himself from her.

Putting as much distance between them as was possible in the room, he turned to face her and almost ran back when her eyes met his very promisingly.

"... You have suffered quite a severe case of muscle cramps just now." His mouth dried when Yui got out of bed and walked towards him, her hips swaying suggestively in time to an erotic gait. Hyuga backed away. "Admittedly, you recovered at an extraordinary rate, but you should let your..." His eyes were glued to the pair of ivory globes coming ever closer towards him. "...muscles relax," he finished weakly.

"I am fine." Her hands were so soft and warm against his face. "And it is all thanks to you..."

*******************************

Yui watched as he slept silently, cuddled against her, his head pillowed comfortably on her stomach.

She reached down and ran fingers through long soft black hair, which she considered to be as fine as the many treasured tresses of the ladies in Shevat's nobility, if not finer.

An affectionate smile curved her lips. I know some women who would kill to have hair as beautiful as yours, Hyuga. She next wondered what shampoo he used... and soon left the topic barely pondered on.

Yui sighed, frustrated. I should not have overdone it. Hyuga had believed her pretended affliction hook, line and sinker and had stalwartly refused her advances to play.

She came close though, and he had finally resorted to an effective defense, sleep.

Yui considered Hyuga, tempted to shake him awake and to confess. I only wanted to see what you would do if I were completely helpless and defenseless... She frowned. No... I can't tell him that...

Hyuga suddenly moved, exhaled sharply, lifted his head just the slightest bit and snuggled against her. His hands tightened on her waist as he nuzzled his face against her stomach, the top of his head brushing against her breasts. A moment later, he was asleep again.

Yui moaned. Darn it!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He sat shivering in the dark, eyes staring blankly at the opposite wall, and his arms hugging his body tight and protectively. Laughter from the corridor outside made him lift his head fearfully. The door slid open, and Sigurd stepped in.

His back was towards him, and long silver hair waved as its owner shook his head.

"Sorry ladies, but I have an early class tomorrow," Sigurd drawled softly, his deep enchanting voice further enhancing a well-deserved reputation as a ladies' man.

"Oh, that's too bad..." Hyuga winced, hearing the low murmur of one of his roommate's numerous admirers. He tensed even more when several giggles identified the rest of Sigurd's company.

... Please go away... Unable to prevent it, he let out a soft sob. The small reluctant release of air burned his throat painfully, and he buried his face in his hands. Leave me alone... "Go away."

"...Hyuga?"

"Leave me alone."

"Are you alright?"

Do I have to spell it out?! "Go away!"

...


...Why...? Why do these nightmares haunt me again? He curled up tighter, hiding... Go away...

"Wake up."

Leave me alone.

"... Is that what you truly want?"

... What I want...?

"It is your decision, Guardian."

"... Your majesty..."

"Just one word, Guardian, and I will let you be. Do you want to be released from my service?"

"..."

"Yes or no. You are of no use to me in this state. You may either be hot or cold, but never lukewarm lest I spit you out of my mouth. Are you with me or against me?"

"... I am your servant."

"Then, get up and face me."

Hyuga uncurled from his protective position, rolled to his stomach and slowly stood up to face Cain. The Emperor was looking at him, the smallest tinge of sad regret in his ancient face.

"What was done to you cannot be reversed."

"I know that."

"Do you desire revenge?"

"... No."

"You do have that option."

"It is not an option."

The slightest motion of the edges of near unrecognizable lips lit up Cain's somber expression. "I was in the right to choose you, Hyuga Ricadeau."

*******************************

"Is he on his way?"

"Yes."

*******************************

Yui ran towards Azuire's house. One hand tugged impatiently as the other slipped into her uniform's sleeve. She barely realized the ethereal sight she made. Running in the mist of dawn, her long hair disheveled, her eyes panic-wide like a hunted doe's.

Who did they mean "he?" "...No, please..." The whispered words were pained and hopeful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Azuire's smile was warm and gentle as he handed a small package to her.

"..." She quickly opened it and gasped in delight, holding a lovely golden figurine of a mother bird teaching her baby chick how to fly. "This is so beautiful!"

He nodded and produced a fine gold chain. Taking the bird, he carefully threaded the chain through a minuscule hole in the mother bird's neck. "Symbolic, isn't?"

Yui's glare failed miserably, and she rolled her eyes as she turned around. "Uncle...," she trailed off, exasperated.

He chuckled, tugging her hair playfully to one side before slipping the pendant around her neck. "Be happy, Yui."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


... Uncle! You can't leave me like this!

*******************************

Azuire frowned, ignoring the insistent tugging at the back of his mind and turned his concentration elsewhere, re-checking on the destination coordinates instead. His gear was running well and smoothly. It wouldn't be long before he reached the exchange site.

*******************************

Yui was on her way to the hangar deck when Hyuga stepped out of the shadows in the darkened passageway.

"Get out of my way." She refused to look at him.

"There is nothing you can do-" Hyuga broke off as Yui tried to get pass him. At the barest touch of his hands, she reacted violently, and he backed off with a side of his face stinging. Instinctively, he lifted a hand to his face and looked at her warily. The invincible vise around his throat turned once more.

Angry tears marked her face when she finally looked at him. Her eyes were glazed with pain and disbelief. "... How could you do this, Hyuga?"

"...Yui..." He stepped towards her, and stopped when she turned away from him.

"I wish I hadn't saved you."

*******************************

Azuire landed easily on the deck, straigthened and faced the tall dark-haired man clearly in charge. Behind him were impressive regiments of Solarian troopers, weapons at ease and ready, their officers in front, regal in uniformed finery. The exchange was to take place in the hanger deck of the Solarian flagship Elijah, alone without her usual escort fleet.

"I am Lord Azuire of Shevat. On whose ship do I have the pleasure of coming onboard?"

"Commander Talan, second-in-command of his majesty's vessel Elijah."

"The first officer? Where is your captain?"

"He has more important matters to deal with than this hostage exchange."

"Hmm... very well, let us go immediately to the point. I am here. Where are Nikolai and Maria Balthasar?"

