Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Outlaw Star Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction / Zoids Fan Fiction ❯ All Death's Children ❯ Chapter 2

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Vega opened his eyes, though it was almost possible to tell. He was
surrounded on all sides by darkness.

"Fury?" he whispered.

The Zoid's presence was confirmed as he heard a soft growl behind him.

Vega slowly sat up, waiting for something to happen.

It was then that the stars came.

They suddenly blinked into existence, piercing the darkness with their
limited but needed light.

Vega took a deep breath and stood up. He imagined that if he'd ever
been fortunate enough to get there, this was what space might like
look like.

"Vega Obscura."

The voice was soft and quiet, like a whisper, but not quite as loud.

Vega turned to the left, only slightly surprised to find a young girl
standing there. "Are you an angel?"

"No, I'm more of a messenger."

"Then...I'm not dead?"

"It all depends on how you look at it, I suppose. In a way, you're not
alive, but in another, you'll never truly die until you choose to."

"Are all the answers this vague?"

"I'm the wrong one to ask. But if you'll come with me, all your
questions will be answered."

"Well, can you at least tell me how you knew my name?"

The girl smiled. "I--that is, we--have been watching you for a long
time now."

"Why?" Vega asked.

"Because we have always kept close watch over our own."

* * * * *

Hotaru wasn't sure what to make of the new recruit. He was young, as
most of them were. He didn't say much, and she wondered if that was
her fault.

"You're more than you seem, aren't you?"

Hotaru blinked and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"People used to say the same thing about me, so I automatically assume
everyone's got some hidden potential. You, though...you're different."

"Di...different?" she repeated, blushing a bit.

"That's right. I don't have to assume with you. I can tell."

"Oh."

"Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. I've never met anyone that
radiates power like you do."

Hotaru shook her head. "I don't know what you mean!"

"Have it your way. What's your name?"

"Hotaru Tomoe."

"And...wait, you know my name already. Well, this is my Zoid, Berserk
Fury."

"What an...interesting name..."

"It's fitting." Vega paused and frowned. "Are there more Zoids where
we're going?"

"No, yours is the first."

"Oh. In that case, I feel I should ask, what the heck is THAT?"

Hotaru followed his gaze. "Oh, no..."

"What? Something wrong? What is it?"

Hotaru sighed and hid her face in her hands. "It's my boyfriend."

"You don't sound too happy."

"Well, he's not really my boyfriend. That's what he calls himself."

"And what do you call him?" Vega wondered.

Hotaru sighed. "A bother." Then she smiled. "A very cute bother, but
still a big one..."

"And what do you call the thing he's in?"

"That would be a Gundam. I guess you'd consider it a humanoid Zoid,
but they're generally known as mobile suits."

"And just so I know, this bother of yours...he the jealous type?"

"Unfortunately."

"Ah. Then he won't like you riding in my Zoid?"

"No, Vega, I don't think he will. In fact, maybe you'd better let me
out."

"I don't think so," Vega said calmly.

"What? Why not?"

"The instant you leave, I become target practice. Dying once was
painful enough. Besides, I don't like fighting over
misunderstandings." Vega opened the comlink, not surprised at all when
an image of Hotaru's bother instantly popped up in front of him. He
could see why she liked him. He looked handsome, confident...and at
the moment, extremely overprotective of his so-called girlfriend.

"Hi, Duo," Hotaru said quietly, sounding about three feet tall.

Vega didn't say anything, as he didn't feel like being yelled at just
then.

Duo's violet eyes never left Vega's face. "You okay, babe?"

"Fine. I was just talking with the newest recruit."

"Huh. You done yet?"

"Not really. He's got a lot of questions..."

Duo looked more than annoyed as his face abruptly vanished.

"He's going to be like that all night, I'm afraid. At least, until I
can sit him down and explain you didn't try anything with me."

"Well, you did say he was a bother. It's the sort of thing I'd expect
from one." Vega smiled a bit. "Although I can imagine why he might
want to bother you."

Hotaru glanced at him. "Vega, please tell me you're kidding."

"I'm sorry. But it has been a while since..."

"Since WHAT?" Hotaru asked, alarm in her voice.

"Since I've seen a girl," Vega continued. "What did you think I was
going to say?"

"Nothing. Just...nothing."

* * * * *

Duo frowned as he headed back to base. He didn't like the idea of
anyone being so close to his Hotaru.

Well, no one but him, anyway.

It wasn't that he didn't trust her, though. It was that he didn't
trust anyone aside from her.

And Hotaru had always been the passive type. People--boys
especially--would walk all over her, and she'd never give it a second
thought.

Duo, in sharp contrast, couldn't stop thinking about it. He hated the
fact that Hotaru was always sent to receive and greet the new
recruits, but it couldn't be helped. She was the most gentle and
kind-hearted out of them all, aside from the Queen herself. Most of
the recruits were fairly shocked at still being somewhat alive, and
she had a soothing effect on everyone.

Duo didn't like the thought of anyone being too relaxed around Hotaru.
And she'd seemed to prefer talking to the new kid instead of riding
with him, like she usually did.

It was not a good sign.

With a frustrated sigh, he contacted the base. "Shinigami coming home.
Saturn and new recruit in tow."

"Clearance approved," came the almost instant answer. "Docks 7 and 8
are now awaiting your arrival."

"Perfect," Duo muttered, switching over to autopilot. Sometimes, like
now, he realized that Heero Yuy, a.k.a. I-Have-No-Feelings-Man, had it
easy. HE didn't have to deal with jealousy. He didn't get jealous. He
didn't get anything...and Duo was really starting to envy him...