Talan turned to one of his officers and nodded. A few moments later, one of the many gear hydrolifts in the hanger activated and rose, taking the gear on it into the chamber above as another lift rose beneath it.

Nikolai and Maria were on it. Balthasar's son was carrying his sleeping daughter in his arms, and he looked haggard. He stumbled slightly, almost losing his balance as the lift stopped and locked into position.

"Here they are as you can see. As per the agreed arrangements, they will get into your gear and leave for Shevat while you remain here in their place."

"..."

"They will be in no way hindered as long as you cooperate with us, Lord Azuire. Should you try to break the agreement in any way, we will pursue and reclaim them."

"..."

"Is everything to your satisfaction?"

"... That is not Nikolai Balthasar."

*********************************

Talan and his men backed away nervously when Azuire's gear reactivated and stepped menacingly towards them. Its master stood besides its foot, angry, and blue ether flickering around his form.

"... What are you doing?!"

"Where is the real Nikolai Balthasar?!"

Talan gritted his teeth and shouted back, "Are you blind?! That is Balthasar!"

"He may look like him, but that is not Nikolai Balthasar!"

... He does read minds. "Sado, take the girl back down!"

The psuedo-Nikolai nodded and reactivated the lift. He held a gun against the unconscious Maria's temple when Azuire turned towards him.

************************************

He could only watch as Maria was taken back down and faced Talan again.

"The agreement was for both of them." He stood his ground stubbornly, the many rifle barrels now aimed at him only an irritating, nonconsequential backdrop behind Talan.

"... You will have to be satisfied with just the child. Balthasar is dead."

"...No..."

"An unfortunate accident not too long ago. We too mourn his pass-"

"You are lying!"

"Read my mind, Lord Azuire. I am telling the truth."

"... No!"

The hangar doors began to slide close, and the stored Solarian gears in the hanger activated.

"Whether you believe me or not is of no concern. You belong to Solaris now."

*******************************

"Bastards!" Azuire quickly jumped back into Darwin and eyed the enemy gears approaching him. Their Vulcan guns revolved threatheningly. His intercom suddenly activated.

"My Lord, now that you know that Balthasar's child in all alone, surely you are not so selfish as to take the easy alternative-"

Azuire shut Talan off.

Damn them! They never intended to honor their promise.

*******************************

Talan watched as the sky-blue enemy gear retreated towards the now closed hangar deck doors.

It is useless to resist our might.

He and his men failed to see a lone hydrolist still working and bringing up a large dark blue gear.

*******************************

Surprised by the unexpected foe, the Solarian gears were easily cut down by the prototype gear, Siebzehn, that Nikolai Balthasar had designed for them.

*******************************

"Sir, finally! You certainly took your time."

"Young one, even I need a modest amount of time to accomplish all those tasks you enlisted to me in this master plan of yours."

"Hanger door controls?"

"Done."

*******************************

Talan could only stare, numb-shocked, at his massacred gear army and at the hangar doors which were beginning to slide open once more.

"... Bridge, raise the shields!" He yelled into his com unit.

*******************************

They had only went a short distance when Darwin, who was in the lead, smacked into a forcefield.

"...Azuire, are you all right?"

"... Slightly dazed, but otherwise functional. They reacted rather quickly, didn't they?"

"Hmm... we will need to punch a hole through it."

"... We better hurry. They won't use ship weaponry at this close range, but they still have many gears left."

"Standby for concentrated fire."

*******************************

"Sir, they are using their Vulcan guns to punch a hole through the shields."

"Transfer power to that area, and tell the men to hurry up with those reserve units."

*******************************

"Solarian gears incoming." Darwin stopped firing and moved to guard Siebzehn's rear. "I'll distract them while you escape."

"Don't be such a hero." Balthazar's voice muttered through the com system. His gear backed off from the shield as well. "We have another alternative."

*******************************

"Commander, sensors report another gear moving at high speed directly towards us!"

"... Evasive action."

"Aye sir. ... Sir, it has a lock on us."

"Target and fire when ready."

"... It's moving too fast for weapons lock."

"Employ manual firing."

"Complying."

*******************************

Balthazar's gear Calamity shuddered as repeated laser fire struck it head on. However, despite continued efforts to destroy it, it only took an instant for the shield to give when it crashed into it.

*******************************

"Sir, shield integrity has been compromised."

"I can see that, lieutenant. Set a pursuit course."

*******************************

"Now, I know why they call you a genius."

"It is a well-deserved title."

"How are they?"

"... I was unable to locate Nikolai at the location you specified."

?! "How can that be...? I feel him."

"You have done more than enough. I found Maria and this gear, and that is more than I had hoped for."

"He... he was there. I just know it!"

"You barely knew my son, young one. You could have mistaken his presence."

"... I am sorry."

"Don't be. As I have said, you have helped me more than enough."

"... They are following us..."

*******************************

"They are increasing speed."

"Match course and increase velocity."

*******************************

"... Sir, Darwin's trusters are malfunctioning. They must have been damaged when I crashed into the shield."

"Then, you will have to transfer gears."

"You go on ahead. I will land and transfer to Calamity."

"... You should really stop being so chivalrous. It will lead you to an early grave. Besides, what makes you think I will leave my Calamity with you?"

*******************************

Azuire had barely gotten out of Darwin when enemy gears landed nearby.

"Azuire," Balthazar shouted at him. "Get onboard Calamity quickly. I will hold them off."

"You do not have to tell me twice!"

*******************************

"Lieutenant, order the troops to ignore the gears and focus on capturing Azuire alive."

*******************************

He stumbled to halt, falling to his knees as the ground in front of him disappeared in an explosion. Coughing from the dirt and dust, he thumbed on his com unit. "Sir, it's no use. They will not let me get to Calamity. Get out of here!"

"... Hold on."

Azuire yelped when Calamity suddenly appeared through the thick cloud of dust, flying straight towards him. He leaped into the pit, just a whisker from being decapitated.

"... Oops..."

*******************************

"Sir, the target is unconscious."

"Very well. Order the troops to reclaim Seibzehn and sent down a retrieval unit."

*******************************

"Not good." Balthazar soon found himself surrounded, and had to release control of Calamity in order to concentrate on piloting Seibzehn.

Behind, Maria lay still, still unconscious. His mind and hands focused on the controls so similar to his old gear. I am not going to let you take her again!

*******************************

"Sir, our gears are no match against the prototype."

"Just make certain that it doesn't get away until Azuire has been taken. We can use him as leverage."

"Aye-aye si- ... Sir, there's another gear approaching!"

"What?! Order the team to hurry up and target that new gear!"

*******************************

Solarian troopers scattered as a silver-white gear landed defensively over the crater where Azuire lay unmoving.

It ignored repeated gun-fire from both ship and troops as it bent over to pick up the unconscious man.

*******************************

"Cease firing! We do not want to hit the target."

"But how are we suppose to defeat it."

"Order the troops to use force nets."

*******************************

Yui barely managed to avoid the shimmering plasma net spinning towards at her. An edge settled over her gear's foot instead, and she quickly kicked it away. At the same time, she noted the sudden power drop in that part of the machine.

I have to make sure I do not get tangled up in one of those things...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Solarian force nets were designed as such to immobilize gears by draining away power. An effective method of capturing units whole and intact, but only foot soldiers can utilize it since upon activation, the net automatically leaches power from any contact, even from within a gear cannon. The net must be thrown by hand, fully activated since the very nature of the net disallows the installment of a remote control trigger. Even troopers have been known to collapse after minute contact with an activated force net."

"There have been alternative considerations of placing force nets within gunshells. However, usage of these devices have fallen due to the more composite compositions of gears nowadays. Force nets are no longer as effective since the besieged units have the time to cast them away and even turn them back at their owners. A more dangerous descendant of the force net is currently employed extensively by the Etones of the Ethos regime. It is called Seal, and the differences between that and its prototype are..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yui immediately fired trusters and escaped before more nets could be launched at her. It's a good thing I listen to your lectures, Uncle.

*******************************

Balthazar watched, satisfied, as his enemy retreated, only to go after them when he realized they were now after Gaspar's granddaughter.

"On no, you don't!" Siebzehn smashed through the gear ranks and headed for the lone white gear dodging force nets from Elijah's cannons.

"Yui, get out of there!"

"I can't. I'm trapped within their shield."

Siebzehn halted, hovering just outside the shield. "Damn them."

*******************************

"We have them, sir."

"Tsk. There was no doubt. Com, send an ultimatum to the pilot of Siebzehn. He has five minutes to return Solaris property to its rightful owner, and inform the other gear that he is merely wasting fuel."

"Yes sir." ? "... There is an incoming coded message from Commander Ricadeau...?"

"What?! Identification code?"

"... Confirmed. It is the commander."

"Put him on screen."

*******************************

Yui was tearing a force net off when the Solarian skyship backed off. Expecting to be dragged like a fish out of water, she placed trusters in reverse and shoot off in the opposite direction pass the shield and by Siebzehn. It was a full minute before she recovered from the unexpectedly easy escape and slowed down the engines.

"... What happened...?"

Far far away, she could see the gears and trooper landers packed back into their mothership like bees to a hive. Soon, a gray-blue bumblebee appeared on the horizon.

*******************************

"Yui? Yui, are you all right?"

"... Yes, I am, sir."

"Azuire?"

Yui looked down and moved her gear's hands apart. Her uncle was sleeping, nestled in a palm and curled up like a cat in a sun bath. Yui smiled at the sight. I always did have him in the palm of my hand. She laughed.

? "Yui?"

She coughed and carefully shielded Azuire again. "I think he's fine. Sensors show his vital signs are strong."

"Good. Let's not waste our good fortune then, shall we?"

"... Why do you think they let us go just like that?"

"Hmm... we appear to have a guardian angel watching over us. Let's go."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I wish I hadn't saved you."

It hurt to say those words to him. Despite all that he had done, all the lies and deceptions... I still love him. ... He cares for me. I know and feel he does. I see it in his eyes. I hear it in his voice. I feel it in the way he holds me at night. ... Uncle knew this, somehow, he did. He is willing to forfeit his life for me, for the happiness he wants for me. ... But how could I let you go like that. How could I simply accept your sacrifice? How could I be happy knowing what you did... what you both did?

When she turned back, Hyuga was gone.

"... I wish I never met you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Yui watched as the medics took Azuire away. He was still unconscious, but they assured her that it was just a minor concussion. He will wake up soon.

Uncle... Yui lowered her eyes and followed them. I am so glad you are all right... She stopped just before the hangar entrance and watched as the medics and her uncle lying on a medi-gurney disappeared around a corner.

Hyuga...

Obeying an impulse, she turned and headed for the storage area. Long ago, this section of the hangar brimmed with activity as gears, machinery and equipment were moved to and fro from storage to the main hanger deck and back. Now, only derelict and antiquated machines and equipment were stored there, and maintenance was kept at a very poor level.

Lights flickered, and steam hissed from old worn-out pipes as Yui walked further in.

Hyuga, even now, I still think of you.

*******************************

He stood in front of his gear, head angled upward and staring at Fenrir as if it could talk and give him answers.

Yui... Hyuga lowered his head. Despair, a terrible weight especially when borne alone. I have done all I can. ... I cannot have both, her and my duty.

"Hyuga."

He turned slowly to see her walking towards him. He couldn't identify the look in her eyes nor the expression on her face. Before he could do anything, she reached him and kissed him chastely on a cheek before stepping away to stand in front of him.

Stunned, and suspicion clouding eager hope, he watched her carefully. ... One does not greet one's enemy with a kiss... He waited for her next move.

"Thank you, Hyuga."

"..."

"I do not know exactly, but you saved my unc-"

"You seem to forget I am the reason he was in danger in the first place."

"No, I-"

"You have to understand. Sooner or later, either you or him or your grandfather will be taken."

"..."

"Azuire understood this. That is why he agreed to the exchange."

"An agreement on false promises."

"That is one of the reasons I interceded."

"Reasons? More than one?"

"..."

"You know it is wrong-"

"... It is necessary-"

"For what purpose?"

"I cannot tell you that."

"There are many things you cannot tell me."

"It is for your own protection."

"You were going to let them have my family!"

"It was either him or-" Hyuga broke off even as she continued for him, "Or me." Yui blinked and looked away, her eyes, bright. "W-who," she whispered so softly he could barely hear her, "who gave you the right to decide who lives and dies?"

"... It was Azuire who planned this-"

She cut him off, "If it were your choice, who would you choose?"

"... The point is null-"

"Who would you choose?!" She finally met his eyes. This time, tears were visible in her eyes. Yui trembled, her hands clenched tight against her sides. As if unable to stand the sight of him, her eyes shut tight, and Hyuga watched as a tear drop ran slowly down her cheek. She suddenly breathed in sharply, a small strangled cry escaping from her as another tear drop fell.

He caught it in his hand. The tiny fragile jewel shattered in his palm, a gentle barely perceptible spray of grief. Yet, each minuscule droplet, a needle in his flesh.

"... What relevance is that question?"

She stilled, her eyes opening slowly to his. The hand that caught her tear now touched her face. A thumb gently wiped the rest away. You know who I would choose, Yui.

Those golden eyes showed him so many things, too many to be analyzed properly. The wounded pain that widened them. The clear crystal surfaces that reflected him. The subtle motions that marked the thoughts racing through her mind and the emotions that confounded the senses. Hyuga wondered what she read in his own eyes.

"When will you go?"

Go away. The pain that he had managed to numb so far broke loose. "Soon."

"Will you come back?" His hand dropped as Yui regarded him steadily. I don't want to go... "That is unlikely," He paused and asked, his words low yet loud in his ears, "Do you... want me to?" ...Yui?

No... He fell back, hearing her answer in his mind and breathed out harshly, struggling with surprise and pain.

... I can't let her see me like this! Pride reared its regal head, and he turned and walked away. He was deaf to the sound of running steps and reacted slowly when her arms went around him. She is only sorry for you!

He shrugged her off. I don't want your pity! He pulled away. I don't want it! I don't need you!

But I need you! Hyuga stumbled as the mental cry echoed, deafening in his mind. Only her embrace kept him from falling.

"I don't want you to leave, Hyuga."

No, I do not want you to go away.

*******************************

She pressed her face against his back, wanting to hide. She felt so confused, emotions mixed-up and jumbled, but she knew she couldn't just let him go.

"... I love you."

Yui felt him start then relax. Hyuga turned around in her arms and held her close.

"Yui," he said simply, gently, but she didn't look up at him, her face now buried in his chest. She was totally embarrassed and refused to budge when he tried to make her raise her head.

"... Yui?" She nodded, still hiding, and he sighed. Her heart leaped at the fondness in that one sound. ... I am hopeless.

"You once asked me if I had no pride."

She nodded again, and he continued softly, his voice warm, "I could ask the same thing of you."

"... I know and accept when I have been defeated."

"... I cannot say you are a wise woman to fall in love with me."

"My fault entirely. " Finally, she moved back slightly, lifting her eyes to his bemused gaze. Her eyes were clear now, and her composure restored. She always did enjoy playful banther. "I should have never helped you in the first place."

"Yes." Hyuga nodded, his eyes and expression totally serious, except for the tiny quirk on the edge of his mouth. "That would have been the best thing to do."

"Hmm... yes; unfortunately, I have this fondness for tall, dark and handsome spies." Her head jerked with realization. "You remind me of Uncle," she stated, dumbfounded.

"..." Yui wasn't the only one.

*******************************

"Please stay, Hyuga."

"... I cannot-"

"Then, I will go with you."

"... No!"

"I love you, Hyuga. I will do anything for you."

"Is dying included?"

"Yes."

"No, Yui!"

"I cannot live without you."

"Stop acting like a blithering idiot! Think seriously about this."

"But I am serious, darling."

"..."

"I need you-"

"I do not want you coming with me!"

"You do not have to be concerned with my welfare. I can take care of myself."

"... Yui..."

"Dear Hyuga-"

"Stay here in Shevat!"

"Why?"

"... You are safe here."

"Darling, we barely managed to survive the latest invasion fleet. Shevat is not the sanctuary it used to be if it ever was."

"Azuire can protect you."

"Didn't you say that Solaris is after me or uncle or grandfather?"

"..."

"One Gaspar is sufficient for their purposes."

"... You are sacrificing yourself?!"

"I will do anything for you, Hyuga. That includes advancing your career."

"Yui!"

"Yes?"

"Have you no pride at all, woman?!"

"I cannot help myself. I just love you so much."

"If you really love me, you stay here."

"Uhm... no."

"Yui!"

*******************************

Her compiece suddenly beeped, and Yui activated it while Hyuga paced in front of her.

"Yes?"

"Lady Gaspar, Lord Azuire has awaken and is asking for you."

"Thank you. Tell him I will be there soon."

"Yes, your ladyship."

As Yui placed the unit away, Hyuga walked up to her, opened his mouth and sputtered when she kissed him.

"...Yui!"

"I'm sorry, but you are so adorable."

"This is very serious."

"I know it is." While he stared at her helplessly, she kissed him again before turning away.

"I mean every word, Hyuga."

He watched as she walked away from him.

... She is trapping me! He never felt so out-manuevered in his entire life. I can't stay here...


I am your servant...


My duty... As long as I remain here, I must deliver a telepath back to Solaris. Yui's persistence in rescuing Azuire had made it impossible for him to remain in Shevat. His task to his Solarian masters was not complete. Hyuga felt panic rise, the once familiar emotion now alien with his current experience. He never expected his beliefs and loyalty to be so sorely tested by a woman when the mission was assigned to him. Thoughts ran fast through his mind as he struggled to resolve the situation. They are still in confusion after the failure of capturing Azuire. Hyuga found himself thanking the bureaucratic though imperialistic Solarian government system. I have little time before my orders are reaffirmed and repeated. Talan would not be persuaded twice even by arguments coming from his superior. I have to maintain my ties with Solaris.

I have to get out of here!

Where is he...? Yui scanned the surrounding horizon, desperate to find any sign of Fenrir. ... I have to go back soon. She checked the fuel gauge. There was barely enough fuel to get her back to Shevat safely.

Hyuga... She closed her eyes, concentrating on touching his mind. Please come back.

Sensing nothing, she wearily leaned back against the backrest. ... I am not giving up.

A bright flash blinded her, and the control panel beeped collision warnings. Blinking, she saw the Fenrir hovering just in front of her.

*******************************

"Yui, go back to Shevat."

"No."

"You are just wasting energy pursuing me like this."

"I don't care."

"Neither do I, but I do not want you wasting your time."

"So you do care."

"Stop twisting my words."

"I'll stop when you stop lying."

"Leave me alone."

"No."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yui..."

Warm relief graced her features as she immediately clasped the hand extended towards her. Azuire's eyes lit, and a small smile touched his lips. He relaxed and settled more comfortably into the reclined medbed. He heaved a sigh of relief, and his eyelids lowered sleepily.

Little one... His hand tightened around hers, and Yui winced. Don't ever do that again!

Uncle, I couldn't-

The pressure on her hands increased warningly. They could have taken both of us!

... We're all right-

Sheer luck! We are fortunate your spy loves you.

...

Understand, little one. He cannot help next time.

Unc-

It was my choice, my decision. You should not have interfered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Go back to Shevat, Yui."

"No."

"... I am still your enemy."

"Then, attack me."

"... Stop relying on my affections for you to make me change sides. I am not that shallow."

"You know what is right and what is wrong, Hyuga. Do what you believe you should do."

"It is not that simple, and I have already thought about it. You cannot come."

"... I will still go."

"No!"

"I have to do what I believe I should do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yui backed away from the bed as Councilor Casn entered the room. Azuire frowned at the intrusion.

"You are well, I hope, Azuire," Casn said inquisitively, his eyes darting over his rival's irritated face like a snake contemplating his prey.

"What do you want, Casn?" Her uncle said straight to the point, not in the mood for pretend pleasantries, especially with this man.

Casn smiled, clearly pleased with Azuire's discomfort, and Yui glared at him when he glanced at her.

Azuire's eyes narrowed. "She stays. What you have to say to me you can say to her."

Casn looked back at him and smoothly replied. "Of course. The Lady Gaspar is always delightful company." The smile on his face turned suggestive. "Isn't that right, Azuire?" He added pointedly.

Yui's eyes widened at the insinuation, and only Azuire's frozen expression saved Casn from her wrath.

Casn's tone was soft, wheedling. "No need to look shameful, Azuire." His jade eyes were sly. "It is understandable. After all," his eyes flicked towards Yui again, "the daughters of man are indeed beautiful. It is little wonder that the sons of God find them so beguiling."

"Why are you here, Casn?" Azuire interrupted him calmly, his tone suddenly bored.

Both Yui and Casn stared at him as he continued uncaringly, "I find it hard to believe the reason for this visit is to attack my virtue." An eyebrow tilted questioningly. "How trivial your concerns are." Yui never heard him sound so cold. "Mayhaps seeing me abed proved too much of a temptation to satisfy a need to justify your own parental inadequa-"

"Her majesty requests a personal debriefing of your recent excursion into enemy grounds." Casn's face was red, and his fists clenched visibly at his sides. "Balthazar has already given his report, and the Council awaits your presence."

"Oh, please inform our associates I will be there soon." Azuire waved a hand carelessly. "You may go now, Casn."

Casn nodded stiffly and exited post-haste. It was to his credit that he didn't attack the patient. When Yui looked back at Azuire, there was a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Uncle, I would not want you for an enemy."

"A wise decision, little one."

"Why is he so adamant about the idea that we... are more than properly intimate with each other?"

"Such a play of words for a child."

"I am no longer a child!"

"You have the temper of a child."

'You still treat me like a child."

"After what you did, I will never call you by name again."

"What did you expect me to do?! Just let you go like that?!"

"Exactly!"

"... I can't-"

"That is why you are still a child. You should have let me go."

You have to let me go....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You have to let me go, Yui." Hyuga's voice was soft, gentle and infinitely sad. Yui closed her eyes, fighting the pain at the unfairness of it all. Let go... "I- I can't, Hyuga." I can't let either of you go.

"Yui-"

She removed the compiece from her ear and quickly inputted a course into the helm.

*******************************

Hyuga watched as Yui's gear turned and flew away from him. He barely stopped himself from going after her. Yui...

The hope that had insistently refused to be smothered within him suddenly disappeared, snuffed out like the flickering flame of a candle.

I should be glad she is gone... Hyuga stared blindly at the empty viewscreen. I have to let her go...

Fool! He cringed at the anger and contempt at himself.

Whether or not you are with her, she is still in danger. You are just saving yourself.

... My duty-

Is to yourself. Selfish. You know they'll still get one if not all. You just do not want the blame.

...

"Frightened, Guardian?"

"... Sire?!"

"Keep quiet! You are of no use to me in this state. You will not recover completely from this nor quickly and easily. I know you better than you yourself. The woman possesses your heart."

"... Your majes-"

"I chose you, because of that inherent talent of seeing possibilities beyond the obvious. You serve your beliefs while serving others. Compromise is achieved. Not complete satisfcation; nevertheless, an accomplishment. You are a rare specimen of humanity, Hyuga Ricadeau. You survive in the midst of horror, but I fear you have finally lost having touched the light."

"..."

"There is no compromise this time, Guardian. A sacrifice is necessary. Your heart or Solaris. What do you want?"

*******************************

... Let go... have to let go... not to care... control...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Take a deep breath and focus, little one."

"... I am trying, Uncle."

"Be patient. Control does not come easy."

"... Why can't I be calm like you?!"

"... Look deep into yourself and find a calm spot."

"... Where?"

"Look for it first."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A calm spot... Where is it...?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I am going to have perfect control. I promise, Uncle."

"... Perfection is not what I want from you."

"But isn't perfection good?"

"... Not necessarily, little one."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I do not want to care... I do not want to feel anymore... It hurts too much...


Her gear suddenly decelerated hard, and Yui was shocked out of her meditation. Startled, she stared, confused, at the controls as alarms blared and warning lights blinked red at her.

"... Hyuga?"

Static cracked from the com speakers. "Why are you heading away from Shevat?"

"..."

"Your course leads to where you rescued Azuire!"

"... That is none of your business."

"Like hell it is not! You are searching for the Elijah."

"Let me go."

"No!"

"Be sensible. This is the best solution."

"No, it is not!"

"I will not let them harm my family, and I will not let them punish you for failure."

"I can take care of myself, and I will not let them hurt you or your family."

"... Liar."

"... Yui-"

"Let me go, Hyuga."

"Please believe me."

"No."

Yui fired trusters and kicked away from the Fenrir.

"Yui!"

Hyuga reacted quickly, and Fenrir followed.

Several gear lengths ahead, smoke suddenly plumed from one of the engines of her gear. It began a dangerous downward spiral to earth.

"No!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Uncle..."

"Yes?"

"Are you really my uncle?"

"... Who told you otherwise?"

"Doesn't matter. Are you really my uncle?"

"Yes, I am. Would you like me to specify my exact position in the Gaspar family tree?"

"Please."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was something warm covering her, a reassuring heat on her face down her entire body. She opened her eyes to see a dusk-lit sky.

The clouds were tinged with orange, red and gold. They floated by in a dark azure sky slowly turning violet as the sun slowly set in the horizon. It was a different though no less beautiful sight from the usual sunset seen from Shevat.

She sat up slowly. A blanket fell down to her lap, and she found that she was on a similar blanket placed over the grass.

"Yui?" She turned to see Hyuga walking towards her, relief in his eyes, and his hands wiping away grease with a rag. The gears were right behind him.

"How do you feel?" She felt the back of his hand against her forehead and moved away. She stood up.

"I am fine, Hyuga." She picked up the fallen blanket and shook it out before meticulously folding it. "Thank you for asking."

*******************************

Hyuga watched as Yui chewed her food thoroughly before swallowing. She took another bite of the ration bar and chewed silently, her eyes affixed on the camp fire.

"... Yui?"

"Yes, Hyuga?" Her eyes didn't even waver from the fire. "What is it?"

Are you angry with me? Are still angry at me? Why are you acting this way? He closed his eyes momentarily, a weary sigh emerging from his lips. "Never mind." I do not really want to know the answer.

"No, no." Hyuga stared as her as she frowned and asked, "In what way am I acting peculiarly?"

"..." She read my mind.

"Actually, I heard you." She shrugged. "Your thoughts are not shielded anymore." She looked at him thoughtfully. "Has your master abandoned you?"

"... No, he hasn't." He looked back into eerily blank eyes. "We both decided it doen't matter if you hear us."

She tilted her head slightly. "Doesn't matter..." A nod. "You are right. I do not care."

With that, she stood up, smiled politely at him and walked away. "I need a little exercise," she informed him quietly, "I will be back in a hour or so."

...Yui...

*******************************

"How long will it be before my gear is operational?"

"... One of the turbine blades snapped off and caused a great deal of damage in the engine. I am salvaging parts from the other engines and from Fenrir. It will take time."

"My fault. The chief mechanic warned me about the weakened component, but I couldn't wait. Neither did I thought of taking another gear."

Hyuga watched as she placed a hand on the blackened engine shell. When she removed it, a clear handprint remained amidst the grease and soot.

"It is dangerous to let feelings rule over actions. It will not happen again." Golden eyes looked at him objectively, the stare of a stranger. "We are now even, Hyuga."

*******************************

Why are you this way? Cold and distant. It is not you... and yet... it is you.

*******************************

Yui was watching the ocean. They had landed on a cliff overlooking the waters. Below, a sandy beach extended invitingly up and down the shoreline.

Hearing a footfall behind her, she turned to see Hyuga. He looked tired, his eyes met hers unwillingly, and his steps were slow as he walked towards her.

"Your gear is repaired, and I have siphoned some of Fenrir's fuel into your tanks."

She smiled at him, "Thank you, Hyuga." and moved to walk pass him back to the gears. I have to hur-

One step, and she found herself trapped in the circle of his arms. They tightened, pushing her into the warm cocoon of his body. There was a feathery caress against her temple.

"You are not going anywhere until you promise you are going straight back to Shevat."

"No."

"Then, I am not letting you go."

She glanced up at him and saw the determination in his face. "Why would you care, Hyuga? I am no longer your concern."

His eyes widened then narrowed as he pulled her closer. "Do not ever say that," he said softly, angry in the way his embrace constricted around her smaller frame. Yui looked away as he continued, "You know very well I care for you."

She didn't see the gentle look in his eyes but felt him relax, his arms loosening, allowing her more space but still holding her.

"I am going back to Shevat with you."

"... What of Solaris?"

"I have finally realized that my foremost duty is to myself."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I chose you because you can think for yourself. Unlike those simpering idiots following that man's every whim, you are not under the false illusion of serving your own needs. What I value the most from you is your own judgment."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I will not let them take any of you."

"... It is too late."

Surprised, Hyuga let her go when she pulled away from him. Her eyes were resigned, and fear rose in him as did bitter bile, coating his throat.

"Yui-"

"I did something, Hyuga." She sounded regretful though her eyes remained calm, unaffected.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was crying, sobbing as quietly as she could manage, hiding her tears from the sight of the world around. She sat, huddled in the shadow of the only tree on the small floating island.

"Yui?" She lifted her tear-streak face as Azuire kneeled in front of her, concern in crystal blue eyes. Ashamed to have him see her like this, she scrambled to her feet and would have ran away had he not grabbed her.

He held her protectively, ignoring pitiful attempts to get away.

"Uncle, let me go!"

"No, little one." Powerful fingers framed her face, thumbs smoothly wiping tears away. "Not until you tell me why you are crying."

A small sob escaped her fragile control, and she buried her face against his neck, seeking comfort from the only family she knew.

Yui... It felt strange talking this way, hearing and speaking words in her mind, vocal cords effectively useless and unneeded.

Tell me what is wrong, little one.

Yui smiled despite her sadness, cherishing the trust and respect Azuire placed on her. It would have been so easy and much more simple for him to take what information he desired immediately rather than wait for her to tell him herself.

... They were so mean, Uncle. She conjured up the memory, flashes and pictures of boys and girls her age laughing, smiling, playing as all children are wont to do. Innocence concealing the decay within.

Such a poor girl. It must be hard to be related to a traitor...

She's pretty. I bet she'll be easy to handle...

She doesn't deserve to be with us. She's nothing...

If it wasn't for mother telling me to be nice to her...

Who does she think she is?! Presuming to be worthy of our company...

I don't care that Sensei is part of her family. I don't like her.

It went on and on, destroying every perception that she had true friends. Barrages of hate bombarding her from all corners.

Yui whimpered, bowing down before the invisible needles which injured just as painfully as real ones, leaving marks she knew she could never heal.

It stopped suddenly, and warmth blanketed her, a presence enveloping her senses.

Pay no mind to them, little one... A breeze, a cool and gentle wind blew around her.

Ignore...

Peace descended, swathing her in strangely reassuring wisps of emptiness.

... Uncle, your calm spot!

Azuire's laughter resonated around her as delight touched her core.

Yes, little Yui. This is my calm spot.

... It's wonderful here... She felt as if anger and pain especially were beyond her.

Uh hmmm... It is rather nice.

Yui let herself go, so free, not one care. It didn't matter... nothing mattered.

Something heavy suddenly weighed her down.

... Uncle?

I'm sorry, little one. You cannot stay here long.

... Why not? Stubbornly, she refused the steady pull back to reality.

You are still too young and undisciplined. You'll lose yourself here.

Aren't you always telling me to look for my calm spot?

That was simply to train and focus your concentration. You do not find it, Yui. It develops and grows as the need for it arises and demands.

...

My calm spot is far too dangerous for you.

... What's so wrong about it?

It can possess you if you are not wary. Losing yourself in it leeches away your will and strength to face life.

... Why do you say that, Uncle?

... I was trapped in it, little one. For a long time, I didn't care. I didn't feel anything. Neither hate or love.

...

I do not want you to experience the same.

... Why then-

To comfort and to warn you. It cannot be denied that sometimes, to feel nothing is a blessing and a cure, but like medicine and all things in life, too much will destroy, even emptiness. I was trapped, because I did not want to care.

Uncle-

Whatever you do, little one. Do not let it take you.


"To love is to hate. As opposite as they are, one cannot exist without the other. Perfection means denying all extremes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hyuga looked at her silently, seeing the emptiness in as always and still beautiful gold eyes. He understood all too well what she was referring to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What does it matter anymore...?

He traced the rim of the teacup moodlessly, seeing his pale reflection in the murky surface. He drank the tea quickly.

A clink of china on the low table, a careless wipe with the back of his hand, and he stood up, taking his katana with him from the floor.

He had a mission to do and little time to accomplish it. An absent-minded glance around his sparse executive suite, and a few steps later, he was out of the door and heading for his superior's officer at a moderate clip.

... Jessiah... Sigurd... They were gone, having abandoned Solaris for the surface. Those two were too hot-blooded, far too stubborn and set in their beliefs. They simply couldn't adjust to the current situation like he and Kahr did.

Flexibility is the key...

Look where careful adjustment and understanding had led him. Already, he was a commander in the mighty Gebler. Compliance was better and wiser than belligerance.

... And yet...

A twinge of pain caused him to falter, a minute uneven rhythm in his step.

Which was harder, he wondered. Anger... or pain at betrayal?

*******************************

"I choose you, Hyuga Ricadeau, for I see hope in you. In exchange for your vow of fealty, I will keep you for making too many mistakes."

One of the measures Cain imposed on him was to make him relive his nightmares.

"Even pain, Guardian, is a lesser regret then feeling nothing at all."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"... What are you doing?!" Yui's eyes were wide, staring at him befuddled and wary as she leaned away from him. Hyuga smiled purposely as she twisted in his embrace, pushing futilely against him.

"You are going back to Shevat," he said firmly before bending his head to teasingly bite a delicate lobe. Her ears, he observed, had turned pinker in the last few moments.

"... Let me go!"

Pleasure is a measure as effective as pain.

*******************************

"Damn it, Hyuga! Get off me!" A satisfied smile curved his lips, and he knew that Yui's face was not red from anger alone.

Her eyes narrowed at the smirk on his face, and he barely blocked the clenched fist heading his way.

His fingers clamped tight around her wrist, and he forced her arm down to press into the ground over her head.

Yui's eyes widened in panic, and she snatched her other hand back too late when his hand snaked out to capture it.

"No!"

*******************************

She was stretched out underneath him, her sweet young body, an epitome of desire.

A hand held hers captive. A feeble struggling once in a while as he tasted earthly ambrosia.

His hand felt the heat, and ever increasing warmth against his palm as he kneaded firmly and steadily.

The sun warmed his back as a wind blew across and between them, fingers of cold intruders on heated flesh.

His body pressed hers into the silent ground. Tight, their bodies meld and fitted, a match for one another as was destined.

His hand loosened and lowered to tangle in her hair. No longer prisoners as if they ever were, her hands moved to his back, running over muscle, sinew and bone beneath smooth skin, warm prints on his flesh. The warm sun and cool wind now bare memories.

*******************************

Starlight shone down on them, twinkling points barely discernable as brighter diffused light shoned from the cloud-shrouded moon. Yui idly wondered how long it had been since her frantic departure from Shevat. A day? Two days, perhaps. Uncertain, since Shevat was in a different time zone then where she was now. Her chronometer set to standard Shevat time would tell her how long she had been gone. That is, if she could find it.

The arm around her waist tightened, and she closed her eyes, deciding to leave chronological concerns to another time. "Hyuga, just what do you expect me to wear for the trip back?"

She felt him tensed then relaxed as a chuckle brushed pass her ear. He sounded the slightest bit smug.

His hand moved lazily beneath the single coverlet sheltering them from the cold night, and Yui's eyes snapped open the moment the tender torment began. It took her some time to gather the resolve and slap his hands away.

*******************************

Hyuga watched as she wound the blanket around her. She wasn't looking at him, and long locks hid her face from him.

An ocean wind blew, and he automatically shivered, sorely missing her warmth against him, and the blanket she was currently utilizing as make-shift clothing.

He sighed, sat up and glanced around for his clothes. He stood up slowly before walking over to where they lay in an untidy heap.

He had only picked up his shirt, when Yui stalked off in the direction of the beach below.

*******************************

Yui groaned, absolutely frustrated and irritated. She scanned the sand around her, searching for her uniform, which had fallen off the cliff when the wind playfully carried it away. Even nature conspired against her.

She had noticed her only decent set of clothing at this time blowing away and would have gone after it were not for Hyuga. Now, all she had on was an all too translucent shift and the blanket, which was part of the emergency kit in her gear. She never thought to stow away an extra uniform. Such foresight was considered unnecessary since Shevat uniforms were virtually indestructible.

Self-cleaning and all weather-purposed they were. The person wearing them was more likely to expire far earlier than the uniform itself. It was also fabricated to be as light as possible for the wearer's ease and benefit.

"Ugh..." Yui covered her face with her hands, quite uncomfortable with her current state of wear. "... That Hyuga." Who else could she blame?

Something heavy suddenly covered her shoulders, and she exhaled slowly and silently before lowering her hands and glancing at Hyuga to murmur a thank you for his emergency blanket.

*******************************

"I believe you are in a conundrum, Lady Gaspar."

"No thanks to you."

"I can lend you my shirt."

"Insufficient."

"My shirt and trousers?"

"Have you no shame, Commander?"

"I see no other alternative I can offer."

"... I'll have to call ahead to Unc-"

"Oh my God!" Hyuga was alarmed when Yui paled very noticeably. "... Yui?"

"He's going to kill me!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yui, promise me you will stay here in Shevat."

"..."

"I mean it. Under no circumstances will you go after Ricadeau."

"Uncle-"

"Give me your word, Yui."

"... I promise, Uncle."

"... Good. I will be in chambers for no doubt a long time."

Council Conferences were notorious for long drawn-out meetings. Especially when the issue concerned involved the highest of Shevat elite. Azuire was not keen on the anticipated debate to take place between him and Casn concerning the validity of his actions.

"I will see you then, Yui."

"Yes, Uncle." Yui bowed respectfully as Azuire turned away. She listened as his footsteps become fainter. There was a cumbersome low noise as the door to the Council Chamber opened and soon rumbled shut again.

Yui lifted her head and slowly removed the pendant Azuire had given her. She lifted the delicate figurine to eye level, and her eyes narrowed at the barely perceivable glimmer in one of the mother bird's eyes.

... You are tricky, Uncle. Ever since he had informed her of the potential superiority of her telepathy compared to his, Yui had steadily developed a mental block far stronger than she had considered possible for her.


The contact method can go by any mental block, but you will have to know the person intimately


Then, why would he feel the need to plant a homing beacon on me?


Before departing Shevat to look for Hyuga, she had left the pendant and a message packet at his house. She had expected never to return.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"- Answer! I swear by Sophia's Angel, if you do not respond..."

"Now, you will have to go back." Yui glanced at Hyuga, who was smiling amused and satisfied as Azuire ranted from the com speakers.

*******************************

"You ungrateful child!" Yui nodded meekly as her guardian's irate voice scolded her. Hyuga stood just behind her, his presence a reassuring comfort as she faced Azuire's wrath, which was very palpable even when disembodied.

"I'm sorry-"

"Keep quiet, Yui!" She winced. ...Uncle is really angry. A warm arm slipped over her stomach, and she smiled as Hyuga stepped closer.

Azuire continued, "I should have known you would elope with him!"

"... Uncle, it wasn't like that!"

"Wasn't it?" Hyuga's voice was teasing, and Yui sighed. ... These two... "You are not helping," she whispered to him reprovingly as Azuire went on unheeded.

"You are grounded, young lady! Do you hear me?! Grounded!"

Hyuga asked, "Can he really do it?"

Yui nodded sadly.

"I try my best to be a good and fair parent to you, and this is the way you repay me?!"

"He is really angry this time, Hyuga," Yui said mournfully, not at all relishing the time when she would meet her uncle again."

"Hmm... how can he ground you way up there?"

"... Hyuga!"

"Are you two even listening to me?!" Azuire was definitely pissed off.

*******************************

"Little one...," Azuire was calmer now. "You get back here immediately."

"... But-"

"Now, Yui." He sounded even more dangerous when quiet.

"... Yes, sir."

"I will be expecting you. As for you, Commander..."


Author's note:

That's it! I am giving up on those two. They ran my mind and libido ragged. Love is what makes the world go round and round and let's not ever forget the dizzy aspect of that.

Ugh... This chapter is as long as Rebuilding. Definitely have to finish this and soon.

Chapter Thirteen "Life..." is actually composed of 4 WC chapter-length parts namely: Complications (sound familiar?), Exchange, Simple & Complex and Shared. Ack! Forgive the really cornball titles. What do you expect when I wanted to chuck the whole thing up under Complications. Even Rebuilding never got me frustrated like this fic has. sigh...

Yen
alex@gsilink.com

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Rebuilding
Worlds Collide
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